♡ Life and Death ♡

17: Where's your loyalty?

With Lightning now a member of their group, Golfball knew they would have an advantage in looking for other contestants who needed help. Her lab was good shelter, and she had plentiful supplies. She wanted to go with the whole group, just in case they needed backup. Bell would be a good escape route if they needed her to be, and Lightning could be a weapon, and scout.

He however had explained he didn't know if he felt comfortable attacking his friends when they were in a weak state. Golfball had lost the disagreement and hadn't managed to convince him to do so, so didn't prod. But she would lay low and just wait until they needed him. Then he would surely change his mind. She just didn't want to panic him, or whatever.

She wanted to find Tennisball. He was out there somewhere and she needed to know he was okay. The others had their concerns too.. worried for their states. The sooner they went looking the better - it was less likely they were dead or corrupted. They didn't have a lot of time though.

"We need to head out as soon as possible. Last time we went north, so today we will go south. Does everyone agree? We will do it anyway." Golfball spoke her thoughts aloud, explaining as if she wanted their opinions but also not letting them have a say regardless. Bell yawned, frowning.

"We can try and look for that Mephone guy too.. we should be able to see the area better with me and Lightning in the air.." She hummed. Golfball rolled her eyes.

"Obviously."

"If any of those creepy things even come near us, I'm going to punch them right between their dumb eyes!" Yang insisted. "They will regret ever trying to battle us. Especially me. They will regret challenging ME." He claimed confidently. Yin scoffed.

"You are so overconfident. Did you not see how strong and manipulative they are?"

"But I'm pumped up today!" Yang growled. "Today is the wrong day to try and fight me, watch, weakling."

"I just hope we can find ANYONE... we really need to expand our numbers.." Needle mumbled, leaned against a wall with her arms crossed. "We are stronger when our group is bigger.."

"Yes yes, well.. we will just have to see what today brings. Where is Test Tube?" Golfball questioned suddenly, whipping her head left to right and she realised she wasn't prepared with the group to head out.

"I thought she was just finishing up whatever she was doing.." Bell mumbled.

Needle frowned, but said nothing. Golfball marched back up to her working area, huffing. "Test Tube? Hey! We are preparing to go out. We need you to help us." She spoke loudly, so she could hear "We can.. try and find your friends." She got to the doorway, a bit surprised to see Test Tube still sat at Golfballs desk, a screwdriver in her hand as she worked closely on something. She seemed concentrated.

"Is she coming?" Needle joined Golfball by her side, her hand resting on her waist. Test Tube then looked up, frowning and clearly not wanting to be disturbed.

"I need to stay here." She spoke, blankly. "Go without me."

"What? We need everyones help. You can give us important insight! Yinyang as a representative of your side is not exactly an ideal situation, you know." Golfball snapped, but not in an argumentative way, just authoritive. But it still didn't go down well.

"Did you not hear me? I'm staying." Test Tube repeated, more harsh. Golfball was baffled by her tone, and this change of.. motivation. Needle grit her teeth and clenched her fists, trying to not lash out.

"We all need to go. Come on, you're holding us up." Needle tapped her foot impaitently, watching the other irritably. Test Tube rolled her eyes, slaming the screw driver on the desk.

"What do you not understand?! I NEED to work on this. Fan is still trapped on that island..this is the only way I can get to him!" She yelled. "God, what is your problem?!"

"What's MY problem?!" Needle suddenly became tense, pushed over the edge by the other. "You're the one who wanted to look more yesterday, and now you won't even go out?! We ALL need to go out, you can't just.. stay here because you feel like it!" She argued.

Bell, Lightning and Yinyang watched awkwardly, the two not expecting it to go down like this. Especially Yinyang.. why was Test Tube acting that way? Stress? It made them uncomfortable. They could sense each others discomfort.

"Why is she being that way?" Yin mumbled to his brother. Yang shrugged.

"Don't know. But it's annoying.. can't she work on it when she gets back? We need her help. She's dumb, tch." He grumbled back. Yin looked down.

"I know her and Fan are very close.. but everyone feels the same. We all have close ones we want to find..she's not special.." he said sadly. Yang scowled.

"You said it."

"Mn.. I hate when they argue." Lightning groaned, sinking and covering his ears.

"This is ridiculous." Needle spat, turning so her back faced Test Tube. "Golfball, she clearly doesn't want to help us. Can't we just leave her? I can't be bothered to deal with her right now."

Golfball was conflicted, her eyes pinned on Test Tube. Was she really just..going to leave them? She thought she was better than that.. she had liked Test Tube and respected her as a scientist, not knowing what had changed her behaviour overnight. She wasn't sure if they should keep trying to get her to come with them, knowing it would just waste time.

"Well?" Needle prodded. "She's getting right on my nerves. She's lucky I don't come over there and take those stupid tools out your hand." She seethed.

Test Tube didn't give her the respect of looking at her anymore, focusing back on her device. "I'm not going. So either waste your time or don't, your choice."

Defeated and.. surprised, Golfball slowly turned, staring at the floor. Needle was baffled the smaller object didn't even have anything to say to Test Tube. No arguing back or.. challenging. Not like how she did with the others. She then looked up. "Lets go." Gb flatly spoke.

"What a bitch." Needle spitefully muttered as her and Golfball moped back over to the others, Golfballs face filled with conflict.

Test Tube didn't want to help Golfball.. but Golfball was willing to help Test Tube. She should've been mad, but still held a level of admiration and it was hard for her to change that.. it was a new and strange feeling for her. She was upset, of course, but rather than angry she felt betrayed.. just unable to convey it. She didn't want to.. she had never felt that way before.

The group left the lab together, taking in the crisp morning air as the heatless sun shined down on them. The group didn't talk for a moment.

"Is she always like that?" Golfball questioned slowly. Yin looked back at the lab.

"Not.. usually.." he pondered weakly, his words trailing off. Golfball furrowed her brows, before turning.

"Come on." She mumbled, taking lead. The group exchanged glances, awkward and tense, but followed along. Yinyang stared back at the lab in contemplation.

She really, really wasn't like that..

They tagged behind.