Animator vs Animation: The Dark Web

Chapter 21: The Queen

The Second Coming awoke from the sudden roaring of firestorms, crackling, and the sound of chaotic broken strings. He recoiled, but no ground was there to hold him down. He drifted off, weightless without any direction to guide him. The Second Coming spun around before balancing himself, shaking his head to ease off the dizziness–but even that didn't help him from the madness.

He covered his eyes, shielding himself from the loud chasm that blinded him. With burns of red, blue streaks, and flashes of cryptic symbols, it was an overwhelming show of disarray. The colors glitched and corrupted, strings spiked and unwove. It was as if agony was formed into art.

The Second Coming knew exactly where he was—he was inside Queen of Hearts' mind.

Deep within the chaos, her true self was there—somewhere. He had to find her.

The Second Coming, determined, waved his arms in an attempt to propel himself forward, but ended up toppling over. He struggled, desperate to move, but gravity did him no good.

The Second Coming's chest pounded from the chaos. His vision blurred from the blinding lights. The raucous roars deafened his ears. He curled inward, trying to shield himself from the turmoil.

He pleaded silently to himself, clutching onto his head. Stop. Please—just stop!

And the void obeyed. As if on cue, everything slowed.

Bright colors stopped streaking mid-motion. The chaotic cacophony silenced, humming lowly like an eerie whistle. The Second Coming slowly lifted his head up from his knees, hesitant. He observed the still chaotic masterpiece before him. The colors flickered, before suddenly—everything went black.

The Second Coming dropped as if gravity now claimed him. Once he hit the floor, his fall echoed into the sound of rippling water, as if splashing onto the surface of the sea.

He steadied himself, clutching onto his head to ease the headache. He glanced around, finding nothing but an endless void before him. The Second Coming was reminded of Turquoise's own mindscape, but—what was that chaotic display from before

He straightened, brushing himself off, trying to find a sign—anything—that could tell him that Queen of Hearts was here. Somewhere.

He spun slightly off his feet, his form radiating a warm orange light as his shadows glowed a bright green. But when he turned—

He froze.

Face-to-face, there hovered a figure with a hollow head, floating upside down, her hair hanging below her. Her form emitted a soft off-white glow like a bright star, and her shadowed edges illuminated blue that rivaled any of the clearest skies.

The Second Coming held his breath, both awestruck and bewildered, as the figure tilted her head at him. She studied him for a moment, both in a long silence, before she spoke.

"It's you."

The Second Coming lifted his head. He hesitantly pointed to his chest. Me?

The figure nodded. "Yes, you. I know you." She turned her weight around to study him from a new angle, still staring at him as if trying to remember something. Suddenly, recognition dawned.

"You're the kid—with the green laser."

The Second Coming flinched. Whoever this figure was, she recognized him—but he never saw her before from anywhere. He tilted his head, pointing a hand accusingly. Who really is she?

The figure blinked at The Second Coming in disbelief. She clutched onto her chest in a playful offense, before twirling and shifting onto her back mid-air, her legs crossed together as she hovered over his head.