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Ash carried Grim on his back as he cried out a little more. It honestly broke him knowing that he couldn't save his companions. Ash looked at him and shook his shoulder "hey... It'll be alright Grim" he spoke up giving him a reassuring smile.

Grim only sighed as he boinked his head on his own. Ash sighed back, wishing he could've done more. He turned a corner right to be in front of a gate, behind it were two green receivers. "Hey Grim, look" the toy looked up and tilted his head.

He let out a gurgle of confusion, Ash in turn shrugged "let's look around and see how to get out" Grim nodded as he hopped off and began to crawl on his hands and feet, following Ash. He turned right again and walked forward. There was a drop with wooden boards blocking it off near the bottom.

Ash hummed as he stepped away and back towards the turn he passed. He glanced back to see Grim crawling beside him gleefully. Ash smiled as they took the right and walked forward. There was another gate that blocked their path. Ash began looking around for anything to open it.

Grim looked up and around, his eye catching something. He let out a roar to catch Ash's attention. Ash looked back confused as Grim looked at him then pointed his head towards a lever on the other side. Ash smiled "way to go Grim!" He spoke out loud.

Grim purred in delight and puffed his chest proudly. Ash looked around "maybe if you can get over there you can open the door" Grim nodded but before they could look an alarm blared. Ash and Grim looked forward as the door opened and a familiar silhouette showed. Ash froze and stepped back tripping back on some debris as Grim growled out and got in a protective stance in front of Ash.

No... It can't be! Huggy..? Ash held his breath as the toy walked forward. Both bracing themselves when pink fur was shown under the light. Ash looked surprised at that as did Grim. They looked up to see an identical version of Huggy looking at them. Ash blinked as his mind registered this new toy.

'wait... I recognize her. Yeah! From the drawings, it's Kissy!' he thought to himself. Kissy only tilted her head at the two, Grim growling in curiosity. Kissy then looked at the lever then back at them. Ash perked up a bit and nodded "yeah, can you..?" He spoke up.

She in turn looked at the lever and lifted her arm up. It, at first slipped off, causing her arm to fall to her side. But the second time she did it her hand gripped the handle and pulled it down. The door began opening slowly. Though, the two stayed on edge, Kissy however turned away, glancing back at them for a few seconds before she walked away.

The door slowly opened up as she disappeared (how in the hell though?-). Ash and Grim looked at each other slowly as they allowed the door to open up as much as it could. Ash exhaled out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

He stood up as he and Grim progressed forward; crouching down as he did so. Taking a left he passed a gate that would be impossible to get through. Ash looked through it as Grim moved forward, he looked to his left and saw a cart, roaring out, Ash looked over to see Grim pulling a cart over and speed crawling over to the area they entered in.

Ash ran over to him crouching down as he passed the half opened gate and looked at the boards from before. Grim pointing back and forth between the cart and the boards. Ash nodded, as if getting what he was suggesting "alright, way to go Grim!" He cheered for him. Grim did a roar and gurgle combination almost sounding like "dada" as he hugged him.

Ash huffed out surprised but hugged back. Ash and Grim ran or crawled over to the cart fast as Ash shot the green hand to the receiver. He shot it over to the second receiver as the gate off the rail way opened. Both Ash and Grim ran through.

Grim pointed towards the receiver, Ash nodded quickly and shot the hand to the receiver pulling the power out towards another receiver. The door opened as the two ran through taking a left quick and another one shortly after to the area across where they once were.

Ash smiled as he pulled the lever. He looked back, two more doors to go. Ash ran back towards the start as he went over to the receiver, signaling for Grim to stay till he got back. He collected the electricity and ran back towards that second receiver fast. Him being a fast runner helped out.

Shooting the hand to it the gate opened to his left and the two ran through (they speed running fr). Then shooting the hand at it again he collected the power in case he came across another receiver. And as luck would have it he did.

The gate opened and they ran through. One more door, though he found a tape on the other side. Hu, he had forgotten about the tapes. Eh, who cares. He walked across the other side and picked it up. He looked at Grim and spoke up "a little brake wouldn't hurt" Grim nodded and sat down looking drained.

Ash chuckled as he put the tape in and sat down, Grim crawled over and laid on his lap looking up at the screen as it static and turned on. Ash perked up as he saw a familiar face on the screen. Ash pointed "ITS SPEDICY!" he shouted, Grim despite being a toy gave him the most bamboozled and puzzled look his little toy self could muster up.

Ash waved his hand at Grim as he focused up "Mind if I film this?" A voice spoke up "Oh, not at all sir." Was the reply that they got back "That's what I like to hear. So, Marcas, what happened?" The person asked.

Ash hummed out 'same name as Abby's future boyfriend' he thought to himself as he focused up again "You see, I was heading home for the day when my ape arse realized that I left me bloody wallet in the cafeteria. So, I'm running through the lobby...And that's when I see it. A mop handle lodged under the innovation wing gate." There was a pause.

"So what'd you do, Marcas?" He asked "Well I just thought I'd nab the bloody yoke and be on me merry way." Markus replied. "And?" He asked beckoning for him to continue "Well, I'm reaching for the thing, and the mop handle jolts on its own. Had me scared stiff. I thought I was the only one there. S-So I took a peek beneath the gate and some massive bloody thing was dodderin' about the bloody hallway!"

Ash hummed and perked up "wait-" he was cut off "Thing? You're sure it wasn't a person?" He asked "Ain't no person that's 50 feet long with a thousand legs." Markus inquired, but was cut off "Marcas, you're losing me. Maybe you just saw a bunch of people walking by." He concluded

"Look, it wasn't people! Alright? I haven't a bloody notion what it was but it wasn't human." He replied. He hummed out "Hmm...Who have you told about this? Besides me, obviously." He asked. "Just you, sir. Obviously." He answered causing Ash to giggle out.

"OK, I'll have security skim the cameras and take a look." He said to Markus. Whose expression looked shocked and angry "What?! There's a massive bloody... Monster! Skimming ain't going to get rid of it!" He was cut off again "You're out of line, Marcas. We make toys, not monsters. Now come on, get out of my sight."

Markus went to sit up "actually uh, grab me a coffee will you?" He stopped and looked at him and went to leave again "actually never mind, get out of my sight." He looked back and left after he said that. Grim shrunk a little as he heard the "no person that's 50 feet long with a thousand legs"

Ash looked at him "you ok?" He asked. Grim looked up at him and shook his head, he sat up and pointed at the screen then stretched his arms out long ways. Ash tilted him head, remembering the words on the tape. "The- long thing?" He asked.

Grim nodded, Ash perked up "wait- 50 feet long with a thousand legs, will we be able to avoid that?" He asked. Grim put his hands together as if inquiring that they wouldn't be able to avoid whatever it was. Ash exhaled and stood up "well, whatever it is, we'll be ready for it"

Grim looked up unsure about that, Ash patted his head "don't sweat it little one" Grim sighed and nodded, standing up with him. Ash ran back towards the first receiver as Grim pulled the cart, Barry over to the last door. Ash collected the electricity from the receiver and ran back towards the area with the TV.

Upon arrival, he shot the hand to the receiver and the door opened to another powered receiver. Ash shot the hand on the receiver fast and pulled it away to shoot too one of the walls for the last gate. Then, he shot the hand back to the other receiver on the wall and pulled the power from there, the gate to the power holding receiver shut upon the power being taken.

He shot it to the second receiver on the wall and the gate opened hearing a warning that the power timer was almost up. Ash decided to test to see if it'll shut after the timer runs out. The time ran out and the door remained open, Ash smiled as he grabbed Barry and began rolling it down the railway.

They got around to the back and pushed Barry towards the drop as they pushed it down the drop. Ash and Grim speed walk or crawl following Barry down as the cart breaks through the wood. They watched as the cart fell through a drop. Ash sighed as he picked Grim up and turned right.

Ash held onto Grim tight, he did not wanna let Mommy near him. Grim held onto Ash as he walked forward then turned a left corner. He walked towards the hole and looked down to see the floor that looked similar to the wack-a wuggy game. Ash and Grim exchanged a glance as Ash sighed. He jumped through and down the hole.

Ash landed on his feet and looked around, yep it was outside wack a wuggy. Ash began to walk away from the game. He felt Grim gripping onto him as he sorta teared up. Ash looked at him sorrowful for him and petted his head.

"Shhhh, it'll be ok Grim. I know how much it hurts" Grim sorta perked up at that as he looked at him, sorrow also filling his gaze. Ash patted his head "don't worry buddy, I'm fine" he said with a soft smile. Grim nodded as he seemingly dropped it. Ash walked up the stairs and away from the game area.

Ash walked over to the panel, not relaxing his grip on the toy he practically claimed as his child. Ash climbed up the stairs and pulled the lever as the alarm stopped and the intercoms played.

"Jeez, have you played these before? You're so good!" Ash smiled and puffed up with pride "seems like you're ready for the final game, statues!" Ash looked confused, statues? What was that? "Follow mommy down the stairs one last time. I hope you had a fun day at the game station. See you next time!" Ash exhaled and looked at Grim "let's do this!"

Grim perked up, he was nervous but determined. Ash smiled and walked down the stairs as Grim adjusted from his arms to his back. The door began opening, but stopped. A handle was released as an alarm blared. Grim gestured for both of the hands on the GrabPack, Ash nodded and shot both of the hands on the handle as he held the triggers.

He released the triggers and pulled it again. The pack pulled on the handle, the door slowly opened at first then as it got closer the door opened quickly. Ash exhaled "alright, last game" he murmered. Grim gurgled in determination. He nodded at him and walked around and down the stairs, looking at the walls he realized that this creature was big.

And I mean big. Ash nudged Grim "hey, is that..." He paused as Grim looked at the painting. As if realizing his question he hesitantly nodded. Ash huffed out "great- more friends" he said sarcastically. Ash huffed seeing the door ahead closed.

Grim nudged him and gestured towards the door. Ash looked then nodded at him. Ash walked over to see it was opened, he looked in and walked forward past all the stuff that cluttered in the area. They walked in the hall till they got to two metal poles and a cardboard cut out of what looked to be a caterpillar and dog mix.

Ash gave this look and murmured "this place made some wacky stuff..." Grim gurgled at him, as if asking him about himself. Ash chuckled "oh no buddy, you guys were genius. I just finished this dog caterpillar mix odd-" he said to him as he petted his head.

Grim purred out in joy as he moved his head towards the touch. Ash looked around seeing the green receivers. He looked around for the regular ones. Grim looked up and purred a bit. Ash looked at him then saw him looking up.

He looked up to see a handle out and lit. Ash hummed and decided to test out the green receivers real quick. He shot the green hand to the receiver and collected electricity in it. He shot it to the second one and like clock work a second handle popped out.

Ash aimed the blue hand up and shot it to the handle, quickly he lifted himself and Grim up towards the top to see a second receiver. "Alright, I got it now" he said as he jumped down. Grim held on as he did so and did the imitations of a "WEEEEEE" Ash giggled at him and got to work.

He shot a hand towards the first handle and hoisted himself and Grim up. Once on top he shot the hand to the first receiver and jumped down, touching the wire to the first pole then towards the second one which he wrapped around. Now this was about speed. He shot the green hand towards the green receiver and collected electricity.

He shot it to the second receiver and powered up the second handle. He quickly shot the hand up fast and hoisted him and Grim up to the level. He stood there and shot the hand to the second receiver and powered on the door he assumed.

"Yes! We did it Grim" he shouted with delight. Grim purred in joy and held up his own fist. Ash smiled and jumped down, both letting out a "wee" as they dropped. Ash sighed as he began walking out. Though, the sounds of what sounded like a thousand steps stopped him dead in his tracks.

"Whoa what the-" Ash spoke up as he stopped dead in his tracks. Grim tensed up as he gripped onto Ash, he looked at him and asked "is that our next foe?" Grim looked at Ash and nodded. Ash exhaled And looked up "bring it on..." He murmered.

Grim nodded, agreeing with him. The two gave each other a nod. Ash and Grim were gonna do this together, no matter what. Ash began walking out, as he did so he kept hearing those steps. It irked him a lot. But he's down to get this done and over with.

He walked out of the room and the door to the game opened. Ash inhaled and exhaled, as did Grim to keep their anxiety down. Once fully opened he looked at Grim "let's win this game" he told him. Grim nodded and looked forward with determination on his face.

They walked in and the door shut behind them, in another instance the TV turned on. Ash and Grim focused up on the screen. "Welcome to Statues! This advanced obstacle course is designed to test your physical endurance and strength." Ash smiled and looked at Grim "I have great stats in that" he told Grim.

Grim nodded in delight, knowing that they got this in the bag. "The rules are simple. The lights will turn off. You can move through the obstacle course at this time. However, when the lights turn on, you can look around but cannot move. You may move again once the lights turn back off." Ash hummed at that "might be challenging, but still." He spoke up.

"The lovable PJ Pug-a-Pillar will follow you! If PJ reaches you, your test is over!" Ash looks over to see that PJ was right there next to the TV. Ash stepped back "oh woah woah woah" he shouted "That's all. Good luck!" The TV shut off after that. Ash sighed as he looked at PJ.

Then, a light in a spectator window lit up. "It was always so sad to see the kids go..." Mommy spoke up, Ash and Grim looked over upon hearing her. She glanced over and glared at Grim "They called me "Mommy" because I was the closest thing they ever had to one." She began "But they'd come for games, and never come back. They left Mommy to die alone. Mommy didn't deserve that!" She explained

Ash stepped back as he just glared at her. Grim growled out at her. She glared worse at him "you.... You cheated! You let him win!" She shouted. Grim curled back up on hearing her shout. Ash shouted back in retaliation "don't you dare talk to him like that!" She glared at Ash "you shut up and hand him over"

Ash grabbed Grim and gave this look towards her "over my dead fucking body!" He shouted back. PJ, Grim, and Mom my long legs jumped back at that. She grumbled out and punched the glass "well... If that's what you wish then I don't see why I should hold you back... If anyone deserves to die alone... It's you..." Ash glared at her as she crawled down and away.

The door opened as she did, which he walked over to instantly and ran in, hearing PJ crawling after him. There was music playing, though when the lights flickered on the music stopped. Ash froze as he waited for the lights to go out again.

They did and he ran out of the maze running almost out the first time. He ran towards the rings above and shot a hand towards the rings. About half way through his lifting process the lights turned on and the music stopped. Ash froze but was still swung up towards the rings.

But, he wasn't penalized for it. So it didn't count as him moving in the light. Once the lights flickered off he swung across the rings, as he got off the last one he slid down the slide the lights flickered on. He stood upright and froze.

The lights flickered off and he ran off and towards the tubes going through the medium level, the lights flickered on not long after he entered. Ash froze and looked behind himself as did Grim to see PJ merely catching up. The lights flickered off as he crawled forward then left. He crawled forward taking a right then not long after another right.

Then a bit forward as the lights flickered on. He froze and remained motionless. Maybe he could cheat? No! Bad move on his part, he'd be killed. The lights flickered off and he quickly moved forward again then he took a left, then another left as the lights flickered on.

He stopped again and Grim gripped onto him, scared for his and Ash's life. Ash gripped him back to reassure him. The lights flickered off as they moved forward again and right, seeing the exit. Then the lights flickered on as they almost reached the end.

Ash waited patiently as the lights were on for what felt like forever till they flickered off, he scurried out of the pipe and ran up a foot before the lights came back on. He looked ahead to see the end merely caved in. His eyes widen in shock and disbelief. 'no... No! This can't be!' he panicked as the lights flickered on.

Ash ran towards the large pit of styrofoam blocks jumping on the big yellow one then towards the next one before the lights turned on. Ash sputtered out "th-there's no exit... We're gonna die..." Grim shivered upon hearing Ash say that as the lights turned off and he began jumping on the other block.

Grim looked around before the lights turned on. He gurgled out and pointed his head towards what he was looking at. Ash looked at him then towards the windows and saw a handle above one of the windows. The lights turned off and the two kept going till, jumping across three others before the lights came on again.

They waited till they turned off and jumped two more before Ash picked up the GrabPack and shot the hand towards the handle and pulled him and Grim up, even with the lights turning on. Ash flung him and Grim towards the window, and as he did so he carefully and quickly grabbed Grim from his back and hoisted him in front of him as he crashed into the glass, breaking into the watching area.

Ash grunted as he hit the ground as he lifted himself and Grim up. But, as he did so he felt a sharp pain on his shoulder and screamed out a bit. Ash let Grim go as he broke out of his arms to look at him and see what was wrong. Ash looked at his shoulder to see that some glass had pierced it. Ash gritted his teeth as he looked at the rest of the glass.

It was dusted and old, so that means if he leaves this glass in, it's just gonna lead to an infection. Ash grumbled as he ripped the sleeve that was cut up good from the broken glass and stuffed it in his pocket, just in case. Grim meanwhile was sniffing his arm and whimpering worrying at Ash.

Ash huffed as he looked at Grim "I'm ok buddy, I'm used to this kind of pain" he assured him. But that seemed to concern the poor toy even more. Ash exhaled and patted his head "I'm ok Grim, I promise" he assured him once more.

Grim nodded as he accepted his answer. Ash nodded as he looked at the glass "ok... Here we go" he murmered as he grabbed the larger shard, inhaling sharply he pulled the glass out as the blood gushed from the wound. Ash grunted out as he quickly pulled out the smaller pieces and quickly pulled a clean cloth out of his satchel and placed it on the bleeding cut as he laid on his shoulder to stop the bleeding.

Grim cooed out worried as he crawled over and laid with him. Ash chuckled out as he petted the toy with his hand as best as possible (as it was the same arm he was laying on) "it's ok buddy, but I need a favor" the toy perked up and nodded. Ash glanced at his satchel "I need you to grab the gauze and the small tube that looks like toothpaste"

Grim nodded as his big toy hands opened the satchels and had pulled something's out. Ash shook his head a couple of times, signaling that he grabbed the wrong item before he nodded "yes! Thats it buddy." He explained.

Grim nodded as he placed them near Ash. Ash had to be fast, he rolled on his back and sat up. Removing the cloth he looked at the wound that sorta bleed out but not as bad. Definitely needed to be stitched up if he passed out getting home.

He opened the tube and squeezed the paste on his finger. He inhaled again before he whipped it on his arm, gritting his teeth as it stung. When he finished he rubbed the excess off on the gauze after opening it. He squeezed some more on his finger and spread it out on the gauze.

He placed the gauze on his arm and used the same hand from the hurt arm to hold it, using his other hand and pulling the medical tape out he pulled it up and ripped it off as he taped the gauze down. Once secured he pulled out the bandages and looked at Grim.

"I need your help" Grim perked up again and nodded as he crawled over to his hurt arm. Ash placed the bandage down "hold that please" he instructed. Grim nodded as he used his thumb and held it down. Ash began to wrap his shoulder up as Grim carefully and quickly moved his thumb off the loose end and let it be covered up.

Then, Ash latched the bandage down. Ash made sure it was wrapped up tightly as to not cause any more blood loss. Ash stood up and looked around, he saw a hole in the ground in front of them. He stepped forward as Grim followed. They looked down as Ash exhaled out "we have to jump it's our only chance of escape"

Grim looked up and nodded, though he had a plan. Grim stood up standing taller than Ash, at least half the size of Huggy Wuggy, about 7 feet tall. Ash looked up and tilted his head, Grim knelt down and beckoned him to get on. Ash nodded and hopped on.

Grim jumped down and used his hands and feet to almost slide down the tunnel and landed on his feet below on the ground. Ash sighed as he looked at him "thanks buddy" Grim nodded as Ash jumped off and turned his back towards him so Grim could jump on his back.

Once he did Ash moved forward and shot the hand towards a handle above. As he did so they heard a voice. "Where did you go?" Ash panicked as he jumped off the edge and swung over towards the other side, making sure to land perfectly on his feet. "The game is over. You won! Come back and Mommy will give you the code. Pinkie promise!"

Ash shook his head "oh hell to the mother fucking no I will not" he murmered out as he ran forward towards a dead end. He looked around and up and found another handle. He shot the hand up and released and pressed the trigger again and pulled them up.

Ash swung over the edge as they came up the edge and landed on his feet, "Mommy knows the game is really hard, but Mommy has just decided you won!" She let out a laugh and followed with "come back!" Ash ran forward and murmured "fuck no". Ash passed by a poster and up some stairs.

"Mommy doesn't like cheaters! The rules are so simple, you die and Mommy gets to watch!" She yelled as she laughed manically "come back to me!" She shouted again. Ash felt his heart pounding as he turned left and looked up, again another handle above. He shot the hand up and pulled him and Grim up; swinging on the edge above.

"UGH! HOW DARE YOU DISOBEY ME! I WILL FIND YOU! I will find you..! And when I do!" She shouted angry following up with a maniacal laughter. Ash spoke out "fuck fuck fuck nope!" As he ran forward again.

"Where are you?? WHERE ARE YOU?!"

She screamed out as he ran forward and into an open vent, seeing the dead end ahead.

Well then, 👀👀👀 this was definitely a charm to write. Anywho, stay tuned for Chapter 8: trying and failing with mommy. Until then

Cat~con out!