Chapter Text
“WHY?”
And he would keep screaming until his throat ran raw. Red and ready to break as his vocal cords would give out and his voice would not work.
He would stab until that ichor would rush all over the floor, stains that would never wash out of the floor, nor either of their clothing. It wouldn’t matter for Illumina anyway, he’d be dead. He would make sure of that.
Breathing heavily, wanting to end both of their lives, he slammed his fists on the desk. Tears welling, threatening to spill over warmly. Sniffling, he slumped over in the chair by the desk. He was stolen. Stolen from him. And there would be no redemption. No takebacks. No rewinds. His scintillated eyes would never ever sparkle like that again.
All those followers, taken from families and friends! I want to stab and stab! Until ichor flows throughout the entire inpherno! Fucking deities, selfish and greedy. Stealing is alright when it’s not an entire person!
Rocket suppressed the urge to take out his anger on himself. I’ll save it for the gods and the street punks. He didn’t want to be cooped in his house any longer. Trying to calm his nerves and his grief for Sword, he grabbed his crossbody bag and ran out the door that led to his room, down the stairs he’d walked up millions of times, with or without Sword, down halls he could recreate without error, finally sprinting out the door he opened to welcome Sword whenever he’d come over.
Tears spilled. He didn’t want to think at all. Every time he’d try to distract himself from those horrid thoughts, they’d only come back, stronger and more violent.
After about 5 minutes of adrenaline induced running, Rocket came to a stop in a park he’d only been to a couple of times, again, once with Sword and another with his father. Panting, he sat down on a bench, and tried to observe his surroundings.
Hazily, Rocket opened the crossbody bag he’d hastily grabbed on his way out, clutching a sketchbook and pencil. (BFDI MENTION) Hoping to be able to at least doodle something, he opened to a new page and held the pencil, ready to draw. However, his hand didn’t seem to work. Tears fell, staining the page wetly. Rocket sobbed into his hands, oblivious to the changing scenery.
“It’s been a while since we’ve met someone other than our precious siblings with a shared hatred for our shameful acquaintance, Illumina." The voice spoke with such a manipulating sweetness. However, Rocket only perked up at the mention of Illumina.
“Ah. Why don’t we help you on your blood-thirsty endeavor?" Rocket only stared as the looming dark figure only came closer to him.
“Our name is Darkheart, and we’d be delighted to help you achieve your dreams. We’ve already worked with someone you know. We think we’ll get along just fine.” The figure held out his hand in a hand shake towards Rocket.
“How do I know you stab me in the back, first chance you get?” Rocket hissed, wary of this new place and new figure.
“We promise, when it comes to Illumina, we’ll help you. It’s a tragedy that we have to be related to that creature.” They spat.
“Who’d you even work with? Why do you know these details about me?” Rocket questioned.
“Tsk tsk. Rocket. Just shake our hand and we’ll answer all your silly little questions.”
“Please, can you tell me this?” Rocket pleaded desperately. “Can you help me get my best friend back?”
“Best friend? Are we sure? Sure, we’ll help you get your precious partner back.”
This’ll be one long ride, Rocket thought. If I die, I guess that’s a bonus.
Rocket pondered for only a moment. He firmly shook the unknown figure’s hand.
“Amazing. We promise to help you till the very end. We know you’re dying to ask more questions. Ask away.”
“Who exactly are you?” Rocket immediately blurted.
“Tsk. We thought you had an education. Our name is Darkheart. We’re a part of those filthy seven swords mortals always seem to despise.”
Oh. Great. Rocket thought. I might be kinda fried…His thoughts trailed.
“Don’t regret your decision, we see you thinking.” Darkheart smiled.
He’s probably just detail oriented. Even better. Rocket determined.
“What’s that? We’re curious to know.” Darkheart gestured to the sketchbook Rocket clutched tightly in his hands
“This?” Rocket asked. “It’s nothing much, just doodles.” Rocket shrugged. “Also,” he continued. “What is this place? Is it like a mindscape of sorts?”
“Oh this? It’s nothing much, just a place where deities and mortals can effectively communicate. Don’t worry, you just look like a homeless freak sleeping on a bench in the real world.” Darkheart explained.
“Oh. Yay. Can you send me back now, Bill Cipher?” Rocket pleaded, rocking back and forth on his heels and balls of his feet innocently.
“Sure, though enlighten me, who is this, ‘Bill Chipper’? Is it some sort of thing the kids these days adore and worship?” Darkheart’s smile faltered.
“Wow. I thought you’d be more, y’know, ‘hip with the kids’?” Rocket grinned.
“Haha. Quite intriguing.” Darkheart said sarcastically. “Pray tell, is the comparison one to be elated about?”
Rocket blinked. This bitch uses big ass words. I feel stupid. “Uh, sure. Depends on the context, I guess.”
“Splendid. I do think we’ll be meeting again after our little deal.” Darkheart’s smile returned, bigger and more toothy than ever.
Yep. Bill Cipher.
Rocket awoke to a midnight scene, completely dark, except for the street lamp engulfed by moths above him, beaming bright light down. Rocket took a moment to check that nothing had been stolen from him. Hope no one I knew was walking past here. Not like he knew that many people anyway. Rocket put the sketchbook back into his bag, clasping it shut and getting up. Damn. Do I even know my way home?
He pulled his phone out of his pocket, only to discover a few missed phone calls from Zuka. Shittt. Rocket sucked in a breath with his teeth clenched. He checked messages. Nothing, he thought bitterly. Just the thread from Sword from a couple weeks ago. Looking at maps, he input his home address, then realized it might be a good idea to act like he was out getting something, maybe a sweet so Zuka wouldn’t be as pissed when he got home. Genius plan. I don’t think he’d believe me anyway if I tried to tell him that this deity interacted with me, Bill Cipher style.
Rocket put his phone back in his pocket and continued down the darkened path towards a nearby, then stopped realizing, It’s fucking 12AM. Who the hell is out and about at 12, let alone working??? Rocket groaned. Darkheart, I don’t suppose you’ve got any ideas?
No answer.
Beautiful. Rocket decided whatever his dad had waiting for him at home would be worth it if it brought Sword home.
Slowly creaking the door that led to the shop open, Rocket gently closed it shut behind him. Maybe I can just pretend like I was always here? However that plan was quickly shut down when Zuka came up behind him.
“Why in the Inpherno would you be out so late? I don’t mind if you’re out all night, but at least answer my calls when you’ve gone from 12PM to 12AM!” Zuka said sternly.
“Look,” Rocket fretted. “I had my phone on silent and I was out with some new friends I made at the last phight and lost track of time. I’m sorry for worrying you.”
Zuka softened. “It’s alright kid. I just don’t want you to go missing like Sword.”
That stings. Rocket internally winced.
(BRUV I DONT KNOW SHIT HOW WOULD ZUKA ACTTT kill me rn yes u hyperlaser actually no scythe shes bad as hell 😏)
“I’m just glad you’ve been trying to go out and interact with others again.” Zuka smiled softly at Rocket.
Ughhh. Now I feel bad. Rocket tried to smile back at his father.
They both said their good nights to each other, leaving each other to their rooms.
I don’t think interacting with a fucking deity would count, Rocket quietly giggled to himself as he closed the door to his room behind him. Flopping down on his bed, he just stared up, blankly, at the ceiling.
“Boy! Zuka’s certainly changed a lot, wouldn’t you agree, Tiny Zuka? May we call you that? We almost thought you were him at first!” Darkheart lightly cackled.
Confusedly, Rocket sat up and looked at Darkheart, who was trying to figure out the password for Rocket’s laptop, which was sitting on his desk.
“HEY!” Rocket quietly hissed. “Stop that! You’re going to-” Darkheart pressed enter, which locked the laptop for 1 minute.
“Darn. We thought we’d figure it out.” Darkheart shut the laptop closed. “So. What’s your plan, Tiny Zuka?” Darkheart smiled heartily.
“Plan?” Rocket questioned. “I guess, uh. I don’t really have a plan.”
“What? You’ve got to have a plan? Were you just going to let your unbridled rage take you to Illumina? And then do what? Blow him up? You’d be fried more than Cane’s chicken!” Darkheart’s smile faltered.
“So you do get hip with the kids?” Rocket tried changing the subject after catching the fast food mention.
“No. There are an enormous amount of ads these days. You need a start at least. Where was your dear friend last seen?” Darkheart asked.
“Umm. I last saw him 2 weeks ago. We met not too far from his house, I don’t think,” Rocket remembered.
“Now that’s something! We didn’t think you had it in you!” Darkheart cheered.
Rocket rolled his eyes. “What do you suppose I do next?” he snarked.
“Do you know where his house is?” Darkheart said matter-of-factly.
Rocket paused.
“I’ll just google that.”
“Wow, you don’t even remember where his house is located?” Darkheart laughed, genuinely surprised.
“In my defense,” Rocket snapped. “I’ve only been there twice, his mentor, father figure, whatever, is really finicky about visitors.”
“Yep, that sure sounds like ol’ Venomshank!” Darkheart exclaimed.
Rocket leaped into the chair sat by his desk and opened his laptop, making sure to type the password extremely quick, to make sure Darkheart wouldn’t take note of it.
“Darn,” Darkheart mumbled, next time.
As soon as Rocket opened his laptop, he was greeted by the half watched episode of ‘Madoka Magica’ to which Darkheart put his hand on Rocket’s shoulder and said. “Please don’t tell me you’re one of those.”
“What! Ew, no. This is Madoka Magica. This is a horror anime. Okay? Horror. Not gooner bait or whatever,” Rocket said slowly, as if Darkheart were a child.
Darkheart simply rolled his eyes as Rocket brought up a map of the Crossroads area. “Okay, last I remember, it was somewhere over here.” He pointed over to a labyrinth of alleys. “We just have to make it past those walls. I remember they were really complex.”
Darkheart took note of this. Rocket looked at the time and closed the laptop. It was almost 2AM. He flopped into his bed without a word and soon after, fell asleep.