RiCo MiSsEs PiPeR sAd StOrY...⛓️☹️

Instructions

⚠️ TW: you might die from sadness... ☹️☹️☹️ Sure, here’s a story that builds on this bittersweet scene with Rico and Piper: --- **Title: "Echoes of the Past"** Rico stood alone in the quiet of his room, the usual clinks and whirrs of his gears sounding almost hollow. The colorful orbs inside his body, normally spinning with energy, seemed dim. A soft glow from the nearby lamp cast a familiar shadow on the wall—a shadow shaped like her. Piper. The two had once been inseparable in battle. Piper’s elegance and precision complemented Rico’s unbreakable persistence and rapid fire. They were a strange yet perfect pair, united by the thrill of the fight and, though they never spoke of it, something deeper. But things had changed. Piper had been called away on a high-stakes mission, one that didn’t involve her loyal friend. She’d left in a hurry, blowing him a kiss from afar, promising she’d be back before he knew it. That was weeks ago. Rico’s normally chirpy voice had softened, growing mechanical, almost monotone, in the absence of his partner. Every night, he’d stand by the wall, watching her shadow cast across the room, his circuits sparking with memories of their laughter, her teasing smile, the way she’d playfully adjust her parasol after each victory. And each night, he’d replay the moments, thinking, *I still see her shadows in my room...* One day, rumors started spreading through the Brawler’s lounge—Piper’s mission had taken a dangerous turn. No one knew exactly what had happened, but there were whispers of an ambush, her elegance and speed only enough to narrowly escape. Yet, she hadn’t returned to the battlefield or her friends since. Rico’s gears whirred with worry, tightening with dread. What if she’d left him, not because she had to, but because… she’d found something, or someone, else? The longer she was gone, the darker his thoughts became, his usually bright-colored orbs flickering. But he clung to hope, bolted into his frame like every screw and spring. Just when his spirit was about to break, a familiar voice crackled over his receiver: “Rico, darling… you didn’t think you could get rid of me that easily, did you?” It was her. Piper. She was back. Rico’s gears roared to life, his colors spinning brighter than ever. He raced to meet her, his voice—usually punctuated with cheerful jingles—sounding breathless with relief. And when he saw her standing there, slightly bruised but smiling, he felt like every part of his metal frame had been reforged anew. They didn’t need to say much. She leaned on him, and for once, Rico felt like his presence alone was enough. They stood in silence, letting her real shadow replace the one on his wall. Though battles would come and go, and missions would take them apart, Rico knew now that she’d always come back to him. And as she lifted her parasol, giving him that same playful smirk, he couldn’t help but smile, finally letting go of the shadows of the past.