Chapter Text
Chapter 4:
“Hey wait! I think we could help some!” Someone in the distance exclaimed, Pencil and the others turned around to face them, it was Tree, Marker, and Fanny.
“I’ll do whatever I can do to help to prevent as much death as possible.” Tree said perking up. “I’m not sure if I know pencil here very well, and especially considering I remember her leaving the competition before it even truly began-“ Tree started making eye contact with Pencil “but even then I’ll do my part!”
Pencil smiled, “Thanks Tree.”
“You’ve got a LOTT to catch up on!” Price Tag giggled
“I’ll help too I guess-“ Fanny mumbled to herself, clearly not wanting to admit that she wished to assist the group in any way shape or form.
“Me too! Let’s prevent death!” Marker exclaimed loudly, shoving his hands up in the air excitedly. Although pencil already figured that he’d be ready to help.
“All right let’s go find her! With all this extra help, we’re sure to find One!” Winner yelled, as the group cheered in unison.
Book and Pencil walked along-side each other, Pencil still feeling bad about their previous altercation. Pencil shattered once more recalling what book had said. She had abandoned Match. Why would she do such a thing? How could she even imagine that?
Pencils curiosity ate at her she just had to ask a book what she had done. Even if it truly wasn’t her, it had to be something she would have done. Even if this wasn’t her timeline, it was still her, which means her actions would probably have been the same.
She nudged a book a little as they walked, Marker skipping happily ahead of them, and Fanny saying how much she hated skipping proudly. “Book about earlier you said I abandoned match in this timeline. How did I do that exactly? Just curious I- in case I run into her I guess.”
Book sighed, looking at Pencil, “if you wanna hear, I guess I can tell you.” Book took a deep inhale before starting. “ you and Match were really close during BFDIA. You seemed joined at the hip you were inseparable. You even demanded to get eliminated the same episode as her, after she got out near the end of the season.”
Pencil recalled that part. That was the part she had done, she had deliberately tried to stay as close to everyone, especially match during BFDIA. And after she finished, she assumed that the relationships would be repaired and she could go back. So she was partly responsible for what happened? This whole thing hurt Pencil’s brain just to think about.
“However-“ Book continued, her feet dragging against the carpet. “at the start of BFB you demanded you just leave the season. You said you didn’t wanna play this game anymore. That you were sick and tired. All the freesmarters tried to stop you… and you pushed everyone away including Match. She tried to come find you, but you told her not to search for her anymore. And you, well I guess not really you, said some really mean things pencil. It tore her up…”
Pencil looked off to the side, the group approached the kitchen now as Winner and Price tagged screamed One’s name.
“Eventually she moved onto fighting for one’s power, but she got eliminated not too long ago and…” Book suddenly stopped as Tree exclaimed loudly some gibberish that was nearly inaudible from the distance Book and Pencil were currently at.
Pencil attempted to process what she’d been told but was sure she had to see this beforehand.
The two ran closer and saw One, talking to… Two? And some red number she didn’t recognize. Where was X and Four? Even if she hated the number with every fiber of her being she still wouldn’t have minded something familiar. Next to the group was Donut, who’d apparently not been eliminated.
“HEY! no fair! How come he gets to stay in the game?!” Fanny whispered angrily “That’s just unfair!” Book placed her finger on Fanny’s mouth “SHHHHHH”
Pencil leaned in, intently listening to their conversation. “Take care of him please?” One stumbled, smiling over at Donut. “Of course! I’m sure he’ll be a great chef!” The red number yelled excitedly.
“Hey new pall! You’ll fit right in here!” Two exclaimed while giving One a very nasty side eye. “I’m only doing this because I care about my contestants. Not for you One.”
“Cheer up Two! I get that One stole your contestants, but it’s probably because she was feeling very lonely-“ The number attempted a kind smile in One’s direction but One scowled.
“I- I am not lonely! I was never lonely Three, I had so many friends! You just didn’t know them!!” One replied defensively, clearly lying through her teeth.
“Sure One whatever you wanna believe, anyways I guess I’ll start on the cake for the second ceremony! Donut pal would you start the batter?” Two exclaimed, giving Donut a whisk.
“I’ll… make sure to check up on you later Donut, alright..?” One whispered giving Donut a faint smile before exiting the room.
The group slowly approached the door, Tree whistling as he pretended to open the door, becoming face to face with One.
“OH! UHHH HEY TREE- and gang… uhh the challenge should be starting soon you guys should get ready!” One yelled attempting to get past them.
Pencil stopped one with a firm hand. “One I need your help to get home! You promised earlier?”
One gritted her teeth. “Oh right, I guess I could try something but I don’t think my power is capable of doing something like that.” Pencil recalled One sending her back only after taking Two’s power and Four’s power. Damnit! Why did she lose One’s remote so long ago?
“I mean you did it before! You can’t do it again?” Pencil asked, hoping for a good reply. One turned over to face her. “What are you talking about? I don’t even really know you Pencil. You showed up just today-“
That’s right, only Pencil knew how she got here, only Pencil knew the truth, the deal she’d made, what she’d sacrificed to get to where she stood. She rubbed her eyes “in my timeline- you sorta wanted Two and Four’s-“
One went cold, she shivered stepping back hitting the wall with a thud. “F-Four..? What does he have to do with this?” She kept glancing up at the sky, fiddling with her feet.
“You know him? As much as I hate- hated him. In my timeline he might be helpful-“ she replied, staring into One’s terrified expression.
“He won’t be any use to us. Four is evil and we do not need his help in any way.” One said, walking towards the upstairs, “Maybe ask Two or Three to help you, I need to… I need to lie down.” And One faded into the staircase.