Chapter Text
Guest found himself under a doorway. Quickly scanning his surroundings told him this was that one carnival looking place, it was heavily themed after some kid who he assumed was 007n7’s child, but he never asked, he thought it wasn't appropriate to do so.
He heard confused mumbling nearby with a voice he recognised. He jogged towards the benches where he spotted Builderman’s crumpled figure sat up in the grass. The admin was still recovering, it would be his priority to protect him in this state.
“Ughh- What the heck-”
“Are you alright? This is one of those rounds we were mentioning earlier. They tend to happen at random intervals.”
Guest offered the man a hand to help him stand
“I see. Where's everyone else?”
“They're across the map, I'm sure we'll run into them. Sir, can you walk?”
“I'll try- hol’ on..”
He stumbled a few paces, hoping not to put too much pressure on his bad leg all while the soldier kept a firm grasp on his shoulder to prevent him from toppling over like a domino.
“Welp, looks like I'm dead weight alright.”
“Don't say that! We'll survive, we just need to find the others”
“Who's the killer ya mentioned earlier?”
“It's randomised too, but there's four of them that we know of.”
“Ya know who it is this time ‘round?
“Sorry we don't, but we'll see them soon enough.”
“Alright. Thank you soldier.”
“You're welcome- I think there's a generator up ahead- oh. It's already been completed.”
“Huh? Why'd ya need a generator?”
“Oh it's like a thing.. Where you connect some wires.. The more you do the lesser time a round lasts for, sorry I don't understand the technical aspects of it.”
“Interesting.. No you're fine.”
Suddenly the two of them heard someone yelling, and the yelling seemed to get closer.
Guest whipped his head around first while Builderman turned a bit slower, bracing themselves for-
Oh it's just Shedletsky.
“DAVIIID!!”
“Stop yelling you damned fool-”
“Sorry sorry! Are you okay?!”
“Yea, this soldier here was explainin’ to me how this baloney works and all. By the way what can I call you besides just ‘Soldier’?”
“Oh! I'm Guest. Guest is fine.”
“Alright Guest.”
“Are you sure you're fine?? You were pretty banged up and-”
“John I'm fine. Can we get a move on? I don't wanna be a sitting duck for some lunatic to rip to shreds out here.”
“Right.. Right, okie dokie let's go up ahead, there's a little ferris wheel, it makes for a good base.”
Guest nodded, and helped the old admin walk to the ferris wheel while Shedletsky led the way, sword in hand.
As they reached the ferris wheel’s platform, and as soon as Guest was sure that Shedletsky and Builderman would be alright on their own, he ran off to track down Elliot, who had dropped by about 10 hp, he'd likely be getting chased with his vulnerable position.
Shedletsky waved goodbye at the veteran as he took off, then turned back around to his partner. David was already fiddling with something, were those blueprints?
“Hey what're those?”
“Blueprints John.”
“Yea I know but what's in em, lemme see!”
He peeked over David’s shoulder to read the blueprints, he got a short glimpse of what looked to be a turret? Before David rolled up the sheet and took out a set of tools.
“Hey whoa! What're you doing? C'mon tell me- was that a turret?”
“Tryin’ to be of use.. Wh- Where's all my bullets?! What the hell, are these PELLETS?!”
“Huh, weird. So you're doing that old sentry design?”
“Yes. It's all I got.”
David kneeled and began hammering various parts of the sentry together.
“You sure you don't want help? Your leg’s still funky and I'm not sure about your arms-”
“John, I'm fine. I've been buildin’ my whole life, this is nothin”
“Alright Alright! Just checking!”
“Aren't you gonna go help the others?”
“Dude, you need protection more than anyone else, besides Guest's watching over Elliot. He'll be okay.”
“Hm.”
Shedletsky now moved over to lean against the walls of the platform. He looked over his shoulder and caught a glimpse of their favorite exploiter. He would've called out the man in any other circumstance and asked him to come up and join him, but with his old friend by his side here it didn't seem like mixing them was the best idea yet.
So he watched as the man spotted a generator and beelined straight for it. Shedletsky was glad there was atleast someone on the team who would willingly do those things. It wasn't that he himself couldn't, he just found them incredibly boring, and a massive waste of time. Ironic since their main purpose was to lower that timer.
He wondered what David would think of those machines if he tried to fix one. Actually he already knew, he could already hear him complaining and grumbling about the various inaccuracies. It wasn't that Shedletsky hadn't noticed those either, it just didn't bother him as much. Oddities were to be expected of a place like this.
“You gonna keep staring over that ledge or actually do somethin?”
“Sorry boss, depends, do I get paid overtime for this?”
“I should be cuttin yer pay if anything. Go help em, stop fussin over me.”
“Fine. But will you atleast go hide in a corner?”
David shuffled over and stood behind one of the lamps on the platform. Shedletsky paused for a second, and then burst out laughing
“Look who's attractin attention now.”
“HAH- Sorry! Sorry! Man- I just-”
“The sentry’s all I got! What're you laughin for? Go on, get a move on already!”
“Hehe.. Yes boss!”
“Hey, I know Guest over there is already doin it. But.. keep an eye on Elliot for me, John?”
“I will, David.”
He descended the stairs and ran to catch up with the others. A part of him felt guilty leaving an injured friend behind. But when that friend tells him to drop it, he'd respect that.
He ran past their favourite exploiter, who was doing another generator? Seriously? He already finished the last one? How fast was this guy?
He looked to be teaching Noob something while holding up two of the generator’s copper wires. Noob was nodding every two seconds.
“Hey 007n7! Am I interrupting a lesson here?”
“Oh! Shedletsky! No it's alright. Noob said they were cut by the wires earlier. I was hoping to show them the ‘correct way’ of twisting these.”
“Ye-Yeah.. I was sorta in a hurry because I heard that kid getting closer and I cut my finger open on the coppery bit.. Um! But Mr. 007n7 said he would show me- I mean- that's what we're doing now! Obviously..”
Shedletsky truly wanted to believe that Noob was learning and understanding this. But he was pretty sure every word out the man’s mouth had been in one ear and out the other. Well, atleast it was a sweet moment. Now onto important matters.
“Haha that's great, Anyway you guys wouldn't happen to know where Elliot or any of the other stunners might be?”
“Uhhh.. Sorry I don't-”
“Guest is with Elliot inside the exhibit. Chance and Twotime are camping outside with plans of ambush.”
“Oh wow. Thanks man!”
“Take this, Elliot will need it.”
He handed Shedletsky a medkit. Shedletsky nodded, feeling a pang of guilt for not showing up earlier. David was right.
“Right. Thank you. Well, see you around!”
Their exploiter waved stiffly, actually most of the guy’s motions were awkward and stiff. John couldn't blame him (pun intended?). Trying to make friends when you and your entire family (of two people) are domestic terrorists, He knew a thing or two about that sort of thing.
Noob waved goodbye with a small smile. It was good to see them getting more confident with their interactions.
Shedletsky walked away and heard the two resume their lesson. He found Chance and Twotime waiting outside the exhibit building behind a wall.
A quick glance inside told him that the killer, Guest and Elliot were at a stalemate. Guest guarded Elliot atop the platform bounded by railings with two cascading stairs on either side.
If the killer, 007n7’s son who Shedletsky had seen plenty of times at this point. If the killer made any bad moves Elliot and Guest could get down and sprint right outside. But if Guest and Elliot messed up they'd be toast, besides they needed to get Elliot away for a while to give him a chance to heal.
Also, It seemed “c00lkidd” was keenly aware of the two ambushers waiting outside, as he yelled something at them about “playing fair”.
Shedletsky silently took out the medkit and showed it to Chance and Twotime, both of them pleasantly surprised, but they nodded in agreement with the silent plan.
Then, on Chance’s next coin flip, they got their third charge (Thanks Lady Luck!). Immediately, they loaded their gun, Shedletsky watched the amount of gunpowder being used carefully, it was the right amount.
He raised an arm and fired! But c00lkidd stepped out the way, taking the opportunity to switch targets, c00lkidd opened a familiar red panel before him for a moment. Shedletsky watched the split second movement, his eyes going wide in horror.
He didn't know how much weakness Chance had, but he knew if that attack hit it would kill them.
Moving quickly Shedletsky threw himself between Chance and the flaming edges of c00lkidd’s blade. It burned yes, he of all people would know what that sword was capable of since he'd been the one to create it in the first place. And he knew this kid was far from using the sword at its full potential.
Chance gasped, Shedletsky wasted no time and started running.
Honestly, he would've stopped to correct the boy’s terrible form if the circumstances were different.
Wait a second. Shedletsky had the medkit, and Shedletsky had to get this to Elliot, and Shedletsky was running in the direction away from Elliot. Oh no no, these were precious seconds he should be using to heal back up!
He felt a bead of sweat form on his forehead, not from Firebrand’s flames but the very very stupid play he'd just made. Shedletsky side stepped a brick thrown at him. Mentally grasping for backup plans
But, the sound of a dagger gliding through the air, meeting its target and tearing through the subsequent flesh, reminded Shedletsky that he was not infact alone.
Shedletsky handed the medkit to Twotime, who only smiled and nodded in response as they ran back to wherever Elliot must've been hiding to deliver the package.
c00lkidd threatened to call his dad like he always did. Shedletsky figured he was going to be this little menace’s next target for now, for the blasphemy of taking forty-something damage.
He used the few seconds Twotime had managed to buy him to recover his stamina and gain a bit of distance. Turning back brought him the image of a distored red monster with a mischievous glint in its eye, rapidly approaching.
He ran past the ferris wheel, he spotted David from the corner of his eye, expression painted with abject horror. Yeah that was a fair reaction.
Next the boy tossed a brick at him, he knew it was a fling brick, he'd seen exploiters use these for years now. What he didn't understand was why the literal fling brick never actually flung the target, only doing damage. Strange.
He side stepped the brick with ease, the kid looked angry now, yelling and calling him a tryhard with no life. Shedletsky laughed to himself at this, it'd been a while since he'd been yelled at by a 10-ish year old. Maybe if he ever got out of here, he'd frequent the Heights a little more, mess with some stupid kids.
Things were going well! They usually won against this killer, c00lkidd was afterall, a kid. Hence not exactly very experienced. Shedletsky had nothing to worry about, although he'd appreciate a break to grab a bite of fried chicken.
His stamina was going down again, and the boy was faster than him, turning the corner and almost reaching Shedletsky. But he drew his sword in an instant, the sound of cold steel cutting through the air as it made contact with its target.
Shedletsky landed a hit before the boy could complete his punch. He watched as the child cried out again, for his father, the cut from the linked sword across his shoulder bled.
As Shedletsky turned around to keep running, he wondered what 007n7 thought of people hurting his son like this. Although the resemblance was uncanny, Shedletsky was sure this had to be that very same infamous c00lkidd. The c00lkidd behind the so many famous hacks, he was almost a celebrity.
Maybe the guy was in denial, no parent could accept their kid had being mutilated to such a degree. Maybe he knew, but what was he supposed to do? Tell everyone not to lay a hand on the murderous 10 year old? Tell everyone not to defend themselves?
Actually, during most c00lkidd rounds, 007n7 tended to stay away from the action, not that he didn't already do this. Shedletsky felt bad, it was probably too painful for the guy to even look at his kid in this state. How could he blame him, when he wasn't really any better.
Well! It is what it is, right? What happened to [them] isn't changing, even if it was all his fault. Maybe he could bond with 007n7 over their shared talent of creating unintentional monsters.
He hadn't been paying attention, and didn't notice this time, when c00lkidd recovered from the damage and opened a c00lgui panel.
He hadn't been thinking this time, when he ran in a straight line away from the boy. The one thing he'd learned not to do.
Firebrand blazed and pierced through his back within seconds. Reality hit hard and fast, Shedletsky fell to the ground as the boy wasted no time catching up to him to deliver the final blow.
Before his fist could make contact, he was shoved out of the way by.. Guest!
Guest took the next hit as well, while Shedletsky took the chance to run away.
Speak of the devil, c00lkidd hardly managed to close the distance when a gunshot rang through the air, hitting the target perfectly.
Chance pumped their fist in celebration in the distance, Noob stood next to them wide eyed and amazed. Shedletsky smiled.
“Pizza delivery! Sorry.. I shoulda caught up to you sooner.”
Shedletsky caught the slice thrown at him, scarfing it down in a few seconds.
“Thanks, and don't worry about it kid.” He replied with a grin
Guest caught up to him. c00lkidd was gaining distance, but he was still distant. He was going to be fine! He would've used a piece of chicken but he knew that the fling brick must've been back by now, if he stopped now it'd hit him, not only wasting a move but taking 10 hp down with it. He sighed.
“Are you alright?” Guest tried to ask
“I-”
“No that was stupid, my bad. There's only a minute left on the clock, do you think you can tough it out? I'll try and tank a few hits.”
“Hell yea man, don't worry bout it.”
“He's summoning his minions, Noob is nearby actually.. Oh! They used their potion to tank those hits! That's actually really smart.”
“They're a great kid, aren't they? Hope he doesn't switch targets to them though.”
“No he's still after you, keep running.”
They turned a corner, Guest stayed close and provided callouts.
“I think Twotime was nearby, They're hopefully on standby for a stun.. I uh.. Missed my punch earlier.. Sorry.”
“Haha! You been learning from me?”
Guest didn't find that as funny as Shedletsky did.
“Man we're doing real good, I hear that 30 seconds music.”
“Focus Shedletsky, he's catching up.”
“Yea yea- What're you my running coach?”
Yet again Guest failed to provide a laugh, not even a snicker.
“This timer can't go down fast enough..”
“Last 20 seconds. I think we're in the clear.. He can't kill you that quickly- Wait where is he.”
The timer shot up to 50 seconds with a deafening explosion in the distance.
“DAMNIT CHANCE!”
There was the sound of a dagger cutting through the air- Wait this early? Didn't killers have immunity when they landed the final blow?
“Oh damnit Twotime.”
“Shedletsky he's switched targets! Eat something! I'll go help them- Oh god.”
“Oh yea. Thanks man.”
See, you don't exactly have to tell the host of Robloxia’s chicken eating contests. To eat something.
He scarfed down the chicken leg, it tasted as good as it always had.
Then he ran back out into the open, frantically looking around for Guest or Twotime.
Then Shedletsky saw them, and the manic smile on their face, probably just embrassed from missing.
Then he saw that dark, dark panel.
He watched the boy reach into it, one swift motion. And take out the Firebrand.
In the very next instant he pressed a button and launched himself at the cultist.
They stumbled and fell, badly limping. Guest chased after c00lkidd but he wasn't fast enough. c00lkidd didn't spare any seconds. He closed the distance and landed another punch.
Elliot then threw a pizza but it was too far, and c00lkidd immediately moved to block Twotime from running towards it.
By now Guest had finally managed to catch up, as he swung between the two, Twotime being inches from death. He raised his arms up to block the incoming hit.
It was like watching a car crash. The fling brick hit Guest first, then phased through hitting Twotime who stood behind him.
Shedletsky tried to remember how many stabs they'd landed, but his mind could only conjure up one. The one they'd landed to save him.
The timer had crossed the one minute mark again. And c00lkidd had the upper hand this time.
Flames glinted behind the exploiter’s eyes. As he turned to face Shedletsky and Guest.
“Yo we messed up.”
“I know.”
Elliot was already hiding behind a wall, trying to catch his breath.
Somehow despite facing them mere seconds ago, c00lkidd turned his attention to that wall, running straight towards it.
Elliot didn't notice fast enough and took a punch to the face. Guest was already sprinting after the ensuing chase, this time making sure to put himself between the two.
Shedletsky ran the other way. His usual strategy when he wasn't the target, of stalking a killer. His slashes were obvious when used in plain sight. He took shortcuts to try and predict where they'd run to.
“NONE OF YOU KNOW HOW TO PLAY!! ALL YOU EVER DO IS CHEAT AND BULLY ME!!”
Shedletsky tuned out the boy’s tantrum. Hand steady on the handle of his sword to draw.
“YOU THINK I DON'T SEE YOU?!”
The boy threw a brick at Shedletsky, It hit. Mostly John was just shocked that he'd been spotted.
“HAHA- OH ILL BE BACK FOR YOU LATER- STUPID SHEDLETSKY COSPLAYER”
C-cosplayer?! Hey! He was the real deal!
Regardless, Elliot gained distance with the unintentional distraction. That was what mattered.
Guest kept pace with him, making sure there wasn’t an uninterrupted straight line between c00lkidd and Elliot. They'd had enough of walkspeed override for today.
Shedletsky returned to stalking them, trying to stay parallel to the whole chase, he watched as c00lkidd slammed a fist into the ground, summoning a pair of pizza box wielding minions. But Noob was nowhere nearby this time.
He knew there was one last generator left, and both Noob and 007n7 were alive. He watched the timer drop in increments, one of them had found it. It was now approaching the 30 second mark again.
c00lkidd was faster. Especially when he ran. The precious distance that the distractions and stuns got them earlier was quickly waning.
Then as Guest and Elliot were within the range of a punch. Guest put his arms up to block but c00lkidd stood still.
“DO YOU REALLY THINK I'M THAT STUPI-”
Shedletsky took the chance, slashing across c00lkidd’s back, blood streaked the edge of his linked sword.
“AGH- I'M TELLING DAD!!”
Guest and Elliot ran away again. Shedletsky tried to get away too.
But when c00lkidd recovered, he didn't go after Shedletsky or Elliot. He turned to look at something in the distance, summoning the c00lgui’s dark panel and-
Shedletsky peered over the wall he hid behind. Noob was on the last generator! They took the hit from Firebrand and flew back a few studs.
Shedletsky couldn't run fast enough towards them. In their panic they ran around a wall and straight into the two minions from earlier.
For the second time today, Shedletsky watched yet another car crash go down.
This was madness, why did he change so quickly? He'd been normal, as in, acting like he always did until one minute ago. From his yelling earlier, did he genuinely think they were just playing tag? Honestly Shedletsky always thought it was in that creepy horror movie child way, where the kid wants to ‘play’ but ‘play’ means death.. or something.
He never considered that the boy actually thought they were playing. Well in his defense, he's never played tag with exploits and swords before. But maybe this was new-age tag. Who knows, he was getting old anyway.
The timer crossed the one minute mark again. Shedletsky's second piece of fried chicken was back, so he quickly scarfed it down behind a wall.
Things were bad but they could still win. Elliot, Guest, 007n7, and himself were still alive. Even with c00lkidd’s new found frustration, he simply couldn't take out anyone else as quickly as he did the others. His best finishing moves were all on hold when he spent them on rushing down Noob.
They could win.. But Shedletsky felt like he was forgetting about something..
c00lkidd looked at him once, with something akin to the face of a disgruntled child, as he walked away from Noob’s limp corpse. But he didn't chase, He ran in the opposite direction towards the ferris wheel. Where Elliot and Guest had been.
But it was alright, there wasn't anyway he could reasonably kill Elliot now. Worst case scenario Guest would take any major hits. But they would win. They would.
Shedletsky felt a bit useless as he followed the exploiter. So many deaths, all preventable with a little teamwork. Gosh they were not doing well today were they? But there was no reason to lose hope. They can and would still win, despite their mistakes, because there's no such thing as an irredeemable mistake.
Like sunrays reaching the Mariana trench, even the darkest voids had light to them. As long as you knew where to look.
Shedletsky picked up a can of bloxy cola as he continued loosely following c00lkidd.
In the distance, Guest was watching over the platform. Elliot was talking to someon- DAVID?!? OH NO NO HE'D FORGOT-
c00lkidd wasn't after Guest and Elliot anymore, they had one last weak link. And he could barely walk.
Guest noticed at the same time that Shedletsky did. Because he watched his eyes go wide at the sight of c00lkidd.
“YOU KNOW? IF YOU'RE INJURED, YOU SHOULD STAY HOME- MY DAD NEVER NEVER LET ME PLAY WHEN I WAS SICK..”
c00lkidd mused in his distorted voice.
David looked wide eyed and angry, but Guest moved to cover him.
Shedletsky reached for his sword but it was jammed in the sheath. Damnit, screw this place and it's rules.
c00lkidd made it up the platform before the sentry began shooting at him! The damage however, was nominal at best, moreso it only slowed him down.
“UGH- OW.”
c00lkidd glanced at the sentry, but going towards it gave Guest and Builderman an opening to run. So he rolled his eyes and trudged forward.
Guest furrowed his eyebrows, waiting for a move.
It was a weird split second stalemate. But then, c00lkidd raised a fist
Guest did nothing, not even flinch at the bluff
“AW CMON! THAT WAS CONVINCING! HOW DID YOU- WHATEVER!!”
Elliot stood precariously close to the ledge on the left of the platform. Prepared to run if he has to, but also on standby for healing.
Shedletsky kept testing the handle of the sword. But it didn't even budge out of its sheath.
Then, in the next instant c00lkidd threw a punch. That Guest blocked perfectly, he responded with a punch of his own to parry but-
c00lkidd sidestepped the hit, it was almost exactly like how Shedletsky dodged hits. Was the kid learning from him the entire time he chased him?!
It didn't matter, Shedletsky realised that the linked sword had shifted just the slightest bit. Wasting no time he ran up the stairs, drew the sword and slashed- c00lkidd sidestepped it again!
“OH COME ON! I WATCHED YOU TRYING TO UNSHEATHE YOUR STUPID TOY- YOU COULD ATLEAST TRY TO BE SUBTLE.”
With that he threw a punch at Guest, ouch, that looked like it hurt.
Elliot threw a pizza. It landed inches from Guest, Before he could do anything, c00lkidd stepped on the slice, blocking it off completely.
Guest clenched his teeth. This was annoying, but the timer was at 30 seconds- Actually. That didn't matter anymore. If anything they'd learned that c00lkidd got more desperate when this happened.
And desperate he did, c00lkidd opened a dark panel- Elliot was the only person with no cover and he'd already taken some damage. Shedletsky, thinking quickly, scrambled to get between c00lkidd and Elliot.
But no, c00lkidd didn't aim for the defenseless healer, he charged straight at Guest in a flurry of fire and blood.
Shedletsky cringed at the damage, he knew how bad it was. Combined with the hits he'd taken for Elliot earlier and now this, Guest was limping.
Elliot gasped, horror painted his expression.
“Elliot, start running- don't put yourself in danger until you get a slice again.”
Elliot nodded and leapt off the platform, sprinting off. The pizza hadn't de-spawned yet, Guest could still grab it. He was just staying out of the way. He wasn't leaving anyone to die. He wasnt.
c00lkidd kicked the slice away from Guest, and landed another punch. He was one hit away from death- Shedletsky had to step in he could take a few punches! He was perfectly fine himself because of the pizza earlier.
But hits landed on the verge of death can't be blocked.
Shedletsky watched in horror as c00lkidd lifted the veteran into the air by his neck. snapping it with a sickening crunch.
David was already trying to limp away, but doing badly. Shedletsky ran up to him and swept him off his feet. They needed to run.
“Wh- JOHN WHAT THE HECK-”
“I'M NOT LETTING YOU DIE TOO?!?”
“John I'm slowin’ you DOWN-”
“NO YOU'RE NOT!! YOU HARDLY WEIGH ANYTHING- CAN YOU ATLEAST TELL ME HOW FAR AWAY HE IS??”
Builderman looked over Shedletsky's shoulder, Oh yea that kid was fast.
“He's gonna get us. John I'm slowin you down.”
“NO YOU'RE NOT!!”
“He's throwing a brick??”
Shedletsky ducked, lowering both of them, the fling brick flew by overhead.
“Oh man- That wuz a fling brick?!”
“Yes. It doesn't actually fling anyone did you kno-”
c00lkidd got close enough to throw a punch, Shedletsky side stepped it and ran in another direction.
“Oh no no- This is why I never got into fighting- John be careful he's winding up another-”
“I KNOW!!”
Shedletsky dodged the second punch as well. Huh he was doing really good. Well he couldn't exactly embarrass himself infront of his boss right?
“THIS IS CHEATING!! YOU CAN'T CARRY OTHER PLAYERS!! STOP CHEATING!!!”
c00lkidd went in for a third punch, angrier this time. However, Shedletsky made sure it hit him instead of Builderman.
“JOHN ARE YOU OKAY??”
“I'm fine I'm fine! I ate chicken earlier-”
Shedletsky dodged the next, and the next. c00lkidd was becoming predictable, he could practically see his rhythm.
He ignored some of David’s backseat driving on his stunts and ran as soon as he had an opening. Or well, as soon as c00lkidd handed him an opening.
He could probably use his sword soon, but he needed both hands to carry David. Well atleast his friend made for a decent rearview mirror. David’s frantic reactions to anything and everything c00lkidd did gave him plenty of time to react.
“Huh, he stopped to do something?”
“What? What's he doing?!”
“It's a weird UI panel-”
Too late, Firebrand drove right through Shedletsky’s back, cauterizing the wound with flames as it was ripped out.
David looked horrified, but all Shedletsky could think about as he coughed up blood was how he was glad it didn't hit his friend.
“JOHN?!?”
If he was going to die soon he had to make sure David survived- actually there was no way that was happening- damnit.
No, the only way David survived was if Shedletsky survived.
Usually it was really hard to dodge the follow-up hit that came after walkspeed override, because of how painful the move was, it almost blocked your ability to think.
But Shedletsky stepped aside without seeing or thinking, he remembered c00lkidd’s attack patterns still, he didn't need to look at this open book to read it.
No matter, he had to dodge for about 40 more seconds. He was starting to get sick of seeing these numbers ,up there.
David was yelling about something, well he wasn't paying attention. Firebrand knocked the wind out of him, it was really difficult to keep dodging. One hit and he'd be done for.
He turned a wall, c00lkidd didn't turn immediately, was he distracted by someone?
Suddenly, a hand reached up to hold something up to his face- oh! pizza!
“EAT IT!! WHAT’RE YOU STARIN AT?!?
For once in his life, Elliot's perfect and beautiful pizza looked so unappealing, mostly because of the blood he'd coughed up earlier. Oh well, they needed to live. He finished it in a few bites, spilling a few toppings on David, which he did not have a kind reaction to.
It was weird, in any other circumstance, this scene would fit right into some sickeningly sweet shoujo manga. But if princess carrying your best friend and having them feed you something was what it took to not die- Shedletsky was fine with it!
c00lkidd turned the corner, grumbling something about a stupid delivery boy and how he was too fast. Yea Elliot was pretty fast actually, He probably swung around to deliver that slice. Shedletsky just hadn't noticed when Builderman caught it for him.
“UGH- YOU TWO MAKE ME WANNA GAG!!”
“Whoa whoa- Didn't your dad teach you to be better than that?”
“Wh- WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU IMPLYIN?? RUN???”
And run he did. Last ten seconds. Nothing would stop them now, They'd finally win- He could finally rest. Shedletsky felt like his legs were going to fall off. The kid had no good moves left when Shedletsky dodged the brick flung at them. The timer was reaching the last 5 seconds.. They'd won.
5.
Maybe he could go for some style points.. He was pretty annoyed at this kid from everything he'd put them through today..
4.
Shedletsky put David down for a moment, still firmly grasping the man’s shoulder with one arm, he unsheathed the linked sword with his other hand
3.
c00lkidd noticed too late, the blade hit, and it cut hard, drawing blood as usual.
2.
c00lkidd called out for his father.
1.
The world stopped.
0.
0:00
“Dad..?”
What the hell- What was happening? The time- Shedletsky watched the boy’s eyes. His expression was something he'd never seen before. c00lkidd looked like a scared child.
David remained silent, so did John.
John followed c00lkidd’s line of sight, turning around and stepping away at what he was looking at.
007n7 stood there. His face held the same blank expression as always.
“Dad? Dad- hey Dad what's wrong?”
c00lkidd took a few small steps towards his father. 007n7 remained silent
“Dad why do you look like that-”
Shedletsky considered intervening but actually, he had no idea what was happening. c00lkidd had stopped attacking, that was what mattered, right?
David slowly grabbed his arm, hanging on for certainty.
“Dad- You..”
“You're not. You're not my dad..”
Now 007n7 looked aback, his expressionless demeanour shifted, it changed completely actually. And he spoke
“c00lkidd? No no it's me-”
“YOU'RE NOT MY DAD!! STOP LYING- STOP-”
“Kidd-”
“DON'T CALL ME THAT- YOU'RE NOT HIM YOU'RE NOT-”
c00lkidd took a few steps back, his expression was indescribable. As if all the world’s fear and sadness had been projected onto one little boy.
c00lkidd took a few steps back, desperate to get away from his father. And his foot landed on Noob’s corpse. He turned around to look at it. Eyes going wider in horror.
“What- What's thi- is that blood-”
He doesn't know.
So it was true, c00lkidd never knew.
“What happened to you- Why aren't they getting up- GET UP!! STOP PLAYING AND GET UP!!!”
But it laid there motionless.
“HEY- HEY WHY WON'T THEY MOVE- I WAS JUST-”
“c00lkidd-”
“STOP TALKING TO ME YOU FAKER- GO AWAY- GO AWAY!!!”
With that the boy hurled a fling brick at 007n7.
“GIVE ME MY DAD BACK!! I WANT MY DAD!!”
He got hit straight on the head, but didn't run or flinch. As if he didn't feel the pain at all.
“HEY- Hey you- Mister- Why wont they get up- Can't you help them?”
c00lkidd was crying, tears streaming down his face, as he looked towards Shedletsky for answers.
David looked at him too,
“Um.. They're just sleeping. They'll get up in a while.”
“They're- they're fine right? The-they'll be okay right?”
“Yea, they'll be fine.”
“Do you promise?? Promise they'll be fine!!”
“I promise.”
c00lkidd sniffled, wiping his face with an oversized monstrous claw.
The sky was turning red.
“What's this? What's happenin?!”
“Hell if I know, David..”
“Didn't you say the round ends at 0:00?! Why the hell are we still ere?!?”
“I don't know. This has never happened before-”
“Um.” c00lkidd interrupted.
“Usually.. You all vanish when this happens? I uh.. I lost right? I lost the game.”
“Well yea but what's that gotta do with the darn sky??”
“Let him talk David.”
“Because I lost.. I'm gonna get punished, where bad kids go.. Uh..”
Shedletsky felt his blood run cold
“What do you mean..”
“It's okay- I tell myself its like a scary nightmare! It's just some scary things.. Dad said I was a brave kid.. My REAL dad.”
He scowled at 007n7. 007n7 looked blankly at the ground. Like he was dissociating.
“What- what do you mean- who's doin this-”
“My friend! They let me play tag here! Ooo- Maybe you all could meet them- We could all be friends!”
Shedletsky blinked, the figure standing before them no longer appeared monstrous and imposing. No he was now just a regular kid, no older than 10.
c00lkidd waved at them
“Thank you for staying even after you won! Can we play again another time? You seem nice.. Mister.. I like SFOTH too! Let's swordfight sometime!”
The sky fractured with a bloody red, the buildings vanished.
Before Shedletsky could utter another word, c00lkidd vanished, with a cheerful smile.
And in another blink, they were back around the winners table.
Nobody said a word. Shedletsky stared down at the wood grain.
Builderman looked like he was thinking, brainstorming. Shedletsky should probably do that, probably help out. But all he could think about was c00lkidd and what he said.
Elliot was confused, he was probably hiding when the anomaly occurred. They'd have to explain everything to him and everyone else later.
And 007n7. He looked as good as dead.
And who could blame him?
…
007n7 stared at the blank screen.
“It's okay- I tell myself its like a scary nightmare! It's just some scary things.. Dad said I was a brave kid.. My REAL dad.”
007n7 felt his head spin.
“Because I lost.. I'm gonna get punished, where bad kids go.. Uh..”
007n7 felt a lump in his throat
“HEY- Hey you- Mister- Why wont they get up- Can't you help them?”
007n7 felt like he was gonna throw up
“GIVE ME MY DAD BACK!! I WANT MY DAD!!”
007n7 made it two steps away from the desk before collapsing on the floor.
c00lkidd was being abused, possibly tortured. For every round he lost. And all he could think of was his dad.
But his dad never did come, his dad never managed to protect him. Not once.
Not even once.
“Dad..?”
007n7 felt his blood boil.
“c00lkidd..”
007n7 dragged himself back up. Holding onto the chair for support.
He made his way towards the window, opening it with no care of being spotted.
He looked up at the sky.
007n7 looked up at the sky with nothing but rage. In the back of his mind, he felt like it was laughing back at him, mocking.
“I'm sorry.”