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The journey back was mostly quiet, only the sounds of their boots brushing against the dried-out nylium could be heard. It had been a very long day for Winsweep, Clown's voice was still ringing in his ears, everything that happened felt so surreal, how is he alive?
'You're a disappointment', a voice that sounds way to similar to Clown echoed inside his head—no. He can't focus on that right now, nor the gaping wound that still ached on his left arm from Clown's scythe.
Oh, right, he forgot to clean that up. Never mind, he'll do that later.
All he needed to do was bring Pyro back to Clown, and he'll be proud of him! That's all he needed to focus on right now, he can't afford to dissapoint Clown again.
-
When they finally got back to Clown's castle, Winsweep was happy. You know, he was having such a rough day, and now finally, he would finally make Clown proud! He took a step into Clown's castle, Pyro right in front of him. He felt nervous, what would Clown's reaction be? Would he be pleased? Would he finally be proud of him? Guess he'll have to wait and see.
"Clown! I got him, just like you asked." Win grinned, even though it wasn't really visible since he wore his mask.
"Good, I can see that." Clown answered, looming over both Win and Pyro, sitting menacingly on his throne made of nether bricks.
"How about the Wastewalkers and Josh? I assume you also got rid of them already?"
Win's heart dropped. In his hurry of getting Pyro back to Clown, he had forgotten about the Wastewalkers he was supposed to murder. Oh, he was done for, wasn't he? He kept his silence out of fear, fear of facing the reality that he had disappointed Clown again. How he had fucked up, again.
"So?" Clown insisted, his words laced with annoyance.
He couldn't use his lies this time, Pyro could just tell Clown the truth and he's fucked either way. He could feel both Clown and Pyro's gaze on him, waiting for a reply, yet nothing could come out of his mouth.
"They w-"
"Are you fucking serious, Win?" Clown cut him off.
An eerie silence fell over the room, it was suffocating, the lack of noise and absence of the usual banter between the guards made it even worse for his already awful state. He could only stare in horror as Clown slowly got off his throne, anger in his steps as he marched towards him and Pyro.
"Pyro, stay right there would you? I'm going to have a little talk with my Commander over here." Clown gestured to Win before abruptly walking off, not even commanding Win to follow him. He just expected Win to follow him to wherever he was going, and follow he did.
As he reluctantly trailed behind Clown to a more secluded area, Win could feel his hands start to shake. He knew this wasn't a good sign in the first place as Clown never had to talk to him in private before. At least he didn't do it in front of Pyro, otherwise he'd die of both Clown's scythe and embarrassment.
"This is the third fucking time! How do you just keep being such a disappointment?" Clown shouted, Win was certain Pyro probably still could hear them with how loud he was getting. Clown kept throwing these words at him, and it didn't hurt less each time.
At least those "physical" punishments gave him other things to think about, but this? Clown's words only took his thoughts he so desperately tried to push away into the depth of his mind and pulled them back out. Not only did he have to somehow keep calm while the single last person close to him kept yelling at him, he also has to simultaneously deal with those whispers in his head telling him how absolutely useless he was.
Win had to back a sob that threatened to come up his throat, Clown never yelled at him like this before. Sure, he would punish him for failing his duties, but never scream at him like this.
"I was kind enough to even give you a third chance Win, you know I don't believe in third chances! And this is how you repay me? I raised you, trained you, and kept you alive all these years and THIS is how you repay my kindness?! By embarrassing me in front of my subjects? Making me look like a joke to the netherians?!"
"I'm sorry-" Win choked out, tears forming in his eyes. He's glad he wore a mask, he really didn't want to be seen as weak in front of Clown—even though Clown probably already saw him as a disgrace. Even with the tears blurring his vison, he still had his guard up, his hands on stand-by on his sword, in case he needed to 'defend himself'.
"I thought I taught you better than this Win. Was I not clear enough with my instructions?! I said to get Pyro back here alive AND kill Josh along with the remaining Wastewalkers! And guess what, you only got half of the job done, God, you're fucking useless.. Don't think I'll forget about this. There will be major consequences." Clown had lashed out, and it was his fault.
Win still had a tight grip on his Amarite Longsword, he stood there frozen, what could he do? He couldn't get a simple job done and now he's made the last person that still somewhat cared about him angry. Way to go Winsweep.
Clown angrily left both Win and Pyro, going God knows where (probably preparing his "consequences") and leaving him alone with a very confused Pyro in the next room, and of course he still has to deal with escorting Pyro after this and probably deal with his bullshit rambling, as if things couldn't get any worse. Guess he'll just have to suck it up and hope no one notices his shaky hands or how tense he is.
He was still in that room alone, and he just wanted to pause and think for a second. Finally a moment away from all the usual noise. Today's probably going to be his last day alive, considering Clown's reaction, yet he doesn't want to die yet.
He knows he has to die eventually, but he doesn't want to die today, not like this. He still hasn't fixed things between him and Josh, he still hasn't built a proper grave for Glitter. He wants to just meet them again, Josh, his family, Glitter, anyone. He doesn't want to die alone, cold, and confused, on the other end of Clown's scythe with no one to turn to, bleeding out until his last breath only for no one to hear his last words.
He was destined for something great, guess destiny just had a change of plans. Even so, if destiny wanted him to suffer, then suffer he will. Because that's all he was good at, wasn't it? Bowing his head down and let things happen to him. He will forever and always be a pathetic dog for others to use, for others to boss around like it was nothing.
That is his destiny.