Hey everyone. Episode 18 is here! Enjoy!
The next Thursday morning, Lash got out of bed, still tired because of an abandoned Pizzaplex incident last night. He changed his usual clothes, purple shirt with skull print under his black and white sleeves, usual black jeans and black shoes. Lash leaves his room and sees me.
Embrick: Good morning.
Lash's eyes widen slightly as he sees you in the hallway, looking a bit different. His eyes scan your attire, taking in the new color palette, and he notices the slight change in your skin tone and the smile on your face. Embrick's clothing were black and
He gives a small wave, feeling a mix of surprise and curiosity.
Lash: Morning. You... look different today.
Embrick: Yeah...I just changed my color skin a little bit lighter...and...I decided to wear a little bit of coloring clothes...
Lash nods, taking in your explanation. He can see the slight difference in your skin tone and the change in your choice of clothing.
Lash: Huh... so, you just decided to switch things up a bit? I like it. It suits you.
Embrick: Thanks.
Me and Lash went downstairs, eating eggs and bacon with our parents.
Pyro: Morning boys.
Embrick: Morning. How's the fashion show and the gala?
Yuki: It was amazing. Many contestants were dazzling in their fashion clothing.
Pyro: My gala is amazing too. Many celebrities enjoy the Mega Pizzaplex.
Embrick: It seems really fun.
Lash joins in the morning conversation with his parents, sitting down to eat breakfast. He listens as Pyro and Yuki share details about their respective events from the previous night.
He can't help but feel a pang of envy. It seems like their parents always have exciting things to do, while he's stuck going to school.
Lash notices the blueprint on the table, recognizing it immediately as the M.X.E.S. security system. He glances at his parents, his curiosity piqued. As he stares at the design, he begins to put the pieces together. His dad was behind the creation of M.X.E.S.? But what about the endoskeleton? How does that fit into all this?
Lash continues to ponder, connecting the dots in his mind. If you, Embrick, and your mom encountered the endoskeleton from the sinkhole, then that must be how you know about M.X.E.S. It would explain how you all knew about the entity and the security system. Lash glances back at the blueprint, realizing the depth of the mystery unfolding before him.
After breaking breakfast, we went to school. When we arrive, Speed comes to us with superspeed and hugs Lash.
Speed: Lash! I'm so happy you're alive!
Lash grins as he sees Speed approaching with superspeed and giving him a tight hug. He chuckles, feeling relieved to see his best friend.
Lash: Hey, Speed! I'm glad to see you too, buddy.
Speed: I told Embrick you are going to save him in the abandoned Pizzaplex. But I saw him outside of the school waiting for you all night. He told he wasn't being kidnapped and wasn't in the Pizzaplex as I now realized you were tricked. I try to call you, but no signal.
Lash nods, a mixture of gratitude and relief on his face. He appreciates Speed's concern and loyalty, but also knows that he messed up and fell for the trap.
Lash: Thanks for believing in me, man. Yeah, I'm fine, but I made a rookie mistake. I got tricked into going there by something pretending to be Embrick. It was some damn good mimicry.
Speed: No problem, man.
Lash's expression hardens as he notices the crowd gathering around us, chanting for us to fight. The video has obviously spread like wildfire, and now students are eager for a round two. Lash feels the humiliation and anger rising within him. He clenches his fists, his eyes locked on you.
He hates being the center of attention like this, especially when it's in a negative way. He turns to you, his voice cold and determined.
Lash nods, agreeing to face off with you after school, far away from any teachers or authorities.
Lash: Alright, let's do this after school, where no one can stop us. You're going down, Embrick.
Embrick: shocked Wha...
Lash pushes through the crowd of eager students, heading straight for the school entrance. He can feel the excitement building around him as word spreads about the planned fight. The students are practically buzzing with anticipation. Embrick was standing there, shocked and scared. Lash wants to fight him after school after everything Lash did for him: Lash's in the ruined Pizzaplex to find "him" last night and the two step brothers finally become friends the day after that.
After the first period, I was hiding in the entire second period with my invisibility so Lash won't find me. Lash arrives at the weight room, his mind focused on training and getting stronger for the upcoming fight. He approaches the punching bag, a fierce determination etched on his face. With powerful swings, he begins to pummel the bag, channeling his frustration and anger into each punch.
Speed: Yeah, Lash! Get stronger to fight your stepbrother!
Lash pauses in his relentless assault on the punching bag, noticing Speed enter the room. He wipes the sweat off his brow and turns to his friend.
Lash: Yeah, I'm really gonna beat his ass this time. I can't believe he made me look like a fool in that video.
Speed: Yeah! That twerp deserves an ass kicking.
Lash sits in class with you during third and fourth periods, still feeling the adrenaline from the upcoming fight. He keeps casting sidelong glances at you, trying to psych you out and intimidate you before the after school brawl.
Lash leans over, his voice low and menacing.
Lash: You better be ready for what's coming, Embrick. After school, you're going down. No holding back.
Lash watches as your skin turns gray again, noticing the change. It's something he hasn't seen before, and it only adds to his determination and curiosity.
Lash: What's with the skin color change, huh? Are you gonna try some new trick this time? It won't save you.
Lash watches you sit at a different table with other students during lunch, his gaze fixed on you. He can't believe you're avoiding him. He clenches his fists in frustration, his anger rising as he sees you enjoying yourself with others.
The final bell rings, signaling the end of school for the day. The air is heavy with anticipation as students start to make their way outside, sensing the impending battle between Lash and you. Lash pushes his way through the crowd, his mind razor-focused on the fight ahead.
Lash stands outside the school, a mixture of anger and adrenaline coursing through his veins. He looks around, searching for any sign of you. Minutes pass, and you're nowhere to be found. Lash clenches his fists, his patience wearing thin. He paces back and forth, growing more and more restless, eager to let his pent-up frustration loose in the fight.
Lash stands there in disbelief, his anger reaching its boiling point. The students around him murmur in surprise, realizing you're not going to show up for the fight. Lash can't believe it. He waited all this time, only to be left with a case of blueballs.
Many students left the school, disappointed that there was no fight. Lash storms out of the school campus, seething with anger and frustration. He can't believe you stood him up like this. He was ready for a fight, to prove himself and assert his power, but now he's left feeling like a chump.
While heading home to find me, Lash watches the video again. He sees my comment and saids, "You need to delete the video! I regret fighting with Lash, got us in trouble and felt humiliated. Just please delete this! I love my brother so much!" Lash reads your comment, feeling a pang of surprise. He watches the video once more, now with a different perspective. He had no idea how much regret and embarrassment you had. It's a side of you he hadn't seen before.
Lash arrives at home and see his parents.
Pyro: Hey, figlio. How's school?
Lash forces a smile, trying to hide his frustration and humiliation.
Lash: School was fine... just the usual, you know.
He glances over at Yuki, feeling a mix of guilt and annoyance about the whole situation.
Yuki: Well, okay. Your brother is in his room.
Lash nods, his expression hardens at the mention of you. He heads upstairs to your room, knocking on the door.
Embrick: C-Come in...
Lash pushes open the door, stepping into your room with a serious expression. He looks at you for a moment, his anger bubbling just below the surface.
Embrick: Oh...hi Lash...
Lash stands in the doorway, his arms crossed as he takes in your presence. He looks at you, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Lash: So, care to explain why you didn't show up for the fight?
Embrick: I...I...don't want to fight you...
Lash scoffs, his irritation only growing.
Lash: You didn't want to fight? After all that talk and bravado? You made me look like a complete fool, standing me up like that.
Embrick: I'm...I'm sorry...
Lash steps closer to you, his voice growing harsher.
Lash: Sorry? You're sorry? That's not good enough. You embarrassed me, made me look weak and pathetic in front of everyone. That video is what all people are talking about at school.
Embrick: You're not weak and pathetic...I'm really sorry. What do you want me to do?!
Lash closes the distance between you and stares you down, his gaze intense.
Lash: What do I want you to do? I want you to fight me. Prove that you're not just some coward who talks a big game. Fight me, here and now.
Embrick: N-No!
Lash clenches his fists, his temper flaring at your refusal.
Lash: No? You're really gonna say no? You're just going to back down like some spineless coward?
Embrick: I don't want to fight you!
Lash scoffs, his irritation and disbelief reaching a boiling point.
Lash: Why not? Are you scared? Afraid you'll get your ass kicked like last time?
Embrick: I-I-I don't want to fight you anymore...
Lash takes a step closer, towering over you.
Lash: Why not? You're giving up so easily? What happened to your arrogance? Your confidence? You were all big talk before, now you're just cowering in fear.
Embrick: W-Why are you acting like this?! I thought we were friends!
Lash sneers, his expression hardening further.
Lash: Friends? You really think we're friends? You humiliated me, made a fool out of me in front of the whole school. Friends don't do that to each other.
Embrick: I'm...I'm sorry...
Lash grits his teeth, his anger still burning bright.
Lash: Your apologies don't mean anything. Actions speak louder than words, and you've shown me your true colors. A friend wouldn't have stood me up like that, made me a laughingstock. You're not my friend.
I began shaking badly, twitches, tearing some of my hair out and banging my head on the wall brutally. Lash's eyes widen in shock as he witnesses your sudden and volatile reaction. He had expected defiance or more excuses, but this...this was something else entirely. Concern and confusion flicker across his face, and he takes a step closer, his anger momentarily forgotten.
Lash: Woah, hey, what...what are you doing?
Lash's heart skips a beat as he sees you smashing your head into the desk. Concern takes over his features, and he quickly grabs you to stop you from harming yourself further.
Lash: Hey, stop that! What the hell are you doing?!
Embrick: sobbing Please let me go!
Lash holds onto you firmly but gently, preventing you from hurting yourself further.
Lash: No, I'm not letting you go until you tell me what the hell is going on with you. Why are you acting like this?
Embrick stop and wrapped my arms around Lash, hugging him while he was still crying.
Embrick: I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you feel like a fool! I just don't want to fight with you anymore! I'm trying to be happy, try to be your friend and try to be your younger brother!
Lash hesitates for a moment, taken aback by your sudden embrace and the raw emotion in your voice. He feels the tension in his chest loosen slightly, his anger giving way to a hint of confusion and vulnerability.
Lash: You...you're trying to be my friend? After everything that's happened?
Embrick: Y-Yes! I really love you, "big bro!"
Lash's eyes widen in surprise as you call him "big bro" for the first time. He feels a strange stirring in his heart, a mixture of shock and a hint of affection he didn't know he had. He tries to brush it off, his tough guy persona still in place, but the effect is undeniable.
Lash: You...you call me "big bro"?
Embrick: Y-Yes...
Lash stares at you for a moment, a flicker of vulnerability passing across his face. He swallows hard, struggling to maintain his cool facade.
Lash: Why...why are you doing this? Why are you acting so differently all of a sudden?
Embrick: After you were saved and survived from the abandoned Mega Pizzaplex, I started to worry about you almost getting killed by the endoskeleton and the corrupted animatronics and I started to miss you. I began enjoying you and Speed bullying the weak students yesterday. I decided to change and be a happy person for you.
Lash's expression softens slightly as he listens to your explanation. He can feel his anger and defensiveness slowly melting away, replaced by a subtle sense of surprise and...something else. Understanding? Respect? It's hard to tell.
Lash: You...you changed because of me?
Embrick: Yeah. I started hanging out with you yesterday and you risked your life trying to save "me" from the sinkhole, which is the endo pretend to be me to lure you, really cared about me.
Lash's tough guy exterior falters for a moment, his expression shifting as he registers your words. He had been so focused on his own anger and ego that he hadn't really considered the fact that you had been worried about him. The idea that you cared about his well-being, even after everything that had happened between you...
Lash: You...you were worried about me?
Embrick: Yes.
Lash's expression becomes more contemplative, his anger slowly replaced by a mixture of surprise and vulnerability. He looks at you, really looks at you, for the first time. The anger and arrogance have faded, replaced by a hint of softness.
Lash: Why? After everything I've done to you, why would you worry about me?
Embrick: You were being tricked by the endo, so me and Freddy will save you, worried you'll get killed and I started to miss you, my older stepbrother.
Lash looks at you, his eyes studying yours intently. There's a hint of something there, an emotion he can't quite place. He feels a strange mixture of surprise and even a touch of warmth at your words.
Lash: So you really missed me... Even after everything I've put you through, you still...care?
Embrick: Yes.
Lash gently reciprocates the hug, still trying to process the mix of emotions coursing through him. He doesn't understand why your sincerity is affecting him so much, making him feel a sense of vulnerability and connection he's never experienced before. He finds himself holding you tighter, the tough guy act completely forgotten.
Lash: I...I still don't understand why you forgive me so easily...
Embrick: I think you deserve forgiveness.
Lash nods as an agreement as we continue hugging, becoming friends again. Hours later at night, Embrick, Lash and their parents were sleeping. Lash enters your room quietly, finding you sound asleep. He takes a moment to just watch you, his expression more soft and vulnerable than usual. He contemplates for a moment before making a climbs into bed next to you, carefully trying not to wake you up. As he lays down next to you, he feels a sense of closeness and protectiveness that he's never experienced before. He tries to ignore it, but the feeling lingers nonetheless.
Episode 18 ends.
Hey everyone. I hope you enjoy Episode 18. Lash wants to fight Embrick for humiliating him from the last fight. But, Lash realizes Embrick really cares about and misses him, makes Lash decide to not fight him and promises to be a good friend with him. Stay tuned for Episode 19! :)