Follow The Light!

When everything settles, what was once a regular room has transformed into a massive colosseum, the contestants in the center of it all. There are figures in the stands, cheering, though it's impossible to make out any details about them.

From the Emperor's box, Lune sits.

Lune: HELLO, MY WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL CONTESTANTS!

Tuna: Oh God.

Despite looking and sounding like Lune, his inflection is entirely like a different annoying show host.

Lune (Dark): Did you know I could've been doing THIS at ANY TIME?!

He gestures around wildly, no rigidity in his limbs at all, much like a cartoon. But Lune was jointed, wasn't he?

Lune (Dark): What a complete WASTE to keep dreams like this so locked away in an isolated mind! How BORING!

Lune (Dark): And WOW. Being tangible is so rigid, but this? I can still be me, but unconstrained by light and in full color HD TV!

Lune (Dark): You have no idea how good this feels.

Lune (Dark): SO! In my newfound vision, we're going to be making the MOST OF THIS.

A storybook-esque tower emerges from the ground, though where a princess would typically be is instead a living red teddybear.

Zip: ACK- GET ME OUT OF HERE?!

Lune (Dark): Certainly! If our vicious contestants can GETCHA!

Pastel mist drifts through the arena. Various elements and scenes appear as the Dark prattles on.

Lune (Dark): It'll be a thrilling train car chase! No, an underwater adventure! No, no, that wretched skeleton would cheat! Just scale this mountain, OH! A DRAGON! And, oh, what am I saying!?

Lune (Dark): We need something else- Anything! All of it! YES! ALL OF EVERYTHING! I've never had such a wonderful budget before!!

Lune (Dark): We'll do it LIVE! IMPROV, BABY! You love me! It!

Tuna: … Jesus Christ, it's out of control.

Tuna: I don't know what it's done to Lune, or how it's doing this, but we'll get nowhere if we leave it to it's own devices.

She turns to face both Hunters and Stars.

Tuna: Hope you don't mind me making this call, but I think it's safe to say we can put aside any of that "team" stuff right now.

Tuna: I'll be grouping you guys up in pairs of two, one hunter and star.

Tuna: Stars are more used to it's bullshit, right? And hunters, you guys are pretty levelheaded. Working together, we might stand a chance… Hopefully.

Contestant's challenge is to stop the Dark! How are you supposed to get Zip with it making all this bullshit?! No clue how to get it to stop, but… try whatever you can, I guess! Whether it be a convincing speech or brute force, any attempts oughta do something at least!

A few stagehands drift over, holding out gloves and an umbrella. The latter is opened, the former start floating, and the pile below shoots back up in a filled-out form.

Dark: Oh well! C'est le vie! Have I ever told you all how proud I am of you? You did an excellent job making my life miserable there! Keep trying, I'll retain a lesson someday!

Tuna: … I'm glad you're back to normal now, but what the hell did you do to Lune?

Dark: Oh! He's dead. For some reason people don't take being turned to darkness too well!

Tuna: … You killed him?

Dark: Of course! That's how merging works, you become one and I get your you! It's practical business, all companies do this!

Dark: I'm not running a charity case like some things! I make the most of it, and then you die, just like how you always were supposed to!

It turns to (presumably) give a pointed glare towards the Light within Zip, who is currently struggling under the rubble of their tower. The Light is giggling to itself, making no move to help nor escape.

Tuna: You…

Tuna: …

Tuna: Do you remember things Lune did? All his memories and whatever?

Dark: Yes!

Tuna: Was the show live aired-

Dark: Fuck if I know, but his childhood puppy was beautiful!

Tuna's eye socket twitches.

Dark: C'mon, all I did was kill a guy! Aren't you happy? You're so hard to please.

Police: You did what?

Police: I mean, I was just going to have to arrest you and all your associates for the ridiculous amounts of property damage you did. Look at all this city block that's been destroyed that we can all visually see very clearly! Now murder's on the table too?

Tuna: Wait- All of us!? But only it did any of that!

Dark: Nonsense! We're kindred spirits, on the same team, the Hunter team! I've never heard of a Star in my life.

Tuna: We- Well, at least Zip's getting arrested too, so it's not like ze'll have time to get away.

Dark: But I kidnapped them and put them under extreme duress! Imprisoning a bystander instead of giving them the space they need before circling back to ask for further details later would be cruel!

Tuna: What the fuck are you saying. Shut up. Stop talking-

Police: Hey, everything else this guy has said seems true to me, so I'm going to believe this.

Tuna: BUT!?!

Dark: Well I caught them right into this other guy. And oh boy let me tell you he was not pleased at either of us, not one bit! Food, everywhere!

Dark: And trust me, I told him about the five second rule! But he refused to accept his meal was still salvageable, not my fault he lacked the creativity to do so for soup.

Dark: But the situation was easily rectified when I explained how this wasn't just for show, but also hunter business!

Dark: It turns out, he directs his own! Show, that is. And was willing to forgive me and let you have Zip back, all for the prosperous opportunity of a collaboration with him!

Dark: He also muttered a lot of things about making everyone responsible for said injustice to suffer greatly!

Tuna: You let some guy take Zip and agreed to let him try hurting us?!

Dark: Yes! Aren't you excited? I've never been hurt before!

???: That's enough of that, I believe you've explained enough.

???: Why not take a rest?

A mysterious pastel-colored fog drifts over those gathered, and everything goes hazy.

...

???: Welcome, one and all, to another episode of SWEET DREAMS!

???: I am your host, Lune!

Lune: Today's contestants are quite the interesting bunch: Hunters turned contestants, twice over, along with their unfortunate target!

Lune: For those of you new to the show, let me give you the rundown!

Lune: Each episode, those I've rounded up are individually trapped within their own mind. If you can think, you can dream! Even if you need a little bit of my help for that.

Lune: Within this dreamscape, they will be forced to endure their worst nightmare!

Lune: Will they overcome this hardship and escape, or will they be stuck forever!?

Lune: Stay tuned to find out!

The challenge is to escape your worst nightmare! How? Well, that's on you to figure out! No two dreams are the same, after all. Good luck!

Lune: Alright, and this is off the air, when you guys get out and wake up, there's a breakroom with whatever you need down the hall and to the left.

Lune: Head there when you're done, you'll hang out there until we're all done here. Good? Good.

Lune: And hey, you computer virus thing! Popup, right? You seem to know how to do a little cooking, especially in an intangible world. Perfect! I'm giving you, and only you, an additional option here to escape your hell: If you make me a soup, you'll be freed. You will be strongly encouraged within your dream to do so. I really wanted a soup. Any kind will do.

The Dark continues, the patch of dark it speaks from spreading as it does.

Dark: Oh, how so very like it to not refuse to partake in such trickery, even to harm something it hates as much as me!

It says this with a delightful fondness, hands clasped- Hands?

There's nothing there. He knows, logically, that there is nothing behind that darkness besides the objects previously there. It's just his mind filling in the blanks, making up hypotheticals to exist within what it cant see.

Dark: But nevermind that! I don't think my ratings have EVER been so high! I wouldn't know, I have no clue how to check!

The Dark steps forward. Or maybe it glides, slithers, skitters, lurches, writhes, anything. It just gets undeniably closer with the limbs he, as he continues to reassure himself are completely irrationally being made up, sees it having from moment to moment.

Lune: What the- Get out! This is private, for employees only!

He jolts back in his chair as he says this, trying to put some distance between himself and it. The Dark encroaches over the walls, rolling over the electrical plug his computer is plugged into. There is no noise as the cord goes limp and the screens shut off.

Lune hadn't noticed that'd been the only source of light until it's gone. It makes the Dark worse, all encompassing and more wild with the shapes it takes. Those misshapen grins, delighted eyes, miscellaneous details ever shifting but consistently overjoyed loom over him.

Dark: Ah, but we're coworkers in all but legal binding! Those are my contestants you've so delightfully collaborated with!

Dark: I think this test run has gone SPLENDIDLY! How about we settle this, hm? A little company merger?

Dark: Rest assure I know fully well what I'm doing with this! I've built up my business from the ground up this way!

Something reaches forth. It is unmistakably a hand, one awfully like his own. Again, more instinctively than anything else, Lune attempts to back up. Distantly, he's aware there should have been a wall there, but he is unhindered as he trips over some shifting shape, falling back onto the ground of the endless Dark.

He waves a hand at it, as if it's an animal that can be told off in such a way.

Lune: Hey, stay back! Away!

The Dark wraps around the extended hand. It feels cold, only cold, until Lune realizes his hand is no longer there, nor can he move his arm.

Lune: Wait- What are you-?!

Dark: What a firm handshake! Pleasure doing business with you!

Tuna: … Does the light eat?

Dark: No clue!

:tuna: Fine. You said it's "like you" the same way I'm "like" a fish. Do you eat?

Dark: I like to mash food into my "face"! But the cleanup after it hits the ground makes this bit high effort and quite the rarity. Dark: Viewers, stay tuned! Keep watching and you might just catch me doing this legendary act!

Tuna: Ok, unhelpful as always. Well, there's a lot of food options here… They're kind of more like, regular meals, not the kind you stock up on.

Tuna: This doesn't seem thought out at all. Rationable food seems more like what you'd want for a trip outdoors like that.

Dark: What? Like, snacks? That can't be good for you. A full proper meal is the way to go! I can see why it'd want to keep its new friend nice and well fed! Isn't it so considerate?

Dark: Oh, I remember my days of realizing people need all these strange, strange requirements to continue shuffling on this mortal coil… Tuna: No you don't. Dark: I absolutely don't! Never get me to take care of anything alive, I'd do an excellent job!

:tuna: So… you can… tell it thinks of Zip as a friend…?

:dark: Of course, don't dogs do that sort of thing all the time? Man's best friend and all!

Dark: What other newfound friendships could I be talking about? Us!? I'm not feeding you! I need you at your worst to get a competitive edge! Tuna: WE'RE NOT FRIENDS.

Dark: And about competitions, I've got quite the idea.

Dark: Observe how these vendors competition and it's like compete and a contest against each other. To sell good and get many customers. Which is almost like viewers. And in this marketplace, we're after the most acclaimed critic of all: that damn thief. Tuna: How well worded.

Jesse Stars, we need to cook. Sure Zip might recognize you as is, but under such CHEFLY DISGUISES ze'll be none the wiser! I sure won't! Whether you start running your own stand or join in part with another current running one, that's up to you. Just start cooking ENTICING MEALS that NO BEAR OR LIGHT could ever refuse!

Tuna: That sounds stupid.

Dark: If you don't let your guys also do the cooking part of the cooking challenge I think there'd be revolutions.

Tuna: Whatever.

Tuna: What's the deal here. This remind you of the light or somethin'?

The Dark barely turns to her, focus still clearly elsewhere.

Dark: Hm? Oh.

It shifts back towards the sign.

Dark: In a sense, I suppose.

Gone is its usual theatrical cadence, replaced with something so subdued and wistfully meek. Frankly it's creeping the shit out of Tuna, leaving her unable to hold back from speaking her mind.

Tuna: What the fuck is wrong with you right now.

That makes it fully turn to her, umbrella blocking the light and its form filling back out. It fidgets for a second, then launches back to its usual demeanour with a twirl of its umbrella.

Dark: Huh? What! How inconsiderate?! Everyone else gets to have their serious moments, why can't I? Am I truly such a doomed pig, set in my one ponyed trick ways?! How could you do this to me!

Dark: Wait, the animal comparisons may get confusing. I'm not you!

Whatever that was seems to have passed, it easily settling back to its annoying self. Tuna doesn't feel particularly thrilled about this outcome either.

Tuna: Great. Glad you think so highly of me.

Dark: Only the best can go up against the best!

Tuna: Sure. Anyways, everyone's done here. I'm assuming you are too, given you don't seem to do anything, so we'll all be heading off now.

Dark: Oh Tunny, don't you know what they say about assuming? Tuna: … THE FUCK DID YOU JUST CALL ME?

Dark: It makes an ass of out you! And only you! I'm not giving up here, not yet nor ever! I think we've still got plenty of chances at this dead end!

With another twirl, it starts… drifting? Gliding? It's not like it walks. It's going away now, back towards the more populated areas of the district.

Dark: If I had pants and shoes right now please imagine me jumping up and clicking my heels! I wonder if any of these stores sell clothes? I think I'll try the soup one first!

For once, it's Tuna who's left standing there as the other walks off. With a shake of her head, she brushes off the oddity of that encounter as just another one of the Dark's weird moments. She's got better things to concern herself with, like this case.

She trudges off herself, resigned to having to report back to Limbs as usual.

Human Ingenuity: THANK YOU FOR YOUR STRANGE PURCHASES OF FABRICS ONCE AGAIN, YOU WEIRD BEAR!

Tuna: …

Zip: …

Zip: Did you… have to turn around right at the end…

Dark: You're right, that was our bad. Well, let's get going. We can find other lines to stand in!

Tuna: Hey.

Zip starts backing up as Tuna approaches. She lashes out an arm to trip zir, sending the bear tumbling to the floor. She turns her other limb into a sharp blade.

Zip: W-WAIT! Don't, please! Just leave me alone!

Tuna: Can do, once you start explainin' where that light is. And don't you even think about doin' any little tricks.

Zip: I would never tell you- Even if, I uh, did know! Just-

A sharp light jabs out of Zip's head opening before it forces the zipper down. A face smiles out.

Zip?: Mean to you is mean to me, light reflects what it sees~!

A beam of light lashes out at Tuna, evaporating all of her water and scorching what's left. Her body clatters against the tiled floor.

Zip? turns to face the Dark next. It backs up holding up hands, sputtering as it tries to put some distance between the two.

Dark: Hey! Woah wait a sec hold on woah now have I ever told you how-

Zip?: Parting gift of sunlit tan,

Zip? blasts once more from their entire body and creates a huge hole in the wall, simultaneously 'zipping' forward in that light.

The Dark, an unfortunate victim in this path, can no longer cling to its now illuminated clothing. Its umbrella and gloves drift down now dark-less.

From across the street, they turn back to their onlookers.

Zip?: Come and catch us if you can~!

The head is shoved closed by the arms, Zip's voice returning from one of the limbs.

Zip: Don't encourage them! We have to GO!

A light shoots out, now a rope grappling up to the top of some nearby building, pulling up and landing on the roof. They begin running immediately.

Tuna writhes a bit, struggling as she lifts her head up like a snake.

Tuna: What are you all waiting for!?

Contestants, AFTER THEM! It seems that the light has a degree of control over Zip, can use its light to hurt, and adapt it into more physical things- like that rope.

Human Ingenuity: HEY!!! IS NO ONE GOING TO COMMENT ON HOW I'VE BEEN WOUNDED?! OH, THE HUMANITY! MY DEAR BODY IS SO FULL OF HOLE!

Human Ingenuity: I REQUIRE VENGENCE! AT LEAST ONE OF YOU CAN DO THIS FOR ME, FEEBLE AS YOU ARE!

Shape has received, as Human Ingenuity's favorite customer, they're giving you the gift of a life time.

Limbs: [The Dark's stagehands brought you back here.]

Limbs: [It itself went off, bemoaning something about missing the marketability of first words? Hehe.]

Without asking and rather unceremoniously, Limbs plucks Tuna up by her spine and dumps her into tub of water they presumably carried over here. Tuna wraps the liquid around her skeleton, settling on the lowliness of being a quadruped thing for now. Limbs giggles a little at her.

Limbs: Ehehe! [You should be like this more often! It's very cute.]

Tuna: (sighing) I'll consider doing that if my job's criteria becomes "looking cute" instead of "being an efficient person". Limbs: Ehehehe. [It could be arranged.]

Tuna: I'm assuming my stuff is still being repaired?

Limbs: [Uh huh. Shouldn't be long though.]

Tuna: And ze got away. Again.

Limbs: [Uh huuuh. But it's not like ze got very far.]

Tuna: … How do you know that?

Limbs: [Oh, since you were out for the count, I figured I oughta keep an eyes out on things for you.]

Limbs: [All it took was getting some camera access in the general areas, and figuring where they'd probably stop by next.]

Tuna: You just… figured it out?

Limbs: [Yeah? I thought it was a little obvious! Especially after that whole light controlling zir thing.]

Tuna: You know about that already?

Limbs: [The Dark told me. Also bemoaning missed marketability on that. Is possession popular?]

Limbs: [With all that stocking up on sewing stuff, as a plushie with visible repairing done, and reportedly Danak said they'd been hurt outside of Haven before. Right. ]

Limbs: [And I mean, the light doesn't come from Haven, it's a gameshow resource for a reason. Also right.]

Limbs: [So. I thought that they're preparing to leave the city. And the last thing they probably feel like they'd need is food for the trip.] Limbs: [I mean, would you trust food from Human Ingenuity? No way they keep food safely!]

Limbs: [But yeah! Anyways, they're at one of the food districts. Been there a while. I wonder if it's hard to pick something good… I've never been there.]

Limbs shifts a bit, multiple hands where their presumable face would be. They seem a bit lost in thought.

Limbs: [I suppose I don't get out much, do I? Oh well!]

Limbs: [When you're ready to go, gather up your guys and head on over. I'll give you the set location. I've got to go tell the Dark about this too now.]

Inside, the shop appears to have a normal assortment on stuff. Notably, there is a large screen behind the counter and an ominous staircase with no bottom immediately visible. The computer flickers to life.

H.I: WELCOME TO MY FINE ESTABLISHMENT! AS HUMAN INGENUITY, YOU WILL FIND ALL YOU NEED HERE!

Dark: Like criminal teddy bears?

H.I: CUSTOMER CONFIDENTIALITY. YOU CAN'T MAKE ME TALK, A HUMAN'S WILL IS INFALLIABLE.

Dark: Damn! I believe this statement completely. I wouldn't know, I'm not a person.

Tuna: Glad you're giving up so quickly. Oughta make us actually looking around easier.

Dark: You're right! We just have to go shopping. And it shouldn't take too long, we can see everything right here! There's nothing else!

H.I: A FOOLISH ASSUMPTION, TYPICAL. BEHOLD, MY GENIUS YOU'LL FIND DOWNSTAIRS.

Dark: Oh boy! How inviting!

It takes a minute, but the group eventually finds themselves at the bottom. Before everyone is an enormous warehouse, stocked up completely with a wide variety of items. There doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason to how things are organized.

Some boxes seem normal, like the clothing boxes or furniture or other miscellaneous household items. Others suggest danger, be it the smoke coming from them, or that they're moving slightly, or… A scream in the distance followed by an explosion seems to confirm the threats present.

H.I: EVERYTHING IS PERFECTLY ORGANIZED AND SAFETY PROOFED TO OPTIMAL LEVELS. I DON'T EXPECT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE INTELLIGENCE OF MY WRINKLED BRAINS PROCESSING.

H.I: YOU WILL FIND ANYTHING YOU COULD EVER WANT HERE. WHEN YOUR FEEBLE MIND REQUIRES ASSISTANCE, SEEK ME AT ANY OF THE VARIOUS TERMINALS.

H.I: I MAY ATTEMPT TO ASSIST YOU, THOUGH IT MAY BE DIFFICULT GIVEN THE VASTNESS BETWEEN COMPREHENSIONS. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY SHOPPING WITH US, AND GOODBYE.

The screen turns off.

Tuna: A place with anything… Wonder what Zip would aim to get from all this.

Dark: And I wonder if the other shoppers have any recommendations! Oh, I really could use some new additions to my wardrobe! The rest of you too, where's your sense of style?!

Tuna: This isn't just some shopping trip- Though. Hm.

Tuna: I suppose if you find anything you think could be useful in the future, there's no harm in buying it.

Tuna: Now if only there was a way to tell what Zip might've gotten. It'd be handy to know what they might have to use against us. I don't think we're going to be finding them here today, unless you could figure out exactly what ze'd be here for.

...