Steel Blood - A Hermitcraft fanfiction

16: oh no, everyone's sad...

Mumbo's base was getting busy.

TFC had joined the group hiding there, having got concerned about what was happening. Though due to spending most of his time in the mines, or minding his own business, he needed a bit of filling in on what had happened. Which had been provided. While NPG watched from the side, knowing he'd done it. Because none of the hermits had figured out, or at least shared that they'd figured out, that he was Rusty, and he had caused everything. And as the only voice of reason any of them could find became the two hermits he'd trapped, he knew that they didn't know about that either. 

So he decided to leave. 

'NPG?' 

Until he was spotted by another hermit.

'Uhh, hi.' He turned to see Gem watching him. 'What do you want?'

'Where are you going?' 

'Outside. To... talk to Jarvis.' He figured out quickly. Gem nodded. 

'Ok. Stay safe. I don't want the bad hermits to attack you.'

'Don't worry, I'll stay safe...' NPG trailed off, before thinking of something. 'Wait, I...' Gem looked over again. 'I... actually want to go to Iskall and Etho's base. I heard that they... died. And can you go with me? I don't want to go alone.'

'Sure.' NPG blinked, surprised at how easily she'd accepted it. 

'O...ok!' 

'I wanted to go back and visit too... I didn't know them as well as the others did. I know Pearl played Among Us with Etho, and was part of Last Life with him... I didn't end up talking to either of them really...' 

'Neither... should we go now?' 

'Yeah, sure. I should tell the others we're going off first though, so they don't worry.'

'Can't you leave a sign... or a message in chat?'

'Probably.' Gem realised. She quickly opened chat and sent it. Then, with a nod at NPG, the two flew off. 

The dead hermits' base was completely empty, and it didn't take too long to find the graves. NPG landed first, with Gem a moment behind, regaining her balance before speaking.

'I'll stay on watch in case any of the NPCs are here.' She explained. NPG nodded back, though he hadn't really heard what she'd said, distracted by the lectern left in front of the twin tombstones. He opened the book upon it, nervous. 

In memory of Iskall85 and Ethoslab. 

That was all the first page said, but there were many more, so he turned over again.

Etho, you were my best friend for so many years. Minecrack and Hermitcraft would've never been the same without you. I can't quite believe you're really gone. As your fellow NHO and Minecracker, goodbye.

-Doc

Iskall, you always made me laugh and were the only reason Sahara ever got completed. You've always been much better at everything than I was and I wish this wasn't goodbye. I will always burn diorite and give buildings moustaches to remember you

Mumbo

We're all missing the E of BEST over here and your big brain Among Us plays. Etho, you're a legend and the smartest person I ever knew. Thank you for being awesome

Tango

The messages continued across every single page, messages from the hermits to their dead friends. NPG read every single one, refusing to wipe away the oil tears that flowed freely down his face in case he ruined the books with smudged finger prints. He hadn't meant to do this. This wasn't his fault. Iskall and Etho's deaths weren't his fault. It was Him that had caused this... but as much as he tried to convince himself, he was lying. This was all his fault. 

He reached the end of the notes, finding there was still paper left. There was a feather quill marking the spot, and NPG picked it up carefully, writing only five words.

I'm sorry I killed you

There was a mirror in the NPC's hideout. 

They'd dug out an area underneath Fifi's cave, hollowing out a huge, dark area, splitting it into different rooms, and covering the walls with stone. A place for them to rest, and think about their next mindless plans. And in one room, in the darkest corner, barely lit, was a mirror. 

And standing by it was Impulse. 

He stared at his reflection. The metal plating that covered his arms, neck and half of his face. His tousled hair and empty eyes. And wished he was still himself. 

He wished he could still cry. Something about the change had stopped him from being able to. But he wished that he could ruin his circuitry with salty tears and break. He wished that he could pick up a sword and kill himself without the robot inside of him taking over and stopping him. He was sane for most of the time. And he hated every second of it. 

Sometimes he imagined he could actually see himself in the mirror. Not the metal Android he'd become, but himself. Fully flesh and normal. A Mirror Impulse with the scratches and cuts real Impulse had tried to create, to see if he still bled like a human. Turns out he bled oil now instead.  A Mirror Impulse with tears down his cheeks and red around his eyes from crying. And it was all better than what real Impulse was like. 

Perfect. 

He hated the word. Hated the idea. That by making everyone the same, they could all be happy. No more wars, or arguments, or sadness. Only rustic houses and happiness. 

Impulse balled his fists, anger rising, the edge of crying, if he still could. Instead he let out a scream of anguish, punching the mirror, watching it fall apart into a million pieces of himself. Glass shattering and falling to the ground. 

He panted, unhurt, wishing it would end, knowing it could, falling to the ground, hugging his knees as he tried to let out some sign of sadness, not noticing as another person entered. 

'Impulse.'

It was Tango. Or whatever Tango had become. Voice cold. Impulse ignored the person pretending to be his friend.

'Impulse, come. We're going.'

'Where?' He replied dully. 

'To kill the non-believers.'

'You mean our friends.'

'They're not our friends, and they never were. They're SCARED of us for no reason. They need to be taught a lesson.'

The thoughts in Impulse's head shifted, returning to how he should be, and standing to face Tango. His friend smiled.

'I knew you'd come to your senses.'

'Let's go.' 

I've been struggling with this chapter for what's felt like eternity and now I manage to finish it in half an hour?! 

What?!