Still the Same Chapter Eight

The hall was shrouded in shadows, but none of this was new to Sollux. It had been a few months since the accident that rendered him blind and weak, seeing darkness was something he had long begun accustomed to. 'Though,' he thought about it, 'it wasn't really an accident, Eridan and I were both asking for it.' He proceeded down the hall, sweeping the cane back and forth feeling for objects on the ground.

Being blind was a hassle, but it wasn't the worst thing that could have happened to him. At least he had someone who had gone through it before, 'Thank the fucking gods we are aren't on Alternia anymore.' The news about Karkat and John's recent Matespritship was startling but also pretty great. He was happy for both his Moirail and John. But as eager as he was to tell the others Sollux slowed his pace and stopped. This was one of the rare opportunities to test his 'vision' with his psionics.

Carefully he summoned up the tiny amount of power he did have and focused it, moving out across the ground and through the hall as best he could. Hesitantly he took a few steps forward and expanded the range of energy. Sollux could feel his psionic energy; it was like having his own personal sensors that branched out from every part of his body. Using them he could 'see' objects, his brain could receive the information that the psionic energy was sending. He laughed thinking it worked like a bat's sonar. Then all at once the world went dark and blank again. It took a large amount of his energy to keep the psionics running and Sollux was still rather weak from the trip into the lab a few days prior.

With his daily practice out of the way Sollux could focus on the new development, that interesting development being the Matespritship of his Moirail and John. It wasn't so much of a surprise, he knew that they would eventually fill a quadrant, but he was surprised to find it happened so quickly. The yellow troll was expecting them to become Matesprits after the game, perhaps a sweep, not within weeks.

---

John woke up next to Karkat and laid in silence, soaking up every new feeling. Karkat was right; the connection was unlike anything he had ever experienced. His new Matesprit sat up as soon as he did. They stared into each other's eyes; John could feel Karkat's heart beat and he could sense the air weave in and out of his lungs. He wondered if Karkat was feeling the same thing.

Karkat could feel John as well. There were so many new sensations he was dealing with for the first time. He could feel John's pulse match his own and his back flexed as John's blue wings pulsated. For a long time they sat facing each other, learning each other in a whole new way. Karkat cracked a smile and nuzzled John's bare neck. "This is so weird," he heard John say quietly. "It's like we're one person."

"I think that's the point nookwhiff," he kissed John softly; "it's not bad, is it?"

"N-No of course not! It's just strange, I can feel you breathe and your heart beat."

"Is that it?" John looked puzzled, "I can feel when you're uncertain and when you had a bad dream without waking up. The blood flowing through your veins is only the start."

Nodding John rested his head against Karkat, "So, what do we do from here?"

Karkat leaned back, "Obviously we have to leave our room, even if all I want to do is lie around with you."

"Oh Karkat swooooon!" John fell on top of his Matesprit and laughed. Then his voice dropped and he was serious, "I'm actually worried…"

"About what?" Karkat reached up and put a hand on John's face, "You're fine, we're fine."

"I'm not worried about us, it's just…how do you think the others are going to react? I mean, they just got over me being a troll, now suddenly I'm dating you. And not just casually dating, I bound myself to you forever. I hope that doesn't make any of them mad."

Grey eyes looked away and Karkat purred softly, "They'll be ok, and if they're not, we'll deal with what comes. They should be happy for us; this is a big step and a big commitment." Karkat could still feel the waves of uneasiness flow from John. So he pulled him down into another kiss and ruffled his hair, "We just have to be careful," he said slowly.

"Why?" John paused, "You don't think…you don't think I'll attack anyone, do you?" Karkat felt another surge of panic and worry course through John. "I don't want to hurt my friends, not again. Oh god not again."

"Shhhhhhh, John, it's ok." The troll lying on his chest was trembling, "You'll be ok. I just wanted to let you know ahead of time that we will probably be attached at the hip for the first few days. Our connection is strong, way stronger than I thought it would be. So don't blame yourself if you growl or snarl at someone for stepping to close to me, or if I do the same to someone who gets near you."

"You won't let me attack anyone right?" Karkat shook his head. "Good, I'm just worried, you know, because I'm a blue blood."

"I'll make sure you behave yourself," He sat up and grabbed John's arm, pulling him out of the tangle of blankets. Karkat looked down at himself then at John, "We should uh, probably put some fucking clothes on…" John nodded, a blue blush already spreading across his face.

"I actually forgot we were naked…oh man wouldn't that have been embarrassing!" John quickly found his boxers and pants and looked around for his shirt. "I still can't believe what has happened over the past few days. So much has changed, everything feels completely different, but at the exact same time, it's as if nothing has changed."

"Being Matesprits can do that to a troll," Karkat tugged his shirt over his head opened the door to the hallway. "Are you ready?" He asked, noticing John's nervousness, "Here," he grabbed his hand, "We'll go together."

---

Sollux now faced the little problem of telling everyone the news. It would be great if he could just walk away and let Karkat and John deal with it themselves, but that wasn't possible. He knew the basics of a Matesprit bond, and he knew that they would be too busy trying to figure each other out and dealing with new emotions to have the energy and room to deal with their friends. He wanted to make the process as easy on both of them as he could. So when he reached the main room he searched for Kanaya. He couldn't see her, or smell her so instead he just asked the room if she was around.

"Sollux? What do you need?" He heard her calm clear voice respond from across the room.

"Could you come with me for a thecond?"

"Yes, of course," she followed him around the corner, "what is wrong Sollux?"

"Nothing, nothing ith wrong. It'th actually good newth, great newth. John and Karkat are Matespritth."

"What? Are you sure?"

Sollux nodded, "Yeah, I walked in on KK thith morning, they definitely made the bond, I could tell."

"And you're sure?" She asked again.

"There'th no way that'th not what I thenthed…" He could practically see Kanaya try to hold back a giggle, "Sensed!" He switched to Alternian. "Anyways, we have to figure out how to break the news to the humanth. I have a feeling they aren't going to be so excited." Sollux paused, "And I'm not all that great with explaining this kind of stuff."

"I understand, that's why you told me first." She saw Sollux nod, "Are they on their way now?"

"I don't know, I left because John immediately started to act aggressive."

"Ok, well, hopefully Karkat can calm him down. And with any luck they can keep each other in check and not try to kill us." Kanaya stepped back into the main room with Sollux close behind, they waited until the whole group had assembled. "Ok," Kanaya started, "it seems there is some big news to be shared. I'm not sure how exactly to ease into this topic, so I'll be blunt; I've been informed that John and Karkat are now Matesprits."

Everyone in the room was silent. Rose smirked and spoke first, "I knew that was going to happen, I'll have to congratulate them."

"So you mean to tell me that my bro is dating Karkat?"

"Much more than dating, Dave," Kanaya seated herself across from the others, "much, much more. They have been joined for life."

"What?"

"They will explain it better, but for now I must warn everyone to not rush the new pair. Trolls become highly aggressive and possessive of their Matesprit. They might not mean it, but either of them could strike out at you if you get too close. That goes for trolls too; even Sollux has to approach carefully."

Dave still looked stunned and Jade was giggling. Rose picked herself up to sit next to Kanaya. The room began to fill with voices as small conversations started up. A while had passed before they heard a soft cough and a quiet "Hi guys," come from the hallway.

"John!" Jade said happily.

He nervously waved and pressed himself against Karkat. "So, uh, I take it you guys heard what happened right?" Everyone nodded, "Good, uh, great. Ha ha." Karkat grabbed his hand and they moved to the couches, John snarled as they sat down then immediately apologized. "S-Sorry guys, we're both a little weird right now."

"So it's true?" Rose asked.

"Yes," Karkat scooted closer to John after suppressing a growl of his own. "We're officially a 'thing,'" Karkat even used air quotes with his fingers, "Becoming Matesprits with another troll changes them…" He paused trying to figure out how to describe what just happened. "John and I share a bond now, one that cannot be broken, not even by death."

"Yeah it's really cool," John added, "I can feel Karkat breathe and all his emotions and stuff."

"Unfortunately, as you may have heard, I'm not sure how much was talked about before we got here, but we're going to be a bit on edge for the next few days. The two of us are going through something that no other troll here has experienced, so it's a mystery on how we'll behave. As you've noticed, John will probably be the worst."

"Sorry…"

"It's not his fault; his blood color makes him more aggressive. So please refrain from approaching us quickly or surprising either of us. It sounds weird, I know, but I don't want to accidentally hurt one of you, and I'm sure John doesn't want to either."

"Karkat thinks we should be able to work out of it in a few days," John laughed tensely, "So uh, yeah… I'm Karkat's Matesprit now."

Dave spoke slowly, "So, you two are like married? Basically…if I'm getting this shit right." John nodded. "Fuck. Wow."

"Yeah, uh, we're bonded for our whole lives…" John tried to gauge Dave's reaction.

He stood up a bit too fast causing them both to growl, Dave flinched and stepped back, "Sorry!" John apologized quickly.

"What the fuck did I just get done explaining to you?"

Dave took a few hesitant steps forward, "So, like, that's it for you? No more dating, no waiting to find the perfect soul mate or whatever? You just hitch yourself to whatever is closest?"

John snarled loudly, "I did not simply settle for Karkat!" His Matesprit grabbed his hand and purr-growled in his ear. John's breathing slowed down, "S-Sorry again. Dave, what happened last night was more than just becoming boyfriends; it was more than making a promise. It's hard to explain…"

"Save your breath, I don't want to hear it."

"Dave! I thought we were getting better! I thought we were working through this whole 'I'm a troll now' thing?" John accidently growled again in frustration. The blond started edging towards the door. "Fuck, wait! Dave!" This time Karkat was the one snap his teeth, "Karkat! That's not helping!" But Dave was already gone. John rushed to follow him but a firm hand held him back.

"You are not, and I fucking repeat, not, going to chase after your friend in this state," John sighed and sat back down next to Karkat.

He leaned against him and closed his eyes, "I thought we were working things out…"

Rose spoke softly, "He's just surprised, that's all. This is huge news, John. We are young, saying that you found something like your soul mate is a lot to process. Give Dave a minute to calm down." She eyed John and Karkat, "All three of you need to calm down." They nodded. "So, do you mind telling us about your link a bit more?"

"Oh, uh, not at all. I mean, can we can Karkat?"

"I don't see a problem," he responded smoothly. "It's a link, like I said. Trolls only make it once in their lifetimes. Basically it binds me to John and John to me. We can feel each other, and it will only grow stronger. It's said that a troll only has one true Matesprit and when they find that partner it changes their lives."

John laughed, "So I guess your perfect Matesprit wouldn't be around if I hadn't turned into a troll?"

"I don't know…I might have been able to make the bond with you while you were human too, I just don't know if you would have been able to feel it."

This time Kanaya spoke, "So, Karkat, do you want us to leave you alone for the next few days?"

"No, we'll be fine. Just watch yourselves. I'll be paying close attention to John to make sure he's ok. I mean we're not suddenly animals…"

"Thith bond, will it help you in combat KK?"

"Probably," Karkat shrugged, "I'm not really sure what the effects of this will be. It's not like any of us have ever been in a Matesprit relationship before. This is as new to me as it is for you guys."

A few more questions were asked, and John and Karkat tried their best to answer, eventually the group split up to do their normal activities. "Are you ok, John?"

"Yeah I'm fine, hungry, but fine." John added, "But you're really tired."

"Yeah I guess I am, no more hiding that I guess."

John smirked and pushed him down on the couch, "Nope, you can't hide anything from me."

"I bet you fifty boondollars I can," Karkat smirked and kissed John lightly on the cheek. The other troll rested his head on Karkat's chest.

"Hey Karkat? Think we made the right choice?"

"Of course. You know we did."

John smiled and let Karkat rest a bit. Carefully he got up and walked around the lab. It was odd, he still felt like he was right next to Karkat even though he wasn't even in the same part of the asteroid anymore. "This is too weird…" He was about to say hello to Rose when he froze. Suddenly panic shot through every nerve in his body and dread seeped in. It didn't make any sense, he whirled around but he was alone in the hallway. "What? I don't…" The feeling of alarm and dismay overwhelmed him and he ended up curling into a ball right smack dab in the middle of the hallway. He could feel himself cry for no reason, he wasn't hurt, nothing was wrong, and then his thoughts flew to Karkat.

The other troll shot up and noticed the absence of a very familiar blue troll with a dorky smile. There were tons of logical reasons why John wasn't on the couch with him anymore. He could have gone to the bathroom, he got something to eat, Rose needed his help with something, he forgot something in their room, there were many possibilities but for reasons unknown and unexpected Karkat panicked.

John was gone, John was gone and he didn't know where he went. He could have been taken, he could be dead. Of course this all seemed silly and he knew deep down he was overreacting but what if on the slim off chance he wasn't? "Oh god. John!" In the middle of Karkat's internal panic attack John came stumbling back into the room.

"For the love of god Karkat, I'm fine! Stop freaking out!" He watched his Matesprit freeze then hug him tightly. "Seriously, Karkat, your freak-out caused me to lose it."

The other troll laughed uneasily, "Ok, so rule one, we don't separate until this wears off."

Everyone else was handling the situation well. No one made sudden movements near John or Karkat and all the humans seemed to understand how important it was to keep their distance. Rose found it highly amusing and very informational to watch the two behave. Her eyes would be trained on them as soon as they entered the same room as her. She could watch them interact and move together, it was all so fascinating. She also got to witness when the groups company got to be too much.

Often time she would find the two trolls huddled against the wall in the hallway holding each other and making that growling purring noise.

"Rule two; we need copious amounts of alone time."

There were of course the unfortunate violent encounters. Most common of the offenders were Sollux and Terezi. They were so used to being around Karkat that they made the most mistakes, Terezi was now sporting a new gash down her arm courtesy of John and Sollux had a few bite marks peppering his skin via Karkat.

"Rule three, if we growl, back the fuck away."

By the end of the day both trolls were exhausted mentally and physically. "Holy shit Karkat I can't take another step." John collapsed on their bed and rolled over to allow Karkat to fall next to him. "This is draining…wow."

"No kidding."

"And we still have two more days of this?" John asked wearily.

"Yup."

John sighed and grabbed for a blanket, "This is going to be a long week."

Together they fell asleep to the feeling of each others heart beats and breaths. The next days were far from the chaotic first day. Instead of trying to brave a whole day of interaction they smartly took retreats back to their room and lounged around watching movies or napping. At all times they remained within three feet of each other, preferably touching. John tried his best to hold back the instinct to growl at everything that looked at Karkat, but often he failed. However, he didn't strike out; he only snarled or barred his teeth. Karkat on the other hand did lunge at Rose once for stepping too close John.

With each passing hour they were getting better. By the third day they didn't feel trapped while sitting with the group and John could leave Karkat's side without having a panic attack and breakdown. When they reached the end of the week it was like everything was back to normal. Between the trolls there were a few bouts of growling or snarling, but mostly things had drifted back to how they were. "Hey Karkat," John started as he walked up to his Matesprit, "I'm going to go find Dave. His behavior is still worrying me."

"Be careful," Karkat warned.

John nodded, "I will, don't worry."

Karkat muttered to himself as he watched John run down the hall, "How can I not?"

Dave was seeking refuge in a small room he converted to a recording studio. He always had his headphones on and was either mixing or listening to songs. John waited by the door hoping that perhaps his friend would notice him. When he did not John awkwardly knocked and let himself in. "Hey Dave, mind if we talk?"

"Depends, are you going to lunge at me and go for my throat?"

"No? Dave I would never do that!" The troll sat down on a small armchair and watched his friend go back to mixing. His ears could pick up the sound through his headphones, even though he was seated ten feet away. John always loved the way Dave could spin notes into songs and create beauty from chaos. "Dave?"

"What, John?"

John could hear a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Um, why are you mad at me? Can we work this out?"

Dave sighed and lifted the headphones from his ears and hung them around his neck. He unplugged the cord and seated himself across from John. The troll could pick up on every little hint of nervousness and fear. "Yeah, let's talk."

John gave him a smile that made him flinch, "Uh, can we maybe start with why you're back to being an asshole?"

"I'm mad, that's all," he said avoiding eye contact with John.

"Ok…care to explain?"

Dave shifted, "I just don't like where you and Vantas are heading."

"You mean our Matespritship?"

"Yeah. Dude I don't like it. I think thirteen years old is way too early for you to be promising yourself to a troll. I mean, this shit is like child marriage, did you even want to? Don't answer that, hold on sec. What I'm pissed about is that just a few months ago you said you weren't into relationships. You told me you didn't want that kind of stuff. Then all of a sudden it's zap zap I'm a troll now let's fuck. I don't get it."

"Dave…" John hesitated and thought over his words. "Listen, when I became a troll things changed about me…"

"That's something else I don't like." He saw John nod. "I don't like that you're different, you've changed."

"Yes I have. But not really. I'm still the same dude. Open your eyes and look at me."

"I am. And I still see that refection of a monster that killed my friend."

John bit back tears. "I'm sorry that's what you're seeing. I'm really not that different. I mean, yeah, I am, but not. I'm still John. I can just hear better, and see in the dark, and speak a funny language."

"That's not all though," Dave reminded him.

"Yes, I know. I have odd habits now, desires that weren't there before. But that's to be expected…I changed my whole DNA Dave. I'm still your friend. Sometimes I just have to act a bit different." John wanted so desperately for Dave to understand. "Please…listen to me. Really listen. You've got great ears, I know you do, I've heard your music. So please, listen to my words now?" Dave nodded slowly. "Ok, so yeah, you were right, a few months ago I wanted nothing to do with relationships. In fact, even I, deep down, think that this moved too fast for myself. It was a whirlwind of new emotions and instincts. When you are a troll things feel different. I feel things differently. I get extreme bouts of anger, or sadness, than days of carefree happiness. Karkat…Karkat said that a Matesprit bond is only formed once in a lifetime. It doesn't matter what time that bond is formed, but it will always be with your one fated Matesprit. So no matter what, I was Karkat's and he was mine."  

He could tell Dave wasn't following. "It's an instinct engraved in us. When we find the one troll we can become Matesprits with, well that is really hard to ignore." He waited for a reaction from Dave, "Apparently Karkat and I were compatible…Dave?"

"So basically you're telling me that you and Karkat were destined for each other?"

"Yeah, pretty much…weird huh? I'm just happy that half the confusion I faced within myself is over," he looked away from Dave, "I was scared for a long time. Well, I'm still scared, but I'm getting better. I have someone now, and that helps. I know we're both young, but having that is a hell of a lot better than doing this alone. Rose helps too, and Kanaya, and Sollux, everybody really."

John glanced over at Strider, "So, uh, can we be friends again? Please?"

Dave smirked, "Yeah." He leaned forward, "So, are you and Karkat done with that whole weird protective thing you were doing earlier?"

"Oh that? Yeah, I think so. Sorry, we were both sorta losing our minds briefly. I don't know if Rose told you or anything, but the connection I forged with Karkat is really strong. If I concentrate I can feel him and he can feel me. Making that link took a lot out of us. It also supercharged all my protective instincts."

"Good, glad to hear you're back to normal…ish. Because to tell you the goddamn truth, I'm scared of you guys. I'm terrified of trolls, and that's not me being ironic. You actually scare the shit out of me." Dave rubbed his temple, "That's why I was an asshole, that's why I'm still being a dick sort of. You've always been my best bro John, so you can imagine how worried I was when you turned into a troll. Then my…what, like trollphobia kicked in and I wanted nothing to do with you."

"What can I do to help? Anything?"

"Just be John, ok?" John watched his friend attempt a smile. "Don't hold back. I need to get used to you. I know you're not going to eat me, but it's hard."

John sat down next to his friend, he noticed Dave flinched yet again, "Hey, relax." He let himself slump against Dave's shoulder. "We can both be scared I guess. I just want my friend back. You know, before all the bullshit with the game…you were always the friend I could talk to the best. I want that back. So when I get scared of myself will you try to be there for me? No swords, no threats, no yelling?"

"I can try Egbert. I can sure as hell try."

"Thank you." John giggled, "And Dave, we haven't fucked yet."

---

"Do you think we moved too fast Karkat?"

"You've asked that before Egbert. I don't know. On Alternia we were instructed to fill our quadrants as quickly as possible. Failing to fill one before you were nine was like a death sentence." Karkat rolled over and looked into John's eyes, "Maybe by human standards we moved too fast, this is all probably way too fast. But as a troll, I strongly think we made the right choice."

John nodded and nuzzled into Karkat's chest, "If you say it's normal for trolls then I'm ok with this." He smiled and breathed in Karkat's scent. "Also, I think I got my friend back."

"So Strider decided to cease being a maggot writhing around in filth?"

"Ew gross Karkat, I did not need that imagery. But yeah, he said we're all cool. He was just concerned, and can you believe it, he's scared of trolls too? It makes more sense now. He never hated us, he was just afraid of us."

Karkat agreed, "Yeah it does make more sense. I'm glad you were able to reason with him."

---

John was running. Again he found himself running down the long corridors of the lab. He couldn't remember why he was running he just knew that he had to. His lungs felt like fire and his throat burned with dryness. Quickly John ducked into a room and slammed the door shut. It locked behind him and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't re-open it. Finally he decided to examine his surroundings. The room he was in was small, and covered floor to ceiling with mirrors. No mattered where he looked he saw his reflection. But…something was wrong.

It wasn't his troll grey skin and now familiar yellow eyes looking back. He was pale, he was human. "Oh god. I'm…I'm back." He walked forward on trembling legs. "It can't be, I'm a troll, I'm not a human…" Carefully he approached the mirrors, when he reached up and touched the glass the reflection didn't change. "I'm human…but why?"

Out of the corner of his eye he saw something move. He spun around but no one was there, only refection after reflection of himself. But then he saw that same movement again. This time the figure froze in one of the mirrors. It was himself, only split down the middle. A perfect half and half, the right side was troll and the left side was human. John gasped and pressed himself against the wall when the figure stepped out of the mirror and began walking towards him. Instead of hurting him the figure extended both hands. In the grey hand was one necklace with Karkat's symbol on it. That hand was dyed red with blood. In the other pale, human, was a small cupcake that read, "Happy Birthday, John". The figure held the items out to the boy, he knew what it meant, he had to choose, either the human hand or the troll one. His human side or his troll side.

John bit his lip, running through the options in his head over and over again. Everything he wanted was in the hand with the cupcake, his old life, his old body, and his own brain. But the troll side, it offered something else. It offered him excitement and personal strength. One was a cage and the other was freedom. Without hesitating he grasped the bloodstained necklace. "This belongs to a friend of mine."

The figure nodded and stepped back, suddenly all the reflections shifted and changed. When John stared back at them he was looking into his troll self. A quick check to the top of his head confirmed he did indeed have horns. A voice sounded from all around the room. "You have made your choice. You have chosen the side of the trolls. Remember that John Egbert, remember it well."

"There was never a choice to make. What happened can't be changed. I'm a troll now, it's who I am."

All the reflections stepped out of their mirrors and began to walk towards him. "What the hell is going on?" The troll versions of himself inched closer and closer, John could now pick up the sight and scent of blood. It hung heavy in the air and saturated everything with its presence. It dripped from the fangs and claws of his troll self. The mirrors were splattered and smeared with crimson.

"This is what you have chosen John Egbert."

"N-No. No it isn't."

The smell of blood grew stronger. It began to ooze from the ceiling and drip on the confused troll. "You chose bloodshed and death. You chose this."

"No!"

"You chose. You chose. You chose." The voice boomed from all around. The reflections were closing in, but before they could reach him red drops of blood that were leaking through the mirrors intensified. The stream shattered the mirrors from above and swallowed John, hurling him into a never ending pool of red. "You chose."

"No!" He screamed and shot up out of bed.

Karkat was right beside him holding him. "Fuck John, shit, wake the fuck up."

"Karkat?" He was gasping for air and sweat plastered his hair to his face.

"Yes, I'm here, don't worry, it's ok."

"Karkat," John said quietly, his voice shaking with fear, "I haven't had a nightmare in months. Not like this."

"I know. I saw."

"You saw?"

Karkat swallowed and clutched John tighter, "Yeah, through our link, I saw everything." John started crying and shaking. "Shhhhh I know. It's ok, it was just a dream." John's Matesprit rubbed his back and tried to sooth the other troll. "I think…I think our fears might have mixed. Red blood, that's usually my fear because it's my biggest secret. Apparently we're going to share dreams as well as nightmares."

"I don't like this. Karkat I don't like this."

"I know, I don't either. Just remember it was a dream, nothing more. It was feeding off your uncertainties as a troll, and your fear of hurting your friends. Throw in my phobia of blood and you have yourself a perfect hell storm of fucked up scenarios."

John was still trembling, "But it knew…It knew exactly what I was going to choose, and-" he sobbed again.

"It was only a dream. It wasn't predicting the future, John. You're fine, you're safe."

John thought darkly, 'I'm just not sure anymore.'

---

Terezi Pyrope was in the middle of one of the biggest court cases in scalemate history. But before the judge could lay down her final ruling there was a knock on her door a very familiar "Sup."

"Dave…what are you doing here?"

"Interrupting the justice system. I've come to set that poor bastard free, it turns out he had an evil twin brother that was causing all the crimes. Sorry sis, you got the wrong man. But that's ok, it's more than ok, because I'm here to set things right. I'm here to make it happen."

"Dave, I have a feeling you aren't talking about Mr. Blueberrybutt anymore."

He shifted awkwardly and sat down amongst the stuffed animals. "No, I'm not." Dave looked up at Terezi's face, trying to read her emotions, but hers were just as guarded as his own. "I've been an asshole lately. And it's hurt everyone, and I'm sorry."

"Apology unaccepted cool-kid."

Dave winced, "I thought you'd say that. But that's ok, I wasn't expecting to stroll in here and be forgiven just because I said sorry." He placed his hands on his knees, "I've come here to ask for your help."

"My help?" She sounded skeptical.

"Yes. Can you help me with my idiotic fear of trolls?"

She cackled, "You're afraid of trolls?" She was going to call bullshit, but hesitated. There was a tone to Dave's voice that was different. He wasn't fucking around, "Y-Yes, of course, I can help you."

"Thanks."

All at once Terezi Pyrope got see the Strider barrier fall. Everything that was the Dave Strider she knew fell apart. His voice would crack and he'd choke on words as he explained himself. She listened to his fears, to his confusion and anger. He put himself out in front of her, he was exposed and vulnerable and he trusted her to not fuck with him.

"I see. So all this time you've been afraid that we'd turn on each other and cause a blood bath much like what I described over trollian…I'm sorry."

"For what? For telling me the truth?"

She sighed, "No. I'm sorry for only describing the bad things that Alternians are capable of." Carefully she got up and sat next to Dave. "Now cool-kid scardy-cat, do you trust me? Can you trust me? I promise that I will not hurt you."

The human hesitated and took a few breaths, "Yes, Terezi I trust you."

"Good, because I'm going to show you something amazing."

Dave felt her forehead touch his then his vision went blank. First he panicked, second he panicked some more, and third he about pissed himself. When his sight came back he found himself in a place that in no way resembled the grey lab. He couldn't see his own body; he couldn't really see anyone at all. "This is Alternia." Dave could hear Terezi's voice. "This was my planet, my home."

The scenes shifted and Dave was blasted with images of trolls helping each other, of Karkat helping their team. He was shown Aradia beating Vriska half to death but stopping when she saw Tavros, he watched Nepeta pounce tackle Equius and saw Sollux and Feferi laughing in a pile of horns. "These are my friends Dave, these are the brave trolls who, for the most part have died." Over and over the scenes shifted and moved showing things from the great past and what Dave could only imagine was the distant future.

"Trolls are a violent and deadly race." Dave saw worlds being invaded and people enslaved. He watched a world suspiciously like Earth become a flooded wasteland. "But underneath that we can be kind." His eyes widened to images of adult trolls taking in small trolls who lost their lusii and two trolls he assumed were Matesprits embracing. "Just like a coin trolls have two sides."

Everything snapped back into focus, Terezi heard Dave's labored breathing and spoke again, "As a seer I can show you these things. I can show you anything, really."

Dave looked back up at the troll girl in front of him. "Was all that…true?"

"In one timeline or another," She leaned back, "I regret deeply only talking about the bad. If anything, our group should illustrate the vast range of emotional capabilities our species possesses. We had gentle highbloods and lowbloods that show extreme courage and strength. Trolls don't have a word for friend, it's always enemy, but I think we're learning."

She grinned, knowing full well her grin would scare even the Cheshire cat, and continued, "You were right to fear us Dave, I could mop the floor with your boney human ass and I'm blind. I have a handicap." Her grin widened, "But, you must also realize that's there's a difference between a troll under the harsh rule of an Empress without a soul, and a group of children just trying to survive in hell." She placed a hand on Dave's shoulder, her expression softening, "I will help you understand that there is nothing to fear from us. I won't delude you, but I'm done blowing things out of proportion. The stories I told were of revenge gone horribly, twistedly wrong. That wasn't fair to you; my venting gave you a phobia of an entire race."

Dave nodded and tried to smile back, even if she couldn't quite see it. "I get it Terezi; you're not all that bad. But Jesus fuck, next time warn me before you shove my brain through a movie marathon like that. I think some of it leaked out my ear. I never knew half of this shit…I'm sorry things went so wrong."

"There's a reason I'm into justice, I'm not just insane. When we make this new planet Dave, when we create this new universe, I want to make things right." She helped Dave to stand. "I want to show everybody a world in which fairness isn't a dream but a reality. Equality is enjoyed by everyone and fear isn't something we're born with. And," she paused gripping Dave's hand, "I'd love it if my favorite cool-kid Strider was beside me."

Dave smirked, "Are you sure the planet is ready for this? The amount of pure awesome that we'll be radiating could be too much, we'll override the systems, blow a few fuses."

"Dave, shut up."

"I'll be there 'Rezi," he hugged her, "I let you down once, and that was already once too many."