The elevator hummed as it slid back towards ground level. The Clam-a-Tailin’ Sisters had been evicted out to the gulf, while Dark and the rest headed back to the main building.

  "There anything left Mr. Darkgeek, or we rackin’ up more on the invoice?"

  Drenched from the dip along with his shower-clog-looking kitty, Dark squashed in his boots as he swayed back and forth, still carrying one of the tunes from their fight. He Popped some tablets in his jug with water from the fight, making more sour drank.

  "We're wrapping up now Hildra, I'ma go program Rawkalon to take over temporary leadership and leave the rest in his hands… or flippers I guess? Either way, we should expect water to start flowing clean within 2 weeks max."

  Water swirling around in his display, Rawker turned on to join the conversation. While slow, it was draining out though a corner bit by bit, down Darkgeek’s arm as he jigged.

  "And, The Cool Thing Is, I've Managed To Create Some Deepfake Audio Files From Our Interactions With Those Mermaids! Take A Listen!"

  Rawker emulated the voices of the 3 sisters flawlessly, even their banter was spot on.

  "Yep, Rawker is always busy, even if he isn't always telling us what he's up to!" Dark chuckled.

  "Indeed! The Plan Is To Give The Other Me This Deepfake Audio So He Can Emulate The Old Hags Voices And Keep People None The Wiser As He Rebuilds This Place From Cyberspace!"

  Hildra popped off her demonic helmet. A click in a specific grip, she reverted it back to its original scorpion-like scrunchy and put her hair back up to cool her neck.

  "Sounds like a plan hun'! I parked my ol' van about a hop n' skip from here, n’ this girl doesn’t want to go through the sewers again, so I'ma head out as ya finishin' up."

  The elevator doors slid open. Morning sun started to bathe the area. A strong dew saturating the air, giving several parts of the facility a bright sheen of new beginnings.

  Muggy.

  Taking the last sip from his vinegar bottle, Dark gave a thumbs from the same hand.

  "Cool cool Lady Hildrantine, that's fine. I'll hit ya up in the future. By the way, I got this for ya."

  Darkgeek collapsed the empty container and stored it. He tilted his head. With a push and pop, he extracted a data stick out from his girthy neck's usb slot.

  "It's got my contact info and some encrypted software for chatting. And, like with any usb I give to friends, it's got a hefty library of my favorite music, video games, and anime."

  "Oh?" Hildra chirped.

  A goofy grin crossed Dark's face as tossed it her way.

  "It's likely gonna be a couple of weeks right? Might as well check out some old, new-to-you media in your spare time eh? I also, genuinely want to hear your opinion on some of these so we can nerd out over it, haha."

  A faint smile.

  "Sounds good Mr. Darkgeek. I'ma busy gal, but I'll check’a out when tinkerin' with product after store hours."

  "Oh? Sweet! Cool cool.… Ight, I'ma head out and finish up with Rawkalon, then exit through some sewers."

  "Wait, why even through them sewers again hun’?"

  Dark, half way through the main building door, answered awkwardly.

  "Well… It was planned? Ha... And funnily enough... I sorta have a connection to sewers for some reason. I don't know why."

  "Fair'nuff, ya do you sir, hehe!"

  Dark raised his hand.

  "Will do Hildra, Laterz!"

  "See ya Dark n' crew!"

  The shield maiden, having assisted in serious criminal offenses, turned her shoulders and imitated the same gesture back. Her strut took a gentle pattern as she made her way towards the parking lot. It was time to find some local marketplace, put on the face, and sell as usual.

  ~~

  "Ight Rawker, lets go finish up and head out, I'm pretty whooped and still soaking wet, ha."

  "You Got It Boss! No Need To Hook Me Back Up By The Way, Figured Out How To Transfer Data Via Sound Through My Speaker. At Least, Enough Unique Sounds For The Other Me To Translate Into Data. It Still Needs To Be Tested, But I Am 98% Sure It Will Work!"

  "Cool cool, and Beanie, how you holding up?"

  "WET!" Beanie meowed, shaking his back legs here and there still.

  "Seems right, I'll give ya a good brush later once we make it to the next motel and get a shower in myself." Darkgeek smiled.

  They reached Rawkalon The Soapy One swiftly, still charging.

  "Hey! Wake Up Other Me!" shouted Rawker.

  Rawkalon's screen popped on, though due to the heat of charging, a sliver of pixels towards the bottom right decided to only display red.

  "Oh! I Am Awake! I Am Alive! What Does One Demand Of Rawkalon The Soapy One?"

  A series of quick audio cues played through Rawker, similar to the sound of an electric guitar's strings as a musician's fingers slips between cords. It only lasted about 3 or 4 seconds. It sounded familiar to Dark, almost like one of his favorite songs funnily enough. Rawkalon responded back similarly, though only for half a second and slightly with more tremble.

  "Gotcha! Everything Will Be Taken Care Of, And I'll Go Perma Delete Once Bob Get's Appointed!"

  "Bob? Well ok, I guess he'll work as far as running this place once it's in running order."

  "Remember Me DarkGeek. Our Adventure Was Short, But I'll Exist Within Rawker Should You Ever Need Rawkalon The Soapy One’s Glorious Help!"

  "Will do Rawkalon! Thank you for helping us!"

  Dark threw up his hand in a horned gesture against his chest. With a charismatic tone, he bellowed his farewell.

  "And rock on Rawkalon!"

  "Cheese!" Rawkalon speakered.

  "Indeed! See ya!"

  "Later!"

  Shoving his fingers through the gunked up sewer cover, Darkgeek slid it open and descended down the slimy ladder (making sure to, of course, close it back up). He flicked out his old LED light once again as they retraced their steps back towards their original entry. While they could have theoretically entered the facility through this way, Rawker suggested the other entrance as the most plausibly advantageous, should unknown variables arise.

  Weird and out of place noises could be heard every now and then along the dank pathway back. Something scurrying around in a random pipe here and there, but then some clinking of small pebbles rattling would silence them. Someone was practicing on steel drums for about a minute, but would then stop abruptly.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Odd.

  But, it didn't really bother him, having just passed the doors he busted open earlier that evening in fact. If anything, Dark was more occupied with his own thoughts.

  “What's our next step?”

  “How everything went pretty smoothly.”

  “What weird thing is happening in him to heal his cuts quicker than usual?”

  Beanie Toe cozied up in Darkgeek's back storage about halfway, curling into a slightly damp furball to nap. He'd performed phenomenally and deserved many cuddles later on once they got a room. The walk back felt longer than expected, but Dark could see some of the morning sun winking through their exit up ahead. He put away his LED torch as they approached.

  "Morning White Collar..."

  As Dark passed one of the narrow hallways, a coarse voice called to him from the darkness.

  Shivers of unexpected fear shot throughout his body.

  Petrification seeped.

  From this hidden pathway, The Stranger stepped with a heavy metallic clang of his boots. As he did, minimal rays of sewer sun revealed trace details of the slender figure.

  He pulled a greasy metal lighter out of his dirty dark blue jumpsuit pocket.

  Clic…

  Clic…

  Click.

  It shot out a copper sulfated green flame, lighting a jet black cigarette at the corner of his mouth. With each puff, his eyes would glow a hazardous red in the pupil while it faded out through his aged, yellowed corneas.

  "Why you down here White Collar? Seems strange... I'd think you'd be in traffic this hour..."

  Red smoke exhaled through his nose, followed by a purple hue gas after that. Each puff produced a different flavor and color.

  Dark struggled to find words as he got a better look at the man's face, thanks in part to the cigarette. The man's face hung tired, middle aged and ghostly white. Grimed with dirt and sweat, assorted piercings littered throughout his features. Hair was just as ragged, being a rat's nest of unkempt jungle green dreadlocks, though a streak of clear blonde stood out, only held together by metal caps on his ends. His scruffy beard matched, including another blonde oddity that crawled up his mane.

  "It's… serenity..." Dark lowly spoke, wanting to just leave, arching for a fight he did not plan for.

  "You think of this place… serene? Haa..."

  The Stranger clicked on a yellowed shoulder light towards the ground and gestured him.

  "I have an idea of what you've been up to… Follow me... You don't want to go up there just yet..."

  Rawker whispered to Dark in a serious manner.

  "This Dreaded Man Could Be Leading Us To Our End, I Advise We Simply Ignore Him And Make Our Way Up. Our System's Already Been Pushed, As I'm Sure You Can Feel."

  The ghastly man stopped.

  He leaned his back against the concrete sewer walls, exhaling a tired sigh of, now green, smoke while tilting his head back towards them.

  "Look, I ain't gonna kill ya fuckers... Just doing some charity for ya while off the clock..."

  He clanked several salvaged rings around his fingers against his out-of-placed regular looking watch, gripping it.

  Suddenly, he twisted it to the opposite side with fatigued frustration.

  "So stop wasting my time..."

  Dark found his footing and adjusted to the situation.

  While logically, he shouldn't follow a sewer hobo down into the unknown depths, something was compelling him to find out.

  "… Alright... And your name? Call me Darkgeek..."

  A half grin of yellowed teeth crossed the man's hairy face, still balancing the black cigarette in his lips.

  "Bobb Witches… I'm just a trashman if you couldn't tell from the jumpsuit... Now... Lets mosse..."

  Bobb picked up a dirty neon green tote bag near him and slung in over his shoulder with a heavy thud. They followed him down the dank path. It wasn't too far from their entrance. After a few turns around some corners, they entered a decently lit up living space to Dark's surprise.

  "Welcome... to my underground abode." Bobb smiled, less exhausted than before.

  He tossed the tote bag into a darker corner near a crooked hinged metal door and plopped down onto a large sofa. While originally red, the furnishing had seen better days. In fact, this sofa was likely hauled back by Bobb while on pick up day. Saturated stains, cat scratch damage throughout, and a missing leg, told the story of previous owners life's having been imprinted into those cushions and frame.

  "Bet ya came from that water facility..." Witches casually said while lighting up his second cigarette.

  Common white smoke sizzled up this time.

  Dark subtly shifted back and forth slowly between his boots.

  "What makes you say that?"

  "That smell you and your fur friend in the back got... Might want to wake him so he don't freak out... Cats fickle bastards..."

  The atmosphere was uneasy. Even so, Dark perceived the man to simply be curious and well acquainted with the area, rather than a threat.

  He stopped his nervous swaying.

  "Fair? Hold on a sec."

  Darkgeek pushed his hair to the side. With an awkward lift, he pulled a tired Beanie Toe from his back compartment, now cradling him in his arms gently.

  "This is Beanie Toe."

  The Black Cat looked at Bobb Witches.

  And did not care about his existence, as he continued to purr in Dark's arms and pump cutely into his usb corded arms, almost like a cat scratcher.

  Perking up slightly at the sight of Beanie Toe, Bobb set down his cigarette on the edge of a warped coffee table off to the side to hide his excitement.

  "Is that... custom tech White Collar? You do this… yourself?" He asked in an unimpressed manner.

  Dark gave an awkward grin.

  "Yep. Got a whole story behind him. Even got some custom tech in myself, though it was more out of necessity than choice?"

  Witches picked up his cigarette and rolled up his arm sleeves to cool down, revealing an assortment of tattoos and more piercings. Behind his eyes, as they glowed with each puff, you could see small glimmers of excitement, though his fatigued demeanor remained unchanged.

  "Interesting... I actually… got my own line of... unique cybernetics..."

  Rawker lit up with the mention of new technology.

  "New Cybernetics You Say? I Am Also Inter..."

  Bobb slapped his hand against his side suddenly and pointed towards Dark with cigarette in hand, raising his voice baffled, borderline upset.

  "Is your shoulder talking to me? That’s some kind of AI infused with your body's cybernetics… isn't it?!"

  The sudden burst of energy expressed from the overworked trashman shocked Dark.

  "Yep, that's Rawker. Been working on that one for awhile now I guess? Ha ha."

  "Indeed! Running The Cybernetics That This Crazy Fool Implanted Continues To Be An Exciting Mathematical Challenge!"

  The old man put out his black cigarette early, rubbing it out on the side of the couch before casting it to the side. While not full of piss and vinegar as he briefly displayed, Bobb Witches was now much more alive.

  And focused.

  "Ullia, before grabbin' that bag: Come, introduce yourself to our guests."

  At some point during their conversation, the door had been opened slightly without Dark noticing. A petite woman's arm was sticking out from the other side, with her hand on the sack’s straps.

  From behind the crooked door, a soft woman's voice timidly spoke, though somewhat congestedly.

  "… Uhhh-uh, oh-oh-Ookay?"

  The hand let go of the bag and quickly retracted back. She began to slowly open the disheveled and rusted metal door.

  "Don't judge Darkgeek, ya hear me?" Bobb sternly asserted.

  "There's no kindness for bigot's bullshit... do well to remember that when you're here..."

  The door opened all the way and a short feminine figure stepped into the lit room carefully in dark grey sweatpants, leather slip-ons, and a beautiful blue blouse. The light did not reflect naturally off of her face nor her skin. While she did her best to avoid eye contact, Dark could see her eyes were grayed out. Except for one, dilated so much that it appeared almost solid black. Faded blonde and silver hair was pulled back into a ponytail, but she also had a smaller section of hair to the side at the front with an animal bone-like charm holding it in place.

  "Hell-o? I… I'm, Ullia Witches, Bobb's wife!" she nervously spoke.

  Weird situation, but Dark actually always enjoyed greeting people he was introduced to regardless.

  "Hello there! I'm Darkgeek, and this is Rawker and Beanie Toe! Nice to meet you… Ullia, right?"

  "Y-yes?"

  "Cool, cool, will do my best to remember, I'm pretty horrible with names, not gonna lie. Ha." Dark chuckled.

  Bobb unzipped some of his jumpsuit, pulling some gum out of his dirty white undershirt's pocket.

  "Ullia was killed over a decade ago… and what you see is my… unique tech in action..."

  Peppermint scented the area.

  Some color left Dark's face as he sat Beanie Toe on the couch.

  "Wha… ok? That's actually possible?!"

  "No Way!" exclaimed Rawker.

  Embarrassed and flustered, Ullia spoke out.

  "Why would ya' tell dem' somethin' so personal like that Bobby?! I..."

  Bobb Witches interrupted, still chewing his gum.

  "I wanted to go ahead and get it out of the way… no one needs to pretend around us… plus, it's what makes you unique Babe!"

  He went up to her, open arms, giving her a tender hug and kiss on the neck.

  "You may be cold to the touch… but you're still my sunshine..." he whispered into her ear.

  "Oh… Alright Wiggle Bunny." Ullia moaned as she reciprocated his love.

  Dark thought to himself of what he was witness to. A human brought back from death? No decay, just… frozen in time from their passing in appearance? While the thoughts of Bobb's necrophilia mildly disturbed him, this secret tech was vastly more stimulating to the brain. Plus, some dude's immoral kink wasn't anything new to his eyes when you've browsed the internet long enough!

  As Bobb stepped away from Ullia, blowing a small bubble with his gum, Rawker chirped in.

  "So! How Did You Bring Her Back To Life Mr. Witches? From What I Can Tell, Her Death Was A Combination Of Several Factors, Like The Physical Tra..."

  The bubble popped loudly.

  Witches pointed towards Dark's shoulder.

  "Your bloatware’s gettin' too nosey... Best put it on mute before we have an issue..."

  Dark snapped back to reality.

  "Oh my bad, sorry about that. Damnit Rawker, you let your curiosity override empathy."

  Rawker's speaker was muted for the time being.

  Beanie Toe stretched and stood up on the couch, giving it a little clawing before hopping down to Dark's side.

  "RESTPEACE..." purred Beanie Toe as he rubbed against his master's leg.

  "Seems that cat of yours… ain't like others… Babe, give'em a tour and somethin' from the fridge. I'ma finish setting up the usual in the ol' Shelt, bring them in 40ish minutes..."

  Grabbing the tote bag, Bobb proceeded to walk through the door Ullia entered from.

  “If Drag shows up early… well, you know…”

  He pulled the door behind him with a loud clang.

  "Uh-uh, Oo-ohkay? Followw me!" Ullia shyly and loudly spoke.

  Dark, excited for some real food, let out a charismatic response.

  "Alrighty then Ullia! Lead the way to some home cookin!"