Partners In Justice

Chapter Ten- Trust Is Earned

Anti giggled menacingly at his new target.

Of course, they didn't know he was there, but the laughter still sent shivers down their spine. "Wh-who's there...?" In the dead of night, with no one around... Especially with everything happening... Hell, they weren't even supposed to be out! Even the simplest things were just... A lot scarier.

 "Oh, you poor, poor soul~... A lost puppy whining for his owner to come back when things go dark... Don't worry, little one... I'll. Help. You." 

"Wh- Who are you?! Where are you?! Pl-please stop messing with me! It's not funny!" 

"Shh... Hush, child~ I'm here... I won't HURT you... Heheheheeheheh! I just need you to do me one favor..."

"P-please, just tell me what you want! I'm not supposed to be out here-..." Anti glitched out of the nearby camera, appearing in front of his victim. "I just need you to..." He stepped forward, causing the other to step back. "A-Anti?" The young one quivered in fear, yanking out their phone to call someone. 

Anti rushed forward, knocking the phone out of their hand.

And a simple walk to take a breather turned into something much, much worse.

"Trust me."

"DAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!"

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Dark couldn't take it anymore.

This couldn't be happening. Not again.

'Please, not again... Please tell me it's just some random person...'

But that was too much to ask for.

They had arrived on the scene, the police bringing the unfortunate news that the crime was, in fact, related to Dark. At first, he refused to believe it, but then... He saw it.

His heart plummeted, dropping at the same speed as his body as his knees gave out.

It truly felt like a punch to the gut- but even that would be less painful.

He tried to hold it back, he really did... All that came out was a strangled sob. 'No... No, no no... why?... I tried to protect you... I was just trying to PROTECT you... Why'd you go out...? Why...? Stupid child... I'm so fucking sorry...' 

He tried desperately to breathe, but found he couldn't.

'I should've killed those bastards years ago... I should've tried harder to protect you... I should've hunted him down instead of waiting... But I didn't...'

He held himself as if trying to stay in one piece... It really did feel like he was tearing apart.

'And look at you now...'

He hung his head in grief, police trying to pry him away from the body. But he wouldn't let go. They didn't need it, anyway...

He already knew who did it.

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"So... I'm thinking, Henrik could be 'Pa' because he's our Popstar, and Chase could be 'Dad' because he's Sad Dad."

Marvin and Jackie were having a serious discussion about the dads of the house. Jackie quite liked Marvin's idea, laughing at the 'Sad Dad' part. "Say, does that mean they're married?" The hero snorted. Marvin seemed to genuinely think about it but was just messing around. Not to say any part of this conversation was serious in the first place. "Hmm... No." "Aw! No! They're divorced! Noooo~!" Jackie whined playfully. 

"Now, I don't know what the hell kind of fanfiction you two are writing, but playtime is over." They turned to see Chase in the doorway, his tone of voice suggested that he was angry, but he just looked... Defeated? Depressed? No... Haunted.

"Something happened..." Chase bit his lip as his voice broke. "What's wrong? Is someone hurt?!" Jackie was instantly in hero-mode, hurtling questions at the other. "Jackie, let him speak." Marvin grabbed his elder brother's arm gently, holding it to his chest. Jackie calmed down, moving closer to the younger ego in case comfort was needed. 

"...Anti... K-... He killed... He killed Dark's... Dark's son."

Jackie couldn't help but ask another question, even if it seemed disrespectful. "Which one?" Marvin hugged Jackie's arm tighter, as if a shield from the name spoken next.

Chase's eyes watered as he choked on his words.

"It was Blank."