And the stars look very different today...

[zunesareawesome]

It was a way out. But it wasn't home.

Truthfully, after Norfinbury, anything would be better than that place, but the cold truth was--there was no way to find his own universe out of the endless multiverse, even if Norfinbury's busted technology had worked properly. He was stuck, here, with a megalomaniac Flynn--granted, a Flynn that managed to open up a portal out of there. Maybe that's what it took to get out of Norfinbury.

Or, Peter thought sometimes on bad days, Norfinbury only released you once you became the twisted version of yourself it wanted you to be. A specially-designed virus inflicted on countless worlds.

Besides, he ought to know something about that.

He didn't stay long on earth, he couldn't. Maybe it had something to do with the mystery of how they were revived in Norfinbury, their bodies recreated or cloned or healed, or maybe it was something that was gonna happen to him anyway, but he could feel the Light burning inside him, inside his head almost as soon as he landed. A desperate need to take to the stars. He'd managed to create a ship and took off.

Time passes, and scientists notice something odd about several exoplanets they're monitoring, especially ones marked as 'earth-like' or other planets in zones that could make them potentially habitable. Bright bursts of light and changes in the composition of the atmosphere or surface, it was inexplicable. Possible evidence of intelligent life? If they didn't know any better, especially with the rocky planets that now somehow boasted extreme changes, it was like something was terraforming them.

There was cause for alarm when Mars suddenly turned blue and green a few months later.

Meanwhile, a small blue-and-orange ship that looked suspiciously like a slightly more organic-looking Milano was racing towards the earth.

Comments

[magic video]

[lonebrarian]

[Oh, Flynn is not in the mood. After Norfinbury all he wants is to lean back, put his feet up and rule Earth, but nooooo, some stupid planetman had to come back here, touch magic and become all powerful. Ugh. What a drag.

Not that Flynn minds, not really, more power to him out there? Who cares about the rest of the galaxy anyway, but Earth, now that's his and Peter trying to take it is insulting and unacceptable and he can't have that. So in some way he ends up what he was actually sick of doing – protect Earth – but it's the principle of the matter you know?

He shows up in one of the Milano's screens because honestly, Peter, go away.]

So, ahem. Knock knock, Farmboy! [He's rapping his knuckle against the surface from his end.]

I know what you're trying to do and see, the thing is: No. Not happening. Not today, not ever, never, jamais and niemals my friend. In fact, I have just erected – heh – a magic shield all around Earth and you have approximately, mmhh, let me see those calculations there on your screen, ah yes – seven minutes and twenty seconds to stop this ship or it will be obliterated and you will have to float back stupidly. ... Which would be hilarious, actually, did I say seven minutes? I meant eight. Totally meant eight.

[zunesareawesome]

[Peter's honestly not expecting that, especially since he's not expecting earth to have anything remotely advanced enough to contact him--]

Wha...Flynn!?

How are you--how are you doing this!?

[He taps back at the screen and accidentally activates his windshield wipers. Angrily, he shuts them off.]

Uh, wow, okay--one, I can break through any stupid magic shield, two--how do you know I'm not just popping in for a little friendly visit? Thought we could catch up, buddy? Maybe you could show me around? Got any nice parks nearby? A little forest or two?

[luckythief]

So life kind of sucks these days but Ezekiel has to admit that getting to fly a spaceship and saving Earth is kind of a sweet deal in this entire Flynnpocalypse mess they're in right now. Really, having Flynn as the not-quite-so-benevolent leader of Earth and being forced to work for him isn't exactly his idea of fun. Of course they had been trying to find a solution for that; how to take his powers away, how to maybe turn him back to normal – when they were interrupted by his weird Norfinbury dimension friend destroying the galaxy.

Really, what was it with this place and people coming back as giant raging megalomaniac jerks?!

But surprisingly enough Flynn decides to protect Earth (Ezekiel thinks it's pettiness but he'll take it). And suddenly he and Stone are going on a real mission again. Ezekiel isn't sure how he feels about that. But he knows how he feels about Flynn telling them there is an actual UFO in the Library.

It's their luck Flynn decided to keep the Library after all because the magical creatures tried to use it to dethrone him (yeah, who could have seen that coming) and it's just a matter of getting in, finding the UFO in the Large Annex and potentially getting around the magic locks in place. And then... going to space and stealing some flowers, apparently.

They're making their way over to the Annex quietly and Ezekiel doesn't like the quiet so he glances over at Stone eventually.

"You okay there, Cowboy?"

[bookbrawler]

Life does kind of suck these days and Jacob is only too happy to get away from earth and the Flynnpocalypse. At least he's not the kind of person that would y'know, destroy priceless art in the bleak inevitable dystopian future that follows such power grabs, but being free is nice too. And a nice memory, at least.

Ever since he was cursed with these stupid tattoos, visible up to his neck and under his chin, and on his arms where his sleeves were rolled up, he'd been unable to betray Flynn and he honestly can't figure out a way around this. Having your will circumvented? And having to still work for Flynn?

He hates magic so much right now.

"Just thinkin'." That was pretty much all he could do nowadays. "Wonderin' if we could get away with flyin' that thing and never coming back."

It wouldn't work, but it was a nice thought, at least.

[action]

[luckythief]

[When he wakes up his head hurts.

It's a big room – pompous, ostentatious, with big velvety furniture and huh. How did he get here? Ezekiel shakes his head, confused and walks the room, inspecting its corners and the door. Mmh, magic lock, standard but with some alien components. Should be easy enough to break out.

However, his first action is to pocket some of the expensive looking decorations.]

[action]

[zunesareawesome]

[Peter forgets about the need for eating and drinking, he's been so obsessed about the Expansion that once he realizes he doesn't need to anymore, he doesn't bother because there were planets to take over right now--

--but one of Flynn's minions is here and that's unacceptable. But hey, he's got a bargaining chip now.

And...chips needed to eat and drink didn't they?

Peter's whistling as he strolls up the ridiculously ornate hallway and knocks at the door.]

Yo. Flynnion. You want lunch?

[lonebrarian]

Flynn has to admit, the whole thing is kind of fun.

It's wonderful, being all-powerful and controlling, having liberated himself from the responsibility and remorse and stupid feelings that tormented him in his earlier life. People respect him, bow to him, finally appreciate him for everything he has done and sacrificed and achieved over the years. And if they don't, he'll make them.

It's the little things that make him happy, like the defiance in Stone's eyes. Flynn wonders when he will break eventually and if he even wants him to. It's much more fun watching him squirm in the helpless rage and defeat in the clutches of Flynn's magic. Losing that would be almost disappointing.

But being all-powerful and controlling can get a little boring, too. So yeah, the whole thing with Peter is kind of fun. Jarring, frustrating, annoying - and he still takes his invasion attempt very personally, how dare he - but fun.

He's sprawled out on his throne (yes, he has a throne, though it's more of a giant fluffy wingback because honestly, normal thrones are so hard and uncomfortable) and sipping on a Fanta while he waits for Stone and Jones to return from their mission. Once they do he needs to conjure up another magic mirror because he desperately wants to see Peter's ragey face when he realizes his precious flowers are gone.

Flynn just hopes these two idiots don't screw it up. That would be... disappointing.

[bookbrawler]

Jacob is furious as he storms towards Flynn. He's got a bruise on his forehead and a cut on his his hand--landing wasn't his strongest point and is it bad that the UFO has a really big dent on it now?--but that didn't matter, because Ezekiel was now stupidly captured and he was going to have to ask Flynn for help.

It was the last thing he wanted to do, but he couldn't go up against a guy that powerful. He's seen enough Star Trek to know what happens.

Stone throws a handful of Quill's 'flowers', crumpled from that 'okay' landing down at Flynn's feet.

"I need your help."

The words feel like poison.

[lonebrarian]

"So! Now that the family is happily reunited I think it's time for a little debrief."

Flynn hums and stretches as he walks back to his "throne". Getting Ezekiel back had been tricky but also kind of satisfying. He wonders if Peter is going to contact him about it. Ezekiel had been surprisingly – in one piece so to speak. No signs of getting roughened up, neither mentally nor physically. Either Peter has done something they can't detect yet or nothing at all.

In fact Jones seems rather cheerful and Flynn can sense Stone's rightful irritation over it. Hmm.

"It seems some of us had a better time than others. Right, Jones. I want to know everything that happened on that pesky planet." His eyes fixate Ezekiel and he makes his tattoos light up for some extra incitement.

Jones gives a little pained gasp (that seems a little theatrical but than again everything Jones does seems theatrical) and rubs at his arms. "Sure. Uh. So at first I had to hang out in this giant room with these velvet cushion thingies. Really comfy. Then Peter came by and brought me some pizza. Did you know that he can make pizza appear out of thin air?"

[bookbrawler]

Jacob's not gonna lie, he's a more than liiiiitle bit worried and pretty annoyed about how easy Jones is taking all this. After all, he was kidnapped and it looks like he went on vacation?

And apparently got air-pizza?

"Sounds like it was all fun and games, wasn't it?"

Y'know, it's not like basically selling his soul to save you was a big deal or anything.

But he bristles when he sees Flynn use his magic to activate the tattoos. If it wasn't for several, painful, dangerous reasons, he would have paid that back in full.

It kills him that he can't do a thing.

cw mind control, mentions of violence and broken bones for entire thread

[lonebrarian]

After Stone has taken care of Ezekiel (and what good care he has taken, Flynn is already excited for next time!) Flynn makes sure the thief is properly locked up. Not that Ezekiel is in any condition to go anywhere right now but Flynn just knows how awful it will be for him waking up imprisoned. Yes, he'll make good of his promise. Whatever the reason for Jones' immunity, Flynn is going to make sure he will regret it thoroughly.

He is still angry about the tattoos. They should have worked on the thief – why didn't they? Was Peter involved after all? No, no, somehow Flynn thinks that's not it. Honestly, he even buys the whole pizza and video game story. What Jones had told him sounded... pretty much like classic Peter, really. Not that Stone needs to know that.

Speaking of which. Maybe it's time for a little reality check.

At first he had been tempted to remove his influence on Jacob's mind during or right after the 'punishment' but no, he wants that first moment all for himself. Besides, it's a lot more fun to keep Jones in the dark for now. Flynn looks away from the slumped, unconscious, battered figure behind the bars and over to Stone. The corner of his mouth lifts when he reaches out via the magical connection.

That was great. Look at him. You keep up the good work and he'll know his place in no time.

In a weird, twisted way he does enjoy the connection. There's just something genuinely fun about being able to talk telepathically?

But enough childish giddiness. He takes a step back and watches Stone's face intently. He doesn't want to miss one second of this.

"I'm very proud of you."

And then, from one moment to the other, he completely withdraws his influence on his mind.

Except for the pendant. That pendant stays on.

cw vomiting

[bookbrawler]

Jacob grins in an amiable way when he hears Flynn's voice in his head. It was so convenient, wasn't it? And this connection? Excellent for team work, too. He feels a strange kind of kinship with Flynn, being able to hear each other's thoughts brought a closeness most people would never have.

"Hey, I do my best, y'know? I--"

The bloom of pride he feels at Flynn's compliment suddenly just dies.

And in the next moment, it's all gone.

And in the next moment after that, there's a dawning, incomprehensible horror so great he can't stand it.

"Wh..."

His mouth drops open, as reality hits him like a truck.

Beating Ezekiel.

Coming up with the idea of breaking his hands.

The look on Jones' face.

Being buddy buddy with Flynn.

Actually breaking his hands.

Something in his soul just breaks clean in two.

"Y..."

He can't speak, it's too much. His knees buckle and he half-collapses, catching himself but not finding the strength to get up. It's too horrible, it's too much and he's sick, he's sick for a long minute and when he manages to collect himself he wipes his mouth and he's shaking--

--with a rage he didn't think possible a human being could have.

His voice is low, ragged. Almost a sob. Is he crying? He's crying.

"You...bastard."

cw mentioning of broken bones and violence possible for entire thread

[luckythief]

Freedom and his hands. That's the price of what he's done.

If Ezekiel thought working for Flynn had sucked before, well. He actually has to admit he was sorely mistaken because before doesn't even compare anymore.

He's working on the UFO today, trying to stall without being obvious. He really isn't in a hurry here, knows what's in store as soon as the UFO is fixed. Ezekiel scowls and briefly rubs at his hands, temporarily fixed by Flynn's magic until either Stone will crush them again or Flynn revokes the spell ("Just a safety precaution in case you try to run away or do something while Stone isn't around.").

But Stone is around a lot, watching him, working with him, only he's so different and whatever Flynn has done to him sends a seething bitter rage through Ezekiel. He doesn't know if Stone is aware of what's going on. He hopes not.

He's also doing his best to ignore the awful little voice that tries to say but what if he actually means it because no. Ezekiel will NEVER believe it, he won't give Flynn the satisfaction. He knows how badly the tattoos had affected Stone. Whatever this magic was? Must be his personal nightmare.

And Ezekiel has every intention of waking him up.

The situation is hopeless and horrible and amidst of it all Ezekiel finds a quiet, angry resolve that he hasn't felt in a long time. If Flynn thinks that beatings or a few broken fingers are enough to break his spirit he's sorely mistaken because Ezekiel can do this. He knows he can do this. This isn't worse than touching a several hundred degrees hot steam pipe or getting torn limb from limb again and again and again.

No, they have a looong time before they get even close to those numbers. And Ezekiel won't let it get to those numbers. He's going to save Stone long before that and then Stone is going to kick Flynn's ass and then they are going out for pizza and beer. It's a good plan, solid. It has all the steps, now he just has to figure out the tiny details in between.

One of those details is downloading the UFO's data into his smartphone and creating a program simulating the communications environment. Which, theoretically, should allow him to reach other spaceships out there. He's also implementing a speech-to-text feature because who knows when he can use his hands the next time. While the bar on the screen fills up, he puts the smartphone down face down and carefully leans to the side to peek out behind the panel, checking where Stone is at.

Wondering if he should risk trying to reach him again. If only to distract him from the phone.

[bookbrawler]

He was outside, on a ladder, trying to buff out some scratches, but it was some kind of fancy space alloy and his usual tricks weren't working. He's muttering to himself, working at the scratches with some filler and sandpaper, for once not paying much attention to Jones.

He's not sure what to feel about Jones lately.

On one hand, he was an awful traitor who deserved everything he got. Stone had no problem breaking his hands, no problem with anything he's done--after all, Jones worked with the enemy. He's lucky they didn't just kill him.

It still burns that he didn't tell him about the tattoos. That he kept that a secret. It was proof that he had been planning to betray them all along.

He was trying to save you.

He can't quite forget what he said.

Sure, he would do anything to save himself. Say anything. There was no reason at all to believe him.

And some part of him, deep down in his heart of hearts wouldn't let go of the 'what if.'

As much as he hated Jones, he still thought that maybe...maybe there was a chance they could get over this. Like with Cassie. He had a problem trusting folks after they'd betrayed him but then...look what happened with Cassie.

Still, he wouldn't leave Jones alone, mostly out of suspicion he was up to something, but also because he wanted to now why.

Why he'd done it.

Why he would betray his friends.

[text]

[luckythief]

[So here goes nothing. Ezekiel has no idea if this will actually make it into space or if he remembers the coordinates of Peter's planet correctly but it's his best shot.]

this is a message for the arcade king

[text]

[zunesareawesome]

oh hey man howd you get this number

cool a mystery message

shoot

cw mentioning of mind control, broken bones and violence for entire thread

[bookbrawler]

Jacob knew Flynn must have done it on purpose. Maybe for a laugh. Maybe he just got some kind of sadistic kick out of it.

Suddenly his feelings on Jones had changed abruptly, and the hatred was gone. He felt more like himself than he had in ages and with that, came the horror again, the cold twisting of his guts, and the guilt--the sheer, unending guilt that threatened to crush him.

Was he listening in, reading his mind and laughing at the turmoil, enjoying his pain?

It didn't matter. What mattered was that he had a window of opportunity to speak with Jones and he was gonna take it.

It's late and he rushes to Jones' cell, holding the bars as he peers through.

"Pssst! Jones!"

He's wild eyed, frantic, he doesn't know how much time he has left.

[luckythief]

He can do this.

This is nothing. He's been through worse (so much worse) and this is nothing and he can do this. It's a mantra that's playing on repeat these days, the soundtrack of his life.

The time spent in his cell is nerve-wrecking agony, his hands battered and useless, but Ezekiel has found a way to cross his arms and stick them under his shoulders to minimize movement. It looks a bit like he's sulking and maybe he is. His head rests against the wall in a half-doze, waiting for sleep to come and relieve him from the pain for a little while.

He wishes he could draw up imaginary maps like Cassie, maybe of electronics or code to pass the time, but he can't and so he's stuck with his thoughts. But it's fine. He can do this.

Ezekiel Jones does not lose to a prison cell.

When Jake's voice suddenly speaks up in the dark his head rises in surprise and he glances over at the bars. "Stone? What are you doing here?"

cw mind control, mention of broken bones, violence throughout thread

[bookbrawler]

Ezekiel was gone.

Ezekiel was gone and Jacob didn't know how or why but he knew there would be one person who knew, and he had a bone to pick with him.

He storms into Flynn's throne room, ready to find the nearest bottle of Fanta and crack it over his head.

Y'know, before his will was eventually subverted. His tattoos are starting to flicker--they haven't done so in awhile, they'd hardly done so since...the pendant. There was so little autonomy he had these days, and he honestly wasn't able to tell where his thoughts and emotions began and ended and where Flynn's began and ended. It would have been even more horrifying if he wasn't so used to it. Perhaps even the 'used to it' was a thought not his own. The horror had become a new normal, a baseline for whatever scrap of life this was, whatever existence he could now call this.

Who was he now? Was he still himself? Just a puppet? A body? Was he even Jake Stone anymore, or was he merely a satellite Flynn, an extension of his will?

Was there any thought he could possibly call his own?

"FLYNN?!" he calls out both verbally and mentally as loud and angrily as he can.

[lonebrarian]

Flynn is lolling on his wingback, feet propped up on the armrest when he can feel Stone's raging emotions long before he enters. He tilts his head back, rolling his eyes in annoyance and wonders if he should just stomp his defiance out – but then lets him have it. After all, he's been expecting this.

And he is kind of looking forward to this.

He sits up with a smile, unperturbed by the angry cry and beckons him closer. "There you are. I was JUST about to call you. It's time to celebrate. We did it – well, I did it. Earth is save, Peter's giving up."

cw mention of mind control/broken bones/violence throughout thread

[zunesareawesome]

Peter's still somewhat salty that he's not getting earth. But hey, it was fun battling Flynn while it lasted. He's honestly gonna miss that. Maybe he should throw an asteroid or two at the ol' blue marble once in awhile to keep him on his toes.

But something was worth even more than the earth, something that he was looking for all this time, something that the Expansion was masking, rather than helping.

Loneliness.

After all, if you were everything, you wouldn't be lonely anymore, right? Who's better company than yourself?

But even that was starting to seem pretty lonely.

And he'd already lost Flynn a long time ago.

So when the opportunity came up, Peter decided to take it.

Maybe this is what he was looking for all this time.

Friendship.

Peter's waiting at the docking area of his 'castle' for the autonomous ship he sent to pick Ezekiel up. There's music blaring on the many speakers he'd installed everywhere (on the entire planet), and he's got a cool video-game setup on his balcony with fresh pizza and Mountain Dew in the fridge.

[luckythief]

He's terrified.

There was something in the way Flynn had looked at him before his departure and said just one word, enjoy, that had evoked an almost primal terror, the prey being sent off to the predator, and his hands are shaking. They're healed, actually healed this time and that's nice but there's something instinctual that tells Ezekiel he'd rather stay behind and have them broken a thousand times over.

His body feels weird, tingling with magic of whatever spell had Flynn put on him. A parting gift, he had called it. Ezekiel doesn't know what it is but it feels weird, powerful, and he doesn't like it. He hopes whatever it is will somehow not work on him once again. But again, there's this little voice that tells him that somehow, he's not going to be so lucky this time.

As the ship carries him through space he's trying to focus on the anger instead, the fury and indignation of being traded away like a thing to Quill but it's not quite enough to calm the racing thoughts. What's going to happen to him? Why does Quill want with him? Did he figure out Ezekiel destroyed his flowers after all?

He closes his eyes, trying to breathe deeply and to collect himself until the door opens with a hydraulic hiss. He puffs his breath like a runner getting ready for the competition and puts on an unconcerned smile before stepping outside.

And stops because whatever he had expected – well, this isn't it. "Whoa."

[magic video] cw mention of mind control/broken bones/violence throughout thread

[bookbrawler]

[His hands are shaking as he holds his stupid consolation 'prize.' If this had been...not what it was...he'd have done this conversation in private, somewhere. But no. There's no point, is there? There's no point because he'll never be free, he'll never have his own mind ever again, and Flynn can easily pluck this conversation from his memory if he isn't listening in on it right now.

But he goes to the Annex anyway, sitting outside in the sun in Portland with the cool concrete against his back.

Just...a stupid old memory that might make this a little easier.

He could practically see Jenkins in that beat up old station wagon with busted turn signals. Or standing there in a circle with the envelopes, and looking down at the glowing words in his hands. Where Flynn--the old Flynn, the real Flynn was. Where they were offered a life of mystery, of misery, of loneliness, and adventure.

Well. They did save the world, in the end.]

Hey, uh...Ezekiel?

[He positions the small mirror up to his face.]

[luckythief]

[His room is huge and it's filled to the brim with tech and gadgets. To make more video games for himself and Peter – or so Ezekiel claims. There's a bigger project he's been working on for a while and it's a good thing Peter doesn't understand modern computers or code.

It's a good distraction for the abject horror that he still hasn't quite worked through. Having immortality thrust on you can really ruin your day. Or your eternity, whichever you prefer.

The first time Peter makes him watch the Expansion up close Ezekiel vows that he'll do anything to stop it. He is convinced that he can build something to tap into the Light. He might not be able to control it or destroy it but maybe he can disrupt it. He thinks he can stop the flowers, sabotage their network and connection with Peter.

And then he's probably gonna die horribly but oh well, what can you do.

He's busy tinkering when suddenly one of the screens light up to reveal Jake's face to him. A magic mirror!? Ezekiel immediately puts down his tools and hurries over, drawing up his rotating chair to sit down in front of it.]

Stone! Oh man, is that really you? How are you? How are-- things?

cw mention of mind control/broken bones/violence throughout thread

[luckythief]

Everything is in place and ready. It has taken him a long time but that he's not short on; and now he's finally here. The device looks like a combination of old school ray gun and garden hose, plugged into a computer hooked to his belt. Egon Spengler would be proud.

He watches the rows and rows of Expansion plants, these tiny extensions of Peter, and shudders in the presence of their horrific destructive potential. For a moment Ezekiel's bravado falters and maybe he should have installed a backdoor, something to barter with, maybe Peter will let him go, maybe he can make him mortal again, maybe he can even help Stone and--

No. He can't. He simply can't allow the Expansion to continue. And if there was a way to reverse the process Ezekiel knows Peter would find a way to make him do it. The only way is to irrevocably corrupt the flower network, beyond Ezekiel's control, no matter what the Celestial will come up with.

There have been a thousand iterations of this plan. Most of them had involved some form of escape but it's futile; there's just no way for Ezekiel off this planet. Peter made all the spaceships, they're part of him. Even if Ezekiel somehow managed to hack the controls, the moment he jumps aboard and tries to leave the atmosphere Peter would just wave a hand and make it turn around.

There's nowhere to go.

But it's fine. If this works everything will be fine and it will be worth it. If he never has to see a planet fall to Peter's insanity again, it will be worth it. The only thing he truly regrets is that he failed Stone, that he was unable to come up with a plan to save him before this had to happen.

He thinks Jake would understand.

He can't wait any longer. It's possible that Peter has already sensed him in here. Taking one last deep breath he raises the gun and fires at the nearest plant. There's a crackling sound and blue static that engulfs the blossom and then spreads, jumping erratically between the flowers, revealing the invisible, powerful network connecting them. They all light up, growing brightly, so bright, too bright -- and then the light fizzles out, one by one their heads sink down and they crumple up and die.

His eyes flicker towards the window on the far end of the room and out there, somewhere in the far distance, he knows is Earth. His home. His family.

See you on the other side, Cowboy.

[zunesareawesome]

Peter's not sure what Ezekiel's doing there, even though he trusts his buddy he's curious so he's right about to walk in when he sees the flash and it hits him--

--the connections--

--the Expansion--

Fizzling out, planetary connections being lost one by one. It feels like something is tearing him up inside, it hurts and his head is exploding in pain--

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

It's disappearing, his connection to them, parts of him disappearing, it's himself, he's the planets and they're gone and it hurts and his mind is a wreck and he's so small, suddenly, he was so big and it's being taken away, ripped to shreds, and he's smaller, and now he's alone.

It just him and this planet.

He's on his knees, sobbing, holding his head.

What...

Jones.

Suddenly he can't think, he's so furious and he sends a tendril of light cracking out of the floor to try and wrap around Ezekiel--

"WHAT DID YOU DO?!"

[magic video] mention of mind control/manipulation/broken bones/violence/torture throughout thread

[bookbrawler]

[The days are running together and Jacob's not sure how long it's been since Jones has left. It upsets him on some level, he knows if he'd been in his right mind he'd have counted the days exactly. On another, colder level that's getting harder and harder to ignore these days, it shouldn't matter. He's never gonna see Jones again, at least on this planet, so why would it matter? He should be thankful he has the stupid mirror.

He can't tell which thoughts are his own anymore. He doesn't know if Flynn's making him do this or not. It's so hard to remember things sometimes, and when he does remember them, it doesn't seem real. He doesn't want to ask Jones if something really happened or not, or if he'd just dreamed it, it would worry him.

He's trying so hard to hold onto the Library. Remembering everything good about it, the good times, but the memories were being twisted, or snuffed out, and some days he just can't.

On days like these he needed something more than just an inkling of a memory. A ghost of something that might not have happened. The loneliness and despair had taken root in his soul, and he knows he shouldn't be trusting Flynn, he should hate him, but some days Flynn was all he had, Flynn was the only one who cared.

And sometimes he wasn't sure where his thoughts ended and Flynn's began. Or if anything in his head was real.

He needed to talk to Jones. Maybe--maybe talking to Jones would help. Might help bring back the fuzzy, faded good times.

Maybe talking to Jones would remind him of who he is.]

Hey...Jones?

[He's back at the Annex, holding the mirror. It's the one place that makes his mind a little bit sharper, his memories a little bit more real.]

[luckythief]

[The days are running together and Ezekiel's not sure how long it's been since he left Jacob and the Library. He has lost track of time altogether, his life segmented into searing agony and those moments in between. Sleep is a distant memory, too, and something he mainly thinks of in relation to Peter these days because when Peter goes to sleep so does the light. Everything is connected to the light.

Every time it claims him so does the terror that this time Peter won't let him go and just... leave him hanging until it has consumed him fully, until there is nothing left of him to take.

That means you hate the light, right? And yes, yes he does. At the same time, slowly, slowly, it becomes the new normal in a weird, twisted and utterly wrong sense, like he's forgetting that he's not supposed to be a part of it. Like he can't imagine life without it anymore, without giving his life force, powering it. Is that what Peter wants? Is that what going insane feels like?

Every time he talks to Jake it becomes a little harder to keep up the charade, to pretend it's fine, he's fine and spends his day tinkering, playing video games and drinking beer from a neverending fridge.

But he's trying.]

Hey there, Cowboy. How's it going?

[magic mirror] mention of mind control/manipulation/broken bones/violence/torture throughout thread

[lonebrarian]

[When Flynn shows up on the random screen in Peter's quarters his eyes are overly bright and shining because he is laughing so hard he's crying.]

Wakey-wakey, eggs and rotten flowers! Oh, please tell me Jones filmed your stupid face when that happened because I will be heartbroken for the next millennium that I missed it!

[zunesareawesome]

[Peter is indeed, just waking up and Flynn's annoying happy tone sets his teeth on edge.]

...what? [He rubs an eye.] What are you--

--wait, how did you find out about that!?

cw mind control/manipulation, mention of broken bones/violence/torture throughout thread

[bookbrawler]

Jacob honestly has no idea how he's going to do this, just that he is going to do it and nothing on this planet was going to stop him. Not even Flynn.

Finally, in what seems like so long, he's got the clarity and focus, he knows what he wants. They feel like his thoughts, and he feels more like himself. More like Jacob Stone, and not some confused mix of memories.

He's got one good, fresh memory he's hanging onto right now. He can't let Flynn take it away.

Gotta save Jones, gotta save him, gotta save him--

Jacob's storming his way into the Annex and therefore the Library, and calls out through their shared connection. Hey, maybe if he got far enough into space, it would break the pendant's hold on him?

With much more confidence and clarity he's had in ages, he's practically mentally yelling.

FLYNN? I'm takin' the UFO to save Jones.

[lonebrarian]

It takes him completely by surprise and like last time he almost lets Stone into his head by accident but his mental barriers come up just in time. Flynn jumps up from his wingback and stands, eyes wide, staring into his empty room and what the hell just happened?

Stone shouldn't be able to fight back!

He quickly hides his surprise at the intensity of that call because there's something worrisome there, not just loudness but potential for attack. He's not sure if Stone realizes it but Flynn does and it's... disconcerting.

Why is he so strong? He's not supposed to be so strong, he doesn't have Flynn's experience, expertise, all those years of magic knowledge. There is no way!

Flynn reaches out in return, trying to understand what's happening and oh. Taking the UFO to save Jones. That must be it. That's where all the resolve is coming from.

Unacceptable.

No, you're NOT!

cw mention of mind control/manipulation/broken bones/violence/torture possible throughout thread

[luckythief]

When the sun rises Ezekiel looks out the window with a sense of dread and anticipation. He grabs his tablet with the results of tonight's work and heads out to where he's supposed to meet Peter.

He could be stubborn and not go; sometimes he does that, sometimes he goes the tiny (and very painful) extra mile to have Peter come to him; but lately, less and less so. But it's fine. It's fine, because it's not giving up, this coming to him, no, it's calculation, just another game. Peter is in a better mood when Ezekiel comes to him on his own accord and that will be to Ezekiel's advantage. Which in turn will make Stone's rescue attempt easier.

Because Stone is coming to get him. He's coming to get him. Ezekiel knows that now and he's clinging to it like a drowning man because the light will just drown him at some point. It's already getting harder to keep it out of his thoughts at night, a weird sense of disconnect when it's gone. If he didn't know better he'd say he's starting to miss it but that's insane because how could you miss agony?

Whatever. It doesn't matter, because it would be over soon because Stone is coming to get him. Ezekiel just has to hold on until then, maybe try to keep on Peter's good side as much as possible.

If something like that even exists.

And if it exists, if Ezekiel even has a chance to make it there anymore, out of the dark side of the moon.

He sits, a bit sullen, at their meeting point and types away on his pad, waiting for Peter to wake up and arrive.

[zunesareawesome]

Peter seems fairly cheerful when he jogs up to their meeting point. After talking with Flynn some time ago--which as annoying as Flynn was, he had really good ideas--it was keeping him feeling much better about the whole losing-all-your-planets situation. He was gonna get them back, the Expansion could continue, and everything would be awesome. Still wouldn't necessarily get earth, but hey. Maybe he'd figure out a way to wheedle it out of Flynn later.

"Hey, Zeke, how's it hangin'?"

He is jealous of Ezekiel's ability to just...not sleep, but sometimes he himself had a terrible time actually getting to sleep. Sometimes he would jolt awake, hearing screams--imagining what it was like for the people on the surface of a planet that he was taking over--all the things he's done, all that happened with Flynn, and Norfinbury--but it was stupid to think of things like that and he didn't know why it kept popping up and bothering him.

[magic mirror] mention of mind control/manipulation/broken bones/violence/torture possible

[cahooted]

[Flynn isn't as familiar with utilizing the magic mirror so he's using the mobile one his other self had given to Stone. After a few attempts to manipulate the magic he finally gets it to connect.

It's hard to say what he feels.

Maybe he's just feeling too much.]

Hi Peter.

[zunesareawesome]

Yo, Flynn. What's up?

[There's no indication he notices anything wrong, as he catches sight of Flynn in reflection in his computer screen.]

Hold up, I gotta pause it, I'm on my last life--okay. Cool. Shoot.

cw mention of mind control/manipulation/broken bones/violence/torture possible

[luckythief]

[When Flynn evokes Peter's rage the ferocity of the attack catches Ezekiel by surprise. He doesn't understand what's going on or what he may have done, all he knows is that Peter is angry. The light is dancing above him and behind his eyes, filling his head and he screams through his teeth, lost in the confusing nothingness of pure energy and for a moment he wonders if this is going to kill him this time.

But it doesn't.

Instead can feel his life force seep into the tendril and it demands more, always more, Ezekiel needs to give it more. It's burrowing into his skull and his soul, trying to claim him, make him a part of the bright energy and part of him wants to follow the call. Maybe he can optimize the process, maybe Peter could try a second tendril, maybe they could power another planet then...

No, no, he needs to fight it, needs to keep it out of his head. He needs it to stop.

He doesn't want it to stop. It's so powerful. It's beautiful.

It vibrates with an intensity that makes him wonder just what could have possibly enraged Peter so but that thought is quickly drowned out by another wave of agony. It's so hard to think so instead, he screams again.]

[bookbrawler]

[Honestly, Stone wasn't sure if he preferred fighting the evil version of Flynn out of his head than seeing...seeing this. That almost seemed easier than being there, actually seeing Jones impaled on a tendril of light, crackling with unimaginable energy.]

Jones.

[It's a croaked whisper, he rubs his face, is this even actually happening? A part of him still wonders if this is all some trick of Flynn's, something else to control him, some vision of horror to break his spirit, there's some part of him still unsure if anything is really happening or if it's all because of Flynn, but he pushes that aside--this is clearly real, he helped save Flynn, and on the off-chance this was one bad nightmare--

--then he'd save Jones in that nightmare anyway.]

Jones!

[He calls up.]

Can you hear me!?

[Hearing him scream was tearing him up inside. He looks around for something, anything he could use to pry him out of there. He wasn't sure he could even touch that stuff, it'd probably kill him instantly, being mortal.]