Twisted Wonderland 2

When I Say Run

Later that night, you sit on one of the couches on the veranda and gaze out to the ocean. The moon reflects off the ocean and the stars dot across the sky.

Ace approaches, rubbing the back of his neck. "Hey, Y/N. Would you, uh, like to go patrolling with me? We could go on a walk together, as you do, as friends..."

You nod, standing up. "Sure."

Ace smiles. "Great."

You walk onto the beach and pass by Grim who's getting chased by Stitch.

Grim leaps to your shoulder. "Y/N! Save me!"

Ace grabs Grim off you, setting him on the floor. "Yeah well, me and Y/N are going on patrol so save yourself."

Grim's ears perk up in interest. "A patrol you say? I guess I could tag along. No shark is able to defeat the Great Grim!"

Ace folds his arms. "No one asked you."

Grim smirks. "My hench human needs me for protection in case those robots show up."

"I can protect Y/N too, you know!"

Stitch tugs at your hand. You look down to see him smiling at you. You laugh, looking back to Ace. "It should be okay if they come, right? I mean, more eyes to spot the sharks the better."

Ace sighs. He wanted to take a walk with you alone, thinking a stroll through the moonlight jungle would be romantic. "Fine, I guess."

Grim and Stitch both cheer.

You walk into the jungle with Ace and the two critters trail behind you.

"Myahaha!" Grim laughs. "Gantu's robots ain't got nothin' on me!"

Ace sighs. "Dude, why is THIS our group? Talk about the opposite of reassuring! Stitch aside, what use is Grim in a fight?"

Grim throws his a glare. "Hey, I'm RIGHT here! You wanna talk like that, fine. But don't ask me to save you when you're gettin' swarmed by bots!"

"Right back at you." Ace rolls his eyes. "Hope for your sake that you don't wander off on your own and get lost." Ace looks to you. "Y/N, you can't use magic, so make sure to stick close to me. Though we'll probably be fine. We don't get a lot of robot run-ins at night."

You nod. "Sounds good."

"Okay, let's get patrollin'." Grim charges through the jungle. "Follow me!"

You continue through the jungle, enjoying the cool night air. Ace sticks close to you, occasionally bumping shoulders.

Ace lets out a sigh. "That breeze feels great. Nice to have some relief from the constant humidity. I had no idea how we were gonna survive being stranded on this island but that bungalow's sure been a lifesaver. We'd probably still be holed up in some cave if it weren't for Stitch and the others. Thanks for helpin' us out, Stitch."

Stitch smirks with a cackle.

Grim glowers. "Mrah! Hey, I've been helpin' too. I've been gatherin' up ivy and sticks and fruit and lots of useful stuff!"

Ace rolls his eyes. "I know you think you're helping, but you keep eating the fruit as soon as you pick it."

"That's 'cuz... cuz I gotta test it and make sure it ain't toxic!" Grim folds his arms indignantly. "I wouldn't want you guys gettin' food poisoning!"

Ace scoffs. "If you eat literally everything then there's not exactly anything left to poison us, is there? Not that I care that much about the fruit anyway. Floyd's cooking has been incredible. He's made sautéed fish, coconut milk seafood soup, carpaccio, fruit salad. And lots of other stuff, all at restaurant quality! It's gonna be hard going back to my usual fare after this."