Now You'll Pay The Price

The Beginning of It.

Zacharie walks with slight regret, sighing after The Batter who walked about a foot infront of him.

"Amigo! Wait up!" The merchant calls, this, which as usual, The Batter ignores. Sighing once again, Zacharie quickens his pace, jogging up behind The Batter. "Are you alright?"

The blonde ignores him once again, shifting his bat onto his right shoulder rather than the left that it was on previously. "Hmm.." Zacharie mumbled, studying The Batter's stoic expression.

"Is there something troubling you, dear friend?"

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Batter finally speaks, using his usual monotoned voice. Even still, Zacharie could sense a bit of irritation laced in his words.

"Oh... Of course. Apologies if I caused any issues."

With that, Zacharie left his side once The Batter walked into the smoke factory. Muttering to himself, he stares up towards the immense building. "I'll be waiting for you to need me."

Zacharie walks right inside after about ten minutes had passed since The Batter had gone in. He hums a tune of dulcet to himself. He walks around the factory until finding himself in a room and he changes his frog mask to one of a cat. He stands there for a short while until finally, The Batter walks in.

"Good day, dear reckless accomplice!"

"I've somewhat changed, anatomically speaking... But you have obviously recognized me at first glance! I'm your friend, the Judge."

"Zacharie?" The Batter questions.

"..."

"So my disguise is no match for your keen and unforgiving eyesight..."

"Pablo isn't really in top-form at the moment. I'm going to replace him for some time."

"Anyway, I'll be hunting down obscure clues that I shall take pleasure in revealing to you little by little in the most destructive manner."

"Ah ah ah, I can already smell the good times!"

Now The Batter himself has fallen silent while his now cat-masked companion speaks. Zacharie lets out a sound, mimicking a cat.

"Are you going for a stroll near the dormitories in the mean time? I've heard that the spectres there are quite active."

With that information, The Batter is gone. Zacharie remains in his spot and waits until he leaves, sighing. "De nada..." He mumbles under his breath.

---

It's not until later, that The Batter shows up again, Zacharie is in the same spot.

"So Batter, how did your investigations go over at the dorms?"

"It seems that the people here aren't afraid of the spectres." The Batter says. Blinking behind his mask, Zacharie falls silent for a moment.

"Not afraid of the ectoplasms? That's very odd indeed..." Zacharie takes a moment to ponder on it before shoving the thought away.

"I must admit that I have very few customers in this zone, so I'm not very well acquainted with their local customs."

"Maybe you'd better go see Area 2. They call it the "Treatment Rooms"." He suggests, tilting his head slightly to the side.

"Okay." The Batter agrees, giving a small nod.

"It's simple. You just have to take the underground monorail." He explains before popping an idea.

"We should have a race. If you get there first, I'll give you an item for free."

No doubt, The Batter seemed hesitant. Zacharie could see it in his expression, but even still, he agreed wordlessly, leaving the room again.