Project: Shimmer (ii Blue Eyes AU)

[29] ~False Confidence~

    "The powers- they don't work the way they're supposed to..." 4S tried. "The more I use it the more painful it is for me. If I used it during the mission I don't know if I would be able to recover fast enough and-"
    "So you failed because you were afraid of a little pain?" Cobs cut him off. "You chose failing me over getting a little hurt?" 4S felt his heart drop. Whatever hope he had on the other side of the door vanished into thin air as Cobs scowled.

    "I guess I was wrong about you." Cobs pulled out a remote that 4S had never seen before and pressed a button. Out of nowhere something slammed the door open behind him. 4S whipped around in surprise, his eyes landing on a silver Mephone slightly taller than himself. "4S, meet Mephone5, the latest in Meeple technology."

    The Mephone5 morphed its hand into a knife as it stalked towards him. "Now, don't go running off, I still need you for something." Cobs spoke calmly, as if he wasn't threatening 4S's life at that very moment. 4S felt the white hot sting of shame and betrayal burn inside him, almost as searing and painful as the damage he took from training with the energy. He knew Cobs would be upset, but he never expected this-

    God.......he was such a damn idiot.

    "Given that you are now obsolete, I have one final assignment for you 4S." The Mephone5 held its ground, standing right in front of his only exit. 4S was trapped. With Cobs infront of him and the Mephone behind him he was surrounded. It was a 2 against 1 he knew he would lose. Cobs stood tall and imposing infront of his desk.

    "I just need you to stay still for me a moment, trust me, if all goes according to plan..." The Mephone5 crouched down, as if ready to pounce.

    "You won't feel a thing."

    The Mephone5 launched itself forward. 4S's fight or flight response kicked in almost immediately, making him instinctively roll to the left. The Mephone5's blade stabbed into the floor, the machine letting out an almost animalistic growl as it wretched it's arm from the floor.

    4S's brain was flying, rushing for a solution of some kind. Despite his panic he let himself remember his defense training, his feet planted sturdy on the floor as the Mephone5 prepared another lunge. The thing flew at him with intense speed, but 4S hadn't trained for months for nothing. He held out his hands, prepared this time to block the attack.

    But right before the Mephone5 was supposed to hit him, it vanished in a flash of light. 4S stood stunned before a flash came from behind him and suddenly Mephone5 was on top of him, throwing him face first to the ground, knocking the wind out of him. Somehow managing to not break his screen, 4S writhed underneath the Mephone5's hold, grunting in pain as the machine pressed on his back and pinned his hands to the floor on either side of his head.

    Cobs paid no mind to their struggle. He tidied up papers at his desk, completely ignoring 4S's pained gasps for air. "First the Mephone4 learns of its impending demise and runs off with my tech, and now this." Cobs muttered to himself. 4S strained himself to listen. He coughed, "What- what do you mean?" 4S struggled once more, the Mephone5 hitting him in the back to keep him down. Cobs looked up, absentmindedly flipping through pages as he spoke.

    "The Mephone4 was no longer of use to me long before it ran off and stole my property. Through means unbeknownst to me, it learned it was going to be scrapped and fled the building." Cobs responded casually. "Similar to how you are doing now actually. Here I was thinking you were complete opposites, but I suppose you both like to run like cowards instead of facing what was destined for you since the beginning. Shame really, I had high hopes for you 4S."

    4S forced himself to steady his breathing. "Why? Why are you telling me this?" Cobs only shrugged. "Well I don't see why not." Cobs picked up a small pile of polaroid photos. 4S recognized those... They were from back when 4S was just learning his powers, when it all didn't hurt as much...