still deciding whether this is just an AU or a headcanon :/

also, we're teleporting way back to S5!

(warning: technically suicide?? and possible trigger-warning for depression??)

   ~*~

Taking a deep breath, Zed stepped down into the End City ship, his heart pounding in his ears. "Ring?" he said quietly, peeking around the corner. A taller figure with purple skin turned to look at him from where they were sat at a desk, impatiently twirling a quill around in their hand and shaking the hair flowing from their space buns out of their face.

"What do you want?" they asked, eyes shrouded by a white mask with a circular lace-like pattern on the bottom.

He stepped out into the open, nervously meeting their gaze. "I-I was thinking..." he started. "Is there a way to change back from being a um... Watcher?"

Ring was quiet for a moment before abruptly standing up and stalking towards him, purple cloak over one arm swishing against them. "Why would you ever ask that," they snapped, looming over him. "You aren't thinking of leaving, are you, Gold?"

Zed instinctively shook his head, taking a step back. "Of course n-not!" he assured with a nervous smile. "I would never!"

Ring stared down at him with a stern look before turning away, going back to writing. "You better not," they muttered, not even sparing him a glance. "Or you'll face the consequences. of your actions"

The blonde nodded quickly and turned away, hurrying back up the stairs and out on the ship deck. He was so stupid to ask Ring that! Of course he wouldn't have gotten an answer and now he looks suspicious! Zed groaned and banged his head against a purpur pillar, yelping as pain stung through his forehead.

"I don't like this life," Zed whimpered to himself, wrapping his arms around himself in a hug. "I want to start all over. I just want... to be free..."

He sighed and walked himself over to the edge of the ship, staring down at the seemingly glowing endstone. Well he had nothing important on him and this was the quickest way home... and then suddenly he was falling.

And then suddenly.... he wasn't.

Zed felt cold scales press against his back and looked down to see black glittering scales behind him. "Do not do this player," the great enderdragon murmured, her voice low and smooth. "I can see you're suffering. But you must have patience as patience is the only thing that can get you through this."

"You-you can talk?!" Zed burst out, ignoring whatever the dragon had said. "Since when?!"

"I have always been able to speak with you," she replied, flapping her great wings and swooping farther away from the End City. "But I only help those in need."

Zed was quiet, his mind racing for what to say. If he asked for help, then he might look greedy and not get anything, but if he didn't ask then he might not get help either.

"Calm down." She gracefully landed on the main End island, lowering a wing for Zed to slide down. She turned to the blonde and lowered her head, matching their vibrant purple gazes. "If you let fear consume yourself, you will never get anywhere."

Zed took in a deep breath and slowly let it out, his entire body trembling. "S-sorry," he stammered, looking away. "If it's not too much to ask, uh, could you maybe help me?"

The dragon let out a huff and tucked her legs comfortably beneath her. "I can only offer my best."

"Well ya see, I kinda want to stop being a Watcher," Zed explained, fluffing out his grand purple wings slightly. "A lot of it is really uncomfortable for me to do, like pranking all my friends all the time, and it also just... brings back bad memories."

She tilted her head slightly before standing up. "I can certainly help with that." The enderdragon flapped her mighty wings and took to the sky, soaring up onto one of the obsidian towers. Carefully, she took the floating crystal in between her teeth and carried it lightly back down to Zed, trying to stir up as little dust as possible.

"Take this," she said, gesturing the crystal towards him. "You will be bound with The End and be rid of your ties with the Watchers."

Zed slowly reached out a hand to take it but abruptly froze, his fingers barely an inch away. "This a deal right?" he questioned. "So I have to do something for you in return right?"

The dragon shook her head. "No you will not. I only want to help you player."

He looked up into her gentle, reassuring eyes, and hesitantly closed the gap. A burst of light exploded from the crystal as it crinkled into silky streams of light that weaved into his veins. Zed tensed, feeling the frigid energy flow through him, and tried as hard as he could to focus on his breathing to calm himself down. The feeling abruptly stopped as a wave of dizziness hit him, nearly making the blonde stumble backwards.

"Go back home now," the dragon ushered, gently nudging him towards the portal. "Rest among your true friends before discovering your new self."

And with that he was falling once more.

   ~*~

oops got a little too deep there o.O (also imagine how freaked the fuck out Zed would be when he first met Grian?)