Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The sound of his guitar got the attention from everyone in the bar. That place was in the middle of nowhere, so it was a surprise to have someone new around, specially a musician. He was standing in a small stage, wearing a black smoking, shoes and sombrero with musical notes sewn on the edges. His guitar was skeleton themed, probably to match his new body since he found the way to live beyond normal age. He was Poco, the immortal musician.

  He started playing for everyone, not caring if they seemed to enjoy the song or if they just had their eyes locked in the small amount of gold he was carrying in his pockets. The musician didn't care about being rich anyways, so he wasn't afraid of the thiefs. The reason he wanted to live for so long was simply to play his musics forever... But, for some reason... There was still that chill on his spine, like if death was still watching him. Poco walked around the place, trying to ignore that feeling, but then, he spots the cause of it. 

  There was someone else standing out in the "crowd". A tall figure, wearing a black cape, a big black hat and beside him there was what seemed to be a long stick with a lantern attached to the end. The man raised his head just enough to be able to look Poco in his eyes:

  - What's wrong, musician? - the man asked - Keep playing...

  Poco looked around and saw everyone confused. He stared at the exit and his instincts told him to run, but he was paralyzed by fear. The man smiled and took his weapon, revealing he was carrying a shovel. Suddenly, he dashed in Poco's direction, throwing his table away. The musician dodged at the last second and tried to run. Another dash and he was now on the ground outside. Everyone went behind them to see what was happening, but no one dared to interfere. They all recognized the assassin.

  He had his shovel prepared to go right against Poco's face. Looking down at him, he told the skeleton: 

  - Remember this, Poco, never dare to come back, 'cause I'm the immortals' reaper... I will always take you down.

  It was a dark night. The clouds covered most of the moon and the trees were all twisted, seeming to try to grab any unwanted guests. The howlings of wolves, the sounds of bats and crows flying around, the feeling of being stalked by unknown creatures in the forest could make anyone run away in fear. That's why Tara was having so much trouble with making Gene walk forward. Every little sound made the little purple guy shrink in fear. Sometimes he would try to fall on the ground, run, take his lamp and shoot random trees. She was starting to lose her patience, but unfortunately, he was someone very important for her mission.

  As they followed a path, they soon started to enter the cemetery. Tombstones were the main decoration, with the names of people that either tried to cheat death, or, that Mortis was simply paid to kill. Soon, they reached the mortuary, though, that place worked more like a house. Tara and Gene stopped right on the doorstep and she rang the bell. 

On the inside, Frank was washing a huge amount of dishes when the bell rang. He gave a growl, and kept doing his task, until Mortis could be heard on the second floor:

  - HEY FRANK, CAN YOU OPEN THAT? I'M VERY BUSY HERE!! 

  Frank gave a loud growl, which Mortis understood as him saying he "was also busy":

  - CMON, YOU CAN STOP THE DISHES FOR A SECOND! I'M DOING SOMETHING THAT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!! 

  Frank turned off the sink with an angry growl. He walked upstairs, to find Mortis experimenting with 4 different hats (they weren't that different actually). On the outside, Tara was trying to keep Gene away from the doorbell, until they both heard Mortis screaming followed by the sound of something falling. They stared at each other, wondering what happened. The door was finally open, revealing Mortis with some scratches and bruises: 

  - Good evening, Tara.

  - Is Frank in a bad mood today? - she asked while trying to look behind Mortis. Frank was walking back to the kitchen.

  - Might be because I "ruined his party" last weekend.

  - Of course you did.

  - No I didn't, I was the soul of that party, he was the one to break our walls.

  - Yeah, sure.

  - If you came here just to make another session of sarcastic commentary, you might as well leave. I don't have time for- OW! - Mortis is interrupted by a kick right on his leg.

  They looked down just in time to see Gene running to go inside the house, completely scared of being outside:

  - What in the fuck? Tara, don't tell me that guy is the someone you've been looking for.

  - He isn't the god, but he has information about them - Tara explained as she entered the mortuary too.

  All of the three went to the living room and sat on the couch. Mortis was trying to fix his hair, Gene was playing with his lamp and Tara was taking something from a bag she was carrying with her:

  - So, Mortis, I'm going to need your help to deal with that idiot over here - she pointed to the purple blob dude. 

  - He won't tell you want you need?

  - Kinda... He quite literally won't tell me nothing.

  She signals Gene for him to speak. He tries to do so:

  - Hablablablbl 

  - Excuse me?

  - Something happened to his mind and it's all that lamp's fault - Tara explained.

  - How do you know that?

  - The genie told me.

  - "Genie"?

  The lamp floated away from Gene's hand:

  - Me.

  Mortis looked at the lamp, then to his friend on the other side of the couch:

  - Tara, I'm still only in my eight hundreds, please tell me I'm not crazy yet...

  - You are crazy, but also, the lamp indeed can talk. That's the magic genie.

  - Greetings! - the lamp spoke again.

  - Okay then... What happened to his mind exactly?

  - Well... - the genie started - I might have tried to trick him into swapping places with me. But accidentally, his mind was taken instead of swapped with mine. I believe, however, that my magic may have destroyed it as soon as it got here, because it is nowhere to be found in my prison. 

  - What?!? Why would your magic do that?

  - You know... Genie trick magic isn't only applied to you mortals, but for me as well. He wasn't specific enough for my lamp.

  - So... What now?

  - Now - Tara said - I'm going to steal his wishes.

  - I already told you! That's impossible - the lamp said.

  - Yeah, he seems to be right. Gene doesn't have a mind to even talk, how are you going to - he was interrupted by Tara.

  She had taken a card and showed it to him. The card had symbols the genie couldn't understand, but Mortis could and he did. The assassin stood up and walked to somewhere around the house. His friend also got up from the couch, looking over Gene and his lamp. He got back, carrying his shovel with him:

  - Wait, hold on, what are you two planning? 

  Tara laughed and showed the card for him again:

  - I wonder how easy it must be to control a body that has no mind... But, just in case... Mortis, put him to sleep.

  - Sure thing, ma'am. 

  He immediately tried to hit Gene, but the little guy dodged and grabbed his lamp:

  - Hey! Stop that! You're scaring him, and I don't want this mortal using my magic just because of you- the lamp is interrupted by another attempt. 

  Gene dodged again. He ran to the exit, but Tara immediately went on his way. He raised his lamp and rubbed it. Immediately, a magic hand showed up and pushed the woman away, her cards falling all over the place. He looked down and picked up one of the cards, then ran to the exit again:

  - Tara! He's escaping! - Mortis dashed over the exit and then ran after the guy.

  Tara took all her cards and went running right after. When she got to them, Mortis had his shovel on the ground and his hands raised:

  - What are you- 

  She was interrupted by her friend:

  - HE HAS A DARK CARD! 

  She froze in place and looked at the purple dude. His lamp was close to the card, too close:

  - Gene... Give that card back, we don't know what these two magics together could do.

  He kept his aim, right on their direction:

  - Listen... We are doing this because we don't want to hurt you. If you're asleep when I use my magic, there isn't the risk of you feeling the pain that my cards cause... I just want to use one of your wishes to find the sand god and then you can wake up.

  - Wait, the sand god? - the lamp asked, just a second before Gene inserted the card on him. 

  The lamp turned black, and his eyes kept changing between yellow and green:

  - What is HAPPENING!?!? - he said, as strange magics mixed together.

  Tara immediately felt a headache. Her glass eye was staring directly at the genie lamp with a murderous look. The lamp could hear his whispers:

            Kill Tara.... Free me...

  The lamp turned back to its colors again and shot a weird dark purple hand, that tried to attack the duo. Mortis got Tara out of the way and the hand passed them, going directly against the mortuary. As soon as it reached the place, the magic spread all over the ground until it disappeared. The two got up and looked at Gene and his lamp, unsure of what had just happened:

  - What was that? Tara, what card did he use? - the assassin asked her.

  She looked through her deck, checking for what type of card it was missing.

  Suddenly, the ground started to shake. They all looked around. In one of the tombstones, a zombie crawls out of its resting place. Then another and another and another… Tara finally answered Mortis:

  - He used one of my spirit cards - She showed another card of the same type, looking too calm for this situation - The one I can use to talk to the dead, you know?

  The zombies looked at the assassin and they were all filled with rage for their murder. It was immediately clear that they wanted revenge. They all ran back to the mortuary, as the zombies tried to run after them. Getting inside the house, Mortis immediately closed the door, trying to keep the undead out:

  - Shit! Tara, they're definitely coming after me, I need to hide!

  - You know… It would be fair if they killed you - she said, while taking the empty card from Gene's lamp.

  - THAT'S NOT THE MOMENT FOR JOKES!! 

  - Not a joke, Mr. Eight hundred years.

  One of the windows is broken and the zombies start to get in:

  - AH! EVERYONE, LET'S GO UPSTAIRS!!! - Mortis ran as fast as he could from his enemies.

  The other two followed him. As they arrived there, they discovered some of the undead had already come inside through windows, since they could climb the walls outside:

  - They're fast... - Tara said.

  - HERE! THERE'S A CLEAR ROOM AT THE END OF THE HALLWAY!

  They all got in and the assassin closed the door. He held it while the zombies tried to break it open:

  - How did you know nobody was here?

  - I always keep the window of this room locked after- Mortis stopped himself - uhm... Never mind that.

  - So... What now? - Tara asked.

  - I don't know, maybe you can find a way to fix this weird spell? 

  - I may know a way to fix this situation - the lamp spoke - and a way to give you, miss, the wish you need so much.

  - ... Go on.

  - I have, not only information on the sand god, but I can also take you to him, all you need to do is to not hurt this little man.

  - How can I know you're not lying? 

  - Because he was the one to take me to Gene. I know which body the god is currently living in.

  - It's a deal then... But I might have to hurt YOU to fix this mess - she says, as her spirit card got its power back.

  - Well... I guess I can take it for-

  The window is broken. Falling in the center of the room, there was a huge bomb that was about to explode:

  - WATCH OUT! - Mortis screamed as he tried to protect himself.

  A big explosion destroyed most of the room and sent them all back to the hallway. Somehow, the assassin managed to get back on his feet just fast enough to try to protect himself, but he wasn't going to stand for too long. There were too many of them. Gene was on the ground, he was the one to get the worst of the explosion, Tara on the other hand, managed to protect herself with her magic, but she couldn't stop the impact against the wall. Her head was spinning and in pain, she could barely stay on her feet, constantly falling back on her knees every time she tried to stand up.

  She was looking for her card, which had fallen from her hand again. When she found it and took the lamp to make the spell to reverse this madness, Tara looked at her friend. He was being punched and kicked and dragged while he begged for help. A voice echoed in her mind:

  - Kill them...

  She looked at Gene and then at Mortis. It would be so easy. All that needed to be done this time was to use the right card... She looked at her deck. It had her deadliest card. As her hand went for the card... she somehow snapped out of it and took her hand to her forehead instead. The glass was slightly cracked, not enough for Arat to escape, but enough for his influence to become stronger. She took her spirit card and made sure not to listen to his whispers again. Whispers that were slightly louder now.

  She shot and the magic hand went to the house again, creating the same effects as earlier. This time, though, from the tombstones, a lot of magical shadows showed up and went after their zombies. Each being dragged by force back to the dead-world. Everything finally got silent. Mortis got up and went to check on Gene. Tara, on the other hand, stayed on her knees, looking at the end of the hallway. The shadows looked like him now, all of them trying to convince her to free Arat. She felt a hand on her shoulder and heard someone talking, but her senses were still confused because of the recent breach:

  - What... Did you say? - she turned her head to the side but didn't make eye contact with her friend. It was clear her mind was partially somewhere else.

  - I said that we should go outside, just to make sure everything is in order - the assassin replied.

  - Oh... Right, right. 

  Gene went to the living room with his lamp while Tara and Mortis checked the tombstones. The woman stayed silent for most of the time, and her friend didn't dare to break the silence in a situation like this. He was too afraid of what she was trying to keep as a prisoner. It didn't take long for them to go back to the mortuary. As they entered the house, Tara said: 

  - I'm going to have to meet her again...

  - Who?

  - The witch, Mortis.

  - Oh yeah... That weird lady knows how to fix your glass eye, I forgot about that. Do you want me to keep an eye on the purple dude and his weird genie lamp thing?

  - It would be a nice favor.

  - Don't worry, he's going to be very busy fixing my house.

  They both laughed a bit as they entered the living room but stopped as soon as they noticed someone else was in there with Gene. It was a girl, checking something on her phone. Her hair was purple and mostly thrown to only one side of her head, while her body was full of cloth bands, like a mummy. She looked at them and her face went from someone calm and distracted to of a very pissed teen:

  - Uncle Mortis...

  - Heeeeey!... Emi-

  - It's E.M.Z now, actually. Can you explain why in the F you brought me here? I was in the middle of one of the best concerts ever, and I was like, streaming for at least fifteen thousand deads...

  - What? I didn't bring you here. There was a magical accident, that's all...

  - Well, in that case, can you take me back, like AZAP? I need to go back to my job.

  - Since when did using your cellphone become a job?

  - Ugh, Mortis, are you already too old to keep up with ANYTHING from this century? 

  - … You know what? You're right, you need to go. Tara! - he turned to talk with her, but she wasn't there - Wait, what? Where did she go?

  - She left, why?

  - Why? She's the only one that can take you back without me having to kill you ag- Wait, how did you get here anyways?

  - What were you about to say? - Emz asked confused.

  - No, really. Your tombstone is far away on a hill...

  - Oh yeah, thanks for the long walk - she said, sarcastically.

  - The spell must have scattered much farther than what we thought. But if it reached that hill, then that means it could have - he realized something that got him worried.

  He ran outside, Gene and Emz followed him. He took a hidden path that was taking them to the hill, his niece in particular was having a hard time going through the path because of her high heels.

  The duo finally reached Mortis, that at a certain point had run straight up to the top without them. He had a look of disbelief on his face while he stared at an unnamed tombstone with a hole in the ground. It was clear that whoever was resting there, they were gone:

  - That bastard – he muttered.

  - What? - Emz asked - Speak louder, Mortis.

  - That bastard... HE'S FUCKING BACK!! - he took his shovel and, with one swing, destroyed Poco's tombstone.

  Not that far, on a ship, Poco was tied up. He stared as the pier he was exploring became distant. Suddenly, a big robot, that looked a lot like a mix of a canon and a bomb, threw themself from one of the masts, landing in front of their prisoner. A kid showed up from behind Poco, taking his hat and putting on herself, even though she still had her own hat on her head:

  - Looks like we've got a new sailor, boys! 

Chapter Text

  Tara sat down, resting against a tree. She had to control herself to not break it completely. The glass eye was terribly cracked and Arat was screaming on her mind. She was feeling weak, desperate for his voice to stop:

  - Just BREAK IT already... You won't be able to fix it now.

  - Shut up.

  - You'll be free from this burden. BREAK IT!

  - Shut UP! 

  - Break it, break it, BREAK IT, BREAK IT, BREAK IT!

  - STOP!

 She felt a painful headache.

  His voice echoed everywhere. The shadows were all on his form, too close to her own. They weren't real, but they felt just real enough to make her slowly insane. Tara wasn't just fighting him, but her own thoughts too. She wanted to be free from this, but not in the expense of the world. But is it really fair for her to suffer forever because of people she doesn’t even know? What about the people she does know?

  Her thoughts are interrupted by a sound in the forest. She wasn't paying attention to her surroundings, so anyone could sneak up on her at that moment and it would be the worst thing to happen. She now had to focus on Arat and if there was anyone getting close to her... But what if now Arat is also tricking her with sounds? 

  "Meow"

  Tara looked to the side. There was a black cat right next to her, looking at her. She sighed in relief and patted the cat:

  - You scared me, kitty... What are you doing just walking alone in a forest?

  She heard movement behind her:

  - He isn't alone - an unknown voice replied.

  Tara turned slowly to see a young woman carrying a gun, pointed at her. She looked at the stranger and noticed her weird and specific style. She was mostly wearing purple clothing, with a big and pointy hat and a short cape on her shoulders and back. Her gun was in the format of a small cauldron. Tara then realized:

  - You're a witch.

  - Wow, how did you guess? - the woman said sarcastically.

  - Of course. If there is a black cat around, his friend isn't far either. You can put that gun down, I won't hurt the animal

  - You think I'm stupid? I recognized that evil spirit you're trying to keep. That's Arat and he's almost completely free.

  - If you know about this spirit, you should know that if you shoot, it will be a mistake.

  - Yeah, but just in case he tries to take your mind or something... I'm keeping the gun up. Now, get up, you're coming with me- she pulled Tara to stand up.

  - What? Why would I go anywhere with - she interrupted herself because of a strong headache. Arat started screaming in her mind again.

  - Because of that. I'm fixing that glass for you.

  - You can do that?

  - Of course I can. Now let's go already, I need my stuff at home - she pulled Tara by her wrist, guiding her through the woods.

  Starr, one of the most chaotic countries you could ever live in. It has a desert, it has cities, it has farms (nobody talks about those), it has beaches, it has mountains, it has everything in such small region. For a better idea, the desert is next to a dark forest who lead to the mortuary, next to super city and next to retropolis. It's hard to explain the weird phenomenon that is the borders. One moment you're on sand, the other you're in dirt or mud. Some say they even left the city at night, but as soon as they stepped out of the borders, they met the chill afternoon of retropolis. Most think it's a chaotic curse, but others think it's a blessing.

  For little Sprout, it was definitely a blessing. He travelled only for three hours and already collected all of the seeds and plants needed. He was carrying a red little cart with some vases with plants and was now going back to super city. The robot stopped for a break, since his body and his plants were starting to warm up from the sun. He watered them and then rested while watching the collected plants. There were roses, sunflowers, daffodils, cactuses... And many more.

  After another thirty minutes, he reached the entrance to super city. Going from the killing hot and dry weather of the desert to the more chill and windy weather of the city, Sprout was finally safe to run, since he wouldn't overheat anymore. He sprinted through the street, not noticing the attention that his plants were getting.

  As the robot arrived at Rosa's Floriculture, he took them to the lab on the backdoor of the store. His boss loved botany, so Sprout knew all those plants would be a good surprise for her arrival. He organized all of it in their respective places, until he heard the bell from the store. The little guy ran to the entrance, but it wasn't Rosa who arrived, it was Bea.

  As soon as the woman saw him, she lowered herself a bit to give him a hug. Even though Bea was short (almost a third shorter than Rosa), she was still slightly taller than Sprout. She was wearing her yellow uniform, as always, but her classic helmet was well kept on the lab. The robot noticed something on her wrist and pointed at it:

  - Oh, this? I finally finished that drone I was building. I will finally help Rosa with more efficiency - she answered.

  Bea pressed a button and a little bee drone started flying over them. Sprout spun in excitement, even though it was impossible to tell because of his constant neutral face. Bea smiled at him and walked to the lab:

  - Did you bring new plants today?

  His response was a random robotic sound:

  - I can see you did! We’ll take a look at them right after we water some of the other plants.

  Bea took a watering can and started to check each plant. She walked past the plants Sprout had brought, assuming they were already watered:

  - Those are all beautiful, Sprout! Where did you find all of these varieties of - she stopped on her tracks.

  When the robot noticed what she was looking at, he spun again and pointed at the new cactus.

  - Sprout, did you make holes in it?

  The robot shook his body (he turned side to side):

  - Are you sure you didn't make anything with this cactus? Because it looks... Different.

  They both stared at the odd-looking cactus, until the doorbell was heard again:

  - Good morning, everyone! - Rosa could be heard on the entrance.

  She was a tall woman, wearing some exercise clothes at that moment, her usual glasses and she was carrying a backpack with her. Rosa always liked to go to the gym before working, it made her more energetic for the day. She walked to the lab while finishing a bottle of water she had in her hand:

  - I'm here to give you guys some special instructions. Today things might get busy.

  - Rosa, can you look at this cactus?

  The boss went and bent down next to them:

  - Oh, that's an odd one, did Sprout pick them today? 

  - I guess so. 

  The little plant raised their hand and waved slowly at them:

  - Oh look, it's a nice lad - Rosa waved back at them - I guess we can keep them here for now. Just don't let them touch my projects. 

  - Ok. What instructions have you got for us?

  - Today, there will be a big brawl event. I need you too to make sure my store won't be vandalized again by those people from the "Bastard Fan-Club".

  - Oh... Right, the El Primo thing. Don't worry, we will keep an eye on them.

  - Now Bea, remember, most of El Primo's fans are huge and you are... small. Don't be stupid. Do NOT start any conflicts. Close the store if you need to, but don't get near those fans, you understand?

  - Don't worry, boss! I'll make sure everything will stay s-plant-did and I'll bee safe.

  Rosa chuckled a bit: 

  - I’m serious, Bea. Good puns won't save you from them if they get angry.

  - Hey, I promise I won't do anything stupid. Now go home and get ready for the experiment! We will need you here to get that plant ready.

  - Yeah, yeah, I'm going - Rosa waved at Sprout and the weird cactus.

  They both waved back. She left, so now Bea turned her attention back to her new friend:

  - Well... Guess we have a guest? Be comfortable little dude. We will be at the store, taking care of things...

  They both walked out of the lab. The cactus stayed on his pot, staring at nothing.

  An hour passed by. Everything went most peacefully. Sometimes the cactus would walk through the lab but not really touch anything. Some clients appeared. Bea and Sprout had almost finished their tasks for the next hours, and they had the plan to do some experiments of their own in the lab (Rosa allowed them to do anything as long as it didn't ruin or interfere with any of her own projects).

  They were with the little succulent again, making them company:

  - What if I gave them a name, Sprout? Is it a good idea?

  The robot just looked at the unnamed friend. They seemed to not react to the idea:

  - What type of name should I give them? Hmm... Do you like funny names? Like Pokey, or Sharpy, maybe Greenie... No, that one is just awful... I guess Prickle is also-

  They raised a hand and a cactus ball was created with magic. They turned to her and their smile faded:

  - Okay! Okay! You didn't like those names, it's okay! They're just ideas, Jesus...

  They stared for another second.

  -... That one wasn’t a suggestion...

  The ball disappeared. The girl looked at her robot friend, kind of worried.

  A sudden sound outside of the store got their attention. Bea and Sprout walked to the store. Since the counter was for Rosa's height, they could easily hide behind it without no one seeing them. Bea looked over the counter and saw some people having a heated argument outside:

  - Oh no.

  Those people were using different types of merch from some of the most famous brawlers from Super City. Some were using El Primo masks, others were using jackets based on Colt's style, others were holding fake guns of many types.

  The Super City Showdown was a big event. Ten people from the city would be chosen to participate in a game of life and death. With the latest technology, somehow, anyone that is killed is brought back like nothing happened. Rosa used to participate, until she was defeated in 10th place thanks to El Primo himself. Since then, it has become very dangerous for Rosa and her assistant to walk on the streets every time the event returned.

  Bea hid behind the counter and looked for the door's controller. They had an automatic gate installed to close the store easily and faster. She looked around the lab and found it:

  - Don't worry guys, I'm going to - she hears the store's bell.

  She looked at Sprout and saw the robot freaking out as he pointed at something. Bea reached him and looked at the door. Nobody had gotten in, they came out.

  Through the windows and the glass door, both could see the cactus standing in front of those brawl fans. It was hard to understand what they were saying, but it was clear that no one liked the plant. Some of the people bent down and picked some of their petals, just for the laughs. The cactus seemed upset about those people messing with their flower. Their smile faded again, slowly becoming a frown. Bea pressed the button on her controller when she saw the plant bringing their cactus ball again. The store gate lowered fast.

  Bea and Sprout waited. The gates got damaged by huge spikes all over it as they heard banging against the metal. It stopped after some seconds, so the gate was raised back up. They both left the store and met with all of the fans full of thorns on their body, crying from the pain:

  - Did you two created that monster? - one of them asked.

  - N-no... Where are they? - Bea looked around. 

  Sprout gave her a little tap on the shoulder and pointed to the street. From not too far, they could see the small succulent running through the road:

  - Oh no - she started to run after them - Hey! Come back little guy! 

  Sprout followed right after her.

  The cactus ran while throwing spikes all over the streets, leaving a trail of hurt people, so it was impossible for Bea to get close enough to stop them. They kept running, passing through many stores, always leaving a crowd behind, in complete fear of that little abomination.

  After turning at a random street, the plant saw a school and tried to run inside:

  - Wait! Don't go in there, your spikes are going to hurt the kids! - Bea tried to warn them.

  In an instant, they stopped and slowly turned to look at the girl. She got nervous. It was impossible to tell what they could possibly want:

  - ... Did I say something wrong?

  They walked in her direction, still frowning. When the cactus reached her, their hand was raised and they pointed at Bea:

  - Uh... What? - she looked down, trying to understand the sign.

  The girl noticed they were pointing to her name tag:

  - ... The name tag? … Oh! You still want me to name you?

  They shook their head.

  - You chose your name?

  They shook their head again.

  - You already have a name?

  They nodded. The cactus pointed at their own arm and then removed a thorn, showing it to her:

  - Uh... It's... Uhm... – she took her time to think - Is your name… “Spike”? Is that what you want to tell me?

  They nodded. Spike tried to feel his flower, still with a frowned expression stamped on his face:

  - If you're upset about your flower, you can come back with us. Rosa can help you to heal it and-

  - Spike isn't going anywhere with you!

  The three of them are startled by the new voice and turned to them. They saw two women, Tara and Shelly. Shelly was wearing a blue cap with a star on it, a blue jacket with star references on it, her shoes also had a star... It was very clear that she chose a theme for the outfit:

  - What? Why? Who are you? 

  - That's none of your business, miss buzz buzz. Spike! Come over here, we're going back home! 

  The cactus tried to hide behind Sprout:

  - They're not going with you! They're clearly scared of you.

  - Well, they should have thought twice before accepting my conscience spell.

  - Spell?

  - Yeah, just like this one - Shelly, out of nowhere, pulled her cauldron-like gun and a spell was shot at Bea.

  She immediately fell asleep. Sprout started to tremble, as Shelly got closer, so he ran away. The witch caught Spike and transformed them into a little normal cactus on a pot:

  - Is this really necessary? - Tara asked.

  - Of course it is, it's easier to carry them like this.

  - I meant coming here in the first place. Is it worth it? 

  - I understand your worries, especially now that Arat is... - she looked at the completely empty glass eye - well... It's just that... I can't really allow people to have any evidence that there's a witch in the city, these people would freak out.

  He stopped the recording and hid behind the school's outside wall:

  - A WITCH??? - he whispered the loudest a whisper could. The kid ran back inside the school, hoping he wasn't seen.

  The ambulances took a while to get to the attacked people. The near school tried to keep their students inside for as long as they could, but they had to send them home at some moment. Jessie was one of the few kids that was walking alone back home. She was passing by the blood and the weird spikes like it was just another casual day. She stopped on her tracks when someone started to call for her:

  - Hey, Jessie!!!

  She turns around to greet her friends:

  - Leon! Nita! How are you two? 

  Leon is the first to reach her, unsurprisingly:

  - I've seen, just, the WEIRDEST thing today!

  - Geez, Leon, you're way too excited about that - Nita comments, as she joined them.

  - I have seen, AND RECORDED, a REAL WITCH, Jessie! 

  - Hah, no way.

  - Yes way! I will show you girls. It was so weird, the witch even transformed a big cactus into a small one.

  - Are you sure you just didn't nap outside again? - Nita asked, mocking him - you're always doing that, maybe you had a dream that felt real.

  - I already told you, I have recordings! - Leon picked up his phone and unlocked it - I'm going to show the video.

  He messed with his cellphone for a few seconds:

  - Well, that's some weird news.

  - What news? - Jessie asked.

  - The arcade was attacked by its own owner. I wonder if 8-Bit is alright. He's usually a nice robot.

  - I'm still not that convinced of it, pretty sure he makes me lose on his games - Nita said.

  - What is the news saying exactly? - Jessie tried to look at the news on Leon's phone.

  - Jessie, I'm not reading all of that just for incomplete news.

  - It's ok, I'll read it - she took his phone from his hand.

  - Hey! 

  - So, apparently it all started very early this morning...

Chapter Text

  - Now listen closely, Tara. We have to tell you something.

  The young woman was looking at her parents, waiting anxiously:

  - You have been named like that for a reason and we promised to tell you everything about it once you were old enough - her father said.

  - Yeah, I remember that...

  - Well, today is the day. Your grandma has reached her eighties. Now, so she can have freedom for the rest of her days alive, you'll have to carry her mystical mission.

  - Mission? What mission?

  - Tara - her mother started - You're the new host for Arat's powers.

  - Arat? Isn't that just my name backwards?

  - No, you have his name backwards. This way you two can be linked safely, without him stealing your identity. Now, I need you to focus. You'll be going through a ritual, so remember to not let him steal your mind from you. You two are not the same, always remember that.

  - Wait, he can do what? - Tara is interrupted by someone blindfolding her.

  She heard unknown words and then... his first whispers:

  - Kill them.

  A portal was open in the desert. Tara went through it and looked around. She had arrived at her family's bazaar. They've been taking care of that place for years, so, if it wasn't for her emergency, she probably would be much more worried about the situation the place was in. Everything was everywhere. All of their products were on the ground or flying around, some things were broken, the rest of the sellers were doing their best to not be stolen in the middle of that chaos.

  Tara passed them, not bothering to talk with anyone about the issue. She could barely understand what everyone was screaming about. To her, it looked like some sandstorm happened. They were very common around that region and had always caused trouble for the bazaar, but never caused them to disappear from the map, that's why she kept walking forward, not making effort to be polite and, or, help. Her problem was much more important:

  - Miss, Tara! Excuse me! - a man came running. He was a merchant who worked for her - We have an emergency!

  - Just run the normal protocols for sandstorms. Gather the stuff, clean the sand and go back to work.

  - No, you don't understand. They were here!

  She stopped on her tracks and turned:

  - Who?

  - The god you're looking for! They were the one who caused this! 

  - WHAT?! - Tara immediately felt Arat's despair. He started to scream in her mind again, causing the well known headache - Urgh.... Where did they go?

  - They seemed to be going to the palace.

  She started to run. If there was a chance to stop that evil without even needing to fix the glass, she had to try to find them, right? Didn't take long for her to reach the palace. It was right in the center of their small town. As she rushed through the hallways, it was noticeable that there was nobody around except some servants asleep on the ground. "They were here. But where did they go?", her thoughts were racing through her mind. Soon, the woman stopped as she realized something:

  - Where's my brother?

  Arat laughed.

  Tara changed her route and soon found the "survivors". A few of her family's servants were in a room with a young teen asleep. As soon as they saw her, all of them took a step back:

  - Sandy! - She hurried inside the room and sat next to her brother. 

  The older sister was checking if he was alive. Thankfully, was just asleep. She took some of her cards and made a fast spell. It didn't take long for him to wake up. The boy opened his eyes a bit and looked around:

  - What... Is happening? - Sandy asked in a tired voice.

  - Sandy, are you ok? Are you hurt? - Tara said as she checked him again, making sure there were no wounds or marks on him.

  - I'm fine - he said, in a weak laughter, as he pushed her away a bit - Just feeling very sleepy.

  - Of course... Did they attack you? 

  - Who? 

  - The sand god. I've heard they've been here and almost everyone is asleep in the hallway. Did they attack you? 

  - Ohhhhh... - He stared at nothing for some seconds - Awn, were you worried about me?

  Tara sighed, annoyed:

  - Good to know you're fine - She stood up - Does anyone knows where the god went?

  Everyone shook their head. Sandy seemed to be slightly upset, or, maybe he was just tired, it was hard to tell:

  - Well, then I'll be going. Sandy, warn me if they show up again - Tara took a card and gave it to him.

  - You're already going? Geez, didn't even say hello yet. You spend months away and can't even stay five minutes here? 

  - I would have the choice to stay if I could just talk with the sand entity. They can free me from Arat, but first I need to find them. 

  Her brother looked down, thinking for a second:

  - If you could meet him, would you finally stay with... - he hesitated - would you finally stay here? 

  - Well, I probably would travel first. There are so many things I can't do because of this god damn spirit in my head.

  - Oh. Of course - He got up and got her card - I'll call you if they show up again. Why did you come here anyways? 

  Tara, first, made a sign for the servants to leave. They did as ordered and she told him:

  - I need to find a witch.

  - Oh, the witch? Well, I should have guessed from your cracked glass - he pointed at it.

  - Yeah. Are you going to be ok? I don't really like leaving you here with all this stuff to do.

  - What? You think I... - he yawned - ... Can't handle it?

  - Yes.

  - Very encouraging, sis - He gave her a pat on her shoulder and started walking. 

  They both walked through the palace, towards Tara's bedroom:

  - I know I gave you the card for any sight of the god, but you know you can call me for whatever emergency, right? 

  - I know, I know... You can chill out, once I get an extra nap, I will be able to keep everything in order. Unless another sandstorm happens - Sandy gave a chuckle.

  - I will never understand how you manage to keep this place running, while not caring for a thing in the world.

  - Maybe you need to care less. You always sound so stressed, Tara.

  - It's not stress, I'm just always alert. I can't ignore any signs from this bastard up here - She pointed to Arat.

  They got to her room and entered. Sandy laid on her bed, while Tara looked for something on her shelves:

  - However... Maybe I should try to listen to him less. It would probably expand my sanity's life span.

  - That would be good too. I don't want my sister crazier than the normal, it would be a nightmare. - Sandy's voice was getting weaker as he got comfortable on the bed.

  - Ah, there it is - Tara found a box, locked with her own dark magic.

  She opened it to find another special card, this time it had a mix of witchcraft and her own power. It was a location card:

  - This should take me to the witch's current location. I just hope she isn't anywhere that is too dangerous. Now, Sandy, remember to - she turned and saw her brother asleep.

  The woman sighed, walked towards him and covered Sandy with a blanket.

  - Sleep well.

  She turned around and threw her card in a random direction. A new portal opened and Tara went through it.

  Tara arrived and got immediately pushed by kids running around. She analyzed her surroundings:

  - I'm... In a fucking arcade? - She complained to herself - How am I supposed to find someone in this kind of place?

  8-Bit's Arcade, one of the most important places in Retropolis. It was owned by, you guessed it, 8-Bit the arcade machine. He was known to have a good friendship with Brock, one of his workers, and Ricochet, who visited daily. That day, 8-Bit was simply watching from afar, while Brock was checking some issue with another arcade game and Ricochet had just arrived. 

  - Mornin' everyone! - Ricochet greeted loudly.

  A lot of people greeted him back. Tara just looked confused. She walked to one of the corners of the room feeling overwhelmed. She saw Brock talking with the game, some kids running to see who would play a fighting game first, Ricochet immediately walking to talk with 8-Bit. Suddenly, everything was too loud and bright. All the laugher and screams and sound effects were making Tara shake in her place. She was feeling so weak.

  - Maybe I should just give up... - she muttered to herself.

  - QAAARRRRKKKK! 

  Tara was startled by another loud sound. Looking down, a man wearing a penguin costume was right in front of her:

  - Oh... Mr.P, greetings.

  - QAARRK QAR QAAAEEEEE

  - And you're still upset about the curse I gave you, of course... It's your fault to have tried to trick me with your contracts, you know.

  - QAAAARK QAARK QAAAARRRK

  - Hey! Card reading is fair business!

  - You can understand what that dude is saying? - a third voice joined the conversation.

  They both looked to the side to meet a teen playing in an arcade game near them:

  - Uhm... Yeah, I caused him to get stuck on this costume.

  - Cool - she replied, without taking her eyes away from the game - He has been annoying everyone since the arcade opened today.

  A sound of a lost match is heard from the game:

  - YOU PIECE OF SHIT - she screamed (in japanese), and kicked the machine.

  - Ow! - the game complained, then a face showed up - Not cool, Bibi! 

  - Shhh! I already told you to not say my name so loud!

  - Wait, "Bibi"? Aren't you from that gang from around? - Tara asked.

  - Yeah, why? Do you want to have problems? - she took her bat, which was resting next to the arcade before.

  - Not at all... I just wasn't expecting you to be playing - she paused to read the game name - "Kitty Strike 3 - The force of the paws".

  The girl's face became slightly red and she walked away in silence, but making a treatining sign to Tara.

  Mr. P was also gone, probably to be someone else's inconvenience. 

  The woman sighed and took some time to think. She looked to her side. It was noticiable that a shadow was hiding near her's. "You knows this is an easy place to break this thing, don't you?" she thought.

  "This place is perfect to break your mind too."

  - You'll have to try harder than that - she mumbled to herself.

  Tara spent some time looking around. Sometimes people would bump into her, other moments Arat tried to distract her with hallucinations. She eventually gave up, sitting back at the same corner from before. Her eyes scanned the room one last time. Kids playing, the workers laughing and talking, the machines sometimes would unplug to take a break, another one had an error screen, and a black cat with big yellow eyes looking at Tara from the other side of the Arcade...

  She immediatly got alert. A cat?

  It started to walk around the place, so Tara went right after it. If she lost it from her sight, she would lose her last chance to find the witch.

  Meanwhile, Mr. P had walked to the owner of the arcade. He obviously only said penguin gibberish:

  - What? - the machine asked.

  - QAAAAAAARKKK! - the cursed penguin yelled.

  That left 8-Bit more confused:

  - Brock, can you help me with this one?

  - Sure thing, boss - he walked to the two of them - Whats the problem, dude?

  - QAAAARK QAR QAAAAAAARK - Mr. P looked furious.

  They both stared at him in confusion.

  As Tara followed the cat, she kept her attention up, trying to find it's owner. "She must be here if the cat is here, right? " she thought for herself, or maybe to Arat. Didn't matter, 'cause he never answers, unless he has a chance to mess with her mind. The cat ran to someone and stopped next to them, meowing. Tara stopped when she spotted the owner of the cat:

  - Finally...

  The witch took the cat on her arms and turned to Tara:

  - Oh, it's you.

  Shelly was wearing a different set of clothes from her usual. She seemed to be star themed or something. In one of her hands there were some posters. Tara looked at them, trying to identify what they were about:

  - What? This? - the witch asked - It's just some missing posters. You wouldn't happen to see my friend around, right? His name is Colt, usually red haired, if he hasn't painted that shit again. Usually dressed like the stupid idiot he is.

  - Still on a love-hate relationship with your friend, I see.

  - Urgh... no, it's just, that jerk promissed to me he would pay his debt by winning that stupid brawl challenge, but he is literally NOWHERE!! - Shelly tried to calm down, breathing for a second - well... I see you still have the same ol' problem?

  - Yeah... Had an accident on the mortuary. I was hoping you could fix it again, I can pay any price if means to shut up Arat.

  - Así me gusta! Let's just go to my house first, these people here kinda don't like the whole... witch thing - she says the last part whispering to Tara. (Kinda translates to: "that's how I like it")

  While they talked, behind them, there were happening some issues. Bibi was waiting near the entrance for her cousin, Bull, when an arcade machine approached:

  - Bibi! Where is my apology?!?

  - What? Oh please... can you please not talk to me when I'm almost at the exit? - the teenager tried to hide herself - I'm sorry i kicked you, but can you go back to your stupid place?

  - You know, you need to be sweeter sometimes. Check those anger issues, you're always kicking me and my friends when you lose a match.

  - Can you go already? I don't have time for moral lessons! 

  - First, promise you won't hurt us again, or I'm telling everyone you're top 8 on the game, just so you won't show up on the high score screen...

  - Oh for fuck's sake! LEAVE! - she swung her bat, hitting the machine.

  Everyone looked at the situation. 8-Bit immediately changed his face to an angry one:

  - HEY! No hitting! It's expensive to fix us and it really hurts! - the host went as fast as he could to them, which is the speed of someone walking.

  - Oh, give me a break! Your machine keeps following me like a creep and I'm just supposed to let it stay here?!?

  They start to argue. Tara and Shelly attempted to leave, however, Bibi was not only on the way, but also seemed to be on the limit of her patience. The girl end up screaming something in japanese to 8-Bit, and then hit him too. Everyone in the arcade seemed to either gasp or mutter something. 

  8-Bit put his hand in the smashed part of his body and his screen turned red in anger:

  - Player 2... Get ready. - he said, as he raised his gun on Bibi's direction.

  - Ah SHIT! 

  The two of them started to fight. Everyone tried to either take cover behind the machines or run through the exit. Brock and Ricochet, though, tried to stop the chaos: 

  - Dude! Chill! - Brock screamed to 8-Bit, but the robot ignored.

  - Please everyone! Leave the area, now! - Ricochet tried to push Mr.P out of the situation.

  Tara and Shelly got stuck in the middle of the running, pushing and fighting. Sometimes the witch would get nearly decapitated by the robot's shots, other moments Tara had to duck so the glass eye wouldn't be hit by Bibi trying to dodge 8-Bit. Everyone left, except for the ones I have named. Shelly had dragged Tara to get cover, Mr.P had thrown himself to the ground and the fight was still happening. 

  The teen jumped in an arcade, to get an impulse, and threw herself at 8-Bit's direction while he reloaded, managing to attack right on his hand and causing him to lose his weapon. It slid on the ground, landing next to the duo that was hidden. Ricochet ran to get the gun, to attempt to stop the fight, but Bibi was faster than him. As soon as he reached it, the girl swung her bat at him. The robot got hit, falling over the cover where Tara and Shelly were:

  - Great, how do we get out of this situation? - Tara asked.

  - Can't you teleport us or something? 

  - Well... Actually, yes I can.

  She looked at her deck of cards. There were a few types of portals Tara could use. She showed the card to the witch:

  - I might teleport us to the near forest.

  - Good enough! Now let's go!

  Tara prepared to use her card, but was interrupted by Brock being knocked back and falling against a bunch of arcade machines. Bibi showed up from behind their cover:

  - Hey! Do you think I forgot about you?

  - Ow, c'mon! I did nothing to yo-

  - DUCK! - Shelly pushed her to the ground, since Bibi tried to attack them. 

  Shelly ran passed the arcades, trying to find safety, but Tara felt her legs being hit by the bat. She fell down to the ground and turned to look at the girl:

  - Wait, WAIT!

  Bibi goes for a hit right in Tara's face. The sound of glass breaking is the last thing she heard before passing out. Shelly, watching from afar, took her cat and started to whisper a protection spell for the animal:

  - Gods have mercy on us, kitty - she dashed to the exit, trying to stay away from the destruction that was about to happen.

  A dark energy was forming near Tara's cards. 8-Bit saw the woman on the ground and immediately got worried:

  - ARE YOU CRAZY, GIRL? DID YOU KILL HER??? 

  - Oh please, she's just knocked out - Bibi turned to him, but was ignored since the machine pushed her to the side.

  - Brock! Ricochet! Call an ambulance and the police! Or the heroes! Just call help for this lady and someone to arrest this girl! - he said as he checked if Tara was still alive.

  Without realizing, the dark energy started to enter 8-Bit. Bibi laughed at his requests:

  - The police? The heroes? Here's a better idea... Call the mechanics to fix all the damage that I will leave in all of this STUPID ARCADE! - she, once again, attacked 8-Bit.

  The bat was grabbed by the machine:

  - You are a bad player... No. You're a bad loser - he said, with his voice slowly distorting.

  - How dare you! - she tried to pull her weapon, but his grip was too strong.

  - 8-Bit? - Brock said, from the other side of the room - Is she fine?

  The machine stayed silent for some seconds, then, out of nowhere, he started to shake violently. Bibi let go of her bat to take some steps back, but that wasn't enough.

  8-Bit turned around, revealing a completely white screen that emitted a strong light. In a blink of an eye, Bibi had disappeared, then Tara, then Mr.P, who was watching the fight instead of running for his life. Ricochet and Brock looked around confused:

  - Where did those people go to? 

  - I have no-

  They are interrupted by all of the machines shaking the same way as 8-bit before. They all showed on their screens: player 2 ready, player 3, 4, 11, 34, 56...

  The two of them were soon surrounded by the machines. 8-Bit got his weapon from the ground and said only one word:

  - Kill.

  Everything was dark. She could barely see anything. She could hear the plead of mercy from people she didn't know, however, one of the voices was standing out:

  - Tara! Please! You're stronger than him! - a weak voice on the void was calling for her. A very familiar voice.

  She tried to find whoever was calling for her, but suddenly, she was surrounded by a strong sandstorm. Tara heard someone running at her from behind, so she turned around to protect herself. There was a man standing in front of her. He was young and weirdly familiar. That's them, wasn't it? As the woman tried to approach him, the sandstorm got stronger and stronger and the shadows started to get darker and darker. 

  Tara tried to reach for him... But then, was awaken by Mr. P shaking her, completely in despair:

  - Woah, WOAH! What do you want??? - Tara yelled at him.

  She realized what happened when Bibi appeared destroying a robot with a sword, using a brand new outfit:

  - Holy shit, you guys! This is the best thing that has ever happened to me! Fighting robots with a cool sword? Literally having an Isekai situation happening in real life?? Being dressed as Drakura the heroine from Drakura and the legend of the imortal kings????? - Bibi then snapped out of her happiness bubble, when she noticed Tara and Mr.P staring - I-I mean... I guess, this is a bit cool and... Whatever.

  - Don't worry, I won't tell a soul.

  Mr. P made a random penguin sound.

  The girl just turned, pretending she was upset, but was actually trying to avoid eye contact.

  A voice echoed through the arena they were in:

  - A[L]l p[LA]ye-ye-ers READY?!? - 8-Virus was their new host.

  He talked to them from an unknown location:

  - The [GAME] will start soon!

  Tara got up on her feet and yelled:

  - ARAT! I KNOW YOU'RE DOING THIS! USING A BODY YOU CAN'T CONTROL WON'T WORK FOREVER! YOU'RE GOING TO GET BACK TO YOUR PRISON WHEN THIS END! 

  - The only ending you're getting, is your mortal [punishment] - 8-Virus replied, but then Arat's voice echoed in it's place - start praying for your life, Tara.

  - Take those two out of here! They have nothing to do with this!

  - Oh, but they do have something to be punished for! - 8-Virus' voice came back - That stupid teenager hurt me, my workers, my friends, my customers!! She's the worst! 

  - Thank you - Bibi said, as she rested her sword over her shoulder and left one foot over a robot to make a random hero pose.

  - You t[WO]- two deserve to be PUNISHED!!! 

  - What about the penguin guy? - Tara asked.

  There was a second of silence:

  - ... I just don't like him. He's really [W-WEIRD].

  Mr.P yelled penguin gibberish, Tara understood that as him cursing at the machine.

  - So- S-so LET'S GO TO THE [RULES]! Have any of you ever heard of...

  A bunch of walls, boxes, fences and three marks on the ground showed up:

  - Hot Zone? 

  The HUD of the game showed up in the sky. On the left, it was written: Player 1- Street Ninja [Tara]; Player 2 - Heroine [Bibi]; Player 3 - Agent [P]. 

On the right, it was written: Enemy 1 - Bot; Enemy 2 - Bot; Enemy 3 - Bot.

  - Oh, we're gonna have to deal with more of these robots? Easy. - Bibi said.

  Tara sighed:

  - There is a trick, isn't there?

  - Just st-stay on the Hot Zones™, and prot-t-t-t-tect the spot until you fill it up to [100] percent! 

  - Urgh... This is going to be awful - Tara said, as she took her new cards.

  On the normal world, Ricochet and Brock had made a barrier with random things on the Arcade. The robots were firing non stop, so they couldn't run and they couldn't fight either:

  - Hey, did you called the police yet, mate? - Ricochet asked.

  - I did, but, I have no idea when they are coming - Brock said.

  The both of them had their weapons prepared in case any of the machines tried to get close. On the outside, Shelly was hearing all the chaos, thinking if she should try to interfere:

  - Well... If I go in I might get hurt... Or die.  If I don't go in, Arat might be able to escape, so I will die. If I try to use my magic to stop him, people will hunt me down... And then I die - she thought for a while, then screamed - WHY DOES THE WORLD WANTS ME DEAD TODAY??? 

  She decided to go inside, holding her gun on her hands. She kicked down the door and met with the horde of 8-Bits firing at the duo's direction:

  - God damn it! - She immediately started running, trying to get cover somewhere and shooting the machines.

  Ricochet and Brock just watched her going for the attack. Brock, then, had an idea. He took something out of his rocket launcher and started aiming upwards:

  - 8-Bit will be so pissed - he said, just before he started to shoot rockets upwards.

  The machines started to be taken down by the rocket rain and Shelly's shots. Ricochet decided to join them, getting out of his covers and shooting the robots as well.

  Back in the Arcade world, they had won a few matches against the bots. Mr. P was amazed by the fact that he could throw suitcases and they would just pop back on his hand, Bibi wasn't feeling like she was being tortured at all, but Tara had a terrible sense that something was about to happen. They won their last match of Hot Zone:

  - Congratulations on beating my [BOTS]! But... It is time for your final challenge!

  The environment changed again. Now it had platforms to jump on, healing zones, spikes and a different set of walls all over the place: 

  - It is t-ti[me] for the BIG BRAWLER CHALLENGE! - 8-Virus voice echoed loudly from all directions - this challenge is simple, but not easy...

  - What is it, this time? - Tara complained.

  - This time, you're fighting... [Me]!

  In front of them, something started to materialize. First, it's four pink legs, than the body and arms, followed by his gun and finished at the top of his face. His body started to light up, with green taking over as his main color. His screen turned on, revealing his eyes and mouth.

  It was time for the boss battle

  The trio prepared themselves. 

  - Ge-Get [READY] - 8-Virus said - ... BATTLE [STAR]T!!!

  Instantly, his gun was shooting against them. The three of them separated and took cover on the walls. Tara started to pay attention to the sounds. One shot. Two shots... Three. Then she heard him reloading. She rushed towards 8-Virus in that opening and prepared her attack. Bibi followed her and Mr. P was preparing some robot penguins. 

  The teen reached 8-Virus first, giving him a knockback and a cut right on his leg. The cut disappeared but the damage was taken. Tara went right to a platform and was thrown in the air. She managed to attack him with her cards, but 8-Virus immediately slapped her still in the air, causing her to fall right in the ground. Somehow, she got no fall damage, but one of his shots passed right through her. She felt immense pain and the HUD showed her "HP" falling quickly. Tara ran to the nearest wall to protect herself.

  Bibi was keeping the robot busy. She would run too fast for him to aim properly. Sometimes she would dodge using wall jumps, going behind walls or just changing her run direction on the right moment. 8-Virus got so distracted, that he didn't notice his HP going down again. He searched for his enemy and saw a bunch of small robot penguins and Mr. P. attacking him. The penguin looked up and ran, as he saw the boss going for a slap right in the robots. They were all destroyed in mere seconds.

  As the fighting happened in the background, Tara had sat down, still feeling the pain. She was slowly recovering, but it was too little HP per second. Arat was causing that. All of the matches she would be the one to heal slower. He was trying to make that place her personal hell.

  "How can he still affect me?... Are we still linked?", she thought to herself. She looked at her cards. They seemed like they were made of pixels. Simply coded to do whatever damage 8-Virus or Arat wanted:

  - This isn't fair - she whispered to herself. She was used to having someone always listening - This isn't fair at all... I just wanted to live my life. Why did I have to be sacrificed? I couldn't even live around my brother without hearing you trying to convince me to...

  A dark energy started to appear from her hands. The glass eye, that was only glowing in pink, now started to create a hologram of Arat. Her cards started to look unstable:

  - I just wanted a normal life. To help my brother in the bazaar. To tell people about their signs and possible futures - she covered her face with her hands, feeling the anger slowly getting stronger - I just want to be free.

  She got silent. "Did... His voice...?"

  Suddenly, the pain she was feeling started to fade away faster. Tara lowered her hands to see a shadow figure in front of her. It was very similar to her and it seemed to be giving her HP. She stared at the creature, it stared back with an empathetic look in it's eye.

  The other two showed up, causing the shadow to disappear:

  - Hey! You're ok there? - Bibi asked - I'm kinda carrying the penguin already, I was hoping I wouldn't have to carry you too.

  - ... I'm fine. And I got a plan to take down the rest of that virus' life.

  - Oh yeah?

  - Just follow my lead.

  They all got out of the cover, running again in the direction of the big brawler. The machine started to shoot again. The team did their best to avoid all of the shots, until they finally reached the jump platforms. Three of them were thrown high up and Tara energized herself again. Her cards transformed in her old ones, but looking more powerful. She scattered them all over the sky and, in powerful explosions of energy, thousands of shadows were created to block 8-Virus' vision. 

  He tried to shoot all of the shadows, but everytime one was destroyed, it left a cloud of smoke behind, protecting the now falling trio:

  - Prepare yourselves - Tara warned, as she picked a card with a black hole in it - I'm going to keep him in place, you two take him down.

  - Got it! - Bibi said, excited for the opportunity to take down the boss.

  - QAAAAAAAAAAAARR - Mr. P was yelling in fear, while he tried to not get shot.

  They passed through all of the smoke cover, 8-Virus aiming at them. Tara threw her card, causing him to lose the aim as he is pulled to a place in the ground. The team then made their last attack...

  In the normal world, even with all of the shots, kicks, explosions and robots being taken down, the 8-bit horde kept trying to leave the Arcade. Suddenly, in the middle of them, the main 8-Bit started to shake again. His screen got white and a loud "YOU WIN!" was heard. The trio is thrown out of the game and are now back, still wearing their new outfits though:

  - They're back! Be careful, they're in cross fire! - Ricochet told Brock.

  They both stopped shooting. Shelly immediately rushed to Tara:

  - Are you alright? 

  - Let's just get out of here - Tara replied.

  - But the chaotic god-

  - He won't have control over the robot. Once they turn him off, we will take Arat back to his place.

  Shelly nodded and took Tara out of the way. Mr. P ran to the exit as fast as possible. Bibi, on the other hand, saw all the guns pointed at her:

  - Oh no...

  - FIRE! - the main 8-Bit ordered.

  They all did so, but someone was faster than them. Much faster than them.

  In a fraction of a fraction of seconds, Bibi was taken out of the Arcade:

  - Thanks - she said, as her hero helped her get back on her feet.

  - Don't worry! - the woman said. She was about to go back to the chaos, but stopped and looked again at Bibi - Cool costume. Fan of Drakura too?

  - Uh... Yeah. 

  - Cool. Talk again in a sec. - she ran back inside the arcade.

  The heroine arrived and was running all over the place, unplugging all of the machines:

  - Alright, I had to leave my city for this, so you all better quit with this non sense - she did a backflip over one of the machines and unplugged them - You guys are too nice to be destroying your own home.

  The robots tried to attack Max, the super city hero, but she was just too fast. Specially when she drank her energy drink:

  - Max to the max! - she started to knock down the machines that were fighting without needing their plugs, including 8-Bit. 

  Everyone left the place, leaving the hero to do her job. Surge, her friend and super city's super robot, was outside, keeping everyone away while the police arrived. The news were talking with Ricochet, asking about details. Tara and Shelly were sitting in a bench, trying to recover from the situation:

  - Are... Are we doomed? - Shelly asked.

  - We're going to be fine. I just need to know what they're gonna do to the arcade. If they break him, Arat might get free.

  - Shouldn't we stop them, then? 

  - I can't feel my powers anymore, so you would need to do that alone. Also, everyone seems to care for the machine. Maybe the hero won't break him. How are we going to your house afterwards though? 

  - I can help you two with that! - Brock approached them to join the conversation - I got my car with me today.

  - Hey, listen- 

  - He knows I'm a witch - Shelly interrupted Tara.

  - He knows? 

  - Yeah, he's cool.

  - Alright... Hey, Brock right? Do you know what happens to 8-Bit when he... Is considered to have malfunctioned? 

  - We usually take him inside the staff room and turn him off until someone can come fix him.

  - Well, tell the others to not call anybody before I take a look at him. 

  - Why? Are you a mechanic or something?

  - In this case, yes. And a free one, so don't complain.

  - Well... - he looked at Shelly, who just nodded at him - If my friend trusts you...

  They all walked to his car and he drove them out of Retropolis.

  On the car's radio, there was the news. Apparently Max was being interviewed about defeating the crazy arcade machines. The girls weren't paying much attention to it, unless 8-Bit was mentioned. Suddenly, the car had an abrupt stop, almost throwing them against the front seats:

  - Brock, what the hell?! - Shelly asked.

  - Sorry, Shel... But what the heck is that green thing over there? 

  They both looked on the street. There were spikes everywhere and, in the middle of the road, there was a short woman in a bee themed clothes talking with what looked like a cactus with arms, legs and a face. Shelly immediately jumped out of the car: 

  - IT'S THAT STUPID CACTUS!! THANKS FOR THE RIDE BROCK, WE WALK THE REST - the witch ran towards those people.

  Tara sighed. She was tired, but still needed Shelly, so she left the car as well, following behind...

Chapter Text

  Poco is one of the greatest musicians to ever exist, both in the living and the dead world. He is a star, a passionate artist that was now being forced to swab some random pirates' ship. It's not that he wasn't familiarized with doing some hard work, however this situation was bad. It was starting to be creepy how long the big bouncy robot would stare at him. Tick was probably just trying to make sure Poco wouldn't betray them, but it still felt like the musician was in constant danger.

  There was only one living person at the ship. A young girl that would sometimes pass by, seemingly doing some kind of task to keep things floating. She had forced Poco to learn everything about the ship and what were the dynamics between them. She was the first mate, Darryl, a robot wearing a barrel as his body, was the captain and Tick was told to be something called "a sailing master", but apparently he also had to keep an eye on the skeleton. Poco was left as the first one to be part of their crew. He was just a sailor doing random jobs that the girl didn't want to do.

  After some hours, he finally got to have some rest. He sat down, resting against the beam and looked at the sky. It was almost completely open, barely no clouds that afternoon. As he relaxed, the skeleton accidentally spotted the girl watching him from the ship's ratlines:

  - Uh... I'm sorry, do I have another job to do? - he asked, politely.

  - No, I was just wondering about something... - the girl jumped down.

  - Wondering about what?

  - Things are just... Too peaceful with ye.

  - I just don't want to be hurt and I don't really have anywhere to be right now.

  - Words not always mean truth. I have no reason to trust you're not going to try anything fishy.

  - Don't worry, I don't really like fish.

  She seemed to hold a laugh, it was probably a mockery chukle, but she still made effort to keep her pose:

  - I'm being serious. Do you know why that guy has his eyes on you? - the girl pointed upwards to the main mast's crow nest, where Tick was watching them.

  - He's making sure I won't try to hurt you guys, I think.

  - Yeah, close enough. Don't do anything stupid and go back to working.

  - Sure thing, boss. Or should I call you first mate? Since you didn't tell me your name yet.

  The girl was a bit surprised:

  - You remember the things I taught ye in fifteen minutes? Most tend to forget easily... Or ignore me.

  - I have been in this kind of ship before, I'm familiarized with most of the terms you've mentioned.

  - Huh... First mate is fine. Ye don't deserve to know my name - she jumped back to the ratlines and started to go up.

  She went up to talk with the sailing master. Something Poco had noticed by now, is that, none of the robots could talk. Darryl was completely silent all the time and Tick could only make funny tic noises. He started to worry if the girl ever had any human friends...

  He watched the two pirates going down to the deck and then walk to the crew's quarters. Poco looked to the quarter deck, Darryl was watching him, but it was clear he wouldn't follow him around since the robot had to steer the ship, so the skeleton went after the other two. As he went down the stairs and stopped by the entrance, he could hear the girl talking to Tick:

  - You guys get rusty so fast. You don't even go in the water, that's impressive.

  Tick attempted to communicate:

  - Hey, stop moving, I'm trying to keep your body working.

  The girl now sounded to be more calm. As Poco got closer, he manage to get a glimpse of who they really are. She was cleaning the robot, being completely careful to not break anything. When Tick had to remove his head, it would jump around her like a happy dog. Poco left, so he wouldn't bother them. 

  A few hours passed, Poco was on the crew's quarters. He was on his hammock, waiting for another task again. He was starting to notice that, even though he was giving some tough jobs every now and then, the work related to the ship staying on it's tracks were all still on the hands of the main three.

  When Poco had to clean the quarterdeck, he saw Darryl and the kid switching places on the helm, though the girl wouldn't try to steer the ship, but more like, made sure they wouldn't change direction. After the switch, Darryl went and done some heavy job that, clearly, the girl couldn't do. When she was doing something important and couldn't switch, Tick would be the one to get down from the main mast to let Darryl work.

  The musician was never included in any of these dynamics, causing him to have random moments of doing nothing. He noticed how silent it was. All he could hear was the sea moving, sometimes the other pirates walking around the ship, or even the ship creaking, showing it's old age. He got up and walked to his stuff. He was forced to wear a different outfit, but for some reason, they allowed him to keep his guitar.

  Poco took his instrument and started to play a random song. Some magical notes appeared around him, creating a soft lighting. The song started to fill the silence, to the point that the girl, who was on the deck, managed to hear it. She walked to the crew's quarters:

  - What are you doing, buccaneer? 

  The skeleton was slightly startled. He turned to her and replied:

  - Oh, just passing time. You guys don't seem to be interested in trusting me with much work, so I'm just playing a bit.

  - Well, how would we trust a landlubber? You're still new on these things. Ye probably can't even tell when we're at a risk of going into a storm.

  - I already told you that I have been in a ship like this one before. I've traveled throughout the whole Starr, some pirates helped me every now and then. I was always repaying them with helping in the ship and participating in chanties.

  - Pfff, chanties? Please, we're real pirates. You'll have to know more than how to tie a knot and some songs to be able to-

  They are interrupted by two stomps coming from the deck:

  - That's Darryl calling - she said - All hand hoy! 

  They both ran back to the deck to meet Darryl and Tick lowering down the anchor:

  - Oh hey! We have reached land - the girl said.

  - Well... What now? 

  - They will do the usual. Leave, find some treasure, or steal it - she paused to giggle a bit - then, when they come back, we will leave back to the pier.

  - What do you do in the mean time? 

  - Protect the ship, obviously.

  - From... Who? I'm pretty sure you guys are, like, the last pirates around here.

  - Doesn't matter. Anyone can come at any moment to try and steal from us.

  The robots turned to the teen and waved at her before throwing themselves on the sand:

  - Be careful out there, guys! - she waved to them, watching as they entered some unknown forest with a map on Darryl's hands.

  - Everything is in shipshape! - the skeleton told her, after swabbing the decks again.

  - Good job, ye can take a break now!

  The kid was in the ratlines again, watching from the top for any signs of the rest of the crew. Poco took that chance to play a bit more before the day ended. He prepared his guitar and thought of all the songs he knew.

  Looking for inspiration to choose a song, the musician looked around. From afar, he saw something odd, that went unnoticed by him until that point. Since Poco was immortal and now magical too, he could see the barriers and their different timezones. Poco decided to shrug that off and kept looking for his inspiration. That's when he looked to the girl and got his idea. He played his guitar and started to sing:

  "There was a fair maid and she lived all alone
She lived all alone on the shore
No one could she find for to calm her sweet mind
But to wander alone on the shore, shore, shore
To wander alone on the shore"

  She looked down:

  - Oh great, what are ye doing now? Is that one of your chanties? - she said, slightly mockingly. 

  - Not exactly, but I think you'll find this one interesting...

  "There was a brave captain who sailed a fine ship and the weather being steady and fair...

I shall die, I shall die, this dear captain did cry

If I can't have that maid on the shore, shore, shore...

After many persuasions they brought her on board. He seated her down on his chair. He invited her down to his cabin below

Farewell to all sorrow and care..."

  The girl jumped back down:

  - Oooh how interesting - she said sarcastically, then paused to giggle a bit - what happens next? 

  - Well...

  "I'll sing you a song, this fair maid did cry. This captain was weeping for joy.

She sang it so sweetly, so soft and completely
She sang the captain and sailors to sleep...

She robbed them of jewels, she robbed them of wealth, she robbed them of costly fine fare.

The captain's broadsword she used as an oar, she rowed her way back to the shore, shore, shore...
She rowed her way back to the shore"

  The girl joined the song, using stuff she had around to use like a percussion instrument. Poco stayed silent for a few seconds, happy that she was having fun:

  - Are you wondering, what about the crew? What can I tell you is...

"Oh the men, they were mad and the men, they were sad
They were deeply sunk down in despair
To see her go away with her booty so gay
The rings and her things and her fine fare..."

  To Poco's surprise, the kid stole the last part of the song:

  "Well, don't be so sad and sunk down in despair...
And ye should have known me before.

I sang ye to sleep and I robbed ye of wealth...
Well, again I'm a maid on the shore, shore, shore...
Again I'm a maid on the shore"

  - So you've heard this one before? - he asked.

  - I know I'm only a child, but I've heard my fair share of songs and chanties. 

  - Well, want to give any suggestions?

  They both kept singing other songs. Sometimes, Poco would improvise whenever he didn't know the song she wanted to sing, but it didn't matter, they were having fun. When they finished, the two of them sat down and talked for a bit:

  - Still think my music skills aren't enough to be a pirate?

  - Yes, but ye don't seem to be as bad as I thought.

  - Well... I'm taking it as a compliment - he passed his hand on the strings, making a random sound.

  She looked at the sky:

  - The sun is going down soon... Where the heck did those robots go? 

  - They must be coming back. Just be patient.

  - Well... It's just, last time I was that patient, I - she hesitated, then looked at the forest - I just hope they're ok.

  - ...Last time, you... What? 

  - I don't want to talk about that. Also, it's personal. I've met ye yesterday night. You're still our prisoner above all.

  - Sorry to tell you that, but I don't see myself as you and your friends' prisoner. This is too fun to be imprisonment. 

  - You're having fun?

  - As long as you're having fun too, first mate - he gave her a salute.

  - You know... - she hesitated - ye don't need to call me just first mate...

  - Oh yeah? How do you want me to call you?

  She thought for some seconds and backed off:

  - Well... Ye know... Buccaneer, lassie, all those stuff.

  - What if I just called you bucko? 

  - That would be pushing it.

  Their conversation is interrupted by the sound of someone climbing Jacob's ladder (basically a ladder made of rope and wood). The girl got up and ran to the ladder:

  - Hey, why did you guys take so long? 

  When she looked down, a click sound was heard and the kid immediately pushed herself away, fractions of a second from getting shot. She ran back to the other side of the deck and prepared her gun:

  - Look what we have in here...

  Two people entered the ship. Unfortunately they weren't Darryl and Tick, but rather were actually a man with two pistols and a robot holding a small anchor on his hand. They were both wearing pirate clothes:

  - Listen kid, just make this easy for you - the man pointed his gun at her - We're just here for some loot.

  - Give us all the gems and coins you have, unless you want to get matching scars - the robot threatened. 

  Poco walked near them to take a look at the other two pirates. He saw the robot and remembered something:

  - Wait... Are you Carl?

  - Uh - the robot froze - m-maybe... How do you know that information?

  - Mike sent hi to you and Jacky.

  - Mike?... Hold on, you met Dynamike???

  - Hold on! Hold on! - the girl turned to Poco - do you know these guys??? 

  - What? No. It's just, Mike had photos of his friends and...

  - So you're friends with their friend.

  - Well, yes? - Poco started to get nervous.

  The teen then pointed her gun at him, then pointed to the man that still had her in his aim:

  - YOU DISTRACTED ME! 

  - What!?! NO, WAIT!

  - You think a little distraction is enough? I don't give up easily and I'm not fucking alone, buccaneers! - she then grabbed the treasure chest she was carrying on her back, then threw it near them.

  The chest landed right in front of Carl, who did the mistake of getting closer. It exploded, throwing him out of the ship.

  At the forest, Darryl and Tick were carrying what they found, when they heard the explosion. They both looked at each other, then started to run. Tick let his head off and it ran faster through the forest.

  The chest had revealed her mortar, which immediately turned towards the man with the pistols:

  - Oh SHIT- 

  He ran to stay away from it's aim while tried to shoot at the girl's direction. She hid behind a mast and then shot against her enemy. Poco hurried to the nearest entrance to a safe place. He got inside the captain's quarters and closed the door.

  Darryl and Tick arrived, spotting Carl trying to get back on the ship. Tick's head sped in his direction and then jumped, to throw the fake pirate out of the ladder. The explosion caused the ship to lose it's anchor and it started to go back to the sea. Darryl grabbed Tick with one of his arms and the treasure with the other. As they got close enough, the captain threw his friend up on the sky, who fell right on the cross fire:

  - Tick!!! 

  - Hey! Two against one isn't fair! - the unknown person said.

  Darryl jumped in the ladder and got inside his ship. Carl took his cart, which was adapted to a boat, and followed the crew from the sea.

  As the fight happened on the deck, Poco was hiding. He looked around, seeing a huge desk with a few chairs and a lot of maps, a compass, chests of various sizes, on the corner it was all prepared like if it was the girl's bedroom. That area seemed to be where they hang out when they wanted to rest.

  The musician tried to read the maps. None of them had anything written, except, every map that lead out to international waters. The notes said everywhere "No one leaves" or "Can't escape". He was interrupted by the shake of Tick's head exploding. The ship slightly moved causing Poco to lose his balance. He held the table to not fall and noticed something different between all the maps and coordinates. There was an old drawing of the girl, Darryl and Tick and it was signed "Penniy".

  Poco turned his attention to the door. The sound of fighting was worrying and the boat seemed to go in a completely random direction. He walked towards it, took a breath and then opened the door. The skeleton immediately ran for his guitar, trying to not get shot during cross fire. Tick was throwing his little bombs everywhere, Darryl rolled past him, trying to get near the man and the child was trying to hold the helm so the ship wouldn't shake too much. Carl was still following the ship.

  As he looked for his instrument, Poco noticed something incredibly unsettling. Just like the boundaries from the cities, he could see the limit beyond the sea. It was nothing on the other side. Somehow, there was no world visible far away from Starr and the closer they got, the more they all felt in danger.

  Poco finally found his guitar, so he turned to the fight. The skeleton adjusted his strings, raised his hands and fastly played notes that made everyone feel pain somehow. The girl let go of the helm and the ship was without a guide again:

  - Everyone! Quit the fighting! 

  - Don't listen to him, Darryl! He's just our prisoner trying to escape! 

  - No! I'm serious! We should get back to the shore, there's something wrong about this area of the sea! 

  - Oh please - the unknown man pointed a gun to Poco - We're not that far from land... If you're just afraid, jump at sea and swim yourself away, coward! 

  - We're too close to leaving Starr's waters! If that happen we will-!

  The pirate ship was shaken once. Than, what seemed to be a hit on the ship. From the sea, Carl looked underneath them and started to freak out: 

  - Oh no! OH NO! OH NO! 

  The robot got his little boat and swam back to land. Everyone went alert, with Tick getting close to the lassie, Darryl had his aim at the man and Poco had a chill in his spine that he only felt once before. He felt like he was close to death again. Suddenly, another hit, this time breaking something from the ship:

  - What the hell is happening?!? - the girl asked.

  Something started to rise from the water. The ship was held from the sides and huge tentacles were surrounding them. Their boat was creaking loudly. The masts were attacked by the tentacles, breaking them like sticks. Everyone started to panic. The man took a few bags of coins and jumped straight into the sea. Darryl, Tick and the girl got all together near the captain's quarters and Poco was holding himself on the beam of the ship.

  A huge monster was taking them down. Their ship was broken apart, right in the middle by one of the tentacles. The first one to fall was Tick, who had no way to hold himself. Then Darryl, who, trying to protect their little pirate, received a hit right in his face. Both of the robots fell in the sea, sinking as all they could do was watch the girl desperately trying to save herself. The next to fall was Poco.

  As he fell in the sea, he could see the giant monster. Something about it felt odd, but he paid no attention to it. His body was freezing from the cold ocean and he could feel his lungs being filled with water, but it was fine. All he cared was going back to the dead world. All of his friends were there, all of the lovers, all of his family... Death became freedom for him, so he let himself sink.

  Poco watched as the monster left. He heard a splash and looked up again. The girl was trying to swim to something that could float. Basically anything big enough from the rests of the ship. The musician watched as she struggled with reaching anything...

  But then, she started to look weaker.

  He realized something, as he watched her struggle…

  She couldn't swim.

  After some hours, the girl woke up on the shore. She sat down, feeling extremely weak.

  Everything was gone. All of her life was destroyed, either under the sea or in the beach she was in. The little pirate heard a soft melody coming from not too far. She saw her prisoner playing as he looked to the horizon. From his perspective, the nothingness was gone. The horizon was back to being the beautiful night sky.

  The girl got on her feet and walked to Poco. She stayed in silent for a bit... Then:

  - What do we do now? - she seemed to hold some tears.

  Poco stopped playing:

  - I don't know.

  Another second or two of silence:

  - My friends are gone…

  - Yeah… But I guess you still have a prisoner. What do you think a pirate would do right now?

  She seemed to get angry for an instant, but she couldn't hold the tears anymore. The girl sat on the sand and cried.

  - …

  Well, don't be so sad and sunk down in despair... You're a maid in the shore, but your family is still out there.

  Poco got back to playing his melody.

  It was roughly 2 am at the junkyard. Usually Pam don't work until the late hours, but she was told a very important collection of sea junk was coming over. She received pieces from all over the country, whether it's land or sea, but it was rare for the government itself to give her a message about that job.

  As a truck with the so important garbage arrived, Pam checked each part of what was found at sea, stopping when she saw two huge robots in a pile: 

  - You found robots on the sea? - she analyzed them.

  The driver looked at them:

  - I've been told that they might have been pirates. They were found in a ship wreck and the round one has a pirate symbol.

  - I see... 

  Pam took the robots out of the truck:

  - These two are coming with me. I think my daughter will have some fun with these ones.

Chapter Text

  The silence is something that bothers Poco since his last day alive. That's because the last sense you lose is hearing. If you can't hear, you're sure gone. Yes, the dead world was much better than what he anticipated, but that haunting silence is a memory stuck forever in his mind. However, silence is part of the grief and it was clear that Penny still needed some minutes to process what happened.

  She is the last pirate in the whole Starr. Alone, without any possessions besides her gun. She made sure to stay away from the water, seemingly shaking everytime the ocean waves got too close to her. Eventually, the musician managed to talk with her:

  - Listen, it's night time. We should go find a place to sleep.

  Penny just agreed in silence. Poco began to feel anguish, however, he tried to ignore that feeling. He grabbed her hand and started guiding the pirate towards the forest they were near.

  The two walked for a while. Every now and then the skeleton would try to talk with his new captain, since the old was gone, but the girl would barely answer or keep the conversation long. Eventually, he found something that got her to talk for a little longer:

  - Those two robots... Since when were you three together? I- Oh I'm sorry if it was invading your privacy, but, when I was at the captain's quarters, I saw that all of your stuff was there. I believe you even had old drawings? 

  She thought for a few seconds, then responded:

  - Well… We've been together since as far as I can remember. 

  - So, you three were like a family?

  She let out a weak laugh, but her smile faded quickly afterwards:

  - Yeah, I guess we were. Couldn't even talk with Darryl one last time before he - she tries to hold her tears again.

  - He could talk? He seemed very silent to me.

  - Well, his voice thing broke during one of our treasure hunts. We tried to get a new one, but every robot we found either got their voices broken or we would accidentally throw them at sea before taking it from them. And eventually the robots started to become too different from him. No voice would fit.

  - I guess Darryl did look like an older model... Maybe you guys could have found something in the junkyard, they always have robot pieces lying around.

  Poco, then, realized something:

  - Wait. Oh my, how did I forgot about the junkyard!?!

  - Huh? Do ye need trash or something?

  - No, no! The junkyard is taken care by the Junker family! Their whole deal is to find robots and robot pieces to fix them or create their own robots.

  Penny seemed to get a spark of hope back:

  - Continue…

  - The Junkers work looking for scraps and broken robots both at land and at sea! So If we go talk to them - he gets interrupted by the kid.

  - They could help find Darryl and Tick!?! - she said.

  - If they haven't found them already! And they might even have parts to fix them!

  - I can have me crew again! - the girl almost jumped in excitement.

  - YEAH! But first... We should find a place to sleep, so then we can go to super city. I know the way to the junkyard from there, if you can allow the landlubber to become your guide for a day.

  - Permission granted, bucko!

  - Then let's hurry, I don't want you skipping too much of your sleep.

  - Yeah right, like I can't handle one night without sleep.

  "If a place to rest is what you look for…"

  They're both startled by a voice coming from an unknown place.

  "Then why not go through my land of love?"

  Appearing from behind the trees, there was young woman dressed with a cape and with a hood covering herself. She carried a lantern in her hands and had a creepy evil smile, the only feature they could see from her face.

  - Land of what? - Penny asked.

  - Everyone knows the fastest way to travel is going in a straight line - the woman replied - go through the Love Swamp, and you will get there fine.

  - Wait, really?

  - Hold on, kid. Don't you know anything about swamps? They are the lair of the most horrifying - he is interrupted, again.

  - Monsters? - the woman guessed - Or maybe it's the witches you're worried about?

  - Both… And, that swamp is close to the mortuary, right?

  - I think so.

  - I can't walk through that path! I'm sure that the owner of that mortuary is after me!

  - Mortis don't travel through the swamp, dear, and the witch isn't as unfriendly as her reputation make it seems. C'mon, don't you need a place to rest for the night?

  - Poco, a witch can't be that bad - Penny said - plus, I have dealt with many enchanting creatures before, like syrens! I think I can handle her in case things go bad.

  The musician sighed and turned to the unknown woman:

  - Alright, but I need your name first.

  - Oh, well you can call me Willow - she said as she pulled her hood, revealing her monstrous face.

  That startled Poco and Penny, which made Willow chuckle:

  - What? We're you expecting something else? 

  - I don't know if I feel safe following a monster around.

  - Aren't you a monster, though?

  He looked at himself, feeling offended, but didn't answer her:

  - Well, you will need my help to arrive at the place anyways. I am the only one who has a boat around here.

  - Whatever miss, just lead the way.

  The three of them went back to walking, now entering the Love Swamp territory.

  "STOP RUNNING YOU STUPID CACTUS!!"

  Shelly's house was a mess that night. Tara had left to go to the mortuary and now she was completely alone with Spike, who was running through her house, breaking everything and throwing spikes and cactus balls all over the place:

  - I already told you! I don't want to hurt you! I just need information about your magic! - she tried to jump at them, but they dodged, causing the witch to fall face first in the ground.

  A knock on her door was heard and they both looked at it:

  - Who's there!?!

  - Hey, Shelly? You there?

  - Ah fuck, not him now - she got up and walked to the door, opening it.

  At the door, it was Colt, wearing stupid looking pirate clothes and holding two or three sacks of coins:

  - Heyyy, guess who has already started with your payment?

  She took the coins and leaned on the door, using her legs to block Spike's way. They still tried to pass her, despite being too small and chubby to succeed:

  - Well thanks, but, as you can see, I'm busy with our little problem.

  - I mean, do you want help? - he said, as he gave a little push with his own boot, making spike fall from Shelly's legs as they were trying to climb over.

  - I think you already helped enough, Colt.

  - C'mon, you're the one who asked for help with your spell…

  - And now I'm asking you to stay out of this - she said, closing the door on his face.

  As she was about to walk away, to focus on Spike, Colt knocked on her door again. The witch sighed and turned to the door, opening it once more.

  - You know… it's very late and… I had to swim for that part of the payment and it's very cold. Would you mind if I…?

  She stared at him, upset, but allowed him to get inside. The man entered, closing the entrance fast so the little cactus had no chance of escaping:

  - So, they have been giving you a lot of trouble, huh?

  - Yeah… And I don't even know why they're that scared. I mean, I didn't even hurt them or anything.

  - You didn't?

  She glared at him:

  - Excuse me, I have to get that cactus.

  Shelly goes to another room, leaving Colt and Spike alone. After a few seconds of silent, the guy asks:

  - Are you still angry about the holes I made in your face?

  The cactus was staring at him. Their only response was their smile slowly fading into a frown. Colt shivered from that sight and went after his friend. He found the witch preparing a cage in her room:

  - Why do you have that in here?

  - It's kit's cage for the vet days. Now, I'm gonna need you to grab that cactus for me.

  - Didn't you just say you didn't want my help?

  - Well-

  They are interrupted by the sound of knocks on the door:

  - What? - Shelly left the cage in her room and walked to the entrance - Who else is in this god damn swamp? I live here specifically to be left alone!

  Shelly opened the door, greeted by two people she didn't know. Poco was standing behind Penny, who had her beanie on her hands. The girl did her best to act polite:

  - Good evening, ma'am… I'm sorry to bother ye so late in the night, but your friend said we, maybe, could get shelter here?

  The witch looked to the skeleton. He was trembling behind the girl:

  - What friend? - She leaned on her door again.

  - Someone called Willow. You… are friends, right?

  - Oh, right, Willow. Yeah, she is my friend. Why are two pirates doing so far from the sea?

  - We just need a place for her to sleep. I-if you wish to, we can leave by the morning to not bother you much, ma'am - Poco answered

  - Alright, quit with the "ma'am". I'm not an old lady…

  - Ok…

  While they were talking, Colt was trying to hold Spike. The plant was running on Shelly's table, which was full of potions and pots with ingredients. Trying to stop Spike, the man punched the cactus out of the table, but one of their little cactus ball end up falling from their hands, right into some unfinished potion. Because of Colt's lack of carefulness, everything ended up falling, causing a loud noise, that caught everyone's attention:

  - Is something happening in there? - Penny asked.

  - Hey! C'mon, Colt! That's all of my stuff!

  Spike stood up and got their cactus. Seeing an opportunity to leave through the door, the plant ran past the witch and then past the duo outside. The witch noticed their escape:

  - Oh no! They're not escaping again! Colt, help me out here!

  Her friend passed through the stuff on the ground, but then stopped on his tracks when he saw the girl on the door. Penny immediately changed her posture:

  - HEY! YOU'RE THAT SCUMBAG THAT ATTACK ME AND ME CREW! - She tried to walk to him, but was held by Poco.

  - Kid, wait! He's friends with the witch! 

  Shelly turned to Colt completely confused:

  -… I might have stolen that payment from a child and her robot pirates…

  She facepalmed:

  - Of course you did! Alright… I will deal with this issue later, let's get the cactus.

  - No! - Penny blocked Shelly's path to Spike, who was now distracted with his pinkish cactus ball that was under an unknown spell.

  - … "No"?

  The witch glared at the girl, but then started to grin. Colt noticed what she was about to do:

  - Shelly, wait-

  - You think you can say no to me? You think you can be on my way? Has nobody told you who I am? - she asked, taking a step forward in each sentence, forcing the pirate and her prisoner to step back out of the house.

  - Shelly, you're not planning on shooting a child, right?

  - You've tried to shoot me in the face! - the girl complained to Colt.

  - Well, I missed it, didn't I? So It doesn't count!

  - COLT - Shelly yelled.

  The man shut up, feeling that saying anything else was extremely dangerous at that moment.

  Suddenly, a meow was heard near Shelly. They all looked down, to see Kit, her cat, purring and bunting his head on his owner:

  - This is my home. And that cactus is mine.

  Her gun somehow had appeared on the ground, right next to her cat. She took it and whispered a spell. Her gun was now loaded:

   - And as the protector of this swamp… I'll have to give you only one more chance to leave.

  Shelly aimed at Spike and tried to shoot them, forcing everyone to scatter. Poco got his guitar and Penny her gun while they hid behind some trees:

  - I'm not usually that kind of person, but I knew this was a bad idea! - the skeleton told her.

  - Oh, please. We can take her down easily!

  - No we can't! - they are interrupted by Shelly's shot firing against Poco's hiding spot.

   He started playing a distorted tune, which caused pain in the witch, but she didn't back away. The pirate fired against her enemy, but she missed many of the shots:

  - You humans should have kept going with your witch hunts! You're all too weak now! - Shelly kicked Poco, causing him to lose his guitar.

  The kid ran and pulled the musician with her to hide behind another tree for cover:

  - We need to run! Now!

  - Listen, buccaneer, I'm not backing away from this fight! And you're not either! Darryl wouldn't run away and Tick would already have his bombs ready for the fight!

  - BUT LOOK AT WHERE THAT LED THEM TO! LOST IN THE DEEP OCEAN!

  The girl didn't try to argue. Instead she stared at him, disbelief and pain coming all at once. Poco, on the other hand, felt regret, but their distraction caused them both to be shot through the tree they were hiding behind.

  Shelly looked at them both on the ground. They weren't unconscious, but they were hurt enough to not be trouble anymore.

  On Spike's end, they were on Colt's aim, not being allowed to move. Shelly walked straight to the cactus and pointed her gun at them as well:

  - It's time to come back inside.

  They stared at the witch with their well known smile and hugged the pink cactus in their hand. The woman was paying attention to the plant's moves, that's why, she got alert and turned to Colt:

  - Go back inside, NOW!! - she said, as she pushed Colt back to her house.

  The cactus spikes started to lightly shake. Penny, with her last strength, tried to get to the witch, but the door was closed in her face:

  - HEY! GET BACK HERE YE COWARDS!

  The kid then turned around, just in time to see Spike throw many spikes from their body all around the swamp. Poco got cover, as he noticed fast enough, but Penny was too close. Everyone heard a scream, which made Spike stop their attack.

  Seeing the girl hurt on the ground made the cactus' face become a frown again. The skeleton, once again, went after the girl. He got on his knees right next to her:

  - Penny! Oh my god, you're- are you alright???

  She sat down, crying from the pain. Her body was scratched everywhere, to not mention the spikes all stuck on her. What worried Poco the most, though, was the blood coming out from the eye she was hiding behind her hand:

  - Oh no, oh no- wait, where's my? - when he turned to look for his guitar, he saw Spike standing there with the instrument.

  The cactus handed the guitar for it's owner, still looking worried about the damage.

  From inside the house, Shelly and Colt were hearing from the other side of the door, as Poco played a soft, healing melody:

  - So… - Colt whispered - what now? Spike is going to run away again…

  - This just proves more that I need to get that cactus. They're an uncontrollable monster - she whispered back.

  Colt nodded in agreement, while the song outside finished and everyone left.

  After that short fight, Poco and Penny had walked as far away from Shelly's home as they could handle. The girl slept under a random tree once they felt like they were distant enough. The cactus had wandered by themself through the dark swamp and now Shelly and Colt had no idea how to find them.

  The sun was finally up and the two of them were having something to eat, when a knocking was heard. This time, however, Shelly knew exactly who was it, because this time it was a knock on her window. She opened it and greeted her friend from the love tunnel:

  - Awful morning for you, Willow!

  - Aw, were the visitors that bad?

  - Yes, as always. Plus, this girl got badly hurt because of one of my monsters… of course.

  - Yeah yeah, how sad. But hey, I got these for you. Consider it a help for your red headed friend - the monster said, as she handed a few bags with a lot of gold coins.

  - Damn, why the generosity so suddenly? Someone's losing their evil touch.

  - Oh it's a payment for the entertainment last night, besides, that money isn't mine. That girl had a blessed weapon.

  - Oh - Shelly checked one of the bags - infinite money, how convenient. Well, see you later for the usual?

  - You know it. Tell Colt that to visit my tunnel sometime. My precious plants are starting to get hungry - she left, laughing somewhat maniacally.

  The witch checked the coins again:

  - It's been a while since I've seen blessed weapons…

  In the middle of the swamp, the pirate has finally woken up. Just like when they were at the beach, her first sight is Poco playing a tune in his guitar, except something was bothering her about that sight:

  - God damn it… 

  - Something wrong… captain?

  - My eye, it's… well, whatever. I can still see perfectly well with only one eye - she said, as she covered her now blind eye with her beanie.

  - Well, captain, we are almost reaching the Starr city.

  - I thought ye said something about a super city?

  - Well, that was the plan in case we had to avoid the swamp. But we've been right through it, so, it's faster if we go through the capital instead. Don't worry, the junkyard is connected to almost everywhere so there is a way through that city too.

  The girl got her weapon and checked it. She was making sure the spikes hadn't damaged it. The silence was back, but now more awkward than ever, this time, Poco decided to break it:

  - Also… on the topic of your friends… Sorry for what I said before. I didn't mean-

  - Whatever, bucko - Penny interrupted him with a completely cold tone.

  They stayed silent for a little bit more, but this time the kid was the one to start the conversation:

  - How did ye know?

  - How did I know what?

  - How did ye discover my name?

  - Remember that I said I saw some of your drawings? It had your name on those.

  - … Right. I forgot about those.

  …

  - Ye can call me by my name, if you want. You've earned it.

Chapter Text

  - You can't do that! This shop is all I have! - Rosa was looking at some papers that were given to her.

  A police officer was talking with her about the Spike incident:

  - Sorry, ma'am, but that monster came from your shop and you have a laboratory, correct? Well, we need to make sure you really are doing only… scientifical experiments in there.

  - Sir, you can't really be thinking I'm a witch.

  - Listen, we're just…

  - Mark! - another cop entered the shop - The Supercell agents are here. They said the case is on their hands now.

  - What!? That's the third time they do this! Where are those stupid robots??

  The two cops left, leaving Rosa having to wonder what to do while her shop was forced to close for an unknown amount of time. Soon, however, a new figure entered the shop:

  - Rosa, I presume?

  She recognized the robot that was on her presence. He was announced as one of the most intelligent and high tech robots that Starr has created "in the past century", according to the propaganda. This one was named Larry. He was known as the good cop. For the botanist though, he was as bad as his "brother".

  - I'm so sorry that your floriculture will have to stay close for a while… but I can assure you, the government is willing to give you assistance to you and your worker while we-

  - Wait! Where's Bea and Sprout? Did they left before the cactus went insane?

  - Oh, no. They went after the plant. Bea is in a hospital, incoscious but no signs of any problems. She will be interrogated once she's awake. Your robot will be confiscated for the meantime, but he will be brought back in one piece. We guarantee no damage to your creation.

  Rosa sighed in relief. She wasn't happy that Bea was still going to be interrogated and that Sprout was gonna be taken to who knows where, but they were safe:

  - Well… in that case, I suppose I will leave my shop and laboratory to you. But… Me and Bea won't have any ways to get paid. That's the only job we have.

  - You'll get a fixed amount of money in your bank every end of the week, based on your recent profits here at your shop… But… you could make even more than the assistance offers, you know?

  - I am not going back to being one of your champions, Larry.

  - Why not? You were always a great fighter.

  - I… am done with fighting. Ok?

  He fastly scanned around with his eyes, stopping at the sight of something in the corner of the room:

  - So, why do you keep your gloves with you?

  She turned to the direction he was looking at. Her backpack was in the ground. It was slightly open, revealing her boxing gloves. She turned back to answer him, but he had already left.

  Her floriculture was closed. Her experiments were on the hands of Starr's special police. Her workers were in danger just a few hours ago. Rosa wasn't taking any of that well.

  - Another round?

  She looked to the bartender. The robot, and owner of the bar she went in, was cleaning the table while looking at her half empty glass. Though, for Rosa, the glass was half full, since she wasn't a big fan on drinking:

  - No, thank you - she answered him, and then turned her attention to the documents given by the police.

  Her troubles were clear to the robot, but he made no comments. Instead, he did something out of his bartender programming. He walked to a table without being requested. A woman, who was sitting there with an older man, noticed the robot approaching:

  - What's on the menu today, sweetheart?

  Barley started cleaning their untouched table. The duo didn't even order a single thing the whole day. The robot lowered the volume of his voice:

  - The chef told me today that we need to bring back an old item to menu…

  He then made a head sign, so they would look behind them. The two unknown people looked behind him and saw Rosa. They nodded and Barley left.

  Rosa had her mind so caught up on her issues, she didn't notice the woman approaching and then sitting next to her:

  - Ahem.

  Rosa turned to the woman. She was wearing a blue dress, had her hair tied and was carrying an umbrella:

  - Sorry to bother you… but you seemed very familiar. Have we met somewhere?

  - I don't think so, sorry.

  When she was about to look at her papers again, she noticed a man was standing right in front of him. He was older, with a lot of white hair, had glasses, was wearing some fancy suit and a walking cane was in his hands:

  - Are you sure? Maybe in a magazine? On the news? Cause we really feel like we've seen you before…

  - Oh - Rosa took her backpack and put her documents inside it - you're probably confused. I have never-

  - Hey, those gloves! - the woman with the umbrella was looking over the other's shoulder, managing to see inside her backpack - I recognize those boxing gloves! You're one of the champions!

  - Not anymore, ma'am.

  - It's Piper, and my friend is name Byron.

  - Mine is Rosa.

  - Ah, Rosa, right! - Byron said - It's a pleasure to meet such an important ex-champion.

  - Uh, thanks? Listen, I would love to have a nice conversation about anything, except about the tournaments, please.

  - Why? I remember watching your fights. You are amazing! - Piper leaned close to Rosa and placed a hand on her shoulder.

  Without noticing, Rosa was stuck in that place. Barley was hearing everything from the balcony behind them, Piper was distracting Rosa, and Byron had her path blocked. She wasn't going anywhere unless those three managed to hear what they wanted from her.

  - I'm not, really.

  - Of course you are!

  The woman stayed silent for some seconds, thinking:

  - Have you two ever watched my last tournament? You would understand what I'm talking about if you had watched it.

  - Oh, I did miss some of them - Byron said.

  - I missed my fair amount of tournaments too. Unlucky schedule and all of that.

  - Have you missed the first solo tournament?

  - Never watched it - Byron and Piper spoke at the same time, in an odd synchrony.

  This made them throw a look at each other. Rosa noticed how weird it was, but she brushed it off. She sighed and said:

  - Do you two wanna know what happened? Is that it?

  - If you don't mind telling a story - Piper answered her, while getting more comfortable on her seat.

  Byron left his spot and sat next to Piper, Barley went to serve a customer and Rosa started her story…

  For context, a few years ago I was having some issues with finding a job. My studies took a good part of my day and I wasn't accepted anywhere. I was always told that I wasn't "qualified enough". That I "didn't have enough experience". So, I was given an easier and better deal. I was given a chance to do a test for participating in the local tournaments.

  At the time, the tournament was in the format of what people call nowadays as "duo showdown". Except, nowadays there's only 10 fighters. When I started, there were 20 people involved, including myself.

  It was given to me many options to training. I was never a fan of using weapons, so I took the next best option and went for boxing. They gave me access to a vip gym and there I met someone. You probably have heard of El Primo, right? Since you have seen my old fights, you two probably already know he was my partner in almost every championship.

  We were unstoppable. He was strong, I was tough to take down. He could launch people over his head, I could punch them down to the ground. And despite how aggressive we would get, the other participants always wanted to know us both afterwards. But my favorite memories were at the gym. One day he said I was his "gym bro" and then spent an hour trying to figure out what was the feminine version of "gym bro".

  …

  But then, the rules were changed. We all had to fight alone. At first, we both were excited. We would get to fight against each other and we both thought the other would win. I remember him saying "you will block all of my punches, I don't even know what I'll do when we find each other in the battle".

  When the battle started on the first day of the new system, I end up getting the tenth place. I lost to my friend in a very unlucky situation. Was so focused with not being shot by someone, that I didn't hear him coming from behind. He threw me at the special gas from the tournament, that times the fights to a maximum of five minutes. I felt him kicking my head against the ground and the rest is a blur. The poison of the gas can really mess up your mind if you stay in it for too long. It was the first time ever I actually thought of how the others felt in the previous tournaments.

  Losing was painful.

  However, I didn't mind losing, despite of how much it hurt physically. I was proud of El Primo reaching first place, couldn't blame if his main strategy was hiding and waiting for others to do all the fighting. Doesn't matter how much we like it or hate ut, it's a fair strategy. The disappointment only came when I met with him after the event. He was being interviewed alongside some sponsors of the championship. One of the interviewers asked about me and why I was his first target.

  I was expecting so many things, except what he told them. "She deserved it. Rosa was always dead weight…"

  The disrespect made my blood boil. I ended up punching him. Called him the worst names I could think of. Not the best actions to do in front of the cameras. I'm not fully proud of that, it ruined my reputation with the fans of the event, but most importantly, it made me lose my friend.

  Byron and Barley seemed uninterested, but we're listening. Piper was doing all of the work of keeping their appearances at this point:

  - And also… - Rosa was holding her gloves in her hands, thinking about everything she just told them - all of that made his fans start harassing me. And then, they started to go after everyone who was related to me in any way. I'm so scared of Bea ever getting hurt because of me.

  - Who's Bea? - Piper asked.

  - My assistant.

  Piper, Byron and Barley looked at each other. They finally heard what they wanted:

  - Well, why don't you participate in the event to fix all of this? - Byron suggested, while standing up.

  - What?

  Byron helped Piper to get up as well and then repeated:

  - Enter the tournament once again. If you get a chance to fight, you might get your reputation cleaned. Get first place and everyone will respect you, even your former friend.

  - Wait-

  - If you get first place, the harassment will surely stop, or, you'll get fans that will defend you and your assistant. You want her safe, don't you?

  - Of course I-

  - Then really think about it, Rosa. I think you can find a lot of benefits in entering the tournament. Money, protection, reputation…

  - If I lose I will definitely be humiliated again.

  - Humiliation lasts for maybe a week. Glory lasts forever.

  Byron and Piper started to walk to the exit:

  - It was nice meeting you, dear! - Piper told Rosa, as she left.

  The woman was left in the bar with her own conflicting thoughts.

  - You said you weren't going to say anything - Piper said.

  They were both arguing, trying to pretend to be calm, but in reality the both of them wanted to shoot a bullet at each other's skull:

  - I wasn't going to stay there in silent.

  - So you say MY line? You're lucky she was so distracted with her weird troubles.

  - Hmph… maybe don't be too attached to your scripted plans. They have failed before, you know? Or do you want to lose more of your natural features?

  Piper didn't answer. She just raised her hand to her mouth, thinking about the memory Byron had mentioned.

  This doesn't mean they have finished the arguing. If anything, it's the opposite.

  Things have just began.

Chapter Text

  "Back in the old mortuary", Tara thought to herself. The place was, somehow, already fixed. She guessed that Mortis might have found a way to convince Gene and the lamp to help with fixing the place.

  She found odd how the place was silent, no mystical feeling in the air. The trees didn't seem to try to grab the guests and no dangerous animal appeared lurking in the darkness.

  "Was everything we saw last time because of Arat? He could affect my surroundings like that even while in full imprisonment?"

  She stopped in front of the door of Mortis' house.

  "How do I tell him about this situation?" She raised one of her hands to where Arat was supposed to be and felt the glass.

  The silence was relieving, but terrifying.

  The woman took a deep breath and knocked.

  While Mortis' land was covered by a dark night, the morning had just started in the bazaar.

  Sandy was making way too much effort just to get out of bed. Working so much and having to do lots of homework would be tiring, if the guy wasn't already too tired of just waking up.

  He finally reached a bathroom to clean his face, trying to actually wake up so he could go and keep an eye on the bazaar.

  He threw water once in his face. The warm water didn't do that much effect. The boy waited for it to get colder and threw once again, trying to get rid of that heavy lazy feeling. He tried it one last time, but it just wasn't working. He raised himself to fix his posture when he got startled by his surroundings.

  Everything was different. Sandy wasn't in his home, nor was he even in a bathroom. It felt like the whole cosmos was around him. The mirror showed am hour glass far, far away.

  - Time is running out…

  Sandy felt something entering his lungs. It was hard to breath:

  - It's time for you to move.

  The boy felt himself being pulled from behind. His head is taken out of the sink that was filled with water. A servant, who was there to help with cleaning his room, was extremely worried:

  - Are you okay, sir?!? I was-

  He stopped talking when Sandy gave him a sign to wait for him to stop coughing from all the water he inhaled:

  - Sorry, I'm just feeling extremely tired.

  - That's not good. You passed out at least six times yesterday because of exhaustion. I think that God's powers are still affecting you, maybe you should rest until the effects are gone.

  - No, no. It's fine.

  "I wouldn't be able to sleep after what I saw anyways…" he thought.

   Sandy stood up to make sure he's breathing well, even fixing his posture for the first time in a while.

  The teenager tried to have a fairly normal morning, but the sleepiness in his body and his mind flooding with thoughts were making everything harder to do. As he ate breakfast, Sandy tried to imagine scenarios. Mostly about what could happen if he was too late.

  - How do I fix this… how do I fix this…

  The teenager looked at a clock that they had in the dining room. It ticked slowly, in a rhythm. Tic, tac, tic, tac, tic, tac. His eyes started to feel heavy and the world started to get blurry.

  The boy heard someone scream as he fell asleep again. Fell as in he ended up falling from the table and the chair he was sitting on and got face first to the ground. But that didn't wake him up.

  As he pulls the sand in an attempt to get to the surface, many sounds could be heard from both the past, the present and future. Sandy manage to get out and was met with the vision of a huge, broken hour glass. The sand falling was forming a never ending desert, each grain representing a point in life. A point in life that will never again be recognized the way it truly was. That land is called:

  - Welcome back to the Sands of Time, young one.

  Sandy looked around, trying to find the god. However, he found him first. A hand grabbed him by his head and a glimpse of the future was revealed.

  The only thing he saw was a city destroyed by the chaotic dark magic that could be controlled by only one being. The god got close to his ear and said:

  - He's already free.

  - Ok, so… - the lamp was floating around Mortis' living room - Arat is free, but stuck. Which means he can't do any harm.

  - Yes - Tara answered.

  - But you also cannot make any ritual to get him back, because he's stuck.

  - Yes…

  - And you don't have any magic to track down the sand god.

  - Yes.

  - AND, most importantly, you have no way of taking this girl back to where she came from? - Mortis asked, pointing at Emz.

  - Also yes.

  - Well… I suppose this gives me an a-MAZING opportunity - Emz said, while typing in her phone.

  - What opportunity? - Mortis asked, already regretting his decision.

  - I'm going to get to meet Poco! - she let out an excited squeal - PLUS, my followers are gonna love my special content on the living world. There are so many old people who are so curious about how the future is going!

  Mortis looked at Tara, now upset. She just shrugged and made a sign for the lamp:

  - Can you lend me your magic? I wanted to travel back to the desert. I need to talk with my brother one last time in case something goes wrong. 

  - Just tell me how he looks like and I can try to teleport us to him.

  - Slightly taller than Gene. He wears a hood that makes him look like he has cat ears, has purple hair, his skin is lighter than mine, doesn't wear a shirt despite me telling him he should… oh and he has a gold star and gold bracelets that he refuses to throw away.

  - Why would you throw away gold? - Emz asked - specially golden bracelets?

  They all stared in silence:

  - Some things are not for us to judge, Em… "Emz" - Mortis answered.

  The lamp started to think about the description and his expression varied between confusion and curiosity:

  - Are you sure?

  Now the woman was the one confused, gesturing with her hands like if her own body was saying "what the fuck is that kind of question?":

  - Yes? Why wouldn't I be sure of what my brother looks like?

  - Miss Tara, It seems to me you already found the sand god.

  -… What?

  - His name is Sandy, right?

  She got up quickly and stepped closer to the lamp:

  - Don't play with me, you bastard! He would never keep something like that from me. Not when my freedom is on the line!

  - Gods aren't that simple. Maybe he just wants to avoid something to happen, but… we could ask him directly, if that's… what you wish.

  The woman turned to Mortis, who just responded with a nod. So it was decided.

  The portal left them in the middle of the desert. Tara and Gene, with his lamp, were looking around, trying to figure out where was the teen's location. Eventually, they spotted him walking with a camel in the direction to the nearest city. She ran after her brother as quickly as possible.

  Once reaching a certain distance, Tara yelled from afar:

  - SANDY!

  He heard her and looked behind him. Sandy couldn't see her face quite well, but that shout showed to him how angry she was.

  She finally figured it out.

  He saw behind her the genie he had sent for his sister. The lamp's powers were supposed to help her find a new way to be freed from Arat, but the plan clearly failed.

  A few grains of sand started to move around them. As Tara slowed down, she noticed him making circular movements with his hands.

  Sandy was forming the same sandstorm he has been doing these past years. It was powerful, so powerful that it blinded everyone, except himself and his camel. His sister insisted in trying to walk in the sandstorm, desperately trying to find him, but it was no use. Once the sandstorm stopped, he was already gone.

  The door to the maintenance room is opened:

  - Oh hey! Uh, can you take 8-Bit to the car instead of fixing him? Apparently there are some… uhm… professionals who said they could do a fixing on our bro! - Brock said, once he noticed ricochet entering the room - I know you don't work here, it's just, you're the only one here who can lift him.

  - Don't worry partner! - Ricochet raised his hat - You know I'm always here to help.

  He entered the room and picked up the arcade:

  - Let's go, my heavy friend! To the fixing!

  As he walked to the entrance of the arcade, slowly because of 8-Bit's weight, a flyer caught Ricochet's attention. It was in an wall prepared just for ads and it said: "You have an older model? Come replace it! New robots, better minds, more obedient and the cheapest option! Created by Supercell Robotics and Entertainment, making the world better, one smile at a time."

  Ricochet felt neutral about that poster. In reality… he couldn't feel anything that was stronger than "happy, neutral, a bit angry". He was part of the first ever line of robots that went to the public. He couldn't even be updated at that point. He barely could get repairs too, that's why he made sure to not create any enemies.

  Looking at the new chubby and friendly model made his "a bit angry" system activate. But then, he felt a weird shock coming from 8-Bit:

  - Oh geez, buddy! Did that heroine broke you by accident?

  …

  Ricochet looked at the poster again. He looked really close at it. He was… a bit angry. He was… feeling… "better minds?" huh?

  - They just want to convince my friends to put me aside - the robot said, as he ripped the flyer and carried 8-bit to the vehicle outside.

  "Nobody will get rid of me that easily."

Chapter Text

  The robot was slowly moving his fingers. He was testing if he really was completely active. He switched to checking the arms, then his feet and legs, ending in the torso and head. He checked himself in a mirror. As tall as a regular human male. Somewhat fat. Wearing a jacked and shoes and his tummy was filled with gumballs.

  The robot was sent to the streets. He was meant to get used to the humans, but a mission was also given: bring the old model back to the factory.

  The machine was walking very distracted. Watching all the humans living their lives was an interesting experience. He passed through a human playing a guitar on the street. The robot threw a coin, not actually stopping to see how the human was lacking skin and muscles.

  Not far away, a girl we already know well had her eyes on a traveller carrying some bags and wearing rather fancy clothes. He seemed to see something interesting in a light pole, taking a few flyers that were poorly placed in it. The guy walked to an empty alleyway, which was the girl's cue to make a move.

  Sandy didn't like walking in shady places, but he couldn't risk anyone noticing him. Any attention he gets could mean Tara finding him and he was sure she wouldn't listen. He threw away an old flyer. It was talking about this kid that disappeared a few years ago, but the photo was destroyed by time, so who cares. The rest of the flyers were talking about the championship, but what caught the most attention out of Sandy's mind was the main sponsor: Supercell Robotics and Entertainment. Those were the people he was looking for.

  Click.

  Sandy turned to look behind him. Penny had her gun pointed straight at him and she seemed impatient:

  - Sorry, bucko, but I'll have to ask ye to empty your pockets.

  He looked her up and down, then said:

  - What?

  - I told you to empty your pockets!

  - And if I don't, you'll shoot me with that little… thing? - he gives a little tap on her gun.

  - Oh, mate, ye don't even know how much damage this baby can do!

  - Your pirate impression doesn't impress me, now leave. I'm doing something important.

  The girl stays in place, refusing to leave. Sandy sighed:

  - You better leave while you still can, 'cause I'm giving you this choice only once - he said while straightening his posture, attempting to look threatening.

  Before Penny could answer the threat in any way, they both hear a loud noise. She immediately gets red as she puts one hand on her belly, thinking about how hungry she was. He noticed the issue and immediately backed down from his threat:

  - Wait, is that all what you needed? You just wanted to steal from me so you could get some food?

  - It's- it's not that! I just…

  - None of that threatening was necessary anyway - Sandy smiled - you could have just asked.

  - Wait… but i-

  - Put the weapon down, I got something for you.

  Penny does as he said. With both of her hands now free, she's given a random amount of golden coins and a variety of gems. She stares at the pile for some good seconds until finally speaking:

  - You're willing to give me money if I ask, but won't even flick if I threaten you?

  - Pretty much.

  - … you're one fucking weird mate! - she puts everything in a sack and runs away.

  It was clear she was frustrated; a mere act of kindness could make the pirate go paranoid.

  Sandy giggles a bit, but notices something had fallen from Penny's pockets. He picket it up and sees it's a photo of her with two unknown robots.

  Penny meets with Poco and throws the sack next to him:

  - That's how you do it!

  - Honestly… you need to have more faith on others' hearts. There are good people out there, you know - Poco said, while checking what she got.

  - Oh yeah, because people were being so good they only gave you five golden coins, how nice.

  Poco just let out a little laugh and kept playing:

  - Hey, ye gotta admit stealing is at least more effective! I mean, all I had to do was aim and…

  - Hey, kid!

  They both look to Sandy, who had approached them with the photo on his hand:

  - This fell from your pocket.

  Penny took it fast from his hand and his the photo in her hat this time:

  - T-thanks.

  He nods, then sees Poco with her:

  - Oh, hey. If you had told me you were with someone else, I would have given a little bit more of those coins!

  - No no no! That's enough! Shooo! Go away! - she started to push him away from there.

  - Alright, alright! See you around, then!

  The pirate turns to look at her friend. He had a little smile on his face:

  - So you didn't actually steal from him, huh?

  - W-WELL… H-HE'S SO STUPID I DIDNT EVEN… I DIDNT EVEN NEED TO STEAL TO GET EVERYTHING I WANTED. I-I MEAN, WHAT KIND OF IDIOT GIVES YOU GEMS JUST FOR A SNACK? - she yelled, trying to hide the embarrassment behind anger.

  The musician started to play a tune and then sang:

  "I've lost my cool, I'm not sure how to aaact"

  Penny grabbed his guitar to stop him:

  - Don't you fucking dare!

  The robot was in a new area. One of the most central cities. He was walking through a shopping mall, since he got kinda lost. The machine waved to a little robot carrying a plant that was walking with another duo, what a strange sight…

  As Rosa and Bea were walking through the mall, they were talking about the previous day at Barley's:

  - Can you believe it? People recognizing me and then begging me to come back to that stupid event? This is madness!

  - Well… - Bea paused for a second - what is left to lose? Our shop is unable to be reopen until who knows when. The cactus gave us lots of tragedies.

  - I'm not gonna risk losing that tournament. Can you imagine the harassment? It's already bad enough as it is.

  - But, what if you win? Maybe people will leave you alone?

  - Or it will increase everyone's anger! I'm not doing anything! The best thing we can do is hope they'll forget about it one day.

  Bea silently nodded.

   They went to get lunch for them, hoping to have as much of a peaceful afternoon as they could have. However, they're surprised to find someone being interviewed in front of a local gift shop:

  - Oh, you must be kidding with me - Rosa said.

  The interviewed was El Primo himself. A strong man, wearing a mask, a belt and basically the whole "lucha libre" set. Next to him, it was the owner of the shop and two of his workers. One was a girl who was writing everything she heard from El Primo in a journal, meanwhile the boy was wearing an El Primo mask that did not match with his edgy clothes.

  - Let's just keep going. They probably won't notice us - Bea said.

  Rosa nodded in agreement and they kept walking, until-

  "OH MY GOD, ROSA, IS THAT YOU???"

  Before they could react, the girl had already somehow blocked their path:

  - I CANNOT BELIEVE I FOUND YOU! CAN YOU PLEASE SIGN MY JOURNAL? I LOVED WATCHING YOU FIGHT! WHY DID YOU STOP? IS IT BECAUSE YOU LOST? OHMYGOD CAN WETAKEA PICTURETOGETHER??? PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE, ROSA!

  Rosa and Bea backed away, overwhelmed by the girl's energy. Now the attention was fully on them. The interviewers stepped in, also making questions:

  - Excuse me! Are you really the ex champion?

  Some started to whisper things, others didn't bother to be as nice:

  "Why is she here?"

  "Isn't she that stupid loser?"

  "…Got carried to the top…"

  "Who's that with her?"

  "I bet she's using that girl too…"

  - Rosa! - El Primo exclaimed from behind the crowd.

  As soon as he finished his sentence, everyone remained silent, like if a royal king had just said something important. He walked through the people as they made space for him, reaching the botanist and her assistant:

  - It's good seeing you again - he says, with a genuine smile on his face.

  Still confused, Rosa just answer:

  - Yeah… you too.

  - Still hitting the gym? Thought you had quitted.

  - I just don't go to the same as you anymore - she said, in a monotone voice.

  Bea noticed what was happening, so she grabbed Rosa's hand and whispered:

  - I think we should go.

  - Oh, that's oka…

  He's interrupted by the interviewer:

  - Why is that? Have you two gotten into a fight?

  - No, not at all - El primo answered, trying to take the attention away from Rosa.

  - I bet he banned her from his gym! - some random fan shouted.

  - Hey! - El primo tried to explain, but got cut by someone else's insult.

  - Of course he would, she's just too weak for him!

  All of the gossiping and insults resumed whole the interviewers tried to create their own false story of what was happening in that mall to their viewers.

  Rosa simply took Bea and Sprout and walked away, completely numb to all of this chaos, telling herself to stay calm, to keep it cool. But at each step, something started to change.

"Well, why don't you participate in the event to fix all of this?"

"Get first place and everyone will respect you." 

"You want her safe, don't you?"

  The woman had stopped.

  She didn't notice when, but she was now staring at her friend who was looking at her worried.

  Rosa then started to remember. Remember the first time her store was vandalized. Many crazy fans entered the shop and destroyed everything they could see or stole anything of value they could find. She was just lucky that day that her laboratory had a strong enough door.

  What if Bea was there? What if she was already her assistant at that day?

  What would have happened?

  …

  She turned around and spoke loud and clear so El Primo could hear her:

  - You're participating in this tournament?

  - Yeah!

  - I'll see you there then.

  The response made everyone's jaw drop, except for the champion. He got nothing but an immediate smile on his face, until Rosa said:

  - And don't let your guard down. I'm going for you first.

  She left with her team. El Primo thought of going after them. There was something he needed to explain to Rosa, however, he heard his phone warning him of a message. The man checked his phone and saw a message from his boss:

  "Don't tell her. Not yet."

  This is the first time Bea has seen her boss so angry.

   Waiting for the traffic lights to go green for you is usually a boring task, but for the robots it was nothing but a good moment to look around and learn. He saw all kinda of humans. Even some pets or insects every now and then.

  He was extremely satisfied with his new knowledge for his first day…:

  [Target spotted]

  At the far end of the street he was in, he could see him entering a bar:

  - Finally found you, Ricochet.

  He opened the door and, as the gentleman he is, held it open for his date and friends. Though, one could argue everyone is Ricochet's friend.

  Accompanied by Piper, Brock and Shelly, they all went to sit on a table together:

  - You two are sure we're not bothering? - Shelly asked.

  - Yeah, bro. If this is a date…

  - Don't you two worry! - Piper said - All the things you shouldn't see are planned for tonight.

  - Ayeee! - Shelly and Brock said, almost in unison.

  Ricochet laughed at them:

  - So, Shelly, you disappeared after helping in the arcade! Is everything alright? Did your cat got hurt? Did you get hurt?

  - Oh, no no… I just had to leave to help someone else with another big emergency, you know… uh… girl stuff - she awkwardly paused for some long seconds - right, Brock?

  - What?

  The sound of the door being opened with someone's whole strength got everyone's attention. When they looked, they saw Tara was the one responsible, as she had just arrived. She ran to the table Shelly was, barely managing to whisper:

  - My brother…

  - What's with your brother?

  - It's him… this whole time.

  Both Brock and Shelly stood up:

  - What?? - Brock looked at both of them - but why didn't he tell you that before?

  - Uhm, excuse me? - Piper interrupted them - What is happening here? Is everything ok?

  - It's that girl thing with my friend and it seems we just got another emergency.

  - Well - Ricochet turned to her - I hope everything get fixed, or better, or… whatever it is that deal with y'all. 

  "I hope the same"

  They're all startled by a sudden new voice that had joined the conversation. They all looked to him, but Ricochet in particular, started to feel… that… jealousy again:

  - Oh great… a "newer model". The future of robotics for our country or whatever it is that those ugly flyers said! - Ricochet turn his back to the robot.

  - Yes, but to be more specifically, I have a distinct name.

  - We don't care, buddy - Tara said - can you please leave?

  - Unfortunately, no. I need Ricochet to come with me.

  - And why would you need me? Aren't you the special, high tech little guy? - he asks in a rude tone.

  - Allow me formally introduce myself…

"My name is Rico and I am your replacement."

  As Ricochet heard those words, he stood up, slowly turned to the robot and said I'm such a deep and low voice that even Piper felt shivers down her spine:

  - What did you just say?

  - We are grateful for all of your hard working, but you're not needed anymore! - Rico said.

It's time to go back to the factory.