Apprenticeship [An SMG4 Fanfic]

Chapter 11: SMG4 and SMG3 are Forced to Hold Hands... Again

SMG4 stared at the ceiling, thinking about the day they'd had. He still felt betrayed. But did he deserve it?

"What I don't get is why you would decide to hide him from us. Because I would react like this? Well, maybe I'm reacting this way because of everything he's done!"

Was he being too harsh? Had he overreacted? He didn't think so. But it seems like 5 and 6 did. He should apologize for blowing up at them when he's taken the chance to calm down.

He heard a gentle knock on the door.

"Go away," he groaned as he turned over.

"4," Meggy said softly as she opened the door. "You want to talk?"

"No."

She huffed before walking over to him and sitting beside him. "Tari and I were talking about what happened. You really lost your cool there."

"Don't remind me."

"I know you're upset," she said, "but you should try and see it from their perspective. I'm just as pissed about Mr. Puzzles being back as you are, but... I don't know... SMG3 made a good point. He was a villain before, and has tried to kill us a time or two."

"Yeah, I'm upset," 4 huffed as he sat up, eyes puffy from crying. "I..." He sighed and put his head in his hands. "I... the more I think about it, the more I realize I'm not mad about Mr. Puzzles being back. I'm mad that they didn't tell me!" He lifted his head, moving his hands as he spoke. "I am sick and tired of all these damned secrets! First SMG3 is keeping his feelings secret from me, and now SMG5 and SMG6 are keeping the secret of someone living in their clubhouse a secret! They let Mario and Luigi in on it. Mario of all people!"

Meggy nodded along as she listened to 4 rant. "Hey, I get it."

"No you don't!" 4 snapped, standing up and pacing the room. "I thought I was trustworthy! I just don't get it! Why... why don't they trust me?"

"I'm sure they do," Meggy said. "But... SMG5 and SMG6 probably knew you would be mad."

"Meggy," SMG4 huffed before turning to face her, "I hate to admit it, but considering that they trust him... I'll admit, I might be willing to give him a chance at redemption. Especially since he doesn't seem to have tried anything in the past few weeks he's been there."

Meggy smiled and crossed her arms. "You don't say?"

4 rolled his eyes and sat down on the bed again. "Am I doing something wrong?"

"Not at all," she replied, hugging him. "Besides, you know we care about you. Whether you lost your cool or not, we love you man."

"Thanks." 4 returned the hug with a melancholy smile. "And... thanks for coming to talk to me."

"Of course. It's what friends do!" Meggy looked around before letting him go and standing up. "I should let you get some rest. It's been a long day, huh?"

SMG4 nodded. "Right..."

Meggy left the room before looking back at the door. Mr. Puzzles had done some bad stuff, but so had SMG3 and now they're all friends. She sighed as she walked outside, meeting up with Tari.

"How is he doing? He seemed really upset when he left," she asked as she watched the door.

"He's doing a bit better now. He's willing to give Mr. Puzzles a shot, but... he's mostly mad at 5 and 6 for keeping it from him."

"I can get that," Tari sighed. "Are you sure he's ok?"

Meggy smiled and took her hand in hers. "As ok as he's going to get tonight. We'll check back in on him tomorrow."