Chapter Text
The ten survivors spread out the C00l Carnival carefully- every step calculated and precise, making sure not to take any wrong moves to alert 007n7’s child that he held dearly to his heart. 007n7 was… To say the least, surprised when he had seen C00lkidd for the first time- the familiarity was uncanny, but regardless- it wasn’t his son anymore. It was a hard truth for him to accept. It was even more difficult to process his thoughts with the constant cacophony of Chance’s coin flipping.
It was just the two walking towards the ferris wheel to look for generators. This was only minutes after the two had witnessed the tragedy of Elliot getting his spine effortlessly broken by his own son- a memory that was sure to be burned into 007n7’s mind for centuries. He physically could not stand the continuous sound that Chance’s coin was making in his current state. He just wanted to work on generators and contemplate his next course of action- whatever that be. A million possibilities attempted to move through his mind, but his thoughts were constantly interrupted by that damned coin.
007n7 flashed Chance a glaring side-eye as Chance continued flipping that damned coin repeatedly- it was a nuisance for 007n7, causing his head to spin.
Chance, however, was completely unaware of 007n7’s distaste for his unintentionally loud habit. Him flipping the coin was helping the team, after all- it was giving him more luck, no? So why would anyone be mad at him for it?
Yet, it became clear how much 007n7 loathed the coin as he angrily slapped the coin out of the air after Chance had flipped it. Chance immediately turned to face him confusedly, not understanding his sudden outburst.
Chance’s gaze flickered between his coin that had been hit into a wall, lazily falling to the ground. He raised an eyebrow that could barely be seen behind his glasses.
“The hell was that for??”
007n7 knitted his brows angrily at him, confused on how he didn’t understand the annoying aspects of his behaviors.
“Your stupid coin is annoying me. Can’t you find something better to dedicate yourself to than that annoying thing? Pay attention while you’re walking, how about?”
“I-” Chance was kept speechless, a pang of guilt flashing in his mind. 007n7 continued going off on him regardless of the lack of a retort from the man.
“Chance, there are generators we need to do! My son, my…” 007n7’s breath hitched as he brought up his son. “My son is a monster, and you’re not taking this any bit more seriously now that you know that. You need to think. You act like a child, Chance.”
Chance squinted his eyes lightly, still not being able to say a word to the man. Of course he felt bad for 007n7, and by proxy C00lkidd, even though the boy was trying to kill them. Chance sighed heavily, walking in front of the man to pick up the coin he had slapped away. 007n7 scoffed and rolled his eyes angrily when Chance didn’t respond.
“You could’ve just told me it was bothering you,” Chance said reluctantly. He bent over to pick up the coin and promptly missed the metal the first time he swiped at it, followed by a quick grab at the coin as he stood back up. He turned around to see that 007n7 was still obviously mad at him, demonstrated to him clearly from his expression. The two stood face to face as Chance quickly pocketed his coin, making a mental note to not flip it around 007n7 anymore. Considering that he needed to flip the coin to actually be of use to the team, he was knowingly handicapping himself for the sake of a mourning father.
“...Let’s just go,” 007n7 scoffed at Chance, bumping his shoulder as he angrily passed him. Chance threw his hands up in the air in defeat, knowing he really had no choice in the matter. Chance followed him as the two came across the spot they were supposed to be investigating. Lo and behold, a generator caught 007n7’s eye, and he began picking up to the pace unprompted, leaving Chance slightly confused and angry. Chance followed him again, running up the stairs to the ferris wheel to find the generator 007n7 had already seen. Chance watched as he got on the generator, lagging behind him slightly. Chance put a hand to his chin, knowing that he had to prioritize rerolling his health until he got something high enough to even attempt to go against the killer- he realized that after spending the last cycle of this hellscape against the allusive John Doe in an odd Horror House. He didn’t want to make the same mistake as last time.
007n7 did a double take at Chance, realizing that the man wasn’t doing anything whatsoever.
“Are you going to help me, or just stand there?”
Chance averted his gaze from him, not wanting to get scolded again- but he knew what was best for him.
“...I need to flip this coin. You don’t get it, old man.”
007n7 sighed heavily. “Do you really?”
“...Yeah?”
007n7 paused, obviously unhappy.
“Whatever. Just go. If you’re not going to be helpful in the slightest, I’d want to do this myself. Go reroll your health over…” 007n7 stood up from the generator, pointing at a dead end, a very dangerous spot for Chance. The both of them knew that. The corner had no exits other than the entrance, which was open and without a door.
“There.”
Chance stared at him, dumbfounded.
“Do you want me dead, or something?” To Chance’s disappointment, there was no response from 007n7. Just a wild glare from the man that could mean anything. His expression remained unchanging the entire time the two had been working on the generator. Chance, albeit reluctantly, moved over to the corner of the Carnival to continue his luck-based endeavors there. The area had a nice log that Chance decided he would lean up against and get to convincing Lady Luck to be on his side.
Chance took his coin out of his pocket, a grin on his face as he sat down, the cold log pressing against his back. He tossed the coin for the umpteenth time, finally feeling confident in his luck to use his trusty flintlock- well, in all realism, the flintlock wasn’t trustworthy whatsoever. The gun had blown up on Chance a magnitude of times, all causing him to have a real good relationship with his local hospital staff. It wasn’t all bad at times, he had iTrapped with him! ITrapped was…
…
Why was Chance reminiscing on that era of his life now, of all times?
Chance’s smile from his gambling high quickly faded, leaving a scrunched face with knitted brows and a frown that stretched far across his face.
It was then he heard a crunching next to him. Or was it aluminum foil scratching against itself? Whatever it was, Chance quickly turned over to see another survivor- a man with yellow skin, a blue torso, and green legs. He was… Snacking?
Chance took a double take, the yellow skin reminding him of a certain someone from his past, but he quickly evaluated it to be Noob. The two simply stared at each other for a second. Noob had obviously known Chance was there, but how did Chance not notice the loudly snacking Noob? He never gets lost in thought to that extent.
Regardless, Chance took no time to waste before greeting him- properly, this time.
The last time the two had met, it was for a split second and the two had barely even talked during their first interaction. Noob was appointed to walk with Shedletsky and Guest, Two Time with Taph, Dusekkar, and Builderman while Chance was paired with 007n7. Elliot would have been in the group with 007n7 and Chance, if… Well, tragedy hadn’t struck. These plans were all calculated during their preparations and planning for fixing the generators at C00l Carnival, and the two had barely exchanged glances until this very moment. Chance had heard mention of his name, but nothing concrete about the guy.
Chance waved at him, his coin still firmly in his grip.
“You’re the Noob guy, right?”
Noob gulped down the chip he had stuffed in his mouth and set the bag down to his side.
“Y-yeah… Sorry, but… What’s your name? Y-you’re another survivor, right…?” Chance mentally took a sigh of relief, realizing that Noob was nothing like iTrapped, the man he was mentally comparing Noob to in his head.
Noob did not equate iTrapped whatsoever, and Chance was only thankful for that fact.
“Yeah, I’m Chance. We haven’t met, but I’ve heard of you through word of mouth. Why’re you here and not… Y’know, doing… Generators, and all that?”
Chance outstretched a hand for him to shake, a common practice for him. He put on a prepared poker face, one that he practiced for centuries. His smile almost mirrored that of a salesman- one that wouldn’t falter at anything. Chance was quite good at his poker face, and he knew it. Sometimes, it was so good that he unconsciously put it on out of habit.
Noob’s eyes widened and flashed between Chance’s hand and his calm smile, something in his smile reassuring him and calming him. He grabbed Chance’s hand, his fingertips still greasy from the chips he was snacking on previously. Noob shook his hand a bit too violently, causing Chance’s posture to falter as his shoulder was tugged toward Noob.
“W-well… Guest told me that I-I should pr… probably focus on myself because I was so scared, but…” Noob let go of Chance’s hand who immediately wiped off the excess grease on his pant leg. Chance’s poker face still hadn’t faltered, even with the odd transfer of grease. “I.. I think I’d be o-okay to go back to them now… I feel much better from eating a little. I’m a stress eater, haha!” Noob laughed lightly, a small but genuine smile forming on his face. Noob hadn’t been completely truthful with Chance. He secretly relished in the fact that he found another survivor who seemed kind enough to spend time with him and not immediately want him to leave.
Chance immediately identified Noob as a friend rather than foe, realizing that he was just scared- and reasonably so.
“Yeah? I can help ya’ back if ya’ want. Lady Luck is sure not to fail me this time!”
Chance confidently raised his arm to be draping on the log, his flintlock in hand. Noob’s eyes widened at the sight of the gun, shocked at the powerful weapon in his hands.
“...Wh-Where did you get that, Chance…?”
Chance let out a hearty chuckle at his words as if they were the most insane thing he had ever heard. Chance raised the arm with his flintlock in hand, pointing the tip of the gun to the ceiling.
“Hah! Me and my trusty flintlock will never part, Noob! My flintlock has been with me for centuries and she’s here to stay!” Chance smiled at him confidently, speaking a bit too loudly for Noob’s comfort. Noob shifted in his seat, grabbing the half-eaten bag of chips at his side and taking another chip out and hastily throwing it in his mouth. He lacked a response and instead looked at him, his face a mix of concern and admiration of his bravery as he threw chips in his mouth.
Chance noticed the lack of response from Noob, quieting his voice and dropping his arm, draping it on the log again.
“You alright, pal?” Chance flashed him another practiced grin, standing up and fanning out his blazer. Chance outstretched a hand, ready to guide Noob back to his group. “Let’s get you back to the other guys, yeah?”
Noob slowly reached out for Chance’s hand, Chance took a hefty tumble at a brick landing hard against his outstretched shoulder. His flintlock flew out of his grip, hitting the cold concrete with a wooden thud.
Chance’s gaze flickered between his gun and the brick that came from… Where, exactly? He wasn’t sure. Regardless, his gaze settled on that of a disheveled C00lkidd glaring at the two.
“We weren’t playing hide and seek, we were playing tag!! You’re all cheaters!”
Chance’s gaze went dark as he looked for an unsuspecting 007n7 for backup, who, coincidentally, was nowhere to be seen.
'Damn that man,' Chance thought to himself. 'Didn’t even stay long enough to regroup. What a dickhead. Or was 007n7 a burger head?'
Chance knitted his brows at the thought of 007n7 leaving him to do whatever 007n7 does, but he kept to himself as he had bigger issues at hand. C00lkidd began walking toward the two intimidatingly, and it really seemed like he was just a kid who didn’t like cheaters. Then it all came flowing back to Chance that this wasn’t C00lkidd as he lunged at the two with a sword engulfed in fire. C00lkidd got stuck on the log, promptly setting the piece of wood on fire. Chance grabbed Noob by the arm, his shoulder still aching and ran to grab his flintlock-
Lady Luck, grant me good fortune one last time.
Chance chanted the phrase to himself repeatedly, flimsily grabbing his flintlock off the ground with his left hand, his right arm still dangling and almost lifeless from the previous hit- and pointed it at C00lkidd, his pointer finger shakily slid over the trigger, a bullet flying out of the chamber with precision hitting C00lkidd dead-smack in the forehead. C00lkidd screeched and covered his head with his hands, the bullet obviously lodged right near his brain- if he had one. Chance wasn’t even sure if he had a brain. He seemed almost braindead now.
Regardless of any of that, Chance wasted no time and interlocked arms with Noob and pulled him away quickly- guiding him anywhere and everywhere, it seemed. Chance’s gaze floated to his flintlock, the tip of the gun still emitting a gray smoke from the shot Chance just took. Chance, too busy admiring his gun, hadn’t noticed that he was nearing the edge of C00l Carnival, in which two familiar figures appeared- Shedletsky and Guest. Noob noticed them before Chance bumped into Guest quite unceremoniously, his muscular build acting as a wall that blocked him from travelling further. Chance immediately looked up at him, still shellshocked from the previous encounter. The good news being that the two had seemed to have lost C00lkidd at some point in their grand escape, and found Noob’s group again. The bad news? Chance was still separated from his group, and he was even missing a person. He wasn’t sure if the news of Elliot’s death had even reached the other survivors yet, but 007n7 was alone currently. 'A pity,' Chance thought to himself. He didn’t hate 007n7, but he definitely didn’t like him at the time.