A Tragic Creation 3: At Pepperland's End

Chapter 30: A Possibility

Quiet sobs escaped Randel's mouth as he laid on his stomach on the bandstand's roof, facing away from the scene all around him.

He didn't know how long he had been up here now.

His mind couldn't focus on anything else other than what had happened earlier, and the memories that he had shared with the one person who had always been a source of comfort in the darkest hours.

"R-Ringo..."

Randel whispered, still feeling an empty space in his heart.

Slowly, he pushed himself up and laid himself down on his back, staring at the night sky.

Judging by the faint colours on the horizon, the night was almost over, but Randel didn't care if it was still night or day.

Eyes closed, Randel's sobs died down as he tried to focus.

He wanted Ringo to be here.

He knew that he couldn't deal with this on his own.

He needed to hear his voice tell him that everything was going to be alright.

However, he knew well that he wouldn't ever relive those moments, no matter what choice he made.

Taking in a deep breath, Randel placed a hand to his forehead, trying to regain himself.

Once again, he thought over the last words that Ringo had said.

Don't give up.

The meaning of those words was something that Randel couldn't identify.

At least, he hoped that he hadn't identified it.

Randel thought back to when Pepperland was flooded by the liquid, remembering the events as if they had just happened hours earlier.

How it took all the colour away from all living beings who touched it.

How it was able to corner them all in such a short time.

How it...

Randel slowly opened his eyes.

The grass, plants, and almost everything that still had colour to it had not been absorbed. 

Strange.

How did it dissolve the yellow submarine and half of the mountains then?

Randel shook his head, knowing that the creature must have made it do that on purpose.

But still, the fact that anything that still maintained its colour was not dissolved by the liquid was...

Don't give up...

An idea began to form in Randel's head.

Drying the tears from his face, he slowly stood up on the bandstand's roof, which still had its colour.

The sight around him took his breath away.

The liquid stretched out as far as he could see in all directions, and, aside from the pyramid structure and what remained of the mountains, nothing else could be seen.

Nothing, except...

Randel's eyes widened a little as he saw the creature hovering above the liquid some unknown distance away from the bandstand.

It had changed its position from earlier. Now, it was straight in front of the bandstand.

Slowly, Randel lowered his head down to stare at the liquid, watching as it sloshed up against the bandstand.

Don't give up...

Randel closed his eyes, going over his idea once again.

If he could just maintain the slightest bit of colour while...

He took in a deep breath, trying to think of all the good times he had with Ringo.

He remembered everything, from the time they had shook hands when he was first created, to when the Beatle was smiling up at him as he sunk down into what had killed him.

Don't give up...

Focusing his mind on the better memories, Randel opened his eyes, now being able to assure himself.

Slowly, colour returned to him.

One it was entirely back, Randel focused his gaze on the creature.

He glared at it, not caring about the tears that were still threatening to escape his eyes.

"I... I know what to do..." Randel quietly said to himself as he continued to glare.

"It's what he would have wanted...."

Slowly, Randel sat himself back on the roof, legs dangling off of the bandstand, just an inch above the liquid.

He adverted his gaze from the creature and stared downwards, now determined to do what he was about to do.

After all, if he was going to meet the same fate as everyone else, he wouldn't just go out without letting it know that he was never going back to who he used to be.

It was clear to him now.

The creature had tried to manipulate him all this time.

If it was something that Ringo didn't want, then Randel didn't want it either.

Bracing himself, Randel closed his eyes.

He focused, putting Ringo at the front of his thoughts, hoping that they'd be enough.

Gracefully, Randel lowered himself off of the bandstand, prepared to have one last word with the creature before it wins.