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Chapter Text

[LOVESHOT]

11 10 civilians, handpicked and scouted out by the Government to act as defenders against the growing threat that are the Killers – powerful beings capable of ripping apart the average civilians, if not for us holding them back. I have long since forgotten my own Civilian name, but once I was chosen to be a part of the Defense System, I was titled [Loveshot]. Even though it’s my workname by technicality, part of me felt it was familiar somehow - like [Loveshot] was actually my name and not a title or label to my occupation.

Regardless, there’s no time to reminisce as my team have received reports of a rogue Killdroid within Teapot Paradise and we were tasked with handling it until the other teams arrived or we managed to neutralize it. I bit my tongue, trying to snap out of my thoughts. I have been getting more narrative recently, huh? Not like I’m trying to do it on purpose. . . It just feels. . . natural? Normal? I don’t know. In the distance, I could hear someone oh so familiar yelling their lungs out, it was [Taunt].

“HEY! Are you going to sit there and look stupid or are you gonna board the plane, huh?” [Taunt] said, snarking but it lacked the venom that he often spewed against the Killers.

“I’m prepping, just give me a minute!” I said as I quickly rushed into the changing room to swap into my iconic outfit I often wore on missions like these.

It’s nothing complicated. I wore a magenta cowboy hat with pink hearts on the brim, a purple sweater with a magenta vest on the outside. I also donned a long, purple skirt that practically kissed the ground with how long it is; very tiring to run in but at least I look absolutely gorgeous doing it. After I finished wearing my skirt, my legs slipped into a warm pair of white leg warmers and a simple pair of purple running shoes I got from [Cloak].

Realizing how long it must’ve taken for me to wear all of that, I quickly dashed out to the room at a breakneck speed that I doubt horses would even be able to match, zooming across like a blur from my dressing room and onto the platform. I kneeled down to catch my breath and heard someone rushing over to my side.

“Oh my! You looked drained, are you okay?” The voice asked, their voice filled with genuine worry.

“I’m fine. Just. . . Taking a. . . b-breather! Hah. . . I used WAY too much energy back there, that’s all!” I replied in-between breaths as I recovered from the amount of stamina I burnt back there just from running. Perhaps I should’ve asked [Adrenaline] how they recover so quick-

“Oh, okay! Just sit down if you need to, ‘kay? We’re about to head to Teapot Paradise so it’s best you reserve your energy for later!” The voice said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I finally rose upwards, glancing to my side as I identified the source of the voice to be [Caretaker] herself; her nametag attached to the chest of her coat, reading “CARETAKER” out in all-caps. To be honest, I’ve yet to hear much about [Caretaker] from the others or my employers. Though I’ve heard rumours from the others that she's very passionate about her job, albeit a bit too devoted if not manic in her pursuit. ‘Wow. . . She must be a really diligent worker,’ I mused as my eyes drifted over her appearance.

I eyed her up and down, trying to take into her appearance so I could remember her face whenever we inevitably crossed paths again. She wears a comically big nurse hat (way too big for her size, I noted) with a big green cross sewed in the middle along with a white coat that covers her entire upper body. Beyond that, she wears a simple pair of brown jeans and black shoes that (unlike her hat), actually fits her quite nicely. She’s light-skinned, with faint freckle spots on both of her cheeks. Her eyes are a shade of deep brown and her long, black hair is nicely tied up to a ponytail.

“Well, thanks for checking up on me. But, I gotta go now. Can’t keep [Taunt] waiting forever. . . See you around, pretty face!” I said as I dashed off to the exit of the lobby, waving.

“W-w-well. . . Nice to meet you!” [Caretaker] stammered, seemingly caught off-guard by the pet name I just called her. As I looked back, I could see a faint blush had formed on her face, seemingly flustered and embarassed.

That [Caretaker] gal seemed like a nice girl. Hope we get along sometime soon!

[Caretaker]

‘Man, I was so scared! I hoped I didn’t annoy her or something. . .’ This was my first week at the job and although I had joined in on some missions already, this is the first time I'll be working alongside [Loveshot] herself!

From what I’ve heard from my new friends, [Revolver] and [Cloak], [Loveshot] was the team’s only healer ever since [Carepad] (the team’s previous healer) had to resign due to health concerns so she worked super hard to make up for that loss since she’s the team’s only healer now, well, until I came in. ‘

That girl, you know, she’s really wonderful! I hope you two get along as well as she and [Carepad] did.’ [Cloak] said during the aftermath of a mission.

‘I can vouch for that! Not only that, she got tis’ cool revolver that looked just like mine! Except, it can heal ‘er or somethin’. Eh, I don’t know, didn’t push ‘er about it.’ [Revolver] added onto [Cloak].

[Loveshot] left just as quickly as she came, sprinting off into the exit and saying goodbye. I didn’t get to know much about her except her appearance but she seemed like a good person from my first impression of her and what I heard from my friends. I glanced over to the clock, noticing that we were departing in about 5 minutes, I yelped as I ran off into [Loveshot]’s direction; not wanting to be late.

‘Gosh! I don’t want to make a bad impression of myself this early into the job!’ I thought out loud as I made my way onto the exit. An audible creek of the exit door could be heard and a loud, hasty slam that followed afterwards. The lobby is now quiet once again, with only the soft humming of the portal that could be heard.

NEXT CHAPTER: TEAPOT PARADISE SCUFFLE

Chapter Text

[Loveshot]

Once the doors of the plane opened, what greeted us was a small hazard sign that warned us the possibility of falling. Looking beyond, I can see trees and flora sprouted haphazardly around stone ruins and white clouds nearly enveloping the whole sky in its chaotic, unorderly cacophony. Despite how peaceful the scenery that befalls us may seem, the distant sounds of explosions from across the ruins and the already deployed Killbots on the wooden bridges told a different story.

While the Government was developing a defense system against the Killers, several Killdroid models went rogue and began chasing down innocent Civilians and hurting them. Although we’ve managed to neutralize a handful of them, there still lies some stragglers wandering around to this day. Though, I wonder how one managed to wander off into Teapot Paradise out of all places. . .

I glanced at the panel given to me: the screen showing all of my teammates that are assisting me in this mission, their health and stamina. Pretty barebones if you ask me, but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t useful. I began scrolling down the screen, eyeing the names of my teammates: Me, [Punch], [Revolver], [Cloak], [Caretaker] and [Adrenaline]. A balanced team of survivalists, sentinels and supports, if I do say so myself. The [Contractor] must’ve been working overtime to organize this team composition.

Since I was tasked with leading the team in this mission, I had [Cloak] and [Adrenaline] on dismantling the Killbots and scouting out the Killdroid. After that, me, [Punch] and [Revolver] would try to destroy it using our Blessings and [Caretaker] would heal us in a quickie if we ever need to. Of course, due to the nature of my Blessing, I can adjust between attacking and healing pretty flexibly but I honestly prefer being on the attacking most of the time, after what happened last time. . . . . Regardless! I opened the chamber of my revolver, loading in 6 bullets into the chamber before snapping it back into place, cocking it.

In the distance, I could see [Punch] readying his gloves and [Revolver] playfully spinning his revolver as they approached me. [Punch] was the first one to talk.

“If we’re going to be handling this Killdroid, I need you to be focused and careful, [Loveshot].” [Punch] said, arms crossed and tone serious.

“Ay! Don’t cha’ worry too much about Loves! She’s a natural with that gun of hers!” [Revolver] playfully joked, his tone and demeanor completely contrasting the stoic personality of [Punch].

I smiled faintly at their interaction but quickly shifted it to a neutral expression. “Enough of the jokes, I already had [Adrenaline] and [Cloak] handling the Killbots and locating the Killdroid. So, in the meantime, prepare yourself.” I put on a serious front. Though I’m a rather easy-going person, I felt inclined to be “professional and serious” whenever it’s my turn to lead – after all, I wouldn’t want to fail my team twice!

Suddenly, just in time too, I heard the iconic cloak reveal noise. Turning my head around, I saw [Cloak] dusting themselves off with [Adrenaline] trailing them behind by a bit. Not wanting to waste any time, I called out to [Cloak].

“Hey [Cloak]! Are the Killbots handled yet?” I inquired.

“No need to worry! Had all of them disabled, even did it all without the Killdroid catching on!” [Cloak] happily replies, seeming proud of their work.

“I managed to find the Killdroid wandering near the wooden bridge leading to the waterfall. Doesn’t seem like it will be leaving that area anytime soon.” [Adrenaline] suddenly adds into the conversation. Though I was initially spooked by their sudden intrusion, I smiled happily at their information.

“Alright, thanks [Adrenaline] and [Cloak]! [Punch], [Revolver] get ready! We’re heading off to the waterfall area.” I loudly declared which seemed to have made [Revolver] stumbled a bit out of surprise. I fought to hold back a chuckle after seeing him nearly trip over as he made his way to me.

“Now, let’s slowly make our way to that Killdroid. Remember, don’t make a peep until I say so! Now, [Revolver] and I are going to attack it first then [Punch], you can go in when it’s still disoriented from our sudden attack!” I said cheerfully, perhaps a bit too much as I saw [Punch] slightly raise his eyebrows but it disappeared just as quickly as it formed.

“U-uhm. What about me?” Then, a foreign voice suddenly inquired.

‘Shoot! I completely forgot to tell [Caretaker] what to do before we dropped off! Curse you, [Taunt] !’ I tried to remain composed but even [Revolver] could see I was panicking a bit.

“U-u-uhm, sorry [Caretaker]! You’re going to be our primary healer for this mission. So, I want you to stay in the backlines and whenever we need healing, we will fall back onto you, k?” I stammered a bit initially but managed to smoothly recover, hopefully [Caretaker] wouldn’t think of me as a bad leader. . .

“Oh! Okay! That sounds good!” [Caretaker] replied and I let out a breath of relief I didn’t even know I was holding.

“Sorry for not telling you earlier, [Caretaker] !! I will be more careful next time.” 

Though I probably didn’t need to apologize, I still felt somewhat bad for leaving [Caretaker] in the dark up until the point of this mission. They are a new hire and the last thing I wanted to do was disappoint them. After all, I don't want to do what I did to him.

I quickly shoved the thought out of my mind. Come on, Loveshot! This is about your team, not your own personal mental turmoil! That can wait until later.

Focusing back onto the present, I gestured to [Punch] and [Revolver] to follow me. . .

[KILLDROID SERIAL NO. 444]

[ SCANNING FOR LIFEFORM. . .]. 

[ZERO LIFEFORM DETECTED AROUND THE AREA. AREA IS MARKED AS ‘CLEAR’ IN DATA ENTRY.]

The Killdroid scouted around the area. Its movement sharp and calculated, everything done with near-maximum efficiency. It was built like that. To be the most efficient enforcer of justice, even surpassing a majority of Blessed Civilians.

Yet, even a robot like Killdroid would’ve never anticipated what was about to happen next.

Two [CIVILIAN-]  [CRIMINALS] emerged from a corner, one dressed in a western cowboy outfit and one whose outfit is mostly composed of shades of magenta and pink.

As Killdroid readies its rockets,there are the sounds of two gunshots going off in unison and shortly after, two bullets embedding themselves onto the robot’s metal armor. The bullets explode shortly after, dealing heavy damage to Killdroid’s armor. Before it can find its footing again, a third [CRIMINAL] revealed themselves. This time, they wore a simple white t-shirt, brown pants and a pair of black gloves. They lunged onto the Killdroid, landing a punch onto its core head, staggering it a bit.

The Killdroid opted to fall back, ducking behind a nearby rock and managing to dodge two bullets coming from the unknown assailants. Activating its jetpack, Killdroid thrusted onto the sky, firing rockets into the [CRIMINALS] below.

Its rockets locked onto the assailant with the purple dress, however, they managed to roll onto the side; the rockets narrowly missing them. Though, the one in black gloves was not so lucky, the rockets’ hitting them right on their torso, knocking them back. The purple dress attacker seemed surprised, bolting right onto the injured assailant’s location, holding a glass bottle of some sort.

The Killdroid immediately took advantage of the situation, aiming their rockets at the gloved [CRIMINAL] trying to crawl their way onto cover. However, their attempt was stopped by the one dressed like a western cowboy. The bullet that the criminal had shot managed to lodge deep inside their complex machinery, sending their systems into shock.

[Loveshot]

I didn’t know what [Revolver] did but thank god he did. After that shot, the Killdroid seemed to be momentarily stunned for a while. I took advantage of that opening to drag [Punch] across the wooden bridge, resting them by a nearby stone pillar.

After that, I unscrewed the bottle cap of my Healing Potion, lifting their shirt up then spraying a bit onto [Punch]’s torso. [Punch] winced in pain when the medicine initially made contact, though relaxing shortly after when the pain relievers that I mixed in kicked in. Though Blessed Civilians are more bulky than normal ones, Killdroids are designed with such a thing in mind so that means their rockets are amped up to combat against that.

Enough about that, I focused back onto treating [Punch]’s wounds. After the medicine had settled in, I took out a bandage and started wrapping them around their chest. After I finished wrapping them up, I had them retreat back to [Caretaker] who was near the pit drop area to have his wounds further treated.

Then, a sudden thunder cracked through the air like a bell toll. The sky darkens and not long after, a downpour starts. I ran as fast as I could, trying to keep my balance to not slip from the wet ground. As I dashed for the wooden bridge, a huge flying teapot dropped onto the middle of it, separating me from [Revolver]. The ground quakes from the impact, the wooden bridge somehow managed to not break from the sudden pressure. I would have to go the long way around to reach [Revolver]. Let’s hope he can hold on for long. . .

NEXT CHAPTER: TEAPOT PARADISE SCUFFLE (PART 2)