Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The year is 201X.

It's been years since Spamton set his foot in this studio,more than he can count on his hands. When he came here the place was a little ‘humble’ studio,airing only a few shows on a few numbered exclusive channels. 

And run by the one and only Mr. Ant-Tenna. 

Well now he was sitting in their shared office. They both had their own desks,sitting across from one another. Photos of them across years of work hung on the wall proud and big. 

A smile formed on his face with the nostalgia filling his brain..They've really come a long way together…If only.. if only it could stay that way. 

Spamton took a deep breath trying to scare the panic out of his mind,his hand slightly glitched.It's been getting worse lately but he's alive and well and that's what matters.

It's probably not even real. Forget it.

With a sigh and the reminder he slicked his hair in the mirror,and smiled,big. 

A knock on the door interrupted the silence,he somehow had memorized this knock. It was Mike,a panicked one.

“Mr. Spamton?” 

“What is it now”

Mike opened the door,it was that big fat one.Thank god at least it's the mike that can talk.

“It's Mr Tenna- I tried. I mean like really tried to calm him down! but.. he keeps throwing a fit-.”

“A fit?” Spamton raised an eyebrow, Mike froze in place immediately “Well he..The show didn't go well.” Mike corrected himself. 

Spamton sighed, Damn it. It happened again. He was hoping it was a passing argument between the dreemurrs and it would stop, but seems like things only have gotten worse.

Spamton began walking towards the stage,with Mike sulking behind him. “And you couldn't just do that [stupid] cat [[Dance until you're dead]] for him like you do?” 

“ha..haha!That uhm.. wasn't possible today!” Mike's smile didn't waver. Spamton could sense some offense from his demeanor but it's whatever. 

“Hope you find something to cheer him up by [Past 12 am], then.”

“..Well! Mr.Spamton, I thought you'd maybe grow taller by now! Maybe then Mr.Tenna would find that amusing-” 

“Get the [$!?$] out of my face right now” 

Spamton left Mike behind as he entered the big door to the studio.

It was dark. 

broken glass was all over the floor, pieces of the set scattered around like dust.

The room dimmed with lights coming from somewhere,a lone headlight circled on the curtains.

Spamton's eyes immediately shot wide open,in the middle of the light was a casted shadow of what looked like two broken pieces.. they looked exactly like..

Lord of screens,cleaved red by blade.

The memory fell on his mind,His breathing got faster. 

“Ant?” His voice shook as he called out.

The silence hit him back; there was only a faint buzz noise. What the hell. This couldn't be it. this is..

He finally got enough courage and went to the source of the shadows.. 

It was only a broken board. 

Fuck that hit some of his nerves there.

sniffle.

His head turned immediately to the sound and then he saw him. Tenna. 

His body had shrunk down barely noticeable in the dark,especially with his screen completely blacked off,his back slumped against a stand. 

Spamton let out a breath mixed with annoyance. “Oh, for [Heaven Above]‘s sake,ant” 

Tenna continued to sniffle, his screen finally lit again,looking up at spamton. 

“..I'm sorry,” Tenna murmured. “I didn't mean to scare you..” 

Spamton sighed as his expression softened, kneeling towards tenna to reach his level. 

“It's whatever,Ant..It happened again didn't it?” 

Tenna weakly nodded,he looked so hopeless, Spamton hated that look so much. Out of everything that could happen,the thing that Tenna cared about the most, is getting ruined.

And the worst thing is.. Spamton couldn't do shit about it. 

“Kris was watching…i tried.. i really tried- but they left. They don't care anymore..They HATE ME!!” Tenna's screen went back to static. and then he fell to his knees,his screen meeting the ceiling.

“Spammy this is it..my life is OVER.” His voice strained into silence.

Tenna was quickly interrupted by terribly kept in laughter coming from spamton,his hand on his mouth like it could somehow hide the fact he was laughing. 

“Are you laughing at my misery?!” 

“Me? [Never in a million years!]. Just laughing at the fact you think this is [Done for].” Spamton reached for the cigarette pack from his pocket,offering one for Tenna.

“..You're supposed to help me! Not indulge in unhealthy coping mechanisms!” Tenna protested.

“Come on, you big [[tube]]!! Lighten up a lil” He nudged Tenna's small shoulder with the cigarette still in hand. 

“You're so bad for me,Mail man.” Tenna snatched it with a faint blush on his screen,finally starting to grow back to his normal size.

Spamton will definitely miss not having to strain his neck to look at Tenna though. 

With the lighter in hand,Tenna reached closer,their little cigars touching. Spamton Slowly lit them up. 

And with that first puff of smoke they both sat down against the wall. The quietness between them has grown to be comforting over the years,just being there has proven to be enough. 

“Y'know.. You don't have to constantly rely on these damn [LIGHT BRINGER] for everything. You can be something [BIG] without pleasing the light world.” spamton broke the silence first,Tenna perked up in confusion, He looked back at him like he had said something strange or weird.

But Spamton knew too well what leaning on the Lightners had brought him. 

If he can be something- Someone. Then so can Tenna,and he will absolutely help him because.. He's a good business partner of course!

“But then..Who will watch my shows? my boards? I don't think I can ever live like that.” 

Spamton didn't reply. He didn't have anything good enough to,his reply is ‘You'll just be free’ but he can't really use that,can he? Would Tenna understand? would he be scared or go crazy if he told him the things he was shown?

The only reason he hasn't completely gone off the rails was maybe that singular hope,or perhaps a wish.

with Tenna by his side.. he wasn't just some pathetic spam email people ignored but someone important that everyone needed.

And sometimes he feels wrong. Out of place. That somehow, he had broken something. just existing here.

He hasn't reached anything yet.. not the true freedom he really seeks anyways.

“..Spammy?” Tenna's faint voice broke Spamton's train of thought,smoke still in his lungs. Slowly blowing it off and looking back at Tenna with a smile.

“What are you soo intently thinking about?”

Spamton smirked. “You of course,ant” 

Tenna straightened his posture, his screen turning into a pink hue. “Me?!” 

Spamton chuckled,yes he was lying-or at least partially being honest- But seeing Tenna's reaction always made it worth it.

With a small pause he continued. 

“..We're gonna give ‘em a show they [Can't stop watching?] tomorrow.” Spamton continued. 

Tenna immediately gasped with excitement. “We?! Spamton are you really..?” 

“Yeah sure why not,Someone's gotta read the fan mail right?” 

Tenna gasp turned into a little squeal “Even the rude mail?!” 

“Even the rude mail.” Spamton confirmed.

Kris loved the episodes where they read the rude mail.If that's what gets them to tune in again, then he would do it for Tenna's sake at least.

“You really would do this just for me?” Tenna swayed his hands together. 

“A sad Co-partner is sad business,ants” Spamton took another breath of smoke,maybe to hide an embarrassingly big smile forming on his face from seeing Tenna be himself again.

Tenna locked his hands together,a little flower blooming from his nose. 

“Oh,Spammy! what would I do without you?”

..A lot,probably. 

Tenna was good at what he is supposed to be,being a showman.a TV. 

Tenna would always do better,even without him. 

He stood up and stepped on his cigarette.He probably should go start on getting the whole mail thing for tomorrow. 

Tenna followed,dusting off anything unseemly from his coat and pants. 

Spamton pushed the door open,his eyes stung from adjusting back to the lights. Then he looked around to see a random Pippin standing in the hallway. 

“You! C’mere and clean the mess inside or you're [Termination of contract]” 

The pippin jumped like they'd just got caught into something they didn't want to.

They looked at Tenna,maybe to get a less harsher proper order.

“Haha! yeah! uh- What he said!” Tenna smiled and fixed his tie,walking off with spamton, leaving the sole pippin to the mess.

   *********

Tenna couldn't contain the happiness he felt,He unconsciously found himself babbling away,loudly and giggly. Spamton beside him just listened and laughed occasionally. 

When they first started working together, Spamton was always there with him,they did so many Shows and Advertisements together,And it absolutely showed on the ratings, they were booming.

Until at some point spamton started to be.. weird? He would disappear for a while and come back. and then that dumb phone rang, and he watched spamton's face go cold,then frantically left for something.

And thankfully spamton somehow came back..with some talking and work he eventually kinda of returned like he was,albeit with some...glitches.

He still refuses to speak on what happened,but.. that doesn't matter! As long as he's here with him! He didn't care what spamton was like as long as he was here.

And now he wants to actually be back on the show..! How exciting is this! 

They sat down on the couch in what is going to be called ‘green room’. Tenna thought it would be a good place to make everyone just hang out and have fun.

It partially also existed so he can make that Ramb guy have something to do,fortunately he wasn't here right now,it was just him and spamton. 

Spamton sat there with paper and pen in hand,already planning tomorrow's show- And Tenna should also inform Mike to get a new set ready for it- He liked this rush of feelings so much. 

Planning the show,the theme,the set,the music,what he will say. And Spamton was there too,like he used to.

He was so mesmerized by Spamton when he first saw him,He suddenly had all this buzz around him,he was a big shot. 

While Tenna was dangerously falling off,he almost lost it until Mike offered to talk to spamton,and then everything happened too fast,and he found himself in a contract with the salesman.

He wished he could talk to all these people that advised him against Spamton, saying he was just a greedy douche,because they were all wrong. As time passed and their walls fell around each other,Spamton quickly became his closest confidant,and now they made this studio the biggest it has ever been.

Together. 

Tenna hadn't even realized how much time had passed already. Spamton yawned and got up.

“Are you leaving now?”

Spamton nodded,putting his suit back on,Tenna nervously smiled,he wished Spamton would stay more. He could stay all night and talk or listen to spamton. 

“See you tomorrow,ant” 

Spamton turned his back to him,walking to the door.

Tenna rushed after him,catching his attention back to wait.

He didn't even know what to say,maybe it was to stall him from leaving.

“Spamton- uhm well..Just wanted to say that i..Appreciate you! Yes!”  

Spamton blinked,Tenna kept on his grin to not make it awkward “You've helped me so much today,haha..well you help me everyday! but today is..I'm glad we're doing this again” 

Tenna trailed off,spamton didn't have to reply or say anything back,although he would like that,if he could show he also liked doing things together..but it's okay.

“Yeah,anytime.” Spamton hummed with a small smile on his face,Tenna balled his fists,trying to quickly calculate if he should do what he's about to do.

Yes he will do it.

He lunged forward,his back leaning to reach Spamton,within a second his arms wrapped around the small darkner's body. 

Spamton froze in place,inaudible sounds slipped from the surprise. too bad he couldn't really escape because Tenna had him up in the air already. 

“What- what are Y OU [Preforming]?!” 

“I'm just giving you a hug,spammy” 

Spamton stayed quiet for a minute,Tenna hoped he didn't just breach some kind of professional boundary or something. 

But they weren't just partners,right? they were friends..they've known each other long enough to call it that way. At least he hoped.

“..Spamton I..I just hope you know you can count on me any time..! You always help me..I can- I can help you too! We can do anything together.” 

Spamton didn't reply once again,and Tenna didn't feel like there was anything more to be said..he just quietly continued the embrace,until Spamton's palm started to push him off.

“Well [Stop Help! Help!] You're going to [mashed potatoes] me between your [$^!?] Arms!”  

Tenna eased his arms,unwillingly letting Spamton go,Spamton's face was red. But Tenna couldn't tell if it was embarrassment or anger.

All he could do was fidget his fingers together and throw the grin back on his screen as Spamton collected himself and exhaled. 

Maybe Spamton now realizes he can rely on him,and that he's not just an old TV but-

“..Night,tens” Spamton turned around and left.leaving Tenna standing there not even having a chance to reply back. 

Maybe he shouldn't have done that. 

He just wanted to.. 

Be there. 

   ***********

Spamton kept turning,trying to find a good position to feel comfortable and actually rest for once. 

But that damn hug kept coming up in his thoughts.

Why did Tenna have to be like this? Why couldn't he just be some old shit who only cares about profit?

Maybe then he wouldn't care so much if he died or not…The prophecy could've targeted anyone, why did it have to be Tenna?

Spamton thought about it a million times, and he still couldn't even get an answer. At some point he was even mad at him.

But defying the call,he went back.

Trying to act like nothing has actually happened.

Like he isn't constantly thinking about if he even matters or not. This whole world somehow served some greater purpose and he was just bound by it and he hated it. 

This prophecy had to be bullshit anyways..Why did it never mention spamton? He is literally here. Why did it only have to be Tenna?!

…Well,it never said it was Tenna.

at least by name.

Spamton jolted out of bed. 

His mind going through too many thoughts all at once. 

He could be the lord of screens. 

It doesn't have to be Tenna. If he can achieve that..

stop whatever happens..

If he can stop Tenna from dying.. then this prophecy is just bullshit. He can surpass it. He can achieve it... 

Freedom.

Chapter Text

Time passed again.

faster than he had anticipated. 

Spamton invested more time and effort into whatever would bring him up the ranks,and employees started to actually respect and fear him.

He sure did a good job at being a boss.

The employees somehow even doubled,the studio extended a little more. 

But there was something that kept them back. The family,and Tenna's obsession to keep them happy.

Nothing was enough to fix that drift in the lightworld,Spamton watched Tenna slowly lose part of his spark.. as one by one left the family,each time Tenna tried to deny it or say they'd come back..but they didn't.

and the most recent one was Asriel,and after that Kris just passed by,never sitting on that couch again. It became quiet for..long periods of time. 

Toriel would occasionally watch,but nothing like before. And just a few months ago…

they plugged off the TV.

Tenna stayed in the office for so long that the studio became so silent and as much as Spamton loved the peaceful atmosphere he hated that it was at the expense of Tenna.

And the worst of it is that Spamton had no idea when the prophecy would occur..it could be any day..Any moment.

Thoughts of Tenna dying all alone and drowning in obsolescence.

And spamton having to live knowing he knew all along.

Even if these lightners refused to watch anymore, spamton wanted to keep Tenna happy at least.

So he suggested something..a project to keep him busy. Just build all the sets and ideas you want so you can show off right away when the show is on.

And Tenna took him on. He would go to the board room and start doing things,and not letting spamton see because it was a ‘surprise’.

As much as he'd like to see Tenna explain for hours what he's doing and plans to do,he doesn't mind having some time to himself as well..Each minute counts after all. 

His attention went back to the photos laid on the table in front of him that Shuttah took for the magazine line he's working on,if they can get these to other dark worlds it will be a hit…

Loud laughter and talking broke in the room,Spamton groaned immediately recognizing the voices. Lanino and Elnina hand in hand as always and Annoying as hell.

“My sweet,soft cloud,your everlasting rain on my heart shall fill me with eternal love for you!!” Lanino broke into the room with a voice that everyone could hear.

“My radiating sun,you showed me the way to the warm,golden feeling of..love!” Elnina replied as she locked hands with him. 

“My forecast predicts a happy lov-”

“Will you two [Bad weather] shut up? You can leave your [Fling] for [R RATED activities]” 

Lanino and Elnina looked back at each other,then laughed. “Ah,Mailman is by himself! with no sunshine of love..”  Lanino spoke first. “So gloomy..So cloudy with emptiness in his heart!!” Elnina finished the rest of the sentence. 

Spamton turned to them. “Me?! i have no [Void] in my damn heart! y'know what i got? [KROMER]!! FAME!! I'm the [[Number 1 Rated Salesman1997]]!!” 

The weather couple didn't waver much, they knew their positions were pretty secure..Tenna almost considers them second in command. 

“Maybe you should shine some light on your inner feelings..you'll find yourself rich in something neverending…” Lanino looked at Elnina with sparkly eyes..”Love!” Spamton rolled his eyes,and turned his back to them realizing he should be the one to just leave the room. 

“The weather.. always sticks together” They both muttered as Spamton collected his things to leave.

“And..The show masters should always stick together” Spamton rushed over the door and slammed it shut with the couple mocking him from behind.

He went straight back to the office,Tenna seemingly still working on that board thing.

He threw the photo folder on his desk and collected himself,his eyes set once again on the posters on the wall,him and tenna. 

He looked back at his desk,right..he forgot to look it over again.

His mind rushed as he fiddled through the papers in the drawer,finally reaching it.

It was a contract.

Of Tenna signing away his part of the studio to.. Spamton.

Obviously he couldn't make him actually sign it- so he had to look around..and used his old skill of well..Spamming.

thousands of failed attempts to forge Tenna's signature until he finally got it.

he knew Tenna would try and argue back so..he snuck a few recordings of tenna's show and cut them exactly to make it sound like he was giving it away..and with a little show and talking he would get it..

He will be the lord of screens.

Spamton stared back at the paper,the copied signature on the bottom,his hands trembling the more he looked at it..Now that it's in his hands,he wasn't sure about it anymore.

All he could see is Tenna's face when he finds out,when he looks at Spamton heartbroken-betrayed. 

And what hurt the most was Tenna hating him. The only person who actually valued and understood him. 

But Spamton knew better than to ignore it,he couldn't stall the prophecy forever,and once it comes.. he will be the one to face it. 

Tenna can have his studio back after that, all to himself without Spamton's baggage..

The door suddenly creaked open.

“Spammy,it's ready! and the SURPRISE too!” Tenna stretched his arms in the air, Spamton scrambled to put the paper back in the drawer.

“And you're going to be the first one to lay eyes on my absolute best idea yet!!” Tenna giggled as he finished the sentence waiting for Spamton to reply. 

Spamton's thoughts were in a war all of a sudden. What Lanino said was still in the back of his head..and if he has this little time to enjoy being with tenna..he might as well make the best of it.

“Oh- erm.. That's [Fantastic news] sweet,shiny..[BIG].. [cathode]..?” Spamton forced a smile as every part of his being cringed. 

How the hell do these two do it without any shame? 

Tenna stood still in utter confusion,he smiled sweetly back.

“Spamton..you know you don't have to sweet talk me to persuade me anymore”

“I'm not [Scam] you,damn it! I'm just trying to-” Spamton's expression fell,quitting the whole act. Yeah that's not working.  

“Whatever,ant. show me” Spamton stomped out,he's never doing this again.

Tenna paused inside,still lingering on what happened,but with a quick yell from Spamton to hurry he snapped back and took the lead. 

Tenna showed Spamton the way to a second room beside the board room.The lights were dim enough to just see a couch in front of a huge screen.

“Here,that's your controller! I made it specifically for your liking” Tenna reached his hand,with the controller in hand.

Finally sitting down,the screen immediately flashed open,with an intro and a logo ‘TV TIME: Legends of Tenna and Spamton’ 

Spamton chuckled at the name he recognized. “Did ya seriously [RIP OFF] that one game?” Tenna looked back offended. 

“I didn't rip off ANYTHING! I merely made a censors-friendly version!” Tenna explained with pride. 

“And obviously I added my own touch! to make it even more fun!”

Spamton looked back at the controller to figure out how to start,and with some Tenna guidance the game had started. 

Tenna explained the ideas,how it would work in a Board shown to the audience while Spamton skimmed through the map. 

“And what's my role?” 

“Well you know..stand beside me,obviously! and.. since you love selling things,you're the owner of ALL in-game purchases!” Tenna glanced at him with an excited expression,Spamton just bopped his head in approval. 

Tenna then showed Spamton in the game to a secret hidden room,upon entering it there was a pile of..Mail.

“It's the MAIL room,spammy!” Tenna exclaimed,the room was practically overflooding with letters inside,Spamton didn't have the heart to correct Tenna on the number of mail they get.

“mhm fun stuff” Spamton gave his approval which made Tenna smile with validation. “Well I hope you can contain your EXCITEMENT for what happens next!” 

Tenna skipped through the desert game,giggling between himself making spamton wonder how much more he's actually added beyond this. 

The screen lit up once more,but this time a different jingle played,with a background of wave sounds. 

Spamton interacted with the 8-bit Tenna,as he explained the game's goal. 

“Two lovers to [open curtains] the bridge huh?” Spamton teased,a few pink lines appeared on Tenna's screen quickly straightening his posture. 

“Well,I was thinking…” Tenna paused for a second,subtly scratching the back of his head.

But then he continued “L-Lanino and Elnina could do that part! Haha..Y'know it could be..adorable!” 

“Oh yeah! Audience [Dig] that [L0VE L3TTER] stuff up” Spamton laughed and elbowed Tenna who mirrored the reaction. 

Spamton went on,Tenna increasingly got more excited the more he went through the tasks, to get to the raft.

“My [Winner prize] is just some.. raft?”

“It's not just a raft..it's the MAGIC raft! Get on it!” Tenna nagged even more and Spamton complied. 

“With this MAGIC raft, the OCEAN is your oyster!!..I wonder where you will go,haha!Mysteries await you!” Tenna grinned practically jumping on the couch.

The islands seemed to have a specific route..what if spamton just..went off it? 

If he can really go anywhere in this game with this raft,then who's to stop him?

Spamton began moving to the direction of the ocean he saw earlier,where there was no land,no specific route to follow.

Tenna let out a nervous chuckle that had an undertone of disappointment. “Where are you going..?” 

“I'm going [All places] I want,like you said.”

Tenna pursed his lips seemingly wanting to say something but holding it back. 

Spamton moved the raft forward,the island faded away,he smirked watching his little character go off the map,leaving the whole planned out game behind..who knows maybe there's more to discover?

Tenna began to be visibly bothered,he let out a muffled groan “Spammy..Can you please go back? i haven't..finished this part yet..”

Spamton laughed in response,gripping the controller even more “That makes it even more [valuable product]” 

Tenna looked at the screen watching spamton go even further up,his hands fidgeting. And spamton loved it. He loved doing his own thing outside of some stupid narrative.

Pieces of what seemed to be a new island started to appear..what if-

“Spamton please,go back” Tenna demanded..a little aggressive.

Spamton wanted to defy the order and continue up,but–Tenna made this for him as a surprise- he didn't wanna ruin it all for him.

He sighed and rolled his eyes in defeat,turning back to the island. “Thank you” Tenna's smile appeared once again,everything was back to plan…to only one ending. 

Spamton glanced at Tenna who was ‘subtly’ ‘hinting’ to go south of the island..Then he entered the next part and Tenna audibly cheered.

The island was shaped as a heart, with weird colored trees. 

“Woah,folks! What SECRET is this?!” Tenna locked his hands together,speaking to an imaginary audience. 

Upon landing he could only interact with the tree ‘you found the tropic of love!’

Then music started. 

And the trees started flashing in other colors. 

Spamton blinked,dumbfounded.Trying to process.

Tenna on the other hand, beamed.His attention swapped between the game and spamton,his body moving along with the music. 

Eventually it stopped,the trees flew off the screen leaving Spamton's lone character in the middle of the heart shaped island,Tenna followed with a small clap.

“well that..sure was a.. [Exotic] l0Ve.” Spamton wasn't sure what to say..and Damn it his face was red. 

“Yeah..Did you think it was cool?haha!-I..I made it just for you,spammy!” Tenna's screen was tainted with a faint shade of pink.

“Yeah..it was cool,alright” Spamton's voice was quiet,something inside him was stirring,thoughts fighting against each other. 

He loves it,he likes being with me,he loves me. 

But he doesn't know anything..He doesn't know what is happening to me,what I'm keeping from him. He will get over it. he will get over me.

Oh,he's gonna hate me.

Spamton's hands trembled,his grip on the controller weakened. Tenna watched in silence as he analyzed the situation. 

His screen dimmed,only leaving the screen's light shining on them. 

“You.. don't have to say you like it if you don't- I..I know all these outdated and over the top things aren't as good but-” 

Tenna was interrupted with Spamton's gripping on top of his. “[Past service]..? Over the top? [Cathode] you just created something amazing!” Tenna looked back at Spamton but he didn't return the eye contact.

“Do you know what we can do with this? The [[COMMERCIAL BREAK]] it can create? We don't even have to wait for the next show,we can bring this to the [shadows]!!” Spamton broke into a laughter fit, his voice echoing in the halls beside them. 

Tenna's screen went black,staring back into the distance. Spamton's laugh strained with each minute passing. 

“Why does everything have to be about profit? I didn't make this for POINTs” Tenna hissed with arms crossed.

That made spamton pause. “..What else were y0u gonna [Employ] it for?!”.

“For MY next board. That I only SHOW when they turn ME back on!!” Tenna jerked out of the couch towering Spamton.

“Everything I do is for them. I'm made to make them happy- To watch them smile and laugh! And all surround ME! Maybe you don't care because you know you can always go back to The Cyber World and just do whatever but I do-Because without it,Spamton- I'm worthless.” Tenna balled his hands,his screen glancing somewhere else.

Spamton gritted his teeth,his feelings boiled inside his head beyond what he could express.

Leaving only one thing in his mind.

He stood up on the couch,barely reaching Tenna's shoulder..But enough to get him back to his senses.

Spamton threw himself on top of Tenna, He let out a gasp as they both tumbled to the ground,the game disconnected behind them,leaving static. 

“What are y-” 

“WHY D0 Y OU PUT Y0URSELf [on a leash]?!? HUH?!? BAS1NG YOuR [Worth the purchase] ON   SOME [$!&?] [family of all ages] WH0 DON'T [[CARE]] ANYM0RE?!” 

Tenna's lips quivered before his screen turned off, his body slightly shrinking,Spamton realized what he just said- How it came out of his mouth.

He shook his head,his hands eased the grip on Tenna's collar. “Ant- You're more [value] than you think..” Tenna stayed quiet, his head still slumped to the ground. 

“Damn it,ant- You matter to me.” The words slipped out of Spamton's mouth before his brain even processed them. 

Tenna's screen shot up with faint light,their faces locked on each other. 

“..Spammy,do you really..--” 

“Hey, Boss. They put dat plug thing back on-”

The tall Mike stood in the entrance,oh yeah..there wasn't any door.

Tenna and Spamton still on the floor shot each other a look,both red from embarrassment.They tumbled off each other and got themselves back up trying to salvage what is left of their images as professional and bossy..bosses.

Mike blushed behind his cowboy hat at the emotionally charged scene he just interrupted,Tenna coughed to clear out the awkwardness.

“Mike! Oh Mike! Haha..! how I'm GLAD to see you!” Tenna dramatically threw his arms in the air,leaving the room in silence as his speech paused.

“..What did you say again?” Tenna continued.

“Plug is back on,boss” Mike peeked over his hat,repeating the news. 

Tenna's body jumped,his grin growing more than ever. “Oh! Oh!!!- It was Kris who turned it BACK ON?! Mike!! Quick the lights!! the Sets!! turn it ALL on!!” 

Tenna didn't even glance back.

With the thrill overtaking him,he and Mike swept out the room in the blink of an eye. 

The room's atmosphere was awful.

Spamton looked back at the static,reflecting back on his eyes,it felt almost hypnotic.

He turned it off. He didn't have the energy to go out in the hectic show out there. It was weird..Kris suddenly turning their attention back on the TV.. 

But whatever..His back sunk on the couch,and eyes slowly closed muting all the noise outside. 

Darkness filled his surroundings,scratching noises filled his ears,he squeezed his eyes shut trying to keep it out.

ring.

ring.

ring.

Spamton's eyes shot open from the sound,he looked around.

There was nothing but nothingness. 

And that insufferable-

ring.

ring.

ring. 

The phone's sound echoed from every direction. “Stop..” Spamton uttered helplessly,he wanted this to end. 

“[TRASH HEAP]?” 

Even his speech was different.

“IS [Anything you want for $9.99] TH3RE?”

Ring.

Ring.

Ring. 

The ringing kept getting louder,his legs gave out,falling to the black ground beneath.

“Help. .” He breathed out. 

But then he looked down,his reflection. 

He couldn't even recognize what he looked at.

Pink and yellow glasses covered his eyes,with a black coat covering his deformed body…Puppet body. 

What the fuck.

He instinctively pushed himself away,but his hands were tied,strings all over his limbs. cut them. cut them. now.

“G3T ME 0UT OF [place]!! LEA VE ME [[alone on a Saturday night]]” the strings didn't budge,it felt like they got even worse. 

The ringing became inaudible,he wanted to throw up. There was no one here..he's all alone..he will never escape. 

Something behind him lit up, he quickly glanced to see if it's anyone,but it was just the big screen. 

Tenna stood in the center,He looked hopeless,and angry. Particulars of snow surrounded him,sending a surge of chills.

“[Cathode]!! Y OU- GET ME 0UT-” 

a red slash flashed on screen. Broken glass noise vibrating the ground. 

..No.

No-nononononono- 

Spamton fell over the couch to the ground. Noises of Zapper and Shadow guys rushing over.

Spamton breathed in air,his lungs filling slow and heavy. What the hell was that? 

Somehow he can still hear it..the lingering sound of the phone.

But it quickly washed over with things seemingly breaking and running around..How long has he been asleep??

Anyways...back to work. 

Spamton rushed outside to see what's happening. 

“What the [%!&] is happening here.” He stopped cat mike in the hallway along other shadow guys and pippins holding out three contestant stands.

“Where are these going?? where the [hellfire] is Tenna?!” Cat mike shrugged in response. 

of course. 

But then the Pippin spoke..

“Haven't you heard? The Lightners and prince are here! Mr. Tenna went to greet them”

Spamton's eyes immediately widened.

And his heart sank upon the realization.

Oh no.

Chapter Text

Curtains closed.

The sound of the sweet,sweet audience cheered through the hall,clapping and wooing.

His star contestants walked through the stage giving a surge of energy this place really needed. 

Tenna was ecstatic. The moment he got notice of the strange occurrence inside the dark world,he couldn't calm down,or rest. It's finally his time!!

Dragging out everyone for the scene, for his show. although he..didn't tell spamton yet,but he will! he will LOVE this! And not to mention..

Kris.

the same kid he watched grow up,who used to smile and laugh at his screen,overlook their made up adventures,they were here with him. Although now..a little different but-

Nothing TV time can't fix!

He will make Kris and their friends smile..he will make sure they stay..The moment he met the so-called knight earlier,they'd promised him everything,everything he'd been needing.

Board one had finally started,as each one of them chose a name for themselves. “Now that we've been all (im)properly introduced..” Tenna said into his microphone. 

“MIKE,the BOARD plea-” he yelled out through the crowd that clapped in suspense. 

Running footsteps came from behind him and before he could look,Spamton slid before him pushing slightly to the side. 

“Hey you [BOX SCREEN]!! starting a show without your co-host?!” Spamton raised one arm in the air,while fixing his tie with the other filled with pride. The crowd organically cheered with the sudden appearance of a new person on stage. 

“..There's two of you?” Susie questioned. “Oh- HAHAHA!!!” Tenna cleared his throat. 

“(Well,i wouldn't say there's two of me, you can't replicate the original..!)” Tenna crouched and sarcastically said to the crowd.

Spamton nudged him to the side,taking his place on stage.

“That's right [Target audience],I'm your favorite original [number 1 rated Salesman1997] Spamton G. spamton!1!” The crowd started to cheer in response,Susie and Ralsei seemed confused yet entertained. whatever.

Kris was still not impressed though,he still got this,he will make Kris smile.

“W-Well-This board is hosted only by your FAVORITE host today!!..but I guess we can LET guests in..”

Spamton shot a sour look back at Tenna. it's not that he doesn't want him here,but damn it,he wants it to be perfect!

..Why did he have to come here right now?! He stopped bothering coming in as co-host but now it's all sweet and important?!

“That's enough chit chat- Tens tell ‘em the board” Spamton handed the attention back to Tenna. “-Yes! haha- MIKE!! the BOARD please!”.

The screen behind them shined with an image of a pyramid.

“Today's ‘GAME’ SHOW will be.. A VIRTUAL ADVENTURE through TV DESERT!” Tenna loudly introduced the board.

“Each of you will use our CUTTING EDGE,PROPRIETARY CONTROLLER PADS…” “What about ‘guest’ [Self owned] controller?”

Tenna's voice stopped, interrupted mid explaining,scrambling his speech,faintly pushing through the annoyance. “SPECIAL CONTROLLER PADS for GUESTS.. are obviously included!”

“Would be real [ungenerous] if ya didn't” a small laugh left the audience leaving Tenna awkward but he went on.

“You will use them to control FANTASY VERSIONS OF YOURSELF in a world so REAL you'll forget IT'S NOT!”

“Even better than [[ADDICTIONS]]--”

“--AHEM!!On your QUEST you will fight BATTLES..quiz QUIZZES..gain POINTS..”

Tenna smiled,facing the audience,but his words were targeted “And maybe learn to RESPECT each other a little along the way.” Spamton coughed at the statement,knowing this was meant for him.

“Let's [SKIP THE TUTORIAL],don't [TOUCH THE DIAL]..and [KEEP ON SMILING]..” Spamton

jumped in front of Tenna. Babbling through what was supposed to be Tenna's script.

Tenna groaned,stepping over back to view,then pointed at the camera. “-BECAUSE!! IT'S! TV! TIME!!”

The stage darkened,as they switched to the Game screen room..where earlier in the day they sat and argued.

Tenna still held on to that,even more when it was left unresolved..Spamton is driving him crazy,he's always done so- But this time it was becoming too much.

With the dark veiling them,he felt spamton beside him,in this small pause in the board he took on the opportunity. shrinking down voluntarily to Spamton's level.

“What are you doing here? i- you were supposed to be in the back.” Tenna whispered, muffled by the buzzing sound of the screen,but his words still managed to cut through.

“The back? I thought I'm your [half star]?,or did you get all high on your own ego?” Spamton hissed back,The room lit up not giving Tenna a chance to reply- Switching back to his show persona once again.

TV TIME:THE LEGEND OF TENNA AND SPAMTON.

Ironically enough,now he's regretting adding Spamton's name beside his. purely out of pettiness.

“Welcome to the WORLD of TV TIME!,Don't be blown away by the graphics,kids!”

“uh…I'll try not to.” Susie's remark got a snicker out of spamton. “Just close your [[Eyes]] and [Imagine and dream]!!”

“No CLOSED eyes here! Now begin! Our state of the Art..Adventure!!!”

The three sprites on screen started to move around,Tenna smiled as he saw his own creation being in use,adrenaline taking over his system.

“Looks like crap.”

Susie blurted out along with Kris agreeing with a little smirk.“SUSIE!” Ralsei attempted to correct Susie's criticism.

“Feel free to [DONATE] for better [resolution]!1!” Spamton put out his input with enthusiasm,as he always does.

“It's cutting edge!!” Tenna fixed his tie.

The trio moved forward,Tenna rushing them with excitement.falling down a hole to begin their adventure.

The three sprites appeared on screen one by one to a new location,and on the sides stood Tenna and…A pippins sprite.

“Welcome to the DESERT! ‘Talk’ to me for hints! And Spamton is just there!”

“[Cathode] WHY AM I [[gambler]] where is my [[Hot&single]][Desired man]] SPRITE?! You think I'm one of these[SCAMMER] [DICE]??” Tenna shrugged his shoulders,with a brief innocent smile.

“Guests get the generic controller pad!”

“Whatever.I'll get ya some good [DEALS] if you [Slimes] get stuck,heh” Spamton rebutted back,And tenna knew that phrase all too well- he was hinting he could give them cheats. NOT on Tenna's watch.

The game had fortunately finally started,Kris and Susie seemed to get the hang of everything while Ralsei just followed. Tenna hadn't had such a big show in an unbelievably long time.

The last big show as this was so much in the past..with Spamton,of course.yet at the time,he was happy Spamton was there.

But that was before anything happened.Before the call,before the arguments..And now years later they were both back in front of the huge crowd..

Maybe Spamton was partially right.. He did love the attention back on him,like the old days..When there was nothing else but TV.

Was that really wrong? To want and seek what you were made to do? Tenna wasn't even so sure after their argument earlier.But he had pushed that doubt behind the moment he heard Kris's arrival to this place,confident he could fix it all.

Tenna put his attention back to the screen,making remarks as they moved,then they entered the shop area..Except maybe Tenna had adjusted Spamton's placement inside.

“move over [TRASH TUBE]!! I'm supposed to [Get comfortable and sleep] here” Spamton complained “Sorry,Moving your controller pad from its INTENDED PLACEMENT might come with changes!!”

The sprite Tenna displayed the in-game purchases text on screen. “That's not even GOOD [marketing]” Spamton scoffed.

“How do I kill that guy?” Susie moved up to the Tenna sprite on screen. “[Become a premium] and I'll tell you the [Secret manual]!!” Susie snorted,looking back at Spamton “I've seen those scams before..Everyone just searches for free pirated premium anyways” .

Spamton then laughed. “Good [Strategy],kid!,You think like a true [businessowner]!!”

Susie seemed to be way more entertained by spamton than with Tenna-But whatever!! Tenna can and WILL be the better host at the end

The board continued on,as they searched for the keys,and getting into quizzes,Spamton headbutting in with his very,very unnecessary opinions.

Tenna didn't budge,maybe slightly- just weeny bit of passive aggressive replies. But at least he was actually nice.

Because occasionally it felt like Spamton was ruining this on purpose.

But one of the most important rules of being a good star is to never ever get mad in front of cameras,and that's exactly what Tenna will do.

Kris eventually found the secret passage beneath the cactus.

“Oh look!! our precious mail room,where fans send us all types of special mail!” Tenna giggled watching Kris approach it.

“[owned] by your good ol’ [Mail-pal] here” and then they interacted with it.

‘Hello dear sender,thank you for mailing us this fun letter! it seems that you've got a lot to say about us and to that FUCK YOU!! FUCK YO-’

Susie broke out in laughter,followed by Spamton,”o..oh-”Ralsei stared at the screen, blushing in shock.

“Wha- what the- CUT!! CUT!” Tenna frantically paused the board,then everything returned back to its place in a blink- Back beside the cactus, the mail room was unfortunately off limits now.

“Hey! bring us back we didn't finish the rest” Susie blurted mid giggling and elbowing Kris. “I don't think the rest will be very nice,” Ralesi replied with a smile.

“Well,folks…I'd say it's a good thing some people's mouth censors itself!” Tenna gritted his teeth,if only the curtains could close he would absolutely yell the living hell out of spamton.

“Hey,no [Legislator] said I couldn't write them,Ha” Spamton shot Tenna's jab down, Susie laughed once again. “I wanna get a turn to write too.”

“NO!- Haha- unless you want the censors to kill me!” “Bummer.”

Kris signed with their hands in agreement,mutually disappointed.

Which made Tenna sweat a little..He didn't wanna lose their attention now.

The three heroes continued on their path,only having acquired the keys they only needed the mooncloud stone.

“Might wanna use your [Card friend] now” Spamton rested his back on the couch,only having his mouth to entertain himself.

“Stop giving them hints!” Tenna winced.

“Maybe [Floorplan] a less deserted [[Game]] next time”

“And add a few monsters to crush” Susie followed the statement.

“I think I like it better without the monster part..” At least Ralsei seemed to be on his side..slightly,anyways.

Kris hadn't commented much,they just played,occasionally signing things to Susie and Ralsei…Tenna deeply hoped they hadn't gotten bored.

After clogging the oasis,they've finally faced the weather.

Tenna faced the audience “This battle has a SPECIAL win condition for our contestants! All you have to say is ‘I love to watch TV’ 99 times and you'll win!”

“N..ninety?” Ralsei was cut off by Tenna starting the fight, plopping himself beside Spamton,watching the three contestants busy fighting in battle. “LET'S HEAR IT!! ‘I LOVE TV!!’!” Tenna clapped his hand.

“Narcissistic,much?”

Tenna's smile dropped,Spamton didn't even look at Tenna.But of course he had to squeeze in his remark anyway. Tenna snarked, “This is my show,I make the rules.”

Spamton scoffed once again,but then regained a smile on his face. “Sure.”

The weather couple began their attacks,Tenna watched,looking over at the audience in enticement,and back to the main three dodging the attacks.

Then he instinctively looked for spamton– wait-where the hell is he?! Somehow sneaking in an ACT for Kris to use..?!

“I have a very special [Deal] for YOU,kid!” Before Tenna could object,Kris AGREED?

“That's the attitude! you little [Slime]!, You've got a [Fast pass] Deal that only comes once in your [[Ant-sized]] LIFE!!”

Spamton moved behind the weather darkners,clearing his throat.

“Don't you [Couple of lovers] think that it's weird those [Slimes] keep choosing only one of you?” “Oh,hehe..that's..” Lanino began to blush at the realization.

What was Spamton doing up there in the fight?! Tenna wanted to get up but he felt like going up there would make things worse.

“Not to rain on your parade,amor. but..it's probably just because you're first in the order.”

“R-Right!...You're right, sweet cloud of mine.”

“..Well that's also [Strange],y'know.. why couldn't your [First name] be there on [Top of the charts]?”

Elnina's eyebrows wrinkled,resuming her attacks,but Spamton was back there like a match to the fire.

“ACTions [turn on the volume] more than words..” Spamton sneered,his voice looming over.

“..So..um- Whose attack did you like better just now?”

“Wh-what the- Don't ask that! there shouldn't be..‘Favorite’ attacks!”

“S-Sorry!” Both of them went quiet. for a second.

“Obviously it was mine anyway.Right?! Pick!!”

Elnina and Lanino both looked back at the trio waiting for an answer, Spamton smiled and looked at the audience. “Who will [Judges] pick?!,Bet on your answers now [Viewers]!!”

Tenna fisted his hands shooting a glare at Spamton,like something along the lines of what the fuck are you doing?.

Spamton's glare back looked calculated- like he'd been planning this. Tenna quickly run some lines to calm the situation in his head-

But it was too late to check in,because whatever heart thing that seemed owned by Kris,had already made its choice. Choosing Lanino at last.

Spamton immediately made a dramatic gasp. “Oof,a [HOT] preference at last! [Rain,Rain go away] 'Cuz it seems Summer is IN!” The audience cheered at the reveal of a winner,this was not part of the show.

Lanino doubled down,following spamton's words “Rain,rain go away..! Haha is that how it goes?”

“Haha.. Hey, is it me or is it getting hot in here?” Tenna chimed in at last.

Tenna gulped realizing this was gonna go beyond a petty remark..”Today's weather is.. EXTRA DEXTRA MOON!”

“HeHaEeHa- keep the [EPISODE] Running,[croissant]!1!1” Spamton shouted behind,roaring up the audience further.

The next attacks went on,Lanino completely taking over. “What the..!! You're ruining my attacks!”

Tenna raised his arm,still attempting to bandage the situation “It's normal for couples to fight sometimes! C'mon Kris,tell ‘em!” Kris pursed their lips and looked away in response.

“I'd [Not recommended]. Especially when your [Partner] Completely takes over your [Sales].Then, pushes you away so they have all the [FAME]...Isn't that right [Smoke cloud]?” Spamton snapped,His eyes locked down at Tenna with contempt.

“Exactly!! Don't you think that's a bit extreme?! They said they liked your attack ONCE!” Elnina shouted,fuelled even more by Spamton.

Tenna pouted, tossing his screen to the side. Looking at the count it was still..only thirteen.

Lanino stood there,his eyes tearing up. “Aren't we partners?! you should be happy for me,sweetheart..” Elnina didn't respond.

“They all [Exchange] the same [contract].. Don't listen to ‘em!”

Tenna clenched his fists and jumped in- “Hey you two,listen to ME!..the weather always sticks together!!!”

“Shut up!!” The couple shooed Tenna away prompting yet another laugh from Spamton.

“It's nice I finally get to shine on my own, you know? instead of just being…Behind the clouds!”

“Right on the [kromer],[croissant] Who needs others when you can be a [BIG SHOT] all on your own?!,isn't that right,folks?”

“Right! ANY Darkner can do a rain attack..But a MOON attack..? Eclipses your HEART!”

Elnina's clouds lowered,having little to say. At this point Lanino had completely taken over the fight.

“Who needs cloudy days when you can shine everyday instead?”

“What a way to [Set fire to the rain],huh?I wouldn't let that [pass].” That seemed to do the trick.. Elnina bit her lips in frustration-

“Well it seems I am raining on your parade,If that's how you respond after I helped you for so long-Goodbye.” Elnina slipped away from the fight all together.

Tenna fidgeted his fingers- watching spamton leave off screen,leaving a mess behind. If spamton wanted the soap opera show on,then fine.

“One weather's better off by themselves!! haha!! You can always keep the show by yourself!” Tenna shouted, playing into whatever this is.

“HA! No one damping my vibes now!! Time for the SUN to be a STAR!!” Lanino went on,although progressively.. worse. “Nice move,isn't that Elnina?!”

“Looks like one weather can't truly be a [BIG SHOT] all by themselves...GET OFF [stage]” Spamton booed with the crowds following it, Lanino's expression fell.

“..Elnina?Oh..”

Spamton set his foot on top of the other,with his job all set and done. Tenna looked back at him,his screen flickering with annoyance. “What have I done..I'm nothing without her beside me..Our oasis of love..” Lanino paused,tears pooling in his eyes “I made it into a desert-”

Seems like that was it here- Tenna quickly jumped in the middle “WOW looks like we are out of time!” Tenna rushed through the meter ending the fight. “-Ok looks like battle is over folks! See you later!”

But Tenna could only wish this was over..because apparently it wasn't.

Spamton's pippin sprite stood in the middle of the dried oasis holding the mooncloud stone. “time to pay your end of the deal” The text typed out on the screen.

“...like pay in POINTs?”

Tenna glared at the screen,trying to understand “What deal?! this is-”

The sprite reacted to Kris offering the points,”Big shots don't need MONEY! I'm a salesman. I was never in it for the MONEY KID!! I'll grant you..Freedom!!,do you accept the DEAL?”

“We're..paying your deal with another.. deal?” Ralsei paused.

“TAKE THE [DEAL]!!”

“No!! This is Coercion!”

Too late.They've taken the deal.

“Sounds like a good free deal to me,let's get outta here” Susie nodded.

Spamton laughed “Now that's what I'm talking about! [Gamble] Big and WIN [wild prizes!]” The mooncloud stone was finally granted,Tenna could only protest so much,not to ruin the fun on Kris and their friends. keep it cool,tenna.

The three moved up to the pyramid,finally passing on this bit,and thankfully with no more interruptions.

“This is it! Your final test! Behold..The door to..The physical challenge!"

“Let's [AD BREAK],let the kids get a [Smoke]”

“The show must go on! No audience left on seat edges!”

Ralsei looked at Tenna and spamton's direction “Uhm,well actually...Couldn't we just–” Tenna groaned. “Too much budget went into this,not to use it!! Mike, roll the tape!!”

Darkness surrounded everyone once again.

“What the..The hell did you do to us!?”

The lights dramatically revealed contestants one by one. Tenna hopped on the stage,enthusiastically introducing the new game.

“Hon hon!! Cool your burners,folks! Today's PHYSICAL CHALLENGE..is the cooking channel!”

Tenna locked his hands together,remembering all the sweet moments Toriel would sit down with Kris and Asriel and watch recipes shown on TV. Although maybe he was just imagining it, Kris didn't seem to share the same nostalgia..Tenna quickly went over the challenge's rules,engaging the audience back to the show.

“Don't forget [Deals],kid..always a way out of the rules” Spamton sat down on the far corner,watching over. Tenna brushed him off and started the challenge.

Everything started relatively well,except when it didn't.The fire on the stoves began increasing..rapidly.

“Come on!! [Ow it burns! It burns!] Faster,customers are [Flood emergency] in!” Spamton cheered from his seat.

Ralsei's food started burning.and susie was still throwing fire but it was much bigger. Kris's plates filled with fire got thrown out to the shadowguys..and everywhere.

Spamton stood up on the table,signaling to the timer. “[time is relative] FASTER!![[Speed of light]] [Reach the moon] OR YOU'LL LOSE IT ALL!”

Whatever spamton did,the timer had begun moving faster. Tenna couldn't give any proper warnings before the trio moved even quicker,and before the cameras could cut the fire had swiftly caught on everything on the set.

Smoke clouded the camera view,he frantically moved across the table,panicking. Pausing everything.And cutting the cameras.

Suddenly everyone was moved back to the main stage..excluding spamton.

“Well since the Physical challenge has gone in FLAMES,I'll be a gracious host and grant you ALL compensation!”

“(Remember don't try this at home,kids!)” Tenna crouched down to the audience,then held his mic close.

Still covered in smoke dust,and shaken, the three heroes stood in their stands,Susie sneezing the dust off herself. “Oh,sick! Damn it's over already, the fun was just getting started!”

“Look Kris! we won! we won!”

Ralsei waved his hands in the air,the crowd wooed and cheered. “See you next episode everyone!”

Credits rolled.

No,no this can't be just OVER YET.

Tenna can't let them leave yet. There's still so much he can do!

“STOP! STOP! STOP!!!”

“it CAN'T be over already!! NO!!.. THE LAST BOARD HAD TECHNICAL ISSUES!! that UNFORTUNATELY.. Affected the FUN-O-METER's percentage!!! it's only at 80%!”

“Huh?”

“Haha!..you see that was.. ROUND 1!”

“There's more than one round?” Ralsei half smiled.

“Of course!.. That annoying Mailman RUINED your FIRST..TUTORIAL ROUND!! you and the dear audience deserve BETTER!” Tenna plastered a big smile on his screen.

“well,I'd say that was fun and all but–”

“Exactly!! It's outrageous!! it'd be bad TV!!..(And trust me. I know TV!)”

“Well..we were having fun,we can play another round!” Ralsei smiled.

Yes! Yes!

“And NOW! a WORD from our Sponsors..Who are not Spamton”

Tenna teleported the three to the green room,leaving them to do whatever- He on the other hand had things to DO.

He went back to set,His black screen reflecting the employees still trying to put off the fire,and Spamton overlooking them all with a Cigar in hand.

The suppressed anger inside him was frying his wires,his fingers tearing through the seams of his white gloves.

“Well..That's [Bad luck],we can tell the pippins to make a new set! might be a bunch of [Scammer] but they'll do-”

“Why are you doing this”

Spamton didn't give any reply back.

"Do you find sick enjoyment in this Spamton? Ruining everything I've been building for months–No the moment I've been waiting for- for YEARS?"

"Woah,woah..tens!! You're pretty [muscle tension]right..! Maybe calm down a ‘lil bit?” Spamton nudged Tenna playfully,does he seriously not think this matters?!.

“It wasn't my intention to [FIRE! FIRE!] the set you'd know that! I'm your [Partner in crime] aren't I?"

Tenna's screen tensed,growing bigger than he usually is."It's not about the set– WHO CARES ABOUT THE SET?! it's about how YOU'VE been acting ever since the Lightners got here!!-You're planning something aren't you!!?”

Spamton's expression darkened,still no reply beside a half assed getaway. Tenna took a deep breath,pressing on his temple…”I still don't see what's so [Incorrect]”

Tenna grabbed Spamton by his collar,he'd had enough fighting in front of everybody- “I CAN [walk round the block] YOU [?@;$] [[Cathode]]”

Tenna started walking back to their office,holding Spamton like a wild rat he'd caught.

Tenna's footsteps stumped on the floor like a warning,everyone knew that walk too well,when he's mad.

Last few years he's been trying to contain it,or at least regulate it..and whether it had worked or not it was still something.

But right now he's about to lose it.

He finally reached their office door,Tenna pushed the door and threw Spamton inside,Spamton grunted and cursed under his breath.

“What the fuck?!” Tenna finally could unravel his anger out,his screen flashed with each word said.

“You ruined my BOARD!” Tenna yelled.Spamton rolled his eyes,getting himself back up,somehow be held onto that stupid cigarette-huffing a cloud of smoke out of his lungs.

“Ruined? the board you [[Undisclosed]] from me?,and don't get me started on your egotistical [$!!?] throwing me off to some room with employees”

Tenna fisted his hands,breathing out the heat in his screen. “Because you NEVER understand how important this is for me! I knew if I told you you'd never agree..that's why i had to find new deals..”

“pfft- new [Deal]?.What this time,sweet talk the pippins?”

“Haha, so funny,but NO..It's someone even BETTER- even BIGGER!! the KNIGHT!” Spamton hand let go of the cigar in his hand on the floor,his body zapped up.

“You made a deal with the [?!?$¿] KN1GHT?!?”

“Haha..Yes!! Jealous much?”

“AND YOU DID IT WITH0T [consult] ME?!” Spamton slapped his hands on the desk,Tenna involuntarily taking a step back.

“I'm not a baby,spamton. I can do whatever i think is best for me without talking to you”

“[[trash heap]] YO U- eUgh-” Spamton's fingertips dug through his face,as his body glitched,in

pain. Tenna's posture dropped,rushing closer to Spamton.

“Shit no- im sorry,I'm sorry- i just–”

Spamton grunted,even that sound came out wobbly out of his mouth.His glitches haven't been this bad since that day.

“They promised me I'd get everything back i..- I know i should've told you first i know but it was..I thought you'd understand!”

“YOU'r3 [only one] who DOESN'T UND3RSTAND,THIS IS A [No refunds] situ4tion..”

Tenna bit his lips,his hands attempted to reach Spamton but he pushed him off,his breaths were heavy and slow.

“..Y OU don't kNow how [prized] this 1S for me TOO”

“..Then..Then we can work something out! Yes! Then after that we can always keep on the SHOW!” Tenna exclaimed,being loud and excited always made everyone get back into good spirits..right?

Spamton stayed silent,his expression was dark and unusual,as annoying as it was it was also..concerning.

“Tenna.” His name pierced the silence, his screen twitched, hearing it full come on with spamton's voice.

Spamton rarely calls him just straight up ‘Tenna’ ,it's always nicknames..and maybe because he's already emotional..but he felt like he was gonna melt.

Spamton hesitated as Tenna looked back,his eyes meeting the ground beneath them

“Listen,I-..If something ever happens to me, [Promise deal] that you won't give up on this[Show],will ya?”

Tenna's lips curled,not because this was that funny,but because it was so.. out of the blue. He looked at Spamton waiting for a punchline but there never was,he didn't even meet his screen.

“What?” Tenna huffed out a little nervous chuckle “You've been acting so strange today”

The more spamton stood there barely talking it made Tenna feel heavier–like something was awfully wrong.But he didn't know what to do.

And something inside him told him to get closer- Maybe he was a creep or weird for it but he had learnt all of Spamton's cues.

When he's mad,Annoyed,Happy or..Sad.

Spamton was always awful at expressing it.He would sugarcoat it,and yes Tenna is dramatic and all over the place when he's upset,but he knows Spamton was always there to comfort him,but Spamton never let Tenna comfort him.

Tenna slouched downwards,meeting Spamton's level,and Spamton couldn't shrink but he sure feels a lot smaller right now.

Then Spamton finally moved his head,meeting Tenna's screen.

His eyes were swollen,begging to let the tears go,and to make it worse a weak smile spread on his face.

“..Spamton?,you-”

Spamton's hands reached to the corners of his screen,holding on the dents.His finger gently caressed the screen creating fuzzy tension while it swayed.

“..I'm glad I [Meet and greet] you,[Cathode],I wouldn't ever change that.”

Tenna's hand layered on top of Spamton's wrist,his screen overheating by the second,might even explode just by the emotions he got thrown at him.

“Spammy.. why are you.. acting like this? Did something happen?”

“Do you [Agree on terms and services]?” Spamton swallowed his tears,cutting Tenna off.

Tenna's expression turned,pulling away from spamton, “..No?! I don't- What is it you are hiding from me?” his legs straightened back up,Spamton audibly groaned with Tenna's shadow looming over him.

“I can't..[Classified]-- Just stop with boards,alright?!” that line managed to get Tenna worked up all over again,his hands held onto his screen in frustration.

“I'm not some dumb TV you can fool,I'm tired of you hiding things from me! Acting like you always know ‘better’ Then try to charm me with a few words!...Well I'll remind you Mailman,I'm the one who built all of THIS. I'm the face of TV. I brought you here to help me,not take the spotlight away from ME.”

Spamton blinked,then his lips curled “ha..Haha” he's laughing. He's ACTUALLY laughing.

“And who kept it going? huh?! ‘cuz when i came here this place was [Cheap] and on the verge of [Funeral services]..I'm the one who [save 10% on your first purchase].You'd be- No- will be nothing without me.”

Tenna was furious,his system overheating running to try find words to say,something that will sting. “You have so much to say when you're just an addison” Spamton froze as the words hit the target,slipping right from Tenna's mouth without a second thought- Shit.

“So you're going [Low price],huh?”

Tenna pursed his lips,trying his best not to let his stance fall,or else he'll collapse hard,and that was the last thing he wanted to happen.

“I'll say it one more time [Cathode] and if you wanna be stubborn and [take a break from the ads] then fine- but you better stop chasing those [Heroes of the light] or else you will know I'm [Right] the hard way.”

Tenna crossed his arms,turning his back to Spamton who aggressively collected piles of paper from his desk.

“Whatever,you're just JEALOUS!! like you've always been!!”

Spamton shook his head,as he started to walk out,giving up on arguing,he always does that.

“Yeah,that's right,walk off instead of actually talking!! soo professional! At least the knight had the decency to let me finish talking!” Tenna's voice strained through the halls.

His gloved hands covered his screen letting out a few muffled howls.

The silence clashed with the overflow of his thoughts. What if.. what if Spamton was right…No- NO! he's never been so wrong.

Tenna imagined Spamton's expression when he realizes he's wrong,when he gets to wipe that smile off his face,That alone gave him all the motivation he needed.

“MIKE!” Tenna yelled back at the halls,and with a head turn Mike appeared in front of him.

“Yes,Mr Tenna?" Gosh- Tenna was so glad at least he still has Mike,which Spamton doesn't. “Keep tabs on Spamton.And.. Make sure he stays off stage!”

Mike nodded,following Spamton's trail. “And-!” Tenna made him pause. “Set up my next stage! I need the set to be perfect! I need a PERFECT replica paper mache of Spamton's HEAD!!..and MAKE IT UGLY and BIG- with a small nose...And don't forget my appointment..” Mike sighed.

This is gonna be a long night.

Chapter Text

Spamton wobbled his way to the green room,he could feel side eyes stab his back as he passed. Angel be damned ant.

The double doors swayed open, thankfully it wasn't as crowded. His eyes scanned the room slowly,game noises coming from Elnina playing with a pippin.

She seemed..a little too calm after what happened,but spamton has been here long enough to know that it's just a facade to make herself look unbothered. which he respected…it's always good to keep that cool face up.

And then there was Ramb. Much like Tenna he'd been all attached with Kris,thinking he's something just because Kris played with him a few times,and boy did it make Tenna jealous.

But well,whatever. The guy makes some good drinks,and other than that Spamton could care less. Ramb already had noticed Spamton coming up to him,greeting him with that usual smile.

“Rough round out there,’innit?”

Spamton sighed,sitting down on the bar chair. Honestly he didn't really wanna bother going into that.

At the beginning he just wanted to observe the so-called ‘heroes’ of that prophecy.He wanted to keep them off as much as possible to get them out of Tenna's sight but Tenna obviously had to make that the most difficult task ever,some of the things he did out there was purely to piss off Tenna- But hey,at least he got the Lightners to trust him..a little bit.

He needs to show them who's really in charge around here.

“Just give me the [Always on your shopping list]”

Ramb paused,then went on to bring Spamton's glass. Spamton looked around the room again,looking for traces of the Lightners. “And where are the [Three for only 99.9] kids?”

“Mm,They were milling about here for a bit,then popped into the rank reward hall,reckon they're fightin’ that watercooler.” Ramb chuckled whilst pouring the drink into the glass. “I thought we'd gotten rid of that [$%!&] [[Cool off]]”

“Ah,you know ol' Tenna's not one for giving his employees the boot..” Ramb paused with a smile,his eyes narrowed on Spamton for a second then glided the drink to him.

“Especially when they're from 'round these parts, innit?” Spamton quietly picked up his glass,studying Ramb's expression.

“Well then you better [stay alert],Tens waitin’ on an excuse to [Fire!Fire!] you”

“Oh I know…I reckon he'll put that off for the time being, though.”

“Really? ‘Cuz he's more [Guns fired] up more than usual,i could tell ya that much” Spamton chugged the whole glass in one sip,Hell,he'd needed that.

Now that he has a clearer mind,he can finally start thinking of what to do next…He needs an excuse to talk to those three again without being too suspicious.

He knows Tenna too well to think he'd let him just roam free off the hook like that- Mike definitely was observing him in some way..especially that there's three of them.

Spamton hopped off,with an idea in his head..He should just do what he's good at..Selling!

He headed straight to the ranks hall.A zapper met his view sitting on the desk,making them jump in their place,like they've been waiting for him.Something was..off.

“Are the [lightbringer] still in there?”

“..Yes,boss!...Uh..Should I be sayin’ something else?” Zapper moved their eyesight somewhere around the ceiling,like they were waiting for a response.

Have the employees already gone that crazy?

Spamton looked around,and sighed. “Hey,get outta my [Eye level]!I need that [shiny office desk]!” The zapper looked back at Spamton with panic,then looked at the ground. “But..Boss's orders-”

“I'M THE [@&!$] [B0SS!]!1!”

The zapper didn't argue anymore,they nodded and then slowly walked off in shame,not once looking away from Spamton.

Anyways..Now he just needs to set up his holographic Ads..And,ugh. pose. It's in his code..and his being.

Like an addison. yet it..repulsed him.so many years he hasn't reopened that part of him,even sometimes feeling disgusted just of the thought alone.

But..he needs a good opener,a good sell to the biggest deal he'll ever encounter yet.

His ticket to freedom,baby!

Just as he was hyping himself a voice interrupted him,“Mailman? What are you doing?” Lanino walked up to him,he must've heard him yelling at Zapper earlier,but couldn't he just mind his goddamn business?

“What does it look like?!,I'm [Investing] as MUCH AS [All bodies] to get [Promotions] from these kids!!”

“Oh..Fair enough” Lanino's tone lowered,but he didn't move,he just watched. “What are you [Pop your eyes out] AT?!” Lanino broke out of his thoughts,his eyes swelled.

“W-well…You see I admire your dedication to.. businesshood! And well..It's been so lonely since..Y'know. So I wondered if..”

“[REQUEST DENIED]!! You think I'll share my [BIG SHOT] secrets to some [Half moon]!?1”

“But- Well-! You don't have to! I just..thought about branching like you did,..Like if maybe i could be something else than just a weather guy all the time!..i wanna be independent!!”

Lanino paused,fidgeting his fingers together “..Like you are!”

“like me?” Spamton broke into semi maniacal laughter. Him?, be like HIM? What the hell was this guy on? Did the heartbreak really hurt him so bad he looked to Spamton for inspiration?!

Lanino rolled his eyes,turning back to his place.But now that Spamton thinks about it..This is the perfect offer! Use Lanino as some excuse for setting up everything..He could also use someone to actually..make it a real shop.

“WAIT [Turn back]! FINE! I'll give you a [Chance to be a big shot!]!” Lanino immediately perked up,his eyes sparkled.

“Really!!? oh THANK YOU, mailman! Now I know why Tenna would like you so much even with these looks!”

“WHAT?! WHAT DO YOU [suggestions]?!”

The door clicked before Spamton could continue,Ralsei took in a breather,before turning back to Susie and Kris to check if they're ok.

“Make yourself [Of use] and get some [ITEM]s” Spamton whispered and pushed Lanino out of the way,getting himself ready,Susie seemed to be the first one to notice the change,her tired expression perked with amusement.

“Hey,it's the sales guy!” Susie pointed,rushing to the poorly set up little shop situation,Ralsei and Kris followed.

“Would you look at that [valued customers],right at my [apartment door]!” Spamton waved his arm in a warm welcome,damn he hasn't done this in so long,yet the Addison in him still moved smoothly in muscle memory.

“What's this? I thought you'd be with Tenna or something” Susie looked over the table with various items,Spamton smirked.

“Y'know how sensitive [Tennis ball] is over these annoying POINTs..But trust me i know the [Real] [[kromer value]]!! So I set you little [Slimes] the greatest [Shopping spree] IN YOUR LIVES!” Spamton laid his hands on the table displaying the items with Dark dollars,then quickly interrupted by a thud coming from the right.

Lanino fell on the ground surrounded by various items from the ball machine room.Ralsei rushed to the groaning darkner.

“Mr Lanino..! Are you okay?”

Lanino got up,a blush of embarrassment plastered on his Crescent face. “Yes! I've n-never felt better!”

“YOU [Mooncake]! if you wanna be a [greatest salesman] THEN [ACT] LIKE IT!” Spamton yelled across the hall, Lanino immediately got all the items back in his arms and ran to the desk.

Kris stood next to Susie,looking at Lanino and signed with their hands “What are you doing?”

Lanino puffed up his chest,putting on a big cheeky smile. “Well,you see. The green room was BUSY so I came here...and after some great consideration,Spamton has granted me,I Lanino. An internship! To become my own BIG SHOT! So..Need,ahem assistance from a brave and independent moon?”

“That's awesome,dude.Got any..food around here?” Susie grinned,looking over the mountain of Items behind Lanino.

“We got [Everything your heart desires] kid!..Show em’!”

Lanino scrambled through the items he got,pulling out a TV dinner. “Certainly. I have the perfect food that will comfort you! Especially on days like tomorrow where there will be a light…a light drizzle..”

“Oh for [Heaven]’s sake-”

Lanino's mouth shook, then the tears fell down like a waterfall. “ OH,ELNINA! MY SWEETEST CLOUD!! She would've LOVED a light drizzle!!” Lanino sneezed,his gloves now wet with tears. “Everything.. Everything reminds me of her!"

Spamton threw the TV dinner at his face,stunning his tears. “a [businessman] NEEDS NO ONE!! That's [Lesson #1] of being a [BIG SHOT]!!..Now scram! You're scaring my [dearest customer]!” Spamton pushed Lanino out,who switched his expression to a determined one.

“That's..That's right!! I'm the most popular circle in the sky!” Lanino turned around while waving his pointer stick.”Everyone knows GUYS WITH PAULDRONS are HOT STUFF. I've got this!” Then he walked off back to seemingly get even more items..

Spamton sighed. “Anyways..”,his eyes then met Kris's. “I'll be [[generous]] and give you ALL a special [discount] for the [deal] we've made.”

“Woah,seriously?Ralsei! See I told you this was a sick deal!”

“Anything can be achieved with a [good deal]!1! You just gotta [Work smarter],Kid! But you need to make good deals or else…[Lose everything you've ever loved.]....but that won't happen with ME! I'm [trusted source] HAHEHEHAHA”

Susie paused “Uh..Yeah”. Ralsei looked back at Kris waiting to see their next move. Spamton had already observed how loyal Ralsei seemed,but he also knew that he was ‘The prince alone in the dark’ or whatever.

He'd surely know a few things about the prophecy..Hell maybe everything. He just needed..the right time to pull him aside by himself,without Kris or Susie.

"How'd you come here,and know Tenna?" Kris signed again,Spamton couldn't exactly put his fingers on it yet,but something about Kris seemed stiff- almost robotic at times.

He had known Kris,Either from being here in TV world.. or back then when he was still in the Laptop,or sometimes with that deer girl when she'd occasionally look through the emails.

And maybe Tenna likes to brag about how deeply connected he is to the Dreemurrs,but Spamton saw something deeper- something hiding behind the surface. He just needs the right moment,the right words.

Spamton broke his pause with a snicker “Me and Tens?,Ha. We go way [back in time],And I'll assume that you three have gone to [back home]..Let me tell ya i don't miss that [Queen of hearts] one BIT!!”

Spamton bit his lips to hide his surfaced anger from the sour memories. “I got out of that [Hell] and settled here with big ol’ [Cathode]..true hustling for a [Salesman1997] like ME!” Spamton slid his hand through his hair.

“Now that you mention it,I do remember a few people mentioning someone like you,” Susie paused, her eyes tinted with a hint of frustration. “And they weren't very nice about it”

“That's just how it [works around the clock]!People will always deem you a[Supervillain] that's why you should start somewhere else,you get me?”

Susie's eyes softened, her mouth curled into a smile “Yeah…Yeah, I get that.” There was involuntary silence that followed,Spamton sighed the bitterness that grew inside him.

But right on cue he looked down at the Items,a little old figurine that must've been thrown with the gacha machine…But it wasn't just any Figurine it was..

“Well would you [Zoom-in] at that!!” Spamton snatched the figurine,laying it on the desk in front of Kris. “A [well loved] RARE MODEL!!”

Kris immediately flinched away,which Susie and Ralsei took notice of. “What is..that?” Ralsei smiled with curiosity.

“Why it is the one and only [Censored due Copyright] Don't you remember,Kris?!? They were your [5 star rated movie]!!”

Kris's breath shook,staring at the figurine and back at Spamton. “You and your [Father's day] used to watch it all the time!! [[Day and night]]!! He always liked the [Superbike] guy while you liked this..The [[criminal]]!!” Spamton chuckled.

Susie elbowed Kris with a snicker “Kris you nerd! I knew you were into these!” Kris blushed in a bit of embarrassment,but then cut off by Spamton's voice.

“will you [BUY ONLY AT THE LOW PRICE OF 9999999999.99]!! IT'S A STEAL!! [irresistible] LIKE YOUR MOTHER'S [[3.14]]”

Kris stared in silence,their nose turning at the sight “Kris…If you don't want to buy it,that's okay,too!”

Kris frantically nodded before given any other options- Susie raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Hey,dude. it's okay to be a little nerd sometimes-”

Kris immediately shot Susie a look of offense which she laughed off “Ok jeez,I'll stop calling you a nerd,don't look at me like that!”

Spamton threw the figurine out,which conveniently landed right at Lanino who was coming out with even more stuff,resulting in him slipping to the ground once again.

“Um..Mr Lanino, are you sure you don't want help?” Ralsei offered. “No!! I've- I've got this!!” He waved a thumbs up while covered in piles of prizes.

“Oh well,we better walk around a little more before Tenna starts the next round” Susie crossed her arms behind her head. Following Kris out along with Ralsei.

Spamton smacked his palm on the desk,he had so little time to do anything- he needed to utilize every part,because he can feel it,the prophecy could happen any second. It could happen NOW.

“[Under the Weather] YOU TAKE OVER THIS [failed business]!!” Lanino blinked,then gasped. “Really?Did I succeed in the test!!? I knew I had it in me!!” Lanino started to giggle but met with silence on Spamton's end.

“..Whatever you [belief] i guess”

Spamton clicked on a button under the desk,which opened a hidden hall on his left.

A rotten door awaited him at the end,fumes of musty walls and broken pipes already hitting him.

His old office. When he first came here it wasn't this broken down,but it was mostly the same..

To think he had moved up the ladder so much..Yet..something felt missing- something always felt missing.

He could never be satisfied,could never be content or happy.

Ignorance is bliss,afterall…

But back to the important matters at hand.He needs to sneak backstage and see what exactly Tenna is planning for the next board..And maybe if he left any instructions that could maybe give him hints about his overall plan.

His suppressed rage simmered again now that he's back at thinking about Tenna-Like he made a deal with the fucking knight!! IDIOT!! Why can't he just ever listen to him?! Why couldn't he feel or hear all the things that Spamton constantly tells him about?? And now he's just throwing himself out for the sharks to tear him apart.

Either way..There was no time to sulk about this.He walked across to the little hole before the mirror,and what the fuck. he's been looking like that the whole time?!

Tenna would annoy the shit out of him all day ‘fix your tie’,‘brush this’, ‘wear this’...ALL THE TIME!! but today he didn't bother to at least insult him about it.OF COURSE HE DIDN’T!!

He grabbed his tie and tightened it. slicking back his hair to a presentable shape. And then tried his best to flatten the creases on his suit,then fixed his little pin. At least this time with a black suit it was harder to notice all the little imperfections.

okay..that's better.

Spamton crawled in the tiny space,squeezing his way out of the manhole. a door thud echoed in the halls,but board 2 hasn't started yet..has it?

Or the worst case scenario is Tenna entering and seeing him get out of a hidden hole like a rat in the sewers.

But then he saw blue hair.it was Kris.

His opportunity!

Spamton walked fast enough to reach them. Jumping into their direction like a ghost. They gasped,their legs getting into a defensive position but ultimately losing their balance.

Kris made a hitched sound,their eyes finally meeting spamton who smiled unfazed.

“KRIS!! you little [spong]!”

“What the hell?!” Kris's hands moved with frustration,propping themselves back up. They looked back at Spamton waiting for an answer..or maybe because Spamton has indirectly cornered them.

“Don't you like [Prank challenge]?! Was that not [Crowdlaughter.mp3]???!”

Kris blinked in silence,not an ounce of enthusiasm.

“Whatever” Kris sighed and then their eyes scanned the room.

“I'm sorry if i [inconvenience] you..But Kris! There's [Urgent Email] we need to discuss!!..alone”

Kris's eyebrows arched,hesitating to take a step back. “Don't be so [Scaredy cat] I won't hurt you,kid! we're [Friend request accepted!]!!... Maybe it doesn't look like it but i know you,[Christmas]”

“What do you want? I don't exactly have a lot of time..Ramb is watching out for Tenna outside” Spamton watched as Kris signed out the speech,and as they finished his eyes twitched.

Ramb?!

Well it did make sense..Tenna locked off this part along with the ‘original game’ He would never want Kris to play it in a million years.. But why would Ramb let them in? Let alone behind Tenna's back and assuming his as well.

“I won't [trash] your time,kid.I just wanna [Chill&talk]!..The thing is. We need each other's [Press F1] Help!”

“Need ‘each other’? I barely know you" Kris hummed unconvinced. Spamton needed a better hook to this.

“I've been [babysitting service] you since you were just a [small bean] beside Tenna!,I know your [Preferences] more than anyone!”

“Okay?That's..Creepy” Kris moved their face with their hand,with a disgusted expression on their face. Spamton laughed,then paused.

“I know how you feel..Feeling [Not the correct piece] beside everyone around you” Spamton watched Kris's face fall,their mouth twitched like they wanted to say something but couldn't.

“I've always [See all] in your eyes..You want to call your own [shots],Do what your [[Spiritual calling]] says...Maybe even a little [HYPERLINK BLOCKED]!!”

Kris stayed silent,fisting their palms with sweat.

“AREN'T I [right answer] KRIS??”

Kris didn't nod..but they didn't deny either. They broke eye contact and looked away in thought. “Obviously I won't [force arrest] you to do anything…,But [trust fund] that I'm only trying to [Extend Aid] YOU!!” Spamton swayed back and forth erratically. He could see it..The wavering emotions on Kris's face. Kris wanted- no needed that freedom as much as he did!

“What will you even do? Make me play a bunch of games like Tenna just did?” Kris was getting a bit aggressive,rolling their eyes after finishing signing.

“HAHEHAHAHAHA!! GOOD [Comedy],KRIS!!- No. I have something..even BIGGER!!Even more..[Powerbank]!1! I just need your [Candle light] to reach it!”

Kris sighed,but something started to change,almost like they were running out of time. “So what do you say,kid?! [Deal] or [[invalid]]!!”

“Yes.” Kris's body movements stiffened- all their expressions and fluidity drained away in an instead. just like how they were earlier..

But something in their eyes when they stared back at Spamton made him feel chills. But he didn't say more,at least not now.

“GREAT!! YOU LITTLE [SBLURF] YOU AND ME ARE GONNA BE [superheroes]”

Kris nodded slowly,waiting on instructions. “Now all your [baby fingers] need to do is go down [Tunnels] in the [secret stash]...[Cathode] hides all his [landfill] there!”

“But that damn [CRT] locks it away from everyone! EVEN [little old me]!1!...Once you find it,there will be the [[Vintage]] [DVD] player!”

Kris raised their eyebrow “when you have it [Email] IT TO ME!! Then you'll [Drown] in [[hyperlink blocked]] KRIS!! Nothing else will get in our way!”

Kris silently gulped,their eyes full of uncertainty…

this is Tenna's kid..is it really okay to get them into this?

And it's not that he hated Kris. He'd even felt worried for them a couple times…watching their tears fall in front of the screen…

No,no,no- he's HELPING Kris. He will be the one to actually make them truly happy,be free. be who they really are.

“I won't [steal] more time from you,anymore.Whenever you're ready I'll [locate] you!!”

Spamton turned around to the corridor in the door's direction. His hand slammed on the double doors to open them but blocked by something from the other side.

“Kris?Are you ok,luv-”

“YOU! [Plug] YOU'RE [trespassing]!!”

“Oh”

Spamton narrowed his gaze,

“Well hello there,Spamton...I won't be askin' where you popped up from..If we both want to keep breathin’,Eh?”

“Yeah yeah,That doesn't [pick up] my question. What's your [deal]!?”

Ramb smiled “Just letting Kris have a go on some games..They wouldn't be too keen on Tenna's,I reckon.Letting them at the proper stuff,you see”

“I don't care what you're doing!! Why are you [Sticking] with Kris?! Just ‘cause they played with you once or [Two purchases] doesn't give you some [Special] [perks]. I'm the one who [Call the shots] what happens here,and right now. Kris [Requires] MY GUIDANCE ALONE!”

Spamton's yells were met with unruffled reaction from Ramb,not moving an inch from his place. But then he snickered, shaking his head.

“Let's be a bit honest here,eh,old boy? Whatever you've been up to around these parts..it's not just out of the goodness and love of your heart for Tenna,now is it?”

Spamton froze,his eyes darkened. What does that even mean?! Of course he loves Tenna! He's saving them all! Even this burnt old powerstrip! Ramb began to notice Spamton's temper simmering.

“Known you since way back then..In Cyber city.You were just another Addison, right cheeky lads,the lot of ya..But then, blimey,you went and blew up! didn't ya? Aimed too high,you did...That sort of business ain't exactly done with clean hands, now is it?” Ramb locked eyes with Spamton. Spamton hadn't personally known Ramb…He heard about the day he got overloaded and stopped working,then getting thrown away in the corner until gaining a new purpose by Kris taking him home.

A guy like him has the audacity to speak about what spamton does to achieve his goals?

“You've already given it a go once, haven't you, booting your mate out? What's to say you wouldn't do it again?”

Spamton snatched Ramb's collar,His face reddened.Ramb's face expression stayed unchanged,and unbothered.

“YOU [PLUG], YOU THINK YOUR JUST SO MUCH B3TTER?!? MY [owned business] IS NON OF YOUR [small Business]!! WHO ARE YOU TO [couple counseling] ME AND [cathode] AND MY LIFE?!”

“Now, now,keep your hair on.I'm not judging,really. Just sayin'! My point is.. We'd do so much for freedom,..wouldn't we?”

Spamton let go of Ramb.He really was willing to risk getting fired and possibly petrified,just to give this opportunity to Kris? And how much did he actually know?...His hand still shaking,Spamton lowered his defense.Ramb's smirk heightened. “You can see it as well, can't you? Kris's gaze, longin' for that freedom, innit?”

Ramb sighed,taking a step forward and landing a hand on Spamton's shoulder. “Give that to Kris,Spamton,would you? And I haven't a clue what you're up to, but… I reckon letting Kris have this might just swing things in your favour,eh?”

Spamton rolled his eyes,Ramb was right- who was Spamton to take Kris's freedom? And maybe..Then he can get his way too. But now he has to swallow his pride and leave.

“Alright..but keep it [Low price of 0.99] or else Tenna's gonna [Eternal doom] you.”

Ramb only smiled back,Spamton turned his back and started walking out of the S room– But his vision began to blur,Ringing in his ears sharpened,Shadow scribbles loomed over him. ‘You've already given it a go once, haven't you, booting your mate out? What's to say you wouldn't do it again?’

The line repeated in his head like a broken cassette,With familiar voices whispered behind his back.

He tried to walk and ignore them,but they kept following him,Figures taller and upset. He didn't mean to abandon them! He had to- It was his only chance..No matter how nice they were..it just had to be done-

‘What's gotten into you?’

What's gotten into me?! You're the ones who are lost.You don't know anything! That's why you're stuck the way you are.

‘I thought we would always help each other…Why are you turning your back on all of us now?!’

Help each other? Always treating me like shit- Always belittling me- Clinging to me like pop-ups until I lost it all and then YOU turned your back on ME.

‘...I hope you're happy,Spamton.’

I am! I AM HAPPY! I'M.. I'm happy.

I'm better than ALL OF YOU! you'll see. I'll achieve it..

Ring, ring, ring.

.. That damn phone.

Why are they calling him now? wasn't leaving him alone enough?!

The ringing came from somewhere in the Office,but it was like it was in the walls,He had to answer-

He looked frantically,in every corner but nothing.Resorting to search the ground,while his body stimmed and glitched. Where is this phone?

Ring, ring, ring.

Maybe they can make it stop,maybe they have the key to this problem.. Maybe they didn't abandon him.

Inaudible chatting came closer and closer,His heartbeat heightened by the second-

Oh no They're coming for him, this is it. This the end this is–

“I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU DO! JUST KEEP HER ASLEEP!!" Tenna fisted the doorknob in his hands,his screen buzzing. He didn't even notice his surroundings, still too busy to call.

“AM I CLEAR?! I DON'T HAVE TIME TO KEEP UP WITH YOU I NEED TO KEEP THE LIGHTNERS BUSY!” Spamton stared from the ground,Tenna slammed the door shut opening his mouth to say more but then he noticed the other darkner.

“W-Wha- I'LL CALLYOULATER!-”

Spamton jumped up from the ground,watching Tenna sweat knowing Spamton wasn't supposed to hear this. Who is he calling?? the ringing. Of course- OF COURSE! Tenna is abandoning him too he's getting new sponsors,he's stealing his calls-

“Spamton?...I thought you couldn't stand me right now..” Tenna scoffed, turning his head away with crossed arms. The irony in his voice made Spamton twitch.

“Who were you…calling?” Spamton's voice was slow and alluring,Tenna's two antennas straightened, a little alarmed.

“Uhm- Haha..Well,Just..y'know private.”

“PRIVATE??”

“Yes! PRIVATE! I'm a private businessman!”

Spamton was seething gradually,Maniacal cold laughter escaped his throat. “Y OU?!! [private account]?!??”

Tenna turned to speak back but then Spamton jumped up on him,clawing his fingers into his suit.Tenna gasped before Spamton began shaking him.

“GIVE ME [back to back] MY [sponsored by ######!]!1!ST0P TAKING MY CALL-CALL-CALL-”

Tenna snatched Spamton off his chest, holding him in the air as he glitched. “SPAMTON!....Please breathe”

Spamton slumped his shoulders,avoiding Tenna's direction.Tenna exhaled,pursing his lips.

“I'm not taking sponsors or deals...I'm just..Planning my next board.”

Spamton fought off the hands chaining his body in the air,Tenna reluctantly let him go back to his feet. He looked up back at him with a witty smile,dusting off his black suit.

“..You [trash heap] doing too much,unlike you I've been [a good boy] and staying out of [troublemaker]”

Tenna half smiled,his arms crossed “Is that so? Because someone has been telling me you've been SULKING all over the place…Making Lanino- LOOK FOR OTHER JOB OPPORTUNITIES!! WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER REPORT!!?”

“That [Croissant] asked ME! Why do you care what I [[go about]] in my day? Is it illegal now to walk in my [workplace]?!”

“LAST time you were acting like this Mike caught you GAMBLING AWAY OUR BUDGET,SPAMTON!”

“THAT WAS [1000000Lightyears] AGO!1!”

Tenna took in a breather,grounding himself,once he had his hands off his screen a smile was put on.

“Whatever! Whatever,Spammy,I'm on in five.You're NOT allowed on stage…Unless you wanna..Watch from the audience,and see what i did,that is..But i DON'T care what you do.”

Spamton breathed in the heavy air around him,his mind began processing all his options. There wasn't much he could do for the time being besides just wait the second board out.

And watch what might be the last show his eyes will see. See Tenna perform one last time…

Tenna headed towards the door,his hand on the door ready to leave,but then he hesitated..Freezing for a few seconds.

“Spammy..Can I ask you something and be completely honest with me..?”

Spamton gulped,it wouldn't be his first time to lie to Tenna but..Now every lie cut him deeper.

“Depends…” Spamton left it at that,this was as honest as he could get really.Tenna stayed quiet, his head not once turning back,but his voice cracked as the sentence came out.

“Am I still good?...I- haha I met susie earlier…And she said she enjoyed my games!! S-she said it cheered them up!! But I..” Tenna's grip tightened on the edge of the door,Spamton waited for more but silence just filled the room.

“Y'know what,nevermind! HAHA! No glooby hosts tonight!!” Tenna turned to Spamton with a painted grin glowed on Tenna's screen,his hand doing a bad job of tie fixing.

“I'll see you later!!..Or not!” Loud giggling echoed through the hall with Tenna running off. Spamton lingered with silence,letting his head catch a small peaceful break since he's woken up.

Most of the workers around were too busy on the show today,the usual chattering and chaos on the halls was on the low.

His legs finally managed to walk,heading to the little coffee machine they shared together. His eyes darted to the little stool behind it.

He could laugh about it now but when they got that coffee machine they almost broke it mid fight- Fighting over who should it accommodate.If it should be up there for Tenna's reach and ‘He can always make Spamton a cup of coffee’ in his own words,or the logical reason which have it accessible for Spamton's height and Tenna can just fucking shrink!!

It wasn't until a few days later that Spamton noticed the stool,Tenna bringing it quietly so he could make Spamton happy but without hurting his little ego in the process.

Tenna probably thinks it's one of these times.Where they argue,fight-hurt each other but then they just silently agree on something and move on,pretending nothing was said…Spamton wished it was like that. But it wasn't.

There's no coming back from this.

The brewed smell hit him,the clock on the wall ticked slowly,Time passed so bitterly,The coffee felt bland in comparison.He'd take another drink but he would rather be sent beyond the dark than see Ramb again right now.

He should just go catch up on the Board for now.

With heavy steps,he came closer to the entrance,muffled noises burst out the closer he got,with some hesitance he entered through the double doors,met with crowds cheering and watching intently.

“IT'S!!TV!!TIME!!”

The signature voice broke through the room,Spamton watched everyone clap,Tenna switched the stage to the little game room. Oh yeah..That was the island one he played with him. Now it's actually on the big screen for everyone to see.

He made his way through the dark seatings to get a little closer,his eyes captivated by the show. As much as he teases Tenna,there's no lie about how talented he actually was,being able to naturally capture everyone's attention so easily.

And sure the game might be a little sloppy at times but it was still impressive that he did all of this by himself- Thinking about all the little gimmicks and story to follow,making everyone specialized controllers,and all the while thinking of good lines and script for the actual show.

If it was Spamton he'd probably mess it all up. And he did,when he first started. All he knew were Emails and Ads, to just keep selling and hook someone for a one time purchase.that shit was boring.

Tenna taught him the basics of being a good showman-even if he was a terrible teacher- But once he got it they hosted on that exact same stage,coming up with all types of their own boards and commercials.

Then after successful shows they'd go out to get much deserved drinks in their systems,it felt like they were on top of the world,just them together alone...Why did everything have to change?.

It was his fault..Shooting for more than he could chew.And now Tenna's caught up in all of this.

“Huh?My antennas are..Sorry. Be right back kids!” Tenna slipped off stage,this is the second time he's taking those…Calls.

Who the hell was he calling constantly- Earlier he asked if he was.. ‘Still good’- What if he just lied and said he made a deal with the knight when it wasn't the knight? Was it the same sponsor caller? Are they coming to ruin Tenna too? Is tenna really that desperate? He should've affirmed Tenna more- He shouldn't have let him stoop this low…

“Susie,you can't just switch to Kris's controller!!”

The screen reflected on Spamton's eyes,Susie had changed controllers between her and Kris. Out of the three Susie was something… special.She seemed to be the only one who really enjoyed Spamton's whole show.

Susie she.. She just effortlessly didn't care about anything.Unlike both Kris and Ralsei- Spamton was unsure if she was even the girl in the prophecy,a lot about her seemed just to go directly against the prophecy.

And now pushing Ralsei to do the exact same.Refusing everything she doesn't like,fighting for what she wants against everything else–Susie would get it,She has that freedom Spamton envies.

Tenna eventually came back,the game continued as normal,A few fights there and getting that raft-

They ventured for a while until stumbling on a very familiar specific heart shaped place-

Spamton's face reddened,thank god it was dark or else people would see him-

He didn't get rid of THIS?!

IN FRONT OF EVERYONE?!

“Haha! The, uh…The tropic of love..” Tenna spoke first, “It's cool isn't it?Someone would think it is,and should show some gratitude.Haha..”

Spamton groaned,of course he would just keep it in to spite him…But he couldn't help but giggle slightly.

Tenna was annoying and over the top but Spamton..he loved it. All of these stupid jokes and gags always got him,even the god awful attempts to seek attention.

The voice is ingrained in his head,Tenna whining and...

He shook his head to get all of these thoughts out- He's literally in public..He can't just ruin his reputation.

The game already progressed a lot while he was lost in thought. “Alright, this is it folks!”

Elnina and Lanino entered the stage,across from each other with eyes closed. “Alright open your eyes!”

They went on,mumbling stuff to each other,then Tenna disappeared again,

WHO IS HE TALKING TO?!

No one will be as good as him!! it's driving him insane.

Before he could rage further the crowd gasped.Confused, Spamton looked back at the stage.

Wait,who the hell is that guy?

“So you must be… the ex”

Elnina's brow creased. “WHO THE HELL IS THAT?!”

“Elnina i..I'm sorry..I just.. had to find my own.. business partner.” Lanino looked away, standing beside the new guy.

Business partner??? .

.

THREE business partners?!?!

Where did Lanino get this idea from- Who even is this guy-

Could Tenna be—

Ok that's it. He's not staying for this anymore. he's going out and find out what Tenna is up to right now- Since he thinks he can just break the phone rule he set in place-

To his dismay Tenna had already come back,and then the screen went black.

“Huh?It seems pretty dark–”

The room became completely dark,cutting off Ralsei in the process. Then Tenna's voice loomed over the speakers.

“Tv city..The amazing Tv tastic city,FULL of TV lovers!!-- W-Wait just a moment!! I'm receiving an EMERGENCY BROADCAST..”

“something MASSIVE has begun ASSAULTING the CITY!!!! All buildings are up in FLAMES!!! At this rate..everything..EVERYONE will be destroyed!!”

A light switched on circling Tenna in frame,but he was..gold for some reason.

“Just what could this MONSTER VILLAIN be?!!!”

The lights turned on,Susie in a dinosaur suit swung down from a rope.

“That's right!! It's a giant monster movie,starring Susie!!”

“..At least call me Susiezilla”

“RIGHT! SUSIEZILLA will be our hyper-spinning,Smashing,HERO!!”

Tenna held the mic in excitement in his hands,a big stupid smile plastered on his face. “ Ms zilla!! You were watching the monster marathon until you fell asleep! I was so HAPPY to see someone so tuned in!!So this special is just FOR YOU!!”

Spamton rolled his eyes,realizing what this was about… Tenna was desperately trying to get Susie back to his favor. He calls Spamton jealous but then does this,right.

“Uhh…Yeah.So, when do I kick your ass?” Susie grinned with absolute anticipation. Spamton fought off the urge to burst out laughing to not blow his cover.But seeing Tenna's reaction alone was pure joy,if only he was on stage too he wouldn't have let that go.

“NO!!- I mean- SUSIEZILLA..may wreck the city! But she must protect the TV statue with all of her TV-loving heart!!..Or else..The BIG BAD HATER will take me down,and there will be no more TV!!!”

“..Whatever,let's just make the most of it,Kris.”

“Well you better be READY folks!Hold your tail tight!!And save your oxygen! ‘Cause IT'S!!TV!!TIME!!”

The audience clapped,and then it was show time. Shadow guys came down and Susie began kicking them down.

And it stayed like that for a while…Until the bulldozer came in,and it had Spamton's logo on it.

He only makes cungadero cars!! What even is this?! This is.. DEFAMATION!!

“More dozers!! Susie!! Don't let them scrap me!!” Tenna helplessly yelled, like a damsel in distress. This damn CRT.

But then..The cherry on top. “Oh no!! In a paper mache!! It's the evil HATER!!”

The head fell from the ceiling,and it was really,totally not accurate of HIM. “He's charging a big shot!! Susie you need to keep him off!!”

“Isn't that-” Ralsei and Kris in the background threw her in the paper mache's direction,hitting it in the process.

“Look how small and disgusting his nose is!! Yuck!!”

what..WHAT!! He doesn't even look like that! This is a catfish!! Tenna never thought his nose was small and disgusting!..Does he?-IT DOESN'T MATTER!! HE'S RUINING HIS REPUTATION! THIS IS A SMEAR CAMPAIGN!

Although…This is a good revenge tactic- That only Tenna could pull off,like..Be slathered in ugly gold paint but still be captivating,and be annoying as hell but charming to keep it entertaining,And of course shoot his new competitor where it hurts- Oh,this is actually good.

“Kill him!! kill him NOW!!” Tenna's yells riled up the crowd,chanting along for Susie.

Then came in the final blow- but unfortunately for Tenna,Susie hit it so hard that everything just..Exploded. “NOOOO” Tenna dramatically screamed.

Everything quieted down,and with the lights turning back on the stage was back to its normal shape.Kris,Susie and Ralsei all went back to their stands.

“Wow,folks! Looks like they've reached the end of our FINAL BOARD!..It's sad to say goodbye,but when you gotta go..you gotta go! Mike,roll the credits!”

Was that really it? Tenna would never let them just..Go.And considering the fact this is part of a ‘deal’..

“Stop!!! BREAKING NEWS!! due to your speed viewer donations have been POURING IN…and now we have met the SPECIAL INCENTIVE!”

Yeah,here it is…Also that was a lie, there's no donations!! And what ‘incentive’ He told him he should stop?!

Tenna frantically moved with the audience's approval.But the three heroes didn't seem as enthusiastic. “I..Incentive?”

“YES!! The RATINGS don't lie! and the FUN-O-METER is THROUGH THE ROOF!! You're qualified for the BONUS ROUND!”

Anything good Spamton felt earlier now drained away and replaced with a rising anger all over again.

Fucking hell,Tenna.

Why can't you just accept it? Why can't you accept that your big glory days are over? You can be anything with those skills and talents but you're holding yourself back.

Susie and Ralsei seemed reluctant…And Spamton knows exactly what will happen next- Guilt tripping.

“Well…I mean…If you want to! I mean,it was just gonna be a special board,but..Alright!!..Mike tear down the board! Tear down the set! tear down my house!! TEAR DOWN MY KIDS!!”

Spamton buried his face into his palm,cringing with years worth of memories filled with this behavior,and ultimately giving out to it.

“Audience..You're gonna have to go home!! please…sniff make sure to sniff check out our gift shop sniff….It's got…SNIFFF funny whirlings…”

Don't fall for it,Don't fall for it,Don't fall for it,Don't fall for it,Don't fall for it,Don't fall for it,Don't fall for it-

“Look.. uh,I guess if you really want us to play..”

God dammit.

“sniff…You'll play?”

“Maybe just for a little bit?”

Come on,Susie! Spamton thought she was better than to fall for this. “ MARVELOUS!!! Mike, rebuild the set!! Rebuild my kids!! We are gonna have a GREAT show for you folks!!” Everyone cheered.

This isn't good…Spamton thought he would get more time after this board but at this rate Tenna's gonna be stealing his little customers. Unless….Now he…

With a click of his finger,the contestants were sent away,while the audience began standing up to leave the room. Tenna was thanking them and giving away signatures.

Spamton stayed in his place as silence overtook the room, Tenna caught his breath,seemingly tired from earlier.

And then a clap broke out in the room. Tenna turned his screen to it,noticing Spamton in the dim lights.

Both of them looked at each other quietly,Tenna increasingly becoming more flustered knowing Spamton was there the whole time,His screen scattered with hues of pink.

”Spamton..?You- You watched!- I mean I don't care if you did,but I'm glad you did..!”

Spamton chuckled at the obvious lie,Tenna was literally baiting him to come watch- The whole physical challenge was so obviously a big ‘fuck you’ from tenna to him…So naturally he'd come watch,And he absolutely loved it. Although he obviously won't say that and give Tenna that ego boost.

“Disgusting,[Ant-sized] nose,huh?”

“Pfft- Aww,Spammy.Y'know these are just COMEDIC relief lines!! I love your nose!!” Tenna clasped his hands together innocently.

“You know exactly what you're [put down],[Cathode].” Spamton reached closer to the stage,Tenna smiled,his screen itching closer to Spamton's face.

“Well,Mr. Email, maybe you should start your own show!..I'd love to see your response.” With a sneer, Tenna's finger reached Spamton's face,and then wiggled his nose.

And he should've been mad or something at this point but his face flushed instead,he quickly opened his mouth to protest-

Unfortunately,Interrupted or maybe saved by a ping from Tenna's wrist watch,Tenna pulled himself up. It must be the ratings…And by Tenna's reaction it must've been booming.

Tenna looked back at Spamton with pride,his smile almost going over the borders of his screen. “SEE?! Do you SEE that Spamton?!, AHAHA!! They LIKE my boards! They're having FUN!”

Spamton stared in silence,with Tenna's giggles filling his ears,the paper crinkled in his pocket…Right..Soon he will stop hearing that giggle,the laughs,his voice,everything will turn off..

But..but it's the only way. “Come on,spammy..Just admit I was right! Hahaha,maybe then I'll let you off the hook! And,maybe even treat you to your favorite drinks! We're gonna be unstoppable-”

“There's no we.”

Spamton interrupted Tenna,because as he went on the harder it would get. Tenna's smile twitched “Come on,Spamton. I know you get all stubborn,but you can stop it now-”

“I'm being serious..[Cathode].” Spamton's breaths started to feel like stabbing,his body buzzing.He thought he'd have the guts to do this,to do it like he did with every single person ever. But with Tenna…. it was different- maybe because he'd gotten himself too attached-hell,maybe because part of him actually..no.

No,remember what's more important..What really matters.

Spamton pulled the paper from his pocket,the paper could almost tear in his hands,Tenna looked at him confused,his screen dimming with concern.

Spamton extended his arm,giving away the paper to Tenna,every fiber of his being wanted to let go.Tenna pulled away the paper,neatly unfolding it..And that was Spamton's cue to look away,to not see that reaction.

“What…What is this? haha..,Is this.. some kind of prank?” Tenna's voice shook,masked with a layer of confidence. Still holding himself together.

“Because,it's not funny.You're so petty,spamton.” Tenna sighed, getting ready to throw the paper at Spamton's face,but he hesitated once he looked back at him for a response. Spamton gulped,now it's time to really nail it in..”It's not a [Prank call],This is..[Real]. You're not the [Own real estate] of this anymore..I am.”

“What do you mean,you are?!This paper isn't even REAL! I never- I NEVER signed this!!” Tenna wrapped the edges of the paper in his hands,reading it over and over again. Spamton bit his lips so hard that it gave him damage,he hated every part of this. He stayed still while Tenna was sinking in what he had done.

“I do..don't understand this- what- WHAT is this..!?”

“It's a [Contract] saying you gave me the rights to this [Radio show]..Maybe,don't leave out your [Please fill in your information] on your desk [‘till next time!]” Spamton breathed so heavily,attempting to mask everything with little shit humor he can muster up.

Tenna's screen had turned off,his vents hyperventilating with smoke,the paper flew off his hands. Spamton waited there..for Tenna to yell- scream at him,maybe even hit him. But he didn't do anything..He just stood like a statue,his whole system broken down.

stupid.stupid.STUPID!! You've broken him, you've HURT him. He hates you,he hates you,he hates you.,he hates you,he hates you.,he hates you,he hates…

…

..

But Spamton is saving him.

Spamton is doing this for both of them.

Once..once he gets there, He will be FREE! he will call his OWN shots. He will wake up in a world where he's not bound by fate,by what was already decided before he could even exist to consent to stepping a foot in this miserable world-

He has protected Tenna from that shitty knowledge.

And if nothing goes to plan? Then Spamton just dies. He will fall to the ground and no one will ever miss him,or care,or ask.And that's for the best for everyone...Tenna will be grateful then,He will be happy he cut any attachment he has felt to Spamton.

Spamton squeezed his eyes shut,leaving Tenna behind,blocking out all feelings down to the part where it's easier to forget

It's been a good run,ant.

Chapter Text

Why?

How come he always fails. Always getting fooled? This…He thought he finally had it all.

That day…When he let him in.

“What...What do you MEAN they turned ME OFF?!”

Tenna stood in the middle of his freshly abandoned show. He wasn't even mid broadcast yet.And they just..They stopped watching..They brought new devices home.

He just gets to watch from the sidelines.

Mike fidgeted with a crowd of scared employees hiding behind his back “Sir it's just-”

“DON'T SIR ME!! DO YOU KNOW WHAT ALL THIS MEANS?!”

This was unfair. He was there first! He's the most fun thing they would do! not just- Play with some stupid cards and some small screen.

“All of you are FIRED!! YOU'RE ALL GOOD FOR NOTHING!”

Tenna hissed,his body had grown too big for the ceiling above. Everyone had scurried out the room…And before he knew it the set was dark.

Mike stayed there,clearing his throat in hopes maybe it lessens the tension.

Tenna looked at him for a moment..He feels guilty now…He shouldn't have yelled like that- He's really losing his spark..He's …Old.

“Mr tenna..?”

“Don't,Mike. Just..leave me alone.” Mike sighed,turning back to the door.

Mike didn't know it then but the damn call was the cause of everything…If only- If only he didn't reach out to that mailman.

…

“..Spamton? And who is that?”

“Just peeked over that ‘Cyber city’,saw his name plastered all over the place!! Seems like he's real popular there…So,i uh- Called him.”

“What?..Called him?? Called him for what?”

“Ya know..Boss,no offense but things here just…need a shake up.”

Tenna froze. He watched Mike's smile turn to a nervous stare. “A shake up?...a SHAKE UP? Who do you think I am?! I'M TV!! I DON'T NEED ANYONE TO TELL M-”

“The views and ratings are plummeting! Sir please just think about it for once!”

Tenna pursed his lips tightly,he knew Mike was right- god he knew he was so right. Tenna's on the brink of ruin…It's only a matter of time for the big collapse.

But part of him hated the idea of sharing the fame,the attention,the clapping of the audience…He got so used to it being just his. The Dreemurrs watching him,laughing and smiles painted all over their faces…He wasn't ready to share all these precious memories with someone.

“Boss,he won't completely take over. He seems like just some commercial guy…Like uh,sponsors? Besides, maybe he can introduce a few modern things there and there…You're still the big boss here.”

the screen dimmed into thinking,It would be great to get some new shows around here,and sponsors to fund and improve everything..But it just sounds too perfect.

There had to be a catch.

And that is why he hopes that the ‘Spamton’ guy passes his tests.

Now in a Café,just around the corner from the studio,he had made special reservations making sure everything was decorated for his special guest.

Or maybe to show him he wasn't a glooby loser with no influence because he's drowning in it! Tenna just needs a tool.

…This was awkward.

Spamton looked at Tenna quietly,like he was studying every feature on his form. But then he smiled.

Tenna smiled back. “Haha..So,What..Do you do?”

“I'm a Salesman,The biggest one you'll see at that!” Spamton laid back with the freshly poured drink in hand.If he was somehow trying to sell anything to Tenna he wasn't doing a very good job.

“..So you just sell things?”

Spamton raised an eyebrow at the statement. “...you got a problem with that?”

“Haha! No!! I uhm-...Well- Y'know that's all good and dandy! It's just…TV isn't just for selling things..!And I really need someone who understands TV!!,”

Tenna paused,motioning his hand to his screen,and turning to his imaginary audience. “(And I obviously know TV)” A laugh track burst from Tenna's speakers.

Spamton blankly stared at the wall and then at Tenna “You usually do that?”

“A showman must keep his spirit at all times!I will let you know that I take my job very seriously!”

Spamton followed that with a chuckle,taking a sip from his glass. “As well as I do,So we're even.”

“Even?”

Spamton set his elbows on the table,looking at Tenna straight on the screen.

“The thing is,Mr Tenna,I just want success as much as you do. So…We're both equal here. You need me…Maybe I need you.”

‘Maybe’ need me?!? You HAVE to need me, or else you wouldn't be sitting here!!

“Yes..But you need to prove to me that you are actually capable and not replaceable,” Tenna crossed his arms with a smug face,Spamton scoffed at the comment,but Tenna needed to establish his role here as well.

“I can always get another business partner…But you can never get another MR ANT TENNA”

Spamton placed his palms on the table,clearly something gotten under his skin. “Oh, you CAN'T get another Spamton G.Spamton either.”

Tenna raised his eyebrow,amused by the confidence. And to be fair..He had to have some secret or anything that made him such a big shot.

“And by the looks of it,ya ain't doing too good either,i don't have any obligation to work for you

Mr tenna. I already have BIG things going on for me. Losing you wouldn't affect me.” Spamton watched as Tenna's face was mutually sour.

They both needed each other after all,but who will let go of their ego first is now the question. But…Discussing the business aspect seemed more important right now.

“Alright…Deal”

Their arms stretched across the table,hands locking in with a shake.

I wish I wasn't so persuaded by you…I wish you had kept your word.

The rush of a new show filled Tenna with sweet electrical adrenaline. The employees run around in a rush and panic,passing him by with set pieces and announcements.

He smiled at the mirror in front of him,putting on that classic cologne and adding his TV pin.

Not to mention..This was the first show with Spamton..He needs to add double the effort to make him likable…Just in case,of course!

Tenna looked around one more time,and there his tiny host stood,behind the curtains,lost in his own thoughts. Tenna gradually walked up to him.

“Stage fright?”

Spamton snapped out of his thoughts,throwing his head back at Tenna with slight offense. “Stage fright?! Ha,never! People love me! Just wait and see”

Tenna faintly scoffed,yeah right. And he was...partially right.

That show did better than expected,but Spamton's performance was lackluster at best...The only reason it did well was because he was a ‘foreigner’.

With dim lights filling up the studio,and midnight struck,Tenna stayed and watched the reruns of everything…It was fun.

A little squeaking came from behind him,catching Spamton staring before he could run.

“Oh- It's you”

Spamton scratched his neck,a little cocky smile on his face like always. “Yea,i just thought I'd walk around…Good show today”

Tenna nodded,wondering if Spamton was going back to cybercity or to stick around here…Maybe Tenna should book him a room from a nearby hotel.

Also wouldn't it be better to get to know his new business partner a little more? “Would you like to join me for a drink? toast on the new..partnership?” Spamton raised his eyebrows,his expression warming up.

“Sounds great”

Tenna didn't expect to have this much of a fun time. Business aside,Spamton was fun.

Like.. really fun.

Or maybe Tenna just hadn't had a friend in so long. But Spamton seemed to get him,laughing about employees and past business ventures.

They were already a few drinks deep,and usually Tenna keeps himself chilled but he found himself crying laughing,Spamton yelled out the words for everyone around to hear.

“I used to be soo GLOOBY! HAHAHA!”

Tenna rested the side of his head flat on the table,his screen shining with fluorescent colors,Spamton replied with a hitched chuckle. “But then i- I got the hang of it!! I built that studio from zero to

RISING NUMBERS!!”

“Well,what happened?”

Like a statue,Tenna stayed still not sure what to even reply with. He himself can't figure out what went wrong.

It was so gradual he didn't even notice he had reached the bottom.

Deep down he had started to accept that maybe..He just can't ever be enough.. “You know…Earlier in the studio,I saw you watch those reruns.”

“Yeah..I like watching these,” Tenna completely dimmed,the once loud atmosphere became quiet.

“It's like- I just imagine what it would look like from the audience's perspective haha..” Spamton raised his eyebrows,quietly taking a sip from his glass.

“Look,”

Tenna tensed up,he wasn't ready to be judged and criticized just yet.

“First of all,I'd suggest stopping reruns altogether.If something only shows up once,people are willing to watch just to feel special and not like they missed out on gold. Call it scarcity marketing.”

“Stop…Reruns?Scarcity marketing?? But-”

“Second,Mr Tenna. I'd also suggest you stop looking so closely at your past work. Any successful darkner only sees results and looks forward! Reach for higher. Don't ever look back down.”

Oh.

No one has ever told him this before.

As much as he hated the little criticism,he couldn't say Spamton was necessarily wrong.. Spamton smiled,raising his glass in the air.

“Here's to our upcoming success!!”

Tenna got a hold of his glass,leveling it to Spamton's. “Cheers to a new beginning!” Tenna chuckled.

Spamton opened his mouth to say more,but then- “Try something new today! There are tempting deals—” Spamton silenced his mouth with his hand.

Tenna was a little surprised with the sudden change of his voice tone.Spamton looked back at Tenna with some concern but then moved back his smile.

Tenna wanted to know so much more about Spamton,about the Cyber world..About the internet. There was such a bigger world outside than he had ever imagined.

“Say..Spamton,what did you do in that cyber city?”

Spamton paused,his fingers visibly tightening around his glass,he looked over his wristwatch. “It's uh…Getting late,better end tonight,unfortunately”

Tenna hummed quietly…It was late but he didn't want to end the night so quickly,he hadn't had this much fun outside the studio in ages.

“I actually um- booked you a room around here,I'm a gracious host! haha!”

“Thanks,Mr tenna…Looking forward the next”

…I wonder if you enjoyed it as much as I did.

The show did so well.

Audience grew twice its size since forever-

and most importantly…The Dreemurrs were watching.

Tenna almost cried a couple times from joy..But one thing has risen from this….People liked Spamton..a bit too much.

‘How do you feel about Mr G spamton?’ ‘Are the two of you close friends?’ ‘Future plans together?’

‘Are you perhaps seeing each other?’

NO!! The paparazzi are focused on the wrong thing!!

But he couldn't do much about it but just give short answers…Because he needed Spamton now. His whole viewership somehow depended on him.

He hated how he couldn't just..control Spamton. Not that he should be controlled BUT Spamton wasn't just like his other employees,He yells and fights back..which isn't very convenient if he wants to stay in complete power.

The show went on either way..

“Well,let me tell you folks a SURPRISE we've been on edge to tell!!” The audience wooed in curiosity and anticipation. Tenna glanced at Spamton,waiting to announce it.

“That's right! This is the TV time show that all of you will be looking forward to! MAIL time!”

Tenna smiled as he watched the audience all listen in awe to the new segment,he hasn't seen that since forever.

“The show we will do once a week,we will read YOUR MAIL! that you can send to TV-123 now!”

The crowd cheered with excitement. Tenna was also excited,there hasn't been any instances before where he interacted with his audience,and even the Dreemurrs even if he really wanted to- But they're lightners so..That was obviously out of the question.

Spamton signaled for the mail box to be thrown on the table next to them,patting the top grabbing everyone's attention.

Tenna knew it had letters sent to their studio that he had never known existed before- But…He didn't know what the letters contained since Spamton volunteered for that.

He should know all the censors rules by now, so hopefully nothing bad will happen. Hopefully.

“Well,folks..We actually have some letters here sent to us,” Spamton winked at the crowd before pulling one out.

“Bet they didn't know they will be broadcast LIVE on TV” a few chuckles left the crowd. “I hope it's something nice,haha!” Tenna added.

“Better be.or else we're canceling this!”

Spamton opened the letter,sliding the paper out of its casing. “Here we go”

Then he cleared his throat and raised the paper up. “ Hello Mr Tenna,I have watched you for a few years now. I'm your biggest fan! But you have made me very sad recently…” Tenna visibly made a face that made the audience laugh “Sad?! Oh boy..What did I do?”

“A lot” Spamton's swift reply made everyone laugh even more. “Let's not open THAT can of worms,folks!! Please continue the letter!”

Spamton glanced back at the paper in hand and continued “Recently you've got a new person by your side..and I can't help but be heartbroken!!” Spamton quietly shrugged since obviously this was about him,the crowd amusingly awaiting the rest.

“Because..I thought that I had a chance!! but now…I don't think you're even single anymore..!!”

Tenna flushed immediately- But that was genuine- He didn't know the letter was..like that.?!! The audience broke into loud gasps and laughter at the implications.

Spamton eyed the audience then back at Tenna and rested his arm on the table with a tilted head,letting the moment really sit in.

He then held back the paper to him,and sighed. “Well,dear viewer..I'm very sorry about that.But at least.. you stay away from taken men.”

Tenna looked at Spamton with disbelief- He didn't just say that- No!! WHY IS HE IMPLYING THIS!!!

The audience became chaotic. Tenna wasn't even sure how to salvage this without just pretending everything was fine. Spamton gave him a half smile like he planned this. Of course he did!!

After the segment ended,they both said their goodbyes and the cameras finally shut off. They walked back to the dressing rooms,Tenna finally had the moment to debrief about that. “what were you thinking that was– that was HIGHLY INAPPROPRIATE!!”

“Is it? ‘cuz the ratings loved it”

“I- STILL!! You can't just fuel those stupid rumors for a few laughs!!”

“So what?? Fuel it! Tenna,don't you see? People believe anything they see on TV and love it!”

“Yes,yes I know. But we aren't actually dating,Spamton...”

“We're not.But think about it! We just pretend for that hour on the show that there's something there..Unspoken,just enough leads left for the crowd to piece together- But never official. That's what keeps them all on the edge of their seats!!”

Tenna gulped audibly…It sounded too good.

Spamton was right.If being in this studio and managing TV for years has taught him anything it's that people love romances…Especially blooming ones.

Part of the popularity is definitely the chemistry between the co-hosts,it would make sense if they leaned deeper into it…But the thought also made him go on an emotional rollercoaster.

“So..what ya think,big shot?”

Why did I ever say yes to something so absurd!! Idiot! Idiot!! Idiot!!!!!

A person from the audience booed today.

And everyone laughed. Tenna acted cool there,but Spamton noticed. He used the situation to be the punchline of his next joke. But the feeling didn't leave Tenna.

After the show he was already at his limit…Like a ticking bomb. Everyone around stepped aside knowing what comes next.

Tenna's size grew bigger,his appearance sharpened with fumes coming out of his head. Mike gradually came up to him with unintelligible comforts but none of it registered to him.

Spamton walked through the door,his eyes set on Tenna.His expression stayed unphased. “Tens,”

Tenna took steps backwards “NO!! N-NO! leave me…Leave me alone! You don't get it,you won't get it!!” at this point anyone would've already left. But Spamton didn't move. “Yeah,you're right,ant. I'm not a big glooby TV,but I'm a business guy.”

Spamton's fists tugged on the sides of Tenna's sleeves,like a silent desperate attempt to get through Tenna.

“I can't promise you that…I'll stay forever,tens.That would be cruel-But I can promise that.. you,me we're gonna be big shots.”

Tenna crossed his arms, turning away from the Spamton. His face suddenly turned plastered with annoyance.

“You think I achieved anything by just sulking around and crying about the lightners moving me to the side-Not even batting an eye once? NO! I did everything! I worked my ass off to get here with you! And I won't let you suddenly ruin it all for yourself and me because your little Lightners got tired!”

….

Tenna slumped down,becoming really really tiny.

“I'm sorry” He started to sniffle and gulp down the tears forming on his screen,his tight throat making it harder to get anything clear words out. “I just..Maybe..I'm- I'm old and boring..”

The silence left was heavy,at least for Tenna.

Spamton Slowly walked towards the tiny TV,then chuckled. “Mike told me you could do this,but I didn't know it was like this”

Why is he making fun of him right now!! this was so embarrassing…He wanted to keep it fully professional…He wanted to keep in control…he-

“It's kinda adorable,heh. compared to how tall ya get” Spamton's little palm began patting on Tenna's head.

Tenna's screen flushed,his mouth cluttered with unfinished sentences.

“Look,show today wasn't great.But doesn't mean we can make the next one even better…I even have my sponsor's support,just trust it”

That mystery sponsor who seemed like Spamton's backbone,seemed suspicious at first. But Whenever Spamton said they were there everything always worked out somehow. And now even Tenna began trusting them..Even if he never even took these calls directly.

But with Spamton's words..and how he backed him up earlier. He feels better about it…Like he finally has someone to genuinely rely on..

“HAHAHHAHA!!Did a flower just bloom from your nose?!”

Tenna immediately hid his flowery nose,his whole screen reddened,while Spamton laughed. “H-HUH?! NO!! WELL YES- BUT STOP LAUGHING!! I CAN'T EVEN CONTROL THIS!”

The memory switched fast,he didn't want to feel the torment of hearing his laugh now.

BEEP!!! BEEP!!!

“S-SLOW DOWN,SPAMTON!! I DON'T WANNA DIE IN A CAR ACCIDENT!!”

“No one is gonna die,ant! calm your ass down”

“THAT'S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY WHEN THE SEAT FITS YOU!! I CAN'T EVEN WEAR THE SEAT BELTS!! I HAVE A WHOLE EPISODE DEDICATED TO CAR SAFETY!WHAT WILL MY VIEWERS THINK??”

“There's no audience here,just you and me. Besides,seat belts are for GLOOBY LOSERS!” “Couldn't we just- i don't know WALK!!?”

“Pshht Walk?! In Cyber city?? When I have my CUNGADERO?!?”

“W-Well when you said you were gonna show me around Cyber city,i thought i was gonna see it properly!!”

“It's pretty boring,it's better to drive. Besides, I gotta show you around my place in the mansion!!”

Tenna sighed and looked at the window,a ferris wheel moved in the distance.. He actually hasn't seen one in front of him before…it was beautiful!! He wondered if he can go on it somehow–

Fireworks went off suddenly in the sky- And it was…

“Wait- that's..! It's ME!!”

“Hey,a big celebrity deserves a big welcome,eh?” “Spammy!! you did that?”

“Yes,now stop looking at ME!! Look at the fireworks!!”

“Oh!! Yes!! I love them!!” Tenna watched as his face and the TV time logo went off in the distance with sparkly colors.

Then eventually they made it to the mansion…It was really huge- With supposedly ‘Queen’ faces plastered on it.

“Woah! Haha…That is..Definitely bigger than my studio.”

“Told ya”

They were cut by the presence of a new voice “Welcome back,Spamton..It's been a while”

“Easels!! Here park my car somewhere,” Spamton threw the keys to them perfectly catching it,it seemed like they were used to it.

Their focus went on Tenna next,their head slightly bowed “And you must be Mr tenna,sir?”

“Yes! That's me!”

“I am Swatch. Our lady grace's head butler,sir”

“Ooh! That sounds super duper FUN!!” Tenna nudged Spamton “Maybe I should also get a butler,hm?? Wouldn't that be all fancy?”

“Think Mike's got the job done..I don't think you can get anyone like Swatch here though”

Swatch smiled quietly “If you require my presence or help,please call for me. And Me and Queen's other staff will be of assistance”

Spamton held onto Tenna's sleeve,then started walking to the entrance. “Yeah,yeah. Now go park my car! and- DON'T SCRATCH IT YA HEAR ME??!?”

Tenna could hear an audible sigh coming from Swatch. “Anyways,ant.Here's the mansion!”

There were too many halls than he could count,and all kinds of paintings on the wall..Mainly all featured the Queen as the main character. He saw all kinds of darkners on the way,even little..Swatches but a bit more colored.

But a strange feeling started to creep up on him… “I feel kind of cold..” Tenna stopped in his tracks.

“Hey big shot! don't get all sick on me now,we just got here!”

“I know..! I wasn't sick earlier!! I just..Feel heavy?” Tenna palmed his chest,trying to take in breaths.

“Tenna?!”

“I've never been this..sick before..,” He stumbled onto the wall next to him,Spamton quickly helped him move to lay on the floor.

“Spamton, am I dying..?”

Spamton seemed surprised by that,but then his face wrinkled.

“NO ONE IS DYING! J-Just stay here! I'll go get some help,alright?!”

“Okay..Don't leave me too long..! I don't wanna..Die alone,spammy”

“You're not dying, shut up!!” Spamton sprinted off to light knows where-

Tenna heard noises coming from the halls,but he had no idea where anything was coming from- or how minutes had passed..Maybe it's been even hours??

He felt his vision start to black out..His limps numbed like it was.. stone? He couldn't move his body- Like a statue-

he just hoped Spamton was coming back soon… But then..Somehow he felt all better..?

He breathed in,finally feeling light again,and being able to stand up again. Well..That was weird.

He heard fast footsteps approach him. Spamton came from the corner, his face full of concern- But then his expression switched,looking up at Tenna.

“Spamton!! I feel better!-”

“Yes,yes I know. See I told you I would get help!”

“..You weren't even here,though? I was here all by myself” Spamton blushed and crossed his arms.

“A few phone calls go a long way,okay?!”

“Did you seriously go to your phone while I was DYING??!”

“You feel better,don't you? We got more important things at hand!” Tenna sighed,letting the tension fizzle out.

“I suppose..”

“Listen here,Ant. I got you a lifetime deal!Scorching hot!”

“Really?”

“I got ya booked with Queen!Performance right here in the mansion! Crazy,right?” Tenna's expression fell…Performance for Queen??

“What? Spamton- I'm MR. ANT TENNA! Not some fool-jester for Queen! When did you even get that?!”

“Oh come on,Tenna. It's just a quick stage show.”

“Why didn't you even consult me on this?!? You can't just go around saying yes in my place like you're my manager!”

“Tenna,I'm doing this for you.I know what's right for you! Besides,look. You know what Queen did for me? She moved me in with the Lightners’ special rooms!! Wouldn't you want to perhaps… peek into some lighteners?"

“Well…When you put it that way- I'll think about it”

“No time to think,show is on in twenty”

“Seriously?!! Spamton I'm not even ready!! My clothes are a mess! I was just sick earlier,My screen isn't shiny! i-”

“You're perfect,Tenna.Okay?!”

Tenna paused, then changed expressions. “Haha- Y-Yes,ok!!”

“Come on,let's go.”

Spamton led Tenna through even more strange halls,even a room full of just..pottery? Tenna accidentally stepped on some by Accident!! His large size wasn't exactly mansion friendly-But Spamton kept assuring him that it was fine.

Then finally at the end of the hallway,his gaze set on the back of who he assumed is Queen. “There she is,” Spamton whispered.

Tenna tugged on his tie out of nerves- he's never really…Met that many important people. Another person beside Queen with cat ears had taken notice of Tenna and Spamton.

“Just in time for your appointment”

Queen turned around with ‘???’ on her glass screen then it turned to ‘!!!’ With an amused face.

“Oh If It Isn't The TV Man”

“Yes hello, it's Mr Tenna!! It's nice to meet a ROYAL before my very screen!!So exciting!” Tenna began bowing like he does for his audience,nervously looking at Spamton for reassurance.Queen rushed to him,eyeing him up and down.

“You Are Taller Than I Thought LOL” “Haha! Well TVs are bigger..!”

Tenna glanced at Spamton and whispered “..What's LO..L??”

“Just go with it”

Tenna didn't like that answer but he couldn't fight it either. Queen gestured at one of the Swatchlings nearby,bringing a glass with a straw.

She held it and began sipping “So,” slurp “How'd You..” slurpp “Find My Mansion Tennar”

“It's haha..actually Tenna! It's uh- It's amazing!”

Queen sipped on her drink,almost done with it in only a few sips. “Want A Sip?”

“Haha..your grace don't think he can have that”

“Why? What even is that?”

“Quality Battery Acid” 

“Oh- Well that would definitely KNOCK me out...But I appreciate the gesture!”

‘More For Me I Suppose” Queen gulped down the remaining drink in her glass then threw it on the floor making a tiny explosion. Tenna gasped as he held on to Spamton on impact- Queen's screen now showed ‘ROFL’ whatever that means…

“It's Just My Throwing Glass XD You Are…Comical. I Like You.”

Tenna blushed at the statement- He'd made a good impression!! He's likeable!! “See? I said you'd like the guy!”

“Yes Spam Boy I See The Vision , I Will See You At the Stage Then”

Queen summoned a flying chair,then sat on it. She signaled for the other lady something which she nodded to.

“Actually. I Have Just Built A New Attraction For My Cool Mansion. And I Think You Two Are The Perfect Candidates.Do You Consent?”

“Yes!” Tenna excitedly replied before getting a leg kick from Spamton behind him. “augh- I-I mean what is it?”

“An Acidic Tunnel Of Love” little red hearts appeared on her screen. “Thank You For Consenting.I'm Not Responsible For Damages LOL”

Before anything can be questioned Queen left her laugh echoed in the halls. Spamton peeked to see a dove docked on the entrance.

"WHAT??" Spamton yelled,and turned to Tenna. “AND YOU JUST SAY YES TO ANYTHING PROPOSED TO YOU???”

“She said it was an attraction!!! How was I supposed to know!”

“Whatever..! Tasque, we're taking the other route,tell Queen that!”

A whip suddenly hit the ground in front of them both. “Orders shall be fulfilled to the end!! No other routes!”

Tenna tapped on Spamton,silently requesting to go.. He did wanna explore more. Spamton gave up and rolled his eyes “Fine.”

“Haha!!How FUN!!”

Tasque manager guided them to the boat,Tenna realized how…a lot smaller it was. “Will that fit both of us..?”

“Just get in,ant”

Tenna squeezed himself in the space,leaving a very tiny seat for Spamton,which oddly fit. And with a farewell they began moving in the green acid tunnel.

Tenna looked at his reflection in the acid liquid,and it looks kinda tasty now but he's not very sure if his system can take it like Queen does.

“..Are you enjoying your time here?”

Tenna looked back at Spamton,there's actually no one around here now,but..They're still together on the ride.

“Yes!..It's very fun!”

“I'm glad you like it,tens”

The silence between them was filled with the water splashes as the boat made its way,little houses on the way occasionally. “Who even lives in these houses? they're so tiny!”

“Heh..Dunno. You should consider renting one out,y'know when ya get all small and whiny”

“Seriously?!” Tenna couldn't help but laugh. The houses did ironically look pretty good.

“I really love seeing your world,Spamton”

Tenna found it hard to read any of Spamton's faces,it all felt conflicting.

“It's so..Vibrant and beautiful!! Obviously not as good as my TV world but it's such an amazing sight!” Spamton nodded along,then looked away. The quiet atmosphere loomed.

“Spamton?”

“Hm?”

“This is a bit of an intruding question..But why do you not like it here?” Spamton fidgeted at the question.“Who-Who said I don't like it here?”

“No one! I just assumed,” Tenna rested his screen on his hands,leaning a bit closer.

“You always change the subject whenever I ask about your time here,even when Lanino and Elnina ask you avoid the question”

Part of why Tenna wanted to come here was to get to know Spamton better- like..What even is he? But Tenna had no idea how any of this new Internet thing worked.

“hahaha..uh y’know I just like to be private,that's all”

“I know. But…I would like it more if you weren't so private!!..to me! haha..if you want of course!”

Spamton smiled and patted Tenna's hand “Aren't I already? You're here with me here. You're the only one I'm willing to do this for”

“R-Really?” Flower bloomed from his nose.

“Well- Yeah.And hopefully you don't annoy the shit out of me to take you here after this.”

“Hey! I wasn't being ANNOYING!! I was curious!!”

Queen appeared on the screen beside them. “Are You Enjoying My New Attraction? Fits For Old And New Tech Alike."

“Haha..Yeah..Totally!”

“Obviously” Spamton leaned back,his leg laid on Tenna's knee.

“Amazeballs” The screen turned back to black. Tenna turned to Spamton with questions already queuing in his head. “You need to teach me the language you speak here in cyber city..”

“it's constantly changing,it's just slang. I'm far from qualified for that”

“Hmm..I guess you're right I've seen some commercials about that..”

Tenna rested his screen on his knees. There was so much to ask but he didn't wanna bother Spamton either..Or just make Spamton feel uncomfortable.

“We actually haven't spent time just completely by ourselves for a bit” Spamton was first to speak through the silence. “Yeah,i guess. Can't help it when there's no vacations”

“We should have a vacation.”

“Really? But…TV is on everyday!! I can't just-”

“Lightners can survive a day without TV,Ant! Seriously..You work ALL day. I mean I get it,I also did! But a guy gotta lay back a bit!”

Tenna hesitated. He's actually just never had a day off before. He enjoyed his work but maybe Spamton is right? He's always right,somehow.

“And y'know what, If you're not sick of me already I'll be there with ya”

Tenna softly smiled with the offer “Is that so? Well you better not get sick of me either,mailman.”

“That would be pretty hard..I don't think I can get sick of you”

They were abruptly interrupted by the Screen across them, Queen suddenly appeared- “On A Scale Of 10. How Would You Rate How Awesome I Am?”

Both of them felt disoriented being suddenly pulled from the conversation-

Tenna coughed putting on a smile “Uh..Well,maybe add more colors and a bigger accommodating boat!”

“Nevermind Your Review Is Boring. I Actually Won't Change Anything XD ” The screen darkned.

The ride eventually came to a halt.

The show was almost here- Honestly Tenna hadn't actually thought about it too much yet- But…Suppose he can just re-purpose bits of his old shows.

Spamton scratched his head as he looked around and sighed. “Hey..Ant,I think I'll leave you for a bit. I need to make a phone call really quickly..”

“But- What about the show? We're doing it together aren't we??”

“You're the TV here,Tenna! Come on, you can start by yourself!”

Tenna tensed,it wasn't that he can't do it without Spamton. He just…Liked it better when he was there.

Especially here in an unfamiliar place…

“No time to waste.I'll be back before you know it” “Okay..”

Spamton ran off like he was desperate,he doesn't even do that with anything- Tenna hated that phone sometimes.

“Mr Tenna,” Swatch walked up to him,Tenna felt a bit relieved he wasn't totally by himself. “Ah,there you are!! I was hoping I would get to talk to you more!”

“I'm glad you find my presence amusing,sir”

Swatch started to guide Tenna to the supposed theatre room. The screens around him showed various types of recordings. Were these also shows? but they seemed too short to be.

“So..The internet,huh?”

“This is our blog area. Lighteners usually come here to post things” Swatch pointed to the signs all over the walls filled with all types of written things.

“Post..?”

Before Tenna could ask more he suddenly heard shouts from behind him,calling for him. He promptly looked back,his eyes landed on colored darkners he hadn't seen yet.

“Mr Tenna! We've been looking for you!”

“We can't believe you are here,you're one of a kind!”

Tenna couldn't help but smile after being flattered- He didn't know cyber darkners also knew about him. “Thank you..!-”

“Would you be interested in taking a look at our newest products? They are the NEWEST in the industry!! with 10% off for the first order!!”

“Your viewers will love it!! They sell so fast before we can even manufacture them!”

“That definitely sounds interesting! But unfortunately i have things..To do” 

Swatch walked in front of Tenna “Please reserve conversation after the show” with disappointed faces and leaving.

“Swatch,who were these?”

“They're addisons,sir.”

“Addisons?..huh”

“Is something the matter,master Tenna?”

“N-No! Not at all!! I just thought they were interesting…!” They did look strangely familiar,he couldn't confirm it now but they almost looked related to Spamton,but he'd better confront him about it after the show.

At the end of the hall,he finally set his eyes on the little stage. “We don't have that many things going on here,except occasionally this music trio comes”

“This will do,I suppose. I wasn't even planning on one.”

“I saw Spamton earlier before he talked to our lady grace,He seemed very frantic about it.”

“Say,Swatch.You know Spamton,right?Do you know who his sponsor is?”

Swatch raised an eyebrow,confusion on his face. “No,sir.I don't know. Frankly he's very private about his affairs. But he's been in the mansion for quite some time..”

“I see”

So he wasn't just bluffing…Seems like he actually keeps the secret thing pretty serious. But Tenna wanted to know. He can't just depend on Spamton forever…He needed to be a big shot himself too.

“Hmm…Swatch. About the ‘posts’ we passed earlier- Is it possible to somehow compile some for this?”

Reading mail was Spamton's thing but…Well he's not here so TOO BAD! Tenna watched as Swatchlings filled the seats and Queen sat in the middle.

He gave himself a few words of encouragement. Then he stood on stage. His speakers played his show's theme.

“Hey!! IT'S ME!! THE AMAZING AND FUNNY MR ANT TENNA!! Bringing from the hearts of the TV world…TV!TIME!” Tenna dramatically held the microphone in his hand. “(And I couldn't imagine not having it in your life)”

Tenna began awkwardly looking through the posts Swatch compiled- He tried to emulate Spamton's patterns but he wasn't so sure if it was going too well…

So he just resorted to a good old joke! Who doesn't love jokes?

“What gets really hot before it FREEZES?!”

Everyone was awfully silent…Just go along!!

“A LAPTOP!!”

Queen's face seemed to turn into something of confusion and pity. “You're..Very clever. Very Clever You Are”

Queen said with ‘true’ on her screen.

“Haha..yes! Definitely!!” Tenna pursed his lips- oh this is going wrong– He can't beat the internet- He can't do this-He–

“HEY!! YOU'RE STEALING MY SEGMENT!!”

Spamton is back- Somehow he hasn't felt grateful for that little mailman until now. “I'm the one who reads things! not you!”

Tenna scoffed,seriously?! He's mad after he threw this show at him and disappeared??? “Well maybe you'd do it if you didn't constantly LEAVE!”

“I said I was making an IMPORTANT phone call,didn't I?!”

Tenna stomped over to Spamton towering over him.“More important than your PARTNER?? YOU WERE READY TO LEAVE ME DIE!!”

“I'm the one who saved your ass back there!!You were going to turn to stone! Don't believe me then leave and see!”

A clap went off in the background– Shit he's forgotten he's here.. “HOOOHOO!! This Is So Much Better All The Soap Operas Trending”

“Oh- OH! HAHA!! Yes!” Tenna turned to Spamton and grabbed his arm. Ignoring his protest he threw him up in the air. “I'm so MAD at you!!”

But then he caught him,smirking at him. He still wanted to get back at him somehow.

“But jolly..I really can't stay angry with you…What a shame,my anger must be washed away!” Spamton rolled his eyes with red cheeks,Tenna fought the urge not to laugh.

But with Spamton around he found it actually fun continuing the show,it was a success!! Queen surely loved that.

With a step out of stage,he wanted to speak with Spamton again..But he…left again. of course. He wasn't kidding this time when he said he was really mad at him.

He peeked over to see the Queen still sitting- Right! The rooms!! He could do so much!! With the information on what any of the Dreemurrs search he could make his shows back home be as good as ever!

“Hahah!! Great show,huh folks?”

“Yes,Yes Tannie It Was Funny Indeed”

“Thank you!...Although it's uh, Tenn-”

“XDDD Who Cares.Nobody Cares About Your Name.According To My Fast Accurate Statistics-Everyone Enjoyed Your Unnamed Romantic Show,Rating it 8/10.”

“R..Romantic?! But that wasn't— Really!?! Everyone..liked it? HAHA! THEY..THEY LIKE ME!” Queen stood still as Tenna raised his arms in the air,leaving a pause. “Yes”

Tenna cleared his throat,getting back to being more professional. “So,uh- Haha! Do I get to..See the Lightner rooms,now? Gosh,haha! I don't even know who to start with!!”

“LOL No.”

Tenna's face fell immediately. He did all of this in the first place to go there!! “I Still Need To Keep My Users' Information Private.” Queen placed her hand on her hip.

“Additionally,With My Other Fast Calculations.I Think No One Is Interested in CRT Anymore. Only Smart Phones.”

“Smart..phones??Well I'm sure they can't be that smart.”

“There's Already Ideas And Plans For Smart TVs As Well”

“Plans? Are you saying I'm not smart now?”

“I Don't Know What You Mean. You're An Old CRT” Queen's small screen filled with ‘???’

“I- I'M A VERY INTELLIGENT TV!! and!!-” Tenna paused with defense,gathering his words.

“-TV isn't old! There's nothing that would ever beat the fun of CLASSIC TV!”

“Well,”

“According To Articles I Will Not Read Through Because They Are Boring. It Seems People Are Moving into Newer Technology”

What? moving to?

But what about TV? Do people not want to watch their favorite shows anymore?? “I..I guess”

“I Did Enjoy Your Show Though. Please Keep The Ship With Spam boy Alive”

“What..ship?”

“The Ship.”

“Okay…I will?”

Queen waved goodbye,then walked off. Tenna looked around trying to find Spamton. He probably just went to take another call again.

But the closer he got,he heard talking. Finally looking at the corner he could make out the words.

“Seriously? You're really not letting us work with him?”

The pink Addison he saw earlier stood in the middle of the hallway,catching a few glimpses of Spamton in front.

“Why would he want to work with a bunch like you? He only works with big shots like me!..Which if you didn't get the message by now is scram!”

“You're so fucking selfish! Scraping us to bones to get where you are,and now you won't even bat an eye to us!”

“Cry ‘bout it,you're all just envious”

“Hah..envious? You wish. I would never attach myself to a big TV boyfriend to suck him dry like you!”

“Just wait..Until he knows what you really are. You haven't even told him you're an addison,have you?”

“Excuse me…What's going on?”

“O..Oh Mr.Tenna! My apologies..I-”

“Please,leave.” Tenna stood firm and tall. should be intimidating enough

The pink addison shot Spamton a look,a sour smile on their face as he stormed off. Leaving the two stars by themselves.

“Spamton…”

“..You never told me you were an Addison”

Spamton backed up,he pursed his lips. “i- I just” Spamton stuttered,then he straightened himself,his face reddened while trying to make himself all big.

“SO WHAT!! Yes, I'm an Addison.You don't have to rub it IN MY FACE!! If you wanna lay me off then just- just DO IT!” Spamton's yell echoed in the mansion halls,catching hitched breaths while shaking.

“..No? I just- I don't like that you hid that from me!”

Tenna didn't budge,he was confused. Honestly he just learnt what an Addison is like an hour ago,Spamton was white and short compared to them,maybe that's why it didn't exactly clock to him right away. But it made sense. “And why would I ‘lay you off’? Is being an Addison changing any terms in our deal?”

Spamton's eyes widened at the non-caring response,his mind scrambling to say what next. “Well..’Cause..I'm not like you- I'm not like Queen.Hell,I'm not even like that stupid easels guy! I'm just…An Ad- bunch of Spam Emails-!!” Spamton looked down at the floor.

The Spamton that Tenna got to know is all loud,and confident,but now Spamton felt like he made himself smaller than ever.

But something else seemed to pique his interest..”Oooh..so that's where your name comes from!”

Spamton blinked and stared for a minute “What else did you think my name meant?!”

Tenna tapped the side of his screen,with a crooked smile on his screen “Well..I thought it was like that canned ham thing..?” Tenna paused waiting to see if anything clicked with Spamton but he just stared in utter confusion.

“Y'know...that jingle!! ♫♪ You don't say ham! you say spam!Spam is real! Spiced ham! You don't say ham,you say spam!♪♫”

Spamton's eyes blinked even more as the rhythm came out from Tenna's little speaker holes,dancing and mumbling the lyrics along.

..And then the laugh exploded out of his chest,he couldn't fight it anymore- He laughed,and laughed…Harder than he had ever done. And Tenna never stopped either.He kept the jingle on until the end,reciting every word from it like it was the holy choir.Somehow that made him laugh even harder.

“Shit- Tenna!!- You're going to kill me!” Spamton grabbed his breath wiping tears from his eyes,Tenna grew a big grin on his screen. “Better save that for the office meetings!”

With remnants of the laugh still on his face,Spamton looked up at Tenna with a smile. “Yeah. ‘course,Mr.Tenna”

Tenna's brightness softened,kneeling down to Spamton's level. “Y'know you really should stop using ‘Mr tenna’ on me.Just call me Tenna!.. Or like,whatever you want really.haha!”

Spamton seemed surprised by the offer as Tenna continued “I don't really care what you are,spamton. You have a SPECTACULAR mind!And that's really all I need.We're equal in this deal!” Tenna clasped his hands together.

Spamton warmly smiled at him,their partnership finally set in stone. “Say…Would you mind if..We ride that ferris wheel?”

I actually should've left you that day after that lie alone.I don't know why I gave you so much grace.

Another show…Another day… Tenna was starting to go crazy.

He felt high on everything…emotions too sensitive…especially to someone. That someone being Spamton?!

He hadn't even noticed it,until he looked at him too long,closely studying his expressions,awaiting his voice and approval.

His word started to weigh so much,even the tone would be the judge of his mood.

It was too much sometimes. Keeping him away from work he should've been doing. But also he couldn't let it go,knowing he could see him again in the morning was everything.

But he couldn't risk it yet-He can't just fumble everything because of this..At least it's making him a better actor!

Their chemistry on set was one of the reasons people genuinely tuned in. And before Tenna was able to fully commit to it because it was fake…But now it wasn't so fake,everytime Spamton said something cheeky or borderline flirtatious he would stutter trying to find words in a jumbled mess in this small tube of his.

“Boss?”

Tenna shot up from the daze he was in,looking at Mike who stood confused in the doorway. “Y-Yes?”

“Sorry to interpret you're alone time. Spamton was looking for you” “Oh! Hahahahah!!! Of..Of course!! I'll be right out!”

As soon as Mike closed the door,Tenna quickly scrambled through his rack of clothes. Skipping suits with even a speck of dirt on it.

WHERE ARE ANY OF HIS NICE CLOTHES??

Time passed like a race,and the pressure felt like the most important event of his life. He just ended up wearing a black vest over the blouse he was already in.

It's just..a little work party,Tenna.

A little perfume and wax for his little Antennas’ shine,and he was good to go! As he closed the door behind him,he heard a little shoot sound go off.

He looked to his left and found a Shuttah with a big smile. “Oh..! You've caught me off guard.”

“Perfect! The best photos are always the ones taken at the moment!”

“Yes,yes! Well, how'd the picture turn out then?”

Shuttah raised the fresh photo as the details finally set in.

“Oo la la! you look absolutely dashing,darling. Perfect for any collection!!”

“Aw,shucks!I know!”

“Mhm. Impressing an audience tonight,I see?”

“What,can't a guy just dress for himself?”

“Whatever the circumstances,I need a photoshoot done with this bright expression of yours today!! And don't forget to bring the mailman,of course.” Shuttah winked and walked off.

Tenna felt a bit called out- but at least now he knows he looks good.

He mentally prepared himself as he walked closer to the hall where everyone was,rewinding words and actions to do,it felt like its very own show.

He found the weather couple standing before the door hand in hand and whispering to each other. alerting them of his presence with a cough.

“Oh,sir!” Elnina greeted Tenna,she and Lanino seemed to match outfits.

“How's everything? Did you just arrive?” Tenna asked as he peeked a look inside the chaos of the little studio party.

“We've been here for a little bit,but my sweet cloud felt a bit overwhelmed so we decided to take a break here”

“We've been watching your co-host gamble with the pippins for a good bit"Elnina pointed at a table where Spamton sat surrounded by Pippins.

“These guys are scummy…But he really knows how to out con them..”

“Of course he can” Tenna observed Spamton with his legs crossed on the table,cards in hand and cigarette between his laughs and-

“sir?” Elnina broke his thoughts- Right.. RIGHT!! the party!! be professional!!

“HAHA!! Yes! Well,I oughta go out!! A TV party isn't complete without the TV!!!!!” Tenna scrambled into the room,everyone suddenly went silent and looked up at him.

So did Spamton.

He grinned at his direction,Spamton stared at him for a bit before saying hello. The night passed quickly--Or because of how chaotic everything was.

Tenna noticed Spamton gradually got more drunk. Drink after drink- It was rather concerning- “Spammy,you okay here? You should call it a night now,hm?”

“I'm ALL GOOD,cathode!! Night's still young!!” Spamton wobbled around,then held on Tenna's legs for support. Tenna knew it would probably upset him later but..He couldn't risk rumors going around about his Co-host's behavior while he's drunk out of his mind.

It's time to call it a night.

Tenna reached for Spamton and gripped him,holding him between his arms.

“HAHAHAH!!ANT,WE'RE TOP OF THE WORLD!!!” Spamton raised his arms, almost losing balance.

His eyes set on Tenna's screen,and then rested his chest on Tenna's chest. “I must be lucky… Not everyday you get carried by the big guy himself”

Tenna felt his screen heat up- It's just for show!! Right.

“Y-Yeah..Well! I guess I just care too much about my partner?”

“Totally..”

Tenna sighed and started walking to the guest rooms in the studio,probably the safest option to let Spamton rest.

Peace finally filled their heads once out of the party,Tenna felt like he could finally breathe.

“Aren't ya tired of holding me like that?” Spamton's slurred speech made Tenna giggle a bit. “No.You're really light”

“Gee..What a way to call a guy fit.”

“You drink and smoke almost daily,I'm honestly as surprised as you are. I need to know your secret!”

“Why do you wanna know?! You're already as handsome as they come.”

Tenna stopped as he processed the information– “Well I know I'm handsome! But still! I think I'm getting a little old fashioned..Maybe.”

Tenna opened the door,his screen brightness made it easier to see through the dimmed room.

Spamton smiled looking up at Tenna the whole time,placing his hand near Tenna's collar. “Well shoot,tube.You age like fine wine.”

Tenna gulped as a rosy tint took over his screen,quietly placing Spamton on the sofa. “Spammy you don't have to keep acting anymore,haha..we're all alone.”

“Don't need a camera to tell the truth”

Tenna's screen brightened full red; he's just out of it Tenna.

He nervously snickered,looking around every part of the room except Spamton's eyes.

“Tenna,” Spamton's faint voice grabbed Tenna's attention back at him. He smiled once his eyes set back on Tenna's.

“Sit here with me”

Tenna almost jumped out of nerves,he gulped and took a step forward towards the couch,Spamton made some space for him.

Once Tenna was sat, silence fell with his screen's fuzz noises being louder than usual.Tenna breathed in,then looked at Spamton. “I- uhm…Your performance today was GREAT! Well- it is everyday! B-But today was..greater!”

Spamton blinked,then a laugh creeped up out of him. Tenna blushed and looked away. This is embarrassing.

Suddenly he felt a tug from his collar.Spamton little bit aggressively pulled his tie towards him. Tenna gasped from the sudden turn,and well…Spamton pulling him from his own tie.

“Sp-Spamton?”

Spamton drew closer,Tenna's breath hitched watching Spamton itch closer to him. “They...warned me about you”

“Warn you about me?? Who?!”

“Mmm…They said i shouldn't get attached to you,”

Tenna wasn't sure what to reply with here,his mind raced to all the possibilities or anything wrong he has possibly done to be warned about.

“But it's...Really hard not to.”

Tenna jerked himself backwards to try and have some room to breathe.But Spamton didn't let go of the tie.

“Haha…Y-Yes? I guess TV is uh…” “Good.All of TV is good.”

Spamton's hand gradually reached the corner of his head,his thumb brushing against the raging statics on his screen.

Tenna is going to die right now.

Spamton had already taken notice of Tenna overheating and his only reaction was a smirk,like he knew exactly how to push every single button in him,and something about that made Tenna even crazier.

He was supposed to be the one who did that,but now he's here frozen and at the mercy of this small addison. He tried to get something out of his mouth,to say anything but he couldn't.

But…The truth is,maybe he doesn't want to.

He would actually let Spamton do anything to him. Oh.

His screen dimmed as their noses touched, Spamton began tilting his face to the side…And Tenna did the same…The smell of Spamton's cologne overwhelmed his senses.

Tenna blocked out his vision,preparing for everything next.

….

Things stayed still. Spamton pulled away.

Tenna promptly glanced at Spamton,his expression had changed..It seemed a bit bothered- Maybe he was actually just imagining things earlier.He took in air like he hasn't breathed in months,fixing his now wrinkled tie.

“damn it” Spamton hissed under his breath,and…It hurt something inside Tenna.

He wanted to apologize- But saying more at this point felt unproductive…at least to him. has he lost his mind?? He's still the boss here…And to mention the fact Spamton wasn't sober!!

Tenna collected himself and jolted out of the sofa,without looking back he walked to the door. “I hope you sleep well..! goodnight..” Tenna so badly wanted to look back at Spamton's expression but he didn't. Spamton didn't reply with anything either.

The next morning everything was eerily too normal. He'd hoped for something,or acknowledgement..even if it was nerve wrecking.

But Spamton never brought it up,neither did Tenna.

Maybe this was just meant to be forgotten…They can't drop the act now either.

It lingered there,something between their interactions had started to shift,or maybe Tenna was overthinking all of it.

That was the tipping point before it all started to go down.

Spamton has been acting really strange lately,he would lock himself in the room for hours,occasionally Tenna would hear the buzzing of the phone more than a handful of times throughout one day.

Spamton's mood began to shift…He began saying things that didn't make that much sense,but Tenna humored it..Thinking maybe it was some joke.

One night he caught him out on top of the studio's roof,he just quietly smoked,while mumbling to himself.

“Spamton?”

Spamton turned around,like he heard a ghost. But somewhat relaxed when it was just Tenna. He left a silent invite in the air that Tenna accepted,walking slowly to the railings.

The night breeze felt cold against his screen,with the cigarette's light bringing enough warmth.Both of them hadn't said a word, just shared the little smoke..It was quite nice.

“Do you feel like you're going crazy sometimes?”

“hm?..I guess,yeah. I mean wouldn't trade the studio for anything,but drives me nuts sometimes”

“I meant the type of crazy where…You don't know what's real and what's not.”

“Oh”

“Hmm,” Spamton hummed to himself,while looking over the purple hills ahead. “This whole world. It feels so fake,like we're just insignificant pixels in all of it. I feel like I will fall soon..too.. ”

“Spamton you won't fall. You always tell me that we will always reach higher..I'm here with you too,you know.”

Spamton threw the cigarette under his feet,”Well you don't know,someone higher up there will just put us out like this.and you can't stop it.”

“We're not cigarettes though!! Besides…the cigarette eventually turns into some dust,it just flies off in the air. It gains a new purpose!! Nothing just stops existing forever.”

The words lingered in the air,as heavy as they were,Spamton seemed to be thinking about it. I wonder what you always thought and kept from me.

Until that day.

The day prior Asriel brought the laptop home again. Spamton became paranoid for hours.

He didn't even sleep,he just waited in his office beside the phone. “Spammy…Please just calm down! No one is getting you!”

“No..No! UGH!” Spamton paced around with paranoia…Tenna reached his pocket,where Mike had handed him a paper..A solution maybe.

“Hey look..I-uhm! Haha brought you something!”

Spamton stopped in his place and looked at Tenna. “I..I made a contract! Look! It makes you work with me FOREVER!! Well under some regulations of course haha!! But you don't have to worry or be paranoid all the time anymore! This will secure you forever! Isn't it amazing?”

Tenna grinned,awaiting relief on Spamton's face but instead it soured.

He snatched the paper from Tenna's hand, almost tearing it. His eyes shot open as he read further into it. “Are you serious??”

“Yes..?It's just a small contract, Spamton! nothing will change! You'll just have a secure place in the studio!!Please..? ”

Spamton's lips started to curl and then he started laughing maniacally. “You're actually gotta be fucking kiddin’ me.”

“I'M NOT!! This is for YOU!”

Spamton crumbled the paper in his hand and then threw the ball of paper on Tenna's screen. “Didn't ask for it! Don't want your contract! I'm not signin’ that STUPID thing.”

“SPAMTON!! PLEASE JUST!!-”

The phone started ringing,Spamton's jolted out of his place immediately going over the phone. Tenna wanted to follow him but…He didn't.

Maybe he should've…

He should've said more. Maybe he shouldn't have done that stupid contract. Spamton left abruptly after.

There was nothing to be heard about him anymore,like he was a ghost that just never existed.

At first he thought Spamton was just mad and he would come back but weeks passed..And nothing. Not even a note..Or a letter.

And now it's been months.

Tenna had to go on or else he would sink this whole studio with everyone in it.

Tenna went back to hosting alone.That's his thing obviously! He used to do it all the time without Spamton!

He's..Gotta be good…right?

Cheers from the audience finished too early,awaiting other segments that never appeared.

Even Tenna forgot.

Awaiting responses back to his jokes or chattering but never getting any.

Ratings dropped drastically,people began gossiping and rumors plastered all over everything…But they don't know what really happened.

What can even Tenna say? That he was abandoned?? What was the reason? He doesn't even know himself.

His mood worsened too,sleepless nights and tired mornings spent in despair and nitpicking every behavior since his existence.

He had become a ghost in his own creations,barely even present while his mind wandered off in another version of reality.

Whispers and footsteps brought him back to reality.

Tenna turned around to see the sudden buzz,he was already over the edge. The sudden noise and what seemed like employees leaving their posts was going to be his tip over the edge.

He paced to the entrance–if someone had broken that fucking glass door again he will-

“Isn't that..Mail guy?”

Tenna's knees began giving out,this..this was a dream wasn't it? another one of these cruel dreams where Spamton comes back..where he wakes up and cries on his bed..right?!..right..?

Spamton stood in the middle of the entrance,barely balancing himself off the ground. humble clothes that have seen better days on him,his hair was long and messy. It looked so different. He was different.

This wasn't a dream. It was a nightmare.

Tenna's caught breath came out of his throat as a nervous chuckle. “Haha..what is happening..This isn't real..Mike,p-please wake me up! ha..haha”

Mike looked back at Tenna,his expression alone made Tenna's heart absolutely sink. He looked at him with pity. A look of being sorry for him.

Spamton hitched a breath,then stumbled on the ground, his ragged breathing made everyone stay still in their places.too afraid to approach.

“what..is happening?” Tenna was met by silence yet again,every second and look from everyone just confirmed the stinging truth.

This was real.

His thoughts were abruptly brought to an end with mumbles from spamton,a voice he's been pathetically yearning for- but this time it made him so,so scared.

“ [end your stay] me..” Tenna took a step forward,trying his best to pick up the inaudible

mumble.

“S..spamton?”

Spamton then erratically jolted up,propping himself on the ground to face Tenna. “DON'T [kick in the face] ME OU-uT!1”

Tenna flinched back,his screen flickered off and on with anxiety- This.. this isn't spamton no.no.

Spamton got up,his posture shaken up and weak,his expression was desperate and angry. “[tennis] 1T'S ME e e ..SPAMTON G.SPAMTON..ItS..me..help.”

Hearing the plea Tenna couldn't stand still anymore,ignoring every fiber of his being still in denial- he couldn't care if this was a dream or a nightmare or shit..maybe he's just finally gone crazy.

He lunged forward to the darkner in front of him,embracing him as tightly as he ever could. Everyone around him disappeared,he didn't care about anything but the little call for help.

Spamton didn't move,but he didn't protest either,he just froze between Tenna's arms,Tenna could swear he felt him tremble.

Mike yelled at everyone to go back to their places,doing damage control as much as he could..and give Tenna the space he didn't even realize he needed.

With reality finally setting in once and for all,Tenna couldn't hold it back anymore..Tears flew down his screen,quietly sobbing everything out.

“Spamton..You're back..You're- I'm so sorry-”

Spamton finally pushed him off,and for the first time Tenna felt relieved he did..because it was still him.

“Don't..[[Extended Apologies]]”

Tenna sniffled,with the flood of emotions, confusion and curiosity had finally peaked at top..”Why..are you speaking like this,spamton what- what happened to you?”

Spamton smirked,his tired eyes barely gave out any hint of emotion that Tenna could read. “..Are you..not gonna [EVICT] me?”

Tenna broke into a giggle,he couldn't help with the new weird speech and randomness amidst the emotionally charged questions. “No..I won't kick you out..Even if you look and smell like shit”

Tenna carried Spamton back to his office,laying him on his couch..It was always his favorite place to nap.

“Are you hurt?Should I look for a doctor somehow?”

Spamton coughed into a chuckle “We [Bundle] know there's no [easy access to consultation and diagnosis] in this damn place.”

“Spamton! I know- I just..You seem hurt! I..I don't know how to help”

“It's ok,[Tube] I'm gonna be [strong as a horse]”

Spamton patted between his Antennas.His warm him back on his screen felt so surreal. He'd missed it more than he'd like to admit.

And Tenna became a bit more protective than Spamton liked. He'd have shadow guys be next to Spamton's office-Now room and be sure if he wants anything,He'd check up on him every hour and bring him his favorite things or even have a few drinks some times.

Or just walk around or something…Spamton was upset about it though,but could you blame Tenna?? He just wants the best for Spamton but he never takes it that way! Last time he left him he,well.. LEFT!

And maybe Tenna was keeping him too close,but…Spamton still worried him,he was so much quieter than he's ever known him,he wouldn't leave his room unless asked to. And he doesn't want to go on any of the shows anymore.

Tenna sometimes secretly glanced into his room to see what he does-Not in the creepy sense,of course he still respects him!!!!!!!- but a TV gets curious once in a while too! Either way, Spamton just stared into the ceiling for hours..

One time Spamton just escaped,somehow. Tenna frantically searched for him like he'd lost his fortune,calling all his employees for a full search.

Then he found him in his bonus room.

Tenna rushed in,his shoes stepping on shards of glasses.The screens had punch marks and the props flipped on the ground. “Spamton?!” Tenna called out.

He heard rummaging beneath the gift boxes,he quickly began going after it like he's chasing a mouse.

Getting a grip on Spamton's collar. “SPAMTON!! What are you doing! You almost gave me a screen distortion attack!”

“LEAVE ME!! LEAVE ME [alone on a friday night?]!! I'M ALMOST THERE!! I CAN- I CAN [[reach out]] TO [heaven]!!!!”

Spamton fought Tenna's grip,Tenna almost lost balance but then he pinned Spamton to the ground,calling for Mike's help. “Spamton please calm down! There's nothing here! it's just a bunch of props!”

“LIAR!! [release] ME!!”

Tenna summoned one of his gacha balls,trapping Spamton inside. He aggressively began scratching its walls and inaudibly yelling things.

“I'm sorry,okay!? You did this to yourself!”

Mike finally entered,seemingly in a hurry. He took a look at the situation and sighed.Tenna walked up to him,looking around the room's state.

“Mike…Install security measures around here and lock that door from Spamton. It's not..safe,anymore”

Later that night Spamton seemed to calm down,finally released from his ball imprisonment. He was mad at Tenna for a bit,until Tenna suggested if he wanted to redye his hair to remove all the white hair from showing.

It was eerily quiet,Spamton hadn't said much,

“..I'm..[Extend apologizes]"

“Haha..I really need to get used to your new speech..”

“I haven't gotten [used up] myself.” Spamton's monotone voice,drew a pit in Tenna's stomach. It wasn't only the voice. But how Spamton acted in general.

“..Spamton i..I'm sorry if you were upset earlier,i just…”

His expression broke,all of these weeks of loneliness and doubt all came crashing down,he didn't want to show Spamton how much it really hurt him..How much pain had boiled inside him,but now it all felt so real.

“I..I really missed you..” The whisper came out broken amidst the tears. “I know,[Cathode].”

Tenna swiftly and badly subtle,wiped away the tears. “Why did you come back?”

Spamton gave Tenna that look,the look of ‘I don't wanna disclose the full information’. then he started to speak “I..I just [help folks in need] you,tens..You're the only [Close friends] i had left.”

“Close friend?...You left for months. Without even saying anything.” Tenna looked away.He felt bad,and emphasized with Spamton but what about him? His feelings were hurt too.

“I had to rethink everything and mend all that you left behind- I thought you were gone forever..-”

“I DIDN'T [unintended]!! I TH0UGHT I LOST [savings]”Tenna twitched when hearing Spamton's voice come out so distorted,the thought of whatever happened to his partner to this degree horrified him. But..It was still his Spamton.

“Spamton i…I was thinking maybe that..You can co-own this studio with me.” He watched Spamton's eyes get bigger.Yeah,definitely still his Spamton.

“You don't have to work under me anymore- i..Well-If that would make you stay…”

Spamton snapped Tenna's screen back to him,his face wrinkled with desperation. “I [vows] WON'T L3AVE AGAIN!1!1”

Spamton faced the ground,heavily breathing,equally hating his voice had come out. Tenna gently reached him,cupping his shoulder in his palm.

“I..I believe you,spammy.I'm glad you're back”

Tenna looked over at the hair dye box,his screen warming up in hue. “Now sit still..We gotta get back your chic black hair!!”

the memory echoed through like needles in his head.

No…

You promised..! You fucker!

You promised me…I believed you when you said that. that I would never be hurt by you again.

Tenna wandered the halls like a dead zombie,his screen pitch black and clothes draping over him. Cat Mike followed him closely,trying to somehow comfort him like he always does.

But frustration just grew inside him with every step. Why was even Mike so close to him for all these years? He can't just be doing it for the love of it or the salary! He..He must be also conspiring something! It..must be…

He can't even trust himself anymore. It's all his fault.

He's the easiest fool to chew on until he's bare bones.

He'd already reached the office where it was all official- The same office he waited on for minutes before knocking because he was nervous. The same one he kicked open when he couldn't contain his excitement..Or the one he reached when he was at his lowest.

Like right now.

Except now the person who he craved his comfort was the one that opened up the wounds to bleed.

I hate you

i hate you so much

Why would you do this to me??

Mike brushed off Tenna's legs slightly,silently smiling while sending off their gesture with a pat.

Why are you being so nice, Mike?? How are you always there,helping me with everything?

What's your motive??

Are you also planning to get rid of me? Stop sucking up to me!!!!

His legs jolted with painful force,Mike tumbled down on the hard floor. Looking up at Tenna with pitiful shock.

“LEAVE ME ALONE!! I DON'T NEED YOU! I DON'T NEED ANYONE! HAHAHAHAHAHA!! I'M FUCKING TV FOR LIGHT'S SAKE.”

His palm balled up,tension shaking through his arms. Before he could even think it smashed through the mirror.

Glass shattered across the floor,his reflection flickered with each piece.

Mike's ears drooped to the sides,hugging himself,they looked at Tenna one more time. Tenna's demeanor cracked as he saw the result of his anger…Fear.

No- No that's right.

They should fear him. They should know they can't mess with him- Not again.

“Leave” The firmness in his voice felt so foreign on his tongue. Mike slowly walked out. His eyes glanced on the floor,the pipis made inaudible sob.

Oh no-

He got so angry earlier he..he even threw her on the ground-

“N..No- I'm so sorry..” Tenna snatched the Pipis from the ground,gently caressing it. “I'm sorry..I'm sorry i..”

Tenna held back his tears as much as he could. Hugging her closer to his chest. “You're the only one I can count on,now..”

“I shouldn't..I shouldn't just give up.”

“He can't just replace me.’