CLICK BAIT!!!!

Loathing, Unadulterated Loathing

   It's over. His dreams, his career, his future. His life. It's all over. He can only sit and watch as the numbers drop lower and lower. His heart follows the digits deep into his churning stomach. Where did it all go wrong? He did everything right, surely? So why, after all that he's worked for... How could Berdly's subscribers be dropping?

"Um, Berdly, can you put your phone up, please? I'm trying to teach."

Berdly doesn't look up, nor does he answer. Another number falls and he can hear a snicker come from behind him. He's never been so humiliated before in his entire life.

This... This horror. All of it is the work of his devious nemesis... Kris. Although they sit directly behind him, the mockery does not come from them. No, they prefer to deflate his ego in silence.

All he wanted was to provide justice for the speed-running community, that's all! Was he a little hasty to compile a video debunking Kris's new world record run? Yes, but who can blame him? The RNG Kris had was impossible and the moves they pulled off? Was that of a god? Even the masters could never pull off a play like that. The whole thing had to have been faked!

It was not.

Many people came to Kris's defense after he posted that video. A few of them even went as far as to create detailed evaluations on how, yes, they did manage to pull that off with no cheats or splices. The scoundrel. Now, his reputation is ruined. He's not some kind of villain set out to ruin people's success- that's Kris's job -but the internet has decided otherwise. How could he come back from this? Is there even a way for him to come back from this?

Class has seemingly ended as everyone except him is making their way towards the door. In the crowd, he spots a blur of yellow and green fabric, and he's struck with a brilliant idea.

"Kris! Wait a minute, Kris!" Berdly shouts to get their attention. Thankfully, everyone else is used to his antics and ignores him. The rest of his classmates file out of the room. Now, it's just him and Kris... and unfortunately, Susie, who stopped with them. He jogs up to where they're standing. He also tries to avoid eye contact with Susie, who's looking very annoyed.

"...Whaddya want, Berdly?"

"Well, ahem, I was wishing to speak to your friend about a private matter... um," She cocks an eyebrow, squinting at both him and Kris, "p- privately?" The two friends take a moment to share a look and Susie sighs.

"Yeah, sure, whatever. Just be quick. We gotta go, y'know, look around random buildings." With that, she lazily waves them off. At the doorway, she peers back once more at them before slamming the classroom door behind her. Berdly also sighs, but one of relief. Meeting Kris's gaze, he notices how intently they are eyeing him and Berdly can't help the way his breath hitches. Asking his nemesis for help with the mess they technically created will be no easy task, one that he's not sure he's prepared for. Plus, he's not, uh, actually sure what his plan is. All he knows is that he needs Kris.

With no idea what he'll say, he starts to speak, "Kris... as I'm sure you know, my career is ruined. Heavens, you were probably happily watching the whole thing unfold. I, however, was not happy watching it. For your information, it was actually quite infuriating to see my fame plummet down into the double digits. I worked so hard to build up my brand! All those years I put blood, sweat, and tears into making the Level Up Legend name a household name- just for one video on you to decimate it! It's... insulting, really. A plebian like you being my downfall." He pauses. Not because he has no idea what to say next, but rather to gauge Kris's reaction...

...Which is unreadable as always, minus the small smirk on their face. The bastard.

"I had figured that since this is technically your doing, you would maybe... perhaps... Help me regain my fame...? It would only be right! Just think! Do you want to permanently destroy such a pillar of the gaming community? Could you live with yourself?" Kris's smile only grows wider, "That was rhetorical, of course, don't answer that. As for how you can assist me, well... I haven't quite figured out the details! Don't fret, however- you're in the midst of a genius. We will get there eventually. So, what do you say?"