The Swap Gun

[This story is inspired by the unfinished comic "The Swap Gun" by the incredibly talented SitriAbyss. I hope this story does justice to the ideas you brought to life.]

The Swap Gun wasn’t supposed to exist. It was the kind of invention that belonged in the realm of science fiction, not reality. Yet here it was, sitting on a cluttered workbench in a dimly lit garage, its sleek, matte black surface catching the faint glow of the overhead fluorescent light. The device looked like a cross between a futuristic handgun and a high-tech remote control, with a small digital screen embedded in the side and a series of buttons that seemed to pulse faintly, as if alive.

The gun was designed to manipulate reality itself, but with a specific limitation: it could only swap attributes between the user and a target. Physical traits, mental abilities, emotional states—anything could be exchanged, but only between the person holding the gun and the person they aimed it at. Want to trade your height for someone else’s? Done. Swap intelligence, strength, or even memories? Easy. The gun could do it all with a single shot.

The Attribute Swap function was its primary feature. The user could select specific traits—height, weight, hair colour, even personality quirks—and swap them with the target. The process was instantaneous, seamless, and irreversible unless the user chose to swap back. The gun’s screen displayed a detailed profile of both the user and the target, listing every attribute that could be exchanged.

But the Swap Gun wasn’t just about physical changes. It could also swap mental and emotional traits. Imagine trading your anxiety for someone else’s confidence, or your lack of focus for their razor-sharp intellect. The possibilities were endless, but so were the risks. Every swap came with consequences, and every change altered the balance of power between the user and the target.

The gun hummed softly, its screen flickering with cryptic symbols and menus. It was lightweight, almost unnaturally so, and seemed to vibrate with a strange energy when held. The grip fit perfectly in the hand, as if it had been designed for someone specific. But who? And why?

The Swap Gun was more than just a weapon or a tool. It was a gateway to power, a way to reshape the world according to the user’s desires. But power like this came with a price. Every action had consequences, and every change rippled through reality in ways that couldn’t always be predicted.

Whoever held the Swap Gun held the keys to their own transformation. But the question remained: What would they do with it? And who would they become?