Chapter 19

Goth's P.O.V

Broad daylight is suppose to be when I'm asleep, as I work the nightshift on the wall. But, planning had to be done and, as it turns out, Palette wasn't nocturnal at all. We were alone in the treehouse, standing at a table that had blueprints of the different levels of the wall, notes of all the shift changes for King's soldiers and some ideas for plans.

"We'll do this at night." Palette said. "That way we'll have the advantage when we blow out the lights."

"Yes, but how are we going to blow out the lights? Go up to them one by one and breathe on them until they're put out?" I asked.

"No, we need someone with water or air magic. Luckily for us, I've managed to find someone who's willing to help us out."

"And who would that be? Can we trust them?"

"Of course! I've known them since two days ago!" he chirped.

I smirked, amused with Palette's cheerfulness. "Well OK then. But there are going to be some monsters that can see in the dark."

"Lucky we've got an army of your own, don't we?"

"I suppose."

Palette quickly scribbled the plan onto a piece of blank paper. I glanced cautiously out the door of the treehouse. I hope this all ends soon. The sooner it ends, the sooner I can get my brother back.

"What's wrong, Gothy?" Palette asked. "Your smile fads every time I look away."

"I just miss my brother, that's all. But everyone's missing someone, so I can't complain." I said.

"You know, I've seen time and time again the damage holding your feelings in can do. Someone went insane once, it wasn't pretty. The zombies ended up putting them out of their misery, the poor guy."

"And this is suppose to make me feel better, how?"

"Vent to me, Goth. It'll make you feel better."

I smiled. "I appreciate it, but I'm not to the point where it's tearing me apart inside. We should focus on the plan."

"But the plan's done."

"Is it?"

"Yeah. We've gone over it, like, a hundred times. Lets take a break."

"Alright."

Palette picked up a bag containing various fruits and tossed me one. I caught it and took a bite into the juicy flesh. Palette grinned cheerfully before turning and walking to the treehouse's doorway. He looked outside, gazing upon the forest below as he enjoyed his own fruit. I couldn't help but feel this warm, fluttery feeling in my soul when I saw Palette. He was so nice and energetic and positive, just like Raven. And just like Raven, he made feel really, really short. But he made me smile every time I was with him.

"You look lost in thought there, Gothy." Palette commented, turning his gaze to me.

"Oh, uh...yeah." I said quickly.

Palette approached in long strides and took both my hands in his.

"We should dance." he said.

I raised a bonebrow. "Why is that?"

"I dunno. I feel like dancing. Do you wanna dance?"

"I don't know how."

"It's as simple as one, two, three, four."

"Uh-huh. Care to tell me which dance we'll be doing?"

"How about a waltz? It's nice and simple and it's the only dance I know how to explain."

"Sure."

Palette kept held on one of my hands, placing his fingers in between mine. His spare hand went to my back.

"Place one hand on my shoulder." Palette said.

I did what he said and soon we began striding smoothly in sync. I was surprised how easy it was, and even more, how enjoyable it was. It was immersing and relaxing. Palette's soft smile and gaze made it all even better. My worry had washed away in the gentle rhythm.

As the dancing neared it's end, I found myself leaning a bit closer to Palette, and him doing the same in response. I closed my eye sockets, letting everything happen. I felt his teeth press against mine, a nice, sweet kiss. Our arms wrapped around each other. One of his hands traced up my neck to my head. I hummed quietly. When we pulled away, we were out of breath.

"Oh gee..." Palette mumbled, suddenly seeming shy. "That was...I don't know what to say."

"Mum and Raven are going to kill you." I said.

"What? Why?"

"Because they are the very definition of overprotective."
"Heheh, oh boy..."

I placed my head on his shoulder, hugging him. "It's fine. I'm sure I can convince them to leave you alone."

"Thanks. So we're official?"

"I think so, yes."

Our attention quickly switched when we heard a branch snap not too far from the treehouse. We grabbed our weapons and rushed to the doorway. We examined the forest floor, searching for anyone who could either be a threat or be a friend. To my relief, it was just Blueberry.

"It's OK, he's with us." I said, putting my weapon away.

Palette nodded and did the same. Blueberry climbed up the tree to us. He looked like he hadn't slept in a few days and had been crying.

"Hey Mr Blueberry, are you OK?" I asked.

"I-I've...had better." Blueberry sniffled. "Is I-Ink here with y-you?"

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, no. He's been taken by King's soldiers."

Blueberry hugged himself tighter, tears forming in his eye sockets. I pulled him into my arms, whispering words of comfort to him.

"It'll be alright. We've got a plan to overthrow King." I said.

"I c-can't take much m-m-more of this..." Blueberry muttered. "I've lost e-everything..."

"Just keep hanging on, OK? We'll find Dust and Fury and Sprinkle. We'll make sure Ink is freed and unharmed."

Blueberry whimpered and sobbed and held onto me with a weak, shaky grip. I didn't know how much longer Blueberry could keep going. I wasn't afraid of King's threat to him, I was afraid of his threat to himself. Someone who had lost as much as he had always had the risk of shattering their own soul.

Sci stood in the now very silent laboratory, staring at a small flask full of a clear liquid that glowed unnaturally red. This was it, the substance was finished. All that was left to do was inject it into Dust. He looked up at his strapped down friend, who looked back with a saddened glance.

"It's ready." Sci announced. "We can move on now."

"About time." complained Jenny, who pushed off the wall she was leaning on.

Susan held out her hand for the flask. "I'll do it. That way you don't have to live with all the guilt."

Sci nodded, handing Susan the flask. Susan emptied the contents of the flask into a syringe, then she stepped up to the side of Dust's table. He looked away, completely silent. Susan took a deep breath and pushed the syringe into Dust's shoulder.

"Ouch." he said.

"Sorry." Susan apologised.

Sci looked down at the floor, he couldn't bare the thought of watching.

"Come on, Sci." Dust said. "There's no hard feelings. I understand why you-"

Then he suddenly started screaming. Sci, Jenny and Susan jumped with alarm and stepped away. Dust struggled against the straps holding him down, trying so hard to break free. The straps looked like they would give in at any time.

"I-Is this suppose to happen?" I asked.

"I don't know, I've never done this before!" Susan panicked.

Sci looked at Jenny, who just stared at Dust with slight fear. Eventually the screams of agony became maniacal laughter and Dust's insane eye lights glowed dangerously bright.