Author's Note: The last story that I had the idea to do for the A77 AU. I mean, if ya'll want more things as a story lemme know. As of right now, I'll be working on some more Hardtopia and the next story in the AnotherSide timeline. Also, there's no split to this narrative.

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((Take place an unknown time before the events of Punishment)) Canon A77))

 X's POV:

 " WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?!"

 I jumped as a sharp scream entered my eardrums. Keralis made an alarm sound as well. Speaking of Keralis, Impulse and I managed to create a potion that could progress the process of him turning back into his adult self. It was slow, yes, but Impulse and I decided to not push Keralis's healing by making something that could automatically turn Keralis back. 

 The six year old clung onto my side as the screaming continued. I narrowed my eyes as something crashed into the ocean. Keralis's eye as wider than usual as he lowered his head. He reached up and held the bandages on his face.

 " I'm going to go see what that was, okay?" I questioned as he let go of me and nodded. Keralis curled up on the ground, " Okay shiwami.... Should.... Should call Bumo?" he tilted his head slightly with a nervous look. I ran my hand through his hair, " Call Mr. Impulse and Ren first, okay?" I told him as he nodded. 

 Equipping my elytra, I looked back at Keralis as he attached his replacement leg to his nub. We were all incredibly lucky that Rik made the prosthetic for Keralis's younger form. Without it, I don't even know how either Keralis would manage when I was in Hermitville. 

 I waved at Keralis as he waddled down the stairs. Flying into the air was easy, but I couldn't see who fell from the sky a mere couple of minutes ago. The salty smell of the waves swept through my nose and forced me to fly a bit higher. 

 " HELLO?" I cupped my hands together and shouted into the endless ocean. The waves continued to crash against each other until I saw someone treading water. Admin instincts took over as I dove down to the sea. The person flailed briefly until I scooped them into the air.

 I looked down at the shivering person I was holding. My eyes widened as I gasped at the person.

 BdoubleO. 

 Bdubs was breathing and shivering from the sudden blast of cold air he was swept up into. I flew back down near the water and rocketed towards my base. When I got there, I swear I could hear something refocusing. 

 I was being watched. 

 No, we were being watched.

 I landed back onto the terracotta and retreated down into my base. I hurriedly punched in a code and locked all entrances and exits to the base. I wasn't going to allow Bdubs to be kidnapped like the others. 

 Keralis was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. He kept tilting his head as he followed me down the hall, " Bubbles?" he questioned with a small smile. Bdubs groaned and opened an eye. He looked down at Keralis then back at me. 

 " What.... What.... has happened here man?" Bdubs questioned as he tried to move his leg. I looked between him and the bruised and wet limb. I explained to him about people disappearing causing the returning hermit to tense up. 

 Bdubs reached his right hand to Keralis, and the little hermit took it happily, " Bubbles is home." he smiled as he tightened his grip on Bdouble's hand. The hermit looked at me and motioned me to lean in as I carried him, " X... I... I.. ah... I can't feel my left hand." he stuttered with a nervous look. 

 " Oh golly.... We'll... We'll talk about this when I get Keralis to eat." I whispered back causing Bdouble to nod. The three of us walked down the hall until we reached my medical bay to my base. I laid Bdubs down causing him to flinch and tense up. 

 Keralis squeaked as he continued to hold Bdubs's hand. Bdubs looked at him, " Hey, I'm okay Keralis... You, however, look hungry." he smirked. I gave the little hermit an apple causing him to hurry away to where his room was. 

 " Why is he running off?" Bdubs questioned as he tilted his head. I shrugged my shoulders, " He likes to curl up in his bed and eat." I told him causing him to nod. I sighed and started to look over Bdubs's body as he whimpered. 

 Bdubs's left wrist was twisted to the point where the skin was black and blue. His leg had some heavy scrapes that were both bloody and covered multiple patches of his leg. I took out some bandages and other supplies.

 I continued to work causing Bdubs to yell and try to move as I fixed his wrist. There wasn't really anything I could do to help his leg, so I applied some medicine to the appendage and wrapped it up after drying it off. 

 Bdubs shivered as I put a hand around his wrist and hand. He sadly looked at it before yawning, " M....Man... I'm f-freezing." he stuttered. I nodded at him again, " Do you need some new clothes? I'm pretty sure I can spawn in some new ones for ya." I smiled as he nodded tiredly. 

 After a few minutes, Bdouble was in some warm, wooly clothes. He sneezed and put his head down onto the pillow. I put a blanket around him and sighed. The returning hermit quickly fell asleep and curled up under the blanket.

 " Hey... Shishwamy?" Keralis appeared in the doorway. I turned around and put my hands into my pockets, " What is it Keralis?" I questioned as he walked into the room, " Friends are here." he told me as I nodded. 

 I picked Keralis up and carried him down the stairs into a meeting room. Impulse was sleeping against Rendog's shoulder. Ren patted Impulse's head gently, " Is it true, X?" he looked up at me, " Is Bdubs actually back?" he questioned as his ears perked up.

 I nodded at the group in the room. Iskall frowned, " Is he okay?" he questioned as I shrugged my shoulders, " He's okay... I bandaged him up, and he's sleeping now." I told the group as I set Keralis down. The little hermit hurried over to Mumbo and crawled into his lap. 

 I looked at the group, " Well, we've gained a new member to this little mystery... Let's just hope we can find the others before someone else goes missing..." I nodded my head as everyone nodded in silent agreement.

There'S so m etHing Eerie Lurking ne ar by, and I d o n't Li k e it...

-htrieetn-