Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Staring at the floating thiangular shaped thing. Why was it so much bigger than the first time? He flinches as the cursor shifts towards him. 

How did it come to this? 

Failurefailurefailure.

He stares at the figures in front of him. More specifically- the orange hollowhead. Their floating figure and empty look. He wants to almost beg for mercy but... he doesn't deserve it.

He braces for the impact of the cursor- only for it to shift towards The Chosen One... who looks injured- beaten. And it's all his doing. He hurt him. He stares at the beaten-up figures- his gaze shifting onto his own workers' direction. They are injured. Why? He told them to stay out of the way.

His ears are ringing and the orange figure floats in front of him- his eyes widen and-

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Victim wakes up screaming. He feels cold sweat run down his face and he grips his hair- yanking it. He hates nightmares like these. 

Victim takes a deep breath and shakily gets up from his bed, walking towards the mirror and staring at it. 

"You're alive you're alive- You're not dead. You were spared You didn't kill anyone you're not a bad person. You won't be deleted again. You're not angry anymore."

"liarliarliarliarliarliar"

Victim stares at his own almost shocked expression. His mismatched eyes wide from fear. He hates it. He hates how he looks sometimes. He takes a few shaky breaths and looks out of the window, staring down at the rather... colorful bunch of sticks doing something. He finds himself staring at the screen. He stares at the door to his supposed room that Second built for him... for some odd reason. 

"I guess I could go down there to- wait. What if he is watching us me?"

Victim grips his forearm tighter, digging his nails into his skin while breathing heavily. Dread building in his chest at the thought of seeing him again. After everything, he had his doubts about his Creator would have allowed him to walk free and stay... well... alive. But.. Noogai Alan did let him live. For what reason, he still is not sure.

Victim sighs and tries to dress up, the plants here are weird and pixelated just like Ballista no. They didn't help you enough to keep you safe from harm.  He takes a single blue orchid and plants it into his relatively short hair. It feels too uneven. 

Holding a shard of a mirror against his once almost chest length hair after moving here. After his creator offered to change his name. ...pathetic. He didn't know how to react.

He grips his uneven hair and groans. It was a mistake to do something as moronic as that in the heat of the moment. He takes a look in the mirror, his reflection morphing into different things. Anything or anyone but himself. He stares at the door and makes his way to it, not really in the mood to deal with the entire... Alan probably staring at his pitiful attempts at friendship with the.. colorful bunch-

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~

"Oh- Morning Victim!"

Victim stares at the orange hollowhead. Second looks tired- clear dark circles under his eyes, yet sounds rather... excited to greet Victim... for some reason. 

Victim stares blankly at the other figure, who seems to be almost waiting for something, only to let out a sigh and awkwardly smile.

"So uh.. I.. Would you be willing to work with us if... we went and helped Chosen with something important?" Second's unsure and downright nervous tone makes Victim want to go to the trash bin and force Alan to empty it. Erasing him forever.

"I.. Uh- I'm not-"

"GREAT! Thank's for agreeing to help! A-anyways! I have to help Alan with some animating! He can't draw a hand to save his life!" 

"W-wait but I- I didn't agree to anything-"

Second runs off, climbing onto another window- where the cursor resides and struggles to draw a hand- Victim freezes and finds his eyes tracking the cursor's movements. He feels something collide with himself- causing two different screams. Victim stares at the blue figure, who for some reason has red freckles..? Are those freckles?

"Oh- sorry! I... didn't really see you there- Hey! By the chance- did you see where Yellow went? I kinda... had something to ask from her."

Her voice sounds nervous. Not that Victim has any answers as to why Blue would be feeling nervous today.. she looks twitchy, fidgety- all of that. She's been like that ever since Yellow made her choose between her and some odd red substance-

"I.. no.. sorry.."

Blue seems to just stare at him for a moment, before shrugging and running around again. Victim's eyes dart back to the cursor- unable to get it off of his mind. How easy it would be for his creator to delete him again- to doom him into the endless abyss again. Crying screaming laughing, anger anger- he deserves to die for what he did to us

He feels a nudge at his leg.

"Meow!"

Victim stares at the rather blocky cat-he still has no clue why Red gave it to him. He picks the black cat into his arms, his dear little Charcoal-

"Oh.. You're... you shouldn't be here Charry- You should be in the garden with Rocket!"

Victim stares at the cat with almost disapproving stare- only for the cat to meow again and try to nuzzle him. He sighs and takes the cat onto his shoulder, walking to the corner he claimed for himself, to stare at the different plants from Minecraft. They all feel too wrong. But they'll do.. for now.

He sets Charcoal next to a calico cat- Rocket. The two cats immediately try to climb onto him, causing Victim to stare at them and sit down, the two cats refuse to let go of him. Good for them he supposes, bad for Victim.

"...Seriously...? You two are so clingy today..."

Victim sighs and pets Charcoal, she purrs in return and nuzzles her head against his chest. The affectionate gesture feels odd. Even from a pet.

He almost wants to stay like this forever- just with his cats.

~ ~ ~ 

Unfortunately. Nothing ever goes the way he wants them to go. 

The bitter thought finds it's way into his head as Second drags him along to go and meet The Chosen One for some important stuff... Victim, to his record, proceeds to stay frozen in fear as he feels hands something around his wrist. He stares at the bright orb of light where the other four colorful sticks had jumped just moments ago. Victim wants to scream as he's dragged once more through the blinding white hole.

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The two hollowheads fall down to the stupid crater, straight into the water. Second keeps dragging Victim along.

"Come on! It's not that bad! It'll be alright! We're just helping a brother out and then you and him can uh... move on from the past! Just like I did!"

Second sounds too cheerful and nervous for Victim to believe him.

"He's lying. liarliarliarliarliar. You didn't deserve mercy."

Second guides Victim to the door of the house. Victim feels dread building in his chest step by step, or is it blood? Maybe it is. Maybe it's all a dream and Alan's torturing you again. Maybe you're being actively crushed alive right now and hallucinating things to not think about the pain. Victim grips his arm. His lungs feel empty. He can't breathe, he has to breathe- he's being dragged and he's getting thrown around and-

He shakes the memory away. The ringing in his ears starting again as they make their way to the door. Blue and Yellow are looking at some stupid pictures of The Chosen One. All pictures of The Dark Lord are missing, as if The Chosen One hid them for some reason. 

"This place looks cleaner than before..."

Second mumbles to himself, causing Victim to raise an eyebrow. The Chosen One seems to be gone for the time being... maybe he could make a run for it? No more running. Victim sighs and sits onto the ground, Second goes over to Red and seemingly has a chat with his friend. Victim feels tired. Tired of everything. A little nap won't do any harm, right?

Victim's eyes feel heavy and the sweet slumber takes a hold of him.. or more like horrible slumber.

Staring at the triangular shape.

|I could change your name, you know?

|If that's what you want of course

Vic stares at the cursor. His entire being shaking from fear. What if he says something wrong and sets his creator off? The cursor shifts towards him, only for Victim to bolt away- away from his tormentor. murderer. He crashes against his mirror, causing it to shatter. He picks up a piece and digs it into his skin. Blood trickles down his arm- He needs it all to stop. 

He raises the shard close to his neck before-

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... .- -- .

His ears are ringing.

He sees a figure in front of him- he almost says something before the color of the figure hits him.

"Oh.. that's The Chosen One. I am so fucked."

Chapter Text

Chosen stares at the gray figure. He can still feel the lasso, whipping him, tying around his neck as he struggles against it. Being restrained. He- He takes a deep breath and waits for the other to speak, only for there to be a very awkward silence over the duo. Chosen fiddles with a long, messily done ribbon in his hair, a dark red one. Smiling face. Dark offering him the ribbon. Chosen still doesn't understand why and how Dark managed to make it look so easy to put one in hair. Victim seems to press against the table he was leaning against. The air is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Chosen coughs awkwardly, causing Victim to flinch and seemingly try to merge with the wall.

"Uh... hello there, Victim." Chosen almost grimaces over how passive-aggressive his tone sounds. He almost apologizes, but the words refuse to leave his mouth. Victim stares at the ground and seems to curl into himself, hugging his knees close to his chest. He looks, oddly enough, different than the last time he saw him. Instead of a chest long braided hair, he has a short and choppy hair. Curly. Just like Chosen's. Chosen takes a deep breath and sits next to the gray hollowhead, who proceeds to flinch away from him.

"I.. You got a new haircut..."

Victim mutters something in response to his statement. Chosen wants to die from this interaction already- he'd honestly rather go to Alan and beg him to let Chosen destroy his pop-up ads, instead of being here and having this conversation. Chosen takes a deep breath, trying to think about anything to say to someone who- rope around him. Around his ankle. The figure in front of him switching between the cursor and the figure themself. Fighting- only to fail.  He subconsciously grips the ankle the chain and ball was attached to years ago... yet he still feels as if it's there. 

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Chosen sighs and looks at Victim's huddled over state, he looks downright pitiful.

"I don't hate you, but I don't forgive you either." The words leave his mouth before he can even think. Victim raises his head and stares at Chosen in shock. 

"W- what..? You don't- don't hate me? How? Why?"

His voice cracks and he looks down again. Chosen shrugs and looks away from Victim.

"I'm done being angry, I guess. It has never brought me anything good... But I can't forgive you. You hurt me, bad. I... don't want to hold a grudge. I'm done with hate." The words feel strange, yet right to Chosen. He doesn't know how to put it.

Victim stares at the ground and mutters something to himself, not that Chosen really cares about the other's thoughts. He has his own problems with... everything. He grips onto the red ribbon that keeps his hair bound. He fiddles with the ends of it and tugs his hair slightly, he doesn't want to think about what he's asking from the others.

Flying to the crater. Only to find nothing at all. His best friend, his little brother, wasn't there. He ran around the entire stupid gravesite crater, only to not see even a tiny bit of the red hollowhead. Did his little brother blow up in pieces? Did he manage to escape? Chosen wasn't sure. He just sat down and cried.

Chosen shakes the memory away, not wanting to dwell too much in it. All he needs is a way out of the trouble he is in, but last time he did that.. well... stuff happened to say the least. Chosen sighs and looks back at Victim, who is still muttering to himself about something.

"I.. Uh- may or may not have gotten in trouble with... someone- I don't know who they are but... but they ambushed me at some- some point and I escaped with a stab wound... I'm pretty sure that there are thousands of stick figures who are angry at me for destroying their homes... and lives."

Chosen grits his teeth as the words leave his mouth- GREAT! He went ahead and told what he should have told everyone to a single individual! Good job Chosen! 

"Oh.. uh I... don't know what to say to be honest. I'm sorry that happened to you..? Is happening to you?"

Victim sounds equally as awkward as Chosen feels, glad to know he isn't alone on that regard. Chosen sighs and gets up, holding out a hand to the other.

"Don't mention it. I have to tell the others about that.

"... Alright... The Chosen One..."

"Never call me that again- Just Chosen is fine."

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~~

Chosen stares at everyone in the room, this feels horrible. He doesn't want to say everything out loud in front of everyone. But he has to, he needs help.

"Uh.. So... You all may be wondering why I asked you here-"

The words just sound so wrong and forced to Chosen, his chest feels tight and he finds his feet unable to move, he looks down- oh.. his feet are frozen to the ground. He kicks his feet free and takes a deep breath, why won't his lungs work properly? He hears someone yawning.

"I ah- may be in.. some trouble-"

"So you're going to endanger all of us again?!"

Green interrupts him, the other figures, apart from Victim, just stare at Chosen in shock. Green looks pissed.. which is understandable, considering the last time Chosen went to them for help.

"No- I just-"

"You just what?! You want Sec to help you get rid of whoever's after you? Get him kidnapped by a psychopath, and then probably traumatize him for life? And then to top it all off- he'll have to just- just live with all that happened as if it never did?! Uh... Errr- no- no offense... Victim-"

Green looks at the gray hollowhead with an apologetic expression, said gray hollowhead seems to want the ground to swallow him. Chosen almost feels pity for the guy, he looks ashamed.

"I- It's- it's fine-"

~

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~

Second stares at Chosen in shock, clearly thinking about, well... everything that happened last time. Chosen almost wants to apologize for asking for help from the colorful figures, but it's getting very hard as Green keeps half-yelling at him.

"All you ever do is get us in trouble! Sure you helped us once, but- but that doesn't mean that you get to endanger us! We don't want to get into your stupid mess again!"

Chosen flinches away from Green, he doesn't know what to do. Should he just ask them to leave? Should he beg for help? Should he-

"I think we should help him."

Everyone stares at Second, who appears slightly nervous. Chosen feels an odd sense of both relief and guilt.

"I know what happened last time but- but I... I want to help him."

"He got you abducted by a psychopath! He got you trapped in a cage for weeks! Sec- I don't-"

"Green. Please. I... Just can you please let me help him...?"

Chosen stares at the duo, not entirely sure as to how to feel about the fact that Second wants to help him.

"What is this trouble you speak of..?"

Yellow's voice pierces the room, she stares at Chosen with hesitance, as if afraid of what will happen if they get included in Chosen's mess again.. Not that Chosen can blame her, she was forced to bring Alan to the Outernet... Chosen doesn't want to know whether Victim tortured her too or if he was nicer to her.

"I... I seem to be targeted by someone, or some individuals- not sure yet.. someone did ambush me and stabbed me a few days ago. They had wings and wore a hood... that's all I know about them for now."

"Hmm... I see.. Sec? Do you still stand by your choice to help him?"

Yellow looks at her friend, who looks at his hands for a second before nodding. Green stares at Second in just fear, Second grabs the other's hand and smiles..

"Well... at least I'm not alone in my own mess... now that I think about it, I feel selfish for wanting help."

Chosen stares at the other figures, Red yawns and curls on the floor, Blue laughs at him. Victim seems to be trying to become one with the chair with how stiff he is. Second and Green are whispering to one another about something. 

"So... what's the plan?"

All eyes are on Yellow again, who looks around nervously.

Chapter Text

Walking through a forest was not on Second's to do list for today. The scenery here is great and he almost wants to come back here later and paint the place. Second shakes his head, he doesn't have time to think about future things to draw or paint, he has a mission to do. 

He shifts his gaze back to Chosen, he looks nervous to say the least. Not that Second blames him, it must suck to be yelled at by Green for asking for help. 

Second sighs and keeps walking. He almost wants to die from the boredom of the lack of things happening- listening to Blue and Yellow bicker about Blue's nether wart addiction and if she has one or not. Green keeps giving Chosen dirty looks and Red is running after Victim- chasing the other with a fricking snake in his arms-

"Come onn! It won't bite I promise!" Red's voice pierces through the forest, Victim keeps running away from the other stick, looking more than ready to burst into tears and cry-

"Stay away from me! It- That's not funny!" Second feels bad for how upset Victim sounds, Red laughs and keeps running after the gray hollowhead. Said gray hollowhead climbs a literal tree... Second stares at the duo. Red still with the snake and Victim clinging onto the branches for life-

".. I didn't know you could climb trees-" Green's voice pierces the silence that came from the screaming. Blue giggles and pokes at Yellow, pointing at the snake in Red's arms... Said snake looks to be either confused or distressed from being carried.

"Red. Let the snake go and Victim, get down from there." Second tries to keep his voice even, trying not to freak out as Victim climbs higher when Red nears the tree.

"Come on Viccy- It's ju-" Red's sentence gets cut off as Victim throws a branch at him, causing the figure to drop the snake, which slithers away from the red figure.

"Never call me that again!"

"You made me lose my snake! You're so mean!"

Victim doesn't even look guilty, which is understandable. Second stares at the duo, until Chosen groans and runs a hand over his face.

"Can the two of you mess around some other time?"

Victim flinches- falling off from the tree and faceplanting onto the ground. Red shrieks and takes a step away from the gray figure. Second's eyes widen and he walks over to Victim, kneeling down next to the other hollowhead.

".. Are you okay...?"

Victim doesn't answer, only getting up and shooting both Red and Chosen murderous glares, before starting to walk forward. Chosen rolls his eyes and shrugs. Second sighs and starts walking after Victim, not wanting the other to get lost alone. 

Second flinches back as a wasp flies past him- his eyes track the bug... wait. Where did Victim go?!

Second takes a deep breath and looks around for signs of the gray figure. He can't find him.

"Calm down- he's just... looking around probably. You're not about to be ambushed by some crazy combat guys that will pause you and take you into a jail cell where you have weird dreams that make you question your existence and you learn about some pow-"

The fallen leaves around him are floating- green glow surrounding them. Second stares at the area around him in shock. He wants out of his own skin.

"I am- I am not some- some god-like figure. I am just me. Orange or- or Second! My friends call me Sec. I- I am not I did not kill someone. But I did."

Second breathes heavily as his situation starts hitting him again- trapped in darkness. Unable to do anything other than bang the metallic walls that surround him. The last thing he saw was himself obliterating The Dark Lord through Chosen's memories. Crying. Screaming at someone anyone. to explain what's happening, but getting no answers. His lungs feel tight. He feels nauseous. His entire body is shaking and-

"I can't do this."

He cries, collapsing onto the ground. Tears rolling down his cheeks as he struggles to even get up. Nausea overwhelms him and he finds it harder and harder to breathe. He wants to just stay here and cry.

"Sec..? Are you- SEC! OH CURSORS! What happened?!"

He stares at the blurry figure of Green kneeling beside him.

"I- I-" Second's voice crack and he gets pulled into a hug.

"Shhh. It's alright." Green's tone is way too calm- Second slumps against the other and cries into his shoulder. He would feel bad for ruining his friend's shirt.. But right now? All he feels is miserable because of everything.

"Deep breaths Sec. You can do it. We can talk about this now, or later."

~~~~

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~~~

Chosen sighs as he keeps walking in the forest, he stares at the red figure with him- notdarknotdarknotdarknotdarknotdark he takes a deep breath.

"Look! It's that's a raven- that's a pigeon.. Chosen..? You seem to be.. lost in thought."

Red's endless ramblings about animals has been a constant source of noise for Chosen, the abrupt interruption to Red's constant talking. Chosen tries to keep his breathing steady as Red's form switches between Dark and Red. hesgonehesgonehesgonehesgonehesgone.  he tries to look away, but he can't.

"I just... never-nevermind. Let's get going.. we have to-"

Chosen hears a crack. Someone is watching them. He looks at Dark Red, seeing the other's wide eyes. The other figure is looking around, as if trying to spot whatever is stalking them. Chosen grabs Red by the arm and starts dragging him.

"Stupid stupid stupid stupid! Why would you assume that his constant chatter wouldn't attract them to come after us! Especially him yelling out my name! Stupid- I should have-"

"Going somewhere, The Chosen One?"

Both Red and Chosen halt after hearing the hostile tone of voice, the duo turns around to stare at the direction of it.

Chosen drops to a fighting stance, Red seems to do the same, staring at the cloaked figure. 

"Hmm.. I see. Trying to replace your lost friend with a look-alike... expect powerless... supposedly."

The stranger sounds almost amused. Chosen throws fire at them, only for the stranger to dodge and pull out a gun. Red tries to charge at them, only for the stranger to run towards him and headbutt the figure, Red falls down clutching his stomach.

"You're gonna pay for that!" Chosen freezes the stranger's leg to the ground. The stranger flinches, before pulling out a fricking machete- where does this figure keep pulling these weapons?! Chosen yelps as he feels sharp pain on his arm- he screeches and kicks the stranger far away from himself.

"CHOSEN! You're- you're bleeding!"

Chosen stares down at his arm- static-like liquid coming out of the open wound. Chosen grits his teeth and tries to wrap a hand around the wound- only for Red to take off his headband and wrap it around Chosen's arm.

"We have to get that stitched! I-"

"Is The Chosen One having a bit of a trouble with his wound~?" The stranger's voice sounds almost mocking, Chosen throws fire at their way.

"You're not worth the effort.. not today when I have better things to focus on."

The stranger's cloak almost... expands and-

Oh. They have wings. What- No wonder they follow him so easily. 

The stranger takes off, leaving behind Chosen and Red.

"Uh.."

"We've got to find others. You need medical attention."

Chosen almost wants to argue back- but his arm hurts like hell. Not as much as the injuries he got from Dark during their fight.. and Victim. The- no. nononono- Don't think about it.

"... Fine.."

Red grins and holds Chosen's hand, guiding him along the forest. Chosen sighs and keeps half stumbling along. His arm is starting to feel almost disgusting with the amount of both dried blood, and the blood that is still oozing out of the wound. 

"Don't worry! Blue knows how to do stitches. She can patch you up."

Chosen doesn't even bother trying to say anything. He stares at Dark Red... He misses Dark.

~~

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~~

Second sighs as he keeps gripping Green's hand as if the other is trying to yank it away, everything feels like it's too much. The duo came back to the first place they split up in... that was a mistake. Why did Victim have to run away?

"You holding up okay Orange?"

Second nods and wipes his tears again. He gives Green's hand a tight squeeze and sits down on the ground, Green sitting next to him.

"So... You wanna talk about it or..?"

"No... not right now, sorry..."

Green gives him a reassuring smile and drapes an arm over Second's shoulder. 

"I guess we'll just have to wait for the others to return..."

"I hope they'll be alright..."

Second hums and leans against Green, he can almost feel how warm the other feels. He looks up and sees Green's flustered face- the color of it matching Red's.

"H-hey you- you can't-"

"You're warm..." Second shuffles around- ending up leaning against Green's chest. Green sighs and pets Second's hair.

The duo stays like that for a while, until they hear footsteps. They both look up and see Red- who appears to be half-dragging Chosen along.

"Oh, you two are back alre- CHOSEN! You're injured!" Second gets immediately up from his friend's lap personal heater and runs towards the other duo- looking at Chosen's injury.

"I.. I'm fine..?" 

"No you're not!"

Second yells at Chosen and yanks the other hollowhead down, trying to think about how to patch up the other.

"... So... I suppose Blue isn't here? She's the best pick for this deep wound..." Red stares at Green and then at Second.

"We'll just wait for her to come... We'll make something to make it bleed less in the meanwhile."

Chapter Text

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~~

Victim breathes heavily as he half-limps through the forest. Sure is funny to be chased around by someone holding a snake! Not the first time he's been chased by someone holding something lethal. Victim slams against a tree, his entire body already ached after falling from the tree, but faceplanting onto one? He feels liquid running down his face. He wipes the lower side of his face, only to look at his hand and see static. Great! Just what he wanted.

Who is he kidding? He's a weakling.

Victim slaps himself and gets up again, only to be hit with nausea- painpainpainpainpainpain He nearly doubles over, his legs give out under him. 

He stares at his leg, trailing his eyes down to his ankles. He takes his shoes off and-

oh... his ankle is slightly swollen- 

Victim stares at his probably sprained ankle and lifts it up in the air, resting it against the tree he just faceplanted onto. He grips his stupidly short and uneven hair. He wants to cry- 

"I look like a mess."

Victim stares at the sky. He feels just.. so tired- tired of everything. Having to live in a constant fear of his Creator deleting him- Having to live with the other stick figures, who probably hate him and... Living with the failure that he himself is. 

"A small nap wouldn't hurt, right..?"

Oh how wrong he would be.

Walking through the streets within the city, doing odd errands for... someone- why can't it remember the name It stares at the list it has on it's hand. Staring at the underlined word of Cat food ... it doesn't quite remember why it was so important... oddly enough- a ginger cat comes to it's mind from the word "cat".

It keeps walking, unaware of the eyes on it. Keeping a hood on to hide it's sick-looking state and hollow head. It walks past a few wanted posters for some other figures... a black and dark red ones. The names escape it's mind the moment it reads them. 

The names are not important if it can't remember them, right?

It stares at the list... wait.. who even gave the list to it..?

It shakes it's head, only to stumble onto another figure-

"Oh. I- I- Cu-Cursors I'm so- so sorry!"

It feels eyes on itself. The other figure stumbles away from it, screaming for some reason. Some other figures give it odd looks, as if there was something wrong with it. Someone quickly starts to fumble with their phone, before-

There are arms on it. It screams- only to be punched in the back of it's head. It's ears are ringing as it gets yelled at. Giving no answer to the yelling causes someone to kick it.

What did it do wrong?

It feels more kicks coming it's way... It's legs are starting to hurt.

"Your kind deserves to die!"

"Lavender! Get closer to me. That one could be dangerous!"

"It looks sick... Maybe it needs an ambulance...?"

"Are you crazy?! It'll probably wreak havoc upon this city sooner or later just like the others of it's kind!"

The words hurt, even if it doesn't understand why.

The kicking hurts. So does the punching. It doesn't understand why it feels so familiar...

victimvictimvictimvictimvictimvictimvictimvictimvictimvictimvictim

Victim wakes up covered in cold sweat, what a wonderful nap! The bitter thought comes to him the moment he registers that, no, he is not being kicked and punched just because... he looks a certain way. And he also isn't being.. don't think about it. If you don't think about it, you can't be affected by it. It can't make you feel helpless and only around for some sick entertainment.

He looks at his arms, there are bruises all around them from the fall he took... Gray. A color often associated with death and illness... and somehow.. he's still here, breathing, living. Despite everything, he is still alive here.

Victim tries to even out his breathing, even if it causes him to just feel more nauseous. He tries to get up again, only to feel like he's about to have a code rejection.. not that he cares. He half crawls towards something- anything other than this spot in particular.

His arm hits something wet. He stares at the river, seeing his own reflection. He looks... just as bad as he used to. Now that he barely goes to meet any outsiders to who he knows, he hasn't been really caring for his looks. 

He looks... dead to say the least. As if he was still within the endless abyss- no. He can't think about it.

Victim sighs and stares at his reflection.. well- he has nothing better to do.

"I... uh... Hi...? I guess- Oh I'm just sounding insane- talking to myself... haha.. Well.. Green did call me a psychopath, so..."

He touches the river again, as if expecting something to change- something to happen.

"I guess I just... I don't really feel like I belong with the... kids. I just- just feel so awkward! I don't understand why he's so nice to them! I don't- It's not fair! I- I- Why didn't I get to live?"

Victim wipes his eyes, he refuses to cry. He won't cry over this, not again.

"I just... nevermind... I guess... in a way I feel..."

Victim trails off and stares at the river- his reflection looks almost funny. He tilts his head... the reflection doesn't follow. He jolts back before looking at it again- the reflection looks wrong.

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He hears ringing- it won't stop. His reflection keeps morphing into something that looks wrong. He scrambles away from the river only to hear a crack, causing him to snap his head into the direction of the sound.

A figure emerges from the forest. The stupid ringing won't stop... is it ringing... it's more like some odd.. beeping. He grips his hair as the figure nears him- saying something. It gets muffled by the odd sounds.

The figure changes to a darker color. dangerdangerdangerrunrunrunrunrunrun- Victim does the only thing he knows and-

He falls. Hitting something icy cold and wet.

"VICTIM!"

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~~

..tim- ...... ar... me...?"

Victim opens his eyes- he feels cold and nauseous- he gets up and coughs up water. It leaves a salty taste in his mouth. His clothes cling onto his body and they feel heavy, so do his eyes. Scratch that- everything feels heavy. He gets patted in the back, causing him to flinch away from the contact- only to stumble forwards and faceplant onto something... or someone-

"Oh- I'm sorry! Didn't mean to scare you!" The voice sounds muffled, not that Victim cares. He feels so tired. Another nap won't hurt him, right?

"I swear if you fall asleep I'll shake you awake-" The threat doesn't even sound like one. Victim just feels too tired to care whether Blue is being serious or not.

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~~

Chosen groans.. Everything sounds muffled for some reason. Everything hurts. Someone is screaming at him for some odd reason and- 

"WAKE UP PLEASE!"

He winces from how loud the sound is. 

Chosen hesitantly opens his eyes, only for the light to nearly blind him, before someone blocks it, said someone being a certain orange figure.

"Oh- Cursors you scared us! You- you just... you can't do that when you're this injured!" Second's tone sounds worried. Not that Chosen can blame him. He hears rustling, assuming that it's Green or Red doing something stupid, only to hear some frantic whispering, before hearing a slight thud.

"What happened to him?! Is he alright?" Second runs off to the direction of the thud. Chosen hesitantly gets up, despite how his arm throbs from the slight movement.

"He... I don't really know what happened- he looked freaked out and- and well... as you can see..." Blue trails off.

Chosen stares at the slumped over gray figure. He looks like a wet cat- Chosen nearly laughs at the thought, shaking his head and looking at the other figures. Yellow seems to be poking at Victim for some reason. He tries to turn around to leave them to worry about Victim, only for Blue to jump at him-

"YOU! You're bleeding- wait. No you're not- that's dried blood- BUT STILL!" Blue shakes Chosen by the shoulders, causing the shorter figures arm to flare up in pain. Blue yelps and lets go of him.

"I'm sorry! I- ah... I'll take a look at that, 'kay?"

Chosen nods and lets himself be guided to sit down by Blue, he stares off into the distance, only to hear snickering behind him. He whips his head around and sees Second trying not to burst into laughter.

Chosen shoots him a glare, causing Second to double over and have tears in his eyes. He keeps a hand in front of his mouth.

"... Real mature."

Yellow keeps poking at Victim, causing the gray figure to kick the other weakly. That guy has zero self-preservation skills, doesn't he? Chosen squirms as he feels the wound starting to sting, he shoots Blue a glare, in return, she shrugs. How helpful. Chosen stares at Second again. The orange figure is talking with Yellow- who is still poking Victim.

"... I do wonder who the winged asshole was... Nevermind! What if they attacked Victim and- why do I care? Why should I care... Sure I don't hate him but.."

Chosen stares at the gray figure, as pathetic as he looks right now- Chosen can't quite... look past the entire... torturing him for information and going through his memories thing- 

He sighs and looks at the forest, he doesn't want to think about how he feels about that right now..

~~

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Chapter Text

The trip back to the PC was uneventful... if you can call one of the sticks passing out from exhaustion, another one's injury starting to bleed again and third one getting a breakdown about something, they refused to put it into words-

It was going greatly! So well that you could say it was excellent!

Blue sighs and stares at the still-asleep gray figure. He hasn't moved an inch.. she can't help but feel like he's dead or something. 

"Blue..? Everything alright?" Yellow's quiet voice pierces her thoughts. She snaps her head into Yellow's direction, before shaking her head.

"I just... how should I say it? I don't think that he should be sleeping." Blue answers. "He's.. just always so miserable looking- maybe we could ask... well- none of us really know him that well.. yet at least-" She continues, hoping that Yellow would have some form of clue with what to do with Victim.

"But we can't just let that... winged stick get away with chasing after Chosen and injuring him!" Yellow sighs and continues "It's just... we don't have any real time right now to think about whether someone feels comfortable with something or not... not that it matters. For him at least- he clearly didn't care if we were comfortable when-" 

"You can't just- hold a grudge over it, Yell-" Blue stares at the other, she takes a deep breath and continues, not wanting Yellow to misunderstand her words "But.. Yes- he did hurt you. He hurt Sec- he hurt Chosen... He wanted to hurt so many others for some reason. But... we don't know his reasoning. We forgave Mango and-"

"It's not the same thing! He lost his kid to a game and we kept trying to ruin his plan to destroy the game! Victim!? He tortured Chosen! He trapped Sec in a highly secured cell with nothing to do! HE INVADED MY MEMORIES!" Yellow yells out in anger, Blue flinches back and shoots a wary look at the gray figure.

"He doesn't get some- some special treatment just because he lost!" Yellow continues, clenching her hands into fists. She looks just so angry.

"... I... I'm sorry.. For bringing this up..." Blue's voice comes out way more timid than she wanted, not that it matters, she just wants things to go back the way they were.

Yellow sighs and sits down on the desktop, next to Blue. 

"I... I shouldn't have snapped like that. I know you didn't mean it like that..." 

"No- I- I overstepped a boundary. I should have... thought about how you feel about this entire thing."

Yellow stays quiet, the silence feels so awkward. So heavy- almost crushing. Blue sighs and fiddles with her sleeves... she pulls out a piece of nether wart, biting into the mushroom-like item and chewing it. All of her problems feel so little- what's the point of holding a grudge? She feels a sense of calm wash over her and she can't help but want to give Yellow some, she's always worrying about the most minor things! Just like Sec! Those two could really use some nether wart.

"I thought I told you to stop doing that... We told you that it's harmful for you." Yellow's words come out as a mutter. Blue scoffs and looks at the red substance in her hands. 

"It's not even that bad- Remember when Victim-"

"Yes I do. I thought we all agreed to never talk about it again."

Yellow mutters out, before casting a look at the gray figure. He looks... pitiful to say the least- if you had told Blue just a couple of weeks ago that their new enemy that abducted Second and Chosen would be their new roommate, she would have called you insane..

She wants to laugh at the situation.

"Look... We'll just have a chat with the others about what we'll do with.. everything. And make sure that Chosen is no longer getting chased around- and that way he won't be endangering us ever again! Simple as that!" Blue crosses her arms and sighs. Despite saying it, it doesn't feel simple at all. Nothing does. Victim is a living reminder of how nothing will go back to how it was. It'll never be the same. She misses the simpler times so much. Back when all they had to worry about were each other and were living happily in the PC, no outsiders coming and going.

In a way... she wants to just... make the entire virus incident go away. In that way, they wouldn't know Chosen. Then they wouldn't be dragged into his messes. Is it selfish to want that? Blue doesn't know, nor does she want to know. 

Yellow takes off her glasses and tries to clean them with her shirt... Blue can't help but almost feel bad for her friend for having a bad vision. The duo sits in silence, and honestly? Blue wouldn't trade it for the world. It makes her feel like there's nothing to worry about.

~~

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~~

"Are we even sure that he'd agree to it? Staying here and-" 

"He doesn't get to choose! He went ahead and got himself in trouble-"

"We have no time for this. He'll understand why we're doing this. Even if he won't like it." 

Chosen stares at the arguing trio. It started with Yellow suggesting that they leave Victim here to stay and the rest of them go and find the winged prick. Second did not like the idea of leaving Victim alone in the PC with potentially Alan being around... especially when taking the entire.. Victim wanting to kill or hurt Alan thing-

He sighs and almost wants to say that he'll just suck it up and stay behind with the gray hollowhead, but he'd honestly rather die than be willfully alone with the other.  

Chosen grips his arms and feels the ground beneath him get colder, he looks down and sees ice forming beneath him... great! Just what he needed!

He stares at the gray figure... he looks weird to say the least, as if there is something wrong with him.

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... he can't quite put a finger on it. All he knows is that there is something... off about the gray hollowhead- and it's not the lack of powers.

"We can't just leave him alone with Alan! You've seen how jumpy they are around him! And there's no real way for Victim to communicate where we went to Alan- and he might blame Victim for us disappearing!" Second does make a good point. There's no way Alan trusts Victim- let alone their word even if he could communicate with the animator. There's no way Alan would be willing to hear out someone who is not one of the colorful five, and believe them.

Chosen grits his teeth. He just wants this all to be over already so he can go back to... his isolation. He misses Dark. He doesn't deserve nice things anymore. He was a horrible person. Maybe he did deserve-

He pushes the thought away before it completes itself. He refuses to believe that.

"We don't have time! What if that psycho is after Chosen already- tracking him down and- and.. What if they come here?"

Yellow's question silences Second, who proceeds to stare at the ground. 

Chosen feels like he's intruding upon something. Red coughs awkwardly, Green whacks him as if telling him to stay quiet. The silence feels crushing. 

"... I know... I just don't think that leaving Victim here alone is a good idea." Second mutters out, they sound almost upset. "They're just... Always so scared. He always looks so scared to be around Alan."

"Maybe it's time for Victim to suck it up. Just like we had to suck it up when they were keeping us as prisoners!" Yellow sounds bitter, not that Chosen can blame her. Blue fidgets with her hair, looking nervously at her friend.

"Are we sure he'll be fine..? Like. No real harm will be done? If so, then what's stopping us from leaving them to recover from nearly drowning." Green pipes in, Yellow and Second stare at him. Chosen finds himself staring at Green as well. That actually is a good argument. If there is no real harm in it, then why not just leave Victim behind? 

"How do we know that Alan will-"

"Alan is a great guy! He knows that we like to goof around in Minecraft. That we do stuff out of the PC! What reason would he have to believe that we're in danger?"

And that is it. A decision has been made... Chosen doubts that Victim will be happy about it but... maybe Victim deserves to feel uncomfortable. no real damage will be done, right?

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~~~

Green hates this already. Being in danger. Being on the run. Looking for something. Maybe he in particular deserves to feel miserable after the entire-  No. They're over it. They all decided that it turned out just fine and great and- 

He just feels bad right now. He glances at Second, who looks just as upset to be here as Green does... he wants to go back to the PC already.

Green speed-walks towards Second, grabbing their hand. The duo lags behind slightly, Chosen looks back, before shaking his head and looking forwards again... he looks tense.

"Everything... alright...?"

Green tries quietly, knowing that there's no way for it to be alright. Not after everything that had happened just barely a month ago- nothing has been the same ever since... ever since Chosen came to ask Second for help the first time.

"Please just say something. I'm begging you."

To his disappointment, Second remains silent. Green squeezes his hand. Second squeezes back- even if it's weakly.

"Okay. What did the... winged dude look like?"

"Well.. they did have wings and- and... they headbutted me... that hurt a lot-" Red mutters quietly. Green stares at him in shock, he didn't know that Red was headbutted- let alone that he was injured-

"WHAT!?" Blue's voice chimes in, she immediately walks towards Red and starts fiddling with his shirt, trying to see his stomach.

"I'm fine! I promise." Red tries to argue... there is no arguing with Blue when she wants to help.

Green glances back at Chosen as Blue mumbles something about nasty bruising- ... the black figure looks oddly... almost detached? As if his mind isn't really here in this moment right now... lost in thought? Maybe. He shakes his head and looks back at Second.

"Is he alright.. no. There's no way they're even remotely okay. I just want to help him but he refuses to talk about it."

"So we just look for some crazy guy who is willing to kill Chosen? Cool!" 

Yellow facepalms at Blue's sarcastic remark. This trip will be wonderful! Can't wait for more of this stupid walking around aimlessly looking for someone! Green sighs and looks at the skynet... he almost wants to just go back to the PC, he'd take the crazy gray hollowhead's company over this right now.. nevermind- being around them is worse than torture. The guy doesn't know how to act around anyone! What's his problem?

Second squeezes Green's hand and looks up at him, Green looks at Second and tries to give him a reassuring smile... he feels like it comes off as wrong... Second lets out a snicker, Green looks at them in pure confusion. Second shrugs and starts walking forwards again, leaving Green feeling more confused than before.

"I didn't look that silly, right..?"

Chapter Text

Chosen is starting to really think that he's going nuts- every single crack feels like a threat and he can't help but feel like he's in constant danger he is. He is in danger. He takes a deep breath. 

"Thoughts can't hurt me... no matter how stupid and wrong they are."

He stares at the group in front of him- a flash of red and DarkDarkDarkDark- He shakes his head, he doesn't have time for this!

"I can't wait until this is all over! Uh... no offence Chosen..." Green does not sound apologetic at all, not that Chosen cares. He did bring them into his trouble again... he really should just make a... what can he make that won't hurt anyone, but also makes everyone leave him alone? His foot gets stuck in something- said something being ice. Great! Just what he needed.

He yanks his foot out of the ice. He is really starting to hate how much easier Dark- 

A knife against his throat in the middle of the night.

"Dark?!"

"...Die."

Fire. Ice. Restricted. Not him. Chosen beating him. The next morning no words were spoken.

... The thought leaves him before it even forms properly. He grips his hair- the ribbon keeping the long strands together feels insulting. The red color of it matching his eyes- yet also matching someone else. DarkDarkHemisseshimsomuchallhisfaulthisfaulthisfaulthis-

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He stares at Red- it's not fair. He just wants to say sorry. But he can't. It's too late for that.

He really misses Dark. And he has no-one else but himself for that. Maybe they could have talked things through! Dark would have understood, right?! He was always so understanding. He even helped Chosen with his wish to destroy stuff and- he loved it. Chosen made him into a destruction loving monster that wanted to destroy everyone and everything.

Is it a wonder it all turned out this way..? It's all Chosen's fault. It always was. If he had just fought harder against Alan, if only he had escaped from his enslavement quicker, none of this would have ever happened. If only he had talked.

He slaps his own face. He just wants the stupid memories to disappear. Maybe seeing Dark get killed should have hurt more than it did. It did. It hurts so much he wants to actually die. He should have been the one who died instead of Dark.

"....osen...? Chosen!"

Chosen stares at Second. Why are they so concerned for- Oh. His legs are frozen to the ground.

"Have I.. Did I actually just freeze onto the ground?! Over nothing!?"

He can't really do anything other than berate himself for letting his thoughts spiral, he should have been able to handle it by himself, he's already caused enough trouble to others. He really should have been the one in Dark's place. No wonder Victim-

...

Chosen grips his arms, he takes a deep breath, or at least tries to. His lungs feel... empty and tight and everything hurts and-

He hisses in pain-

Oh. He's bleeding. He stares at his arm... his nails dug too deep into it- 

"Chosen! Earth to Chosen! You... alright there...?" Second sounds... concerned..? Why would he be concerned it's not like- right. He did ask for help. Chosen tries to give a reassuring smile to the younger figure, he can't. He doesn't know how to do that. All he manages is just a tiny forced looking smile... He really hasn't smiled since Dark died. Liar. He smiled after he was freed from the Box. Even if that freedom was short-lived. Once again, hunted down.. 

"Why was Victim so... angry? Why was he so brutal with the torture.. I don't get it. He seemed so angry. And now he's just... sad."

Chosen sighs, he really doesn't know what is going through Victim's head.. neither does he want to. Why would any of that belong to him?

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Chosen sighs, he feels like he's hearing things again. Maybe it'll pass like it always does. But why do the voices sounds sound so familiar. Maybe being tortured in a box messed with his mind or something..? 

He really should have threatened Victim into paying therapy for him. 

Second stares at him, patient... the same can't be said about the others. Well.. Red seems to be having fun staring at a butterfly, Yellow and Blue are talking to one another... they're holding hands, for some reason- Green looks done with this entire ordeal already. Chosen would apologize to him, but he doesn't think it'd do anything.

"Are we actually starting to get going now? Or are you going to keep freezing yourself onto the ground?" .. At least Green doesn't sound hostile.. If he was, Chosen would have felt even more guilty.

"...Yeah. Let's just... get going." Chosen mutters out. He starts walking again, he almost wants to run away from the situation he himself created. He hates how much he'd rather hide away from all of his actions, instead of actually confronting them. Does that make him a bad person..? It does. He's killed others. He has destroyed homes. He is a horrible person.

He takes a deep breath and grips his arms. He'll manage it. 

"Do you think we should split up..?" Second mutters out, they sound unsure.

"Not- uh... I just think that there's no real way to find this creep unless they come to us.. or well... Chosen. And if he's surrounded by all of us, they might feel like not doing a one against six fight..." They continue. Chosen finds himself agreeing with the orange figure, if only because splitting up would mean less chances to get scrutinized by Green for freezing and getting them into this mess.  It sounds like a smart decision. He wishes he could be grouped up with Second or something... 

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Chosen feels like he's about to get a migraine from the stupid argument between Red and Blue. Something about how they're lost and it's all Red's fault. Blue's screaming would be enough to notify anyone about her whereabouts, Red's would be enough to make a wild goose-chase start because everyone would hear him screaming and mistake it as a scream for help.

Chosen rubs his temples in an attempt to soothe the headache. Cursors he misses Dark and- ... He just wants his brother back.  It's not fair. he should be the one who's dead and gone. Chosen stares at the other two, he'd take Green's mild glares over this any day. He'd even take Victim's- ... nevermind that. 

"What do you mean by you weren't paying attention?!" 

"I was! Not my fault this entire place looks the same in all directions!" 

Chosen is about to blow a fuse with how annoying these two are being right now. Seriously, who's idea was it to pair him up with these two?!

He sighs and stares at the forest ahead of them. Now that he thinks about it, it is pretty hard to navigate places. He shoots a stare at the arguing duo and shoots up into the sky with fire, he looks around for any signs of life, anything, or anyone.

Everything seems normal...

"Wait what's that blur-"

He screams as something hits him, pain coursing through his body, causing him to fall from the sky. He hits the ground, his limbs hurt. There are people talking frantically.

"Chosen?! What happened? You fell! Are you okay?"

"What's that on your arm!? What happened?"

He stares at his arm, huh... that looks like a.. some sort of bullet... kinda like the bullets the mercenaries used when hunting him down.

He feels pain. His entire body hurts. He tries to croak out any words, only to fail. Blue helps him sit up and the trio just sit in silence. Chosen bites his lip to not make any sound of pain. He really doesn't want to seem any weaker than the others view him as. He feels like his head is about to explode from the pain. What did he do to deserve-

"The Chosen One? That's an odd name for someone as cruel as you are"

Please no! Spare her!"

"Mommy..? Who's that?"

"Citrus!?"

"Why did you do all of that... why kill others.. The Chosen One?"

The words from someone pierce through the mess that are his thoughts. 

The worst part is that he doesn't have an answer to that.

Maybe he does deserve the pain he experiences. If only to make up for the sins he has committed. But no. Nothing will be enough.

Chosen feels like he's about to have a code-rejection just from the pain. The scurrying thoughts are not helping his case. His world seems to darken, haha- He really has fallen, hasn't he?

"Let's get you up...And somewhere more comfortable.." Red mutters out and yanks Chosen up, he stares at the other figure in shock. Red doesn't seem to mind his staring, only draping one of Chosen's arms over his shoulder and trying to help him walk. 

Chosen feels almost embarrassed of being treated like this, as if he can't walk on his own he can't. He'd just fall and look even more ridiculously pathetic. and as if he lacks the strength to do the most simple task of just.. not caring about whatever pain he's in.

"Maybe I could take a look at that.. and try getting it out..?" Blue offers, her voice unsure. These kids sure do seem jumpy around him sometimes.

"... Sure." Chosen manages to mutter out. He stares blankly forwards as Red keeps making sure he isn't keeling over any time soon.

~~~~~~~~~~

Walking has become such an annoying routine for Second that they want to scream. He looks at Green and Yellow. He misses the simpler times when it was just the five of them goofing around in the PC... before... everything.

Before the virus.

"Sec..? Everything good? You're kinda... getting left behind." Green's voice pierces through their thoughts. Second finds himself nearly blushing as they realize that he was too caught up in his own thoughts to keep up the pace.

"I- I uh... Sorry. Just... thinking. Nothing more." Second manages to get out. That's a lie. When did they start lying to everyone? Why would they prefer lying over telling the truth. He doesn't get it. It's like.. maybe being locked in a cell for weeks messed with him a bit... Maybe having your memories looked through for... "research purposes" .. whatever that meant. 

"If you say so. Remember that if... if there's anything bothering you, you can always talk to me. Or any of us." Second stares at Green, who offers him a reassuring smile. 

Yellow looks behind her and sighs. 

"Are you two coming or not?" She sounds almost done with them. Green chuckles awkwardly and grabs Second by the hand. Walking them back to Yellow. 

Yellow grabs Green's hand and starts dragging both of them along. 

"This is fine. Once this is all over we can all go on our separate ways! And Victim will... He'll learn to like the PC... I hope."

Second stares at the scenery around them, it's beautiful. He really likes this place.. if only for-

"What's that?" Yellow's voice disturbs their thoughts. Second looks at whatever she's looking at. 

"That's just a plant." Green pipes in, staring at the odd plant. It looks... almost drawn..?

"Yeah, I can see that. But why does it.. why would it have eyes."

Second tilts his head and pokes the plant. It's eye closes and opens again. It's pupils staring at Second... he feels oddly enough threatened by a literal plant. 

"I think we should leave it alone..." Yellow mumbles out and takes a step away from the plant. Green grabs Second's hand and leads them away from the plant.

"... You should probably wash your hand."

Second sighs and nods as Green starts leading him somewhere, Yellow trailing behind and looking around.

Eventually, they come across a river, Second wastes no time with submerging his hand into the cold water. He stares at their reflection... 

Everything looks off, given the context behind their not so orange appearance. Sure there is barely anything but... His eyes bother him. A lot. It looks stupid to have dual colored eyes.. no offence to Victim. He just dislikes having green in the middle of his orange eyes. And the green streaks in his hair are not helping their case either.

Maybe they'd feel better about knowing they have powers if they didn't kill a guy.

"I can't recall it. But I've seen it... and it's not.. fair. To be dropped that bombshell after being held in captivity. After.. everything. Chosen didn't even bother with explaining anything!"

Second keeps staring at the water, he wants to cry. Shed tears for the life he took. But it was self defense, wasn't it? The Dark Lord killed their friends. Right in front of his eyes. And then tried killing him. It was self defense. 

But why doesn't it feel that way? He feels like a horrible person. He killed someone. And he doesn't even remember doing it.

"Second? You washed your hand yet?"

"Uh- Yeah! Coming." Second croaks out and rushes to his friends' side. He grabs Green's hand and starts walking along the others.

"So... what are we even looking for?"

"I don't even know. Pretty sure we're already lost."

"What."

"What."

~~~~

"...Please."

Waking up is a horrible thing. Especially when your eye feels swollen...

They feel like their eye is infected. Their body hurts. Their leg hurts. So does their torso. Everything does.

They try to get another word out, only to fail as their throat betrays them with sending them into a coughing fit.

They feel like they're about to have a code-rejection from the sheer amount of pain they feel.. no. They have to keep going. It doesn't matter.

They shake the memory away. They have no time to worry about the past. They have to live in the moment. They stare at the stump that is their leg.

"Deep breaths.. You're fine."

It still hurts. A lot. But they're getting better at navigating life like this. They might still feel awful and bad, but...

Everything will be okay. Sooner or later.

Chapter Text

Victim groans as light hits their eyes. He feels cold. His limbs feel heavy... it almost reminds them of- Crawling away, slowly erased. Ithurtsithurtsithurtsithurts- Screaming. More crawling. Death.

.. He pushes the thought out of his mind. He's already done this once! He can do this again! This time they're not alone here and vulnerable and-

He can't hear a single other voice. Victim gets up, only for his legs to nearly give out under them. He half stumbles out of his room and looks around, he takes a deep breath and takes a step forward. He walks down the stairs, his legs feel like liquid. He tries to push the thought out of their mind and keeps walking downdowndowndownfallingithurtshisheadhurtswhy- the stairs seems so long and they seem to go on forever

He loses his footing.

Stumbling down the stairs once again and he screams, only for it to stop immediately. He.. He stumbled only two stairs down. But it looked like it was so many more. He takes a shaky breath and prepares to get up, only for his body to refuse to move. His ears are ringing. The hallway feels too small. Restrictive. Just like-

Don't think about it.

.- .-. . / -.-- --- ..- / --- -.- .- -.--

--. .. ...- . / - .... . -- / .- / ... . -.-. --- -. -..

Victim grips onto a trapdoor and yanks themself up, he looks around again.. he seems to be doing that a lot.. ever since moving here and-

"Is everything alright? You seem stressed out..."

He nearly throws up. Just the memory of that voice is enough to make him want to cry. Everything feels worse than before. He wants to curl into a corner and cry.

But corners are bad. 

He tries to walk forwards, with some success. Making it out of the house seems like a blessing for a second. But only for a second.

Where is everyone.

Is he all alone again?

Victim feels like he's about to pass out. His lungs refuse to work. His body feels stiff. Their body is shaking. They stare at the screen. There is no blurry tormentor individual behind it. He tries to move, only to fail as his body refuses to move further.

"If I don't move. Nothing bad will happen! That's how it goes! Right?!"

The downright delusional thought hits him like a brick. He almost giggles at how absurd it is. Giggling seems to be a problem as he finds it very hard to breathe. It remind him of... don't.

They stare at the screen...

Why is he staring at them. Oh no. When did he get here.

Victim's entire body freezes. The cursor shifts around, going way past the shaking figure. Only to click open a tab. Victim feels like he's about to pass out just from the wait.

The cursor keeps shifting around, as if not paying attention to the shaky figure, but he knows better. They should always be ready for anything! Everything!

Uh. Where are the others?|

Victim stares at the words above. He feels like his body is getting more and more like ice. Unfortunately for him, he lacks the ability to freeze themself when feeling threatened. He doesn't have powers at all. He can't breathe. His lungs are burning. His vision blurring.

"Yourefineyourefineyourefineyourefine"

He isn't fine. He wants to cry. He doesn't know what to do. His body refuses to move yet he's shaking.

Seriously? Victim. Where are the others?|

He doesn't know. He can't say anything. What is he to do. Alan is angry what if he decides to take it out on him. Maybe-

The cursor approaches him and-

Waking up was a horrible thing. Maybe it would have been nice to find yourself alive. But after the third time, you realize that all you are is a toy for someone else to beat up, to kill. To abuse.

It stares at the white triangular shape. Or tries to. Hard to do that when you're cowering in fear. Fearing to be crushed alive, to be bashed against something. To be... impaled. It almost feels like every single way it dies leaves a mark. It's eye feels odd. Nevermind eye, it's entire face feels odd.

Everything does. It's body failing itself. Being torn. Or more like erased, slowly and painfully. It hurts. It all hurts so much. Every single time it gets brought back, it experiences just more and more pain.

Will it's suffering ever be enough to satisfy the Creator?

It tries to look around, only to get shot at with a firework, the explosion leaving it's ears ringing. It tries to run away... huh? Static. Static running down it's head. Static from it's ears. It can't hear a single thing.

It tries to produce a sound, it doesn't hear it. It runs away and-

Bombbombbombbombnononononotfairnotfairnotfair

It wakes up again. The world still remains white. Nothing's fine.

The cursor approaches. Only to- there is a sword lodged into it's chest. It cries. It tries to get it out, nothing helps. It's movements becoming weaker. All it's Creator doing is just... watching it suffer.

why?

Victim screams. Everything is too much and something is touching him, poking them. It feels oddly...almost gentle. As if whatever's poking him isn't necessarily trying to hurt him. It's weird.

He takes a shaky breath, did the others come back to him being passed out or-

You kinda.. collapsed. You good?|

Victim feels like he's about to pass out again, or have a code-rejection. Everything is horrible. They want to scream, to run away. Why won't the cursor leave him alone?! Did he do something wrong and-

Victim?|

victimvictimvictimvictimvictimvictimvictimvictim victimvictimvictimvictimvictimvictimvictimvictim victimvictimvictimvictimvictimvictimvictimvictim

The name title word keeps repeating in his head like a mantra. He wants it to end. Maybe if he was actually meant to stay alive, instead of getting killed over and over again, he'd actually have a chance...

Victim breathes heavily, his limbs feel heavy. Their body feels heavy. It all feels so bad. Victim grips their arms, trying to scratch themself to distract himself from the cursor near him. The cursor shifts and pokes at him, he flinches away. The cursor doesn't stop. It keeps pestering him for no reason. 

He stares up at the screen, watching the blurry figure behind it... it just makes him feel worse. Seeing his creator just stare down at him. Just like he used to. Victim wants to cry. He refuses to.

"Vee..? What's going on? You were screaming in your sleep again..."

The need to cry feels somehow even worse now. He wants to scream, to cry, anything really. Just to get rid of these stupid feelings inside of him.

The stupid cursor won't stop pestering them. Why?! Why him. Why won't he leave them alone? 

Victim?|

Answer me. Where are the others?|

He doesn't know. Why would they know. The animator shifts closer, Victim scrambles away, only to be swooped over by the cursor. He shivers. It all feels like that again. The cursor just stays still, the animator seems worried  bored. That's bad. That's when he's the most cruel. Boredom is a curse. And Victim will be the one who will pay for it.

He tries to breathe, it doesn't work. The cursor comes closer, he screams and crawls away, until he manages to get himself up again, and running to the toolbar, trying to find a way out. He doesn't.

There is no way out. There is no escape. There is no escape.

Victim slumps against the stupid program. The realization hits him like a brick. There is no escape. He stares at the tools, an idea striking him.

He grabs the pencil and the eraser, pointing them at the animator, who just slowly shifts closer.

"I won't let you kill me. Ever again."

He tries to draw himself a weapon. The animator swoops him over again, the pencil escapes their grip. They won't be killed by him ever again. They refuse to be a victim.

They stare at the eraser. The pain is only temporary. He takes a shaky breath and-

swoop.

"Vee..? These drawings of yours... they're rather... gruesome. Do you... want to talk about it..?"

"... No. Sorry."

"That's alright. Take your time."

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Convert to symbol

Name

victim

He awakes with a screech. Shaking rapidly and looking around. Why is he back? Did Alan want them to suffer again or-

The cursor is just still. Not even attempting to go near them anymore. Is this some sick game?

The animator doesn't even bother to give them the decency of getting hit, poked, hurt.

Are they really that pitiful? Is this why nobody even remotely likes his presence? 

Why should others like him if he doesn't even like himself?

Victim tries to walk around, his body refuses to move. His body looks wrong. Too saturated, wrong. He feels sick and-

His code rejects itself. Static escaping from his insides, leaving him heaving. He stares at the puddle of static on the program's floor. 

Their arms are lighter in shade?

The thought has barely any time to invade their mind before another tremor goes through their body, causing them to hack up even more static.

The animator still refusing to even acknowledge them. How cruel. Is this the new game? Staring as he suffers? Wasn't it always that? Just getting Victim to suffer more and more.

The animator shifts the cursor further away from Victim, leaving the figure waiting for something. Victim stares up at the animator, he just stares right back at them, as if aware of the fact that he's being stared at. 

It feels strange. 

The animator gives them a look before getting up from his chair and.

Leaving?!

And this time without the dinner lady's yell. Huh? Victim feels even more confused.

Said confusion turns into hate for himself as another code rejection attacks him. He feels sick- too sick for it to be fun.

This is starting to get very annoying. They try walking and failing miserably. Causing them to half-crawl to the Wifi-rift. Trying to rip it open...

The is water down there. Sure with others it's fine.

But alone?

That would be... scary. What if something goes wrong?

He shakes his head. No time for this. He has to get out. They've done it before. They'll do it again.

Victim shoots one more look at the screen, before managing to get the stupid rift to open.

He stares at the white void... before jumping into it.

And he continues to fall... or perhaps levitate?

He doesn't know. All he knows is that this is not doing wonders to his already sick stomach.

And just as quickly as it began, it ended as well. Sending them furling down into the water. He screams before the impact. 

Their lungs are burning. First breath of air was normal. The next one was horrible and painful. He needs air. He tries to swim up. 

He is trapped. The glass around him. Mocking creator staring at his drowning state, probably laughing at him and-

"You're not thinking straight, are you Vee?"

-.-- --- ..- /.- .-. . / ... --- / .--. .. - .. ..-. ..- .-.. / ... --- -- . - .. -- . ...

He feels like he's floating. In his own body. It feels odd. But nice in a way?

Then the consciousness hits them like a brick.

They gasp for air and- huh? When did they get up here?

Victim doesn't understand what happened. Did they... pass out? No- they'd be dead in the depths of the ocean if they did.

They try to get up, their body protesting. He still feels sick.

A little nap won't hurt, right?

Who is he kidding? Sleep is horrible. But... they do feel very tired.

He doesn't know what to do. Sleep always leaves him more miserable than staying up until his body gives out.

~~~~

"Citrus? Do you ever think that I... That I'll be accepted by everyone else?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't they? Everyone is different."

They stare at their sister, tilting their head. Their sister giggles and ruffles their hair.

"You'll understand when you're older. But in the end... nobody should feel bad for the way they look."

"But I-"

She pulls them closer, giving them a hug.

"Just know that big sister will always be there for you!"

They smile, hugging her back and laughing. What a silly thought. Why would anyone else's opinions about their appearance matter? As long as they have their sister, everything will be okay!

"Look! A shooting star!"

"Woah! Citrus, you have to wish for something!"

"No! You should wish for something."

"But you saw it first! So you get to wish!"

The duo bicker for a minute or so about which one should be the one using the wish.

"Hmph! Fine. You win."

"Go on Citrus! Make your wish!"

"Hmm... I wish that... things will never change!"

"That's a bad wish! You want time to stop?!"

"Noo! I meant I want us to stay like this forever! Together and happy!"

Such a silly wish. Shooting stars do not grant wishes. Nothing does.

And then...

The wish breaks. It no longer exists because the wisher doesn't.

If only things would have stayed the same. They still wish for that. So did she. 

If only.

Chapter Text

Walking. He's been doing that for what feels like ages now. Maybe that was their purpose from the beginning? To walk around, to move around.

Second pushes the thought aside. It doesn't matter what Alan intended him to be used for, but they are now here. And he's here to stay.

He stares at the clearing around them. He really has been zoning out for a while now. He hasn't listened to a single thing anyone has said so far. 

"...Maybe I should... no. I really don't like this. Why did I agree to help Chosen? Especially after the last time... He didn't even ask! He just kidnapped me! Well... not really-"

He tries to reason with himself. He finds himself unable to think of any good reason as to why they should help Chosen with this. It's not fair.

But he also doesn't want to leave a.. brother alone. Alone with his struggles.

Second sighs and stares ahead.

There is nobody there.

His lungs feel tight. His body going still. His limbs feel stiff, as if they haven't used them in years. They try to even out their breathing. Where did everyone go? They can't see anyone. Not a single sound is heard. Yet they feel as if someone is watching him. His breathing quickens. Nothing seems to calm their mind or body. Somebody is watching them. Maybe it's one of his friends?

But why would they hide away from him?

He tries to breathe, he can't.

His eyes go wide and he tries to look around, only to see more and more of nothing. Wasn't the place just a clearing?! There is a forest around it, sure, but still.

Where are the others?!

He turns around, seeing nobody at all. They take a few steps forward.

CRACK

Second's entire body snaps into the direction of the sound. Their fists rise up as they get ready for whatever threat awaits them. 

Said threat being Green, staring at them. Second lets out a sigh of relief.

"Sec? You alright? You kind of... well... we sort of didn't notice you were gone." Green admits sheepishly. Second rolls his eyes and smiles at the other. He's just glad that the others are alright. 

He walks over to Green and grabs his hand, still smiling. Green laughs awkwardly and starts guiding them towards the rest of the group. The duo walk in silence. Second keeps glancing at Green, unable to really figure out how they got so lost in their own thought to be left behind.. and how did the others not realize that... Are they really that easy to forget- No. They shake their head and keep walking right beside Green.

It's not long until the duo finds the rest of the group. Red is holding a... bird? Why would you pick up a random bird?! Chosen looks almost... intrigued by Red's behavior... odd. He didn't think that Chosen was even mildly interested in having friendships anymore, with how he denied Second's offer to stay in the PC.

Second keeps walking after Green, not really taking his eyes off of the black and red duo. Green nudges him, worried look plastered all across his face. Second takes a deep breath and offers him a smile. Green smiles back and squeezes their hand, before letting go of it.

"Blue, we can't keep doing this back and forth. Victim nearly drowning was not your fault- And I doubt that he would have wanted to come along with us for a second time!" Yellow chirps out. Second's head snaps into the direction of Yellow and Blue. 

Blue looks miserable. She's scratching her arms and she looks quite... not so happy.

"I just- I pushed it aside. I didn't even care! And- and- Now I feel so bad and-" She rambles, Yellow grimaces as Blue keeps blaming herself for some reason.

"But it's fine! They're fine. Right? He's in the PC! Nothing there could harm him!"

Blue stares at the ground, evading eye contact with her friends.

"B-but I... I just tossed them aside- the- the moment I saw Chosen! I- He nearly drowned!" She keeps rambling. Second feels a sense of dread.

Sure Victim got hurt but... they hurt everyone as well. And even if they all forgave him it still feels weird to be upset about something that happened to them that was out of their control.

Sure it it normal emphaty to do so... but... the entire... trying to kill Alan thing still leaves a bad taste in their mouth. 

"Sure Alan messed up in the past, but he changed!"

Second shakes their head. He doesn't have time for these thoughts. He forgave Victim, there is no point in holding anything against them anymore.... right?

"It doesn't matter. They're trying to get better! Just like how Purple did! And Mango..."

Second blinks as they're being stared at by the trio, he feels like he's the odd one out right now. An outsider if you will.

"Sec...? You alright? You're looking a bit... pale-" Green's voice interrupts their thought process. Pale? Second looks around, their world spinning. What's happening?  They take a shaky breath and-

Their vision is engulfed in darkness.

~~

.. / -- .. ... ... / -.-. ...--

... .- -- . / .... . .-. .

- .... . -.-- .-. . / -. --- - / --. --- -. .

.. - / ..-. . . .-.. ... / .-.. .. -.- . / - .... . -.-- / .- .-. .

~~

"Will he be okay...?" Yellow's voice disturbs Chosen's thought process. Did something happen to them when they got left behind..? He shakes his head and looks at the younger stick.

"I... Maybe they hit their head..? Or maybe someone attacked him... no, he would have told us if that did happen, right?"

Chosen mutters, looking thoughtful. Yellow grips her sleeves anxiously. Glancing at the rest of the colorful bunch every few seconds. As if afraid that something bad would happen if she takes her eyes off of them for too long. He can't help but admire the amount of care she has for them... how much care they all have for one another. He takes a deep breath and pokes Second a few times, the orange figure remaining unresponsive.

"He is still breathing, if you're worried about that..." Chosen manages out, his own voice feels distant to himself. He feels like someone is there... watching them. Maybe that's just paranoia? He tries to take a few controlled breaths. It doesn't calm their nerves. It doesn't help. Nothing does.

.... . ... / -. . .- .-. -... -.--

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The ringing in his ears won't stop. He doesn't understand a single word, he knows something is trying to communicate with him, but they don't understand the voice...s... Staring left and right, alert. The children look confused by the shift in their demeanor.

"Chosen..? Is everything alright...?" Red sounds so unsure. Chosen wants to almost reassure him... reassure them all that it's nothing.

But it isn't. It never has been.

He tries to offer the children a reassuring smile, only to see their faces of sheer horror. Huh..?

Turning around.

._ .._. ._. ._ .. _..

Observing the area, nothing in sight. Why are the children so afraid? Is it him that they're afraid of?

Staring, glaring. 

"Please! Spare me!"

"NONONONO! PLEASE! Don't leave me!"

"... You're a monster."

His eyes widen. A form of a dull figure invading his mind. 

"You'd never beat us, if it weren't for your powers. You're nothing without them."

Make it stop stop it please I want to go home I have no home Where is home

"...osen...? Chosen! You alright?"

He looks up at the kids, they all look concerned. When did he fall? Blue pokes their leg, unsure. She looks almost afraid of him.

"... Are you alright..? You fell over..." She asks hesitantly. Chosen squints up at her.

"Uh.. I... I'm fine... Just a..." He trails off, unsure how to continue. How do you even explain it without sounding insane? He chooses the easiest option. Said option being lying his ass off.

"I just... didn't sleep that well... maybe it just hit me...?" He tries, Blue squints her eyes at him, clearly not believing, but does not comment further about it.

She sighs and walks over to Second, who is still out cold. Odd... Maybe they're just tired... he does have huge eye bags... but still. They always look like that. And so far, they have never passed out like this before. Chosen grips his own hair, the long black locks feel almost... greasy.

When was the last time he took a proper shower? He took actual care of himself?

He shakes his head, no time for stupid stuff like that. He has to evade that... probably winged asshole. 

"Sec..? Please wake up..." Blue mutters out and pokes her friend a couple of times. The orange figure does not even twitch. 

Green and Red play some odd game. Trying to see who can spot more unique things, trying to pass the time. Yellow goes over to Blue, trying to comfort her friend...? Chosen sighs, listening to sounds, trying to spot anything out of the ordinary. Just trees swaying in the wind... nothing more, nothing less.

"Hrrng..."

All heads snap in the direction of the sound. Second sits up, groggily. He looks out of it. Chosen lets out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding. 

"Ack... My head..." They mumble out, blinking a few times. Yellow hugs her friend immediately- causing Second to let out a startled noise.

"Sec! You- You scared us! Never ever do that again!" Yellow shakes the orange hollowhead, who to their record, looks extremely confused.

"Wh- what did I even do?!"

Green bolts over to the duo and checks Second, Blue following behind quite quickly. Checking their friend for any injuries, anything to indicate that there is something wrong with Second.

Chosen takes a few steps back, listening to their worried chatter and Second's small attempts at soothing their friends' worries.

He takes a moment to actually breathe, unable to really figure out what has kept him so on the edge this entire time. Maybe the winged asshole is still after them..? ... after him.

Guilt sinks deep down into his chest, making him almost want to hurl over just from how strong it feels. Chosen grits his teeth-

"NONONO- I want to live! PLEASE DOn-"

"... Just kill me. You already killed my husband."

He takes a shaky breath, trying to calm down his nerves. The trees continue swaying in the wind. He isn't quite sure what to expect from this. The feeling of being watched keeps nagging him.

Chosen lets his eyes trail the area, looking through the trees. A blur of red- wait red?! His eyes widen as the blur disappears. He scans over the spot again, wanting to make sure his mind was not just playing tricks on him.

Fire. 

"Take cover!" Blue screeches. Everyone scatters as something attacks them- Chosen shoots ice the attacker's way. The attacker burns it and-

Dark..? His little brother. Dead gone all his fault and-

... No. That is Dark. 

Chosen feels like he's floating. His baby brother, here. Alive. Yet seething. Trying to kill the other children. Chosen's chest feels tight. Guilt. How is Dark here?! Did he hide away from Chosen? Did he not look for him well enough?

Dark keeps summoning more and more fire, trying to shoot Second, who keeps desperately dodging them.

~

- .... . / ... . -.-. --- -. -.. / -.-. --- -- .. -. --.

~

All he sees is red. The Dark Lord is back. He has been back. And he's angry. Angry at him. 

Second screams as one of the fireballs nearly hits them again. They scan around, trying to see his friends, failing as he's bombarded with more fire.

"Where are your powers now?!" The Dark Lord screams at him, summoning even more fire and throwing it at them again. Second tries to dodge- too late. His leg is burningburningburningburningscorchedowowowow-

They scream, curling into themself. Tears form in the corners of his eyes as the burning won't stop- He hears screaming- He sees a blur of black run past them and punch the red figure. Redredredredred-

They want to throw up. Everything is too much. It hurts them.

"You need help. Don't you?"

Second's eyes widen, who was that?!

"Be not afraid. I am a friend."

The voice so sweet, so caring and kind. Yet full of anger. So, so much anger. 

Second blinks and-

It's all dark? Another figure towering over his sitting form- Himself?

No... This figure has bright green eyes. Their green streaks glowing. 

"You can save them... once more."

The figure tilts their head. Second... hesitates. He stares at the other, unable to comprehend this. Who is this? What do they want from him?

"... You seem hesitant... Hehe..."

Second feels too afraid to even move, this is not themself. This is somebody else, right? 

"...You're not me." They mutter out, staring holes at the other figure, who, in return, grins- the grin splitting their entire face in half-

They start to crumble. Form shattering- gray lines all over their once orange body. The shattered pieces start to peel off of them- revealing the darker, more dead color underneath it. Their once glowing eyes dropping out of the sockets- static splattering all over their face.

They start laughing as their hair turns white- yet stained in static as they throw their head back to laugh more.

They rip off an arm off of themself, only for another one to form. Slowly. Bones emerging from the missing spot.

Second screams and scrambles back, the figure follows them- giggling. Static foaming out of their mouth. Bones sprouting from their back, ripping through the flesh. Forcing themselves out and immediately dripping static down, making them look like wings... drippy and inky ones at that-

His breathing quickens. The figure keeps walking closer and closer and closer-

"Something wrong, The Second Coming?" The figure spits out, head tilted at an unnatural angle. Their gray skin reminds Second of... Victim..? But this... this thing has a lot straighter hair that Victim- and eyes... well... it's eyes are missing-

He tries to run away- failing as the void seems to close him in. Tangling him into itself.

"LET ME GO!" He screams, only to hear laughter all around himself. He tries to get himself free from the grasp of the void itself. Failing miserably. The figure keeps laughing at his pathetic attempts of escape. He squirms in the hold of the void. The figure draws closer and closer and closer until Second can almost taste it's static with how foul the stench is. He wants to hurl over just from that alone.

"Fear not... little brother."

Second screams.

He's back in the clearing. His eyes burn from the sudden change in his vision. 

Chosen tries to kick Dark in the leg, only to let out a pained gasp as a loud clank is heard. Dark grins and throws the other away. 

Second breathes heavily. Nothing makes sense. How did everything go so wrong so quick?! They stare at the redredredredredredredred- Blurry figures all over his vision.

Two red and blurry figures. His eyes hurt. Why are they blending in together so much? He can't tell them apart. Which one is Red? Which one is The Dark Lord?!

They heave for air, their entire body feels weak and-

bright green lights. A red figure slumped down. Their leg looks mangled. As if put through a shredder. Second almost has a code rejection just from how drained they feel.

Code. Not static not static not static- all around the slumped figure. Screaming.

They hit Red.

Chapter Text

Everything had gone downhill so quick. They were just meant to look for someone who has something against Chosen. And now...

Red's leg. Mangled. Shredded. Bone impaling the skin. The bone visible.

Just looking at it makes Second want to hurl over and cry. The guilt of knowing that they caused it haunts them. He hasn't approached Red at all. 

Dark decided to call it quits after Second accidentally fired the wrong red figure. Oh, how they wish it had been the red hollowhead instead of their friend.

Tears form in the corners of his eyes as he stares at Blue, who is trying to wrap the leg in bandages. Grimacing at the rather... bloody sight. Green is holding Red's hand, muttering something into his friend's ear.

Yellow stares at them. In shock.

Guilt seeps deep into their chest with every passing second. They want to scream, beg their friends for forgiveness. Tears roll down his cheeks. He wipes them, only for more to form and fall. He ruined everything. He wants to wail like a little baby, just to get everything out.

"Little brother." 

The reminder of... that hits them. Their body freezing as that voice invades his mind once again.

Limbs torn. Static everywhere. Empty eye sockets, static pouring out of them. Skin flaking off. Limbs growing out of nowhere. More and more static everywhere. Engulfing him. The smell putrid and-

The memory alone makes him almost gag. He can almost taste it again. The pungent smell of static invading their nostrils once more. 

"Why won't you lov e me, little brother?"

He clamps his ears shut with his hands. Keeping them shut. Why won't the voice leave them alone?! They feel more tears fall down. He shuts his eyes, trying to even out his breathing, failing as the pungent smell refuses to leave them. The stupidly sweet, yet angry voice haunting their head.

Sobs escape the orange hollowhead, he tries to hug himself, his limbs refuse to move. His lungs feel too tight, his vision swimming.

Why won't it stop? He feels more and more tears roll down his face. Sobs escape him. 

"Fear not, little brother." The voice almost sings, Second keeps trying to block out the voice. Failing as nothing he does seems to help it. 

"...cond..? Second...?" 

He almost screams as something touches them. Flinching back and throwing a punch at the whatever was touching them. Only for said someone to grab their fist and stare at him disapprovingly. Second stares at the blurry figure who looks a bit too much like... the stranger.. Blinking a few times until his vision clears out. Chosen. It was just Chosen. He takes a shaky breath and smiles nervously at his... brother.

"...Uh... Second..? You alright?" Chosen tries, the words sound forced, not that Second cares. At least Chosen isn't.. angry at them. He should be. Second was supposed to kill Dark not hurt Red and-

He stares at the other, unable to even think straight. His skin feels too tight, his lungs feel like they're under pressure. Tears form in the corners of their eyes again.

"I... I just... I- I-" They stammer, Chosen's face morphs into just... sheer helplessness. Second feels even more guilt forming in their chest, taking over their entire body until they drown in it.

"I'M SORRY!" Is all he manages to scream out before scrambling away from the black hollowhead and trying to make a run for it. Only for Chosen to throw ice at their feet, freezing them onto the ground. Forcing him to stay. Second looks at his startled brother, who approaches them hesitantly.

"... Let's just... Just... Just get some rest..." He mutters out and summons fire, melting the ice, before hoisting Second over his shoulder and carrying him over to the rest of the group and unceremoniously plops them onto the ground. Second stays laying on the ground, refusing to meet his friends' probably hate-filled gazes. 

They curl into themself, bringing their knees close to their chest. Curling into a fetal position. He feels so tired. Stupid powers. He brings his arms close to his chest and grips them.

He would do anything to get rid of those powers. All they've done so far have brought them trouble. That's a lie. Without the powers none of his friends would be alive. He wouldn't be alive. The Dark Lord would have destroyed the entire Internet... and Outernet.

"Second...? Are you okay?" 

He doesn't dare to look up, what if they're all angry at him? Their eyes sting from the constant tears streaming down their face. 

"...Second. Look at me." He refuses to. Someone pokes them. They flinch away.

"Seconnnnd~! You can't keep moping around when we have a quest!" The voice almost sings.

Second finally sits up and looks around, only for their entire world to flip around once more as it's them staring at him.

His breathing quickens. Why won't they leave him-

"Second? You look like you've seen a ghost. Is everything okay?" He blinks. The Stranger's form shifts from itself to Green. They blink a few more times. Just for the extra measure.

"....I... I just... I'm sorry!" The words come out before they even process them. And once the words leave his mouth, it feels impossible to stop.

"I didn't mean to, I swear! I- I'm so sorry! I hurt Red and- and The Dark Lord got away and I- I- I'm sorry I'm sorry- I don't-"

The words come out in one huge wave. Leaving the others around him looking concerned. His eyes trail to Red, who is actively trying not to look down at the bone impaling his skin...

"...O-Oh Cursors Red- I- I'm" Second tries, only to be shut by Red's intense glare. Green puts a hand on their shoulder. Blue sitting next to Red, trying to figure out a way to do anything to the leg to make it better. To make the pain go away, if only for a moment.

Second feels like throwing up. It's all his fault. 

Yellow gives Red a tiny side-hug, only to be hissed at by the other. She takes the hint and takes a few steps back.

"S-so... Red... You... You think we could take you to the PC..? To ask Alan if he could fix this...?" Blue's tone is shaky, apologetic, uncertain.

Red doesn't give an answer. Only staring down at his mangled leg in pain and horror, all former anger at Second disappearing.

"M-maybe you should rest a bit!" Blue offers, looking at her friend with so, so much guilt. As if she was the one to hurt Red, not Second. 

Red gives no answer and remains unmoving for a few seconds. The air feels so thick you'd need a powertool to slice through it. The rest of the group hold their breaths until Red gives a tiny pained sound as a response and lays down on his back. Closing his eyes.

The tension doesn't leave. If anything, it feels worse.

"...So... What are we supposed to do?" Green's words hang in the air. 

The worst part is that none of them know the answer.

~~~~~~

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~~~~~~~

A void. A lonely place. Nothing to see, nothing to feel. Home.

Red jolts up. Where is he!? He looks around, afraid to move. What if the next time he moves he just agitates his leg more!?

"Be not afraid, Injured One."

A sickly sweet voice echoes throughout the void. Red scrambles back, only to realize that... his leg doesn't hurt.

... His leg looks normal.

"There you are." The sweet, honey-like voice exclaims. Red can't help but feel like despite the voice being... almost dripping with the sweetness, there is something underneath it.

"...Wh-who are you..?" Red hates how shaky his voice is.

He tries to pinpoint where the voice is coming from, failing miserably as the void gives no real direction to look at. Everything is just dark... formless.

Apart from himself that is.

"Fear not, Injured One. I am merely here to comfort you." The voice continues. They sound... almost too sweet. Too good to be true.

He hugs himself. Even if the injury is gone... wherever this place is, doesn't mean that it'll be gone in the awake world.

He wishes he hadn't gone to sleep. This only makes him miss his... not so mangled leg.

"What's the matter? Do you not... trust me?" The voice asks, tone dripping with sweetness. Maybe he is wrong to judge this being... whoever it is...

"Found you." Red almost screams as someone grabs him by the shoulders. He scrambles away and kicks whoever is behind him, hearing a grunt behind him.

He looks behind and sees a figure. Gray one, like Victim. White hair... kind of like Victim... He can't see their eyes.

They drop onto the ground, bringing their hands to their face, static running down it. Red's face grows pale and he's about to apologize for kicking them, until.

They look at him.

They have no eyes. Just empty sockets. Static covering half of their face.

"I'm sorry! Please don't hurt me!" They sob.

Red hesitantly steps closer to them, he feels... sure their face makes him feel sick, but he can't just leave someone who is clearly in pain alone. Without even trying to comfort them.

"A-are you going to hurt m-me...? Like... like the orange one did...?" They cry out. Red stares at them in shock. There are many orange sticks, it couldn't be-

"T-they had a hollow head and- and bright green eyes! They- their hair had green streaks in it! " Red feels sick to his stomach. That sounds too much like Second.

"Second wouldn't hurt a-"

But they hurt him. He blasted him with the lasers. And now his leg is...

He doesn't want to think about it.

~~

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~~

"So... He.. hurt you...?" Red asks, unsure. He doesn't want to believe it. What could they have done to deserve such cruel fate.

"Yes! I just... I just tried to help him and- and he hurt me!" They spit out. Red can see frustration on their face. Yet it all feels... wrong. As if they're mimicking the emotion and-

No. Why would someone lie about something this serious? Red has never met this person before, so why would they want him to be on their side?

"I.. see... Why don't the wounds disappear here?" Red asks, he really doesn't want to go back to having a throbbing leg that looks like it will snap in half... and the bone-

NO.

He pushes the image of his leg out of his mind.

"I... I'm not sure... maybe the injury will come back later? That's what happened to me...."

"I... I see." Red mutters out. He really doesn't want to believe that his friend would do something this cruel... but he did...

They did blast Red's leg. Shred it. Make it look like a mangled mess.

He hugs his knees close to his chest. He doesn't want to think about it anymore.

"...J-just if you see them... please be... wary..." The gray figure mutters... He doesn't even know their name.

"I... I will.... I promise... Uh... If you don't mind me asking... what should I call you..?" Red looks at the other figure, trying to evade looking directly at their face though.

"...My... name...? I..."

"You may call me..."

"__ ._ ._.. ._.. ___ .__"

~~

Perhaps they came out wrong. Or perhaps they never stood a chance.

Whatever the case is, seeing someone so scared, afraid of whatever is lurking nearby, begging for help, made them feel one thing.

They want to protect this being.

They all died. Their siblings, dead. Their twins, dead.

The oldest one, remained alive. Not for long. Only reborn over and over again.

Killed, over and over again.

All for some sick entertainment.

They started to despise every living being, the icons. The ad-blocker...

Who looked a bit too much like their lost brother.

They wanted to make them all suffer. But him. The original one.

They wanted him to feel happy. Safe. And they were that way, until it was all ripped away. Their beloved brother, now filled with guilt, anger, grief. Locked himself away from everything and everyone.

Nobody dared to reach out. Only leaving him all alone. He tried to die. Failing as their... friend... found them before it was too late.

How are they to protect him, if they can't protect them from himself?

~~

He didn't quite catch the name. But he nods.

"That's a... n-nice name! Uh... I- I'm really sorry, but I have to go... my friends are probably worried sick about me..." He tries to sound apologetic.

"...That's quite alright. We shall continue our... conversation later." They say, as if it has already been decided.

Red only nods, not wanting to set off them... Sure they seem harmless but...

There's something so... uncanny about them.

"You'll be out in no time, Injured One."

Red doesn't even get to question that before the void cracks and he falls.

~~

Pacing. That's all they can really do.

Second looks at Red once more. He can't look down at his friend's leg, knowing he was the one to destroy it.

"I'm sure he'll be fine, Sec." Green's voice sounds distant. Maybe they're all angry at them.

He wouldn't blame them.

They stare at Red's unconscious body. They don't deserve to look at him. To talk to him. To be near him.

-.-- --- ..- / -- --- -. ... - . .-.

Maybe he shouldn't be allowed to even have powers. Maybe they should have stayed hidden away.

He grips his arm, scratching it absentmindedly, only for another hand to guide his hand away. Holding it.

Green smiles at them. They stare at him blankly.

"Hrrngh..." Red opens his eyes slowly, looking still exhausted.

Blue doesn't waste a second, running to her friend's side immediately. She seems shaky, maybe it's just the stress.

"Red? How are you feeling? Does your leg still hurt, nono- what am I saying, of course it does-" She keeps rambling, Red just stares at her with no emotion.

"Blue... I... Ack.Ye-yes. My leg does hurt... I..." He trails off and looks at Second. They swear they can see hints of fear, anger and... resentment?

None of the others even make a comment about the look he's giving them. Maybe they just imagined it.

"So.... Should we bring him to the PC so Alan can fix him..?" Chosen's question hangs in the air, silencing Blue's rambling.

"How are we getting him there? We can't exactly-" Green interrupts Yellow before she can start

"Chosen can fly. He could carry Red there, explain the situation and after filling Alan in, come and grab us." He offers. Yellow seems to think for a moment.

"What if he-"

"It's fine. I'll manage."

Everyone goes quiet, staring at Red in shock. He'll manage!? 

"Red... you... you're kind of..." Blue trails off, only fueling Red more.

"It's fine. I swear, we can continue... this... and..." He tries, staring around and going one by one, staring at them with a pleading look.

"...Fine... but- but you're not walking." Blue deadpans. Offering a hand to Red, who takes it and yanks himself up.

"Wouldn't dream of it." He smiles at her.

There is tension in the air.

Chosen sighs and grabs Second by the other hand, dragging both them and Green along.

"Come on, we have a winged weirdo to find. And... be wary of.. Dark..." He mutters out. Saying the last part in a voice barely above a whisper.

Second looks at Red, who is struggling to move forward, even with Blue's support.

This is going to take a while-

~~

"[][][][]! Come on! We don't have much time!" They hear her say.

They remain in their seat, staring at the sky. Their wings wrapped around themself.

It looks like some doomsday is upon them. Fiery red sky. The sun missing.

And the explosions.

"[][][][]! We have to go!" She pleads. Looking outside in fear.

They can't get their eyes off of the sky.

Screams echoing throughout the place.

"[][][][]! WE HAVE TO GO NOW!"

She doesn't give them any more time, dragging them along.

They jolt out of their mind, eyes going wide. Their entire body is shaking. Hers is too.

The duo keeps running- maybe they could find a way to escape! Rifts are a thing!

Screaming. Pleading.

Only for-

A black figure, shooting fire at buildings. A red one, cackling and destroying anything and everything around them.

Some figures come to the duo, guiding them towards an escape.

"Please- my- my mother- she's trapped and-"

"M-my son- he'll be fine, right?"

"What are these things?!"

They are forced to stare at the chaos around them. Some figures with burns deep into their bodies. Being saved from burning building...

Their outer layer peels off when grabbed by visible parts of their bodies.

Sticks left and right, desperately trying to make it out of this hell.

She lets go of their hand. She looks at them, eyes full of sorrow.

"We'll be fine, Aqua."

And they believe her.

...

The huge group, consisting of both injured and uninjured sticks, try to make it to the nearest rift. Hoping to make it to safety.

Only to be ambushed.

The black and red sticks finding them. The red one immediately firing the the group.

"SCATTER!" Someone yells, nobody questions it.

She tries to hold their hand and-

BOOM.

Fire. Thrown at them.

They both get sent flying. Their wings feel horrible. A smell of burnt hair. Their feathers are on fire.

She is too close to the black stick. The stick takes a single look at her,before shooting ice   at her, freezing her onto the ground.

The red one giggles like a little child. Only to-

Firefirefirefirefirefire-

She's gone.

She's gone.

Chapter Text

Chosen can't help but glance at the rest of the group every few minutes. Seeing nothimnothimnothimnot-  Red desperately limping with Blue's support is getting worrying. He looks weaker and weaker every time he glances at him.

They can't help but feel like Red might actually collapse sooner or later.

Even with his friends' multiple attempts to convince Red to agree to letting Chosen take him to the PC to rest, he still continues on. Refusing to back out of the... search.

"Red...?"

"If you're going to tell me that I should go to the PC, you can shut it." 

Blue remains quiet. Yellow sighs and walks over to her, helping her support Red. The group walks in silence. Red glares daggers at Second every few seconds whenever he thinks nobody is watching.

Chosen can't blame him either. Sure Second messed up and didn't mean to... But they still hurt Red. He is right to be angry at them.. at least momentarily.

"They'll make up sooner or later... At least I think they will... Considering how Second speaks of all of their friends..."

He glances at Second, who seems close to bursting into tears, Green holding their hand tighter.

He looks forward again, trying to ignore the hostility between the group.

Chosen hears scratching that gets stopped by small slap. He doesn't dare to look at the direction the noise comes from after that.

They feel like he ruined everything. He did.

He grips his own arm, taking a deep breath and stopping.

"I'd say we should either split up, or take a break." Chosen speaks up, turning around and staring at the others.

He is met with looks of disbelief.

"What is that supposed to-" Green tries, only for Chosen to stop him immediately.

"There is clear hostility between some of you. And I doubt that constantly having someone move in pain is making any wonders to that." His eyes dart between Second and Red. Second averting the gaze, Red glaring at him as if he just personally insulted him.

"I think Chosen's right. Red probably could use a break." Blue chirps in, trying to get Red to sit down, only for him to try and fight back. Chosen does admire the sheer determination Red has to not rest... but he also finds it incredibly annoying.

"This will take a while..."

~~

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~~

It really is starting to get annoying. He's so done with this kid.

Chosen sighs. It took so long to get Red to even sit. Why did he agree to staying with the injured-

Right. If Dark comes back, the kid can't protect himself.

He takes a deep breath and looks at the direction the rest of the kids went to. He should have gone with Second and-

Dark. In the air. Brightness all around him. Beating him up. Bright green lights. Darkdarkdarkdarknonononono-

... There really is no way to make sure that the kid won't hurt anyone. Whether it's by accident or not. It's frustrating. To have the kid run around when they're a ticking time bomb-

"C...Chosen...?" He almost misses Dark's Red's voice... He hates how similar they look. Yet too different. Dark is still alive. But he... 

"Yes?" He stares at the other, who seems rather... uncomfortable.

"Do you think he did it purposefully...? ... Second... hurt me... on purpose...?" Red's voice is quiet, almost timid.

Chosen is at loss of words. He doesn't actually think that way, right? He glances at the leg, having to look away almost immediately, not being able to stomach the rather... mangled state of it.

"...I.. Why would they do something like that on purpose?!" Chosen shoots back... they hate how unsure he sounds. Red stares at them, not convinced.

"Well... Surely-" Red tries, only to be shut by Chosen, who gives him a stern look, silencing him.

The silence drags on. Chosen feels far too awkward to be around anyone. He misses Dark...

Maybe he could go look for him. To apologize. To.. anything really. Just to hear his voice again.

He stares at space. Trying not to think too deep into it. It does feel very tempting. But... Red is injured. They shoot a look at the other, who seems to be trying to be trying to get into a more comfortable position. The silence is starting to make them feel nervous. 

It just keeps dragging on and on. Red making pained sounds every now and then. Chosen tries to ignore it all. He just. He wants his brother back. 

"... Red...?" He begins, looking at the other figure again. Red perks up and his eyes almost light up, as if he's expecting Chosen to tell him they managed to find a miracle cure to his leg's state.

"Y-yes...?"

"How would you feel about a... tiny adventure?"

Surely nothing could go wrong.

~~

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~~

"These ones are called forget-me-nots! Remember that, Viola."

"B...but why... why would I want to remember that...?"

"Don't worry about it!" Their voice, so cheerful it makes him want to hug her.

"They symbolize true love and respect! When given to someone... it represents a promise that you will always remember them and keep them in your thoughts!" Her voice drags on, they always get like this. Who decided to give her planting books?!

They smile at him. He smiles at them. The duo sits in silence.

"...Viola?" She asks, voice dropping... Not saying anything else.

He looks at her, confused.

"Yes..?"

"Why would you forgive the one who killed me, Victim."

He jolts awake. Breathing heavily.

His lungs feel like they're burning. That's not how it went, right!? They try to get their breathing under control, only for their vision to begin to swim. Dark dots invading his sight.

Tears start to fall down their cheeks, he tries to hug himself, it doesn't help. He looks around, their body feels wrong.

Just like when he erased them slowly and-

He slaps himself. He doesn't have time for this. They try to breathe, it feels impossible.

"Deep breaths. Remember?"

He covers his ears. They can't deal with this.

Hugging himself. He doesn't even have a direction. Maybe if he just-

Alone in the PC. He was there. Afraid. 

Pain. Pain pain pain afraid and he didn't have a direction he didn't know what to do and-

Nothing.

Back alive. He left. It was fine.

He shakes their head. His lungs feel tight. Burning. A sob escapes him. Then another.

They bite their lip, failing to keep the sobs down. The tears won't stop. He hugs his legs close to their chest and clings onto them, trying to comfort themself. He keeps sobbing.

They feel so alone. Why did they leave the PC? Now they're all alone in a stupid forest!

He hesitantly gets up after crying for who knows how long. Maybe walking around could clear their head?

CRACK

Their head snaps into the direction and- 

A cloaked figure, huh..?

"Ex-excuse me...?" He tries, only for the other figure to stare at them as if they insult them.

"... You look like... him." Their voice is low, almost... dangerous.

"I don't... quite understand...?"

"The Angel Of Death."

They freeze. They haven't heard that title used to... The Chosen One for years..

They stare at the cloaked figure, unable to shake off the shock. They don't look like him, they can't do this, not again to be-

"..That's quite unfortunate... You two share a Creator or something?" They say, too casually. He squints, this has to be a trap.

"I-" He tries, only to be stopped immediately

"Fear not. You'll do just fine!"

Before he can even ask what that's supposed to mean, the cloaked figure lunges at them. A screech escapes him and-

Branch. Coming straight at them- their head hurts and-

It all goes black.

~~

"You sure this is a good idea...?" Red's voice is muffled due to the speed they're going. Chosen only rolls their eyes and tightens his grip on Red's arm, focusing on trying to keep the flames coming from only one hand.

"Like... You sure if you find... him... that.. he- he won't like... kill us?" Red's voice grows shakier with each word, Chosen can't really blame him... after all... the past two interactions Red has had with the red hollowhead have been... less than pleasant.

"I'm sure it'll be just fiNEEEEE-" They're falling, both of them. Someone threw fire at him! Chosen scans for Red, the moment he spots the injured figure, his hands are on fire and he plummets at the other figure, catching him.

They safely make it to the ground, Chosen looking around in fear, what if it's the cloaked asshole?!

"Hello, Chosen." They both turn around, staring at the figure. Instead of being the cloaked asshole, it is...

Dark red hair, short... it's supposed to be long. Sharp teeth. Black eyes. A hollow head.

Dark. His brother. Chosen wants to cry. Only to freeze as he gets a better look at the other.

Why is his leg gray. 

~~

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- .... .- - ... / -.-. .-. ..- . .-..

~~

He does not get to mull over it for long, as Dark immediately starts shooting. Trying to attack both of the figures there.

Red screams when a fireball flies a bit too close to him, Chosen's own eyes go wide and he lunges at Dark, trying to stop him.

"What is your problem?!" He screams at the red hollowhead, who in return bites his arm, static dripping down, Chosen lets out a pained gasp, he kicks Dark on the shin, getting a pained cry in return. Dark kicks him. A loud clank is heard. Chosen screams and clutches onto his knee, he hopes it didn't break-

Dark stands up, ready to start beating him again, until his eyes wander somewhere else, expression turning from annoyance to... jealousy?

Chosen follows his gaze, spotting Red, who looks quite horrified.

"You... YOU'VE REPLACED ME!? WITH SOMEONE AS WEAK AS THAT TWIG!?"

Dark screeches out and grabs Chosen by the front of his shirt, shaking him.

"HOW COULD YOU?! THAT'S SO MEAN CHOSEN!" Dark looks like he's either about to burst into tears, or about to blow both of them up. Chosen feels like he's frozen still. Unable to even move his limbs.

Dark keeps shaking him, screaming at him, Chosen can only stare back, only glancing at Red every few seconds. He wants to apologize. They need to apologize. They took him here. And now he's in danger.

More screaming, Chosen can't help but ignore it all. He feels just... so tired.

"I'm sorry."

That gets Dark to shut up, staring at them in pure shock.

"You're what?"

"Sorry. I'm sorry."

Dark shoots a glare at Red, his grip on Chosen not loosening at all. He huffs and throws Chosen at Red's direction.

"I don't forgive you." He hisses out, yet not looking at Chosen.. almost evading their eyes.

"I... that's... alright..?" They try, only to get a branch thrown at him. Chosen sighs and grips his arm, looking at Red.

"You alright...?"

"... This is the worst adventure ever." The other figure sounds exhausted.

"...I'm sorry"

"Not forgiven."

"... That's alright."

Chosen sits down and stares at Dark, guilt starting to eat him alive. He has to make it all right.

But how could he.

~~

Screaming. It wasn't fair!

"Please help me!"

Their words, so desperate.

.-- .... --- / .- .-. . / -.-- --- ..-

Running around. Trying to win an unfair fight to no avail.

Deleted, gone. Forever. The original one kept coming back over and over and over again. Until... another disappeared.

Waking up. No more a mere victim. This time. It will avenge those who have fallen.

And it failed.

Only to be put through a miserable existence. Spending time alone in a box. Crying... all alone... until.

Someone familiar. Another figure, scarred. Afraid, missing an arm.

"... WH-WHO ARE YOU!?" Their voice... so scared, hoarse... as if they had been screaming for who knows how long.

"I... I am-"

Gone. In an instant. The figure. An anvil in their place. The figure stares at the spot where their... cellmate once stood.

They didn't see one another for so long.

But they didn't lose hope. Well.. they did. Neither one of them had any hope, did they?

But life always finds a way to thrive. Even in the worst places.

They may not have stood a chance, but the original one escaped.

All alone. The one with no memory of a past remained afraid. Afraid for the other figure, not knowing that same figure had already found safety.

Oh... to be reborn as someone else -.-. ...--

And they escaped. With another figure....

~~

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Chapter Text

"Viola? Is everything alright...? You look... afraid." Her voice, so caring, so kind.

"... I'm... fine..." The words feel forced. How do you explain to someone that you're still haunted by someone who you know technically should have no way to get you.? Maybe he should just... consider therapy... or something.

"You know... if you ever need to talk to someone, I'm always here! And I'll always be!" She sounds so genuine.

Liarliarliarliarliar

You left me.

It's all your fault.

It's my fault you died. Isn't it?

Everything is always my fault.

Had I been stronger, he wouldn't have killed me. Again and againandagainandagainand-

"Viola?" Her eyes, staring right into theirs, as if unaware of the spiraling he's doing.

"... I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"... I wasn't able to save you."

"... I'm sure you tried. But.. Viola... Wake up."

"H-huh?"

"You have to wake up... Victim."

He jolts awake, gasping for air. Her voice clinging onto his mind. He clutches their chest, heart hammering out of their chest. He tries to stand up, only for their legs to give out under them.

"Where am I?!" The thought hits him the moment he's against cold, metallic ground. He desperately looks around, vision swimming.

A dark room. No real way out. trappedtrappedtrappedtrapped-

How did he get here. He wants to cry. He tries to crawl to a corner. But corners are bad and- Better than being vulnerable from all sides!

He tries to get his breathing under control. This is bad. Horrible even. Their eyes shut tight, as if awaiting for any danger to appear soon. In the end. That's how he would do it. Let them stay alive for barely a second, letting them try to defend themself from his former death. Only to kill them in a new way.

"Nononono- don't think about it- nonono- I don't want to I can't-" 

His breathing only quickening, coming in shallow. They feel light-headed.

In desperation, they tug their hair, trying to ground themself.

Waking up. Alone. Again. Flinching. Desperately shielding itself.

Only for him to yank it by the arm. Screaming.

He doesn't care. Only throwing it at the toolbar of the program. It tries to scramble for the tools and-

Knife. Lodged. Its leg. Stuck. Painpainpainpain- It cries. He does not care. Drawing more weaponry, lodging one into its arm. It tries to get the knife out of its leg, only for him to approach, grab its free arm and-

pullpullpullpullpull-

It hurts. Why won't the knives give up!?

They don't get to think about that for much longer until-

A horrid sound, screaming. Static everywhere. It feels sick from the pain.

Its arm is gone.

He wants to throw up. Just the memory alone is enough to make him want to crawl in a hole and await for death. Maybe starvation would be better way to die than that.

Wrapping his arms around himself, Victim spiraling. The cell not making wonders to it.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

He wants to scream, cry, anything. Nothing comes out.

A light. It hurts their eyes. A winged figure steps into the dark room.

"Oh... you're awake." Their voice is gentle. But wrong. Very wrong. He remains silent. His... captor...? only clearing their throat, trying to fill in the silence that feels like it keeps dragging on and on, that is until Victim's stomach decides to let out a low growl.

Victim wants to let the ground swallow him.

"Uh... You... hungry...?" It's phrased like a question, despite both of them knowing that Victim is hungry. He refuses to even acknowledge them. That is until they grab him by the armpits, trying to drag them along. They feel frozen. If they don't react maybe he- ...

"NO! I won't be dragged around like some doll!"

They elbow the captor and try to make a run for it, only to be grabbed again, squirming. They try to kick, hit, bite the winged figure, the other not giving much of a reaction, only dragging him out of the cell.

"I wasn't sure where to keep you until you awoke. That cell was not meant for you... it's for.... someone else..." Their voice grows rather... agitated at the end. Victim does not like to think about it.

They keep dragging him along, up until they make their way through a long hallway, filled with... equipment. He doesn't get a good look at anything. Passing by a picture of the winged figure with a light yellow stick, taller than the other. He wants to ask who the yellow stick is, but... really? He wants to make small-talk with someone who captured him?! Is he insane?

The other figure, unaware of Victim's internal dialogue, keeps dragging them along. They make it to a new place... a sort of kitchen...? Victim wants to run. Too bad his entire body feels frozen. The earlier attempt at freeing himself only making him feel even worse. How is he to escape if he can't even beat this figure?! 

He does not get much time to think about that until he is sat down on a chair.

"Do you have any preferences?" The other asks, looking at them. Victim stares right back, refusing to say a single word. The winged figure sighs and starts rummaging through a fridge. Pulling out a pot and setting it onto the table.

They turn around and rummage through the nearest cabinet, taking out a bowl. Going through more cabinets to find a spoon. Setting them onto the table and scooping up a few spoonfuls of the soup into the bowl, before making their way to a microwave and starting to reheat it.

Victim scratches their arm, are they going to eat in front of him or something? His question gets answered after a couple of more seconds, as the winged figure sets the bowl in front of him.

"There you go. Eat up." They don't even look at him anymore, going through the cabinets again.

"Eat? Eat!? You expect me to eat something that I have never seen before? Something you could have put anything into to try and-"

He grips his arm, don't think about it. It's in the past. It can't hurt you anymore, can it?

He takes a shaky breath, stirring the soup, looking at everything in it. The broth, the veggies, the meat. Everything seems good.

His lungs feel tight already.

He really doesn't want to eat. How is he supposed to. For all he knows it could be something that eye can't detect!

He sighs, his head hurts... maybe he could just... no. He can't let his guard down. The other figure is still rummaging through something. A little nap won't hurt...

~

Waking up. Looking around, alone. The Creator. Just... staring.

Fear.

It tries to run out, only to go face-first onto a wall, ow.

It looks around, seeing the thick lines of a box and- something in the middle of it. Hesitantly walking towards whatever it is, a smell of something hits it.

Unfamiliarity filling its entire body, uncomfortable feeling taking over the fear. Why isn't the Creator doing anything?!

The stick prods the subject of the smell, it doesn't even smell bad, quite contrary! It sneaks a look at the Creator's blurry form. The Creator has yet to move.

It really does not want to touch whatever that is. What if it leads to pain as well? Every time it has been brought back, it has been only for more pain. Unless the Creator felt bad? No. He has had multiple times to stop before, why would he change now? A low growl, they snap their head around, looking for the source of the sound.

What if that is the danger!? And the... thing in the middle is a distraction made for it to prod and try to figure out while that comes and hunts it down.

Tears start forming in its eyes, the smell is quite nice. Only making it feel... oddly... weak? Light-headed? Surely not! It has been... strangled.... before... that sure made it light-headed.

It really doesn't understand. The growl is heard again. Its stomach feels odd. But why?! Is this what it means to stay alive? Odd sensations after another? It crawls towards the something in the middle- it looks like.. a bunch of curly lines, with dots... it pokes it. Only to feel warmth- jerking away from the source. Heat is bad. It always has been! 

It feels like it can't breathe, but there is nothing around its neck! It doesn't make any sense!

The odd sense of weakness is starting to really take over, its mouth feels... oddly wet?

How long has it been since it was created? This has to be the longest time it hasn't been hurt... maybe he has changed his mind about hurting it...?

It crawls back towards the thing again, before it can even think, it lunges at the thing- devouring it in seconds, it nearly throws up just from the feeling of actually ingesting something. The feeling so unfamiliar and strange it makes it want to cry.

It looks at the Creator, shaking. He is shaking as well... is he... crying...? Laughing...? Why would he be laughing? Did it do something funny? It really does not like this. 

It sits down, heart beating way too fast, its mouth feels dry- oddly dry. Its lungs feel way too tight, as if something around its throat again, a hand goes up to check if there is. It doesn't get to think for long until whatever it ingested comes right back out- leaving it slumped forward, shaking. It doesn't understand. What is happening what did it digest and-

~~

.- .-. . / -.-- --- ..- / --- -.- .- -.--

~~

Victim jolts, his neck hurts.. he rubs his eyes.

He didn't fall asleep again, did he?!

The other figure just stares at them, raising an eyebrow, questioning him silently. Victim stares up at the bowl. Their captor just... sighs and lifts him up again.

"Well... you sure seem tired." They say quietly, as if afraid that being too loud will only cause Victim to freak out or something.

Victim wants to scream. They don't want to be touched. He wants to kill-

"No! I- That'd be... cruel..."

.-.. .- -- .

.- .-. . / -.-- --- ..- / -.-. .-. .- --.. -.--

His ears are ringing again, great! Just what he needed!

He lets himself be dragged by the captor. What is there to really do? He isn't-

"It's not fair."

Their captor drags them along until they come across whatever the hell this room is supposed to be.

There is only dust ridden furniture that look like they have been sitting there for years. Webs are present in the room as well. Victim feels like this is straight out of a horror movie or something. Maybe this is how he dies. Getting killed by some random guy who took him at first for his- ... sibling.

Just thinking of The Chosen One as his brother makes his form feel wrong. Because that would mean being related to him, and that means that she died to Victim's family member.

... That sure is a can of worms he is not willing to mull over further.

Victim gets sat on the bed, causing dust to fly up in the air. Victim coughs.

Their captor doesn't react to the dust in any way.

"Your kind... hollowheads..." They mumble, staring at them.

"I can use you as a bait for The Dark Lord. You look so close to The Chosen One." They sound almost.. gleeful..?

Victim feels a shiver run up his spine, no way are they letting that happen! They very much enjoy not being a bait for a terrorist!

"Oh, don't look so scared! No harm will fall upon you, I promise." They continue, trying to sound as sincere as possible. Victim does not find the other's words believable. 

Victim takes a shaky breath and sneezes immediately, stupid dust. Their captor not even sparing a glance at them, only looking around the room before letting their eyes stop at another picture of the light yellow figure. It's like that figure is everywhere.

"... I won't let him hurt anyone ever again..." They mutter out, staring at the picture. Victim feels a pang of something. They don't even know this... figure, yet... they look so... sorrowful?

"... Who... is that...?" The words come out before Victim even processes them. He immediately snaps his mouth shut.

"... Doesn't matter." The other one spits out, snapping their head into Victim's direction as if he just intruded into something personal... which he probably did.

The duo remains in silence until the winged figure grabs Victim by the arm and starts dragging them along once more. Victim punches them, only to get no reaction from the other figure. Great. Another thing to add into the list of things that make you-

"For a hollowhead, you sure are weak." The winged figure deadpans. Victim freezes. They stare at the other one. Victim hates how right the other figure is.

"I mean like. Where are the explosive powers? The fire? The flight! Anything! All hollowheads that I've seen have been powerful! But you? You are a mere imitation of what a hollowhead is to be!"

The winged figure looks at Victim, something in their expression changing as they see Victim's petrified expression. They sigh and stop dragging him before letting go of Victim entirely.

They walk a couple of steps forward and turn around to stare at Victim, who flinches away from the gaze.

"Aqua." They say and hold out their hand. Victim stares at the hand for way too long, as the figure... Aqua, starts lowering their arm, only for Victim to grab it hesitantly, just like hers back then, and shake it.

"...Vic..." He mutters out, barely audible. Not willing to share too much information, but also give a name. Aqua raises an eyebrow at the name, but shrugs it off.

"Well... 'Vic', you'll play a major role in my plan!" Aqua grins, staring at Victim with.. an almost crazed look.

"I did tell the plan earlier, but truly! It'll all be for the greater good! Think about it this way, nobody will be hurt by stupidly overpowered stick figures ever again if we succeed!" 

~~

.-. ..- -.

.... ..- ....

- .-. --- ..- -... .-.. . / .. -. -.-. --- -- .. -. --.

~~

A pair of eyes, if you can even call the dark voids that take the place of them that.

Static all over them.

They watch as the original remains unaware of the huge risk they're taking. 

".. Guess we'll see if you need our help or not."

They look around, only to be poked by another one. The one with the very curly hair, very light gray eyes. She stares at them, almost intrigued.

"Are you alright?"

"... It's nothing of importance to you, - ..- .-.. .. .--."

She sighs and remains quiet, gripping her arm. They almost feel bad for her but...

They're all just extensions of the original, so why would she feel upset when the original isn't upset?

"Just. Don't do anything stupid, alright?"

"Wouldn't dream of it."

Chapter Text

Red keeps glancing at the two hollowheads in annoyance. Seriously. This is starting to get old real fast. He almost wants to scream at the two to make up or something. Just like Red should make up with Seco-

"He hurt me!"

Right.

He sighs and looks away from the black and red figures, trying to concentrate on anything other than them.

He almost misses .. what was their name again? What a great friend he is. Forgetting his new friend's name immediately.

"Red..?" Chosen tries, they look so guilty. Red sighs and looks at the other one, raising an eyebrow.

"I just. Maybe we should get you back to the P-"

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Red screeches out, glaring daggers at the other. "I already said it! I'm not going there!" He continues, frustration coursing throughout his entire being. Dark looks at the other two in mild interest before going back to probably sulking or something like that. Not that Red cares. Dark could slip and die in a ditch and Red wouldn't care. If anything he'd be happy.

Chosen raises his hands in surrender. Red scoffs. His leg aches a lot. He does wonder.

Wait. Chosen took him away from the original spot. How will the others find them?!

"...Chosen? Should we head back to the-" Red gets cut off by Dark, who looks more upset than anything.

"Oh! You're gonna leave me again?!" he says bitterly. Chosen shakes their head, desperation filling his face. Red feels almost.. bad for him.

Chosen sighs, sitting down and hugs his knees close to his chest. They mumble beneath their breath something that Red doesn't catch. 

Red sighs and tries to shuffle closer to Chosen, only for the pain in his leg to flare up again and cause him to collapse. His vision darkens, ears ringing.

He sees a blurry figure quickly bolting over to him before his vision is engulfed in darkness.

~~

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~~

Red awakes in a void. Empty void with a cloaked figure. Eyeless eyes staring at him.

"Injured One! You came back!" They say, sounding excited. Red walks over to them, sitting next to his friend.

"I think I passed out..." He mumbles and hugs himself, not meeting the other's face. Not wanting to really look at their... not so... nice face. He hates thinking that. It's not their fault... It's- ...Second's.

"That sucks... doesn't it... did something bad happen again?"They ask, voice dripping with concern. Red ignores how off it all feels. He sighs and shrugs, not wanting his friend to think that there is something wrong with them.

"...I guess I just..." He tries. Only to trail off with a sigh. He runs a hand through his hair, only to almost scream when he feels another hand there. He looks up to see -- .- .-.. .-.. --- .-- smiling at him almost.. sadly. 

"..I'm sorry you're hurting, Injured One."

"...Please just call me Red-"

"Alright..."

The duo falls into silence after that. It feels comfortable. Red leans against them, getting a soft smile in return. He doesn't know how long it takes before the void begins to crack around him.

"I'll see you later... Red."

"...Uh. Yes... See you later uh.." His mind draws blank. How did he already forget his friend's name. He feels his cheeks heat up from embarrassment. He hears a tiny giggle from the other.

"Mallow."

"...Mallow." The name feels.. odd. But who is he to judge someone's name? He is named after a colour afterall.

The void cracks, blinding light engulfing Red until he plummets back into his own body.

He opens his eyes slowly, seeing a blurry figure hunched above himself. He barely gets time to react to it before Chosen sits him up and looks over him with wide, almost fearful eyes. His own eyes trail over to where Dark had been earlier, only to see the figure nowhere there. 

He tries to spot the other red figure, only to scream as he realizes that his mangled leg is being inspected by him.

"WHAT THE- GET OFF. DON'T TOUCH ME!" He screeches and tries to kick Dark, only for the hollowhead to grab onto his healthy leg and keep looking at the mangled one.

"...The orange kid sure did a number on you... that was almost me." Dark mumbles out, looking at his own metallic leg. Red tilts his head not quite catching the last part.

Chosen shuffles his feet almost nervously, directing Red's attention to them. He offers Red a reassuring smile that does not look reassuring at all... if anything it looks panicked.

"...How you feeling?!" Chosen chirps out, he sounds rather... off. As if trying to appear positive and failing miserably at it. Or that's what Red thinks he is doing. He doesn't know how to feel about it. 

"I'm fine..." he mutters out, not quite meeting Chosen's eyes. Dark mutters something under his breath, something Red can not hear at all.

"What did you just say?"

"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, TRAITOR!" 

Both Red and Chosen flinch back from the sudden yelling. Both looking back at Dark, who seems to be almost seething with frustration.

"...Sorry..." Chosen manages out, he looks close to tears. Red sighs, he almost wishes he was back with his fri- Mallow, he reminds himself. He looks at his leg, almost wishing it had been Dark who got the hit. 

Guilt hits him like a brick. Dark seems to be already missing a leg. Would he have wanted the guy to have two legs that do not work?!

Maybe he would have deserved it.

The guilt morphs into anger, and that only fuels his want for Dark to be hurt.

"...I think the... most logical thing to do would be to.. completely re-draw the leg... or you can always go the funny way of getting a prosthetic! Your pick! Because... Your leg is beyond repair already. Just accept it." Dark sounds way too blank for the thing he's talking about. 

"Don't you say-" Chosen tries, only to be interrupted by Dark.

"Don't give the kid false hope. He needs to understand that there is no saving that leg!" He sounds so frustrated.

The trio falls into silence after that. There is nothing Chosen can say to make the situation better. Dark is only getting more aggravated and Red... He finds himself thinking back to... Mallow. Is this how they feel..? Helpless to do anything about their situation...?

He sighs, shaking his head. He'll try to figure out how to help them later. Right now... he just has to keep going until they make sure Chosen will be fine. Then everything will be back to normal!

~~

.-- .... . .-. . / .. ... / -- -....

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.- .-. . / - .... . -.-- / --- -.- .- -.--

-- -.... / .. ... / ..-. .. --. ..- .-. .. -. --. / - .... .- - / --- ..- -

~~

"Viola..? Is everything alright?" Her voice, always so sweet. They almost want to explode from... the warm and odd feelings they have around the other.

"...I- I just-" They keep stumbling over the words. Why is it so hard to say?!

"... Mitsi. I love you" They blurt out looking at her, almost searching for any signs of either reciprocated feelings... or humor from how pathetic they are or-

"Viola... I... I do love you.. but not in the way you love me." They say, keeping a kind tone and taking his hand into theirs. "I know that.. that must have taken a lot to confess... and I am glad that you were able to do that... but..." She trails off, leaving them afraid of how she'll continue.

"I just don't want to lead you on. You deserve to find that type of happiness... and I am so sorry that it can't be with m-"

"NO! I- I- we don't have- have to be in... that type of... relationship! I just.. We can still be... friends, right?!" They're desperate. They don't want to lose the first individual who was ever nice to them.

"...Maybe we can... be... platonic partners." She offers, taking their other hand into hers, still smiling.

He looks at them, smiling back, giggling. 

"Alright... platonic partners... 'til death do us part."

She giggles back, before hugging them. 

"'til death do us part."

He stares blankly at the winged stick figure. They've been over this plan three times already. Aqua truly has no hope for them, do they?

"And what are you to do once you get them into following you?" They ask, gripping their cloak.

"I lead them to you, and you'll knock him out." He mutters out. 

"They're after The Dark Lord. Not Chosen. I have no reason to cause harm to... him ever again, right?" 

Aqua, unaware of them mulling over his past actions, hums softly. Almost as if trying to make sure there is no silence between the duo.

"They deserve it... they- they killed my sister!" They hiss out, staring at the photos of the light yellow figure, Victim... feels bad for them. Sure Aqua has been vocal about their reason to be after The Dark Lord... And The Chosen One but... Victim has yet to share why he agreed to this.

"Yeah.. That's-" He tries, only to gain a glare from the other, he raises his arms in surrender.

They seem satisfied with that.

"Anyways! Once we're done with the... leading them to us part... You'll be... free to go... and... I don't know. Probably meet your friends or something!" They chirp out, shrugging. 

Victim sighs, gripping onto his arm. Staring at Aqua, who looks way too happy about the circumstances.

"This is going to be a long day..."

~~

Soaring through the sky, being gripped by the other figure. The duo try to search for red through the greenery around them.

"Are you sure he's not... like in the city..?"

"If he was, he'd have been caught already."

Victim doesn't know what to say to that. Silence fills the air. Only flapping and labored breathing from Aqua is really heard. 

Victim wants to apologize for being a burden. For not being able to fly. Like pretty much every single one of their... supposed siblings can.

"Look! Over there!" Aqua's voice breaks through their train of thought. Victim looks around, seeing nothing.

"Are you su-" He does not get to finish before the duo plummet down to the ground.

Aqua drags him along until they can see... a trio... consisting of two red stick figures and one black stick figure. 

"There they are... Now.. go! Get both of them to follow you." They whisper, not taking their eyes off of the two hollowheaded figures. 

That gets Victim to stop. Both?What do they mean by both? Chosen is... sort of fine. He thought they were after The Dark Lord only!

"Wait I-" they stare at him, causing his lungs to tighten up. He doesn't understand. The plan was to only capture The Dark Lord, no?!

"What are you waiting for?! Just get them! We'll talk about this later!" They whisper-yell out. Pushing him out of their hiding spot.

They become aware of the multiple pairs of eyes on them almost immediately, his own eyes go to the red figure, sitting down. More precisely, his leg.

"What happened to you?!" The words leave his mouth before they can even think.

"Victim?! Weren't you supposed to be in the PC?! Cursors above, what are you doing here?!" 

Victim stares at Chosen. His breathing feels wrong. His hands feel sweaty. He feels. 

Guilt.

For what is to happen.

"... I... I... Why is he here?! And you still didn't answer what happened to Red!"

"...There was an accident. But it'll be fine... Dark... he..."

"I AM NOT WITH THESE TWO!" 

Both Victim and Chosen stare at Dark, only to have the shorter hollowhead glare at both of them. 

Red rubs the back of his neck, looking quite uncomfortable with the situation. 

"Why are you here...?" He asks, hands switching places from the back of his neck to be clasped in front of him. 

"...Well- well- I- I-" Victim stammers, what is he to do?!

"...I need you to. Follow me, Chosen. And- and. Well... I don't feel. Comfortable leaving Red with... him alone here... so-" he tries, only to be interrupted by Red.

"Your plan is to leave me alone here?!" He sounds, genuinely upset. Victim feels even worse.

"I- It's just a moment. Just for a moment. And- and... It's.. something I think Chosen would understand... and figure out how to tell you in a way that makes sense." He manages out.

Chosen raises an eyebrow, but doesn't question Victim further. Dark only scoffs, but gets up to follow the other hollowheads.

"We'll be right back, I promise." Chosen reassures Red, who at least looks a bit more hopeful about not being left behind.

The trio begin to walk. Victim can't help but count each of the steps in their mind, trying to do anything to keep the guilt, threatening to eat them alive, away. 

Soon enough, the trio are 500 steps away from Red. Victim can't do this anymore. He looks back, seeing Aqua creeping up on them. 

He can't do this. The guilt is too much.

"...I'm so sorry." Victim blurts out, tears starting to form in his eyes, both Chosen and Dark look concerned, until Dark screams the moment Chosen is struck.

The black hollowhead collapses onto the ground, Aqua making a dash for Dark, who is now making a dash for Victim.

He doesn't get to defend himself before his world is engulfed in flames. Pain everywhere  he's felt worse. burning. He hears screaming. He's pretty sure it's them who is screaming.

He feels something prick at him before their entire world turns black.

~~

-.. --- -. - / .-- --- .-. .-. -.--

.. / --. --- - / -.-- --- ..-

~

Red doesn't know how long he has been waiting for already. This has taken too long. He sighs and looks into the direction where all of the hollowheads disappeared into. 

He tries to crawl that way, only to hear screaming. 

"Oh no. What if they got attacked?! What if Dark attacked Chosen and Victim and- I have to go help!"

That gives him even more motivation to keep crawling. 

He drags his way through the forest, not even caring for how dirty he will be. He needs to help his.... friend's... siblings..? .. No time to think what they are!

He hears flapping. He tries to look at the source of the sound, managing to look up and see the weird cloaked figure carrying all three of the hollowheads.

"Nononono- I'm all alone. In- No! I can go back to where I originally was!"

He changes his direction, beginning to crawl again. His leg stings more and more. His body is screaming at him to stop moving and rest. But he has no time.

He keeps crawling until he hits a river. There is no way across. 

He feels. Just. So helpless. Tears begin to form in his eyes as his situation truly hits him. 

He is all alone. His friends don't know where he is. He is injured and exhausted. He curls into himself. Hugging his knees close to his chest.

Cold creeps up on him, he opens his eyes, finding himself within the void.

"Gee... That's... not a good situation to be in... I wish I could help.."  Mallow sounds so.. guilty. At least he thinks they do. He would object but the words just refuse to form. He feels like he's choking on air. Mallow sighs, walking over to him and putting a hand on his head.

"...I'm sorry... You shouldn't need to deal with this kind of thing all alone..." They mutter out, while running their fingers through Red's hair.

"Mallow... I... I think I just... I can't do this!" Red feels like bursting into tears, he keeps hugging himself.

"I- If you want to... I could try... something. Something that could help you... but..." they trail off, their bangs now hide most of their face, concealing their lack of eyes.

"But..?"

"..Red. I need to be honest with you. I have never done this before... But... I could try... possessing you."

Red looks up at them, eyes going wide. His chest feels tight. Way too tight. He looks at his supposed friend. A sense of dread washing over him.

"Possessing..?"

"I- I'm sorry if that's a sensitive subje-"

"NO! Maybe.. Maybe it could work! I- how will you-" He begins, only to be sat up by Mallow, who seemingly looks at him straight in the eyes.

"This will probably feel incredibly weird." They give a warning, right before seemingly slipping through him and-

White eyes, cyan shirt, purplish trousers. His friends in danger. Because of him and-

"Calm down. It'll be okay. Don't worry... I won't use your body to hurt others."

The words feel reassuring. He feels the sweet slumber take over.

.- - / .-.. .- ... -

.- / .--. ... -.-- -.-. .... .. -.-. .- .-.. / ..-. --- .-. --

They open their eyes. 

A mangled leg greets them in the body. They glare at it, only for it to begin to sizzle and fall off in clumps of code... before growing back, a shade darker.

"How wonderful." They grin, walking around. They look into whatever direction Red was going into... they turn the other way. 

They have a certain someone to find.

~~

Walking. That's all they've been doing.

Yellow looks at Second, Green and Blue. All of them wear the same look as she is wearing.

Guilt.

They thought that leaving Red with Chosen was a great idea while they went scouting!

But...

Coming back to find the spot lacking both of the figures...

They all freaked out at first, until they realized that... surely it was the cloaked figure who was after Chosen... but why would they take Red?!

She shakes her head, they have no time to worry about stupid possibilities of traps when they have two friends to save.

Although she can't help but wonder...

Where could they have gone..?

Chapter Text

The trees were rustling in the wind as they walked through the forest. Following the pull of the original.

Red... or Mallow, as they were the one in control, kept walking. The leg they healed feels slightly wobblier than the other one. 

Not that they're complaining.

Something runs down their face, they bring a hand up to it...

Static.

Right. 

Possession has some effects on the possessed person who is being actively controlled. 

They shake their head, no time for this. They have a... sibling to save.

"Are you sure about this?"

"M6? Stop ignoring us!"

They tune out the others' voices. They have no time to communicate with them for now... after all... it could be at any moment that The Injured One awakens and realizes what his body is being used to do.

They just have to ensure the safety of the original one before even attempting to talk to them.

They sigh, their body feels wrong. It aches. They don't understand why the body they're borrowing feels like it's shutting down. Maybe they could have healed.. Red and instructed him where to go.

No time to mull over that. 

They feel the tug getting weaker and weaker the further away the original is.. they seem to be traveling at a high speed. Did they figure out how to fly or something? Even thinking about the original being able to fly seems... almost hilarious. As if they even could have powers without their help.

Mallow giggles. It's time to unleash their true self... and find the original.

They keep laughing, tearing at the hair of their supposed friend before it grows back in clumps of white. More and more static keeps running down their face.

Oh, how they miss their cloak. If only so they wouldn't look like some... crayon.

Mallow sighs. They've wasted enough time already. And Red could awaken at any moment and realize that his body is not being transported back to his friends.

...

Surely that's not gonna mess up with him.. right. It's not like they blasted his leg. It was all the orange kid's fault! They just merely sprinkled some lies to a truth! It's basically still the truth!

"...M6...? What are you planning..?"

Of course their "siblings" decide that peace is not an option. 

Mallow rubs a hand over their face...

It feels almost hilarious how quickly they adapted to the body of their friend's.. and how little time it took to refer to it as their own.

"A temporary host is better than no host."

The tugging stops growing weaker... it appears that the original has stopped moving.

"Don't worry... I'll protect you..."

They mumble to themself, as if the original could hear their words.

~~

-.. .- -. --. . .-.

-... . / -.-. .- .-. . ..-. ..- .-..

.. - ... / ... --- / -.. .- .-. -.-

.. / .... .- - . / - .... . --

-. --- / -.-- --- ..- / -.. --- -. -

.-- .... -.-- / .- .-. . / - .... . -.-- / .-.. .. -.- . / - .... .. ...

.. / -.. --- -. - / -.- -. --- .--

~~

Shuffle. Shuffle.

That's all she really hears. 

Nobody is talking. Red is still missing. So is Chosen.

She doesn't understand.

Looking around. Seeing her friends. Everyone seems so upset. She looks back down.

She almost wishes she could run away from the situation. But she can't.

She has to help.

"...e?" 

She lifts her gaze back up. Yellow. Talking to her. Did she get lost in thought again?

"Blue? Everything alright?" The other asks, looking concerned.

She doesn't find the words to describe her emotions. Everything feels horrible. She misses Red. She wants to go back home.

Yellow just looks at her and offers her a hand. 

She takes it.

The group walks in silence. 

"Should we split up or what.?" Green's voice pierces the quiet. Everybody just... stares at him as if talking was a crime.

"And what? Get lost even further?! We have no way to find them!"

"Well... I just-"
"Shut up. All of you."

Everyone turns to look at the orange hollowhead. Almost surprised at their hostility.

Second takes a deep breath and crosses his arms, like they're preparing a speech for something.

"We have no leads. No direction. For all we know, Red and Chosen could be back in the PC, waiting for us. Or they got kidnapped or something." 

"... Can't we track them down by using you as a compass?" 

All eyes turn to Yellow, Blue grips her hand tighter. 

"We may not be able to track down Red... but we could try to use the connection between you and Chosen to find their whereabouts," She continues while staring off into the distance.

"But how would we do that? We don't have any tools to do th-"

"Don't worry about it... I have a plan."

~~

- .... . -.-- .-. . / .. --. -. --- .-. .. -. --. / ..- ...

-- .- -.-- -... . / - .-. -.-- / - .- .-.. -.- .. -. --. / - --- / -.-. ...--

.... . ... / -. --- - / .- .-- .- -.- .

.. / -- .. ... ... / - .... . --

-.-- --- ..- / -- .. ... ... / . ...- . .-. -.-- --- -. . / .. ..---

~~

Said plan was to break into the forbidden shack... also known as the stupid shack The Dark Lord had used back then.

Green sighs, this can only end up horribly... Especially because Yellow is actively trying to connect Second into the machinery.

He could not understand a single thing she said about shared code that should allow them to track Chosen down with Second. He does somewhat admire her dedication to this plan, even if nobody else here really understands it.

"This will probably hurt you Sec- But- but trust me, it won't take long!"

Every single person in the room just. Stares at the yellow figure. She does have the decency to at least look somewhat regretful of her actions.

"I didn't mean it like that-"

"THEN HOW DID YOU MEAN IT-"

Needless to say, nobody is happy about the plan. Even if Yellow is ensuring that nothing happens to Second while she's using them as a compass.

"Everything will be fine!"

-

Everything was not fine.

It took exactly five minutes to go from calm and slow scanning, to everyone screaming and Second crying from pain.

Sure they have a direction to go to, but Chosen could be actively moving away from where they located them to be in. And taking the being able to fly into account, he could be getting further and further away by the second.

"Second, I'm so sorry- I didn't-"

Second, to their record, does not answer. Only sobbing as their body glitches. Going from orange to black for a second. They look like... mini-Chosen whenever they glitch.

Green tries his best to seem reassuring and offers the hollowhead a hand... which they do not take. Opting to continue crying on the ground.

"It's fine... just. Take your time..?" He tries. Only getting a glare back from the orange figure.

He takes a deep breath, he just doesn't want to upset his friend further.

"I.. I do get it. You are in pain. Yes. And you probably want time to rest, but we do have to find Chosen and Red, right? If you do want to be alone, we can arrange for you to get back to the PC to rest with Victim, I'm sure they wouldn't mind you being there-  So you can rest. We will find them."

Second just. Stares at him. Before trying to say something, only to let out strangled sounds of pain.

They cough and wheeze for a while as another glitching passes by, until they manage to get words out.

"I can. Rest later. I want to help."

There is no way he can just say no to them after that. They look like an eight wheeler ran over them.

He offers a hand again, this time they take it and get up, only to drag Green into a loose hug.

He gives them a smile. They give a weak smile back. 

"Hate to break this moment, but... we have to find our friends."

They pull apart at Blue's words. Green feels like his face is burning. Yellow coughs and grabs Blue's hand, whispering into her ear about something.

He looks back at Second, they look just. Pained.

"I'll make sure you stay safe for the rest of this... and ensure that you're not used as a compass.. again.. even if she didn't mean to hurt you, she still did."

Chapter Text

Alone at last.

There is nobody around them right now, at least nobody conscious enough to pose as a distraction.

The bad thing is that said unconscious person is Vic. Their sort of... business partner as of right now? There were no clear demands from the other party for helping them, but they're sure he'll be able to tell what he wants in return to them once he's healed!

Aqua looks down at the unconscious stick with bandages all around their head. The fireball hit the gray stick right in the face. Not ideal for burns, but they'll focus on how much the injury will affect the other's life later.

They do have two prisoners. Who do require food sooner or later. Or maybe they don't! Let the duo starve a bit before making them pay!

Aqua sighs, running a hand through their wings. Ruffling the feathers before smoothing them again. They might as well change their "patient's" bandages.

"Hello, Vic. You took quite a hit! But don't worry, I will ensure that you'll be out of here as soon as possible! All I need is just.. some time to get into your code and see if you have any back-ups!" They talk to the unconscious figure as if he could hear them. They fumble around with the boxes near the bed they threw the guy onto. Letting out a hum as they find more bandages.

They turn to Vic and begin to unwrap his head. Face. Not really wanting to look at the injured figure further. They want to gag at the burns that go throughout the figure's face. They hate burns. Seeing their own sister burn alive made them hate treating burns and seeing them. His face is full of painful looking blisters. 

They slowly re-apply the bandages on his face. Checking his vitals quickly before sighing.

They should probably begin cooking for themself and their... "visitors."

~~

...- .---- / .- .-. . / -.-- --- ..- / --- -.- .- -.--

.. / -.. --- -. - / - .... .. -. -.- / - .... . -.-- / -.-. .- -. / .... . .- .-. / ..- ...

- .... . -.-- / .- .-. . / ... .-.. . . .--. .. -. --.

-.. --- / -.-- --- ..- / - .... .. -. -.- / - .... . -.-- .-.. .-.. / -... . / --- -.- .- -.--

.. / .... --- .--. . / ... ---

~~

Chosen groans, his head hurts. He looks around, only to be met with pretty much nothing. Wherever he is, it is very dark. They try to light up his fist, only to hear sizzling for a moment, before smelling smoke. Something is extinguishing his flame! 

He shuffles backwards until he feels something hit his back. They let out a sigh of relief, managing to get up, only for their legs to give out under them. They hiss, right before clamping their mouth shut. Trying to desperately get away from the spot where he made a noise, they begin to crawl forward until they hit another wall. Ow.

"WHO IS THERE!?"

He freezes. Clenching his hands into fists.

"SHOW YOURSELF, COWARD!"

Wait. He knows that voice!

"Dark..?"

He manages out, being met by silence. He may have fucked up-

".. Where are you..?" Chosen tries to ask, only to fall silent as he hears a clink. Then another. And another.

Before he can react, they are kicked. Not by a metallic leg this time, fortunately.

"DARK WAIT-" He tries, only to be jumped on and getting hit.

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! YOU GOT US TRAPPED BY TRUSTING THAT GRAY STICK!" Dark screams at him, landing a punch on his face. Chosen throws their hands to cover their face. Not wanting to pass out again.

The duo- more or less Dark just hitting and kicking Chosen, and Chosen not fighting back- keeps fighting until they hear a click, both freezing.

Light. Blinding light. The lights are on. 

They can see the small space they are confined inside of. It reminds Chosen of the box. Dark jumps off of Chosen and takes a fighting stance, ready to throw hands with whatever or whoever is coming inside. Chosen stares at the door.. At least this one has a visible door instead of endless walls that you hit when you don't expect it yet.

The door opens, inside walks a figure with a cloak, they stare at the duo as if they're nothing more than some trash stuck at the bottom of one's shoe.

Dark does not give the intruder a moment of peace before running at him and- 

Screaming as he gets electrocuted. 

Chosen recoils as he looks at the one thing they share with him.

A pair of some odd metallic bracelets.

"Well. I must say I am quite disappointed in you. I must admit that having guests this hostile should be concerning, but since it's you two, I suppose I can cut you some slack!" The cloak guy states blankly. Eyes not leaving Dark.

"Wh- YOU! I'll get you!" Dark yells out and tries to attack the cloaked figure, again, to no avail. Only getting electrocuted again. 
"Dark. It's not going to wor-"
"SHUT UP!"

Thankfully, Dark does stop trying to attack the figure, instead glaring daggers at them.

"As I did say, my dearest guests, I am quite disappointed in you! For daring to attack your gracious host, I will ensure that you will not be fed until tomorrow! Have fun or whatever. Hopefully you will feel like talking by then, and if not. I can always just withhold food for longer!" They cheerfully add, as if they're not threatening to starve them.

Neither Chosen nor Dark get a word in before the figure turns around and leaves, closing the door behind them. 

Silence fills the room. Neither one of them move before the worst of the moment passes.

"... I'm sorry." He barely hears it. It's so quiet, so... not Dark. So Chosen just stares at the red figure until the other speaks up again.

"I... should have tried talking to you instead of attacking you. And I shouldn't have just. Attacked someone when neither one of us are able to use our powers." He continues, a bit louder but still way too quiet to be the Dark they knew.

"No. I should be sorry. I got us into this mess. I shouldn't have trusted... Victim" Chosen spits the name out like venom. They stare at the floor. Only to hear a bunch of clinks until a certain red figure is standing in front of him.

They look up, only to see him... offering them a hand. 

He takes it.

"Temporary truce?"

"Temporary truce."

~~

.... --- .-- / -.. .- .-. . / - .... . -.--

.... ..- ....

- .... . -.-- / - .- .-.. -.- / .. .-.. .-.. / --- ..-. / - .... . / --- .-. .. --. .. -. .- .-..

.. / ... . .

~~

Walking. A shuffle. A glitch. They feel more and more static drip down their face. Mallow doesn't let that bother themself. They have a mission... and a "clone" to yell at. They can feel him sleeping. A deep slumber for The Injured One... or Red. They must walk quicker, even if this body is trying to reject them.

"Hmmm. How interesting." They state while staring blankly at a flower. They pick it up, watching it wither within seconds of being held. They wish to fly. But they lack the means to do so right now. All they need are the two runaways! Or... One runaway. The original gets to be free. Run free. But... He should have stayed back with them! 

They keep walking. Static running down their form. Forming. A form. They must take a form.

But whatever that form is, they are unsure of it. 

They sigh and keep walking. 

"Maybe if we all formed back into the original... they could become as powerful as a god!"

Just the idea of the original being able to become a god, for them to hold the powers of the... traitor... they would never require help again! And the clones would remain unconscious until the powers are not enough... or if they struggle with the capabilities! Surely that'll be how it works!

They happily keep skipping until their face hits a branch. They let out a grunt. Glaring at the tree as if they could manifest lasers like... C3 could.

They huff and get up, beginning to walk again. They do the original to find. The one to ensure the safety of.

And they will ensure nothing comes in their way to ensure the safety of the original.

They don't know how long it takes until... certain someone cough cough Red cough- begins to stir awake. Way too early for that! He should remain asleep for way longer than this!

"...Mallow...? Where are we..?"

The voice booms through notheirnottheir-theydon'tevenhaveabody their mind. They give no answer to their supposed friend. Only walking more.

"...Mallow...?" The voice grows a bit more panicked. 

"I am making my way." They answer, staring at the direction where the pull is taking them.

"..." 

They let out a sigh of relief. He bought it!

The moment they get yanked back into the void is the moment they remember that he can indeed still take back control. They have to work on getting better at keeping control. They land with a loud thud against the pitch-black ground. 

They turn to look into the general direction of their supposed friend... feeling a bit irritated.

"... What is your plan, Mallow... " Red looks at them, taking a stance. "The moment I accepted your answer, you felt.. relieved." He continues, eye twitching.

"Fear not! I am simply relieved that we can communicate even if one is in control! I was not aware that you may not have the best experiences with possession! I apologize, Red." They stumble out. Eyeless face staring at their friend. Bangs swept to hide the eyes as much as possible. 

"So.. you're not going to fight my friends..? Or- or-"

"Of course not! Red, you need more rest. I must advice you to keep resting until you feel better. Your mind is hurting, and that is causing your body to hurt... which makes it harder for me to figure out where I am.. I am not that used to my entire body hurting instead of just my face.." They offer him a shaky smile. "I know you're trying your best. I just... wish to ensure your safety."

Red looks at them for a moment. Going over their words in his mind, probably... Before nodding.

"Just... be careful...?"

Easy.

"I will be. Fear not. I will ensure that your body does not gain any more injuries!"

They just need to make him sleep again.

"...Although, if I run into your so called friend, I don't think I'll be able to keep that promise." They mull while pointing their "gaze" at his legs. More precisely, the one that should be mangled beyond normal repair.

"I-I-"

"Worry not! I will ensure your safe return to your more trustworthy friends!" They state, trying to keep "eye contact" with him. Too bad he can't look at their face for longer than a couple of seconds.

"I do trust Second-" Red tries, unsure how to continue his own statement.

"It's alright to feel conflicted when it comes to being hurt by a friend! But... Remember. I am here to listen if you require someone to talk to about it!"

They try to offer him a kind smile. Failing. But he does seem to get the point of it, as he offers a smile back.

"I... I guess... I just. They hurt me. Bad. And it just feels like they didn't even try to go for The Dark Lord! It felt like he was going specifically for me! Not for the guy who has killed us!" Red begins, looking off to the side. "But. They're still my friend. And I want to trust them. I want to forgive him. I don't want to be angry, I just... I don't know." He trails off

"Hmm. Perhaps you need some time alone to sort these thoughts more?" They offer, Red stares at them for a moment before sighing.

"I guess you're right.. I'll... talk to you later." He says, and the spot they're standing on breaks.

Sending them stumbling down until-

They open their eyes. Grinning.

They feel him drift back into unconsciousness. The moment they're certain he won't be a bother, they begin walking again.

~~

He doesn't know how much time passes. But sooner or later, the cloaked asshole comes back. Chosen is asleep. Dark would like to keep it that way. So he just glares at the intruder.

"I see you have grown comfortable here." They state blankly. Right before walking over to the duo and kicking Chosen on the stomach. They shriek in pain. Curling into themself, Dark hovers over his sibling as they writhe in pain from the kick.

"What is wrong with you?!" He glares at the intruder, who does not even have the decency to look apologetic. Only looking at the duo with disgust.

"He was sleeping. Monsters like you do not deserve sleep." They hiss out, twirling a feather with their fingers. Something stirs under their cloak, said something getting whacked by the intruder's own arm. 

Dark stands up, staring at the guy who is taking every single bit of his self-restraint to not try and strangle them. As if sensing this, the asshole glares holes into his skull.

"Oh. Is someone angry because I'm treating them like the filth they are?!" They almost mock.

".. Wh-what did you even want to talk about!?" Chosen croaks out. Being met with an irritated look from the winged asshole.

"Since you asked so nicely, I think I'll grace you with a response!" They chirp cheerfully. Before their tone drops to a one filled with hatred. 

"You have ruined the lives of so many innocent people, therefore I will ensure you will never be able to do that again!" 

You could cut the tension with a knife with how thick it is. Actually. You might need a saw to do that.

"I will ensure that you will suffer just as much as those you have hurt have suffered."

Chapter Text

Green grips onto the hand of his friend, taking a deep breath.

He looks at them, their unsure expression... the pain it holds.

"Are you a hundred percent sure that Red and Chosen are together? Like.. maybe they split up and-" Blue begins, only to be interrupted by Yellow.

"Would Chosen leave someone with a leg in that horrible condition behind for no reason?"

Blue shuts her mouth, Yellow looks guilty for snapping at her friend. Everyone is concerned for Red. And Chosen!

"Sec? You doing alright?" Green tries, getting a nod from them. He lets out a sigh of relief. At least Second's doing better than before!

There is only whispering. None of them really enjoy being apart from one another. The last times they've done that have all ended up in disasters! So... why be apart?

They'll just hopefully find Chosen and Red in the same place! It's not like the two of them would have split up!

~~

"You're being oddly quiet... is something wrong, M6?"

"I... They refuse to answer! It's like they hate us!"

"You're both being irrational. Worry not, they only wish to reunite all of us!"

"Of course you'd say that..."

"What's that supposed to mean? Are you insinuating I am less than the rest of you?!"

"NO! I- I'm sorry! I didn't mean to-"

""Leave her alone, please. She did not mean it like that and you know it. You are just as valuable as we are."

"...Not if he wouldn't have left."

~~

They really hate it when the others get loud enough to actually understand... they'll just have to keep ignoring the others. For the sake of the original. 

Mallow grunts as their leg gets stuck on yet another root. This body is very much... inconvenient compared to the temporary bodies they have held. 

... Their former form was much better... more like.. themself! Or.. whatever they are apart from them.

They shake their head. They have no time for this! They just. Have to keep going until they find wherever-

THUD

..They run into a... wall?

Mallow stares at the.. odd building. It looks like a.. normal house! But... the original... their presence is all over the place.

They get up, dragging themself towards the presumed door, only to get launched into the air. They let out a very dignified screech as they do a backflip across the forest. They're. Going. To. Commit multiple crimes.

What even count as crimes?

What is a crime...?

They facepalm. Frustrated. They should just get going further. Mallow wipes their hand across their shirt, staining it with static.

They are so close to the original.

Mallow grunts as their formerly mangled leg decides to give out under them, sending them tumbling down to the ground.
They wish they could just... leave this body and go to the original already. But their form outside of... that place refuses to exist without something tethering it down to this place.

They stare at the trapped door, lost in thought.

They will get inside. That's a promise.

~~

This entire trip is a nightmare. 

That's what Second thinks. Because not only is their friend and brother missing, they feel hurt all across his entire being from the stupid, stupid idea of Yellow's.

They sigh, gripping onto the hand of another friend, Green. They still feel far too tired and hurt to even want to be on this journey.. but. He wants his friend back. His brother back. 
He looks at Yellow, she looks... guilty. And they don't blame her. He still feels guilty for... hurting Red. 

They never meant to hurt Red. He just... can't bring themself to ask Chosen to help them with the issue.. Like. Yes. They did ask but his advice was... bad. 
They're sure he tried his best to give them advice... but they're just not... meant for that. He still feels afraid of his.. true nature. What they are capable of.

They almost wish they could be like Victim. Powerless. 

Second grimaces as another jolt of pain courses throughout their body. He feels like... when... he stabbed them. Over. And over. Again. 
Their arms begin to shake, alarming the one gripping his hand.

"Sec? Is everything okay?" The other sounds muffled. He heaves for air, when did it get so hard to breathe? Why does their chest feel oddly. Numb.

They can't do this. There is no escaping.

He hurt Red. His friend. And now he's missing. They can't even apologize. They need to calm down. The pain courses throughout their entire being.

They barely comprehend that they're still moving. Being dragged by Green. They feel nothing more than pain. Fear. Of what they are. He isn't some godlike being, are they? They didn't mean for any of this. They didn't even know about that for the majority of their life!

He jolts as they come to an abrupt stop. He looks around, the others are beginning to settle down for some reason. Green motions them to do the same. They don't quite understand why. 

"Sec? Sec! Yo- we. We need rest." Green. That's Green talking. 

Second stares at him like he just grew another head. Green sighs and sits down, letting go of their hand.

They feel oddly lonely.

It's fine.

They sit down and lean against the other. Green is... warm. They stare at the others. Blue already sleeping. Yellow setting aside her glasses and laying down.

Surely sleeping in the middle of a forest is a great idea!

They sigh and close their eyes. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

~~

 Mallow glares at the door as if it just killed the original. They hate this stupid. STUPID. Trapped place.

They screech and begin to claw at the door. They're so. So frustrated. Their leg sizzles. They don't care. They need to get inside.

They stumble down. Gaze trailing across the ground. Locking onto a rock. They crawl towards it, grabbing it. They begin grinning almost maniacally. Gripping the rock as if it's their key to solving the secrets of the universe.

Mallow drags themself up looking for a window before walking towards it and breaking it with the rock. They don't care about the shards of glass that dig into their skin. They crawl through the window. The stings barely matter when they can feel how close the original is.

They giggle and begin to look around the rather. Dusty place. They see smashed, empty picture frames. Scribbled out faces of... what appears to be a light yellow stick.

They don't like that.

They look around the rooms, each one somehow holding more dust than the last one. 

The original is not here. But... they're near. Where could-

Maybe there is a basement.

They begin to stare at the floor. Ripping open every single thing they can. Throwing carpets aside. All of that.

And the entrance is. Literally. A clear stairway. Near the door outside.

They walk down the stairs. Slowly, listening, observing.
Mallow feels the tug getting stronger.
They make it to a... hallway. They see a figure in the distance. Going from one room to another. Carrying a... bag?

They have no time for that. That's not the original. Because this... figure has wings...

They sneak around, being mindful to not make a sound nor be seen. 
Eventually, they get to a room... with machinery. Beeping. The tug grows way too strong and-

The original. Injured.

They feel rage consuming them. Who would dare to hurt them?! They'll kill whoever it was. 

They take a deep breath. Red remains asleep. They can just... 

Change hosts.

They detach their form from their former host, static staining the former ones face even more. Almost looking like they'd bashed their head had they been a hollowhead... but full-heads bleed code, respective to their color.

They force their being into the mind of the original's. Reunited. At last. They feel pure glee as they're not even fought by the unconscious the original!

They lack vision. That's a problem. 
They sigh. Running a hand over their... oddly textured face. 

They shake their head. They'll just have to await for the perfect moment to protect the original.

~~

It had been barely a few weeks. 

They feel so alone. All of the pictures of her are broken. They failed to protect her. She died. And it's all their fault.

They sniffle. Ripping out another feather. They hate these cursed limbs.
Those two didn't need wings to fly. Are they some gods!?

They angrily grab a fistful of feathers, yanking them out. Only to burst into tears at the pain it brings.

They curl into a ball. 

Why are they so weak?

"Is everything alright?"

They jolt up. Looking around.

She isn't here.

They stare blankly at where they thought they heard her. Wonderful. They're going crazy! 

Their gaze snaps to their wall. Newspapers taped all across it... It's them. 

They want to strangle those gods. Kill them. Make them feel just as much pain as they've felt. 

They can almost imagine themself. Killing the two. Watching as the life drains from their eyes. 

... Would a quick death be more humiliating than a long and painful one? With the latter it feels... more personal. But.. they don't deserve the mercy of a quick death. But they're also not worth the effort... they deserve to feel miserable.

They giggle to themself. They deserve to suffer. For the sake of everyone they made suffer!

They stare at the item in front of them. Grabbing it and putting it into their bag alongside the other... "gifts" to their "guests".

They walk across the halls. They snap their head towards the room where their "patient" is. They feel uneasy about leaving their... business partner? Of sorts... alone for... at least a while, but it'll all be for the greater good!

Aqua grins as they make it to the cell.

It's time to make the gods pay.

Chapter Text

The room feels claustrophobic.
Their stomach still hurts from being kicked.

At least they're in this together. 
Right?

Chosen watches as Dark stirs in his rest, they had been taking turns with sleeping and being on guard. After all, who knows when the winged guy will return.

He sighs as he runs a hand across his face, they feel tired already. 
They don't know how long they've even been here. Could have been for just a few hours. Could have been for... a day or two...

Red.

The thought hits him like a brick. 
They left Red behind. Thinking they'd be back soon.

How would he be able to get around with half a leg?! 
Will he starve to death? Succumb to the injury? What if it gets infected?

He takes a shaky breath. They can only imagine the fear Red feels from being.. essentially left for dead.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

There is is a faint sound of footsteps, maybe there are more people involved in this, or maybe it's all one guy... Victim had others. That made it only worse. 

He almost wishes it's all just one guy, if only so fighting back is actually worth it.
He looks at Dark's sleeping form, before looking back at where he assumes the door is. It is incredibly... dimly lit. He can barely figure out how big the room is, let alone where the actual door would be.

The footsteps get closer. And closer. Until.

Light. 

Chosen hisses as it hits him in the eye. But there is no escaping the light.

For once, they are able to see the room. It's just. A grayish metal box. Nothing... really inside of it.
Still better than the white void of doom before he got his ass beaten...

They jolt back as Dark shoots up, squinting at the sudden light.

The door opens. The winged guy is back.

With.. something. It's hard to tell when you can barely keep your eyes open. 

The door shuts with a click as the guy walks inside. They walk confidently. Furiously.
Chosen tries to yank Dark with him away from the mystery figure, getting a hiss in return from the other.

Right. Temporary truce. 

"Did you have a nice nap, The Dark Lord?" The mystery figure asks, tone dripping with venom.

Luckily for Chosen, Dark remains sile-

"No. Horrible one. Could have had a bed to sleep in," Dark deadpans.

Chosen feels like ripping Dark's other leg off. Then he feels guilty for even wanting to injure his brother.
He blinks a few times before managing to keep his eyes open. They stare at the winged figure, said figure is glaring at Dark with pure hatred clear in their eyes.

"Oh! A silly one!" Their voice drops to an icy one before they take a step forwards.
That's when Chosen sees the knife. He grabs Dark and bolts. Running straight into a wall.

"BAHAHAHAH! That's you attempt at escaping?!" The laughter echoes in the room, mocking.

The winged one grips the knife before lunging at the duo, knife raised up in the air.

Chosen tries to push Dark away, only to feel. Sting. Pain.

Static dripping down from his arm.

He screeches in pain as the knife twists before being pulled out.

Static oozes onto the ground. The winged figure just stands up and dusts themself before screeching and stumbling down.

Dark. Fists clenched. 

The figure's face. Code.

Dark punched the guy.

Chosen barely gets time to digest that before the winged one lunges at Dark, trying aim the knife at his eye. Dark pushes the other to no avail. Stupid. Stupid shortness.

They look at their own oozing arm before gripping it, trying to put pressure onto the wound. They shake their head. He has to help Dark.

He half-stumbles to the winged guy and bites his arm, gaining a pained screech from the knife-wielder before.

They stare at him.

"How dare you."

That's the only warning he gets before the guy lunges for them again, slashing wildly. 
Chosen scrambles back hearing Dark's alarmed yells. 

SLASH.

Static. Running down his face. Vision blurring as tears form in his eyes.
A twist and a disgusting squelch. 
More static.

He drops down, someone kneeling by his side immediately. Ringing. Yelling.

He brings a hand to his face, to their right eye.

Only to be met with a hand full of static. 

His eye. Gone.

Tears falling down. He heaves for air. The walls feel like they're closing in on him. 
Barely registering that. Something is pressing up against his face.

He feels sick to his stomach.

The edges of his vision blurring.

~~

She stares at the others, happy. At least even within this void, she has her... siblings by her side! 
...Even if he keeps disappearing. Only coming back each time with a new scar. 

But it's fine. It always has been fine.

Until it's not.

He stops coming around. 

But it's fine. Just the five of them.

Then he disappears. Never to come back. 
They're all afraid.

Before they're back to life.

But... he looks different. Tired, fainter in color.

Maybe he would be back as well.

But he isn't here.

In his place is... someone else.

Someone who... looks a lot like her. Only with... slightly darker shade. Longer hair.

They are quickly displaced into the void again. The new one seems angry when she tell them about him.

... Then they're summoned again. To fight someone who looks quite a lot like... C3.

I5 seethes from anger. Constantly. T4 tries to keep the peace. M6... they're constantly talking about the strangest things.

She feels afraid. Alone.

She just wants to be able to be around them all without it having to be a fight. Or a life or death situation. They all would always die for him. After all...

He is the original.

~~

This is not good. Everything has gone horribly wrong.

Dark tries to desperately keep the cloth against Chosen's face. His arm as well.

But he has only two hands. 

The winged asshole left, for now.

Dark keeps pressing the wound. Chosen's out. 
Maybe it's for the better. He'd rather be... out like a light instead of enduring the agony the other one is probably in.  

He'd give up his only working leg for some bandages right now.

If only so Chosen wouldn't bleed out.

He sighs as the other remains as still as possible. If it weren't for the faint breathing he can feel against his arm, he'd assume the other one is already dead. 

His own stomach rumbles. That is a problem.

He can only hope that Chosen isn't hungry, otherwise they're going to be in far greater trouble. 

He doubts that they'll be even fed by the winged asshole.

The room feels far too suffocating. The stench of static filling it. The light remains on, that can be either a blessing or a curse.

He feels exhausted. Sleeping in tiny naps before this was the best the two of the could do, while also trying to fight someone while your powers are somehow deactivated is horrible.

The bracelets feel suffocating even more than the room. He would fiddle with them, but Chosen is in need for assistance right now.
He takes a shaky breath. His arms feel tired already. His leg is becoming numb.

He doesn't even know how long it's been since the winged asshole left them alone. Since he began to try tending to Chosen's injuries. 
He's doing his best. Said best is not enough.

Tears form in his eyes, he tries to blink them away. Staring up to try and make the tears not fall, the light hurts his eyes.

He regrets everything that led him here. He should have just left the stupid kids alone... Chosen alone.

But no! He just had to ruin his own life by trying to insert himself into Chosen's!

He sighs. His entire body feels numb. He can feel the static seeping through the cloth... that he ripped from his own shirt.

This is not going to work for long.

Creak.

He turns his head around. Eyes widening. Dread beginning to settle in his chest.

The winged asshole is back.