———

They say the most dangerous kind of person, is one fighting not for someone they love...

But their own life.

The will to live surpasses most other emotions in human nature.

We are willing to listen to those we know are lying in hopeless situations

For the hopes of survival.

Underestimating someone in a life or death situation

Could be your final mistake.

Because most people don't have the will to kill someone

Until it's you

Or them.

———

The wind begins to pick up as Balloon's fear rapidly rises at the sight of the beast that had appeared in front of him. He tried to escape only to have the creature grabbed him, just like before the substance spreading over his body. His wings desperately flapped trying to get away... But to no avail.

Nickel screamed out to Balloon and tried desperately to summon the claws from before, or to attack the creature that held him. Damn it— HE SHOULD HAVE PRACTICED INSTEAD OF SITTING BACK AND LAUGHING! Nickel was angry with himself, and scared for Balloon.

Nickel was frozen, he didn't know what to do!

Balloon felt it slowly envelop his body, it made him feel weak, and drained him of his hope. For some reason her felt incredibly hopeless, and weak. He tried to squirm free, to kick his legs frantically...

To thrash.

To scream.

To struggle.

To fight.

He felt weak.

'Breathe just breathe...'

He felt hopeless.

Was there even a point to fighting...?

What was happening...?

'Breathe...!'

Tears prickled his eyes.

Was this the end...?

He felt whatever was trapping him continue to tighten around his body.

'I-I can't breathe...! I CANT BREATHE!!!'

'fight...!'

'FIGHT!!!'

'BREATHE!'

'I DON'T WANT TO FALL ASLEEP!'

Freedom

He needed to be free.

Right?

'Fight!'

'FIGHT!'

'FIGHT!!!'

'FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!'

'FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT'

Nickel watched as Balloon's wings began to glow before they had been completely engulfed in the creatures grasp. The light was yellow, and shimmered different colours depending on the angle you viewed it from.

The light grew brighter and brighter, Nickel began to squint his eyes from the intensity of the light.

The creature trapped Balloon in a prison of the very substance it was made of. The creature's ability to weaken it prey worked very effective.

Or so it thought.

The light shined through it's supposed hand, or limb.

Balloon's wings grasped freedom first as desperation quickly took hold of Balloon's very mind. He was acting through instinct he didn't even know he had a will to live he never would of sparked before. He was barely consciously himself at this point.

His hands began to glow.

Nickel stood on the roof, and watched what was happening. The moment Balloon's hands began to glow, the whole area began to feel... Different... He didn't even know how to describe it, an overwhelming amount of energy was coming from Balloon. he could barely even comprehend the things he was feeling.

Balloon held his hands towards the creature as it's limb slowly dissipated upon contact from the light. Light from the surrounding area slowly condensed into a single orb of light. It shimmered different colours upon the angle you saw it from, it was as bright as a star, it may as well be one.

Balloon's eyes glowed brightly in this trance like state, and the light pulsated. The light drained from his wings and hands and finally his eyes before it shot from the palms of his hands in a massive blast.

"Th-that's... not wind..." Nickel muttered in a shaky voice as he watched from the background.

It shot through the monster's body

Balloon stayed in the air for a few moments before falling instantly. An incredible amount of energy drained from his body in an instant.

Nickel snapped out of his amazed, confused, and terrified state to desperately attempt to help Balloon, the claws forming and flickering into reality just as Balloon was about to fall pst the edge of the roof.

Nickel caught him and cupped the claws protectively around the other boy. Nickel had been breathing heavily. Beads of sweat slowly fell down the side of his face.

Was it over?

Of course not.

Why would things be that simple?

Nickel gasped as the shadow creature emerged from the ground back up the side of the hotel. It was smaller than before, much smaller, but still bigger than both Nickel and Balloon combined. It screeched in violent rage. Nickel's eyes widened in fear, he was too occupied protecting Balloon to use the claws on the beast. And if he placed Balloon down, it would get him. And Balloon may not be as lucky this time if it managed to get Balloon in its grasp again.
He backed away to try and run into the hotel, But the monster was clever. It destroyed the door in an instant, the only exit now buried in dust and rubble.

"Great... Just great..." Nickel snarled in both terror and anger. He turned around to face the beast, it's distorted, glitching face was unsettling. It looked like a corrupted file, or glitch in a video game. Nickel was puzzled by the thought, but it wasn't his biggest concern in this moment.

Nickel in a desperate act of defensive tries to puff himself up to make himself look bigger and more threatening, his eyes glow bright as he attempts to focus his energy into looking strong in the hopes the creature would leave.

It seemed completely unfazed.

Nickel had no idea what to do, he tried to not back down in this stand off, but the cluster of concentrated shadow formed a claw of its own and directly hit Nickel. He was flung backwards from the force and felt the chipping of the metal as it flew off of his face. Warm blood poured out of the gash that had been inflicted on his face. He only smelled and tasted the blood, the strong sent of iron was sickening to him.

He saw only red and felt the blood pour out of his body. The claws that were protecting Balloon flickered, if they went out Balloon would have next to no protection from the beast that was attacking. Even though the creature was surviving by a thread, Balloon was unconscious. Which rendered him practically defenceless.

Nickel kept a tight grasp on his consciousness. The blood still spilling from his wound.

The creature raised its talons again reaching to strike at the two terrified boys. It's distorted glitching eyes locked in Balloon position.

Nickel clenched his eyes shut in fear... This was it...

He suddenly heard a deafening screech con from the beast as it was violently attacked. Nickel opened his eyes to see...

A dragon violently attacking the creature, blasting it with beams of white light from its mouth. The two monsters clashed together and collapsed from the hotel with a loud crash.

Nickel slowly got up and winced at the burning feeling in his face... He could kind of see the purple glow from the ground as the wound began to regenerate. He bit his lip and stumbled over to the edge and watched the battle below.

Baxter lunged at the creature of shadow, and bit into it tearing out it's shadowy flesh and blasting it with his light beam. Lightbulb ran out through the front of the hotel doors as she heard the clash.

Her eyes widened at the sight of her beloved pet and the corrupted beast as they fought. Baxter seemed to be winning, Lightbulb cheered Baxter on, as she tried to figure out how to help him.

The monster managed to slash at Baxter. The side of the dragon's face was sliced open, glowing white blood poured out of his face as he roared in pain.

Baxter fell over back, and the beast grabbed the wall of the hotel to climb back up once again. Nickel gasped in fear.

Lightbulb however.

She was furious as she watched one of her best friends in pain...

The rare spark of rage filled her eyes as she turned to the shadow beast on the side of the hotel. She ran towards the wall to follow it, and using her rage and channeling it into energy just as Fan did, she managed to take flight. Her wings were too small to do much work, but she seemed to be floating just fine, it seems the small wings were solely for balance.

Nickel panicked as a shadowy claw gripped the roof, it was about to grab at him, when Lightbulb flew up and clenched her fist. Her hand began to glow as it sparked and crackled with light and she punched the beast. A blast of energy shout out of her fist and her eyes glowed bright as she screamed in a fit of anger and destain.

Nickel flinched at her angry expression, as Lightbulb being this mad was definitely a rare sight.

The monster greatly decreased in size as it's face distorted more to an expression less malicious and sadistic, and more to one of pained, or fear.

Nickel took this as his chance to gently place Balloon down behind him and attack the monster. He used the claws to slash at the beast multiple times, once again tearing through shadowy flesh with sickening ripping sounds.

Lightbulb charged up another attack and before the monster could dodge, Nickel gripped it with the claws and Lightbulb used one final powerful blow to completely destroy the monster. Her hand sparked and crackled for another moment as she breathed heavily with rage, before her eyes softened, and her hand returned to its original state. Lightbulb quickly turned to Baxter in the air and flew down to try to comfort her pet dragon that had been curled up on the ground, pawing it's face in pain.

The wound was closing up slowly, but she still frowned at her pet's distress.

Nickel turned to Balloon. He still seemed unconscious, Nickel didn't waste time as he felt anxiety tug at his mind. He ran over and nudged Balloon gently.

"B-Balloon?! Are you alright?! " Nickel asked in a scared tone, blood trickled out of the wound that had been nearly closed.

Balloon shifted uncomfortably. He seemed to be waking up slowly.

Nickel exhaled the breath he was holding in relief and checked the other boy for wounds. He seemed... Untouched...? Why would the creature attack Nickel, and not Balloon? It still seemed to have want him for some reason... So why was it after Balloon?

Balloon's eyes opened. He seemed exhausted and weak. "N-Nickel...?" He whispered close to tears.

Nickel nodded, "Y-yeah... I'm here..." he gave a soft smile to comfort Balloon.

Balloon weakly reached his hand towards Nickel, his arm not leaving the ground as he was too exhausted to lift it at this time.

Nickel understood Balloon's desire for comfort and he got on his knees next to him, and gently nuzzled himself closer. Trying to offer what comfort he could.

Lightbulb flew up into the roof, as she was a fast learner and quickly figured out how to fly on her own. All she needed to do was— pretty much think as if she was as light as a feather, and focus her energy to her wings. She easily made it to the roof and looked at the two cuddling boys. She could tell they were both crying.

"I-I uh... Hate to disrupt the snuggle fest, but do you both need help getting down from here? Seems the door that was here before Kinda— uh— exploded. I don't really know what happened." Lightbulb shrugged.

Nickel glanced over at Lightbulb and gave a quick nod. "That would be... Great..." Nickel sighed.

Lightbulb skipped over and stopped herself. "Oh— er... Don't you kill people when you touch em—?" She frowned.

Nickel flinched away from her slightly. "Ohh... Yeahhh..." he clenched his teeth in discomfort.

Both of them tried to think of a solution.

That when Balloon weakly wrapped his arms around Nickel and buried his face into him, as he held Nickel against his chest area.

Lightbulb's eyes widened her LED lit up as she found the perfect solution. She picked up Balloon as he held Nickel, and was able to safely travel to the ground. Lightbulb glanced back at Baxter for a moment before she entered the door.

Baxter was quietly resting near one of the orange trees as he recovered from the battle prior. He seemed to be relatively fine now.

Lightbulb gave a kind smile as she entered through the front doors of the hotel.

———

HELP THIS CHAPTER WAS SO EPIC??? TEAMWORK???

I originally was procrastinating all day on this chapter and didn't know what to write, and the chapter cover felt like such a pain to draw— So I worked on IRR like most of the day.

Until I found my spark for this chapter and completed it like fucking LIGHTNING—

ANYWAYYY—

HOPE IT WAS FUN!!!

E

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