Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“‘Three stars burning bright,
Have lost their way to the light,
And to the world they shall flee,
A fate that was never meant to be,

But they will end up in the same place,
Inner demons they will face,
Ultimately defeating the foe,
When three friends truly grow.’”

“That’s troubling…”

“You think!!?”

The Core yelled. Andrias ducked his head. They stood alone in Andrias’ dark throne room. The beating of a massive heart behind the tall chair only serving to intensify the situation.

“There’s probably gonna be a hoard of other worldly creatures heading for us soon and we might not even be prepared for it!!!!!”

“Core, the poem mentioned three creatures. How can we tell that a whole hoard is coming to invade us.”

Andrias didn't actually think they were in any danger. In fact, it seemed that these strange creatures were gonna save them from a possible threat they couldn't predict. But it was weird that the Archivists were just handing them information without asking for something in return. There must have been a twist. Gods weren’t usually so giving, especially not to them.

“‘To the world they shall flee’” it recited again, “What are they fleeing from? If it’s that bad, it’s going to be a big problem for us! They're gonna bring the threat straight to the Boiling Isles!!!”

The white bearded man looked away, “We need a solid plan”

“Yeah, and a strong army!” The Core directed to Andrias.

“Yes” Andrias’ tone flattened, annoyed, “What about the citizens?” He changed the subject.

The Core groaned, “Ugh, I don’t know, tell them to be safe or something. Just make sure they don't know about this. We wouldn't want to start a mass panic.”

Andrias nodded. The Core was right. It would be bad if their citizens found out and resorted to violence in hysterics. They would jump to conclusions and act impulsively. And he didn’t know how much he could control the mobs.

A loud bang echoed through the room. The Core quickly hid behind the throne and Andrias turned around to face his visitor.

“Yunan, what did I tell you about interrupting my alone time?” His voice boomed and switched to a happy tone effortlessly.

Yunan stormed through the open door, “He got away again!!!”

Andrias sighed and rubbed his temples, “This about Hopadiah?”

“I was chasing him down for a while when he disappeared into the forest. I searched for him for like an hour.” Yunan then confidently shoved her thumb to her chest, “But I will catch him next time!!!!”

“Hmmm, s’ shame we haven't had any other leads as to where he lives.”

Yunan made a noise of agreement, “Is there anything we can bribe him with?”

Andrias looked at the ground, “I don’t think so…I tried something like that a while ago, but it didn't work.”

Yunan took a step back when she remembered how big and intimidating the throne room was. She shivered.

“I have another job for you”

She directed her attention back at him.

“The Titan has given me a sign. There’s a great danger coming our way, so I need you to tell Grime to recruit more soldiers.” Andrias then muttered, “Titan knows we need them.”

“Sir.” Yunan bowed and then left.

Andrias fell back into his throne. He pulled a gold mask from beside the throne. It was in the shape of an axolotl head and had 5 eyes.

He stared at the mask.

Chapter Text

On Earth, Sasha always felt she had to protect Anne and Marcy from something. From bullies that harassed them daily, or weird guys who flirted with them or teachers when they got into trouble.

But this wasn't Earth. Sasha had been locked in a jail cell with stone gray walls and no clue where her girls were.

They were having a sleepover at Anne's house playing truth or dare. Snacks littered the floor, pillows thrown across the room, and the only light came from the moon shining through the windows. It was Marcy’s idea to explore the creepy abandoned graveyard a mile away from Anne’s house. None of them knew what to expect when they stepped through that arch. Definitely not this.

Sasha was curled up in a corner. On the cleanest spot on the floor that didn't have dried gum or mystery liquid. She sat completely still as she watched the large figure that had entered the room walk over to her. He was different from the warden she had seen before. The man had rough skin and a gash that ran from the top of his eyebrow down the bottom of his lips. His calloused hands grabbed the side of the bars.

“Get up, you're coming with me”

He lifted the rusted cell door. She hesitated then stood up, deciding it would be a better idea if she didn't resist. She didn't have the energy anyway. The man spun a circle in the air. Blue light in the shape of cuffs appeared around her wrists. They walked around maze-like hallways. They were confusing, at least to Sasha. The one-eyed man opened a very long door, and they stepped inside. The person wearing an axolotl mask, sitting on the throne didn't seem to notice their presence until the man cleared his throat.

“I have your human sir”

The masked guy looked up. He grinned.

“Ah Grime! Thank you!” His voice boomed “Stay here, I wanna talk to you”

Grime looked confused but didn't say anything.

“Recently your army has been getting weaker. I see soldiers sleeping on the job and brushing off tax evaders. Yesterday we had to get our strongest men just to restrain this one girl” he pointed at Sasha. “She has more courage than any common guard. So, I’m making her your second in command. Or at least have her receive training until she's strong enough.”

Sasha was stunned. She didn’t know what to think. On one hand she wasn’t sure how brutal military life would be but on the other hand, telling people what to do was totally in her comfort zone. But either way she didn’t really have a choice.

“I’ll do it” Sasha decided to speak.

The man’s grin widened “Glad to see you’re so enthused”

Grime stared in disbelief, “My lord, you can’t be serious. I mean, she’s a kid”

He turned to look at Sasha. “And a human”

Sasha glared at him, but the masked man just laughed, “Out of everyone I thought you would be the happiest Grime! I know how frustrated you have been at your soldiers.”

Grime mumbled something under his breath and looked away. The man directed his attention to Sasha.

“As for you, I'm sure you'll do fine. Now go, I have a very important meeting in a few minutes.”

Grime was already walking out of the room when Sasha turned around. She followed him to the hall.

“Where are we going?” Sasha demanded.

“We have a room open for you. Some of my soldiers have been quitting recently.” Grime angrily spewed.

“Quitting? Why? Because you're such a crappy commander?”

“Watch your tongue, human” he spat back while passing a guard with gold armor, who took a double take.

Sasha gritted her teeth. She was getting more and more annoyed by the second. “Could you at least take these off?” She held her cuffed hands to Grime’s face.

“Ugh, fine”

He twirled a circle in the air to unshackle her. They reach a hallway of doors and walk down to one room. The gold numbers on the wall next to the door read 21.

“So, I’m guessing these are for the guards?”

“Some guards live in bases around the isles or rent houses, but higher-ranking ones get a dorm in the castle. Like the Golden Guard,” He scoffed out the last part.

“The Golden Guard?”

“Andrias’ right hand. They get to go on important quests and their identity is kept secret.”

“Why do they have to keep their identity secret? You don’t have to.”

Grime shrugs, “Andrias is just like that.”

He slides a key into the lock of the doorknob. It makes a click noise when he turns it and opens the door enough so Sasha can peek into the room through a tiny sliver. He hands her the key.

“Keep this. There's a fresh uniform in your dresser. I’ll go knocking on your door at around six tomorrow. I expect you to be up by then.”

“Oh…” is all that comes out of Sasha’s mouth.

She realized that it was the first time in a while an adult who wasn't Anne's parents looked out for her. Or at least somewhat even if it felt like Grime was obligated to do so. But there was a little voice in her brain telling her he did it because he cared. She pushed the stupid thought away. Why would that even cross her mind? Teachers at home treated her the same way…she thinks. There was an awkward silence as Grime tried to think of what else to say.

“You should get something to eat. You look terrible.”

He walked away. Sasha pushed open the door. There was a bed with its side against a window. The pillows were a variety of pink shades with a green duvet. A dresser beside it was made of something similar to alder wood. Sasha let out a huff, walked over to the bed and let her body fall face first into it. The mattress was soft and plush. Before she passed out, the last thing Sasha remembered thinking about was if Anne and Marcy were safe.

Chapter Text

This wasn't a dream. And Anne was horrified. A day earlier she had just ended up in this demon world because of some stupid dare. Then she and her friends got chased down by whatever this world's equivalent to the police is. Sprig found Anne hiding behind an empty stall after the commotion died down. He begged Hop pop to let Anne stay with them. He agreed reluctantly and told Sprig that he had to do the dishes for a month as a compromise. Sprig happily accepted. Hop pop was also stern on assigning chores to Anne too, complaining he would have more mouths to feed so she might as well make herself useful. Now Anne was here, sleeping in the closet of some witches’ and with no idea where her friends were. At least she was given a sleeping bag.

Anne dug around in her pockets, “Yes! Thank god it’s still here!”

She pulled out a polaroid photo. In it, Anne and Marcy stood on the sides smiling. Sasha was in the middle smirking and with her arms wrapped around the other two. Anne gazed down at the photo, lost in thought. Her thumb delicately traced the outlines of Sasha and Marcy. She didn’t hear the door open.

“Anne?” Sprig appeared in the doorway.

Anne’s heart jumped, “Huh? What?” she stuffed the polaroid photo in her pocket.

Sprig sat on the floor in front of her, “I was wondering how you were adjusting.”

“Oh. Yeah. Just fine, dude.” She lied, her body language shifting while she hugged her knees. The sleeping bag under her bunching up.

“Good” Sprig didn’t seem to notice anything.

“Hop pop’s making dinner right now so we need to be quick.”

Anne heard the clacking of pots and pans downstairs.

“What do you mean?” Anne furrowed her eyebrows.

Sprig looked into Anne’s eyes, “I think I know where your friends might be but we need Hop pop’s palismen to get there.”

Anne’s eyes widened. She nervously glanced at the door. She stalled for a minute before speaking.

“I dunno, Hop pop would probably be mad if we ran off with his palismen…”

“What Hop pop doesn’t know won’t kill him. Besides, don’t you want a chance to save your friends?”

Anne sighed, easily swayed. Yeah, she really wanted to find Sasha and Marcy.

“Fine.”

Sprig smirked. He slowly opened the door. Creeping down the stairs, he took small steps. Anne followed after him. She breathed out a sigh, realizing the sizzling of oil covered up all the sound they were probably making. She wondered if Sprig took that into consideration when devising a plan. But even then, she was afraid that Hop Pop would somehow hear her escalating heart rate.

Sprig took several more steps and Anne counted hers in her head, “1,2..3…..1…2…3, 1-” creeeek.

Anne and Sprig stopped dead in their tracks. They looked up at Hop Pop to find him stirring a pot and humming to himself. He was completely unaware of their presence.

Sprig snuck up to the table and wrapped his hands around what Anne assumed to be Hop Pop’s palismen leaning against a chair. He then went up to the window, unlocked the latch, and pushed it open. He let Anne out first. She put one foot on the window sill and swung the other leg out as if it were natural to her. She hopped to the ground and Sprig climbed out next.

Sprig ran out along the house’s path that was big enough to be considered a clearing. He spread his arms out and took a deep, dramatic breath.

“Dude, it’s been one day. Weren’t you outside like yesterday?”

Sprig stayed staring in the distance, “Doesn’t really feel like it. Hop Pop’s been making me do more and more stuff recently. This is freedom.”

“Oh…well that sucks.”

“Eh, I can always ditch anyways” He shrugged.

For some reason that comment made her feel uncomfortable.

The palismen’s stick disappeared and the snail at the end fell into Sprig’s palms. The snail looked at him perplexed. Anne saw it slither around, realizing again that, yes, magic was real. She shifted her feet and stared wide eyed at it.

“Oh! This is Bessie!” Sprig said simply, “It’s okay, she’s friendly!”

Bessie purred at Anne. She stood frozen, What the hell??!!!

Sprig walked closer to her then stopped.

He frowned, “What’s wrong?”

“UH!? That snail just came to life!!!!”

“Do humans not have palismen?”

“No?!”

Sprig looked down at Bessie, “Huh, humans are weird.”

Before Anne could retort, Bessie turned back into a staff and Sprig hopped on it. He patted the back of the stick.

…….

They flew over crowded rooftops. Which vaguely reminded Anne of traveling back to LA from Bangkok after visiting extended family. Seeing the world from so high up, thinking it’s so small despite spreading across an infinite space. The feeling was more intense at night. She didn’t know why. Maybe because she could only see the silhouettes of buildings or that the structures disappearing into the void made it that much more grand. Anne already started to feel herself miss home. That big house with chipped blue paint on the walls and the plastic basketball hoop atop their garage. Her comfy bed she, Sasha, and Marcy spent countless hours chatting on. Even the scratched up carpet from Domino's claws or the water damaged walls on the outside of their house that her dad keeps on forgetting to fix.

“So, what do Sasha and Marcy look like?” Sprig asked, breaking the silence.

Anne told the Planters about Sasha and Marcy. That she was transported here with them and how much she missed them. But she hadn't given them their faces yet.

Anne handed him the polaroid photo from her pocket. She pointed at each girl.

“This one's Sasha, and she's Marcy.”

Sprig nodded as he took note of their faces.

“Sasha is confident and brave. And Marcy? Oh boy is she clumsy!” Anne started to spew off unprompted, “But she's super smart and passionate.”

Sprig smiled, “How long have you known each other?”

Anne had to think about that for a second, “Hmmm. I dunno, I met Marcy when we were 5 and Sasha when we were 6 so like…10 years.”

“Geez” Sprig laughed then looked down, “I wish I had friends like that…”

Anne frowned at that. She put a hand on his shoulder.

“Hey, I mean, I could be your friend.”

Sprig grinned again, “Yeah…yeah!!” He pumped his fists.

They were approaching a tower. It was protected by walls and sharp bones jutting out of the ground. They landed on the top of the walls.

Anne leaned against a stone brick, “So, how are we doing this? And how am I gonna hide these?”

She motioned to her ears. Sprig twirled a blue circle in the air and Anne at first didn’t notice anything different.

“Wh-what happened?”

Sprig snapped his fingers, “Illusion magic. Your ears now look like witch ears!”

Anne touched her ears but they still felt normal.

“I can only make them appear pointy, I don’t even think the best illusionist can make them physical.”

“Oh.”

Sprig shrugged, “We’re just going to look in every cell. If they aren’t there…I don’t know, I guess we'll just have to look somewhere else.”

Anne let out a breath, “Okay”

She pushed off the wall and walked up to Sprig. They got back on the staff. Sprig pushed up with his foot and Anne could feel her feet scrape the rough stone underneath her.

When they made it through a window, Sprig jumped off the staff and picked it up, which caused Anne to fall on her butt.

“Dude?! What the heck!?!”

Sprig visibly cringed, “Sorry, I haven't driven with anyone in a long time. I used to fly around with Polly but she stopped because I guess I got us in trouble a lot.”

“I think I bruised my tailbone,” Anne groaned and rubbed her butt.

Sprig helped Anne up, “Sorry” He said again.

Anne held her hand up, “No, it’s fine” But she could tell Sprig still felt guilty. It reminded her of Marcy in an odd way.

“Does Hop pop let you drive sometimes or do you only do it when you do this kinda stuff?” As soon as Anne said the last part she instantly regretted it and was afraid Sprig would take it the wrong way but he didn't notice.

“I don’t think Hop pop trusts me enough to use Bessie ever.” He said simply but Anne swore she could hear a hint of sadness.

Sprig started to walk towards the cells, checking every one for the faces he committed to memory. Anne did the same but couldn't take her eyes away from all the criminals roting in their own filth. Most of them looked like they had been there for years. One demon had their jaw ripped off and another had maggots eating the skin of the left side of their face. It didn't help that they were literal demons which made everything that more horrific. Anne had to suppress a shutter.

They were only on their first layer (or what Anne thought was the first floor. It was hard to tell since the cells just spiraled down.) and had many more cells to go through. A demon with one eye on the right side of its face grabbed onto the rusted bars.

“Hey kid, get me out of this cell, will ya,” His voice was scratchy as he opened his toothy mouth.

Anne awkwardly said, “Uhhhhhh”

Sprig came up from behind her, “Sorry sir but we're trying to find two humans. Do you happen to know where they are?”

The man scoffed, “Not if you don't release me.”

Sprig held his chin, “Hm.” He motioned to Anne to keep looking.

Anne tried not to look back as she heard the prisoner yelling and banging the cell door from behind her. His shreeks echoed through the prison, Anne grimaced. She almost felt bad for him then realized the purpose of the cell doors, why he was on the other side. They were doing the right thing. Right? There was a reason he was locked up. If he was good, he wouldn't be. Anne shook off any more thoughts before they became too confusing.

She was so busy with her thoughts that Sprig ended up being the only one searching the cells for a good while. Anne got a sudden wave of anxiety. She knew they weren’t supposed to be here. She decided to check the area for threats. Good thing she did because she spotted a figure running their way. She would have had time to wonder how Sprig didn't spot them but her brain focused on the creature rapidly approaching. All she could see and hear was them and not Sprig telling her to run. He grabbed her arm and dragged her down the prison. She almost tripped on her feet but quickly recovered.

Anne couldn't see behind her to get a good look of the creature. She just kept running. Sprig held his hand out and closed it into a fist when Bessie appeared. He jumped on and without thinking, Anne hopped on too, almost missing the staff. Anne finally looked back. The creature was gaining speed on them. They were massive and wore a white robe with a plague doctor mask. Before they could fly away down the middle of the spiral slope, the creature grabbed them from behind. Bessie descended down the fall in the middle. Sprig looked below in terror. They squirmed in their grasp. Anne tried to kick them but their mussels were too tough, she ended up with a throbbing leg instead.

“What the hell are you kids doing here?!”

“Let us go!” Sprig thrashed in the air.

“Hmmm, I don’t think I’ve seen you two before. Maybe a couple of humans sneaking around?”

“Humans?”

The demon grabs Sprig’s ear, “Hey!!!”

He grunted and grabbed Anne’s ear. The fake pointy ear poofed into a blue cloud and was replaced with a round one. Her heart raced.

“Ahhh, so you are human. Do you understand how important your capture is to us?”

Anne gritted her teeth. The adrenaline in her veins was increasing more and more.

He turned to Sprig. “And now that I think about it, you do look pretty familiar.“

“Tell us where the other two humans are!” Sprig changed the subject.

The demon laughed, “You really think I’m going to tell you?”

Anne sighed in defeat, “Fine, you can take me. I just need to know where they are.”

“Anne?” Sprig said bewildered.

“Really? You're not even going to put up a fight. Pathetic.”

Something in Anne burned. She had felt it burn before, times like when she was in a tennis match and felt the crawling of excitement under her skin. But now it grew stronger. All the years of suppressed rage crawled under her skin. It was waiting for a release. She realized now she can allow it to take control

Anne first made contact with the creature’s mask letting it fall to the ground as she released all her energy. Her knuckles burned. The demon craned his head towards Anne. He spit on the ground and threw her at a cell. Sprig screamed. Anne trembled, feeling her sore body. The figure that stood over her had horns that curled in and a somewhat tapered mouth with a slight overbite.

He laughed, “That’s more like it.”

Anne held her stomach. She managed to throw a rock at the creature's cheek bone, nearly missing his eye.

“Shit!!” He shouted and stumbled back.

Sprig curled up in a ball behind him and he toppled over. The demon fell hard, hitting his head. Anne and Sprig bolted further down. Anne was stumbling. They weren't far from the ground. Sprig hopped down the last spiral to grab Bessie but was caught by his jacket. He spun around and punched the man in the face. Sprig’s face immediately crumpled in pain as he held his fist.

He rubbed his face, “Damn kid, can't be letting you run around with a human.”

Footsteps grew louder and Anne slammed into the demon. Sprig fell to the ground and tumbled away before he could get crushed. He grabbed Bessie.

The creature pushed himself up, exposing his arms. Sprig took the opportunity to aim Bessie at his shoulder and shoot.

The creature roared and fell back. Sprig pointed the staff at him.

“Okay, okay, kid. I'm not gonna do anything”

Sprig pointed his staff closer, “And you aren’t lying?”

He sighed, “The humans you're looking for…” Anne’s eyes widened, “...one was here but was taken away by Andrias. The other was also probably taken by him. I don't know what he plans to do with them.”

Sprig eyed him suspiciously.

“That's all I know”

Anne saw something in his eyes. Although gruff, his words were genuine, “Sprig, he's telling the truth.”

Sprig’s expression softened. He lowered his staff, “We need to go anyway.”

Anne looked at the sky. She didn’t know why she did because it had only been a few hours since they left. And they had left pretty early so it was still obviously going to be night. But Anne still felt like checking the sky for the time. Hop pop would definitely notice they were gone now.

They hopped on Bessie and flew away.

…….

The fly back was quiet. Cold wind blew through Anne’s hair. She faced up at the moon which, at this point, was high in the sky. She kept on wondering what would happen when Hop pop eventually found out they had snuck out. Surely he wasn't heartless enough to just throw her out again. But how would she even know? They aren't even human, and although Sprig acts nice, would anyone else show her that same kindness? Polly did mention wanting to cook and season Anne (although Hop pop scolded her for suggesting that)--which is very concerning, especially given her age. And Hop pop seemed reluctant to bring Anne in and Anne already felt bad that he had to step up and take care of her. So basically, Anne wasn’t on great terms with the Planter family.

Sprig looked at the ground, “I’m sorry about all of that.”

“I-It’s fine dude. You didn’t know they weren’t there.” Anne said, surprised.

He sighed, “No, about, um, kinda forcing you to break into a prison with me. I don’t know. I pushed you and I feel bad for it.”

Anne loosened the tension on her shoulders, “Oh…well, it’s my fault. You didn’t have to help me try to find them. I mean, it’s my own problem anyways. I’m sorry if I get you in trouble.”

“What?!” Sprig seemed stunned at that, “Anne, it was my idea to get us into this mess. I…it isn’t your fault that Sasha and Marcy got captured.”

Anne went quiet. She ignored the fact that Sprig said “to get us into this mess” instead of “that got us into this mess”. Sprig continued.

“Your emotions aren’t an inconvenience to us. You’re allowed to have your issues.” He looked at her.

Anne doubted that. Obviously she knew it was true, but subconsciously she doubted that. She didn’t know why.

Soon enough, she could see the clearing in the distance. It was isolated from the rest of Bonesborough and there was an invisible shield around the house, so they couldn’t see it yet. That was another thing that confused Anne. She didn’t know why the house had to stay hidden. Actually-

“Sprig? Why is the house invisible?”

“What?”

“Why is the house invisible?” She repeated.

“Uhhh, we sort of haven't gotten around to telling you, but Hop Pop’s kinda a criminal…”

“He’s a what?”

Sprig sputtered out, “It’s not that bad! He just… has to stay hidden from the rest of society and fake Polly and I’s backgrounds so we can attend school…okay that sounds bad.”

Anne held her face in her hands, “What have I gotten myself intooooo?”

Sprig sighed, “Honestly, I don't even know why he's in trouble with the government. He's never told us the reason and I'm pretty sure he doesn't know either.”

“Wa-wait, you guys spend your entire life in hiding and you don't even know why???”

“Yep, basically!” Sprig shrugged.

Anne slouched forward, “Uggghhhh, this suuuucks”

They entered the shield and the house appeared. Sprig and Anne landed on the ground and as they were approaching the door-

*Crooaak*

Anne jumped out of her skin. Sprig chuckled. He pushed the frog animatronic head that had popped out of the door back in.

“I hate that thing. Why do you guys even have that?”

“It's only supposed to go off with the doorbell but I guess it's just old. It came with the house and we tried to remove it. But every time we did, it just came back the next day. Spooky stuff.”

Anne felt a sudden wave of anxiety, “Are you sure Hop Pop’s not gonna notice we were gone?”

“Oh he definitely won't notice. We weren't gone for tha- OH CRUD!!!” Sprig clamped his mouth.

Hop Pop appeared in the doorway and had his arms crossed looking extremely angry.

“Watch your mouth boy!! You're in enough trouble as it is!”

“Hop Pop! I'm thirteen!”

“What thirteen year old steals his grandfather’s palismen and breaks into a prison?!”

Anne interjected, “Wait? How did you know we broke into a prison?”

“YOU KNOW EVERYONE CAN HEAR EVERYTHING IN THIS HOUSE!!” Polly screamed from another room. Although allegedly she didn't even have to.

Anne glanced up to where Polly probably was, “That still doesn't answer my question. We didn't actually say out loud that we were gonna break into a prison”

“Don't need to!” Hop Pop slammed the door once Anne and Sprig were inside, “Sprig, go to your room. Anne, we need to talk.”

Anne immediately tensed. She followed him to his room, Polly just laughed.

Anne slipped through the door. She closed it behind her. She was prepared for Hop Pop to start yelling. But he just sighed.

Never a good sign.

Hop Pop rubbed his temples, “I swear, there is nothing about that boy you can control.”

He looked at Anne, “Do you have any idea the value of a palismen!??!!” Yep there it was, “You’ve been here for a day and a half and you steal the most valuable thing I have and take a joyride!!!”

“Well I’m sorry that I don’t know how things work here!!!” Anne suddenly got defensive. “Like, how else was I supposed to find my friends!!?!?”

“We’re supposed to stay incognito!”

“Yeah? And why is that?”

Hop Pop ignored her, “Bessie’s a living thing! You can’t just take ‘er wherever you want!”

“Isn’t that the point of a palismen?”

“No Anne, when you are given your palismen, they become like your other half. You protect each other with your life. You need to respect them.”

There was a beat of silence, then,

“You’re older than Sprig! You should have known better even if this isn’t your world.”

Anne got a pang of familiarity. “You’re 16 now Anne! You need to take responsibility for your actions”. That was eerily similar to when she was back at home. Same fight, different world. She felt like she always fought with her mom now. It was like when she turned 13, a switch flipped and her mom was now suddenly harsher on her. Like adults expected her to grow up the moment she became a teenager.

“Ughhhh! Why do adults keep saying that??”

“Because we know how you're supposed to act by this age! But you blatantly disregard authority. Kids like you don’t value what people older than you have to say. And you clearly don’t respect what is important to me.”

“You don’t either! I needed to know where Sasha and Marcy were!! I need to know if they're safe!!”

“But that’s your problem! All you can think about is what you want!!”

“What??!! How does it make me selfish to worry about other people??!! I don’t even know if they're alive!!” Her voice cracked.

Hop Pop turned around to look out the window. For a second, Anne thought he’d feel bad for her.

“Go to bed Anne.” Hop Pop sounded tired, “Next time this happens again, I’m giving you twice the amount of chores.”

Anne slammed the door on the way out. She sped up the stairs and sat on her sleeping bag. She dragged her hands down her face as her breathing got heavier. And heavier, and heavier until she was crying. She was silently sobbing for probably a minute until she heard a voice.

“Anne?” Sprig’s voice was small.

Anne looked up wide-eyed.

“Can I sit with you?”

She nodded.

He sat next to her. He fidgeted with his hands for a beat of silence.

“Last week, I was in History, and I saw outside the window, Maddie riding a griffin.” Sprig chuckled, “It was on the loose and apparently they were learning to tame one in Beastkeeping. But Maddie’s got away somehow. ”

Anne didn’t say anything so he continued, “It was a whole thing, like, it flew around the school and ended up on the grudgeby court. A bunch of students came out to watch. But by that time, Maddie calmed it down. Ivy was complaining to me that she didn’t get to see because her teacher wouldn't let the students out. She said that she ‘would have totally socked it in the face.’”

Anne wiped her face, “Why are you telling me this?” it wasn’t accusatory, it was framed as a genuine question.

“Because I thought you wanted to feel like everything is normal after…” he made a motion with his hands, “...all that.”

Yeah, he definitely heard her and Hop Pop’s argument. But Sprig was right. She did kinda feel normal again. Even if she didn’t know half of what he was talking about, it was like her sleepovers at home. Although she didn’t want to remember their most recent one.

“Continue”

“What?”

“Continue your story. I wanna hear it.”

Sprig gave her a slight smile, “So the griffin? Maddie said it was nothing compared to what her dad makes her do. He makes her participate in ratslug races for money or something. Oh! That reminds me! Polly almost got caught the other day in the human realm. Yeah, Hop Pop got really into human plants after he found the portal. We take plants from the back of humans’ houses and plant them around ours. Most grow really well here because here is as hot as humans’...summers?....I don’t really know what they are but we don't have that in the Boiling Isles. But Hop Pop said the weather is very similar.”

He fidgeted with the flaps of his hat, “Polly fell into someone's garden while climbing the fence. Their hound went chasing after her. I wish I could have seen it. But a human went to check what was going on. Polly had already jumped the fence when they got out.”

He stopped and looked at Anne, “So, what’s it like as a human?”

“Uh…” Anne was a little stunned, not expecting him to ask her a question, “I dunno…where do I start? Sasha had practice on Friday. She’s captain of the cheer squad and she’s really good at it. With all the acrobatics they do and holding each other up. Literally, I could never.” Anne started to feel herself get happier again, “She has cheer the same day I have tennis so she drives me home. Sometimes I even get to go to her house.”

Anne decides to leave out the detail where she got to go only when Sasha’s parents aren’t home, so she had to lie to her parents about there being adult supervision.

“One time we binged Suspicion Island for hours until like 6 AM and we just spent the entire time criticizing the characters and the stupid things they did. We would just sit on her couch with a bunch of snacks and watch dumb reality TV. And Marcy? I’d just go over to her house and we’d play something like Super Smash Bros. Sometimes we would do random stuff like baking or golfing. She had a mini golf course in her backyard. Marcy has a lot of interests. It felt like she would get a new one every other month! She would always have one minor interest that would constantly change but keep a few major ones. The major ones were gaming, drawing, writing, and plants. Like, this one time, we had to write an essay over the weekend but by the end of that school day, Marcy had got it all done! Like finished!”

Anne was silent for a minute.

She looked at a shelf of random cleaning products, “...I miss them so much…” Her voice got dangerously quiet.

Sprig looked at his hands, “Well, I think that Sasha and Marcy are gonna be fine. From what you told me, I’m sure Sasha’s strong enough to handle herself. Marcy’s smart and can navigate the Boiling Isles on her own.”

Anne didn’t respond for a few seconds.

“Thanks Sprig.”

Chapter Text

*BANG*

Sasha looked around her bedroom in high alert, although everything was blurry. She could sort of make out the short, dark figure at the door. But she was too out of it to find a reason why someone was there.

“Sasha!! Wake up!!!”

Oh shit! She slept in again!! 

Sasha immediately threw her blanket to the side. She stumbled for the bathroom and snatched her hairbrush, aggressively combing her hair. Her vision was clearing up as she recognized the figure in the mirror behind her. 

“Shit, Percy, what time is it?”

“Uuhhhh, 6:30?”

She silently cursed under her breath. She had been sleeping in ever since she got here. It wasn't something to do with anything external on the Boiling Isles. It was just how she was back at home. Sasha didn’t really care about schedules or curfews unless it was to do with cheer or meeting up with her girls. She could arrive hours late to school or skip classes and her parents wouldn't bat an eye. If she stayed out too late with Anne or Marcy, she could just sneak back into her house without getting in trouble.

To be fair though, she never had a reason to get up before 6 AM back home. She was always used to waking up at 8 on school days. Anne always called her “a princess needing her beauty sleep” for being the last one to wake up after their sleepovers. 

 Sasha reached for her red scrunchie. She bolted out of the bathroom and to the door where Percy was standing. 

“Wait! Grime said to bring your weapons”

Sasha glanced at the dark blue duffle bag at the end of her bedpost. It had a magic powered sword which was crafted similar to training wands. Sasha was required to have one because, well obviously she didn't have magic. Andrias ordered the guards to also have them after these types of weapons were able to be distributed. Some wack job inventor was messing around with medieval weapons trying to find a use for them until he found out he could combine them with magic and enhance the army’s combat abilities. Inventions, which Andrias wanted to gatekeep from the general public.

They did the same with armor. A classified potion recipe coated armor which deflects magic spells. For the most part. Sasha only had a chest plate (that she keeps falling asleep in and forgetting to take off after training and now it’s been like a week). Sasha had learned a surprising amount of information about the Emperor’s Coven through simple gossip.

She made a small grunt and grabbed the duffle bag.

Sasha stumbled through the halls of the castle still half asleep. She rushed through the training grounds (as if she needed to rush anymore), Percy following close behind her. Their footsteps echoed as there were few people around. Most were doing jobs or early training like Sasha. She picked up the pace and Percy struggled to keep up.

“Grime’s gonna kill us-”

“Shut up,” Sasha whispered.

God was she pissed. What possible reason is there to wake up this early anyway?

“Your unique position requires discipline,” Grime’s words from the first day to the group annoyingly played in Sasha’s head.

She groaned and pushed open the door and jogged over to Grime who was standing in front of the rest of the group. They were near the middle of the training grounds. Sasha took a moment to catch her breath as Percy spoke.

“I got Sasha for you.”

Grime glanced at them. His massive stature almost sinking Percy to the ground. Of course, Sasha wasn’t the least bit intimidated.

“Sit back down”

Sasha was able to move her feet when Grime stopped her, “Not you,” he growled.

She dropped her bag out of exhaustion and almost scoffed.

Grime turned to the recruits and continued, “Apparently we’re supposed to get more boots next week. Then more within the following months. Or until they stop giving incentives”

Grime keeps calling them “boots” like he has no level of respect for them. Like at all. Sasha was annoyed by this but quickly came to realize that’s just how he was. 

“Like what incentives?” One of Sasha’s peers, who she hadn't bothered learning the name of, raised his hand.

“Probably covering loans and education. Also just a stable place to live.”

Sasha rolled her eyes. Some adult stuff. She didn’t really want to know about this but it might serve her useful since she has literally almost nothing right now. All she has is two or three outfits and a room. Also free lunch and breakfast. Sasha usually skips dinner due to her not having any money. She doesn’t even know what she would do if the occasion arises where she would have to pay for something.

“So Sasha, you doing anything this weekend?” Braddock tapped Sasha’s shoulder to get her attention.

Sasha, a little surprised, responded, “Uh- not really. Why?”

She didn’t even know they had weekends off. The first Friday she was here, she was locked up in a cell for two days. 

Percy almost jumped next to Braddock, “We were gonna go to the farmers market in Bonesborough on Sunday! Do you wanna come?” He had a huge smile on his face.

Sasha put on a fake one, “Sure! What time?”

She didn’t hate them. But they were pretty annoying and it’s only been one week. But Sasha thinks she’s warming up to them.

“Well, it starts at noon and runs till the evening. So, like….noon,” Her voice fell flat.

“Yeah, meet us at…uhhhhh-”

Braddock interrupted him, “In front of Thea’s Diner. That’s about where it’s going’ta be.”

Percy nodded. Before Sasha could conform, Grime raised his voice. The rest of the group stopped their small conversations.

“Alright boots!! Back to training! You aren’t here to be chummy with each other…”

He looked at Sasha while recruits passed by them, “I don’t even want to start with you.”

“Don’t worry!” Sasha limped her wrist at Grime, “I’ll get it right next time!” Her fake expression and tone were cool.

Grime narrowed his eyes. He turned his back to Sasha and headed towards where the recruits were.

“Three laps.”

Sasha couldn't hold back her scoff this time, “Only three?” 

Grime didn’t say anything and continued walking. Weird, he’s been making her run two miles or spar with him after training but three laps was nothing. 

Sasha put one hand on her hip, “Huh.”

She abandoned her bag and slowly walked over to the track they had around most of the training area. One lap ran ¼ of a mile long. Grime was behind her now, yelling orders. Sasha decided to jog slowly. It gave her time to think (And piss Grime off even more). Everything happened so fast that day, the portal, the guards, having to fight them off and getting thrown in jail. 

Frankly, she didn’t care if she went missing on Earth. No one would go after her. Maybe, except for the Boonchuys even though she got the sense they didn’t like her very much. They were the only adults she mildly trusted. But what she was really worried about were her girls. It’s been a week and she hasn't seen any sign of them. 

And it’s not like she hasn't been looking. Her first idea was to ask around for names. But obviously that wouldn't work. Then she thought to look in Grime’s office. Eventually she found documents of new and old recruits. But that would have taken forever to look through. She was also on the lookout for bits of conversations about humans. Most were about her. But then she heard how Anne hadn't been found. Which scared her more than just not hearing any information about her. Because she would rather believe that the coven made progress on finding the two, without clear confirmation, than know that they have no idea where they are.

Sasha let out a sigh. She didn’t think there was anything else she could do at the moment. This sucked. But to be fair, she’s only been around the castle, with no time to herself. Maybe this Sunday with Percy and Braddock she could have the opportunity to get out and find more information. Then again, how much stuff that goes under the guards’ noses can she find?

She then heard Grime distantly scream, “Hurry it up Waybright!!!”

Uh, whatever. She guessed she could go a little faster. She passed the group for a second time and this time she was paying attention. They were doing pushups, something Sasha dreaded. Not like she didn’t have any upper body strength, cheerleading could back her up on that, but this was intense. Especially because most recruits specifically Grime trained were adults. Sasha was interested in commanding respect. But not like this. More with words and subtle encouragement. Sasha was strong enough already as proven on her first day here. A little self defence was all she really needed to know. 

She looped around again back to them. They were about done and Percy was panting on the ground. She grimaced.

“Everyone do laps. I’ll be back.”

He looked at Sasha expectantly and walked away. She got the notion to follow him. 

…….

Sasha learned to stop asking questions when her and Grime seemingly wandered through the halls. They walked through a double door that said, “STAFF ONLY” leading to a kitchen, leaving Sasha even more confused. 

The kitchen had a ton of people running around. Almost exactly what you would expect a kitchen to be like. It had big, deep-voiced guys yelling out orders, other people working like bees, briskly walking to the other side of the room. Hands, talons, and flippers skillfully chopping and assembling.

“Mildew!!” Grime called out to one of the kitchen staff.

Some bigger half demon half witch looking-dude turned around and smiled, “Oh, hey Grime! Did you send me your-” He looked at Sasha, “Oh, you meant the human.”

“Yeah, have fun with this one.” Grime gruffly said.

Sasha’s face scrunched up.

“I just didn’t expect a kid, that’s all” He leaned down to Sasha’s level, “Do kids your age know how to wash dishes?”

She threw her hands up at Grime in disbelief, “You’re demoting me to dishwasher????”

Grime held a hand up, “Only for a day. Calm down.”

Mildew laughed and put his hands on his hips, “Yeah! It’ll be easy!” He tried his best at a non-threatening smile despite his fangs.

Grime looked at him, “This was supposed to be a punishment. Make it hard.” Then he walked away.

“Don’t listen to Grime. He’s just a hardass.” Mildew said to Sasha.

“Yeah, you don’t have to tell me that.” she muttered.

He asked again, “So, do you know how to wash dishes?”

“Yeah?” Sasha rudely said, as if it were obvious.

Mildew didn’t seem to care. He walked over to the sink and stood there waiting for Sasha to come over.

“Our warewasher is broken so you just have to wash everything by hand.”

There was a huge metal box next to the sink which Sasha guessed was the warewasher. 

Sasha buried her head in her hands, “Of course.”

“Oh come on, it’s not as bad as you think it is.”

A cart came barreling in, full of plates. The scrawny demon behind it poked his head out to look at Mildew. They made eye contact and he left. 

Mildew scratched the back of his head, “Uh, let’s see, why don’t you go grab an apron and I’ll start the hot water.” 

Sasha sighed and did as she was told.

Okay, so technically it wasn’t hard, but it sure was tedious. And Sasha’s back hurt so much she felt like folding in two. Ughhh, this was so boring, might as well make conversation. Wait….what did adults talk about again?

“Soooo, Mildew, what do you do around the castle?”

“Hm? Oh, you mean during my breaks? Nothing much. Just talking with co-workers and reading,” he leaned against the broken warewasher.

“What do you read?”

“Stuff about plants and fungi, a lot of encyclopedias. That’s actually how I got my name. I really liked fungi and Grime gave me a funny nickname because of it.”

Sasha nodded. She was barely paying any actual attention.

“I think my friend read a book on bot-tonomy once.”

“...Botany?”

“Yeah, that.”

Sasha slumped over the sink and rested her hands in the warm, soapy water. 

“Speaking of which, I heard that one of your friends got all buddy-buddy with the emperor. Supposedly. Youngest ranger without former training. Some sort of child prodigy." 

Sasha perked up. Oh that was definitely Marcy.

“Butttt, that was just what I heard.”

She nodded.

…….

“I hoped you learned something today.”

Sasha rolled her eyes and softly kicked her duffle bag from under her chair.

“Ya’know what? Sure.”

Grime huffed, “Also, I still have to put this on your record. Not like I’ve been telling you that everyday.”

He slid a couple of papers in a folder, probably Sasha’s documents.

“Listen, you just need to change your attitude about this. That’s all I’m really asking.”

“Okay, but I do the work!! Isn't that enough?”

“I’m not fighting you on this.” Grime said bluntly, “You need to do your job.”

Sasha gripped the arm of the wooden chair and slid it back. It echoed off of the yellow and white painted concrete walls, “I literally am??!!!”

“No you don’t. You aren’t punctual, a vital part of your responsibility, you lack motivation, and I have to put up with it because I- Andrias thinks you have potential.”

“I thought you said you weren’t gonna fight with me.”

“Get out of my office!” He chucked a pen at the desk vaguely in her direction.

“Yes! Finally! Thank you!!”

…….

It was Sunday and Sasha finally had some free time.

Grime woke her up yesterday to bring her to some old training grounds and talked her ear off about what the best sword fighting techniques for her would be. It had been a damp, gloomy day. Hot from the boiling rain that had fallen an hour ago. Grime let her beat up an old training dummy while he watched and occasionally corrected her.

“Relax your arms.” He called out sternly.

“Got it, Sherlock!”

“You...do realize I have no idea what you’re talking about, right?”

“...”

Sasha continued to clumsily train. 

Grime sighed, “Don’t think about how much force you’re putting in. A good swing happens with good technique.”

Sasha lowered her sword, “How long are we going to be out here?”

“Until you get this right.”

Sasha sighed. She spread her legs apart and braced her sword keeping her body loose, choosing to actually listen to him. She swung at the dummy, slicing it straight through the chest. Sasha was wide eyed, surprised at how easy that was. 

“That’s how it’s done!” Grime cheered. It was the first sense of applause he’s ever given her.

They trained for another 2 hours until Sasha felt like she was going to fall on her feet. 

She got out of bed sore, and headed towards the dining hall. Not many people were there as it was a Saturday. Percy waved her down from across the hall. She groaned. Sasha sat down next to him and Braddock with her food. Braddock was chowing down on purple slop while focused on the papers in her hand. 

“So, Sash-” 

Okay, definitely a no to the nickname.

“-We were thinking of eating first, then going shopping. There’s this really good pasta place.”

Shit, she totally forgot they were going out today. She was just so focused on all the extra things Grime forced her to do. God, what was the point of any of this. So much for a break. He already wasted one of her days off.

“I could go for some pasta! Although, I don’t know how much I’d be able to…uh…eat…”

Sasha peered down at the eyeball on her spork. 

“Well, it’s always good to try new things!” Percy popped a leg from a bird in his mouth, “Even if your human stomach….rejects half of it.”

Just another thing to worry about. This place is gonna be the death of her.

“Ugh, kinda disgusting though.”

He laughed. Sasha looked over to the blonde witch, head buried in a stack of papers. 

“What are those, Braddock?”

She stuck her head out, “Oh, we were given this form to fill out. A survey. Every guard has to. Didn’t you two get one?”

“Huh?”

“Girl what”

Sasha’s shoulders drooped, “Where did you even get that from?”

Braddock quirked her eyebrow, “It was in our mail.”

“Oh! You mean the thing on our door? Yeah I never check that,” Percy waved his hand.

She shrugged, “Well, it’s about our thoughts on certain policies?”

“Really?? I didn’t think the Emperor’s Coven actually did that sort of stuff."

Braddock eyed Percy and her index flew to her mouth. He looked at her weird.

Sasha gulped down a scrap of slitherbeast meat, “I didn’t even get mine in the mail.”

“Okay, that's weird. Everyone I know has it.”

She rested her head in her hand, “I really don’t wanna talk to Grime again.”

Percy and Braddock made a grunt of agreement.

She already had to talk to him all week. Can’t she just go one day without him hovering over her shoulder? Is he even serious? He talks all big about being responsible and taking accountability for your actions then forgets to give something probably important to her.

“...”

Sasha rubbed her eyes, “What exactly are you guys looking for today?”

“Probably weird little instruments. Actually, I’m saving up for a cornett.” Percy’s lips creased down, not all the way, but enough for Sasha to notice.

“I’m looking for new boots,” The other blonde kicked her feet up on the table bringing notice to the tattered, dirty, and water-stained thing, “Grime destroyed them after he made us trek through the mud.”

“Oh yeahhhh!” Percy stuck a thumb towards her.

“Wait, when was this?”

“Wednesday. You were off doing something for him.”

Sasha hummed. She felt her cheeks heat up. She really hoped Percy and Braddock weren’t catching on that she was being punished. 

…….

Ugghhhhhh

“Come in!” Grime’s voice boomed even through the door.

Sasha swung it open. 

His face turned sour, “...Why are you here?”

“Can I have the form?”

“What form?”

Are you actually kidding me??

“The one everyone got this morning except for me? Duhh!!” Sasha threw her arms out to the sides of her.

Grime retained his composure, “It’s already been filled out.”

“My survey?”

“It was just a document.”

Sasha stomped her foot on the floor childishly, “Grime, just give me the form”

Grime slammed his fist on the desk, a vein popping out of his knuckle, “Hey! That’s General Grime!!!”.  

And then it was as if yesterday's training had never happened. 

“Can you at least tell me the reason you won't give it to me?”

“I already told you. It’s already been filled out.”

“What’s the real reason?”

Grime straightened his armor. He was silent.

“So annoying,” Sasha slammed the door on the way out.

…….

“Man, that sucks!”

She and Braddock were standing outside of  House by the Sea, the restaurant Percy and Braddock decided on.

“Yeah and the fish isn’t helping either.”

Who even decided to make an all seafood pasta place?

The ring of the bell above the door sounded and Percy walked out counting and dropping snails into his coin pouch, “Isn’t that illegal or something?”

“It’s only been a week and I’m so done with Grime,” Sasha dragged a hand down her face.

She walked away into the crowd with Percy and Braddock following her. She weaved through demons, most taller than her, and most bumping into her and getting their slimy, greasy residue onto her. Disgusting. A blobby monster with an untold amount of eyes stared at her as they pushed past her.

Braddock took the lead, holding Percy’s hand. He took Sasha’s and suddenly she was back in the human realm again. 

Marcy scoffed, “No, okay, otters hold hands to avoid drifting apart. So three otters could definitely hold hands.”

She clasped her and Sasha’s fingers together. They embarked on paved concrete and endlessly tall buildings. Chasing the clouds and through the dewy air. Sasha pulled Anne with her and together they dodged the rushing crowds of the afternoon. It was always together.

“Really?? I’ve only seen two holding hands,” Sasha’s arms were already going sore.

“You’ve SEEN it but they never actually say it has to be only two. In the books, they just say they do it to not drift away. My dad calls it using ‘context clues’”

“Otters use context clues to hold hands?”

“What! No!” Marcy squeezes Sasha’s hand as hard as she can to keep them linked together. 

It always seemed as if Marcy grew up faster than the other two. Intellectually at least. She would still fail to follow basic social rules. She had a new fact to share almost every other day and it was as if she knew everything. Sasha wouldn’t be surprised if she knew all the answers to the universe by now.

Anne spoke over the people whooshing by, “Marcy!! Where are we going!!!???”

“To the library!!”

She checked over her shoulder to St. Peters Elementary but the crowd of people blocked any view of it, "Doesn't the school have a library??”

“Yeah, but that one’s kinda boring,”

Their hands kept each other warm even when Sasha peaked over her shoulder occasionally with her stomach sinking. But it was kind of a fun type of sinking and something she would never dare tell Marcy and Anne.

“Um…Hello?”

Sasha blinked. She was standing in front of a shopkeeper. One of her eyes was covered by long brown hair. She wore a torn tunic. The back of her stall was littered in accessories and Sasha was holding a pack of hairclips. She couldn't really see much else with everywhere crowded with demons. Percy and Braddock were behind her giving her wary looks.

“Oh yeah, just these.”

“Oookay, 2 snails.”

Sasha peeked in her coin pouch. About 30 left. She paid and pushed past the crowd forming behind her. God, was there always this many people here? Nothing she hasn’t experienced though. It was just the reeking monsters she wasn’t used to. L.A. was smelly, but like a different kind of smelly. Something she got used to by the age of 6.

A huge tube shaped demon licked his lips along his gargantuan mouth, in contrast small footsteps skidded across the dirt path. It hopped and trotted then disappeared as fast as she could blink. Lanky feathers seemed to reach for someone's bag but someone walked in front of Sasha’s view before she could think. A nest of curly, brown, wild hair with leaves rushed to the left of her and shorter ginger haired witches followed after them. And to the right, a blue-

Wait- brown curly hair?

Sasha checked back to her left but the witches(?) were already gone.

It couldn't have been. What were the chances that- NO. She was definitely just tricking herself. There’s no way. (But what if there is?) She was right there and she lost her again! Oh god…not…

Not again.

I forgot to post the designs. (one outfit for Maddie is her Ratslug racing outfit and the other one is her normal one).