Mommy Moth

--

Vermin shrieked. Her fists pounding relentlessly at the darkness that encased her. Claws scraping, chipping as she tried to escape. Thin wires attempted to restrain her but she swatted them away continuing to hammer at the walls that encased her. 

She needed to get out. If she was forced into her true form. She'd never make it out of her game. 

A crack.

A thin sliver spilled light into the darkness that enveloped her. Desperately she clawed at it, sharp nails digging into the walls that imprisoned her as she pried the opening up further. 

The thin wires around her plunged into her flesh, tearing parts of it off along with her wings while they tried to reign her in, but she wasn't about to be stopped now. 

The cocoon cracked and chipped away more and more. She got her torso out just as the sirens sounded. 

Her wide eyes snapping around to see various screens pop up around the throne room she was in. 

Their screens red and angry an emergency symbol on their display as they sounded the alert. 

Her game was being deleted. 

Her efforts became even more frantic. Desperately trying to pry her wounded tangled body out of the dark shell. 

A sound from above briefly paused her actions as the ceiling caved in. Dust and debris shattered to the floor as a large figure landed heavily onto the ground in front of the monarch. 

Standing tall the large robotic creature looked at the trapped virus. Its screen blank reflecting Vermin's own image back to herself. 

Reaching behind its back Player One unsheathed its sword. The golden blade's handle embroidered with a beautiful red ruby heart. 

Vermin's own heart sank as she stared in pure terror as the robot stepped forward. Claws once busy trying to free herself now coiled to shield herself. As the sound of the weapon slashing the air sounded Vermin winced

This was game over. 

But instead of feeling herself shatter, the binds around her slackened and she tumbled to the ground. 

Propping herself up on her hands her eyes flicked up to stare at Player One. The robot stared back briefly before sheathing their weapon and walking passed the queen. Taking a seat on the marble steps that lead to her throne. 

Their monitor reading only one word. 

"Go." 

An invisible arm roughed grabbed hold of Vermin, quickly dragging her to her feet as it rushed her out of the room. 

Arma slowly revealed herself as she assisted her mother in escaping. The castle around them was already starting to fade. Pixels dissipating into darkness as the code was erased. 

Having barely stepped a foot out into the courtyard Arma's grip on Vermin  disappeared. Glancing up at the chameleon Vermin's eyes widened in horror as the girl slowly vanished into a flurry of pixels. 

Without time to let the event sink in larges paws hoisted Vermin into soft arms. Azúcar sprinted with his mother in his grasp toward the games exit. Running as fast as he could as the game around them crumbled away. 

Vermin glanced back, her castle deteriorating into a flurry of pixels. Many more of her children sprinted from the falling castle tho most vanished along with it. Heavy foot falls thundering behind them as Sangre screeched in both agony and encouragement toward his sibling that held his mother before he disappeared into the void.

A flap of wings snapped Vermin's attention to a large dark colored avian that ran alongside them. Estrella keeping pace with her brother as they fled. On her back a small red and white dinosaur. 

Nearing the exit a loud squawk of pain sounded as Estrella crumpled to the ground. A pile of pixels where she once stood and the small creature that was once on her back watched helplessly as Azúcar kept running. 

Azúcar couldn't stop. He couldn't go back despite his mothers screams and cries. 

He had to protect his queen. That's what he was programmed form. 

A shiver ran down the werewolf's spine as he felt himself fading. He couldn't stop running though, paws digging into the soil.

Glancing down to his mother the canine gave her tear stained face a soft lick before gripping her in one paw tightly and hurling her body out the of the game. Vermin flew passed the threshold separating her home and the GCS. Her body landing roughly onto the cool title floor of the station. 

Her eyes snapped up to catch the last few dust like particles as the game faded to black. 

Chaos was all around her but Vermin laid still. The entrance to her game to her home was gone. Staggering to her feet her emotions quickly caught up to her. Her heart tightening and feeling like it would burst from the pressure in her chest. Tears cascaded down her cheeks as soft cries broke out of her.  

A wave of sprites shoved passed her. Screaming and rushing as the entire server began to shut down. The crowd sweeping the distraught and disoriented queen with them into the wires that let to the internet. 

Crimson eyes locked to the once entrance of her home until it she was teleported away. 

---

"Vermin?" Vermin's eyes snapped to attention as she jumped from her resting position. She was seated in front of a large vanity mirror. In the reflection Virility stared back at her. “You where spacing out.” The mantid commented as he draped himself over Vermin’s shoulders. Resting his cheek against hers. The virus stiffed slightly at the touch though didn’t push the anti-virus away this time. “You that nervous about tonight?”

Vermin stared at their reflection for a while. “I’m fine.” She muttered as she pried herself from his grasp and got to her feet.

“It’s ok to be nervous~” Virility teased lightly as he brushed back a lock of Vermin’s hair. “First night is always the hardest but with your skills and looks you’ve got nothing to worry about.” Giving him an eye roll Vermin nodded

“Let’s just get this over with.” She sighed presenting her wrists to the anti-virus who quickly snapped handcuffs on to them. Walking out toward the center stage that housed a large bird like cage with a center silver pole in the middle Virility held open the door for Vermin as she stepped inside.

“You’ll do great.” He chirped as he locked the cage with a pretty golden heart shaped lock. Pocketing the key into one of the folds of her rose petals as he stepped away. 

--

"Please just try to breath." Insulin's soft voice was barely above a whisper as he attempted to soothe his frantic master.

Gold claws lashed out swiping at him and ripping open his shoulder. The rabbit flinched back and quickly applied pressure to his new wound. 

"I AM BREATHING!" Vermin screeched. Her pupils slits, her chest heaving and her body trembling. She was erratic, fear prevalent in her eyes. Her hands flew to her hair, gripping the locks as she continued pacing around the room. The crimson antenna crowning her head curled so tightly against her skull they practically vanished in the sea of black hair. 

She was distraught and despite knowing he'd be lashed at again the hare tried his best to help her keep a level head. 

"Please..my queen, try to remain cal--" A slap sent the rabbit flying into a nearby wall. His body crashing into it violently and leaving a crater from the force of the blow. 

"HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO BE CALM?!? THAT WAS THE EIGHTH HOST THIS WEEK!" 

Vermin was hyperventilating her hands raking across her face as tears poured from her crimson eyes. 

"HE'S KILLING THEM! HE'S KILLING THEM! THAT FUCKING BASTARD AND SHE'S HELPING I KNOW SHE IS!!" 

Prying himself from the wall Insulin grunted softly rubbing his broken cheek bone and sighing. 

"We've planned for this.." 

"SHE'S HELPING THEM!" 

"Vermin.."

"THAT TRAITOR THAT TRAITOR THEY'LL FIND THEM ALL THEY'LL KILL THEM ALL!" 

"Vermin..."

"I'LL LOSE THEM I'LL LOSE THEM IL--," A sharp gasp tore through the monarch. She gripped her head with one hand while the other hovered over her now glowing chest gem. The stone shining brightly before dulling back to its normal state. Vermin winced and hissed with pain.

"Vermin.." Insulin reached out, but his paw was smacked away. Vermin trembled shaking down to her very code. She had a far off look in her eye, one the rabbit was all too familiar with. A gaze she had when she was looking through a host's eyes. 

"Vermin...what is it?" 

"The server..." 

The hare stared at her briefly but quickly the gears in his head began to turn. This wasn't boding well and with Vermin's state he knew he had to take charge. So despite his injuries he straighten himself and stood taller with confidence. Looking at his fear filled master, the viral entity he owed everything too, he spoke with a gentle but firm tone. 

"We planned for this. I know you never liked the idea or thought we'd ever had to resort to it but we have the resources. This isn't game over Vermin." 

Vermin's eyes flicked to the rabbit's. He visibly flinched from her intense gaze. Her breathing was still irregular but had calmed slightly. She ran a claw up her face lightly. 

"....Yes it is.." she mumbled softly. "..she's going to delete me. They figure it out, everything, she'll use them and I can't.." Vermin's teeth clenched as she tensed up her chest glowing again and she shook from the effort to not fall over in agony.

"We planned for this." Approaching Vermin, Insulin carefully grabbed hold of her hand. She didn't pull away or strike at him this time.

"We planned for this," he sounded like a broken record at this point but he knew he had to keep repeating it to her, remind her and reassure her. He gave her hand a firm squeeze. 

"Let's get moving. We need to leave before Creator deletes the game from the main server. Is she close?" He paused glancing back at Vermin who remained silent eyes glazing over as she dug herself deep into her thoughts. "Vermin," crimson eyes raised to stare at the off colored red and black ones. "You need to focus, if Creator is using her friends we don't really know what we're up against. Is she close to the main server?" 

A soft nod. 

"Lets get going then we can't waste anymore time." Dragging Vermin behind him Insulin marched toward the exit. Pulling up a small screen while doing so. "I can't save much but I'll try to take as much as I can right now. Starting over won't be easy but with some help" He swiped the code into his files and turned with a confident smile. "It'll be manageable." 

Vermin didn't speak as they rushed out of the castle. Not enjoying the silence Insulin sucked in a deep breath and tried to think positively. 

"It won't be so bad my lady.." he squeezed her palm as they exited the massive castle. "We'll be fine, and once we find a place I'll come back and grab who I can." 

Exiting their game Vermin fumbled tripping as she clasped her free hand to her chest. Letting out a cry of pain as she doubled over. Pulling her through the threshold out into GCS Insulin's brows knitted together. "You have to push through it my queen. Come we have to leave the server." 

Trembling Vermin slowly stood up straighter and nodded faintly.

Suddenly a tall shadow cast over them and Insulin turned just in time to receive a punch to his already broken cheek sending her tumbling backward. 

"Argh! what the hell!" He screamed clutching his face and glaring at the tall intimidating figure. 

The tan skinned, teal teeth covered, blonde muscular male scoffed and brushed off the rabbit without a care. 

"Out of my way freak." Victor growled as he glared down at Vermin who only mimicked his stare back at him. 

Tsking she straightened herself up a bit more. Trying to hide her pain and predicament. 

"You're still alive?" She spat venomously eyes flicking to Insulin who shrank back a bit. "Figures..one betrayal after another.." The hare nervously scratched at the exposed muscles and veins that made up the back of his neck. 

Victor cracked his neck as he stared down at Vermin, his cerulean eyes holding a fearsome rage. "You look to be in a hurry, funny so am I, so I'll make this fast and simple for the both of us." Victor's wrist clicked and a long thin needle shot free from under the skin of the bottom of his palm. Vermin's glare faltered. 

Wait. 

That’s.. 

A lunge and a swipe. Victor's extended arm just cementers from Vermin's chest gem was caught firmly in Insulin's grasp. Vermin trembled and took a step back. Fearful eyes bouncing from one tall figure to the other. 

Insulin's off colored eyes stared at Victor, his iris flooded with a cocktail of various emotions. Stifling them down he tightened his grip.

A huff of annoyance escaped the large man's throat before he smiled.

"Nice catch rabbit." A sharp elbow suddenly smacked the bunny butler in the face sending him reeling back and Victor took his chance. Closing the space between him and Vermin the needle from his arm scrapped viciously against her ruby heart.

A loud crack rang out throughout the station. 

A wicked grin of delight spread across the centipede virus' face as he plunged the needle deeper into the queen's chest. The fractured heart glowing a violent red and cracking further from the pressure. 

It was too much. Too much. 

Abruptly, massive shadow hands suddenly clamped down violently around Vermin. Taking part of Victor's arm with it as it wrapped the queen up tightly into a cocoon of darkness and dragged her shrieking form back to her game. 

---

The repetitive beat of the song, lulled Vermin back into her reality. She sat calmly in the club watching as various sprites from her new home and other games danced and moved to the tune. 

“Vermin you in or what?” Her red eyes lazily swiped to look at her coworkers who sat next to her. The small fluffy pink hair bee gave her an annoyed look for taking so long to respond. “Come on Mei-Mei is waiting for an answer.” She snapped.

Shaking her head Vermin declined the invitation. “I’m on duty tonight” She muttered though her voice was consumed by the loud music and noises of the club. The bee didn’t care though taking the head shake for the answer and simply sighing and nodding as she got to her feet.

“Whatever, see you tomorrow.” shouting over the music the bee brushed a hand over Vermin’s shoulder and made her exit.

---

The kitchen was small, cramped and smelled overly sweet.  Mouse sat at the small round table adorned with a pink flower printed table cloth, her palm gently twirling the pen in her grasp as she gazed down at the sheet of paper in front of her. Her two toned eyes flicked up to the gentleman seated in front of her. His massive hands draped elegantly over one another as he leaned against the table, golden eyes watching her intently.

A small scoff arose from Mouse's throat, "...I don't understand. Why on earth would you want Creator?" Mouse spoke clearly but her words were not her own. The viral entity inside her was holding the reigns.

Mr. Trickster smirked wickedly a deep chuckle rising out of him at the virus's words. 

"Funny I was going to ask you the same thing." He leaned back casually waving a hand as he spoke. "Your game’s almost complete right? You don't really need her anymore you have a small army to complete the tasks and besides," his hand slipped to the paper in between them, "I'm certain my mind is much more appealing than that of a cowering young woman."

"Don't be mean Tricky." Giggle huffed lightly from her position against the counter. The tall lanky clown frowning, "Mouse isn't a coward." 

Waving the pink clown off Mr. Trickster scoffed, "Whatever, I'm just saying I'm over three thousand years old, my mind is far more enlightening than that of a twenty something year old who doesn't even believe in fairy tales." 

Mouse's hand stopped twirling the pen as she leaned forward. "And you're really willing to offer up yourself for someone you think so lowly of?" 

A black clawed paw tapped at the paper knowingly. "It's all in the contract, just sign it and after you release Mouse I'm all yours." The last word was spoken with slight seduction the clown knew how to fight his battles. 

Leaning back Vermin seemed to ponder for a moment. Eyes lazily skimming the contract for the was most likely the millionth time in that evening alone. It was clean and clear and she would be receiving something and all it would take was releasing her hold on Creator. 

Straightening her posture Mouse grasped the pen tightly as she scrawled Vermin's signature onto the parchment. 

The page dissolving into a small puff of purple smoke as soon as she finished. Giggle clapped excited giving a small series of whoops of elation as she gathered up the helmets and laptop that sat on the counter.  

"Okay here you go," Giggle handed the helmet to Mouse who with ease slipped the device on. The pink clown had to assist Tricky in getting the piece of equipment on but eventually the two figured it out. 

"Fuck these things are clunky," Mr. Trickster hissed in dissatisfaction as he adjusted the helmets strap trying in vain to keep it from gauging into his neck. "Lets get this shit over with I want this crap off." He grumbled irritably as his paws danced across the laptops key board. 

Seeing him aggressively smack the small computer in frustration Mouse quickly pulled it to her side of the table. "Hitting it won't make it work, you'll just end up breaking it. Here, see? You double click and it'll start up the game." Tricky and Giggle both watched as she worked. Mr. Trickster letting out a low hmph of annoyance muttering something about figuring it out on his own.

"And Mouse will be fine right? Like she'll remember everything?" Giggle seemed a bit apprehensive as she watched intently, arms clasped behind her back as she shifted her weight to one leg, leaning her torso slightly. 

"That was part of the deal correct?" Vermin stated sharply, flicking a slightly annoyed look at the pink clad clown. Who only nodded vigorously not at all seeming affected by the virus's snark. 

"The get it over with already this damn thing is too tight." Mr. Trickster sighed with annoyance. scratching at the edge of the helmet. Mouse smiled and nodded quickly hitting start new game on the load up menu. 

"Shouldn't hurt too much." She sang softly as the demonic clown tensed slightly. She watched briefly as the device on his head whirled to life sinking the needles hidden on it's underside into her new hosts scalp. Feeding in her strain while simultaneously downloading the demon's information. 

Closing her own eyes Mouse’s body didn't even flinch as the device on her own head mimicked the action. Needles plunging into her skull as she felt herself slip free of the entity she inhabited. 

It was brief, maybe a minute maybe less, before Mouse tore the helmet off her head. Throwing it in a random direction the device cracked loudly against the hard tile floor. Blood oozing from the small wounds adoring her forehead. She scrambled back pushing herself to her feet and stumbling out of the chair she was in. Her hands flew to her head, her breathing ragged like she had run a marathon as she stared up at Giggle who hovered protectively over her. 

"shhh shhh it's okay it's okay." giggle cooed softly petting the small woman's damn forehead. Blood and sweat matting her hair to it. "You okay?" She mused softly, gently closing the space between her and her friend to give her a small embrace. 

Mouse stood still allowing the hug and gently returning it. Her wide eyes glancing around at everything in the small kitchen. Her once mismatched eyes now harmoniously the same color flicked between the various objects in the kitchen before her breathing finally slowed. She sagged heavily against Giggle. Pressing her head into the other's shoulder as she breathed in deeply, tears welling up in her eyes.  

"It's......quiet...." 

A loud laughter made the girl jump as she and Giggle turned to stare at Mr. Trickster. The helmet now set neatly in front of him on the table as he watched the two women thoughtfully. 

"Oooh myy what wonderful wonderful ideas So many lovey lovely thoughts and memories!" Vemin exclaimed loudly and joyfully through her new host. Golden eyes now both a bright red as he seemed to have a far off look in them. Mind lost in thought as the virus now coursing through him dug through his vast mind. 

Giggle straighten her self up and smiled warmly tugging Mouse closely as she swung her other arm behind her back sheepishly. "Sorry for misjudging you I really thought you'd make her lose all her memories or something awful!" Giggle exclaimed loudly with a small laugh hugging Mouse tighter to her stomach. 

Mouse looked up to her friend the same look of fear mixed trust and adoration she always had present in her now matching irises. She sank against her and wrapped her arms tightly around the thinner woman's waist. 

Mr. Trickster stifled his laughter briefly. "Oh but of course my dear. I always keep my side of the deal." She smiled broadly a smile filled with contentment, happiness. 

"That's great!" Giggle cheered excitedly.

"Too bad we don’t!" 

Without a falter in her normal giggling personality. Not a twitch on that soft warm smile on her lips. Her large eyes closed as she practically oozed love and warmth holding her friend close and tight. The clown swung her hand back in front of her revealing a pretty pastel pink pistol adored with various pastel themed deco charms aimed straight toward the demonic clown.

Before Vermin could even register what what happening a loud pop sounded and she felt herself torn from her host.

---

Jolting from her resting position Vermin panted loudly. Glancing around wildly for a moment as she tried to remember what was happening and where she was. Her clawed hand shook lightly as she rubbed her head looking toward the sound that had torn her from her memory.

The pink pastel anti-virus stood at her door. Giving her a quizzical look as he pulled his hand away from the hard wood that he had just knocked on. “You...good?” He asked quietly noticing her panicked expression. Shaking off the scare Vermin nodded, tapping her phone as she exited the file on it and turned back to Virility. “Yes.” Her voice was monotone and even as she hid her true emotions. “Did you need something?”

The flower themed mantid looked her over before nodding. “Yeaaa Emperor’s making a fool of himself again, Daddy wants you to--””Right I’m on it.” Cutting him off Vermin quickly rose to her feet. Pocketing her small smart phone she briskly walked past her coworker.