The Broken Observatory - Party Crashers AU

Sophist's backstory.

   
WARNING: Difficult past, bad parenting, mentions of kidnapping and torture.
  
  
   
Eevee's POV.
I was walking around the forest to get some fresh air, when I noticed Nick and Vernias sitting on a log together. I tried to listen in and quickly figured Vern was talking about his past.

This scene reminded me how, at night, Nick offered me to let out my emotions, and I thought of talking about my past as well.
  
  
When I saw them standing up, I decided to come closer and greet them.
"Yo, what'ya doing here?" - I asked, acting like I didn't hear anything to not make things awkward.

"Oh, Eevee, hello man. Nothing much, we were just talking and we're about to go back, what's up?" - Nick answered with a slight smile and Vern looked at me, smiling as well.

"Nothing much either, just walking around to get some fresh air." - I said and looked down, thinking about what should I do.

I guess Nick noticed I was lost in thoughts, because I snapped out with Nick tapping my shoulder.
"You good?"

"Oh- Yeah yeah, I'm good, just thinking about some stuff." - I said, a bit embarrassed.

Nick frowned and looked at Vernias.
"Vern, could you go back to Sarasaland? I'll join both you and Brent, I just have to ask Eevee about something."

Vern nodded and smiled again.
"Of course." - he said and flew up to get quicker to the castle in Sarasaland.

Nick sighed and looked at me.
"You're not good. I already said once, you can talk to me if something's bothering you."

"Crazy how the most toxic one offers me help." - I said and laughed.

"Because I'm not stupid and I see something's going on. What is?" - he insisted, finally helping me make up my decision.

I sighed.
"Fine. I was just thinking about some past shit that happened in my life."

"Alright. Sit down, I'm listening." - he said and pointed at the log he was sitting on earlier.

We sat down, and I took a breather.
   
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5 years ago, Sophist's age - 14 years old.
  
I don't remember my parents. From what I know, they left me when I was 3 years old. Despite not a good start to my life, I didn't complain. I thought I found a family, because apparently, Bowser found me not a long time after I was left and I was raised in his castle by the guards or some help he had. He gave me my name - Noah.

I used to have some things to play with, but my favourite one was a plushie I named Eevee. I felt really connected with it, even though it was just a toy.

I never experienced family love nor had any friends there, though. Only job and business was an important part, but I just didn't know that and thought that this is how family looks like. Bowser cared only about creating the strongest people for his benefit.

He assured me that he'll make me stronger, and my way to pay him back was to be his assistant. As soon as I turned thirteen a year ago, I became his spy. My job was to watch people and share him the informations I got.

Not a long time later, he thought I'm too weak and started experimenting on me, assuring that this will help me become stronger. After some painful experiences, I got the powers I had then. Short length teleportation and lots of spells.

At first, I was really impressed and happy with my new abilities, excited to use them around. Quickly turned out it was a horrible curse.
    
   
2 years ago, Sophist's age - 17 years old.
 
A year ago, one time I managed to get enough information about someone I've been spying on. They looked younger than me, but cheerful and curious about the world. I saw them running around the forest. As soon as I could, I shared everything I got with Bowser, and it turned out they had got kidnapped and had been locked in a cage until now.

I walked into the room they were in, I noticed the amount of blood and bruises they had on themselves. Normally, I wouldn't feel bad, but seeing someone similar to me, a literal human be tortured like this just felt wrong.

I remember them being happy, now it all seemed like their cheerfulness is simply gone. For some reasons, I felt like it was entirely my fault; they suffered because of me sharing every information about them to Bowser. That was the moment I realized the people I've grown up with never cared. They were there to hurt people, and I was there to help them in business. I hated it and wanted to leave this place forever.

I teleported outside of the castle, not letting anyone see me and I ran deep into the forest. Once I stopped...
I cried for the first time. I felt bad for the first time.
I was made to be strong, but I couldn't handle seeing people getting treated like that, and in the end I never helped them. It felt so wrong.

A few hours later, when it got darker, I fell asleep. It was uncomfortable because of how cold it was outside, but manageable.

I woke up in a completely different place. It didn't look like a castle, but it definitely wasn't the forest either. It looked like a small house. A noise from outside of the room I was in got me curious.

I got up and walked towards the sound, and then I noticed an old looking man. He looked at me with a concern on his face.
  
  
"I'm glad you woke up, young man. I wasn't sure if you're okay." - he said to me.

I looked at him, surprised and confused.
"What..? Who are you?"

"Right. I am professor E. Gadd.. I noticed you laying in the forest not far away from this place, and since it's cold outside, I thought about taking you there and make sure you're okay." - the man explained, still looking at me, probably worried.

It sounded weird to me. Nobody ever gave a shit about how I felt and it was hard to believe that he cared at any point, especially knowing that it was the first time he saw me.

"Uhm... Okay, thank you, I guess..." - I answered, still a bit unsure.

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"Even though he took care of me, I still don't believe it was a parental-love. I just never experienced it and I don't believe that I ever will." - I said and looked at Nick, finishing my story.

"You know, if you never experienced it, then it will be hard to believe in it at any point. I am so sorry for you, man." - he answered me, holding my shoulder to show me support.

"It's fine, nothing you could do. At least I was able to experience friendship love." - I said and smiled.

Nick smiled back.
"You're right, bro. We've got a group now." - he said, then thought about something. - "Wait, that person that was kidnapped and you were spying on..."

I looked at him, a bit mad at myself.
"If you're thinking what I am yes, you're correct. That's why I felt even worse when Bowser was monologuing about Vernias."

"Does he know it was you?"

"Probably not, and I think I'd rather it stay that way. I still feel really bad about that." - I said and got up from the log.

"That's understandable. I'll keep it a secret as well if you want me to." - Nick said, getting up as well.

"Yeah, that'll be better."

"Alright. Wanna come over to my castle? You know, since Vern is also visiting?"

"Sure. It's not like I have anything else to do." - I answered, as we went towards Sarasaland.