Chapter Text
The world is nothing.
Everything had been wiped out by the power of a single Switch.
A Switch that was pulled by the Batter and the Puppeteer.
Now all that remained was regret and the Puppeteer who returned to the darkness they were so familiar with.
They hadn't meant to destroy the world they had grown used to. They hadn't meant to send the innocent residents of the world to oblivion. They hadn't meant to erase the only ones that kept everything in balance. They hadn't meant to murder the red sickly child whose every cough rattled his body.
They just wanted things to be perfect, like the Queen but so much more different.
Long time ago in many past timelines, they had blamed the Batter, their puppet, for deceiving them. They didn't want to be associated with him anymore but the GAME would not allow the Puppeteer to progress without the Batter.
So they did what they had done before; killing the Guardians and purifying the Zones one by one. The events ran just like the first and the climax was just the same. The Judge would confront the Batter and the Puppeteer for their misdeeds and offer the Puppeteer to do what was right.
They've lost count on how many times they had betrayed the Batter, and the times when they stayed with the Batter. Once, they hadn't made the choice at all but the Batter always prevailed. Except that one timeline where the Puppeteer made him use his basic gears again, making him very weak to the Judge’s brutal assault. The world still returned to oblivion after that.
“Miaou.” A familiar meow called out, clear and loud.
Puppeteer didn't stir at all. They were drifting between the line of being conscious after being in nothingness for so long. Plus, they were pretty sure that meow was a one time thing.
“It's not very polite to ignore someone, dear Puppeteer.” A black and white figure stood (floated? Drifted? Who knew in a place where nothing existed?) and a cat mask on his face.
Puppeteer doesn't remember that mask. They do remember the voice. They forced their attention on the figure, effectively ‘waking’ them up.
“Welcome back, Puppeteer.” Zacharie greeted them, his mask providing a smile for him. “It has been a while since we’ve last seen each other, I assume. One can only wonder in a nonexistent world.”
There wasn't any reply. Zacharie didn't mind, at least the Puppeteer didn't think he did. Zacharie was always an enigma to them, always so vague but helpful, and insufferably annoying at some moments. He did have his perks though.
> Zacharie…?
He remembers how their ‘voice’ sounded like, silent but everywhere. It did seem to be quieter though.
“Ah, it is good to see that you remember me. For a moment, I had assumed that you forgot me.” Said Zacharie.
> Who would forget someone with a really bad meow?
“My miaou is the best, I don't know what you are talking about.” Zacharie retorted with a meow and chuckled amusedly when the Puppeteer let out a groan. “Let us get to the point. I know why you're here.”
> Depends what you mean
> Do you mean you know why I'm HERE, or in this nothingness?
“In the nothingness.” Zacharie answered though he was confused on what the Puppeteer meant for the first one. “You want to restore the world that you, as well as the Batter, have eradicated, don't you?”
The Puppeteer didn't speak but Zacharie could tell he had their full attention. That is if his sudden appearance didn't catch all of it.
“I'm certain you know that the task may not easy but, because I like you, I am willing to give it a try.” Zacharie offered and added, “It does get quite lonely, all on your own.”
> Not wrong…
The Puppeteer wasn't sure what loneliness was, but they were certain that it isn't a pleasant thing.
“So will you help me make everything better?” He asked.
The Puppeteer merely stared at him. They know that Zacharie is a good guy, even though he willingly helped the Batter and the Puppeteer erase the world.
They agreed to help.
Zacharie’s chuckle rang throughout the void. “It will be a pleasure working with you, Puppeteer. I suppose your new mission is to turn the world back on, and restore the zones to their previous state.”
> … Not mine
Zacharie blinked. “Pardon?”
> Our mission, Zacharie
> I can't do this alone
For a moment, Zacharie was stunned but he eventually chuckled. “Of course. Our mission, Puppeteer.”
Perhaps they were finally about to redeem themselves for their actions.