Two hadn't yet spread the.. strange news of the note to anyone else in the base, having been stuck on how to handle the situation. It scared them a little... to think of Donut having been working against them all this time. It made them realise how blind they were, how oblivious they might have been... but HOW? It was all making sense now.. Fries sudden disappearance.. Fries and Donut must have been working together, too.

At least Four himself wasn't alive..

Two wasn't dumb. They understood that when powers were traded or passed on, that the receiver would have to learn how to use them. Therefore Donut couldn't have been that strong..Two doubted he learned the ability to recover that easily and that fast. It took Four years..

Lousy Four. Why couldn't they just die normally.

But Two had to retain the powers to make sure that nobody else would get their hands on it, weary that it might still be out there. They couldn't risk ANYONE else finding that power..not from Fours side, anyways. Fours powers needed to be kept safe.. Two knew they themselves couldn't use them.. maybe eventually they could give the powers to a trusted member of their team so they could recover all of their side.. considering how many had died or left.

It would be nice to have Needle and Nickel back.. and well, it wouldn't kill to force the previously dead on Fours side to work with Two. Like Cake, Saw.. Flower..

They knew Bracletetly and Pie had died at the start of the war; they had been on Twos side and had just died during the fighting. It wouldn't kill to have them back, either.

Two had sent out a group to go check the bear traps that been set out a short while ago to see if anyone had been caught in them. They didn't tell anyone else but Coiny about the note yet.. planning to later. Liy had to pretend like she didn't know any word of it, so when she got asked to look for traps with Leafy and Loser, she knew that something was up. Two didn't want them to look for bear traps.. Two wanted them to look for Donuts body. God.. she hoped Gelatin had hid it well, she was really scared of someone getting their hands on that power..

Well.. someone from Twos side. She had no idea what everyone else in the forest was doing right now.

So she and the other two were hussled outside to go look for the "bear traps". She was miserable because of how cold it was, but also because of who she got grouped with.. she was beginning to feel a lot of pressure and stress being with everyone from Twos base when she knew damn well she didn't want to be there.. she just knew she was being kept from something..something big.

With all her memories.. visions..dreams.. they couldn't mean nothing. She knew something wasn't right..she just wished she knew what.

So she walked through the forest with Leafy and Loser, mostly keeping silent and to herself during her travel. She hadn't really went out with these two since they took a visit to that lab together.. and kidnapped Lightning. Shit.. she forgot she did that.. damn, another reason not to be trusted. Jeezz.. she had done a lot of things, huh?

She clutched her knife to her side, pain shooting through her leg each time she took a step due to her ankle. Loser was walking ahead with his back faced to her, and of course there was tension between them due to before. She didn't say a word to him, Leafy by her side and strolling as well. She had never felt fearful of Leafy before.. but now she understood.

Leafy felt this tension, though. Less around Loser.. more around Liy. Something was different about her.. she could sense it, and see it in the way Liy carried herself. Leafy kept a stern and straight face as she followed behind Loser, moving a stray stick that was poking out from a bush out her way by pinching it between her fingers. "You're not the same, Liy.." she unexpectedly stated.

"Wh-What?" Liy blurted, startled by this sudden and rather worrying comment, trying to act offended. "The hell are you talking about?? Of course I'm the same!" She retorted, glaring over at the plant.

Loser felt a smirk twinge as he heard Liy begin to defend herself..this was great. She was losing her ability to keep up her fake exterior.. which was exactly what he and Barfbag wanted. "Yes.. I cannot.. help but agree. What is wrong, Liy? You've been acting awfully strange.." He wondered innocently, not looking back at her while he held his gun close to himself.

She wanted to punch him, but kept her attention focused on Leafy instead. "Wh..- ..I- What do you mean, Leafy?? I don't get what you're trying to say." Liy tried to play dumb, anxiously looking ahead. She felt anxiety begin to rise in her as they were talking about this topic, her throat feeling dry.. this wasn't good. She was beginning to lose the battle..

"I just mean that you're acting odd. Usually you're more energetic, and lively. You never take anything seriously..so why are you so serious right now?" Leafy interrogated persistently, sounding not concerned for Liys wellbeing, but for her motives. Of course Liy wasn't going to trust her, and said nothing that would indicate anything.

"Well, sooorryy I'm not laughing up in your face! Am I not allowed a break from being myself?? Ughh." She rolled her eyes dramatically, her fingers clenched tightly around her knife in fear, gripping it while she hoped and hoped they would just change the topic already. Leafy side eyed her, raising an eyebrow without amusement.

"You see.. that right there. You usually would say something like "Oh, Leafy, you silly thing. Always thinking of the worst possible situations." You're acting unnatural.. in a different way. Like I said, you're not yourself. " Leafy repeated her theories, Liy grasping her knife harder when she realised that Leafy was right. Shit.. she didn't like this. She didn't like being the suspicious one.

"I AM the same! What is your dang issue???" She snappily spat back Leafy, getting defensive from her fear. She felt incredibly frustated..not just at them but at herself. She felt guilty.. because she realised this was exactly what Fries went through.. probably without all of the .. weird memories and questioning his existence thing. This part.. the part where he would get sussed out and those around him would notice his strange behaviour; he would constantly have to lie straight through his teeth if he wanted to keep his life.

She imagined how he would have to continuously hide it.. she tried to recall how many times he and Free Food went out. How did he do it.. she wished she could know. He kept that going for so long.. how did he get away with it? How did nobody suspect anything? Well.. not in an obvious way... he was never directly asked, not when she was around, anyways.

She felt terrible.. she wished she could ask.. she wished she could apologise. She grit her teeth thinking about it, clutching her knife harsher to the point it started to make her fingers hurt. It reminded her of the note Two got today, her mind wondering into thought about this instead.

Someone from their base must have written it.. that was the only explanation made logical sense. But who would even WANT to sabotage Barfbag? Her gaze gravitated towards Leafy in a subtle way.. would she know about Donut and everything? Probably not.. she wouldn't even care. She knew Loser knew..  but she didn't think he would betray Barfbag.

He probably didn't even know about the note yet. She felt weary at the idea of him knowing..she didn't want to get the blame for this. She knew damn well she didn't write it.

Uhhhgh.. then WHO did??

"I don't think there are any more bear traps here. Maybe we should just go back. They seem to all be empty..the one's we've found, anyways." Loser suggested calmly, coming to a hault. Liy and Leafy skidded to a stop as well, since they were behind him. Liy caught onto what he was doing immediately, knowing he didn't give a shit about the bear traps. He wanted to go back because he wanted to look for Donuts body closer to the base.. or alone. Liy wouldn't let him. But she was also scared.. she wanted to prolong Losers inevitable discovery of the note for as long as she could.

"Oh, no, Loser. Don't be ridiculous. You're a perfectionist right?? We haven't checked them all yet. You more than anyone should understand the importance of that." Liy bitterly spat, squinting at him with hostility. She proceeded to stomp past him and shove him with her only arm, pushing him to the side aggressively.

He stumbled back a few steps, keeping a calm exterior but would have shot her with his gun there and then. Liy proceeded to lead them ahead, signalling mainly Leafy to follow her. Leafy was confused but was too tired to care, following her and treading past Loser without an ounce of concern.

Loser grit his teeth and forced a strained smile, marching ahead as well while his hand dangerously clung to his gun. He was sick of keeping her alive.. he just wanted her to die already.

She would get what was coming to her eventually..she would suffer. He smiled unnaturally wide and grasped his gun near to him, not saying a word as he tagged behind them.

---

Since Gelatin was now gone with Lightning to go look for Firey and Stapy, the group figured that this would be the most appropriate time to discuss their opinions on Liy. Golfball understood how difficult it was to .. debate their opinions on the matter due to Gelatin, as he had a strong belief that Liy genuinely was good. Golfball needed to know what the others were thinking about it, because she didn't trust that for one second. That wasn't Gelatins fault.. he was probably just being manipulated and had no idea.

"So.." Golfball began after clearing her throat, observing all of their expressions carefully from where she stood. ".. Do we trust her." She got straight to the point, wanting to hear everyone's arguments.. though, she was pretty sure that all of them were going to say no. Liy had done so many things to this group in particular that.. it was practically IMPOSSIBLE to believe that she wanted to redeem herself. It was frustrating in a way.. it was like they didn't even WANT to consider it a possibility.

"Absolutely not." Tree immediately started without holding back, his legs crossed on the grass as his hands lay on his lap neatly. "I cannot believe it is even up for questioning. Liy has done many horrific things that I cannot even recall them all... i-it's crazy. After everything.. this HAS to be a trick. Lightning told me how awful his journey back to the base was.. they were all sadistic and LIKED the fact he was upset over Fannys death, and this includes Liy. She wanted him to be hurt, physically and mentally. I refuse to believe she is capable of having a heart." He retorted the last part in mild aggression, annoyed that they were even considering this. He sounded upset, actually.

As much as he liked Gelatin..he just.. couldn't see why he trusted Liy. Or was willing to trust Liy.

Jr growled through gritted teeth, standing up and gathering attention instead. "EXACTLY!! And THIS is just one event!! Don't you guys fucking remember?? She was the one who set Bomby alight - she is the reason those 3 died in the explosion!!" Jr cried resentfully, putting his arms up in the air as he exclaimed his point. "Come on!!" His voice was filled with detest, observing each of their expressions.

"She ..has done countless things." Clock muttered in collaboration, his eyes lidded. "I.. I.. don't even think that I COULD forgive her if .. I wanted to." He shook his head, leaning back against the box he was sat next to. Blocky was sat on this box, his arms crossed. "Tch! Fries is dead thanks to her, so, uh, no. Not in a million years." He rejected, swiftly turning his head away.

"She.. had a choice.." Basketball mentioned with a dissapointed sigh, shaking her leg up and down due to her anxious feelings. "And.. she chose the wrong one. I.. I'm sorry, normally I'm open to forgiveness, but.. is.. is this really an option here?" She mused. Tennisball glanced her way, looking back to the floor in worry. Hearing them speak like this about Liy unnerved him a little.. mainly because of his own secret.

"We... have to think.. why did she choose now to change? Or.. pretend to change." Tennisball brought up quietly, not sharing eyecontact at any of them. Pen was stood, pacing repeatedly, stress permeating through his body.

"Liy is a master at manipulating! She .. loves it .. look at how she manipulated Lightning to let her free! And.. when she would constantly try and manipulate Blackhole with Tree in coming back with her to the base." He reminded, putting his head in his hands with a long whine. He had known Liy more than most of them.. the ones that weren't on Death Pact, that was. He was struggling.

"She did that..?" Tree peered up at Blackhole with pity, his voice soothing. Blackhole perked up, kind of lost as everyone has been talking. "Oh- uh.. yeah.. uhh.. that.. happened." He remembered every moment in the basement, a little embarrassed thinking about it. "I..It wasn't the only time. She tried, uh, many other times.." he muttered informatively, trailing off.

"Exactly! We KNOW how crazy that bitch is. Why the hell are we even talking about this??" Snowball complained heatedly, Basketball frowning at his informality.

"We still have to .. unfortunately consider the possibility, as... much as I dislike Liy. Remember, she is the reason that Jr was almost crushed to death, and the reason I was almost killed. In no way do I like her.. or care to tolerate her for her crimes.. but..." Lollipop inhaled regretfully, bothered by the idea. "It has to be spoken about."

"Ughh, I don't fucking care if she has some sort of sob story!! I don't give a shit, she's done way too much for me to feel bad for her. This is just karma kicking her in the ass." Jr insulted fiercely, not a fan of the suggestion that she was actually good. "She got what she deserved." He claimed, repelled by her.

"Yes, but Coinys amniesa explains why he is the way he is." Basketball responded steadily, her tone understanding. "If Liy.. DOES have a reason like that too, you don't have to .. be obliged to forgive her.. trust me, it would be difficult to.. I.. I don't know if I can. But.. we have to keep that in mind when ..thinking of why she..changed.."

"What fucking ever." Jr uttered, leaning back with frustration.

"Yet, again, this may be a trick. We have to approach this with EXTREME caution." Golfball warned, knowing what she was capable of, standing to project her words better. "We've seen what she can do.. and with her having close access to Coiny at all times, she may have already manipulated him, and given his fragile state that would have been a piece of cake..." she explained her thoughts wearily, biting at her lip. "It doesn't take a genius to understand what this means."

"Yeah, that she's playing Coiny like a damn ukulele. " Jr grumbled miserably, flicking some grass that he had pulled from the ground.

"Y-You're right. It'll be super easy for her to lie to Coiny about everything.. since there's nobody else in the base to protect him anymore.. is there-?" Anchor wondered, fiddling wth his hands from worry. Eraser pondered this, looking up.

"Uhhh...no." Eraser shrugged with his single arm. "Everyone left in that place apart from Coiny is long gone, dude.."

"This is worrysome.." Golfball speculated, peering at the ground and where her feet were. "Gelatin being blind to the idea of her manipulating him may be bad for Coiny as well..." She realised this as she spoke, Blocky looking up fast as she pointed it out.

"Aw..shit. You're right.." he groaned loudly and put a hand on his head, trying to think. "Ughhg.. this situation is so difficult man. I don't even know what to believe at this point.. or what I'm SUPPOSED to believe. "

"Trust me, we know." Gaty peaked up from where she sat to observe Golfball. "What do you think is the truth??"

Golfball pondered her question, looking down with an expression of thinking. She.. in all honesty had no idea. Right now the question of who to trust and what stories were real was basically a stab in the dark. Everything was so messed up it was hard to rely on half the information they thought they knew anymore. "..I.. I do not know. I thought she was completely untrustable.. but of course, doubt is one of my worst enemies.."

"She fucking killed Fries, why the hell would you even have an single cloud of doubt in your head??" Jr boomed in offense, reminding them yet again. But.. he was right. She WAS the reason Fries was dead, simply put. She went back and told Two what she didn't have to say.. she chose to do it, so it was ultimately her fault.

"It's..just.. " Tennisball pulled his legs to his body. "..Why would she bother saving Gelatin if she didnt care.." he faltered. That was the main question.. the part that nobody wrap their head around. Golfball sighed heavily, trying to conjure up some reason. She pushed her glasses up her face and prepared her words. "This is the troubling part. I suppose .. to make her trick believable..as a manipulation method to fool Gelatin. But.. that is a lot of dedication.. for Barfbag to fail her plans with Donut, the plans that Gelatin said she had been establishing for over a month.. and ruin the chance to get Donuts powers.. would they really throw away all that work JUST to manipulate Gelatin into thinking he can trust Liy?" Golfball proposed the question.

Clock wondered... "Possibly..? I..I don't know, Golfball. Would it be worth it? What would she gain out of manipulating him? But also screwing up any chance to get Fours powers. Let's be honest..which one was more desired?"

That was a good point.. Eraser groaned and grabbed his head, rubbing it with irritation. He was beginning to get unfocused with all of this stress and overloading information. "Ughh.. I can't keep up with this crap, man. Are we trusting Liy or NOT??"

Blackhole stayed hovering behind Tree as he let the others speak and argue, not having contributed much.. mainly because he knew that his opinion on the matter would be looked down upon. He was... very lost. He remembered when he had told Liy that she was unforgivable, he remembered how aggressive she was to Blackhole.

Her tactics this whole time had all been in favour of Two. Of course.. her manipulating Gelatin was very possible..if she was working with Two.. if they were actually all working with Two.. but Barfbag WASN'T. Gelatin had said that she wasn't..

Liy hadn't been doing this for anyone but Two.. so surely if she was faking this, it would also be in favour of Two also? Except in this situation..it wasn't. Manipulating Gelatin didn't benefit Two.. because this was Barfbags plan, and Barfbags plan was to get rid of Two, according to Gelatin of course.

It didn't add up in Blackholes mind.. and.. he wasn't sure if he was doing the wrong thing by thinking of trusting her. Why would she change.. why. He could recall when he talked with Fries, when Fries explained why he had originally been the way he was.. this was the same with Coiny..so why couldn't it be the same with Liy?

He knew the others were just scared to trust her.. they were probably in denial, too, because it seemed so outrageous. But.. maybe Liy wasn't unforgivable afterall. Maybe she.. just needed help.

He.. he didn't know. He usually got manipulated by her a lot.. he might as well just be falling for another one of her lies once again.

"Fuck this noise. I'm gonna go take a walk before the rain comes back. Can someone come with me??" Jr requested while standing and brushing off his knees, Lollipop offering and standing too. Gaty agreed to tag along after Lollipop did, the three of them beginning to depart.

Blackhole knew this wouldn't be the last they spoke of Liy.. so he was bracing himself.

Tree could see he had doubts, though.

---