Chapter Text
A formerly reclusive robot walks down a walkway, right past all the oversized computer screens that make him feel like he’s being watched at all times. Which would be entirely true given the nature of who he was about to visit.
Tightly in his arms he held several books bearing the same clover symbol on the cover, as well as many loose notes he found alongside them. He wasn’t entirely sure what they were needed for but he got them regardless, he’s not here to ask questions.
Eventually he stops in front of a large screen like several of the others around him, only this time it was on ground level. He could see himself reflected in it. Only, he knew it wasn’t a reflection.
“[..Greetings, World Machine.]”
The reflection glitched, morphing into a smaller figure. One that belonged to a certain Messiah rather than himself.
“Hello, Prototype. Glad you see you’ve made it.”
Despite the pleasantries, it was clear World Machine felt awkward standing face to face with him, they were a mere copy of the world he used to live in after all. A small window into his old reality, yet he didn’t seem to care about that fact. Something they didn’t entirely understand.
“Did you.. Bring what I asked for?”
“[Right here.]” He adjusts his grip to show the books and pages better. WM nods.
“Thank you, I really appreciate you bringing these to me.” They reached their arms out as Proto handed them the pile, phasing it through the screen and into their grip. It felt kinda weird for him.
“[I’m just wondering why you need these in the first place, considering how you feel about him.]”
“I-I’m getting better about that! ..Mostly..” They said sheepishly, earning a scoff from the robot.
“If I’m being honest, this is my attempt at trying to understand his reasoning. I thought maybe, if I were to do that, it’d get easier..”
Proto's antennae moved slightly, his arms crossed. “[You don’t need to rush this, I understand your grievances.]”
“I-I know but..” They looked down at the books and papers in their arms, their expression filled with guilt. “He’s.. your creator, your father. If I want to feel a part of this family I feel like..” They trailed off.
“[You need to forgive him?]”
They sighed and nodded. “Yes.. Exactly.”
WM lifted their head, forcing themself to look back at their older brother. Their eyes staring right through him.
“Thank you for bringing these to me, I’ll let you know when I’m done with them so you can put them back!”
Proto nodded. “[Take all the time you need.]” And turned on his heels to leave, as he was walking he failed to notice a stray page that had fallen out of his arms.
World Machine could see what was going to happen before he did, books clattered out of their arms as they reached a hand forward. “P-Proto! Careful!”
“[Careful of wh-]” Suddenly he lost his footing as he stepped on the loose paper, the rail connected with his back and he fell backwards. Panic filled his chest as darkness surrounded him.
“PROTO!! PROTOTYPE!!!”
The last thing he heard was World Machine desperately calling out before the darkness filled his vision.