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noncanon-mcd-stories · 5 years

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Spoils to the Victor

the following fic is what was talked about in @its-lily-i-guess‘s discord General Chat, on how the Mystreet crew didn't recognize their names in the history books from the MCD times. There’s one quote that comes to mind: History is written by the Victors

tw: Character/child death, mentions of torture and war

She watched over the burning village, tears streaming down her face as she held him close, the wound having done too much for even her to heal. ‘Is this why she chose not to feel anymore?’ she thought, staring at the blurry version of her son, of Levin, heart feeling as if it was going to rip in two.

It had been years since she had found him that morning at her door, and now, as he struggled to breathe and stay conscious, the reborn Goddess found it a bit ironic that he’d be the last thing she saw, much like she was the first thing he remembered.

Forcing herself to take a deep, sobbing breath, she stood, ignoring how his dead (the thought of that word with him made her weak and dizzy) weight strained her arms, and began to move towards the docks, where Dante and Travis were frantically making sure everyone was safe.

“Aphmau, Levin and Malachi, they’re-!” The bluenette stopped at the sight of his Lord, shaking with adrenaline, pain, shock and sorrow, holding one of her far too limp sons, and the glint in her eyes told him all he needed to know as the two men rushed forward, Travis taking Levin while Dante caught Aphmau before she could hit the ground.

Late, back at Alliance Island, two graves were dug, one empty, the other holding the Last Lord of Phoenix Drop. Aphmau’s screams as she woke to remember both of her sons had died in her arms had been just as, if not more, heart breaking as when Aaron had died. Dante looked at the grave beside the two new ones and knelt down, head bowed.

“If only you were here Garroth,” he murmured, doing his best not to remember the sickening sounds of Shad tearing the guard, his shield-brother, apart for Esmund’s relic. “She needs you and Laurence… like in the old days…”

Laurence was still missing, having last been spotting fighting other Shadow Knights just before Phoenix Drop went up in flames. Dante had a feeling this wasn’t going to end well, even if they did win.

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Aphmau stared at the shallow grave in a type of horrid numbness, legs collapsing from under her as she started at the bloodied, blue hair of Dante, Nekoette and Dmitri. She heard white noise and saw nothing but red as her hands flew up to her head and she screamed.

She screamed for Alina and Lilith Garnet, her darling girls, the first ones killed by Shad.

She screamed for Garroth and Vylad, torn apart for trying to keep her safe.

She screamed for Dale, Molly, Logan and Donna, tortured into insanity and then dumped in the ocean to drown.

For Levin and Malachi, her precious boys, who died in her arms only a few minutes apart.

For Kawaii~chan, who lost her magic and now her family.

But, mostly, she screamed for her, to feel anything aside from the numbness.

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It’s just me now, she thought, looking at the book in hand before holding it to her chest. “Did you know,” she whispered, closing her eyes and imagining everyone she lost around her, happy and smiling and living. “That today, all those years ago…” she held the book tighter and felt tears rolling down her hallowed cheeks. “Today was the first day I met you Garroth? T-Today was the day that… that we…” she broke down in sobs as the book fell onto the grave stone and she crossed her arms, giving herself a hug as the autumn breeze played with her hair.

“Aphmau,” jumping, she turned to see Laurence, impossible, Shadow Knight Laurence, a few yards away, an unreadable expression on his face. “You’re going to get sick.”

“I don’t care,” she barked out, unable to stop her harsh laugh. “Haven’t you heard? I haven’t cared in years. Who's to say I never cared at all?” He flinched as she threw his words back in his face before letting out a growl and lunging forward, dragging her up and into the ramshackle house that was in desperate need of repairs.

“Do you honestly think that? That you never once cared for Alina? Or Lilith? What about Garroth, Levin and Malachi?” As he spoke, she felt… anger. Anger at him, for his words. “Dante was you brother!”

“You don’t think I know that?!” she snapped back, a spark of life coming to her eyes for the first time in years. “You don’t think I can’t remember how they felt? How we used to laugh an-and cry together?! You’re the one who left! You’re the one who abandoned us when we needed you the most!”

He was silent for a second, red eyes glancing over her carefully, and she looked clore enough to see that spark of guilt. “You’re right,” he agreed. “I did abandon you. I could’ve come back after a few Nether years, but… I was scared. Too scared.”

“Of what?” she asked mutely before shaking her head a bit bitterly. “It doesn’t matter now. We’re all that’s left… and even if you were to stay… you’d just end up killing me to stop the hallucinations.” they sat in a quiet silence, neither one wanting to speak as the fire burned weakly.

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In the end and a fit of irony, she died protecting him in the Nether, much like he had done so all that time ago. As he stared at her from the otherside of the iron bars, she grinned at him, a bit tearfully as she reached though, gently placing a hand on his cheek.

“Go,” she whispered. “Tell our story. Tell the world about how Phoenix Drop rose, and of the War of Magi. Tell them how we, for a short time, became the Realm Protectors.”

“If I leave,” he choked out, hand going to grasp her own. “You’ll die.”

“We’ll both die if you do not,” she countered. “But if you leave, Laurence… I’ll still live. We all will still be alive, in the stories you tell. Don’t let the world forget us. Don’t let the world forget the ones who won’t stop fighting, even in death.”

Turning his face and giving her hand a tender kiss, he gave her one last teary look before stepping away, not truly turning and running away until he was off the bridge and could no longer see the Shadow Knight fortress.

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It was perhaps thousands of years later when Aphmau Shanashaska was born when the books were rediscovered, and the truth was revealed. By then, not a whisper of doubt said that Shad had never once been the evil lord the books made him to be, and they had been written off as nothing but resistance propaganda.

Sixteen years after that, a teenager sad in the public library, doing her best to research the Olde Goddess, Eirene. All she found, however, was of Shad, and his heroic defeat against the Phoenix Alliance and his rogue knight. With a groan, she turned the page. “I hate research,” she mumbled, scanning the paragraphs before freezing. Aphmau frowned at the name in the book, eyes squinting as she leaned forward. “Why is my name the same as one of the worst villains history?” she mumbled, and there was a soft, sad noise from the elf beside her. Turning to the blonde, she saw her ancient, old smile, perhaps a bit too sorrowful as she spoke

“Haven’t you heard? History is often written in the eyes of the victor.” Looking over her, she felt like she looked familiar, as if she had been a close childhood friend.

“I’m sorry,” she said, closing her book. “Do I know you?” If anything, the elf’s smile grew both bitter and sad.

“I hoped this day would come, though I wish it had been sooner,” she murmured. “Your name is in the books because you are Reincarnated. You were once Lord Aphmau, leader of the Phoenix Alliance” Her amber eyes narrowed and she stood up sharply, chair scraping the floor harshly.

“I don’t know you,” she snarled. “And whoever you think I am, it’s it not fucking reincarnated. So don’t assume you know me.” The teenager stormed off, leaving the elf alone.

“Perhaps not this you, but you are Aphmau, the Matron Irene, and one day, you will see what I mean...” she agreed softly, reaching into her back and pulling out a book, the last of its kind. Within the first page sat a familiar photo, one taken just before the storm came.

With a pained sigh, Zoey Taltatheil placed her book into the girl’s bag and stood, feeling the wear of time on her as she did so.

Distantly, she could hear the sound of Levin's laughter and the sound of Malachi's giggle before she remembered that they had been reborn. With a sad smile, she walked down the stairs, eyes closing, feeling herself fade with every step.

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pan-kawaii-chan · 5 years

Text

Lord of Phoenix Drop

"You'll join us soon, right Momma?" He's staring up at her on the docks, Malachi having already boarded the boat.

Her expression changes at that, and she lets out a nervous laugh. "Of course, Levin!" Levin smiles at her, giving her one last hug before joining his brother on the boat. As they begin sailing away, he watches as she waves at them until she becomes a tiny speck. Now, he just has to wait until she joins them like she said she would!

Momma would never lie to him after all!

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"Levin! Come on! It's your big day!" Malachi is shaking him awake, his bright green eyes filled with happiness. The soon to be lord pushes his brother away, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. He runs a hand through his hair quickly before looking at the older man. Malachi has a grin on his face, an expression Malachi hadn't seen in years.

"What's so important about today again?" He pushes himself out of bed, grabbing his shirt from the floor and pulling it over his head. Malachi rolls his eyes at the blond, basically dragging him to the door.

"Today's the day you become the Lord of Phoenix Drop!" Levin stops dead in his tracks at that, pulling his hand away from the brunette.

"I told you I didn't want to be Lord though! We don't even know if…," he trails off, looking down at the floor. Malachi frowns, placing a hand on his little brother's shoulder.

"Levin, I know how you feel about becoming Lord. I miss her too, but we can't prove she's still out there. Here, just think of it as a temporary thing. Until someone else steps up to be Lord, or until she comes back. Plus, Zoey and I are going to help you manage everything!" The blond lets out a sigh, and glances up at his brother.

"Okay, I'll do it. But only because I know you can't."

"It is your birthright. I might be older than you, but I am in no way the first son." Levin shakes his head at that, and the two brothers make their way out of the house.

"I just don't understand why she hasn't returned by now, Malachi. She said it would only be for a little while. It's been 14 years. Dante said the war ended the same day it truly began. Where did she even go?"

"I don't know… Dante said they went off to chase Zane, and then they never came back. All of those people, just gone in an instant and unseen for 14 years. It doesn't make sense, especially because they were right outside the walls." They wave to Yip as they make their way to the wall, and say good morning to Logan at his stall. Nekoette scampers on by, Kawaii~Chan chasing after her.

"Well, we'll worry about it some other time. Now, we need to find Dante and get everyone together so I can be accepted as Lord." Malachi nods and the boys drop the subject, making their way past Alexis who's on gate duty today.

"Dante already went out on his regular patrol! He also escorted Zoey to the portal. I think he's at the Irene statue now." Her advice is helpful, and Malachi toss her a golden nugget as thanks. "All you have as usual, huh Malachi?"

"I was a ghost for 900 years! I still have trouble remembering physical stuff like money!"

"Just bring me an apple next time you dork." Levin rolls his eyes at this exchange, and Malachi playfully sticks his tongue out at the pink haired guard, and she rolls her eyes.

The brothers then begin heading towards the Irene statue, hyper aware of how much of Phoenix Drop had been lost to bandits. Where once they had a huge wall that kept all of the city protected, now they only had a small one that was near the boys' old treehouse that their mother made from a sacred sapling Zoey had from the Yggdrasil Forest—the elf's old home.

Because of the size limitation, only a few people still lived in the town. Logan and Donna, and their kids. Kyle and Alexis, the two other guards minus Dante. Dante and Kawaii~Chan, and their daughter Nekoette. As well as the boys and Zoey, who had been their caretaker for the past 14 years.

"You know, thinking back on it. Mom always seemed really laid back despite the stress on her shoulders." Malachi lifts his gaze to the sky, knowing the path to the statue from how many times he'd walked it before.

"Haha, yeah no kidding. I have no clue how I'm going to manage any of this."

"Well, Mom had her friends to help her, and everyone will help you do your best!" They pass by Kiki's old barn, and have a fleeting thought of the redhead and her daughter. "And I mean, you don't have as many people to worry about."

"I think that's what makes it scarier Malachi. Everyone could pack up and leave at any time."

"No one is going to leave, trust me. Now come on, I can hear Dante whistling to himself up ahead." Levin rolls his eyes and they come across the old well. Levin takes a deep breath, and the head guard turns around, blinking at the sight of the boys. "Hello, Dante. Patrol going well?"

"As well as it can. I haven't been attacked yet so." The guard sits down on the stone, rubbing his eyes. "So, what's going on?"

Malachi goes to respond, but Levin interrupts his brother. "I'm ready to become Lord."

Dante's whole stance and expression change at that, and he stands up. He takes a step towards the young man, and Levin stays in place. The head guard places his hand on Levin's shoulder, sapphire blue meeting sky blue. "Are you sure? Being Lord is a big responsibility. Even… Even your mother had her struggles."

"I know she did, but I have Zoey and Malachi to help me, and I know you, Logan, and Donna will be willing to give me advice." Levin doesn't break eye contact as he speaks, knowing he needs to stand his ground. Dante nods, his hand dropping from the future Lord's shoulder.

"Well, let's go get Zoey and we'll name you the new Lord of Phoenix Drop."

"No need to come grab me. I see Levin is finally ready," Zoey states, walking up to the three men. "If you're ready Levin, we can give you your title as soon as we return. Please know that you can still back out for the moment." She gives the blond a small smile, and he gulps.

"No, it's okay. I'm ready. This town needs a Lord, and I'm ready to take up that position." The elf walks over to him and pulls him into a hug, burying her face in his shoulder.

"She'd be so proud of you…," she whispers, and the blond tears up. He wraps his arms around the elf tightly. Zoey gestures Malachi over and the brunette hugs them both. After a minute, they pull away and Zoey places a hand on one of Levin's cheeks, and one of Malachi's cheeks, looking up at both of them. "I'm so proud of you. Of both of you, and I know she is too, wherever she is."

The boys both nod, and the four head back to Phoenix Drop, Malachi leading, followed by Zoey, then Levin, and finally Dante. Alexis opens the gate for them, and Dante goes to get everyone to come to the gate. Levin climbs up the ladder and gets up onto the wall. Alexis gives the blond a quick hug before closing the gate and heading down. Everyone makes their way over, and Dante heads up the ladder, standing to the right of Levin. The blond closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before looking out at everyone.

"People of Phoenix Drop! My name is Levin, and I'm the son of our previous Lord, Aphmau. Since her disappearance 14 years ago, Phoenix Drop has been without a lord..." He looks down at Zoey for support, and she nods. "Today, I want to change that. I, Levin, wish to be the new Lord of Phoenix Drop, if it's people will accept me." There's a small cheer, and Dante steps forward, standing next to the blond.

"The people of Phoenix Drop have accepted you as their Lord. Everyone, please welcome Lord Levin of Phoenix Drop." A small chant begins, one just for him. Once it dies down, Dante speaks again, knowing that this decision could change a lot of how the guards of Phoenix Drop would work. "Now Lord Levin, who would you like to be your head guard?"

Levin looks at Dante. He had known this man since his childhood, and the man had acted like the father Levin never had when he first moved back to Phoenix Drop. "If you don't mind, I would love for you to be my head guard Dante." The guard looks shocked at that, beginning to stammer out a response before nodding. The two shake hands, giving each other a small smile before looking out at the people of Phoenix Drop.

Phoenix Drop had a Lord again, and now all Levin could do was hope that he didn't disappear too.

#aphmau #mcd #minecraft dairies #dante #zoey #levin #malachi #alexis #al.txt #mine #i rewatched that one scene where aph tells levin that he has to go on a trip for a while and this happened #anyways heres some. Actual Original Content™

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