Chapter Text
Killerwatt hated taking breaks. He always had to be by Electra’s side. And today, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was horribly wrong. So when Wrench ordered him to take the day off to rest after he had passed out from exhaustion, he naturally put up a fight.
“Wrench, please! You know I can’t take a day off! What if something happens to Electra?!”
Wrench, of course, was quick to shut him down. Once she had her mind set to something, there was no getting around her.
“Watts, I know you don’t like taking breaks, but you have to take care of yourself! You’ve been overworked, you need a day of rest. It’s what’s best for you.”
He couldn’t take the day off. He just couldn’t. But he knew there was no use fighting with Wrench.
“Fine!” he yelled as Wrench watched him disappear to his room and slam the door. She felt bad for him, she really did. She knew she would’ve felt the same way about being pulled away from her work. But it was for the best, she assured herself.
“Is he going to be alright?” Volta asked, having witnessed the spectacle from down the hall.
“He will be. He’s just worried that something will happen to Electra while he’s not there.”
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Electra had left around 1pm. They had debated staying home for Killerwatt’s sake, but they had important things to do today. After permanently settling down at Troubadour, they had to work more often, since they weren’t constantly on the move.
Today’s task wasn’t too bad, they supposed. All they had to do was carry a few packages to a yard a little ways down. They’d never been to this yard though.
They suddenly wished they had Killerwatt by their side. They didn’t like going to new yards without him. They probably should’ve brought a weapon for protection, but it was too late for that.
The clouds above them began to darken. A storm must be approaching, they thought. They’d forgotten to check the weather because of all the fuss with Killerwatt this morning. They hoped Watts was doing all right.
As they pulled into the yard, there were no trains in sight. In fact, the place looked like it had been abandoned for years.
Weird…
They skated around, looking for the area they were supposed to drop the packages off at, but all they could find were rotting buildings. Was this the right yard? Had they messed up the directions?
“Hey you!” A voice called from the distance. “What the hell is a train like you doin’ out here all by yourself?
Snapping their head in the direction of the noise, they spotted what looked like a fairly run down diesel. He didn’t look particularly friendly, but maybe that was just all the dirt and grime.
“Ay boys! We got a visitor!” He laughed as more run down diesels appeared from around the corner, carrying bats and knives.
Nope. Definitely not friendly. Now they really wished they had Killerwatt with them.
“Oooh look! They look brand new!” One of the other diesels giggled.
“Must be one of those new electric trains.” Another snarled.
“Would be a shame if something were to happen to them…” the first diesel teased as he advanced on Electra.
Electra winced. This wasn’t good.
“Get the hell away from me!!” They screamed, searching for a way out. If only Killerwatt was here!
“Didn’t anybody ever tell ya not to come ‘ere? We don’t. Like. Guests. The main diesel snapped. “Looks like we outta put ‘em in their place! Get ‘em, boys!
Shit.
Electra tried to run away, but they were quickly surrounded. Two of the diesels shoved them onto the ground.
Agonizing pain spread throughout their entire body. They tried to kick at their attackers, but they quickly pinned their legs to the ground. The next thing they knew, they were being beaten by a dozen vicious diesels.
“Get off! Get off!!” They grunted in extreme pain.
“Awww! Looks like the little guy’s hurt!” The main diesel taunted as he pulled out a knife. “Let me teach ‘em a lesson they’ll never forget!”
They screamed as they were stabbed in the chest multiple times by the diesel. The pain was unbearable. They needed Killerwatt. They needed him now.
“Tear ‘em apart, boys!” The lead diesel laughed maniacally as his lackeys started tearing off their outer plating. They felt a sharp, searing pain as one of the diesels managed to pull off their arm.
As the diesels began to pull away, they felt a raindrop on their skin.
Nonononononono! It couldn’t rain now! Not with their outer plating torn off! They could die!
“Wait, no! Please don’t leave me out here to die!!”
The diesels just cackled in response as they rolled away, leaving them out in the open.
Just as they feared, it started to downpour. As they felt their systems giving way, they sent an SOS signal to Killerwatt. Maybe he could find them in time. They just hoped he wouldn’t find them dead. They knew he would never forgive himself.
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Wrench had told Killerwatt to try and take a nap, but here he was, awake as ever, staring up at the ceiling. He couldn’t take a nap, not when the feeling that Electra was in danger loomed over him.
Slowly, the door creaked open. Killerwatt watched as Joule hopped on the couch next to him.
“Wrench told me to check on ‘ya. She told me you might be sleeping, but it doesn’t look like it, huh?”
He sat up, shaking his head. “I can’t. Not while they’re gone.”
Joule sighed. “Watts, I’m sure they’ll be okay. They should be on their way back now, right?”
“That’s what I’m worried about! They said they’d send me a message once they were on their way back, but I haven’t got nothing!” He exclaimed, shoving his head in his hands.
That was unlike Electra, Joule thought. Usually they’d communicate with them whenever they had a break.
“Watts, I’m sure they just forgot. They’re probably worried about you, too, y’know.”
“I know, I know! I just-“ He sniffled. “I just can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong!” He cried, letting himself fall onto Joule.
Joule was quick to wrap him into a comforting embrace. At least, she hoped it was comforting. She was usually the one being comforted, not the one comforting people.
She hadn’t seen Killerwatt this upset since Electra’s crash in the finals. He had been quick to blame himself then, and she knew he would be quick to blame himself again if something had happened to Electra.
“Shhhh, Watts, it’s okay. They’ll be home soon.”
Joule tried to think of something more comforting to say, but she came up blank. The only thing she could think of was to district him. Maybe with a game?
“Hey Watts, do you wanna play Mario Kart?”
Killerwatt snorted. “I- what-? Joule, no, I’m okay! I just-“
It was then Killerwatt got Electra’s signal.
“Shit!!”
Almost instantly, Killerwatt snapped up. He pushed Joule out of the way and ran for the door.
“Watts, what’s wrong?!” Joule exclaimed, pushing herself off the couch to follow him.
“Electra’s in trouble!! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it-“
Shit.
“Watts! You need to calm down! You can’t overwork yourself again, you’re going to pass out!” Joule reprimanded as they made their way outside.
“I can’t! I can’t! Electra’s in danger! He needs me!!” He exclaimed as he started down the rails at a fast pace.
“Watts, wait up!!” Joule yelled, hopping on the rail behind him.
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Killerwatt went as fast as he could. If Electra was injured, he could get severely damaged in the rain! He needed to get there as quick as possible.
Joule, on the other hand, couldn’t keep up.
“Watts, you’re going too fast! In this rain, you’re going to derail!”
Killerwatt just ignored her. Electra’s safety mattered more than his! He continued racing down the track. He was already halfway there, he couldn’t stop now!
While Joule tried her best to keep up, she received a radio message from Volta.
”You guys okay? I heard you and Killerwatt shouting and now you’re gone.”
Joule sighed and sent a response.
”Electra sent an SOS signal to Killerwatt and now he’s going insane trying to get to him. I’m alright, just worried for Watts and Electra.”
”Shit. I’ll go tell Wrench. Is Electra okay?”
”I don’t know.”
Joule turned off her radio and focused on the track ahead. She could no longer see Killerwatt. That idiot is going to hurt himself.
She was about to radio him when she heard a faint crashing noise.
God dammit!
“Killerwatt?!” She screamed as worry filled her body. When she received no reply, she sped up.
After about two minutes, she finally caught sight of Killerwatt. He was lying next to the rails. She slowed down as she approached him. Thankfully, he didn’t look very injured.
“Killerwatt! Oh my starlight, are you okay?!”
He sat up slowly. “I’m fine. Just bruised, I think.”
“Thank the starlight for that! You are so goddamn lucky, you idiot! You could have gotten really hurt!”
“I know, I know.” He sighed. “I’m just really worried for Electra. What if they’re hurt?”
“They’ll be alright. We’ll get to them, okay?” Joule paused, before adding: “I’m just really glad you’re okay.”
Joule helped him to his feet and scanned for any injuries she might have missed. Luckily, he was only a little beaten up.
“Can you move?” She asked.
“I think so. It’s just a little painful.”
“Here, link on to the back of me so you’re not putting as much pressure on your body. I can get us there if you direct me.”
Killerwatt grabbed onto her back and they started down the track again.
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As they arrived at the train yard, Joule stopped.
“This place looks abandoned. Are you sure this is the right area?”
Killerwatt detached himself from her and looked around. “This is the area I tracked the signal to. Electra should be around here somewhere. Do you wanna split up and search?”
“Are you sure you can move without me?” Joule questioned.
“I should be fine.” Killerwatt replied, waving her off.
“Okay then, but let me know if you need anything. Your health matters as much as Electra’s.”
She watched as Killerwatt rolled away. When she could no longer see him, she turned around and started looking for Electra. All she could see were rotting buildings. This place gave her the creeps.
As she turned a corner, she spotted something on the ground.
Electra.
“ELECTRA?! Oh my starlight, please be alive!!”
She ran over as fast as she could, dropping down next to them. They looked horrible!
“ELECTRA!! Please wake up!!” She shook them, but received no response. She quickly checked for a heartbeat. It was faint, but still there.
Suddenly, she felt like she was being watched.
“Killerwatt..?”
Nothing.
As she slowly stood up, she locked eyes with a rusted diesel holding an oily knife.
“Who the hell are you?!” She yelled.
“Awww, is that your little friend? How sad they had to meet their fate like that.” He grinned.
“What the hell did you do to them?!” She cried, trembling.
“Oh, nothin’ really. Just stabbed ‘em a couple of times! He exclaimed, laughing maniacally. “Now it’s your turn!”
Joule dodged as he lunged for her. She started running. She didn’t want to die!
“KILLERWATT!!!”
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Killerwatt heard Joule’s scream and sprang into action. It didn’t sound too far away, but Joule sounded terrified. Panicking, he raced past building after building. Dear starlight, please be okay.
Finally, he turned a corner and reached the clearing. He watched in horror as a rusted diesel grabbed onto Joule and raised a knife.
No!
He whipped out his gun and shot the diesel, causing both him and Joule to come crashing to the ground.
“JOULE!” Killerwatt screamed as he rushed over to help her. “Are you alright?! Did he hurt you?!”
“I’m okay…” Joule said in between sobs.
“I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have left you.” Killerwatt apologized.
He was about to console Joule with a hug when he felt a sharp pain pierce his back. He let out a hiss as he fell to the ground. He felt weak, like he might pass out again. He couldn’t pass out now! He needed to protect Joule!
With his last bit of strength, Killerwatt rolled around and shot the diesel straight in the head. Once he was sure he was dead, he turned to Joule and rasped “Get Wr-Wrench, now-“
Joule watched as Killerwatt’s body went limp.
“Killerwatt…?”
Joule rolled over and started shaking him, sobbing hysterically.
“Killerwatt?!”
When she stopped shaking him, she noticed the oil leaking underneath him on the ground.
“KILLERWATT?! OH STARLIGHT PLEASE NO!”
Hyperventilating, she turned on her radio.
”WRENCH! PLEASE HELP!! KILLERWATT’S BLEEDING AND ELECTRA’S HURT AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO-“
”Joule- honey, listen to me. Take deep breaths, okay? You’re alright. It’s all going to be okay.” Wrench replied calmly, hiding her own anxiety. ”Are you safe right now?”
”I-I think so?” Joule paused, then cried ”I’m scared Wrench!”
”I know Joule. It’s going to be okay, I promise. Volta and I are on our way now. Are you able to tell me what happened?”
”W-Watts and I split up to try and find Electra, and I f-found them all torn apart on the ground, unconscious and- and they were barely breathing!“ She sniffled, trembling. ”I was checking for th-their heartbeat when a diesel came up behind me and tr-tried to attack me, and Killerwatt tried to intervene, but h-he stabbed him!!” Joule sobbed hysterically.
”Joule, take deep breaths for me honey. Everything’s going to be alright. Volta and I will be there soon. Can you do something for me?”
”Mhm..”
”Alright, good. I need you to apply pressure to Killerwatt’s wound until I get there. Can you do that?”
”Y-yes!”
”You’re doing a great job, Joule. Let us know if anything happens or you’re in danger. We’re only a couple minutes out, love.”
”O-Ok..!”
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Wrench and Volta arrived pulled into the yard a few minutes later, much to the relief of Joule. She slid away as Wrench rushed over to care for Killerwatt and Electra’s immediate injuries. Volta came up to Joule and hugged her.
“It’s okay now. You did a great job, Joule.”
Joule broke down crying again into Volta’s arms. They remained like that for a while, Volta rubbing Joule’s back.
After a few minutes, Wrench got up from her work and asked: “Hey Joule, Volta. Are you guys able to carry Electra and Killerwatt back home? I finished the immediate repairs; they are in a stable condition now, but I still have a lot more work to do.”
“It might be a little challenging, but we’ll manage. Right, Joule?” Volta laughed, trying to lift the mood.
“I guess we’ll have to.” Joule agreed. “And Wrench, thank you. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
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