TW: DEATH, TERMINAL ILLNESS, GUNS.

———

Lightbulb sat upon the bed next to Paintbrush and held herself close to them. She was worried about them, their condition was worsening fast, and they were already death's door. Her face was still soaked with her tears as she clung onto her dear friend.

Paintbrush was still covered in a cold sweat, their breathing unsteady, weak, and strained. They were barely grasping onto life. And not even conscious at this point. Their fever like a burning inferno. If Fan didn't come soon, they'd hold die. And soon.

Lightbulb tried to soothe them with calming words and her presence. But comfort can't cure illness.

She stared ahead of her at the door sadly. Hoping Fan would comply as promised. And everything would be okay again. Or at least... As okay as things could be. Even if it wasn't by much, they still had to try.

She didn't know if she could live wither herself or her mistakes, if Paintbrush died.

The slow rise and fall of their chest was what kept Lightbulb sane in this moment. She leaned her head on their chest silently and let tears fall down her face as she sniffles and sobbed. Praying for Paintbrush's well being.

The room was silent except for sobs and breathing. Paintbrush's slow, strained breathing...

Breath in... and Out...

A breath in, and a breath out.

A breath in....

And... A breath... Out........

...

...

...

Silence.

Lightbulb, startled by their sudden lack of movement, and the deafening silence from the lack of their breathing, began to panic. She jumped up and sat over top of them looking down at them from their side.

"P—Painty...? H-hey! You okay...?! Lightbulb shook them slightly, panic prominent in her voice.

Paintbrush gave no response, their body was entirely limp and still. The stillness in the air combined with their own only caused Lightbulb's panic to sink in faster as the situation hit her like a rock.

She shook them more harshly. "PAINTY! P-PAINTY PLEASE— PLEASE BREATHE!" She screamed clutching their sides trying to beg and pray for them to awake. Knowing she had no magic wand to make her wish come true.

This wasn't a fairy tale after all.

Lightbulb was balling her eyes out shaking her head in disbelief this was actually happening. Her light flickering due to her distress, and her wings curled up shaking like the rest of her.

She swiftly grabbed their wrist and checked for a pulse, but nothing. It was just... empty.

In fact, their body seemed to lack a soul in this moment. Or... Nearly. Like it was leaving them. And the point of no return was moments away...

"P-PAINTBRUSH!!! PLEASE—! BREATHE!!! YOU HAVE T-TO BREATHE!!!" She screamed loudly her voice strained from her cries of despair.

Was this really it?

———

A few minutes ago.

Test Tube was sat on the stairs. Her hands folded in her lap as she waited for OJ's return to give her the all clear. She heard stirring from the rooms above her, talking in the halls as objects began to awake, and also could see Bot sitting next to her in the corner of her eye.

Bot was colouring a picture with a digital piece of paper. They couldn't interact with anything physically, but could summon objects digitally to entertain themselves.

Test Tube seemed nervous, and she knew Bot could tell. Bot could scan her increased heart rate after all, and kept giving nervous glances up at Test Tube.

Bot was about to ask if Test Tube was alright, but that's when OJ turned the corner and entered the main hall. He stepped in through the doorframe, the wood boards creaked beneath him as his feet landed on the red velvety carpet.

Test Tube perked up and leaned back against the steps. Her gaze directed at OJ.

"Lightbulb says yo bring him as soon as you can... Paintbrush looks... grim... To say the least." OJ muttered, rubbing the back of his head nervously.

Test Tube frowned, and then sighed. "I understand. I'll go get him right now." She said, eyebrows furrowed.

OJ nodded. "Do you need any help?" He raised an eyebrow.

Test Tube stood up from the stairs silently before shaking her head. "No... No it's fine. You probably have better things to do anyway OJ." She smiled briefly before her face faded to a more concerned one as she prepared to head down to the basement.

OJ nodded. "Alright, I'm going to go make a food plan with Marshmallow. I'll see you later then. Just— Yell if something goes wrong." OJ informed.

Test Tube gave a thumbs up and began to walk down the hallway. Bot followed, floating behind her.

Test Tube stopped in front of the basement door. A sense of familiarity rushing through her, along with adrenaline. It was now or never, and she wouldn't let Fan trick her again. She wouldn't show weakness.

Not one bit.

She grabbed her gun, and grabbed the handle, twisting it and pulling the door opened, expecting Fan to be right inside the door.

He wasn't.

In fact, he was right where Test Tube had left him last. She looked down into the dark basement. It was ominous, sure, but nothing she couldn't and hasn't handled before.

Test Tube walked down the stairs with a confident and determined stride, clutching the gun and keeping a close eye on Fan the entire time.

As soon as she reached the bottom both object's eyes were locked. Fan seemed oddly intimidated, but that doesn't mean Test Tube would even think of dropping her guard.

"You said you're ready to change? Then let's go help Paintbrush." She commanded and motioned him to stand up, while pointing the gun at him.

"I-is the gun really necessary—?" Fan muttered with nervousness in his tone.

Test Tube gritted her teeth and cocked the gun pointing at him more harshly. "Get the fuck up and start walking..." she growled.

Fan flinched and nodded. "O-okay! Okay...!" He jumped up and walked up to Test Tube.

Test Tube grabbed his arm, and forced him in front of her, and the gun against his head. Her tone was stern and her demeanour was chilling, terrifying to anyone who was witnessing it.

Even Bot was a little frightened.

Test Tube hauled Fan up the stairs making sure to keep a firm eye on him. She didn't want him running, or attacking. And if he tries, she'd shoot him full of holes.

Which Fan knew.

They walked silently down the hallway, people around them who saw gasping and stepping away in horror. Test Tube ignored them and their whispers on the situation to focus on the task at hand.

She walked down the hallways until she reached the room and stopped at the first section of the hallway. She glanced around at the doors and then tapped her foot impatiently. What room was Lightbulb in...? She didn't want to accidentally run into someone who would attack or kill Fan and ruin Paintbrush's chances at survival.

That's when she heard it, a scream.

"P-PAINTBRUSH!!! PLEASE—! BREATHE!!! YOU HAVE T-TO BREATHE!!!" Lightbulb screamed.

Bot perked up and their head snapped towards one of the doors. "Three doors down to the right!" They beckon, pointing in it's direction.

Test Tube nods and ran towards the door, Fan dragging along behind her, in response letting out a yelp from the sudden harsh moments.

Test Tube threw the door open and looked over at Lightbulb who was panicking. She was crying loudly with her hand cupped over her mouth. Tears streamed down her face like waterfalls. Test Tube moved her aside and searched for a pulse.

One that wasn't there.

Fan had her attention directed at Lightbulb. He already knew from before... But she didn't change like he planned. Test Tube must have been telling the truth. He sighed and looked down at the floor.

She also soon began to panic. "F-Fan— FAN! Please you have to heal them! Right now! All of your power you have left— I DON'T CARE!!! PLEASE JUST FIX THEM!" Test Tube screamed through near tears.

Fan came over and studied them for a moment, before struggling with his restraints. "Untie me..." He said in a serious tone.

"Wha—?! FAN! PLEASE— I DON'T CARE WHOS SIDE YOUR ON! WERE BEGGING YOU!" Test Tube screamed.

"I can't help them unless you untie me! I need my hands for it!" He cried out with furrowed brows.

Test Tube scoffed. "CAN YOU JUST—?!"

"NO! You listen to ME. THEY'RE ALREADY DEAD TEST TUBE! IF YOU DON'T LET ME OUT— THEY'RE GOING TO STAY THAT WAY!" Fan screamed through gritted teeth.

Test Tube froze and looked at Fan in his eyes. He looked dead serious. She swallowed nervously before just doing it, and removing the tape.

Fan rubbed his wrists and turned back to Paintbrush and looked down at them. He focused really heard and his hands began to shake as if he was straining to use his powers. His hands flickered and glowed that familiar pale blue colour. Fan placed his hands on Paintbrush's chest and tried to create a steady flow of energy, but it seemed so difficult for him.

Lightbulb was crying heavily begging to whoever was listening that Paintbrush would be okay.

Test Tube watched Fan closely.

The purple vein marks on their body slowly began to retract towards the original wound area. And was just a patch on their chest. The fever died down by a lot and they suddenly woke up with a loud gasp. Sweat dripped down the side of their face. And was completely started. They looked out at the people around confused with what was going on, and where they were.

Their head was spinning, and they had the worst headache... Paintbrush looked around at the objects in the room, still breathing heavily. The last thing they remember was the fight... They glare at Lightbulb, Test Tube, and then... Fan...

They immediately flinched back, and scramble away, fire forming around their hand. Lightbulb fell backwards with a yelp. And Fan jumped and hid behind Test Tube. Test Tube stood in front of Fan and put her hands up defensively.

"Woah... P-Paintbrush...! He just saved you, You're probably confused— but you need to calm down Alright...?" She explained in a soothing manner.

Paintbrush had narrow eyes, but shook the fire from their hand and placed a hand on their chest, rubbing the purple marks slightly...

Lightbulb sat up and hugged them. Crying.

Paintbrush flinched and looked down at her. Confused why she was sobbing into their chest... It reminded them of memories from a long time ago. "L-Lightbulb...? Why are you crying...?" They ask worriedly.

"I-I thought I lost you...! I-I'm— s-so glad you're okay...!" She sniffled and held herself closer.

Paintbrush looked confused and uncomfortable. Not with the hug, but with the fact they haven't seen Lightbulb cry since they were kids. They stare down at Lightbulb, still with confusion. And they still felt like shit... But that didn't stop them from hugging the shorter girl back.

Test Tube let out a sigh of relief and briefly smiled back at Fan. She then turned back to Paintbrush and snapped to get their attention.

They look down at her and pull away from Lightbulb in the process.

"I need to make sure you're stable... and won't go into heart failure again..." Test Tube explained.

Paintbrush nodded, and sat at the edge of the bed. Test Tube did the best checkup she could without any of the tools from her lab. She inevitably stopped and nodded slightly. "You seem to be alright, just try to take it easy okay...? It's good to have you back." Test Tube smiled.

Paintbrush smiled. "Good to be back. From... Whatever that was..." They huff, and cross their arms.

Fan was fidgeting with his hands and that's when he caught the glare of Paintbrush, their eyes locked for a few short moments.

"So... You saved me...?" Paintbrush muttered, raising a brow.

"Y-yeah... I—I... j—..."

"You just what? What changed huh?! Why are you suddenly trying to play hero?!" Paintbrush snarled.

"Paintbrush don't! He just—!"

"Saved me? Yeah, I heard you the first time... What I wanna know is why? Last time I checked that bitch was too trigger happy for his own good..." Paintbrush clutched their arms harder.

Lightbulb looked at Fan for a second and then let her eyebrows furrow in skepticism. "Yeah, Flat face... why did you decide to change sides...?"

"C-Cobs tricked me— and stole most of my powers... I feel really bad now, I-I can't believe I fell for his lies...!" Fan muttered, pulling his scarf over his mouth sadly.

Paintbrush looked towards Test Tube for an explanation. Hoping she'd catch onto their confused look.

"From what I understand, Fan made some sort of deal with Cobs and began working with him?—" Test Tube crossed her arms, "—and after he messed up Cobs threw him away like trash."

Paintbrush looked back to Fan. "Alright... One small issue... How the fuck does that matter?" They snarled.

Lightbulb nodded in agreement. "That explains why his powers are not working well, and his face with the black gooey stuff, but not why he switched!" Lightbulb huffed.

"Sorry?" Test Tube raised an eyebrow.

Fan seemed a bit panicked.

"I mean, why the hell would he switch? Was he ALWAYS in cahoots with Cobs?" Paintbrush tapped the side of their arm.

"We-well no! But I understand what it's like to be betrayed...!" Fan cried. "I really am sorry! B-believe me! I—!"

"Kinda hard when I almost DIED because of you..." Paintbrush gritted through their teeth. "You always hated us for changing... How the hell do we know this isn't a ruse?!"

"I don't think he'd heal you if he was trying to trick us..." Test Tube growled in Fan's defence.

"Yeah, like that proves anything... I'm still sick, AND he could've done that to try and gain our trust." Paintbrush boomed angrily.

"Painty has a point..." Lightbulb nodded in agreement.

Tess Tube stayed silent and looked back at Fan.

"G-guys I swear! I've changed!" Fan put his hands up and took a nervous step back with a frown.

"How did he even manage to do this...?" Paintbrush muttered rubbing the wound on their chest.

"He threw Nickel at you, remember? It didn't kill you instantly... It made you really sick." Test Tube explained, clutching the gun at her side. "You didn't regenerate, it's probably due to his deathly properties upon contact with him... It probably only effects you guys with cards in that way."

"But Balloon can touch him...? And Fan! Or he would also be sick..." Paintbrush shouted in annoyance.

"I'm not too sure how it works okay?! All I know, is it made you sick." Test Tube frowned.

Paintbrush looked over at Fan again, Fan seemed to flinch at attention being brought back to him. "Well... Keep him away from Nickel then... God knows what he'll try to do now..."

"Paintbrush, we all have our suspicions. But please try to be thankful..." Test Tube spoke up, standing in front of him again.

"I understand he's your friend, or at least was your friend Test Tube, and you want to see the best in him. To believe he can and is changing..." Paintbrush sighed, and let their hands drop to their side. "But, this isn't a fairytale... Or like back in the show. We can't just go around trusting dangerous people!"

Test Tube was about to protest, but went silent. She was letting her bias take over again. She nodded and then grabbed Fan's arms.

Fan yelped and seemed confused. "T-Test Tube—?! Why—?! I just!"

"I know you just saved them, but we can fully trust you yet... So your going back to basement." She growled in a low tone.

Fan seemed hurt.

Test Tube looked back at Paintbrush and Lightbulb. "I'm going to go put him back downstairs. You guys can do whatever. Paintbrush— Please take it easy alright?"

Paintbrush nodded briefly and stood from the bed, nearly stumbling over. Lightbulb jumped up and caught them. "A-alright." They mutter.

Test Tube smiled and then looked dead serious once again as she turned back to Fan and began to drag him back down to the darkness of the basement. He had done well today. Regardless of what was required for him to get to this point...

It was a start.

———