Work Text:
Hack.
Slash.
Stab.
The wind seemed to bend to the will of the wooden blade as it was flailed around. The one who wielded it knew their way around a weapon, but they are inhibited. They push and push and push but the weight upon them only causes them to sink further and further with each strike at the air. The sounds of the wind being sliced in two began to be rendered silent by the increasingly more exhausted breaths let out by the wielder of the bruised blade.
“HAH!”
“GAH!”
“HYAH!”
With all their effort they slammed the blade into the ground to which it stuck itself to. They began to pull it out, but it lodged into the dirt well. They began to pull with might, but with how low their stamina was it was a great effort which only exhausted them more.
“Come… On!”
They pulled and pulled, but the blade only creaked as it was bent more and more.
“I’m… Not… Losing this!”
More labored hums seeped out of their bared teeth, but it still wouldn’t give way.
“I’m… Not… Losing… YOU!”
Sparks flew within the mind of the wielder as they pulled with all their might. Dirt rose from the crevice of the blade, and eventually the hill gave way. The blade flew in the air as it was freed, whereas the wielder toppled to the ground, their body having decided to collapse the moment it was free. Her one eye attempted to scan the area for the blade, but her vision was blurry. It was a struggle to even make out color as soon darkness overtook her sight.
“I… Can’t… Lose… You…”
…
“And so the dragon laid its head before me in surrender, respecting my mastery of the blade! Thus, I hopped upon its back and expertly rode it back to my village, where I was proclaimed a hero!”
“That’s nice.”
She knew that this was just one of many tall tales Knight Helmet made up to try and make himself appear to be the illustrious hero he claims to be. But as time went on, Plasma Ball not only learned to bear with them and listen, but also enjoy them. Lies they may be, his stories are entertaining. And this happened to be happening during one of their more precious times in their routine: hair styling. Plasma Ball had been interested in the craft, and Knight Helmet is always looking for more ways to look more handsome than he already claims to be. Today, it was time for a braid.
“...And then what happened?”
“Oh- Um- Aha- Well-”
Got him. Plasma Ball smirked.
“...THIS WAS BEFORE! I officially became a knight! Upon learning of the terrifying dragon being tamed by yours truly, the king and queen took an interest in me, and beckoned me to the capital of the kingdom!”
Ah, right. He’s also surprisingly good at improvisation.
“It was a place of grandeur, with grand halls and glamorous gowns I could’ve never imagined! And then I was brought before- and kneeled before- his majesty, who ushered the queen to raise her blade!”
Plasma Ball’s eye narrowed. The world around her was quickly becoming nothing. She kept tending to his adorable mane, remembering the steps to braiding in the video guide she watched moments ago as his voice sounded like music to my ears.
“-...And in what I thought was my last moments, turned out to be the beginning of my best life. I had become a knight!”
Brush, brush, some gel here, adjust a lock there…
“...Did you get all that, fair maiden?”
Crap- Uh-
“...W…What happened to… The dragon?”
“...WE ATE IT!”
A chuckle escaped her lips. Phew. Now he’ll never know that she began to focus on his voice and not the words of the story.
“...So, um, how does it look?”
“One sec… Okay, take a look.”
Plasma Ball handed him a small face mirror for him to look into. Plasma Ball also looked into the mirror to get a proper look at Knight Helmet’s face. Relief washed onto her face as satisfaction locked onto his.
“Splendid! Truly splendid! You never disappoint, milady!”
“I can say the same for you. Those stories you tell never get boring!”
“I’m glad, for you will hear them again!”
“Huh?”
“Well, I must tell Caramel Cube, once we reunite!”
…Ah.
“...I never really had the time to truly get to know her, y’know? How… Dastardly of me! As a true purehearted knight, I should not only protect the maidens, but also truly get to know them and appreciate them and their presence upon this realm! Especially once I’m closely associated with! But… Alas…”
“...Hey.”
Plasma Ball gently turned Knight Helmet to face her, a hand over his left brow and one on his shoulder. His cheeks began to glow a gentle red. Must not be used to a girl being the one to do this.
“You’ll tell her all the stories you’ve told me once we see her again. Together. Side by side.”
“...Truly?”
He cleared his throat of his doubtful tone, then turning it more confident. Like she’s used to.
“Truly! You are right! We shall meet with her again at the same moment, hand in hand with smiles upon our faces, basking in our victories!”
“Damn right!”
…
They were blinded as soon as they were sighted, their knees curling into their chest as their eye instinctively closed shut, rolling onto their side to shield themselves from the blinding light. They slightly opened their eye, but fully widened it upon spotting it.
The sword.
They took it in hand, holding it close to their chest, their lips pursing as they tried to hold in a sob.
“...You alright there?”
Plasma Ball looked up at Treasure Chest, who looked down at her with concern.
“...Yeah.”
“...Uh. If you say so.”
Treasure Chest looked off to the side awkwardly as Plasma Ball gripped the wooden sword tighter to her body, now having enveloped it in a hug. It was the last thing she had of Team H. The last thing she had of him.
“...I… Don’t know how it got so far away from you, but I found it… Then I found you. You sure you’re okay? You’ve avoided everyone since Knight Helmet got eliminated, always pointing that thing-”
“It’s a sword.”
“...Right. You’ve always been pointing that sword at anyone who gets close. In the end this is a game, but this is… Its concerning. So just. Wanna talk?”
“...No.”
“...Alright. Uh. I’ll. I’ll be in the garage.”
Plasma Ball saw his foot leave her vision. Silence deafened her ears as the door was opened and shut.
She was alone.
…
“So… Plasma Ball is… The last one safe.”
“What!?”
I lifted my hand. Something was in it. It was a spoon. And an egg. A healthy egg. But I broke mine.
“Which means… Knight Helmet is eliminated.”
No.
I got up and stared at him. And all he did was smile at me.
That smile.
That damn smile.
I knew that smile. He was proud of himself. He was fucking proud of himself.
“Knight Helmet! What did you do!?”
“Like I said, a knight must always help those in need!”
Shut up.
“But…”
You’re a self centered asshole.
“But…”
Even now you’re being an asshole.
“I can’t lose you too!”
You’re leaving me alone.
“Caramel Cube was already gone because of me, and-...”
You’re making me cry. Isn’t it your goal to stop that? To stop fair maidens like me from having a reason to cry? You’re the reason I’m crying now. Its you. Its your fault.
“I can’t be the reason you’re gone too, I-”
Its getting hotter. This is your fault. You’re the reason why I’m acting like this. Its your fault for making me mad.
“I can’t lose you because of my stupid temper!”
Its your fault.
“I just can’t!”
It's your fault!
“I- Huh?”
A hand on my shoulder. One over my left brow. The heat slowly died down as soon as I felt his touch. He brushed my eyepatch up with a thumb, lifting it, exposing my blinded eye. He looked into both with that dumb face of his with his stupid smile. I held back my sob, but a few cries leaked out.
“You’re stronger than you realize Plasma Ball.
He slowly covered my blind eye again before his hands returned to his sides.
“But-”
Sniff.
“You’re the only friend I have left…”
Don’t start looking sad now. Where is that smile? That pride you had for your sacrifice? Where is it?
“I’m- Gonna be alone.”
…
“When you’re in trouble-”
He took my hand in his. Held out my palm. And placed his sword onto it.
“Just remember you can overcome it.”
What the hell is a sword going to do? Its your sword! You’re the one who’s good at using it! How can I rely on this… Thing if you’re not here to hold it?
“...”
I don’t care if I risked shattering, I need you. Your embrace. To feel your iron against my glass. I don’t care if my arms can’t wrap around you fully, I’ll hold you here, I’ll anchor you down, I’ll stop you from leaving me!
“...Okay Knight Helmet, its time to go.”
No!
“I’ll take you to the Dark Pit of Despair.”
He’s not leaving me!
“...Thank you!”
No. What are you stepping away from me for?
“For everything.”
You’re a knight! Aren’t you meant to stand up to injustice!?
“Make sure the tale of Team H continues!”
But how? You’re the storyteller! Your stories are the best ones!
“I bid thee…”
He took a knee, and grabbed one of my hands. He brought it closer to him.
No. Not now. This? Right now?
He planted a kiss upon the back of it. A soft, warm kiss.
“...Farewell.”
And then he bows, and walks away.
Just like that.
…
A new day. Another challenge.
Plasma Ball only barely managed to pick herself up and off the bed. Her body feels heavy. Her arms sluggish. Her legs wobbly.
She doesn’t want to go. Not without him. What will she do now that he isn’t at her side? It won’t be the same without him fooling himself the whole time and managing to get lucky at the last second. It’ll never be the same.
A knock at the door.
“Go away.”
“No.”
Treasure Chest.
“I don’t want to do the challenge!”
…
“I don’t think he’d like that.”
“Huh?”
“He lost because of you, y’know? He decided you were more worthy than him. Even gave you his sword. I’ve never seen him without it until he gave it to you.”
“S-Shut up!”
“Keep beating yourself up over it if you want. But at least do the challenge. I know you don’t want to disappoint hi-”
Treasure Chest was silenced by a whack over his head from the wooden sword. He didn’t even notice her open the door.
“I’ll do the challenge dammit!”
“...Good.”
“For him. Not for you.”
Sword in hand, she stomped away from him.
Adrenaline.
It was all that was fueling her now.