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For years, Spamton lived in fear.
He didn't know how else to live.
Not a single day passed by when he didn't remember all of the good times he had with Tenna. The laughs, long conversations in the middle of the night...what they envisioned their future to be after signing their agreed upon deal.
And then the phone rang, and it all shattered before them.
Of course, Tenna was confused. He didn't understand why his partner had seemingly just...abandoned him. And right after everything was going good. Great, even. And now he was left - alone. Again.
While he was able to go on to become extremely successful, loved by millions, and indeed a "big shot" - he never forgot Spamton. Some days, he wished that everything was how it used to be. Others, he prayed he hit his ultimate downfall and was nothing but a penniless loser.
Most days, he simply felt...empty. (Although he wouldn't ever admit it to anyone.)
It was on a quiet, cool evening in Castle Town when Tenna was taking an evening stroll. It always did some good to clear his head after going off-air, and not being surrounded by loud stage lights and the continuous voices of his staff was pretty relaxing after a long day. However, his thoughts were interrupted by a strange, unsettling noise that he heard close by, from a small wooded area that was hidden away from the sights and sounds of the city.
It sounded...almost like mumbling. And the voice he was hearing sounded somewhat familiar, but couldn't quite place it.
Curiously, he quietly decided to follow the voice. As the voice grew closer, he still couldn't make out what he was hearing - but it still sounded like something he'd heard before. Within a couple of minutes, he noticed a small figure standing in front of one of the larger trees. Then, he heard the figure speak again, much more clearly now.
Him.
Although garbled, frantic, and distorted, there was no doubt at all that that was Spamton G. Spamton.
"S-Spamton?! Is that you, old pal?"
The excitement in his voice quickly turned into concern - and then horror as he approached the smaller man.
His former partner wore the same suit he remembered wearing years ago - now torn, covered in dirt, and falling apart at the seams. He had different glasses from the last time he saw him - these ones were bright and flashy - or at least once was, as now they were cracked. Spamton was thin, pale, and seemed to be shaking anxiously as he stood in place.
In his hands, he held a large, sharpened sword, the stars from above making it shine.
He paid no notice to the taller man walking up to him. It was as if he was in some sort of trance.
"Spam? S-Spammy? Hey...you remember me, right? It's Ant Tenna! W-We used...we used..."
His voice trailed off as the puppet seemed to just shake harder, as if hearing him talk was causing him pain, yet he still didn't realize he was standing next to him.
Before Tenna could speak any further, the smaller man turned the sword towards himself, screaming out in a choked, broken voice;
"[[O HOLY]] KNIGHT, i'M [[begging on my hands and knees!]] OFFeriNG YOU A [[once in a lifetime deal!]] If yOU WAnT A SACRIFICe - I WILL [[take the deal]] fOR THE [[CATHODE]].
BEHOLD, HE AVEN ! TuNE In fOR [["death of a salesman" playing in YOUR area!]]"
He let out a forced, strained laugh as he struck the tip of the sword into his heart - and would've gone much further hadn't Tenna snatched it away from him at the last moment.
The puppet had fallen to his knees, coughing, gasping for air as he started bleeding from the mouth and his shaking intensified.
[[aRE YOU PROuD>....HEAVEn...?]] pLEASE...pleasepleasepleaseplea-" he cut himself off as he hacked up blood.
Tenna had dropped down next to him, quickly pulling him into his lap, trying to control his own breathing and not freak out himself, hoping that Spamton wouldn't be able to notice the frantic shaking of his hands.
"S-Spammy, it's me, Tenna. I'm really here, okay? I-I promise. Th-The prophecy changed, Spamton. I-I'm bigger and better than ever, Spammy! Kris and the gang fixed me up really good, see? I'm right here...
The poor puppet started to panic, now dry heaving as he tried to get out of Tenna's grasp, looking mortified.
Tenna maintained his gentle hold on him, but however loosened his arms to make sure he was still able to get air and didn't feel confined. Tears had started falling from his screen as he watched his partner struggle, unable to understand what was happening. He then removed his jacket and wrapped it around Spamton's chest to help control the bleeding. Fortunately, Tenna knew a few tricks when it came to first aid - working on a set for years had taught him a lot - and he knew that he had plenty of medical supplies at the set that he could use to help.
But before he did, he would need to help him calm down and relax to the best of his abilities (as much as he could after being stabbed with a sword.)
The taller man started to slowly rub his back and stroke his hair, hoping that his touch would start to ground him even just a little.
"Shhhh, it's all okay, Spam. It's me, I'm really with you. I promise. See? This is me touching you and holding you. I'm real. Please, please breathe with me. I promise I'm here with you. E-Everything's going to be okay. I'm okay. I'm alive, and I'm here. Take some deep breaths with me, alright?"
Spamton buried his head into the CRT's chest, body riddled with exhaustion, pain, and confusion.
"That's it, Spammy...you're doing great, sweetheart. I'm alive, and I'm real. I'm here with you. I'm alive."
Tenna continued to hold him in his arms, gently talking to him until he had his breathing mostly in control, although the puppet still understandably seemed confused and frightened.
The taller man gently picked him up, and began slowly walking with him back to the set.
"Spam...I know you're confused. This...this is a lot to take in. For both of us, but mostly for you. I promise that I will explain everything later. But for now..the only thing I care about is making sure you're safe and cared for. I don't want you to even think about doing anything right now besides relaxing and focusing on your breathing, okay? I'm alive, and this is all real, I promise. I'll even put you on TV to prove it."
He kissed the smaller man's temple softly.
Not knowing how to react, Spamton simply let the CRT carry him back to his set.
Exhausted, he didn't know what to believe.
What he was or wasn't seeing.
The only thing he knew for certain is that for the first time in years...
He felt safe.
In Tenna's embrace, he allowed himself to slumber.