Work Text:
The Midway was quiet. Nothing stirred. Everyone was busy with their own tasks. But then, something changed. Wisps of smoke rose through the air. And a figure emerged from the fog.
The Pariah walked with silent, unhurried footsteps. Soundlessly, it approached another figure, shrouded in the heavy fog.
“Pariah.” He greeted.
“ZolisterTV.” It returned. “I have a request.”
“Anything for you.” The barest trace of sarcasm slipped through.
“Bring me the little one. I must show her something.”
ZolisterTV frowns. “Is it wise?”
The guardian huffed impatiently. “Do not question me. Bring me the little one.”
The god sighed. “Very well. But I can’t guarantee she’ll be happy to see you. She’s with the Angel right now.”
The Pariah let a small smile through. “At least they get along. But I hope the Angel isn’t telling her anything she doesn’t need to hear. I have plans, and I won’t be happy if they are ruined.”
ZolisterTV nodded. “The Angel won’t tell her anything. They are merely keeping each other company.”
The Pariah nodded. “Good. Now bring her here.”
ZolisterTV stepped backwards, disappearing into the thick fog. The Pariah tapped its foot restlessly. Finally, the god appeared again, leading a small figure.
“Here she is,” ZolisterTV announced, stepping back. The small, winged child flittered nervously, no doubt anxious in the presence of the guardian.
“Walk with me little one,” The Pariah invited. It turned, walking through the fog. The child followed. ZolisterTV waited behind, knowing he wasn’t invited.
“How are you, Ms. Onion?” The Pariah asked, almost sincerely. It was the first time it had addressed her by name in the conversation.
“I- I’m okay,” Onion chirped nervously. “I like Cupid. But I want to see Papa again.”
The Pariah hummed. “That is why I called you here. ” Seeing her eyes light up, it hastily amended itself. “I cannot take you to him, but I can show a, a vision of sorts. You will be able to see what he is doing currently, but you will not be able to communicate. Think of it as a picture of sorts, except that it constantly changes.”
Onion nodded slowly, taking in the words. “Okay, I’d like that.”
The guardian lifted a hand to the air, and it materialized into a mirage, showing a familiar raccoon.
“Papa!” Onion chirped excitedly.
“Watch.” The Pariah said.
Onion focused her attention on the mirage in front of her. Her father was wearing a set of new armor, one she had never seen before. It was black and orange and shone with an eerie glow. She shivered. It felt sinister somehow, even though she wasn’t even there with him. He was racing through a narrow tunnel. Two people were in pursuit.
“Are they-?” She began.
“Mugm and Silvasaur. Children of the Angel, or Cupid as you know star.” The Pariah responded.
As they watched, kantje pulled a crossbow on them. The crossbow looked familiar, white with swirling pink patterns.
“Is that- it looks like Cupid’s...” Onion trailed off uncertainly.
“Yes,” it replied. “The crossbow belonged to the Angel before spark came here. He found it and took it for his own.” The Pariah clucked disapprovingly.
Onion fell silent. She watched in shock as kantje continued to use the crossbow against its owner’s own children. She watched as he used the life of one child to manipulate the other two.
kantje’s voice, distorted by the mirage, flowed through. “I’m doing this for Onion.”
Onion’s heart dropped. For her? How was doing any of this harm helpful for her?
This couldn’t be true. Her father was hurting others. This couldn’t be right. Why would he hurt Cupid’s children?
The Pariah watched silently, weighing her reaction. Onion whirled to face him.
“You’re lying!” She accused, wiping tears from her eyes. “Papa wouldn’t do this!”
The Pariah stared back calmly. “Why would I lie to you? I am only showing you the truth about your father.”
“You- he-” Onion stammered, confused and upset. She turned away and flittered away into the fog angrily. The guardian sighed, and telepathically sent ZolisterTV a command.
Make sure she gets to the Angel safely.
***
Onion raced through the fog, looking for Cupid. Cupid would tell her that the Pariah was wrong. Cupid would tell her that her father was a good person. He had to be.
Suddenly, she spotted the angel, sitting on the ground with a sketchbook and a set of paints. She ran over.
“Cupid,” she called breathlessly. Cupid looked up in surprise.
“Hey kid, back so soon?” Then star saw the look on her face. Spark’s eyes momentarilyflashed with anger. “What did it say?”
Onion rushed forward, collapsing into star’s lap. Cupid looked down in shock, wrapping spark’s arms around her.
“What happened?”
“He- Papa he-” Onion stumbled over her words but managed to tell Cupid what happened.
The angel listened in silence. When she was done, Cupid hugged her tightly.
“Shh,” star comforted. “It’ll be okay. I’m here, and I will always take care of you. It’ll be alright.”
Onion cried softly, but hugged Cupid back. “Thank you Cupid.”
“Always kid, always.”