Chapter Text
⚠︎𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞, if you find any error please tell me so I can correct it and make this story more enjoyable for you all!⚠︎( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ )
ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ﮩ
They ran and ran for what felt like hours, in almost an adrenaline induced daze state they surpassed the dark forest, where the smell of burnt grass and ink still lingered in the air, and only stopped on the old wooden bridge that lead to the small house near the river only because Deuce's injuries made him stop to regain his breath
He crouched on the ground, his hand on his knees as his chest moved up and down with an almost inhumane speed, as a consequence the whole group stilled their pace as they observed the blue haired student, the only one who didn't seem fatigued at all was the android, or at the least from outside
CHIP was aware of the risks when it used magic, but it forgot to put the old and ruined conditions of its body in the equations, inside its whole system was screaming and its battery level was now too low for any self repair on the spot, just like the night it arrived at the NRC it needed to turn off everything for its system to be able to recharge and function again
Even if this time CHIP was actually wondering if its own repairs would've been enough to repair itself, it could feel it, this wasn't light damage, its body needed proper maintenance, especially to get rid of that strange sensation that kept growing inside its core
it's gone
the monster was eliminated
pulverized
w꒦ ̄̿ ͆ ̚ha◀t had CH◀IP d꒦ ̄̿ ͆ ̚o▓ne
But this wasn't important right now, no, the humans and the small monster were still here, before collapsing, before everything else, they needed to go back to school before sunrise
Grimm had sat down exhausted near the robot's leg while Ace sat down on the bridge while holding his head with his hands, only their deep breathing broke the now too silent night, that was until Deuce tried to stand up again, the rush of panic and excitement had passed and the gnawing pain at his lower abdomen
-Huff...huff..- but after the exhaustion, the pain, the fear, came the realization as Deuce slowly opened his palm, where the magical stone was resting, as Ace slowly lifted his head up, a quiet murmur, as if speaking too loudly would've crack the precious gem in their possession -We...we did it?- he slowly stood up, so did the cat as they all moved to circle the stone, aside from the android that looked at them from afar, making sure that nothing would disturb this important moment for them
-we...WE WON- Grim jumped in glee as it kept looking at the gemstone and then turning its head quickly towards the two humans, looking for confirmation -We actually won!- its own enthusiasm infected the other two as they started laughing, Ace clapped his hands, making some steps back in disbelief before jumping too, in a mix of disbelief and amazement
Deuce stood there, with a proud expression on his face as he slowly tightened his grip around the jewel before finally bursting out in a loud laugh of relief and joy -Y-YESS!- he hang an arm around the red hair shoulders and brought him closer in a side hug, while the latter used his gloved hand to ruffle his hair, their faces covered in sweat never looked more joyous that day, and that made even the robot walk closer, almost relaxing at the comforting scene
Grim immediately joined in too, jumping on CHIP's shoulder and nuzzling its cheek against Ace's face while using its paw to pat the android's shoulder, strangely no one seemed bothered by that interaction -We did it!- one almost cried as he closed his eyes, the red heart on one of his eye was all smudged, the makeup had been destroyed by the sweat and dirt but they didn't seem to care -Victory high-five!- Grim yelled
They all moved closer, their hands colliding, even CHIP's cold metallic one that Deuce lifted up with his, the robot didn't understand that gesture but it interpreted it as a sign of friendship, for some reason the machine was included in the group too. Its scanners were too damaged to really analyze their conditions, but the robot didn't need any procedure to see that every neurotransmitters in their brain, such as dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins, were being released in that moment, they worked as a team and the results made them happy
-I'm relieved to know that you're all great friends now, humans should never argue with each other- that statement from CHIP made them all wake up, Deuce immediately let go of Ace's shoulders and the latter walked back, trying to put distance between himself and the machine while putting his hands in his pockets, Grim on the other hand turned its head away, to not let the robot see the agitation in its flames
Deuce coughed, shaking his head as a bit of red grew on his cheeks, barely visible under all the dirt and ashes, the machine didn't understand, they were all so happy and proud of their actions before, what changed? -W-what are you saying? It's nothing like that!- he protested, the tip of his ears was red as he refused to look at them again, same went for Ace, who simply turned around with his arms crossed, but the robot could still catch that feeling of nervousness coming from him and his body language -Y-yeah! I think your wires melted inside there...could you stop saying such weird things?-
Then came Grim that jumped down on the grass, its tail swaying behind it betraying its happiness -We all won thanks to my genius!- it affirmed, despite the clear lacking of confidence in its voice, the machine could only tilt its head to the side as those soulless eyes stared at the three of them in silence, not processing how they changed attitude so quickly just because it pointed out their clear bond over that fight
Unexpectedly it was Ace to break the silence, his shoulders relaxed and, despite still not coming closer to the robot, he looked at him with something other than anger or annoyance for the first time; He was still getting used to the robot's presence, and no one forgot about what happened in the mines, how CHIP just pulverized a giant monster in a matter of seconds, they just all choose to ignore it, it would be a conversation for another time, for that day already reserved too many fights and scary mysteries for them
-making excuses is pretty lame am I right?- he sighed and a small genuine smile, all for CHIP to enjoy and cherish, grew on his face -You know...I hate to admit it, but... We won mostly because of your plan- after all that was the right thing to do, there had been too many discussion today and, since no one was around, Ace could unwind, and for once being grateful to the one that still scared him the most -piece of junk- he smirked, maybe with less anger or malevolence than that morning, but he still felt the need to say that, to not humanize that machine more than necessary
Deuce just rolled his eyes, not in the mood to yell at Ace for that name and instead just walked towards CHIP, laying a hand on his shoulder, one that spoke of gratefulness and appreciation -Yes... if you hadn't shoved the truth in our faces and told us what to do, we would never have had this magic stone- A smile, a genuine one as he showed him the sparkly gem from up close, his whole body relaxed, despite his injury the machine never left him behind, that gained his respect, Deuce owned it at the least that -now I won't get expelled....ahhh what a relief- he patted CHIP's metallic back before looking up at the stars in the night sky, that now looked brighter than ever
-ERROR- CHIP let out, those dead eyes having an intensity in them never seen before, those words, it didn't feel right to receive them after what it did to that creature -you won because you all worked together, my job was only to protect and assist you, you are very strong humans- and then those same eyes turned towards the small feline at its side -and very powerful creature- maybe it was because they were used to the monotone voice, because they were scolded by it, because they knew that the machine couldn't lie, but they were all strangely proud of that affirmation, especially Grim, its own blue orbs were shining, looking up and absorbing every word coming out of CHIP's mouth like a prayer
They all smiled, the night didn't seem as scary as before, and the glowing jewel in the student's palm seemed to glow brighter -Yes, yes, lesson learned...- Ace started walking, trying to move on from that cheesy moment, not being able to hide his pleased expression as he started waving a hand -Can we go home? I'm exhausted..- they started following him, CHIP was more than happy to guide them to the safety of their school, mostly because its body wouldn't hold on much longer in those conditions, but even the robot was somehow glad that the atmosphere got lighter
-I'm really starving after using so much magic...- Grimm lamented from the side as they all walked towards the direction of the magic mirror, the softness of the grass under their shoes a drastic change to the harsh rocks of the mines, a really welcomed change -Hm? What's this?- the feline mumbled confused as it ran on its four paws towards a medium sized black rock, that picked all of their curiosity and mostly worry from the machine
As it lifted it up with its two paws CHIP noticed that the black inside it almost started moving, as if the rock was only a container for some strange black liquid that it couldn't identify, but the similarity of that rock with the head of the ink monster, that the robot had annihilated itself, was uncomfortable and the sensation inside its core just got worse. Grim didn't seem of the same approach as it started smelling the object, its expression becoming more and more hungry the longer it held it between its paws
-Is this part of the monster we just beat? But CHIP eliminated it near the quarry- he said thoughtfully while looking at Ace, that was as confused, and a bit more tired and not caring, than him-It really looks like... a magical stone? But it's..black as coal! I've never seen one like it before- that couldn't be good, CHIP wasn't from this place, and if it was it didn't have any memories of it, but the humans were, they knew what a magical stone was and yet this was a new discovery even for them, this couldn't be good, they should bring this back to the headmage and-
-Time to dig in!- before it could realize it Grim already swallowed the mysterious stone, under the panicking grazes of all the group that just stared in horror as the cat chewed the stone like if it was a candy -Grim! spit out that foreign body!- CHIP roared with urgency in its usual mechanical voice as it crouched down, trying to take the cat monster in its arm to make it spit whatever it just ate, if only its whole system wasn't going down then maybe the machine could've scanned its health condition, making sure that its body wasn't being poisoned, but there was little it could do -UuHh!- the cat yelped out, scaring them even more
-Grim! Are you alright!- Deuce frantically shook the beast in front of the machine, that was now trying to stop the both of them because Grim could choke in that way. Ace just stood on the side with a resigned expression on his face, a loud disappointed sigh leaving his lips as he looked at the creature -This is what you get for eating garbage from the ground!- he facepalmed himself, he just wanted to go back to school, but he couldn't hide his worry for the little creature either
-D...d...de..- Grim murmured quietly, the three of them quieted down in fear as they all got closer to the monster that was now looking at the grass under them, before it literally jumped away from Deuce's arms to kneel down on the ground in worship, with much surprise of the three of them -DELICIOUS!- its paws held its fluffy cheeks as it started drooling, stars and rainbows covered his pupils as they looked at it in complete shock, even the android froze in surprise -Rich in flavor and full-bodied... Like sweet, fragrant flowers blooming on my tongue- it closed its eyes in bliss as it kept talking about the dirty stone as if it was the most tasty dessert -like a whole field of flowers in my mouth!-
peculiar, that's the word that came to mind when CHIP observed its reaction, it still wasn't sure of what Grim had swallowed, it still wanted to bring it to a medic just to be sure, but at the least it didn't react badly to the unknown object, and appeared to be still healthy and not sick -Bleeeegh- Ace mimicked a puking sound as it put a hand on his mouth -Do monsters really enjoy eating trash?!- he seemed shocked as it looked around asking for confirmation, and for once it really got Deuce's one -You might be right there...- he nods sighing, a thoughtful tone in his voice as he observed the blissful expression on Grim's face -Most humans don't take random things they find on the ground and just put them in their mouths...-
So this wasn't common for them, the machine was right, it could only watch as Grim took its place back on its shoulder while licking its mouth -Ghahaah, tasty!- then it turned its head around, observing their worried and disgusted gaze and just smirked, as if pleased to have done something that shocked them all -Don't worry! My stomach isn't weak like yours...- it snickered, mocking their frail human bodies while CHIP tried to register that information, but every system was giving up, walking alone was getting difficult for the machine, even if it went probably unnoticed as they were all pretty battered from the whole night
-Yeah yeah...- the red haired freshman sighed as they finally reached the mirror, crossing his arms behind his head as he turned around, facing the mirror with its back as it walked into it -Don't come crawling to us to bring you to the infirmary when you feel sick later- he laughed before jumping in the light, missing the angry curses coming from the beast that jumped right after him. Deuce laughed gently, getting in after them and CHIP was the last, giving a last gaze to the peacful woods, that feeling, that wrong wrong feeling, it would never leave it, because even when all its processor shut down that was still there, consuming its whole system
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Four figures jumped out in the dark Hall of Mirrors, the night enveloped everything and the school looked abandoned when it wasn't full of students running around to get to their classes. They were all pleased to be back, Deuce looked down at the stone in his gloved hand, they made it, and he was pretty proud of it, for once he used his magic, his strength, to make up for his mistake, and it was all thanks to the strange friends he met that first day, despite the pain in his lower abdomen he couldn't help but to feel glad for that experience
-Alright! Let's get this magic crystal to the head-
-BOOM-
They all stopped, the cat and the red haired freshman that were fighting suddenly jumped, looking back at the mirror in horror, that sound, metal hitting the ground, Deuce heard that before, he slowly turned around, not registering the frightened screams coming from the small beast as it ran past him, and looked down at the collapsed figure of the robot, on the clear floor of the school, that wasn't giving any signs of life as it did before, only that this time its body was collapsed and battered on the ground
-CHIP!-
the loud scream of desperation echoed through the hallway, alarming the few students who made of the night their time to walk, as they all frantically called the headmage for help
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-battery level:0%-