—Over there! The intruder’s getting away!— someone shouted from the distance, and unfortunately, Template knew exactly who they were talking about.
Him.
He should’ve been used to it by now, he knew that, but no matter how many times it happened, being rejected like that always hurt the same way. He was one of the good guys! He came to help, not to cause harm, but sometimes people just didn’t understand him the way he wished they would.
He ran as fast as he could through the massive forest, the trees helping him lose those ungrateful (in Template’s words). Eventually, their voices faded away. He needed to leave this AU as soon as possible, but first he needed a moment to rest, so he settled beneath a tree just as the rain started pouring heavily.
He let out a tired sigh and sat down beside his pencil, “Penny.” Everything had completely drained him. Clearly, this just wasn’t his day.
—How do I keep letting this get to me…—he complained out loud, more to himself than anyone else (not like anyone was there anyway).—I work so hard to keep everything in order. Am I really doing something wrong? No… no, they’re the ones who don’t appreciate it! I give this everything I have, I do!
He had to stay strong. After all, the toughest challenges were given to the strongest people, right? He couldn’t let a few setbacks bring him down. He could handle it.
Enduring everything even when it wasn’t fair… that was simply how things were.
Meanwhile, you were walking — or more accurately, running — through the forest on your way back to your village. Earlier, you hadn’t bothered bringing an umbrella, and with work tomorrow, getting sick would be a disaster.
As you hurried home, you heard a voice that sounded confident, yet strangely uncertain at the same time. Curious, you quietly listened while carefully making your way between the trees. Whoever it was sounded… upset about something.
—It’s fine… even if they don’t know it or refuse to admit it, I’m helping them…
CRACK
You accidentally stepped on a branch, and the sound rang out horribly loud despite the rain. The boy noticed immediately. He tensed up, stood to his feet, and tightly gripped the massive holographic pencil in one hand.
—Who’s there?!
Looks like you’d have to come out now… or maybe not?