Shadow Slave Fanfic: Peaceful Dreams...well...kinda. [New]

Rick's grand reveal was perhaps the most unwelcome surprise they could have ever imagined, yet here they stood, in a dimly lit warehouse tucked away in NQSC, preparing to face one of their most dreaded foes.

Modret released Sunny's hand and strolled over to the couch, prompting a heavy sigh from Sunny as he turned around. With a voice laced with assurance, he encouraged, "You can open your eyes. Trust me, he's not the Mordret we once knew."

With a mix of trepidation and curiosity, Effie and Jet peeled their eyes open once more. Jet exhaled a breath of relief, her voice trembling as she exclaimed, "How on earth did we end up in a warehouse with him? Talk about the worst luck imaginable."

Mordret caught Jet's words, pausing momentarily to rub his forehead in exasperation. "So it's that bad, huh? Not surprising."

Tension filled the air as they absorbed his words, but Rick approached them with a sheepish grin. "I'm really sorry! I had no idea you'd run into his Flaw before. Had I known, I would've given you a heads-up."

Sunny shook his head, offering Rick a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Not your fault. We never mentioned him, so how could you have known? Let's just cross our fingers that this goes without a hitch."

They made their way to the couches, squeezing together like sardines, except for Mordret and Rick, who comfortably claimed one couch for themselves. Cassie, exasperated, stood up. "This is absurd. He's not the same Mordret."

With determination, she plopped down beside the two masters, and Rain soon followed suit, positioning herself beside Rick and Mordret, creating a buffer.

As they adjusted their seating, a sense of comfort began to settle in, though no one else shifted positions. After a moment of silence, Cassie broke the ice, turning to Mordret. "I hope you realize we have... complicated feelings towards you right now. Your clone—your Flaw, as you call him—has caused us a lot of grief. Sunny and I bore the brunt of it, but the others have had their share of run-ins too."

Mordret sighed, acknowledging the tension. "Yeah, it was pretty clear you weren't thrilled to see me. When I noticed some of you had your eyes shut, I figured my Flaw was the issue since I've never met any of you before. I appreciate you not attacking me on sight; I've had that happen before."

Rick chuckled lightly. "Yeah, that was a strange day. I guess that's why you've grown that beard?"

Mordret stroked his chin, grinning. "That's part of it, but honestly, I just like it."

Cassie coughed awkwardly, and Sunny locked eyes with Mordret, his voice steady. "Let's change the topic. Can you explain how this other Mordret came to be?"

Mordret sighed, removing his hood and cap to reveal his tousled black hair. Leaning back, he began, "I'll do my best to clarify."

Sunny nodded, a warm smile gracing his lips. "That would be appreciated."

Taking a deep breath, Mordret launched into his tale. "When I returned from my first Nightmare, I received my Aspect and, along with it, my Flaw. Suddenly, I had a clone—same Aspect, same looks, but his personality was a different story. He was unhinged, sinister, cold, and utterly detached. The man who looked after us, Asterion, intended to turn us into weapons by fueling our hatred for my father. I saw through his manipulations, but my clone succumbed to his emotions, developing a consuming hatred for my father and Clan Valor. Asterion, seeing me as a threat, couldn't kill me without losing his prized creation, so he imprisoned me deep underground in a citadel."

The group fell into contemplative silence after Mordret finished. Sunny exchanged a glance with Kai, who nodded in understanding. Eventually, Sunny took a deep breath and spoke, "Well, that explains why you're so different from the Mordret we knew. I owe you an apology; we jumped to conclusions."

Mordret chuckled softly. "I should thank you for not taking me out on sight. I know better than anyone what my clone is capable of. I've heard stories, so I can imagine the chaos he caused you."

Sunny scoffed, recalling the past. "Yeah, once I was caged with Cassie for a month. We were awakened back then, nearly dying of dehydration and starvation. Your clone tricked me into bringing him a Mirror Shard, then slaughtered the entire Night Temple with reckless abandon. He even took over a Master's body to hunt us down. Thankfully, the saint of that establishment killed the vessel. His existence has always been a headache for the world."

Mordret laughed again. "A headache? That's an understatement. 'Plague' would be more fitting. I loathe that guy with every fiber of my being."

Kai chimed in, "So he's the reason you've been living as a recluse?"

Mordret nodded. "He's part of it. Asterion and Clan Valor are the other reasons. If they find me, it's either death or a return to captivity, depending on who it is."

Nephis sighed, "Yeah, they would. Morgan has an insatiable desire to kill her brother; I can almost feel the heat when his name comes up around her."

Mordret's expression darkened, revealing a sadness he hadn't shown before. "That's the crux of my hatred for my clone. He took everything from me. I'll never speak to my father again or have a chance to meet my little sister, Morgan. Not even my uncle, who was killed in Antarctica because of that bastard. He was the closest thing I had to a father, and I never got to say goodbye. The world trembles at the name Mordret. Wherever I go, those who recognize the name or the face look at me with disdain or run away."

The group was taken aback by Mordret's emotional outpouring. The cruel monster they once knew was gone, replaced by a man burdened by loss and regret. In the brief time they had known him, it was clear that this new Mordret was a far cry from the one they had previously encountered.

Cassie moved closer, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry for how we treated you earlier. I see now why you and Rick became such good friends. You both endured the world's cruelty for things beyond your control and found solace in each other. I want you to know, none of us see you as a monster. Just because you resemble him doesn't mean you share his nature."

Rick smiled warmly at his friend. "Exactly. I hope you know I'm always here for you, old friend."

Mordret chuckled, playfully nudging Rick. "Who are you calling old, you greenhorn? I'm just in my early thirties, you rascal."

Laughter erupted among them, the tension dissipating like morning mist. In this short time, they had begun to see the new Mordret in a different light, feeling a sense of ease they had thought impossible before.

Sunny grinned, "I think we owe you an apology for our earlier behavior. Please let us know if there's anything we can do to make it up to you."

Mordret paused, then said, "I don't need much, but I'd love it if you called me by my nickname. Please, call me Mordy instead of Mordret. It's what my uncle used to call me when I was a kid, and my clone despises it, which makes it even better."

Effie chuckled, "Good! But you should call us by our nicknames too. Just call me Effie, that black-haired woman without a heartbeat is Jet. The guy with the green eyes and a face that all the girls would love to sit on is Kai. These two lovebirds are Sunny and Neph. The girl your greenhorn fancies is Rain, and the blind seer to your left is Cassie."

Kai facepalmed, muttering under his breath, "Unbelievable, but I expected nothing less from Effie."

Mordret looked around at the smiles lighting up their faces. It stirred something within him; it had been ages since anyone had looked at him without fear or hatred. With a contented sigh, he smiled back. "Thank you. It's been a long time since I met new people, and I'm genuinely happy with how this turned out."

Rick beamed at him, the warmth of camaraderie blossoming in the air.

"What's it like to finally step out of your shell?"

Mordret let out a light-hearted chuckle, replying, "Absolutely liberating."

Rick nodded, a grin spreading across his face. After a moment, he nudged Mordret playfully with his shoulder. "I think it's time for our showdown. You remember our score, right?"

Mordret scoffed, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, I remember it all too well. It felt fantastic to take you down last time! You're at 38, and I'm at 37, if I recall correctly? Can't let you keep that lead, so prepare for a rematch!"

Rick burst into laughter. "I can't wait to see you try! This time, I'll be using my Flaw."

Mordret sighed, a grin creeping across his face. "Guess I'll have to pull out some tricks of my own."

Rick gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder as he stood, smirking. "You'll need every one of them."

As they all began to head toward the exit, Sunny lingered for a moment before asking, "So, where are we off to, exactly?"

Rick exchanged a knowing glance with Mordret, both of them smiling. "To my Dreamscape Arcade," Mordret declared.

Sunny's eyes lit up. "I'm a business owner too! It's refreshing to know I'm not alone in my interests."

Mordret scoffed playfully. "Right? Money doesn't just sprout from trees, does it?"

Sunny chuckled. "Nope, not on any trees in the Waking World, at least."

They stepped outside the Warehouse, but Rick and Rain's expressions shifted to something more serious, which didn't go unnoticed by Sunny. With a sigh, he said, "I wish I could just skip this part. Just give me the address, and I'll shadow step there. Someone else can drive."

Mordret pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to Sunny, who took it with a nod. "I'll wait for you inside. Just don't wreck the car; I don't want to pay for damages."

Nephis approached and took the keys from him, smiling. "I'll be super careful, I promise."

Sunny kissed her goodbye and vanished into the shadows. Mordret glanced at the spot where Sunny had stood. "That's quite the ability. Can he use it in a fight?"

Jet shivered, a chill running down her spine. "Yes, and it's downright terrifying."

Mordret chuckled. "I can only imagine. I'm eager to see it in action."

Rick suddenly looked anxious. "Oh, I forgot to mention—I'll be fighting Sunny later, after our match. He wants to see if he can handle the Beast."

Mordret facepalmed, exhaling dramatically. "He's either incredibly strong or blissfully unaware of what he's getting into."

Rick laughed. "It's probably a bit of both."

They hopped into the PTV and set off toward Mordret's Arcade. The drive felt less daunting this time, as Rick had positioned his hands strategically under Rain, lifting her slightly. But instead of Rick being the one in trouble, it was Rain, who was internally cursing her very existence.

'Why am I in this predicament? This man is driving me wild. My body is on fire, and his touch is sending me spiraling. Focus, Rain, focus!'

The journey to the Arcade stretched longer than before, and Nephis, in her mischievous way, drove over every manhole cover she could find, not out of poor driving skills, but sheer delight. She glanced at Rain's expression in the mirror and asked with a smirk, "Almost there, right?"

Mordret looked up from his communicator. "Yeah, about ten more minutes."

Rain let out a frustrated whimper. "God dammit, fuck me!"

Rick leaned closer, whispering in her ear, "I could make that happen, but remember, we agreed to wait until tomorrow."

Rain bit her lip, leaning back against him. "Do you enjoy torturing me?"

Rick chuckled, leaving her to stew in her thoughts.

Minutes later, they arrived at the Arcade. Nephis parked in the back to avoid any eager fans. The Arcade was closed, as usual, for Mordret's private meetings with Rick. They slipped in through the back entrance and found Sunny waiting in the lounge. He stood up, smiling. "Took you long enough! How was the drive?"

Rain's expression soured again, and she hid behind Rick. Effie noticed and chuckled. "Oh, it was fine. I think some of us had more fun than others."

Nephis laughed heartily. "Yeah, it was quite amusing."

Mordret smirked at Rick. "Let's head to the Dreamscape Pods."

They all nodded and followed him. Moments later, they entered a room filled with dozens of pods. Mordret flicked on the lights and gestured toward them. "If you're not familiar with Dreamscape, it's simple. Just hop in and close the lid. The system will guide you from there."

Sunny chuckled. "I've had my share of Dreamscape adventures."

Mordret raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? Ever participated in a tournament?"

Sunny laughed, shrugging. "I've even won one, but it's been ages."

Rick and Mordret exchanged curious glances, and Mordret finally asked, "What's your Dreamscape name?"

Sunny grinned, heading toward a pod. "You might have heard of me—it's Mongrel."

Rick and Mordret's jaws dropped, while Nephis placed a comforting hand on their shoulders. "You'll get used to it."

Mordret shook his head in disbelief. "The legendary Mongrel is in my Arcade? This is a dream come true!"

Rain approached Rick, chuckling. "That's something your senses missed, huh?"

Rick, still bewildered, simply shook his head.

After a moment, Mordret sighed. "Just pick a pod and choose Private Arena 8. The password is 7978."

Everyone selected a pod and climbed in. Sunny paused before entering his pod, muttering to himself, "It's been a while. Let's see how this goes."

He climbed in, and a moment later, a voice greeted him. "Welcome back to Dreamscape, Mongrel. Please choose an arena."

He selected the Private Room and entered the password. Suddenly, he found himself in a grand Colosseum, the very same one he had first entered all those years ago—minus the weaklings, of course.

"Back to my roots," he mused.

Seconds later, others began to materialize in the arena. First was Rick, known as Greenhorn in Dreamscape, followed by Mordret, who went by Rapunzel. Sunny couldn't help but chuckle. Then came Rain, who had chosen the codename Ranni, followed by Effie and Kai, who simply used their real names. Jet appeared next, adopting the name Workaholic. Lastly, Cassie and Nephis entered, Cassie opting for "Cass," while Nephis humorously dubbed herself "Biggest Mongrel Fangirl."

Sunny, spotting Nephis, shadow stepped beside her and kissed her. "Glad to have my biggest supporter here! But where's your cheerleader outfit?"

She smirked back. "I would've loved to wear one for you, but we aren't alone, so this will have to suffice."

She removed her blouse to reveal a white shirt adorned with a large red heart and Weaver's Mask in the center.

Sunny chuckled and kissed her again. Rick turned to Rain, grinning. "Do I get a kiss too? Just for motivation and because I love you."

Rain giggled, rising on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck. Rick leaned down, lifting her slightly as their lips met, holding the kiss until they reluctantly pulled away.

Mordret shouted, "I guess I'll have to stop calling you Greenhorn from now on!"

Rick laughed heartily, responding, "I guess so, but I'll always call you Rapunzel!"

Mordret scoffed. "I'll need to find a new name for you then. But let's head down now."

Rick nodded, and they descended into the arena. As the two masters made their way down the stairs, Rain called out, "Best of luck, love you!"

Jet grinned, turning to the others. "Who do you think will win?"

Rain chuckled. "Rick, of course."

Sunny scoffed, a smile on his face. "Your choice was obvious from the start, but I have no idea how this will play out. Mordret's aspect is quite versatile. It'll depend on how many reflections he summons. Rick's aspect, from what I've gathered, leans more toward support, but people think I'm just a good scout, so it's all about how he uses it."

Jet's laughter echoed through the air as she declared, "How about we place a wager on this brawl? I'm throwing down 100 Credits on Rick—who's with me?"

Rain, Effie, and Kai raised their hands in agreement, while the rest rallied behind Mordret. With a flurry of handshakes sealing their fates, they turned their gaze toward the Arena.

To their left stood Rick, and far to the right, Mordret loomed, a solid 50 meters apart. Mordret conjured his armor, a sleek ensemble of black leather and chain mail, while Rick took a moment to stretch, cracking his knuckles. In the blink of an eye, his form morphed into a towering demonic presence, his muscles rippling with power. He clenched his fists, opened them wide, and with a playful thumbs-up, shouted, "Ready when you are!"

Mordret exchanged a brief glance with the others, a grin spreading across his face. Suddenly, five mirror shards materialized around him, coalescing into reflections of their viewers —Sunny, Nephis, Effie, Jet, and Kai—each wearing expressions of stoic indifference. Sunny's reflection, however, donned the rugged Mongrel attire. While the others wore what was known to the general public.

Sunny surveyed the mirrored versions and chuckled, "He may not be the Mordret we first met, but he's just as clever."

Cassie sighed, disappointment flickering in her eyes.

Mordret returned Rick's thumbs-up and summoned a ruby-red coin, tossing it high into the air. In a flash, he conjured a short sword, its blade resembling granite yet sharper than steel.

Rick nodded, opting to forgo his weapon. Instead, he crouched low, tails poised like a predator. With a crooked grin, he quipped, "No need for that just yet; let's see how this plays out."

As the coin descended, Rick unleashed the spikes of his six tails, driving them into the ground. The earth cracked beneath him, and in an instant, he vanished, leaving only a blur in his wake. Mordret's eyes widened in realization.

'He's faster than before. Seems he's mastering the beast within.'

In a heartbeat, Rick was upon him, moving even swifter than in his human form. Mordret dodged the onslaught of claws and tails, sending his reflections into the fray.

The first to engage was Effie's reflection, spear aimed at Rick's heart, but it was futile. Rick's senses melded perfectly with his form, and within moments, he tore the reflection apart as though it were a mere toy. The gruesome sight would have been unsettling had the figure not been made of mirror shards. Effie swallowed hard, a shiver creeping down her spine.

"I'm relieved he's such a friendly guy, considering what could have happened in that cave."

Sunny chuckled, his voice reassuring. "Remember, these are just reflections, weaker than the originals. They may look like us, but they're not. Still, it's impressive how quickly and powerfully he dispatches them. Taking down one of Mordret's reflections is no small feat, especially a Saint's."

Despite Sunny's words, Effie remained puzzled. The tension thickened as Rick faced the next two reflections—Jet and Kai. Jet closed in, while Kai kept his distance, unleashing arrows. A couple struck Rick, but most were deftly caught or deflected by his tails. Jet's reflection proved a tougher challenge, her scythe dancing through the air with lethal grace.

Rick grinned, confidence radiating from him. "Too bad I specialize in scythes and their weaknesses."

Chains materialized in his hands, swirling around him as he crafted a cage. As Jet's reflection swung her scythe one last time, he yanked the chain, ensnaring her. He deflected another arrow from Kai and hurled Jet's weapon with blinding speed, obliterating both reflections in a cloud of dust.

Jet and Kai exchanged glances, sighing in defeat. "He really knows how to handle a scythe. I wonder if he usually uses one," Jet mused.

Kai scoffed. "I'm more amazed by the way he used those chains. He formed that cage in seconds, and before you knew it, the fight was over."

Effie patted their shoulders, her smile brightening the mood. "Don't be disheartened; remember what Sunny said. Let's see how the rest unfolds."

All eyes were glued to the battlefield, where only two reflections remained—the strongest of them all. Though Rick wore an excited smile, the reality was far more complex.

'These reflections work in perfect harmony. Nephis is a wall of sword strikes while Sunny exploits every opening I leave.'

Rick's grin widened, and he shouted, "UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOU, RAPUNZEL, THESE REFLECTIONS ARE JUST THAT—FAKES. EASY TO LURE INTO A TRAP!"

Gasps echoed as Rick stepped back, the reflections following suit. He chuckled, "What did I just say?"

Mordret tried to call them back, but it was too late. In a heartbeat, Sunny and Nephis found themselves ensnared in a net of chains, seemingly conjured from thin air. Two of Rick's tails shot forward, piercing the reflections' hearts, and they shattered into dust.

Sunny erupted in laughter, leaving the rest bewildered.

After a moment, he noticed their confusion and shrugged. "What? It's hilarious! He told us he can alter his chains' properties, and invisibility seems to be one of them. That would catch anyone off guard. I must say, he's quite adept at using his abilities."

Facespalms followed, and Nephis sighed, "Everyone else would at least be a bit shaken by the sight of their own demise, but I shouldn't be surprised you aren't."

Sunny shrugged, a nonchalant grin on his face. "Of course not; I've killed myself before."

Nephis froze, then turned to the others. "I'm not the only one who isn't surprised, right?"

Everyone shook their heads, and Sunny chuckled, turning back to the arena. "It's time for the grand finale. Let's see who emerges victorious."

Mordret regarded Rick with a smile. "You've improved significantly since our last encounter. Your control over this form is impressive."

Rick returned the smile, bowing slightly. "I'm flattered, your Highness. But let's finish this."

Mordret chuckled, muttering, "Cheeky bastard."

Rick's laughter boomed as he transformed into a blur. This time, Mordret couldn't evade the strike, crashing into the Colosseum wall with bone-jarring force. Blood spilled from his mouth as he crumpled to the ground. Eager to end the fight, Rick lunged forward, but from behind, a rapier pierced his chest—Cassie's reflection, wielding the Quiet Dancer.

The real Cassie beamed, unnoticed by the stunned crowd.

Mordret rose, approaching Rick, kneeling before him. He chuckled, gazing at Rick's lifeless form. "Number one rule, greenhorn: never drop your guard."

With a weak, cracked voice, Rick replied, "Seems like... you're getting old... because... you just broke it."

A sinister grin spread across Rick's face as he seized Mordret's legs, swiftly bringing him down upon Cassie's reflection. She shattered instantly, and Mordret coughed up more blood, the entire exchange happening in mere seconds.

Rick grinned, "It's been a splendid fight, my friend, but all great things must come to an end."

He hurled Mordret skyward, crossing his arms as his six tails shot up, piercing Mordret's body. In an instant, he vanished from the arena.

Silence enveloped the crowd, all struggling to process the whirlwind of events. Moments later, Mordret reappeared, standing before Rick. They locked eyes, the atmosphere thick with tension. Suddenly, laughter erupted, rolling into uncontrollable mirth as they both collapsed, howling with laughter. The others, still dazed, snapped out of their stupor, witnessing the two friends reveling in the aftermath of their epic clash.