Chapter Text
The sound of metal clashing against metal filled the space surrounding Wemmbu, followed by the relentless pops of totems as the name tags of unfortunate players flooded the chat.
Wemmbu grinned from ear-to-ear as he stood in what he liked to call his natural habitat, he had always loved the thrill of fights since he was younger, always running guns blazing into any battle he could.
The person he was after had popped, giving Wemmbu a free kill, and who was he to say no? He swung his mace, holding Gambit high over his head, ready to ban the unlucky player who had been stuck as his prey– Parrot?
His grip around Gambit loosened for a split second, he caught a glimpse of Parrot’s expression as his wings bursted him higher into the air.
Parrot looked terrified. His crown was slightly askew on his head as he frantically called out to his soldiers to retreat.
Wemmbu felt paralyzed, unable to scream out to Parrot to move out of the way, knowing that he’d be punished by Arachnid if he were to.
Before he had time to even piece together an alternate, to move out of the way slightly, he landed. Dust flew around the scene as Parrot lay unmoving under Wemmbu.
Gambit fell to the ground, discarded next to Wemmbu as he stared down at Parrot. He saw the scratches and cuts on Parrot’s wings that were poorly bandaged, as if he were trying to pick up his broken pieces for a kingdom that wouldn’t even bother to thank him enough for all his hard work.
The avian’s eyes that were once so full of life as he laughed with Wemmbu, were now empty and blank.
Silence covered the ruined city, the surrounding figures left confused. Blood stained Gambit, proving to Wemmbu that he himself had done this; and there would be no way to justify his actions.
Wemmbu stood completely still, his eyes burning as he held back the tears that he so badly wanted to let spill. The world around him blurred, the only thing in sight was his dead older brother on the ground with a small smile on his face, his crown now falling fully off of his head.
“Parrot? No– Parrot! Parrot!” Theo ran to Parrot, tears already starting to well up in his eyes. He shook Parrot violently, desperately trying to find any chance that Parrot was still here. Still alive.
Wemmbu wanted so badly to reach out, to go limp in his brother’s embrace one last time, but his body betrayed him; keeping him frozen in place.
He felt the eyes of everyone on him, the eyes of people who would clap him on the shoulder and congratulate him for what he had done.
He stressed at all the unwanted attention. He hated the eyes of people on him after he had done something he wasn’t, and would never be proud of.
Theo turned to look at Wemmbu, the hurt displayed in his eyes making Wemmbu’s heart ache more than it had been before. “Why, Wemmbu? What had Parrot ever done to you?”
The words got stuck in his throat. Nothing he could say at this moment would make him a better person. Would make Parrot come back. He forced words out, a stupid excuse he swore never to use.
“I– I didn’t do it on purpose…” his voice went lower and lower until it cracked on the last word, his guilt making him unable to speak loud enough to defend himself.
“That’s a pathetic excuse, Wemmbu. You two were supposed to protect each other. Do you know how much hope Parrot had in you?” His mouth fell open, he wanted to say something. To say that he truly wanted to protect Parrot, but it just wouldn’t come out. Instead his arm moved forward, reaching out to Parrot.
Theo swatted his hand away, his voice lowering to a dangerous tone. “Don’t fucking touch him, you monster.” The cockatiel was shaking in pure fury, his eyes promising vengeance.
Wemmbu’s hand dropped back to his side, proving how pathetic he truly was underneath all his bravado
A familiar voice spoke from behind, adding onto the pressure piling onto Wemmbu. “Wemmbu? Am I seeing this right bro?” Flame had an unreadable expression, his hand flew to where his sword was placed on his side.
Wemmbu shook his head, looking at Flame with pleading eyes. “Look. Flame I can explain–“ a sword completely engulfed in flames flew past him, nearly piercing through Wemmbu’s throat. Flame clenched his jaw, his expression remaining unreadable as he signalled for the remaining soldiers of Cindercest to follow his lead. He turned his back on Wemmbu as Lomedy trailed behind him with a face of worry.
Saparata laughed as he walked up behind Wemmbu, clapping a hand on his shoulder. A quiet congratulations for a mistake that would change Wemmbu’s life forever. “Parrot had it coming. He was a weak idiot who cared too much.” He gave Theo a shit-eating grin, laughing as he watched his grip tighten around Parrot.
ParrotX2. His older brother who sat by his side when nobody seemed to stay, who cracked jokes whenever life seemed to fuck Wemmbu over, who was kind a generous, who was willing to give anything to protect the people he loved. Parrot was most likely not weak or an idiot.
Wemmbu wanted to scream and hit Saps for calling Parrot weak, for talking bad about Parrot. For saying bad things about someone Wemmbu cared too much about, but he couldn’t.
He didn’t know why. Actually, he did know why. He just didn’t want to lose Egg, no matter how much he wanted to lash out on Saps. He could only stand still while he watched Saps take Parrot’s crown as Theo screamed, reaching out to Parrot while he was held back by a figure with a leather jacket, a blue scarf layered on top of it. Her long charcoal hair whipped in the wind as she held Theo with what looked like her all.
Reality came crashing down faster than Wemmbu would’ve liked it to, completely destroying him. He threaded his hands in his hair as the pressure started building up, swallowing him whole. He felt himself reach for something. Something to hold, something that could ground him. He reached for Parrot.
Wemmbu felt a light tug on his tail, he turned around to see Yungy with his hands on his hips. “Grieve later! We have to get back before Arachnid punishes the two of us bro.” Wemmbu hesitated before falling in step next to Yungy. The truth was: he didn’t want to go back there. He didn’t want to stand all high and mighty as people praised him for killing the person who cared for him more than anyone else.
But he went anyway. He went because he couldn’t stand the thought of losing Egg along with Parrot.
The walk back wasn’t great. It was horrible, actually. Wemmbu was stuck with Yungy of all people. Yungy ran his mouth about everything and nothing. Did his mouth ever get tired talking? However Wemmbu didn’t complain. He would rather be stuck with an irritating idiot instead of being alone with his own thoughts. So maybe this wasn’t that bad.
When they had finally gotten back, Wemmbu had a plan already set up in his head. Find Jaden, talk with him and forget all of his problems for a while, and maybe try to convince Arachnid to talk to Egg. But the world just hated Wemmbu, didn’t it? The moment they got back, Wemmbu was forced to Arachnid's office.
He slumped down into the chair across from Arachnid, his expression cold and blank. He didn’t care about what Arachnid had to say. He never cared. He just wanted rest after what he had done.
He propped his elbows on the counter and rested his chin in his hands, pretending to listen to whatever the insufferable spider had to say. After what seemed to drag on for eternity, Wemmbu was dismissed, and he completely forgot about what his plans had been before, and made a beeline to his mega mansion.
He didn’t notice when sleep finally took him; he only knew that, for a moment, the pain went quiet. Quiet enough to give him some peace.
He dreamed of a gracious avian full of life. Who laughed at the tired expression on his face.
He dreamed of Parrot.
“Wemmbu… your hair is getting longer. Are you sure you don’t wanna cut it?” Wemmbu’s hands flew to his hair, stepping away from the avian. “No! Not my beautiful hair!” Parrot giggled before gesturing for him to come closer, setting down the pair of scissors he was holding. Wemmbu sat down next to him, laying his head on his brother's shoulder.
Wemmbu stared at Parrot blankly as he talked. Wanting to spill all of his ugly emotions and tell him about Mane. About the sign and the words etched on it. About the training, but he couldn’t. It hurt him too much to talk about. So instead he smiled and nodded along. Parrot frowned at him, crossing his arms. “I’m guessing something’s wrong.” His voice was firm as he raised an eyebrow. Parrot sighed while shaking his head, gently scratching Wemmbu on the head. “It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me. But if you need to cry, cry.”
“Parrot!! Loookkkkk!!! That’s so cool right!!” Flame scoffed, looking at Spoke with a smirk. “You act like a kid.” Spoke’s lips turned down into a frown, looking at Flame angrily. Wemmbu elbowed him “So what?? Some people still enjoy life, unlike you!” Flame turned to Wemmbu, pointing a stick at him. “Take that back.” Wemmbu laughed, loud and free “Neverr!!” He ran away as his brother chased him, both of them laughing joyfully.
Wemmbu hugged Parrot tightly, tears streaming down his face as he talked about falling out with Flame, and how he felt like he had failed the one person he had always wanted to be friends with. Parrot stayed quiet, carding his hands through Wemmbu’s hair. “I’m sure Flame doesn’t hate you. He’s not like that. You guys are so close. He probably just needs space, and you need to be the brother Flame needs and respect that, okay?” Wemmbu nodded, wiping his tears shakily.
Wemmbu and Parrot sat next to each other under the moon, the masks they put on everyday gone, freely talking about whatever was on their minds, and what had been bugging them. Parrot’s reassurance soothed Wemmbu, making him feel less angry at the situation he was in. He ended up falling asleep on his older brother’s shoulder, getting carried back to bed like he was a little kid again.
Parrot had come to Wemmbu, his eyes red and tired. “What happened to you? You look like you climbed out of hell.” Parrot slumped down next to Wemmbu, his head in his hands. Wemmbu looked at Parrot with worry, moving closer to him. “What happened?” Parrot opened up about a million things Wemmbu could’ve never guessed, and could’ve thought had happened to Parrot. He talked about his best friend Wifies who had died obsessing over Parrot’s safety, and how he now had no one. Wemmbu eyes softened, hugging Parrot tightly. “I’m here for you. Even if all your other friends can’t anymore. And Flame, Spoke, they’re both here for you too. Because that’s what brothers are for, right?” Parrot smiled and whispered a “yeah” before falling asleep. Tired of everything that had been happening in his life, and resting in his brother's arms.
Wemmbu sat in front of Parrot, who was braiding his hair with practiced precision, styling it like he promised to do earlier that day. They chatted about how life’s been lately, since they had grown older and now had their own lives to manage.
Parrot popped up in the flying contraption next to Wemmbu, a big smile on his face. He waved a hand “Hey Wemmy!” Wemmbu’s eyes widened, flailing his arms dramatically. “Parrot! Don’t call me that– Nevermind, HOW DID YOU EVEN GET HERE??” Parrot opened his mouth to speak, closing it as the bottom of the machine had opened, dropping the two of them. They ran away from the mysterious invis person after Wemmbu together. It was probably the most fun Wemmbu had had in a long while. And he figured it was because he could finally spend more time with Parrot. He barely could now that his brother was king of the server.
Wemmbu’s hands were stained red, mace on the ground next to him. He looked down to see Parrot on the ground, smiling at Wemmbu one last time. Barely above a whisper, he said: “Don't blame yourself Wemmy..” before his eyes fluttered shut. “Don’t call me that!” He wanted to say. To screech at Parrot to shut up, but even if he did, Parrot wouldn’t hear him. Why? Because he's dead Wemmbu–
Wemmbu jolted up in bed, burying his hands in his hair, his breathing growing uneven as he recalled all the memories, the memories that made his bond with Parrot special, then the breaking point that ruined their relationship forever.
He thought of the face Flame had given him, the way he walked away with no hesitation, he thought of how Spoke would react to what he’d done, Spoke who loved Parrot so dearly. He tried to soothe himself, to tell himself that all of this was for Egg, and that it was all worth it; but it didn’t work. He couldn’t reassure himself the same way Parrot did, and his breathing was uncontrollably growing louder and louder, trapping him in the memories of his past with Parrot. It’s my fault. My fault. I’m the worst–
“Wemmbu?”
Wemmbu blinked once, twice, the voice of his friend grounding him, pulling him out of his endless spiral. “Jaden?” Jaden looked at Wemmbu worriedly, his expression softening at the sight of Wemmbu’s exhausted eyes and shaky hands.
He took a step closer, sitting down next to Wemmbu. “I heard what happened.” Wemmbu’s hands dropped to his lap, turning his head to look at Jaden with tired eyes. “It’s okay, I know you’re not that type of person, you would never do something like that. And if you don’t want to talk about it, then I won’t push.” Wemmbu sighed in relief, softly smiling. He was thankful that Jaden didn’t immediately judge him, that Jaden made it clear he would wait.
The pair sat together for a long while. Side by side in a somewhat comforting silence. And the moment Wemmbu looked uncomfortable with the silence, the moment the thoughts crept back into his head; without missing a beat, Jaden started chatting about what he had done with Yungy today while Wemmbu wasn’t present.
Wemmbu smiled fondly, Jaden’s voice was soothing and ridiculously calm. It made him feel safe. Eventually, Jaden had to leave before he was caught somewhere he wasn’t a high enough rank to be.
Before Jaden left, he made sure to reassure him one last time. “You know Wemmbu, I’m sure Parrot knows you didn’t do it because you wanted to. So stop being so hard on yourself, yeah?” Wemmbu nodded, the mention of Parrot still brought out a familiar ache in his chest.
Jaden gave him an awkward thumbs up, and Wemmbu broke out into a fit of laughter. The first time he’s laughed after the incident, actually. Jaden joined him later until he remembered he had to leave. He waved a quiet goodbye before slipping out of the room. Wemmbu felt lighter. Like Jaden had helped get rid of the weights making him suffer all day. He plopped onto his back, before slumber took him away once again.
And this time, he dreamed of a pacifist who loved sunflowers and a seraphim who was wise and funny.