Chapter Text
A phone rings as Kris and Noelle pass a random shop
- How many again?
- 12?!
- I understand your profession, but 12 sounds a little.. overzealous?
- Of course I already got it
- *Sigh*
- Okay, fine, I'll be back soon
- Keep everyone in order till I get back
- Alright, see you soon
Swatch exits the shop but stops short when seeing Kris and Noelle
- Oh! Aren't you the deer Queen was looking for? Noelle, was it?
- Eeek! Please d-don't tell her where I am!
- Don't worry, I believe her plan with the robot head is a little.. drastic
- Though I've seen that she can do.. more drastic things..
- I am Swatch, Queen's head butler
- Noelle Sweetie Darling Honey Where Are You
- Don't let her find me!
Noelle runs down the street
- ... Kris?
- ... Swatch?
- What A Pleasant Surprise
Queen walks up to them
- Have Either Of You Seen Noelle?
- My apologizes, My Lady Grace, I have not seen her as of now
- I will, however, continue searching for her
- Very Good, Swatch, I Am Certain You Will Find Her
- Not Really But You're The Last Of My Staff That I Can Trust
Queen looks at Kris
- In Fact...
Queen looks back at Swatch
- Swatch
- Go With Kris They Seem To Know What They're Doing
- Yes, of course, My Lady Grace
- Okay Enough Of That
- Good Luck You Two
Queen walks past Noelle with a box on her head
- Wow Cool Face
Noelle takes the box off and approaches Kris and Swatch
- (Kris.. I'm going to.. find Susie, I don't.. trust this guy..)
- Um.. I.. gotta go.. do something.. uh-
Noelle runs away
- Bye!
Swatch turns to Kris
- Well, we found Noelle-
- (And lost her at the same time-)
- I think this means I'll just be accompanying you!
- As long as you're.. okay with that
*Nah ♥ Of course!
- I promise to help in anyway I can!
(Swatch joined the party!)
- Kris, mind if I ask something?
- What do you think of Queen? Truthfully, I will not be upset with your response
*She cool! ♥ She's evil
- Oh.. I'm sorry you think that
- I assure you, she's not as bad as she seems on the surface-
- She's actually very kind, compassionate, and wants what's best for everyone here
*Maybe you're right.. ♥ She's tricking you
- What? No, she would never-!
- (Stay calm Swatch, you have to be the one to walk away)
- Okay, you can believe what you want, Kris
Virovirokun floated in!
- Oh..
- What might this be?
❤ ColorPulse.
- Huh? You.. wish for me to.. attack.. it?
❤ ColorPulse.
- I am sure this can be settled without violence, perhaps a small [ACT] is all it needs?
❤ ColorPulse.
- Uh.. I really don't think.. I should..
❤ ColorPulse.
- ....
- (Queen ordered you to follow them, that also means listening to them, no matter if you want to or not)
Swatch cast ColorPulse!
(His feathers shift from black to an awry of reds and oranges)
(The enemy is stunned by it's shift but then is hit with sudden wave of heat, overheating them)
You won!
Got 108 D$.
Swatch became less independent.
- Is he going to be-
- Oh, coming!
Kris goes to the Trash House
They knock on the door
Nobody answers
- Kris? .. why are we here?
- This place.. is quite rancid, isn't it?
- It feels like you don't have control here..
- Like someone else is-
- My apologizes, I'm rambling again
- (....)
- (I kinda feel at home here)
A few enemies later..
Kris approaches a poster of a ferries wheel
- Ah, I always liked the idea of being on one of those
- Looking down at the city..
- Feeling like you're the king and in control of an entire kingdom
- It sounds quite dumb when I say it out loud now
*That's actually really sweet! ♥ It is dumb
- Oh.. well I.. was just, thinking out loud..
- My apologizes, I will.. keep my thoughts to myself now..
- (Why did they sound like that just now?)
- (It's probably nothing for me to worry about)
Tasque crossed your path!
❤ ColorPulse.
- ....
- Kris... ? Could.. I try.. to-
❤ ColorPulse.
- Please, can I at least-
❤ ColorPulse.
- ....
❤ ColorPulse.
- Okay..
Swatch cast ColorPulse!
(His feather shift from black to an awry of blues and violets)
(The enemy is stunned by it's shift but then is hit with a sudden cold front, freezing them)
You won!
Got 99$.
Swatch became less independent.
- Tasque won't be happy about this..
*I'm sorry.. ♥ She doesn't care
- What? What is that-
- Nevermind, let's just continue..
Kris and Swatch approach a pink Addison
- Ohhon!! You two look together! How about some dating shoes?
- Oh no, we're not a thing, I'm merely accompanying them to find someone, for Queen
*Do you have any acquaintance shoes? ♥ We're something.. less
- (What's that supposed to mean.. ?)
- If you're something less, maybe dating shoes aren't right...?
- Maybe I could interest you in a PalettePin?
- A.. pin?
- I apologize but I already have one, though we thank you for your offer
- C'mon, handsome! You can't become stronger without the right equipment!
- Stronger..?
- Yes! And with strength, comes independence!
- Independence..?
Swatch looked at Kris but quickly looked away
- (What am I thinking? Why would they buy me a pin?)
♥ Get it *We're fine
- You're.. actually getting it?
- Ah, I appreciate it.. truly, I do
- How much do we owe you, good sir?
- Just a small fee of $2200!
- Just one under, what a shame..
- It's fine Kris, I still appreciate the thought!
♥ Get it *We're fine
- Huh.. ? We.. can't get it, we don't have.. enough money
♥ Get it *We're fine
- We can't afford it, Kris..
♥ Get it *We're fine
- It's fine! I don't need it!
♥ Get it *We're fine
- Wait.. are you.. telling me to-
♥ Get it *We're fine
- ....
♥ Get it *We're fine
- Isn't there.. another way.. ?
♥ Get it *We're fine
- ....
Swatch cast ColorPulse.
(You got the PalettePin.)
Swatch became more independent.
- (What.. happened..?)
- (I.. have the pin..)
- (The guy must have handed it to us.. I.. I couldn't have-)
- (No, that's not who I am..)
- Thank you, Kris..
Kris replaced the RoyalPin with the PalettePin
Kris and Swatch come across a blue electrical light with two buttons
- A puzzle... I was never good with puzzles..
- But.. I think.. I could try
Swatch walked up to the electrical light but before he could do anything, Kris stood on the button and it turned off
- Ah, I should have figured..
Swatch walked to the other button and stood on it
- Your turn!
Kris walked across and past Swatch without a single word
- (A thank you would have been appreciated..)
Swatch ran after them
Moments later..
Swatch eventually caught up with Kris who was standing near three boxes
- Kris, why did you.. leave me behind?
- I wasn't too far
*Sorry, I just wanted to get a heads start! ♥ You're not worth the waiting
- Well.. that's not.. very nice, I don't.. know what I've done to warrant this.. passive aggressiveness.. but I don't like it..
*I'm sorry ♥ What are you going to do about it?
- (There it is again..)
- (That voice, it's starting to scare me..)
- I'm.. not sure.. truthfully..
*I'm sorry ♥ That's because you're weak
- ....
- Let's just.. go..
Swatch looked down at the pin
- (It's a pretty pin, and I do feel a lot more independent with it on..)
- (Maybe.. I could-)
- (No! Swatch! What the hell are you thinking?!)
- (Queen assigned you to accompany Kris, if you.. did that-)
- (Imagine how furious she would be!)
- (It's horrible that you would even consider something like that!)
- (Deep breaths.. it will be okay.. you're going to be okay.)
*It's horrible ♥ It's natural
- H-Huh?! What are.. you talking about.. Kris.. ?
- (Are they.. reading my thoughts..?)
- (No, that's impossible.. right?)
Poppup popped up!
❤ ColorPulse.
Swatch cast ColorPulse!
(His feathers shift from black to an awry of greys and static)
(The enemy shows concern by Swatch's appearance but then is hit with a mixture of feelings all at once)
You won!
Got 208$.
Swatch became more independent.
Swatch begins coughing
- I-I'm fine! Don't worry about me!
- Don't.. don't stare at me like that.. please..
Kris and Swatch walk down an empty highway and take a turn towards a dumpster that was moving
Kris knocked on it
- (What's up with them and-)
The dumpster began speaking
- LOOKING FOR [Irresistible Deals] THAT WILL [Blow Your Mind?!]
- WELL [Look Someplace Else] BECAUSE THIS PLACE IS [Fresh Out The Oven!]
- GO FIND THE
- GO FIND THE
- GO AWAY
- Wait.. I recognize that-
- (Oh sweet geez, why did I speak?)
The dumpster lid opened slightly
Whoever was in it looked at Swatch
They jumped out and landed in front of Kris and Swatch
- HEY HEY [Monochrome Bird Boy!!]
- Spamton.. uh.. hello..
- SAY ARE YOU [Doing Alright?] YOU LOOK [Whiter Then Snow!!]
Swatch turned his head away and didn't speak
- HEY! I'M [Not Speaking To A Wall!] TELL ME WHAT'S [Botherin' Ya Old Chap!]
*Let's.. come back later ♥ He's fine
- I'M NOT TALKING TO YOU LIGHT nER!!
*I'm sorry, continue ♥ He doesn't have time for you
- [Monochrome Bird Boy], WHAT ARE THEY [Speaking] ABOUT?
- ....
- WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY [Precious Baby Boy?!]
A [[BIG SHOT!!!]] crashes in!
- Oh no..
❤ ColorPulse.
- .....
❤ ColorPulse.
- No.
- I'm done.
- HUH.. ?
- This whole time, you've done nothing but control me to do what you wanted me to do!
- I'm done with being told what to do! I'm done hurting people!
- You can continue telling me to attack, but I won't do it!
- Go on! Try it!
Kris attacks Spamton!
You won!
1997 KROMER.
Swatch lost his independence.
Swatch looks at the soulless body of the puppet
He falls to his knees, weakened
*I'm sorry.. ♥ THIS is what happens when you think you're strong enough to disobey, people you love, get killed
Swatch never took his eyes off the puppet's face, it looked like it was still alive, but with no soul, it was useless
Kris approached Spamton
*It's a puppet's body, looks really easy to possess
Kris rummaged through the trash and finds a pin with thorns around it
Kris replaced the PalettePin with the ThornyPin
*.... ♥ Let's go.
Swatch stood up and followed Kris out the alleyway
Another electrical light stood in the way, a puzzle right beside it as well
*.... ♥ Proceed.
Swatch approached it and hovered his hand over it
The light turned off
- There.. I.. did it..
Kris went ahead and Swatch followed, very slowly behind
Swatch looked uncomfortable, his hand hovered just out of range of the pin
Another puzzle stood in the way
- I'll.. handle this one..
Swatch approached electrical sign and hovered his hand over it, he closed his eyes
Swatch reopened his eyes and stared at Kris who was watching him
- I'm.. working.. on it..
- It.. seems to be.. stronger.. then the last one..
Kris moved closer
Swatch put his hand down and grew increasingly worried
Kris moved closer
- Please.. whatever you're thinking.. d-don't do it..
Kris moved closer
Swatch shut his eyes and used [GUARD]
♥ Proceed
And just like that, the puzzle was solved
Swatch hugged himself, trying to steady his nerves
*.... ♥ Let's go.
Eventually the two arrived at the castle, it was oddly calm and quiet
Swatch looked at the entrance of the cafe and saw a statue of Rouxls Kaard in a pirate's hat.. odd
- ... Well.. I.. guess, this is where.. we.. break paths.. right?
- It's been.. fun? Y-Yeah, fun! Heh..
- Um.. g-good day..
Swatch slowly walked backwards towards the stairs with a pained smile before running into a door near a bookcase
Kris continued wandering the castle, as if they had a reason to be there
Kris pokes their head around the corner and saw Swatch and Tasque Manager were talking, Tasque looked like she was comforting Swatch
- Hey, hey, shoo, hey, calm down, you're hyperventilating..
- Please calm down.. I hate seeing you like this..
Tasque notices Kris and becomes angry
- YOU.
Swatch looks at what Tasque was looking at, fear plastered his face and he began noticeably shaking
- Have you no shame?! Continuing to hurt my friend even after you forced him to do all those terrible things!
- Are you even human?!
- I won't allow you to hurt my friend any further, not as long as I stand!
Tasque puts her hand in front of Swatch as she glares at Kris
Kris looks at Swatch
♥ Let's go.
- He's not going anywhere with you! Swatch, don't listen to them! I won't let them get near you!
Swatch takes a step back
Tasque began attacking Kris, but they were either dodging them or getting just close enough to gather something
- You think this is a game? Hurting my friend is a game to you?! Do you know how much pain you're causing him?!
- How do you live with yourself?!
❤RainbowQuietus
Swatch stops moving back, his hands began shaking
- Rainbow.. Quietus?
- Swatch, get out of here! I'll handle this!
Tasque kept attacking
❤RainbowQuietus
Swatch covers his ears, tears streaming down his face
- You don't belong here! Get out you.. monster!
*.... ♥ She's talking about you
- What? No! Swatch, I'm not! It's not your fault!
- Stop trying to hurt him!
❤RainbowQuietus
- Please.. don't make me do this.. not to her.. please.. I'm begging you..
- Swatch..
Tasque gritted her teeth and charged at Kris
❤RainbowQuietus
- Stop.
- Hurting.
- My.
- Friend!
Before Tasque could bring her whip down, a blinding light of colors filled her peripheral vision, she looked towards it and was in awe
- Swatch..?
Swatch cast RainbowQuietus.
Swatch ascended into the air with his arms at his side, his feathers shifting through many colors all at once, some having overlapped with one other
His glasses had turned completely white and so had his eyes, his suit stayed the same, despite the white parts of it becoming more prominent
He curled into a ball before spreading his arms and legs outwards, all the colors that were shifting were now flying throughout the room, seeping into any enemy that was around
You won!
Got 401$.
Swatch gets lowered to the ground and lands on his knees
Swatch slowly stands up, he holds his left arm and turns towards the door
- I'm.. taking a break.. today..
- I'll see you tomorrow.. Tasque..
Swatch limped out the room
Kris approached Tasque
*She was cold, yet warm, yet a confusing third option, she was cycling through them all
Rouxls Kaard was pushed to the side but a Swatchling was now in front of the door
- Our boss isn't in the best mood for costumers, come back later, okay?
- Sorry for the inconvenience
Kris peaked past the Swatchling
Multiple Swatchlings were surrounding something, all of them looked worried
Kris arrives at the rooftop of Queen's manor
Queen's speaking to Ralsei
- Kris!
Susie runs up to Kris and punches them in the arm
- Where the hell have you been?! We've been looking everywhere for you!
- ....
- What's.. with that face?
- You know what? Don't tell me, it was probably boring as hell
- Let's seal that fountain, alright?
Back home
Kris approaches the computer
*It's a computer that's supposed to run an art program
*You try to start it up but the program seems to be unstable, it's glitching and causes the mouse to shake
*You think it might be more then a bug
Kris and Co enter Castle Town's cafe
Kris approaches the desk and knocks on it's surface
Swatch comes up, accidentally bumping his head on the way
- My apologizes! How can I-
Swatch freezes when seeing Kris
His feathers began to shift through colors at a low opacity
- Kris.. I.. didn't know.. you'd.. be here..
- (Don't upset them. Don't upset them. Don't upset them. Don't upset them-)
- Of course.. that's fine.. heh..
- H-How can I.. be of.. service today.. master?
- Woah, master?
- When the hell did Kris become a master?!
- Uh, Susie, I think it's just a formality
- Y-Yes.. a.. formality.. heh..
- (Why does he seem fidgety? It looks like he's about to pass out)
- (Maybe he's not used to the new location?)
*Check recruits ♥ Exit *Recommendation
- Please come again.. I-I'll be here.. master..
- (Keep smiling. Keep smiling. Keep smiling-)
Kris walks over to a Swatchling
- Boss isn't acting like his usual self today, on top of that, he's changing colors out of nowhere and shaking
- I noticed his shaking got worse now that you three are here
- Hopefully he's just having a bad day and everything will be fine
- ....
- (Why are they smiling like that?)
Kris walks over to a Rudinn
- This place is nice, but that guy..
- He seems.. distraught
- It's kinda freaking me out
Kris walks over to a Hathy
- (Hathy seems concerned)
- (They're looking at Swatch)
Kris and Co leaves the cafe
- (Steady yourself Swatch.. you're.. you're making a scene)
- (Just keep smiling.. just keep smiling.. just.. keep.. smiling.. and agreeing to whatever they want..)
- (That way.. nobody can get hurt..)
- (Who needs freedom anyways..?)
- (....)
- (....)
- (It would have been nice if Spamton and Tasque were here..)
- (They.. always were for me..)
- (....)
- (I guess I never knew what I had.. until it was taken away..)
*.... ♥ And it was all your fault
- (!)
- (....)
- (Even when they're gone.. I can still hear them..)
- (Just keep calm.. just keep smiling.. and.. and nobody gets hurt..)
- (....)
- (This pin itches..)
Kris goes to speak to Seam
- Welcome back.. did you get what you came for?
- ... It seems that you didn't get another Shadow Crystal.
- ....
- But it seems you have done.. something else with that time..
- Oh ho!
- And that something seems to be in this very town!
- I might have to go speak with them-
- ....
- You could scare just about anyone with a glare like that
- Very well, I shall keep my mouth shut
- But just know-
- Your actions may not effect you, but it does effect others
- See you again...
- Or not.
- Ha ha ha ha...