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Only a few seconds before the countdown would have stopped and they could have celebrated their victory. Only a few seconds, that was all it took, then they would have won. That had been all that was standing in the way of their perfect victory. But it still wasn't enough, it never is.
Parrot felt time stop the moment Mapicc's trident pierced through Planet's heart. At that very moment, the world came to a halt. They lost and Planet was gone, having his last heart ripped away from him.
Parrot almost couldn't believe it. Was that really how it was going to end? After having worked tirelessly for months, grinding for hours every single day, each week for the necessary materials for real hearts. Real hearts that weren't exploited out of the system.
The world went completely silent for Parrot despite the cheers of Spoke's henchmen and the cries of their allies. He almost wanted to laugh, or maybe cry, he wasn't sure. Seconds ticked by into minutes, Spoke's henchmen went to celebrate while Parrot's allies stood around, still not quite believing that they had lost.
The remaining members of the Three Heart Trio ran over to where Mapicc currently stood over Planet's still body. Parrot could feel their grief, he had treated them not only as teammates, but also as little brothers. They were all so close, so close to achieving their peaceful ending.
Parrot approached them carefully, cautious to not trigger them. Once they realised it was just Parrot, Jaron scooted over to the side to allow Parrot more room besides them. Parrot's communicator pinged, breaking the silence shared between the three of them.
[SpokeIsHere --> You]: Once you guys wrap it up, let me know. Also revive planet because we need him there.
Looking away from his communicator, Parrot looked up to the clear sky.
Just what was about to happen?
🕯️
They arrived at the coordinates Parrot had been sent by Spoke. They reached a remote island by foot, having refused Spoke's offer in teleporting there. Teleporting had always made Parrot slightly dizzy and especially since Planet was still weak, it was best not to strain him straight away.
It seems as though they were the latest to reach the 'party', if you can call it that, because everyone else was already there by the time they approached the benches that had been set up. While Jaron and Bacon sat Planet down on one of the benches, Parrot went to strike up conversation with Clutch and Leo.
"..-I still kind of miss my gun though, it was really fun. Heh, it rhymed." Parrot heard Leo speak as he neared the duo.
"I thought that their mission was to kill one of the Three Heart Trio members and Parrot." Clutch complained.
Parrot was about to say something before out of nowhere, Spoke entered their conversation uninvited, "Nah bro, if that were the case, I'd have had to do a lot more exploiting." He hovered above the ground, acting almost as if flying was second nature to him.
Spoke clapped twice, drawing everybody's attention before speaking, "Alrighty then, since basically everyone is here. I think it is time we begin with our little chat. Then once that's done, I think that we should all head to the End."
🎲
The End was unusually cold, this time around. Parrot may have seemed like the cold didn't affect him, but underneath his sleeves, goosebumps were already forming.
The LifeStealers stood warily on the edge, unsure of whatever might happen at any given moment, they have all come to expect the unexpected.
Spoke stood at the very far edge, staring straight into the void, almost as if he were challenging it. There was a kind of silence that stretched between them all, the deafening kind of silence.
Parrot looked at Spoke while he still had his head down. Only a few blocks separated them, yet he has never felt so distant with Spoke before. Finally, when Spoke looks back up, he looks everyone in the eyes. One by one, he stared into their eyes, looking into their very souls. Lastly, he stares Parrot in the eyes.
Spoke blinked once and grinned widely, showing Parrot the glint in his eyes that he has come to love and adore. The sparkle of innocence not yet tainted by power. Parrot hadn't been sure up until this point that Spoke still had it in him.
Spoke turned around, this time facing the pitch black void, the cold merciless void. His rainbow coloured bandana flapping slightly against the stagnant wind of the End.
"To the end of Season Four!!", He yelled out before taking a dive head first into the sempiternal void below.
🌌
This time, when Parrot opened his eyes, he is greeted by a brilliant blue sky, not decorated in wormholes nor flying death machines. No, the sky above him is a brilliant shade of blue. Pushing himself up with his elbows, he looked around.
This was a new world, a perfect world. No destruction visible anywhere. No giant craters in the ground, no stray pieces of bedrock where they shouldn't be. This is the perfect place for the start of a new beginning for the server.
Parrot turns his head slightly to the side. Besides him, Spoke sits with his knees brought to his chest and his head atop his knees. Perhaps he is relishing their beautiful surroundings, or maybe planning on how to build a large pitfall. Upon realising Parrot was now awake, he turns his head and flashes him a genuine smile. Not a grin, not a smirk, but an actual smile.
"Soo.. what do you think, Parrot? This place is perfect, isn't it?" Spoke asked, while putting his legs back down, stretching his arms and back out. Parrot nodded once before staring back up at the sky. It was almost completely clear, only a few rain clouds had painted it, "Yes, it is."
So, this is where season five will begin. A fresh new start for everyone.
More and more people began entering the world, starting with Zam, then Mapicc and Ro, Pangi and the rest of the LifeStealers following soon after.
Their peaceful silence had been filled with chatter and cheers. Nevertheless, Parrot still relished in this peacefulness and harmony, as he knew it was never meant to last.
For LifeSteal was never meant to be peaceful nor harmonious. No, it worked in cycles of blood and destruction, carnage and chaos.
He knows that this peace will be short-lived, a temporary thing, a small glimmer of hope. But Parrot has seen it all, he has seen things play out over and over again that he knows what to expect by now.
One day, Spoke and Parrot will have to part ways again. One day, he will have to say goodbye.
It just is the LifeSteal way.
☀️