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Tenna was so relieved, bursting with joy. Despite everything he had done, the lightners were giving him a second chance! Susie promised him a new home. That’d mean he would have viewers again! Instead of just… sitting unplugged… collecting dust. This was the fresh start he desperately needed! An escape from the mess he spiraled himself into. He hadn’t felt this hopeful in ages. A tingling sensation grew in his nose, which bloomed into a flower. Tenna clasped his hands together. Oh, he couldn’t wait! Everything was going to be—
A searing pain ripped through both of Tenna’s shoulders.
What…?
Tenna’s vision cut off. Gasps were heard below him. A droning sound rang out. The buzz of loose sparks echoed. He lost his balance, as a weight dropped from him. He tried putting his arms out to catch himself, but was met with a persistent sharp stinging from where his arms… were. Oh. He fell into the abyss below.
His fall was broken with a soft, cold, crunch. Frigid snow enveloped itself around Tenna. As it melted it began to seep through into his clothes. Tearing away at his rapidly dwindling warmth. His mind became foggy. This is it, isn’t it? The curtains were closing on him. He was going to die here. Alone, abandoned, and forgotten. Tenna curled into himself, shivering, trying to keep warm, trying to stay conscious, trying to keep it all together.
Tenna would’ve made better choices if he’d known today would’ve been his grand finale. He wouldn’t have forced the kids to keep participating in the games, wouldn’t have punished them for not placating him, wouldn’t have attacked them, wouldn’t have lashed out at his employees for something out of their control.
Tenna knew he was insufferable when he’d gotten like this, but he couldn’t help it. Once, everything trickled down, slowly accumulated, it, without warning, just exploded out of him! Any little thing would be enough to set Tenna off when he reached his breaking point. Faulty equipment. Someone messing up their lines. Things where they shouldn’t be. In the past, he used to be better at controlling— no, concealing it. Able to put on a fake cheer and feign a good mood, like any good performer. Long enough to shut himself in his office, alone. Leaving any undesirable behaviors out of sight. Then events around Tenna kept spiraling out of his control. Dwindling viewers. The tense home environment. Him. Getting unplugged… It made him slip up, making his outbursts far more public than he’d like. Again, again, and again! Turning into TV World’s worst kept secret! The way his employees seemed to walk on eggshells around Tenna… No wonder everyone left! He couldn’t blame anyone for wanting nothing to do with him now. After the way he treated them. It was only a matter of time until they had enough…
What would they do if they could see Tenna now? A broken TV. Tossed out in the snow like the pile of trash he was. Would they help him? Or perhaps leave him… Would they feel sorry? Have sympathy for the state he currently was in? Or simply see it as fate catching up to Tenna, for those times he lashed out at them. They didn’t deserve to be berated like that for trying their best. Deep down, he appreciated them. At the heart of TV World was its crew. Every employee, from those on set, those backstage, to those running concessions, even those gambling on the clock, they all had a role. Each darkner brightened up the studio in their own way, gave it life, made it home. Tenna wanted to tell them all that. Except, it was too late now.
Lingering in his mind was that closet. How at one of his lowest moments Tenna admitted he would even take a certain little mailman for company. The scene kept playing in Tenna’s mind. When a strange figure suddenly appeared. That seemed uncomfortably familiar. Reminiscent of someone he once knew. He didn’t know why— no. Deep down, a part of him knew. No matter how much he tried to deny it. No matter how different he looked. The segmented, doll-like, joints. The unnerving way his jaw was locked into a smile. The way he looked like a caricature of himself. What happened to him?! …Nevertheless, it was him. That, somehow, Tenna had gotten his wish. Spamton stood in front of him. And what did Tenna do? He completely lost it and ran away! With everything that was happening at the time Tenna couldn’t handle it! He couldn’t properly process it. The turmoil of emotions it brought up. The initial shock, the disbelief, the anger, the sadness... Yet, everything was underlayed with relief, a prickle of happiness. It sent his head spinning. It was too confusing, too much, to deal with at once. It was much easier to deny it, cover it up with foam. Put a pin in it and address it later.
There was no longer a later now… was there?
Even if it began out of a selfish desire to help himself. To get his dropping views up, to use whatever Spamton had up his sleeves that made him a big shot. Over time, all that “sweet talk” turned into something else, something more genuine. Tenna longed for those simpler days. For that sharp, snappy little salesman. The one who said whatever was in his mind, who carried himself with pride, who had such a large presence in spite of his size, who was always so stubborn… It was all endearing in its own way. Tenna felt like he could actually be himself around Spamton, unlike his employees. The on set banter. The aftershow drinks. When he’d sneak into Tenna’s office when he was feeling down… Spamton always knew the right things to say and do to bring Tenna’s mood up. Those late nights they worked together, with everyone else having left the studio for the day. When they’d get tired and settle on the couch. Somehow, Spamton ended up on top of Tenna, straddling the larger darkner. With his sly eyes and stupid smirk. The trail of Spamton’s hands across his body, exploring every ridge, every crevice, making Tenna melt under him. How it sent his fans into overdrive, in a futile attempt to cool down his overheating body. The way Tenna’s hands wrapped around the entirety of Spamton's upper body. He could hold the most important thing in his world with just his hands. It was electrifying. But it was all gone now. Tenna threw it all away that night with that call. One single selfish choice.
Regret.
Regret filled Tenna down to his core. With what was and what could’ve been. For everything he did or didn’t do. Nothing mattered now. He realized far too late how much everything, everyone, meant to him. Ha ha ha, it only took having his life torn away from him. Tears escaped from his screen. Memories flashed by. The sensation of the cold snow faded away. Tenna sunk, deeper and deeper, into the snow. Until, everything drifted away into nothingness…
“THE LORD OF SCREENS…
CLEAVED RED BY BLADE.”
The words were drawn out from the phone in a meticulous manner, slowly being drowned out with garbled noises. With a click, Spamton put the phone back into place. A cold chill ran down his spine as he processed the message. “The Lord of Screens” could that be… Tenna? The world around him came to a standstill once Spamton realized what that implied. That the darkner he’d tried to desperately convince himself he wasn’t getting attached to had an expiration date, that Tenna was going to die. “Try not to get attached” Spamton had told himself over and over. That he was just using Tenna, getting him wrapped around his fingers to make the whole thing easier. “Why not have some fun along the way?” this is why! Spamton had gone stupid and sentimental! Getting himself worked up over something that was supposed to be temporary! Temporary… It really was now, wasn’t it? A scornful laugh came out of him. Pathetic, Spamton should’ve been relieved at the news. Seen it as proof that this partnership truly had no strings attached. That he was free to do whatever, free of consequences. But no, here Spamton was fucking tearing up over the fact he’d gotten attached to a dead man.
Two knocks at Spamton’s dressing room door brought him back to reality. He took a deep breath to compose himself, wiped his face with a hand, and began walking towards the door.
“Spamton! Can I come in?”
The voice made Spamton stop dead in his tracks. Tenna, the darkner he least wanted to see right now, was waiting right at his door. He groaned. Slowly, Spamton made his way back and opened the door.
“What do you want now? I thought we were done for the day?” Spamton’s tone was flat, distant.
The oversized darkner ducked under the doorway, making his way inside the room.
“Yes, yes, we’re done with all that! I’m almost finished wrapping up for the day, in fact.” Tenna clapped his hands together. “It’s not about work. With how great everything’s been going, lately. The crew…” Tenna continued to talk, but Spamton wasn’t listening.
Spamton looked up at Tenna, as he prattled on, at his bright screen. The carefree wide smile plastered across his face, his upbeat voice, hands moving full of energy. Tenna was completely oblivious to the ticking clock hanging over him. For a split second, Spamton could’ve sworn he saw a crack split through the middle of Tenna’s screen. Spamton backed up, staring at Tenna, frozen in place.
A large hand hung in front of Spamton’s face, snapping its fingers.
“Spamton…? Are you alright?” Tenna put a hand down on Spamton’s shoulder, although it might as well have been grabbing his arm. He tensed up at the touch. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
It certainly felt like it to Spamton.
“Don’t tell me your dressing room’s haunted now, ha ha!” Tenna crouched down to look more directly at him. “Seriously, is something up?”
“It’s… nothing.” Spamton pried the hand off him, earning him a frown from Tenna. “It— it was a long day today. Nothing but the exhaustion catching up with me. I… should get going.” As Spamton turned to leave he felt a firm tug on his arm.
“Wait!” Tenna called out. Spamton gritted his teeth. “Were you even listening to me?”
Spamton sighed. “No, I wasn’t.”
“Look, tonight everyone’s gathering in the Green Room, in a little celebration of sorts. You’re welcome to come and join us. It might take your mind off whatever’s bothering you,” Tenna let Spamton’s arm go. “Or leave. That’s fine too!” Tenna smiled, Spamton almost missed it, but his antennas had drooped a small amount at that last part.
Part of Spamton wanted to leave. Just being around Tenna was putting him on edge. Take the drive back to Cyber City and wallow in his own shame. Although, that didn’t seem to be a very productive use of his time…
A distraction. To kick back, enjoy a few drinks, and forget it all. Maybe that’s what Spamton needed.
“Y’know what? You’ve convinced me.”
The TV darkner’s antennas shot up. “You’re coming!?”
“‘Course I am! Jeez, Ant. Have you ever known me to shy away from a little fun?” Spamton gave Tenna a playful push. “Just gimme a minute and I’ll be there.”
“Great!” Tenna stood up, walking to the door. “I’ll be seeing you there then! Hope you— ow.” His excitement gave him a little boost in height, causing Tenna to hit his head on top of the door frame.
Spamton couldn’t help but snort at Tenna’s misfortune. Tenna gave him an annoyed look.
“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Tens.”
“Ah ha, very funny.” Tenna said, deadpan, and left the room.
…
Later that night, Spamton had joined with the rest of the TV World darkners in the Green Room. Sitting by the bar’s countertop. Ordering drinks from Ramb. Chattering away to anyone who’d listen. Tenna arrived and chose to sit by Spamton. With his arrival, those words from that damn phone rang back inside Spamton’s head. It made him act distant towards Tenna. Not being as attentive to his words. Not laughing as much. Tensing up and withdrawing from Tenna’s touches. Spamton’s change in behavior didn’t go unnoticed. Tenna had asked him what was wrong and Spamton gave him some shoddy excuse. Clearly, it wasn’t convincing enough with the way Tenna shrunk down afterwards. Ramb gave Spamton a side eye from across the bar. The room became quiet, as darkners began to leave.
Spamton chugged his drink down. Yeah, he didn’t feel too good. He’d been treating Tenna like he was already gone. When he was right beside him. Slouched down, screen gone dark, leaning his head on one hand, swirling a drink in the other, sitting a size too small... All because of Spamton getting worked up over something that hasn’t happened yet. And what good did it do? Besides drive a wedge into their relationship and make him feel shitty. Tenna was still here. Spamton should just make the most of it while he still could.
Spamton took a deep breath.
“Tenna?”
Tenna flinched, slowly turning his head towards Spamton. The black screen displayed a dejected expression on his lips.
“Y-yes…?” Tenna answered, warily.
Spamton scooted closer to Tenna and put a hand on his back. Tenna seemed surprised at the initiation of physical contact.
“I know I’ve been acting ‘off’ tonight. There’s… just a lot on my mind right now. I… can’t talk about it.”
“Oh…” Tenna shrunk further.
“It isn’t you!” Spamton grabbed Tenna’s arm. “I know, I don’t say it much but… I really appreciate you.” Tenna’s screen lit up. “In Cyber City, I don’t think I ever had someone like you there. Someone who stayed by my side.” Spamton held his empty glass, staring into the droplets left behind.
“Before I really made a name for myself, no darkner gave me a good look back then. Most of them ignored me, walked past the oh-so misfortune salesman. Some feigned sympathy. No one wanted me. Even when I’d finally made it, ha ha, those darkners who I thought were my friends,” His voice grew bitter. “Didn’t want to be around me anymore. Casting me aside…” He slammed the glass down. “So, thanks for just being here with me.” He looked at Tenna and gave him a genuine smile.
Suddenly, Spamton felt himself being scooped up by steadily growing hands, bringing him in for a tight hug. Spamton would’ve died right there and then if the Green Room wasn't practically empty. Luckily, Ramb seemed too busy cleaning up his work area to notice.
“Oh, Spammy…” Tenna murmured.
“P-put me down! ” Spamton could feel his face heating up. “You big idiot!” He tried to push back, but found his arms being pinned down to his sides. “I’m not some kind of doll you can pick up whenever!” There was no real bite to the words.
Tenna laughed. “Alright, fine.” He began to set Spamton down back on his seat. “Only because you're squirming so much.”
After a pause, Tenna spoke again. “Yeah… I think I know the feeling.” He took a sip from his drink.
“Don’t get me wrong! My employees are great and all, but it still feels like I’m performing around them. I can never get myself to loosen up around them, not the way I do around you. When I’m with you it feels like I can be ‘myself’. That I don’t have to worry about keeping up appearances, and that I won’t be looked down on for it.” He was looking at Spamton with a warmth on his face. “Does that make sense?”
Spamton gazed back at that wobbly smile. Maybe it’ll be fine. Maybe he can let himself have this. Enjoy it for however long it lasts.
“What’s that look for?” Tenna tilted his head.
“I didn’t realize how much of a sap, the, Mr. Ant Tenna was.” Spamton smirked, jabbing a finger at Tenna.
“Ugh, shut up!” Tenna pushed Spamton’s hand down. His screen had a twinge of a pink glow. “I open my heart out, and that’s the thanks I get? Have fun getting me to do that again!”
The two darkners were locked into a stare down with one another. Not long after, the two burst out in laughter. Then, they sat in silence, simply enjoying each other’s company.
“Boy, it's getting pretty late now. I should probably get going. I’ve got an early morning program to broadcast tomorrow.” Tenna finished his drink and got up from the barstool. “I don’t want to be caught napping on air!”
“Right… I gotta run a few things with Swatch before he closes up the cafe, anyways.”
“Goodnight, Spamton.” Tenna patted Spamton on the back.
“Night, Ant.”
With that Tenna left and Spamton was about to leave himself, before being interrupted.
“Oi, be careful. He’s quite fond of you.” Ramb muttered, as he was wiping down a glass.
“And what does the power strip know that I don't?" Spamton shot a glare at him.
“Just don’t do anything rash, Spamton.” Ramb let out a sigh. “Y’know how Tenna is.” He then walked away.
What the hell was that about? Ramb was talking to Spamton like he was going to break Tenna. As if he’d ditch him or something. If anything it was the other way around! Tenna was the one leaving Spamton behind, not him! That stupid Plugboy was sticking his nonexistent nose where he shouldn’t!
…
…Ramb wasn’t entirely wrong in the end.
The memory played in the back of Spamton’s mind. Funny, how once ago those foreboding words from the phone had haunted him. Always, lingering in the back of his mind when interacting with the CRT.
Now, Spamton had gotten front row seats to the spectacle. He’d get to see that irritatingly bright smile wiped clean off his screen. Let him get a taste of everything that Spamton had been subjected to all these years. He made him lose everything! Spamton’s “special” little help? Gone. “Breach of contract” cited. Spamton’s career? In ruins. Sales plummeted down to zero. Spamton’s home? Forcefully removed from him. Having to make due inside dumpsters.
Disgraced and discarded. All because of that, damn, TV. If Spamton hadn’t met him none of this would've happened! He’d still be big! A big shot! Right on top of the world where he should be! But no, he had been reduced to having to get by with scraps. With not a single darkner there to support him. If anything they used Spamton as target practice!
…
“You’ll always have a place here, in TV World. Don’t ever be afraid to let me know if you need anything. I’ll always be right by your side!”
…
Where was he then?
Perhaps, there was a time where Spamton wished someone would show up, help him, and tell him everything was going to be okay. But it didn’t matter how many times he cried out. How loud he screamed. Nobody came. He was alone.
Fine. Whatever the world threw at Spamton, took from him. He still persisted. Maybe a flicker of hope returned to him when the lightners had given Spamton a second chance. Even if he tried to— nevermind that.
That might’ve been… why… he reached out at the first sight that someone had cared about him. Tenna had kept it! Tenna had asked for him! Spamton dropped himself out of Kris’s inventory, reformed himself, and presented himself to his old business partner. Only to get called a rat, a creature, and sprayed with some kind of foam. Hello to you too, Cathode. It was insulting! It was like he didn’t even… recognize Spamtom. Had he… really changed that much? To the point that he was completely unrecognizable? Spamton had been foolish to— What the hell is he thinking?! He was supposed to be mad at that stupid CRT! Not whatever this was!
Then it happened.
That fated moment. All in a flash. The TV darkner was given no time to react. One moment his entire body was beaming with joy. The next he came to an eerie stillness, going stiff, arms dropping into the depths below, followed by the rest of him.
At first Spamton was filled with glee. That bolthead deserved it! It was his fault that he’d become… this. After the initial high had disappeared, though, an emptiness washed over him. Wasn’t this supposed to feel good? Bring him relief? Why did it make him feel like something was taken from him? Spamton didn’t like that.
He stopped paying attention to what was happening around him.
…
“Damn it, I don’t get why Tenna won’t wake up.” Susie grumbled.
Spamton perked up at the mention of Tenna. It looked like the trio of heroes were standing in a room similar to the Green Room. Just smaller and empty of any furnishing. Sure enough, the TV darkner was propped up against a wall, slumped over, motionless. Although, he seemed to be in better condition than the last time Spamton saw him.
One of the CRT’s antennas were bandaged up. His arms were reattached and his suit was stitched up where it was formerly torn, his headcasing sported some scuff marks, but his screen was still off…
Was he…?
It made Spamton feel uneasy.
“I thought he was supposed to be fixed!” Susie yelled. “I did everything the Pippins and Shadowguys told me...” She crossed her arms looking off to the side.
“Hm, he looks fine.” Ralsei walked towards Susie. “You did a good job patching him up out there. Maybe Tenna just needs a little bit more time.” He reassured her. “He did take a pretty hard blow from the Knight.”
Kris put a hand on Susie’s shoulder, in an effort to comfort her. They reminded her that the two had to go “work” on their school project at Noelle’s house and that they could pass the time there.
“That’s a good idea, Kris!” Ralsei said. “You both should go. I’ll still be here in Castle Town in case anything happens. Who knows, Tenna might be up when you two return.”
“I guess sitting around won’t accomplish anything.” Susie mumbled. She let out a sigh. “C’mon, Kris, we got a ‘school project’ to start, hahaha!” She wrapped her arm around Kris dragging them out the room with her, with Ralsei trailing behind the pair of lightners.
Nope. Spamton wasn’t leaving until he got to the bottom of what’s gotten him all bothered. He was going to finish tearing that television apart himself, if it made him feel better. Time to make his escape. Spamton hopped off Kris’s face and reformed himself.
“Again!?” Susie backed away from Kris in surprise. “Hey, Spamton! Where the hell are you going!?” Susie shouted.
“NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS [Kids]!!” Spamton shot back as he scurried away.
“What’s with him bailing out on us recently?”
Kris shrugged.
“I don’t know, but I’m sure Spamton will be back, Susie.”
Spamton ran back to the Not-Green Room. The room seemed awfully empty despite its larger than life occupant. It felt wrong seeing him like that, devoid of anything.
“[Cathode]?” Spamton uselessly called out.
The TV darkner silently sat there. Spamton cautiously approached him, as if the darkner would abruptly get up and snatch him.
“HAEHA3HAE!!1! WHY, IT LOOKS [liek] THE HAND OF [Seeking faith?] HAS CAUGHT UP WITH THE POOR [Brave Little Toaster]!!”
As expected, the CRT was absent of any response, uncomfortably still. Spamton wasn’t sure why that put him off more.
“RIGHT RIGHT R1GHT RIGH T YOU WANT TO [Pretend] THAT Y0U’RE ALL [Lights Out] ON ME?? THAT’S [[fine and dandy]].” Spamton grabbed the suit’s tie, pulling the limp larger darkner towards him. “YOU MIGHT HAVE [Don’t be fooled!] THOSE KIDS. BUT YOU CAN’T FOOL ME, [Trash heap].”
Nothing. Not a twitch, or even a whirr. Spamton knew that he couldn’t hear him, knew it was useless, knew that Tenna was long gone. Those kids were too optimistic… Why was Spamton trying to wake him up? He shouldn’t care. He knew this day was coming and welcomed it at one point. Still, Spamton continued as a tightness grew in his chest. He grasped a fistful of antennas, yanked them forward, keeping a hand on them.
“[Tick tock] TIME TO GET UP!!” The blank screen’s vacant stare taunted Spamton. “GODDAMNIT T-T-T[[Ten Out of Ten]]— TENNA!!!” Spamton gave a harsh hit, with his other hand, to the side of Tenna’s head.
With a buzz, the TV darkner suddenly sat up. Really? All he needed was a good smack to the head!? Spamton was pulled up with Tenna, from his prior hold onto the antennas, hanging in front of his screen. Spamton went still.
Thankfully, Tenna didn’t exactly seem all there yet. His screen flickered through loud static. It faded away, slowly, revealing the obscured footage underneath. Spamton stared in horror, as the static had cleared. Realizing the videos flashing by were memories, memories of him and Tenna, from the latter’s perspective. The clip the screen settled on depicted the two darkners in the Green Room.
“And who’s the little star of my show, tonight?” Tenna sat by the countertop with Spamton.
“Hey!” Spamton smacked the counter, with a hand. “Don’t go around callin’ me ‘little’ when you’re the outlier here. Look at yourself!” He swung his arm up and down at Tenna. “What’s the Ant short for, anyways? It definitely can’t be for the insect. ElephANT?”
“It’s just Ant!” Tenna laughed. “It can’t be that hard to believe!”
“The name’s Spamton, Spamton G. Spamton.” Spamton lifted a hand to Tenna’s direction, offering a handshake.
“Nice to meet you, Spamton!” Tenna returned the handshake, it looked a bit silly with the significant size difference.
The memory washed away with a brief static. The screen switched to a different one of the pair in Spamton’s dressing room.
The distant ringing of a phone could be heard. Spamton clenched his teeth.
“Well,” Spamton laughed nervously. “Guess, I gotta call to take, huh?” Spamton fixed his tie. “Just wait, Tens. I’ll be back.”
Tenna watched silently as Spamton walked to the phone.
No… not this.
Spamton picked up the phone.
A couple seconds passed by and his expression fell, instantly. He stared at Tenna with widened eyes, mouth agape, his hands shaking. Spamton dropped the phone and bolted out the room, slamming the door shut.
“Spamton…?” Tenna put an arm out. “Spamton!”
Tenna ran towards the door, but stopped. He glanced back at the phone, its receiver dangling under the table. Then he looked back at the door.
Tenna turned back and made his way to the phone.
Tenna chose the phone over Spamton…
Spamton wanted to stop watching, right then and there. To let go of the antenna and walk away. Being certain he knew how it all ended. That the stupid CRT had picked up the phone, got nothing out of it, and moved on. Making the most of his merry life without Spamton! Yet, there was something that pulled him to keep his eyes glued on the screen. He never truly knew how that night ended for Tenna.
Tenna held the phone up, bringing it to the side of his head. Nothing, but garbage noise could be heard. He let go of the phone, letting it fall towards the floor. He walked towards the door, opening it. Tenna stuck his head out and scanned the hallway. Nobody was there. He returned to the dressing room, the now empty dressing room. Simply, standing there…
After a long pause, Tenna brought a hand to his face and started to laugh. A loud venomous laughter filled the room. The surroundings around him gradually got smaller. He slammed the wall behind him with a fist, leaving a sizable dent.
Yeah, he didn’t seem happy.
Tenna stormed through the room. Coming to a stop near the phone. There was a poster on the wall above it. It displayed the two businessmen, smiling so brightly. He let out a growl and swiped at the poster, leaving tear marks on it.
The phone was still playing that garbled sound. Tenna glared at it. He tore the cord from the outlet with a stomp, silencing it.
“That little…“ Tenna snarled.
A quick burst of growth suddenly hit him, sending Tenna’s shoulders slamming against the ceiling. He hissed out in frustration. He put a hand on the ceiling as he attempted to steady his breath. His size went down slightly.
Tenna started to move, again. A mirror stood in front of him. He stared at his reflection.
His lips were pulled back, revealing his fangs. There was a twitch in his mouth. Then Tenna’s face dropped. His screen cut to black and tears began to drip down.
He looked absolutely crushed…
Tenna let out a wail and punched the mirror, shards of glass flew throughout the room. He collapsed on the floor, rapidly shrinking down, hugging himself, as he quietly sobbed.
The screen went black. Spamton was taken aback from the memory. The anger he expected, it made sense, but he wasn’t prepared for the way Tenna completely crumbled and just… broke at the end.
Spamton didn’t get the time to properly process everything. Interrupted by a bright light shining a spotlight directly in front of him, practically blinding Spamton. He shielded his eyes.
Shit.
Spamton was dangling face to face with, a now fully conscious, Tenna.
Tenna yelped, jumping up, making Spamton’s hold on his antenna loosen. Spamton was sent falling to the floor.
“W-what are you doing here!?” Tenna pointed an accusatory finger at Spamton.
“GETTING [Plummeting stocks] TO THE [sticky floors], APPARENTLY.” Spamton got up and dusted himself off.
Tenna gave him a strange look. He rubbed his shoulders, as he kept staring down at Spamton.
“WHAT ARE YOU [gawking] AT?! NEVER SEEN ANOTHER [[Get rid of those pesky pests!]], BEFORE??” Spamton turned away from Tenna.
“... Spamton…?”
Spamton stiffened up. So, Tenna does recognize him, despite everything.
“You’re…” Tenna muttered. “You’re him, aren’t you…?”
“SO, WHAT IF I AM?” Spamton began to walk away.
Spamton was done with this. He had enough of the CRT for the day. Spamton was going to get a headache if he had to put up with him any longer.
“Are you serious, right now?” Tenna's voice was harsh. “After all this time, you decide to finally, finally, show your face around me.” A sneer grew on his face. “Just to leave!? Again!?”
Spamton was snatched off the ground, in a firm hold from Tenna. He tried squirming out of it, but the hands around him didn’t budge. Okay, maybe walking away wasn’t the brightest decision.
“H3Y! HEY!! HEY!!! GET Y0UR HANDS OFF [3 For Me Deal]!!!” Spamton cried out.
“No!” Tenna's height shot up. “I’m not letting you get away that easily this time!” His voice rose with each word. “How can you just walk away like nothing happened?! That everything between us didn’t happen! Did I mean that little to you!?” Tenna bared his teeth.
“[[$!#?]] OFF!!! LET ME GO, [Cathode]!!” Spamton felt the grip on him tightened.
“Everything fell apart when you left!” Tenna steadily grew. “I lost everything! My viewers! My purpose! It was all gone! Even my employees grew sick of me! ” It stopped as the roof inched closer. “I had nothing! Nobody!” He put a hand to his chest. “I was all alone!”
Tenna alone? Is he insane!? Tenna was still a Dark World leader with darkners working under him! He would never know the overwhelming desperation of actually being abandoned by everyone you once knew!
“YOU THINK [[YOU]] WERE LEFT ALL [Alone on a Friday Night?]!?” Spamton snapped. “I’VE BEEN [left for scraps]!! JUST LOOK AT ME, YOU [[faulty CRT]]!!!”
Tenna brought Spamton closer to his face. Twitching his antennas as he examined Spamton
“What… happened to you…?” Tenna’s anger faded away. “Why do you look like that? Why are you talking like that?” Tenna eased his hold on Spamton and lost some of the excess height.
“[thank] TO YOU!” Spamton managed to get an arm out of Tenna’s hand and pointed at Tenna.
“M-me!?” Confusion spread on Tenna’s face. “I didn’t do anything! You’re the one who chose to run away!”
“TH1S [silly transformation trick!]—” Spamton grimaced at the ad. “THIS.” He brought his hand back to himself. “IS. YOUR FAULT. WHEN YOU. MADE ME. SIGN THE DEAL.” Spamton got another arm free and threw both of his arms up. “1 WAS [[doneso]]! THEY WEREN’T THEY WEREN’T THEY WEREN’T THEY WEREN’T T-T-T>H3Y—” Spamton broke down into a glitch.
“Spamton?” There was a hint of fear in Tenna’s voice, his defensive body posture immediately dropped.
Tenna quickly put Spamton onto the floor, like he had been burned by him. Tenna watched, in a panic, as pixels were being misplaced, blurring into each other, tearing away from Spamton’s body. Tenna’s hand hovered over Spamton but the TV darkner looked unsure whether or not to touch him, as if he was scared it’d make it worse. Spamton laid on the floor, waiting for the glitch to stabilize itself.
“Spamton?!” Tenna repeated, significantly more alarmed.
“HAPPY.” Spamton finished.
Spamton sat up and shook his head, as the glitch dissipated away. Tenna was, now, standing significantly shorter than usual, still a decent chunk above Spamton, though. Tenna had a look of concern on his face.
“Are… you okay?” Tenna got on the floor with Spamton. “What was that?”
The sincere question caught Spamton off guard. Weren’t they just yelling at each other?
“JUST A NEW SPECIL [feacher].” Spamton brushed off. Tenna’s face scrunched up.
Wow, Spamton did a great job making a pitiful display in front of the CRT. He looked away from Tenna, clenching a first.
“‘They weren’t happy’?” Tenne reiterated. “Who?” He asked.
Spamton opened his mouth to speak. Nothing came out. He shut his jaw with his hand and forced it open. Nothing. Spamton huffed in frustration. No, he was going to let Tenna know what he’d done. Spamton put his hand up, miming a phone with it, putting it to the side of his head. Tenna’s face lit up in realization.
“Your benefactor.” Tenna answered for him.
“BECAUSE OF YOU.”
“You can’t blame me for this! How was I supposed to know!?” Tenna slammed the ground, with both hands. “You were always so closed off about that, damn, phone! It’s not like I never asked! But you always insisted you couldn't talk about it! If I knew that… that’s why you…” his voice trailed off. “I wouldn’t have…“ He dropped his head down and went silent.
Tenna looked… guilty. Genuinely remorseful. Spamton wasn’t sure what he expected, but that wasn’t it.
“IT’S TOO LATE, [Right Now!].” Spamton got up.
What's done is done. No use in dwelling on it any longer. It wasn’t going to change anything. Things won’t go back to how they once were. Spamton walked away, but a small tug on one of his legs brought his attention below.
“Please, don’t go.” Tenna choked out.
Tenna clutched Spamton's leg with trembling hands. He’d gone drastically further down in size, reaching below Spamton’s knee.
“Not again.” Tenna’s voice shook, he buried his face into Spamton’s pants.
Spamton had no idea on what to do. He never asked for this. He didn’t want to deal with this. The whole thing didn’t make him feel better at all! It made things worse! Dredging up memories and emotions that he’d rather leave dead and buried. Spamton should’ve never come here. He should just kick off the pathetic CRT and leave while he has the chance. Instead, Spamton looked down at Tenna, the state he was in, and thought back to the past. When Tenna would get similarly worked up and Spamton would show up by his side. Recalling how distraught Tenna was in that memory, when Spamton had left. Did anyone ever come for Tenna that night? Nobody ever came for Spamton. Not even Tenna. He couldn’t even bother to call him. So, why was Tenna so desperate to hold on? Why did Spamton stay in place?
“HAEHAHEHAE!! WHY AR3 YOU [Don’t wait! ACT NOW!] LIKE TH1S?” Spamton grabbed Tenna by scruff. “DON’T PRETEND YOU [take care] NOW!” He brought the, now, miniscule darkner up to glare into his blackened screen. “YOU [Make up your mind] WHEN YOU [[Pick Up the Phone]]!! U WERE NEV E R [[there]] THOSE [Lonely Nights] IN A [pile of trash]!! YOU [never ever] CALLED!!! [[Ant-sized]] YOU TOSSED ME ASIDE LIEK A [broken toy]!!1!” Spamton screamed in Tenna’s face.
“... I tried...” Tenna replied. He was barely audible. “No one ever picked up. I thought… you didn’t want to be found…” He tensed up, bringing his arms up, covering his screen with his hands, as if Tenna was expecting Spamton to lash out at him.
“YOU TR1ED…?” Spamton stared at Tenna in shock. Tenna peeked through his hands.
Tenna tried? But… Spamton never received anything. Did something interfere with their connection? Something that kept them apart? Tenna didn’t mean to cut Spamton off? No. No. No. That can’t be right. That would mean…
Spamton dropped to the floor, releasing Tenna. Who let out a sharp cry, out of surprise, as he fell the short distance. Spamton threw his hands to his head, gripping his hair. He was breathing heavily. Tenna sat by Spamton, leaning his head on Spamton’s hip. Spamton flinched, at first, but allowed the contact. It gave him something to keep himself grounded while he caught his breath.
After a bit, Tenna broke the silence.
“I wish I never went for the phone.” Tenna brought his knees to his chest, hugging them tightly. “I thought— nevermind it’s stupid.” He moved his head down, resting it on his knees. “I should’ve ran after you, that night. If I had, maybe then, we wouldn’t be like this, hahaha…” Tenna’s breath hitched. “... Don’t you ever miss it?” He looked up at Spamton. “The way things used to be?”
Things were better back then. Sure, there were some issues. But Spamton nearly had everything he ever wanted! Fame! Riches! A shoulder to lean on…
“SOMETIMES.” Spamton admitted. “BUT ITS [limited time deal] NOW. YOU [Loves Me, Loves Me Not]—“ Spamton blanched at the interruption. Tenna’s screen blinked on, in a stunned expression. Spamton cleared his throat. “YOU. HATE ME. NOW.” He clarified.
“N-no!” Tenna jumped up.
Tenna tried to reach up to Spamton's shoulder. His decreased height wasn’t allowing him and he made a little frustrated face. Spamton had to try his best not to laugh. Tenna’s hands, instead, settled for Spamton’s arm.
“I was mad at you, yes. It hurt when you just… disappeared.” The CRT’s antennas fell. “I didn’t know why! Or where! And no matter what, I could never get in touch with you!” His grip strengthened, as he went up in size. “I even asked about you to the other Cyber World darkners! They were always so reluctant to talk about you…” He went quiet.
“I thought maybe… you had made it somewhere else… somewhere without me. God, that seems so silly now.” Tenna let out a pained chuckle. “I didn’t know how bad things were for you! …I don’t think I could ever, truly, hate you, not after everything we… It was just easier to be angry! Rather than the alternative…” Tenna had grown enough to rest his arms and head on Spamton’s shoulder.
Spamton let out a sigh. “I’VE FELT… SIMILARLY.”
“... Do you think we could go back?” Tenna blurted out “To what we were…?”
“NO. NOT LIKE THIS… I’M NOT THE [[businessmen]] YOU [New].” Spamton nudged Tenna off and turned his body away.
“I still see him in you.” Tenna made his way back to Spamton. “I don’t care what you look like, or sound like! You’re still my little mailman.” Was that a hint of a smile on his face?
Spamton looked at Tenna like he had sprouted eyes on his face. Spamton didn’t understand what Tenna even saw in him.
“I’M [fun-sized]? LOOK AT YOURSELF [Cathode].” Spamton stood up to emphasize his point, Tenna stood to his waist now.
“Oh, yeah?” The words seemed to rile up Tenna. “How’s this for ‘fun-sized’!?” He quickly sprung up in height, just shy of what Tenna usually stood at. “You’re the one looking quite ‘fun-sized’ to me!” He bent down and gently flicked Spamton on the head.
Still just as easy to provoke, never change Tenna. Spamton let out an amused breath and smiled. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. To try again.
“1 GUESS…” Spamton crossed his arms and swallowed. “I WOULDN’T BE AGAINST [Give it a try!].”
“Really?!" Tenna’s screen brightened and he grew that missing bit.
Spamton was briskly plucked off the floor. Finding himself in too large, too eager, arms. Being practically smothered in Tenna’s chest. Spamton felt like he was going to get his limbs snapped clean off inside the strong embrace.
“TENNA!” Spamton breathed out. “YOU’RE [crushin’] ME!! YOU [[Oversized Luggage]]!!!”
“Oops!” Tenna gave a sheepish smile and loosened his hold. “… Sorry about, ha, spraying you down with foam, earlier.”
“SORRY. FOR LEAVING.” Spamton let himself relax in Tenna’s hold.
The two darkners stayed like that for a long while, holding onto one another. Focusing on each other’s touch, breath, heartbeat. Finding comfort in the warmth once lost.
Things may never be as they were before. But as long as they were together, maybe, that could prove to be enough.