3rd life, but make it Corika!

{Elastic} And down they fall

"We need to plan another attack."

"So soon?" Rider asked.

Skull only nodded. "I... We do. They killed Aloha. We need to show them we won't let this stand."

"Skull..." Avi sighed. "You're red, too. We can't risk loosing another one of us. Hell, Army might become even more of a wreck if you died."

"I can care less about my life right now." Skull said. "Just... if we can take out one of their lives, it'll be worth it."

Avi simply put a hand on Skull's shoulder. "...Alright. Just, be careful, love."

"I will."

"So," Regent started. "How are we gonna do this? We already did a number on the mansion. We can blow up it even more."

"The outpost might be a better option, though." Avi said. "That's less protected."

"..What if we do both?" Goggles asked. "A few of us handle the mansion and the others get the outpost?"

"That... is actually a good idea." Rider said. "Who's doing who?"

"I can handle the outpost. Get me in a tree and I can shoot them down." Skull stated. "Avi?"

"I'll go with you, love."

"And I'll handle the TnT in the mansion." Regent grinned. "Gorai, what 'bout you two?"

"I'll help with the outpost." Rider said. "Goggles, can you handle the mansion?"

Goggles nodded. "Yep!"

"...Will Army be joining this mission?" Regent asked. "If so, what about him?"

"Let me handle the outpost." Army said, walking into the room. His hair was down for once, and threaded through a string on his neck, was a ring. With a gold band and an orange jewel. "I want to take on Mask personally."

Skull turned to the ginger. "Army, are you sure-"

"Positive. I... I need to make them pay."

"Then it's settled." Rider said. "Let's do this shit." He picked up his axe. "C'mon."

The group set out on their ways to the mansion and the outpost. Goggles followed Regent closely, watching as he messed with the fuse of the tnt.

"Okay. Gogs, you have to run away when the fuse is lit, got it?" Regent asked. "Otherwise you'll be blown to bits."

Goggles nodded. "Got it!!"

"Good."

The two stopped at the front of the mansion, the hole still there. Regent grinned, handing Goggles one of the stacks of TnT. "Place this around the mansion in clusters. Light them when you're done and run."

Goggles took the tnt, and nodded. "Okay!!"

Regent grinned. "Head to the outpost when you're done." He ran down one of the halls of the mansion, Goggles saw him place TNT as he went. So, running down the other hall, he did the same.

His com kept buzzing. So, about halfway through, Goggles checked his com. Oh, god.

>Vintage was slain by Army. Vintage has lost all his lives!

>Avi was shot by Emperor.

>Emperor was shot by Skull. Emperor is now a red life!

>Rider was slain by Gloves. Rider is now a red life!

Rider... No, nonononono! He couldn't- Rider was strong! He couldn't die so soon!

And then, Goggles saw a message that worried him

>Regent was slain by Mask. Regent is now a red life!

MASK WAS HERE?!

Goggles gulped. He had to act fast. He took out his flint and steel, setting the tnt alight before running as war as he could. Even from his distance he could see the mansion getting blown to bits. At least the mission wasn't a total bust.

He sighed in relief. Only to feel the blade of a sword pressed against his back.

"Think you could get away, could ya?"

Goggles couldn't turn around. But the voice was easy enough to recognize. Mask.

"Saw that pretty boy of yours died. And that ally of yours. Meaning, no one's here to stop me." Mask's grin was almost heard.

Goggles closed his eyes. He has 3 lives, he'd be fine. The blade was removed, though. Rather harshly. He opened his eyes and turned around-

"Goggles, RUN!" Rider yelled, having pinned Mask to the ground. Goggles didn't have time to think or even say thank you. He just took off in a sprint. He didn't know in what direction.

He only stopped when his com buzzed. Goggles checked it, worried for his friends, and saw-

>Rider was slain by Mask. Rider has lost all his lives!

Goggles didn't feel himself fall to the ground. Rider... no. He didn't- Goggles couldn't even say goodbye. Not even a last "I love you"

He didn't even notice he was crying in his shock. Tears hit his hands and the screen of his com. They came faster and faster, until Goggles' vision blurred with his tears.

Sobs wracked through his body violently. Goggles let them. He leaned against a tree, letting his tears fall and sobs come. He wiped his tears only for his hands and sleeves to get soaked. He didn't care.

...Rider's jacket.

Even if this world was a dream, Rider would hate for it to get ruined.

Goggles stood up, very shakily. He slipped his com in his pocket, and ran back. At least he thought it was back.

When he got there, Mask was nowhere to be seen, only... only Rider's body. Blood blended in with his red shirt, and it didn't stick to his jacket. If it wasn't for the smell, Goggles would think Rider was sleeping or unconscious.

With a bit of difficulty, he carefully lifted Rider. Goggles needed to make sure his body was safe

...

... The cave.

It was a whisper in the wind. It sounded accented, and very deep. "...R-Rider?" Goggles asked.

Take me to the cave.

That confirmed it. Goggles nodded, and followed the path his body took him, almost on instinct. He didn't know how long it took him to get there.

He entered the cave, finding it empty, as always. Though Sunny the Axolotl was there. She chirped happily upon seeing Goggles.

Goggles gave a sad smile to the axolotl. He rested Rider on the bed, and reached for his jacket, before hesitating.

...He'd want me to have it, I think. Goggles thought. I'll keep it safe for him.

Goggles took the jacket off of Rider. He took off his own and put on the leather one. It was a bit big, but it smelled comforting. It smelled of maple and apple. It smelled like Rider, Goggles decided.

He lay down next to Rider, cuddled up to the larger male. He didn't care about the bloodstains, only his fading warmth. He nuzzled his head into the crook of his neck, the tears running down his face now getting Rider's skin wet.

Goggles let out a sob, and then another. He cried and cried until he was too tired to continue.

He closed his eyes, imagining being in the warm embrace of Rider rather than just his jacket. He fell asleep, still in his imagination.