Animator vs Animation: The Dark Web

Chapter 22: The Aftermath (Part 1)

authors note: This chapter will be split into three parts, and will be published in different days. This is part one. Happy reading!

The Chosen One held his breath. He studied The Second Coming, lying motionless on the floor. Next to him, Queen of Hearts slowly disintegrated. Her tail faded into white binary, splintering up to her waist. Strings of code floated up before dissolving into the air.

The Queen was fading, but The Second Coming was still inside her mind. If he doesn't return any time sooner... Then what will happen?

The Color Gang surrounded The Second Coming's limp body, caught straight in a desperate panic. Green dropped to his knees and grabbed his shoulders, shaking him erratically. He attempted to wake him up, but no motion stirred from him.

With one forceful shake, The Second Coming finally awoke. He gasped, his body jerking upright as if waking from a nightmare. Green's grip slipped away, but he didn't bother to notice. The Second Coming glanced at his trembling hands before wiping invisible tears welling from his face. It was as if he just experienced a turmoil.

The Chosen One let out a sigh of relief that he didn't know he was holding. The rest of their allies joined him, heavily relieved. But The Second Coming still felt restless. His body remained stiff, his mind elsewhere as if still stuck inside the moment only he could see.

Then, The Second Coming's gaze snapped to her. Queen of Hearts' form was now barely intact, her upper half the remaining remnants before she would disappear—forever.

The Second Coming wasted no time to crawl to her disintegrating body, gaze darting unpredictably. His hands hovered over her as if trying to reach for something—for a solution to save her.

But it was far too late.

The last strings of code unraveled from her talons, floating skywards into the air before dissolving into the night. The battle was over.

Queen of Hearts was gone.

There was a moment of stillness. All eyes laid on The Second Coming, but his gaze locked on the night sky. The Chosen One's heart sank, watching The Second Coming's shoulders deepen, his hands dropping to his thighs in despair. The Chosen One slowly approached him, crouching down on one knee. He pressed a hand to his shoulder. What did he see in there?

The Second Coming remained silent, turning to The Chosen One, before shaking his head lightly. He pressed his hands to his face, trying to calm the upcoming storm of distress that was about to well up.

Their allies glanced at each other. The Chosen One gave The Second Coming a tilt of his head. He wished for an answer, not just silence—but he didn't want to push him. Not just yet.

The Chosen One clapped on his shoulder gently, before standing to his feet. He offered a hand to The Second Coming. The Second Coming just stared down, hesitant to meet his gaze. Exhaling heavily, he took his offered hand. With one strong yank, The Second Coming was pulled to his feet.

The Color Gang wasted no time, immediately pulling him to a fond group hug.

The Second Coming stiffened, the storm still threatening to brew. But soon enough—the embrace worked. Slowly, he extended his arms out in an awkward manner before returning the hug back to his friends.

The Chosen One watched with a considerate tilt, before his gaze trailed to Valhalla, Driftwood, and the Officials behind him. Despite the Officials no longer holding a telepathic voice, they engaged in a silent conversation with the two Hunters—a talk that looked urgent. With one final nod, they all turned and approached the Codeborn hideout.