..~| An Uneasy Feeling |~.. [Regretevator]

||.{.. The Separation ..}.||

Ik Miché isn't a part of Regretevator anymore, and this chapter will be about it.
Angst warning 😔

Prototype lied motionless atop a machine, waiting to be powered up by a player.
It only took a couple minutes for a group of players to make their way across the risky puzzle and start swarming him. Prototype's eyes shot open and he glanced around. "Hi there!" He cheerfully greeted the players. A player ran up to him and tossed bright red flower petals on him. "Awwh, thank you!" Prototype said, gently brushing the petals off his head and into his hands. He set the petals next to him and began walking towards the elevator. Prototype knew the path like the back of his hand, carefully stepping around false tiles and leading the players back to the elevator.

He stood in the corner, mindlessly staring off into space while players jumped around and caused havoc. Prototype was knocked out of his trance a time or two when a player pelted a snowball at his head. He shook his head "Hey!" The player giggled, ready to throw another before being thrown against the wall by another. They two battled each other, all because one threw a snowball at Prototype. "Hey! Hey! Cut it out!" Prototype cried, trying to separate the fighting players. The second one backed away, glaring at the one who threw the snowball. They both went to opposite ends of the elevator.

Ding!

Prototype walked over to the elevator doors as they slowly opened, revealing Miché's floor. Prototype eagerly ran outside, forgetting there was a huge drop below him. "Mic-AHH-" He fell face first onto the ground. Prototype stood up, his heart pounding slightly from the unexpected fall. His faceplate was slightly cracked, but other than that, he seemed to be intact.

"Miché? Michééé??" Prototype called out. He looked back up, noticing the elevator doors were already closed and the players were gone, leaving Prototype in an uncomfortable silence. "Miché.. Stop hiding! This is not funny.." Prototype said, slowly growing worried.

As Prototype traversed the cube, he began to hear the sound of footsteps, mumbled, and rummaging. He followed the noises to a hole in the cube where the sounds grew louder. Prototype poked his head in, but ending up leaning over too fall and falling again. "OW!" Prototype said with a thud. A new crack formed beside the other. A silhouette in the dark quickly turned around and noticed Prototype. "Miché?" Prototype said wearily.

The silhouette stepped into the dim lighting, revealing themself. "Miché!" Prototype said cheerfully, getting up and running over to him. "Hey Proto.." Miché said with a soft smile. Prototype hugged the tall cat jester. "Where have you been?! It's so scary right now.. MR is causing more chaos than ever!" Prototype said. Miché stayed quiet, placing a hand on his other arm.

"Miché? Are you okay?" Prototype asked.
"Proto.. I didn't want to have to tell you this because I know it would hurt you.. but.." Miché paused.

"I'm leaving."

The words hit Prototype like a brick. "W-what?" Prototype stammered "Just for a little? R-right?"
Miché was silent, gripping his arm tighter as tears slowly formed in his eyes. He regretted telling Prototype.
"N-no.. You can't leave!" Prototype cried. His eyes filled with tears, black oil slowly dripping down his face.
"You can't.."

Prototype felt all the hope and happiness wash away from him. He was only happy because he knew Miché was there, he knew Miché would be by his side even in the darkest times.

"I need to. It's not safe here for me." Miché explained, trying to hold back tears.
"Take me with you then!" Prototype begged.
"No. You need to use your intelligence to help the Regretevator, to help save everyone else."
"What if I don't want to? What if I just want to stay with you?"
"It's what's best..."

Prototype held his face in his hands, letting oil leak through his fingers.
Miché picked him up, hugging him tightly.
"I know you can do this Proto." He told him.
"I'll miss you.." Prototype sobbed.
"Me too.."

After what felt like too short of a hug, Miché placed him down and grabbed a suitcase.
"I'll never forget you, Proto." Miché told him, gently patting him on the head.

Miché turned to leave, looking back before shutting the door for good.

Prototype stood there in total darkness, feeling the sorrow the pain swallow him like wildfire.

His best friend was gone.

His only source of happiness and hope was gone.