Swapped keyboard and new keyboard not working :/ + a surprise!

Hi there! I have a very interesting bit here, maybe someone here could help..

I had an existing 12" Macbook and my plan was to remove the top case, remove the keyboard and all electronics from the top case, spray paint it, and then remove the keyboard from a purchased top case and put it in the initial which was spray painted.

All went well and according to plan. The keyboard came out smoothly with no hiccups and I didn't notice any room for error. It was installed smoothly as well, and again, no odd problems or anything notable and out of the ordinary.

The power button worked, upon booting, the keyboard didn't work. I tried two different ribbon cables for both keyboard to trackpad and trackpad to logic board. Any thoughts? And how did the power button work if it is wired through the keyboard - or at least I thought it was. There's only one wire connecting to the MLB so how is the power button working?

If you have any ideas on potential solutions, it would be much appreciated!

Will add some pics soon!

The backup plan is obviously just buying another top case and putting that whole thing on and giving up this matte black macbook. Buuut, that would be no fun right? Hoping for some good news!

Thanks and have a good one all!