31- The Peace before the War

As Gaster, Ruby, and Dr. Oobleck returned to the camp, they stopped in their tracks, stunned by the sight before them. What should have been a simple camp now resembled a fully fortified Atlas outpost. Steel walls surrounded the building, reinforced with clever engineering and dotted with automated traps and turrets.

[Dr. Oobleck]: Did we miss the camp and accidentally wander into an Atlas base?

Ruby's jaw dropped as she took in the sight, while Gaster, unfazed, adjusted his glasses and calmly observed the structure.

[Gaster]: I'd wager Ron was behind this. Let me guess—he's probably inside, eating ramen.

A voice answered before Ruby could react.

[Adrian]: You're absolutely right.

Adrian, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, stepped into view, holding a mug of coffee. Ruby yelped and jumped back in surprise, clutching her chest.

[Ruby]: Adrian! Don't sneak up on people like that!

[Adrian]: Didn't mean to. You were too distracted by the shiny new fortress.

[Dr. Oobleck]: This… this is astounding! Ingenious craftsmanship and impeccable design! And all of this… in such a short time?

Adrian smirked, gesturing towards the building.

[Adrian]: Ron's idea. Maple and I helped with the setup. It's not perfect, but it'll keep us safe.

[Gaster]: Efficient. I'm curious about the design choices. Were the traps your idea or Ron's?

Adrian took a sip of his coffee before responding.

[Adrian]: Ron's mostly. He has… let's just say, a talent for preparing for the worst.

Ron stepped out as they approached the entrance, wiping his hands with a rag.

[Ron]: You're back. Good timing—everything's set up.

[Dr. Oobleck]: Mr. Ron, this is extraordinary! You've transformed this simple camp into a fortress worthy of Atlas engineers!

Ron shrugged, his expression as stoic as ever.

[Ron]: Didn't want to risk anyone getting hurt. The defenses will buy us time if we're attacked.

Ruby, still wide-eyed, looked at the traps and turrets in awe.

[Ruby]: This is… so cool! You even set up automated turrets?!

[Ron]: (with a small smirk) "It's nothing fancy. Just enough to hold the line."

Gaster, already jotting down notes, glanced at Ron.

[Gaster]: Efficient work, as always. I trust you've accounted for any Grimm behavior anomalies in the area.

[Ron]: Of course. Now, let's get inside. We've got more to prepare.

As the group settled into the fortress, Ron handed out bowls of ramen and a few snacks he had prepared. Everyone began eating, the warm meal a welcome reprieve from the day's events—except for Gaster, who stared suspiciously at his now-empty bowl.

[Gaster]: Ron, I know you enjoy experimenting with food, but why is my ramen… raw? And why does it taste like dry wood?

Ron barely glanced up from his own bowl, calmly sipping the broth.

[Ron]: That's because it is dry wood. It was meant for kindling the fire.

The room went silent for a moment as everyone processed Ron's casual response. Then Weiss, who had been uncharacteristically quiet until now, suddenly burst into laughter, doubling over and clutching her stomach.

[Weiss]: Oh, look at the genius! The great Gaster didn't even realize he was eating wood until he finished the entire bowl! Oh, my stomach—it hurts!

Gaster froze, his skeletal hands tightening around his empty bowl.

[Gaster]: You… replaced my ramen with wood?!

Weiss nodded, struggling to catch her breath through her laughter.

[Weiss]: It was just too easy! You didn't even notice—you just kept eating and writing in that notebook of yours!

[Gaster]: I was focused on documenting Ron's construction techniques, not on my bowl being sabotaged.

Ruby tried to stifle a giggle but failed miserably. Adrian smirked, taking another sip of his coffee.

[Adrian]: To be fair, Gaster, you did look pretty into it. Like you were savoring every bite of that 'premium wood ramen.'

Maple, who had been silently observing, finally chimed in, her voice shaking with suppressed laughter.

[Maple]: I—I thought you knew! You were even chewing it like it was normal!

Ron, ever the calm one, raised an eyebrow at Weiss.

[Ron]: You're lucky I don't make you eat actual wood as payback. Gaster's experiments keep us all alive.

Weiss waved him off, still giggling.

[Weiss]: Oh, lighten up, Ron. It was just a harmless prank. Besides, I think Gaster's dignity will recover… eventually.

Gaster placed his bowl down carefully, pulling out his notebook with a calculated calm that made Weiss hesitate.

[Gaster]: Harmless, you say? I'll be sure to note this prank for posterity. Perhaps I'll repay you… with an experiment involving your favorite shoes.

Weiss immediately straightened, her laughter abruptly stopping.

[Weiss]: You wouldn't dare.

[Gaster]: Try me.

The tension hung in the air for a beat before Ruby, unable to resist, burst out laughing again.

[Ruby]: This team is the best!

[Dr. Oobleck]: Well now, ladies and gentlemen, it's time to rest. Establish a watch rotation and ensure to wake the rest of us immediately if anything unusual occurs. Sleep is vital for alertness, after all.

As the teams began discussing the watch schedule, their voices quiet and focused, far in the shadows of the ruined city, six dark figures in black, tattered robes observed them intently. Their presence was cloaked in an aura of malice, and they remained hidden just beyond the reach of the fortress's lights.

Two of the figures appeared particularly fixated. One directed their glare at Gaster, while the other's burning gaze rested solely on Adrian.

[Dark Figure 1]: (gripping a blade with jagged edges) So… my little toy still draws breath. What a shame. I should have crushed him when I had the chance.

Their voice dripped with venom, the blade glinting faintly in the dim moonlight as they drew it from its sheath.

[Dark Figure 2]: (clutching a massive, bone-like weapon that radiated an unnatural glow) I won't forgive him. I won't forgive him… I WON'T FORGIVE HIM!

Their fiery eyes ignited, casting eerie shadows around them. The other robed figures exchanged knowing glances but remained silent, their focus unwavering.

[Dark Figure 3]: (calmly stepping forward, silencing the others with a wave of their hand) Quiet. We'll have our chance soon enough. No need to rush things and alert them to our presence. Patience is key.

The second figure's rage flickered but didn't subside entirely, their grip tightening on the bone weapon as the leader's words forced them into stillness.

[Dark Figure 1]: (grinning maliciously) Patience, yes. But when the time comes, that one's suffering will be exquisite. Isn't that right, little Rose?

The moment the words left their lips, a gleaming, sharp blade materialized at the figure's neck. A crimson scythe, glowing faintly with an ominous light, was held steady by the third figure, who now loomed threateningly behind them.

[Dark Figure 3]: (voice cold and venomous) Never call me that.

The first figure froze, their grin faltering as the edge of the scythe pressed closer to their throat.

[Dark Figure 1]: (nervously chuckling) Tch. No need to get so dramatic. Just a slip of the tongue, nothing more.

[Dark Figure 5]: (snarling but keeping their distance) Both of you, focus. This isn't the time for squabbles. We have a mission.

The leader, their eyes like burning embers, slowly lowered the scythe but didn't step back.

[Dark Figure 3]: (low, threatening) If you forget your place again, you'll find out just how sharp this blade really is. Now, enough distractions.

The tension hung thick between them before the first figure stepped back, rubbing their neck with a sneer but keeping their mouth shut.

[Dark Figure 2]: (still glaring at the camp) They won't see us coming. But when we strike, we make sure none of them escape. Especially him.

Their eyes burned brighter as they stared at Gaster, their grip tightening on the massive, glowing bone weapon.

The six figures melted further into the shadows, their dark presence lingering.

Back at the camp, Gaster suddenly paused mid-sentence, his pen hovering over his notebook. He glanced up, his eyes narrowing as he peered into the darkness.

[Ruby]: What's wrong, Gaster?

[Gaster]: I can feel it… hatred. Watching us.

Ron, leaning against a wall with his hood up, glanced at Gaster, his gray eyes glinting faintly in the dim light before revealing his now gray hair.

[Chapter end]