The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

Just now, CoderDrag0n8 said:

Nice.

You seem very calm about this whole thing... What do you like to do for fun? 

[Through The Living Ash he/him]

On 6/15/2025 at 3:39 PM, Ashkaloda said:

"Do you recognise where these other maps are?" 

@Kaladin Stormcursed did you see this? 

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

1 hour ago, Dragonheir said:

"To see if you had any reason I shouldn't. I can bring you back to life if needed, I suppose," Rebus smiled apologetically, and Bat began turning to nanomachines. "Goodbye. You really did have promise; I'm sorry." 

There we tears in Rebus's eyes, though it could have just been the cold wind. Rebus smiled apologetically. "Goodbye. I will come back. I promise; I'm sorry."

"Not necessarily; maybe you think the Thread would be better under my rule. Have you seen my city?"  

"Not against evil, against destruction. I live here too, you know - there's nowhere to rule or even exist in if the Thread is destroyed." 

 

Bat closed his eyes. 

So this was it, then. He hadn't been enough. He'd never be, now. At least he'd had a good run. 2876 to 4110. 1234 pages. 

Scud, had it really been that long? He'd lived for more than a quarter of the life of the whole thread, only to die here. Had it been worth that living? Enough to balance out the way he died? 

You'll remember me, won't you? He called to the universe, out to the stars he could barely see, and to those who lived beyond them. You'll remember who I was? My name, at least? 

Even though he died a failure?

He wished the post would end already. How much longer would he be forced to exist in this limbo? How long could a post last? Probably as long as his Author wanted. 

He supposed he had to just wait. He felt like he should do something special with this extra time, just to commemorate the occasion--- after all, people only died once. But what was there to do? He looked down at himself, then up at Rebus, trying to think.

Nothing moved, or at least that's how it felt. He considered running away before he turned completely into nanomachines, but somewhere deep inside him, he realized that would break the strange spell he seemed to be under. 

Well, he wouldn't make that mistake. If he was going to die, it would be on his terms. 

He sat cross-legged on the floor, despite most of one leg being nanomachines, and thought hard. Only one thing came to him--- nanomachines wouldn't do. He would not become tools to this man who had taken Tam out of the narrative, planned to rule the Thread, and was now killing him. 

He stood up again, feeling strangely renewed. Funny, that he should feel the most alive right before he was going to die. Maybe, just maybe, Dylan Thomas had it right. Maybe he should have tried harder, found some clever way out. 

Or maybe that time was now.

At any rate, he knew there would never be a better time to die. 

Bat dissolved into a shower of blinding light--- a cloud of flickering fireflies. They drifted outward, into the rock around them. Several of them drifted into Rebus and the others surrounding, vanishing into nothing. 

One singular firefly winked out of the Thread altogether.

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

54 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

Bat closed his eyes. 

So this was it, then. He hadn't been enough. He'd never be, now. At least he'd had a good run. 2876 to 4110. 1234 pages. 

Scud, had it really been that long? He'd lived for more than a quarter of the life of the whole thread, only to die here. Had it been worth that living? Enough to balance out the way he died? 

You'll remember me, won't you? He called to the universe, out to the stars he could barely see, and to those who lived beyond them. You'll remember who I was? My name, at least? 

Even though he died a failure?

He wished the post would end already. How much longer would he be forced to exist in this limbo? How long could a post last? Probably as long as his Author wanted. 

He supposed he had to just wait. He felt like he should do something special with this extra time, just to commemorate the occasion--- after all, people only died once. But what was there to do? He looked down at himself, then up at Rebus, trying to think.

Nothing moved, or at least that's how it felt. He considered running away before he turned completely into nanomachines, but somewhere deep inside him, he realized that would break the strange spell he seemed to be under. 

Well, he wouldn't make that mistake. If he was going to die, it would be on his terms. 

He sat cross-legged on the floor, despite most of one leg being nanomachines, and thought hard. Only one thing came to him--- nanomachines wouldn't do. He would not become tools to this man who had taken Tam out of the narrative, planned to rule the Thread, and was now killing him. 

He stood up again, feeling strangely renewed. Funny, that he should feel the most alive right before he was going to die. Maybe, just maybe, Dylan Thomas had it right. Maybe he should have tried harder, found some clever way out. 

Or maybe that time was now.

At any rate, he knew there would never be a better time to die. 

Bat dissolved into a shower of blinding light--- a cloud of flickering fireflies. They drifted outward, into the rock around them. Several of them drifted into Rebus and the others surrounding, vanishing into nothing. 

One singular firefly winked out of the Thread altogether.

A crown of darkly glowing metal rising to wicked points appeared in Rebus's hand. He touched it to his head, then tipped it to Bat in farewell. The man had style, slipping out of Rebus's grasp even as he died. Rebus smiled, then stood up straight and placed Antagonist back on his head. Bat had stymied him to the end, but now he was gone, and little else stood in Rebus's way. The Thread would never be the same... 

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

2 hours ago, Ashkaloda said:

@Kaladin Stormcursed did you see this? 

Oop yeah sorry I meant to come back to this. It's camp season, my brain is fried trying to remember all the things

"No, no, no..." Cep says, pointing at maps in turn. Then he pauses on one. "Wait...tha's on my homeworld. In fact, i's where that other pool was."

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

4 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

There we tears in Rebus's eyes, though it could have just been the cold wind. Rebus smiled apologetically. "Goodbye. I will come back. I promise; I'm sorry."

"Not against evil, against destruction. I live here too, you know - there's nowhere to rule or even exist in if the Thread is destroyed." 

 

She looked very betrayed. 

Rose frowned. "I... I guess." 

16 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

A crown of darkly glowing metal rising to wicked points appeared in Rebus's hand. He touched it to his head, then tipped it to Bat in farewell. The man had style, slipping out of Rebus's grasp even as he died. Rebus smiled, then stood up straight and placed Antagonist back on his head. Bat had stymied him to the end, but now he was gone, and little else stood in Rebus's way. The Thread would never be the same... 

A glowing gold Eastern dragon about the size of a pencil flew around his head. "You should do something dramatic and get their attention. Stormcursed just posted like nothing happened. Hehe."
A bucket of lemonade was dumped on Rebus' head. The dragon, bucket, and lemonade all vanished. 

Lady Bug appeared in a spray of confetti. "You," she seethed.  

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

On 6/17/2025 at 11:19 PM, Bird Furious said:

Symbol sent calming things to his mind. 

Yeah, Bat was doing that to Symbol. He told Rebus that because Rebus kept threatening him. 

Ahh, okay. Makes sense.

18 hours ago, xinoehp512 said:

"Very well. Think of a location."

"You will know... soon enough."

The wind faded, then was gone.

His own stuff, sure. If he's acting like an illusion while shooting real weapons though, well, Bacon takes issue with that!

"Timeout!" declared Bacon, making a little bubble of sped up time around himself, Shoe, and Beosta. "We need a new plan."

@Through The Living Glass @Bird Furious

 

13 hours ago, Bird Furious said:

Bat glared up at Rebus, then doubled over coughing, blood spattering his hand.
It didn’t matter. He was bleeding out already, and it was just a matter of time. 
Besides, Tam was gone, and despite her Author’s assurances, he got the feeling she wouldn’t be back for a long time, if ever. 
There was no point to earning Protagonist anyway. Everything was fictional. Everything he was trying to save… none of it mattered anyway. 
“I guess you should,” he rasped. “So why are you waiting?” 

Rose frowned, crouching defensively. 

“Wait— wait! Rebus, what are you doing?” 
He wasn’t going to leave her…? 
She didn’t know what would happen if he left her. 

Rose stared. 

Symbol screamed, fighting it, but there was nothing she could do. 

 

Beosta nodded. 

wait what's going on with shoe and beosta and the adversary now? I think I missed something about the location

6 hours ago, TwinStorm said:

He nodded, looking toward Switch, before closing his eyes.

@Through The Living Glass

Switch, unsure what else to do, did the same.

4 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

As Lezterp ate his pretzels and channeled the energy into Cursed Treasure, the ground jolted and the walls shifted. After a short while, this happened without any input from Lezterp. There we go!  

"To see if you had any reason I shouldn't. I can bring you back to life if needed, I suppose," Rebus smiled apologetically, and Bat began turning to nanomachines. "Goodbye. You really did have promise; I'm sorry." 

There we tears in Rebus's eyes, though it could have just been the cold wind. Rebus smiled apologetically. "Goodbye. I will come back. I promise; I'm sorry."

"Not necessarily; maybe you think the Thread would be better under my rule. Have you seen my city?"  

"Not against evil, against destruction. I live here too, you know - there's nowhere to rule or even exist in if the Thread is destroyed." 

1 hour ago, Bird Furious said:

Bat closed his eyes. 

So this was it, then. He hadn't been enough. He'd never be, now. At least he'd had a good run. 2876 to 4110. 1234 pages. 

Scud, had it really been that long? He'd lived for more than a quarter of the life of the whole thread, only to die here. Had it been worth that living? Enough to balance out the way he died? 

You'll remember me, won't you? He called to the universe, out to the stars he could barely see, and to those who lived beyond them. You'll remember who I was? My name, at least? 

Even though he died a failure?

He wished the post would end already. How much longer would he be forced to exist in this limbo? How long could a post last? Probably as long as his Author wanted. 

He supposed he had to just wait. He felt like he should do something special with this extra time, just to commemorate the occasion--- after all, people only died once. But what was there to do? He looked down at himself, then up at Rebus, trying to think.

Nothing moved, or at least that's how it felt. He considered running away before he turned completely into nanomachines, but somewhere deep inside him, he realized that would break the strange spell he seemed to be under. 

Well, he wouldn't make that mistake. If he was going to die, it would be on his terms. 

He sat cross-legged on the floor, despite most of one leg being nanomachines, and thought hard. Only one thing came to him--- nanomachines wouldn't do. He would not become tools to this man who had taken Tam out of the narrative, planned to rule the Thread, and was now killing him. 

He stood up again, feeling strangely renewed. Funny, that he should feel the most alive right before he was going to die. Maybe, just maybe, Dylan Thomas had it right. Maybe he should have tried harder, found some clever way out. 

Or maybe that time was now.

At any rate, he knew there would never be a better time to die. 

Bat dissolved into a shower of blinding light--- a cloud of flickering fireflies. They drifted outward, into the rock around them. Several of them drifted into Rebus and the others surrounding, vanishing into nothing. 

One singular firefly winked out of the Thread altogether.

Glass froze.

. . . What?

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

1 minute ago, Bird Furious said:

She looked very betrayed. 

Rose frowned. "I... I guess." 

A glowing gold Eastern dragon about the size of a pencil flew around his head. "You should do something dramatic and get their attention. Stormcursed just posted like nothing happened. Hehe."
A bucket of lemonade was dumped on Rebus' head. The dragon, bucket, and lemonade all vanished. 

Lady Bug appeared in a spray of confetti. "You," she seethed.  

Rebus - this Rebus, at least - looked very sad, and very cold. Hopefully this would save Symbol from whatever that had been - because otherwise, for the first time in a long while, Rebus had made an actual mistake. 

It was odd, how the person who had actually been betrayed looked less betrayed than Symbol. "Only a very stupid arsonist - or, as I consider it, someone committing insurance fraud - would burn down their own home. I'll give you a choice on how you would like to proceed - you can help me in full, continue training for the task force, or take your chances." Rebus turned to Rebel. "As for you..." he said, sinking Rebel into the floor. 

Rebus raised an eyebrow. "I do know what I am doing, Haly. Those two will come soon enough." 

Rebus smiled, Antagonist glowing with darkness. "Me..."

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Ahh, okay. Makes sense.

wait what's going on with shoe and beosta and the adversary now? I think I missed something about the location

Glass froze.

. . . What?

It almost sounds like a plan Rebus would make... 

They're in that maze from Rebus's evaluation, and Bacon froze time so they could talk. 

Rebus smiled. Really, what were you expecting? 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

Just now, Dragonheir said:

It almost sounds like a plan Rebus would make... 

They're in that maze from Rebus's evaluation, and Bacon froze time so they could talk. 

Rebus smiled. Really, what were you expecting?

But they're still not near Rose and Cricket and all that, right?

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

But they're still not near Rose and Cricket and all that, right?

They're both on the same planet of nanomachines, but they're not in the same maze or anything. They might be able to contact each other, though. 

Jack was still standing a ways outside the castle gates, though the party was long over. He began walking in a random direction, in the hopes he could find someone else. 

Edited June 19, 2025 by Dragonheir
tenses

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

2 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus - this Rebus, at least - looked very sad, and very cold. Hopefully this would save Symbol from whatever that had been - because otherwise, for the first time in a long while, Rebus had made an actual mistake. 

It was odd, how the person who had actually been betrayed looked less betrayed than Symbol. "Only a very stupid arsonist - or, as I consider it, someone committing insurance fraud - would burn down their own home. I'll give you a choice on how you would like to proceed - you can help me in full, continue training for the task force, or take your chances." Rebus turned to Rebel. "As for you..." he said, sinking Rebel into the floor. 

Rebus raised an eyebrow. "I do know what I am doing, Haly. Those two will come soon enough." 

Rebus smiled, Antagonist glowing with darkness. "Me..."

It almost sounds like a plan Rebus would make... 

They're in that maze from Rebus's evaluation, and Bacon froze time so they could talk. 

Rebus smiled. Really, what were you expecting? 

Symbol tried to escape the room, but she still couldn’t teleport. She growled, trying to evaporate the walls or something. @xinoehp512

Rose shrugged. “I… I guess. Sure. I’ll keep training.” 

The dragon reappeared. “I knowwwww. I’m inpatienttttt. Oh, and I have camp next week, so try not to do anything crazy without me~”

Lady Bug seethed at him, then realized she had the wrong Rebus and teleported to the one who’d sent Symbol away. 

Xanther appeared in her place. “My dear man, did you have to blow up my mountains?” 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

They're both on the same planet of nanomachines, but they're not in the same maze or anything. They might be able to contact each other, though. 

Ah, okay, that's what I was wondering. Thanks.

3 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Jack was still standing a ways outside the castle gates, though the party was long over. He began walking in a random direction, in the hopes he could find someone else. 

He ended up walking into the woods somewhere. It was dark out, but there were still numerous types of wildlife about. It was actually pretty loud.

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

8 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

Symbol tried to escape the room, but she still couldn’t teleport. She growled, trying to evaporate the walls or something. @xinoehp512

Rose shrugged. “I… I guess. Sure. I’ll keep training.” 

The dragon reappeared. “I knowwwww. I’m inpatienttttt. Oh, and I have camp next week, so try not to do anything crazy without me~”

Lady Bug seethed at him, then realized she had the wrong Rebus and teleported to the one who’d sent Symbol away. 

Xanther appeared in her place. “My dear man, did you have to blow up my mountains?” 

Oh no! Narrating in Onyx's Realm makes you lose your powers! 

"Excellent. You last test was originally going to be combat with me, but this fight gave me enough to go off of. You wanted tattoos, correct?" 

So does Heir, though he should have his phone occasionally. 

Rebus - this Rebus, who might get a better designation soon - looked up, still shivering. "You haven't started working for Fate while I've been gone, have you?"

"Property damage aside, it was the best option I had." Rebus smiled at the man, tilting his head so Antagonist would catch his eye. "And it did work, as you can see."

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Ah, okay, that's what I was wondering. Thanks.

He ended up walking into the woods somewhere. It was dark out, but there were still numerous types of wildlife about. It was actually pretty loud.

You're welcome. 

Jack was a little worried, though he knew that he wasn't edible. 

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

12 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Oh no! Narrating in Onyx's Realm makes you lose your powers! 

"Excellent. You last test was originally going to be combat with me, but this fight gave me enough to go off of. You wanted tattoos, correct?" 

So does Heir, though he should have his phone occasionally. 

Rebus - this Rebus, who might get a better designation soon - looked up, still shivering. "You haven't started working for Fate while I've been gone, have you?"

"Property damage aside, it was the best option I had." Rebus smiled at the man, tilting his head so Antagonist would catch his eye. "And it did work, as you can see."

You're welcome. 

Jack was a little worried, though he knew that he wasn't edible. 

Even better! :3 

She nodded.

”Same!” The dragon flew in a spiral. 

“You idiot,” she hissed. “You IDIOT!” 

He wagged his finger. “Ah, naughty child.” 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

Glass appeared next to the nanomachines that had once been Bat. She kneeled, gently lifting a small handful of the machines and cupping them in her hands. Then she stopped, just staring.

She was in shock, she was pretty sure. The feeling was fading, now, but it'd all happened so fast . . . she'd left for only a few hours, and then . . .

This . . . this was never supposed to happen . . .

She'd thought that taking Tam away . . .

All her planning . . .

B-but no! It'd worked! Everything had gone perfectly! Flawlessly!

Well, it had . . .

Until . . .

Burning tears ran down her cheeks.

"I-I'm so sorry," she whispered, closing her hands and pulling them to her chest as quiet sobs wracked her body.

"It was never meant to be like this . . . you were never supposed . . . she was going to come back . . ."

A desperate sob escaped her.

"I'm so sorry, Bat . . ."

[TwinStorm He/Him]

5 hours ago, Bird Furious said:

“And how,” Rose said. She frowned. “Why Antagonist? Didn’t you want to make a task force to help the Thread against evil?” @Dragonheir

 

”No! No, I don’t WANT to be! Where’s Rebus?” 

Beosta frowned. “I can try connecting to him.” 

5 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

As Lezterp ate his pretzels and channeled the energy into Cursed Treasure, the ground jolted and the walls shifted. After a short while, this happened without any input from Lezterp. There we go!  

"To see if you had any reason I shouldn't. I can bring you back to life if needed, I suppose," Rebus smiled apologetically, and Bat began turning to nanomachines. "Goodbye. You really did have promise; I'm sorry." 

There we tears in Rebus's eyes, though it could have just been the cold wind. Rebus smiled apologetically. "Goodbye. I will come back. I promise; I'm sorry."

"Not necessarily; maybe you think the Thread would be better under my rule. Have you seen my city?"  

"Not against evil, against destruction. I live here too, you know - there's nowhere to rule or even exist in if the Thread is destroyed." 

 

Cricket looked up. Bat was gone. He felt it in his heart. He gave Rebus one look, and grabbed Rose's arm, teleporting them both away.

2 hours ago, Bird Furious said:

Bat closed his eyes. 

So this was it, then. He hadn't been enough. He'd never be, now. At least he'd had a good run. 2876 to 4110. 1234 pages. 

Scud, had it really been that long? He'd lived for more than a quarter of the life of the whole thread, only to die here. Had it been worth that living? Enough to balance out the way he died? 

You'll remember me, won't you? He called to the universe, out to the stars he could barely see, and to those who lived beyond them. You'll remember who I was? My name, at least? 

Even though he died a failure?

He wished the post would end already. How much longer would he be forced to exist in this limbo? How long could a post last? Probably as long as his Author wanted. 

He supposed he had to just wait. He felt like he should do something special with this extra time, just to commemorate the occasion--- after all, people only died once. But what was there to do? He looked down at himself, then up at Rebus, trying to think.

Nothing moved, or at least that's how it felt. He considered running away before he turned completely into nanomachines, but somewhere deep inside him, he realized that would break the strange spell he seemed to be under. 

Well, he wouldn't make that mistake. If he was going to die, it would be on his terms. 

He sat cross-legged on the floor, despite most of one leg being nanomachines, and thought hard. Only one thing came to him--- nanomachines wouldn't do. He would not become tools to this man who had taken Tam out of the narrative, planned to rule the Thread, and was now killing him. 

He stood up again, feeling strangely renewed. Funny, that he should feel the most alive right before he was going to die. Maybe, just maybe, Dylan Thomas had it right. Maybe he should have tried harder, found some clever way out. 

Or maybe that time was now.

At any rate, he knew there would never be a better time to die. 

Bat dissolved into a shower of blinding light--- a cloud of flickering fireflies. They drifted outward, into the rock around them. Several of them drifted into Rebus and the others surrounding, vanishing into nothing. 

One singular firefly winked out of the Thread altogether.

is he really gone?

Cricket felt Bat pass on, and tears gathered at the edge of his eyes. Not Bat. Not Bat, his sweet, kind, caring friend. He didn't deserve to die, didn't deserve to pass on. He was supposed to be the Protagonist, supposed to save the Thread! Now what? Let Rebus take it over.

Your age is passing, came a voice in his head. You had your run, and it was good. But it's ending, Tam, Bat. They're gone. Only you remain. Of the three, you are the last.

"No." he whispered quietly. "This isn't how its supposed to go."

Tears streamed down his face. "This isn't how it's supposed to go!" he shouted into the sky, growing angry. Hell take Rebus, who had caused his friends to pass on. Hell burn him . . . 

Cricket paused. He would get vengeance. Vengeance for his friends, and kill Rebus.

Our only hope is gone, Cricket. Only Rebus remains. You and Rebus.

He clenched his fists. Rebus had destroyed his world, so he would destroy his.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

6 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Glass appeared next to the nanomachines that had once been Bat. She kneeled, gently lifting a small handful of the machines and cupping them in her hands. Then she stopped, just staring.

She was in shock, she was pretty sure. The feeling was fading, now, but it'd all happened so fast . . . she'd left for only a few hours, and then . . .

This . . . this was never supposed to happen . . .

She'd thought that taking Tam away . . .

All her planning . . .

B-but no! It'd worked! Everything had gone perfectly! Flawlessly!

Well, it had . . .

Until . . .

Burning tears ran down her cheeks.

"I-I'm so sorry," she whispered, closing her hands and pulling them to her chest as quiet sobs wracked her body.

"It was never meant to be like this . . . you were never supposed . . . she was going to come back . . ."

A desperate sob escaped her.

"I'm so sorry, Bat . . ."

AW T~T

A golden dragon appeared and wound herself comfortingly around her neck. 

2 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

Cricket looked up. Bat was gone. He felt it in his heart. He gave Rebus one look, and grabbed Rose's arm, teleporting them both away.

is he really gone?

Cricket felt Bat pass on, and tears gathered at the edge of his eyes. Not Bat. Not Bat, his sweet, kind, caring friend. He didn't deserve to die, didn't deserve to pass on. He was supposed to be the Protagonist, supposed to save the Thread! Now what? Let Rebus take it over.

Your age is passing, came a voice in his head. You had your run, and it was good. But it's ending, Tam, Bat. They're gone. Only you remain. Of the three, you are the last.

"No." he whispered quietly. "This isn't how its supposed to go."

Tears streamed down his face. "This isn't how it's supposed to go!" he shouted into the sky, growing angry. Hell take Rebus, who had caused his friends to pass on. Hell burn him . . . 

Cricket paused. He would get vengeance. Vengeance for his friends, and kill Rebus.

Our only hope is gone, Cricket. Only Rebus remains. You and Rebus.

He clenched his fists. Rebus had destroyed his world, so he would destroy his.

"Hey," Rose protested. "...what are we doing?" 

Oh, I'm not done with Bat. Don't worry too much. 

The lil golden dragon wound around his neck too, radiating a comforting warmth. 

Edited June 19, 2025 by Bird Furious

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

A golden dragon appeared and wound herself comfortingly around her neck. 

She continued sobbing softly.

[TwinStorm He/Him]

2 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

AW T~T

A golden dragon appeared and wound herself comfortingly around her neck. 

"Hey," Rose protested. "...what are we doing?" 

Oh, I'm not done with Bat. Don't worry too much. 

The lil golden dragon wound around his neck too, radiating a comforting warmth. 

okay, lemme pm you

"Leaving. Hiding. Rebus, he's . . . listen, Bat's gone. So is Tam, and its Rebus' fault. He's driving away any potential threats, and is looking to make a bid for Antagonist."

He touched the golden dragon, smiling wanly. It did not give him comfort, but something different. Determination.

"Rose, I . . ." he breathed softly. "I'm going to try and get Protagonist." 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

Just now, TwinStorm said:

"Leaving. Hiding. Rebus, he's . . . listen, Bat's gone. So is Tam, and its Rebus' fault. He's driving away any potential threats, and is looking to make a bid for Antagonist."

 

He already has Antagonist

Just now, TwinStorm said:

"Rose, I . . ." he breathed softly. "I'm going to try and get Protagonist." 

. . . not again

*cries*

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

8 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

okay, lemme pm you

"Leaving. Hiding. Rebus, he's . . . listen, Bat's gone. So is Tam, and its Rebus' fault. He's driving away any potential threats, and is looking to make a bid for Antagonist."

He touched the golden dragon, smiling wanly. It did not give him comfort, but something different. Determination.

"Rose, I . . ." he breathed softly. "I'm going to try and get Protagonist." 

Rose frowned at him. "Uh... I think you'll just get killed." 

A firefly buzzed idly around their heads, disintegrating when it brushed Cricket's ear. 

For Stormy and only Stormy

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

Something that felt distinctly golden tingled in his ear, spreading down through his whole body. The impression of a mind said a little hello. 

I have a plan. 

 

 

 

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

5 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

You seem very calm about this whole thing... What do you like to do for fun? 

Pretzels.

That's what I like to do for fun.

[TwinStorm He/Him]

1 hour ago, Through The Living Glass said:

He already has Antagonist

. . . not again

*cries*

oh really

1 hour ago, Bird Furious said:

Rose frowned at him. "Uh... I think you'll just get killed." 

A firefly buzzed idly around their heads, disintegrating when it brushed Cricket's ear. 

For Stormy and only Stormy

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Something that felt distinctly golden tingled in his ear, spreading down through his whole body. The impression of a mind said a little hello. 

I have a plan. 

 

 

 

Cricket sighed. "Then that's what happens. Rebus is winning. I need to try to stop him. For what he's done."

SPOILERS FOR EVERYONE BUT HALY

Spoiler

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you better be Haly . . .

Spoiler

 

Spoiler

Are you . . . he didn't dare to hope. You have a plan? Really?

 

 

 

 

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

1 hour ago, Bird Furious said:

Even better! :3 

She nodded.

”Same!” The dragon flew in a spiral. 

“You idiot,” she hissed. “You IDIOT!” 

He wagged his finger. “Ah, naughty child.” 

I'll address that with Cricket. 

That's good, at least. 

"Normally I would oppose that, but I fear you're right." Rebus frowned, still shivering. "Was it sending Symbol away, or making a deal with Fate?" 

"That is a slightly patronizing understatement, but mostly true." Rebus began to walk away. "If you want to make a deal with me, feel free. Otherwise, I have more important things to attend to." 

1 hour ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Glass appeared next to the nanomachines that had once been Bat. She kneeled, gently lifting a small handful of the machines and cupping them in her hands. Then she stopped, just staring.

She was in shock, she was pretty sure. The feeling was fading, now, but it'd all happened so fast . . . she'd left for only a few hours, and then . . .

This . . . this was never supposed to happen . . .

She'd thought that taking Tam away . . .

All her planning . . .

B-but no! It'd worked! Everything had gone perfectly! Flawlessly!

Well, it had . . .

Until . . .

Burning tears ran down her cheeks.

"I-I'm so sorry," she whispered, closing her hands and pulling them to her chest as quiet sobs wracked her body.

"It was never meant to be like this . . . you were never supposed . . . she was going to come back . . ."

Rebus watched, feeling triumphant and a little guilty. He didn't usually get guilty, but this was an Author, with real feelings. Broken Glass... he though to himself. 

1 hour ago, TwinStorm said:

Cricket looked up. Bat was gone. He felt it in his heart. He gave Rebus one look, and grabbed Rose's arm, teleporting them both away.

is he really gone?

Cricket felt Bat pass on, and tears gathered at the edge of his eyes. Not Bat. Not Bat, his sweet, kind, caring friend. He didn't deserve to die, didn't deserve to pass on. He was supposed to be the Protagonist, supposed to save the Thread! Now what? Let Rebus take it over.

Your age is passing, came a voice in his head. You had your run, and it was good. But it's ending, Tam, Bat. They're gone. Only you remain. Of the three, you are the last.

"No." he whispered quietly. "This isn't how its supposed to go."

Tears streamed down his face. "This isn't how it's supposed to go!" he shouted into the sky, growing angry. Hell take Rebus, who had caused his friends to pass on. Hell burn him . . . 

Cricket paused. He would get vengeance. Vengeance for his friends, and kill Rebus.

Our only hope is gone, Cricket. Only Rebus remains. You and Rebus.

He clenched his fists. Rebus had destroyed his world, so he would destroy his.

Rebus almost stopped them for leaving, but let them go. He would need someone to fight, after all. So he watched Cricket's internal monologue - it was quite a good monologue. But destroying Rebus's world? That had already been done... 

Rebus turned to Atredies, Antagonist - a crown of darkly glowing metal that came to vicious upward points - appearing on his head. "Now then. I've bested you - and almost everyone else who has tried to oppose me. If you swallow your pride, I have a job for you. Otherwise..." Rebus's grin was just as sharp and evil as his crown. 

55 minutes ago, CoderDrag0n8 said:

Pretzels.

That's what I like to do for fun.

Simple. I like it. The labyrinth shifted again. 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

2 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

I'll address that with Cricket. 

That's good, at least. 

"Normally I would oppose that, but I fear you're right." Rebus frowned, still shivering. "Was it sending Symbol away, or making a deal with Fate?" 

"That is a slightly patronizing understatement, but mostly true." Rebus began to walk away. "If you want to make a deal with me, feel free. Otherwise, I have more important things to attend to." 

Rebus watched, feeling triumphant and a little guilty. He didn't usually get guilty, but this was an Author, with real feelings. Broken Glass... he though to himself. 

Rebus almost stopped them for leaving, but let them go. He would need someone to fight, after all. So he watched Cricket's internal monologue - it was quite a good monologue. But destroying Rebus's world? That had already been done... 

Rebus turned to Atredies, Antagonist - a crown of darkly glowing metal that came to vicious upward points - appearing on his head. "Now then. I've bested you - and almost everyone else who has tried to oppose me. If you swallow your pride, I have a job for you. Otherwise..." Rebus's grin was just as sharp and evil as his crown. 

Simple. I like it. The labyrinth shifted again. 

Atreides looked panicked, but an edge of defiance remained in his eyes. "Antagonist," he laughed shakily. "doomed to be defeated by the Protagonist. Is that the fate you want? It's inescapable, inevitable. The hero will come for you."