Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Bro, you have the parts yet”

“I have them Belle, I am on the way back now.” Wise speaks into his phone as he walks out of lumina square 141 convenience store, plastic bag dawning both his arms. 

“Good, maybe now Fairy will promote me to First Assistant. So hurry Wise.”

“Wait”, Wise says, stopping by the cinema, “Why would fairy promote you if I'm picking them up.” Not that Wise wouldn't want Belle to be promoted, the Ai finally seeing her Worth.

“Because it's a peace offering, I got fairy’s ‘master’ to get an upgrade while I can be promoted. No, Eous, you're still important. Yes, we can share first Assistant title”

 Wise chuckled at his sister's antics as he made his way to the random play van. Unaware of his surroundings.

“Got to go bro, someone knocking on the employees door.”

“GoodBye Belle, I’ll have my phone on in case you need more to appease the ‘all powerful’ Fairy,” Wise says before hanging up. He unlocked the van as a hand fell on his shoulder.

“Hello sir, can you spend a moment to donate to your local orphanage.”

Wise jumps but quickly recomposes himself. 

“Sure” Wise quickly takes out his wallet and drops 200 dennies into the girls’ collection box. He waves her off as he gets into the van. As he locks the door to the van, it goes dark.

…

Belle quickly peers through the peep hole that Bangboo 6 occupies. She sees Soldier Eleven, Evelyn, Astra, Lycaon, and Billy all in the store front. Billy Banging loudly on the door. She opens the door and Billy promptly falls to the ground.

“Managerthankgoodnessthatyourokweweresoworried” Billy says in one mechanical high pitch breath. 

“Easy Billy, what's going on, did Monica give you a personal DM or something.”

“fraid not Crimson Coffee Cake.”

“What is it then Elven, new hollow need mapping.?”

“Master Proxy, I'm afraid to say there's a bounty on both you and your brother. I came to represent Victoria Housekeeping extending our safe house to you.” Lycaon bows at the end of his explanation. The other chipped saying that Belle has their support or protection when needed. Belle's mind however drifted towards her brother, who should be on his way back now.

Belle pulls out her phone to call Wise, just to be safe. Yeah. Ring…ring…ring…this is Wise leave a message. Maybe he just didn't see it, yeah, Belle thinks to herself, trying to be rational. Her face tells another story, one of fear and worry. She is quickly embraced by Evelyn, who noticed the lack of the older Proxy, and Belle’s expression. 

“Belle,” she says in a serious tone, “where was Wise when you last talked to him”

“He was just coming back to the store after picking up parts for Fairy. Do you think he was”

“There's no telling for sure,” Evelyn quickly cuts her off. Outside the store window they see the random play van come into view and pull in the parking lot behind the store. “The other manager must have made it back after all” Astra quickly exclaims she runs to the back door but is quickly stopped by Lycaon and Evelyn.

“Why Eve~, it's just the other manager” Astra pouts. 

“Lady Yao, we don't know if that's the other manager, someone could have just taken the van and drove to the store hoping to get the bounty.” Even explains to Astra. Forgetting about giving Belle confidence. Belle didn't hold it against her Astra is Evelyn's main concern as manager. Unannounced to everyone else Billy, Eleven and Lycaon slipped out the door.

Meanwhile out back

“Ok Boss I got the gray haired one and dropped him off with the boys back at base, I'm at their store now.” A Burley man spoke into a phone. A distorted voice came out of the phone.

“Good job, get the blue haired girl, bring her back and we will be swimming in cash. I'm contacting the bounty now, confirming we have one.”

“Ok Boss, heading in now”

The Burley man stepped out of Van only to be met with an android construct, a white-haired girl, and a Wolf Thiren.

“Hump, you fellas need something”

“Yes, we do, dear patron, where did you acquire that van?”

“Just a loaner, gonna give it back to the owner now, so if ya excuse me.” The man tries to push past the group but is stopped by the white-haired girl. “You need something Missy”

“Where is the other half of Scarlet chili pepper”

“Scarlet chili pepper?”

“She means the manger, the one who took this van out shopping” the construct responded. “So we will ask again, Where is the other manager?” Out of options the Burley man quickly restored to the only thing he could call upon, his strength. Trying to punch the girl he was quickly taken down, as the three of them all targeted his legs, arms, and head. He fell down quickly and hard against the pavement. As his head hit he fell unconscious. Lycaon dragged him and tied him into the van hoping to get answers when he awoke.

Chapter Text

Pain. All Wise could feel was pain. Needles decorate his arm. He tries to shift his body, to be able to look around. Yet, It was no use, his hands were cuffed to a pipe. Forced to look at a wall and door. Having a taste of ether in the air, he knew he was in a hollow. He tries to contact Fairy with his ocular implants, but they fail. With the current situation it doesn't seem he will be able to fix them. And in a swift motion the door is flung open, in comes a petite woman, blue haired, a gun holstered on her belt, and an emblem of a hollow raider group on her vest.

“Looks like the pretty boy finally wakes.” She boasts mockingly, “you're lucky you're worth the hassle, or we would have disposed of ya.”

“What do you want with me, I 'm just a worthless guy who runs a video store.” Wise pleaded, hoping they weren't after him for his proxy services.

“Ha, a video store owner with a two million bounty on their head, one for you and a Belle, you must really be worth something to someone, or pissed off a big shot.”

“2…million” Wise repeated like a broken record, his mind racing. Trying to imagine who would put 2 million on a video store owner.

“I just said that idiot, you're our payday. Once we drop ya off at the ports, we feast and rebuild our group. So many lost to the public security raids but with you-” she grabs Wise’s shirt at the coaler, “we survive and thrive.” She tosses Wise back down to the ground and walks out of the room, leaving the door ajar. Wise, now somewhat recovered mentally, tries to make sense of this. Someone randomly put a hit on him and Belle not for their proxy identity but the video store, or it could be someone not someone who does but didn’t reveal them on the post. Those were some of the thoughts of Wise before a loud sound from the other room, sounding like the girl who had conversed with him earlier. With Wise also starting to feel dizzy.

“Who the hell is this, what ya do to Big Carp…Victoria Housekeeping, never heard of ya…Master Wise, what kinda submissive kinks you into man…well whatever you say, Sub–”

“Our relationship is purely professional” Wise yells into the other room, not wanting to besmirch Lycaon image or Victoria Housekeeping’s. 

“Anyway…We have your precious Master in our custody, and we're just about to send him off, so I let ya get your final goodbye, then we come for you next.” She throws the phone into the room, it rests at foot in front of Wise, on speaker. 

“ Wise, Wise you there” the panicked voice of Belle quickly filled the room.

“Yeah, I'm here Belle, how Lycaon dealing with, miss blue haired boss claim.” Wise jokes, hopefully to put Belle in a better mood.

“heh, He’s pouting in a corner, mumbles something about not being a sub, again. He’s more hung up on that.”

“again? Was he in a relationship before.”

“Manager, areyouokaretheytreatingyouhumanlydoyouneed-”

“They been treating normally Billy, thanks for the concern, I good as far as kidnapping goes.”

“That's a relief manger”

“Wiiiise, we are on our way to save you from the clutches of that blue hairer boss.”

“Thanks ChaoticFriedRice” Wise responded to Astra, making sure the raider group didn't know he had connections to the Astra Yao.

“ChaoticFriedRice? Why are you calling me me by that alias, just call me ast-mphm” from the phone Wise can here Astra struggle when a calm voice is heard though the speaker.

“What miss ChaoticFriedRice ment to say is she hope that we find your location, to get those that have wrong you.” 

“Thank you Miss Evelyn”

“Red velvet what are your coordinates” The ever practical soldier eleven commands.

“ Yeah bro, where are you”

“I wish I knew myself, their keeping me in a closet handcuffed to a pipe,–“that's inhumane”–, needles were all over my arm, all I know is that I'm in a-” a gunshot rings out in the room, a bullet was put into the phone. Stopping all communication between Wise, his friends and only family.

“Couldn't let ya tell them we are in a hollow, besides we have four hour till drop off, so put these on. Not like ya have a choice” She holds out a gag, and a shock collar. Her Gun no holstered again 

“Miss, I couldn't put those on if I wanted to” Wise responded, gesturing to his handcuffs. She fixed the problem by going closer to Wise, breath going down his back and forcing the collar and gag on him. “Mmmh, you look so much better with that stuff on. It's always better when there awake, the faces they make are priceless” she says practically beaming. Wise feels even worse now he tries to cough but is stopped by the gag. The girl laughs louder. 

“Wish we could keep ya around longer manger but we need to rebuild our group,” she starts to walk out of the room, “someone will be in to give ya anti-corruption. Hope ya don't turn, but if ya do, will just nap you sister next.” Wise felt the urge to hit her, manners be damned, but a soon as he tried to move a shock went threw his body. He felt like was gonna pass out. 

“ You were so much easier when you were unconscious. Maybe I should make it easy for the both of us” she unholstered her gun and pistol-whipped Wise unconscious. Wise last thoughts before he fell unconscious were how he regretted g

oing to the store today

Chapter Text

“Bro… bro… Wise… WISE!” Belle screams as the line cuts out her brother's voice, with a bang. Tears roll down her face, she fears the worst. Her breaths quickens, hand shaking like maracas. “No… no… no… not like this…” Belle starts to stumble around, before the world darkens around her. An image of Wise hanging in a closet, shrouded in darkness, bullet through the chest, manifested in front of her. 

Wise begins to cough out , “Belle. Why did you do this to me?”

“ii-I didn't do anything, it was that that blue haired bitch.” she responded with a voice wavering with every word.

“No, she was the one who may have pulled the trigger but YOU,” the figure points towards Belle, “you set this all in motion, if you didn't want to be First Assistant by bribing Fairy, I would have been home with you.” The figure begins to move closer with every word “it's always been your fault, Always.” Tears begin to flow down her face, before something fluffy embraces her. The darkness once around her begins to dissolve, the figure gives one last disapproving look towards Belle. 

“Master Belle, it's ok,” Lycaon says to her, as he engulfs her in a hug. His hand slowly rubbed up and down her back, soothing the proxy.

“It's not Lycaon, this is all my fault.” Belle weakly says into his chest. “if I only didn't send him to get the parts” 

“It is not your fault Belle,” he says, dropping his typical master honorific , “ you had no idea that there was a bounty on you two, it was just another normal day for you two.” As he is talking he helps Belle inside Random Play and sits her down on the couch in the employees only room. Her cries have slowed and her breathing returned to normal. “Just sleep here for a minute Belle, I'll be right by your side when you wake”

“Thank you, Lycaon.” Belle mutters before laying her head down on Lycaon’s lap falling asleep, the stress finally getting to her. Billy and the others make their way into the room, but instantly quiet at the sight, Or in Billy’s case squeal. 

“ Master Evelyn, if you would take Master Yao back to Starloop. She is your responsibility to protect and I don't want her to be injured in the scuffle, ” his master honorific returning.

“Come on Eve, I can fight, I can help the proxy. Please Eve” Astra begs Evelyn, trying her hardest to convince her manager/bodyguard.

“ I have to agree with Von Lycaon, with how Belle broke down, I don't think this is a commission for us.” Astra's mood drops  as Evelyn spoke, “this is for your safety Lady Yao, we will get constant updates, right Lycaon.” 

Lycaon nods, that improves the mood of Astra as they head out, not before Astra calls back “tell Belle we wish her the best, and that I owe her a private concert once this is over.” 

Lycaon nods once more and they leave, he then turns to soldier eleven, “Master Eleven, I must also ask you to leave but to also keep an eye on us. We will be working outside the law so you must not be liable to lose your job. We also need you and master Trigger to watch us and intervene if it goes south.” 

Soldier Eleven nods with a “ Roger, Captain Snow Dog.” She quickly leaves the room while talking on an earpiece, most likely to Trigger. He turns to Billy next, “Master Billy, please call your comrades in both the Gentle House and Outer Ring.” 

“it would be my pleasure Master Lycaon.” he mimics before walking into the store front to call Nicole. Lycaon pulls out his phone and a card. Trying not to stir Belle, who been asleep soundly. He is going to regret making this call but it is for bel–Master proxy. 

The card in question was tucked in a playboy magazine, not that Lycaon or anybody in Victoria Housekeeping subscribed to it. They happened to be delivered with other unsavories, all under his name. While they would normally ignore it, a card poked out, a number, message, and all too familiar Bird to Lycaon.  He quickly hid the card in his tux while he incinerated the rest of the items. . The message read, “I hope you enjoyed the people you betrayed me for – your old partner”. Not putting it off any longer he dialed the number.

“Ring… Ring… Ring… Hello, this is the Mockingbird helpline, now who gave you this number and why are you calling.” A voice clearly feminine responded, cold and distant.

“It was tucked in a Playboy magazine that Hugo sent to me, along with other unsavories. I’m calling to ask for Mockingbird's assistance with a rescue commission.”

“He told me about you, that you left him to be mayor Mayflower's lapdog. Now why would we help you rescue some rich snob.”

“ It's not for a Rich snob as you think, it's a friend's brother. He was taken before anyone could save him.”

“ That Wise fellow, correct.”

“ Yes, that is who I'm trying to save.”

“Hmp, I tried convincing Hugo to take that bounty but he only said ‘that would not be of interest to us’ then he placed me on this phone and to wait for someone to call.”

“Please I can't let down his sister, Miss–”

“Vivian”

“ –Vivian, please have mockingbird help. Please put Hugo on for me”

“Fine I hand you over to him, now leave me to find more Phaethon posts and clues to their whereabouts."

As the phone was passed to Hugo he chuckled at Vivian’s comment, only if she knew the one who she was quickly dismissed was Phaethon, well half of Phaethon. During his talk Belle began to wake, oblivious to Lycaon. She sat upright startling Lycaon as Hugo finally said something to his ex-partner.

“Well looks like the Wolf of Wall Street finally decided to call, what do you need ex-partner”

Belle, now feeling better after the half hour of rest she had, was confused who Lycaon was talking to.

“Lycaon, who are you talking to?”

“To his dear old partner, Hugo, you must be Belle, considering what my new partner has told me.”

“Yes, are you going to help us find my brother Hugo.”

“Sorry dear, Mockingbird doesn't work for free. So do you have anything to make it worth our while”

“Five free Phaethon grants, you can have our service for free for five different commissions. But only if you get the other Phaethon, my brother. Deal?”

“Sorry dear but–”

“We accept, Phaethon-sama. I'm your biggest fan, you know what forget about paying us we do it for free. Now we will meet you at… Random Play, so said Hugo, in an hour, Phaethon-sama.” The phone quickly cuts off. Belle looks at Lycaon, with concern. “We never told them where we were.”

“Just don't question it Master Belle”

“Also Lycaon, thank you. For earlier. You can also stop calling me Master before everything. You help me enough, you sub” Belle said that last part teasingly. It brought a smile to Lycaon's face, showing she was somewhat better than earlier.

“Very well, Belle.”

“Fairy, can you trace when the phone was relaying the signal." 

“Yes Second Assistant, it appears to have come from the Dead End hollow.” the Ai says with a sense of supremacy.

“Thanks Fairy”

Belle walks out to the store front, Lycaon in tow behind her, she greets Billy. He shows concern for her earlier panic attack, but calms down once she explains she is much better now. Billy then explained that he was able to get Anby, Nicole, lighter, and Piper.  Nekomatta is busy with odd jobs, Caesar has to take care of the Outer Ring, Lucy said she was going to meet her father, something about his final request for her before he stops trying to get her home.

Belle thanks him for his efforts. They now wait for them all to show up at the store. Belle, thankful for all the bonds she and Wise made.