Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was just another night at the Mixel Moon, everyone sleeping soundly...well except for 1. A Mixel that had 2 faces: One face being on 1 side and one being on the other, having different personalities. Or, Nurp-Naut.

Every time they tried to go to sleep, they just, can't. Did they had too much energy due to the crater tots? Maybe, but there was just *something* that didn't want them to sleep.

After what felt like the 200th time of trying to sleep, Nurp-Naut wakes up again, tired and annoyed by this inability to fall into slumber.

As soon as he wakes up, his head turns into Naut's side. "Nurp, why can't you go back to your nap nap! It's nearly midnight!"

Nurp-Nauts head then turns into Nurps side. "Nurp can't sleep! Nurp doesn't want to!"

And then it turns into Nauts side. "Well you need to go back to your nap in an instant!"

And then back to Nurp. "Something doesn't want me to! So Nurp won't sleep! Nurp won't sleep at all!" You can tell that Nurp is about to channel his ultrasonic wailing.

The head then turns into Nauts side one more time. "Well you better sleep! Rokit already told you a story!"

Then it turned to Nurps side, about to cause another temper tantrum. "NO NAP NAP!!!" he said, as now waves of green light are showing, echoing throughout the walls as Nurp is now banging his fists onto the floor. The shockwaves bounce across the room, as cracks began to form from the powerful wailing.

"Nurp DOESNT want to sleep! Nurp doesnt want to sleep at ALL!" Nurp's side said, as the shockwaves nearly shattering his room (which is a dome).

After a few seconds after hearing a wall burst, Nurp immediately stops, knowing that he done something extremely bad.

"...Maybe Nurp shouldn't have done that tantrum.." Nurp's side said, looking down at the floor, knowing that a time out is imminent for him.

Nurp-Nauts head spins to Nauts side, with him saying, "Great, just great, you broke a wall! Now we're definitely getting a time out from you!"

The head spins back to Nurp's side. "Yeah, I know. Nurp caused a time out...what do we do?!...wait, Nurp has an idea!"

The head turns into Nauts side, "Nurp, do NOT tell me we are leaving behind our broken room!"

Then back to Nurp's. "We have atleast something to do now Naut! Maybe it will drain Nurp's energy..?"

Nurp-Naut's head doesn't flip, with Naut being increasingly annoyed by Nurp's idea.

"In order for Nurp to sleep..?" Nurp says.

"Fine," Naut says as the head turns to his side, "1 lap around that crater nearby and we go back."

"Yay!" Nurp says as the head turned to his side.

Once ready, Nurp-Naut flies to the crater with his jet pack, albeit a bit hard to control due to the crater tots that Nurp consumed during the Welcoming Ceremony of the Infernite Cousins, but it was alright. That was until Nurp-Naut spotted something: A bucket of black paint near rocks. It seems like it's overflowing as it leaks across the landscape of the Mixel Moon.

Nurp-Naut abruptly stops as they see that bucket of paint, with Nurp's side now being shown as his eyes are wider than ever before, as he started getting closer to it.

Nurp's side is now turned to Nauts side. "Nurp, what are you doing?! First you wanted to go around that crater and now you're interested in a bucket of paint!"

The head then turns back to Nurp's side, wanting to grab that paint bucket and go. "But, this paint looks so...shiny! And...imagine all the paintings we can do Naut!"

And then back to Nauts. "Well what if it's contagious? And, what will we do with just black paint. We need other buckets of paint to create something too!"

And then back to Nurp's as he shakes his head. "No, paint can't be bad! Nurp knows that paint is always harmless to us!" And soon enough, he grabs the paint bucket and continues to fly to the crater. It was a bit heavy, but it was liftable for Nurp-Naut.

Now they were at the crater, now beginning to do the flying of a lifetime as Nurp-Naut flew around the crater, while also noticing a rainbow cubit...wait, what? Nurp-Naut stops as they stare at it in the distance, wondering where it came from. In an instant, Nurp-Naut flew to the cubit, but during it, Nurp-Naut loses their balance and trips on a pile of rocks, letting go of the paint too and causing a spill.

"Ow! That hurt!" Nurp's side said, but the head immediately turned back to Naut. "NURP! Why did you have to spill the paint?! Now we are going to be in MORE trouble than we were MINUTES AGO!"

"Nurp didnt notice the rocks!" Nurp said as the head turned to his side, "...And the cubit! It's about to reach the paint!...Oh no..!"

It was already too late, as the paint nearly engulfs the cubit. That would've been it, but it starts to crack open, with the cracks shining an intense rainbow light as it breaks apart.

"What is happening?!" Nurp anxiously said as he looked around, left and right, with nothing to see but colors of the rainbow...yet they soon desaturate, with every second.

The head turns into Nauts side, "Whatever is happening, we must go back home, back to our room, NOW!" He said as the jetpack starts to lose fuel.

Nurp-Naut then turned back and flew as fast as they can back to their place, with them never looking back at the mess they had caused. Soon, the jetpacks ran out of fuel, now running home, until....

Once they got near the dome, A tentacle, with the same color as the paint grabbed his arm, and then his leg, as it tried to drag them back to where the crater was.

Nurp-Naut nearly panicked as they tried to grab onto something, yet there was nothing to grab at all.

The head turned to Nurp's side, with him in tears as the tentacle dragged him, panicking on what to do. Is it the end for him and Naut's life as we know it? Will he never get to experience the life he dreamed of wanting to do? Have fun with the Infernite Cousins and their tribe-mates: Rokit and Niksput?

It was only seconds before he wailed out, "ROKIIIIIIT!!! HELP MEEEEE!!!!!"

And thankfully, there was a response.

Rockets were blasted directly to the tentacle, splitting it into 2 pieces, as it soon slithered away back to where it came from.

"NURP-NAUT!!!" Rokit said as he flew over to him, "WHERE WERE YOU!!! I was nearly SCARED to death once I saw that wall, and now seeing you nearly getting dragged into WHO KNOWS WHERE!!!"

"..Nurp just wanted to sleep yet I couldn't..thought that going around the crater would help...and then Nurp saw that paint and..AND.." Nurp bursts into tears after knowing what he had done. He just wanted to sleep, and it all came tumbling down from there. "NURP IS SORRY ROKIT! NURP IS SO, SO SORRY!"

Rokit sighs and hugs Nurp-Naut, "I know you are sorry but don't ever just go on your own again...you're also getting timed out for this one."

The head turns into Nauts side, "I warned him about this."

Then back to Nurp's. "I know Naut. Nurp is sorry.."

After that day, Nurp-Naut promised never go out on his own again after witnessing that encounter. In fact, that day actually made them sleep...way more less than before. It's gotten to the point where he just couldn't sleep after a bedtime story, no, he wanted to sleep with someone else because it made them (specifically Nurp) feel safer, mostly Rokit. And when he does sleep, most of the times are nightmares of that same encounter, if Rokit didn't came in and saved him.

Everything was, mostly fine now, yet that dread of the incident still existed in Nurp-Naut's mind, and they wanted to get that out of it...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, near the crater..

The rainbow light has been fully desaturated, only showing black, white, and grey, and is now being slowly pulled towards the now cracked cubit, now being engulfed in ink and looks like it's about to burst into nothing but light.

The tentacles that tried to drag Nurp-Naut into this also slithered back into the paint in where it formed.

But once the light was consumed by this cubit, it then broke apart, bursting out colors of light all around it. Most times, this is where most Mixels call, "The Birth of a New Kind", where a Cubit is essentially transformed into a new tribe. Think of it as a way to create tribes without the Mixamajig, but no one ever uses this method to create more Mixels. Mainly because most of the times, the tribe leader will go rogue and destroy anything it seems as dangerous to their tribe. And this creation is an example of that.

Once the colors of light disappeared, the ink essentially comes to life, as a Mixel, 1 eye being pure white with the black paint as its struggling body, with that same paint coming out of its mouth as it tries to breathe. It felt like it couldn't walk as it trips and fells, pain spiking with every move, yet the only way to endure it, was to adapt to it.

The Mixel weakly looked at its hands. It's like they were melting in front of its eyes, with the ink dripping from the hand to the floor. No one would like to experience this constant pain, no one at all. All of a sudden, a sharp pain in its stomach swiped through it, as if it has never eaten anything before...and that was it. That was what the Mixel needed. Food. To live.

So, as it painfully gets up, it summons the same pitch black tentacles to make it search for food, as a wave of ink also flows through it, that makes him glide through the floor, to make it a bit easier
to walk.

This...this is how Inkai was created, and this is how the Ink-Fection began.

Chapter Text

1 month after the paint incident

Nurp-Naut is currently trying to sleep, but just can't, they just couldn't, especially Nurp. After the paint spill incident, he never wanted to sleep ever, but that would only leave to sleep deprivation and maybe soon, Death. And besides, it's been a month, Nurp has to sleep by himself and not with Rokit anymore, right? Rokit told him that, and that it's a part of "growing up" in which Nurp was a bit scared to do so, but agreed.

But amidst Nurp-Nauts trouble of falling back to slumber (covering themselves with a blanket), a black substance was leaking through the door. It seemed like it was the same substance as the paint, the same paint that Nurp-Naut discovered and spilled a month ago. As it leaks under the door, covering nearly half of Nurp-Nauts struggle-sleeping, they wake up again, tired, not noticing the ink that has covered their room.

Nurp-Nauts head turns to Nauts side. "Oh cmon Nurp! You have to take your nap...nap..." Naut froze, as he saw the ink covering their room.

The head then turned to Nurps side. "Naut..? Why did you—" He looks at the ink, frozen in fear, as he saw a Mixel forming from the ink.

The pincers dripping ink from the hand to the floor, the pure white eyes looking straight at Nurp-Naut, giving the most unhinged smile that was ever given to a Mixel, or a Nixel in fact. It started getting closer to Nurp-Naut, its feet getting dragged from the floor, causing more ink to spread. Nurp-Naut could only do nothing but scream, and that's what he did. The scream sent shockwaves across the room, the mixel included, as it recoiled in immense pain, covering its inky ears. As it does so, Nurp-Naut attempted to escape, and got out of their room, but to no avail, as the ink was slippery and slowed him down, making them trip and fell into the ink. As they tried to get up, tears flowed through Nurps side, as he tried to crawl to where Rokit or Niksput could be, with the ink seeming to be not letting go off of him. As he noticed Niksput in the distance, he reached out his hand, about to unleash his ultra-sonic scream, but...he couldn't. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't. Was his powers getting restrained by the ink?

As he's getting now dragged back to the Mixel, Nurp weakly stated, "N..Niksput..Ro...kit...help Nurp..please...PLEASE!"

...yet no one came. no one came at all. It's like they don't notice him. The head then turned back to Nauts side, instantly using his jetpack to try and get out of the ink...yet to no avail. "No...NO!" Naut anxiously panicks as Naut tries to fly towards Niksput, not before the head flips back to Nurps as he tried to scream.

"NIKSPUTTTT!!! HELP...HELP ME!!!" Nurp yelled out, though it was a bit silenced due to the ink suppressing his powers, yet it was loud enough for Niksput to notice.

Niksput uses his jetpack to fly over to Nurp-Naut. "Have no fear! Niksput has arriiiiOH MY GOD."  He was shocked into seeing Nurp-Naut in such a weak and frail state, with their legs and arms being sticked to the ink like its glue, tears flowing from Nurps side as he tries to get up, yet to no avail. It's like the ink is consuming him whole.

"Don't worry, Nurp-Naut!" Niksput said as he swooped Nurp-Naut out of the ink, but it was tugging onto him like a rope. With enough force though, Niksput managed to get the ink out of Nurp-Nauts grasp as he forcefully pulled the ink away from him.

The damage that Mixel had done to Nurp-Naut was...a lot. They had a scar across their body, with parts of their body look like they were dissolved, bleeding out, badly, with even some scars in their face, looking like they were pleading to be safe from whatever just happened before.

Nurp-Nauts eyes were turning red from the crying, it had gotten to the point where they were nearly crying blood. They had never experienced something so...traumatizing, so life threatening, in their life.

Once Niksput landed somewhere so that the Mixel wouldn't notice, he decides to calm down Nurp-Naut after the experience. "Shh, shh, it's okay Nurp..it's okay...you're safe now." He says as he starts bandaging Nurp-Naut up, with them not even wanting to look at the damage the Mixel had done to them.

A familiar voice was then heard. "WOAH, WOAH , WOAH, WOAH. WHAT, IN THE MAXIMUM MIXEL, JUST HAPPENED."

Apparently, the Infernite Cousins were also in the area, and once they saw them, they were shocked to the core. They had never seen Nurp-Naut in such a damaging state than ever before.

The first one to react was Flamzer, in which he had immediately run up to Nurp-Naut. "My god what happened to them?!"

"You think I know?" Niksput said, "All I ever saw was Nurp-Naut looking like he was nearly being consumed by paint!"

"What?" Burnard replied, "Your telling me, that Nurp-Naut, is severely damaged, because of paint? HA! You must be lying right..?" It seems like he's trying to light up the mood, but he...he failed miserably.

"That's not...ah...ACHOO!" Meltus added, while being interrupted by a sneeze or too. "That's...not really that nice."

"ANYWAYS, we gotta inform the Glowkies about this. Better yet, Rokit. They don't know that this is all happening, and Rokit can definetly deal with that Mixel." Niksput informed.

"Mixel?" Burnard said, "What do ya mean 'Mixel', didn't you just say that Nurp-Naut was hurt due to paint out of all things?"

The head turns into Nauts side. "Well...we did saw a Mixel that might have the same texture as the paint. Glowing eyes included. Maybe...they're the cause of all of this?"

"That's...a bit of a stretch, but I'm still concerned." Flamzer stated.

"Oh cmon Flamzer! It's just a Mixel, how much harm can it really cause?" Burnard responded.

That's when they heard screaming coming from...somewhere. Screaming that is similar to..

The head turns into Nurps side. "Rokit....oh no, not him! We gotta go back Niksput! WE HAVE TO!"

But it was now, already too late.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rokit fired lazers at the Mixel, anxiously trying to get away from it while using his jetpack, yet the ink reached forward to him, slammed him down and restrained him to the ground like glue. As it got closer and closer to him, the ink then reaches to his throat, as he tries to stay away from it, sweat running down from his face, wondering what to do...yet there was no good solution. The only solution was to give up, to forfeit, something
that Rokit never wanted to. At all. But, now it seems like he had to....

And he did.

as he lowers his lazer launchers, the Mixel seemed to smile, before summoning a tentacle and stabbing Rokit, with the tentacle piercing through his stomach. That was it. Rokit was no more. Finally..something that the Mixel can feast on.

As the Mixel sees that Rokit is now head, a little smile creeps from its face. So, he walked to the now dead corpse of Rokit, and mauls him, blood splattering everywhere, as it ate and ate and ate, from some parts of the skin, to the entirety of his heart. After he was done feasting, the damage was done. Rokits heart had been fully ripped out, with some parts of his arms and legs getting ripped as well, as blood stained the floor and the Mixels body...but, something else happens.

Instead of it just now being a rotting corpse, it now seems to...morph with the ink, as it devours Rokit whole. After a few, a head came out. And then an arm, and then another arm, then the legs, slowly.

It seems like Rokit is now also one of them. As he woke up, mind brainwashed, as he looked at the floor, and then the Mixel. With the same dripping ink, the same glowing eyes, and the pain of moving even just a single inch.

M...or...e...n...eed...M...ORE! The Mixel thought, feeling that same emptiness in its stomach, and it thinking that food can remove that emptiness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Only nothing but silence slithered across the room due to what they heard. Nurp-Nauts eyes are now bloodshot red, now crying tears of blood due to the events that happened recently.

"...We gotta get out of this planet. Now." Burnard stated firmly. Never once he was this serious in a long time, with only one time being when the Mixamajig Incident occurred.

The head turns into Nurps side. "B...but what about..." he couldn't even say a sentence before nearly bursting into tears. Never once he heard someone die. Especially when it was from his tribe mates.

"From what we've heard, it's already too late. I'm sorry." Niksput solemnly stated, with the silence building up like a cloud, ready to burst out with sound and emotion.

Without no hesitation, the Infernite Cousins and the Orbitrons (or, what's left of it) ran out and into the Glowkies Cave, not even looking at the dome that was once their home. Sometimes they were a bit lost (it was a while visiting the cave after getting kicked out from the concerts...don't ask why), but they found their way to the cave.

Once they were inside, they were met by bats, lots and lots of bats, but this time they were hiding in wherever there was cover. They haven't been this...skittish and scared before.

"Yeesh, what happened here? Did that Mixel also roamed across this place too?" Burnard spoke, confused about the cave being in such a state. The cave has been nearly demolished by something, with rocks and fallen debris only being where the place was. There was no lights either, with the only source of light being from the place in where you can enter and exit the cave.

"Well I'll tell you something!" A familar voice responded, getting closer and closer to them. Turns out, it was Globert, severely bruised and having some scars. Then he started his little rant. "There was this one Mixel covered in paint that decided to try and eat us as much as it can, destroying this beauty of the cave. That even thing ripped off my outfit for my performances! My GOD why doesn't it have any fashion sense..."

"Thankfully we're bats so...that Mixel didn't get to eat us, but it was a struggle....it even ripped off a part of my wings." Another voice said. Turns out it was Vampos, with parts of his wings being ripped off with cuts also in his legs.

"To be honest it kind of amuses me seeing a Mixel with that kind of powers...I bet it can't catch me though!" Another voice stated. And that was the dim-witted Glowky, Boogly, with only having a few scars and some parts of his teeth being chipped off. "Anyways, if you're asking us to join you and leave the Mixel Moon, we're not coming. Were staying right here in this—"

"Nuh uh uh, Boogly!" Globert interrupted, "Who knows. What if that monstrous thing comes back with someone else? To help it?"

"B-but what about the sun? Aren't we going to-"

"There's something called an umbrella," Vampos stated.

"Sighs Fine. But if that thing comes to Planet Mixel then I will leave you all behind." Boogly mumbled that last part, with no one noticing it. Well except for one.

"Hm? What was that Boogly?" Globert said, his eyes slightly glaring at him.

"Nothing, nothing." Boogly responded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rokit and the Mixel were still staring at each other, confused as to what just happened. How did Rokit turned into one of them? Was this on accident? It was going to leave the rotting corpse alone, but then that just...happened.

"Y...yo....u.." Rokit said, struggling to speak as the ink is coming out of his mouth.

"I....w...ha....?" The Mixel spoke, trying to speak with its vocal cords being covered in ink.

"N...ee...d.....s...ee..." Rokit tried to speak something else but, all then was heard as gargling noises.

M..igh...be...th..ere..The mixel thought. It sort of remembers the Glowkies cave that it caused havoc on. Them and the Orbitrons might be there right? Mig..ht...mov...som...where...els..e The mixel thought again.

"I...find...them...join?" The Mixel requested.

Rokit looks down on the floor slightly, before looking at the Mixel and says, "Fine...don't...kill..though..."

Do...I...need..? The mixel thought. It could do it alone since it has these multiple powers, yet, it doesn't want to leave its kind alone. I..need..more...food........Yes...I...do...mus...get...mor..e The Mixel admitted to itself.

"O...k!" The Mixel lied. It was a bit guilty once saying that but, it needs more corpses to feed on for a reason.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Outside of the Glowkie Cave

It was a bit of a struggle, but the Orbitrons, Infernite Cousins and the Glowkies came out of the cave, knowing well that they have to leave it behind. Some Glowkies didn't want to leave the place where they lived for so long. Especially the concerts. And they might no longer experience the feeling ever again.

They were near an area outside the cave, talking about what they will be going to do in Planet Mixel. Nurp-Naut has stopped crying, but they still feel that dread of letting Rokit be killed. He was also behind Niksput, afraid that maybe another Glowkie was covered in that paint, and that they are just disguised as a normal one.

"Now for a way to get out of the moon..." Globert pondered around an area, thinking about the fastest way to get out as soon as possible.

"Can't we use our wings?" Boogly stated, flapping his wings like there's no tomorrow.

"First that would take too long. And second, my wings parts were ripped off, so it would take even longer for me." Vampos responded.

Burnard overheard the conversation, and said, "How about that UFO Niksput, Nurp-Naut and Rokit had?"

"Oh right!...wait. You still remember that time when we were captured by...ah...ACHOO!" D spMeltus said, right before a sneeze got to him.

"Yes I do...have a brain unlike you!" Burnard joked. It seems like his jokes were getting worse as the journey goes by.

"Yea yeah...really—ACHOO!...funny..." Meltus responded with a slight glare.

"...Anyways. Maybe we can find that UFO and go back to Planet Mixel!" Burnard continued, trying to ignore the glare from Meltus.

Nurp-Nauts head spins to Nauts side. "But, that's near the dome, where that mixel might still be there after..." Naut stops talking as he doesn't want Nurp to remember what happened to Rokit.

"It will be fine, okay? It's not like they're...they're...." Burnard stares at the distance, seeing the ink chasing after the area where they are near at.

"...We need to get inside the dome, NOW!" Flamzer declared, as them, the Orbitrons and the Glowkies start running to where the dome can be at.

The ink was spreading like wildfire, capturing and slowing down many Glowkies like it's a fly trap, perfect for a feast that the mixel can have. No one could look back, look back and save their people, or it's over for their life.

As they soon went in the dome, they had to find that UFO without getting caught by the mixel and Rokit. Everyone had to stay inside the shadows as they look around at the dome, wondering where the rest could be.

Nurp-Nauts head turns into Nurps side, tugging onto Niksput jetpack. "Niksput..." Nurp whispered, "I'm scared..."

"No worries, Nurp-Naut," Rokit whispered, "We're going to be okay. We just gotta get out of here and it will be good."

"But...what about—"

"GUYS! I FOUND THE UFO, GET OVER HERE, NOW." Globert yelled, alerting all mixels, the ink ones as well.

"Nows the time. Let's go!" Niksput stated as he hold Nurp-Nauts hand and ran towards where Globert is, with some Glowkies distracting the mixel and Rokit without causing a mess.

Thankfully, the Orbitrons and the Infernite Cousins got in the UFO, but there were too many Glowkies, and there was only a maximum capacity of 9 Mixels in a UFO.

"Globert, Vampos, Boogly, HURRY!" Flamzer exclaimed, causing the attention of the main Glowkies to get in.

"Well, that was…VERY EXHAUSTING, but...! Wait. what about the others. What about the others of my tribe?" Globert questioned, "Is there enough space for all of my people?"

The 2 Orbitrons looked down in shame, clearly not wanting to tell Globert the truth, but they had to.

"I'm sorry but...only 9 Mixels can be contained in this UFO, not all the Mixels in the world." Niksput stated.

"Wh..what?" Globert said, "You must be lying...right?"

"Once again I'm truly sorry but—"

"YOU HAVE TO BE LYING, RIGHT?! YOU HAVE TO BE!" Globert yelled, tears flowing from his eye as Boogly and Vampos tried to comfort him.

"Globert it's going to be okay," Boogly said in a calming tone, "..It will be okay." He'd never seen anyone lash out like this, especially from Globert, in a long time.

"IT CANT BE THE TRUTH! IT CANT BE THE TRUTH AT ALL! IT WILL NEVER BE!" Globert yelled, not believing that anything Niksput said was true. Even thought he can be focused a lot on fashion and concerts, he had that soft spot for the Glowkies who have lived with him, the ones that he had for so long. He didn't want to leave his tribe to nothing, just to some inked mixel.

"It's the truth, Globert, but you still have us." Vampos said, hugging Globert as he cries on his shoulder.

"Yeah..I—sob—know...i-it's just that I...didn't—sob—wanted it to b-be like...sob...this..." Globert stated, trying so hard to ignore the fact that his people would be gone for good now.

As the UFO takes off to Planet Mixel, all they can see is the Mixel Moon getting engulfed in ink. To once what was called their home. Nurp-Naut didn't want to see this. Nurp especially. He wanted this to be all just a nightmare, a nightmare that he'll wake up out of, and everything will be normal. But, everything, feels so real. It's like a nightmare being folded into reality, something Nurp feared of, and now...

Now he has to face that fate of reality.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The mixel and Rokit was now searching for any trace of the Orbitrons, the Infernite Cousins and the main Glowkies, but no trace was there to be found. All they did was defeat some Glowkies, Glowkies that will never see the light of day ever again.

The mixel and Rokit now looked at the aching Glowkies, trying to get out of the inks grasp yet they just couldn't.

"Wh...at...no..w?" Rokit said, looking at the mixel with a slight glare. "No...sign..."

The mixel looked at Rokit with a gaze. "Eat...must...eat.." That was it. That was the only thing there was to do now, to eat them.

"Wha..?! I..NEVER...do...suc..h...THING!" Rokit yelled at the mixel, in which it was completely unphased."

"Its...eat...or...star..v." The mixel stated, knowing that his partner will die if he doesn't eat even just a small part.

"Now...com...e...eat." The mixel said as he starts tearing through the Glowkies bodies, eating the guts and parts and anything it could consume, wi  the blood nearly covering the mixels body too. Rokit was a bit hesitant on eating a Glowkie: they looked like they were desperate to be spared.

"Please...don't kill me, PLEASE!" The Glowkie said, begging to not be eaten.

"I...so...sor..ry" Rokit stated, as he ripped a part of the Glowkie's wings...and another...and then through the body parts as he eats the guts with black tears flowing from his pure white eyes. He didn't want to eat a Glowkie, nor anyone, yet he didn't want to starve either. So all he could do was tear through the organs, silently crying as he forced himself to eat it, blood spilling and flowing everywhere.

He felt like he wanted to throw up after force-feeding himself: I...hat...e...this.. Rokit thought, with the black ink-colored tears still flowing from his eyes as he looks up to see the mixel covered in blood.

"How...wa..s...it?" The mixel asked Rokit.

Rokit couldn’t say anything through his choking sobs, as he tried to hold it together. “Why…yo…u…MADE…!”

Rokit then shoots out a flying lazer, catching the mixel off guard and gets hit by it.

“Wh…y…YOU…” The mixel said as it summoned the inky tentacles and strangle Rokit.

“I…giv…CHAN…CE…yet…yo…u…did…thi..s..” The mixel explained with a glare.

“Then…wh…y…kill..?! Y..ou…p..ROMISED…” Rokit said as he struggles to breathe from the ink and the tentacles strangling him.

“Only…fo…r…gro…wth…” The mixel said as it then threw Rokit to a wall, hard, cracking it as a loud, scream of agony echoed from Rokit.

Hearing a mixel scream while infected is like hearing someone’s please to die, yet no one ever sees it through the gargling, ear piercing screaming, of them wanting to stay alive.

“FINE!…if you…wan…t…that w…ay…SO…BE…IT.” Rokit yelled as he flies up with his jetpack.

“I’m goi..ng….to…find…th..em…no…matt..er..what.” Rokit said as he tried to fly away from the mixel, but a tentacle grabbed him, covering his torso tight so that he couldn’t leave as the mixel walked up to him, ink flowing like steps for it to walk up on.

“I…see…wis…h…we…coul..d..have…friend..” The mixel said before taking control of the tentacle, and threw Rokit away to a planet…which caught the eye of the mixel.

It was nothing like it ever seen. It was beaming with color surrounding each and every corner of the planet, rings circling around it like it had unified with the planet in harmony.

The mixel tilted its head before realizing. Another…tar..get..

The mixel looked behind him as the ink sealed the corpses, reviving those very Glowkies that were killed during its feast, having that very pain of moving, and the ink flowing from its mouth, that it had. 

The mixel slowly walked down from the ink like stairs, looking at the Glowkies, seeing them suffer from being reborn by their very own eyes.

COUGH, COUGH  

The infected Glowkies then perked up and looked at where the noise could be, and soon looked at the mixel, wondering what had happened to them.

“Listen…” The mixel started as he points to Planet Mixel, “We…hav…target…must…des..troy..” 

The Glowkies looked at each other before looking back, soon slowly flying with their wings, with it being a bit of a struggle to handle.

“If…find…mix..el…ki..ll..and..ea..t.” The mixel explained as he turned to the planet, “Now…fol..low.”

The mixel then soon jumped and was floating, with the ink carrying him as he flew to the direction to where Planet Mixel was, with the Glowkies following it.

A few seconds after doing so, the mixel had a thought, I…don’t…hav..e..name. Wh..at..name?

The mixel was thinking for a bit before it decided on a name: …in..kai? Y..eah! Ink…ai! Inkai thought as it continued to be carried towards Planet Mixel.

The mixels on Planet Mixel weren’t doing much, as it seemed like nothing else would happen anymore, but they were wrong. Very, very wrong.

They didn’t know that the Ink-Fection, would soon begin.

Chapter Text

Back at the UFO…

Everyone was currently sleeping, waiting to be landed on back to Earth. Flamzer, Burnard and Meltus were in a corner, with Burnard and Meltus sleeping next to Flamzer, a bit cold since the UFO they used had no heating add-on. Niksput was also near a corner, as he slept with Nurp-Naut right next to him. All were sleeping soundly, until Nurp-Naut heard a noise. 

Someone…crying? 

Naut? Nurp said in his mind, Do you hear someone crying?

I certainly do, Naut responded, but I don’t think we should—

We should! I would rather not sleep than let someone cry the entire night! Nurp said, soon waking up and controlling the body. He slowly and silently gets out of Niksputs grasp as he looks around to see where the noise was coming from.

And turns out, it was Globert.

Globert was silently crying after what just happened. He’s trying to hide it so that no one could notice his pride being chipped away by the second, even after the breakdown.

Nurp-Nauts head turns into Nurp’s side “Globert? Are you—“

“O-oh? Me? I’m fine, don’t worry about me!” Globert lied, trying to act as normal as possible.

Nurp knows he’s lying, Nurp sees tears! Nurp thought, seeing the tears coming out of Globerts eye. Naut, what should Nurp do? 

Hm? And for what reason? Naut said in his thoughts.

To comfort Globert! The bat mixel! He’s crying! I don’t want to see mixels cry! It makes me sad…Nurp stated, eager to know what to do to comfort one of his friends.

I suggest you give him a hug, Nurp. It’s the best you could do at this time and age. Naut responded.

Thank you Naut! Nurp exclaimed.

Now with a way to comfort Globert, he goes up to him.

“..hm? Nurp-Naut? I told you that I am fi—“ He then soon gets interrupted after Nurp-Naut hugs him tightly.

As soon as Nurp-Naut hugs him, Globert was a bit confused. “What…? Why are you—“

“You’re sad and Nurp knows it! It’s not okay to hide tears!” Nurp asserted to Globert, hugging him as tight as he could.

“I—“

“Nurp rather see you cry rather than hiding it!” Nurp stated firmly, “It would be okay to cry other than not showing it! Everyone is taking their nap-nap anyway!”

Globerts breathing starts heavily shaking. 

“I…I…”

“Again, it will be fine, Globert! You still have us!” Nurp smiled softly.

He nearly chokes tears as he tries to calm himself down. It will be fine… Globert stated in his mind. It will…be..

Soon, Globert started crying, as silent as he could as he hugged Nurp-Naut back, and closed his eyes, trying to fight back the desire to scream as loud as he could as he sobbed.

“I wish I—sob—could’ve helped them—inhale—…I wish I…” Globert muttered under his breath.

After a bit of crying, sobbing as his eyes turn red and puffy, hugging Nurp-Naut as long as possible, Nurp-Naut eventually falls into slumber again as he softly lets him go, nearly falling but Globert catches them in time.

Globert looks at Nurp-Naut, sleeping on his wings like a cradle, as Globert settles down and looks at the window. It seemed like they were nearing Planet Mixel. 

Thanks, Nurp-Naut. Globert thought, as he soon drifts off to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1 day later…

Flamzer was the first to wake up, noticing that the UFO has now landed back into their home.

Flamzer was soon shaking Burnard and Meltus. “Psst. Wake up!” Flamzer silently said, waking them up in the process.

“Whuh…oh, Flamzer, I had the best dream I ever had and you of all people had to ruin it!” Burnard said with a slight glare in his eyes. 

“Huh…Flamzer? What is it?” Meltus asked, eyes nearly drooping from the amount of sleep he had.

Burnard then looks at the window and his jaw drops. “No way…don’t tell me—“

“Yes. We’re back on Planet Mixel, or, our home.” Flamzer stated.

Burnard immediately started waking everyone up.

“WAKEUPWAKEUPWAKEUPWAKEUP!!!!” Burnard exclaimed repeatedly, shaking everyone that was asleep in the UFO.

“Burnard, what is it now?” Boogly peeved.

“What? Why are you waking me up?” Vampos questioned.

“Hm? What happened now?” Niksput Inquired.

“Hey! Why did you wake Nurp and Naut up?!” Nurp-Naut pressed with a bit of anger.

“Ugh…Burnard what is—“

“It’s time to see what happened while we were gone! Please welcome the new and improved: Planet Mixel!” Burnard said, opening the door to the colorful world.

Once the Orbitrons and the Glowkies went out, they thought they were dreaming. Lush trees growing everywhere, color sprouting from left to right as mixamals big and small roamed the land, the water being clear as the blue, cloud sky. Beautiful was an understatement, no, it was the most gorgeous thing the mixel from the Mixel Moon had ever seen in their life. A lot has really changed.

The head spins to Nurps side. “WOAH! This place is so cool!!!” He said as he was jumping up and down with joy.

The head then spins to Nauts side. “Don’t get too excited yet. We don’t know if there is anything that can hurt us, you know?”

“It’s fine mostly, just ignore or hide from the mixamals and it’s cool!” Burnard stated, giving a little glare to Meltus.

“What? You know I have allergies! can’t—ACHOO—control them!” Meltus said, using a tissue to cover his sneeze.

No one noticed the Glowkies immediately flying towards shade, hiding from the sunlight. 

Niksput was the first to notice. “Wait, where are the—“

“We’re over here by the way!” Globert interrupted, waving his wing to where he was. 

“Oh, right, shade.” Niksput said, before looking around the area in awe, not noticing Nurp-Naut and the Infernite Cousins going into the shade.

“Are ya coming or not?!” Boogly said, rolling his eyes in annoyance.

“Oh! Right, coming!” Niksput said, going towards where the Glowkies were. 

Once they all gathered around the shade, Vampos said, “So…what now?”

Burnard responded, “Well, we can explore the planet if anything has changed! So follow me—“

“You always lead to the worst places, and I’m technically the leader…so follow me instead.” Flamzer interrupted, making Burnard giving a glare to him as the Orbitrons and the Glowkies followed him.

As they were walking, the Orbitrons and the Glowkies were looking around the place. The big trees, the glowing light following them, the green bushes and ponds. They never saw such beauty in this world. All they only know is their home, the Mixel Moon, and their dome that was destroyed by the Infernites months ago. 

“I still remember about theeeAAAAAAAA!!! A—A-a….HNGH!!!” Meltus said before holding in a sneeze.

“Uh, Meltus. You good?” Niksput stated, feeling a bit concerned.

“No…I’m f-fine…totally…FINE..” Meltus said, trying to hold in the loud sneeze that will happen soon.

“Ah…AH….AAAAAACHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!” Meltus sneezed as fire went out of his nose, burning a lot of patches of grass.

“GAH! What was that for!?” Globert yelled, nearly being blown away from his sneeze, “I would’ve flown away to nowhere without even using my wings!”

“Sorry…Sniffs, I have an extreme allergy to flowers.” Meltus apologized.

“…Or maybe you just have an allergy to Mixels too?” Burnard smirked as he tried to not laugh.

“Oh, cut it out already!…pfft..” Meltus said, trying to hide his little laughter.

“Looks like you're hiding a laugh huh? Let it out!” Burnard said with a smug look, which makes Meltus try not to laugh even harder.

“…pfft…PFFT HAHAHAHA!!! Fine, looks ya got me!” Meltus playfully says as he soon follows back to the group, and the same goes for Burnard.

They then encountered a familiar place. A place where the Mixels existed before going to Mixopolis: Mixel Land.

“Oh now this brings some memories already!” Burnard stated, looking around the old place, breathing it all in. 

“So this is where you three lived?” Niksput stated, looking around the old place, seeing the volcanos and trees and icy fields. 

“Yep! Always has been!” Burnard explained

“…until you sucked us into a UFO and to the Mixel Moon.” Flamzer continued.

“Ah, that memory, sorry about that, haha!” Niksput said as he put one hand on the back of his neck.

Nurp-Nauts head switches to Nurps side, “Yeah. Nurp is sorry about that!”

“ANYWAYS, anyways, this place feels so…outdated, you know?” Globert stated as he has a big leaf being used as shade. “Where’s the flair? Where’s the modernity in this place?”

Vampos went next to him and said, “Don’t you remember about the Mixamajig incide—“

“SHUT. I know about that. That doesn’t relate to how outdated this place is.” Globert interrupted firmly.

While this talk was happening, Nurp-Naut decided to see what this place has to offer, secretly. They wandered to the Infernite District, where Flain, Zorch and Vulk lived, seeing the lava flowing from the sky as the red and black rocks covered the whole place. Then the Cragster District, where Krader, Seismo and Shuff lived, the shiny rocks covering the place, with giant rocks looking like the houses, potholes that were there, that stood for a very, long time.

They were amazed. Woah! Naut, these places are AWESOME!!! Nurp said in his mind.

It really is, Naut responded, Makes you wonder if mixels like Burnard, Flamzer and Meltus were born from these places too.

Maybe! Nurp stated, Oh I wish Nurp and you lived here! 

Haha! Yeah, I wish we did too, Naut responded, but…something caught their eye.

For a moment, a mixel, the same mixel with the inked coating ran across the Cragster District, as if they are hiding from something.

Eeek! Who was that? Nurp anxiously said.

I don’t know, Naut responded, Best is to ignore it and go back to the group. Niksput might be looking for us everywhere.

Okay…Nurp said, walking to where the group was at. 

The group was sitting in a small circle, talking about this place and its origins.

“…Mixel Land? That’s how you called this place?! A bit off putting in my opinion.” Globert said.

“Well that’s what we called it…Oh! Nurp-Naut!” Burnard responded, but quickly waved at Nurp-Naut for their return.

Nurp-Naut slightly waves back at him as they sat down. The head then switches to Naut. “So. What did we miss?”

“Eh, just about Mixel land. Nothing much,” Burnard responded as he put his hands on the back of his head.

“…Anyways, should we move on to see what else has changed? It’s a bit boring being in this place—“ 

“Ooh!” Burnard said as he interrupted Boogly and snapped his fingers, “What about Mixopolis? We haven’t seen that city in a bit.”

“Right. Nearly forgot about that dazzling place!” Globert stated, standing up as he prepared to use his wings. “I’ll follow the lead this time too.”

“Alright alright, but don’t be like Burnard and lead us towards a trap or two!” Flamzer said firmly.

Globert rolls his eyes as he flaps his wings and is ready to go back to Mixopolis.

“This way my fellow Mixels!” Globert asserted as he flew to where Mixopolis was, with the Infernite Cousins and the Orbitrons following him.

“Lord Maximum Mixel, Globert, could you PLEASE go slower. We can’t even fly like you and the Orbitrons.” Flamzer stated as he pants for breath, same for Meltus and Burnard.

“Oh come on Flamzer, you know how to fix it, right?” Globert replied as he flew.

Burnard smirked as he pulled out a cubit saying, “With a mix~!” 

While Meltus and Flamzer were a bit hesitant to grab the cubit, they did it willingly. The mix illusion shows them being in the ocean, bubbles surrounding them as they enter deeper into the sea, and soon, the bubbles collide with the Mixels, popping into flames as the Infernite Cousins Max was formed. They soon sped up to the Orbitrons and Glowkies as they ran. But, they did run a bit too fast.

The head switches to Nurp’s side. “Wait! Your running into a—“

The max ran into a wall made of rock as the max splitted into 3, weakening Mixels.

“…Wall…” Nurp continued as he saw them run into the wall.

“Gah, what did I tell you Burnard?!” Flamzer yelled, “We nearly died!”

“Look, at least we caught up with them. And besides, we’re near Mixopolis!” Burnard responded as he sees multiple buildings nearby.

“Huh…we a—ACHOO!…are near.” Meltus said with a sneeze.

The Mixels grouped up to take a good look at the city. Colorful buildings, colorful atmosphere with the clear, blue sky, same with the water.

“…Huh. It seems like this city still looks the same after many months.” Niksput said as he dusted off his wings with his hands.

“Darling, you know that new stuff can take a HEFTY amount of time you know?” Globert stated as he flew around Niksput.

Nurp-Nauts head flips the Nauts side as he slightly rolls his eye. “Ah, let’s just take a look around the place.” Naut said with a bit of annoyance.

As the group walked around a part of Mixopolis, they felt senses of nostalgia coming back to them: The tall buildings ranging from all different kinds of colors, the futuristic trains riding in railroads that are nearly in the sky, and of course, the center of Mixopolis, having that very same Niksput statue right in the middle.

“Oh, I remember this!” Niksput said as he looked at the statue with pride, “Back when I saved Mixopolis from the Nixels that one time!”

Nurp-Nauts head switches to Nurp’s side. “That story was really interesting!” Nurp exclaimed, “Nurp really wants to hear it again and again!”

“Eh…but that was a long time ago, Nurp,” Niksput said as he turned to look at Nurp-Naut, “BUT! Maybe you can carry on that very same legacy I have! Who knows?”

“Hehe…hopefully!” Nurp beamed.

A familiar voice was then heard:

“YO COUSIIIIIIIIINS!!!” Zorch said as he sped up to the Infernite cousins in an instant, “Where were y'all? Flain thought you were coming back to Mixopolis MONTHS earlier.”

Burnard responded with a light punch in the back. “You’d think we would like to leave the Mixel-Moon?” Burnard said, “Ha! Nope!”

“Well I guess y’all caved in—“ Zorch said, but then took a look at the Glowkies and the Orbitrons.

“…Say, what are those Mixels—“

“Ah! Introduction time this early? Well, I’m Globert, the FABULOUS leader of the Glowkies,” Globert said, flapping his wings around Zorch.

…When will you cut the act already? Vampos thought with a slight glare. “I’m Vampos by the way.” He said.

“Don’t forget about me! Boogly!” Boogly yelled.

“I’m Nurp!“ Nurp says as his head spins to Nauts side, “Naut.”

“And I’m Niksput, the leader of the Orbitrons!” Niksput said proudly.

“Huh…! Say, where’s your third tribe mate? It seems a bit weird to see that there’s only 2 of your tribe,” Zorch questioned as he sat down, “Heck, I bet he wanted to stay in the Mixel Moon forever and ever!”

Niksput and Nurp-Naut slowly looked at each other slightly.

“Right…Rokit…uh….yeah! He just wanted to stay and do his own thing, that's all,” Niksput lied, very very clearly.

Niksput…Nurp thought.

“Niksput, that lie was the most see-through lie I’ve ever heard,” Zorch stated, “Yet….GAH! Let’s just talk about this later. Now c’mon! To the Infernite District!”

“To what?” The group of Mixels said, but Zorch  ran off to the Infernite District very fast, with the others struggling to catch up with him.

“Lord Maximum Mixel could you PLEASE go any slo—“ Flamzer said, holding onto Vampos’s leg as he flew (same with the Burnard and Meltus, holding onto Globert and Boogly’s leg), but Zorch was already gone. With a sigh, the group flew to the District, albeit being a bit more slower, but they got there.

Zorch looks up, seeing the group flying to the district. “Yall are slower than I thought! Well, no one can outrun me anyway so..” Zorch said with a slight smirk.

“Well it’s not like we have fire jets in our back don’t we?” Flamzer retorted as he walked up to Zorch.

Zorch only rolled his eyes slightly as he turned around. “…Anyways, this is the Infernite District! Take a look around the place!” Zorch said.

The Infernite District was…a lot. Tall, red skyscrapers that go up for miles, lava flowing from the cracked roads, so much..life. And there lies a huge lava fountain in the middle, basically being the source of energy for the Infernites. 

The group, especially the Infernite Cousins, looked around in awe, taking it all in. 

“…Wow,” Burnard said, “So you’re telling me that we missed ALL of this?! I wish I could’ve come earlier!”

“Yeah, you missed quite a bit…anyways, to our apartment!” Zorch said as he sped off to who knows where.

“A—ACHOO!…APARTMENT?!” Meltus said as he runs to try and catch up to Zorch.

“Hey wait up!” Burnard said as he ran to Meltus.

“I swear to Maximum Mixel…” Flamzer mumbled as he ran up to his siblings, and so did the Orbitrons and then the Glowkies. 

A short while later, they arrived at the Infernite Apartment Complex, the largest apartment complex  in the entire world. The group was very, VERY lost, trying to search for Zorch as he passed through crowds of people coming and going out of the complex.

“Yo! I’m over here!” Zorch yelled as he waved his hand over the crowds of people, with Niksput noticing the wave.

“Over there everyone,” Niksput shouted as he walked towards Zorch, but due to the crowd, it was very, very cramped, so it took a while for the rest of the group to get to Zorch.

“This place is more crowded than usual so…let’s just go through the flights of stairs instead of the elevator. Little to no one ever goes there.” Zorch stated, “Also we’re on the 58th floor…don’t ask why…RACE YA THERE!” and soon sped through the flights of stairs in mere seconds.

The Glowkies and Orbitrons didn’t mind this, but there was groaning from the Infernite Cousins. Going up flights of stairs for an seemingly endless amount of time is like torture to them. 

“Looks like yall need a ride.” Niksput said as he grabbed Burnard by the arms, squeezing him so that he doesn’t fall off

Burnard doesn’t respond to this, as he snuggles a little bit while in Niksputs grasp. 

“Ooh, it seems like someone’s falling in love~” Globert said as he made a heart with his wings.

“Shut up.” Niksput and Burnard both said at the same time. After that time when Burnard caught Niksput in a smoke-rope, Globert would never shut up about their “love life”. 

“…Anyways! I’ll gladly go grab Meltus and Vampos can grab Flamzer!” Globert said as he grabbed Meltus by one of his wings.

“Hang on tight, by the way,” Vampos said to Flamzer as he grabbed him by one of his wings, “Now let’s go.”

The Orbitrons and the Glowkies grabbing the Infernite Cousins (except Boogly and Nurp-Naut because he doesn’t have arms and it would be a bit too heavy for Nurp-Naut) flew through the stairwell as the cousins hold on tightly, hoping that they won’t end up with a trip to the hospital.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile…

Inkai (and the rest of the Infected Glowkies) are currently hiding in a cave, some of the Glowkies talking (or at least trying to) about their existence. How were they before becoming an inked zombie? What did they look like?

During that, Seismo was walking to an area where he would be meeting someone later today…that was until he saw a glimpse of the very same cave and stopped, seeing the pure white eyes looking around.

Weird cave. Seismo thought, Me should not—

The eyes looked directly at him, yet they didn’t move, and neither did Seismo, frozen in fear as one of the eyes went closer to him. Turns out, it was Inkai.

“…? Yo…u…us..?” Inkai said in confusion. He’d never seen a Mixel so similar to them.

“W-what you mean?” Seismo blurted in fear, as Inkai got closer.

“Yo..ur…col..or..” Inkai stated, “Sim..liar…to ou..rs..”

“Uh, well, me is part of the Cragsters, no in—“ Seismo was then grabbed by Inkais tentacles.

“Wei..rd..” Inkai said, “So…simi…lar…yet…diff…erent.”

“W-WAIT! Before you do any, what you want to do?” Seismo blurted again in fear.

“But…you…no…us…so…we…Kill.” Inkai said, as it prepared to stab Seismo.

Seismo tries to escape as he tries to dig to the ground, but more tentacles restrain his feet and arms to the ground, being nearly unable to move.

“Please..” Seismo sobbed as tears come out of his eye, “PLEASE DON'T DO THI—“

He was then stabbed in the back, nearly piercing through his eye.

…Flain…Seismo thought, …Me wish could’ve said…that…

Silence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of minutes later

The group finally arrived at the 58th floor, a bit exhausted after flying nonstop, as they search for Flains room.

“…How many floors are in this building..” Globert panted as he stopped to take a breather.

“Could be more than 200, who knows?” Zorch answered as he walked towards the group, “Also, hey! You’re finally here! After what, 15 minutes? 20?”

“Just tell us where Flain is…” Vampos said as his wings felt like they were gonna tear off. 

“Oh, right, Flain! Follow me, I’ll-“

One apartment door opened as Flain pokes out of it.

“What is it Zor….YO!!! MY COUSINS!!!” Flain said as he ran into the Infernite Cousins and hugged all three of them.

“Yall are finally back! Was there that much fun on the moon?” Flain asked as he walked towards his apartment.

“Heck yes there was! There were concerts almost every day!” Burnard responded, walking next to him.

“Really huh? And who were hosting them?” Flain asked, and as soon as he said that, Globert flew up to Flain.

“Me! Globert! The fabulous leader of the Glowkies!” Globert said, flapping his wings rapidly.

“Oh…I sure do remember you…!” Flain said as he slightly looked down, remembering the Mixamajig Incident a while back.

“…If it’s about the incident, then just…move on..! It’s been AGES and we’re still thriving with Mixopolis!” Globert said, trying to hide his hatred towards Flain.

“Look, that trap the Nixels made nearly broke up our way of mixing, and even the entire world after King Nixel nearly took over our city,” Flain stated, “I wish I could’ve just got it out of my mind yet I can’t…I can’t at all.”

Silence of sorrow and embarrassment slowly filled up the room as they remember them scrambling to get the “key”, causing so much conflict between the ones they’ve had most, just for it to be all fake.

2 cat-like ears then poke up from the door, with a Mixel slowly peeking through it.

“Can we…please not talk about that? Also, weren't you going to meet Seismo right now?” Vulk said as he walked to Flain with a slight, sad frown.

“Oh!..Right, that. I’m sorry for ending this but I have to go right now so as you’ll excuse me—“

Sirens can be heard from a distance.

“Oh what seems to be happening now? An earthquake? A tornado?” Zorch says as he enters the apartment and turns on the TV to the Mixel News Channel.

“THIS IS SCREENO COMING TO YOU LIVE WITH A NEWZERS REPORT,” Screeno yelled anxiously, “A NEW UNIDENTIFIED INFECTION OUTBREAK IS ON THE LOOSE. STAY ALIVE, FIND SHELTER, AND—OH SCHNI—“ 

A black object seemed to zoom towards Screeno, causing the channel to change to be just static.

Flain immediately hurried to the balcony to see what’s going on, and it was chaos:

Ink seemed to be flying from the sky, all across Mixopolis, with Mixels getting killed and infected, turning into ink like creatures that zoom across the city like wildfire. The group’s eyes widened, seeing such terror happen in their city.

“…Oh Maximum Mixel.” Flain mumbled as he turned around to the group, “We have to get outta here RIGHT NOW. Globert and—“

“You know I can just..” Zorch said, grabbing flain and Vulk while interrupting him.

“Zorch…I don’t think this is a good idea—“

“Promise me, my fire jet powers have improved a lot, I’m sure I can fly like those Mixels!” Zorch said as he readied up to use his fire jets.

“But—“

“Trust the process, Vulk.” Zorch said as his fire jets started to rev up.

“Trust.”

“The.”

“PROCESS!!!” Zorch yelled as he zoomed across the city mid-air in minutes, the flame being exposed for miles in the sky.

“H-HEY WAIT FOR US!” The group said as they flew to where the Infernites might be, with the Flamzer and Meltus holding on to the Glowkies and Burnard being held tightly by Burnard.

While they were flying though, Nurp-Naut looked down and saw a familiar figure.

Ro…Rokit..? Nurp thought as he flew across the sky. …Don’t worry, we will save you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Infernites were still flying as Zorch’s fire jets kept the steady momentum going.

“Hah! Told yall!” Zorch said playfully.

“Not gonna lie, this is…pretty rad!” Flain said.

“Rad fun?” Zorch and Vulk said.

“RAD FUN!” The Infernites cheered, having a little happy moment as they flew.

Zorch then looks to see his fire jets, checking if the fire didn’t turn into smoke…turns out, it did.

“Uh oh.” Zorch said, “Not to ruin the fun but…WE'RE GONNA CRASH!!!”

The Infernites then screamed as they fell from the sky, bracing for impact. Soon, they fell into a pond of water, scrambling to get out of it.

“…Great. Now my flame is nearly nothing but smoke.” Flain mumbled, “Zorch can you—“

Zorch used his fire jets to bring the flame back to life, with a bit of force as the jets are mostly smoke.

“…Yeah, my fire jets are done for. Might as well…just…” Zorch then dozed off to sleep next to Flain.

Vulk then weakly walks to Flain and dozes off too, just wanting to have a bit of rest as to what happened a bit ago.

Flain nearly dozed off to sleep too, until he saw a familiar figure.

A Mixel with horns, long legs, and a covered mouth.

Flains mind was rushing. Seismo…

He then soon ran up to him, but something was off:

Seismo was covered in ink, his pupil scribbled and smudged, crying white tears of…memories? Memories of when he first met Flain, of when he tried to get that coconapple, and so much more, floating up into the sky and vanishing.

“Seismo..? It’s me. Flain.” Flain said calmly.

“Y..ou..” Seismo asked as he stepped back, trying to cover his memories of tears being wiped away.

“…Wh..y…remem…ber..” Seismo sobbed, “…You.”

Seismo then grabs Flain by the neck.

“Woah buddy, what are you doING—“ 

Seismo then soon starts strangling Flain, letting the tears flow out of him, letting the memories fade in front of his eyes.

“Why…..” Flain said, gasping for breath as Seismo strangles him, ink seeping into his skin, “..are you doing—“

“SHUT UP! ME ALREADY…SUFFERED ENOUGH BULLSCHNIX…YOU THINKING THAT WORDS CAN ALWAYS…CHANGE EVERYTHING…. EVEN THOUGH IT DO NOTHING…NOTHING AT ALL!” Seismo yelled as he threw Flain to the ground.

Without any choice, he landed a hard fire punch on Seismos mouth, causing excruciating discomfort and pain, but for a few seconds, he didn’t scream. He couldn't scream. He just stood there, looking at Flain, with his eyes widening in shock and pain.

Soon, a loud, ear piercing scream that can be heard from miles away, as Vulk and Zorch immediately woken up, startled to hear the noise.

“Flain..? Flain, where are you..” Vulk said, looking around with fear.

Zorch then sees a strange, large figure beating up..something. 

“…Let’s search over there first.” Zorch said as he ran to the thing, but immediately, he stood there, shocked to the core of what was happening.

Flain, trying to fight back, was severely injured by Seismo, blood flowing out of parts of his injured body and ink trying to seep into the fiery soul of him. Without no hesitation, Zorch flew in and gave the now infected Seismo a hard kick in the back, knocking him out cold.

“Zorch? What just…happened…oh god…OH GOD!” Vulk yelled as he ran to Flain, “Flain, can you hear us, PLEASE DO..”

“Y-yeah..I can—cough…hear y'all..” Flain said as he weakly crawled and sat in front of a nearby tree, shakily breathing as tears poured from his eyes.

Soon, the Infernite Cousins, the Orbitrons and the Glowkies arrived on the scene.

Globert was the first to speak. “Alright alright! What things did we…miss..”

Globert just stood there, confused, baffled, and concerned, as his mind was blazing with questions: Who left Flain in such a state? Why is there a knocked out Mixel? Is that Mixel infected? When will this just be resolved..? 

As for the Infernite Cousins, they ran to Flain, frightened to see their leader nearly turning into dust.

“D-don’t worry…I’m f-fine..” Flain asserted calmly, soon coughing up blood, “..Mostly…a-atleast..”

“It doesn’t LOOK like you are,” Meltus stuttered, tears rolling from his eyes as he suppressed himself not to scream.

Flamzer sighs as he inspects Flain, “..He’s in critical condition. One more hit and he’s going to die…”

Nurp-Naut didn’t even want to look at Flain. They had already seen enough of what happened at the Mixel Moon, closing their eyes and being next to Niksput as he thought of a plan. “…Alright! I got a new plan: let’s take him somewhere…other than the Mixopolis Hospital, to where we could fix him up.”

“Where to?” Zorch says as he revs up his fire jets.

“…! Maybe Teslo’s lab. He’s probably there right now…hopefully.” Vulk suggests.

“You mean that giant building far away from Mixopolis! HAH! I can get there in seconds!” Zorch said as he grabbed Flain and Vulk.

“C-could you atleast…bring the b-body…” Flain said, coughing.

“Why wouldn’t I? It’s not like it’s—“

“It’s Seismo.” Flain said roughly.

“Ah. Your so-called, ‘best friend’…Well if I get infected, it's your fault not mine!” He said while grabbing Seismo. Good GOD he is heavy…Zorch said as the fire jets activated, and him zooming across the fields.

“GIVE US A BREAK MAN!” Boogly yelled as he pulled himself mentally to fly. 

“A part of my wing is ripped off and yet you’re the one pouting,” Vampos mentioned as he let Flamzer grab onto his leg and flew up in the air, “A bit petty to me honestly.”

Boogly sighed as he flew to where the Infernites went.

“Wait for us Boogly!” Globert reminded Boogly as he lightly tapped Meltus on the shoulder, signaling him to grab his leg, and he did, with Globert flying into the air and following Boogly, and so did Vampos.

“Oh, we’re leaving already?” Niksput said, “Well, time for another tight hug!”

Niksput then grabs Burnard, squeezing him so that he doesn’t fall off.

“Would you PLEASE stop SQUEEZING ME?!” Burnard yelled.

“Hey, you’d rather stay alive than fall down more than 5 feet to the ground, hard,”  Niksput stated as he flew in the sky, “Hey Nurp-Naut, you coming?”

Nurp-Nauts head turns to Nurp’s side. “O-oh right! Nurp is coming!” Nurp said as he flew next to Niksput, following the Glowkies.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inside of Teslo’s Lab…

Teslo is currently trying to take a nap, exhausted after having to put on the large electric fencing and metal door, letting in the refugees who survived the outbreak and now figuring out a cure for this infection. He soon heard a bang on the main entrance.

Ugh…get yourzzzelf together Teslo, Teslo thought to himself as he woke up and walked outside to the steel door, too sleepy to even be concerned of the noise, I can’t be zzzzzzzleeping at this moment…

As he pressed a button, the metal door opened, albeit a bit slowly, revealing the Infernites.

“…Whoever you are, juzzzzst come on and—“ Teslo freezes in shock, seeing the injured Flain and the infected Seismo in Zorchs hands.

“Teslo..?” Vulk said, “Are you oka—“

“YES I AM PERZZZZECTLY FINE JUST GET IN AND ILL HELP,” Teslo yelled anxiously as he ushered the Infernites and the Infernite Cousins into his lab.

Just as he’s about to close the metal door, he then sees another group of mixels.

“Gosh, at least don’t forget about us!” Globert said as he and Boogly flew into the lab with Meltus.

Vampos decided only to walk into the lab since his wing is heavily injured and in pain from flying all the time. “Hi Tes,” Vampos said as he walked past Teslo with Flamzer following him.

As for the Orbitrons, Niksput only waved at Teslo as he walked into the lab, with Nurp-Naut running, closing their eyes. l

Oh Maximum Mixel they’re all in critical conditions, Teslo thought as the door automatically closes, I must send them to the Medix…and maybe quarantine that infected Mixel.

“Okay, zzzzzzo, the Medix are over there if you want to treat Flain,” Teslo says pointing to a door on the left side, “And azzzzz for the infected Mixel-“

“Seismo.” Flain said weakly.

“…Right, Seismo.” Teslo said with high concern, “He hazzzzzz to be quarantined. Immediately. The room for that is over there, the one thazzzzzz metal.” 

“On it,” Zorch said as he ran to the quarantined room and opened the door (with a bit of force).

The room was large with white tiles all over the place. It looks like solitary confinement but with dimmer lights. He then dragged Seismo to the room and left in order to bring Flain to where the Medix are at.

“Now, for the rezzzzzt of you all, there are empty bedrooms upstairs,” Teslo stated as he walks to the stairwell, “Now come on and don’t wazzzzte my time.”

“…Why do you even have empty bedrooms in your lab?” Burnard asked as he and the rest of the group walked up the stairs.

“Just in cazzzze something like this would happen,” Teslo answered, “And I wazzzzz right!” 

Zorch then zoomed across the stairwell to where the empty bedrooms were at. And there was a headstart for them...Zorch thought with a bit of a smug look.

“Yeah yeah we get it your fast, just open the door already,” Flamzer said unamused.

With a bit of a glare, Zorch opened the door to the bedroom area, each separated into individual rooms.

Nurp-Naut was the first to open a bedroom door and lay flat on a comfortable bed. They were tired of all of this and really needed their sleep time. While the others are going into their rooms, Nurp-Nauts head tilts a little to the side, covers himself with a blanket, and dozes off to sleep.

He finally had that nap nap in what seemed to be forever.

Chapter Text

A few weeks later…

The main group currently was (or is) trying to adapt to the new home that they’re gonna live in for a while.

Flain is currently healing from encountering the now hostile Seismo, with Infernite Cousins visiting him nearly often. 

(And sometimes Burnard sneaks up to him at night.)

“Psst Hey, Flain,” Burnard whispered as Flains eyes half-opened.

“Ughn..What is it Burnard..” Flain said tiredly, not even wanting to move.

“Nothing, just wanted to see you, hehe,” Burnard said as he soon tip-toed out of the room.

Flain said nothing as a slight smile creeped on his face. 

Thanks for that…I guess…Flain thought as he went back to sleep.

Globert seems to be the most social of the group, talking to other Mixels while Vampos would usually chill with Boogly in an empty area. 

“….That one concert with Magnifo? Oh, that one! It was such a time!” Globert says as he is talking to a group of Mixels, “I wish we did another one, oh it was so long ago!”

“Still wondering how Globert can be so active…” Boogly said as he sat next to Vampos.

“Same.” Vampos responded.

And for Nurp-Naut, they usually stay in their room, writing parts of what’s happening in their diary, and sometimes go and see Seismo in an observant area when no one is looking. 

“Yeesh, Seismo seems to be going insane in that room,” Naut says as Seismo bangs on the unbreakable glass, crying the same tears of memories that were fading away. 

Nurp-Nauts head switches to Nurp’s side as he recoils in fear. “Eek! Seismo is so scary! Too scary!”

And then switches to Nauts. “Look Nurp, you have to get used to this if you want to sneak into the room nearly every day,” Naut informs as he moves away from where the glass is at.

Then back to Nurp’s. “Nurp knows…Nurp just wonders why he’s acting like th—“

Teslo soon opens the door and goes into the room.

Alright, Teslo thought, time to check up on zzzzzeismo….hm?

Nurp-Naut soon flew out of the door in a matter of seconds.

“Wh—NURP-NAUT!” Teslo yelled, but Nurp-Naut was already gone.

When will Nurp just azzzzzk for permizzzzzion…Teslo thought as he sighed, Now…back to zzzzzhis…

Every-Mixel seemed to be in a good mood as they adapted to these new conditions…

Well, except for one. 

Niksput seems to be the main one to have an indirect toll from the incident (Excluding Nurp-Naut since they’re slowly healing from the incident). In the first few days, he looked fine, but soon enough, he was seen rotting in his bed for days and nights. 

Nurp soon noticed this as he went into his room for a hug, but Niksput denied it.

“Nurp, you don’t need to do this.” Niksput lied as he moved a bit away from Nurp-Naut, “I just…need some rest that’s all—“

“Nuh-uh! You look so…sad! Not fine, sad!” Nurp responded.

“Nurp, it’s fine, I-“ 

Soon, Nurp went in for a forceful hug, interrupting what Niksput was saying. “It’s either we help you, or you die like Rokit, and Nurp doesn’t want that to happen!” Nurp yelled as the hug tightened.

Nikpsut froze for a second before letting out a tear. Then another. And another. Silently, before slowly hugging Nurp-Naut back.

“I promise I…won’t die, okay?” Niksput responded between shaky breaths, “And, sorry if I was…also a bit of a wreck. I couldn’t handle it…and I don’t want that to happen to you either…”

“You can count on me and Naut!” Nurp responded, “Pinky promise!”

“…Yeah,” Niksput said, “I trust ya. Now…go back to bed, it’s nearly midnight…Goodnight!”

“Nurp did as he was told. “Night Night!” Nurp said as he went to bed, secretly scribbling/writing in his diary…

Nurp opens the door again. “Hey, aren’t you forgetting something?” Nurp said.

“…Hm? What do you—OH, the bedtime story…my bad! Same story or…something different?” Niksput said.

“Same story!” Nurp requested as he went into his (and Naut’s) bed.

“Alright alright, I’ll tell you the story one more time.” Niksput stated as he went to Nurp-Nauts room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1 week later

“Didn’t they tell you, Nurp?” Naut said in their room, “We are not on the mission.”

Nurp-Nauts head switches to Nurp’s side. “But Nurp wants to!” Nurp said with sadness, “It’s going to get boring without the Mixels. Nurp knows…”

The door then opened, startling Nurp.

“WHOS THERE?!” Nurp blurted out as he covered himself with the blanket.

“No no, we no harm,” The Mixel said, “We want to know, that’s all.”

Nurp-Nauts head then switches to Nauts side, “Want to know what?” Naut said as he let go of the covers to see the Mixel.

“Where Seismo at,” The mixel said, “You know! big guy, long legs, cause planet to shake—“

And then back to Nurp’s. “Uh…Wait, you know him?” Nurp said, trying to change the topic.

“Of course us know! He part of our tribe!” The mixel said, “Me Krader by the way. Big strong leader!”

“So you are the one with the big hand!…What about the other one with the crown thing?” Nurp asked.

“Oh him?” Krader said as he pointed at the other mixel, “That Shuff, youngest of tribe back then,” Krader responded, with Shuff waving at Nurp-Naut, “Now…back to saying: Where Seimso?”

Oh no they didn’t…Nurp sighed, Naut, should I?

Telling the truth is better than lying, Naut responded.

Okay…Nurp said. “Follow me, Nurp knows the way.” Nurp instructed as he went out of his and Nauts room.

“Will do,” Krader responded as he and Shuff followed Nurp.

While going down the stairs, Shuff noticed something was off with Nurp: He looked more scared and guilty than before, but for what? 

“Say, Nurp,” Shuff asked, “Why you look scared? Something wrong?”

No response.

“Uh…Hello?” Shuff said a bit anxiously as the group got closer to the main area. “You okay?”

“…Nurp doesn’t want to say,” Nurp responded as he, Krader and Shuff went to the door, “You’ll see though…Nurp doesn’t think you’ll even want to see….”

As Nurp opens the door to the main area (with a little bit of force), he then points to the observant area door.

“Teslo does not want people to go to that door…but me and Naut did it many times without him noticing,” Nurp explained, “That is also where Seismo is too so…”

Krader and Shuff soon ran to the door and opened it, with Teslo soon noticing them.

“Wh—zzzzEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOI—“

Krader and Shuff soon closed the door as Teslo ran and banged at the door.

“That was close,” Shuff said as he soon wandered around the room, “This room dark too…dark dark.”

Both soon heard cries of a mixel.

“…! SEISMO! THAT YOU?” Krader yelled, “NO WORRY, WE GET YOU OUT! SHUFF, WHERE HEAR NOISE?”

“Krader, calm down…it concern me,” Shuff said, “Also, there light nearly next to us.”

“ME TRYING TO!  ME JUST DONT WANT YOU AND HIM HURT,” Krader yelled as he walked to the light, “ME DOES NOT WANT THAT…to…happen…”

He soon looked at the large window and saw Seismo, looking straight at him, with the tears..suddenly being gone. 

Krader’s breath soon began to shake as he touched the glass.

“S-seismo…” Krader said between shaky breaths, tears silently running down from his face.

Shuff, knowing that the worst had happened to him, started sobbing as he went next to Krader, covering his eyes.

Kraders mind was blaming him as he silently sobbed. 

Me failed. Me failed. Me failed. Me failed. Me failed. Me failed. Me failed. ME FAILED. ME SCHNIXING FAILED! WHY ME DID NOT KNOW?! WHY?! IF ONLY ME COULD. ME COULD HELPED. BUT NO, ME TOO STUPID TO EVEN NOTICE. ALWAYS, SCHNIXING, STUPID!…Why me born as a leader…Why…

Kraders head soon starts hurting as his arm recoils from the glass and his vision turns foggy.

“KRADER!” Shuff yells, soon holding Krader as he nearly falls out of consciousness.

But then, Seismo suddenly yelled. “K…KRA…DER!”

And then, he soon started crying, letting the memories pour out again…

But the memories didn’t seem to fade.

Instead, the memories floated around, turning slightly more gold than white. In confusion, Seismo touched one of the memories, and it showed the memory of him opening his eyes for the first time.

Krader and Shuff looked in awe, but suddenly, the door forcefully opened.

“I need you all out of thizzzz observant area NOW….” Teslo said, but soon looked at the golden glow.

Teslo was wide eyed after seeing what seemed to be Seismo seeing his core memories before being infected.

“…Zzzzzo, what happened here exactly?” Teslo asked Shuff, “…And why izzzzzz Krader on the verge of pazzzzing out?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few weeks later…

Niksput woke up a bit earlier than the others, from the sunlight shining a bit brighter than usual as he checked the time.

Huh, seems like today’s the day for the mission Teslo told me about, Niksput thought as he got out of his bed. It’s a bit early though, so I’ll just…No, it’s a mission, I can’t sleep now…yet…AGH! I’m just gonna go to the main area…

As he walked to the main area, they could see Teslo working in his separate lab from a door, trying to crack the code for the cure.

Niksput opens the door, “Yo Teslo!” Niksput said, startling Teslo, “…You really need some rest.”

“Wh—Oh. Hello Nikzzzzput,” Teslo replied, “And no, I don’t need rezzzzt at the moment. I’m fine.”

“You haven’t slept in days. DAYS!” Niksput yelled, “Which was kinda cool at first, but now it’s getting concerning.”

“…I know it izzzzz. Just…” Teslo sighed, “Look, I know zzzzzat I need to zzzzleep, but not at zzzzzhis time.”

Niksput sighs. “I’ll be waiting in the main area.” Niksput says as he leaves the room.

Teslo slightly looks down as he turns around and continues his research.

I can’t zzzztop, not now, Teslo thought, Not. Ever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few hours passed as Niksput waited as more and more Mixels went to the main and started talking, well, until the intercom was speaking:

Attention. Zzzzze following mixels must come to my Lab: Nikzzzput, Krader, Flamzzzzer, Globert. Once again, the following mixzzzzzels must come to my Lab; Nikzzzzput, Krader….

As Niksput heard his name, he started walking to his laboratory, and so did the others. He soon saw the other 3 whilst walking up the stairs.

“Why hello there darling!” Globert said as he noticed Niksput walking up the stairs, “…Say, you don’t look well, have you slept enough?”

“Hello to you too,” Niksput responded, “Also I suggest you ask Teslo about that. He hasn’t slept at all and it’s getting…concerning.”

“For like how long?” Globert asked, “Days? Weeks?”

“Definitely for a few days,” Niksput responded, “I don’t know why he hasn’t fallen asleep yet.”

“Hi guys.” Krader said as he noticed the two, “What you talking about?”

“Just Teslo and his…not so good sleeping schedule,” Niksput replied as all 3 went to the door.

“Really? How bad—“

“Sorry if I was a bit late,” Flamzer said, interrupting Krader, “I had to talk with…someone.”

“…No you not,” Krader replied, “You just in time. No interrupt though.”

“I know, I know,” Flamzer said, “Sorry about that.”

The door soon opens revealing Teslo. 

“Good. You’re all here,” Teslo said, “Come inzzzzide. I don’t want to wazzzzte any time. And don’t touch anything.”

The 4 leaders go inside the room, looking around the lab. It was quite large, and a bit trashed as there were small piles of paper crumpled up into paper balls, testing tubes organized in cabinets, with a large whiteboard showing all kinds of information about the infection.

“This is…quite a lot,” Flamzer said about the lab, “How did you even—“

“Yes it izzzz a lot.” Teslo said, interrupting Flamzer, “NOW! Let me recall about the plan.”

I… Flamzer thought, …Nevermind.

Teslo soon flips the large whiteboard to reveal a few doodles of what the plan will look like.

“ZZZO,” Teslo says, using a pointer stick to point at the doodles, “First, we search through an area where Rokit could be. Most mixels are usually around Mixopolis so that’s our main area. These devices I’ve made can help locate him and other infected mixels in the area.”

Teslo soon tossed the devices to the leaders, in which the leaders gave a good look at the device.

…This is definitely a prototype, Niksput said in his mind, I’m gonna have to test this out so that it works.

“NEXZZZZT,” Teslo said, pointing at the 2nd doodle, “Once we find him, zzzzomeone has to distract in order for the next part of the plan to commenzzzze.”

“Will do!” Globert said. Hopefully that darling won’t be harmless.

“THEN,” Teslo said, pointing at the 3rd doodle, “We zzzzoon capture him and take him to where zzzeismo is at the moment.”

“Me help.” Krader said, “Me have strong fist. Will knock out Rokit in seconds..!”

“We could use that as a last resort,” Flamzer replied, “And I’m helping out with that part of the plan too.”

“Alright,” Teslo said, pointing at some boxes, “Your zzzzuplies for the mizzzzion are right there. Once you all are prepared, meet me at zzzzze main area.” 

The 4 leaders soon went and opened the boxes, picking up the supplies that they will be using.

“Taser…Net…Rope…” Flamzer mumbled in his breath, looking at the supplies.

“I doubt that a net nor a rope would work,” Niksput said, skeptical of the supplies.

“Forget about net, why rope?” Krader asked, very confused on why a rope is needed for the mission.

“Area reaching, restraining, you know.” Flamzer remarked.

Oh. Right. That. Krader thought, …I’m so schnixing dumb.

“Alright alright, let’s just put everything back in the boxes and someone may carry them!” Globert said, “You carried things before Flamzer so, you can carry the boxes.”

“Okay, let me just—“ 

Globert soon put a box onto Flamzers back.

“…This is surprisingly lightweight,” Flamzer remarked, “Now c'mon, put the boxes in!”

The leaders soon quickly put the boxes onto Flamzers back as more weight was added. 

“Alright..!” Flamzer said, slowly walking to the door, opening it. “To the main lobby!”

The leaders soon walked out of the room, with everyone except Flamzer walking down the stairs.

“…Flamzer?” Krader said, “Why you—Oh. Right. Boxes. Me carry.”

“Thanks,” Flamzer said as Krader picked up the boxes from Flamzers back. 

“You Welcome.” Krader said as both of them go down the stairs, catching up to the other two.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the main area…

The leaders soon noticed a ton of mixels looking at them, some including their tribe mates, with them having a mixture of fear and hope for the leaders to live.

You deal with this before…Krader thought, Just no look. No looking nervous.

They soon noticed Teslo at the entrance to the shelter, walking up to him.

“There you all are,” Teslo said, “Wazzz waiting for quite a bit.”

“Just a bit of a struggle, nothing much.” Niksput said.

“Now…Thizzzz will be a hard tazzzk, I know,” Teslo remarked, “You all might even die out zzzzere. But if you do, you four will be remembered. Don’t zzzzzcrew this up.”

Teslo soon opened the entrance to what’s has remained of Planet Mixel: The sky turned into an orange hue, the scenery looking like a post apocalyptic world.

“Remember the plan: Find Rokit, distract him, and capture him. Good luck.”

Krader soon gave one box to each of the other 3 leaders. (Flamzer on his back, Niksput and Globert on their pincers/wings)

“Uh, why are you—“

“Dig dig.” Krader said, “Dig dig faster than walking. Can see tracks of dig. One mixel also carry Flamzer to go to Mixopolis faster. 

“…Oh!” Globert said, “Now, shall we begin?”

“Mhm.”

“Yep. Also I’m holding you and the box, Flamzer.”

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s begin!” Globert yelled as he flew, putting the box in his back in the process.

“Don’t forget about us, remember!” Niksput said as he grabbed Flamzer, holding 2 of the boxes, “Hang on tight buddy!”

“Hopefully these boxes won’t fall off. They’re nearly covering your entire face.” Flamzer said, cramped.

“Don’t worry, I won’t! Now let’s GO!” Niksput said, soon flying, catching up to Globert.

Krader soon started digging, catching up to Niksput and Globert as they flew. 

Please stay safe Shuff, Krader thought, And Seismo…Me be back for you. Promise.

As the group takes off, mixels waved and yelled at the group, hoping for them to stay safe, especially the group’s tribe mates.

”Please no die…” Shuff mumbled, “Please…”

“Bye bye Niksput!” Nurp said as the head soon turns into Nauts side. “Don’t die out there.”

”See ya Globert!” Boogly yelled.

”Yeah, see ya.” Vampos replied.

”Oh….I’m scared,” Meltus muttered, “What if he dies?!”

”Don’t worry Melt,” Burnard said, “He’s literally a survivalist teacher to us. He’ll be fine, promise!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inkai was wandering around Mixopolis, seeing all the broken buildings and inked Mixels…it seemed odd yet seemed so comforting for it.

…Nee..d…M..ore…Inkai thought, …Ho..w?

Inkai soon pondered around in the center for a bit, wondering how it could summon more Mixels without having to kill any.

Hm….May…be…th…is?

Inkai soon summoned tentacles and pierced them to the ground, expecting something to happen.

Seconds past, nothing happens…until a rumble is heard.

Inkai soon saw cracks in the ground, revealing black ink flowing up into the area. As it did so, blobs of ink floating and mixing and forming,  but to what?  

Well soon, the cracked subsided and haled, and 2 blobs of ink melted, revealing two Mixels.

That was how Lubri and Canvo were born.

Chapter Text

Outside of Mixopolis...

The leaders are traveling towards Mixopolis, with Krader digging in the ground and Globert and Niksput flying in the sky.

Niksput carefully turns his head to look at the jetpack tank to see if the jetpack is starting to burn out.

Jetpacks burning out, Niksput thought, Best if we'd start walking instead.

"Yo," Niksput said, "I'd think we should descend a bit more."

"And why is that my dear?" Globert asked.

"My jetpack is burning..." Niksput said, looking at the jetpack to see that it has completely burned out.

"...BRACE FOR IMPACT FLAMZERRRRR!" Niksput yelled as both him and Flamzer were now falling.

"Wait, whaAAAAAAAA—"

Globert, as if out of instinct, swiftly flew out to grab Flamzer and put him to the ground safely, and did the same for Niksput.

"Woah." Niksput said, a bit confused as to what even happened.

"That was...very odd. In an instant too..." Flamzer said, a bit startled.

Globert soon took a couple of breaths, a bit exhausted. "Forget about that, you two try to grab the boxes!" Globert said, pointing to the three boxes that were falling.

Flamzer and Niksput soon realized and scrambled their way to where the boxes were falling, trying to get into position to catch the boxes.

"Got one!" Flamzer said, holding onto a box.

"Got anoth—OOF!" Niksput said, with the box being a bit heavy as Niksput nearly tripped and fell.

"I'll grab the last one!" Globert said as he flew to the box and grabbed onto it. Though, it was the heaviest out of all the boxes, with Globert barely even able to lift the box.

"I SUGGEST YOU LET THAT BOX FALL," Flamzer yelled, "IT'S BETTER TO DO THAT THAN HAVE YOUR HANDS BECOME PIXELS!"

"Alright alright, I will!" Globert said, letting go of the box.

Sudden rumbling is heard in the distance as cracks begin to emerge nearby.

Krader. Niksput thought, And he's OH GOD IS GOING TOWARDS THE BOX—

Krader soon pops out of the ground.

"Me heard something going—"

"KRADER, LOOK OUT!" Both Flamzer and Niksput yelled.

"Huh?" Krader said as they soon looked up, seeing the box. 

"....OH SCHNI—"

Globert soon flew and pushed Krader out of the danger zone.

...But that had caused one of his legs to get crushed by the box.

Globert then let out blood curdling screams as he felt the crushing of his leg, soon sobbing as blood came flowing outside of the box.

Krader looked at the scene in immediate shock and heavy regret, not wanting to move even an inch.

Oh schnix...oh schnix, oh schnix, oh schnix...Why...WHY DID ME MUCKED UP AGA—

"Krader!" Niksput yelled, holding a first aid kit as he ran to Globert, "Pick up the heavy box, me and Flamzer will help with the rest!"

"...! Oh." Krader said, running over to Globert to pick up the box.

After he did, he saw many things that made him want to scream: Blood was splattered everywhere as it hung onto the box, bones of the leg were crushed as parts of the skin that did survive were ripped off. 

Krader nearly wanted to throw the box into who knows where, wanting none of this to happen, but he'd quickly put the box somewhere near the group, trying not to look at the scene.

As Flamzer and Niksput arrived, they nearly threw up, seeing the mess that was caused. But, it's either helping him or leaving him to rot.

As Flamzer deals with trying to fix up what's left, Niksput tries comforting Globert.

"Globert, look at me really quick," Niksput said, "It's going to be okay, it will be. Promise."

"I WAS NEARLY CRUSHED. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BE OKAY?!" Globert yelled between sobs.

"I know you aren't okay at the moment but—"

A voice soon echoed in Globert's mind. Stop thinking that you're okay. You aren't. Why won't you face the truth already? You don't need to...

You won't need to.

"I NEVER WILL BE, YOU HEAR ME?!" Globert snapped, "NEVER."

"I HAD TO DEAL WITH MY OWN KIND BECOMING HUSKS, BOTTLING MY TRUE SELF WITH MY USUAL CHARM. HECK, MAYBE YOU DO TOO? WHO MUCKING KNOWS." 

That's it. The voice said, Let the truth show. Let everyone see how you truly are. How you TRULY ACT.

Globert soon grabbed Niksput by the neck, trying to strangle him as if out of force.

Flamzer soon grabbed Globert by the arms and tried to drag him away from Niksput.

"GLOBERT ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!" Flamzer yelled as he dragged Globert, "WHAT ARE YOU EVEN TRYING TO DO?!"

Globert soon got out of Flamzer's grasp and smacked him hard, again, as if out of force...

From someone.

Globert soon started breathing heavily as he used his wings to crawl away from Flamzer and Niksput, nearly far away.

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M EVEN DOING AT THE POINT.  IT FEELS LIKE I'M BEING CONTROLLED JUST....I....I......"

Globert soon passed out.

Oh schnix. Flamzer said in his mind.

Flamzer soon went and got close to Globerts chest in order to know if he's breathing.

.....

He isn't.

OH SCHNIX, OH SCHNIX, OH SCHNIX, OH SCHNIX, We're the only things that we're repeating in his mind. 

"WE GOTTA PERFORM CPR STAT. KRADER, NIKSPUT, GET OVER HERE!" Flamzer yelled.

Both soon noticed the situation and ran anxiously to the area in a heartbeat.

"Niksput, you know about rescue breaths, right?" Flamzer asked.

"Yeah," Niksput responded quickly, "Learned it from Rokit."

"Good," Flamzer said, "You do the rescue breaths. Krader, you do the chest compressions. I help with healing the leg. NOW HURRY UP AND DON'T LET HIM DIE!"

For minutes, Niksput kept doing rescue breaths as Krader did the chest compressions with Flamzer fixing up what's left of Globerts leg. 

Come on come on come on come on come on come on...don't die on us already Globert. Please...Don't even try to. Niksput anxiously thought as he kept doing rescue breaths.

Wake up already...you making us scared. Please...Krader thought as he does the chest compressions.

Suddenly, Globert soon woke up...but while Niksput was doing a rescue breath.

...How am I—

Globert soon noticed the awkward situation.

...Is Niksput kissing me?

Sudden, embarrassing silence loomed around the area as Niksput slowly let go of the now, not-so rescue breath.

"...Haha...just pretend you didn't see that." Niksput said.

PHEW, Niksput thought, very relieved after seeing Globert being alive.

He's still alive...I'm glad.

Krader soon went in for a tight hug.

"YOU STILL LIVE!" Krader yelled happily, hugging Globert. "YOU NO DIE!"

"I know I know...also could you please stop sqUEEZING ME," Globert said, "...JUST ASKING—"

"Oh, right," Krader said, letting go of the hug, "Sorry."

He's alive...HE'S ALIVE! Flamzer yelled in his mind, THANK MAXIMUM MIXEL! Okay...let me just finish this really quick and....

"Okay...that should be it," Flamzer said, fixing up the wounded leg, "Niksput, Krader, go get the boxes. And for you Glober—"

"I have wings darling, don't worry!" Globert said as he flapped his wings.

"a—...Right, right," Flamzer said, "Just, don't try to get yourself in danger. Now come on everyone, we gotta continue this mission.”

Krader soon picked up the box half/covered in blood, looking at it in a disgusting way with his eyes half-closed. 

"Yo Krader, you good?" Niksput asked, noticing him standing there, looking at the box.

"Yeah...very icky and disgusted," Krader said, trying his hardest not to throw the box into who knows where.

"Krader! Niksput! Hurry up!" Flamzer yelled.

Krader sighed.

"...Should us just...walk." Krader suggested.

"Definitely. My Jetpack needs to cool off one way or another." Niksput said, soon yelling, "Flamzer! We're walking instead, my jetpack needs to cool off."

"Ah," Globert said as he slowly stopped flapping his wings, "You are right about that. My wings are EXHAUSTED, it has to have a break." 

"...Alright! Walking it is I guess," Flamzer declared, "Now hurry, it's about to be nighttime."

"On our way!" Niksput yelled.

"Coming." Krader said.

Soon, the main 4 started walking to the now destroyed Mixopolis, currently seeing the once colorful and bright city, with skyscrapers and buildings so vibrant, turned into a hue of a yellow and orange mess in the distance while in a forest.

"How did it happen..." Krader said to Flamzer, "So sudden too..."

"Don't ask that to any of us," Flamzer responded, "We don't know either."

Globert soon heard rustling.

"...I fear that we might need to take a detour." Globert said as he picked up speed.

"Why?" Krader asked before hearing the rustling too.

"Oh." Krader then said silently.

The rustling got louder and louder as the group soon started walking a bit faster, and soon running.

"How they catching up," Krader said anxiously, "HOW?!"

"WERE SORRY BUT WE CANNOT TALK ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW," Globert yelled now rapidly flapping his wings, "Just go and RUN!"

Then, a distorted voice was heard.

"ZZZZZZZTOP RUNNING ALREADY!" The voice said, "WERE NOT GONNA HURT YOU OR ANYTHING, JUZZZZZZZZT STOP.

MUCKING.

RUNNING!"

The rustling soon stopped as an Electroid soon jumped out to show themselves but accidentally zapped Niksput with its fingertips while doing so.

"ACK—" Niksput said after being zapped, now nearly looking like crumbling to dust, with the rest of the group now looking at the scene.

"ZZZZORY!" The Electroid said.

"N-no, it's fine, just a little...Wait..." Niksput said before looking at the Electroid. 

"...VOLECTRO?!" Niksput yelled out.

"HELLO THERE LONG TIME NO ZZZZEEEEE," Volectro yelled in annoyance, "DID YOU REALLY HAVE TO RUN AWAY?!"

Krader soon looked at Volectro. It seemed like the infection took over parts of his body, but he was still conscious.

"Very sorry about that. Just misunderstanding, that's all." Krader explained awkwardly while approaching Volectro, "Still very glad your...alive-ish."

"Yezzzzz yezzzzz, still alive,"  another Electroid said, coming out of a bush, nearly panting from running. "You didn't need to run that fazzzzt though.

"ZZZZZAPTOR!" Volectro yelled, hugging him, "I thought you were gonna get lost from that chase we did!"

"No I wazzznt, not at all!" Zaptor replied, "Anywayzzzzz. Do you four know where Teslo went?"

"Him?" Globert said, "Oh he's just, trying to fix this situation at his lab. You know where it is right?"

"Yeah, we do." Zaptor said, "Juzzzzt...it's sorta rizzzky to go there y'know. So much infected mixelzzzzz...."

"...Well then," Flamzer said, "Want to join our group?"

"ABZZZZOLUTELY!" Volectro yelled. "Where are you going though?"

"Mixopolis. Trying to find Rokit and a few other passive mixels that are infected," Flamzer explained.

"Izzzzzzznt that city filled to the brim of infected mixzzzzzzels!?" Zaptor remarked, "That is WAY too rizzzky!"

"No worry, we can fend them off," Krader assured, "We got boxes with helping stuff too."

"...Well zzzzzzhen," Zaptor said, "We are joining your group!"

"YAY!" Volectro yelled.

After Zaptor and Volectro joined the group, them and the other four continued to walk to Mixopolis, staying cautious with each step of the way.

No one noticed when orange and yellow-ish glows of light soon formed behind them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile...

The 3 anomaly's were currently walking on the now apocalyptic city, looking at the rubble and damage that was caused. 

"H...ow...eve...n..." Inkai said, confused on how Canvo took over a mixels mind.

"Don't ask me about it. I don't know either." Canvo said, looking at a building that was cut into many pieces.

"...Huh," Canvo said, "So, you caused this."

Inkai nodded.

"All of it?"

Inkai nods again.

"...Odd. Very-"

"I...ts...onl...y...bee...n...hou...rs..." Inkai said sternly. "HO...URS....PL..EASE..."

"What. I was just asking." Canvo said, soon pointing into Lubri. "And it seems like you can't speak."

Lubri slowly nodded, looking a bit offended.

"Let...j...us...t..." Inkai said before perking up.

N..o....Inkai groaned in its mind, No...t...ag..ain....

Inkai soon ran to an alleyway.

"Inkai," Canvo said, with Lubri following, "What are you-"

Inkai soon puked a dark-green like liquid.

"U...gh...." Inkai said in tears before slowly crawling itself.

Wh...y....n...ot....us...ed...to...it...Inkai thought, confused.

"Oh god." Canvo mumbled.

"Uh...you, go comfort Inkai, I'll try to find...anything to help with that." Canvo said before leaving out of the alleyway.

Wh—How am I supposed to— Lubri thought before Canvo zoomed out of the alleyway.

Lubri sighed. ....Alright then. Let's see what I can try to do...Maybe, this?

Lubri soon circled around Inkai, forming a big puddle of glowing around Inkai, who was still crying from the pain of throwing up. Bits of light were appearing, floating, fading, scattered into sections of the area. 

Inkai soon un-crawled, feeling confused.

Wh...a...t....i...s....th..i...s....fee...l...ing...? Inkai thought, wondering why it felt so comfortable.

Lubri soon awkwardly patted Inkai twice (since it doesn't know what to do after) before sighing.

Well, that's done. Lubri thought, ...It feels weird comforting no one you don't even know. Why?

Meanwhile

Medicine. All I need to find is medicine. Canvo thought, looking for anything to help Inkai at an abandoned mall.

Yet I can't FIND ANY. WHERE IS IT. WHERE IS THE SC—

Canvo soon heard noises.

...What was that. Canvo thought, soon zooming across the mall in order to hear that noise. 

He soon saw a group of mixels walking around Mixopolis once looking at the now broken entrance.

"OKAY! zzzzzo now that we're here, wherezzzzzzzz Rokit?" Volectro asked.

"Sorry to say but, we're having no signals of any infected mixels at the moment," Globert replied, "I think this thing is a bit broken."

"Just give it a little time and...patience..." Flamzer said before looking at Canvo.

"...Anyone noticing that splat thing in the mall?" 

The whole group then turned to where Flamzer was looking, but Canvo was gone, zooming to an area of the mall, hiding, scared and sweating.

Please don't go here, please don't go here, please don't go here...Canvo anxiously thought, closing his eye as the group enters the mall.

"...I zzzzzee nothing," Zaptor said, looking around "You muzzzzzt be out of your mind, Flamzzzzzer."

"Yeah I see no 'splat thing' floating around this place," Niksput added.

"Well then, come on everyone! No detours!" Globert declared as he walked out of the building as well as the rest of the group.

I'm not crazy, Flamzer thought, I know I saw it with my own eyes.

Canvo soon went out of their hiding spot as they looked around. Nothing in sight.

Good. Canvo thought, They're gone...I have to inform this to the others.

Canvo soon zoomed out fast to the exact alleyway where Inkai and Lubri were. 

A bit too fast.

"Lubri, is Inkai oka—"

...Canvo accidentally crashed into the group once there.

"OW." Inkai yelled as Lubri gave out a slight groan of pain.

"...Sorry." Canvo said, their voice muffled from the ground. "Let me just..."

Canvo couldn't get up.

...Why can't I get up, Canvo said, struggling to get up from the ground, but the ink in their body nearly sticks to the ground like glue, WHY CAN'T I GET UP?!

Inkai soon noticed this and tried to pull him out of the ground, and so did Lubri. Luckily with enough force...No, a bit too much force, Inkai and Lubri accidentally threw him to the sky.

"WHAT THE MUUUUUU....." Canvo yelled as he flew to the sky.

Inkai and Lubri soon looked at each other with regret without a word.

As Canvo went up to the sky, they got to have a good look at the world's moments of destruction and chaos.

Woah....Canvo thought, nearly being dazed by the sight of the broken world, but soon zooming back to the alleyway.

"S...or...ry..." Inkai mumbled.

"It's fine. Got to take a good look at the planet we are on right now. Speaking of..." Canvo said, "We have new beings walking around here."

Them. Inkai said in its mind

"Where..?" Inkai said.

"They were in a mall...in which I was there, but they went somewhere—"

The 3 soon see the group of Mixels walking in the distance.

"That's them." Canvo said, pointing, "Any plan?"

Inkai had a bit of thinking and thought of one.

"Ye...s....I...do....h...ave...pl...an..." Inkai replied.

"A...very...go...od...o...ne..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In a forest, far away from the Mixel Castle...

Mixadel was trying to find Camillot after seeing no trace of him from the outbreak. As of now he is deep in a forest, patches of grass and trees covered or smeared in ink, like a colored canvas splattered with black and white.

"Camillot....CAMILLOT!" Mixadel yelled, "Where are you already?!" 

Silence.

"Come on Camillot I know you're out there, JUST DON'T BE A COWARD, AND SHOW YOURSELF ALREADY!!!" Mixadel yelled again. Even if Mixadel hated his brother, he still felt the need to help him, especially after their first day of Mixopolis Middle School.

"I won't be an annoying brother, I promise!"

I promise...Mixadel thought, 

...Do I even promise good things?

Mixadel soon heard a distorted cry.

"WHO'S....there..."

Mixadel soon stopped as he saw an infected mixel shuffling towards him. The same orange and yellow-ish lights appeared, nearly surrounding Mixadel and someone else. But who?

"It's....You..!" Camillot said, nearly crying.

"...Camillot..." Mixadel said back.

Oh Maximum Mixel.

Mixadel soon started breaking down into tears.

"Listen to me brother I am so sorry of what happened before I..."

Camillot looked confused.

"I didn't know you were gone and then soon ended up like this...I..."

"Camillot...it's oka-"

"PLEASE DO NOT HURT ME IVE DEALT A LOT TOO FAST AND TOO MUCH I WISH I COULD HAVE HELPED YET I DIDN'T FORGIVE ME AT ONCE—"

"IT'S OKAY. ITS FINE." Camillot yelled at Mixadel, "Just...go...wit..hou...t.........m..."

Camillot soon started feeling emotional and started crying near a tree.

At first Mixadel wanted to run away, but now in this case...he didn't want to anymore.

"Yeah, no, absolutely NOT." Mixadel yelled, getting near Camillot, "Our father always says to stay by each other...even if our cousinhood gets a bit rocky." 

"B..Bu-"

"NO BUTS!" Mixadel said firmly, "Now...what to do..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While the group were walking around, locating and fleeing from fully infected mixels, Flamzer kept noticing Canvo spying them throughout, and once pointed out, it was gone in an instant.

"Flamzer, why do you keep mentioning the splat thing?" Globert asked as he looked around quickly, "I'm afraid it's making us...very paranoid." 

"I know it's there, I just know it," Flamzer said, "Once noticed, gone in an instant."

"It's probably a halluzzzzzzzination you're having," Zaptor said, "A very bad one."

Canvo soon went behind Zaptor in an instant.

"No it isn't."

Zaptor screamed as he and the others ran away from Canvo.

"I TOLD YOU ALL—"

"And don't even try to leave either," Canvo said as he zoomed into the group, startling them.

"Infact...I'm going to help you a little."

"Yeah no, BYE BYE!!!" Volectro said, electrocuting Canvo with his fingertips.

"...Could you NOT." Canvo yelled, causing more ink to form around Mixopolis more rapidly for a few seconds. Soon, Canvo starts spiraling around the group.

"I am giving the privilege to actually HELP you. In fact, I know ALL about where you're going as well. But if you all don't want to, in which it seems like it, then fine. I'll leave you all alone the—" 

"ALRIGHT!...Alright." Krader yelled, "You join. Better not trick us though."

"...Promise." Canvo replied, "Now then, follow me."

"O-OKAY..!" Volectro said, walking up to Canvo.

The group was a bit hesitant to follow.

"Krader, are you sure that THIS thing is gonna help?!" Niksput whispered.

"Yeah," Globert added on, "Did you not see the ink seeping through Mixopolis more rapidly?"

"Look, if it break promise, me smash with fist." Krader whispered back.

"...There izzzzz a high risk that we could...you know. Die." Zaptor whispered, "zzzzzo, I hope this plan won't go off the railzzzzz..!"

Canvo soon turned back.

"Cough cough. Are you all even coming?" Canvo said with a bit of anger.

"Yeah, we are!" Flamzer yelled, "Do you NOT have a bit of patience?"

"I do. Now HURRY UP." Canvo insisted.

It doesn't seem like you have it but okay. Flamzer thought.

The rest of the group soon started walking up to Canvo with a bit of suspicion.

"Okay. NOW, follow me." Canvo said, floating next to Volectro who was following them.

During the walk, Volectro seemed to spike up a talk with Canvo.

"So uh....Whatzzzz your name huh?" Volectro asked Canvo.

"My name?" Canvo responded, "Canvo. Why do you—"

"OKAY! Canvo," Volectro said.

"Why do you look like a zzzzplat icon? What are your abilitiezzzzz? Do you have a tribe? How did you even exizzzzt to begin with?!" 

A lighting round it seems...Canvo thought.

"Okay. I look like that because I look like that, I don't know most of not any of my abilities, yes I do have a tribe, and..."

"AND?" 

"...For personal reasons, I would rather not answer it." 

"You WONT?" Volectro said.

"No." Canvo responded

"C'monnnnn, you gotta zzzzay it!" Volectro said, nearly tugging on Canvo's arms.

"No. I. Won't." Canvo said, its voice increasing in anger.

"And would you PLEASE STOP TUGGING MY ARMS." Canvo yelled, the ink spreading more and more around the area.

While the group became incredibly suspicious, Volectro felt...

Odd.

"...Haha...ha...you really scared me with that!" Volectro said, his high energetic voice dying down very slowly, "And hey! One of your...powers was revealed!"

Silence only responded as the groups exchanged concerned looks.

"..Just. Follow me. No conversations." 

The rest of the group silently followed Canvo as Volectro stood there for a moment.

No one....wazzzzz angry to me like thizzzz before...Volectro thought, Am I too much? Am I not enough? Am I annoying? Am I a...burden?

No. I can't be annoying. I can never be annoying. Tezzzzlo and Zzzzzaptor would want to have fun.  EVERYONE would like to have fun. No interuptzzzzions. Right?

...Right?

Zaptor soon turned around and noticed Volectro standing there, dazed in thoughts.

Zaptor soon walked up to him and tapped him on his shoulder.

"Volectro?" Zaptor asked, "Are you—"

"Yeah...yeah, I'm fine," Volectro interrupted, oddly grabbing Zaptor's arm firmly, "Juzzzzt...a bit dazed! Forgot about following the zzzzplat thing."

We're talking about zzzzzzzhis later. Zaptor thought as both him and Volectro caught up to the others.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Zorch was walking in a forest nearby the lab, running around fast with mixtures of intense emotions. Moods of anger and sadness and confusion and many more keep snapping back onto him as others fall out.

He wanted to speed through his problems, keep pranking until the fun runs out—which it never does for Zorch. Facing them though? Not for him. He doesn't want to deal with facing things he knows he can't outrun.

Why can't you give someone a little bit of fun, huh Flamzer? Not even at their worst moments? Not even when everything is crashing down on us? You think pranks only give ME fun? Immature?! Oh SCHNIXING well! Zorch thought.

As his mind raced with thoughts, so did he as he kicked up in speed.

You just HAD to lash out! Had to! Then you cut up my own mental self into pieces! I act differently okay? Why can't you just think of that?! I STILL HAVE THAT HEART OF GOLD, I JUST...

Zorch then suddenly slowed down as he looked at the ground.

What am I even thinking? That's his perspective, not mine. Yet........................

"Anyone....here?"

The same glowing orbs start showing, memories starting to float around Zorch and someone else. But who?

"Anyone...."

"Who is it, and why are you here." 

"...Zorch?"

Snoof then walked up to him, his feet nearly sticking to the floor due to the ink.

"Why...are you even...here?" Snoof said, "You know someone...might kill ya."

"I know-"

"No...don't want...to hear." Snoof said, his bit-crushed voice making it hard to listen.

He circles around Zorch.

"I can...see the heart.... I know...damn well...that it's there...You just...need to show. Show that you...you care...Show them...fun! Like you...showed to me!...Now...go back...please..."

Zorch suddenly smiled a bit.

"Did ya really have to pep talk me?" Zorch said sarcastically.

Silence. Awkward silence as Snoof sighs.

"Uh...just joking, Hehe...I knew you still had it in ya! Say...while we're at it, let's chat a little..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at Mixopolis...

Volectro seemed to be oddly silent during the rest of the walk, looking everywhere else but at the group, looking to find a way to make Canvo happy.

"Alright. We're near the alley." Canvo informed, "Just enter through and you shall be able to find one of your mixels."

"...A bit sketchy isn't it?" Globert asked.

"Oh well, I saw that mixel here many times." Canvo responded. "Now go."

Many of the group started to put their guard up as they went through the alley, but Krader didn't budge.

"Hello, can you hear me, GO." Canvo yelled. 

Krader still didn't move.

"My my, you must be REALLY STUBBORN aren't you. GO." Canvo yelled louder as the ink started spreading rapidly around Mixopolis, "YOUR FRIENDS ARE WAITING."

Krader slowly started to move to the group as Canvo began to watch him carefully.

"Stop looking." Krader said, "Me wont do anything."

"Well I suggest you MOVE FASTER." 

"What? Can't handle slow?"

"You are REALLY persistent with this aren't you."

"Then ignore. Simple."

"THEN MOVE FASTER."

"But me wo—"

Canvo soon summoned arms and tried to tightly grab Krader, with the rest of the group noticing, but Krader forcefully got out of their grasp. Many times.

"OH INKAI. OH LUBRI. COME OUT~! WE HAVE A REALLY STUBBORN ONE RIGHT HERE. AND LOTS MORE!" Canvo yelled, struggling to capture Krader.

Inkai and Lubri soon jumped out of their hiding spots, dashing to the group.

"A trap. Really?" Globert said unamused, flying to the three, "Out of all things does it have to be something a bit...obvious?"

"GLOBER-"

A spike soon stabbed one of Globert's wings as he screamed in intense pain.

"SCHNIX. VOLECTRO AND ZAPTOR, DISTRACT THE THREE." Flamzer yelled, "NIKSPUT, HURRY AND GO GRAB GLOBERT OUT OF THE SPIKE. ILL TRY TO FIND CUBITS IN THESE BOXES AS QUICK AS I CAN."

Niksput soon flew up and forcefully pulled Globert out of the spike, despite the absolute pain Globert was getting in return.

Another one came...

But it missed. Barely. Nearly tearing a part of Niksputs skin.

"Wow. Really embarrassing." Niksput said in instinct as he fully pulled Globert out of the spike, now holding him.

Ow. Niksput thought, as though the spike had missed, it still hurt him. Just by a little though.

Hands soon pop out of Canvo and Lubri as Volectro and Zaptor try to dodge them.

"...Globert, I have an idea." Niksput said.

"QUICK QUEZZZZTION," Volectro said as he and Zaptor dodged their hands, "YOU THINK WE ZZZZZHOUDLVE GONE TO THE LAB?!"

"ABZZZZOLUTELY—GAH!" 

Zaptor was soon caught by one of them, soon being dragged to the three, with Krader soon struggling to get out of Canvo's stronger grasp.

"I GOTS SOME CUBITS, HURRY—"

Inkai soon zoomed up to Flamzer, putting him off guard and in doing so dropping the cubits.

"Th...anks!" Inkai said as it snatched the cubits, and Flamzer as well.

Oh! Ne..arly...for..got! Inkai thought, tentacles soon grabbing Niksput and Globert as both were about to start their plan. 

Nearly all of the group was now captured. It would be mere minutes before all of them turn infected.

All except Volectro.

"On..e...mor..e—"

Canvo slightly halted.

"No. Despite hating him, I would still consider him as a friend of mine."

"No...n...o..?!" Inkai said, "W...hy..."

"I said what I said. Besides, we can make him watch them suffer, you hear me?" Canvo added, pointing to the now captured group.

"Hm...f...ine..." Inkai said.

I can't let zzzzhis happen. No. NO. 

ABZZZZOLUTELY NOT.

"Good. Very good. Now then...let us begin to—"

Volectro soon ran up and did a hard kick onto Inkai, nearly knocking it out as it went to the floor, groaning as it dropped the cubits. 

But then, the legs started to turn white, making Inkai more agitated.

"GOD DAMN IT." Inkai yelled, forming into a puddle.

Volectro soon grabbed the cubits and threw them at the other 5.

"HURRY! GRAB THEM BEFORE THEY—A—"

Canvo and Lubri soon began to walk towards Volectro as the same tentacles soon started to drag Volectro into the ink, as if they were trying to push him into a now formed puddle.

"HURR..Y..."

 Mix! Splash effects were soon heard behind as a Globert and Niksput mix and a Flamzer and Krader mix were formed.

"Let's finish this show this instant!" The Globert and Niksput mix yelled out, flying and flashing tons of lights to stun the three.

"Let us help too!" The Flamzer and Krader mix said, grabbing and throwing giant fire rocks, soon flinging and knocking out the three near a wall.

The mix then soon grabbed the rope from a box, caught, and started to lasso the three, having a bit too much fun, knocking them into walls again and again.

"WOOHOO!!! Haven't had much rad fun in ages!" The mix yelled in happiness.

They soon threw the rope to the ground as the 3 nearly passed out from injury. All except for Canvo, which seemed to have an idea.

"You know what." Canvo said weakly, summoning an ink portal on the ground.

"Let's do a little deal."

Rokit soon went out of the ink portal, but was instantly chained up by ink chains.

"You, Volectro, and the other one. I'll let Rokit out of his little chamber, BUT. I will do something else in return."

"Which is what, give one of our group members? Yeah, sorry! But, it's not gonna happen." The Globert and Niksput mix said.

Canvo got agitated as the same chains soon went around the Mix's neck, splitting the two.

"Be like that and maybe I'll do it. NOW HURRY UP." Canvo firmly stated, soon doing the same to the other Mix.

The chains were nearly strangling the 4 leader mixels as Rokit soon yelled.

"Plea...se...don't...DONT...D...O..IT..." Rokit pleaded to Canvo.

"All up to these two Rokit," Canvo said, "Time's ticking by the way. So if they don't have a decision..."

"...FINE! ILL ACCEPT IT. JUZZZZZT LEAVE THEM BE." Volectro yelled.

"YEAH...JUZZZT LEAVE THEM ALONE." Zaptor added.

"Good. Very good." Canvo said as he lets go of Rokit and the 4 leaders, "Now, for the trade off..."

All of a sudden, Planet Mixel started shaking, ink now forming from the ground up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at the forest, Mixadel noticed ink spreading more rapidly whilst playing a game of hide and seek with Camillot.

"Camilot, where areeeeeeeeeee youuuu—"

He soon stepped on the ink, about to drag him. 

"OH CRAP."

Mixadel instantly yanked himself out of it.

"CAMILLOT. We have to go back to the castle IMMEDIATELY. NOW." Mixadel said without hesitation.

Well, without realization that the ink had already latched on to Camillot.

"Wh...hold...oN—"

Mixadel soon turned around, seeing Camillot being dragged to who knows where, his screams distorted as he grabbed onto a tree and held on for dear life.

"CAMILLO—"

"Go....ju...st...g.....o....sa...fer....with....ou...t....me...N.....OW..!" Camillot yelled as his hands were slipping away from the tree, "I...LL...REM...EMBER...YOU.....p...ro...mise..."

"...Promise." Mixadel said, turning around and running away from the scene, tears flowing out of his eye.

And back at where Snoof and Zorch were talking about more speed races, Snoof noticed the ink seeping next to Zorch.

"ZORCH, YOU HAVE...TO GO...NOW..!" Snoof yelled.

"Huh—OH SCHNIX." Zorch yelled as he ran to the lab as fast as he could.

"ILL MEET...YOU LATER—GAH!"

Snoof was then dragged by the seeping ink to who knows where too.

And many more infected Mixels, who were still in consciousness.

Back at the chamber though, where Seismo was at, he noticed the ink.

Seismo tilted his head in confusion, but it soon grabbed him, giving him immense pain as he screamed. Distortedly. 

"HELP...M...E...! AN...YONE...PLE...ASE...!" Seismo yelled, stomping at the ink.

Teslo soon opened the door and saw the scene.

HOW THE ZZZZZCHNIX DID THIS HAPPEN?! Teslo thought anxiously, forcing himself to get into the chamber and tried to pull Seismo out of the mess.

He got caught in it too, feeling the immense pain, nearly feeling like it was chained deep into his skin.

BUT, with the amount of stomping Seismo caused, the ink subdued and slipped back into the cracks. Teslo got lucky.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Good luck with more spreading ink seeping through every inch of where you go." Canvo said as he, Inkai and Lubri soon melted to who knows where.

"...Schnix." Krader said, "Knew this was gonna happen. Why."

"Look, the good thing is that we are done with this mission now. We have to go back immediately. Come on everyone." Flamzer instructed, but soon noticed something.

Golden orbs suddenly floated above Mixopolis as it started to rain with the group looking in awe

"Woah..." Zaptor said, mesmerized by the view of the apocalyptic yet beautiful place. 

It's like Mixopolis and many more places still had that spark of hope.

"Wait a zzzec. OH GODDAMN IT—"

Volectro and Zaptor soon started suddenly zapping unintentionally.

"...Flamzer can you check if there is an umbrella in those boxes?" Niksput asked.

"For some reason, yes. Here," Flamzer said, throwing an umbrella to Niksput.

He opened the umbrella and held it in front of the 2 zapping electroids, which made the zapping stop...albeit, with Niksput getting zapped as well.

"Ugh...Very zzzzorry Niksput..." Zaptor said, apologizing.

"Zzzame..." Volectro added on, grabbing the umbrella.

"Say, do you all think we should just stay and enjoy the scenery for a bit because my GOSH it looks so pretty!" Globert said.

"Maybe somewhere else...but sure!" Flamzer assured, "Now let's grab these boxes everyone! We'll find some place out of here to enjoy the sight."

The leaders soon grabbed the boxes and Niksput and Globert were soon about to fly, but they didn't realize something.

"Uhm...Sorry to interrupt this but..."

"The mix didn'T HEAL MY WING!" Globert yelled.

"You telling me that is nearly permanent?" Krader said with Globert nodding.

"Welp. Walking it is!" Flamzer declared as he and the others looked around the scenery, walking back to the lab.

For some odd reason, the golden orbs seem to subdue the spreading of ink. Krader soon caught onto that.

"Something off." Krader said while the group were walking out of Mixopolis, "It like little or no ink were there."

"Yeah, I saw that as well...but can you tell me how there's even MORE of those orbs in the forest too?!" Globert added.

"...Bea..uti...ful." Rokit said, "Nea...rly...mak..e...me...cry..."

"That's something new," Niksput said to Rokit, "You never cried before, I think. Ink probably made you go soft." 

"We...ll...yea...h...AND WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. YOU HEAR ME? NOW...MOV...E...ON..!" Rokit said, putting back his usual military personality.

Ma...ximum Mi...xel... Rokit thought, Wh...y...do I...ha...ve...to...near...ly...tear...my...vo...ice?!

"Ha! Alright." Niksput responded.

Don't worry Nurp-Naut. Well...Don't need to worry anymore! We are safe and sound. Niksput thought.

Then, an orb spawned next to Rokit. The same golden orb as the others.

"OH?!" Globert said in surprise, "You have one too?!" 

"I...thin..k...so..." Rokit said, confused.

"Let me juzzzzzzt...."

Volectro touches the orb, soon showing Rokit and the Orbitrons and the Infernite Cousins meeting the Glowkies for the first time.

"Huh. I didn't know you'd have this memory for long." Niksput said, "And if it appeared the moment this was done..."

"That could mean the orbs are memories. Memories of one meeting another." Flamzer said, realizing.

Everything has suddenly clicked now. The orbs floating across Mixopolis and throughout Planet Mixel, it being memories and that suppressing the ink from spreading.

It was trust and hope. Trust that was put into effect after one meets another, and hope that they will never succumb into anything bad.

It felt...odd. Why now? Why not before? Was it this moment that sparked a piece of a pure memory from another? Flamzer's mind was blazing with these questions. Hopefully those could be answered soon, he thought.

"Wait a sec," Niksput said, turning around, "Are there any extra nets? Or something else that captures things.

"Uh...let me check..." Flamzer said, soon digging through a box.

"Found none." Flamzer responded, coming out of the box.

"...Well! Hopefully no one will notice a fully infected mixel around the lab." Niksput said, sighing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the lab...

The doors open. 

The 4 leaders plus 3 more were back.

Lots of bruises, but still alive.

Everyone was cheering, finally relieved that the leaders weren't dead.

Teslo soon noticed and walked up to them.

"Well I've zzzzeen you've succeeded...and you even brought my...tribematzzzes too..." Teslo said, nearly crying as he soon hugged Volectro and Zaptor.'

"...Tezzzzzzlo!" Volectro said as he hugged back.

Odd. Teslo thought. Why izzzzzz he more...calmer?

"Jeezzzzzzz it's been a bit. What even happened to your lab?" Zaptor said, confused on why every mixel was in his lab.

And how did they get infected...yet they zzzzzzzztill have consciouzzzzzness? 

"I won't leave anyone behind, you know me," Teslo told Zaptor, "BUT! I'll tell you all the deetzzzzz later. Just join in on the hug...pleazzzze..."

Zaptor did so. The whole Electroid group has reunited after who knows how long! 

I'll talk about it to them later.

Soon the Infernite Cousins, Nurp-Naut and Shuff saw them, running and crying.

"FLAMZER!" Burnard and Meltus yelled, nearly squeezing the air out of Flamzer as they hugged him.

"Hello aga—A—OH GO-PLEASE—GIVE ME SP-A—CE—" Flamzer yelled, struggling to breathe as the other 2 were practically strangling him out of a hug.

"Oh, my bad, hehe..." Burnard said, letting go of the hug as tears were let go from his eyes.

Meltus could not let go of the hug. Even though it has been a few hours, it felt like days, weeks, months even.

"Uh...Meltus?" Burnard said, soon about to pry Meltus away from the panicking Flamzer, "Let him go already! You're about to make Flamzer pass out!"

"Oh, right! Sorry..." Meltus said, letting go of the hug as Flamzer caught his breath, "It felt too long, that's why...Thank GOD you're not hurt!"

"KRADER!" Shuff yelled, running to Krader with open arms, hugging him tightly.

"Shuff! Thank god you still safe." Krader said, "Any happen while me and others were gone?"

"No much honestly, but me did see Flain once and he recover very well!" Shuff replied, "And same with Seismo too!"

"Hmm...how about we see Seismo now!" Krader asked, "Perfect time to do!"

Teslo overheard Krader and Shuffs conversation.

"...Oh—Hold on, I gotzzzzz to tell Krader zzzzzomething." Teslo said, walking up to Krader.

"Okay zzzzhen! Hurry up zzzzzhough, we're at the bezzzzzt part!" Zaptor said.

"Hm? Oh, hi Tes!" Shuff said, waving.

"Hello again you two! Anywayzzzzzz...uh...how do I exzzzzplain this..." Teslo said, thinking about his response.

"Explain what?" Krader asked.

"Zzzzzomething was a bit wrong with Seismo, I suggezzzzzzt you see him at the moment." Teslo suggested, with Krader giving a look of concern.

"Please, I no want bad news at moment," Krader said, "Let me at least talk to Shuff. Later maybe?"

"Fine, but it hazzzz to be quick." Teslo added, turning around and walking back to the Electroids.

"Tezzzzzz!" Volectro said, waving back to Teslo, "We know you love Krader by the way! Vvvvvvery much too!"

"Pleazzzzze pleazzze pleazzze pleazzze PLEAZZZZZZE don't tell that to him, ezzzzzpectially at this moment. ANYONE can hear!" Teslo said in slight embarrassment.

"Ah don't worry, I won't!" Volectro said, pulling a thumbs up, "Now back to the zzzzzztory...."

Nurp-Naut couldn't believe it; He's back. He's actually back. Nurp specifically was mentally bouncing up and down with joy and relief, wanting to hug Rokit so tight that he would never leave him nor Niksput behind ever again.

The head switches to Nurp's side. 

"ROKIT!!!!" Nurp yelled, running to hug him.

"H...ey...do...n't..." Rokit said, being in big relief seeing Nurp-Naut safe and sound.

"Nurp, I suggest you don't hug him. He's uh..." Niksput said, thinking of something else to say.

 "...He's like the ink monsters you saw. Yeah. Don't touch him or you'll be just like him!" Niksput responded, with Rokit nodding slowly.

"B-but—"

"I know it's been a while that you've seen him but...he just has to stay with Seismo for a while, that's all." Niksput assured Nurp, "Just for a bit. Promise."

"...Nurp will forever take that promise!" Nurp said loudly.

The head then spins to Nauts side.

"Alright Nurp, sorry but now's my time to talk," Naut said, "Anyways, glad to see you two are back...albeit with some casualties, I think.”

"Yep! All fine," Niksput responded, "Now...crater tots?"

The head switches to Nurps side in an instant.

"YES! Yes yes yes yes yes!" Nurp yelled, circling around Niksput.

"Alright alright, c'mon! Let's see if there's even any around here first, Kay?" Niksput said

"Okay!" Nurp replied, already running to who knows where.

"Wh—Hey, come back here!" Niksput said, running to Nurp-Naut.

It's been a very long day, but alas, the mission is finished! And lots of things are slowly improving as more and more Mixels get more comfortable with the situation—

Zorch zoomed out of the door in an instant.

"Woah woah woah woah, what's with the rush?!" Niksput yelled.

"NOTHING!" Zorch said, noticing the amount of positivity about to be ruined within a second once he told him the news.

Odd. Niksput thought.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Night time.

Nurp-Naut is currently writing in their diary, with a bit of changes.

"Say," Nurp asked, "Can I add some drawings in this as well,"

The head spins to Nauts side. 

"Well it's your diary," Naut explained, "You can have anything added onto it, not just words."

Then back to Nurp's.

"Oh! Yay!" Nurp said with a smile, "Nurp wonders why you didn't say that earlier though..."

Nurp soon notices a drop of ink. And then another.

"What...What is HAPPENING?!" Nurp yelled, panicking.

The head frantically spun back to Nauts.

"You think I know, I don't!" Naut said anxiously, "Uh...Uhm...Look at the window and see our reflection!"

And back to Nurp's.

"Okay okay!" Nurp said, running to the window to look at its reflection.

His eyes widened in anxiousness.

Their head has ink, slowly spreading through its head.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

???

A nixel, a nixel with a hoodie, more grown and a bit smarter than the others, seemed to be wandering around in a Nixed Mixel Land, trying to find...something. But of what?

Where the SCHNIX are they?! I've been searching for hours...HOURS...where. Are. THEY. AT?! The nixel thought, nearly wanting to scream, rambling in their mind.

...Atleast I'm outta King Nixels grasp for now. Really wanted to do something else other than "You. Eclipse. Work at the Nixel Generator!" Or anything else that he enforced.

The Nixel decided to rest for a bit, near a tree.

It seems oddly peaceful when it's like this. No one here to ruin your fun and you secretly get to do whatever...Hm...Oh hey, another excuse to not do King Nixels orders! The Nixel thought while laughing a little.

Eh let's not get off track, I still gotta find out how they are just, nowhere...Oh, right, Mixopolis. That place exists. But first! The nixel thought, climbing up a tree to grab a nixed coconapple, Just gonna get this just in case...

They grabbed the coconapple and soon started their venture into Mixopolis.