FAU continued

Awake ()

Fundy wasn't sure how to react. First off, Tommy was sitting in a field surrounded by wriggling corpses. Second off...

He was awake.

Jack Manifold sat up slowly, blinking rapidly, chest heaving in fresh air. Bruises that he had retained before death still remained, on his face and arms.

Probably over the dead man's heart, er.... previously dead man.

Jack felt strange, his throat was raw from what he assumed was a long process. His arms felt hollow, and void of strength.

"Dad!" A familiar accent called. Nikki burst through the lines of people watching. Her blonde hair bobbing up and down as she ran. Jack was overcome with relief and happiness.

"Baby girl!" He blurted, feeling Nikki crash into him and wrap around him. Jack was crying, he wasn't sure when it had started, but he was. And maybe he was a little sappy, but it was only true.

"I'm so proud of you."

Jack stood up on wobbling legs, looking around at the other bodies. Tommy was on his knees before Ant, trying to wake him up. The commander's pale body strained, and he let out a screech. It was a grueling sight.

Something caught Jack's eye. A medium height ginger, standing at the edge of the path frozen. Fundy looked terrified, and probably felt strange at the sight. Jack stumbled up to him.

"Dad I'm sorry-"

Jack pulled in his son, who shook rapidly with emotions no one was ever built to deal with. And Jack Manifold resolved never to let him go.
————————————————————————
Connor was sick of being stationary, all he could do was sit on a crate by the field and watch. There was a moment of silence, and then Tubbo started going on about bees again.

The blue adorned man had one thing running through his mind.

Some
Body
Shoot
Me

"Tubbs come here." Purpled called from a building's doorway. The child's big brown eyes widened, and he sprinted over. Connor watching him collide with Purpled's leg, nearly knocking him over if it wasn't for the help of a grinning Bad. Purpled was smiling, but it was small.

Connor didn't know much about the shadow other than the fact that he kicked ass. He did know however, that nothing he ever truly felt was on display. So a small smile? That was just about as far Purpled got to joy.

Another banshee cry tore his thoughts from him, glancing back over at Ant. Bad had the same reaction, walking over quickly to Ant's side.

So did the remaining soldiers from House Blade. Man... Ant really was respectful to everyone. How on earth could he stand it?

There was a series of coughs, and the cheers of dozens as Ant Frost sat up. He was absolutely winded, and blinked until his eyes adjusted to sight. The rowdy soldiers had him up within no time, before Ant could even speak.

"What happened? Where's Dream? How am I alive?" Ant speeded through the conversation, like a runaway train.

"Relax you muffin, Dream is dead. Connor is fine-"

"Where is he?"

Ant quickly took in his surroundings. It was no surprise he used to be in a task force with how fast he located Connor. For the injured, it was actually a little terrifying.

The commander shuffled over to the crates, a grin on his face.

"Hey Connor, sorry about the arm."

Connor smirked, a growl escaping him, "Apologize one more god damn time and I'm gonna pop your head off."

They talked for a while, it was strange, but not that strange. Almost like Ant had never died.

Philza flew over head them, barreling into Jack.

The Manifold would have been lying if he said he didn't see this coming. Phil knocked him into the grass, and cling to his arm like Velcro.

"Phil cool off! I'm fine damn it."

"No more dying..." The winged muttered, wings folding over Jack as he nuzzled into his side. Manifold laughed, and patted his bucket hat.

"Yeah I missed you too buddy."

"Y'all are a bunch of nerds." A voice called from  above them. Techno was leaned on a stick, watching them with amusement. Jack looked dumbfounded.

"How did you awake so fast?"

"You guys are a bunch of nerds that was eas-" Techno drawled, before Phil kicked his ankle. The burly warrior fell over easily, making the other two erupt with laughter.

The shortest pulled Techno over, a soft feathered wing under the other's head. "I didn't hurt you did I?"

"Oh my god Phil you are such a softie!" Techno announced, "What happened to bad ass Philza?"

The blonde sniffled, "He took a hike when normal Philza got his friends back. You guys can be tough and shit, but I think I'm good just at your side quietly."

Jack shrugged, "Fair enough. Still a softie tho."

"Shut the fuck up- wait Techno look there's Tubbo!"

Purpled had Tubbo by hand, leading him to his father. About a meter away he let go, letting the child rush to his father's arms. If he had time, he'd stick around.

Ponk was the last one though, and Sam tugged on his arm that they should go over.

Even as a corpse his brother was a mess. Two thin lines across his left cheek, from where Dream had cut him. There were other stray ones, on his neck and collar bone. Sam held onto one hand, as Ponk let out another scream. Purpled put a hand over his heart, waiting to feel the beat.

After a grueling hour, he felt it.

Thud thud, thud thud...

Purpled wrapped around his brother before he even sat up, knocking the wind out of him. Ponk ran a hand through his brother's hair.

"Hey Purps, what I miss?"

The shadow pulled back, and Ponk noticed Sam had shifted behind him. He fell against the other's chest, shiny netherite propping his head up. Purpled lifted up a hand,  counting off fingers.

"Well for starters Dream is dead, lover boy and I are on standard terms... oh Schlatt went fire happy and he's gone now."

"WHAT?"