———

Lightbulb jumped out of the way of another attack. She then ducked aside as the creature, Six, lunged forwards at her in an effort to crush her beneath it's foot. Lightbulb then dove atop it's arm and ran up along it, spinning her spear to it's pointed and, and raised it to slash. Six growled and formed it's other goopy arm into a blade, and slashed at her. lightbulb yelped and tumbled down. Jumping back before she could get attacked again. Six was fast... Impressively.

Six charged once more, and swept the ground with their large blade. Lightbulb kept off the ground, her cloak forming four large wings, similarly to how Fan's used to operate. And flew up and out of the way.

Six's eyes widened and they growled with annoyance, "Not YOU!" The bared teeth at her. Six backed up, and pulled their blade back. They prepared another charge.

Lightbulb winked, "The one and only!" She grinned, only to fly back, dodging another swing, "Wow, you're REALLY persistent! Rude!" She gripped her spear tightly, and electrocuted it, charging it.

Six flinched and stumbled back, they summoned tendrils and stuck a hand out, a barrage of them went to defend.

Lightbulb tossed her spear into the air, and then kicked it down like a volleyball. It shot town and blew through every single piece of Six's defences, and stabbed them in the shoulder. With a crackle of light and electricity.

Six screeched and seethed in pain, writhing as it attempted to rip the spear from it's body.

"You're quick! I'll give you that!" She chimed with a grin, she snapped her finger and summoned similar spears in the air, made of light. "But clearly not skilled enough in battle!" She shrugged, and waved her hand. The yellow light spears struck upon Six, it seemed like it would be but needles to them, but, it hurt more than it looked.

Six then swatted at them, and cut them away, a tear in their only open eye. "YOU—!!!" They screamed, charging again.

Lightbulb flew down and jumped down on the spear, her spear, still sticking out of Six's shoulder. Six shrieked and had tried to get her off, but Lightbulb kicked her spear up and back into her right hand. jumping back before she could be grabbed. "Too slow!" She teased with a cocky smile.

Six composed itself and waved the blast on it's right hand away, it then pointed at Lightbulb. Tendrils shot from the earth and launched at Lightbulb. Her eyes widened in an instant, and she dropped out of the air to dodge, then rolling backwards as she hit the snow, her gaze snapped up when she had her feet planted, and she jumped back to dodge another, only to get whipped by a fourth. Hard. She wheezed as the wind was knocked out of her, and she had been knocked back. A crack sparked from her glass, but reformed rather quickly. She didn't seem to feel pain from it. Well, from her regenerative abilities at least. As Lightbulb tumbled back she clutched her spear and dug it into the ground, beneath the ice and snow and into the earth, to stop herself from flying back any longer.

Six coughed, choking up some of it's black ooze. Frustrated... Immaturely. How odd. Six stomping a foot in the ground, waves of spikes made of shadow emerged from the earth. Lightbulb jumped as one formed beneath her feet, but it formed onto one of the tendrils, and wrapped around her ankle. "Uh oh..." She said comically. She then gave a short yelp when she had been thrown from side to side. Six cackled triumphantly as Lightbulb was bashed into the earth. Chunks of her glass flew off and sparked into nothingness... blood, glowing yellow.

She didn't scream or shriek in agony however. She just grunted and yelped from being tossed and dealt with the pain, as if she had been used to this sort of thing. Being flung through the air like this was disorienting. Lightbulb, discombobulated, summoned her spear and attempted to stab into the tendril, of course, it fazed straight through it. Uniformly. It was a liquid after all, even if incredibly viscous at will. She yelped at an especially painful 'tasting the dirt'. This was bad, she'd be out of commission in no time if she let this continue. With no other options, she raised her spear and stabbed into her own leg, this time rightfully yelling in pain as bone crunched. She then spread her cloak wings, and tried to take off, flesh torn from her ankle, and she fell to the ground below.

Her leg started to reform, and she pushed off from the ground, her hand trembled slightly. Glowing yellow blood dripped from her wound. Six grimaced, honestly shocked she'd do that. Lightbulb wheezed and gritted teeth, "Alright... That's enough messing around, yeah...?!" She muttered, out of breath. Her hand jolted up, and directed at the ground. Similarly to Six's shadow spikes, spears of neon yellow emerged. Six's gaze shot down to the cracked earth beneath. They flinched, but couldn't fly like Lightbulb. They were stabbed, black ooze and blood dripped from their wounds. They yelled in pain, and attempted to escape, but the edge of the Spear's blade kept it from ripping them out easily. Lightbulb clutched her spear, seeing opportunity, and prepared another attack.

Taco held Zero to her chest, her eyes shot from Six to Lightbulb as they fought. She didn't know Lightbulb had been educated with fighting, in fact, she didn't think Lightbulb had that sort of perseverance in her. That... 'Six' Creature. It gave her a look. One she didn't like. Like Taco had done something wrong, almost. She felt intimidated by it, but wouldn't dare say that. She could feel her breath quicken. She felt weak. She felt helpless. She hated that feeling. She HATED it...

Zero noticed this, and hugged her, in an attempt to cheer her up. Of course, when it noticed it wasn't working, they backed off with a panicked look. And whipped their head around to the fight. But... When they noticed Lightbulb charging up what seemed to be a final attack, they panicked, and ran for Six.

Taco's eyes shot to Zero as soon as they left contact with her. Her eyes widened as she realized where it was going, and she screamed weakly, "ZERO! N—NO!" She yelled with her raspy voice more than evident. Zero wasn't coming back, and Taco didn't hesitate to follow, clutching her head, which poured blood like a faucet after Knife had destroyed half of it.

Clover, Pickle, and Microphone all watched as Taco got up, tripping over the rope tied around her wrists, and dragged along behind her. She landed hard with a thud into the snow, the rope was caught on something. She struggled and kicked as Zero ran into danger.

Trophy noticed her flailing, in such a desperate state. Knife looked like he wanted to go after her. Trophy looked between Knife and Taco... Knife didn't want her to escape—but she seemed so... Panicked... He kind of wanted to help...? But Knife would get angry...

He flinched, what the HELL was he thinking?! He didn't have to listen to that asshole! He may have been his cousin, but that didn't mean he could boss him around! That was outrageous! He growled to himself, cursing himself out as he ran to Taco and kneeled to untie her wrists.

Taco's head snapped to Trophy in blind Panic, she nearly attacked him, the shadowy spike flew out of the ground and nearly through his face. But stopped, inches away. "I-I'm sorry—I—..."

Taco felt genuine in that moment. Trophy, though startled, released her, and backed away. "J-just do what you gotta do, alright...?" He muttered, trying to sound bitter. Rigid. Despite everything, he's still a kid. Like everyone else here. Taco scrambled up from the ground, she gave a brief grunt of pain as she ran for Zero.

Lightbulb wound up her shot, and was about to throw the spear. Trying to finish Six off before it hurt anyone else. But flinched as something ran in front. It held their arms up, attempting to protect Six with it's tiny body. Six looked down, startled and recognized them. Lightbulb could sense it was one of those things, though, it wasn't behaving like she believed it should've. Six growled at Zero. Zero turned and glared at Six, seeming annoyed? Angered? It was hard to tell.

Taco ran towards Zero and picked them up. Six panicked and attempted to attack Taco, but Zero glared at Six again.

"She's—WH-WHAT?!" Six recoiled, and shook their head, "THATS NOT—Y-YOU CANT JUST—!" Six shouted in outrage, they tried to retort angrily but—

—Zero narrowed their gaze. As if they'd been talking to Six. But they never spoke. Not once.

Taco was so confused, she looked between the two of them. Six seemed to be in outrage, and Zero seemed to have a scolding look in their eyes. "You cant be serious Zero... She's... Literally everything we sought to destroy—!"

Zero, kicked their feet in outrage and clung to Taco as she held them, Taco flinched and looked between the two once again, "Are you—C-Communicating...?" She asked. Zero looked back and gave an unsure, but annoyed nod. As if they were exasperated or ashamed.

"DON'T TELL HER THAT!" Six seethed, choking up ooze, and pulling at the spears which pierced their skin still.

Zero shot their head back to Six, and causticly bared teeth, their brows furrowed and their purple eyes glowed brighter. They stared into Six's eyes for a good long while. And Taco watched Six's hostile glare fade to a pitiful frown.

"She...Watched you? B-but... She's one of them-... sh.....e..." Six felt as if their whole life had been turned upside down. They sighed and glared at Lightbulb, who still had the spear readied. But had yet to attack. They then peered down at Zero. "You're serious...?"

Zero have a aggressive sigh, and scowled at Six.

Six let up, and shifted to their smaller form. Back to their original body. The spear removed, but still they still sustained a lot of damage.

Lightbulb faltered, and narrowed her gaze. This wasn't normal. She looked between the two, and then flew down, her leg finally fully reformed as she came jogging over, "What the heck?! How-..." She glared at Taco, holding Zero. "-How did you do that?!" Lightbulb asked.

Taco flinched and held Zero closer nervously glancing to Six, then back to Lightbulb, "...Me?" She questioned weakly, her legs trembling. The only reason she'd been able to stand at all was the adrenaline currently coursing through her bloodstream like violent river.

Lightbulb nodded, returning Taco's nervous and concerned glare.

"I-I didn't do anything..." She replied, her legs finally buckled and gave in on her. Lightbulb gasped and rushed over to her. She fell to her knees, and Zero's eyes widened and tore away from Six in an instant. They shook Taco. Lightbulb didn't understand why that little thing had felt remorse and empathy... But...

She looked over at Six, spear still in hand. "You gonna cause problems?" She interrogated, a harsh expression plastered on her face.

Six recoiled and growled at her. Zero looked back at Six which made Six stop in an instant, "Stop BOSSING me I'm OLDER." They retorted to Zero's silence. Six just scowled at Lightbulb instead.

"I'll take that as a probably not..." Lightbulb sighed, she then pinched the bridge of her nose and thought her next moves out. Her foot tapped rhythmically against the snow.

Taco didn't remain conscious long after. She passed out right then and there, which was to be expected. Six didn't say another word, but approached Zero, limping. Zero looked over to Six and then back to Taco. And clung to her worriedly. Six spoke up solemnly, "Looks like you care about her as much as you did maste—..." Six paused.

Zero looked at them, they seemed hurt.

Six sighed before finally speaking up again. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't ca-call them that..." Six looked away sadly. They felt bad, but they couldn't let the mortals know who their parent was.

Pickle ran over to Knife, who'd began to stand up, he looked at Lightbulb in complete disbelief. But, soon clenched his fists and stormed over to her. Pickle followed close behind him. "Lightbulb what the HELL was that?! How did you even—?!" The next thing Knife knew, his legs had been swept and he was flat on his back.

"I TOOK YOU TO LACK MORALS, KNIFE! But I sure as hell didn't expect you being plain stupid!" Lightbulb scolded, her eyes filled with disbelief and betrayal.

He groaned and looked up at her confusedly, "What—?!" He said, taken aback. Lightbulb's sudden and out of character coldness shocked him.

Lightbulb got closer, releasing the bridge of her nose and stormed over to Knife. Her gaze sharpened almost as fast as it's following soften. No... This wasn't... "You don't... Look..." She whipped her head around at the surrounding objects. She recalled most of their faces. Trophy. Pickle. What were they doing here. How did they...?

Knife seemed surprised, and angry Lightbulb randomly just—Threw him down like that, "What hell is your problem Lightbulb?!" He seethed. He stood up and squared up to her, when made Lightbulb's face scrunch up.

"You're not my brother..." She muttered, a bit disturbed. He looked exactly like him. Knife's face... His eye shape... Blade colour, and sheen... It all looked identical.

Knife's brows furrowed, "What the hell do you mean I'm not your—?"

"HAGH!" She punched him in the side of the face, square in the jaw. Man did that hurt. Knife hit the ground again, now on his stomach barely able to hold himself up as he spat out blood. Choking on it slightly. Pickle rushed to his side, Microphone and Clover soon followed. knife groaned and rubbed his jaw.

Pickle looked up at Lightbulb with a scowl, "LIGHTBULB WHAT THE HELL?!" He shouted, Lightbulb returned a cold glare.

"HE ATTACKED A CROWNED! THE SOLE FOUNDATION OF OUR UNIVERSE— NO! MULTIVERSE! ARE YOU CRAZY?!" Lightbulb snapped her voice laced with disdain.

Knife just groaned, out of it from the blow.

Microphone stood up, and looked down at Lightbulb, stepping away from Knife. "Crowned?" She echoed curiously. She paid barely any mind to Lightbulb's deathly stare.

Lightbulb's eyes turned to Microphone, her fists still clenched. She looked at her for a moment. "You don't know?" Lightbulb questioned, Microphone shook her head in response. Then Cake and Fanny slowly approached from behind. Lightbulb looked back at them, the to the others. She then sighed and walked to Taco, and lifted her up. Zero along with her. "This girl... Taco." Lightbulb paused. "She's the Crowned of The Dark's Successor. Or—... So I've been told..."

Fanny and Cake both audibly gasped, Fanny's eyes narrowed and her face contorted to a scowl, "HER?! SHES A CROWNED?!"

Clover looked between Fanny and Lightbulb, "U—Uhm... What's a...Crowned? We're all really in the dark here..." Clover whispered, rubbing the back of her wrist in a futile attempt to ease her nerves.

Trophy nodded, approaching Lightbulb. A step closer. "She's right, but a more important question is; Why did you say her name like that?" Trophy asked with suspicion and skepticism.

Lightbulb grumbled to herself, and took a breath to try and compose herself. Her stone cold gaze softened to one of worry, "I don't know her very well... I think I seen her a few times. But not too often." She explained.

"Are you kidding me? You've seen her a ton! We—we competed together!" Pickle retorted in a hiss. Which made Lightbulb whine to herself.

"Wow... That old lady really was telling the truth..." She recalled with a lighthearted chuckle. She shook her head and averted her gaze, "Im not from your world... I don't think—I-... I don't think I'm the Lightbulb you know." Her gaze shifted to Knife, she had a remorseful gaze on her face.

"I'm sorry... WHAT?!" Pickle audibly gasped. Shocked completely. He looked about and then back at Lightbulb. "No shot... There's just no way! You're lying!"

Clover had her mouth covered, in complete disbelief. "L-Like—An Alternate version of her?!" She asked, dumbfounded by this revelation.

"Yeah..." Lightbulb nodded, propping up Taco in her arms—who was still out.

"That explains why she's less goofy I guess..." Trophy huffed, he then crossed his arms and hoisted them to rest on his golden indent.

"What's a Crowned." Microphone cut in. She wanted answers, especially if it was about Taco. She stepped forwards to be in front of everyone else. She was stern. Cold... Or maybe concerned? Angry? Lightbulb couldn't tell.

She stared at her for a moment, and then opened her mouth to speak, "One may call a Crowned a god. Or more than. It's difficult to say really, All I know is that they're extremely powerful. And things can go catastrophically wrong if we don't help her."

Microphone blinked, her gaze softened, and she looked down from Lightbulb's eyes to Taco's closed one's. She could tell the rise and fall of Taco's chest was uneven and that her face was stained with tears. She felt bad, but that didn't mean she forgave her. Microphone sighed to herself. "Then we should get going, I guess..." Microphone suggested.

Lightbulb gave a firm nod, and looked down at Knife, who Pickle was helping up. Knife staggered to his feet and glared at Lightbulb. He was mostly too dizzy to say anything, but he seemed pretty upset. Reasonably since he had been punched in the face all things considered. Even if he deserved it. "You got him?" She asked with slight concern.

Pickle nodded slightly.

Lightbulb turned back to Six. Who nervously stood there. "You want to come? I'll allow it, but I'm watching you, yeah?" She huffed, Six perked and gave a slight nod. They walked through the thick snow and headed off. Fanny and Cake were chatting with each other. Whispering in one another's ear. Lightbulb thought that was enough social exploration, and turned to start walking.

Microphone was ahead of everyone. Pickle beside. He turned to her and spoke up, "So... Why? Where? WHAT do you want from us?" Pickle asked warily. He was a bit sketched out. But that was to be expected.

Lightbulb shrugged, "It's not really me who can answer all that for you, if you wait, you'll find out when we get there. It's not really an easy thing to just spit out, y'know!" She kept her grip on Taco and didn't bother to look at Pickle.

"Get where?" Pickle pushed, Knife grunted as Pickle took a jerking step in her direction. He then snapped his head and apologized to him.

"The Capital. That's really all I know... Sorry...? I'm New here myself." Lightbulb frowned, she felt bad as Pickle looked genuinely disappointed. Lightbulb sighed and continued forwards despite the eerie silence. The path of ice to cross the canal was just ahead. And she didn't really have plans to stay any longer. "Be warned, it's not gonna be allat' easy..."

———