Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Words contain the heart,

Heart contains the soul.

Hiding that heart with a smile,

Can really take a toll.

It was a sunny day, as always.

The sun was smiling, yet everyone else, was not.

Not even team diet.

They were either bored, scared, or sad. Animatic didn't make that any better. That's when one of them, the only one happy in these times, decided to step up! It was, but of course, Exclamation Mark. Quite the mysterious critter they were.

They stepped up to everyone, smiling gleefully, and explaining themself. "There is no need to be sad, I can make it my duty to cheer you all up." Everyone listened, it was like they fell under some sort of a trance.

...

Well... Accept for one tall, adamant, and jealous host. Animatic. Eccentric and joyful, yet rude and stubborn, with a bucket load of murderous tendencies. This. This is Animatic for you.

He hated the algebralien's guts, and wanted nothing to do with them. Simple.

He groaned at Exclamation Mark's speech, and walked away.

"Animatic..." The circle stopped dead in his tracks. "I think you need this, too." Exclamation Mark bluntly stated, that poorly drawn, stupid smile, is still plaguing their face. They just had to be persistent, and perfect, whatever whatever. Whatever. Animatic had still walked away. "I don't need this weird brainwashing scheme." He thought, though, he didn't actually think it was a brainwashing scheme, he was just exaggerating... Right?

...

Exclamation Mark called to him again. "Hey... Friend..." Animatic shuddered and turned around. Why was he scared?

"Put a smile on your face..! It would be nice to show kindness back, there's no need to be cold..." Animatic acted unbothered again and crossed his arms. "Nnnnnnno."

...The only thing that got back to him, was Exclamation Mark walking away, with a different look of expression on their face this time. Animatic couldn't figure out exactly what it was...

Chapter Text

Exclamation Mark failed their first plan, just great. Just what they needed. A stubborn, rotten bitch who won't go under control. The ONE creature who didn't fall for what they thought was a truly irresistible performance. However, Exclamation Mark had a scheme. A plan to overthrow Animatic, because this little algebralien wanted control. They just needed to find out his weaknesses, and get him. As the hidden antagonist thought, they spoke to themself. "'Arch nemesis' this, 'I hate you' that... Pettiness it's true form, shines through the eyes and words of a wretched host."

In the dark corners of the hefty forest they were planning in, they played with the leaves as they thought about how they could get this background info. Until, they had an idea! They just needed to get everyone else on their side, and threaten Animatic. Easy as that, right?.. No. No, it wasn't. It seemed quite far-fetched, actually. "..." Exclamation Mark was unable to think. That stupid circle was clouding their mind, until someone walked up to them, and pulled them out of deep thought.

"Exclamation Mark! Look!" The algebralien turned around to see Minidisky with beautiful flowers, in a bouquet that isn't the CONTESTANT Bouquet, but her inanimate uncle, he had a condition. Anyway, Exclamation Mark picked up the bouquet, looking at it with wide eyes. They could definitely sense the blush on Minidisky's face. It had a crush on them. Okay, under control. If Minidisky can fall in love with Exclamation Mark, then maybe the complete and total manipulation over all of the objects' minds didn't seem too impossible after all.

"Hmm... Not bad..." They looked at it, seeing potential. Not in love, but in something else. That being sickening, mind domination. Now, knowing that Minidisky is gullible enough to fall for them is probably a little confusing at first. However, Exclamation Mark could see why. Power, fame, and being with an uncommon species is something a lot of objects could ask for. "I love you, Minidisky..." They gave it a kiss, sealing their "promise". A fake, disgusting promise that could only be made by someone who has an empty heart, and quite a gifted brain.

...

That night, Exclamation Mark had a miniature plan already set out for their new "partner". They carefully opened up Minidisky's case, and took out the disk that was essentially it's brain. They swapped it out for a disk that seemed normal, yet had subliminal messages riddled within, basically putting the little purple minidisk holder under a spell. On paper, it didn't seem too bad. But this can actually be detrimental to everybody's brains and willpower, as long as word gets around that Exclamation Mark is "the sweetest and kindest creature". Exclamation Mark didn't know for sure how much everyone loved them, but this tiny, oh so tiny action is the thing that will kick start a plan.

The next morning, Minidisky woke up, feeling a little different. It couldn't pinpoint what was wrong however, so it went to talk to Popcorn. As the minidisk holder ran, it saw Popcorn sitting and waiting in her usual spot. When she spotted Minidisky, she waved and motioned it to sit with her. "Over here, Minidisky! Over here!!" Once over and sitting with Popcorn, it spoke up. "Hey! How are you?" "Eh, usual. But I NEED to know if Exclamation Mark said yes or not!!" Minidisky giggled and nodded. "Yeah, they did..." Popcorn gasped happily and hugged Minidisky, clearly proud of her best friend. "Oh my god I'm so happy for you! I never thought someone like you could date someone like Exclamation Mark! I mean, that's SUPER cool!!!" Just then, Exclamation Mark walked up to them.

"Minidisky, come back to me. I have a job for you..." In that moment, Minidisky felt pure and utter obedience coursing through its veins, it needed to do what it was told. "...Yes, Exclamation Mark." It walked towards Exclamation Mark, meanwhile Popcorn was left in confusion. "Wait, Minidisky-!" She was silenced by the punctuation symbol. "Shhhh... It's for the greater good... You want your friend to be happy with a new partner, right?" Exclamation Mark leaned down to her level, the smile on their face looking a tiny bit more sinister. Popcorn felt nervous, but didn't want to say no despite that fact that Minidisky is probably in danger now. "I-... Yeah... I want it to be... Happy..?" Exclamation Mark stood back up. They were still smiling, but it was warm and nice. "Good..." Exclamation Mark turned to their mind controlled partner. "Let's go, Minidisky..." "Yes, Exclamation Mark." The two of them walked away.

"...I KNEW IT-" "AH!!!" Popcorn's head quickly flipped around to see Animatic, why was he here? "You saw it??? YOU SAW IT???" Animatic got in Popcorn's face and questioned her intensely, examining every facial feature to check for lies. "...Yeah..?" "Oh THANK you!!!" He pushed her to the ground. "I knew they would be found out eventually. Thank GREENY for this wonderful occurrence!!!" Popcorn was confused at first, but soon understood. "Okay... Well... If you're suspecting Exclamation Mark of... Something, then what do I have to do with it?" Animatic held out a hand immediately. "We'll team up!!!" After Animatic said that, Popcorn hesitantly reached out and grabbed his hand, sealing the deal. "You won't regret it!!!" He smiled and pulled Popcorn in for the first hug he's had in years.

Meanwhile, Exclamation Mark was walking with Minidisky. "What is your job for me, Exclamation Mark." "Don't ask questions, servant- I mean partner... Also, I request you address me as master..." They spoke in a soft, yet menacing tone. "Noted. I will address you as master." Minidisky's expression was blank, there was no need for emotions anymore. The words wired into the new disk were taking effect, which led to Exclamation Mark being pleasantly surprised with how well it worked. They took Minidisky to the recovery microwave, and pointed to the machinery. "Can you break this for me, darling? There are certain obstacles that'll just hurt me if they keep coming back." Minidisky took in the words, and glanced at Animatic in the distance, it knew he also had revive powers. "I can deal with that certain powerful sketch, later... I just need you to make recovery less efficient..." Minidisky nodded and looked at the microwave. "Yes, master."

Chapter Text

"Yes, master." Was the last thing heard before Minidisky pleased its master. Right then and there, a tree branch was lifted up.

Multiple clanks bangs and other sounds spread about through the area, because Minidisky was destroying the Microwave. Exclamation Mark, sat there with a smile. They knew Choco milk carton would try to fix it, but it would buy them enough time to REALLY get started. By the time it's working again, Exclamation Mark would be ruling half of everyone's minds, and ruining the circle's life.

When the peculiar punctuation symbol thought it was enough, they spoke up to their servant. "That's enough, Minidisky..." As soon as those miniscule syllables were uttered, Minidisky stood up, for it did a very good job. "We can see how it goes when they can't come back to life... How wonderful..!" They giggled lightly and politely, immediately realizing their voice isn't fit for a villain. "...I wish I could sound menacing... I'm not scary..." They embarrassingly admitted, before walking to the next destination.

Animatic and Popcorn were going somewhere. "Ughh... Are we almost there..?" Popcorn has tiredly asked before getting shushed by Animatic. "Nooooo!!! In fact, it's not on this planet! We just need to get to a speciiiiiiiifiiiiiiiic spoooot!" Popcorn sighs and keeps going, eventually passing out from exhaustion. "I wonder if you can breathe in space!" Animatic looks around, Popcorn isn't there. "...Wuh... Popcorn... Popcorn we're alone!!! Popcornyouknowicantbealone!!!" He panicks, he's alone again. Alone like before. He almost has a breakdown until he looks behind him, to see Popcorn sleeping."Oh!" He wipes away his tears and kicks the sleeping object, causing her to wake up. "OW!!!" "You actually scared me Popcorn!!!... Don't leave me... Please..." "..." Popcorn didn't know what to say. She rubbed her eyes and looked around. Animatic? Vulnerable? This had to be some sort of dream, right? "..." She hesitantly nodded. They kept on going, Animatic held Popcorn's hand to make sure she wasn't out of his sight. He couldn't have the worst happening again.

"The microwave is broken." "That's for true." Chocolate Milk Carton and Acid were looking at the broken recovery center. "It'll take a while to fix, but I think with enough effort I can do it." "Go as quick as possible, Animatic is gone, and that makes me offended! I am so offended..." CMC puts a hand on Acid's shoulder, and pulls him in for a kiss on the cheek. For such an emotionless object, their touch is quite soft. Acid blushes yet tries not to look flustered. "...I'm not offended anymore..." "Cool." CMC lets go and grabs a hidden tool box, about to get to work. "Well, don't overwork yourself. I don't want you getting exhausted now." Acid taps his foot and looks at CMC. "I'll be fine babe. Go talk to some friends." Acid hesitantly starts walking away, looking back once before going to his team.

He looked at B Block from across the area. Did she do it?

It was still a grueling walk. "Please... I'm tired..." As Popcorn said that, she was immediately killed out of Animatic's sheer reflexes, getting revived right after. "You're kind of annoying, best friend!" He said with that big dumb smile on his face. Popcorn was irritated. "You wonder why people don't like you." "Your opinion doesn't matter to me!!" "..." Popcorn stepped back slightly, which made Animatic a little scared. "Threatening you with leaving is what it takes to give you ANY self awareness? Do you even know the difference between right and wrong??" "...No..." Animatic looked down, and Popcorn sighed. "You know, I hate acting all bossy and 'self righteous' like this, but you can't keep objects around you, if you can't change."Popcorn had stated. Animatic nodded, and sat down. He wasn't used to getting talked down to like this. By a contestant especially.

From afar, Exclamation Mark was looking at the two with Minidisky. They pointed at the duo and looked at the servant. "Those two... Those are your targets... Understand?" Minidisky gave a simple nod. "Good..." Exclamation Mark stopped pointing and sat back down. "Before we get to them, I need a thing from a certain someone..." They pointed to Tiery in the distance. They knew he had the orb of darkness and destruction, they GAVE it to him after all. Why not take it back?