"No- get..."

"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!!"

Volt shrieked, as he fired a bolt of electricity from the Static Spear. The thing was sent reeling back from the blast as it convulsed. It let out a muffled otherworldly scream, somewhat lost amid the crackling energy. High Volt charged forward and swung the spear, striking the wretched creature square in the head. A *CRACK* was heard as it stumbled backwards, still twitching violently. Yet somehow still standing.

High Volt swung again. Only for his weapon to be caught in the prongs of it's own shoddy replica.

"...Surrender now, or I'll make you." He snapped, trying fruitlessly to mask his fear. At the very thing attempting to take his life.

It stared. It stared endlessly, with icy blue eyes that were not its own. The phantom grin returned. It found this fun.

"GRGH!" Volt reeled back his fist and socked his wretched reflection in the face.

The crunch of metal striking bone rang as "it" stumbled and growled in wake of the electrified blow.

Yet amid the chaos and it's thrashing nerves, it thrust it's free hand forward with it's remaining strength; firmly placing it's palm on his forehead. Stinging pain shot through Volt's body like a harpoon. The remnants of his electric attack acting as its accelerant. Brilliant energy enveloping iron.

"WH- WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! STOP IT!!!" High Volt screamed.

The thing still stared. Eyes stagnant yet wild with satisfaction.

It paid no mind as its hapless target continued to shriek and writhe in agony.

High Volt fought desperately to try and free himself, trying in vain to take off his helmet. Trying to run. Trying to hit back. Trying to do ANYTHING.

The monster was already gaining strength. It's grip tightening.

"LET ME GO!!!" Volt yelled, the world around him beginning to grow dim. Memories and thoughts starting to blur. Seconds feeling like hours.

He didn't notice the thing shifting in appearance. Dull flesh morphing to shining metal.

After what felt like ages, it lifted its hand from Volt's helmet, taking a few steps back. Two identical robots now facing one another.

High Volt stood motionless, aside from twitching slightly from the attack. Trying to protest, yet all that came out was a quiet, pitiful groan.

His were eyes frozen open in terror, yet he couldn't see.

He couldn't move.

He couldn't feel.

Unaware of the perfect copy of himself that stood before him.

Nothing.

Except the dull, stagnant *thud* of iron onto sandy earth.

Silence fell.

The doppelgänger discerned the now deactivated High Volt with curiosity. A bit surprised its efforts had paid off. It lifted its hands to examine them, metal clicking as its fingers moved. They shifted their feet a little, getting used to it's new body.

They lowered their gaze at the robot again, with a soft, mocking chuckle.

"Heh, you were right. You really should have brought that shield." They said, in the very voice of their victim.

They knelt down to their prize as he laid still, jokingly tapping him on his helmet a couple times. Hearing the pang of metal on metal as it preformed the childish gesture.

"Don't you worry. You will do just nicely."

They gingerly took the Static Spear from his clenched hand, and made off through the jungle to the beachside.

Leaving what was once a dedicated hero to rust.

꧁💠꧂

The Shield Striker pulled into the Academy's garage with a flash. Fiesta and Spitfire were nearby in the middle of conversation.

"Ey, HV! Glad to see ya back so soon!" Spitfire greeted.

He lent the flame spirt a phantom smile in response.

"Well, it is nice to see you again too." The security robot said, his voice soft and calm.
"I will confirm, the mission went well. No need to worry."

As he left, Spitfire couldn't help but notice Fiesta, who had stayed silent the whole interaction. A twinge of concern had crossed the skeleton's often jovial face.

"Something wrong? You're usually the first to greet him."

"Oh? Nothing, I don't think." Fiesta responded.
"I don't know, I just...

He gestured for Spitfire to come closer, as to not arouse suspicion.

Don't you think his eyes looked a bit funny?"

꧁ BAD ENDING: REPLACED ꧂