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Post by Tarch on Aug 31, 2020 12:16:51 GMT -6
Tarch PL:225,000
After the initial reverie of his rebirth wore off, a sudden wave of remembrance washed over Tarch like a tsunami. He was forgetting the most important part of his revival. The person who no doubt worked his little red butt off trying to bring him back. A certain demonic monkey lizard. His one and only little brother. But how was he supposed to go about this? He couldn’t just go up to the bug and simply tackle him and say he’s back. No, Tarch had to be the overly dramatic he was. He needed to be smart. Literally, the teen was going to use his mind.
“Hey, youuuu. You should come to the forest. Specifically my favorite spot.”
Tarch just had to hope his spot was still intact. Not that he had any reason to believe it wasn’t Indeed as he arrived he was relieved to find out that the river was as clear as always. The afterlife had nothing on this little patch of heaven. Trees swaying in the breeze, the rush of water running, cutting through the forest clearing with a refreshing mist. Then there was his tree. Looking like any other, but sporting a branch that had gone too long without the child of hope resting comfortably on top. There was one thing he had to do though. One last thing to set the scene.
The half saiyan reached into his pocket and pulled out a slightly crumpled piece of paper and a black marker. The last thing he wanted to do was go around littering, to that he brought something that would hopefully stand out enough for him to remember to pick up after himself. Tarch quickly scribbled down a brief note to what he had hoped would be a soon arriving bug.
“Wanna see a magic trick? Thanks to you, I’m gonna make your brother reappear.”
Perfect! Tarch gentle placed his note onto the hard dirt ground, weighing it down with a small rock to make sure it wouldn’t blow away. Now all he had to do was hide. Easy enough when your brother doesn’t know how to sense energy. Unless he picked that up since his death. Better safe than sorry right? Tarch let out a massive surge of energy before quickly extinguishing it. A little signal for his brother to possibly see. Then once his power died down, he’d hide in the thicker leaves just above his resting spot.
Utility Technique used! Summon Chromo! I mean Telepathy… to summon Chromo!
Energy Suppressed to 1
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Post by Chromo on Aug 31, 2020 13:13:39 GMT -6
THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR
CHROMO'S PL: 2,600,000 (200k BASE | x13P)
With speed that would make even Tarch's alleged title as one of the "fastest in the universe" questionable, it took all of three entire seconds after his sibling's telepathic ping for the beetle to right around the little tree he'd paid too many visits to over the past months. He skidded to a screeching stop in the dirt, but a careful beat of his wings was enough to prevent any dirt from daring to touch a familiar jacket tied around his neck. A few cracks could be seen across the excitedly shaking bio-android's shell, and in his excitement, he didn't think to clean the sparse splotches of a certain saiyan's blood off of his talons. The beetle had no hesitation as he bounded towards the tiny note on the ground, tilting his head to the side, bewildered by its wording. Make Tarch reappear? He already did that! Well, Shenron did it technically, but Chromo told the dragon to. Surely no magic act could top the reality-bending will of the Eternal Dragon. Chromo looked around, back and fourth, in front and behind him in rapid succession, but there was no Tarch to be seen. "T-Tarch...?!" His antennae flopped down, pinning against his head in anxiety with an instinctive whine, like a puppy that'd just been kicked. Something terrible hadn't happened to Tarch again to make him disappear minutes after his revival again, had it?! Was Sensoa waiting by his brother's grave to just kill him again and run off? Chromo was really starting to get worried. If it was that Cress, there would be more than just blood to pay.... The beetle scampered across the meadow, peering around some of the other trees, into the bushes, and even sticking his head into a nearby stream for any sign of the brother he'd worked so hard to be reunited with. Soon he came to a stop beneath Tarch's favorite tree, his claws tucked close to his body and eyes still darting around, mumbling something to himself as he continued to glance around the forest. He felt so close, yet so far...Chromo has x13P Semi-Perfect active!
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Post by Tarch on Aug 31, 2020 13:48:27 GMT -6
It took every ounce of restrain for Tarch to not immediately tackle his brother to the ground. As soon as Chromo let out that poor pitiful whine his heart melted. Maybe dramaticism wasn’t the best move. But hopefully, the reaction that was soon to come would make up for the accidental sin Tarch had just commit. As quietly as he could, Tarch snaked his way down from his hiding spot, planting himself just behind his brother.
Then in a soft but playful whisper, he’d speak out. “Chromooo…” Tarch would wait for the very instant the beetle turned around before making his next move. Chromo would probably get out two, maybe three words if he was lucky before being bombarded with the biggest hug Tarch had ever given.
“YOU DID IT BUD!!!” he’d cry out, making sure to keep his grip as tight as possible. Not even any all-powerful demons or cocky saiyan killers would be strong enough to break them apart. Tarch would just take a moment to hug his brother, joyful tears streaming down his cheeks. Out of all the things he missed up in heaven, a real hug was the top of the list. Even the visit of his mother was brought down by the light and airy non-realism that came with his death. Finally, Tarch would pull away, keeping his bug brother’s shoulders in his arms.
“You did it,” he repeated tearfully, “I’m so sorry I scared you.” Of course, he did not just mean in the past five minutes. He the unnoticed the familiar blue jacket wrapped snuggly around Chromo’s back. The once late teen let out a short chuckle. “It looks good on you. A little torn up,” Tarch ran a finger through the long rip going down the back. He remembered that. Sensoa caught him in the back after he missed an attack. “Wow… B-but hey! We can fix that right up!”
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Post by Chromo on Sept 28, 2020 14:04:20 GMT -6
CHROMO'S PL: 2,600,000 (200k BASE | x13P)
Chromo paced around the tree, antennae drooped low as he looked around in a frenzy. Getting increasingly desperate, the distressed toddler went as far as lifting up a nearby boulder with his horn just to make sure Tarch hadn't been revived under a rock. Tears had started to well in his eyes as he grit his teeth in worry. Was all of his work, all of his hope and sacrifice and promises for nothing?
A voice behind him said otherwise. Chromo froze up, his pupils shrinking into shocked pinpricks as his tiny brain struggled to keep up with the torrent of thoughts and emotions flooding his body. His body moved in spite of his mind, though, whipping around and lurching off the ground right into his brother's arms, clamping right back on in a crushing vice-grip of a hug, his bloodied claws wrapping around.
"T-t-TARcHH--!!" The beetle croaked out, his glassy eyes finally cracking open to let a waterfall of ugly tears pour fourth. He'd told himself day after day that he would bring his brother back- failure to do so was simply not an option. But even with the reassurance of the Eternal Dragon Shenron himself, this reunion had always felt like a faraway dream, something his little mind had trouble fully processing into reality. But now Tarch was here and he was alive and real, and this wasn't a dream. He could feel his insectoid body shaking, crying to release the tension of the long months they'd been apart. He'd told himself their reunion was an inevitabiliy, but the fear that he would never see Tarch again had haunted his little heart until now.
"I-- I t-t-thought I-I'd... Y-you'd--!!" He spoke, though his words devolved into incoherent babbling between the high-pitched cries that leaked out of his mouth. "I w-was so s-Ss-SCARED!! You-- you're a big dumb stupid idiot and I hate you and you're the WORST and d-d-don't e-ever do that aga-aa-aaaiiin!!" Of course Chromo didn't actually hate Tarch, never in a million years, but he was never as good with words in comparison. "And-- anD I-I missed you and I was t-trying r-r-really hard a-a-and I've b-been lonely and-- and--- w-wwAauAAghhhH!!" He broke into cries again as he pried his face away from Tarch, snot drizzling from his nose and tears leaving stained tracks down his face, still latched onto Tarch tightly, with no intent to let go anytime soon.
Chromo's jaws quivered, though by some miracle of nature he'd managed to quiet himself down a little as Tarch brought his attention to the familiar jacket wrapped around the bio-android's neck. "Y-yeaHh..." He managed to form words again as Tarch reaffirmed that they could fix up his jacket. Chromo had tried a few times to patch it up after watching some tutorials on Baotube for sewing, but his two-fingered pincers made it too difficult. For a moment he considered taking the jacket off to return it to its rightful owner, but doing that meant letting to of Tarch so he decided not to.
"I-I--" He stammered again for what already felt like the hundredth time. The part of him that wasn't still completely and utterly overwhelmed by the moment was fumbling about in confusion. He hadn't planned for what to do after Shenron's departure. He'd get to that part later. "N-never d-d-do a-anything like that e-ever again..."
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Post by Tarch on Nov 11, 2020 16:56:25 GMT -6
“Shshshshhh,” Tarch cooed gently as he wrapped his arms around the little bug. He too could feel his eyes beginning to well up. There was no one left to blame. No one there to avenge his death. Just him and Chromo free to live life to the fullest. Poor Chromo had to do this all alone. The last time this happened though he went on a rampage on West City. Thankfully, while the words ‘dumb baby’ still sprang to mind, Chromo had grown. More than anyone their age had any right to. They were still kids after all.
Tarch gave his little brother a very teary-eyed wink, “I ain’t going anywhere. With you by my side I know nobody’s gonna lay a finger on me.” How cathartic this all must have been. Chromo lost everyone he knew and loved with no hope of revival. The half saiyan prayed that above all else, this would reaffirm the long dimmed hope in the bug. There are some bonds that transcend life and death that would never be broken. Theirs was a shining living example.
Tarch would give the demonic monkey lizard a chance to let out any more frustration before asking him a burning question. “I know I’m a big dummy and stupid and an idiot and you hate me forever no matter what. But what about you, huh? What happened while I was gone? There had to have been something good going on right?” As if. Being in heaven meant you got wind of every death that transpires even without you being present. Between Namek and Vocado, there were a lot of bad things he had to correct. “Okay, maybe not good. But anything is better than me… dying…” Boy that was spooky to say out loud. He felt a cold shiver run down his spine even in this southern fall warmth.
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Post by Chromo on Nov 11, 2020 17:50:56 GMT -6
CHROMO'S PL: 2,600,000 (200k BASE | x13P)
"Y-yeaH y-you-- you BETTER!" Chromo stammered in response to Tarch's promise of not going anywhere. If anyone so much as looked at Tarch wrong now with Chromo around, they would get a stern bite to their face from an enraged beetle. Sensoa would beg for death if he ever met Chromo's gaze. The beetle found himself growling quietly yet viciously at the thought of what he'd do to anyone who threatened to take his family away again.
Thankfully Chromo had calmed somewhat from his tearful stammering, though he wasn't keen on detaching from his brother yet. Instead the beetle shuffled up to perch on Tarch's arm as he spoke again. Chromo gave Tarch a sharp glare as he affirmed the beetle's claims of the saiyan's objective stupidity and dumbness. At the mention of what else had happened in the meantime, Chromo found his train of thought buffering. "Uhhhhhhhhh..." What else had happened?
Chromo had spent nearly the entirety of his time since grieving over his brother's body looking for the Dragon Balls. It was hard to think of many things he knew of that had happened, let alone anything positive. "Well it's not good, but some idiot blew up Namek. Luckily for them, I'm gonna bring Namek back next time, though!" He chirped, before shifting in tone to an irate growl. "Ugh, you wouldn't believe this- the guy who blew it up showed up right at the last minute, this big dumb stupid named Cress, had the gall as I was talking to Shenron!... Shenron's the nice big wish-dragon, by the way." Everything had gone so smoothly right up until the last second. Thankfully Chromo was the strongest being in the universe and Cress would stand no chance against him, ever.
"So, me and this weird squid guy who also hated Cress showed up kicked his butt and he ran away like an idiot despite talking about how he was TOTALLY planning to die for some reason and 'eVeRYthinG is aCCorDIng to plAN NYEEHHH Y'SEEE'." Chromo rambled and growled with every word he uttered, putting on a mocking impression of Cress's voice- that saiyan was far more of a monster than even the test-tube destroyer that was Chromo. Destroying Namek was one thing, but being dumber than a dumb bug was another! "I 'woulda chased him down and stabbed him then and there, but even I know leaving the Dragon Balls as the dragon himself is there is a bad idea." Chromo shuddered at the thought of what people like Kraktus or Cress would have truly wished for...
"Uhhh, what else, what else..." Chromo tapped his chin. "...There was a Hetap sale last month. That was neat... Awhile back some people on the tee-vee were talking about some dead President guy and evil saiyan kingdom people or something..." The beetle wasn't too attuned to recent events when he'd been tunnel-visioned onto reviving Tarch and nothing else. "And I'unno what was up, but there was this BIG fight at some feckoff mountain in the north. Like, really REALLY REEEALLLY big. There was a big boom I heard all the way from South City! Don't ask me what happened cuz i'unno." Mount Frappe of all places seemed like the weirdest place for an epic showdown...
The beetle clicked his tongue, gazing off. "...Other than that, I guess this entire time I've just been looking for the Dragon Balls on my own." There hadn't been nearly as much time for games, play, or even Hetap until now. The beetle had been on his own for what felt like a lifetime now- not even Kohlra or Belle helped in the long-term despite their alleged care for Tarch. Chromo grumbled to himself.
Wiping his eyes to dismiss stray tears that kept leaking out, Chromo took a shaky breath in to compose himself again. "Uh... so... what's deadland like???" That was the worst way Chromo had ever phrased the question "what's up with you." What was he supposed to say to dead people that weren't dead anymore? He hadn't planned this far.
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Post by Tarch on Nov 26, 2020 13:54:14 GMT -6
Did… Did Chromo just say the f-word? Wait, why was Tarch thinking about that when the minute he leaves the world, no, the galaxy decides to set itself on fire. He already knew about Cress and his bullcrap. There were rumors floating around in ‘deadland’ about Mr. Hofferson dying but Tarch never actually saw him up there, and he doubts he went to hfil. Oh, and the saiyan kingdom was apparently evil? Seemed as though He had his work cut out for him.
Yet despite all this, Tarch just gave Chromo an unfazed stare, putting a hand to his mouth. “Hmm… That it? I’m going to have to have a talk with Ms. Kayen about that. But yeah, the otherworld is nice. Well kinda. Actually, it’s boring as all heck with a lot of yellow clouds. Sure it had endless pretty meadows and even a gave me a copy of this clearing here,” Tarch gestured to the river flowing gently beside them. “But nothing felt right. Everything was so cheery but fake. Like flavorless cotton candy. It’s still sweet but just a buncha yellow fluff. I got to see where mom had her martial arts school. I met Nashua, Mister- I mean Prince Typha, some old relatives, a blue cat guy named Nashi… what else? Oh yeah! Yanwang was there! Do you know that little guy? Kinda reminds me of you, I think you’d make good friends. That’s about it I think. That and the giant Ogre named King Yemma. He’s kind of scary but he's actually pretty nice. He sorta judges you and sends you to heaven or hell.”
“As for all the bad stuff going on here,” Tarch roped an arm around the little bug, “I kinda heard about most of it. Being in heaven, you kinda see everyone who died, including the people on Namek. Don’t worry I don’t like Cress either.” Still, the naive child had no more room for hatred in his once pierced heart. There were only two people he hated. Kalabas, and Mr. Vocado. “And I never saw Mr. Carro up there so I guess he’s okay. Besides, even if he was you probably brought him back too! Here’s the best part,” Tarch playfully jabbed an excited finger into Chromo’s chest, “now that I’m back you and I can fix everything Cress and the kingdom messed up! I need to help Namek after everything they did for us anyway.”
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Post by Chromo on Nov 26, 2020 16:40:31 GMT -6
CHROMO'S PL: 2,600,000 (200k BASE | x13P)
Chromo furrowed his brows at the mention of Kayen. He didn't know much about the saiyan queen, but he could tell Tarch wasn't quite happy with her right now. If Tarch didn't like someone, Chromo didn't like them either. "W-well, if you're gonna then I'm coming too if she is bad and tries to do anything bad!" He proclaimed with a flutter of his wings and a low growl. Anyone with even the slightest ill intent towards the beetle's brother would need to get through him first.
Moving along, though, Chromo quelled his rage again as Tarch explained how boring the Afterlife was. Chromo still didn't really understand how and what exactly the world of the dead was, but it didn't sound like a thrilling time. "Oh, yeeeeah, I met that Yanwang guy! He was cool." Though he didn't know the ogre well, Yanwang was one of the few who helped comfort Chromo during his hunt. Most of the other names flew over his head, though.
Tarch was already well aware of the Namek situation. Good, he knew how terrible it was and how he'd be out of the way of that conflict and let Chromo do the hard work, then! Chromo was very happy he'd be avoiding that lecture and that his brother was smart and knew better already!...
...Until two seconds later, when Chromo's chipper smile faded as the implication of his brother's following words clicked.
"Haha," Chromo gave an innocent laugh before promptly leaning his head forwards. Despite the chipper smile on his face, there was a familiar, vehement green glow in his pupils for a second. "No."
And there was no further explanation needed, Chromo surmised. "Shenron is sleeping, anyways! He was very tired from being very awesome and granting a huge wish and said he wanted extra sleepy time. So don't think about that." Don't think about doing the same thing that got you fucking killed or so help me god, he cussed internally.
"And!" Chromo swiftly added after, giving Tarch no time for a rebuttal. He would not be hearing anything about how Tarch was planning to put himself at a risk of death ever again, ever. "And you need to say hi to your mom and dad again too! They were very sad and worried and they don't know you're alive again yet which is sad! That is very important and we should do that soon!" Was he trying to guilt trip Tarch and make him focus on something else that wasn't Round Two of the Dragon Ball hunt to revive Namek?... Yes, yes he was.
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Post by Tarch on Dec 9, 2020 11:27:19 GMT -6
If you listened carefully, you could hear the glass shattering that was Chromo’s brain. Tarch certainly could. Even with his recently dulled senses, the young teen could feel the sudden shock of panic and rage that flooded from the beetle. But that wouldn’t be enough to dissuade Tarch from his mission. At least not on its own. Shenron being asleep for however long he would be on the other hand was literally a physical roadblock that not even the stubbornness of a teenage saiyan could hurdle.
“Chromo I-” he wouldn’t even get his chance to speak before Chromo was rattling off reasons why doing this was a very bad idea. First and foremost were his still grief-stricken parents. Tarch’s quickly grabbed two fist fulls of charcoal hair in his hands. “Oh geez! I was so worried about you I forgot to tell mom and dad I’m back!” He then took hold of his brother’s pincer, “come on! We gotta let them know I’m alive again!” however, just before taking off, he’d look Chromo in his formerly green spheres, his own eyes briefly turning teal, “and we’ll talk about bringing Namek back later.”
This time Chromo would be the one cut short as Tarch would try and yank him into the air. Even with post mortem stiffness, the speed king made it to his house in record time. Honestly, the bug in his hands could have blinked and he’d miss the entire trip. Ignoring his windswept hair, Tarch began pounding on the door as if his newly granted life depended on it.
A slow shuffling could be heard from inside before a tired yet agitated voice called out, “Whoever you are you better stop breaking my door or so help me you’ll-” though usually in a different tone, Tarch had heard that threat before. As a young child with super strength, he was often told that if he broke something, he would spend the day fixing it with no video games after. This time his father sounded much angrier and exhausted. But both of those soon faded as he opened the door. “T-Tarch?”
“Hi, Dad.” Now he was at a loss for what to say next. He just had to hope that Chromo was still with him and could help him out.
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Post by Chromo on Dec 10, 2020 19:12:46 GMT -6
CHROMO'S PL: 2,600,000 (200k BASE | x13P)
Yes, good, Chromo had shut down and talked Tarch out of his dumb idea and there would be no further problems from here on out. Thankfully a simple no was all it took to knock some sense into his brother- how he didn't know suggesting doing the same thing that got him killed not even a minute after returning to life was in bad taste would forever be lost to Chromo, though. Chromo smiled smugly, internally patting himself on the back for his expert persuasion skills as Tarch realized they had more important things to worry about.
...That was for all of one second this time before Chromo felt a snap of anger well in his gut again. "Listen here you dumb stupid-" Chromo gnashed his teeth as he started to begin round two of his screamy lecture, only to be cut short and dragged into the air with a shrill yelp. In what felt like no time at all, the thrashing beetle found himself in front of Tarch's house. He'd managed to struggle out of Tarch's grip just as they came to a stop, sending the poor bug flying face-first into the dirt while Tarch went to the door.
"HHhheck yoouuuu." Chromo spoke with his face still in the earth, muffled but not letting any modicum of sass and irritation slip.
Prying himself upright and shaking the dust off his body like a wet dog, Chromo regained his bearings just in time to hear the sound of the door opening. The beetle felt a sense of giddiness and smug accomplishment quickly overtake him as Tarch's father stood speechless in front of his not-dead son. He skittered back and popped his head into view from the side of the door, letting the Dragon Radar tucked beneath his wing slip out a little to silently cue Tarch's dad into just what happened- the stupid smile plastered across Chromo's face would tell the rest of the story. "You're welcome." He bluntly chirped with a haughty grin, saying all that needed to be said on his part. If neither of the two had made a move yet, Chromo would do it for them by shoving Tarch forward with an unfurled wing.
Victory had never felt sweeter for the little beetle.
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Post by Tarch on Jan 3, 2021 15:56:46 GMT -6
The push was hardly necessary, Tarch was five seconds away from diving into his father. If anything, Chromo just made sure the poor man wasn’t knocked down by his son’s overwhelming strength. It was a sweet and touching moment, a once mourning father holding his until recently deceased son. Silent tears rolled down both of their cheeks. That was until A familiar and haughty chirp chittered behind them. Mar’s eyes shot open before he pulled his son closer, almost as if to shove him inside.
“You! You! Look just… Just stay back okay!”
“Dad no! It’s fine! I already told you we made up!”
“And I told you, after what he did to you and Kohlra-” his father continued to try and usher his son inside. Luckily it was akin to trying to haul the entirety of Mount Paozu with one’s bare hands.
“Dad would you listen! He’s the one that brought me back!”
That instantly got him to stop his fussing. Mar looked over at Chromo with shrewdly narrowed eyes. Even if Tarch saw this thing as his brother, he only saw the monster that hurt him beyond reprieve. He only barely tolerated his mere presence in his son’s life. But that same ‘monster’ brought home his baby boy. Not to mention he helped bring back his happiness before.
“He… he did?”
“Honest. Just like he helped me with momma.” Tarch nodded.
His gaze flipped between his two sons. Finally, a tired but sincere smile crossed him. “Well… I suppose bringing two back to life is… a good- no, great start. I can’t say I forgive you for what you did to my son way back. But I would be wrong to say you haven’t earned this.” Gingerly, Mar would move to place a cautious hand on Chromo’s blue dome. “Thank you. Thank you so much, Chromo. I’m sorry for shouting at you.” Tarch didn’t say anything, he simply gave his brother a big toothy grin. This was already less awkward than it was with his mother. Then again, his very human father was much better at handling situations with a cooler head than his all saiyan mother.
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Post by Chromo on Jan 11, 2021 19:22:20 GMT -6
CHROMO'S PL: 2,600,000 (200k BASE | x13P)
Oh right, Chromo did kill Tarch's mom in front of him and scar him- quite literally- for life that one time. That was not one of the beetle's greater moments... Beads of nervous sweat formed on his head as he averted his gaze from the understandable mistrusting father. No words could convey how much he regretted that day. But thankfully his brother had his back yet again.
Chromo snapped out of his shameful mourning at his brother's mention of the now past hunt for the Dragon Balls. "Y-yeah! I sure did! All on my own, too- I didn't need any help!" He sure would have liked help, though, but both Kohlra and Belle had a lot more talk than walk when it came to their aid in the hunt.
That was a sour spot he could afford to address later, though, now was a time for fun and shenanigans! "You can thank me with some more Hetap later." Chromo smugly chirped back to Mar in response to his thanks. But despite his attempts at putting on a "cool" and confident demeanor, tears had began welling in Chromo's beady eyes yet again. All of this still felt surreal, but it was really happening. Tarch was back, Chromo had been tentatively accepted into the family yet again, and everything could only get better from here.
And if it got worse, well...
If anyone wanted to lay a single finger on Tarch ever again, Chromo would bite it right off.
"S-so, uh...." Chromo tried to keep his cool, but another emotional croak barged its way into his tone. "W-we need to do t-things later o-once you've rested and s-said hi to everyone else and stuff! There was a new Majin Bros game that came out months ago that you missed, and I found a bunch of new cool hiding spots around here to put some snacks, and t-t-there's a big new p-park at-- at the city now, and... and..." Both of the boys had their childhood innocence pried away by the cruel hands of circumstance, but that certainly wouldn't stop Chromo from enjoying this happy reunion while he could. A wobbly, yet genuine smile seemed perpetually plastered on the child's face. This was real.
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CHROMO - THE BEST BUG
