All that glitters isn't gold -Inanimate Insanity AU-

-End of an era, only wishing for more-

The pain in his systems throbbed, it was a sinking, aching feeling that burned deep in his programming. His central processor told him that this was the right choice. That everyone will be happier this way- but all of his senses told him to run. To apologise, to admit to MePad that he was right!

Deep down MePhone4 knew that he craved to open up to his-... Co-host.. even if he didn't want them to be just that.. there was more between the two.. but he had to be the idiot and ruin the whole relationship. MePad wanted to help him, he wanted MePad to help him- MePhone4 needed that help- he wants help, he wants assistance, he wants someone to save him from his own misfortunate- someone to save him from himself!

But his legs wouldn't move, something had his systems in a vice grip. It didn't plan to let go of him.. instead his insecurities and fears ate him up from the insides. Keeping the ball and chain linked to his legs. As MePhone4 swore internally to himself to never, ever, let MePad be hurt by Cobs.

That's why he took MePad with him anyways.

He could have left the robot in Meeple when MePhone4 escaped, it's not like he knew MePad yet. MePad hadn't even turned on.. but when he saw the unconscious form of the other robot. When he thought about the life he would have to endure... and what was to come at the end of it...

MePhone4 couldn't let someone live that life.. so in an impulsive act, he took MePad with him. Which Cobs considered a theft.. of both himself and MePad...

None of that mattered now anyways... its been fourteen years, fourteen years where he had many regrets. But that wasn't one of them.. MePhone4 could never look back on that action and only feel shame... it's a good thing he stole MePad.. he just wished he could have taken 4S too..

But that's a thought for another day...

As his right arm ached from whatever pain it endured yesterday, MePhone4 stood atop his stage. As below it were both Suitcase and Knife... his finalist...

His last day.... his shows last day...

Feeling a tad bit apprehensive, MePhone4 got the cameras set up, he already got most of the background work finished for this finale last night. Since he was running on a tight deadline, MePhone4 knew that the finale couldn't be as grand as he hoped. Thus he settled on this, he only hoped that this was the best way to wrap it all back up...

MePhone4 sighed, he went to say something but Knife interjected him,

"Where's MePad?"

MePhone4 gulped, the dent in his right arm throbbed.

"Uh- he's doing something else- doing some more behind the scenes work! He'll arrive... soon," MePhone4 lied through his teeth, was it convincing? He hoped so.. but what MePad said to him last night stuck... what if it was obvious?

God- he hoped it wasn't- he must look like some desperate- incompetent- miserable- pitiful- arrogant- failure- who has no clue at all what he's doing- as he frantically tries to keep everything together- but always failing- and failing- as it all slowly crumbles around him and-

"Hey?" Suitcase snapped him out of that train of thought, her voice awkward, "..are you alright? Your screen looks a bit... pale? Well- more so that your uh-"

"I'M Fine!" MePhone4 yelped, before getting his act together, "just peachy- relax- after today one of youse will be a winner- whilst the other isn't- but let's not worry about that."

MePhone4 gave a strained smirk, as he had his hands on his hips. Trying really desperately to maintain some sort of control, some sort of confidence, some sort of level-headedness. Even when his systems felt like they were on fire.