//TW\\

MAGGOTS
GORE
DEPRESSION
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS
SELF DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOURS
WITHDRAWAL

———

The breeze drifted through a deadly silence, only filled by the rustling of the forest. Blood seeped into the ground. As the undead slowly began to lay and rest. One after another, stretched out over the course of a few short days. Their bodies return to the earth bellow, and maggots feast on the corpses of remaining flesh. It wasn't long before the soldiers left alive regrouped and called for backup. Inanimate Island was quarantined, and sectioned off completely. No one from the mainland was to step foot upon it's soils. Blood stained grass lead them to a seemingly bodiless battlefield. Not a corpse remained except the rotting bodies of the soldiers. The hill was desolate, and the mansion that could not be seen by the soldiers, was left barren and empty. As not a soul rested inside it.

Not anymore.

The quiet hymn of the bugs that bustled throughout greenery which littered the forest floor, was relaxing enough for anyone. Though, you cannot be more relaxed than the one which had no choice, but to be so. The glitchy buzz which emitted from the electronic device cause bugs and birds to scatter, it was steady. Like a pulse, or breathing. What you would expect from a living being, anyway.

The soft crunch of the leaves as small feet tapped through the forest. A shiny reflection on his face reflected the sun onto the leaves as he made his way through unfamiliar ground. A Ghostly white foot tripped upon a piece of metal buried in Autumn leaves bellow. "Agh!" He yelped, landing hard on the ground below. He blinked, confused as he looked down at the tablet beneath him.

His small lone limb swiped the leaves from the tablet's face. His yellow tinted face stared in confusion, and reached to power the tablet on.

The screen flickered to life and the robot squeezed their eyes as they sat up... Confusedly glancing around with squinted eyes. The forest was dimly lit due to the little light dusk brought. But, it was still rather bright for someone who had only known darkness for months.

"Hey, are you okay?" Called a distorted voice. The robot looked down at the strange object next to them. An odd fussy reflection of an orangey-yellow emitted from his face. Almost like a soft glow. The Tablet returned the glow with his own purple one.

"Yes, It seems so... Though. My teleportation processors seem to have been tampered with. I'm f-fine... I Believe..." They reply with a slight concerned sigh. "Who... Are you? I do not recall you within the Contestant database..."

The small object flinched and grumbled slightly, "It's complicated..." He grumbled. "I don't really look like myself right now, but we have met before." They shrugged.

The Tablet looked confused at the Earring like object before him. "Are you certain? Perhaps my memory files were also altered..." He muttered.

The smaller one shook his head, "no—no... I— This body isn't mine." He narrowed his eyes with slight worry. He'd taken it on accident after all.

The Tablet's eyes widened, "What? How is this possible?" They stand up, observing the smaller object. Their speech patterns were kind of familiar.

"I'm not sure... One moment I was in the mansion... the next I was wandering blind. I couldn't see a thing! I blindly searched— until I felt someone. I thought it was apple at first but... Then I ended up in— this vacant body." He frowned, twiddling their thumbs out of nervousness. "These weird limbs kinda just... Formed on their own."

The Tablet stared for a moment, no micro expression his senses could pick up alerted him to any sort of false hood. "Ah... Well then, who are you?" He raised a brow.

"I'm Dough." He answered, "The one— YinYang was it? He ate me." Dough crossed his arms, the three ghostly ones left slight shadows— or projections of where they used to be, slowly fading away with time.

"Hm..." The Tablet gave a brief nod, thinking back, and quickly remembering. "Mephone4 could not revive you, correct?"

Dough nodded.

"I was unaware ghosts are real." They mutter trying to look through their database. It seems their own identity and knowledge was being deeply questioned. After everything that happened in the cave, and what followed during his wiring being tampered. He was afraid something was wrong with him.

"Anyways, If you introduced yourself I— like... For sure forgot your name." He pointed a finger towards the robot. Which snapped him out of his small panic episode.

"Ah, how rude of me...! My name is Mepad." He had a happy expression, not that one could tell since his mouth was unable to move.

Dough nodded and chuckled slightly unsure of what to say. "It's not safe out in the open like this..." He informed, glancing around. "I remember Marshmallow telling me there was— erm... People hunting her?" Dough informed.

Mepad seemed confused, and shook his head. "Incorrect, I believe that is likely Mephone4 trying to locate her again. Though, I'm unsure why he would want to find her after all this time has passed..." They pondered the thought, before turning. "Perhaps I should go ask him myself..."

"Or— Maybe not? We don't, like... know for sure, you know...?" He muttered, nervously following after.

"Why would it be anyone else? There is no reason for Marshmallow to have aggravated any other parties. She is a child, and is the type to stay far out of trouble." Mepad informed as he walked further into the forest, the show grounds nowhere to be seen. "Hm, It seems the my navigators seem to be offline too..." He muttered with a nervous expression.

The leaves that once crinkled beneath dough's ghostly feet came to a stop. "Then maybe we should go back! I can... still kind of remember the way to the mansion..." he turned to face the opposite direction. Mepad, however, did not stop.

"I still believe we shouldn't go back there without checking in with Mephone4. I have not seen him in... What feels like a long time... though, unknown if it is the truth, I still wish to check in, he is still my brother after all." Mepad would've frowned fully if he had a mouth. But his eyes were all that was needed.

Dough sighed, and turned back. He jogged, nearly stumbling to catch up with Mepad. "I still think this is a bad Idea..."

"There is no such thing as a 'bad Idea', only bad execution." He returned, trudging on despite the warning he'd received.

Dough scoffed, and rolled his eyes.

"Anything you would like to converse about in the meanwhile, Dough?" They looked back at the body in which Dough was inhabiting.

"Well, for one... I'd like to know why you were like— Powered off in the mud and leaves... I'd assume that's totally bad for— like robots and stuff." He narrowed his eyes and glared up at the taller robot.

"Ah..." Mepad blinked, unsure himself... He couldn't remember really... Though he swore he could make out a silhouette in the back of his mind— or whatever you'd classify as such for a robot like himself. "I am unsure... I cant seem to remember. How odd..." He mumbled towards the ground.

Dough groaned and crossed his arms, "very specific... Good talk." He spat.

"Your rude attitude is uncalled for. I am positive I have no recollection of the events prior to my awakening." Mepad whined looking back once more.

Dough sighed, "Sorry. I'm just... worried? For Marshmallow, Bow, and Apple." He shrugged. Mepad perked.

"Bow? I recalled her being deceased." Mepad raised a brow. "Did Mephone4 find a way to bring her back? The young one's permanent death was truly a tragedy..."

Dough bit his gem lip, "erm... No...? Yes??? She kind of just... came back on her own..." Dough shrugged.

Mepad flinched, "That is not possible." He responded.

"Well, appreciate it is. Because it totally— like— it— it happened! Okay? What do you want me to say?!" Dough threw the ghostly and fleshy hand out in-front of him.

Mepad looked ahead once again and sighed to himself, "I do not know how that is possible. But I will... 'Take your word for it' I suppose..." Mepad was unsure, but didn't push.

The continuous buzz from the tablet's screen was a tad bit annoying, but Dough dealt with it regardless. He tried to focus on the sounds of the birds that swooped overhead. His thought process was quickly interrupted by the sound of gunshots. He yelped and ducked down, covering his head out of instinct.

Mepad flinched, and was concerned, but did not duck. He lacked the fear response to do so. "Hello?!" He stepped back slightly.

Soldiers hiding in a bush across a forest clearing stopped their shooting after a few short moments of no protest or attack. They still visibly aimed their guns at Mepad and Dough, however. "Do not move! Stay where you are or we will be forced to euthanize you!"

"I do not know why you are shooting at us, is there perhaps a reason I am unaware of? We have done no wrong." Mepad half shouted with narrow eyes, that seemed unsure.

"You are on restricted grounds, we have reason to believe you have a supernatural ability or creature in your possession!" They smeared one of them speaking into their radio, the other approaching with a armed weapon pointed directly at the tablet.

"Ah, It seems you are mistaken. I do not hold such things. I am a robot, and can in no way harbour such a trait. My data base considers your proposal of "supernatural abilities" as untrue, yet, it seems you are rather serious about this matter." He explained quickly, but with certainty.

The soldier, unsure jabbed a gun at him. "Regardless, I am required to take you both into custody..." He growled.

Dough lifted his head slowly with his small arms up.

"Mh... Well, you do not need to restrain us, we will come willingly. right, Dough?" Mepad looked back at the smaller object.

Dough gave a slow unsure nod, his frown more than evident. "This isn't... The best outcome..." He whispered.

The Soldier turned his attention to Dough, observing his strange limbs. "Why are your limbs behaving in such a way?!" He demanded, clutching his gun tighter.

"We are not sure, they've... always been like this." Mepad lied, though he had no fear to convey. No micro expression that confirmed or denied what he said was false. "Perhaps it is a skin condition?"

Dough nodded quickly, confirming what Mepad said to be true, though it wasn't. "Yes, I haven't seen a doctor about it? My parents said it— wasn't really, like, necessary??? I guess? Since it didn't uh— effect my ability to do stuff."

Mepad nodded once more.

The Soldier was skeptical, but motioned them to follow. Both objects obliged and began to tread behind the armed men. "So, what invoked this— uh... whole thing?" Dough askew, spinning his ghostly hand to try and convey his thoughts.

"That is classified information." The soldier responded with a gruff sigh that followed.

Dough narrowed his eyes, "What...?"

Mepad perked, "Classified, It means information, classes, or categories that are designate, documents or information, as officially secret or to which only authorized people may have access—"

"No— No! I know what it means you—..." Dough sighed, "—I meant why is it classified!" He grumbled, crossing his arms as he shot a glare at Mepad.

"My apologies." He replied, looking away.

"I am not allowed  to share, as it my cause panic, and or, public distress and aggression in surrounding countries." The Soldier answered firmly.

Dough hummed unsurely, and Mepad quickly spoke, "Understandable." He nodded.

"Yes, We have set up base in a vacant hotel. We will decide our next course of action there." The Soldier informed, gripping his gun less firmly.

The two looked at each other, exchanging concerned and nervous glances. Mepad then spoke up once more, "you mean Hotel OJ?" Mepad raised a brow.

Both Soldiers nodded in response.

"Strange... I don't recall it being vacant." Mepad whispered, narrowing his gaze.

"Please keep up." The Soldier beckoned as they hurried off towards hotel OJ. Mepad had a strange feeling, which he didn't question. At least... not yet.

———

The cold breeze against her as she listened to the muffled fuzzy bickering distantly. She could feel her blood freeze as it seeped into the snow beneath her. Her head spinning and pounding in pain. She wanted to cry... To scream... To get up...

But she knew she didn't deserve to.

She deserved to suffer, she was evil. Pure evil. They were right. All along she was just a villain in the end. A stupid hood for nothing liar. No amount of changing her herself could repair the damage caused. She deserved everything she'd gotten. She should just go back to that stupid lab...

at least then she'd be useful for something.

What could she do at this point? There was no going back. And she didn't deserve death. She wanted to tear her skin off... she wanted to bite at herself... she wanted to pick at her shell until she was crumbs and then do it again. Again. AGAIN. What else was there to do? She was nothing but a snake.

The devil incarnate.

She hurt those whom she cared about. Everything she touched crumbled to ash and dust. She was a walking curse. What could be done of her futile effort to change? Sh would always be the villain in the end.

Knife looked back at the supposed corpse in the snow. A growl in the back of his throat as he pondered what to do. The others bickered, fought, and grieved. Clover especially.

She felt bad for every party involved... Even Taco. Part of her wanted to believe it wasn't her fault. But... hers instead. Every single death felt like it was caused by her.  She let go of Suitcase... And she was crushed.  When she let Soap slip from her grasp, she died... When she pointed at that house, It was destroyed. She was the
only one without a scratch on her.

She looked over at the others who were fighting, Then Taco who was crumbled on the ground. Half her body now bleeding and a wispy black smoke like radiance was emitting from her body—or at least where it used to be. She bit her lip nervously, then glancing over at the others again. She didn't want to just leave her like this...

Clover snuck off to go look over the smaller girl. Her body was a grizzly sight... she didn't need to ask to know she was in pain. It's... Surprising she was still alive. If not for the cards, she'd have died.

"Clover? Get away from her... She's dangerous..." Trophy called, beckoning her back over to the group.

"But—..." Clover wanted to do— something... She couldn't just—

"We haven't decided on what we're going to do with it... so come here... You might get hurt." Knife growled, looking away from the others.

Clover grimaced, 'it'?! That seemed a bit harsh.... "Alright..." She let up, walking over. She wasn't happy about this, and glanced back at the girl before treading through the shin-high snow.

Microphone was rather silent. Clover noticed that quickly. Probably because she had lost so many people in the span of a few hours. She knew how that felt... After all, she did too. Though she wanted to comfort Microphone... She seemed unstable. And... Aggressive...

Knife tapped his shoulder a few times... listening to the click of the wood. "Do we finish the job?" Knife asked, glancing over at Pickle.

"What will that help? She can't die! Lightbulb proved that. Besides, isn't murder a bit... I dunno—harsh...?" Pickle raised a brow, to which Knife returned it with a disappointed glare.

"She killed hundreds of people! She almost killed US! Who's to say it won't happen again?!" Knife grumbled, jabbing a finger at Pickle. Agitated.

Fanny growled slightly, "I say we leave her here... It's what she deserves..." Fanny spat, tearing up at the thought of those she loved.

"And let her kill more people! Ah, yes... What a good fuckin' plan..." Knife grabbed his forearms harshly, glaring at Fanny with a mean expression.

"What do you want from us Knife?! To just kill her?! YOU ESSENTIALLY DID!" Trophy screamed pointing back at the blood and gore behind them.

"If we actually killed her we'd be no better than that monster..." Fanny snarled, narrowing her gaze. The look in her eyes critical.

'Monster...'

'I'm a monster...!'

Microphone scoffed to herself. She didn't know what was real anymore. What left did she have? The only things she had to hold onto was Knife and Pickle. Why did she have to go into that damn forest?

Knife clenched his fists, his eyes twitching. Anxiety bubbling up inside him rapidly. "JUST... AT LEAST IM DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT!" He yelled, his finger jabbed back at Trophy.

"Woah dude— calm down..." Pickle tried to grab Knife.

"NO!" he shoved Pickle away. "IM SICK OF THIS! IM SICK OF GIVING YOU ALL ADVICE! WARNING YOU— AND GETTING SHIT AND NOT LISTENED TO WHEN IM RIGHT!" He screamed, swiping an arm at all of them with a face showing his appall.

Pickle stumbled back.

"YOU CANT JUST— KILL PEOPLE!" Trophy retaliated, getting in Knife's face. Both boys getting in a large fighting stance as if they were going to throw hands.

Microphone perked up, her face scrunching up, taken aback.. "Will you all stop fighting like children?!" She half yelled.

"NO NO! You don't get up talk! YOU'RE ESPECIALLY UNDER THIS CATEGORY MS; 'She's changing!!!' ALRIGHT—?!" Knife grumbled as Trophy shoved him away.

"Leave her out of this! She's trying her damn hardest like the rest of us!" Clover spoke up, Trophy nodded in agreement.

"Cant you see I'm TRYING to keep you all safe?! She's too dangerous!" Knife screamed, pointing back at Taco with a shaking hand, before throwing both hands out at everyone else. "YOU CANT SERIOUSLY BE CONSIDERING— JUST LETTING HER GO!"

"She's still a living being!" Clover protested, walking back over slightly. Still about six feet away, but enough to convey her thoughts and stay between the man trying to kill her. "We c-could just— Have her tag along! I'm sure the village has— er...Rope? Or uh... Something?"

Knife's eyes narrowed and twitched again, "you're fucking joking..." He spat.

Clover smiled nervously, tapping her fingers together. "Uh—... no...?" She muttered.

Knife was about to scream back at Clover. and approach aggressively, but Pickle shoved him back. "KNIFE!" He hissed, "Just— She... Listen. I don't like her, okay? But Clover is right! She— She's still a living being..."

"She shouldn't be..." Knife returned with a hateful look on his face. His knuckles white from how hard he was clenching his fists.

"YOU'RE ONLY SAYING THAT BECAUSE YOU'VE NEVER DIED BEFORE!" Trophy screamed back.

Knife growled and whipped his head back, "YOU HAVEN'T EITHER!!!"

"KNIFE! STOP!" Pickle grabbed him by his shoulders. "Fuck— Just... Stop!" Pickle yelled, his eyes worried and dead serious. The red tint in his face showed he may cry, which was a rarity.

Knife's gaze softened and he covered his face and groaned. His own face heating up and his eyes stinging. "What do you WANT from me? What do you WANT me to do—I don't fucking—Know what else to do..." He whined.

Pickle sighed, shutting his eyes briefly to compose himself. "How about we go with what Clover said? And if... All the rope burnt up... Then we can leave her here." He suggested.

Knife's narrow soft eyes closed similarly to Pickle, though unlike his boyfriend, possibilities ran through his head. He sighed to himself and then let up, finally. If it made Pickle happy—then, so be it. "Alright. Fine... But. If she acts up at all—..."

"Yes, yes." Pickle nodded, "I understand. Thank you, Knife." He smiled slightly. "And, I appreciate your concern." He added, before turning to the others. "Alright. It's decided. Let's go look for uh... Something to restrain her..."

Clover smiled, she appreciated their compliance with her idea. She watched them all walk towards the Village, and went to tag along— but... Looked back at Taco...

She couldn't just leave her there

She tapped her foot a few times against the snow, looking back and forth nervously.

She'd carry Taco...

It's the least she could do...

———