Animator vs Animation: The Dark Web

Chapter 6: The Plan

It has only been a few hours since the ceremony ended, but it has already felt like forever in that short time. The world was collapsing soon, and the Chosen One knew it. The Outernet will fall, with the Internet closely behind, and worst of all–his friends' sanity were already gone by the time they've met once again. He couldn't believe it. His—friends—the ones who fought beside him against this glitch, it seemed like they had already failed.

The Color Gang have become something that they have feared in this forsaken world, something that made them unrecognizable. They have become Codeborns themselves; The Chosen One couldn't believe it. The glitch really has outdone them, making them unwilling servants to this cause they kept tattling about. The Chosen One hated every second of it, especially since most of it came from The Dark Lord's mouth, he couldn't bear listening to one more word coming from him. But what the glitch has done to the Color Gang, it wasn't them. It couldn't be.

Now, The Chosen One and The Second Coming were suspended from the ground, hanging by threads beside Queen of Hearts' throne as if they were her trophies on display. Flames simmered from his mouth, gazing at Queen of Hearts' who sat regally, untouched, as she looked back at him with a glare that dared him to challenge her power. Who did she really think she was, to twist the world and the people in it within her clutch? Queen of Hearts has ruined everything. And yet, The Chosen One hated to admit it...but he couldn't deny it. Queen of Hearts was powerful; her every move was calculating and cunning. She was even more frightening than Victim himself, the last figure who tormented him and his friends.

Beside him, The Second Coming continued to squirm from the strings as the Color Gang watched him with blank expressions. He kept glancing at his friends and shaking, desperately pleading for them to remember their true selves, at least a memory that was the faintest. The Color Gang's minds hissed with static–the glitch took hold of them now, not themselves. The Second Coming's heart shattered in betrayal as they turned away from him. They were now detached.

When Queen of Hearts waved at them dismissively, they walked away with a flicker of emotion finally showing themselves, but it wasn't their usual demeanor. Yellow brushed Blue's shoulder slightly with his, and Blue shoved him back in response with impatience burning in him. Yellow flinched and backed away from him, fidgeting with his hands as he walked around him slowly. Green absentmindedly rubbed his arm and stared at the floor as he walked, not with that upbeat attitude that he was known for. And Red's feet dragged on the floor, every step weary, yet he attempted to hurry himself to catch up with the others. They entered another cavern without saying goodbye, with no glances back to what they used to call friends.

The Chosen One watched them disappear into the cavern, but he didn't have any time to react when somebody tightly gripped on his shoulder and spun him around. He flinched, suddenly finding himself face-to-face with The Dark Lord. The Chosen One resisted the urge to show discomfort, but his annoyance was rising. The Dark Lord was the last figure he wanted near him.

The Dark Lord leaned in and tilted his head in a way that was maddeningly smug. He gestured to The Chosen One, reminding him about that battle they'd fought hours ago. He mocked him in a way that the winner was already decided. The Dark Lord's message was clear as if he announced it to the whole world; he was the victorious one. The Chosen One looked at him as if he was crazy, The Dark Lord savoring every ounce of tension. The Chosen One remained his irritation at bay, choosing to look away at him. But The Dark Lord refused to be ignored, seizing the top of his head and forcing him to look up. The Chosen One winced when he tightened his grip, but he stopped himself.

The Dark Lord studied him like he was nothing but a weak excuse of a pixel. The Chosen One continued to remain quiet, but the rush of anger was becoming more visible. He knew that The Dark Lord was just feeding onto his temper, and they both knew the truth. Neither of them had won, but The Dark Lord acted like he ruled the entire Internet.