Hunter Whump - Tumblr Posts

Whumptober day 2: Role reversal

Whumptober day 3: "I warned you"

Whumptober day 4: "You still alive in my head"

Febuwhump day 3: Muzzled

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Bad Batch

Warning: Character death

(I'm so proud of this story lol. Please enjoy.)

Hunter woke up in a cold, dark room. Looking around he noted the room was empty other than him. His wrist met with metal as he tried to pull them up. He was sitting on his knees, both his ankles and wrist cuffed. A tight cloth was tied around his head, tucked into his mouth to stop him from speaking. Trying to move the chains kept him against the wall.

    He tried to recount what had happened to lead him to this. He remembered being separated from the rest of the batch on their last mission. The planet was freezing cold and it started to take its toll on him. Walking through the woods he would be found by Crosshair who would stun him.

    Hunter wondered why Cross hadn't just killed him. Crosshair wanted him dead, he wanted all of them dead.

    Hours passed before light spilled into the room as the door opened. Hunter looked up to see his brother. "Hello Hunter." Crosshair said coldly.

    Hunter attempted to greet the soldier but was once again reminded of the cloth that restrained him from speaking.

    Crosshair chuckled "what's wrong, cat got your tongue?" He hissed.

    Hunter rolled his eyes.

    "Don't get too comfortable Hunter. Soon you'll see." Crosshair moved to the upper corner of the room.

    Hunter wondered what that could possibly mean. His question was answered soon after as he heard familiar voices taking of how to free their brother. Hunter panicked and looked at Crosshair. He was the bait.

    Crosshair grabbed one of his vibro-knifes from his armor. Hunter relieved whoever walked through that door first would have no chance to see what was waiting for them. It was a perfect plan.

    Hunter frantically tried to free himself from the chains. He desperately tried to remove the gag from his mouth. He could hear the footsteps of his family running closer to the cell he occupied. The beeping of the combination to the door scared him. He wished the batch would have just left him instead of falling for Crosshair's trap.

    The door opened. Tech walked through the door first followed by Echo. The other two stayed outside to guard the room. Little did they know the danger was already inside.

    Hunter tried desperately to alert his brothers of Crosshair. His muffled screams were heard but not understood until Crosshair's knife submerged in Tech upper back. Tech fell to the floor. Hunter shrieked, Echo gasped and took a step back as Omega and Wrecker took their eyes off the hall. All relieved what had happened. Crosshair had killed Tech. Crosshair had killed their brother, his brother in what he would say is in the name of the empire.

    Crosshair had no remorse. He stepped closer to Echo who had fallen to the floor in disbelief. He knew Tech was dead but needed to prove it to himself in some way. Echo couldn't lose another brother. Not after so maybe. Hunter continued screaming into the cloth, both to warn the others and from the sheer pain of losing his brother to one of their own.

    Wrecker would attack Crosshair while Omega would run to Tech and Echo. Echo shook Tech trying to wake him. He couldn't grasp the fact that Tech would never wake again. Like his other brothers he would forever rest, never to be bothered by the pain of the real world again.

    Crosshair jabed the knife towards Wrecker. Wrecker moved to the left to avoid injury. This unfortunately opened Crosshair to new possibilities. He slung the knife towards Echo. More attempted warnings ignored. Echo however would move on his own to stand and be hit in the lower back. This would force him right back on his knees.

    The suppressed screaming hadn't ceased. Attempting to warn the batch, trying to get them to leave. Hearing soldiers coming closer and closer. Though no one understood him, he pleaded to his family to leave him. Even if they did understand him they wouldn't. That's the way they were or at least were now.

Wrecker slammed Crosshair into the wall "Omega try to free Hunter!"

The girl moved from where she was comforting Echo over to Hunter. As to not scare her he finally let his voice rest.

"Hold on Hunter" she spoke softly. Gently untying the gag she pulled it away from his face.

"Leave, soldiers, hall" Hunter stuttered out, his throat horse and in pain.

"Hunter, we aren't gonna just leave you here." She fiddled with Hunters chains, attempting to free him.

"Please, no one else needs to die here." He begged her.

Omega's heart broke. No matter what they did Hunter always tried to look out for them. He couldn't let it be the other way. It was like if he didn't find a way to save them, no matter the cost, he would fail them. "Wrecker" the blonde began, "can you come get these chains off Hunter?" Omega's voice sounded calm. Hunter knew she wasn't, he knew it was for him. His heart shattered as he realized the position she was put in, the position that didn't allow her to be a child.

"You need to leave, please." Hunter looked at Wrecker as he walked over to him. "They're coming."

"We aren't going to leave you." Wrecker kneeled down and pulled the chains out of the wall and floor.

Echo had begun to attempt to fight Crosshair.

Picking up Hunter, Wrecker kneeled down to Tech. "I got them both, let's go!"

Echo moved from where he was and waited until the others were out of the room before rushing out. He would close the door before Crosshair would get the chance to leave.

The team would hardly escape. Back on the Marauder the family attempted to stay together, all just barely holding themselves in one piece.

After a while everyone was physically stable. Now they were left with three adults, one child, and a body. Cid would pity them and give them some time. None of them weren't sure how much time they really could take or how to properly handle the sharp grief that came with losing Tech.

Hunter rubbed the part of his face the gag had been. If only he could have told them, if only that cursed cloth hadn't been there.

@febuwhump

Febuwhump Day 4: Knife to the throat

Fandom: Star wars

Timeline: The Bad Batch

Warning violence

Crosshair perched in the tree. He waited and waited for one of his brothers to arrive, maybe even for his little sister. Today he righted the wrong of letting the rogue clones live in the first place, today he picked them off one by one.

    Hunter walked carefully through the woods. He listened for his family and for any unfriendlies. The clone kept he's eyes peeled, every hair was on its end. Something wasn't right but no matter what he did, he simply couldn't put his finger on it. No matter what he could have done nothing prepared Hunter for what was next.

    Crosshair eyed his target. After fighting alongside Hunter his whole life he knew exactly how his brother would act. The soldier grabbed a puck and threw it to a nearby tree.

    Hunter spotted the shine of the puck. He swiftly moved from his spot out in the open, well as open as the woods could be to a spot behind a tree. Hunter was exactly where Crosshair wanted him. He pulled his gun and tried to find Cross. He wasn't sure how the sniper had managed to get past him. Unless... Crosshair had planned this.

    Crosshair shot the puck . He watched the surprise on the others face as the bullet hit his gun. Slightly angling his rifle differently he proceeded to almost immediately shoot his beloved brother in the left kneecap.

     Hunter cried out as the bullet hit his knee. He leaned against the tree then slid down to sit. Hunter reached for one of his vibro-knifes but quickly remembered they had been left of the ship. He had been cleaning them previously and simply forgot to put them back. Echo had even reminded him. Hunter knew Crosshair hadn't missed, he never misses so what did he want?

    Crosshair climbed down from his hide out and walked towards Hunter.

    Pulling his arm up, Hunter touched his comm.

    "I wouldn't" Crosshair spat.

    Hunter moved his arm to his knee "so, what do you want?"

    "Smart." As soon as Crosshair got close enough Hunter attempted to kick him with his uninjured leg. Crosshair took one step closer and kicked in Hunter's other knee. He screeched with pain, tears welling in his eyes. Hunter  wondering what in the hell Crosshair wanted from him. Could he?  No. Hunter hoped Crosshair wouldn't do that to him. If Crosshair was going to kill him he'd at least let it be quick right?

    Crosshair kneeled down to Hunter's level, pushing his vibro-knife to the others throat. Hunter flinched thinking Crosshair was going in for the kill. "Listen here Hunter" Crossing hissed "I'm here to fix my mistakes. He pushed the knife into Hunter's skin. "I'll start with you."

    "Crosshair please." Hunter's voice was shaky and faint. Crosshair looked his brother in the eyes. He hadn't seen Hunter so scared in quite some time.

    Hunter was shaking. The agony in his legs made him wish he were Echo. If the knife went any further he would die. He grabbed Crosshair's arm and pulled the knife away from his throat. Curling his hand into a fist he hit Crosshair.

    Crosshair pulled his arm out of the others grip and slowly stood. Hunter attempted to stand only to be met with stabbing pain. Unable to do much else to protect himself Hunter defensively set his arms in front of him.

    "Good soldiers follow orders." Snarled Crosshair.

    "Then I'm not a good soldier."

    Crosshair moved his arm back ready to throw the knife to take his brother's life. Hunter drew into himself, preparing himself to meet the Domino squad.

    Suddenly Crosshair fell to the ground. Hunter lifted his head to see Echo. "Are you okay?" Echo walked over to his brother.

    Hunter shook his head yes before once more making the decision to try to stand. He yelped as he put the slightest amount of pressure on his legs

    "Stop Hunter, sit down." Echo spoke calmly. "Let me look."

    Before Echo got the chance Hunter explained what had happened.

    "Let's get you back to the ship okay?"

    "Alright. What are we going to do about Crosshair?" Despite everything Hunter still cared for his brother. He grew up beside him, how could he not.

    "He'll be fine." Echo gently picked Hunter up. Together the two headed to the Marauder where the rest of the batch would meet soon.

Febuwhump Day 7: Forced to watch

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Bad Batch

Warning: graphics depictions of violence

Hunter had been sitting in an empty room for a while now. The cold metal cuffed his wrist like tight bracelets. Short chains attached him to the wall. The mans knees ache and his legs felt numb and cold from sitting on them. He wished to move but he wore a matching set of anklets that kept his feet to the floor.

    The batch had been contacted by Rex to extract one of his clone contacts from the empire. Chex had been found out and he wasn't able to pick him up. The batch complied and left for Coruscant. They were able to grab him but Hunter had been separated from his family and cornered. He instructed them to leave and they reluctantly obeyed.

    "We gotta stop leaving people behind" Echo spoke. He had joined them for the mission and would now help with freeing his younger brother. "I'll contact Rex and let him know what happened."

    Omega uncomfortably shifted "Echo's right."

    Tech turned to the girl, "we couldn't have done anything Omega. We had to leave for our safety and for Chex's."

    "I'm sure Hunter's fine!" Wrecker chimed in. "He probably would have yelled at us had we gone to get him anyway!"

    That was true. Everyone at that point knew Hunter held the others life before his. That seemed to be a trait most clones had, most Jedi too.

    "I didn't mean to cause such a problem for y'all. Sorry." Chex held his hands behind his back, rubbing his fingers together nervously.

    "Na it's fine!" Wrecker slammed his hand on the regs back.

    "Your brother got captured! I can help you get him back if you need?"

    Tech sighed and turned around to face the others "We will be fine. It's not safe for you to go back to Coruscant and it would be a shame if we rescued you just for you to die." With that Tech turned back to piloting the ship.

    Chex opened his mouth to argue but decided he could convince them anyway.

    Crosshair walked into the room that held his former sargent.

    "Hello Crosshair."

    "You're working with the rebels I see" he began. "Such a shame."

    "Only this once" he stated. This wasn't true, they were working for Rex but no matter how hard Hunter might try the sniper wouldn't believe him.

    "I knew you couldn't stay out of trouble." Crosshair antagonized.

    "So why am I alive? Don't you kill traitors?"

    "I need information, I just have to wait a little longer."

    "Longer? What are you waiting for? You have your vibro-knife and I'm sure you can find other methods around here." Hunter pressed, hoping to take Cross off guard. It wasn't that he really minded not being tortured but the sooner it began the sooner it was over. He'd hoped Crosshair wouldn't do that to him but you don't always get what you hoped for, do you.

    "No amount of physical torment will get you to talk." This stuck fear into Hunter and the soldier saw it. No matter how hard his brother may try to hide it, his eyes betrayed him. "I just need the rest of your squad."

    "Crosshair what are you gonna do to them?" His voice wavered.

    "You'll just have to see." Hate, that's all Hunter heard in his brother's voice. He misses the slight caring sound that Crosshair's voice used to be laced with when he was with them. The door closed and Hunter was once more alone with his cruel mind.

    Crosshair was right, of course the batch came back for Hunter. They dropped Chex and Omega off with Rex. Rex didn't mind babysitting for he knew how dangerous infiltrating the empire was and didn't want the kid to get hurt. Omega attempted to argue but was shut down quickly by the harsh reality of the situation. The three 'adults' rushed back to Coruscant. They fell right into Crosshair's uncaring hands.

    Crosshair forced Tech into the cell Hunter occupied. He pushed the mercenary to he's knees in front of Hunter. Stepping on the others legs Crosshair placed two strong, half circle magnets over Tech's ankles and activated them.

    Attempting to free himself Tech tried to pull his leg up. He came to the conclusion that only Wrecker would be able to lift the magnets.

    "Tech" Hunter assessed his brother to find any injuries. He began to breathe again when he saw he was uninjured. "Where's-" Tech cut him off.

    "I'm not sure. I only know where Omega is and she's safe off world."

    Hunter sighed in relief. Now he just had to figure out how to get the others to safety.

    Crosshair pulled his vibro-knife out and stared into Hunter's eyes. "I'll give you one chance before I harm him."

    Hunter looked at Tech. Tech of course shook his head no. The leader looked back to Crosshair who sighed and stepped behind Tech. The clone prepared himself for the burning pain that came with knives. The knife easily slid over the victim's chest. He gasped and looked away from Hunter.

    Both understood what was happening, the batch had been trained to withstand large amounts of pain. Out of the two, Hunter had the bigger heart and would break before Tech would.

    "Hunter." Tech looked back up at him. Hunter met his eyes. "Don't tell him anything."

    Hunter nodded. From their it only got worse. Crosshair knew how to inflict unbearable pain. It used to work in their favor. None of them ever thought their brother could hurt them the way he hurt strangers. Now they seemed to be strangers with memories.

    The knife wasn't the only method of torment Crosshair had brought. Electricity would course though the mans body. Hunter could do nothing other than watch as his brother tore apart his other brother. As he continued Hunter started to fight against the chains. Despite to get help Tech he pulled and pulled, tiring himself. Warm blood ran over his hands from his wrist. Hunter didn't even know.

    Tech's screams shattered Hunter's heart. He would open his mouth to speak but Tech would stop him with a look or verbally if he could. He knew what was coming for him if this continued but he also knew the empire could never know that Rex was alive.

   Hunter once more opened his mouth. "No" Tech breathed. "It won't matter anyway." He struggled to speak but he knew he had to tell Hunter. "I'll... die anyway." Tech's voice was always sort of monotone. Hearing so much emotion and pain slip though his mouth scared them both. 

    Crosshair spoke over Tech's sobs and Hunter's soft crying, "you like taking Tech, you always have." He moved from his position next to Tech to behind him. Hunter fought the chains harder, not that he hasn't been fighting as hard as he could.

    Crosshair took the knife to a little bit under Tech's right tear duct and angled it at around seven o'clock. He slowly dragged the knife down until it retched the bottom of his face. The wound ran over his lips making it difficult but not impossible to speak.

    Tech's head was spinning, it had been for a while. The wounds he has received could not hurt him as much as the hopeless feeling that came with them. He hated that Hunter must be feeling the same way. Forced to watch as he slowly died, unable to help him. Somewhere in Hunter's brain he needed to protect them.

    "Tech!" Hunter had been calling for his brother for almost a minute now. Crosshair rose the knife again. "Wait" Hunter yelled. He looked at Tech who looked out of it. His breathing had become labored and blood ran down his face and body. "I'll tell you just please stop, you're gonna kill him!"

    The leaders broken screams pleased Crosshair. He'd won. "Go on."

    "Omega's" Tech coughed "with" his voice drifted. The clone used his last bit of energy trying to keep his little sister safe. He collapsed.

    "Tech!" Hunter stared at his brother helplessly.

    Crosshair kicked Tech to the side and kneeled down in front of Hunter. He grabbed his face and forced him to look him to the eyes, "look what you've done." He hissed.

    "No." Hunter whispered. "Is he?"

    "He is and it's your fault."

    The soft cry became a full sob. He was forced to watch his brother die. He couldn't save him. That helpless feeling made him sick.

    Crosshair stood and walked out the door, leaving Hunter to deal with his mind once more.

    Rex, Omega, and Chex knew something wasn't right. When Phee and Cid agreed they decided to contact Trevor, another informant of Rex's. Soon after the five would depart from Ord Mentell.

    Arriving the group located the brothers and snuck to break them out. Finding the cell block they stopped Infront of Wreckers cell. Omega went to open the door but Rex reached out his arm out, stopping her. "Be careful, I'm not sure what we're gonna find." Cautiously Omega opened the door.

    Wrecker looked up at his found family and smiled, "good to see ya!"

    "Not so loud!" Cid whisper yelled.   

    "Wrecker!" Omega ran to the large man and hugged him.

    "Hey kid" he spoke softly. "Let's go get the others."

    Walking down the hall the band kept the same cautiousness as before when opening the door. When Echo greeted them with a thankful smile, Rex let himself relax a little. Yes he cared for all of them but none of them fought beside him as long as Echo had. The two were close and Rex wasn't sure what he'd do if he lost Echo again.

    Now seven the group quickly moved to the cell Tech was supposed to occupy. Opening the door to not find him scared them.

    "Where's Tech? He's supposed to be here." Omega turned back to Rex. Rex looked at the adults, all assuming the worst.

    Echo kneeled down to Omega, resting a hand on her little shoulder. "I'm sure we'll find him." The group walked to Hunter's cell and paused. Phee pushed the combination into the panel and the door slid open.

    Inside Hunter leaned against the wall softly crying. Tech rested on the cold floor. The noise startled the leader and he looked up.

    Rushing into the room Omega ran to Hunter to release him of the heavy chains. The others spread across the room as Echo dropped to check on Tech. As eyes landed to Tech feelings rose. Anger, sadness, fear, everything.

    As soon as Hunter was free he attended to stand. His numb legs failed him and he collapsed. Phee caught him and gently placed him back on the ground. "Careful dark and broody, take your time. You're safe." Her soft voice took Hunter off guard and he leaned into her.

    "He wasn't. I failed him Phee. I could have saved him and now-" He couldn't say it.

    Phee ran her hands over his head and looked to the others. Was brown eyes dead?

    Echo checked Tech for a pulse. "He's got a pulse! It's weak but it's there!"

    Hunter quickly sat up and looked over to the others "Crosshair told me" he smiled softly"he's okay?"

    "Far from okay but yeah he's definitely alive." Cid shook her head.

    "It'll take more than that to kill Tech! He's too stubborn to die!" Wrecker walked over to Tech and picked him up, "now let's get out of here!"

    Hunter tried to stand again, some feeling in his legs had returned but he still wobbled. "Here" Phee grabbed the sergeant, "I gotta."

    The team made their way out of the cell block. Once outside the building Phhe set Hunter down. "Thanks." The clone felt somewhat embarrassed by Phee carrying him the whole way out but being close to someone was nice. He tried to get her to set him down a few times but she wouldn't budge.

    The group ran to the Marauder and headed back to Ord Mantell. Tech would be fine. When he'd wake up Hunter apologized profusely. Of course Tech wasn't even upset. He would have to get used to the mark across his face but that was miner. It would always remind Hunter of his failure to protect his brother. For Tech it was a reminder of the monster Crosshair had become.

    Hunter always hated that helpless feeling when he could help anyone, he always would. Being forced to watch what he thought was his brother's demise stayed with him, hunting his dreams forever.

Febuwhump Day 8: Panic

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Bad Batch/Clone Wars

The batch looked around, it was only their second mission but it was important. They had their orders to assist the 212th on one of the middle rim planets. Still consided shinys Cody watched them closely to make sure they made it out of this hell hole alive. Of course he watched all his troops closely but he always watched shinys closer.

    Hunter had a lot on his mind. Of course there was the mission, but also the safety of his brother. As squad leader he had to keep them safe, it was his job. The planet was bright, it was bright and it was load. Sure Hunter had been born with his super senses but he'd never experienced something quite so much.

    The clone kept his calm for most of the mission. He couldn't do anything about the sensory problems now and even if he could it wasn't safe. Hunter knew he was pushing down the enviable, but right now he couldn't afford to do anything but suffer through it.

    Cody saw something was wrong with the squad leader but wasn't sure what. Maybe he just had a constantly worried face? Cody wasn't sure what was wrong but something definitely was.

    The battle was nearing its end. Cody hated it when shinys ended up on front lines. They had the training but nothing can properly prepare you for the real thing.

    The crash of a droid next to Hunter started him. "Hey! Get your head in this or your gonna die!" Cody yelled. The sargent snapped. His breathing speed up. A nearby explosion made him yelp as he sank to the muddy ground. "Hunter, gets up." Cody's voice was laced with concern. He moved beside the shiny and provided cover.

    "It's so much" Hunter spoke between gasps. "I.. I can't."

    Cody had seen this before. He knew he couldn't do much but keep the soldier from dying. "What is it?" He spoke loudly yet kindly.

    Hunter winced at the noise. The battle field was as quiet as it could be so the movement confused the commander. "What startled you?" Again he yelled.

    "Please stop yelling." Hunter spoke at a normal tone.

    "What?"

    The man drew more into himself, covering his ears. His eyes had already been glued to the ground. He moved his arms to move the blacks from around his neck in a tearing motion; the texture being too much.

    This concerned the commander more. Responding to the harsh movement Cody dropped to the ground, grabbing for Hunter's hands. "Hunter you've gotta calm down!"

    "Stop yelling... Please" he begged.

    It hit Cody. The heightened senses, that's what was causing the panic. He didn't think that would be a problem, then again he never thought of the negative effects of their mutations. "Okay, sorry." This time he whispered

    Cody pushed Hunter's hands over his ears, "keep them their."

    Hunter frantically moved his arms to one of his vibro-knifes and flung it past Cody, straight into a droid. Cody looked back at where the droid had stood for a brief second before going back to helping Hunter.

    Hunter's breathing hadn't really slowed, his legs were still tightly pulled up against his chest, and he had once again gone to tear his shirt's collar. This time blood would be drawn before Cody could do anything to stop it.

    Once more Cody moved Hunter's hands over his ears. It didn't really help with the noise but it was a start. It also kept the clone from trying to tear himself apart so Cody would take it.

    Hunter's comm buzzed, "Hunter we are at the rendezvous, where are you?" Tech asked. Silence.

    "Hey Hunter you good." Wrecker would follow. Again the brothers were met with silence.

    "Hello boys, this is Commander Cody. Hunter's alright just overwhelmed. I got him. Go ahead and meet with the others." Cody used Hunter's comm as he spoke to the men.

    "Alright." Crosshair followed.

    Cody stayed with Hunter until he was able to claim down. Once Hunter's breathing was under control the two moved from their position to a much safer one. There the commander was able to claim down the sergeant. After all was well, as well as things can be in a war zone, Cody and Hunter would return to the fight.

    The battle would be won and the batch was safe. "Hey, before you go" Cody started, following Hunter to the Marauder. "Comm me if you ever need anything okay?"

    Hunter looked into Cody's eyes and smiled, "thank you for your help today. I never expected for a battlefield to be so... much."

    "You never do."

    "Anyway thank you. We will. Comm us if you ever need somebody for a suicide mission." Hunter joked.

    "Will do." The two shook hands and off they went, returning to their prospected families. A beautiful friendship bloomed from the mud and tears on the battlefield. One that would last for quite some time.

Febuwhump Day 9: Voice loss.

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Bad Batch

Screaming. Hunter had been doing a lot of that. His voice had become hoarse and his throat throbbed. Some imperial soldiers had brought him in. Since then the torture had been endless. They wanted information on the rebels. No matter how many times Hunter said he didn't know they just kept harming him. The interrogator also wanted the location of the rest of the batch. Hunter knew that; Echo was with Rex and the rest of them were on Ord Mantell, But that he would never tell.

    Soon the hoarse yelling became no noise at all. Hunter continued attempting to tell the clone that he didn't know. Nothing came out. "What, cat got your tongue or something?" Crank antagonized.

    Hunter had asked for the soldier's name when he had entered, hoping the gesture would help him out a little and because asking a clone for their name was meaningful; well to most of them. Though Crank had seemed pleasantly surprised it was no use.

    The mercenary opened him mouth to argue but just closed it again.

    The door slid open to reveal Crosshair. "Hello Hunter" he hissed. Then the clone actually looked at his brother. Hunter saw the surprise and worry in his eyes for a brief second.

    'hello Crosshair' Hunter mouthed. The sniper was able to read lips, his mutation helped him immensely with this.

    "Use your voice Hunter."

    'I can't.'

    "Why?" Crosshair whispered low enough for only his brother to hear.

    'Maybe Cross still cares after all' Hunter though. "Screaming took it."

    Crosshair turned to the reg, "You do know we can't use him if he can't speak right? Idiot. I'll take care of him."

    Crank shrugged and left the room.

    It hurt Crosshair to see Hunter like this. The man was bloody and bruised. He'd seen him like this before but that was when he was on his side. Now he was on the side hurting him.

    "I'll find you something for your throat." Crosshair softened.

    Crosshair was never really outwardly kind. It meant a lot to Hunter knowing despite everything; despite every time they left him, the fact that in his eyes they betrayed him, for not trusting him; that Crosshair still cared.

    The door closed and Hunter was alone. For the first time he assessed his injuries. They consisted of deep cuts, colorful bruises, burn marks from electricity, broken bones, and his raw throat. His throat burned. He needed to be able to speak, how else could he lead his family? How could he comfort them or protect them? He couldn't warn them of harm if he couldn't speak. The rest of the injuries didn't really concern him, just the voice loss.

    Crosshair would come back later with a cup of tea. How he managed to obtain the tea confused Hunter but he was thankful. His wrists were freed and he shakingly grabbed the cup. Giving his brother a nod to thank him he took a sip. It was somehow his favorite. This made the man smile. The gesture helped his heart more than it helped his throat.

    Footsteps. Familiar footsteps. The door opened and the batch spilled into the room. Surprisingly blaster fire did not follow. "We're here too... Ummm what?" Wrecker stood bewildered.

    The scene unraveling in front of him was certainly far from expected. Crosshair was helping Hunter. He sat beside Hunter with his hand slightly under the cup, ready to grab it if it fell.

    Echo still held his gun to the soldier. The others had lowered theirs. "Are you sure that's not poisoned." Echo was suspicious and for good reason. Crosshair was an imperial soldier after all. Crosshair gave Echo a death glare.

    Hunter looked past Crosshair and nodded, signaling Echo to lower his weapon. He complied.

    "We need to get out of here. It won't be long before the empire notices we are here." Tech said.

    Hunter tried to stand. His legs gave out on him and he started to fell. Crosshair caught him and lowered him back to the ground. "Wrecker come here" but of course no sound came out.

    "Hunter I think you forgot something there" Omega joked.

    Crosshair had sat beside Hunter once more. "He can't talk."

    "Why not?" Wrecker respond.

    "Likely the torture. Your vocal cords can only handle so much stress before you cannot talk. He should be fine." Tech answered.

    Omega looked worried. Hunter gave her a soft smile which calmed he fears slightly. Wrecker walked over to his injured brother and picked him up. Hunter winced.

    "Sorry." Wrecker had nothing to apologize for and he knew it. However it made him feel a little bit better about any necessary pain he caused.

    "Do you hear anyone?" Echo asked. Hunter shook his head and turned to face Crosshair. He pulled his arm out and offered his hand to Crosshair. He looked tempted. "No. My place is here, your place should be here."

    "We don't see eye to eye on that." Wrecker sighed, "we miss you though."

    "We can't fight for something we don't believe in." Echo spoke. Crosshair nodded.

    "If you ever need us try to let us know okay?" Omega hugged her brother, and then they left.

    Crosshair grabbed the tea cup from the floor and softly smiled. He made the right choice letting them leave over and over. Maybe he'd let them take him one day.

Febuwhump Day 12: "Can you hear me?"

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Clone Wars/The Bad Batch

War zones were always loud. Explosions drowned out orders and screams. No matter what Hunter heard it all. His enhanced senses made sure if that. Even if it was Echo's job to repeat orders, Hunter found himself relaying the messages others could not hear.

    Wrecker hadn't seen Hunter when he set the explosives. The Demolitionist pushed his thumb down and set the explosives off.

    Hunter was pushed back by the pressure. He fell to the ground. Echo had seen what happened and rushed to his brother's side. He dropped to his his knees beside him. "Hunter, you okay?" There was no answer. "Hunter?" Echo yelled. Now he was panicking. "Hunter can you hear me?" Fear struck into his heart as he gently removed the mans helmet. Franticly the cyborg removed his glove and checked for a pulse. It was there.

    Hunter's head was spinning. He snapped back to reality when Echo removed his helmet Echo's mouth moved but no words came out. Come to think of it the world was quite, to quite.

    "We gotta go! Can you move?" Hunter looked confused. "Can you hear me? We gotta go!" Hunter shifted and carefully sat up.

    With Echo helping him Hunter stood. Neither had noted the blood trickling from the man's ears. Wrecker however saw it. He put the pieces together and his heart sank. He injured his squad leader, his brother.

    Hunter and Echo moved behind a nearby rock. Only then did Echo see the blood. "Hunter, can you hear me?" With his brother's highest senses he had to right?

    Hunter stared at his brother, unaware of what he said.

    Echo drew a question mark with his scomp in the sand and pointed to his ear. The other reached up to his own ear. When he pulled it away the crimson liquid stared him. He'd seen lots of blood but never from his ear. The clones brain attempted to process what was going on.

     The reg was able to find the answer on his own.

    The shock was prominent on Hunter's face. He slowly shook his head no.

    Echo called over the medic and Hunter would be checked out. The medic didn't let him

    Back on the Marauder Tech would give Hunter a more thorough check up. Other than large bruises from the fall he was fine. The man would be very sore. Then there was his ears.

    "He's lost his hearing. No worries as it would be temporary." Tech found no point in telling Hunter as he wouldn't hear him, so he just told the rest of his brothers.

    "Should be?" Wrecker stood nervously. He caused Hunter to lose his hearing in the first place. The clone wasn't sure what he'd do if it was permanent.

    Echo grabbed a pen and a sheet of paper. 'Tech said you should be able to hear again.' he scribbled.

    Hunter nodded. Even when he could hear his volume control was out of sorts. Wrecker snatched the pen and quickly wrote his apology. Hunter smiled softly and spoke, "it's okay, you didn't mean to."

    Wrecker gave him a soft hug. The five began doing there own things until. They were back on Kamino.

    Around a day and a half into Hunter's hearing loss he stared to notice just how peaceful the quiet could be. The man never knew a life without his hearing. It was arguably his most valuable trait. After so long of hearing everything, hearing nothing was a change. It was calming. There were no over hearing death threats; often targeted towards him and his brother's, no suicide plans, no dirty conversations, and no classified information he was unknowingly interested him with.

    The batch walked to the mess hall. They greeted Hunter who had left a little earlier than he normally would. Afterwards the others would go to join their 'brothers' in line.

    A reg walked behind Hunter and started to talk. His rant went on until he noticed that Hunter wasn't paying a bit of attention to him. He had no idea the reg was even there to begin with.

    Roughly, the reg slammed his hand into Hunter's back. Annoyed he tried around. "Can you not hear me idiot." The reg just about yelled. "Or do you know that I'm right about you and your pathetic little squad?"

    Hunter just sort of stared, unsure of how to handle the situation. If he knew what the clone was saying he could at least answer but now he had no real way to verbally defend himself.

    Echo would enter the situation, informing the reg that Hunter indeed could not hear him. Once the reg finally backed off the brothers enjoyed their lunch.

    A few days later Hunter began hearing his brother's voices faintly. He was glad to have his hearing back but part of him would miss the silence. Even if most all the clones sounded the same he was able to pick out his brothers.

    Echo walked up to Hunter and asked if he could be heard. For the first time in a week he'd answer with "faintly". Everything would go back to normal soon.

Febuwhump Bay 21: Inferno (alr prompt)

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Bad Batch

Warnings: Character death and somewhat graphic depictions

Old and new buildings always fell the same way when fire overtook them. It never mattered what or who was inside when the building gave. Family homes and war command posts collapsed under the same pressure, no matter the memories inside. Innocent children and terrible murderers succumb to the same smoke and flames when an exit could not be found. Both feared the pain that would come with the overpowering smoke consuming the air or when their skin lit up like Christmas lights.

  Fires like this were the worst. Fires like this one torn apart families. A bounty hunter had found Omega and taken her to an old warehouse while waiting for further instructions. Of course her brothers came and rescued her. Warehouses like this were already unstable.

    When the fight against the bounty hunter started a spark lit a small flame. No one saw the heated light until it started growing. By then the hunter had been killed and the girl untied. Running through the halls the floor creacked.

    Hunter skidded to a stop putting his arms out. The fire had spread quickly. He pushed Tech back into Wrecker as the floor caved in under him. Hunter fell down to the floor below them.

    "Hunter!" Omega's voice rang through the air. Wrecker pulled her away from the newly created edge.

    After a moment Hunter looked up to them, "I'll find another way out! Go!"

    The four complied and left. Now to find a way out. Hunter pulled himself up and stood slowly. The pain from the fall made moving difficult. Smoke had filed most places inside the walls of the old decrepit building.

    Breathing became difficult as did seeing. Hunter wasn't sure how much time had passed. He did know that his family was safe outside. They talked about going to get him but Tech tried to reason with them. "We can't go back inside. Hunter can get out on his own. If we went back in there is a possibility that we could die. Hunter would never forgive himself if something happened to any of us. The best thing we can do is wait." Tech was right. That's exactly what he wanted them to do.

    While making his way to the closest exit a support beam fell, trapping him under it. Pain shot through Hunter's body and it took a moment before he started squirming to escape it.

    The heat began to rise as the fire creeped up on him. With the clones enhanced senses it felt like the fire was already clawing at his body. He had no way to contact his family; if not for anything then for closer. Out of everything Hunter thought could take him out he never thought a beam and some fire would do it.

    The outside the building looked like it had been engulfed in the flames. Hope faded from the family's minds as the fire got worse and worse. Omega cried insisting they had to at least try while Tech argued with her. Wrecker and Echo tried to get the two to stop but it didn't work. All of them wanted to go in and save him. Hunter wouldn't answer his comm; rather this was because it was broken or he was dead none of them knew.

    Looking around Hunter gave up. The orange and yellow attacker had seemingly surrounded him. Could the smoke kill him first or would he have to suffer being torn apart by flames?

    Hunter listened to the batch talk. Hearing their voices almost relaxed him. At least the man knew the others cared.

    The inferno had destroyed Hunter's hope the same way it destroyed the building. It tore it down and suffocated it. The fire started spreading from just the building to the surrounding area.

    As the fire started talking over nearby buildings and trees the family knew they had to leave. With heavy hearts they ran back to the Marauder.

    Hunter couldn't really breathe. The flames engulfed the room. Pained screaming escaped his mouth as the fire caressed his skin. The pain would be over in time and suddenly nothing hurt.

    Not long after the family would leave they would learn of how far the fire had spread. They comforted each other, understanding that their brother had died in the inferno. Of course the flames had claimed other lives as well. Nearby wildlife fell victim to the flames.

    Somewhere in Echo's mind he decided the Domino squad would take care of Hunter until they got there. The four would tell him stories that Echo never had the strength to repeat. His other fallen brothers would greet him and then greet the others as they came.

    Tech blamed himself. Likely he would have been the one to fall to the next floor; to die in that cursed building. Now he had to watch as his family grieve their oldest. Somewhere the man knew that Hunter chose to save him, that it was Hunter's fault he burned in the warehouse, but blaming himself was easier than admitting the truth.

    Wrecker did his best to keep the family sane. Unfortunately this came at his expense. The clone didn't mind because he helped them. Slowly his happy attitude became more protective and tired.

    Omega tried to help her brothers as she fell apart. In her mind it was her fault for making them go to that damn building. Not only was his death on her so we're the numerous others.

    Slowly the family would heal. In the same way the life around the warehouse would grow again they would live again. Going on without the guidance and comfort from their squad leader, their brother was difficult but it was what he would want. In the same way fire rises they would rise again.

A Month of Whump Day 1: Environmental

Fandom: Star Wars The Bad Batch

Warning: violence

Summary: Hunter takes a few regs to scout the area around a recovered base. What will happen when they are caught in a rock slide?

    Hunter had been sent with some regs to scout the surroundings around the Republic base the battalion had just reclaimed. The other batch members were to stay back to help where needed. The sergeant heard the rocks before the others. Warning them they all tried to get out of the way. Pieces of the land crashed down on top of them.

    Hunter moved from under a thin layer of rock and mub. He escaped to the outside of the tomb. Sitting on the cold ground he started at the rocks. Had anyone survived? After a moment he was able to find the sound of labored breathing. The pain in his wrist already told him he was on his own for now. There was only one thing left to do; dig. 

    The rocks were slippery and sharp. It didn't take long for Hunter's gloves to be torn to shreds. His hands would follow in their footsteps.

    After an unknown amount of time the soldier finally found someone. By this point his hands were covered in his own blood. The reg, known as Butters, breathed healthy. Hunter assessed his injuries and carefully moved him from the pile of rocks to the flat ground. "You're gonna be alright." Butters couldn't keep his eyes open. Multiple bones in the man's body had been crushed. He was drenched in his own blood. Rain pulled the crimson liquid down to the ground where it mixed with the mub.

    Hunter returned to the rock pile. It didn't take too long for him to find someone else. However this time he was dead. The rock had demolished the man's skull. Blood lined the gray rock. Hunter jumped back with freight. Not letting Butters see he removed the body of the unknown clone and took it to the other side of the rock pile.

    After finding a few more dead soldiers and one survivor, Hunter started to give up. At least he found the medic. Of course he was dead as well so he took the supplies from him and went back to the two men.

    "I'm gonna take care of you two the best I can alright?" Butters nodded and the unnamed reg didn't move. "Hey reg?" Hunter moved over to him and shook him a little. Checking for a pulse he sighed and took him to the dead side of the pile.

    After taking care of Butters, Hunter returned to the pile. With only two more people underneath the rocks he once more listened for breathing. One of them had survived while the other hadn't. He would find the alive one first. Another no named reg.

    Pulling him from the pile the soldier went to check up on Butters. His breathing had slowed and it looked like he couldn't stay awake. "Butters, you alright?"

    In response the man tried to answer but instead blood flowed from his month. Hunter gave it everything he had. "It's" stuttered the reg, "alright."

    "You're gonna be fine." Not long after Butters would fall into a permanent sleep. Sadly Hunter moved him over to the dead pile.

    Apologizing to the last reg in the pile he walked over to the only surviving soldier of the ten that had come with him. Picking him up he walked back to the base. Quite a lot of time had passed since the clones had left. The sun was rising, leaving the sky a brilliant mix of reds, oranges, and yellows. Clouds reflected the colors slightly and the light rain caused a wonderful rainbow. If only Hunter could enjoy it.

    Guards welcomed the two and took the unnamed soldier to the medical center. Hunter walked with them and was taken over to a table. The medic assisting him stared at his blood-soaked hands. "What happened Hunter?" He asked.

    The sergeant never took his eyes off the only other survivor, "rock slide. Him and I are all that's left. How long is this going to take?" Some droids took the other back for surgery and Hunter finally looked at the medic. "Oh Tech hi."

    "Hello. This shouldn't take too long. Stay still." Tech grabbed a warm, damp, washcloth and pressed it to Hunter's skin. He hissed as it touched him.

    No long after Tech would begin he would finish. "There. Be careful."

    "We need to retrieve the bodies. I can't just leave them there." Hunter looked up at his brother. The numb look on his face concerned Tech.

    "Alright. We will need help. I will go find Crosshair and Wrecker. Some regs will also be required so I will go talk to the general." With that Tech left.

    Not long after the batch and a few others would leave to retrieve the bodies. Hunter warned them of the horrors that would be ahead once they got close.

    Arriving everyone grabbed a body. The regs knew who these people were, they fought alongside them. Hunter grabbed Butters gently and looked to the others. With everyone ready they set off once more. Walking back was excruciatingly silent.

    The soldiers would be buried near the base. Not long after the batch would be assigned their next mission. Hunter's hands would heal but be covered in small scars. The scars served as a cruel reminder of his failure to protect the regs put under him that day. For a while rain served the same sort of pain on a platter. One day he would enjoy the rain again, one day.

A Month of Whump Master list

Fandoms: Star wars The Clone Wars/The Bad Batch

Summaries and warnings will be at the top of every story.

Day 1: Environmental

Day 2: Captivity

Day 3: Spy/Military

Day 4: Fantasy

Day 5: Sickfic

Day 6: Team Dynamic

Day 7: Angst

This was definitely a fun challenge! I'll say the hardest one to come up with was fantasy! I'll be participating in the Whumpril challenge next so look out for that!

Whumpril Day 2: Stress/"Get Some Rest."

Fandom: Star Wars The Bad Batch

Note: This story contains heavy spoilers for season two, episode 16 (Plan 99). The story will make a lot more sense if you have seen the episode.

Summary: When Wrecker gets captured it's up to Hunter to find his brother. After all he's the only one who can.

  It had been a few days since Wrecker had gotten captured. Hunter was waiting for Echo to get to Padu. Of course he could just get Tech to help as he layed in the bottom of the chasm on Eriadu. Omega was captured and so was Crosshair. He was alone this time. It was up to him to figure out where Wrecker was and how to get him back.

    Now Hunter stood alone in the Marauder. He started pacing back and forth, wondering where the imperials might have taken his brother. The clone had already had Echo to have one of his contacts check Coruscant's databases.  Nothing.

    Hunter's pacing got quicker. "Haar'chak!" He slammed his hands on a nearby table. Letting his head fall he sighed. This was his fault. How could that squad leader fail so miserably? It was his job to protect them after all.

    Two rotations went by and Phee decided to go see Hunter. She was doing her best to help the batch cope while also coping herself. "Hey Hunter" she greeted.

    "Hello Phee." Hunter sounded tired. Not just tired but exhausted. His appearance betrayed him as he appeared tired as well.

    "Have you gotten any sleep?"

    The clone stayed silent.

    "Get some rest."

    "No. I have to find them Phee. I can't lose them all. I need to find them."

    "You're not going to find them like this."

    Hunter knew she was right but still argued, "I will. I don't have the time to rest. I need to find them. It's my response to keep them safe."

    "That was in the war. Hunter you're not their leader anymore, you're their brother. Right now the best thing you can do is get some rest and continue trying later."

    "Phee you don't understand-"

    "Maybe I don't, but I do know you can't do anything for them until you take care of yourself." Phee sighed, "rest please."

    The two kept arguing until adventaly Phee got him to agree to sleep. She took the datapad from him and sent him to his room. After that she sat down in Tech's chair and started to scroll down the information. Hunter needed his rest but that didn't mean she couldn't look while he was asleep. Those clones had made their way into her heart and Phee would be damned if anything else happened to the others. She couldn't do anything for her love so maybe she could help the others.

@whumpril

Haar'chak: Damn it in Mando'a

Whumpril Day 3: Rope Burn/"Hold Still."

Fandom: Sta Wars The Bad Batch

Note: Spoilers for season 2 episode 16. This story will make more sense if you have watched it.

Summary: The remaining members of the batch go on a mission on a mountain. Wrecker ends up on a ledge below the other two.

  Tech had insisted that the Bad Batch kept rope on board the Marauder. At first they never understood why. Their cables should be enough right?

    Now Wrecker stood on a tiny, week ledge. They had lost the cables earlier during their mission. Echo had gotten the other two to help with rebel missions while they searched for Omega and Crosshair. The Rebels may be able to aid in finding them and they needed the help.

    The rope had been tried around Wrecker's waist so he couldn't fall. As the ridge started to crumble Hunter prepared to pull him up. However the rocks gave way before any of them excepted them to and Wrecker was dangling.

    Rope slid quickly through Hunter's hands. "Echo!"

    Echo slid in and grabbed the rope and dug his feet into the edge of the ledge the other two stood on. "Hold on Wrecker! Don't look down!"

    "I don't plan on it!" Wrecker responded. The two started to pull Wrecker up. Echo noted that hits of red appeared on the light tan of the rope.

    Hunter was so focused on saving Wrecker that he didn't hear the cracking of their own ledge until it was too late. Now all three fell. They landed on a another part of the mountain below them.

    Hunter woke up first. He sat up slowly and quickly moved over to Wrecker. He was closer to him. The leader assessed the other's injuries and then moved to check on Echo.

    When Echo woke up the first thing he saw was the sky. The blue that previously filled the canvas was painted over by black. The white dots of light looked beautiful. Then the pain from the fall hit him.

    Hunter came into view. The cyborg tried to sit up but was pushed softly back to the ground. "Hold still."

    Hold still? Why did he need to hold still? What was wrong? "What's going on?" Asked Echo.

    "You're alright. Just stay still." A shard of rock rested in the man's side. Unsure if Echo would panic Hunter reframed from telling him. He grabbed some bandages and started to wrap the rock in place. Taking it out right now was a terrible idea. None of them knew what to do for this kind of injury. Tech typically handled this stuff.

     Echo held still. He hated every second of it. "How's Wrecker?"

    "He's alright."

    "And how are you?" It was the first time Echo had finally really looked to see if Hunter was okay. Blood had flowed from some injury on his head. The crimson liquid mixed with hair and made in stick to the side of his face. His eyes and face relayed the message that he was in pain, even if Hunter's voice hid it well.

    "I'm fine." 

    As Hunter finished attending to Echo's injuries he heard Wrecker stir. Once finished he walked back over to Wrecker and asked if he needed anything. He responded with "no" and sat up.

    Hunter sat between the two and finally looked at his own injuries. Looking at his hands he understood why treating his brothers wounds hurt so much. The man's hands had been torn up by the rope; his thin, cloth gloves tattered. Moving them hurt more than he realized. Luckily other then his head the clone had no other major injuries. The brothers stayed the night on the ledge.

    In the morning Wrecker would take Echo back to the Marauder and meet Hunter back at the ridge they rested on with medical supplies and a rag. Gently the large man cleaned his brothers face off and got some of the blood out of his hair. After that, despite Hunter's protest, he would clean and wrap his hands.

    The men finished the mission in spite of their condition. In the back of all of their heads stabbed the question of why they survived the fall while Tech never stood a chance. It was a shorter way down and they all knew it but I just didn't seem fair.

    Back on the Marauder that three set off with a new piece of information for the Rebels and for themselves. Now they were one step closer to finding Omega and Crosshair.

   @whumpril

Whumpril Day 6: Bad Coping Mechanisms

Fandom: Star Wars The Bad Batch

Warnings: Self harm and slight mentions of suicide.

Summary: Hunter had to find a way to deal with the war.

Finding ways to deal with the war was hard. Wrecker joked or talked about it, Echo walked around or read reg manuals until he felt better, Tech distracted himself with research projects or with tinkering, and Crosshair trained. Hunter however wasn't sure how to deal with the pressure.

After a long and brutal battle the clone found himself sitting alone on the Marauder. Angry at himself Hunter pulled one of his vibro-knifes and stabbed it into the ground. It didn't make him feel any better.

With tears in his eyes he started into the knife. When the idea came to his head the anger in his heart took over and he set down the weapon to remove his left lower arm armor. Quickly it was removed and the blade was right back in his hand.

Almost without hesitation Hunter dragged the knife across his inner arm. The long wound hurt but most of the stress and memories that had been drowning him disappeared.

He stared at the blade and sighed. The pain calmed him in a disturbing way and suddenly Hunter knew how to deal with the war. It was self destructive but at least it could keep him alive.

Over time scars grew. No one could see as the soldier tore himself apart. Armor and long sleeves hid the marks. Hunter chose to get up earlier to change so no one could learn.

The man knew that harming himself was unhealthy but the Kaminoans never taught them how to cope, they had to find their own ways. Unfortunately the thing that kept Hunter alive was actively destroying him.

Small and large cuts littered Hunter's arms, stomach, thighs, and lower legs. No where on his body was safe from himself. Sure the armor and tight blacks hurt when they rubbed the wounds but it almost helped keep him calm.

As the clone walked into the shower the water stung all the open wounds. He winced and looked down at his body. That's when he decided he'd stop after the war. What Hunter didn't realize was that it wasn't his choice anymore. The addition would be something he'd have to fight as hard as he fought the droids that threatened his life. The war he had unleashed while just trying to survive would be a long and hard one. The scars of his decision would forever rest on his body.

When the war ended Hunter fought against the urge at first but as things got worse, gave up, deciding that once things got better he would stop. There was this overwhelming feeling in the man's stomach that this cycle would continue, that he would stop when he was dead. However a bad coping mechanism was better than being dead, right?

Hiding the scars and fresh cuts were harder. The batch was constantly around him and there was no war to blame sore spots on anymore, no battle to fall back on. They no longer had a fixed time to wake up so Hunter couldn't just plan to get up and dressed before the others.

Hunter knew the batch would find out eventually. He feared that day. Injuries on missions that he couldn't just brush off would cause the truth of all the small movements he made away from their touch. One day Hunter would stop punishing himself to stay alive. Today unfortunately would not be the day.

@whumpril

Whumpril Day 11: Nightmares/"I'm right here."

Fandom: Star Wars The Bad Batch

Warning: Character death

Summary: Hunter has a pretty scary nightmare. Hope someone wakes him up.

 Walking through the cell block Hunter searched for his daughter and brother. They were supposed to be here but he just couldn't find them. All he had left was Crosshair and her. Wrecker and Echo had been killed earlier by stormtroopers.

    Finding Crosshair's cell, Hunter opened it. "Crosshair, let's go." Crosshair didn't move. "Cross, get up." Hunter walked over and shook his brother. After shaking him for a moment he realized the man was freezing. He grabbed Crosshair's face and looked into his cold, dead eyes.

    Startled Hunter jumped back. "Haar'chak!"

    From there the leader hesitantly left Crosshair's body there. He ran until he found where Omega was being held. He skidded to a stop and turned to the door. Sliding the access card on the door, it opened. "Hunter?" The girl asked.

    "Yeah kid, it's me." Hunter fell to his knees and Omega ran up to him for a hug. "are you hurt?" He wrapped his arms around her.

    "No."

    "Let's get you out of here."

    The two exited the cell. On the way back to the Marauder an eerie voice spoke from behind them. "And where do you think you're going Omega?"

    The two turned around to see Hemlock. "Home!" She yelled.

    "Home? I don't think so." With that the scientist raised his blaster and shot the girl. Hunter hadn't seen it until it was too late. His gun had already been pointed at the other so he pulled the trigger. Hemlock fell to the ground.

    Hunter kneeled down beside his little girl. His world stopped turning. She was gone. Everyone was gone. He was alone. What now? Where does he go from here? What does he do? First the clone needed to get off of Wayland.

    Grabbing Omega he started to run. It felt like that was all that he did. The world went dark and Omega was gone.

    In some dark void the words Hemlock had said to him back on Ord Mantell ran in his ears. "Who knew clones were so paternal? Fascinating."

    "Stop." Hunter looked around. "This isn't real."

    "I'm afraid this is all I could salvage. Consider it a gift."

    Broken googles clattered at his feet. Quickly Hunter picked them up and held them close to him. "You're not real." He whispered.

    "To lose one of your own-"

    "stop it." Hunter started to run. It was better than being stuck listening to the conversation he played over and over in his head.

    "Must weigh heavily on you as their leader."

    "Of course it does! They were put under my control and I failed them!"

    "There is no time Wrecker."

    "No. No not again." Hunter stopped running. He collapsed to the 'ground'. He placed his legs under him and pulled his hands up to his head.

    "Plan 99."

    "Tech I'm sorry."

    Tech's sigh sent a chill down Hunter's spine. "When have we ever followed orders?" The clone mouthed along with the words.

    "I'm sorry. God I'm sorry." Hunter whispered. The memories started to mix. It started to overwhelm the clone. He could only take so much of this. "Stop it, stop it." Tears started to trickle down his face. He caught them in his hands. "Stop it!"

    Hunter started to hear a familiar voice, "Hunter? Hunter wake up."

    "Good soldiers follow orders."

    "No." Hunter sat up quickly. Air moved swiftly in and out of his lungs. Tears fell from his eyes.

    "Hunter, are you okay?" Echo looked at his brother, concerned.

    Hunter didn't acknowledge Echo. He's breathing stayed the same. Looking down the man wasn't aware that his brother was there.

    "I'm right here. Talk to me." Echo rested his hand on Hunter's shoulder.

    'im right here.' The room was no longer dark. Hunter realized now that he was awake. This wasn't part of his nightmare and Echo was sitting in front of him. The tears didn't stop.

    "I'm right here." The older of the two opened his arms and waited.

    Hunter leaned into his brother. The two stayed like that until the sargent stopped crying. When asked to talk about the dream, he refused. Maybe one day these nightmares would leave him alone, maybe not. Only time could tell. At least he had Echo to wake him up.

Whumpril: Day 12

Fandom: The Owl House

Summary: What happens with Hunter after Hollow Mind.

    Hunter ran. Belos would be looking for him now. After everything he just learned there was no way that his uncle would leave a loose end like him alive. Flapjack flew after him. Tears ran down the grimwalker's face. He couldn't really see where he was going.

    The boy knew his creator was a terrible person, but he thought it was in the best interest of the isles. Hunter never would have thought that he was trying to kill everyone.

    Hunter was a clone of Philips brother.  He was made to blindly serve by his side and to eventually die, realizing the peace he had worked for his whole life, that everything he had gone through, would be for nothing. The cruel man had killed every other grimwalker and Hunter would be no exception. 

    Flapjack finally caught up to his owner and started tweeting loudly. Hunter stopped to catch his breath. Behind him Darius grabbed him.

    "No! Get off from me!" Hunter kicked and screamed. The sheer amount of fear in the boy's voice broke the coven head's heart. "Get off from me!"

    "Kid! It's me!" Darius let go of the guard.

    Tears ran down Hunter's face. Flapjack's staff appeared in his hands. "Get away from me!"

    Darius threw his hands into the air. "Alright."

    Eberwolf and Raine emerged from the forest. Hunter swiftly turned towards them, "stay there!" Both stopped.

    "Kid, we aren't going to hurt you." Hunter turned his attention back to Darius. "We aren't here by Belos's order."

    After a moment Hunter put down his staff. He walked over to his father. Darius reached his arms out to comfort him. The kid grabbed him and sank to the ground.

    Raine and Eberwolf stayed near the edge of the forest in case any coven scouts came to look for Hunter.

    Darius, though not very fond of being on the dirty ground, stayed there as long as Hunter needed him to. The two talked very little about what happened. Then Hunter had to go. The two went their ways. Hunter went to Hexside and Darius returned to the castle. They would just have to see what happened next.

Whumpril Day 23: Smoke

Fandom: Star Wars The Bad Batch

Earning: Major character death

Summary: Hunter hears a noise that the other batch members can't and he makes a risky move because of it.

  Nothing good ever happens with old, decrepit, abandoned buildings. Today was no exception. The Bad Batch had been given a mission for Cid and they intended to get it right. The street was lined with strange sights; old buildings and some metal fence around some one of the taller buildings.

    As the five walked down the street they looked around unsure. The smell of smoke lingered. The structure at the end of the street, the one with the fence around it was certainly on fire. The flames rose but the batch never gave any mind to it; they didn't need that building, so why should they care?

    The smoke overwhelmed Hunter's mind. It was all he could smell. He never liked the smell of smoke; not on the battle field and not when Corsshair smoked.

     Then Hunter stopped walking. "Finish the mission." Without further explanation, he took off towards the building.

    "Hunter!" Omega yelled after him.

    "Where is he going?" Echo quickly looked to the others. Hunter jumped the iron fence.

    "Is he?" Wrecker began.

    "Going into a burning building? Yes, yes he is." Tech finished.

    "But why?" Omega asked panicked.

    "He likely heard something we cannot. We should finish the mission as we were instructed to." Tech continued to walk.

    "Alright." Echo drew the word out unsure if they really should. But Hunter knows what he's doing right?

     Hunter broke down the door. He needed to locate the sound he heard. The smoke stung his eyes and the heat felt dangerous. He knew it wasn't as bad as it felt sense his senses were enhanced.

    It was hard to see. His eyes watered. Smoke entered the man's lungs making it hard to breathe. That feeling was suffocating. The firey walls felt like they were closing in. Hunter had to be quick.

    The clone rushed though the building to the second then third floor. He tripped up one the stairs and fell. His arm broke the fraggel stair. He pulled it out of the wood and didn't bother to look at the damage. He probably wouldn't be able to see it either way.

     Finally he reached his goal; a crying child. He crossed the room and kneeled down to the child. "Hey kid." The child looked up at the clone and slightly backed away. "I'm not going to hurt you." He coughed then continued talking, "come on."

    The boy grabbed Hunter's leg. The man picked up the child and started taking him out of the room. He navigated the smokey maze of the building. When he found a way out he was greeted by his family.

    Suddenly Hunter running into a burning building made sense. He always did have a soft spot for children. Wrecker walked closer to him and took the child quickly.

    Hunter looked at his family. "We need to find a hospital or something for the kid."

    "I already found one. This way." Tech lead them to a hospital. The group dropped the child off and explained what had happened. As much as Hunter wanted to stay and make sure the boy was alright, they were fugitives. He couldn't stay.

    Just as they walked outside of the hospital, Hunter collapsed. Tech realized he had forgotten to make sure Hunter was okay. He may not have been touched by the flames but he was by the smoke. Sometimes things like that just go right over your head.

    "We don't have what we would need to take care of him. Get him back inside. We will deal with the doctors if necessary." Tech walked over to his brother.

    "What's wrong with him?" Omega asked.

    "Likely smoke inhalation."

    "Tech how are we going to pay for this?" Echo asked begrudgingly.

    "Cid owes me a favor." Tech answered.

     Wrecker gently picked up Hunter and carried him inside. Tech stayed outside and called Cid and Echo and Omega followed Wrecker.

    The doctors did what they could but the damage to Hunter's lungs was to much. He died later that night. The staff didn't dare turn them in. His family intimidated them. They held Hunter in high regards, regardless of his status as a 'tratior'.

    Children cry, buildings fall and good people die. It's never quite fair. Even if Hunter was able to avoid the obvious danger, the smoke that hung in the air was an enemy of its own. One that even if he had thought about he would have faced regardless.

AI-less Whumptober Day 7: CPR/Restrained

Fandom: Star Wars The Bad Batch

Warning: Character Death

Summary: Hunter and Crosshair are captured by separatist. Now Hunter can't seem to reach his brother

Nothing could ever prepare Hunter for the horrors of war. He had seen it all first hand. Sure he had been training for this since he could hold a blaster but the real thing was so, bloody. It was like hell. Maybe hell would be better.

Everything that had happened had only made Hunter feel worse but slowly became less and less shocked and more and more unwavering. Until he woke up in a cold, dark cell. He wasn't alone.

Crosshair was with him. Slowly the memory of what had happened came back to him. But you have been captured by the Separatist while scouting for a mission. It had been damp and nearly day break when they were taken.

The clone remembered trying to reach out for his brother before the world went dark. Frozen hands had kept him from being able to reach Crosshair. He knew he had been hurt but he couldn't remember by what.

Crosshair had been shot in the side. He tried to move to help him.

Metal cuffs wrapped around his hands that kept him changed to the wall kept him from going any further. He was just out of arms reach.

Crosshair started to wake up. He winced as he sat up. "Hunter?" He asked.

"Yeah Cross, I'm here." Hunter kept fighting the chains. The clone could hear footsteps nearing the hall they were in. He pulled on his chains, trying to get to his brother. He could feel the skin under them start to get irritated.

"Hello clones" a male voice antagonized.

"Fuck off" Crosshair muttered.

Hunter remembered the man's face. The mission came back to him. They had gone to retrieve a Jedi from a Separatist planet before Dooku could get to them. The man in front of the two was the leader of the gang that had the general. He remembered being told that Tech and Wrecker had retrieved the Jedi and that Echo was ready with the Marauder.

Two men walked into the small cell and started to unchain Crosshair. He tried to fight, he did, but he couldn't.

Hunter jolted forwards, "where are you taking him?" He asked, voice demanding.

"That's on a need to know basis."

No matter how hard Hunter tried, he couldn't get to Crosshair. Soon he was alone again.

All he could do was wait and worry. Why had they taken Crosshair? Was he going to be okay? Was he alive?

What about the rest of the batch? Had they escaped alright? Hunter didn't hear their voices so he wanted to assume they were fine. Still anxiety creeped into his heart. He couldn't help but fear the worst.

There wasn't much to do when his brothers weren't around. He kept fighting the chains, trying to get them off. The base of his hands bleed as he pulled. He put his legs under him and pushed his feet against the wall.

It felt like his hands were slipping though for just a moment. Then he realized it was just his skin ripping as he pulled. But the clone didn't care.

Hunter thought back to his training. He'd learned that sometimes even that couldn't help. He thought about his anatomy. The man had always been fascinated with bones. Tech and him went through a phase together, learning everything they could about them.

He thought about the anatomy of his hand. If he dislocated his metacarpophalangeal and carpometacarpal joints, he might be able to slip his hand out of the chains.

It had been hours since Crosshair had been taken away. When Hunter heard footsteps in the hall again, he was relieved in a way.

A limp Crosshair was thrown into the cell without a word or even a look. Hunter moved his legs out from underneath him to break his brother's fall. It hurt but it didn't matter to him.

"Cross?" Hunter spoke softly.

Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.

As soon as the man was gone Hunter started trying to break his thumbs. It was easier than he thought to get the placement of the break correct. The hardest part was trying to do it without being able to see.

As Hunter tried to get his hand in the right position, he listened to Crosshair's breathing. It was slow and labored. Then it was gone.

Hunter forgot about his plan to break his thumbs for a moment. He pulled forward, the chains clicking together. "Crosshair!" He yelled. He put his feet behind him once more and slammed them on the wall. He pulled and pulled before remembering how to get out.

Instead of taking his time to plan out the dislocation, Hunter slammed his hand into the wall. He tried again and again until he had broken the joints.

It wasn't supposed to be painful.

The clone rushed to Crosshair's side. He pushed him onto his back and placed his hands on his sternum. He pressed into his chest, trying to save him. The repeated pressure on his hands only made them hurt more. '1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15' Crack. Hunter felt one of his brother's ribs break under the pressure. It sent a chill up his spine.

He tried.

As time passed, Hunter ignored the footsteps that had been growing louder in the hall. He tried to stay calm. Tears fell from his eyes as he tried to listen for any sign that Crosshair was alive.

Two guards walked into his cell and grabbed him. He kicked at them, trying to get away. As he watched the cell grow further he tired to figure out how to tell the others about Crosshair.

It wasn't long before he had to. As he heard three sets of footsteps his heart sank. What did he say? He fought against his chains for a moment before both hands slipped out of them. He stood as they entered the hall.

"Hunter" Echo said as he started to work on the door.

After a moment Wrecker asked the dreaded question, "where's Cross?"

Hunter sighed. "He's gone."

Winter Whumperland Day 2: Krampus (Sensory Overload)

Fandom: The Batch Batch

Summary: Hunter is sent to meet the leader of a cartel so they could take the cartel down. However the meeting place was one of the city's most popular bars and well, Hunter doesn't do well in crowds.

    Hunter wasn't ready. He hadn't expected to be told to meet such a prominent cartel member at such a bright bar. It was crowded, people bumping into each other on the dance floor and a million different conversations happening all at oncs.

    Every now and again the batch would be assigned to more civil cases. Most of the time the other party would agree to help in the war effort if someone helped them in a civil dispute.

    This time, a wide spread drug cartel was getting out of hand on a back world planet. Hunter had been instructed to meet with the owner of the cartel with a deal that was too good to refuse. The rest of the batch was to hold onto the fake drugs the Republic had been trusted with.

    When the man walked into the bar, Hunter almost wasn't sure it was him. He was a human and stood at about 6'2. He had a tan completion. His hair was short and a dark shade of brown and he wore a very put together outfit consisting of some black dress pants and a lavender vest with a loose, but nice fitting, black jacket. He had a matching lavender pocket square and pocket watch.

    Hunter sighed. He knew this man would be a piece of work. He seemed impossibly nice as he walked towards him. "You must be Hunter, right?" His voice was smooth.

    "Depends, who's asking?"

    The man chuckled. "You're tense. Henry is asking." He sat down and waved over a waiter. "I'll have a dry martini and get my friend here a dark and stormy."

    Hunter tried to listen around him. It was so loud. Not that he wasn't used to loud, but this kind? This kind of loud was new. There were women screaming as 'thier song's came on. There were pushy men asking those same women to go home with them.

    Drinks clicked as some group in a corner were celebrating an engagement. Henry was talking up the wayter, trying to talk hims way out of paying his tab that day. The bright lights hurt Hunter's eyes. They changed from color to color without a pattern or a warning.

    And it was loud. To loud. The clone couldn't think. The bar smelled so strongly of alcohol and of cheap perfume. It was overpowering. Focusing felt almost impossible.

    "Look at that woman. I need to feel her up and soon." Some man said.

    "Ahhh! Girl! Give him a chance! He is so into you!" Someone said. "

    Drinks clicked and one glass shattered. "I knew you'd been fucking her! That it I'm leaving!" "Baby please!"

    "Hey girl, wanna dance?"

    Loud music drowned out most of these conversations to everyone else. But not Hunter. He listened to every crude comment some man made about the women at the bar. He hears every bit of drama and every happy memory.

    It was overwhelming. He physically shook his head slightly to try to clear him mind. "Something in your mind?" Henry asked. He took Hunter's hand and handed him his drink. "We can talk about the deal later. Now, we drink!"

    Hunter took a sip of the drink. Not his style. He wasn't supposed to drink anyway. It didn't take long before Henry was done with his first drink. "We need to talk about the deal. That's what I'm here for" Hunter pushed.

    "Come on Hunter, relax. Our deal will be made but let's take some time. Maybe I'd like to know you a bit first. Where's your family from?"

    "Here."

    "Oh? Never got to get off this rock."

    "Nope."

    "Well mine are from Coruscant but that just seems boring now."

    "You know me, let's get this deal done."

    "Not so fast, let's dance maybe you'll meet a girl, or guy, if you swing that way." Before Hunter could fully comprehend what he said or disagree, Henry had pulled him onto the dance floor.

    'Kriff.' Hunter tried to go back to the table. He tried to avoid everyone. It was already too bright and too loud. Now the smell was harsher and now there were bodies in the equation. And he couldn't have his armor.

    Normal clothes weren't bad but when there are people all around you, armor would have made Hunter more comfortable. Instead he was in nicer black pants and red shirt with a less nice black shirt. It was hot so he had put his hair into a half up bun.

    Someone bumped into him and their drink spilled slightly onto his sleeve. A loud Twi'lek girl yelled "sorry" and kept dancing with her friend. The drink was sticky, making the jacket cling to his arm a little.

    That was it. Everything was too much. The lights were too bright, the smell too strong, the people who kept touching him, the sticky drink on his sleeve, and the noise. The noise was the worst part. It was too loud, it was to fucking loud.

    The man needed a way out. He couldn't breathe. There was too much. The thought of the mission pressed in his mind. Hunter needed to find a way back to the table. He looked around at the sea of being, all having a good time.

    Henry danced with some girl. He noticed that Hunter looked lost and excused himself. "Hey buddy!" Hunter jumped then looked at him. "Why don't you come chat this girl up?! Maybe she'll even let ya-"

    "The deal. Now." Hunter's voice was shaking but his tone was stern.

    "What are you, afraid of fun?" Henry chuckled. "You seem nervous." His voice dropped. "Something you're not saying?"

    "Come to the table and find out."

    Henry smirked. "You know how to get attention." He flowers Hunter to the table.

    When they arrived, the clone wanted to sink into the chair and hide. Instead he sighed and sat down. "It's getting late. Take this seriously."

    "Okay okay, but what is your problem?"

    Hunter wayed his opinions. He had to give him an answer. "I don't do crowds. Too many people."

    "You know, we can leave. I'll take you back to my place and-"

    "No. We finish this here. Do you want the drugs or not?" Hunter kept his head tilted down. He looked back up and watched as Henry looked around.

    "Alright, let's seal this deal. You have the stuff around or?"

    "My guys are just waiting for my word." Hunter stood but was pulled back into his seat.

    "If I learn this is a set up, so help me you will never see the light of day again. I won't kill you but you'll wish I had. It would be a shame, you're hot." Hunter pulled out of his the man's grasp.

    "Don't do that again." Henry stood and smiled.

    The music got louder as a voice came over the speakers. It said something about happy hour starting. Before Hunter could think to stop himself he slammed his hands over his ears. The lights changed more frequently and the occupants of the bar got louder.

    "Let's get out of here." Henry grabbed Hunter's hand and led him out of the bar. It took being outside and a few feet away from the bar before the clone even realized he was outside.

    Hunter felt stupid. How could he let the enemy drag him out of the bar like that? How could he be so overwhelmed by something so simple as a bar? He was a soldier, a crowded bar should be nothing.

    "Where are your buddies? I'll get my girl to bring your money. You really can't stand crowds can you?"

    "They'll be here and no, I can't."

    "Well you know what, that's fine. Not like you need to be around them anyway. Hey, let's wait over here."

    Hunter listened to his surroundings before walking over to the corner the man led him to. Now they wait.