Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

There would have been more description in this chapter but it was already getting too long and I was lazy.

Trigger warning for homophobia and suicide mention.

Lots happens in this chapter, including Kerotama backstory and how they met. (Kurumois's will be next chapter cuz I am a pathetic person and always have my kurumois)

And of course you already know about fuyumomo

Keroro was in another grand council meeting as his 'younger' brother got chewed out.

"We thought you'd bring greatness to the kingdom, but you're just as incompetent as Keroro!" The grand council told New Keroro, "Because of you a monster is loose in our kingdom. You took Mois out and let her flee."
New Keroro rubbed his hands together, "My mistake. I didn't assume she'd run for it."

"Perhaps this kingdom shouldn't go to you. You made such a large mistake and thousands have died because of you." The grand council told him.

Keroro's father raised his hand. "I have an idea. Let's give both of them one final test to prove themselves. We'll put both matters behind us based on who wins. Just a pure test deciding the crown prince."

Keroro's eyes widened. He had promised Fuyuki he'd try to be the ruler of Keron. But he also really didn't want to do work, especially a test. What if it was a written exam?

"If Keroro wins we'll forget about his laziness up till now. If New Keroro wins we'll forget about how he released Mois into the wild. Let's just settle this matter officially." Keroro's father suggested.

Everybody nodded at the wise words of their king.

"What kind of test?" A member of the council asked.

"It'll be a five part test. Each part will have a test of skill and a part that they must endure under psychological magic. Our strongest mages will work on it. This will cover all the bases and prove to us who would be a better ruler." Keroro's father explained. "Does this work for both of you?"

Keroro thought for a moment. Psychological magic seemed tough. But he had Fuyuki! That meant Fuyuki could help him cheat.

After all, cheating was the only way he'd get through this. "That's fine." He agreed with New Keroro.

"Good. Then I want you to wake up early tomorrow morning. We'll have the tests then. Everybody in the castle will watch them and judge you."

Keroro gulped. New Keroro didn't look like he was that unnerved. Would he really be able to win this?

"Psychological magic?" Fuyuki asked as Keroro explained to him the tests. Fuyuki frowned. "Is there anyway you can get me into the arena to watch you and give you tips? I'll even go in chains if that's what they'll be most comfortable with."

"Dad will probably want to boast about how strong I am. So I can probably make it so you can watch. So...You'll help me?" Keroro asked, smiling a little to himself. It was nice to have friends.

Fuyuki nodded. "I promise!"

Keroro was glad of that. Fuyuki was the only person he really had anymore. Tamama was ignoring him and Giroro was still missing. Mois had fled so Keroro's small circle of friends were gone.

So Fuyuki was more important to him than anything.

He hated early mornings. Keroro wasn't at his best then. He noticed as he walked into the arena that New Keroro was smirking at him.

Was New Keroro always as confident and sinister as that? Keroro had assumed he was innocent and kind. Maybe it came from having Kululu as a royal guard.

Keroro looked into the bleachers. Fuyuki was sitting at his father's feet in chains. Fuyuki gave him a small smile, but Keroro could only feel sorry for him being chained like that.

Keroro looked over to where the royal guards were supposed to be sitting. He noticed Pururu's mother, his mother's royal guard, and he also saw Giroro's father, his own father's royal guard. Kululu was also there for New Keroro. Tamama was also chatting with Kululu.

But no Giroro. He was still gone.

So I'm alone. Keroro thought to himself. He waved at Tamama hoping for Tamama to notice him. He hadn't yet apologized to Tamama and couldn't in public, but he still wanted Tamama's support in this.

Tamama looked away, crossing his arms.

Keroro frowned.

A mage stood in front of New Keroro and Keroro. "There will be five exams." He held a board that had five colors on it. Green, red, light blue, dark blue and yellow. Each of the colors actually reminded him of his friends favorite colors. Red for Giroro just like he always wore, light blue for Zeroro who was now known as Dororo, dark blue for Tamama, green for him and yellow for...Kululu wasn't his friend but he did know him.

"Each will have two parts. A test of skill and a psychological chamber. In the psychological part our mages will put you to sleep and you'll be in a fantasy designed to test you. Only the mages will be connected and they'll figure out who does best." The mage explained holding up the board.

Keroro nodded. Fuyuki had advised him to just try his best in the first exam as he tried to exam the type of magic the mages were using and how it worked. Then he'd give Keroro advice.

"The first is red. The psychological test will test how well you handle situations that try to make you aggressive. Please lay down." The mage explained.

Keroro lay down on the ground as the mages hooked cords up to him and New Keroro.

Aggression, huh? I'm probably pretty easy going. So...I'll do good then? Man, Giroro would fail so hard if this was his test. Keroro was glad that it was probably just like sleeping. His eyes were already drooping.

It probably wouldn't be very interesting to the onlookers.

Good luck me, I suppose. Keroro wished himself luck. He had to win this. For Fuyuki and because New Keroro couldn't be trusted.

The world Keroro awoke in wasn't unusual. He was in the town market, surrounded by people.

"Are people going to bump me or something?" Keroro laughed. "What could they do to make me angry."

Faceless people circled him like hawks. "Ah...It's Keroro. Too bad he's out of the castle. I wish he wouldn't be so out in the open. Keron's greatest shame- our lazy prince. Why did we have to be cursed with him?" They talked amongst themselves.

Keroro scratched his head. "Ah, I see. So they'll probably try to get me mad by praying on my insecurities. Pretty straight forward." He smiled. Jokes on them. I'm not too bothered by people calling me lazy. I mean, it's the truth after all. Why would anyone get mad at the truth?

He could win this test. He could beat New Keroro at something.

"He's so lazy...So pathetic." People kept talking. Keroro just walked past them holding his head high.

"Why would I get mad at the truth?" Keroro asked. "Bring it on. Call me lazy. Doesn't affect me at all!" Funny that this came to be because of my own mind. I'd thought they'd have some worse ammo against me.

"And that's not even the worst thing about him-" A woman crooned, "I heard...And you're going to laugh from this. That our keronian prince doesn't exactly enjoy the company of women. In fact I heard that he prefers men. Keroro is not only lazy, but our crown prince is homosexual!" The woman laughed, "Keron has come to ruin. He'll ruin our civilization. His parents should have just killed him when they realized it, but I suppose they're ashamed."

Keroro's laughter drained out of his face as the woman kept talking. He knew the words were fake- it was just just images that his subconscious had invented, but he couldn't help but be absorbed in it.

"In fact I heard he's having some sort of weird affair with one of the royal guards. Or at least he likes him. The poor boy. Tamama could have had so much of a future if he hadn't caught the affection of our gay prince."

"Stop it!" Keroro screamed. "That isn't true!"

"What a pathetic life we lead. Why do you think Keron has a gay prince? Is it the fault of him? Or is it a birth defect? Whatever the case is, people like him should just die. I would kill the prince, but maybe we better just give him the chance to do it himself.

After all a person like that should just do us a favor by offing himself. It's his duty." The people laughed.

Keroro didn't know what he felt. Despair? Anger. He just wanted to scream.

If I was gay...Should I do what they said? No...Gay people aren't really that bad. I mean, I've met Tamama right. And he's different from what I heard. Keroro didn't know what to say. He just clutched his head in confusion and despair.

"Maybe he should take someone else down with him. I heard that Tamama is also gay. If he killed him maybe he could get rid of his sin. Maybe he could redeem himself and try to be like the rest of us, straight." A woman suggested.

Keroro fell onto the ground, crouching. It was like he was a ball of pain. What hurt the most about these words was he knew for a brief second he had thought them.

Why couldn't he be like everybody else? Why couldn't he get rid of his sin? He had tried so hard to deny it, but no matter what he tried to do he couldn't possible like girls. It sickened and nauseated him, making him have more nervousness than he had ever had before. It felt wrong.

He would do anything to be normal. So he knew that what the people were speaking were his own thoughts.

"SHUT UP! No! I will not kill Tamama! It's not his fault I'm different!" Keroro screamed charging at the woman and tackling her to the ground. "I mean I'm not different. I'm really not."

"You're gay. You know it. You aren't the same. You're sinful. You'll never be able to produce an heir for Keron. You've ruined the whole country." The woman whispered. "You should just die."

Keroro lost control of his rage and punched her in the face. "You die! My hands might be coated with sin but at least I'm not a murderer. At least I'm not anything like any of the rest of us keronians, abusing people, torturing them and wanting to murder others." Keroro yelled.

He beat the woman's face in punching over and over again.

"I've only made one mistake with hurting someone. And I'm never going to repeat Zeroro again. I'm never going to be what Keron wants me to be, a killer who uses people like they're chew toys. So Shut up! I'm way better than all of you."

Keroro looked down to his bloody hands. He had punched the woman until her imaginary skull had cracked.

He jumped off of her squirming away. And the image faded.

When Keroro awoke, the mage was looking at him. "New Keroro is the winner. Keroro was not able to handle his rage."

Keroro's hands were shaking. It felt so real. The taste of the blood in my mouth, the sound of the skull cracking...All of it.

He fell down to his knees. He didn't even care that New Keroro had won. He was just frightened.

They put a gun in Keroro's shaking hands as they tried to stand him up.

Keroro tried to look pathetically at Tamama and Fuyuki for help. He was still too frightened of his last encounter.

Tamama stuck his tongue out. Kululu laughed at him.

Fuyuki gave him a sympathetic smile.

"W-what's going on?" Keroro asked weakly.

"Test of skill. Just shoot at the shooting range." The proctor of the tests instructor.

Giroro would have been great at this. He'd probably even be able to give me tips. Keroro realized. His hand was still shaking.

He noticed New Keroro twirling a fancy bracelet on his arm. The boy's skin turned red and he easily got a bulls-eye with all the targets.

Keroro gulped. He tried to shoot and shot the ground. He couldn't properly press the trigger.

I'm going to lose. Keroro realized as New Keroro was announced the winner.

"Phase 1 complete. New Keroro has won both of them. You may now have a break." The proctor told Keroro.

Keroro nodded, ready to collapse.

"I...I think I've figured out how the magic works in the psychological exam. If I try to imagine and subtlety send you some magical help, you should have an edge and it shouldn't be as bad." Fuyuki tried to explain when Keroro went over to talk to him alone. He was lucky that his father had allowed him to speak to Fuyuki alone.

"That's a relief!" Keroro smiled. He didn't want to go through another exam like the last one. It had felt so real.

"Was...Was it really that bad? No body saw what you went through but one of the mages collapsed that was controlling your simulation. They said you had killed someone in yours." Fuyuki explained.

Keroro grimaced. "It...It was bad."

"Maybe the next one won't be?" Fuyuki hoped.

Keroro could only dream. But he was still frightened.

"Light blue." The proctor explained, "The psychological exam will focus on making wise political decisions."

Keroro glanced at Fuyuki and Fuyuki smiled at him. Keroro didn't notice Tamama growling in the background, seeing Keroro look at Fuyuki instead of Tamama.

Keroro was put to sleep in the familiar fashion and he waited for it to be much easier thanks to Fuyuki.

Instead Keroro sat on the throne of Keron. Two people who looked a little like him stood in front of him.

"Your sons. You have to decide who will inherit the kingdom. The older one, or the younger one who's taken care of you throughout all these years and stood by you." The adviser told him. "If you don't choose the older one though he's threatened to start a rebellion. He's quite beloved and he'll kill many of our people."

Keroro frowned. Tough decision. He wasn't smart. Fuyuki! I thought you'd help me! Keroro cried in his head. "I choose the younger one then."

"WRONG ANSWER. The correct answer was to split the kingdom between them, giving them an equal share, assuring that the older son doesn't go to war, but also that the people have a strong and kind ruler like the younger son."

Keroro frowned. Fuyuki hadn't helped at all!

He awoke with the familiar dinging of "New Keroro is the winner. The test of skill will began now."

Keroro frowned. I'm going to lose this aren't I?

"The test is a test of speed. Whoever faster and more agile wins." The proctor told Keroro.

Once the alarm went off signaling that Keroro could start running in a race, he tried to zoom forward. New Keroro had turned his bracelet to a different angle though and had turned light blue. He was incredibly fast.

Keroro was nowhere near his level. Whenever I would race Zeroro and Giroro as kids Zeroro would be faster than me so I'd trip him. I was such a jerk. I can't do that to a little kid.

Poor Dororo. Why had he been so mean? If Dororo was doing this competition he would easily win.

"NEW KERORO IS THE WINNER." The proctor yelled, "He's completed two tests, he just has to win two more!"

New Keroro smiled and waved.

Keroro just frowned. Maybe it was time to give up and not try any longer.

"I didn't feel your presence at all in the psychological part of the exam." Keroro pouted and scolded Fuyuki.

"Sorry. The little power I have to offer won't help or work if you don't believe in yourself. Were you thinking about something else? Questioning yourself?" Fuyuki asked, "Don't worry, I believe in you for the next one!"

Keroro was about to say that of course he was nervous, this was a test that was very hard and the kingdom was staked on. But he realized so many thoughts were going through his head and none of them were how he believed in himself.

What was the main reason? What was the main reason he was angry at himself?

Tamama...Tamama's name floated to the top of Keroro's head. He still hadn't made up with him. He was still worried about Tamama. And without Tamama's support he just felt alone.

"I'm going to have to do something before I take the third exam. Don't worry, Fuyuki. I'm sure you'll magic will work next time. I'll try to believe in myself as much as you do." Keroro promised.

Fuyuki looked at him confused, but let him leave.

8 years ago.

Tamama huddled up in the corner, shivering. All he was was a lowly kitchen hand, and he was always being scolded for messing up.

He was nothing compared to everybody elses status in the castle. And he was often left hungry for his foolishness.

"Come on, Giroro. Help me up so I can reach the cookies!" Keroro, the crown prince, begged. Tamama noticed that he and his royal guard had sneaked into the kitchen to steal some cookies.

Giroro helped Keroro up, before Keroro grabbed the cookie jar and fell down.

"I'm not getting caught with you. Nah, you'll be yelled at on your own. It's pathetic for someone of your age to still be stealing cookies." Giroro scolded and fled.

Keroro paled. "Giroro! Come back!" He noticed Tamama in the corner. "Uhhhh...You're not going to tell anybody about this, right?" He asked.

Tamama shook his head. Keroro smiled and got up. "Oww...Hurt my back." He noticed that Tamama looked hungry. "You want a cookie?" He asked, reaching a hand in the cookie jar.

Tamama crawled over and nodded. "Thanks...Y-you're the crown prince, right?" He asked.

"Yep." Keroro smiled as Tamama nibbled on the cookie. "You're a kitchen hand, right? Geez the kitchen staff is always so strict. I can't imagine growing up in those circumstances."

"What are you doing here, Mr. Prince? If you wanted a cookie you could just order them to make you some." Tamama reminded.

"But that's no fun! It's more fun having the adventure for the cookie! Stealing it and the thrill of not getting caught." Keroro smiled. "He. Nobody's ever called me Mr. Prince before. It sounds so respectful."

Tamama smiled. The prince sounded nice.

"Hey, what's your name?" Keroro asked.

"T-tamama..." Tamama nervously answered. A prince had never asked him his name before. Nobody had ever paid much notice to him. He was just a nobody.

"Tamama, huh? Do you want to steal more treats with me? Giroro says I'm too childish so he won't play with me, but you look like you'd have fun stealing treats." Keroro suggested.

Tamama grinned. It did sound fun getting some extra food and hanging out with the prince. He wondered if he'd get scolded though. "I'm not allowed...I'm just the kitchen staff...I can't spend time with a prince."

"Want to work for me then? You can work as my friend." Keroro smiled. He was fine with people doing things out of obligation. He stood up and offered his hand so honestly. "If you change occupations to my friend, then you won't get in trouble!"

Tamama's eyes widened and shined. The crown prince's friend? That sounded like a dream come true! He took Keroro's hand, smiling wide.

The two then played for the rest of the day. Tamama had never smiled and laughed so much.

When the dream day ended, Tamama was surprised when he didn't get scolded by the kitchen staff, and what he called his 'family' the older women just clapped their hands.

"The crown prince has taken a liking to little Tamama haven't they?" They asked. "This could be great. I bet Tamama could train to be a guard of Keroro's or actually be something to the prince once he takes over the kingdom. Tamama will bring honor to us all."

"A guard?" Tamama asked.

They nodded. "It will be hard, but would you like to try to be a knight instead of part of the kitchen staff? With the way the crown prince appealed to us not to bully you I'm sure he could put a request for you to be trained."

Tamama's eyes widened and sparkled. Like a muse Keroro had walked into his life and given him new opportunities and changed everything. Knights were something honorable and only in stories.

He would love to be one.

The training was hard and bruised Tamama's hands to the point where he had to wear bandages, but it was worth it. For the next four years as Tamama became a teen he trained to be a guard.

And everyday he would visit Keroro after his training to play with him and listen to his stories. Despite what Tamama knew was a clear age difference, he still felt himself falling in love with Keroro even if he knew that he was clearly way too young for him and Keroro didn't see any interest in him at the moment.

Like some sort of fairytale romance, Tamama would visit his balcony every day and offer Keroro encouragement and support.

One day, Tamama asked him a very odd question. "Mr. Prince, I...I want to be your knight. Your personal knight. I want to protect you and be by your side always." He blushed, he knew this wasn't a love confession but it felt like it to him. "I want to be your royal guard someday. I want to protect the person who's inspired me so much and has been my hero for so long."

Keroro smiled down at Tamama, laughing since Tamama was a child. He didn't take much seriousness to Tamama's wish since he already had a royal guard and he doubted Tamama would devote his life to this plea. "I would like that." He smiled.

His smile was like gold to Tamama.

And Tamama gleefully walked away from Keroro's balcony, happy that Keroro had approved his request to train to be his royal guard, unaware that he could not because Giroro was already his royal guard.

He didn't know that someone else had been watching the exchange, Dark Keroro.

As Tamama walked away, Dark Keroro approached him. Dark Keroro didn't interact much with Tamama, but he had noticed his friendship with Keroro. And whatever Keroro had Dark Keroro was jealous of.

Why does my original get people so devoted to him? Dark Keroro wondered. Tamama was a fine trainee in the knight division.

"Hello, Mr. Dark Keroro." Tamama smiled.

"You won't be able to be my brother's royal guard you know. He already has a royal guard." Dark Keroro pointed out.

Tamama frowned, realizing that Dark Keroro spoke the truth. "But...He said he'd like that. Me protecting him." He had a dream, and now that dream was breaking.

"It's all right. I know you want to be a royal guard. And I can make that happen. In fact I don't have a royal guard, if you want I can make you my royal guard." Dark Keroro put an arm around Tamama's shoulder. "Just protect me. Dedicate yourself to me as much as him. After all, don't I look just like him? And aren't I what you want...Someone to pay attention to you?"

Tamama looked up at him. It was true that Dark Keroro looked exactly like Keroro, and he seemed a lot more affectionate towards Tamama than Keroro.

Would it be better to pursue Keroro hopelessly or dedicate himself to a lie?

"No! I want Mr. Prince. Not you!" Tamama shoved Dark Keroro off of him.

Dark Keroro frowned. "Tell me if you change your mind. I'd love to have you in my life."

Despite what Tamama had said, the previous day he did request to train as Dark Keroro's royal guard.

He had to have a dream after all. And perhaps he could be by Keroro's side more if he was a royal guard. Or maybe something would spark between him and Dark Keroro.

The day he finished his training Dark Keroro died. And despite what Tamama would like to say about mourning his prince that he was supposed to protect he mourned the fact that Keroro was sad and he couldn't help.

Because Tamama would always be hopelessly in love with Keroro.

Present Day

"Tamama." Keroro greeted his former friend. Tamama didn't even glance at him. "I...I was wondering if you could help me with the tests."

Tamama sighed. It was never an apology from Keroro. It was always just a favor that Keroro needed. "No."

"I was wondering...If you could maybe cheer for me? Please!" Keroro begged, clapping his hands together and blushing. Tamama was sure to realize that he didn't find him disgusting if he asked him this. After all in public Keroro couldn't say it was fine that Tamama was gay since it would risk hurting Tamama.

Tamama raised an eyebrow.

"Just as support. I need support. I'm getting my butt kicked!" Keroro begged.

Tamama thought for a moment. "No." He finally said. Keroro frowned. "You only ever talk to me when you need something, it isn't ever because you want to be near me. I should have always seen that you just needed me for a dumb task. Boosting your ego, showing you the best places to find treats. You never want to be near for me. Its always as an accessory. So I'm done with you." Tamama frowned.

Keroro just gasped and looked hurt. "That...That isn't true."

"Go away." Tamama frowned.

"The third test- Dark blue will begin." The proctor yelled. Keroro had to leave Tamama alone. He just glanced at him as Tamama tried to shoo him.

Keroro winced. Without Tamama's support could he really get through this?

Dark blue's psychological exam involved jealousy. When Keroro greeted his imaginary world he saw a face that he hadn't seen for a long time.

Dark Keroro's.

"I'm so much better than you." Dark Keroro hissed. "Everybody cares more about me then you." Angol Mois, Fuyuki, Giroro and Tamama were crowding around Dark Keroro for autographs.

Keroro knew a lot about jealousy. After all every now and then Tamama screamed it.

But who he really knew was jealous was Dark Keroro. Is this the way he viewed me? Keroro wondered.

Tamama placed a kiss on Dark Keroro's cheek. Keroro looked at it for a second. Dark Keroro and Tamama had been close. After all, when Dark Keroro had learned Tamama was Keroro's friend he had tried to make Tamama into his royal guard and gain Tamama for himself.

He had even attempted to kill Keroro for being closer to Mois than him. He was truly a pathetic jealous person.

"I'm sorry brother." Keroro apologized. "This must be what you thought of me." Instead of being jealous he walked up to Dark Keroro, who everyone was chanting the name of.

He hugged him. "You can have anyone you want, brother. Everybody can love you as long as you come back to me. Just...Don't hate me, all right? I was rooting for you to be successful too."

Dark Keroro looked shocked and the image dissolved in Keroro's hands.

"KERORO WINNER."

It was the first time Keroro had won.

New Keroro looked a little mad that Keroro had won. But he looked confident about the test of skill.

"Hand to hand combat. Whoever gets the opponent on the ground for ten seconds, wins." The proctor told them.

New Keroro looked confident as he turned navy blue. Keroro frowned. He wasn't very good at hand to hand combat.

Just believe in yourself. That's what Fuyuki said. Keroro reminded unaware that Fuyuki couldn't help him in the test of skill. But Tamama isn't rooting for you, so what can you do? He was always your large support.

Keroro dodged as New Keroro's giant fists flew at him. I know! Pretend that Tamama is rooting for me! Get him to root for me. He loves hand to hand combat. If I work really hard for once and impress him I'm sure he'll forgive me.

So his opponent wasn't New Keroro then. His opponent was Tamama's anger. And that was way tougher. Keroro smiled and suddenly spun behind New Keroro.

Sure New Keroro looked stronger than him. But Keroro was way taller than a twelve year old. He tried to remember some of Tamama's signature punches and moves, hoping to impress him.

New Keroro was nothing compared to Tamama's anger after all.

Everybody gasped when Keroro eventually managed to land a blow on New Keroro's back, flattening him to the ground. Keroro glanced at Tamama and Tamama was smiling.

"Keroro...Is the winner of the third exam..."

Everybody cheered.

He could believe in himself.

Keroro didn't want to take a break. He was on a roll.

"Psychological exam, green. This exam will deal with fear." The proctor told Keroro and New Keroro.

They were put to sleep. Keroro awoke to only see himself, like a mirror image of him.

"Nothing will actually harm you in this one or feel like its harming you. The rest is up to you, Keroro. I don't know what your fears are, but you can do it!" Keroro heard Fuyuki's voice in his head. So Fuyuki had finally gotten the knack of his magic.

"You're not good, you know. If you take the throne you'll just hurt people. Just like you did to Zeroro. You'll bully them. You should just be the coward you are and hide away." The mirror image of Keroro said.

"I get it." Keroro smiled, "You're here because my fears are only myself."

The mirror image nodded. "But if you don't take the throne you'll die having made no impact on this world. You'll be nothing. So you can be a coward and be nothing and die- which you fear, or you can be king and hurt people which you also fear."

Keroro glared at him and picked up his image by the collar. "I will take the throne. And I won't hurt people. I'll stop the war with Terran and I'll make peace. Fuyuki believes in me, and I'll beg Tamama's forgiveness and he'll support me too. Giroro wants peace with Terran cuz his girlfriend lives there. So the people important to me will support me. And that's what matters." Keroro threw his other self across the room.

"KERORO WINNER."

He smiled. He had conquered his fears a long time ago, when he met Fuyuki and when he had discovered Tamama was gay. His fears meant nothing to him compared to his friends safety.

Despite the test of skills being what Keroro most feared, an actual written exam, he managed to nervously win that one by the skin of his teeth.

Apparently New Keroro was as dumb as bricks. So even though he had scored a 50 out of a 100 that was still better than a 1 out of a 100.

"How exciting! Keroro has won two exams and New Keroro has won two exams. That means it's all up to the yellow exam to decide the winner!" The proctor everybody. "You can have one last break before you do the last test."

Keroro smiled. He had faith in himself.

Kululu of course was rooting for New Keroro. After all, he had created him and his whole purpose was to destroy Keroro.

And he knew Keroro would lose the last exam. He had been on the committee that had suggested them. And the last psychological exam was being cruel to others. And there was no way Keroro could beat a demon.

Kululu's smile turned into a twisted grin as New Keroro approached him to talk to him.

"I'm going to win, you know." New Keroro smiled.

"I know. Ku, ku, ku. It's great to see him have hope. I can't wait for it to be dashed out of his eyes!" Kululu laughed.

"You are wicked." New Keroro teased. He leaned over the railing for a moment. So many people were talking that nobody could hear what he and Kululu were speaking about. "Winning against that idiot will prove to be an early birthday present."
"Your birthday isn't coming up." Kululu reminded, "I just made you."
"I was talking about your birthday." New Keroro frowned, "In a few days you'll turn twenty, remember? I thought you could use some cheering up since you've given to me whatever you care about most that day. Keroro's dead body will be suitable enough to cheer you up. I mean it won't reclaim what you lost, but I'm not complaining."

Kululu looked thoughtful. That was right. His birthday was coming up. No matter. "Keroro's dead body would be a wonderful birthday present. Thanks. Ku, ku, ku. I'm sure it will more than make up for whatever invention of mine you're taking from me. Ku, ku, ku. I got the better deal. And then when I have the throne I'll have a huge party. Gonna invite all my friends, that jerk Dororo who ditched me, Mois-"

"Who?" New Keroro asked. He was smiling for some reason.

"Mois. You haven't met her. She's the princess of this kingdom. Keroro's fiance. Oh! I forgot to mention, take care not to interact with her. Turns out she doesn't like your face. Ku, ku, ku."

New Keroro smiled, "I've already met the princess. It seems you didn't get the news that I took her out to the battlefield to help beat Terran."

Kululu smiled for a moment. New Keroro had done the one thing he had never been able to do, grant Mois a moment of freedom by bringing her outside. "Good for her. I'm sure she enjoyed that. Ku, ku, ku. She might deny it, but I can sense she does enjoy killing people. At least a bit."

New Keroro frowned. "She was perfectly helpful until she ran off and fled."

Kululu frowned. This was news to him that Mois had fled the castle. But yet again, good for her! After this competition he'd go out to look for her, offer shelter and congratulate her on her new found freedom.

And maybe he'd tease her a bit about her ditching Keroro. After all, if Angol Mois had left Keroro on her own, her own fiance that she loved very much, maybe she wouldn't be too mad that Kululu was plotting his murder.

"What did you say to make her finally get the idea to run off? Ku, ku, ku." Kululu asked curiously. Even though Mois had rejected any romantic advancements he had made, he did care for her quite a bit. And he was always rooting for her well being.

He was also greedy too and wanted her for himself.

"Turns out she didn't like it very much that you sold her to a demon. Who would have thought?" New Keroro laughed. "She didn't like it very much that her last week of freedom from me would be spent in imprisonment in the castle."

Kululu paled. "What do you mean sold to a demon...?" Who had sold Mois. He clenched his fist wondering if it was Keroro's idiocy.

If it was, then Keroro didn't have to worry about New Keroro. He'd kill him himself.

"Why you of course!" New Keroro smiled, "Who else would have? Didn't I tell you after all I was going to take what was mine on your twentieth birthday?"

Kululu paled and cold sweat ran down his forehead. "But...But you said you'd take what I cared about most...An invention! It's an invention! Or curry." Kululu reminded. He wasn't laughing. This was no laughing matter. "A person can't be what I care about most. Remember? I'm the biggest jerk around. I don't care about people."

New Keroro laughed loudly. "Oh, what a fool you are. Me and you share a bond. And as soon as you started caring about that girl I became aware that she'd be the thing I would take. I'm quite pleased actually that the person you fell in love with was so powerful. After all, if this body doesn't work out I'll possess hers. She's a beautiful host, isn't she? I knew I'd get to be on this dimension eventually, all because of her. How does she say it...You could say, I'm invested in her future?" New Keroro laughed.

Kululu was pale and shaking. "N-no...No! I don't love her! I want her to be mine, but that's different than caring!" Kululu tried to deny it, but he knew what New Keroro said was true. It had completely slipped his mind that his romantic feelings for Mois would put her in danger. He never thought New Keroro would take a person.

He was suddenly filled with grief as he realized all the horrors he had done. He remembered Dororo saying that his plans would blow up in his face, that he had made a mistake. And he knew he had now.

I thought...Since she didn't love me back that she was at no risk from being taken by the demon. I never considered that she would be what I most cared for and treasured. Another human being. Kululu looked broken.

"You've always been a jerk till the end to me, but I guess this is the first time I'll be a jerk till the end." New Keroro laughed, "Thanks for giving me your girlfriend!" He walked away.

Kululu looked down at his feet in horror. His head was spinning. He had made so many mistakes and now Mois, innocent little Mois, was paying the price for all of them. She didn't deserve any of it. She was probably lost on her own cursing his name. He had unintentional betrayed her after all and although it was because of something pure like how much he loved her, the result was that she would be imprisoned by a demon.

Kululu tried to steady his breathing and focus. He couldn't let this happen. I...I have to change tactics. I have to fix my mistakes before Mois is taken. He knew enough about demons that if this one died the contract would burn up. He wouldn't have to pay what he promised. And luckily thanks to him New Keroro now existed on this dimension.

Meaning if he killed his former ally, Mois would be freed.

He glanced at Keroro. He really did hate him. So much. But at the moment it was slightly less than New Keroro. After all Keroro hadn't imprisoned Mois.

You sure are lucky, bub. You'd lose this competition if not for me. As Keroro and New Keroro were put under Kululu got out of his seat and went behind the bleachers to make something that could hack into the psychological exam.

He'd make sure Keroro would win. New Keroro would be so mad he'd reveal his demon nature and the kingdom would be forced to kill him.

And Mois would be freed.

I have to help Keroro for once. Even though I hate it. He'll win.

Keroro was more than a little confused. He had been told the psychological exam for yellow was about being cruel to people. But the world he was in only had flowers.

"Man! Fuyuki is so strong when it comes to cheating!" Keroro smiled. "Maybe I have to stomp on these flowers?" He wondered. He did.

"Help me. Save me." The flowers screamed.

Keroro jumped back.

"Don't you want to attack us?" The flowers asked, "Ku, ku, ku." Suddenly they all took Kululu's face.

"EEK! I'll kill you all!" Keroro stomped on them all.

For some reason Keroro won by a landslide. When he and New Keroro awoke he smiled at his younger brother.

"Wow! That was easy. Did you like that one?" Keroro asked.

"AAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" New Keroro screamed. How had Keroro won at being more cruel than him. And why was he so easygoing about it?
The next competition- a test of skills involved making something beneficial. Surprisingly Keroro found something already assembled at his table.

And it was amazing.

"...Keroro wins." The proctor concluded to the surprise of New Keroro.

New Keroro screamed and fell to the ground pulling out his hair.

Keroro smiled. "Wow! Trying 1% really works!"

Dororo had been watching Kululu's display- helping Keroro beat a demon. He and Koyuki had just sneaked into the castle.

"Lady Koyuki...I'm sorry, but I won't be able to retrieve the antidote with you." Dororo apologized, "Here's a map." He handed to her, "And save Fuyuki." He begged.

Koyuki nodded.

Kululu turning good was the signal to implement their old plan. He was ready to forgive Kululu.

We'll destroy the grand council and flee. Dororo decided. He jumped down from the ceiling and in front of the people from the grand council.

Everybody turned to Dororo, who they were surprised to see.

"Good-bye." Dororo said, throwing knives at all of their throats before they could react.

People screamed in the bleachers. Koyuki remained where she was.

So his plan was to destroy his own council? Was he a traitor to this country all along? Koyuki supposed she had to reimagine what she thought Dororo was like.

Everybody screamed and panicked. Guards came out from everywhere to grab Dororo. But he was too fast for them.

Grabbing Kululu he pulled Kululu over his shoulder. "I implemented our plan when they were distracted. We have to go. I have decided to forgive you." Dororo told him, "Let's be partners again."

Kululu squirmed. "Stop it! I have better things to do than start up chaos or peace or whatever! I have to help Keroro!" He screamed.

Dororo was confused. Didn't they both hate Keroro? "I can't let you do that. He is my enemy." He knocked Kululu out and fled.

He gave a quick nod to Koyuki before he disappeared.

And everybody was left in horror and confusion. Should they be celebrating that their crown prince remained Keroro and he had proven himself, or should they be chasing the top-assassin who had assassinated their grand council?
They didn't know. But the guards were swarming after them.

And although things stayed the same under Keroro, they all knew things were changing as New Keroro cried over his defeat.

They didn't know what the next day would bring.

New Keroro-Demon

Kululu-New Keroro's royal guard

Dororo- Assassin

Koyuki-Ninja

Keroro-Crown Prince

Fuyuki- Prince of Terran

Tamama-Mois's royal guard.