//TW\\

DEATH
GORE

———

Fries slowly stepped towards Balloon. His trembling hands more than evident, even at a distance. Fries was upset, and scared, but not as much as Balloon clearly was. He froze as Balloon's eyes shot up to him. He was jumpy... scared. Wind was blowing violently around the clearing where their camp was. Fries was scared that Balloon might kill him next, but, the last thing he'd wanted was Balloon to be attacked by the other poachers. His hands raised as Balloon glared at him, in fear of his life and Fries's. Fries bit his lip nervously, and took a shaky inhale.

"You're okay... J-Just... Calm down, kid. We can figure this out, to... uh..." His eyes trailed back to Pillow's deceased body, he grimaced while his face was turned, but forced it to soften as he looked back. "...Together...!"

Balloon stepped back, of course, this made Fries jump. Balloon took immediate notice and furrowed his brows. "Y-you're scared... O-of me..." He murmured warily, in a horrified tone. Of course he was, why wouldn't that man be scared of him? He killed someone. Dead. For good.

Fries cleared his voice, attempting to make the rasp in his throat less evident... Trying to talk soft in that sort of voice was hard. "W-well... Uhm... No. Y—? N-... No I'm not scared... Just worried." He half lied, fallacy in his eyes.

"Liar!" He responded painfully, his hand and face sparked, and he staggered back immediately, grasping at his limbs... Something was wrong with him... And he hadn't wanted to hurt someone a second time. He tried to rub away the blood and glowing aspects of his limbs. "N-no! No! Stop!"

"Kid, calm down! You'll only make it worse—!" Fries reached for Balloon slowly.

"—G-GET AWAY FROM ME!" He panicked, flailing his arm away from Fries, he shrunk back and his eyes widened as he tripped and fell down to his back. His wings weighed him down, causing him to be akin to a flipped turtle, unable to move much. The dust stuck to his bloody hands—it felt gross.

Fries frowned even more than he had already been. His eyes drawn to Paper. Who was still long out of commission. His head bloodied and attempting to reform itself. The dead flesh and metal clumped to the ground as he rested unconsciously. Fries looked back to Balloon, "Kid, please... D-don't—Uhm..." he trailed, "J-just..." another pause, "Why don't we getcha' cleaned up by the river...?"

Balloon was terribly confused and distraught of course. His offer seemed like a ruse in his eyes. Why did HE want to take a MURDERER to the river?! To get CLEANED UP at that! He struggled to get to his feet once more. Unable. "Y-... D-don't do that!" He cried his eyes narrowed of course, tears fell out of his eyes again.

Fries blinked, confused. He let out a small confused chuckle, "S-sorry? I don't—erm... Understand? D-don't do what? Approach? That's okay! I can stay right here... Yeah?" He tried to clear the rasp once more, beneath his breath, of course that didn't work all that well. His hands then raised and he stepped back. He wasn't sure which would be best... Perhaps he should test the waters more before he braved the rapids.

"N-no! Don't act like you LIKE me! I'm not a fool! I'm not a baby! I know you're SCARED of ME!!! Damn it!" He cried, anger in his tone. Buried beneath his fear. Still unable to get to his feet.

Fries swallowed his dread and shook his head quickly, "I already said! I ain't scared of you! Calm yourself... Please, kid."

Balloon didn't bother to respond. He hated all of this. He was sick of it. He was sick of being a monster... He knew they were scared, even if Fries tried not to show it, the others didn't hide it. Not one bit. he didn't want to blow the tents about—or—kill anyone else! He wished he KNEW what the hell was wrong with him. Fries took note of Balloon's silence. A step closer and Balloon would grow aggressive and fearful, a step back and he seemed like he wanted to run away... Fries was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

"Kid..." He said through his teeth, a bit more threatening. Not on purpose, he was just growing desperate. "I ain't gonna let them throw you into a cage again! B-butcha' gotta come over here, okay? Now." He thought being more stern would help. A step. Screw the whole damn thing. If he died so be it.

Which was a lie. He was scared to die. Anyone would be.

Balloon flinched. What the hell?! "Y-you're going to—t-TO HURT ME! You said you wouldn't before! You lied!" He screeched in response, trying to get up on his feet, his wings STILL weighing him down. He flapped them, though it hurt, trying to lift them and himself off the ground. But, alas... He was pinning them beneath his own body.

He couldn't stand. Balloon could not stand. He couldn't run, not now. "It's gonna be okay..." he put his hands up higher as he approached Balloon. He decided the best course of action was to step into said action. He couldn't run away... and as long as Balloon couldn't do anything stupid to himself, or others... It was a win for Fries.

When Balloon couldn't get up, he panicked, instead of becoming aggressive, like a cornered animal. He curled down in on himself and just began to—well—cry. There wasn't much else he could do. Fries was gonna hurt him... He just... He knew it.

Fries kneeled down. Then, grabbing his wrist. "I know what's goin' on with you, Kid." He said in a comforting voice. Still stern, however. "Y-your right. I'm not going to lie anymore. I am scared. But... You're scared too. What kinda person would I be if I just abandoned you? I wouldn't be able to look my mother in the eyes." He watched as Balloon continued to cower but slowly looked up at him. "You're a god, kid."

Balloon felt his heart in his throat. He swore to whatever higher power there was that Fries was wrong. Or perhaps he had not heard Fries correctly. "Wh—...What...?"

"Ya' heard me, right?" He tried to smile, but it's seemed more like a worried expression than anything else.

"What are you DOING FRIES?!" Eraser bellowed, a scowl on his face. "You're fuckin' with EVERYTHING we've worked for!"

"Don't listen to 'em." Fries insisted, furrowing his brows. His voice was now much more hushed as to not show Eraser any acknowledgment. Which seemed to piss him off. That was to be expected, of course. "That man's a coward. He didn't want to tell you..."

"Wha—y...y-you knew...? Th-the whole time? And d-didn't...?—" He felt hurt by this. Albeit, he was hurt by the whole kidnapping sentiment. But this was... pulling at his heart. Fries knew what was wrong with him... And didn't say anything...?nothing at all?

"—now, now. I didn't say that..." he shook his head, "We only just figured it out today." Fries reassured.

"W—you weren't gonna tell me?!" He shouted, trying to pull his wrist away, but Fries kept a firm grip.

"Listen to me, kid... This ain't a game. And I'm sure you know that by now! Sayin' the wrong thing to you gets someone KILLED! Damn it! We all gotta pull it together if we want to get outta this crowned forsaken mess." He gritted through his teeth.

Balloon seemed once again hurt by this.

"You're a tough kid. But your also a softy on the inside..." Fries huffed, helping him to his feet by his wrist. "You gotta stop letting words get to you... This place is a rough world. Bad people in every corner. You're gonna have to toughen up." He blurted, not bothering to sweeten his words. "It's time to grow up..."

Balloon shrunk back again. Grow up? He'd... Been told that a million time by OJ. But this time felt different. It felt like it wasn't a matter of a power imbalance. Or... something meant be patronizing... It felt... Like it was no longer a choice. "I-I don't know h-how..." He cried... Never been told to grow up in such a way.

"None of us do." Fries chuckled, "I'm forty-six... and hey! I don't even feel a day over twenty." He shrugged, his face feigning a smile.

"B-but you're an adult! You must have it figured out! Paper does—he—!"

Fries laughed, "Ya' think there's a handbook? That we just magically know our life purpose at eighteen?" Fries asked, raising a brow, "it ain't about what we think we can do... It's about what we actually do in the moment. You may think yer' some powerless kid. Butcha ain't. You still got a chance. I know it's a bit early, but you gotta grow up now. And that's just the end of the stick ya' got."

Balloon looked away, and down at himself.

"—I mean... Just look at me! I'm a forty year old man, yet I'm here poaching animals to scrape up some cash for musty lone sharks... I ain't proud of my choices. I didn't wanna grow up either. But I tried to fight it and ended up in horrible debt! That's not whatcha want now isn't it?" Fries let go of Balloon's wrist. Thinking he wouldn't run away about now.

Balloon's bottom lip quivered, he looked at his bloody, and dusty palms... "Oh... I already me-messed it all up... I killed someone! Damn it! I killed someone!" He cried.

Fries softened his gaze, "It's real life consequences..." he murmured... Looking back, trying to find a way to convey the gravity of the situation.

"It's all my fault..." Balloon ignored his words, crying into his hands. Now getting blood on his face.

Fries paused a moment. Then sighed to himself. Might be a lie, might not. Depends. "You're right." He bluntly replied.

Balloon flinched, freezing completely. His head slowly turned to Fries, threatening to spill tears like a damn waterfall. "Wh-what...?" That was the last thing he'd been expecting to hear.

"It's your fault. Yer' right." He crossed his arms.

Balloon felt the tears start coming of course. A dam broke in his tear ducts and he whimpered, staggering back. Tree furrowed his brows and went after Fries, grabbing his wrist and pulling him away from Balloon. "What the HELL Fries?!" He spat.

"I got this..." He whispered lowly, then turning back to Balloon. "You killed her, and it's your fault—..."

Balloon looked from Fries to the body behind him. Tree yanked his wrist again. "FRIES!" He yelled, "Do you have a bloody death wish?!" He murmured threateningly.

"—so are you really gonna sit there like a damn pussy, and let her die for no damn reason? Huh?—" Fries shifted his tone to a more stern one again.

Tree was about to cut in once more, but Fries pushed him away. His cloak ruffled through the breeze as he staggered back on his own heels. "Oughf—!" He grunted.

"—Are you just gonna sit there and die? Makin' her death for naught?!"

Balloon shook his head. "N-no—no! I—..."

"Then get the hell over here... and live on, damn you! It's time you fight the right people." Fries held out a hand, "'bout time we grow up together, yeah?" Fries cracked a smile once more.

Balloon took a moment, a shaky breath sucked into his lungs... He then stepped over... and took Fries' hand... "I'm sorry..." He whispered, crying silently.

"No need... Just glad you came to your senses. Somewhat...Anyway."Fries grinned, then looked back to Tree. "Can ya' help Paper?" He called.

Tree was just in shock that even worked. What the hell?! "I—Uhm... Y-yeah. Yeah okay..." He got up and lifted Paper, who was heavy due to him being made of metal.

Yellow face went to interject, "Woah—HEY! This isn't some family reunion—! That's our merchandise!" He seethed.

Pepper broke into a laugh, "Not anymore sucker! WHOOHOO!" She kicked him and Yellow rolled onto his back, Pepper crackled, she saw this as an opportunity to revolt. "You sweaty bandits gonna grow up too?! Or are you, like, gonna sit around like man babies?! You all got a god on your side now! Viva la' REVOLUTION!!! SCREW YOUR DEBTS!!!"

Silence.

Pepper blinked. She thought that was pretty cool... And grumbled to herself. "How about you all, like, get up and help or we're gonna leave ya' to starve in the woods..." She growled.

Eraser grumbled to himself, and adjusted his bandana. It was better than dying of starvation—or getting an arrow to his leg by those he'd been indebted to. "Fine... But I don't gotta like it...."

Pepper huffed, "ruining my fun... Just wait until Salt hears about this!" She spat turning her heel, aloof.

"Though ya' said she shattered?" Eraser raised a brow, which made Pepper wave her hand dismissively.

"Cool it country boy... Mephone4 will, like, revive her... Probably has already." She shrugged, not caring much for the whole situation. She was bold, and dumb as a stump, but she had a heart at least. That's what eraser had been thinking with his critical glare, anyway.

"Revive? That stuffs forbidden! You ain't s'possed to meddle with death..." Eraser narrowed his gaze, "That magic is corrupted! Follows the rules of the Arch-Demons."

"What the flying fuck is an Arch-Demon?!" Pepper asked looking over at Eraser with a pissy scowl.

"Language kid... Before I punch your other eye in..." Eraser half joked, half threatened. He balled his fists as he said this, which made Pepper put her hands up.

"Aye! Aye! Watch it! I literally just, like, got my nails done! Damn... It's giving anger issues..." She looked away again, pinching her brows caustically. The one over her damaged eye more limp and less responsive.

"Can we put 'er in the cage next, Tree?" He asked with a growl in his throat. Glaring at the stupid teen. A thumb pointing to the smart-ass look she had on her face.

"Leave it be, Eraser... I don't think I can handle another loss..." He sighed, baring back his tears and cries. He was a man after all. It was expected of him, even if that was toxic masculinity standards.

"Whatever... She'd better smarten up, or I swear... her dainty little nails ain't gonna be the only thing I desecrate..." he grumbled.

"Big words don't suit your mouth, oaf." She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Oh yeah?! what about my FIST when I KNOCK YOUR TEETH IN." He shouted in a fit of anger, grabbing her by her neck and raising a fist. She didn't seem too bothered since her nails weren't in the line of fire.

"ERASER." Tree beckoned scoldingly, "You're gonna let a teen get a rise out of you?!" He huffed, hauling Paper over his shoulder.

Eraser glared at Pepper threateningly, only glancing at Tree a few times before his fist lowered to his side. He stamped at the ground, "DAMN IT! No... No I won't..." He shoved her away, "Watch it you little runt."

"Crikey!" Tree scoffed, walking over to the medical tent with Paper. Shaking his head angrily.

"Yeah yeah..." Pepper murmured to Eraser, then proceeded to trot off. Uncaring. Eraser rolled his eyes, and crossed his arms.

Purple Face helped Yellow Face up. Purple then tried to grab his weapon, but Bottle had stomped i front of them. She bore teeth at the two. "I'm not letting Pillow die for nothing either! So you better back off..." She murmured in as threatening as she could manage. She held on tight to her crossbow...

Yellow Face scoffed, and rolled his eyes, "What are you going to do? Your weak little arms aren't going to do anything..." He growled. Then slowly approached with a threatening hop and thud.

Bottle flinched back, everyone who could help was occupied. Her footfall was uneasy and she panicked, firing... The arrow whistles through the air, and hit Yellow in between the eyes. His face fell limp as Bottle stared at him. She blinked, the crossbow shaking in her hands. She had not wanted to actually kill him! Just—scare him! Blood tricked out of the wound, and the arrow stuck out a good five centimetres. Colour then drained from his face, and he rolled back with a loud 'thump'. Purple stood horrified, immediately checking him over—of course—he was a corpse now. There was nothing to check but a lack of pulse and life. He glared back at Bottle, who whimpered and shakily went to reload.

"YOU KILLED HIM! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" He screamed with disdain and slight sadness. His bellowing approach had gave Bottle goosebumps.

She quickly drew back the arrow until it clicked and rose it with a violent tremble. Her eyes full of tears as she swallowed a full blown scream, "I-IM SORRY—J-JUST STAY—... STAY BACK!" The weapon clicked and clattered as it shook in her grip. Her aim off and uneven.

She was too afraid to shoot again, and Purple knew it. He lunged in an attempt to attack her, but Eraser had taken notice and tackled him to the ground. A growl escaped him briefly. The impact caused Purple to lose concentration, and a blow to the jaw from Eraser knocked him out. Bottle clutched the crossbow now hugging it to herself with tears. "I—I'm sorry I—..."

"Jesus..." Eraser huffed, "Best—b-best not to tell Tree yet... I'll uh... Carry it out to the woods..." He trailed, and patted her shoulder. "G-go uh... Go talk to the other kid. The girl. She... She'd probably listen to ya' better then me. You're both... Relatively close in age. I think..." his voice wavered. Shaken from the bodies he'd seen today.

Bottle choked back her sob, and gave a wide eyed nod, walking over to the rock Pepper was sitting on in the distance. Her eyes not forming tears any longer. No matter how much she wanted to cry... They just wouldn't come.

———

Fan's eyes darted from the forest clearing which rested in the distance—the one where the smoke had risen from—then to Bot. Who was stood next to Apple. Worry on their face. Fan was tempted... Tempted to do something about this... But he couldn't risk it. His eyes shot back to the distant opening in the trees, and he darted after Test Tube. Bot flinched as they were rushed past, Apple clutched her teddy bear as she did the same.

Fan pushed past bushes and shrubs to Test Tube's side. A scowl planted on his face as he saw her... Staring forwards. A hand clasped over her mouth firmly. Fan looked forward, noticing the pools of blood... and the smoke which emitted from the building—or lack thereof. He blinked, his hands fell to his sides. Test Tube doubled over, puking... The liquid in her head sloshed about and she grunted, wiping her lips of the bile. Her eyes teary.

"Wh...h—?!" She whimpered, looking back up. Her gaze scanning the scene again, she nearly hurled a second time... But repressed it. A slight burp in its stead.

"Cobs was here." Fan murmured seemingly rather unbothered. His brows pinched even still. He growled to himself. "He might still be around... I'll go check..." He huffed, his fists clenched.

"Wh-what?! I thought you—You're powers?! They're gone! He took them! You won't be able to defend yourself!" She reminded, her face both shocked and fearful.

Fan froze after he took a few paces ahead. "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me." He grumbled, his gaze sharp as he turned his head just enough to look at Test Tube.

Test Tube frowned, her eyes hurt. "Wa-wait— Fan... I—If this is about what I said I—!"

"I said don't worry about me... Test Tube. You've done that enough today." He growled, whipping his head back...

Test Tube flinched, she may have been a bit harsh earlier... and scared to trust Fan... But she still cared about him. She cared about him a lot... And she couldn't imagine losing him again. Her eyes narrowed, she'd wanted to spill more tears here, but there wouldn't be a point. She had to be the adult. She missed the old Fan... The one she cared so deeply for prior to this whole mess, "What happened to you, Fan...?"

"I grew up." He blurted in a blunt
Monotone voice. A guttural clicking rumbled from his throat, like a growl. And he turned his heel to patrol.

Test Tube reached out to stop him, but it faltered... she let it drop to her side. Watching Fan disappear into the smoke of the forest village.... or what was left of it. Her face darkened, and she turned back to the trees she'd emerged from. Only to spot both Bot and Apple glaring at the sea of bodies and the blood which had been spilled from them. Splattered like red confetti...

"K-kids...! Don't look!" She rushed to shop Bot back into the trees, not caring much for Apple. Though, instincts told her to protect Bot at all costs. So that wasn't much of a shocker. At least... To everyone but Apple.

Bot slowly moved away from Test Tube fearfully, their eyes then back to the guts, and blood... The copper scented crimson blanket. A horrific sight indeed. Apple screamed and hugged her bear. Test Tube grabbed Bot's shoulders, forcing their eyes on herself. "Bot! Look at me... Okay?! That's—not—..." She bit her lip... A quivering lip, still.

"Wh-what happened to these people...?" They quivered, their wings dropped down to the ground, and their antennae soon followed. Their gaze was like its own sentient creature, not being able to decide what exactly to focus on. Or if it even should.

"I'm... Im not sure..." Test Tube shook her head, "Whatever it is... Uhm... your d...." She trailed, "F-Fan." She corrected, "is going to take care of it."

Bot opened their mouth, "My what...?"

"Don't... Don't worry about that..." She lifted Bot up, and held them closely. Her eyes then drifted to where Apple should be. She was gone of course. "A-Apple—?!" Her head turned to look about, snapping from place to place. "APPLE—?!" Her head then turned to be met with a green person. Being held up. She yelped, Bot then screamed with her as Test Tube stumbled away from the person.

Apple stood there holding up a small green object. "Look! I found a little buddy." She held them up.

Test Tube and Bot both blinked as they stared at the character which Apple had been holding.

"I'm Grassy!" They chimed, kicking their little legs about. Which made Apple raise a brow. Then look back to Test Tube.

"I think their name is Grassy."

Test Tube wasn't sure how to even go about this. She'd still been shaken from the massacre that had clearly happened here. Now there's a random child—a third to their growing group. "Y-yeah... Uh..." She nodded slowly, an out of breath face of shock. Bot still looked terrified. "I think so too..." After all, she wasn't going to just leave them here!

Bot glanced to Test Tube and then back to 'Grassy'. "S-so—Uhm... Wh—hh... What are you doing here...? L-little guy...?"

"I'm... Grassy!" They Chimed, a second pair of arms emerged from the blades of grass their skull was contrived of.

Test Tube yelped, stepping back again. TWO SETS OF ARMS?! THAT.... WAS NOT... NORMAL! She couldn't let FAN see that! "U-UH... PUT THOSE AWAY!" She stuffed their arms back within their head. "N-no... Don't do that!"

"I'm Grassy!!!" They chimed again, a grin still on their face.

"It's like listening to a tape on repeat..." Bot whispered to Test Tube unsurely. Annoyance was laced in their tone. Which Test Tube noted.

Test Tube pulled Bot away from Grassy, and turned to see Fan. He was walking over. A slump like sluggish stance. He glared at Test Tube, then to Apple holding Grassy. "Who is..."

"A kid we found." Test Tube blurted, not wanting to have the others accidentally spill Grassy's abnormality. At least—abnormality to Test Tube's knowledge—Albeit she hasn't seen any other people of the world they were in in contrast. She had no point of reference. In fact, she hadn't known it was another world.

Fan glared at Grassy. "Hmph..."

Test Tube looked away, "We—...We should probably get going." She informed nearly silently, "I don't want to stay any longer... Especially not with the kids."

Fan turned his head, "I saw bloody prints that way." He pointed, "Could be someone alive." He stated without a second thought. His eyes blank and lifeless even now.

Test Tube felt remorse crawling up her spine, along with her words. Like a chilled wind that seeped into her lungs and bone which surrounded. "We should... Maybe they could help. And use some."

Fan hummed in response, a nod. "Yeah."

Test Tube turned to start walking... And glanced at Fan who followed. "Uhm... I'm sorry... Bot was right... I could've been nicer." Bot chose to remain silent as Test Tube spoke.

Fan didn't answer.

Apple jogged up to meet with Test Tube and Fan. Grassy stood beside her, holding her hand. A happy careless grin on his small face. Without a single care. Probably too young to understand death.

Test Tube opened her mouth again sucking in air... She moved Bot to her other arm and placed a hand on Fan's shoulder. He then glared at her. "I care about you... I wouldn't have allowed you to... Well... Come back if I didn't."

Fan looked away again, "And yet... I don't believe you." He responded.

Test Tube flinched, "what? I don't—?!"

"—get it? Well let me spell it out for you... You think I'm an idiot. And you don't even TRY to hide it. It's one thing to acknowledge my lack for intelligence, but to straight up nonchalantly say that to my face?! You don't keep me around because you CARE about me. You keep me around because it's CONVENIENT." He seethed,ripping her hand away by jerking his shoulder forwards.

"F-Fan..." Test Tube trailed sadly, "That's not true at all..."

"Then why? Why choose to accept me again? It's not logical... It's not even remotely sensible... For all you know. I'm lying to you. Damn it!" He spat through his sharpened gritted teeth.

"Love isn't always sensible." She responded solemnly. Without an ounce of sass or falsehood. "I care about you a lot..." her gaze softened, "Don't you care about me?"

Fan stopped. Making Test Tube stop too. His eyes turned to her... An actual expression... One he couldn't burry beneath monotony. His eyes... They expressed an emotion even Test Tube couldn't read... Maybe fear. Or regret. He then clenched his fists... "You shouldn't..."

Test Tube flinched, and went to grab Fan's wrist as he attempted to storm ahead... "Y-you didn't... Answer my question..." She whimpered, tearful eyes threatened a sob.

Fan pulled his wrist away. "Whatever helps you sleep at night." He responded bitterly. His tone... Had something in it that screamed... For her to leave.

Test Tube was too busy trying to catch the pieces of her shattered heart to even notice. As she watched Fan's red silhouette begin ahead. She could only cry silently and follow. Bit hugged the woman as she cried. And Test Tube burrows her face into Bot's head and cried into their small puff of fabric like hair.

———