Chapter Text
"Parrot!" Theo cried out when he saw his friend injured once again. "Are you okay, bro?" Theo examined Parrot’s wounds closely and gasped. "Oh no! That’s a really bad injury!"
Theo looked around. No one seemed to be paying attention to them. Perfect.
He crouched down and signaled for Parrot to climb onto his back.
Once Parrot was settled, Theo immediately dashed through the crowd of people fighting around them, carrying him while fending off the players who were targeting them.
When they were finally far away from the battlefield, Theo stopped for a moment to catch his breath.
Now he had no idea where to go. The Capital City had already fallen. District 13 might be a good option, but Flamefrags and Wemmbu were on Cindercrest’s side. Both of them knew where District 13 was, and there was a high chance they would be waiting there in ambush. They had betrayed him and Parrot. Theo couldn't believe they would be kind enough not to reveal their location to the Cindercrest.
More importantly, Parrot was unconscious and couldn't tell him where they should go.
This place wasn't safe. That place wasn't any better. Theo had no idea where to take Parrot.
He wandered through the forests until he came across an abandoned house. Part of it had collapsed, but it was still somewhat intact. It seemed decent enough. Not that he had many other options. He decided to stay there.
Finding an old bed, Theo carefully laid Parrot down and waited for him to wake up. In the meantime, he figured he might as well search the run-down house for something to eat.
____
When Parrot suddenly woke up, the first thing he noticed was the softness beneath him. Turning his head, he saw Theo sitting beside him, eyes closed as if asleep.
"Theo," Parrot called softly.
Theo's eyes immediately flew open. He stared at Parrot for a moment before exclaiming, "Oh thank goodness, you're awake! I was so worried!"
He quickly checked his inventory and handed Parrot a few loaves of bread. "Here, eat, Parrot."
Parrot accepted them, then looked back at Theo."What happened to everyone, Theo?"
Silence....
After a long internal struggle, Theo finally spoke."We lost, Parrot."
Contrary to what Theo expected, Parrot merely nodded and began nibbling on the bread in small bites.Perhaps that brilliant mind of his was already working on a plan to strike back.Theo looked at him, gathered all his courage, and said,"Let's give up, Parrot. It's over for us. We can't defeat Cindercrest."
"I know," Parrot replied.
"So you've given up?" Theo asked, unable to believe what he had heard.
"I won't give up," Parrot answered. His voice was firmer now.
Theo immediately knew this wasn't going to be simple.He sighed before continuing,"Just the two of us? Against an entire army? Parrot, that's impossible."
"I know," Parrot said calmly. "That's why I have a plan."
"A plan?" Theo asked curiously.Parrot nodded in confirmation.
____
After hearing the plan, Theo could only sigh once more.
He really wished he could leave Parrot here, living a quiet life growing potatoes with him and never having to suffer through any more pain. Together, they could repair this "new" house of theirs, patching up its broken walls and turning it into a place they could truly call home. A simple life like that would have been enough for Theo.
But that wasn't what Parrot wanted.
Theo wanted Parrot to be safe, but not at the cost of taking away his determination. He would respect Parrot's wishes and continue to stand by the choices he made.
Because Parrot was both his friend and his king.