The Climax Part 2: Relationships of the Past (vs. Dom)

[David Hunter]

**The following is a detailed report lifted from interviews with David Hunter on behalf of The Council of Dimensional Travel and Circumstances, authorized by senior council member Jack Hunter. Any unauthorized copies of this report is punishable of up to twenty years in Council holding as well as a $500,000 dollar fine, or equivalent in whichever currency the offender pertains to.

For the sake of reference, this report was first filed on June 24, 2019. Due to its dense nature, it has been split into parts for convenience. Please see further parts for further analysis. As of present, David Hunter is under Council holding for an indiscernible amount of time. It is of note that he is allowed access to his job and a brief period outside of holding of up to two hours.

Further evaluation as it pertains to David Hunter will be assessed at the discretion of senior council members Jack Hunter, Professor Paradox, and Jack Spicer at a future, unspecified date.**


So…I wanna sit here and say that I want to show you the fight with Noxorus and all the details that went down in the air dock. I wanna show you all the intricacies and intelligence that went into getting us all out of there alive, Mercury and Wuya included.

I really…really want to.

But I can’t because the Order put a 'no talk, no tell' clause on it. Apparently because one alien with an inferiority complex who is a wanted fugitive to the three groups as well as his own planet interfered, the entire scene cannot be brought to you…at all.

Now, I want to make it clear right now that…yes, I can communicate with all of you. I have the ability to interact with the story and narrate as it is done in real time. My technical job is to translate what happens in story and relate it to the audience reading.

In case it hasn’t been made clear, I’ve become a character by virtue of will…and magical properties of certain characters allowing me to directly communicate with them.

“If it’s ‘magical property’ how the hell can I communicate with you then?” Heather asks.

Okay, so mostly magical property. We haven’t explored the complexities of spectral or undead anomalies to determine if they can also hear me. Besides, considering how detailed you—Heather—are as a character in your—her—current state, she, herself—you—might be an anomaly.

“God, you’re starting to sound like Heather…” Heather adds-in.

I’ll take that as a compliment.

Anyway, the point is, given how complicated I’ve managed to make this, the Council has placed a gag order on me. How? Fuck if I know, but because it is active for David and all the other fugitives that were captured due to that single alien’s involvement, I can’t actually describe the fight that happened.

But the jist of it is simple: that alien got involved, fucked shit up for everybody, allowed David, Argit, Ace, Wuya, and Mercury to escape on an airship, Heather and myself along for the ride, obviously.

“He’s a much better haunt than she is, that’s for sure,” she says.

So, the fact that four out of the five of them are presently standing in a wide open meadow like a bunch of jack-asses at a sausage party while the airship they rode in on quickly flies away is certainly…something…to come back to.

“Remind me again why we let Wuya take the airship?” Ace asks.

“Because I’d much rather not have to deal with Wuya longer than necessary, even if she did help us escape,” David says.

“Seconded,” Mercury says.

“Thirdeded,” Argit.

Ace and Mercury glance down at Argit with an eyebrow raise. The little guy just stares at the airship slowly fading into the distance.

The two taller guys then look at each other, Ace offering Mercury nothing but a shrug.

Meanwhile, David turns around, walking towards a nearby makeshift tent that they set-up in the previously mentioned time I couldn’t bring up due to Council orders.

“Don’t be too long. I already called Diego. He said he cashed in a favor to get us out of here” Ace says.

David waves at Ace over his shoulder in acknowledgement, but offers no retort. After he enters the tent, he closes the flap, zipping it shut.

He sits down on its floor, closing his eyes with a sigh.

His left arm clutches his side with a groan.

“Wow, that is certainly a wound,” Heather says.

David opens his eyes, finding the ghost floating right in front of him, her eyes planted on his side.

He takes his hand off the wound, revealing the dried blood on it.

“This is nothing. Just a pain in the ass until I can get it mended. It’ll be healed by match time,” he says.

“It’s amazing how even now you think about wrestling,” Heather says, a scowl forming on her face.

“It’s a job. You ask anybody out there and they’ll tell you I have two of them. This whole…mercenary, freelance thing that I do? I consider it part time…or, at least…I’m trying to,” David says.

Heather narrows her eyes, but doesn’t say anything in response.

“I guess I’ve been doing this shit for so long that I forgot why I started doing it in the first place. Even now, with a bullet in my side, I barely remember why. Was it because Wuya pushed me? Was it because I wanted to be like Dad or Uncle Rick? Maybe I’m just a stubborn shithead who can’t say no. I don’t know. Either way, I don’t know how much longer I can…or want to do this.”

David glances up at Heather, who is feigning a yawn.

With a twitching right eyebrow, David decides to respond.

“Oh I’m sorry, is my pain and internal torment boring you?” he asks.

“Please, if I wanted an existential crisis I would’ve stayed with Veronica. You’re David freaking Hunter. I may not know you all too well, but I do know that this is the kind of shit you live for. Not any of that metaphorical crap either, you literally live for this. And I don’t know if it’s that other creepo inside your soul or whatever talking, but if you really think retirement is an option in your line of work, than I’d be happy to laugh at you when you’re in Hell with me.”

Well shit. I guess that’s that.

“Shut up Heather.”

Now my eyebrow is twitching. Fun.

Heather lets out a sigh, a few drops of neon blue falling to the floor of the tent.

“Look, I get it. I became a fucking legend in death because my supposed best friend turned worst enemy decided I needed a shot of draino. The only reason I’m in this Game in the first place is because the Lizard King and his big band of bitches and bastards made a mistake. But hey, guess what? I’m in this Game now. Could I easily haunt Veronica for the rest of her existence until I have a chance to choke her myself? Sure, probably. But this is loads more fun. Not only the Game itself, but also you.

“I don’t know if it’s that stupid Hunter legacy or if you’re just an idiot—I’m betting on both—”

Ditto.

“—but you’re kind of a big deal? You can communicate with both sides flawlessly and have connections to everyone. If you were half as ambitious as me you could form a fourth group yourself, but you’re too focused on the now instead of the then. Personally—”

“Hold up,” David says.

“Don’t interrupt me. Like I was—”

“No, Heather, hold up, seriously.”

Heathers narrows her eyes, letting a growl emit from her mouth. Unfortunately it’s muted by the sound of bubbles popping in her throat.

“You’re right,” David says.

Wait what?

Heathers’ eyes widen for a second before she recovers. She flips her blonde locks of her shoulder, an arrogant smirk across her face.

“You’re damn right I am,” she says.

This is a bad idea.

“Shut up Heather,” she adds in, her teeth clenched in the smile.

No, seriously, this is a horrible idea.

“Assuming he disagrees? Just hear me out Josh. There are plenty of villains looking for redemption or a form of safety. There are just as many good guys who are disenfranchised by the three groups or those that don’t fit their mold. Not everyone can be a Ryan Evans and somehow fit perfectly in with the Others. Then there are guys like Mercury who still have a role in their original dimension but will need some place to go once that’s done. This…this actually has merit,” David says.

“It’ll take some work, obviously, but the logic is sound,” Heather says.

This is a very, very dumb idea. Take it from the omnipotent presence: this is not a good idea.

So much could go wrong. You’re playing with powers that nobody knows the scope to, not even Professor Paradox, the guy who makes the scopes.

Seriously just think for a sec—

The flap on the tent is zipped open, revealing Mercury.

“Hey, for some reason they wanted me to tell you, but…Nathan’s here,” he says.

To be continued, you assholes.

Heather looks up, smirking at what she believes is me.

“Good luck with that Heather,” she says.

I hate you.

David stands up, exiting the tent. He and Mercury walk towards Ace and Argit who are standing in front of a new participant: Nathan Miles.

“Hey Diego,” David says.

Diego, Nathan Miles, fucking whatever.

“David, nice to finally meet you. I would ask how you know my real name, but considering who you have communicated with in the last year I am not surprised,” Nathan says.

“So are contractions just a thing you don't do, like a Revonnahgander, or is Nio just an outcast?” David asks.

Judging by Nathan’s slight narrowing of the eyes, seemingly out of annoyance than any anger, this is a fairly common question.

“It varies. Our ride should be here soon. Judging by Ace’s estimates, we should have a fifteen minute head start, doubly so given the chaos that went down back there,” he says.

“I never once thought I’d be thanking that species, but thank you, you weird little Irken,” Ace says.

David, Mercury, Argit, and myself all nod in agreement.

The four of them all stand in a line, leaving Nathan to walk up to David. Out of instinct, the latter grips his side, keeping the pain off his face.

“So…David…you are the one who pissed off Revy?” Nathan asks.

David has at least some presence of mind to look guilty.

“I mean…yeah?” he asks.

“You shot Rock, pissed her off, and caused her to search the entirety of the United States just to find out that you left the Prime Dimension entirely. I cannot promise you safety, but I can promise you she’ll be off your back for a while. Maybe just…try to avoid Roanapur for the next few months, okay?”

David nods his head. This is enough for Nathan, who goes to the opposite of the line to reside on Ace’s left.

The five of them stand in the open field like a bunch of idiots for what seems like a couple minutes. It might’ve actually been a couple of minutes, but time is pointless for me.

All the same, after what seems like a couple minutes passes, Nathan speaks back up.

“She’s here,” he says.

As if on cue, a giant green airship appears out of the clouds. It begins to descend towards the group.

Unfortunately, it isn’t the airship they had assumed. What had they assumed? I don’t know, but it certainly wasn’t an Incursean warship.

And not just any Incursean warship. The Incursean flagship.

Which can only mean one thing.

And it’s not good.

“Oh no…” Ace mutters.

“Shit…” Argit does the same.

Both of them look over towards David, whose eyes have since widened and his jaw has fallen from his face (metaphorically, obviously).

“Is that the Incursean flagship?” Argit asks.

“Yes…” Ace answers.

Yes it is…

“What? What am I missing?” Mercury asks.

He looks between the other four gentlemen present, trying to ascertain the mood.

Nathan has an eyebrow raised at their reactions.

“It’s the Incursean flagship. There’s no better ship they have to get you out of here. I’m not seeing an issue,” he says.

That’s because you wouldn’t know.

“Put me on the side of the confused. Heather, what’s going on?” Heather asks, glancing up towards where she believes I am.

The Incursean flagship is the famed vessel owned by the leader of the Incursean armada herself.

“Herself?” Heather asks, suddenly filled with glee.

Yes…herself. Try to control your high school schoolgirl self for a few seconds and try to imagine what David’s going thr—

“You used to date the leader of an armada?” Heather asks, shouting in David’s ear.

This is enough to get him back into things. He adjusts his mouth, turning around to somehow avoid the descending aircraft, because if you can't see it, it can't hurt you.

It didn't work for Caboose, it won't work for him.

“Heather, explain,” she demands.

They did go on dates, yes.

It’s Heather’s turn to have her jaw drop, which allows the blue liquid to flow freely like a waterfall.

Ew.

“David! You fucked the leader of an armada?” the question is screeched by Heather.

The blush that appears on David’s cheeks is all the answer Heather needs. She begins to laugh, holding her stomach in a false attempt to contain the pain that would normally come from such uproarious laughter. Given she's a ghost and thus dead she actually doesn't feel pain.

For those unable to see Heather or talk to me, Argit decides to provide assistance.

“David and the leader of the Incursean armada and a bunch of other titles used to have a…thing?” Argit looks up to Ace for verification.

“You could certainly call it a ‘thing.’ You could also call it a fling, a dedicated relationship, a hook-up…it was a ‘thing’ for six months. It wasn’t going to last, especially considering David’s…‘thing’ with Miss Schuyler,” Ace says.

“A real ‘Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad’ situation,” Argit clarifies.

“The leader of the Incursean armada does not take slights lightly, especially ones that are personal to her. There’s not much more personal to a girl than a broken heart,” Ace says.

Nathan decides to pop in before this conversation gets even further.

“Poetic, but entirely pointless. She works with the Peacekeepers now and again and owed me a favor. This was the best bet to get you out of here.”

Ace, Argit, Mercury, and Nathan continue to discuss the intricacies and history of David and the Incursean leader’s history while the ship reaches the ground.

It takes a while.

Heather finally stops laughing, floating up to lock eyes with David.

“I need details,” she says.

With the blush still present, David looks towards his companions.

“Not right now, obviously, dumb-ass, but I want to know everything,” she adds.

He nods, if only to get her off his back.

“Shut up Heather,” she says.

Fuck off, Heather.

With a loud steam of release, the ship stands idle, reaching the ground with a earthshaking thud.

The entrance door opens, falling to the ground as a ramp.

The air from inside it covers the entrance, but a silhouette enters the doorway.

Once the air has cleared, it’s revealed to be the Empress of the Incursean Armada.

The Frog Princess, as is often called, or was, before she became the leader. Only I can call her that because nobody else can hear.

"I'm totally calling her that now," Heather says.

For the record, David also called her that. Pet names and the like.

Heather releases a squee of schoolgirl delight, which causes myself and David to wince.

The Frog Princess herself has a cocky smirk on her face as she looks down the line of males standing in front of her ship.

Nathan Miles, who gives her a wave.

Dark Ace, still looking sheepish, gives her a nod.

Argit, hiding behind Ace’s leg and trying to avoid her eyesight.

Mercury Black, who gives her an enthusiastic wave, truly the only naive person in this party.

And David Hunter, with his back to her.

Seeing this, her smirk disappears, forming a scowl at his poor attempt of ignoring her. She looks slightly down towards the ramp in clear disappointment.

With a newfound courage, she looks back up, the smirk returning. She opens her mouth, emitting a ribbit and sending her tongue flying.

It nails the back of David’s head, sending him to the ground.

Like a rubber band, the tongue returns to her mouth.

She's a Frog Princess, of course she has a long fucking tongue.

Wait, phrasing.

Heather starts to laugh again.

I groan from my mistake while David groans from the pain. He steps back to his feet, his left arm still holding his side. He turns around, meeting the eyes of the Incursean leader.

“Hey...Attea,” he says.

“Hello David. New guy,” Attea says, looking at Mercury.

She notices Argit, still hiding behind Ace’s leg.

“Argit…” she growls, her eyes narrowing.

“Um…hey…Attea,” Argit whimpers.

“Leave him alone,” Ace says.

It has enough force in it for Attea to raise her eyesight up to his.

“Ace. Nathan,” she says.

With a release of breath, Attea clicks her boots together, standing tall and glancing at all five simultaneously.

“Greetings. I am here to offer you safe transport. This is the Incursean flagship. My name is General Attea, Empress, Scion, and former—”

“Teen Supreme of the deathless Incursean Empire,” David interrupts. “Highest Commander of the celebrated Calaveras Legion, ruler of seven galaxies and defender of three. Yes, thank you, Attea, I appreciate the list of titles, but we’re on a time crunch here.”

She narrows her eyes, a bright pink blush crossing her cheeks.

It is at that moment that a laser blast shoots from over Attea's left shoulder. David moves his head to the right to avoid it.

“Hey Eighteight! Nice to see you again,” David deadpans.

A purple...cyborg? Android? Supersoldier? Technically neither of the three, but she pops up behind Attea, her eye sockets focused on David.

“Eighteight, hold your fire," Attea says.

Eighteight emits a few clicks, before lowering her right arm, which also serves as a blaster. Convenient for anybody except for David at any time.

Attea turns around, waving them in.

“Just get on my ship,” she mutters.

A collection of eyes fall to David, including Nathan’s, Mercury’s, Ace’s, Argit’s, Heather’s, and mine.

He shrugs. That’s it. Just a shrug.

“When you’re in a relationship with somebody for six months, you tend to remember titles...and when you break up with them their friends get angry. Meet Eighteight...Attea's lead General and best friend. She also hates,” he says.

The rest of the group take turns glancing at each other.

Except for Heather.

Heather just starts to laugh.

Mythic bitch indeed.

The group of five begin walking into the vessel, led by Attea. As David walks up the ramp, he passes by Eighteight

The two share a look, with David's seemingly uncaring glance matching that of Eighteight's glare. That seems impossible given we can't actually see her eyes, but she somehow makes it work.

She turns around, giving a few clicks before walking back inside.

David rolls his eyes, stepping further inside. Heather continues to float beside him, examining every inch of the airship she can as the door behind them closes.

“You’ve got way too much backstory,” Heather says.

“I am aware. I’d try simplifying and explain it but then it’d get lost in the shuffle,” he says.

David approaches a black trench coated alien with a metal head and a brain encased in a glass helmet. The two shake hands and fist bump.

“Raff, nice to see you,” David says.

“Likewise,” Raff responds.

The two begin walking side-by-side further into the ship, the rest of the group already long past them.

“How has the Commander life been treating you?” David asks.

“Well enough. By the wa, I got a promotion,” Raff says.

“No shit?”

“Yeah, apparently being the longest serving member under the Empress’ loyalty has its benefits. I’m second in command of the entire empire and am essentially immune. Also the pension is nice and the benefits are fantastic.”

David makes a grunt of acknowledgement as the two continue to follow the group. Before they enter the command center, Raff puts an arm in front of David. The door closes with nobody else the wiser, barring Heather and myself, obviously.

Semantics and all that.

“I just want you to know…” Raff says. “…that no matter what, I am your friend, David. My loyalties might lie with Attea and the Incursean Empire, but my preferences are always with you. If there is anything….anything you need, let me know and I will do what I can to help.”

David and Raff share a brief look before the former nods.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks man,” he says.

The door opens once more and the two enter the command center.

“Raff, show our guests to their rooms. We have a long trip to where we’re going and I’d rather we not waste more time. Oh, and take David to the hospital wing,” Attea says.

She’s seated on her throne of sorts in the middle of the center. Eighteight is to her left, her blaster ready to fire at any of the ‘guests’ should they do something.

David rolls his eyes, following Raff as they exit the command center.

“Don’t worry Raff, I know where everything is. You didn’t throw away any of my stuff, did you?” David asks.

Attea glances away, another bout of pink forming on her cheeks.

“No…” she pouts.

She pouts.

The actual fuck?

“Shut up Heather, that is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” Heather says.

No comment.

“Ditto,” David mutters as he exits the command center.

-------------------------------------------------------

Finding himself ruminating in what was once his old room on this airship, David glances around at various pictures. Most of them are ones of Attea and himself. Nothing too romantic given the former's tendency to avoid expressing romance, but there's a few where she shows how feminine she actually can be, mostly with being shy.

A few other pictures are of him and Raff, being buddy-buddy and having a good time if the photos are anything to go by.

David sits on the bed, looking around at the room that he used to have. He holds the left side of his stomach. The bullet's been removed and the wound has been cleaned, but the remnants of what was once a fairly painful opening in his body still lingers.

His door knocks. David looks up, and speaks.

"Come in," he says.

The door slides to the left, revealing Raff.

"Empress Attea has requested your presence at the command center. She wishes you come alone," he says.

David nods. The door slides to the right, shutting it again.

Heather chooses then to float up through the floor.

"Alright, so spill. What the hell is up with you two?" she asks.

"What, me and Raff? We're friends. We looked out for each other and all tha—"

"No! Not the walking Mars Attacks! You and Frog Princess?"

"Oh good, Josh told you about that. What's there to tell though?"

Heather raises an eyebrow, folding her arms across her chest.

David sighs, looking to the floor.

"A little while back, after I had left Wuya and Ace went on to do his own thing, and before Argit and I went on a tear, I spent some time in other dimensions learning what I could. I spent time on Remnant, in Hyrule, and Johto, among other places, but somewhere along the way I met Attea. At this point I was still holding out hope that Angelica would dump that shit-heel that was Alexander, but somehow, someway, the two of us hit it off. Maybe it was our stubborn nature clashing or the two us just really needed to get laid—"

Ew.

"—but the two of us became a thing for about six months. Raff and I became friends through our experience in battle and dealing with Attea on a daily basis, while Eighteight and I became bitter enemies because Attea's too good for me and we both knew it. All the same, Attea and I dated and went pretty far as a couple."

"So what made you leave?" Heather asks.

"My dad."

"............huh?" Heather asks, quite intelligently, but is still stumped enough to ignore my comment.

You'll find that 'my dad', 'Dad', or 'my father' are usually common answers in David's life. 'Why did you leave Remnant?' 'My dad.' 'Why did you join with Argit?' 'Dad.' 'Why did Wuya stop teaching you?' 'My father.'

Etcetera, etcetera, you get the idea.

"Yeah, good ol' Dad found out where I was after a while. Knew that by associating so openly with somebody who, at the time, was a villain, meant bad news for me, and given how he already dealt with Wuya, I knew he would blow a gasket. So, I did what I always do, I came up with an excuse, found the reason why I love Angelica, and got the hell out of there. Next morning she went looking for me, I was gone. I told Raff what happened, but he seemed more on my side."

"Wait, so you left her alone without telling her why you were leaving her?" Heather asks.

"Eeyup," David says.

Yeah, this is the point in the story that always gets me too.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Heather asks, a modicum of actual rage sneaking in to her voice.

"Do you want a list or just the stuff related to this?" David asks, not expecting a response. "I knew what I did was wrong. I knew that I could've handled it differently. The fact that I had so much going on at once at the time never crossed my mind until I started doing more serious shit with Argit and Ace. Would I change it? Yes, absolutely, but it's not like it matters. It's obvious Raff still likes me, Eighteight still hates me, and Attea still has feelings for me."

"And given your...plan...I'm assuming you're going to use that to your advantage?"

"Of course. I'll worry about fixing her feelings and getting forgiveness when the entirety of existence isn't being threatened by a fucking lizard thing."

Heather looks at David, her eyes giving away all of her emotion.

Eventually, she sighs, her shoulders falling.

"Well...it's not like I was a bastion of goodwill," she says.

No. No you were not.

"Shut up Heather..." she mutters.

Both of you were fucking assholes, but you both have enough intelligence inside your heads to figure out what you've done wrong and how to fix it.

The problem is we're at war here. I hate to agree with David, but he's right. Worry about that shit when Noxorus is dead.

"Yeah, yeah..." Heather says.

David stands up, stretching his limbs out.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a frog's heart to break," David says. "Again."

He exits the room, leaving Heather behind to look at the floor in thought.

-------------------------------------------------------

It’s night. The sky is black and the stars are shining. All that’s in the sky is a green airship, flying forward with nary a care but to get to safety.

In the command center, a lonely Empress sits on her throne, staring ahead. Her loyal bodyguard stands to her left, blaster at the ready. Her loyal second in command stands at her right, arms behind his back, calm and observational.

The door behind them slides open, which serves as a wake-up call for everybody on board.

Eighteight immediately points her blaster behind her, aiming at the visitor.

It’s David.

She doesn’t lower her weapon.

Raff glances over his shoulder before speaking.

“Dimensional regent and freelancer David Hunter entering!” Raff yells.

The soldiers on the computers stand up briefly before offering a salute.

“Oh, they still do that?” David asks.

He stands directly in front of Eighteight’s blaster, a smirk across his face.

“They do it for any entity involved in the Incursean Empire with a standing rank of leadership or a reputation worthy of respect. Considering your history with us in both regards? Yes, they still do that,” Raff answers.

“Neat. Attea, you wanted to see me?” David asks.

Eighteight does not move, her blaster still focused on his face.

“Alone, yes,” she says.

David starts glaring at where he believes Eighteight’s eyes should be.

She does not move.

“Empress Attea?” Raff asks.

“Yeah…,” she says.

She leans back further into her seat. Raff takes a moment to allow Attea the room to respond. When she does not, Raff takes over.

“Every officer present, please leave the command center. Place the ship on autopilot,” Raff says.

The frog soldiers stand up, saluting once more. After a few seconds, they begin to flood out the door that David entered, all in even-file line.

They're good soldiers, albeit incompetent ones.

David and Eighteight continue their stare down. Raff approaches them.

“That includes you, General Eighteight,” he says.

Eighteight doesn’t move. At least, she doesn’t move the blaster. She moves her head to glance over at Attea, seated and refusing to look back.

“It’s…it’s fine, Eighteight. Go,” Attea says.

With a nod, Eighteight lowers her blaster before exiting the room, wasting no time to leave David's presence.

Raff and David lock eyes, giving each other a nod. Raff leaves the command center.

Once the door is closed, David lets out a breath, letting it echo throughout the room.

“Oofta. Was she always this intense?” he asks.

“Yes. She just never had a reason to be that intense to you,” Attea says.

She sits up in her throne, continuing to stare forward at the stars in front of them.

David walks up, kneeling down so as to be right next to her.

“Attea—”

“I should hate you,” she says.

David doesn’t speak. Whatever thought process he had beforehand is no longer on his mind.

“I should hate you because you left me without a word. No break-up, no end, you just…left me. A part of me has respect that you would actually have the balls to leave a powerful empress like that, but that part of me is usually counteracted by my unyielding rage. And yet…now that I’ve seen you again…I can’t help but to think…”

David takes her right hand, grasping it close.

“I just…it’s not fair. To love someone who loves someone else,” Attea says.

“I know the feeling,” David says.

“Fuck that Schuyler bitch, okay? Fuck her! I don’t give a shit about her! She doesn’t love you and she will never get over that cheating shit! But you? You have a chance to move on! You always have! But for some reason you’re blinded by your own ego.”

“Attea, listen to me. I’m sorry that I was never able to give you what you wanted, or was never able to dedicate myself to you fully. I want you to believe me: a part of me loved you. A part of me wanted to stay here and lead with you. A part of me wanted to trust that this was it. But…I just…I couldn’t. I was so gung-ho about the Game that I never stopped to think about what everyone else wanted.

“But I’m starting to. I’m so close to retiring. I can’t guarantee when, I can’t guarantee they’ll let me, but I am so close to finally being done. Maybe…maybe then I’ll be ready.”

Attea turns her head, the tears forming around her eyes. David wipes them away with a smile.

“Maybe then I’ll be able to give this another shot.”

She leans forward, going for a kiss.

David instead headbutts her. Keeping his grip on her hand, he throws her into the metal floor of the command center. He lets go, allowing her hand to fall to the floor. After seeing that she’s still breathing but not moving, David finally lets out a sigh.

“That was cold,” Heather says, appearing behind him.

“Yeah, well…most of that was true. It’s just…not yet. Not while I’ve still got the only thing that could keep Noxorus from destroying the entirety of existence.”

“Don’t have to explain it to me. Just saying…that shit was ice,” Heather says.

David rolls his eyes, approaching a large console located in front of Attea’s seat, stationed at the front of the command center.

He clicks a few buttons until a screen pulls up. It shows various coordinates, but mostly represents the flight plan for the airship.

And where’s it’s going.

“Good. According to these coordinates we’re going to—”

Some cold steel is placed against the back of David’s neck.

David places his hands up in the air, palms facing the front window

“Hello Eighteight,” he says.

He gets a few clicks in response. David turns around, setting his eyes on an army of Incursean soldiers, all with weapons aimed to fire at David. Well, except for a few that have them aimed at Mercury, Ace, and Argit, who are now in the command center, albeit tied up and not looking too happy.

Probably cause they're unaware of the plan.

Raff walks between the soldiers, checking on Attea. After checking her pulse and breath, he stands up.

“She’s fine, just knocked out,” he says.

This doesn’t stop Eighteight from sending her blaster's metal into David’s face, knocking him clean out.

--------------------------------------------

“David…David…dammit, wake up David,” a voice says.

David’s eyes flutter open, revealing Rick O’Connell standing in front of him, his rifle on his shoulder. He stares down at his unofficial nephew, a scowl visible for David to see. His usual clothes are ruffled and he himself is scowling.

“Hey Uncle Rick,” David says, or tries to anyway.

It’s sort of garbled by the blood flowing from his nose.

“Oh…guess Eighteight broke my nose,” he says. "Again."

He spits to his right, sending a blood loogey to the floor. The people to his left and right, also soldiers, probably Peacekeepers, finish tying him up with some rope. To his left, David can see Argit, Ace, and Mercury being dragged away by other Peacekeepers, all tied up and bound. They're being sent further into the headquarters and as far away from him as possible.

“Oh, I get it now. Nathan made a deal that led to me being captured…and Attea…” David pauses, glancing to the floor. “Attea was in on it.”

“Correct," Rick says. "Now…David Hunter, you are hereby under arrest for crimes against dimensions, interdimensional warfare, illegal usage of interdimensional technology, coordinating with a G-level villain, coordinating with a G-level villain in an attempt to destroy all existence, and participating in activities considered dangerous for those unaware of the existence of multiple dimensions. You will be given a trial by majority vote by the core members of Peacekeepers. Should you win majority, you will be transferred to the Council for further queries.

“Get him to the meeting room, I’ll take care of some of this shit here.”

The two people carrying David push him forward, trying to get him to walk. Rick starts to walk away, his rifle coming off his shoulder into his hands.

“Love ya too Uncle Rick,” he says.

Rick stops for a moment. It's only a moment, but long enough for it to stick in David's mind. He shakes his head and continues to walk. David is pushed forward again, but doesn’t stop.

“Don’t be so xenophobic, Uncle Rick! Incurseans are just people too!” he shouts out, only to be promptly ignored.

With one last shove, David is led into a hallway. With the two soldiers still behind him, their guns aimed directly for his head, David has nothing to do but walk and ponder. The trail of blood from his nose riddles the hallways like a trail of breadcrumbs.

It’s a long walk towards their destination. The last time he was there, David managed to avoid the meeting room entirely and get right to the interrogation, and even still, Rick gave him a slap on the wrist because the whole thing was stupid. He met up Mercury to catch-up and suddenly he was coordinating with the biggest bad ever. That didn't happen until later, come on Rick.

The Peacekeepers Headquarters have some of the tightest security ever known, in any dimension. It has to, being a group designed and led by soldiers for the sole purpose of…well…keeping the peace, mostly throughout the various dimensions. Unlike the Others and the Council who prefer to work in the shadows, the Peacekeepers have always been a take charge kind of team.

So here David finds himself, bleeding with a broken nose, being dragged like a dog through the marble halls of this…establishment?



Now I’d like to take a brief moment to let you know that what you’re about to read was never relayed to the Council during David’s interrogation. David was pretty cut and dry about the whole thing, but was specific on some things. He made sure to be as specific as possible for this portion of the interrogation so that he would never have to tell them what went on.

I, as the narrator, can tell you just fine. I just wanted to make it clear that the Council has zero clue that the following conversation takes place. We good?

Good.



It’s the noise behind him that cuts David away from his thoughts. He doesn’t look back, but when one of the soldiers leading him on falls to the ground, and the other one is slammed into the wall before joining their comrade, David can be forgiven for being confused.

A tight grip holds David’s hands, guiding him along back through the hallways towards where they were going in the first place.

“Keep walking, and let us talk,” it was Nathan.

“The last Peacekeeper who wanted to talk treated me like I wasn’t his nephew,” David says.

“Not officially. Relax, he is just pissed and disappointed. Alex has given him that feeling enough, he will get over it. Nonetheless, you are going to be judged by the five core members. You are going to get a pass from Rick and I. I managed to convince another core member to hear you out, so you need to explain to them why they need to send you to the Council. Now, explain to me your plan,” Nathan says.

“Why would I do that with a Peacekeeper, let alone a Peacekeeper core member?” David asks.

“I am not a Peacekeeper,” Nathan.

“Not officially,” David.

“Exactly. So, spill it,” Nathan.

“Spill what?”

“Your plan.”

“Oh…that…”

The two share a brief moment of just walking silently, enjoying the clank of their shoes and the thought process that finally comes to Nathan after a few moments.

“You do not have a plan.” It wasn’t a question.

“I do, actually, or at least the semblances of one.”

“Why do people think Qrow’s semblance is bad luck when clearly you are the one blessed with it?”

“Why do people keep saying that…?”

“You better have a plan, David. Ace is going to be shipped to the Council, Argit is going to go back to Mr. Silver, and Mercury is going to be under the Others’ jurisdiction. I cannot help you if you do not let me.”

“Why are you helping me then? You have no dog in this fight. Between you and Nio it’s hard to tell which one of you cares less.”

“I am helping you because the Incursean Empress asked me to.”

“What? Attea? The woman I just knocked out? Why the fuck would she help me?”

“Think, genius. Why the fuck would a woman who loves you and finally has a chance to do something that might change your feelings help you?”

“Oh…oh I’ve done bad…”

Heather speaks, “Told you it was a cold.”

Shut up Heather.

“Josh, do not make me come to you, I will find you and make you wish you didn’t have balls.”

That is…certainly a threat.

With a sigh, David begins laying out this plan.

“The plan is to convince that last core member that I need to be under the Council’s watch. Once I am, Noxorus and whatever crew he has won’t be able to get to me. How? Because Dad won’t let them. I’ll be under lock and key, watched constantly, and viewed as a level A villain until Noxorus is defeated. I know more than anybody else about what Noxorus and his crew are doing or what they’re planning. Without the crystal to power the laser, Noxorus’ plan is a bust anyway. That crystal is one of a kind, so it’s not like he can go to Cyclonia and get a new one. With no laser, they’ll be easy pickings until Noxorus has to fight himself.”

“Whoa, wait,” Nathan pipes in. “Back up. I got the idea of where this is going, but there are traitors in the Peacekeepers. Even you know their ranks are compromised.”

“All three groups are compromised. Even if they get their hands on the crystal you stole from me—”

“Which you stole from Noxorus—” Nathan buts in.

“—and somehow get it to the big bad, all it will do is blow up the laser they created, or at least have to repair it, delaying the plan until further notice,” David finishes.

“The only way that could…" Nathan starts to realize where this is going. It takes him a few more moments to come to the conclusion. "The crystal we have is a fake."

All David does is smirk.

“But then where is the real crystal?” Nathan asks.

“About to leave the Incursean flagship, in the hands of somebody I know I can trust,” David says.

Nathan doesn’t stop, but there is an obvious stumble. He recovers easily enough and continues to walk like nothing happened.

“You son of a bitch…I cannot believe…none of this will matter if you cannot convince the last core member.”

“I can do it easily,” David says.

“Here’s your chance. See you in there,” Nathan says.

They reach a corner. Nathan shoves David forward around it, revealing himself to the two soldiers standing by a nearby door. Nathan slinks away, hiding himself from the soldiers.




And like nothing happened, this is where David's story continues. The Council are too cocky to ask the Peacekeepers what happened and the Peacekeepers are too proud to tell the Council that something did. So David cutting out all of that and just having him be taken to the meeting room was easy.




The two soldiers grab David, taking him towards the meeting room door. They open it, revealing a collection of soldiers, all seated around a single chair. That single chair is in front of five different seats. Four of the seats are filled, with Rick planted on the far right.

David is dragged into the lone chair, his hands still tied behind his back. He takes a few moments to glance at the four people currently across from him, from left to right: Tempest Shadow, a purple unicorn with a broken horn, whose glare matches his own, Rick Deckard, a supposed human with a harsh emotion who will be the most difficult to convince and probably already has me dead to rights, Alfred Pennyworth, an old ex-soldier who came under the Peacekeepers’ employ when a version of himself walked away from his former master, and next to the still empty seat that will belong to Nathan is Uncle Rick.

Nathan makes his way into the room through another door, working his way through the crowd to sit to the left of Uncle Rick. Once he is seated, David's uncle begins to speak.

“We are here to oversee where David Hunter will have his punishment taking place,” he says. “The Council has allowed us to cast a vote, given his personal connections to both circles. Should we vote the majority in favor of ‘aye’, he will be transported to the Council headquarters where he will be under their jurisdiction. Should the majority be in favor of ‘nay’, he will remain under our watch and susceptible to our punishment, however we deem fit. Peacekeeper Shadow—”

Tempest wastes absolute no time and casts her vote before Uncle Rick can finish his sentence.

“Nay,” she says. “Given his continuing role under both sides, and his general continuation of playing both sides, I feel, under only our jurisdiction, can we hope he finds redemption.”

Uncle Rick nods, letting a sigh release.

“Peacekeeper Deckard, what is your vote?” he asks.

Deckard looks into David’s eyes for a few moments before nodding.

“Nay,” Deckard says. “For the same reasons as Peacekeeper Shadow.”

David cracks his neck, turning it slightly and locking eyes with Deckard. Nathan sees this, and narrows his own.

Uncle Rick continues.

“Peacekeeper Miles, what is your vote?” he asks.

Nathan takes a few moments to respond, analyzing David's form and figuring out something to do with the neck crack.

The neck crack.

The person sharing David's body is out to play, and Nathan is trying to figure out who it is.

“Aye,” Nathan eventually says. “Unlike my two colleagues, I feel if redemption is to be found, it is to be under his father, for the sole sake of any personal matters they might have.”

Uncle Rick nods once more.

“I, Peacekeeper O’Connell, also vote aye. Serving as the personal bias present, I feel our entire division would be too harsh on him, and have personal agendas that will get in the way of any impartial tactics our soldiers might use.”

David turns his head to Pennyworth. Their eyes find the others’, and neither pay attention when Uncle Rick speaks.

“Peacekeeper Pennyworth,” he says. “What is your vote?”

“Tell me, Mr. Hunter,” Pennyworth says. “Why should we allow you to return to the Council?”

David sniffs once, taking in the air around him.

“The only way to stop Noxorus once and for all is for me to be as far away from the Cyclonian crystal as possible. Ideally it would be destroyed, but given your…‘division’s’ tendencies to keep such artifacts, I have no doubt you will not heed my advice. You also have no reason to. Quite frankly, if you had chosen to, I could’ve been killed the moment I left Attea’s ship…but I wasn’t. You left me alive. I don’t know if it’s because you’re all wrestling fans or if you just all want to see me suffer, and I honestly don't care if it’s something else. The point is: if I am under the Council’s jurisdiction, I will be the safest. Not from you, not from the Others, not even from the Council. If I am under their capture, I will be spared no quarter and be allowed the minimal freedom possible.

“That’s not because Dad doesn’t love me, it’s because I don’t deserve it. They are fair. While I have no doubt I will suffer more under your control, I feel, for the safety of all existence, I will be better suited under the Council’s capture. Noxorus is looking for that crystal. He’s also looking for revenge on everybody you captured today. I may not know him that much, but I feel I know him better than anybody. I’ve dealt with Big Bads before. It doesn’t matter how powerful they are. It doesn’t matter if a new class, this…G-level has been created solely for him. All that matters, is at the end of the day, Noxorus…is nothing but a Big Bad with a menagerie of villains under his wing.

“The Council will utilize my knowledge to their advantage, and no offense to any of you here…but I trust my father to take care of what needs to be done, better than you do.”

This causes an uproar, having the majority of the soldiers in the room speak up in rage and annoyance.

The only people who don’t speak are Nathan, Uncle Rick, and Pennyworth.

It is Uncle Rick who breaks first.

“Silence! Everybody shut the hell up!” he shouts out.

The room quickly complies, even though their faces show their emotion better than their words could.

“David—” Uncle Rick is interrupted by Pennyworth.

“Aye,” is all he says.

David smirks.

The room erupts again.

Nathan stares at David, focusing on his eyes.

He's figured it out.

He barely notices as the two soldiers from before pick him up and drag him out of the room.