Archive of Our Own ^beta

 

Mono is a freak.

 

Most people will come to this conclusion when they discover that Mono has superpowers.

 

After the world was completely turned upside down by the appearance of alien beings, most humans lost their minds and became puppets of monsters. With the whole world being invaded and dominated by monsters, the existence of supernormal things has been recognized by all. To them, abnormality was synonymous with danger, so of course, Mono's superpowers made everyone afraid of him.

 

People gradually shun Mono and see him as an outsider, an anomaly that should be avoided.

 

Mono becomes more and more disgusted with his superpowers. So instead of using them to his advantage, Mono rejects them, even hating them. But the more he denies them, the more they annoy him, as if they're always trying to remind Mono of their existence.

Mono begins to lose control of his superpowers. At first, it was just a few times when he showed his superpowers when he didn't want to, then it became more frequent, with greater intensity. The climax was once when Mono almost killed a person!

 

Mono was so scared, he cannot control them. His superpowers are like ferocious beasts trapped in a rusty iron cage, which they can destroy at any moment.

 

Mono became afraid of contact with people. Every time he approached someone, he imagined himself harming them. But soon, after Mono pushed himself away from everyone, the fear of loneliness defeated his reason, it was like a venom, causing him to slowly die. Mono realized he couldn't live without other people. He longs for someone, he wants a friend.

 

Mono remains insecure, he’s sure that when people discover his "unusual" they will immediately abandon him, which is something he has experienced many times. It's not that Mono doesn't want to put his trust in others, he's just too scared. He has been betrayed so much, now his heart is full of wounds.

 

Perhaps because of the difference with other children of his age, Mono is always self-conscious and timid in expressing his personality, he decides to hide his face with a paper bag and almost never take it off.

 

Mono suppresses his emotions so that his superpowers don't break the iron cage he used to keep them in. Any anger is quickly contained by him and all sadness is carefully hidden behind a bright smile.

 

Even after being betrayed many times and being treated like a freak by everyone, Mono was able to bounce back from the pain and move forward. That's enough to prove that he's resilient. He admits himself to be very brave too... Well, if we don't talk about Mono is scared of heights, afraid of pain, and sometimes startled easily by little things. But let's put it aside for now, Mono is still a kind and brave child, he can cope with difficulties alone and fight against giant creatures, and Mono will hold his head high with pride when he finally wins.

 

Mono is always alone.

 

Ever since the moment he became aware of the world around him, Mono had always been adventurous and fought alone. It's not that he doesn't want a companion, but as said above, the children Mono has met lacks trust in him, they are always full of vigilance and skepticism about Mono, especially after they know him not an ordinary boy. Mono quickly realized that forming a relationship with those kids was impossible. Even when he save them from the monster's hands, what he received were only suspicious glances.

 

Despite this, Mono still feels a responsibility to protect the other children. The reason Mono always volunteered to find food for the children is because he is the person with the best stamina among all of them, the most obvious evidence is that Mono can hold or carry things big and heavy like an ax or hammer, he can also run non-stop and jump at a long distance... In short, things that other kids definitely can't do with their skinny bodies.

 

But Mono's sacrifice was never recognized by others, even though he did not ask everyone to thank him, his only wish was to make friends, but... Same as always, Mono only gets suspicions from people. Sometimes, the kids laugh at Mono, mocking him as a "busy hero".

 

And then Mono met Six, the little girl he accidentally caught while sitting on an old oak tree branch. Mono witnessed Six being taken away by the Hunter, fortunately he accidentally ignored Mono's existence.

 

Mono knows who the Hunter is and how scary he is. He has been wandering around the Wilderness for long enough to realize that all the creatures that inhabit this forest are afraid of the Hunter.

 

Oh, of course it is! With a shotgun in hand, wheezing breath underneath the cloth bag and those heavy footsteps, who wouldn't be afraid of the Hunter? Even Mono himself was afraid, he always dodged the supposed hunting grounds of the Hunter, dodged the dangerous traps he had set around in the woods, and of course, Mono never did dare to plunge into the territory of the evil hunter, or more specifically, his home.

 

But fear could not shake his will, Mono wanted to free the strange child, he couldn't let the Hunter harm the little girl. Mono knows what the fate of the captured children will be, and he will not let that happen. Although Mono also knows that he will definitely get nothing after freeing the child, but what he wants is to save people, not to be repaid.

 

Because of that, Mono desperately ran towards the Hunter's house, where he had never even dared to think of setting foot in before. Mono successfully free the child from prison with an ax.

 

When she pushed him and ran away, Mono thought that he had lost the chance to make friends, but after that, he did not expect that Six and he would continue to accompany each other.

 

They killed the Hunter with his own spare gun, then they crossed the misty seas and reached Pale City: the huge city with rambling houses.

 

Initially, the relationship between Mono and Six was only established and maintained by personal interests, Six needed Mono to go to the attic to get the key, because she could not do it alone. Of course, Mono wouldn't refuse to help when asked by someone, he was able to go back to the old way, ignore her and leave, but instead of doing so, Mono decides to stay behind to help Six took the key, then with her out of the Hunter's house. Six agreed to go with Mono and of course he is very happy for that.

 

It seems the chase with the Hunter has tied the two together, starting with a fist as Mono realizes Six's fear, after which they continue their journey towards the center of Pale City: Signal Tower. For the first time ever, Mono has a companion.

 

Mono and Six's friendship becomes more solid as they overcome many dangers together, they overcome the pitfalls of the Bullies and run away from the Teacher. Then they go to the hospital, where the bizarre doctor lives with his weird mannequin patients. With the help of a flashlight, Mono escaped the mannequin siege, eventually killing the Doctor by burning him in the crematorium under the hospital morgue.

 

During the journey, Mono feels that he is always subconsciously moving in a certain direction, as if he is being dragged by an invisible force. Mono couldn't give any proper answer to this feeling, but he knew someone was behind it. Mono is also many times attracted to TV sets along the way, and when in direct contact with them, he is dragged into a long hallway, time there seems to flow more slowly and the air is condensed. At the end of the hallway, Mono saw a door with an eye symbol above it.

 

Mono always involuntarily walked towards that door even though his mind did not want to do it. Mono is like a puppet pulled by invisible hands, he can't control his own behavior and keeps running closer, closer and closer...

 

Mono is also a bit curious about what exists on the other side of the door, but he really doesn't want to risk to find out, maybe there is some scary monster behind it?

 

Luckily, Six always pulled him out of the TV before it was too late, but sooner or later, what Mono feared the most happened: He walked towards the door. As always, the only difference was, this time no one pulled him out. With just one jump, Mono grabbed the handle and the giant door slowly opened, a dazzling purple lights that forced Mono to close his eyes. Next to his ear was a disturbing noise that grew louder, making Mono's head hurt.

 

Through the two holes gouged into the paper bag, Mono saw a tall figure slowly rising from the chair. He had a terrifying height, long limbs that made his body unbalanced, Mono could see the man wearing a Fedora hat and a dark suit. Before he could react, or at least show surprise at the tall man's appearance, Mono finally felt the familiar pull. He fell off the TV with Six, and it took a few minutes of bewilderment before Mono gradually regained consciousness.

 

Behind him, Mono could see Six grabbing his sleeve, urging him to quickly get up and run before it was too late, but Mono couldn't, his body went limp, his heart was racing for reasons not even Mono knew, maybe because he was too scared and bewildered by what just happened.

 

The sound of steady footsteps in Mono ears, an unusually tall silhouette appeared on the screen, and when a pair of hands were placed on the TV screen, Mono just froze in horror. That was when he realized that he had freed a terrifying entity.

 

Six continued to urge Mono, she tugged at his worn old sleeve and panicked shouted the boy's name, if it was before, Six would probably leave Mono and run away immediately, but now...

 

After all that the two went through together, Six feels that she cannot casually leave Mono alone. Six sincerely considers Mono to be friends, although she has never frankly admitted it in front of the boy, and of course, friends never leave each other.

 

But all the patience Six had was lost when she saw the tall man coming out of the TV, it was a sight full of haunting and creepy enough to scare all children!

 

Mono wrapped his head with both hands, he screamed in pain as if his head was being knocked repeatedly by someone with a metal pestle. Six panicked and ran away, even she did not have time to ask if Mono was okay, because in that situation, few people can calm down.

 

Not this time!

 

Mono quickly suppressed his moan, despite the pain coming from his brain, he stumbled out of the room, following behind Six. Behind him, he could hear footsteps coming closer and closer together with the sound of static electricity, everything like a slow-motion movie. Mono's heart was beating so fast, is too long since the last time he felt breathless from pure fears, Mono would have collapsed without Adrenaline boiling in his veins.

 

Mono run into the room they once passed, where there was a rickety bed with a wooden table, dusty toys scattered on the ground, and on the wall were strange doodles. Mono now realized that the man in the drawing was the one chasing him, but for now, that doesn't matter anymore.

 

Mono immediately rushed to the bed and crawled under the fastest speed, through her many years of experience, Mono knew that hiding in dark and narrow places, the easier it was to survive. Mono breathed a sigh of relief and raised his head, and his heart lost a beat when he saw Six hiding under the table legs.

 

Table legs? One of the worst hiding places! That table didn't even have a tablecloth, Six would be completely exposed to that man's eyes!

 

Mono waved his hand hastily, motioning Six to run towards the bed, but she had no chance to run towards her friend, as the man had already entered the room. Mono pulled his hand back and held his breath, he retreated deeper into the bed, hiding in the dark.

 

The tall man stood still at the door, and the room shook as if there was an earthquake, the culprit was probably him. Mono and Six were bewildered by the strange phenomenon, and Mono almost rolled out from under the bed because the room was tilted to one side.

 

Toys splashed on the wooden floor, the table collapsed, and shortly thereafter, Six staggered to the floor.

 

Six panicked, she looked up at the man before she reached out to Mono, pleading for his help. But Mono... Again, he was dumbfounded, completely unable to move. His mind screaming, urging Mono to act quickly, like grabbing Six and running away together or something, but Mono's body has betrayed him, he's frozen in place. Mono could do nothing, he could only watch Six desperately for help. He saw her being taken away by a tall man, leaving only a dark shadow kneeling on the floor...

 

After all, Mono realizes he is still a coward as ever, he remembers there was a kid who once ironed out that he was just an idiot trying to be a hero. Mono thinks that kid is right...

 

Mono has lost his only friend. The friend he was so hard to get.

 

... Or not! He still hasn't lost Six!

 

Mono's eyes turned to the Signal Tower in the distance, and in his eyes, a flame of determination was burning brightly.

 

Mono won't let his weaknesses beat him again. He had to save Six, he had to redeem his mistake, and Mono will definitely not make a second mistake!

 

Mono alone overcame Pale City, for the first time in years, he dismissed his fear of superpowers and used it again. His superpowers didn't lose control this time, they obeyed Mono's command like tamed beasts.

 

Superpower expresses exactly what the owner feels, it is like a mirror reflecting Mono's emotions buried deep in the heart. When Mono is scared and disoriented, they become chaotic. Once Mono has determined goals and willpower enough, they will become stable.

 

Mono has enough determination and fearlessness, for now he has someone to protect.

 

Mono decided to use his teleportation power to shorten the distance, escaping the Viewers. He might have pulled Six out of the TV if he hadn't been stopped by the tall man, and then, Mono was once again chasing by him. Mono can only run and hide, but when he sees Six's shadow, the fire inside Mono burns fiercely again!

 

With determination, Mono decides to fight the man face-to-face, ending this chase once and for all. He was too tired of hiding.

 

Mono takes down the paper bag, he is not afraid anymore, now Mono knows confidence in himself.

 

The battle ends with Mono's victory, it seems his desire to save his friend is too strong, it is strong enough to defeat even the "monster".

 

Mono pulled the Signal Tower towards him, he never felt as energetic as he is now, literally, Mono could feel the power overflowing in his body. Each of his flesh and blood vessels seems to be boiling with invisible energy, Mono feels like he can do anything!

 

Mono entered the tower without hesitation, steadfast willpower and brave heart, he followed the echo of the music box in search of Six. And then on the top floor of the Signal Tower, Mono finally found his friend, only she changed...

 

Six became a tall, coarse creature, limbs twisted as if bent. She seemed to be unconscious, just holding on to the oversized music box and wheezing.

 

Mono only panicked for a few seconds, he calmed down very quickly, because Mono knew it was Six, she was not a dangerous monster like the Hunter or the Doctor.

 

Mono knows the music box is a precious item to Six, obviously she loves it very much, which is clearly shown through each of Six's cuddles, but Mono is forced to destroy the music box. The reason he does this is because Mono understands that the tower is controlling Six through this music box, and he will not let that continue!

 

Mono thinks he did the right thing.

 

Mono does not hesitate to face the dangers and difficulties he has to come across the long haul, he runs away from The Viewers, defeats The Thin Man, and even when he is chased by a mad Six, he does his best to help her return to normal.

 

Mono feels that he has done nothing wrong.

 

Mono also realized something had changed, from the way Six saw him as she regained sanity, Mono could see her attitude filled with hostility, but he deliberately ignored the signs. Mono doesn't want to admit that Six has changed.

 

As the tower collapsed and an entity that looked like giant eyes appeared, Mono — as a habit — rushed to grab Six's hand and fled together, but to his surprised gaze, Six coldly threw his hand away.

 

Mono is stunned, almost unable to believe that he has just been put aside by Six, but he quickly blames it all for Six being too in a hurry and in no mood to hold hands, as it is clear that the whole tower is slowly collapse.

 

Mono and Six run away for their lives. Six ran so fast, so fast that Mono couldn't keep up. Mono realizes that he is exhausted, his overflowing strength gradually eroded after he tried to destroy the music box over and over again, which leads to Mono's body starting to ache intensely (consequences of a train track collision), Mono's speed also slowed down. He raised his hand to Six, whispering her name weakly, he feared that Six would leave him behind.

 

The floor collapsed at Mono's feet, the plastered brick walls gradually cracked, countless giant eyes watched Mono's every move, making him run out of hair on the back of his neck. He did not dare to look back even once, Mono feared that he would be so scared that he could not run, so he could only run like crazy. Mono's legs ache from running too much, his lungs hurt from breathing too fast, but he didn't dare to stop.

 

On the other side of the bridge, Mono saw Six with a glowing portal behind her. In front of him, the bridge collapsed, leaving a gap quite far away.

Up until now, Mono has always been confident that he is amazingly capable of jumping, but right now he is very tired, which makes Mono wonder if he will be able to jump.

 

Mono has no chance to hesitate or think carefully, behind him is hell to wait, he can only jump. Mono almost cried when realizing he didn't have the strength to jump that far, but then, Six grabbed Mono's hand before he fell into the abyss.

 

Just like many times before, Six narrowly saved Mono's life.

 

Mono exhaled as if pouring out the heavy rock on his heart, he smiled and thanked Six, and at the same time, Mono signaled her to pull him up.

 

However, Six just coldly looked at Mono. Her cold gaze reminded him of the first time they met, when Mono held out his hand to show her goodwill, only to be pushed aside by Six. Mono quickly realized something was wrong, and his smile slowly faded, his expression of relief gradually replaced by suspicion.

 

"Six? What's wrong?" Mono asked in a trembling voice, replying back to him that there was only deadly silence. Mono laughed unsightly, looking like he was about to cry.

 

Mono may be a little naive, but he's not stupid, he knows what those inadvertent gaze means, he also knows what will happen. But Mono does not believe, or rather does not want to believe, because for Mono, being betrayed by a single friend is too difficult to accept.

 

Mono has been betrayed before, he has saved many children, then he is abandoned by them when danger strikes. But this time it was not like that! The other children had no relationship with Mono, the bond between them was too fragile, so when he was abandoned by them, Mono didn't suffer too much. But Six... Mono and her have been through a lot of dangers, they support each other all along the way. They are friends, Six is the friend Mono has been looking for for a long time, whom he can unconditionally trust, whom he is determined to overcome all dangers to rescue.

 

She can't betray him!

 

Mono squeezed Six's arm, silently praying for her not to do what he thought she would do, but Mono's plea was not accepted. At Mono's gaze, Six suddenly jerked her arm back, like using a pair of scissors to cut the bond between the two of them.

 

Mono felt only excruciating pain, his eyes filled with confusion, pain and anger intertwined. Mono struggled to catch something to hold himself back, but the only thing he caught was the air, he just fell straight down into the abyss like a kite with a string cut off.

 

The only thing that lingered on Mono's mind at the time was Six's indifferent stare before she turned away.

 

Together falling into the abyss was Mono's heart, in that moment, his faith was shattered.

 

Oh, Six didn't know how big of a consequence her actions had...