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“Come on!” Rocket called out to the four inphernals following close behind. Shoes slammed against concrete as they ran.
Their little ragtag group of inphernals had just made it to, or what would be, the road to Blackrock. The road was trashed, cars flipped over and pavement shattered and uprooted.
“Woah” Boombox slowed down to a jog and eventually stopped to stare at the pile of cars trapping them in the Crossroads, “that’s crazy!”
Hyperlaser let out a quiet grunt.
Ban Hammer put his hands on his hips and looked up, “I could break through that” he said with a toothy grin.
“And spread these zombies to more of the Inpherno?” Hyperlaser’s gravely voice was tinged with irritation. The large, blindfolded inphernal got on his nerves.
Vine Staff remained quiet. She scanned the rubble for survivors. She glanced over at Rocket, he was staring at a destroyed sign in the debris.
“Rocket?” Vine Staff leaned forward to get a look at his face. Behind those goggles was a seemingly permanent scowl. Not like Vine Staff could blame him for being upset, she missed her family too. She only hoped Shuri and Sling were able to get to safety…
A sniffle came from the shorter inphernal. He hastily pushed his goggles out of the way to wipe his tears. He noticed Vine Staff’s eyes on him and turned away from her piercing gaze.
Vine Staff looked away, right, it was rude to stare…
They stood in silence, the bickering between Boombox and Ban Hammer filled the quiet air.
“That was my apartment building” Vine Staff said quietly. Gesturing to a vaguely apartment building shaped rubble, “I lived their with my brothers, Slingshot and Shrunken”
Rocket didn’t say anything for a while. Vine Staff internally cringed, did she say something wrong? She probably accidentally made this about herself… how was this so easy for her dear sibling Slingshot?
“…This was my dad’s shop…” Rocket’s voice was a meek warble.
“Oh…” Vine Staff put her hand to her mouth. Her heart ached for the blue inphernal, “is he…” Vine Staff stopped herself, she shouldn’t ask that.
Rocket bristled up, “he’s fine. He can handle himself.”
Vine Staff backed off, even she could tell he was trying to convince himself too.
“Will you guys knock it off? You’re going to draw in more zombies.” Hyperlaser cut both Ban Hammer and Boombox off mid heated debate about music. “Let’s keep moving”
Vine Staff nodded. Boombox kicked a rock beneath his feet, muttering something about how Ban Hammer was ‘killing the vibes’.
Rocket’s eyes were still on the floor, on the sign splayed out in front of him.
“Quit staring at your old daddy’s grave and come on!” Ban Hammer called out to Rocket.
Rocket curled his fingers into fists, his hands sparking as his gear threatened to be summoned. “Shut up! He’s not dead!”
“Way to kick a guy while he’s down” Boombox shook his head at Ban Hammer. Vine Staff scowled at the tall inphernal. Ban Hammer must’ve been rolling his eyes behind the blindfold.
“You guys go on ahead” Hyperlaser waved them off.
“Alright, don’t get separated” Vine Staff nodded. Ban Hammer was already ditching them.
“We’ll catch up” Hyperlaser gave her a nod. Vine Staff followed Ban Hammer and Boombox deeper into the Crossroads.
Hyperlaser turned to Rocket, who was still fuming with rage. “He’s not dead” Rocket said through gritted teeth.
“I know, kid” Hyperlaser said, his voice slightly lighter. Rocket didn’t say anything, but the crackle of energy coming from his hands faded. “Blackrock training isn’t something you can just forget, even when past your prime”
Rocket kept his eyes on the floor, “he’s not past his prime…” Rocket defended his caretaker weakly.
Hyperlaser chuckled, “yeah?”
Rocket cracked a small smile.
“Don’t let Ban Hammer get to you, he’s a prick.” Hyperlaser put a hand on Rocket’s shoulder.
“I can see that” Rocket huffed.
Just then there was a crash from where the others had gone. Followed by a cackle from Ban Hammer.
“Guys!” Boombox called out, “we’re in a bit of a pickle here!”
Rocket and Hyperlaser summoned their gears and ran towards the three inphernals.
Despite Rocket having lost the 3 people he trusted the most in quick succession, maybe he had gained 4 more friends in return.
Not Ban Hammer though. Fuck that guy, Rocket thought to himself.
Maybe after all this, Rocket could tell Zuka how he defended his honor against Ban Hammer and Hyperlaser.
He’d be so proud.