[2022 EDIT: also has been severely edited for OOC CRINGE]

It had been a few days since they switched, and Python was starting to feel bad. He felt bad for lying Impulse and Tango, who were supposed to be his friends.

He was gonna tell them the truth. As much as he enjoyed Zed's life, he had to set things straight.

"Impulse? Tango?" he said quietly. The two perked up at their names. "Yeah Zed?" Impulse replied.

Python took a breath, preparing for the worst. "I-I need to tell you guys something... I'm not Zed."

They stared back at him. "What... do you mean?" Tango asked, confused.

"I'm not Zed. I'm Python but I somehow got switched into Zed's body," he explained. "I've um, been in Zed's body since that morning I woke up with a headache. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner." He looked down at the floor, not wanting to meet their eyes.

They were silent for a moment before Tango spoke. "Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Impulse nodded in agreement. "I mean, we're not angry just... confused?"

He fumbled for words. "Uh well, I guess I was just curious? Zed's life is pretty fun and you guys are pretty fun and I just... never really get to be around people this much."

Tango raised an eyebrow. "Have we really not hung out you?"

"Eh, it's not just you, it's kinda everyone."

The two stared at him and he suddenly felt like he'd said too much.

Then Tango launched himself at Python and wrapped him in a tight hug. "We're fixing this," he said, with an apologetic smile. "We can go get Zed back soon, but first, we're talk to your neighbors."

"What? Really? I mean, you guys don't have to do this, it's fine-"

"No, we do," Impulse interrupted in a light, yet firm tone. "If you basically stole Zed's body to hang out with us, then we should probably get on that before something else happens."

"Uh, I didn't really steal Zed's body, it just kinda... happened?"

"Wait, what?"

Xisuma sighed, leaning against the walls of Python's base. The solitude was nice, but it was getting kind of lonely. Cub and Jevin had talked to him a bit, but not as much as you'd expect from the people who were literally living right next to him.

Is Python always like this? he wondered. He felt kind of bad for the poor man. If it really was like this all the time, the hyperactive snake hermit must get lonely a lot.

"ZED!" a voice called. Xisuma looked up to see Tango into the base, albeit clumsy from the speed he was going at.

Xisuma ignored him and continued staring aimless at the floor, lost in his own thoughts. Beside, it seemed like they were just looking for someone else-

He felt arms wrap tightly around him. Xisuma snapped his head up to see Tango hugging him tightly. "Nice to see you too Tango," he said, more than a little confused.

"Zed we need to fix this!" the blond exclaimed.

"I'm not Zed?" he replied, still trying to play along. "I'm Python. Can't you guys see that?"

"Zed drop it, we know that you and Python switched bodies," the other explained. "We already got the real Python, he's with Impulse."

Xisuma raised an eyebrow. "I'm... still not Zed then," he said slowly. "I'm Xisuma."

The two stared at each other. If that was Xisuma, and Python was in Zed's body, then that must mean that Zed was in...

"MY BODY!"

"The sky's pretty nice right now, ain't it?" EX commented.

"Spectacular," Joe said, to which Zed nodded in agreement.

"Ya know Xisuma." Zed perked up at Joe's voice. He was getting used to responding to Xisuma's name. "It's quite nice getting to hang out like this again," Joe continued. "You've been busy for a while and we haven't really hung out."

"Yeah, um sorry 'bout that," Zed chuckled nervously. "I really do like hanging out with you guys, but admin stuff gets in the way a lot."

Joe shook his head. "It's alright. I'm an admin myself, so I know it can be difficult."

"Zed?" Zed froze at the sound of his name. Python? What's he doing out here?

Tango and Python skidded to a halt besides the group

"Why hello Tango and Python," Joe greeted. "What brings you here?"

"I'm not Python," Python panted, gasping for breath. "I'm Xisuma. That." He pointed to Zed, who was staring at him with wide eyes. "Is Zed. We swapped bodies somehow."

EX shrugged. "Eh, I'll believe that. So much insane stuff happens on this server that a few people swapping bodies isn't too unbelievable."

"Wait a minute." Joe's voice caught everyone's attention and they turned to him. "You said you and Impulse found Python, right? Then where are they?"

"Uh, yeah about that-"

"Cub. Wels." The knight and the slime looked to see Zed and Impulse standing behind them.

Cub smiled and nodded a greeting. "Oh! Hey guys!" Wels said, waving.

"We need you for something," Impulse vaguely explained. "Like, right now."

"Well we're kinda busy," Cub muttered, gesturing to the stuff in his arms. "Could it wait till like tomorrow or somethi-"

"No," Python interrupted, letting anger seep in his voice. "You're coming with us. It's important."

Wels raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Is everything okay? You seem angry Zed-"

"I'M NOT ZED!" Python yelled. His stomped his foot and took a step forward. "You're coming the hell with us, whether you like it or not."

Wels and Jevin nodded, too stunned to say anything else.

"Good. Now let's go."

   ~*~

mwahahahahaha cliffhanger ur welcome (also lowkey gotta do weekend homework r.i.p)

[the editing of names and stuff makes this feel so unnatural lol but whatever]