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lord-and-master · 9 days ago

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My Dearest Enemy [11]

◤• Commander Peepers x Reader • ◢

╰┈➤ This is not slow burn at all and with a serious tone (just saying!). This is THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER, you can read the rest here:

https://www.wattpad.com/story/222059481-my-dearest-enemy

ׂ╰┈➤ BACKSTORY TIME (kind of)

Chapter Eleven: But Somewhere Deep Inside

She had no name, no identity, no home.

Was she a child, or was she not?

Thruthfully it was hard to tell. Her soft features and small stature spoke that indeed, she was, however her soul held a completely different story. Her face never seemed to change, it was always filled with fear. The times where happiness was evident in her expressions were long gone, right along with her confidence. She was so fragile, so innocent, yet forced to see and experience things that no child should ever have the displeasure of seeing or being a part of. There was no one at her side, no one and nothing besides the firearm in her trembling hands, as she watched in horror the ground beneath her break.

In that moment the world was all the she had, and the world was a battlefield.

Amidst the chaos and violence, she was alone. There were no moments to stop and think, to share a kind word, to see a person inside of her. She was just another number, and without anyone standing by her, the system choose her purpose. The dreams of finding something on her own, of being someone she wanted to be, there was no room for such foolishness. She knew. And so she fought on, battling for a cause she didn't understand, her spirit and body trapped in a conflict she didn't want to participate in.

Did she fight for herself? Or for others?

W̴h̷y̸ ̴s̵h̷o̵u̷l̶d̶ ̷i̶t̷ ̶m̷a̵t̴t̷e̵r̸?̸

Battle after battle, war after war, she moved ahead, her small frame carrying the weight of a world that forgot her innocence. She saw the cruelty of what humanity and alien races were capable of, the atrocity and the pain. But she also saw the flicker of hope in the eyes of her allies, the hope for a future she might never see. However she knew that it was just how things were supposed to be. She was just a trivial little flower, with no space to bloom.

...B̶u̵t̵ ̶w̵a̸s̸ ̷i̸t̶ ̴s̶o̷ ̵b̵a̸d̶ ̵t̵o̵ ̸n̴o̷t̸ ̸w̵a̶n̶t̵ ̶t̸o̸ ̶d̸i̵e̶?̶

The fear of death hung over her like a shadow, even though she didn't fully understand what it meant. She tried to avoid thinking about it. Tried to push it to the back of her mind. Though the constant battles and the horrors of war left her with a sense of uncertainty, her young heart torn between hope of a better future and the fear of what lay ahead. She fought on, but her ever-present threat of the unknown loomed over her like a specter, her youth snatched from her by the cruel hands of warfare. She didn't know what death would bring, but the idea of leaving her whole life behind, of leaving everything behind, scared her more than the battlefield ever could. And the girl didn't dream of having a long life. That was too much to hope for. Her thoughts, her dreams, her fears, they all swirled around that one point, with that one realization...

S̵h̴e̸ ̵w̴a̶s̶ ̵e̷x̵p̴e̵n̷d̵a̵b̴l̵e̴.̶

Just a cog in the machine, a tool to be used an discarded at the will of those in charge. Her desires and worries, they were not of importance, her existence only valued based on what she could offer in the grand scheme of the conflict. She fought for a cause, but it wasn't her cause. It wasn't something she would see an end to, a victory to celebrate. So she had accepted her role, her purpose, her future.

To be a weapon. Nothing more.

Yet as the war ended, and she was on the losing end of the fight, she found herself held at gunpoint, the only human left in the entire universe alive. There was no more trepidation, no more deep thoughts. The only companion the tears that welled up in her eyes as she waited for her whole world, the one she wished to know so much, to end.

But it didn't.

Why didn't they shoot her?

T̴h̵e̸y̷ ̶s̷h̷o̸u̸l̴d̴ ̸h̵a̸v̴e̴.̸

That was the first question that appeared in her head when she was taken away, her small frame being manhandled by the aliens as they dragged her from the battlefield. She didn't know what awaited her, her heart racing with terror and confusion once again, the uncertainty about her fate like a weight on her chest. Soon her surroundings chaned from fire and ruin to a ship, a spaceship to be exact. Her enemies were silent as they guided her through the corridors, her whole body dwarfed by their larger forms. She couldn't help but look around, taking in her surroundings with both fear and fascination, her mind racing with questions.

"What's that?"

"What does this do?"

"Why is it so colorful and shiny?"

But as the child-like curiosity escaped her lips, it was never sated.

Her attempts were met with another wave of silence and indifference. The aliens didn't bother to answer her, they only ignored her, her questions unanswered. It was like she was invisible, her presence just another part of the surroundings, not worth acknowledging or responding to. Because of that she felt the bitter taste of despair, her hopes of receiving an anything, at least some kind of acknowledgment, crushed. The tranquility was deafening, the only sounds being the echo of their footsteps in the spaceship. But through it all, that tiny spark remained, a small flame that refused to be extinguished by apathy.

She soon found herself in a room, her thoughts still swirling in her head. She looked around, trying to understand, her heart racing a little still. The place was bare, with nothing but a bed and a single window overlooking the vastness of space. Her captors left her alone, and the silence returned, but that time it was almost deafening. And so she made her way to the opening, her frame standing against the cold glass, looking out into the endless blackness, the stars twinkling in the distance.

Why didn't the stars look beautiful that night?

Their beauty, the bright light they emitted, they meant nothing to her. All she saw was cold indifference, the void a reflection of her whole shell, empty and unfeeling.

And she wondered, what would happen next?

The next few years were a blur for her, a never-ending cycle of switching families. She was just a tool to be used and discarded once more, without a second thought. No one wanted her, no one wanted a human. She was seen as dangerous, a reminder of a war the aliens had won. She was passed from one family to another, each time she would hope to find some kind of belonging, a small flame of hope kindling in her heart. But each time, her hope was met with indifference and hostility. She was alone, an outsider, a strange and unwelcome presence in every home. With no identity, no name to claim as her own. People forgot to ask, her age a became a mystery in the strange world she was brought into. She longed for something that would feel like love, but it was as elusive as peace. Yet, she clung to life, holding onto the faint hope that one day, she would be free.

But why did they keep her?

W̸a̷s̷ ̴s̸h̷e̵ ̸a̸ ̷t̷r̴o̵p̸h̸y̵?̵

That's exactly what she was in their eyes, a reminder of their victory. She was nothing more than a spectacle, dehumanized to an unrecognizable level, her own individuality ereased and replaced by their twisted views and perceptions. The system that kept her alive, however, was corrupted, using her to prove a point, making her feel inferior, treating her as if she was merely a pet, or a novelty to be displayed and showcased. The way she was used, the way she was treated, it all served to further the sense of worthlessness that had already settled in her heart. She was powerless to prevent it, unable to change her circumstances, stuck in a loop of exploitation and subjugation. Though the system wasn't broken; it was functioning exactly as it was designed, just like everyone intended for it to work.

B̵u̵t̷ ̷w̸h̴y̸ ̸d̴i̷d̵ ̶s̵h̵e̸ ̸h̴a̷v̸e̸ ̷t̸o̷ ̷b̸e̸ ̷t̷h̴e̵ ̸o̵n̸e̷ ̶t̶o̶ ̴e̷x̴p̶e̵r̴i̶e̵n̷c̸e̶ ̶i̶t̸?̸

To her, the war had never ended, in a sense, because she had never witnessed the end. True peace was something she hadn't seen, or experienced. Perhaps it was a cruel fate, a form of prolonged torment, where the battle waged on endlessly within her mind, the memories and scars of the past lingering like an unhealing wound. She was left behind, forgotten, abondoned to a life without true closure.

"Weak."

"P̷a̴t̵h̴e̵t̸i̸c̵.̸"

A̴̺͌ ̷̘͌r̴̝̾e̵͂͜l̸̮̄i̸̜̋c̶͉͘ ̸̛͔ȍ̷̘f̵̲̽ ̸̺̌t̸͓̚h̷͓̀ȩ̶̀ ̶̯̓p̶̦͌a̷͉͛s̷̃ͅt̷̬̃.̵̘́

The aliens, with their condescending voices and dismissive attitudes, would make comments about her being a human, mocking her for her perceived weakness. And the children, their cruelty sometimes even more apparent than that of the adults, would make fun of her nature, further adding to her sense of otherness and isolation.

But could children be blamed for their words?

T̷h̶e̷y̴ ̴d̷i̸d̶n̶'̴t̶ ̶k̶n̵o̵w̴ ̵b̸e̴t̴t̸e̶r̴.̶ ̴

Indeed, it was true that kids were merely imitating the behavior of the adults around them. After all they were like sponges, absorbing the prejudices and beliefs of their surroundings without any thought or judgment. They were merely products of the environment they were raised in, and their harsh words towards her were a reflection of the hostility and ignorance ingrained within the alien culture. Which is why they weren't entirely to blame, but it didn't matter.

Because she was a child herself.

S̴h̸e̶ ̶d̵i̸d̸n̴'̶t̵ ̷k̵n̶o̸w̸ ̶b̸e̵t̷t̸e̸r̵ ̸e̵i̸t̷h̶e̸r̸.̴

And so, one day she sat on the floor, surrounded by scraps and wires, her small hands working almost frantically on the device before her. Her eyes were filled with a fierce determination, a focus that was almost unnerving for someone so young. The makeshift lab she had created in the back of a shed she was staying in was littered with tools, manuals, and broken equipement. But in the midst of it all, she was in her element. As she worked, her thoughts swirled around her head, a jumble of anger, sadness, and resolve. She felt powerfless, weak, and she didn't like it.

"If they want me to be dangerous, I'll show them dangerous."

Her fingers nimbly connected wires, her orbs scanning the manual on her lap. The plans for the bomb were easy enough to comprehend for her. She knew the components and how they needed to be arranged for maximum damage. After all, she has seen explosives being set up before, she has observed their creation and how they worked. The thought of holding such power in her hands was exhilarating. The thought of finally being able to push back against the universe that seemed to be constantly pushing her around made her heart race. It filled her with a sense of control that she had been lacking for so long.

With a final twist, the device came together, its circuits connecting with a satisfying click. The tiny bomb lay in her palms, its destructive potential contained within its compact frame. She held it gingerly, examining her handiwork. If she used such a thing, she wouldn't be weak. She wouldn't be helpless. She knew that the consequences of blowing it up would be severe. There would be no turning back. But the fear that would fill any creature's heart who looked at her was the thought that enticed her. The girl was so faulty before, though in that moment she would show them she was not something they should scoff at. She was done being the pawn in their game. It was her turn to throw the chess pieces around.

And so she decided to blow up the school, the place where she was supposed to learn but only experienced more pain. Where the only thing she was taught was her insignificance.

It was a night like any other. Moonlight streamed through the windows of the building, casting long shadows on the empty hallways. The only sound was the faint hum of the ancient heating systems. Everyone was tucked away in their homes, safe and oblivious to the events that were about to unfold. But to her, it wasn't just a normal night. She was outside the school, her small frame crouched behind a bush in the shadows. In her hands was the bomb she had worked so carefully on. Her heart raced with anticipation, her eyes almost glinting in the dim light. The air felt charged, as if the world itself was holding its breath in anticipation. The area was quiet, its usual activity replaced by an eerie silence. It was the perfect playground for her little game. And so, with a deep breath, she threw the object ahead and pressed a button on a different device.

AN EXPLOSION ERUPTED.

As the ground trembled under her feet, the night sky lit up brightly, she couldn't help but compare it to before, the war. Back when the ground shook violently and the sky was filled with the sounds of explosions and chaos. She had been scared then. She had felt so small and helpless. But in that moment, it was different. It was her who made the whole world crumble.

And she loved it.

L̷o̴v̷e̴d̴ ̴b̶e̷i̸n̴g̴ ̵b̶a̴d̶.̴ ̵

A small, almost imperceptible upturn appeared at the corners of her mouth. It was the first time, in a long time, that her face had ever looked like that. It was the first time in a long time, that there was a hint of joy in her expression. The rush of adrenaline coursed through her veins like a tsunami. The sound of the explosion, the light — it was almost beautiful in its own right. She loved it. She loved having the power to make something so loud, so destructive. It felt right. It felt like she was finally in control of something. Like she wasn't just a pawn in the hand of fate anymore. For once, she felt like she found her purpose on her own.

And she wanted more.

S̸o̵ ̷t̸h̶a̶t̵ ̸s̴h̴e̶ ̸c̴o̷u̴l̵d̷ ̴f̵e̵e̷l̸ ̷s̷o̷m̷e̸t̷h̴i̶n̷g̸ ̶o̶t̴h̴e̸r̸ ̷t̴h̸a̸n̸ ̵d̶e̸s̴p̸a̴i̸r̴.̶

She quickly became addicted to the feeling. The power that came from the act of chaos and destruction, the thrill of watching something crumble at her hand. It wasn't long until she was caught, though. Her destructive tendencies didn't go unnoticed by the powers that be. Soon she was brought to a facility, where children like her were held for 'bad attitudes' and 'unruly behavior'. But it didn't make her break. Despite the attempts to subdue her, she refused to give in. The facility, with its bland walls and sterile environment, felt like a cage. But she was not some animal, to be contained and controlled. Every attempt to do so was met with a fierce will to resist. Every punishment was seen as a challenge, to strengthen her resolve and feed her rebellious nature.

There, she also met a small girl, someone who also found joy in destruction.

T̶h̸e̸y̶ ̷w̷e̸r̷e̵ ̴a̵l̴i̴k̸e̸.̷

She could have never expected to meet someone else like her here. This girl was different; her defiance was not just a product of a bad attitude or an unruly demeanor, it was a hunger, a thirst for destruction. And the girl relished in it, like it was her lifeblood. Clearly, for the white-haired female all of it was fun. It was exactly the same for her human peer. And since they were thrown in the same room - or rather a cell - their interest in terror blossomed.

"You like.̵͚̠̦̗̽͊͊͗̎̊̈́̏ to destroy things too?"

"What a dork.".̵͚̠̦̗̽͊͊͗̎̊̈́̏

"You're such a pain."

"What's.̵͚̠̦̗̽͊͊͗̎̊̈́̏ your name though, .̵͚̠̦̗̽͊͊͗̎̊̈́̏weirdo?"

She was used to hostility, but that girl was something else. The way she talked, her blunt words tinged with anger, it was almost fascinating. When she asked for her name, she hesitated for a moment. It had been so long since anyone had asked for it, it was strange to even think about it. After all, she had no identity. No one ever cared enough to give her one. But then, she thought, her life is her own. And she could do anything that she wished to, even if meant something as trivial as choosing her own name.

"It's ___.̵͚̠̦̗̽͊͊͗̎̊̈́̏"

She finally said, her voice quiet yet firm as a smirk played on her lips.

The other girl, an alien one, with her sharp words and defiant attitude, chuckled at the reply. The sound was harsh, almost scornful, but there was a hint of respect in it."___.̸̡̬͓̳͍͍͈̭̪̦͙͉̯́̊͑̾̇́̒̄͆̽͛̐̓̅͑̉̎̋̾͘̕͜, huh? That name suits you. It's kinda dumb, though." She replied, with a small sly smile of her own, but the human rolled her eyes at the remark, unimpressed by the cruel words.

"And what do you think your name is better.̶͙͈̫̉̈́̀?" She retorted, her voice tinged with irritation. "I bet it's something dumb like Sparkle.̶͙͈̫̉̈́̀ or Rainbow."

The girl's face darkened at the jab, and she gave the one in front of her a sharp glare. "As if!" She snapped, her voice laced with anger. "My name's Dom̸̛͍̟̄̑̒̋͝inator, like, way cooler, duh!"

"Dominator.̴��͍̳̝͑̈́̄?" The human repeated, a hint of disbelief in her voice.̴̧͍̳̝͑̈́̄ She had to admit, the name was rather fitting for the small girl sitting across from her. It was strong, powerful, and imposing. But she couldn't help but feel a bit amused by the contrast between the name and the tiny, childlike appearance.̶̙̗͍̬͙̦̀̄̅̌̃͠

"Yeah, that's right.̸̢̭͖͈̘͙̒" Dominator replied, her tone still sharp. "I'll rule the entire unive.̸̢̭͖͈̘͙̒rse someday.̸̢̭͖͈̘͙̒"

The other one couldn't help but chuckle at the statement. The thought of her, the defiant and grumpy child, ruling the universe was almost ridiculous. But at the same time, there was something about the girl that made it feel possible. And so, the human made a slight, almost imperceptible nod. ".̶̦̭̘̞̺̻͕̳͍̈́̿̄̉̿̾̑̑̑͠͝You want to rule the universe, huh?" She said, her voice soft, yet calculated. She leaned in closer towards her peer, her orbs glimmering with subtle malice. "You know, I think I want that too..̶̦̭̘̞̺̻͕̳͍̈́̿̄̉̿̾̑̑̑͠͝"

As expected, Dominator laughed at her words, her face scrunching up in an even wider smirk. "You? A.̴̧̣̳͕̜̋ human?" She said, the mockery clear in her tone. ".̴̧̣̳͕̜̋You can't even rule a room much less the .̴̧̣̳͕̜̋universe."

The human's jaw tightened at the jab. Her hands clenched into fists, her eyes darkening with anger. But she hid the emotion behind a veneer of calm. She couldn't lose control. Not now. So she forced herself to smile. "You don't believe me,.̴̧̣̳͕̜̋ huh?" she replied, her voice steady. "Well, I don't care if you.̴̧̣̳͕̜̋do or not. I know what I can do. And I'm going to rule the entire galaxy, with or without you.̴̧̣̳͕̜̋."

Her words took the alien by surprise. The small girl's smile faded, replaced by a look of confusion. "Without.̴̧̣̳͕̜̋ me? Pfft, please. If .̴̧̣̳͕̜̋anything you would need me, idiot.̴̧̣̳͕̜̋." She retorted, her voice filled with arrogance.

"Oh, I don't need you." The other one replied, almost sweetly. "I don't need anyone..̴̧̣̳͕̜̋ But... I guess it would be more fun that way. Wouldn't it? R.̴̧̣̳͕̜̋uling together, I mean." As she looked at the small, defiant girl before her, her mind was already scheming. She could practically see the plans forming in her head. But for now, she would put on a façade of kindness. She would play the game. For after all, what's a little bit of lying for the sake of world domination? She leaned in closer towards Dominator, her voice soft and honeyed. "Imagine it," She said, her eyes locked onto the smaller girl. "Ruling .̴̧̣̳͕̜̋the galaxy, together..̴̧̣̳͕̜̋. All those worlds, under our command. We could make them all kneel before us, if we .̴̧̣̳͕̜̋wanted to."

A look of curiosity flickered across Dominator's face, and the human knew she had piqued her interest. The alien was listening, her pink orbs wide and almost dreamy, as if she was imagining exactly what she had described. "It would be amaz.̴̧̣̳͕̜̋ing," She continued, her voice full of a false excitement. "The two of us.̴̧̣̳͕̜̋, unstoppable. No one would dare to stand.̴̧̣̳͕̜̋ against us."

The white-haired girl was silent for a moment. Her face was filled with a mixture of excitement and caution. She was clearly tempted by the idea, but at the same tim.̴̧̣̳͕̜̋e, she wanted to make sure it wasn't a trick. "And.̴̧̣̳͕̜̋ what makes you think I'd trust you?"

"Because both of us need a f̵r̶i̶e̵n̷d̶ ."

And with that she reached out her hand, a gesture for her to take it, make the deal.

Dominator was silent for a long moment as she looked at the human's extended hand. She had always been on her own, relying on no one but herself. Friends were a liability, a weakness that could be exploited. But something about the way her peer spoke, the way she looked at her... it made her want to give in. To reach out and take the hand offered to her.

She hesitated for another moment, her eyes flickering between the other girl's face and her hand. Then, finally, she slowly reached out her own small one and grasped the other. Their palms fit together, like two pieces of a puzzle."This.̵̨͎͈̂͒̓ means nothing," She said, her voice still sharp but with a hint of reluctance. "Don't think this makes us.̵̨͎͈̂͒̓ friends."

"Of course it doesn't..̵̨͎͈̂͒̓" Her new companion replied, a small smirk playing on her lips a she squeezed her hand. "It just means we're allies.̵̨͎͈̂͒̓. Partners.̴̱̙̌͗̀͒̈́̀̓͛̍̅͐.̵̛̗̞̘̟͕̖͈̞̿̈͛̃͑̿͋͠."

For as long as she was of use to her.

They years in the facility passed by in a blur of days, months, and years. ___ and Dominator grew closer, their bond strengthening with every shared moment. At first, it was all planning and scheming. They spent hours sitting together in their shared room, brainstorming ways to escape and take over the galaxy. They would sketch their plans on any surface they could find, from the wall to pieces of paper they managed to smuggle out. But as time went on, their conversations became less about planning and more about themselves. Despite the alien's tough exterior, she couldn't help but open up to her human peer, if only a little bit. They would talk about their pasts, their dreams and fears. Their conversations were still laced with sarcasm and sharp words, but beneath the surface, there was a genuine connection beginning to form. And in the quiet hours of the night, when the rest of the facility was asleep, they would sit together in the darkness, sharing secrets that neither had ever told anyone else. There were times when they would talk and talk until the first light of day.

And even though neither of them would ever admit it, they had become something more than just partners in crime. They were the best friends neither of them knew they needed.

It wasn't all smooth sailing, though. There were rough patches along the way, arguments and fights where words were spat out in anger. But they always managed to find their way back to each other, realizing that they needed the other's presence.

"You're so annoying sometimes.̵̳̜̺̹̏̽͌̓̎̈͐͛, you know that?"

"Pfft, .̵̳̜̺̹̏̽͌̓̎̈͐͛and you're always so grumpy. Maybe you need to chill.̵̳̜̺̹̏̽͌̓̎̈͐͛ a bit."

"Maybe you need to stop pissing me off .̵̳̜̺̹̏̽͌̓̎̈͐͛.̵̳̜̺̹̏̽͌̓̎̈͐͛all the time."

"Hey.̵̳̜̺̹̏̽͌̓̎̈͐͛, I'm just being entertaining."

"Right. Entertaining. That's exactly what you call pissing me o.̵̳̜̺̹̏̽͌̓̎̈͐͛ff."

Friendship seemed like such a distant prospect.

"Why .̵̳̜̺̹̏̽͌̓̎̈͐͛do you always talk so much? It's giving me a headache."

"And why do you always look so grumpy.̵̳̜̺̹̏̽͌̓̎̈͐͛? Do you ever smile?"

"No. Smiling is for weaklings."

"Pfft. So, what does that make me then?"

"Probably the .̵̳̜̺̹̏̽͌̓̎̈͐͛biggest weakling of all."

And yet it passed through their minds, more often than they dared to admit.

"You .̵̳̜̺̹̏̽͌̓̎̈͐͛know, sometimes you're not that bad."

"Are you actually admitting that you like me?"

"Oh, please. Don't let it go to your head."

"Too late. I'm going to have a big head for.̵̳̜̺̹̏̽͌̓̎̈͐͛ days now."

"Annoying little-"

Maybe sometimes it was worth a few bruises.

"Hey, I got a question for you."

"And what's that?"

"Do you ever wonder what it would be like to not be evil?"

"...What do you mean?"

"I mean, if we weren't planning ways to rule the world or destroy it."

"...Why would we do that?"

"I don't know. Just a thought."

A small silence followed Dominator's question, the air between them suddenly heavy. ___ didn't respond at first, her eyes fixed on the wall in front of her, her thoughts swirling in her head. Could they do anything other than evil? Could she be anything other than... her? Finally, after what seemed like eternity, she turned to look at her partner-in-crime, a mixture of confusion and something else in her look. "What else would we be?"

The white-haired girl's face remained in its usual frown, but there was a hint of something else in her orbs, a slight gleam of vulnerability. She had asked the question, but as her peer looked at her, she realized that the the human had her own doubts too. "I don't know," Shereplied, her voice unusually quiet. "I just... I wonder what it would be like if we were normal, I guess."

"Normal, huh?" The other one repeated, a smirk playing on her lips. "And what is normal, exactly?" It was a genuinely curious question. They had never been normal, both of them being considered abnormal since the moment they were born. The thought of being 'normal' was almost laughable, but the look on Dominator's face made her pause.

"You know," Dominator said, a hint of sarcasm returning to her voice. "Normal, as in not constantly thinking about plotting crimes and taking over the universe."

"So... boring, then?" The human retorted.

"Ugh, I suppose so," The alien groaned, rolling her eyes. "But still... maybe it wouldn't be so bad." Another silence followed her words, a longer one this time. Her 'partner' studied her face in the dim light, watching her small frown and the thoughts flickering in her gaze. There was something there, a hint of longing or even a bit of melancholy.

___ snorted suddenly, her smirk widening. "Yeah, right." She replied, her tone both amused and dismissive. "And be bored out of my mind? No thanks."

"I should have guessed you'd say that."

"What, did you think I'd actually want to be normal?" The human asked, raising an eyebrow. "Please. Being normal is for losers. And we're definitely not losers."

"Pfft, I guess you're right." Dominator said, a small smirk returning to her face.

Their usual banter had returned, the hint of vulnerability that had been there moments ago suddenly disappearing. But beneath the surface, the thought that Dominator had planted in her mind remained.

And for some reason, she couldn't shake it off.

The final years of their stay in the facility passed in a blur, filled with late-night planning and days full of tense anticipation. Both of them were seventeen then, and the time to set their plan in motion was nearing. The air around them felt charged, heavy with the knowledge that their dreams were about to come true. But even as the time ticked by, things began to change between them. The arguments decreased, the tension between them gradually fading. They still bickered, still teased each other, but there was a new note of understanding and trust that had never been there before. They were in sync, their minds practically in tune with each other.

On the day before they were scheduled to leave the facility, they were sitting together in their shared room, the silence between them unusually thick. They were both lost in thought, their heads already consumed with the plan they had been working on for years. But there was an underlying tension, an unspoken question that hovered in the air.

Finally, Dominator broke the silence.

"So, we're really doing it, huh?"

"Yeah, we are."

"Tomorrow, we'll be out of here for good."

"I still can't believe it. We've been working on this for so long."

"I know. It has to work."

"It will. We've planned ever single step. Nothing can go wrong."

___'s eyes flickered towards her companion as she spoke, her gaze betraying none of the guilt churning in her stomach. She knew she had a plan of her own, something she had been keeping from her partner all along. But as she looked at Dominator's face, all determined and resolute, she suddenly felt a pang of remorse. The young white-haired woman's features were filled with determination, her hands clenched into fists, a contrast to her usual grumpy expression. She was ready for this, more than ready. She had waited years for this day, and now it was finally here. It was the moment they had worked for, the moment they would finally get out of this hellhole and take their place in the galaxy.

Together.

The word echoed in the human's head, almost as if their minds were seriously connected, sending a jolt of guilt through her. But she quickly pushed it aside, burying it deep down. She couldn't let her emotions get in the way of her plan. She had spent too many years working on it, sacrificing too much. She couldn't back out now. So she glanced at her partner again, studying her determined face. She had always seen her as a weapon, someone she could use to further her own goals. But now, as the day they had both been waiting for so long was about to come, she felt a flicker of another emotion, one that she quickly pushed aside.

Affection.

No, she told herself firmly. She couldn't let herself feel anything for Dominator, no matter how much the girl had grown on her over the years. She had to stick to the plan, to betray the girl who thought of her as a friend, a partner. She couldn't let weak emotions mess everything up.

"Yes, together.̵̳̜̺̹̏̽͌̓̎̈͐͛." She forced a smile on her face.

"Together." The alien echoed, her voice filled with so much confidence, so much trust.

It made the human's heart ache.

B̷u̸t̶ ̸s̴h̷e̶ ̵h̸a̸d̶ ̷t̶o̶ ̴d̶o̷ ̶i̸t̸.̸ ̴D̷o̴m̶i̵n̵a̶t̸o̸r̵ ̷w̴a̴s̴ ̸a̸n̷o̸t̷h̷e̴r̷ ̷a̶l̷i̷e̶n̷,̸ ̵j̶u̷s̵t̷ ̴l̴i̴k̸e̴ ̸e̶v̷e̴r̸y̶o̵n̴e̴ ̷e̷l̷s̴e̴,̸ ̴s̷h̶e̶ ̶d̶e̷s̷e̷r̶v̷e̵d̶ ̷i̶t̸.̵

And with that thought, the guilt slowly faded away, replaced by a strange kind of cold determination. This was the right thing to do, the only thing she could do. Her peer that was unfortunately of another species wasn't her friend, she was a means to an end, a tool to be used. And yet, no matter what, a small shred of doubt remained, whispering in her mind, telling her that it was wrong. But she pushed it away, refusing to listen.

She was nothing to her.

S̵t̸o̵p̶ ̶l̶y̶i̵n̴g̸.̵ ̶S̷h̸e̵ ̸m̷e̸a̸n̴t̵ ̴e̷v̷e̸r̵y̶t̶h̸i̶n̶g̷.̶

The next morning, the day of their escape, they were ready. They had both spent hours before dawn making the final adjustments to their plan, going over every detail one final time. As the time drew nearer, the anticipation in the air was almost tangible, the atmosphere charged with excitement and tension. They stood near the door to their shared room, their fixed on the clock on the wall. Five minutes until the guards would do their rounds, five minutes until they made their move. Dominator fidgeted beside her friend, her hands clenching and unclenching, a clear sign of her nervousness. ___ watched her silently, her cool exterior hiding the nervous flutter in her stomach. She glanced at the door again, as if she could see through it, could see the guards slowly making their way to them.

One minute.

She turned back to the alien female, her orbs flickering over her whole form, taking in her trembling hands and the nervous expression on her face. There was a part of her, buried deep, that wanted to reassure her, to tell her that everything was going to be alright. But she pushed it away. She couldn't afford to be soft. Not now.

Thirty seconds.

Dominator noticed her look and turned to meet it, her features a mixture of anxiety and determination. They looked at each other, their gazes meeting for a brief moment.

Ten...nine...eight...seven...

As they stared into their eyes, a brief moment of hesitation flashed through ___'s mind, a flicker of doubt and guilt. After all, the alien in front of her was the only one who had ever been there for her, the only one who she'd allowed herself to get close to. They had been each other's only support for years, fighting and planning together. Though with a quick breath, the doubt was quickly squashed, a coldness taking over her heart. Dominator was simply a means to an end. She couldn't let herself care. And with that in mind, the last number appeared in her head.

One.

The moment the clock hit one o'clock, Dominator and her human companion moved. They had both memorized the guards' schedule down to the second, so they knew exactly when the guards would be closest to their room. They burst out of the door and sprinted down the hallway, their hearts racing. With every step, ___'s heart grew colder, the guilt slowly fading as the focus on her plan took over.

It was necessary.

They weaved through the empty halls, avoiding the cameras and sensors that were placed all over the facility. They had studied the layout of the place for years, knowing every single room and corridor by heart. They arrived at the supply room, its door protected by a code and a retina scan. The code was easy, a simple pattern that they had been able to crack a long time ago. Dominator quickly entered it, and the door slid open, revealing rows and rows of supplies. They began gathering the items they would need for their escape, filling a backpack with small tubes of highly reactive chemicals, wires, metal scraps and other objects that could serve as weapons or improvised explosives. Everything they grabbed was packed up with a speed and precision that spoke of months or even years of planning. When the backpack was filled, the alien from the duo pulled out a small device from her pocket, tapping a few buttons on it. The device came to life with a soft hum, and a light on its screen started flashing. A signal, a silent alarm to make their escape from the facility just a bit easier.

They shared a final look, and silently, they turned and ran out of the room, their footsteps nearly silent on the polished floor. Together, they made their way towards the exit, following the path they had planned and practiced so many times.

The building was an endless maze of corridors and rooms, but they managed to move through it swiftly. Any guard unlucky enough to stumble upon them was swiftly dealt with, a quick move from their combined strength enough to knock them unconscious and into the nearest closet. Their steps and breaths were the only noise filling the silence, both of them completely focused on their destination. Finally, they arrived at the last security check, a series of high-tech sensors and lasers standing between them and freedom.

The two girls stared at the intricate security system, their minds immediately focused on the problem at hand. Dominator began scanning the devices that made up the sensors, her eyes flickering as she mentally calculated the optimal points for the explosive charge. ___, on the other hand, began to assemble a makeshift explosive device with the materials they had gathered. They worked in a well-practiced rhythm, their hands moving with a steady precision. Dominator pointed out the exact points where the charges would cause the most damage, and the human carefully attached them to the bomb. Within minutes, the device was packed tightly with enough explosives to take out the entire security system. All that remained was the final step.

With a nod, Dominator detonated the device. The explosion was deafening, sending a shock wave through the entire corridor, rattling the walls and the ground beneath them. For a moment, everything was dust and smoke, the security system reduced to nothing but scrap metal and broken circuits. And as the dust began to clear, they could see the path to freedom before them. The security system had been completely destroyed, leaving the exit doors unprotected. They shared a brief look, and together, they sprinted towards the exit, the remaining guards running after them.

The air outside was cold and fresh, a stark contrast to the stale air they had breathed inside the facility for years. But they didn't hesitate, their steps quick and determined. They ran as if their lives depended on it.

Which, technically, it did.

They reached the spaceport, the rows of parked ships spread before them in a neat line. The human female spotted the nearest one, and without hesitation, she leapt onto it, her limbs moving with a grace and precision that showed how well she had trained the past few years.

Dominator followed close behind, but as she arrived at the ship, ___ suddenly spun around and pushed her away, sending the girl flying onto the hard concrete.

W-What?

The alien female let out a gasp of surprise, her small form hitting the ground with a thud. She looked up at her only friend in confusion, not understanding what was happening.

For a moment, their eyes met, and ___ hesitated. The sight of Dominator, on the ground, looking up at her with trust and confusion, filled her heart with a sharp pang of guilt. But she pushed it down, her face hardening. This was only a small flicker of doubt, a tiny feeling, easily ignored by the cold determination that had settled deep in her chest.

"What-" Dominator started, her voice small and full of betrayal.

"You've served your purpose..̵̳̜̺̹̏̽͌̓̎̈͐͛" She said, her tone betraying nothing of the guilt and doubt that were currently warring inside her. "I don't need you anymore.̵̳̜̺̹̏̽͌̓̎̈͐͛."

The hurt woman's expression shifted from confusion to shock and hurt at the human's words. She stared up at her, a million questions and emotions flickering through her small form. "W-What do you mean... I've served my purpose? You- You need me..!"

___'s expression remained cool and detached, as if the girl on the ground in front of her was nothing more than a tool that had fulfilled its function. "No, I don't..̵̡͎̳̗̋̌̒̎̾̅̇́̓̆͛̒̇͜͠" She said firmly, her voice cold. ".̵̡͎̳̗̋̌̒̎̾̅̇́̓̆͛̒̇͜͠You've been nothing but a means to an end. A resource to be used. And now, that resource is no longer needed." She almost laughed. "Now, be a good toy." With that she leaned forward, her expression emotionless. "And stay down..̵̡͎̳̗̋̌̒̎̾̅̇́̓̆͛̒̇͜͠"

Dominator's eyes widened, the words hitting her like a physical blow. She couldn't believe what she was hearing, couldn't understand how the person she had considered a friend, a partner, could speak to her like this. Her body trembled with a mixture of hurt and anger. "Y-You can't just... you can't just use me and discard me like garbage!"

___ looked down at the young female, her heart cold, her eyes betraying nothing of the inner turmoil she was feeling. She spoke, her voice cool and detached. "Consider this a lesson, Dominator. In this galaxy, nobody truly cares for you. You're nothing but a small, i̴n̷s̶i̴g̴n̴i̴f̴i̷c̵a̸n̶t̶ ̸p̷i̷e̴c̴e̸, expendable and replaceable. Now... farewell..̵̡͎̳̗̋̌̒̎̾̅̇́̓̆͛̒̇͜͠"

The white-haired female stared up at her, her eyes wide and tear-filled. She tried to speak, to say something, anything, but no words came out. She was speechless, her heart shattering under the weight of the human's cold words. As she watched her turn and climb into the ship, she felt as if everything she had believed in, everything she had hoped for, had just been ripped away from her, leaving her alone and helpless on the cold, unforgiving concrete. Within seconds, the spacecraft was lifting off the ground, rising higher and higher into the air. All the while, her mind was a maelstrom of emotions, her heart heavy with pain and betrayal. She didn't move, just watched as the ship slowly disappeared from view, until it was nothing but a small speck in the vast sky.

How could she do that to her?

And as the ship flew away, the young human woman allowed herself a moment of weakness, the cool, detached facade she had carefully maintained cracking slightly. She closed her eyes, a wave of guilt and remorse washing over her, nearly overwhelming her. But she quickly squashed that feeling down, her jaw clenching. She sat in the cockpit, her orbs fixed on the cold expanse of space before her. There was a stillness to her, a coldness that was at odds with the fiery determination burning in her. But as she stared out into the vastness of the galaxy, she felt something different as well.

For the first time in years, she felt free.

___, the human girl, was like a flower, small and seemingly insignificant in the whole universe. For years, she had been contained, her potential held back and suppressed. But as she took control of her own destiny, the small flower began to change. Like how the petals of a flowerette unfurl, so did she. But in her case, the unfolding wasn't a sight of beauty. Instead, it was a dark and twisted one. Soon it began to rot, it's petals shedding to reveal a rotting core.

She was going to rule the entire galaxy. And nothing, and no one, was going to stand in her way.

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