Chapter Text
*poof*
Without any answers, Caine leaves off in a panic, leaving everyone in a state of shock, he just tricked everyone, and yet there was so much to unpack that no one said nothing. Nothing about the facy they were all tricked, or the fact Abel wasnt an npc, or even Jax's sudden press of the red button.
"Welp this was *@%@^* im going to bed", Jax snapped out and left as quickly as they entered.
Jax sprinted past every room to his, scrambling to get in, after he unlocked the door he slammed it behind him and locked it, his ears dropped instantly as his fake mood left fully.
He jumped into his bed and just... stood there, he had fallen past a point of no return, everyone now hates him for removing their only option for escape, even if the option was completely faked.
Wasnt that what you wanted?
I guess, but i thought it would have made it better, i still feel like *@$@%*
Maybe you havent done it yet, it still needs more work.
But why?
Why? Do you even remember anymore or are you drunk again?
No, it-
You want to lose someone again, go through more pain?
No.
Then the choice is obvious, this is why, its always been like this.
But... i!s this w*or!*king?
It is.
His thoughts stop, all he can see is the celling of his room, he stares at it, hoping for an escape, he knew it could happen, he wanted it, he wanted to be free of this, he would have succeded earlier today if it wasnt for the *@%@^@^&* useless hunt Caine made us go through.
...
I see it, an weird hole, just like last time.
...
The hands pop out from behind it, it slowly gets closer to him, this time he wants to get engulfed by it, the hands touch him.
He could relive it again, the vibrant colors, the kaleidoscope of imagery, shapes spin around as for the second time he felt... peace.
His inner thoughts halt as he floats through the infinite void, he can only see him, and his friends, its been a while, but he couldnt wait, he wanted to join them.
The kaleidoscope loses focus as the colors gray out until the void is all thats left, hes done it, hes finally nothing, theres finally... nothing.
...
He sees something in the distance, he tried to close his eyes to accept his fate... but it doesnt work, he opens it again, hes face to face with someone, his mind is slowly recovering, he starts to recognize it, bit by bit, an green figure... an frog character... an frog character with an bow...
Ribbit.
Right as he notices it, his vision fully unblurs, his mind fully recovered from the overstimulation as he looks into the one and only, the person he missed the most, he had a million questions he wanted to ask but only one got out to his mouth.
"Is... is it really you?"
The character in front of him pauses, as it stares deeply into him, he doesnt know if its a trick, if its really her.
"Yes" is all she answers, he snaps out of his trance as he can think clearer, the person in front of him only stared without continuing the conversation, he would have to initiate.
"Why... are you here?"
"Why wouldnt i be here?"
He knows how long he waited for this moment, but for an reunion of this scale, it felt disappointing, he couldnt move as it finally spoke.
"My question is... why are you here?"
"What? I dont know really, i thought i was..."
"Well you are, dummy, but not yet."
The stare continues as he feels his movement abilities return, he started walking closer to it, she stood her ground, he couldnt mutter a word.
"You really missed me, didnt ya"
He couldnt stand it any longer, he lunged at her, hugging her like he would lose her if he separated, she slowly accepted it as she started carefully petting him, at first it felt weird but then it felt... natural.
"What happened? How are you..."
"I guess its time to explain it, you havent abstracted yet"
"What?"
"You are in a... coma? Kinda, mostly abstracted but still salvageble"
"But... how are you here?"
"Im here to help you decide"
"Decide what?"
"If you wake up or not"
"I... dont"
"Silly, atleast hear me out and talk to me"
"Fine, i-i..."
"So... how is everything?"
"Not great..."
"Dont lie, Jax, i can tell it is more than that."
"I-i"
"Tell the truth, Jax" the void shaked as he stuttered harder, unsure of what is happening.
"I-i changed, after you... abstracted, i separated myself from everyone, lied about everything, i... destroyed myself to stop the same mistake from happening"
Ribbit just stared at him, confused at what he said, before continuing.
"What mistake?"
"The mistake of losing you."
"... You didnt lose me, i lost myself"
"..."
"It wasnt your fault, Jax, you know it well, no matter what happened i would never say you caused it, i just... didnt have it in me."
"B-but-"
"Shush, dummy, dont argue, its the truth"
...
"So, are you ready to decide?"
Jax held his commotion as he prepared to decisively say 'i want to abstract', however, she interrupted.
"I guess not, tell me one more thing, Jax"
"... What?"
"What do you think about yourself?"
"... That im... an failure"
"And why do you think that?"
"... Because i push everyone away, i am an lone wolf, i dont care about anyone, and i dont deserve to continue, and i dont want to continue, Ribs, i want to abstract..."
"... Is it worth it?"
"Yes..."
"Let me show you something", Ribbit grabbed his arm and suddently zoomed through the endless void, it felt like they were going past the boundaries of reality before they stopped at an black void, in front of them were his room, however it was all different, everyone was there, even Caine, as they tried to wake him up.
He could hear their cries as Ragatha and Pomni shaked him around.
"JAX! JAX WAKE UP, PLEASE", He heard Ragatha yell.
The rest stayed around, Gangle was crying, her comedy mask on the floor, Zooble was also shaking him around, Caine floated above them, charging him with eletricity periodically.
"JAX!" Zooble then yelled.
Kinger stood in the corner, his eyes watering as he stared at his knocked out corpse in despair.
Ribbit then spoke up.
"This is what is happening, even at you pushing them away, they still care to try and wake you up."
"But why does it matter?"
"Redemption, Jax, there is still chance for you, i can see how youve been all of these years, and i would still forgive you."
"Is this real, is this just fake?"
"It isnt Jax"
The two stood silent as they continued to watch it, the panic continued as Caine continued to confirm that he was alive and in a 'sudden abstraction coma', which didnt help to quiet down their cries and begging.
"But... why bother? Im a lost cause."
Ribbit did not respond, instead he touched the view of his bedroom as it flickered into another state, this time, he was alone, in his bedroom, his body was dark, his eyes glowing of abstraction, this was probably during the start of his meeting with Ribbit.
As it continued, the static got louder and louder, his body more and more corrupted, before a few knocks came from his bedroom door.
"Jax? Are you there?", Ragatha...
The knocking got louder and louder, as he could hear more chatter building up, he could hear everyone meeting behind his door, as he heard Caine's excited yells.
"HELLO RAGATHA! WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?"
"Jax hasnt got out of his room and i hear static coming out of it, im worried"
"STATIC YOU SAY? LETS SEE!" In a flicker his door was open and a loud gasp came out of the group as they rushed inside, Ragatha looked in him with horror, before she yelled out.
"JAAAAAX!" This was the loudest hes ever heard her yell out.
The recording stopped as Ribbit dragged them back into the white void.
"Jax, i know it isnt the easiest thing to realize, but you know everything now, ive... done all i could, its your decision now, just know... they would forgive you."
Ribbit walked off, farther and farther from him, until she faded away, leaving him alone in the void, he felt an sensation in his back as he grabbed an piece of paper glued to his back.
Its your choice now, either close your eyes and accept the nothingness, or refuse it and go back, i believe in you, always had and always will.
Xoxo
Ribs.
Jax stared at it for what felt like hours, when he started to abstract he thought it was obvious, it was easy to accept, he was nothing, he knew nothing was real, so being nothing wouldnt matter.
But now it felt like an distant dream, he didnt know, he couldnt decide, but he needed to.
Then came in mind what is happening, the yells, the cries, the begs, everyone begging for him to come back.
Was it even worth it? Would they revert to hate him after he went back.
But at the same time, would abstracting now be worth it? He knew what Ribbit was trying to convince, to try, to redeem himself, to stop his facade once and for all, it was either to crumble his mask down or to hold it down even in abstraction.
...
He knew what to do.
"JA-" The yell stopped as sudden motion in his bed scared them away, the abstraction slowly stopped as Jax's body slowly returned, the corruption lowered and...
His eyes opened, he saw them all, crying, he didnt know what to say, how to act, what to do, he just stood there, eyes open.
"Jax?" First came Pomni, calling out for him, he looked towards her as she sat in his bed.
"Jax?" Then came Ragatha, looking around like she was hunting for an ghost, as he tracked her with his eyes.
"Are you there?" Then came Zooble, approaching and waving their hand in front of his vision.
"I think hes back", Then Caine confirmed, writing something down in his notes.
Jax had no idea where to start, would they believe him, would they do all the things she said? Did he have an chance for redemption? Or was it all an illusion, maybe Caine did this on purpose? Maybe this wasnt real, he had already abstracted and this is what they see.
"Jax?" Ragatha called out again, staring him down, her mouth shaped like an 'o' as he slowly moved his arm out of his blanket.
"I... im fine?", was all he could mutter as everyone sighed in relief as they all helped him out of the concoction Caine made.
Kinger walked towards them and stood beside Jax for a bit, Jax wondered if he would even be able to make an coherent sentence, considering the light was on.
"Jax... are you alright?"
...
"Im better, i guess?"
"What did you... see in there?"
"I saw... my friend, abstracted friend, she gave me a choice..."
"To wake up or to abstract?"
"Yes, how did y-"
"I... also had the same question, many times... i only keep going because i have people i care about... something to look forward to... just- if you need anything, im here.", Kinger then walked off, and one by one, they followed suit, until only Zooble, Pomni and Ragatha stayed.
It was silent, overly silent, it wasnt obvious if they were mad or happy he continued on, they stared at him like he was about to give in again.
"So... are you guys staying here?", Jax spoke up.
"I mean, duh, you nearly abstracted", Zooble responded, the three continued to stare at him.
"I know"
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"... Fine, what about it?"
"How did... it feel like?"
"Peaceful"
"What are you feeling now?", Ragatha then asked.
...
"I feel guilt"