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Ash crawled through the vent and ended up on the other side. He ended up in some dead end again. Though, he decided to look up and by sheer luck he found a handle. Ash shot the hand up and hoisted him and Grim up. Grim kept looking back to keep an eye on their backs.

Once in the level above he looked to see a stairway and door above. Ash walked over to the door to find it locked, like all the others. He grumbled and stepped back and started walking up the stairs. He got to the top with what looked like pipes and looked right to see something ahead.

Ash approached it and looked to see a panel. There were two buttons that read "rotate top 90 degrees" and "rotate bottom 90 degrees". Ash hummed but saw a piece of paper. He picked it up- curiosity etched in his mind as he read "Transfer request. Experiment 1222: Mommy long legs. Test subject: Marie Payne" Ash froze upon reading that; definitely not expecting that.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts and continued reading as Grim looked over his shoulder to read as well

"Abilities:
Mommy Long-Legs has the unique ability to stretch any of her limbs for several hundred feet. This includes her fingers, arms, hair, neck, waist, and legs. She's very hostile towards the staff, but is very motherly and acts warmly towards the other experiments. She is protective of them." Ash hummed out at that and nodded "so she can really stretch out hu" he said chuckling out at the small joke he made.

"Problem:
The hostility is quickly becoming problematic, but perhaps there is a solution to put her in her place." Ash rolled his eyes at that "well yeah no shit, she was made into a massive toy with no warning" he spat at the paper angrily; shocking the toy on his back.

"Proposal:
Mommy Long-Legs would be perfect for facilitating everything with the children in the game station. She has the warmth that a mother should, and any rowdy child can learn to 'listen to their mother.' It makes sense that her seeing these children daily would improve her behavior, and it is very unlikely she will act out in front of the children. Have her transferred to High Security Maintenance immediately. Conditioning can begin."

Ash hummed as he folded the paper up and stuck it in his pocket. He began to think to himself, who was Marie Payne before she became Mommy long-legs? Ash began thinking of the possibilities. Maybe a coworker? No, that would've been obvious that something was up. A homeless person? Maybe not, they can be pretty recognizable too.

Ash froze upon a dark thought that crossed his mind; something that isn't unheard of. Orphans... Ash shook his head "no... No no no, they couldn't have" Ash murmured as he looked down horrified. Grim looked at him confused, now wondering the sudden change in behavior. Ash looked at him and steadily asked as his voice shook "where the test subjects.... Orphans..? Kids..?"

Grim -despite being a toy- gave him a look, it was one of horror and sadness; that look answered his question. Ash covered his mouth in horror, he wasn't expecting that theory to be true. Ash shook his head in disbelief as tears began to form in his eyes "no... No no! This corporation... How sick are they?!" Ash shouted in anger and disbelief as he punched the panel.

Grim perked up shocked and surprised, he didn't expect that type of reaction from him. Ash suddenly felt Grim gripping onto him, as if to hug him; assuring him. Ash huffed out as he felt a few tears flowing down his cheek "I just... I never expected kids to be the key to the experiments here..." Ash replied his voice cracking as he felt himself sobbing a bit as he fell to the floor grieving for the kids he's never met before.

Ash has a soft spot for children, especially being an orphan himself -even if he was close to being an adult it still counted- so hearing that kids were a key component to the experiments shattered his heart. Ash had to calm himself down, this was unfortunately one of those times he couldn't cry now.

He wiped his eyes from the tears and looked at the buttons. Clicking one, the bridges up ahead moved, only for it to miss the bridge completely. Ash grumbled out as he looked at the buttons again "so, I need to get it back on track" he murmured, Ash sighed as he began to click the button again.

The red bridge got past the entrance he needed as he clicked the right button. That instantly turned both bridges as the red bridge was now in place. Ash nodded as he clicked the left button and alined the red bridge for him to go forward. Ash stepped back and walked down the stairs and walked down another flight of stairs.

He stepped on the bridge and walked across it, however when he reached the door it showed to have a scanner for something. Ash groaned out as he looked towards the panel again "hell no" he commented (yeah no- not gonna go through that exactly -.- it'll make this longer than it should be).

Ash shook his head as he turned around, not wanting to deal with the trouble. He'd rip that panel apart if he did. He prepared himself and looked at Grim, he spoke up to him sternly "hold tight!" He told him, Grim nodded and gripped onto him tightly. Ash dashed forward and jumped across the waterway as he landed on the other side, thanks to his parkour skills he could do it. (I WISH YOU COULD ACTUALLY DO THAT!-).

Ash huffed out with relief, as did Grim as they both looked at each other and laughed out of said relief. He sighed out as he walked towards the door that was ahead and opened it. Inside was a conveyor belt system with many Bunzo bunny toys on it; rolling along the path.

In front was a lift of some sort with two levers, stepping up and forward he came across a cat bee mix cut out. Though he didn't pay any mind to it as he stepped on this lift. He walked over to the lever on the right and flipped it. Moving himself and Grim up the system. A door closed as they moved up.

Grim looked around nervously, Ash could feel a heart pounding on his back. Realizing it was Grim's fast he patted his arm "there there buddy. Everything is gonna be alright" he assured him. Grim looked at him with doubt in his eyes but Ash's determination comforted him. Grim nodded as they focused up.

Ash looked around and saw the Bunzo's being carried away in different directions, telling him this was gonna be difficult. Grim however had other ideas. He jumped off his back and began to crawl on the top of the conveyor belts. Finally he got to an open ended one and snagged a toy quickly.

Ash smiled as he jumped back and handed him the toy, Ash patted his head "great job buddy!" He exclaimed with joy, happy to have help on his side. He then pulled the left lever and took them both down from the systems towards the bottom. Though as he did so he noticed something. Blue fur on the walls! Maybe Huggy was still alive after all! Ash decided to put that aside and focus up as they finally reached the bottom.

The two glanced at each other and nodded, they bolted forward, running and jumping to the other side of the path. Sighing as they looked at the other for signs of relief -to which they found- they nodded again and walked forward and approached the door. Ash set the toy on the scanner, hearing the machine scan it then an unlocking door sound.

Ash opened up the door and made his way forward, Grim following behind him as they looked around. They came across a gate and an open vent. With no other option the two crawled into the vents, they moved forward then right as they came to the end of that vent and towards a door.

Grim tested it, only for it to be locked. Ash and Grim groaned out of frustration but Ash happened to notice a wire on the floor entering a new room. He walked towards it, letting out a whistle for Grim to follow him he came across a room with two gated doors and a second receiver.

Ash perked up and turned to Grim "hey Grim, go through the vent and see if it goes to the other side" he ordered. Grim nodded as he ran on all fours and into the vents. The sounds of running in the vents lulled his ears, it gave him a piece of mind that Grim was still alive.

Just then Grim appeared on the other side of the door without the red lights, he pointed to his left and gestured to his GrabPack and did his best to show a swing. Ash nodded, understanding his signs "alright buddy, I'm on my way over!" He called out as he ran out of the room and into the vents again.

He crouched and walked forward then took a sharp right he walked to the other side that had an arrow at the end of the vents and took another sharp right. There Grim waited for him as Ash took in his surroundings. He found a green receiver, he lifted up the right hand and shot the green hand.

Nothing. Ash hummed "guess that's the electrical receiver then" he commented as Grim nodded. Ash looked over and saw the area ahead that required swinging. Grim jumped onto Ash's back and held on, Ash smiled as he approached the ditch and shot a hand towards the placed handle above.

He then jumped up and forward as he swung across to get to the other side, seeing two poles and the first receiver. Ash frowned at that and looked at the door which had a sight to the other side. "Now how in God's green ass am I supposed to get to the second one!?" He questioned allowed. Grim blinked and let out what sounded like snickering.

Ash looked at him and rolled his eyes "oh hush it you" he said as he nudged him as Grim giggled out. Time to test things out. He shot the blue hand over to the receiver and touched the first pole then the second. There was a light and an opening door that revealed the first green receiver, but behind a barricade gate.

Ash hummed out "ok, maybe if I do this then..." He spoke out as he undid what he had done. The barricaded gate came down, he was quick to shoot the green hand to it and collected the electricity. As soon as he did that he was quick to move. He ran over and shot the blue hand to the handle and swung over; as Grim held on tightly again.

He transferred it over to the other green receiver. The doors opened up, Ash ran through now quicker than before he ran around and towards the other side and into the other room. He shot the hand to the first receiver and looped back and around the poles and shot the second hand to the second receiver just in time.

That powered something on as he made his way out to where the locked door was. The two stood there for a few seconds, wondering what exactly they powered on when the sound of a door opening was heard. The two looked at each other and exchanged a smile.

Ash ran over to the vent and began crawling through as Grim followed behind looked behind them both to cover their backs. Ash moved forward then took a sharp left, but just as he was almost there the ground below broke as they fell through. Both of them screamed out in surprise and fear as they didn't know how far the drop was.

Ash fell and hit the floor, he let out a small cry of pain as he landed on his foot wrong. Grim jumped off and cooed out worriedly as he looked at Ash. He held his ankle as he looked down at it. He exhaled as he felt it, he gritted his teeth, but to his relief it wasn't broken or popped off.

However the pain in it was concerning as he realized he landed on it wrong and he huffed out. "Ah shit- I must've sprained my ankle" he grunted out as he slipped his shoe off. He took a look at it as he moved it around slightly. As he moved it someways he felt some plan flood his leg and winced.

Grim cooed out again as he rubbed his head on his. Ash huffed out as he patted his cheek "I'm alright bud, I've been through worse" he told him. Grin again gave him a worried expression, something about that statement hit him the wrong way and he didn't know what it was.

Ash waved that off as he slipped his shoe back on, he didn't know what was on the ground and he didn't want to risk hurting his foot more than he already has "come on buddy" he called out as he stood up, the aching in his ankle was getting to him and he winced out, limping as he walked along.

Grim gurgled in worry as he ran over and stood up, placing his arms around Ash and helped him walk. Ash looked up and smiled at him "thanks buddy" he said with gratitude as he basically hobbled down the hall. The two got to the end of it and looked up. There was a handle there, just as Ash lifted up the blue hand cannon Mommy long legs came into their sights as she screamed at them.

They jumped back extremely fast as Ash winced out again as he jumped and mainly landed on his injured foot. Mommy long legs sorta noticed that but paid no mind to it "I ASKED YOU TO PLAY FAIR! AND YOU CHEATED!! I HATE CHEATERS!" She yelled at him as her hand broke a pipe and punched the wall. Ash gawked at her, he cheated? He cheated?! Oh hell no!

Ash gritted his teeth "YOU CHEATED FIRST!! MUSICAL MEMORY HAS NO END AND YOU TWEAKED UP WHACK A WUGGY! STATUES HAD NO END! SO WHO REALLY CHEATED FIRST?!" He shouted back at her, all the frustration from the games getting to him now.

She was taken aback but composed herself quick as she shouted and slammed her hands down. "No no no no!! MOMMY NEVER CHEATS! ITS YOU WHO CHEATED! AND YOU!!" She looked at Grim "YOU CHEATED TOO!!" She shouted at him.

Grim growled out and roared at her, now not afraid of her with Ash by his side. Mommy's eye twitched as she approached them, the two backed up as she did so, her breathing becoming more unsteady and ragged as she spoke up again "now... We're going to play one. last. game!" She paused as the two stepped back yet again, being close to the door behind them now.

"It's called hide. and. SEEK!" She shouted, dragging out the word "seek" as she shouted, her eyes losing the green as the black pupils over took the color, her limbs and hair nearly stretching out of control. Ash went to speak up but was cut off "ten... Nine!" The door behind them opened up.

"Eight... Seven... Six" the two ran out and Grim helped Ash run, jumping down the stairs to cut their time in half. "Five... Four... Three... Two..." The two were now running in this underground area, many pipes were there above and around. The two couldn't think as they ran and ran.

There was a warning poster and chairs here and there, but they didn't pay attention to that, only the path ahead. Till they finally climbed up a set of stairs and ran on a balcony up to a couple of barrels and a hole in the wall. The two climbed up the barrels and through the hole. They took a left upon exiting the wall and found yet another hole in the wall.

They jumped in and walked through, this path way was longer than the last but not super long. They stepped out and came across a vent where they both crouched down and jumped on in, however Ash forgot about his sprained ankle.

"GAH!-" he shouted and he fell down and grabbed it. He winced and gritted his teeth as he huffed out. Grim gurgled and cooed at him as he -understandably so- kept a distance and let Ash handle his emotions. Grim looked around, weary as he wondered where Mommy long legs was.

Grim then slowly and gently nudged his head on Ash's shoulder to grab his attention. Though his mind was clouded in pain he glanced over and softened his gaze "I know buddy. I know I know" he told him as he tried standing up. Grim huffed as he practically crawled under him and hoisted him on his back.

Ash became startled by that and quickly wrapped his arms around Grim's neck(?), or at least what was there he supposed. Grim huffed at him, as if telling him "stay and rest!" And turned left and walked down the path. Ash blinked in shock, did a child- or a teen perhaps?? Just give him orders?! Ash huffed and shook his head, he didn't have the time nor the energy to argue with him.

Ash relaxed on Grim's back as he sunk into his fur, the warmth reaching his bones as Grim took another left. They came across a conveyor belt that was closed off, Ash looked around and saw a lever. He lifted up one of the hands and shot at it; holding the trigger down. He then released and pressed the trigger again and opened the vent door.

Grim jumped up and crawled through going up, then forward, then took a small right and got to an end. He looked down and found that they were above an open vent. Grim huffed at him, letting him know to hold on. Ash nodded and gripped onto him as Grim jumped down.

He made a loud "thud" as he landed, both wincing at the sound and slowly looked over at the other. Ash pressed his lips into a fine line before he popped his mouth open and said "oops-". Grim snorted out as he began to walk again, taking a look around he found an open door and walked over and through it.

All in the meantime Ash kept an eye out on their backs, making sure Mommy wasn't nearby. Grim took a right and continued down the hall, keeping his eyes opened and his ears sharp, listening and waiting for Mommy long legs to show her face.

They came across a door, Grim looked at his stuffed hands then back to Ash, he blinked then chuckled out "kneel down buddy, I can open it" he replied to him seeing his obvious struggle. Grim nodded as he kneeled down and close enough for Ash to reach the knob and open the door.

The knob clicked open and he pushed the door open, the door creaked open, the hinges squeaked from years of being shut. Grim got on all fours and crawled through the doorway and continued forward, only to get to a room with four colored levers and a massive gate.

Ash decided to jump off then and there, being careful with how he landed on the floor and looked around. He spotted a red and yellow lever on the left and a blue and green lever on his right. Grim and him shared the same confused expression as they switched the levers.

Ash switched the red, then the yellow and Grim switched the green and the blue lever. However, after the fourth was pulled they all flipped up again. Ash blinked "hu- ok then" he spoke out, realizing there's a specific order they need to pull them.

Grim looked around as Ash pondered on what they should do next, as he looked up he found an opening above. He let out a small cry and pointed up. Ash glanced over at him when he called out to him and noticed where he was pointing. Ash blinked and looked up to find an opening with a handle.

"Oh!" Ash exclaimed as he grabbed one of the canons and shot it up. Grim quickly jumped on to his back and he hoisted himself and Grim up. Ash and Grim looked in it to find an opening above with wires all around, Grim however pointed at a box that said "3".

Ash looked towards it and squinted his eyes, the wire was green, Ash gasped as he realized that this was the order. Ash looked around and looked at the numbers and the color wire they were connected to, one being red, two being blue, three being green, and four being yellow.

Ash nodded "I've got it Grim! Thank you" he exclaimed as he nudged his head to him. Grim purred out, as if saying "no biggy" Ash nodded as he pulled the trigger again and dropped down, doing a sort of superhero land to not land on his injured foot. Ash got to work as he began to pull the levers.

First red, then across it blue, then went next to it and switched the green, then finally the yellow lever. The door finally opened up. He waited for it to fully open, and it did after a few seconds. But as Ash took a step he felt his gut churning yet again, causing him to freeze in place. He was all too familiar with the feeling.

Grim looked at him and tilted his head in confusion. However, the look on his face gave him an answer. Something was gonna happen. Grim shrunk a bit now, seeing the weary in his gaze. Ash sighed and shook his head. Stepping through, he limped along the path through the gate, he walked forward, each step matched the beat of his heart that pounded hard in his chest.

His breathing was close to becoming unsteady, though he kept himself composed as he continued forward. He took a right and moved forward yet again, he looked around taking in the sights and kept his senses sharp. She suddenly appeared! Mommy long legs came into sight scaring the two as Ash jumped back and ran back. Though his limp made it difficult to run, he was still surprisingly fast as he ran away.

Her laughing echoed the halls as he reached the place before, seeing the previous way they had entered in was blocked off. Ash cursed under his breath and panicked. He looked around, he needed to hide them and fast! He then remembered the way above, quickly he grabbed a cannon aiming it up and shot towards the handle. He quickly released and clicked the trigger again as they were hoisted up and held themselves out of sight.

Grim held on tight as he and Ash held their breaths as they looked down to see her scurry around the floor, the laughing continued as she groaned out trying to find them both. The stomping soon disappeared from the room as the room began to fill with silence. Both of them exhaled out as they were in the clear now.

Ash released the trigger and fell down again, landing in a superhero land again to keep from hurting his ankle any more than he probably already has. He huffed out and looked at his kid "that was a close one" he said to him. Grim nodded in agreement as he too huffed out. Ash nodded and began to make his way down the path again, mimicking what he did previously.

He grew embarrassed by his own thoughts, who knew he'd grow to think of Grim as his kid?! He shook his head, he's already got eight adopted kids, now he has a ninth!? God Blake is really gonna kill him- he shook his head again and he continued his way.

They reached this new area, there lay a furnace and a gate. Ash hummed as he approached the lever, though he paused and read the paper. Just an ordinary maintenance list, though there was a note attached to it that read "Main gear removed, damaged beyond repair. PLEASE replace ASAP" Ash sighed, great- now they have to somehow replace the main gear.

Grim however had jumped off his back and began crawling around, he opened up the furnace door and crawled in. Inside looked to be an area where something is supposed to be made, Grim looked at it intently as Ash walked over to a shelf and picked up a gear mold. Ash hummed out as he looked towards the furniture and walked over to it.

He stepped in, approaching Grim as he limped inside "so, you found the inside of the furnace hu?" Grim perked up and nodded. Ash made a head gesture and limped out, Grim followed after him. Ash walked up the stairs as Grim shut the doors.

Ash got to the top of the stairway and made his way across, he found a gear slot and smiled. He slid the mold in and closed the door. He walked away and down the stairs of the top part of the furnace. He looked around at the bottom part to find the second green receiver next to the door. Having already seen the first one he lifted the cannon and shot the green hand to it, collecting the electricity.

He then shot the hand to the receiver and the electricity reacted quickly. The electricity moved through the wire into the furnace and soon a blaze erupted into it, the sounds of melting metal from old uses was heard. Ash had no idea how that worked but it worked.

The blaze soon stopped, allowing for them to step on in and in it was a new gear. Ash picked it up and walked out, Grim meanwhile was following him like a lost puppy. Ash placed the gear into the slot and pulled the lever. The gears got to work and began to pull the gate up and open.

Ash huffed out as his gut yet again churned. He cursed under his breath and he kneeled down to Grim "prepare yourself to run back here" he told him in a hushed whisper. Grim nodded as he prepared himself.

Ash looked back at the opened furnace and nodded to Grim, if they had to hide it would be in there. Grim nodded back in understanding as the two finally moved forward. They began walking along the balcony seeing an entrance at the end of it. As they stepped the tension grew heavier.

Just as they were a quarter to the end Mommy long legs showed into their sights. They were quick to turn around and book it back to the previous room. The two could hear her stomping behind them as they made their way back. Ash was quick to let Grim in the furnace first before he stepped in, grabbing the handles and pulling the doors shut.

Her stomping shook the ground as Ash and Grim pressed themselves back against the end, her laughing and breathing sending chills down their spines. Soon the sounds of stomping stopped, leaving a bone chilling silence. The tension was palpable and did not once go down. Grim tugged at Ash's arm and looked up at him worried.

Ash sighed and nodded "I know buddy, hop on, if we have to run again it best be how we ran out the first time" he told him, worried of what may happen. Grim nodded and jumped on his back, holding on tight.

Ash stood up tall, and began making his way out. His limping grew thin as he began to ignore it, he had a feeling he was gonna have to ignore it for the sake of escaping. He entered the area as he and Grim did before, walking down the balcony again towards that other end they got stopped at.

Ash entered and walked down the hall, coming across huge spider webs and a lever with gears next to it. Ash exhaled out as he pulled the lever, just as the gears turned Mommy long legs crawled up again. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" He shouted as he ran back, suddenly feeling adrenaline pump into his system.

He passed by the balcony, seeing her arm reaching out from the side. Ash huffed as he ran away from it. He reached the furnace room, there was a curve of webs there as he took a right into the hall before. Grim buried his head onto his shoulder, trembling as he gripped onto him.

He ran into the hall but some debris fell down blocking their path, however a light lit up left of them as a door cracked open. Ash wasted no time in going through it, he entered a hall and dashed through it. There was a drop down below, which at this point fuck his sprained ankle he's got no time to worry about it, it's life or death right now.

He jumped down below, but before he reached the bottom Grim's legs that were hoisted up from the ground sprang out, letting Ash land on his feet without hurting himself more than he already has. Ash hummed quickly as he turned around seeing that in front of him was a dead end.

He ran for what felt like forever then took a sharp right, running forward again it was a short pathway when he entered in through a pipe system. Her hand was right there as he took a sharp left "Oh my GOD!" He shouted as he ran and took a curved right, again at the end before a turn her hand was there again. He grumbled now starting to cuss out, in Spanish.

He quickly took a right as he spoke up "she's too long!" He panicked taking a quick turn left and not long after a curved right. Grim was crying out in panic as he saw her hand in the turn next to them. Though thankfully Ash had exited the pipe system and quickly looked up, he held up the cannon holding it down and grabbed the handle and he released and pressed again to hoist them up.

They looked down to see her following after them. He reached the top, swinging forward and running up and right then left again, finding another drop and handle. He still had a hold of the canon as he instinctively shot it out, holding and releasing as he swung across. He pressed again to release himself onto the other side.

He ran forward yet again, he came to the end to find a hole. He didn't think twice then the jump down, Grim again using his feet to land on the floor to prevent Ash from hurting his ankle more than he already has. Though thankfully it wasn't too necessary as he landed on crates, but for the second drop it was needed.

Ash ran to the lever and pulled it down fast, it opened back up into th factory. Ash had never felt such relief from being back in the main factory's halls again. He sighed as the adrenaline though still pumping hard in his system began to wear down, his exhaustion from the running was starting to catch up to him now.

"Once we find Poppy, we need to rest." He decreased. Grim nodded in agreement, since Ash had been moving nonstop when he entered. Word of things in the factory spreads around fast, so hearing about a stranded human was definitely the talk of the town. He just never thought that he'd choose him of all toys to bring along with him on his quest; being the weakest -runt per say- of the mini wuggys.

Ash finally reached the end of the hall, huffing as he lifted the cannon up and shot the hand onto the scanner, it scanned slowly. Too slowly for his liking. He perked up as he felt his heart beating faster. Just then they heard her stomping. Ash and Grim both panicked as the scanner was still slowly scanning the hand before it finally finished.

The door opened somewhat, then was moving back and forth from opening to closing. Ash huffed again "come on come on!!" He urged as he looked back and forth again. The door opened just enough for him to crouch down and crawl underneath it. He crawled through and underneath.

Ash crawled and jumped again, he ran in, nearly tripping as he grabbed a lever to break his fall. He ended up pulling the lever down as he went to the next turn. Only to find it blocked off by a gate. Ash went silent then he cursed "shit!" He turned around to see Mommy long legs entering in.

She scooted to a stop as her hand seemed to have gotten stuck on something. That something made Ash's heart drop, it was a grinder! It then started up as he realized that he had turned it on. She began to scream as she looked over at him "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!!" Ash panic went into overdrive and he pushed Grim off his back and dashed over to her.

Grim jumped back either way watching as Ash grabbed a hold on her and began to help pull her off the machine as she continued "HE'LL MAKE ME PART OF HIM! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!" She struggled and shouted as Ash pulled and pulled at her, till finally her arm snapped off causing them both to crash down.

Grim was quick to turn off the machine as the turning came to a stop. Ash and Mommy long legs stared at the machine as silence stretched along the two. Just then she jumped up and pinned Ash to the ground "OH COME ON!-" He shouted as she glared at him "YOU STILL CHEATED! DON'T THINK SAVING MY LIFE FIXES THAT!" She shouted.

Ash panicked as he spoke up "wait- Mommy long legs-" "ENOUGH!" She cut him off "I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR EXCUSES!" She shouted again. Grim flinched back, panicked on what to do now. Ash gave him the look that said "don't move!" To which he obeyed. Ash looked up at her and suddenly shouted "MARIE STOP!"

Everyone stopped moving at his words, Mom- erm Marie looked down at him stunned, the green coming back to her eyes as she shuttered at him. "H-how did you know that..? How do you know!?" She demanded to know as her grip on him tightened. Ash gritted his teeth "I found a report and it had your name on it! I know you were an experiment Marie, and I know you were just a child when it happened!" He explained as he desperately clawed at her hand to let him go.

She was twitching at his words, he was acting as if he cared! But his word spoke nothing but the truth as he looked up at her "you were an orphan weren't you?" He asked her, his words cracking as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. She almost scoffed at his words "and why do you care, hu?!" Marie demanded to know.

Who does this human think he is?! Being all curious about shit that he didn't need to know. He looked up and answered "because I too am an orphan, just like you. I may be an adult now, but I don't have any parents anymore" he paused and chose his next words carefully.

"I don't know what these people did to you and I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner to stop it. I wish I was so that none of this would have happened to you. To everyone! To you, Huggy, Poppy, Grim, all of you! You all were trapped here, for ten years. All alone, starving most likely. Please Marie, let me help you now. You can be free!"

Marie was at a loss for words. He's sorry?! But, he didn't do anything! And freedom?! How pitiful! She and any other toy were a danger outside than inside, they'll just be tested on all over again! "Look, I know of a place, it's a paradise. A true salvation, you all would truly fit in. Nobody would wanna test on you or cut you open again" Ash added on, giving her a warm smile.

Marie shook her head "no... n-no... I can't.. I-" she sputtered out as she let him go and ran "I CAN'T!" Ash turned over and shouted out stretching his arm out "MARIE WAIT!!" But it was too late, she had already disappeared into the halls and inner walls. Grim cooed out sadly as he crawled over to him and nudged him.

Ash looked down and sighed as he sat up. He hugged Grim close and murmured "I promise you Grim, where I'm going is a true paradise, the woman who runs it there will give you anything you want, and you would fit in with everyone there. Mark my words" Grim looked up with awe and admiration and nodded at his words.

Ash nodded back as he stood up, with the help of Grim and the two approached the door that was opening up, just then they both heard the sound of something metal moving. Ash looked back confused, Grim however looked horrified and urged Ash to move and run; to which he obliged.

They ran in then turned left, they ran into a bay room and ran up the first flight of short stairs. Then barely moving left they ran up the second flight of stairs they then did a U-turn and ran up a third flight of stairs. They reached up and at the top of a four before Ash stopped him "woah woah woah! Grim stop!" Grim froze and looked at him with horror in his eyes.

Ash blinked at his then sighed "hey, I didn't mean to fire off like that" Grim sighed out and shook his head at him, Ash tilted his head "did you know what that was?" That question caused him to visibly shake. Ash held up his hands "ok ok! You don't have to answer, ok?" He replied assuring him. Grim sighed and began to crawl off.

Ash followed after him, going right and then took another U-turn and went up the stairs. There he walked till he got to a hole on the pathway, he huffed as he took a step back and ran and jumped forward. Landing on the other side, though his ankle throbbed in pain he ignored it and caught up with Grim.

They went right and continued to move, taking a sharp left then a sharp right then another sharp right they walked up yet another flight of stairs. Ash grumbles "how many stairs are there??" He complained causing Grim to giggle out. At the top of the stairs there was a tape.

Black and blank yet again. Ash hummed as he picked it up and sat down, Grim laid his head on his lap as Ash pushed the tape in and let it begin playing. The TV static and turned on. There was that same clawed hand

"Log Code 08502. In relation: Experiment 1-0-0-6. 'The Prototype.'" instantly Grim shrunk from hearing those words, causing Ash to perk up a bit, though rather than ask about it he held onto him. As if assuring him that he'll protect him

"A close call occurred this week, in which he nearly breached containment." Ash blinked in shock, but the tape continued as if answering his unspoken questions. "The Prototype seemingly disassembled the digital alarm clock within his room, and utilized the battery along with several other components to create a laser pointer, which he then fired into the security camera, disabling it." Ash's jaw dropped at that, this experiment was incredibly smart. But how smart was he?!

"These actions allowed him 28.3 seconds completely unmonitored. Once function returned to the camera, the room appeared to be empty. One surveillance specialist went in to confirm his absence." Ash tensed up, he had a feeling what was gonna happen next. Grim too was visibly tense as well.

"However, upon opening the door, she realized that the Prototype had hidden in one of the camera's blind spots." Ash nodded and he huffed out. He had predicted that. "The Prototype attempted to escape through the open door; however, another surveillance specialist was able to remotely re-lock the door, despite the other specialist still being inside." Ash looked up horrified, how could they?! I mean- it would prevent a break out but that experiment seems dangerous!

"One casualty occurred." Yep, dangerous. As Ash guessed. "The Prototype seems to possess an unprecedented level of intelligence beyond that of all other test subjects, as well as an alarming willingness to commit violence." Ash shook his head at the screen "yeah, I wonder why..." He mumbled out with anger, though he had a feeling it was more than just what he thought.

"Further suppression treatments will need to be enacted to ensure that no other experiments develop these qualities. Experiment 1-1-7-0, 'Huggy Wuggy,' remains the optimal outcome due to his sufficient intelligence paired with maximum obedience. End of log."

The tape stopped as the screen went dark. Ash huffed and glanced down at Grim, who looked up grimacing at him. Ash sighed and spoke up "was that, the thing we saw... 1006?" He asked almost dreading that he asked. Grim huffed out and nodded at him, now knowing that he couldn't dodge it.

Ash nodded with him and glanced at him "is he like- just hurt or like-" Grim immediately shook his head cutting his words off, he looked fearful at him as he jumped up and stared at his face. Ash blinked and remembered back to the tape "an alarming willingness to commit violence".

"So, he hurts people willingly??" He asked, needing to be clarified on that. Grim sighed and nodded at that, confirming Ash's worries. So this guy, this... Prototype is truly evil, Ash sighed out as he stood up "well, then we'll prepare ourselves if we must face him, if we have to fight him we will!" He said with determination.

Grim looked hesitant at him, he knew how powerful the prototype was. But, he felt that Ash would be able to help them out; he would be their savior from him. Grim nodded at him and stood up with him. They made their way up the stairs in front of them and turned right and walked along the balcony. They then took a sharp left and continued on forward.

They approached the door at the end, Ash limped, but was steadily getting used to the pain and not really feeling it too much anymore. Ash opened the door and ended up on the top part of the game station. It irked him that there were people just watching the kids, maybe to see who should be used as the next subjects.

They walked up the three stairs and made their way down the path above, not taking any note of how high they were whatsoever. They took a sharp right and trudged on forward, Ash slowing down a bit as the pain was starting to get back to him, Him took notice and slowed with him, cooking out in worry of him.

Ash smiled and patted his head "I'm fine buddy, a sprained ankle isn't gonna stop me" he proclaimed as he continued forward. Grim was a bit indifferent, but he took Ash's words to consideration and followed along after him. They walked forward more till they got to a small flight of stairs going down.

"Oh wow, we're going down for once" Ash said with a hint of shock and sarcasm, it made Grim snicker as they made their way down the stairs and were faced with an opened door, in it was a control panel unit and Poppy seemingly standing in a conveyor belt above. Ash knew better though, she was stuck!

"Poppy!" He called out as he ran in, Grim only crawling slowly behind as he jumped on the panel and began to pull the webbing off of her and the paper as well. As soon as she was free Ash hugged her and huffed out with relief "I'm so glad you're safe Poppy!" He exclaimed as he felt all his worries wash away.

Poppy was taken aback by that as she looked at the mini wuggy then back at Ash as she hugged him back "me too, I'm glad you're alive" she too exclaimed with relief. The hug broke as she looked over at the wuggy, Ash blinked confused as she looked back at him "Ash, what is this?" She asked almost demanding.

Ash was stunned by that but he cleared his throat "Poppy, Grim! Grim, Poppy!" He introduced before turning to her "he let me win in wack a wuggy, but it was cheating to Mommy long legs. I couldn't just let her kill him!" He explained as he felt his heart ache at the cries of the lost wuggys. Poppy was stunned to say the least as she then looked at Grim "is this true?" She asked as if wanting his side to confirm it.

Grim nodded curtly as he fiddled with his hands. She nodded at him and spoke up "ok, good. Glad to have you with us Grim!" She said with enthusiasm, genuinely happy to have more on their side. Grim nodded back and hummed out. Then Poppy's expression dropped and she asked "did you kill her?"

Ash blinked at her and glanced over, she held this dark expression as she asked. Ash sighed and spoke up "well- no" he answered. She blinked "no?" She replied, now urging for more. Ash sighed again and spoke up "she, got her hand stuck in a grinder. I learned she was an experiment and was a child at that! I couldn't just let her die! So I pulled her out and managed to talk to her. Though she doesn't wanna come with us she at least let us go"

Poppy was speechless, she hadn't expected this from him. Honestly! She'd be damned to have him get killed now! She shook her head clearing her thoughts "alright then, I'll board the train, we need to leave" she then turned right and walked into the vent. Ash nodded as he looked at Grim and nodded at him, "come on buddy, let's go" he said as he climbed down and walked out.

Poppy's pov

She couldn't believe her ears, Ash saved her?! And she freed them?! She was in disbelief of it all, if he redeemed Mommy long legs, could he redeem others?? One fell before he got the chance so it's a stretch. But the others...

The next one seemed too far out, from the words she's been told one's gone super crazy seeing a weapon as a person and the other... See's the prototype as the hero, the god that saved everyone. If Ash could somehow redeem him of all toys then he'd have to be some sort of god! (It might seem crazy what I'm about to say-)

Back to Ash and Grim

Ash and Grim finally made their way down the place above the game station, taking a slide down and opening the door they were right by the train. Grim couldn't contain his excitement as he ran out and next to the door, Ash laughed out and ran after him "ok ok! Wait up for me!" He called out as he approached the door.

Grim was practically vibrating in his spot, this must be his first train ride. Ash walked over to the door and looked at the scanner, it showed a green hand. Ash smiled at Grim as he got to his right, beckoning the cannon over "wanna do the honors?" He asked as he smiled. Grim beamed up and nodded at him.

He grabbed the cannon and aimed it at the scanner, he then shot it to the scanner and it hit onto it. The hand scanned as they waited for it to scan. Then the door opened up. Ash and Grim walked on in, Grim curled up and huffed out, contempt with his life now. Ash smiled at him, he decided to sit down for a bit before he got to work.

He and Grim sat around happy to have gotten this far. Though if this was it, then what about his traveling stones? Would Galactica have to make him another set?? Something told him there was more to it than that... But what?? Ash shook his head, maybe now's not the time to think about it, he stood up and got to work after what seemed like an hour of rest.

He pulled out the code and began to input the code. He clicked the bottom with the arrows to change the order of faces around till it was what he needed, next he began to change the colors up and around to get that order correct, then finally he pressed the buttons in a specific order.

There was a light up above with a gold yellow handle above, he smiled as he pulled it back. Then the train lights flickered on and the train whistled and began to move. Grim hopped in place as Ash sat back down. The train wasn't fast but it wasn't slow either. Ash and Grim looked out the window as the game station disappeared from sight.

They then entered a tunnel and relaxed as they looked ahead, with a green arrow flickering ahead. Poppy's voice came up on the intercom, which confused Ash "I was so scared she'd put me back in that case... But you saved me..." Ash felt his heart beginning to pound in his chest "Poppy what are you..?" He questioned out as she spoke up again.

"You're perfect... Too perfect to lose!" Then the arrow flicked from forward to right "I'm sorry, I can't let you leave" Ash's eyes grew wide as his blood ran cold "Poppy what?!" He shouted out as he stood up. "Poppy no you can't do this!" He shouted again and he felt his blood boiling with rage and fear.

"I've never met anyone like you" she giggled out as she continued "do you know how long I've been stuck in that case? Well, too long. I had so much time to think and reflect, time to figure out exactly what I would do when free" she paused as Ash began to slightly hyperventilate shaking his head.

"We'll set things right... Terrible things have happened. But I know that whatever I need you to do, you're capable!" Ash finally chimed in again "Poppy no please! I'm not from here, I want to go home!" He called out. Grim the whole time was panicking but froze hearing Ash's words. What did he mean by that?!

Poppy continued "we will-" there was a sudden pause as something beeped "what i-" she was then cut off with a strange static type of noise on the intercom. Ash blinked stunned again "Poppy?" He called out to her. Nothing. Ash panicked as he called out again "Poppy?!" Nothing again, Ash began to panic even more, now she was cut off. How?!

Grim tugged his sleeve and cooed out, as if asking him something. Ash looked over and hummed out "what is it??" He asked. Grim looked in front of them and back at Ash, who must've realized what he was referring to. Was the train going faster?! Ash cursed under his breath as the train had indeed begun moving faster.

This wasn't good, he had to slow it down now! There was an alarm that began to play out, then it stopped for a moment- as if reading the speed of the train. Then another played, and in ready letters it read "WARNING: UNSAFE SPEEDS. STOP TRAIN." Ash huffed out as he grabbed the big handle, as parts of it lit up.

Grim too, grabbed it and pulled it down it took some effort but luckily they did so. The train's brakes hit as the metal scraped against each other creating a lot of sparks. The train didn't seem to slow down, just then the train began to tip over. In a panic Ash grabbed Grim and pulled him close, shielding his body from the crash with his own as the train finally took a crash landing.

Ash and Grim were shot around the train and thankfully the sliding train soon stopped, but with that, Ash's exhaustion, and his stated his vision began to blur. Before Ash lost consciousness his eyes opened up again, he saw a sign that said "PLAYCARE" before suddenly things grew very dark.

GOD THIS TOOK FOREVER-
Y'all I am so sorry for the wait, things got super busy at home, I'm trying to find a job, and in 2024 my cats kittens ended up dying one by one so it really brought me down. But yeah I hope this is able to make up for the lost time especially since this is almost 9000 words long (minus this part here) but yeah- Stay tuned for chapter 9 deep sleep, until then

Cat~con out!