" God, the specters just get stronger." The Batter complained.
Zone 2 brought its own problems. Cuts marked his face, his uniform a tad bit scratched.
"... Are you awake?"
#709 blinked. Awake? No. Conscious? Yes. " Ah... uh, yeah."
They had been deep in thought. Why? They wanted to kill The Batter, but it isn't all that easy when you lack the guts to even raise your voice.
Poison. That's the conclusion they came to.
Hopefully it'd go well enough.

They passed The Batter a drink. He took it hesitantly, as if unsure what to do with it. " Ah, thanks...."
He stared at it blankly before drinking some.
A sudden pounding in his head began.
" ... What's in this?," Batter asked, frowning.
" N-nothing special! Water ...unknown toxins from a specters ectoplasmic remains... the usual...!"
" ...Why, you little-"

The Batter fell over, unconscious. The Elsen stared.
" I... guess that was... really good poison...?"
They didn't plan too far ahead, as soon enough Zacharie and The Judge found the two, the Elsen simply standing there in uncertainty.

✖ 3 years back ✖

The Batter stood alone in the Nothingness. A growl escaped his throat as he clenched his fists.
The whispers began to surround him as they normally did. Something different emerged from the void he stood in.
It was a dark monster, with blank eyes and claws ready to cut at any given moment. He knew the name of it all too well, as it tortured him at any given moment of suffering and anger. A creature of everything wrong with the world. Bad, he knew.
A deep voice escaped it, similar to his own, yet not quite.
"... She's not listening, is she...? May I help...?"
He turned away in attempt to ignore it. " What could YOU ever help me with?"
" Well, your son, for one."
" My..." The Batter fell silent. His son...
" We both know he is suffering. I can cure it. I can fix it, unlike others. All you need to do is listen."

"... What do I need to do?" The Batter muttered quietly.
" Simple. Give me control." Without hesitation, the claws of the beast dug into him. He cried out, but nobody would hear him. He was alone. Through the wounds, the creature of darkness entered his body. Possessed him, if you will.
Tears ran down his face silently.

"... I'm so sorry."

A laugh escaped his lips. A snicker. A chuckle. Then full fledged laughter. And in his hidden eyes, you could tell it was no longer him. It was a monster.
He settled down, a wide grin plastered on his face.

A warping noise.
An Elsen appeared in the Nothingness, wearing standard uniform and a lab coat.
" A..ah! Sir..! W-what are you doing out here?" They inquired.
" W... Why don't you find out?"
" Excuse me...?"
" Please, do come here." He held his bat in hand, grip tightening.
Hesitantly, they spoke. " Well.... okay..." They walked over, curiosity getting the best of them. " W..what is it then, s-"
They paused, heart dropping.

" S..sir..?!"

✖

The Batter sat up suddenly.
He lay in a bed inside the comfort of Zone Zero. He gripped at the white lab coat he wore, expression softening.
" And... he's awake."
Zacharie, The Judge, and Elsen #709 had been standing across the room, conversating.
" Oh." The Batter stared at them, and they stared back.
Zacharie chuckled. " You digested some kind of sleeping tonic, ya weirdo."
" ...Oh really...?" The Batter glared at The Elsen. They stared down at the floor to try to ignore his gaze.
" Of course, it might have other effects we currently aren't aware of, so you'll have to sit out for a while," Zacharie explained. " Unfortunate."
" I see... I have a request though." He gestured to Zacharie. " Can you take care of me instead of the Elsen? They... deserve a break."
" M..me? I mean, okay... could be a bonding experience!" He slid over to The Batter and prodded his arm in a joking manner.
" Shut up." The Batter looked another direction.

" Thank god..." The Elsen gave a relieved sigh.
The Judge snickered. " Well, since Zacharie's out too, let's see how good you are at fighting."
"... WHAT."

Brandishing Zacharie's sword, #709 learned how to fight specters alongside our dear Judge.

✖

" ... N... ngh..."
The Elsen backed into a wall, afraid. Everything was blank. Everything was empty.
A shrill screech rang through the zone. A beast stumbled foward, the Elsen trembling.
" N..no.... please..."
The beast was formally known as a Secretary. A formidable beast, if you weren't strong enough to handle one.
They couldn't. Nobody in Zone One could.
It rose its arms to strike. The Elsen closed their eyes.

Adversaries purifed.

×□×□×□×□×□×□×□×□×□×□×□×□×□×□×□×□×□×

Oh hey-
By the way, Batterie is in this story.
There's a small bit in this chapter, if y'all didn't notice

Please don't kill me I originally thought it'd be cute while making the comic.