Chapter Text
God was Chance stupid.
He should've known not to try and take a shot that close to the killer, but to be fair what choice did they have?
It didn’t help that the killer this round was 1x1x1x1. It wasn't so much that Chance had any beef with the killer, well aside from them slaughtering himself and his teammates, he was just too difficult to get a good shot on.
John Doe was a slow, lumbering man, pretty easy to outrun, and easy to aim and shoot at. Coolkid was pretty finicky, but he was a kid, so it was simple enough to distract him with something else. Even Slasher, despite his brute strength and speed, still had difficulty seeing while wearing a mask 24/7.
But 1x?
1x1x1x1 was slippery, like an eel almost. You never knew what her next move was, and with her devastating projectiles, even distance didn't guarantee safety.
That's what happened with Chance, while he was preparing a shot from a few feet away, he realized too late that 1x was preparing to strike as well. As soon as the bullet left their weapon, a mass infection pulsed through the air and hit Chance straight on.
That’s how he got himself in this position, on the ground, dead. Or at least, supposedly dead. He was still conscious, still in the round, but he couldn't move, speak, or breathe. It almost felt like sleep paralysis. This wasn’t an unusual occurrence, but it happened rarely enough for Chance to still freak out. He would have to wait for the round to end its course before he would be respawned back in the lobby. Hopefully.
In the meantime, they could still hear at least. It helped when Chance felt he would die of boredom. He listened for the footsteps thudding against the dirt, or the gasps from a passerby he couldn't quite get a good look at as they spotted his corpse, or just simply listening to nature when no one was around him.
Chance thought back to who was in the round with him, trying to gauge just how much longer it would be before the round ended. Aside from him, there was Elliot, Shedletsky, Guest, and Noob, though Noob had already died before Chance did. Poor kid panicked so hard everytime 1x was the killer, well with every killer they panicked hard, but it was especially bad with 1x. It was probably because 1x was so… aware. John Doe was corrupted, Coolkid thought it was a game, and who knew what Slasher was thinking, but 1x was very aware of his actions, and he loved it.
If Chance could still move his body he would have trembled upon hearing a distant cry and final groan, 1x claiming yet another victim. If they had to guess, the voice must have belonged to Guest 1337, meaning only Elliot and Shedletsky were left. Elliot was fairly quick, but even he couldn't dodge 1x’s projectiles, and Shedletsky always seemed to falter whenever 1x was the chosen tormentor. It would be a quick end for the both of them, which was unfortunate, but at least the round could be over soon.
Suddenly, Chance was alerted to a strange movement near his hands. At first, they assumed it was some kind of bug crawling around their fingers, until it hit him that the movement was coming from HIM.
His fingers were twitching, just slightly, but it was an unmistakable movement. Soon, it had evolved to his hands twitching, then his forearms. Usually, this would be good, that meant Chance wasn't dead after all! But he wasn't the one moving his hands.
Then, it hit him all at once.
Small twitches rapidly progressed into his body full on convulsing, like he was having a seizure. It left Chance's mental state paralyzed and afraid, just what was happening to him?? He just wanted to respawn back in the cabin, safe and sound.
Chance's eyes snapped open involuntarily as a foreign feeling began to spread from his body, starting from his chest. It was a freezing invader, spreading throughout his skin and flesh and bones, leaving no place untouched, the feeling making him squirm as best as he could while still convulsing.
It was painful too- by GOD it was painful. Through the haze he could barely register the sound and feeling of his flesh and viscera, tearing itself apart and forming into something new. If he was still alive, tears would be streaming down his face.
Then, came a voice, more so a command. Not a vocal command, but rather a feeling. A command that pulsed within his mind and chest. An urge to get up, to RISE, to be alive again. To crawl, to walk, to run and give chase and capture and squeeze the breath out of any living thing with his newly formed claws.
Rise, minion, rise and live again.
Rise and server your lord and master, 1x1x1x1.
Chance blinked. The convulsions had stopped, but they were still in so much pain. On the bright side, he could move again! But he knew something was wrong, very wrong.
Chance rolled over to his stomach, groaning and moaning in pain as his muscles and bones cracked and popped with each movement. It felt like his body was thrown in a grinder and then spat out, expected to function again.
Shakily, they got up to their feet, but something felt amiss. He felt almost unbalanced in a way, and he was sure he was taller now, not by much, but definitely taller than he used to be. There was also a few somethings on his back, he wasn't sure what but they were weighing him down and causing him to stumble with each trembling step.
Before Chance could panic any further, he spotted something glinting in the distance.
His glasses!
Trying to walk was a greater agony than he expected. It felt like his feet were weighed down with cinderblocks, trembling and groaning in pain with each step. Finally though, he was able to reach his glasses. They were cracked, presumably either from 1x’s attack or someone accidentally stepping on them, but still usable.
As he reached his belongings though, Chance froze upon witnessing their hand. At first they thought their mind was playing tricks on them, because this COULDN'T be their hand.
It was completely black, cracked and pulsing with green energy, and his once well taken care of nails and fingertips were replaced with intimidating claws. If it didn't tremble in response to Chance noticing their transformed hand, he would have thought it was someone else's.
After retrieving and equipping his glasses once more, Chance knew he needed a mirror, or water, or SOME kind of reflection. Thankfully, the map they were in was the horror hotel, which had quite a few mirrors in it.
It felt like an eternity to will his legs to move and find a reflected surface, all while ignoring the voices in the back of his head telling him this was a waste of time, and that he had something else he needed to do. Something important. He needed to join the others- needed to serve. The nagging voice made his already aching head pulse in pain, but they tried their best to ignore it for the time being.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing once he willed his eyes to focus on the mirror. This had to be a bad dream- it HAD to, but it painfully wasn't.
Just like his hand, the rest of Chance's body was a burnt black color, with cracks of green energy glowing faintly across his once flesh. His teeth, fingers, and toes had changed into something sharper, better to kill with. Protruding from his back were two broken wings and a snake tail, twitching involuntarily as the new limbs trembled in the cold air. Chains wrapped around his form, cold and freezing against his already cold and aching skin, and on his chest a sword jutted through. Upon his scalp, rested a green domino crown, similar to 1x1x1x1’s own, but this one was seemingly fused to his head.
Nausea taking hold at the involuntary transformation, Chance barely managed to scramble to the corner of the room before puking the contents of his stomach on the checkered floor. Why why WHY was this happening? Why to him?? His body was still in so much pain, shaking and twitching in pain, the feeling was enough to make Chance want to curl in on himself and just die.
Then, Chance perked up as a realization dawned on them. What if death couldn't help? What if he was stuck like this, after all it hadn't happened to anyone else before now, as far as he knew. Chance swallowed nervously as he began to shake not just in pain, but fear, at the thought of any of the survivors seeing him like this- or worse, being forced onto the killer's side.
One thing was for sure, he needed help.
Chance turned around, amazed by his own eyesight. He could see the remaining two survivors from so far away… no wonder the killers were so good at finding them. Scanning across the area, he could see Shedletsky's aura faintly, he must be quite far. If anyone knew what was happening to him and how to stop it, it would be Shedletsky wouldn't it? He knew the most about the killer 1x after all. But judging from the way the admins form struggled and swung his blade, it was clear he was in his own confrontation, with 1x no doubt. It was probably best not to disturb him.
Changing focus, Chance began to search for the other survivor, Elliot. The pizza delivery guy wouldn't be able to do much, Chance was sure the magic pizza he had couldn't heal damage this great and foreign. But, he could use a friend, he could use some comfort. That is, if he could get Elliot to even recognize him.
The thought made Chance sick, but he persevered as he honed in on Elliot's position. He was hiding in a closet in one of the bedrooms, quite far from Shedletsky and 1x’s skirmish.
Chance began to make the journey, but with the way his joints popped and ached, clearly still getting used to the transformation, he couldn't sprint there like he could before. His new tail was also giving him trouble. Since he discovered he possessed the thing, it swayed wildly, constantly thumping against the floor or curling around his leg or arm almost making them trip. Every movement also caused the new chains and sword in his chest to shift, pressing into his already sensitive skin. Their new wings were also causing trouble, there might as well have been cinderblocks attached to his back with the way the broken things weighed him down causing his spine and ribs to ache madly. Chance was nearly impressed but also confused on how 1x1x1x1 could fight with these wings weighing her down, but they supposed he had a lifetime of getting used to them versus his 10 minutes.
After a painfully long journey, Chance finally was outside the dwelling Elliot resided in. He could still see Elliot's faint aura, still curled up in the closet, pacing nervously. They were glad he didn't decide to leave while Chance dragged himself over, they would've lost their mind if they needed to walk any further. Chance's new tail began to absentmindedly thump against the floor in response to his relief and joy, a sensation that made Chance shudder.
As silently as he could, Chance snuck into the room, rounding the closet to get a full view of Elliot. The pizza delivery man's hair was down, seemingly having lost his hair tie along the way. Other than that, and a gash on his leg haphazardly covered in loose bandages, he looked okay.
Despite Chance's heavy relief upon seeing his friend, Elliot's face was contorting into shock and fear. He pressed his back against the walls, knowing he couldn't possibly side step the 1x minion without getting hit, and Shedletsky needed him as alive as possible.
Chance noticed the look of fear spreading on Elliot's face and his eyes nervously glancing toward the exit door. Chance opened their mouth to speak, intending to say something along the lines of, “ Hey! Elliot! I know I look like one of those minions that have killed you like a thousand times but I'm actually Chance! Just trust me on this!” But all that came out was a croak.
Both Chance and Elliot paused, Chance more so in embarrassment and Elliot more so in confusion. The gambler turned minion immediately tried to speak and soothe Elliot's worries again, but every attempt at speech just ended in scratchy croaks and groans leaving his throat.
Elliot seemed less afraid now at least, as he took in the sight of the minion. It was definitely behaving strangely, usually 1x’s minions would run straight for you and punch or choke you, but this one was just kind of, standing awkwardly, while making strange noises. In fact, as Elliot got a closer look, the minion almost looked familiar, just faintly. And then Elliot's eyes landed on the glasses of the minions face.
“ No way,” Elliot whispered, “ No fucking way…”
The minion paused its weak attempts to talk, staring intently at Elliot.
“ Chance..?” Elliot’s voice cracked, “ Is that you?”
Chance nodded furiously as the words left Elliot's mouth. Yes yes YES! He knew Elliot would recognize him, he knew it. His tail and wings swayed and flapped in excitement as Chance tried to take a step closer, but Elliot backed up just faintly.
“ Hold on,” Elliot said, voice firm, “ If you really are Chance, prove it.”
Chance paused, well how the hell was he supposed to do that? It’s not like he could speak after all. He needed to think of something quick though, because one look at Elliot could prove he was still thinking of making a run toward the exit, and leaving Chance behind. He couldn't be alone, he just couldn't.
Suddenly it hit Chance, he had an idea of how to prove themself. They weren't sure if it would 100% work, but it was worth a try. Backing away to allow Elliot the full view of them, Chance began making the motions of flipping his coin. He didn't have it with him, so miming would have to suffice. As he continued the performance, he would try his best to shift his expression into disappointment or joy upon the coin landing on his hand.
Elliot stood confused at the act, which made Chance nervous as they continued to perform, more frantically this time, constantly pointing at themselves and their hand and the motion.
Suddenly, Elliot narrowed his eyes, “ Are you seriously miming a coin flip??”
Chance was a bit taken aback, but nodded.
Elliot sighed, “ Well, I’m still not sure but, I don’t think the 1x minions are usually smart enough to flip a coin.”
Elliot stepped forward, his body relaxing as he took in what was supposedly Chance. It was hard to tell, but he looked really really happy upon seeing Elliot. But despite that, his body was still shaking and twitching in aftershocks of what Elliot can presume was a painful transformation.
“ Oh Chance,” He mumbled, as he shakily brought a hand to rest on his new wings, causing the gambler to flinch, “ What happened to you?”
Chance shrugged, signifying that they didn’t know. They leaned into Elliot's touch, craving the warmth and comfort. The pizza boy's breath hitched as Chance's arms wrapped around his waist, his head resting against his shoulder.
Elliot relaxed as he sank to the floor, pulling Chance along with him. The two shifted so that Elliot could rub Chances back while the gambler's head rested in the other's lap. Chance closed his eyes as Elliot's hands snuck their way to his wings, playing with the loose feathers. Elliot frowned as he took in Chance's full form, his hands snaking their way to the blade embedded in the gambler's torso. His fingers brushed against the hilt of the sword, in which Chance responded with a small groan and shiver.
“ You must be in a lotta pain huh?” Elliot whispered, which earned him a whine of agreement from the body beneath him, “ If I wasn't on cooldown I’d offer you a slice but…”
but i’m not sure if it will work is what Elliot meant to say, but Chance knew, he understood. He knew there was a very very low chance that Elliot could fix him, but just being here in the arms and comfort of another was enough to alleviate his aching mind and body.
The turned gambler didn't notice the sudden stiffness in Elliot's body, but they did notice when Elliot decided to change position, getting in front of Chance as a makeshift shield just as he felt the whiff of a sword barely miss him.
“ Mr. Letsky! Stop STOP! It’s just Chance!” Elliot begged, Chance now snapping back to attention as he turned to view the admin who nearly killed him again.
Shedletsky stood in the doorway, his hands a white knuckled grip on his sword, blood dripping from his forehead and arm.
The admins mouth gritted into a snarl as he huffed out, “ Elliot, get away from the minion.”
Chance trembled as he shrunk himself to try and hide behind the pizza boy, he had never seen Shedletsky so mad before. The admin was usually very jovial and happy, rarely getting angry or frustrated, but now he had a look of hatred to him that felt foreign and terrifying.
Elliot shook his head as he raised his arms to protect the gambler, “ Shed you don’t understand, this is Chance! I know he looks like one of those minion guys, but it’s still him in there! He hasn't attacked me at all!”
Shed still kept his grip on the sword tight, but he did look over Elliot, and true to his word there weren't any new scars or injuries on him. The admin flicked his gaze toward the minion, it certainly was acting very differently from the others, shaking and hiding behind a survivor.
Shedletsky sighed and glared at the minion, “ If you really are Chance, prove it.”
Chance lit up as he immediately went to do his coin flipping gesture again, but just before they could Elliot grabbed his wrist, “ If you seriously do that stupid coin flip thing to prove yourself i’ll kill you again.”
Shedletsky stood dumbfounded at the scene, as Elliot chewed out the minion as if it was a misbehaving child. He was sure the minion was just dazed, or didn't realize Elliot was there, but now it was staging right at the pizza boy as he held its wrist. Shedletsky still wasn't entirely convinced this was Chance, but it was clearly a defective minion.
“ Alright alright, I believe you,” Shedletsky replied, getting shocked looks from both Elliot and the minion who was apparently Chance.
Elliot's mouth turned into a grin, “ That’s great! That means you can fix this, right?”
Shedletsky blinked, “ Huh?”
“ I mean, you know the most about 1x after all? Surely you dealt with this kind of thing before, right?” Elliot continued, with Chance frantically nodding next to him.
Shedletsky frowned as he scratched the back of his neck, “ I'm sorry but, uh, this whole necromancy thing is new to me, I mean I barely know anything about it myself…”
Chance looked visibly defeated, his wings dropping, causing Shed to stammer out, “ But! I’m sure you’ll be brought back to normal once the round ends, so there should be nothing to worry about!”
Chance perked up a bit upon hearing that, trusting the admins words. Everything was going to be okay! He and Elliot and Shedletsky just needed to wait for the round to finish. Elliot glanced nervously around the exit, “ Speaking of, what happened with 1x1x1x1?”
Before Shedletsky even had the chance to open his mouth, a diabolical wave of green energy flew through the air, hitting the admin straight on, causing him to crumple to the ground. Elliot shouted something unintelligible as the corruption of hatred appeared in the room, grabbing the admin and slicing a sword through his chest, sealing the kill. The killer, dripping with blood and sweat, straightened up as its red gaze locked onto Chance and Elliot.
It looked frustrated at first, and then glared at Chance, its eyes glowing just a bit brighter.
As soon as the killer turned its gaze toward him, Chance let out a yelp of pain as he crumpled to the ground and held their head in their hands. Overlapping voices pounded in his skull.
kill him, kill the healer
to live is to serve, to serve is to kill
you must kill the last one standing
you must secure the kill, secure the victory
secure the victory for your master
you must serve your master, serve 1x1x1x1!
Chance cried out in pain, which 1x responded with a dark chuckle, “ My my, it seems one of my minions is defective.”
His terrifying metal teeth twisted into a grin, “ Usually, I'd be annoyed, but this will make it oh so fun instead.”
Elliot, who had crouched down next to Chance to try and comfort him, did not notice when 1x readied his blade, casting an entanglement onto him. The gambler perked up as he watched Elliot fall to the ground, frozen.
1x1x1x1 simply walked over and sat on the bed, one leg crossed over the other, just as two other minions, presumably from Guest 1337 and Noob, walked in and blocked the exit, trapping Chance and Elliot with the swordsman.
Chance was confused as to what 1x was planning, as the killer long since dropped their swords to the ground, crossing his arms together as it glared at the mutated survivor.
“ Go on, gambler,” The creature hissed, “ Serve me.”
Chance suddenly felt his body lock up, straightening almost robotically as he turned to stare at Elliot, still frozen and helpless, his eyes wide and pleading. Chance thrashed about in his head as best as he could, desperate to regain control of his body, but the order in his mind was too great, and he could only watch helplessly as his clawed hands met the throat of his best friend.
They tightened, not enough to break the neck, but enough to choke him. Elliot was helpless, still entangled and could only watch and choke and wheeze pathetically as he was strangled by Chance. However, just before the life was drained out of him, 1x, who was still sitting on the bed watching the scene unfold, raised their fingers and snapped.
“ Stop”
Immediately, Chance's hands went slack, allowing Elliot to gasp and breathe. They were both confused, but relieved at 1x’s mercy, not realizing this was anything but. 1x observed Elliot coughing and gasping, before turning to Chance once more.
“ Continue”
The gambler pounced onto Elliot, choking him once more. Elliot wasn't entangled anymore, but was so weak from his previous strangulation that he could only claw weakly at the hands gripped around his throat. And just like before, right before Elliot could pass out, 1x spoke up once more, a hint of glee in his gravelly voice.
“ Stop”
Realization dawned on both Elliot and Chance on what 1x1x1x1 was doing. He wasn't here to win this time, he was here to entertain himself. And somehow, that fact was more terrifying than if he was just here to kill. Oh how Chance wished he just stayed put, not trying to seek out assistance. At least then Elliot wouldn't have to know it was him, at least then Elliot wouldn't be acutely aware that it was Chance choking him to near death.
The cycle continued as the last seconds of the round ticked down, with Chance strangling and clawing at Elliot, stopping just before the pizza boy could pass out or die, and then continuing again. Over and over, 1x would watch, a pleased grin on his face. Oh how she wished her creator could see this, but she was sure if he kept that pathetic waste alive, he would intervene.
Right before the round could end, 1x gave a final order to its minion, “ End it.”
Before either could process what the order meant, Chance's jaw opened to reveal a mouthful of sharp metal fangs. A wordless plea left Elliot's mouth, just before Chance sunk his maw into the helpless survivor's neck, blood spurting and pooling beneath him. Chances claws gripping and pulling out flesh and viscera from the sides of Elliot.
Chance's eyes watered as he heard Elliot choke and gurgle on his own blood, before eventually stilling, the only sound being the bubbling iron liquid dripping from his mouth.
As their vision faded into darkness, they could barely make out the last word from 1x1x1x1, who had stood and watched the whole thing transpire.
“ That was quite entertaining indeed, thank you both for your hard work.”
The killer won
Chance shot awake, gasping as if he was drowning as he took in his environment. He was back in the cabin, respawned on the floor. They quickly took a glance at their trembling hands. A familiar shade of gray met him, allowing him a small moment of relief before he remembered the events right before the round ended.
His transformed hands meeting Elliot's neck, the blood pooling under them, the strangled croak of Elliot's last breath, that monster sitting on the bed, just watching it play out.
Chance let out a strangled cry as he sank to the floor, curling in on themself. They didn't care about putting on a front or trying to convince everyone they were okay, they just wanted to cry now. Several voices tried to reach them, but Chance couldn't listen, just continuing to sob and heave on themselves.
They did however perk up when they felt warm familiar hands grab his own. Chance sniffled and raised his head to meet the green eyes of his best friend. Elliot was clearly holding back tears, but before he could ask if Chance was okay, the gambler cried out once more and dove into Elliot's arms. He gripped onto Elliot as if he could disappear at any moment, sobbing into his shirt as apologies and pleads for forgiveness spilled from their mouth. Elliot could do nothing but hush and comfort Chance, trying to tell him it wasn't his fault while rubbing his back.
Meanwhile, the rest of the survivors stood around, worry and horror etched on their faces at the abnormal behavior emitting from the usually well put together gambler.
Just what the hell happened in that round?