Running Out of Time with You Part Seven

[butterflyslinky]

Title: Running Out of Time with You
Author: butterflyslinky
Characters: 80s Dan, 90s Kid, Linkara, The Entity, Mephisto
Rating: R
Word Count: 7507
Warning(s): Character death, violence, drug use
Summary: 90s Kid has a terrible destiny. But Dan’s not going to give him up without a fight.
Note: Special thanks to pompoko for betaing.

He felt light. Peaceful. Happy.

He opened his eyes and 90s Kid was there, though without his usual clothing…or indeed, any clothing at all, though that didn’t seem wrong here. Dan soon realized that he was in a similar state, but he felt no shame at it. It was innocent now.

“Dude!” 90s Kid smiled widely. “You made it!”

“90s Kid!” Dan pulled him close, kissing him deeply. “Of course I made it…I asked for it.”

“Yeah,” 90s Kid agreed. “Though that Mephisto dude wasn’t happy about it…he said that it was a breach of contract if your soul went here…but I was able to overrule him, cause I’m part of love, and that’s where your wish came from.”

“So we can stay together?”

“Of course, Dan,” 90s Kid said. “We’ll be here, for all of time, and we’ll make everyone else so happy…because when they all feel love, we’ll be the ones who make it possible.”

Dan kissed 90s Kid again. “Good,” he said.

*

Linkara sighed and rose from the ground. He didn’t know how 90s Kid and Dan would fare, but he knew he couldn’t change it. And he was all right with that.

As he walked back to his apartment, though, he saw another glitch—just a normal glitch, but still annoying. Linkara pulled out his magic gun. “Not today,” he muttered.

But before Linkara could pull the trigger, there was a blast of magic from somewhere behind him that destroyed both the glitch and the wall it was resting on. He turned to see a small girl with red hair staring wide-eyed at him.

“Sorry,” she said. “I just…that’s the only way I know to stop those things…they can do a lot of damage, but…I think I do more.”

Linkara smiled at her. “Don’t worry,” he said. “That’s normal when you’re just starting out.” He held out his hand. “My name is Linkara,” he said. “I’m a Magical Boy…more specifically, a teacher of Magical Boys and Girls.”

The girl smiled and shook his hand. “My name is Margaret,” she said. “And I think I’m going to need your help.”

Previous

Comments

[bookishlady242.livejournal.com]

I have to admit I was a little nervous about this before reading the story, considering that my mix had gotten dropped and you only had a short time to write it after volunteering, but I have to say I'm very impressed with what you managed to turn out. You said you wanted to make it not just a rip-off of the series, and you managed to make something very original that still held enough elements from the series to make it an AU. Well done!

The transformation phrases were all excellently chosen. I liked that touch.

I liked The Entity being the Big Bad, plus Mephisto was a good choice to play the Incubator. (Also, did you know that Dan Johnson was Dan's name in Lifetimes canon, or was that just a coincidence? Either way, liked seeing that. XD) Mephisto was very well written too.

I really liked the way you showed 90s Kid and 80s Dan meeting, plus how Linkara managed to find him a place to stay with Dolly.

"Dan couldn’t help it. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to 90s Kid’s lips.

90s Kid didn’t move at first and Dan thought he had just ruined everything. But then 90s Kid was pressing back, wrapping his arms around Dan and kissing him enthusiastically, clutching him close.

They pulled back a moment later and 90s Kid smiled. “I know,” he said quietly."

I really liked this moment. That's just such a believable way for it to happen. ^_^

"Dan didn’t even wait until morning. He turned the watch back."

This scene was really heartbreaking, where Dan tries pleading with 90s Kid not to do it, which of course 90s Kid refuses since he's set on protecting the world, even when it comes down to hurting the person he loves.

“Aren’t I worth living for?” he asked once.

“Of course, dude,” 90s Kid. “But if you’re worth living for, I have to be willing to die to save you.”

Also a really heartbreaking part, but one that makes a lot of sense.

“Kid, please,” Dan begged. “Don’t do this…we can find another way, there has to be…”

“There isn’t,” Linkara said. “I’ve considered every option and this is the only one that might work.” His eyes were bright. “I’m sorry.”

This was a good moment to include, since it shows that Linkara isn't as okay as he seems with having 90s Kid make the sacrifice, he just knows that 90s Kid has to do it if the world is saved.

"90s Kid was silent for several minutes before he finally took a deep breath. “You shouldn’t have done it,” he said.

“I know. But what would you have done?”

“The same thing,” 90s Kid admitted."

This is definitely true. If 90s Kid is willing to sacrifice himself to save the world, he'd go into an endless time loop to save Dan. Also, Dan clinging to 90s Kid and saying that he'll let go of him this time is probably the saddest part in the whole thing. *wibbles*

I really liked the way you wrote the ending, where 90s Kid and Dan become part of love, fitting in with the "ascending to a higher plane" ending of Madoka Magica, which is actually how I wanted the ending to go, where 90s Kid ascends like Madoka did, but where Dan (Homura) goes with him instead of staying behind.

"Linkara smiled at her. “Don’t worry,” he said. “That’s normal when you’re just starting out.” He held out his hand. “My name is Linkara,” he said. “I’m a Magical Boy…more specifically, a teacher of Magical Boys and Girls.”

The girl smiled and shook his hand. “My name is Margaret,” she said. “And I think I’m going to need your help.”

This was an ending I honestly didn't expect, but I love it! Margaret would be the perfect choice for Linkara's next protegee.

This was a really great story, and I added it to my fic recs list. I really appreciate you watching the series and taking the story on such short notice, and it definitely paid off. Thanks so much. :)

[butterflyslinky.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I enjoyed watching the show and writing this story, even in a short time. I'm glad I wrote it to your satisfaction.

I did remember that was his name in Lifetimes--I couldn't think of a better one.

Thank you for all your kind words. I'm happy I wrote a story you enjoyed so much.

[jackfan714.livejournal.com]

GAAAAH. Madoka feels all over again! At least the ending was WAY happier than the 3rd Movie. This incubator didn't make me want to stab it as much as the TV show/movie one did. Awww Margaret as a Magical girl.

[butterflyslinky.livejournal.com]

Sorry! I think...

I did try to end it happier. Glad that worked.

Thanks for reading.

[ocelot-l.livejournal.com]

Awww. This ending made me so happy. I'm glad that Dan and 90s Kid are now together on that higher plane of ascension and that they can bring love and joy to so many people around the world. I think that's the ideal ending for them in this kind of scenario, and seeing them together in peace is really all we can ask for.

I also loved the ending with Linkara finding Margaret to train next, and I hope that they can both have happy endings as well!

You did an amazing job combining both of these worlds and making them feel so natural and right when melded together! Thanks for creating this wonderful story! :)

[butterflyslinky.livejournal.com]

Thank you for all your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.