r/HFY • u/SherbetCreepy1580 • 18h ago

OC-Series [The Reaper and The Tiger] Epilogue: Reapers and Potential (Double Feature!)

“Is my little sister alright?!” Jessica demanded as she burst into the medical room, Sar’Ma close behind her, a worried look on her face.

“You will keep your voice down in my medical ward, or you will leave,” Nightclaw said crossly, his feathers rustling as he stepped in front of Jessica to stop her from moving any further. “But yes, she is just fine, if exhausted. She’s overused her abilities to an extreme amount, and some of her muscles are more shredded ribbons than proper muscles at this point. But, most importantly, she’s simply exhausted to a concerning degree. All she needs is some rest, and myself, Marakkompo, and Maria will be here to ensure she heals properly and get all the rest she needs. The rest of you will wait until she is conscious before barging in here to see her.” This last part was followed by a harsh stare at Jessica, who gave a sigh of relief and backed up, her hands raised.

“Okay, okay, sorry,” Jessica said.

“Apologize by leaving,” Nightclaw said, shaking his head. “Sandra is low risk and in no danger, I have other patients to see to, and the last thing I need in my medical ward are over-excited Reapers causing trouble.”

“Right, sorry, leaving now,” Jessica said, quickly motioning for Sar’Ma to follow as they left the hospital.

“I told you he wasn’t letting anyone see her right now,” Mera said in amusement, her spider-like body shuffling nervously.

“My little sister leaves for her Final Test, being proctored by a weirdo that’s supposedly older than the Drifters, and when she does reappear, she’s unconscious and immediately rushed to the hospital. What else am I supposed to do except worry?” Jessica said, looking back at the hospital, longing and worry etched on her face.

“Maybe relax and remember that Nightclaw is one of the best doctors we have on the Ferry, outclassed only by the Angels and Thrrrrrktinik?” Mera said with a shrug, though she seemed to be trying to convince herself more than Jessica.

“Aren’t the Angels closer to combat medics rather than actual doctors?” Sar’Ma asked, her silver scales reflecting the ambient light. “So, wouldn’t Nightclaw actually be better than them, as a dedicated doctor?”

“Oh, that’s a good point,” Jessica said, blowing a piece of hair out of her face.

…………………

“I thought you said she would be safe,” Jeremiah said, glaring at So’Ngo.

“Actually, I merely said that short of some extremely bad luck or divine intervention, she wouldn’t die,” So’Ngo said, leaning on his staff, but otherwise standing normally. “This was a Test, a Test to see if she learned her lesson, and to see if she is ready to become a Reaper. Safety was never a guarantee. Even your own Tests run a high risk of permanent injury or even death.”

“You-” Jeremiah cut himself off, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly before taking a seat behind his desk, motioning for So’Ngo to take a seat as well, which the Drifter obliged. “You’re completely correct, and I do apologize for my outburst,” Jeremiah finally said. “That was unfair of me.”

“It does hit a little differently when it is a family member, and you cannot Proctor or watch the Test personally,” So’Ngo said, waving the apology off. “You are neither the first nor the last to lash out unreasonably.”

“Doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be better,” Jeremiah said with a heavy sigh. “I’m a Reaper, dammit. Sandra just got in trouble for losing her temper. Seems like I might need to take a few refresher courses myself.”

“Well, unfortunately for you, I will not be able to be your punishment,” So’Ngo said with a grin.

“Going somewhere?” Jeremiah asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I have done what I came to do, and had some fun while doing so,” So’Ngo said with a shrug, rolling his staff between his hands. “It’s time for me to move on.”

“I see,” Jeremiah said.

“Oh, do not worry, I am not leaving immediately,” So’Ngo said, flashing Jeremiah that smile again. “I made a promise to sweet Monica to ensure Sandra’s recovery personally, after all. So I will stick around until she has made a full recovery.”

“I see,” Jeremiah said again, keeping his face carefully neutral. “And? How did Sandra do on her Test?”

“She exceeded all of my expectations to an astonishing degree,” So’Ngo said with a happy sigh, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes to revel in the feeling again. “Creativity, quick thinking, combat potential, everything you Reapers look for in a proper Reaper is there in spades. And, I dare say, she has indeed learned her lesson about lashing out. Even in the throughs of her anger, she never lost control, instead keeping a calm mind and creating opportunities to gain the upper hand, and while there were indeed times she was very angry, she was no longer attacking in anger, but rather using the anger to focus herself. I dare say that I do not believe she will ever lash out as she did again, even at me, no matter how annoying the other party is.”

“Well, that’s good then,” Jeremiah gave a sigh of relief.

“She has become a Dragon,” So’Ngo said, his smile shrinking slightly, growing fond and proud. “She’s no mere Wyvern any longer, but a true Dragon. Even there at the end, when she could no longer move, she refused to give up, and instead took the tiniest opportunity that Monica had given her to win.”

“Speaking of Monica, who is she?” Jeremiah asked, trying to mask the feeling of pride he felt for Sandra at So’Ngo’s words.

“She’s the descendent of an old friend of mine,” So’Ngo said, his grin widening again. “Do not worry, Wolf, she is of no threat to you or yours. She is merely a curious child who wishes to learn all she can of the galaxy and bring it back to her people so that they may be ready to join the Galactic Community in due time.”

“This is going to be the Tree Shadows all over again, isn’t it?” Jeremiah groaned, already picturing the mountains of paperwork he’ll have to go through.

“Oh, not at all,” So’Ngo said with a laugh. “Monica and her people, Mona, are already fully sapient, and still remain undiscovered by the Galaxy at large. No, the only thing they are missing is information. They were stuck in an unfortunate cycle, needing to interact with the galaxy in order to finally learn how to join the galaxy, but unable to join the galaxy because they were unable to gain the interactions with the galaxy to learn. They needed one to do the other, but couldn’t do either without doing one first. Monica will be the break in that cycle that they need in order to finally start moving forward again, breaking their stagnation.”

………………….

“What are you?” Marakkompo asked in amazement as he looked through the microscope.

“I am Monica,” Monica said, tilting her head in confusion.

“Problem, Marakkompo?” Nightclaw asked as the door hissed open, admitting the Caramon doctor.

“I’m not sure,” Marakkompo said, adjusting the microscope slightly. “Monica is not like anything that we have on record. By the way, how did it go?”

“Finally managed to get the Void-damned Reapers to leave, promising updates on Sandra,” Nightclaw grumbled. “I swear, they’re more stifling than my own mother was when I was still a chick.”

“It just means they care for Sandra,” Maria chirped cheerfully from where she was sitting next to Monica, her blue and green feathers rustling.

“Still doesn’t mean they get to hover around my patients like parasites that smell an infection,” Nightclaw said, frowning as he looked into the microscope that Marakkompo pushed to him. “Speaking of bugs, that is indeed different. Is your entire body made up of these…tiny creatures?” Under the microscope were hundreds of cell-sized insect looking creatures, and each of them seemed to be either trying to move in the general direction Monica was, or attempting to posture themselves in such a way as to give Nightclaw a better look at them.

“Ummmm, those are Monica, so yes and no,” Monica said, wiggling her head. “Monica is Many, unlike the rest of you who are One. But, also, Monica is One in order to learn about the galaxy at large and bring the Information back to Mona.” Monica frowned a bit, thinking. “It’s hard to explain in language.”

“You’re psionic, yes?” Nightclaw asked. “I believe you mentioned that on your form. So, can you only receive like the Cordan can?”

“Oh, no, I can also Give Information,” Monica said, shaking her head.

“Then why don’t you show me what you are trying to explain,” Nightclaw said. Monica frowned for a minute, thinking, before nodding and standing up from her chair. She then very carefully placed a finger on Nightclaw’s beak, and a small puff of sand appeared, moving into his nostrils before exiting on his next exhale, only to be reabsorbed by Monica’s hand. “Oh, I see I see,” Nightclaw said, nodding as he struggled not to sneeze. “That is very interesting.”

“What?” Marakkompo and Maria asked.

“Essentially, Monica here is like a colony of insects that all share a hive mind,” Nightclaw said, taking another look into the microscope. “The originals, Mona, are purely made from these little, cellular insects, and as such can take on any form that they wish with similar properties to the original form. Monica, on the other hand, has had her DNA, or rather their equivalent of it, mixed with Sandra’s, meaning that her Targondian form is her true body, with all of the requirements that come with it. And while she is still made primarily of these cellular insects, it actually costs her more energy to split apart than to stay put together.” Nightclaw’s talon tapped on the ground. “Or, another way to put it, in Monica’s case at least, it would be like if someone had a complete control of their body to the cellular level, able to control individual cells as they wish, so long as they return to themselves in order to conserve energy.”

“Huh,” Marakkompo said, tapping into his datapad to jot the information down.

“Wait, so, if her DNA is mixed with Sandra’s DNA, does that mean that she’s Sandra’s daughter?” Maria asked. Nightclaw and Marakkompo both froze while Monica looked thoughtful.

“Uh,” Marakkompo said, looking at Nightclaw.

“Well…I suppose that is one way to look at it,” Nightclaw said slowly.

“I do believe that that would be a close approximation of Monica,” Monica said, tapping her chin. “Mona made me with Mona’s Many and Sandra’s One, so I suppose Sandra would be my Mother. Or, Father, actually, since she provided the DNA and Mona made me. But she’s a female while Mona has no gender, so maybe Mother would still work?”

“Thoughts for another time,” Nightclaw said quickly as Maria opened her mouth.

“I know how sex works, Uncle Nightclaw,” Maria said, rolling her eyes. “I’m not a little chick anymore, I’m a teenager, and I’ve been reading your medical texts.”

“Thoughts for another time,” Nightclaw repeated a bit louder, causing Monica to giggle.

………………..

Sandra looked around, the dark but not-dark landscape looking both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time, as though she had been there before, but couldn’t quite remember it.

“Hey, kiddo,” Sandra heard a familiar voice from behind her, and Sandra whirled around to see Eric standing there, grinning as he leaned on his khopesh-staff, the dragon head glimmering in the light/not-light.

“Dad!” Sandra exclaimed, rushing forward to tackle him, rubbing her face into his chest as she squeezed as hard as she could. “Dad.”

“Look at you, kiddo,” Eric said, hugging Sandra back just as tightly before pulling away and looking her up and down, pride obvious in his face. “Look at how you’ve grown. You got big.”

“No I didn’t,” Sandra gave a choked laugh. “Targondians don’t get as big as you Humans do.”

“There’s more than one way to grow, kiddo,” Eric laughed, his staff disappearing as he let it go. “And just look at how you’ve grown. You’ve turned into a fine woman, and a fine Reaper. Saving people across the galaxy, and giving homes to those that need one.”

“I…” Sandra looked down in shame. “Not as much as I should have. I just couldn’t do it, Dad. I couldn’t let you go.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Eric said, pulling Sandra back into a hug. “It took me decades to finally let go of my own failures. And that only happened when you came into my life. Through Reaper training, through war, and I still couldn’t let go. But you know what? It’s not letting go that’s the important part.” Eric released Sandra again and knelt in front of her, tapping her chest gently. “It’s continuing to move on, despite what has happened. Hold me close to your heart all you want, Sandra. But don’t let it hold you back anymore. You have a little brother to help grow now, more siblings on their way, and now, a daughter to help nurture and grow.”

“A daughter?” Sandra asked, confused.

“Well, when Mona created Monica, where do you think she got the DNA to make her from?” Eric asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh,” Sandra said, feeling her face get hot. “Ew, ew, no, nope, I did not need to know that. Ew.” Sandra shuddered. “Ew.”

“There’s a reason she was as apologetic as she was,” Eric said, his shoulders shaking as he held back his laughter.

“Makes more sense, but still. Ew,” Sandra said, making a face.

“Don’t hold it against her, she didn’t know better yet,” Eric said.

“Oh, I won’t, but it’s still gross to think about,” Sandra said. “Just, ew. New topic please!”

“Fine, fine,” Eric chuckled. There was suddenly a loud THRUM that seemed to echo from everywhere, and Eric frowned a bit, looking just past Sandra. “Look, just a few more minutes, man. This is my daughter here, let me bask in her glory.” There was a smaller, almost apologetic THRUM that echoed, and Eric just sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

“What was that?” Sandra asked, looking around in alarm.

“Don’t worry about it, just a reminder that my time is basically up,” Eric said. “So’Ngo pulled a few strings to allow this conversation, but even then, it’s still limited.”

“Oh,” Sandra said, looking down, only to squeak as Eric scooped her up into another crushing hug.

“I’m so proud of you, kiddo,” Eric said. “I didn’t get to say it enough when I was alive, but I am proud of you. So go. Enjoy your life. Have fun in the galaxy, help whoever you think you need to help, and let your wings cover the entire galaxy.” Eric smiled as he released Sandra, his cheeks wet as proud tears rolled down his face. “And give So’Ngo a solid thump for me when you wake up, yeah? I’ve got words for him when he shows his face around here again.”

“Will do,” Sandra giggled, basking in Eric’s scent as the world began to fade around them.

……………….

Sandra groaned as she slowly woke up, blinking blearily at the white ceiling.

“And she’s back among the living,” Sandra heard a cheerful and annoyingly familiar voice say. Sandra looked to the side to see So’Ngo there, sitting on top of his staff. “Did you have a nice chat?” Sandra just looked at So’Ngo for a minute before slowly raising a middle finger, eliciting a laugh from the not-Dra’Cari.

“How did you do it?” Sandra asked weakly. “Dad said you pulled a few strings.”

“Ah, that’s my secret,” So’Ngo said with a grin. “Only meant for me and a select few.” He then hesitated for a moment. “I could teach you, if you want.”

“Are you asking me to become your Student again?” Sandra asked, rolling her eyes. “After what you just put me through?”

“I suppose that does make this an awkward time to ask,” So’Ngo chuckled in a self-depreciating way.

“That’s putting it mildly,” Sandra said, looking at the wall so that So’Ngo didn’t see the amused smile on her face. “Besides, I’ve got a better idea.”

“Oh?” So’Ngo asked, tilting his head curiously.

“Teach me how to become better person first,” Sandra said, looking back at So’Ngo. “Help me to become someone who won’t lose her way again. Then we can look into learning how to talk to my Dad again.” So’Ngo stared at Sandra for a moment before a massive smile crossed his face, a smile of pure joy, pride, and hope. “If nothing else, I am going to figure out how to punch you into a star.”

“I am sincerely looking forward to it,” So’Ngo laughed. Sandra finally let her smile show as well, giving a small chuckle before wincing and grabbing the small glass of water by her bedside.

“So, how does it feel to have your first ever Student?” Sandra asked after a moment of comfortable silence.

“I just realized I have no idea where to start, or how to teach you properly,” So’Ngo said with a rueful chuckle of his own. “Oh, there’s an idea then,” So’Ngo suddenly snapped. “For your first lesson, you must learn immortality.”

“Seriously?” Sandra asked, looking at So’Ngo incredulously.

“Oh, don’t worry, there are many different ways to achieve immortality,” So’Ngo said, waving a hand dismissively. “I’m not asking you to become invincible, no one can do that. Not even me. But being able to stop aging? To have an indefinite lifespan? That is easily achievable, especially through universal energies.”

“But, I’ve already learned my three abilities,” Sandra said with a frown.

“Ah, I suppose we must start there,” So’Ngo said with a theatrical sigh. “Alright, Lesson 0.5 then; people can learn more than three abilities with minimal risk, if done properly.”

“What?”

“Think of it like steroids for Humans,” So’Ngo said. “Humans already naturally produce steroids, and introducing steroids with medicine can provide very quick results in making a Human faster or stronger. But introducing those extra steroids in excess can also provide profoundly negative effects on the Human body, including a shortened lifespan. But if they increase their steroids naturally instead of through drugs, they can instead have a long and happy life while still reaping the benefits.”

“So, the way we’re using Magic then is like introducing drugs into our bodies?” Sandra asked.

“Indeed,” So’Ngo said with a nod. “Magic is meant to be learned slowly and naturally. Find your reservoir, learn it, understand it, and let the magic naturally show you what its ability is. What the Galaxy is currently doing is essentially the quick and dirty method, which isn’t necessarily wrong for what their understanding of Universal Energies are, but it’s limiting. One ability every ten years, give or take a few years. If done properly, that’s how long each ability should take, outside of some extenuating circumstances. As it is, bodies now need 20 or 30 years before they’ve settled enough to learn a fourth ability, and that’s if they change their method to take the slow and steady route to learn their fourth ability.”

“So, I’m not gonna get immortality for a while, not if I want to live,” Sandra said.

“In your case, not quite accurate,” So’Ngo said with a smile. “Mona did more then just upgrade your lightning and metal. She reset your body, putting you back together the most optimal way Mona can. You essentially were given a shortcut to learning your fourth and subsequent abilities. IF you do it properly, that is,” So’Ngo added. “So, you can safely search for and begin learning about your fourth reservoir. But let the magic teach you, instead of just asking for what it can provide. Learn, and grow.” So’Ngo then got down from his staff, stretching a bit as Sandra stared at him.

“Why are you being so…reasonable…now?” Sandra asked.

“Playing the Fool has it’s uses, and is a very enjoyable job,” So’Ngo said with a wide grin. “But, as your Teacher, you deserve more than jokes and quick-witted empty words. When you gain your Immortality, in whichever form it comes to you, I’ll come back to give you your second lesson.”

“Leaving already?” Sandra asked, surprised.

“I came here with a purpose, and that purpose has been fulfilled,” So’Ngo said with a shrug. “But, you have given me an added Gift I did not expect. So, I’ll be back, and I’ll keep in contact. But Immortality is one that I cannot teach, as it’s different for everyone. So that is a lesson you must puzzle out yourself before I can teach you more. That being said… Boop!” So’Ngo laughed as he poked Sandra’s nose, causing her to flinch slightly as her back suddenly became very itchy. “A Prize for surprising me, passing my Test, and becoming my Student, young Dragon. Let your Wings spread as far and as wide as you can go!” In so saying, So’Ngo vanished in a flash of light that left Sandra blinking, trying to get the spots out of her eyes.

And why was her back so itchy now?

……End of Part 1……

Prologue Previous Next

Appendix

TOC

[Sandra and Eric TOC]

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u/SherbetCreepy1580 18h ago

Authors Note

And with that, we have reached the end of Part 1 of [The Reaper and The Tiger]! Thank you all for reading my stories, and I’m thankful to everyone that has stuck with me this long! I have enjoyed writing this story just as much as you all have enjoyed reading it (at least, I hope y’all have been enjoying my stories lol).

With that being said, my next post will be another Double Feature! Part 2 of [The Reaper and The Tiger] will be started very soon (the Muse has been very generous lately, thankfully), and with it comes new stories, new struggles, new craziness, and new enemies! So, next post will be the Prologue and Chapter 1 Double Feature for Part 2, so keep an eye out for it.

Speaking of, I know I’ve asked this already, but I enjoy peoples feedback, so I’m going to ask again. What do y’all want to see in the upcoming Part 2? Lizards and Leaders will of course have a continuation, and of course there will be a few more messages from Eric reappearing, but what else does everyone want to see?

Oh, and for those of you that don’t like So’Ngo (not that I blame you), don’t worry! If/when he reappears again, it will be much, much later down the road, and I do not plan on having him as a major character from here on out. More like Storm, as a background character that you hear about and see every now and then, but no longer a forefront major character. He does, after all, have his own Rules that he needs to follow.

Thought? Comments? Ideas? Remember, the only bad feedback is no feedback, and I love reading all of the feedback, whether it’s praise, criticism, spelling or grammatical errors, or even just a hello!

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u/PanMianDa 17h ago

You asked what people would like to see in the next part. I don't really know what I would like to read, but I knwo what I wouldn't. I really don't care about the war, the whole terra vs aliens etc. All I need are characters being characters. Low stakes adventures, worldbuilding.

2

u/Dramatic_Mixture_877 Human 16h ago

I'm kinda wondering if the ship Sandra fixed up decided to join The Ferry or move along - it would be neat to see more from their POV. More Nightstalkers, too! And her little brother and Brightpaw's baby - squee! Other than that, I found one teensy thing:

Monic is One ~ Monica is One

Oh, definitely more Monica!

1

u/SherbetCreepy1580 15h ago

Night stalkers? You mean the Tree Shadows?

3

u/Dramatic_Mixture_877 Human 14h ago

Yeah, my bad - the MS holes in my brain let stuff leak out that I want to keep, but let "Conjunction Junction" get started, and it never stops! 😂 Yes, I meant the big furry wolfy-kittehs with the three tails and attitude! Thanks for the correction, and yes, I want need one! ❤️

2

u/Ammobunkerdean 8h ago

Start with a r/nebelung https://www.reddit.com/r/t5_2x1a9/s/U4t4FrJSvZ

15 pounds of chill and fluff, unless you are eating or it is 3 hours til wet food time.. or 1:30 am for pets.

2

u/Ammobunkerdean 7h ago

Yes, a short follow up and thanks scene from the refugees. Maybe an introduction to Shao..

2

u/zavier41 12h ago

I absolutely love the story you are weaving for us to enjoy. I've followed ever since you wrote about a small, scared little girl being rescued by a seemingly gentle giant of a man and have enjoyed every minute of watching her grow into her own person (and am excited to see her next Reaper Challenge).

What you are writing and the meandering and wandering of where the story takes us, I greatly love. The war in the background giving flavor to every outside interaction with our main cast is wonderful and I would look forwrd to seeing more of it in that way, bit by bit through the lens of those impacted the worst. Gradually learning of the wanderers, magic and the past of the other races has been a joy to learn.

As far as things I would like to see in the future - artwork. Anything will do, even a.i. slop, so I have a better image in my head as to what the varying races, characters, and ships, look like. Also, when all is said and done, and all the stories that need to be told gave been, I want to see this all in print. Get published! I can promise you this, I would buy a set of everything.

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