Chapter Text
The sky is dark, Star on the sky has been shining as always like every night , But tonight is different…. An poor little inphernal ( It’s Rocket ) , He sitting on pavement as he shivering and breathing in cold, The weather night in this month has been drop and lower than every years , Rocket hands numb but still trying to warm himself with his one arm cause his right arm is not with him anymore… Same with his left leg too, Rocket breathing in weakness , his face red from coldness , Rocket closing his eyes and starting imagining a warm fire, sound of cracking woods and coal burning against in warm fire
Rocket trying to calm himself ,trying to sleep on a thin newspaper against thick bricks of pavement but of course how do he sleep in peace when his poor body with no one arm and one leg can handle the coldness of the nights… He might die like this…. “N-no-no…” Rocket's voice is tired and shaking. He feels like getting stabbed by a cold knife , He can even see white small clouds coming out from his mouth as he breathes
And suddenly He hears car engines running and stop… , then footsteps sound from somewhere , He not sure…. but it is getting closer…. closer and the footsteps stop , Rocket opening his blurry eyes when he rubbing its and looking carefully, He saw an adult inphernal standing front of him , gazing at him but his eyes too blurred to see they face , Poor boy don’t know what they need or want , He trying to stay back but with coldness around his weak body is too strong that he can’t even move
“Hey…don’t worry I won’t hurt you little kid” Stranger greeted and lay on their knees with a friendly smile. Without waiting they take off their leather jacket and wrapped it around Rocket's cold body
“…” Rocket is confused by this stranger’s action. Is this just a trick to kill him later? But a warm thick leather jacket calms him down , finally getting a warm feeling. He waited for so long “T-thank you…” Rocket pleased with smile
“Where’s your parents?” They asked with a worried voice, “I can take you back to your regio-” Stranger was about to ask him but…
“N-no! Don't send me back!” Rocket cuts a stranger’s line before they can finish the sentence , “I-I got kicked out Playground! Please anywhere but the Playground!” Rocket’s voice terrified and his eyes tearing
“… You must be such a traumatized kid” Stranger gazing at Rocket’s disabled right arm and left leg , They stood up “Let’s take you to somewhere else then… anywhere but Playground right?” They ask again for sure before reaching they hand to Rocket
Rocket sniffing from tears , looking at the reaching hand from stranger…. Trusting stranger is not right but in this situation there’re no choice left now, why he would he not accept helping and kindness from friendly looking adult “Yes… anywhere but Playground” He confirmed and reaching his hands back to grab palm of stranger
Stranger helping Rocket to stand up and lift him to piggyback. “You very lucky have found me, Next time don’t talk to a stranger kid” He teaches Rocket about trusting a stranger “I’m Electroslasher… Elec for short” They walked to car while introduced themselves to Rocket who lay and shivering on their back
“I’m Rocket….” Respond with an exhausted voice , His cold body against a warm large body , It makes him feel safe… He quickly fall sleep from coldness , pressing against Elec back with calm
Many years later
A helpless and hopeless boy in that day , Now become a boy who living Blackrock and he being adopted by a person that save him in that night and raising Rocket , It’s took year for him to adjust and sharp himself into the new life , He got new prosthetic leg and arm too , Thank to Elec who bought it for him from mad scientist who living his robots? He thought it was a bit creepy… However Rocket has found new hobby… writing novel
He like to be alone in park in his own room or anywhere that he can focus on writing , He very introvert but it only on his free time , he can talk to peoples and his new guardian friends , but mostly he chose to stay quietly , every time other stranger or inphernals try to talk with him , he just respond with cold voice and tone but he he alone…
“No this won’t work” Rocket deleted a word from his page in laptop and trying to find a word that fit more , Rocket sighs and looks up at the sky before taking a deep breath. “….Right!” Rocket shoutout , He immediately typing words with a passion “Yes yes and fina-!”
“Rocket?” Elec opened the rooftop door saying his name “Are you not sleeping yet? At least be quiet too…” They irritated and sound drowsy ,staring at Rocket who awakened in the middle of cold night of Blackrock
“Sorry Elec…I’m just writing probably the best sentence I ever write!” Rocket proudly as he tiptoed forward to Elec and gave them a book “How do you think?” He ask nicely waiting for answers
Elec sighs but smiles “My mind is begging for sleep now not for reading…Rocket I know you want to spend last night before we move” Elec said in calmly knowing why Rocket still not sleep
Rocket shuttered , His smiles faded “… Yeah you’re right” Rocket depressed when Elec took he back to reality
A week ago , Elec was looking for a job so they could get money , sound simple right? Probably not… Elec has found their new job it’s making a good well moneys but the workplace is very far away from apartment their live, So Elec decided to move to new city and start a new life
Elec pitiful to see a sad-puppy face on Rocket “Hey… It’s will be okay” They place hands on Rocket right shoulder “We start new life , a place that better then Blackrock too” Elec cheering Rocket which now smiling bit
“Sure…But what about our new…apartment ?” Rocket asked calmly , gazing at rooftops that he used to sit for writing his novel
“Don’t worry I got a new and better place to live” Elec grinds and playfully hits Rocket arms with their wrist “Now go to sleep or you would fall asleep when we get in the car ” Elec yawning before going back to their room…
Rocket watching Elec walking back to room and looking back to a spot he likes to sit , A perfect view to see on top of Blackrock city and towns, A place that he can breath and laying on floor to feel the cold wind flow around his body “…Goodbye” He whispers before following Elec but he pauses, A lot of memories from past begins playing in his mind lot a good time he be has fun in this Blackrock , sometime bad sometime embarrassing but it’s still a good memories… However he can’t do anything more now , He continues following Elec to his room
Next day
“Sword wake up already!” Venomshank shout loudly as he knocks his bedroom door
Sword still snoring turn to mumbling goans voice “Mm…. Y-yes father I wake up” He shouts back as replies and staring at clock beside his bed “6:02 am?” He rubbing his eyes for sure and look again… still same , He sigh before stood up and walk to windows and open it
A warm and brightening from warm sunlight that has been rising , Sword squeak his eyes before adjusting it , It’s beautiful to see dawn from this view of Crossroad , He see reflection of himself in mirror
“Sword breakfast is ready , Come down before it’s cold” Venomshank voice again from down stairs
“Sure father!” Sword don’t have much time now so he just adjust his silk pajamas and rubbing some boogers in his eyes and quickly ran to down stair
Sword walking to the dining room to eat breakfast as his morning routine like he always do , Sword walk passing many rooms and fancy things like a large painting of Venomshank with golden lace frame , A white luxury piano and more more pictures of his SFOTH sword family etc. … However he see its everyday that make him feel bit bored about his luxury life
“Today I’m cook croissant filled with grilled bacon with fired-eggs and water for your breakfast” Venomshank saying while he eating his own breakfast , politely sitting
“Thank you father” The sleepy-head boy sat on the dining chair and began to eat his breakfast with tiredness from waking up too early in the morning.
“Today I’m pretty busy I might not at home at night , Don’t forget to lock all doors and windows , But tomorrow we still have phight training ” Venomshank
“Well…Can I go visit my friends?” Sword asked and still chewing his meal
“Sure , But don’t do something bad and make us imagine look bad and importantly come back home before 7:30pm” Venomshank remake and allowed sword to meet his friends
“Thank you father” Sword smile bit even he know his father would allow him as always ( When it’s free time only ) , He finish his meal left only some bit of crumble
On everyday in Crossroad , A main city capital where lot of inphernals from other region has come to find or start new life , and of course this place is pretty busy and lively , Inphernals walking around the city , talking chatting blah blah blah
“TINK!” The ring bell sound from door café that lightly opened
“Welcome what can I- oh hey Sword” Slingshot quickly walk out from kitchen though customers has come but notice it just Sword walk in
“Morning Sling , Shuri and vine” Sword greeting the siblings before he walked to a table that had his other friends sitting waiting for him “Hey guys!”
“Wassup” Coil greet , Skateboard and Boombox follow
“We order raspberry tart for you Sword” Skateboard said and Boombox reach a small cute box with red-cherry ribbon
“Oh thank” Sword beam take a box and sit next to Boombox to join the table group , placing box on table and they begin having conversation
A café is pretty normal today as always , Shuriken , VineStaff and Slingshot running the business , In morning will be lot of customers cause it’s morning routine to inphernals to eat breakfast or drink coffees from café , sometime a group of students will working quietly here
The car has arrived , Park in among the cars in a parking spot beside the tall building , Car door open Rocket and Elec step out the car , open the back door car and pick up suitcase bags and other stuffs
Both of them walking to inside the condo where they gonna live in here as new life, a sound of driving car and people talking chatting see something Rocket feel strange about , In Blackrock it rarely to hear
After walking into the condo building , Elec is talking to the receptionist in the lobby about the room they're gonna live in , Rocket waiting for Elec in the lobby chairs writing a novel in his laptops
“Rocket let go , I got the key” Elec call him and pointing to the elevator , Rocket follow them before enter the elevator , Elec click the 15th bottom , Elevator door closing as floors lifting up
After 2 minutes in elevator, Both of them step out from elevator , Metal door closing behind as they walk to room, Rocket looking wall along the hallway following Elec , It’s look cozy and luxury
“There our room” Elec point room number 152 , They pick up a keycard from their pocket and slide the card against the door sensor bar … Qlick sound appear and the door is unlock “Get inside”
Rocket gets inside the room first , He places the bag and suitcase on the door before looking around the room… The first things he saw is a vanilla-white wall , A TV and cozy looking couch in middle of the room , His left hand is bathroom , He walk inside behind the couch there a circle stair and another room , it’s kitchen with dining table inside , but Rocket decide to walk up the stair first , when he come to 2nd floor there are 2 room one left and one right .
“Rocket go pick your room , Choose the one you like” Elec shout from the down stair
“Ok!” Rocket looking left and right thinking which room he should pick… He open the left door and saw a cozy large bed in middle of room and one large closet the room is mostly empty and there a door lead to toilet room , Rocket leave the room and walk to right room
In opposite room , It bit smaller there a bed look cozy too but smaller against wall and one closet , There are no toilet room in this room but something discreet him… It’s glass door lead to balcony , Rocket walk before gently open the door and step outside the room on balcony
“Woahhh…” Rocket gazing at the view of Crossroad city , this room is high enough to view an entire beautiful tall tower in the middle of Crossroad , This is the perfect place to write a novel for him “This so perfe-!”
“Already found your room huh?” Elec cut the line and smirk with joyful while leaning against door frame
“Y-yes… ” Rocket laugh dryly from embarrassment , crossing his arms as he lean against fence of balcony
“Well go look around the Crossroad for now , My boss will come to this condo…” Elec sigh of bit shame
“It’s okay , I can go find another place to write a novel , maybe if I find some grocery store or café or… some place that is quiet. ” Rocket was a bit nervous because he had never been to Crossroad before…
“Don’t be scared… Everything's still new for you , Like first I take you to Blackrock , times will help you understand here” Elec cheer Rocket up to advice him
“Thank you… You best person ever” Rocket smiles as he walks past Elec and go down the stairs and leaves the room to the elevator
This is a pretty bad idea ( Rocket though ) This place is so big like an ant in the ocean , he accidentally bumps into inphernals when he walks , it makes him so embarrassed… However , he walking with his bag like there’s place to go until… he found one café
“Finally… café much be quiet in here” Rocket walk in , He looked around the café and impressed how cozy and comfortable this place look , he look everywhere and his eyes lock in clock “7:32am already?”
“Welcome sir, what order would you like?" Vinestaff greeting him with friendly words and smile
“Uhh…. Can I get a latte please?” Rocket cold voice orders drinks with bit nervous, This is first time he have communicated in Crossroad
“Sure! That will be 3 bux, anything else?” Vinestaff ask again and writing order in her note
“That all , thank you” Rocket nodding as he paying with credit card
“Oh sorry our EDC machine is broken!… Do you have a crash?” Vinestaff immediately shout as Rocket pulling credit card from his wallet
The Vinestaff apologized that too bit loud in quiet place make group of her friend Boombox Coil Skateboard and Sword looking at them
”Yeah, I do have crash” Rocket sweat this is so embarrassing he want to disappear right if he can but he have to play cold , He quickly pulling 3 one bux from his wallet and pay it to Vinestaff
After getting his latte Rocket quickly walk to find place to sit, He choose tale that far away from other inphernals before open his laptop and putting his headphone and begin writing his novel
“What happened Vinestaff?” Sword call Vinestaff as she walk to group
“Oh nothing , That customer gonna pay by card but I told him EDC machine is broken" She explain in clear
“Well ok , Wait I never saw that guy before” Skateboard whisper as he staring at Rocket sitting alone in
“He could be a travelist dude” Boombox replied “Maybe from Blackrock , look at his outfit” And everyone on table looking Rocket outfit , A sweater a black leather jacket with white fur on the collar, the gloves that he wearing even it not winter or cold , His outfit look like something Blackrock’s inphernals would wear
“You guys can’t just judge by his outfit dude” Vinestaff hisses “Even if that guy from Blackrock , it still not your guys problem”
“Yeah yeahhh whatever lady” Coil replied with annoyed
Rocket feel like he being stare , He feel uncomfortable right now he can only like typing in 12-15 words , He turn his head and look at the friend group table , When he look at them, they immediately looking away tying to hide Rocket eyes
“Why must be me damn it…” He whispers to himself and he trying to not give them attention and force himself to keep typing his laptop
“I think he notice us dude” Sword whisper to his friends
“No maybe…mAyBe” Skateboard voice squick when he though he almost got caught
The group start whisper to each other to make sure Rocket wouldn’t hear them , but Rocket knew they might talking about him , The unforgettable feeling turn to annoyed
An hour later , Rocket just finished his first chapter 2 and 3 in his novel. He stretched his arms like a cat and sighs “Finally… ughhh” He laid his back against the couch , He looked at the clock on the wall “10:21am?… very fast” Rocket stand up and going rest room for break
“That guy finally move” Boombox whisper to his friends
“Are you guys still stalking my customer?” Slingshot annoyed as he walk to place plate with croissant on table
“No no but honestly…How can he like sitting in same position and typing on keyboard like a hour” Skateboard excuse as he looking a left open laptop on table
“Ugh.. Just stop make my customers scare” Slingshot goan and rubbing his forcehead and walking away
Rocket walks out from the rest room door , wearing his usual dark blueberry gloves and walks back to his table but suddenly “W-whoop!” He accidentally tripping over his boots shoelace that not ties but he managed to stay still and not fall on the floor but his wallet fell from his jacket pocket instead
“Oh my SFOTH sigh…” He embarrassing before walk back to his table without notice his wallet that on the floor
“Uhh someone wanna help that guy?” Coil spoke as his eyes narrow at wallet on the floor with smirk
“Uhh…” Sword looking at his friends trying to pick which friends he should choose but he see everyone face , Without any words Sword understand that his friends didn’t wanna help , Not because they’re selfish or apathy they’re just too scared to talk to him “I go then”
and without other words , Sword stood up with brave taking a deep breathe to clearing his mind
“Goodluck Sword, We cheering you from behind" Skateboard cheer Sword up along with Coil and Boombox
“He's gonna phucking die…” Slingshot crossarms and he stand beside the table that his friends sat
Sword walk up to wallet and picked it up “Ok.. next just give it to that guy” he whisper to himself as he watched Rocket slowly walk to his table, Sword immediately walk faster to behind Rocket
Rocket notice someone walk and stop behind him, He take a deep breathe and turn around “Wha-“
“Oh uh…Y-you drop your wallet sir!…” Sword replied with a shake voice before handing the wallet to Rocket , but suddenly they both eyes accidentally looked at each other…
End of chapter I