Asleep in Madness (On Hold)

by AnimeKidKT

Summary:

Somewhere in Nevada.

Here in Nevada, you're childhood friends with Hank. He's always protective of you, but you don't mind. It was peaceful for you two, until you're both wanted by the A.A.H.W, but for some reason they only want you alive.

You're grouped with three other people with Hank, and they're all interested in you, but Hank will have to handle them on the team.

Figure out why you're wanted alive from the A.A.H.W, and why all of this madness keeps happening.

(On hold until the next episode)

Chapter 1

Somewhere in Nevada.

It was peaceful. You didn't have problems to worry about, you could just sleep and chill with your childhood friend, Hank.

You were both chilling outside near a tree. There was another grunt who was blasting music from their boombox. You were sitting down, sleeping against the tree. Hank was standing next to you, staring off into the distance. He then looked towards you, seeing how peaceful you looked while sleeping.

His gaze softened as he observed you sleeping peacefully. Fond memories of their shared childhood flashed through his mind, a deep sense of protectiveness welling up within him. He couldn't help but gaze at you with a mixture of tenderness and concern, feeling a profound bond that went beyond friendship.

Hank silently glared at the music-blasting grunt, visibly annoyed by the blaring noise breaking his peace. The music was causing him a headache and making it difficult for him to relax. Irritated, Hank's frustration began to build as he struggled to tolerate the intrusion.

His patience wore thin. As soon as the grunt struck him, his anger boiled over. In an instant, Hank threw a powerful blow, sending the grunt to the ground. The impact resonated through the air, leaving no doubt about the force behind his punch.

With a firm expression, Hank stood over the unconscious grunt, his eyes filled with a mix of determination and annoyance. He knew the music was disturbing your peaceful slumber, and he wasn't about to let anyone disturb your rest any longer.

Then two grunts came out of nowhere, they both started to attack hank. Swift and efficient, Hank effortlessly evaded the initial attack, seamlessly transitioning into a countermove. In a coordinated display of strength, he seized the grunt and unleashed a powerful throw, launching them back toward the first grunt. The impact was devastating, rendering both of them unconscious. Hank stood there, his breathing steady, his gaze focused as he ensured the threat was neutralized.

As more grunts charged towards him, Hank's combat prowess shone through. With fluid movements borne from years of experience, he outmaneuvered the attack, seamlessly evading their advances. Each strike missed its mark, a testament to Hank's exceptional abilities. With precise footwork and lightning-quick reflexes, he moved with a lethal grace, effortlessly adapting to his opponents' every move.

With a determined expression, Hank reached for a grenade, gripping it firmly in his hand. In an instant, he hurled it at the pile of unconscious bodies, unleashing the explosive force. The ensuing explosion enveloped the area, obliterating the fallen grunts in a fiery blast. Hank stood there, a look of cold determination in his eyes, his objective of protecting you from harm fulfilled.

After the explosion, Hank turned his gaze towards you, ensuring your safety. Seeing you still resting peacefully against the tree, a sense of relief washed over him. His initial concern eased, replaced by a feeling of gratification that you were unharmed.

Hank's heart rate quickened as he heard the approaching footsteps. His muscles tensed as he raised his guard, preparing for any potential threat. The appearance of the halo-bearing grunt triggered his instincts, and he instinctively ducked as the grunt unleashed a burst of lightning. The electrified bolt sizzled overhead, narrowly missing its target as Hank's quick reflexes spared him from its destructive path.

The lighting that the haloed grunt shot was hit by a knocked-out grunt. The grunt's skin then turned green. It came back to life and tried to bite Hank's neck.

Reacting quickly, he pushed back against the undead creature, landing several powerful blows to incapacitate it. However, the zombie persisted, its relentless attempts to bite into his flesh a testament to its unnatural resilience. With a final forceful punch, Hank dispatched the zombie by knocking its head clean off, disposing of the threat swiftly and effectively.

Seizing a gun, Hank took aim and fired at the zombie's body, ensuring the threat was completely neutralized. The haloed grunt observed the scene, witnessing Hank's efficiency in dispatching the undead creature. The tension remained in the air as the two adversaries remained on high alert, sizing each other up and preparing for whatever might come next.

Hank, sensing the threat posed by the haloed grunt, acted swiftly, aiming his gun to take a shot. However, the haloed grunt anticipated Hank's move and erected a cross-shaped barrier, effectively blocking the bullets. In an instant, the grunt unleashed a blast of lightning at Hank, catching him off guard. The stunning impact sent Hank reeling, his body crumpling to the ground, momentarily incapacitated by the powerful jolt.

The haloed grunt then shot lightning at another knocked-out grunt, turning them into a zombie as well. The zombie went towards Hank, trying to attack him while knocked down, but he was faster.

In a decisive move, he forcefully detached the zombie's head and hurled it at the haloed grunt. Despite the flying projectile, the haloed grunt effortlessly evaded it, showcasing his agility. However, the grunt seized the opportunity to land a punch on Hank, taking advantage of his momentarily vulnerable state.

The haloed grunt threw punched at Hank, knocking him down. Hank's world spun as the haloed grunt grabbed him and repeatedly slammed his body against the ground. Pain coursed through his muscles, the impact of each slam sending shocks through his entire body. Dazed and disoriented, Hank fought to stay conscious, his strength dwindling with each brutal throw.

Hank's determination fueled his every move as he stood up, the pain from the relentless blows searing through his body. He mustered every ounce of courage, knowing the importance of protecting you. With each attempt to land a punch, the haloed grunt skillfully dodged, displaying impressive agility. Frustration built within Hank as his attacks consistently missed their mark.

In a final desperate attempt, Hank threw one more punch, his hope dashed as the haloed grunt vanished before his eyes. Before he could react, the grunt reappeared behind him, delivering a powerful punch to his back, propelling him several feet away from you.

He struggled to regain his breath after the brutal attacks, witnessed the haloed grunt raising his hands, lifting the bodies of the fallen grunts. The air grew tense as the haloed grunt summoned a massive cannon. Anticipating the imminent threat, Hank forced himself to his feet, his breathing still labored.

With lightning reflexes, he dodged the cannonballs, weaving in and out of their path, his mind focused on staying alive. When the final cannonball came, Hank's hand went to his gun, drawing it smoothly and firing at the haloed grunt. The shot struck true, bringing the haloed grunt down.

As grunts swarmed him from both sides, Hank remained unfazed. His hands moved swiftly, grabbing the shotgun and taking charge. He eliminated the approaching grunts with skilled precision.

His agility was unmatched as he leaped and dodged the onslaught, his movements fluid and calculated. When a lone grunt made a break for you, Hank's protective instincts flared. He lunged forward with a furious intensity, launching a relentless attack without mercy on the would-be assailant.

Hank, after dealing with the last grunt, noticed the boombox and decided to retrieve it. He turned the volume down to avoid disturbing your peaceful slumber. Just then, a random grunt caught his eye, gleefully dancing to the music. In a swift and ruthless move, Hank drew his gun and shot the grunt, disregarding the fact that it was harmlessly enjoying the tunes. His focus remained on you, prioritizing your well-being over any distractions or whimsical behaviors.

Hank had eliminated thirty grunts today, plus the two that were zombies. He actually had a good time doing it. He then saw your sleeping body waking up. You looked at him with deep eyebags and sleepy look. ''Hank... what happened...? Why are there bodies everywhere?'' you spoke softly.

He turned his gaze towards you as you stirred from your sleep, the aftermath of the battles evident. Your exhausted eyes and weary expression indicated your fatigue. He paused for a moment before responding, his voice steady

"There was a wave of grunts... I took care of them." Hank glanced around at the scattered bodies, a mixture of exhaustion and relief evident on his face.

You slowly got up and walked towards him. You gently cupped his face, making sure that he was ok. You cared for each other ever since you two were little. ''You doing ok...?'' you spoke softly. He slightly blushed at your actions.

Hank's hardened exterior softened at your gentle gesture. He allowed himself to let down his guard as you cupped his face, your touch gentle and comforting. The concern in your voice washed over him, and he found himself slightly blushing at your caring nature. He responded with a sincere yet somewhat gruff tone.

"Yeah, I'm okay. Just a few bumps and bruises." Hank's eyes met yours, a mixture of gratitude and affection in his gaze.

A sleepy smiled formed on your face and gave him a soft hug, you were glad that he was ok. Hank couldn't help but miss the warmth of your hug as you parted ways. Your smile brought a small sense of comfort to him. Lost in the music, Hank let go, allowing himself to dance. He moved effortlessly, his body flowing with the rhythm.

You smiled as he was dancing, he was enjoying himself. Hank, caught up in the moment, continued to dance with carefree abandon. The music filled his senses, and for a brief moment, he forgot about the world and its dangers. The sight of your smile encouraged him, and he found himself moving more freely, his body swaying and twisting with unbridled joy.

Notes:

Hello everyone! Thank you for reading the first chapter of my new fic! I've always wanted to do a fic for one of my favorite web series on YouTube.

I'm working on chapters for my other fics, so if you want to, you could check them out.

Anyways, hoped you enjoyed, make sure to drink water and I'll see you later.

Happy Reading!

Chapter 2

Somewhere in Nevada.

You and Hank concealed yourselves behind a nearby structure. In the distance, a cigarette-smoking grunt stood guard, unaware of your presence. You silently approached the unsuspecting grunt, moving like a shadow. Without a sound, you encircled the grunt with a string, gradually tightening it.

The grunt's feeble struggles futile against your determined grip. Once the body went limp, you discreetly pulled it away and dumped it into a nearby pothole, successfully eliminating the threat.

You signaled towards Hank, signaling your completion of the task. He acknowledged your gesture with a nod and approached you. With confident ease, Hank retrieved the gun from you, adding it to his arsenal of weapons.

Hank and you tiptoed around the building, remaining vigilant. A second guard came into view, cigarette in hand and a gun in his holster. With a silent precision, Hank retrieved his own firearm and attached a silencer. With practiced aim, he fired at the grunt, the sound of the silenced shot barely audible in the night air.

You approached the downed grunt and turned your attention to the ladder, noticing it stood a foot above the ground. Effortlessly, you leaped onto the ladder, then reached your hand out to Hank. With his firm grip, he easily grabbed your hand and pulled himself up to join you on the ladder.

Together, the two of you ascended, the ladder creaking softly under your combined weight.

As you and Hank made your way to the rooftop, two guards stood watch, weapons at the ready. Staying out of sight, you both hid behind a wall, waiting for the right moment. When it came, Hank drew his weapon and fired at the unsuspecting guards, neutralizing them with two well-placed shots.

You stealthily removed a small tracking device from your pocket, reading 'Sheriff Tracker'. Both you and Hank studied the screen, locating the sheriff's approximate location within the building.

With quiet steps, you retrieved a gun from one of the downed grunts, preparing for whatever lay ahead. Moving cautiously along the rooftop, you continued your advance.

Three patrolling grunts stood in the vicinity, armed and chatting among themselves. You and Hank hid behind a nearby wall, strategically observing their conversation. With a calculated move, you pushed one grunt into another, causing them to collide.

In a seamless motion, you drew your own weapon, equipped with a silencer, and fired three precisely aimed shots, quickly neutralizing the trio of grunts.

As you and Hank continued your stealthy progress, you paused and pulled out the tracking device. The screen indicated that you were directly above the sheriff's location. Quickly tucking the tracker away, Hank retrieved a grenade and placed it strategically on the spot of the roof.

Realizing the imminent explosion, you both swiftly retreated to a safe distance and leaped into the hole created by the grenade, narrowly evading the blast.

You and Hank dropped into the building through the newly formed hole in the roof. The sheriff and five grunts came into view, three of them armed with batons. The sheriff's frightened reaction caused him to fire his gun, but you nimbly avoided the shot, which instead struck one of the grunts.

Panicking, the sheriff shouted an order for his subordinates to "deal with those two" before making a break for it.

Swiftly dispatched a grunt with a well-executed roundhouse kick, disarming him and causing him to drop his baton. Picking up the weapon, you swiftly turned to the next grunt, knocking him to the ground with a powerful blow.

Without missing a beat, you lunged forward, plunging the baton into the face of the remaining grunt, incapacitating him. Both grunts lay motionless on the ground, quickly neutralized.

Two more grunts barged into the area, their numbers swelling the threat. Thinking quickly, you grabbed one of them, hoisting them off the ground and slamming them to the floor. Utilizing the momentum, you forcefully tossed them towards their comrade with great force, effectively knocking both grunts out cold.

Hank, displaying his lightning-fast reflexes, swiftly drew his gun and fired off two shots, swiftly dispatching the remaining two grunts, further reducing the opposition.

Another grunt, armed with a gun, charged towards Hank. Acting with urgency, you swiftly pulled out your own firearm, aiming and firing without a beat, eliminating the threat. Meanwhile, Hank found himself locked in a fierce skirmish with a different grunt. Ducking and dodging their punches, he waited for an opening.

When the time was right, he counterattacked, expertly slamming the handle of his gun against the grunt's head, knocking them out cold.

You both looked at each other, ''You all right, Hank?" you spoke softly.

Hank met your gaze, a mixture of adrenaline and relief in his eyes. He let out a gruff sigh before responding, "Yeah, I'm fine." Despite the intense fight you had just experienced, he had emerged unscathed, and the concern in your voice tugged at him.

Suddenly, a grunt armed with a shotgun appeared, bullets whizzing past your heads. Acting instinctively, you both ducked to seek cover from the hostile gunfire. In the chaos, Hank swiftly grabbed the lifeless body of a fallen grunt and utilized it as a makeshift shield, using it to divert the attention and bullets of the enemy.

Seeing an opening, he quickly retrieved a knife from his belt with lightning speed and hurled it with deadly precision, embedding it into the grunt's head, swiftly eliminating the threat.

A charging grunt came towards you, their aggressive advance met with a firm strike. You swiftly executed an uppercut with such force that the grunt was immediately knocked unconscious, falling limply to the ground. Meanwhile, Hank wasted no time in seizing the opportunity.

He retrieved the shotgun dropped by the defeated grunt and brandished it with purpose. Without hesitation, he swung the weapon around, aiming it at the remaining opposition and firing with deadly precision, neutralizing them in swift succession.

As you stepped forward, heading towards the path the sheriff had taken, your attention was focused on the task at hand. In the rush and focus, you failed to notice the stealthy approach of a haloed grunt, who cautiously followed in your footsteps, silently stalking you from behind.

The Sheriff unleashed a volley of shots in your direction, but his aim was off, the bullets sailing past you. Without a moment's hesitation, the Sheriff turned and fled, leaving the chaotic scene behind. In the aftermath, two grunts broke off from their group and rushed towards you, their intentions clear.

You reacted swiftly, planting powerful punches into their faces before swiftly transitioning into a hard kick that sent both of them hurtling at the nearby wall with forceful impact, knocking them out cold.

As three grunts burst into the room, you wasted no time in drawing your gun. With rapid precision, you dispatched the two unarmed grunts by firing off a quick succession of shots.

Simultaneously, Hank moved with lightning speed, skillfully dancing around the incoming bullets like a seasoned fighter. Closing the distance between himself and the clown-faced grunt, he seized the opportunity to disarm the enemy by taking the gun away.

In return, he retaliated with a swift shot, neutralizing the clown grunt with lethal efficiency.

As soon as you tried to catch your breath after the intense engagement, the haloed grunt suddenly unleashed his powers, sending a shockwave that forcefully propelled both you and Hank into the nearby wall with a painful impact.

The shock of the collision coursed through your bodies, but you quickly shook it off, pushing past the pain and managing to get back on your feet. Meanwhile, Hank's concern for your well-being grew visibly evident, his usually stoic expression laced with unease.

The haloed grunt, displaying a disturbing power over the fallen bodies, summoned a dark energy, causing the lifeless forms to rise once more, their skin taking on an eerie green hue as they transformed into grotesque zombies under the grunt's control.

The scene was a chilling sight, leaving a sense of dread in its wake. Without a word, the grunt then took flight, vanishing from sight, leaving you and Hank to confront the newly resurrected undead adversaries.

Quickly, you retrieved a small grenade from your belt and flung it towards the group of zombies, the explosion eliminating them in a swift and effective manner. Meanwhile, a fresh wave of grunts stormed the area, their numbers increasing.

Acting with haste, you and Hank drew your weapons and fired a barrage of shots, neutralizing the additional threat with relative ease.

You both took a moment to catch your breath, wiping the perspiration from your brow, Hank approached you with a quiet concern.

He gently took your hand in his, offering a comforting squeeze, a silent question in his gaze. In response, you returned his gesture, giving his hand a soft, reassuring squeeze. With that simple act, you reassured him nonverbally that you were okay, unhurt despite the chaos of the recent encounter.

He nodded at the reassurance, you both then headed to the elevator. Hank pressed the elevator's button, signaling its upward ascent. Suddenly, two grunts appeared, one of them swiftly creating an opening in the elevator's ceiling. They then hopped down into the confined space.

Quick on your feet, you both moved into separate corners, efficiently dealing with the grunts that followed suit. Bullets flew through the air as you skillfully shot down the intruders, maintaining your defensive positions within the elevator.

With the grunts defeated, you and Hank ascended through the opening they had created, scaling the elevator's exterior. Holding onto the wires that supported the falling elevator, you clung on for dear life as Hank took aim and shot through the supporting cables.

As the elevator plummeted downwards, you seized the opportunity to quickly climb up the remaining wires, using them as makeshift handholds.

Scaling your way to the very top of the building, you spotted two more grunts, armed with knives and batons, waiting to intercept you. Thinking quickly, you moved forward with purpose, delivering a swift punch that sent one grunt hurtling into the nearby wall.

Without missing a beat, you unleashed a series of powerful roundhouse kicks, taking down two more, then swiftly decapitating one, using their head as a weapon, and throwing it to knock out yet another grunt.

Hank, armed with a shotgun, took aim at the remaining foes, firing with deadly skill. Without missing a beat, he grabbed another shotgun and tossed it your way, which you caught effortlessly.

Entering the door, the two of you unleashed a barrage of gunfire, leaving the grunting enemies in a state of stunned surprise, unable to react in time. Hank quickly seized one of the grunts, demanding information on the sheriff's whereabouts, the demand laced with intimidation.

The desperate grunt tried to deny knowledge of the sheriff's whereabouts, his voice trembling with fear. You swiftly brought attention to the nearby door, prompting Hank to knock out the frightened grunt before proceeding. As you ventured inside, you noticed two grunts armed with guns, prompting you to alert him discreetly.

With a quick yet calculated move, Hank took the safer route, crawling through the ventilation system. Once in position, he sprang into action, firing at the pair of grunts, effectively neutralizing them.

A relentless wave of grunts converged on your position, overwhelming you with their numbers. In the chaos, you both emptied the magazines of your shotguns, each shot ringing out with purpose as you fought back. With the guns spent, you swiftly made the transition to hand-to-hand combat, delivering powerful punches and dodging incoming attacks.

Meanwhile, Hank seized the opportunity to acquire additional firearms, but in the heat of the moment, neither of you noticed the persistent haloed grunt quietly trailing your every move.

As you entered the room where the sheriff was located, you swiftly eliminated the two grunts accompanying him, preparing to question him on the reason behind you and Hank's wanted status.

However, before the sheriff could utter a word, the ominous presence of the haloed grunt manifested behind Hank, the cold barrel of a gun pressed against the back of his head.

Your efforts to react were futile as the haloed grunt struck a precise pressure point on your neck, instantly knocking you out. Collapsing next to Hank's lifeless body, you were left unconscious, the danger slowly encroaching upon you both.

Chapter 3

Somewhere in Nevada.

As your eyes slowly fluttered open, the grogginess of unconsciousness still lingering, you found yourself in a room enveloped in darkness. The last thing you remembered was being knocked out by the enigmatic haloed grunt. Groaning quietly, you took in your surroundings, disoriented and puzzled by the change in setting. You looked around to see Hank, his body faced down.

Rushing to his side, you noticed Hank lying motionless on the ground, the wound left by the gunshot still open and bleeding. Acting quickly, you retrieved some bandages from your belt and picked up his head, gently maneuvering it so that you could wrap the bandages around the wound.

Carefully, you layered the bandages over the injury, creating several layers to ensure proper coverage and hopefully staunch the blood flow. Throughout the process, your actions were delicately tender, your concern for his well-being evident in each carefully placed layer.

With a deep sigh of relief, you checked his pulse, still beating steadily. Grateful that he was alive, you leaned against the wall and pulled him towards you, carefully laying his head on your lap. Tenderly running your soft fingertips over his head, you waited anxiously for any sign of movement.

As Hank slowly began to stir, his eyes fluttered open, partially hidden behind heavy lids. He looked around the dimly lit room, disoriented and dazed. Slowly regaining his bearings, felt something gentle and soothing on his head. Looking up, he saw you, your expression a mixture of sadness and tiredness.

He wasted no time in getting up and embracing you tightly. The relief that surged through him was overwhelming, as he held you close, his body trembling slightly. Unwilling to conceal his emotions, a few tears streamed down his face. Your presence provided a sense of comfort, and you responded by tenderly rubbing his back, comforting him during this vulnerable moment.

Hank's thoughts were in turmoil, a mix of emotions coursing through his mind as he held you close. Frustration and anger brewed inside him, directed at himself for failing to protect you. But as your hands gently lifted his face, forcing him to meet your gaze, his emotions began to settle.

The feeling of your fingertips softly wiping away the tears on his face brought a soothing comfort. Your gentle words echoed softly in his ears, "It's ok, Hank... I'm right here. I'm alive, and you're alive, ok?"

He nodded weakly in response, his voice coming out in a soft, hoarse tone as he spoke. The stress and intensity of the situation weighed heavily on him, but your presence provided a soothing balm, calming his nerves. He tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat, his emotions still raw and vulnerable.

As he gradually calmed down, his shaking subsiding under the soothing effect of your presence, he hastily wiped away the remaining tears on his face. One last tight embrace followed before you spoke up, requesting his readiness to leave.

With a nod, he signaled his agreement, determination replacing his previous vulnerability. "Yeah... I'm ready," he replied, his voice steadier now, his earlier emotional vulnerability giving way to newfound resolve.

Your eyes flicked upwards, taking in the presence of a vent strategically placed above. Effortlessly, Hank ripped it open and bounded into the dark ventilation system, his hand reaching down to pull you up. In a stealthy crawl, the two of you navigated the labyrinthine tunnels, until another vent hove into view.

Hank looked down, spotting a grunt standing below, casually smoking a cigarette. With quick reflexes, he dropped down, brandishing two knives and swiftly striking the grunt, neutralizing the threat. You followed suit, alighting after him.

As another grunt stepped forward, Hank responded instantly, sending a knife flying with pinpoint accuracy, embedding it in the grunt's face. In the blink of an eye, a grunt snuck up behind you, but you were swift to react, executing a flawless roundhouse kick that left the grunt's head flying.

You swiftly claimed the weapon from the downed grunt, while Hank retrieved his knives in a fluid motion. Without pausing, you made your way to the adjoining lunchroom, continuing your path through the complex.

Hank's moves were a blur of deadly speed and precision. Opening the door, he stabbed the unsuspecting grunt in front of him, taking them off guard. Two more attacks followed in quick succession, a knife thrown with deadly accuracy at one and a crushing blow to the other, knocking them out.

You picked up a gun and fired off your remaining rounds, using it as a makeshift weapon when you ran out of ammunition. A grunt with a knife lunged at you, but you responded with lightning reflexes, blocking their assault with a knife of your own and swiftly ending them with a precise strike to the head.

Faced with a new wave of grunts bearing weapons, you and Hank split the challenge between you, swiftly eliminating your respective adversaries with precision and skill.

With the immediate threat neutralized, you retrieved spare blades for yourself, while Hank snagged a formidable battle axe. Together, you moved onward, pushing forward through the rooms, prepared to face whatever lay ahead.

The hallway loomed before you both, two grunts charging towards you. Unfazed, Hank swiftly swung his battle axe, eliminating them with deadly efficiency. As another wave of grunts rounded the corner, you responded with equally ruthless precision, tossing your knives with deadly accuracy, each blade finding its mark in their heads.

The onslaught of grunts was swiftly quelled, leaving you both facing a camera. In unison, you both channeled your inner ferocity, directing a cold, lifeless glare into its lens, communicating a silent warning to the unseen observer on the other end.

The sheriff's unease was palpable as he observed you both through the camera feed, his fear heightening as your cold gaze met his. Standing nearby, the haloed grunt issued a command, instructing the sheriff to press a button labeled 'Improbability Drive.' With trepidation, the sheriff obliged, his finger hesitantly pressing the button.

As you navigated the hallway, you were suddenly confronted by a flurry of grunts being hurled towards you. You and Hank swiftly dodged their assault, seeking shelter on one side of the corridor. Then, an unexpected sight appeared - the clown grunt from earlier, now wielding a jetpack. He opened fire, but quick thinking saw you both using the dead grunts as shields.

In a snap response, Hank grabbed a gun and fired back, managing to force the clown grunt to fly away. The clown grunt retreated behind you both, kicking Hank out of the building. With a brief pause, the clown grunt gently set you down where Hank had been.

You and Hank shared a puzzled glance, momentarily bewildered by the clown grunt's unexpected gentleness towards you. Shaking off the confusion, you refocused on the task at hand, swiftly handling the approaching grunts with your gun.

The sky outside dawned with daylight, the sun wearing a wide smile. Suddenly, a giant marshmallow dropped out of the sky, landing beside you both with a soft impact.

The sun, which had been wearing a smile just moments ago, suddenly manifested a body and attempted to attack Hank. Quick reflexes saw him swiftly grab a nearby stop sign, swinging it with deadly accuracy and vanquishing the sun. Night once again enveloped the area, only to be interrupted by the clown grunt descending nearby with a knife, targeting Hank.

In a swift counterattack, Hank impaled the clown into the marshmallow with his own knife, leaving him seemingly incapacitated.

Unbeknownst to you both, the electricity discharged from the dead clown's body began to pulse with an eerie energy, reawakening it into.

As you sprinted through the area, a group of grunts appeared, obstructing your path. Without missing a beat, you hurled one of your knives, cleanly dispatching one of them. Hank complemented your efforts by swiftly neutralizing the remaining two with his knife. As you navigated the swarm of grunts and improvised weapons, you adroitly dodged a sloppy punch thrown your way.

Retaliating with a well-placed punch to the attacker's face, you knocked them down. A grunt's attempt to take aim at Hank with a gun was swiftly countered by your own quick reflexes, as you flung a knife into the barrel of the gun, then stabbing them.

The battle to clear the remaining grunts continued, until, to your surprise, surrounding walls began closing in on you and Hank, effectively enclosing you within. Deft reflexes allowed you to dispose of the dropped grunts, swiftly countering their attack. The sight of the clown grunt once again came into view, but this time with green-tinged skin, indicating its transformation into a zombie.

It attempted to swing the stop sign towards you both, but you managed to dodge the attack. Hank promptly seized the weapon and began striking the zombie clown grunt, then transitioned to firing a gun at it. However, killing the zombie proved arduous, as it slowly died.

Observing your surroundings, you sought a way out. The arrival of the haloed grunt brought with it a resurrection of the grunts, transformed into zombies. You and Hank quickly opened fire, efficiently dispatching them. However, the haloed grunt exerted his powers to slam you into the wall, creating an opening into a new room.

Both of you groaned in pain upon impact but hastily recovered. A grunt stood at a vending machine, rushing towards Hank. He reacted swiftly, throwing a punch that proved faster, subsequently seizing the grunt's head and rotating it, effectively breaking the latter's neck.

Two additional grunts entered the room. One launched a quick knife attack, but you effortlessly caught it and hurled it back, hitting the other grunt wielding a gun. Seizing the disarmed grunt, you slammed them forcefully onto the ground, incapacitating him. The haloed grunt then glided into the room, discharging lightning through his hands to transform more grunts into zombies.

Swiftly targeted the zombies, delivering a fatal stab to their heads before they could attack. The haloed grunt swiftly brandished a sword and advanced on Hank, but you swiftly reacted by drawing a gun and firing at him. The shots impacted the haloed grunt, causing him to disappear.

You and Hank briefly assessed each other's condition, ensuring the other's well-being before proceeding into the next room. The space held two grunts and the sheriff himself, who promptly fled. You swiftly dispatched the two grunts with ease. More grunts entered the room, but you and Hank swiftly opened fire, neutralizing them before they closed the distance.

As you entered the next room, you found two agent grunts and the sheriff. Without hesitation, Hank pulled out a gun and shot both agents. He then pointed the gun menacingly at the sheriff, but the haloed grunt's sword impaled through the sheriff, causing him to wince in pain.

Pulling out your gun, rapidly firing at the haloed grunt, riddling its head with bullets. Hank swiftly retrieved the sword and thrust it through the sheriff's body before finishing him off with a shotgun blast to the head, terminating the sheriff.

Filled with concern, you quickly rushed towards Hank, catching his body to prevent him from collapsing on the floor. Hastily taking out the bandages, you began wrapping multiple layers around his torso to staunch the bleeding. Checking his pulse, a relieved sigh escaped your lips as you confirmed he was still alive.

You leaned against the wall of the room, carefully resting his head in your lap. Exhaustion crept over you, your eyelids growing heavier with each blink, eventually closing in slumber.

Chapter 4

Somewhere in Nevada.

Hank's eyelids fluttered open, taking in the familiar surroundings of the room where the sheriff had been slain. The room was filled with the acrid scent of decaying grunts. He found himself lying on your lap, feeling the contrast between the surrounding gruesomeness and the softness of your unconscious presence.

With a slow, labored movement, he sat up, wincing at the pain in his torso. As his gaze traveled downwards, he noticed the thick layers of bandages wound around his chest, providing a stark reminder of his recent injuries.

His gaze remained fixed on you, taking note of the dark, weary circles beneath your eyes and the steady rise and fall of your chest. For a moment, he found himself blushing faintly as his hand gently caressed your soft visage.

He relished the sight of you sleeping so peacefully; the thought of disrupting your rest filled him with a mix of reluctance and affection. Inhaling deeply, he exhaled slowly before delicately shaking you, attempting to rouse you from sleep.

Feeling a gentle pull at the edges of consciousness, you blearily opened your eyes, greeted by the sight of Hank rousing you from your slumber. A soft smile graced your features, genuine relief flooding through you that he was all right. Slowly raising your arms, you drew him closer, wrapping him in a tender embrace.

He reciprocated the gesture, pulling you into his arms as well, the warmth radiating between you both like a comforting balm. For a fleeting moment, you both yearned to linger in the sanctuary of this embrace, a temporary respite from the looming tasks that needed to be addressed.

After reluctantly separating from the embrace, you and Hank slowly rose to your feet, your hands still interlocked. You glanced at him, asking softly, ''Are you feeling ok, Hank?'' He silently nodded in response. Hand in hand, you both walked out of the facility, a faint blush coloring your cheeks.

In the distance, a car came into view, the keys lying haphazardly on the ground. Hank took the driver's seat, with you settling into the passenger seat next to him. He turned on the ignition, and the vehicle began to move as he steered them onward, searching for another facility.

Inside the car, you and Hank silently relished the simple pleasure of handholding, a subtle comfort amidst the chaos you'd just endured. With a shared destination in mind, the vehicle accelerated, closing the distance to another looming facility.

Two grunts stood outside, leisurely smoking cigarettes, their tranquil moment shattered by the sudden blinding light of the approaching car.
Before they could react, you and Hank slammed into them, propelling them against the wall. Emerging from the car, you both grabbed nearby weapons, readying yourselves for the next challenge within the facility.

Hank efficiently dispatched the two grunts in the room with precise shots, while you took care of the third. Moving swiftly to the next area, Hank engaged the grunts on the right, while you managed those on the left. You swiftly neutralized the assailants with well-placed punches, knocking them out.

As more grunts streamed in, you grabbed a shotgun, switching the mode to 'Mega' and eliminated them with ease. Proceeding to the next room, you both pressed on, prepared for whatever lay ahead.

Hank quickly targeted the three grunts in the hallway, swiftly neutralizing them with gunfire. Just as another grunt attempted to attack from behind, you reacted instinctively, firing a shot behind you without looking. Pressing your backs against the wall, you both observed a nearby agent and a regular grunt.

The grunt approached Hank, attempting to strike him with a baton, but Hank quickly wrested it from his grasp, using it to impale him. Sensing the agent's attempted ambush, you hurled a knife, accurately landing it in his head, ending his assault. As another grunt entered the scene, you once again reacted swiftly, shooting him down without looking.

As you and Hank ventured deeper into the facility, more grunts charged towards you, but they were dealt with swiftly and efficiently. A lone grunt attempted to attack you, but you repelled their advance, forcefully pushing them back before lifting a heavy vending machine and letting it crush their body. Two further grunts emerged from the elevator, armed with swords.

One attempted to reach for a gun, but you shot them in the head before they could do so. Hank effortlessly overpowered the other by driving a sword into their head. You picked up the second sword, securing it behind your back and grabbed a gun before proceeding into the subsequent room.

Following the path downward, you and Hank swiftly dispatched any grunts that emerged, showing no mercy. When a grunt approached from behind, armed with a pipe, you swiftly snatched it from their grasp and proceeded to bludgeon them with it. As you reached the base of the stairs, the sound of music echoed through the closed door.

Carefully stepping into the darkened room, you were met with a peculiar sight: a room filled with dancing grunts, illuminated by swirling lights. In the center stood the clown grunt, recognizable by their distinctive red cone-shaped hairdo and mask, as they played the music.

'What is going on...?' you both thought.

Shock and bewilderment filled your minds, the bizarre sight of dancing grunts leaving you utterly perplexed. Quick to respond, Hank drew his gun, taking aim at the clown grunt's head. The grunts turned around, their eyes falling upon you and Hank. The clown grunt, previously shot, miraculously returned to life.

He commanded the grunts to attack you both, and you both swiftly readied your swords while charging into the fray. Meanwhile, Hank approached the masked clown grunt, brandishing his sword and aiming it menacingly at his face.

The explosive sound ripped through the room, revealing the presence of the haloed grunt and a zombie agent. The atmosphere shifted, and you, Hank, and the clown grunt froze in place. With a wave of his powers, the haloed grunt transformed the fallen grunts into undead zombies, their mouths agape to reveal bloodied teeth. The once chaotic party now took on a more terrifying turn as you found yourselves surrounded by reanimated foes.

You and Hank valiantly swing your swords, making quick work of the hoard of zombies. Despite your efforts, both of you are hit in the cheeks by the zombie agent's relentless gunfire. Dropping to the ground, you clutch the bullet wounds in pain, while the clown grunt stood in shock, unsure of what to do.

Just as the zombie agent aimed his weapon at your head, you disappear in an instant, reappearing behind him. With lightning speed, you swiftly sever his limbs, causing him to collapse lifelessly to the floor.

Hank positions himself in front of you, using his sword as a protective barrier against the haloed grunt, who pulls out a gun and fires twice, hitting Hank in the torso and the face. Wounded, Hank collapses to the ground, clutching his wounds. You attempt to move forward to help him, but he urges you to stay back, seemingly having a plan in mind.

He pulls out a detonator with a button and turns to face you, mouthing 'I love you' before activating the device, resulting in both him and the haloed grunt being engulfed in a powerful explosion.

Time seemed to come to a standstill as you stood there, unable to move, your mind reeling from the overwhelming barrage of emotions. Tears streamed down your face as you knelt there, witnessing the tragic outcome. Soft sobs escaping your lips, your entire body trembling with grief.

The clown grunt approached you slowly, his touch gentle as he attempts to comfort you. But your mind was numb, unresponsive to his efforts. Silently, he retreated from the room, leaving you alone to process the devastating loss that had just occurred.

Time slowly ticked away as your crying subsided, leaving you with an expressionless gaze, void of emotion. Your eyes, now puffy and tear-streaked, held a blank stare, a stark contrast to the lively figure you previously were. Carefully applying a large bandage to your cheek, you surveyed the surroundings, taking in the gruesome aftermath of the explosion.

Pieces of Hank and the haloed grunt were scattered throughout the area, a chilling reminder of the violence that had occurred. With a slow, deliberate pace, you began to collect the pieces that belonged to Hank, each fragment a piece of his remaining presence.

With the painstaking effort of gathering the scattered pieces, you carefully assembled Hank's body, stitching and wrapping bandages to secure them in place. His sewn-up and wounded form lay motionless on the floor, its lifeless state a stark reminder of the extent of the damage he had endured.

You sat down, lost in contemplation, desperately hoping that he would be okay somehow.

Exhausted, you laid your head down, the weight of reality pressing heavily upon you. The thought of being alone now weighed upon your shoulders, but you refused to give up hope, silently praying for a miraculous recovery.

The emotional toll of the recent events had left you physically and mentally exhausted. Your weary eyelids grew increasingly heavy, and you surrendered to the overwhelming exhaustion, sinking into a deep, restful sleep.

Chapter 5

Somewhere in Nevada.

Days had passed, but Hank's body still lay motionless on the ground. You continued to pray for his recovery, holding onto hope that he would be okay. Seeking a distraction from the somber atmosphere, you decided to explore the empty facility.

The lifeless grunts and agents strewn about only served to amplify the eerie silence. In your wanderings, you stumbled upon an abandoned clothing store. Entering the empty shop, you were greeted by the sight of various clothing items, either hanging or neatly folded.

Searching through the racks, you found some comfortable sweatpants made of soft material. Next, you scoured for a black undershirt to complete your new outfit. Making your way into the changing room, you tried on the clothes, feeling a sense of comfort in the soft fabric against your skin.

Exiting the shop, you carried a selection of new clothes in your arms, including a black bandana, red sunglasses, a mask, black pants, and a long black coat, all chosen specifically for Hank. With the fresh attire in hand, you made your way back to the room where Hank lay, hoping to present him with the new clothes once he recovered.

Approaching the room where Hank lay, your heart sank upon seeing him in the same position. You gently set the new clothes on a nearby desk, your mind racing as you contemplated the best course of action.

Deciding to restock on supplies, you gathered up ammunition, weapons, and additional gear. Feeling weary, you decided to take a brief nap, hoping that some rest would help clear your mind and rejuvenate your energy.

Hank's body began to twitch and stir, as his fingers and hands started to move slightly while you were asleep. He suddenly became aware of the faint beating of his own heart, gradually increasing in pace. Groggily, he forced his injured body to sit up, feeling a wave of pain wash over him, no doubt from the numerous stitches and bandages covering his form.

The memories of his actions and the blast came back to him, along with the final sight of you attempting to aid him before everything went black.

He surveyed the surroundings, noticing that you had meticulously gathered and organized various supplies, including weapons, ammunition, bandages, and gear. The sight of the carefully selected items laid out on the table, presumably intended for him, warmed his heart.

He couldn't help but feel touched by your thoughtfulness, grateful that you had taken the time to think about his needs. Despite the physical discomfort he felt, he appreciated the effort you had made to ensure his comfort and well-being.

Hank donned the new clothes, relishing the feeling of the soft material against his skin. Taking a moment, he looked at you as you slept, noticing the dark bags under your eyes and the various bandages on your arm and cheek.

He observed that you had also changed into new clothes, and he noted that you preferred comfort over fashion. Concern filled him as he saw the various signs of exhaustion and weariness on your face, knowing full well the burden you had taken upon yourself in his absence.

Hank approached you with silent, measured steps. Carefully and gently, he scooped you up in his arms, lifting you effortlessly onto his lap. The softness of your body pressed against his sent a wave of warmth through him, causing his heart to flutter with a mixture of affection and protectiveness.

Sitting down, he held you close, the feeling of your warm weight against him awakening a deep sense of care and devotion. He would do anything to ensure your safety and happiness, his love for you unyielding and intense. Feeling the steady rise and fall of your breathing as you slept, he gently massaged your back with a tender touch. For a while, he lay there silently, gazing at the ceiling, his thoughts swirling with a mix of gratitude and admiration.

He took a moment to reflect on the incredible effort you had made to repair his body, feeling a growing sense of pride and appreciation for your unwavering dedication. He knew that he needed rest to recover, but the knowledge that you had played a crucial role in his recovery filled him with a profound sense of comfort and contentment.

Slowly, fatigue settled over Hank as he felt his energy waning. He shifted his position, placing one arm underneath his head and the other around your body, enveloping you in a gentle embrace. With you cradled against him, he felt a sense of peace and security that surpassed anything he had experienced before. A faint smile graced his lips as he closed his eyes, surrendering to the pull of sleep, knowing that you would be safe in his arms.

Time ticked by slowly, the two of you still tangled up in each other's arms, quietly napping. As you felt your eyes slowly flutter open, the presence of a comfortable surface beneath you gave you pause. Gradually looking up, your heart skipped a beat as you realized that you were resting on top of Hank, who was now adorned in the new clothes you had painstakingly selected for him. Caught off guard, you hastily sat up, your eyes widening at the unexpected sight of him.

Tears welled up in your eyes as you slowly lifted your hands to cup his face. A soft groan escaped his lips, and he leaned into your touch, seeking the comfort of your touch as he gradually stirred from his own reverie.

Recognizing the sound of your voice, he felt a pang in his heart as the rough, hoarse quality signaled your desperate need for reassurance. He opened his eyes, meeting your gaze with a mixture of relief and love, his own voice coming out slightly gravelly as he gently spoke your name in response.

Your emotions overwhelmed you, causing tears to cascade down your cheeks as he gently uttered your name, his voice carrying a tender caress. Acting on pure instinct, you pulled him closer, wrapping your arms around him in a firm embrace.

He felt your body slightly shaking against him, a silent testament to the depth of the emotions you were feeling. In response, he returned your tight hug, his own arms encircling you just as adamantly. The absence of each other weighed heavily on both of you, and now, as you held each other once again, it felt as though a piece of both of your hearts had been restored.

Tears continued to flow freely down both of your faces as a torrent of emotions flooded your minds, the weight of the moment almost palpable in the air around you. In the midst of the silent embrace, Hank leaned in and placed a tender, gentle kiss on your cheek, breaking the silence with the soft press of his lips against your skin. Caught off guard, you blushed at the unexpected gesture, your heart fluttering in your chest. Emboldened by his action, you returned the favor, delicately placing a kiss on his own cheek, causing him to blush as well.

A soft chuckle escaped both of you as you continued rubbing each other's backs in soothing, comforting motions, attempting to calm the storm of emotions that currently consumed you. Holding each other tightly, neither of you were willing to break the embrace just yet, both of you craving the sense of security and closeness that came from being in each other's arms.

"I miss you so much, Hank..." speaking softly.

Hank's heart ached at your gentle confession, the words "I miss you so much" hanging in the air between you. He held you tighter, his voice coming out in a soft, raspy whisper in response.

"I missed you, too...So damn much...," Hank replied, his voice laced with raw emotion, his grip on you growing almost possessive. Emboldened by your acceptance of his tight grip, Hank held onto you even more forcefully, his arms wrapped around you as if he feared you would disappear if he loosened his hold even for a moment.

He buried his face in the crook of your neck, breathing in your sweet scent as he savored the feeling of having you in his arms once again. Time slipped away as you both lingered in the embrace, neither of you wanting to let go.

As time passed, you both remained in each other's embrace, neither of you wanting to break the comfortable silence that had settled around you. However, the knowledge that there were important matters to address weighed heavily on your minds, and reluctantly, you slowly pulled away from the hug, hating the sudden absence of warmth. Hand in hand, you both stood up from the floor and made your way out of the facility, the outside world awaiting you. As you walked together, Hank's walkie-talkie crackled to life, and he paused to answer the call. The sound of two other voices on the other end reached your ears, the conversation brief. After a few moments, he put the walkie-talkie away and turned to you. He relayed the information that two more individuals, Sanford and Deimos, were on their way, adding that you should be prepared for their arrival.

Hank shared further details about Sanford and Deimos, informing you that they were friends who had aided him in various ways. You acknowledged the information, mentally preparing yourself for their impending arrival. As you walked hand in hand, the two of you searched for the next facility, the path ahead shrouded in silence and anticipation.

Chapter 6

Somewhere in Nevada.

Going to the next facility, with silent determination, you followed Hank up the ladder, reaching the rooftop and spotting a skylight. Through it, you observed two agents diligently guarding the hallways below. Exchanging a brief nod with each other, you and Hank silently retrieved your firearms, mentally preparing yourselves for the imminent confrontation.

In a coordinated move, you both dropped through the skylight, guns at the ready. In a swift, coordinated assault, you and Hank took down the agents with precision gun fire, clearing the path ahead. As more agents entered through the two doors on either side, you took the left side while Hank took the right, engaging them in a flurry of gunshots.

After successfully eliminating the reinforcements, you both paused to reload your weapons before proceeding further into the next room.

With a calculated leap into the air, both you and Hank evaded the incoming barrage of bullets, maintaining your balance and composure. In a single, fluid motion, you fired your guns simultaneously, swiftly dispatching the group of agents in front of you.

Sensing the presence of more grunts approaching from behind, you turned around and shot them down without even needing to look, your reflexes and instincts honed to perfection.

As you and Hank attempted to enter the next room, the door slammed shut suddenly, locking you within. Confusion filled the air as you heard a faint rumbling sound, followed by a loud noise. Looking at each other, your eyes widened in shock as you realized that the dead agents had transformed into zombies, lining up against the wall.

The tension grew as the haloed grunt appeared once again, his body adorned with stitches and bandages bearing testament to the explosion that Hank had inflicted upon him. The hatred and anger radiating from his face.

He flew towards you both. You both quickly fired your guns, but he blocked all the bullets with his hands. The haloed grunt effortlessly deflected your gun fire with his hands, leaving you and Hank no choice but to engage in hand-to-hand combat. Despite your best efforts, you managed to land a few successful blows, but he swiftly pushed you both away.

In response, he pulled out his sword, raising it defensively. With no immediate options, you and Hank made a strategic decision, vaulting over the broken walls and maneuvering yourselves outside the facility.

In the distance, a vibrant red light caught your attention, your focus momentarily shifting. However, the haloed grunt advanced towards you both, attempting a stealth attack.

Acting with speed, you both pulled out your guns and fired again, only to see him effortlessly block the bullets with his hands.

Undeterred, he swung his sword at you, but you evaded it just in time, the blade only managing to graze your arm. Despite the injury, you pressed on, trading punches with the grunt as Hank joined in the fray, managing to land a few hits of his own.

The haloed grunt unleashed his powers, hurling the zombie agents at you and Hank. Amidst the chaos, you managed to evade them, only to find yourselves pushed off the cliff by him.

Believing you both were injured, he approached, but with quick reflexes, you two swiftly leaped back to your feet.

Seizing the opportunity, Hank fired his gun at the haloed grunt, but he once again blocked the bullets. However, Hank's diversion allowed you to swiftly aim at the grunt's torso, successfully injuring him. Taking advantage of his momentary vulnerability, you and Hank quickly dealt with the remaining zombie agents.

The haloed grunt rose slowly, still holding onto his wounded torso, as both you and Hank armed yourselves with the empty guns as makeshift swords. The battle continued with fierce exchanges; each attack fueled by a deep-seated animosity.

As the fight progressed, you both managed to momentarily stun him, taking the opportunity to deliver powerful punches to his face. Unfazed, he swung his sword in a swift motion, but you narrowly evaded it, jumping off the cliff with swift precision.

The drop proved to be a strategic move, as you landed on the agents below, their bodies crushed under the force of the fall. Quickly, you and Hank seized the opportunity to grab their guns, swiftly firing at the remaining agents. In response, more agents and zombies emerged, swarming the area.

Remaining undeterred, you focused on eliminating the zombies, while Hank took charge of neutralizing the agents, the battlefield continuing to heat up.

After successfully dispatching the opposing fighters, the ground beneath you trembled slightly. Suddenly, a stop sign emerged from beneath the surface, surrounded by an electrifying aura. The sign moved with an eerie precision, its appearance coming out of nowhere, adding an air of mystery to the already chaotic scene.

While eliminating the two agents that were attacked by the sign, someone emerged from the ground. It was the zombie clown grunt again. In the midst of the ongoing chaos, Hank swiftly fired at the zombie clown grunt, subduing him momentarily as he retreated underground. As you cleared the path, a sword sliced through the air at you and Hank, but you both managed to evade it.

Just as the haloed grunt prepared to attack, the enraged zombie clown grunt reappeared, trembling with fury. The air crackled with a static noise, and a faint whisper echoed through the battlefield, declaring 'CLOWN IS ENRAGED'.

The clown forcefully shoved the haloed grunt aside, leaving you and Hank taken aback by his lightning-fast movements. As Hank aimed his guns, the clown evaded his shots, appearing behind him and forcefully pushing him to the ground.

Turning his gaze to you, you instinctively raised your guard, waiting to see his next move. With a chilling static whisper, he proclaimed, 'STAY BACK' and 'DO NOT WANT TO HURT YOU', adding a layer of eerie uncertainty to the unfolding situation.

As he lifted you into the air, your confusion mounted, and you were placed gently on the ground upon landing. Before you could utter a word, he playfully tapped your nose, leaving you momentarily stunned. As the clown made his way towards Hank, you were left standing there, caught off guard by his unexpected gesture.

Attempting to join Hank at the bottom, you were suddenly interrupted by the sound of a car horn. Turning towards the source, you encountered two grunts sitting inside. As you observed them carefully, it became apparent that they were friendly. Curious, you inquired, "Are you Sanford and Deimos?"

"Yeah, I'm Sanford and this one is Deimos. You must be Hank's other friend, nice to meet you" Sanford's voice was deep and velvety, exuded a laidback and amiable vibe.

"I didn't know that Hank's friend was this pretty. It's nice to meet you as well" Deimos's voice was rough and raspy in tone. His flirty demeanor caused you to feel the heat rising in your cheeks. You told them your name as well.

The two grunts confirmed your suspicion with a simultaneous nod, confirming their identities as Sanford and Deimos. You shook hands with them, initiating a brief introduction.

"Also, have you seen Hank? He was supposed to be here" "Yeah, he said that he would be with you" they inquired about the whereabouts of Hank, but their question was interrupted by the sudden sight of him being hurled through the air, crashing to the ground with a thud.

Immediately, you rushed to his side, ensuring he was alright. Hank managed to nod in affirmation, despite clutching his torso in pain. Looking up, he spotted his friends standing nearby.

"Hey Hank, you doing alright? We've met you with your friend, they seemed very chill" said Sanford.

"Yeah, why didn't you tell us that they're this pretty? We would've gotten here way faster to meet them" Deimos continued. Hank observed the interaction between you and Sanford, taking note of Deimos's flirtatious demeanor.

"Mmmm..." This prompted him to tighten his grip on you possessively, his actions eliciting a chuckle from Sanford and Deimos. Your face flushed with a rosy hue, both from Deimos's advances and Hank's possessive hold. In return, Sanford caught your eye, responding with a warm smile, making you shyly smiled back.

The conversation with the four of you came to a brief conclusion, as Sanford and Deimos handed you and Hank some weapons for your continued journey. They bid farewell with a quick wave before reversing the vehicle.

However, the situation took a sudden turn as a building abruptly dropped on top of them. You and Hank stood frozen, shocked by the unexpected events that unfolded so quickly in front of your eyes.

The eerie static noise grew louder, drawing your attention as you and Hank turned to face the approaching figure. It was the same clown grunt, his body still shaking as he clutched half of the haloed grunt's head. The sight was both unsettling and fearsome, heightening the tension in the air.

Hank swiftly picked up a sword, preparing for battle against the clown grunt without a word. As you too attempted to assist him, the static whispers returned, their message clear: 'STAY BACK' and 'THIS IS NOT YOUR FIGHT' were repeated, along with an emphasis on 'DONT WANT TO HURT YOU'

The repeated whispers filled the air, striking a chord of fear within you, making you hesitate to assist Hank. In the midst of the chaotic battle, Hank momentarily glanced your way, reassuring you with the words 'Everything will be alright.' Despite your fear, his confidence gave you some respite.

Your attempt to offer words of encouragement to Hank was abruptly halted as his head was sliced off, the gruesome sight causing your eyes to well up with tears. This was the second time you witnessed his death, leaving you feeling devastated and heartbroken.

Despite your best efforts to hold back the tears, the emotional weight of the situation proved too overwhelming, and you finally succumbed to tears, overcome with grief and sadness.

The clown grunt, witnessing your tears and emotional breakdown for the second time, experienced a shift in his demeanor. With his previously trembling figure now stabilized, he slowly approached you, his steps deliberate and measured.

Unable to defend yourself in time, you were suddenly pulled into a tight embrace by the clown grunt, his arms encircling you in a comforting gesture. You felt the warmth of his hands rubbing your back, seeking to soothe and ease your distress.

The close contact made it clear he could feel the tremors running through your body, a tangible representation of the emotional turmoil you were experiencing.

Reluctantly, you tentatively returned the hug, unsure of how to respond. Your voice, hoarse and shaky from crying, posed a question: "Why... why did you do it...?" The words hung in the air, tinged with confusion and a mix of conflicting emotions.

Your ears picked up the familiar static noise, but this time, the whispers had a different voice - raspy and hoarse yet tinged with a hint of electronic distortion. The message was clear, as he spoke in a voice filled with static.

"Because I didn't want to hurt YOU. The A.A.H.W. is after HANK, not YOU." The words sent a shiver down your spine, adding another layer of tension and intrigue to the already surreal situation.

Still within the embrace, you mustered the courage to ask a question, your voice a soft whisper. "What's your name...? If you don't mind me inquiring," you queried. The moment hung in the air, filled with an air of anticipation as you waited for his response. The clown grunt paused, contemplating whether to share such information.

With a crackling, static-infused voice, he replied, "CLOWN NAME IS TRICKY." The revelation of his name, spoken through the distorted and electronic tone.

"What about the Haloed grunt? He's been following us since the beginning" you spoke, wanting to know the name of the grunt that's been on your tail.

Tricky waited for a few moments, you then heard his static voice. "HIS NAME IS JEBADIAH"

You processed the newfound knowledge, a sense of acceptance settling over you as he spoke. As the hug ended and you separated, a strange mixture of emotions washed over you.

Despite yourself, a part of you missed the warmth of the embrace – the unexpected comfort it had provided. You then felt a gentle pull, and it became apparent that Tricky was now guiding you as he held your hand, leading you forward with an unexpected tenderness.

With purpose, Tricky walked you towards the building where Sanford and Deimos were trapped under. He paused temporarily, releasing his gentle grip on your hand, and spoke firmly: "GO HELP FRIENDS. THEY NEED YOU." Seeing Sanford and Deimos unconscious in the vehicle, your mind raced with thoughts of Hank's condition.

Despite the stress and worry, you also knew that Hank would appreciate your efforts to help his friends in this critical moment.

As you turned back to Tricky, a faint smile formed on your lips. Your voice was gentle and sincere as you uttered a soft, "Thank you..." In response, Tricky chuckled, affectionately booping your nose before walking away.

The small gesture made you let out a soft chuckle as well, and you steeled yourself as you set out to help Sanford and Deimos, who remained unconscious inside the vehicle.

Chapter 7

Somewhere in Nevada.

As you entered the damaged building, you found Sanford and Deimos lying unconscious on the floor. Both of their heads exhibited signs of bleeding from the impact they had sustained when the building crashed onto them. Concern welled up within you as you looked upon their injured forms, contemplating what you should do next.

Quietly, you approached the car and shook both Sanford and Deimos, addressing them in a soft yet urgent tone: "Sanford, Deimos, wake up."

Sanford groaned as he slowly opened his eyes, blinking a few times to adjust to the light. Deimos, on the other hand, stirred as he too regained consciousness, his eyes fluttering open. The pair looked disoriented yet relieved to see you standing there, unharmed.

With a grateful smile, Sanford spoke up, his voice tired but thankful, "Hey, thanks for waking us. We'd have been toast if you hadn't." Deimos chimed in, his voice still slightly groggy, "Wow, an angel woke me up." The compliment prompted a slight blush to cross your face, and a shy smile tugged at the corners of your lips. Sanford chuckled at the exchange between you and Deimos, finding it lighthearted and amusing in the midst of the chaotic circumstances.

As Sanford and Deimos gingerly emerged from the car, their movements slow and cautious due to the pain of their injuries, you stepped in to help. "Here, let me wrap your heads. It's still bleeding from the impact" gently grabbing Sanford's head, you wrapped the bandages on it.

With a gentle touch, you began wrapping bandages around Sanford's head to stop the bleeding. Sanford offered a grateful smile, appreciative of your assistance. Turning to Deimos, you carefully wrapped the bandages around his head as well. He leaned into your softly, a small smirk playing on his lips as your touch provided some momentary comfort amidst the situation. "Man, your hands are so soft" Deimos spoke, making you softly smile.

After tending to Sanford and Deimos, you all proceeded to the next room, only to find it swarming with A.A.H.W. agents. Realizing that hand-to-hand combat was the only option, you steeled yourself for the impending confrontation.

Amidst the chaos, an agent charged at you, but their lack of precision made it easy for you to incapacitate them with ease. Deimos, meanwhile, grabbed a bat and swung it forcefully, causing a satisfying thud as it connected with another agent's head. Sanford, quick and efficient, snatched a knife from an agent and rapidly drove it into them, neutralizing them.

As you all entered the next room, a group of agents appeared before you, armed and ready to engage. Acting swiftly, Sanford lunged forward and stabbed a few of them in the face, incapacitating them immediately. At the same time, you and Deimos worked together to deal with the agents behind you, knocking them unconscious with well-aimed blows.

Reaching the next room, you spotted a ladder with two agents perched at its summit. "Guys, Lift me up, I'll take them out" spoke Deimos. With a coordinated effort, the two of you raised Deimos by the feet, launching him into the air. As he soared up, Deimos skillfully brandished his knife, slicing it through the faces of the agents in a single swift motion, effectively neutralizing both of them simultaneously.

You and Sanford couldn't help but let out a chuckle at Deimos' audacious and theatrical approach to dispatching the enemy. As Deimos worked upstairs, diligently neutralizing any remaining agents, you and Sanford ascended the ladder to join him. Upon reaching the top, you all gathered the weapons that had been dropped by the fallen agents.

With a weapon in hand, you took aim at the few remaining agents and fired without hesitation, each shot finding its mark and successfully incapacitating the targets. With precision and efficiency, you entered the next room, swiftly opening fire on the agents who hadn't had time to react. Sanford and Deimos observed your actions with a smile, silently impressed by your aptitude in neutralizing threats with relative ease.

As you and the group continued their progress, Sanford and Deimos seized the opportunity to gather more ammunition and supplies, ensuring that they remained well-equipped for the challenges ahead. Following the brief resupply pause, you all pressed on to the next area.

Deimos unleashed a barrage of gunfire in the current room, indiscriminately targeting the agents regardless of their actions. As you moved to the next room, you and Sanford worked in tandem, employing your weapons to strike with devastating force, eliminating the agents with each powerful swing. The sheer force behind each blow ensured that the targeted agents were incapacitated with lethal precision.

After successfully neutralizing the agents in the previous room, the walls began to crack and develop small holes, allowing red electricity to pierce through and inflict an explosive effect that decimated the lifeless agents.

"Let's just go around it" you whispered. With silent indication, you gestured to Sanford and Deimos to carefully navigate around the area. Working together in sync, you all proceeded cautiously to the next room, prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the walls continued to crack and deteriorate, you picked up on the faint but distinct sound of static echoing somewhere in the distance. Swiveling around, you caught sight of Tricky, his head gruesomely detached from its former state, yet his demeanor seemingly unperturbed by the dire situation. His presence sent a chill down your spine as you braced yourself for the inevitable confrontation.

Without warning, Tricky lunged towards Deimos with blinding speed, sending him hurtling towards the wall. Despite the impact, Deimos swiftly rose to his feet, attempting to retaliate against the relentless onslaught.

However, Tricky's brute force effortlessly overpowered him, resulting in Deimos getting slammed through the wall with tremendous force. Sanford, witnessing the horrifying exchange, took a brief moment to observe Tricky but was swiftly driven by fear to swiftly exit the room, determined to avoid facing Tricky's fury. As Tricky shifted his attention towards you, your guard raised in preparation for a potential attack.

To your surprise, he chuckled warmly and gave you a gentle boop on the nose. With a soft touch, Tricky then gently picked you up and transported you through the gaping hole, delicately setting you down on the ground. Before departing, he waved at you, his expression holding a sense of playfulness and tenderness.

With Sanford helping a groggy Deimos to his feet, you all proceeded to incapacitate the remaining agents, recovering their weapons in the process. As more A.A.H.W. personnel approached you, swords at the ready, you evaded their attacks effortlessly. Displaying remarkable dexterity and accuracy, you all swung your swords with deadly precision, swiftly neutralizing the opposition in a series of well-timed strikes.

Just as you thought the situation was under control, you sensed an impending danger behind you. Whirling around, you witnessed another building descending swiftly from the sky.

"Shit!"

With lightning reflexes, you rushed towards Deimos, firmly grasping his shoulders and pulling him towards you, saving him just in time before the building could crush him into oblivion. In that brief moment, Deimos looked at you with a mix of thankfulness and admiration, his gaze conveying both gratitude and an undeniable sense of attraction.

"Hehe, thanks" he spoke. Your softly chuckled at him, seeing that he was probably used to being in near danger. "No problem" In the midst of the chaos, a subtle flicker of admiration for Deimos began to surface within you. With a soft blush on your cheeks, you focused on the task at hand, opening fire on the remaining agents with calculated precision.

Just as you finished off the last of them, the ominous sound of static and the sudden emergence of train tracks at your feet shattered the momentary respite. The appearance of the train tracks served as a chilling reminder of the dangers looming ahead.

The glare of headlights pierced the darkness, heralding the imminent arrival of a rapidly approaching train. Sensing the impending danger, Sanford responded with impressive reflexes, snatching both you and Deimos and propelling you all against him, narrowly evading the speeding locomotive. Your bodies pressed against his warm body, making you both feel slightly flushed.

As the train passed and you all released a collective breath, the tension in the air eased. "You guys alright?" his gruff voice spoke out to you two. You both nodded against him. "Yeah, were fine, glad that were alive as well" spoke Deimos. You nodded, agreeing with him.

He let go of you both, you three making your way to the end of the tunnel. Just as you thought the danger had passed, a grunt with yellow eye gear emerged from the shadows, you all were met with a gunshot, the sound echoing through the tunnel.

Chapter 8

Somewhere in Nevada.

Back with Hank, he slowly emerged from his unconscious state, his body aching from his recent confrontation with Tricky. With a pained grimace, he instinctively raised his hands, gingerly palpating his injured mouth and realization dawned upon him.

His lower jaw wasn't there anymore, its absence replaced by a steady flow of blood trickling down his chin.

Hank’s gaze scanned the surroundings, desperately searching for any sign of you. However, his anxiety skyrocketed when he realized that you were nowhere to be found. Panic quickly gave way to anger as intrusive thoughts coursed through his mind. He didn't have his walkie-talkie, making him unable to contact Deimos and Sanford to see if you were with them.

Was it possible that you had been kidnapped, or something even worse? The sheer rage and anxiety building up inside him was becoming increasingly difficult to contain. He couldn't stop shaking. He needed to look for you. He needed you.

Hank’s gaze fixated on a nearby facility, its structure bristling with armed A.A.H.W. personnel. Undeterred, he seized the nearest available arsenal and marched steadfastly towards the compound, determination etched onto his face. But his mind was still on you. He needed to find you, hoping that you were ok.

Charging into the facility with a fervor, his entrance marked by a fierce onslaught of gunfire that left the grunts reeling, their reactions too slow to counter the onslaught. Skillfully wielding his sword, he sliced through the agents with a brutal efficiency.

When more enemy forces materialized from both sides, instead of faltering, he swiftly seized another weapon, opening fire on both groups simultaneously. The room transformed into a tableau of carnage as bodies littered the floor, accompanied by a hail of spent brass casings and smoking firearms.

Hank continued his relentless advance, encountering a group of agents attempting to halt his progress. With unparalleled marksmanship, he dispensed with them one by one. Just as he prepared to press forward, an opportunistic agent launched a surprise attack from behind.

Without breaking stride, Hank’s quick reflexes allowed him to intercept the assailant’s charge, and with a swift, brutal maneuver, he seized the agent’s head and tore it off in a single swift motion.

Proceeding to the next room, Hank was met with the last defiant agent, who foolishly attempted to attack. In an instant, Hank dispatched the remaining obstacle by viciously ripping off it head.

Hank stepped into the next room, ready to face the next wave of agents. A group of A.A.H.W. personnel charged at him in a vain attempt to overpower him, but Hank met their charge with cold, calculated efficiency.

His sword danced through the air, slicing through the agents with an almost effortless grace, leaving them all lifeless and unmoving on the floor. Hank stood amidst the carnage, unscathed and unperturbed.

Proceeding further into the facility, methodically opening fire on the agents in his path, their lifeless forms left scattered across the room when the dust settled. In the room, a small control desk caught his eye, and upon further inspection, he discovered a small note.

The words, "Very Good! Now, catch me if you can, sucka!" etched on its surface. Suddenly, the chilling sound of static filled the air, signaling the presence of Tricky, and Hank braced himself for the impending confrontation.

Hank's confusion grew as the floor beneath his feet gave way, replaced by train tracks, and the walls of the facility vanished. Caught completely off guard, he was struck by the speeding train and hurled into the air.

In a desperate attempt to hang on, he managed to grasp the very last window of the train car, clinging on for dear life. Clambering onto the top of the train car, Hank pressed onward, his face buffeted by the forceful winds generated by the train's rapid momentum. A determined agent attacked, hurling a baton at him in an attempt to knock him down.

Hank, undeterred, quickly evaded the attack and surged forward, entering the adjacent train car with a steely resolve. Undeterred, Hank armed himself, unleashing a barrage of gunfire at the approaching agents, swiftly neutralizing them.

Meanwhile, Tricky, commanding the train, sensed Hank‘s approach and made a sudden decision to detach the train cars from the lead section. Unfazed, Hank pressed forward, clearing the path of any remaining adversaries within each train car.

Without faltering, Hank reached the front of the train and jumped aboard, his grip on the train car tight as Tricky prepared to strike with his iconic stop sign. In a tense struggle, Hank seized hold of the weapon, refusing to release his grip.

Utterly absorbed by their confrontation, they failed to notice the urgent “BRIDGE OUT AHEAD” sign, and Jebadiah, busily raking leaves, came into view ahead.

Suddenly, the train’s journey came to a dramatic end as it reached the end of the tracks. With Hank and Tricky still aboard, the train plunged into a freefall, crashing into a cliff’s edge. The impact sent them both flying out of the train's head, their bodies battered and bloodied.

Slowly, they labored to rise, wincing at the pain from the array of bruises and deep cuts that covered their forms.

Hank was still regaining his bearings as he sensed a powerful push from behind. Quickly regaining his balance, he spun around to find Tricky facing him, his iconic stop sign in hand. In a display of fair play, Tricky tossed Hank a sturdy pipe, transforming their conflict into an even contest.

Both combatants unleashed a flurry of swings and parries, their weapons connecting fiercely, leaving a trail of new injuries across their battle-hardened forms. Every strike, every dodge, brought both fighters closer to exhaustion.

As Hank managed to land a powerful blow to Tricky’s head, sending his signature train hat tumbling to the ground, Tricky swiftly capitalized on the moment to create a significant gap between them. Pointing upwards, he directed Hank's attention to a large building that was descending upon him.

He watched as Tricky vanished from view, a frustrated sigh escaping his lips. Undeterred, he set his sights on the nearby facility, determination etched on his face as he pressed forward, prepared for what lay ahead.

With a steely purpose, Hank stormed through the building, slicing through the rooms with unnerving efficiency. Making his way outside the facility, he spotted Tricky at a nearby hotdog stand, seemingly unguarded. Hank, seizing the opportunity, sprinted towards him, closing the distance between them in an instant.

With a flash of his blade, Hank drove the sword straight through Tricky’s head, lifting him off the ground. Not showing signs of mercy, Hank fired upon the prone body before unceremoniously discarding it off the cliff, leaving nothing but silence in his path.

While Tricky's body was freefalling, the noise of static surrounding him, static words surround him.

"NO"

"INVALID"

"CLOWN CANNOT DIE"

Hank watched in bewilderment as electrical currents danced around the falling body of Tricky. The sudden rumble beneath his feet signified the arrival of a colossal presence. Upon turning around, he was confronted with a gigantic, towering figure – Tricky, enveloped in white fire and consumed by a baleful gaze fixated solely on Hank. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Hank braced himself, his mind already set on the monumental battle that lay ahead.

Chapter 9

Somewhere in Nevada.

Back with you, Sanford, and Deimos progress through the tunnel nearing its conclusion, but an unexpected event unfolded. A grunt, adorned with peculiar yellow eyewear, suddenly drew a firearm and fired upon Sanford, causing him to collapse to the ground. Acting swiftly, you rushed to Sanford's side, while Deimos took charge of handling the hostile grunt.

Quickly retrieving a few strips of bandages from your pocket, you efficiently wrapped them around Sanford's wounded torso.

"Thanks, you have everything in your pocket, don't you?" He expressed his gratitude for your aid, as well as joked a little. "Yeah, gotta keep them just in case, since we're all wanted" you spoke softly.

After Deimos successfully neutralized the hostile grunt, you and your group continued on your path, staying at Sanford's side to ensure his condition was stable. Pressing forward, you encountered another group of agents blocking your path.

Without missing a beat, you and Deimos drew your weapons, seamlessly swinging them at the agents with force and precision, swiftly incapacitating them all.

Noticing Sanford slightly trailing behind, you walked over to him with concern. As you gently took his hand, a faint blush dusted his face in response to the unexpected contact. 'Their hands are soft...' Sanford spoke to himself. Together, you guided him into the next room, where Deimos had already situated himself.

Deimos stood his ground, engaging a group of agents with his weapon. Sensing Sanford's need for shelter, you cautiously guided him to take cover behind a nearby box where Deimos was stationed. Armed, you joined forces with Deimos, effectively neutralizing the approaching grunts.

Once the area was clear, you retrieved Sanford and handed him a gun, allowing him a means to defend himself. With Sanford now equipped, the three of you advanced to the next room, ready for whatever lay ahead.

In the next room, you encountered two agents, each armed with knives. Displaying remarkable speed, you swiftly disarmed one and used the knife to incapacitate both agents with quick, precise strikes.

Deimos watched in awe at your lightning-fast action, complimenting your ability. You turned to see that he looked at you in awe, making you shyly giggle, a soft blush appeared on your face.

Meanwhile, Sanford searched for additional medical supplies. He skillfully bandaged himself further, tending to his injuries and injecting himself with a needle, restoring his health and adrenalin back to full capacity. He chuckled at Deimos as well.

The three of you descended, effortlessly dispatching the agents in your path. In the next room, an onslaught of agents surged towards Sanford, but he courageously retaliated with determined gunfire. You and Deimos stood steadfastly behind him, providing backup and covering fire to ensure Sanford's safety.

As you and Deimos continued your advance, you skillfully aimed at the distracted agents, effectively neutralizing them. Sanford entered a smaller room nearby and emerged moments later, wearing a set of black military pants. In a generous act, he retrieved additional firearms, ammunition, and medical supplies, handing them to both you and Deimos.

You and your companions prepared to move forward into the next room, you suddenly noted the faint sound of approaching footsteps coming from the other side of the door. With a quick decision, you instructed Sanford and Deimos to step back. Armed with a grenade launcher, you confidently burst open the door and fired, unleashing a devastating explosion that left a trail of lifeless bodies and scattered limbs in its wake.

Sanford couldn't help but chuckle with approval, enjoying your strategic approach. Deimos, too, was visibly impressed, his smile widening as he observed the destruction you had caused. Their admiration for you grew even more, now understanding how Hank had developed feelings for you.

"Holy..." "Shit!" Deimos tackled you into a hug. "That was crazy! How did you know?" He smiled, showing his sharp teeth. You softly chuckled against him. "I heard their footsteps; they don't know how to sneak very well"

Sanford chuckled at you two, seeing that you both got along quite nicely. Walking over to you two, he gently patted both your heads, making you shyly blush at the affection. Deimos smiled at Sandford. "Nice work, Sleepy and Deimos" his gruff voice spoke.

You looked up at him with confusion. "Sleepy...?" you spoke in slight confusion. "Yeah! The eyebags you have make you look sleepy. But you look cute with them" spoke Deimos. Sanford nodded, agreeing with him. You feel yourself blushing even more from them, making them chuckle.

Everyone efficiently reloaded your weapons before continuing your path forward. As you entered the next room, you discovered that the agents there were casually enjoying their lunch hour. Deimos, being his impulsive self, wasted no time and immediately opened fire, not concerned with whether he had their full attention or not.

Both you and Sanford couldn't help but let out a lighthearted chuckle at Deimos' unpredictable behavior. After a brief moment, the three of you boarded the elevator and descended to the next level.

As you stepped into a new area, you discovered a quaint clothing boutique, with a harmless grunt behind the counter who immediately put up their hands in surrender. The grunt focused on a book, displaying no intent to provoke any sort of conflict.

With the situation appearing safe, Sanford and Deimos began trying on various outfits, amusing themselves with different clothing options. Watching them with a lighthearted amusement, you decided to join in, exploring the options available to you as well.

"Put this on Sanford!" "Nah, I got the bandana on, you try it" they spoked. "Yeah, I think it's better on you Deimos"

Looking around, you found some shades. You made your way to Sanford. "Here try these on" Giving him the shades, he putted them on, looking at the mirror Deimos gave him. Sanford smiled, liking the shades.

"Now you look hot!" spoke Deimos, seeing that Sanford blushed at his words. "I mean, he's not wrong" you spoke, your words making him blush even more from you both.

While looking around, you found a long-sleeve, black compressed shirt. Without them looking, you quickly switched your shirts. You looked at the mirror, showing how it hugged your body, turning around, you see that it hugged your back as well. You deciding to keep your shoes and sweatpants the same.

Making your way out you asked them about the shirt. "How does this look?" Deimos and Sanford turned to see you, causing their mouth to drop. They saw how the compressed shirt hugged your body, seeing your chest and slight muscles, causing them to the blush.

"You look badass, Sleepy" spoke Sanford. Deimos was still in awe. "I'm so glad that my teammates are hot" he blurted out, not caring what he just said. You and Sanford blushed, softly chuckling at him.

In the midst of the carefree moment you shared with Sanford and Deimos, an unexpected explosion shattered the tranquility. Armored grunts and agents had encircled the boutique, one of them affixing a sticky bomb to the door.

The peaceful atmosphere within was shattered as the door exploded, signaling an abrupt attack. You wasted no time, quickly responding with a hail of gunfire, neutralizing the incoming agents whose bodies now lay in a heap at the entrance.

As you and your companions prepared your weapons, you spotted an exit sign next to a ladder leading to the roof. Carefully ascending the ladder, you emerged onto the roof, seeking cover and engaging the agents that were posted in the vicinity. Working together, you collectively fired at the guards, neutralizing their threat.

In a swift move, you and Sanford joined Deimos aboard the helicopter, preparing to escape the area. With Deimos at the controls, he steered the aircraft upward, navigating it away from the previous location.

You took up positions next to Sanford, ensuring the safety of your escape, keeping an eye out for any potential threats or pursuing assailants. As the trio soared through the skies, the helicopter made its way towards the next destination.

Chapter 10

Somewhere in Nevada.

Hank slowly regained consciousness, his memory foggy but recollecting glimpses of a towering, white-fire-engulfed version of Tricky. Pain coursed through various parts of his body; the effects of the intense battle evident. Half of his head had been vertically severed, causing a steady stream of blood to drip onto the ground as he struggled to rise to his feet.

He needed to get going, his goal was to find you during this chaotic mess. He missed you so much, but he knew that you were counting in him. He needed to get up. As Hank finally managed to stand, he became aware of the sound of static closing in on his location. He heard static noise as well, its word filled in the air.

"HAANK"

"GET UP"

Before he could react, the colossal Tricky materialized behind him. A deafening blast echoed through the air as Tricky swung his massive fiery hands, propelling Hank forcefully against the wall with a violent impact.

"GET UP"

Tricky advanced closer to the disoriented Hank, the scorching heat of his fiery presence intensifying. In a sudden display of power, Tricky unleashed a torrent of boiling, blinding flames, engulfing Hank in an eruption of heat.

The colossal figure then clamped down on his captured prey, subjecting him to a brutal chewing before spitting him out, leaving him to slide across the floor in a daze.

"GET UP NOW!!!"

Lying amidst a puddle of his own blood, Hank was suddenly struck by a bolt of lightning, restoring his body to its normal state and providing a fleeting sense of relief. He pointed at Tricky, making him hear what he had to say.

"KNOCK IT OFF"

However, just as he prepared to escape, two small buildings materialized in front of him, and hordes of agents burst forth from within, blocking his path. The agents, arrogantly believing they held the upper hand, rushed towards Hank, only to be met with a formidable display of hand-to-hand combat. Hank, without access to any weapons, unleashed a flurry of powerful punches, striking the agents with force.

Utilizing his surroundings, he grabbed one agent and tossed them at the others, effectively incapacitating several in one swift move. With the agents efficiently dispatched, Hank found himself face to face with the enraged Tricky, who barreled towards him.

Thinking quickly, Hank darted towards one of the nearby buildings, swiftly shutting the door behind him. This momentary barrier would provide a much-needed respite, temporarily diverting Tricky’s attention as Hank dealt with the charging agents converging on his position.

Hank, in the midst of battling the relentless agents, quickly snatched a gun from one of the fallen foes, using it to swiftly dispatch the remaining adversaries. The floor was now littered with countless bodies, creating a morbid path.

Suddenly, the door was forcefully blown apart, allowing the colossal Tricky to burst into the building. Hank tried to shoot at the towering figure, but his bullets proved ineffectual. Realizing the futility of his attempt, he made a strategic retreat, choosing flight over fight as the only viable option.

As Hank hurried into the spacious elevator, he suddenly felt a searing pain in his shoulder, a result of an unexpected attack by a sly agent. Gripping his wounded shoulder, he efficiently dispatched the assailant, but the tranquility was shattered as a colossal impact struck the elevator’s ceiling.

Cracks began to spread across the surface, and Hank urgently pressed the elevator button, hastening their ascent to the next floor.

Having successfully escaped the elevator, Hank heard Tricky's guttural roar echoing in the background, signaling that the relentless pursuit was not yet over. Desperately seeking any available weapon, Hank grabbed a nearby sword and hurled it towards Tricky.

The blade lodged itself in Tricky's teeth, but the colossal figure swiftly retaliated by firing a barrage of white-hot flames onto the floor. Caught in a precarious situation, Hank nimbly leaped onto the ceiling, his grip securely holding the pipes while he clutched a shotgun in his free hand.

Hank seized the opportunity, promptly firing the shotgun directly at Tricky's head. Tricky staggered, momentarily disoriented by the impact on his brain. In response, he let out another deafening roar and lashed out with his colossal hand, sending Hank sprawling onto the floor of the next room.

Unfazed, Hank refused to give in. As agents closed in to take advantage of his vulnerable position, he retaliated with swift, well-aimed shots from his gun, systematically neutralizing them despite his compromised state.

Utilizing the shotgun like a makeshift club, Hank swiftly dispatched the agents within reach, effectively incapacitating them with well-placed strikes. He retrieved a sword, efficiently impaling an agent that dared sneak up from behind, all without even casting a glance in their direction.

Sensing Tricky's imminent arrival as the door caught fire, Hank grabbed additional weaponry before hastily exiting the room and entering the next one. Striding into the next room, Hank unleashed a barrage of gunfire, swiftly neutralizing the agents before they could even begin to respond. Suddenly, a faint rumble reverberated beneath his feet, and a small hole appeared in the floor.

From the opening emerged the head of a colossal shotgun, its presence ominously promising imminent danger. Acting with lightning-fast reflexes, Hank dodged the giant bullets as they erupted from the weapon, the deafening sound reverberating throughout the room.

In an effort to navigate to the hole in the floor, Hank found himself face to face with a colossal Mag agent, its face adorned with two sizeable spikes. With agility and precision, he leaped towards the Mag’s face, firing his gun point-blank, but the bullets had little effect on the formidable foe.

Undeterred, the Mag retaliated with a forceful punch, sending Hank stumbling to the floor. As he attempted to rise, the Mag seized the opportunity to wield his colossal shotgun like a bat, launching Hank into the air with a powerful swing.

Having landed on the rooftop after the colossal Mag’s powerful swing, Hank wasted no time in dispatching the agents and grunts who were training there. As he entered the next room, the sounds of the Mag agent reloading its colossal shotgun echoed through the air, signaling that it was far from finished with their battle.

Hank expertly fired multiple shots at the agents approaching him, efficiently neutralizing them and creating a pile of bodies within the room.

Having successfully dispatched the previous wave of agents, Hank headed towards the weapons closet. He was about to reload his arsenal when his attention was caught by a chainsaw. Without a moment's hesitance, he grabbed the chainsaw and revved it up, the excitement within him evident.

He then found himself remembering a part of his childhood. It shows you and Hank going around slicing the limbs of grunts that were trying to mess with you both with chainsaws. Laughter from you and Hank filled the air as you eliminated the grunts with no mercy. As he finished the thought, he dreamily sighed, the memory filling him with joy, but he had to focus on what was going on.

As he entered the next room, he wasted no time in putting the chainsaw to use, mercilessly slicing the agents’ heads off with its blade. Within the room he had just exited, Hank heard the familiar rumble of the Mag agent in pursuit. Turning around, he unleashed the chainsaw upon the Mags face, slicing deeper and deeper into its flesh, causing blood to spray profusely.

With determination, he navigated his way downwards, cutting through the agents in his path as he progressed to the next room. Hank continued onward, efficiently slicing through the agents in the next room with the chainsaw. However, as he did so, the lifeless bodies of the fallen agents were suddenly struck by lightning, causing them to dissolve before his eyes.

In an instant, a fiery line emerged from the vents, and Tricky rose from the inferno, now standing at the same height as Hank, ready for a more challenging confrontation.

Hank launched a series of powerful punches at the fiery Tricky, expecting them to have an effect. However, to his surprise, Tricky didn't even flinch, his punches seemingly ineffective against the inferno. Tricky responded by swatting Hank away, sending him crashing into a door.

As Hank lay on the ground, Tricky continued to strike him mercilessly, only to change strategy and grasp him firmly in his fiery hands, before flinging him through a wall and out into the open.

Hank lay motionless on the ground, surrounded by three agents, when suddenly the haloed grunt, Jebus, emerged behind them, swiftly dispatching the agents. Jebus then proceeded to impale Hank's body with his sword, hoisting him into the air. As he felt himself dying, his thoughts began to drift to you. For some reason, he felt at peace as his dying thoughts were about you.

"HEY!!!"

Just as it seemed like a final blow was imminent, a furious roar from Tricky echoed in the background, drawing Jebus's attention. Jebus then fired at Tricky, forcing him back into his regular form. Without hesitation, Jebus then shot Hank dead, his focus shifting to firing at Tricky in a final onslaught that proved successful in taking him down as well.

Chapter 11

Summary:

Happy Madness Day!

Wanted to post a chapter for this day. I hope you enjoy, and I'll see you guys later.

Somewhere in Nevada.

Deimos expertly set the helicopter down on the rooftop, and the three of you were ready to proceed. "You two go down there, I'll stay at the rooftops" Sanford signaled for you and Deimos to approach the nearby ladder. Your next objective was to take out the agents guarding the door, a crucial task in your mission to progress further.

You and Deimos made your way down the ladder, and Sanford simultaneously used his hook-and-chain weapon to impale one of the agents, pulling them up into the air. The other agents turned around, puzzled by their colleague's sudden disappearance. Taking advantage of their momentary distraction, you and Deimos quickly attached silencers to your firearms and fired silently, effectively dispatching them without drawing further attention.

Sanford agilely dropped down from the building, meeting up with you and Deimos once more. The three of you cautiously approached the door, mentally preparing for the chaos that awaited you inside the facility.

Once the door was opened, you and Deimos aimed your firearms and unleashed a barrage of bullets, neutralizing the agents without giving them a chance to react. Advancing further, you swiftly eliminated the two agents present in the next area.

You, Sanford, and Deimos proceeded to the elevator, where Deimos pressed the button to descend to a lower level. Upon entering the next area, you and Sanford efficiently took out the agents, ensuring a stealthy approach. As you neared another door, Deimos's face lit up with a wide grin.

"Oh... my... god..." he whispered, as if he won a huge prize.

He quickly placed his gun aside, eagerly making his way towards a massive machine gun that towered over him. Both you and Sanford chuckled at his eagerness, amused by the visible excitement etched on Deimos's face.

As you entered the next room, you and Sanford once more fired at the agents, working together as Sanford used his hook-and-chain to pull the agents towards him, efficiently dispatching them with precise stabs. Seeing two more agents rushing towards you three, you swiftly grabbed one of the lifeless bodies nearby and hurled it at the advancing agents, knocking them down.

Taking advantage of the opening, Sanford unleashed a volley of shots at the agents immobilized beneath the weight of the dead agent's corpse. Approaching the door to the next area, you and Sanford turned to see Deimos practically trembling with excitement, eagerly anticipating the moment he could wield the colossal machine gun.

"Please, please, please! Can I use it?! I can't take it anymore!" he shouted with excitement.

You exchanged amused glances, small smirks forming on both of your faces. Stepping back, you and Sanford allowed Deimos to rush forward with unbridled joy, as he unleashed an unrelenting barrage of shots at the substantial gathering of agents. Seeing Deimos in his element, you and Sanford couldn't help but chuckle, and Sanford blushed slightly at the melodious sound of your soft chuckles.

"Has Deimos always been like this?" you questioned Sanford. He nodded with a smile. "Yup. When we first grouped up, he was always his wild. We took a liking to him being like that" he explained. You shared another chuckle as you and Sanford entered the room where Deimos had been, surveying the scene before you. Lifeless bodies of the agents were scattered around, and a wild smile graced Deimos's face, eagerly anticipating another round with the colossal gun.

Proceeding to the next room, Sanford utilized his hook-and-chain to throw the agents at each other, creating a messy pile on the floor. You then retrieved a grenade from your pocket and tossed it at the pile, resulting in a powerful explosion that sent limbs flying in all directions. Blood splattered everywhere, leaving you adorned with small splatters of blood as well as the others.

As you began to attempt to wipe the blood off your face, you failed to notice that Sanford and Deimos were staring at you with a mixture of awe and longing. Sanford couldn't help but think you looked incredible and badass in your bloody state, taking down the agents with such ferocity. Deimos, on the other hand, found the sight of you covered in blood incredibly attractive, his thoughts taking a sultrier turn.

Unaware of their gazes, you turned around and caught them both blushing and staring, a soft chuckle escaping your lips. "You guys ok?" you spoke with a small smile, seeing that they were staring for some time.

Sanford chuckled shyly, realizing that you had caught their intense gazes. Deimos simply smirked at the sight of all three of you covered in blood, secretly relishing the feeling of being part of a tight-knit team. He was glad that he could be in a team with you two, a small blush forming on his face.

As everyone reloaded their weapons and braced themselves for the next challenge, little did you know that two engineers were stealthily trailing behind you.

As the three of you descended a flight of stairs, a smoke grenade landed in front of you and Deimos, enveloping you both in a thick cloud of smoke, momentarily blinding you. Before you could react, Sanford promptly yet gently pushed you both to the ground, and promptly began firing at the engineers attempting to ambush you from behind. You and Deimos expressed your gratitude to Sanford for his swift reflexes and proceeded to press on to the next area.

You and Deimos engaged the agents, firing upon them as Sanford skillfully wields a sword, efficiently slicing them apart. Advancing further, you encounter a vast room brimming with numerous agents and engineers.

In the ensuing chaos, you took on the agents at the computers, preventing them from sounding the alarm within the facility, while Deimos and Sanford continued to fire at the sizeable group of adversaries.

Following your efficient handling of the agents, a sudden jolt of electricity coursed through the motionless bodies of the engineers, stirring them back to life. With bullets now becoming scarce, you resorted to hand-to-hand combat, effectively incapacitating them one by one.

Upon neutralizing the last of the engineers, a stark beeping noise echoed from the computer, signaling an incident at the location. Deimos promptly placed a c4 charge on the computer, hastily propelling you three to vacate the area. As you advanced to the next area, a faint explosion could be heard from the room you had just left.

Taking a brief respite in the room, Deimos took out a cigarette and had a quick smoke break while you engaged in conversation with the two. Suddenly, a faint beeping noise emanated from Deimos's pocket, prompting him to retrieve a small gadget. Upon seeing the red blinking words 'Hank Has Been Terminated', Deimos felt a lump in his throat.

"We have to go" he spoke. You and Sanford hummed in confusion, wondering why we needed to go. "Did something happened?" you asked him. "It's Hank, we have to go find him" you and Sanford eyes widen, gathering the things you need to head to his location.

Deimos urgently called out to you and Sanford, instructing you urgently to head to where they last saw Hank, though he refrained from explicitly stating that Hank had been terminated. Instead, he urged you both to get moving, the sense of urgency palpable in his voice.

Your mind raced with a flurry of thoughts. You were aware that Sanford and Deimos longed for his presence, but so did you. 'I hope he's ok...' you spoke in your head. It had been some time since you last saw him, and you held onto the faint hope that he was alright.

Chapter 12

Somewhere in Nevada.

You found yourself traveling in a vehicle, with Sanford and Deimos seated upfront and you in the back seat. Deimos held a tracking device, monitoring Hank's whereabouts. While in route, a truck suddenly appeared in front of you, and an Engineer Grunt emerged from the truck's door.

The engineers in the truck began to unleash a barrage of gunfire at the car, prompting all of you to duck down, dodging the stream of bullets. After they momentarily halted firing, you and Deimos swiftly climbed onto the car's roof and returned fire, efficiently neutralizing the engineers in the truck.

You spotted another truck approaching, about to ram into the car, so you swiftly gestured for Sanford and Deimos to quickly jump onto the truck. Deimos took out the driver, while you and Sanford stood on top of the truck, engaging the motorcycle-riding agents with precise shots.

As you and your companions neared Hank's location, a sudden bolt of lightning struck a distant facility, creating a dramatic backdrop. The truck came to a halt as you arrived at another facility. There, you discovered Hank's battered body, smeared with blood. You tried to hold back the tears that threatened to spill as you carefully picked him up and carried him into the building.

With Deimos and Sanford leading the charge, they ensured a safe path for you and Hank. They engaged the agents and engineers, neutralizing any threats ahead. However, several agents suddenly pounced on Sanford, but you swiftly set Hank on your shoulder and took down the agents with precise shots, clearing the way once more.

Once Deimos had dispatched all the enemies, he couldn't resist playing a prank on you and Sanford. He grabbed an engineer's mask and leaped down, deliberately making you both flinch, but holding back from firing. Sanford shot a cold, unwavering glare at him, followed by a swift smack to remove the mask. The unexpected prank prompted you to burst into chuckling, finding amusement in their antics.

The group ascended to the rooftop, where Sanford quickly opened fire on the agents who had attempted a surprise attack. As you and Deimos lagged behind Sanford, you noticed a tattoo on his back - a double helix pattern inked in stark black. You found the design intriguing and silently appreciated the detail and artistry of the tattoo.

As you and your companions prepared to advance to the next area, a barrage of agents charged towards you all, armed and ready. Sanford utilized his hook, skillfully stabbing and swinging them off the building, effectively disposing of them. Meanwhile, you and Deimos engaged in precise shooting, swiftly neutralizing the rest of the attacking agents.

Entering the next area, you were oblivious to the fact that two unknown grunts had been discreetly trailing behind you. Engaging in combat, you and your companions swung your swords, slicing through them, and their blood adorned the walls. A door behind you opened, revealing two mysterious grunts enveloped in a dark aura.

They commenced firing, forcing you all to split up and evade the attack. You found yourself accompanying Deimos, while Sanford ventured into another room.

While accompanying Deimos, he collected Hank's body and laid him in a healing capsule. As you waited patiently for him to finish with the computer, an unknown grunt burst into the room, firing at both of you. Bullets grazed your arm, and Deimos suffered multiple shots to his back, causing him to drop.

Frustration surged through you as you unleashed a relentless barrage of bullets at the unidentified grunt, littering his body with numerous shots. Rushing to Deimos's side, you found him in a state of mortal peril.

You urgently attempted to tend to Deimos's wounds, but he gently grasped your hand, urging you to attend to yourself instead. You protested, firmly believing you could help him, but he insisted that you should focus on tendering to Sanford and Hank. In a heart-wrenching gesture, he placed a gentle kiss on your hand before his grip loosened, and he succumbed to his injuries.

Tears streamed down your face as you endured another tragic loss, the pain of losing yet another dear friend coursing through you.

Overcome with grief, you drew yourself into a tight ball and silently wept, the weight of the loss bearing down on you. Gathering the necessary supplies, you carefully wrapped a bandage around your injured arm, stemming the flow of blood.

Embracing his lifeless form, you held him against your chest, a tangled web of conflicting emotions running through you. Anger, sadness, denial, fear —the maelstrom of feelings overwhelmed your mind. Filled with regret, you longed to have reacted quicker, to prevent this heartbreaking outcome.

Caught in the midst of your silent tears over Deimos's passing, the sound of the computer beeping broke through to you. Your eyes widened as the healing capsule opened, revealing an enlarged form of Hank, towering above the average grunt. His right arm had transformed into a massive, sharp insect-like appendage, and he stood clad in black clothing and armor. The glow of his red goggles fixated downward at you in a stark contrast to the moment of grief.

He stood silently, beholding your sorrowful form clutching Deimos's motionless frame. In a gentle act, he approached and lifted you up, evoking another wave of silent tears. Your voice trembled as you expressed your longing, whispering, "I miss you, Hank..." He responded with a soft hum, soothingly caressing your back in an attempt to console you in the midst of your grief.

A pang of sadness washed over him as his gaze fell upon Deimos's lifeless body, mirrored in his own melancholy.

With your tears beginning to subside, he gently set you down, but you sensed his reluctance to do so. The thought of your absence was ever-present on his mind during each death, a constant specter looming over his thoughts. As he gently rested his face next to your cheek, mimicking the affectionate gesture he longed to express, a silent replacement for the kiss he wanted to bestow upon you.

The unspoken yearning lingered between you both, their emotions bared despite the absence of explicit words.

In a tender gesture, you kissed his cheek in return, silently communicating the depth of your own missing for him. Together, you collected essential supplies and reloaded your weapons, preparing to leave the room. However, you couldn't help but pause for one final moment, casting a gaze back at Deimos's still form before proceeding onward with Hank by your side.

Just before reaching the rooftop, footsteps echoed from the other side of the door, prompting you to swiftly grab a grenade and toss it into the room. The ensuing explosion eliminated most of the agents, save for two figures that remained. One was an imposing grunt-like figure, and the other was a dark, shadowy form with piercing red eyes, adding an ominous presence to the scene.

Hank lunged towards the duo, only to find that the shadowy figure had vanished. Undeterred, he engaged in combat against the giant grunt, effortlessly dodging the fists thrown his way. With a fluid motion, Hank utilized his new arm to inflict deep cuts on the grunt's stomach, swiftly following up by pushing the wounded grunt to the ledge. In a final, decisive move, he drove his blade deep into the grunt's face, effectively terminating the threat.

You and Hank whirled around at Sanford's arrival, the absence of Deimos hanging heavily in the air. Before Sanford could utter a word, the shadowy figure materialized before him, igniting a clash of blades between them. In a rapid movement, the figure reappeared behind Sanford, pushing him back towards you and Hank, as the two regrouped, preparing for what was to come next.

You, Hank, and Sanford stood together, muscles taut and senses on high alert as the shadowy figure absorbed the corpses of the fallen grunts, its form expanding larger with each consumed body. Together, you held your ground, waiting for the entity's next move, anticipating its next attack.

Notes:

It was hard to make this chapter, knowing that Deimos was going to die. When MC 12 came out, I was so happy when they revealed Deimos coming to save Sanford.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I'll see you guys later and make sure to drink water.

Chapter 13

Somewhere in Nevada.

Before Hank was revived.

Hank found himself in an unknown place, experiencing a moment of confusion as he took in his surroundings. Examining himself, he discovered that he appeared as a regular grunt. However, as quickly as he transformed, he reverted back to his original form, leaving him puzzled by the brief transformation.

Once he returned to his true form, Hank was confronted by a small group of grunts and agents. Drawing on his combat skills, he swiftly dispatched the grunts using hand-to-hand techniques. Without missing a beat, he disarmed one of the agents and retrieved a gun, taking aim at the reinforcements that attempted to enter the area, neutralizing them with precise shots.

As he loaded his gun once more, a static noise filled the air, its whispered words reaching his ears.

"They're coming for you, Hank..." This was suddenly followed by a mocking, almost taunting voice adding, "You gonna complain about it, HAAANK???"

Hank's gaze fixated on a struggling grunt, attempting to rise from the ground, only to witness its body seemingly sink through the floor and emerge from the ceiling. Its appearance was a twisted mimicry of Tricky, the form shaking as it grabbed a weapon and launched an attack.

Hank quickly reacted, firing a shot that struck the grunt's face, causing it to stumble. Without wasting a moment, he pressed forward, moving on to the next area, leaving the damaged grunt behind. Hank advanced into the next area, unleashing a barrage of gunfire upon a group of agents. With expert precision, he dispatched them using a small blade, swiftly decapitating them. Without missing a beat, he grabbed another gun and surveyed the surroundings.

To his surprise, the grunt resembling Tricky returned to life, joined by other grunts and agents who seemingly rose from their demise. The unexpected resurrection added a new level of challenge to the situation, forcing Hank to adapt and face this bizarre development head-on.

Hank plummeted from the window, firing relentlessly at the agents charging towards him, dodging bullets from an engineer before neutralizing them with a precise shot. As he confronted the Tricky doppelganger, he fired at its head, observing a flickering effect on impact.

Just as the creature prepared to strike, it was struck by a crackling red lightning bolt that caused its disappearance, leaving Hank momentarily perplexed by this unexpected intervention.

As Hank prepared to venture to the next area, he was abruptly pushed back by an engineer. Reacting swiftly, he retaliated by stabbing the engineer. However, more engineers emerged from the room, aiming to shoot at Hank. Skillfully dodging their attacks, he closed the distance and bashed their heads in with powerful fists. Without missing a beat, he seized a sword and continued on to the next room, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

He stepped through the door, sword in hand, and took advantage of the distracted agents. Deftly handling his weapon, he swiftly eliminated them with precise strikes before grabbing a gun and effortlessly neutralizing the agents behind him without even looking back. With the elevator doors creaking open, two engineers emerged, preparing to attack. Undeterred, Hank advanced, stabbing them with his sword, the blade now coated with a vivid mix of red and yellow blood.

After swiftly reloading his weapon, Hank found himself facing a massive grunt, twice his size and adorned with armor. With a powerful swing, he attempted to drive his blade into the creature, only for it to suddenly disappear and re-emerge behind him. He quickly aimed and fired shots, but each time the giant grunt evaded the bullets with remarkable agility.

Then, just as suddenly, the grunt materialized behind him once more, delivering a crushing punch to Hank's stomach that sent him careening through a wall and onto a lower platform.

Hank gently rubbed his head, shaking off the impact and swiftly responding to the nearby agents who attempted to press the advantage. Quickly disarming one of them, he seized a gun and returned fire, neutralizing the group. A small cluster of engineers rushed towards him with weapons raised, but Hank effortlessly shot them down, clearing the area with calculated precision.

His progress was abruptly halted by the reappearance of the giant grunt, now positioned at a short distance. In a desperate attempt to fight back, Hank pointed his gun at the creature, only to be met with a chilling counterattack. The grunt manipulated his hand, causing him to shoot into the air instead.

Hank was then forcefully hurled into the ground, plunging through several layers of terrain before ultimately slamming into the ground, buried beneath a pile of rocky debris.

With a menacing presence, the giant grunt appeared before Hank's battered form, lifting him up by the neck. As the creature tried to jam its fingers into his skull, the last thing Hank witnessed was a series of metal spikes erupting from the ground before his vision abruptly darkened into oblivion.

_____________________________

 

Time seemed to stretch on as a grunt held a device, signaling to an engineer and agent that Hank's presence was nearby. A lever stood a few feet away, serving as the main focus of their attention, only to be interrupted as Hank suddenly ambushed them. His bandaged figure, bearing traces of seeping blood, revealed a recently replaced metal jaw, adding an even more intimidating air to his demeanor.

With a deft move, Hank confiscated the agent's gun, swiftly firing at the engineer and the agent nearby. His gaze then shifted to the cowering grunt, which he effortlessly seized and brutally slammed into the lever, causing it to snap down.

More agents arrived, opening fire on Hank. However, he gracefully leaped into the air, hurling small blades at them with pinpoint accuracy. His body felt incredibly light, as if untethered by gravity, as he nimbly dodged bullets and moved with unexpected agility. Hank then seized the device, using it as an improvised weapon to brutally strike an engineer in the head. As he was about to proceed, the device suddenly displayed a series of urgent messages.

'Ouch'

'HANK. WE CAN'T ESCAPE. HANK HANK HANK'

'BUT WE CAN STOP YOU'

Another text appeared, displaying a single instruction:

'Fort Location: Go forward'

Hank swiftly processed the new information, turning around and leaping from the building. Effortlessly landing on his feet, he swiftly engaged a nearby group of agents, firing at them with precision. As he moved towards a trembling grunt holding a device, he prepared to strike. However, the grunt suddenly began shaking uncontrollably, rising into the air.

With a violent force, the grunt forcefully slammed itself headfirst into the ground, assuming the visage of Tricky before vanishing into thin air.

Briefly taken aback by the strange occurrence with the false Tricky, Hank quickly refocused his attention on the task at hand. He engaged the charging agents, effortlessly neutralizing them with swift blade strikes. As he advanced down the hall, he encountered the deceptive Tricky look-alike once again. Seeing the agents up ahead, Hank swiftly slashed them down, forging a clear path forward.

Hank seized a nearby sword, driving it through the head of the Tricky look-alike, only to be met with an abrupt pause. The false Tricky suddenly roared in anger, its power pushing Hank backwards. Its wide mouth revealed razor-sharp, jagged teeth, and its tall, lanky form advanced towards him with intent. This unexpected transformation had transformed the creature into a fearsome adversary.

Frustrated by the monstrous form of the Tricky lookalike, Hank watched helplessly as it charged forward, creating a gaping hole in the wall. Just as he tried to strike back, a gigantic, skull-shaped entity that once again bore a resemblance to Tricky materialized, emitting a thunderous roar and leaving a trail of destruction in its path. Hank attempted to shoot it, but the bullets seemed useless against this colossal adversary.

Hank's senses were further heightened as he felt a deep rumble, signaling the emergence of the metal spikes and the massive grunt from their previous encounter. The building itself seemed to shift suddenly, tilting to the side and forcing Hank to stand on the wall of the structure.

Confusion and urgency surged through his mind as he tried to maintain his balance and assess the chaotic changes unfolding around him.

He was momentarily disoriented, unable to grab the sword before he was struck in the abdomen, pushing him against the wall with such force that it gave way. Just as the giant grunt prepared to deliver another powerful blow, Hank's attention was drawn to the sound of a familiar stop sign bursting through the doors.

The unexpected intervention sent the giant grunt reeling away, giving Hank a brief reprieve as he tried to catch his breath and process what was happening.

Once more, the monstrous Tricky look-alike burst forth from the ground, unleashing a deafening roar before vanishing abruptly. Frustration and unease clawed at Hank as he watched the eerie spectacle unfold before him, the mysterious entity's sudden appearances and disappearances keeping him constantly on edge and bewildered.

Hank entered the next room, swiftly incapacitating several agents with precise strikes. Then, he efficiently used the sword to dispatch the remaining agents, effortlessly dodging bullets hurled at him by an engineer. With a well-aimed throw, Hank hurled the sword at the engineer, incapacitating them as well.

He continued to skillfully slice and stab the incoming agents, demonstrating his remarkable agility and dexterity in combat. However, just as he was about to progress further, the Tricky look-alike appeared before him once more.

Reacting swiftly, Hank fired shots at the sinister entity but was abruptly captured and dragged underground. Frustration boiled as the Tricky look-alike followed, clutching its iconic stop sign.

In the chaotic moment, as Hank was forcefully hauled underground, a small device clutched by a grunt emitted a message in bold red letters. The screen read: "TRACKING LOST" followed by "2BDAMNED NEEDS TO GO." The ominous words intensified the urgency of the situation, adding a sense of mystery to the already perilous circumstances.

Hank's vision started to clear as he found himself in a new location. A note filled his gaze, bearing the words "DO WHAT COMES NATURAL." However, an ominous red flashing accompanied the message, transforming it into a warning: "DIE DIE DIE."" The threatening message sent a chill down his spine, instilling a sense of impending danger in the air.

As Hank surveyed his surroundings, a group of agents and the imposing giant grunt emerged, poised to strike. Quick thinking led him to seize a nearby sword and swiftly eliminate the agents with precise strikes. When he aimed his gun at the giant grunt, expecting the bullets to have an effect, he was surprised as they proved ineffectual.

The sheer resilience of the creature left Hank momentarily dumbfounded, a mix of frustration and determination fueling his next move.

Just as the confrontation between Hank and the colossal grunt was about to escalate, the sinister Tricky look-alike suddenly materialized, pouncing on the giant grunt. However, the behemoth responded by skewering the entity with numerous spikes. Attempted intervention by Hank was hindered as he was forcefully repelled.

To Hank's amazement, the lifeless Tricky look-alike then vanished into the walls, only to return with a menacing chainsaw, launching another attack on the giant grunt. This temporary distraction offered Hank a narrow window to escape from the impending danger.

Stepping into the next room, he found himself once again confronted by the colossal skull of Tricky, who lunged at him with tremendous force, propelling him out of the room. Reacting quickly, Hank plunged his blade into the giant eye of the skull, finally forcing it back.

Turning around, his eyes widened in surprise as he discovered himself locked in combat with the treacherous Tricky look-alike, caught off guard and unprepared for the unexpected encounter.

The two Hanks locked gazes, their weapons clashing in a symphony of metal against metal. The fight unfolded on the rooftop, with each blow echoing through the air. When they transitioned to hand-to-hand combat, the unexpected intervention of a giant, tentacle-like arm abruptly halted their clash. The other Hank stood bewildered, momentarily frozen in confusion as the unknown force vanished with Hank.

Chapter 14

Somewhere in Nevada.

Deimos slowly regained consciousness in an unfamiliar location, his mind racing to piece together how he had ended up there. One thought particularly weighed heavily on his mind—the last thing he recalled vividly was being held in your arms, tears welling up in your eyes.

An intense wave of sadness washed over him as he pondered the possibility of never seeing you, Sanford, or even Hank again.

He surveyed the environment and noticed an opening leading to a new area. Just as he attempted to stand up, he heard the heavy footsteps of Soldats charging towards him. Acting swiftly, Deimos quickly grabbed a gun and skillfully used the chain to hang glide downwards. As he landed on the ground, he immediately fired upon the approaching Soldats, neutralizing the threat with lightning-quick precision.

Deimos moved towards a lever, yanking it down. The action caused the area to undergo a sudden shift, the ground flipping upside down and causing him to plunge to the new lower level. As he descended, Deimos glanced around at his surroundings—the ominous red hue in the sky, the chilling atmosphere.

Thoughts of his teammates danced through his mind, stirring a deep sense of sadness within him. The longing to be reunited with them weighed heavily on his heart.

He was momentarily disoriented as he crashed into the ground, his head momentarily trapped in the solid surface. After a brief struggle, he managed to free himself. Before he could recover, a chain suddenly burst out of the wall and latched onto Deimos's jaw with painful intensity. The chain then yanked him forcefully into a new area, causing him to wince in agony as the torment in his jaw escalated to unbearable levels.

Deimos was flung into a new area as the chain opened the way, landing with a heavy thud. He swiftly sprung back to his feet and confronted an engineer who attempted a surprise attack. Easily disarming the attacker, Deimos claimed their weapon, feeling a peculiar emptiness despite his victory.

His hand instinctively moved to his face, where he discovered to his horror that the lower part of his mouth was missing, replaced only by his upper jaw and teeth. He stoically reloaded the gun and proceeded cautiously toward the exit

Stepping out of the building, engaging in a fierce gunfight with the agents and engineers that surrounded him. Suddenly, a loud thud echoed beside him as a grunt landed from above. Upon making contact with the grunt, Deimos' vision became distorted, flashing red as the familiar figure of a clown grunt appeared.

Instinctively, he covered his eyes and collapsed, just as numerous chains descended upon his body, plunging him into darkness. The chains ensnared him, causing his vision to fade and bringing unconsciousness over him.

Deimos's vision slowly returned, and he felt a chain attach to his back, tugging him into a new area. Upon catching himself, he instinctively reached for his face but paused when he felt a solid, rock-like surface covering parts of it. He pushed forward, moving toward the door, only to be met with an engineer's barrage of bullets.

With lightning reflexes, Deimos evaded the gunfire, swiftly grabbing the gun and using it to bludgeon the engineer. Splashes of blood from the engineer stained the magazine, creating a gruesome sight.

He turned his gaze to a small window, his expression morphing into one of shock as he witnessed you and Sanford enter the room. They both pulled a lever each, only to be shot dead before his eyes. Unable to bear the sight, Deimos swiftly turned away, his body trembling as tears welled up in his eyes.

In his mind, the thought of it all being a dream refused to leave him, fueling his determination to find a way back to you both.

As Deimos attempted to move on, a chain abruptly yanked him back through the wall, followed by a second chain firing into the ground and pulling him back to the previous room. Frustration mounted within him, and he proceeded to the next room, eliminating the engineer responsible for your and Sanford's death.

Once again, the same event unfolded before his eyes, with you and Sanford entering the room and repeatedly pulling levers. Irritation bubbled to the surface, adding to his growing sense of annoyance, not wanting to see your deaths once again.

"Guys...?"

Deimos slowly approached you both, puzzled by your lack of acknowledgment. As he drew closer, his vision flickered momentarily, causing his eyes to widen. Standing before him were you and Sanford, but something was terribly wrong. The upper half of Sanford's face was gone, leaving behind an unsettling gaping hole with a black substance trickling down his face.

This horrific sight sent tears streaming down Deimos' face, the sight both shocking and heartbreaking.

He then turned his gaze towards you. Your body trembled uncontrollably, covered with ominous black splotches, giving you a wild and feral appearance. The sight of you, standing while fixated on him, filled him with a chilling dread.

Deimos instinctively stumbled back, his legs quaking as he fell to the ground. Fear washed over him as you both advanced towards him, the very sight enough to leave him paralyzed, unsure of what to expect next.

He watched as the ground gave way as you both approached, his vision flickering again to reveal you both breaking down the walls, forming grotesque craters in the process. Panic surged within him as he fought to regain his footing, his vision flickering once more. This time, his horror deepened as he witnessed you both being crushed into the ground, leaving him utterly shaken and bewildered.

Before Deimos could reach you both, a chain seized him, pinning him forcibly against the unforgiving concrete floor as a part of the ceiling came crashing down. He slowly tried to get up, but the ceiling lifted, allowing him a brief moment of respite.

However, the short-lived halt was interrupted as he was swiftly yanked into a new area, dragged along until he managed to pull himself up and pull a lever. Finally, he found himself in a secluded spot on the wall, gasping for breath and relishing the momentary reprieve.

Deimos was caught off guard as he felt himself being viciously stabbed by Hank's mutated arm. He was dragged into a new area, his body sprawled on the ground, writhing in pain. Shortly after, he awakened, bile filling his mouth as an inky black substance spilled out.

Anger surged within him, his confusion fueling his anger as he slammed his hands onto the floor, causing the ground to quake with the force of his fury.

He turned, finding the Soldat responsible for his death earlier lying motionless. He quickly seized the gun and fired, neutralizing the other Soldat within reach. However, just as he was about to advance, he was suddenly hurled into the wall with brutal force, his vision fading into darkness.

Deimos was once again dragged into a new area, his half-opened eyes struggling to adjust. Upon touching his face, he felt the hard, rocky surface covering a portion of it. He retrieved a device and hurriedly entered a password, red bold words flashing with an ominous warning:

'THIS IS GOING TO HURT'

As he stood, the ground beneath him opened, causing him to plummet to the ground below. Deimos felt a tugging force pulling him upwards as a chain pierced his body and retracted, leaving him momentarily limp as his body vanished. Emerging from the rubble in a new area, he found himself in a strange, unfamiliar location.

Deimos reveled in his regained vision but found his mouth sealed shut and completely covered in rock.

He surveyed his surroundings, taking notice of an approaching grunt. However, his vision flickered, revealing the grunt had grown twice in size, its imposing presence towering over him. Despite the intimidating visage, Deimos refused to cower, nimbly dodging the powerful punches and retaliating with rock-hard fists, sending the grunt's face crashing.

Even with his mouth sealed shut, Deimos felt a sense of satisfaction as he realized his hands had been transformed into rock, imbuing his punches with increased power.

Giant grunts swarmed into the room, attempting to corner Deimos, but he was not going down without a fight. One by one, he overpowered the colossal figures, smashing their faces and leaving broken bones and blood in his wake. As Deimos leaped to avoid incoming chains, he seized the opportunity to hop onto an engineer's back and used it to eliminate the giant agents.

Dodging the relentless chains fired at him, one of them skewered an agent through the chest, yet the individual remained alive. Deimos hopped onto the chain, a cocky smirk on his face, and seized the agent's shades, placing them on his own face. With a forceful kick, he repulsed the agent, its blood staining the chain in red splotches.

Returning to the ground, he spotted a grunt climbing his way, holding a device in its hands. Before Deimos could utter a question, the grunt quickly jabbed a small device into his chest, prompting his body to convulse violently.

Deimos successfully shook off the device and readied himself for the imminent confrontation with the giant grunt. Undeterred by its size, he ruthlessly slammed the grunt into a wall and seized a nearby spike, impaling its head. He evaded an incoming chain and cautiously observed the surroundings, noticing small spikes slowly protruding from the wall.

He found himself in yet another location, emerging from a boulder and swiftly dodging bullets fired by an agent. He fearlessly charged through multiple agents, grunts, and engineers, his rock-solid fists delivering powerful blows without missing a beat. Suddenly, a lever shot from the ground, knocking him unconscious with a forceful blow to the head.

Deimos slowly opened his eyes as he emerged from the rock, but the sight of a familiar figure caught his attention. This enigmatic individual's mouth was masked with bandages, while special eye gear adorned his face.

'Doc...?'

Before Deimos could voice any questions, ominous rumbling filled the air as enormous agents and engineers burst forth from the wall, wielding colossal weapons and advancing menacingly.

"God dammit Deimos..."

Chapter 15

Somewhere in Nevada.

You, Sanford, and Hank stood guard, facing a shadowy figure with piercing red eyes. Hank was the first to act, swinging his battle ax at the figure, only to watch it pass straight through its body unhindered. Undeterred, the figure retaliated, launching punches at Hank's face, but to no avail as they had no effect on him.

Sanford opened fire on the figure, but his bullets passed through its body without causing any harm. The figure fixated its gaze upon you and Sanford, releasing red light beams from its mouth.

You and Sanford dodged adeptly, vigilant to avoid being struck by the beams. Undeterred, the shadowy figure brandished a gun and fired at Hank, but he agilely evaded the bullets.

While Hank engaged the mysterious figure, you and Sanford fought against the onslaught of agents and engineers emerging through the doorways. Sanford unleashed a barrage of gunfire, while you wielded a sword with unparalleled precision.

After battling through several waves of enemies, the shadowed figure summoned a circle around itself, creating a platform beneath it and ascending to the high ground.

The shadowed figure fixed its gaze upon the three of you, its seething eyes radiating anger and frustration. It then unleashed red electricity, summoning two smaller pillars and a larger one behind them. Red bolts of energy struck a nearby agent, reanimating it but leaving its form darker than before.

Sanford attempted to shoot the reanimated agent, but his bullets proved ineffective. You deftly dodged its punches, managing to push it away, while Hank seized the opportunity to tear its head off.

As the shadowy figure began to retreat, its shadowy form fading through the wall, Sanford spotted an opening within one of the pillars. Surprisingly, Sanford suggested a playful game of rock-paper-scissors.

A small chuckle escaped your lips as Hank was nominated to go into the hole.

Hank leaped into the opening, immediately encountering a hallway filled with agents. He unleashed a barrage of strikes using his mutated arm, sending them flying. You and Sanford followed suit, landing on the floor and firing at the encroaching agents, leaving them no chance to respond.

One of them attempted to take cover behind some boxes, but Hank effortlessly pushed them, causing the boxes to crush the agent, leaving their splattered body a sight to laugh at. Both you and Sanford chuckled in response to the gruesome scene.

Once you and Sanford reached the next room, you both sought cover behind a large box and unleashed a barrage of gunfire at the surrounding agents. You spotted a lever controlling the spiked door and swiftly pulled it, as Sanford fired at the agents on the other side.

As the wave of enemies dwindled, small bolts of red electricity shot out from the walls, attempting to revive an agent. However, you quickly shot at it, preventing it from reanimating. A second agent, energized by the lightning, charged towards you.

You deftly evaded the possessed agent's punches, swiftly moving behind them. With a quick and skillful maneuver, you leaped onto them, wrapping your thighs tightly around their head, producing a satisfying crunch as their skull was crushed.

Sanford stood nearby with a pink tint on his cheeks and a surprised expression, while Hank froze momentarily.

A strange stirring within him made his body hum, and the way you took down the possessed agent triggered thoughts that he couldn’t help but keep to himself.

You chuckled at Sanford and Hank's expressions before proceeding to the next room. The agents were no match as Sanford hurled his hook, impaling one and violently decapitating them. You swiftly seized a dagger, neutralizing multiple agents as they charged forward.

Meanwhile, Hank entered the room with his mutated arm, effortlessly dispatching the agents, sending them flying across the area, effectively incapacitating them.

As you reached the next room, a colossal mag grunt loomed ahead. Hank attempted to deliver a punch to its face, but the blow had no effect. You and Sanford dodged its attacks while trying to fire upon its back, but to no avail. The mag grunt seized Hank, slamming him into the wall. However, Hank managed to break free from its grip.

Electric energy enveloped his mutated arm, and he swung it at the mag grunt, revealing that it had inflicted damage and caused the creature to tumble to the ground.

After vanquishing the mag grunt, Hank retreated to a smaller room and retrieved a colossal machine gun towering over you and Sanford. You and Sanford couldn't help but crack small smirks on your faces as the trio proceeded into an elevator. Sanford tapped the "up" button, and you all ascended to the rooftop.

Upon reaching the rooftop, Hank unleashed a barrage of gunfire from his colossal machine gun, felling numerous agents and engineers whose lifeless bodies littered the ground. You then spotted the shadowed figure reappear and immediately attacked Sanford, but you swiftly pulled him to safety.

Sanford expressed gratitude, and you both observed as Hank engaged in an intense battle with the shadowy entity.

The two exchanged a flurry of punches, with the figure sustaining more damage, evident from the specks of red around it. Suddenly, the figure sank into the ground and reappeared behind you all.

You watched in disbelief as lifeless bodies of agents and engineers floated from the ground into the figure's shadowy form, causing it to grow taller, towering over the three of you.

It then conjured a large sword and attempted to swing it at you and Sanford. However, Hank intervened, catching the sword and deflecting its path.

As more lifeless bodies of agents and engineers drifted into the shadowy form, you noticed a familiar grunt resembling Tricky being absorbed, causing the figure's eyes to widen in shock and fear. The sound of alternating "NO NO NO" and "YES YES YES" echoed from the merging entities, and the figure began to convulse.

Hank quickly snatched you and Sanford and promptly descended the ladder, seeking refuge from the impending blast, as a thunderous explosion resonated through the area.

Chapter 16

Somewhere in Nevada.

As the three of you reached the ground safely, you couldn't help but notice small electric sparks emanating from Hank's mutated arm.

You all turned your gaze to the pillar you had been on moments ago, observing a dark substance seeping from its surface, pooling into a black puddle on the ground.

Within seconds, multiple small grunts, adorned with skeleton heads and fiery red eye sockets, hurled themselves at you, Sanford, and Hank.

In response, you and Sanford fired on the approaching creatures, whilst Hank dispatched them with powerful punches that rendered their burning red sockets dark.

Following the brief onslaught of enemies, a massive skeleton emerged through a cracking wall, its limbs connected to its long spine. A pair of fiery white horns adorned its head, while its burning red eyes fixated solely on Hank.

Upon closer inspection, the creature bore a striking resemblance to Tricky, for it began to bellow Hank's name, charging at him in a frenzied manner.

As the battle unfolded between the skeleton and Hank, you and Sanford were overwhelmed by more tiny grunts with skeleton heads.

Amidst the barrage, Sanford was seized and forcefully slammed into the ground, propelling him into a dark puddle.

The sheer number of enemies became too much for you to handle alone.

In a swift onslaught, the small skeletons descended upon you, and before you could react, their razor-sharp teeth dug into your flesh, eliciting an anguished cry as you were forcefully steered into a pitch-black puddle, mirroring Sanford's plight.

Hank now stood alone against the fearsome skeleton of Tricky. The entity seized him, and with a ruthless motion, tore off his mutated arm, causing blood to splatter the nearby wall.

He was brutally hurled against the wall, followed by being mercilessly slammed into the ground, propelling him into a dark puddle, his fate mirroring yours and Sanford's.

In a different location, Sanford burst forth from the earth, hurling himself out of a hole and onto a rocky platform.

He slowly rose to his feet, gingerly touching the left side of his face, where a small opening leaked a thin stream of the dark substance.

Sanford surveyed his surroundings, searching frantically for any sign of you or Hank.

Sanford persistently surveyed the vicinity, only to see you emerge from the ground. Upon joining him on the rocky platform, he observed the black substance spilling down your forearms, accompanied by a sizable bite mark inflicted by the diminutive skeleton grunts.

He cautiously approached you, gently making contact with your back, causing your body's trembling to subside as you turned to face him.

He initially felt reassured, but the reprieve was short-lived as a menacing grunt with a skull with a flaming halo abruptly appeared before you.

Its burning red eyes fixated on both you and Sanford while summoning a handful of agents and engineers from the ground.

From the depths below, Hank emerged as well, but you both immediately noticed his mutated arm had been cruelly torn off.

With no other recourse, you resorted to hand-to-hand combat, easily dispatching the grunts before you. Once encircled by a wall, you collectively notice a door materialize in front of you.

Turning around, you perceived the rapidly approaching metal spikes, prompting you to swiftly escape through the passageway.

As soon as you, Sanford, and Hank stepped outside, your bodies began to transition to a deep shade of red, and the three of you started to vanish.

_____________________________

Another scene unfolded as you and Sanford reemerged from the ground, discovering that you were now in a facility hallway, marked by fractured walls and floors.

The intense bite mark sent waves of pain through you, instigating a slow yet noticeable tremor in your body.

Sanford was poised to offer comfort, but a swarm of grunts charged at you, armed and menacing. You lashed out, effectively ripping off their limbs, painting the area with glistening blood.

Then, Sanford unexpectedly fell to the ground, as guns and weapons erupted from his body.

He didn't ponder the strange occurrence and quickly seized the weapons, firing at the encroaching grunts.

The tremors in your body subsided as you clutched a weapon and prepared to continue on towards the doorway alongside Sanford.

However, your progress was abruptly halted by the appearance of a pint-sized grunt bearing a striking resemblance to Tricky.

It advanced with hostility, but Sanford swiftly hurled a knife at its head, only to watch in surprise as the enigmatic creature vanished into the adjacent wall.

An earthquake shudder echoed through the area, prompting fragmentation of the existing cracks in the walls and floors. This precipitated a fall into another facility, but you both landed safely. Upon landing, you and Sanford braced yourselves for a new onslaught.

More small grunts, bearing a resemblance to Tricky, hurtled towards you at breakneck speed. Sanford wielded a sharp weapon, thrusting it into several adversaries while you ruthlessly tore their heads off, rendering them.

Following the eradication of the small grunts within the facility, menacing metal spikes aggressively emerged from the surrounding walls and floor, intensifying the danger you and Sanford faced.

You both promptly escaped outside, where another wave of small, feral grunts awaited.

Sanford skillfully used his sword to decapitate the assailants quickly, while you demonstrated a ferocious determination as you ripped their limbs apart with raw force.

He observed your actions, clearly concerned about the agonizing bite mark on your arm and fervently hoping that it would heal so he could bring you to a calmer state.

After neutralizing the horde of small grunts, you both observe a path formed by rocky platforms, only to find two grunt-like Tricky figures emerging from the ground and swiftly charging at you.

Utilizing hand-to-hand combat, Sanford swiftly punched off the head of one adversary while you swiftly hurled the other off the platform, watching both sink into the murky depths below.

As a group of Tricky-like grunts rushed up from the ground, you seized one of them, leveraging its body like a weapon to knock back several other adversaries, causing their heads to shatter upon impact.

Sanford added his own impact, pushing a number of grunts off the platform with well-placed blows.

However, one particularly audacious grunt attempted to fire a gun at you, only to find its weapon cruelly snatched and utilized to bludgeon its skull, neutralizing the threat.

Proceeding from platform to platform, you and Sanford encountered a pair of shielded grunts. Sanford swiftly moved behind them, preparing to strike, while you swiftly claimed one of the shields and struck a blow, neutralizing one of the enemies.

On the next platform, Sanford observed your increasingly wild tremors, the black substance oozing from your arm.

Although the bite mark was exhibiting signs of healing, your hands betrayed constant twitching, attesting to the strain you were under.

Sanford cautiously approached you, gently placing a reassuring hand on your back.

Initially, you flinched at the contact, but quickly relaxed upon recognizing him. The feral tremors in your body gradually subsided, and you managed a soft smile.

With your gentle touch, you gingerly raised your hand to the left side of Sanford's face, where the same black substance slowly leaked from his eye area.

Both of you bore the signs of damage, yet found solace in each other's presence amidst the shared suffering.

The brief moment of serene connection was shattered as you and Sanford were forcefully launched into another platform, both colliding with the wall.

The impact sent waves of pain through your bodies, but you managed to rise. As you turned to Sanford, you noticed his hand quivering, holding his stomach as he too rose.

Together, you surveyed your surroundings, attempting to make sense of your current situation and charting a course forward amidst the uncertainty.

All of a sudden, a distinct sound filled the air as a Tricky-like grunt loaded a machine gun, its sights firmly fixed on you and Sanford. Sanford swiftly hoisted a shield, pushing you behind himself with a protective thrust.

An instant later, the shield buckled under the relentless hail of bullets, but Sanford remained steadfast in defending you.

His determination was unwavering as he fiercely held the shield in place, intercepting each bullet with a grim resolve.

Fortunately, the Tricky-like grunt was caught off-guard when a black puddle emerged from the ground, heralding Hank's unexpected appearance.

Surprisingly, his injured arm had recovered and was now encased in black bandages and protective armor. Before the grunt could react, Hank swiftly tackled him, sending both of them to a nearby platform.

In a sudden display of power, Hank raised his mutated hand, summoning numerous electric beams around it. Effortlessly, he grabbed a platform overhead and brutally slammed it down onto the grunt, demonstrating his formidable capabilities.

Undeterred, the Tricky-like grunt arose from the depths and attempted to charge at Hank, only to receive a powerful blow from his fist that sent it sprawling backward.

With speed and precision, Hank seized the machine gun, and unleashed a relentless barrage of bullets. The unrelenting assault tore apart the Tricky-like grunt, reducing it to shambles.

As the red halo worn by the Tricky-like grunt hit the ground, another one promptly materialized from the depths, exhibiting an extraordinary speed and agility that caught Hank off guard.

In a single push, the small grunt sent Hank crashing to the ground.

However, Hank quickly recovered and retaliated with a forceful shove, only to find the little foe was too nimble.

The persistent grunt then effortlessly hurled Hank backwards towards the platform where you and Sanford stood, creating a dangerous situation.

You and Sanford promptly lifted Hank off the ground, as he observed both of you with a touch of concern.

The damage you had sustained was evident, with black substance visibly seeping out from Sanford's face. Then, his gaze shifted to you, noting your body's intense tremors, reminiscent of Tricky.

Weariness seemed to overtake you both, and Hank responded with a gentle gesture of affection. Pressing his masked mouth against you and Sanford's foreheads, he communicated a soft kiss, eliciting soft chuckles from the both of you.

The platform suddenly tilted, sending you three sprawling onto the wall, which had become a makeshift floor.

With a swift reaction, you dodged the descending platform, only to find yourselves facing a gathering of Tricky-like grunts, now armed.

With determination, Hank charged at the group, wielding his mutated arm to attack. You and Sanford swiftly snagged available weapons and engaged in combat, fending off nearby grunts.

Pressing forward, more Tricky-like grunts rose, but their progress was halted by Hank's powerful mutated fist.

Meanwhile, you and Sanford fought your way through the smaller groups of grunts, dispatching them off the platform.

Eventually, you reached the end of the path, encountering a gargantuan grunt adorned with Tricky's metallic mask, towering over both you and Sanford, including Hank. The sheer size of the new opponent was intimidating.

You and Sanford observed as Hank bravely engaged the colossal grunt, delivering powerful blows with his mutated arm that exposed its skull head, its red-eye sockets filled with anger.

But before the giant grunt could retaliate, Hank forcefully repulsed it, sending it crashing into a red beam.

At once, you and Sanford unleashed a barrage of gunfire against the small grunts that surged from the beam, creating a chaotic scene of combat.

Hank, displaying unexpected strength, delivered a mighty punch to the red beam, causing the environment to freeze, as if time had suddenly halted.

_____________________________

Back to Nevada.

In the heart of Nevada, the colossal skeleton of Tricky let out a roar of agony as it toppled to the ground. Simultaneously, the ominous red shadow emerged, observing the emergence of a black puddle.

Within moments, the shadow witnessed you, Sanford's, and Hank's motionless figures surface from the depths, accompanied by the reemergence of the sinister red halo, which perfectly perched itself back on the shadow's head.

Power seemed to surge within the figure as it began to regain its formidable might.

"Finally..."

Chapter 17

Somewhere in Nevada?

A sense of disorientation washes over you as you awaken on the soft grass, your eyes slowly opening to survey the unfamiliar surroundings. The vast expanse of white stretches out before you, contributing to your growing confusion.

As your senses gradually adjust to the foreign environment, you instinctively begin to glance around, searching for familiar landmarks or any indication of your whereabouts.

You cautiously explore the landscape, your footsteps causing the grass to crunch softly underneath, you approach the tree from the beginning. To your surprise, your gaze falls upon two familiar grunts – the past versions of yourself and Hank.

It dawns on you that you are reliving the beginning once more, revisiting the very moment from which your journey had initially begun.

You observe your former self resting against the tree, sound asleep. In contrast, the past version of Hank can be seen dancing with a boombox nearby. Strangely, it appears that neither of them are aware of your presence, as they continue their actions, seemingly detached from your temporal displacement.

Taking a closer look, you realize that you are now drastically different from your past self, a reflection of the changes and experiences you have already undergone.

A sense of curiosity washes over you as you ponder how much time has passed since this very day. You lower your gaze, noting the dry state of the black liquid that once streamed down your arms.

Despite the dried nature, the darkened trails remain visible, serving as a poignant reminder of the transformations that have taken place within you.

A wave of shock washes over you as you raise your gaze, only to discover your past selves, lifeless and surrounded by blood that stains the once pristine white grass and the tree. The sight triggers a familiar, trembling sensation throughout your body, a feeling you dread yet cannot escape.

With a sense of urgency, you realize that you must find a way out of this inexplicable situation.

Turning away from the disheartening scene of carnage, you begin to quickly pace away, your heart rate accelerating with each step. As you progress, the world starts to morph back to its normal state.

A red sky and a desolate landscape filled with lifeless bodies of both agents and grunts, punctuated by the imposing presence of massive facility buildings.

With no clear guidance, you find yourself drawn to a solitary facility building. Reluctantly, you press forward, entering the seemingly lifeless structure. As you traverse the corridors, the eerie, silent atmosphere surrounds you. Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps echoes in your ears, coming from somewhere ahead.

In a strange turn of events, as the approaching figures drew closer, you recognized your past self and Hank, both adorned with familiar bandages on their bodies. They sprinted past you, completely oblivious to your presence. Frustration and confusion wash over you as the surreal scene unfolds.

Was this a memory, or something more enigmatic? Questions swirl through your mind as you struggle to comprehend the unfolding events.

As you continue on, you step outside the facility, feeling the solid ground beneath your shoes. Gradually, the trembling in your body seems to subside, but only slightly. Your eyes scan the surrounding area, eventually locking onto a recognizable tunnel situated just a few meters away.

With each step towards the lifeless bodies scattered on the train tracks, your vision starts to blur as water wells up in your eyes. It's your past self, Sanford, and Deimos lying motionless.

Overwhelmed, you crumple to the ground, a pained yelp escaping your lips. The previous bite mark flares up as a sharp and excruciating pain ripples through your body, intensifying your anguish.

Your trembling body intensifies, bearing striking resemblance to Tricky's swift and erratic movements. The thought of becoming like him crosses your mind – experiencing the same sensations he must have felt when transforming into the familiar zombie clown.

With a burst of determination, you summon the strength to stand up, carefully bypassing the corpses of your past selves, taking great care not to step on them as you forge ahead.

Unbeknownst to you, the bodies of your past selves began to dissolve into small red orbs, which silently trailed closely behind. Unnoticed by you, the orbs slipped inside your back, yet you remained oblivious as you pushed on with determination, facing the monotonous path ahead.

As you entered another facility, immediately met by the sickening stench of blood and the gruesome remains of deceased grunts. However, the sight holds no shock for you, as you've numbed yourself to what you've encountered thus far.

In a peculiar shift, the surroundings change again as the mutilated grunts transform before your eyes, resembling your friends and yourself.

The tears well up once more, the image of you and your friends succumbing to death seared into your mind. Overwhelmed with grief, you bolt down the hallway, only to be subjected to the lifeless gazes of your fallen companions.

Your breathing becomes harsher and shallower, tears streaming down your face. The corridor stretches continuously before you, unyielding and seemingly endless, adding to your despair.

Panicked determination seeps into your bones, fueling a desperate urge to escape the confines of the endless hallway. You longed for an escape, for a way out of this maddening loop.

But the more you ran, the more the lifeless eyes of your fallen friends seemed to watch you – a haunting reminder of the dire circumstances you found yourself in.

As you sprinted past their motionless forms, the bodies of your friends transformed into red orbs that hovered after you. More and more orbs slipped into your body, causing an excruciating pain that brought you to your knees.

Grabbing your head with both hands, you hunched over in agony from the influx of the strange red orbs.

Your agonized cry pierced through the endless hallway, its sound waves filling the air. An excruciating pain coursed through every part of your body as bones stretched, cracked, and reconstructed themselves.

The torment consumed you, intensifying exponentially as an overwhelming influx of red orbs inundated your being, further fueling the agonizing transformation.

Each passing second stretched into an eternity as the influx of red orbs eventually halted. The pain gradually subsided, leaving your trembling form sprawled out on the cold, harsh floor.

The sound of the black liquid gently dripping from your arms filled the air, its slow and steady rhythm a harsh reminder of the profound changes you just experienced.

The urge to remain motionless on the cold floor took hold, your mind drifting into a haze as memories of your teammates and past encounters flashed before your eyes. Reflecting on the facilities you had cleared, battles against Jebus and the first meeting with Tricky and the shadowed entity.

You felt a wave of numbness wash over you, leaving you detached and unemotional.

In the depths of your being, a persistent sense of detachment and dullness prevailed, yet there was a growing undercurrent that had been gnawing at you for some time now. It was an emotion that crept through the cracks in your emotional armor, slowly gaining strength and presence, like a whisper of chaos and irrationality.

Madness.

With a mixture of trepidation and determination, you slowly lifted yourself up, your body having undergone a drastic transformation.

Your once-familiar sweatpants remained, but your shirt had become torn and tattered, struggling to contain your changed physique. A new size, now more than double that of a standard grunt, marked a stark contrast compared to your previous stature. Your fingernails were now sharp.

As you gently lifted your hand to your mouth, you felt your sharper teeth protruding, a testament to the physical changes that had altered your very existence.

With a contemplative gaze, you lowered your eyes to your arms once more. The black substance had stayed, its presence a constant and familiar companion. The trembling in your body remained persistent, an unshakeable force that refused to release its hold.

In the stark, cold atmosphere of the hallway, you sat in silent contemplation, unable to comprehend the flurry of emotions and thoughts swirling within your mind.

Confusion and uncertainty left you in a state of stasis, unsure of what to do, feel, or say next.

With a slow, deliberate movement, you pushed yourself up to stand, lingering in place for a brief moment before commencing your steady journey down the expansive, endless hallway.

Each footstep you took reverberated loudly off the cold, empty walls, their sound echoing in the desolate silence. In the midst of this eerie trek, your mind involuntarily dipped in and out.

The recollections of the connections you had forged with your teammates, their memories tugging at your emotional threads, yet failing to elicit any genuine feeling within your detached state.

In the midst of your aimless walk down the hallway, you halted in your tracks as a small control panel suddenly appeared before you. Displaying a bright red button, its presence hung in the air tauntingly.

Gazing at the button, your expression remained passive and indifferent, devoid of any strong emotion. Unsure of what action to take, you stood there, staring at it in a state of baffled resignation, waiting to see what would unfold.

Time ticked away, each second stretching into minutes, as you stood fixated on the vivid red button. Frustration and uncertainty mingled, leaving you paralyzed.

In a tiny burst of determination, you finally raised a finger, the sharpened edge of your fingernail pressing down on the button, breaking the silent stalemate. The button yielded under the pressure, activating.

A brief moment of anticipation passed as the button faded away, giving way to an unexpected transformation. Your entire being was covered in a vivid red hue, your vision suddenly enveloped by complete darkness.

A strange sensation of comfort and protection washed over you as you became immersed in the enveloping shadows. The stillness and tranquility in the absence of light were oddly comforting, and the thought of staying trapped in this state seemed increasingly appealing.

Gradually coming to your senses, you realized that you had been laid out on the cold, hard ground. The darkness that enveloped your vision slowly lifted, revealing a spacious outdoor area scattered with various tables equipped with computers and mysterious gadgets.

With a careful, deliberate motion, you slowly sat up, taking in the surroundings with a dazed, disoriented gaze.

The distinct sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the area, capturing your attention. Your gaze turned forward to find a grunt striding towards you.

This particular grunt was dressed in a black jacket, its mouth concealed by a wrapping of bandages, and distinct red goggles adorned its face.

The grunt continued to approach cautiously, lifting their hands in a gesture of non-aggression, signaling their peaceful intent. Your gaze remained fixed on them, studying every movement.

Then, without warning, you bared your newly acquired, sharp teeth, uncertainty and suspicion flooding through you. This shift in your behavior puzzled the approaching grunt, the confusion evident in their cautious stance as they tried to decipher your intentions.

With each deliberate step closer, the grunt heard a soft growl emit from you, adding to the tension. Undeterred, they continued their approach until their small, gentle hands gingerly took hold of your giant hand, enveloping it in a comforting embrace.

The action was an attempt to soothe and calm you, their touch delicate and tender, despite the stark contrast in size between your massive hand and their petite fingers.

Your non-existing ears picked up the sound of their voice, its low and hoarse tone cutting through the air. Their words surprised you, yet they seemed familiar. With an intrigued expression, you listened intently to their next sentence, hanging onto every word.

"I'm aware that you've endured a great deal. While we may not be acquainted, my name is 2B. I have knowledge of you and your teammates, including your teammate named Hank"

The mention of your teammate's name, particularly 'Hank,' sent a chill down your spine, causing a single tear to roll down your face. 2B's words were followed by his hand gently guiding you towards a nearby building. As you entered, your gaze swept across the room, taking in the beds, couches, and various other amenities.

"One of your teammates is here as well," he informed you. Curiosity gnawed at you as you wondered who it could be and what condition they were in.

Your eyes widened in sudden recognition as you came face to face with a familiar grunt, your entire being freezing in place.

The sight of Deimos standing a few feet away sent a jolt through you, his expression one of complete surprise.

However, his appearance had drastically changed.

His hands had transformed into solid rock, while his mouth was sealed behind a rocky barrier, leaving it completely impenetrable. The transformation was both startling and disconcerting, prompting a mix of emotions and questions within you.

Deimos slowly approached you, each movement deliberate and careful. In response, you involuntarily bared your sharp teeth, still wary and uncertain. But as he drew closer, you heard his voice, muffled yet familiar.

"Hey... It's me," he said, his words intended to reassure you. The sound of his words seemed to cut through your skepticism, and a single tear trickled down your face.

Deimos chuckled softly, a tear streaming down his own face. The sight of his tears seemed to finally break through your confusion, and realization dawned upon you.

The sight of Deimos alive and well overwhelmed you with a flood of emotions. As he closed the distance between you, you both wrapped your arms around each other in a tight embrace. Despite your increased size, towering over him, you still felt the comfort and warmth of his hug.

Tears streamed down both your faces, a physical manifestation of the reunion and the emotions that came with it. 2B stood off to the side, gently patting both of your backs, offering silent support and witnessing the powerful moment.

You found yourself lost in the hug, unable to untangle yourself from Deimos' embrace. The warmth and comfort it provided seemed to drown out everything else.

Raising your head, you gently placed a small kiss on Deimos' forehead, eliciting a soft chuckle from him. The two of you continued to hold each other, seeking solace in the embrace.

Thoughts of Sanford and Hank flickered through your mind, and a glimmer of hope clung to the possibility of finding them as well.

Notes:

Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. This was supposed to be posted two days ago.

I'm here to remind you all that next chapter will be the last chapter before it will go on hiatus. The next chapter will be the Sanford episode. I don't know when the next episode of Madness Combat will be in, but I promised that I'll update this fic when the new episode uploads.

We know that it will take a few years until the next episode, but I will be back on this fic. We all appreciate Krinkles work.

I hope you enjoy this, and I'll see you guys' next week. Make sure to drink water and Happy Readings.

Chapter 18

Somewhere in Nevada.

Sanford slowly began to regain his vision, his senses starting to awaken. He felt himself being lifted upwards again, the chain attached to him attempting to take him somewhere.

However, the chain suddenly dropped him, and he found himself falling through the dark, endless space. Panic coursed through his body as he plummeted deeper into the abyss.

In his freefall, Sanford caught sight of a building with no roof. Focusing on the target, he plummeted straight, landing with a heavy crash, successfully crushing an agent beneath him. Without missing a beat, he swiftly rose to his feet, turning his attention to the remaining agent who charged at him.

Sanford effortlessly neutralized the incoming charge, rendering the agent unconscious in one swift motion. He stood there, taking a momentary pause to assess his surroundings.

Swiftly switching gears, he engaged in brutal hand-to-hand combat against the small group of agents and Soldats that approached. His fighting skills were on full display as he efficiently knocked out one agent after another. With quick reflexes, he snatched a gun from a fallen agent and immediately opened fire on the incoming enemies, his shots taking down the charging adversaries one by one.

The loud gunshots echoed through the area, causing Sanford to tense up. He swiftly seized a nearby sword and engaged in a deadly duel with a colossal grunt. With quick thinking, he collected more weaponry as he moved down the hallway, eliminating any agents who were caught off guard by his sudden attacks.

Sanford's precise aim and deadly accuracy made short work of his opponents, allowing him to progress further through the challenging corridors.

He snatched a more potent gun, unloading a barrage of bullets at the approaching group of agents that emerged from the ceiling and at the end of the hallway. The empty bullet casings clattered to the floor as he dodged incoming fire, returning fire with precision and accuracy.

Once he had dealt with the small group, he suddenly found himself being forcefully hurled into the abyss, landing on a rocky platform below. The impact sent a jolt of pain through his body, but he quickly brushed it off and looked around, assessing his predicament.

Glancing upwards, Sanford spotted more Soldats descending towards him. Thinking quickly, he swiftly threw them overboard, sending them plummeting further into the abyss.

One of the agents attempted to strike him with an ax, but Sanford seized the weapon mid-swing, using the momentum to hurl it back at the agent with full force. The ax cleanly severed the agent's head from their body, its lifeless husk toppling over the edge.

Sanford stood there momentarily, breathing heavily, scanning his surroundings for any more unexpected threats.

As Sanford ascended the rope, he collected the scattered weapons, strapping them across his back. Upon reaching the next platform, he swiftly shot down the two agents guarding the door.

However, just as he prepared to enter, an excruciating pain surged through his head, a burst of red electricity coursing through his mind. The agony was unbearable, and Sanford couldn’t help but let out a tortured scream, dropping to his knees.

Taking shaky, ragged breaths, Sanford struggled to regain control over his body, desperate to alleviate the torment coursing through him. After a few moments to collect himself, he swiftly grabbed a hook tied to the rope and propelled himself through the door.

The suddenness of his movements caught an agent off guard, and Sanford capitalized on the opportunity, incapacitating them before they could mount a defense.

With quick reflexes, Sanford dodged the flying bullets, seizing the chance to swing the bodies of agents at one another, effectively neutralizing them. Grabbing a shotgun, he unleashed a barrage of shots at the incoming agents, forcing them into disarray.

With the gun reloaded, Sanford moved on to the next area, continuing his relentless onslaught against the relentless hoard of opponents.

Caught off guard by the shadowy, red-hued figure, Sanford reacted swiftly, firing at the unknown entity, only to find his bullets ineffective. Quickly pivoting, he engaged the agents attempting to surprise him, firing shots that successfully incapacitated them.

In a single motion, he swung his hook at an agent, launching them towards a pair, effectively knocking both out.

Sanford spun to address the shadowy figure that was relentlessly following him, but before he could mount an assault, a sudden burst of pain erupted in his head again.

The agony forced him to abandon his attack and hastily flee to the next area in hopes of shaking off the ominous pursuer.

_____________________________

A car quietly cruised through the desolate roads, you and Deimos sitting side by side in the vehicle. The ride was silent, save for the sound of the engine and the hum of the road beneath the tires.

Both of you sat in a nervous anticipation, desperately hoping to find Sanford and Hank alive and well.

Suddenly, Deimos's hand found yours, encircling your hand and giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze. In response, you returned the gesture, intertwining your fingers with his, finding comfort in that small touch.

_____________________________

Racing through the platform, Sanford swiftly dispatched smaller groups of agents, sending them tumbling off the edges. Just as he approached the entrance to the next area, the thunderous footsteps of a colossal grunt echoed through the air.

Sanford narrowly dodged the grunts' powerful swings, but another massive grunt seized him from behind. Caught off guard, Sanford found himself hoisted into the air, unable to escape the strong grip of the towering brute.

His body was nearly torn by the brutal grips of the colossal grunts, eliciting a gut-wrenching cry of agony from his lips. A surge of desperation flowed through him, igniting his determination to fight back despite his newfound blindness.

In a defiant act, Sanford lashed out, attacking one of the giant grunts with every ounce of strength he could muster, refusing to give up without a fight.

Fueled by an adrenaline rush, Sanford furiously pummeled his fists into one of the giant grunt's heads, reducing it to a pulped mess.

Despite his severely damaged eyes, completely blind, he relied on his instincts and memory to navigate the area, refusing to let his disability hinder him in battle.

Having thoroughly defeated both giant grunts, Sanford momentarily paused, sensing the ominous presence of the shadowed figure once again. He hastily moved forward into the next area, only to be abruptly halted by the sound of giant boulders surrounding him.

Before he could process what was happening, a blunt force connected with his head, instantly knocking him unconscious, sending him into a state of black oblivion.

_____________________________

Arriving at the location, you and Deimos hastily exited the vehicle and approached the rocky terrain, only to witness Sanford's limp body descending to the ground, ensnared in a dark, ominous substance which surrounded him.

Your and Deimos's hands trembled uncontrollably, struggling to keep a firm grip on everything in your possession. Fear and concern filled your hearts as you both stared at Sanford's motionless figure.

Swiftly alerting 2B about your discovery through your communication device, you tucked it into your pocket for safekeeping. Meanwhile, Deimos hurriedly operated a lever on the rocky wall, gradually lifting Sanford out of the dark substance that had enveloped him.

A mixture of urgency and fear drove you and Deimos to quickly grab Sanford's hands, firmly holding onto them to prevent him from sinking any further into the murky depths.

A tear slid down the cheek of both you and Deimos, expressing the overwhelming emotions and concern you felt.

A silent bond of reassurance passed between you and Deimos as you both desperately clung onto Sanford's hands, refusing to let go. Despite the precarious situation, you found comfort in each other's presence, silently vowing to keep your teammate safe no matter what.

Chapter 19: A/N

Hey guys, I hope you are all doing well.

The last chapter that was posted today will be the final chapter before this fic is being put on hiatus.

I really loved this fic with all my heart, but I will be back to when the next animation of Madness Combat uploads. It's going to be a while, but I promise that I will be back.

Hope you guys enjoy my fic. Make sure to drink water and I'll see you guys later.