Goth's POV, a 1.5 months later

Finally summer! And goodbye to that school! And now I can enjoy a break with all my friends. And Palette! He got his new job and he loves it! I'm so happy for him! This is going to be great! But I'm going to find answers about Slate. He can't keep me from being friends with Palette.

I smile as I march over to the playground where Slate's friend group is. They look over at me and smile.

"Hi, Goth! How are you doing?"One asks

"I'm so glad Slate isn't here or he'd make a load of crap out of nothing!"Another says

"Zing!"A third snaps

"What? You know it's true!"Zing says

"Hi..."I say, waving nervously

"How can we help you?"Zing asks as as he sits on the monkey bars

"Do you know what Slate has against me? Cause he gets in the way of me having fun with my best friend..."I reply, fiddling with my scarf

"Well I can't see anything wrong with you for him to be like that. You're a good kid."Zing says

"And boy were we educated in case we didn't have a good idea before!"Zoe says

"Huh?"I say, confused

"Some of us work with Palette besides getting dragged over by Slate to hang out. Your best bud praises you like there's no tomorrow. Give him an insult or flaw and he'll give a thousand compliments or strengths. Nothing Slate tries could belittle you in Palette's mind."Zoe giggles, the others nodding

"Hmm, well maybe that's the thing. Jealousy. We each went through a possessive stage with him before he chilled the hell down. It was where he didn't know proper boundaries and wanted us all to him, right? He was so insecure of losing us for another...He's probably doing that with Palette now. Especially since you're the one thing that could decide which high school he attends."Zing says

"Slate desperately wants Palette to join our high school, or join him I should say. But given how Palette values your friendship, it's clear that you may be a deciding factor for Slate not getting his way and he might be throwing a fit about it. We're sorry about him. He can be an ass sometimes."One of the others say

"Heck, he blames gods for his own stupidity. He got a scar from trying to fight a bear cub a few years back while on a camping trip, completely unprovoked. And then when he lost, instead of accepting that it was a stupid act, he claimed that it was a god hidden as a bear out to kill him and if it were a normal bear he would've won. Sensitive ego and pride."Another says

"He needs therapy for all his crap and grow the hell up already."A third says

Huh....Interesting....

"We're sorry that he's being such a problem for you. We'll go find him and talk some sense into him."They say

"It was nice meeting the boy behind the praises! Cya Gothy!"Zing says before getting roughly elbowed by Zoe

"That's Palette's name for him! You can't call him that!"She snaps

"Oops! Bye, Goth!"He says as the group walks away.

I smile, feeling my cheeks warm up a bit.

Palette really is here to stay...He's so sweet! One of a kind! I'm glad I know the truth about Slate cause now I can prepare for his nonsense! Maybe I'll invite Palette to hang out tomorrow....

Hours later, I was washing the dishes in the kitchen and happen to glance out the window to see Shino running through the dark to the front door. Then I hear the door open and slam shut.

"I'm guessing the sleepover didn't go well?"I say

"We're taking a rain check on the sleepover since he wants to take care of Palette."She replies

"Take care of him? Is he alright?"I ask, putting the last of the dishes away

"I'm not sure. He came from his evening shift in tears and torn clothes. I came to drop my stuff off and bring some things to help comfort him."She says

"I'll come with you."I say

We gather some blankets or snacks and I notice Raven leaning against a door frame watching us with a disapproving expression.

"I don't want to hear it, Raven."I say, heading out with Shino

Meanwhile with Palette

I can't believe him! I can't believe I trusted him! He only looked to use me! He spoke just like them! How could I fall for it? Why...?

I hear a knock at the door. Thinking it was Shino and that she forgot something, I get up to open the door. I see Dream on the other side, giving a sad smile and holding a tub of Nice Cream.

"I sensed your pain, Palette. I'm here to help and comfort you. May I come in?"He asks

He....Sensed my pain...? Here to help? Why...why now? Of all the times that I was hurt or in need of help...Why did he come now? When I was falling apart in the vast emptiness, why did nobody come? Oh wait....He isn't here because he cares about me! He knows I'm vulnerable right now and wants to take advantage! That's his way in and to get control! He's just like Slate!

I slams the door shut on his face. I lock it and slide down against the door, holding my head and shaking it.

Is there anybody that truly cares and isn't looking to take advantage of me in some way or form?

"Palette...? Who hurt you?"I hear Gradient ask

I feel a pat on my leg from a tentacle.

"What's wrong? We're here for you, Palette."Radier says

I open my eyes to see his tentacle trying to pat or rub my leg soothingly. Gradient had some glitches glowing and circling around him, ready to fire. I look at them and neither of them look pleased.

"I....I'll go change my clothes."I say, heading to my room

"Was it Gaster? I'll destroy him!"Gradient snaps

"Hmm, no. Shino says that Gaster wouldn't let his target escape if he were to attack. He usually uses code or immobilizes his target, abducting them without a trace from what she hears from her parents."Radier says

"Then that brother of theirs! Raven! Was it him? I'll teach him a lesson! I-I-I-!*dial up noises*"

"Aaaannd he crashed. Great..."Radier says

After getting changed, I come back out and wipe my tears. There's another knock at the door.

"Radier! I got some stuff to comfort Palette!"Shino says from the other side

I smile a bit, easing Gradient over to the couch. I glance at him and Radier as he goes to unlock the door and at Pakeekee asleep on his bird swing.

I think this just answered my question.

I see Goth enter with Shino. Shino walks over with a plate of cookies and Goth sits beside me, wrapping me in a blanket. That is when I notice how much I'm shaking. Goth doesn't say a word, he just pulls me close to him and rests my head on his shoulder. He curls a wing around my back and slowly strokes my head, soothing me. Shino comes with Radier on my other side, her tiny wings flapping and Radier wrapping his arms as well as his tentacles around me to comfort me in a giant hug.

"S-S-Slate.....u-us-used me...."I stutter out, tearing up

"How'd he do that?"Radier asks

"He u-used me from day one....H-He s-sensed my aura a-an-and t-that was what he was after. That's what h-he wanted m-me for. It made him f-f-feel good and th-that's all he cared about....He didn't want anybody else to come near me so th-they wouldn't feel my aura like he did....."I explain, shaking and tears running down my face again

Shino shakes her head, then goes to turn on the security system.

"He waited f-for me outside of the st-studio and attacked me....He yelled at m-me f-for n-not listening to him...For letting others around me...He planned to isolate me just like they did so he could be the only one to enjoy my c-company...my aura....So he could feed off of it...He acted so different....I asked if he would've left me where we met if I didn't have an aura that pleased him and he couldn't answer m-m-me. He wou-would ha-have let me die in there if he couldn't be-benefit! I can't believe th-th-that I-!"I explain, breaking down at the thoughts and how close I came to being isolated again like my parents did to me

Or worse, death.

"Sssh...Sssshhhh, it's okay. Deep breaths, Palette. Don't worry. You're here...You're okay...He failed...You're going to be okay. He can't hurt you."Goth says, stroking my head and wiping my tears

"I'm sure my father wouldn't mind us helping lessen his workload."Shino says with a giggle

"We won't let him near you."Radier says

Gradient finished rebooting.

"What did I miss?"He asks

Radier whispers to him while Shino shares cookies among us. Gradient quickly gets up, marching out with a murderous glint in his eyes and clenched fists.

"Welp, Slate's dead."Radier says

After a little bit, Goth and Shino went home. Radier brought me to my room after promising to get Gradient back home. I dozed off, feeling reassured and my soul full of love for the ones I have with me. The ones I can trust.

I won't be tricked or used again...I'll be more careful. I have my own group that I know I'm safe with anyway...They're the best.

A few days later, I went to the bridge at the park to gaze over the peaceful lake. I take a deep breath and exhale deeply, relaxing in the quiet tranquility of the space. Birds are chirping, lilies blooming on their pads in the lake as they get kissed by the glimmering rays of sunlight. My mind is empty, no thoughts or worries. Just appreciating the moment.

Then I hear someone ruin it.

"Palette! There you are! I've been looking for you!"Raven shouts

I glance over, seeing him run over with a big smile.

You're kidding me...

I frown as he stops in front of me.

"What do you want, Raven?"I ask

"I've been looking for you everywhere! It's especially hard since I can't find Goth! I-!"He begins

"Well I don't know where he is and haven't done anything so don't start that with me."I say

He shakes his head.

"I don't care about that! I know that you wouldn't hurt him! I finally found out what scared all those kids away! Look!"He says, taking out his phone

Now he believes that I'm good? NOW? What changed his view of me?

He shows me a picture of a group of houses covered in paint. My paint at night and it's glowing. It shows my eyes or a colorful silhouette with threatening messages basically saying to stay away from Goth and leave him alone or I'd deal with them. One saying that the dodgeballs won't be the only things covered in paint.

You're kidding me. VANDALISM WINS HIS FAVOR?

"I must've done that during a sugar rush or something after having ice cream."I say

"It's awesome!"He says with a big smile

"That's great. It's my farewell gift to you then."I say

"Farewell gift? What? You can't go! My bro loves you and you're perfect for him! You can actually protect him!"He says

My eye twitches.

This little pain in the-!

He sees my expression and backs away.

"What's with that l-look?"He asks shakily

"I'm just so glad you could finally catch up with reality, Raven! It just irks me how long it took for you to come to that conclusion!"I tell him

"W-What?"He says

"Hmm, let's see. How about I politely meet you and your brother and try to make a good first impression? Nope, that won't do. How about I defend your brother in gym class from being targeted in dodgeball? Nope, I'm just being annoying! How about I befriend your brother, killing any chance of a social life at that school, and maintains a healthy friendship with him? Putting up with the jerks?NOPE! How about I go to dinner with treats and notes to make peace with the family? That's no good! Let's try protecting Goth from bullies and jerks, never seeking to do wrong to him? Huh? Is that good enough? Not for you!"I snap, pacing back and forth

He stares at me, his face going pale.

"Well let's try this! Protect him from my murderous uncle known across the multiverse as the worst of the worst or being of negativity? Nope! My fault and can't be trusted! Fine! How about recovering from that hell and continuing to bond with Goth? Never holding anything against you because you're just trying to be a good brother? Nope! Still scum of the earth to you! Hmm, what about knocking Goth out of the way of being captured, huh? Where he would've been beaten, experimented, tortured, burned and electrocuted and who knows what else? Oh I know! Cause I lived through it for days and nearly died from it! I just finished recovering from it to walk again! Hmm, no! I don't think so! But wait! Let's throw some paint on a building while on a sugar rush instead! Yes, that! That is what works! That's what wins you over! That earns your trust! Are you kidding me? Do you hear yourself? How does any of that balance out?"I go on, asking him honestly how fair that is after everything

"I...I just got overprotective."He says

"You're a brother, I get that. You want to keep your brother safe. But how does hating me even when I'm hurt or in pain and Goth is there for me fair? What did I do besides exist to be blacklisted by you and for you to desire so badly to cut out? You wanted nothing to do with me and didn't want your family near me either. You wanted me gone from day one. Yet now when you catch on that I am not a threat to Goth, by vandalizing a house of all things, you suddenly act like you're my best bud!"I say, shaking my head

"P-Palette, I never meant to-!"He begins but I raise a hand to shut him up

"Don't try the excuses. I've heard them all. You only come when you want something or can benefit from me when you've only hurt me. You're just like Slate and the family I seek to avoid. I won't stand for it. Not anymore....So yes, that's my farewell gift to you. I had three choices of high schools and as far as I know, I didn't pick the one Goth chose. It takes a bus ride to get there so you'll be seeing less of me."I say, looking down and shaking my head

"Palette wait! I-!"He begins

"So long, Raven. Enjoy it."I say, waving before walking away

TBC