Chapter Text
Step 1: You must have a very large space
This depends on how many people you're bringing.
If it's just one or two people, an apartment will easily be enough!Four would be a bit narrow for you, but it might work
But if it's your
guilt
sorry, I mean-
If your intention is to bring in MANY that vary in size, shape, and quantity—it's quite advisable that you have a large house VERY FAR AWAY FROM SOCIETY.
You turned around to look at the factory; it was over, you were free.
Everyone was free.
You had Poppy and Giblet in your arms as you walked out of the place, the others followed you outside.
You inhaled the cold early morning air and felt you could finally breathe.
Your arms still trembled slightly from the adrenaline as you limped. How long had it been since you went in? A day? A week, maybe?
Who would have thought this would happen to you, going to find your companions... all to leave with an army of living toys?
You remembered everything as if only minutes had passed instead of days: how you entered the place, your first confrontation with Huggy... to the prototype's defeat.
It was...a very close battle.
And you had to admit that if it weren't for Harley, you'd still be locked up, or worse, dead.
The other toys...had their own reactions to finally be free.
Huggy Wuggy walked leaning on Kissy Missy, they both stopped for a while to look at the enormous sky in front of them, not the dark roof of the factory or the walls painted to simulate one, no... this was real
The wind stirred their fur a little and they could smell the morning dew; apparently it had rained the night before.
He looked at Kissy, she looked at Huggy. They were holding hands and leaning on each other, feeling the companionship they had needed after years apart.
Beside them came Boxy Boo, who looked all around almost with amazement and disbelief, recognizing the enormous sky after so many years in captivity.
Mommy Long Legs trailed behind them, walking with a slight tremor, Bunzo Bunny perched on her neck, followed by PJ.
The Mini Huggys and Mini Kissys were perched on PJ's back, gazing outside and enjoying the fresh air.
When Mommy was about to fall, it was Bron who lifted her onto his enormous back. He still had a few stitches in his stomach, but the dinosaur was as strong as a building. He carried her and Bunzo, along with other small stuffed animals who could now feel the air more thanks to being higher up, like on Bron's back.
The Smiling Critters... well, they were a different story.
Almost immediately they ran to the grass. Kickin' Chicken was the first to jump down, followed by Hoppy Hopscotch and the others.
Dogday was leaning on Catnap, Both watching as their companions ran away from the group to lie down in the grass, Bubba tried to calm them down so they would return to the line, but Crafty Corn and Bobby Bearhug pulled him and Picky Piggy into the grass so they could feel its coolness on their felt and plush bodies.
Dogday couldn't help but chuckle softly as he watched his companions roll around in the grass with the other small plush toys, those that once chased each other for food, were now free. He saw Catnap take one last look at the factory, tense up as he gazed at the vast sky. But Dogday gave him a small pat, a silent way of reassuring him that everything would be alright.
He knew it was difficult for him, considering Catnap was one of the most loyal to the prototype.
Convincing him to join the "heretics" was complicated when they planned the final battle; it meant betraying his idol, his hero, the first friend he ever had. But it was thanks to the angel that Catnap joined them, and now he and the others could enjoy the freedom they so longed for.
Behind them walked Miss Delight, who, after some serious and EXTREMELY persuasive talk, she helped them. She held Barb in her arms... but she wasn't pointing it at anyone; she was hugging it, like an object she needed to keep herself together.
She felt the fresh air on her chapped face, glanced from side to side, and continued walking, bringing with her another group of small toys that followed her.
Candy cats, cat bees, mini buggy bots, and others followed her to freedom. They too ran through the grass, their little laughs and excited shouts echoing from them.
After all the hell they had been through, they were still children.
The next one to leave was Doey... strangely enough, for the smaller plushies, he seemed the most nervous about leaving the factory.
His clay limbs trembled as he looked outside. It was what he had always longed for: freedom, now granted by the angel who had saved them.
It was one of the mini plushies, Bobby Bearhug and Scout, who encouraged him to leave. Several other mini plushies did the same, urging him to experience the freedom they now had. Doey felt the air, saw the vast sky and the forest just a few steps away from the parking lot where they all stood. He looked at his friends playing in the grass and felt like he was about to cry. They were free, truly free.
Behind them, carrying other mini toys, came Pianosaurus, hesitant steps, almost as if afraid of causing harm after being released, his tail twitching with anxiety until finally he ran to the grass, the small toys on him jumped and landed on the ground, feeling the grass and the coolness they had only heard about in bedtime stories.
Yarnaby carried several Nightmare Critters on his back, both large and small, while Babba Chops held the doctor's head.
Despite the other toys' refusal, Yarnaby and Babba refused to leave him behind. Yarnaby kept whimpering when the body doctor fell, and Babba reminded them that it was the same Doctor who helped them defeat the prototype, even if it was for his own benefit.
The monitor was off, but it was known that Sawyer's consciousness was still there, intact.
The final decision rested with you, the one who acknowledged Sawyer's crimes... but even so, you preferred to keep an eye on him before he did something behind everyone's back.
The same thing happened with Lily Lovebraids, who was being carried by Chump Chumpkins.
She was tangled in her own hair, ironic, to be honest.
Several toys begged that she be left behind, that she perish as they had perished when they were transformed into toys: hunger, pain, eternal suffering.
But taking into account her poor mental health...and that she would probably do worse things now that she knew the way out, you decided to take her too, but always keeping a watchful eye on her.
- So....what's the new plan, Butcher? - Giblet asked as you carefully lowered him and Poppy from your arms to the pavement
- To be honest, I never thought we'd get this far..- You admitted it, letting out a nervous laugh, and you prayed mentally like never before, hoping your phone was still working, and luckily, it was.
20% battery and, now that you were outside, the signal was coming through. - I need to make a call, why don't you go with the others while I get everything ready for us all to leave? -
- Call who..? - That's what Poppy asked while looking at you with genuine curiosity.
- And where are going to go? - asked Giblet
- To my home..and I know a friend who's gonna help us here - you responded
Step 2: You must prepare the space
Pillows, mattresses, blankets, cover electrical outlets just in case, put up dividers for some rooms, and food LOTS OF FOOD
It's more advisable to keep some separate from others, while others are better kept together.
The rooms should have the same amenities: ventilation, light, large exits
- Please answer, please answer, please please... - You murmured, pacing in circles while one of the mini plushies mimicked you, thinking it was a game.
- Who..? - asked the other person in the line, who sounded grumpy and in a CLEARLY bad mood, like he was just waking up
- Rodrick! thank god you answer me..! - you said to him
- ____?! What the..? WHERE THE HELL DID YOU GO?! You asked me to watch your house for TWO NIGHTS, TWO, and it's almost been two weeks!! - he screamed at you so loud that you had to move the phone away from your ear
- I'm glad to hear your voice too, man..look, Do you remember that I asked you to take care of some things like my garden and the food? - you asked to him - ..I need you to come here, please..and your truck, I need that too, I'll give you the direction -
- ...what did you do now..? - he asked in that tone
Step 3: Bring help
It's important to have a trusted friend for this process.
So he or she can help to bring your new friends to your place
- No - said Rodrick when he came to the place
- Wha- what do you mean "no"? c'mon, man! I never asked you for anything before, it's just this small favor - you said while trying to kept your voice low so the others won't worry
- Small?! all of this is anything but "small", you litteraly call me too early on the morning, after you vanished for almost two weeks and now you have..26 or thirty-something giant linving toys behind you!! -
- That's why I asked you to bring your truck, it doesn't have a celling so it can be easy to bring them to my home -
- oh, so now you're planing to take them to your home too? if you think that with what you said you'll convince me, you're more stupid that I imagined! - he said before letting out a sigh- I knew it, I always knew it that you, your stupid heart and your stupid attitude will lead to any disaster, BUT THIS IS-...why are those things looking me like that? - he said, poiting at them
- They have a really "no" to screams... - you said
He was right when he said they were looking at him with not-so-friendly smiles; Huggy was even just a small movement away from opening his mouth and giving your "friend" a kind opinion, the same thing did Yarnaby, Boxy Boo, Doey (altought he seemed more careful) and Catnap. Miss Delight was already gripping Barb while the big smiling critters and nightmare critters look at him with suspicion and caution, Mommy and the small pluhies of Huggy, Kissy, the small smiling and nightmare critters (along with Bunzo Bunny and PJ) were already waiting just for a sign or a small show of danger to jump at Rodrick.
Dogday, Kissy, Giblet and Chump were trying to calm the others down..althought, they were ready to intervene if you "friend" went "violent" with you, same with Poppy
And by intervene they meant to throw Lily at him-
- ..and don't call them things, they already endured a lot, just..help me with this, ok? I swear I'm going to repay you, it's just driving them to my house and that's it - you said to him, almost begging
- Ugh.. FINE! but I swear to you that if one of those thi-... ehem.. I mean, your..."companions" bite me, I swear I'm going to rip your arm and use it as a replacement - he said to you
Needless to say, that sentence almost made Yarnaby and the nightmare critters (Along with Kickin and Hoppy) go after him.
Step 4: Get everyone in the truck and drive to the liberty
Guide each person to the vehicle that will take them to their destination.
Settle each person on a specific side, letting the big ones in first and then the small ones to avoid any accidents.
- Is everyone comfortable in the back? - you asked, having had to rearrange everything so they were comfortable and safe in the truck.
- Everything's alright here, pal! - Doey said with a smile that was both enthusiastic and nervous, and you received similar nods from several of them.
You didn't judge them; it was the first time in years they would see the outside world of the prison where they had been held. It was still night, the stars shone brightly, as did the waning moon in the sky.
You went to the front seat next to your friend, who had his eyes on the road; almost everything was silent. Sometimes you heard the almost imperceptible whispers of the others in the back, or small footsteps with each red light at the traffic signal.
- So, will you tell me what happened, or am I supposed to guess? - Rod said, without looking at you. - Because all I see is you're mess, with circles under your eyes darker than my future, a wound with bandages in your stomach, and a damn army of creatures. -
There was a long silence.
You looked at the grabpack you took, Glowby, what were you supposed to say to your friend?
- Sure, keep quiet - Rod said with a sarcastic laugh. - It's the best thing you know how to do after all, you disappear for days, you make people worried, you reappear injured, and then you stay silent. Classic move of _____
- ...I'll answer you when I understand it... For now, they are my main priority. - You said as you looked out the window
Rodrick just sigh
- Don't scare me like that again, douchbag.. - was the last thing he said to you
Step 4: Settle them into their new home
Open the door and reassure them that it's a safe place.
Help some of them get out and let them explore the surroundings first, so they can get used to it.
Help them adjust gradually. Feed them and then offer them a bath.
The good thing is that the first night will be good... The bad thing is that you'll probably have to wash all your towels tomorrow.
Rodrick shook your shoulder to wake you up.
You don't remember falling asleep.
Or him brought you into home
When you opened your eyes, you expected to wake up back in the factory, in that hidden place where you slept trying to hide your hunger.
Honestly... you wanted to keep sleeping.
- We're here.. - he told you
- Thanks again, mate.. - you responded him, ready to sleep maybe a day or two..before remember that now you're guardian- wait, the others..where are they? they-? - Rodrick stopped you
- They're all fine, mom hen - he responded you with sarcasm- ...they almost ate me thinking I'd done something to you, but luckily your snoring saved me. I ordered pizza and hamburgers for them. - He replied, handing you a plate of food - I recommend you rest. You were right, they really need you.. the mut and the clay man are with the others
- Dogday and Doey - you corrected him
- Whatever.. - he murmured, rolling his eyes - I recomend you to eat..and maybe get those creatures a bath..you really need one too, you smell like a corpse
- Yeah yeah..got it..