Levitate || Joshler

s e v e n ☄️

That evening, as the sun began to go down, Rani, Fauna, and Ilse, led Tyler outside near the main tent. Jenna and Josh were standing in the middle, while Kai and Linh were beside them. In front of them was a little stool, and Jenna was holding what looked like a razor.

When he saw this, the boy looked up to Fauna. He felt his body start to shake, and his arms were locked so he wouldn't escape.

"Fauna, why are they waiting for me?"

"Your indoctrination is beginning." Rani said.

"J-Jenna's holding a razor."

He felt himself beginning to panic.

"Am I gonna lose my hair?"

"It's all part of the process, sweet child." Ilse said.

As they were getting closer and closer, Tyler started to have doubts.

"I-I don't know if this is a good idea."

"You agreed to it, flower boy." Rani said. "You can't back down now."

Tyler looked directly at Jenna. Her face was covered by a bright yellow mask, and she wore a navy green jacket with yellow striped duck tape at the arms. She wore a grey hood that hid away her beautiful blonde hair, which was mostly cut at the shoulders.

The child felt fear piercing through his body, but as the transformation grew closer, he knew it would be too late to save himself.

When they arrived, the three women seat Tyler down at the stool. Josh stood near him and whispered into his ear.

"This is all to keep you alive, my love."

Then, with one final gesture, Josh lightly kissed him on the cheek.

Finally, at the raising of their razors, Jenna, Kai and Linh, began to dive into Tyler's fluffy brunette hair; shaving off every single bit.

The child sat there, while Josh was holding his hand. Tears were streaming from his cheeks. He was holding himself on to the stool, and he began to mumble words under his breath.

Oh, I know how to levitate up off my feet
Ever since the seventh grade I learned to fire-breathe
And though I feed on things that fell
You can learn to levitate with just a little help

Learn to levitate with just a little help

As he mumbled the words, it was distracting him from losing his beautiful hair, and kept him focused on his ultimate goal.

Not to let Dema control him anymore.

As pieces of his hair continue to fall, his words strengthened.

Come down, come down
Cowards only come through when the hour's late
And everyone's asleep, mind you
Now, show up, show up
I know I shouldn't say this
But a curse from you is all that I would need right now, man

"It's done." Jenna said.

Kai and Linh lifted the boy to his feet and led him into the tent. They stripped him naked, burned his clothes that he wore from Dema, and replaced it with a camouflage jacket with yellow stripes.

On his left hand, two yellow ducked tape rings were placed on his index and ring finger.

When they were done, Tyler looked into the mirror and saw himself.

He was no longer the innocent flower he was born to be, but a Bandito of Trench.

As he looked at himself, Josh stood behind him and wrapped his arms around his shoulders. He then whispered into his ear.

"Now, you are one of us."

Tyler wanted so badly to reject and refuse, but he loved Josh so much, that he had to accept it.

~

A few moments later, Ari, one of Josh's commanders, came into the tent. Tyler looked to him and was afraid of his appearance.

Ari was wearing a navy green jacket with a yellow duck taped X draped over it. He wore a yellow beanie, and neck and hands were covered in tattoos.

"Tyler, it's time to go to the ceremony."

He held out his hand, and the child was forced to take it.

He expected Ari to drag him away from the tent while he kicked and screamed, but he was gentle and kind, and dared not hurt him.

Tyler exited the tent and started walking towards the center of Trench, where the indoctrination ceremony was to take place. As he made the walk, the Banditos stood in a line side by side, while their torches were raised.

The child wanted to turn back and run away, but if he did that, he would most certainly die.

He continued to walk, and kept his head held high.

Danger in the fabric of this thing I made
I probably shouldn't show you, but it's way too late
My heart is with you hiding, but my mind's not made
Now they know it like we both knew for some time I'd say

They're smirking at first blood, they're circling above
But this is not enough
Yeah, this is not what you thought
No, no we are not just graffiti on a passing train
I got back what I once bought back
In that slot I won't need to replace

After the long walk, Tyler made it to the center of Trench. Josh stood in the middle of the crowd. Jenna stood next to him, with Kai and Linh on the other.

When all the Banditos gathered together, the indoctrination ceremony began.

"Citizens of Trench, we gather here tonight to initiate Tyler Joseph, the love of my life, into the society as a Bandito." Josh announced. "He has agreed to partake in the ceremony, and he will now swear the oath."

As Josh's eyes met his, Tyler kneeled before him.

When he did, Josh continued on with the ceremony.

"Tyler, you have agreed to dedicate your life as a Bandito for the rest of your days, and your duty will be relieved when your end draws near. Do you swear to serve as a Bandito of Trench, to defend and protect, to withhold prior laws and wages, for as long as you shall live?"

The child took a deep breath, then nodded.

"Y-Yes, I swear."

Josh smiled.

"Arise, my dear."

Slowly, Tyler rose to feet, and Josh took his hands into his grasp.

"By the power vested in me as the mighty leader, I hear by name you, Tyler Robert Joseph, Bandito of Trench!"

The crowd repeated Josh's words.

"Bandito of Trench!"

Tyler turned to face the crowd, where they began to applaud and cheer. Josh and Jenna clapped and smiled; happy to see the child they raised become one of them. Kai and Linh also clapped, while they smiled; with their eyes locked on each other.

It was clear that their relationship was blossoming.

Tyler looked to the crowd, and for the first time since he first became a human, he felt acceptance and love from the people. They haven't grown to know him, but they saw him as their equal.

Ever since his rescue from Dema, Tyler finally felt happy and free.