Chapter Text
[Corruption Domain]
Martin looked uncomfortable. “J-Jon? Are you sure we won’t… get sick?”
Jon nodded. “Yes, Martin. We’re not in any danger here.”
Martin still looked dubious. “Suure. I think I’m going to go stand… over there.” He walked over to an area that looked somewhat less fungusy. Jon didn’t have the heart to tell him that there were still spores everywhere and he just couldn’t see them. Either way it didn’t matter. They weren’t meant for him and Martin so they were immune. He began his statement.
…
Martin was bored and he kicked about at the fungus, temporarily forgetting about what he was doing as he watched in fascination as spores exploded into the air in massive puffs. Then he remembered. “OH G!” He ran the other direction, tripping and falling over into a giant puff-ball esque mushroom patch and ended up completely covered in spores. “OH G, OH G!” He screamed.
A shape came walking over and a despondent voice began speaking. “There’s no use fighting it, you’re only going to die anyway.” Then he stopped short and raised an eyebrow. “You’re not one of ours are you?”
Martin looked up, tears streaming down his face, half from the irritation the spores were causing his eyes and half from the terror. “W-who are you?”
The man shrugged. “Does it matter? I tried to fight these things in life and now here I am, tormenting people instead. I’m a joke.”
Jon came hurrying over. “Martin, I heard screaming are you -” he stopped short. “GERRY?!?!”
Gerry turned. “Jon?”
Jon finished making his way over, awe and confusion in his eyes. “You’re… you’re alive?”
Gerry shrugged. “I guess. I came back with the Apocalypse. As part of the Eye.”
Jon sighed. “Yes… I’m sorry about that.” He winced.
Martin was confused. “Okay you two, so what’s going on? And have I heard of Gerry somewhere?”
Jon looked down and reached out a hand, pulling him to his feet. “Probably, Martin. Gerry used to work with Gertrude.”
Gerry nodded. “And I died in 2014 from a brain tumor I didn’t know I had. Jon found me a couple years ago in a book where Gertrude had preserved me then freed me. But I guess it didn’t matter once the apocalypse started because I came right back.” He turned to Jon. “It sucks. Like seriously, why did this even happen to me?”
Jon sighed. “Is that a rhetorical question?”
Gerry gave a bitter chuckle. “Oh, yah. I forgot you literally Know everything these days. It was rhetorical.”
Jon nodded. “Just making sure.”
Gerry looked closer at him. “So… what are you doing out here anyway? From what I heard you started this whole thing. Shouldn’t you be up in the Panopticon with our patron?”
Jon sniffled.
Gerry continued. “I’m personally just sulking and walking around Watching.”
Martin wrapped an arm around Jon and pulled him close. “He didn’t mean to start the apocalypse. It was an accident.”
Gerry nodded. “Well, duh.” He smirked bitterly. “I didn’t exactly take you for the type to purposefully destroy the world. Accidentally though…? Well….”
Jon sniffled again and tried to cover it up by changing the subject. “Yes, well… we’re trying… We're on a mission to end it. The apocalypse I mean.”
Gerry’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? You think it can be done?”
Jon shrugged somewhat hopelessly. “I have no idea but I’ve at least got to try.”
Gerry nodded slowly. “Okay then. Well, in that case I want to join you.”
Jon looked surprised. “Are you sure?”
Gerry gestured around him. “Even if we fail and die it will be better than having to Watch all this suffering all the time.”
Jon nodded. “Fair enough. We’d love to have you.”