Colortopia

Bedroom Blues

Blue and I are down in the Residency's basement, since this is where Orange said the mattress and other furniture was stored.

My smile widened upon discovering that all the furniture was purple.

Green did mention that Purple left the Residency a while ago, which is a shame, but he left all of his stuff behind, which means it is now up for grabs. Blue sits on the purple mattress, observing as I geek out like a mad man.

Me: It's purple...! It's all purple...! I love it...!

There's a purple dresser, a purple vanity, a purple wardrobe filled with an assortment of purple clothes, and a purple recliner fitted with cupholders. 

Man, Purple must've been a real snob. 

I settle into the purple recliner, finding it as comfortable as it appears. The fabric's texture is reminiscent of both silk and the softest clouds. It makes sense as to why Purple would have it. And despite my worries about the basement, it is quite spacial, which means I could sleep here, no problem.

Yes. I have decided that I want to live here.

There's nowhere else in this city I'd rather be. I'm surrounded by wonderful people and the vibrance of the city, regardless of the crimes, make it worth the struggle. I have not told anyone about my decision, as I want it to be a surprise. I know Red might have her opinions, but I have no doubt Yellow's excitement will drown them out. I look over at Blue, wanting to know her thoughts.

Me: What do you think? Could you see yourself sleeping down here?

Blue: Well... It's quiet...

Me: That's true, it is pretty quiet. Makes it easier to snooze. How's that mattress?

Blue: Too soft...

Blue lays down on the mattress and she sinks a little.

Me: {smiles} I can see that. 

I get up and sit on the bed next to her.

Me: I wonder why Purple would want to leave the Residency. It's filled with so much life and joy. 

Blue: {sighs} I wish I could... do something like that... 

Me: Hm? You want to leave too?

Blue: I mean... Just once... I'd like to be able to... um... you know... go outside and do things... 

Me: Well, you can. 

Blue: No... I can't... 

Me: You won't know for sure unless you-

Blue: {closes her eyes} Please don't say it... I have tried... and I'm... I'm not strong enough... 

I think I know what Blue is talking about.

Me: You're afraid of the villains, right?

Blue: It's, uh... more than that... It's... the attention... 

Me: The attention? Why would you get attention?

Blue: I-I don't want to... burden you...

Me: No, it's fine, I won't mind.

Blue: {sighs} M-my big eyes and small chest make me... a-adorable...

I didn't expect her to say that.

Me: Um, well... I mean...

Blue: Exactly... And the last time I went out... it was all I ever heard... 

The tension in this room is high.

Me: Okay, that's fair. We don't need to go outside.

Blue: Good... 

Blue closes her eyes again and emits a sleepy sigh as she looks like she's about to sleep on the mattress. Not wanting to make things more awkward, I start to head out of the basement."

Blue: Um...

Me: Yeah?

Blue: Y-you don't have to, but... I'd really like a glass of water... with, uh... one ice cube...

I nod.

Me: Sure, I'll be back in a minute.

I leave the basement and find Yellow standing there with a big smile on her face.

Yellow: I've got a surprise for you!

Me: A surprise? Well, I do like surprises. What is it?

Yellow: {giggles} You have to guess!

Oh boy.

Me: Really?

Yellow: Yes, really! C'mon, guess!

Me: Fine. Is it food?

Yellow: Nuh-uh.

Me: Is it clothing?

Yellow: {makes a buzzer sound} Try again!

Me: Did you make me a drawing?

Yellow: Oh, hey, that's a good idea! 

So it's not a drawing either. 

Me: Okay, Yellow, you've got me completely stumped. What did you get me?

Yellow: Surprise!

Yellow pulls out the DISK?!

I thought I lost that ages ago!

Me: WHAT?!

Yellow seems pleased with my reaction.

Yellow: I can tell you're surprised! Do you like it?

Me: I-I don't get it! How did you get that?

Yellow: Oh, well, someone put this through our mail slot, and the best part is, I didn't even have to order it!

Me: Y-Yellow... THAT is the device that brought me here.

Yellow waves the disk around like it's no big deal.

Yellow: This little guy? He sure is a glowy fella.

Me: Yellow, be careful, you might activate it.

Yellow: You mean I can go to your planet? Ooh, I wanna go! Take me! 

Me: Yellow, it's not that easy. It happened by accident. 

Yellow: It must've been a happy accident!

Me: Well, whatever it is, it's lucky we have it. If it fell into the hands of those villains out there, we'd be in major crap.

Yellow: Okay, then! Here you go!

Yellow hands me the disk and skips off.

Me: Where are you going?

Yellow: To count my smiley faces!

And with that, Yellow bounds up the stairs and disappears from view. Then I remember I have a mission, so I head back down the basement and hand the disk to Blue.

Me: Blue, take this.

Though confused, Blue accepts the disk.

Blue: Wh-what's this for...?

Me: It's a strange little doohickey. 

Blue: Huh...?

Me: Just... keep it safe in your hoodie...

Blue: Um... Okay...

She stores the disk in the pocket of her hoodie, and I head back upstairs to fetch her water.

With exactly ONE ice cube.

----

Down at the Hueville basketball court, tons of Colortopians are gathered around to watch Red and Orange dominate each other. Neither opponent is taking this lightly and the bystanders know this is going to be a rough match.

Orange: I'm gonna dunk on you so hard, you'll see stars!

Red: Impossible! You can't dunk with broken ankles!

Red rushes in and steals the ball from Orange, dribbling down the court to kingdom come. Orange picks up the pace and rushes after her, both players getting closer to the hoop. The cheers grow stronger as Red shoots the ball at the net, but Orange SWATS the ball, making the crowd go crazy.

Orange: How's that taste?!

Red: Shut up!

Orange has the ball now and Red is hot on his tail as he dribbles left and right. 

Orange: Hey Red, if I make this basket, you have to go out with me!

Red ignores the comment and slides in, snatching the ball from Orange. He is quick to react and he chases after her, flying across the court to the other hoop.

Orange: No you don't!

Orange leaps at her in an attempt to secure the ball, but Red goes for a half-court shot, her aim impeccable.

{SWISH!}

The ball goes through the net, making the crowd erupt. Red takes a deep breath as she picks the basketball off the ground. Orange chuckles as Red throws it to him.

Orange: Okay, Red Bull, I see we're taking this seriously.

Red: You bet your ass. 

Orange: Then let's get serious.

Orange runs faster and dribbles the ball from one hand to the other. Red catches up to him with her hands swiping like crazy. 

Orange: Too slow!

Red: Grrr...

Red goes for another swipe, but Orange swerves to the other side, going for the backboard. The ball does indeed hit the backboard, and swishes into the basket clean.

Orange: WHOOOOO!

Orange and the crowd cheer as Red gets tossed the ball by a bystander.

Red: Whatever...

Orange: Hey, Red, I like the soda shop. We can head there for our date.

Red: {rolls her eyes} Don't jerk yourself off yet. We're tied. 

Orange: But that's about to change REAL soon.

Red snorts as she and Orange get into position again. 

Orange: This last shot determines the winner.

Red: Fine by me. 

All of a sudden, a guy wearing magenta races onto the court.

Magenta: Game's over, guys.

Orange: Magenta, what the hell's goin' on?

Magneta: We got some villains heading this way.

Red: {groans} Shit...

This gets the crowd nervous and they quickly start to leave the court. Red stays behind but Orange tries to move her.

Orange: Red, you heard him! Villains!

Red: I don't care! The court doesn't belong to them!

Two male villains, named Azure and Saffron, stride into the court with smirks on their faces.

Orange: Damn it... Saffron... 

Saffron marches over to Orange and towers over him, as Azure watches with amusement.

Saffron: Oh, what's shakin', big man, huh? You know it's not safe for you young'uns to be out here by yourselves.

Orange looks up at Saffron and plays it cool.

Orange: What of it? We're just shootin' hoops, no biggie.

Saffron: Yeah, but see the problem is, you're on OUR court. And when you invade our property without permission, then we gotta make sure you know not to do it again.

Red: Listen, numbnuts, we didn't do anything to your precious court. We're going to finish our game, and THEN we'll leave.

Saffron chuckles as he turns his attention to Red.

Saffron: You must be Red. 

Red: Oh, you know your colors, good for you.

Saffron: You've got a reputation for bein' quite a brat. I think what you need is a real man to put you in your place.

He goes to touch her, but Red slams the basketball into his groin.

Saffron groans loudly and drops to his knees. 

Saffron: You little-

Red: More like a mitch to me. 

Azure raises his hand.

Azure: Enough.

Saffron gets back on his feet and rises, fixing Red and Orange with a menacing stare.

Saffron: Y'know what, I'm glad we ran into you two. 

Azure nods in agreement.

Azure: Absolutely. 

Orange: Wh-why's that?

Azure: We've heard that Red, over here, is well acquainted with some "alien" figure. We don't know what it means, but Orchid wants him gone. 

This leaves both Red and Orange with an uneasy feeling in their stomachs.

Red: Well, we have something to say to you.

Saffron raises his eyebrow.

Saffron: What's that?
 
They take off running out the court and down the street.

Saffron: Hey! Get back here!

Saffron summons a flail into his hand, but Azure intervenes to stop him.

Azure: No, this is good. Let's see where they take us.

Saffron grins at him.

Saffron: I like the way you think.

----

In the basement, Blue and I are gazing up at the ceiling, bonding in silence. It's fascinating how much one can learn about a person just by observing their posture and demeanor.

Me: Blue...

Blue: What...?

Me: What would you think... if I were to live here...?

Blue: Like... permanently...?

Me: Yeah...

Blue: I dunno... I wouldn't mind...

That response gives me hope that the other colors feel the same, because I can't afford to go anywhere else. Blue sips her water, and it reminds me that she possesses the disk in her hoodie.

Me: Blue, can I see the disk?

Blue reaches into her pocket and gives me the disk. As it rests in my hand, I can't help but wonder what it's doing here.

Me: I don't understand how this came back. Yellow said it was slipped through the mail slot, but... who had it in the first place? And why would they give it back?

Blue: {looks up at me} Why are you asking me...?

Me: Oh, I was... talking to myself...

Blue: O-oh... Um... Well... If you want my opinion... I guess... whoever gave it back... knew what they were doing... 

Me: Huh. I think that's the most logical answer I could've gotten.

We see Green rushing down into the basement with concern on his face.

Green: Have Red and Orange returned from their game?

Me: {chuckles} No, I think we would've heard them.

Green's face is etched with worry.

Green: Then this does not bode well.

Me: What? You think something happened to them?

Green: Red's got the mouth of a sailor on turpentine. Knowing her, she might've pissed off a villain or two.

Blue sighs and closes her eyes again.

Blue: Sounds right...

----

Red and Orange zip down the streets of Hueville, panting and heaving as Azure and Saffron are chasing after them.

Azure: I thought we were just going to follow them?

Saffron: Yeah, but it's more fun to BEAT the info out of 'em!

Azure: {shrugs} Whatever works.

From up ahead, Orange chuckles in excitement.

Orange: {to Red} I'm gettin' a rush over here!

Red: Focus, man! We need to lose these dimwits first, then head straight home!

Orange looks back at the villains and grins as he flips them off, enraging Saffron. 

Saffron: YOU LITTLE TWERP!

Azure: {growls} They can't run forever... They obviously have a destination...

Saffron: And wherever that is, it'll lead us straight to that alien freak!

Orange turns back to Red.

Orange: So, Red, got a plan or what?

Red: It'd help if YOU contributed to something other than fool around!

Orange: Uh, I dunno, let's dip through the alleys!

Red: And encounter more villains?!

Orange: I can't think straight when I'm havin' this much fun, okay?!

Saffron: Oh, we're gonna have fun, alright!

Saffron cackles as he swings his flail towards a trash can, so it gets caught by the spikes. Then he FLINGS the bin in the duo's direction. 

Orange: Oh damn!

Red: Gah!

They dive into the sidewalk, the bin crashing in front of them. They're stunned for a bit, giving the villains an easy beeline to them.

Red: Orange, put up your dukes!

Orange cracks his knuckles with a grin.

Orange: Let's do it!

Saffron lunges at them, his flail ready to go.

Saffron: Oh, Red, my dear!

{FLASH!}

Before he can bring his instrument down, a flash of white light emits from thin air and blinds him.

Saffron: Ahhh! What the-?!

When the light clears, Red and Orange are nowhere to be seen. Saffron roars in frustration as Azure stands confused.

Azure: What in Colortopia was that...?

Saffron: We were so close! That's not fair!

Azure: Don't worry, brother. This is far from over. We will find this brat, no matter the cost. 

Saffron: Ugh... {rubs his eyes} I think I need glasses, man...

Azure: {sighs} No you don't, just get up... 

----

Red and Orange land dazed in front of the Residency, both of them light-headed as frick.

Red: Oh, crap... 

Orange: Did you do that, Red...?

Red: Are you stupid, of course not...

(?): It was me... 

They look up to see the male in white.

Red: Huh. Who are you?

White: I go by many names, but you may call me White... 

Red: White? I've never heard of you before. 

White: {nods} I know...

Orange: {sticks out his hand} Sick robe, man.

White: {shakes it} Thank you, Orange... 

Red: So you have freak powers too, huh?

White: Y-yes... I would like to talk more, but it would be preferable for me to not be seen by anyone else...

Orange: Ah, you're a hermit.

White: I suppose... 

Red: Wait, I need an answer. You didn't have to do that back there.

White: {smiles} This city is not completely covered in darkness... 

Red seems content with that answer and she nods, heading up the stairs. Orange turns to White as he prepares to warp away.

Orange: Hold up.

White: Yes?

Orange: You really gotta leave so soon?

White: {nods} That's the way it has to be.

Orange feels saddened by that response.

White: {smiles} But perhaps not for much longer.

{WARP}

Orange remains, gazing at the spot where White used to be. 

Orange: {chuckles} That was intense.

----