Chapter Text
After working at some crappy diner for what felt like decades, but in reality was just one day, Kodachi made their long walk home. Rain poured down from the heavens and pattered onto the sidewalk and road of the city, illuminated by the street light's almost blinding light. Kodachi hated getting wet and wanted to get home as fast as possible to rest. They didn't even want any food, they've seen way too much of it that day. It's not that they hated eating, it was just that seeing so much of something in a stressful job kind of makes you associate it with said job.
“I used to have better endeavors... of course they were kicked back and spat upon... now I'm workin' at some sick diner with horrible employees...” they murmur to themselves, running a gloved paw through the thick layer of fur on their head. “Talk about a fall from grace...” they shake their head, reaching back to clutch at their left wing, or what was left of it. It was rather a pathetic sight, having just a nub for a wing. And their other one was just completely torn off. It was quite disgraceful to other dragons. A dragon's wings are what make them so fierce. A dragon without wings is no dragon at all!
Right in the middle of their self-scolding, they stop dead in their tracks, their ears twitching. Sounds like... something malfunctioning. Electric sparks as well. Perhaps it's some sort of machine. Whatever it was, it was totally gonna cause an electrical fire if not taken care of properly. We can't have that now, can we? Kodachi, just wanting to head home, reluctantly decided to get the thing under control, see what it was and patch it up, if not patch up, then at least bring to shelter.
Upon closer inspection, the source seemed to be a broken robot, left there not too long ago. It's limbs were beaten, and torn, and it had a pained expression. It seemed to be... breathing? Unusual for a robot, but any sign of life was good. The poor thing... Kodachi felt a pang of sympathy as they inspected the machine.
When they reached to observe it further, however, the machine woke up and tried to jerk away from them, “WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?! HANDS OFF!” he growled at them. Kodachi pulls their hand away, raising their hands a bit in surrender. “Sorry. I won't do that again.” they murmur calmly, observing him for a moment. The machine attempts to put himself back together, but his limbs sputter and spark. The pain makes the machine hiss, but he didn't cease his attempts. Kodachi shook their hands in front of them, trying to get the machine to stop, “Stop it, you are making it worse! You're injured!”
The machine growls in response, “And what's it to YOU? Get away from me!” his eyes flash with danger. Kodachi takes a few steps back, giving the machine space, but not leaving. The machine's eyes narrow, eyeing Kodachi suspiciously. Kodachi crouches down to the machine's size, their eyes never leaving his own. “Hey, it's okay, I won't hurt you. I won't get any closer if you don't want me to, okay?” they murmur softly, their tail curling in on itself to prevent getting too wet in the rain. “I promise, I'm only here to help. I'm Kodachi.”
The machine looks skeptical, but he ceases his fighting back, averting his gaze. “Kodachi... huh...” he murmurs, looking down at himself, then up at the sky. Kodachi observed the machine, noticing how tense he seemed. They inquire softly, “Do you have a name, big guy?”
The machine doesn't respond in any words, but he does attempt to put himself back together, his limbs malfunctioning and sparking electric in the rain. He hisses out in pain again, and his head slumps back against the wall. Kodachi winces at his attempts, and their hand reaches out, but stops a quarter of the way, remembering he had told them not to touch him. “Please, you don't need to strain yourself. Let me help you.” they worriedly look into his eyes, which were dim and flickering. “At least let me take you to shelter. You don't have to be my friend, you don't have to do anything for me, really. I just want to help.”
The machine growls protectively at first, but he notices their sincerity and slowly nods. “Fine. Take me to shelter. But I ain't doin' ANYTHING for you, y'hear? I'm splittin' as SOON as I'm fixed and ready to leave.” he huffs, his eyes narrowing. Kodachi nods understandingly, and reaches their hand out, “Do I have permission to carry you?” they inquire softly, awaiting his response. The machine nods slowly, closing his eyes, bracing himself, “Don't hurt me further, yeah? Or I swear to the highest fucking heavens, I WILL KILL YOU.” he growls out, bitterly.
Kodachi flinches a bit at his tone, but they nod. “I'll be careful, I promise...” they reach for a nearby box in the alleyway, which was rather large, to put his spare parts in. Most of the areas which conducted the most electricity were burnt out already, so they were able to safely put them in without getting shocked. Then they picked the rest of him up and continued their walk home, “Just tell me if I'm holding too tight or anything else, okay?”
The machine nods, but stays silent for several moments, before speaking, “You asked me my name earlier, right? It's Mr. WPNZ. You can... just call me WPNZ, though.” His eyes open slowly as he looks at them with his dim golden eyes. Kodachi smiles a bit, “Mr. WPNZ... That's a nice name. Suits you.” they chuckle. WPNZ chuckles a little himself, “Yeah, I guess it does, heh...”