makingthisupasigo | And the stars look very different today...

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And the stars look very different today...

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.

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[Flynn closes his eyes for a moment, struggling for control. The horrors of being locked in his own head for so long, of what his other self did, to Ezekiel, to Stone -- he pushes it all away for now, trying to focus on Peter.

He's not holding out hope. He's tried to reach Peter too many times for that (so many times, SO many times) but he'll try. He'll try again and again and if by some miracle they can avoid an altercation, he'll take it.]

The Library is a force for good. We have many resources. We can heal your mind. Help you leave the horrors behind, and that need for the Expansion.

...and what if you can't?

[He rubs his face, trying not to make how upset he is obvious.]

You probably can't. You're just trying to stop me, aren't you? I know you, Flynn. This you.

You "know" me? You don't know me. You don't want to know me!

[And suddenly the anger is there.]

I've been trying to save you for so long but you keep pushing me away, you keep telling me who I am, how I am. You just see what you want to see, as usual.

I do know you! I-- [He's had this arguement before, he knows it, but he's frustrated that--]

...it's not true! I did everything for you, man! Yeah, I know--I messed up, I did it wrong, but I did it for you, I tried so hard to save you. Or what I thought was saving you.

[His voice trails off.]

...maybe you can't save me.

[He falls silence, his face pained.]

Maybe I can't.

[Flynn drops his gaze, staring at the floor.]

I want to. I really want to, Peter. God, I've tried so hard... And I'd keep trying. If there was time, I'd keep trying.

[His breath hitches and again, he closes his eyes. When he looks back up his expression is still stricken with emotion but also firm, stern almost.]

But you must understand that I will not let you do to Ezekiel what you did to me. So I'm asking you again. Where is he?

[Peter looks away too. Weighing his options. If he accepts Flynn's help, he admits to himself that he's done wrong. And the guilt would crush him into oblivion. Especially after what he's done here. Destroying so many lives...all those planets, all those people--

--he shudders and shakes his head.

He looks back at the screen, that broken look in his eyes disappearing under a wall of ice.

He can't...can't let himself down that road.]

I guess if you won't help me I'll have to do it myself.

And I'm coming for earth.

[With his new buddy, Ezekiel. Except he'll be better.]

[The words strike him like a blow and he brings up his hand, almost touching the side of his face where Peter hit him so awfully once and it's like he can feel the bones crack all over again. Only this time it's not his face that's breaking but his heart and all the warmth that's left is going out of Flynn under that icy stare. The barrier holding back the avalanche of emotions cracks under the pressure, spiderwebbing like breaking glass and it almost shatters right then and there.

I messed up, I didn't realize what it was doing to you. I'll fix it. I'll fix it, we figure it out. I'm real sorry. About everything.

I'm coming for earth.]

Liar.

[It's soft and broken and there's tears clouding his eyes. He doesn't bother to wipe them away - what for? - just allows them to fall while his distraught look changes to something steely, unforgiving.]

... Then I'll stop you. Once and for all.

[And this time it truly feels like saying goodbye.]

Where's Ezekiel? What have you done with him?

[He hears the quiet liar and for a moment he's confused, he doesn't understand why Flynn would think he's lying.

But then--he remembers...and he tries to bury it under, so far deep it can't hurt him. Because if he lets it out it hurts too much. And he's spent more than a millennia doing his best to run away from pain.

I'm sorry, Flynn. I failed you.]

Once and for all? You actually think you can kill me?

[That gets a laugh. It's probably a a fake laugh.]

He's fine. He's here, actually. Endless Mountain Dew and beer and video games. I really don't think you oughta be worried about him?

[Flynn's hands hurt all of a sudden and then he realizes they're clenched into fists so tight his knuckles stand out white.]

After he destroyed your flowers? Wrecked all your plans? Come on now, Peter, we both know that's just not true.

[Because Flynn knows Peter, too. And Flynn remembers viscerally how terrible Peter had been just for Flynn being "mean" to him. He's not sure he even wants to know what severing his connection must have evoked.]

He better be alright. I loved you but you're no longer my priority here.

[There's a sigh.]

What do you want me to say, huh? Your worst fears have come true?

[And then suddenly, he looks stricken.

He better be alright. I loved you but you're no longer my priority here.

He's been so used to the other Flynn, used to their antagonistic relationship that he's caught completely off guard, and suddenly the rush of memories is nearly crushing him again. From before everything went wrong, before he'd seen Flynn die the first time, before he found out he was immortal.

And his heart feels like it's cracking again, splitting into shards that can never be repaired, and he knows if he lets it go completely it really will never be whole again.

His voice hitches, as he tries to clear it.]

Yeah...well. [He's trying not to let the hurt show on his face, for him to actually say it...he glances away.

And then he's angry.

Angry at Ezekiel for being Flynn's priority. Angry that he's been replaced, angry that Flynn is back to his old self and that he himself can't get there. That he's too far gone for anything to go back to the way it was.

And Ezekiel was the easiest target.

Peter growls into the screen, his eyes wide, shining with unshed tears.]

Maybe he shouldn't have done what he did.

[And there it is.

Flynn shivers because he immediately recognizes it, that anger, that destructive force of nature. There's too many memories connected to it, too much fear and it's just the worry for Ezekiel that keeps him from cutting the feed. He realizes he's still crying but his focus is elsewhere now.]

Peter.

[He's not sure how much longer he can trust his voice.]

What did you do?

What did I do?

[A bitter smirk. He raises a hand as he moves from the screen so that Flynn can see behind him. It's a pretty sweet set up, all things considered, arcade games in the back, a pool table, more computers and couches and refrigerators and off to the side a random statue of Mario and a mural of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles further still--

--but what was really noticeable was the tendril of light approaching closer and closer. It crackles with unimaginable energy, and even worse--it was holding Ezekiel.

Peter brings it closer still so Flynn could get a good look.]

It's funny, cause he's immortal so it won't kill him, but it does...something else to him. Can't really pinpoint it exactly but I think it's some kind of energy transfer. Unlimited life force, so... [A shrug.]

[At first there's a moment of confusion on Flynn's face. He can't really tell what he's looking at, something bright in the distance, ridiculous 80s memorabilia but then he can make out the tendril and then--

It's Ezekiel.]

Wh-...

[He's too shocked to even speak, the image burning into his mind and doesn't even notice when the barrier of the connection crumbles. It's Ezekiel, staked by the tendril, energy sizzling in and around his body. Peter's words seem to reach him from someplace else, somewhere far, far away.

won't kill him does something else to him energy transfer unlimited life force

Peter is powering the light with Ezekiel.

And then Ezekiel screams and when he does whatever goodwill Flynn had left towards Peter dies.

He stares at the scene with the sudden, brutal realization that his friend really is dead and gone. There's no forgiveness for that. All the excuses, clinging to what his friend used to be, trying to understand his loneliness, trying to downplay, to hold on, to blame Norfinbury, all that worked so well when it had only been Flynn suffering under his thumb. It's impossible now.

He draws in a sharp breath, suddenly overtaken by a rage and hatred for Peter he didn't believe possible. Not even back then.]

You... bastard. I'll make you pay for this.

[Peter's honestly taken back by the change in Flynn's tone, the look on his face--it's different, familiar in the way he's seen him rage before but it's also different, of a different level, and instinctively, something cold drops in his stomach and he doesn't like it--

--this is Flynn, the Flynn he was trying to get back to and failed, a Flynn he thought had been basically dead and lost to the ether of the multiverse, but he was back and he should be happy--

--and instead he's ruined everything. Peter glances up at Ezekiel, he can sense his and his life force even without looking at him, but he's hit with the guilt that 'maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all'.

But then Ezekiel did destroy his connection to his planets and the guilt disappears under the familiar comfort of despair and rage.]

...I'd like to see you try, I really would. You're not him, buddy. You don't have what it takes.

Besides, he's my new friend. You know what happens to people when they try to rescue them from me, don't you?

[He regrets the words instantly the moment he says them.]

[You know what happens to people when they try to rescue them from me, don't you?

The words ring in his ears and Flynn stares at Peter for a long, long moment, the memories ripping straight into his soul. But he doesn't flinch. Whatever reaction Peter wanted from this blow, he's not getting it.

Not anymore.]

Oh, I know.

[His voice is low, thick with lingering remnants of pain and desperation, too much for one person to bear but he's bearing it. For the first time he's bearing it, like the loneliness, like the secrecy, like the sacrifice. Because Peter is wrong. Because this isn't Norfinbury. Because here, there's the Library.]

And you're right. I'm not him.

[There's a new intensity to his stare, one that's reserved exclusively for adversaries.

Wilde. Jerry. Dracula.

Peter.]

I'm the Librarian. And you really shouldn't have messed with my family.

Edited 2018-04-30 16:21 (UTC)

[There's a strange sort of mix of apprehension and pride and disappointment--he's worried about what that means with the actual powers that reside in the actual Library--that Flynn isn't crumbling, that he is standing up to him--that Flynn is in fact standing up to him and that this won't be easy and he wanted it to be easy?

The intensity of his stare is...disconcerting. He doesn't like it, doesn't like being on the receiving end of it. It reminds him of Flynn's breakdowns, except here he's not breaking down, he's standing up to him and...

...well, this won't be boring, at least.]

You want him? Come and get him.

Oh, you better believe I will.

[Actually, they're already on their way but there's really no reason to tell Peter that.]

And I'm coming for you, too.

For me? Out of revenge, right?

I thought you were better than that.

Anyway, this is my planet and you can't do anything to me here, so.

Did you of all people forget that you're talking to the man who killed Dracula?

[Yeah.

He's actually going there.

Do you realize how pissed off he is yet.]

[A little bit, yeah.]

You're gonna try to kill me?

[He sounds offended. Worried. Hurt. Genuinely hurt.]

Hate to break it to you, but it can't be done.

I've heard that one before. Many times.

[Good. You better be all of those things.]

You know what, I know you have these issues with empathy, so let me help you out a little. Remember that one time I tried to make you understand how I feel? I'm gonna try it again. I'm gonna try it one more time. Not to convince you? But to make you understand.

I want you to look at Ezekiel. Look at him.

And now I want you to imagine this is me doing this.

And now I want you to imagine I'm doing this to Gamora. To Groot. To Rocket. To Drax. To your mother.

[He doesn't wait for Peter's reaction. He just presses on.]

And what you're feeling then? That's what's coming for you, Peter. That's what I'm bringing to you.

[Peter's face goes slack when he remembers how Flynn's said this before.

There's a part of him that's screaming, begging Flynn not to do it. Not to say it.

Please.

And then, he does.

And something inside him, the part that still loves Flynn, snaps and shatters, like a dropped glass.

There's tears in his eyes, tears of rage and sorrow and the unimaginable grief that lay behind his actions, and he can't--

--the ground shakes, the room nearly splitting in two as cracks filled with light form--then there's suddenly light everywhere, Peter's own eyes glowing as he can't contain it, can't contain his rage, his sorrow, his pain--the entire planet shudders, cracks and light soaring up into the sky like aurora--good luck Ezekiel, if you can sense it--

HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT!?]

You asshole--I'm not holding back, not anymore--I'll make you pay for that!

There you are.

[Flynn holds the gaze with burning eyes but his mind reaches out to Stone.

He's gonna realize we're already here soon. He'll come after me. I need you to go get Ezekiel.]

There's the real you. Because I'm sick of that mask, Peter. I'm sick of your happy face and pretending you're not a murderer and a torturer and a bully. I gave you everything! I tried everything but you crossed a line here. So spare me your outrage because this is on you. You brought this on yourself.

[Peter can't contain it, the ground keeps shaking, a few arcade machines fall over, and the light continues to crackle and burst around him, like a fit of lightning.

He's been trying to hold on so hard to what made him human, but what Flynn's saying...maybe that part of him died a long, long time ago.

So what's the point of pretending anymore?

You crossed a line, pal.]

Fine. You'll get the 'real me', if that's what you want. I'm a Celestial, man. Think you can bring it?

[Meanwhile, Stone's holding his head, the onslaught of painful emotions and memories from Flynn is just too much. He's beside himself with the sheer horror of it all, once the wall had crumbled he couldn't do anything but hold on for the ride--is this what Flynn had to live with? His heart goes out to him--

--and then he caught a glimpse of what happened to Jones and his rage matches Flynn's own. He wipes his face, yeah, there are tears, probably from Flynn's reaction but whatever, it doesn't matter because they have to save Jones right now--

What the hell is going on there?!

But they were gonna beat him. Somehow. He was not going to let Jones suffer any longer.

He made a promise.]

I think I can. I think you're not nowhere near as strong as you pretend to be. As you'd like to be. I think your power is severely disrupted.

And that's what one of my LITs did, Peter. What do you think I am capable of?

[He can feel Stone suffering through his memories and he can see Ezekiel suffering from Peter's outrage and the onslaught of the light and he's sorry. He'd love to stop, to tone it down to protect them, to explain, but he can't. They have to power through this and he can't take his attention off Peter right now, not for one second.

That Light is the source of his power. I'll try to distract him, that might force him to let go of Ezekiel. I need you to get him out of there. I'll try to keep Peter occupied but he's going to try and stop you.]

Edited 2018-05-01 20:38 (UTC)

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