The Henry Stickmin Collection AU

Toppat King

Charles awoke to a strangely dark room.

He was stretched into the air, with cold, dark grey, metal cuffs clamped and secured around his hands.

A chain of green electricity shocked through the two cuffs, holding them in place.

Charles had to admit, the Toppats seemed to have more technology and brains than he gave them credit for.

"I have any information you need on the government pilot. He's locked up in the cells, so he can't escape. If he could," someone outside said in a low-toned voice, just outside his 'cell'.

Somebody replied in nothing over a mumble, and no matter how much Charles strained to hear, he couldn't catch a good grip on what they were saying.

"Of course, sir," the person responded.

Light cut across Charles' face, brightening the dimly-lit room.

A tall figure walked into the doorway, illuminated by the light but not enough for Charles to see his face.

"Hello, Charlie," they cooed, their voice bouncing around the walls of the room.

"Who are you?!" Charles snapped. "And how do you know my name?!"

"Well, it's kinda obvious to know your name when it's plastered in bold golden letters across your chest," the person told him. "But... I know you, actually."

"Who are you?!" Charles repeated angrily.

The person, a male, chuckled lightly.

"An old friend."

They stepped into the room and closed the door.

All at once, the light of the room vanished, just enough for Charles to see his face.

His stomach curled and knotted immediately.

"H-Henry?" Charles whispered. "HENRY?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING-"

Henry shook his head slowly.

"Please don't yell at me," he sighed. "I thought we were friends."

Charles writhed around in the cuffs, vainly trying to escape them.

"Nice upper body strength, Charlie," Henry commented, nodding in approval.

"Wh-Why are you here? What's going on?!"

"Woah woah woah, calm down-"

"WHY ARE YOU A TOPPAT?!"

"I'm not." Henry pursed his lips.

"Don't lie to me, you sickening traitor," Charles hissed. "I see that stupid top hat on your head."

"Oh. Forgot that was there." Henry shrugged.

"Why? I trusted you, Henry!"

Henry let out an airy laugh.

"And I really enjoyed our friendly partnership!" he chirped, bright as a sunny day.

"Then... Why..?"

Charles was getting less furious and more upset, betrayal lacing his voice.

"Charles, your 'father' didn't offer me leadership and boundless riches," Henry told him. "Which I could actually get with the Toppats."

"L-Leadership..?"

"Oh, little, small, tiny detail I forgot to mention. I'm the leader of the Toppat clan."

Charles went silent, his voice becoming hoarse and dry.

He probably couldn't form words if he tried.

He kept working his jaw but nothing came out of his numb throat.

"I guess you're giving me the silent treatment, huh?"

Henry frowned.

Then he flicked his long, silky black cape behind his shoulders and pressed his hands together.

"Alrighty then, what about I make you a deal?"

"What could you offer me that would make me feel differently about a lying thief like you?" Charles whispered.

"I let you go," Henry told him.

Charles desperately pushed down his high hopes.

"There's a catch, isn't there?"

Henry made a small, excited exclamation.

"You're so smart, Charlie!" he cooed.

"Don't call me Charlie," Charles growled. "Only close people can call me that."

"I'm a close person." Henry smiled innocently.

"You are not close to me!" Charles sniped. "You're my rival! You're my enemy!"

"Possibly not close to you... Emotionally," Henry corrected him. "But I can be close to you... Physically~"

Charles blinked several times, trying to comprehend what he'd said and failing.

"Excuse me?" he finally gasped.

Henry slid closer to Charles, gazing up at him with curious, sparkly grey eyes.

"Told you." He smirked.

"Are you... Flirting with me?"

"Of course not!" Henry protested. "I would never!"

"I wonder why I don't believe you," Charles spat.

"Anyway," Henry went on, ignoring Charles' snide comment. "We got off topic. You said there was a catch, right? Well, like I said, you're very smart. Yes, there is a catch."

"What is it, slimy backstabber?" Charles narrowed his amber eyes.

Henry seemed to like this nickname; his eyes dilated in pleasure.

Which only infuriated Charles, more than he already was.

"Become a Toppat," Henry said rather suddenly, giving startling vibes to Charles.

"Are you joking?! I would never join your dumb clan! Why would you think I would?!"

"A simple 'no' would have sufficed," Henry muttered and pressed a button.