This takes place in a Hermitfell-based AU during the civil war.

The civil war has a strict no kill rule, as there are no respawns, but injuring is allowed, as it is easy to heal in this world. Everyone is also harder to kill.

———————

I never meant to start a war.

I don't want to fight Impulse.

I don't want to fight, it just isn't right!

Luvs, I can't keep hurting you anymore.

Hermit Fell.

—————

Scar sighed as he added the final touch to the deadly trap Cub asked him to plant. He didn't like getting involved, but didn't want to disappoint his friend. Jumping out of the hole, he looked up. Night time. He didn't feel like returning to ConCorp yet, but he wanted to talk to someone...

Scar arrived at the G team base and knocked on the door. There was always a friendly face there. Soon enough, Stress answered the door. "Oh hello Scar, luv!"

The two walked down the corridor to find Grian sitting at a table. There was a chess board at the table, but the other chair was empty. "Who you playing against, Grian?" Scar asked. Grian just shrugged and moved a piece. Scar quietly noted that it was a bad move. "What's on your mind?" Scar asked. Stress was awfully silent now.

"I'm just tired."

"Tired of what?"

"..."

"Okay, then."

The next day, the fighting resumed. At night, Scar visited the G Team base to find Tango at the table. Tango moved another piece, another bad move. "Are you okay?" Scar was slightly concerned now.

"Yeah. I'm just remembering."

"What are you remembering?"

"The old times. When everyone wasn't a meanie."

"I understand."

Then it was Joe. And then Stress. The next day, Team Star was raiding G Team's base. Scar was following them, but went ahead because he couldn't help but feel like something was wrong. He soon found himself in the room with the chessboard. Then, he froze.

There hanging by his neck was Grian. Next to him, Tango had taken an overdose of medicine pills, Joe had an arrow in his chest, and Stress drowned herself. Scar slowly looked at the chess table. There was a note next to the chessboard.

Checkmate. You win.

It was at that time that Xisuma arrived in the room. "Scar, wha -" he froze as he saw the scene before him. "Wh-what are you doing...?" He asked his voice shaky. Slowly, Scar turned to look at him. "There's one move left."

With a shaking hand, he took the king off the board. "Game over." He smiled and placed the king in Xisuma's hand. Then his expression changed. "Tell Cub I'm sorry." Then he took out his trident and stabbed himself in the chest. X screamed in grief as he ran toward the scarred vex, watching as his body went limp on the floor. "No, no, no, no! It wasn't supposed to be like this!"

"Xisuma? I heard you scream, what's -" Doc dripped his trident as he stared at the 5 dead hermits before him. "Why...?" Behind then they heard a choked sob. Impulse ran to the body of his best friend, unable to speak. Slowly, the others arrived. Xisuma called everyone over, and soon, people from both sides of the war and the neutral hermits were all gathered around. The only sounds were the sobs of those who lost someone close.

Checkmate.