-S-

-198X-

"So, let me get this straight; you want me to just... give my hat to him?"

"You heard right."

"Why?! What makes you so sure that he's even gonna come back? He was really upset with us when he left! Though... I guess he said he would... but that's not the point!"

"He will come, but not in the way you think. For a start, it won't quite be your uncle when he first arrives. He'll be but a fragment, lost and out-of-place. I don't know if this... manifestation will have anything to say or do, but you -must- give that hat to him."

"...And once he has it? What then? Gee... I'm gonna miss my cap..."

"You'll have nothing to do but wait from then on. Live your life. Study hard. Go and have fun with Lloyd, Teddy and that pretty-girl. Anna, was it?"

"Oi! She's not... Just shut-it, you-!"

"Even your great-grandfather has to have his fun somehow Ninten!"

"You won't if you don't wanna hear some more of my amazing jokes old-man!"

"..."

"Gotcha! … Anyway, what will I be waiting for, then? Should I be expecting it? Like, will something happen while I'm at school? Or in bed, or on the toil-"

"I really cannot say for certain. All I know is that it will help. If the worst comes, then it won't do much."

"... Then what's the point of giving up my prized hat in the first place?!"

"Because I believe our Googie will find people, maybe even with the fragment that'll be coming to visit. These people will want to help, and they'll need those modifications to find a way to bring him back to us."

"...And my hat is supposed to do this how? That's a long shot even for you Grandpa George! I didn't even think Grandma's song would help out, but this? Come-on dude!"

"Just... have a little faith, and be ready. Our most special family-member will need your help again someday, and this is how it's going to happen."

"Pff... I still don't get it, but whatever. I guess I'll do it. You're absolutely sure it'll work?"

"Positive."

"Really-really?"

"Absolutely certifiably positive."

"...Really-really-really-re-"

"Hah... Goodbye Ninten. We will see each other again, no matter what happens. Don't forget that... and thank you. This means everything to me and your Grandmother."

"Eh, no problem gramps. So... Catch you later?"

The boy heard nothing more, and he clenched his now-silent onyx hook tightly with a wistful smile on his face.

He didn't know what this 'fragment' was all about, but if giving up his now tech-y hat was going to help his uncle Giegue, then it would be more than worth it!

Shaking his head, now grinning wildly, Ninten brought his hands together for his signature 'fourth-dimension slip', envisioning his companions stood outside. His blue-eyes shone brightly with psionic energy for a moment, before he disappeared from his room.

Who needed to walk, when you had shortcuts like his?

-X-

The End...?

A/N: So, after playing through Toby Fox's 'Halloween Hack', I just had to give CogDis a try. I was delighted to experience one of the best games in story, execution and possible endings I have ever encountered- and this isn't even an 'official' game! The power of fans huh? Since writing this, I've played through the entire series, and collectively they're now probably my favourite games.

Hence why I've written a full-fledged multi-chapter sequel to Severance (in addition to this prelude chapter), "Farewells", which you will be able to find soon-ish on my profile if you're interested! Additionally, I've given the prior chapter a MASSIVE clean-up to remove some errors in preparation. Thank you for reading!

For followers of 'Over My Shoulder', refer to the explanatory message on my profile. Soon, and after Farewells has been fully-published.