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Woody sits in a circle with his friends, staring death in the face. It’s no use trying to climb up the pile of trash, and Woody can’t believe this is the end, after everything, after escaping Sid all those years ago.
The incinerator burns hungrily below them, and then something swoops down over the garbage, blue and red and human-sized.
Superman.
Superman blows out the incinerator’s flame with his freeze breath, then scoops Woody and the others into his arms, cradling them against the S symbol on his chest the way Andy used to. He soars out of the incinerator.
“Don’t worry, you’re safe now,” he tells them, then “You don’t have to hide. I know your secret, I’ve seen toys moving through walls for years.”
“It’s Superman!” Rex cheers. “Thank you, Mr. Superman.”
“Just doing what’s right.” Superman says, still holding them. “Your alien buddies were going to save you with the claw if I hadn’t gotten here first.”
They stop by a booth with joysticks, where the three Pizza Planet aliens chant “the claw!” sounding both disappointed and relieved.
Superman scoops up the aliens too, glancing over them with concern. “Do you need help finding a new home?”
“We’re trying to get home.” Woody says, no longer limp in Superman’s muscular arms.
“Yeah, Andy didn’t actually throw us out.” Hamm admits.
They give Superman the address and he flies them back to Andy’s house, hovering near Andy’s window.
Andy’s room is all packed up, the posters off the walls, the bed bare.
Andy and his mom enter the room before Superman can leave them by the windowsill.
“Superman,” Andy says with the same excitement he used to have over Buzz. “Wow, what are you doing here?”
“I found some toys in the dump. They seem to have your name on them,” Superman nods down at the unmoving toys in his arms..
Andy doesn’t question how he knew, when his last name wasn’t on their boots. “My toys! Wow, I thought I lost these guys forever.”
He rushes forward and takes them out of Superman’s arms, gazing at them fondly, despite the dirt covering them. “Wow, they’ve been through a lot.”
“You really saved his toys?” Molly asks from the doorway, sounding incredulous.
“I do whatever I can to help.” Superman says. “I could tell they were loved.”
Molly wrinkles her nose slightly, clearly thinking they’re gross but not willing to argue with a superhero.
“I’m so sorry, honey,” Andy’s mom says, hugging him. She buries her face in Andy’s shoulder, tearing up. “I can’t believe how big you are. I wish I could always be with you.”
“You will be, mom.” Andy says, trying to juggle hugging his mom and his toys simultaneously.
“And now your toys can be, too.” Andy’s mom chuckles wetly.
Woody lays in Andy’s arms, just like the old days, but it’s clear those days are gone.
“Thanks, Superman,” Andy says, smiling gratefully, and Superman gives a nod, returning the smile before flying away.