Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter One.

I open my eyes to an unfamiliar world around me.

I sit up, scanning the world around me. I'm clearly underground, but where? I reach deep in my mind to figure out how I got here, only to get nothing in return. I start to panic. No friends, no voices, nothing. It's all so... Empty? Blank? A deep, dark void of nothingness? It doesn't matter. All my memories are gone, if I even had any in the first place. Creepy. Instead of panicking more, I try to distract myself by looking around more.

I look at the various vending machines, dim lights, trash cans and benches and even make out what seems to be train tracks. This is a train station, I think. But why here, so deep underground? I look down and see that my skin is green. Something about that feels off, as if I wasn't always like this. I look at my shirt, and notice a pin on it. I take it off and look at it. The name Emperor seems to be engraved on it, and I assume that's my name. I think about that for a moment.

Suddenly, a hand taps my shoulder. I quickly turn around, snarling furiously.

The person who touched me lets out a small squeak, and backs away. "Wait! I'm just like you!" He says frantically.

I die down a bit when I get a better look at the person. He has the same green skin, but has a bowlcut and is wearing a hoodie. His eyes are entirely black, except for an aquamarine circle I assumed was his iris.

"Well maybe try a different approach?" I snap.

"Yikes, okay!" The mystery person helplessly says. "Hey, I know this is random, but... what's your name? I'm Vintage. At least that's what my pin says. I don't remember anything either- if that's the situation you're in anyway!"

"Hey, Vintage." I say. "My name's Emperor. And yes, I seem to have amnesia as well..." Suddenly, I blurt out: "Do you wanna... partner up?"

"Sure!" Vintage seems excited about us being together, and deep down, I feel the same way.

Chapter 2 bc fuck the chapter system I'd rather scroll

I tilt my ears up. "Something's coming," I whisper. "Something big. We should hide."

Vintage says nothing but nods, and in a hurry we're frantically running around, searching for a hiding spot. He took the smart, but also dumb move of hiding in a trash can, but I'm still searching for a hiding spot when the thing gets louder. I panic, and dive behind a vending machine.

The thing that was coming turned out to be a train. It was big and jet black, blending in so well if it weren't for the various windows that leak out light. It has the word "DEEPSEA" in white on the doors. I try to get a better look, but then some people step out and I'm forced to hide my face. I try to stay deathly silent, half not wanting to be noticed, but also half wanting to listen to what they have to say.

"Whew! What a fight." One of them, probably a young inkling boy, says. "We should have a long rest."

"Can we make it... shorter this time?" A second one says. His voice is unrecognizable. "I feel like we're wasting time."

"Sure!" The young boy says a little too brightly.

"I have a few snacks if you two want any." A third voice- probably an old man -adds.

"I think I'll just get something from the vending machine," The unrecognizable one replies.

No, wait! I think frantically. Shit shit shit!

I start to panic as the sound of footsteps gets louder. I want to scream, to call for help, but I can't. All I can do is sit here, hoping he doesn't suspect I'm behind the vending machine.

"Hey, was the vending machine so... far from the wall?" Great. Just what I needed.

"No, but you should put it back against the wall." The old man replies.

Suddenly, I feel like I'm being squished. Out of instinct, I push back with just as much force.

"There's something behind it." He called out.

"Move it then!" The young boy says, then he pauses. "Sorry... that sounded mean."

Fear jolts through me. I tense up, ready to fight if needed. I could probably take out the young boy and old man, and this mystery person if I'm fast enough. I stop that train of thought. Why? I ask myself internally. Why would I kill someone, ever? My muscles relax a bit, but tense up again as his fingers grab the edge of the vending machine...

"Wait!" I hear Vintage shout. I can hear him try to scramble out of the trash can, but fails miserably. He lets out a yelp of surprise as he hits the floor. Idiot.

Without thinking, I get up, run in front of Vintage, and snarl furiously.

"EMPEROR?" A fourth voice shouts. He was so silent, I jumped back when the first word he yelled was my own name.

Vintage reacts first, staring at the kid, snarling.

"Wait," I say softly to him. He dies down, but is still alert.

I walk towards the kid, and get a good look at him. He looks young, no older than twelve, but is clearly alert. He is wearing a long, white leather jacket, with a few red streaks here and there. He has yellow hair, like mine, and his eyes, yellow and red.

"Em...per...or?" He repeats.

I tilt my head. "Who... are you?" I ask? "I... don't know you."

Well that wasn't the right thing to say. He takes a step back, fear and worry flowing through his eyes. "I don't-" He says.

I don't know why, I don't know how, but I want to protect this young boy.

I want to keep him safe.

Chapter 3

Turns out, the group was very nice, and let me join them.

The little boy that recognized me was Prince, which sounded really ironic, but I let it slide. The other three were Goggles, Hachi, and Capn' Cuttlefish.

Goggles was a tall, large man who looked about sixteen. He had a jet black suit, with a dark purple tie. He had pilot goggles on his head, which was probably where he got his name. He was very sweet and innocent, and tried to convince me he was good in battle, but boy was he stupid and immature. Apparently, to celebrate the four finding me and Vintage, he pulled down both our pants. Nasty.

Hachi was a different story though. He was an Octoling, and wore a vastly different outfit, that was very... feminine. He wore a small earring in his left ear, and had a crop-top with some form of armor on it. His shoes were large black boots, with some sort of yellow tag on them. He wielded a blaster, which I had some deep respect for, despite never seeing one before. Turns out, "Hachi" wasn't even his real name, just some pet name Goggles gave him.

Capn' had some sort of army suit on, with a captain's hat on his head. His cane was made of bamboo, but also looked like some sort of weapon. I thought nothing of it, though.

They offered to give me and Vintage a suit too, but we both denied. We liked our current outfits.

Hachi said to go to the inside of the train, and when I did, it was way different then on the outside.

It was so bright and lively, I had to let my eyes adjust to the light. Once they did, I could see the train more clearly. It was jet black on the inside, but the seats were really comfy, I fell asleep before I could see the rest of the train.

I was later woken up by Vintage, who was asleep on my shoulder, purring. I blushed a bit, but quickly tried to find a way to get up without waking him. Then again, he looked so comfy...

After a bit of arguing with myself, I decide to get up, and gently lay him down. This backfires, though, because he slowly flutters his eyes open.

"Mmmph..." He groans softly. "I was cozy..."

"Get up, dumbfuck." I say affectionately. "We're probably stopping in a bit."

Goggles materializes beside me. "Actually, the next stop is still a ways away." He said kindly.

I give him a look that says "Very helpful, idiot," but he still smiles so brightly I may as well go blind.

"More sleep for me..." Vintage yawns, then does a middle finger at me, then pauses. "Wait, I want you next to me," He says.

I sigh but don't argue, sitting next to him. This time, I think I'm the one to fall asleep on his shoulder.

When I wake up, it's Hachi shaking me. Startled, I snarl.

He shoots his hands up. "Sorry!" He stammers.

I suddenly realize who I'm snarling at. "No, I'm sorry." I say. I look around. "Where's Vintage?"

"Outside the train," Hachi answers. "With the rest of us."

I quickly get up, and dart out the train doors. Someone objects, probably the conductor, but I keep running. I look up to see why we're out here.

Several octoling soldiers seem to have the entire group pinned to the ground or walls, and trying to kill them.

Hachi quickly tries to help Goggles, who is shouting several curse words I didn't even think he knew existed, but another soldier grabs him and pins him to a tree.

I quickly find Vintage in the crowd, being beat up by a particularly strong-looking soldier.

"Vintage!" I holler.

Another octoling soldier notices me, and dives at me.

Without weapons, I stand there helplessly, about to witness my death.

Chapter 4 (I'M SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING)

Without thinking, I grab the octoling's arm and throw her to the ground, pinning her down.

Another one comes to aid her, but I kick her in the stomach, and stand up to pin her with my foot. The other one was choking, so I loosened my grip. Several of the soldiers seem to back away, realizing how good at fighting I really am, but that's the confusing part, I didn't even know I was this strong. Or brutal.

I drop the octoling soldier and run over to Vintage, the other soldiers either not caring, or too scared to try. I pry the octolings off of him, as they seem to not care that I'm behind them.

"Emperor," Vintage said, a hint of worry in his voice. "you didn't have to come and rescue me, Goggles was right there-"

"Shut up," I say, half affectionately, half serious. "or else I'll let the octolings attack you again. You want that?" I help him up.

"Okay whatever MOM." Vintage giggles. "Should we assist the others?"

"Yeah, probably." I nod. "I'll go and save Prince, can you take care of Goggles and Hachi?"

Vintage nods, then darts over to the two.

I run over to Prince, who is flailing at the soldiers that have him cornered, biting and clawing at their arms, but not doing very well. I toss the soldiers off him, and hurry him to the train, which was starting to close its doors. He doesn't object when I push him in. I'm about to go inside, too, when I see something shiny on the ground.

I don't know if it was instinct or stupidity, but I dart over to the mysterious object, holding it in my claws for a bit before Vintage hollers.

"GET IN!" He screams frantically. The doors of the train were starting to close.

I scurry over, getting in just before the doors to the train close and we start leaving the train station.

"What's that?" Vintage points to the shiny thing in my hand.

"I don't-" I start.

"A mem-cake." Hachi interrupts. "You can use it to regain memory."

"That's cool!" Goggles giggles. "It kinda looks like Prince!"

"Can I see that really quick?" Hachi asks.

"Sure...?" I hesitate a bit, but then put it in his hand.

"Thanks." He holds it gently in both hands, acting as if he's going to take a huge bite out of it. He pauses for a moment, his eyes in another dimension, then, he looks up and smiles.

"Here, Emperor," He says. "You wanna try?"

I nod slightly, a little concerned. "How do I work this again?"

"Like this," Hachi does a little hand gesture."but then you want to quickly dig your nails, or, rather, claws, into it."

"Okay..." I respond, a bit suspicious. I hold it like he did, then quickly dig my claws into it.

Everything goes black.

~#~

It's stormy outside, and 13-year-old Emperor was having some trouble sleeping. Every time he felt himself drift off, a boom of thunder would disturb him. He hated nights like these.

Seriously, can't the storm just shut up!? He thought, very tired. It felt like he hadn't slept for days. Maybe he hadn't, and this was all a hallucination. A loud boom of thunder and the flash of lightning shook the house.

Suddenly, Emperor heard a loud shriek. Prince.

He shot out of bed and into his little brother's room, and saw him, curled up on the corner of his bed and crying. Emperor walked over, onto Prince's bed, and cuddled him.

"I'm scared," Prince muttered.

"It's going to be alright," Emperor replied. This was the first time in a while he comforted his brother, let alone cuddled. He pat Prince on the head.

Prince squeaked with fright as another flash of lightning darted across the sky. He huddled closer to Emperor, as if he was shelter from the loud thunder.

"You feel better?" Emperor asked after a while.

"Yeah," Prince replied.

~#~

I look up, my eyes wide with concern. I swivel my head from side to side, trying to find Prince. He sat on the seat next to mine.

I put the mem-cake back in Hachi's arms. "Take it," I say, my voice quivering a little bit. He nods, taking the mem-cake out of my hands.

I turn to Prince. "Prince, tell me," I put my arms on his shoulders. "are we... related?"

He nodded.

Prince and I were brothers.

Chapter Text

Hello everyone, Novastarfox here, with some bad news.

DATA ERASE is now discontinued. This could change anytime.

Why, you may ask? Well, many reasons.

My mental health may be doing better, but I still can't seem to motivate myself to add new chapters... sorry about that.

I've run out of ideas for the plot... so even if I DID continue it, it would be a monthly or every 1-4 month update.

My new hyperfixation, Cookie Run Kingdom, has recently gotten in the way of me crafting ideas for plot and characters.

I WILL STILL MAKE ONESHOTS, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM SPLATOON. STAY TUNED.