Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A wooden stage was set in the middle of the courtyard, a glorified way to describe the patch of dirt where ceremonies and shows were to take place. However there was never any ceremonies on that stage as far as Cherry could remember. The man stood on the stage with two of her own kind. Their eyes were wide with fear, bloodied bandages on their hands and forehead showing all defenses had been forcefully pulled out. Their shirts had been removed, with the female having a few bandages for “modesty”. A cruel joke really.

The man between them had blond hair and blue eyes, a charming man if he wasn’t smiling like a lunatic. A wide ear to ear smile with lips that leaned inward, as if the very act of what he was going to do made him rabid. The two demons were forced into chairs by masked assistants, tied so tight they could barely squirm in fear. The woman cried and pleaded, every word she spoke falling on deaf ears. The man held out his blue gloved hand. An assistant handed a cleaver to him, one already stained with dried blood. The woman cried and screamed as he walked closer, raising the cleaver above her right arm.

“Hold still darling, it’s easier when you don’t move.” He spoke in a taunting voice, sickeningly sweet with lies and propaganda.

“Cherry?” A familiar voice asked

Cherry blinked, looking up at the one talking to her. Blue eyes, blond hair. For a moment she saw that man again, dressed in a long lab coat with a light blue shirt and formal black pants. His smile stretched from ear to ear, taunting her with the scalpel in his hands. He tossed and twirled it in his hand with an unnatural efficiency only he had. It was as if the tool was another part of his body, sitting in his tool belt until it was ready to be used again. The image flickered to reveal the real blue eyes and blond hair that stared at her. Rough and worn hands made a soft snap sound. Tired blue eyes looked at her with annoyance.

“Cherry.” He said again, sighing with exhaustion, “At this point you should start paying me as your babysitter.”

Cherry put on her practiced smile, normally reserved for when she was at work. With a giggle she replied with a soft “sorry”. Lexi sighed and rolled his eyes, hand rubbing at the temples of his forehead.

“How do you even work like this?” Lexi sighed.

Cherry smiled in reply, earning a scoff from him as he muttered something about her being stupid. She just giggled at the muttering, causing him to roll his eyes again.

She looked out the window, staring at the same city streets where she watched her father march. His loud and demanding voice still rung in her ears. The vision of him marching down the streets, microphone in hand as hundreds followed after him with homemade signs of their own. It would be the last time he walked those streets. Streets that betrayed him with apathetic gunshots that buried the protests before they even began to be seen. Though, that was the point. Wasn’t it? Every part of the city was just another reminder of the horrible events that transpired. People whispering horrible things in her ears as she walked past them. People who looked at her with disgust. People who refused to answer her at work. Humans blinded by the scientist’s sweet words of propaganda. Propaganda that played them like a fiddle and casted himself as the hero. Though she knew that sadistic man was anything but a hero.

The city was cold and lonely, cruel to whoever didn’t fit the standard of human. The standard of white, skinny, human. It was a concrete jungle constructed of hate and bias. Nothing like the forests full of life her mother had told her about. Then, an idea hit her. She stood up and slammed her hands onto the counter. It was a polished lopsided spruce wood counter, blending in with the aqua green walls that mocked the wood for what it had once been. Lexi jolted, looking at her with wide blue eyes. Eyes filled with a shock rarely seen in those eyes and not another’s.

“Let’s go to the forest!”

“What!?” Lexi exclaimed, “Cherry that is a horrible idea!”

“And?” Cherry replied with a smile as she leaned over the counter, “I know your coming with me, aren’t you?”

Lexi sighed, knowing she was right. He groaned with frustration, mumbling something about her being stupid.

“How are you even alive!?” He grumbled, “And I’m the human here…”

Cherry giggled with a smile, one she noticed made Lexi’s cheeks light up with a tint of blush. She ran toward where she kept the keys, swiping them up and running down the stairs of her apartment building to the parking lot where her car was.

“Cherry what about the rest of the stuff?!” Lexi shouted.

Cherry stopped and looked at him innocently, “Well, go get it.”

Lexi groaned again but grabbed the supplies they’d be needing for such an impulsive trip.  Fruit, sandwiches, water, and a few blankets just to be safe. He ran after her, barely able to catch up to her as she turned the keys in the car’s key hole. The engine roared to life, as if just as annoyed as he was. He threw the supplies in the back of her wrangler and put his seat belt on, scolding her to do the same no matter how she protested it wasn’t needed for a demon.

“Doesn’t matter, you’re putting that seat belt on so long as you continue your impulsive trip.” Lexi scolded.

It was Cherry’s turn to groan. She remembered how her mother would smile and say she acted just like her father when she did that. Cherry sighed at the memory. She hardly knew her father, except from the few memories she had of him. Strong. Loud. Determined. All the perfect qualities of a husband according to the whispering of her ancestors. She sat up, changed the gear to reverse, and put her foot on the gas. Cherry switched the gear to drive as she drove out of the cramped apartment parking lot. She paused at the gate, handing the guy her card to prove she actually owned an apartment in the building. He scoffed and handed her card back with a racist comment. Cherry snatched the card back from him, muttering an insult in latin. A language she had started to learn during her free-time in a desperate attempt to ignore her thoughts. With that out of the way, she pressed her foot onto the gas against Lexi’s multiple warnings which continually included the word foolish or stupid. She only pressed the break faster, ignoring the red lights as she drove past the cars full of judging eyes. Eyes that only glared harsher as she sped past, some shouting more racist comments. She’d put the fines on her credit card later anyway. The city streets gave way to the highway. Highways surrounding by greed tainted wineries and all their trapped grape plants. More shouting and car horns were ignored as she parked off to the side, taking a deep breath. She could hear Lexi shouting, telling her just how stupid she was.

“Lexi.” She spoke softly.

Lexi went quiet, only whispering to ask a plain “yes?”.

“Can you hand me my phone?”

Lexi nodded and leaned down, grabbing the phone from where it had fallen underneath her seat. Cherry looked at her hands, shaking and staining the plain black-grey wheel with sweat. A trait her ancestors didn’t have but now she did from their years of marriage to humans. And humans never stopped taking. Take, take, take. Kids, power, money. It didn’t matter. It never ended.

“Where do you want to go?” Lexi asked, snapping her out of her spiral with a uncharacteristically gentle voice.

Cherry jolted, turning to look at the rude human who was ironically being kind to her. The one who understood her, no matter how many times her coworkers said not to trust him while he stole handfuls of food from the company parties she brought him to. The food would be tossed anyway, and the company didn’t seem to care so long as he didn’t bother with the actual work.

“Les Bois Arides forest. Please.” She replied, far too tired to even bother with the act.

She heard the click-clack of the phone keyboard as he typed it into the GPS, with a automated voice saying to turn right in three-point-thirty-four miles. She turned to smile softly at Lexi, muttering a small thank you.

“Do you want me to drive?” Lexi offered.

Cherry nodded her head, “No, just tell me where to go.”

“Alright.” Lexi replied.

Cherry turned the gas on and drove back onto the highway, listening to the soothing voice of the GPS system. If she was truly delusional, she could pretend it was her mother’s soft and gentle voice. One that had grown more hoarse over the years after her father’s death.

Lexi snapped his fingers again, pretending as if he didn’t do it intentionally. Cherry blinked, looking back at the dirt road in front of her. Miles and miles of grape trees continued to decorate both sides of the road. A few stray grapes getting crushes under the car’s weight like unlucky victims of an experiment. Gentle music was turned on by Lexi, though neither of them spoke. Hands on the wheel, her thoughts would continue to swirl within her mind. Though they were ignored in favor of the gentle music, similar to the tunes her mother used to play. Tunes her mother said were her husband’s favorites. He was a man of his culture, so she heard. It was cruel really, how such a beautiful culture — a society — killed her father without batting an eye to his death while they dragged his name through the mud. A culture that continued to haunt her as it put her at peace. The ghost of her parents whispered from almost every thing her eyes could see. Flashes of him or her, whichever it more closely related to.

Dirt highway turned to grainy brown dirt littered with the dead leaves of trees and plants. A path that crunched under the weight of the wheels and soon, her feet. The sun peeked through what the trees didn’t cover, dancing in front of her like little faeries in the forest, blissfully unaware of their presence. Sunlight reflected off the crystal clear blue lake where animals took a quick sip. The birds chirped, singing a song that welcomed her into the forest clearing where she parked the car, taking the key and putting it into her pocket. The GPS announced their arrival in the distance, ignored as Cherry jumped out of the car without a second thought. She took a deep breath of the forest air, closing her eyes as she imagined her mother sitting in a chair and watching her with a soft smile. The memory was quickly brushed off as she turned to Lexi, who was shouting at her not to leave him behind. Cherry giggled in reply, looking at him as he sighed with annoyance.

“Your child will be a pain to catch if you ever have children.” Lexi grumbled.

Cherry blinked but still giggled, “That’s a random thought to mention.”

Lexi didn’t go in depth about his random thought, offering a shrug. He sat down on the ground, making sure there wasn’t any animal corpses or feces before patting the spot next to him. Cherry smiled and sat next to him, looking at the lake with a smile. A frog hopped out of the lake, catching her attention. Lexi jolted, immediately knowing what Cherry was going to do as she got up and ran toward the frog.

“Cherry! CHERRY!” Lexi shouted, though his shouting went ignored as always.

The frog was a muted dirty golden color with relish colored spots. As it hopped, it became apparent it was missing a limb. Yet, it still hopped away with a surprising amount of speed. All be it, lopsided with every landing. The ground crunched under Cherry’s feet as she ran, only scaring the frog more. Lexi muttered curses as he ran after her, wondering why he even stayed with this girl besides the supplies she gave him. The forest sped past them in their vision, so quickly the hole covered in spider webs went unnoticed. The frog was first, ribbiting as it realized it had made a mistake. Then it was Cherry, who yelped as she fell in after the frog. Lexi stopped and stared at the hole, sighing before he voluntarily fell in after her.

“Got you!” Cherry cheered, holding the shaken frog in her hands.

“Cherry!” Lexi shouted, dusting himself off despite what little use it had.

Cherry looked up at him, frog still in hand. She blinked, as if she was a child attempting to hide the vase they had broken. Lexi sighed, staring back at her with pure annoyance.

The air smelt of rust and oil. In fact, it was in the air more than whatever he breathed. Lexi wasn’t sure if Cherry breathed oxygen like he did. The floor, made of scrap metal that moved when an object heavy enough fell onto one of the mountain sized hills of scrap. There was also the slight smell of rot and blood buried under the rust and oil never to be found again. A smell both him and Cherry knew very well, from equally unpleasant but different experiences. Yet both of them said nothing about it. Cherry stood up, having a few cuts on her legs from falling onto sharp pieces of scrap metal in pursuit of saving the stupid frog.

“Bandages, gauze, and disinfectant please.” Lexi ordered.

Within the blink of an eye, the items appeared in his hand one by one. Perfect condition, unopened as if to really tell him they weren’t tapered with.  Despite the fact they both knew she could summon the items with them opened, which would take less energy than making sure they were sealed. Yet, she made sure they were sealed. He sighed and offered a silent thank you while opening the packages for use.

“Stay still.”

“Lexi you don’t need to do this, I’m a demon.” She reminded with a giggle.

“And I’m not letting you go around bleeding. Now stay still.” Lexi snapped back.

She simply smiled and stood still as he disinfected the cuts. It stung slightly, a tingling sensation she didn’t seem to mind. Most would flinch, however, the more she stayed still the better. He put the gauze on her cuts, sealing it in place with a bandaid.

“Where are we?” Lexi finally asked.

“I don’t know.” Cherry replied truthfully, “I’ve been to this forest many times and I have never seen this.”

She stared at the piles of scrap metal. Bronze, silver, and some small pieces of gold. Rust showing the years of neglect like the rings of a tree. It was like staring at a pit or corpses. Standing on them as you weren’t sure to mourn or run away in fear. The metal shuffled and crunched under her feet as she walked, putting the frog on her shoulder.

“What are you going to name that damn thing anyway?”

“Takashi.” Cherry replied with a smile, watching as the frog tried (and failed) to eat her fingers that held a worm she had summoned.

And for a moment, it didn’t matter where they were. It didn’t matter what the foolish girl had gotten them into. Her smile, in the moment, was enough for Lexi. And so, he decided to wait a moment before taking the lead once more. The lead in a mission to get out of whatever this damn place was.

Chapter Text

Ten years earlier…

The sound of the young scientist’s boots clacked against the white polished floors of the scientist wing. Blue eyes, blond hair. Everyone whispered about him in the government created and monitored halls. Ponytail swayed side to side as he walked, humming and smiling at those who passed him by. His name would whispered among the tables of politics. As he walked through the halls, he walked toward the meeting room where the government officials waited for him to arrive. The room was dark, covering their eyes as intended. Only a small light revealed part of their faces, though it only shined on the spot of which the scientist stood.

“Jake Williams.” One of the tuxedo men announced.

Jake smiled up at them, a typical charming smile that had most of the ladies in the wing swooning over him. He loved the way they would squeal and giggle like they weren’t professionals. It even made him laugh, wondering how most of his coworkers managed to get a job here when they all played it so stupidly safe. The rewards came with the risk, the human subjects. Or at least, human looking.

“I have a proposition for you.” Jake spoke, voice professional tipping just over the edge of insanity.

Yet to the men in tuxedos, it was passed off as charm. As something to draw them in as Jake bowed to them in respect. Something that caused the men to smile, they were satisfied and intrigued. Unaware they were being played like a fiddle.

“What is your… proposition?” Another tuxedo man asked.

Jake perked up with a smile, “Well I’m glad you asked!”

“Well, go on.” They urged.

They were getting impatient, eager to hear what he had to say. What could make them the most powerful government of all the countries.

“You are familiar with the traditional process, are you not?” Jake began.

The men nodded.

“Mice to humans to approval, it’s all so boring. It’s all so… safe . Why bother when this will get us no where? Every other government out there is using this process, trying to outcompete time and each other. No, instead I suggest we use the cherry blossom demons. There is thousands ripe for the picking, and their years of humanization make them perfect for testing. If given the funding for this, I could start immediately.”

“But how will you get the public to agree?” One of the men asked.

“Simple. An old school trick called propaganda. It has worked wonders before, has it not?” Jake replied with a smug smile.

The men nodded, “And you will film and issue these yourself?”

“Of course!” Jake answered, “It is my project after all. I will only have Aristide Allitt for his medical expertise.”

Jake scoffed to himself, teeth grinding at the mention of Aristide. He was another scientist rising through the ranks, treasured in the eyes of the government. He was their precious angel. One who could save humans from the most dire of circumstances. That light pink hair and eyes just made his blood boil. And somehow, the fool thought they were friends. Though, it wasn’t a card Jake would discard. No, he’d milk this man of all his worth. Take and take until only a useless shell was left behind.

“Give us a few days to think, then we shall summon you again.”

Jake nodded, looking at them with the charming smile of a politician. A smile they knew as well as they did. One they saw as a sign of “you help, I help” no matter the “twisted” motive.

Twisted this, ethical that. Who cared? Why did it matter? That, was something Jake could never understand. Who cared so long as the results could be extraordinary! Morals did not matter, simply a front forced onto the poor to keep them below the powerful. The more cold you were, the more the rich welcomed you into their arms. Unless you were Aristide Allitt, who’s annoying morals were made up for in skill. Neurodivergence was truly a jewel, one not even he could deny. No matter how ugly in color the jewel was. A jewel was a jewel.

He walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. The whispering became louder as his coworkers wondered just what would be going on. His assistants however, always stared at him in fear. Their fear was felt in waves when he walked past them in the halls. They would shiver and run away from him like stray cats. Jake never understood why cats hated him, but a brainless snake worked just fine for company. Cruel and heartless just like he was. Though only when it came to feeding. Other than that his pet was dumber than his coworkers. But it’s foolish trust was enough to keep him amused. The door reading “Med bay” finally appeared on his right. To which, he walked in.

The one he hated the most was smiling. Pink hair tied in a beautiful long braid, perfectly brushed. At the end of the braid was a magenta hair tie he had given Aristide. On the examination bed was an assistant with an acid burn. Pink eyes smiled warmly at watery faded purple eyes. The assistant flinched as he poured water over the wound. They held the plastic blue bowl with their undamaged hand, still trembling even as the wound was being treated. Aristide spoke gently with a comforting smile, wiping their tears with a sterile cloth.

“Malere could you please fetch the bandages?”

A little child, no older than three, nodded. Pink hair tied into a braid exactly the same as his father’s. Innocent pink eyes looked in the cabinets in the back before grabbing a sterile roll of bandages. The child ran over to their father. Aristide smiles at his child, Malere, who runs back to the corner where they were playing with tongue depressors decorated with pieces of gloves and gauze as if they weren’t sloppily made dolls. Jake repressed a shiver at the sight of Aristide’s child. He never liked kids. Where did this man get the time to have a child in the first place? Jake stood in silence as the assistant noticed him, jolting in fear as Artistide continued to put bandages on them.

“Take pain medicine and take it easy, you need to heal.” Artistide instructed.

Or you won’t be any use to the government was left unsaid.

Though the truth of the job was something that weighed on everyone’s minds in the scientist wing. The government was desperate for money and power, a perfect opportunity for him.

The assistant nodded and ran out as quickly as he could, pushing Jake to the side. Jake scoffed and brushed off his coat. Stupid assistant. He put on a smile as Aristide turned to look at him. Unlike Jake’s smile, his smile was foolish and sincere.

“Oh, Hello Jake!” He greeted with the same enthusiasm as he always did, even before the death of his wife.

“Hello Aristide.”

“Did the meeting go well?” Aristide asked as he took off his gloves and disinfected the examination table.

“It went wonderful.”

Aristide’s smile faded as he froze in his steps to the trashcan. He finished dumping the waste and ushered Malere out of the room. Malere looked confused but upon the mention of chocolate muffins in the cafeteria, he rushed off in a fit of giggles.

Aristide sighed, “They really considered it?”

Jake couldn’t help but laugh, “Of course they did. You and I both know how desperate they are for a breakthrough.”

Aristide nodded, “But must we have to do it this way? It’s cruel!”

“Do you want a income for Malere or not!?” Jake snapped, “A child like him needs constant medication, assistance, and stability.”

Aristide opened his mouth, then closed it with a sigh. He knew too what his child would need, and without his wife he feared for Malere’s quality of life more than ever. There was only so much he could do when he was constantly working. With a influx of money coming in, he would have more time to spend with the child that was all he had left of his wife.

“You told them I will be helping you?”

“Yes.” Jake replied, “They were pleased to hear you will be participating in this breakthrough.”

“Of course, I’m their favorite after all.” Aristide sighed, “Don’t know why. I’m the softest one around.”

“Skill is how the poorest of the poor can become the richest of the rich Aristide.”

“Yes.” Aristide replied with a smile, “Would you like something to drink?”

Before Jake could reply, Malere ran back in, having been stuffed with chocolate muffins. He giggled as a cafeteria worker ran after him, shouting at him for taking so many muffins without paying. Aristide quickly ran over and gave the worker his government card, apologizing for the trouble he caused.

“You need to stop using the chocolate muffins excuse.” The worker huffed, “He’s a hassle to chase.”

“Yes, I know.” Aristide replied with a nervous laugh, “I’m truly sorry.”

The worker sighed and walked off, their shoes clacking against the floor. Aristide turned back to Jake, laughing nervously.

“So anyways, what were you going to say?”

Jake faked a chuckle and smiled, “I would like a drink. Perhaps some wine?”

Aristide sighed, “You never change do you?”

“When you have the luxury, it’s wonderful.”

Aristide laughed softly as he grabbed a bottle of wine and some apple juice for Malere. He poured the drinks into wine cups, giving Malere one so he didn’t feel left out.

“Hopefully no one else gets injured. I don’t want to treat someone while drunk.” Aristide noted.

“Don’t drink too much, the day isn’t over.”

“When is it over? When is it ever over…?”Aristide sighed.

Jake didn’t reply to his “friend”’s concerns. He sipped his wine and rejoiced in his soon-to-be success.

Chapter Text

Scrap metal shuffled with each step. One shuffle, two shuffle. Three shuffle, four shuffle. Again and again like a pattern. Like the sound of someone of walking on corpses.

Blue eyes, Blond hair, human white skin. The man stared at the crowd. Mothers herded their children close to them as he stepped down… right onto a corpse. The body made a wet splat and a sickening crunch sound. The man looked down and blinked.

“Oh, it seems this one fell off.” The man remarked with a calm smile, “Mercedes please clean up this corpse.”

He just smiled as the shaking assistant walked over to clean up the mushed body of what was once a friend of her mother’s.

What small bit of comfort they had a few moments ago was gone, whatever it was to begin with. Not like either of them knew, nor did they speak about it. Now it was just a breeding ground for fears and anxiety, as if they were germs waiting in the dirt. Lexi’s hand held her own as she shuffled closer to him. Meanwhile the damn frog sat on Cherry’s shoulder as if nothing had happened before or after it’s capture. Lexi wanted to strangle the frog, who was the reason they were there in the first place. Lexi controlled himself though. For the sake of Cherry.

Pieces of metal banged in the distance, disturbed by someone or something unseen. Both shivered at the sound, though it was much more noticeable in Cherry. The cave itself was damp and dark, illuminated by small holes in the ceiling. Holes the sunlight beamed through weakly, like little hands desperately trying to reach them. Like children crying out for their mothers.  It was a cruel trick, children forced to watch her walk past. It taunted her. It taunted her knowing it was just the cruel sun. It taunted her knowing Lexi would never see the things she did. No one would. Lexi stood tall despite his own fear, only noticeable in the way his pointer finger tapped his thumb repeatedly. If anything it was no different to the impoverished streets of Slandgin, neglected for the promise of greed. A promise that wasn’t delivered. Instead, they were given something far worse. Bad enough they switched to goods and trade in a desperate attempt to save their economy. World war had destabilized the countries and their various species, with some still struggling to repair themselves.

For a moment he stopped and turned to Cherry, eyes looking at her with pity and concern.

“Are you ok?” He asked.

Cherry nodded. It was a lie. They both knew. Cherry’s eyes began to water and shake, betraying the anxiety she truly felt.

“You see this too right? It’s not just my memories…?”

“It’s not just your memories.” Lexi confirmed.

Cherry stopped, the shuffling of metal far too much for her. Lexi heard her steps go quiet, turning around to see her begin sobbing. Tears fell down her face like the aftermath of a broken dam.

“This was supposed to be a trip to a forest!” She cried, “I wanted to get away from everything!”

Lexi walked over to her, rubbing the side of her arm to ground her in reality.

“I know.” He sighed, “We have to keep walking Cherry.”

“I don’t want to…”

“I know, I don’t like the sound of the metal either but we can’t get out of here if we don’t continue to walk.” Lexi replied.

Cherry nodded, “Could you please stay with me?”

“Of course, I got no one else” Lexi reassured.

Lexi walked forward, watching Cherry to make sure she was walking behind him. Once he was sure, he continued to lead the way. He continued to be greeted by more and more scrap. All in different stages of rust and rot. Their legs grew tired but Lexi forced them to continue forward. Both of them froze as they noticed a path, broad and open like a welcoming hug from a mother. Something Lexi would never know, only imagining what it could be like when Cherry described it. A child in his mind cried for that comfort, one silenced by his cruel older self. Cherry’s eyes sparkled with happiness at the sight of a potential sign of life.

“Cherry-“

Cherry promptly ignored him and ran toward the path.

“Cherry quit running off impulsively! That’s how we got here in the first place!” Lexi shouted as he ran after her.

“It’s a path, I’m going to run toward it!” Cherry shouted back defiantly.

The path became a clear straightforward path that bended a couple feet ahead as it continued. It appeared to lead to a makeshift home of sorts. The home was open and tidy. A box of tools sat on a lonely table next to a piece of kale. The kale itself was black on the edges from age.  A small ring of stones with a bucket hanging over it sat nearby, ash left in the pit showing the fire had burned out a long time before they arrived.

“Someone is living here?” Lexi questioned out loud.

Cherry blinked, “I guess so.”

“Stay still, someone might be here.” Lexi instructed.

Lexi stood in front of the table and for a moment, he stared at the kale. A part of him, that young orphaned child on the streets of greedy neglect, urged him to take it no matter how horrible it looked, The child cried desperately, stomach eternally never full enough. He sighed and walked away from the kale, shoving the weak child even deeper into his cold heart. He turned to look at the home in the distance, the child within him desperately hoping for anything really. God he really hated that child right now.

The rattling continued, filling them both with unease. A figure began to emerge from the scraps. Large sheets of metal fell into the bits of scrap, clanking against piles of smaller scraps. Arising, the rotting, mechanical colossal body of an android woke up, clearing debris as it continued to move. Only its upper body and right arm were visible, the rest buried like a horrible secret. As the mechanical wonder sprang to life, its internal structure began to shift and turn as it moved, noisily clicking and ticking as it looked at them, hinges squeaking and squealing like a dying animal.

“Shit-“ Lexi muttered, quickly stepping away from the thing and running back to Cherry.

The android’s eyes visibly narrowed as it lifted and opened its arm to reveal a rusty machine gun from it’s forearm in response to their presence. The gun itself was stained with splats of dried blood, suggesting a sinister purpose to the figure’s existence.

“SOMEONE IS HERE NOW.” Lexi shouted, grabbing Cherry by the shoulders (avoiding the frog) and looking for a way out before the rusty machine gun decided to blanket them in bullets.

Heaps of metal passed by as they ran. The cave became darker and darker as they went deeper into it. Openings in the ceiling became less common, leaving them in near darkness.

“Oh great, fucking lovely.” Lexi cursed under his breath, thanking his stupid parents they at least gave him genetics that made him fast.

At least they did that.

As they continued to plunge into the darkness, the piles of scrap began to subside. The scrap turned from piles to pebbles on a sandy resort beach. Underneath was a rocky terrain and dirt, much more welcome than scrap that sounded like corpses. The cave walls became narrow, resembling a mineshaft with pillars supporting the roof. Lexi stopped, looking at the pillars as he finally took a moment to catch his breath. Cherry herself looked around, looking at the pilliars and walking foreword with curiosity in her eyes. A curiosity she welcomed, anything was better than the memories.

The end of the hallway had a floor neatly covered in tiles. It looked like a sterile environment, which was laughable considering what they had seen so far. There was a door with a sign, yet it was unreadable in the near darkness. Cherry blinked in confusion, checking for braille. Then she remembered she couldn’t read it, mumbling a soft “oh-“.

Lexi sighed, “Great where do we go now?”

Metal banged against itself in the distance, creating a horrible echo that traveled through the hallway. It was more frequent however.

Cherry looked at the door, feeling around until she felt a door knob. Lexi looked at her in confusion.

“What are you doing, it won’t work-“

Cherry turned the door, opening with ease like it wasn’t as ruined as anything else in that damn scrap heap.

Lexi blinked “Son of a bitch-“

Cherry smiled, “Yeah they tend to make their buildings like that.”

“Wait what- Who??”

His questions however were not answered. Like many other questions he had asked before. He didn’t bother trying to get an answer, it wasn’t happening when it was left unanswered.

There was a long round table in the middle, it’s chairs having been knocked over and scattered around the room. The only lighting being the light from outside the window. The house, or whatever it was, was… odd. Odd to Lexi. It always felt weird to be in a house. To be inside . Years of rough concrete and makeshift pillows, seeing a house just feels surreal. To see the chairs, the walls, the windows of a house. Cherry wasn’t much better off but she  didn’t live on the streets. She grew up surrounded by walls. She had parents.

Something he only briefly remembered.

“I’ll be right back, ok?” The woman said in a gentle voice.

Tch, what a horrible lie. Even he could lie better than that. He knew Cherry could lie better than they had. Cherry, unaware of his thoughts, walked around and investigated her surroundings. Unlike him, she didn’t face the feeling of detachment. To her, it was normal. It wasn’t this… surreal idea to her to be inside of the walls. It always felt wrong to Lexi, to be inside a house. To be in a world he never belonged to. He could just hear the kid screaming, not in desperation but in awe. Wishful, wishing for something that’d never happen.

“Lexi!” Cherry exclaimed, “Come look!”

Lexi walked over to the window, confused until he saw what she was referring to.

The window itself was clearly shattered, though the object that had shattered it seemed to be long gone. The window was not a concern. Not when a megalopolis illuminated brightly, differentiated by color and quality of the buildings on one of three layers. It seemed to be the only thing lighting up the cave. A blanket of smog made it hard to see the end of the city.

Then it hit him, this was an underground city. A whole underground city under the forest. Perhaps that’s why it was so amazing to Cherry. She had known this forest since she was young. And she didn’t even know this place. She understood none of it.

Her interest was taken by a sign which read  “Do not Enter. Authorized Personnel and Maintenance Only.” in bold text. Cherry walked over to the door and looked at the sign for a few moments before saying:

“Jokes on them I can’t read!”

She could. She was just ignoring the bold text.

Lexi turned around, “Cherry! Cherry no-“

Opening the door, they were met with a flight of stairs on scaffolding, which went downward to the city. For a moment they both just stared at it.

“Why is that authorized personnel only??” Lexi asked.

Cherry shrugged, “Goverment people are weird. Last one I met was a psychopath who feared kids.”

“What???”

Again with those strange unanswered questions.

Their moment was short lived, quickly replaced with a dread that wouldn’t go away. Lexi was immediately put on guard by the strange feeling, while Cherry attempted to ignore the fact it was there. Probably helped she was a demon. Slowly, she stepped down. Lexi looked around, noticing a figure in the distance. He said nothing to Cherry and slowly walked down the steps with her.

It seemed they weren’t alone.

At the bottom they were met with a fork in the path. One led to more office rooms, and another down to the strange city. Cherry however, impulsively ran straight through the broken railing that led to the city, allured by the city,forcing Lexi run after her again.

“Dammit Cherry-!” Lexi exclaimed, huffing as he struggled to keep his breath.

Cherry giggled in response, somehow still full of energy despite all the running they had done. Lexi, meanwhile, his sides burned from all the running he had done. How did she tire him out more than the damn cops!?

Cherry stopped in her path, and that’s when Lexi noticed the figures guarding a fence just outside the city.

“Cherry?”

A man stood tall, holding a copper baton that was painted black to look like metal. He held the baton up, swinging it into the mother’s face. She fell to the ground, still crying for her child’s freedom from the cruel experiments of the blond hair blue eyed man. The man stared at her coldly, black army gear hiding his humanity. The outfit that detached him from the horrible acts he was committing. Something he’d chuckle about and say it was just orders over a pint of beer with his coworkers.

“Cherry.” Lexi spoke, snapping her out of it.

Cherry looked back at him, shaking away the vision of that twisted man Lexi seemed to remind her of.

“Yes?” She replied, horribly hiding up the fear she felt.

Suddenly a light lit up behind Cherry, alerting both of them the guards had a flashlight. The guards began to shout at each other, their word’s indecipherable despite the volume of their voice.

“Fuck-“ Lexi hissed, “Cops everywhere you go. Stay still, I’ll tell you when to run. Ok?”

Cherry looked at him with pure vulnerability in her eyes. Lexi froze. He had seen many sides of her, but this was not one. He forced his own fear to shut up as his heart continued to pound, and held her closer to him. His eyes watched the guards, as harsh and unforgiving as they could be for a human.

Guards walked around, some searching intently while others stayed behind like lazy bastards. Lexi scanned the area for openings, while also trying to see what weapons they were definitely armed with. Though it only seemed to be some batons made from metal for most of them. A few of the important guards had a handgun. Some of the lesser and insecure guards had added barbed wire to their batons, as if that made them worth anything more than those who didn’t do it. Lexi looked at the frog and cursed his luck. He could revive, Cherry would be durable enough but that damn frog wasn’t. And dammit he knew she’d be crushed if that thing died. He shouldn’t care, he really shouldn’t but god dammit did he care. He tracked their movements, desperately looking for an opening that keep the stupid frog alive and Cherry in a decent enough condition for her demon healing or medical first aid.

As they got close, the guards begin to vanish one by one. The pursuit soon became unimportant to the guards, one of them muttering under their breath.

“For all that is royal…”

Lexi blinked in surprise in confusion, looking around to see the cause of the commotion. The figure was hard to make out in the dim lighting, but they wore a long, black trench coat and dark gray jeans. A bag of some sort seemed to be wrapped around their shoulder and hanging off the side. It was rather odd but Lexi knew he wasn’t one to judge. Cherry looked over, eyes full of curiosity. Whatever vulnerability he had seen was now gone, and Lexi wasn’t sure how to feel about that. The remaining guards reacted to the commotion causes by the unknown figure.

“Not again!” One of them cried.

The figure grabbed the guard by the neck and threw them into another guard. They ran at a guard with a gun, who continued to fire at the figure. The figure deflected the bullets, crushing the guard’s arm. The guard panicked, and was thrown as well. Cherry’s eyes lit up with a sparkle. One that Lexi knew very well. One that usually was directed at him. He remembered it from the first time they met. That sparkle as she watched him climb down the building and away from the cops. Though he did end up falling onto her due to his surprise, that sparkle was something only directed at him. Lexi could feel the fire in the pit of his stomach, fuming with an anger he didn’t know. Yet it only continued to grow. Drones flew up high from the city as they came down to attack the figure. One of them latched onto the figure, only to be pulled closer and crushed. They were thrown to the side like a useless banana peel in the midst of a fight. Something kids on the streets would fight over. So desperate they fought for the inedible scraps. Lexi shook his head, looking around to see only a few guards remaining. They wielded handguns of their own, useless as the figure disarms them. The final guard attempts to attack them, only to have a hole punched into their chest. The figure takes parts out as the guard falls to the ground. Cherry claps softly, her own noise small compared to the figure’s commotion.

The figure immediately turned it’s head to her. Its eyes scanned her every detail. Pink hair with a dark magenta fade. Eyes with a dark red silt but pink-yellow fade pupils. Dressed with magenta-red dress. On her shoulder sat a strange plump little creature that just sat there. The figure was confused by the frog.

Lexi stood silent in his dirty white and brown clothes. The fire of rage continued to burn as he watched that sparkle in her eyes only continue to grow. The figure turned to them, metal claws covered in oil. Then that’s when it really hit them the guards were androids. They approached Cherry and Lexi with a look of annoyance on their face. With a better look, their eyes were hollow and black, their face lacking a nose and a mouth, yet the eyes said enough emotion to where a mouth wasn’t needed.

“You shouldn’t be here.” They said, sounding tired yet annoyed as well.

Their voice was heavy yet clear, like a man who never had a blink of sleep in his life.

“Leave. Now.”

“Ya don’t think Im TRYING to leave!?” Lexi snapped, hand on Cherry’s free shoulder like a cat claiming their territory.

“Lexi! Lexi calm down!” Cherry begged him.

“You aren’t welcome in the city, humans.” They warned, “If you can’t handle guards like that, then you won’t handle what’s inside the city.”

“I can handle guards just fine!” Lexi hissed, “And do you see another way out of here but forward? Because I sure as hell don’t!”

Cherry held Lexi’s shoulders and desperately tried to calm him down, urging him not to start a fight in their tired state.

The android stared through them, their eyes narrowing

“Lay low and don’t draw attention to yourself. It’s useless asking for help from the locals and stay away from surveillance areas.” They warned, “You’re on your own.”

They hopped over the fence, leaving even when Lexi began to shout at them again.

“Get back here asshole! I’m not done with you!”

“Lexi!!!” Cherry whined, finally getting his attention.

Lexi huffed but gave up on shouting at the mysterious android. Cherry smiled when he did so, causing his face to light up with blush. Lexi desperately tried to ignore the butterflies in his stomach, more noticeable now that its only her he has to rely on.

Having no other choice, they walked toward the fence where the rusted chain lock had already been cut for them.

Lexi blinked, “Well that’s nice.”

“See, he’s just a little rough around the edges.” Cherry said, looking at him with a uncrustable in her hand.

“It’s something Atushia kids usually eat. It’s not much but it’s something.”  She spoke with a smile.

Lexi blinked and took the weird treat, slowly eating it as he walked into the city. Her hand tapped his in a silent request to hold hands. Lexi gave into her request with no resistance, hiding the blush on his face from her happy smile.

Walking into town, the sight was lively. Except there were no people, only androids. Androids of varying sizes and clothes walked through the streets, distinct by the hats and hair on their head. For a moment they both just stared. It was so… odd. Cherry wasn’t sure how to feel about the whole city under the forest she had been to so many times.

“Come on, let’s go look around. We need to find a path.”

Really it was an excuse for Cherry to learn more about this city underneath the forest, one she took happily.

Chapter Text

Ten years ago…

I hate you yet I love you,

Your beautiful yet covered in thorns,

blood is life and it is death,

your smart but your foolish,

why are you so strange,

why are you so conflicting?

I hate you yet I love you,

beautiful but deadly,

lively but deadly,

smart but prideful,

envious but selfless,

blond hair,

blue eyes,

charming smile,

you are an anomaly.

Beautiful and deadly,

you smile with a charming act,

your voice practiced and beautiful,

your movements planned and calculated,

eyes shining like diamonds created from immorality and insanity,

a true psychopath.

A case like no other,

one I have never seen a case such as this up close,

and he still tries to play me like a fiddle,

what a fool,

thinking he can hide from the doctor.

The streets were full of chatter. Ladies sighed dreamily as Jake walked past them. They’d squeal when he smiled at them, like he was a gem of a human being.   They squealed with excitement, unaware of his true colors. His lab coat swayed in the wind, shining in the sun’s reflection. A dream of a man to the ignorant. Brown boots clacked against the ground as he stepped up to the brick building. A sign on the building read “FLIM” in bold red letters, as if desperate for the economy to notice the plain brick building covered in vines they couldn’t afford to remove. The door creaked as it was opened, announcing Jake’s presence to the crew.

“Jake!” The crew greeted.

They were a chatty bunch, happy to have any type of interaction that wasn’t just each other. Jake chuckled and smiled, shining in the spotlight of attention. All while Aristide stood at the door and watched Jake chat with the crew, knowing damn well he wasn’t going to do anything to help them. Not like he was going to do for Aristide. And all he could wonder was why. Why did this man, an anomaly, take a interest in him? Perhaps it was his skills, something he was known for after being hired for the work he had done at the hospital.

In the center of a room stood a set, a half circle stage painted red with a background of spruce wood lined with lights. Workers stood in the back, maintaining the effects Jake was paying for. Those in the front adjusted the cameras while Jake walked up onto the stage. He smiled at Aristide, a fake smile as there was little Jake truly felt. The concrete floor was forgotten on the set as the director shouted to begin.

Jake’s attention was directed to the camera which he smiled at, as if the most vile of words weren’t going to leave his mouth.

‘ This is necessary. ’ Aristide reminded himself with a sigh,

This is necessary.

Aristide turned to his side, where Malere stood. His golden-pink eyes fixated on Jake, eyes full of amazement. The gold in his eyes reminding Aristide of Malere’s mother. Golden eyes, auburn hair. He chuckled at the memory of her, full of energy like a flame. Yet even he knew, every flame burns out eventually. The brightest candles burn the fastest, and now he was left in darkness. Left there, alone with their child he could barely take care of.

“What do you think about the cherry blossom demons?” The director asked, looking at the card provided.

Jake looked at the camera with a look of interest as he walked back and forth on the set. The cameras followed him. The lights adjusting to continue shining on Jake like he was a savior.

“Well there has been a influx of them…” Jake began.

A lie. It was a lie. Yes, they came and there was a large number of them. Yet there was also a large number of mer-people too. Yet no one had a problem with them. No would would have any problems until the broadcast had spread.

“It’s interesting, why so many over the five decades? We know Jorirun was one of the key players in the world war, who’s to say their not planning to seize the chance while we are weak?” Jake continued.

Another lie. They had been traveling around since their first arrival on earth. It was only during the industrial revolution their numbers in other places had increased dramatically.

“We know they are powerful political cards in Jorirun. Who’s to stay their not sending them here to spy on us like those damn communists! We already have enough enemies and Jorirun knows that! Their trying to infiltrate us! To conquer us piece by piece!”

Jake’s voice began to sound like manic shouting. Perfect for a blind and foolish population of sheep. The crew cheered, adding to the layers of manipulation Jake was using to trick the population. It was propaganda, simple as that. And it was effective. If not better than Hans’ propaganda. Something Aristide watched Jake study for hours, watching as the paper was filled from top to bottom with notes while Jake smiled. He smiled at the speeches of a horrible man. One who led to the world war that broke every economy of those involved.

Jake continued to shout, going on a rant that he would call a speech. The director stood there, directing the crew to empathize words Jake was speaking. All while the lights shined on him like he was a saint, a gift from god. Though Aristide knew that was far from the truth.

The only question was, what was this man? He who could charm people with a smile. A man who manipulated the cruel and stubborn government officials. Was this truly what had to be done? For the economy, for Malere who joined in on the cheering while being unaware of what he was supporting.

The director asked a few more questions to hide the fact this was merely propaganda. Jake smiled, like he hadn’t gone on a manic rant that was merely a rehearsal of likes he had prepared for this shooting. The director shouted again, the crew turning the cameras off.

Insane,

twisted,

yet a mind like no other,

civil yet uncivil,

maniacal yet controlled,

what are you?

… what are we?

The crew was quiet. Their eyes looked at Jake with unease. Their faces showed a smile, yet their eyes betrayed the unease they felt. The director was the only one who still smiled and held his hand out to shake. The two talked and chuckled, as if the shooting hadn’t just happened. Jake smiled in return, shaking the director’s hand.

“I hope you return Mr. Williams.” The director spoke.

Jake nodded, “Of course. It was pleasant working with you.”

The director smiled, eyes full of a greed Aristide knew all too well. The same look seen in the eyes of those in charge. Eyes full of blue, green, and brown colored greed. To them, he was not a person. To them he was opportunity. He was profit. He was skill carved into perfect cuts of flesh that made up what he was. His muscles, his mind. All of it was for the picking. Dry and rough hands all reaching out for his skill. A one of a kind. A gem like no other. A person, in beauty and skill alike, that countries would fight to obtain. Even his son was just another gem to refine and claim. To carve and perfect, vultures tearing at the scraps for perfection. Crocodiles fighting for one person, for one meal. The director was a fool, unable to see the greed and pride in Jake’s eyes. Blue crystals that carefully watched their prey, constantly calculating their own responses and reactions. Every laugh and smile being perfectly curated to satisfy like a sweet honeyed lie. The same eyes Aristide had stared into so many times. Eyes that watched his move, always calculating. Always focused on his target. It was so simple yet it was so complicated to see his true intentions. Perhaps the director wasn’t to blame. He was desperate, as were most ignored by the government. The building was shabby and cameras old, having been improperly repaired too many times to count. To them, Jake truly was a savior. With him, came money. With him came stabilization. He held the helping hand out to the desperate. Who was he to judge when he let this go on? When he would stand there and watch innocents suffer, regardless of what was necessary to survive under the government’s harsh work environment?

“Aristide?” Jake spoke, tapping his shoulder.

Aristide snapped out of his thoughts to look at Jake.

He smiled, “Yes?”

“Shall we return?”

“Yes.” Aristide sighed, “We should.”

What are we?

What am I to you?

Do I matter to you?

Your words say yes,

but it’s not true is it?

It can’t be true,

everything I know tells me it isn’t.

Is it wrong to hope it is true?

To hope there is some heart in you,

something that makes that smile on your face not just another part of your fallacy,

I know and I know,

but for once… can it be wrong?

Can the science be wrong just once,

just for one moment?

Please?

Can that charming smile be true?

Is it?

Am I just a fool as well?

What is it I feel for you?

Is it fascination?

or envy?

or hate?

or love?

or anger?

I want so badly to believe that smile is real,

that is true,

but that’s not the case,

is it…?

I’m just lonely,

aren’t I?

Lonely

and desperate

and stressed.

The sun shined just as bright as it had when they arrived. Malere clung to Aristide’s side, eyes half closed as he was tired from all that had happened so far. He sighed and picked up Malere, who fell asleep being held in his father’s arms.

“He gets tired quickly.” Jake chuckled.

Aristide nodded, “He’s still young. It’s only natural.”

“They should be here soon to take us back to the scientist wing.”

“of course.” Aristide replied, sighing as he watched the poor desperately try to survive.

Chapter Text

Lexi’s hand gently but firmly grabbed her wrist. She blinked, stopping in her path as she turned to face him.

“Cherry.” He spoke.

“Yes?” Cherry replied.

“Horns? Remember those. They make us stand out.” Lexi reminded.

“Oh.” Cherry replied, “So you need me to summon cloaks?”

“I didn’t specify but yes.” 

Cherry nodded with a smile. She summoned two cloaks, putting one on Lexi. 

“Cherry I can put it on myself-“ Lexi protested with weak swipes in her direction.

Cherry giggled softly, slowly putting her hood over her head to not brush against the horns too much. Lexi looked at her, waiting until she was ready. 

As soon as she looked at him with her smile, they began to walk into the gravel streets. Gravel that crunched with each step they took, lining the road as far as they could see. Androids made of bronze filled the streets, selling things in the booths that lined the streets or shopping at the booths for their limited variety of goods. A small carriage or two occasionally passed by carrying heavy loads of goods and supplies. The items themselves weren’t visible, hidden under a trap with a crown symbol in a circle divided into three parts with three colors. Cherry's eyes shined off the light from whatever makeshift lightsource was nearby. She smiled, twirling along the path and giggling with euphoria.

"You see this Lexi?" She asked, eyes looking at him expectedly.

For a moment, Lexi just stood there and stared at her. Stared at the pink-yellow eyes that looked at him so expectantly he could feel the weight of her disappointment if he said it was just the same as the streets. So instead of telling her the truth of his feelings, he put on a small but convincing smile.

“Yeah.”

He wished he saw what she did. To him, it was the same streets he had grown up on, abandoned and unloved like most of the kids wandering the streets. Those who were loved clung to their family, glared by the envious. His own heart too drained to even care. Drained of all the love and care he could offer to the heartless and cruel streets.

Drones surveyed the area like the watchful eyes of the police, their own lights shining harshly on the darkness. Lexi pulled down Cherry's cloak further, earning a yelp from her.

"What was that for?!" She whined

"There looking for us, like that asshole said." Lexi replied.

"Stop calling him that!" Cherry huffed, smacking Lexi lightly

"Ow! What?"

"Be nice." Cherry ordered, puffing her cheeks as if it wasn’t a useless defense mechanism that just made her look cuter.

Cherry’s attention was quickly taken by the signs on the booths.

 “Need sturdiness? Buy our construction-grade Bolts! (Limited Stock!)” 

“Need some life in your home? Buy a decorative cabbage piece! (5 coppers a piece)”

The signs became more insane as they continued to walk down the path. Cherry's attention went from one sign to another. She stopped, looking at the second sign. 

“Decorative Cabbage?” Cherry questioned, blinking in confusion.

Lexi stared at the stand and the child that stood in front of it. Blue eyes, blond hair, missing tooth right in the front. The child giggled, smiling up at him as they looked at him and then the cabbage. That was when Lexi recognized them as the child within him. The annoying child who still yearned for what it didn’t have. He could tell it wanted him to run to the stall and take the cabbage while giggling since it no longer could. Not when it had been left in the past and now he stood in the present, staring at a child that wasn’t there. Both of them could already hear the booth owner shouting at them, saying words that shouldn’t be spoken toward a child. That didn’t matter. It didn’t matter now. Lexi knew it was pointless, why would he need to steal food when Cherry would summon it for him while wasting more energy just to ensure it was wrapped. Besides, she’d be upset if he went back to stealing things. 

An android behind Cherry looked at her and Lexi. Cherry jolted in surprise. The android laughed and began to speak anyway.

“Oh, the decorative cabbage? Yeah, it’s pretty nice! I’ve had one for a while now and it’s turned into this lovely shade of black!” The android spoke with a feminine voice.

Cherry stared at them. Her face noticeably painted with shock, horror, and disgust. 

She cleared her throat and put on a sweet smile, "Oh that's wonderful!"

Lexi stood there in silence, watching as she put on the same porcelain mask she had perfected long before he met her. It was a mask he had seen many times before, one she wore while he called her stupid and she simply smiled. A smile full of such warmth. He knew the mask was a lie, it was always a lie. But… it felt different. It felt different after she looked at him with pure vulnerability in her eyes. 

The android seemed pleased, squinting their eyes in a simulated delight. “Well, I should be off to my home. Have a-” 

Then it froze, eyes opening wide in horror. Horror that immediately made her stop talking. She quickly cut her sentence off, shaking in fear at the porcelain mask.

“Have… Have a nice day-“ The andriod stuttered, running away as fast as her legs could take her.

Which was apparently pretty fast.

Cherry blinked, completely confused by their reaction. Normally people didn't flee when she smiled.

"What did I do? Was something in my teeth?" She asked, looking baffled by their response.

Lexi almost burst out laughing.

Lexi held back a snicker, "Cherry I don't think they have mouths-"

Cherry stared at him for a good minute, eyes wide. Then a quiet little “Oh” left her mouth.

The android however did not find it as amusing as Lexi did. Lexi’s mood soured as soon as he saw them talking to a guard. The guard nodded and assured them, hardly even looking at the android before leaving their post. The guard was now on the move, searching for the very noticeable humans.

"Shit-" Lexi hissed, grabbing Cherry by the wrist and quickly walking away.

The frog made a small ribbit noise, still on Cherry's shoulder and equipped with its own little cloak. 

Deeper into the city the guard finally loses track of them. Lexi sighs in relief, taking a small moment to catch his breath before they continued further into the city. Exploring further, Cherry noticed a street blocked off by barriers. Curious, she approaches it. Lexi thinks of advising her against it, but decides to also get a look knowing she won’t listen. They peer closer to the edge, only to be stopped by a guard.

“Woah there! Step back from the barriers please!” The guard exclaimed, gently nudging them back.

"What? Why?" Cherry asked, confused.

“You don’t know? This street is extremely hazardous to live or be in! I’m guessing you folks migrated from Silver, huh?” The guard explained before trying to engage small talk.

Seizing the opportunity, Lexi shifted himself so the lighting made him appear more metallic.

Lexi laughed nervously, "Yes, it's a shame really. Not the city of course!

It felt surreal to be so close to the guard. It was especially surreal to talk to them. Up close, their uniform was much more visible. A black best over their shirt, pockets fitted onto every square of the vest as possible. Black pants rolled up at their ankles. A black security cap on their head, bearing a badge with the words “BCS Guard”. Looking further, the full label seemed to be bronze city security guard.

“What makes that area so dangerous?” He asked, pretending to be worried, “Has it been going on a while?”

In the corner of his eye he could see Cherry’s eyes looking at him with that sparkle. His chest swelled with pride, gaze where it rightfully should be.

“Oh yeah, damaged infrastructure to the buildings, many casualties and injuries that we had to close off the street to keep it from spreading. Since you’re new here, look out for puddles and spills of ooze coming out of buildings…. Report it to us so it’ll get handled!” The guard informed.

Lexi moved Cherry slightly to hide her human features, nodding at the guard.

"Thank you for letting us know. We shall let you know" 

Chatter was heard from the radio on the guard’s waist.

“We got a report of two unidentified “androids” wearing robes, over!”

The guard looked to Cherry and Lexi, picking up the radio and talking into it, “Any defining characteristics, over?”

Lexi stared at the guard apprehensively, searching for a path to slip out of the guard’s eyesight.

“One was female and “wore a face that was nothing like an android” over.”

“And the other?” The guard said into his radio. 

“You’re supposed to say “over” to signify-“ the radio chattered.

“AND THE OTHER ONE, OVER!???” The guard snapped.

The guard looked at Lexi. Lexi blinked, feigning the illusion of optics as he stood still and listened to the words being spoken

“The other, supposedly male, taller, and has blonde hair?” The radio chattered, sounding startled.

The guard looked at Cherry and Lexi, talking into his radio and pacing closer to them. Cherry flinched, eyes widening in fear. 

“I’ll need backup. There are two suspects in front of me. I repeat-”

“Dammit I was nice this time!” Lexi hissed, lighting shifting to reveal Lexi’s true face. 

He grabbed Cherry’s hand and ran, kicking up dirt to distract the guard.

“Hey!” The guard yelled, chasing after them with haste and picking up speed as Cherry and Lexi rushed through the streets.

“Love how they think that does something.” Lexi chuckled, looking back at the guard for just a second.

Cherry’s heart continued to pound in her chest. Hands sweaty and grip tight as Lexi continued to run.

Men dressed in black armor knocked on the door. They stated her father’s last name.

“Yes, that’s us. What is it?” Her mother had asked.

“You need to come with me.” The men directed.

“All of us!?” Her father snapped.

“Yes.” The man replied.

“Why!? We haven’t done anything wrong!” He snapped.

“Sir please just come with us-“ 

“I have poured my heart out for this country!” Her father shouted, “What have I done to deserve this!? I’ve seen those messages, I’m not stupid!”

The men looked at each other and then back at her father who didn’t stand down to their harsh gazes.

“You can either come with us or we take you by force.” 

“Oh you want to play that game, huh?!” Her father challenged, ignoring the pleas of her mother telling him not to do this.

He turned to his wife, who held Cherry close to her.

“No Mi amor, I’m not just going to let them take us. I have poured my heart out to this country, and this is how they repay me?!” 

Her mother sighed, knowing there was no winning either way. 

“The backdoor will give us more time.” Her mother replied.

Her father’s face lit up in a smile.

“Come on, let’s go and play this game!” He shouted, laughing joyously.

Cherry, too young to understand the situation, giggled with her father. He began to run, signaling for her to follow him. The guards began to shout. Cherry covered her ears as the guards only began to get louder. Their footsteps like thunder on a stormy night. Their voices like knives stabbing into her ears. Then the guards grabbed her mother, pinning her onto the ground roughly. Her father stopped in his tracks, running to her. The guards grabbed him by his arms.

“Mi amor!” He cried.

“Let go of me! Get your hands off me! Let go of my wife you bastards!” He shouted.

Her mother flinched as they cracked her father’s horns. He screamed and kicked like a scared deer. Blood poured down his face. His body went limp, staring at the guards with rage in his eyes. A guard grabbed Cherry. Rough, heartless, hands that gripped her far too tight.

“Don’t you dare!” Her mother shouted, “Just let go of me and I can make sure she doesn’t fight!”

The guards looked at each other and then her mother, roughly pushing Cherry to her mother. The men let go of her mother who ran to Cherry, soothing her with gentle touches. Cherry burst into tears, afraid and confused.

From above the drones searched around them, starting to close in. Though the guard had been lost in the midst of the chase.

“Oh come on!” Lexi shouted, muttering a curse under his breath.

Cherry looked at the drones in concern, “Lexi?”

Lexi stopped for a moment, seeing the fear in her eyes. That specific fear in her eyes that meant she was seeing her memories again. He had seen it many times. The way she freeze up and stare at nothing, heart pounding to escape her chest.

“We’ll be fine. I’ll destroy them if we need to.” Lexi reassured.

Cherry nodded, grabbing his hand and moving it in a soothing motion. Lexi took the cue and continued the motion until her breathing calmed down. Once she was calm, he took her hand and they both disappeared in the crowd. The drones lost interest, flying away to another street. As soon as the drones were gone, Cherry’s attention was immediately taken by the streets around her.

The buildings in this area were far more run down. The streets were empty, lacking the booths from earlier. Androids around them hid their face with a shady appearance. Lexi pulled Cherry closer to him, Cherry unaware just how dangerous they were. She had just walked up to Lexi after all. Despite this, Cherry managed to bump into an android. She yelped in surprise, making herself more obvious. Lexi cursed under his breath.

“Hey! What the hell’s your deal?!” The android yelled while turning to them and backing up a few steps, “Got a problem!?”

The android wore a construction jumpsuit with safety straps, covered in dirt and clay from the shift they had just gotten off. 

“No- No problem at all-!” Cherry stammered, attempting to stop a fight.

Her eyes were wide with fear. She quickly hid her hands, attempting to hide her body’s instinct to look threatening to the thing causing her fear. Lexi immediately stood in front of Cherry in a protective stance. The android looked at Lexi, glaring him before pushing him back and knocking his hood off. Cherry yelped and backed away to the side.

“Think I’m afraid of you, fleshie!?! I know what you are!” The android yelled.

Other androids stopped to watch the fight, placing bets on who would win. Some just watched in interest at a human challenging a android.

“It doesn’t take a low grade machine to figure that out!” Lexi shouted back with a cocky smile on his face.

“I’ll show you low-grade, flesh bag!” The android shouted.

They raised their fists and took the first swing. Lexi avoided the swing, going for an opening in the rugged android’s form. His hand banged loudly against the metal, bones cracking in upon impact. Lexi’s smile only grew as laughed, charging at the android again. His arm protested against the movement, blood dripping onto the ground. 

Cherry anxiously watched the fight, eyes tracing their movements. Their forms were rough and so horribly incorrect. It was full of opportunities to break bones and cause aches later down the line. 

The android dodged while blocking some attacks. Other attacks it took head on like a challenge. All while swinging at Lexi. Cherry prayed no more bones would be broken, desperately trying to ignore the sound of blood dripping onto the ground. 

Before long, the android became sloppy, throwing wild punches and kicking Lexi off balance to try get an advantage. Lexi wouldn’t last, he couldn’t possibly avoid being knocked down with his crooked form! So Cherry stepped in.

A tree appeared between the android and Lexi. Green leaves and blooming Cherry blossom flowers. Cherry grabbed Lexi by his jacket, running away while the android froze in fear.

“W-WHAT THE FUCK?!” The android shouted, as a look of horror shot across their face.

The androids watching immediately froze in fear with a few of them immediately running away. Some walked by a little faster than before. 

Dread shot through her veins. An android leaped down from a building, landing in front of her. 

“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!!?” The android shouted.

Cherry squeaked, throwing a handful of the pink flowers at the android. Other androids whispered to each other about the golden figure. It was too much. Too much attention. It was screaming for the guards to come and get them.

“I’m sorry sir I have to go-“ Cherry said, attempting to excuse herself from the situation.

“Oh no! WE’RE HAVING A TALK!” The android said, grabbing Cherry by her wrist.

The android’s face was replaced with the black helmet of a guard. 

“And stay put until told otherwise!” The guard shouted, throwing her into cabin CB-17

“WHAT HAPPENED TO “LAYING LOW!?”” The android shouted.

Her ears hurt, the android’s voice echoing inside.

“Hey get your hands off of her!” Lexi shouted, “She doesn’t like that!”

Cherry looked visibly uncomfortable with the android’s touch, desperately attempting to escape it. The android let go of her, almost knocking Cherry down. Cherry quickly stood up, hands shaking and body trembling. Her breath began to shake as she ran to Lexi’s side, holding onto his arm tightly.

“Don’t do that.” Lexi hissed, “She may forgive you but I won’t! Not when you trigger her like that! Now what is it you wish to speak about?”

“What the fuck happened to “laying low!?”” The android exclaimed in a much quieter tone of voice, “Every step of the way, you alerted guards to your presence! What did I tell you about the locals!?”

“You decorate your houses with cabbage!” Lexi snapped back, “You be-“

Cherry interrupted Lexi with a sniffle, “I’m sorry… I didn’t know androids didn’t smile…”

The android sighed and lifted their hood, showing their face. No eyebrows, eyes, nose, or mouth. Only two abnormally large holes meant to resemble eyes.

“NO SHIT!! OF COURSE THAT ANDROID WAS STARTLED!! THOSE OILY PORES AND THOSE BULBOUS EYES ARE SURE TO SCARE ANYONE! NOT TO MENTION THE TEETH!!” The android snapped.

Cherry flinched, eyes watering up with tears.

“Hey.” Lexi snapped, “Lower your voice. You can deliver your point without being a fucking microphone.” 

For a moment the android went silent. They looked at Cherry for a moment and then sighed.

“Fine. You two really fucked up by drawing that much attention to yourselves. If you ever need to find me, the locals call me and know me by Golden Claw.” He informed. “Down here, we hardly get humans coming by, so we’re not used to you and that’s why your appearances startle us.”

“Thank you.” Lexi sighed, “Trust me, I know she is stupid but she truly means no harm.”

Cherry nodded, wiping her eyes.  

“Are you going to disappear again?” She asked Golden Claw.

Golden Claw stood there, thinking for a moment before looking to the both of them. 

“Both of you, meet me at “The Rig.” It’s a local bar located in a more crime-infested area but it’s a place where I can help you with coming up with a way to get out of here privately.” Golden Claw said inconspicuously. “Meet me there as soon as possible. The route from here is about six blocks down. Take a left exiting the alleyway and keep going forward until you’re about a block away and make a right, go forward until you see the bar on your left.”

As if nothing happened, Cherry’s face lit up with happiness.

“Ok!” She replied, acting as if she was fine, “Also the tree was just my powers. Don’t worry about it.”

“Your… powers?” Golden Claw replied, with a look of confusion and confusion being communicated through their eyes, “You’re weirder than any human I’ve seen, that’s for sure.”

Cherry giggled, “I’m not human.”

Golden looked at Cherry with concern. “Then what the fuck are you!? A corpse!??”

Cherry laughed more, “No. I’m a demon. Lexi is the human one.”

Lexi waved, unfazed by Cherry’s antics. Golden Claw sighed, wondering what he just got himself into.

“Just- meet me at the bar and we’ll find a way to get you two out of here. Don’t die on the way there, you idiots!” He exclaimed, like a tired babysitter dealing with rowdy children as he climbed up the side of a building and disappeared from their sight.

"Can't be sure about that!" Lexi shouted back, chuckling to himself.

There was no reply. As fast as he came, he was gone. 

"Well, that's just rude." Lexi huffed, "Oh well, come on let's go"

Cherry nodded, eyes shining once more.

Two.

Two times.

Two times she had trusted him to protect her. To let the porcelain mask fall to the floor and crack into seven pieces. The same pieces that came back together as soon as Cherry was no longer afraid. For a moment, Lexi just stood there. He wasn’t sure how to feel about it. Everything screamed to protect her, to hold her dear. Even the kid within him wanted to guard her, like it always wanted to guard the vunerable. But at the same time, he couldn’t help but wonder why him? Why would she pick him? He was a dirty thief and had called her stupid too many times to count while she just smiled kindly. Why did she keep offering that kindness? 

Lexi sighed and signaled for her to follow him.  Cherry looked over the corner. The guards roamed a few paces back to where the tree was. It was obvious they had picked up the cause. Other guards were questioning androids nearby. Cherry attempted to distract the guards by enlarging the tree. The guards were startled by the tree, with one of them firing their gun at the tree. One guard however, locked eyes with Cherry.

“Over there!” The guard shouted, alerting the others.

Only a few guards didn’t run after them. Cherry grumbled, summoning roots to block the guards off of their path. 

“I’m going to run out of energy at this rate.” Cherry muttered to herself, “Stupid guards go back to the tree!”

“What is this!?” The guard in front shouted.

The roots stopped the guards yet drones continued to fly overhead. Each second one of the drones tossed magnetic cuffs. Cherry looked around, desperately looking away from the memories that threatened to break her focus. Ahead was a path, blocked with road blocks. Cherry knew exactly what it was and what it meant. It was dangerous, and risky. But it was something the citizens clearly avoided, surely the drones would too. She looked back at the drones once more before running straight into the dangerous shortcut. 

The drones stopped dead in their tracks, quickly turning back. Even when Cherry stopped and took a moment to catch her breath, the camera simply looked at her before leaving.

“Haha take that suckers!” Lexi shouted, cackling.

Cherry couldn’t feel as overjoyed as Lexi. Not when poorly built houses were slowly being devoured in black ooze. The ooze bubbled as it ate away at the houses trapped within it. The dirt made a fizzling sound as it too was eaten by the puddles of ooze, only making the puddles slowly grow wider over time. Like the sickness of the camp, it killed all it touched. 

How many families had lived here? How many kids played in these streets before the ooze arrived? 

How many kids died here? How many died slowly like the coughing children in the doctor’s tent? Pink eyes staring at the children with pity. Eyes that looked at Cherry with sorrow, murmuring apologies under his breath.

“Help…help me please…” A voice weakly called out.

A baby cried in its mother’s arms. The mother smiled weakly at the baby as tears fell from her eyes, breathing starting to slow. She knew she didn’t have much time.

“Take care of her for me”

Steam rose from the ooze, as if it was mad at the survivor for calling out to her. Cherry looked at the source of the sound.

“H-Help…Please…” The voice called out again, broken speaker revealing they were an android.

They were stuck. Stuck just like that baby. Orphaned, unwanted, unloved. Left in a child’s arms to be protected from the adults that should have been its protectors. Trapped in a pit of wolves, smiling with twisted intentions. 

Cherry ran towards the voice. The door had been knocked out from the inside, chunks laying atop the ooze like driftwood. Driftwood survivors would use as a raft in a desperate attempt to live, only to be eaten by the sharks surrounding them. Heart pounding in her chest, she took off her boots and tossed them to Lexi. Lexi caught them, watching her with noticeable worry. Cherry stared at him for a moment, unsure how to feel about him being worried for her. He always cared, but this was the first time she saw it on his face. The first time he wore his emotions on a sleeve. They both could see something was horribly wrong with the ooze as it bubbled around the pieces of door.

“Hello?” She called out, slowly lowering her foot into the ooze.

Immediately she flinched the moment her foot touched the ooze. The skin was left red and feeling. Cherry’s heart only pounded harder in her chest, attempting to escape the situation that her brain told her not to walk into.

“Hello?!” Cherry shouted, waiting to hear the voice again.

“Hello!? Oh thank the royals, someone heard me!” A female voice called out, sounding relieved, “M-my speaker was about to give out if you hadn’t found me sooner!”

“Do you know how long you have been in here?” Cherry asked

“Oh, I don’t know. M-my internal clock tells me two we-ks????” The android replied, their speaker cutting out abruptly.

“Save your voice, find something to make noise with so I can locate you!” Cherry instructed.

The android knocked on wood as a signal from their location. Trapped in the roof, it was only a matter of time until the ooze got to them. Cherry wrapped her overcoat around the injured foot and stepped into the ooze. It burned like a curse, vicious and wounded. She tied the cloak tightly around her, to hide her face from the android. As Cherry advanced up a ladder leading to the attic, the knocking continued. The house around her bore signs of what had once been a happy couple. Now only one knock came from the attic of the house. 

The mother always survives. The mother lives once again, alone. No husband to help her. No husband to love. Until death they said, but what happens when one is left to live while another is put to rest? 

“mi tesoro! mi tesoro!” Her mother cried.

In her hands was the father of her child. Her husband. Her everything. Flour was spilled on the floor like a pile of white flowers of which to mourn the man who still held the bag in his hands. Warm eyes slowly lost all color. Glass bowl sat on the counter with sugar, butter, eggs, and melted chocolate sitting inside it. Unmixed. Mixer sat in its box, whisks not even attached. White apron turned to red as blood continued to pour out of his body. All while Cherry stood there, frozen in fear at the assassin’s words. The only trace of them being the still open window, where cold air blew in cruelly. 

“Y-you found me!” The android exclaimed, snapping Cherry out of her trance.

A hole in the roof had been burned open, ironically serving as a makeshift light to reveal the android crushed under roof and pieces of a support beam. They smiled brightly, despite their lack of a mouth. But all Cherry could feel was pity. 

“Do you have any family?” She asked, looking around the attic

“N-not anymore…. Corrosion spread t-through the neighborhood and took e-everything…” The android said in defeat, “It took them too…I so happened to s-survive because the rubble stopped me in just the right sp-pot to save me.”

"I don't know what will happen to you after this but I promise I will get you out of here." Cherry promised, the same promise she once gave to a baby in her arms. 

A responsibility she was never meant to have. 

The android wasn’t much better than the house itself with their leg missing and one arm crushed under the rubble. The leg seemed salvageable, at least from what Cherry remembered Lexi talking about. She wouldn’t know anything herself though.

Cherry removed the rubble and put it into the side. The android rolled out of the way and looked up at Cherry, thanking her. Their gown was made from cloth and rags, tattered from all it had been through but clearly resembling a dress. Cherry grabbed them and positioned them on her shoulders, going back into the ooze while attempting to keep it off the android. The android continued to talk, getting more desperate as their speaker continued to cut out.

"Don't waste your voice." Cherry whispered, almost pleading.

Cherry began to run. She ran faster the more the ooze resisted against her movement. 

“Lexi!” She shouted.

Lexi dropped the boots and immediately ran over to her, cloak tied tightly around his face.

"Don't panic, my friend is simply going to hold you while I get out of the building, ok?" Cherry spoke with a soft and comforting voice.

The android nodded for a moment, before shaking their head as they continued their failed attempts of talking. 

“Go!” Cherry ordered.

“What about you?” Lexi questioned.

“Go!” Cherry insisted, “I can be treated later, they need it now!”

Lexi gently grabbed the android from Cherry, backing away from the ooze filled building. The android clawed desperately at their neck. On their neck was a groove outlining what looked like a hatch. There was a deeper groove on one of the edges, making a handle.

Lexi put his hand on the groove, “Can I?”

The android nodded. He opened it as soon as he got permission. Inside, the voice box was corroded like a battery in an old toy. The tar-like substance sloshed around inside the box, it looked like most of the box had been hollowed out from the ooze eating it away. The android teared the voice box out and threw it to the side where it began to make a tiny puddle of ooze. The puddle went unnoticed as they inaudibly sighed in relief.

Lexi jolted, startled by the tossing of their voice box.

“Ok then…”

The android smiled with her eyes, hugging Lexi briefly.

Lexi blinked, but accepted it. He walked over to Cherry who was covered in burns, handing her the stuff she had tossed at him. She thanked him with a nod, as to not startle the android. Once she had her stuff in her arms, Lexi picked her up and hoisted her over his back. She yelped in surprise, but was far too injured to protest. The android squirmed away, clawing their way across the floor to another fairly damaged dead android.

“What are you doing?"

The android didn’t answer the question. Instead they began to tinker and tear off pieces of the dead android, taking the leg to fix their own. The android stands up, noticing its lopsided stance it tinkers some more. Lexi just stared at them, practically bewildered.

"Your very...odd..."

Cherry's feet dangled in the air as she attempted to get free of Lexi's hold, failing.

The android attempted to talk, before realizing they had tossed their voice box and rushed over to another body, taking a voice box out of another android. She fine tuned it, before attempting again.

“H-Hel-o?” They spoke, voice unfamiliarly masculine compared to her appearance.

"Hello!" Cherry happily replied with a very human smile.

Lexi groaned, "Dammit Cherry."

“Huh, never thought I’d live to— Wow...” The android stepped forward, more curious than scared.

Cherry waved as they stepped closer, still smiling. Lexi blinked, confused.

“I remember hearing about you…. “Fleshies” or whatever my husband called them….” The android said, stepping closer.

“Your the first one who hasn’t ran away.” Cherry noted.

“Besides that one asshole.” Lexi mumbled.

Cherry smacked Lexi for the comment, causing Lexi to ask what he did before just sighing. The android blinked and continued talking.

“Yeah, my husband always told me that you folks were a threat to us…. That you were something to be feared.” The android said, saddened by this fact. “I don’t believe it though, not after what you’ve done for me….”

"Your husband wasn't too far off. Not all of us are as nice as her." Lexi pointed to Cherry, "She just has a... really big heart, or well core for you guys I think-"

“Huh, I’ll keep that in mind.” The android replied, “Thank you for saving me from that mess. Do you mind if I come with you for a little while? I could use a friend like you to talk to while getting out of here.”

Cherry looked at Lexi with an expression only meant to convince him. Lexi sighed, caving instantly to the sparkly eyes of pleading.

“She says yes. So just come along, don’t be surprised when androids scream.”

Cherry gleamed with happiness at Lexi’s agreement, leaning into his face from the potato bag hold she was being held in. Lexi’s cheeks lit up with a shade of pink blush.

“Thank you!” She replied, going to their side and walking with them through the neighborhood together.

The neighborhood was still dark and terrifying but it was a bit more bearable with the android’s glowing eyes looking at them. Like a light in the darkness.

So how’d you folks get down here? And how did you make it this far?” She asked curiously, looking to Cherry and Lexi with a surprised look.

Lexi looked confused, “The area before this was just scrap, what are you talking about?”

“Yeah there was piles and piles of it!” Cherry added, “Also I think she means this area.”

The frog on Cherry’s shoulder attacked the android with it’s tongue, attempting to “bite” them. 

“What the- What the hell is that thing!? It’s so flabby looking!!” The android exclaimed, looking repulsed and startled as they shooed the frog away.

Cherry blinked and burst into giggles, grabbing the frog which then attacked her in turn

“It’s a frog. You don’t know what a frog is?”

“No!? What the hell is a “frog!?”” She exclaimed, “Is this one of your gross human-things!?”

“It can be.” Lexi answered with a smirk.

Cherry flicked his nose in return, glaring him. He yelped in pain and sighed again. Cherry turned to the android with a smile.

“It’s an animal from… the, er, surface…anyways it’s an amphibian, meaning it likes water and is designed for such.” She explained, pointing out its webbed feet

The android looked at the frog curiously, touching its head with their finger. “It looks so spongey…”

“It is covered in layer of mucus that keeps it moist.” Cherry explained as the frog attacked the finger poking them, “They also can drink water through their skin.”

The android was startled, flailing their hand in a panic, “AHH!! GET-IT-OFF! GET-IT-OFF! GET-IT-OFF-”

Lexi calmly grabbed the frog and gave it back to Cherry who summoned a strangle blue worm for it to eat. The frog ate it immediately.

“You humans are weird….” The android said, perplexed by their unsurprised reaction.

“I’ve gotten used to her antics.” Lexi replied, “This is actually tame for her.”

“This, is tame?” The android questioned, pointing in the general direction of Cherry.

Cherry waved with a smile. Lexi nodded, unfazed.

“Yep.”

“Huh. Funny.” The android replied.

They stopped as they finally make it to the end of the blocked off road where another road block was. Guards and drones awaited on the other side, surrounded by curious androids. 

Lexi sighed, “Yep. Can you distract them for a bit? Im sure a “resurrection” will scare them. Just scream ‘I’m alive’ or something. That’ll be sure to do the trick.”

“Oh, of course! I do owe you one after you saved me! I’ll be sure to put on a show.” The android said, amused by the idea.

Lexi smiled, “Thanks. Now go, distract them”

The android nodded, carefully moving the road block to not make noise, running towards the guards outside the road blocks’ protection like a lunatic. 

“THANK THE ROYALS, I AM REBORN!!” The android exclaimed loudly, startling the guards and alarming them of her presence.

“Sir- uh- Ma’a- er- whatever you are, Are you okay!?” A guard stammered, dumbfounded by the situation.

“YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND, SIR!” The android shouted, pointing their finger at the guard and tapping their face aggressively. “I TOUCHED CORROSION AND I WALK AMONGST IT WITH NO DAMAGE!”

Lexi ran off to “The rig” with Cherry while the guards continued to be dumbfounded by the android.

“I AM ABOVE YOU MEASLY ANDROIDS!! FOR I AM ALL POWERFUL-” The android shouted in the distance.

Lexi snickered, continuing to run until he reached the rig. The building itself was decorated with wood and made with brick. A poorly made sign of wood letters read “The rig”. The wood was clearly repurposed. Lanterns illuminated the place from inside and outside on the streets. It sounded lively with many androids chatting to each other. Lexi set Cherry down, causing her to hiss upon putting pressure on the damaged feet. Lexi coaxed her forward, slowly. He opened the door, looking for Golden claw.

Inside androids sat quietly. Some were up and about, playing their version of darts. Opposite of the darts game, a bar counter was lined up with seats taken up by androids. On the far end, was a familiar face. In truth it was the back of their head but they were recognizable enough. Lexi hesitantly walked over, hoping to god he wasn’t seeing things. Thankfully, Golden Claw turned around and not some stranger. He looked annoyed at them though.

“What took you two so long? I gave you the easiest path to follow and you took almost half an hour to get here.” Golden Claw snapped.

 Lexi looked unfazed, "Look can we take this outside, I need to wash her injuries and I don't think they want a bunch of water on their floors."

“It’s the safest path! How do you mess that up???” Golden Claw exclaimed under his breath, “What even attacked you?”

“Look, I’ll explain outside. I need to wash her chemical burns before it gets worse.” Lexi sighed

Golden stood up from the stool he was in with a sigh.

 “Thanks for the oil.” Golden called to the bartender, placing metal tokens onto the counter and walking with Lexi outside.

Lexi took off his coat and set Cherry on it, despite the fact the tiny coat did barely anything.

“Water.” He ordered, with Cherry summoning a bucket of water. He took a piece of Cherry’s outfit and used it as a rag to wash her wounds.

He didn’t look up as he continued to clean her wounds, “The guards noticed us once again, and Cherry attempted to distract them but the tree appeared less interesting to them. We got rid of most of them with a root wall, but the drones followed us. So we went into a blocked off area. It wasn’t the best choice but it would have been fine if Cherry didn’t dive straight into the black ooze to save someone! So that’s what took us so long.”

“Black ooze!?” Golden Claw sharply retorted, “This graceful idiot stepped right into Corrosion!”

“Corrosion?” Lexi asked, “Is that what it’s called?”

Lexi took out a roll of bandages from his pocket and wrapped them around Cherry’s legs.

“Yes!! That is a metal-dissolving acid capable of melting androids in mere seconds!” Golden Claw exclaimed, “Who knows what that stuff does to humans?!”

“I’m not human-“ Cherry reminded

“Cherry. Take off your dress.” Lexi ordered, interrupting her

Cherry took off her dress, struggling slightly.

Golden Claw sighed, “You two are idiots… What made you even walk through that stuff!?”

“I heard someone calling for help.” Cherry replied as Lexi washed her torso with water.

She closed her eyes as Lexi dumped the rest of the water on her, back to looking at Golden afterwards.

“So you saved someone?” Golden Claw replied, “Well, I’ll give you that. You did what you had to. You seem like the soft type, anyway, so not that big of a surprise you’d throw yourself into danger to save someone.”

Cherry smiled, summoning a light pink dress with a black collar and black skirt decorated with little light purple flowers and splothes of light pink. She put the dress, and her boots, on and then smiled at Golden again.

“That doesn’t mean you’re not an idiot. You still very much are for stepping in that stuff.” Golden Claw added.

“It feels different when Lexi calls me stupid.” Cherry noted, before shrugging.

Lexi meanwhile lit up like a fucking lamp, “Cherry no- Go to therapy-“

“We don’t money for that.” Cherry replied, unfazed.

“Now that’s over with, you two need a way out of here. That’s what I wanted to talk about.” Golden Claw informed, brushing past what they said.

“Well yeah, that’s what we have been trying to do.” Lexi replied, “I said that last time too. We can’t climb back up the hole after all.”

Cherry held her hands open for the frog to jump into, smiling as she booped it.

“I might know a way out, but it’s a long way from here.” Golden Claw informed, glancing at the frog with a weird look.

“Of course it is.” Lexi sighed, “Well it’s not like we got any other choice.”

Cherry yawned, setting the frog back on her shoulder. Lexi looked at her with pity, knowing she already used a lot of energy.

“You two might be able to escape through the capital. The locals tell me there’s an exit there.” Golden Claw suggested, shrugging at the idea. “I don’t fully believe it but it’s worth a shot if you’re desperate enough.”

"So you’re going to lead us there?" Cherry asked, tilting her head to the side slightly.

The thought of having to be around these two idiots annoyed Golden Claw. But as he was about to shut it down, he thought for a moment. 

“Whatever, I’ll help you idiots. You two can’t help but keep getting into trouble every five minutes.”

Golden claw paused for a moment before continuing.

“On one agreement: Stay out of my way and don’t question what I tell you to do! You’re trying to survive here and I’ve lived here my whole life!”

Cherry immediately hugged Golden, "Yay!"

Lexi sighed, "I'm sorry about her. She's stupid."

“I can tell…” Golden Claw replied, leaning away from Cherry in an awkward manner.

 “Okay, that’s enough!” He exclaimed, pushing Cherry back to Lexi gently.

“To reach the capital, we need to get through the city and through Silver City to make it to Gold, which is where the capital is located.” Golden Claw informed, “To get between cities is the hard part.”

"There's more????" Lexi asked, "I thought it was just this place!"

"The guard earlier mentioned a silver city, so there must be more." Cherry replied.

“Yeah, no. Welcome to Gear-Topolis!” Golden Claw sarcastically said, “The Metropolis of androids!”

"Ah, great." Lexi groaned, "Just what we needed, more guards!"

“Well, I can’t help you if you aren’t willing to go through the inevitable wave of guards ready to slaughter you two.” Golden Claw discouraged, “Unless you got any ideas.”

Lexi looked at Cherry, “Cherry has her powers, dunno how much that will help. Right now she needs to rest, she won’t be any help if she crashes. If she crashes she’s down for at least 24 hours. You can’t wake her from that as far as I know.”

Golden Claw looked at Cherry, sighing in annoyance. “Let’s call it quits for the day. I know a place you folks can stay while I plan for an escape route.”

Lexi picked Cherry up. Cherry didn’t yelp this time. She yawned and leaned into Lexi, his coat held in her hands. He took the coat and covered her head with it, to hide the horns

“That sounds good.” Lexi replied, “I can explain her powers to you if you need, she’s showed them to me before. Dunno why, it looked like a bird showing off its feathers though.”

Golden walked ahead of the two, heading out of the alleyway and leading them to the spot. 

“What a waste of time…” Golden claw muttered under his breath.

Lexi sighed, holding in a. insult as not to wake Cherry, and followed Golden without a word.

Continuing to follow Golden Claw, Lexi started to notice that the places they passed through seemed familiar.

“We’re here.” Golden Claw informed, walking to the home from before.

“Are you sure…?” Lexi questioned, clearly hesitant.

“Yup, this is where we’re setting up for a while.” He assured. 

As he said that, the colossal android had awoken. Unfazed, Golden Claw began to sign to them, greeting them in signs, with the colossal android signing back. Lexi blinked, reading the conversation.

“Hey, dad I’m home.” Golden signed to the android. 

“Hey, it’s  great to see you! I see we have some guests?” The android replied, his hands creaking with each sign movement.

“That’s your dad???” Lexi questioned, “Oh your poor mom-“

Golden Claw stood there, speechless and glaring Lexi in the eye. 

“Im adopted, beef-for-code!” Golden spoke aloud snapped 

Lexi blinked and then snickered. Golden paused for a moment before the realization finally hit him.

“Wait you can read sign?” Golden Claw exclaimed, a bit surprised.

Lexi looked at him confused, “Yeah, been able to since I was young. Took care of the deaf kids.”

Golden Claw looked at Lexi for a moment, silently staring. 

The creaking from the android’s fingers then signaled him and Lexi to look over at him.

“Aren’t you the filthy intruder that tried to break into our home!?” The android signed, seeming somewhat angered judging by how he signed.

“I ONLY LOOKED AT YOUR CABBAGE!” Lexi signed back, hands shaking in intensity.

One hand was noticeably limp, weakly holding Cherry’s weight while Lexi signed.

“Well, it’s probably best you get some rest.” Golden Claw advised, brushing over what had just happened.

Lexi sighed, "Alright. Where's the place with the least amount of sharp things?"

“Just lay on that pile of rags over there. We usually use it to gather scrap metal but it should be fine to sleep on” The android signed, pointing to a pile of construction tarps and other rags.

"Thanks." Lexi signed back, laying on the pile.

Lexi adjusted his position and put Cherry on top of him, supporting her like a mattress. Cherry fell asleep immediately. Lexi however, watched Golden claw tinkering with something before he dozed off into sleep.

Chapter Text

I’d say 11 years earlier but that would be a lie, so maybe 20 years ago???

Day after day Jake continued to film. One day it was about the cherry blossom demons. Another day it was a speech about Jorirun going after them. He only sounded more deranged with each recording. And after the camera switched off? It was like nothing happened. Bright blue eyes looked at Aristide as if they truly had any emotion within them.  Teeth unnaturally pristine especially in such an economy as the one they lived in. While the director had teeth stained a light yellow and rotting teeth that would be ripped out by dirty pliers. Compared to Jake, you could tell who had suffered with the collapse. It was sixty years ago yet poor abandoned kids still wandered the streets in crowds.

Aristide remembered one of those kids very vividly. Blue eyes, blond hair. Just like Jake. Blue eyes stared at Jake as he flashed prints of money and giving it to the food stall owner with the deal said owner would spread the propaganda further. The kid was missing a tooth. By the looks of it, the little boy seemed to be no older than six. Aristide could remember the way the boy ran up to Jake and kicked him. Jake had shouted in pain and cursed the kid, but the kid could care less as it ate the stolen food.

Aristide could remember seeing kids like him when he himself was younger. He wanted to help them. He wanted to help the less fortunate. And now? Now he worked for a corrupted government who hoarded supplies that the public needed much more than they did. He drank wine while homeless children fought over scraps of food.  Children who’d kill for the money being spent on a camp.

And for what? It was inhumane and cruel to its future inhabitants. Jake was given a unit from the army. They bowed down and shouted “yes sir!” to Jake’s every order. Their faces hidden behind soulless black helmets. Guns sat in their hands, black as well. They were covered in black, like soldiers of darkness. Heartless and cruel just like the men in suits themselves.

It was necessary.

IT WAS NECESSARY.

Aristide stood in the dirt field, watching as the heartless soldiers practiced their drills. It was only shortly after being taught how to disarm cherry blossom demons. The drawings, perfect like all of Jake’s drawings, was still on the chalkboard. All of it in graphic detail. Each line perfectly capturing what would happen to so many innocents. Malere stood by his side, quiet as he watched the soldiers. Dirt blew in the wind, staining Aristide’s coat and glasses. Glasses he wiped again and again even if he truly rather not see what was in front of him.

Aristide could hear Jake’s footsteps behind him. He chose not to turn around as the footsteps got closer.

“Aristide what’s wrong?” Jake asked, voice tempting and soothing.

A psychopath always knew how to read and manipulate people. It was a fact Aristide knew well.

Aristide sighed and looked back at those shining blue gems, “You know exactly what is wrong.”

Jake’s smile faded as his mood quickly soured.

“Aristide may I remind you what’s on the line here?”

Aristide took a deep breath and turned back to the soldiers in front of him, “I am aware Jake. I keep telling myself that.”

Jake smiled once more, “Just imagine the things we will discover. Brain transplants, arm transplants, separating conjoined twins. Or maybe we can solve mental disorders, wouldn’t that be amazing!”

Aristide forced a smile, “Yes, that would be amazing. Imagine all the people it could help…”

Of course that wasn’t a thought on Jake’s mind. Why would it be? He cared little about the public. He didn’t care about the kids that angrily stared at him on the streets while he lived in luxury. He had no empathy, such a thing normal for a psychopath.

“Yes, it could help so many people. I can just see it now.” Jake replied, hands tracing Aristide’s cheeks.

In reality he saw the money he’d get for such discoveries. However that thought left Aristide’s mind as soon as those smooth hands touched his cheek. Jake laughed softly as Aristide shivered at the touch, heart pounding in his chest.

Was it fear? Aristide wasn’t sure. He doubted it. It wasn’t impossible for psychopaths to feel love. Maybe, just maybe he did? Maybe that smile was true. Jake was just doing what was necessary after all.

“We will have to round up the cherry blossom demons soon.” Aristide reminded.

“Yes, I have seen resentment start to fester. It’s the perfect timing.” Jake replied, “Do you want to come with me when I make the footage?”

Aristide noticed the way he slowly replaced the word “propaganda” with “footage”. As if he truly cared about Aristide’s feelings. Had Jake noticed the way he grimaced hearing propaganda?

“I must, I am your partner after all.” Aristide answered professionally.

“Yes, that is true.” Jake responded with a soft chuckle.

“When do you want to make the footage?” Aristide asked.

“Do you mind if we do it today?” Jake responded in question.

Aristide preferred it was over as soon as possible.

“If anything I’d be happy if we did it today.” Aristide answered, ignoring the way venom dripped into his voice as he replied.

Jake either didn’t care or didn’t notice as he let go of Aristide with a smile. Aristide watched as he walked over to the general and gave him orders to give to the soldiers. The general nodded and Jake walked back over to Aristide.

“Come on, let’s go.” Jake spoke with a smile, as if excited for what he would do.

A small boxy black car drove over when Jake signaled them to come closer. The driver inside said nothing as Jake took the passenger seat while Aristide and Malere took the backseat. The driver turned the key and the car started, coughing and wheezing from years of use. The government cared little about the condition of its cars unless it was their tanks. What precious few they had left. It was like collecting old cars from your prime.

The car stopped in front of the filming studio. Still in crumbling condition like last time. Inside voices were shouting, one male and clearly the director with the other being a female Aristide didn’t recognize. Jake seemed interested in the conversation, walking in quietly as not to be noticed.

“I worked so hard and for what, for you to abandon me!?” The female shouted.

She was dressed in a glittery yellow dress. Blond hair and blue eyes that stared at the director with anger and tears.

“You just haven’t been as good since you had a child.” The director said, unapologetically heartless.

“Our child!” The woman shouted, “I abandoned that child just for this! Don’t you dare discard me now Ricardo!”

The director, Ricardo, looked around nervously as she continued to step closer. Red glittery heels clacking against the floor.

“I did everything for you!” The woman shouted, “What will I do now!? If I go out onto those streets I will be used like a sex toy! Or worse, kidnapped!”

“Well you’d should have thought of that when your performance was becoming lackluster. The crew has been complaining you have been less cheerful than you used to be.” The director replied.

“Less cheerful?! No shit!” The woman snapped.

Her heel stabbed into the wall next to the director.

“I had to abandon our child! My precious baby!” Tears flowed from the woman’s eyes, “Do you know how much it hurt to see those precious blue eyes look at me unaware of what I was doing!?”

The director didn’t reply, having noticed Jake and Aristide standing there.

“I apologize, one of our actors isn’t taking her dismissal well.” The director laughed nervously as he dodged the woman’s other heel.

When the heels didn’t work, she charged toward him. The director yelped as she tackled him to the ground, screaming and crying.

“BURN IN HELL!” She shouted as she ripped out clumps of hair.

The crew began to panic as they tried to get the woman off of the director. She screamed and shouted as they ripped her off of him, clumps of hair falling out of her hands.

The director stood up, hair messy from her attack, and laughed nervously.

“Apologies, what are you here for?”

In the background the woman still screamed at him, throwing pieces of expensive jewelry. Jake watched her and then turned to the director with a smile.

“We are here to make our last announcement.” Jake replied with a smile.

The director’s smile faded as he heard Jake speak. Aristide couldn’t help but feel pity for this pathetic man. Though he felt less bad for him being played by Jake after what the woman said. Perhaps that strange little child was theirs. The resemblance was quite obvious.

The crew stood still for a moment, as if still shaken by the events that had still unfolded. The director shouted at them and they moved with a jolt. Crew members ran across and set up the stage in a hurry. All evidence of the women’s meltdown being tossed away. Tossed into a trash can that would take the heels to a landfill like she herself never mattered. Forgotten in the flood of greed.

The red stage was set into place for the last time. Cameras adjusted to show Jake as a saint. Ego rising like a ball being inflated. A small plastic pink basketball sat in Malere’s hand, having fallen out of the woman’s purse that was left forgotten. A purse they probably planned to sell. A crew member looked at the bag with sadness, noticeably female. Her male coworkers didn’t bat an eye at the fallen star. Makeup artists forgot about the woman as they worked on Jake’s perfect face. A face that always needed more and more and more perfection. One layer was never enough. The world always demanded more and more.

More. It screamed.

MORE! It demanded, hands reaching for his coat. Pieces falling to the ground. Hands fighting over the smallest piece of him. Knifes cutting slices of him until there was nothing left.

“And action!” The cameraman shouted, smiling brightly while ignoring his own growling stomach.

Jake turned to the camera, “Dear viewers I thank you for tuning in. Today is the most important announcement. The cherry blossom demons are at their most dangerous. And for your safety, we will lock them away. Please call the number on screen to report them to the CB task force I have established just for the public’s safety.”

Jake’s hands pointed to the side where a number would be displayed upon the footage’s final edit. A number Aristide had watched Jake make. A whole line with someone to answer on the other side of the phone.  Multiple secretaries who’d cheerfully answer the phone, unaware of the true fate that awaited those turned in by their neighbors. Betrayed by their country.

“And just in case they attack you, remember.” Jake continued, signaling Aristide to roll the whiteboard into view.

Aristide set down his clipboard where a picture of his late wife sat next to a notepad. For a moment he stared at the picture. She was smiling in the photo, hand on top of her stomach. In the background yellow and orange leaves littered the ground. Orange hair swayed in the wind, almost blending in with the leaves. Then he snapped to reality and rolled the whiteboard into the stage.

Jake pointed to the pictures, “Tear off the horns, as this weakens them.”

Then he pointed to another picture, “Rip out the nails, those are their main weapon. If they suddenly start to grow longer, that’s when you put these protocols into place.”

He turned to face the camera once more, “Remember, horns and nails.”

The camera shut off and the crew went back to their positions they’d sit in for god knows how long until their next production. Which would probably be a overdramatic show. They weren’t bad though… at least from what Aristide could remember. It had been so long since he could sit down and relax while watching actors by overly dramatic for the sake of a show. Aristide looks at the picture sitting on his clipboard, remembering she too used to love those shows. They were her favorite thing to watch. Though the film industry hadn’t recovered in the vacuum of economic drought so there wasn’t much else. The same cartoons ran on loop, with a few new ones that’d die soon due to lack of funding. While Jake’s propaganda could continue to run with his influx of money

Jake stepped down and thanked the crew, slipping money into their pockets as a contract of silence. A contract they took eagerly without reading the contract itself. The director himself even took it, holding the bills close to his chest. Aristide walked off the stage and toward his clipboard, grabbing Malere’s free hand. The other one held the small pink basketball meant for another child.

A child that would never know what love was like. And that would only become more common, wouldn’t it?

Chapter Text

A human stared at the castle he would enter. It was a familiar castle, decorated by white and gold. A pillar of golden bricks held the roof up, though the bricks could be moved with just the right movement of his hands. A janitor dressed in white uniform angrily scrubbed at an oil splat. While the overgrown plants continued to be ignored, only growing more wild by each visit. The golden guards paid no mind as the janitor continued to get more upset. Citizens of the golden city walked by without a glance at the janitor. The other janitors looked at the angry one with concern, dressed in the same messy white uniform that was covered in stains. Dust clung to their gears, meaning the queen’s wing of the castle had been cleaned recently.

The janitor continued to get angrier and angrier until the fuse within him blew. He began shouting, startling his coworkers who ran to the guards. The guards pulled him off of the oil he had begun to attempt to rip off the wall. He was simply dragged away with an annoyed sigh from the golden guard that didn’t get paid enough to deal with the king’s horrible management. The human stared blankly at the scene before slipping past the gates.

The king stood by the entrance, eyes directed at the guard in front of him. Each guard a copy and paste of each other. Different accessories being the only thing to differentiate them.

“Your majesty I have a matter to report.” The guard spoke.

The king groaned, annoyed as per usual. The human almost always saw the king in a bad mood. The human had only seen the king smile a handful of times, and that was years ago.

“What is it?!” The king snapped.

The guard sighed, “Unfortunately the janitor cleaning the oil stain has gone insane. The other janitors are stating it cannot be cleaned.”

“Cannot be cleaned!?” The king shouted, “Then what am I paying them for!?”

There was a moment of silence before the king sighed.

“The nightly report?”

The guard nodded, “A guard was killed but otherwise nothing out of the ordinary.”

“How do you keep losing guards? There’s a protocol, follow it! See to it that all guards receive a review on the nightly protocol.” The king scolded, only caring for the numbers and not the androids who died.

The leaders, unbeknownst to the human sneaking around the castle, walked through the intercity tunnels hidden by harsh security. Two androids looked at each other as they walked through the tunnels. The bronze android wore a worn out suit and black fedora. The silver android wore  a salvaged green dress and matching cardigan accompanied by custom green heels that clacked against the ground with each step.

“I’m surprised you’re not happy to see me.” The silver android teased.

“I’ve seen enough of you. I’m tired of you.” The bronze android snipped back.

A third android wearing a (insert outfit here) looked at them both with annoyance before walking ahead of them. Both androids went silent, noticing the metal tendrils on the third android’s back were twitching. At the end of the tunnel golden guards opened the door and bowed before the three leaders. Janitors cursed under their breath as they cleaned the dust behind the third leader.

“Come on, come on-“ A janitor mumbled.

The human jolted at the sound of heels, quickly moving out of the leader’s sight. Especially that third leader.

“COME OFF, GREASE!” Another janitor shouted.

A guard signaled to the human to come closer.

“WHY IS THERE SO MUCH DUST!?” A third janitor shouted.

The human let out a sigh of relief as the guard grabbed their shoulders.

“HOW DID SHE GET ENGINE GREASE ON THE DOOR HANDLE!?” A fourth janitor shouted.

The guard guided the human down a dark hall within which they could hide at a moment’s notice. A note was passed from the guard to the human with the human nodding in confirmation.

The castle walls were decorated in the same white and gold. Finely dressed servants ran around in a panic as they tried to grab supplies. Paper flew out of their hands, paper they’d scramble to pick up before it touched the ground. Pencils clattered in their containers as the servants ran. The pens did the same, though the sound was slightly different. Art decorated the halls in golden frames, some familiar to the human and some not.

The leaders stopped at a display case holding a metal crown that was decorated with jewels found during the underground city’s creation. Above the case was a portrait of the late queen herself. In it she smiled, hands placed gracefully on her lap and crown shining from artificial lighting. Her dress matched the king’s outfit almost exactly. However she wasn’t in the king’s room. The background was of her own room, a place the human knew very well. Each of the leaders bowed and payed their respects to the late queen. The human placed a flower near her display case.

“Hey, you!” The king’s voice shouted.

The human jolted, turning around to see the king glaring at him. For a moment they both stared at each other, before the human began to run away. With the king running after with creaky joints as he shouted at the human. The human continued to run until he disappeared into the queen’s bedroom. A guard ensured his escape by reminding the king of his meeting.

The human blinked in confusion, there wasn’t supposed to be a meeting today. The human supposed it was why the guard gave him a note instead.

The king grumbled and walked off, creaky joints giving his location away like a built in tracker.

The leaders walked into the meeting room, the highest room in the castle. It was the only room within the tower. It was mostly the same as the rest of the tower, only the walls were taken up by large one-sided mirrors only the leaders could look through. A circular table sat in the center, banners behind each seat depicting a different area of the underground city. Some the human knew better than others. Each of the three important androids stood in front of their chairs, waiting. The king walked into the room with his creaky joints, systems screeching in protest to his excessive movement as they strained to push oil through his internal tubing.

“I apologize sincerely for the unexpected meeting. However it seems trouble has been coming up recently” The king began, smug even as he coughed from his system straining itself.

The leaders sat down as a servant guided the king and his creaky joints to a golden decorated by salvaged jewels. A few were noticeably missing on the throne legs, though not one of the leaders said a word about it.

Instead the bronze one scoffed, “This meeting better be worth the time it took to get here on such short notice”

The king’s eye twitched in annoyance as he silently dismissed his servant.

“Maverick.” He warned with a low growl.

Maverick simply looked at the king, annoyed and unfazed. The king groaned in annoyance, rubbing at his forehead.

“Must I remind you Maverick?” He sighed.

“Remind me what?” Maverick shot back, immediately becoming defensive.

“Your failures.” The king replied, “The guards’ disappearing act, the unwelcomed intruders, the city’s newest junkyard worker-“

“Are you sure you know how to manage a city?” The silver android questioned, acting as the king’s little cheerleader crab.

“It’s not like your any better Eleanor, androids didn’t often it’s a game and a nursery rhyme!” Maverick shouted back.

Eleanor gasped despite the lack of a mouth, “how dare you! Your citizens are in poverty!”

“Like your citizens are much better off. My population has increased bc they can’t afford to live within the silver city!” Maverick replied.

“They aren’t working hard enough!” Eleanor shouted, hands shaking the table as she stood too quickly.

“We work hard every day in bronze, that doesn’t change it Eleanor!”

“More work equals more  money, what are you not getting!?” Eleanor questioned.

“What are YOU not getting?!” Maverick snapped.

Metal tendrils grabbed the both of them by the collar of their outfits before they could get close enough to cause each other injuries.

“ENOUGH YOU TWO! I’M TIRED OF YOUR BICKERING!” The third leader shouted, “Now… what’s the next course of action sire…?”

Maverick crossed his arms and turned away from the third leader. Eleanor however kicked and desperately tried to escape the tendril’s hold. The third leader sighed, unfazed, and put them back down in their seats. With Eleanor dusting herself off.

“Thank you Katherine. Maverick organize yourself and your city, you’ve been sloppy lately. I shall assign my guards to follow you. All of you should be on high alert.” The king spoke.

Maverick nodded his head no, “They can’t even catch the vampire in your castle, what use would they be at capturing humans?”

“You only caught the golden menace twice and for minor offenses at that!” Eleanor shouted back in the king’s defense.

“Enough! No one has caught them, yes. That is why I’m saying to be on high alert! THEY CANNOT GET PAST THAT FIRST WALL!” The king shouted, causing the leaders to go silent.

After a few moments they all nodded.

Chapter Text

Paper flyers waved in the harsh wind. The wind wailed as if it too mourned that would become of the neighborhood’s inhabitants. Grey clouds dulled the light, with rain beginning to damp the flyer that taunted the neighborhood. The fireplace crackled warmly as a man  coldly stared at the tv in a hunched over on a stool, eyes filled with hatred. Short puffy dark red-magenta hair made the man stand out from the bright colorful walls that decorated the room. Each wall decorated with patterns traditionally Spanish. Something her father, the man staring at the tv, would be proud of. Spanish culture decorated every corner of the house, including the carpet Cherry sat on. Even the dolls Cherry played with resembled flamenco dancers, a dance her father was very familiar with. 

Takashi was one of the city’s most famous acrobats. Loved and cherished by all the tourists who came for the weekly parade that her father was apart of. His smile bright like the sun that would shine behind him. Her mother always described his smile to be a toothy grin as his canines were more visible when he smiled. Today however, there was no smile on his face. He still hadn’t changed plain white blouse and black leggings he wore to work. His boots were tossed in anger, across from the shoe rack by the door. 

“Dad?” A young Cherry asked, dressed in a simple pink embroidered dress.

The man’s expression softened as he turned to Cherry, rough and worn hands shuffling her hair with love in his eyes.

“Chēri there’s nothing for you to worry about.” He reassured.

“But you seem upset.”

The man sighed, “It’s a grown up thing, ok?”

Cherry looked at the tv. The propaganda man spoke with a smile, blue eyes staring at the screen in a taunting fashion. Mocking those who knew the truth of the words he spoke. The neighborhood had been talking frequently about the mysterious man on tv, calling him the propaganda man in place of a proper name that he purposely withheld. For days since the first footage the adults had been whispering with concern. 

Cherry held her doll more closely, “Are they going to hurt us?”

The man gently rubbed her rubbed her shoulder with a reassuring smile, “I won’t let them hurt you or your mother.”

Cherry’s mother walked into the room, wearing her white blouse with embroidered flowers and a green skirt. Her appearance much lighter in color than her husband’s, but just as beautiful. Wooden horns stood tall with blooming cherry blossoms. Cherry’s own were merely stubs with tiny buds, too young to stand tall like her parent’s horns. 

“Dear I told you to stop staring at the tv so much!” Her mother said with concern.

Her father’s expression quickly became one of anger again.

“After all I have done for this country and this is how they treat us!?” He snapped.

Cherry knew her father was proud of his culture, displaying it in a beautiful fashion to the tourists every day. If not in a parade he was on a stage preforming tricks to make all in the audience smile, even his boss. Cherry wanted to be him someday, displaying both cultures in a beautiful fashion just like her father.

“That’s just how humans are. You know they even hate each other.” Her mother reminded.

He sighed, “Yes, I know. It’s not fair, they never had a problem with the mermaids!”

“Humans and Mermaids have had their fair share of troubles Takashi. Humans are not always the most accepting.” 

Her father sighed, “Is dinner ready?”

Her mother smiled, “That’s what I came here to tell you. I made your favorite, paella.”

Her father’s expression lit up with joy. One could swear they saw sparkles in his eyes when paella was mentioned. Her mother chuckled and smiled, walking back into the kitchen to set up the table. Cherry never understood what was between her parents at the time, with her mother simply having explained it as the true love like in fairytales. Yet she knew something felt right when her mother smiled at her father with eyes full of adoration and affection.

In the dining room decorated by Spanish walls was a traditonal Japanese table with “pillows” that acted like the seats. Something that according to her father, her mother had insisted they’d have. A fourth seat sat at the end near her mother, suggesting something they had not told Cherry yet. Cherry however, had an idea from hearing her parents whisper behind the door when they thought she was asleep. The paella was placed on the table in Japanese bowls with a fork in the bowl instead of the usual chopsticks. One of the few times they were not used. They all sat down and prayed in Latin words, unaware this would be the last time they sat in that dining room.

In the morning Cherry was awoken by shouting. She jolted out of bed, still in her pajamas and ran to the living room where her parents stood. They themselves having barely gotten dressed. Hair unkept and full of knots from moving in their sleep. Children cried and screamed as thundering footsteps followed their tiny ones. A voice on the megaphone shouted for them to come out peacefully. Wooden horns snapped in the distance, each snap making the screaming get louder.

“What’s going on?” Cherry asked, voice shaking.

Esmeray held her daughter close as the thundering steps approached their door. Her husband walked toward the door with a sigh, smile like a shield hiding the emotions underneath. The man at the door was dressed in black GEO armor with the wet flyer in his hand.

“You are the Soler family correct?” The man asked.

Esmeray nodded, “Yes, that’s us. What is it?”

She looked at the armored man with unease, instinct screaming to defend her child from the man who stared at her husband with a face made of ice.

“You need to come with me.” The men directed.

“All of us!?” Her father snapped.

“Yes.” The man replied.

“Why!? We haven’t done anything wrong!” He snapped.

“Sir please just come with us-“ 

More men walked over hearing the commotion of her father’s shouting.

“I have poured my heart out for this country!” Her father shouted, “What have I done to deserve this!? I’ve seen those messages, I’m not stupid!”

The men looked at each other and then back at her father who didn’t stand down to their harsh gazes made of the coldest ice.

“You can either come with us or we take you by force.” 

“Oh you want to play that game, huh?!” Her father challenged, ignoring the pleas of her mother telling him not to do this.

He turned to his wife, who held Cherry close to her.

“No Mi amor, I’m not just going to let them take us. I have poured my heart out to this country, and this is how they repay me?!” 

Her mother sighed, knowing there was no winning either way. 

“The backdoor will give us more time.” Her mother replied.

Her father’s face lit up in a smile.

“Come on, let’s go and play this game!” He shouted, laughing joyously.

Cherry, too young to understand the situation, giggled with her father. He began to run, signaling for her to follow him. The guards began to shout. Cherry covered her ears as the guards only began to get louder. Their footsteps like thunder on a stormy night. Their voices like knives stabbing into her ears. Then the guards grabbed her mother, pinning her onto the ground roughly. Her father stopped in his tracks, running to her. The guards grabbed him by his arms.

“Mi amor!” He cried.

The guard’s hold only tightened. Hands reached out to Cherry. Around them mothers attempted to run with their children only to be caught. Men held their hands around tiny horns that snapped like a twig in their grip. Blood poured onto the street in waves, from the young and old alike. The elderly were kicked out of their wheelchairs and shoved onto the ground where they’d be beat until they stood up. Again and again they fall, leading to more beatings. The baton made a loud slap upon contacting with the recently exposed skin. Some having been hit so many times their clothes began to rip.

“Let go of me! Get your hands off me! Let go of my wife you bastards!” He shouted.

Her mother flinched as they cracked her father’s horns. He screamed and kicked like a scared deer. Fear was visible in his eyes as he shouted at them in an attempt to appear threatening. Blood poured down his face. His body went limp, staring at the guards with rage in his eyes. A guard grabbed Cherry in the midst of her terrified daze. Rough, heartless, hands that gripped her far too tight. All she could think of as her father began to shout at the guards again was how the touch burned.

“Don’t you dare!” Her mother shouted, “Just let go of me and I can make sure she doesn’t fight!”

The guards looked at each other and then her mother, roughly pushing Cherry to her mother. The men let go of her mother who ran to Cherry, soothing her with gentle touches. Cherry burst into tears, afraid and confused. The men rolled their eyes underneath their helmet at her cries, muttering just how annoying it was. Cherry screamed at them. There was no words. Just a loud shrill that could be called a scream.

“Come on get up!” The man ordered, hitting Cherry’s mother with his baton.

Esmeray flinched at the pain but stood up gracefully. Their hands reached toward her horns. She smacked their hand and ripped her horn horns, defiantly tossing them at the ground. The men stared at her. She stared back.

“Go on, pick them up.” She spoke calmly.

The men grumbled in annoyance but picked up the horns and added them to the box full of horns. Horns that’d be used for firewood to burn their houses once they were locked behind a fence away from the rest of the country. The men led them in a line to school buses that were being repurposed to send them to the place the propaganda man talked about. Guards shoved them into the seats, cramming a demon in every square inch of the hot bus that lacked air conditioning. Blood continued to drip onto the ground, staining the seats and metal floor of the bus. Guards shouted at each other, making sure every citizen of the neighborhood was crammed into the buses. Once they were sure, they got onto their own bus that was far less cramped and told the drivers to “go to the location” on the radio. 

The bus began to move, coughing and sputtering like the elderly that were beaten until they moved. Most of the passengers fell asleep, unable to stay awake in their current condition. Cherry however was left awake, staring at the men in armor. Their eyes stared back harshly, a silent warning telling her not to mention it. Cherry turned to the window to avoid their gaze, only to meet the heartless gaze of endless dirt decorated by a few dead trees. When the dirt finally ended, it was only to arrive at tiny wood houses surrounded by concrete wall. The passengers were smacked awake by baton and then preserved to go toward the wall’s only gate in a straight line. 

Esmeray sighed and helped her husband up despite her own condition. Cherry could see the exhaustion in her mother’s eyes but was forced to continue leading her mother in the line by the guards. An assistant checked the files for the names of every demon slowly walking into the camp and assigning families a cabin number.

CB-1

CB-2

CB-3

The list only continued to go on and the line wasn’t getting much shorter. Guards beat mothers who tried to beg and plead despite the hopeless situation. A pregnant cherry blossom held her stomach closely as her family followed her protectively, running off adrenaline until they would finally crash. 

“Last name?” The assistant asked, snapping Cherry out of her trance.

“Soler.” Her mother replied

“Your cabin is CB-56.”

Cherry’s mother didn’t reply, dragging her husband down to their cabin number as Cherry followed. A man on a wooden stage smiled. 

Blue eyes. Blond hair.

A face she’d never forget. And a smile that would never leave her memories.