Pod

Pod

A Mermay Prompt

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Despite the rocky start, the two groups bonded quickly. Dust and Horror especially enjoyed Blue’s company and started treating him like a part of the pod almost immediately. Ink followed Killer like a shadow and Killer let it get to his head. Ink and Killer now worked together to cause chaos and mischief everywhere they went. You still weren’t to sure about the cuttlefish, but seeing Killer laugh with Ink always made you smile.

Almost.

They were still both menaces.

At one point, Blue vanished to go talk to Nightmare. No one knew what was said, but the next day Nightmare offered to merge their groups into one. Dream hesitated, not because he thought it was a bad idea, but because it surprised him. It surprised everybody… but Blue.

You were starting to think he wasn’t exactly as innocent and oblivious as you thought.

Dream accepted the idea with excitement, as did Ink and Killer, which immediately made everyone suspicious but no one was willing to put a downer on the idea of peace. Even if it meant sweating while the two whispered and giggled together.

While it was nice to see the two bond so quickly, literally everyone wanted them to hate each other again.

A noise outside your den broke you from your thoughts. Speak of the devils. “Ink. Killer. Leave.”

Simultaneous “aw”s echoed outside your den and the two poked their heads into view.

“Hi, y/n!” Ink waved.

“Whatcha doin’?” Killer asked.

“Trying to rest. Out.” You said blankly.

Killer grinned. “I’m not in~.”

You grumbled. “You’re such a little brother…”

“A what?”

“Killer! Ink!” Nightmare’s voice boomed through the trench and Ink flinched. “Leave y/n alone! Your shenanigans have gone too far today! Both of you! Back to your dens!”

“Yessir…” Killer pouted. Ink happily waved goodbye and followed Killer back to their side of the trench.

You sighed. Finally. Peace.

“Hey, y/n?”

You groaned. “…What’s up, Cross?”

He hesitated. “Uh… are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s just,” You gestured past him into the trench. “Killer and Ink being… Killer and Ink.”

“Ah. Yes. They’ve become double the trouble together.” Cross shook his head at them. “Makes me almost wish they still hated each other.”

“Same.” You grumble. “They’ve been such a hassle. They were easier to contain then. Now? I’m done. I hope Nightmare buries them at the bottom of the trench.”

Cross chuckles at you. “Yeah. I know the feeling. Hey, so Dust and I were wondering if you still had that, uh, freebie?”

“Frisbee. And yeah, I still have it. Why?”

“Do you think we could show Blue how to play?” He was using those puppy eyes. He looked so hopeful.

You smiled and stretched. “Yeah, just let me wake up first. I’ll meet you guys up there.”

“Yes!” Cross pumped his fist and swam away.

You chuckled and then yawned. Pushing yourself out of your bed, you grabbed the frisbee and headed out, calling out to Nightmare that you were going to hang out with the guys. A hum acknowledged you and you swam away.

They were pretty easy to find. Dust’s tail hung down from the surface where you could hear them chatting away. You smiled. It was nice to see them all getting along. Even though you never saw them fight, with the frenzies you’d seen Killer in, you could imagine it.

Everyone greeted you when you broke the surface. Blue was excited.

“Mweheheh! Good Morning, Y/n!” He greeted with a smile. “Cross And Dust Have Been Telling Me About Your Flying Device! I Am Very Curious!”

You lifted the frisbee up and shook the water off of it. “Yep, this is it.”

“Oh…” He managed to look disappointed somehow. “It Uh, It Sure Looks Curious.”

You and Cross laughed. “Here. Cross?” You aimed into the distance.

“Got it.” Cross quickly swam in that direction.

You threw it.

Blue gasped as it glided across the air seemingly by itself. It arched perfectly and lined up with Cross, making it the perfect catch.

And then Cross dodged it.

“Cross!” You snapped at the orca as Dust belly laughed himself back into the water. “Stop dodging!!”

“Sorry!”

Blue chuckled.

“Send it back!” You called. It was thrown to you and you caught it. “So!” You turned to Blue. “Let me show you how it works.”

After a quick lesson and a few demonstrations, Blue was ready to go. He was very good. Like, as good as Dust. They got competitive. Dust and Blue grinned at each other from a distance and the frisbee flew back and forth with more and more speed. You and Cross carefully backed up out of their way after getting hit too many times with force.

The frisbee never hit the water. It was shot back and forth between to two in friendly silence, grinning like idiots. You don’t think you’d ever seen Dust smile so much.

Just as Blue reeled back his arm again, you noticed color shimmering under the water’s surface between the two competitors.

“Blue, wait, there’s-.” You started.

The frisbee left his hand at the same time Ink’s head shot out of the water.

“Hey, guys! What’s- Ack!” He was hit directly in the face and fell backwards into the water.

“Oh My Stars, Ink!” Blue rushed forward as Dust cackled at the cuttlefish’s misfortune.

“I’m fine!” Ink rubbed at the bridge of his nose. “What was that?”

Blue grabbed the frisbee. “This Thing. I’m So Sorry, Ink. I Shouldn’t Have Thrown It So Hard.”

Dust laughed. “Thrown it harder next time! You might actually shut him up!”

“DUST!!!” Blue looked appalled.

Everyone else laughed.

. . .

This.

This was nice.

You smiled as Blue scolded the boys for laughing.

This life was going to be a good one. And you couldn’t wait to see what it had in store for you.

The End

Thank you so much for sticking with me this long! It has been a long ride and I’ve enjoyed every twist and turn with y’all. I might not write for a little bit, I need to rest these aching fingers, but I will keep posting.

To those who sent asks, they’re coming! I promise! I love every ask I get and will try my best to get them out in a timely manner!

Again thank you all!

Passenger

A Mermay Prompt

Masterlist

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“Dreeaaaaammmm!”

“What?!” Dream was by your side in an instant, sensing your distress. “What is it? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

You turned to show him the problem. “I can’t reach it and it won’t come off!” You gestured at the suckerfish that had planted itself just behind your fins and out of reach. It had a smug little look on its face. Stupid fish.

Dream laughed.

“It’s not funny!” You shoved the leviathan. “It won’t let go!”

“Yeah, he’s a suckerfish!” Dream laughed, batting away your attempts to hit him. “They do that. He’s just catching a ride so he can eat. It wouldn’t kill you to let him be for a few hours.”

“I don’t want him on me for hours! It itches!” You stretched and strained to reach the offender of your comfort, twisting and spinning, while Dream continued to laugh.

This chaos went on for several more minutes until Dream had stopped chuckling at you. “It would be better if you ignored him for now. We still have to find Blue and Error if you want to help Nightmare. I’m glad I got to see your first suckerfish though.” He teased playfully.

You grumbled and stopped spinning in your attempts to reach the parasite. “You’re no help at all.”

He just laughed again.

The rest of the trip was you grumbling and scraping your tail against random rocks to try to dislodge your passenger while Dream kept laughing and stopping you from hurting yourself or the fish. You were pretty certain he didn’t care how you felt about the whole situation. His expression didn’t change in humor when he announced that he found Blue either.

“Blue?” Dream called through the water.

You fidgeted next to Dream, suddenly realizing just how far you were from home. This Blue person could be an elaborate trap for all you knew.

“Dream?” Called a friendly voice. You turned to see a dolphin siren crest a coral ridden boulder. A bright blue handkerchief was tied around his neck like a bandit. “What Are You Doing Here? I Thought You And Ink Were Taking A Break.” He smiled wide and offered Dream a hug.

Dream accepted the hug and squeaked as he was crushed slightly. “We did take a break. I just met someone and then there was Killer and a lot happened actually.” He pat Blue’s back. “It’s nice to see you.”

“Of Course! It’s Wonderful To See You Too, Dream! Oh! Who’s This?” Blue eyelights spotted you and you sweat in your awkwardness.

“Oh! This is a friend. They’re the entire reason I’m here actually. Blue,” Dream set his hand on Blue’s shoulder and grew serious. “We need a favor.”

“Mweheheh! I’d Love To Help! What Do You Need?” Blue struck a heroic pose, his bandanna fluttering in the current that wasn’t flowing.

Dream smiled yet hesitated. “Blue… We need Error.”

“Oh, Mweh. That’s A Big Favor, Dream.” Blue looked sad for a moment. “Error’s… Well, Error. I Don’t Know…”

You decided to speak up. “It’s for Nightmare. Killer was hit with a few harpoons-“ Dream backed up with a nervous smile. “-and was so hyped up on positivity that Nightmare had to drain it. He’s been tired and quiet. I… I don’t want him to be hurt.” You stuttered to a stop as Blue continued to stare at you.

Blue blinked and looked between you and Dream, as if waiting for someone to correct what he just heard. “Dream… You’re Helping Nightmare?”

Oh. Oh, shit. Blue was on Dream and Ink’s side. Of course he wouldn’t want to help Nightmare. He’s been fighting Nightmare ever since they first met.

Dream rubbed the back of his neck. “…Yeah.”

Blue burst forward and hugged Dream with a squeal. “I Knew It! I Knew You Could Do It! Dream, This Is Amazing!” He spun the seahorse siren in circles.

He- You- What??

You stared in shock as what you thought was an enemy was happy at the idea of helping Nightmare. He was happy to help. You thought he’d react like Dream or Ink since they seemed to be a group. But here he was, proving you wrong.

Cross was right. You did like him.

Dream grinned. “I know. You’ve been after this for a long time. I’m sorry it took me so long to listen to you. I should have tried long before you and I met.”

“I Am So Proud Of You, Dream!” Blue held Dream by the shoulders as stars twinkled in his eyes. Like, starfish shaped stars. Not little dots like Killer’s eyes. “You’re Taking Initiative! Unlike My Lazy Brother STRETCH!” He yelled back where he’d come from and was rewarded with a tired; “Mmh.”

That itch was still there, ruining the moment. You tried to ignore the pest on your side but it was becoming unbearable. Your tail twitched in discomfort, unable to do anything about the annoying suckerfish.

The second you twitched, Blue turned to look at you, searched your tail with his eyes, and noticed the fish. His face winced and he came forward and gently plucked the fish off your side by the head. His hand rubbed the sore spot underneath as he threw the fish to the side and it swam away.

“I Am So Sorry About Leaving You Like That, Friend!” Blue apologized. “Those Suckers Sure Can Hurt. Dream! Why Didn’t You Fix This? Or Tell Me?” He turned his gaze back to the seahorse.

Dream shrugged. “It was their first suckerfish. And we weren’t going far.”

Blue’s expression changed to a stern glare. “I Do Not Care If It Was Their First Suckerfish. That Tradition Is Old And Cruel. I Am Ashamed That You Think This Pain Is Funny.” He turned back to you with an understanding smile. “Try To Keep It Out Of Sunlight For A Day Or So. If You Don’t It Will Hurt More.”

You nodded. “Thank you. I couldn’t reach it.”

“I Know. I’m Blue, By The Way! The Magnificent Blue!” He clarified, puffing his chest up and offering a hand to shake.

“Oh, I’m y/n.” You spoke the hand and smiled back. “I’ve heard a lot about you. It seems that everyone likes you.”

“Mweh!” He waved off the statement. “I’m Sure I Haven’t Met Everyone. But Thank You, Y/n! Now! How Does Error Help Nightmare? And What Do I Need To Do?” He clapped his hands together.

Dream raised a brow. “Didn’t you just say you didn’t think you could help?”

“Well, Yes!” Blue posed dramatically again, his eyes closed and his kerchief blowing in the breeze that, again, wasn’t there. “But I Want To See This Happen! I Have Been Waiting A Long Time For This Day And I Won’t Turn My Back On My First Chance To Help! So What Do You Need, Y/n?” He beamed at you.

You smiled back. “Thank you. I want to get Error as close to Nightmare as possible. Preferably without hurting anyone. I just need as much negativity as I can get.” Blue nodded.

Dream nodded as well. “I will stay back then. While I’m sure I’ll stir up plenty of negativity by being present, I’d rather not be weakened and in a hostile situation until I have made my intentions clear. Would you mind, y/n, delivering a message for me?”

“Of course.” You grinned. “You helped me. I’d like to return the favor.”

Discover

A Mermay Prompt

(Note: far too much dialogue. Far too little action)

Masterlist

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“Cross?”

Said siren looked up from sharpening one of his attacks with a rock. “Hm? Yes, y/n?”

“I… Can we talk for a minute?”

Concern flashed across his face. “Sure.” He set down the rock, dismissed the attack, and gave you his full attention. “You want to go somewhere more private?”

You nodded. It was… important. To you at least. You wanted answers to questions that weren’t solving themselves.

Cross nodded back and led you to a secluded spot just outside of the trench. The terrain was flat and blank so no one could hide and eavesdrop on the conversation. “What do you want to talk about?” He asked.

You hesitated but went for it. “Dream said he met you when you first entered the ocean and that you had just escaped captivity. And I already knew that you’ve at least been a siren for longer than that. So… What happened?”

Cross straightened and looked away. “Oh. He told you that. Uh.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Shit. Okay. Y’know, Dream is… how do I say this? …He’s not bad. He just wants to help. He helped you the other day. So when he first found me, starving and trying to figure out how currents worked, he helped me. Ink helped too but was about as much help as Killer when he needs to stay still.” Cross chuckled. “He did his best though.”

“Okay. But could you explain why you were in captivity? Last I checked, there was a ban against sirens in captivity unless absolutely necessary and that ‘absolutely necessary’ part was firm about it being a physical disability.” You put your hands on your hips.

Cross shrank at your tone. “I was there all my life. And before you ask, I wasn’t converted. I was and have always been a siren. I was just raised in a lab. The Doctor… he was not nice to me or my pod. He was trying to discover a way to control sirens like how we can control our prey with song. And I think he almost figured it out before……” His eyes flashed and he turned away. “He had to move the aquarium. I don’t remember why. I just remember them sedating us and shipping us across the sea.

“There was a storm, the ship was destroyed, and I made some poor decisions.” Cross looked at his hands as if he expected to find blood and dust on them. Maybe he did. “In my poor choices, I had accidentally forced myself into isolation. Everyone I knew was dead and I couldn’t go back. Not this time. Dream and Ink found me trying to catch fish a week later. They quickly invited me into their pod, Blue welcomed me just as happily, and started teaching me to survive in the oceans.

“And then we had to move, because Dream was tailing somebody. His brother. I decided it was my job to protect Dream and fought to get between him and Nightmare. Nightmare was… careful when he fought me, which I learned later. He could have launched me into the sky if he wanted to, but he didn’t.

“It was a few months later that Nightmare convinced me to join him. Dream was devastated when I left. He kept asking me what he did wrong. He didn’t. He didn’t do anything wrong. Nightmare was just… more prepared for me. Dream, at the time, wasn’t used to dealing with… mortals. Blue was a mortal, sure, but he took care of himself and was busy most of the time visiting his brother. So, since I didn’t know that I needed help, I didn’t learn very important skills. Like song, defense, hunting, and listening for an ambush. I was completely vulnerable.

“Killer caught on to that fact quickly when we first met. He would mess with me. I knew he didn’t like me, I was by Dream’s side just like he was by Nightmare’s, but he didn’t kill me when he could have. Not because he didn’t want to but because Nightmare would stop him every time.

“I didn’t understand. This leviathan, that attacked Dream with enough furiosity to destroy the mountains of the deep, didn’t want his lackey to hurt me, his enemy.

“I also sucked at tactics. I could fight and, in a normal combat situation, I had the upper hand on Killer but Killer was faster. Crueler. He would slip past my attacks and strike me where I was unprotected. He especially loved maiming my dorsal fin. When Dream and I would catch up to Nightmare, Killer would ambush and single me out quickly. Every fight ended either with Nightmare stopping Killer from ending me or Dream dragging me away in retreat.”

Cross sighed in a way that felt like remorse. “It took me far too long to learn how to spot an ambush. And by then, I was exhausted. Dream and Ink don’t need to sleep as much as we do and I didn’t sleep well anyways. They were always doing something, especially when Blue was visiting. Blue was very energetic. So if they weren’t tracking down Nightmare, they were helping other sirens or exercising or making something. Ink insisted that his coral monstrosities were art. They sucked. I don’t know what he was thinking.

“One day, when I could barely see straight, we attacked Nightmare. I tried to fight off Killer, I really did, but he was tearing me apart. And Killer wasn’t alone. Dust attacked me from behind. They restrained me in an embarrassingly short amount of time and Nightmare scooped me up and retreated with me in tow.

“…I woke up three days later, curled up in Nightmare’s tentacles, sleeping peacefully for the first time. He didn’t stop me when I swam away from him and back to Dream. He didn’t even seem to care. He just smiled and turned away as I fled.

“Dream was worried, Ink had already forgotten me, and I was confused. Nightmare hadn’t hurt me or stopped me he just… let me sleep. For days. I couldn’t understand.

“About a week later, we fought Nightmare again. I was tired again, because of how busy Ink and Dream were all week, and Killer approached me instead of ambushing me like before. He teased me about looking like I needed some sleep and jokingly invited me back to sleep with his pod.

“I considered it. And Killer saw me consider it. He laughed it off, we fought, and went home our separate ways. He didn’t tease me after that.

“Nightmare approached me the next fight. He offered, in front of Dream and everyone, to take me in and give me the rest I desperately needed. Dream tried to argue for me but I was so tired. I dismissed my attacks and just swam into Nightmare’s waiting hands.

“Dream was quiet as Nightmare and his pod retreated with me. I haven’t gone back since. Dream just wasn’t prepared for… me. He didn’t know how to take care of a new siren and definitely one like me. I was aggressive, scared, and untrusting. He was not used to dealing with negativity head on so he avoided it. It wasn’t until Nightmare took me in that he realized his mistake. He tried to get me to come back. But I was so tired. I couldn’t go back to that.” He looked so tired and guilty when he finished speaking.

You still had questions. “The… the Doctor. What did he do to you?”

The orca siren was tense, even as he smiled. “Nothing much. Kinda just let me and my pod exist most of the time. Tests were done, sure, but he never physically hurt us. Not our batch, at least.” He mumbled.

“Your batch? Were there others?”

Cross flinched. “Yeah, uh, don’t worry about it.” He wasn’t making eye contact. “It was a long time ago and the details are fuzzy so it doesn’t matter. What does matter, is what Dream and Ink told you.” He finally looked at you, completely serious.

“Uh, it was mostly confusing stuff. Dream said something about helping you out and practically raising you which is why I asked.” Your face twisted in disgust. “And then Ink called both of us useless sirens.”

Cross growled then immediately sighed, defeated. “Yeah, Ink says stuff like that. I can’t say he doesn’t mean it, he does mean it just in the most literal sense. He has no filter and means nothing by it. It’s just how he sees the world. He’ll still hang out with someone he calls useless but, as soon as you’ve heard it once, it’s hard to treat him the same way you used to. Dream and Nightmare understand that he doesn’t mean anything by it, since they can feel the few emotions he does have, but he’s never been able to make friends with anyone other than Blue.”

“Everyone keeps mentioning Blue. Who’s Blue?” You asked.

“Blue?” Cross smiled fondly. “He’s a dolphin siren, like you. Very excitable. He’s always moving, singing, and smiling. You’d like him. Everyone likes him. Stars! Even the destroyer likes him! And he kidnapped Blue!”

“Who what?!”

Cross shushed you. “It’s fine. Error gave him back. Blue had befriended the destroyer all on his own, something no one could even dream of doing. He’s the only siren anyone will allow close without much resistance. He really is magnificent.”

“…W- Was that a pun?” You asked, confused. “I don’t get it.”

“Ah, well,” Cross shrugged. “You’d have to meet him first. He’s awesome. But as I was saying, Ink is kind of an accidental jerk. So don’t take anything he says too seriously.”

“Okay.” You nodded slowly. “All that just opened up more questions than it answered…”

“Yeah…” Cross rubbed the back of his head. “But I don’t think you’ll really understand if I just tell you. It’d be better if you could meet everyone without aggression. Then you could get everyone’s perspective.”

“Why can’t I?” You raised a brow.

Cross hesitated with a guarded look. “Y/n. You can’t swim between two fighting sharks and not get bit. Talking to Dream or Ink right after they attacked you is a terrible idea too. They’ll just want you to leave with them and the guys will attack those Starfish sirens the second they see them. Everyone’s on edge. Don’t do anything stupid.”

You huffed and crossed your arms. “I wasn’t suggesting I go alone. I’m not that dumb.”

Drifting closer, Cross pulled you into a hug. “Just… be careful. We love you. If anything bad happened to you…… just be careful.”

“You already said that.” You pointed out.

“Do I need to say it again?” Cross teased.

You struggled to get out of the hug. “No. Cross don’t.”

“Just be careful.”

“Cross! Stop!” You laughed, trying and failing to stay mad at him.

“Be careful.” He nuzzled his nose into your hair.

“Cross!!”

Sturgeon dragon mayhaps? 👀

They are one of my favorite fish, and look very mythical to me

Bruh! I love these lil sniffers!

There he is! I love him!

Lore Dump! (TroubleAU addition)

Cause I’m bored :p

The Bad Sanses homeschool Bean which leads to… complications…

Bean never thought anything was wrong. She was always a happy and smart kid, and she knew she was loved. The Bad Sanses took care of her, got her toys, played with her, et cetera. They would even sit with her and help her do her schoolwork.

She looked at the paper with confusion as Killer explained.

“See, it says it at the top of the page… ‘Find the odd one in the group.’” He pointed at the pictures on the paper. “So, what do you see right here?”

She leans closer. “A car, a boat, a bus, and another car.”

“So which one doesn’t belong?”

“……The boat?”

“Yes! Good job!” He offered her a high five which she smacked with a grin.

She looked back at the page. “But why can’t the boat be part of the group?”

“Well, it’s different. So it doesn’t belong.”

“Oh.” She continued to stare at the boat on the page. It was very different, but it was still part of the group.

…wasn’t it?

“You think you got this, kiddo?” Killer leaned forward to see her face, his eyelights barely visible in his sockets.

She nodded. “Yeah, I got it! Thanks, Kili!”

He smiled and walked around the table to talk to Dust which would probably end up with him teasing Dust and getting his butt whooped again. Bean turned back to the page.

Then she looked at her hands. Her hands were pretty small, especially next to Horror’s hands, but that didn’t bother her this time.

……Her hands didn’t look like her brothers’ hands. In fact, she didn’t look like her brothers. They were all made up of bones and magic but her? She was all squishy and soft. She was different, wasn’t she? The odd one. The one that… didn’t belong…

She looked back up at Killer and Dust. Dust had summoned a bunch of attacks and was sending them flying at Killer who expertly dodged them and countered with his own attacks. She couldn’t do that either. Summon attacks. Use magic.

The words on the paper glared at her. ‘Find the odd one in the group.’

“Well, it’s different. So, it doesn’t belong.”

She was different.

She didn’t belong.

After she finished her schoolwork, she locked herself in the bathroom and tugged at her skin for several hours. Nightmare found her and got her to open the door but she refused to answer any of his concerned questions.

So basically the poor girl has identity issues that leads to some very bad outcomes I’ll explain one day. But I kinda wanna leave y’all on a cliffhanger so this is all you’re getting for now.

Love y’all! Stay safe!

I drew my seahorse siren Dream!

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