This story ending is my official entry for loveaintluv's first choice, "Stranded". I just figured "eh, why not?"

Apologies for having to send you it this way, Flare. For me, it just seemed like a hassle trying to fit it all on several comments, and this generally is easier as well. No offense.

Also, sorry if I drift off the main ship here, because there's several instances of Captain and Ninja, but it's purely platonic. I'm not experienced on romantic writing, so excuse me if it does get out of hand.

Anyways, continuing on from where the story left off...

-----

One of these particular switches caught my attention out of the available ones to choose from.

There appeared to be a maroon coloured switch just below my abdomen, which resembled a regular light switch.

It read, "工場出荷時のリセット". The only one that was written in a completely different language to the rest.

Even with my incredibly high intellect as a machine, my programming wasn't designed to recognise the writing.

Before I got hasty and flipped the switch with curiosity, I decided to consult one of my fellow crewmembers about this particular issue.

And, I think I know just the person.

~

I exited outside my room, ensuring that I made as little noise as possible to avoid waking the other crewmates.

Trudging towards my destination, I realised that my control panel was still visible and the whirring noise of cogs was still audible to the human ear.

I immediately closed and securely locked it, puffing out air from my cheeks after noticing nobody had awoken from the noise.

Arriving at my destination, I glanced at a sign hinged adjacent to the transparent window with the words, "邪魔しないでください", in clear bold font.

I remarked how the language on the light switch was somewhat identical to the pale noticeboard and confirmed to myself that 'he' might just be the solution.

Without a moment to waste, I proceeded to knock on the lilac painted door three times with enough force for the crewmate sleeping soundly to acknowledge my presence.

"Wait...why is he wielding his silver sword?", I whispered using my indoor voice.

The crewmate in question hesitantly approached the door in a defensive stance and turned the door knob.

He was taking more time than was necessary to unlock and open this door, which raised a lot of suspicion in my circuits. I leaned in closer to investigate further and attempt to decipher the noise coming from there.

"Strange...Why on earth is he taking so long to ope-"

My lightning quick reaction speed kicked in and I backed away almost immediately, falling back on the floor at the presence of the headband wearing individual who had flung the door open and thrusted the very tip of his blade towards my skull.

Luckily, he stopped just short of a few centimetres away and I suffered no impalement of any kind, but my heartrate boosted dramatically in frequency, as a result.

Who else but Ninja to greet me with an entrance like that? Truly, an intimidating killer.

He reluctantly pulled his engraved katana away from me and firmly reattached it to his leather scabbard located behind him.

To further worsen my petrified look, he gave off a menacing, stone-cold glare towards me and sighed frustratingly.

"何があなたに私の領土を詮索する権利を与えます！？あなたはサインを読まないほど盲目でしたか！?", he grumbled pointing his indigo index finger at the sign I had previously read multiple times.

Even after several months of settling in with the core crew, nobody could translate or understand what Ninja was trying to get across to the rest of us. Not even me, who shrugged it off as Spanish when we were first introduced to one another in an emergency meeting.

I was just left bewildered and I tried my darndest to answer appropriately to his comment. "Sorry Ninja, but you seem to be the only one that can aid me in my little dilemma."

Ninja rolled his eyes and shook his head in disbelief at my response.

"ああ、そうだね...あなたがまだ私の母国語に精通していないのを忘れた。", he muttered, almost incomprehensible to me. "ただ中に入って、それについて速くしてください。"

He raised his index finger and motioned for me to enter his dormitory to which I replied, "Thanks, buddy." I closed the door behind me to ensure no-one would enter unsuspectingly during this time.

~

Ninja carefully sat on the neatly woven mattress, and signalled for me to follow suit beside him with a couple eye glances between me and the bed itself.

"さて、あなた自身を説明してください。", he briefly mentioned, much to my confusion once again.

"Uh..."

Ninja gradually realised that the communication barrier would be a consistent issue during our discussion, and quite frankly so did I.

He took a moment to ponder what to do, and groaned.

"私が実際にこれをしているとは信じられません...", he muttered unded his breath, squeezing his forehead with both his thumb and index finger.

He turned towards me and emitted words which I never would have expected to hear anytime soon.

"Cap...tain"

He...was able to speak English?

"What...tr-ubb-els you, my fr-end?", he spoke, almost turning away in embarrassment from his attempt to converse in my language.

For a moment, I was astonished; my mind rushing with disbelief at this surprising revelation. Albeit, he was slightly rough around the edges, but I could definitely comprehend his query. For now, I need to focus on my dillemma.

I breathed in and exhaled out, preparing to reveal to him my true appearance.

"Before I tell you about the problem that I'm currently having, I think you have a right to know something about me that I've never told anyone else before in this lobby. But, you must keep this a secret from everyone. Not until the day I push up daisies, okay?"

"I...p-rom-eese...", he replied, crossing his heart and hoping to die.

Ninja tilted his head to the side, puzzled at the information before the latter promise comment. His curiosity peaked as he allowed me to continue.

"I...I'm not what you perceived me to be throughout all of our adventures together..."

He raised one of his eyebrows, still in bewilderment, and was about to interrupt me, but he nevertheless chose silence as a valid option.

"I'm not an ordinary human being...I'm simply a robot built with human qualities and capabilities."

Ninja performed a double take at this revelation and his visor widened and enlargened. "I-In...heu-man!? Im-p-poss...ible!"

Obviously, he couldn't just take my word for it without evidence, and to be perfectly honest, I'm fairly certain the rest of my crew would disagree at my shocking news, as well.

So, I decided to prove him otherwise...

"Don't believe me? Watch carefully", I instructed with a calmer tone, now that I know exactly what he'll witness.

I hesistantly placed my chalky finger across the right side of my stomach lining, from my perspective, and rested it for a couple moments.

A faint glow had formed from that specific position, and a miniscule latch appeared signalling that my internal systems recognised my fingerprint, slightly taking Ninja aback.

"なんてこったい！？"

"That's not the only weird part of my system, you know...", I jest somewhat as I open the small latch with delicacy to reveal my inner workings to the purple-clad crewmate.

"Am I...dur-eeming?"

"I'm afraid not, my foreign friend. This is the real deal", I say, openly telling the full truth before his very eyes.

Every single mechanical piece of equipment required for me to function was visible; all the little cogs meshed together, the motherboard itself, and the various switches I had previously described, intact and secure.

Ninja was practically paralysed in amazement at this point, having trouble processing what he had just seen.

I reassured him before things got out of hand.

"Fret not. I've not yet malfunctioned or gone haywire these past months. But, I need your assistance with something here that I can't seem to wrap my mind around."

"Dis...is...c-cray-zee!", Ninja replied practically in hysterics.

I placed a firm grip on his back and began to soothe him.

"Please trust me, Ninja. Whether I'm man or machine, I'm still your capable leader at the end of the day. I need to know that you're willing to help me."

Ninja calmed himself and regained his composure, aware of my situation again.

"Okay..."

"Thank you", I mentioned, no longer ready to dawdle.

"Now, despite what you may think, I'm not fully experienced with the layout of my mainframe. If you look closely at this button, in particular...", I explain, with Ninja squinting his visor to make out where exactly Captain was pointing. It was difficult to observe under dim lighting, however the glow made the issue less of a nuisance.

"...It's function is described in a language I can't quite understand. By chance, would you be able to translate it?"

Ninja folded his arms and gave an unamused look.

"And...yeu j-ust...as-seum-ed...I w-would...know...be-cos...of de...lan-gwige barrier...?"

I could only shrug and extend both palms outwards to the side.

"Sorry, but I literally have no clue who else knows this distinct writing. There were very limited choices at my disposal."

"それで、あなたはグーグル翻訳さえ考えていませんでしたか？", he facepalmed, a tad infuriated, much to my confusion. Nevertheless, he agreed to inspect the scripture using the glow as guidance.

He began to read the message aloud in his mother tongue to get the gist of it and he beared an unsettling look on his visor for some reason.

"Everything okay there, Ninja?"

"De but-tun...It...it...", he stuttered and my concern grew to a greater extent. Nothing drastic could have been written on there, could it?

"What seems to be the problem?", I queried, hoping to Innersloth it didn't put me in physical danger.

"Fac-turee...Reset...", he uttered with the unchanged look of despair.

"Factory reset? L-like a...memory wipe!?", my heartrate started to accelerate at a rapid pace, and Ninja's nod of confirmation only gave me butterflies in my stomach.

"Why would my design even incorporate such an option in the first place!?"

Ninja shook his head multiple times, knowing that button was essentially one step away from suicide. Both of us kept our distance between that particular button in order to avoid accidentally setting things into motion.

"Well, uh...this is kinda awkward. I best get going, considering the hour...", I scratched the back of my head sheepishly, trying my best to leave on a lighthearted note.

Before I made my silent exit out of Ninja's dorm...it hit me.

Maybe there is a way, I recalled thinking back to my love-hate relationship with the red beanie dweller.

I halted my momentum before turning around to Ninja and delivered another query on the matter.

"Say, Ninja?"

"Hm?"

"You might not know this, but my relationship with Player is complicated. I admit that I have feelings for him, a love that transcends all of Among Us. But, he doesn't return my feelings."

Ninja considers my explanation and proceeds to form a thinking pose, already seemingly knowing where this is headed.

"Why...dus...he not...app-ur-eciate yeu...?", still seemingly puzzled by my comments.

"I get the feeling that it most likely results from my overly possessive and clingy nature, which makes him uncomfortable. I don't intentionally mean it, but he doesn't truly understand how I feel about that ketchup wonder of joy."

"So?", Ninja awaited for the end of my love conflicting question.

"So...I can't express my gratitude to him directly, because I fear being rejected."

I ponder for a moment before peering down at my circuit board, and that's when a brilliant idea sparked in my frontal lobe.

"I wonder...", I mutter, gradually lowering my finger onto the button.

Ninja notices almost immediately and grasps my hand knowing what I was about to do.

"Don't...end it...prease...", his tone becoming more endearing and almost begging for me to stop doing the unthinkable.

"We...c-err...about yeu...Ev-ury-one...dus!", he replied, implying that this isn't the right decision to make.

"Most of this gang do, but certainly not everyone. Not Player, at least..." It almost felt like an invisible weight dropped on me, because I slouched further with my visor getting mistier at the realisation.

"I know this may seem like a terrible position I'm being put in, but...this might be the only way I can start things fresh with my red apple."

"Prease...Th-ink about...what...yeu a-are...do-ing! Dere...w-ill be...c-ayohs...in deh...lob-bee...wiv-out...yeu!", Ninja pleaded, showing the most care and appreciation in his voice I had ever witnessed.

Regardless of his outburst for me to prevent my finger from pressing the switch, I insisted my way was the ideal choice for my problem.

I simply raised the palm of my hand upwards, and placed my other hand to Ninja's side, almost as if upholding a promise.

"I understand that the crew won't be pleased with me virtually being absent, but it's my role as a leader to ensure that each and every single bean is satisfied whatever the circumstances, and if I can't fulfill that role, then what good is the name 'Captain' worth?"

Ninja glanced steadily towards me accompanied with a nod of agreement, signalling that he understands the point I was trying to get across.

"I promise I won't shut down here accordingly, because that would look quite suspicious to everyone that a 'dead body' suddenly appeared right at your own feet in the morning." I jokingly pointed out, earning a hearty chuckle from the swordsman alongside me, elevating him out of his state of misery.

"Alrighty, I think it's time I take my leave! I think I've overstayed my welco-", my ongoing sentence was interrupted as Ninja immediately clutched onto me in a tight hug, and I proceed to return the gesture in the same manner.

If these were the final moments you had available with a friend, you would take each and every one in stride, as my fellow purple crewmate has demonstrated.

We slowly released our firm grasp from one another and I trotted along to the exit, knowing my fate was as clear as day, by choice.

"Sayonara, Ninja...", I utter one last time to him shortly before my grand exit.

"さようなら、キャプテン...", Ninja muttered, gesturing a farewell salute to me.

~

Eventually, I returned back to my quarters and decided to consolidate on what to do now that I've officially made up my mind.

This is for the best, I kept repeating in my head, I have to make amends somehow.

"Tomorrow is gonna be different from any other day", I mutter to myself as I formulated a brief overview of the next few actions to take.

I opened my bedside drawer and retrieve a beige coloured notepad with an ebony ballpoint pen in hand.

I carefully sat on my quilt cover and began to write one last heartfelt message for a certain someone before I made my departure, using my knee as a supporting weight.

I cleanly ripped the page from the pad and placed it gently on top of my bedside porch, being absolutely careful not to sustain any creases on it.

Finally, after all is said and done, I placed my finger across my abdomen once more and hesitantly opened the sealed latch, peering over the switch that assures my destiny, once and for all.

Practically nanometres away from flipping it, a tear pricks down the side of my visor and a smile branches across my marshmallow face.

"For Player...", I uttered before I pressed the button.

It didn't take long before my processors began to die down and my inner workings ceased to function. The long-term effects of the switch started to kick in, and my senses began to deteroriate before my very own eyes.

Eventually, a shroud of darkness overwhelmed me and I immediately knew that nothing could bring me out of it.

I shut my visor and prepared to go into a deep slumber; my body slumping and becoming lifeless on my own mattress.

~

Player

----

9am

----

Lounging around in bed, I eventually opened my groggy eyes to an almost heavenly like gleam. It was clearly morning.

I arose to the new day that awaits me, all the while groaning at yet another day of the workload of tasks, trying to avoid being murdered on the spot by the dastardly impostor, and dreading at the inevitable outcome that always seems to plague my dreams...

Losing...

"Oh, jolly. I wonder how this day will pan out", I mumble sarcastically, already expecting the worst.

It took me a good few minutes to prepare myself for the day ahead and get a clear view of my surroundings, but I noticed something quite bizarre...

"Strange...normally Captain wakes the rest of us up a couple of hours beforehand..." I immediately assume that Captain had forgotten to set his alarm off at 7am and shrugged it off as his pure incompetency that always seems to put a smile on my face.

Wait, 'smile'? There's no way I'm falling for him! He's just a friend, like Veteran is! A smile can't go any further than a friendly acknowledgement, right?

I slapped myself, exuding force several times to get that thought of my head.

"Why're you hitting yourself, ding-dong?"

Unbeknownst to my little aggression, Mr. Cheese had witnessed every single bit of it and my face immediately turned a bright shade of pink, in embarassement and not just from the slaps earlier.

He began to chuckle, much to my dismay. Why didn't I think to lock the door?

"I overheard you mentioning about Captain a couple moments ago. You two still buddy-buddy together?", he queried giving off a look of concern; something I've never actually witnessed in my entire Among Us career, let alone towards an average joe like me.

"Yeah, but that's all we'll ever be, and that will never change, understand?", I reply unintentionally using an assertive voice. I was quite clearly adamant about the whole friendship thing.

Mr. Cheese grew rather skeptical from my response, but he simply took in stride, nevertheless.

"I just came by to inform you that Captain needs you in his dorm for something."

"What thing?"

"You'll see, moron...", he replied, swiftly grabbing my arm with ease and dragging me across the hallway directly to the location of Captain's headquarters. I almost lost my balance trying to keep up with his immense speed and stumbled a few times, luckily not falling face first on the smooth surface.

I regained my composure and footing when we eventually arrived.

"I could have walked, you know? I'm more than capable", I reply, a hint of irritation in my voice.

Mr. Cheese rolled his eyes and gave an expectedly condescending sneer. "Yeah, sure...like you're so much capable of actually winning your very first game. Luckily, we all know that won't be happening at any rate, with that terrible losing streak of yours."

I decided not to provoke him about the matter, silently cursing him under my breath.

"Anyways, I'll leave you two lovebirds to it!", he jested, following through with him grasping his own bean shaped body with both arms and gesturing a kissing sound.

He's teasing me about me and Captain actually being a thing, when that's obviously false. It'll never happen in a million years...right?

"Piss off, Mr. Cheese!", I reply exerting vexation towards him, before he proceeds to skip playfully away from me, leaving me alone with my friend, Captain.

I glanced inside his room, poking my head just outside and to my surprise, I immediately saw what I assumed was Captain sound asleep on the floor.

"Knocked out cold, huh? Must have been practicing his guitar song during late hours, that it didn't even occur to him that he lost track of time", I quietly whisper to myself, to avoid accidentally waking that adorable little marshmallow.

Adorable? Okay, now I think I've officially lost my marbles. WE'RE JUST PALS, END OF STORY!

At least...I'm fairly certain we are...

I instinctively trudged my way inside and ensured he would be up and ready in his usual cheery manner.

Politely, I start off with a few whisper comments to see if he'll wake out of his deep slumber.

"Hey, Captain. Time to get up!"

"Captain? You awake?"

"It's me, Player!"

Okay, that didn't go quite according to plan. Never fear, though. Let's try the ol' nudge technique, I reassure myself, knowing he might not have received the memo for the wakeup call.

I proceeded to lightly shake him, while still speaking, ensuring my voice was clear and coherent for him to acknowledge my presence.

"Hey, Cap?"

"Pal?

My gentle nudges soon turned into panicking jostles.

"Buddy?"

"B-bestie?"

Nothing seemed to be working. No matter what methods I utilised, Captain just wouldn't get up. This wasn't like him, to be all motionless, and...lifeless, almost.

I figured he had to have ingested something dangerous or he was knocked unconscious from a critical strike to the head. I frantically searched for any pieces of evidence that may be scattered in his dorm, constantly trying to keep my cool.

Shortly after, I came across a smooth, uncrumpled piece of paper with jagged handwriting on it just beside his bedside table.

"Is this...a letter?" I questioned, seemingly still in a daze about Captain's current unconsciousness. Did Captain wish to keep this in a safe location?

I brought it up close to my visor and began to read every single detail, ensuring not to skim-read over any important information that could come in handy, later.

"Player," It started off...

"He wrote this to me?" All my attention was focused on the document, not letting any distractions catch me off-guard.

"If you manage to read this, then I have some unfortunate news to disperse about me."

My heartbeat steadily began to increase in frequency.

"I was originally created as a robot designed to replicate an ordinary human being, installed with the many qualities that an average human possesses."

"A robot? No, I'm not buying it!", I state with confidence, refusing to budge an inch and believe this piece of info.

Regardless, I read on in anticipation.

"Remember back on that game in Polus with Gentlebot? There was a particular reason I chose to shoot you dead on the spot and it certainly wasn't because of you accidentally revealing yourself as an Impostor..."

I was deep in thought. That wasn't the whole story? I silently mentioned to myself, growing ever so curiouser at the foreboding letter.

"You see, because of my design, my feelings towards you were merely nothing but my genetic coding. They weren't real. I made the grave decision of ending your life because I wanted to become human and delete these placebo sentiments."

It was gradually getting more difficult to grasp reality for me, at this point. I sincerely hope the next section clears things up a bit more.

"Deep down, I've always had feelings for you Player, and to be human? That would've been a miracle! I wouldn't have been tossed aside into a scrap heap full of metal and disposable waste."

Feelings? My heart picks up the pace eventually reaching maximum velocity. He's loved me this entire time?

"Oh, god...I've really been a massive dick to you...", I cover my mouth, instantly regretting my many hurtful actions towards Captain. He didn't deserve to be treated like this!

"Yet, that didn't help matters in my regard, but with you, it always seemed like we distanced from each other further and further away, to the point where it almost gives off a vibe of not even showing a single shred of respect for me."

"I...I d-didn't mean any of what I did, intentionally! Honest!", my voice almost breaking in certain areas. It was like my whole world was crumbling before me in a matter of minutes.

"No matter my methods of impressing you, to get you to like me, you always seemed to resent me every which direction." The letter was slowly detoriating away my sense of dignity.

"I contemplated for some time, believing I was at fault for being too possessive and clingy, which resulted in your hatred against me. I believed that we may have gotten off the wrong foot, in a manner of speaking. I wished to begin things anew with you, my ketchup bean of joy."

I constantly shook my head in disbelief. I thought we were on such good terms together. I didn't think it could lead to something as drastic as the termination of our friendship.

Tears started to form at the bottom of my visor, reading on more of Captain's lament. A few started to tinkle down across my cheek.

"So, I need you to brace yourself for what I'm about to say next. I...will no longer be a part of your current life... I've performed a memory wipe on myself by shutting myself down. Fret not though, my replacement data will soon arrive at my main database, with the slight alteration being that it will have no collective memory of anyone from this crew, or any past events, including the time we spent together."

That's when the pieces started to intertwine and come full circle. Captain's motionless body, him being surprisingly revealed as a machine.

I grievously wanted to deny the possibility of Captain being dead. My dumb, loveable Captain. I so desperately desired it to be some practical joke he decided to play on me, but it seemed like a nightmare that had come to full fruition.

I just couldn't take it anymore, and I proceeded to bawl my eyes out all over Captain's lifeless corpse, meanwhile choking constantly over my sobs. I can't hide it anymore.

Indeed, I loved him more than life itself. You might find it extremely strange how I came to adore him, despite his various flaws, what with me shunning him at every turn, not even turning up to his cleverly crafted birthday parties, or best friend picnics, he was always so eager for.

I turned him down on many occasions, mainly because...I feared being criticised and judged by other people for being involved in a homosexual relationship, because this would've been a first for the crew (A/n: I'm deconfirming GentleCheese just for this story, FYI, sorry pls forgive). Also, I still had a friendship to uphold and maintain with Veteran, who I never want to disappoint by hanging out with my true love more often.

"W-Why Cappy!? You didn't h-have to resort to this!", I manage to speak through my consistent wailing. "I'm so s-sorry for everything that I've ever done wrong to you!"

I continued crying for a few minutes, letting all my emotions pour out. My cries of agony slowly dissipated into sniffles and hiccups, and I then realised there was even more description included on the letter I glossed over before my outburst.

I grab ahold of the beige coloured page, in a weary state and continued to read on.

"But, always know this. Wherever my current data is, be it in the infinite abyss of space, or stranded on an impossible to locate island, I'll always love you for who you are and don't think that'll change anytime soon. As I once said at an earlier meeting, "keep being awesome"... Bestie...

Lots of love,
Captain

XXX"

"You'll always be in my heart, you loveable goof, Cap...", I mustered the will to speak, solemnly taking a couple minute's silence to remember the memories we shared on our adventures together.

The mustard condiment coloured crewmate, Veteran, walked in shortly thereafter and immediately noticed my dreary disposition.

He brought me into a genuine side hug, settling down beside me.

"What's up, buddy? You don't look like your normal, glum self today", he quipped wholeheartedly.

I couldn't lie to him. I didn't want to lose a second close adversary from telling a fabricated fib.

"Captain's in the afterlife, Vet...", I respond rather curtly.

"Really? Damn. He was a one-in-a-million guy, you know? I was startin' to believe he was coming onto you for a while, dude", he attempted to cheer me up, with information that I now know to be true.

"Yeah, he'd written it precisely and in greater detail on that letter just on the left porch over there, before his eventual passing", I proceeded to point directly at the aforementioned note with my index finger motioning for the yellow devil to inspect it.

"Letter?"

He squinted his visor, trying to discern the crudely written script.

"A robot!?"

"He swooned over you this whole time!?"

Veteran was taken aback by the information, and in light of everything he'd just witnessed he seemed curious and was eager to query a couple of things to me.

"I can't believe we've played with a robot in disguise the entire time we've known each other! It's so unearthly and uncanny, but simultaneously it's FUCKING AWESOME!", he pumped his fists in excitement.

"Yeah, I guess it is", I respond, a sly grin appearing on my face.

"I never would have guessed!", he mentioned still in seventh heaven, elated by this recent discovery. It took a few moments for him to eventually regain his composure.

"Wow...Anyways, where was I? Oh yeah...he had feelings for you, too!? Ho ho, man! Is this a wild fever dream or what!?", Veteran reverted back to his state of pure amazement.

"You wanna know what the strangest part is?", I question to him, bracing myself for upcoming comments about my sexual orientation.

"You shared the same sentimental feeling towards him? Yeah, I kinda expected that."

"W-wait, really?" I reply, unsure whether he genuinely saw the signs of affection.

"Come on, do you really think I don't notice that cherry blush on your cheeks, or the outspread smile across your bean shaped face, every time he sang his off-key songs, or when he simply walked up to you with enthusiasm every day just to say 'hello'?", Veteran folded his arms and gave a rather cocky smirk, fully knowing that the ship between me and Cap had officially set sail.

"Shut up, dude", I playfully remark, pronouncing it further by slightly punching his side.

"Hey, I'm not complaining, dude. Even if it is a machine that you previously had feelings for. I'm actually glad you were planning on romanticising with someone in the real world, and not a virtual character in a video game, because I would have probably seeked out therapy, otherwise", we both wholeheartedly guffawed at the thought that idea was cut short in due time.

"Well, thanks for understanding, pal."

"No problem, buddy. As long as my bestie is content, I'm content, and I'll be here to support you in whatever future path you consider choosing", he patted my back reassuringly, strengthening our friendship bond to a T.

I then recalled back to the letter, remembering a specfic detail Captain had previously mentioned. Replacement data...

Sounds like an invitation to power on a new Captain, I briefly assume. Better go and check that letter and see if I missed anything.

I clutched the letter in both my crimson palms once more and lo and behold...

"P.S. I should probably inform you of the correct setup procedure so I don't leave you clueless and hopeless. XD"

I merely rolled my eyes playfully in reponse. Typical.

"First, place your index finger on the right side of its stomach and keep it in place for at least 3 seconds. If done correctly, you should see a cyan vignette glow emit where your finger is situated. A tiny hinge will appear at the exact same spot as well. To unlock it, simply grip it with your thumb and finger and carefully slide it open like you would a regular door. You should now bear witness to the main motherboard. On it, you should see a blue spherical button. Press it, and voilà! You now have your very own functioning Captain!

Okay, I've gotta go now! Sorry for that mishap, and remember to stay awesome for real, bestie!"

After finally finishing the letter, I proceeded to follow Captain's carefully laid out instructions, ensuring I check each and every single step.

Like a caveman to new advancements, both me and Vet were taken aback by the glow and the inner mechanisms of this 'Captain's body.

I eventually reached the final step and pressed the navy button in anticipation, like a young kid opening up his christmas presents for the latest gizmos and gadgets.

A loud gasp was instantly emitted from his mouth, almost as if Captain had been truly revived...almost...

"W-where am I?", the robot with Captain's distinct vocal cords, began to speak.

I took this as the only opportunity to attempt to bring his memories back to him. It was better than just giving up right off the bat and rolling with it.

"You're in your own room, on The Skeld", I answered in an endearing tone.

"The Skeld? My database isn't currently installed with that location", it responded summoning a green grid projection on view, presumably showing the list of places it has recognised so far in binary.

It proceeded to scan around the vast spacial surroundings of Captain's room, eventually gazing upon me, before I popped the next ideal question in this situation.

"Do you know who we are? I'm Player and this is Veteran."

"I deeply apologise for the misunderstanding, but I have no recollection of either of you. I don't think we've even met before", it responded, obviously leading me to recall the memory wipe detail mentioned in the letter.

With one last push of effort, I ask him one final question.

"Do any of these names ring a bell to you; Mother, Stoner, TheGentleman, Mr. Cheese, Mr. Egg, Ninja, Bro, Angel, Gnome and Engineer?"

The robot took each name into consideration, but after careful thought, it simply shook its head and responded:

"No, I'm afraid not."

I exerted a sigh, knowing that deep down the lack of any past memories was caused by me. If I hadn't shunned him away all this time, the marshmallow bean would still be here, appreciating my existence.

There's no use dwindling on the past, now. I need to focus on bettering myself and turn over a new leaf, starting immediately.

I instinctively grasped the robot in a tight hug, much to his confusion.

"I swear on my life, I won't end up making the same mistakes again!", I utter, a bit incomprehensible due to me burying my face in his chest.

"What mistakes?", the new machine questioned.

"Nevermind. Just something I learned from an old, close friend of mine", the word 'friend' being highlighted as something more 'intimate', shall we say?

"Oh, I should probably introduce myself before I forget. I am referred to in my original model as LK-4D4, but I am more than welcome for any other easier to remember suggestions", the robot seemingly putting others before itself. A trademark quality Captain was originally known for...

...which gives me a wonderful idea.

"Hm...how about...Captain? You resemble the close friend I described earlier and I'm sure the group needs another leader to take his place. That sound good to you?"

"Indeed, anything for people, whom I should soon be acquainted with!", he responded, looking considerably more positive than just a few minutes ago.

"In that case, I should probably get you settled in with the rest of the lobby. Just don't freak out, if you tell them about your lack of knowledge about us, okay?", I reassure, letting out a chuckle, which the new Captain was soon to follow.

Leading the way, I shut and locked Captain's door, and prepared to start completely from scratch again.

----

3rd person

----

Ninja stood opposite Captain's dorm, witnessing everything that had happened from a distance.

He smiled and shed a tear, looking out at the clear blue skies.

"さようなら、キャプテン....私たちの恐れを知らないリーダー..."

A/n: Another story from me, well partly anyways. Hope you enjoyed. I thought it was a bit iffy in certain areas, given that this was my first time writing for a ship story draft, but nevertheless, it's done.

Btw, Flare I'm still sorry about this having to be the case.