Skeppy's POV

~A few days ago~

Bad and I were just walking and hanging out, like we always do. I didn't think this was going to be the last time I had a good time with my best friend. Well, sort of a good time. We were heading back from Tommy's place - Phil had asked us to check up on Tommy and we agreed to do as such. We had a good time, and the kid was interesting. I had a good laugh at the amount of times that Bad got angry at Tommy for swearing. I think Bad hit a new record of saying 'Language' in one day.

After a few hours, we decided that we should head home. We said goodbye to Tommy and left. Bad and I knew this trail like the back of our hands. We knew that it was safe…. How wrong we were.

"Skeppy, don't get me wrong, I love Phil and all, but he needs to teach his kind some nicer words." Bad commented to me.

I just chuckled. I had glanced over at Bad and gave him my response, "Yeah, but it was kinda funny. You kept getting so mad."

"Oh, so my getting angry is humorous to you?" His white eyes had narrowed at me.

I simply gave him a big smile and replied, "Yup."

He shook his head and turned away from me. He went quiet.

"Bad?" I called his name. He didn't respond to me. I frowned. Had I upset him? "Bad, I'm sorry. I-"

"Quiet Skeppy." Bad had cut me off. His head kept looking around. His eyes narrowed at the trees. Something was wrong, he wouldn't act this way if there wasn't something wrong. I should have suggested we turn back. We were closest to Tommy's place than our own. I went to grab my sword and found that I had been an idiot and left it at Tommy's.

"Skeppy, I hear something, I think I am going to check it out. Stay here." He flew off and I was left alone in the woods. It was going to be night soon, and I had no way to defend myself. I stayed close to a tree and waited for my friend to return. When he finally did, he seemed confused. "I saw nothing."

"Isn't that a good thing?" I questioned. He shook his head. "I don't think so. Skeppy, when I said I saw nothing, I meant I saw nothing. No animals, no creatures, no people. I have great night vision and even with that I still couldn't see anything. I don't like it."

"Maybe we should just get home." If Bad felt uneasy, I felt uneasy. He's a demon, what does he really have to be scared of? Turns out, I was the reason that everything went downhill.

Not even ten minutes into the walk home from that spot, were we attacked. Our attacker wore an all black mask with a white smiley face.

"Surprise." He had said that word and lengthened the 'u' and the 'i' sounds making his already creepy voice worse.

His voice sent chills down my spine and Bad quickly grabbed his sword. The only thing I could really do would be defense. It is pretty hard to break through my skin, so I would be Bad's defense. The person that attacked us kept going for Bad, but the two of us held him off pretty well.

That was, until I slipped up.

He held off our attacks and would even keep his distance. I thought that I could get him, that I could bring him down, but I was mistaken. I had Bad give me his sword and he flew up since he now had no offense tool and watched me from a little ways up. I ran toward the man and he threw something at me. It was some sort of powder and whatever it was made me unable to focus on my diamond ability and I had felt a sharp pain go down my chest. Before I knew it, I face planted into the ground. I could feel a warm liquid start to surround me. I could barely turn my head and I wished that I hadn't. Bad had positioned himself in front of me and our attacker. He didn't have his sword, his wings were extended and acted as a shield, he was hunched over a little and his tail swished back and forth rather quickly - he was trying to protect me.

I watched as Bad and our attacker had a standoff before Bad rushed forward Head pounding, I tried to focus, but my vision swam. When my vision finally focused I saw Bad laying on the ground, knocked out. How did this person manage to subdue a demon? I watched as our attacker had picked up my best friend and started to walk off. I tried to call out, to tell him to stop, but my voice had failed me and my body gave out.

When I finally awoke, I was in Tommy's house. He had found me when he was trying to catch up to us to return my sword. Nice kid. I was asleep for more than forty hours. Almost two days had gone by and Bad was not to be seen by anyone. Once I was able to move I searched. I spent days looking for clues, days looking for anything that might lead me to Bad. I had come up with nothing. It was almost as if this never happened. It if wasn't for the blood stain patch of dirt and grass where I had been lying there, you would have thought that I was making this up.

Bad had been gone for almost a whole month and people started to lose hope. It had only been a month. I was not going to give up. It was only when I heard my name called from the skies - the voice of my long lost friend - that I thought everything was turning around. Oh how wrong I was.

"Skeppy!"

I heard my name be called. I knew that voice. It was Bad! He was able to escape! I turn to where I hear the voice with a smile on my face before frowning. He looked…. different. He was all white. The demon lands in front of me and hugs me before exclaiming, "Skeppy, you're alive! That rotten bastard lied to me - he said he killed you."

Did I hear that right? This guy looks like Bad, sounds like him, but he didn't speak like him. Bad never swears and I know for a fact that he would not call someone a "bastard". I didn't hug the demon back. This had to be Bad, but why did he swear? "Bad? You just swore…."

Bad leans away from me - frowning. His black eyes meet my dark brown eyes. "I'm sorry Skeppy, but Bad is dead. Killed by the man that attacked you. Don't worry, I killed him and he won't be a problem anymore."

No, that can't be true. Bad can't be dead. If he was dead, who was this guy in front of me? He looks and sounds just like him minus the color and swearing. I eye the white demon. If he isn't my friend, who is he? "If Bad is dead, then who are you?"

I watch as the demon's expression changes to that of a smirk. "You can call me Good."

Good is similar to Bad in many ways. He knows just about the same about me that Bad knows. When I ask what happened to Bad he tells me that Bad is dead. Everytime. He doesn't tell me what happened. He doesn't like to speak about that whole month. It's now been a few weeks since we have met and there are many things that I find unsettling. How he is more aggressive than Bad and he has no filter at times. The amount of times I actually miss Bad yelling to the others to watch their language is a lot. I miss the times when Bad would randomly make muffins for me in the morning. The caringness he would have toward Lucy and I. Everything about him I miss.

When I look at Good, all I see is a soul that possesses my friend's body. His eyes are just black voids that are so lifeless and don't bring me comfort like Bad's pure white eyes. His white fur just seemed off and for some reason wasn't as soft as Bad's fur. It was more spikey and I have no idea why.

There are some things I have noticed about him. He always gets frantic when I click a pen. When I do click a pen he will jump and look around - sometimes he will hiss and growl as well as extend his wings. He doesn't like lightning storms and will literally stay by my side until it is over. He also didn't remember certain people or events. I know that he said that he was what became of Bad, but some things don't add up. I want to know what happened. I have to know. Bad was my best friend and I can't just let this go.

I found the white demon laying outside in the sun. I walked over to him and took a deep breath. "Good, I know you don't want to talk about it, but please tell me something. I need to know something more than 'Bad is dead'. Tell me what happened, or where you were for the whole month that he was missing. Anything. Anything to give me clarity." Tears began welling up in my eyes. . How could I not when I am talking about my friend who he claims is dead?

Good can see this. I guess the only plus side to him actually caring about my feelings is that he has a sorta soft side toward me. I only realized that after Tommy pranked me and Good - not realizing it was a joke - attacked Tommy and scared him pretty bad. Good sighs and looks at me. His gaze seems different. I don't know how, but for a moment I swear I felt Bad looking at me.

"I won't tell you what happened. It isn't a story you really want to hear. I don't remember much of it anyway-" He always responds with 'I don't remember' if he doesn't know something- "but I remember finding myself in a building, in the woods. It was strange. On the outside, it looked all worn down and abandoned. The inside, however, was full of new items and all. I don't know if he kept us there the whole time or moved us at any point, but I know that's where I left from. There. Clarity. Happy?"

He huffed and closed his eyes, no longer looking at me. There were some things that I thought I should address in what he did say. While he didn't say a location, he did give me enough clues to find it. I am curious about what he meant when he said 'we' but I doubt he will answer that question now. He gave me some answers I guess. "Yes, well, better, at least."

He looked over at me and I couldn't say anything, so I just walked away. I needed to talk to someone.

I found myself at Phil's home. He has been the most help to me during this time that Good has appeared. I relay all the information that Good had given me and he listened to me as I told him about the way he acts and the little things that I noticed as well. Phil paid attention to every word I said. That's something I love about Phil, you can always talk to him and he always has good advice.

"Well, from what you are telling me, I would say that something gave him trauma to lightning storms and he feels safe near you. That would be why he is so clingy during that time. Bad may not be Good, but Good may be Bad. He still sees you as his best friend so you are a source of comfort for him." Phil commented. I had to agree with that. Still strange to think that Good is Bad but Bad is not Good. Did that make sense?

"Soooooo, Good is also scared of a pen? A pen? I told you he gets frantic when he hears one click. How would you explain that?" I ask the winged man.

Phil blinks and responds, "Classical conditioning."

I stared at him. "Classical what now?"

Phil sighs, "Classical conditioning is a where something or someone is conditioned to respond in a certain way from a certain stimulus. If Good becomes frantic at a click of a pen, then I would almost say that something happened where he heard that sound and…. whatever condition he went through… it left him with some mental scars."

This was a lot to wrap my head around. Talking to Phil did help me learn a few things. I wonder…. "Hey Phil…"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think I could learn more about what happened if I go to that place he was held?"

Phil thought for a moment. "Well, I mean, you could. But would Good really let you? You told me that he is a little over protective of you."

"I can just tell him I am going to Tommy's house for the weekend. He doesn't quite like Tommy and could care less if he comes or stays."

Phil eyes me but says nothing. So with that final note, I left. I was alone to my thoughts as I headed back to my home. Good has some mental trauma. Is that why he won't tell me? Is the reason he won't tell me what happened because he wants to keep me from knowing? He won't tell me possibly because of how close I was to Bad. He doesn't need to protect me like that, but it was nice that he did have somewhat of a sweet and caring side.

When I got home, he was no longer laying in the sun on the ground. Rather, he was practicing his sword skills. I noticed that he had dressed up the dummy similar to how the man that attacked us looked like. I guess Good still remembers what happened to me. We haven't seen anything from him since then. I recall that Good said that he killed him, but I couldn't really believe him. I guess mainly because Bad would never kill anyone and I still see Good as Bad.

I shake my head and walk out to him. "Uh, hey Good."

He impales the dummy and leaves the sword there and looks over at me. He walks over to me and tilts his head a little. A habit I remember Bad doing and I can't help but feel sad again.

"So, I am going to be at Tommy's place for a few days. Hopefully just the weekend, but I am unsure. Will you be okay here on your own?"

His black eyes stare at me. Does he know I am lying? Slowly he nods. "Okay, fine. I can stay here. You go have fun with that runt."

He really doesn't like Tommy. I thought that I should probably go to Tommy's and tell him what I was planning on doing just in case Good decides to stop by. "Well, I better get going. See you later, Good."

"Bye, Skeppy."

I turned and walked off.

The walk to Tommy's house wasn't that long and I got there in thirty minutes of walking. The walk gave me time to think on my own again. It took me a while to even be able to come here on my own. This path just brings back bad memories. I exhaled and kept walking. I finally made it to Tommy's place and filled him in. He didn't like that I was going to be looking for this place, but he understood why. He would have done the same if it were Tubbo. I told him that if Good came back here, tell him I was somewhere else. Whether that be Phil's place or even Ranboo's place, just as long as he doesn't know where I am, I should be fine. He wished me luck and I left.

I went back to the spot that Good had found me. I looked up to the sky and then toward the direction he came from. He said that he had been in the middle of the woods in a worn down looking building. At least I know what I am looking for. I spent more than a few hours trekking through the forest before finally finding myself in front of an old looking shack. It had dark wood and most of it looked rotten. Was this the place that Bad had been held?

I took a deep breath and walked into the building with caution. The inside was very different from the inside. It looked like the inside was all brand new. It was rather dark so I tried turning the lights on to get a better look. The power turned on with a spark. That didn't seem right. The power must not have been on in a while for it to have sparked like that. I should avoid any electrical equipment. I walked around the place carefully - terrified that someone might jump me.

This place was rather big and full of places someone could hide. Just knowing that this place contained a psychopath sent chills down my spine. I found nothing in the first room besides some weapons (maybe the weapons that he used to attack Bad and I). Dust coated each sword, axe, spear and any other weapon I could find in that room. They were clean so whoever welded these weapons took really good care of them.

The next room I found was a simple bedroom. A dark black bed comforter covered the bed and white pillows were lazily thrown on the bed. I found a picture in this room. It showed a pretty young man with red eyes, dirty blonde hair that was more brown than blonde, and pale skin. He was wearing a dark hoodie and black jeans. He had his left arm on top of some girl's head and the other hand was holding his chin. He had a calm look and a small smile. The girl looked a lot like him except her hair was a lot longer than his and she was leaning forward and had her head in her hands in a cute pose. She had a sweet smile and looked really happy. This could be the man that attacked us and I can assume this was his sister. I set the photo down and look through the desk drawers. I found nothing useful but paper and pens. I sighed and left the room.

This was like a house for the most part. The bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, everything. I sighed. This was leading me nowhere. There were two doors left for me to look through. The one I avoided was the only door that was different as the door was built differently than the other wooden doors. I didn't like the way it looked and it just felt off to me, but I decided that if this feels out of place, there has to be something there.

When I went to open the door, my hand was shaking. I didn't know what I would find down here but I was not backing out now. I opened the door and found stairs leading down. A basement? I grabbed a flashlight from the bedroom that I found and headed down the stairs. It felt like they went down for a long time before I finally made it to the bottom.

I found a light switch and was hesitant to turn it on but I did anyway. The same sparks happened again, but slightly bigger. It made me uneasy. I looked around and saw a lot of lab equipment. I walked around, careful not to touch anything. I found a few files that laid open. I picked one up and read part of it.

-Behavioral experiment.

Can I chemically change a person's behavior to aggression?

If I can change a person's personality to a more aggressive state, I could have them turn on their companions and I would have myself some enjoyment. I just need to figure out what I need.

~Nightmare

I flip the page and find more writing. I hold my breath as I continue.

- Serotonin, a chemical in our brian that causes happiness if one has a high amount. Maybe I could find a way to lower it.

~Nightmare

-Came back and will have to scratch that idea, low levels of Serotonin will only cause depression.

~Nightmare

-Further in my research, I found that Epinephrine is something that our body produces when becoming angry. If I can heighten that chemical and lower Serotonin levels in a person, I should be able to make a person become really aggressive. ~Nightmare

-It's been a month and I was able to create a small sample of my formula. It should work, but who should I test it on? I found myself searching for my test subject before I found a demon. Demons are known for aggression but this one seemed way too nice. He had anger problems, but was always forgiving when he had an episode of an anger outburst. Only problem is that he is never alone. I will keep an eye on him.

~Nightmare

-Ran into a slight problem. I found that the chemical I made only works when it has a starting stimulus. It was basically an unactivated anger drug. Heat didn't work. Shaking and stirring didn't work so it wasn't a movement problem. What could it be?

~Nightmare

-I found a solution. Electricity. Turns out, our minds have neurons that are similar to electricity. When I added a small spark to the chemicals, I noticed a difference when I looked under the microscope. This was my solution. However, for it to work on a person, I would need to have a large scale and they would need to be given this shock when the formula is inside them. Now that I know that, I can find my victim.

~Nightmare

-Darrly, more known to people as Bad, is currently in my lab and I will be recording all footage just in case I miss anything during these tests. He was not easy to get but after a really fun fight with him and his friend, I was able to get the demon and subdue him. I graciously made sure that his friend was still alive beforehand. I almost killed him and I would find it much more enjoyable if Bad killed the diamond man instead.

~Nightmare

I pause for a moment. He captured my best friend to use him as a lab rat? I tightened my hands around the papers, angered. These notes mentioned footage. I wonder where they could be. I looked around the desk and found a flash drive. I found a computer and plugged in the flash drive, unsure what I was going to find. I held my breath, unsure what I was going to see. At first it was just a blank screen and no sound before suddenly I was met with the face of the person I saw in the picture. He adjusted the camera before stepping back. He was wearing the same outfit he wore when he attacked us so this had to be on the same day.

His voice was rough and it made me shiver. "Hello future people. I have with me a special creature that I find intriguing. A demon."

He moved out of the way to show Bad strapped to a chair with his head dipped down. I don't think he was conscious. I felt my heart skip a beat seeing him like that. I watched as Nightmareheaded over to Bad and started to examine him. He unfolded one of Bad's wings and I know for a fact that Bad hates that. Good does too which is something they shared.

"Interesting. It feels like leather. I guess this is really close to a bat's wing." He started to touch Bad's neck. "Oh, I know I felt it before but I thought it was just his clothes but he has really soft fur." I hear him laugh. As he laughs I see Bad shift awake. His white eyes open slowly as he lifts his head. I don't think he was fully awake as he didn't notice the danger. He yawned and I swear when he yawns he yawns like a cat.

"Oh, so you are finally awake?" This wakes up Bad completely as he hears the unfamiliar voice. I watched as Bad tried to get up but couldn't because of the restraints.

"Wha- who are you? Wait, Skeppy? Skeppy!"

My heart dropped when I heard him call my name. Even when he was in danger he was calling for me. I watched as Nightmare held a finger to his mouth as he basically told Bad to be quiet and I watched as he pulled a switch down and I heard Bad cry out. What just happened? Nightmare merely laughed before pulling the switch up and Bad is panting - his body twitching.

"Did you like that? Here, let me turn on the power again." He pulled the level again and I heard Bad scream again. I watched him repeat this over and over again until Bad passed out (I noticed that each time he pulled the lever he clicked a pen and wrote something). When Bad passed out, Nightmare only frowned. He walked over and turned the camera off.

When the footage came back it was the same thing - Nightmare would torture him, and Bad would scream until he passed out. Each time Bad woke up, he seemed disoriented and had a hard time remembering where he was or even how he got there. He even forgot that I was attacked. "Where…. where is Skeppy?"

Hearing that made my heart drop.

"So you are having some memory problems it seems. Well, I'll tell it as it is. I left him for dead. I had no interest in a person who can't be affected by this little….. experiment." Nightmare walked around to Bad's back and put his hands on Bad's shoulders.

Bad's eyes went wide. I clenched my hands into a fist. My eyes watered as I saw my friend so scared.

"Why so quiet little demon? Don't believe me or trying to remember? Either way, he isn't coming back. If he did survive, he won't be able to find you in time. I have plans for you. Let's amp up the power this time, shall we?" Nightmare left Bad'd side and Bad let out a breath that I guess he had been holding. Nightmare started writing on a clipboard. Bad turned his head toward Nightmare.

I watched as Nightmare walked over to some lab equipment and picked up a syringe? I started to take in deep heavy breaths. "Electricity can only do so much. It is the very thing that should activate this delightful serum that I concocted. A way to change you. That or kill you. Either way, I win."

This was all a game to him. I watched Bad be pricked with the needle and inject him with a liquid. When he finally moved away he spoke again as he went to the lever.

"As I said, electricity activates the serum. I had to condition your body to feel shocks and I slowly upped the amp. Your cries were like a beautiful memory. Oh, how I loved it. Filled me with delight. So please, let me hear that sweet voice of yours one more time." As soon as the lever was pulled Bad started to scream. I watched tears fall down his face as he was going through so much pain.

"There is a reason I call myself Nightmare. I am not someone you want to have near you." Nightmare chuckled as he turned the dial. "Hmmm, we can skip level three…. And four. Let's go to the max this thing can throw!"

I wanted to yell at the screen, I wanted to tell him to stop. I watched Bad scream until he couldn't scream anymore. I watched my friend, my best friend, be tortured and shocked to the point he passed out. I watched as Nightmare frowned and turned off the video again.

When nothing else played, I found that to be the end of the video files. Where was that clipboard? I needed to find out. I wiped the tears from my eyes and left the desk. I walked around the room and noticed that there was a foul odor. I walked around the equipment quietly and what I saw nearly made me lose my lunch.

A rotting corpse laid next to the very lever and chair that tortured my friend. His body was all sunken and shriveled. His skin was a sickly color and insects were scattered on his body - mainly maggots. A reddish-brown color surrounded him and I knew right away that he had been wounded before he died. I headed toward the body - trying my best not to throw up - I looked around for that clipboard. When I did my heart stopped. I read in big red ink Badboyhalo: Deceased. I covered my mouth and tears started to fall from my face. It finally hit me that Bad was gone. My best friend was gone. Good wasn't Bad, as much as I wish it were true, he isn't. I kept denying what Good had told me because I couldn't handle the truth. Now, finding the very thing I wanted to know hit me hard. I grabbed the papers, held them close to my heart and just kept sobbing - unable to stop.

I felt a hand be placed in my shoulder and I looked up. It was Good. While he didn't look happy, he looked like he understood that I finally accepted that Bad was dead. I looked over at Nightmare's body. Good killed him. Avenged me and Bad. Nightmare couldn't do anything. Not to me. Not to Good. Not to anyone. I looked at Good and hugged him. He never let me do that but he actually hugged back this time as I continued to cry. My best friend was dead. Gone and dead.

I finally came to terms with what had happened. Bad was gone, but Good was here to Stay.

A/N: Hey, so I hope you liked this story. It is a part two to Shocked and I had fun writing this one. I feel like this one was better than Shocked. I had to say, it was fun to write in Skeppy's POV. I feel like I portray feelings better in 1st person better than in 3rd. Tell me if you thought so as well. Anyway, I have some news! I have an editor! Say Hi Editor. (*peace sign*)

Sora, my best friend, is going to be my editor. I love her dearly and I am happy that she agreed to this(True, I just need to watch any anime she tells me in return but honestly I will do anything for her so sure why not?(Sora: I extend this to the rest of you guys, if you want - Tokyo Revengers is the show to watch and I highly recommend it)). She truly is the best and I want nothing but good things said about her from you all. Thank her for helping me. (I may have thanked her a lot more than I need to but I still will. Thank you Sora! You are a QUEEN!

Anyway, I will see you guys in my next story. Bye!

~Akira

Posted: 11/6/2021