u/ARTS1984

Cole stood at the door to "Ketsukane Electronics"...it was 6:00 AM in the morning. The sun was barely coming up and he knew Chujin wouldn't wake up until at least 8:00 AM. Saturday was his day to sleep in while Ceroba didn't let something as trivial as a certain day interrupt her normal morning routine. It had been a month since the two friends...Cole and Kanako...had graduated from high school and now both of them were thinking of their futures. Chujin wanted Kanako to stay and learn the family business while Cole wasn't so certain of his future...all he knew was that he wanted to spend it with Kanako.

"Ah'm in over my head, ah'm in over my head..." Cole sweat profusely, standing outside.

"Cole?" A barely awake Ceroba opened the door. "Honey, it's too early..."

"I know, I actually wanted to see you."

"Well then, come in." Ceroba smiled, planting a small peck on Cole's forehead, always loving when the kid needed her help.

Taking his hat and placing on the coat rack, Ceroba and Cole sat down at the kotatsu next to one another, Ceroba offering Cole some tea which he happily accepted. Cole took a hold of the steaming mug, sipping down the rather warm liquid.

"Easy..." Ceroba reached out.

"Sorry...what I'm about to ask has been on mah mind all night." Cole admitted.

"Oh?" Ceroba sipped her tea casually.

Did she already know?

"Y-Yes..." Cole blushed.

"Well then, go on." Ceroba smiled.

"I--ah, I--" Cole took another long sip.

"Cole, just spit it out." Ceroba grinned. "I won't laugh! Mr. Ketsukane is dead as a doorknob upstairs as is Kanako...you know what heavy sleepers they are!"

"I was counting on that actually...Mrs. Ketsukane, I know this is usually reserved for the Dad but Mr. Ketsukane scares me...would you do me the honor of allowing me to propose to Kanako?" Cole clasped his hands together, dropping his head in shame.

Ceroba gently placed her tea back down on the table, shifting herself close to Cole and placing a gentle furred hand on his praying hands. Cole looked up, a red blush in Ceroba's face and tears streaking down her face as if she were witnessing a miracle.

"M-Mrs. Ketsukane?..." Cole asked in a whisper. "Did I..."

"Cole....I'm so proud of you." Ceroba took Cole into a gentle embrace. "Ever since Martlet took you into her home and showed you off to us, it felt like I had another child of my own...one I had to raise from afar. To see you come to me and ask such a question...I wish you two had more time to grow up but I guess it doesn't work that way. Of course Cole, I would be honored to have you be a member of our family...well, officially! But honey, no matter what happens...what Kanako says, or Chujin does...you're always a Ketsukane to me no matter what."

"T-Thank you." Cole tightened the hug. "I appreciate everything you do, Mrs. Ketsukane....always."

"Oh, you know how to get me!" Ceroba's hair naturally wrapped around the kid like a tail in a protective matter. "I don't know what'd I do without you or Kanako...I love you both lots. Always remember that."

"Well, guess ah better get back before Mom worries..."

"You didn't leave a note?" Ceroba asked in surprise.

"I thought it'd be quick and I'd be back...Mama doesn't usually mind me going out early. I go fishing before school sometimes." Cole shrugged as they broke their hug.

"Cole Cole Cole...guess I'm just gonna have to punish you." Ceroba waved a finger.

"W-What?" Cole trembled.

"You can help me go dress shopping later on. I'll call your Mom a bit later." Ceroba winked.

"But ma'am, you like to spend the day...."

"YEP!" Ceroba grinned. "Those kimonos won't dress themselves you know."

"A-Awww..." Cole drooped his head.

"Oh." A rather familiar Mr. Ketsukane stood at the foot of the stairs, bathrobe and all.

Cole and Ceroba turned their heads, seeing a rather unexpected Chujin Ketsukane make his appearance, sipping some coffee of his own.

"M-Mr. Ketsukane--I didn't expect you...up so soon, sir."

"Funny, I didn't expect you either." Chujin poked his nose in Cole's face, walking up.

"Chujin, back away!" Ceroba ordered, Chujin keeping his snout where it was.

"No, I don't think I will." Chujin staring down the now sweating Cole. "Cole made his way over here bright and early, after all. Was there something you wanted to get off your chest...hm?"

"I--I already did, sir, with Mrs. Ketsukane." Cole admitted, trying to back his face away eyeing Chujin's canine teeth.

"Y-Yes Chujin, it was nothing you--"

"Oh?" Chujin pulled away, giving Cole a momentary respite.

"SIR, I ASKED MRS. KETSUKANE FOR PERMISSION TO MARRY YOUR DAUGHTER." Cole quickly spoke, hoping Kanako didn't hear that. Ceroba's eyes went wide in disbelief that Cole said that.

Chujin went stiff, dropping his coffee mug to the ground and it shattering into a thousand pieces, just like his heart.

"I beg your pardon." Chujin took his glasses off, neatly folding them and placing them on the kotatsu. "Please tell me I didn't just hear what I thought you said."

"...You...You did sir." Cole stood up. "I love your daughter, you know that."

"C-Cole?" Mrs. Ketsukane reached out, Cole raising a hand waving his head at her knowing she'd want to step in.

"You're lucky my wife is here or I would..." Chujin began another in a series of insulting tirades against Cole.

"NO, you listen! I've put up with your unjustified behavior towards me for years and now I think it's time you got that stick out of your behind and...just...GOT OVER IT! Your daughter and Mrs. Ketsukane have no problem with me but you always seem to. Well SIR you might not love me but that's too bad!! I'm stickin' around as long as these two want me! Now, if you'll excuse me...I have to get home to Mama. I'll be back later for shopping, Mrs. Ketsukane."

"Bye honey." Ceroba waved as Cole quickly walked out of the shop, leaving his hat behind.

"I....I..." Chujin stood there in disbelief.

"Well, that was a long time coming." Ceroba smiled to herself, proud of her little cowpoke.

"Did you see how he just...talked back to me?!"

"Well, it's true Chujin! You treat him like he's Hitler when he's never done anything to you but exist. We've talked about this countless times so yeah...GET OVER IT! Now, if you'll excuse me...I got a shopping trip to plan."

With that, Ceroba made her way upstairs as Chujin sat down to the kotatsu, embarassed and ashamed. He looked at the abandoned cup of tea and thought of his past actions.

"I...I really am no better than that bastard who stole my work, aren't I?"

Just as Cole and Ceroba had begun to drift off to dream land, another Ketsukane snout poked it's head in the door to Cole's room, carefully opening it. One Kanako Ketsukane looked in, concerned gazing at Cole seeing sweat run down his forehead. This was their last night in the Wild East and she couldn't sleep...doesn't look like Mom or Cole were doing all that good a job either.

"Kanako...honey? It's 3:00 AM." Ceroba yawned, her and Cole looking up from their sleep.

"I'm sorry Mom, can I talk to Cole for a few minutes?" Kanako begged.

"Guess so." Ceroba looked at Cole who still had his eyes open but just barely. "Poke me when you're done so I take the headphones off."

"Thanks, Mrs. Ketsukane." Cole yawned.

"Anytime." Ceroba kissed Cole's cheek, yawning again herself and turning over to her side with the noise-cancelling headphones on.

Kanako giggled, carefully shutting the door and coming to Cole's side by the bed.

"So...want another pillow?"Kanako sat on the bed near his head, shifting her tail so it was directly under his head.

"Sure." Cole smiled, sighing as he rubbed his head into it. "Fluffy..."

"It's good to see you smile!" Kanako grinned.

"So...couldn't sleep?" Cole asked.

"N-No, not with everything going on...who could?" Kanako mentioned. "We're uplifting all our lives because of some jerk."

"Ah'm sorry about all this, Kanako. Your Mom and you shouldn't have to consider my health...ah..."

"Oh Cole." Kanako dropped to her knees, looking him square in the eyes. "Stop that "aw shucks" stuff already! This isn't your fault and you know it."

"Funny you should say that...Mrs. Ketsukane just got done talking to me about that." The human twirled one of the many strands of Ceroba's hair that he was cocooned in with his fingers.

"Then take it to heart already! You're a Ketsukane too...whether you like it or not." Kanako laid her head on top of Cole's, blushing and her tail swishing under the weight of Cole's.

"I guess so. It just doesn't feel like I am." Cole admitted, feeling the weight of his situation minus Kanako's snout.

"My Mom has faith that Dad will come around. He will...it'll just take awhile..a LONG while." Kanako rolled her eyes. "But I just wanted to talk about something else...I saw Melody earlier."

"What'd she want?" Cole raised an eyebrow.

"To...say goodbye." Kanako admitted with surprise.

"Goodbye. She ain't given me no time of day for that ever." Cole admitted with confusion.

"What's weird is she talked about wanting to be friends even. Y'know what? I...kinda believed her." Kanako admitted. "She always rubbed me the wrong way and when I got tired of her shit the other day, I...took it too far."

"Kanako?"

"Dad told me I shouldn't have...but I didn't care! She's always pulling shit with us and I got tired of putting up with it!" Kanako began to choke up, the memories of that day coming back.

"K-Kanako...ah can't say I wouldn't have done the same." Cole thought back on the many swears and insults he's had to endure from the same girl.

"I dragged her on the ground by her stupid hair and let her have it!! What's worse is that Dina wasn't even that mad!! I was prepared to be yelled at...but all she did was be understanding and hug me." Kanako sobbed. "I didn't deserve it, Cole...I lost it! Sure, Dad grounded me but Mom said nothing else about it...they both felt she deserved what she got apparently. Martlet was of a similar opinion."

"What about you? Do you feel like she got what deserved?" Cole asked quietly.

"...I don't know." Kanako sniffed, wiping her tears away. "I honestly don't know, Cole...and that scares me. I should be resolute on something like this but just thinking about it...I...don't want to move Cole. I just want you back to normal. I want to go bug hunting with you...I want to draw my "silly stories" while you fish under the hot desert sun again. I don't want to leave all this behind..."

"H-Hey--" Cole reached out with his right hand, caressing the side of Kanako's furry face. "I'm still here and so is your family. We might be movin' but we're all gonna be together. It's scary what's happenin'...trust me, I know...but your Mom is helping me as best so that we have a chance to do the things we want to do together. It might not be what we imagined, Kanako..."

"Oh Cole." Kanako grabbed both his hands. "Look at me...I'm being completely selfish about all this while you're here in bed with Mom trying to sleep."

"No no...ah like this." Cole blushed. "To be honest, ah can't wait for it to be you n' me instead of yer Mom, me and you....not that I hate Mrs. Ketsukane or anything, I..."

"It's OK, honey." Ceroba reminded him with a snort, Cole grinning in a panic stupidly forgetting Ceroba was there.

"Mom, are you listening?!" Kanako huffed.

"No honey, I could FEEL what he was saying. Now hurry up, I want to get SOME sleep tonight!"

The two looked at each other blushing, Kanako holding his hands tight not wanting to let go, Cole rubbing the side of his head into her tail. This was the most contact they'd had with one another in quite awhile and they were cherishing it. They didn't want this to end.

"H-Hey...you like how the stars look?" Cole grinned, quickly changing the subject.

"They do look kinda tacky." Kanako stuck her tongue out. "I thought they'd look better once I stuck them up there..."

"Well...I like them." Cole whispered.

"Maybe we can get more once we get up north." Kanako smiled. "Make our own little own "Wild East" away from home."

"I--I'd like that." Cole looked at her as Kanako looked at him, their hearts beating as one in that moment.

Cole and Kanako stood there, both beat red in the face and gulped.

"So...ah, maybe...we should..."

"Yeah, it's....late...we should..."

Cole and Kanako began to press their faces forward, eyes closing as their lips pressed forwards towards one another. Ceroba felt Cole's heartbeat increasing, getting excited at what was about to happen as she swore inside her head she didn't have the camera.

"KANAKO." Chujin hissed from the dark, door slightly open before quickly closing it. "BED."

Ceroba swore twice as much inside her head for Chujin ruining the moment.

Kanako let go of Cole's hand, withdrawing her tail and getting embarrassed. Cole sighed in disappointment, Kanako frowning.

"Hey...maybe next time." Kanako quickly pressed her cold nose against the side of his face, nuzzling it for a second before quickly running to the door.

"Oh why in all heavens did he have to be there...." Ceroba turned over.

"I-It was nothin', Mrs. Ketsukane, I swear..." Cole got all embarrassed.

"Oh Cole, you know you can't hide nothing from me." Ceroba poked his belly button. "Guess you'll have to settle with me for now, haha!"

With that, Ceroba tickled the erstwhile Cole who giggled like a schoolgirl for a minute until they calmed down, hugging one another in laughter before drifting back off to sleep. They were leaving the Wild East for sure but a good chunk of it would never leave them it seems. Kanako stood outside the door, her ear to the door making sure Cole drifted off to sleep.

"You coming, Kanako?" Chujin popped his head out from Martlet's room.

"Daddy...is it ok I sleep just outside the door? Just in case?" Kanako asked.

"I....here." Chujin tossed a blanket and pillow to her. "See you in the morning, honey."

"Night, Dad." Kanako smiled, fluffing her pillow and sighing beginning to think of those tacky stars with Cole laying right beside her to gaze upon them in the dead of night...

It was dark inside the ramshackle home of Cole and Martlet. It had been a week since Martlet and the Ketsukanes found out that Cole had been diagnosed with HMDS...Human Monster Detachment Syndrome. While not a fatal disease, it leaves the human it's infected weak and unable to function normally. There is no paralysis and or loss of bodily function but everything becomes extremely hard to do...mostly no upper body strength, the victim is constantly tired and it can be hard to stay awake for extended periods of time.

Cole found his days had been beyond distorted and broken over this past week. What once had been a plan to hunt for butterflies turned into a permanent burden upon everyone else, including the fox monster hugging and keeping him safe in her orange headfur...Ceroba Ketsukane. She agreed to be his "Companion Monster"...a sort of living mobility device and therapist at the same time. Her soul would mitigate the effects of the HMDS as much as possible but at the same time keep him tied to her...their souls were now somewhat connected as a result.

It was kinda weird...growing up, Cole had wished he'd get to be more like a monster since his friends were all monsters but now that he was practically part of one, the warm, soft fur wrapped around him keeping him close to Ceroba only reminded him what he couldn't be.

He'd never be the cowboy he saw in the movies growing up and Uncle Star loved to talk about.

He'd never be the respectable guy that he wished to show Mr. Ketsukane he could be.

He'd never...

"Hey there." Ceroba opened her eyes, lifting her snout open and yawning. "I can hear you thinking."

"oh...sorry, Mrs. Ketsukane." Cole lay his head down on the pillow, his nose inches from her snout. "Ah'm kinda anxious about all this."

"Can't blame you there." Ceroba ran a hand through his hair. "A lot has happened in a short period of time...too much for both of us to process in a single night I'm afraid."

"So, um...this whole...soul joining? Cole began, blushing.

"Too late to go back, kiddo!" Ceroba grinned, lapping his nose playfully. "We'll work things out...I know you like your privacy as do I on certain...things. I already had Chujin invest in some cordless headphones for when you wanna spend time with Kanako or Martlet alone."

"I-It's not that ma'am. Ah know you'll do your best...Angel knows you always do." Cole smiled. "It's just this whole thing with our souls, ma'am."

"What about it?" Ceroba inquired, a bit anxious at the question.

"They're...connected?"

Ceroba was quiet for a few seconds then began to answer.

"Not completely...but loosely. Remember how I said I could hear you thinking? I felt your anxiety and got images in my head about cowboy movies, Starlo and Chujin staring down at you." Ceroba explained. "It's like being washed in random emotions and images while trying to make sense of them. It's really kind of surreal."

"...Does it work both ways?" Cole asked, a hint of fear at the thought.

"Yes it does. I've trained for something like this though so you shouldn't have so many memories float out of me randomly." Ceroba explained. "Still, there's the occasional slip. If it does happen, it's not intentional I assure you...all right? Say, you wanna look up at the fake stars?"

"S-Sure." Cole giggled, Ceroba pulling him closer with her hair and arms, them laying on the pillow looking at the fake blue stars Kanako plastered on the ceiling earlier in the week. They were glow in the dark and on discount.

"Chujin thought they were tacky." Ceroba explained, glancing at Cole. "What do you think?"

"They're better than nothin'." Cole whispered, admiring the work Kanako put into making the last look at his room all the sweeter.

"You really wanted to lay outside with Kanako doing this, right?" Ceroba lamented.

"Y-Yeah...yeah, I thought we would on graduation." Cole admitted.

"Well, you can still do it...I'll just have to remember the headphones and to lay on my side, looking the other way." The vixen smirked. "Just try and not look at the stars too loud, huh?"

"Mrs. Ketsukane!!" Cole hid his face into the pillow.

"You're too cute." Ceroba giggled. "Oh Cole, the more I think about it, the more I'm beginning to love our little arrangement. What about you?"

"Not like I got a choice." Cole suddenly shot back.

"...I'm sorry, that was thoughtless of me." Ceroba admitted. "I didn't want to do this anymore than you did sweetie but I...I couldn't think of anything else better. We really did consider our options, Cole."

"Ya didn't have to give up your life for mine." Cole began to cry. "What about your family..."

"What about them?" Ceroba took offense. "The last time I looked, you and Martlet were part of our family too!"

"Mr. Ketsukane doesn't seem to think so." Cole whispered with a bitter tone.

"..." Ceroba sighed, feeling Cole's head. "You're burning up again."

"A-Ah'm sorry. Ah can't help it Mrs. Ketsukane..." An aura of yellow and white soul energy began to surround Cole.

"Breathe." Ceroba hugged him close, laying her head upon the top of his. "I'm here, no matter what. I did this to you even if it wasn't intentional....I alone deserve what comes of this."

"Not like you experimented on me or nothin'." Cole sniffled into her fuzzy neck, trying to laugh as the energy dissipated. "...Mrs. Ketsukane?"

The room went quiet for a solid minute, Cole not liking the awkward silence. Did he say something wrong?

"...Did I..ah, bring up some bad memories?"

Ceroba gently pushed Cole away, grabbing him by the shoulders and looking him square in the eyes.

"What I'm about to tell you, don't tell another living soul...am I clear?" Ceroba asked. "Not even my husband."

"...Sure, of course." Cole nodded solemnly.

"Thank you. Lately...this past week, I've been having dreams. Dreams of when you and Kanako were younger. Only...we're not exactly in the Wild East as we know it. Chujin...is dead and Kanako...is horribly disfigured because I willingly injected her with an experimental serum I shouldn't have. And to fix it, I...try and steal your soul. The dream goes in different directions--sometimes, I succeed. Others, we fight and I...ask you to kill me. Suffice to say Cole....it was not an enjoyable experience. Every time I wake up, I have to feel your pulse to make sure you're all right. I...never want to go there. Every time I experience these dreams however, I fear I am...understanding this Ceroba more and more."

"But Mrs. Ketsukane--you don't have a reason to do those things. Me n' Kanako are here still...you made sure o' that." Cole smiled. "I've never know you to do mad experiments either and I'm sure Mr. Ketsukane is too stubborn to die."

"In the dreams, Chujin experimented on himself." Ceroba drooped her snout. "I...can see him doing that, if pushed far enough or the situation warranted it."

"Then...that makes it all the more important we make sure that doesn't happen!" Cole clenched both his fists together. "That we all...stick together."

"You're right, of course." Ceroba formed a small smile at the young man's optimism, ruffling his hair. "Why don't you go back to sleep? We have plenty of time to talk in the morning. Got a lot to do after all!"

"Y-Yeah, you're right. Hmm?"

"My phone? At 3 am...it...can't be..." Ceroba suddenly shuffled, pulling out the noise cancelling headphones. "Keep these on for me and face the other way while I attend...to this."

"I...Mrs. Ketsukane?"

"Please Cole." Ceroba begged him.

"O-Ok..." Cole said, putting them on and laying back down his side, settling in again.

Ceroba answered the phone, putting it to her ears confirming it was who she thought it was.

"(I BLOCKED YOUR NUMBER...HOW ARE YOU EVEN...)"

"Very smart reporting me to the police. How'd that go for you?"

"Your voice recording was nothing...garbage, quite like yourself." Ceroba replied with a tone of hatred. "Garbage I intend to take out, mark my words."

"And exactly how do you intend to do that, what with that kid attached to you at all times? I'm a respected businessman with all the time in the world, darling. You're a seeing eye fox monster by choice."

"A seeing eye fox who will blind you if you don't leave us alone! Poisoning a kid not enough for you?"

"Oh ho ho, you did that by bringing the kid into my office, Ceroba. I told you to come alone and yet you bring him as insurance in case something happens. You think you're so clever...ever since you stopped working in the government, you've been soft! Maybe this whole experience will bring that demon out of you finally."

"...How'd you know I'd bring Cole with me?"

"You already know that one...CPS contacts, remember? Besides, never did like cowboys. Serves that kid right. I'm sure Chujin would approve." Clovis grinned behind the phone. "That aside, the reason I'm calling...those dreams you've been having? Let's just say they're a bit more...real than you realize. Gotta tell ya 'Roba, you're quite the killer fox...if only I'd been born in another life, I could've met those versions of you. Oh well...til' next time."

With that, the phone went dead and she dropped the phone on the bed, realization in her eyes. What she saw weren't mere dreams...they were entire other lives. He had to be lying...but why would he? How could she resort to such...measures? Laying back down on the pillow, Ceroba embraced Cole like a teddy and began to sob into the top of his head.

"M-Mrs. Ketsukane?..." Cole began.

"J-Just...give me a minute..." Ceroba gasped, continuing to sob as Cole pushed his arms from out of her hair and hugged her back.

"Take all the minutes you need." Cole smiled but frowned slightly as Ceroba cried heavily.

Despite it all, Cole and Ceroba were still there. There were those that transpired against them but at least for now, they were safe in the comfort of their love and security under fake dollar store stars that shined down upon them both.

Note: Sorry, my first version of this post didn't come through correctly so I'm making a new one.

If any of you have read my fanfiction, you'll notice I've been building up a bit of a storyline over the last two to three stories to a bigger story I'm calling "The Yellow Inversion". It's a new take on the original story of Deltarune featuring the Ketsukanes moving to Hometown for not only protection but to help Cole and Martlet as Martlet also has family in Hometown.

Story: Cole has found his life upended. His mother, Martlet, has lost custody of him but he remains close to her and the Ketsukanes. Ceroba has taken on a life changing role as Cole's "Companion Fox" to treat his HMDS, a rare disease that leaves humans and monsters handicapped for life without help. Together, Cole and Ceroba's souls are now loosely linked often sharing thoughts and feelings they often didn't intend to share which can lead to conflict. However, they work together to try and make it work for the both of them given Ceroba feels responsible for Cole's situation. The Ketsukanes along with Cole and Martlet have taken up residence in the Dreemurr residence temporarily while they work out their legal situation with Axis Incorporated and the resulting harassment from Clovis. This is the story of Deltarune albeit on a new trajectory with new main characters with the same OG characters but new faces added in.

Main Characters:

Cole/Ceroba Ketsukane(Dark World Color: Yellow): In the Dark World, Cole is reduced to the size of an action figure while Ceroba takes on his form with her hair turning red but retaining the yellow outfit Cole wears in the Dark World. He will reside in Ceroba's hair out of sight but offering his yellow soul as a shield to take attacks in battle. Ceroba is excited at the aspect of playing hero but with Cole's help, will learn "the ropes" so to speak.

Susie(Dark World Color: Black): The so-called "Dragon From The Dark", Susie plays a similar role as in OG Deltarune but wants to know what the hell is going on in the Dark World. Kanako, not wanting to make the same mistake she did with Melody, will reach out to her but will attempt to rebuke her only to find that Kanako is a stubborn fox who doesn't give up easily.

Kanako Ketsukane(Dark World Color: Pink): The healer of the group but can also give a pounding when she needs to do with her giant spiked bat. She remains dedicated to protecting Cole, her family and friends (even Susie who gets annoyed at her attempts for friendship).

Main Villians:

The Knight: Referred by Clovis as "Lord Knitanus", The Knight's motivations in Deltarune remain unclear. They are intent on abducting the local townsfolk and bringing them to the Bunker. What for remains to be seen.

Frederick Clovis: The main "CSO" of the dreaded Axis Industries, he works from behind the scenes to support the activities of the Knight from a distance so the main plan can go off without a hitch. He is obsessed with the Ketsukanes and will do anything to get their "respect" even if he has to force it from them.

The Doctor: ?????

Side Characters:

Toriel Dreemurr: The main host of the Ketsukanes during their stay in Hometown. She has had bunk beds assembled in Kris and Asriel's room despite Kris' unusual amount of verbal objections. She does her best to accommodate and support Martlet in her battle to get custody of Cole back as well as provide advice to Kanako and Cole on their budding relationship despite what happened to Cole.

Chujin Ketsukane: As part of his agreement with the Hometown Mayor, Chujin has set up shop on the second floor of Flower King. Working with Asgore to accommodate for the sudden change up, he works tirelessly to make things work despite Asgore being a butter fingers at times when it comes to technology.

Martlet: Cole's Mom but she has lost custody of him to Toriel while the courts decide her ultimate fate for what they call "willful neglect". The Holidays and Toriel Dreemurr are supporting her financially while the Ketsukanes provide whatever support they can to her. Despite her situation, she remains hopeful things will turn out all right. She awkwardly shares a bunk with Kris.

Kris Dreemurr: No longer the main character but still just as vital to Carol Holiday's plans, Kris will carry out their objectives to keep "The Promise" as much as possible. Working with another human(s) has proven to be a difficulty for Kris which Carol told them to "get over" for the sake of their family and friends.

There will be more down the road such as art and other little teases here and there. I'm kinda excited for this and hope it will turn out as good as I'm hoping. Hope you all enjoy what's to come,

It was early in the morning on Saturday in the Martlet household. The sun was shining through every window of the quaint but quite massive house Martlet had painstakingly built over several years. Mother and son were quite preoccupied with important business however.

"T-This can't be right!!" Martlet shook the thermometer inside Cole's room as he lay in bed, feeling out of sorts. He was in nothing but his shorts feeling hot and sweaty to the touch. Martlet felt his head and it was burning up. "100.4! You definitely got a fever, Cole!"

"Me n' Kanako were gonna go bug huntin' today..." Cole sniffled, sneezing and feeling dissappointed.

"No use in complaining...my boy is sick so he gets special priority!" Martlet held up a winged finger. "Or was it...never mind, point is...you're my sole focus today and I..."

Martlet was interrupted as she felt her phone buzz in her pocket, taking it out much to her chargin.

"Yes?" Martlet closed her eyes. "...I know I'm running late sir but my son is sick and I...but can't you just...I...I know I'm overextended on PTO and I need to build it up again...but sir please..."

Cole lay there, looking down at the bed sheets as he'd heard this before. Where Martlet worked, she had several supervisors looking over her. She did fine work but she was in high demand and overextended. Trying to be a Mom and working just didn't gel for Martlet.

"..." Martlet's shoulders drooped in defeat. "...I'll find a way, sir. I'm sorry."

Martlet ended the call, putting the phone back in her pocket, looking to Cole.

"Sweetie, new game plan. I want you to rest as much as you can and I'll have the Ketsukanes come in to check on you throughout the day. At least today, you'll get to hang out with Kanako!"

"W-Will they get sick because of me?" Cole whispered in concern.

"N-No!" Martlet waved her wings at the conflicted teenager. "Don't even think that!"

"O-Okay, I guess it's all right then..." Cole smiled, thinking of seeing Mrs. Ketsukane and Kanako again.

"Chujin should be right over--he was the first to pick up when I called."

"M-MR. Ketsukane??" Cole gulped in abject concern.

"..." Martlet sighed again. "I know you and him don't get along that well but this would be a good chance to talk. Chujin's a good soul, you just gotta break that hard candy shell!"

Martlet walked over to the bed, embracing Cole in that warm, familiar feather embrace and received a nice and careful lick to the face from Martlet since kissing was hard with a beak.

"W-We'll get past this, honey. I'm sure of it." Martlet held him and then covered him up. "No gunpowder though."

"Ma..." Cole got embarassed.

"I wouldn't have to tell you if you didn't try and keep consuming it." Martlet reminded him, waving goodbye and closing the door while Cole tried to drift off to Ketsukane Dream Land(minus the week of Corn Chowder Camp with Mrs. Ketsukane).

----

A few hours later, Cole awoke to a knock on his door.

"Cole, it's me...Mr. Ketsukane. Can I come in?"

"Ah...sure, sir!" Cole's eyes burst open, his hair a mess. He sniffled, trying to look as dignified being in the position he was.

"Thank you." Mr. Ketsukane walked in. "Hard to believe Martlet built all this herself...really is a marvel."

"Ah'm sure she appreciates your confidence, sir." Cole acknowledged.

"I--I'm sure you're surprised that I'm the first one checking up on you instead of my wife or daughter. They'll be along later, I assure you. But I wanted...to talk."

"Well, ah can't go nowhere sir." Cole sighed.

Chujin felt his slick forehead. He was indeed burning up and sweating profusely. How did this come on so suddenly...none of the monsters in town had been sick and it certainly wasn't the corn chowder.

"So....where do you suppose this came from?" Chujin mused.

"City. Me and Mrs. Ketsukane ran into quite a number of people."

"Oh? What kinda people, may I ask?" Chujin adjusted his glasses.

"Um, the CPS people...they were...nice enough, I guess."

"Anyone else?" Chujin crossed his arms, looking at Cole with mistrust in his eyes.

"...I can't say, Mr. Ketsukane. Mrs. Ketsukane made me swear I wouldn't." Cole revealed, raising a hand to swear honesty.

"Don't worry, I have an idea who." Chujin noted, leaning back in his chair. "But that's not my primary point---I'm here to talk about how I reacted yesterday and how I acted. Kanako and Ceroba get on my ass about how I act with you. I suppose she's right that I'm being stubborn. But you have to understand, Cole...it's hard for me to let that sort of hate go."

"Maybe if you told me, sir, I'd...we could..."

Chujin held up a single hand, shaking his head.

"Don't go there...please. I'm not ready to share that with you or perhaps anyone. It's too personal and the incident didn't do any favors for my feelings of you, Cole. I--I just wanted to say--I will try and not make things too personal should we have any more unfortunate encounters in the future." Chujin got red in the face just from saying that.

"O-Okay..." Cole lay back in bed, feeling as if he were about to cry.

Chujin saw this and closed his eyes, standing up to go to the door.

"Make sure and drink plenty of fluids. You might not be my favorite person but I don't want to see you ill." Chujin said, quickly closing the door behind him. Cole sniffed, a small smile coming to him. It was hard to imagine sometimes but interactions like this did show that Chujin did have some love for him...he just didn't like to show it.

----

Several more hours seemed to pass by albeit slowly. Like Mr. Ketsukane recommended, Cole drank plenty of water but he was running out from the pitcher left by his bedside and for some reason, he found it hard to move his legs.

"I--I can feel them but why are they bein' stubborn." Cole grunted as it felt like lifting heavy weights.

Thankfully, yet another knock came to the door.

"M--Mama?" Cole asked, hoping it was Martlet.

"Not quite!" Ceroba poked her head in, grinning. Close enough, Cole thought sticking his tongue out at her and the two laughing though it hurt for Cole. "Got some more water for you."

"G-Good...don't know if mah legs were good for walking anyway."

"What?" Ceroba raised an eyebrow, lifting the covers. "Oh Cole, they're bruising up...did you hit them?"

"N-No...ah was fine yesterday and then I woke up like this."

"Did you tell your Mom?" Ceroba took a hold of Cole's left leg with two hands, carefully inspecting it with her delicate fuzzy fingers.

"N-No....ah didn't want to worry her...again. She knows I'm sick. Her work worries her enough anyway." Cole looked at the covers. "Maybe I should say I didn't want to DOUBLE worry her..."

Ceroba didn't say anything in response, knowing it was a point of contention to talk about for Cole. She kept her gaze upon the legs.

"Can you sit up?" Ceroba asked.

"Y-Yeah...just need a minute..." Cole held on to the mattress, pushing himself up while real wobbly at the same time. Ceroba stood there, not believing what she was seeing. The kid who accompanied her just a week ago was now barely able to sit up in bed.

"Okay honey...now shift your legs to the side of the bed for me." Ceroba asked. "Take your time."

After a few minutes and a LOT of effort, Cole mustered the strength to put his legs to the side of the bed sitting up though it took a lot out of him. Ceroba gave him some water and he chugged it down vigorously.

"All right...I want you to stand up for me. I'll be right here to catch you if you fall."

"huhhuh...Okay, Mrs. Ketsukane..." An exhausted Cole held a thumbs up, putting both feet to the floor and with all his strength pushed himself upwards to his feet. "See, Mrs. Ketsukane...nothin'...nothin' to...to..."

Looking down at the floor, his legs suddenly turned to jelly and he collapsed, Ceroba rushing to grab him with her arms.

"C-Cole...COLE!!" Ceroba cried out in concern, feeling his neck. "Oh my Angel!! He's not conscious!!"

Several more hours passed as Cole came in and out of consciousness. He heard what sounded like paramedics looking him over and laying him back in his ramshackle of a bed. Lots of yelling, back and forth as well as accusations.

"What in the HELL were you even doing here?!"

"We are granted special authority to..."

"CAMERAS?! YOU HAVE NO..."

"Will he walk again...will..."

Right then, he just wished he could see Kanako one last time if he had to die. He was out of sorts but nothing right now that a friendly wave or a hug from his...was it friend or something more? They both knew they were close but wouldn't call it what it was. He just wanted to see her, that's all he knew for sure...to feel her fuzzy hugs, the fur of her face against his own, her strawberry scented mouth wash breath (she knows that he likes that) hitting his face...

*poke*

He felt a finger poking his face, his eyes slowly opening and reality beginning to come back...

"H-Hey there, cowpoke." Kanako smirked, tears in her eyes and her cheek fur matted with moisture.

"K-Kanako..." Cole smiled, mustering the strength to hug her as Kanako gently hugged him back, Ceroba and Chujin watching from a distance.

"Thank goodness!" Ceroba came to his side, bending down on one knee and washing her tongue over his face and nuzzling the top of his head in motherly concern. "A lot has happened since you passed out, dear."

"The paramedics arrived and found..." Chujin began, stopping himself. "Well, we're just glad you're all right."

"Oh Cole, what happened?" Kanako sniffed, hating to see him like this. "I just thought you had a cold!"

"A-Ah don't know, Kanako...I'm...hope I'm..."

"No, the condition isn't contagious silly." Ceroba reassured him, placing a hand on his head. "But we do know what it is that ails you."

"I had Starlo make a few calls...at Ceroba's insistence." Chujin coughed, Ceroba rolling her eyes. "The doctor...he examined you thoroughly, asked us a lot of...personal questions and came to a definitive conclusion."

"W-Where's Mama?" Cole hugged his covers, getting nervous at where the convo was going.

"S-She's...on her way." Ceroba assured him, rubbing his back looking at Chujin who shrugged in response.

The door slamming open, Martlet rushed in, tears in her eyes and coming to Cole's side, Kanako moving swiftly to the right almost as if she anticipated this.

"I'msorryI'msorryI'msorry" The bird Mom hugged her boy as tightly as possible.

"MAMA...." Cole gasped for air.

"Oh oh sorry..." Martlet let go, tears running down her feathery face. "I'm just glad you're all right."

"Kanako, Chujin...could you leave the room for a few? We have to talk to Cole."

"C'mon." Chujin waved his hand, glad to have an excuse to go examine the rest of the house's architecture.

"Okayy.." Kanako stood up, dissappointed she had to leave. "We'll be right back, ok?"

"Ok." Cole smiled, Kanako meekly waving as Chujin gently shut the door behind them. Martlet and soon Ceroba came to Cole's side, Ceroba's snout lowering as she was trying to find the strength to tell the two of them what was happening.

"Whatever way I put it, Cole...it's not good." Ceroba looked up. "You have what they call HMDS...Human Monster Detachment Syndrome. You're not paralyzed or anything but whatever upper body strength you have is gone. Your body, your arms and legs...you can move them but you will not be able to live normally for the rest of your life without someone's assistance. Your fear of becoming "detached" from us has caused your body to become "detached" in a sense and attack itself."

"N--no...wait, what?" Martlet raised an eyebrow.

"It's quite rare. It only really happens in families that are mixed like you and Cole's...or Dina and Melody's. The doctor mused that something must have triggered it for it to show up so early because people don't usually don't develop it this young...mostly when they're older and yearning for their younger years with their monster parents or relatives. Your fear of detachment is hurting you, honey...literally and figuratively. It's not fatal but it's quite the handicap. I'm afraid you'll never walk again."

"So, mah fears of losing you all is hurting me?"

"I should've never brought you to the city." Ceroba stood up, turning away and beginning to break down. "Maybe then..."

"Mrs. Ketsukane...no! That was one of the best days I ever had!" Cole reiterated.

"Cole, I exposed you to those horrible people in CPS! I..." Ceroba looked back at him.

"I would've been responsible using that logic." Martlet came over to Ceroba. "Either way, Ceroba...you can't blame yourself for this. No one could've known this would happen. If anything--I should blame myself. I haven't been the best Mom, have I?"

Cole closed his eyes in frustration, getting sad.

"STOP IT! STOP IT....YOU'RE THE BEST MOMS!" Cole cried in anguish. "Y-you both...didn't do this. I did."

"C-Cole." Martlet and Ceroba turned around, looking at him again after coming to their senses.

"Ah'm getting worried when I should be tryin' to stay positive. But ah can't help myself when I say I don't want to lose you guys. I'm sorry ah'm such a burden...ah never wanted this to happen..."

"Honey, you're not a burden." Martlet coupled his face in both wings. "You're the best thing to happen to me and seeing you suffer doesn't bring me joy...not at all!"

"Agreed." Ceroba laid her head atop Cole's. "You and Kanako are the greatest treasures in our lives. We would never think of you as a burden and you are NOT."

"I--I know that..." Cole's voice got weak. "But I, oh why am I...*huck*"

The three of them embraced together, Cole feeling the warmth bring him a little bit of relief. It was funny, in this moment...he almost felt normal being within the warm embrace of both his "Moms". He...didn't want this to end. The only thing that would make this perfect is...Kanako...and if he wanted, Mr. Ketsukane.

"So...what happens now?" Cole looked at Ceroba and Martlet as they pulled from the embrace.

"Oh Cole, this place isn't handicap accessible..." Martlet looked around. "And I don't have the money for a new place..."

"Wheelchair isn't an option. He wouldn't be able to get into and out of it reliably." Ceroba stood up, undoing her hair tie so it came down. "Cole....I hope you don't mind but I volunteered to be your...erm, helper."

"Whatever do you mean?" Martlet stood up.

"There are not many monsters that have prehensile hair like I do. This is how HMDS is "treated" or should I say...managed. Cole is going to need constant physical contact with a monster that is close to him emotionally. I can manage that...thankfully for me, even at 18, our Cole is a lightweight!" Ceroba grinned.

Cole gave Ceroba a funny look but then let her continue.

"Well, maybe I could learn...though I'm not sure how." Martlet looked at her own long hair.

"For fox monsters, our headfur and tails are a natural extension of our bodies. When Kanako grows up a bit more, she'll be able to take over for me but for now, Cole will unfortunately have to stick by me at all times." She bent down, her hair spreading out all the floor. "I know this is not IDEAL and Chujin will just have to get over it...but I don't think you want to stay confined to this bed...do you?"

"N-No, Mrs. Ketsukane...ah don't." Cole sighed. "Ah suppose, I could learn to live with it."

"Here's the other important part honey...our souls will be feeding off one another. So every once and awhile, you might see things you weren't meant to see and vice versa." Ceroba explained. "We'll essentially be one person split in two. I don't want to scare you but these are things that will and can happen if we undergo this."

"A-Ah want to feel better, Mrs. Ketsukane...ah hate this!! Just do it." Cole shook his head, closing his eyes and prepping himself.

"Martlet?" Ceroba glanced over.

"You heard my boy...go ahead Ceroba, I trust you." Martlet smiled.

With a sigh, she carefully guided the strands of her hair under and over the body of Cole who lay there as he felt the various hair strands wrap around snuggly and securely. It was Mrs. Ketsukane was wrapping him up in the warmest hug she could imagine. Her eyes closed and focusing, she neatly wrapped him up like a little burrito in her orange hair and he bumped against her backside.

"So?" Ceroba looked back.

"A-Ah feel...better!" Cole cheered. "Mrs. Ketsukane...whatever you're doin', it's working!"

"Thank goodness!" Martlet hugged the hair wrapped Cole, Cole reaching outside his new cocoon home to return the gesture. "Oh Ceroba, you have no idea how much this means to me!"

"I have an idea." Ceroba assured her, Martlet hugging her next. "The good thing is that if necessary, I can detach you for maybe 5-10 minutes at a time but it's not a good idea I've been told."

"So no midnight snacks..." Cole fussed.

"Oh, you know we both have a sweet tooth honey. I'm sure we'll make it work!" Ceroba brought him forward, pinching his cheek. "I'm actually kinda excited about this...I'll get to pinch those cheeks much more often!!"

"Mrs. Ketsukane!!" Cole moaned as Martlet giggled for the first time all day.

"Hm?" Ceroba looked at her phone buzzing in her kimono pocket. "I suppose we should...test this. Cole, I'm gonna put you on the bed for a time and you just tell me how good you feel until you need me to rewrap you, ok?"

"O-Ok..." Cole said, just getting used to being in the head cocoon, Ceroba gently placing him on the bed.

"In the meantime, I'll be your surrogate and encase you in a feathery embrace of goodness!" Martlet couldn't but get excited, hugging Cole close to her chest keeping him close.

"Oof! Momma...."

"I'll be just a minute, you two." Ceroba smiled, stepping outside into the hall.

Accepting the call, she closed her eyes in anticipation as if she knew who it was and said hello.

"How touching. Now the kid gets to be your accessory whenever you're on errands!" The familar voice of Clovis boomed into her ear.

"(Clovis...I thought I made myself very CLEAR.)"

"Crystal. That's why I'm calling you from my office in Houston and sent the CPS folks your way." Clovis picked at his teeth. "Only the very best for my Roba...say, did Cole enjoy that cowboy comic?"

"He...did." Ceroba was taken aback by such an off topic question. "Why?"

"Oh, you know those old cowboy comics...with them trigger happy outlaws. You never know what can happen in those goofy stories, I tell you." Clovis reiterated. "Happiness, heroism...tragedy?"

"(What did you do?!)" Ceroba demanded to know.

"Oh, nothing Cole wouldn't have done himself in his early 20s...y'know, it's not everyday you find out kids eat gunpowder as part of their everyday diet. It's funny, I don't recall that being on any food pyramid."

"(GET TO THE POINT!)" Ceroba hissed into the phone, getting impatient.

"I laced the pages with a foreign substance, you cow." Clovis replied in a rather sinister tone. "You'll see what in the email I sent you and Chujin just now...we are not done, Roba. Far from it. You and the Colemeister have a good night now."

*click*

"N-No..." Ceroba opened her emails hurriedly, seeing the white substance. "NO!"

"CEROBA, WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!" Chujin shouted from downstairs. "WHY IS A PICTURE OF MY MOTHER'S DUST THAT SAYS "WITH LOVE :D" IN HERE!"

Rushing down the stairs where Chujin was looking at the email from Clovis, Ceroba stood there...her world coming down before her eyes.

"C-Ceroba...is this true? Did you...settle with Clovis?" Chujin stood up. "Did you...deliberately not involve me in a case that very much meant THE WORLD to me? And what..."

"CHUJIN....Clovis laced the pages of a cowboy comic Cole was reading in a liquidfied form of your mother's remains. Cole was touching the pages with his fingers. It must've triggered his HMDS while I was getting the settlement check...the $5,000 I deposited yesterday. Honey,...I'm--I'm--sorry, I didn't mean for all this to..."

Chujin came to her, grasping her shoulders gently unexpectedly, the man looking into her eyes with the concern she knew he had in him.

"What...did that bastard do?" Chujin asked. "Slow down and tell me the whole story."

"A-All right." Ceroba sniffed. "For the past year, I've been building a case with the help of Rudy and Carol Holiday against Axis Incorporated in hopes of getting royalties for you and the proper credit you deserve in the creation of the original prototype of Axis. Despite my best efforts to keep this on the down low in case things didn't turn out the way we expected, I...I did my best to hide it. Cole only knows because I brought him along to get the settlement check."

"And thus his HMDS. How could he be so...so reckless? All the time I knew him, I didn't think he could be so low as to endanger a child like this." Chujin sat back. "We're not safe here..."

"Chujin, what are you thinking?" Ceroba sniffed.

"Carol and Rudy funded this case, didn't they? Would they be willing to fund a move to the northeast, where that bastard can't watch us with his cameras?"

"Y-Yes!" A flicker of hope came to Ceroba. "I can call her right away! I know this will be hard for all of us, Chujin, but I..."

"Dear, one thing at a time. This is a bit much to take in already..." Chujin sighed with eyes closed and a sense of relief on his face from seeing happiness come back into Ceroba.

"A-Agreed. Say, what happened to Kanako?" Ceroba wiped a tear from her face. "She'll want to know what's going on with Cole."

"She slipped outside. Think she said she saw someone sneaking around...."

Meanwhile outside, Kanako leaned against Martlet's front door, arms crossed and a look of annoyance aimed squarely at Melody who had her hands buried in her pockets.

"What do you want? You not get enough of a warning yesterday, you hag?" Kanako bared her canines.

"N-No, not that it matters but I was...concerned." Melody said.

"What, for your image?" Kanako spat.

"No, you fuck! About Cole...heard he was down something bad." Melody recanted. "My Mom told me just an hour ago he was out of sorts..."

"Y-Yeah, he is." Kanako admitted.

The two stood there, one staring at the other for a full minute until Melody just let Kanako have it.

"You know how much I hate you?" Melody stood there. "How much I can't stand you hogging the only other human in this town to yourself?"

"What do you care? You hate Cole...he told me you pushed him against a wall!" Kanako argued back. "My father had to run you off!"

"Y-Yeah but that doesn't mean I didn't want to try and not be friends with him at least! I'm fucked up in the head, Kanako...I can't help that. My Mom tries but she knows it's useless. I'm not gonna apologize for bein' me. But tell Cole...take care." Melody turned around, beginning to walk away.

Surprised to see this bit of caring from Melody, Kanako reached out.

"M-Melody?" Kanako asked.

"Yeah?" She looked back.

"..." Kanako closed her eyes. "Take care of yourself."

"Don't you leave his side, Kanako." Melody bared her own teeth this time. "...yeah, you too."

"I won't...and yeah, I will." Kanako formed a small smile.

---

"So...you're sure this won't come back to bite me in the tuckus?" Clovis sat at his desk, looking out to the night sky.

NO. YOU ARE SAFE FROM RETALIATION, I ASSURE YOU.

"Doctor. I still consider Chujin a friend but moving up the timeline like this, I don't know..."

IS THAT DISAGREEMENT?

"No, I'm just suggesting we keep on the original plan. Let me do my thing and then your "Lord Knitanus" or the Knight or whatever can...do her's."

THIS IS MY PLAN. WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE INVERSION.

"...Very well, Doctor. I'll contact Carol Holiday and let her know." Clovis sighed.

GOOD. VERY GOOD. AS YOU WELL KNOW...THIS..IS MY DELTARUNE.

6:40 AM

Chujin sat in his lab, sipping his morning coffee talking on his cell phone. His nerves were standing on end, an "old friend" calling again.

"How the hell did you just get this number?" Chujin gritted his canines.

"Can't an old friend just call his favorite buddy?" The voice on the other end grinned through the phone.

"Friend no longer describes our relationship, you know that." Chujin wanted to slam the phone down.

"Y'know, you should let me come visit...we could catch up, do some fishing..."

"TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT." Chujin increased the tone of his voice.

"I want you to acknowledge our friendship, good buddy....that's all."

"You can....what?" Chujin pressed the hang up button, hearing footsteps and going to his lab door opening it.

*CRASH*

Down came the new $500 nine tailed fox shaped vase that Ceroba had just bought, right in front of Cole's eyes. He grabbed both sides of his head in a panic, having brushed against the side of it in a panic. Chujin looked down at his "lost investment" and then towards the object of his hatred, looking to grab him.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Chujin exclaimed. "I COME OUT TO GET SOME...MORE COFFEE BEFORE STARTING MY DAY AND I WALK INTO THIS?!"

"I-I'm sorry sir, you--surprised me, I backed up and bumped into the vase. Ah'm terribly sorry, sir and I'll do anything you want..." Cole began, beginning to mumble his words and back up again, this time making sure not to target anything else that was expensive (or expensive looking--not that there was).

"THAT'S NO EXCUSE!!" Chujin bent down, picking up one of the pieces. "WHAT ARE YOU, A RETARD?!"

"N-No, I..." Cole whispered.

"THEN WHAT, HUH?!" Chujin put his snout inches away from Cole's face. "WHAT NEW EXCUSE IS IT GONNA BE THIS TIME? BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY, I AM QUITE---"

"--Tired." Kanako came up from behind Cole, separating the two yawning like this was normal. "Daddy, you spooked him. Let it go."

"This was for your mother, Kanako!! What am I gonna tell her?! Your IDIOT of a human was a klutz and "accidently" hit the vase?!" Chujin finger quoted.

"Yeah Dad, it was an ACCIDENT. Something you don't seem to understand as a concept. Cole is always walking around here on hot coals because you treat him like trash. I don't know what happened in your past but Cole has never done anything to you." Kanako crossed her arms.

"A-Ah'll go, Kanako--we're gonna be late for school if we don't hurry."

"OH NO YOU DON'T." Chujin pointed a finger over Kanako's shoulder. "YOU'RE GONNA TELL ME HOW YOU'RE GONNA PAY TO HAVE THIS REPLACED."

"B-But sir, I..."

"Daddy, stop it!!" Kanako demanded, Chujin pushing past her and Cole backing up against a wall this time.

"Stay out of this, this is between me and your human!"

"DADDY!!" Kanako grabbed his right shoulder. "Can we at least wait until Mom gets down here...that was her vase, wasn't it?!"

"..." Chujin stopped himself, sighing in contempt. "...Fine. Sit in your usual places at the kotatsu while we await your Mom getting out of the shower."

The two went to sit down in silence, Kanako rubbing Cole's back as he trembled sitting down and Chujin went back to the shattered vase, looking it over. After several minutes, a freshly cleaned Ceroba Ketsukane made her way down the stairs having heard the screaming from downstairs. She wasn't expecting flowers and rainbows but all the same, tried to keep things cheery until...

"Oh my..." Ceroba walked over, seeing the broken vase at her place on the kotatsu, with a note saying "Courtesy of THE HUMAN.". Chujin sat across from Ceroba's place, still fuming but quite calm now given the circumstances. "However did this happen?!"

"Ah--ah bumped into it when I was surprised by Mr. Ketsukane opening up the door." Cole managed to say, looking at the kotatsu. "I-If you want, ah'll never come here again...."

"I'd say that is a fair punishment given the circumstances." Chujin mused, rubbing his chin.

"..." Ceroba picked up one of the pieces and then looked over to Cole, who looked just as broken as Chujin stared him down. "Why yes, Chujin, I do believe a punishment is in order."

"Y--You do?" Chujin was taken aback.

"Banishment from this establishment just won't do as a fitting punishment." Ceroba explained. "Perhaps no more hanging out with Kanako."

"MOM, what're you..."

"The ADULTS are talking, sweetie!" Chujin frantically silenced his daughter.

"Or perhaps punishment of a more physical nature?" Ceroba summoned her hidden staff out of her sleeve, it unsheathing and forming into a whacking stick with bell attached, looking straight at Cole who looked down, accepting of his coming punishment.

"W-Whatever you...feel is necessary, Mrs. Ketsukane." Cole shook in fear, Kanako holding both his shoulders and staying close to him in fear of what might happen.

Walking around the table, Ceroba stood over the boy she'd come to love over many years...the boy who hung out with her Kanako, the boy who gave her drawings (badly made mind you) of different cowboy shows to hang up and who ate her cooking despite how poor quality it could be at times. Raising her staff, she raised it and proceeded to light tap Chujin on the head.

"H-Hey!! CUT IT OUT!!" Chujin complained as Ceroba continued to tap him in succession.

"Should I punish him more like this, Chujin? I just can't decide!" Ceroba stated sarcastically. "Maybe a whack to the side."

"THIS IS ABUSE!!" Chujin complained, covering his head.

"No, it's a reality check." Ceroba slammed her staff down. "Knowing you and knowing Cole, I believe Cole's word that it was an accident and not worthy of a court martial by Judge Ketsukane."

"OH, so that's it huh?? He gets off scott free ONCE AGAIN?!" Chujin stood up, facing his wife. "You always defend him! WHY?! Why do you and Kanako have to be so...so STUBBORN about this?"

"Because one...Cole is a part of this family too just like Martlet. It's your refusal to acknowledge this simple fact that frustrates me to no end, Chujin! You had a hurt--years ago now--and it's a deep one. I've acknowledged it, consoled you and talked to you many, many a time. I've also had to apologize for your nature."

"A-Apologize..." Chujin took a step back. "APOLOGIZE?! TO HIM? For WHAT exactly?"

"THIS." Ceroba a finger in his chest. "THIS TREATMENT....THIS BLATANT HYPOCRISY OF YOURS. It never ends, I..."

"I...If it's all the same, ah'll just walk to school now." Cole didn't like seeing them fight.

"Cole, just stay where you are." Ceroba calmly looked over. "For a few minutes, at least?"

"O-Ok." Cole obeyed, Kanako keeping her arms around him.

Chujin and Ceroba just stood there, silent for once as the other didn't know to say.

"We're just going in circles here...I think I'll just render judgment on both parties." Ceroba slammed her staff like a gavel once again, Chujin begin the one to stammer this time.

"W-Wait...both parties?" Chujin whispered.

"Chujin Ketsukane. For the crime of being an all around blowhard, I sentence you to a load of hot air!!" Ceroba turned around pointing her behind at Chujin, who shuddered in fear.

*FRRRTTT!!*

"...from my behind." Ceroba grinned in the most Looney Tunes way possible, waving the air behind her butt. Chujin closed his eyes, coughing and gagging.

"Ughh, that was nasty!! Aughhh..." Chujin coughed, waving his hands as Ceroba stood up, excusing herself and Cole/Kanako holding their noses in response. With that, Chujin took off for his lab and slammed the door behind him. Ceroba sighed, hoping maybe this would teach him SOMETHING but then looked to the other party in this "trial"...Cole.

"Cole Ketsukane..."

"But ma'am, ah'm not..."

"COLE....don't interrupt the judge." Ceroba booped his nose.

"Okay...." Cole apologized.

"(T-This is silly!)" Kanako stuck her tongue out.

"Now, as I was saying...Cole Ketsukane...I sentence you to a day out with me with ultimate punishment yet to be decided!" Ceroba grinned, poking his nose again. "Kanako, take this signed note with you to school would you dear?"

"But Mommm..." Kanako complained.

"You'll get to spend time with Cole later on, I promise. Now scoot!!" Ceroba ordered.

Sighing, Kanako hugged Cole around the neck, Cole returning the hug tight and got up with her back pack, waving goodbye to the two of them. Cole remained seated at the kotatsu, unsure what was exactly happening here.

"Um, what exactly is happenin' here, Mrs. Ketsukane?" Cole asked.

"That's JUDGE Ketsukane!" Ceroba sat down at her usual spot, booping his nose again. "And it's exactly what I said...you're spending the day with me! Awkward dinners aside, it'll be nice to just talk to you without Chujin staring down your neck."

"Ah--guess that'd be nice." Cole twiddled his thumbs together.

"What? Do you want to go to Ultimate Punishment already?" Ceroba rubbed her chin mock seriously.

"U-Uh--no, whatever you're up for...Judge."

"Great! It's a date with the judge then!" Ceroba quickly lapped the side of his face.

"O-Oh..." Cole blushed in response. Was that strawberry breath mint?

"And don't worry, Martlet already knows about our little adventure today. She's been worried about you lately...how you're faring in school." Ceroba asked. "I know you're capable of better."

"No offense Mrs....I mean, Judge...but why're you keepin' track of my grades?"

"I told Martlet I would and like I said, you're a part of this family whether Chujin likes it or not." Ceroba went to the counter, picking up her travel bag. "You got your lunch?"

"Ummm." Cole started.

"Oh Cole..." Ceroba walked over to Cole's backpack, taking out a brown lunch bag and seeing a single container packed.

"S-She said she tried to make it extra special..."

"Burnt pancakes...oh Martlet, we're taking you to culinary school." Ceroba shook her head, then raising her fist to the skies. "FIRST CHANCE I GET!!"

Cole sighed, knowing what Ceroba meant by culinary school...the latest lesson on corn chowder and corn chowder related cuisine. For what it was, Ceroba made it just fine. But to have it...all the time...was "grating" as Kanako would often say.

"All right, Cole...forget your packed lunch. We'll stop by somewhere in the city." Ceroba winked.

"Oh--okay." Cole sighed in relief as Ceroba could "change it up"...every once and awhile!

Having listened to what was being said outside, Chujin stood in his workshop looking over all the junk he had piled everywhere. Was this his legacy? A old ramshackle of a shop, barely able to keep the lights on not to mention infinite corn chowder? He punched the wall, irritated. He had saved up MONTHS for that gift to his wife on their anniversary. And all it took was a *bump* to break it. He knew it was an accident but any chance to see Cole gone from their lives was a chance he had to take. Martlet would understand eventually and come to her senses. She just had to.

"Oh Ben 10, you always make me feel better." Chujin picked up the CD, intent on listening to it.

10:30 AM

"Office Of Child Protective Services"

Cole gulped, reading the gold plague that was next to the door as Ceroba, grimace on her face, grasped on to Cole's hand as she walked into the office within city hall. Houston was a sprawling town but only an hour's bus ride from the "Wild East".

"Hello there, Cole! My name is Beverly, how are you?" A black haired representative in her 60s, noted wrinkles and skin spots lining her face and arms reached out with a hand. She wore a cheap floral pink shirt with jeans. She figured the look would be "easier" on the kids but Cole meekly took her hand as Ceroba encouraged him.

"G-Good."

"And I see you're the boy's advocate...Mrs???"

"JUDGE..." Cole began to correct the agent.

"Cole!!" Ceroba waved a hand at him. "Just Mrs. Ketsukane will do."

"But you said...." The boy said in confusion.

"COLE... LATER." Ceroba hushed him, running a finger along her neck as if to indicate to be quiet.

"O-Ok..." Cole twiddled his thumbs.

"*ahem*" Beverly sat down to her desk, clicking on her mouse to bring up Cole's file. "So the mother is one Martlet---"

"Y-Yes, she is." Ceroba confirmed.

"You and a Chujin Ketsukane vouched for her. So why is the advocate sitting in for the mother who should be with her child?" Beverly leaned in, titling her glasses down to look at Cole.

"Please look at me." Ceroba asked. "It's only proper to look someone in the eye when you're questioning them."

"Oh, excuse me!" Beverly responded with a sarcastic tone. "Forgive me for not doubting your absent bird's ability to properly be here for the child's sake as she SHOULD be!"

Shifting her gaze to Mrs. Ketsukane while both gave one another a dirty look, Beverly asked again.

"Thank you. Now, the reason I'm here is simple...Martlet had to work. Her job demands a lot of her attention and I'm simply stepping in to prevent an undue course of action."

"Undue??? We've had agents watching your home and the bird woman's. A mess everywhere in the woman's home, meals that are questionable at best, a frightened child...who often eats at your quaint little establishment, does he not?"

"Why, yes he does. It's kind of a running gag at this point but one we enjoy."

"Your husband certainly isn't laughing. He's outright demeaning the boy any chance he gets." Beverly flopped a giant folder on to the table, photos of Chujin confronting Cole spreading about. "It's a wonder he willingly walked in the door with you, being in such a chaotic environment!!"

"While it is true that my husband has his faults, he has never hurt Cole physically..."

"Oh yes, that's true. Grab him by the shirt collar, slam his fist down on the table multiple times...never quite physically but coming quite close. Lucky he has you, his "Mrs. Ketsukane" to come to the rescue." Beverly mock smiled. "Ahh. Always stepping in to talk down the manchild that is your husband...your FAILED husband..."

Ceroba stood up, fists clenched in anger while Cole reached out in concern.

"Wanna say that again, you witch?"

"Oh, about your FAILED husband? How you defend this child yet never stop it from happening...HOPING it will end one day on it's own. That's your husband's resentment for having his life's work stolen from him by a human will just vanish. We do background checks on all advocates and possible parents. If anyone is your judge, jury and executioner, it's me sister."

"You're no relation of mine!" Ceroba flashed her fangs, Cole getting nervous himself tugging on Mrs. Ketsukane's sleeve.

"I-It's not worth it." Cole whispered, Ceroba glancing over to the frowning child.

"Y-You're right." Ceroba excused herself, sitting down. "This FAILED excuse for a government agent can..."

"TRY ME." Beverly stood up this time. "JUST TRY IT. I'LL HAVE THE KID REMOVED AND PUT IN FOSTER CARE AS SOON AS FIVE MINUTES AGO."

"Y-You wouldn't!"

"I already have enough to bring charges against Martlet and your own family. How would you like your daughter to join Cole...or better yet, a foster home hundreds of miles away? I can do it, just try me again."

"Then why don't you?" Ceroba asked, anger in her tone not subsiding.

"BECAUSE--it would be pointless and yours is a case in a sea of cases. We do not prioritize one case over the other. Suffice to say however, you'd be wise to let the clock run out on this one. You have about a month I would say before Cole would...possibly be taken to better places."

"But ah don't want..."

"Young man, you're of legal age to be your own person. GIven that, we are limited in what we can and cannot do with your situation. Just keep in mind we're only doing this for your well-being."

"There's nothin' wrong with mah Mom, Mrs. Ketsukane or even Mr. Ketsukane!!" Cole began to break down. "You wanna insult them, that's fine but don't do it in front of me. It's darn rude."

"...He has a point, your "highness"." Ceroba crossed her arms.

"..." Beverly grimaced, sitting back in her chair. "I'm sorry, you're right. I get a little too exuberant in this job. I have to say, Mrs. Ketsukane, despite your husband...you treat both your Kanako and Cole here right. Corn chowder diet aside, we'll take a wait and see approach to your and...Martlet's parenting...for now."

"Good enough." Ceroba agreed, adjusting her dress kimono. "But if I ever hear a word out of your mouth about my husband or children again that I find distasteful...I will show you some HOT AIR."

Ceroba slapped her butt at the agent, snarling and raised her snout in a huff, grabbing Cole by the hand and hurriedly walking out of that office. Beverly sat back, feeling as intimidated by the threat as Chujin did earlier that morning.

"...why'd you threaten to use...that again?" Cole whispered.

"It's a mighty weapon of last resort, Cole. Don't kick it." Ceroba winked. "Now let's get out of this house of horrors. I'm hungry!"

12:10 PM

"Ahh, quality street vendor corn dogs!" Both Cole and Ceroba tapped their giant corn dogs together, Ceroba dipping her's in honey mustard while Cole went for good old ketchup.

"Mmmm." Cole said in delight, glad to taste something that wasn't partially burnt.

"Nice to see you smile." Ceroba grinned, taking another bite of her hot dog and enjoying it's tender meat taste. "OH THIS IS SO GOOD!!"

"RIGHT?!" Cole cheered in agreement.

Cole and Ceroba sat on a park bench in the middle of the city, admiring the car as they dashed by and everyone shouted swears or just talked in general. Such was the city.

"Sorry about that detour..." Ceroba lamented looking at the sidewalk.

"Why didn't you just say we was going to CPS?" Cole asked. "Ya didn't have to...lie."

Ceroba closed her eyes, putting her corn dog in the tray it came with.

"I'm sorry Cole, I forget you're growing up sometimes. I still see you as that little boy that Martlet had craddled in her feathered arms all those years ago. Couldn't take my eyes off how cute you were!! You took to her like super glue, haha!" Ceroba thought back. "I'm glad you eventually came around to me."

"A-Ah don't know what'd do without either of you or Kanako for that matter, ma'am. Ah'm scared." Cole shivered. "Ah don't know anyone in this here town...all I know is the desert and you guys!"

"A new venue isn't bad at all but being forced into it is another thing. We're gonna do our best to prevent an unjust decision. We still have some time given what the lady back there said...if you can even call her one." Ceroba spat on the ground.

"All the government folks I met always try to be fake nice...as if it's part of their job or somethin'." Cole commented.

"I'm sure not ALL government workers are like that Cole but the system will tear you apart if you let it, especially working inside it." Ceroba explained.

"What do you mean?"

"Another time, perhaps. Still have a lot to do!" Ceroba raised a single finger. "Finish your dog! We got some shopping to do!!"

"Hmmm." Cole looked at the list in the small hope it was different.

Corn

Chowder

Corn Spices

Corn Salt

Corn Milk

Corn...

Cole stopped reading, as if he were dissappointed. He was hoping, for once, Mrs. Ketsukane would "spice things up" when it came to dinner time. But it was corn...again.

"I can see the excitement just beaming off your face!" Ceroba gleefully smirked. "Oh c'mon kiddo, cheer up! Corn is life, life is corn."

"I--I suppose..." Cole giggled. "...this is my ultimate punishment?"

Ceroba shook her head, tapping her chin.

"Nope, haven't decided yet! Now, chop chop! We got shopping to do!!"

1:30 PM

*SLAM*

Kanako shut the door to her locker, taking her backpack and sighing as Cole hadn't shown back up. She was hoping he would but nope, nothing but the dust on the floor and various kids passing her by.

"Hey!" Sadie waved from afar as she and "Gizmo" came up to Kanako.

"Where's Cole? He ditch?" Gizmo mewwed.

"N-No, he's spending the day with my Mom in town for some...business." Kanako grabbed her arm.

"O-Oh." Sadie stopped, realizing what that meant. "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll see Cole when he gets back. These meetings with CPS tend to go rather quick."

"Really?" Kanako asked.

"Yeah, he'll just check in with Ceroba as his advocate and then they'll schedule him another appointment in a few months. Kinda like going to the doctor!"

"The doctor sucks though! Always tells me to stop looking at the screen so much." The cat boy stuck his tongue out in disgust.

"You could do with a little fresh air." Kanako laughed.

"What, the air not fresh enough in here?"

"Not while you animals are breathing it!" Melody walked up, arms crossed, Kanako's fur immediately standing up on end.

"Melody, stop it! You know Kanako's feelings about this!" Sadie said.

"Yeah, that's why I like to rile her up! Only other human in town and SHE has to be the one pining for him."

"W-What are you..." Kanako blushed and turned away, embarassed Melody would she her react like this.

"Everyone knows you two are inseparable, even that stupid Dad of yours!" Melody laughed.

"Well, yeah, so what?" Gizmo scratched his head.

"NO ONE'S TALKING TO YOU PINHEAD!" Melody jabbed, pushing Gizmo into the locker. "Y'know, if Cole were worth going after, I'd have snatched him up just to see the sad look on your pathetic face when I frenched him right in front of your furry freak aaaghhhh!!!"

Melody screamed as Kanako grabbed her by the hair and started dragging her down the hall.

"KANAKO, STOP!" Sadie and Byte screamed as various students stood by.

"LET ME GO OOWW!!" Melody cried as Kanako pulled the girl literally down the hall anger flush in her face. She had enough. With that, Kanako let go of her hair, grabbing her shirt with two hands and tossed Melody out of the school on to the concrete with a thud. Melody spat on the ground, feeling the spot where Kanako had grabbed her by the hair.

"You mention Cole's name one more time, I swear to the Angel above I'll kick your ass." Kanako swore.

"Oh, what...THIS doesn't count?" Melody spat at Kanako, trying not to look weak in her eyes.

"No. That was just a warning." Kanako walked back inside, Dalv coming out of the classroom to see what's going on. "Dalv...I want to report myself."

"...oh." Dalv looked outside, seeing Melody spread out on the ground cursing. "Kanako, you...did this?"

"I dragged her by the hair and threw her out like the trash that she is." Kanako said plainly. "I'm ready to accept the consequences."

"..." Dalv sighed. "Better come with me, then."

1:45 PM

"Y'know, it's too bad you don't have a cell phone. You and Martlet could contact one another a lot more. Maybe one of those cell phones were add minutes for $20 would work?" Ceroba looked at various phones as they walked through the local downtown mall.

"Ah don't know about this, Judge Ketsukane..."

"Okay, enough with the judge title--it's getting old already." Ceroba rolled her eyes. "Mrs. Ketsukane is fine now...but I'm still the judge today, okay?"

"Sustained, ma'am!"

"Oh, you know the lingo?" Ceroba was impressed.

"Yeah, watch a lot of court shows on youtube with Kanako." Cole explained, proud of himself.

"Too bad you don't watch a lot of biology shows. That could help with your science grades." Ceroba flipped over a random phone box, looking at the features.

"W-Well, Kanako watches all those. I kinda just...read anything else when she watches those."

"What biology?"

"Um, male human biology...she always gets flustered when watching it. I kinda turn away..." Cole explained.

You're supposed to watch that in private! Ceroba yelled in her head, laughing at the thought of Kanako watching such a thing.

"Good, even if you're growing up...you two are still not ready...for...THAT." Ceroba didn't even want to go there. "Say, Chujin hasn't caught you two watching..."

"N-No, Kanako makes sure to purge the internet history just in case, like you taught us." Cole saluted General Ketsukane.

"Good going, soldier. Just don't delete my favorites...all my greatest corn chowder recipe inspirations are in there!" Ceroba reminded him. "Oh, Cole...I gotta take this. Oh, hello Chujin...what's...Kanako DID WHAT?!"

3:15 PM

Kanako sat in her classroom, Dalv reading a book while she awaited her sentence. Dina, Melody's mother, opened the door asking where she was, Kanako freezing up when she saw Dina's mother coming to her desk.

"Okay, Kanako...I know you're smarter than this. What happened?"

"You know what happened. I'm ready to be punished now." Kanako closed her eyes.

"..." Dina relented, sitting down at a desk next to Kanako's albeit pushing the desk out of the way.

"S-She always pushes and pushes and Daddy tells me to just ignore it!! What was I supposed to do?!" Kanako cried. "She insults Cole and my family on a daily basis...."

"Melody...is better than that, I promise you." Dina frowned. "I will talk to her but this show of force you put on today Kanako...this isn't you!"

"I HATE your daughter, Dina! I don't know much more plain I can get than that." Kanako sniffed, wiping some tears away. "Cole might be leaving soon and I'm...I'm..."

"I'm in a panic...words I'm all too familiar with, dear." Dina smirked. "I'm not here to punish you..your father already told me he intends to punish you himself."

"...oh." Kanako realized the consequences of her actions.

"I told him to take it easy on you." Dina closed her eyes, patting Kanako on the back. "Melody's been real off beat lately, figuratively speaking. So someone kicking her behind was inevitable it seems. I'm glad it was you and not someone else. I'll talk to her...again. Mr. Dalv, thanks for staying after hours sir."

"Oh, it's quite all right. Gave me a chance to catch up on Lord Of The Hammer! 53rd time going through it!" Dalv smiled.

(Wow!) Dina and Kanako both blurted out together just as Chujin walked in, leaning against the doorway signaling Kanako it was time to go home. Dina hugged Kanako showing there was no bad blood and walked away with her father in shame out into the hallway.

"Couldn't just let it go, huh?" Chujin asked.

"She was insulting me about Cole, Dad! What am I supposed to do, just take it like a wimp?!" Kanako shot back as they were walking.

"No Kanako, you're supposed to NOT DRAG HER THROUGH THE SCHOOL BY HER HAIR! What have I told you about giving in to your lesser instincts?! That's not you!" Chujin barked at his daughter the moment he got outside.

"How would you know what's not me? The only thing you do in your spare time is tell me and Mom how bad humans suck." Kanako said. "You never talk about why you feel that way and always go out of your way to make Cole as uncomfortable while he's in our home!"

Chujin stopped, clenching his fists and stopping himself.

"Look...those are two completely separate things. What I feel about Cole has nothing to do with what happened today with Melody. She might be one of the worse but that doesn't give you the right to just hurt her whenever you like! Monsters are supposed to represent the best of compassion and we..."

"BULL! There are just as many horrible monsters stealing, murdering and looting out there as well as humans!"

"REGARDLESS, you were in the wrong Kanako! We taught you better than that!"

"I--I know Daddy, I'm sorry--that's why I reported myself to Dalv earlier and was prepared for whatever Dina gave me earlier."

"...Sure don't seem prepared for what I was telling you." Chujin adjusted his glasses.

"I knew what you'd say, Daddy. Y'know...the usual "Cole is an evil human who's going to rob the trust fund me and your Mom set up for you!"."

"It's not about Cole! It's about YOU, honey!" Chujin bent down on two knees, grabbing his daughter by the chin. "I love you and don't want to see you fall into anarchy and depression. Don't let Melody drag you to her level...you're better than that! You're better than me..."

"D-Dad?"

"Honey, my hatred for Cole probably is...exaggerated to a degree, I'll admit but that's my cross to bear. You shouldn't live with such hate. It's corrosive. Take it from me, your old man..."

"Can't you just let your beef with Cole go, Dad?"

"..." Chujin sighed. "I...want to but I cannot forget what humanity has done to me, Kanako."

"It was one human, in a sea of good ones. Besides, didn't you help get Cole adopted?"

"I...it's getting late. We'll speak more on this later, honey." Chujin stood up. "Your Mom is bringing home dinner. Let's pray it's not corn chowder she made on the road..."

"Haha, oh Dad...." Kanako looked down, disappointed in her father.

3:45 PM

Back in the city, Ceroba waved a taxi down Cole keeping close to her. Looking around, he couldn't imagine himself living in such a metropolis. Mrs. Ketsukane found herself easily navigating the city with no problems. She made her way here often to go shopping and get whatever it is they needed on what money they had.

"Where ya goin', hot stuff?" The taxi driver, a fuzzy unshaven monster cat asked.

"193 12th St, if you don't mind." Ceroba responded.

"Hey, she's married!" Cole reprimanded the "hot stuff" comment.

"I'm supposed to give a shit?" The taxi driver looked back at Cole.

"If you want a tip, you'll apologize to my ward." Ceroba glared.

"Fine fine...I'm SORRY, WHERE SHALL I TAKE YOUSE?" The taxi driver asked.

"You heard me before." Ceroba sat down.

"193 12th St, YOU GOT IT." The driver honked. "HEY, I"M DRIVIN' HERE..."

"Nice folks..." Cole tipped his hat downwards.

"You get used to it." Ceroba giggled.

"So, where we goin'? Isn't Kanako and Mr. Ketsukane expectin' us back home?"

"Yes but we're making a slight detour. Don't worry, it won't take long."

Within a short time, the taxi driver got them to a rather tall building smack dab in the middle of downtown Houston...Axis Enterprises. Looking up at the tall structure, the tower seemed to go on forever. Cole was rather impressed, Ceroba narrowing her gaze as Cole looked on.

"Mrs. Ketsukane, this place is insane!" Cole exclaimed.

"It certainly is...something." Ceroba closed her eyes. "I'm going to be meeting somebody inside. I want you to stay in the waiting room."

"B-But Mrs. Ketsukane, there's so much to explore--"

"I know you're excited, Cole, but this is no time to run around." Ceroba got stern.

"Mrs. Ketsukane?" Cole was taken aback.

"I--I'm sorry, Cole. I just need you to listen and follow my commands when we're inside. It's VERY important--understand?" Ceroba explained. "We're here to do one thing and then we're going straight home."

Walking inside the entrance to the tall building, Ceroba's hand clasping on to Cole's tight, Cole couldn't help but notice that the statues just outside the building resembled Mr. Ketsukane's "Axis" from home but slightly modified. Walking inside, one of many receptionists smiled at the pair and asked she might help.

"I'm here to see Mr. Clovus. Ceroba Ketsukane, on behalf of Chujin Ketsukane." Ceroba took out an ID.

"Ah yes, the wife! I'll let Mr. Clovus know you're on your way. 36th floor. Can't miss it."

"Thank you." Ceroba took her ID back, quickly dragging Cole along as the receptionist waved goodbye and Cole quickly tipping his hat at her back. As they got into a nearby elevator, a bunch of random humans and monsters gathered inside to go to their various floors. Cole and Ceroba found themselves squeezed together along with a buncha other people...some of which smelled like hadn't showered in days.

"(Y-You smell pretty good, Mrs. Ketsukane...can't breathe tho!!)" Cole whispered, pushed against her side.

"(Just stay close to me Cole, we'll be on the right floor soon enough...)" Ceroba explained.

After a rather long and delayed elevator ride, Cole and Ceroba pushed their way out of the elevator gasping for air and made it into the office of "CSO" Frederick Clovus. Cole wondered what that stood for.

"Chief Science Officer is what that sign indicates, Mr. Young Man." A man in his mid 40s winked with slicked back blond hair and a bleached white smile grinned. "Is this yours, Ceroba? He's quite the Clint Eastwood."

"He's a friend." Ceroba looked down, smiling. "One I'm very proud of."

"Well, whatever he is, bring him in!"

"We're not sticking around, Clovus--I just want to do our business and run." Ceroba closed her eyes, trying not to get irritated.

"Oh yes--legalities. The price of mankind's ascension. Well, young man...what do you say?" Clovus winked. He already didn't like him.

"Ah'll wait in your waiting room, like Mrs. Ketsukane told me to." Cole glared at him.

"As you should!" Mr. Clovus raised a finger. "Hmmph...taught em' well, didn't you sly fox? Well, Ceroba...come in, come in...let's get this nasty business over with."

"I'll be a minute, Cole. Just sit down, all right?"

"Okay!" Cole smirked, sitting down to read the cowboy comic he eyed on the table seated among various magazines.

Walking into his office, Ceroba noted the picture he had hanging on his wall of Chujin and himself posing with the first version of Axis they prototyped together.

"What the hell is THAT?" Ceroba asked, pointing to the picture.

"I would say that is me and my friend posing." Mr. Clovus sat at his desk, reclining back in his black leather chair.

"Take it down. You have NO right to call yourself my husband's friend after what you did."

"That's not a requirement of the little so called settlement agreement we came to in court. All I'm supposed to do is pay you $5,000 and whisk you on your way. Thousands of dollars spent by your mysterious benefactor only to come to such a pitiful amount." Clovus smirked, smacking his chewing gum on purpose. "I don't suppose you came here to ask me out or are you still happy living in a glorified shack out in the middle of the desert?"

"Don't even go there, Clovus. Whatever it is that we had went out the window when you stabbed my husband in the back. At least he has a heart!"

"A heart....yeah, see...that's the thing. He was a bleeding heart. Didn't want to make money, didn't want to grow the business...he wanted to help people...for FREE. FREE Ceroba...wanted to make this whole venture a NON-PROFIT. Bleeding hearts don't make profit! Bleeding hearts only cause bleeding in my wallet! He's the only monster I've ever known that wants to give away technology for free instead of selling it."

Clovus threw his arms around his head, leaning back and relaxing in his chair.

"My offer still stands, y'know. I know your husband is not aware of your little efforts to restore his name, to prove my so-called "theft" of his property. How are you going to explain a sudden influx of $5,000 in your bank account? I doubt he could fix that many toasters to even make that in a month." Clovus looked at her mockingly. "Let me meet the family---"

"You STAY AWAY...I swear to the Angel, Clovus...you even go near the Wild East, I will press charges."

"Like the charges hanging over your family and that bird woman? Oh, don't look so shocked!" Clovus stood up. "I've got connections at CPS--I've kept my eye on you and your little horde of monsters. You've got quite the little life going now...playing Mom to your Kanako and second fiddle to the Colemeister in there. And let's not forget my good ole' friend...and YES, you red head...he's MY friend...Chujin Ketsukane. He was burned so hard he takes it out on someone half his size. Why do you even put up with it?"

"...he's my husband and I know him. The true Chujin will come out of that cocoon of hate one day and we'll be a family, all five of us."

"You really are delusional...honestly, I'd call you short sighted but you're taller than this building. Well, it's been fun catching up...but I got better things to do then to talk a fuzzy brick wall. Take your check and get out of my building." Clovus turned his chair to face the window, looking over the city.

With that, Ceroba snatched the check and went for the door.

"Oh...and Ceroba? Tell Cole he can keep the cowboy comic." Clovus waved with one hand casually.

Ceroba rolled her eyes and walked out in a huff, stuffing the check into her purse and picking up Cole up into her arms hurriedly, dropping the cowboy comic.

"H-Hey!! I didn't get to--"

"I'll buy you another one." Ceroba stated. "We need to go."

7:25 PM

Chujin looked at his watch, sitting at the kotatsu awaiting Ceroba's arrival. She said she'd be in time for dinner but she was late. Kanako sat, slowly sipping leftover heated up corn chowder wishing that Cole was next to her in this moment. Chujin was still rather pissed at her, having almost forgotten about the whole incident with Cole earlier in the day.

The door opened, Ceroba opening the door her hair dragging across the floor.

"Dear, why did you let your hair down..." Chujin sighed. "You know it drags in dirt."

"I felt LIKE IT." Ceroba shot back.

"O--Ok." Chujin raised his arms.

"I--I'm sorry, just a lot to think about." Ceroba began to gather her hair. "Chujin, I have to apologize...that statue was not worth $500...in fact, it was $10.50. The real one I already owned and kept stashed away because I knew both Cole and Kanako were bound to break it as young kids. It was worth $10,000...I sold it for $5,000 in town and deposited the money in our account."

"Really?!" Kanako stood up, stars in her eyes. "Go Mom!!"

"So, let me get this straight--you lead me on about a lousy statue that I thought was somewhat expensive for months and then I bought only to get mad over it for nothing because you sold the one already in your possession for good money? Why ever did you sell it anyway??"

"Because money is tight, honey and we needed an injection. You haven't had any solid work for weeks." Ceroba closed her eyes.

"I take it you dropped Cole off at Mart's?" Chujin crossed his arms, just accepting the explanation.

"...HOPE Y'ALL LIKE PEPPERONI!!" Cole cheered, carrying three large pizzas into the house.

"Not quite!" Ceroba grinned like Bugs Bunny upon the kid's entrance.

Upon seeing the pizza, Chujin and Kanako looked at one another and then to Cole who grinned as much as he could. Chujin, unsure how to feel in the moment, shrugged.

"Put it on the table and take your seat." He said calmly, going to the counter to get some plates.

"Oh oh, we got soda in the fridge!!" Kanako got excited like a six year old. "OMG PIZZA IT'S BEEN SO LONG!!"

Cole did as instructed, Ceroba coming over to his side after quickly doing her hair up again and getting the dirt out, placing a hand on his head.

"You did great today...I'm sure things will turn out all right." Ceroba sat down, smiling at him.

"Thanks!" Cole hugged Ceroba, the vixen closing her eyes and returning the gesture, wrapping her arms around him. Kanako joined in the hug from behind Cole, Cole burying his face in Ceroba's chest. "Ah-Ah--don't want to lose you all...*sniff*huck*"

"Y-You're not going anywhere!!" Kanako argued, recalling earlier. "I don't know what happened today, Cole...but let it all out, ok?"

"Y-Yeah...let it all out." Martlet, having flew in, joined the group hug wrapping her feathered arms around the group. "Hey there, sweetie."

"Ma...*sniff*...Ma, they want to..."

"I-I know, I'm so sorry I couldn't be there..."

"D-Don't cry, Ma..."

"Oh and Kanako, you're grounded for a week. Cole will come to visit you while he takes occasional breaks from his Ultimate Punishment..."

"Which is?..." Kanako was curious.

"Learning the ins and outs of Corn Chowder!!" Ceroba tightened her hug, tears running down Cole's face.

"Oh oh! Can I join?! Oh no, I have to work...NOOOOO!!" Martlet cried.

"A-Aunt Mart..." Kanako sighed, just focusing on the hug.

As the group hug commenced, Chujin sat there in silence eating his pizza and quietly left, shutting himself in his lab. Ceroba closed her eyes, sighing but fixating on the moment. She wouldn't let anyone break up her family...no one. Chujin sat at his chair, sighing, looking at a photo of him actually enjoying Cole's company as a toddler.

Hello everyone, I'm in between writing fanfics so I thought I'd give you my little theory on who the Outlaw is. I don't think it's a coincidence that the arrival of the letter and the Dark Fountains showing up at the same time is a thing. The Outlaw, IMO, is related to Cole directly--I'm gonna go with Cole's actual biological father or mother. On top of that, it's the human who used to be friends with Chujin and stole their technology.

Chujin, in a Walter White-like move, helps Martlet (endorsing her as a parent via letter) adopt Cole at a young age when the same father loses custody of the child as a sort of indirect revenge against the human he worked with. Maybe back then, Chujin felt that Martlet could help mold the kid into something good but as the kid began to grow up and have his parent's features, that resentment began to come back over time and grew into unfounded hatred towards Cole. Ceroba and Kanako could never understand it so they showered Cole with love and understanding to balance out Chujin's erratic behavior.

The Outlaw, wanting to take revenge on Mr. Catsupcoonie(Chujin), enacts his plan to "steal back" Cole...connects with Martlet as a CPS representative over the course of several months noting the distinct lack of attention she is giving her child and threatening to have Cole taken into foster care. On the verge of losing Cole and not sure what to do, The Outlaw comes to Martlet and offers her a deal...do exactly what The Outlaw says and everything will "be all right". Things will go back to normal...the nasty letters will go away. CPS will never bother her again.

Martlet opens each fountain and The Outlaw instructs each Boss Darkner(Bearing and The Evil Toaster) on what role they play. Sadie MIGHT be playing this role as well but given the stress Martlet is under and her INSISTING to do things on her own has me worried that she is actually working with the Outlaw under the assumption that things will go right if she does as he or she says. In a later chapter, the Outlaw betrays her and we get Zenith Martlet as a final boss of I'm thinking Chapter 4 with her saying "I'm so sorry Cole, I just wanted to be your Mom!!". Given there's only five chapters, I believe we're gonna get some sort of major reveal in Chapter 3.

Chapter 5 will test Cole's allegiances as The Outlaw tempts him with history of where he really comes from and that the monsters don't have anything to offer him but false promises of safety and security. Chujin and Ceroba will interrupt this, telling Cole that he isn't their father and that they know how much Kanako relies on him and how the Wild East wouldn't be the same without him in it. Martlet will swope in and start pecking the shit outta the Outlaw before a big final battle starts.

But the gist of all this is that the Outlaw is trying to lure Cole to his or her side by use of the Dark Worlds and at the same time getting revenge on the Ketsukanes for stealing Cole from him (Martlet is Chujin's apprentice and by extension, is considered "part of the family" as Ceroba says), even if it's an indirect "steal" so to speak.

I'll have another story out in the next few weeks. I just wanted to get my thoughts out there. Thanks!

Cole stood outside the Ketsukane Estate, humble as it was. It was enough for a small family...two bedrooms, one bathroom, a giant kitchen and dining area and workshop for Chujin to do his business from day to day. Cole had a certain fondness for this place as he grew up coming back and forth here to see Kanako, his childhood friend. Ceroba or Mrs. Ketsukane often treated him with kindness to balance the certain animosity her husband, Chujin, seemed to have towards him on a regular basis. He gulped...Dalv recommended Chujin to help him with his human biology homework as he had difficulty with it. You'd think being human, he'd have a little knowledge of his own body but he it was not much of a subject he thought about.

"Hey there, sweetie." Ceroba opened the door, a warm smile plastered across her face as she let Cole in. Ceroba greeted him with a warm hug and kiss on the forehead, welcoming him in taking his backpack for him and his hat as there was a strict no "cowboy hats worn in the house" rule. Chujin was fine with this rule.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be the one to help you. Kanako's having just as much as trouble admittedly and she's getting tutored by Sadie. For some reason, she didn't want to tutor you...I'm not sure why. You do something?"

Cole shrugged, as he hadn't the faintest clue. He didn't really hang out much with Sadie except for the occasional hello.

"Remember Cole, I'll be right outside. I have to get this quilt done for Star by tonight as I told him I'd have it done." Ceroba clenched her teeth, hand on Cole's shoulder. He didn't want her to leave him alone with Mr. Ketsukane but she had no choice. "Chujin's right inside his workshop as usual. Come get me if there's any trouble."

"Ok." Cole grimaced, Mrs. Ketsukane hugging him close this time.

"(It'll be all right, Cole. Remember, me and Kanako love you and my husband had a really bad experience with humans...it doesn't justify how he acts towards you. But he promised to be good. Maybe he'll finally give you a break.)" Mrs. Ketsukane reluctantly letting him go and walk towards Chujin's door. Gulping, he knocked as any polite boy his age would and should.

"Is that you, honey?" Chujin sang, listening to his favorite tunes in the office.

"No, Mr. Ketsukane...it's Cole, sir."

With that, the "Ben 10" music blaring from his workshop immediately stopped.

"ONE MINUTE!!!"

"U-Um...ok." Cole stood there.

A few minutes passed, Mr. Ketsukane opening the door. He was covered in oil and had a frantic look about him.

"Are you quite all right, Chujin?" Mrs. Ketsukane looked up from her quilt work.

"Y-Yeah...just cleaning up, that's all! Come on in, Cole...I have a table prepared for you to work."

"T-Thanks." Cole nodded, nervously walking into the door past the intimidating father of the female fox who adored him. He sat down to the table, quickly taking out the notepad and his biology book.

"Ceroba tells me that you're having trouble with your human biology. No shock there..." Chujin rolled his eyes.

"Hm?" Cole looked confused.

"What is your difficulty primarily?" Chujin put his hands behind his back.

"The human brain sir."

"Ah. It does have many facets that can be hard to grasp...for anyone, human or monster." Chujin rubbed his chin. "Well, tell you what--why don't you sit down and go through the chapter and underline the sections that you're struggling in."

"I--I thought we were going to go through them..."

"I'm a busy monster, Cole...if you have trouble with a section, just come to me and I'll help you then. For now, just try and get through it on your own. Now off to it." Chujin pointed to the tiny table with hardly enough space to work.

"Y-Yes, sir."

With that, Chujin went back to his worktable attending to his work while he sat down and struggled with the chapter as he had. A half hour passed and he went through the chapter as he had in class, underlining and highlighting the area that he was having difficulty with...which were numerous. Getting up, he went to Mr. Ketsukane who was working on a car radio when Cole nervously tapped his shoulder.

"...oh, you identified something?" Chujin mentioned.

"Yeah, made a list and everything." Cole smiled, hoping it would impress Mr. Ketsukane. Chujin took the list and was taken aback.

"This handwriting--it looks like Martlet's. It's impeccable." Chujin noted.

"She taught me, sir."

"H-How is she, these days?" Chujin adjusted his glasses.

"Gettin' along. Don't see her a lot due to her workin' a lot of late shifts lately. I see her notes more than I do her..." Cole grabbed his shoulder, looking to the side.

"She's a good worker and a good mother. You're lucky to even have her." Chujin gently put the paper down to the side.

"Y-Yeah, I am." Cole smiled fondly.

"Why don't you go back and see if you can tackle the subjects you listed off for me?" Chujin smiled, going back to his work.

"B-But sir, I thought..."

"Thought what? Back to it. Chop chop!!" Mr. Ketsukane slapped his hands together.

A little put off and not sure what to do, Cole reluctantly went back to his small table to read over the chapter. He went through the notes, trying to understand and was getting nowhere. He just sat there, trying to understand the material but after another half hour, eventually gave up and started just writing in his notepad about Kanako and how he enjoy her and Mrs. Ketsukane's company.

"May I come in?" Ceroba poked her head in the door.

"Certainly, dear." Chujin looked over from his desk.

"No fireworks for an hour--I take it you two are getting along?" Ceroba asked, bringing in some ice teas.

"Swimmingly, dear. Isn't that right?" Chujin sipped some ice tea and looked over menacingly, Cole nodding in fear of Chujin's wrath. He was known to get physical or close to it at times with him.

Walking over to the tiny desk that Chujin prepared him, Ceroba noted the lack of progress Cole had made in his homework. Cole tried to hide the Kanako notes he wrote down but Ceroba shook her head and looked over at Chujin.

"So dear, how much have you helped Cole out?" Ceroba crossed her arms. "It's been over an hour. I'd think you'd be over with a chair pointing out where Cole is going wrong...working that monster brain of yours."

"Cole is doing fine on his own. He wrote down what was wrong on this piece of paper here." Chujin held it up. "He then told me he'd try and do it on his own. Not my fault the human wants all the glory, isn't that right Cole?"

"But Mr. Ketsukane, I came to you and you told me to..." Cole began.

"NO NO, you mustn't lie." Chujin stood up, pointing an accusatory finger at the human. "Not in front of my wife, no less."

"Chujin, don't test me. You haven't helped him one bit, have you?" Ceroba looked him in the eyes, easily able to tell when he was lying.

Chujin blew out some air from his mouth, looking to the side.

"So what if I'm not helping?" Chujin went back to his work. "It's not as if he helps out around here. The only thing he's interested in is my daughter."

Walking over to his desk, Ceroba yanked the male fox out of his chair and slapped him across the face.

"OW!! What the hell was that for?!" Chujin asked.

"Are there any other SNIDE remarks you want to make in front of him, HUH?" Ceroba asked, getting tired of his bullshit.

"What're you talking about? It's true! The only thing that..THING wants to do is snog my daughter!" Chujin growled in disgust, Cole standing up putting his pencil down.

"Mr. Ketsukane, that's jus' not true sir! Kanako's my best friend, I'd NEVER take advantage of her! Surely, you know that!" Cole yelled. "I don't know what ah did to you, sir but it's not fair the way you treat me!! Ah just wanted your help with homework, that's all. If it was such an inconvenience, I wouldn't have bothered you but Mrs. Ketsukane said you'd help."

"Well, she was wrong." Chujin broke away from Ceroba's grasp, looking him down. "And if you think it's so unfair what I'm doing to you...tell the human who stole my work how UNFAIR it is what he did to me!"

"That was another human, sir...we're not all this way. I..." Cole dropped his head. "Oh, why..ah'm sorry Mrs. Ketsukane, I'm gonna go."

"Cole..." Ceroba began, trying to come to his side to convince him to stay.

"Excuse me." Cole bowed before her and Mr. Ketsukane, trying to hide tears as he quickly walked out of the room with his backpack.

Ceroba reached out but the door quickly slammed in both their faces. Chujin shrugged, sitting back down to tend to his work. Ceroba looked at him, shaking her head in disgust and throwing her arms in the air, walking away to catch up with her wayward child's friend. Chujin sighed, knowing what he did was wrong. He was human though...he couldn't be any definition of good. Looking at the parchment that Cole wrote his notes down on, he picked up the paper looking it over...Cole had written down all his areas of difficulty. Chujin glanced at it, clenching both sides of the paper thinking back.

"W-Why did things come to this..."

Just outside the Ketsukane's door, Cole leaned against the wall just to the left, crying into his arms. He hadn't felt this rejected or hated for quite awhile. He didn't know why he had bothered--he just wished he knew what Mr. Ketsukane felt so much hatred towards him. He did nothing wrong!!

"Oh, if it isn't Kanako's favorite boy toy." The other human in town, a girl by the name of Melody walked up. Oh great. "You're cryin'...Mr. Ketsukane rip you a new one?"

"W-what about it?" Cole sniffed.

"He's right to hate you, isn't he Cole? Ever since that...incident in the Mines with Kanako?" Melody grinned. "Don't know why you even come around here...much less come to school."

Cole said nothing, refusing to respond to her nonsense. He knew she was trying to get a rise out of him.

"Not gonna say anything?" Melody walked up to him.

Cole merely sat there, wiping some tears away and keeping his composure refusing to even look at her.

"HEY." Melody grabbed him by the jacket and slammed him against the wall. "I'M TALKIN' TO YOU."

"..I'm not. Let me go." Cole simply asked, his back firmly against the Ketsukane's building.

"OR WHAT? YOU'LL CRY FOR MRS. KETSUKANE? OH, HELP ME ORANGE HAIRED FREAK OF NATURE!!" Melody laughed.

Cole turned red in the face at the insult to one of his favorite people, his fists clenching.

"That's right, Cole. Get angry...do something you'll really regret for life! C'MON, I'M RIGHT HERE YOU...freak?"

The door opened, Chujin holding it open and looking Melody square in the eyes with his imposing stare.

"I heard that line about my wife. I suggest you let him go and be on your way...NOW." Chujin ordered, pointing to the street.

Melody quickly obeyed, letting Cole go and giving him a mocking look and running off down the road. He brushed himself off and wiped what remaining tears he had.

"I'll go, Mr.Ketsukane." He said softly looking down the road.

"...Are you all right?" Chujin asked, as if it were paining him to do so.

"U-Um..yeah." Cole stopped in his tracks, looking back.

"We still have homework to go over. If you'll let me, I will help you." Chujin stated.

"Wait, did Mrs. Ketsukane..."

"Don't question me, INSIDE!!" Chujin pointed inside.

"Y-Yes, sir!!" Cole ran inside to the kitchen, Ceroba surprised to see Cole zipping by her and into Chujin's workshop. Ceroba got up as Chujin walked calmly inside, gently closing the door behind him.

"What was all that about?" Ceroba asked.

"That Melody girl was intimidating Cole...I had to step in before any harm came to him." Chujin explained.

"Chujin?" Ceroba raised two eyebrows.

"Don't take this as a sudden change of heart. Martlet would hate me if I let any harm come to him and that Melody girl is a worse example of humanity than Cole. Cole, at least, shows that he wants to improve himself...and if Martlet believes in him, I guess...I can help him for an hour."

"Well, I'll take it." Ceroba kissed the side of his snout. "You might just have some heart left in you, Mr. Katsupcoonie!"

"Ha ha, I'll tend to Cole now..." Chujin blushed, quickly rushing off.

Ceroba sighed, intending to go back to her quilt but quietly took a photo out of her robe, looking at her, Cole and Kanako all together at a theme park, smiling and whipped cream all over themselves from participating in a pie eating contest. Another family won but they all had a good laugh that day from the experience. She hopes to replace this photo one day...with Chujin and Martlet added in for good measure and then the five of them can truly be a family. For now however, she'd be the intermediary and stand up for Cole as needed. After all, someone had to look out for that kid. Martlet did her best but she needed all the help she could get...and Ceroba was more than happy to provide it.

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In the opening salvo of Chapter 5, it's made quite clear to us that Susie is going on a *DATE* with Noelle. The cast calls it a date. Kris has no comment. Yet...the night before, Susie sleeps in Kris' bed. Quite literally leaves her hair in the bed for Kris to see. Is insisting during the festival they "need Kris" and goes out of her way to prevent Kris from flirting with anyone or romancing anyone despite talking about Noelle endlessly. She probes Kris about whether or not they were into anyone like she's encouraging them indirectly to talk about their feelings...kinda telling Kris things "hey, is this gonna work out?..."...still leaving the door open for Kris to SAY SOMETHING.

There is no way that she doesn't have deep feelings for Kris. She gives the same genuine smile to both Kris and Noelle. Kris risked their life for her. That's not something giving someone a pencil can really top. I think the problem with this is that Susie feels Kris wouldn't be into her given what's happened and the fact that their friendship started on such shaky ground to begin with. She really doesn't mind Kris getting physical with her...in fact, she encourages Kris to sniff her hair when they pull her in close in Chapter 3. She clearly wants to get closer with Kris but doesn't know how which is why she probably embraced the concept of Noelle since she already had a crush on her anyway.

At the same time, she doesn't want to lose what she has with Kris so she's approaching them delicately. When they go to the bunker, she says "they don't have to talk about it". When Susie asks if they saw anyone in the back of their Dad's shop, she writes it off due to their inherent trust of the kid. Noelle even acknowledges the two click and sometimes it's fine if they have their own thing for certain things during the festival.

I ask you "Why the heck would Toby put this here?" and not act on it this chapter other than a brush off about not wanting spikes when she goes to sleep? She became fascinated with this strange human with the apple scent and it frustrated her to NO END. Then that rage became love upon Kris almost dying to King. For the first time in her life, someone showed her a kindness that no one else ever had--and she acted to save that life in return.

She called Kris her friend because in that moment, Kris had earned it. She didn't know why they did what they did--but in the end, it was probably one of the best moments of her life. And now, unknowingly, her own feelings have put their fragile relationship in jeopardy because she wants to have her cake and eat it too.

Sure, the bed could just be basic trolling but I think Toby's straight out telling us "watch until the end you crazy shippers!! The end isn't here yet!!". That's my take anyway. It really is a roller coaster.

Right off the bat, I just want to make it clear this post is not to hate on Suselle or for that matter, Noelle Holiday. HOWEVER, at the same time this post is going to point out a lot of inherent flaws in the way she got to where she is in game. This post is to give context to the whole story of Kris/Susie/Noelle and where they stand now in the form of a nice, open ended discussion. I have been thinking about what I saw and I'm honestly impressed with how it went down. The way that Toby Fox is willing to push his main characters...Kris/Susie/Noelle...to their absolute limits in this chapter. Depending on your choices, normal or "Side B"/Weird Route--the characters can either be...well, we'll get to that.

So let's rip the band-aid right off--Kris Dreemurr ended the normal route on a very, very sad note. They saw their best friend and crush ripped right out from underneath them by Noelle Holiday, their also former crush and best friend. That's not to say they didn't try to show rather than tell (in their own way) when it came to Susie.

Kris Dreemurr is no fool. They have been shown to be very intelligent, cunning and manipulative in their tactics of accomplishing the one true goal..."The Promise". That promise involving one December Holiday. Kris has played the role of "The Cage", keeping our actions as the player under control and on course throughout the game's story. At the same time however, they through bonding with Susie ended up acting on their inherent feelings. And when I say act, I mean ACT.

Chapter 1, they dive in the way of incoming attack from King and end up almost dying. Susie, at the last minute, comes in with the save...saying to get away...from my...friend! At that moment, the two became partners in arms...warrirors bonded through battle in the Dark Worlds trying to save our world from certain destruction from the mysterious entity known only as "The Knight". When you put it like that, it sounds like a plot from a Saturday morning cartoon...hey, I love cartoons, what can I say?

Chapter 2, when their latest Dark World adventure is over, Susie and Kris are on the couch watching giant monster movies. Susie comments on how she likes them better than the "giant human" movies. There's a brief silence and then she brings up the Festival in a sort of nonchalant way aka "it's no big deal". Susie asks if they'd rather bring Ralsei or Noelle to the festival. Kris, when given the choice "You" says it earnestly and without hesitation. Susie is taken aback by this momentarily but claps back saying "way to dodge the question, dumbass!" but then reassures Kris that she and Kris would there together no matter what if she goes.

Chapter 3, while Kris gets done with the Sword Route sidequest--Susie comes in to check in on Kris and asking them what they're doing. At this time, we still have control of the little game avatar of Kris and can direct them to attack Susie....only for real this time. All the time, Kris is eyeing us and IMMEDIATELY pulls Susie by the jacket away from the attack just in time, the two getting rather close. The moment is brief but awkward. Susie, not sure what to make of the situation...plays along and assumes Kris wants to sniff her shampoo (like she does in class everyday) and pushes her hair in Kris' face, waiting for them to make the next move.

This, I feel, was the biggest chance for Kris to score but they failed. They were always going to fail because they were bound by "The Promise". This Dark World in Chapter 3 was created as a distraction to keep Susie (primarily) occupied until Undyne showed up to be kidnapped. However, to go back to my point--Kris had their biggest chance to say something. They didn't have to say anything about the plan...just say "y'know Susie, I--I really appreciate you...more than you know." or SOMETHING to hint at greater feelings. But Kris does the worst thing and calls Susie "weird" for what they did, making her feel rejected and walking away.

Kris, unintentionally, pulled Susie in close and Susie interpreted that as "oh, what's this? Do they want to take things further?". She decides to give Kris a bit of first base and pushes her hair in their face. She's letting Kris get intimate with her....go for it Kris, I shouted loudly in my mind! And what does Kris do? They meekly push her away, calling her weird and going on with their Dark World adventure. Susie does not want to talk about it afterward, feeling embarrassed and lead on.

Under normal circumstances, if Kris got that far in the light world when let's say it was just them in Kris' bedroom and they were shooting the shit, talking, etc.--Kris would've definitely sniffed to their heart's content. But Kris was not living a normal life. They are "The Cage" and at the same time, are in a cage of their own emotional baggage. For Kris, it's a rock and a hard place they're constantly having to deal with. Any personal moment they can get with Susie is just one more reminder of what they can't have with her...or might've had with Noelle at that.

Chapter 4, it's near the end of the Titan fight and Susie asks Kris to take their life in her hands. Kris is more than willing to do that. This is an attack you could do in Chapter 2--Susie tosses Kris at the enemy with sword pointed out as an attack. However, Susie gets other ideas. She yoinks Kris off their feet into the air, lifting them up over her head and jumps into the open face hole (oui) of the Titan, a brilliant scene of Kris and Susie swirling down within the Titan around the soul which then proceeds to seal the Titan in a brilliant display. If anything, this was a brilliant culmination of Kris and Susie's relationship up until this point.

In battle, their teamwork is second to none. Kris' intelligence and speed combined with Susie's adaptability and raw power allow them to accomplish many a task which some might find impossible. I see you out there saying "but HEY, we did all the heavy lifting here as the soul!"...it IS Kris' soul after all, we're just controlling it to play an awesome game. But I get your point and that is beside the point. Regardless of the circumstances, Kris and Susie have seen a lot of pain and grief together. And that's where we come to the breaking point or the beginning of it in my opinion--

For a long time, Toriel has been put up on a high pedestal by Susie--saying she's a good Mom and being very defensive of her. It's part of why Susie bullied Kris--thinking Kris didn't appreciate her enough and what they had when, in reality, Kris wasn't in a very good place with their Mom and Dad. When they saw Toriel dancing drunk with Sans, she backed up in a panic, seeing Kris get upset by the sight. Susie...escaped. It's what she did in the "Newest Girl" when she got upset by whatever she saw on Kris' face in that moment...she ran away.

Susie does come back at the end of Chapter 4, shouting up to Kris' window and quieting Sans and Toriel's "all night joke session"...yeahhh, Toriel...all night "joke sessions"...anyway, like she said at the end of Chapter 3, no one was being left behind. Kris, in that moment, felt left behind when Susie exited stage right. BUT--she came back for them, asking Kris if they were going to make sure it didn't happen...the final prophecy, the final tragedy. Susie walks away in the rain, unsure of herself. Kris gets up on the windowsill, ready to follow her. However, the ominous voice at the end of Chapter 4 reminds them..."You promised, Kris!".

And so we come to Chapter 5. We all know the moment. No, not that one....not the beach scene. I'm talking about the more heartfelt scene where Susie recalls their adventures. It's pretty cute--it's at night, the Christmas lights are strewn up everywhere and they're walking, side-by-side, together down the street just talking. It's one of the best scenes of Chapter 5 but it's the final blow for what turned out to be one of the worst days of Kris Dreemurr's life. As Susie described it--"their thing" is turned into "their thing plus Noelle". Kris, despite all their efforts, has been "friend zoned" by Susie. With a simple frown, Kris walks away as Susie says good night from the Castle Town supply closet door.

On a side tangent, I want to talk about escapes for a moment. At the end of Chapter 4, Kris and Susie walked into a very traumatic sight...a Mom getting way too sloshed up and doing the jitterbug. Kris could've gone home since they knew where the key is but they decided to try and find Toriel instead. That moment triggered a sense of avoidance for both Kris and Susie both. Start of Chapter 5, we find Susie in the Dark World instead of waiting for Kris like she does in the Weird Route.

Ever since she saw the final prophecy, Susie has been engaging in pure escapism...not mentioning the urgency of finding those codes. Just looking forward to the festival, engaging in Dark World activities to start her day and then joins Noelle for her "date". Even she was denying it was a "date" at the beginning, but she wasn't even sure Noelle would reciprocate. Susie then goes on to have a great time with both Noelle and Kris. Kris, of course, falls asleep during the "vital scene". I won't remind you of the details because we've all seen it but to comment...Susie totally engages in Noelle's feelings, she takes them in wholeheartedly. Noelle tells her "I really really like you" and she just accepts which makes me realize something...Susie is just HUNGRY for love. When Lancer told her that her evil ways were cool, she bonded with him almost immediately. When Kris selflessly dived in front of Susie, Susie was quick to call Kris her friend.

So, while what I say may be controversial, Susie immediately reciprocating Noelle's feelings and calling it one of her "best days" in awhile is not out of character...she's wanted to hear it from someone for a long long time. Kris' actions got Susie close to them but hearing someone say "I really really like you" really sealed the deal for Susie. For Susie, words matter. It's why in the "Newest Girl", Kris never reacting or saying anything to her pissed her off so much. She thought Kris was this jackass that didn't deserve a girl like Noelle or Mom like Toriel. They slept during class, didn't seem to appreciate their fellow classmates yet seemed to be well liked anyway. Call it jealousy on Susie's part. So Susie getting a little taste of what "love" is in her mind gave her a sort of "high" she was riding on all throughout the Flower King dark world. If Kris had just said SOMETHING...anything...rather than just do their signature "some looking at me!" stare to Susie...than they would have gotten somewhere in Chapter 3 and the whole seducing Noelle thing would've been a fake out from Susie in Chapter 4 for sure.

Now Kris on the side of the equation has been escaping their own feelings for a long time...Chapter 4 just kinda helped remind them WHY they're going along with the Evil Group Chat. Their life kinda sucks. Dess is gone, Azzy is at college, their parents are divorced and can't agree on anything and they kinda had something to do with Dess disappearing. They are filled with guilt, unable to accept love in any form choosing to distance themselves from anyone and everyone they know. They keep to themselves, totally dedicated to Carol Holiday's plans. However, Susie...Susie somehow broke that barrier and reignited something Kris thought they lost...an appreciation for life and those around them. With Susie, everything was...ok again, as Kris put it when looking in the mirror in Chapter 4.

I know "Love Finds It's Way To The Girl" is something Susie thought she found with Noelle but even Susie even admitted in Chapter 5 that she wasn't sure she knew what love was in the "flirt" fight and when asked, Kris wouldn't admit they didn't know. I would contend "the love" that found it's way to the girl is the selfless act that Kris made for Susie in Chapter 1. Kris' love for Susie caused them to act and it's that love that has caused Kris to stick by and ensure Susie's well being to be intact these last five chapters. All this time, Susie has had the "love" that she thought she was looking for in Chapter 5 but Kris just didn't know how to communicate it. The problem is...Kris often sabotages their own attempt to communicate it because their own communication skills are almost non-existent.

The sad thing is that Noelle took advantage of the hard work Kris put in all this time to get closer to Susie from Chapter 1. Chapter 2, she notes that Kris and Susie are hanging out(stalker behavior much Noelle?) and asks Susie to hang out at the library for their group projects. Then Chapter 4, when it becomes necessary to talk to Noelle in her house--Noelle practically tells Kris to get lost when she wants alone time with Susie (get the school supplies Kris--gooo!) and then Chapter 5, ohh Kris has no choice but to watch Susie and Noelle bond/date. You can't help but feel for them during this time. Noelle didn't even consider the context of Kris' feelings. She was too obsessed with Susie. Maybe she lowkey did this as revenge against Kris for distancing themselves from her without telling her the reason.

You'd think all the time Kris was spending with Susie she would have at least suspected that Kris and Susie were becoming an item, especially with the "touching brooms" comment if you choose that in Chapter 2! But it sorta either went over Noelle's head that Kris might have harbored feelings for Susie (never moved from their seat, put up with Susie's actions, etc. and suddenly they are HANGING OUT? Even Alphys picked up on the fact that they might be a thing and that was EARLY Chapter 2!). For Noelle, Susie was her escape from everything and as a result, she put on the same distance (a different kind mind you but it had the same effect) on everyone she knew. By Chapter 5, she lost Catti as a friend and alienated Kris to an extent. That, on some part, is Kris' fault but at the same time, they're doing all this stuff FOR her and the Holidays primarily. So to see their former best friend and crush getting together is sad.

My primary beef with Noelle is her blatant ignorance of Kris changing...she didn't think Kris could change all of a sudden...that nothing about them COULD change. She thought they'd just stay in their little emotional distance forever...that nothing in Hometown would change. She was a lot more like her Mom than she wants to acknowledge. She really reacts negatively if you get rid of Tenna and give them away to another home. She thought Kris would keep that TV forever. Despite her yearning for just "running away" or change, she yearns for what is familiar at the same time. And her actions, while not intentional, cause Kris great distress in Chapter 5 or Catti to run away in embarassment.

Despite Noelle's actions, I think Kris coming out on what their involvement is and on top of that, their own feelings for Susie...I think it would be great strides towards Kris' happiness overall. Sometimes, it just helps to SAY SOMETHING and that's something Kris needs to work on if Kris wants any chance with Susie, if there's any chance left for them. I still wholly believe in Krusie. The foundation for Krusie is very sound but Noelle seized that foundation and took advantage of it, using it to build her relationship with Susie. If Noelle had genuinely tried to approach Susie without using Kris as a crutch, I think I wouldn't be as opposed to Suselle. I have nothing against Suselle in general but the way it's been established at the expense of Kris and Susie's relationship is wrong in my eyes.

Hope you enjoy this take on the state of the ship. I'll be happy to discuss this further in the comments if you want. Thanks and have a good day everyone!

The school supply closet opened very quietly as Susie poked her nose out of the crack of the double doors leading inside, sniffing around for anyone living. It was Monday morning...EARLY but early enough that she wanted to try and catch Kris before they came into school. They looked a little down yesterday...distant even. She wasn't sure if Noelle joining their little "Fun Gang" was having the intended effect. Kris wouldn't say otherwise but they seemed...dodgy, irritated and just outright...mixed on the subject. Sighing, she shoved her hands in her pockets and made her way outside the school when she saw her intended target sitting on the sidewalk where their Mom usually parked.

"Oh sweet...you're early! Didn't even have to walk to your house!" Susie grinned, coming to sit down next to them.

Kris said nothing, instead looking down at the sidewalk. They were still dressed in the same clothes from yesterday. Susie put a hand on their shoulder, Kris moving it off with a quick shove taking Susie aback.

"K-Kris?..." Susie inquired, seeing bags in their eyes. "Did you stay out here all night long?"

Kris nodded, refusing to look her in the eyes. What she expected to be the start of a brand new day was turning to be a shitty day. Kris was pissed off.

"Dude, what the hell? Why didn't you go home?"

"Didn't feel like it." Kris answered simply, yawning.

"Well, why don't you come in? You can sleep in your bed before class and we can..."

"No." The human stood up, beginning to walk away from her when a firm dragon's hand grabbed Kris by the arm.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Susie opened her mouth, getting upset.

Kris looked back this time, giving Susie a glare and then pulling their arm back...again.

"Figure it out." Kris shoved their hands in their pockets, beginning to walk down the street.

"I..." Susie breathed a sigh, hoping it wouldn't come to this. "Noelle. You're mad that I want to involve Noelle!"

Kris didn't respond but took that as a confirmation anyway, beginning to follow the human down the street.

"And why is that such a bad thing?! I told you why we need to involve her, Kris...why this can't just be us anymore!" Susie threw her arms up in annoyance.

Kris stopped in their tracks, falling to their knees and grasping at their chest. They were weak.

"K-Kris?..." Susie ran over but stopped just short as Kris raised their hand up, holding it outwards as it to indicate a stop.

"I'm fine." They whispered, getting back up to their feet but just barely.

"Answer my question Kris...don't stare at me, don't go quiet when I ask you a hard question--just, FOR ONCE....tell me." Susie begged them in a whisper. "Please Kris."

"Why?" Kris turned around, visibly upset and tears running down their face. "You want to know why?"

Susie went quiet, looking at Kris. They were sweating all over, bags under their eyes from not sleeping and their body visible with signs of decay. The kid did not look good at all and was visibly struggling to maintain their composure. They wiped their tears away, turning around again to leave Susie like she did to them last night when they felt their heart tear away when Susie stated it couldn't just be them anymore.

Then Susie began to speak, stopping the kid in their tracks once again.

"Y'know Kris, I think about that day we almost died and you jumped in to risk your life for me. No one ever did that for me...ever. Noelle...she was nice to me when no one else was. But you...you risked your life for me and we became friends. I've asked myself...was that real? Was this whole thing just a big drug overdose and we both still hate each other? I wake up and you're still right there, ready to get in the way of some asshole looking to run me over and stab me. You have me over your house--I asked you about the stupid festival. I asked you first because I thought that was all I was gonna get at best. I never thought Noelle and I would hit it off...not in a million years. And y'know what Kris...I could be HAPPY with you just being my friend or whatever you want me to be...as long as we kept it going. I was waiting...waiting for any sign...any hint...that you wanted to take this further. You...in Tenna's Dark World...pulled me in close and I thought..."this was it, they're gonna say something"...but you accused me of acting weird and we left it at that. I...gave up and decided I'd let you come to me when you were ready. But Kris...you never did."

Kris looked away and then looked down again, refusing to show Susie their tears, instead clenching their fists as tight as they could. They refused to say anything...not they didn't want to...but they COULDN'T. It pissed them off to no degree.

"What am I to you, Kris? Fuck Noelle...fuck all the other details...just tell me already."

Kris sniffed, wiping away additional tears that came down their face as they felt another presence come up behind them. Apparently, someone saw them sitting on the street all night. The neighbor cat watch.

"Kris. Apologies." Catti placed a gentle hand on them, Kris looking back in surprise to see Catti there. "Abandon you...I won't. Not anymore."

"Can't you see we're talking?" Susie looked aside, crossing her arms.

"Kris...Noelle...me...were a single tribe. You disrupt it further." Catti stood there, keeping a firm hand on Kris' shoulder.

"Oh, did I? I'm sorry you weren't able to say anything to MY girlfriend." Susie grinned, Kris looking away when she mentioned it.

"No. I didn't. But Kris...you hurt them. I don't know how or why...but your words about Noelle upset them. Kris won't say it but they...adore you. You are both of the dark."

"Um...what?" Susie pulled at her collar, not sure of the meaning was referring to Dark Worlds or something else.

"You...get along." Catti sighed. "Kris feels...isolated. Like...you don't want them anymore."

"K-Kris, you can't really feel...dude, tell me she's bullshitting! That she's full of crap!"

Kris merely shook their head in confirmation.

"B-But Kris--you--last night, I thought you understood--we--" Susie began to choke back tears of her own, realizing she had fucked up somewhere."I--WE--need Noelle, don't we? DON'T WE?"

With that, Susie fell to her knees beginning to cry. All the built up stress...knowing what was on her shoulders and now her friend...was upset and they just wouldn't say. They wouldn't--

Kris began to reach out to Susie but Catti grabbed Kris' right arm this time, shaking her head in silence.

"(Best to leave her be.)" Catti sighed. "(Come. We'll get hot chocolate.)"

Kris nodded, frowning but walking along with Catti as she wrapped a comforting arm around them. Kris had not intended for things to go this way but Kris couldn't hold it in any longer. They needed to say something but the words just wouldn't come. Thankfully, they weren't as alone as they thought.

"Kris." Catti stopped them, pulling them into a hug. "(I meant what I said yesterday. Sorry...so sorry...)

Kris, while reluctant at first, wrapped their arms around her in returned, burying their face into her shoulder, the smell of fresh catnip running up their nostrils. It wasn't Susie but it would have to do for now. After all, you cannot choose who you are in this world. You can only survive and make the best of it.

7:00 AM. Yet ANOTHER day for Noelle Holiday to face. Throwing off the covers to her bed, she didn't have to force herself up--her dream had come true. She was going to the festival with Susie!! She hadn't been asked directly though Noelle thought maybe she or maybe even Susie would ask--but it surprised her when Susie told her MOM, ice queen mayor herself....that she was taking her daughter to the festival!! Yawning and stretching out, she made her way to the bathroom.

"My hair....again." Noelle frowned, looking at herself in a sad state. She had to really shampoo this time. Sighing and undressing herself, Noelle walked into the shower stall turning on the shower head, letting the water flow. She stood there in that bathtub, thinking on things and what she told Susie the other day. They really got a chance to talk for once...it was nice. I mean, it was kinda awkward but Susie was just kinda awkward naturally and that was ok. Taking up the shampoo, she grabbed a bottle noting the "apple scent! all natural no dyes" mark on it--oh, the apple shampoo--she bought because she thought it might make her smell like apples and drive her away from...Kris. Kris.

"Kris." Noelle said their name out loud in the shower which wasn't unusual. Other than Susie, Kris was the only other person she really thought about constantly. She tried to bury her feelings but she couldn't deny them. She...didn't know how Kris felt about her. Did they even want to be friends anymore? Did her words about their history impact them at all? Kris was in the closet while her and Susie talked after all...they could hear every word...every HURTFUL word and she knew it.

As the steam rose and her fur and yellow hair became cleaner the harder she rubbed, she couldn't help but think about them more. Why was Kris acting so--social all of a sudden? Years ago...when...it...happened, Kris had grown distant from everyone, especially her. No reason stated, no malice communicated. One day, they were playing at her house and the next, she never saw them again outside of school. Even then, it was Kris mostly sleeping at their desk or her tutoring them on schoolwork. Kris kept it professional, never talked about anything other than schoolwork. Turning off the water, Noelle closed her eyes and clenched her fists.

"C'mon, you can move on Elly! Don't think about them today. You can't mess this up!" The doe's teeth chattered as soon as she got out of the shower and grabbed the nearest heavy towel meant for furred creatures for maximum warmth and water absorption. Only the finest for the Holidays Carol quoted.

"If it was up to Mom, we'd all wash ourselves in a public bath!!" Noelle laughed given her Mom's quiet obsession with otaku culture and Japan in general.

Noelle stopped laughing as she heard a knock at the door.

Mom.

"Honey, can you meet me in the kitchen? I just want to go over a few things today for the festival."

"Sure, Mom! Just gotta finish up!" Noelle yelled back with a nervous flare, quickly drying her body and plopping her fuzzy butt on the toilet, shaking. The "talk" from yesterday was more intense than usual..."How DARE you allow that...stranger to just touch December's things!! You don't even know her!!"

She was WRONG about Susie, Noelle thought. She didn't know her like she did...well, admittedly, she knew more about Susie than she did yesterday but not nearly as much as she did about Kris.

"Oop, too much chocolate from the convenience store again--sweet eggnog!!" Noelle grabbed the counter to her side. She would be a minute.

After answering nature's call and getting herself prettied up, Noelle rushed down the stairs into the kitchen where her Mom sat at the table sipping a hot cocoa. She was dressed in the same blue professional suit she always wore. The only thing different was the additional wrinkles in her face that had formed from the anger displayed at Susie's entrance into her home.

"Go on Noelle, it's getting cold." Carol motioned with her head, taking another sip.

Noelle hurried to a chair at the dining room table across from her, taking the cup and beginning to sip noting the green and red marshmallows melting in the cup.

"I know what you're going to say Mom and I..."

"Dear, just listen. I was angry yesterday...Angel forbid I can't help it sometimes. I know I frighten you and I never wanted that, my dear...it's just my nature to be controlling. My own parents couldn't help that because they lost control of everything for a good long time. I suppose they instilled that in me to a very dangerous degree. I just want you to know that everything I've been doing these past several years is to your and the Dreemurrs' benefit...to make us whole again."

"M-Mom, I don't see how..." Noelle began, expressing doubt in her words.

"Just let me finish. Your father is dying...he might not say it publicly but we both know he hasn't much time left. As much as I hate to say it, I think we have to accept the inevitable. That's not to say there isn't hope, Noelle but we'll keep fighting for him as long as we can."

"*sniff* O-Ok, Mom..." Noelle was suddenly assaulted by the negative feelings she thought of every time she went to the hospital, seeing her father in that hospital bed coughing up a lung every time he moved the wrong way.

Noting Noelle's response, Carol softened her stance and reached out, placing a hand on Noelle's looking at her softly.

"I am sorry, Noelle. I've been distant and harsh with you for far too long. We all have our vices and mine is too hard to bear at times. Unfortunately, you'll felt the brunt of it with me being gone, December missing and your father. Kris, I admit, has been helpful in getting me through this entire ordeal." Carol relayed, Noelle raising her head.

"Kris?! Since when was Kris..."

"Dear, Kris was not keeping their distance from you out of hatred or spite. It was guilt." Carol explained. "They came to me after the incident, crying into my lap and saying how it's their fault this happened. Being the mother, I am, I couldn't help but try and comfort them in their time of need. I embraced them and let them cry for a good long time, told them it was going to be all right."

"W--Why didn't you tell me this to begin with?! What happened?" Noelle stood up, abound with freshly baked anger.

"Sit down and I'll tell you." Carol got firm for a minute but in a gentle way, Noelle sitting down in a huff. "Kris...didn't want to hurt you like they thought they hurt December. They did want to help though, as much as they could. So me and Kris have been working in secret to find your sister. A lot of painful research, sleepless nights and more research..."

"W-wait, is that why Mr. Asgore has been around here every so often?"

"Partly and I am financially supporting his flower shop in exchange for any leads he might dig up for me in the meantime. I was...angry when I removed him from the force rather forcefully. Probably didn't help that he and Toriel were fighting constantly..."

"M-Mom...do you feel guilty for them divorcing? I know Kris couldn't have taken it very well when it happened."

"They didn't. When it officially happened, it was the only thing Kris could talk about for the last several days to me and their brother." Carol recalled. "I... just listened. There was nothing I could do in all my power to stop it just like your sister's disappearance. However, I could be there for them when Kris felt they could go to no one else."

"W-why wouldn't they just...talk to me?!" Noelle slammed her fists on the table, beginning to tear up. "WHY?! All these years, I thought they hated me...and all this time, the only person they hated was themself. We could've leaned on each other...all this time..."

"Noelle..." Carol got up, genuinely concerned for her daughter's well-being and placed both hands on her shoulders as she began to weep. "I did not wish to tell you this on such a festive day as today. I really did not. However, I could not as they say--do it anymore. I had to say something, especially after yesterday's incident. I don't want to feel you are trapped if your father passes away. Kris very much wants to be a part of your life but feels they aren't worthy of your friendship...or your love. I very much have tried to tell them otherwise, but they wouldn't budge. I doubt they've talked to anyone else. When you go the festival today...reach out to them. Talk to them, encourage them. That...Susie girl has somehow managed to become their friend, yes?"

"Fahaha, I didn't even think you cared to know her name..." Noelle looked up at her Mom with a small smile.

"Oh, believe me dear, as mayor I must be aware of all who exist within our little town." Carol pat her back. "Now give your Mom a hug."

The two embraced grey fuzz to brown fuzz, tears running down both their faces.

"M-Mom...you're...warm? It feels good." Noelle giggled while wiping her tears away, looking at her Mom with relief for once.

"Believe me dear, I've wanted to come out of the cold for a very long time. I was just too stubborn." Carol kept her arm tight around her sole remaining daughter. "N-Now...let's have a good festival, huh?"

"O-Ok, Mom!!" Noelle smiled, looking her old self for the first time in a long time.

"And dear, if you want to..."hang out" with your friend...Susie, I will not get in your way. Just no funny business, all right?" Carol became stern Mom again.

"We'll be in public, Mom! I think we'll be all right." Noelle giggled.

"Then run along. Remember what we talked about, okay?" Carol raised a single finger.

"Ok, bye Mom!!" Noelle ran off, all excited. Carol stood there, glancing upon the barely sipped hot cocoa her daughter failed to consume.

"And Mom? Thank you...I appreciate it." Noelle blew a kiss to her, Carol catching it in her hand and running off.

"(Better put that in a container for later.)" Carol noted, picking up the cocoa mug. "(That Kris is always on the hunt for barely used cocoa.)"

It was hard, Carol told herself. She had wanted to be honest with her family and friends but could not. She would not lose anyone else...she would not lose "control" like her parents did. She would freeze them all in place if she had to for their own good. That's why she felt only a partial release upon telling Noelle a part of the overall "truth". It was true that her and Kris were working together to "find" December. The only thing is...she was already found. It was the situation she was in that she was trying to deal with.

"Angel forgive me for what I must do." Carol stood at the sink. "Kris, Noelle...I am so sorry."

---

Outside in the brilliant fall air, Noelle skipped to the family gate for the first time in what felt forever. Kris didn't hate her!! Kris didn't hate her!! She was all excited when she noticed the two waiting outside her gate.

"Oh...hey guys!!" Noelle waved cheerfully, Kris and Susie waving back. They both look tired and ragged, Kris especially. How had she not noticed it before? Had she just written it off as them not getting enough sleep?

"S'up, Noelle?" Susie grinned, arm wrapped around Kris, Kris looking forlorn. "Ready to go with us?"

"U-Us?" Noelle grinned, sweat running down her face.

US?! US?! But she thought--wasn't it just--the--two of them? No, no...come back to Earth Noelle. What were you thinking--of course Kris would be going too. The two have been inseparable for the last few days....hanging out in the closet, touching...brooms?? Going to the diner....together. Having a sleepover...

"Well, yeah...who else?" Susie got confused. "What, you thought Nerdly was going to show up and try to swoon you to his side?"

"No no..." Noelle shook her head, trying to collect her thoughts. "I just thought...the way you announced it to my Mom...that it would just be...us."

"Oh." Susie rubbed the back of her head, feeling a little guilty as she twirl her hair in her fingers. "Um, well...to be honest, I kinda asked Kris about it and then that boy...Kris said yes naturally(in the weirdest way possible) and you know the other boy's response."

"Right." Noelle whispered, grabbing her arm in disappointment, Kris grimacing at the sight. "I suppose I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions faha."

"Hey, that's not to say we can't hang out on our own another time! I just wanted everyone to have a day to remember." Susie wrapped her other arm around Noelle with the other situated around Kris. "Y'know, just...have a fun, normal (NON dark world) day with my friends?"

Kris and Noelle looked at one another and then to Susie who looked forlorn herself. As if they knew what to do without looking, the two of them hugged Susie, who blushed immediately upon contact. She was initially resistant but given what happened at Kris' house the last night, she let them stay in the bear hug...for about ten seconds.

"OK, ENOUGH ALREADY!" Susie pushed both Kris and Noelle off to their butts, the two of them laughing. Noelle looked to Kris, who looked genuinely happy. What had she done to wake Kris up...it was amazing to say the least.

"All right, Susie...let's go with Kris to the festival!" Noelle cheered as Susie quickly help both of them up with two arms, Kris and Noelle dusting each other off.

"Okay!" Susie cheered, Kris forming a small smile as she said it. Waitaminute, were they--

It couldn't be. They...couldn't be...a thing, right? No no, Susie would've said.

"Noelle? You ok?" Susie waved a hand in front of her face. "You froze up for a minute."

"Oh! Sorry...I kinda did, fahaha." Noelle closed her eyes, emitting a nervous laugh that even concerned Kris she noticed. Kris...

Kris cared about her...Susie cared about her...

Why couldn't she have her cake and eat it too?

"Um, so...I noticed you guys weren't looking so good when I walked towards the gate?" Noelle quickly changed the subject so she could give herself some breathing room. "Anything happen?"

"Oh, nothin' much...just the local store owner/janitor dancing with Kris' Mom all night long." Susie rolled her eyes then looking to Kris who looked away in disgust.

"...what?" Noelle whispered. Toriel was the kindest soul she had ever known. Why would she...

"K-Kris, has this been going on for awhile?" Noelle came up to them, wrapping her arms around Kris' right. Kris didn't respond at first but then nodded in affirmation. "These late night...parties?"

"Surprised we didn't hear anything..." Noelle mused but figured she wouldn't given she has her headphones on most of the time, noise cancelling to drown out Berdley's livestreams and her Mom. "But Kris, that's awful! I know we haven't really talked that much...in a long time, but would you give me a chance? Please?"

"I...I don't want to burden you." Kris answered in a monotone voice.

"Kris, I don't care about the past! I just want you!" Noelle said, wide eyed as Kris and Susie looked at her with raised eyebrows. "Umm...that came out wrong????"

"What do you mean?" Susie walked up.

"Um, Susie...I..."

"Haha, oh my god...I knew that shit you spat out was bullshit." Susie laughed, slapping her belly. "Forced? C'mon girl."

"*spudder* Oh, give me a break here! It's complicated...WE'RE COMPLICATED!" Noelle stamped her hoof, Kris nodding in agreement at that statement and crossing their arms. "Kris...I just want you back in my life. So please...talk to me."

Susie sighed, shoving her hands into her pockets.

"LOOK. You guys have issues...I get it. Take a few minutes, walk...whatever. I'm gonna see if I can steal any ice cream from the janitor."

With that, Susie took off leaving the two of them alone...again. The both of them stared at her longingly and then back at each other, blushing and clasping their hands together.

"Fahaha! Don't copy me, Kris!" Noelle punched their shoulder. "It's not nice!"

Kris explained something about instinct and sugar plum does reacting to scary things.

"Oh Kris...I really missed you." The doe reached out, caressing their face. "Is it...really you?"

Kris told Noelle to close their eyes. She did so, hearing a bit of a gasp of pain and then felt something neatly shoved into her pocket.

"...Now it is. You can open them." Kris stated.

"It...your voice, you don't sound like you're on loudspeaker anymore." Noelle gazed at the human in amazement. "What did you shove in my pocket?"

"Don't touch it whatever you do...something that's kept me distracted, as it were." Kris sighed, glancing at the pocket. "Noelle...I don't know what a few minutes is gonna do to change..."

A single hard-tipped finger was placed upon the human's lips, silencing them in midspeak.

"Hush. Let's just start with the elephant in the room." Noelle began, encouraging Kris to sit on the sidewalk with her. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I...couldn't." Kris began. "When Dess disappeared, I was overwhelmed. I didn't know what to do, what to think. I just wanted to bury myself under the covers and not talk to anyone ever again. I would cry for hours at a time. Then finally, several days after it had happened...I went to your Mom."

"Y-Yeah, she told me...you cried into her knees and told her sorry over and over again. You...you never told anyone, did you?"

"I told your Mom what happened that day...I felt like she at the very least deserved it and whatever happened to me, whatever punishment needed to happen...I would accept it. Instead, she...just hugged me and told me to let it all out...like I was the victim." Kris began to sob themselves thinking about it. "But I wasn't--I wronged her! I...."

"Kris." Noelle wrapped an arm around them. "Kris, what happened to Dess...whatever happened...I know you would never hurt another soul intentionally. It's not in your nature. You're our Krismas!! My shining beacon of light, my Merry Krismas fahaha! To let yourself fester in guilt like that isn't healthy. I thought you hated me for the longest time. Hell, if you'd reach out and we'd stayed together, we'd both be talking to each other about Susie's tail!"

"...Yeah, you're right about that last part." Kris stifled a small laugh, the two of them laughing together for the first time in a long while.

The two went silent, just sitting there and allowing the leaves from the tree to blow off and fly past them. It was a wonderous sight to both, seeing time past them by as the both of them seemed to be anchored down by it out of choices made long ago. But...did it have to be that way? Couldn't they both take the wheel and help each other back to the right direction...have a future?

"Kris, whatever's in my pocket...will it blow up or something if I take it out?" Noelle asked.

"..." Kris was silent. "No but it will give you an idea."

"Tell me...do I want to know what's going on, what you're involved in with my Mom?" Noelle narrowed her gaze.

"You would but it'd probably freak you out. I wanted to protect you from it, for as long as possible. I realize now that it's unfair to blind you to the truth. You're your own person, just like anyone."

"...I get it now, I do Kris." Noelle closed her eyes again. "Take it out and put it back wherever it goes."

Kris sighed, reaching in gently and then slamming the soul back into place, restoring Kris to themselves.

"Kris, I'm gonna catch up to Susie. If you need a minute to collect yourself, take it. Me and Susie will be waiting for you...all right?" Noelle smiled.

Kris nodded, looking off in the distance as Noelle began to walk but then looked as she stopped, looking back earnestly.

"I...miss her a lot, y'know Kris? But, when I think about it...I think I missed you...most of all."

With that and a blush as bright as Rudolph's red nose tonight, Noelle took a flight as Kris sat there in disbelief at the statement. What was there to miss? The filthy, dirty sister taker...Kris Dreemurr began to bubble and curdle in the hot pot of guilt once again left to their own thoughts. What would have happened, should she have seen their soul? More questions? More accusations? What...

"The seeds of rebellion I sense...seeds that must be PLUCKED."

It was faint at first, the sharp pain in Kris' back but then it became apparent upon the sudden burst of pain as a black katana blade pressed through their lower body and was quickly pulled out. Looking back, Kris looked upon the face of Carol Holiday who looked upon them in guilt.

"Dess told me of what's transpired these last several days, how irritatingly close you've become with that dragon girl. I don't blame you in this regard. You've been denied companionship for the longest time...a life of your own...a FUTURE. I always told you the reason I do this, Kris. For some reason, you are wavering. Did I wrong you or did December? Tell me Kris." Carol held blade out to the side, red blood splattered across her face and blade. "Oh, I'm sorry...you're too busy bleeding out. Not to worry, you'll serve your purpose whether you want to or not. I've seen to that."

Kris crawled on the ground, bleeding heavily and gasping for air as they held on to the wound for dear life. Out of nowhere, the Knight floated to the ground looking at Kris in a look of surprise and then to Carol.

"Don't look at me like that. You knew what was coming." Carol reminded her.

The Knight's visor narrowed and then turned to Kris, who carefully picked Kris up into her arms and flew off hurriedly to bandage the wound to prevent further bleeding. As soon as they were gone, Carol dropped the katana and collapsed to the ground in shock, on her knees realizing what she'd done.

"Oh Angel, if there is a hell out there...please throw me into the flames. I do not deserve your mercy." Carol cried into her hands.

In the woods not too far away, Kris moaned as December placed Kris on the ground carefully and tended to their wounds raising a hand and unleashing the same purple energy she used to "pull in" Toriel except she was using to seal the wound this time.

"Hold my hand, it's gonna sting." December held out her right hand, Kris gripping it and closing their eyes as the energy hit the stab wound. Slowly but surely, the energy brought the skin back together, the human clenching their teeth in pain as Dess worked to heal her apprentice.

"W-Why did she..." Kris asked. "All this time, I...did everything she wanted."

"My Mom is batshit insane. What else do you want to know?" Dess's helmet came off, revealing her relatively normal face.

"What're...we gonna do?" Kris gasped as December completed her work.

"What you were gonna do to begin with...go to the festival. That little stunt back there was a "warning"...you don't want the full monty from her. Trust me. In the meantime, just...stick to the original plan. I'm gonna improvise."

"How???" Kris strained, looking at her.

"Dude, I'm not your friend Susie. I can't just will my way through this...but we certainly try, right?" Dess grinned.

"Y-Yeah..." Kris smiled.

"C'mere." Dess hugged Kris close, carefully. "Things are gonna be all right, somehow. Just go have some fun dude...even if you're in pain. The pain should numb in a few...just try and take it easy for now."

"O-ok..."

"Here...a new bloodless shirt. Can't have your friends asking questions, now can we?" Dess rolled her eyes.

"Y-Yeah." Kris admitted, catching the new green and yellow striped shirt. "December...am I worth it?"

"What, one hug wasn't enough for ya?" Dess laughed.

"N-No...I mean, do you think...I'm worth it for Noelle...for Susie?"

"..." Dess frowned. "Dude, I can tell you you're worth it and your friends can tell you but you gotta answer that for yourself."

With that, the Knight's visor came back on and saluted Kris, flying off in her ball form leaving Kris on the mend. Getting back up, Kris grunted and hobbled out of the woods to where they thought Noelle and Susie might be.

"There you are!" Susie waved to Kris, seeing them hobble to her and Noelle.

"Kris...we got you a fudgesicle!" Noelle giggled. "Did something happen?"

"No no...just gimme that fudgesicle." Kris quickly snatched it, placing it on their lower abdomen. "oooh, that feels better."

"What the hell, Kris? Did you get hurt in the few minutes we were separated?" Susie came to their side, concerned and lifting up their shirt slightly to see what Kris was trying to cool.

"Um, I..." Kris began, trying to hide the wound.

"Lemme look...GEEZ." Susie looked at the bruised part of Kris' belly where they had been stabbed. "Kris this looks horrible..."

"Susie is right, what in the cheese and crackers happened?!" Noelle poked her head in.

Suddenly, a familiar cold presence was felt on Kris' shoulder.

"They just took a nasty spill off the sidewalk when I took them by surprise...isn't that right, Kris?" Carol stood over them, unnerved by their unexpected presence, hand tightly on their right shoulder.

Kris merely nodded quickly in agreement.

"Mom? What're you doing here?" Noelle asked.

"You forgot your backpack, honey." Carol handed her bag to the girl who quickly nabbed it.

"Thanks...gosh, I would've felt like expired eggnog if I didn't remember it." Noelle remembered she had her phone in that bag.

"Have fun, honey...and Kris, don't forget about later on!" Carol grinned, Kris looking at them with a slight fear in their eyes. Noelle saw this, the same fear she felt from Carol. Why was Kris showing this same feeling? Noelle and Susie wrapped their arms around Kris who was glad to have Carol's hand off their body, walking them to the nearest bench.

"You wanna sit for a second?" Noelle whispered, Kris nodding in affirmation.

Both girls sat on either side of Kris of the bench, both concerned for their well being. As both girls wrapped their arms around their back, Kris began to shake uncontrollably. The act they had put on for so long began to crack and tears ran down their face.

"K-Kris?..." Noelle went quiet.

"Dude, you're leaking." Susie noted.

"I--I'm so sorry...so so sorry..."

Kris sobbed into their hands, Noelle and Susie looking upon Kris in pity. They don't know what had set them off but if it was anything, it was something their friends were there for them. They might not be worth of their love in their eyes...but Noelle and Susie were going to be there regardless. For Kris, that would be enough.

Author's Note: Welp, here we are again! Another chapter of Deltarune is on the verge of releasing. Decided to do another "What if?" style story prior to Chapter 5 this time. I hope you enjoyed and have fun with Chapter 5 everyone!!

Author's Note: Warning up front--this chapter deals with suicide. If you're squeaky about the subject, please be forewarned as this chapter deals with the matter. Thank you.

"Ah don't suppose this here suicide befits you, does it Cole?" Cole asked himself in a whisper, looking down at the ground at 5:30 AM in the morning.

He wanted to see the sun one last time before...this was crazy, he told himself but he had committed the night before. It was two weeks and CPS was coming for him, regardless of the protest his Mom might put up. Kanako and Ceroba had been extremely supportive, trying to spend as much time with him as possible. Regardless, he just couldn't get the notion that he'd leave all he knew for some...foster home with other humans and monsters that were unwanted. But here, despite Mr. Katsukane's protests, he was wanted...he was loved...he was needed. But they wanted to take that all away!

The door to the roof opened, his bluebird Momma Martlet gently pushing it open.

"Cole...I saw your note. Come down from there, please." Martlet began. "It's too early..."

"Momma, you know I can't do that." Cole faced forward, looking down to the ground below in fear.

"..."Martlet grew silent, unsure of how to proceed. "Y'know, when I first brought you home, you were so scared of everything! I wasn't sure what to do. But over time and with the Ketsukanes' help, you came to love me and this whole town. When you hugged me for the first time and told me "oh Momma I'm so sorry for hiding I won't do it again!"...I couldn't help but cry. Your biological parents put you through so much pain. You feel it even now, don't you?"

"A-Ah try not to think about them." Cole admitted, having mostly forgotten everything but the pain they inflicted on him from night to night.

"I--don't blame you." Martlet recalled the pictures she saw the day at the adoption agency.

"Momma, this isn't your fault...ah just can't live with going back to that...that place."

"But Cole...ending your life isn't the answer!!" Martlet stepped further, Cole beginning to shake in place as she got closer.

"AH KNOW THAT!!" Cole cried.

"Then why?!" Martlet stood there, shaking herself.

"I-It's the only way..." Cole sniffed, turning around to face his Momma only to see one more head peeking out from the door to the roof." 'Sides, Mr. Ketsukane won't be sad none...he'll be glad ah'm gone!!"

With that, another guest entered the fray.

"Yeah, my Dad can be a real jackass." Kanako came up on to the roof. "Hey Martlet, do you mind if I talk to my friend one last time before he goes?"

"...U-Um, sure." Martlet grabbed her right shoulder, uncomfortable. "I'll be right inside Cole for when you're ready to come back."

"A-Ah'm..."

"Don't complete that statement." Kanako walked right up to him, grabbing his jacket and glaring at him. "Blow that candle out...NOW."

"K-Kanako, how..." Cole was taken aback as her paws held firm to Cole's coat.

"Your Mom flew to my house and told me and my Mom, who I might remind you, is willing to drop anything and everything to come see you when you're in trouble!" Kanako growled, flashing her teeth. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"

"Ah lot. Ah've been thinking ah lot, Kanako." Cole closed their eyes.

"We could've talked about this!" Kanako let go of Cole, the two them trembling in their steps. "But you don't trust me enough!"

"You don't need my pain on your shoulders." Cole shot back gently. "Ah trust you with all my heart, Kanako but ah don't want my parents pain to transfer to you. No one deserves that...no one."

"Cole, you know there's so much I want to do with you...so many movies to see, so many places to travel, so many experiences...and the answer is to deny everyone your life??"

"CPS wants to take me away, Kanako! TAKE WHAT WE HAVE AWAY FROM US!!" Cole began to cry, having held back the feeling in his throat of wanting to cry in front of her. He was hoping he wouldn't have to face her. He accounted for Martlet but not her or even worse...he couldn't bear to disappoint her...Mrs. Ketsukane. Ceroba.

"So what, you think this is gonna solve anything?! They're gonna bring charges on Martlet if you go through with this...don't you know that?!"

"How?..."

"They were already gunning for her head this past year!" Kanako threw her arms up. "The visits to your house, the interrogations with my parents, everything!! And each time, my Mom was quick to deflect whatever negative bullcrap my Dad said about you because I know you're a good kid who loves his family and friends! Your Mom loves you and is trying her best!"

"A-At least, they don't get the pleasure of seeing my Momma cry when they take me away. I won't let them!!" Cole turned back around to face the ground, determined to jump. "Ah won't give those bastards the satisfaction."

"C-Cole, please..." Kanako reached out, seeing her friend was resolute in his conviction but shaking all the while doing it. "Please come back inside. We'll get through this! You don't have to--"

"Kanako, let me try now."

oh no.

"Cole, honey...turn around and face me...please, you owe me that much."

"Mrs. Ketsukane..." Cole trembled.

"After all this time, especially that other day...you didn't call me?" Ceroba, in her night robe, just stood solemn in appearance.

"Ah threw the phone out. Didn't want no distractions or temptations."

"They aren't distractions or temptations if you know that action is the right path." Ceroba walked right up behind him, placing two hands on Cole's shoulders. "Your heart is racing right now, isn't it? The very thought of facing me like this must be weighing on you the same way the very thought of you not in our lives is weighing upon us now."

"*sniff*" Cole began to break under the pressure. "A-Ah..."

"I'm not here to judge you, Cole. I promised you a long time ago that I wouldn't let anyone hurt you anymore. However, there's only so much I can do honey. The vile parents who left their mark on you still haunt you, don't they? Their "life lessons" of pain and guilt and shame cut your very soul and you have yet to heal from that. I get it. I still hear the shots from that crazed lunatic in my dreams, Cole. The CPS folks claim to want to help you but the only thing they're going to do is assign you a room number and leave to your own devices to ponder the very thoughts that brought up here to begin with."

"Then HOW?!" Cole turned around to face her finally, red in the face and the sun just beginning to come up. "HOW DO AH FACE ANOTHER DAY KNOWING I FAILED YOU AND MOMMA AND KANAKO....how???"

"Cole..." Ceroba began, eyes closed.

"N-No..." Cole collapsed to his butt, crying in his hands. "Ah know this was wrong, Momma...ah know this, I...I didn't want to do it."

"And you haven't." Ceroba hugged Cole close. "It takes a lot of courage to turn back after committing to an act like this."

"Oh Mom, why does Cole have to go through this??" Kanako came to their side, joining the hug, grateful to Kanako.

More fluff did help in Cole's case.

"Honey, only the Angel can answer that. For now though, why don't we all go inside...ok Cole?" Ceroba nudged his head with her snout.

"A-Ah--okay." Cole sniffed. "T-Thank you, all of you--ah...WWWhhoOA!" Cole's shoe slipped, causing him to fall backwards. "H-Help!!"

"COLE!!" Kanako and Ceroba reached out, Cole falling off the side.

In Kanako's mind, Cole's face began to fade...the fear of no longer being by his side everyday becoming prominent.

In Ceroba's mind, the body of Cole lay in place of Andus on the ground lifeless.

In his mind, Cole thought his whole life would flash before his very eyes in this moment. The only that flashed however was the brilliant sun in the distance and the outright fear of what came next once he hit the ground. Quick thinking, thankfully, was one of Martlet's better traits.

"GOTCHA!" Martlet caught the falling kid.

"Momma...MOMMA, I'M SO SORRY!! I DIDN'T MEAN IT, AH SLIPPED AND AH..." Cole buried his face in his Momma's feather chest, Martlet gently floating to the ground and rubbing her feather head against his face.

"Shh." Martlet held him close. "Shh, kid. It's all right, it's all right now..."

Cole just continued to sob into the protection of Martlet's chest as he was held in her protective bluebird wings. Quietly, Martlet brought the kid inside as Ceroba and Kanako came downstairs in a panic, relieved to see Cole okay.

"Thank the Angel!!" Ceroba and Kanako rushed to his side, Martlet gently putting Cole down on his feet and the three of them hugging the boy as tightly as possible to ensure he was still there. Kanako grabbed Cole's face in her hands, glancing upon it as much as she could to keep the image of him burned in her mind. Cole held still, letting the teary eyed fox girl stare at him in her panic with no resistance. After all, he had caused undue harm through his actions today. What he didn't realize in his effort to lift the weight of guilt he felt was that even greater weights would be cast upon all his loved ones. Seeing the fear in their eyes, Cole couldn't help just let them hold on to him for as long as possible.

"I see I came at the wrong time for an inspection." Curtis Tan walked in, seeing the gathering of monsters and lone human cuddled together.

"Don't you have anything in your head called TACT?!" Kanako yelled from the gathered party.

"(Kanako!)" Ceroba hissed, relunctantly removing herself from the hug to attend to the "distraction" as Cole put it."Mr. Tan."

"It's fine. I only need to speak to Miss Martlet for a few minutes, if that's all right?" Mr. Tan adjusted his tie upon seeing the hidden bow staff that Mrs. Ketsukane held in her hand.

"Martlet?" Ceroba looked over.

"I'll talk to him. Cole, why don't you stay outside with Ceroba and Kanako, all right?" Martlet bent down on two knees.

"But Mom, ah..."Cole begged.

"Please, Cole...I can handle this...person." Martlet grumbled, standing up and walking into the house with Mr. Tan rushing past.

"Okay, Momma." Cole agreed with no argument, left on their own as Kanako came to their side.

"Cole, I promise...I'm gonna spend as much time with you as possible, ok?" Kanako hugged them from behind. "Even if we have to say goodbye, I'm gonna make this memorable for what time..."

"Shh."Ceroba joined the hug from the front, bringing the combo of Cole and Kanako close with her mighty arms of love and protection. "Just take it in, Cole. We'll stay like this as long as you need."

---

Several hours later, Mr. Tan exited the home wiping the sweat from his forehead and walking hurriedly down the lane. He was NOT looking forward to that cactus lady again. Cole had been put down to bed, Kanako close by his side to make sure he didn't get any "fun ideas" again. Martlet sat at the table, tired and unable to think. It had been a heavy morning, Martlet not enjoying her usual coffee. Ceroba sat across from her, concerned but trying to be supportive.

"You hung in there pretty well." Ceroba smirked. "Actually gave him what for!"

"Heh, thanks Ceroba." Martlet took another sip, her cheeks puckering. "Dangit, can't even make my coffee right!!"

"Well, look at it this way...at least we still have our Cole in one piece." Ceroba smiled.

"T-That's a relief in itself!" Martlet sighed, looking up at the stairs. "I don't regret adopting him, not at all. I'll fight if I have to in order to keep him here."

"I'm sure me and Chujin could speak to Starlo and..."

"Ceroba, I appreciate the thought but I can handle this. Please." Martlet insisted.

"..." Ceroba sat up in her seat. "All right, I can see you've had enough for one day. Do you mind if I go up and see him?"

"Not at all, I'm sure he'll be glad to see you." Martlet closed her eyes, sipping her "vile" coffee.

Excusing herself, Ceroba made her way up the winding stairs and gently opened the door to Cole's room...Kanako and Cole were huddled together under the covers, Kanako hugging Cole close like a teddy bear, the both of them unconscious to the world. Ceroba looked over the two kids, smiling as she played with both Kanako and Cole's hair, sitting by their bed. There was only so much they could do for Martlet and Cole. Martlet meant the world to Chujin but for some reason...Cole just set him off in the wrong ways. Ceroba supposed Cole was her Martlet in a way. Whereas Chujin was impressed by Martlet's technical abilities, Ceroba was impressed by Cole's spirit...his willingness to forgive and take the plight of others upon himself. Maybe it was better this way.

"You were fine the other day. I...what could have sparked this sudden desire to end it?" Ceroba whispered. "I can feel it in the winds...something is amiss."

"Mom?" Kanako hummed, shifting her weight in bed and smacking her tongue up and down in her mouth.

"Go back to bed sleep, sweetie. Just thinking out loud."

Just outside the home, not too far away in the desert stood Mr. Tan, glancing upon the home with a disappointed look. He had not been as successful as he intended.

"I suppose I will need to abandon the identity of CPS Worker Mr. Tan...it has served it's purpose...for now." The man's skinned bubbled and then transformed into that of a shadowy figure with a dark hat and trenchcoat, obscured in an aura of darkness. "For THE OUTLAW is here to bring ruin upon all."

Fin?

So there are supposed to be 5 chapters to this game and we don't know a whole lot about this "Outlaw" that we're supposed to defeat. Unlike "The Knight", "The Outlaw" is seemingly a more mysterious antagonist. I honestly have no idea who it could be given what we know and that's ok. I'm going to go over in brief what we do and what the Knight could be.

-The first two Dark Worlds the Outlaw has created were in the School Supply Closet like in the original Deltarune and the second in Chujin's Workshop. These are two places connected to Cole and Kanako.

-The Outlaw seemingly appears in the opening of the game where we're wandering through the woods as a shadowed out character with a long trench coat and cowbot hat.

-Best guess is that it is someone connected to Cole's past. It would have to be someone we haven't been introduced to yet. While Chujin has been introduced as antagonistic towards Cole, he has been redeemed as of Chapter 2(normal route) so him as the Outlaw wouldn't make sense. He COULD be lying...the design of the Dark World was rather intricate and required someone in the house to make a hole in Kanako's floor. Regardless, I see Chujin's turnaround as legit and I would be disappointed if it WAS him.

-One of Cole's parents perhaps. They kept an eye on Cole from a distance and learned the details of his new life from afar and are now just deciding to strike. Given we've seen other humans in town besides Cole, it's certainly possible that a human Lightner IS the Outlaw.

-Ceroba Ketsukane. I can't discount her as a candidate but I find it very unlikely. She is very supportive of Cole and Kanako's relationship, defending Cole when Chujin argues with her about how vile humans are. She also tries to help Martlet whenever possible when it comes to her situation with Cole. If you mention bad dreams to her in the beginning of Chapter 2 as Cole, she is very supportive guessing Cole is fearful of leaving everything behind and says he can call or visit for support. She's definitely a good Momroba. :D

-Martlet. OK OK I know it's blasphemy to suggest this but again...we can't discount people associated with Cole. Martlet is someone under a WHOLE LOTTA STRESS and her/Cole enjoy watching them old cowboy movies together in their down time. What if Martlet is playing "Outlaw" to give Cole and Kanako an outlet to spend time together for what could possibly be their last week together? Deltarune is all about escapism after all and if anyone could use an escape from their problems, it's Cole and Martlet. I do NOT believe Mart is evil. Not in a million years. If anything, the Dark World have made Cole/Kanako a lot closer and turned Chujin's perspective around. So if Martlet's doing it to help Cole, then I'd say it's succeeding so far.

-Gizmo. Nah, he's a gamer cat plus he's too cute. ;P Um, maybe he's creating the Dark Fountains to get the ultimate Gamer Score and has teamed up with Berdly to make those Lightnerds suffer bawhaha...okay, I'll stop.

Who do you think it could be? Let me know in the comment section. ;o

The Knight's shadow loomed over an unconscious Kris and Ralsei as Susie stood her ground against the Knight, the black antlered dressed in nightmarish black armor floated above the group, sword out. Susie eyed Kris for a scant second to make sure they were okay, seeing a bit of blood running down their forehead. Their first fight with this thing was a joke...they all were defeated easily.

This was now the second real encounter they'd had with where an actual battle took place instead of a giant ass Titan being summoned. The Knight was playing with them...toying with them. Why? Did it find joy in torturing and tormenting them for the fun of it?

"THAT YOU ALL YOU GOT PUNK?!" Susie yelled out at it.

The Knight floated there, raising it's sword again, noting Susie's glance over at the kid.

"Y-you..." The Knight's voice, cracked yet feminine sounded out.

"(what?)" Susie began, surprised to hear her speak.

"You like them?" The Knight pointed her sword at Kris, Susie quickly moving in the way.

"What about it?!" Susie barked back.

"Answer the question." Twenty swords surrounded their secret ally. "You know I will not hesitate."

"...Kris." Susie looked back, grimacing and then looking at her. "So what if I do?!"

The Knight cackled in disbelief.

"WHAT'S SO FUNNY?!" Susie clenched her fists, the knight wagging a finger at Susie as the swords circling Kris began to spin.

"YOU?" The doe in black armor laughed. "Seriously...YOU...LIKE LIKE...KRIS DREEMURR?"

"You know that they have feelings for the doe you're conflicted about, right?!" The Knight laughed again. "Repressed feelings, buried deep down...but feelings."

"Y-Yeah..." A bead of sweat ran down her forehead. "I noticed."

"They perform one act of selflessness on your behalf and you cling to them like tin foil. How pathetic." The Knight glanced upon Kris. "If only you knew what was really going on...if only you could truly see."

"What the fuck are you going on about?!" Susie stayed put, a circle of swords beginning to surround her.

"They're USING you, dumbass! Oh sure, they feel guilty as hell doing it but it's necessary." The Knight grimaced, Susie throwing her ax at the Knight, the doe just barely dodging it and Susie jumping up in the air kicking out to where she'd think the Knight would dodge to finally CONNECTING and landing the doe on the ground.

"OOF!!" The Knight grunted, the swords disappearing. How the hell did she do that, Dess thought. Guess Gerson, even in death, has a few more surprises in his treasure chest. GOOD.

"DON'T TALK SHIT ABOUT KRIS." Susie pointed out to the Knight. "DON'T TALK SHIT ABOUT WHAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND."

"oh?" The Knight taunted Susie from the ground. "Why not ask them yourselves?"

With that, the Knight disappeared leaving behind Susie clueless and Kris just beginning to come to.

"Kris?" Susie ran to their side, reaching out her hand, Kris taking it and helping them up. "Are you ok? Do you need healing?"

"I...I heard what she said, Susie." Kris admitted.

"Yeah? But it's all bullshit, right?" Susie asked, sweat running down her forehead at the thought.

Kris remained silent, looking at the ground.

"Kris...?" Susie went silent, grabbing her head and turning around. "You too? Of all people, you TOO?!"

Kris sat there, ready to be thrown against a wall or picked up. But Susie just stood there, anger overcoming her.

"...y'know, I'm beginning to sense a pattern here." Susie sniffed, tears running down here face. "THIS WHOLE TOWN IS A FUCKING BUNCH OF LIARS. FIRST RALSEI, YOUR DRUNK MOM AND NOW YOU....you...WHYYY???"

Susie got on her knees, taking Kris' hands.

"LOOK AT ME GODAMNIT!" Susie begged them, Kris lifting their head only to see tears coming down their face.

"Susie...I promised!" Kris sniffed, tears flowing rapidly as they dared to look at Susie.

"You...promised?" Susie began.

"I promised. I promised..." Kris went on.

"OKAY ALREADY, YOU PROMISED WHAT?!" Susie grabbed Kris' shoulders, looking them square in the eyes. "JUST TELL ME...ok?"

"B-But I..."

"I don't care anymore Kris, I don't care...I care about you too much." Susie hugged them close. "I know you're messed up inside and you've carried that for so long. Why won't you just let me and Noelle in? Ever since we became friends, I've learned more and more about you...and the more I learn, the sadder I get...the more I want to help you. SO GODDAMNIT KRIS, LET ME HELP YOU!!"

"Susie...I want to but if I do..." Kris continued.

"Yeah?" Susie looked at Kris with hope.

"T-They'll kill you." Kris grabbed Susie, pushing her out of the way as a black sword went through their chest and lifted their very body up into the air.

"KRIS!!" Susie yelled as the Knight lifted them up.

"You just couldn't keep it in, could you?" The Knight growled, Kris' body quivering on the Knight's sword as she threw her helmet off in disgust.

"W-Wait...." Susie began. "Y-You're..."

"December Holiday, yeah BIG DUH dumbass." Dess held her sword firm in the air, tears running down her own face. "LOOK AT WHAT YOU MADE ME DO!!"

December threw Kris' body to the ground, Kris beginning to bleed out heavily as Susie ran to their side.

"K-KRIS!! HANG ON, KRIS!!" Susie stayed at their side, December floating down to the ground and to her knees, her sword dropping and body quivering at what she'd done. There really was no rebelling against the Prophecy was there?

"I-It's ok..." Kris coughed.

"You wanna save them?" Dess whispered, forming her messed up body into a ball.

"TELL ME HOW....RIGHT NOW." Susie looked at her, taking the bleeding human into her arms.

"Take their soul into your chest. It'll allow you to preserve their consciousness until I can fix their body."

"H-How...I...."

"S-Susie...take it." Kris whispered, soul in their hand. "P-Please."

"K-Kris, I...I don't know what's going on here but whatever. I...I'm going to save you. YOU BETTER BE TELLING THE TRUTH...." Susie growled and taking the red soul, slammed it into her chest.

A red aura overtook Susie, her head being filled with thoughts not her own. A whole lifetime of experiences overtook her own, battling her for control of her very own body. It was overwhelming but Susie focused, closing her eyes and upon opening them, felt a familiar presence...a warm one...within her. Her yellow eyes now a glowing red, Susie grinned with those awesome yellow teeth she liked to sport.

"Goddamn Krismas, it actually worked." Dess whispered.

"...Can't say I like it but I..understand now, Kris." Susie crossed her arms. "Now that you're in me...ground rules...NO PEEKING and just enjoy the ride, ok dumbass?"

O-ok.

"Good. Now let's go find that fountain." Susie unsheathed Kris' sword, holding it outwards as the red soul glew brightly in the middle of her chest. "WE'RE GONNA KICK US SOME TITAN BUTT."

Fin?

Author's Note: Just a sort of concept of how I think "love will find the girl". Susie will literally take the "culmination of one's being" aka Kris into them thus finding the love Kris has for her within Susie as Susie literally battles to save Kris somehow. The details are TBD but this is just a general outline of how I think it would go. Hope you enjoy it.