Wonder was fighting every impulse to scream, cuss, or everything above. The only thing saving him was one of Blood’s shadow-tentacles. And the Forest Spirit was trying to keep Wonder from going ballistic as well.
Wonder looked behind him. He saw Myrid was tied up with magic bonds, and gagged. They looked over in a panic, and seemed to relax when they saw Wonder was all right. There was now a Mage along the group. Myrid had been played as well.
Wonder forced himself to breathe. He said, “What. The. Hell.”
PL scowled. “You are to die.”
“Why.”
PL said, “You know.”
Wonder spat in his face. “Because I’m transgender? Because I am neurodivergent? Because I am a FREAK? BECAUSE MY BRAIN IS FUCKED UP?!? BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE SOCIAL SKILLS?!? BECAUSE I CANNOT MANIPULATE PEOPLE?!? BECAUSE I DO NOT LIKE TORTURING PEOPLE?!? BECAUSE I DO NOT ENJOY RAPE?!? BECAUSE I WAS BORN A WOMAN AND WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND THEREFORE IS SUPPOSED TO BE EVERYONE’S PLAY-TOY TO BE BROKEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN WITH NO LEGAL WAY OUT SO PEOPLE CAN BREAK YOU OVER AND OVER AND DRAIN YOU OF MONEY WHILE LAUGHING THEIR FUCKING HEADS OFF WHILE YOU CANNOT ESCAPE?!?”
The faces of everyone else was paling more and more. Blood quickly held Wonder back with a tentacle of his own, but it was gentle. Blood also tried to rub Wonder’s back.
But this had brought back memories. Bad ones. And old terrors… one that he never thought Hoseki would bring back. He thought Hoseki was better. It was an accepting, safe place.
Apparently not.
The PL suddenly cut in, “No! Because you’re with the Lightwraiths!!!”
Silence.
Wonder breathed a deep sigh of relief. Hoseki was still safe. Hoseki was still safe…
Forcing himself to come out of it, Wonder said, “Next time, fuckward, when someone asks you why they got betrayed, and they are not someone you know… PRESUME A FUCKING HISTORY!!!”
Everyone winced.
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Wonder growled. “And just so you know, I hate Lightwraith culture. The only reason I was friendly with that town was that they have their own culture, not the bad one.”
PL and the others looked warily at each other. But Wonder thought he saw gears turning. After all, his emotional blast revealed a lot of why Wonder hated Lightwraith culture. If he had been born under them… he probably wouldn’t have made it until 3 years old, honestly. If not for the torture, but suicide.
PL said, “…I’m sorry. We were hired to kill you, so we must kill you.”
“YOU’RE NOT TOUCHING MY DAD!!!”
Out of nowhere, Sakura appeared. In her hands was a morning-star, or a mace. Wonder never really figured out the difference between the two.
The morning-star did its work, smashing and tearing the PL’s face. Everyone quickly got ready, but Wonder was releasing arrows. The sound of drums filled the air, boosting Wonder’s stats. Rose was nearby as well…
Then, you guessed it…
Came the bunnies.
A flood of the undead creatures emerged from the forest, jumping onto the treacherous party members. The crew started trying not to get eaten, which only opened them up to Wonder’s arrows, and some fireballs coming from the back forests.
In only a minute, possibly two, the party was dead.
Wonder felt sick, possibly due to the emotional overload. He hugged Sakura, though. He smiled as his family emerged from the trees. “Thanks, everyone! You’re my Heroes!”
Everyone chuckled and took turns hugging. Wonder smirked at the morning-star. “Decided to get into some action, baby girl?”
Sakura blushed. “Um…”
Rose chuckled. “She was pretty adamant. When we overheard you screaming, we thought you were in danger. She suddenly summoned that and was racing in like a… what was the class you told me about? Barbarian?”
Wonder smiled. “Barbarians do things out of rage. I think our daughter had much nobler intentions.”
Sakura turned beet red. “Guys…”
Wonder kissed her forehead. “Daddy’s very proud of you, baby girl. Especially since I know how you feel about weapons and such.”
He smiled at the Izuku. “And I’m proud of you, baby boy. Where did you even hide all those bunnies?!?”
Izuku chuckles. “I have… a lot of Beast space.”
Crisis walked up. “Perimeter’s clear. Lil’s trying to figure out who put the bounty on Wonder’s head.”
Wonder said, “I’m betting Oracle City.”
Pal paled and looked at her feet. Kat babbled, appearing in Wonder’s arms. Wonder gave him a gentle hug. “I’m guessing you’re the reason why everyone’s suddenly here!”
Kat said, “Blurg.”
Rose said, “Pretty much. Someone saw the bounty board, and sent it up the chain. Kat warped us as close as he could. And, well… we just followed your voice.”
Rose rubbed his back. “And just so you know… none of that applies here. Or towards you.”
Wonder smiled weakly. “Thanks, Rose. That means more than you know.”
Rose nodded… then paled. “Wonder.”
“Yeah.”
“Why is the Prince of the Lightwraiths with you?!?”