·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ No spoilers here since this chapter isn't really based of any plot of the game so enjoy :)

You, an older sibling with a heart filled with love and determination, had become a stalker to roam the desolate streets of Krat. The city had fallen into chaos, puppets and survivors alike falling victim to the Petrification Disease, a cruel and relentless affliction. But your sole purpose for enduring this harsh reality was to find a cure for his little brother, the most precious person in the world to you.

The grief and loss were unbearable, and you couldn't accept that there was nothing you could do. You became determined to find a cure for the disease that had taken your brother away from you. You knew that he couldn't bring your brother back, but perhaps you could prevent others from suffering the same fate.

You had become a stalker, a skilled and fearless survivor who roamed the dangerous streets of Krat, searching for answers, for clues, for anything that might lead to a cure. You were willing to face the puppets, the deadly creations of Geppetto, and the dangers of the city to find what you sought.

The city was a place of chaos and despair, filled with the remnants of a once-thriving society. The streets were littered with abandoned homes, overgrown with vegetation reclaiming the land from human neglect. The eerie silence was only broken by the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant howling of the wind.

Your journey was fraught with danger. You had to confront hostile puppets, rival stalkers, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. You spent your days deciphering cryptic notes, examining strange concoctions, and searching for hidden laboratories that might hold the secrets to curing the Petrification Disease.

But the weight of your brother's absence was ever-present, a heavy burden that you carried with every step you took. Your determination was fueled by a profound sense of responsibility, the belief that you had to find a cure not just for your brother but for all those who had been touched by this devastating disease.

As you ventured deeper into the heart of Krat, your resolve remained unshaken. You would stop at nothing to uncover the truth, to find the cure that could bring hope to a city drowning in despair. Your journey was a testament to the enduring power of love and the lengths one person would go to in the name of family and the preservation of life.

Your heart raced as you found yourself cornered by the relentless puppets. The rain poured down, drenching you, and the cold droplets mixed with your sweat, creating a shiver-inducing chill that ran down your spine. You knew that you were in a dangerous situation, with little room to maneuver.

The three puppets advanced on you, their lifeless eyes devoid of emotion, yet brimming with malicious intent. Their joints creaked with each step, and their distorted mechanical limbs clanked menacingly. You clutched your makeshift weapon, a combination of a metal pipe and a jagged piece of debris. You knew that your chances of survival hinged on your ability to outsmart and outmaneuver these relentless foes.

With a quick assessment of your surroundings, you spotted a narrow alleyway to your right. It was a tight squeeze, but it offered an escape route. The puppets closed in on you, and you made a split-second decision to dart into the alley. The puppets followed, their metallic footsteps echoing off the damp walls.

Your heart pounded in your chest as you ran deeper into the alley. The limited space favored your agility, and you knew you had to use it to your advantage. You vaulted over discarded crates and slipped through tight gaps between walls, doing your best to stay one step ahead of your relentless pursuers.

The rain-slicked pavement made the footing treacherous, and at times, your boots skidded across the wet surface. You could feel the puppets closing in, their mechanical hands almost within reach. But you were fueled by desperation and determination, pushing yourself to your limits to escape their grasp.

Your path led you to a dead end, and your heart sank as you realized you had run out of room to flee. But you wasn't ready to give up. You turned to face the approaching puppets, your makeshift weapon raised, ready to defend yourself against the encroaching threats.

The rain continued to fall, a relentless downpour that seemed to mirror the relentless pursuit of the puppets. You were soaked to the bone, your clothes clinging to your body. You took a deep breath and steeled yourself for the inevitable confrontation, knowing that your life depended on your ability to fight back and survive another day in the unforgiving world of Krat.

You watched in amazement as the black-haired stranger came to your rescue, his mechanical arm moving with precision and grace. The newcomer's bright blue eyes locked onto the approaching puppets, and with a fearless determination, he engaged them in combat.

The rain poured down, and the clang of metal on metal filled the air as the freckled stranger deftly wielded his sword. His movements were fluid and practiced, his freckles glistening with raindrops. You couldn't help but admire the skill and bravery of the stranger who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

The first puppet fell to the ground in pieces, a testament to the stranger's proficiency with his weapon. You realized that you were witnessing a seasoned fighter in action, someone who had likely faced puppets before and emerged victorious. It was a refreshing sight in a world where the odds were so often stacked against the survivors.

The stranger's mechanical arm gave him an advantage in combat, allowing him to block and counter with precision. He seemed to anticipate the puppets' moves, stepping back or lunging forward as necessary, always staying one step ahead of his mechanical adversaries.

You couldn't help but be grateful for this stranger's timely intervention. It was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there were those who were willing to stand up and fight. The rain-soaked scene painted a picture of resilience and courage, as the freckled puppet battled the relentless puppets with a determination that mirrored your own will to survive.

As the last puppet fell, the stranger stood victorious, his chest rising and falling with the exertion of battle. He looked over at you, his mechanical arm gleaming in the rain, and Sim couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with this unexpected ally. In a world filled with darkness and danger, this encounter offered a glimmer of hope and the possibility of forming a new bond in the fight for survival.

The rain continued to pour as you and the dark-haired fighter met in the aftermath of their intense battle. The puppets' dismantled forms lay scattered in the wet alley, and the atmosphere was thick with tension. You stared at the freckled puppet, their rescuer, with a mix of confusion and gratitude.

The puppet's bright blue eyes met your gaze, and he tilted his head, his freckles glistening with raindrops. The absence of words left an air of mystery around him, but his actions had spoken volumes. Despite being a puppet himself, he had come to your aid, defending a fellow survivor from the relentless puppet attackers.

You were taken aback by the revelation. You had been cornered by puppets, with seemingly no way out, and then this puppet with a mechanical arm had appeared out of nowhere to help. The irony of the situation was not lost on you. Here you were, saved by a puppet in the midst of a puppet-infested world.

"You're... A puppet?" You whispered, your voice filled with disbelief and a tinge of wonder. It was a paradox you couldn't quite fathom. A puppet, traditionally one of the lifeless figures that now haunted Krat, had just proven to be a formidable protector. The human-puppet dynamic had been flipped on its head.

The freckled puppet didn't offer verbal confirmation, but the look in his eyes conveyed understanding and a shared determination to survive. His mechanical arm glistened in the rain, a testament to his uniqueness and capability. He may have been a puppet, but he was also a fighter, someone who had transcended the boundaries of his origins to become a symbol of hope in a world of despair.

The raindrops continued to fall, a reminder of the unforgiving world they inhabited. Your perplexed expression gradually gave way to one of gratitude and acceptance. In a place where alliances were essential for survival, you had just found an unlikely ally in a freckled puppet with a mechanical arm.

The silence between them seemed to underscore the profoundness of the moment. It was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for unity, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. You extended your hand, reaching out to shake the puppet's in a silent gesture of appreciation and camaraderie.

The unexpected appearance of the imposing mechanical puppet sent a chill down their spines. The rain-soaked streets of Krat were no strangers to bizarre and dangerous adversaries, and this new threat loomed large over them. But the freckled puppet, who had come to your rescue moments ago, showed no signs of fear.

With a sense of urgency, Pinocchio took a protective stance, gently pulling you away from the looming menace. He didn't need words to convey the gravity of the situation. It was clear that this mechanical puppet was not to be trifled with, and it was wiser to avoid a confrontation.

In silence, Pinocchio guided you through the winding, rain-soaked streets of Krat, skillfully navigating through the city's treacherous alleyways and evading any potential threats along the way. The relentless downpour painted a haunting backdrop to their journey, and the weight of survival hung heavy in the air.

As they moved, Pinocchio's actions spoke louder than words. He was more than just a puppet; he was a protector and guide, transcending the limitations of his mechanical form to help a fellow survivor find safety.

You, though still shaken by the events that had unfolded, began to trust in your silent savior. In this dark and unforgiving world, alliances could be found in the unlikeliest of places, and it appeared that you had stumbled upon a unique bond that transcended the divide between human and puppet.

Your fingertips grazed the cold, metallic chest of Pinocchio, a stark reminder of the puppet's unique existence. The rhythmic, mechanical heartbeat, powered by Ergo, thudded beneath your touch. It was a sound that resonated with both life and artifice, a fusion of technology and nature that defied conventional boundaries.

You couldn't help but be intrigued by this peculiar arrangement. Here was a puppet, once inanimate, now pulsing with the energy of Ergo, an enigmatic substance that held the promise of revival and the curse of petrification. In this post-apocalyptic world, Ergo was both a lifeline and a threat, and Pinocchio's existence was a testament to its duality.

Ergo, a double-edged sword that could breathe life into the lifeless, was also the driving force behind the puppet's mission. Pinocchio sought to gather enough Ergo to transform himself into a real boy, but the price he would pay was the very core of his being — his mechanical heart.

You understood the significance of this choice. It was a reflection of the choices you all faced in a world where survival often meant making difficult sacrifices. In the haunting echoes of their journey, Ergo had become a symbol of hope and despair, a force both beautiful and perilous.

The rain continued to pour outside, a relentless downpour that seemed to have no intention of letting up. Your words carried a promise of shelter and safety as they extended a hand to Pinocchio, who accepted the offer. The puppet trusted this Stalker who he had saved and together they embarked on the journey to find respite from the storm.

After navigating through the wet, winding streets of Krat, they arrived at a seemingly abandoned and boarded-up apartment building. Sim skillfully removed some of the wooden boards, revealing a hidden entry point, and the two of them crawled into a small room that could only be described as a dingy attic.

Raindrops trickled down from the ceiling, creating a faint, repetitive melody. The room was dimly lit, with patches of faded wallpaper peeling from the walls. An old, forgotten place that time had left behind.

You spoke as you settled into the attic, creating a small sanctuary away from the outside world. "It may not be much, but at least it's dry here. We can stay until the rain lets up."

Pinocchio, still unable to vocalize his thoughts, nodded in agreement. The silence between them spoke volumes, a mutual understanding that transcended words. In this quiet corner of the world, two unlikely companions found temporary solace from the unforgiving reality outside.

You continued, your voice carrying a hint of weariness from their struggles in Krat. "We'll have to be careful here. Puppets can be ruthless, and I don't know who else might be seeking shelter. But at least we have each other for now."

The puppet nodded again, a silent acknowledgment of the companionship they had found. Together, they would face the challenges of this desolate world, their connection an unspoken bond that had been forged in the rain-soaked streets of Krat.

As you suddenly rushed to a corner of the attic, Pinocchio followed, his curiosity piqued by the urgency in the Stalker's actions. He watched as you gently pulled back a tattered blanket, revealing a small body lying on a worn mattress. The sight struck a chord in Pinocchio's mechanical heart.

The child lay there, shrouded in the blanket, their form still and fragile. Rain had dripped through cracks in the ceiling, soaking the mattress beneath them.

Your voice trembled as you spoke, and your eyes were filled with a mixture of sorrow and guilt. "I was too late... I failed him."

Pinocchio approached the young boy, his mechanical hand reaching out to softly touch the blanket covering the child. The puppet couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness and empathy. It was a feeling he was beginning to understand better as he spent more time with you and other survivors. The complexity of emotions, both human and puppet, was something he was gradually becoming attuned to.

You continued, your words heavy with the weight of their responsibility. "This boy... my baby brother, He trusted me. I promised to protect him, but... I couldn't."

Though the puppet couldn't speak, his presence conveyed support and understanding. He reached out to place a comforting hand on your shoulder, offering a silent gesture of solace. In this moment, they both shared the burden of their past failures and the hope for a better future. The attic served as a sanctuary, but it couldn't erase the heartache or the memories that lingered. Together, they stood in the dimly lit room, facing the harsh reality of Krat and the responsibilities they bore.

In the dimly lit attic, your silent sobs echoed your pain and guilt, and Pinocchio, the mechanical puppet with a metal heart, held the grieving Stalker in a comforting embrace. His silent presence served as a source of support in a world overrun by chaos and tragedy.

Your words, choked with emotion, resonated through the room. "My brother... He's gone, and it's all my fault."

Despite his inability to speak, Pinocchio understood the weight of those words. The guilt and regret that burdened you were emotions he had become familiar with during his journey through Krat. He had seen the consequences of the choices humans and puppets alike had to make in this unforgiving world.

Your desperate act left Pinocchio in shock and disbelief. As the Stalker forcefully extracted his mechanical heart, a series of ominous clicks and clatters echoed from the puppet's chest. His movements became sluggish, his once expressive face frozen in a state of confusion and fear.

With his heart now in your trembling hands, the Stalker felt an inexplicable mix of triumph, desperation, and anger. The sight of Pinocchio's mechanical heart, the source of life that your little brother would never have, had pushed them to this drastic act.

You clutched the stolen heart, your emotions a tumultuous whirlwind. You couldn't stand the thought of Pinocchio having a chance at life while your own brother had been taken away by the cruel hands of fate. In your desperate attempt to rectify this perceived injustice, you had sacrificed the puppet's lifeline.

As the puppet Pinocchio lay motionless on the floor, his once vivid blue eyes now empty, he knew that his mechanical heart was the very essence of his existence. The lone tear that streamed down his cheek was a symbol of his ultimate sacrifice.

You turned to the lifeless body of your younger brother, cradling the stolen mechanical heart in your hands. In a desperate act of love and grief, you placed the heart into the lifeless chest of your brother, hoping beyond hope for some miraculous change. But the room remained shrouded in silence, and the lifeless form of your brother remained unresponsive.

The young boy's sudden awakening was nothing short of miraculous. His wide smile as he looked at his older sibling, you, brought a glimmer of hope to the heavy atmosphere in the room. The boy appeared entirely unaware of the extraordinary sacrifice you had made on his behalf.

You couldn't help but be overwhelmed with relief and joy. In that moment, the pain and regret of your actions seemed to melt away, replaced by the sheer happiness of seeing your little brother awake, smiling, and, from his perspective, refreshed from a deep slumber. For now, it was a secret that you would carry, a secret born of love and an unbreakable bond between siblings.

With your little brother safe and smiling, you couldn't help but smile back, cherishing the moment of having your family together again, even if it came at a great cost.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ I hope the twist was somewhat unexpected also the reader and the younger brother reminded me of Henry and Sam from The Last Of Us