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One day, a Lightner tucks Battat - and a few others like him - into their pocket and just like that he is whisked away from the dark world in which he was born.
The new world is bright, lively, colorful, and above all - strange. It's a world of acting and cameras and audiences everywhere you look. Through every door a stage. In every hour a production. It's a place where Darkners make their homes on empty sets, the longer abandoned the better, with the knowledge that at any time they might be asked to leave.
It's a world ruled by The Lord of Screens - Mr. Ant Tenna, TV extraordinare and the Lightners' favorite. Or, at least, that's what he says - and everybody else seems to believe it. He is catered to. Obeyed. Every order and whim followed as close to a 'T' as the others can manage. It was said he had a temper. That he could be charismatic and charming and even pleasant but was prone to turning sour without warning. He had an ego, others said, and before they even finish someone else is claiming that he'd earned that ego and really, "if you'd just get to know him…"
To Battat, it was all just noise. Hear-say. All of which had nothing to do with him. He had only ever seen Mr. Tenna at a distance - he wasn't sure he'd even want to get closer but it didn't matter because Battat wasn't nearly important enough to talk to the big man directly.
Because somehow, even though he'd been plucked from home and dropped into a brand new world, Battat was still only one of many. Even beyond the cluster of other Pippins that had been carried with him, there were dozens that already lived in TV World. Some had come from other lands at other times. Others had been born there. And among their masses, Battat was nothing but one more easily forgotten face.
Even if he was the only green Pippins among them all.
In TV World, Pippins had something of a reputation. The other denizens of the dark world used them most often as extra hands. They were small, scurrying workers who could get places quick, communicate with each other even over long distances, and who were especially adept at setting up stages and props even at barely a moment's notice. That was, of course, when they cared to work. Which, if you were to ask almost anyone else, getting them to care was usually enough of a fight that they were barely worth hiring at all.
On top of that, the trade-off for having them around were sticky fingers and pop-up casinos where Pippins loved to gamble with their pilfered goods. When things went missing, Pippins were the first ones to be blamed. And that wasn't entirely without cause - but Battat had seen a number of other darkners at those same casinos with objects that clearly didn't belong to them so it wasn't as if the Pippins were the only ones!
And some of them had never stolen a single thing. Some of them had more class than that. Some of them only ever gambled on the weekend and were usually careful not to bet beyond their means. Some of them worked their butt off when asked, no matter how thankless the work, because they had quickly learned that keeping TV World ticking meant they kept getting to exist -
But most folks looked at Battat the same way they looked at every other Pippins. No matter how he tried to stand out. No matter how hard he worked. Why, just that very day he'd accidentally crossed Mr. Tenna's path and the TV darkner had actually shoved Battat aside with his foot. Without even a word of warning or apology or so much as a glance in the Pippins' direction! Meanwhile, Battat had just spent the better part of the day managing to wrangle a dozen of his ilk into building the perfect setup for Mr. Tenna's beloved cooking show - and then on top of it all somehow La Nino had gotten all the credit!
So, Battat tells himself that he more than deserves a bit of a breather. Really, he was probably owed at least a month's worth of vacation at this point so he's certainly allowed to spend a little while out in the cool, crisp, outside air and let everyone else deal with the set pieces and clean-up and whatever other jobs Battat would otherwise be heaping onto his own shoulders. Besides, he only planned on being outside for an hour or two, at most. Maybe even less than that. Just a little break - nothing compared to the hours Shuttah would take to "smoke," even though Battat had never noticed any odor on the other darkner when they returned so he wasn't sure they were taking smoke breaks at all -
With a scowl, Battat reaches up and gives his head a small, lazy spin. Just enough to take the edge off - to rattle him a little and chase away the ever-whirling thoughts that refused to let him actually enjoy the break he was taking. As his head comes to a stop, leaving him a little more cheerful and more than a little dizzy, he kicks his heels against the stone half-wall he'd chosen to sit on.
With his mind quiet, even if only for a minute or two, he can enjoy the peace of the night.
Except that's when that very same peace is broken by a sudden, high-pitched scream. Battat slips immediately to his feet, all at once on high-alert - and only seconds later a pair of Pippins come running from the dark.
"Monster!!" One of them cries as they fly past Battat, a few dark dollars dribbling from a half-closed satchel in their hand.
"There's a monster!!" The other echoes - and then they're both gone, vanishing smoothly into the studio proper and leaving Battat staring after them in bewilderment.
Monster?
Then he hears the growl. Wide-eyed, he turns back towards the darkness - and when he spots something moving in the shadows, he can't help but take a step back. The lightners called themselves monsters, sure - but besides that, there was surely no such thing. No such thing as a slobbering, fanged beast ready to eat whatever poor little Pippins happened across its path -
A pale arm reaches out from the darkness, its naked fingers splay across the concrete. A second hand follows. And then a face, mostly hidden beneath a shock of hair and scrunched up into something almost like a snarl. Then there's a small torso, dressed in soft pajamas. Then their legs. Their feet. And finally the whole creature is standing awkwardly on all fours just in front of Battat.
He blinks. They growl again. Battat covers his mouth to keep from laughing - whether at the sight before him or the reaction of his fellows, he isn't sure.
Because standing in front of Battat is a Lightner. Despite the fake, plastic horns on their head, and the animal-themed pajamas on their body, and the way they're crouched on all fours they are also clearly a human Lightner. And given Battat had only ever heard of one human Lightner, it had to be -
"Kris?"
For a long, long minute they only stare at him - their gaze mostly hidden beneath their slightly wild hair. Then, finally, they lean back to sit on their haunches, and they nod.
"Er…how exactly did you get here, kid? Shouldn't you be fast asleep in bed right about now? And why the - uh, heck are you crawling around on all fours and growling at people?"
Kris's answer is a shrug and, after some apparent thought, a softly offered -
"Funny."
"Well, it was that," Battat agrees with a smile, "you sure scared the pants off those guys." His smile falters, and he lifts a hand to scratch at the back of his head. "But I don't think you're supposed to be here. 'specially not alone. You really don't know how you got here?"
They shake their head. Battat sighs. It wasn't as if he had any ideas either, especially considering that, as far as Battat knew, there hadn't been a single Lightner in the dark world since before his own creation. His home world had often talked about a time before - when Lightners and Darkners lived together - but that had been well before Battat's existence.
That a Lightner would be here now - that this particular Lightner would be - Battat didn't have a single clue how it was possible -
"Right. Well, uh, what do you reckon we do now?"
Kris shrugs, and then they stand - although the small child isn't much taller on two feet than they'd been on four. Battat knew it was late - they really should be asleep - and certainly not wandering around in the dark world without any apparent clue as to how they'd gotten there. They needed to be home.
How would they get back? Was figuring that out Battat's responsibility now? What was he supposed to do with a kid? What did he know about traveling between worlds? Sure, he'd done it - but it'd been against his will and out of his control and he hadn't exactly taken a detour into the light world of all places -
Kris clears their throat and tilts their head and blinks at Battat in clear, silent question. He huffs in response.
"Hey, don't look at me. I don't know the first thing 'bout kids - you're the one wandering where you ain't supposed to be. You got any bright ideas on how to get home?"
They shake their head. Because of course not. Because they were like four years old and apparently half-feral besides.
"Well," Battat says after a few seconda of thought, "tell you what, Kid. Mr. Tenna thinks you are just the absolute bee's knees - so if anyone can figure out how to get you home, I'll bet it's him. So let's just go and tell him you're here and then he can deal with this whole situation."
Kris's face scrunches in obvious confusion - which would have just killed Mr. Tenna if he'd been there to see it - but after a second they nod anyway. Battat turns immediately away and marches a few steps up towards the studio - but realizes, then, that there aren't any footsteps behind him. When he looks back, he sees Kris hasn't moved - but their head is a little lower and the shadow beneath their bangs a little darker and the idea that they're getting upset, that they might start crying, makes Battat panic.
"H-hey? What's the problem? Just follow me." He says, hurrying back towards them, "actually, you know, I didn't even think to ask - you hurt or anything? You thirsty? Hungry? Dunno if you can even eat our food but - uh, hey, you're okay, you know. Kind of a crappy situation you've gotten into but you're safe here. The darkners here adore you, so you don't have to worry or anything like that! We'll figure out how to get you home and in the meantime this is just an…adventure, yeah? So, c'mon kid, perk up, I -"
Kris thrusts their hand out towards him, their eyes still lowered towards the ground. Battat snaps his mouth closed, looking at their outstretched hand in confusion - until he realizes what it is they want.
"Oh. Just need someone to hold your hand? Uh…sure. Right. No problem. I gotcha." He reaches out and puts his palm in theirs, wrapping his fingers snug around their hand. He gives them a light, experimental tug - and they immediately follow after.
Relieved, Battat exhales - and then he leads the little Lightner up and into the studio.
Which is a mess of noise and lights and even from a distance Mr. Tenna's booming, demanding voice echoes. The moment the Battat and Kris walk in, they are very nearly swept up into the audience - and just as Battat maneuvers them out of the crowd, he is nearly knocked over by a small troupe of Zappers hurrying off to do something or another. There's a soft noise of distress from behind him, and just like that any thought of trying to get to Mr. Tenna goes out of Battat's head. He had to get the kid to safety, first - because at this rate they were gonna end up pancaked on the floor!
Maybe with Battat next to them. Which didn't sound particularly fun for him, either.
"This way, Kris. Just hold tight," he says, and then he tugs them away - out of the throng and towards the dressing rooms. He threads and shoves his way past anyone who ends up in their path - earning him a few disgruntled mutters and more than one curious look when they spot his hanger-on. But before long Battat is shoving his way through the S-rank door and on the other side he finds blessed quiet.
No one ever really used the dressing room except Mr. Tenna himself - and even that was uncommon, given he was usually too busy to bother. Just now, the only other darkner in the room is another Pippins - who Battat is quick to wave away.
"Get outta here, would you?" He says.
"If I go out there, they're gonna try to make me work," the other Pippins whines, "I was here first, you know!"
Well, Battat didn't see why that mattered - it wasn't like the other Pippins had a small child hanging on their hand. Weren't children supposed to be catered to? Women and children first and all that business?
Still, it isn't worth the argument - so, with a huff, Battat turns down the hall. At the back of the room is a door to a stage only occasionally used - and since that was only when Kris and Asriel were playing video games together, Battat doubted it'd be needed anytime soon. Which meant it would be dark and even quieter and probably a better place to store Kris for a bit, anyway.
As they step into the room and the door closes behind them, Battat exhales on a sigh. Then, he turns to Kris, tucks his hands beneath their arms, and awkwardly hefts them up onto the edge of the stage.
"There," he says, dusting his hands as he steps back, "alright kid, I'm gonna need a favor from you. You sit right there - stay right there - while I go and fetch Mr. Tenna. Sound like a plan?"
Immediately Kris frowns, and almost as quickly they slip back down from the stage and onto their feet.
"Hey, you wanna go home, don't you?" Battat asks, "you saw how busy it is out there - you gotta stay here so I don't have to worry about you being crushed by a mob of Zappers or somethin'."
In a move Battat is positive they've practiced time and again, Kris looks up at him just right - and for a second, he spots big, wet, red eyes peering up at him from beneath mussed brown hair. Their lip quivers.
"C'mon kid, don't give me that look. I'm not gonna be long! I just got to go fetch Mr. Tenna and then we'll be right back -"
Kris holds out their hand. They're not going to let him leave them behind.
But Battat can't bring them back out into the fray. They were too small. Too unwieldy. Too sensitive - even if he could navigate them safely through the crowds, they'd definitely get overwhelmed and then they'd get upset and Battat didn't want to see them cry but he certainly didn't want Mr. Tenna to see them crying while Battat was in charge of them -
Kris makes a little grabby motion with their hand - and then, they take a sudden, deep yawn.
It gives Battat an idea.
"Alright, okay, I won't leave," he says, only feeling a little guilty about the small lie, "hey, I've got a better idea. Why don't you get cozy up on that stage, and I'll tell you a story?" At the sight of Kris perking up, Battat smiles and adds, "yeah? You a fan of stories? Well, then do I have the tale for you! C'mon, up you get."
He helps them back up onto the stage - and then climbs awkwardly up next to them. As he does, he feels their fingers wrap in his poncho - and their soft pull doesn't actually help him much, but he's touched by the gesture anyway.
Once he's settled, he taps his hands on his thighs and clears his throat.
"Okay. Let's see - how about this? Once upon a time, there was a little knight -"
Kris shifts, then, and lays down - their head plopping onto Battat's leg and startling him enough that he momentarily loses his place. Blinking, he looks down at the young Lightner - who gives another long yawn. Battat lifts his hand, hovers it over them - and then thinks better of it, and rests it back on the stage next to him.
Still, he smiles, and he continues -
"Once upon a time, there was a little knight who lived in a world of light and warmth…"
Telling a story is surprisingly easy. The words just sort of flow from Battat - and while he can't be sure his tale is entirely coherent, he enjoys telling it anyway. So much so that it takes him a long, long minute to realize that Kris has actually fallen asleep.
Even then, he continues on for a little while longer before he lets his words softly fade.
Carefully, he pries off his poncho and folds it up into a makeshift pillow, and then gently lifts Kris's head from his leg and to the cloth. They stir, a little, and Battat freezes - but when they settle back down, he exhales a soft breath and then slips from the stage.
"Just hang tight, Kris," he mutters, "I'll be back before you even know I'm gone."
And then, watching them the whole way, Battat slips quietly from the room.
"Mr. Tenna!" Battat shouts as soon as he finally makes it within earshot of the giant darkner - who is quickly striding away. Huffing, Battat hurries to try and catch up. "Mr. Tenna! A moment of your time, please!"
"Not now," Tenna answers, waving a hand dismissively - not even looking back to see who was calling his name, "Asgore's asleep on the couch - and I can't possibly risk not being ready for him if he wakes up!"
"But this is really important!"
"What," Tenna says, finally stopping then and turning on his heel. He puts his hands on his hips, eyes scanning almost comically over the darkners in front of him until his gaze finally lands on Battat and his frantically waving hand. The TV's expression immediately sours.
"On earth could possibly be more important than making sure my family is happy and entertained?" Tenna asks.
"Ah, well, about that - actually, Mr. Tenna, that's why I tracked you down. This is about your family -"
"What do you mean? If you have a new idea for a show, you'll have to go through the same channels as everyone else -"
"No, it's not that -"
"I don't have time for this!" Tenna exclaims then, turning away and throwing up his arms, "look I appreciate your attention but I have things to do -"
"It's Kris!" Battat shouts - and that, finally, really gets the TV's attention. He freezes, his whole body going stiff - and then he turns back to Battat.
"Kris? What about Kris?"
"They're here -"
"WHAT?!" Tenna exclaims, the word echoing in his larger-than-life voice, "What do you mean - what are you saying - what the he - what do you mean they're here?! Is this some weird kind of Pippins humor I don't understand?"
"No, no sir, it's true!" Battat insists, "Neither of us has any idea how they got here but they're asleep in one of the back stages right now. We thought - well, I thought, really, since they're only a kid and probably not that good at problem solving and all - anyway, I thought you might have a trick up your sleeve for gettin' them back home -"
"Show me," Tenna commands then, taking a step closer to all but tower over Battat. His face is blank, dark, and empty of any expression at all - which is somehow even more intimidating than the snarl-and-fang thing he does when he's angry. Battat swallows, and can't help but shrink back.
"And so help me, if this ends up being one of your little pranks…"
"It's not!" Battat once more reassures, his voice only breaking a little, "Cross my heart and hope to die! C'mon boss, this way!"
And, glad to escape Tenna's glower, Battat turns and hurries away - slowing down just enough to be sure the TV Darkner doesn't lose sight of him.
Try as he might, Battat has always had a bit of a poor relationship with lady luck. Which was why he really should have seen where this was going. He should have known better than to assume he'd just take Tenna to Kris and the TV would make everything better and it'd all just work out nice and smooth like -
By the time they get back to the empty stage, it feels especially empty.
Because Kris is gone.
Immediately Battat is a whirl of thoughts. Where had they gone? Were they already a human pancake somewhere? What if they'd found the control room? They could electrocute themself! What if they'd wandered down into that weird manhole? What if they'd gone back outside and they got lost? Most importantly of all - how was Battat going to convince Tenna not to crush him into a fine paste!?
"Now hold your horses, boss, I know what this looks like," he says, turning to look up at the TV, hands flailing as he hurries to defend himself, "but I swear I wasn't lyin' - Kris is here and now they've wandered off and we really ought to find them before they get themself hurt!"
Tenna takes a long, deep breath. He lifts his hands and steeples his fingers together and a flicker of static jitters across his screen.
"This is what I get for even entertaining your little game, I suppose."
"This ain't a game!" Battat exclaims, "Mr. Tenna, please just listen to me for once in your - I know you ain't too fond of us sorts, but this is important! That little kid could have gone anywhere and if we don't find them they might end up lost forever! Ain't you supposed to protect your family? Isn't everything you do for them?"
No answer. Not for a long, long minute.
Then, Tenna spins on his heel and his voice booms loud and sudden enough to rattle Battat's head -
"RED ALERT! RED ALERT! ATTENTION ALL STAFF - DROP WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING! WE'VE GOT A CHILD TO FIND!"
And then he hurries from the room, still barking orders - filling the whole of TV World in on the situation. Kris was there. Kris was missing. No one was to do anything else but look for them until they had been found. It was of upmost importance they be found and if one single hair on their head was out of place -
He'd chosen to believe Battat. Despite every prejudice surrounding Pippins, Tenna had given him a chance. Now, they just needed to find Kris before something bad happened - because if they were hurt that blame would now fall solely on Battat's neck.
He moves to follow after Tenna - but just as he's about to push the door open, something shifts in the corner of his eye. He stops, and he looks down the long hallway to his right. At the very end is yet another door - and that's when Battat notices that it is open.
Just a crack. Just a tad. It could have been that way from the start - but Battat hurries towards it, anyway. As he gets closer, he feels a strange sort of apprehension - and he's careful and slow as he pushes the door open.
Inside is a television screen large enough to fill up the whole room - and Battat can only imagine how much light it could produce if it were on. It isn't, of course - but there stands Kris just in front of it, anyway, staring up into the screen as if there's something there to see after all. Battat's poncho is clenched tight in one of their hands - and even from where he stands, he can see just how wide their eyes are.
"Kid?" Battat calls - and at first, Kris doesn't react. They don't even twitch - Battat can't be sure if they heard him at all.
But then, slowly, they start to turn towards him. Despite their fear only seconds ago, the gaze that finds his is glassy, now. Empty. Devoid of any emotion at all. As they turn to face him, Kris lifts their hand - and splays their fingers across their own chest.
There's a pulse of red, vibrant light. In its glow, Battat sees the outline of a heart in the center of Kris's chest.
"Kris…?" He asks - and he doesn't have the first clue what to do about this situation.
He isn't even entirely sure what the situation is.
But then, he sees a shape in the shadows. Something long and pointed rises behind Kris - writhing, undulating, twisting to turn towards the small Lightner, something sharp glinting at its point.
"Look out!" Battat shouts, and he isn't thinking at all, then. Instead he launches himself towards Kris and tackles them to the floor. They crash to the ground together, sliding a ways across the cement before they finally come to a stop. Somewhere in the momentum he had managed to get his arms around Kris - and he holds them tightly now.
Had he hurt them? What was that thing? Was it still there, ready to strike again? Would it kill them both?
The TV screen flashes. There's a loud, cackling laugh. Battat looks - and as the screen once more dims to black, he sees a pair of eyes.
Yellow. Pink. Slitted. Accented with a wide, white grin.
And then darkness. Stillness. Quiet.
"Kris? You okay?" Battat finally asks and, to his relief, there's a quick breath from the kid and a soft -
"Ow."
"Yeah, I bet," Battat says, unfurling from Kris and climbing to his feet. He helps Kris do the same - giving them a thorough look over as they move. Their clothes are ruffled, there's a smear of dirt across their face, and Battat's poncho has certainly seen better days - but Kris seems okay.
They haven't been stabbed through the soul with a giant tail-thing, at least. And nothing seems to be broken.
Battat lets out a breath he'd likely been holding since he'd seen that Kris was missing.
"Kid…you about gave me a heart attack," Battat says, "and you've got the whole of TV World in an uproar. C'mon, let's you and I go find Mr. Tenna before he tears this place apart looking for you."
Having found Kris and finally gotten them to Tenna, Battat expects the worst of his very stressful night to be over. He figures he'll hand the kid over to Tenna and then the Lord of Screens would whisk them away and somehow manage to get them home. Then Battat would go back to being a half-invisible stagehand and all would be as it was.
What he doesn't expect, though, is for Kris to immediately duck away from Tenna - and use Battat as the shield to do it.
Which gets him a very dirty look from Tenna. Which seemed entirely unfair - Battat was more than happy to pass Kris off to the more experienced Darkner! It wasn't his fault the kid had taken a shine to him! He hadn't asked for any of this and it wasn't as if he'd poisoned the kid's mind against Tenna - in fact hadn't he told them that Tenna would help them?
"Hey, uh, it's alright, Kris. Mr. Tenna's just -"
"No, No, that's just fine!" Tenna interrupts, "If you're happy, I'm happy, Kris! So, you just stick nice and close to your new pal there, okay? We're gonna get you home in a jiffy. Before that though, is there anything you need? Some water? A snack? Want to watch a quick rerun of your favorite cartoon before you go?"
Kris shakes their head - and as if to make a point, that's when they give another long, long yawn. They even lift their fist to rub at their eyes - and Battat is starting to think the kid has a talent for these sorts of things.
"Aw, just tired, huh kiddo? Well, don't you worry! Your old friend Tenna is gonna get you home safe and sound! You two just come with me and I'll show you the way!"
And that's how Battat ends up tagging along. In front of him strolls Tenna - behind him trails Kris, who keeps their hand tightly clasped around Battat's. Together, the three of them leave the safety of the Green Room, passing through a set of doors Battat has never dared enter. They pass through a long hallway, lined on either side by screens only occasionally playing some TV show or another. And, beyond the farthest set of doors is a world of green - a vibrant garden full of flowers and grass and more color than Battat has ever seen. He looks around with a surge of wonder - and when he spots Kris doing the same, he gives their hand a gentle squeeze.
But then, in a room beyond the garden, they once more find darkness. Darkness so heavy, in fact, that it almost feels like a blanket - inky, thick, quiet. And it isn't long before Battat can't see a thing - or hear anything beyond the sound of their footsteps.
"Doing okay back there, Kris?" Tenna booms without warning, and the sound of his voice nearly sends Battat out of his skin. Kris's own answer is a high-pitched, startled squeak.
"Kris?!" Tenna repeats, and Battat feels more than seems him turn. "What was that? Are you alright? What happened?!"
"You happened, you -" Battat starts, then he catches himself and strangles the near insult into a tight, "Boss. Sir. It was dead quiet and then you're up there roaring - scared the kid half to death and for that matter, me too!"
"Oh," Tenna says - and Battat is surprised by the TV's easy acquiescence. He was usually so quick to defend himself - but Battat supposed it was different, when it was one of his precious Lightners.
"I apologize, Kris," Tenna continues, his voice a bit softer, "I didn't mean to scare you. It is awfully dark in here, isn't it? But we're very nearly there and - oh! You know, I've got just the thing to help use out!"
There's the tell-tale sound of something striking against aluminum, and with a flicker Tenna's screen comes to life. Static flickers across the glass, and though it isn't very interesting it does cast a bright light across the immediate area.
"There, so we can all see a little better, hm? Come on now - just a little further."
He turns to continue leading the way, and Battat has to admit the light from Tenna's screen does wonders for his own racing heart.
Before long, though, the brightness of his screen is washed out by a different sort of light. A dark light - as dark as you can get. A strange thing that feels somehow brilliant and suffocating all at once. It rises in front of them in a thin, flowing column - and as the three of them slow to a stop, Battat would swear the thing was breathing.
He knows what it is, of course - what Darkner wouldn't? It was TV World's very own dark fountain. The source of the power that gave them all life. It was a sacred place. A holy place. The sort of place Darkners didn't just visit - Battat had never seen one up close. Only ever in the distance. Being so close felt almost sacriligious.
"Here we are," Tenna says with a sweeping gesture, "this, dear Kris, is how you get home."
"Uh, and how does that work, exactly?" Battat asks, skeptical at best, "'cause if you're suggesting we shove the kid in there I think you might need to get your cathodes checked. Er - no offense, that is. Still -"
"Just watch," Tenna interrupts as he turns towards them, crouches low, and holds out a hand. "C'mere, Kris. It's real easy, okay? It'll be just like waking up."
Kris shrinks back, their hold on Battat's hand tightening. He can't blame them for being afraid - it was a lot to ask anyone, but especially a child! Still, Tenna waits - patient, a kind smile spread across the static of his face. And he was the lord of their world. If anyone would know…
"Hey, it's a-okay, kid," Battat says, looking down at Kris and tugging lightly at their hand, "didn't I already tell you that Mr. Tenna would get you home? Just do as he says, and you'll be safe and warm in your bed in no time."
They peer back up at him, clearly still nervous - but after a second or two, they nod. Their hand slips from Battat and they take a few careful steps forward, holding it out for Mr. Tenna to take instead.
Which he does - slowly, carefully, his giant hand settling loosely around Kris's.
"There you go. Just a little closer, I think," Tenna says, waddling back a step and pulling Kris with him. As he does, there is a pulse of that same, brilliant red light as before - illuminating the heart-shaped soul at the center of Kris's being. This time, though, the light persists. The soul rises from their body and into the air. It pulses once more. Then again. And then the room fills with brilliant light so bright that Battat can't see a thing.
When it fades, Kris is gone. Tenna climbs to his feet. For a long minute, the Darkners stand in silence.
"So, uh, they made it home, then?" Battat eventually dares to ask.
"Yes," Tenna responds - and then he spins to face Battat, his face wrinkling all at once into obvious fury, "no thanks to you! What on earth were you thinking, leaving them alone even for a second!? What if they'd gotten hurt? Or lost? Did you even consider that?"
"Whoa pal, hang on, I was just trying to -"
"Help! Oh, don't even get me started on your help!" Tenna exclaims, throwing his hands up in the air in furious exasperation. "I can't believe Kris had the whole of TV World in front of them and they chose you to follow around!"
"I was the first one they -"
"I guess I should be grateful you didn't just bet them in the first blackjack game you came across!"
"Hey, that's not fair," Battat snaps, but Tenna doesn't pay him in mind. Instead, he whips back around to face the fountain.
"They didn't even want me touching them!" Tenna exclaims and - and Battat would swear the other Darkner looks all at once a head or two shorter. He's sure of it when Tenna continues to rant, shrinking a little with every word.
"I would have been happy to hold their hand. I would have kept them safe! I'm their friend. Their pal. Their TV! We've had so many late night adventures together, just the two of us - and this could have been another! We could have had fun. I could have…"
He's only a couple of feet taller than Battat, now. Frowning, Battat dares a step closer. Tenna bows his head.
"But they didn't even know who I was. Worst of all, I ended up scaring them! Geez, I guess I can't even blame them. I was too loud. Too much. I'll bet they'll get up in the morning and unplug me all together."
By the time Battat is close enough to touch Tenna, the TV stands only at his waist. Battat lifts his hand and reaches for Tenna - exhaling a quick, bracing breath before settling his hand carefully on Tenna's shoulder.
"C'mon boss, cheer up! You only startled them a little, that's all. And, hey, the only reason they followed me around is because I was the first one they found. They're only a little kid, you know - at that age, they're kinda like ducklings or somethin'."
"I should have known they were here…"
"How could you have?" Battat asks, waving his free hand dismissively, "who expected a Lightner to just…show up like that! Especially a little one like Kris. Kinda makes you wonder…anyway, hey, don't forget who actually got them home! It was your hand they held. You who they trusted. You're the one who lit the way! I couldn't have done any of that. Why, if they were still stuck with only me, I might actually be teaching them to gamble right about now!"
That gets Battat a quick, fierce look - to which he offers a sheepish smile.
"Only kiddin', boss. But seriously, Mr. Tenna - Kris ain't gonna unplug you. They're gonna remember you as the TV who got them home. And now they'll know that you're more than just some screen sitting in their livingroom! I'll bet they'll always remember what you did for them. How in the end, you're the one who actually helped them out."
In the echo of Battat's words, there's another few, long minutes of quiet. Then, Tenna suddenly lifts his head - and as he does, he shoots up nearly back to full height.
The rapid change sends Battat stumbling backwards, mostly to avoid being stepped on.
"Right! You're absolutely right! Of course they'll remember me! I'm their TV! I'm their friend! And I'm the one who got them through the fountain! Man, wasn't that wild? What on earth was I even worrying about just then?" Tenna exclaims, gesturing in rapidly growing excitement. "It's fine, it's all totally fine! And you know, this gives me an idea for a new program! Oh, I can picture it now. A young knight, a daring rescue - Kris will eat it up! Why, I bet even Asriel will enjoy it!"
And just like that, it seems Battat is all but forgotten. Still rambling on to himself about his new, brilliant idea, Tenna strides past Battat and back the way they'd come. And, as usual, he doesn't even spare the Pippins another glance. He doesn't even offer any more criticism.
He simply…forgets.
But Battat doesn't. He turns to watch the TV Darkner stride away, and despite everything Battat feels a swell of something that feels a lot like pride. After all, how many of TV World's citizens had ever seen Tenna shrink so low? How many had ever so much as had the chance to comfort him - let alone succeed?
But Battat had done both. He had witnessed Tenna in a moment of weakness and it had been Battat who had drawn Tenna back out of it. As Battat breaks into a jog in an effort to catch up to Tenna, he thinks to himself that he'd even done a pretty good job today.
Maybe he deserved more time in the spotlight, after all.
Maybe, just maybe, he could find a place closer to the star of the show.