Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Warning: this contains spoilers for Star Vs forces of evil finale, also it set in the same universe with Housepets

The destruction of magic did not come from a cataclysmic explosion, or the death of a god. It came from the whispering of Butterflies.

Star Butterfly, the princess of Mewni, her mother Moon, their ancestor Eclipsa and her infant daughter Meteora, and the shades of all the past Butterflies whispered gently in a circle. The magic water they stood in began to blacken, nearby crystals fractured and crumbled, and Star’s radiant wings and extra arms dissolved away like they were dust.

“It’s working!” Star exclaimed, watching the wings of the other monarchs crumble away.

Star witnessed something descend from the infinite stream of magic water. A musclebound figure rocketing toward them. When she caught sight of the long purple pigtails, she knew who it was.

Mina! Star thought. Yet, all she could utter was a weak “Mother…”

The Solarian warrior flew toward them with a grin laced with bloodlust. “I found you!” she called.

One of the shades turned their head toward her. Upon seeing her face, Mina’s eyes went wide.

“Queen Solaria!?” she gasped. “What are you doing with these monster-smoochers?”

With her concentration and awareness broken by the sight of her old queen, she was unable to see the corrupted milhorse assault her from the side. The beast plunged Mina beneath the magical waves, and she struggled against it, shouting for Solaria’s help in vain.

“Well,” Moon said, “that takes care of Mina.”

“Yeah, but uh, what about that giant purple unicorn?” Star said.

The unicorn that dragged Mina underneath the magic water resurfaced, with other miniature versions appearing alongside it. But as soon as they came, Star noticed another duo approaching.

“No worries, Star!” Tom called. “We got this!”

Star smiled at the sight.

Riding on the demon prince‘s back was none other than Marco. He leapt off and landed on the corrupted creature. Then, using his own weight as leverage, he flung the unicorn over him, sending it back under.

“Tom! You’re alright!” Star said. “And Marco! You just flipped a horse!”

“Yeah, dude!” Tom said, landing next to Marco. “You just flipped a horse!”

Marco spread his arms in triumph. “I just flipped a horse!”

The victory was short-lived. Only moments afterward, the beast and its children arose from the water, surrounding Marco and Tom on all sides. Star’s breath hitched as she watched Marco pull up the wand to defend himself.

Thankfully, he didn’t have to.

Beneath them, the sunset colored water began to blacken, stretching out across the realm, even spreading up the infinite cascades of water that streamed down from the sky. Every crystal touched by the ebony waters began to fracture, and break.

The magical unicorns froze in place. The effects of the whispering spell would destroy all magic and all magical creatures—including them. Star watched as, one by one, they liquified and returned to the waters of dying magic.

Then, as the final nail in the coffin, the wand in Marco’s hand opened. The baby millhorse within floated out toward the heavens, where it dissolved into a blanket of storm clouds that covered the Realm of Magic.

Lightning flashed. A fainting rumbling beneath their feet shook them as the dimension began its collapse. The very air caused the crystals to crumble to nothing but dust dissolved in the water.

“Ohohoho!”

Star and everyone else turned to the source of the laughter. Above them hovered a blue creature with a white beard, laughing to the point of tears—their old friend and Star’s mentor, Glossaryck.

“I can’t believe you actually did it!” he said, smiling with pride.

Behind them, the shades of the past queens began blowing away in the wind, like mist on a gentle breeze.

“It looks like the age of magic is coming to a close,” he continued. “Well, for what it’s worth…I think you made the right choice.”

Star watched as the rest of the shades disappeared one-by-one, returning to their eternal slumber. Glossaryck descended, giving Star the deepest smile he’d ever shown despite his demise drawing ever closer.

“I’m proud of you, kid,” he said.

“Glossaryck?”’ Star said. “Wh…what’s going to happen to you?”

“Star…” came a quaking whisper from behind.

Star turned around. Her blood ran cold, and her nervous system seized up in paralyzing shock.

“That,” Glossaryck said.

The whisper had come from a terrified Marco, gazing at his hand. Light rose from his skin, his hand unraveling before their eyes, until it was nothing but a stump. Then it too began to dissolve, eating away at his arm.

“What’s…what’s happening!?” Star shrieked. “Marco!”

“I…” Marco met her eyes. They were filled with confusion, shock, but mostly, dawning horror as he watched his arm disappear into particles of light.

Star whipped around to face Glossaryck. “What’s happening to Marco!?”

Glossaryck gave her and Marco a solemn glance. “You put an end to all magic. And Marco is all magic.”

Star stared at Glossaryck in disbelief. Then, she turned to Marco, who continued watching helplessly as his body began to dissipate into nothing.

He looked up to Glossaryck. “But…I’m not magic. I’m human.”

“Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong,” Glossaryck said. “Humans are magic.”

Star and Marco paused. Time seemed to slow at the revelation, yet the roars of the dimension’s screams of death filled their ears, reminding them of their actions—and of the consequences.

“Why…didn’t you tell us?” Star heaved.

“I assumed you knew,” Glossaryck said. “And had made peace with it.”

“How could we have known!?” Star yelled, tears forming in her eyes. “There’s no magic on Earth!”

“Looks can be deceiving, Star,” Glossaryck said. “And Earth being non-magical was one of them.”

Star sank to her knees, shaking.

Then, she began laughing.

“This is just another one of your tricks, isn’t it?” she said. “Just like with the soup, right? All to teach a lesson, right? That’s what this is! Right? Right!?”

Glossaryck said nothing. His smile had faded, replaced with a sorrowful frown and eyes that pitied her. Star felt herself go numb with pain, until all she felt was her frantic beating heart.

No…

Glossaryck glanced at Marco. “You’re running out of time to say goodbye.”

Star looked back. Marco’s entire arm had disintegrated, and his body was starting to follow with it. He was staring at it, first with an indescribable terror as oblivion creeped closer and closer to him.

Then he saw Star’s pale, frightened face. Suddenly, his own fear melted away, replaced with concern and sadness. A calmness set in, almost an acceptance of what was about to happen.

“Star,” he said. “It’s okay.”

“No, no it isn’t!” Star said. “I would never have gone through with this if I only knew…”

“Star…” Marco said.

“You can’t…be okay with this, can you?” Star said. Tears were streaming down her face, falling into the blackened waters below, making ripples in the tumultuous waves.

Marco briefly considered putting on a brave face. To assure Star once more that everything was okay.

But that would be lying. And he couldn’t lie to her.

“No, Star…” he said. “I’m not okay with this.”

Star’s heart crushed in her chest.

“I wanted to spend…more time with you,” Marco said.

The entire right part of his torso had been eaten away, reducing all that he was to nothing but dying magic particles swirling in the air of the moribund dimension.

“Marco…I’m so sorry…” Star whimpered. “I…failed you…”

Marco held her hand in his remaining arm. Star brought her face toward it, and began sobbing into the knuckle.

The other Butterflies and Tom watched them with their own shattered hearts. The infant Meteora seemed conflicted, but Eclipsa and Moon’s heart broke for Star. Tom was shaking with newfound grief as well, seeing Star so broken, and seeing Marco, his friend, disappear in front of him. It was too much.

Glossaryck bowed his head, and said nothing.

“I’m sorry, Marco…” Star heaved. “I’m sorry…”

“Star…” Marco said. “I think it’s time for me to go now.”

Star couldn’t even bring herself to look up at him. He was already so far gone, she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. She couldn’t bear it.

“Please, don’t go…” Star said. “Please…just let me hang on to you…”

“You know you can’t for much longer…” Marco said.

“I…know…” Star said. “I don’t know what I’ll do without you.”

“Can you do me a favor, Star?” Marco asked.

Star weakly nodded.

“I know you want to keep hanging on to me,” Marco said. “I do, too. But you’ve still got your life ahead of you. And you wanted to do so much with it.”

Star started sobbing harder. Marco squeezed her hands gently with his remaining arm.

“So, please…don’t give up on your own wishes. Okay?”

Star could barely articulate herself through her crying. She gripped the disappearing hand harder, hoping it would somehow save him. Even the littlest piece of him would suffice.

This…can’t be how it ends… Star lamented.

“I…won’t…” Star said.

Marco didn’t reply. Star was too afraid to open up her eyes. She knew what she’d see. She couldn’t bring herself to open them.

Suddenly, the hand she was sobbing into became less solid, coming apart before her. Her eyes shot open as fear spiked in her heart.

The last of Marco’s hand faded into the aether. Her hands hadn’t moved, still holding on to what used to be there.

But nothing was there. Marco was gone.

A boiling anger surged in Star’s blood. She wanted to yell, scream, and shout. And she knew who to unleash it on.

She turned around to face Glossaryck, and summoned all the rage in her heart.

“Why didn’t you tell…!?”

There was no one there. She looked around, left and right. But she couldn’t find him.

Glossaryck was gone too. And with him disappeared her rage, leaving only an emptiness in her soul.

Star was frozen in place, unable to move. The awareness of the collapse of the Realm of Magic returned to her as the claps of thunder filled her ears, as the rumbling shook her bones, and as the waves crashed against her.

Tom grabbed her shoulder. “We need to go,” he said. His voice was a facade of strength, concealing a strained, rawness in his throat.

Star turned back. Moon and Eclipsa gave her a solemn look of sadness. Meteora seemed barely aware of what had happened, perhaps too young to comprehend the reality of what had happened.

Star felt too numb to move. Mina’s defeat and the destruction of magic seemed so far away now.

All she was thinking about was Marco.

The realm shuddered more violently. Wasting no time, Tom pulled Star toward one of the streams of black water that poured from the sky—the portal back to the Magic Sanctuary back on Mewni. Star followed along like a giant ragdoll, limp and being practically dragged.

“This way!” Moon rushed to Star’s side, helping Tom carry her to the portal. Eclipsa, with Meteora in her hands, rushed ahead when she saw that the others were catching up to her.

Star was staring at the blackened water as she was dragged away. She was aware she was getting closer and closer to the portal, away from the crumpling dimension. Yet, other things went through her mind.

The further I get to the portal…

The further I get away from Marco…

Suddenly, she was crawling out of the Sanctuary fountain. She spilled out onto the floor with Tom and Moon in tow.

Tom and Moon coughed out the water they had accidentally inhaled, sputtering trying to breathe again. Star miraculously had avoided getting anything in her lungs, but she looked as though she’d just survived a near-fatal drowning, pale and wide-eyed.

“Star?”

In the light of the sanctuary, a familiar shadowy figure loomed over her, full of warmth and kindness, drawing closer to her.

“Marco…?” The strength in Star’s voice returned, filled with hope.

The shadows melted away, revealing the figure’s form.

It was Tom. His look was of concern, mixed in with his own sadness.

“Star?” he repeated.

Star sat up. “Tom…” Her voice was barely audible.

Tom placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Star shook with grief, muttering Marco’s name over and over.

“Marco…Marco…”

“I’m so sorry, Star,” Tom said.

Star bowed her head and began crying. She pulled her legs up close to her, and buried her face in it, letting all the tears flow out.

Tom reached out to her. Star withdrew, and Tom retracted his hand.

“Leave her for now,” Eclipsa said.

Tom glanced back at her and Moon. Moon nodded in agreement.

“She needs some time alone,” she said.

Tom paused. He turned to the grief-stricken Star, then looked back at the queens. He nodded.

Everyone left, leaving Star by herself, utterly distraught, and wailing over her loss—caused in part by none other than herself.

As the sunlight faded, as the dark of the night set in, and as she ran out of tears, still she cried.

She cried for Mr. and Mrs. Diaz. For her old school. For Janna. For Jackie. For the entire planet she considered a second home. For everything that had been wiped away as a result of her actions.

But Marco’s face was the most tangible among them. One she would never see again.

I’m so sorry, Marco, Star thought. I failed you.

Chapter Text

5 Years later:

Grape shut her laptop, shoving it into her backpack as she stood to leave the classroom. Today was her last college class of the semester.

“I hope you all have a great summer,” the professor said, glancing at Grape as the rest of the students left. “Grape, can I speak with you for a moment?” he continued, waving the purple cat over to his desk. The professor’s brows were pinched in concentration. “You’ve been a wonderful student this semester, but. . .” he trailed off, clearing his throat. “But you need to let it go, move on, live life to the fullest,”

Grape simply nodded in reply, swallowing at the reminder of when the humans of this world went extinct. When her and Peanut’s parents died. Grape turned to leave the classroom, taking a shortcut back to the apartment through the forest.

She was fine. She just needed the summer to pass and then she’d be able to graduate.
***
Ramona glanced around the forest nervously, her focus not on the magic she was casting.

She sneezed as a butterfly landed on her nose, her magic faltering.

“You need to focus,” Tarot said, waving away a butterfly. “And quit attracting butterflies, they’re annoying. One messed up spell could ruin everything,” the cream Pomeranian continued.

Ramona frowned. “I know,” she mumbled, watching Tarot’s features soften.

“I’ll. . .I’ll bring Scott here so you can say a few words to him. Stop worrying,” Tarot said, her gold magic coming from her hands. She paused, frowning for a moment. “I should check the woods. Someone other than Scott is here,” Tarot said, leaving before Ramona could stop her.

Great, just what they needed. Intruders.

Meanwhile, portals appeared in a forest clearing, spitting out five humans.

Weapons were raised as the five humans regarded each other suspiciously. Deadpool gripped his pistol and katana like his life depended on it.

“We-we should put our weapons down,” Scott stammered, relief flooding through him as the group listened.

The group turned as a bush moved, V and Johnny glancing at each other before tackling whoever came out of the bushes.

Peanut grunted as he was taken to the forest floor, leaves flying through the air as he hit the dirt with Max.

“Where are we?” Wrench growled at Peanut, lifting him up and onto his knees. “Who are you?”

Peanut huffed as Johnny gripped his fur. “We’re just looking for my sister,” he said. “We don’t want any trouble,” the dog continued.

Grape covered her mouth so the random men wouldn’t hear her; her eyes wide in horror as her brother and boyfriend were being held captive. She needed to do something, anything. As she began to move to help them, she felt a gun pointed at the back of her head.

She turned, face to face with V and Johnny as they motioned for her to join Max and Peanut. She moved, lying down as Johnny asked, “Where are we?”

“You’re on Earth,” Grape replied, hoping these men wouldn’t hurt any of them.

V opened his mouth to reply, his gun falling to the ground as a force field lifted him and the others into the air. Tarot and Ramona walked into the clearing, the blue wolf smiling at Scott.

A portal opened as Tarot put the men in spectral chains, her magic glowing around her. “You need to leave, or else the Nine will come after you,”

Ramona huffed, folding her arms over her chest. “It’s always the Nine,” she mumbled. “Why can’t we fight back?”

“They have an army,” Tarot reminded Ramona.

“So what? We can take them,” Ramona shot back, baring her teeth at Tarot.

“Fine, go ahead and be reckless for all I care,” Tarot replied, rolling her eyes as the portal opened to Talfryn. She walked through the portal, letting the humans drop to the ground in a heap.

Ramona sighed, bringing her palm up to turn the humans into wolves. “Follow me,” Ramona said, beginning to walk out of the forest. “I have a lot to explain,” she grumbled as the humans, Max, Grape, and Peanut followed her.

Where did she even start?

Chapter Text

“Apologize to them,” Ramona said, gesturing toward Grape, Max, and Peanut and glaring at the humans turned wolves.

Johnny scoffed, watching Ramona growl. “Fine, we’re sorry for terrorizing you,” he said as Ramona walked the group through the neighborhood.

Grape frowned in reply, walking past Johnny without a word.

“The humans went extinct, so that’s why I used magic for your disguises,” Ramona said, leading the group through the forest and onto a nearby sidewalk. “Thanks to Star Butterfly,” she growled, rolling her eyes. “Gods used to roam Earth and other places too,”

Deadpool squinted, wondering how different this world was from Star’s. Ramona walked past Milton Manor, backtracking as the group nearly collided with each other in their haste to join her.

“We could use this as a hideout,” Ramona said, breaking the gate’s lock open.

Grape glanced around, eyes set on the road leading towards the manor. “I don’t think this is a good idea,” she said, nonetheless following her brother and boyfriend up to the manor. “What if we’re caught trespassing?”

“We won’t be,” Ramona replied. “No one’s even at the gate,”

The other humans looked around the grounds of the manor as Ramona worked on the front door lock. It was a better alternative than wandering around out in the open.

Ramona got the door open, walking into the too-quiet house. Maybe they did get lucky, and no one was here. The group entered the house after her, pausing at the lavish furnishings of the house.

A foyer greeted them, decking out in marble floors and white accents, directing the group upstairs to check out the rooms.

The diner stationed where the kitchen would usually be was set in a 1950s theme, Ramona’s stomach growling at the reminder she hadn’t eaten all day.

However, if she wanted this plan to work, then they didn’t need to leave traces of their existence in the manor. Short Change Hero played on the radio, Deadpool pausing as the song started over.

“Oh,” he started. “This is AGENCY’s theme song,”

Wrench ignored him, finding the garage and letting out a low appreciative whistle. Lamborghinis as far as the eye could see and in different makes and colors.

“I could get used to driving one of those,” Wrench said, running a hand along the car’s hood.

Johnny looked around and frowned. This wasn’t for him, as cool as all this seemed, it was suspicious that the owners were notably absent from the home. He stuck beside Grape, clicking his tongue in distaste. “The owners must be a corpo,” he grumbled.

“They aren’t,” Grape replied, gesturing to the portrait of two ferrets. “They inherited the manor and the money after. . .” she trailed, swallowing thickly as she thought about the humans. “Anyway, they helped build Babylon Gardens in 1987,”

Ramona’s stomach growled again as she walked into the hallway where everyone else was. “Looks like the whole place is clear,” she said, putting a hand over her stomach. “Um, is there anywhere we can eat? I don’t wanna leave a trace back to us here,”

Max looked up from his phone, putting it in his pocket. “There’s a diner not too far from here. My treat,” the cat said, looking at Grape and putting an arm around her.

The group left the manor to revisit it later and get food instead. The diner was quaint with red leather booths in the back that the group found themselves sitting in.

Johnny looked at the menu, noticing everything was soy meat. He frowned at this. “Do they have actual meat options?” he asked, looking at Peanut.

“No,” Peanut answered. “I mean, they still have meat in them, but we use soy after a law was passed for health reasons,” he continued, ordering a cheeseburger.

As the group ordered and got their food, Ramona dug into her food, nearly humming as she ate. “I should be the leader,” she said, drawing the group’s attention. “I know what’s going on and it won’t hurt to have a leader,”

The group agreed, knowing she also had magic on her side. Whatever magic she had was most likely powerful enough to help them.

The group continued eating, Grape’s phone buzzing with a GroupMe text from her psychology class.

***
Von Barke looked around the table, his frown firmly fixed in place. He looked at Loona, Bellwether, and the Demogorgon, spreading his hands out on the table in front of him.

“Sector P-08 has humans in it,” Von Barke informed. “Deal with them and then our plan can finally be set in motion,” he continued looking at Loona.

“I’ll do it,” Loona said, the hellhound clearing her throat.

Von Barke’s frown deepened at this, knowing Loona and her mercenaries were capable, but they lacked drive. “One more screw-up and you’re done,” he warned, watching Loona nod.

Loona stood to find Troy and Vortex, her phone ringing with a call. “Hey,” she answered. “I’ll call you back, I have to deal with something,” she said, not giving Vortex time to reply as she hung up.

She needed to find the leader of the resistance and kill them, it was the only way she could stay in Von Barke’s good graces.

Chapter Text

V finished his soy burger, tossing the wrapper in a growing pile of trash as the group decided on what to do next. He got up from his seat as the group figured it would be best to just act like everything was fine when it really wasn’t. He was at least allowed to walk around the neighborhood, granted Ramona had given him a phone since his implant wasn’t working anymore. He swiped through the phone’s contact list, finding numbers from their current group and Johnny.

V sighed, watching the group head to a nearby park and begin playing some game. He wanted to have time to think. Time to himself. He turned away from the group as their game started, quickly texting Johnny that he was going for a walk and not to wait up for him.

He selected the music app, hoping he didn’t stand out too much despite the spell or whatever Ramona did to the humans of the group that made them appear like everyone else. V clicked his tongue as a young pup ran by him with her supposed mother following behind her. He wanted that, a family. Someone to care about, but fate was cruel and unforgiving as he had his illness to take care of instead of focusing on the future.

He slowed down as he saw his car pulling up beside him with a corgi in the driver’s seat. King looked at V, honking the horn as Live and Learn by Crush 40 blared from the speakers.

“You need a ride?” King asked, smiling at V.

V hummed, replying, “Yeah,” he got into the passenger’s side, buckled himself in, and stared out the window. “Just take your time and drive slow, I wanna see this place,”

King nodded, taking off as V mostly kept quiet aside from changing his song. He might as well start a conversation with the person who was taking care of his car. “Thanks for taking care of my car. You can call me V or Vincent. . .not that it matters now,”

“Of course it matters,” King replied, “Tarot told me this was yours anyway. . .what’s the future like?”

“Horrible,” V simply replied, glancing at the corgi. “2077 isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and the jobs are shit. I got killed during one and. . .I mean I got brought back but now I’m sick and my girlfriend just found out and I can even tell her how I’m dying,” he groused, fighting off a cough.

The cough grew, wracking his body as he realized he was having another Relic malfunction. He stuck his head out of the window as King pulled over, vomiting on the sidewalk. V groaned, his body growing stiff as he grit his teeth, his head thrashing against the headrest.

He groaned again, frantically reaching for the pills he kept in his jacket pocket, popping one in his mouth as swallowing.

“Woah, do you need to go to the hospital or something?” King asked, putting the car in park.

“No, no. I just need somewhere to rest,” he managed to say, clearing his throat. “Any hotel will do,”

King shook his head, putting the car in drive and replying, “We’re going to my house, I don’t know how the hotel will react to a human,” he drove as V drifted in and out of consciousness.

***

It was a rainy night in Night City, V was dropped off by the AI car Delamain while the radio was playing Blouses Blues by NC3.

V hid the gun behind him just in case if things went south with Dex so he walked inside of No tell motel to get his payment for the job that got his best friend killed

He knocked the door once he’s inside, which he was greeted by a hustle who pushed V just in case if he was followed then he let him inside which the merc was greeted by Dexter Deshawn who’s acting friendly

“V my man you made it. You’re blowing up all over the news, are you alone?”

V replied “I just want the money.”

Dex asked “You got the chip?”

V pointed the slot on his neck to show that he got it.

Dex smiled and signaled T-Bug (which V thought she died not a while ago) to start something while talking to V “Alright start ‘er up, why don’t you go to the bathroom, wash up and we’ll discuss the payment.”

V obeys and walked into the bathroom unaware that Dex loses his friendly look on his face

V began to wash the blood off his face then he looked in the mirror, starting to remember what went wrong not long ago

***

V took cover behind the Delamain car as Arasaka soldiers were trying to shoot him and got inside with Jackie while Del said “Initiating combat mode.” V yelled “Go!” And they escaped

V for once was happy and shouted “THAT’S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! ALRIGHT IN AND OUT BITCHES!!!” As V sticks out 2 of his middle fingers then V turns his head towards Jackie unaware of his condition. “We’re rich! Oh we’re going to the major leagues Jackie!”

Jackie put his bloodied hand on V’s chin trying to show that he's gravely injured from the air attack earlier when they jumped into the other side which he was struck by a bullet

“Jack? No no no no.” V then tells Del: “Get to the clinic now!”

Del replied “Mr Wells’ condition is critical, immedia-“

V punches the screen “Go!” V then looks at Jackie while trying to comfort his dying friend while trying not to cry “It’s going to be ok hang on, just think about Misty and good shit we’re gonna have.”

Jackie then passes away, V looked defeated as he looked down to see what he put in his hand before death was the damned chip that they risked their lives on

***

V washes his bloodied hands off after getting done reminiscing about Jackie’s demise, he looks in the mirror again, puts his game face on and walks back out to be punched and kicked in the face. He looked up seeing Dexter and his bodyguard, realizing that he’s been stabbed in the back, betrayed.

V tries to activate the mantis blades but the bodyguard grabbed his arms then put him in the headlock, V couldn’t breathe but managed to say something as Dex walked up to him

“Just, take, the, FUCKING, chip, Dex!”

Dex was actually furious about the job that V and Jackie pulled and angrily said “Every corpo cop in this city will be blasting down the doors after YOU and that PSYCHO FRIEND did. We didn’t need this goddamn attention!”

Dex then nods at the bodyguard to finish the job which V began to drift away which he sees Jackie as he closes his eyes which V with Vigorous energy moves back and tosses the ‘guard off his back and then slices his arm off, the guard screams as he hold his now stump to stop the bleeding but it doesn’t matter because he’s dead when V cut his leg off and then stabbed him in the heart. V now furious looks at now terrified Dex who he screamed T Bug to do something which she did disabling and shocking V which he remembers to grab the gun from his pants and struggling to shoot T Bug which he did and then he tries to shoot Dex but Dex grabbed the gun from the table and shoots V in the head.

***
V sucked in a breath as he awoke, hoping he was back home. Hoping that all of this was just some weird dream.

“It’s awake!” he heard, finding three pups surrounding him before squealing and running out of the living room. V sat up on the couch he was on, rubbing the back of his neck to get rid of the stiffness there.

“Oh, good. You’re awake,” an Alaskan Husky said, patting the top of one of the children’s heads as they crowded behind her, peeking out from behind her dress. “First, you sleep like a deadman, then you scare my kids,” she joked, turning her attention to the children. “Go wash up for breakfast,”

The kids ran off, shoving each other as they went. Bailey looked at V, a motherly smile on her face. “Well, I haven’t seen a human in years, good to know King’s doing the right thing,” she commented, sighing. “Breakfast is ready if you’re hungry,”

V swallowed. He stood to follow Bailey into the kitchen, taking a seat just as the three pups from earlier ran back downstairs. Breakfast consisted of actual bacon, eggs, pancakes, cereal, orange juice, and coffee; which, the family partook of with relative ease at their new guest.

One of the pups stared at V, asking, “What’s the future like?”

“Are you really from the future?” another asked, shoving syrupy pancakes into her mouth.

“Yes, I am,” V answered, smiling at them. “It’s paradise, just like Back to the Future and Meet the Robinsons,” he continued, hearing King huff.

The kids finished breakfast in a few more moments, V offering to help clean and wash dishes. As he washed a cup, King stood beside him to rinse and dry the dishes.

“It’s for the best you don’t tell them the truth,” King suddenly said, his voice low enough for V to hear.

V swallowed, nodding. “I’m staying at the abandoned mansion. . .with the other humans. The one with the pictures of the ferrets,”

King nodded, opening the cabinet to put the dishes away. “If you ever need anything, give me a call. I put my number in your phone,”

V hummed in reply, wiping the sink out as King grabbed the keys to drive him to the mansion. Around nine, V entered the mansion with a bag of sausage mcgriddles he bought with the money King gave him, watching Peanut walk towards him.

“Those for Max and Grape?” Peanut asked, watching V furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.

“No?”

“Good,” he replied, taking the bag from V and heading to his car. He dug into the bag as he sat on the hood of the car, taking out a mcgriddle and biting into it. “You still have weapons in here?” he asked, eating.

V frowned, sitting beside Peanut. “Yeah. . .why?”

Peanut finished the sandwich, tossing the wrapper in the trash can. “I’ll explain on the way,” he said instead, hopping off the car to head back inside. “It’s more important than Panam,”

V paused at this, curiosity winning over his want to take the bag from Peanut. He followed, hoping whatever it was, was actually more important than his girlfriend.

Chapter Text

Peanut watched as Ramona declared herself the leader and he couldn’t help but feel a little bad for Grape. His sister had done a lot to ensure they were fine after their parents died and getting into college was one of those things.

Peanut gathered his trash and slid out of the diner booth, throwing it away and heading out of the diner as his phone rang.

He answered, immediately pulling the phone away from his ear as his football coach began yelling, “Peanut, get your ass over here for practice or else. It’s been moved to 8 AM.”

Peanut sighed, watching the group he came into the diner with disperse after a too-long debate about what they should do. “On my way, coach,” he answered, swallowing as he suddenly found himself alone.

He began walking toward the college, his ears dropping for a moment as a BMW pulled up beside him and rolled down the window to reveal a dark-gray squirrel in the passenger seat.

“Hey, Peanut,” Marion yelled, smiling. “Need a ride?”

Peanut shook his head, reminding himself of the veiled threat his coach gave him. “Nah, I just wanted to clear my head,” he replied, rubbing the back of his neck. “Thanks, anyway,”

“We’ll be at the arcade tomorrow if you need us,” Lois said, the lynx glancing at Peanut.

Peanut nodded, watching them drive off before continuing his walk. Maybe he shouldn’t have joined the football team. But. . .a scholarship and money did sound appealing enough to keep him on the team. For a while anyway.

His team was. . .barbaric for lack of a better word. They were rude and constantly picking on him for reasons he just never understood. He paused as a dark-furred wolf was thrown in front of him outside a nearby bar.

Peanut went over to help the wolf, grunting as he was kicked down and stepped on by the bar patrons. He was pulled up as the wolf from earlier punched one of the patrons, his back to Peanut.

Peanut stood, beginning to fight alongside this wolf, stopping and backing up as a few of the patrons pulled out guns.

“Police,” someone yelled as sirens wailed and the bar scattered off in different directions. Peanut dropped his fists, turning to follow the wolf that rescued him.

“Thanks for helping me, kid,” the wolf said, clapping a hand on Peanut’s back. “You fight pretty good,”

“Thanks, uh,”

“Johnny,” the wolf replied, grinning. He wore a black tank top with dark pants and combat boots.

“Thanks, Johnny,” Peanut said, fiddling with the string on his jacket. He looked up as they made it to the mansion and the setting sun reflected off its windows.

“Here,” Johnny said, handing Peanut a mixtape as he headed inside Milton manor. “As thanks for helping me.”

Peanut hummed in reply, figuring he might as well get ready for bed. After all, he had practice tomorrow. As he headed back to the apartment, he took off as he heard a chittering growl from the nearby forest. He made it home, locking the door behind him as he huffed and got ready for bed.
***
Peanut awoke at 7:59 AM, throwing the cover off him and heading into the bathroom to get ready for practice. He was cutting it close and his coach wouldn’t show him leniency just because he was a few minutes late.

He ran to college, making it just as the clock hit 8 AM. Peanut slowed to a stop as he realized the lights were out and there were claw marks on the gym doors. He gagged as he saw a blood trail, following it as it led to coach’s office. He peeked into the cracked open door, hearing a crunching sound as he held his breath.

A gray creature knelt in front of his coach’s body, hands digging into the coach’s exposed bloodied ribs. The eyeless creature paused, a growl coming from it as it suddenly faced Peanut and roared. Peanut bolted, his letterman jacket catching on branches and bramble as he ran. He gasped as he came up to the mansion again, heading inside to catch his breath.

As his pulse thrummed, Peanut found Ramona and Scott on the couch, asleep. He tried to calm down, setting two cans of sparkling water on the coffee table for when they woke up.

He eventually found Johnny in one of the many rooms, playing Never fade away on a guitar.

Johnny looked up, frowning. “You look like shit,” he said, watching Peanut shiver.

“There was. . .something at the gym, it was gray and–”

“V can probably help more than I can, kid.” Johnny interrupted. “He’s got a bunch of weapons in his car,”

Peanut swallowed and nodded, heading outside to find V. He found the man beside his car, drying it off after a wash.

V looked at Peanut, confused for a moment before grabbing a McDonald’s bag and tossing it at the dog. Peanut looked inside the bag, taking out a sausage Mcgriddle and eating it with vigor. He hadn’t eaten since yesterday and it was even longer since he had McDonald’s.

“You wanna talk about this?” V said, gesturing to Peanut’s torn jacket.

Peanut finished his food and nodded, following V inside the car to talk.

“I just,” Peanut started, taking a deep breath and letting it out as V drove them around the neighborhood. “I went to practice and there was. . .it was gray, didn’t have a face besides a mouth,” he explained, furrowing his brows as the recent memory came back to him.

“I swear if this is a lizard or something,” V warned, turning out of the neighborhood and heading towards the college.

“It’s not, I swear!” Peanut argued back, watching V’s jaw twitch. “It. . .it ate coach, opened its face, and ate him,”

V slowed to stop, eyes wide. He had never heard of something like that, not even during one of his gigs. “Alright, alright. So if it’s not a lizard, then what is it?”

“I dunno,” Peanut answered, swallowing uncomfortably. If this was a nightmare, then he wanted to wake up. “I don’t know,” he repeated as V turned the music up as Should I stay or should I go plays.

Chapter Text

Ramona looked at everyone at the table, gaze lingering on Scott for a moment before looking away. “We need to set up security or something to protect ourselves,” she said, watching V and Peanut get up to throw their trash away. V only stuck around long enough for her to ask if he could craft gadgets to help before he left with Peanut leaving right after.

“Do what you need to do to fend off the Nine, we’ll meet up back at the mansion to plan further,” Ramona eventually said, getting up to throw her trash away and go somewhere. Anywhere.

“Ramona,” Scott called, walking toward her. “I, uh, you were really cool just now,”

“Thanks. You wanna come with me to get some stuff?” she asked, walking out of the diner and expecting Scott to follow.

He nodded and followed after her, quiet as they walked into the city of Talfryn. They eventually found themselves in front of a manor, dumping an armful of security cameras and alarm sets onto the large coffee table in front of them.

Ramona glanced at Scott, looking for Tarot and finding the Pomeranian in an office.

Tarot looked at Ramona as she left the door open, busying herself with making sure the humans in her world weren’t causing trouble. “Do you need something?” Tarot asked, checking a surveillance camera to make sure it was working properly.

“Just wanted to let you know that we’re not gonna let the Nine have their way,” Ramona answered, watching Tarot pause.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“We’re going to fight them obviously,” Ramona said, shifting as Tarot frowned. “We can’t just sit back and let them pick us off one by one,”

“No. Going against them will make things worse for the people here,” Tarot replied, swallowing. “It’s best if you just lay low for now,”

Ramona huffed, stomping out of the office and grabbing Scott’s hand as she left.

Ramona walked them to a park, paying for some kind of ice cream from a nearby vendor and taking a seat next to Scott on a bench. She needed to calm down before she went through with her plan.

“This kinda reminds me of our first date,” Scott said, snapping Ramona out of her thoughts. “Well, minus fighting your exes,”

Ramona chuckled, nudging Scott at his joke. “Yeah, that was. . .something.”

She took in Scott’s profile from his curly brown hair to his dark brown eyes. She leaned against him, putting her head on his shoulder as she looked at his lips.

Scott glanced at Ramona, a light blush working its way onto his face as he leaned toward her before hearing a scoff.

“Get a room, and some condoms while you’re at it,” someone said from behind them, making Ramona jump and pull away from Scott.

She looked behind them, dread worming into her chest as Loona looked back at her. She held a gun, pointing it at the back of Scott’s head. “Wh–”

“Turn back around, it’ll make this much easier,” Loona said, the click of the safety coming off seeming too loud. “I’m here for one reason, getting rid of your kind in this world,”

A shiver went down Scott’s back, he opened his mouth to speak, grunting as Loona quickly punched him in the groin before he could speak.

Ramona stood, catching Scott as he fell forward. “You just made a fatal mistake,” she growled, taking a sledgehammer out of her bag and swinging it at the fox.

Loona cackled as she dodged the swing, dancing back as Ramona swung again and again. She panted, never connecting with Loona’s body as the fox pulled out the gun from earlier.

“Any last words?” Loona asked, grinning as Ramona froze.

“Watch any cartoons lately?” Ramona shot back, smiling as Loona turned just in time for Scott to whack her across the face with a large piece of wood. It exploded into shards, Scott shaking as he dropped the unbroken piece still in his hands.

He took in a shaky breath, looking at the fox instead of Ramona as she went toward him. “You’re okay,” Ramona said, putting a hand on Scott’s shoulder. “You did good,” she continued, kissing his forehead. “You saved me, it was self-defense,” she said, glaring at the fox and hoisting her up to head back to Babylon Gardens.
***
Loona woke up a few minutes later in a cell, barking out a laugh. “Think I have a crush on lil Ramona,” she said to herself, hearing her phone ding.

They were dumb enough to leave her within reach of it. It was from Vortex, saying that the Nine needed them at their base and to meet him on the outskirts of town. Loona smiled, slipping through the bars with ease without setting anything off. Fine. She’ll deal with the humans later.
***

Loona looked out the car window as Vortex picked her up and drove them to base. The car rolled to a stop as Vortex swore and got out of the car to meet a lamb and a group of wolves at the gate.

Loona rolled down the window to hear, keeping a cautious hand on her gun.

“You need to step away from the gate,” the lamb said, waving an impatient hand.

Vortex blinked. “This is my base. Are you crazy?” he said, taking a step toward the lamb.

“It’s not yours, not anymore,” Bellwether said, glancing into the car. “You’ve been relieved, so kindly walk away,”

Vortex clenched his jaw, taking another step toward Bellwether. He was stopped by one of her goons, the wolf letting out a growl in warning. “We don’t take orders from you,” he said, glaring at Bellwether as she laughed, watching Loona and another hound get out of the car.

“Oh? I’ll be happy to let you know the boss no longer needs your services,” she replied, smugness radiating off her. “No one needs to get hurt,”

“Is she threatening us?” a hooded hound asked, moving forward.

“I don’t make threats, just guarantees,”

Loona furrowed her brows, taking out her phone and calling Von Barke. There was no way he’d just let them go like this. He didn’t answer, the call going dead as soon as it stopped ringing.

She called again as Vortex and Bellwether argued over whether the lamb was telling the truth or not. She went still as a few of Bellwether’s goons pulled out guns, pointing them at the hellhounds.

“Boss sends his regards, he told me you wouldn’t take this well,” Bellwether said, waving a hand for her goons to finish the job.

She gasped, lurching forward and covering the wound on her stomach as a shot went off with a bang.

“Run!” the hooded hound shouted, shoving one of the goons out of the way as Loona took off. She made it to a town nearby outside of Talfryn, clutching her stomach as she bled out.

She pressed the radio she grabbed against her ear, hoping Vortex was still alive.
“Kill anyone on sight,” Bellwether ordered, the line crackling for a moment before dying out.

Fuck. It wasn’t supposed to go like this.

“Hey,” Loona yelled, “anybody out here?” she continued, stopping to assess how bad her wound was. She needed to find somewhere to rest, to heal.

“Troy,” she called, chancing the risk of being found to look for her companion instead. He ran away with her, so he should at least be alive still. She didn’t want to be alone again.

Chapter Text

Ramona shifted as she woke up, stretching and yawning as she spotted Peanut and V walking out of the mansion together. She was quiet as she wondered why V wasn’t answering her text messages. Maybe he was looking for the Nine’s lackeys or worse, people coming out of the woodwork to kill them. A shudder went through her at the thought of the people around her dying because of her inaction.

“Morning,” Scott said, snapping Ramona out of her thoughts. “Wanna make omelets?” he asked, standing up to stretch. “It’ll help you focus and calm down,” he continued, offering a hand to Ramona.

Ramona took it, following Scott into the kitchen and summoning eggs, cheese, mushrooms, and ham onto the counter. Scott tilted his head, asking, “Did Tarot teach you magic?”

Ramona hummed as she cracked the eggs into a bowl. “Yup. She taught me about subspace, dimension traveling, teleportation, fixed my bag, and some other stuff. She’s way wiser than anyone, and invented synth-wave. Makes billions in Talfryn,” she said, worrying her bottom lip as she thought about Krystal.

She hoped the vixen was alright. Ramona frowned, whisking the eggs with more force than necessary. “Fuck Fox,” she mumbled, slamming her hands on the counter.

“That’s awesome though, you’re way cooler,” Scott said, taking the bowl away from her.

Ramona sighed, pressing the palm of her hand against her eyes. “Thanks,” she replied. It was good to know someone thought highly of her. “I’ll get the table ready,”

She went into the dining area, cursing Fox all the while as Scott finished preparing the omelets. She paused as she saw Loona sitting in one of the chairs at the dining table, drinking coffee and reading something on her phone.

“I told Vortex not to trust the Nine, and look where that got us,” Loona said, still looking at her phone as Ramona reached into her bag for her sledgehammer. “Talfryn hasn’t changed either. . .I’m not here to cause trouble,” she said to Ramona, coolly looking at the other woman.

Ramona snorted. “That’s rich. You’ve got some nerve showing up here. First, you’re trying to kill us and now what? You wanna be friends?” Ramona asked, rolling her eyes.

“Actually, yeah,” Loona answered. “Just got the pink slip from the Nine, so I figured we could help each other,”

“Go fuck yourself, dickwad,” Ramona interrupted, watching Loonna click her tongue.

“Let me finish. If you help me get Vortex, then we’ll help you get rid of the Nine,” Loona said, scrolling through her phone. “He’s at our old base, and–”

“Why should I help you?” Ramona asked as Scott walked out of the kitchen with a plateful of omelets.

“I have some gear that can help you,”

Ramona hesitated at this. Shit, they needed all the help they could get. “Fine. . .but one slip up and you’re dead,” she said, thanking Scott as he placed an omelet in front of her.

He put a plate in front of Loona, sitting close to Ramona just in case the hellhound had other ideas.

“Oh, relax, I don’t want to hurt you,” Loona groused, cutting into the omelet.

Scott simply nodded. “You can have my omelet, I’ll just have a breakfast burrito from the gas station,” he said, tapping his fingers against the table.

Loona shrugged, helping herself to the extra food.
***
Peanut led V to the college gym, going over footage from yesterday.

“This happen often?” V asked, pointing at the long-limbed creature in the corner of the screen.

Peanut shook his head, wringing his letterman jacket in his hands. “No. It’s usually just adventures that aren’t this gory or scary,” he said, looking around nervously.

“Do you know anyone that can help with this?” V asked, rewinding the footage.

Peanut took in a shaky breath. They should leave soon. “Just Marion and Lois, they’re at the arcade though,”

“Good, let’s get a move on,” V said, opening the door to let Peanut out first. Peanut hopped back into the car as V drove them to the arcade. Whatever that thing was, Peanut hoped they could get rid of it soon.

Chapter Text

Loona paused as she heard feedback from a walkie-talkie, that must’ve been someone who could help her. Maybe even Troy.

She answered, clinging onto her hope as if it were the last shred of her sanity.

“We’ll meet at the rendezvous point, Loona,” Troy said, his familiar voice calming her nerves.

She hummed in reply, looking around the town she was currently in. It was run over by Bellwether. First, she needed supplies. She crouched, slinking along the ground to the nearest empty house. Loona paused as she listened to check and see if anyone was home.

Her luck had just doubled as she heard no one milling about the house she was near. She bit her lower lip as her wound pulsed angrily, no doubt irritated at her position.

Loona snuck into the house, opening drawers and cabinets for food, knives, anything that would help her.

She hurried to silence the radio on her hip, frowning as Troy joked, “ A cookie and a piece of cake joined the army, but eventually, they abandoned their fellow soldiers. Now, they are wanted for dessertion,” his short laugh crackling over the receiver.

This wasn’t the time for jokes. She swore, hiding in the corner of a room as a soldier walked into the home, gun raised cautiously.

Loona gripped the knife she grabbed, waiting for the guard’s back to be turned to her before she drove the knife into his neck, blood spurting out as he choked and gurgled. She stuffed her pockets and bag with bread, canned food, and meat; eventually grabbing the gun off the dead soldier.

She clicked her tongue as she realized the gun wasn’t even loaded. “Shit,” she mumbled, ducking out of the house as a pair of guards walked in, standing over the body of their comrade.

Loona grunted as her shoulder was pulled back to face the guard before her. Her red eyes closed, waiting for the killing blow that never came.

When she opened them, the guard was on the ground, blood pooling from a headshot wound. She checked behind her, finding a figure briefly waving to her. Troy.

Loona found an abandoned car, starting it with just the wires. She punched down on the gas, driving out of the town and into the woods.

She stopped once she was far away enough, cutting the lights on the car.

“Loona,” Troy greeted, the hellhound hopping into the passenger’s seat.

“I know someone who can help us. . .they can help us get revenge on the Nine and get Vortex out,” she said, gripping the steering wheel.

“Hey, we won’t be any use to Vortex if we’re dead,” Troy replied, cupping her face. “Let me see your wound,” he continued, taking her in.

Loona hissed as she lifted her shirt, showing Troy her gunshot wound. She watched Troy take out a surgical needle and thread, turning on the light overhead to see better.

“Good news is your wound isn’t too deep,” he said, beginning to stitch her up. He offered her his rolled-up sleeve, only grunting as she bit down on the fabric and his arm.

That was their last interaction before Bellwether tried to have them killed.
***
“I know you want to help those people, but–”

“But nothing,” Grape interrupted Max, folding her arms over her chest. “I’m helping them,” she continued, setting off toward Milton Manor.

Max followed her, sighing at his girlfriend’s stubbornness. It was one of the things he loved about her but also infuriated him. She didn’t know when to quit, but this also meant she was trustworthy and helpful. All the things Max felt he wasn’t.

They arrived at Milton Manor to find Scott and Ramona in the dining room, cleaning up after breakfast. Ramona glanced at Grape, asking, “Is something wrong?”

“I. . .I want to help,” Grape said. “In any way I can,”

Ramona paused. “Why?”

“I, ugh,” Grape groaned. “My parents were human, it’s the least I can do to honor their memory,” she said, scratching her arm. “They took me in when I had no one else,”

She hadn’t really thought about her and Peanut’s parents since they died. Since the world changed. So, she was going to Ramona and the others, even if it killed her.

Chapter Text

How old are the group?

Grape: 20

Max: 20

Peanut: 20

Tarot: 20

Marion: 23

Lois: 23

Ramona Flowers: 25

Scott Pilgrim: 24

V: 22

Deadpool: early 30s

Wrench: 29

Johnny Silverhand: physically and mentally 34 but technically 88

Loona: 22

Troy: 21

Vortex: 26

What year does the story take place?

Late spring of 2045

Where does it take place?

Indiana, River Ridge, 30 miles away from Indianapolis

What happened to the celestials?

They all disappeared no thanks to Star Butterfly

When does the Divergence happened?

When Steward touched the cursed coin at the last minute and turned into a badger, which is now useless when Star Butterfly destroyed magic

How did the humans from another world appear

When Ramona had a butterfly on her nose which messes up the spell which she accidentally brought the humans into Tarot’s dimension

How did the animals rebuild civilization?

After the extinction of human race and it was a dark times for animals that their owners/parents just got “Thanos’d” and after a while the animals formed a new order just like how it was before and it took them 3 years to get everything back to where it was

Are the animals same size as humans?

Yes they are, thanks to the “update” (evolution thing) the animals are now same size as their owners

What does the city of River Ridge and Babylon Gardens look like?

Like this:

Does Glossaryck and Celestials know each other?

Yes they do but I don’t think they get along with each other especially with Great Kitsune, too bad they didn’t get their feud together when magic was destroyed which the celestials and Glossaryck “died”.

What about the humans that turned into animals?

They’re somehow still living and alive, it is still unknown how is that possible but King, Marion, Lois and Steward and the rest of the turned are safe

What kind of music do the citizens listen to?

Dark synthwave and anything that has dark future vibes thanks to Tarot who invented synthwave

If you have anymore questions feel free to post a comment and I’ll happy to answer it for you ;)

Chapter Text

Marion woke up to pop music being played on his phone. He hummed as he got out of bed to get ready for his day, splashing his face with cold water in the bathroom. He got dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, brushing his teeth, and pausing the music on his phone. 

He sighed as he entered the kitchen, finding dishes from last night in the sink. He mumbled to himself as he washed them, drying a bowl to use for cereal.

As he ate, Marion hoped Lois was already at the arcade. He knew the lynx hated being late, especially for their regular dates.

He finished eating, putting the bowl in the sink to wash later, and put his earbuds in as he locked the door to his apartment and headed toward the arcade.

The Walker by Fitz and the Tantrums played in his ears as he walked, finding police cars passing by going towards the college Peanut went to. He hummed the lyrics to the song as he spotted a few cars parked near the driveway to Milton Manor.

When he made it to the arcade, Lois was already waiting for him. He waved at her, hugging the tall lynx as she smiled.

“Ready to have some fun?”

“You bet,” He answered, entering the arcade and taking his earbuds out to put them in the case. His tail swished in the air as he went inside the arcade, going over to a two-person shooting game.

“How’d you sleep?” Lois asked, grabbing the toy gun and starting the game.

“Pretty good, left my phone on playing music though,” Marion answered, surprised his phone wasn’t dead by now. “How about you?”

“Good. Had this weird dream about you,” Lois said, chuckling as she shot a zombie in the head. 

“Aw, you’re dreaming about me?” Marion teased, nudging Lois as the game ended and showed them their scores. 

“Of course, anyway, we were in this apocalypse and you were the leader,” Lois said, looking at Marion after returning the fake gun to its stand.

Friday Night Firefight by Rubicones began playing as they looked at each other. Marion’s body becoming warm as he looked at his girlfriend. 

“Just calm down,” Marion heard, breaking the moment between him and his girlfriend. He looked over to see a wolf with a bullet scar on his eyebrow, wearing a black shirt with a smiley face spitting out pills and a brown coat. “Hey, what if the Looney Tunes are in a different universe? Think about meeting Bugs Bunny in the flesh,” the wolf joked, wrapping an arm around Peanut.

Lois huffed. “It’s just Peanut and some cosplayer, come on,” she said, tugging at Marion’s hand.

“Hang on,” Marion said, taking his hand away and walking towards the wolf and Peanut. “What happened?” he said to the wolf, watching Peanut shiver and mumble to himself.

“Ah, I was hoping you could help us with something,” the wolf said, letting go of Peanut as the dog’s eyes glazed over.

Whatever it was, Marion just hoped it would help Peanut not be so shaken up.

***

Ramona huffed, keeping low beside the parked car as the gates to Vortex’s compound opened to let a car in. She was only doing this to get Loona out of her hair. Nothing more, nothing less.

She glanced at Loona as the hellhound staked out the gate. She moved forward as Loona waved her hand, slipping through the gate bars after disarming the security camera. Loona opened the gate, waiting for Ramona and the other hellhounds she assembled to walk through.

They were busting Vortex out. 

Chapter Text

The leaves crunched under their feet as Peanut, Marion, Lois, and V walked through the forest. Marion glanced around nervously, asking, “Peanut, what’s going on?”

They were in the forest because Peanut asked them to go with him. Peanut was focused as he walked ahead, turning his head left and right in search of something. 

“Nothing, we’re just. . .looking for something,” Peanut replied, walking further ahead. 

V glanced over at Marion, mentioning, “It ate his coach,”

Peanut paused for a moment, his ear twitching at V’s voice. “Uh,” Marion stammered, “What ate his coach? What’s going on ?”

Peanut continued walking, nearly leaving the group behind as they neared a clearing. “It. . .it’s got long limbs and no face,” Peanut supplied, rubbing his arms to ward off an unseen chill.

“What?” Lois asked, snorting. “Like the Demogorgon from Stranger Things ?” she watched Peanut nod.

Marion frowned, opening his mouth to argue. “There’s no way that’s real,” he said, more to himself than to Peanut. Sure, weird things have been happening ever since V showed up, but that didn’t mean Demogorgons were suddenly real, walking around, and eating football coaches.

Marion had realized he said that part aloud, watching Peanut’s frown deepen. 

“It’s real. I saw it,” Peanut said, turning to walk away as Lois shook her head and went to follow the dog. “If you can’t accept that–”

V held up a hand to stop Peanut as a whirring sound reached them. The noise pulsed, drawing the group toward it. They found a portal that seemed to lead nowhere. They walked through the portal, landing on a hard, concrete floor.

***

“We should split up,” Loona said, looking at the map layout of the building Vortex was being held in.

Ramona, Max, Scott, and Grape would be in one group while Loona and Troy would be in another. They had found Vortex in Talfryn, in the old parts of Kismet. Ramona gripped her sledgehammer as she led the small group through the building, waving them forward once the coast was clear.

A crash sounded to their right, causing the group to pause and gently push the door open. 

Peanut, Marion, Lois, and V groaned, picking themselves up as the door revealed Ramona, Scott, Max, and Grape holding various weapons.

“What are you doing here?” Ramona hissed, walking into the room as a cacophony of gunfire sounded ahead of them.

Loona must’ve found Vortex. 

“I could ask you the same thing,” V shot back, watching Grape roll her eyes.

“We don’t have time for this, let’s go,” Grape said, leaving the room as Marion simply stared at Scott and Ramona.

Marion was starting to feel like he needed a vacation. Marion followed after Grape, not wanting the cat to be alone and without backup.

V looked at Ramona as she groaned, following the pair back to the hallway only to find them gone.

Screams erupted from the room ahead, Peanut stopping at the amount of blood and viscera on the floor and splattered on the walls. He barely noticed that Lois was using a lead pipe as a projectile with her telekinesis and Marion growing horns and wings.

Grape swung her bat, a sickening crack filling the air as a goon tried to rush her. She paused as a gunshot sounded near her, Vortex, Loona, and Troy stepping out of the room in a blaze of gunfire.

A screech filled the sudden silence as the demogorgon followed behind them, the creature waving a clawed hand toward the group. 

Ramona knew they were outnumbered, she just needed time to get them out. She raised her hands to cast a spell right as Bellwether ran into the room, letting out a growl as the group disappeared.

Bellwether huffed, gripping her phone hard enough that it dug into her palm. It rang, nearly startling the sheep.

“Yes, Von Barke?” she said, pacing the compound. 

“I have a surprise for you,” Von Barke said. “Make sure you aren’t late,”

Bellwether hummed in reply, hanging up as the demogorgon scratched at where the group was. She wanted to see what Von Barke had planned for them.

***
(Meanwhile in another universe)

Edd, Tom, and Matt sat in front of the TV, their boredom nearly palpable in the living room. Edd sighed, getting up to head to the store for a case of cola. He paused as an ad blared on the screen for a dinner theater with free food and drinks.

Edd smiled, looking at his friends. “You guys thinking what I’m thinking?” he asked, gathering up his car keys and heading to the car before either of his friends could protest to his new idea.

They drove to the theater, parking close to the theater before walking up to the usher.

“Three tickets to the dinner theater, please,” Edd said, thanking the usher as she slid the tickets toward him.

The usher hummed. “Most people just stream on Netflix or Disney+ instead of coming all the way out here. Thank you for your business,” she said, moving from behind the ticket booth to let the trio inside the theater.

A showing of The Thing was starting by the time they got their dinner and free cola.

The last time Edd, Matt, and Tom had been in a movie theater, zombies attacked. It was nice to have a relaxing weekend for once.

As the movie ended, Edd threw out his trash and headed back to the car. “I haven’t seen the Thing in so long,” he said, unlocking the car and getting into the driver’s side.

“Yeah,” Tom agreed, “Nice to just do something for us every now and then,”

Edd nodded, starting the car as a wormhole appeared in his field of vision. He kept his eyes on the wormhole, turning the car off. “You guys thinking what I’m thinking?” he asked, grinning as Tom groaned.

“I was hoping for a peaceful evening,” Tom mumbled, watching Edd get out of the car and start walking toward the wormhole with Matt in tow.
***
Bellwether looked at the tall stack of weapons and other gadgets before looking at Von Barke. “Where’d all this come from?” she asked, wringing her hands together.

Von Barke simply chuckled. “Red Leader,” he replied, snuffing out the cigar he was smoking. “If we want to get things done, we’ll have to do it ourselves,”

“But what about–”

“Don’t worry about them. You’re relieved of your duties,” Von Barke said, standing up to admire the pile of weapons.

Bellwether gaped at Von Barke for a moment, unsure if she had heard him correctly. “Excuse me?”

“You’re done here, Bellwether,” Von Barke replied. “Leave and take your crew with you,”

“But, sir, I–”

“Leave,” Von Barke repeated, glaring at the sheep.

“What if Marion and the others come after us?”

“That’s a problem you’ll have to solve on your own,” the wolf answered, seemingly bored of their conversation.

Bellwether swallowed, moving toward the door of the office. Marion and the others were strong. . .it would take an army to defeat them.

Chapter Text

Fox Lindberg was on his way to work. Well, until he saw cars parked in the Milton Manor driveway that never belonged to the Miltons. The radio softly played Livin’ On A Prayer by Bon Jovi as Fox slowed to a crawl in his car then a stop.

He got out of the car, wrinkling his snout as the smell of burnt grass reached him. He went up the driveway, knocking on the door once he reached it. “Hello? Anybody home?”

A wolf wearing a black studded mask and sunglasses opened the door, seeming to glance at Fox. “Everything’s okay,” the wolf said, his voice rising at the end of his sentence. He tried to close the door in Fox’s face, pausing as the detective put his foot between the door and the jamb.

“What’s that smell?” Fox asked, ear twitching as he heard a scuffling of feet.

“Uh, skunks,” the wolf replied, moving to close the door again.

Fox forced his way in, shouldering past the masked wolf as he followed behind the detective. “Alright, what’s going on here?” Fox shouted, finding a red panda, a wolf, and a man wearing a red and black suit gathering up a bong and lit joints of weed.

Fox turned to look at the wolf, frowning. “Skunks, huh?”

The wolf shrugged, letting out a nervous laugh. “I mean it’s not April 20th, so I wasn’t gonna participate,”

“Weed is still illegal in Indiana,” Fox replied, writing the group a ticket. “Especially in a nice place like Milton Manor,”

Johnny sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Look, we’ve been kind of stressed,” the wolf said, rolling his eyes.

“That’s no excuse. I’m afraid I’ll have to put you all under arrest for illegal smoking, trespassing, and wearing that stupid mask,” Fox said, gesturing to Wrench. “You too for covering for them,”

Wrench looked at Johnny, pleading, “Do something, I can’t go to jail,”

Johnny huffed. “We’re not from here, hell, we were teleported here like–”

At that moment, a group of people came crashing down from the ceiling, a purple vortex disappearing as the group groaned in discomfort.

“Them,” Johnny finished.

The group began speaking at once, Marion and Lois trying to keep Peanut calm while Grape and Max stood and dusted themselves off.

“The hell is going on here?” Fox yelled, pulling out a chair and slamming it on the ground and catching it with his foot to make everyone quiet.

A gray wolf with teal hair stepped forward as Loona scoffed. “Well, uh, sir,” Ramona started, clearing her throat and launching into an explanation. “And then we got them out and came back here,” she finished, gesturing toward Vortex, Loona, and Troy.

“We should talk about what to do about the Demogorgon,” Vortex rumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. “Bellwether too,” he added, a snarl ripping from him at the mention of the sheep.

“How about we calm down and regroup?” Ramona suggested, flopping onto the nearby sofa. “I’m beat,”

The group dispersed, wandering around the mansion as Fox sighed and left the manor. He was going to be late if he stayed with these people.

Sasha held a baseball bat over her shoulder, glaring at Lois. “I swear if anything happens to Marion, I’ll–”

Loona stepped in front of the couple, red eyes matching Sasha’s glare. “You’ll have to get through me first,” she sneered, watching Sasha drop the bat, flip her off, and stomp away.

Nothing was going right today.

Chapter Text

V and Johnny entered the bar, a low whistle leaving V as he looked around the opulent room. V went behind the bar, frowning as he only saw cans upon cans of orange soda.

“They gotta have tequila or something around here, right?” Johnny asked, looking around and underneath the bar. He clicked his tongue as he only found orange soda, running a hand through his hair. “Damn, guess not,” he mumbled.

Marion and Lois appeared, startling V as Johnny simply turned to face them. “What gives?” Johnny asked, folding his arms over his chest. “You guys don’t have alcohol or something?”

Marion and Lois shared a look before looking back at Johnny. “Well,” Marion started, “Short answer is no, we don’t.”

“And what’s the long answer?”

“Back in the day, before humans went extinct,” Lois said, sitting at the bar with Marion. “The gods and celestial beings would make orange soda kind of alcoholic somehow,” the lynx made a can float in the air. “But ever since the gods and beings vanished, it’s just a regular drink now. Can’t get drunk off it anymore,”

Ramona walked in at this point, a wistful sigh leaving her. “I wish I could’ve been here a long time ago,” she said, low enough for only her to hear.

Marion shifted in his seat, an uncomfortable air suddenly filling the room. “You don’t, not while the Nine is still out there. They, uh, they kidnapped and experimented on us. They injected me with demon DNA and Lois got telekinesis from her experiments,” Marion said, chewing on the inside of his lip in anger as his fists clenched. “Obviously, we managed to escape, but. . .now we’re cursed and–” he stopped, swallowing thickly as his emotions got the better of him.

Lois hugged him, ignoring Johnny as he commented on they should get a room.

Johnny cracked open a can of orange soda, chugging it to see if it was still alcoholic. He set the empty can down as he burped loudly, disappointment showing on his face as he realized that Marion was right.

Vortex walked into the room, taking a seat on the couch facing the bar and clearing his throat. “I was with the Nine for a moment,” Vortex said, watching Marion glare at him. “Not anymore, but they have a Demogorgon with them, still wild and barely tamed,” he continued, clasping his hands together. “I. . .I’m sorry that happened to you, and I’ll try to make it right,” he said, looking at Marion and Lois.

Marion simply nodded in reply, finally hugging Lois back.

“I ever tell you guys how Johnny and I met?” V asked, watching everyone as they glanced at him. “It’s kind of a long story,”

Johnny took out another can of orange soda, chugging that as well. They had time to hear V’s story.
***
V snapped awake, eyes looking around wildly.

“Well, look who’s finally awake,” V turned his head at the voice, finding Peacock staring down at him.

V grunted as his head pounded, moving to press a hand against his head and finding he couldn’t. V looked down to find himself strapped to a table. He jerked against his restraints, hearing Peacock laugh at his attempt.

“You know why you’re here,” V actually didn’t know. He simply stared at Peacock, waiting for the other man to explain. “No one steals my girl from me,” Peacock continued, flicking open a knife.

V would’ve laughed if the knife wasn’t inches from his throat. He didn’t steal from Peacock, V rescued that woman from him.

“It was actually getting pretty boring–”

“With you still being knocked out,” V glanced over at the new voice, finding a man wearing a black tank top, sunglasses, and black pants with combat boots walking into the room.

Peacock growled, turning the knife on the new intruder. “Who the hell are–” he didn’t finished as he was punched in the jaw, crumpling to the ground as the new man’s metal arm met his jaw.

V watched this new guy fight off the rest of Peacock’s gang, flipping one of the thugs over his shoulder and to the ground.

“Wake the fuck up Samurai, we have a city to burn,” the man said to V.

The man went over to untie V after the gang was disposed of, taking him to a ripperdoc to heal up.
***
“And that’s how we met,” V finished, watching Marion raise a confused eyebrow.

“That. . .didn’t happen in the game,” Marion said, glancing over as Ramona snorted.

“It’s cause he’s from an alternate universe instead of a prime one,” Ramona explained, shrugging as she cracked open a can of orange soda.

“Well, V should’ve been saved by Goro Takemura instead of Johnny, and Johnny’s supposed to be an engram in V’s head,”

Johnny lifted his sunglasses, tucking them in his hair. “I’m an android,” he said. “Our minds are still linked,”
“Oh, so like Natani and Zen?” Lois asked, earning a nod from Johnny.

“So, are we our prime selves?” Marion asked Ramona, watching her shake her head.

“No, there’s a divergence in your path and your prime self. Like, uh, Talfryn for example, it’s a world full of people from different places because they diverged from their prime selves,” Ramona said, taking another sip of her orange soda. “It’s like walking outside the path you’re on, you’re not on the path anymore. Like you said, Johnny is supposed to be a engram in V’s head, but he’s an android, that’s a divergence,”

Marion and Lois looked at each other as Vortex called for a meeting right as Peanut walked into the room.

“I wonder how my prime self is doing,” Peanut mumbled, feeling Tarot’s hand in his as she appeared beside him.

“Prime Peanut is going to be a dad soon,” Tarot informed, smiling at Peanut. “One day, we’ll start our own family, and until then stay safe,” she said, kissing his cheek before warping out of the room.

Peanut sat beside Vortex as he began the meeting, warmth spreading through Peanut’s chest at his future.
***
Vortex sat at the head of the dining room table, glancing up and Marion and Lois as the pair were in the air, Marion with his demon wings, and Lois with her telekinesis. Vortex looked at Marion as the squirrel flapped his wings. “Could you play some soothing music?” Vortex asked, earning a nod from the squirrel.

Marion began playing Stolen Dance, hovering above the group.

“We could’ve played some of our music,” Johnny said as Scott nodded in agreement.

Vortex blinked at Johnny, smiling. “You’ll be able to when this Nine crisis is over,” he said, turning his attention to the rest of the group.

“Now,” Vortex started once everyone quieted down. “The Nine is an organization originally built by Doctor Wise, but he stepped down after the tragic loss of a dear friend. . .now it’s headed by Radulf Von Barke, and their plan is to disrupt the order of the Kismet region,” he started, folding his hands together. “They’re capable of awful things, kidnapping, extortion, you name it. Hell, we used to work for them and I still don’t know why they betrayed us unless Von Barke is just selfish,”

“Sounds similar to Arasaka,” V mumbled, looking back as Marion stared at him.

“They’re nothing alike,” Marion said, a bite to his words.

“They are,” Vortex said, watching Marion frown. “Granted, I don’t know who Arasaka is. Anyway, another issue is the Demogorgon,” Vortex continued. “It’s terrorizing Babylon Gardens and–”

“Its weakness is fire,” Lois piped up, watching Vortex nod in agreement.

“That makes this easier then. Bellwether and her mercenaries are still planning to take over Babylon Gardens, thanks to the mole they have. She was fired by Von Barke, but. . .that won’t stop her,” Vortex said, squeezing his folded hands together. “I know who Von Barke is, but he’s trouble, so I’d avoid him at all costs,”

Marion stood at this, asking, “When do we take Von Barke out?”

He felt everyone else staring at him in shock, including Vortex. The squirrel’s frown deepened at the following silence.

“Soon,” Vortex finally replied. “As soon as we take care of the problems in your homeworld,”

Marion grit his teeth, baring them at Vortex, clenching his fists. “We used to be human, but the Nine took that away from us,”

Vortex stared at Marion, knowing better than to rile the squirrel up further. “You want Von Barke dead? Is that what you want?” he asked, earning a nod from Marion.

“I’m. . .I’m strong enough to take him down. I want to avenge everyone’s family,” Marion said, looking at Grape and Peanut.

Vortex nodded, splitting the group up into smaller sections. Scott, V, Johnny and Deadpool would deal with the Demogorgon, Loona, Troy, and the other hellhounds would deal with Bellwether, and Marion, Lois, Ramona, and Vortex himself would deal with Von Barke. The rest were left to defend the manor in case things went wrong.

Lois walked up to Marion, putting a hand on the squirrel’s shoulder. “You okay?” she asked, swallowing as Marion shook his head.

“I will be once that bastard’s dead,” he mumbled, low enough for only Lois to hear. He had a score to settle.

Chapter Text

V was with Scott, Deadpool, Johnny, and Wrench, the group sent by Vortex to find the demogorgon’s lair. V briefly wondered why Deadpool was carrying a boombox, but he let it slide since their current lie to keep the townsfolk from freaking out was that they were filming a movie.

“Maybe we should search the abandoned buildings,” Deadpool said, his boombox thumping with the bass from the song he was playing. V nodded, helping search for any abandoned buildings. . .which was more difficult than he thought it would be.

Eventually, they found one, an old warehouse with boarded-up windows and a rusted shut door. It took V and Johnny a short while to get the door open, the wet and musky atmosphere hitting the group as they went inside the building.

They found a set of stairs, going down them as the scent of musk grew stronger the further down they went. V paused as he saw various animals stuck to the walls in some sort of goo. Thankfully, they were alive and just unconscious.

The group fanned out to get the people out of the goo, stilling as they heard a clicking roar. The creature was closing in on them, V taking out his nailed baseball bat as the others grabbed their weapons and steeled themselves, lighting their weapons on fire.

The demogorgon roared, rushing toward the group. V swung his bat as the demogorgon swiped a claw at him, missing as the bat hit the creature’s side. A sickening crunch was heard at the contact as the rest of the men swarmed the creature, nailing its hands down into the concrete.

Turbo Killer blasted from the boombox as they fought, throwing Molotov cocktails at the creature as it struggled against its confines.

“I don’t get it,” Deadpool started, staring at the charred remains of the demogorgon. “How’d the Nine get a creature like this to help them?”

Wrench shrugged as Johnny kicked the charred body.

“We should help the survivors,” Johnny said, moving to grab one of them off the wall. “Call the police and an ambulance,”

V did so, shoving his phone in his pocket as he began helping Johnny get the victims down. He hoped this would be the last time they encountered something like this.
***
Vortex and the rest of the hellhounds were preparing to take back what was theirs. Bellwether would pay for her betrayal one way or another. Loona huffed as she grabbed a gun to make sure it was loaded. The entirety of Bellwether’s group would pay for this.
***
Vortex and his team of hellhounds were so close to taking their base back. Loona took out a few guards by knocking them out while Simon and Vortex went further into the base.

Gunfire reached them, spurring Vortex and Simon to look back.

“So much for stealth mode,” Troy grumbled, checking the magazine of his own gun.

Vortex grinned, watching Bellwether’s men fall. “Don’t worry, the noise will scare Bellwether,” he said, turning to look for the sheep. “Let’s go, they have it covered,”

Troy huffed, following after his boss while keeping his eyes peeled for Bellwether.

“You should have left when you had the chance,” the pair heard, Vortex swearing under his breath as Bellwether was in a helicopter with a turret attached.

Loona and the rest of the hellhounds stormed upstairs as Vortex went around the back to get a better shot at the sheep. Bellwether cackled, firing missiles at the hellhounds on the ground as they rushed to take cover.

“We’re not giving up that easy,” Loona shouted, firing her gun with practiced ease as the remainder of Bellwether’s men attacked.

Troy grabbed the grenade launcher, firing once at the turret as Vortex reached the top of the building, firing at the gas tank.

The helicopter exploded, Bellwether’s scream being cut off as she was burned alive. Loona sighed in relief as the helicopter went down in flame and smoke, finding Vortex as he walked back into the building.

“Last of Bellwether’s men have been rounded up. What should we do with them?” Loona asked, jabbing a thumb behind her at the tied up men and women. “We could execute them,”

“Nah,” Vortex replied. “Call the authorities and let them know how it feels to be helpless,” he continued, his sharp grin devilish. They could celebrate later, but for now, they had to make sure the base was still in good shape.

Vortex checked his phone, his grin widening as he got word that the demogorgon was taken care of. Good, now they just had Von Barke to worry about.

Vortex regrouped with Marion, Lois, and Ramona, finding them outside the base. Marion growled at someone behind Vortex, stepping toward the other person with purpose.

Von Barke waited for them, his smile full of malice. Lois could finally get rid of the wolf once and for all, for his family and friends, for Marion.
***
Marion glared at Von Barke, the squirrel gritting his teeth as Von Barke stepped toward him. Von Barke took everything away from Marion and Lois, their family, their livelihoods.

“You’re packing some serious demon powers, kid,” Von Barke said, his gravelly voice sending anger through Marion’s body.

Marion frowned, clenching his fists. “I’m special,” he replied, knowing Von Barke had a hand in this. Marion’s horns sprouted out as his wings unfurled, the squirrel rushing forward to punch Von Barke in the face.

Von Barke simply smiled as he dodged, pressing a button as Vortex aimed his sniper rifle at him. The building shook as an explosion went off beneath them, and Von Barke kneed Marion in the stomach.

“Special?” Von Barke challenged, grabbing Marion by the hair and throwing the squirrel back. “You are nothing more than a failed experiment,” the wolf continued, cornering Marion.

Marion growled, his canines sharpening into fine points as Von Barke punched him in the face, his teeth clacking together at the blow.

Von Barke laughed, his punches strong as he hit Marion in the stomach, in his chest, and his face. “You can’t save everyone, boy,” Von Barke taunted, his smirk falling for a moment as Marion shoved him back.

Marion breathed, his horns and wings growing as he stood to his full height, his arms bulking up as he stepped toward Von Barke. He rushed the wolf, easily trading blows as the flames around them grew.

While it was true, he couldn’t save everyone, that didn’t mean Marion couldn’t try to. His want to save everyone brought him this far and he wasn’t about to give up now. Marion grunted as his blows didn’t land due to the reflector Von Barke activated, the wolf’s smile growing as he punched Marion hard enough to send the squirrel flying through the air.

Marion hit the ground, coughing up blood from the impact on the hard, dirt ground. Marion looked up as Von Barke stepped toward him, hefting a boulder over his head.

Ah, this was it. Marion was about to die. Marion shut his eyes, prepared to feel the weight of the boulder. It never came as Von Barke stumbled, clutching at his shoulder as a bullet whizzed past the pair.

Lois ran toward Marion, raising the gun as the lynx bared her teeth. Marion stood, brushing off the multitude of hands that tried to help him up.

Von Barke smiled, baring his perfect white teeth as he cackled. “You think you’ve won?” he asked, not expecting an answer. “This is only the beginning,” he shouted as a burning support beam fell between him and the group.

The fire grew out of control as the group left the building before the fire reached them, hoping that the fire would kill Von Barke.

Marion gasped as they made it outside, watching the building crumble to nothing and ash.

Ramona sighed in relief as the building crumbled. It was over, everything was finally over.

Loona knew this wasn’t over. Von Barke was right, this was only the beginning of his plan. Vortex wrapped an arm around Loona, pulling her and Troy into a hug.

“We did it,” Marion mumbled. “We did it!” he said louder, hugging Lois as they began to head home.

He couldn’t wait to tell Max, Peanut, and Grape the good news.

Chapter Text

Later that night, Music flowed through Babylon Gardens, the townsfolk drawn to the free music, food, and drinks of the night. Johnny and Scott took turns DJing the event up until Scott played a remix of This Fire in honor of Marion and Lois for defeating Von Barke.

Lois and Marion leave the party to be alone and rest. Marion sighs, asking, lust in his eyes. “What do you want to do next?” His mouth curls into a smile and he raises his eyebrows repeatedly in a suggestive manner while biting his lip.

She giggles, mirroring his expression. “I think I know.” Lois leans in, her eyes half-lidded, about to close them. A red dot appears on her forehead and she points at the object responsible. “Is that?”

He nods.

“Don't! Don't you dare.” Marion can't help but chuckle. “You know that I'll -” Lois palms herself in the face and he busts a rib.

Marion points the laser on the ground and creates a zigzag. He snickers while she spins in circles. Marion swishes the laser all over the place as if the laser pointer was a sparkler. Lois darts, bouncing off the walls and furniture, with various items being knocked over.

The door swings open with great impact, knocking Lois to the floor. The laughing immediately turns to gasps as he helps her up. “Are you okay?!” he and a familiar voice ask in unison.

“What are you two doing in here!” Sasha scans the room and glares at Lois. “You caused this mess, didn't you? You led him away and caused this disaster.”

Lois recovers, scowling and darting her eyes back at Sasha. “Yes, I did.”

“So you admit it! Getting poor Marion involved in destruction of someone else's property and-”

Lois shields him. “Stop it. This is harassment and you know it.”

“It's just that…”

“Shut up!” Lois snaps. “You know I'm responsible enough to step up and take accountability when something happens. We were just having fun and we'll clean up when we're done!”

“But! I thought you were doing something to -”

“Marion? He's fine! If anything, you hurt me! I can forgive you hitting me with the door but I think I deserve an apology for your behavior recently.”

Sasha huffs, placing her paw on her chest. Tears well in her eyes. “I'm sorry. I just…”

“I don't want your excuses. Get out!” Lois follows behind as Sasha weeps and storms out, slamming the door shut. She turns toward Marion and her face softens. “I'm sorry for yelling. I'm just tired of Sasha and her shenanigans.”

Marion sighs, assisting her in cleaning the mess. “I'm sorry for getting you into trouble. I hope she understands someday that I don't need protection.” He groans at the sound of someone knocking on the door and answers it.

Loona stumbles in, her cheeks ruddy, while holding a can of orange soda; She was drunk. “Come on, guys! The party is just getting started.”

Marion huffed. “Alright, we’ll be out in a few minutes,” he said, watching Loona smile and stumble back into the party.

They could continue what they were doing later, after all. This party was for them and it wouldn’t feel right to just ignore it.
***
Scott played Die Young by Kesha, frowning as the song changed to Archangel by Samurai. V sighed as he downed a can of orange soda, grateful for the alcohol coursing through his bloodstream. However, he didn’t enjoy the cigarette he was smoking, the filter wet between his lips.

“How’s it hanging?” King asked, walking toward V as the mercenary coughed.

V shrugged, stamping out his cigarette as the Pembroke corgi smiled.

“I heard you saved some people today, my kids want to be a hero just like you when they get older,” King continued, his smile unwavering.

V frowned at this. He wasn’t a hero, far from it in fact. He was a mercenary and that was dangerous. . .not knowing when your last day would be. Maybe he could take Panam up on her offer to join her nomadic group once he was cured of his Relic.

Ramona looked at V for a moment, listening to his thoughts. She briefly wondered if her, Tarot, and Krystal’s magic could help V and his problem. “Tarot,” Ramona started, looking at the cream-colored dog. “Would it be possible to purge a cybernetic human of their Relic?”

Tarot shrugged. “It wouldn’t hurt to try,” she replied, “He did help defeat the Demogorgon and the Nine. I’ll see what I can do,” Tarot said, sipping at her drink. After all, they were running on borrowed time, the Miltons could be back any moment.

Ramona nodded, ignoring Bailey as she began arguing with Johnny over something small. She walked up to V, touching his shoulder to get his attention. “We can help you, with your Relic,” Ramona said, tucking a blue strand of hair behind her ear.

“Sure, that’d be great,” V answered, hoping they could actually help. “Uh, when are you going to cure me?”

“When you get back home,” Ramona said. “I’ll contact you after I deal with Gideon,”

V nodded, watching Bailey throw her drink on Johnny and Scott as Loona snickered at them. Scott looked like a wet puppy at that moment while Johnny simply dedicated a song to David Martinez which seemed to piss Bailey off more.

Marion and Lois looked on, sequestered away from the group as they talked to each other. V headed inside the manor, finding an arcade and three children playing Star Fox.

He took a seat on the couch, leaning against the cushions as King sat beside him.

“Y’know,” King started. “You can move here. . .you wouldn’t have to worry about anything,”

“Mm, I got Panam to visit,” V replied, blowing out. “Her and her clan are important to me,”

King blinked, clasping his hands together. “Maybe she can move here too. Her clan wouldn’t have to worry about violence,” the dog said.

“I’ll think about it,” V replied, taking a sip of his orange soda. If he could survive after getting his Relic purged then anything was possible.
***

Scott played Ocean Avenue, a request from Max for Grape. He looked up as he saw Ramona walk inside the house.

“Hey, Johnny,” Scott said, catching the cyborg’s attention. “Could you man this for me?” he asked, earning a nod in response as he left to find Ramona.

Ramona was sitting on the couch, tossing a cigarette away from her and chewing gum instead. Her face was pinched in concentration, her bangs curling around her forehead. The Institute might be keeping an eye on her and Tarot, which made Ramona realize she couldn’t use her powers often for traveling or defeating her last evil ex.

She looked at Scott, scooting over to allow him to sit next to her.

“Is everything alright?” Scott asked, nudging her.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just needed a small break,” Ramona replied, blowing and popping a bubble.

Scott frowned. “Something’s bothering you,” he insisted as Ramona snapped the bubblegum.

Ramona was quiet for a while, looking forward before looking at Scott again. “I’m just worried about Krystal,” it was a half-truth, but she’d say anything to keep Scott from looking at her in pity.

“Why?”

“I mean, her son and husband are missing,” Ramona answered. “That’s gotta be hard on her,”

Scott hummed in reply. “I hope she and Marcus will be reunited then, especially away from Fox,” he said, mumbling the last sentence. “Maybe we can go to Talfryn and look for Marcus,”

Ramona suddenly licked him, her tongue warm as she continued. “R-ramona?” Scott mumbled, blushing as he felt Ramona’s hand close around his thigh.

She kissed him, pressing against him as he kissed her back, opening his mouth to deepen the kiss. Ramona followed him, their tongues meeting for a moment as they made out.

Ramona pulled away, startled as an explosion boomed somewhere outside. She stood, rushing out of the house to see what was going on. She hoped it was nothing

***

As Ramona and Scott ran outside, they stopped as they looked at Eggman, Gideon Graves, and a few hooded figures with badniks. The badniks rolled forward, Ramona gripping her hammer as they surrounded the group and the figures stepped forward to tackle them.

The figures attacked as the badniks began to destroy the area around them. The guests screamed and rushed out, being guided by Loona to a safer area. V and Johnny hopped over the DJ booth, face to face with a blond version of Johnny and a woman that looked similar to V.

Wrench and Deadpool made it outside to help, coming to a stop in front of a man with bulging muscles and a red visor, and another man with two right arms wearing the same suit as Deadpool.

“My new teammates are going to rule the multiverse,” Eggman gloated. “Once we avenge Von Barke of course,” he continued, sending in more badniks to ruin the party.

Max, Grape, Peanut, and Tarot ran outside to help, grabbing chairs and bar tops to smash the badniks. The group fought valiantly, Ramona cracking her hammer against the side of her cyborg counterpart as the cyborg simply grinned.

“Finish them so we can deal with that blue pest and his freedom fighters,” Eggman yelled, watching his small army close around the heroes.

A blue blur flew by, going around the heroes as Eggman looked on in horror.

“Hey, Egghead,” Sonic said, grinning as he held the remains of a badnik. “Missing something?”

Ramona hummed as Sally, Rotor, Antoine, Tails, and Bunnie followed the blue hedgehog outside. The party-goers long gone and the house eerily silent.

“We have to retreat for now,” Sally said, her voice low enough for only Ramona and the group to hear.

A portal opened as she said that, Eggman banging a fist against his egg carrier as they went through the portal and it closed. He wanted those humans, even if it cost him his life.

Sirens wailed, urging Eggman and his posse to scatter and regroup at their base. He had planning to do.

***

TO BE CONTINUED

Chapter Text

Set in a multiverse created by Jediannsolo

Cast
Ramona Flowers

Scott Pilgrim

V (Vincent)

Deadpool

Wrench

Loona

Troy

Vortex

Peanut

Grape

Max

Tarot

Fox Lindberg

King

Marion

Lois

Bailey

Todd

Sasha

Sonic

Tails

Sally

Antoine

Rotor

Bunnie

Von Barke

Bellwether

Demogorgon

Star Butterfly

Marco Diaz

Written by Saintfan12 and Matthew The13rdbard

Idea by a friend of mine

Characters by Disney, Rick Griffin, CD Projekt Red, Marvel, Ubisoft, Vivziepop, Brian O’Malley, Sega, Netflix and Eddsworld

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Music by rightful owners

Made in 2024