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thedreamcrosser · 2 years

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Automatic Heritage

Chapter 6: Up

Chapter index: • ch 1 • ch 2 • ch 3 • ch 4 • ch 5 •

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Everything just hurt, and not just physically.

She dragged herself one foot at a time, the pain of the bite marks in Cyan’s shell made it hard to move, but she knew she had to keep going. She kept her eyes down, watching her feet, and taking notice that she already had a hole in the leg of her new pants.

“Was this my fault?” she wondered. Surely she could have said no to her twin sister, but that look…

That look Beryl gave back in the greenhouse with all of the same sureness that there was going to be another day, all for a silly set of numbers, was tearing her apart. She couldn’t blame her though, there was only one time in her life when Beryl had a strong feeling about something ridiculous and it turned out better than expected. That turned out to be Whitney, back during what he would call his “prodigal son” days.

Boy was that scary.

Shaking those thoughts she switched to warmer ones. If she was going to make it out alive she knew she had to focus on the positive. She thought back to the early days when she was freshly online, waking up next to her Beryl-faced twin. Cyan herself came up with the names, just simply colors.

She missed it. How innocent they were. Exploring theempty city with no fear. Playing and making up games. It wasn’t long before Beryl was the one finding new friends, she would introduce Cyan to everyone she met.

Friends… Those were hard. Beryl was always the outgoing one despite how quiet she could be at times. Cyan never had the same talent that her twin did in that regard. Maybe that is why she kept finding herself returning to the dead part of the city even after the Zurks evolved.

She shuffled to a stop and slumped over some boxes. Sleep notifications beeped at her inside her head. Could she recharge? That could keep them away.

She looked up from her headrest to glance around. The soft amber glow of a neon lamp beckoned her in a small abandoned storefront. She rose and made her way inside, finding televisions lining the walls. They hummed softly, static crackling across the screens. Once inside she closed the door behind her and slumped to the floor.

Cyan was not dead, she knew that, but she felt like she wanted to be. She leaned her body slowly down and curled into a fetal position on the floor, the rug on the ground providing no comfort in her pain. Regardless, it was still something, and she lied there.

Was this it? She thought about her promise to Beryl, to be back for her. Surely the city wouldn’t change if she left, so what would happen if she just turned off?

For good?

There were always others who ventured out for supplies and bots willing to protect.

Cyan became aware that she had been staring at her hand for a minute, maybe more. Her vision cleared and she looked up to see a remote on the ground across from her. After staring at it for a while she tentatively grabbed it and pressed its soft buttons. Maybe whatever was left of human television could distract her.

“You have GOT to be absolutely joking with me now!”

The televisions all lit up with a dark purple glow as a voice from the static scolded her. It was enough to shock Cyan onto her knees. Cowering she could see… a face? It was more like an eye really, and it was blinking right at her.

“Who the hell are you?” Cyan beeped, suddenly aware that someone was talking to her through the television screens.”

“Who am I?” The purple period mark of an eye glared at her as a digital bar like something from a stereo bounced as the stranger talked. “Honey, I could be your new potential boss and you choose to talk to me like that? Kids these days I swear!”

Another screen turned yellow and more bars bounced on as another voice popped up. “Boss, keep it short, I am not sure how old this tech is.” It faded out.

“Ugh, you're right… Get up and stand girl, you have the opportunity of a lifetime here.”

Cyan had no idea what was happening, but she did not want to test it. Wobbling she rose to her knees and looked the stranger straight in the face. “Um yes, uh…?” She fiddled with her fingers.

“Ma’am. I was assigned female upon sentience.”

The yellow bars came up again “Phft, whatever”

“Ignore them.” The purple eye glared. “I have been watching you girl. if you haven’t noticed, there are security cameras all over this little hole you live in.”

“The slums?” Cyan asked.

“Okay, you can be kinder than that.” Purple scolded.

“No, that is actually where I live.”

“Oh, bot…” the purple eye squinted. “Well, at least you're honest.”

“Hey!” Cyan retorted.

“Enough! As I said, I have been watching you. Your art is impressive, I’m seeing it everywhere in these dark streets.”

Cyan tilted her head. “My art?” As if on cue the lights outside the store flickered on with a splash of color on the walls. Leaning forward she saw that it was one of her graffiti murals. The depiction of two robots of similar make danced as they held hands. The first art of her early years, a tribute to sisterhood.

Tugging at the wires near her head she continued to admire her early memories. “Um, thank you, I didn’t think…”

“I think you would be an excellent addition to the team.” The purple eye interrupted.

Cyan almost popped a wire out. “Team?”

“I have a work pass all set up for you. As soon as you arrive at the… slums… pack up. The elevator will be there and you can head right up.”

A third screen popped up with a blue face, its pink features giving her a wink. “You're a lucky duck that I got on here as well. I found one of your friends down there and he is heading your way now with first aid.” Pink sighed. “Shame if you are actually coming up, he looks cute…”

Cyan glared at Pink while Yellow spoke their mind. “Maggs I swear to bot…”

“Good job Maggs, remind me to give you a bonus.” Purple praised. Cyan could have sworn that she saw yellow roll their eyes.

Purple looked back to Cyan, “I only have an hour to work with the Peacekeepers before they are forced back up, so once they are down hussle. Don’t make them wait or you will miss your shot.”

Just as she was about to fizzle out Cyan caught purple. “Wait! Two things, it will be quick!”

The purple eye paused. “I’m listening.”

“The slums have been desperately trying to contact the upper levels for years, please give them what you know. If you find Clementine or others who call themselves Outsiders then you have the right people.”

The eye looked like she was looking around in front of her. “Alright I will make a note…”

“And thank you, ma’am, for the warning.”

The eye looked up. “The what?”

Cyan became confused. “The warning in the subway? That was you, correct? The writing on the monitor?”

Purple looked indifferent, “That wasn’t me honey, there has to be someone else roaming the city.

“What?” Cyan wondered out loud and rubbed the back of her neck, only to feel dampness soak the sensors in her hand. Bringing it to her screen she could barely make out a dark stain against the soft black padding of her hand. Oil?

The Purple stranger looked to the door, “Looks like help arrived, remember what I said.” With that, all televisions went dark and the amber glow of the neon signs lit up what was left of the shop. A bizarre stillness hung in the air as Cyan tried to understand what just happened.

She wasn't alone for long, hearing the handle of the door twist to unlock she saw a rusty companion with a gray pullover tentively enter the store.

”Cyan? Are you in here?”

“Benzoo?” She attempted to rise to her feet but could feel her limbs begin to lock.

Starteled by her appearance the blue freckled-faced robot was quick to take out a first aid kit. Laying it on the floot he reached out to steady her. “Maybe you should take it easy. Let's get what we can patched up.

Cyan grunted in pain. “I think my fluid intake has been severed, can you see it?”

Benzoo brightened his screen and made the patch “Yeah, we are going to need that if we don’t want your limbs locking up. I will keep an eye out for a vending machine on our way out, but we should move.”

“Zurks…”

“We made a safe route back home, don’t worry.” Benzoo lifted Cyan to her feet and gave his shoulder for support. Looking at the gesture she paused, thinking twice about taking it.

Benzoo’s face deadpanned, a face that knew what was up. “Cyan, you're not being a burden.” He swung her arm around his shoulders and guided her to the door. She reluctantly leaned into him, her joints felt like sandpaper while limping on one leg.

“I know, I just… I don’t know.”

“Well, it sounds like you have a friend now who does know, looks like things are… looking up for you?” He smiled, proud of his joke.

Cyan completely ignored it. “They told you about the elevator?”

“They as in multiple people?”

Pain shot up her leg as she pitched forward. Catching herself on a concrete wall she paused to skim her eyes across it, finding her mural.

Beryl did not need her, did she? Her twin had enough to live on. The problem was that Beryl's sad, determined face was still in her mind.

Up. Cyan decided she had to go up. For Beryl.

Her optics fuzzed as she hissed static at the pain in her limbs, trying to endure it. Benzoo looked ready to catch her. “Do we need to take a break?”

She stopped him with a hand. “I…” then leaned her head on the wall to look at him, “I want to go home…need to pack up…”

Benzoo tentatively put his hand on her shoulder, giving a sad whine. “We will miss you Cyan.”

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*Sees an onslaught of likes from @1reiyuu* hahaha yes! Like them all!

In all seriousness, I am proud of this chapter. My lovely editor husband said I am getting better and I can feel it.

I am currently brain dead from a day at NASA yesterday so weeeeee!

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thedreamcrosser · 2 years

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Automatic Heritage

Chapter 5: Lost

Chapter index:

One: Welcome

Two: Drawn

Three: Numbers

Four: Empty

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“This is really going to make Beryl's day the best of all birthdays,” Whitney thought to himself as he made his way back to the apartment. This is what they were preparing for all morning, his jam session with Morusque was also ideal practice for a surprise serenade for his wife. Guiding Morusque quietly to the front door he put a finger up to his speakers; his partner in music understood the message to be quiet as they both lined themselves up on either side. Guitars clutched in their hands, ready to strum at any moment.

“One, two… three…”

Whitney pushed the door open and they both waltzed inside. Guitars brandished they began to strum… only for Whitney to stop at the sight of an empty living room.

“What?” He asked no one in particular.

Waving Moresque to stop, he brought his hand to his speakers one more time and pointed to the back door. She had to be in her greenhouse. They silently sneaked to the back a repeated the sequence, this time opening to an empty greenhouse with no movement in its frosted glass.

“Are you kidding me?” Whitney sighed as he drooped his arms. Making his way inside he was greeted by warm lighting, green flora, and a radio playing lo-fi. The small table set was holding stray gardening items and a note next to a box wrapped in paper.

The one he gave to Beryl for her birthday. He walked forward to read the note next to it.

Moresque followed, just as confused as he was. “I imagine she left with Cyan? They share a birthday, after all. We can plan for later.”

Whitney looked at his friend's face, his own becoming white. “Moresque, at this rate I don’t want to test if there will be a next time.” Dropping the note and grabbing the small box on the table, he moved toward a storage box nearby and grabbed random odds and ends from it.

Moresque kept a brave face. “Whitney, chill out man, Beryl is with Cyan. She will make it back.”

Whitney looked up from his scramblings. “I know you're right, but Beryl doesn’t know how precious she has become. Especially now she has this.” He held the box up to his view and stored it quickly. “No one can afford the possibility of losing her.” He dismissed himself without a word and ran out the door.

Moresque stood there, unknowing what to do. Shrugging, he made himself comfortable on one of the chairs nearby, crossing his legs as he took up his guitar. He was sure that everything was fine. Those lovebirds tended to act a little crazy at times. Turning the radio off he began to strum his own tune.

Beryl felt her feet give way at the top of the stairs. She could not tell if her motors gave way or she misstepped, but she did not have time for either. Forcing herself to stand she tried to gain momentum. Anything to get herself some distance from the zurk swarm behind her.

She just prayed that Cyan was behind her too. Hitting the halfway mark of the courtyard she dared a glance back. Nothing was coming out of the subway.

There was a beat, then another, then suddenly Cyan exploded into sight, scattering debris in a panic. The metal of her feet made loud clanging noises that could be heard over the massive swarm gaining on her. She shouted ahead to her sister.

“KEEP ———- MOVING!”

Beryl hadn’t heard that much fear from Cyan in decades.

Cyan's voice propelled Beryl forward. She could feel her face heat up. No doubt she had tears pixelating her face. She forced herself to focus as she ran. Ignoring the way they came she ran straight for the illumination of the elevator in the distance. She prayed that she could find her way on her own. She bawled back to her sister “Cyan I am so sorry!”

Cyan did not answer.

Alleyways became narrowand harder to navigate. Was she even going in the same direction anymore? The sounds came closer, and her processors dropped when she came to a dead end.

Her dead end.

Spinning around she saw the wave of orange surging toward her. She only bawled harder, overloaded with fear.

Her mistake was going to kill her.

“VIBE CHECK!”

A cascade of breaking plastic bottles exploded before her as clear liquid splattered onto the alleyway. A wash of soap bubbles and pops of orange littered the streets. Beryl’s skeleton about jumped out of her chassis when a figure descended to her side.

The blue and red bot cackled as the zurks exploded, his body framed in soap bottles and a super soaker brandished.

“You have failed the vibe check!” Whitney said stowing the silly gun.

“WHITNEY!” Beryl screamed. He grunted when she crashed into his arms.

He held her tight, “I got you songbird, we gotta hustle though. Hold on tight!

And she did just that, as he unclipped a wheel device on his hip. Looking down she saw part of his plan: his foot was in a bucket. Hearing the whirl of a motor she looked to see that he had hooked the device to a rope next to them and they both began to ascend.

The crank of the motor slowed as the too made it to the rooftops, and he swiftly tossed her to safety. Unclipping the wheel contraption some pins and bolts involuntarily popped out. “Looks like Cyan is not going to be happy about her toys being broken.” Whitney grimaced. His attention was pulled when he noticed the noise from the other end of the building. Both hustling, they saw movement below. It was Cyan, the zurks had flowed in her direction.

“We gotta move,” Beryl shouted.

“This is the only time I am allowing rooftop jumping, you hear?” Whitney shouted after her as he bounded after the two.

Metal clanged on rooftops as the couple gained speed. Beryl thanked the Soft Ones as she saw her husband pick up speed ahead of her. He threw bottle after bottle of cleaner, careful to time it so he did not run out too soon. “Cyan we have your back!” He called out.

Cyan did a double take at the two on the roof. “You're okay!” she flickered a smile. She looked ahead for a path and pointed for them. “Head home! I am going to draw them away!” There where lights and signs up ahead as well as pulley system was nearby.

“I don’t want to lose you!” Beryl cried.

“Too bad! Go home! I will be fine!” She bolted down an alleyway and guided herself down some scaffolding. The flood of zurks followed.

“This is our chance Beryl, we got to move!” Whitney pushed as they neared their own way down, a fire escape leading to a safe distance.

At least that is what it should have been. Beryl cursed herself when she made the final jump down. Pain shot up her leg as she crumpled to the ground. Looking back she saw her foot finally fall off.

“Whitney!”

“I got you, grip tight.”

He scooped her up into his arms and shimmied to the bucket pulley. Looking back Whitney saw that the zurks had found them, and he pushed off.

The line slacked heavily as Whitney had a death grip on the bucket. Beryl looked up from her position on his shoulder and saw a waterfall of the creatures following after them.

“Open the door!” Someone ahead shouted.

They both crumpled to the ground as they hit their end. Wasting no time Whitney picked Beryl up and made a run for it. She felt herself being tossed.

… into the arms of another companion.

“Close it! Secure all barricades! Prepare for a fight! Open this door on my call!”

Beryl was dragged away and saw that people were waiting for them. She saw bots holding the door closed as squeaks and squeals met wacks and swishes thatechoed from the other side. Her husband had risen from his stance to spin around and stick the super soaker through the cracks in the door and emptied it on the spot. She looked up to see her carrier.

It was Clementine. THE Clementine.

Had she not been in such a state she would have squealed in delight. All she felt now was a dark pit in her stomach.

“You okay? Any injuries?” Clementine asked.

Beryl felt her peg of an ankle drag along the concrete. “Ah, um, eh, um.” Was all that she could respond.

“Doc! Get the surgeon! We might have a head injury!”

“My foot! Only my foot is missing!” She finally spat out. She cursed to herself as she tried to figure out how to tell the leader of the outsiders that she was the one that caused the attack.

Oh bot, she caused the attack… On her birthday… How was she going to become an outsider now?

“Kosma! I need more soap!” She could hear her husband shouting.

Twittels barked at his shouting as the bot questioned stormed at him with a fist raised. “Nah uh! No! You are not taking the rest of my cleaning supplies!”

Whitney dropped his weapon and grabbed him by the shoulders, shaking him. “If you don’t get that soap now, the Guardian is going to be shoved into the forever box!”

“The what?”

“Open!”

Everyone in the vicinity slowed their preparations when the barricaded door opened and swiftly shut after a red-cloaked bot squeezed through. It was the Guardian, covered in soap and zurk guts. Grasping the wall behind him he slumped to the ground, causing the bots nearby reinforcing the walls to stop. As if he felt them slowing he tossed his hand at them. “Keep patching, they have slowed, but they are still out there.”

Beryl's face was pulled away from the commotion and into Clementine's view. “Look at me.” She said asa device was held to Beryl’s eyes. The combination of both the commotion and Clementine holding her face was all too overwhelming for her. She felt like she was about to cry for the umpteenth time today.

Firewalling her tears she riticuled herself “Beryl, you weenie, stop crying.”

“What did you say?” Clementine asked swiping the device away from her eyes.

“I SAID THANK YOU!” Beryl panicked.

A question mark floated on Clementine's face as the surgeon came to her aid. She turned to them, “she doesn’t have head damage. I have yet to check her diagnostics…”

“I told you I am fine, my foot is just gone.”

The surgeon smiled and lifted Beryl peg leg. “I can see that just by looking at her. Give her head a listen won’t you?” They tossed her a wire.

“No no, I think I am fine. I don’t need a double check.”

“It’s just a quick sync honey, I will be in and out.”

Did Clementine just call her honey? Did she call anyone honey? Beryl wanted to be deprogrammed on the spot. She heard an audible pop in her mind as the wire entered into the base of her monitor.

It all just became too much.

Before Clementine could plug in herself to read stats Beryl yanked out the wire and squeezed herself out of the companion huddle. “I SAID I AM FINE!” She panicked again.

Trying to lift herself to a stand she immediately found herself meeting the ground again. Having a new peg leg did not stop her from trying to get away though. “Husband! A little help?” She said, reaching her hand out.

Whitney looked from his situation and came to her aid. “Honey, are you okay?”

She stumbled as he tried to steady herself with his grip. She could feel all of her emotions bubbling out of her as she spoke. “Okay? No, I am not the least bit okay! I am petrified, stunned, angry… I am angry because I led a whole HORDE of zurks home, and all because of a stupid FEELING! This is all my f f fault!” Her words shook with her body

“Yeah, what was that about?!” One companion spoke up.

“What did you do?” Asked another.

“Knock that off!” Witney spat, “Can’t you see that she didn’t exactly plan this?”

Her eyes welled up with pixelated tears. “It… it doesn’t matter. I I… I am better off eaten alive!” Her head dropped and her shoulders slumped.

Some bots began to raise their voice. They silenced as soon as the Guardian spoke up.

“NO ONE will say another word.” He paused to give everyone a look over to make sure he had their attention. “We should all be happy that Whitney was able to return Beryl safely, we are happy no more lives were lost. However, our efforts should be refocused on both regaining territory and getting Cyan home.”

Beryl's eyes darted to the barricade. She still wasn’t back?

Guardian continued. “Everyone keep working until quiet hours. Then meet in front of the elevator for last instructions. Dismissed.”

Everyone had their own words to grumble about when they went on their way, but Beryl was too tired to listen to any of it. Looking to the barricade again she wondered how much was lost. “Our home is gone isn’t it?”

Whitney signed, “I imagine, that and Cyans apartment. Whe should be thankful no one else lives past the barricade. Just empty houses.”

Beryl whined softly “Yes, but those were going to be homes for new families.”

Whitney kissed the top of her head and scooped her up. “We are not going to think about this for now, okay?

Let’s get you to surgery to fix yourself a new foot.”

As he walked away with her in her arms she looked above his shoulder to look at the barricade again.

“Whitney…”

“Yes Beryl?”

“I want Cyan back…”

He held her tighter. “Me too Beryl. Me too.”

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*firework noises* Hey, kiddos! We are still trucking!

Let me point out that I am calling everyone who reads this kiddos because it has come to my realization that I might be the oldest person on this fandom’s platform. I literally turned 29 not too long ago, not sure how I feel about that.

I found this out when I was on the Stray Discord a while back and lo and behold ThemSoundWaves commented on my work. I was then like “hol up! Is that the popular kid with that popular fanfic called “The Royal Treatment?”

*insert senpai has noticed me*

After I learned that I might be a mom in this fandom (from ThemSoundWaves experience) they then talked my ear off while I talked there off in instant message and I think it is safe to say we are friends now. They invited me to a Stray role play server and I tell you what, that is the best exercise of imagination I have ever got in my life. I feel like I fleshed out Beryls personality by making her hang out with Percy, I hope it shows in future chapters. Plus, now Whitney has a fleshed out backstory (and a “demon friend”). Will his backstory be mentioned in this story? Eh, let’s see if we get there… but my bot children are growing thanks to ThemSoundWaves. Again I can not thank you enough!

As for the quality of future chapters I have to admit that they might be a bit lacking in future posts. My husband, bless him, had taken up the mantle of chef editor a while back. I love him to bits. But because life is getting in the way at the moment he can’t do that for a while. So it is just going to be my sister and I wondering if we are getting spelling errors fixed and thinking of sentence construction by ourselves. All that while learning we have some adhd-trama-possibility another deficit hybrid holding us back.

Don’t be alarmed though, we are still trucking through this and I don’t see this Stray train ending soon. In the meantime, hit me up on my socials so you can get status updates from me. Or just chat below, it’s easy and I love people, so talk away!

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