Chapter Text
‘This… hurts, my soul, my body… they said I was a failure; they leave me abandoned, why, SHE called me family, SHE said I would be stronger, better… the family left me, I meant nothing.’ Tiny footsteps along the sand, heat blazing down, a soul now changed forever.
“Bait, flour, bandages, and bird food”. “Sigh playing errand infernal yet again, but it seems I’m the only one that knows how to shop apparently.” A disgruntled infernal grumbles. An exhausted infernal wearing a leather biker jacket and gloves, black jeans adorning round horns fractured part way merging colours of light green to a teal at the base begins heading towards a familiar fish monger ahead. The smell pungent, strong of different types of fish. The infernal’s eyes eventually lead to the counter where stands a familiar shop keeper.
“Ah! Motor nice seeing you again! Let me guess here for the usual horned herring bait?” The shop keeper named Rod smiles waving over to Motor their apron ruffling, smelling strong of fish with scales clinging onto the fabric.
“You assume correct Rod.” Motor walks closer to the counter nose scrunching at the strong smell.
“You sure use it fast huh? I’m not complaining more bux for my business. But have you caught anything good yet? Any heart scaled bass or perhaps some winged snapper? Some of my favourite catches there they are some real fighters.”
“I’m uhm not the one using it, sorry I don’t fish.” Rod’s eyebrow perks up the scar along their face moving along out of confusion and part disbelief.
“You… don’t fish? Uhm mind if I ask what you even use all this bait for; you have been buying from me for ages. Please don’t tell me you eat it-“ Rod grimaces hoping not for the worst.
“Ah I buy it for an acquaintance of mine that I’m often errand infernal for. They are quite annoying, but I’m forced to be with them either way. They fish quite often and sends me out every time to get bait to fuel their fishing addiction. Wait why are you concerned about me eating it.” Motor perks up in confusion while adjusting their leather jacket and gloves.
“Uhm don’t question don’t worry! But knowing you, you probably don’t want to be questioned about your mysterious ‘acquaintance’. Uhm hope this ‘acquaintance’ does get some good catches! Maybe bring them along one day”. Rod gleams with a smile taking payment and passes the packet of bait into the fellow infernal’s gloved hands.
“Thanks…” Motor nods wandering off one item off the list, but one headache gained. The streets are quiet “How unusual …” Motor mumbles. Their spine shivers feeling a presence, following them. The only sound heard is taps of Motors shoes to the concrete and the wind whistling against them. “Ugh can I get one peaceful day to shop without being followed by someone.“ The tired infernal grumbles, they look around feeling unease quietly walking on the concrete pathing every step filled with caution, eventually slipping into a dark alley way.
Motor sighs and looks down and looks back at the tattered list in their palm yawning softly thinking to themself. Motor looks down noticing his shadow noticing a green grin looking back at them. “The fuck…” Motor mumbles rubbing their eyes, a sway of realisation hitting them. Motors Shadow speaks out knowing they have been caught.
“Heyyy Motey! Look who got my bait!” A giggle comes from Motors shadow. The Shadow slides up forming behind Motor putting a hand on their shoulder.
“Darkheart- urg why do you have to follow me everywhere. Can you not stand to see your favourite slave 24/7” Motor huffs dramatically his shadow taking the packet of bait its green smile bright and clear.
“I’m just here to keep you safe~ Gotta make sure those ‘church rats’ don’t touch you or you try and kill them in those little mood swings you have”. The Shadow chuckles poking Motors horns watching them.
“Surprised you went with those extensions huh? All round and soft why not match with your great caretaker hm? Would be quite adorable.”
The shadow grabs Motor’s horns popping off the extensions showing the frayed and broken horns they were attached to; Motors shadow takes out a different pair one more long and lean with multiple spikes along the way up coloured in a dark green popping them onto the broken horns. Motor sighs not resisting letting the shadow do its thing.
“You going to keep being my shadow or are you going off with your bait to continue your fishing journeys.” The Shadow chuckles and turns into its true form. The godly figure crouches down to Motor’s height their large hat swaying and clawed hand patting motor on the head widely smirking.
“You are so whiney no need to be so harsh and uptight you know you enjoy my company” Darkheart pokes Motor’s cheek multiple times. Motor closes one eye accepting their fate of being teased. Darkheart grabs the tattered list in Motors hand reading it.
“hm. My bait, dough, bandages. Hm? Heh. Did Venomshank send you to get some bird seed for Sisyphus? You sure have been spending more time with Shankey and Sword huh?” Motor nods grabbing back the shopping list mumbling.
“Venomshank has been letting me stay over it’s better than being in random apartments every night. I question why you don’t have a home yourself Darkheart or do you enjoy sleeping in that hall of doors of yours.” Darkheart chuckles stretching their arms, wandering down the alley way, Motor following behind.
“A deity of chaos doesn’t need rest! My lovely domain of doors is more than just a relaxing spot or a spot for you to travel quickly with your bike.” Darkhearts hand goes out into the air, hand landing onto a dark green door appearing before them, twisting the doorknob opening to the said before hall of doors many designs on each one, representing different regions and circles of the infernal.
“Motey thanks for being my lovely errand infernal~ maybe as special treat you join me fishing!” Motor shakes their head causing Darkheart to sigh in disappointment.
“Sorry but I still have shopping to do maybe one day I’ll accept… If you stop stalking me while I do chores.” Darkheart huffs slowly entering the door.
“Fineeee your loss Motey~ But I am always one door away if you want to join me~” The door shuts disappearing as it closes leaving Motor by themself. Motor leans against the wall, yawning covering their mouth with a hand, they look back at the list leaving the alleyway to continue their chore.
Hour’s pass. Flour collected and delivered for those siblings from the Thieves Den, bandages for a certain trio in the Playgrounds and finally bird food for Venomshank. “What a day at least I got some free cake” Motor thinks to themself eating at some red velvet cake, wandering down crossroads back to Venomshank’s estate.
The weary infernal looks down a closed off street and sees two familiar infernals. One adorning red horns wearing a helmet and brown flowing cape and a Blackrock mercenary always wearing a closed off helmet. “How interesting… Why is Sword talking to Hyperlaser of all people”. Motor walks over seeing Sword holding a picture to the mercenary talking about looking for their lost friend. Motor puts a hand on Sword’s shoulder their face showing mild confusion.
Sword jumps getting startled calming down seeing Motor. “Motor! What are you doing here?”. Motor smiles a little looking at the picture held in gloved hands recognising the figure within. A teal horned infernal wearing glasses and a Korblox uniform two other infernals by their side. Motor looks at Hyperlaser giving a nod to them who gets a nod back.
“I’m just going shopping. Uhm what are you doing out and around showing this picture to people?” Motor’s eyes squint at Sword who wears a worried expression.
“Don’t worry Motor just uhm looking for a friend! They have been missing for a while, and I got worried.” Sword shifts very anxious but notices Motors horns and their new shape letting out a soft chuckle. “I’m guessing you are heading back home. Might as well walk together!”. Sword laughs awkwardly trying to shift the conversation elsewhere.
Motor nods “Fine by me, I prefer not to deal with a worried Shank”. Motor looks behind Sword seeing Hyperlaser who had long since left. Motor looks back at Sword starting to walk back to Venomshanks secluded house.
The house stands tall. A long-abandoned building hidden in a corner of Crossroads to prevent any intrusions. A perfect place for a Deity training their student. The two head inside hearing a voice as soon as they enter.
“Sword, oh and Motor.” Venomshank stands by the entrance pocket watch in hand and Sisyphus on their shoulder fluttering over to Motor noticing the bird food in Motors shopping bag.
Sword perks up startled to still see Venomshank up at such a late time. “I didn’t realise you were still up!”
“You are back late Sword” Venomshank replied with a sense of worry coming from them despite their face covered by a plague mask. “It’s not like you to-“ Motor interrupts not wanting Venomshank to go off at Sword.
“Uhm Venomshank I got that bird feed you needed.” Motor takes out the bag Sisyphus pecking at it already. Sword looks at Motor grateful to steer the conversation. Venomshank has a hidden smile under the mask taking the bird food while Sisyphus flutters back over to Venomshank.
“Thank you Motor I do hope you were safe out there.” Motor nods with a smile and watches Sword slip upstairs to their shared bedroom.
“I was don’t worry it was just some simple groceries for people, not that much of a hassle.” Venomshank nods and notices Motors horns looking like their siblings.
“Did Darkheart visit you? I assume they needed more bait considering how much they go fishing.” Motor chuckles awkwardly nodding.
“Yeah, they did. Did the usual thing they do teasing me and taking their fish bait. I’ve gotten used to it.” Motor yawns feeling drained stretching their arms. “I’m off to bed uhm. Thanks for letting me stay with you and Sword”. Venomshank nods patting Motors head.
“No need for the thanks I don’t mind you staying with us. You provide a good influence on Sword.” Motor smiles and begins walking up stairs. “Ah before you rest for the night please tell Sword they have training tomorrow”.
The wooden steps creek as Motor walks up them, as they enter the room seeing Sword without their helmet and in comfortable clothes resting in bed face covered in anxiety and worry.
“You alright Sword?” Motor says removing their jacket and gloves looking in the mirror seeing their corrupted left arm a slight frown on their face. The arm glows with 5 sealing bands glowing a bright white surrounded by symbols of divinity. The skin discoloured and wrapped in chains, the hand itself clawed and deformed.
Sword looks over at Motor watching the deformed arm. “I’m alright don’t worry. Uhm how was your day Motor?” Sword smiles a little changing the conversation.
“My day was alright mainly just shopping for others, got some free cake out of it so I’m not complaining.” Motor mutters as they change into more comfortable clothes popping off their horn extensions and putting them into a box filled with different shapes and colours of plastic and metal horns. Sword frowns looking at Motors stubs of horns feeling sympathy for them. Motor wanders to their bed laying down stretching.
“Just letting you know you have training tomorrow.” Sword sighs with a nod.
“Thanks for telling me. Have a good sleep Motor!” Sword says with a smile.
“You too Sword” Motor says as they close their eyes.
‘Don’t worry Hyperbike this is for the family! And if you be super brave, I’ll be so proud of you! As I always say it’s for the Overseer’
‘o-Okay Miss Scalpel…”
The halls filled with silence now slashed with sobs a little spawn sitting alone, in a room all by themselves, horns gone, soul fractured, gear tampered.
‘a-all for the o-Overseer, all for the Church’
Blood splattered on the ground rotting away, pride, hope, and freedom. A pain shoots through the young spawn’s chest.
“S-SHIT!” Motor quickly sits up panting a hand of their heart, panic in their eyes