Chapter Text
Tonight. Or tomorrow.
Either way…
Something had to change. He had to stop the show, his life’s work. Just to hear his music once more. It was a deal he just couldn’t really agree with.
But he never thought about what he said, ever.
And in sheer impulse, he agreed.
He could find a way out, right?
He could stop the show, and then a new season would take place. And Backpack would never have to know.
He would never have to know, even when he swings his axe towards Airy’s face, clanging against the metal.
And then you will find every pain and pleasure.
Backpack’s leg, broken once again. Airy could only push the tree away, trying to save him.
Every friend and every enemy.
“Airy.” Backpack wheezed, turning to face him from his side of the room.
Airy wanted to leave, to collect more, to bring the contest to its nice end.
But he never did. He simply listened to the music, as the rain poured outside.
“Bring… the contestants back. And—” Backpack winced in pain, before continuing, “Don’t you dare start another season.”
Airy walked out. Backpack couldn’t follow him, and he could… do anything, he could fix the problems that Backpack caused.
And so, he stepped around the puddles, as Liam’s angry yelling grew faint.
Every hope and every goddamn error.
And new shouting, screaming, crying became audible, from the little green planet. Whatever happens next, if Backpack wanted him dead…
Every blade of grass and every ray of light.
“Hello contestants…” He turned on the microphone, hearing all the frustrated, angry screams that rose when he started speaking.
He could fix what Backpack created, or...
“Don’t worry, I’ve got an… idea .” He smiled, typing a line into the computer.
And then he ran, almost slipping on the wet grass and mud. He skidded into the house, tumbling onto the floor.
“What the heck, Airy?!” Backpack shouted, frustrated, understandably.
His weight shifted as he used his makeshift crutch to walk.
“Backpack… you promise you won’t kill me, right?” Airy smiled, hoping that would make this easier.
“No.”
“Great, perfect… uh, could you tell that to them?”
And a shadow loomed over the two, not completely blocking the light, as if it was translucent. Airy slowly turned over, a pit in his chest growing.
It worked. He brought the contestants out of the frying pan.
And into the fire.
“What the hell , Airy!?” Soda Bottle punched Airy, turning to look at…
“Bryce?” Liam smiled, in disbelief.
“Liam? Where… are we?”
The rain poured, and Airy, who was saved from fatal damage by his metal lid, could see in the distance even more of the contestants. He did it.
“Uhh… you’re still in my world.” Airy piped up with no sense of self preservation.
“Still?! How are we supposed to get back to our homes?” Soda Bottle stared at Airy, waiting for a way out.
“...I forgot that was something I needed… hold on. I’ve got another idea.”
Airy tried to walk out once more, but was pushed back inside by Soda Bottle.
“Tell us. I’m not having you do anything without us watching.”
“... Stone . Airy, bring Stone back!” Backpack shouted at him.
Airy complied, and Bryce sighed. Gesturing at Liam to follow Airy, before he noticed the leg.
Airy saw Scenty, Subway Seat, Tray, Moldy, and more of the winners of another failed season. The words they shouted were muffled, inaudible, as if they were still on the plane.
Soda Bottle and Backpack followed on ahead, slowly. Painfully.
Airy typed lines of code, placing Stone once more to the plane.
“ Yayy… we have another rejoiner.” He said, before bringing Stone out of the planet.
“And—” “Stone, we need your help.” Soda Bottle interrupted what Airy thought was a cool sentence to say.
And Stone set off, walking... somewhere.