(* WARNING! MENTION OF MISSING LIMBS, BROKEN ARM AND BLOOD! *)

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*Balloon's P.O.V*

I saw Taco run off so she can get the thing she needs from TestTube's lab.

While she did that, I crawled to safety near some trees. I most definitely twisted my ankle tripping over that huge rock.

It doesn't help that I sprained the same ankle when I jumped down from the tree when Taco fell eariler. I did my best to hide that pain, but I knew I was going to break.

*sigh* My ankle hurts, but I can't sit still, the bear could pop up at any second. I know I shouldn't be standing, but I'm not going to get anywhere if I continue to crawl.

I get close to a tree, and start to pull myself up so I can stand. 

"Ngh-...", I grunt in pain.

I do my best to shake off the pain, but it proved very little success. I start to limp deeper into the forest so I can find some sort of shelter.

"*ROAR*!!"

I look back and I see the mama bear. Oh shit! I hope she doesn't-

She's running right towards me! OH FUCK!!!

Panic and fear sets in and I do my best to run. I'm in so much pain, but I just have to run. I have no idea where I'm going, I just have to run.

'Taco.... please hurry!! I can't run forever!'

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*Taco's P.O.V*

I heard a distant roar of what could only have been the bear. 

I run faster, despite my growing exhaustion. The vending machine should be around here somewhere!!

The more I ran, the more panic and worry creep on me as I grew closer to my destination. I see an open area and grew hopeful.

Once I'm out of the forest, I look frantically around me as I kept running. Nothing but emptiness still surrounds me.

'FUCKING HELL! WHERE IS THAT VENDING MACHINE!?', I yell angrily at myself.

I keep running until I see shiny red! HOLY FUCK! I FOUND IT! I use the last of my stamina and run towards the vending machine.

I stop ot catch my breath. I breath very heavily as I catch my breath. Once I feel a bit bettter, I was going to open the thing when i heard something.

Shoot! somebody is coming up! I activate my bow and hide behind the machine. As I do, the hatch opens and I see Mepad and TestTube come out. Huh?

"Alrighty! The testing is done. I'll have the results by tomorrow. For now, you can hangout at the hotel.", TestTube says.

"Okay. I will head back then. Are you coming?", Mepad asked.

"I would, but I'm busy with some stuff. I'll be there later! Tell OJ the results will be back later.", TestTube says.

"Of course. I'll see you later TestTube.", Mepad says.

They wave 'goodbye' and before Mepad leaves, I think he sees my bow. After staring for another second, he turns around and leaves.

I think TestTube was confused and looked behind her. Before she spotted the tie, I hid behind the machine. I heard her mumble something and went back inside.

Before the chute closed, I jumped in so i can get inside. I'm lucky she didn't hear me as she continued to work on science stuff. I sneak pass her and go deeper into the lab.

I know where she keeps her weapons, so I walk the path to the weapon safe. After a few minutes, I make it to the safe. She doesn't have a code for the door, so I walk in.

I deactivate the bow since I'm a little more safer now. Now... what did she put the taser? I look around until I found it......

On the top shelf..... Motherfucker! Why the top shelf!?

*sigh* Not a problem. I can grab it. I just need a plan to get it without making noise.

'I don't see a ladder, what else can I do?', I thought in my mind.

I see some boxes and decided to use those as my 'stairs'. I stack some boxes until I can reach the top. Okay. Now to climb this abomination.

I begin to climb the boxes so I can grab the taser. Almost there! Just need to reach and.... got it! 

'Yes! I got it!', I celebrate in my mind.

I start to climb down when.... I slip. I fall for the second day that day and- *CRASH!*

Oh fuck.... All the boxes fell and made a very loud crash. Son of a bitch! That most definitely got the attention of TestTube!!!

I get up quickly with the taser in my left arm. I wince in pain as I do hurt my right arm again. I put the taser in my pocket and went to activate my-

Huh!? SHIT! WHERE'S THE BOW!?

I panic as I look around for the bow. I gotta find it quick before-

"YOU!", I hear a voice.

I freeze and turn around. MOTHER OF ALL HELL!!! WHY AM I GETTING FOUND OUT!?

TestTube was right behind me. And she looked pissed as all hell.

"What are you doing in my lab?", she spat.

I don't say much as I spot the invisa-bow at the corner of my eye. I still didn't say anything when she asked again.

"I asked. What are you doing in my lab you Mexican breakfast named bitch?", she spat again.

"If you must know. I'm grabbing a weapon so I can fight off a fucking bear before somebody dies. So... I'll be taking my leave.", I coldly state.

With that, I dive for the invisa-bow and activated it. She stares in bewilderment but then starts to chase me. Great.... another shitty chase scene.

I run to the main lab room and open the hatch so I can escape. I can hear her shouting at me as I escaped.

Once I'm out of the lab and climbing the vending machine, I race back towards the forest. I have the taser now!

'Hang on Balloon! I'm coming!', I shout in my mind.

I continue to run towards the forest and head back to Balloon's last known place. 

"BALLOON! I GOT IT!", I call out.

I look around hoping he would pop out from the tree he hid behind. But he didn't. He didn't pop out. A very large pit grows in my stomach.

"Balloon! BALLOON WHERE ARE YOU!?", I call out more.

I head to the tree he was crawling to before I left. He wasn't there. Fuck! He must've had to move!

That's when a very unsettling realization hit me. I hear a very faint bear roar earlier. That was most definitely the mama bear. That means-

Balloon is in serious danger!

Panic and adrenaline set in as I race towards where I think I heard the roar from earlier. A million thoughts go though my mind as I race to Balloon. 

'Hang on Balloon! I'm coming!!', I yell in my mind.

I just hope I'm not too late to save him. Just hold on a little longer Balloon!!

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*TestTube's P.O.V*

That....

That GEEBWESER!!!

SHE STOLE SOMETHING FROM ME! INCLUDING MY BOWS!

UGH! THE NERVE OF THAT BITCH!

I need to go check the security footage to see what she fucking stole. I race to my camera room and begin to search the camera's footage.

I hope she didn't do anything to mess with my shit. Let's see... Ah! Found the footage!

I play it and see..... well. Pure struggle. She went to steal my taser. Why my taser? And why use boxes to get it!?

Oh wait.... She's short as fuck that's why. But still, she could've done something else instead of using boxes!

Ugh.... She was in my fucking lab! I need to tell the others!!

I rush out of the comfort of my lab and head to the hotel. After about 20 minutes, I make it to the hotel. I burst in, startling some of the residents.

"Tube! Are you okay?!", Fan asks in worry.

"I'm fine Fan. But I have some news... And it's not good news.", I say.

"What happened Testy?", OJ asks.

"..... Taco broke into my lab.", I claim.

Everyone had some form of an audible gasp.

"Taco!? That fucking bitch!", Knife exclaims.

"Why was she in your lab 'Tube?", Paintbrush asked.

"She stole my taser. I'm not sure why. She said she was to 'fight off a bear'.", I stated.

I hear Mepad gasp and looking 'shocked'. Does he know something about a bear?

"A bear?", he asked.

"Yea. A bear.", I confirmed.

"....Oh dear.", he said.

"Mepad? Do you know what's going on?", Pickle asked.

"Well.... Yes.", he claimed.

We're all a bit shocked. He knows? I mean, he said that Balloon and Taco were in danger. He never specified that a bear was involved!

"You did? Why didn't you tell us?", OJ asked.

"Well. You all were hesitant to believe me. I was with Taco remember?",  he reminded us.

We all sort of felt a small wave a guilt set in. Of course we all hesitated, but we should've believed him.

Instead, I had to make sure he wasn't lying. Mepad rarely lies! So why didn't we believe him?

This feels like the whole situation with Balloon again. Not believing he had changed. Golly, I feel awful again.

"Oh, right. We're sorry Mepad! We should've believed you Mepad.", Paper said.

"It's quite alright. I understand the precaution.", he said.

"Well. If what TestTube said was true. Then they really need our help!", OJ exclaims.

"Oh golly! You're right OJ! A bear is chasing Balloon and Taco!", I realized.

"Then what are we waiting for!? We gotta go find them!!", Paper said.

"Hold on! Are you all forgetting that Taco has a taser she STOLE from TestTube!?", Knife quizzed us.

"If I had to guess. She needed to fight off the bear. She did say that before she left.", I suggested.

"But she's this.... manipulator! She hurt us OJ! She hurt Pickle! She hurt Mic!", Knife protested.

"While that is true. Balloon did the same and look where we are now Knife. He left because of US HATING him for years!", OJ fights back.

Knife goes silent. He looks like he's reflecting on things and stays quiet.

"We need to tell the cops. They could be anywhere in the forest!", OJ said.

We all agree and OJ calls an emergency meeting in the hotel. Everyone gathers to the meeting room to hear what OJ has to say.

"I'm glad you could all make it. I have som very urgent news. It's come to my attention that Balloon and Taco are in danger.", OJ announces.

Everyone was in shock and was whispering. I suppose the news of Balloon being 'semi-found' was enough to get them excited and worried.

"We have to go out to find them! I know Taco isn't one some of you don't wanna see, but times have changed. We have to save her too.", OJ continues.

Everyone was more or less, not too thrilled about that. But they understood that, so they agreed to that.

"Right. We leave in 30 minutes!", OJ finished.

Everyone leaves and goes to get ready or prep for the search ahead.

Golly.... I hope they're okay. Hang on you two. We're coming.

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*Mic's P.O.V*

I went up to my room so I could pack some things.

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*sigh*

I'm nervous.

I walked out on Taco. I left her because she was way too entitled into the show.

And now we have to go save her and Balloon? This is so weird.

All of this doesn't help the fact that I have a crush on her. TACO of all people!

Just when things we're getting better for me here, I just had to keep thinking about Taco! The more I thought of her, the more I couldn't get her off my mind!

At first, it was more being paranoid that she was still in control of me. But then it didn't feel like that. It lead to thinking of senarios with us two!

Like us going on cute dates. Going on long walks on the beach. Holding hands in those warm hands of hers. Leaning in and kissing her on the-

Holy fuck I'm doing it again!!! I need to stop doing that! I can't think gay thoughts when we have to save them!

I pack a small bag with some 'survival' things. I'm not sure if this will help, but I'm sure it might.

Hmm.... if I had my invisa-bow, I would've taken it, but it went missing about 5 months ago. What else do I need? Ugh, I have no clue.

Maybe what I have will be enough? I sure hope so. I should head downstairs. 

I begin my trek downstairs so I can be ready to go out and save Balloon and Taco. Hmm....

Does Taco miss me? Is she upset or angry at me still for quiting the show? Will she forgive me for quitting on her?

I can wonder about all of that for another time. For now, we need to focus on saving her. And Balloon!

I make it down and I see a few people there. I wonder if everyone will be on time to search for Balloon and Taco.

You know. This is giving me major deja vu vibes right now. Or maybe just flashbacks. Yea, flashbacks. 

To when we first went out to look for Balloon a year ago. Man, I can't believe he's been gone for more than a year, only to be in this mess.

Man. It feels so unreal. But now? Now we're having to save him from some unknown force! Along with Taco being there as well.

I'm getting way to deep in this. I snap back into reality and see more people gathered around. I guess only a few more minutes before we head out?

We wait for another 20 minutes when OJ comes out with Paper. He was about to say something, when I hear somehing from the distance.

It was an ambulance. Along with police sirens. What the hell?

"OJ. There's an ambulance coming towards us.", I tell him.

"Huh? That's weird. I didn't call for one. Any of you guys?", OJ asked.

Everyone shakes their head 'no'. Some blurt out "no" as well. Weird.

The ambulance siren gets louder. Soon, there's a knock on the door. OJ hesitatingly walks over to the door and opens it.

"Um. Hello? How may I help you?", OJ asks a police officer.

"We got a call from our search team that they found the missing man. Balloon.", the officer says.

"You did?! Where? Is he okay?", OJ asked rapidly.

"We found him off in the far north side of the forest. He and another unconcious near a river bank.", the officer stated.

'UNCONCIOUS!?', I yell in my mind.

Oh shit! This isn't good!!! Taco....

"Unconcious? Oh god. But, why are you here far away from the river?", OJ asked.

"Well. The search team was already on their way back and told us to meet them here.", The officer says.

"Ah. I guess that makes sense. Wait. You mentioned another one? There were two?", OJ realized.

"Yes. There was another one close by Balloon. A female with dirty blond hair.", the officer describes.

That other one has to be Taco!! Oh god! She was hurt!

"Oh. Um. I hope they're okay. What happened that resulted in this?", OJ asked with worry.

"The search team said that they could hear bear roars and battle cries from a distance. They went to check it out, and found the two unconcious. What we believe happened is that the bear had attacked them.", the officer replies.

"O-oh god. Where's the bear now?", OJ asked.

"The bear escaped. It was a momma bear from the sounds of it. They might've angered the momma and had to escape.", the officer follows up.

"I see. Well, at least the bear is gone.", OJ said.

"Indeed. Oh. I'm getting notified that the search team that they are close! Would you like to come?", the officer asked.

"Um. Sure. I want to see if they are okay. Can I bring some others?", OJ asked.

"Of course. Only 3 others can join us.", the officer said.

"Okay. We'll be out in a second.", OJ said.

He closed the door and looks back at us. Most of us had a very shocked and very worried faces. OJ regains his composer and speaks.

"So. Um.... Anybody wants to go check on them?", OJ asked awkwardly.

Nobody said anything for a while. That's when Trophy spoke up.

"I'll go.", Trophy said.

"Troph! You sure honey?", Cheesy asked.

"Yes. I need to see him. I have to!", he protested.

I don't blame him. Balloon was close to Trophy. Trophy suffered a lot this past year since Balloon left.

"Okay. I need another 2 people.", OJ said.

"I'll go.", Pickle said.

I was surprised. Pickle? Wasn't he the most hurt because of Taco? 

"Are you sure?", OJ asked.

"Yes. I don't care that she hurt me. I'm over it, I need to move on.", Pickle comments.

OJ smiles and nods his head. Only one more. You know what? Fuck it.

"I'll go to.", I say.

"Alright. Trophy, Pickle and Mic. Let's go. Everyone else, stay here.", OJ explained.

Everyone nods and goes do normal things. Some goes upstairs, probably to put their stuff up.

Me, OJ, Trophy and Pickle go outside. We see police officers and doctors outside, waiting for the search team.

I'm extremely nervous. Not about seeing Balloon and Taco. But just imagining how injured they must be.

A bear attack is some serious shit! Like, a bear could kill a person! Sure that probablity is low, but it's never zero!

I look over to see Trophy to my right. He's an aboslute nervous wreck. I don't blame him. I look to my left and see Pickle and OJ also very nervous.

I take a deep breath and wait near the police officers with the other three. We wait another 10 minutes when we see the search team.

More officers run over to assit. We stay put as the search team comes closer and.....

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Holy shit-

We can see the current condtition of Taco and.... Jesus christ.

She looked like her right arm was badly wounded. She has cuts over her body. She was pretty bloody as well And overall looks so injured, yet so pretty.

Ugh focus Mic! She got attacked by a bear! Now's not the time to admire her.

She is rushed off to the ambulance truck. We see more officers rushing over to some other search team members.

I wonder why? Surely things couldn't get worse than Taco's condition.

Right?

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I was so fucking wrong.

Balloon's condition was way worse.

He was missing an arm... A FUCKING ARM! His leg looked twisted. He had some bruises and scars from something. And he too, had cuts from the bear as well. His arm and body was coated in blood....

Balloon was sent to the ambulance's truck more quickly than Taco was. The ambulance then drove off with the two in the back.

I couldn't move or speak. I was in so much shock, I didn't even noticed I was crying. They were both covered so much blood....

I look to my right where Trophy was. He looked like he was either going to pass out, or have a huge emotional breakdown. Seeing Balloon.... it makes sense.

I look to my left where Pickle and OJ were. Pickle was in tears and shaking slightly. I'm not sure which of the two broke him, but I'm gonna assume both.

OJ was doing his best not to let it affect him. But I could see he was on the verge of freaking out. 

The cops talk to OJ. I'm not really paying attention to them. I was stuck in my little world. I was so worried about them both.

So worried, I didn't notice I was being led back to the hotel. We all went back as the police and search team left.

We head inside as I walk to the couch. OJ called a meeting and we all head to the meeting room.

I didn't want to go in. I didn't want to be reminded about what I saw. So, I went to my room.

I make it after some minutes and head inside. I flop on my bed and immediately felt tired.

Seeing Taco and Balloon's state right now took a lot out of me. I let out a yawn as I get more comfortable on my bed.

'Maybe sleep will help.... I don't wanna be reminded about their condition.', I thought to myself.

I let out another yawn as I shift. Finding a good enough position, I feel my eyes growing heavy.

I allow sleep to consume me. My thoughts still full of worry and concern as I fall asleep.

'I hope they'll be okay. I wonder what happened while we were getting prepared?'

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*End Of Chapter 35*

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*gasp*

Do you see that!?

Me posting a chapter before 10 am or midnight!?

What!?

Yes. You see this right!

Take this as a nice gift for getting this book to 9k reads!!

We're so close to 10k reads!!

Wow....

Do you want me to do something special for 10k reads?

Let me know in the comments!

Also.

Slight cliffhanger(?)

Tomorrow~

OOOO~

You'll have to wait!

With that said....

See you in the next part!!!