Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

" Let's make a deal. You'll sign this wafer or.."

Group A is panicked, inside the hotel lobby. The doors blocked by furniture, and the windows boarded. Book is fanning herself with her hands trying to keep calm. "oh my PAGE! W-What do we DO!!??" Grassy is also panicked, crying for Snowball for comfort but he isn't there. "Everyone calm down! I'm sure we can think of something - or maybe this will all blow over!" Tennis Ball stammers. "The process of it all blowing over is unpredictable. But there is a chance it will get worse, we must be prepared for what could be ahead of us." TV says with his monotone voice. "We alREADY LOST FanNY. We CANT LOSE anyMORE peOPLE!!" Robot Flower adds. "wowie KABOWIE! we are COOKED!" Nickel chimes in. "Okay..so there's a chance it'll get worse..um" Tennis Ball thinks. 'if only Golf Ball was here..' "Golfy..GOLF BALL! We have to find Golf Ball!!" Tennis Ball erupts in a panic. "WhAT abOUT BasketBALL???" Robot Flower exclaims, a worried tone in her robotic voicebox. Before Robot Flower can continue, Tennis Ball is already running up the stairs to the hotel's lab. The rest follow him upstairs. "I have no tracking devices for Golfy! I'm DOOMED!!" Tennis Ball drops to his knees, hyperventilating. Book gently approaches Tennis Ball. "TB. We all have something or someone to worry about. I assure you, she's fine with that extraordinary mind of hers! Calm down..deep breathes." Book takes deep breathes hoping for Tennis Ball to copy what she's doing. Eventually he mimics Book, calming down. "We'll find Golf Ball." Book says with a hopeful tone in her voice. "BASKetBALL!!!" Robot Flower adds. Book giggles slightly. "..And Basketball." There's a long pause. "Tennis Ball, we're scared too. We don't know what to do. And we could use a team leader." Tennis Ball looks up at the rest of the group, all of them are staring back at him. "What? Me?" I can't be a team leader." He gets up from his spot to look out the window, seeing unusual mutations far on the ground. "Of course you can! You're very strategic and smart! TV and Robot Flower can help you!" Book adds. Tennis Ball turns back at them with a soft smile and thinks. "Okay! - Come in closer, everyone. This won't be easy." 

Two is laying on their bed, staring at the ceiling. 'why isn't there any power?' They think to themselves. They hear commotion through the ventilation system. 'who could those people be?....whatever.' 

Hours later, Group A found supplies for survival. While the team searched throughout the floors, Tennis Ball made guns and rays for defense, having TV as company and helping TB calculate. TB found gas masks for extra safety. The group meets up with each other after a while. "Okay, everyone. What did you find?" Tennis Ball says, slightly above whisper. "I found recover items and medkits in Taggy's collection room." Book eventually speaks up. "BATterIES" Robot Flower adds. "Food" Grassy also adds, putting food supplies down on the floor. Everyone turns to Nickel expecting an answer. "Nickel?" Tennis Ball calls out, hoping Nickel is listening. "What? OH - yeah um...gulp I took a nap." Everyone's expression turns unimpressed. "Are you even taking this seriously?! People are DYING out there and turning into MUTANTS, Nickel!" Book exclaims. "Gulp..i'm just gonna..go somewhere else." Nickel exits the room. Tennis Ball watches Nickel exit the room then turns back to the rest of the group. "We need all the help we can get. Our next step is get Two out of their room." 

Chapter Text

" ..You're little friends will see what I can do. "

Teardrop looks around cautiously then runs back to the her group for a report. "This is borinnggg!" Bottle complains while she sits on a tree log with ignited fire in front of her. "We have to stay put until Teardrop signals the right time, Bottle..you know that!" Tree replies to her complaining. Teardrop arrives, standing in front of the fire. "Teardrop! Anything to report?" Taco says, standing beside Teardrop cautiously. Teardrop signals that it's clear with her hands. "Okay, everyone. Time to go." Taco speaks up, quickly putting out the fire. The group leaves in a hurry, they follow behind Teardrop. Teardrop signals a sudden stop within their tracks, she holds out the ray gun in front of her. "What is it, Teardrop?" Marker whispers. She signals for him to be quiet, suddenly the group hears roaring and grumbling in the distance. "You've been out here longer than us. Do you know anything about these things?" Pen speaks up, glancing at Teardrop. The zombies hear Pen's question and start sprinting towards the group, Teardrop quickly shoots the mutants that get too close. "They can run..that's for sure." Tree responds to Pen's question. The group is looking all around them, they're compacted into a circle. "This is fun! lalala!" Bottle skips away, leaving the circle. "Bottle no!!!" Tree speaks up, calling out for Bottle. Teardrop continuously shoots the mutants that come close, eventually she turns to Bottle and points the ray gun at her. Bottle turns her attention to Teardrop. "Oh hey, TD!!" Teardrop attempts to aim past Bottle, but Bottle is moving too much. Risking a death, she doesn't shoot but continues to aim hoping there's a perfect timing. "What are you doing? teehee!!!!!" A mutant unexpectedly snatches up Bottle, Teardrop becomes frightened and tries to shoot it but misses due to fear. "Hehe, that tickles!! Tickles... TICKLES- TOO MUCH!!!" Bottle screams in pain as the mutant shatters her in half. "Oh my forest..how do I explain this to the pact?" Tree begins to tear up, hyperventilating. "Tree. It's okay, I'm a witness too." Marker replies frightened, but still hope in his eyes. The mutant gags up a pool of liquid and spews it into Bottle's remains. "I'm gonna gag..is that...?" Taco says, not daring to finish her sentence. "Disgusting. That thing had a little extra parasites to give out." Eraser finally speaks up, fighting back the mutants with only his fists due to Teardrop frozen in fear and disgust. She eventually snaps out of it and signals the group to get out of there. "Everyone, follow TD!" Taco yells out. The group runs out of the area, leaving Bottle's remains behind. 

A few miles of traveling later, the group takes a rest. "I'm thirsty.." Marker cries out. "We should probably find some supplies for us to survive.. Where even are we?" Tree questions. "Who cares. As long as I can rest, it's whatever." Eraser responds selfishly. "Eraser, now's not the time to be excruciatingly selfish!" Pen responds right after, they continue to bicker. - "You okay, TD?" Taco sits beside Teardrop. Teardrop's face begins to droop, she fidgets with the ray gun that's in her hands. "It's not your fault that Bottle is gone. It's nobody's fault! You tried your best to protect us and I'm very grateful." Taco says, patting Teardrop's back. Teardrop eventually looks up at Taco, smiling softly at her words. Taco smiles back at Teardrop but it fades due to her listening to Pen and Eraser's bickering. Taco gets up from her spot and approaches both Pen and Eraser. "Guys! Fighting isn't going to cut it. We hold a lack of supplies, we're down a person, Tree is hyperventilating, and Teardrop thinks it's her fault that Bottle is gone!" Eraser and Pen stop fighting, guilt in Pen's eyes start to show. "What're you gonna do about it?" Eraser responds. She grumbles "I'm oughta -" Taco takes a deep breath. "You're lucky we're not sacrificing you to the dead." Pen gasps. "No, not my bro!" - "No sacrificing, we have to stay true to the pact!!" Marker speaks up. "I don't even know what the pact is but whatever.." Taco sighs. "W-Where do we go from here?" Tree asks, trying to calm down. Marker pats Tree's back trying to soothe him. "Now that's up to TD.." Taco replies. They all glance at Teardrop for her answer.

Chapter Text

" Why are you doing this? "

Match starts to panic. "I like can't do this I just got my hair done, oh my God I'm gonna like puke I cant do this." Pencil embraces Match in a hug, she caresses her back to comfort her. "Match, calm down. I'm here." - "I don't know why I am still here with you 'drama queens', I can fly away just fine without your help!" Puffball says in her iconic melody voice. "No, PB. We need your help. We need your help to get out of here." Needle responds softly. Puffball turns away. "Noooo way! I'm not helping." - "Please PB!" Needle pleads. "Just this once! We won't be able to survive without your help. Who knows where the recovery centers are now!" Puffball lets out a deep sigh. "Fine." Needle smiles gently. "Yoy! Come on, everyoyne!" Bubble says, gently climbing onto Puffball's back. The rest of the group climbs on, Puffball then gently flies outside. "Wait!" A voice calls out. "We need to find X or Four - or somebody!" Ice Cube says. "I've searched that building top to bottom, it looks like it hasn't been used in a long time." Needle responds, Ice Cube sighs. Puffball begins to fly above the ground. Pencil holds Match close not daring to let her out of her sight. Match glances at Pencil, slight blush warming Match's face, she holds her arms around Pencil for warmth. There's silence for a really long time. "It's a good thing Gelatin isn't here." Ruby speaks up, she makes the group giggle. "Oh no! there's like no room up here!" Match says, giggling at the thought. "It's so cold up here.." Bubble brings up randomly. "This is as low as we can go. If we fly lower, it's a risk the mutants might see us from up here." Puffball responds. "Sorry, Bubble..." Needle adds. "Look! It's the hotel!" Ice Cube calls out. The group looks down at the hotel. "Drop us off onto the rooftop!" Needle says then realizing what she said. "Not literally..please don't.." Puffball gently sets them down onto the rooftop. "Is the door unlocked?" Pencil whispers. The group attempts to open the door but it won't budge. "Fff..fiddlesticks.." Ruby says quietly. "We need to find a way to open it" Ice Cube says silently. "Reminiscing on Tpot, I could make myself hopefully small enough to fit under the door. Then i'll see what's happening on the other side." Puffball adds, trying her best to whisper. The group nods in agreement. Puffball shrinks to fit under the door, she squeezes through the crack and eventually makes it through. The group celebrates silently. "Hopefoyly she finds a way to open it sooyn.." Bubble says.

Puffball squeezes through the crack, eventually making it through but accidentally flings herself onto the wall due to the force from the pull. She pants and exhales from the effort, then looks at the door beside her. The door is boarded and locked from the inside. 'Was there somebody here?' She asks herself. She turns her attention to commotion happening a couple floors down. She flies down to a banging door coming from the inside,  she attempts to open the door but gets stopped. "DON'T- open that" Tennis Ball calls out. "Tennis Ball? - What's in here?" Puffball asks. " Fanny. Well - used to be. She mutated when she was in the room with us." The silence is loud. "What're you doing here?" Tennis Ball asks. "I- We had nowhere to go." Puffball responds. "Who's 'we'?" Tennis Ball asks again. "I have a group with me. They're on the rooftop. - Oh no, I forgot about the door!" Puffball winces at her mistake. "That door is to never be opened. We can retrieve them from the elevator." Tennis Ball responds.

"What's like taking her so long?" Match complains. "I'm sure she's finding a way to open the door, give her time." Needle responds with hope. "She's like probably DEAD! The hotel is like probably lurking with creepy crawlies, and we're sitting here not knowing that! 'Give her time' this is a WASTE OF TIME!!!" Match yells, drawing attention to the mutations below. Match covers her mouth realizing what she has done. "I'm like so sorry everyone! I-" Match begins to tear up. "I'm just like really scared. I am really scared to lose you guys..not Pence-Pence.." Match says, her voice laced with guilt. Her voice shakes with tears rolling down. "Matchy..I'm scared to lose you too. I'm sure we all think that..we're all scared. But right now, I'm here for you. I'm letting every second we spend together count." Pencil says, embracing Match in a hug. The group gathers around to give a group hug. "I don't mean to break up a tender moment, ladies. But did any of you know that the mutants can climb?" Needle asks nervously, looking down below at the mutants. "What." Both Pencil and Match say in unison. The mutants reach the top, they corner the group. The group cowards against the doors, Needle being in front protecting them. "Stay back!" Needle calls out, hoping the mutants would listen. Needle holds up her fists and fights back the mutants. "Hurry, Puffball!!" Ruby calls out, hoping Puffball can hear her. "There's too many, I can't hold them back for long!" Needle says. "I want revenge!" Ice Cube calls out, then runs towards a group of mutants. "Ice Cube, no!" Needle calls out to Ice Cube. Ice Cube slides herself towards a group of mutants and knocks them off the rooftop, herself with them, shattering onto the ground. The elevator door eventually opens, the group quickly gets in and it closes behind them. The group is panting from effort and exhaustion. "What like took you so long, Puffball?" Match complains again. "Sorry - I met a friend." The group turns to Tennis Ball that is also in the elevator. "Tennis Ball?!?!" The group exclaims. "Where's Ice Cube?" Puffball asks. The group remains silent, their faces begin to droop. "Oh." Puffball responds to their reactions. "She was a good soldier." Ruby responds. The elevator doors open, the group views the people that have been camping in the hotel. "Oh boy, more troops! Yet we are still COOKED!" Nickel exclaims. "BASketBALL??" Robot Flowers asks. "Basketboyll? Who's that?" Bubble says. Everyone remains silent.

Chapter Text

" To get what I want. "

"Hey guys, for a prank-" Blocky says but gets cut off. "Block-y no time for your stu-pid pranks!" Pin responds. Blocky gasps dramatically. "Who are you calling stupid?" Blocky responds back. "Oh please, you children are giving me a headache. Why you heathens, out of all people to be stuck with?" Lollipop speaks up. "Everyone, PLEASE!" Flower chimes in. "Please take this situation seriously! We're trapped with no way out. We're surrounded, and maybe this might be the last of us." Everyone looks at each other in shame. Blocky looks over to Woody who is huddled in a corner, panicking. "She's right..if this is go-ing to be the last of us, then I would like to spend the time with Coin-y!" Pin says, with a loving tone in her voice. Coiny smiles gently then holds her hand and squeezes it gently. "I would like to spend the time with one of my bros; Woody." Blocky says, grabbing Woody from the corner and hugging him. "Oh, this is just ridiculous. Can't we somehow find a strategy or a way out, because I cannot stand you guys being all sappy around me, it's extremely sickening!" Lollipop says calmly, but there's a bit of annoyance in her tone. "Oh, really? Just think about Bubble for a change of perspective!" Flower responds to her nagging. Lollipop goes silent, her face droops and she turns her back to the group. "Lollipop is right, we're gonna need to find a way out of here or else we're long gone. Does anybody have any ideas?" Flower adds. The group is silent for a while, Coiny eventually gets an idea. "This place is two stories, right? We could climb out of the second story window and onto the roof." - "What happ-ens if they can climb?" Pin asks. "I won't let that happen." Blocky adds. The group looks at him, confused. "Who says I can't punch them?" Blocky responds to their reactions, awkward but still smiling mischievously. "Then it's settled!" Flower responds with some hope in her voice. "Let's go!" - "Wait! i..." Woody tries to get their attention but fails miserably, he glances at Lollipop that is staying behind them a little longer. The group steadily climbs to the second floor trying not to alarm the mutants outside the windows. They open the second floor window and climb out onto the balcony, they look down at dozens of mutants surrounding them. "Now what, Smart Ass?" The group looks over to Lollipop who is leaning out of the window. "Well, i um-" Coiny stammers. "I didn't think this through." - "Woody told me the idea would go to shambles in just minutes. Luckily, Gelatin kept some Smoke Flares in the back after the grand opening of this tacky place." Lollipop states, showing a couple of Smoke Flares in her hands. "It's NOT tacky!!" Flower responds, clearly offended. "Calm down.." Woody adds himself in the short conversation, peaking himself out the window. He vigilantly looks down at the mutants and waits for the perfect time. "Let's go." He climbs onto the balcony with the rest, Lollipop slowly following behind. Woody takes the Smoke Flares from Lollipop and hands them out. "Great job, Woodster!" Blocky adds. Woody smiles softly, then turns to an open area to shoot the Smoke Flares. He aims and fires, all the mutants turn at the sound and run towards it. "Go!" Woody says barely above whisper. He jumps down the balcony, the others attempt to follow. Lollipop refuses and goes to exit out the front door. They try to run as far away as they can.

Blocks later, they stop to take a rest. They pant and breathe heavily from exhaustion. "What's the hold up? We've only gone a couple of blocks." Lollipop says. "I beg your pardon? You could've ran too..! But no, I had to carry you most of the way!" Flower responds. "Oh, please. I'm not getting all sweaty and huffy." Lollipop responds back. "Worry about your beauty later and think about surviving!" Flower bickers. "Ladies, please-" Price tag finally speaks up but is cut off. "Sometimes you just have to try to stay pretty in certain situations, even situations like this. Sounds like an effort to me!" Lollipop bickers back. "Why don't you think of everyone else for a change?!? Like Bubble? Who knows where she is and she's probably suffering! Do you even care?!?" Flower pauses. "Okay, Flower. I think that's enough..-" Blocky says, trying to separate them. Lollipop's face drops to a worried look, shame immediately washing over her. "I'm all about fashion, yet do you hear me complaining and forcing people to carry me?!?" Flower raises her voice. "Flower, please! If you're really worried about surviving then keep it down! I know you're stressed and it's sometimes hard to contain that." Price tag says gently. Flower realizes her actions and calms down. "Sorry..i- Let's just go." Flower slowly walks to a certain direction, the rest of the group slowly follows behind. Lollipop slowly walks behind everyone else, Price Tag notices and slows down to match her pace. "Hey..do you want to talk?" Price tag approaches their words gently. "About what?" Lollipop responds. "About what's bothering you. I know I don't know you all that well but i'm happy to listen." Price Tag responds back softly. There's silence for a little bit. "Well um..I'm scared. I know that's not my usual way of thinking, but now that I have Bubble in my life, things changed. I'm so worried about her, and I try to act like I don't care because I try not to think about it. I try to not let my sorrows drag me down, but yet I still worry." Lollipop responds eventually, her tone having less ego than before. "I understand. For me, It's Book I worry about. I don't know where she is or how she is doing but-.. (sigh) Sometimes you just have to hope for the best." Price Tag pauses for a little while. "Hey. I'm sure Bubble is doing okay, maybe she has people protecting her. From what I hear, this is not your way to go..but try to put in efforts for her. Bubble sounds like she's worth fighting for, and maybe she's worth breaking a couple of sweats for." Price Tag continues. Lollipop smiles gently. "Yeah..Thank you..uh" - "I'm Price Tag. Thank you for letting me listen." Price Tag walks more forward, catching up with the rest of the group. Lollipop walks a bit faster as well. "Flower, where are we going?" Blocky asks. "Where more people could be. Tpot." Flower responds. "The hotel? But that'll take days just to traverse by foot." Price Tag adds. "As long as there's people there." Flower responds again in a serious tone. 

Chapter Text

" Things seem to go wrong when i'm upset. " 

The 2 groups gather around in the lobby of the hotel. "Okay. We need to make up a plan to get Two out of their room. Got any ideas TV?" Tennis Ball says. The groups look at TV. There's silence for a little bit, TV has a loading icon on his screen. "A: If it's possible, Tennis Ball. You can make a laser gun so strong, you can pry the door open that way. B: Robot Flower can drill her way in with her head. C: Or leave it to Grassy. End of ideas." TV explains with his monotone voice. The groups think, trying to process the ideas. "Let's go with the Robot Flower idea first." Tennis Ball responds. "ReALLY?? ME fiRST?" Robot Flower says in disbelief then continues; "OkAY, I'll trY!" she zooms to Two's door, she spins her head like a drill to pry the door open. Sparks flare from the friction and noise disturbs and echos through the hallways. Robot Flower drops midway through, hearing the bangs from the next door get louder. "FanNY?" She responds. She attempts to go back to drilling but is stopped by a sharp blade stabbing though the door next to Two's room. She stops and looks over to the door. "W-WaIT- FanNY!" She steps over to the door to stop Fanny from trying to break the door down. "N-NO! You'll huRT THEM! I caN'T let YOU ouT!" Robot Flower says with a worried and protective tone. Half of the group runs up to see what's going on. "Robot Flower, What's happening?!" Tennis Ball questions. "I trIED to drILL the DOOR!! ShE hEARD IT!!! PleaSE DON't be disapPOINTED!!" Robot Flower tries to hold the door back with all she can. "Robot Flower, I'm sorry for getting you into this. As us mechanical minds work together, I must help." TV speaks up. "NO! I mUst DO thIS by MySELF! GO! KeEP tHE othERS SAFE!" Robot Flower yells out. A blade eventually stabs through the door and stabs Robot Flower's face, cracking her screen. "ROBOT FLOWER?" Tennis Ball yells, worried Robot Flower might be completely dead.  Robot Flower powers down, Fanny eventually breaks through the door and knocks Robot Flower to the ground. "Oh my tennis ball factory, did Fanny always look like that?" Tennis Ball questions in disgust. Fanny looks over, her head piece dragging on the floor, her fan blades mutated to be extremely sharp, and parasites squirming all in her. Fanny then runs over to Tennis Ball. Alarmed, Tennis Ball pulls out one of his guns he made and shoots Fanny, knocking her down temporarily. "We can't risk killing these things." Tennis Ball mumbles, then turns his attention to Robot Flower. "Robot Flower, are you okay?" He calls out. The hallway's silence is loud, Tennis Ball looks over to TV who hasn't left yet, a sad look on TB's face. Then immediately looks back over to the noise of Fanny getting back up, Tennis Ball steps back slightly, attempting to shoot again. "Shit..!" Tennis Ball blurts out, trying to reload but its taking a while. Fanny attempts to jump at Tennis Ball but is suddenly stopped by Robot Flower, her face cracked and flashing red. "DoN'T tOUCH thEM." Robot Flower says, defensive. "Robot Flower?!?" Tennis Ball says in surprise. Robot Flower then stabs through Two's door repeatedly with Fanny's sharp blades, not caring parasites are crawling all over her. She eventually kicks the door open due to it being weak enough. She then runs and throws Fanny out the window, breaking the glass. She blocks the window with furniture, kills the remaining parasites, then powers down afterwards by collapsing to the floor. Tennis Ball and TV peak through the doorway, shocked at the sight. They look over to Two who is extremely confused, only some of their limbs not noodles, which are signs of recovery. "Two." Tennis Ball speaks up. "Tennis Ball? What is this?" Two asks, their tone confused but having hardly any effort. "You don't know?" Tennis Ball asks. Two shakes their head, still trying to reverse their arm from being droopy. "Here, I'll help you walk downstairs. I'll explain when we walk." Tennis Ball takes Two's droopy arm and makes it rest on TB, then helps Two up and walks them out of their room. TV follows behind helplessly. 

"..So, How did this start?" Two asks Tennis Ball, as they walk down the stairs together. "I really don't know, we thought you might have answers.." Tennis Ball responds. They arrive at the Lobby, Two squints at the bright lanterns, not used to the light. The objects surround and crowd Two, asking them questions on what's happening and if they're okay. "Please, give Two space. Two also doesn't know what's happening. They're just as confused as we are." Tennis Ball speaks up. The objects sigh in hopelessness like they're about to give up. "Tennis Ball, we must assist Robot Flower." TV says, rolling back up the stairs. "Right." Tennis Ball responds, setting Two down on a sofa gently. "Thanks, Tennis Ball." Two says a bit quietly, their smile only lingering for a little bit. Two looks down at the floor, everyone looks at them. "What's wroyng with them?" Bubble whispers. Two looks over to their droopy arm, the dark lines under their eyes showing more. Book sits next to Two, she looks over to them. "Is it about..her?" Book asks. Two's expression changes immediately, they look away from where Book is sitting but still continues to look at the floor. "I noticed, even if others didn't." Book continues. "I loved her." Two mumbles. "I loved her so much but she disappeared. It's all my fault." They mumble again. "None of this is! We'll find a way out of this, don't worry. We have your back, Two. We'll find her together." Book says with a hopeful tone then hugs them gently. Grassy, Bubble, Ruby, Needle, and Match do the same by giving a group hug. Two smiles softly. "Thanks, guys." 

Tennis Ball checks up on Robot Flower. "Robot Flower? Can you hear me?" Tennis Ball asks, worried. "We have to take her to the Hotel Lab." Tennis Ball says, then picking her up to take her to the Lab. Tennis Ball closes the window's blinds knowing that the mutants could've heard the broken glass from earlier. He then plugs her up, connecting her to the computer. He navigates and tries to figure out how to fix her. He screws at her face with a screwdriver, trying to work inside her head. The process takes a couple of careful hours. Tennis Ball eventually screws her face back on, and navigates files on the computer, powering her back on. "wHAt?? BasKETbALL??" Robot Flower speaks up as soon as she powers on. "It's just me, Robot Flower." Tennis Ball says, standing over Robot Flower who is lying on the floor. "Is it OVer? DID I do IT?" Robot Flower asks. "No and yes. Fanny is out of the Hotel, thanks to you. We owe you our lives." Tennis Ball responds. "ArE yOU prOUD of me?" Robot Flower asks gently, seeking validation. "I am. I'm sure Basketball would be too. You did good today." Robot Flower gets up from her spot gently, Tennis Ball unplugs the plugs inside her head. "I'm sure Golf Ball would be proud of you too." TV speaks up. Tennis Ball smiles gently, but then his smile eventually fades. "Yeah..Golf Ball.." Tennis Ball mumbles sadly. "TenNIS BALL. NoW thAT you FIXed me, I feEL strONGER. I coulD repAY you BY finDING HER." Robot Flower speaks up. Tennis Ball's expression turns shocked. "R-Really? You'd do that?" Tennis Ball stammers, obviously grateful. "Of couRSE!! I'll bE bACK!!" Robot Flower zooms out of the room, leaving nothing behind but dust. Two then walks into the room. "Hey." Two speaks up, their limbs fully recovered. "I have a bit of power left. I thought about helping you, maybe finding Four.. Or the source of this problem." The silence is loud. "I can still fly. Not as fast..but I can fly." Two continues. "Okay. Be careful out there." Tennis Ball responds. "Will do. I'll report back to you if I find anything." Two responds back, then leaves the room. Tennis Ball and TV glance at each other, glad that there's progress.

Chapter Text

"You don't want to see me upset, do you?" 

The group sits in silence. Tree paces back and forth, panicking while mumbling to himself. "Still no answer from TD.." Taco blurts out, approaching the rest of the group while they look at Teardrop sitting away from them. Teardrop is cautious, the ray gun in her hands aimed in front of her. "We're never getting out of here.." Marker says, a worried tone in his voice. Then an idea appears in his mind. "Can't we try calling for Blackhole?" Marker asks. "I wouldn't risk it. He might not answer. And worse, THEY can hear us." Pen responds. The setting is silent, the group is silent with it. Not even a single chirp from a cricket. "Let's not talk until we are someplace safe. I don't want anyone else dying on us." Taco whispers. Teardrop turns to a noise..chirping..? Squeaking? Taco stands by Teardrop, hearing the noise as well, followed by everyone else eventually hearing the noise too. Teardrop looks down, a parasite attempting to burrow into her left arm. Teardrop panics, attempting to shoot the thing off her arm. She misses multiple times, illuminating the darkness beyond them. "Get off of her you pest!" Marker calls out, taking off his lid to scoot it off her arm, then squashing it on the ground. Marker shudders in disgust, then looks at Teardrop. Teardrop looks back at Marker, then at Taco. Taco immediately understands what she has to say. "Everyone, we have to get out of here. With those things roaming around, they leave off stragglers. Stragglers will eventually find a new host, and i'm pretty sure we don't want to be the new hosts." Taco explains quietly. The group understands, they cautiously get up from where they're sitting. "But what about TD? Wasn't there a parasite on her?" Pen asks. "Hopefully Marker got it off her just in time." Taco responds. They slowly traverse away from the spot they were in. "Yeah, I wouldn't want TD to turn on us." Eraser adds. The group looks at Eraser weirdly, Eraser looks back at them nervously. "What? People can change overtime. I'm not sabotaging TD anymore!" Eraser adds again. Teardrop looks back at Eraser, smiling gratefully. Teardrop turns back, hearing a noise. She stops everyone in their tracks again. "TD, we don't want it to be like last time we need to go!" Taco whispers. Teardrop continues to signal them to stop, she hears..crying? Sniffling? They all pay attention to the noise. "Is that..Bottle?" Tree whispers, still slightly hyperventilating. "It does kinda sound like Bottle.." Marker responds quietly, agreeing to Tree. "But that's impossible..We clearly saw the parasites break her.." Taco adds quietly. "And fill her up with more parasites.." Eraser also adds, shuddering at the thought of it. "TD, We need to go." Taco adds again, looking at Teadrop who is trying to defend them with her life. Teardrop looks back at Taco nervously, then nods in agreement. Teardrop signals for them to run. Teardrop runs, the rest of the group following behind. "wait-! please..don't go!" A weak voice calls out, the group stops in their tracks once again. "Bottle?!" Tree yells out, attempting to go after her. His arm is grabbed by Teardrop, Teardrop shakes her head. "What do you know?!? Bottle is calling out to us and you decide to just abandon her?!" Tree responds, panicked. Teardrop shoots barely at the sky, illuminating the ground. The laser lights up Bottle's body, the one they left behind a long time ago. She has been dragging herself after them slowly. "Bottle?!?" Tree exclaims. Tree approaches her cautiously, Bottle's other half completely missing. The group is shocked by the sight. "Tree! No!-" Taco whispers. The sight shows Bottle miserably laying on the ground, looking up at them just at least 12 feet away. Her glass is cracked and weak, just seconds away from possibly shattering in on herself. Tree looks down at her, tearing up. Marker also approaches cautiously, viewing only a couple of parasites on her. "You're still alive?" Marker asks, but then realizes that might be a bit insensitive at the moment. Bottle cries and sniffles in pain and is also slightly trembling. "I want to go home.." Bottle mumbles, with all the effort she can give but still sounds very weak. She rests herself for a moment but her sobs eventually stop, symbolizing that she is gone. Tree sobs, witnessing a death right in front of him. "It's okay, Tree! We're in this together. We'll recover her." Marker comforts Tree. Bottle soon enough starts to twitch, the parasites finding a way to make her a host. "Bottle?!" Tree exclaims. Tree attempts to approach her closer but is grabbed by Teardrop, they then run away from where they were. 

They eventually stop running after a while, they breathe heavily through exhaustion. They walk their way down a path. It's silent, the only sound is Tree silently sobbing from a wave of trauma. Marker is walking beside Tree, rubbing his back and comforting him. "Where do we go, TD?" Taco asks. "Wait..hey. I recognize this way.." Pen speaks up. "You recognize trees and rocks?" Taco asks, glancing at Pen. "Not just any trees and rocks! We're heading towards the hotel!" Pen says joyfully. "Maybe Blackhole is there!" Marker adds with hope. "Hopefully we'll find more people.." Tree mumbles.