Moved

Ok, so for those of you who cared to read this story, I just want to tell you that I've moved it from Blogger to Fanfiction.net, so if you still want to read it, check it out here:
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11496364/1/Cursed-Red-A-Karkat-Signless-AU

Chapter 16

Karkat was almost overwhelmed when he entered Myatt. The streets were bustling and noisy with crowds of trolls and the occational hoofbeast-drawn carrige. The buildings were larger and more well-built then the ones in the town, and appeared far more frequently. He also noticed there were far more highbloods here than in the other town. Most of them looked rather rich and stuck-up, walking down the street in fancy outfits with little more than a glance to those around them. Some of them appeared to be guards, moving at a slower pace and looking for any situation they could jump into and enforce the law. There were plenty of midbloods and lowbloods as well, who simply continued along whatever route they were going and trying to get on with their lives. Karkat took in all this new scenery with slight nervousness. He had no idea there could be places as huge and busy as this. He looked at Signless with uncertainty. "What are we supposed to do here?" He asked, raising his voice to a degree that could be heard over the crowd. Signless looked around, as if he was trying to decide that now. "Well... I suppose the first thing we should do is get something to eat." Karkat nodded in agreement along with the others, they were all hungry after coming all this way. Signless headed down the street, working his way through the crowd as the others followed as closely as they could behind him. They made their way to a vendor who was selling some kind of meat on a stick. Karkat didn't think it looked very appetizing, but he was hungry. So when Signless bought some and handed one to him, he took it without complaint. When he took a bite after quickly scanning the food before him, he found that it had a fair enough taste. At least, it wasn't such a bad flavor that he felt the need to spit it out in disgust. So he and the group finished off their meal as they walked, stopping in front of a large fountain that stood in what was presumably the center of the city. "Oh look," Psii said sarcastically as he looked at it. "If it ithn't our beloved queen." Karkat looked up at the fountain and saw a statue of a female troll standing royally upon it, a two-headed trident gripped meanicingly in one hand. "Her Imperious Condesention. The highest of the high." Rosa spoke with no admiration, looking upon the statue with disdain. Dis growled at it and narrowed her eyes. Signless just sighed and turned to Karkat. "That's the main reason why this city is dangerous for us. She has her guards watching this place to make sure no one steps out of line. If any talk of rebellion reaches their ears they'll be on you in moment to beat that kind of thinking out of you." Psii snorted. "Like I care about her thupid guardth. They're all a bunch of weak-willed tholdierth who don't know how to do anything but follow orderth." Signless cast him a slightly annoyed glance. "Weak-willed perhaps, but their physical strength could crush yours in an instant." Psii was unimpressed by this. "I don't need phythical strength to beat them." He bragged, referring to his mental abilities. Signless just rolled his eyes, not feeling the need to argue about it. Karkat looked back up at the statue. This is Feferi's ancestor? They're not very similar other than looks. He thought, rememberin how perky and likeable she was. But the Condense didn't seem to be getting a lot of positivity, at least not from this group. Not that Karkat really liked her either. He felt glad he had ended up with Signless instead of her, because he was pretty sure he would have been speared on the spot if she met him. If not, then he'd end up being interrogated and get killed regardless for his blood color. Thinking about that made him wonder if he should tell the others about the secret he kept in his veins. He knew that they'd probably accept it easier than anyone else, considering Signless had the exact same blood. Yet, he still felt like it was something he should keep to himself, at least for now. He would tell them eventually, when he felt the time was right.

Chapter 15

The group didn't continue their journey until the next night. Signless had pointed out that the next town was still quite far away, and it would end up being the middle of the day by the time they got there if they continued on course. No one was really up for that idea, so they all decided they would stop and rest until the moons came back around. Karkat, unsurprisngly, fell asleep quickly and soundly. It had been too long of a night for him not to. However, here he was again, walking through nowhereland for Gog knows how long. He was groggy, just wishing he could sleep one full day without being woken up at the crack of moonlight. Not to mention hungry. The last thing he had eaten was a quick snack before he left the cave yesterday, and that's not exactly a satisfying meal. But he wasn't going to voice his complaints out loud. Not after the shit I pulled yesterday. I don't really feel like making myself look even more pathetic. So he kept his mouth shut and kept walking, only making occational small talk with the others. The atmosphere around them had lightened a bit since yesterday, but a fog still lingered in their minds. Karkat could tell they were all trying to put yesterday behind them, but it was easier said than done. Signless seem to be the one struggling with it the most, faint traces of anger still visible on his face. Karkat sighed, he figured he might as well talk to him about it, since it would probably make him feel better to get whatever he was thinking off his chest. And besides, Karkat thought as he moved closer to his anscestor, he helped me out a bit yesterday. I should at least try and return the favor. "So, uh..." He started, making Signless's head turn to look at him. "Do you... see that kind of thing often?" Signless looked a bit perplexed for a second, but soon realized what Karkat was referring to. "More often than I'd like to." He replied with a serious tone. "I've seen the fires begin, I've watched them destroy a civilization, and I've walked amongst the ashes of their ruin. And why? Because the highbloods believe they have the right to take the lives of those below them and throw them away." Karkat listeneed as he spoke with bitter passion, letting out the words that had been trapped in his mind. "What makes them think that their lives are not the same value as ours? They aren't gods, they don't have the juristiction to make such desicions. But they do it anyway, and kill innocent trolls just for their own satisfaction. This is why the hemospectrum needs to change, Karkat. This is why more trolls should be open to thinking the way you and I do." Signless looked at him, emotion swimming around in his eyes. Karkat shook himself a bit, he had been too transfixed on what the troll had been saying. "But.. how do you make trolls be more open to ideas like that? There are a lot of stubborn-headded people out there." Karkat inquired, knowing for a fact he was right. Signless nodded slowly in agreement. "That is very true. There are some who stick so tightly to the way thing are that even the slightest mention of change will put them in a rage. However, there are those who want change, and will go along with any plan that will give it to them. But a large majority are simply unsure of what side they wish to be on, and are willing to listen to the opinion of others. This is the audience I search for, the ones who I can nudge in the right direction." Karkat blinked in awe, unsure of how respond. Signless looked straight ahead of him. "I hope I can find some of that audience here." Karkat shifted his gaze in front of him. Before him, glowing in the distance, was a not a town, but a city. He could tell it was a city just by the sheer size of it. He estimated it to be about five times larger than the first town, for there seemed to be five times as many lights. "Welcome to Myatt." Signless said, his eyes sparking with a new kind of fire. "One of largest and most dangerous cities on the planet."

Chapter 14

Karkat had calmed down more since they had left the desimated town. Though he was still berrating himself for running away. Why did that scare me so much? What the ever-loving fuck is wrong with me? Stupid shitty nightmare. He looked over to the others, who were no longer as upbeat as they were before. The sight of the ruined village had darkened the mood quite substatially, and now only a few quiet words were muttered in between long stretches of silence. Most of the topics simply related to where they were going to sleep tonight and how far away the next town was. Karkat sighed, looking up at the sky. The stars above him twinkled endlessly in the blak abyss alongside the green and pink moon. It looked like the same sky he watched for the first six sweeps of his life, but it didn't feel the same. This sky didn't belong to him. The world he was walking on wasn't his. He wondered just how long he would be here. Would he end up being here so long that he was accustomed to living here? What if he never left? What would happen to his friends? Would they forget about him? Would it be better if they did? The last thought hit Karkat in a darker place. Maybe they'd be better off without me. What use is a failed leader to anyone anyway? He thought about Rose, and Kanaya, Dave, the Mayor...Gamzee.... Terezi. He wondered what she was doing now. Did she know he gone? Was she worried? He sighed again. Another thing I'm not good for-Relatonships. He looked over to Signless and Disciple, who were closely walking side by side to each other. The same itching envy crept back under his skin. How? How can he do everything I fuck up so perfectly? He just couldn't comprehend it. He wanted to know his anscestors secret of sucess. He wanted to know how he could do it right. Karkat knew it was pointless. He couldn't change the past. The most he could do was yell at his past self only to be stuck in an argument that most likely just ends with a big FUCK YOU on both sides. He really didn't want to suffer through that headache again. A bitter wind swept across the hills, making Karkat shudder and pull  his cloak further around him. "Feels like a storm blowing in." He heard Signless say quietly, almost to himself. Karkat looked out to the distance, where dark clouds were beginning to gather and blot out the stars. At that point, he didn't know which was worse; the approaching storm, or the gray clouds that constantly followed him and thundered negativity in his mind.

Chapter 13

A familiar scent floated into Karkat's nose. He had smelled this scent recently. Smoke? Karkat looked out into the distance. An orange glow was pulsing from behind a hill ahead. "Signless...?" He stopped walking and called over to his ancestor, who was once again caught up in conversation. He paused to look at Karkat, confused by his worried expression. Karkat pointed to where the smoke was rising. Signless, as well as the rest of the group, turned their focus on where he was pointing. Disciple let out a tiny gasp. "Oh no.. you don't think it's..." Signless didn't let her finish as he broke into a sprint, speeding ahead of everyone else. "Hey! Wait up!" Karkat called, chasing after him, with the others close behind. He caught up once Signless had stopped at the top of the hill, looking below him in anger. Karkat looked as well, and his eyes widened. They had made it to the next town, but it wasn't what they had expected to see. The whole village had been set ablaze, hot orange flames destroying every building. Faint cries of fear from those trying to escape the wreckage sounded over the crackling and hissing. This is just like my nightmare! Karkat thought as he stood frozen in front of the burning fire. "Damn it! Not again!" Signless shouted angrily. His eyes were burning hotter than the flames before him. "Fucking highbloods! What gives you the right?!" He roared. Psii came over to him, attempting to calm him down. "Eathy there. Juth calm down-" Signless pushed him away. "Calm down?! How do you expect me to calm down when trolls lives are being burned away by others with no remorse or reason?! Does it not infuriate you?!" Psii exchanged glances with Rosa and Dis. "Of courth. We're all upthet. But ith too late for uth to help here now." Signless looked to them, then the town, then back again. "I-" He sighed in submission, though he was clearly still upset. "I know." He only just then looked to Karkat, who was still rooted in place. No. No no no. All the horrible details of his nightmare were flooding back to him in high definition. I didn't... It wasn't... His mind scrambled over thoughts in a panic, unable to process anything. Signless approached him cautiously. "Karkat...?" He reached for him to see if he was okay. I.. I have to... I need to.. Panicked, he lashed out at Signless's approaching hand, his eyes wide and unfocused. "NO!" He shouted, making Signless recoil in surprise. Then one solid thought flashed into Karkat's mind; Run. So Karkat backed away a few paces before turning around and sprinting away at full speed. "Karkat!" He barely heard his name called over the sound of his heart pounding out of his chest. He had to get away from there, away from his nightmare come true. He ran faster than he ever remembered running before, the wind whipping around him. He kept going until he was to tired to go any further, and fell on his kness where he stopped, his lungs heaving. It wasn't long before Signless had caught up with him. "Karkat! What's wrong?!" He knelt down beside him, rubbing his back with one hand and gently grasping his shoulder with the other. "Are you okay? Hey, talk to me." Karkat looked up at him, trembling. "I j-just couldn't st-stay there..." He stammered, his voice shaking. "Th-there was too much.. f-fire." Signless looked at him with sympathy and concern. "I'm sorry. I should have seen that it was affecting you rather than getting myself worked up." Karkat shook his head, taking a few deep breaths. "N-no. Don't apologize. It's not your fault I'm a fucking coward." He hissed and looked at the ground, feeling stupid for running off. "No." Signless spoke sternly, causing him to look back up. "What?" Signless stared at him steadily. "No. I will not listen to you saying such things about yourself. There is nothing wrong with being afraid, do you understand me? If we didn't posess the ability to feel fear, we'd all be heartless monsters. Being scared is a natural instinct, and it in no way makes you a coward. Got it?" Karkat could only nod, the lecture had left him speechless. "Good." Signless said as he helped  him up. "Now come on, before the others start thinking you won't come back." Karkat followed silently, unable to find the words to say. All he knew is that he felt trapped by his bad dream, as if no matter what road he took, it would always be there, waiting to drag him down. And he'd end up struggling to fight it off like he tried today. But maybe, He thought, looking at his ancestor. I won't have to fight it alone.

Chapter 12

Karkat soon began to understand why walking was no longer the main mode of transportation. They had been walking for quite some time now, though he couldn't determine the exact amount of hours. They had left the forest a while ago, and were now walking across a large expanse of rolling hills. Being out in the open made it much easier to feel the chill winds that swept through the air, making the grass sway. Karkat was glad for the cloak, it gave him a little warmth to combat against the crisp air. However, he was not as used to walking such distances, unlike his companions, and was beginning to get a bit tired. He wasn't going to tell them that, though. They'll probably think I'm scrawny or something. No, I'll just have to grit my teeth and deal with it. If they can do it, so can I. Karkat steeled himself with that thought, determined to prove himself. If there was any time for him to test his endurance, this was it. If he couldn't even walk across some terrain, then he wasn't worth the trouble. He thought for a brief moment that he may be over-analyzing his situation, but immediately brushed it off. So what? Sometimes I need to push myself. Karkat's mind drifted back to the other night, when his clever thinking had almost gotten a knife stuck through him. Just so long as I don't push myself off a cliff. "Hey, you doing okay?" Karkat looked up at Signless. "You need a break. I know that walking this much can be tiring for some-" Karkat huffed and cut him off. "I can manage." Signless raised his hands, amusement lighting his eyes. "Alright, alright. Just thought I'd check." He looked at him curiously, studying him. His red eyes examining Karkat closely. Uncomfortable, he shifted his gaze away. "What are you staring at?" He grumbled. Signless laughed softly. "Oh it's nothing really. You just remind me of myself when I was your age." Karkat tensed slightly, partly from suprise and partly from worry. "Really?" He flicked his gaze back over to Signless, his voice flat with a slight peak of interest. Signless nodded, looking a bit nostalgic. "Yes. I was pretty stubborn and headstrong too." Psii let out a quiet tsh from behind them. "You still are." He muttered. Signless either didn't hear him or was choosing to ignore him as he continued. "I also had, well, have some bold opinions that many others don't agree with. Karkat was listening intently now, eager to learn more about his anscestor. This was far more interesting than being forced to read some stupid book. "You mean... about the hemospectrum?" He asked, knowing that was true. Signless confirmed it regardless. "Yes. I share your opinion of how blood color shouldn't define someone. We should be treated by how we act, not by what runs through our viens." He said these words passionately and proudly, unafraid of sharing what he thought. Hearing him speak with such conifidence made Karkat feel that twinge of envy again, but he also felt enticed by his words. His bold manner of speech made Karkat feel like anyone would be eager to listen to what he had to say. "I was rather surprised when you felt the same way." Signless said, looking at him. "I didn't think that someone your age would even have anything to say about such a serious topic, let alone something so forward and loud." Karkat looked down at the ground, unsure if he should have said what he said. "Don't be ashamed about it!" Signless said, putting his arm around Karkat's shoulder. "More trolls should think the way you do. That's the first step to take in changing the world." Karkat looked at Signless as he smiled reassuringly. Karkat grinned back briefly before he pulled away, looking ahead. He now had more to think about. He was just like me at my age? Does that mean I'll be like him when I'm older? Karkat wasn't sure how he felt about that.

Chapter 11

Karkat felt someone nudging him awake. He had somehow managed to fall asleep after all. "Hey Karkat, wake up. We've got to get going." Blinking the sleep from his eyes he looked at Signless. "Going where?" He yawned, stretching. He knew they were leaving already, but he still would like to know where exactly. "We're heading to another town. So up and at 'em! Can't travel anywhere when you're asleep." Karkat got up stiffly, as sleeping on a stone floor wasn't exactly the most comfortable thing ever. Regardless, he followed Signless out of the cave to where the others were waiting, and listened as he began to adress them. "Alright, we're all awake now. Does anyone have anything they need to do before we head out?" He looked to each member, recieving no responses. "Well then, let's get going." He took the lead confidently, moving at a bold pace. Karkat however, brought up the rear. He was slightly envious of his anscestor. He's so sure of himself. He's the leader, and he knows that others will follow his choices. How does he do it so well? What happened in the gene pool to make me fuck it up so bad? He sighed quietly. Yet not so quiet that Psii, who was walking a few paces in front of him, didn't hear it. He slowed down a bit until he was walking beside him. He didn't say anything at first, he just kept pace with Karkat in semi-awkward silence. Then finally he asked, "Tho, uh.. thomthing on your mind?" Karkat looked up at him, and noticed he looked slightly uncomfortable. He was clearly trying to get to know him better, but holding coversation with him was still a bit out of his comfort zone. "Just.. still kinda confused... I guess." Karkat replied. Psii nodded a tiny bit. "Yeah.. I thuppoth I would be too.." Karkat just shrugged. Psii looked around a bit, looking at the scenery as they walked in silence some more. They were still in the forest, walking through the trees briskly. "You thleep okay yethterday? I know you didn't the other day tho..." Psii asked, breaking the silence again. "Well.. it wasn't a great sleep, but I guess it was better than that night so.. yes." Psii nodded again. "Good. Thath... good." He cleared his throat slightly. "You liking thith group tho far?" Karkat looked in front of him where Signless and Disciple were talking and laughing about something or other, and Dolarosa was following behind calmly, occationally adding something to their coversation. "Uh.. yeah. You guys are pretty cool." Psii looked at the others as well, then glanced at him. "Thankth.. You're... pretty okay too." He looked away. "Thorry about.. how I acted before." He apoligized quietly, as if he didn't want the others to hear him. "Oh, no problem." Karkat chuckled awkardly. "I probably wouldn't trust some strange troll wandering around in the forest either." Psii echoed the same laugh, rubbing the back of his head with his hand. "Eh-heh.. yeah. I gueth you're right." Just then, Signless looked over his shoulder at the two of them. "Hey!" He called. "Quit hanging around back there and come up here with the rest of us!" Karkat and Psiioniic exchanged a glance before picking up their pace to match with the other three. "And what were you two talking about?" Rosa asked. Psii shrugged. "Thtuff." Dis looked at Karkat, her eyes playful. "What kind of stuff?" Karkat replied nonchalantly. "Oh you know, the weather. The state of the universe. Boring stuff." Signless laughed. "Of course you were.Best of comrades, the two of you. Am I that easily replaced, Psii?" The yellowblood sniffed, bumping into him with a shoulder. "Oh yeth, I juth decided you were no longer worth my time." Signless pretended to look offended. "Why, I don't believe it! I thought I could trust you!" Psii snickered. "Gueth you thought wrong." Karkat couldn't help but lighten up a bit as the group joked and teased each other, laughing every so often. He was starting to feel more welcome now, though there was no denying the pang of homesickness in his heart.