(The dimly lit backstage area was a world away from the blaring stage lights that had just bathed the rock singer, in a fiery glow. His name was Y/N, but to the world, he was the enigmatic voice behind the mic, the one who bared his soul through lyrics that resonated with the hearts of many.)
(Y/N slouched in a rickety folding chair, a stark contrast to the adrenaline-fueled performance he had just delivered. His face, once contorted with raw emotion, now wore a mask of exhaustion. The echoes of the cheering crowd still reverberated in his ears, but the applause couldn't chase away the relentless shadows that clung to his spirit.)
(As he caught his breath, he glanced at the list of songs lying on a nearby table, each title a testament to his inner turmoil. "Numb," "Rotting in Vain," "Feast of Fire," "The Devil in I," "Afterlife," and "Hopeless" - these songs were more than lyrics to him; they were fragments of his tormented soul laid bare.)
(Just as Y/N was about to pick the next song to perform, he felt a presence behind him. He turned to find a group of girls, each wearing an AR Team uniform, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.)
M4A1: Hey there, you okay?
Y/N: Yeah, just... you know how it is. The stage can be both my salvation and my prison.
M4A1: (nods) We've all been through tough battles, and sometimes, it's the camaraderie that keeps us going. We noticed the songs you're choosing tonight; they speak of pain and struggle. You're not alone in this, Y/N.
(The other girls chimed in, their words like a chorus of support. There was M4 SOPMOD II, always quick with a witty remark but equally quick to lend a helping hand. Then came RO635, the sharpshooter with a heart of gold, M16A1 and ST AR-15. Together, they formed an unlikely but unwavering support system.)
(Y/N felt a lump in his throat as their words sank in. Here he was, a rock singer battling his demons, and here they were, T-Dolls, extending their compassion. It was surreal, but in that moment, it didn't matter.)
Y/N: I appreciate you being here, I've been struggling for a long time, and sometimes, the music is all I have. But tonight... tonight, you've given me something more.
M4A1: We're just glad we could be here for you. Sometimes, all it takes is a listening ear and a caring heart.
(The backstage area seemed a world away from the battlefield they were used to, but the battles they fought in their respective worlds had more in common than they realized. The scars might be different, but the pain was universal.)
(Y/N eventually picked "Afterlife" for his next song, pouring his heart into every note. The lyrics spoke of the uncertainty of what lay beyond this life, a theme that resonated deeply with him. As he sang, his voice cracked with raw emotion, and the girls listened in silence, absorbing every word.)
(The music filled the cramped space, and for a moment, it felt like time stood still. In that shared moment, Mark, the tortured rock singer, and the AR Team, the T-Dolls, found a connection that transcended their worlds.)
(After the last haunting note faded, there was a moment of stillness. Then, RO635, the sharpshooter, broke the silence.)
RO635: You have a remarkable gift, Mark. Your music, it's like a beacon of hope in the darkness.
Y/N: Thank you, all of you. You've shown me that even in the darkest of times, there's a glimmer of light. I'll keep fighting, not just for myself but for those who believe in me.
(The AR Team nodded, their commitment unwavering. They might have come from different worlds, but in that backstage sanctuary, they were bound by something more profound - the understanding that pain, in all its forms, could be transformed into something beautiful.)
(Meanwhile, some people are seen dead in the alleyway, courtesy of AR Team.)
