Eth3alFlame

This again, huh? Rainbow would have sighed externally if he could. Wonder what they want me to fix now.

Ringing echoed in his ears as thunder took whatever sounds were happening outside. Rainbow couldn’t even see, as his eyes were closed. That didn't stop the lightning from dying his vision red. The ringing faded as the lightning stopped. Tingling in his hands and feet faded as his energy settled into place once more. The energy around him didn't move, trapping him. Rainbow didn't mind the small seconds of peace, he'll take it before he is once more ordered around.

Gave him time to make sure he was okay. He could feel his body, though he couldn't move any part just yet. He couldn't tell anything was wrong mentally. Two plus two is four, the square root of four is two. His energy was fi-

Rainbow would've frowned if he could.

Something about the energy felt wrong. Like a piece was missing. Was he created with a missing crystal? Was that possible? Best not to say anything to the Leaders if it isn't visible. The last thing he wants is to be immediately destroyed because he was created wrong. It wasn’t a large piece missing, not even a quarter, but the fact some energy was missing at all was a cause for concern. He’ll have to test his powers by himself under the guise of training. See if anything went-

The energy that held him vanished. Ah, his few seconds of peace will be missed.

Rainbow opened his eyes, only to be greeted with blurry vision. He blinked once, twice, as the floor went from a blurry mess of yellow to– oh, it was gold. A good conductor of energy. Iron could be seen on the edge of his vision. Lab like. Googles? He would know how to build something to combine the Crystals to create him. It made the scene when he raised his head even more confusing. Grass, with the occasional flower patch, only broken up by the occasional dirt path. Large hills bowing inwards and out of sight, with colorful portals dotted about. That wasn't what drew his attention. Rather, the two people in front of him did. One vaguely familiar.

“Judge?” Even with the…odd outfit choice, there was no other person that held the strange tan skin and blindfold. It was more concerning that whatever was going on, the Chromatics managed to reel Judge into helping. And where was his hammer? He always had that thing on him, except that brief point where he and Colle had it.

Judge frowned, glancing back at their Orange Steve companion, who shrugged. Judge looked back at him, confusion evident in his tone when he asked, “Who?”

Rainbow blinked. That was Judge's appearance (not including the clothes), but something about the voice sounded…off. The Orange Steve tugged on Not-Judge’s sleeve, leaning in to whisper something.

“I mean, that's a good idea. Yell if you need help.” Not-Judge gave the Orange Steve a nudge, and then the Orange Steve was off. It was..odd, to have a Steve seem to not care that he was there. Most couldn't help but stare, even if Rainbow hated it.

So the fact this Steve didn't care was odd and concerning. Usually anytime a Steve didn't care about the ‘Hero’ was if something majorly wrong was happening. Yet…nothing looked wrong.

“So…not Judge,” Not-Judge made a face. “Where…am I?” After all, he didn’t recall this landmark in any of his past existences.

“The Rainbow Hub!” Not-Judge lunged, grabbing his hand—which why in Origin was he so cold?—and pulled him along. “Orange built it as a central location!” All the Orange Steves help build this? “If any Steve needs help, the portal will activate and bring us to their location!”

Multicolored eyes slowly panned from portal frame to portal frame. “All of them are lit.” Not-Judge faltered in his steps, rubbing a hand against his neck, face flipping through several expressions.

“Ah, yeah.” An awkward laugh. “It's been…difficult lately…but hey! Now you're here!”

Right. Rainbow almost forgot that's what he was here for. Fight, then be separated until he's needed to fight once more. He doesn’t know why he was expecting differently.

Not-Judge was still talking, pulling him along once more as their other hand waved around as he spoke. Rainbow couldn't even fault them for delegating the fighting to him at first chance. If he's anything like his creator—Judge had to be his Creator considering they look exactly alike— Not-Judge probably hated being in the center of everything. They passed a pavilion, with the Orange Steve resting on the steps, petting a pig. Not-Judge was still talking, this time to the Steve. He briefly caught the word statue.

Did he ever run out of air? It was honestly impressive.

Rainbow gazed at the surroundings. There…wasn’t much admittedly. Lots of plant life, the pavilion they were now by, paths leading to stone steps that rose to the portals. Portals, which now that he was out of the machine so he could see, surrounded them in a circle, like the hills that hid the horizon from them. His eyes found what he assumed to be the statue. A lot taller than expected, though it was white, which he wasn’t too surprised about.

A hand waved in front of his face.

Rainbow jolted, leaning back. Not-Judge was leaning into his personal space, concern clear on his face. “You okay, Chief?” An awkward laugh. “I mean if you’re not at one hundred we should probably check that out but I just, well, no offense Orange, but you're not really a fighter, you know?” The Orange Steve nodded. Was…was his name Orange? “And I know Light is trying to help but well, we haven't seen him in a bit so I guess I got excited at having another Fighter and-”

Not-Judge rambles, Rainbow noted. A lot.

A simple hand raising had Not-Judge slowly stop talking. “Another fighter?” Rainbow was always the fighter, so what did this person mean by ‘another’.

The two looked genuinely confused. The pig gave an oink. “Well yeah? There's me-”

What?

“You?”

Not-Judge gave a pinched look. “Well yeah? I mean, I'm not the greatest but-”

“You…don't mind…” What was the word Judge always used? “Intervening?”

The Orange Steve—Orange, if he is to be believed—gave a snort. Even the pig looked amused.

“No? I mean, why would I?” Not-Judge frowned. “I mean, if someone needs help you just…help.” He waved his hands through the air. “And I mean sure, sometimes it isn't fun,”

“Chores.” Orange have an exhausted sigh.

“Chores,” Not-Judge shivered at the apparently dreaded word. “but like, what sort of person would just stand on the sidelines and just…watch? If someone needs help you just, do!”

Rainbow couldn't help but stare. This had to be a joke. Judge-lookalike asking who would just watch, and seems…involved. Genuinely involved. Plus with others helping. Not one but, from the sounds of it, two fighters?

The violet crystal gave him a clear view on what Not-Judge was feeling, especially with the hand holding they still had going on. Rainbow faintly wondered if Not-Judge even realized. He was expecting the usual mix of emotions—guilt, worry, panic, fear, delight— when someone lies, yet that's not what the Violet Crystal told him. Just excitement, hope, a concerning amount of worry, and, most surprisingly, love. Not any specific type, but just...love.

Rainbow faintly wondered if someone was attacking, as the ground suddenly felt mildly unstable underneath his feet. This dude, and Orange, if it was the same response, just genuinely wanted to help.

“Oh.”

—

Not-Judge was apparently called Sabre, Rainbow found out not even minutes later.

The way he found this out was started out by lightning rapidly striking a portal Rainbow didn't see. Rather than any sort of color for a Chromatic, the portal was just pure white.

The two of them stared at the sudden influx of energy for a brief second, and then Sabre was off, calling for Orange to follow… before briefly tacking on Rainbow's name as well.

Just Rainbow. Not Rainbow Steve, or Hero. Just…Rainbow.

Looking back on it now, Rainbow could note that there was zero hesitation. No second glances at him, waiting for him to lead. All that happened was that lightning struck the open portal, and Sabre was running. It took his brain a few seconds to process the sudden departure. When he saw Orange Steve running to the portal as well, did Rainbow realize he should probably follow.

The portal felt like water as he jumped through. His lungs were unable to breathe and as cold encompassed him. As if he dove headfirst into icy water. It reminded him of the Winter Steves.

His vision cleared, allowing him to see more grass, with the occasional hill in this distance with a tree line off to the side. Blue skies, green grass, white clouds, and black beings surrounding two Steves. One that was pure white (what kind of Steve was that) and a Yellow Steve.

Darkness. That was Darkness.

Rainbow couldn't help but stare. How? How was it back? Colle helped him defeat Seer, locking him away in the void for good. There shouldn't be any Darkness.

“Hey,” The Orange Steve gave a shaky smile when Rainbow turned to him. There was no white cladded person next to him. Rainbow glanced around, yet he couldn't spot the white clothing of Not-Judge. Where was he? “Listen uh,” He didn't need the Violet Crystal to sense the fear in the Orange Steve. It was visible in his eyes quite clearly. “I know, it's uh, kinda scary at first but-” Eyes glanced to stare behind him, widening. “Sabre!”

Rainbow spun, briefly thinking, ‘who?’ as lightning flickering between his hands.

Darkness was converging on the small group, now with Not-Judge (was Sabre his name?) darting around as if he was a Yellow Steve hopped up on caffeine.

‘Another Fighter’ echoed in his head. ‘Fighter’.

Rainbow gave a muffled curse, darting into the fight. Unlike the two Steves, Sabre, if the Orange Steve was to be heard correctly, had no armor. All it would take would be one wrong move with just enough fear—which fighting for your life gave plenty—and it was over. Darkness took root in fear and doubt, but could only grow if there was actual Darkness to make it blossom. Fighting for your life against Darkness was a recipe for corruption.

Sabre was taking most of the Darkness’ attention, yelling insults and taunts without pause. Slipping between reaching grasps and spinning around, evading. That didn't stop one from slinking closer from behind. It was only because of Orange’s cry that he spun to face them, and in turn seeing the Darkness that was slinking closer behind.

“Go!” Sabre tucked and rolled out of the Darkness' reach as Rainbow reached them. “Orange will teleport you away!” Was he really telling him to- The two Steves darted past, the yellow one dragging the white one away.

Oh, Sabre wasn't talking to him. That made more sense.

Rainbow grabbed Sabre's arm, yanking him close as bolts of energy had lightning striking down around them. Striking the Darkness that reached for his newest companion. In seconds it was gone, only leaving Sabre pressed close to him, wild hair and messed up clothes. The contact allowed him to sense no Darkness in him. Rainbow pretended that fact didn't make his legs weak.

Sabre stumbled forward out of his hold, shoulders tensed. He spun around, head on a swivel as his wooden- Wait a second. There is no possible way the Steves were having this dude fight with a wooden sword.

“What is that?”

Sabre followed his gaze to the offending item. “My sword?”

World Below, he can't be serious. Rainbow didn't bother giving him a reply. Energy pooled from the Orange- energy faltered. Rainbow's concentration fading away as he realized. Half the Orange Crystal was gone. He must of made a face, since Sabre gave a pinched look. “Rainbow?” Sabre asked. “You alright?”

Rainbow nodded. He'll have to figure out what happened to half of the Orange Crystal later. Maybe part of the energy was still in the machine? “You need a better sword.” Please let the distraction work.

“What's wrong with it!” Thank Origin it did.

“It's wood.”

“It works!”

“You're beating the Darkness to death with a stick.”

Another voice piped up. “You…did it.” Rainbow turned. The Yellow Steve was staring at him, eyes wide. Hope was evident in his expression. A jarring difference compared to his physical state. His leather chest plate was scored with deep scratches, hair falling out of his ponytail in random clumps. Dirt caked his clothes, with several minor cuts dripping golden blood.

“Why do you sound surprised?” The White one this time, looking a little worse for wear as he was being patched up by Orange. Creation powers were apparently useful to create first aid supplies, if a Green Steve was unavailable.

The monotone voice paired well with the emotionless expression. A part of a spear rested in his grasp, snapped in half.

“Oh God, Light!” Sabre zipped past him, sliding to a stop by the White Steve. Light? What sort of name was that? “Sorry it took so long the Darkness was trying to get into the hub and then apparently the statue could become alive and-” Rainbow tuned him out.

Not like the Judge at all.

Rainbow sighed, but slipped past the Yellow Steve, who followed, approaching the trio. “Here.” Rainbow knelt down, calling on the Green Crystal. Thankfully, that one wasn't missing a chunk of it.

Green glow coated his hands, and in seconds the injuries were healed. “Oh.” Orange stared down at the large cut he was trying to patch up. Even Light stared with wide eyes. Rainbow didn't bother, merely standing up, dusting his pants off. “I didn't sense Darkness in or on you, so you should be fine.”

“Oh Light can't be corrupted!”

“Light’s one of the few that can't be taken by the Darkness.”

Rainbow stared. Waiting for them to admit the joke. They didn't. “Pardon?” He asked, once the silence dragged on for too long.

“Sabre and I are immune.” Light pushed himself off the ground, investigating the once cut arm. Sabre nodded in agreement. Rainbow's gaze flitted between the small group, waiting for the joke.

There was no way.

He pointed to Light. "How?”

Light blinked. “Light Crystal.” Was his explanation.

“The what.”

“Oh!” Sabre grinned. “I made a crystal!”

Rainbow took a deep breath. How. There was no possible way. The nods of agreement the others gave suggested otherwise.

“How?” Yep. Definitely going to get a headache.

He pinched the brow of his nose. The Green Crystal would take care of any headache he would gain, but he had a feeling this group was going to manage to surpass that. “So, let me be straight,” Sabre snorted. He ignored it. “You,” A point to Sabre. “Created a crystal. And somehow, he,” A point to Light. “Fused with it.”

“Was originally to combat Dark.” Sabre nodded.

"Who?" Yep. Absolutely going to be able to get a migraine.