Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Humanity has been gone for a long time, and now, outside of the sealed city, life is flourishing. Greenery, and animals abound, around the pipes and barrels long abandoned.
"mrrp?"

Ah yes, my wards. The ones I've watched over for a very long time. For so long, I've found peace in watching over, and protecting these small cats. I'm not sure why I still feel like something is missing. Perhaps a feeling of community? Someone to actually talk to? Do I linger because I am just lonely, and find at least SOME solace in these cats? I don't know and perhaps never will.

"MEROW!"

Seems as though they are getting impatient. They want to hunt, and who am I to stop them?
I followed the cats as they walk along, four in total. Yet I noticed, the little orange one, seems to be distracted today, wandering about more than usual. I gently gave him a nudge, to catch him up to his family, lest he be left behind.
 He was always such a curious little sweetheart, always trying to rub against me despite being incorporeal, mewing at me when I get too lost in my thoughts, and bringing me food, despite being unable to eat.
Not to say the others weren't as affectionate, with the black one trying to groom me incessantly, and the two girls, the calico and orange and white one seeming to have a permanent place on (or rather in) my chest when they all sleep, but the little orange one, the runt of the litter, is excessively sweet. He just OOZES affection, and seems to crave interaction at all times, as opposed to his more independent siblings.

"Mreeee!"

Speaking of such, they seem to be jumping across some pipes currently. Little One decides to run up and join them, to reach the greenery across the chasm under them. And as I watch, my heart drops as I see the pipe seem to fall out from under him with a screech of metal and several yowls of alarm.

Jumping after him in an attempt to save him, we both fall onto a steep incline. Despite my best efforts, I can't get him back up to his crying siblings, and we both start plummeting down into the dark abyss. I do the only thing I can think of in the few seconds of free fall I have, and wrap myself around him, knowing that a fall from this height would most certainly kill him.

After the fall, I stand I look up, hearing the faint cries of the others, and wonder how I can get my ward back with them.

"mrewww..."

Looking to the side, I see, that despite my best efforts he still got hurt from the fall, as he licks his flank and stares upwards, towards the light and call of his siblings, as he answers them, in small, pitiful mews, I start to look around where we landed and what I see is...

Trash.

Rubbish everywhere, and not a solid foothold in sight. With a sigh, I walk over to the little one. I know he cannot hear me, but I whisper words of encouragement, and praise as he stands and starts walking away from the garbage we landed on. Thankfully, his wounds seem to be getting better the longer we walk, and we soon see what looks to be rats scuttling under a door. Orange soon starts making his way over the fence, and together we continue making our way inside said door, and we soon find ourselves in an empty city, with neon lights flickering, and strangely enough, cameras that seem to follow our movements, even nodding when the little one meows at one.

Strange, but if there are cameras, surely there is someone watching those cameras, right?

Chapter Text

As we walk through the empty streets, I can't help but wonder, what are those strange squeaking creatures I keep seeing? At first glace they appear to be rats, but what rats have that unearthly orange glow to them? And the strange scuttling sounds they make as they run, it's unsettling.

"Mreep?"

Once again, the little one is meowing at the camera, fascinated by it's movements it makes in response. How is the person behind the cameras controlling the movement like that? Soon enough he grew bored of it, and continued on, following the neon signs that burn out after we pass, almost like a trail. And as we passed another camera, with it's electronic hum, I, and I assume Orange as well, pause as a large, red sign flickers to life.

H EL P -> ->

Well then. That is a bit disconcerting. My first instinct in to stand in front of my ward, but he seems to be having none of it, running in the direction the sign was pointing to. And jumping across barrels above the dubious water, and away from the (relative) safety of the street.
Wait, when did he learn to read?? I certainly never taught him, and no books survived the harsh elements of the outside. I had looked, after I could have died AGAIN from boredom, yet I never found any not completely destroyed beyond repair.

As I followed him, he seemed fixated on more flickering signs, with "Follow me" arrows, and strangely of all, white cat faces flicking across the screens.

Okay then, Captain Obvious, way to make it clear you want us to follow you into the unknown. Perfectly fine, nothing wrong with that.

Following both the strange signs and the cat, he leaped through a hole in the wall, seemed to pick something up, and started jumping up some more pipes, before dropping what apparently was a bucket into a large fan. Guess the little rascal is smarter than he looks.
Continuing on, the little one takes great joy in both knocking paint buckets off of ledges, (as did I) he also committed breaking and entering, as we continued to follow the signs into a house of sorts, with a strange garbled noise in the background. At least to bucket elevator was cute, in this sea of dubious activity.

What was NOT cute, however, was what appeared to be a strange, walking computer? That was currently being eaten by the weird flesh critters. As it dragged itself onto one arm, the cat batted at it's face before it collapsed, screen going dark. Did it just die? And how could anything eat metal without doing some serious damage to itself??
Whatever the case may be, it's dead now, but I feel bad having to leave it. Was it truly alive, or just an empty shell, designed to do it's job, now rendered useless?

Despite my weakness leaving me to just following around those cats for years now, being around this much electricity seems to have given me more power, and I intend to give this robot a bot more dignity than just lying on the ground.
Focusing as hard as I could, my hands start to turn slightly more opaque, and I heave the surprisingly heavy robot so that it is instead leaning against the wall, while the cat watches with his curious green eyes, and that blasted neon sign flickers faster. Whoever is in control of the bloody things apparently either has no patience, or is incredibly rude.

Once that was done with, we both went through a hole in the wall, and as we turned the corner, saw a flood of orange, glowing dots start staring at us. And they did NOT seem friendly.....

With a hiss, the little one was off and running, fleeing the disgusting creatures as the fleshy beings flung themselves at him. As I ran beside him, I felt nothing but contempt for these beings as they tried to hurt MY little buddy. I was the one to have kept him and the others safe, and I was DAMN sure so freakish flesh crabs where going to take I was furious as more flooded the small alley we where in, and they started to latch on like nothing more than parasites, causing little orange to yowl in pain at the teeth that sunk into him.

Flinging some off of him was all I could do while trying to keep up with him, as his pained mews caused my dead heart to clench, all while those signs seemed to be guiding the way, leading us to a large ledge from which my small friend leaped from, causing most to stop the pursuit, even if some chased us until they fell into the alleyway below us. (I might have kicked some into said alleyway)
Once my anger had settled, I then followed him into an apartment of sorts, seemingly safe from the cursed creatures that DARED to try and hurt MY ward, MY baby.
Again, more signs with arrows, cat heads, and "Follow Me" lighted up the area, but when Orange meowed at the screens, they flickered towards a doorway, bathed in orange. Must be a popular color.

As we once again started off in the direction the signs led us, him hopping from pipe to pipe, I took the opportunity to push over a wooden plank, as he walked it and continued the ascent into a neon-tinted quest.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of climbing, near-misses, and conveniently lit up signs, we appeared to have made it to a home of some kind, with a radio playing some music, even more orange lighting, a carpet that Orange did not hesitate to claw to shreds, and most curiously, a computer. Specifically, with "NEED. HELP" on the screen.
I decided to have a bit of fun and type on the computer while the fluffball meandered about the flat, knocking over papers, books, and being an annoyance if anyone was here.

"what did the tree say when it was mad?"

"/DATA CORRUPTED. NEED HELP..."

"LEAF me alone, lol"

"/BODY REQUIRED FOR DOWNLOAD. BODY REQUIRED...."

"pizza shops near me"

"/ENTER THE DOOR. TURN ON. FIND A BODY."

Wait, what?? A body?? Is there another ghost, wanting me to find it's corpse and give it closure? That's a bit much right off the bat, but as I was thinking, a door I had missed earlier slid open, with the cat running into it, before it shut right behind it, leaving me out.
Looking at the screen, then the camera I noticed, the screen flickered, and on it, was a message.

"/SORRY. CANT LET OUT"

I gave the devices an unimpressed look, before walking through the door, where the little one was... turning on a machine of sorts?? Just what was he doing?
Watching, there seemed to be a little, remote controlled toy on the screen? Or perhaps a tiny robot? Either way, something was happening, as the lights flickered, and electricity seemed to surge in the little room, casting a shadow of the cat, and surprisingly, me onto the wall behind us.
The little thing fell to the ground, startling Orange, and as I also walked towards it, he gave the... thing a couple wacks with his paw. And it seemed to turn it on, eyes starting to glow as it hovered towards his face. And it promptly got swatted right back onto the floor.
Then it spoke.

"Thank you, it worked."

Chapter Text

".... A cat in the dead city.... But what about your friend? I saw them on the cameras. A shadow, that followed and protected you. Where are they?"

Curious, the drone, with the little B12 on it's face seems to have trouble seeing me. Perhaps he could feel me, as Orange seems to?
I reached out and tapped on one of the ear-like antenna poking from it's head.

"AAAAAAH"

Oops.
With a whirl, B12 spun around, searching for what poked him.

"WHO'S THERE??? I FELT YOU! please don't hurt me....."

Well now I feel guilty. Perhaps if I stand in the light, and let my shadow show up on the wall he would feel better!
....Apparently not, considering he let out an alarmed squeak and hid underneath Orange, who was staring at him with judgement for freaking out over something the furball was used to.
Okay, turns out mister vitamin can't really see me, but knows I'm here. One step at a time. I sorta tuned out what he was saying to the little one, and started wandering around the lab I was in. Turns out I should have been paying attention, as next thing I knew, Orange had a little vest on, and was throwing a tantrum about it.

"Is it uncomfortable? I'm sorry, I'm sure you'll get used to it"

"MREAA!"

What the drone said hardly registered in my mind, as I watched my over-dramatic son inchworm across the carpet, yowling indignantly the entire time. I couldn't help the laughter, and B12 seemed to hear it, antenna flicking and turning to where I stood. He still seemed nervous, but hopefully that will come to pass. But seeing Little Orange squirming across the floor, all while making his option on this VERY CLEAR made my day.
He soon stood up properly, and we began our adventure anew, with a new party member in tow, who occasionally came out to spout random trivia, and to read the writing on the walls, including a random postcard of a beach that was pined to a mural of the scene on said postcard. He seemed sentimental about it.

After a quick jog past the flesh footballs, we reached another alleyway, with another of the large robots.... sweeping? Alright, sweep the dirt buddy, you do you. But as I was thinking that, the robot looked up and seemed afraid? I looked back and couldn't see anything to be scared of, and walked closer, about to ask what got them so spooked. That was the plan until the robot pressed a large red button, setting off an alarm and running away and closing a gate when we went to follow them.
Welp, guess we gotta find another way around.

Said other way around was a literal two minute stroll around the building, with more robots seemingly in a hurry to get inside. And I'm STILL not sure what's got everyone in a hurry. At least until we walked up a set of stairs and saw a robot.... closing a garage door and wielding a stick at us. Alrighty then, I'mma just let Orange and his vitamin buddy deal with this one.
I walked past the robot with the large stick and slightly goofy looking hat, making sure to knock on it like a door, just to see him spin around confused, before entering the closed door, and what I saw was, a bunch of robots quivering in terror, whispering about a "Zurk in the safezone" and other phrases. How odd.

Might as well have some fun.

Was what I was thinking before presumably the hat dude outside yelled something about a false alarm, and another robot opened the gate, with the others taking some rather..... timid steps out. Where they scared of the cat? How odd. Turns out once Mr. Red yelled about us being a false alarm, everyone else seemed to go back to normal, with Captain Mc.hat telling Orange to check out a large neon sign for someone called Momo. I'll see what THAT'S about later. Because I'm still in the mood to be a menace, and I found a new target. I think his name was "Guardian".
Once the kitty left down the stairs, with Guardian watching, he started spinning and I guess playing with the stick. And what a perfect opportunity! When he lifted the staff into the air above him, I grabbed it, stopping him from moving it.

"???"

He started to tug on it, confused as to why his staff was currently stuck in midair, and I had to hold in my chuckles as his screen showed an annoyed expression. I let go of it as he was pulling, causing him to fall straight on his ass, and caused some of the ones in the garage to look over at the commotion the fall made.

"Hey Guardian, whatsa matter? That small stranger shake you up THAT much?"

With a huff, Guardian stood back up, looked over at the others, and assured them nothing was wrong, before looking around, more aggravated then before, and walking in a circle, trying to see what was messing with him.
I tugged on the back of his robe, and with how fast that bot spun, I was expecting his face to be sliding off the screen. But all he did was squint, and ask,

"Who's there?"

I couldn't stop. It was too perfect. I had to.
"joe" I whispered, putting all of my effort into making sure he heard me.

"??? Joe WHO??" poor guy seemed even more confused at a disembodied voice whispering at him than he was at being tugged around by his staff by an invisible force, if the question mark on his face was anything to go by.

"Joe MAMA! AHAHAHAHAHA"
I burst out in laughter, with Guardian taking a moment to think about what I said, before the face turned into the most unimpressed emoji face I have ever seen, all whist I was still cackling like a maniac.

"I do not know who or what you are, but clearly you are not a Zurk. Please do not cause anymore trouble. I do not wish to fight you, but will if so pressed"

Okay then, Guardian is a bit of a stick in the mud, but it was fun while it lasted. Maybe I should find a peace offering, to clear the waters, then find Orange. Yes, that's the plan.
And with that final thought, I turned and started searching for a gift for my new friend (even if he didn't know it yet.) He seems like a cool guy, albeit a bit of a stickler for keeping things in order. While I was thinking, I came across something interesting, a little stuffed ghost toy. Yes, it was stained, a couple tears here and there, and TOTALLY cheesy for what I am and the situation at hand, but it was perfect! A cute little gift, especially in such good condition considering the current state of wherever I am, was a wonderful find! Now all I have to do is get it to him.
I focus, before picking up the goofy little stuffie, and made my way back to his little area, when I noticed his back was turned, placed it right in the center of the open ground, directly in his line of sight.
I then tapped his shoulder, causing the bot to turn with a huff of "What now?", before he seemed to notice the new addition to his training grounds.
Approaching the gift, I saw his screen display a question mark, and he hesitated before picking it up, turning it over and inspecting the gift.

"Thank you?"

He seemed confused, but it's better then annoyed, so I started to make my way to where I saw the kitty leave, but not before patting his arm as I passed. Now, ONWARD TO ADVENTURE!

Perhaps if you had turned around, you might have noticed the smiley face on Guardians monitor, before he turned to place the gift on a little air conditioning unit next to where he practices.

Chapter Text

Guardian's POV:

Everything was going to be fine. There are no Zurks, but there is, however, a small, fluffy creature that is quite endearing, especially after it rubbed against my leg, making a low rumbling sound. I couldn't help the heart that showed on my display at that. And who could? The only thing bothering me, was wondering what had knocked on my hat, as I was prepared to fight? I saw no one, yet I felt it as whatever it was passed me. All I could hope for was the others where safe, as I had stared down the orange stranger.

After the false alarm with the strange orange creature and it's drone companion, I had decided to continue practicing with my staff. Today has shown that we (or rather I, as the protector of the village) must remain vigilant, least we be caught unawares that a Zurk had made it into the Safe-Zone. As I was practicing, I felt like I was being watched. Not a malicious feeling, but like someone was there. But whenever I had looked around, no one was there. The only ones present was the ones in the garage meditating, and the nice fellow tending to the plants nearby. But none of them was watching me, so I pressed on, while keeping an eye open in case whoever was watching decided to make a move.
And make a move they did, for the next thing I knew, my staff was stuck! Held in place by some unseen force. Not what I was expecting, but what could I do?? I couldn't yell, least I alarm the others, so I stayed quiet, and tried to get my staff back. And whatever had a hold on it did a poor job of concealing it's laughter, because I could hear it snickering at me. The audacity of this thing! As I fought for my staff back, it seemed to let go, sending me head over heels onto my ass. And to add insult to injury, the loud clank of my defeat from gravity caused the others to rouse from their meditation, and one even voiced his concerns, albeit I could hear the humor in his whirring.
Despite my embarrassment, I was unharmed (save for my ego) and reassured them as such. But I could tell they did not seem to buy it, as they took a bit to get back to meditation.

"No, I am fine, just took a tumble."

Not a lie, but I refuse to admit I lost a game of tug-a-war with an invisible being. A bot's gotta have SOME dignity around here. As I stared out, under my breath I questioned who was there, and I got a response!
.
.
.
.....Nevermind, whoever was there thinks themselves a comedian, even if it's at most a juvenile sense of humor and I will not humor them or their poor-quality attempts at a joke. The joke wasn't even that funny.
So I told the force not to cause anymore trouble, and went back to practicing, but I kept an ear open for the strange being.
And after a while, probably an hour or so, I felt the air around me get slightly cooler, before I felt a tap on my shoulder. Seems as though the being is back, and I asked in a ruder tone than I'm accustomed to what it wanted. No verbal answer awaited me, but as I turned around, there on the ground was a small stuffed... Thing.
So I approached it, considering the potential threat. But as it had yet to move, I picked it up, inspecting it. It was small, and soft. An off white with age color and a black smile on it, and small tears that littered the plush body. And it was cute. Not entirely sure what it was supposed to be, but it was cute enough it didn't matter.

"Thank you?"

It came out more of a question, but I was still confused with it. First whatever was there picked at me until I made a right fool of myself, then leaves a gift. Was it trying to befriend me, yet had no frame of reference on how to socialize? Or was it perhaps just trying to play? Was it lonely, and tried to interact with the first being that did not flee? Now I feel conflicted, but the gift was cute, and thinking about how lonely the being must be is enough to send regret and pity through my circuits. So as I looked up, I saw, for the briefest moment a figure. Nothing more than a shadow, as if the light seemed to not touch them, but rather they absorbed it. And they seemed to be joyfully prancing off towards where the small stranger have left. Perhaps they came here together, and yearned for friendship. And in the back of my mind, I registered a voice, yelling jovially about adventure.
As the voice faded with the shadow, I couldn't help the grin on my display, as I turned to find a place for the gift.

Perhaps next time we meet, we could try to actually speak? They seem to mean no harm, and I could do with someone new to chat with. Being the guardian of the village can get lonely after all.

Chapter Text

As I walked away from Guardian, I started wandering the area I saw the little one run off to, while contemplating what seems to be happening: Seems with more exposure to technology and electricity, the easier it is to interact with the physical world. Which is a good thing, as that means I can get the interaction, the conversations with another I have missed for centuries. Yet I have to be careful, as I don't want to scare them too much, and lose the chance at friendship because they are scared of me.
While I was lost in my thoughts, I had made my way to a bar of sorts, with warm orange lighting making for quite a comforting atmosphere, along with a jukebox playing a jaunty tune, several bots both talking with each other (and one seemingly passed out), and a bartender behind the counter, polishing a glass.
I walked up to the jukebox, looking to see if there where any records, yet it seems as though this jukebox did not use records, but rather audio files. Most where seeming made by the robots, with names such as "Cyberpop 577 Top 10" and "the BackAlley Bots: Oldies Hits". So I took the time to scroll through the files, looking for something neat.
And there where a LOT of files. How this thing didn't run out of storage space was a miracle, but I found something interesting. A folder titled "Songs from the Soft Ones".
Most of those song were a random assortment of songs from all over the world, with nothing to sort them besides having been made by humans. After about ten minutes of scrolling, I found a fitting song, that being "GhostBusters". Alright, I chose a ghost themed song, sue me, it's funny. So as I started playing it, it seemed to catch the attention of a bot at a table next to the jukebox, as he yelled to the bartender to get his attention.

"HEY JACOB! What's the deal with the jukebox? I saw the little thing change it earlier, but now it's changing by itself! Did that thing break it??"

And with that, "Jacob's" screen had a question mark, as he set the glass down and went to investigate the jukebox.

"....Seems to be in working order, just with a different music file selected. Perhaps this will fix it."

And with that, Jacob turned the jukebox off then back on, setting it back to it's "Default" music file. Damn it, now I have to scroll all the way back to the soft ones file!
So scroll I did, but this time selected a new song, titled "Don't Stop Me Now". YES I will choose songs who's lyrics reflect words I wish to communicate, and who's gonna stop me, Jacob? The passed out guy? I have the patience of a millennia on my side!

But by doing so, it caught more than just table dude's attention, as others seemed to be muttering about the "broken" jukebox. Jacob's screen turned annoyed, as he went and unplugged it, saying he'll take it to someone called Elliot later. Well that's no fun! I was jamming man! Wasn't even bothering anyone! So, now I'M growing annoyed, and decided that merely unplugging it won't stop me! I'll just feed the stupid thing energy myself! Fed up with scrolling for something cool, I just scrolled for five seconds and played a random song.
Turns out playing some tunes on an unplugged jukebox is the fastest way to make an entire bar freak out, with several screens playing a sweating animation, exclamation marks, and the drunk? guy finally lifting his head up, then going right back to sleep.

What you did not notice while playing the jukebox, was that the excess of electricity was making the lights in the bar flicker, along with causing chairs and tables nearest to the jukebox start moving and the pool balls to start rolling around. So it was a lot more nerve-wracking, even for beings without nerves.

Jacob then walked over, and with the help of some braver companions, lifted the jukebox and moved it outside, at least for now to ease some of the worries of the other bots. After it was removed from the building and away from you, it stopped playing, to the relief of the companions. They still muttered about it worriedly, a couple even pointing out the lights, yet it seemed as though everything had stopped with the removal of the jukebox.

"....It was most likely a power surge. You all saw the tower light up earlier correct? Perhaps it had something to do with that." And with Jacob's reassurance, the others seemed to calm down, but not without a few uneasy glances around.

I don't think they quite cared for the music...

Chapter Text

After the fiasco at the bar, our ghost friend decided to leave, lest they cause more fear to the bar goers, and that whole situation was a shame. Well, you can't make friends with EVERYONE right off the bat, so what better way to feel better about your own short comings than to find someone else to distract you from the guilt of terrorizing an entire establishment?

.
.
.
Nevermind the self-depreciating guilt spiral, let's go exploring!
And with that, off they went, walking down the warmly lit streets, passing some robots and "overhearing" (eavesdropping) some local gossip, including many a word being said about Orange, as he seemed to have made his little way all over town, including being the one to light up that large tower Jacob had mentioned. How did that little furball get that giant thing up and running is my question.
As I meandered, I came across an INCREDIBLY cross bot, seemingly scrubbing paint off the ground, while muttering about "clumsy fools tossing paint over her shop" and "how many times do I have to tell them to do that elsewhere??!
Seems she's in a bad mood, if her grumbles and red screen where anything to go against. So I turned my head upwards, looking for the source of her frustrations. And there, peeking over the gap, where two nervous faces, peering down. They pulled back when she glanced upwards, sending her into another bout of complaints about "kids these days" and how SHE never did anything so foolish growing up.

So a pair of kids decided to play hot-potato with a paint tin. To be honest, that's not the worst thing I've heard of (or done myself). So I made my way up to the roof, to see what's the deal with those two.
Not sure what I expected to see, but a pair of robots holding each other close, both with sad screens, and one... sobbing? Making the saddest static filled cries I've ever heard was not what I expected.

"I DIDN'T MEAN TO DROP IT! IT JUST SLIPPED! I WAS ONLY TRYING TO PLAY...."

"I know you were, and it's not your fault. You know she gets crabby when even anything happens to her porch. Heard she fussed at Guardian for accidentally knocking and spilling one of those plants with his staff."

"BUT THAT'S DIFFERENT!! EVER SINCE I GOT THAT ****** UPGRADE I HAVE BEEN EVEN MORE USELESS AND KLUTZY THAN EVER!"

"I know Vapora. That's why I tried to cheer you up with our game."

Poor dears, it's always so hard to get yelled at by an adult when you're so young. And upgrades? I'm guessing the poor girl is going through a robot growth spurt, and is clearly distraught about causing the mess. Despite knowing they probably can't feel it, I gathered the small bots into a hug. It seemed to do SOMETHING as they both nuzzled into it, seeming to think it was the other.

".....I'm just tired of never being able to do the things I love without hurting myself or making a mess....I used to be able to run without falling on my display, or play catch without dropping it. And when I get yelled at, it seems even worse! I just want to be little again...."

Oh that's just heartbreaking. Poor thing is trying her best, and the other is seemingly just as sad, but trying to cheer her up.

"We can always play 'try to steal Guardian's hat' again. I think Seamus still has the record for keeping it for thirty seconds. Remember how he was tearing through town that day?"

"...yes. And Guardian was swinging his staff at him, saying he is just as bad as his father. Didn't Doc have the record at some point before Seamus stole it? Seems he takes after his father when it comes to pestering Guardian."

"Those two where absolute MENACES! Remember when Doc replaced Momo's hat with a bucket?"

And at that, the two went into discussion about a father-son duo who where often up to mischief. Although after this "Doc" vanished, his son, Seamus seems to have fallen out of it, and either stays at home or the bar. I wonder if he was at the bar when I was there.
But that gave me an idea for the two currently recalling the misadventures of the pair. I remember seeing some nifty things in a junk pile close to a tiny pond, and it might be the activity to get these two off of roofs for the time being. It would cost me, but these two are too sweet to be sad about playing a game.

And with that, I stood and walked a bit in front of them, trying to manifest into something visible while waving and rolling an empty tin to get their attention.

At the sound of the tin, both companions looked up, as saw what looked like the silhouette of a person, waving at them from the edge of the rooftop. As the two stood and went to investigate, it jumped down, and when glancing over the edge, seemed to be beckoning them to follow.
And follow they did. Too curious to really question and desperate for a change of scenery they followed the shadow figure all over the village, eventually stopping at a junk pile near the end of the Safe Zone. Looking around, they caught a glimpse of the figure next to a wet floor sign. At least Vapora saw it, as Mito was too busy fiddling with a piece of foam.

"Ey Vap, look at this! Think we could make something neat out of this junk? And where did that person go?"

Vapora turned to see what her friend was doing, but when she turned back to the figure, they where gone.

"Mito you goof, we lost them! And they where right by that yellow sign!"

"Now how does that work? Reckon they went out of the Safe Zone?!"

Now this is where the fun happens. I pushed the sign so it fell by Mito, and waved them over to a funky little pond, with a couple bots relaxing and napping by it.
At this point, Mito's screen literally made a >:3 face, as he went and placed the wet floor sign on the foam, and sent it floating onto the water of the mini pond, while giggling the entire time.

"Why are you giggling over that?? That's SOOOOO stupid!"

"hehehehe then why are you smiling? Admit it, it's funny!"

"Only because of how dumb it is!"

At the noise, a couple bots seemed to rouse, looking at the two. A question mark on the screens until they looked at the pond. Once they realized what the two did, the majority reaction was an unimpressed face, and a couple mutterings of how easily entertained young ones where. A couple did snicker at the goofy little sign, and went back to sleep, with the youngsters seemingly having forgotten both their grief and the shadow they followed.

Seems as though I might not have directly made friends, but I at least cheered them up! Nothing like harmless, juvenile fun to make someone laugh!
Oh, there's Orange, walking to the bar with.... Someone wearing the most HIDEOUS flamingo-print bathrobe looking thing ever. Now this I have to see!

Chapter Text

"**** IT DOC! GIVE ME BACK MY ******* HAT!"

"GO LONG SEAMUS! MAKE YOUR FATHER PROUD! :D"

"ARE YOU SERIOUSLY PLAYING ****** F R I S B E E WITH MY HAT??!!"

"AHAHAHAHAH CAN'T CATCH US GUARDIAN! THE HAT'S OURS NOW!"

"WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON THE TWO OF YOU I WILL BEAT YOU WITH MY STAFF!! GIVE. ME. BACK. MY. HAT!!"

That was what Momo and Zbaltazar heard when they walked towards the newly cleared area in front of the broken elevator, and when they turned the corner they saw a peculiar sight. Doc and Seamus tossing Guardian's hat in what looked like a game of keep-away, with Clementine recording on a camera Doc had fixed earlier that week. And Guardian was chasing the two companions with his staff raised, and swinging it at them and trying to knock the hat out of the air in a futile attempt to reclaim his stolen headgear.

"....How long have they been running around like this?"

"Doc started it ten minutes ago, and Seamus joined in a little after when it looked like Doc was cornered by the wall. Quite the team they make."

"I'm more surprised Guardian hasn't already hit them."

"Oh no, he has. See that dent in Doc's leg? Tried to trip him, but Doc just tossed the hat to Seamus. It's a never ending loop. Place your bets on how long they can keep it."

After she had said that, Seamus ran past them, the hat way too big on his tiny head, as Doc was getting ready to upgrade him, and ducked behind the newcomers, looping Guardian around the laughing robots, as Seamus used his itty bitty legs to climb the large cinder blocks surrounding the (admittedly large) plants, and launched himself onto the roof of a nearby building.

"SEAMUS! GET DOWN FROM THERE!"

Came from ALL of the Outsiders, seeing the child they all helped raise put himself in such a situation when he was still so small immediately put their circuits on edge.

"AW COME ON! MITO COMES UP HERE ALL THE TIME! IT'S FIIIINNNEEE!"

"I DON'T CARE W H O WAS ON THE ROOF EARLIER! YOU KNOW THE RULE: NO BITTYBOTS ON THE ROOFTOPS UNTIL THE SECOND UPGRADE! NOW GET DOWN HERE!"

This time the yell came from Doc, seemingly forgotten about the game in response to such foolhardy behavior.

"FFFIIIINNNNNEEEEEEE! BUT FIRST: MOMO! CATCH!"

With that: Seamus threw the hat at Momo while jumping off the roof at Guardian, forcing the larger bot to catch him.

"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR! I HAVE HIM DISTRACTED! RUN FOR IT!"

And with that, Momo attempted to run, turning to skedaddle his way out of there, with Guardian hot on his heels with Seamus slung over one shoulder, in hot pursuit down the street.
In his defense, Momo made it an impressive ten feet before Guardian grabbed him, tossing HIM over the faster bot's shoulder as well. Momo has always been slower when it came to running, but he was shockingly strong, despite his more.... timid nature, as Momo was a key member when it came to hauling materials for construction and repairs for the large buildings.
But that strength was not helpful when it came to taking evasive maneuvers, considering the only one that can give Guardian a run for his money speed wise was Clementine, but she was still recording the capture of her friends, display showing a gleeful expression, cackling like the madwoman she was.
Plopping the hostage bots on the ground, Guardian reclaimed his stolen hat, and with a flourish of his staff, asked Clementine how long they managed to keep it this time.

"Twelve minutes and thirteen seconds, not counting when you caught and brought back Momo."

"HECK YEAH, NEW RECORD!"

Came the shout from both Doc and Seamus, with a celebratory fist pump. Seems as though Seamus takes more after his father then he thinks.

"At this point, why throw the hat at ME? Why not 'Balt?????"

"'Because' said Seamus. '"Balt was pointing at you when I was on the roof"

"WHAT?!/YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO SELL ME OUT!"

As both bots shouted, Momo turned and tackled Zbaltazar, wrestling him into a headlock, yelling about how he'll "beat him so badly he'll need TWO replacement heads once he's done", while Zbaltazar just stood up, taller than the rainbow-faced bot clinging to his back and started walking back down the street, saying how it's hard to beat someone when you yourself can't even reach the ground.

Later that night, all the bots where found in Clementine's apartment, having played board games until they all fell into recharge right there in a pile on the floor. This group of like-minded bots may share the exact same braincell (or the robotic equivalent), but the shenanigans they all get up to shows just how much they truly care for each other.

Or they are all too stupid to think once the fun starts. Who knows with them?

Chapter Text

As I walked up to the bot with perhaps the worst fashion sense in all of history, seemly walking towards a large computer in the bar, it seems Orange noticed me, and ran up to me, chirping and mewing like a madman, rubbing and winding between my ankles. I crouched down to pet the needy little guy, I listened into the conversation between Jacob and the new bot. But I was only halfway paying attention, I have a baby to smother with love!

"Any particular reason the jukebox is in the street?"

"MREW"

"We think a power surge caused a malfunction. Gonna have Elliot have a look at it later"

"MREEEEEP"

"YOU think it was a power surge!" was the surprising interruption from one of the bar goers earlier. "I was reading in the library, and I reckon it's a ghost!"

"....How much have you had to drink? You know those stories are fake! They are even placed in the fiction section!"

As they started bickering, I saw B12 hop out from the backpack and join in the conversation, talking about how he saw me following the cat around while he was in the network, but the little fuzzball had other plans, and insisted on being right up in my business, stopping me from watching the growing discussion. All while he was mewing and purring up a storm.

"All I'm saying, is look at the little one right now! Purring and nuzzling something that isn't there! How is that NOT proof of something?"

At that, the others acknowledged that perhaps B12 had a point, but that seemed to make it worse, as NOW they where talking about how to get rid of me, including using salt. Everyone KNOWS the salt trick stopped working sometime around the 20th century, and even then, my business is to care for my charges, and that includes little Orange here, so they can't get rid of me even if they tried.

"**** I got distracted! You can continue this debate, I'M going to use the computer and see if our comms are working again now that the tower has power again!"

And Momo turned with a swish of his incurably tacky bathrobe looking thing, and settled down to get it running. With all the commotion, I noticed the guy sleeping on the counter rouse, screen showing a sleepy and annoyed face, as he sat up and watched Momo work.
Within minutes of starting, the screen lit up a bright blue, scrolling emoji faces rolling slowly across the screen as a voice overlaid with static answered the call.
I didn't hear much of the call, but it seemed as though a fellow named Balter? Baltzar? Something like that seemed to have been staying in a village, the elevator is still broken (what fool makes only one main elevator? That's just poor design) and the only way to get to it is through the sewers. What a wonderful way to go.

"HAH. Good luck with the sewers. Place is CRAWLING with Zurks. You won't make it without being torn to shreds! 'Spessally you, little one."

Seems vest guy is unimpressed with the very idea, or maybe was in a bad mood because he screen was an angry red, and he seemed agitated even thinking about the two leaving.
And he stood a bit shakily from his seat, asked Jacob for another one for the road, then left, swaying slightly as he walked.

"....Don't mind Seamus, little one. He has had a rough time ever since his father went to test an invention of sorts, but never came back. To be frank, he started not doing well once Zbaltazar and Clementine left via the sewers all those years back."

At least I got the right name of who I assume was talking on the monitor. But Seamus must be miserable, as I could FEEL the grief, anger and sadness from the poor bot. I'll have to find him and try to offer comfort, as he seemed like he could fall apart with sadness at any point.
But now that I'm no longer distracted by goings on, I could get a good look at Momo. And there was certainly much to look at with him.
Besides the most BB-Q dad shirt ever, he had a rainbow screen, a pinkish body, and a weird, wafflecone looking hat. What is it with these robots and weird hats?! But now I'm tempted to take a bite out of the hat, just to see.

I'm better then that, there is NO NEED to try and bite a stranger's hat. I have already caused enough troubles today.

....But I am curious......

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"AHHH!"

I did it. And it did NOT taste like a wafflecone.
With a static filled yelp, Momo had turned around, holding his hat, as he had felt something latch onto it, thinking a Zurk had somehow gotten inside the Safe Zone.

"Momo, what happened? Your hat looks funky now."

At B12 pointing that out, Momo took his hat into his hands to inspect the bite mark on the rim. It didn't go all the way through, but now his hat has teeth marks on it.

"WHAT IN THE **** HAPPENED TO MY HAT??! NOW IT'S DENTED....."

"...Seems as though a ghost might be more likely than we think, as there was nothing to have caused it."

Jacob's face had a nervous sweating animation as he said that. "....Perhaps I should see if I have some salt..."

"We should be leaving anyways. Doc's notebook says he had a lab in his house, and we gotta be heading that way. Come along little one."

"....Tell Seamus I said to try and get some proper recharge. Poor boy hasn't been taking care of himself."

After the bots had said their goodbyes, I made certain to give Momo a little pat on the shoulder, as an apology for trying to munch his hat.

Momo turned his head to where he felt the pat, yet saw nothing. As he continued walking, the air around them seemed to warm up, with the scent of lavender on it. While not scary, it was puzzling for sure. If it was a ghost, maybe it was friendly? (Besides his hat, that was just RUDE)

Chapter Text

Turns out I didn't have to wander around looking for Seamus, as Momo and the little one where going to his place.
They wanted to find some sort of lab, and figured Seamus would know about it. So I followed to two, with Orange chirping and mewing up at me the entire time, making sure to weave between our ankles, nearly sending Momo into a potted plant. Sorry Momo, you get used to the Kitty Landmine.
After arriving to (I assume) Seamus's house, Momo knocked and tried to get him to open the door. Turns out Seamus was having a worst day than I thought, as he essentially told Momo to buzz off. Poor dude seems to have already drunk his "to go" drink from Jacob, and was even more drunk then he was earlier.

So I walked through the wall, and what I saw shocked me. He was sitting on the couch, head in his arms on the table in front of him, sobbing. I ignored the sounds of Momo knocking then of something being moved as I approached the tipsy bot. I heard him muttering, mostly "why" and just static coming from him.
That was until the little one walked in from a vent and meowed to get his attention.

"I thought I told you two to leave. Just let me be......"

As Orange showed the bot a notebook, he seemed to sober up, and start walking around the house wondering how his dad kept an entire lab hidden from him, and I can't help but agree, as the house is rather small from what I can see.
Turns out that's the point, as the lab was hidden behind a wall, and looked like something straight out of a scifi movie. And after finding a broken tracker and sending Orange on his way, Seamus sat back down on the couch, seemingly still in shock about both the lab, and the possibility of finally finding his father, even going into a side room, grabbing a.....lab coat? A lab coat, and hugged it to his chest, sobs wracking his frame, sending him rattling in time with his crying.

".....please don't be for nothing. Please come home.... I miss you...."

Well that's just sad. What is it with these bots and being just heartbreaking to watch? Poor fella looks like he'll collapse in on himself with how much he's heaving.
So I sat on the couch beside him, and attempted to pull him into a hug. And he sorta just. Fell into my chest, still clinging to the lab coat like a lifeline. I could hardly understand him as the dam seemed to break, and he just started sobbing into my chest, static and sad warbles coming from his speaker.

"...why did he have to go??? I should have followed him. STAYED WITH HIM! I SHOULD NEVER HAVE LET HIM LEAVE!"

"THEY ALL LEFT! FIRST 'BALT AND CLEM, THEN PAPA LEFT, THEN MOMO NEVER CAME OUT OF HIS APARTMENT, EVEN GUARDIAN BECAME OBSESSED WITH HIS WORK! I HAD NO ONE! THEY ALL LEFT ME!!"

"......I just want my family back..... I can't let Momo go into the sewers, he'll be eaten alive! He might not leave his apartment, but at LEAST I KNOW HE'S STILL ALIVE! I CAN'T LOSE HIM TOO!"

"I don't care about the Outside if I can't have it with them....."

I tried to give him what comfort I could, trying to sooth him, but I'm not sure if he noticed my attempts at petting his head (and knocking his hat onto the floor, oops) or rubbing his back as he cried.
As he poured his heart out, I can't help but think about what he's said, although it was interspersed with copious amounts of static, sobbing, and him trying to bury himself into both the coat and me. And it's sad to think about, having your family slowly disappear over the years. I don't know what happened to the others he mentioned, aside from Guardian, and even HE seemed to be focused on his job of protecting the village, but if his family had all left like that, then no wonder he's so upset, and I can't help but wonder if anyone else had let him let his feelings out like this, (or more likely, had HE gone to anyone for help) but the only other time I saw him was passed out at said bar. And that's not a healthy way to cope. I really hope the little one can find someone to fix the tracker, at least so Seamus can get some closure with this.

Almost as if he was summoned by my thoughts, Orange came walking in, tracker in his jaw, and paused. I'll admit it must look odd to see a robot seemingly being cuddled by nothing, but that didn't stop the little one from having B12 digitize the tracker, then hop up and settle against me as well. At this point, Seamus had fallen asleep on me, and it's a good thing I'm a ghost, because otherwise his metal limbs (and head) would be quite uncomfortable considering I'd be getting squashed into the sofa by him. B12 looked at the scene of the cat and companion both leaning on an invisible force, let out a robotic sigh, and settled down between Orange's paws, where he was instantly swiped up as Orange started to vigorously groom the little drone, much to his whirs of complaint before submitting to his fate.
I let myself doze off, while I can't sleep, I can sorta doze in light "catnaps", no pun intended. and they all seemed to sink farther into my semi-corporeal form, as we all fell asleep on the couch.

If someone had walked by, they would have seen quite the odd sight: A companion, cat, and drone all asleep on a couch, apparently being held slightly up by an unseen force. But they might have noticed that for the first time in several years, Seamus seemed much more peaceful.

Chapter Text

After what must have been over an hour of slowly losing any bit of being corporeal I had, leaving Seamus, Orange and B12 in a pile while I'm just, sticking out of said pile, I saw how Seamus was slowly waking up, with his screen making an adorable sleepy face as he groaned and shoved his face into Orange, who started to groom his head. At the noise, B12 lifted up, remarking about how they had fixed the tracker, and needed to follow it. THAT got Seamus up faster than I've seen one of these bots move, even if he fell off the couch in his hurry to get up. As he almost frantically started messing with the tracker, before he went to the door, presumably to follow it.
As we followed the tracker, Seamus seemed hopeful, as he walked to a large metal door, and after a moment of hesitation, entered it. Turns out the area beyond was infested with Zurks, and Seamus couldn't continue one, lest he be eaten alive. So it was decided that Orange and B12 would continue on, following the tracker and bring home the missing bot, while Seamus prepared (aka worried his head off) a welcome home party.

"Please little one. Please bring him home.... and stay safe."

As he turned to leave, I gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, and made certain he could see at least my shadow-like form as I walked towards yet another large metal door Seamus had opened for the cat.

So Seamus left, with a small, hopeful smile and a feeling that everything would be okay, despite the large, ominous shadow person.

But for the trio trying to find the missing bot, the only things to be found where copious amounts of moss and a suspiciously quiet area. At least until they found a couple fences with a few easily avoided Zurks. It was way too silent for it to be comfortable, especially when they where expecting more trouble for an area claimed to be "infested"
The little one had finally made it to a house, and hopped up a few AC units and through a window. But I decided to go the old-fashioned way and went through the door. And after meandering about for a moment, I saw who most certainly MUST be Doc, because what else do you call someone like THAT? A taller robot with comically large goggles, wires coming from his head, a very dirty and tattered lab coat and a green face. I swear he looks like someone from an old movie I watched as a kid. Some funky time-travel movie with a scientist dude who looks like Doc.
At that moment, the little one jumped onto the desk, spooking Doc into falling off his chair and onto his back with an alarmed warbling sound, as he flailed around until he realized he was not under attack.

".....You scared me, small creature. What are you doing here?"

At that, he noticed one of the little pins on the vest, and his screen lit up into a large smile.

"That pin! Seamus sent you?? It's been so long since I saw my little bittybot, although even when I left, he had all his upgrades.....You know how it is, no matter how many upgrades the boy gets, he will always be my little bitling, stealing my spare lab coats and saying how much he wants to be like me when he grows up. You saw him, was he alright?? I never meant to get stuck here, and I worry for him. Has he been resting???"

And with that, it seemed as though Doc would not shut up, with YEARS of pent up rambling and worrying about his son, with B12 trying his best to answer, but Doc was going a mile a minute.

"How's Momo? I know the others attempted to reach Midtown, but I believe Momo stayed behind, both to help with Seamus, as his middle upgrades had left him rather moody at that point, but also to make sure communications stayed open. How has he been? I know Guardian can take care of himself, but Momo likes to forget he needs rest as well."

Oh dear lord this guy is such a worry-wart, how has he not driven himself mad?? I can already feel myself losing it just hearing him ramble at the speed of sound. If he was human, he would have suffocated because he was too busy talking to remember to BREATH. He then turned, still talking and grabbed a wallet of some kind, made out of bright pink duct tape with what looks like child drawings of him, Seamus, and other robots on it.

"Would you like to see some pictures of my boy? He was so cute as a bittybot, he always tried to dress up as one of us Outsiders and mimic us, it was adorable! Just LOOK AT HIM IN CLEMENTINE'S SCARF! He looks so tiny!!"

He is never going to stop. I revoke my last thought, this guy has clearly been alone for too long and is now showing baby pictures of his son to a cat. (Seamus does look rather cute in the giant scarf and large hat. How small was he?)

"I'm sorry Doc, but as much as we would love to see the photos, we need to work on getting you back home."

FINALLY! B12 was able to get a word in edgewise before Doc busted out more photos from his (clearly handmade with love) wallet.

"Ah! Yes, my apologies, it's simply been too long since I've had someone to talk to. I had finished my weapon, but I can't get to the generator to fix it and open the gate! I swear those little pests can hear the door open, since I can't even leave the porch! Come, I'll give you the weapon and the fuse to fix the generator. Then we can get out of this accursed place!"

And with that, Doc stood up, and walked to another room, apparently going to hook B12 up with some sweet new gadgets. And it's supposed to kill the Zurks using UV rays. If a UV gun is enough to kill them, imagine if they where hit with direct sunlight?
But that thought was for another time, as Doc demonstrated by having B12 shine the light at some Zurks in a cage. Was Doc so lonely he tried to keep some as pets?? How is he not dead yet??

"WAIT! B12, shine the light over by the little one. No, a bit more to the left. THERE! Look! Glowing footprints???"

"I have been saying that there is SOMETHING following the little one around. Glad to see some solid evidence."

"Can you see it? What ever is causing the prints?"

"Not anymore. I lost that ability once I was no longer connected to the Network. But you agree there is something?"

"YES! There where some books in the library, and some here mentioning this type of phenomenon! Ghosts! Have you seen anything else in your adventure?"

"Yes actually. Feeling something that is not there, Momo's hat getting bitten, and even Zurks being launched away from the little one. It is quite peculiar."

As interesting as the conversation was, my ward apparently wanted my attention at that very moment, and started trying to bat at my face from where he sat on the table beside me. So I gave in to his begging and started petting him, making sure to get the scritchy-spot under his chin, causing the fluffball to start purring even louder, kneading into the table.

"Little one, we must fix the generator."

"Mreeeep"

"I know, but I'm certain Doc would like to get home sooner rather than later."
"Don't worry about me! I have my own little Defluxer!"

"Prrrrp?"

"Come along, I can protect you now. I can keep you safe."

.....That's MY job! He's MY ward! I have been the one to not only raise him and his siblings, but keep ALL those cats safe! Why should this drone, who has only been around for a few days if any, be the one to keep MY WARD SAFE?! HE'S MINE!

During that internal temper tantrum, the other occupants of the room paused, as not only did the temperature suddenly drop to the point Orange's breath was visible in the air, but a nearby radio had started spewing static and angry growls filled the room. Seems B12 had hit a nerve with the entity, and was eager to get outside the house, and away from the heavy feeling of fury coming from the room.

*you two leave, I'll handle it* was the whisper from Doc, as B12 and Orange swiftly left via an open window.

"So, I know you are there, do you reckon you can use the radio to communicate? I would like a chat while we wait for the generator to come back on."

Wait, Doc wanted to try and talk? That's a new one. His screen had little animated sweat beads, and he was fidgeting with his lab coat, but I figured it couldn't hurt. So I walked over to the radio, and attempted to make words come out of it. At first all I could get was static, but if I fiddled with the antenna, I could get words to come from the speaker.

"HELLO?"
"It works! Who are you?"
"PROTECTOR. KEEP SAFE. MINE"
"You kept the little one safe? For this long?"
"LONGER. MORE. MANY. MINE"
"So that explains why you got so angry. Are you a ghost?"
"CLEARLY."
"Why are you a ghost? Humanity is gone. Why do you remain?"
"KEEP SAFE. PROTECT. ALL OF THEM. MUST KEEP SAFE."
"Where there more of them? More little ones?"

Sadly the conversation was cut short, as the generator roared to life, and with it, came what could only be described as a swarm of Zurks. B12 was doing a good job with the prototype, but it was mostly Doc who killed the pests from the window.
Once the area was clear of Zurks, Doc opened the door and met them halfway, both excited to tell them about our chat, and also eager to see his son once again. That, and it turned out the prototype Doc had fixed B12 up with had broke, and needed to be replaced by the new, charged official one.

"You two won't believe the chat I had with your friend!"

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.
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.
.
They had made it back to the metal doors, and with a groan, Doc shoved them open, stumbling into the light of a fire. Several companions looked over, surprised the door had finally opened after all those years. But none of that could compare to the joy Seamus felt at seeing his father once again after all those years. FINALLY. He was home.

"Papa?"

Doc said nothing. He just grabbed Seamus and hauled him into a hug, one that Seamus gladly returned, a heart on his display, speakers trying to get any and all of the words in his processor out, but he could only manage small, hiccupy sobs and would have fallen to the ground had Doc not caught him, dragging his son even closer. As they embraced, other companions started running to tell Guardian and Momo that Doc was back, that he was home.

"It's okay, my bitling, I'm home. I'm back."

Chapter Text

"It's been way too long since we've had time to be together like this."
"....Ever since you have been gone, Momo locked himself in his apartment, and hardly ever left."
"YEAH! He up and locked himself away like one of those princess in those books you like!"
"OH COME ON! There is NO NEED to come at me like this! And Guardian, it's your turn."

The sounds of dice rolling, groans of despair and cheers of victory where what filled Momo's apartment that evening, after Doc had been brought back from the Dead City, and of all things, proof of a LITERAL GHOST wandering around was what was causing havoc. At least with the new way of communication via radios made it easier to apologize for freaking out Jacob, and having interesting conversations with the spirit. They seemed quite attached to the little cat, even referring to them as one of their "Wards", and apologized to B12 for the fit they threw.
And at the moment, the ghost was in the lead of the game they were playing that Doc had stashed in his library (hoard), a game called Monopoly, or as the ghost called it "Capitalism the game".

"Ooh, a Chance card! Last time I pulled one it was my birthday! :D"
".....Fuck."

Guardian had just pulled a "Go to Jail card, and was joining Seamus in prison, although Seamus was refusing to LEAVE jail, saying he was staying in jail for various reasons, such as attacking other inmates, starting riots, and refusing to leave.

"WELCOME TO JAIL! JOIN ME IN THE JAIL BOX!"
".....I'm not sitting in a cardboard box with "jail" written on it in marker. I will be in jail from the beanbag chair."

This had been going on for three hours already, with Orange having fallen asleep in Seamus lap in "Jail", and B12 was playing the Banker, as there was more than enough time for him to recharge during the turns as they argued playfully about mortgage rates.
Then the radio started up accusingly at Momo, because he KEPT. CHEATING. (according to Guardian he did this even when the entire group was together, so this is a chronic issue."

"YOU CANT STEAL FROM BANK"
"THIEF!"
"I'm committing a felony! I'm robbing the bank!"
"NOT IN RULES"
"Do the rules SAY you can't rob the bank? Do they? No. They don't."
"B12! MOMO IS A CHEATER"

With a mechanical sigh, B12 came out from his cubby, and fixed Momo with the most unimpressed stare.
"Momo, last time you "tried to bribe a drug dealer" for more money. You can't just rob the bank when you are losing."
"As with any good bank heist, you have to catch me first!"

And Momo hopped up and tried to run into a different room, but not without Guardian reaching up and grabbing his leg as he ran past, dragging him into the beanbag with him.

"Well then, seems you where caught!" said Doc as he laughed at the shenanigans of his friends, while Seamus started a chant of "CRIME CRIME CRIME"

"Now then" B12 started, seemingly amused. "You where just caught red-handed for robbing a bank. Now you have to go to jail."
"WHAT! D:" Guardian is also in jail! That leaves only the ghost and Doc playing!"
"....Guardian has been released on bail."
"AHAHAHAHAHAA TAKE THAT MOMO! KARMA!"

"JOIN. BOX."

And with that, Momo went and sulked beside the JailBox, with Seamus snickering at his poor attempt to cheat, while the game continued. For another two hours the game ran on, with Momo going bankrupt, Guardian and Doc in cahoots to take down the literal monopoly that the spirit has, and Seamus still refusing to leave jail, and he is content with his properties, as he is stopping Doc and Guardian from building houses on the majority of the land they owned.

"Come on Seamus, do you want this get out of jail free card? I'll trade it for the railroad you have."
"Nope. I'm staying in here. I already have become leader of a powerful gang, and I can't leave now!"
".....What about trading my Electric Company for Park Place?"
"Absolutely not! Sorry Guardian!"

After another hour, Guardian had gone bankrupt, but also took down the ghost with him, as he kept hiking up the prices of the few houses he had in front of them. But the ghost had caught on to Seamus's plan, and before they went bankrupt, traded their land to him. So now it was just Doc and Seamus, and with how much Seamus owned, he was just watching his father get more and more broke as he had to pay up.

"Now this is HARDLY fair my boy. You have sat in jail for five hours now! Why don't you leave?"
"Because you own practically the entire strip from here to Free Parking. I 'ant giving you nothing! Just forfeit! It's clear I'm the winner!"
"NEVER!"

That lasted all of ten minuets, as Doc slowly went bankrupt with the rest of us. As he groaned and B12 declared Seamus the winner, Doc let out a rather unhappy sound, with a fair bit of censors. Oof, he was salty about the world's cheesiest strat to win Monopoly.

Guardian glanced over at Seamus, gloating his victory, had an idea to at least put Seamus back in his place, if only a little bit and cheer Doc up at the same time.

"....Do you still have those old scrapbooks you made? I don't think our new friends have seen them."

At that, Doc brightened up, and Seamus started saying how "that was QUITE unnecessary"

"You know Doc, I would like to look through those! I think I have one in my apartment somewhere. Let me look."
And with a spring in his step, Momo went and looked on the shelf across the room, digging through some boxes, before holding up a large book, the front a picture of the whole friend group, with Zbaltzar and Momo sitting together playing cards, not realizing they are being photographed, Doc looking very worried at Guardian, who had tossed a tiny Seamus into the air, with both father and son very blurry, and Clementine, in the bottom right, as she took the photo as a selfie. The boarder was decorated in sparkly stickers and made glitter fall as Momo sat on the couch with it as everyone got closer to look at the slightly silly looking book.

"Oh YOU where the one that took the glitter book! I was wondering where it went!"
"Don't worry Doc, I've kept good care of it."
"....Look at how small Seamus was as a bittybot. <3"

Even Orange had hopped up onto the back of the couch to get a good view of it, and as Momo turned the page, the companions all recalled the memories fondly, with Seamus face having a bashful expression and mutters of "I don't remember that", but even he looked over the pictures curiously.

"HEY LOOK! That's when Clem and 'Balt where running from you, didn't they steal your hat? I think 'Balt's wearing it!"
"......Admittedly, I remember that fondly. And after, they had both gotten stuck on a rooftop like the fools they were."

And another was four entire pages of baby or "bittybot" Seamus, mostly in stolen articles of clothing, including Momo's shirt, Doc's lab coat, Guardian's hat, Clementine's hat and scarf, and one where he was wrapped in a red and gold blanket, in the lap of Zbaltazar, with Seamus sleeping bundled up like a burrito. It was adorable.

"Awwww, look at this! Seamus, you ALWAYS had a habit of stealing our stuff, why, I remember when you picked up a pipe, and tried to copy Guardian as he was practicing outside the elevator!"
"I DID NOT! >/////<"
".....You did. You even hit yourself in the head with the pipe and cried until I kissed it better."
"I remember that, because after that, Seamus went and anytime a bot got hurt, he would tell them to go to you for "magic kissess". It was adorable!"

Seamus then stuffed his face into the fluff of Orange, who mrrped at him in surprise, but otherwise let his attempt to hide from his adorable past.
But as they continued through the scrapbook, he reemerged from his fluffy hiding place, and seemed fond of the photos as well. Even pointing out the ones he remembered.

"Look at this one papa! Momo had gotten his head stuck in a chair that day, and it's so blurry 'cause Guardian couldn't stop laughing!"
"....It would have been easier to not laugh without you in that pose, all crouched beside him posing like those magazines you found! Even your display has those "sunglasses"! We don't even have a sun!"
"You most certainly DO have a son! ME! And the shades for the aesthetic!"
"Are we just going to ignore Clem in the background standing on a chair or what?"
"We are talking about how you somehow got stuck, don't try to distract us!"

Finally, they had reached the end of the scrapbook, with laughter and a few tears shed at the memories. the final page had two photos, one with the entire group together, with Guardian crouched in front, Seamus and Doc together, and Momo and Zbaltazar both smiling, all of them crowded on a couch.
The other photo was rather blurry, as Seamus had jumped on Guardian's shoulders, with Doc having an exclamation mark on his screen and Guardian falling forward, knocking into the camera, sending the whole photo sideways and blurry, Momo falling off the couch arm he was sitting on, and Zbaltazar and Clementine both collapsed from laughing so hard, their screens had tears on them.

"We need to look over the other scrapbooks, I haven't laughed this hard in YEARS!"
"Oh definitely! It feels good to remember all the time we spent together."
".....Once we get together again, we can start a new one."
"Me and the little one are going to open the city up. We can all make a new scrapbook, together."
"I think I like that."

Even the radio burst to life, the ghost having been quiet and looking over the scrapbook having something to say.

"TOGETHER. WE WILL OPEN THE CITY. TOGETHER. I PROMISE."

Chapter Text

"Papa, please, you have been at this for at least an hour. We already KNOW there's a ghost, what else do you need???"
"NONSENSE my boy! To make progress we must first find out all we can! And in this instance, it's quite fascinating!"
"PAPA I've been watching this camera, and all I see is you! And the little one sleeping on my feet! I don't think we are going to get anything!"
"But we know it follows the little one around, so wherever IT is, so must be the ghost!"

He's right, of course. I have just decided to make myself as invisible both to them and the cameras. It IS rather funny seeing Doc getting more riled up as he looks over his "research" aka: paranormal novels. It's kinda mean, but I'm planing on showing myself once I run out of energy or Doc slows down, whichever comes first. At the moment, Doc had given the "GhostFluxer" (the Defluxer but at a lower level for finding prints) to Seamus, and was trying to get his DIY Ouija board to work. It was a silly thing, a mixture of the English alphabet and the language of the Companions on it, and the sun and moon in the upper corners looked like a toddler drew them. The effort was there, but it was unreadable for the ghost. The only reason Doc knows they are still there, is every so often an object would fall of a shelf or go flying into his head if he said something particularly stupid.

That being said, I had the perfect idea for a fun little prank, if only Doc would turn and face Seamus.....

"Maybe the ghost is tired papa. Or maybe they can't read those scribbles you call writing."
"HEY!" and Doc spun around to face his son, offended. "I'll have you know..."

But at that moment, Doc was interrupted, as when he turned, I saw the perfect opportunity, and walloped Doc's ass, making SURE to leave a ghostly handprint directly on it.

"AIIIIIE!"

He spun around, and Seamus, with his light saw the handprint on his dad's butt, and snickered in amusement.

"Hey papa? I think you got that handprint you where looking for...."

So Seamus pointed him to a mirror, and showed him the mark.

"I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT! I MEANT ON THE WALL OR SOMETHING!"

At that point, the radio sparked to life, the ghastly sounds of laughter echoing through the flat as the ghost cackled at the shenanigans.

Despite the rather crude prank, Doc found himself chuckling as well, finding SOME humor in his predicament. After all, how long has it been since he saw his son laugh that hard, even if it was at his expense?

Chapter Text

Morosque had been in a bit of a creative slump lately, but that was not necessarily bad, given that the little orange creature had gifted him some rather lovely sheet music. He just knew how important it was to take breaks, no matter how much he loves his crafts. It's important to recharge both physically and mentally, despite how much he may want to run himself into the ground with his passion. Oh, the urge to just create until he himself falls apart like the notes as they fade away into the air, beautiful in a fleeting way, here forever in his mechanical heart, yet gone as soon as they leave his guitar.
Alas, inspiration is also fleeting, and his muse had yet to appear as of late. But that was nothing to worry himself about. Art is peculiar that way. He may find himself in the grasp of his muse in the middle of his recharge, and not find rest until he plays, or he would go days replaying tunes he knew and played so many times they wove themselves into his very code. Morosque had been playing for so long that the art of music had tied itself inextricably with his very being, that if one where in fact, to look at his coding they would find it more akin to music than coding.

But he was pulled from his thoughts at the sounds of the little pitter-patter of the small orange being, as they trotted over to him, chirping at him.

"Hello again little one! I'm afraid I'm out of the creative juice. You know how it is, art is finicky at the best of times."

Orange most certainly did NOT know how it is, but rubbed against the companion soothingly anyways. Little Orange loved the bot's particular way of speaking, even his voice had a musical rhythm to it, making everything he said an almost sing-song melody of it's own. And the cat loved it, as it was incredibly easy to fall asleep to, on the pile of pillows the musician had around him.
But Orange was okay with the musical companion not having a song today, as he came this way for a peaceful nap, something surprisingly hard to come across in the Slums. At least when you have a poltergeist who likes messing with people in various different ways, ranging from "your mom" jokes, to haunted jukeboxes to literally slapping Doc so hard his ass had a ghostly handprint on it for a solid week. No one was safe from the spirit, as it seemed to thrive of chaos but somehow also tried to make friends, to various levels of success. (B12 was now only slightly nervous when the paranormal happened, but still had a hearty dose of self-preservation keeping him from relaxing once stuff goes flying)
And at that moment, the ghost seemed to be interested in Morosque's guitar, as a few strings where plucked and the bot turned to see.... absolutely nothing.

"Haha, seems our unseen friend has taken interest in my guitar. Care to play us a few more notes, friend?"

And play they did, as the ghost plucked out the tune to Jingle Bells, despite it being nowhere NEAR Christmas, if the calendars where to be any form of reference. But once they finished, Morosque clapped his hands, a smile on his display at the fun little tune played.

"How wonderful! A regular musician you are! Perhaps you where one when you where still alive? How nice would that be?"
But he didn't have much time to reflect, as he was interrupted by a force tapping his hand closest to his instrument, seemingly wanting him to play.

"Well, I can certainly try, but I warn you, nothing seems to get my circuits firing as of late. But I have an audience, so I can attempt a small tune."

And with that, the companion started with a simple melody, merely strumming softly, trying to find a tune. He did not have to wait long, because soon he heard a faint humming sound. Different from the hums and whirs of his fellow companions, and it seemed to rise and fall with his strumming. And it seemed B12 and Orange noticed as well, with the two's ears and antenna flicking at the surprise addition to the playing.
So the bot continued playing, finding a steady rhythm as the ghost hummed along, adding an additional layer to the music, the two harmonizing together, creating something new. Perhaps he simply needed something new to add to his growing collection of audios, as he recorded the humming. It was new, ORGANIC and provided a wonderful counterpoint to his higher-pitched, mechanical tones.

And as the two preformed, Orange settled down, with B12 once more taking residence under his jaw, both merely watching, listening to the two beings create something new, something both organic, and mechanical in a way that hasn't, COULDN'T happen before.

Perhaps the language of music is one every living creature can appreciate, and the companions are certainly living, in ways humanity could only dream of.

Chapter Text

Despite how lovely the denizens of the Slums where, we had to move on eventually. There where only so many rats that had lingered in the Safe Zone, away from the Zurks, but they where few and far between, and the ones that where caught were promptly ate. (Only AFTER the fright little Orange had given Jacob that one day, jumping up and dropping the corpse of one right in front of him. That was an amusing event for certain) But the little one INSISTED on making one last loop, saying goodbye to the many bots we had befriended along the way. From the lovely older bot everyone called Grandma, to the younger ones scampering about. No bot was left without a nuzzle and a purr before we left, and the bots reacted with both hearts and the occasional sad face, disappointed to see the new friend leave, but cheered with promises to return, after the city had been opened.

But now we must continue, as Momo was waiting for us, past the gate Benzoo was in front of, with a warning he will shut the gate behind us, to keep the Zurks out.
So with a rub and purr against the bot, we set off to find Momo, walking into the depths, towards the slow sounds of water, and away from the clang of the large door closing behind us. And a short walk later, we saw Momo, sitting on a little raft, seemingly nervous for the trip ahead. But he did brighten up once he spotted us.

"Jump on the boat when you are ready. Let's get out of here!"

And so we left, little Orange parking himself on Momo's lap, while I sat up front, watching. I might not be the strongest, but the Zurks can't harm me, considering I am already dead, and non-corporeal. Ah, the perks of being a ghost.
Damn it, I missed what Momo had said. I think it was about finding that Zbaltzar friend of his? Never mind, I should REALLY start paying more attention to those around me, instead of getting lost in my thoughts. What I DID hear, however was him murmuring about how creepy the place is, and I would have given him a pat if Orange had not beat me to it, rubbing his face into the underside of Momo's boxy head, chirping away at him. How cute.
We paddled on a bit more, until the little one went and open a large gate preventing any further travels. How the Zurks could eat metal yet large gates like this one weren't chewed to bits will forever be a mystery. But Orange had opened the gate, and we continued on, deeper into the sewers.

One gate that would not be passed so easily was an incredibly sturdy looking gate, that when Momo had tried to open it, merely sparked and shook, broken down after so many years of disrepair. With a grumble of "blasted gates", Momo went and tried to manually open the gates. And he did a surprisingly good job, but it only got a little bit up before it started to fight him. So I tried my best to assist, knowing how much he wanted to find his friends. But even our combined strength was not enough, as it still seemed stuck at that little space between the water and just over some barrels.

"I...I can't go on with you...but...I won't stop looking for another way"
I could tell that was a lie, as sad as it is. I could hear both his worried beeps along our little boat ride, and the farther in we got, the faster a little motor in his chest spun, almost like a heartbeat. And like a heartbeat, it had gotten faster the closer we got to certain danger.

"When you find Zbaltazar and Clementine, tell them I was brave."

And no sooner had he said that, little Orange hopped through the gap with a mrrp, and we had lost our grip on those chains, causing the gate to slam shut.

"...I'm sorry, I wish I could join you, to be brave like the others had. I'll look, but...."
He didn't finish the thought, but I knew he would most likely return to his home, and wait. Perhaps spend more time with the others, now that Doc is back. I didn't give him time to wallow in self-loathing, as I brought the stressing bot into a tight hug, trying to convey everything I could, that everything would be okay.

"..Please. Take us to the sky. "
And we would.

Crossing the gate, Little Orange had been sat, waiting patiently. And with myself back at his side, he trotted off, through the fleshy tunnels ahead, with nothing but the dripping sounds, the little pitter-patter of paws, and the faint whirring of B12, as I noticed his little eyes where brighter than when he normally recharged. Seems even he was too spooked by this place to rest, and I don't blame him.
Aside from the Zurk eggs, horrid as they where, we ventured onward, with the Defluxer being quite the tool for taking out those blasted creatures. But it seemed B12 remembered something about the sewers as we made our way through several pipes (and I punted a few Zurks into the walls, watching them scramble to find me as they watched random Zurks go flying. It was rather funny.) We had a few close calls with opening a gate, causing several Zurks to come charging out, but between B12 and me, the Zurks never stood a chance. But I'm going to have to be careful, I don't want to use up too much energy and have to make them go on while I rest, because I REFUSE to have my little baby spend more time in this hellhole than necessary.

That was until I saw the eyes.

Why. Why did the walls have giant eyes??? What twisted deity caused this?? Orange's fur stood on end, and I heard B12 little motor almost, freeze at the sight of the Eyes. So I attempted to hurry them away, trying to keep the psychological damage to a minimal.
Turns out the Eyes can summon more Zurks.
I hate this fucking place.
So we pushed forward, decimating the Zurks in our path as those FUCKING EYES followed us around the room, never letting us out of sight. The walls where covered in them, and they didn't react to the Defluxer, so we can't even get rid of the stupid things. We even found a room, overgrown with the organic mass of flesh and eyes, and then B12 had to go and make it worse, wondering if we are inside I giant organism. Thanks B12, really needed that mental image. But existential crisis aside, we must continue, as much as we hate this place, NO ONE wanted to spend even a second longer in it than needed.
Clearing out yet another room of those eggs, B12 tried to open a door, but seems this place hates us, as the eyes that where once closed opened, and EVEN. MORE. ZURKS came after us. If I was alive, the chirping of the dreaded creatures would have given me such a migraine.

Yet the next room would prove to be the worst yet. I knew something was up with B12 when he flew up in front of one of those eyes, and I could hear his internals buzzing away, yet he seemed frozen, almost in a trance. I moved to get him, concerned for the little guy, but more Zurks flooded the room, circling my ward, and jumped for him. But B12 had snapped out of it, and was frantically trying to get rid of the Zurks, as I kept punting them with enough force to burst them. But it was too much for him, as with a bunch of sparks, he fell out of the air, and Orange yowled, picked him up, and started running, not caring for the ones latched onto him.

No.

NO.

NO NO NO NO

I had grown attached to the little drone, watching how he protected and had bonded with my ward, and we had even had our own chats, as he was happy to indulge my want for conversation and now, seeing him so. HELPLESS. Was enough to nearly send me into a rage. So I did the only thing I could at the moment, as Orange tried to dodge the incoming swarm, I scooped him up, and hauled ass towards the door, paying no mind to the Zurks I crushed underfoot in an attempt to get my little ones away from that cursed place.

No one hurts the ones under my care. I don't care if B12 was metal instead of fur, or wires instead of nerves. He was mine. And I'm certain Orange feels the same way, from the way he always groomed and fussed over the little drone.

When did I start caring so much about these robots?

When did I start seeing B12 as one of my own?

It didn't matter. All that matters is getting them OUT.

So I ran. I ran as fast as I could, lifting my arms to keep the little ones out of the way of the swarm. They could not hurt me, so It didn't matter how much it drained me. As long as I could reach that door before it closes.
Launching myself forwards, I wrapped myself around the bundle in my arms, as we slid under the door just in time, as only the top half of me made it through the door. (they made it)
Watching little Orange swat at the drone, he flew back up (they are safe) and tell us the bad news, about how the Defluxer was destroyed (it HURT HIM) and how we would need to be careful.(protect them. protect family) I didn't care for how my own form was numb, or how it was harder to stay present. All I cared about was getting them out of here, so I hauled myself upwards, and usher them along, ignoring the worried mews and inquires from my boys, as they seemed to feel I was off. (you felt horrible, and they could tell)

The rest was a blur, as we continued forwards. But all that was on my mind was a one thought track, the need to protect them, to keep them safe. They had almost gotten hurt (killed) and I needed to get them home (safe, warm. with others. find family.) It hurt. Not just the strain on my self from using so much energy, but it hurt, knowing that they could have been hurt back in the dreaded sewers (KILL IT. IT HURT THEM. KILL IT) My wrath could wait, they need rest (you need it too.)

I was interrupted from my thoughts by a bot standing guard, seeming surprised to see us.

"A traveler from the sewers?? We haven't seen one of you in ages."

Chapter Text

Danger.
That's all that was going through my mind. Danger.
Where are we?? Not the sewers, too much life.
Antvillage? Are we safe? No more danger? I need to keep them safe.....
What's happening? Something's wrong with B12, (My little one? Is he one of mine?) he won't leave the backpack after finding that pod thing. (Is he hurt? Did something hurt him?)
Why is everything going wrong, when we are out of danger???

"EK EK EK EK!"

Little Orange. My ward. He's safe, but keeps chirping at me, trying to get my attention. (We've been at these stairs for a while now...) We must rest, we are all both physically and emotionally exhausted.
I follow him up the little ladder, and my ward leads us straight to a bunk bed, with two buckets of paint spilled in front of it, along with little paw prints around it. Seems he went back for me, when I nearly lost myself in my tired state. He rubbed against the two bots on the bottom bunk, before hopping up to the second bunk, mewing at me. So I settled down, with Orange literally inside my chest as he chirped insistently, before B12 finally left his backpack, wondering what my little one wanted.

"...I already told you, I don't feel like talkING!" but he was cut off, as Orange swiped him out of the air, and started aggressively grooming the little drone, keeping him tucked tight into his fluffy chest. I thought he grew out of stress grooming when he was a kitten, but it seems he didn't.

So as I started to doze off, lulled to sleep with my ward's purring and B12's occasional squeaks as he tried to escape the loving onslaught, I started to feel things might start looking better for us, as long as we stick together, and keep each other safe.

It seemed I slept for a bit longer than I thought, because when I came to, it was to B12 pressed into the corner, inside my leg as Orange was pestering him with a dead rat. Seems fatter than the ones in the Slums, perhaps it has something to do with all the greenery? But I didn't have long to ponder before B12 starting at Orange, seeing him picking up the rat, presumably to bring it closer.

"STOP CHASING ME WITH THAT GROSS THING! I DON'T NEED IT!"

Seems like my ward was trying to get B12 to eat the rat, even if he didn't need to eat. Seems he really HAS become a member of the family, if Orange was trying to hunt for him. Greedy little thing always wanted to just inhale everything, and had a bad habit of not sharing.

"MREEOW!"
"I REFUSE! YOU KNOW IF I DIGITIZE IT, IT WILL JUST MAKE THE BACKPACK SMELL LIKE A CORPSE, AND I DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THAT AGAIN!"

At least he seems to be in better spirits, (no pun intended) so that's a plus. Although the mental image of the drone fleeing from the little orange cat dragging a rat almost as big as it is was hilarious. Now the question is, do I step in, or watch the chaos unfold? And from my vantage point, seems some other bots where watching this as well, including one nearby with a paint roller, and the two on the bottom bunk peering out at the two of them, still pitching an absolute FIT over a rat.
B12 seemed to sense I was awake, as he turned my direction and started pleading to make the cat "stop harassing him with a dead rodent". I decided to give the little drone some mercy, and tossed the rat down onto the floor, hoping to distract Orange long enough for B12 to hide back in the backpack and avoid the dead rat.
Turns out not only was B12 an over dramatic baby over it (it was still warm, come on man.) but the bots that were all watching all seem to startle, with exclamation marks appearing on the screens as they all reeled back. I guess all they saw was a dead rat suddenly go flying, so I suppose that WOULD shock them.
With a rather grumpy mew, little Orange started to eat the rat himself, pouting over how his newly adopted brother refused it. Seems drama runs in the family. While my ward was eating, B12 came up to me, (a little off to the side, but he's getting there.) and spoke.

"We where waiting for you, as it turns out Zbaltazar is on the highest level, meditating, and we wanted you with us."

How considerate of them. I gave B12 a gentle pat on his little antenna, and moved down from the bed, getting Orange's attention, as he pranced up to me, purring and starting off towards some air conditioners, parkour his way up the tree.

I took the ladder up, like any sane individual.
By the time we reached the top, I had to stop, surprised at what I saw. There, sitting on a carpet, covered in a red blanket, sat one of the robots. This one has rust covering the majority of the body, along with quite a bit of damage from the waist down. Poor guy's legs looked like they where shredded, and from what I could see, might not even be usable. And the screens! So many screens, all connected to the bot in the middle of the room via thick cables. There must have been at least twelve, maybe fifteen screens connected to this guy! I went closer, and could faintly hear some... audio? It seemed familiar, like something from an old television show. Was he watching a TV show?
As Orange crept closer, the screens flicked on, reveling MANY blue faces, all lighting up the area on a blue light, and making Orange leap back, yowling in alarm. I admit, I was spooked as well.

“Hey! Don’t you know not to interrupt a fellow during his transcendental meditation?”

As he said that, all of the faces showed an annoyed expression. "transcendental meditation" my foot, you're just mad we interrupted you bingeing a movie series.

"Oh! It's you, the little Outsider on the call with Momo. I'm glad you made it though the sewers safely. But wasn't there another? Did they not make it?"

Seems he's referring to me, but for now, I'll just hear what he has to say. Can't get him distracted when we are on a mission.
Damn it, he was still talking. This seems to be a recurring problem of mine. I guess being with one's thoughts for so long takes a toll on one's ability to pay attention.

"....If you want to find Clementine, she's in Midtown now. I heard she had a plan to leave the city. I have her address on the back of this picture here. You will probably need it if you are to find her."

What a cute little picture, I'm guessing it's of the two of them, both smiling at the camera. Funny, I don't see a bunch of different screens, so I guess that is something that happened here, not before the sewers. (how would they even haul all those screens through the sewers?)

"To reach Midtown, climb up our little village. Should be easy enough for a dexterous one like yourself."

Tell that to all the times this little dumbass climbed a tree, than yowled pitifully because he got stuck. I'm surprised he's made it this far without trying to convince me to carry him.
It seemed Zbaltazar had finished speaking, as his screens all darkened and showed stars. Quite a beautiful image, with the candles flickering and the stars swirling about the screens. I kinda didn't want to leave just yet, this village just seemed so. Peaceful. And it seemed Orange shared my sentiment, as he squirmed in between the screen in his lap, and the bot's legs. I doubt it's a very comfortable position, but it works, seeing as the screens lit up with a bunch of hearts as Orange started purring.
So I settled down beside the bot, and he seemed to finally notice me, as his screens had a question mark, but he didn't see me.

"...I saw you though the cameras. The shadow that follows the little Outsider. You seem to protect him, but without cameras to look through, I can't see you."

Huh, is this another B12 situation, where he could see me with cameras, but not in person? How does that even work?

"I trust you will keep this little being from harm, as you have kept them safe this whole time, but...." and he trailed off, thinking. More stars spiraled and moved about his screens, as he continued to ponder.

"Could you keep Clementine out of trouble? I know she is strong and fast, but I have minimal vision in Midtown, as most of the cameras are under the control of the law enforcement there, so I worry about her the most."

I gave him a (hopefully) reassuring pat on the shoulder, and wrapped him in a one armed hug, trying to give him comfort without dislodging any of his wires or screens. And with that, we fell into silence, with it only being broken by Orange's purrs, the sound of water falling, and the low whirring sound of both B12 and Zbaltazar.

Until I heard a faint sound coming from Zbaltazar. It sounded like, music? I leaned closer and tried to get a better understanding of what he's doing.

.
.
.
.

.

.
.

Well I'll be damned, this robot is watching The Office.

Chapter Text

Sooooo, this might have been a trait leftover from when I was alive, but instead of resting like I meant to, Zbaltazar and I just watched The Office, with him projecting it on his screens. Even in death I prefer watching TV than sleeping. A bad habit, but what's it gonna do, kill me?

But soon enough, little Orange woke up, and started cheeping at me, walking towards the ladder back down to the rest of the village, clearly wanting me to stop watching Netflix and follow him.

"Your little friend seems quite insistent. Perhaps you should follow them." said Zbaltazar with a robotic chuckle, he screens changing from our show to an amused expression. "Don't worry about me, I'm not going anywhere any time soon."

I feel awful for laughing, but I didn't expect THAT! But from the way 'Balt started laughing harder, probably at B12's shocked whir, I feel slightly less bad for laughing at the joke. But at least he can find humor in his situation.
Because the ladder is far enough away from where he is sitting, I'll wave at him, showing myself, if only a little bit. So as I focused myself to be at least a little bit visible, I waved at Zbaltazar, walking towards the ledge, planning to take the ladder down.

The ghost would most certainly NOT take the ladder down, as they where so busy paying attention to staying visible, they tripped over the cat, and with an alarmed yelp, tumbled right off the edge, with Zbaltazar practically howling with laughter above them, and landing with a solid THUMP on the platform below.

" Where are you? Are you alright?? That was quite the fall, do you need help?"

Seems B12 was worried about me, as he whirred about, asking me if I was alright. Nearly about to blow a circuit, as apparently to him, when I lost focus I just vanished. But thankfully, the only thing that I hurt was my pride. One of the benefits of being dead I suppose, even if I made a fool of myself in front of our new ally.
But I gave B12 a tap on his little sticker, and metaphorically brushed myself off, hoping no one else heard that, and I could just play it off like I meant to do that.

Turns out, the universe decided I did not deserve the luxury of wounding my pride in peace, as when I looked to where the cat was walking, I saw a shocked robot, leaning so far away that he looked almost like HE would fall off the rails surrounding the level we are on.

"WHAT IN THE BLAZES WAS THAT?? ALL I HEAR IS YELP, AND THEN THE FLOOR SHAKES LIKE SOMEONE FELL! AND I KNOW THE LITTLE ORANGE CREATURE IS NOT THE ONE THAT MADE THE NOISE!"

Welp. I almost gave a robot a heart attack. Not something I'd expect, but it seems he wasn't done talking.

"All I wanted was to just stand here, and listen to the soothing sounds of garbage and waterfalls! WITH NO DANGER. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO MAKE POETRY IF I'M GETTING MY CIRCUITS SCARED OUT OF ME??"

A poet robot, how neat, and Orange has abandoned me to climb the tree limb next to the platform, leaving me to stand awkwardly as the robot fussed about, being more nervous than some of the kittens I've watched during it's first thunderstorm. Thankfully, I saw him return, and that gave me an opportunity to leave the muttering bot to his own devices, following my ward to a cozy little nook, with one of the robots sleeping on the couch, while Orange and B12 examined the lettering on the wall. No idea what it says, but I'm too busy moving the lampshade onto the sleeping bot's head to pay much attention anyways. At least until the little one meeped at me to follow, but now the robot has a rather fashionable hat! Even if Orange squinted his eyes in the most judgemental look a cat could muster.

And looping back around, we are right back where we started when we first got here, with the bunk beds with splattered paint, the two bots on the bed, the one painting, and two playing a board game of sorts, who I failed to notice the first time I was here, the one on the right complaining about how many times they lost. I'm surprised neither of them are bored if it yet. The little one seemed even more bored of it, as he hopped into another pulley-bucket, and descended into the garbage.

You do you, little buddy, I'll watch the game, and freak them out by sometimes moving a random piece.
The two bots where less scared and more amused by the randomly moving pieces, and they would laugh, move them back, or let out a happy whirl if it was a good move. These two seemed nice, and I could definitely spend quite a bit of time moving the pieces and having fun with the two robots, as they whirred and beeped happily.

Sadly, it was not to be, as the little menace I call my ward had at some point returned, and decided to use the board game as a landing pad as he leaped from the wooden beams above, sending the pieces scattering over the floor, and having the two bots let out SEVERAL bleeped out swears, and complaints about how it was "just getting more interesting". As he pranced away without a care in the world, I scooped the pieces up, placed them on the table, and went to give that overgrown fruit a piece of my mind.
Turns out he was listening to a couple of robots, one in a chair, talking about sticking the Zurks in a wheel to generate power instead of just trying to kill everyone, and the other on the top bunk, with the one up there being a small and brightly colored little thing, swinging his legs and watching the cat with a bright smile.

"You're in Outsider right?" The yellow bot spoke up. "Our auntie Clem is one too! I want to be like her when I grow up, but the grownups say that us bittybots have to stay in the village."

oh.
OH.
This little fella is a kid! So THIS is what a bittybot is! All I've heard is Doc talking about Seamus when he was one, and I didn't expect them to be so small! He looks like if he stood up, he would only come to my waist! No wonder they have to stay home, I certainly wouldn't let a youngster so small run about with no supervision!

But before I could get too attached to the brightly colored robot, little Orange started walking away, as if on a mission. (We are) So I followed him, excited to see what else this village has in store for us.

Around the bend was another child, a bit bigger than the last, swinging his legs, complaining about being bored and missing "Aunt Clementine". Seems she was well liked here. She was pretty well liked with everyplace that had these bots. Maybe she found herself some new friends in Midtown. I doubt it would be too hard for her, even if she's in a bit of trouble with the law.

Andddd, he's off again, once again hopping into another bucket, going back down. I swear, if I was alive, my legs would be killing me. I decided to do what I did earlier, and just drop down, without scaring the living daylights out of someone this time, as opposed to walking or trying to take the bucket down.
Seems to be a little food area, with a chief and someone eating. I'm not sure what he could be eating, but it can't hurt to look.

It's a bunch of RAM in a bowl. And even the bot eating it is complaining that is sucks. Seems that fellow don't care for RAMen that much. Maybe he needs some HDMIce cream or something. Are all of the food they have based on puns? Because if so, I love it. Now I have to think of some more puns for them. Maybe something like, "Burger Bytes". Ehhhh it needs some work.

But that's for another time, as I wandered over to where I hear some talking, and find another bot, this one tending to some plants, and talking about how Clementine taught them to grow all these kinds of plants, and how sad she is that Clementine is gone. Seems she's the one that developed these plants that don't need sunlight. I took a moment to look at all the plants, before I heard a splash behind me, and lo and behold, the orange menace has dropped more paint cans onto the floor. Just the thing I needed before I have to parkour my way up this tree, paint everywhere.

Following the cat (and leaving more paint footprints) the trio ascended, working higher and higher up into the canopy of the tree.

That's a lie, because it was less of tree climbing, and more of "I am so glad I have the ability to hover, because HOW WOULD ANYONE DO THIS??" No wonder they couldn't leave, this was ridiculous! So many pipes and air conditioner parkour up and towards a dark and ominous tunnel. How lovely, but hopefully the Zurks haven't found a way up there, so we could finally get some peace away from the dreaded creatures.

Farther and farther up they went, climbing pipes and go ever closer to the world outside, they continued, pushing onward, until the darkness of an approaching tunnel swallowed them from sight, leaving the small, peaceful village behind, but not without leaving those in it with a newfound sense of hope, that maybe, just maybe they could finally see the sky.

Chapter Text

The entrance to Midtown was, unimpressive, to say the least. Nothing more than a dimly blue lit alleyway, with some rubbish scattered about, and the faint sound of trickling water. A wall to the side was filled with buttons and wiring, all to show that this was clearly not the main entrance. Up ahead was a faint orange glow, illuminating some stairs. Up those stairs was a more open area, with a raised platform to stand on, and a dark brooding tunnel beyond the room.
After walking up ahead to the stairs, B12 flew out of the backpack, seemingly also curious about where we had ended up. After looking about the area for a moment, he spoke up.

"Look, this is a Subway Station." He paused for a moment. "I had completely forgotten this kind of transportation existed. You could ride to anywhere in the city. People used to take it to go to work." His body shuttered slightly, lowering a fraction before continuing. "...I used to take it too, every morning after saying goodbye to my family at home."

Poor little thing, how alone he must feel, to realize and come to terms that he is perhaps the last remaining part of humanity. Sure, the robots where close, but they had changed. Evolved into something no one could have predicted, had seen what humanity did, adopted that into themselves and grew. Humanity may have died in this city, but the core aspects of what humans did, like create art, to build, and make homes for themselves even in the darkest of times and places lives on in the robots they left behind.

Truly a terrifying thought. To be the last, and seeing how far another had come in your place. A ghost from another time, trapped in a shell to small for you.

"...I remember. I was doing this for them. But they're gone now. It was so long ago. They wanted to see the Outside, but does that even matter anymore?" His little antenna lowered as his small mechanical voice warbled. How can the voice of a small drone sound so heartbroken, so lost?

"What happened to them? What happened to everyone?" A rather heavy pause followed, as he thought about the implications of what happened, how everything could have gone so wrong.

.
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"Anyway," he continued, clearly wanting to change the dreary subject, "we're near Midtown now, let's find this Clementine. We have a picture of her, we can show it to some of the Companions around here. Maybe they'll point us in the right direction."

And with that, the trio set off, pass the abandoned subway and up a dark stairwell, where at this point, Little Orange decided to go investigate a little nook set a bit off the main area, where a Companion sat, surrounded by books and wrapped in a blanket, watching as the little cat trotted right up to them, curious as always.
B12 in particular seemed to enjoy the potential conversation change, as he hovered in front of the bookshelf.

"There are so many books here! Look, 'The Turing Test Legacy, The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence'". I recognize some of these. Did I have a library?" He seemed more curious and less downtrodden about this, so hopefully the little drone will start feeling better about his past.

"I remember nothing was quite like the smell of books and the turn of a page. It was a feeling, almost like a comfort." At this, Orange started to purr, while trying to fish B12 out of the air, most likely for an impromptu cuddle session. And I have to agree with him. Both of them, in fact. Being able to read was a large comfort during the initial stages of being in this state of limbo, and when the books I had got too damaged to read anymore, it was heartbreaking.

Sometimes all we need in the moment is comfort, no matter the form it comes in. Whether that be the people we surround ourselves with, or the worlds inside the books we dive our minds into.

But B12 was not done talking it would seem, as he ducked from the little one's affection with a small chirping laugh, sounding almost like an old video game sound bite for a moment before he regained himself, and continuing to contemplate.

"Hey! I'm not done! As I was saying, a book was like spending time with someone, and you could spend as much time with them as you wanted, being able to reread and EEEKKK!" B12's monologue about the joys of literature was promptly cut short, as Little Orange leapt into the air, taking the drone down with him as he landed.

The robot that had been watching this go on let out a mechanical laugh, the screen showing an overjoyed grin as they watched the drone (rather unsuccessfully) attempt to escape the loving grasp of the fluffy orange cat, while the two tussled on the ground, small whirs and beeps interspersed with chirruping mews and purrs.
After a while, B12 was securely pinned underneath the fluffy chest of the feline, as both had ended up almost on top of the Companion who seemed content to watch the two wrestle even if their legs ended up becoming the battlefield for them. The robot had even taken a hand out of the blanket cocoon they had wrapped themselves in and had begun to pet the cat while letting out a pleased buzzing sound.

Despite how he fussed about how they needed to continue, and to find Clementine, B12 made no move to leave the paws of the Little Outsider, only flicking his antenna away when the cat tried licking them. As much as he tries to deny it and grouse about how they needed to move on, these cuddle sessions seemed to calm him down quite easily, and at this rate he could probably be introduced to the rest of the colony when they all leave the city, as B12 is most certainly going to smell like Little Orange instead of whatever was in this enclosed bubble of a city.

How ARE the rest of them fairing? I know they know how to take care of themselves, and what places to avoid, yet I can't help but worry for them. As much as I fuss over Little Orange, the rest of the family still need protecting! I protect ALL of them, and to be separated from them for so long is making me antsy. How long have we been in this dark place, with no way to tell how the time passes? All I want is to be back home, with my little family. But now, we also have friends. Friends who deserve to finally be free after being trapped in here for millennia. How have the robots here not gone mad? With no way to tell the passage of time, what do they do then?
Do they have holidays? How did they manage to count all those years without a way to tell the time? So many questions, but no way to find answers.

Perhaps Little Orange is right. We should take a moment to catch our barrings, and take this brief respite before we continue our hunt for the last Outsider.
And with that final thought, the ghost stood up to take a look at the bookshelf, hoping for something familiar, something easy enough to read while the other two cuddled together into the legs of the quite pleased robot. And when they found it, the book was slid into the floor beside the three, and for a while, all was calm.

With the only sounds being the purring and whirring of the cat and the two robots, and a soft sound of pages being turned, for a brief moment of time, everything was fine in the world. Or maybe the world had condensed into a small pocket of calm, with nothing more then the peaceful ambiance of comfort inside that little pocket of time.

Chapter Text

Waking up as a ghost was strange, because you don't exactly sleep in the normal sense of the word.

Its almost like the world fades away, yet the mind can stay aware. Sometimes it doesn't, but often the mind will wander off, then come back later, leading to a dream-like state.

Essentially, it is a daydream that ends up lasting for excessive amount of time.

So being abruptly awoken by the loud and impatient cry of the little furry cat was quite disorienting, almost like the world itself shifted with the sudden change.

But contemplating that would have to come later, as Little Orange and B12 were already off and away, trotting into the florescent neon lights of the city, passing some poor bot stuck endlessly mopping in front of a leaking pipe, grumbling about the never ending chore.

Up a few pipes, B12 was telling Little Orange about how he missed pillows and soda, being unable to feel or drink in the drone body.

But the rest of the dimly-lit little alleyway was full of interesting bots, one of them lamenting his previous bar he owned, before he got attacked.

A "Screwdriver to the knee" will certainly put someone out of commission. You kinda need those.

And across the way from the forlorn bot, was a little bar area, with a pool table, and many different Companions relaxing in the blue light of the establishment. Not to mention the two outside of it, seeming to be huffing WD40 and enjoying staring at the lights too much to be sober.

But that was not what got the cat's attention.

No, it was the trio of young bots off to the right, yelling angrily at some cameras, pitching an absolute FIT about something.

One in particular, with a loudspeaker for a head was busy screaming at a camera, apparently angered about someone watching behind the lens, and interrupting the music they were playing.

While Little Orange and B12 were talking to the disgruntled teens, I glanced up at the cameras, as I noticed the whirring of a lens zooming in.

If B12 said he saw me on the camera, perhaps whoever is watching can also see me.

With that in mind, taking the stairs seemed to be a better option than having a staring contest with a security camera, and so I followed the cat up the flight of stairs.

But before I could follow my cat, I overheard a conversation, with two bots fussing about a game.

"DUDE, what do you MEAN you forgot your character sheet??? I've been planing all week for this session!"

"I forgot where I put it. But let's play anyways! I venture into the cave ahead."

....."I hope you remember your stats. Inside the cave you hear an ominous cry, like a blown speaker trying to talk. What do you do?"

Robot D&D? Now I'm invested.

"I roll Investigation to determine the source of the sound!"

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"You forgot your dice, didn't you?"

"Perhaps! BUT, I can randomly determine a number between 1-20!"

"LAST TIME YOU DID THAT, YOU NEVER GOT BELOW AN 18 YOU LYING ******"

And the conversation, along with the game fell into chaos, as all D&D games do. This time around it was filled with enough censored out swears that the robot might have been speaking Morse code instead of swearing their lid off.

And it seemed to have perfect timing, as whatever Little Orange was up do was done, and the three kids downstairs are now playing loud and jazzy tunes out of the boombox the one carried. With the previously screaming one now dancing along.

Walking downstairs, the little mew of the cat was all that was heard before he started off again, eager to find the last Outsider.

At least, that's what I thought. Turns out they had wandered into a barber's shop, despite the fact that these robots lacked hair.

So I have no clue what the dude is doing to the other bot's head, aside from perhaps a stylish lobotomy.

Other interesting figures were a bot taking a nap on a couch with a cowboy hat, several bots that the cat decided to run underfoot and trip, along with the general consensus being that the local police force was awful, locking the robots up for several hundred years for minor or even nonexistent crimes.

Seems "ACAB" still exists even with humans gone. After all these years, has NO ONE tried to face those guys head on, or were the ones who did get arrested? (or even worse, KILLED)

If they weren't, I'm gonna, no questions asked.

Power to the people and all that, so while the cat scurried away once more, I focused on the annoying robocop in front of me, and SHOVED.

Granted, he only face-planted into the truck, but it was enough of a distraction for the driver to back up and skedaddle away without a ticket.

Small victories, after all.

The startled yelling of the "Peacekeeper" was soon drowned out by extremely loud and bass-boosted music, coming from a nearby shop. The sounds probably could be heard from the Sewers, that's how loud it was.

Whatever that cat was doing, it appeared as if he was causing another form of anarchy, in the form of loud techno being played from a shop.

But I would never know, as five minutes later, out came Little Orange, strutting in that smug fashion cats do when they have been up to something. Not sure WHAT all he had been up do, but I doubt it was too terribly violent.

But with a buzzing flourish and a "Follow us!" from B12, I followed after the speck of fluff in a sea of harsh edges and hard lines, with the only organic material being the plants in jars scattered across the way.

Soon we where back at the teenage hooligans, and aside from a friendly meow, the cat just went up the stairs, following the instructions on the back of the picture.

And it led to the most suspicious murder-shack looking apartment in history, with everything boarded up, and dubious oil stains splattered around the door.

Hope this building doesn't have a landlord, because they would be LIVID.

But know I'm wondering, what did Clementine DO? Why was she wanted? We had saw wanted posters, listing her as a fugitive with a literal bounty on her head.

(The picture they used of her was almost like a mugshot, with her head and screen covered in oil, and wielding a baseball bat threateningly, her expression one of glee in the photo.)

Did she kill someone? Use force against the Peacekeepers? Or had she glitched and gone mad, using pure violence as her only method of problem solving?

(That last one might have just been a rumor spread via the bots in the bar, but with the sketchy apartment, who KNOWS what she did.)

Hopping through the window, Little Orange had no regards to his potential safety inside the building, and just waltzed in like he owned the place, leaving a panicking ghost scrambling to follow before he gets hurt.

But before anyone could do anything, an orange and white Companion jumped from the shadows, holding a lamp as a weapon as the cat yowled and leaped into the air, fur fluffed up and hissing the entire time.

During that, the ghost ended up knocking a few boards loose in a desperate attempt to get closer and protect the small cat, but the robot stood down, glancing at the window before looking at the cat and speaking.

"I thought you were a Senti- Nevermind. Who ARE you?"

Chapter Text

"I thought you were a Senti- Nevermind. Who ARE you?"

Clementine was an odd Companion, blue screen showing an uneasy expression as she looked around, almost as if she expected danger to jump from any corner, a nervous whirring coming from her chest (like Momo while in the sewers) and she seemed most concerned with the boards from the window being dislogded, as she walked over and shoved the nails back into the wood with her hand.

Woah, she IS strong.

"What do you two want?"

And with that, B12 showed Clementine the picture they had kept, and she looked from it, to the two beings in front of her.

"Wait, so Zbaltazar finally decided to send someone?"

She looked the two over, her screen neutral, yet unimpressed with what she saw.

"I guess you're my new recruit. Your not very big. How did you even manage the sewers? You must be pretty resourceful, to have made it this far without being torn to shreds."

I'll take begrudging respect over total disregard, as this robot stands watching and contemplating my boys. Is she always so blunt with her speaking, or is she just having an off day? Either way, I hope she straightens up. No need to be rude to my boys.

"Ive been looking for a way to the Outside ever since I left Antvillage, but those blasted Sentinels are always watching. You can't hardly escape the stupid things if they decide to swarm you. But now you two are here, and can help. Follow me."

Only the cat and drone decided NOT to do that, and instead started meandering around her (rather wall decorated) apartment. While those two were up to that, I decided to see what Clementine was doing, and maybe see about a small prank, just to get rid of the tension in the air.

What I saw was her standing in front of a wall, with photos strung up with red string, lettering on the wall, and various notes of the surrounding areas.

She's as bad as Doc when it comes to obsessions, and this seems rather obsessive.

Clementine stood unaware, waiting for the sounds of the little cat approaching. But instead, all she got was silence.

Well, silence, and her hat getting knocked right off her head and into an empty bathtub.

With a surprised yelp, Clementine looked around, before grabbing a baseball bat covered in dubious stains, with nails protruding from the end, snarling at the air like a cornered animal.

"WHO'S THERE? I'M WARNING YOU, I'M NOT AFRAID TO SWING!"

Oops, looks like I spooked her. Now to figure out how to calm down an agitated and armed robot.

So I walked over to a small radio, and tried to figure out if I could play something, or just amplify my humming. Singing to Little Orange and his littermates always calmed them down, certainly this would as well, right?

Thankfully, if I thought REALLY HARD about a tune or song I wanted to project, it came out of the radio, but it took a bit out of me, and seemed a little more warped than I remembered.
So I played a gentle tune, and while the guitar was mixed with my hums, it wasn't TOO terribly bad, in my humble opinion.

Seems it didn't have quite the calming affect I had hoped for, as all she did was stare at the radio, and swing down right beside it, aiming like she thought something was near it. (she was right) And she continued to swivel her head around, screen showing nervous sweat and narrowed eyes, as she continued to heft her bat threateningly.

But all her shouting had brought the two little ones trotting inside, chirping and bleeping with concern, and B12 floated up to her eye level to ask what was wrong.

"...Miss Clementine, what's the matter? We heard you shout, and got worried."

What a polite little guy. I love that little drone to bits. Such a sweetheart.

"I'll tell you what's wrong. Something tossed my hat and started messing with my radio. I SWEAR if those Sentinels have made it in here, I won't hesitate to turn the ***** things into scrap metal!"

Perhaps it WASN'T a good idea to prank the bot that has had less than stellar run-ins with the police and is literally living in a boarded up apartment. Oops.

"Please, it is not a Sentinel, it is our friend! They are a spirit, and they follow the little one wherever he goes!"

All that got in return was a blank stare and nervous whirring from the orange and white bot, as she started to glance around the room, now even MORE on edge.

"I assure you they mean no harm! They have done similar things to others, including trying to eat Momo's hat!"

"....He still has that stupid thing?"

Lowering her bat, she glared at the two in front of her, before turning back to her board, muttering how "no one told her there was paranormal ****** involved with this" before she looked down at the cat and drone.

"I've been working on a way to open up the Old Subway for a while now. I even have the keys to start it, but all we need left is an Atomic Battery to power the thing."

Impressive, she must have been working on this for a while.

"I know Neco Corporation has one secured inside their factory. I even have a contact who can help us infiltrate them."
"I don't know his name, but he's the bot with a bomber jacket and a gold chain. Take this message to him."

Well, how tiny is this place if you can identify someone like that? Or maybe this guy ONLY wears that. I used to be like that when I was alive. Went through a phase where all I would wear is this neon green and pink wind jacket. Then again, most of these bots have similar fashion to each other, so maybe he stands out more.

"Someone small and swift like you should have no trouble sneaking into the factory. Plus, you seem to have backup anyways, so I believe you have the best chance for success."

Aw, how nice. She seems to be feeling better after talking this out to someone.

"One last thing. Don't hesitate to ask for help. This city is full of information, and Companions willing to talk. For better, or for worse."

As we turned to leave, she looked back at us and spoke once more, face serious.

"Just stay clear of the Sentinels."

Chapter Text

Welp.

That was.... A lot.

And Little Orange seems to agree somewhat, from how he is staring up at me after we left the world's sketchiest apartment after talking to Clementine, looking mildly concerned. (as much as a cat can)

So now we have to go find some random robot in the city wearing some sort of jacket and a necklace. How helpful of a description.

With that in mind, I thought, "What is a place where others like to give out information to strangers?"

The bar.

Thankfully, the bar was rather close to the apartments, and with a soft call to the cat, we started off, in search of either our man, or someone who knows him.

At least, that WAS the plan. Initially.

We might have already briefly stopped here, but I never noticed the radio! And how could I resist playing some tunes, since the last bar I tried that in failed.

So while Little Orange ran about, doing who knows what, I approached the funky looking radio near the wall that was playing some rather bland song.

I expected better from a futuristic society of robots, but I guess this bar prefers something more akin to elevator music. Oh well, that just means I can spice things up, and the main "spice" these folks seem to have is flour.

At least there is plenty of electricity for me to draw from, so it wont be TO terribly draining, at least for now. So while there might not be any songs to select like with the jukebox, I should in theory be able to at least project a song I know very well, and hope no one notices the parts I miss.

Now, what song do I play??

Oh.

OH.

I have the PERFECT song! Perhaps it is a LITTLE mean to do to these poor bots, but a ghost's gotta have SOME fun while trying to open a city!
Now if I lean the antenna JUST so......

....

With a crackle of static, the radio had changed from what was playing before, to a loud and jarring song, startling the bots near it, and making the bartender jump and almost drop the cup they held, but after a while of hearing it, they seemed to settle, some even bopping along to the tune, pleased with the change of pace. The one at the pool table even started to do a little dance!

And then the song faded out.

Until the same song started up again.

And while most seemed not to realize, a couple took notice. A little bit of "Hey, doesn't this song seem rather, long?"
But it rose no further attention. After all, the song that played before was made to loop, although it didn't have lyrics. But surely, this was no cause for concern.

By the third time the song played, everyone was aware that either the song has now been played THREE TIMES, or it is just a VERY. LONG. SONG. And now some of them were getting annoyed, and went to go fiddle with the radio, in an attempt to get it to change.

It failed.

Seven times the same song looped on the radio. Several had gone to mess with it in a vain attempt to change the station. The bartender had unplugged it. Someone had put it in a box on the top shelf.

But the song continued.

It was only with the mostly unnoticed arrival of the cat and drone, did the song finally fizzle out, and the bar was dead silent.

Nobody dared to make a sound, all watching the box that held the radio.

Until a new song came on, a jaunty little bop about it being "Not unusual"

AND THE SIGH OF RELIEF. THAT SWEPT THROUGH THE BUILDING. EVERYONE FELT AS THOUGH THE SUFFERING THEY HAD ENDURED WAS OVER. THE RADIO WAS FIXED.

And things seemed normal after that, the song played, and the cat walked towards the exit, followed by a drone that if anyone were to look closer, would see looked exasperated.

No one noticed that shadow that crept along the walls once the song finished, or how the dial changed ever so subtly before it to, vanished.

But everyone outside and within a mile ALL noticed the groans of despair, screeches of agony, and censored out swears that emanated from the bar. All while a playful song played, about a cat? Why would they be so mad??

And walking down the street, was a cat, a drone, and an all-too pleased ghost, still giggling about what they had caused.

"Are you proud of yourself?" B12 was less then impressed.

All he got in return was a soft flick to his antenna, and the faint sound of laughter.

Yes, yes they WERE proud of themselves.

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None of them noticed the Peacekeeper, watching from the street. And none of them noticed how it lifted a small radio to its head and spoke into it.

*ZZZT ANOMALY SPOTTED OUTSIDE BAR. PREPARE THE ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE DEVICES*

Chapter Text

Turns out finding the bot with the bomber jacket and necklace was easier than expected, as he was hanging out in the most suspicious place possible. (aside from Clementine's murdershack of an apartment.)

Where was that, you may ask?

In an alleyway, reading a newspaper.

Well, more like "reading" a newspaper, as it was upside down.

I'm uncertain if he is pretending to read because he is illiterate, or if he is just trying to appear busy to avoid talking to anyone. Either way, it failed.

He glanced over at Little Orange and B12 before turning back to his newspaper with a grunt of "I'm busy, what do you want?"

How rude. I KNOW you aren't reading that thing.

B12 then handed him the note from Clementine, and that seemed to get his attention as he folded up his paper asking us where we got it.

(We stole it from the Peacekeepers, clearly. This guy clearly didn't read the note, as I assume it tells him what he needs to know.)

"Oh, your with the Outsi... my contact?"

If he's trying to keep the Outsiders a secret, he's failing.

"Let me brief you on the Atomic Battery."

Walking over to a passageway, he peered around the corner, looking into a greenlit area with a gate, the sounds of heavy machinery distant but distinct.

"The battery is powering the Neco Corp factory right there, but the whole place is restricted and heavily guarded. They check every person who enters and turn away anyone who is not a worker."

Welp. That puts a damper in our plans. Maybe I could possess a worker? I haven't possessed anyone in so long, I'm afraid I might kill them if I tried!

I may have killed the Zurks that went after my little ones, but to actually harm or kill one of these robots? Even on accident or from my possession, I can't do that!

They haven't done anything. They just want to survive. (they want to LIVE)

I don't want to anyone, to treat someone like a means to an end.

The robot had been talking, not like I knew what he was saying, as lost in my thoughts as I was. So when I looked back to see what he was doing, I noticed him replacing his goofy jacket with a stupidly bright red vest, tucking both the jacket and chain into a large box, hidden behind other boxes.

Where did the vest come from? Did B12 and Little Orange have it? When did they get that? Or the orange helmet???? Did they buy it?

WHEN DID WE GET ANY MONEY???

"These are great. A little snug around the waistline, but it'll do."

PARDON?????

Bro, you are a RECTANGLE. WHAT WAISTLINE?????

Clearly B12 and Little Orange had been up to something while I was busy, but the longer I listen, the more confused I get.

"Okay, hop in this box, and I'll sneak you across the checkpoint."

Didn't they check everyone? Will a vest and helmet work?

I remember when humans first started making robots, the AI systems could be fooled rather easily. But these are PEOPLE, how would this work???

This is never going to work.

Oh. It worked.

I couldn't understand what was being said, my nonexistent pulse filling my ears, as I stood waiting for the alarm to be raised, so I could grab my boys and get out.
But the robot just let us in.

I guess if you act like you belong, no one seems to think twice. Another way these robots are more like humanity.

WHY DID HE SET THE BOX DOWN ALL OF TWO FEET INSIDE THE FACTORY??? DOES HE WANT THEM TO BE CAUGHT????

I lightly kicked the box, to try and get them moving before the other robot inside could notice them, and off Little Orange went, crouched low to the ground and scuttling underneath the gate I was at, waving my arms to get his little kitty attention.

But those BLASTED SENTINELS are in the way!

Little Orange and B12 can scoot past them no problem, but somehow they always seem to focus on me, and turn red before I manage to overload their systems and power them off.
But I can't do that for every one of them! This place is crawling with the stupid things! And that's WHEN I try and make myself invisible to cameras!

All I can do is slowly make my way past, inching through the water where they don't bother to scan, and try not to be spotted.

Welp. It has been all of five minutes, and I have already lost my boys.

In my defense, trying to inch past these stupid robot guard dogs is MUCH easier when you are not bipedal.

I can hear gates being opened, and sometimes the odd echoing mew, but for each hallway I walk down, I swear I have already been down!

This place is a maze, and I'm surprised I made it back to the entrance. I suppose I will have to wait here, and make sure nothing happens to our exit. The robot who snuck us in is gone, probably to watch from outside and make sure nothing compromises us.

Wait, why did the doors close? And what's with the alarms?

Did they get it? Where are they???

WHERE ARE MY LITTLE ONES??????

Chapter Text

Little Orange wasn't sure what just happened.

All he remembers was taking the battery, then the loud noises started. Horrible wailing and the sound of grinding metal.

B12 had said they needed to hurry, before they were caught. But where was the Tall Shadow? The one that followed them all this time? Were they still in the building?

Were they looking for him?

Little Orange could only follow B12, and loop back around to the front, by the alleyway they had found Blazer. Where he ran off to no one knew. But that's okay.

He would wait by the doors for his shadow to come out. He would call out for them with the little mew he knew would bring them running. The others could wait.

He needed his Tall Shadow, and everything would be alright.

Neither cat or drone noticed the Companion watching from behind the same wall they recently passed, screen showing a question mark, wondering why the little one had yet to go find Clementine now that it had the battery.

That question mark turned into a nervous expression once it heard another noise coming from the factory.

The sound of the worker bots and Sentinels inside screeching in fear and pain.
Just what was going on in there?

Anger.

Pain.

Fear.

Where were they? Where could they have gone? I can hear Little Orange, his cries making me even more frantic to find him. (he is right outside, if you bothered to look.)

The other robots in the factory mean nothing to the spirit, not even bothering to think twice before darting right through them. (not even caring how they cry out and short-circuit because of how worked up you are.)

All they could do is sprint through the halls in search of the two, not noticing how the robots in the factory are being affected by the angered ghost, electricity sparking through any unfortunate enough to get caught in the way.

They didn't notice how the alarms had drawn the attention of the Peacekeepers, who stopped short at the sight of the bodies laying haphazardly on the ground, some still sparking and twitching.

Or how the Peacekeepers readied shots from tasers, willing to use force.

All it noticed was a faint cry from the little one it had protected for all those years. The cat it had followed into the dark and dangerous walled city. Everything else was just white noise.

As for the Peacekeepers, all they saw was a vague shape in the flickering light, a looming shadow that seemed to absorb all the light from around it, stretching the darkness farther than it should go.

They saw the tasers and stun guns do nothing to it, the electricity almost seeming to get absorbed by the figure as the lights above flashed and sparked dangerously, close to going out completely.

In between the flickers of light, the shadow had vanished, having gone straight through the wall in search of the feline. The lights stopped flashing, slightly dimmer than before. Drained of power, just like the Companions it had faced. The only thing keeping the lights on was the generator the ghost had drawn from, leaving it with a frantic energy that it needed to burn off, before it hurt someone. (it already had)

It never noticed how the Peacekeepers tried to follow it, or how various cameras followed it as it passed through the walls, not caring for whoever it ran into. All it did was walk through the walls until it was outside the factory, only noticing how the light had changed from the florescent lights to neon signs, with the ground being wet.

If anyone were to walk by, they would see sparks of electricity arching from puddle to puddle, almost as if it was walking. Occasionally sparking up the shape of a body, sometimes the form of a shadowy figure would flash along with the electricity, making a ghastly sight for anyone to behold. The air charged with the smell of ozone that none of the robots could notice.

But the cat did.

The little cat that had been outside waiting for this very spirit, heard the sparks and smelled the charge in the air.
He turned to look behind him, with B12 hovering beside him, buzzing nervously from the amount of static in the surrounding air, as both watched the form approach.

Little Orange trotted up with a purr, not caring for how his fur stood on end, and B12 spoke of needing to find Clementine, but seemed relieved to have found the spirit, despite the rocky start, he too had grown fond of it.

And all three of them headed to the apartments together, none aware of the form that darted away and behind another building.

All the scared Companion could do is hide away from what he had just saw, display showing a terrified expression. He was beginning to have doubts about this whole deal, but he couldn't dip out now, least he be arrested himself.

All he could do is shake at the idea that his plan would leave him face first with the demon that followed the little outsider around, the cursed figure made of shadow and electricity that the little one approached with no fear.

No one had told him this plan would end with him one the business end of that monstrosity straight out of a horror novel, a beast made of lighting and darkness, stealing the life away from unlucky Companions.

Just what had he gotten himself into?

Chapter Text

Walking through the city was no problem for a cat, with it being so small that many failed to even notice the little thing as it scurried about underfoot, sometimes causing a Companion to trip, but otherwise unnoticed.

Less could be said for the spirit, sparking dangerously with electricity and not even able to keep its own form from flashing into view with how much energy was pent up in it. When they tried to walk into the street normally, many stopped and stared at the sparks jumping from puddle to puddle, the wet environment conducting the charges much more than normal.

And that was before they even passed the first Companion.

Passing too close to the large metal frames caused the bots to get shocked, static coursing through them hard enough to cause them to collapse into a reboot.

And drawing the attention of more Peacekeepers and Sentinels.

So it was agreed that the ghost would follow from a distance, from the rooftops. At least if they were up high, there was less of a chance of accidentally shocking an innocent Companion.

That plan worked, until they made it to the apartment complex where they were supposed to meet back up with Clementine.

Because the place had been locked down, and was being searched by the Sentinels. While the spirit was able to make it's way through the walls and try to find the missing Outsider, Little Orange was slipping past the guards, making his way to the apartment.

(No one noticed a Companion watching through a window, before making their way down and out of the complex.)

Getting inside the apartment was the easy part, after calling out for it, it seems that Clementine had left a coded message, instead of leaving a normal note when she left. At least the pictures she drew were of obvious items in her rooms. But she could have just left a regular note like a normal person.

Little Orange and B12 went to go follow the note's instructions, while the ghost stood watch by the door.

As much as they would like to help search, it would be rude to scorch Clementine's place while they looked. Even if she had to leave a scavenger hunt to try to figure out what she said.

Sentinels would slowly hover past, blue light scanning for anything out of the ordinary, and in an attempt to get rid of some of the pent up electricity, the ghost went and shocked the one that kept patrolling in front of the apartment.

It screeched before falling to the ground with a solid thump, lights going out and wings folding up until it looked more like a sphere than anything that could fly around.

Shocking it did nothing more than dampen the edge that the spirit felt, still full to the brim of electricity and having nothing to fully get rid of it, at least without drawing the attention of the law enforcement sitting right outside the complex.

It was only with B12 hovering close, speaking about how they had figured out the note did the ghost snap out of its thoughts, before turning and following the two little ones out of the apartment and down the street.

Question was, what kind of place to meet up is a nightclub? Why not a the bar or an alleyway or something? Why a place with so many Companions?

Welp. All that fuss, just for the bouncer to not let us in.

That seemed not to deter Little Orange, who just walked around the building, most likely to find another way in.
I just walked through the wall, like anyone who is not constrained by physics.

Inside the nightclub was a cacophony of light and noise, loud music being played as Companions danced and.... drank? Not sure of WHAT they are drinking, but it might be the stuff inside of those funny little glowsticks.

Thankfully, no one noticed either the cat, or the static charge in the air caused by the ghost, as the inside was so chaotic, that neither was given a second thought by anyone inside the establishment.

And it seemed that the Companion from earlier, with the funky jacket had reserved the VIP lounge for us. How nice of him, as the main floor had quite a few Companions on it. Including one with a sick glowing dragon mask, seemingly having a dance-off against a robot with a yellow puff jacket, literally doing the Robot dance.

How creative. At least the others dancing seem to have better moves than yellow-jacket guy.

While Little Orange was harassing the different dancers on the floor, the ghost decided to fiddle around with the turntable the DJs were at.

They had never had the chance to mess with one of these while they were alive, might as well take advantage of the chance now!

And fiddle they did, while they had to be careful, least they accidentally break it with the sparks, they managed to play a few bars and play with the disks before they noticed the light fixtures in the ceiling moving, with Little Orange hopping across to the room above.

Floating upwards towards the cat, they also noticed a drunk Companion in a top hat, grumbling about how he doesn't understand why everyone hates the Sentinels.

Just great, someone who likes the police state.

But there was no time to pay attention to him, as a warning yowl from Little Orange came from the room up ahead before the door slammed shut.

Not that it could stop the ghost.

Darting forward was a shocking sight, with Clementine bound to a chair, with the Companion from earlier standing by the door, watching the cat and drone with a blank
expression.

"Two birds with one stone. You're not as clever as you look, little cat. Anyway, nothing personal. Business is business."

As the Companion walked towards a struggling Clementine, he continued to talk, as if he could talk his way out of any judgement. (He was worried about the entity that follows the cat, not the cat itself.)

"Business is money. And I value money way more than friendship or camaraderie."

Betrayal. That's what this was. A cold-hearted, merciless betrayal.

It was his parting words that made the spirit realize that they were no longer alone with the backstabbing robot.

And what made them see red.

"They are all yours."

Chapter Text

"They are all yours."

Blazer felt he did a good job of hiding his nerves, despite his fear of the monster that stalked behind the small cat. Especially with the Sentinels coming out from a side room to hurry and capture the lot of them.

That was before he noticed the shadows along the walls growing longer and darker, like grasping digits grabbing every flicker of light they could, leaving behind the glow from the robots in the room, and the faint light from the single window. Oppressive darkness that was a heavy as the metal they were made of.

And the sparks forming in a bipedal shape looming out of the darkness brought sharp flashes of light, lightning dragged down to earth and given form, leaving a cold chill of dread felt by everyone in the room.

Or perhaps it was a literal cold chill, as the ambient temperature of the room plummeted, frost emanated from the figure in an ever-growing circle, slowly creeping towards the cat and drone, encircling the two in the ice work lattice as both the cat's breath and the external vents from the robots steamed and fogged in the air, reflecting the sparse lighting and leaving a horrid glow that cast strange, ever-moving shadows.

The figure itself stood behind the cat and drone, looking like a bodyguard, if a bodyguard was made out of pure malice and darkness, sparks dancing across its body as it stared the offending robots down. Its body stooped slightly in a widened stance, clearly ready to launch towards the group at the slightest provocation. A predator prepared to pounce on the quivering prey.

And the worst part! The worst part was that the cat went and ducked behind that cursed demon, the little drone vanishing into the backpack it wore as both took cover behind the monster of darkness and electricity.

The only sounds in the room was the nervous hum from the robots in the room, and an increasingly loud growling from the figure, an animalistic snarl that sent shivers down the spines of anyone who heard it. No one dared to speak, least they goad the figure into action.

The first one to break the silence was that cat, making a small, pathetic noise as it stared at the Sentinels.

That one small noise was enough to cause the looming shadow to move, stalking forward as the Sentinels whirred into action, tasers charging and preparing to shoot.

Only one managed to get a shot off before it was ruthlessly yanked from the air, electricity arcing from the demon as it was grabbed and ripped apart. Metal screeching as it was forcefully bent the wrong way, gears grinding against the outside force before it sparked and fell lifelessly to the ground, discarded like a broken toy.

The second one just managed to call for backup before it received the same treatment as the other, wires ripped apart as easily as muscle and cast to the side.

Blazer was the only one left.

Granted, Clementine was also present, but she was tied to a chair and frozen in terror at the sight before her, expression one of fear as she watched the display before her.

She was also allied with the monster in the room. But at the moment, she was uncertain if that was enough to keep her safe from it's rage.

That, and Blazer was standing behind the chair Clementine was strapped into, and the beast was approaching rapidly.

As it stalked forwards, the growls and sounds of electricity sparking grew louder, frost covering the ground as it walked.

It was a vision of horror, and the two Companions were stuck watching, held fast by fear (and ropes, in Clementine's case.)

Blazer was the one to move, and he tried to make a run for the window, clearly hoping to escape the monster that held him in its sights.
He didn't even make it halfway across the room before he was grabbed, the shadow having leaped towards him as he tried to leave. As it grabbed him by the leg, electricity leaping across his frame caused him to spasm, dropping onto the ground and helpless to the beast that dragged him closer to the darkness that made up it's form.

Blazer's limp frame was hauled across the floor, at the mercy of a creature with no fear and no care for what happens now.

Limbs jerked out of place, and static filled screams filled the room, loud enough that someone most certainly heard him, but the beast did not stop. Metal peeled back like a macabre fruit peel as oil dripped from the wounds, display flashing between a terrified face and visible errors as his body was pinned in place and ripped apart slowly, all while electricity sparked and danced across his metal body in bright flashes sporadically and the smell of heated metal and ozone filled the room along with smoke from the slowly deteriorating form of the Companion on the floor.

In a way, the electricity seemed to almost cauterize the wounds keeping the leaking to a minimal, but that only meant that Blazer would not have an emergency shut-down for longer, as he was not losing enough fuel to cause a shut-down. Instead, he was trapped by the thing he dreaded as soon as he saw it, stuck until either he shut down, was decommissioned by this thing, or by some cosmic grace, Peacekeepers could come in and save him from the nightmare in front of him.

The nightmare would continue for what felt like an eternity, as the beast flayed him, ripped and tore at his wiring, all while snarling as his body was iced over, a burning cold that despite his frame overheating from the many errors he was experiencing, kept him frozen to the floor as the being attempted to turn him inside-out. Slowly the burning started to fade, as his wires became too damaged to correctly register feeling, and Blazer started losing enough fuel to begin the shut-down process.

It only stopped when the cat yowled in fear as the door was forced open, Sentinels flying in and heading towards the cat, as Peacekeepers flooded the room, tasers drawn and shouting demands.

As the cat was knocked unconscious by the Sentinels, the spirit lost interest in Blazer, as a new threat had appeared. As it charged forwards, the cat and drone had been placed into a charged net and were being carried away as the spirit lashed out.

Only the ones carrying out the captured duo managed to escape the electric outburst, just barely. As the room was filled with a scream of rage, electricity arced across the room dangerously, as everyone was caught in a web of lightning and anger. Peacekeepers sparked and fell to the ground, Sentinels shuddered and collapsed into spheres, even Clementine was forced backwards in her chair, toppling over onto her back as she was forced into a reboot.

As the robots in the room rebooted, the spirit was silent. That final temper tantrum had drained it, and it could do nothing more than watch as some of the robots it electrocuted rebooted, as not all of them survived the charge. Bodies were transported, with Clementine being carried in the chair to a large truck, and the scorched frame of Blazer was carried out on a stretcher, as their was no way anyone could attempt to carry him normally.

The ghost watched with a tired gaze, and stood up, walking to the window and going to the street, starting to follow the truck that contained Clementine and the little one.

There was still work to do, and no one could take the babies without facing the wrath of the wraith.

Chapter Text

Clementine was in shock. There was no other way to put it.

First she had hope for the Outsider's plan to open the walled city, as the little one had made it this far and seemed no worse for wear.
Then she had been betrayed by someone she thought she was on their side, wanting to open up the city and see the world. Instead, she had been held hostage and arrested for going against the tyrannic police-state that is Midtown.

Then she watched that same person be ripped apart by darkness given form. She might not have had the most pleasant thoughts towards Blazer after the stunt he had just pulled, but seeing him pulled open and shredded while she could do nothing but watch in horror was too much.

Was this a dream? A nightmare that she just needed to wake up from? It didn't feel real, and despite not needing to breathe, it felt like she was drowning.
Could a Companion drown in their own thoughts? Could they be overwhelmed by emotion and suffocate regardless of if she actually needed air?

Everything was too much, and she was alone. B12 had been shut down and was surrounded by Sentinels, and the cat was placed in a cell far away from her.
Even the ghoul that followed the cat was gone, as it had disappeared when they were detained. She didn't know where it was, and that was a more frighting thought then the others bouncing around her processor.

She wasn't even sure what had attacked him. B12 had called it a spirit, ghost, or a protector.

Clementine called it a monster.

She was already unnerved by it poking at her when she meet the little group, not liking the idea of an unseen entity in her home, but now it had tortured someone in front of her! (She heard rumors about an attack on the factory where they stole the Atomic Battery, and she could only assume it was that cursed shadow monster that did all the damage. So many workers had fried circuits and scorching on them, the repair drones were being overloaded trying to fix them all)

Everything was going wrong, and all she could do is watch.

She could hardly move, frozen in paranoia and filled with dread that the specter will show up and finish the rampage that it started back in the nightclub. Every sound was enough to put her on edge, from the hum and flicker of the lights to the pipes rattling above her.

She might be one of the Outsiders, but she feared that an alliance would not be enough to spare her should the ghost set it's sights on her. All she could do is sit and hope that if (when) the spirit finds her, it would make her end quick.

She was only startled out of her stupor when she heard the small mew of the little Outsider. He was standing outside her cell, without the little vest or drone that she was used to seeing with the feline. With newfound hope that the cat could help her out, she tried telling it where to go to try and find the keys.

The cat didn't respond. Without B12, he could not understand a word she spoke.

So she pointed towards where the Sentinel that had the keys left, and hoped that the unusually smart cat would understand. Surely if he could get out, he could help Clementine escape, right?

The cat might have been smart, but it was still a cat, and despite seeing what she needed, it decided to walk between the cell bars and demand pets. It had just been through quite a fright, and didn't have the two beings that gave it the most comfort. All Little Orange wanted was affection, no matter what.

So Clementine sat, with a purring cat on her lap, and the keys nowhere in sight. For a moment, things might not have been good, but they were peaceful, if only for a moment.

But all things must come to an end, and soon the Little Outsider was back on a mission. A mission to get his little drone friend back. He had already adopted B12 as an honorary cat, and as part of the family. With Little Orange back on the hunt for his friend, things will start looking better.

They had to.

What would they do if things didn't get better?

How long could the cat last without a proper supply of food?

How long before the rest of the colony forgot about him?

All he wanted to do was go home. He wanted to sleep with his family in the cuddle piles he loved so dearly, he wanted to loaf in the sun and forget about the troubles of life. He wanted the safety and familiarity of HOME.

He wanted his family.

He wanted to be safe.

And somewhere, outside the prison a spirit stood and stared. A shadow with one goal in mind:

G̶͈̼̱̹̠̖̫̐̾́̃͌̽e̷͔͆̔̎͐͘͘t̴̨̥͇̗̼͚͚̖̥̯̉ ̴̧̱̟͚̘̼̻̤̽̊̍́̈́͊̈́͛̓̚͝b̶̥̯̓̋́̔̐̿̀̊͐͊a̵̡͖͈̬̰̝̎̇̎̊́̑̏c̸̥̎͜k̶̢̯͓̥̯̥̼̰̹̦̀̎͌̄͒̚͜ ̷̠̬̝͓͌̍̏́͘w̶̢̛͉̱̘̭̩͙̠̦̜̰̓ḥ̶̟̤͍̏͋̆͒͒̓̀͒̆̏͝a̷̧͇̫̩̦̻̖̪̤̙͌́̏̓͝ṫ̶̯̬̖̯̘̓̊͑'̵̢̹̠̻̩̗̻̠̖̯̿̉͗ŝ̸̢̘̼̘͇ ̸̛̘͕̝͎͓̳̹̐͛͊͑ͅm̸̨͕̙̿̔̎̄̚͝ͅi̷̧̛͎̗̙̥̼̮̲͕̹̔̍͛̂̚͘n̷̤̮͖̽̄͗̀e̵͔͎̲̼͇̹̋͋͋̆̅̀͋̂̆̌͠.̸͈͎̋͗́͛̉̑̅̊͒̍͘

Chapter Text

Burning candle, light the way for us. Guide us through the night and chase away the monstrous. Keep away those that would cause harm, for few dare to step within your arm's reach.

Burning candle, who's light softly glowed, and who's light shone when no one else could, how long can you burn? You have given us so much but how can we give back?

Burning candle, what do you want? What can we give to the thing that kept us warm and safe when the world was cold and dark?

Burning candle, small and bright, we can give you fuel. We bring back fuel for ourselves, why not you?

Burning candle, in the night, we bring you what we can. Tinder and twigs and all things that burn, so that you may not have to yearn.

A tragedy then struck, and it looked like the candle had been snuffed out. Gone was the warmth and safety of the light.
They didn't know the flame was in a place of constant night, where warmth and light was scarce, and it had followed one of the pack.
It wanted to go home, but first it must do as a candle does and light the way.

Campfire campfire, shining through the dark, burning ever brighter to keep back the dangers that lurk.
Danger is all around, so you must burn ever brighter and hotter to drive it away. A circle of light that means safety for those inside.

Campfire campfire, smell of smoke and wood, you would protect everyone if you could. Keep everyone inside the light you provide so that the danger cannot get inside.
You can't save everyone, yet you continue to burn. A campfire is a home-away-from-home, and you are determined to see this through the night.

But sometimes a campfire grows into a bonfire, then a raging forest fire. Was it a stray spark? was it someone who got too close to the flames? Something happened, and now the fire has grown larger and roars with a fiery fury. What happens when a source of warmth and protection becomes the danger?

Roaring flame, so loud and blinding, you wanted only to protect and now you are what causes harm. Devouring all you touch, what were you trying to stop before you lost control?

Roaring flame, who's heat scorches those who once sought you out, why do you continue this rampage? how can you stand by and watch those around you crumble to ashes? What will be left in the wreckage you brought?

But even the most dangerous forest fires come to an end, with little left but smoldering ashes and stray sparks to drift in the wind. What happens when the fire is all but burnt out?

Smoldering ash, look what you have become. You were once the guiding light, and now you are hardly more than a flicker under the ruin you caused. How many have you burned in your blinding burning rage?

Smoldering ash, so cold and dim, how could you think that burning brighter and hotter could protect them? Before you were a candle, a symbol of hope and light in the darkness, but you burnt yourself bigger and brighter. Now there is hardly any left.

Smoldering ash, how will you make it home? Will you even survive the trip back? Could you be coaxed back into the burning candle you once were? Or are you a dying star, bright and deadly and oh so far. All you wanted was to keep them warm and safe but you became the danger you tried to hard to drive away.

The last remains of the great flame flickered and shuddered, heartbroken at what it had done. All it wanted was to go home, and keep its little sparks safe. But now all it can see is ruin and those it hurt.

Smoldering ash, there is still hope, for after the fire comes new growth. Things might be grim, but even dim is better than purely dark. You still have some life in you, despite the death you have caused.

Flicker of hope, spark of light, can you go forward and make things right?

Chapter Text

The prison was a rather unpleasant place, with leaky pipes dripping water everywhere, and it being a dingy mess that hardly anyone could walk down without tripping.

But a ghost could wander the halls just fine. (I deserve to wander forever)

And that's what it did, walk the halls searching for the two little ones it cared for enough to harm so many others. The spirit was slowly coming out of its shock, and was trying its best to find the two before it collapsed in despair at what it had done. (What have I done???)

How many had it hurt? KILLED? How many had to suffer at the hand of the ghost? All it wanted was to collect the little ones and go home, pretend it HADN'T just gone on a rampage hurting and killing innocent civilians in a panic-fueled rage. (I can't take it back)

Sentinels would fly past, light scanning for anything that moved (didn't they used to notice me?)

In the distance, the sound of grating metal could be heard, a low groan of something metallic scraping. (it reminds me of the nightclub incident) and the sound of echoing footsteps before more loud creaking added to the noises of the place. (Was that Clementine or a Peacekeeper?)

Creaks, footsteps and occasional meows were all the spirit had to guide it towards its goal, but for each room it passed through, the weaker it felt. Having used up so much energy in the violent fit earlier, it hardly had enough energy to keep moving, let alone interact with anything in a meaningful way. (I haven't felt this weak in a millennia)

Helpless and alone, the ghost could do nothing more than keep walking. Room after room it searched, feeling colder and colder with each passing moment it didn't rest (I don't deserve to rest after what I did).

Soon, it came across a large room, with a glowing red cube of electric energy in the middle. Inside the cube was B-12, still and unresponsive to anything around the cube that held him prisoner. (HE'S TRAPPED)

Moving forwards and placing a hand on the cube, the ghost focused despite the struggle to just stay present. It had to do this, to do SOMETHING to help after what it did. (I'm a monster)

Focusing on the energy field, the ghost started to slowly siphon the electricity away from the cube and into itself. Drawing energy this way was more painful than passively absorbing, but it needed the energy should this escape go poorly (it had to keep itself together. For them.)

The lights overhead started to flicker, but along with the red glow dimming, nothing much seemed to happen from the outside.

With the ghost however, things were not looking good. As it tried to absorb some of the electricity to give itself more power (more danger) it was slowly hurting itself as each moment passed (I deserve to hurt).

Burning cold pain shot through it's hand, sharp as knifes as it focused, gritting its non-existent teeth through the pain. It couldn't do anything else but cry as it tried to drain the cell enough to grab B-12 and get him far away from the cube.

But that never happened. The spirit was held fast with pain, unable to move and hardly able to cry out as it felt itself being ripped part from the inside, the energy being too much for its weakened form to contain.

If it did this for much longer, there might not be anything left of the ghost.

But the longer the ghost tried to drain the cube, the more dramatic the light show became, with the lights flashing in time with each pull, the cameras violently shaking, Sentinels flying about and the sound of the spirit groaning out in pain as it continued.

It only stopped when the cube suddenly vanished, with the little drone falling lifelessly to the ground with a small thump. Within moments, Little Orange darted onto the elevated platform, grabbing B-12 gently before running and leaping onto a windowsill, looking backwards as if to lead the ghost somewhere.

And lead he did. Through an office and in a corridor stood Clementine, crouched by the wall and watching as the cat walked forwards and placed B-12 on the ground as he rebooted.

B-12 hovered in front of Little Orange, who mewed happily to see his friend back again while B-12 put the vest back on the cat, who this time had no complaints about the garment.

"....It felt like I was trapped in my lab's computer system again. All alone." His antenna lowered slightly at the thought of what happened. "But you guys came back for me. I can't believe it."

He floated slightly higher and looked around.

"I saw the spirit on the cameras, trying to drain the energy field I was trapped in. I think they were trying to get me out. But it was HURTING them, and as much as I moved the cameras to get their attention, I don't think they noticed". He seemed distressed about that, and spoke up again. "I hope they are alright."

Clementine spoke up from where she was standing, glancing around as if scared to be caught. "Listen. I'm glad we're all together again, but we are not safe yet."

"We need to find a way out of here. Can you open that locked door just there?"

Chapter Text

Trying to escape prison is hard. Any one would agree in this situation, as the prison they are being kept in is as old and decrepit as it could get, a danger meant to house the robots in there and not let them back out. A grim reminder of just how far the Companions had come when it came to how "human" they were.

Before humanity had vanished, the Companions were mindless machines, built for a purpose. But now, after centuries of being locked away with the remains of who built them, the Companions had adapted, evolved into what they are currently.

A mindless machine has no need for jail, or even a desire to escape from said jail. The robots had evolved into something humanity could only dream of, but there was no humanity to witness such a thing.

And the ghost was watching as one of said robots yeeted a brick at a window, before lifting Little Orange up to the broken window. How truly human-like, to embrace destruction when backed into a corner.

Was the ghost being dramatic? Yes. Was it going to stop waxing poetically in its head? Not anytime soon.

With a loud scraping creak, the door blocking the way pulled open and the group continued their way down the dark corridors, trying to find a way out of this hellish place. But they didn't have to go far before they saw a way out, but it was guarded heavily, and the group was uncertain of how to proceed without getting caught again, and potentially locked away with even higher security.

Clementine carefully approached the barred door, peering out before grumbling in dismay.

"Those Sentinels are blocking the way again! They will spot me instantly."

Clementine looked over at the small cat, seeming to think. She seemed almost hesitant to ask, but continued, sounding almost nervous as she spoke.

"Maybe you could try to bait them into those cells and lock them in?"

She had plenty of reason to be nervous. She had learned that the poltergeist that followed the cat can be......rather aggressive when it came to anything that could put the little one in danger, and she did not want to be on the receiving end of its ire.

Just the thought of what things the being had done.......scared her. She didn't want to be around if it got angry again, let alone have that anger directed at HER.

It felt almost like the air was heavy, no longer crackling with pent-up electricity, or filled with the smell of ozone, but in its place was a heavily silence. It was almost like the presence that had been there the whole time was gone, if not for the constant looks behind them the Little Outsider kept making. The heavy silence was almost as unbearable as the ominous darkness or anger.

At least if the ghost was angry, they could see it. This tension and silence was filled with a quiet sense of dread, like the moment before disaster, or the calm before the storm. Something was wrong, but no one could do anything about it.

In fact, if it wasn't for the cat's shadow being abnormally large and dark, one might think the ghost was gone. But the overprotective spirit lingered, as did the oppressing air of dread the surrounded them.

The cat did in fact lure the Sentinels into the unoccupied cells, looping around the drones with ease and locking them out of the way for the ragtag group to slowly inch forward, passing some scattered "reset" Companions.

Every robot knew what the consequences of being reset were, of having your memories wiped and reduced to your base programming, code and systems completely stripped away. That's why the cells were not guarded, or why the doors had minimal locking.

A robot reduced to their base programming would have no desire to escape, or even desires at all. All those years of developing and growing, erased in an instant, not even having someone there to guide the robots after the fact, just left to rust away in the prison, a shell of their former self.

That is why the citizens of Midtown were so compliant, afraid to step out of line. They did not fear imprisonment, they feared what might as well be a death sentence, with everything that made them erased and left to rot. How cruel, for the robots to have evolved so much to not only fear death, but to have created a sick and twisted punishment for those who misbehaved.

Before humanity had died out, the consequence for a Companion acting out of order was a simple maintenance check, a scan for malware, or to back up the memory and restart them, uploading the memories before they started back up. They had not yet developed sentience, but even then, humanity adored the robots who's only purpose was to help. But now, after humanity had long since passed, the Companions had evolved in such a way to essentially make their own version of a lobotomy.

In a harsh, cruel twist of fate, the more human the robots grew, the harsher they got when it came to breaking the rules. The Peacekeepers, the ones in control of this entire operation did not even have the liberty to grow, constrained by their programming to keep order while the city was closed.
But without humans to give new orders, they were trapped in an endless cycle of trying to keep order, searching for any "crime" to stop so they can get the sense of fulfillment, of their reward center in their processors running. With nothing but old orders to guide them, the Peacekeepers of Midtown were nothing more then puppets to their programming, not allowed to become something more like the other Companions had.

In a world where the robots were more human-like then anyone could have imagined, the harshest punishment was to be stripped of all individuality, reduced to a shell of who they were. It was not a death of the body, but a death of the mind.

The robots feared death more then anything else.

And as the small group made their way out of the holding yard, and Clementine found a supply truck, she thought that the Peacekeepers and the Zurks were almost like the beings in old human horror books, a relentless force that stripped everything away from their victims.

While the Peacekeepers where walking puppets to their programming, and the Zurks were parasites that fed off of everything, one could see how they both resembled the monsters of old, beings who took everything and left nothing left.

Zombies might not be real, but sometimes truth is stranger then fiction, and just as terrifying.