Categories
Standalones TTR

Gorfanth Poster

Did you know that Arsha and her lovers are in the habit of collecting posters of themselves and their lovers? They’re really attached to one another.

Categories
Standalones TTR

Gorfanth and his Family’s Craft

While Gorfanth is, as of this portrait, a royal consort, he’s still a blacksmith at heart.

Categories
Standalones TTR

Malnar Poster

Might as well upload it here. It’s gonna be used for future Malnar related eyecatches.

Categories
Standalones TTR

Malnar and the Backbone of her Realm

Malnar Emboramii has proven to be a Queen of great wisdom and power. She always strives for fairness when someone is wronged and will defend her home by any means. With the mountain range that make up the natural walls of the Belsnath Citadel, she can’t go wrong. All hail Queen Malnar Emboramii!

Categories
KRV Standalones

Kamen Rider Vortex: Battle for Santa

It was Christmas Time and Emily Williams, the Chief Medical Officer of the Vortex Riders, was going over some last-minute decorations. Christmas was her favorite holiday as it meant she spent time with her family, especially her fellow Kamen Riders. She checked the alignment of the garland on the banister and smiled once she was satisfied. She then headed back upstairs to the kitchen and found the cookies she baked earlier. She looked around the sufficiently festive house, then wiped her brow before she took a cookie and poured herself some milk. She then dunked the cookie in the milk and happily munched on it. Just then, her doorbell rang. That surprised her, her husband and sons weren’t due for another hour. She headed to the door as the doorbell was rung repeatedly. “I’m coming!” she called. “You know, it’s naughty of you to-!” She opened the door to see Death holding a man up. The man was fat, wore red, and had a white beard. “…Santa?!” she asked.

“He’s ill!” said Death.

“Get him on the couch!” ordered Emily. As Death brought Santa Claus into the house, Emily headed to her room and got her medical kit. She then checked over Santa with her tricorder (a Christmas gift from years ago). The tricorder then gave her the readings she needed. “…You know, if I didn’t know any better,” she muttered, “I’d swear he’s got the flu.” Santa groaned.

“Santa just collapsed in front of my office,” explained Death as Emily tended to the living Christmas icon. “He was checking over his list when it suddenly went black. It then went to some form of normal, but Santa became very ill. He shouldn’t get sick unless someone tried to take his power.” Santa then slowly opened his eyes and took in his surroundings.

“Wh-where am I?” he asked.

“You’re in my house, Sir,” explained Emily. “I’m Dr. Emily Williams.”

“Emily…oh, yes, Kamen Rider Touché,” mumbled Santa. “Sorry about the unannounced visit.”

“I never took you as someone who got sick.”

“I don’t, usually. However, someone took control of the List and is in the process of making me mortal.”

“The List? You mean your naughty/nice list?”

“The very same.”

“So, whoever controls the List makes you mortal?”

“It’s a very involved process, so I still have time to-”

“Sorry, Sir, but you’re staying put until this whole affair is over!”

“But my workshop-!”

“I’ll take care of the whole situation. I just need to make sure Joshua and our boys know what’s going on.” Emily then heard a knock on the door. She headed to the door to see Joshua and their sons, Tom and Sam. They were accompanied by a kindly, plump old woman in red and a humanoid reindeer with a glowing red nose.

“Mama! Look who we found!” said Sam.

“Mrs. Claus and Rudolph, I presume?” asked Emily.

“Ah, you DO know us!” sighed Mrs. Claus in relief.

“Your husband’s laid up on my couch, Mrs. Claus,” explained Emily. Everyone went inside and the boys looked worried at Santa’s condition.

“Is Santa gonna die?” asked Tom.

“Not while I’m a doctor, he won’t!” promised Emily.

“I appreciate your willpower,” groaned Santa, “but this isn’t a flu that can be cured by medicine alone. We need to regain control of the List.”

“Then tell me and Josh how to get it back,” declared Emily.

“Yay! We’re going to the North Pole!” cheered the boys. Emily winced.

“Actually, Dad and I are going. It might involve a fight where you would get hurt.”

“But Mama-!” wailed Sam. Tom looked upset too but didn’t vocalize it.

“Right now, I need you boys to help Aunt Death and Mrs. Claus look after Santa.”

“Boys, once I’m well, we’ll all go to the North Pole,” promised Santa.

“…Okay,” mumbled Sam. “Really wanted to see Mama and Dad kick the bad guy’s butt though.”

“Oh, I have a way,” chuckled Santa. He then looked to Emily and Joshua. “Sougo Tokiwa’s already at the North Pole’s outskirts. Make sure you give him this.” He handed Emily a green and red Ridewatch with a Santa-based Kamen Rider’s head on the front.

“…You’re a Kamen Rider?!” yelped Emily.

“I WAS a Kamen Rider,” corrected Santa. “I gave that up in the 2000’s.”

“So, there’s an Another Rider taking control,” muttered Joshua. “Hiroki told us about those dingoes. Well, no point in earbashing now. Let’s get going!”

“I’ll get us there,” offered Rudolph. “I’m a little worried about my friends and family.” He opened a rift. Emily and Joshua grabbed their Vortex Drivers, and they followed the red-nosed reindeer through the portal.


They arrived at a snowy expanse and found Sougo with them. “Good to see you again!” greeted Sougo.

“You too, Sougo-san!” returned Emily. “I just wish the circumstances were more pleasant.”

“We better hurry!” urged Rudolph. “If Santa doesn’t get control of the List before Christmas Day, we’re finished!”

“Could have said something earlier!” growled Joshua.

“Sougo, before I forget, here!” Emily handed Sougo the Ridewatch.

“A new Ridewatch? Santa’s a Kamen Rider?” asked Sougo.

“He WAS a Kamen Rider,” replied Emily. Rudolph led the way.

“Last I heard, the List Thief was somewhere around here,” he muttered. His nose’s light cut through the wintery winds until they found a massive cave that looked like a beast with its mouth open. “Ol’ Bumble’s Cave,” explained Rudolph.

“Could he be the-?” asked Joshua.

“No, he’s a really nice guy when his choppers aren’t hurting him,” replied Rudolph.

“Where is he?” asked Emily.

“He must be inside,” guessed Sougo. Everyone crept to the cave and looked inside. They all gasped at the sight. Rudolph’s friends were in cages and the Bumble was chained to the wall, looking weak. In the middle of the cave was a red and white throne.

“Clarice!” called Rudolph. The doe with a bow in her hair turned to Rudolph in surprise.

“Rudolph!” she cheered. Hermey, Yukon Cornelius, and Donner and his wife looked at the cave entrance and rushed to the cage bars to see Rudolph and his backup.

“Son, what are you doing back?!” yelped Donner. “It’s not safe!”

“Not listening to your father, huh?” taunted a voice. “How very naughty!” A reindeer then stepped out from behind the throne. He had blonde hair between his antlers and held an Another Ridewatch in his hand.

“Fireball?!” yelped Rudolph.

“Hello, neon-nose!” growled Fireball.

“Wait, Fireball?! Your old friend?!” yelped Emily. “The one who hesitated in stopping Comet from banning Rudolph from the Reindeer Games?!”

“I will admit, the thought HAD crossed my mind,” replied Fireball, “but after that Christmas, I realized I was right in not speaking up!”

“Are you the one who stole the List from Santa?!” demanded Joshua.

“I am,” answered Fireball.

“Do you have any idea how naughty that is?!”

“I control the List now! I decide naughty and nice! And in my eyes, you are ALL naughty! Sougo Tokiwa! You conquered your world and turned it into a barren wasteland as Oma Zi-O!”

“That was a different Sougo!” protested Sougo.

“Emily Williams! You blindly followed a moody thrill-seeker on three different adventures, not once sticking to your feminist ideals! Your taking Joshua’s family name is proof of that!”

“Actually, I CHOSE not to keep my maiden-name!” snarled Emily. “That IS part of Feminism, for a woman to choose what SHE wants with no obstacles, like men do.” Fireball didn’t listen as he continued.

“Joshua Williams! …Wow, I…I don’t know where to start with you, there’s not enough time in the day! But how about we start with you being inducted into a corrupt clergy!”

“Oi, rack off!” snarled Joshua. “I’m cleaning up the clergy!”


“That’s why I marked your father as nice when I was in charge of the List,” Santa explained to Tom and Sam as everyone watched the confrontation on the TV.

“How are we able to see this?” asked Tom.

“Should we really question Christmas magic right now?” asked Sam.

“…Fair enough.”


“And then there’s YOU! Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer!” Fireball went on.

“I had a feeling I was involved somehow,” grunted Rudolph.

“Well, it involves both you AND Santa! You were banned from the Reindeer Games, yet Santa picked you to lead the Sleigh Team! I was the best athlete and the most trained, yet he picked a wash-out like you and you blindly accepted because you found a use for that accident you call a nose!”

“YOU INSULTED MY SON FOR THE LAST TIME!” shouted Donner.

“Pa, stay back!” called Rudolph. “This bitter stag is mine!”

“Wait, where do our children fit into this?” asked Emily.

“Oh, that part I didn’t change,” replied Fireball. “Your boys are still marked as nice! If you get out of this, tell them that the new Santa wishes them a Merry Christmas.”

“…I’ll get right on that.”

“But, as for the rest of you, the only present I have is-!” Rudolph heard enough. He charged at Fireball and locked horns with his former friend, quite literally.

“Get everyone out of here!” Rudolph called to his allies.

“Will do!” replied Emily. She and her friends then got to work freeing everyone and getting them out of the cave.

“Wait, we need to get Rudolph out!” called Clarice. Rudolph was then flung out of the cave and ended up headfirst in a snowbank. Clarice got him out, then Fireball stepped out.

“That clinches it! You’re all finished!” He pressed the button on the Another Ridewatch.

“KRINGLE!” it announced in a wicked voice. He then put the Ridewatch to his shoulder and he was surrounded by torn paper. “KRINGLE!” repeated the Ridewatch as it sunk into his skin and made a monstrous form for him. Fireball was now Another Kringle, based on Santa’s Kamen Rider persona of Kamen Rider Kringle. He had the red and white outfit, but he looked more like Krampus and the belt looked like it had a bare tree on the buckle. Emily, Joshua, and Sougo then put their own belts on.

“Vortex Driver!” announced Emily and Joshua’s belts.

“Ziku Driver!” called Sougo’s belt. Sougo then pulled out his personal Ridewatch, rotated the face, and pressed the button.

“Zi-O!” called the Ridewatch. He then put it into the Driver’s right-hand slot, then pressed a button on top of the belt, making the right side dip down. Emily and Joshua then inserted their personal i.d. tags into their Vortex Drivers. The three Riders then struck their poses.

“HENSHIN!” they called. Emily and Joshua then spun the wheels on their belts as Sougo rotated the whole belt assembly. The Ziku Driver stopped spinning once it returned to its original position.

“Rider Time! Kamen Rider Zi-O!” it announced as he became Kamen Rider Zi-O. Emily and Joshua’s belts summoned a wheel beneath them and the wheels fastened their armor onto them while the belts turned their clothes into undersuits. Emily was Kamen Rider Touché and Joshua became Kamen Rider Outback.

“Kamen Rider Outback! Better watch your back, mate!”

“Kamen Rider Touché! En Garde, thing of evil!” Rudolph and the Kamen Riders then rushed at Another Kringle, surrounding him. Another Kringle then brought out his multi-limbed switch and swung hard, knocking everyone to the ground.

“Your naughtiness will be punished!” roared Another Kringle.

“This isn’t working! The List is making him too powerful!” grunted Rudolph.

“How can one get control of that thing anyway?!” asked Touché.

“He had to erase Santa’s name, his REAL name, and replace it with his own.”

“…Who’s got the best penmanship?”

“That’s Clarice. Wait, you’re not suggesting-?!”

“If we don’t, Christmas will be cancelled!”

“…You’re right. Clarice! Do you know where the List is?!”

“It’s still in the cave!” replied Clarice.

“Go in there and erase Fireball’s name! Replace it with Santa’s real name!”

“Will do!” Clarice dashed into the cave as Rudolph and the Riders fought Another Kringle. Another Kringle then launched a fireball from between his antlers at Touché. She was hit and Outback dashed to her, then Another Kringle struck Outback’s backside with his switch. Zi-O then pulled out the new Ridewatch, rotated it to reveal the head of a Santa themed Kamen Rider, and pressed the button.

“Kringle!” it announced. He put the Ridewatch into the left side of the Ziku Driver, pressed the button on top, and spun it.

“Rider Time!” called the Driver. “Kamen Rider Zi-O! Armor Time!” New Santa themed armor attached itself to him. “Ho ho ho! Kringle!” sang the Driver. Zi-O then slammed his fist into Another Kringle’s chest, only for him to squawk in pain and clutch his fist. Another Kringle then slammed his own fist into Zi-O’s head. Rudolph flung snow up to try and cover his attack, but Another Kringle sensed it coming easily. He slammed his foot into Rudolph’s side and sent him sprawling on the snow. Another Kringle looked around.

“Pathetic!” he grunted. “Why the fat man put his hopes on you is beyond me! The game is over! God rest ye, dead idiots!” Another fireball then grew between his antlers…then it fizzled. He then cried out in pain and collapsed to the ground. A rift then opened, and Santa, Mrs. Claus, Death, Tom, and Sam popped out. Santa looked a lot healthier in the face. “WHAT?!” cried Another Kringle.

“Clarice did it!” cheered Touché.

“Fireball, what you did was beyond naughty!” thundered Santa. “It was flat out vile! You’re looking at a life sentence for this!”

“YOU OVERSIZED FRUITCAKE!” roared Another Kringle. Santa then pulled out a belt with a Christmas tree pointing to the wearer’s right. He fastened it on, then struck a pose. Death fastened her Mort Driver and struck her own pose.

“HENSHIN!” said the two. Death rotated the skull on her belt and black mist formed her armor as Kamen Rider Death. Santa moved the tree upright and red and white ribbons surrounded him.

“Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!” called the belt. The ribbons then became armor based on his usual appearance.

“Kamen Rider Kringle!” boomed Santa. “Your naughtiness will be stamped out!”

“Kamen Rider Death!” announced Death. “You cannot delay your appointment with me!”

“Round two, everyone!” called Touché. The fighters attacked, causing damage this time!

“Rider Kicks, everyone!” directed Kringle. He moved the tree down then brought it back up.

“Night before Christmas!” announced the belt. Touché and Outback spun their belts’ wheels.

“Final Attack!” Zi-O pressed the buttons on the Ridewatches.

“Finish Time! Kringle!” He then spun the Driver. “Night before Time Break!” Death spun the skull on her belt.

“Reaper man!” it called. Everyone then leapt into the air and flew towards Another Kringle with their feet outstretched.

“RIDER YULE KICK!” cheered Touché. The kicks struck true and they landed behind the spasming Another Kringle.

“That’s your last present…from me!” declared Kringle. Another Kringle exploded, flinging the now wounded Fireball to the snow and breaking the Another Ridewatch. Rudolph looked to Fireball with pity.

“We could have restarted our friendship, Fireball,” he muttered. “All this just because of the Sleigh Team?”

“It’s all that’s important for a buck!” snarled Fireball.

“Your uncle would beg to differ.” Rudolph then sighed as he brought out handcuffs. “Fireball of the House of Vixen, you’re under arrest for the attempted assassination of Santa Claus.” He slapped the cuffs on and led Fireball to jail while reading him his rights.


The workshop was restored to order and all the elves were working double-time to complete the orders around the world. The sleigh still wasn’t sky-worthy yet, but Santa still had two more days. “I’m sorry I can’t give you all a sleigh ride back home,” he said to his saviors.

“That’s all right,” replied Sam. “I’m actually terrified of heights. Getting on a plane just gives me the willies!”

“Well, Dr. Williams, I’m a grateful man! I simply must reward you.”

“I’m a doctor, I don’t do things just to get something else,” remarked Emily.

“I must insist!” urged Santa. “You’ll find something for you under the tree. You and all of your family and friends.”

“Thank you very much, Santa. I’m glad I could help.” A rift then opened for everyone. “Goodbye! Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas!” supplied her family, Sougo, and Death.

“Merry Christmas!” replied Santa. “Ho ho ho!” Everyone then headed into the rift. Once they left the other side, they saw that they were back in their living room. The rift shut behind them. Tom and Sam then yawned.

“Someone’s tired,” mused Joshua.

“I don’t even have the energy to be naughty and lie about that,” mumbled Sam. “I’m ready to go to bed.”

“I’m gonna do the same,” yawned Tom.

“All right, let’s brush our teeth and get ready for bed,” called Joshua. He and the boys headed to the bathroom.

“I better get home,” remarked Sougo. “It was nice to see Santa though. I’m surprised I got on the nice list.”

“Like you said, Oma Zi-O was someone else,” replied Death. “I’ll take you home, Sougo-san.”

“Arigatou!” Sougo and Death then headed to the door. “Merry Christmas, Emily-san!”

“Merry Christmas, Sougo-san!” replied Emily. Sougo and Death then left, leaving Emily to look around the house before she sang to herself.

You know Dasher and Dancer

And Prancer and Vixen.

Comet and Cupid

And Donner and Blitzen.

But do you recall

The most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer

Had a very shiny nose.

And if you ever saw it,

You would even say it glows!” As she sang, she headed off to bed.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from me to you!

Categories
Standalones TMC

Update

“Hm, hm, hm…yes, that shall go there…” a man was at his desk, moving things around on his website. He was deaf to the outside world…for a bit anyway.

“Sir. …Oh, mister. …AUTHOR!” The scream jolted the man awake and he whirled his chair to face a grey, male, Mobian Hedgehog in a gray suit with a black tube on his arm.

“Ah, Megatron,” greeted the man, the Author. “What can I do for you?”

“May I ask you something on behalf of your characters?” asked Megatron.

“…Sure, what’s up?”

“When are you going to update our stories?”

“I have to update the site, first,” explained the Author. “People have told me that the navigation menu was getting cluttered and too lengthy. So, I pared it down and now have it devoted to pages for my posts. Your part of the site is already done, I just need to work on Arsha’s, Megumi’s, and then your combined story.”

“And how long do you think this update will take?” sighed Megatron as he became impatient. “The Decepticons have one more Chaos Emerald to retrieve.”

“You don’t know if that team will get it.”

“…What are you saying?”

“I’m saying, cool your thrusters, I don’t know when the update will be done. I WILL post this little chat, though.”

“Well, hurry it up. I have a war to win, as does Dr. Borg.” Megatron then stormed off, grumbling all the while. “Honestly, the kid pulls a Doctor Who style regeneration and he becomes much more asinine!”

“…Walking corpse!” the Author muttered to himself once he was sure that Megatron was out of earshot.

Categories
Standalones Super Mario Heroes

Super Mario Heroes: Prologue

Another dark day, another dark deed in the country of Darkland. The Koopas continued their drills as if it were any other day. However, after their master had returned from his recent adventure, they went through a period of non-aggression against the Mushroom Kingdom. They were feeling a little…speculative about their master. As they offered multiple theories, their master, the king of Darkland himself, Bowser Koopa, slept. At least, he slept until the alarm clock rang its annoying chime. Bowser punched it off the nightstand and grumbled as he turned in bed. He then sat up and got out of bed, getting a shell out of the closet and climbing into it. He then did his stretches and retreated into his shell and popped out multiple times. After that, he just stood in the middle of the room, groaning to himself. He then stomped to the dining hall and sat at his usual place while his son, Junior, sat next to him. “Morning, Papa!” he called. Bowser just grunted. “Er…Papa?”

“Morning, Junior,” rumbled Bowser.

“Didn’t you sleep at all last night?”

“I slept fine, kiddo, just waking up a little slow today.” Breakfast was served and they ate.

“You know, Papa, me and the Koopalings are almost done with our project! You should see it this afternoon.”

“Yeah, sure, I’ll just come to the lab when it’s done.”

“…Papa, this isn’t about what happened at Lake Lapcat, is it?”

“Nah, it ain’t that. Your old man’s just got a lot on his mind, that’s all.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll get it all settled! You’re just that awesome, Papa.” Bowser smirked at his son’s enthusiasm.

“Thanks, Junior.” They finished breakfast and Bowser headed to the throne room. Kamek was standing next to the throne as Bowser sat down.

“Your Surliness,” he began, “our first order of the day is that the Cult of Bowser has come to offer tribute! They’re waiting outside the throne room right now!”

“Show them in,” ordered Bowser. The “cult” left a lot to be desired in terms of appearance…and hygiene. Bowser and Kamek developed a twitch.

“Oh, Great Bowser Koopa, Lord of Darkland,” praised the cult leader, “you have allowed us to live under your watchful gaze and for that, we are forever grateful!” The smell ran rampant inside Bowser’s nose. “We offer you a special tribute in…!”

“STOP!” roared Bowser. “Just…just look at what you’re doing! You’re getting your filth all over the floor! Haven’t you guys ever heard of showers?!” The cult leader was taken aback, as if the concept of cleanliness was foreign to him. “I just had the throne room cleaned last night! Out! OUT! GET OOOOUUUT!” The cult quickly left, taking their smell with them. The cleaning staff immediately got to work.

“You didn’t even see their tribute,” observed Kamek, “not that getting rid of them wasn’t a wise decision.”

“Whatever it was, it was probably made of dung anyways,” rumbled Bowser.

“…Fair point, Master.”


After hearing the cases of the day, Bowser headed to the Koopalings’ lab and found them and his son standing by a machine. “Bowser, we did it!” cheered Ludwig Von Koopa. “May I introduce the most epic version of Princess Kidnapping Machinery to date!” The cover came off of a giant Mecha shaped like Mario. “Programmed with all of Mario’s skills, it will finally flatten that plumber as we take Peach!”

“And I care because?” asked Bowser. Junior and the Koopalings goggled at the Koopa King.

“…B-because it would finally give you what you want?” urged Junior. “You know? Having Mama Peach as your queen and ending Mario’s game permanently?”

“Oh, that was the OLD Bowser. This is a NEW Bowser, and he doesn’t really care about a mustachioed, fat, pasta-loving plumber or his hot, royal, pink-wearing, blonde girlfriend. It’s hilarious, really. Look, I tell you kids what, you want to kidnap Peach and destroy Mario? Go ahead. Who cares? I certainly don’t. Not one bit at all.” Bowser left the lab, leaving the Koopalings very confused.

“…Papa,” sighed Junior in sympathy.


Bowser made his way in the office of a psychiatrist, the famous Dr. F. Roid, an old Koopa with glasses and a beard. “So, Lord Bowser,” began Dr. Roid as Bowser laid down on the couch, “tell me what’s been bothering you.”

“Well, you see, it’s like this, Doc,” answered Bowser, “it’s been about 35 years since I first met my nemesis.”

“It’s been that long, My Lord?”

“Yeah. You see; that’s the actual problem. Once he began stopping me frequently, I thought that he’d get older and then Mario…”

“We don’t say his name here. This is a safe place.”

“R-right. Sorry, Doctor. Well, I just assumed, after all those power-ups over the years, he would get a permanent game over! …But he hasn’t even aged, I mean, like, at ALL! He and his green brother just keep jumping around as if they were kids, it looks like he’s going to get between me and Peach FOREVER! I…I just don’t know if I can handle that!”

“Yes, it seems his arrival in this world has affected his natural aging process. It’s quite the conundrum.”

“Yeah, exactly! …What’s a…connonumdum?”

“Conundrum, it’s a fancy word for a highly difficult problem.”

“Thanks, Doc. I just wish there were someone to help me get rid of my problem.” Someone then pounded on Dr. Roid’s door.

“Your Depressedness!” called Kamek. “You have a visitor demanding an audience!”

“Go away!” replied Bowser. “Didn’t you get the memo?! I’m busy with therapy right now! Leave us alone!”

“But, Master, it’s Ganondorf and…!”

“Ganondorf?! What’s he doing here?!” Bowser then stormed out of the office.

“WAIT! WE’RE NOT FINISHED YET!” wailed Dr. Roid.

“Send me the bill!” replied Bowser as he made his way to the throne room. He found Ganondorf Dragmire sitting lazily on the throne. “HEY! THAT’S MY THRONE!”

“And I was hoping for something along the lines of ‘Welcome back, Ganondorf, old friend.’,” snarked Ganondorf.

“We’re NOT friends, especially after the Subspace incident!”

“You wound me, Koopa. In any event, this isn’t a social call. I’ve been in contact with someone who may…help us.”

“If it’s Tabuu again, you work with him yourself!”

“No! No, no, no, it’s someone from your world. I believe he once attacked Sarasaland.”

“What, the runt, Tatanga? What does he want?”

“He’s found something about…Elemental Princesses that hold ultimate power to conquer the universe as we know it.” Bowser’s eyes went wide as the temptation became clear.

“…You have my attention!” An evil grin then appeared on the Koopa King’s face, a grin he had not experienced in some time!

Categories
Standalones TTR

A Solstice Song 5

When he got a chance to open his eyes, he saw that it wasn’t a tombstone, but a chair; HIS chair. He looked around to see that he was back in his apartment! Malnar opened her eyes to see the apartment’s ceiling instead of a dark, cemetery sky. “…I’m home?” asked Droka.

“So it would seem,” mused Malnar. Droka then dropped to his knees and clasped his hands in prayer.

“I will keep the Solstice with all of my heart!” he promised again. “I will live in the past, present, and future! The Divine Ones that showed me what those aspects mean shall strive within me! I will not ignore the lessons taught on this journey! The Heights and the Solstice be praised! I swear this on my knees, Calna! On my knees!”

“I don’t think it would do you any good if you tried to make amends on your knees,” joked Malnar, hope for her uncle rising.

“Quite right!” cheered Droka as he got up from the floor. “I must start! But…what day is it? I don’t know how long the Divine Ones brought us on that journey! I don’t know anything! I’m a newborn!” He opened his window and looked outside. A Dwarf boy passed by the apartment building. “Excuse me!” he called. “Young man!” The boy looked up.

“Me, Sir?” he asked.

“Yes, my fine fellow!” confirmed Droka. “What’s today?!”

“It’s…it’s Solstice Morning,” replied the boy.

“It’s still the Solstice!” whispered Droka. Malnar heard that.

“…All in one…well, they ARE the Divine Ones, they can bend time as they wish,” mused Malnar.

“My boy!” called Droka to the Dwarf boy again. “Do you know if the Prize Turkey was sold yet?”

“The one twice my size? No, not yet,” the boy replied. “I should know, my father’s the butcher.”

“Excellent!” cheered Droka. “Don’t go away! I have something for you to do!” The Dwarf boy was confused as Droka disappeared from the window. After a minute, he returned. “Catch!” he called. He tossed down a bag of something and the boy caught it. “Go on, look inside!” urged Droka. The boy shook the bag first and it made a jingling noise. He then opened it and his eyes widened at the amount of Golds in it.

“That’s twice the Prize Turkey’s price!” he called up.

“Tell you father,” directed Droka, “that I’m buying the Prize Turkey! Whatever remains is yours! If you and your father come here with the turkey in five minutes, I’ll refill the bag with the price of the turkey and all of that is yours!” The boy sprinted quickly.

“Where’s the turkey going?” asked Malnar.

“To Twelmek’s, of course!” cheered Droka. “They need a fabulous Solstice dinner!” During the five minutes they waited, Twelmek got dressed and used the mana scraps he had to mend all of his clothes to look nice. The door chime rang. “Right on time!” chuckled Droka. He and Malnar bundled up and headed to the door. The butcher was there with the turkey in hand and his carriage was outside the building. “Excellent turkey!” praised Droka. “How much was it?”

“500 golds, sir,” replied the butcher, his beard barely hiding his confusion.

“Splendid!” answered Droka. He handed 500 to the boy. “As promised!”

“Thank you, sir!” bid the boy.

“So, you DID buy it?” asked the butcher.

“I did, indeed!” confirmed Droka. “I need you to deliver it to 96 Hillside Road, on the eastern edge of town! Make sure it gets there in time for Solstice Dinner! Don’t let them know I bought it for them. It’s an anonymous gift for them.”

“I will, indeed, sir,” promised the butcher as he set the turkey back in the carriage.

“Before you go,” called Droka. He handed 100 Golds to the butcher.

“A tip?” asked the butcher.

“And a Solstice present!” replied Droka.

“Thank you, sir!” praised the butcher as he got into his seat. “Happy Solstice!”

“Happy Solstice!” returned Droka.

“They’re going to love that,” chuckled Malnar. “When will you tell Twelmek?”

“After I give him his long-overdue raise,” replied Droka. “I think five times his usual amount will help his family.”

“It’d certainly get them a bigger house,” agreed Malnar.

“…Have you ever noticed how wonderful the Solstice is?” sighed Droka happily.

“Every time it rolls around,” chuckled Malnar. “You know, the invitation to dinner still stands.”

“…Even after the load of nonsense I pulled yesterday?” asked Droka.

“You’ve changed,” replied Malnar. “You look happier. I would like to help you continue being happy.”

“Well, I’d be a fool for not accepting, wouldn’t I?” chuckled Droka. “This year, I accept.”

“Come on, then!” cheered Malnar. I must say, it was quite the surprise when everyone met Droka. He joined in the fun, taught everyone another game as well as participating in similes, and told them about the journey that made him change his heart.


Twelmek was running, and I do mean RUNNING, to the bank the next day. He was puffing the instant he got into the building and lit his candle before hearing someone clear their throat. “What do you mean by coming in at this time?” grunted Droka in his old manner.

“I’m sorry, sir,” gulped Twelmek. “I didn’t pay enough attention to the time.” Droka then stepped forward and handed him a piece of paper. Twelmek winced and looked at it…only to find that it WASN’T a notice of Termination of Employment, it was a compensation note. “…Sir, I think you gave me the…”

“Long overdue raise you needed to aid your family?” interrupted Droka. “I did, indeed.”

“…Sir?” asked Twelmek.

“A Happy Solstice to you!” cheered Droka. “I will raise your salary and assist your family in all of its struggles! I will see to it that Teegar can walk with no aid and will ensure she has the best possible life! …Well, what are you standing there, gaping for?! Go stoke up the fires and get some warmth in this place!”

“Y…Yes, sir!” stammered Twelmek, wondering if it was a dream. Outside, Malnar had heard the news. Droka DID donate to help the poor, to the same collectors that visited him two days ago, and saw to it that he would donate the same amount of money throughout every time of the months ahead, until his own death. Malnar smiled warmly, her heart made lighter with the knowledge that change was always possible. She walked down the street and did some thinking by herself until she was stopped by Balmo again. She dashed into an alley to talk to her and a Flame Elf woman that looked familiar.

“Your uncle is true to his word,” chuckled Balmo. “He now understands how to keep the Solstice in his heart.”

“And to Teegar, who will NOT die,” continued the woman as she pointed to herself, revealing herself to be an older Teegar from the future with both of her legs working, “gets the operation needed to save her. Arsha’s CMO did that and your future with all of your lovers is safe.”

“Go Marshii!” cheered Malnar. “May all of divinity bless us on this and every day!”

“We certainly will,” agreed Balmo. “Farewell, Malnar Emboramii!” She and Teegar’s new future faded.

“A Happy Solstice,” called Malnar to the heavens, “and a happy new year!”

Categories
Standalones TTR

A Solstice Song 4

“You…you then wish to show us the future?” gulped Droka.

“I do,” answered Balmo. She then pointed. As if by some abrupt change, the scene behind Malnar and Droka was now that of the Stock Exchange. A quartet of people were talking, a plump Centaur woman, a beardless Dwarf man, a Halfling man that was small for his people’s average height, and the Halfling’s wife of average Halfling height.

“All I can say is,” remarked the Centaur woman, “I don’t know how. All I know is he’s dead.”

“Do you know when he died?” asked the smaller Halfling.

“Last night, I think,” mused the Centaur woman.

“Is there going to be a funeral?” asked the Halfling’s wife.

“A cheap one, I’ll be bound,” sighed the Dwarf. “Any mourners?”

“I doubt it,” muttered the Centaur woman. “His only friend died before him, his family’s gone, he’s got no one.”

“I’ll go if there’s food,” remarked the Halfling. “You know us Halflings, we MUST be fed.” That earned a laugh from everyone in the group. The observers, on the other hand, didn’t laugh.

“Who were those people talking so rudely about?!” demanded Droka.

“You will understand soon enough,” replied Balmo as the scene changed again. It was a dingy room with items all strewn around. A wicked looking Elf woman dumped her bag onto the floor with a fat human pawing through it.

“His bedsheets?!” he cackled. “I hope he didn’t die of anything catching! Oh, and is this his shirt?!”

“Got them all washed,” croaked the Elf woman. “Don’t want any disease on my conscience. Besides, they was gonna bury him in it! If he was gonna have them, why weren’t he more natural?”

“Can’t argue there!” laughed the man.

“More of them?!” protested Droka. “Balmo, this is absurd! Let me see some tenderness connected with this death!”

“As you wish,” whispered Balmo. The scene change to an older-looking Twelmek.

“Wh…why does he show signs of age?” asked Droka.

“Listen,” directed Balmo.

“My daughter,” whimpered Twelmek as he knelt in prayer. “My precious daughter…” He was kneeling by a crutch carefully preserved.

“…I see,” mused Droka.

“Not yet,” countered Balmo as the scene changed to a cemetery. She pointed at one of the headstones. Droka guessed whose name was on it.

“Oh no,” he sarcastically wailed, “I’m going to die!” He then dropped the act and whirled on Balmo. “This whole thing is a waste of my time!” he bellowed. “First, Freemal has me take a trip through my past! You DO realize that the past makes up who I am, right?! What’s the point of reliving it if I already remember it?! Then, Mordek shows me the present! Oh, wow! It’s like I’m living in it right now! Now, we have you, Balmo, the future? And what IS the future, I’m getting a headstone. Of course, I am! I’m going to die, Malnar’s going to die, her lovers are going to die, Orbak’s going to die, WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE! …We’re all going to die and leave when it’s too early, so what’s the point of showing me my headstone?!”

“It IS your headstone, yes,” mused Balmo, “but what about the spirits?”

“…Spirits?” asked Droka.

“WHOA!” yelped Malnar. Droka turned and gasped in disbelief. Chained ghosts appeared before them and the faces were all known to him. Malnar, Orbak, Elmpam, Twelmek, and his own ghost, they were all chained.

“Wait a minute!” protested Droka. “I thought I was the only one risking the chains!”

“With you dying,” explained Malnar’s future ghost, “it changed us all. I never married my other lovers, Dad became tyrannical, Mom left him, Twelmek died of depression, and we are ALL chained to YOU! All because you never moved on from your sister’s death!”

“No!” begged Droka. He then turned to the living Malnar and Balmo. “No, please, not them! Hear me! I’m the only one that must be chained! Please! Why show me this ghastly future?! And why tell me this is because I see no logic in moving on from her death?! Do you have ANY idea what it was like?! Would you say goodbye?! COULD YOU?! How can you say goodbye…” at that moment, he was crying, “when someone is living life and not remembering her?!”

“But Daddy DOES remember her!” replied Malnar. “THAT’S why he’s living life! He’s doing it her name! He added Mother’s name to the list of living in people’s name when she died! We’re asking YOU to move on!”

“How can you ask me that?!” wailed Droka as spectral chains wrapped themselves around him. “WHEN MY FAMILY LEFT…it was like losing her all over again!”

“Uncle Droka,” whispered Malnar as she knelt down to see eye to eye with him, “none of us are your sister. Money is not your sister. No one and no THING can replace her. There IS something capable of lasting a lot longer than money. Live in her name and memory.”

“How can you even ask that with your mother dead?” asked Droka. “How can you move on?!”

“It’s a process,” replied Malnar. “Uncle Droka, this is where you are right now. Where do you WANT to be? Where do you NEED to be?” Droka then looked back and saw the ghosts.

“Balmo, are these the shadows of the things that WILL happen or the things that MAY happen?” he finally asked.

“That is up to you,” replied Balmo.

“…Where is my sister’s grave?” inquired Droka. He looked back to see Balmo pointing to a headstone. Droka made his way to it and wiped off excess snow from the stone to read Telna Emboramii, the sister of King Orbak and Baron Droka. “Telna, I have been a foolish man after you died,” he confessed. “Through it, I am chaining our family to selfishness. Well, no longer! I don’t ask for forgiveness, only that I make things right and free our family! I will keep the Solstice with all of my heart! I will live in the past, present, and future! The Divine Ones that showed me what those aspects mean shall strive within me! I WILL NOT IGNORE THE LESSONS TAUGHT ON THIS JOURNEY!” He then hugged the tombstone and cried, his eyes shutting. Malnar shut her eyes and cast her head upward, silently asking the Divine Ones to grant him the chance to change and promising that he would take it.

Categories
Standalones TTR

A Solstice Song 3

An hour had passed as Malnar was about to nod off. Her arrival to Dreamland was interrupted by footsteps. She got up from her seat to see Droka getting something from the cabinet. “Droka?” she asked. Droka jumped before assuring himself it was Malnar.

“After that nightmare,” he muttered, “I need something to calm my nerves.”

“LOOK UPON ME!” called a jolly voice, spooking both Malnar and Droka. A fat, jolly looking man in red was in the room. “I do beg your pardon,” laughed the man. “Did I startle you?”

“No, I just like to yelp in surprise all the time! Sheesh!” snapped Droka.

“Mordek?” asked Malnar.

“I am, indeed, Mordek!” replied the fat man. “One of the five Divine Ones that watch over the element of fire!”

“Are you the next guide?” asked Droka.

“That I am!” cheered Mordek. “I’m here to show you how the Solstice is celebrated by ALL walks of life! Come!” The scene melted away to reveal the Ruling Castle, the seat of Power in the Under-realm and Orbak’s home.

“What the?” muttered Droka.

“Okay, why are we back home?” asked Malnar. They heard footsteps approaching the castle gates. They whirled around to see a second Malnar approaching as she blew into her hands, then rubbed them. She then rang the buzzer.

“May I help?” asked an elderly gentleman’s voice.

“It’s me, Dweemar,” replied the second Malnar.

“Come on in, Your Highness,” bid Dweemar. “Your parents are eagerly awaiting you. I trust you had a pleasant night at your uncle’s?”

“That man lives in a practical ice box!” complained the second Malnar. Droka turned to the first and scowled.

“Well, you do!” she protested as everyone followed the second Malnar in.

“Malnar!” yipped a voice. The second Malnar was then wrapped in five pairs of arms all giving a simultaneous embrace. A white, fuzzy muzzle rubbed itself on the second Malnar’s face.

“Hey, Mama,” chuckled the second Malnar. The hugger, Elmpam Emboramii, stepped back and rubbed a pair of hands down the second Malnar’s face.

“Good grief, you’re frozen!” she observed. “The walk must have been biting cold!”

“So was my uncle’s apartment,” replied the second Malnar. “That man never stokes his fire! And his attitude’s no better! Do you know what he said to a pair of donation collectors?”

“He tossed them out without leaving a tin?” called a voice. Orbak stepped into the foyer to join his wife and daughter.

“He tossed them out without leaving a tin! Exactly!” confirmed the second Malnar. “I gave them twice my usual donation sum to cover for the verbal abuse they suffered! Leaving people to feel cold and miserable on the Solstice! What kind of man is he?!”

“A rather stingy one,” remarked Orbak. “I take it he refused to dine with us?”

“He said he’d see me in the Depths before that happens,” replied the second Malnar.

“Well, there ARE people who accepted and are more cordial than my brother,” mused Orbak. “I believe they’re…right there.” He pointed to a door with five people Malnar loved very much.

“LARDETH! GORFANTH! ARSHA! FORESNA! FALNII!” cheered the second Malnar happily. She rushed towards her future spouses and joined in the embrace. “Lardeth, Arsha, how did you finagle leave time?” asked the second Malnar.

“After the Borsootha affair,” replied Arsha, “Rokalla managed to convince Realmfleet that we needed a break.”

“So, we chose the Solstice to celebrate with you,” continued Lardeth.

“Well, it’s great to see you again!” cheered the second Malnar. She turned to her parents. “Is the ballroom ready?”

“Ready and eager for our feet and voices!” declared Orbak. “Come! We have a celebration to commence!” The scene changed to the ballroom where a violinist played and everyone gathered in a circle. Elmpam had a small handkerchief in her hand and danced as if she were hiding behind it while everyone clapped in tempo of the violin. While she danced and twirled clockwise, everyone else danced counterclockwise. Elmpam kept twirling until she danced towards her husband and danced with him before passing the handkerchief to him and taking his place in the circle. This time, Orbak was dancing as if he were hiding behind the handkerchief while everyone else circled him. He then danced towards one of Malnar’s sisters, Twentha, and she took his place in the middle. This went on and on until everyone had a turn. Soon, everyone was clapping as the violinist finished and bowed.

“I played that game when I was a child,” mused Droka.

“You ARE missing out on a great deal,” replied Mordek.

“Let’s see, how about a game of Similes?” suggested Foresna.

“Similes?” asked Lardeth. “What’s that?”

“One person has to start a simile,” explained Foresna, “and the person that is chosen by the speaker has to complete it. If they fail to do so, then they’re out. Allow me to demonstrate. Arsha, sly as…”

“Sly as a fox!” finished Arsha.

“And she’s safe,” continued Foresna.

“How will we know when we’re out?” asked the second Malnar.

“The person who’s out is the one sitting down,” declared Orbak. “Do you all mind if I start?”

“Be our guest, Your Majesty,” replied Foresna. Orbak then turned to Lardeth.

“Lardeth, proud as…” he proclaimed.

“A peacock,” finished Lardeth.

“Elmpam, tight as…” began Orbak.

“Your brother,” snarked Elmpam. That got a laugh from everyone.

“Oh, ha ha,” grumbled Droka.

“Not the simile I was thinking of,” answered Orbak. “Sorry, sweetie, but you need to sit.”

“Yeah, tell an Inu to sit,” Elmpam comedically grumbled. She had an exaggerated pout as she sat down.

“I believe that is enough for now,” mused Mordek. “Come, we must go to Delga’s castle.” The scene faded and changed into the main courtyard where Delga, Larbuu, and their respective harem partners cuddling on a bench.

“I’m afraid it’s true,” sighed Enfanti, “Dad can’t come to our Solstice bash.”

“That’s a pity,” sympathized Delga. “Then the mine’s atmosphere is taking its toll on his health too much.”

“Can’t we send help him?” asked Dorbu.

“Do you have 90,000 golds to cure him?” asked Enfanti.

“90,000?!” yelped Larbuu. “That’s robbery! And at the Solstice too!”

“So, the fact remains, your father won’t be joining us,” sighed Delga. “A pity. We haven’t seen him for months.”

“What is her father’s name?” asked Droka.

“Alnam Glarosa, I believe,” replied Malnar. Droka then went quiet. “…Refused a loan in his name?” she guessed.

“I had…no idea,” muttered Droka. The scene then changed again to a small, two story house with only one room for the entire family. It was a family of Flame Elves. A mother was cooking as her children were helping. “Who in the…?” quizzed Droka.

“Twelmek’s family, I believe,” mused Malnar.

“Come on, Dweena,” called the mother to the eldest daughter. “Come set the table.”

“Yes, Mother,” replied Dweena.

“Hey! Dad’s home!” called one of the twin boys.

“And Teegar, too!” cheered the other.

“Let them in!” directed the mother. The twins opened the door to let Twelmek and a young girl in. The girl was on Twelmek’s shoulder and had a crutch in her hand. Both cheered when they saw their family.

“Happy Solstice!” cheered Twelmek. He set the girl, Teegar, down and she was helped to the table. A goose was set in the middle of the table and drinks were poured for everyone.

“A rather small goose for two adults, an adolescent, and three children,” muttered Droka.

“That’s probably all he can afford,” replied Malnar. Twelmek then raised his glass.

“I’d like to propose a toast,” he called. “To Droka, the founder of this banquet.”

“Founder of the banquet, my ears!” snapped his wife as her ears moved so the flat tops were level with the floor. “I’ll tell you what, I’d send him a piece of my mind to feast on!”

“Gleemar, it’s the day of the Solstice,” replied Twelmek.

“And, from what you’ve personally said,” continued his wife, “he won’t have anything to do with it!”

“Mama, isn’t the Solstice a time for forgiveness?” asked Teegar. The mother drew in a breath, knowing her crippled daughter was right.

“I’ll do it for your sake,” she sighed, “your siblings’ sake, your father’s sake, and the day’s sake, but not for his.” She raised her glass. “A Happy Solstice to Baron Droka Emboramii. May he be very happy, wherever he is.”

“Baron Droka,” answered everyone before they took a sip.

“…I suppose I deserve that,” sighed Droka.

“Hm?” asked Malnar.

“Nothing,” dismissed Droka. “…Mordek, tell me about the young Teegar. How full will her life be?” Mordek winced before answering.

“I see an empty place at the table and a crutch carefully preserved,” he sighed.

“…A pity,” grunted Droka.

“Pity?” hissed Malnar. “You still believe what you said earlier?! How she should hurry up and die because she’s not productive enough?! I would advise you to hold your tongue until you know what the unproductive are and where it lives.”

“Man, if man you are,” continued Mordek, “you will find that, as it stands now, you are worth less in our eyes than MILLIONS like that poor man’s child, even BILLIONS worse off than her! Believe it or not, she is one of the lucky poor in having a roof over her head! Come!” The scene abruptly changed to a village of poor people. This was nothing more than a collection of raggedy tents with families huddled around small fires.

“What in the…?!” spluttered Droka. “Why are we in the bad part of town?!”

“This is one of the poor villages,” explained Malnar. “You know, one of the places where you said people badly off should go?”

“But…but I thought they were better constructed than this!” protested Droka. “I thought there would be, you know, actual buildings!”

“They can’t afford the upkeep of such buildings,” answered Mordek. Droka’s eyes were then grabbed by something beneath his robes.

“Lord Mordek, what’s that behind the robes? Is it yours?” asked Droka.

“No, THEY belong to all of our children, no matter the species,” corrected Mordek. He pulled them back to reveal a boy hissing and spitting with fingernails broken into claws and a girl with the telltale sagging stomach. “I present to you Young Master Ignorance and Young Miss Want,” introduced Mordek. “They desire warmth of any kind, whether it be from an actual fire or the flames of kindness, hence why they cling to me!”

“Don’t they have ANY help?!” wailed Droka.

“Are the shelters still in operation?” asked Malnar coldly.

“Why are you using my own words against me?!” snarled Droka.

“Because you’ll find that your words and actions,” hissed Malnar, “are more deadly that ANY weapon that can be constructed! Lord Mordek, I think we’ve…Mordek? Lord Mordek?!”

“He’s off on an errand,” whispered a voice. A woman in black robes then approached them. There was an uneasy air around everyone.

“L…Lady….Lady Balmo?” gulped Malnar.

“I am,” answered the Divine One, one of the five that watch over death.