Chapter Text
Pride
Nimona shot Ballister an unimpressed cat glare. "No. You forgive too easily, Boss. I like my grudges."
"I'm not asking you to forgive him, just...give him a chance? He is trying."
Nimona looked away from Boss' puppy eyes. "Fine, I'll give Nemesis a chance. One chance."
"Wait, really? I understand why you might be scared to—"
"I'm not scared. If you like him, he can't be all bad."
"Proud of you, kid," Ballister said, ruffling her ears.
Her chest lit up. People felt a lot of things about her, but pride was never one of them—not until now.
Graffiti
Nimona loved spray paint. It was quick, bright, messy. It could change a story in seconds, and it couldn't be ignored. When she told the truth in spray paint, everyone had to see it.
She didn't paint Gloreth's statue anymore. No matter how many times she did, it had never lasted. People would do anything to keep seeing Gloreth as their precious saviour.
Well, not anymore.
Ambrosius held the can out to her. "Want to decorate?"
Nimona took the spray paint from him and unfurled her wings, grinning with shark's teeth. "I'm going to give her the curliest moustache ever."
Phoenix
A phoenix was a dangerous thing to be. It could burn too bright, too hot, or just burn out.
She'd tried the shape before, but it hadn't fit her. She'd thought if she started fresh, maybe things would turn out better—but the shape was too difficult to hold.
Until the moment her heart ignited.
I will change the story.
She embodied flame, a living, changing thing.
I will save them.
She flew free and proud, to her victory.
I will not die.
To her sacrifice.
I WILL LIVE!
She hit—
—flared bright—
—Burned to ash.
But she would return.