Chapter Text
The wind howled a cold breath with the sky a smoggy green, the sounds of rushing waters far behind and golden lights from up ahead. The Lake growing further with every step to every breath, Clear, cold and relentless chains followed behind.
He felt like a true fool for what had happened. letting them get pressured into doing something uncomfortable, dangerous and selfish. To get what? Get approval? Or to feel less alone? To answer that it would be a single yes. it had ignored all the signs that said “No, this is a bad idea!” and let him make that decision, even encouraging him with feelings of excitement for their first mission on the field, but did it deserve to be put aside? NO!
It didn’t make the final decision. Yes, he messed up during the Meat Circus and Yes he unleashed a wave of panic attacks From the fear of water surrounding them- possibly putting everyone in greater danger in the Rhombus. but it all worked out, right? but now he has to take the brunt of it! Just why won’t he be angry at them and not at it?.
far up ahead he waited for the small statured figure to make his way up, he needed to stop it before he makes another mistake, before he hurts someone with it’s reckless behavior.
For a moment it stopped, He looked up, hoping to see the dark sky above but to its horror all it could see were piercing green eyes staring back at it. The aspect gave him a pleading look but the other hovering over him just gave it a look filled with disappointment.
Why? Why is this happening? How did this even happen?! Chains circle around the fig, making a clicking noise when the metal hits itself, echoing through the area.
The figment continues to wail pleas and sorrys, just trying to understand why it's being discarded in such a cruel way.
Its feeling of outrage grew, how could he not feel that way? He practically ran this mind! Keeping it balanced and this is the thanks it gets?!
He was knocked down by the other to its knees, scraping his outfit with mud and dirt. The mind's owner crouched down to the mental figures level but still towering over it, casting a shadow . He reached for something on its head, Snatching a card from its top hat.
Then within the second His whole demeanor changed. It lashed out in blind rage missing his target with dull slit pupils, as if the sympathy and glimmer in its eyes were also ripped away with the card.
Between the lashing out of the fig and the other dodging the attack, cuffs had latched on tight and chains began to retract backwards into the lake.
its nails started to rip through his gloves, marking the ground with claw marks scathing the ground. Its screaming conutines being overshadowed by thunder and calliope music, becoming more of a headache.
The others watched as everything unfolded, standing behind the conscious mind. He couldn’t make out their faces or how they felt but he could only guess.
As the mental figure was dragged away towards the docks of the city, still trying to hold onto the slipping ground.
only one other card followed behind them with the others falling out of view. The other who was standing before the fig, he looked down to the card in hand and with a strong and thunder booming voice he finally spoke back to it
“I’ll let you out when everything is settled down or when you're not so childish anymore. One massive mistake is one too many; Hollis is right…. I'm not at camp anymore.” his voice had quieted at the last few words before he turned his head back towards his counterpart.
They had gotten closer to the water, both growing an overwhelming sense of fear as hands appeared near the edge of the dock, beckoning the both of them towards the water.
Now they were on the boardwalks creaky floorboards, the sound of heavy steps and scraping nails echoed throughout the area.
it Opened its mouth, about to release a shrilling scream before he was pulled into the Dense water below. But no splash or sound was made, just a small drop of water hit the surface with its ringleader's hat slowly falling down onto the water, not breaking the surface tension, just floating perfectly still.
He just stared down, taking a step back so he wouldn't be taken by the water's grasp, terrified that he would share the same fate as his counterpart.
It isn’t real, it's just a Figment that he made that looked like him and acted like him, he is not Real!
It took several minutes for him to calm down, disregarding the swelling in his chest from the overshadowing terror.
He snapped back to the moment at hand remembering there are more important matters to attend to. His head moving around, observing everything around, realizing how much of a dump it is in his mind but something that could be fixed.
City lights blurred behind him into a hazy mist of light, lively calliope music fading into a faint echoing. It was quickly restored to the former when he snapped back to it, ’man, I'm really out of it today, aren't i?’.
He takes a sharp breath in, trying to regain his energy since there is a lot to be done and when has any performer ever let exhaustion get the better of themselves before? You have to keep performing until the curtain call after all! He turned around to face the Page of swords
Giving the mental figures tarot card to the Page. He rushed quiet and stern words to her ”Don’t let him out! Or tell anyone about him.” she nodded at his request.
He hurriedly walked past the Page who just stared at him but he didn’t notice or even bothered looking back. He started putting up the construct, repairing the state of his mind to something more clear and focused. He began hiding the shameful and distracting memories by putting the memory vaults in the carnival cages with all of the other nasty things.
He buried the path leading to the docks underwater, getting on death's canoe as she paddled through the city. He jumped off the boat and onto the tightropes of the city, the only thing separating the water from him. He made his way to the caravan and headed towards the Motherlobe and checked on every Mental Figment in his mind, to make sure they don’t let anyone near this city or the lake. He decided to put up fun games hoping it would distract any visitor that might enter, All though he doubts anyone would enter his mind.
He was unsure for the most part about the whole thing but reassured himself that it's only for a bit and Sasha did say it's good to have control over negative thoughts or emotions. And he really needed his mind in the game right now.
With the whole a Mole is among them and someone trying to Resurrect Maligula thing going on, it's a lot to handle at the moment.
With everything in order and in place, he decided it was time to leave his mind and to hide it before using any smelling salts since he really didn’t want any distractions at the moment.
He put on a strained smile before steadily walking towards his good friend Oatmeal who's waiting by the Caravan. His voice slightly stuttered in a faux cheery tone, a contrast to his colder calm one from a few moments before,”H-hey Little buddy, I uh could use a lift back to the collective unconscious, if that's okay with you.” The little critter happily helped out, summoning a bubble to transport his friend to where he needs to go.
He falls back onto the giant brain that's the centerpiece of the collective unconscious.
He looks at the door decorated with tents, outstretched hands and a spread of four cards on each side. He pushed the door out of view, away from the rest. After all, he's resolved everything he needed to.
Now With everything ‘Done’ he needed to go talk to his Girlfriend? Or Friend, he doesn't really know where their relationship stood. but that's besides the point, he needed to talk about the creepy note he found. He used the smelling salts given to him from when he first entered the Brain Tumblr. He exited the Brain Tumblr then he began to walk out of the cigarette scented lab. Walking past the fish tank. The water inside only ever so slightly swirled, creating bubbles that faintly formed the shape of a hand before fizzling away.