[Y/N] - Your Nam
[M/N] - Middle Name
[L/N] - Last Name
I
["Talking"]
["SCREAMING"]
["Whispering"]
["Thinking"]

[======================================]

[ARTISTS USED] --- (In order)
-> ??? (Edited by: Unoriginal_Jackass12)
-> GypsyRaeArt
-> ??? (Edited by: )

<<<<<< I >[---]< I >>>>>>

Coraline and Y/N violently thrashed around, the latter pushing whoever was grasping him into the wall, followed by Coraline slamming them over her shoulder. As the aggressor fell to the ground, Y/N reached to hold onto its mask of a chicken. His face was stitched on a literal ear-to-ear smile, forcing his lips to remain up and wide into an uncanny grin. The boy shielded his face in fear of being attacked once again.

Coraline: ["Wybie?!"]

Y/N: ["Fucking hell, dude... Did she do this to you?"]

Y/N kneeled down near the Other Wybie, and reached ahead to gently remove his stitches — Doing so made his lips fall back into place. The Other Wybie carefully rubbed his cheeks while moving his jaw, as if to they were harshly-sore. Y/N drew breath to speak, but before he could do so, the Other Wybie shushed him, and rapidly dashed away, holding onto Y/N's and Coraline's wrists to drag the two of them along.

Reaching the nearby dark, and empty living room, the Other Wybie instantly made his way towards the cockroach-like closet that covered the exit door. Getting the memo, Coraline went at his side to help while Y/N stood behind them both. With enough force to push it out of the way, the loud thud echoed through the house — Unlike before, the closet remained motionless and didn't show any signs of life.

Other Mother: ["Coraline! Is that you?!"]

Y/N: ["Come on, you two!I"]

Listening to the woman's voice out in the not-so-far distance, Y/N ducked towards the exit door and swung it open. A cold, dusty breeze hit his face, enough grime to make him cough and tear up before he covered his face with his sleeve. Looking inside the exit, the hallway was covered in dirt and webs — But what caught their attention were the gloves, and shoes of what Y/N assumed to be previous children.

Coraline: ["Let's go! She'll hurt you again!"]

Other Mother: ["Coraline! How dare you disobey your mother?!"]

Coraline tugged on the Other Wybie's shoulder, pulling him towards the exit, but he didn't bulge. He just shook his head from side-to-side, his expression always grim, as he removed his glove to reveal his hand. It was strange, not made of flesh or tissue — But out of sawdust. Hearing the clicking of the Other Mother's heels on the footsteps, the Other Wybie shoved both of them onto the door, and closed it.

After a reassuring nod from Y/N, Coraline was the first one who moved after getting rid of that insecure look she had. She ran and ran, pushing past and through webs, some of them ending up being trapped and entangled on her hair. In the rush and the adrenaline, she tripped and fell to the ground, almost instantaneously tripping again right after. But nonetheless, she leaped forward once at the end, and out of the door.

Y/N turned around and closed the entrance to the Other world, locking the key and removing it from its keyhole. Breathing out heavily, he laid against the wall while closing his eyes for a moment before he turned to face Coraline. The girl's lips parted onto a large smile as she stood up, looking all around the room before she drew in breath to speak, and loudly announced the arrival of both Y/N and her arrival.

Coraline: ["We're hoooooooome~!"]

Coraline: ["Anybody here?"]

Y/N stood up and walked alongside the girl, shoving the key into his pocket as he sighed, also dusting off some cobwebs out of his own body. As the two of them looked around the living room and left for the hallway, passing by the stairs that led to Charlie's study room — Nothing. Along the way, Y/N picked out some cobwebs out of Coraline's hair, putting them in his pocket to throw them into the trash later.

Coraline: ["Hello! Hello hello! Real daaaaaaaaaad?!"]

She peeked into his empty study room, and saw nothing. Y/N looked around, but he also couldn't spot anything, let alone the goose-necked man who always typed so nervously on his computer. Seeing this place almost reminded Y/N of the song that the Other Father sang — Shit! It was going to be stuck on his head now — or the time he and Coraline accidentally made the house's lights go out in their exploration.

Coraline: ["Real moooooooooooooom?!"]

Y/N and Coraline wandered around the house some more, the silence beginning to make the former feel wrong. The house was way too quiet for his liking, but he decided to push those thoughts aside and just assume that Coraline's parents weren't back yet — That theory was disproved immediately when Coraline tugged on his sleeve to drag him towards the kitchen where, on the table, rested a bag.

Coraline: ["Mom's groceries- Ah! That's disgusting heh..."]

She let out a nervous, but still hopeful giggle when the bag fell to reveal meat, bananas, and tomatoes — All rotten and spoiled. Flies fell out of the brown paper bag as well, but were rapidly swatted away by Y/N. Coraline's eyes sparkled when she heard the doorbell ding, and carefully pushed past Y/N to make her way towards it. Her eyes were hopeful and wide as she swung the door open with excitement.

Coraline: ["I missed you guys so much, I- Oh..."] Her eyes fell in disappointment as Y/N walked up behind her ["Great. It's the Wybie who talks"]

Wybie: ["Huh? Ha ha ha.... Yeah... Um, so you know tha- that old doll I gave you?"] Coraline tensed up and narrowed her eyes at him ["Um... My gramma's real mad, says it was her sister's-? The one that disappeared?"] Y/N leaned close to Coraline.

Coraline: ["You-..."] She pointed at Wybie ["You stole that doll, didn't you?!"]

Wybie: ["Well, i-it looked just like you. And I figured-"]

Coraline: [" It used to look like this pioneer girl; then Huck Finn junior!"] Coraline's arms waved around as she looked all over the place ["Then it was this little rascals chick with all these ribbons, and braids, and...-"] Y/N leaned down to whisper near CY/oraline.

Y/N: ["That sweet Ghost girl we met"]

Coraline: ["-Gramma's missing sister! I think we just met her. Come on!"]

She pulled Wybe into the house, not giving Y/N nowhere near enough time to speak as to why that was a bad idea. So, the warlock just sighed and closed the door, following the two along. Upon reaching the living room, he saw Coraline pointing towards the little door. Even after so long, just seeing that thing made Y/N shiver slightly thanks to the fear and the memories of the shit he just went through.

Coraline: ["She's in there!"]

Wybie: [" C-can you, uhm..."] He reached for the door ["Can you unlock it?"]

Coraline: ["Not in a million years! But it wouldn't matter!"] She held his wrist to stop him, shrugging before she gained a sad look ["She can't escape without her eyes! ... None of the ghosts can"]

Wybie: ["Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight... So, uh"] He pulled his arm back, nodding as if to say he understood Coraline's story ["I really need to get that doll, and-"]

Coraline: ["Great! I'd love to get rid of it anyways"]

Y/N once more found himseas a spectator than anything as he watched Coraline drag Wybie along. He sighed while following, but stopped at the door to glare over his shoulder towards the entrance to the other world. He just shuddered in thought, shaking his head as he followed them upstairs to Coraline's and his room, where the girl swung the door open, walking in stomping the ground and glaring around.

Coraline: ["Where are you hiding you little monster?!"]

Wybie: ["So, uhhh... You and gramma been talking?"]

Coraline: ["The doll's her spy! It's how she watches you!"] She flipped up her clothing case, tossing some of them out ["Finds out what's wrong with your life!"] She leaned down to look under the bed.

Wybie: ["The doll's... My gramma's spy?"]

Coraline: ["No! The Other Mother! She's got this whole world where everything's better-"] Y/N followed Coraline, cleaning over her mess and even picking her little squid toy she tossed ["The food! The garden! The room! The toys! ... The neighbors"] She got right into Wybie's face, causing him to lean back ["But it's all a trap!"]

Wybie: ["Yea- Yeah! Uh... I think I heard someone calling me?"] He put his ear to the window with a nervous chuckle ["So I think it would be best if I were to-"]

Coraline: ["Don't believe me?! You can ask the cat!"]

Wybie: ["The cat... Right! Right, uh..."] He chuckled nervously, and circled around Coraline towards the door ["I'll just tell gramma that you couldn't find the dool- Ow!"]

Coraline: ["You're not listening to me!"]

He was hit on the back of the head with Coraline's boot, as she attempted to remove the other. Y/N, already knowing he had much work ahead of him, just sighed and remained quiet. His arms crossed and his back against the wall, he watched Coraline hop on one foot to try and remove her other boot. All the while, Wybie glanced at the two, peeking from the side of the hallway, and into the inside of the room.

Wybie: ["That's cause you're... Crazy!"]

He narrowly avoided another boot to the face.

Wybie screamed all the way down the hallway and down the stairs. Y/N followed calmly and with a serene step, not really bothering to catch up as the two made their way out the door. He still heard Wybie screaming as Coraline chased him out the porch. From the back of the hallway, he saw the blue-haired gal toss her boot and miss by a long-shot, sending the piece of clothing away into the rain and mud.

Coraline: ["You creep!"]

Wybie: ["CRAZY!"]

The water droplets didn't really bother Y/N, and he was glad he left his jacket inside because as Coraline ran off, slipping off of the stairs and somehow standing up right away when she fell butt-first into hard stone, she tossed her other boot. Problem is, Wybie had already gotten on top of his bicycle and driven away down the hill and over the fallen, dead tree, and Coraline missed by an even-larger margin than before.

Coraline: ["Crazy?! You're the jerk one who gave me the doll!"]

As Y/N slid off of the muddy hill and picked up Coraline's boot, tapping away the mud from it, he only saw the girl moving away, wearing only her green sockets. He followed her anyways, not minding the rain, but thinking about how annoying it would be to clean up after the girl and her dirty footsteps on the house. As he reached the car of the Jones Family, he only saw Coraline sitting alone in the driver seat.

Coraline: ["Come on dad, pick up..."] Only now Y/N noticed that Coraline had Mel's cellphone to her ear. Y/N heard a beep ["DAD! Where-"]

Charlie: ["I'm digging in my garden right now"] Coraline's hopeful eyes fell when she heard the automated message ["But leave a message and I'll get right back to you"]

Coraline: ["Where have you gone...?"]

The girl's eyes and voice looked and sounded desolate, lost. Standing out there, in the rain, Y/N reached ahead to put a gentle hand against Coraline's shoulder. A gentle smile on his face as the girl turned to face him made her own lips curl up into a grin that showed some hope for what was to come. She gently nuzzled her cheek against his nose before Y/N looked back towards the stairs of The Pink Palace.

Y/N: ["Maybe Ms. Spink and Ms. Forcible could help?"]

Coraline: ["It's not like we have anyone else to go to anyways..."]

Y/N: ["Let's go, then. Here. I picked this on my way out"]

He got down on one knee, clearly not minding the mud in his pants before he helped Coraline slide on her rain boots, as well as getting the girl dressed in her yellow raincoat when she stepped out. Coraline looked up at him with a smile before Y/N leaned to give her a kiss on the forehead, and held her hand as the two made their way towards Spink and Forcible. On the way, Y/N left her blue boots on the porch.

When they reached the place, and knocked on the door, Spink opened it for them. Y/N flashed out a smile while the social one of the relationship explained the story, and both were welcomed inside. Shaking off some of the rain away from himself, and tapping out some mud that stained his shoes and his jeans, Y/N and Coraline were presented with a towel that they used to dry themselves off of the wetness.

Once inside, Y/N and Coraline sat at the far sofa that stood on the other side of the room, the same one they rested before. Those days seemed like years ago as Y/N allowed himself to relax for the first time since they had entered the other world last time. Coraline, sitting by his side, snuggled up towards him, watching as Spink sat down and continued what she was doing before her arrival — Knitting a sweater.

Coraline: ["Uhh... Don't you only make wings for dead ones?"]

April: ["Just looking ahead, dear..."] She spoke with her always-gentle voice ["Angus hasn't been feeling very well of late"] That's when she heard Forcible in the other room.

Miriam: ["Apriiiiiiiiil? Aren't you getting ready?"]

April: ["We lost our ride, Miriam!"] She said while looking to the side ["Y/N says that Caroline's parents disappeared!"] Coraline didn't bother correcting her ["Quite completely!"]

Miriam: ["What?!"] She spoke up, tightening her elaborate corset behind a screen, using pulleys and hooks ["We waited months for those tickets!!"]

April: ["I suppose we could walk!"]

Miriam: ["With your gamy legs?"] Coraline looked rather mad as she snuggled up to Y/N even more ["It's nearly two miles to the theater!"] The blue-haired girl cleared her throat.

April: ["Oh, oh yes ... your missing parents. We know just what you need"] Miriam walked off to open a box with three bowls of candy, labeled 1921, 1936 and 1960 ["Miriam, go get that- That's right!"]

Coraline: ["How is century-old candy meant to help me?"]

Coraline's eyes widened and she recoiled once April raised her knitting needles like blades. But, as opposed to striking Coraline, she stabs and stabs away at the candy, sending sticky chips flying,making loud grunts as she continues until it is all a fine powder. Miriam leaned closer, taking a deep breath before exhaling against the bits that remained of the candy, allowing April to fish a three-sided candy with a hole in it.

April: ["There you go, sweetie"]

Y/N: ["It's an Adder stone!"] Y/N snatched it from Coraline's hands, a wide, beaming smile on his face ["Dude, I haven't seen one of this in years! It's like I'm staring at a piece of old history here!"] Coraline looked up at him, puzzled while he put the stone to his eye ["This is ancient stuff right here! Come on, girl!"]

Y/N snatched Coraline's hands into his own, and dashed away while the girl barely had time to scream while April and Miriam argued in the background. Whether it was for lost things or bad things, as the two old ladies kept repeating? Coraline didn't know, but Y/N sure looked confident and excited! He held the stone tightly, and Coraline wanted to ask him about it, but she decided to do so once they got home.

Almost slipping in the muddy ground of the rain, Y/N kicked off his shoes before he got inside — He also made sure Coraline did the same — before he took her coat off. Giggling like a kid as he held the stone in both hands, he put it to his eye once more, a wide smile beaming on his face as he walked around the house with it. Coraline just followed along, silently at first, but soon her curiosity got the better of her.

Coraline: ["So... Adder stone, was it? How is it meant to help?"]

Y/N: ["Before modern times, witches and warlocks would use this to find magic and magical creatures"] He still walked randomly, looking all over the place with that massive grin on his face ["I had only seen my grandparent's since nowadays there is a bunch of spells for it, but this? This is the real stuff!"] He pulled Coraline into the living room, walking around behind her and putting the stone to her eye ["It is also known to cure illness, protect against nightmares, but most of all... To see through the disguise of witches"]

As he did so, a snarky smile on his lips, the girl was directed towards the entrance to the other world. There, she could see a faint, orange glow that pulsates like a heart. It was almost like a song calling for her, driving her closer and closer, were it not for Y/N removing the stone from her eye, and taking a small string off of his jacket, passing it through the hole in order to make a necklace that he put on Coraline.

Y/N: ["It was also used as means to protect against evil magic"]

Coraline: ["... That means we have more chances to find them, right?"] The girl had a weak, hopeful smile, but it seemed more like a way to cope ["It means that... We will find them, right..?"]

Y/N: ["What are you talking about, you dummy? Of course we will"] Y/N walked around Coraline again, gently holding the girl's face ["I'm with you through hell and back, darling. I promise we'll get your parents back..."]

He gave the girl a gentle kiss on her forehead while his arms wrapped around her. Resting his nose on top of Coraline's head, he could feel her warm, and wet tears soaking his shirt, but he did not mind it. Instead, he just brought an arm up to comfort the girl, gently running his fingers through her hair while he closed his eyes. He took a deep, deep breath, and slowly exhaled through his nostrils with a calming nod.

Y/N: ["I promise..."]

Without much words exchanged between the two, or much sounds in general around the house, night had fallen. As opposed to what she would normally do, which is sleeping in her bed, Coraline laid on her parent's while Y/N laid by her side. The girl instantly clutched onto him, her face turning to hide into his chest, while one of Y/N's arms comfortably snuggled around the girl and pulled her closer in complete silence.

Sleep soon overwhelmed the two that fell into a calm and quiet slumber. For the first time since they got here, Y/N comfortably laid in the bed, and didn't have half of his body sticking out from it. But, as their eyes remained closed, and their chests softly raised up and lowered along their peaceful nap, a shadow passed by the two of them, unnoticed and unknown, until it slowly reached forward to tap Coraline's nose.

Again and again until she woke up.

Coraline: ["Hey... How'd you get in?"] Y/N turned in his sleep, his eyes slowly adjusting to face the cat ["Do you know where mom and dad are...?"]

Y/N was about to say something before the Cat nodded. He ran away from the bedroom and Coraline instantly gave chase, much to Y/N's annoyance as he sat up on the bed, and yawned while stretching his arms up. Clearly not in a hurry, he made his way downstairs where he saw Coraline and the Cat stopping near a mirror, the same one that, in the other world, trapped Coraline and Y/N alongside the Ghost Kids.

Just having arrived there, Coraline's gasp was audible throughout the entire house when the reflection of Mel and Charlie appeared in the glass. They were clutching each other tightly, shivering and blue with cold as snow fell on the two of them. They look up and, with a desperate look, Mel breathes on the inside mirror-glass to fog it. The glass squeaked like a sad bird as the woman wrote, "HELP US" with her finger.

Y/N: ["What the... WAIT, DON'T-"]

The frost had risen to hide the letters and Coraline's parents, and Y/N dashed towards the girl when he saw her banging on the mirror. First with her left hand, then the right, before she screamed and struck the glass with both of her fists. Shards fell against the girl, but Y/N thankfully got there fast enough to wrap his arms around her, and turn around to shield the girl — His back thankfully unharmed from anything.

Coraline remained there, looking all around herself, confused and lost about what was going on, before she felt the Cat nuzzling against her leg. Tilting his head to the staircase, the feline ran away, and Y/N gave chase soon after picking up Coraline in his arms to make sure the girl would not step on any broken pieces of glass. Hopping out of the mess of what remained off the mirror, Y/N made his way back to the room.

Once they got there, and he set Coraline on the ground, he sucked through his teeth when feeling a quick, sharp pain on his sole. While the girl and the Cat walked inside, Y/N just removed some small pieces of the mirror from his foot, and tossed them out the window. Thankfully not much other than his skin was cut, but the pain didn't grab his attention as nearly as much as Coraline's gasp followed by her conclusive words.

Coraline: ["She's taken them..."]

Y/N looked at the Doll in her hands — A doll of her parents. His eyes widened as well once he realized what had happened, and extended a hand to Coraline's shoulder. But, before he could touch her, the girl dashed past him, and downstairs again. The Cat remained behind for a moment, tilting his head in confusion when Y/N ran after the girl, but moments later, the feline also gave chase, and to the living room.

Once he got there, he saw Coraline fumbling with a package of matches. Every time the girl tried to light one, the cold would put it out instantly. This went on for a while before she groaned and tossed the matches, as well as the doll, into the fireplace. Y/N, watching all of this, just took a step forward while aiming his finger into the wood, and muttering a couple of words before a torrent of fire shot off his fingertip.

As opposed to green like before, this time it closely resembled actual fire — Yellow, orange, and red. It burnt the doll, the matches, and the wood of the fireplace quietly as Y/N remained to the side while Coraline was still on her knees when the flames died down rather quickly. Though her sorrow-filled eyes were shut, they opened with just as much sadness once she looked up towards the top part of the fireplace.

Following her vision, Y/N was met with the snow globe of the Detroit Zoo, the same one he saw when they were unpacking. Reaching for it, he kneeled down near Coraline to hand it to her. Her soft grasp upon the globe was gentle and careful as were the memories of her remembering everything she left. The girl was still looking worried and saddened, but slowly turned to face the Cat, and then, looked up at Y/N.

Coraline: ["They're not coming back, are they? Mom and dad... Not on their own"] Coraline looked up at Y/N, who shook his head at her, causing the girl to sigh again ["In other words, there is only one thing to do..."]

Y/N: ["And in other, other words..."]

The two looked towards the entrance door, the Cat following their vision with equal determination. Y/N reached for his pocket, fishing out the key that he decided to keep with him at all times. A long, tired groan escaping his lips as he faced the door was only overshadowed by the look of determination on Coraline's face, that quickly spread like a plague to Y/N's own eyes who narrowed in fury and focus on the key.

Y/N: ["We better get ourselves ready"]

He put the key in his pocket again, and grasped the globe that Coraline passed to him. Putting it atop the mantel, he made his way towards their room while the Cat remained sitting in the living room. Coraline took her collecting bag from the closet, and put on her puffy vest atop her orange pajamas. She also took the garden sheers and a candle from top of a chair, carefully tucking the Adder stone inside her clothes.

Y/N threw on his jacket and his shirt that he wore from the day he got here. Carefully putting his hat on his head, and moving some of his hair to the side of his face, he breathed in deeply while clutching the ring in his hand. It began to glow, and, for a moment, his figure flashed into that of the other world, all of the sigils he had glowing for a moment while he made his way outside, and tapped the mud off of his shoes.

By his side, the Cat purred away until his ears pointed upwards, and he hissed towards what seemed like pure darkness. Y/N drew a sharp breath, but his eyelids narrowed down when he glared over his shoulder at the pure-white eyes that stared at him from the darkness. He paid them no mind as he carefully fixed the ring in his finger, and cracked his neck from side-to-side, finally speaking up towards the being.

Y/N: ["And what do you want?"]

???: ["Our powers. You've used them, but did not pay for it"]

Y/N: ["I will when I am done with that Other Bitch. For now, just fuck off"]

He bent down to pick the Cat, and placed him atop his shoulders before walking off, not once turning back to face the darkness in which the eyes were. Making his way inside along with Coraline, he saw the girl waiting by the entrance door. A small smile on his lips curled into a kiss that he planted into the tip of the girl's nose when he bent down slightly, now kneeling and putting the key into the empty keyhole.

Y/N inhaled and exhaled to relax his tensed shoulders as he opened the door, and faced that dark, and dusty hallway of webs. It was nearly pitch-black, were it not for Coraline's candle as the girl bent down and made her way inside first than the boy. He followed right after, the Cat jumping down from his shoulders, and with its gentle, silent step, making his way alongside the girl and the boy through that dark tunnel.

Cat: [" You know, you're walking right into her trap"]

Coraline: ["I have to go back... They are my parents"]

Cat: ["Challenge her then. She may not play fair, but she won't refuse"] The Cat's advice made Y/N hum along while he crawled behind Coraline ["She's got a thing for games, wanting to beat others in their own thing"]

Coraline: ["Hum... Okay..."]

Mel: ["Coraline?"]

The door at the end of the tunnel clicks open, the candle blows out and the Cat vanishes into the dark. Y/N also lowers himself to the tunnel, trying to make his appearance as less obvious as possible. Coraline tenses when a voice calls out. There, framed in the open door, back-lit in blue, the real Mel called out. With a neck brace and dressed in her shopping clothes, the woman reached for Coraline.

Coraline: ["Mom!"]

Mel: ["Coraline! You came back for us!"]

Y/N reached out towards the blue-haired girl, but clenched his fist and smashed it down onto the tunnel when she ran ahead, not bothering to listen to it. As he reached the other side, peeking through the entrance, he saw Coraline tightly hugging Mel in a dark room that was soon lit up with an assortment of colors and lights. All the While, Mel (?) reached a slender, sharp-fingered hand around to hold Coraline's shoulder.

Mel (?): ["Darling..."]

Other Mother: ["Why would you run away from me?"]

Coraline only appeared afraid for a moment once she had recoiled. Stepping out of the little hallway, Y/N tapped the dust away from his clothes, holding back a sneeze when his allergies acted up. Instead, he glared right up at the Other Mother, crossing his arms with a serious look as his appearance changed in the blink of an eye. Behind the veil on his eyes, the emerald-glowing irises stare through the unsightly monster.

Coraline: ["Where are my parents...?"]

Other Mother: ["Gosh, I have no idea where your "old"parents are..."] Her button eye glimmered as she walked around the duo ["Perhaps they've grown bored of you and run away to France?"]

Y/N: ["They don't have such bad taste!"]

Coraline: ["They didn't "grow tired" of me, you stole them!"]

Y/N failed to realize it, as did Coraline, but something sneaks up behind them. A foot shorter than before, the Other Father slowly makes his way closer and closer to the two of them. His sagging face had the same color of a pale pumpkin, his hair were turned to long-dead roots, vines, and leaves. His hands were also green in color, and his belly was thrice as big as Bobinsky's — Also orange with bulging green roots.

Other Mother: ["Now, don't be difficult you two. Have a seat, will you?"]

She nodded to the Other Father, who's massive hands easily picked up both Y/N and Coraline on each of his arms, and lifted them up. He gurgled happily as that same bug chair from before got between them. Y/N was the first one to be dropped, with Coraline following suit and sitting sideways on his lap as the Other Mother crouched near the spider web-filled tunnel, clapping her hands with an echo of little paws.

A huge rat, just like the one that the Cat had killed with a single bite, came scurrying out of the tunnel. The Other Mother picked the button key out of its mouth, humming in delight while Y/N tapped his pockets, silently cursing at himself. He also made a mental note that he should burn that cockroach closet when he's making his way out, growling in hostility at the Other Mother who swallowed the key in a single gulp.

Coraline: ["Why don't you have your own key?"]

Other Father: ["OnLy OnE kEeEyY-"]

Other Mother: ["The garden squash need tending, don't you think, pumpkin?"]

She said with what initially sounded like a sweet tone as she pulled a vine coming out of his ear, causing his mouth to be dragged upwards and shut. The Other Mother also dragged him away with an angry face as he muttered and sung something to himself, now leaving Y/N and Coraline alone inside the room. The girl got up from Y/N's lap as he followed suit, already making his way towards the cockroach closet.

The girl looked around worrily, and as soon as a sound of glass being wiped was heard through the room, her eyes sparkled. Y/N's hand also lowered immediately after the sound got to his ears, a few embers glowing in green already appearing in his hand. He again groaned in irritation, glaring up at the cockroach closet that he glared up at, giving it a swift kick before he turned his back to search for the sound.

Other Mother: ["Breakfast time!"]

Screamed the Other Mother from the kitchen, prompting Y/N and Coraline to stop looking, and make their way towards the voice. They stopped at the door when they saw the tall, lanky creature humming a soothing tone as if she was an actual caring mother, all that made Y/N the angrier. Coraline's shoulders relaxed as she breathed out, grabbing onto Y/N's hand, likely by instinct, and pulled him along into the kitchen.

The two sat by the table, looking towards the Other Mother while she continued to cook. Coraline's eyes darted back to the plates, moving from one to the other until she faced the buttons and the sewing kit it sat in the middle of. Y/N cursed mentally as he smelled the bacon the Other Mother cooked, knowing he wouldn't be able to eat unless he risked his organs turning into goo — That's when Coraline acted.

Coraline: ["Why don't we play a game?"] The Other Mother's buttons sparkled ["I know you like 'em..."]

Other Mother: ["Everybody like games"] She argued back with a shrug ["What kind of game would it be?"]

Y/N: ["An exploring game...-"]

Coraline: ["-... A finding things game"]

Other Mother: ["And what is it that you two would be finding, hm?"]

Coraline: ["My real parents... And the eyes of the ghost children"] The Other Mother approached the table with a wicked smirk ["If I lose, I'll stay here with you forever and let you love me."] She glanced down at the box, her eyes narrowing in fear and determination ["I'll even let you sew the buttons into my eyes..."]

Y/N: ["And I'll just roll over and let you kill me"] He shrugged, leaning back and glaring up at the Other Mother ["I won't fight back. I'll just lay there"]

Other Mother: ["Hum~... And if you somehow win this game?"]

Coraline: ["You let me go. You let everyone go. My real father and mother, the dead children, Y/N, me..."] She glared up at the Other Mother who circled the table, keeping that predatory smirk ["Everyone you trapped here, and give us the key"]

Other Mother: ["Ahh~... Deal~"]

She reached her hand forward, but Coraline just looked at it dismissively. Y/N had his arms still crossed and leaned against the chair he sat on, glaring up at the Other Mother with that piercing glare behind his veil and his ever-glowing emerald eyes. The ring at his finger no longer tugged at his skin, or tried to shave off his flesh and bone. Instead, it just glowed beautifully in that emerald-green, guiding light.

Coraline: ["Nuh uh. Not until you give me a clue"]

Other Mother: ["Oh, right... In each of three wonder I've made just for you, a ghost's eye is lost in plain sight"]

Y/N: ["And for her parents?"] The Other Mother just chuckled mischievously, tapping her own buttons ["... Tsc, whatever. Have it your way, then"]

Coraline: ["Fine. It's a deal-"] She turned around, but the Other Mother had already disappeared. Coraline sighed as she stood up ["What could she mean by any of that?! Wonders="]

The girl was stopped by Y/N once he put a hand on her shoulder, reaching past her to drag open the curtains. He had a knowing, and snarky smirk present as Coraline looked into the distance to see the garden that began to glow — A little giggle from Y/N was all she needed. The girl turned on her heels to leave, as did Y/N, who only stopped by the living room's door to flip off the cockroach closet with a curse.

They made their way out of the place, Y/N closed the door behind him and followed Coraline to the entrance of the garden, where the girl pushed open the golden, and squeaky gates. They passed by the pitcher plants, where they slowly turned to face where they walked. The heart-like plants pulsated like the real organ, causing Coraline to groan in disgust while both she and Y/N stopped nearby the well.

Coraline stomped away at the Snapdragons that were all so feeble now, kicking and stomping at them while they rotted away — She was unaware of the real danger. Behind her, a brick tree ring opened like the jaws of a creature, in the form of five, pale-blue Snapdragon plants, its "tongue" slid across the ground towards her. She only realized it too late when Y/N pushed her to the side, and was caught instead.

He was brought chest-first to the ground, having all the oxygen knocked away from his lungs as the Snapdragons began to pull him in towards the mouth. He clawed and kicked at them, using his only free arm to hold onto the ground and push himself back. Standing up herself, Coraline picked up the garden shears she had brought, and cut away at the Snapdragons — One at a time they were sliced off and died.

When all of them were gone, the ring of the tree closed off, allowing Y/N to be released from their grasp. He stood up rapidly, his breathing quickened while he tossed away every single remaining Snapdragon out of his body. He stepped back while calming down his breathing, Coraline also sighing in relief as she stepped closer, and drew breath to ask if he was alright — She didn't have the time to do so.

A loud buzzing caught their attention, and they turned to face the gigantic hummingbird-fused-wasp trio that began to poke at them. Y/N managed to evade one that kept flying around the two,both him and Coraline only too late realizing that two of them had snatched their Adder Stone from the girl's back, and carried it away, now joined by the third who was on the task of constantly harassing the girl and the boy.

The two of them gave chase, Y/N raising his finger with his index and thumbnail glowing in that green color. Knowing what was about to come, in fear of burning the stone, Coraline smacked Y/N's arm down, and instead, removed her hat and tossed it towards them like a frisbee — Somehow getting all tree at once with relative ease.They fell to the ground with a defeated buzz, slowly rotting away into sand.

Coraline: ["They were really adamant of keeping this away from us..."]

Y/N: ["It clearly has some use, then. Remember what I said? It's not just a stone..."]

Coraline placed it against her eye, and gasped out in surprise when the entire world turned dark and grey like a pencil drawing, all color gone. The girl scanned the garden, turning slowly. As Coraline turns back to where she started, Y/N picked her hat from the ground and tapped off of the dust and the dirt out of it, placing it firmly against the girl's head, just as Coraline spotted something: A burning-red ember.

Coraline: ["That must be it!"]

But nothing is so easy, is it?

Y/N ducked under a swipe from the Mantis-like machine. Its glowing, massive eyes locking against the boy and striking down at him. Y/N fell to the ground, spreading his legs to avoid yet another stab from the machine that just barely missed his crotch. He kept on moving back, Coraline having to hold him by the armpits and dragging him away so that she wouldn't end up a widow by 15, and Y/N would not end up in two.

Other Father: ["SoRrRrRyYyYy... SoOoO sOrRrRrRyYyY mOoOtThHeRr mMaAkKinNg MeEeEeEeE..."]

His voice was wobbly and distorted. He clearly wasn't in control of himself, as the piano hands from before guided — Or rather, forced — him to control the beast of a machine to attack Coraline and Y/N, both who retreated into the wooden bridge from before. The cement ground from before was split like butter against hot knife, so it's no shock the wooden bridge almost collapsed the moment the Mantis stepped on it.

Other Father: ["DdOoOoOnTtTt WaNnNaAaA hUuUuUrtTtTt YoUuUu..."]

Y/N glanced at Coraline, and pushed the girl back while he himself stepped forward, raising his arms and exposing himself to the creature's attack. It raised both of its pincers and swung them down, crashing them against the bridge and only missing Y/N because he leaped forward. Also mounting the creature, he began to tug away at the hands and the metal, helping the Other Father rid himself off of one of them.

Other Father: ["TtTAaAkKkEeeE IiiIIiTtTttT!!"]

He pulled off the shift knob and shoved it into Y/N's arms, pushing him out of the Mantis, and down into the bridge away, into Coraline's arms who came running to catch him. His hand still extended up, the Other Father sank into the little river beneath the bridge, as did the machine he rode — Both taken into the depths, sinking much-further than Y/N thought was possible into this small body of water.

A low, and drowning hum was the last thing that left the Other Father's mouth when he was dragged underwater. Instantly after his hand sank, the world began to change, crack. Like the web of a spider that began to grow out of proportion, everything around Coraline and Y/N shifted like a grey wave — The entire garden became ashen, dead. Their steps echoed as if they walked and stomped against stone.

Boy Ghost: ["Bless you, mister, you found me!"]

His voice echoed from the ember-like ball Y/N held in his hand. Still crouched against the ground, he sat and leaned back, smirking in victory, and also taking a moment to catch his breath. Gently, Coraline scooped up the ghost's eye from his hand, and looked at it. She could see the little boy's face glowing on the previously-black ball, listening on as the deceased child continued to talk. Y/N also looked up at it.

Boy Ghost: ["But there's two eyes still lost!"]

Coraline: ["Don't worry... We're getting the hang of it"]

She looked at it with determination, and a courageous nod. It was only when Y/N whistled and nodded upwards that Coraline's face morphed into one of surprise as she saw the moon — A shadow rapidly creeped to overshadow it. But Coraline did not falter, and instead, helped Y/N up and turned to face the house as the boy dusted his clothes off out of habit. Another glare of bravery, and Coraline began walking.

Y/N: ["... Hey. Do you remember the song that he sang?"] Y/N called, getting the girl's attention as he hummed the melody ["She's as cute as a button in the eyes of everyone who ever laid their eyes on Cor-a-line~♪"] Coraline remained quiet, but listened on as the points tied together ["When she comes around exploring, Mom and I will never ever make it boring. Our eyes will be on Coraline~♪"]

Coraline: ["And him telling us that the Other Mother's strength are their strength"] She raised a finger to her chin and nodded, followed by a tired, saddened sigh ["And how he said there was only one key, too?"]

Y/N: ["Maybe he wasn't so bad, huh?"]

Y/N followed along as the girl made her way out of the ashen-grey garden, and back towards the house. Instead of going up the porch, she circled around it and made her way downstairs towards Spink and Forcible theater. Y/N shuddered at the thought and the remembrance of what he had seen the last time he walked in through that glowing door, but pushed those fears aside, and followed right behind the girl.

They both heard a haunting, and echoey version of the same song that the two women sang before. It sounded wrong in some way, it wasn't straight-up haunting, but something was definitely a little bit off about how it reverberated through the empty, and pitch-black halls. Pushing aside the red curtain, Coraline and Y/N — Who peeked over her — were met with the absolute lack of any sound or light all around.

So much so that it was Y/N's turn to step ahead, and remove his veil. The glittering light coming from the emerald-green glint of his eyes was enough to light wherever he looked. Coraline walked side-by-side with him, Y/N guiding her eyes with his own that always darted from place to place, endlessly searching for any source of the eye of the other ghost, which Coraline also searched by using the Adder Stone she had.

While they explored, the theater moaned and creaked with strange sounds that came from nowhere, and hisses that rained from above. Shooting his pupils at the ceiling, Y/N was met with the unique and equally-haunting view of the hundreds of scottie dogs from before — They hung upside-down with leathery wings. Much like bats, their eyes glowed red as Y/N shot them looks, growling when he disturbed them.

So, instantly, he glanced at the floor and wandered his eyes away from them, prompting the bat-like monsters to return to their slumber. He raised his sight very slowly, up until he saw the stage of the theater that suddenly ignited with color. One spotlight and footlights faded on a huge, wrapped saltwater taffy. It hung from ropes and sandbags, menacingly swinging back and forth by itself with low creaks.

With visible disgust and aversion to the idea of getting closer to it, Coraline and Y/N made their way towards the center of the stage where the taffy hung. The latter helped the former up, holding her waist and lifting her before he climbed afterwards. Coraline brought the stone to her eyes so that she could see into the taffy — "Bingo" the girl thought, as there laid the second eye glowing in a sea-blue color.

A human-sized taffy thing laid inside the wrapping paper, striped pale-pink and equally-fated green. She nodded in affirmation to herself, trying to hype her own mind up so that she would act. Putting the stone back into her bag, and shutting her eyes, she punched a hole through the paper and steeled herself. Y/N recoiled with apparent repulsion of the wet, and slimy sounds that echoed from the taffies.

Coraline clashed her teeth and pulled back a pair of shut, clasped together hands made out of cold, and slimy taffy — Spink and Forcible's, she figured. Pulling the palms apart, finger by finger, Coraline was joined by Y/N who peeked over her shoulder in curiosity, watching as the hands came apart to reveal the eye which laid on the ring, taking the shape of an unusually-massive pearl in the woman's hand.

Coraline reached to grasp it...

... But she was the one grabbed instead.

Taffy monster: ["THIEF! GIVE IT BACK! GIVEEEE IIIIIT BAAAAACK!!!"]

The hydra-like monster dragged itself out of the taffy with its slender, and thin arms. Their bodies were wrapped around one another, almost to the point where they seemed conjoined. The voice was raspy, rough, and painful to hear — "Surely not as painful as this!" one could almost see Y/N thinking when he stomped on the other arm of the creature, and aimed its finger at it, his eyes narrowing as he muttered.

Y/N: ["Renich tasa uberaca biasa icar-"]

Coraline stopped him by holding his poncho, pulling it down and forcing his head up so that he would look towards the bats. Their blood-red eyes sparkled against the emerald-green on a clash in which the former was clearly brighter. But that didn't stop Coraline, who pushed back the creature with some help of Y/N who dragged his leg back, pulling the monster along with him, as Coraline reached into her bag.

The girl tossed the garden shears that she had brought to, and from the garden. It smacked a few of the bats right across their snouts, which was enough to anger them to the point where they out loud hissed at the two. Y/N hands grasped the pink head of the creature from behind, and his nails dug into its "skin" to keep it locked in place as the bats flew down towards Coraline, who just barely managed to leap away.

The bats smacked into the creature, and Y/N gave all he could so that he lept away, using the face he grabbed onto as a stool to jump forward. He landed on Coraline's side while the creature presumably "died" — If it was ever truly alive to begin with — since both it and the scottie-bats turned grey in color. The entire theater also did.

The pale, ashen-colored theater now looked as barren as before when it was entirely dark, but at least Y/N could tie his veil back into his eyes. He got up and turned to face the linework-like cracks that appeared and spread through the theater, narrowing his eyes in thought. He hummed while Coraline glanced down at the pearl in her hands, noticing it once again glowed that sea-blue color with the talking ghost.

Tall Ghost Girl: [" Hurry on, girl - her web is unwinding!"]

Y/N: ["I already know where we gotta go next, come on!"] He dived off of the stage as Coraline followed, putting the ghost eye in her bag again ["Remember what the Other Mother said in her clue?"]

Coraline: ["Three wonders, right?"]

Y/N: ["Yeah! Three wonders! The garden, the theater, and the jumping mice!"] He had a bright smirk on his face as he pushed the door out of the way ["So that's our last stop! And we better do it fast before-"]

He stopped dead in his tracks, breathing heavily thanks to both the sudden surge of adrenaline, and the upstairs running he had just done. Coraline and him looked up at the sky where the rapidly-growing shadow covered the moon before their very eyes. The lack of blackness in one spot just above the other was enough to see that the satellite was, bit by bit, being replaced by an equally-gigantic button of itself.

Y/N: ["Before that is over with..."]

Together, the duo made their way up the stairs that led to Bobinsky's place. Y/N held onto Coraline's hands to keep the warmth of her palm shadowing over the hesitation he felt. The eerie silence was preceded only by the echoing of their steps against the metal, but soon joined by the gasp of Coraline who looked up at what was previously the flag, now replaced by the flapping noises of what made Coraline and Y/N shudder.

Coraline: ["Oh, Wybie..."]

Y/N: ["She's trying to taunt us... And she's doing a damn good job at it"]

Coraline: ["YOU EVIL WITCH!"] The girl screamed from the top of her lungs, startling Y/N ["WE ARE NOT SCARED!!"]

The false bravado the girl put on wasn't convincing in the slightest. She was visibly saddened and scared, even as Y/N gently grabbed her hand in a comforting manner. Both of them were startled once the door behind the two opened to reveal the dark, and seemingly-dead room that previously housed the energetic and happy Jumping Mice Circus. Y/N shut the door behind him when he walked right after Coraline.

They walked inside while hesitantly looking forward, Y/N's eyes always darted back and forth beneath the veil in his face. The cannons and Ferris wheel were dark and quiet; the circus tent glows dimly in a haunting tone. Pale green moonlight was shining in patches through holes in the roof, and the corners and edges of the room were unusually dark — But nothing was creepier than what slid past them.

Other Bobinsky: [" Hello, ga-LOO-boo-shka"]

Coraline and Y/N whipped around to face the slender behemoth of a being who towered over them, even if he looked slouched, and wobbly — Something was definitely wrong, wronger than usual. His voice was equally-shaky, rising and lowering in tone and pitch. His tall, crooked hat was pulled so low, and his collar so high, that his face was entirely hidden, completely overshadowed under the cloth.

Other Bobinsky: [" Is diIIIs vhaaaat you're looking for?"]

His arms moved unnaturally, as if his joints had been multiplied by the dozens. He extended one arm back, and threw the other forward, opening his palm towards the two. From his sleeves rolled the same red-colored ball with a patch of a star which the leader of the Jumping Mice band rode atop of. His fingers were crooked and seemed to be broken, but he showed no pain as Coraline reached into her bag.

Coraline: ["Uh-huh"]

Other Bobinsky: ["You tink vinning game is goot ting?"]

Just as the girl had looked at the ball through the Adder Stone, seeing it was glowing, she reached forward, but Bobinsky was faster. He pulled his clenched hand back and away from Coraline, bending backwards on all-fours and almost smacking Y/N with his hat. Coraline held up the triangle candy when Bobinsky scuttled away and into the shadows, moving away from their sight and hiding in the surrounding darkness.

Other Bobinsky: [" You'll just go home and be bored and neglected same as alvaaaays..."]

Much like the creature itself, the Other Bobinsky's voice was dragged and slithering, almost like that of a snake. Like a viper himself, the Other Bobinsy dragged and rolled around a post behind Coraline and Y/N, both which stuck to one another like glue, and looked around the place to try and find him. His voice came from all directions, even when he swung upside down and reached towards Coraline.

Other Bobinsky: [" Stay here vis us; vee vill listen to you"]

Other Bobinsky: ["And laugh vis you!"]

He dropped head-first into the ground, but rapidly slithered away towards the circus tent. Coraline heard Y/N's groan of protest when he raised his eyebrow and flinched away once looking at the tent. She followed his trembling hand and saw his ring clutched so tightly around his finger, it wouldn't surprise her if the thing was cut right off. Soothingly, Coraline reached a hand to hold onto his, and looked up at him.

Y/N wanted to say something, but the words didn't come. So, instead, all he did was take a deep inhale, and slowly exhale with his eyes closed. Coraline saw the faint glow of green behind the blindfold when they opened, and Y/N nodded at her when he felt his ring unclench from his finger. A gentle and confident smile on her lips, Coraline took his hand and the two made their way inside the little circus tent.

He was perched on a pile of old, moldy cheeses in the center of the circus' ring. His arms bent and moved as if they had been broken right in his elbow. His legs were wobbly. Coraline raised the Adder Stone to her eye and took a peek at the creature who kept trying to convince her to stay, and there, right where his face would be, was the glowing amber-colored eye that laid amidst the shadow of the clothes.

Other Bobinsky: ["If you stay here, you can have vwhatever you vant, vsig-DA! Alvays..."]

Coraline: ["You don't get it, do you...?"]

Other Bobinsky: ["I don't understaaaaand... Vats so good about vat plaaace?"]

Coraline: ["Of course you don't understand..."] Coraline got closer and closer, Y/N's hand slowly reached ahead ["You're just a copy she made of the real Mr. B"]

Other Bobinsky (?): ["Not even th₳₮ ₳₦Ɏ₥ØⱤɆ"]

Just as his deep and coarse, raspy voice echoed out, Y/N removed the massive hat he wore. The hat, which housed a rat, was all but a distraction while all of the Other Bobinsky's clothes began to erupt in a rain of rodents, all with that massive size, sharp teeth and destroyed fur that ran all past Coraline and Y/N. The leader of the march screeched at them as he rode away into a massive wheel of swiss cheese.

Y/N gave chase following Coraline, the other march members assumed their posts behind the many cannons that rested on the room. As Coraline followed their head, they began to shoot, and Y/N began to move. He held Coraline by the waist, pulling the girl back and narrowly avoiding a cotton candy to her chest. Raising the girl over his head, he took a shot in the back for her, all while he tried to move ahead.

Even when he fell after being shot in the head, Y/N still pushed Coraline forward so that the girl would have a boost. And when he tried to get back up, a cotton candy to the back of his head sent him face-first into the floor. Coraline, getting up to her knees, saw the cheese wheel rat heading for the outside through the pet door. Not having much choice, she tossed the Adder Stone, just like she had done with her hat.

To her surprise, the rat was faster. He leaped over the spinning stone, and tauntingly screeched at Coraline again. The girl's eyes were as wide as they were lost, unable to see the two rats that got between her, and tied their tails together to trip her. It worked like a charm, but before Coraline could crash through the door, Y/N's arms wrapped around the girl once he had leaped so that he could hold onto her.

He the one who crashed back-first through the wall, and then into the steel railing, all while his arms kept a tight grip around Coraline, who's head impacted against his chest. When he groaned in pain, she was about to stand up and ask if he was alright, but she was cut off when the balcony shook. It spun with the two atop it, detaching itself from the entrance to Bobinsky's house — All Y/N did was tighten his grip.

When the balcony crashed into the ground, and tossed the two of them off, Y/N was still holding Coraline. The two spun through the air after being launched, Y/N landing on the grass with the back of his head, and tightly holding onto the girl that fell on top of it. Coraline rapidly got up, sitting on top of Y/N's chest and looking down at him, her hands reaching so that they were gently holding the boy's shoulders.

Coraline: ["Y/N! Y/N!! Are you alright?!"]

Y/N: ["Ugh... Maybe just a light concussion..."] He said with a weak voice as he sat up slowly, closing his eyes that were seeing in double ["Go after the rat, I'll follow right behind"]

Reminded of their objective, Coraline shot up and looked around. She scanned everywhere her eyes landed — Past the topiaries and poplars and white gravel driveway, looking for the cheese-wheel rat and circus ball, but she saw nothing. The only thing that caught her attention was the narrowing band of pale-green light, which prompted her to look up at the nearly-shadowed button-covered moon.

Coraline: ["He's... Gone... Oh god we- we lost"] Y/N's eyes snapped open when he heard the girl's sobs and cries ["We lost the game, we... We lost everything..."]

Y/N: ["What?! No, no no, Coraline, come on!"] Y/N got on his knees, pushing through the headache so that he would wrap her in a hug ["Remember what you said when we came here? Your parents won't bring themselves back!"] Her sobs turned to tears as she clutched tightly onto him ["As long as that moon's not entirely-covered, there's still hope for us, alright?"] He beamed a happy smile, storing away his own fears and dark thoughts while cleaning Coraline's tears ["I know he isn't just going to fall from the heavens, but-"]

Y/N stopped talking when the thud of the rat's head, as well as the sand inside fell. Like nails against chalkboard, the shadow of the moon came to a halt and allowed its faint-green glow to still shine on the two. Coraline also looked towards the head of the rat, wiping away some small remains of tears before she looked up at Y/N, and then past him when she heard a familiar sound almost calling for them — A meow.

Cat: ["I think I mentioned that I don't like rats at the best of times"]

Y/N: ["I do think you said something like that..."]

Cat: ["Yes, but it looked like you two needed this one, however"]

He tapped the ball that rolled to Coraline's feet after the girl got up and approached the Cat. Y/N, still on his knees, reached ahead to scratch behind the cat's ears. The moment Coraline's fingers wrapped around the ball and pulled it into her bag, the ground changed into that ash-like color. The path, the trees, the grass, and even the now-not-so-much-Pink Palace. The girl gave a step closer, nodding in confidence.

Coraline: ["We're heading inside. We still need to find my parents"]

Y/N: ["... I don't think we have much of a choice"]

Y/N stopped in place as he looked up. The stalled eclipse started again, and in one beat, the last sliver of green moon was fully-blacked out. The edges of the button began to flake away, and what appeared to be grey paint chips, or bits of paper suddenly began to snow down on the three. The huge button-shadow was devoured into nothingness, and so was the sky around it as well, revealing a dirty-white light.

The sound of a million, invisible locusts grew louder and louder. The destruction traveled up to the driveway, pulling apart the poplars and unraveling the topiary elephant and bird. The tail of the cat twitched, and the island around them grew thinner and thinner. The ground being pulled to the ground and consuming everything only served as a warning for the three that rapidly backed away.

The Cat meowed out in surprise when Y/N suddenly pulled him along and stepped back and away from the ever-deteriorating grass. Everything was being pulled apart — The grass, the driveway, the porch and its railings, even the house began to be devoured by the white void. Y/N and Coraline ran up the steps of the front door, the girl going first as the boy followed right behind her, both never looking back.

Once inside, Coraline kept the door open just so Y/N entered — Or rather, jumped — into the hallway before she herself shut the door. Once she did, instantly the nothingness void and its sound like billions of devouring insects stopped, and there was only the sound of their heavy, and quick panting that echoed through the house.

But the sound was also slowly creeping in from the outside. The wallpaper of the walls rolled up by itself, turning ashen and grey just like the outside. It crumbled to nothingness afterwards, but was still happening fast enough to make Y/N silently question if the house was safe. Not like they had many other places to be, because, in that green-lit living room, the only other exit door was blocked off in the wall.

LIke sleeping sea snakes, a poisonous and nauseating green-colored fire burned in the fireplace far from being like the lively-emerald and bright flames which Y/N conjured. The bug furniture was grey, the lights inside them flickered like short-circuits, and their legs and wings twitched involuntarily. Even the cockroach closet looked pale and ill, its small head twitching back and forth nonstop.

The walls were far from anything normal, even by this other world's standards. They had a sickly, swamp-like green color to them, and were decorated with spider webs so large they almost seemed like cracks on the wall. They pulsated back and forth like beating organs, and even dozens or hundreds of spiders littered throughout them — But even amidst all this, there was no absolutely no sign of Mel, nor Charlie.

Other Mother (?): ["So... You're back"]

Her low, and menacing voice, sounding almost saddened and serious, was enough to make Y/N's body kick its fight-or-flight mode. He put an arm in front of Coraline, carefully but rapidly pushing the girl aside so that he was the one in front of the creature. Looking more like a white death mask, her face was cracked and peeling. It seemed sharp and angry to match her lanky, slender, and tall features. She was no sort of "mother" at all. She was a witch — And not a good one in the slightest.

Beldam: ["And you brought those vermin with you..."]

Coraline: ["No, I... I brought a friend, and the man I love the most"]

The Beldam stood up. She was impossibly tall, even taller than the behemoth of a man that Y/N had met just the day before. He figured she was about 12 feet tall, three-or-so feet more than that mysterious Sergeant. Withered to the bone, the Beldam had plate-like shoulders and hips; her bustle was an arachnid's tail section with long, sharp fingers made out of needles that she reached towards Coraline.

Beldam: ["You know I love you, Coraline"]

Coraline: ["You... Have a very funny way of showing it..."]

The girl spoke, trying her best to contain how freaked out she was. Y/N himself would have smiled at Coraline for her comment, were he not fighting his instincts that told him to run as fast as he could. The Beldam pulled her hand back, walking away from Coraline in her equally-sharp and thin metal, needle-like legs. She turned away, and then back to Coraline, stretching her hand towards the girl and the boy at her side.

Beldam: ["So~... Where are they? The ghost eyes..."]

Coraline reached down onto her bag, but was stopped when Y/N gently held her wrist. He nodded at her, and he himself put his hand inside the bag, the Cat walking around his shoulders and glaring at the Beldam nonstop. Y/N picked up the three eyes that he and Coraline had saved, and turned to face the Beldam, presenting them to her in a proud manner, puffing out his chest with a powerful front.

Just as she swiped at it to try and take the ghost eyes, Y/N pulled his hand back. A tint of confidence present in that hint of a smirk he had on his face. His confidence was clearly growing, especially as he stepped back and waved his index finger from side-to-side, and put stored the ghost eyes away in the pocket of his jacket, much to the annoyance of the Beldam, who glared at him while Coraline stepped up to speak.

Coraline: ["Hold on. We're not finished yet... Are we?"]

Beldam: ["No I suppose we're not. Afterall, you still need to find your old parents..."] The creature walked a few steps away from the two, feigning a saddened tone before she turned around with a smirk ["Too bad that you won't have this!"]

She turned to face them again, spinning the Adder Stone candy in her index finger, much to the surprise of Coraline, and the anger of Y/N. She flicked it towards the sickly-green flames, and chuckled while watching it burn. Y/N felt a strong sting of heat in his tongue, kinda like eating an extremely-spicy pepper after chewing on a razor blade — All from the feeling of the magic being burnt off of the witching stone.

Boy Ghost: ["Be clever, Miss! Even if you win, she will never let you go!"]

Y/N's ear twitched when he heard the specter talking. Turning to face over his shoulder at the amber-glowing eye with the figure on it, but soon directed his pupils to follow Coraline's, who glared at the exit to the real world, hidden behind that pale, and sick-looking closet bug. She narrowed her eyes in silence, remaining quiet for a few more moments before turning to face past Y/N, and back at the Beldam.

Coraline: ["I already know where you've hidden them"]

Beldam: ["...? Well, produce then..."]

Coraline: ["They're behind that door over there"]

As she makes her way towards the little door, a terrible and jagged smile on her face, the Beldam moved in an odd, laboring way. Much like she herself was a bug with four legs as opposed to only two. She clapped her hands, and the cockroach closet moved out of the way while Coraline and Y/N retreated, still side-to-side to the front of the fireplace, the latter still glaring at the Beldam, his ring glowing as brightly as his eyes.

The sound of wet glass made Coraline's eyes spring up as she looked around, trying to find where it came from. The Cat's own ears twitched, and he leaped out of Coraline's bag and onto the mantel of the fireplace. The Detroit Zoo snowglobe, covered with frost, showed Mel wiping away the snow, and smiling down at Coraline.

Coraline: ["Mom... Dad!"]

With tears in her eyes, and a very warm smile to match, Coraline slowly reached her hands to the snow globe. Her wrist held by Y/N to stop her arm from advancing any further, she turned to face the Beldam, who coughed out the key from her "throat". Her eyes traveled to the blue-haired girl, who moved away from the fireplace. Y/N, knowing he'd be ignored by her as usual, took Coraline's spot near the mantel.

Coraline: ["Go on. Open it They'll be there, alright!"]

Beldam: ["You're wrooong, Coraline~♪"] She whispered in a sing-song, turning the key and opening the door ["They aren't there. And now, you'll stay here..."] The monster raised the sewing kit, and the needles ["Forever~♪"]

Y/N: ["Hey dude"] Y/N called for the Cat ["Sorry about this"]

Without thinking twice, he took the feline and tossed it at the Beldam with all the strength he had. Face shocked with surprise, the yowling animal sailed through the air and landed right on the head of the astonished witch. Freaked out, he dug his nails into her face, biting at the shrieking Beldam, who staggered away from the door. Y/N passed the globe to Coraline, who walked around the witch — Y/N faced her head-on.

He ran towards the Beldam, jumping on her back just as she turned away to remove the Cat from her face. Taken by surprise, the witch was left defenseless when the feline swiped the buttons right out of her face. Y/N bit against the glowing ring and yanked it off of his finger. In his palm, the accessory reverted to its original form of a necklace, one which he pressed right against the right side of the Beldam's face.

She shrieked in pain, and Coraline saw smoke leaving the area where Y/N held as tightly as he could. Tears rolled down his eyes as the necklace was also burning through his palm, but he kept on squeezing it onto the Beldam, and directing her as far away from Coraline as he could. It didn't take long for the monsters to get a hold of him; her large claws digging into his jacket and tossing him against the wall.

Beldam: ["You horrible cheating girl!"]

The Beldam furiously stomped the ground, causing it to fly up in spirals of floorboards that drove Coraline to the room's center, doing the best she could as to not fall onto the pure-white void. Y/N wasn't so lucky, and the little of what remained of his purple jacket fell as scraps to the ground. He sucked through his teeth feeling the stinging pain of the small cuts from the Beldam's claws darted all over his back.

A fifty-foot deep pit is what awaited him as soon as he fell from the wall. Pale nothingness outstretched on all sides of his views, and he saw himself caught in a literal web of a semi-literal spider. Taking the chance he had, the Cat leaped from out of the closet to the small door, running away from the scene. Coraline looked up, snapping out of her cock to find a screaming Beldam diving off towards her.

The girl barely managed to run away, slipping through the webs and climbing upwards from the outside. Y/N just barely managed to catch himself, using his unburnt hand to get a hold of the web, stomping the head of the cockroach closet to bits and shards. The Beldam fell, shaking her entire web and almost causing Y/N to fall. Through the chaos, he managed to get a glimpse of his palm — It was black and dry. With enough adrenaline pumping to ignore it, he glared down back at the Beldam.

Beldam: ["Noo!! Where are you? You selfish brat!!"]

The monster looked around in desperation and hurry, trying to find any signs of Coraline. The girl who was making her way to the exit, snapped back in place thanks to her bag being stuck in the web. She growled while trying to pry it off, something which Y/N breathed in to shout against, and even reached towards her, but it was all to no avail — Coraline had her bag, and the Beldam had where she was.

The witch began to rapidly crawl towards Coraline, who turned back to running and climbing as fast as the mixture of fear and adrenaline allowed her to. Seeing no better option, Y/N gritted his teeth and leaped off of the bug furniture just as Coraline passed him. He stomped with both feet against the Beldam's face, keeping the creature in place as she struggled to get rid of him, allowing Coraline to escape.

The girl went up and into the door while Y/N remained behind, both of his legs wrapped around the neck of the Beldam. He rode her shoulders like a wild bull, the witch screaming while clawing at his back and legs, the pain being nullified by the need to act even as he was scratched all over by her long, and slender fingers. He clawed and punched at the Beldam, pushing her further and further down the web.

Standing up to avoid having his crotch bitten by the spider-like monstrosity, Y/N reeled his leg to stomp against her face. Again and again like he was crushing a bug that always came back to life, he found no success in trying to push her away. Coraline peeked over, down towards the web and the void of white where she saw Y/N struggling to even keep the Beldam in place, all thanks to her many limbs.

It was slow, just one step at a time, but she began to crawl, even when Y/N put his ring on again, and went back to punching the Beldam. He grit his teeth through the pain of the burning sensation in his index, but never once did he stop. Seeing his efforts wasted, he laid back against the web and pushed off of it, extending his body to the maximum so the Beldam was pushed back and slowed, even if slightly.

Coraline felt her heart sink when Y/N turned to look up at her. A small, but warm smile that parted his lips in a chuckle that she couldn't hear, but damn well resonated in her ears from how much she heard it before. Coraline went right back into the pit, crawling down and extending her hand towards Y/N, who dropped to ride the Beldam's shoulders like a piggyback ride, and yanked all of his body weight away.

Coraline: ["DON'T-!"]

She was cut short when he pulled both herself and him out of the web. Always the other-way around, Y/N coming short of stopping Coraline from doing something stupid, now she was the one seeing through his eyes — Teary eyes. Coraline herself grit her teeth, considering the weight of her stupid decision that she took in a heartbeat. Kicking off of the web, and diving towards the witch and her lover.

Seeing this, it was Y/N's turn to witness the cycle of Coraline doing something dumb, and him just barely not being able to stop her. But just like all the other times, he pushed through it — Switching the positions where he and the Beldam stood, so that she was falling below him. Both of his feet pressed against her, he sprung off of the witch and sent her down even faster, extending his arm towards Coraline's hand.

But, as fate would have it, it would not end so easily. Just as Y/N's fingers brushed against Coraline's palm, the Beldam was faster, and managed to get a grip on his heel. The pain was so quick and sudden, that he did not even register it. Instead, as her claws sank into his tendons, digging so far and easily that their tip pierced his bone, all Y/N could feel was the sinking sensation of being swallowed by this void.

The grip in Y/N's wrist was strong, but even stronger was the force in which he was thrown all across the room. The wind blew through Y/N's hair and the entire world spun around for what felt like dozens of times. For the first time, he was the one to crash into Coraline's chest with enough strength and speed to send the two of them flying into the little door, and into that tight hallway of dust, dirt, and spider webs.

Coraline and Y/N, still dazed from their impact, barely had time to turn around before the monster peeked her face into the entrance, holding the door open just as Coraline had lunged to close it for good. Though her hand was against the doorknob, the Beldam managed to pry her way in, slowly but surely peeking her gigantic claws before shoving her entire face through the small gap, and screaming at the two.

Beldam: ["YOU DARE DISOBEY YOUR MOTHER-"]

A scream that was silenced when Coraline kicked the witch right in the cheek, and sent her head away. Still not enough to close the door, even with Y/N's help who pushed through the teeth-gritting pain that was ignoring the third-degree burn in his palm and around his finger. But nonetheless, he wrapped his hands around Coraline's, and also pulled the knob of the door shut as strongly as he could.

However, the Beldam was even stronger. With a jagged and crooked smile, she began to force the door open and easily overpower Coraline and Y/N — But they weren't alone. In their panic and fear, they didn't question it when the three ghost eyes began to glow, and ethereal hands came from the glowing balls. They wrapped around Coraline and Y/N's hands, aiding them in closing the door against the Beldam.

Even as the door slowly closed, the witch was able to lodge her hand inside. The sharp, long fingers scratching at Y/N's face, and leaving a few small cuts behind was not enough to deter him — In fact, it made him even more determined. Without a second thought, he bit against her hand, his teeth gnashing on the slender claws as he reeled his head back, putting even more strength behind closing the door.

It snapped shut. The pair of escapees fell back, with Y/N's back against Coraline's stomach, and his head on her chest. Panting in a lack of breath and adrenaline, Y/N spat the Beldam's hand to the side, cleaning his mouth off of the taste of metal. Coraline moved past him, gently pushing him back as she lodged the key into its hole, and twisted the door shut, and for the first time in so many minutes, Y/N breathed out.

Beldam: ["DON'T LEAVE ME!!"]

But as he kinda expected, it still wasn't over. A loud banging sent Coraline flying into his arms, and he rapidly stood up while helping her to her feet, and taking the bag in his hand. Everything shook around violently, and Y/N felt like he was little more than a ragdoll being tossed about, barely able to remain standing as the hallway shook and trembled underneath his feet, but even worse, was the screaming behind the door.

Beldam: ["DON'T LEAVE ME!!! I'LL DIE WITHOUT YOU!!"]

Y/N: ["THEN ROT IN HELL YOU SKINNY BITCH!"]

As much of a powerful front as Y/N put up, he felt terrified as he ran for his life through the hallway that was so small, he barely had space to stand up. Cobwebs and dust stuck to his hair and wounds as he ran, doing all he could while being tossed into the walls and the ground, all so that he could run properly. Coraline and him ran without looking back, diving through the entrance to their home, and rolling away.

But even then, the loud bangs against the door, and the screaming of the Beldam only got louder and louder. The other door approached, and the tunnel got smaller and smaller like a collapsing accordion. Turning around on her knees to the entrance again, all Coraline saw was the rapidly-approaching and green-flashing door. She closed it on her side, and instantly locked it, pushing her own body to keep it shut.

It caught up with a loud crash, hard enough for Coraline to be thrown back, and again into Y/N's arms who, in turn, is sent to the ground. But the real door held up, and everything went quiet, aside from the heavy breathing of the two, who slowly felt the shock and adrenaline dry away. Y/N reached his hand up, grabbing the key that was thrown to the air thanks to the slam, and instantly stored it away in his pocket.

Covered in cobweb and grime, Coraline turned to her equally-dirtied bag, and peeked inside to see most of what she had brought with her — The ghost eyes and the garden shears. She looked around worriedly, and Y/N stood up and groaned, now feeling the pain set in, but even then, he first put Coraline's hat on her head, tapping away the dust and the webs from all around himself, and his hurting-all-over body.

He took a step back, surprised to feel some water splash up into the cuts in his heel. Looking down, he was met with the sight of a small puddle, also sparkling in blue glitter. Peeking over his shoulder in her tip-toes, her hands on each of his shoulders, Coraline saw the broken snow globe of the Detroit zoo, the same one her parents were locked in. Confusion spread through her face as the water drained away from it.

Mel: ["Coraline, Y/N! We're hooome-"]

Coraline: ["Mom, dad! I've missed you so much!!"]

The woman barely had time to speak, and Charlie couldn't even draw breath to talk to his daughter before she wrapped the two of them in a tight hug. Pushing through the aches in his tendon, Y/N gave off a small smile, and waved at the two with a happy expression, for a moment, forgetting he was covered in bruises and many cuts.

Mel: ["Missed us? Oh no you broke my favorite snow globe!"] The woman said, glancing at the fireplace, and then at Y/N ["And cut your knee? And what the hell happened to Y/N?!"]

Y/N: ["Uh... I got cut. Then I slipped... And... Got cut again...?"] He sounded, and was, very unsure of his excuse, but played off the pain with a smile ["Just superficial stuff! Nothing that a few band-aids won't take care of!"]

Coraline: ["We didn't break it! It must've broke when you escaped!"]

Charlie: ["I said to count the windows, not put yourselves through them"] He leaned down to talk to Coraline with a worried expression ["I'm surprised there isn't more cuts all around you"]

Coraline: ["But-"]

Mel: ["Well, go get yourselves cleaned up"] She cut off the girl, a warm smile on her face as she punched Charlie's shoulder ["We're going out tonight!"]

Coraline: ["But look at the snow on your clo-"]

Mel: ["What's gotten into you, Coraline?"]

The two walked away and left without so much as another word, leaving Coraline and Y/N for themselves. In silence, the girl shrugged her shoulders up at the boy, who did the same while looking down at her. The two turned to face the snow globe, and with a tired sigh, Y/N crouched and began to pick at the little shards of glass that were on the floor, also using what little scraps remained of his shirt to dry the floor.

Y/N: ["I'm just glad everything is quiet... For now, at least"]

Coraline: ["Hopefully we won't need to go back"] The girl said, looking down at the strange door ["Just thinking about it makes me sick to my stomach"]

Y/N: ["I should call my parents and consult with them. We are talking about a witch, after all"] Coraline picked up her bag as Y/N gathered the little pieces of broken glass in his palm ["For now, though, let's go to our room and get cleaned up..."] With his other hand, he picked off some webs out of her hair ["And me patched up, if it wouldn't be much of a bother"]

With a little giggle of his own joke, he walked off and threw away the shards of glass in the kitchen's trash, where something made him stop. Glancing out in the distance, Y/N was met with the same surprise as he did days ago— It was that man! The one with the hundreds of scars and the muscles to rip a bull with his hands. He rested against a tree in the distance, a cigarette that looked small in his hand, waving to Y/N.

Coraline: ["Hey dude! You coming or what?"]

Y/N's head snapped to face Coraline looking at him, but quickly returned to face the man — Or would have, if he was still there. Instead, nothing else remained in that spot, like he was never there to begin with. But strangely, Y/N felt the opposite of being threatened, and instead, a little smile couldn't help itself but make his way towards his lips. And so, he walked off, upstairs towards his and Coraline's room.

A few minutes later, the two came down again. Y/N had band-aids all over his face and arms, and a bandage wrapped around his leg. No longer with the jacket or hat he had lost and left behind in the other world, but still wearing a shirt identical to the one he had ripped. Though silently wishing he had bought two jackets instead, Y/N did not say anything else, and instead, walked off through the door to wait for Coraline.

The car ride to the city was the same as usual, Coraline rambling on as she leaned against Y/N, who in turn leaned against the seat and listened to music in silence. Throughout the night, a little itch in the back of his head would constantly have him turn around — When the car parked, when he got out, even as he ate his pizza, Y/N could not shake off that feeling. But every time he looked, there was nothing different.

Coincidentally, Y/N turned around just as a car left, facing the spot where a Dodge Charger whose hood was dyed a crimson-colored fang pattern were. A shrug was all he could muster, too tired to question what was going on as he faced himself with the uneventful drive again. However, also exhausted from the otherworld, Coraline quietly snuggled up to him on the ride back, the entire family sharing a comfortable silence.

Y/N's destination once he got home? Bed.

He flopped face-first onto it, and it took all he had to not fall asleep instantly. And he would've stayed there, were it not for Coraline sitting by his side after she was done changing her clothes. Too tired — Or rather, too lazy — to do so, too, all Y/N did was toss his shirt into the bedside chair, kick off his boots, and climb into the bed. A yawn was all Coraline got once the girl continued to poke him to try and keep him awake.

Charlie: ["You two in bed already? What's gotten into you both?"]

Coraline sat in bed, pajamas washed and patched, wounds-dressed, hair shining. The key hung from a string around her neck, and a gibbous moon shone in the clear night sky. She turned to face her father with a bright smirk as he sat by the chair at the side of the bed, and Y/N once again yawned as he sat up, stretching his arms and scratching his neck, trying with all he had to keep himself from falling asleep.

Y/N: ["Long day... With lots of... Stuff"]

Coraline: ["So! Gonna order the tulips?"]

Charlie: ["What's that?"]

Feigning ignorance, the man tickled her face with the light-blue toy squid that Y/N remembers once burning in the fake world. Those memories of simpler times back then sure made him nostalgic for when he didn't need to run from a metal witch spider thing, but at this point? His poor little brain was too sleepy to think about the past. Instead, all he did was fight off the sleep so he could listen to the conversation.

Coraline: ["For the garden party!"]

Charlie: ["I have no idea of what you're talking about"]

Coraline: ["Hahahaha, dad!"] She smacked away the toy squid he tickled her with ["So, mom! Invitations? Don't forget the invitations!"] Mel arranged her toys on a shelf, turning to face Coraline with a smile.

Mel: ["Even Bobinsky?"]

Coraline: ["Mr. B's not drunk, mom! He's just... Eccentric"]

Y/N: ["Sure is the type of person who could use a few friends..."]

Charlie laughed at his daughter's choice of words and Y/N's honesty, giving Coraline a quick kiss on the forehead before he stood up. Done arranging the toys on a shelf, Mel walked over with a warm smile, turning to walk away with Charlie after their wishes of goodnight, and turning off the lights. Coraline snuggled closer to Y/N, who wrapped an arm around her, and gave the girl a forehead kiss and a smile of his own.

He cuddled up to the blankets and the pillows, sighing out in pleasure at the joy of finally not having to deal with any magic bullshit, even if for just a night. He was ready to sleep, as was Coraline, were it not for a very distinctive meow catching their attention. Turning towards the windows of the room, the Cat leaped on their roof, looking inside the room as the bright moon lurked right behind his midnight fur.

Coraline: ["Oh... Hello again"] The girl approached and opened the window, a soft tone in her voice ["You... You still mad?"]

Y/N: ["Listen man, had I another option, I would've taken it, but these?"] He pointed at his open palm, where a quick, and small burst of flames arose ["They're not free, and they're definitely not cheap either, y'know?"] Y/N leaned in closer, a small smile appearing in his ever-so-tired face ["But... We sure taught her a lesson, huh?"]

The Cat's face of anger softened into one of agreement as Y/N reached ahead to scratch behind his ear. And as the Cat stepped in, Coraline picked him up in her arms and took him to the bed, where Y/N reached to the ground to pick up her bag. He remained standing near the two, laying down only after Coraline set the ghost eyes under the pillow in which Y/N rested his head, Coraline instantly cuddling him.

On the other side, the Cat also laid near Y/N, curling around itself and shutting his eyes to fall into a peaceful slumber. Darkness was familiar to Y/N, especially when he opened his eyes to be met with that same dark, empty void of nothingness. Making his way towards the shed, he pushed the door open to the same sight of the poker game that he's grown so used to playing — But someone, or, something was here.

Y/N kept quiet and lowered his head as the figure watched him closely. The empty sockets of the mask seemingly glowing with each step he took, and pulled himself a chair. Leaning back on it as the cards were shuffled, and he listened on to the wobbled, and distorted voice of the shadowed dealer. Never before could Y/N hear the prices of the games from the others, but again, never before they showed up here.

Y/N: ["... So the big boss' here, huh?"]

Dealer: ["Had someone not caught their eye, or overused us, they wouldn't not be"]

Y/N: ["... So... What do they want?"]

The mask remained quiet as Y/N expected, but silent, low, and disgusting whispers crawled like maggots onto his ear. He just listened on, his arms crossed while that front of courage showed itself to mask the fear and intimidation he felt of such a thing. He tried to shake it off by taking a look at the mediocre cards that were dealt to him, and striking up small conversations with the shadowed Dealer of the table.

Y/N: ["Not like I had much of a choice anyways... But they're not here for me, are they?"]

Dealer: ["If they were, I think you would not be playing, would you?"]

Y/N: ["No, I suppose not... But still, to see them here..."]

Y/N's body swallowed out of instinct as he hid behind his cards, removing his necklace and putting it on the table alongside the stack of coins, pouches, and other little trinkets from the bet of the players. One by one they fell and left, leaving behind whatever treasure they brought in the first place, up until there were only three remaining sitting around the table — Y/N, the Dealer, and the Mysterious Stranger.

Y/N: ["Waiting for a poor dog, I take?"]

Dealer: ["Someone who, almost like you... Went over the limit"]

Y/N: ["Glad the girl stops me from casting sometimes, then"]

A back and forth game that Y/N won by a thin margin wasn't enough to make him nervous, especially not when such a figure was present in the room. It listened on, watching the game and the poor sods that came and went, all while Y/N remained facing off against the Dealer. The stacks of possessions grew ever taller and taller, with things such as watches, keys, instruments, and other paraphernalia scattered.

Dealer: ["You know it's not over"]

Y/N: ["I do. That... Thing won't stop until we're dead, or she's locked for good"]

Dealer: ["I've met you to your great-grandfather, and from him to his great-grandfather"]

Y/N laid the nail on the coffin when he put yet another Royal Flush into the table, but didn't pick any of the treasure aside from his necklace. Leaning back, he watched the figure tower over the two of them, taller than even the Beldam on her true, disgusting form. Holding the stick of the mask to mimic its face, the reptilia remained unmoving and unshaken, only ever moving with small twitches of its fingers and "face".

Dealer: ["So I know you will find a way"]

Y/N: ["Hopefully one where I won't need to come back for a while"]

Dealer: ["I would hope. You know what happens the third time"]

Y/N just groaned without a proper reply, standing up and walking towards the door, he turned around to bow before the figure before making his way out. Once outside, and the door closed behind him, he felt as if an elephant was lifted off of his back, and he could properly breathe instead of taking only jagged and quick inhales. He licked his dry lips, glancing at the palm of his still-scarred hand, and walking away into the void.

Just like before, his vision grew closer and closer in the horizon, all the while, Y/N peeked over his shoulders at other lost figures who entered the shed amidst the emptiness. The closer he got, the more he could see: Coraline awake and standing on the bed, the cat looking at her. It was only a matter of time before Y/N's eyes closed, and opened while he sat on the bed, stretching his arms and turning to Coraline.

Y/N: ["A dream, too?"]

Coraline: ["The Ghost children, they... They told me the Beldam is still a threat"] Y/N sighed. He already knew that, but it was annoying to have it confirmed ["We were in a dream, like, swirling blues and golden stars, they were golden with wings and, and-"] Coraline shut herself as she stood up, gently pulling Y/N back to glance under his pillow ["Oh no..."]

The ghost eyes were broken — The pearl, the shift knob, the ball, all of it. Like hatched bird eggs, the three of them were shattered into pieces. Coraline stood up, grabbing the key that hung around her neck, and turning to face the cat, and Y/N. The latter which threw on an old jacket of his, purely-black in color while also sliding on his shoelace-less boots, fixing the collar around his neck and tucking it in his shirt.

Coraline: ["I - I've gotta hide this somewhere, s-somewhere she can never ..."] The girl had a realization, and the Cat's eyes narrowed ["Outta my way!"]

The girl put her foot under the Cat, lifting him to the side before she walked past. Y/N did too, but only after he crouched near the feline to scratch behind his ears as usual. He followed Coraline downstairs, the girl had her blanket wrapped around her body, and wore only her socks while walking throughout the house. They walked past the living room and towards the door to the outside, determined to put an end to this.

However...

Someone was equally-determined to keep it going.

They never once talked once they made their way outside. As Coraline put on her rain boots and made her way out to the garden, and past its old, rusty, and squeaky gate of metal. Y/N remained stoic and silent, just watching around as they passed through the spot he last saw being so lively and full of color — Something that was second-only to the giant praying mantis of metal that almost split him in two.

And so, into the distance the two went, making their way towards the orchid they were in. This road brought memories to Y/N, such as when Coraline was startled by the Cat. The same dirt road with a broken fence, looming silently over the house and the garden. Coraline and Y/N both walked side-by-side, constantly looking all over the place to try and spot anything that could even remotely resemble the Beldam.

Coraline: ["Oh.... my twitchy witchy girl,I think you are so nice ..."]

The girl hummed her father's nonsensical song, singing it in a gentle tone as the two of them made their way across the orchard. They reached the apple orchard, showing off a beautiful contrast to what it was when they got here on their first day. The bright blossoms of spring resembled snow, even, and the ground had a beautiful haze of blue thanks to the moonlight looming over them both. Without knowing, it lurked.

Coraline: ["... I give you bowls of porridge, and I give you bowls of ice... Cream~!"]

The Beldam's hand dropped into the scene, its sharp, and slick metal fingers tapping against the ground in such a silent manner, that amidst her singing and their steps, neither of the duo could hear it properly. It leaped from the ground to a tree, and from the tree to a rock, stepping closer and closer towards Coraline and Y/N, stalking the two silently, always avoiding Y/N's line of sight while he looked all around himself.

Coraline: ["I give you lots of kisses, and I give you lots of hugs ..."]

Y/N bent down to pick the thick piece of fallen wood at their feet, lodging it between the door to the well, and the ground. Stomping on it to pry the pit open, both remained unaware of the lurking hand that stalked right in the shadow of the many surrounding rocks. Even as Coraline wiped some sweat of fear off of her forehead, and took the necklace out of her shirt, the girl still did not see the presence of the witch's remains.

Coraline: ["... But I never give you sandwiches with grease and worms and mung... Beans~"]

Leaping on top of a nearby rock, the claw's fingers extended to the maximum in surprise, all in response to Coraline picking the key from within her shirt, and getting ready to drop it. Just as the girl was about to remove the necklace from around her neck, the hand leaped on top of the tree stump, and dived towards her. Passing by Y/N and scratching his left eye, grabbing Coraline and pulling her to the ground.

Fingers caught between the key string and her neck, Coraline let out a choked scream as the hand forcefully dragged her away, and towards the little door. Fighting off and twisting around the mud to rid herself off of the grip, the girl found no avail even in calling Y/N, who remained crouched with some clear blood dripping from between his fingers and the eye wound — But Y/N wasn't the only that Coraline could count on.

Wybie: ["YAHHHHH!!!!"]

Wybie's bike roared from atop the hill, the same way it was when the two of them met, and he dived down riding it. The hand hurried away as fast as he could towards the house, but Wybie was much faster, and managed to scoop it up with the same tongs he used to capture the banana slugs. Coraline sat up and coughed when the grip from her throat was released, and Wybie began to drive away before making a turn back.

To the boy's shock, the hand didn't stop moving even when he grabbed it. Instead, like a resourceful spider, the metal claws leaped at his shoulder, and then at his face, obscuring his view. Unable to see anything, Wybie struggled to keep his balance, and upon hitting a rock, was sent tumbling down off his bike, and straight into the deep, deep well, barely able to get a grip on the side before meeting his eternal doom.

Y/N turned to face the scene, breathing out heavily, and showing a triple set of parallel, linear wounds that pass vertically, at an angle over his left eye that miraculously remained untouched. He gritted his teeth and picked up a nearby rock, just as Coraline picked up her bag and ran towards Wybie, just as the hand of the Beldam crawled up his arm and to the outside, flicking one of his hands away.

Just as it was about to move the other one away, Coraline leaped at it, and wrapped the bag around the claws. Struggling and rolling around the mud, the girl struggled to keep it contained, let alone keeping its gigantic fingers from scratching her face. As Coraline let go off the bag when the hand slashed its way out, a mere instant later, it was crushed to bits when Y/N threw the rock and shattered the metal to small shards.

He sat against the dirt, sucking painfully through his teeth thanks to the stinging sensation that the cut had left on his eye. Coraline removed the key and string from around her sore neck., pulling up the corners of her blanket with the needles of the hand still inside of it, the girl tied the key's string around the top, forming a handy little package. Just before she could get a hold of it, Y/N stood up with a groan.

The three looked at each other, sharing a nod in silence as they picked up the heavy package with the rock, the shards of the Beldam's hand, and the key. Helping each other, they moved towards the well, and tossed it inside without second thoughts, watching the rock tumble around the tight, narrow passage of the pit, before a few long seconds after, hearing a loud splash coming from the seemingly-endless dark.

With a bit of struggle, the two pushed the heavy wooden lid back on. Coraline remained on one knee while breathing out heavily. Wybie, who didn't need to hike all the way here, was already up, and didn't seem as tired as the two — Especially not as tired as Y/N. The latter flopped back against the mud, his breathing pace quickened and chaotic as sweat dripped off his body, and blood trickled down his face.

Wybie: ["I-I'm really sorry I didn't believe you about all this ... evil stuff..."].He broke the silence while turning to face the two, and then Y/N ["Are you, uh... Are you going to be alright?"]

Y/N: ["I'll live... What made you change your mind?"]

Wybie: ["W-well, Gramma showed me this picture,after I called you crazy?"]

He presented the photo to both. It was a picture of two light-skinned black girls dressed in old-fashioned clothing, standing in front of the Pink Palace, before it was divided into apartments. One looks just like the Sweet Ghost Girl, and holds the doll with button eyes, which looks just like her — The same doll that began it all.

Wybie: ["It's her and her sister, before she disappeared"]

Coraline: ["The sweet ghost girl with all the ribbons"] She said with a small smile, looking down at the slouching troublemaker ["Yeah, that's exactly the same spirit we've met"] In the distance, the sound of Wybie's grandmother scream rang alongside the ringing of a bell.

Wybie: ["Oh man... What am I gonna tell her...?"]

Y/N: ["I dunno, but I'll tell you what, Wy-bro. Bring her to the house tomorrow"] Y/N landed a hand on Wybie's shoulder, giving it a few light taps ["Then, the three of us will tell her together... After a nice night of sleep. Sounds good?"]

Coraline: ["Yeah. But, you know what?"] She punched Wybie's shoulder with a smirk ["I'm now kinda glad you decided to stalk us"]

Wybie: ["Oh, uh, ah-hahahaha... It wasn't really my idea..."]

A familiar meow caught the attention of the trio who faced the Cat, who, just like their very first day here, leaped on top of the cut tree stump. He tilted his head to the side, and, in response, Coraline and Wybie did the same. Y/N cooed as he approached, instantly picking up the scrunkly feline on his hands and scratching the back of his ears. The Cat replied with a sort of "know-it-all" look, but still a visible smile.

Wybie: ["Well... We did it"]

Coraline: ["... We did it..."]

Y/N: ["Yay, teamwork, camaraderie, good guys, go team, alright, good job... "] He flopped back-first against the mud, seemingly too tired to care about the wound in his face ["So, uh... What now?"]

Coraline: ["Hum... Sleep-?"]

Y/N: ["Please. Absolutely. Yes!"] He stood up in a flash, wiping the blood with his sleeve ["See you NEVER AGAIN, Wy-bro! I'm gonna sleep FOREVER!"]

He exclaimed while throwing his arms up in the air and walking away without so much of a single thought after putting the Cat down. Coraline and Wybie just shared a look of confusion, followed by a shrug, and a loud laugh as Y/N continued to walk away. Turning to face her lover in the distance, Coraline could not contain the warm sensations she felt, let alone the equally-heated smile that she had on her lips.

Maybe it was finally time for a good day...

And what is better than a party?

Coraline picked up the tray with eight lemonade cups of equal size, all with a different color. Heading towards her hard-working guests and past the pizza, the first two that the girl came along were Ms. Spink and Ms. Forcible, both wearing gardening outfits, and more prominently, rubber gardening gloves. With the gloves of her own that Y/N had bought, Coraline watched them plant the red tulips all around the garden.

Coraline: ["Thank you for helping me, Ms. Spink, Ms. Forcible"]

Miriam: ["Oh, look April! Pink Ladies!"]

Coraline: ["Actually, it's just lemonade"] The girl turned to face April with a little smile ["How's Angus doing?"]

April: ["Oh, he's doing much better, dear!"] She said, glancing down at the aforementioned dog eating out of a pizza box ["But he can't duck his wings forever!"]

Coraline wore denim overalls over a light green t-shirt with deep pink brims and a matching frog, orange knitted gloves with green stripes, bright pink tights and blue sneakers, the latter of which got rather dirty as she made her way to the side and towards her parents, who, as per-usual, were arguing in a friendly and jokingly manner while their daughter approached holding the tray with the refreshments.

Charlie: ["Here comes a burp-"]

Mel: ["Charlie!"]

Charlie: ["Oh, excu-say-moi, but that pizza was delicious"] Mel sighed and rolled her eyes as Coraline approached and presented the tray ["Oh, great! Thank you, darling!"]

Mel: ["You were right, Coraline. I really hate dirt!"] She picked up the cup that Charlie presented to her, and opened a small smile ["But... I gotta say, the tulips look nice!"]

Coraline: ["Thanks mom!"]

The girl left with a satisfied smile, walking to the nearby bottom of the now-drained fish pond, where the humming of a familiar slavic voice could be heard. Stealthily pulling just-planted tulips from the dirt, Bobinsky was putting and planting beets in their place, and Coraline raised an eyebrow, but instead of feeling mad, all she did was clear her throat, which made the man snap up at her, and hide the beet sack.

Coraline: ["How are the meeshkas, Mr. B?"]

Bobinsky: ["Dey tell me that you are saviour, Caroline. And-"] He took the drink from the tray, and took a sip out of it ["-As soon as dey are ready, dey vish to give special tenks-you performance"] He stirred the drink with the straw, removing it to drink straight from the cup.

Coraline walked off and near the tree rings that housed a familiar face. With his shirt tossed to the side, and his body dirtied in grime, he didn't seem to mind it much as he hummed and danced to the rhythm of his Walkman. When she tapped him on the shoulder, Y/N turned to face Coraline, and a large smile opened in his face — Said face was now decorated with three equal-shaped scars spread on his left eye.

Corlaine: ["Healed already? I thought that magic of yours "wasn't cheap"]

Y/N: ["They aren't! I'm just more confident on pokering for my soul than paying off any hospital debts. Kinda feeling like I should dye my hair red and start a pirate crew now, though"] He said while leaning his elbow on the tree ring, presenting Coraline with a teasing smirk before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek ["But, you know... It is kinda nice to have some peace. Especially when we have special guests"]

Mrs. Lovat: ["Wyborn, I know where I'm going! I grew up here"]

He nodded with his head to the side, where Coraline's eyes widened in surprise and excitement at the sight of Wybie guiding his grandmother through the garden gates. She was an elderly woman with grey hair and a yellow-colored dress, adorned with a red ribbon wrapped around her waist. Upon seeing Coraline, Wybie waved at her with a bright smile, and Mrs. Lovat greeted the girl with a warm, and kind look.

Mrs. Lovat: ["Oh, hello!"]

Coraline: ["My name is Coraline Jones. This is my boyfriend, Y/N Ali L/N"] She tilted her head to Y/N, who waved at the woman with a kind expression ["And we have so, SO much to tell you!"]

Y/N smiled and waved, hopping out of the tree ring to properly greet the elderly woman while Mr. Bobinsky saluted. Instead of bombarding her with questions, Y/N just introduced himself, jokingly punching Wybie in the shoulder when he marveled at the dozen scars Y/N had throughout his body, all courtesy of that terrible witch. And so, everyone remained working — Spink and Forcible, Mel and Charlie, Mr. B and Y/N, all working together to finish the would-be hair of Coraline made with red tulips.

In the entrance to the house, resting on top of the sign that read the name of the apartments, no one could really see the Cat purring as he lazily stood up. Stretching his body with a loud yawn, the feline walked off. Into the distance? No. Away from the sign? No either. Instead, behind the post of that held the sign up. But, stranger of all, was that he did not come through the other side, and instead, suddenly disappeared.

How? Well, he came and went as he pleased, of course!

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??? (2): ["I thought you said you weren't going to get involved this time?"]

The man who had his arms crossed turned to face the soldier by his side, who simply let out a giggle. Through his sharp canines and red-colored eyes, matching the crimson-red coat he wore that fell all the way to his legs, this man had a menacing aura of danger, and aggression, and a always-present scowl to match, especially with the wild tattoos scattered across his neck, and some that fell exposed on his hands.

"1312" was tattooed on each of his right fingers, with an upside-down anarchy A on the thumb. His neck was decorated on one side by Junji Ito's Tomie Kawakami, holding her own face while another sprouted from the side. The other area of his neck was also tattooed, proudly presenting a skull with a snake going into one eye socket and coming out of the other, mimicking a bite against this other man's neck.

???: ["Well, I wasn't, but you know how I am..."]

Now with his accent gone, the behemoth of muscle spoke, shrugging as he got into the car with some struggle thanks to his size, but comfortably sat on the black leather alongside the punk in the driver's seat, who had neck-length hair that was colored in white with a few black spots spread throughout. He leaned against the seat of his car, a custom 1970 Charger where the hood had two crimson-red, fang-like patterns.

???: ["I feel like this is just the start of something so much bigger. That and..."]

From a distance, he looked at the scene of the garden. Out the window where his arm hung, and he tapped the ash off of his cigarette. Putting it on his mouth again and taking a drag that he exhaled to the outside, his eyes met against the vibrant trio of teenagers that were sharing wild stories with the old ladies — Even from nearly a mile away, he could clearly see and hear whatever the three of them were saying.

???: ["When children are in danger, I can't help but step in"]

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[Finished in - 11/06/23]
[Published in - 11/06/23]
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[Word Count - 19.200]
[Word Count Total - 62.050]