Chapter Text
He could barely see anything under the flashy green text that told him his systems were starting and processing.
What systems?
He tried to blink the words away but even with his eyes closed the neon green lettering filled up his vision. Distantly he felt…heavy. And cold.
He moved his hands in front of his face to try and see what was causing them to feel so odd. Only they didn't look like his hands. They were a small and made of bronze colored metal plates.
When the text finally faded the first thing his eyes clearly landed on was a man with cyan and orange hair. He knew this man.
“Scott?” Sparrow’s voice shook with slight fear or what he thought was supposed to be his voice. The only sound that came out was the sound of grounding metal. They didn't look away from his hands.
The transporter rushed to their side, kneeling at the side of the bed.
“Sparrow! You're awake? How are you doing?”
Sparrow tried to respond but he couldn't figure out how. He's never spoken without vocal cords before.
Scott continued to stare at him with pity and concern.
Sparrow kept trying to reach out but the words wouldn't form in the way he wanted. Frustration overwhelmed him, so he let go of trying. Just closed his eyes and tried to breath to calm himself. But they couldn't even do that.
The lights were too bright, Scott was too close, the world felt like it was spinning and everything in him felt different and he didn't know how to maneuver it. He wanted to cry.
-denied action is unproductive and destructive-
Everything went red as the warning repeated itself in his mind.
What was that? What did it mean to be unproductive and destructive? What was going on?!
“Are you ok?”
No! He wanted to scream. He didn't remember what happened he wasn't sure what was going on he couldn't remember a lot of things but from what he could remember this isn't what he was supposed to be like.
-you were optimized-
The same thing that gave the warning filled in the situation.
Optimized? Optimized for what? He pondered. How could this be better than whatever he had going on before?
Once again answers came to him through quick flashes of information. Small enough to crawl around machinery. Didn't need to sleep or eat. A mind that forced him into productivity so he could always be working on something.
"Sparrow?!.....Do you need like… copper or redstone or something?"
When he thought about it copper actually sounded like a great idea. He was low on energy despite not doing anything requiring that amount of strength that he could remember.
He tried to communicate vocally again and still failed. The only thing that left his mouth was the sound of turning gears and that horrible metal on metal scratching sound.
Scott started him down analyzing what was wrong. When he came up with an idea.
"Hey, do you think you could try something for me?
The golem gave a weak nod.
"Cool. Just an idea I'm not sure if it will work but something I noticed with Pearl, could you try speaking from here?" He gently poked at Sparrows chest catching him off guard.
Sparrow looked down to see what the transporter had been pointing at. Attached to his chest was a small speaker.
How was he supposed to use that to communicate? He didn't know but he would try.
He focussed on producing sound through the small device.
"H-hello?" It sparked to life. Causing both of them to smile.
"There you are! I'm sorry about that. You probably aren't used to…..non human stuff.' the transporter awkwardly brought up.
"What happened?" Sparrow took time pronouncing each syllable but Scott got the message.
"….you died..ish. You entered that machine and lost all your health. I found you in there and helped pull you out. You were in a coma for a month. You also became a copper golem. I've been taking care of you while it happened.”
Sparrow looked between Scott and his now metal hands. He curled his fingers slightly, testing out the joints.
“Its going to be ok got it? Let me know if you need help with anything.” Scott wrapped his own hands on top of Sparrows helping them form a fist.
"Do you have any copper?" with how slow each word was being pronounced it made his voice sound painfully robotic.
“I do!” The transporter checked around his pockets before pulling out a small bag full of copper nuggets. He gently placed it in Sparrow's hand.
The machine took his time opening the bag. Flinching at every creak and click that came from their joints.
Scott wanted to help but also knew Sparrow needed to take some time to figure things out for themselves. But Scott would make sure he was there every step of the way in case things went wrong.
—----------------------------
Over the next few days Sparrow often found himself sat upon Scott's Shoulders helping him with small tasks. Scott helps him in return, helping provide copper and overall being supportive.
But Sparrow was finally getting the hang of walking again. It took longer than he would have liked but they're finally getting comfortable with this new body. Well…that's what he keeps saying to himself at least.
Speaking comes easier with more use. The speaker thing was certainly not his favorite thing in the world.But again it was getting easier to work with.
Currently he was helping Scott make more soup. He enjoyed the mundane task and the simple bonding that came with it. But he couldn't help but comment that ... .Scott already had a pleasant soup and other food stocked up for various reasons. Did he really need more? Weren't there more productive things to do? Sparrow cant even eat the soup so what was the point?!
He shook the thoughts from his head. They were the same ones telling him to leave Scott as he was no use to him now that he's able to stand for himself. But that didn't matter. He enjoyed Scott’s company. He really did. But everyday it was getting harder to push away the thought of leaving.
All these thoughts ran through his head and he very carefully carried the pot over to the sink to fill up with water. Unfortunately he had to use a stool to reach it. But he was determined to help.
Scott turned around to find Sparrow standing unsteady on his stool. Trying to fill up the pot by turning the sink on. The transporter watches as the stool tilts forward with the extra weight of the pot. And before Scott could react Sparrow had tumbled into the sink.
Scott dashed over picking up a towel that was hanging off on the cabinet's handles. And harshly tugged him out of the sink onto the counter top beside it.
The golems' eyes glowed white with error. His body trembled with sparks of electricity shooting out.
Scott started to panic. How could he have been so reckless!?
The transporter decided he could be angry later right now he had a friend to fix up.
Softy, he used the towel to help wipe off any water droplets still clinging to the copper casing. He hoped not too much seeped in between the metal plates.
—----------------------------
Sparrow recovered shortly. The next day, he had fully decided he was going to braven up and leave Scott. Not because he wants to…..but because -he has to-. There are things out there that call to him. Or maybe it's him calling out for things out there. Potential yet to be touched. Ideas for complex machines and blue prints for devices he didn't even think would be possible keep bugging him.
So hes going to leave. It should be simple. Just tell scott hes on his way.
He pulls on the transporters shirt to get his attention.
“Huh? Sparrow? Do you need something?”
“Scott…there's something I wanted to tell you.”
“Ok, go ahead.” The taller turns to the other fully giving the golem his full attention.
“I am going to leave. I can't stay here forever. And I'm doing better now! Ive felt like i’ve overstayed a bot anyways so I'll be on my way!.”
“Oh? I did keep your base clean while you were out. I'd be happy to take you there and drop you off. I hope you don't mind but I went through some of your old studies and videos while i was over there. Very informational. I hope you don't mind.”
Sparrow thinks that's supposed to be a good thing. No one ever took his studies seriously, he should feel proud of the compliment. But instead he felt detached. Like he didn't really accomplish that. Did he? Writing seems like a waste of time when -you can just store information in your mind. Why bother keeping track of it for anyone else?-
“I don't care.” Sparrow says. And it hurts a little bit because….he should care. Right? The way Scott worded it, it seemed like something important to him. But whatever weight it held was now left with nothing.
“Oh. well you're going to want this then. I'm surprised you haven't asked for it during your time awake. I accidentally break it but it was pretty easy to fix.`` Scott hands over a camera. A very old, cracked camera.
“What's the point in that? I have cameras in my eyes now.” The golem shrugs.
He wants to hold the device close. He wants to want it. But…
-attachments slow work progress.-
And work progress mattered. It’s why he was leaving. Scott didn't even fix it well, didn't bother thinking about improvements or new functions. He basically just duct taped it back together.
So Sparrow pushed what was once the world to him, now a broken camera, back into Scotts hands.
“Wait? What-” Scott was left with a rush of confusion at the gesture.
“Oh and by the way. I appreciate you trying to help with the old area. But I'll be going elsewhere. You know. Where there's more opportunity. Thanks for helping out! But I'll be leaving now.” Sparrow started to turn to leave.
“How will I know if you're safe?”
“Why do you need to? Worry about yourself. I will be fine.”
“Last time you said that you died to a machine of your own creation. I'm not asking if your safe physically……Sparrow are you ok?.....you just, you don't seem like yourself at all.” Scott tried to think of a convincing reason to get Sparrow to rethink things.
“Maybe it's because I'm not? I'm not the Sparrow you used to know.”
“You're still unhappy though. And…you're still my friend. I want you to be happy and safe. If you can promise me those two things, I'll let you go.”
“Sure, I promise to be happy and Safe.” Sparrow lied. Well….is it a lie if he believed his words? He didn't know at that moment how adventurous his mindset could be. Or how controlling the text in his head was. He made a promise to Scott. But the transporter would never be able to hold it against him. For the next time they meet, their two different people living new lives.