Chapter Text
In the world of Cyber City, a bright flourish of life roamed around the streets,busy as can be. Footsteps of all kinds were illuminating with sound,echoing the halls of the walkway. There were big ones,small ones,monstrous ones,and even weird darkners that you would have never thought to see with your own eyes. They had shops,restaurants,clothing,you name it, they had it all! Every darkner has a purpose of something to do to keep themselves happy as time goes on without fail…but,of course, that happiness didn’t last too long after he took control in all of Cybercity. Well, almost all of it.
Every darkner that you see is quite nervous in the matter,scared even. Every corner of every street is covered in cameras to a point where no spot was left unchecked, not even the trees. But at least there was some decency from the boss because the cameras aren’t on the inside of the buildings. But why would the big boss himself want to have eyes everywhere you look? Well, let’s take a look,shall we? Traveling downtown through the streets of the city, an array of lights layed upon a walkway that lit up the road, at the end of it was a massive corporation. It was tall and mighty,windows that shot straight up to the top until you see the biggest frame that stretched from one end to the other. The glowing radiated sign loomed it’s light around the area,giving an illusion of a radiant sun,revealing the other two buildings that are connected with the one in the middle. The two large structures had their own unique purposes, the one on the right has a giant metal garage door that was filled with who knows what,and the other had two doors from each end of the unit. Not sure why it was designed like that,but it looks like it might have a purpose… or not.
Traveling up to the wide glass window, you can see a tall black leather office chair with your own eyes,but in front of the chair is someone sitting in it. A man with bi-color glasses with black hair had been sitting in for quite some time now,it seems. His hair wasn’t slick or greased up in gel but it was almost neatly pulled back as it was tied up in a ponytail,only a few strands were sticking out from his head. It was a tad bit messy,but it was a fine look to him. His skin was pure white from top to bottom where most of it was covered in a black suit and turtleneck sweater underneath. The red rosy cheeks from his face were the most notable feature from him, purely blood enriched color,but not as notable as his jaw and fingers. Two slits can be seen from his mouth to his chin,his hands do the same thing,but each finger is segmented in each digit,kind of like a puppet.
The puppet figure echoed the large office with the scritch scratch sound of a pencil,filling out papers that needed to be done for this week's scheduling for the business. It must be import-
A knock was heard behind the door.
He paused for a moment before answering.
“…Come in”
The door opened slowly,then closed gently behind. A large bird-like creature with a beak-like mask and red suit has entered the room,walking nervously towards the puppet's desk. As the bird reached towards the tip of the desk, they looked up at him for only a second before looking down.
Spamton: “You should know that anytime is not a good time to ask me about nonsense,unless it's important.”
“O-Of course it is, Mr. Spamton. I wanted to ask you something that has been on my mind for quite some time now and…”
A brow of his eye arched high,questioning in his own thoughts of what this dumb bird was about to say.
“I want to have a raise,sir!”
They bowed at Spamton as quickly as possible to show how much respect they gave him,hoping he would give that bonus. Spamtons eyes widened to the swatchlings response, he couldn’t believe what he just heard out of their mouth. A crooked smile gleamed high upon his face and just laughed wickedly. The poor swatchling was shocked,completely in disbelief that their own boss was laughing at them.
Spamton: “Eaheaheaheah! You are a card! Oh boy! That was something,hah!”
“Sir, I’m serious! I need this to help pay my house,food,even–”
The darkner leaned up to his desk,and tried to convince him. They are trying as much as they can to plead their wants and needs.
Spamton stood up, raised his hands and slammed them on the desk hard with a loud echo at the end of it.
Spamton: “Do you think this is some kind of charity work we run here?! Giving out free money just to help the innocent have some degree of a livable space?! This is a business–a corporation where we make,sell,and get paid at the end of the day,mainly you…”
The swatchling flinched as he pointed his finger at them,gesturing his full-on rage towards them.
Spamton: “My job is to keep this place running without it falling damn apart! If I start giving everyone in this complex handouts, I would lose everything that I worked up for,all that progress for nothing! I am not going to go back to the way I w–”
“S-Sir, please! I-I-I !”
The bird was starting to become a bit more desperate than they usually are,trying to get the help they needed from Spamton,but it doesn’t seem to be that way by the looks of it. Spamton was getting angrier and angrier by the bird's plea.
A small hard huff left from the puppet's mouth before he slightly gritted his teeth. His eyes widened with anger as he glared at the swatch,making sure that they knew how furious he was. The swatch definitely felt knives stabbing behind their back.
Spamton: “Are we going to have a [Difficult time negotiating? Act now!]”
Spamton usually doesn’t glitch out like that unless he is frustrated,and boy was he fuming! His hand reaches into his suit to pull out a set of teal-green colored beads. The swatchling was frantically panicking, they knew what was coming–they all knew what would happen if you made the boss angry. The swatchling quickly flopped to the floor and begged on his hands and knees.
“No,no,no,no,no! Please,sir! I-I’m sorry for asking you about it! It was dumb of me to try that with you! P-Please,spare me…”
They were shaking in fear,completely in a puddled mess because they knew what was coming…if Spamton chooses to do so.
Spamton cocked his head to the side,thinking about what their fate would be,then he took his hand away from his chest,and landed a hard plop into his chair.
“It looks like you finally realized what my rules are and what they mean to this corporation…mostly mean to me,that is. Good job on that.”
He said sarcastically.
Spamton: “Now, [get out!!!]”
With that last shout from the boss let the swatchling know that he was not kidding around. The swatchling scurried out of his office as fast as he could before anything else happened. They have escaped from Spamtons threatening attack,for now. Now alone in their office, he slumped into the chair, giving a disgruntled expression upon his face. What a mess that was…annoying, too. After a few moments of silence, a buzz in his pocket alerted him that someone was calling him. With one quick swoop, he grabbed it and answered it.
Spamton: “Mike! Hello!”
He greeted him with an open tone.
Mike: “Hey,hey,hey! How’s my favorite business man?!”
Mike’s voice was much deeper than Spamtons, it was low-toned,and completely sounds like one of those old 40s jazz bands who sang like a bass guitar.
Spamton: “Well, you wouldn’t believe what just happened,it was awful.”
He leaned over back to the side of the chair,lifting his legs,and finally resting them on the top of his desk with a hard thunk.
Mike: “Hit me.”
Said Mike who wanted to know more about what happened in Spamtons own office. The anticipation made him antsy.
Spamton: “My own workers decided to come into my office and ask for a raise; a raise of all things! Could you believe it?!”
Gesturing his one right hand,it opened high into the sky,surprised that he couldn’t believe what he just heard from his own worker.
Mike: “Hehehehaaa! Sounds like a desperate need to kiss your own ass so they could get an offer.”
Spamton: “Might as well work harder for this job until their knees drop before I suck up to them,ha!”
He tilted his head to the side of his chair,pointing his single finger on his right hand down to the ground.
Mike: “Haahaaa! You are such an dick of all people! That’s why I like you,Spamton, you always know how to keep it together in that fine establishment of yours.”
Spamton: “Does that mean I can join that group of yours?”
Mike: “Ha! As if! You are gonna have to try harder than that if you want to be welcomed in my dorm.”
Spamton: “Figures…”
Spamton rolled his eyes in disappointment, squinting them, as well.
As Spamton was talking with Mike,he whipped out his special keyboard by opening it with a press of a button, underneath his desk. It was a holographic illuminated one that was easy for him to type and scan through. He typed away onto the keyboard,and as soon as he did, multiple screens popped up in front of him, scanning through what might be going on in Cybercity.
Mike: “Hey don’t sound so glum, you will get there with everyone else here,enjoying the life that they’ve always dreamed of… especially owning the entire city in the palm of their hands.”
Spamon winced at those last words. Mike was just an ass to him that he just had to say it into Spamtons ear.
Spamton: “Gee,wow, you are really helpful to me about my position. Must be so great to have everything while your dear ol’ Spamton only has half of that power.”
Spamton said with a sarcastic tone,but it was not in his normal voice because it was more monotoned when he talked about it.More less, kind of devastated to say the least.
Mike: “And that’s where you’re at right now,Spamton, nothing more, nothing less…Though you have been at that level for some time now,and you haven’t gotten anywhere near what I’m looking for…”
Spamton was silent for a few moments before making a small annoyed huff under his breath,he couldn’t believe what he was still hearing. For years, he has been trying to catch up with him. For years, he wanted to be at the top. For years, he wanted to be a big shot to just finally control all of Cybercity in the clutch of his hands,overtaking Mike,and reach the tallest peak to touch the heavens. As much as he was connected with Mike with “friendship”,Spamton was still unhappy with the way Mike was not giving him that chance to be a star,in fact, Spamton was jealous of Mike. Mike had every part of Cyber City in his hand. Spamton loathes that kind of power because it was everything he ever wanted,being respected for once without having
anyone look at him as a disappointment…a liar…a hurtful man…a man that pushed his friends away. That would be his dream.
Mike: “But… there might be one way you could join”
Spamtons head perked up to his response,he twisted around to straighten out his body to sit up, and his attention span was fully ignited to finally hear some good news!
Mike: “There’s one way to impress me,Spamton,and that is a soul”
Spamton: “A-A soul?!”
Mike: “Yeah! Those things are super powerful,like, unbelievably beyond my comprehension to fully understand. It’s something I’ve always wanted to have,something I wanted to truly understand what a lightners soul can really do”
Spamton: “But are they–”
Furrowing his brows just a bit to know that it couldn’t be possible to get a lightner out in the city.
Mike: “Yes, they are extremely rare to come by to a point where it’s literally impossible”
As Mike was still talking,Spamton was finally getting somewhere for once,finally having some indication of how to please him.But, of course, there was a catch involved. Mike was right about the lightners being hard to find,especially at this time.With that, he felt hopeless. How on earth is he going to find a lightner at this time?! Spamton continuously searched and paneled through the holographic screens,checking each and every camera, it looks pretty good so far. Then, with another single swipe,he saw a little shop with a girl coming out of it with a few bags in their hands. He stared for a moment or two,wondering who she was,he’s never seen her before in this city. The girl was pink as all can be. She had other parts that were lighter pink,including her face. The girl had somewhat cat-like ears with a bit of yellow on the tips at the end of it. She was wearing a t-shirt with ruffled sleeves,looks like the bottom half of that t-shirt was tucked in her shorts. The girl even has cute socks that are rolled up to her knee, shoes, as well.
*Thump,Thump,Thump
A sound that was ringing in his ears,getting louder and louder,making his entire body shake, and his nerves shot. What is this feeling that was roaming around his body? Why was it feeling this excited? It was never like this before?! The reason he felt this is because this girl had a soul that he needed; a lightner in his city. Spamton could see her soul right in front of him,the chance that he’s been waiting for,the dream to finally be at the top of the game; a big shot. Though, it was weird that her soul was pink,usually, it’s red,orange,yellow,green,blue,and purple. Every darkner knew that. Right? But Spamton didn’t care if it was a little different from the rest of the colors,it was a soul of a lightner,for pete sake! He would do anything to just get his hands on it.
Mike: “Though, I would like to tell you that it is very important to know, Spamton. If by some chance you do come across a lightner,and somehow say,oh, I don’t know, asking them to take their soul,be sure to be extremely careful because if they are threatened in any way, it would be difficult to extract. Their souls are resilient and will use them by any chance they can get. Be sure to weaken them first by,well… making sure they feel welcomed–”
Spamton was only half listening to Mike's warning,but he at least got that last part into his memory.
Spamton: “Hey,Mike? I think I’m going to have to call you back…”
Mike: “Why? Did something happen? Are your workers causing trouble,again?!”
Spamton: “No… But, I think I might’ve found something… big”
Standing in front of the desk,with the holographs glowing brightly around the area,the soul was right in the center of his chest,like, he contains it now.
Mike: “Pfft! Okay,”Big shot”. I’ll see you later”
Mike hangs up before Spamton could. The puppet still kept staring at her soul without laying his eyes off it,like, he was in some sort of trance. Slowly, he pressed another phone number to call…it rings.
“Hello, sir”
Spamton: “Hey, Swatch. I need you to do me a favor”
Swatch: “What would be the deal?”
Turning back to the holograph, he now knows what he must do in order to get what he wants.
Spamton: “I want your best swatchlings to fetch me a little… gift.”
—----------
Over at the small shop, the pink-colored girl just finished talking with a darkner before heading off. With her new bags at hand, she skipped along the sidewalk,bouncing every step of the way. She started to pass more shops along the way,wondering if she had some money left to grab a few extra things. Reaching in her pocket,she flipped the wallet open and peeked inside. Nothing. All that was left was a hollow shell of an empty husk of a pit,she had spent it all.
“Aww,man! I thought I had more in there. Jeez, I knew I shouldn’t have bought that really cute dress. That’s where most of my money went into…Sigh. Oh,well. I’ll figure something out to get a bit extra”
She only had a small apartment that was pretty cramped in,but she was able to manage to fit a few things in there that resembled a cozy home. It was the only thing she could afford in this busy city,everything else was just too expensive at her own cost. Where was this money she was getting,well, it's because of her talent? The girl was basically a giant build-a-bear workshop geek because of her fondness for mechanics. She built small things. Big things. Even weird things,but surprisingly, she was able to sell them pretty quickly for a good price. Her first encounter of making some was picking out parts of used items that were bikes or in the trash. With those parts in hand,she was able to create whatever was useful to her,like, rearranging the living room or a machine that was able to pick up small pieces of trash. That small little gimmick she had gave her some attraction,but not by much. Thankfully,she was able to save some money that was collected over the years by selling her little contraptions.
Continuing to walk forth,she was able to finally meet up with her home,once again. Before she was able to open the door, 3 large birds with white masks in black suits and white slacks, came towards her. They stopped to greet themselves.
Darkner 1: “Hello,Madam! How are you today?”
She was spooked by their approach to her,never has she seen these kinds of darkers before. Gen-i has seen plenty of giant darkners in the past,but nothing like this.
“O-Oh,um,hi. I’m good…”
The girl was nervous to see and be greeted by 3 feathered birds. It was pretty intimidating to be confronted by something that you don’t really know about. But one of the bird creatures saw this reaction from her and started to–or try to comfort her as gently as possible by talking. They bowed as a sign of an apology.
Darkner 2: “I’m terribly sorry about coming up to you like this,we mean no harm. But we would like you to come with us,if you would please do so”
“I-I’m sorry?”
Cocking her head to the side to grasp of that they just said
Darkner 3 hit Darkner 2 on the back of their head for saying that. Darkner 2 made a little yelp when they got hit.
Darkner 3: “We’re sorry again,once more. We just want you to know that our boss wanted to speak with you,ma’am.
“Your boss? Oh, dear… I’m I in trouble for something that he noticed? If it’s the Christmas party that happened 2 years ago, I am not saying sorry for drinking all that punch in the bowl!”
The girl got up to their face just a bit,pointing at the bird's chest to prove that she really loved that punch. The darkner on the far left waved their hands back and forth in front of their chest,while the head of the darker was shaking left and right to show that it wasn’t the case.
Darkner 1: “What! No,no,no,no! It’s not that at all! It’s just–wait, you were the one who drank all that punch in one setting?”
The darkner from the far-right butted in the conversation.
Darkner 3: “Anyways, you are not in trouble at all, it’s just that our boss wants to greet you in person,that's all.”
“Just greeting me?”
Seems weird that all of a sudden that their own boss wanted to see her. What did she do to ever spark his interest?
Darkner 2: “Of course! Just to say hello,greet new people,and maybe he’ll invite you to his corporation for a place to stay”
“A place to stay?! W-Would he?”
Putting the side of her hand on her chin,she couldn’t believe that could happen.
Darkner 1-3: “Yes!”
Each of the darkners grabbed each other's backs and huddled together in excitement! Arms high,and a few legs out to show their expression
Darkner 3: “Perhaps”
She furrowed her brows in worry,that this may seem like a bad idea to just follow them into their little group. She barely even knows them,and now they are asking for her to come with them to see their boss? Doesn’t that seem odd? Though, she did think about it for a moment or two, thinking about what they did say. Her staying at something nice or even big for that matter? Is it even okay to do this,just to follow them and have a better lifestyle in the end? She didn’t want to be a burden to them for staying at a place that could benefit her in the long run. Though,she was quite nervous about the offer before finally giving in.
“Alright, I’ll join you”
Darkner 1-3: “Splendid!”
The bird creatures put out their hands,and ever so gently, they took her hand in a cusped formation as you see in movies where you see two people in a ball, lifting their arms in the air,while the palms of the hand are still intact.
The 3 swatchlings have escorted her to the big shot corporation where their boss was waiting,simply taking her to her possible doom. A few minutes have passed,and they have finally arrived. There were a few darkners roaming around here,but there were a lot of those swatchlings talking and filling up certain areas. They had their eyes all over the place, looking at how big the corp was and how busy the place is, completely in awe of what her eyes had scanned upon. Heading in, they passed a shop with a food court with big hefty sandwiches, chocolates in bags,and even nice-looking drinks in their hands. She didn’t think about it too much,but looking at that food made her pretty hungry. Continuing that little journey, they all stepped into the elevator,kind of squished in between the big birds,it was hard to breathe a little bit for her. With that, swatchling 1 pressed the button that would take them all the way to the top floor. The poor girl was already sweating bullets down her face, she doesn’t know what might come their way.
*Ding,ding,ding!*
The final floor.
As soon as the door opened,the 3 swatchlings pushed her gently towards a chair,grabbed it back a bit,and then pushed it forward when she was about to sit in it. What gentlemen they were to her. Turning her head around,a little jump happened with her heart as she got frightened by him… It was intimidating to see this darkner just staring at her intently. Then he unfolded his hands and spoke.
Spamton: “Hey,hey,hey! Welcome to my humble abode, um…”
Gen-i: “G-Gen-i…”
She said nervously. Spamton stood up with his chest up and arm high to greet his appearance.
Spamton: “Gen-i! What a name! Let me introduce you to mine! My name is Spamton g. Spamton, the head of Big shot corporation,anything you like,we will sell,sell,sell,!”
Gen-i: “Oh,nice to meet you, Mr. Spamton”
Pulling out her hand,she wanted to give him a handshake to know that they fully know each other
Spamton: “…”
Spamton just stared at her hand before he gently pushed it to the side
Spamton: “Right…”
Gen-i’s smile turned into a slight frown when he pushed her hand away. Why would he refuse such a nice gesture towards her? How rude.
Spamton: “Anyways, I’ve heard from a little bird that you sound like you may be fit for our company, Gen-i. You look like the gal that can spruce up around this place, give a bit of a show!”
Gen-i: “Really? Me?”
Pointing herself in the situation.
Spamton: “Of course! I can see it now,Gen-i’s little shop of gifts, or Gen-i’s with pancakes! Whatever fits best for you!”
Gen-i: “Wow… my own shop… I never thought I would make such a thing”
Gen-i pondered at the thought,thinking about creating and building so many things! And…Spamton would just allow it out ofa whim, just for her
Spamton: “And I’m sure it would be amazing,Gen-i. Now, in order to be in my shop,it’s very important to sign this.”
Behind his back,he brought out a clipboard with paper and a pen.
Spamton: “I want you to read this very carefully before you join. It’s a set of rules that need to be followed,this will tell me that you completely understand what I want from you”
Looking down and reading carefully, Gen-i was making sure she didn’t miss a single word that was important to him.
Before you Join Big Shot cooperation,you must:
– Do not touch or replace anything,unless you speak with Spamton
– Do not touch the arms or hands of Spamton
– The worker will always have an apartment in the corp to commemorate being part of the community.
– The basement is off-limits to anyone other than Spamton himself, and a few others
– Do not change Spamton’s desk or put any material on top, he likes it as plain as
possible.
– The worker will have anything they wish and desire to make them happy
– Do not go to Spamton g. Spamton’s room.
– You cannot leave in any regard in the property of Big shot corp unless you are with Spamton g. Spamton always
After further inspection,she has read it all,and she didn’t like the few rules that were in here,neither that last one that implied she couldn’t leave unless she was with him at all times. Gen-i looked back up at him with a concerned look on her face, she didn’t like what she saw. Though,for Spamton,she waits ever so patiently for her to sign the paper. He was completely still,waiting like a spider for its next meal,waiting for her to take that “deal” of his. But,even if he was still,he was slightly sweating down his face and neck, the anticipation was killing him. She was thinking about it…thinking about it a bit too hard… Looking further into it,it would be nice to make a shop for herself,and it does sound like a good deal for getting what she always wanted…but it doesn’t feel right to her to take what wasn’t hers…it feels wrong.Maybe…maybe this once. She hesitated for a moment or two,then she signed her name. Soon,he grabbed the clipboard out underneath her hands.
Spamton: “Excellent! Thank you for choosing Spamton g. Spamtons Big Shot corporation! Now, let’s bring you to your new room!”
Soon after,he guided her to her new room,it wasn’t far off to his office,in case she needed something. Fumbling the keys,he opened the door with a twist and a click of the lock, and it was opened.
Spamton: “Here you are,Gen-i! Your new place!”
Stepping in, it was quite empty just by looking at all the nooks and crannies. It has a large bed,a stool next to it,and an ottoman right in front of the bed. The more she looks,the more it gets bigger to her. This place didn’t have much going for it,but once she stays for a bit,this could be a decent-looking bedroom. Most of which was a lot bigger than the one in her apartment. Gen-i turned around to face Spamton,and smiled happily at her new home. Spamton himself seems to be happy as well,she finally was right where he wanted her.
Gen-i: “Thank you, Mr. Spamton. I adore everything that is here”
Spamton stared for only a moment after what had been said. Never has he ever heard a thank you from anyone this genuine before. Usually, he always sold a good sale to a customer,but it was always a quick thank you or thanks at the end of it,but never. This. Was. Different. He shook his head to come back to reality.
Spamton: “Of course,Gen-i. I thank you for coming here and staying afterward. My thanks to you. I hope you enjoy your stay here. Tomorrow, we will go wherever you like to start your day. Big day,big day! For now, I will leave you at peace”
Before leaving the room,Gen-i called out to him,once more.
Gen-i: “Wait!”
Spamton stops to look back.
Gen-i: “I-Is it okay that we could go back to my apartment to grab a few things? I would like to make this room a bit more life than it should be”
Spamton: “…Of course! We will do that straight away,but we do need directions for your home before we move it here.”
She nods happily at the response. As soon as they agreed,Spamton left,closed the door, and walked away. Spamton grabbed a fist of hair,pulling the strands hard to a point where it felt like he was about to rip it off. He huffed,growled,and his face was red with anger,almost where you could see steam come out of his ears…or lack of ears.
Spamton: “Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Ugh! I hate that I have to be nice to that…that disgusting putrid lightner!!! I hate it! I hate it! I hate it! I just need to still play this game before I make my move…or else it would be hard to extract if I don’t do this correctly. I need to keep her happy and calm, that's all it takes”
Spamton grabs his phone again to press for another call. It rang. It was his special expertise mechanic on the other end of the server.
“Hello? Oh,Mr. Spamton! How are you?!”
Spamton: “Hey, I’ve got a favor to ask of you”
“Of course! What would it be”
Spamton: “Remember the suit we both planned on making that day,but it was missing an important item?”
“Oh! That giant robot: Ex: N.E.O?!”
Spamton: “Yes”
“D-Did you find a–”
She sounded pretty in awe to find out that it could be what she thought it was. A gape of her mouth was open, wondering if it was true.
Spamton: “Lightner? Right in the building”
He looks behind him to make sure Gen-i wasn’t listening,then turns back to face forward
“Gasp! Omg,omg,omg!”
You can hear the voice on the other end of how excited she was about the thought. She can’t wait to start that project both Spamton and her
Spamton: “We are finally going to make it big,Glotous. I am finally going to become a big shot!”
Looking up at the ceiling,Spamton could see it now,his company and himself rising to the top with the soul that he gasped upon his hands. Visually, a hallucinated soul was floating right on the palm of his hand, feeling the warmth that felt it was visibly there, rubbing his thumb on the end of the soul.
Glotous squeals in joy about the news,but she did cover her mouth in excitement.
Glotous: “I will get it started once more,sir! You can count on me!”
Spamton: “Good. I have high hopes about it”
Soon after,he hung up.