Chapter Text
Everything was engulfed in flames. A scorching place. A ruined city, screams, smoke from explosions, the smell of blood and gunpowder. All of this filled The Chosen One's lungs. Standing on one of the still-standing skyscrapers, he observed the chaos below. Someone was running, screaming, trying to fight back. The Dark One especially liked the latter; it was more interesting to him. The Chosen One, however, viewed resistance differently. In it, he saw the people's hope for salvation. They refused to accept their fate.
This evoked a strange feeling in The Chosen One. Had he abandoned his resistance when he remained in Alan's thrall for four long years? Had he lost the ability to resist when Dark dragged him back to destroying websites? When did his powers, directed toward harm, become repulsive? When was he incapable of saying "no" to Dark? When did he stop resisting?
Looking at the chaos below, The Chosen One wanted to stop. But he couldn't. Looking at Dark's face, at his sadistic smile, Cho felt fear. He knew his powers, but he'd forgotten how to use them. With the Lord, he'd mostly used fire. Now, The Chosen One was unsure of himself or his actions.
He couldn't stop everything, but being closer to the unfortunate could. He descended the building and went to the place where the permits had already been processed. From below, everything seemed even worse. A pile of ruins and debris, charred images of other sticks. A thick concentration of smoke and dust. The Chosen One looked at it all and felt regret. Was it all worth it? He didn't know how to stop it, how to fix what was already broken.
The sudden depression was shattered by the sound of a child's cry. At first, Cho even thought his thoughts were adding "special effects." But the sound grew louder and quieter. Something deep within The Chosen One awakened. How many times had he cried inside the antivirus, and no one had come to him? How many times had he longed to feel tenderness? Now his thoughts boiled down to the fact that just because he hadn't received tenderness, it didn't mean another child shouldn't receive it. The Chosen One could give what he himself hadn't received.
Breaking into a run, Chosen began to look around frantically. He tried to discern the source of the sound by ear. Everything inside was out of place. He couldn't see anything with his eyes. So, where the sound was closest, he began to sort through piles of rubble. And then, while sorting through another pile, he saw a bundle. A small stickman, dark red in color, with a sunken head, in a dark green blanket. The Chosen One knelt down next to the child and carefully picked it up. It was the first time he had seen such a small creature. The child calmed down and opened its eyes slightly. They were brown, nothing special. But for Cho, those eyes instantly became everything. In an instant, he fell in love with this child. A smile played on his lips: love at first sight.
Now Chosen didn't know what to do. He simply looked at the child and smiled. He felt a certain satisfaction. He could help someone. Someone wouldn't have to suffer like he did. But his heart ached with understanding. The Chosen One was primarily to blame for this child's suffering. And now, for the second time, his thoughts were interrupted. The child in his arms began to cough, and Chosen remembered the concentration of smoke. He rose to his feet in a panic and rose like fire to higher ground, where the air was more or less clear. The child continued to cough, and Chosen rolled him over onto his stomach and gently patted his back. The child coughed some more and seemed to calm down. The Chosen rolled the child over again and looked at his face. It was dirty, with small abrasions visible, but the child was relatively unharmed. Cho looked down and thought that the child's parents had given all their strength and life to ensure his survival. He closed his eyes and lowered his head, paying tribute to the parents who had not been afraid and had protected their child. He wanted to do the same.
- Hey, Choooo- he heard Dark's voice from behind him. The Chosen One began to look around frantically. He needed to hide the child. The thought thrashed around in his head like a tiger in a cage. He looked at his cloak and, taking it off, draped it over his arm, covering the child while still allowing him to breathe. Cursors, how lucky he was that the child was sleeping.
- Hey, Cho, why did you take off your coat?- Dark came up behind him and threw his arm over his shoulder.
- Yeah, it's just that it's gotten hot- The Chosen One looked away and, for what seemed like the first time in his life, prayed to the Cursors that Dark wouldn't notice the child.
- Yes, we've created hell here- Dark burst into laughter.
The Chosen One looked at him with a certain sadness. How could he rejoice in the misfortune of others? But then again, the Dark Lord clearly doesn't notice the child, so he can pretend a little. Dark laughed one last time, put his hands on his hips, and looked at Chosen:
- Well, Cho, we did a good job- he looked at the ruined metropolis and offered him a "High Five!" The Chosen One was glad the child was in his left hand, so he didn't have to change position and arouse unnecessary suspicion. He raised his hand and clapped Dark's palm. Dark sighed with satisfaction.
- Home?- Chosen asked quietly and casually.
- Yes, let's go- Dark activated his powers and flew toward the portal they had come from. The Chosen quickly checked the child and followed the Lord.
Their house still stood on the outskirts of Stick City. Dark entered the house first and immediately went to the second floor.
- Are you going?- asked The Chosen One.
- Yeah, I don't see any reason to linger- Dark dismissed Chosen casually and didn't even look at him.
Dark's behavior had previously upset Chosen, but now he was glad Dark hadn't lingered. He still held the arm where his cloak hung and where the child slept. Trying to walk slowly and calmly, he entered the bathroom. After latching the door, The Chosen One sighed and sank heavily to his knees, removing the excess fabric from the child.
The child turned his attention happily and smiled his toothless smile. The Chosen One smiled too and pulled the child closer to his chest. He would protect the child and ensure its safety. But first, he needed to get the child into proper condition. Chosen took the nearest towel and, wetting the edge with warm water, began gently wiping the child's face. The child cooed joyfully and waved her arms at these shenanigans. The Chosen One only smiled. What a sweet little bundle of joy. Cho pursed his lips, remembering what had made the Chosen One take the child. But at the same time, he made a silent promise to himself: not to repeat his mistakes and to forget about this little bundle of joy.