#rust moon

     Looking over each word came a pause at each paragraph with more questions than answers. He didn't understand for once. His efficient knowledge on things was at a fault and Glitch wouldn't accept that. Turning his head towards a book nearby, he couldn't help but clench it with his right hand. His eyes squinting shut as he frustratedly threw it towards the wall, picture frames collapsing and shattering to the floor in the process. Thank Scales the walls are soundproof. The book followed to the ground as Glitch started breathing heavily. His frustration was getting to him as he clenched his chest tightly.

     Coughing a few times, he felt low on oxygen gasping for air. Each puff feeling just as painful as the next. What felt like an hour soon Glitch finally calmed himself. His thought occupied about his children and family always brought comfort to help when stressed. Taking deep shallow breaths, he was able to settle the abrupt episode. Unfortunately despite the relief the puffy look in his eyes gave it away.

     'Must have been crying' he muttered to himself, feeling under his eyes to the wet patch underneath his left eye. His other nothing. Due to the damage done there from past incidents, he can’t physically cry in the eye. Being blind there did have its perks. A scar lathering half his face, neck, and body, cutting from his right elbow.

     Besides that note, Glitch straightened himself only now realising he was leaning against a wall. He stretched his aching back, before placing his glasses back on, adjusting them to proper fit.

     He isn't really that blind with them but puts glasses on anyway to hide the fact he's half blind in one eye. Only one person knows. He looked around the room to the damage he did sighing at his pitiful actions. He picked up each paper and book cover throwing them into the trash seeing no need to keep what has been done. He soon turned to the time before walking out his room, deciding to grab a coffee from the kitchen. He needed one...

     Dragging himself down towards the stairs, he could hear the small commotion coming from the living room. By the voices he could distinguish 3 people. Rust, Blade, and a lower voice, Hunter. The man didn't talk much but no one minded his limited speech. Standing next the living room entrance, arms crossed spotting two arguing over what looked to be laundry again.

     "I told you it's my turn today! ASSHOLE! You're on dishes today Blade!!" One who wore a red hoodie remarked, his ruined red scarf around their neck swaying at the motion of arms crossing over their chest. His heterochromia Red and Blue eyes glaring towards the other. Tear like black eyes stared back, scuffing with hands grasping the sides of their hips. A smirk evident on their face.

     "Well sorry~ that I didn't think to remember what boss told us not even 5 minutes ago Rusty"

     "He said clearly I was on Laundry duty and you're on dishes" His red circular soul floated aimlessly admitting a brighter red drippy glow as he barked back at Rust.

     The two seemed to bicker for a while back and forth, Glitch watched in slight amusement only did he spot a much bigger tall individual. Their big fluff and crack very distinguishable to see. This person went by Hunter. He is very sweet skeletronic, an amazing cook too. From the looks, discomfort was presented on his face from the fighting. Probably cause of the noise. Looking towards the big guy huddle onto his legs, posture lunched said it all. Sighing, Glitch could feel a headache arising as he wondered over to stop the two.

     "Get a hang of yourselves, your acting like children"

     Rust and Blade stopped in their tracks, eyes darting towards Glitch realising the others suddenly new presence in the room. They bowed apologetically as did Hunter seem to loosen up a little. It was getting a little rowdy after all. Glitch turned towards the two rubbing the bridge of his 'nose' before speaking up.

     "Why not share half and half or do the same chores together, they still get done either way plus keep it down a little, have a growing headache and don't wanna hear bickering at 7 in the morning"

     Both nodded their heads before turning back to the clothing and helping one another put them into piles. Hunter creeped a smile on his face at the calmer environment as he went back to petting his bunny in his lap. Feeling satisfied with his work, Glitch continued his way towards the kitchen and straight to the coffee machine. He stood spacing out as his thoughts seemed to unfold. The idea that Link could be stopped roamed rent free in his mind 24/7 sometimes made it difficult to sleep at night. The possibilities of nullifying and of his vials were one tough start. He already knew how to avoid the red and green ones but the others needed more further research. It also caught his attention at times that he could use the without his pen, so how did they get activated?

     Was it through the individuals personal magic coasted through the users hands?

     Or was it more psychologically activated?

     Glitch just wasn't sure, but all he could do was wait for the worst. Until the next battle would he have to time to analyse their movements once more.

     Based on facts, Link is the name of the new creator, his appearance made known 7 years ago. Wasn't actually too far off when Glitch started. The creator was at first alright until they broke the #1 rule... Protect. They been seen creating and leaving negative worlds or failed ones to die. Glitch is trying to prevent these as the Guardian of Destruction and Balance. Their signature weapon a long staff of sorts, it was never very visible to see with how fast reflexes both opponents carried. But one thing certain was their signature hat and armour. Silver chest armour, worn over a greyish-blue and sleeveless top. Their shoes strapped with metal belts and stilts for more bigger height. Bandages wrapped around his arms and black elbow sleeves over his biceps.

     Midst Glitches clouded thoughts, a hand caught his attention bringing him back to reality. His body flinching at contact, rapidly twisting his body towards the direction it came from. Upon turning, his eyes landed on Rust who looked up to him with worry casted on his face. Eyes and mouth furrowed with concern.

     "Are you alright Glitch? You look a little paler than usual?" Glitch paused for a second, collecting the right words to say not wanting to explain earlier situation. He put up a fake smile as he nodded in response. He was too tired to answer after that talk. Rust seemed to understand but couldn't help still feeling off about it. As the coffee machine finished brewing, Glitch poured his glass, offering Rust one but to their obvious denial. Rust has never been a drinker for coffee so they stick with coco a lot. Shrugging it off Glitch turned back with cup in hand and wonders to the table. Sitting down he takes deep breath he didn't realise he was holding before indulging in the taste of the drink. Flavours melted in his mouth as he felt warmth through his body. Relaxing was what you could call this. Every fibre of stress seemed to of dissipated like a breeze brushing by. He couldn't help but smile leaning his elbows onto the table.

    Rust watched from afar as his expression still didn't change. He genuinely was worried for his friend. He had seemed them like this before but each time never ended well. Thinking over, he grabbed a hot coco as he too joined Glitch at the table wanting answers. He slowly pulled the chair out beside the other trying not to interrupt them as he sat down gently. When seated, he pulled the chair forward getting just close enough to the table to reach his cup. Turning his attention towards Glitch, he watched with curiosity as the other seemed to in their own little world. Reaching a hand over, he graced over Glitches shoulder tapping it a little but not too quickly. Glitch jumped in response, their cup shaking a bit spilling some contents. Wide eyed he turns toward the other only to lighten a little at Rusts presence.

     "Don't scare me like that!!" Glitch nervously chuckled as one hand gripped his chest. Blame the stinging he was still feeling. He shrugged it off by taking small quiet breaths to help himself.

     "Apologies just being sure you really are alright you should get rest" Placing a hand on the others arm. Glitch looked at their hand feeling just shivers all over his body. He wasn't sure what was going on with his body.

     He tugged his arm away from Rust as he stood up walking away without a word. His hands crossed his arms feeling slight discomfort. Glitch still couldn't shrug the straining in his chest. Didn't think the stress from before went away.

     Not thinking, he went through a portal leading to the Abyss. He sat on a nearby path beside the scale of emotions. His hands holding his head as he tried processing everything. Not far off footsteps echoes closer and closer to his direction. Glitch didn't bother looking up before the back of his head was whacked harshly, causing him to

     topple over. A groan escaping his throat rubbing the back of his head in the progress. Glitch glared up hesitant at who it was. Eye sharpened, fear crawling up his arms.

     "Sorry Paradox, I haven't been doing my job was caught up in something"

     "that's no excuse boy, you must destroy these Aus I have assigned. We are 50 minutes behind schedule with evening out the balances. You know what happens when they are Imbalanced right?"

     Paradox turned, staring down at Glitch with his cane propped on their back. Glitch just nodded before getting back up onto his feet, scurrying into a portal to a new au.

     Toppling over the portal, his legs clattered to the soft layer of snow that piled the ground. His breath visible with a single breath, shivers coursed his body with the new change of temperature. They appeared to be in a snowy like au, the surroundings said it all. Glitch watching as the portal behind him closed, he gradually brought himself up, brushing the snow from his clothing.

     He groaned with the sudden clank in his leg, looking down he had jammed his prosthetic. He looked around frantically in hopes there was shelter nearby to his luck there was. He sighed with relief before rushing over and plopping onto the ground. He held his leg feeling the pain coursing through. Glitch analysed the prosthetic for any faculties to his doubt there was. He had got snow lodged between the joins to make it operate. He had no choice but to remove it.

     Plopping it next to himself, he leaned back onto the ground, looking up at the cloudy sky above. His eyes daunting at the slow movements as time went by. He could not recall how long he had spaced out observing the sky. His face felt wet as he rubbed his sockets with his sleeve. Why all the emotions? It just felt horrible. But this silence did help him escape the world.

     Their world wasn't one of sunshine and roses. It was torturous to say the least. His family... His real ones... Lost and dead. The only living one he knew was his baby sister, however they were stuck being in the body of a child. It hurt not seeing his sister grow up but at least he had them. He rummaged through his scarf pulling some string of sorts. Attached to this string, was a locket. To it was a worn out picture, the faces blurred but not the amount of people.

     "Mama...Dad...Lune..." Overwhelming feelings flowed his very core. Eyes closed biting down on his lower lip in the progress. His grip on the locket shaky as did the rest his body feel shivers down his spine. It was the only thing he could remember of his connection to his world over the 7 years. Shade worried for him quite often about it, same with Rust but Glitch didn't push it. He doesn't really know if he will ever find out.

    Tears stained his face as he crooked a dry sob. Feeling calmer with the touch of the cold snow below him. He propped himself sitting upwards as he adjusted his glasses, not before wiping them of course. He scanned around as he noticed and remembered why he was here. Glitch brushed up, ignoring the soaking snow all over his clothing, he ran straight into action finding the centre of the AU. Deeply regretting ever taking this position.

    Soon enough Glitch found himself pulling his aching body into a nearby building, it's structures crumbling and old. The AU was a vintage olden days theme so made sense of its houses made of brick and concrete. His footsteps echoed through the plated floors as he got to the centre of the house, inside he raised his hand brushing over his eye before a coded screen appeared. Binary all over and blank boxes floated around his head, acting as if he was on a computer, he tapped away at the screens analysing close as he tried to find what he came for.

    Breaking down each component seemed trickier the longer he pondered on the screens. His fingers tapping away and deleting. Various parts of the world slowly began to crumble with the speed of his fingers. His major focus only on the screens, ignoring the faint screams. It hurt deep down each and every time he had to do this but it was assigned by Paradox.

    Halfway through deletion, a darker presence could be sensed lingering not too far from his position. Seeming to of manifested from thin air. This didn't settle well with Glitch as he continued tapping away.

    Upon reaching the last few security codes, he watched as the screen cleared everything but one button. Core. He smiled a slight satisfied grin as he inched closer to pressing the final coding. However a sharp slash down his side pulled him out his focused gaze. He reached to cover his new wound as he jumped back. His eyes squinting in stinging pain as he looked up to someone he dared not to see.

    "Link" Glitch gritted his teeth, disgusted at the very words leaving his mouth. He growled under his breath, watching the other swing a pen like staff from their back. The tip, as sharp as a calligraphy pen, the fixed pointy nib at the top giving it away. A sneaky grin planted on their scared face. Silver armour coated in a light layer of snow. His eyes pierced into glitches direction with intents to kill. Glitch tried steadying himself up as his arm ached and pulsed pained signals through his body. He didn't take eye contact off the others foul intentions. Reaching to his left eye, he pulled his fingers down, retracting stings to his tips. Glitch took a defensive yet offensive stance as Link stood before him.

    "My my~ looks like little Glitchy is back at it destroying my precious creations. This one was a lovely one too. Unfortunately for you, this one didn't have too much potential of survival. *sigh* but that doesn't mean sh#t to me"  Link grinned, his tone filled with malicious intentions.

    His pen swung Infront of him ready to strike. His eyes pinned down to glitches injured arm as it bled. Glitch scowled as he threw his strings towards Link. Each thread piercing and twisting around the remaining trees scattered around the buildings perimeters. Link as predicted, slashed each coming bounds flawlessly before charging to strike. Hesitant to move and worsen his arm. Glitch swerved out the way crashing into a wall with a loud crack before running within his threads. He made sure to detach them from his fingers before going inside. Link tried following behind, throwing various inks towards the others direction. Each of them missing and melting into the ground. Their vibrant colour edged into Glitches brain towards their usage.

    'Is he trying to kill me at this time' Glitch muttered to himself keeping eye behind and Infront of him. He couldn't help but retreat for now to heal his injuries. He was too drained to continue fighting. After all, he did work on many au’s before this one.

    Without thinking, Glitch raised his good arm up, using up as much of the energy he had left to summon a portal before him. Link took this opportunity to infiltrate into the Crescents base, he sped up his pace, increasing his vigilant attacks on the threads blocking his way. Just inches away from Glitches reach, Glitch had no choice but to launch himself inside. He leapt forward crashing into his bedroom floor. Link too, launched himself towards Glitch with his pen above his head to strike downwards however unfortunate to him, Glitch quickly closed the portal before the pen made contact to his leg. Link slammed his fist into the ground ignoring the pain that bled out his knuckles.

    "GLITCHHHH!!!!!" Link screamed before noticing the last parts of the world crumbing before his feet. He pulled himself up with a grumpy expression. His eyes glowing dark bluish green as he too disappeared amongst the scattered ink puddles remaining in the battlefield....

     Back at the Mansion..

  Glitch huffed with exhaustion as he looked back to where the portal once stood. His chest heaving heavily as he couldn't catch his breath. The sting in his arm made it even worse as he tried registering his surroundings. He was in his bedroom but he knew he couldn't stay for too long. The tightness ever so growing as he gripped his chest tightly. Hand was shaky as was his eyes blurred. He huffed and puffed trying to calm himself. Nothing was working. Glitch couldn't help but feel useless at this moment and just wanted to escape.

    With that he wobbly lifted his heavy feeling body off the floor, against the walls before dashing out his room with a large crash of the door slamming open. His footsteps echoed and creaking against the carpet floor as he only had one place in mind. He ignored the two individuals who stood within the hallways he ran as Glitch dashed to the bathroom. And that's when everything crashed down upon him... A panic attack arising as did he heave forward almost throwing up on the floor. It wasn’t a sight to see. His hands quivered against the tiled floors, blood and drool slipping out the crease of his mouth. He wanted this over... But how...

     It took Glitch nearly 10 minutes before the throbbing ceased. His eyes filled with weariness as he took a final deep yet shallow breath. He slowly brought his attention back to reality pulling himself up, ignoring the soreness. Glitch groaned leaning back against the door, finally recalling everything all at once. He needed a break, time to himself but he couldn't worry his family... Or Shade...

    Taking his time, Glitch lifted his body slowly off from the floor, hand pulling himself with the sink edge. The marble made it easier to grip thankfully. In the process of getting ready to leave, a rushed knock on the door alerted Glitch attention. He flinched irruptively turning to face the door, eyes large. He looked to open the doorknob noticing it's locked before calming down.

    "Glitch are you alright dear, saw blood drip on the carpet leading here. The others notified me about you rushing through a few minutes ago" a calm yet deep voice chirmed. The voice belonged to Shade. Over the 7 years his attitude softened and he deeply shows his care for Glitch. Well mostly when alone.

     "Could I come in?" Shade chimed again seeming more worried and stressed in his voice. Glitch hesitated contemplating opening the door. He couldn't or we'll his body wouldn't let him. Instead he unlocked the knob opening it a bit. His head peeked through seeing Shade standing Infront with arms wrapped around with a blanket in hand.

     "Thought this might help, you seem tired" Shade approached Glitch, his hand softly placing against Glitches cheek. Glitch leaned into the touch closing his eyes. He breathed a sigh before opening the door larger.

     "I-I'm fine Shade, just got into a fight with Link again" Glitch admitted covering his arm with the sleeve of his jacket. To his surprise, Shade didn't notice. The other just smiled a worried grin as he gave a light hug against the others chest.

     "Get some rest dear, I will fix your room up" Shade calmly spoke as he gave a light kiss on Glitches lips. Glitch accepted kissing back before it was cut off short. Glitch showed some confusion on his face as he watched Shade leaving the bathroom.

     "Can't have the others find out now can we"

     "heh you’re not wrong" Glitch smirked before tiredly dragging his body to the only place he thought he could get some form of privacy... His lab.

    The lights flickered on as the power fluctuated throughout the laboratory. Stacks and stacks of unorganised documentaries scattered around the desks perimeters. Glitch gave off a tired groan, visibly exhausted by everything that happened today. His hand dropping to his side, walking away from the desk to the couch close by. He plopped himself lying on his stomach with head against a cushion. The fabric so soft and warm he could sit there for hours. He sighed with relaxation releasing all tension he felt. His arm still stung, as the bandages rubbed against the wound. He couldn't find gauze to dab the cut in the bathroom so all he could do was wrap around majority of his forearm. Glitch turned his head to the side, lifting his arm up into her prevision. The small red dots soaking though as the clock ticked away, he couldn't help but feel numb the sensation. What was he meant to do?     Besides him along the coffee table, he placed his scarf untidily on top besides a particular photo frame. The image presented himself, shade, light and two others.. they seemed young and tiny. Their characteristics almost unprecedentedly similar to the two. Especially one. The tentacles. One wore a purple sweater and oversize scarf holding hands with both Glitch and Shade, the other bundled in a blanket in Glitches arms. It was like a small family photo. But who were the kids? This made Glitch smile as he laid his head back against the cushions.

    Slowly but surely Glitch could sense his muscles and energy depleting from his system as he got more comfortable on the couch. The blanket Shade had earlier he draped over himself to cease any cold air from making him sick. All he did was sleep... Sleep off the morning... Paradox.. Battle with Link... And his little episode.. He was sure to take a visit with his personal doctor. A particular purpose that needed to be appointed to as soon as practicable. But that would be for another day. Soon enough, his eyes drooped to a close as darkness clouded his thoughts.

To Be Continued....

[Author Note]Thank you for those that have looked forward to this series including friends and others on this app that continue to read this content. Be sure to comment or vote your favourite parts and or even characters. Will be keeping updates of Chapters within the weeks. Keeping track of work and such.  Besides that Merry Early Christmas and Happy New Year [Chapter 2 Coming Soon (Estimate: 25th-30th December) uncertain]