Chaos swept Newgrounds as the news of Skid, Pump, Lila, Conscience and Senpai's kidnapping aired everywhere. "It's getting out of control, like, this is 5 people in less than 3 days!! One of these guys is literally able to float, teleport and make himself invisible! DUDE, THIS IS GOING WAAYYY TOO FAR!!", Gentles, a small, rapping dog yelped in panic on the news. Doki and Nabi were walking down the street, watching screens that displayed photos and missing posters of the newly captured characters before a screenshot of Conscience from the facility's cameras became visible. They stopped and stared in horror at it;
He was a ragdoll, standing next to Blockhead, who was already known to be a puppet.
They looked to each other and nodded, dashing towards the base.
"If people are right about anything, it's that this has gone far enough", Nabi stated in a grim tone as he swiftly weaved through the forest, Doki right at his side. "I know that's right, kitty... just look at what they did to Pico! And poor Blockhead... having to find his friend like that... we have to go in and do something, Nabi", she responded. They were suddenly stopped by Bitey, who dashed out in front of them, not flinching as they skidded to a graceful stop. "What is it?", Nabi heaved. "You must stay quiet. They'll find you if you're not. Follow me", he calmly stated before turning and walking away calmly. The three silently passed through, cautiously watching for danger.
They slowly passed into the base, being let in by Dad and P-Bot.
Nabi looked around in wonder at the apocalypse-styled interior as Doki simply pressed forward, stern and ready to defend.
They walked forward, ready to take whatever orders it required to get the five innocent characters back.
Meanwhile, in the facility, the Gang was scrounging around for some semblance of normalcy, which they hadn't had for three weeks now. Conscience turned to Pico and watched him closely. He was walking shakily, limping in one leg from a sprained ankle and breathing shallowly.
"How do you deal with it?", Conscience asked in a whisper. "Deal with what?", Pico responded quizzically.
"The unending terror... that trauma. All of it, h-how do you do it? I feel like I'm being watched every step that I take, and it's breaking me now more than ever... so, tell me... how do you handle your changes without buckling under your own terror...?", the small ragdoll explained, his voice tinged with fear and confusion. Pico looked down at him, his eyes showing fear and dismay while he tried to keep a straight face.
"I... I have to consider that I still lead my friends. I'm the one they look to in their darkest moment.. or at least I was... I know I have to pull through, not just for them, but the entirety of Newgrounds. I have to think of how it would destroy those around me if I just... gave up, just like that. I have to remember I'm not alone...", Pico paused as Conscience looked on attentively.
"That's how", he finished.
Suddenly, a static-y voice became apparent from the next room. The two turned and listened.
It was Captain John.
"Cap...? Is he-...?", Pico asked in concern. They continued to listen, worried and confused.
"It sounds like he's... talking to someone..? There's nobody in that room...", Conscience whispered.
Next door, Captain stood alone, speaking to thin air as if it were a person...
"Who's there..? Show yourself..!", he called.
An echoing voice chuckled as a shadow formed in front of him, it's features becoming visible... and strangely familiar.
"Hey, Cap..! I.. bet you're happy to see me again, eh?", it spoke as shattered goggles appeared on its damaged face.
It was cut in half, and its lower part was gone. It floated in front of Captain, having a warm yet unsettling presence.
It was Steve.
Captain stared in awe as black tears formed in his eyes. He stepped forward, crying as Steve's eyes took on an empathetic look and he smiled compassionately. Captain began to chuckle, then laugh as they approached each other, laughing and crying.
Captain grasped the mutilated spirit as he sobbed, still chuckling as Steve returned the favor.
"It's okay, Cap... I know it wasn't your fault. Hey, at least I can still see you, eh, sarge?", Steve tried to joke, but Captain simply held on, sobbing while his voice skipped and crackled.
Pico and Conscience listened to Captain seem to talk to himself, unable to hear the other voice in the room. The others walked over.
"What's he doing...?", Alien whispered. "I'm not sure...he's been hurt, tired and hungry for a long time...", Edd responded. Salad Fingers listened closely as the second voice faded in and out, slowly beginning to smile.
The Gang walked over and opened the door and watched, some in confusion, others in fear and some in relief and happiness.
Captain seemed to dance with thin air. He moved slowly, humming the tune to 'Endless Handbag'... the theme of Newgrounds. He spun, his head weakly hanging back as his jaw seemed to look slack, creaking and swinging as if it were broken. His eyes were half-closed, having a content and calm look as if in euphoria. Cassandra, Matt, ENA, Salad Fingers, Blockhead and Conscience watched in realization as they saw the shadowy figure next to Captain. The rest stared in shock and confusion, thinking the worst.
"What's happening to him..!?", Pico whimpered. Salad Fingers tilted his head and smiled.
He watched Captain and the dead essence of his significant other dance as he let out a satisfied sigh. Blockhead and Conscience couldn't hear him, but they could definitely see him. Blockhead swayed to the tune and Conscience calmly listened.
"What are you doing!? Th-this is serious!! He may be in delirium, he could be dying!", Edd whisper-yelled. "Hush! He's finally at peace, now... he-he's not alone", Salad Fingers explained.
"Who's he with...? I don't see anyone else...", Pico quizzed.
Salad Fingers smiled, his eyes half closed as he looked to him, and ENA and Matt also started calmly humming the tune.
"Why, he's with Steve, of co-course..! On-only one you love can inspire such euphoria in s-such a desperate and dark time...", Salad Fingers quietly stated as to not ruin the moment. "Come on... he hasn't seen him in a while. The poor guy watched him die in his arms. Let's let him have at least this", Conscience suggested. "No... no, just a little longer. I miss him, too... I like watching this. It's... nice", Blockhead quietly chimed. Alien's worried look dissipated, and his antennae lowered as he smiled. "Huh... dancing with the dead... morbid, but... also kind of beautiful in its own... creepy, dark kinda way", Edd thought out loud. "Yeah... totally dark, yet also strangely endearing", Alien added. Matt simply continued humming as Captain persisted, sparks periodically flying out as he held the invisible hands of his departed lover.
They left them to enjoy their time, only leaving Blockhead and Conscience as they stuck behind.
In that moment, Conscience realized what Pico meant;
Even though times are terrifying, there is always going to be someone who needs you, dead or alive.
In that moment, he finally felt complete peace. Although temporary, it felt euphoric.
Captain continued to dance, not even realizing that he had been watched.
YOU ARE READING
TAKEOVER!: CONTINUED
FanfictionA continuation of TAKEOVER!: A Newgrounds AU Storyline; New characters, new adversaries, new events of body horror and emotional scenes... Just what may happen with this already dark and disturbing series of events?
