Chapter Text
Truthfully, Second had no idea how he was going to start this conversation with Victim. For one thing, he had never communicated with the gray stick before, let alone about something this touchy for both sides. Regardless, he was going to try communicating with Victim, even if it may result in the latter’s scarily strong reaction, or worse, mockery from not believing a word he says.
“So?” H4ck3r asked, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow. Right, was he waiting for Second to start the conversation?
“Listen Victim-”
“H4ck3r,” the gray stick corrected, his bright blue eyes narrowing at the ‘wrong’ name.
“Yes, sorry H4ck3r,” Second adjusted, trying not to let the awkwardness and tension affect his response. “I think you have a misconception about Alan…and I just wish that you would know who you’re actually harming before….whatever it is that you and Dark plan to do.”Obviously, H4ck3r didn’t look one bit convinced. “And how are you so sure you’re not the one with the wrong conception?” he questioned back sharply. But before Second could even respond, he continued. “Too late though, his computer is already permanently damaged.”
“...You destroyed it?” Second asked, a small quiver evident in his voice. His home, the place he was so used to for years ever since his creation, completely destroyed? All the previous calmness he had on the way here was all shattered at the thought, and again green flames started to rise.
H4ck3r didn’t seem intimated though, his next words shattering Second’s last hopes. “Yes. Even the data is unrepairable. So I guess the animator may have to….redo all his life, if he has the time to, that is.”
Despite H4ck3r’s words that implied contentness, the scowl on his face didn’t leave, his expression unchanging. Second, however, felt completely crushed. All the memories from their home, completely destroyed. There was no way for them to go back to normal, and worst of all, who knew what H4ck3r was planning next? If he can even do such things to a human and computer, who knows what he can do to the outernet and the sticks there? There was also his collaboration with Dark, who they already knew how dangerous was. Second felt his heart sink at that realization. The consequence of what could happen if he couldn’t convince H4ck3r was huge, and as of currently, it was obvious that that was very likely.
It took Second a bit before he finally regained his composure, causing the flames to dim again. “That may be so, but that doesn’t mean there’s no chance of recreating a similar environment. H4ck3r, I want you to know that, whether your impression of Alan and your actions to him is right or wrong, there is another side to him, and that he did change over the course of these years.”
H4ck3r’s frown deepened, though he didn’t respond, a sign for Second to continue.
“Alan isn’t cruel to sticks like us anymore. He doesn’t just torture us for fun, or view us as tools or simple sources of entertainment anymore. He’s aware that we are living and has a consciousness, and he’s treating us worthy now.”
“Treating you,” H4ck3r cut in, his eyes narrowing at Second’s wording. “Besides, what you’re saying he did was what? The bare minimum? Tell me, why should I forgive him for his past cruelty just because he simply acknowledged my ability to think for myself? And that’s not even saying, where’s your proof?”
“I’m the proof. The fact that I am standing here, unharmed, with very little scars that look remotely done by a cursor, is proof of him stopping abuse. If that’s not enough, there’s also Yellow, Red, Blue, and Green, if you don’t take my word. Why would I defend him if he isn’t a good person, for what reason if I was also abused and disrespected by him? H4ck3r, we defend him for a reason, not just because we want to get in your way.”
“Right, so what is this change? How did he treat you well? Tell me then, if you’re so sure that he changed for the better.”
“He’s our friend and family, he protects us, and he takes care of us. If you don’t trust me or my friends, you can ask Dark about that too. He comes to us when we need help, like a friend or father would.”
H4ck3r paused for a minute, as if considering a rebuttal. “So…what if he’s nice now? He was never nice to me. Just because he was nice to you guys doesn’t mean he’s free of the way he treated me previously, or the way he treated Dark or even the Chosen One for that matter.”
“But he can treat you better now, if you’re willing to make peace!” Second cut in, which made the gray stick glance at him with a glare.
“And why should I make peace first?”
“I am making peace with you right now, if you’re willing to agree. And I’m sure Alan would too. This could all be reversed, H4ck3r, he can make up with you, destroying everything is not the only solution, if it was a solution at all in the first place.”
“No it cannot be reversed!” H4ck3r interrupted, his voice loud and with a somewhat broken tone. “No…it cannot,” he repeated, this time quieter, his tone as if trying to hide the faint weakness he felt. “Mitsi, she’s gone, nothing can be reversed if she’s not here.”
A soft chuckle escaped his mouth as he continued. “No, and in no way will the animator forgive me. You may think you know him, may think he can be nice and forgiving, but do you really? I know that animator didn’t completely change yet, and even if he did, I doubt he’d forgive me anyway. I just ruined his whole computer and internet storage, remember? Please, not everyone—especailly not the animator—is as willing to compromise like you. Don’t be naive.”
“I’m not,” Second replied firmly. He knew Alan was willing to, that this could all be resolved. Besides, even then, Dark’s proposal is not a solution, and Second is almost a hundred percent sure that he cannot bring Mitsi back. “H4ck3r, don’t make the wrong decision. Dark can’t revive Mitsi, it’s not worth it to destroy this whole world for this faint possibility of him bringing her back. He’s sooner to betray you than reviving her. Even if he had that power, I doubt he would be willing to do that. It doesn’t matter-”
“Yes it does! Anything does for Mitsi. Even if it's just a slim chance. Listen The Second Coming, Alan may treat you well, but he doesn’t for me, and even if he does, it’s all meaningless without Mitsi. She’s the first person to truly accept and see good in me, and I don’t care if I have to sacrifice the whole world for her. I will not take whatever offer you have without her. Do I make myself clear?”
With a swallow, Second nodded, his green eyes scanning H4ck3r’s angered expression nervously. It took a whole minute before he dared confront the gray stick again. “Just…be aware of Dark. And…just because you hate Alan and Chosen doesn’t mean they’re information is completely untrustworthy, just to note. I…I don’t want you to go the wrong route. I’ve seen many before.” I did too, after all, Second thought to add, but he decided against it. At this point, he doubted if H4ck3r would have the patience to listen to his own experience. After all, it wasn’t like he actually lost someone, no matter how close and devastating it was.
“I know. I haven’t lost my logical thought,” H4ck3r replied, though his tone was less hostile than Second had expected. “...I know who to trust and who not to. I would worry more about your own judgment if I were you.”
Second resisted the urge to reply how the feeling is replicated. In truth, he did understand why H4ck3r was doing all this, but what he was doing was wrong, how it wasn’t worth it to destroy the world for nothing, as Dark wouldn’t fulfill his promise even if he could bring back Mitsi.
“Come or leave, I have more important things than just standing here waiting for you to speak your nonsense,” H4ck3r said as soon as Second finished his thoughts. Hesitantly, Second followed the gray stick, keeping a certain distance from him.
Now come to think of it, how long did they leave? Second couldn’t help but worry about Chosen at the thought. What Dark wanted to discuss, he didn’t know for sure, but he didn’t trust the red stick enough to believe that Dark wouldn’t turn the discussion into something more dangerous. The more Second wondered but also worried, the faster his footsteps became, eager to protect Chosen from whatever Dark may be planning.
At last he saw the black stick, thankfully unharmed, though there was something melancholy about him, more doubtful than before. “Cho!” Second waved to him, a smile on his face, the previous scowl from the conversation with H4ck3r completely forgotten. It was just refreshing to be with someone he knew for sure was kind again.
Despite Chosen showing no physical injuries, Second still asked if he was okay, which resulted in the other stick shaking his head. It was only when H4ck3r pointed it out that Second even noticed the red stick was nowhere near. It didn’t bother him too much though, and he turned back to Chosen, careful to not trigger any sensitive topic with his follow up question. “So what happened?”
“Not much, we just…talked about our past, that’s all.” That could not have been a worse lie, but Second didn’t decide to question Chosen about it any further. It was clear he didn’t want to anyway.
Chosen then changed the topic on how Second’s conversation went, so the orange hollow head told him, leaving out details that felt just a bit too personal. Chosen nodded when he finished, a million thoughts obviously running through his mind. At last he spoke, a small quiver visible in the certain wording. “So he never mentioned what me or Alan actually did?”
Second tilted his head in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“...I killed Mitsi. Well, technically Dark did, but I did kill hundreds of others.”
For a minute all Second could do was to stare dumbly at his companion, who surprisingly smiled at his reaction. The way those dim dark crimson eyes seemed to light up into blood red at the memory of the killing sent a cold shiver down Second. “I was Dark’s friend for seven years for a reason Second. You need to have something in common with someone to be friends with them. Did you really think I didn’t enjoy the destruction at all?”
Here his smile widened, and Second swore his eyes lit up like they did when Chosen’s powers were still present. “So, do you still trust me as your companion after knowing this?”