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Chapter Text

...
Dirt... dirt kept falling around him, burying him... submerging him. It didn't stop till you couldn't tell someone was there in the first place. And above Basil's head, a singular sunflower sprouted...

Basil's eyes shot wide open, the oppressive whiteness of the area blinding, his eyes taking a moment to adjust. Several questions hit him at once. "Where is everyone? Why am I in a hospital? Just what the hell happened? My face hurts... a lot." It was hard for him to open his eyes. He tried to search his memory, but from him going into his room to... he shuddered "that's not important right now." He thought to himself.

All he could remember right now was his two dreams. the 2nd one... which was more of a nightmare where he ended up under a large quantity of dirt, and his first one... it was odd, which was an understatement. He just seemed to talk to a younger Sunny in that dream, telling him stuff he wasn't sure if he'd actually have said in real life... but perhaps it was what Basil needed to hear? Just a small little speech on letting bottled emotions go. "I wonder if Sunny's dreaming." he thought to himself... why would Sunny be dreaming? memories started coming back to him, his room, the fight, and-

He was cut off by the door opening. Polly was there. "Oh Basil! you're awake!" she exclaims, practically skipping up to him, almost hugging him, stopping to set down a potted plant she had, then hugging him. Basil didn't have the strength to return the hug quite yet.

"YO! How ya feeling?" A loud and positive voice asks. Why was Kel was here?
"We were worried sick, what the hell happened in that bathroom?" a deep almost angry voice asks, the questions unrelenting. but more pressing, Aubrey was here too?
"Let him rest guys, Kel! Get out of his face." the adult voice stops Kel from waving his hands in front of Basil asking if he was okay. Hero was a much more welcome presence.

He manages a weak smile, avoiding the questions for now. "H-hey guys... what're you doing here?" His words almost being drowned out by the conversations around him. Polly was the only one who heard him in the end. "Oh we where here to drop off some gifts for you and Sunny, we already Dropped off some flowers at his room. He must be quite popular to have so many people give him flowers!" Polly explained, a thought struck Basil. "Why did no one give me flowers?" before his thought could go on, Polly continued talking.

"Sunny is still asleep, he seems to be doing well... but his eye... what happened Basil?"
...
Basil couldn't think of an answer. What could he say that would make them freak out the least? He had nothing... no that wasn't true.

"Sorry my memory is... a bit foggy right now." He lied... well it wasn't a full lie, it had been true before, just not anymore.

"Oh take your time then, but I have to head out for a bit, your friends opted to stay here while I take care of some business, I have to do some paperwork, I'll be back in a jiffy!" Polly says. Basil smiled at her as she left the room, leaving him, Aubrey, Kel, and Hero in silence. A very awkward silence.

"How are you feeling?" Aubrey asks, the last person Basil expected to ask that question to him.

"My face hurts... but I'm otherwise okay." He responded, smile fading.

Hero was standing by the window, Kel by the table, and Aubrey was sitting by Him. The room had returned to quiet. Only the occasional loud breath being heard.

A noise... a very faint noise broke the silence, a violin and piano. A very familiar tune, but Basil couldn't exactly tell what it was "Is someone playing nearby?" He wondered

"You guys hear that?" He asked.

"Hear what?" They responded at once.

"That music, it's faint but I swear I'm not imagining it." Basil said, Aubrey only shook her head. He sighed, he'd dealt with a lot the past few days and now he was hearing things it seemed. Just how hard did Sunny hit him during the fight. Hopefully the hospital stay wasn't too long, school was coming sooner then later. He shivered at the thought of school, not his favorite place in the world, but that seemed to be the case for basically every kid ever.

Rest was probably the best option right now, he did want to see if he could continue his dream from earlier, he wanted to know what happened next. "Worth a shot" he thought to himself, smiling, he closed his eyes.
...
...
...
Nothing, he couldn't fall asleep... he was just sitting there with his eyes closed like an idiot... probably not tired enough. Not the end of the world though, at least the gang was here, at least he wasn't alone. Kel and Aubrey were arguing and Hero seemed too tired to care. It was like old times, they way things should have been... the way things should have stayed.

Of course this mind wandered back to that day, he rarely doesn't think about it. It was like the world's cruel way of punishing him. "Not like I don't deserve it." He always thought to himself. A frown crept upon his face. No one seemed to notice, as they usually did.

"Even if you try to bottle it all up, it all comes out somehow."

The line from his dream echoed in his head. It didn't sound like something he would say... but he did. It got him thinking, it would be rather hard to avoid telling everybody the truth, considering that was the whole reason the fight took place really. His nerves were on the rise. "Great job brain you useless pile of flesh" He thought... if the truth came out... would they think sunny was a bad person? "Sunny isn't a bad person, I know this." He thought. Sunny wouldn't push Mari... right? "Why am I having all these doubts now...?" thoughts bombarding him nonstop...

He just wanted them all to stop, after all he didn't witness the push

He just heard a scream, a shout, a crash, and then...

"Basil, you're breathing extraordinarily fast.. are you okay?" Hero asked, the concern on his face was real.

Basil weakly smiled back. "Yeah I'm fine, just overthought I guess." His breath slows, common sense returning to him.

"Aubrey, Kel, and Hero are good friends. You'll have to trust they'll forgive us."

Another line from that dream... why would he say that... it felt like such a foreign thing for him to say, like something he wouldn't. He was probably just overreacting though, it was just a dream after all, right? HE shook his head, Sunny must've really hit him hard. Yet despite that, the words defiantly were getting to him. Something, hiding, the lie, was it really time to let them all end? He shook his head, he had to be overthinking. Of course they'd hate him if they knew, hey did something only a monster would do, he WAS a monster. they wouldn't love a monster much less forgive one. he should really stop considering the idea... "I SAID, we should REALLY stop considering the idea!" Basil angerly thought to himself. He was getting himself into a bad mood, probably should prevent that.

"Hey guys, I'm a little hungry, could you go get me a snack? I'll pay whoever gets it back later." He asked, food was sometimes a good distraction.

"You have your wallet?" Kel asked Hero. "Ah dammit, I forgot mine in the rush, you got yours?" Hero disappointingly asked Aubrey. "Do you really think if I had my wallet my mom would have given me money?" She scoffed, but Hero and Kel seemed to wince out of concern at that. Basil got the feeling he didn't know some important piece of information but decided to let it go. If only Polly was here, he was starting to actually get hungry. "Just gotta live with it a bit longer." He kept telling himself, over and over. He'd fallen into the trap of thinking about how hungry he was which only made it worse.

The room returned to silence, and Basil returned to his thoughts, the sound of heart monitors and nurses outside was the only thing keeping it from being eerie. Didn't stop the silence from being uncomfortable though. Basil rubbed his face, only now noticing just how many bandages were on it and how swollen his eye was. Hopefully his wounds would heal before school, he would most likely be bullied for them if they didn't. Seconds felt like hours, Basil didn't know how much longer he was going to be able to just lay there, nerves rising. He hated this feeling, this inability to do much, the risk of them knowing, and hating him.

"Our memories, proof of our friendship!"

Basil was going to pull out his brain and fight it, why was it reminding him of this dream, why this dream in particular and not the other one? His own mind confused himself, and not like things were getting any more clear. He yawned, perhaps all the thinking was wearing himself out, if that was even possible. It didn't matter to Basil, what mattered to him was if he should tell his friends or not. He couldn't pick a side, his mind doomed in this state of purgatory. His deserved punishment.

"Just give up, Sunny isn't going to save you." He told himself.

The universe has a funny way of showing irony, doesn't it?

The door opened. Everyone stared in disbelief, Sunny was standing there, Basil immediately saw it, something behind him. Yet Sunny didn't seem scared like before.

"I have something to tell you." the words were quiet, yet just loud enough for everyone to hear.

Basil stared in disbelief as Sunny told everyone the truth, the whole of it, everything down to the finest detail

and yet as all was said and done, Sunny stared Basil in the eyes, something so close behind.

and smiled
As Basil looked at Sunny, Something vanished.
He could do nothing but smile back, and feel the teeth pull away from him

Sunny did save him
For once in his life, he believed everything would finally be okay
Things would get better

Aubrey shouted. "WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!

Chapter Text

Everyone glared at Aubrey. She had stood up so fast she looked dizzy, yet her eyes were burning, staring into Basil's soul. He could see it as clear as day hatred , Aubrey having this reaction shouldn't surprise him, yet it still hurt to see her react like this. Sunny seemed to be beyond shocked Basil thought. did he really expect this to go over perfectly? That was uncharacteristically innocent. A little wholesome if you asked him. Basil observed the rest of the room, just to gauge how the others were taking it. Kel seemed to have processed it, but was processing it for the second time because he was confused, and Hero... Basil looked at Hero for a second and couldn't look back. He slowly attempted to get out of his bed, the coldness of the hospital almost stopped him. He walked over to Sunny, nobody else had moved an inch it seemed the whole hospital had gone quiet, but Basil didn't know if it had actually or if that was just him. The air was tense, it felt like anyone would explode at any moment, the question was just who.

Basil didn't have to wait long for an answer.
"I'm going outside, I need a minute." Hero said, his footsteps were heavy and his voice direct, no one tried to stop him at all. Aubrey sighs.

"Look, I'm not mad, but... but why?" Kel asked. Basil sighs, he has to explain himself, or most likely die.

"I... I was scared, so scared I was panicking, I couldn't think of anything else to do! I'm sorry okay? I'M SORRY!" He was panicking hard, crying, unable to think straight. Everything seemed to be going wrong, everything he had feared was happening. He heard Kel say something, but he couldn't tell what, he was crying too much.

slap

Basil focused, Aubrey was standing right in front of him and his face hurt.

"That's to get your head in the game." she said bluntly

slap

"And that's for doing what you did, all I got to say." she said before slapping Sunny and sitting down.

"I get where you're coming from, but yeesh." Kel says, wincing. "Was that really necessary?" Aubrey is silent before sitting up.

"Look, I get it, they were young and confused, I did shitty stuff as a kid in confusion and fear too, I just had to hit someone before I got too angry." she said while examining her nails.

Everyone nodded slowly, Basil looked at Sunny to see how he was doing and was relieved when Sunny didn't seem too bothered. That didn't stop him from getting angry at Aubrey, but he kept quiet. Just glaring at her, she didn't seem to notice or mind at all though. It was rather unnecessary to slap both of them, but this situation needed to be deescalated. "Thanks for understanding... I guess." Basil said, silently praying he wasn't too awkward. "I'm confused about a few things." Kel says, Aubrey snorts. "When are you not?" "Ignoring that." Kel continues. "How did a 12 year old know what a noose is, I know you were panicking, but why? and are you two going to get arrested?" Kel finishes, tilting his head slightly. Basil froze, arrested? no, surely no, right?

"You're joking, right?" Basil couldn't help himself from asking. "it was an accident 4 years ago, surely no one is going to be arrested."

"I dunno, I don't make the laws." Kel said, stretching his back. Basil scowled, this wasn't getting any better.

"I need to do something, fast." He thought, lest Sunny and maybe himself get sent to jail. "How about... we just... uh... savetherestofthisforlater okay?" He blurted it out, adrenaline still high from earlier, tears never to be released still in his eyes, anger still flaring at how Aubrey treated Sunny.

"No way, you are not running from this one." Aubrey says, leaning in her chair. Basil could tell just from her position that escape was impossible for him and Sunny. "Sure you could just walk away right now, I couldn't stop you, or wouldn't because of how inured you two are." she sits up, looking at the two. "But like hell I'm just letting you drop this, we are going to have a serious conversation about this eventually. And I mean that. But for now I guess, I don't want someone overhearing this and misunderstanding either."

Basil steadied his breathing, perhaps he was overthinking this, Aubrey and Kel seemed to be understanding enough, and perhaps Hero would join them in time. It still was relieving to see that Aubrey's initial outburst was probably in the heat of the moment, perhaps some form of friendship could be maintained. That's all that mattered to him in this moment, Sunny, his friends.

Perhaps things could go back to the way they used to be.

Maybe he could even get a new photo album and immortalize some new moments, happy moments.

"Should I go check on Hero?" Kel asks, to which Aubrey stands up. A small smirk forms on her face. "I'll go with you too, but you too, you better not ignore the problem and talk about it, I'll know if you just stood here in silence." She gives a small chuckle and heads out of the room with Kel, leaving Basil and Sunny alone.

Basil looked at Sunny, who was still staring at the door, frowning.

"How are you feeling?" Basil awkwardly asked. Sunny just sighed in response, to any normal human that wouldn't be a response, but Basil knew what it meant due to the amount of time he'd spent with Sunny. "Yeah I'm stressed too, but hey, we haven't had a conversation like this in a while, so that's nice I guess." Sunny just nodded in response. Basil finally smiled again, at least Sunny seemed to be in a better mood then he was. "That was brave of you back there, telling them like that." Basil stood up straight as he began talking. "I'm... sorry I put you through that... I really am." He was speaking from his heart for the first time in ages, just like the old times when he vented to Sunny. "I do hope we can still be friends... even after you... leave ." The room was silent after that, it made Basil twitch.

"Thank you for saving me." He said softly blushing. He pulled Sunny into a hug, to which Sunny silently returned.

Basil's brain had never felt such immaculate joy, he couldn't comprehend it. Was it the letting go of all the pain? The fact Sunny was hugging him? The fact he was being hugged at all? All of those combined? It didn't matter, what mattered to Basil right now, was that he was the happiest he thought he'd ever been, or be for the rest of time. It was only when Sunny poked his face he realized he was practically a tomato with how much he was blushing.

"S-sorry, I was just... thinking... okay that sounded a lot worse than I meant, but really thank you for that Sunny." He said, really hoping Sunny wouldn't think he had a crush on him. He did but he wasn't ready for Sunny to know yet, and probably never would be.

Sunny just nodded in response, crisis averted for now at least. Basil would've sighed in relief but in his mind he thought that would've been too cliche.

"Do you really think Aubrey is going to be able to tell if we talked about it or not?" He was now just voicing whatever his brain thought to Sunny, out of other ways to make the hug incident less awkward.

Sunny shrugged in response, it seems they both had nothing to contribute, so Basil had to be the one to throw the hook into the water. "Do you want to talk about it?" He asked. Sunny stood unmoving for a second before slowly nodding his head, Basil perked up at the response. "Alright, that's good to hear." Basil's chirpy mood soon dissipated as he realized how badly this could potentially go if he wasn't careful with his wording. Yet as if on cue, Sunny graced Basil with words.

"Don't worry, I'm not mad at you anymore." His voice hushed as usual, yet it was perfectly audible.

Basil's first thought was "anymore?" but after that it was mostly relief, but due to the situation, it was probably best to voice his concerns. "Anymore?" he asked, Sunny sighed, he had used his voice a lot today, and it probably was going to continue being used it seemed.

"Soft... repressed... anger... I worked through it... "myself" though." Sunny said, seeming a bit sad this time, Basil wondered why Sunny had done air quotes around the word myself, but he had more pressing questions on his mind before that one.

"You really did repress all of it? every emotion? how did you even act without the incentive of emotion?" Basil asked, to which Sunny looked down. "I didn't." Basil could tell he needed cheering up.

"Things are going to get better, for the both of us. I really mean it this time, we're free from those demons, and we have our friends to help us now, things will get better, I promise that Sunny." He nods at Sunny, as if to confirm Sunny understood, and Sunny nods back, Basil hoped it was a good nod and not a I'm-confused-but-I'll-just-nod-to-go-along-nod.

"Thanks for understanding." Basil smiled, and stuck out his hand towards Sunny. "Friends?" Basil asked. Sunny high-fived his hand instead of shaking it, but nodded his head.

At that moment, Polly walked back in the room. "Oh Sunny! I'm so glad you're awake, how are you doing?" She asked, to which Sunny gave her a thumbs up. Basil followed suite, though it was unneeded. "Are you all finished with everything?" Basil asked, noticing Polly had a bag in her hand. "Yeah, all the adult stuff is done, we can go home in a bit, Sunny will have to stay an extra hour or two though to get his eye checked on." She said, looking at Sunny's bandage, a knife going through Basil's heart as she did.

"Ah... okay, thanks Polly." Basil said, getting back into his previous good mood. "By the way, what were Hero, Kel, and Aubrey doing outside, I noticed them talking about something, I would've asked but I was busy with someone on the phone." Basil froze at Polly's question, he wasn't ready to tell her yet, but he couldn't think of anything to say.

Yet in his moment of need, Basil's savior arrived. "Oh it just got stuffy in here, and we decided to go get some fresh air, right guys?" Aubrey walked in the room, a lie to save the day. Kel was next. "uhhhh yeah, right. mmmmm fresh air tasty." Aubrey chuckled at that last bit and Hero sighed. "yeah... I guess." He didn't seem too happy to lie. "Oh I get it, hospitals aren't the most inviting of places haha." Polly bought the lie and everything returned to normal. Basil was safe for now.

"Well, you get out of your hospital gown, and we'll all go home." Polly says smiling, Basil nodded back. "What about Sunny?" Kel asked. "Oh right, you weren't here. Sunny has to stay a bit longer to get his eye checked on. I talked with his mother on the phone, and she thinks she should be here by the time he's able to leave, but if not I'll come pick him up and bring him home." Polly stopped for a moment to catch her breath, she was talking rather fast. "Now let's go, I'll be waiting for you in the lobby, for now you can return to your room Sunny." She finished her little speech and walked out.

Aubrey looked Basil dead in the eyes. "Look, I know I saved your ass back there, but you gotta tell her. I know what it's like to be in a situation like yours, you don't gotta tell everyone at once, just slowly tell everyone, alright?" She nodded at Basil and he nodded back.

After that they left for the lobby and Basil got ready to follow them...

Basil felt a lot better to have his gown off as he finally got to walk around again, the sun was starting to set and he wanted to be home soon. "Oh you're ready?" Polly said, noticing Basil approaching her. "Yeah, lets get going home... You're sure we can fit everyone in the car right?" Basil said, gesturing to his friends "I'm sure it'll be fine" Polly said, a grin appearing on her face. "Now who wants ice cream?" and they all cheered as they began to march towards the car.

Chapter Text

The car was horribly cramped.

Basil was shoved between Kel and Aubrey in the back, he opted for Hero to sit in the front with Polly, he looked like he needed a break from Kel and Aubrey's bickering.

Although this turned out to be a horrible mistake, not due to them fighting, they didn't do that. But because they took up such an absurd amount of space, Basil was practically between two boulders. Waiting for the car to stop so he could actually move around. "At least I don't have any injuries on my legs..." He thought, attempting to think on the bright side of things.

"Does anyone have a preference on where we go." Polly asked as the car came to a stop at a red light. "nah, it's ice cream, any place is good." Kel says, Basil and Aubrey both agreeing.

"Do you have any preference Hero?" Polly asked, Hero did not respond. "Hero?" Polly sounded a lot more worried. "Oh he's just asleep, he used to fall asleep in the car all the time." Kel explained. "Here let me handle this." The fact Kel was sitting behind Hero did not make Basil think Hero would enjoy the next few seconds.

Kel began rapidly kicking the back of Hero's seat. Hero shot up, putting his arms up like he was bracing for impact. Aubrey burst out laughing, Kel failed to hold back his own laughter. Hero seemed less amused though.

"Jesus christ Kel, you scared the living daylights out of me, I thought we were about to crash." Hero was clearly a little miffed, and that shut up Kel and Aubrey's laughter real quick. "Oh... well... sorry man, Polly just wanted to ask you a question."

"Yes... sorry for having them wake you up... anyways, do you have a preference to where we stop for ice cream? Do answer quickly, we're getting closer to Faraway, and I don't want to turn around too far." She asked, Hero instantly regained his composure. "Right... I don't have anywhere in mind, so whatever the others want I suppose." Hero was back to his usual self, upbeat and a responsible yet care-free smile on his face.

"Well no one has any preference." Polly seemed almost happy at that fact, perhaps due to the fact she'd have to do less driving. "So I'll just stop at the closest spot, alright?" She looked at everyone with a smile on her face. "Alright!" they all responded at once.

...

Polly had stopped at an ice cream shop not too far away from Faraway. Everyone had been here once or twice in the past, so it was nice to see it still standing. 

"Ol' betsy's still standing huh?" Kel said, admiring the outside of the building.

"Old betsy? it has a name Kel." Basil replied, Kel smirked in response. "Do you want to say the shops name."

Aubrey facepalmed at Kel's immaturity "Kel you immature dirtbag, you really call yourself a high-schooler yet refuse to say creamers?" She says, and Kel erupts into laughter at the word creamers.

So the shop had a questionable name, it didn't bother Basil personally. "Kel do you even know what you're joking about?" Hero asked, stepping out of the car

"I dunno do youuuu~?" Kel asked his older brother with a smile on his face. Hero looked at Kel dumbfounded, unsure if he should answer that question or not. Luckily for him, Aubrey slaps Kel on the back of the head. "Come one dweeb, stop bothering the poor soul and get some ice cream." She says, grabbing Kel by the ear and pulling him inside. Polly who was watching from the side sighed, she didn't seem to enjoy handling more than one kid.

Basil followed them in, it certainly smelled good. "Let me go! you're causing a scene." Kel barraged Aubrey with pleas to be set free. "Kel, no one is here, and the works probably don't get payed enough to care." She was still gripping his ear, unwavering in her hold. Polly finally walked in with Hero right behind her.

"Can you two please stop?" Hero asks them nicely. "Kel, be more mature next time. Aubrey... just don't okay?" The smile on Hero's face betrays his tone of voice. He was clearly exhausted, Basil didn't think of it till now but due to what he was studying in college, he probably had to deal with him and Sunny while they were unconscious till they got to the hospital, he deserved a nice relaxing ice cream break.

"You guys order, I'll be fine without anything." Polly said, handing Basil 30 dollars to pay. "here you go." She went and sat down at the largest table in the store.
Everyone walked up to order their dessert-before-dinner, well for Basil it was more like lunch since it felt like he hadn't eaten anything in ages. 

Basil got mint chocolate chip, Aubrey got strawberry, Kel got coffee, and Hero got a banana sundae which he paid for himself despite Basil having enough to afford everyone's and still have change. They all sat down at the table and Basil returned what he hadn't spent to Polly and began eating his ice cream. It was very pleasant tasting, everyone seemed to be having a good time.

It made him wish he had his camera on him, to make new memories

To immortalize new moments.

Basil got a warm feeling inside him, despite the coldness that he was eating. It reminded him of the past, when things were better. It always made Basil smile, it's why he loved photography, he could cherish, remember a moment for all time, and so could his friends. It always made Basil happy to look back on the good things, the bright times.

"Kel stop eating so fast you're getting it on your shirt." Hero says as he scoots away from Kel to avoid getting ice cream on his clothes. "seriously, you might choke, slow down." Kel does not listen to Hero's pleas, but it seems Hero's worries were misplaced, as Kel finished the ice cream without a problem. "first" he says, smiling with ice cream all over his mouth area. "It wasn't a competition you idiot, we are here to enjoy a nice treat after a long day." Aubrey says before returning to her ice cream. "well I enjoyed mine the fastest." Kel says puffing up his chest and looking proud.

Everyone had a good laugh, as right as Kel puffed out his chest, his ice cream spoon fell out of his container onto his pants, irony in its fullest. "Hah! serves you right." Aubrey says with a sneer. Kel just rolls his eyes and goes to the bathroom.

"Well... it seems he was enjoying himself." Polly awkwardly tried to start a conversation. "yeah, he does have quite the sweet tooth." Hero says, rubbing the back of his head. "HAH! you haven't seen anything about sweet tooths... sweet teeth? whatever, you haven't seen anything till you meet Kim and Vance." Aubrey chuckles, looking as if she was recalling some memory only she knew. But Basil had a pretty good idea of what it revolved around considering he was once robbed of candy by Kim.

"I need to use the restroom myself, you three and Kel once he returns can talk and eat, we'll leave when I'm done because it's starting to get late, okay?" Polly says standing up. "Alright, sounds good with me, you two?" Hero asks. Basil and Aubrey nod affirmative. "Alright." Polly says walking off.

Basil could immediately tell Hero's mood shifted once Polly was gone. He could almost feel the air get colder.

"I need to talk to you about something." Hero says

"I should have expected that." Basil thought to himself as he gulped. "About what?" He asked, unable to meet Hero's eyes.

"Look, I'm trying to understand, what you did, why you did it, and how I should feel." He said, Basil could feel his eyes burning into him.

"Like I said I was scared... and confused, I didn't really understand the concept of death yet." Basil answered honestly, although the second by second memory of that day was gone, he painfully recalled most of it. "I didn't mean to cause everyone to suffer so much... I-I'M SORRY OKAY?!" Basil felt that panicked feeling again, the noose of guilt tightening. His breathing was accelerating and he felt as if everyone in the world was staring at him. laughing at him.

Aubrey grabbed Basil by the shoulders and shook him. "Hey, snap out of it, you didn't mean to, and I'm pretty sure suffering for four years with a giant trauma demon is enough atonement... not that I helped." Basil snapped out of the spiral, she had a point. 

"I know... ok I get it, it's just... you know how I felt about Mari." Hero says, the pain in his voice obvious. Basil glanced at the single employee in the store, he was looking at the three like they were fresh out of an asylum. 

"I know... I'm sorry, I really am Hero... I don't know what else to say." Basil said, he just wanted this to be over so everyone could be friends again.

"I get it... I do, I'll just need some time, okay?" Hero said, ending the conversation. Basil gulped, he just felt horrible.

"Does Hero hate me and is just toning himself down due to the place we are at?" Basil wondered. It would make sense for him to.

"Yo, did you all lose your appetite or what, if you aren't hungry I'll eat your ice cream!" Kel returns from the bathroom, pointing out the fact no one had touched their ice cream during the conversation.

"No sorry, we just... got distracted." Basil nervously said. Lying came very easily to him, he considered it a useful skill, after all was there anything wrong with it if no one was being harmed right?

"I see... hey where'd Polly go?" Kel asked. "Oh she just went to the bathroom, we'll leave when she returns." Hero said, returning to his sundae.

Basil sighed and returned to his treat as well, might as well get the most out of it before Polly returns...

The ice cream was very good, Aubrey and Hero seemed to enjoy theirs too. The pleasant aura from before had returned, and Basil enjoyed it even if it was fake. "What's taking Polly so long? Did she slip on something and hurt herself?" Kel asked. Aubrey and Hero simultaneously sighed. "What? I'm just voicing my concern." Kel says with the most unwinning smile. "I dunno, she'll be back soon." Aubrey says, throwing her ice cream cup to the trash can and doing a small fist pump when she makes it.

"Well, now what?" Basil said as he finished his ice cream. 

Kel gets a devious look on his face. "Group hug?" 

"No-" Aubrey's protest was too late, Kel wrapped Basil and Aubrey into a hug. "Haha! look us, a couple of buddies!" Kel said, squeezing Basil too hard for him to be comfortable. "Kel I'm going to dislocate your kneecaps." Aubrey threatened. Luckily at that moment, Polly returned.

"You wouldn't believe how messy it was in there I- oh look at you three!" Polly cut herself off once she noticed the group hug. Hero shrugged and joined in. "Alright you three, lets go home!" Polly says and they all nod, breaking up the hug and going to go pile back into the car.

...

They dropped off Kel and Hero first, the goodbyes were quick and they drove to Aubrey's. Polly stopped the car and Aubrey hopped out. "Hey Polly?" Basil asked before she drove off. "What is it Basil?" She asked. "Our house is just across the street, so I'll be over there in a second, I just wanna say some things to Aubrey okay?" He asked, Polly let out a deep sigh. "Alright but make it quick, the sun is going down okay?" Basil hopped out of the car. "Thanks!" Polly nodded and drove off.

"Aubrey wait." He said, right as she opened the door to her house, Basil got a peek inside.

"Was it always that messy in there?" He thought.

"What is it Basil?" She turned around closing the door.

"Why are you... helping me? Okay that sounded worse then I meant, but you get the idea." His voice was shaky and nerves high.

"Look Basil, I... I feel horrible about what I did to you especially after learning what you and Sunny went through... You're a good person I-I know that, I want to continue being friends with you... I really do, okay?"

I want to continue being friends with you

The words jumbled around in Basil's head. "You don't... hate me?" His confusion was real, Aubrey had seemed like she just buried her initial anger.

"I couldn't even if I wanted to, 4 years of a pain I couldn't even begin to imagine is enough atonement. It'd be against my morals to hate you." Aubrey didn't seem to notice or care about Basil's confused look at her. She continued speaking. "So if you ever need someone to listen to you, I'll help, it's the best I could do to apologize." She looked at Basil and smiled, Basil couldn't help but smile back.

Aubrey turned around and headed for her house. "I know Sunny used to do that, but I'll do my best to help like he did, it's a promise." She then closed the door. Basil felt an unimaginable sense of dread despite the purpose of those words.

Sunny was leaving tomorrow and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Right after Basil had gotten him back, right after he saved him, right after they could start repairing their relationship, he would be gone. 

Basil sullenly walked across the street and entered his house. The bright lights inside shocked his eyes, but he adjusted and noticed Polly in the kitchen "Oh good you're back, I made some quick pasta if you want some." Polly said, holding out a bowl towards Basil. Basil accepted and sat down to eat.

The dinner was silent and Basil couldn't taste the pasta, his mind stuck on Sunny. Sure he'd probably come back every once in a while to see everyone but that wasn't enough. Basil knew it was selfish, but he didn't care, he just wanted to stay with him a bit longer.

"Are you okay Basil." Polly asked, he must've gone pale. He panicked, just trying to think of a reason to get out.

"uhhhh... yeah! I'm fine... just a little... tired, I'm going to go to bed a bit early today." He said, and scudded off to his room.

Only now did he think that this might be a good idea he was getting tired after all anyways, and sleep always brought him there. The place where he was always safe and could make fun memories.

Basil got ready for bed and closed his eyes, after a bit of tossing and turning, sleep finally took him...

...

...

...

The sun was bright above, and everyone played around The Garden, Sunflower got up and stretched, taking his first steps of the night, into Mindscape.

Chapter Text

Sunflower gazed upon the garden, friends running about, people playing games, and the sun shining its rays down on everyone. Life was great for the denizens of mindscape. Sunflower smiled and approached the garden, the wind gently blowing his petals. The hill in front of the garden wasn't too steep and Sunflower made it to the small valley with no issues. A few of his friends were there lazying around. Gladiolus was yelling at Cactus for what seemed to be spraying her with a hose, Lily seemed to be chatting with Tulip and Rose, although Rose seemed to be distracted by the other two shouting.

"Hello everyone! what's going on?" Sunflower says, approaching the group, Tulip turns to him. "Lily was talking about some musical history, and Cactus sprayed Gladiolus with too much water." He said, gesturing to Gladiolus' soaked clothes.

"HE TURNED IT ON FULL BLAST AND JUST AIMED IT AT ME!" She shouts at Sunflower, she was soaked, from her jacket to petals. Cactus was laughing so hard he had fallen on the ground, clutching his stomach and rolling round getting his needles stuck everywhere. "DUDE, IT ISN'T FUNNY!" Gladiolus shouted, kicking cactus.

Rose stepped in "Hey, lets not get violent now, okay?" He was using his most professional voice. "ughhh, fine!" Gladiolus sits down as Cactus brushes himself off. "Wow, you are good at that!" Lily says while resting on Rose's shoulder. "Lily... not now." he says, trying to brush her off to no avail. 

"so how are you feeling Sunflower?" Lily asked, ignoring Rose trying to shove her away. 

"mmhhhh... I'm okay." He said, sitting down with everyone. "What about you?" He asked, trying to make conversation.

"I'm good myself, the garden has been so nice as of late!" She said, finally giving into Rose's shoves and moving. "We're getting visitors from all over too!" She pointed all along the garden's small reaches, there were ice folk, miners, clowns, and so much more talking and sitting around. "The new people have been nice, but I'm used to it being quiet here, how did they even find there way here through the deep jungle?" Lily said. Sunflower had to agree, new folk were always nice, but the garden was usually so quiet and serene. All the hubbub could ruin the atmosphere. 

"Well maybe we could go do something today?" Sunflower suggested

"Oh, like what?" Rose asked, basking in the sunlight.

"perhaps a small adventure, into the Deep Jungle?" Cactus said, rubbing his hands together.

"But it's dangerous in there..." Tulip said softly, Tulip was always scared of places beyond the garden. But that didn't bother Sunflower as it meant Tulip was close by at all times. When he was with Tulip, Sunflower was happiest, and it seemed to be the same for Tulip when he was with him.

"Oh come on Tulip! a little adventure never hurt anyone now did it?" Cactus asked, standing up. "Cactus last time we went in there we got assaulted by mosquitoes and had to run away" Tulip said bluntly. Cactus awkwardly scratched himself. "oh... right haha." Cactus's previous confidence was now gone, Sunflower thought it ironic.

"He does have a point, if not that are we going to just sit around and do nothing at all?" Gladiolus points out, perhaps one of the rare times she agreed with Cactus. "I mean, the sun is out! let's go do something!" She pumped her fist into the air. "Who's with me?" Cactus immediately joins in, then Rose. "... only if you go, okay Sunflower?" Tulip asks. "Alright then." Sunflower and Tulip both put their hands in.

"Lily, you up for this?" Cactus asked, everyone's hands were still raised in a circle. Lily shook her head though. "I'm not one for fighting, you five go have fun though. but don't worry, I'll stop by every once in a while!" Lily smiled, she was a traveler at heart, not a fighter.

"Alright then, if you say so, come on gang lets go!" Cactus said marching off. "Hold on you moron." Gladiolus said, grabbing Cactus by the neck of his shirt. "Hey what was that for you jerk?" He said upon being stopped. Gladiolus sighs. "if we're going into the deep jungle, I think its best we grab some stuff to defend ourselves. You have some stuff at your house, right Sunflower?" She asks. "Oh yeah, I still have some of your guys' stuff from last time you all stayed over." He says. "Well then, we're off to Sunflowers first it seems." Rose says, perhaps a little happy he would get to delay going into the deep jungle for a bit longer.

Everyone minus Lily began to walk through the small valley that was the garden towards Sunflower's house. It wasn't too far away at all, just a shame that it was on the other side of the garden.

"So, what have you all been up to recently?" Sunflower asked his friends as they strolled along.

"Oh nothing much, all the visitors only showed up a little while before you did." Rose said.

"Yeah, we've just been bored out of our minds, not much to do in the garden. But at least the sun is here, it's nice for everyone who lives here." Cactus said, skipping ahead of everyone.

"Hey slow down, don't leave us in the dust!" Rose said, chasing after Cactus.

"What's up with him? How does he always have so much energy?" Gladiolus asked to no one in particular.

"Cactus... He doesn't need to use a lot of energy so I guess if he gets enough it lasts for a while." Sunflower says, unsure if that's even the truth. But it doesn't matter to him as they are at the door to his house.

It looked tiny from the outside, just a door in a hill with a window. But once you went inside, it was practically an underground mansion, complete with over 4 stories and 20 rooms. Sunflower barely used half of it though, most of it was used by his visitors. It was home to him though, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

"Right... fuck i forgot how big your house was... which room did we keep all of our stuff again?" Gladiolus asked, checking each door she walked up to, to no avail of course.

"Oh yeah, It's on the 3rd floor down, past the 2nd hallway from the third staircase, after the hallway, take two lefts, go up the 4th staircase you pass, then walk past 6 hallways, turn right on the 7th one, make sure to go down the 8th staircase, and then walk down to the 18th room!" Sunflower said, as if that was just a thing someone could do.

...

Everyone just stared at Sunflower like he was crazy or something. Sunflower scratched his back. "What?" He asked, all of his friends looking at him was making him nervous.

"How do you expect us to find it, I could barely wrap my head around those directions!" Cactus shouted, Tulip and Rose nodding.

"Oh i got an idea!" Gladiolus shouted. "How about we all just follow Sunflower there, would be a lot easier, wouldn't you say so?" She looked at Sunflower. "Oh... uhhh right yeah, everyone! Follow me," He said and began marching off.

Everyone orderly marched along behind Sunflower, navigating around the mansion, and Gladiolus had the right idea, as Sunflower knew the whole thing like the back of his hand. Along the way he showed them some of the extra rooms, such as the picture room, which held many photos and paintings including a 2 story tall photo of Tulip, the balcony where Sunflower basked in the sun, the massive kitchen where Sunflower cooked all of his food, and the garden where there were a few sunflowers growing.

Eventually they arrived at the room. "Well here it is!" Sunflower said, doing jazz hands at the door. "Jesus.... pant christ Sunflower pant why is your house so big?" Rose asked, hands on his knees and barely standing up. Sunflower shrugged and let the even more tired Tulip rest on his shoulder.

Cactus opened the door to the storage where a plethora of items were just piled on top of each other. It really was just a pile of anything you could imagine, genuinely horrifying in a way.

"Jesus Christ! How will we ever find our stuff in here!" Cactus shouts, in awe at the sheer amount of items in the room. "It'll take us days to sort through everything in here!" He continues. 

Sunflower sighs, Cactus was right, it would take a while to find everyone's things in here, but that did give him an idea. 

"How about we all just grab some... substitutes for the time being, we can find your stuff later, not like we'll be out for a long time." Sunflower suggests, awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

"I mean I guess... It'll work for now." Rose says sullenly, clearly missing his prized possession. 

"well alright, let's grab some stuff." Cactus says, somehow diving into the pile.

They all rummaged about for a bit, Sunflower saw items he forgot he had, and more then a few injuries occurred.

In the end, Sunflower grabbed a small shovel and a plastic watering can, Tulip grabbed a toy saxophone and a conductor's stick... wand... whatever it was grabbed, Gladiolus grabbed a plastic bat and a whistle, Cactus grabbed a football, and Rose grabbed one those weird hammers you hit someone on the knee with to test their reaction speed or something like that.

Sunflower looked at what everyone had grabbed and nodded approvingly, these could all work. "Well is everyone ready?" He asked, they all nodded and headed for the exit. The walk back to the exit was much quicker then it took to get here, not even counting the stops in the other rooms. Perhaps they all were ready for the adventure.

They all waltzed out of the door, the sun was still shining brightly overhead. "WOOHOO, EXPLORATION TIME!" Cactus shouted, running along in front of everyone.

He suddenly stopped, backing up a few steps. Sunflower ran up to see what happened.

A stray cat was eating at the flowers that littered the garden.

"Hey!" Gladiolus shouted at the cat. "You're destroying the flowers! shoo kitty shoo!" She waved at the cat, attempting to scare it off.

This was not what happened however.

The cat hissed at Gladiolus and leapt at her.

It seems they made the right choice picking up weapons.

Chapter Text

The cat jumped at Gladiolus, its claws and mouth ready to tear. But a testament to her skill, Gladiolus swings at the feline and knocks it out of the air. It hisses at her, rearing for another attack. Sunflower and everyone else gets ready for a fight, preparing for a battle with the stray.

Rose speaks up. "Alright, since last time ended horribly, I got an idea. How about we attack four at a time? We can tag out to the fifth person if we need to, does that sound good?" He asked. Cactus gave a resounding yes, and everyone else nodded.
Tulip was ready to tag in when needed, and everyone else got ready to fight.

Stray Cat attacks!
[what will sunflower and friends do?]
Turn 1
Cactus throws his ball into the enemy.
Stray cat: 85/100 hp
Sunflower smacks the enemy.
Stray Cat: 77/100
Stray cat furiously swipes Rose
Rose: 44/56 
Gladiolus bashed the enemy
Stray Cat: 51/100
Rose bonked the enemy
Stray Cat: 42/100

Cactus sighed. "This is A CAT, HOW HAVE WE NOT DEFEATED IT YET!" He yelled, dodging a leap from the stray.

Sunflower perked his head up. "I got an idea! Teamwork!" He shouted

Cactus looked over at him confused. "but we... are working together?" He said confused, Sunflower shook his head.

"If we coordinate our attacks, we could deal with enemies faster!" He says right before the cat jumps onto him arm and starts scratching it.

Gladiolus knocks the cat off, standing next to Sunflower. "You heard him, lets kick cat ass!" she shouts triumphantly.

[what will Sunflower and friends do?]
Turn 2
Cactus throws his ball at the enemy
Stray Cat 29/100
Gladiolus rebounds the shot!
Stray Cat 11/100
Sunflower smacks the enemy
Stray cat was defeated! Everyone gained 12 EXP!

Rose sighed while checking everyone for serious injuries, nobody was hurt too badly though. Rose seemed to have taken the worst of it

"Oh my god that was one angry cat!" Gladiolus says, leaning on a nearby tree. Tulip peaked from behind where he was hiding. "It's gone?" He asked, standing up. Cactus nodded. "Yeah... one scary cat." Sunflower pondered, a cat hadn't been in the garden in ages, something was up. "Hey guys, do any of you know why there was even a cat in the garden?" He asked, looking in the direction the cat ran off in. "Nope, no clue." Rose said, cracking his back.

Sunflower was now worried, something definitely had to be up for a cat to be here. He had an idea though. "Why don't we ask the people around the garden, the influx of visitors should help!" He said, proud of his own thinking. Gladiolus pondered for a moment. "Sure, let's go ask around." she said, as they started to walk around the garden.

They walked up to a crowed of shockingly different people, Someone who appeared to be some sort of miner, an old scientist, and a literal snowman. Sunflower waited a few seconds, as to not interrupt. Eventually the group seemed to notice Sunflower and his friends. "Oh, hello, do you folks want anything?" The miner asked, glazing his eyes on the group.

Sunflower cleared his throat, but Cactus butted in before he could talk. "Yeah, did something happen around here a-" Gladiolus shoved cactus away and spoke herself. "Sorry, we were just wondering if any of you three had noticed something strange going on, creatures that don't usually come around here showed up, and we want to know if any of you would happen to know why?" She asked in her politest voice.

The three visitors discussed between each other for a moment, then turned to face Gladiolus. "We haven't noticed anything s-strange, but the sun does shine brighter here then anywhere else, so that might be i-it." The snowperson said, somehow shivering in the sun.

Sunflower looked at everyone, Tulip shrugged. "Thanks for the information I guess." Sunflower awkwardly said as he began to walk off. The rest of the group followed suit and walked off as well. They looked around for another person, creature, whatever to ask about the odd cat. They eventually walked up to a hamster.

They all bent down to look at the hamster who seemed to be pre-occupied by looking at something. Sunflower bends down to see what the hamster was staring at. A stray cat Sunflower sighed. He really wasnt in the mod, but it was the right thing to save the hamster from his jawed fate.

Sunflower looks at his friends, by this point they have all noticed the cat. "ugghhh, fine." Cactus says, cracking his back, and they all prepare for battle yet again

Stray Cat attacks!
[what will Sunflower and friends do?]
Cactus throws his ball at the enemy
Stray Cat: 84/100
Cactus throws his ball at Sunflower... A swing and a miss
Sunflower became angry!
Sunflower used Vine rush
Stray Cat took 47 damage!(37/100)
Sunflower: 59/84 Chlorophyll
Stray Cat licks its paws
Gladiolus bashes the enemy
Stray Cat took 25 damage!(12/100)
Gladiolus shouts at Sunflower
Sunflower haphazardly attacks!
Stray Cat was defeated!
Everyone gained 13 EXP
Sunflower grew to lvl 2!
Cactus grew to lvl 2!
Gladiolus grew to lvl 2!
Rose grew to lvl 2!

Sunflower sighed, the cats were becoming a concern. But at least they weren't too tough, which was a big relief. He looked down at the hamster, who still hadn't moved at all. He poked the hamster with his shovel. The hamster then sprung up about 40,000 feet and rotating at about 876 RPM. It landed slowly and turned towards the gang. "Hi I'm Hampy!" It said, somehow rapidly vibrating in place. Sunflower wondered if he had made the right choice saving this superhum...superhamster like being. "That stunt with the cat was SUPER IMPRESSIVE!" he shouts, his eyes quite literally sparkling. "Can I follow you guys?" Hampy asks, jumping over and over.

Sunflower begins to speak "Well i-" He can't even say two words before Hampy interrupts. "WOW THANKS YOU I'LL GO GET MY STUFF!" He shouts and hops off.

Everyone stands there for a few seconds in silence before shrugging and walking off.

"I'm still concerned as to whats up with the cats... those destructive beings never come in here..." Rose said quizzically. 

"I quite like cats..." Tulip mumbled.

They looked around a bit more, stumbling into another cat, but it wasn't really doing anything so they just ran away. Sunflower was getting tired, maybe he should just call it a day and chalk it up to a big coincidence. But he had a gut feeling that something was up. But he couldn't place his finger on what.

"maybe I'm just being paranoid..." He thought, rubbing the back of his head. He looked at the sun, still directly overhead. 

"Do you guys want to call it here?" Sunflower asked, resting on a nearby log. The rest of his friends looking equally as tired.

Gladiolus shakes her head. "Something is definitely wrong if there are this many cats here we got-" Cactus interrupted. "Yes lets take like a ten minute break my legs are killing me!" He said, Rose nodded the same, rubbing his legs. Sunflower looked at Tulip for his opinion, Tulip shrugged as a response. Sunflower sighed. "Why don't we just take a small rest under the flowers at the back of the garden, then we continue, sound good?" Sunflower asked, hoping everyone agreed. Luckily, his hopes were placed correctly, as everyone agreed with his idea, and they all headed for the back of the garden.

The stroll was rather peaceful, no cats in the way, and before long they reached the back of the garden. Massive flowers towered here, creating a nice shade, it was impossible to get through them, but the edge of it made for a nice resting spot.

They all walked up to the shade, but there was an issue it seemed. Another cat was hissing and pawing at the dirt on the ground.

"Oh great... another one..." Gladiolus sighed, readying her weapon.

"I swear this is going to be the last one today." Sunflower said readying his own weapon.

"let's just get this done and over with." Rose said as he and Cactus prepared, it seemed it was time for another battle.

But right as the gang was about to engage the cat, the ground began to rumble and the dirt began to split at one point.

"woah whats going on here?" The gang turned around and say Hampy running up to them. But before Sunflower could tell him to go away, a massive shape burst from the ground at lightning speed, emitting a massive roar. 

"AAAAAAAAHHH!" Hampy let out a scream and fell over, Sunflower would throw him in the trash can later. He turned his attention towards the massive object emerging from the ground. It was a giant venus flytrap. the size of a house.

"JESUS CHRIST!" Cactus and Gladiolus screamed together. Tulip and Rose seemed equally yet less vocally terrified. Sunflower gulped, and prepared for battle against the massive flytrap. It was time to protect the garden again. The flytrap ate the cat and then faced the group. Everyone took battle poses and began battle with the flytrap. Sunflower looked at the sun... and did a small prayer, this was a do or die situation. "Us versus the Mars Deathtrap." Cactus said, Sunflower liked the name. "Alright, let's kick as... leaf? WHATEVER LETS KICK IT!" Gladiolus yelled as she charged at the plant.

Chapter Text

The vines of the beast Curled around them, forming a bit of a ring around the group, the might've been a bit in over their head. Sunflower gulped and readied his weapon for what would probably be his toughest battle yet.

"Lord help us." He said, looking into the sun.

[what will sunflower and friends do?]

Turn 1!
Cactus threw his ball at the enemy
Mars Deathtrap took 13 damage!(737/750)
Mars deathtrap swatted at everyone!
Sunflower took 22 damage!(35/57)
Cactus took 31 damage!(19/50)
Glaiolus took 17 damage!(43/60)
Rose took 21 damage!(40/61)
Sunflower snipped the enemy!
Mars deathtrap took 17 damage!(720/750)
Sunflower waters Gladiolus
Gladiolus' Attack increased!
Gladiolus used triple hit!
Gladiolus lost 20 chlorophyll (10/30)
Mars Deathtrap took 20 damage!(700/750)
MD took 23 damage!(677/750)
MD took 19 damage!(658/750)
Rose bonks the enemy!
MD took 10 damage!(648/750)
Rose massages Gladiolus
Gladiolus' speed rose!
Gladiolus gained 10 HP(53/60)

Sunflower was sweating hard... "I can do this!" He though, readying again
Turn 2!
Cactus tags out!
Tulip was swapped with Cactus!
Gladiolus bashes the enemy!
MD took 25 damage!(623/750)
Gladiolus shouts at Sunflower
 Sunflower haphazardly attacks!
MD took 15 damage!(608/750)
Mars Deathtrap chomps Gladiolus
Gladiolus took 25 damage!(28/60)
Sunflower snipped the enemy
MD took 18 damage(590/750)
Sunflower waters Tulip
Tulip became happy!
Rose uses check up.
Gladiolus recovered 30 HP(58/60)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll(30/40)

"Jesus christ? How strong is this thing?" Gladiolus said, deflecting a blow. "Come on, just a... GAH! Bit longer!" Sunflower said as a vine whipped him to the ground... he hoped he was right
Turn 3!
Gladiolus bashed the enemy
MD took 28 damage!(662/750)
Mars Deathtrap swipes at Sunflower
Sunflower took 25 damage!(10/57)
Tulip uses high pitch
MD became angry
Tulip lost 5 chlorophyll(45/60)
Sunflower used Vine rush!
MD took 45 damage!(617/750)
Sunflower lost 25 chlorophyll(61/86)
Rose used checkup
Sunflower recovered 29 HP(39/57)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll(20/40)

Sunflower collapsed to his knees, how goddamn tough was this thing. "Are we even close?" Cactus groaned. Tulip picked himself up from the ground "I-I have an idea." He said, jumping out of the way of a vine swing. "What if we... put all of our... everything... into some form of ultimate attack?" He said before another vine smashed him out of the way. "Does that sound good to everyone?" Sunflower asked, and everyone nodded, it was time to give it a try.
Turn 4!
Gladiolus got into a ready stance!
Mars Deathtrap swipes at Sunflower!
Sunflower took 28 damage!(11/57)
Tulip got into a ready stance
Sunflower got into a ready stance!
Rose got into a ready stance!
Everyone who is in a ready stance lost all chlorophyll!
Everyone attacked!
It's the ultimate attack!
Super sunlight beam!
MD took 550 damage!(67/750)

"WE CAN DO THAT?!" Gladiolus shouted, panting from the heavy attack, everyone was out of breath and on their knees, but so was the Deathtrap... well it didn't have knees but whatever. Sunflower grinned, they had it in the ropes, just a bit more, he knew it.
Turn 5!
Gladiolus bashed the enemy
MD took 26 damage!(41/750)
Mars deathtrap chomps Tulip
Tulip took 36 damage!(7/43)
Tulip kicked the enemy
It was an advantageous attack!
MD took 11 damage!(30/750)
Sunflower snipped the enemy
MD took 22 damage!(8/750)
Rose bonked the enemy
Mars deathtrap was defeated!
Everyone gained 300 EXP!
Sunflower grew to lvl 3!
Sunflower learned beanstalk!
Gladiolus grew to lvl 3!
Gladiolus learned bully!
Tulip grey to lvl 2!
Rose grew to lvl 3!
Rose learned resuscitate
Cactus gained bonus EXP

Tulip fell on his back from exhaustion. Sunflower sighed, they had done it. They had actually defeated the giant monstrous vine.

"OH MY GOD! WE KILLED IT, LITERALLY!" Cactus said, jumping in the air. "at least I know what happened to the red bul- I mean nothing." Sunflower whipped his head over to cactus, who had covered his hands with his mouth forgetting he was a cactus. Cactus shrugged. "Okay so I maaaaay have filled your watering can with red bull one day to see what would happen." He said, not long after Gladiolus smashed his head with a bat. Sunflower couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. 

"Well... that was that adventure... I'm ready to call it a day." Rose said, cracking his back. "Everyone ready to head back?" He asked, turning back.

Sunflower looked back at the battle field, he poked the hamster... whatever it's name was

Hampy is not alive. 

"well that wraps that up too." he thought, cracking his back, beginning to head back with everyone else.

"Hey Tulip, you coming?" He asked turning around to see what was taking him so long.

...

Tulip was not there. 

In his place was a short boy, with pale skin and dark hair. Standing in a meadow, the Garden was now gone, just an endless meadow of flowers.

"I'm sorry... I can't go with you Sunflower..." the boy... no Sunny said.

Sunflower frowned underneath the mask. "Why?" He asked, walking up to Sunny.

"I'm going away Sunflower... I'm sorry but, it has to be." Sunny said, hugging Sunflower.

"But... I still... want you" Sunflower said, returning the hug.

"I know... I don't want to go away either... but we have to be strong, I KNOW WE CAN!" He said, passion flouring. Sunflower smiled, he was cute.

"...don't go, please, don't go away." Sunflower said, he was starting to cry. "I just got you back! I JUST GOT MY SUNSHINE BACK! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME AGAIN!" He shouted, holding Sunny tighter.

Sunny pat Sunflower on the back. "I know its hard, but I feel we can move on and grow, those shadows are gone, forever, I can see it in here you don't blame yourself for it anymore, you have repented... I'm sure with everyone else you can get through what's left." He said, holding Sunflower up from collapsing.

"I can't do it without you..." Sunflower said, full on crying.

Sunny began drifting away, towards the sun in the sky

Sunflower looked up at him... going away... forever

Was he right? could he do it on his own...

...

no

NO

NO!

"NO!"

The world wasn't taking his sunshine away from him again, he just saved him, HE JUST GOT HIM BACK! THIS WASN'T FAIR!

He grabbed Sunny's leg and began pulling him back down to the ground.

"S-SUNFLOWER STOP!" Sunny began to panic, Sunflower pulled harder, he didn't even notice the demon beside him pulling Sunny down too.

"I CAN'T! I-I WONT LET THE WORLD TAKE YOU AWAY FROM ME AGAIN! NOT AGAIN!" He said, pulling Sunny closer to the ground.

"BASIL STOP!" Sunny shouted.

...

Basil?

His mind went dark, nothing was there anymore.

Red outlines appeared, laughing faces.

His mask was gone, everyone knew who he was.

"please..." Basil whimpered... but it was too late.

All the shadows rushed towards him, tearing him to shreds.

Before Basil could scream...

...

Basil shot awake in his bed... his eyes taking a moment to adjust.

It was still late... the sun wasn't even cresting yet. it must be around midnight.

He frowned...

it was the death of reason...

He knew what he had to do.

Chapter Text

It took a few seconds for Basil's breathing to return to normal levels, he looked around, as if to double check what he already knew. He was in his room and it was around midnight.

"It was just a dream... It was just a dream?" He thought, noticing how he had stood up, he had done it subconsciously, why?

"Do I have to do something?" He continued thinking, His eyes now adjusting to the darkness. He walked into the bathroom, maybe he just had to go.

He silently waddled into the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror. He swore his eyes were almost glowing cyan. He sat down on the toilet, but the longer he waited the more it seemed like this wasn't it.

"I won't... take him... again." A splintered voice echoed through Basil's head, was that part of his dream? He rubbed his eyes and looked at himself in the mirror, he saw somebody besides him, but when he turned around they were gone, and they had disappeared from the mirror as well. It had looked, strangely like him though. He was worried for a bit, Something was gone, he had felt it leave, in the hospital, so what was behind him? He shook of those worries, perhaps he should just go back to bed. Basil walked back to his room, making sure to be quiet in hopes to not wake Polly. He couldn't shake that feeling of something he was forgetting, something he had to do.

Basil sat down on his bed, his mind was going a million miles per hour by now, he was starting to have a panic attack. 

"what did I need to do? WHAT WAS IT?" He clutched his hair as his mind started yelling at him. Yelling, screaming, commanding. His breathing was beginning to accelerate, his mind was racing. He felt scared again, weak, vulnerable. He hated feeling this way, but it was ever so common for him. He tried to keep himself calm, he didn't want to wake up Polly at this hour.

"Just deep breaths, just deep breaths" He told himself, over and over. But he couldn't calm down, he wouldn't. It was almost like his mind was taunting him by being in this panicked state, laughing at him as it had done so often before. He needed something, anything to calm him down. He knew he was panicking over nothing, he just had a bad dream, and saw something that wasn't there in the mirror, he was fine, he was just overreacting.

"I wont let you... take him away... me again." The voice from his head played again, sounding a bit more clear. He stopped panicking if only for a second to wonder what it really was.The crushing feeling returning to his chest, his eyes instinctivly looking over to his shears, still stained with blood. Mostly likely forgetting in the rush to get him and Sunny into the hospital...

...

"That's right... I remember... Sunny."

All at once the dream came back to him, the cats, the people, the deathtrap... Sunny

He stopped panicking as if a spell had been cast on him. He knew what he needed to do. Even if it would be considered wrong, it would be the right thing to do. Perhaps people would even begin to see how right he is with given time.

He put on some warmer clothes and grabbed his shears. He put his ear up to Polly's door to double check she wasn't awake. After confirming, he snuck out the front door. Making sure to as unnoticeable as possible, he walked down the street towards Sunny's house. The darkness of night acting as a cover making him practically invisible, not long passed before he was facing their house. Sunny's mom's car was sitting in the driveway... they'd be leaving first thing in the morning is what he'd been told, but Basil knew that was a bad thing, not only for him but for everyone. 

"I'm doing the world a favor."  He told himself as he walked up to the car... but it sounded more like he was trying to convince himself. His heart was going wild, but he knew he must do this. "Sunny will be happier this way, I don't care if it's selfish, its the right thing to do."  He told himself as he got on his back and awkwardly slid himself under the car.

He was no mechanic, but he could probably figure out what was important and what wasn't. He moved his shears up to this thin looking metal pipe and after a bit of work... the pipe was cut. He froze for a second, there was no turning back now, he had made his choice. 

He moved along and cut e thin tube like thing which released a bunch of air when cut, and finally he cut this small plastic tube, when he cut it, it squirted a bunch of unknown liquid onto his face and he accidentally bumped his head on the bottom of the car in surprise. That was a sign that he had done enough. Basil scooted out from under the car, and rubbed the liquid off his face with his sleeve then turned to the tires. He knew it would probably be loud if he just shoved his shears into them so he'd have to do them all slowly. He thanked that dream for waking him up as early as it did. One by one, he slowly wedged his shears into each tire, they were louder then he would've liked but at least they got quiet once they ran out of air. 

He hoped this would slow them down a few days, give him enough time to make things more... permanent. Yet he still felt like something was missing, something that could slow them down for a week maybe. Then the idea hit him. If he stole something from inside the car, he could make it seem like a hobo did it, faraway had plenty of homeless people, it was an easy plan. Basil stuck his shears up to the window and with intentionally minimal force started hitting it, slowly cracking it. What Basil did not anticipate, was once the window finally broke, an alarm went off. A very loud alarm.

Basil panicked, he grabbed the first thing he put his hands on inside the car and ran as fast as he could. He didn't run to his house though, he ran towards faraway park, he couldn't hide whatever he took at his house successfully. He just had to ditch it at the park. Luckily, the park wasn't very far away from Sunny's house at all and Basil got there in under a minute, he didn't even know his legs could move that fast. He stopped though, the hobos in the park were beginning to wake up from the alarm, he'd have to get by them and to a place where they wouldn't notice him to get away with it, no doubt about it, he was running low on time.

An idea hit him though, the secret spot. Nobody knew about it except Sunny, Aubrey, Kel, Hero, and Aubrey's friends whose names Basil couldn't be bothered to remember at the moment. No one else should be there, even this late, perhaps he could sneak to there through the trees and dispose of the... Basil looked down at what he had stolen and almost threw up, he really was doing the world a favor by doing this. The car alarm, still blaring, was still audible from the edge of the park which worried Basil, if Polly heard it and woke up, he was finished. 

Basil walked to the edge of the park and went into the trees, He knew the area a bit well from all the times he used to play hide and seek and when he went bug hunting here. He weaved throughout the trees, despite how small he was he was mildly athletic, nothing special though, probably just from genes. He walked along familiar paths, finding landmarks, the double tree, the face Kel carved into a stump, and more. Eventually, Basil found himself looking at the secret spot, he was about to go dump what he stole but there was something he hadn't expected, someone was there... Hero

Basil had to suppress the gasp that almost escaped him. "Hero? What is he doing here?" He wondered, adjusting his angle to get a better look. That was definitely Hero. He was sitting at the edge of the dock, legs hanging over the edge. The alarm was still audible even from the spot, but Hero was just sitting there unbothered by the distant blaring. Basil thought about just dropping the stolen items, but then he heard Hero start talking, only audible above the car alarm.

"I wish it were more quiet, but I guess somebody's having a rough night eh?" He said.

"Is he talking to me? Does he know I'm here?" Basil thought, slinking a bit back into the trees behind Hero to be safe.

Hero continued talking. "I'm glad you're still here... despite not being... here but it's great to talk... I haven't been able to in... who knows how long." Basil stopped breathing for a second. Was Hero talking to Mari? He leaned in closer to hear what Hero said next. Unfortunately Basil stepped on a large branch, almost as if it was a cartoon, the sound the break made was comically loud. Basil immediately hid himself in the trees as he noticed Hero turning to his direction.

"Is someone there?" He asked, the forest giving no response. Basil heard footsteps approaching and he made himself as small as possible. "Anyone?" He asked, the forest remaining silent.

"Eh, probably some critter or something." He said to himself. Basil sighed a sigh of relief, he could just drop the stuff here and leave. Unfortunately, that was Basil's biggest mistake, as Hero's footsteps stop and restart, heading back towards where Basil was. 

"I heard that sigh, who's there? How do you know about this spot?" Hero asked the forest. He didn't sound angry, not at all, more curious then anything. But remembering how Hero acted when he learned the truth, Basil wasn't so sure. Basil knew he only had a few seconds to think, he did the only thing his brain told him to do, run. Basil made sure to take an odd path, trying to lose Hero, but he was loud and clumsy in his escape, and was pretty sure Hero was still following him. He had to think of something to escape without being seen, at this point Sunny and his mom were most likely awake, and were waking up others too. Which meant Basil had to get home safely as fast as possible. But that was probably going to be very difficult. He had already been running for a while, and didn't know how much longer he could go before he had to stop...

Basil stopped running for a moment to catch his breath and see if Hero was still following him. He looked around the trees, listening for sounds, looking for shadows, ready to try and run away if he did. 

...

...

It was silent... Basil heard nothing, nothing at all. Yet that was the problem, earlier you could hear the breeze of the wind and the car alarm, had he run away that far? No he couldn't have, he had heard the car alarm until... until... Until when? Basil was drawing a blank in his memory, something was definitely off... but Basil couldn't tell what.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps from behind him, and he quickly turned to face them... nothing, but then to his left... nothing, then to his left, his back, his right, in front of him. He was hearing footsteps all around him, then he noticed, there were several shadows in the forest, darting around the trees, getting closer and closer. Coming for him. His anxiety grew, and his breath sped up. It was getting closer, whatever it was... if it was multiple or one thing, it was about to get him. He couldn't do anything about it at all, he just closed his eyes and accepted his fate.

"Don't worry Basil, there's nothing there at all see? And if you ever feel that way again, take a deep breath and knock the darkness into next week hahahaha!" 

A voice played in Basil's head, it was his grandma's, a memory from so long ago, before he had even met Aubrey. Perhaps he should... try it?

Deep breath in... deep breath out

Basil steeled himself and opened the eyes. The shadow was in front of him, right before it struck Basil threw what he had stole at it with all his might, and it was gone as quickly as it came.

The car alarm was audible again and the wind was blowing through the trees. But most importantly, Basil couldn't hear Hero in pursuit of him at all, he was in the clear. Better yet, he could barely see the park through the trees, he could easily get back home.

"Just a bit more and I'm in the clear." 

He walked out by the edge of the park, he looked down Sunny's street, a few people were gathered around looking at the car, which it looked like Sunny's mom was struggling to turn off the alarm. Basil choose to just go back to bed, if someone came to his house or Polly woke him up to go see it then he'd join them, but if he wasn't there then that was better for him. He continued his walk, yet as he was almost out of sight from the street, someone looked over in his direction, Sunny. Time slowed as they made eye contact, but Basil somehow felt this wasn't an issue. He stared at Sunny and nodded, continuing to walk towards his house. He felt that Sunny seeing him wouldn't be too big of an issue, and if he did tell someone Basil had already thought of a lie, so he was fine. He headed back to his house, checking in the windows to double check that Polly wasn't awake, when he confirmed that, he went back to his room, putting his clothes back the way he got them and putting his pajamas back on.

With the death of reason, Basil had a dream to continue, and he smiled as he thought of what he had done as he drifted off...

Chapter Text

Sunflower got up, observing his surroundings. He was back under the massive flowers in the Garden. Everything is as it should be, it seemed to be night though as the moon was in the sky directly above, almost staring at Sunflower. He got up and walked down towards where everyone else's houses were, they hopefully shouldn't be too sleepy, he needed to do something, anything.

He walked up to Cactus and Rose's house and knocked, yet there was no response. The same result from Gladiolus's house and Tulip and Lily's house. Where they all out doing something together, despite the moon being directly above it was still rather dark. Sunflower shrugged, perhaps Cactus just energized everyone as usual, with his never ending energy and hyperness. It wouldn't be the first time and probably wouldn't be the last, Sunflower just had to find where they had set up shop though, which would be hard as no one would be around at this hour. No one should be around at this hour. As Sunflower looked around, he noticed quite a few people, just going along like it was midday. 

"Just what the heck is going on here?" He thought, observing the crowd. Well not a crowd but you get the idea. Sunflower walked about everyone for a bit, asking around for his friends, hopefully nothing bad happened to them. He looked at the jungle, perhaps they had gone in? he could see spotlights shining deep from within. But they wouldn't leave without him, right? Right as Sunflower was about to take steps into the jungle he heard a voice.

"oh hello Sunflower, what are you doing all the way on the border of the garden?" Sunflower turned around to see Lily standing behind him, her warm smile welcoming him in. "O-oh hey Lily! I was looking for everyone I GOT LOST ON THE WAY HOME AND ended up here!" Sunflower said, he rubbed the back of his head, it felt like spikes had poked into his skull for a bit. He didn't bother thinking about it too long, as the pain was gone as quickly as it had come. "Well, I know this place like the back of my hand, I'll lead you to everyone, you'll know where to go from there." Lily said, signaling for Sunflower to follow her.

They walked for a bit, Sunflower knew where Lily was going but it was still nice to walk with her. "What are you doing up at this hour anyways?" Sunflower asked Lily. "This hour? Oh... do you not know?" Lily responded. 

"not know what?" He thought, was something horribly wrong? Sunflower looked at Lily, gesturing for her to continue what she was saying. "Sunflower... I thought you of all people would notice this... the sun is missing." she said, sounding genuinely sorry for Sunflower. He looked at her. "Isn't it just night?" He asked, like the sun could just go missing. Lily shook her head though. "It's been 36 hours since the sun vanished, something happened to it, nobody likes the night." She said, finally arriving to where everyone else was sitting on a blanket relaxing.

"Oh hey Sunflower! I was getting worried, glad to know you're safe." Rose said, this caught the rest of the groups attention.

"Hey everyone, sorry for scaring you all. I GOT LOST." Sunflower was going to continue talking, but he got interrupted by the sharp pain in the back of his head again. He scratched around back there, feeling for a mosquito bite or something, but he just felt the Vines holding the sunflower mask in place. Maybe he just had a headache. He just sighed, it had gone away again, so it hopefully wouldn't come back again. 

"Do you guys know what happened to the sun?" He asked, whatever happened to the sun was more important anyways.

"your guess is as good as mine, we all went to bed, next thing we know we wake up to the moon, wait a bit, it's still there like its midnight, it's weird..." Cactus said, he sounded concerned. "You okay Sunflower, you just gonna... stare at the moon?" He said. Sunflower snapped back into reality, he hadn't even realized he was staring at it, he just wasn't, next moment he was. Was something up with his head today? He tried not to think about about and just hoped it'd go away. it's what he usually did and it worked out most of the time.

"Well, what do we do now?" Sunflower asked, sitting down with everyone.

"Not like we can do much." Gladiolus responded. "It's the sun, we can't go into space and just, find it." She continued. Rose and Tulip nodded in agreement. She did have a point, if something happened to the sun in space, wasn't much they could do about it, but... "what if what caused the sun to vanish is down here?" Sunflower said. Everyone gave him that look and he almost wished he didn't say that. "What..? How can we do something about the sun?" Cactus asked, looking at the sky himself now. "He's right, it's not like we could find the sun or create a new one." Rose said.

"But that's exactly it, are we just going to sit here and let the world wilt away, or... or take a risk?" Sunflower asked everyone, the statement of confidence was a lot coming from him. Everyone looked at each other, as if silently discussing what they should do. Sunflower just awkwardly sat there, staring at everyone. Finally, someone spoke up.

"He has a point, are we just gonna sit here and wilt?" Gladiolus said, jumping to her feet. She signaled for everyone else to stand up. "well, what are you all waiting for, we don't have day." She said, picking up the bat she had gotten from Sunflower's house. Cactus and Rose shrugged, getting up themselves. Tulip looked at Lily, Sunflower could feel the question being asked despite no words being spoken. Lily pat Tulips shoulder. "I'm no explorer, I'd rather cheer you on as you save the world, y'know with my bad knee and all." She said, Tulip looked down in sadness. Lily gave him a hug. "Don't worry, I might show up here and now, I know how to get around quickly when it's needed" She said with a smug tone. Sunflower decided not to question it and got up himself, he still had his weapon on him, which was good.

It felt like forever, but eventually Tulip and Lily stopped hugging. Sunflower had taken this time to really study the moon, and they were right. From when he had woken up to now, the moon hadn't moved at all, it sat silently in the middle of the sky, staring at everyone, it felt sinister in a way. But that didn't matter right now, he could just bring it up later, right now Sunflower had a journey to start. He looked at everyone, all ready to go save the world. He smiled, his friends could actually be kinda awesome.

"Are we all ready?" Gladiolus asked as she cracked her back. Sunflower nodded.

"Wait hold on." Rose said, as he went and hugged Lily. Cactus sighed. "We'll be here for another 6 hours it seems." He commented, getting a slight chuckle out of Gladiolus. "You could've just as easily said hurry up..." Rose said embarrassingly, breaking up his hug and rejoining the group. "Now is everyone ready?" Gladiolus smugly said, staring at Rose. Rose just sighed. "Yes I'm so overly ready!" He said, sounding exasperated. "Alright, have fun everyone! I'll be cheering you on." Lily said while rolling up the blanket. "Right, let's get going then I guess." Sunflower said, starting to walk off.

"Hold on, where do we even start with this?" Gladiolus asked, grabbing Sunflower by the shirt. Sunflower stumbled a bit but regained his balance. He looked back at Gladiolus, everyone was just standing there. "She brings up a good point, where do we even begin?" Cactus asked. Sunflower scratched his head, they did have a point. Luckily, he remembered something from earlier.

"I did see these massive spotlight-esk things coming from the jungle earlier, perhaps we could go investigate there?" Sunflower sheepishly said. He knew no one liked the jungle, and it might take a bit of convincing to get everyone on board.

"Sure that sounds good." Rose said, Tulip nodding in confirmation.

"I mean I guess, we killed a giant fly trap, I'm sure we can make it a bit through the jungle." Cactus said.

"Not like we could go much other places, let's head out then." Gladiolus said, walking ahead of everyone.

"so much for convincing." Sunflower thought, he could've sworn he heard a sad sounding trumpet right after he thought that. He didn't care though, much more important events were taking place.

Sunflower lead everyone to the beginning of the jungle, normally, he'd be scared. But he had his friends this time, he felt confident with them.

"Well, we're off to save... find... create? Whatever the sun, say bye to the garden everyone." Cactus said. Gladiolus almost slapped him but then she remembered that Cactus was a cactus. "Don't say that like we're not coming back, we are gonna find the fuck out of the sun." She said. Tulip nodded and they all stepped into the jungle.

...

...

Far in the trees above, a shadow stalked the group, it sighed and began to climb down, it knew what it needed to do.

Chapter Text

Sunflower and co. began their adventure into the jungle. Sunflower sighed, he didn't know what he was expecting, of course it wasn't going to go from the peaceful garden into the deadly jungle instantly. It certainly was turning from one to the other though. The trees were getting taller and thicker, and more sounds were coming from the darkness in them. He looked behind him and everyone was strolling along nicely, observing all of the surroundings. He then turned his head towards the sky, he could barely see the spotlights in the sky. He wondered what could even be the source of them.

"It's oddly peaceful here." He commented, stepping over a worm only for cactus to jump on it. He frowned at the unfortunate end of the bug.

"You know, it's a lot nicer than I remember this place, maybe all the guests who showed up to the garden cleared it up a bit." Rose said. It was actually a rather good idea. 

"Perhaps, or maybe we're just lucky." Sunflower responded. Something about the area was off, he just felt on edge. But maybe Rose was right and he just needed to cool off.

Sunflower then heard everyone stop behind him, he turned around to see what had happened. The second he saw it he sighed. A spider was dangling from a web a few feet in front of Rose who had frozen in place. "Really? we take down a giant 20 foot tall plant with a giant mouth and a spider the size of your thumbnail stops you?" Cactus teases, Rose does not respond though, staying frozen in place. "Do we really have to do this for you? c'mon just hit it, you're like 256 times it's size or something, fuck probably more." Gladiolus says, agitated at the stop in their adventure. "Chill, I'll deal with it." Sunflower said stepping forward. "hold on, let him get over it." Cactus said, stretching out his hand. Rose just shivered and Cactus sighed. "Fine, go ahead and get rid of it." and Sunflower scooped the spider into his hands and gently set it on a leaf.

"There we go, problem solved, that wasn't so hard see?" Sunflower said, sounding a bit more aggressive than he had intended. Rose just shook. "demons... they're demons..." He mumbled, beginning to walk forward. Sunflower sighed and continued on forward. Everyone else followed suite not long after. snap. Sunflower stopped. "Did one of you step on a branch?" He asked, slowly turning around. Everyone looked down. A resounding no. 

"bad bad bad this is bad." He thought, he felt like the less he moved the better. Everyone then froze. "I don't want to alarm you, but don't move." Cactus said slowly. Sunflower followed directions, His eyes darted down and he noticed the shadow behind him, something big. His hands began to tremble, and he knew it was only a matter of time before his anxiety got the better of him and he moved. The shadow grew bigger and bigger and he he wanted to scream but he was beaten to the punch. "OK NOT MOVING ISN'T WORKING RUN!" Gladiolus shouted and Sunflower jumped, a second later and he might've... He turned around to see who the assailant was.

It was massive, A giant spider. Rose just fell over. great. He sighed and readied his weapon, this was going to be rough.

[Mommy long legs descends!]
[turn ]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus uses orange rush!
The enemy took 16 damage!(104/120)
Cactus's speed rose!
Cactus lost 15 chlorophyll(23/38)
Tulip  attacked! It was a shattering blow!
The enemy took 27 damage!(77/120)
Sunflower attacked!
The enemy took 20 damage!(57/120)
Mommy long legs is spinning a web...
Gladiolus used Bully!
The enemy became angry!
The enemy took 24 damage!(53/120)
Gladiolus lost 15 chlorophyll(18/33)

Sunflower looked down at Rose, He seemed to be alright, still passed out though.

[turn 2]
Cactus attacked!
The enemy took 20 damage!(33/120)
Tulip used high pitch!
The enemy became enraged
Tulip lost 5 chlorophyll(59/64)
Sunflower used Vine rush!
The enemy took 57 damage!(-24/120)
Sunflower lost 25 chlorophyll(63/88)
Mommy long legs was defeated!
Everyone gained exp!
Cactus grew to lvl3!
Cactus learned Crash & burn
Tulip grew to lvl3!
Tulip learned Silence

Sunflower sighed, the massive beast came crashing down, it was finally dead.

"I am beyond happy that is gone." Cactus said, scratching at his arm. Sunflower nodded, He wasn't too scared of spiders, even still the size of that one scared him.

Sunflower then turned to Rose, who was still out cold on the floor. Tulip was crouched right next to him. Gladiolus turned over too. "Is he like... okay?" She asked, softly kicking him in the leg. "Wait no I got this." Cactus said. Tulip and Gladiolus looked at each other worriedly then looked to see what Cactus was up to. He was gone, like just not around. "Where the Hell did he disappear off to that fast?" Sunflower asked, looking around. Unfortunately the trees were thick and it was dark, he couldn't see or even hear Cactus. "Guys where did he go?" Sunflower asked, unsure how he even lost him. "I...I don't know." Tulip mumbled. "Great, now we only have 3 people because he probably got eaten by a giant fish or something.

Only a few seconds later did they hear a Tarzan scream from the sky.

"OOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOHSHIIIIII-" Cactus's scream was interrupted as he landed on top of Rose. Rose flew several feet into the air, woke up mid air, flailed his arms and screamed, then came crashing down.

"G-AAAAAAGGGGHHH." Rose shouted as he hit the ground, Sunflower heard a large crack. Everyone stood there silently as Cactus and Rose just groaned on the ground. Sunflower looked up and saw a Cactus sized hole at the top of the trees, giving him a pretty good idea as to what the hell just happened. He only frowned at the thought, they might have to sit here for a bit as the two brothers recovered. "WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING?" Gladiolus shouted at Cactus, who responded with a resounding. "guuuugghhh." Gladiolus almost kicked him, but then just sat down. "You moron, now we're sitting ducks for whatever want's to kill us." She said while kicking a rock. "ggghhuuuu... worth... it" Cactus said, slowly getting off his back. Tulip sighed and stood up too, looking at Rose who was still in pain on the ground. "How about we take five and just... wait." He sighed. He looked up to the moon again, it was staring right at him. It almost looked like it had a face.

"Turn back now."

Sunflower heard the voice and whipped his head all around trying to find the source, but he saw nothing.

"Did one of you say that?" He asked, turning to look at everyone else. "Say what?" Cactus asked, rubbing his head. "No one said anything, is there someone in the trees?" Gladiolus asked as she scanned the trees. Sunflower frowned, perhaps they were being stalked or followed. Sunflower looked around, whoever said that could be anywhere. Ready to strike at them when their backs were turned. "Does anyone besides Lily know we're doing this? Sunflower asked, everyone shook their heads no. "damnit, who or what the hell said that then?" He thought to himself. 

As they sat waiting for Rose and Cactus to recover, Sunflower and Gladiolus took some form of guard, in case something actually did talk to Sunflower. But by the time Rose was good to go, nothing out of the ordinary had happened at all. Sunflower looked around in the darkness of the trees once more, nothing was there except a few bugs and the occasional bird. He was probably just hearing stuff. "still, it would be odd to mishear "turn back now" from forest noises" He thought, he probably just imagined it in that case. He sighed yet again and turned to face everyone.

"Are we all good now?" He asked. Cactus gave a weary thumbs up and Rose nodded. "Alright good, nothing seems out of the ordinary so I think we're all good to continue." He said, standing up and cracking his back. "I think we are all good to continue, you ready Tulip?" Gladiolus asked. Tulip didn't respond, he had fallen asleep on a tree nearby. Sunflower sighed. "You can carry him right Gladiolus?" He asked, she sighed in response and scooped him onto her back and they continued on. 

"Hey Rose, I have a question." Cactus asked. "What?" Rose said, still a bit angry at Cactus for the whole tree thing. "Why ar-ppphhhbbhbhbhbphbphbpbpbpbpb." Cactus was interrupted by a swarm of bugs. He began to wave his arms all around and stumble backwards. He eventually bumped into something and the swarm dissipated. Unfortunately, Cactus did not bump into a tree, and Sunflower sighed as he readied for battle.

[Jungle cat & Bananorilla attack!]
[turn 1]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Bananorilla Decked Sunflower!
Sunflower took 25 damage!(45/60)
Cactus attacked Bananorilla!
Bananorilla took 19 damage!(131/150)
Tulip attacked Jungle Cat!
Jungle cat took 14 damage!(91/105)
Sunflower used beanstalk on Tulip!
Tulip & Sunflower's defense rose!
Sunflower lost 15 chlorophyll(48/88)
Jungle cat is chasing its tail...
Gladiolus attacked Banaorilla!
Bananorilla took 23 damage!(108/150)

[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Bananorilla Decks Sunflower!
Sunflower took 19 damage!(26/60)
Cactus used Orange Rush on Bananorilla!
Bananorilla took 19 damage!(89/150)
Cactus's speed rose!
Cactus lost 15 chlorophyll(8/38)
Tulip attacked Bananorilla!
Bananoirlla took 13 damage!(79/150)
Sunflower attacked Jungle cat!
Jungle cat took 21 damage!(70/105)
Jungle cat swiped at Gladiolus!
The attack whiffed!
Gladiolus attacked Bananorilla!
Bananorilla took 24 damage!(55/150)

[turn 3] 
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacked Bananorilla!
Bananorilla took 20 damage!(35/150)
Bananorilla decked Tulip!
Tulip took 19 damage!(29/48)
Tulip used silence!
Tulip gained 10 HP(39/48)
Tulip cannot attack next turn!
Tulip lost 10 chlorophyll(49/64)
Sunflower attacked Bananorilla!
Bananorilla took 18 damage!(17/150)
Jungle cat attacks Gladiolus!
Gladiolus took 14 damage!(48/62)
Gladiolus attacked Bananorilla!
Bananorilla took 23 damage!(-6/150)
Bananorilla was defeated!

[turn 4]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacked Jungle cat!
Jungle cat took 24 damage!(46/105)
Tulip cannot move!
Sunflower attacked Jungle cat!
Jungle cat took 21 damage!(25/105)
Jungle cat swipes at Tulip!
Tulip took 9 damage!(30/48)
Gladiolus attacked Jungle cat!
It was a shattering blow!
Jungle cat took 33 damage!(-8/105)
Jungle cat was defeated!
Sunflower's party was victorious!
Everyone gained EXP!
Sunflower grew to lvl 4!
Tulip grew to lvl 4!
Cactus grew to lvl 4!
Gladiolus grew to lvl 4!

Cactus coughed as he collapsed on the ground. "why... so unlucky?" He panted, Sunflower was also out of breath, but was able to remain standing. "We... we still made it through though!" Gladiolus said, raising an arm in victory. Tulip let out a small chuckle and he rubbed his wounds. "It... it can't get much worse then that right?" Sunflower asked. "Don't ask that, for the love of god don't make it worse." Rose said. "Anyways." Rose continued. "You wanted to ask me something Cactus?"

Cactus perked his head up. "Oh right, why aren't we... better? Like, after the fights we had with the cats we just got better, I do not feel any better." He said. Rose thought for a second then answered. "Maybe it's the sun, we cannot recover or make any chlorophyll without the Sun, so we'll need to find an alternative." Cactus nodded then continued. "Does that explain why I didn't have the energy to combo any attacks?" He said, Rose shrugged. "From my knowledge... "combo points" are earned when you are hit or score a critical hit, you need three to do a combo, and 3 to do a stance attack, they carry over between battles though." He said, this makes a lot of sense :)

Sunflower nodded. "I think our current objective should be to find... something to recover with." He said, shakily getting up. He gave a quick look to the nearby area and noticed something In the deceased Bananorilla's hands. He bent down and picked it up.

Got 52 mint. 

He just ignored how weird it was and shoved the Mint in his pocket. "C'mon guys lets go, we won't find anything by just standing around." Gladiolus said, marching off, everyone else following.

They walked along for a bit longer will they saw something odd. "Why is there just a camera stand... in the middle of the jungle?" Rose asked, investigating the suspiciously placed photograph taking device. "Why don't we just.. take a photo." Sunflower said walking up to the camera and setting it up. "it's an older camera but I still know how to work this one." He messed around with it not knowing what he was doing till he got it to work successfully. "Alright, let's just... line up now or something." He said, setting the timer on and getting to the front of the camera. Everyone else rushed behind them and the camera flashed. Sunflower ran up to check the photo. Everyone was standing in a line except Rose and Cactus giving each other bunny ears.

Sunflower put the photo in his pocket as they continued onward towards the spotlights.

"Do you think that like... we can actually make a new Sun?" Gladiolus asked as they walked on. "I don't think we can in the traditional sense, but we can maybe get like... something to replace it maybe." Rose said. "Hey quite down, I hear music, and we're getting close to the source of the lights." Sunflower said, pushing some leaves aside and going forward.

There was a small clearing ahead and Sunflower continued forward, stepping into the ring like area.

"Turn back now Basil."

Sunflower turned around, his friends were behind him, yet frozen, the whole world was frozen except for him.

"I told you to stop, you have no clue what you are doing." The voice said. Sunflower looked up to see a shadow atop the trees. It looked vaguely human yet it was so far from it, a demon of sorts.

"Who are you... what are you doing?" Sunflower asked, facing the shadow atop the trees.

"Have you forgotten..? It doesn't matter, you should stop... turn back... everything will be okay... trust me." The shadow said. Sunflower frowned.

"I can't, I have to save the sun... this world." Sunflower said defiantly, the shadow shrugged and held up it's hand. A mosquito flew out of it. "I am doing you a mercy." It said and then vanished, time seemed to unfreeze as it did.

The mosquito was joined by more... then more then more then... it was a giant mass of mosquitoes in the shape of a giant mosquito.

"GAH! WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" Cactus said as he stepped through the trees into the clearing. "Whatever it is, it better not be sooner then later!" Gladiolus said, readying her weapon, and everyone else followed suit. Sunflower looked at the moon overhead once more and prayed.

...

He strangely felt them answered.

Chapter Text

The massive swarm of mosquitoes swooped into Sunflowers group, splitting apart and reforming behind them, the moon shone brightly overhead as the battle began.

[turn 1]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
The Monarch buzzes around...
Cactus attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 24 damage!(936/950)
Tulip attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 17 damage!(919/950)
Sunflower attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 22 damage!(897/950)
Gladiolus attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 27 damage!(870/950)

Sunflower smacked a mosquito on his arm and Cactus threw a football through the swarm, getting a few. Yet more and more just seemed to come, it was never ending.

[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
The monarch buzzes around Tulip.
Tulip became angry!
Cactus attacks the enemy!
The enemy took  23 damage!(847/950)
Tulip used silence!
Tulip recovers 11 hp!(41/51)
Tulip cannot move next turn
Tulip lost 10 chlorophyll(39/66)
Sunflower attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 22 damage!(825/950)
Gladiolus attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 26 damage!(799/950)

More and more and more and more mosquitoes came and joined the beast, fueling it to go on, Sunflower scratched his arm, his leg was one fire. Had he gotten in over his head?

[turn 3]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
The Monarch swarms everyone!
Sunflower took 23 damage!(3/62)
Sunflower has 3 combo points!
Gladiolus took 21 damage!(27/65)
Cactus took 25 damage!(40/65)
Tulip took 30 damage!(1/51)
Cactus attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 24 damage!(775/950)
Tulip cannot move this turn!
Sunflower attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 23 damage!(752/950)
Gladiolus attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 27 damage!(725/950)

Gladiolus swatted at the flies with her bat. "Do they ever end?!" she asks as the swarm reforms into the giant mosquito. "They have to, not like there is infinite, they'll run out... I hope." Sunflower says, accidentally swallowing a bug.

[turn 4]
What will sunflower and friends do?
The Monarch Buzzes around Gladiolus
Gladiolus became angry!
Cactus attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 26 damage!(699/950)
Tulip tagged out with Rose!
Sunflower attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 22 damage!(677/950)
Gladiolus attacked the enemy!
It was a shattering blow!
Gladiolus has 3 combo points!
The enemy took 62 damage!(615/950)

Sunflower bashed a group of the bugs with his shovel, yet more mosquitoes quickly joined the swarm. Yet Sunflower had noticed something, they were beginning to slow down, yet only slightly, the reserves were running out. They had a chance.

[turn 5]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
The Monarch buzzes around...
Cactus attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 25 damage!(590/950)
Sunflower uses beanstalk on Gladiolus!
Sunflower and Gladiolus's defense rose!
Sunflower lost 15 chlorophyll(33/90)
Gladiolus Attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 30 damage!(570/950)
Gladiolus follows up with Rose!
Rose's speed increased!
Rose used check up on Sunflower!
Sunflower recovered 31 hp!(34/62)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll(35/45)

Sunflower looked as everyone minus Cactus was scratching themselves, they had bites everywhere. "Can we- OW! YOU FUCKING BUG!" Gladiolus swipes at a mosquito as it bites her nose. They were getting worn out... but it looked like the swarm was too.

[turn 6]
What will sunflower and friends do?
The monarch swarms everyone!
Sunflower took 19 damage!(15/62)
Gladiolus took 17 damage!(10/65)
Cactus took 24 damage!(16/65)
Rose took 29 damage!(35/64)
Cactus attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 25 damage!(545/950)
Sunflower attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 23 damage!(522/950)
Gladiolus attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 34 damage!(488/950)
Rose attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 18 damage!(470/950)

It had been quiet a while since the battle had begun, Sunflower could not tell how long, he was just putting his all into not having his blood sucked all away by the swarm, everyone else was too.

[turn 7]
What will Sunflower and friends do
The monarch buzzes around Sunflower
Sunflower became angry!
Cactus attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 26 damage!(444/950)
Sunflower used Vine rush!
The enemy took 52 damage!(392/950)
Sunflower lost 25 chlorophyll!(8/90)
Gladiolus attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 32 damage!(360/950)
Rose used Check up on Gladiolus!
Gladiolus recovered 33 hp!(43/65)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll!(25/45)

Sunflower couldn't feel his left... anything anymore, and he felt dizzy. But he had noticed something. The last mosquito had joined the swarm a while ago, and no more new ones had come. As Cactus threw his ball into the wing that the swarm was forming, several of the bugs got squashed, but no more new ones had come to join. 

[turn 8]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
The monarch drains Rose!
Rose took 23 damage!(2/64)
Cactus attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 27 damage!(333/950
Sunflower attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 31 damage!(302/950)
Gladiolus attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 33 damage!(269/950)
Rose used check up on Rose..!
Rose recovered 32 hp!(34/64)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll!(15/45)

The swarm, which had once looked like a might and large mosquito, was more ball like at this point. Sunflower hadn't felt himself get bitten in ages. Whether it was because he had lost feeling in his legs, or that there were that few mosquitoes, he couldn't tell.

[turn 9]
What will sunflower and friends do?
The monarch buzzes around...
Cactus attacks the enemy! 
The enemy took 26 damage!(243/950)
Sunflower attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 32 damage!(211/950)
Gladiolus attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 37 damage!(174/950)
Rose attacks the enemy!
Its a shattering blow!
Rose has 3 combo points!
The enemy took 29 damage!(146/950)

The swarm was nigh gone, the winner of this battle had been decided. Sunflower smiled. "Let's finish this insectoid mess!" He cheered, Gladiolus sighed. "Of course you would use a word like insectoid." 

[turn 10]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
The monarch buzzes around Cactus!
Cactus became angry!
Cactus attack the enemy!
The enemy took 33 damage!(113/950)
Sunflower got into a ready stance!
Gladiolus attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 35 damage!(78/950)
Rose got into a ready stance!
All members in a ready stance lost all chlorophyll!
It's a super attack!
Sunlight beam lite!
The Monarch of the Mosquitoes took 100 damage!(0/950)
The monarch was defeated!
Sunflower's party was victorious!
Everyone gained exp
Tulip gained bonus exp!
Sunflower grew to lvl 5
Gladiolus grew to lvl 5
Tulip grew to lvl 5
Cactus grew to lvl 5
Rose grew to lvl 4
Gained 500 mint

Sunflower felt his knees collapse as the last bug was annihilated. He felt weak, he had one but it was... over.

One last mosquito landed on Sunflower, it was the one the shadow had touched, it felt like it was made of void... Sunflower remembered what the shadow had said. "I'm doing you a mercy by killing you here." What did it know that he didn't, was their journey that hopeless? Sunflower put those fears aside and squashed the mosquito. He had to fix this world, no matter the tole it took on him. His head perked up, and saw his friends in equal amounts of pain, nobody could move, pain was overwhelming. Sunflower tried to press forward, but he felt his eyes closing, his new resolve meant nothing to this dark fate...

Chapter Text

Sunflower's eyes closed, and he accepted his fate...

The party was fully healed!

Sunflower slowly opened his eyes, the moonlight hit him like a truck as he picked his head off the ground. Strangely, he wasn't hurt at all. He rubbed his body, all of the bites had gone. Had he passed out? He looked around, his friends seemed to be waking up too.

How long had he been out for all the bites to heal? It couldn't be too long since nothing else had come and attacked them. Gladiolus slowly got to her legs, cracking her back. Sunflower stood up too. "How long have we been out?" He asked as everyone else slowly got up. He went and helped Tulip, who was having trouble standing up straight.

"I... don't know." Gladiolus said while brushing the dirt off her jacket. Sunflower sighs, all the mosquito corpses were still on the ground, Sunflower brushed some dirt off his back and then did so to Tulip. He looked up at the moon, perhaps his prayers to it really had been answered in some way, as it was almost glowing brighter now as well.

What exactly happened to the sun, and what was up with the moon. He didn't have long to ponder the questions though, as he heard footsteps approaching them. "Great, now what?" Gladiolus sighed, readying her weapon. "It's coming from this way." Sunflower said, pointing at a direction in the trees. Everyone readied their weapons to brawl and...

Lily walked through the trees and into the clearing. She was holding a bottle of... something, and some food. "LILY!" Rose shouted and ran up to hug her, but Tulip was already there, giving his big sister a big hug. Rose just shrugged as he waited for his turn. Eventually Lily parts with Tulip turning to Rose, the two hug. "C'mon where's my hug?" Cactus sighed. "We don't have a suit of armor you moron" Gladiolus said, looking at Cactus. Sunflower let out a small chuckle and turned to Lily as she parted with Rose.

"So what are you doing out here?" He asks her. "I told ya I'd catch up fast, I thought I'd give you all a little help package, but it seems I arrived at the right time, what happened?" She asked, referring to the mosquito corpses and the gang's former state. "Mosquitoes forms big mosquito, pain ensues." Cactus said woozily. "Cactus... that doesn't explain anything." Rose said with a sigh. "no no I get it, you were attacked by a massive horde of mosquitoes." Lily said. Sunflower sighed "Eh close enough." He responded.

"Anyways, how did you... assuming it was you, heal us?" Sunflower asked. Lily held up the liquid. "I call it sunlight juice, its really easy to make, you just need to find a patch of basil, then mash it, grind it, freeze it, tear it up, cook it, then blend it. Oh and add some flower petals too." She said, Sunflower shuddered. "Oh, that's nice it heals you up like.. instantly?" Rose asks, Lily nods. "Mhm!" Rose sighs. "So much more 3 years of medical school..." He mumbles. "Huh?" Lily asks. "Oh nothing." Rose says in his usually upbeat voice.

"We're headed on our way to those spotlights in the distance, do you want to come with us?" Cactus offers. Lily considers the offer for a moment. "I will, but I'll catch up later, my legs aren't meant for all the walking I've done." She says with a slight chuckle and Cactus shrugs. Tulip gives Lily one last hug and began to head off when Sunflower asks Lily. "Did you see anything like... out of place?" He was trying to avoid giving descriptions of the shadow he saw, but still wanted to know if it was around. "No, everything seemed normal, but I wouldn't be surprised if you all have more battles on the way." She said and Sunflower nodded. "Alright, I'll see you later then." Sunflower said and they headed off.

The trees seemed to thicken at this area, they were walking on less of a path and more of any openings between trees they could find. "I think we're close to... whatever is the source of those spotlights. "Sunflower said, the lights in question shining almost directly overhead.

They trek forward until a roadblock appears. A wide river with no way across. "Great... now what?" Cactus asks, throwing a stick into the river and it is immediately demolished. Sunflower looks around, maybe a bridge was nearby, or at least a fallen tree. He found something else though, it could work.

"Guys tie a rope around my waist... wait we don't have a rope... A vine will do." Sunflower said, looking at the river. "What?! no we are not wading across the river, you saw that stick, it got demolished!" Cactus protests. "For once the moron is right." Gladiolus says. "HEY!" Cactus objects but Gladiolus continues nonetheless.

"Unless you have bones made of iron, you won't make it across that river." She says, Sunflower shakes his head. "I'm not not crossing the river, I just want it as a safety measure, I'm filling up my watering can." He says, taking the gardening device out. Everyone looks at him like's he's crazy, or at least he thinks they do as they're flowers, it's hard to tell.

"Guys trust me, at least just hold me as I fill up my can." He pleaded and Gladiolus and Rose sighed as they held on to Sunflower as he leaned to the river to fill his can. As it hit the water he almost flew out into the river but Gladiolus and Rose held firm. He pulled his hand out and the can was full. "Thanks guys." He says. "It's what friends are for." Rose says cheerfully. Sunflower smiles and walks over to a small plant near the edge of the river. "So... why did you do this?" Gladiolus asks. "Watch." Is all Sunflower gives as a response.

He tipped the watering can over and watered the small sprout, pouring the whole can on it. "That's it, you watered a plant?" Cactus asked confused. Sunflower stepped back, knowing what happens next. "Is this one also going to turn into a giant death monster?" Gladiolus asks concerned. Sunflower sighed, she had forgotten that was Cactus's fault, but that wasn't important.

The ground began to shake. "EARTHQU-" Rose shouts but then thinks for a second. "Oh this is what you wanted huh?" He observes and Sunflower nodded. The plant grew rapidly into a large vine and fell into a makeshift bridge. Sunflower smiled. "Taadaa!" he posed with jazz hands by the vine bridge. "How long could you do that?" Gladiolus asks in awe. "Always." Sunflower says cheekily.

Sunflower helps Tulip cross the vine without falling off as he never had the best balance. Everyone else crossed smoothly though. Sunflower trekked his way through the last bunch of bushes. "You wanna know something odd?" Cactus asked, breaking the silence. "Uhhh sure?" Rose said, taking up the conversation.

"You remember that hampy guy? The one from the garden." He asks. "Yeah what about him? Gladiolus asks. "I saw his uhhhh, mosquito bite ridden corpse in the pile of mosquito corpses." Sunflower looks over at Cactus over that comment. "But... he died." Sunflower says confused, Cactus shrugs. "Beats me." He said.

They were practically under the spotlights now, and Sunflower could hear some... clownly... music as he pushed aside the final bush to the source of the spotlights revealing...

A billboard, they went all this way for a billboard. Sunflower let out a soft scream. "Oh come on really, a fucking sign?!" Gladiolus says while kicking the ground. Sunflower reluctantly reads the advertisement as everyone groans about it.

"The GREATEST SHOW YOU'LL EVER SEE!
One mile ahead, watch as your mind is blown."

"A show..." Sunflower ponders. "Well this is st-" Before Sunflower could continue, he is interrupted by Cactus. "OH SICK A SHOW LETS GO!" He says, beginning to walk. "Hold on, we can waste our time." Sunflower says, holding Cactus's shirt. "pleeeeease?" Tulip whimpers. Sunflower stirs silently. "fine... we could potentially find someone who knows something there anyways." He says. "YAAAAY!" Cactus and Tulip shout and almost high five, Sunflower blushes a little at it. They begin to walk off when they hear a loud scream. "What was that?" Gladiolus asks, before anyone can answer, Cactus is rammed by a floating goat shaped object.

G-defeyer floats in!
[turn 1]
G-defeyer is sad
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacks the enemy!
His attack whiffs...
G-defeyer floats some grass up to its mouth...
Sunflower attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 25 damage!(100/125)
The enemy lost 12 chlorophyll
Gladiolus used triple hit!
The enemy took 27,30,27 damage!(16/125)
The enemy lost 14,15,14 chlorophyll
Gladiolus lost 20 chlorophyll(19/39)
Rose attacked the enemy!
G-defeyer was defeated!
The party gained xp!
Rose grew to lvl 5!

Sunflower dusted himself off, that wasn't the worst thing in the world. "Well... shall we continue? We have a show to get to." Sunflower said, Tulip did a bit of a fist pump and they continued to walk along, the moon still bright overhead.

They trekked in silence, no real conversations to be had, it made Sunflower uncomfortable though, the silence was just eerie to him, just fogs croaking the sounds of twigs breaking as they walked over them. Sunflower was trying to think of any sort of conversation topic, but his minds was running dry, it was odd due to how talkative he usually felt, it's how he got so popular after all. "You know, the sign didn't tell us what show it was." Rose commented. "I think the distant clown music gives it away hehehe" Cactus said with a bit of a chuckle.

"Do you think this will even be worth i- oooooh" Gladiolus interrupted herself and threw her plastic bat to the side
Gladiolus has equipped large stick.

"That's littering pick that up." Sunflower said sounding a little more condescending then he had meant and she sighed and picked it up. She then shoved the whistle she had into the petals and somehow it screeched. "Now why did yo-" Sunflower was stopped by the recycling bin that fell from the sky, where she then deposited the bat. Rose looked up, then at the trash can and just sighed. "You know... I'm not even going to ask." He says defeated.

"Is that seriously all you brought that whistle for? Calling in trash can drops?" Sunflower asked. "No, it's a signal to the gang, you know my other friends?" Sunflower cringed a bit at "other friends" but eventually nodded. "Yeah, I did ask and they said they couldn't help us fully, but I could give them a ring... or blow... WHISTLE BLOW and they'd see if they could help out somehow." She said.

"How did they even get here that fast?" Cactus questioned. Gladiolus chuckled. "Kim's a dragon." Cactus looked at her like she'd just dropped his newborn child off a 7 story building. "You have, A DRAGON GIRLFRIEND. AND YOU DIDN'T BRING HER ALONG?! WE COULD HAVE 7 SUNS BY NOW IF WE HAD A DRAGON!" Cactus shouted at her, Gladiolus kneed him in the stomach.

"SHE ISN'T MY GIRLFRIEND YOU MORON! Anyway's it's like, against the code of the dragon or some shit." She says, almost as if she doesn't have a good reason as to why they are not being helped by the dragon.

Rose sighs. "Calm down you too, let's not attract unwanted attention, and besides, if the dragon is unavailable, the dragon is unavailable. It's not gonna stop us, right?!" Rose holds out his hand for a high five but Gladiolus just looks at him and Cactus was still on the ground from the assault. Tulip, feeling bad for him gave him the high five and went back to observing. Rose hung his head in defeat and Sunflower gave him a sympathetic pat on the back. "let's just, get a move on." He says and continues onward.

Cactus has equipped coconut

"Cactus why do you have a coconut in your hand?" Rose asks. "Well if Gladiolus gets to replace her crappy plastic bat with a stick, I get to replace my crappy ball with a coconut." He says, tossing it up and down like you would an actual basket ball. "Did you at least recycle it?" Sunflower asks. "Yes of course I made the shot into the bin from here." He said proudly with a stance.

"You know, now that I think about it, the trash can is useless. Its just kind of littering in one spot if no one is going to pick it up..." Rose comments. "Do you want me to airdrop an entire garbage truck in here?" Gladiolus asks.

...

"That's what I thought." She says proudly, Sunflower smiles and takes a single step forward and bumps into something

Bananorilla duo attacked!
[turn 1]
Bananorilla A is angry!
What will sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacks Bananorilla A!
Bananorilla A took 42 damage!(108/150)
Bananorilla A flexes its muscles... I think they're muscles...
Bananorilla B lets out a battle cry!
Bananorilla A's attack rose!
Bananorilla B's attack rose!
Sunflower attacked bananorilla A!
Bananorilla A took 36 damage!(72/150)
Gladiolus attacked Bananoirlla A!
Bananorilla A took 47 damage!(25/150)
Rose attacked Bananorilla A!
Bananoirlla A took 20 damage!(5/150)

Sunflower sighed, one of the hulking yellow apes was bad enough, but two was a nightmare. But it didn't seem that difficult, perhaps they really were getting stronger.

[turn 2]
What will sunflower and friends do?
Cactus used orange rush on Bananorilla A!
The attack missed...
Cactus lost 15 chlorophyll(48/62)
Bananorilla A slammed the ground!
Sunflower took 30 damage!(34/64)
Cactus took 33 damage!(35/68)
Cactus has 3 combo points!
Gladiolus took 39 damage!(30/69)
Rose took 45 damage!(25/70)
Bananoirlla B chews a stick of bamboo...
Sunflower attacked Bananorilla A!
Bananorilla A was defeated!
Gladiolus used bully!
The enemy became angry!
The enemy took 48 damage!(102/150)
Rose attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 19 damage!(83/150)

[turn 3]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 43 damage!(40/150)
Bananorilla is lazying about...
Sunflower used vine rush!
Bananorilla fainted!
Sunflower lost 25 chlorophyll(67/93)
Sunflower's party won!
gained 60 mint!
everyone gained exp!

Sunflower dusted himself off, that could've gone a lot worse, he felt powerful. "WOOHOO!" Cactus shouted, slapping Gladiolus in the back, she reels back to to thorns. "AAAAAGH YOU ASSHOLE!" She screams then hits him with her new club. "Stop it you two." Rose asks, carefully helping Cactus up. "Sorry, I.... ghurrrghhh... got excited." He said with a broken smile. "Worth it though." He said with a fist pump, Rose sighed.

"Well... lets continue on." Sunflower said nervously, signaling for the group to move with him. "I need... moment." Cactus said woozily, Sunflower frowned and sat down, waiting for Cactus to recover. "So... is everyone doing alright?" Sunflower asked. "I mean, I miss Lily, but I'm otherwise good." Rose says as he uses a rock as a pillow of sorts.

"That's... cool." Sunflower didn't know why his conversation skills had left him, but it felt like he was an entirely different person, he rubbed the back of his head where the thorns kept the Sunflower mask on, he was thankful no one could ever notice, expect for-

His train of thought was interrupted. "Wow I suddenly feel a lot better! I'm ready to move!" Cactus said, flexing his muscles. "That was... fast, and I made sure to hit you extra hard, well whatever, lets get a move on." Gladiolus says with a sigh, preparing herself for the final stretch of the jungle before whatever the "Greatest show ever" was. Sunflower got himself ready, and waited as everyone else switched relax mode off.

As Tulip finally finished stretching, they continued off on their walk, the clown music a lot louder and more clear at this point. Sunflower smiled, they were probably less then a half mile away by this point, being the fast walkers they are.

"I wonder exactly what we'll see. Like I know it'll be some clowning around. But still, if this is the so called greatest show in the world, what exactly will they be showing us?" Sunflower said, he was just thinking out loud really. "Everyone claims to be the best in the world, this will be nothing special." Gladiolus said. "Besides, we have the best clown in the world here." She signaled to Cactus who shot her a look.

"I can't help my mind from wandering I guess, whatever though." Sunflower says "I'm sure it'll still be enjoyable, and if we get a lead on the sun situation, I'd say it'll have been more than worth it." He sighs looking at the moon once more, he couldn't get the thought out of his head that something was up with it, it's not like he could magically teleport up there and check for himself though.

Sunflower was so lost in his own mind he failed to notice what was straight in front of him. "OW!" he stumbled back. Gladiolus let out a snort and Sunflower sighed. He had to pay more attention, he couldn't just be walking into trees.

"well whate-" Sunflower couldn't finish as something fell out of the tree onto him

Mommy long legs and G-defeyer attacked!
Rose is scared of spiders...
Rose tagged out with Tulip
[turn 1]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacked G-defeyer!
The attack whiffed...
Tulip attacked G-defeyer!
G-defeyer took 27 damage!(98/125)
G-defeyer rammed Gladiolus!
It was a shattering blow!
Gladiolus took 33 damage!
Gladiolus wilted...
Mommy long legs webs Cactus, Cactus's speed fell...
Sunflower attacked Mommy long legs!
Mommy long legs took 30 damage!(90/120)

[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Tulip attacks Mommy long legs!
Mommy long legs took 29 damage!(71/120)
Cactus used orange rush on Mommy long legs!
Mommy long legs took 31 damage!(40/120)
Cactus's speed rose
Cactus lost 15 chlorophyll(33/62)
G defeyer rammed Sunflower
The attack missed...
Mommy long legs bit Tulip!
It was a shattering blow!
Tulip took 34 damage!(21/55)
Tulip has 3 combo points
Sunflower used vine rush on Mommy long legs.
Mommy long legs was defeated!
Sunflower lost 25 chlorophyll(43/93)

[turn 3]
Cactus tagged out with Rose!
Tulip used high pitch on Sunflower!
Sunflower became angry!
Tulip lost 5 chlorophyll(65/70)
G-defeyer rammed Sunflower!
Sunflower took 31 damage!(3/64)
Sunflower attacked G-defeyer!
G-defeyer took 32 damage!(66/125)

[turn 4]
Tulip used silence
Tulip recovered 11 hp(32/55)
Tulip cannot move next turn
G-defeyer floated grass up to its mouth...
Sunflower attacked the enemy!
It was a shattering blow!
G-defeyer took 46 damage!(20/125)
Rose used resuscitate on gladiolus!
Gladiolus was revived!(14/69)
Rose lost 25 chlorophyll(26/51)

[turn 5]
Tulip attacked the enemy!
G-defeyer was defeated!
gained 55 mint!
everyone gained exp!
Cactus gained bonus exp!
Sunflower grew to lvl 6!
Sunflower learned photograph!
Gladiolus grew to lvl 6
Gladiolus learned rage state!
Rose grew to lvl 5!
Tulip grew to lvl 6
Tulip learned perfect melody!

Sunflower dusted off his hands. "I never want to see a goat again." He commented, cracking his back. Cactus laughed. "That was sick, we kicked it's butt!" He flexed his muscles again, for how annoying he was, Sunflower wouldn't have him any other way. "Yeah, awesome, I sure bet." Gladiolus said leaning on a tree, her arm bending a way it shouldn't. "OH MY GOD LET ME HELP!" Rose shouted. and before Gladiolus could say anything, he was messing with her arm until. 

POP!

 "GAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH- oooooohhhhhh~ that feels nice!" She moved her arm around. "Can you do that again, I have never felt so alive." She joked. Rose did not understand the joke. "No, I am not dislocating your other arm." He said, and Gladiolus made a motion that looked like rolling her eyes, but it was still hard to tell. "C'mon guys, lets get moving, we're almost there." Sunflower said while stretching his legs. "we're almost there!" He smiled at his friends, although it was hidden by the sunflower mask. 

Sunflower looked up at the moon as they began to move, the moon looked back at Sunflower. "Just why are you here, and what did you do to the sun...?" He thought. "OOOOH BOYAH! ROCK PAPER SCISSORS CHAMP HERE!" Cactus pulled him out of his mind with a scream as he did a victory dance at his brothers defeat.

He pulled his camera out of his backpack...what? "when did that get there?" He looked at it confused. "Maybe I just packed it and forgot." He shrugged it off and snapped the photo. A new memory, a new moment to immortalize. A new example of the way things should be.

"Hey, head out of the clouds, we're here." Gladiolus said while shaking him a bit. Sunflower looked ahead, the circus music was at full volume. He was expecting this but it was still a surprise.

There was a giant fucking circus in the middle of the jungle.

...

The shadow sighed. He really was trying it again wasn't he? It jumped from the trees into the tops of one of the tents, it had a visit to make...

Chapter Text

Sunflower stared at the massive set of tents before him, It was almost as big as a castle. That fact did not fill him with joy. "I still don't understand why they put the spotlights at the billboard and not here." Rose says while studying the circus. "Maybe we wouldn't be able to see them normally if they were further away?" Gladiolus suggests, Rose shrugged. "Maybe." He responded.

"I hope this is a clownless circus." Sunflower said, eyes on one of the entrances to the main tent, seeing if any clowns exited or entered. "What? What kind of circus has no clowns?" Cactus asked. "I live in hope that this one doesn't I don't want to see a clown ever again." Sunflower said, shuttering at the mere thought of a clown. "I don't like clowns..." He continued. "You don't say, lets just go buy some tickets." Gladiolus said, pulling him out of the bushes.

Sunflower stumbled forward, the sheer size of the circus was only now hitting him. It was bigger than a castle, probably one of the biggest things he had ever seen in his life, it dwarfed the deathtrap, the massive jungle trees, and probably some small islands too. He was afraid of how many clowns could fit in this thing. He knew in his heart of hearts that the hope of no clowns being present was a foolish one. He sighed. "Where are we even going to get tickets?" He asked, looking around for a ticket booth of sorts.

The quick scan for a booth was unsuccessful unfortunately, but to Sunflower it was very fortunate. "Do we just walk in?" Cactus asked, looking for some sign that confirmed or denied this. There was still no sign of an answer. "Let's just walk in, if they tell us to get tickets, let's just ask for directions to a ticket booth." Rose suggested. "Good idea." Everyone said and they walked towards the entrance. 

Sunflower could hear the clamor of the people inside the tent from rather far away. He steadied his breath as he walked towards the entrance of the circus, so many things could go wrong here. His breath was starting to accelerate and his mind was going crazy. He hated this feeling, he hated it with all his heart.

"Hey, you good?" Gladiolus asked, everyone had walked ahead of Sunflower as he stood there panicking. "You just... stopped. Do you hate clowns that much?" Cactus asked, Sunflower gave a weak nod. "We don't have to go if you can't handle it." Tulip said sadly, Sunflower shook his head, he couldn't let Tulip down. "I have to get over this, now or never." He said, though the bravery was just a front for Tulip, Sunflower didn't want him to worry about him. He sighed and walked towards the tent.

"Now or never." He told himself.

Sunflower was holding his breath as he stepped towards the entrance. "Hey." A voice said from nowhere, Sunflower looked around but saw nothing, perhaps he just overhead some other conversation. "I'm talking to you flower boy." The voice said. Sunflower spun all around. "You guys know where that is coming from?" He asked. "Right here." The voice said, and the wall around the door began to move. Sunflower screamed and Gladiolus hit it with her club. "GAAAAHHH OHHHH!" The voice screamed as it fell to the ground.

It appeared to be someone dressed up and standing perfectly still to look like the wall. For how terrifying it was, Sunflower had to admit it was rather impressive. Gladiolus and Cactus were still kicked the living shit out of the employee who was screaming in fear as everyone in the area watched. "Okay you can stop now... I'm good." Sunflower said, putting his hand on Gladiolus's shoulder. Cactus kicked the poor soul one more time before they all backed away. Sunflower considered if they should help the poor soul or just run for a moment.

But it was only a moment, as someone else decided for him. "Okay, we run now." Gladiolus said and pulled Sunflower inside, everyone else following behind quickly. "Okay we might be criminals now, sorry. Anyways, lets go find some place to hide and watch the show." She said while looking around the area.

They eventually found a food shop and decided to stop there. The person running the stand looked at the people standing before hand and sighed like they'd rather be anywhere else. "Hello what can I get for you?" Sunflower looked at the menu and thought. "What do you guys want?" He turned around and asked, as everyone was still studying the menu. The employee sighed as he waited for everyone to decide. "Can I also get a toy?" Tulip asked. "YO THEY GOT TOYS?" Cactus said and Sunflower sighed.

Eventually everyone decided what they wanted, it only took 5 whole hours. Sunflower walked up to the stand employee, and he looked like he went insane 3 hours ago. "Sorry for the short wait, haha." The employee's eye twitched as Sunflower laughed. "Can we have a Sunlight smoothie, two scoops of banana cream pie ice cream, a burning dog, a bag of fertilizer, a bag of pumkin seeds, a doll, and one finger trap please?" Sunflower said, the employee bashed his head into his desk and was removed by what looked like security and replaced. "That will be 550 mint please." The new employee said and Sunflower completed the transaction.

"Wow, we sure are lucky the show hasn't started yet, this sure is a long pre-show." Cactus said as they walked into the main hall and began to look for a seat. Sunflower sighed, the seats were packed. "Let's look for an employee and ask for help." Rose suggested. They began to look for someone to ask. Sunflowers heart dropped as the worst happened, a clown was standing under an information center sign. He was frozen, he wasn't surprised about the clowns, but he still wasn't happy.

"You got this, now lets go." Gladiolus said giving Sunflower a pat on the back. He gulped, she was right. Sunflower had to do this, now or never... He walked up to the stand. The person inside didn't look too hostile, just bored really. Sunflower didn't know how to feel about all the employees here looking like they wanted to die. The employee looked down at them, Sunflowers heart began to race, the clown laughed its ominous laugh and asked. "What can I dohohoho to help you." In the most monochrome voice possible.

"H-HI mister, can you h-h-help us find se-seats?" He stuttered a lot but got it out eventually. The clown looked at Sunflower like he wished he didn't exist. "Elevator, right." He said and pointed behind him. Sunflower was surprised this place had elevators, for a tent it was more like a castle. "Alright guys lets go!" He says, the less he has to be around the clown the better. 

They all head to the elevator and get in. "What floor do ya bet?" Cactus says, examining the buttons. "the plaque over here says all the buttons marked with S are for seating... So maybe S3?" He suggests and Cactus hits the button and they begin their ascent. "Why 3 and not 2?" Sunflower asks. "We waited so long 2 might be filled." Rose responds, Sunflower smiled, Rose always thought of good ideas with better reasons.

"It always seems so obvious after Rose points anything out." Sunflower thought to himself.

The elevator eventually whirred to floor three and the group exited. "Its... certainly more packed then I thought... Just how many people are coming to see this?" Rose said. "Hey, at least there are still seats here, lets go." Sunfloer said, guiding the group to a row of open seats. On the open seats there were packets as guides for the show. Sunflower read it.

"Witness the greatest show own earth, in person!(wow aint that just a gob smacker)
See the legend live on stage!
Wittiness animals! Comedy! Action! All in one show!
Esters Carnival! Live!"

After that it listed some of the events that would occur in the show, it all seemed very interesting, except for anything that mentioned the word clown. Cactus set down the packet that was on his seat. "Who's this legend they're talking about?" He asked. "Probably that Ester guy mentioned a few times, he seems to be the ringleader and main attraction of sorts." Rose said as he flipped through the packet once more.

"Why does it matter who it is, show's still the show." Gladiolus said, sipping on a drink Sunflower didn't remember paying for. "I dunno, it just feels important." Cactus says, shrugging. At that moment, the lights dimmed and the crowd began to scream. It was ear splitting, Sunflower had never heard people cheer louder. Av voice began to speak over the speakers. "HELLO ONE AND ALL LOVELY FANS! WE ARE HERE TO BRING YOU ANOTHER GREAT SHOW! I'VE DONE THIS SPEECH MORE MONTHS THEN I'VE BEEN ALIVE, SO LETS GET ON WITH IT, TAKE IT AWAY ESTER!" Spotlights then moved to a part of the stage revealing...

Nothing, the spotlights shone on nothing except the floor, the audience goes quiet, the speaker picks pack up. "Uhhhhh... Ester... you anywhere?" clearly something was wrong. A few of the younger audience laughs at the apparent mishap. "Ester you are needed on stage left N-" The speaker was interrupted as the air where the spotlights were pointing began to spin around, and fire began to float nearby. The audience erupted into cheers once more when...

A figure with a cape and tophat teleported in to the middle of the spotlights. They held out their hand and a microphone held by nothing shot to their hand. "HELLO ALL! AND WELCOME TO THE SHOW, I AM ESTER THE JESTER! NOW SHALL WE BEGIN?" Ester shouted and all the lights turned on, to reveal all the props on stage. Massive playground-esk structures, animals in cages, animals out of cages, cages in animals. Sunflower couldn't believe what he was seeing, just a second ago the stage was empty, although to be fair, someone did literally just teleport onto the stage.

"Now, unfortunately, some of my employees have been injured, so for an exciting change, I'll select some of you from the audience!" Ester waved his hands at the crowd, suddenly Sunflower wasn't enjoying the show anymore. The spotlights zoomed around the whole audience. Sunflower didn't know why he was scared, there was 10 floors of seats almost all full of people, no way him and his friends would get picked. Right?

"Right?"

Sunflower, of course thought wrong. All of the spotlights stop at once over them. The audience erupted in cheers. "Well well! A garden of helpers!" Ester then spun around in his cape and teleported right on the railing in front of Sunflower. "You lucky five, now tell me your names if you don't mind?" Ester then holds the mic in front of the group.

"Sunflower."
"Cactus."
"Rose."
"Gladiolus."
"...Tulip."

"Unique yet predictable names I see." Ester then pulls a rope latter out of... somewhere and holds it in midair with magic, signaling for everyone to climb down. Everyone began to climb down, yet Tulip was frozen. "Right... he's afraid of heights." Sunflower thought worriedly, he began to climb up to help him but Ester held out his hand, stopping Sunflower. "Don't worry my large petaled friend. Prepare to have your mind blown!" Ester then tapped Tulip and Tulip turned into a... Tulip. "WH- WHAT DID YOU DO?!" Sunflower yelled, Ester ignored him and put the tulip to his mouth and jumped down to the ground with a backflip. Everyone climbed down after him.

They reached the ground and ran towards Ester. "Now be amazed!" Ester took the tulip out of his mouth and threw it in the air, and it turned back into Tulip, who was now soaked in his stomach area. Ester laughed. "Impressed little blossoms?" He says, somehow seeming taller then he was a moment ago. Sunflower chalked that up to magic.

"Now we have a show to begin! And our BEAUTIFUL!" Ester made it rain flowers on the crowd with the word beautiful. "Crowd is raving for some action!" He said, he waved his arms in a circle and Sunflower noticed the other employees in the shadows getting ready.

"Now!" Ester did a backflip onto the top of a large pole in the stage. "LIGHTS!" He created a large flash. "EXCITEMENT!" He then opened the cages to some of the more dangerous animals using magic. "DANGER!" Then he caused some explosions around the stage, at this point Sunflower grew concerned. "AND MAGIC!" Ester began to fly around the stage, this seemed to be the signal for the show to begin.

Sunflower looked towards the top of the tent by instinct, coincidentally there was a hole at the top. Sunflower stared, the moon stared back, and Ester's carnival began.

The clowns then ran and flipped over Sunflower and his friends. Sunflower tripped over himself in shock but recovered quickly. The clowns did a backflip onto two lions and with what seemed like years of practice rode around them, throwing pies at each other. Sunflower found himself in the middle of this chaos, he looked up at Ester who seemed to be folding a paper airplane. No help from there apparently. Ester hadn't given them instructions on what to do exactly, it just seemed to be an everyone does everything everywhere at once type of show.

"It's like a battlefield down here! Why is the audience laughing?! WHAT DO WE DO?!" Rose screamed, he then ducked as a pie got thrown over his head. Sunflower then felt something hit his back. He turned around and saw the paper airplane Ester folded flying around. Sunflower grabbed and opened it, inside appeared to be notes on what to do.

"Hello my patch of assistants, I need you to preform a few acts! They are listed below, don't worry about order, just do them!
-battle the lion riding clowns After they preform their play
-climb to the top of this random playground I stole and do the dynamite juggle on a unicycle on a tightrope
-pie fight
-preform a 7 hour comedy stand up show
-play the role of the heroes during our first play(includes fight scenes)
-human pyramid
-work with clown group C to preform the human tightrope
-and launch eachother out of a cannon
Good luck my new interns- Ester the jester."

Sunflower looked at the letter with horror. "This isn't a show. This is total chaos!" Gladiolus said, looking around at several acts going on at the same time, a clown gunning down another clown, a zebra riding and elephant, two actual dragons fighting in the upper levels, and just more overall chaos. "How can people like this?! This is utter insanity!" Cactus asked as he scraped a misfired pie off his shirt. "Can we just... leave?" Rose asked while pointing to the exit. "Can you see what Ester is doing?! He's making people fly, explode, and combust. He can kill us in 2 seconds, no way in hell we fight him!" Sunflower says, watching the all powerful jester preform impossible acts.

Sunflower thinks for a moment, forming a plan of action. "Cactus you go preform the 7 hour comedy show, everyone else lets go do that dynamite thing." Sunflower says, pointing towards the required places of interest. "What why do I have to do the seven hour go insane convention?" He asks sadly. "Thorns." Sunflower said, Cactus nodded. "Thorns." 

"Glad we got that settled, okay everyone, lets do this!" Sunflower said, putting his hand in the middle of the circle they were in. "What are you doing?" Gladiolus asked. "You know, those things where everyone puts their hand in a circle and we're all like go team or something?" He explained. "Whatever lets just go." She said, breaking the circle and walking towards the structure. Cactus walked towards the comedy stage.

Sunflower ran towards the stolen playground and noticed the rope tied to the tallest pole, A unicycle sitting besides it. "Well at least one part of this is easy." Gladiolus says as she began to scramble up the structure. Of course it couldn't be easy as a clown jumps out and scares her, causing the clown's face to be broken. "DON'T SCARE ME LIKE THAT GODDAMNIT!" She screamed and hurried up the structure. "Should we follow her?" Sunflower asks. "She an angry girlboss, anything that comes near her will be eviscerated." Rose said as he sat down and watched. Tulip and Sunflower found the idea to be a good one and they sat down, watching clowns get thrown out of the structure. 

Eventually the clattering stopped, and Sunflower grew curious. "I'm going to go check on her." He said and headed into the playground. He saw several knocked out clowns along the way and marks of angry bashing. He reached the top little cube thing and saw Gladiolus out of breath on the wall. "I think I get why you hate clowns." She said. Sunflower stuck his arm out of a hole in the wall and gave a thumbs up to Tulip and Rose.

Cactus leaned on the stool. "and that's when I said, whaaaaaaaaaaat?!" The audiance watching him roared into laughter, he had told them everything he knew. He looked to the timer, it had been 7 minutes.

Rose and Tulip eventually got to the small cube room. Sunflower and Gladiolus were sitting down and talking about life. "What did you do to those clowns... you broke bones I didn't know existed." Rose asked as he looked at the unconscious probably dead clown slumped over in the corner.

"I wasn't dealing with 10 minutes of him screaming at every clown so I dealt with it." She said, slinging her bat over her shoulder proudly. Sunflower frowned. "Well whatever, who wants to juggle the dynamite and say goodbye." Rose said, looking at the rope and pole from another hole in the wall.

"You know what, I'll do it." Sunflower said, a random burst of confidence bursting through him. He was then dragged to the floor. "The fuck you will, I'm actually able to juggle well, I'm sure a unicycle cant be that hard to learn." Gladiolus said, giving her club to tulip to hold. "Wish me luck, I won't use it." She said as she climbed to the platform.

"And that's how porcupines came to be." Cactus said as he flexed his legs. The audience roared with laughter once more, but he was running out of random stuff to make up. it had only been 15 minutes anyways.

Gladiolus reached the top, unicycle in hand. Sunflower watched worriedly from below, she was way in over her head. He really wished he hadn't agreed to come here, he felt stupid now. "Is there any way we could possibly help?" He asked Rose, who shrugged in response. Sunflower began to panic, there was no way in hell Gladiolus could to this, what was she thinking, what was Ester thinking?

He started to climb up after her but a shadow floated down towards him. Ester shook his head. "Sorry compadre, this challenge is solo only, but hey, I've had no one die while doing it before, I'm sure your untrained friend can do it!" He pat Sunflower on the back then floated towards Gladiolus, almost the whole audience was watching. Ester pulled some dynamite out of his hat and floated there, watching Gladiolus set up the unicycle. "You ready?!" Ester asked, lighting the dynamites with magic. "No." Gladiolus said as she began to cycle onto the rope.

Ester waited a few seconds before tossing her the dynamite, Gladiolus caught it and began to juggle them. Although juggle may be a bit of an overstatement, as Gladiolus began to just haphazardly toss them in the air in front of her then catch them and repeat. The audience who was watching seemed to love it, even those dragons from before had stopped tearing each other apart to watch this go down. Gladiolus was somehow still on the rope at this point, Sunflower didn't even know how this was possible.

Eventually the dynamites timer wore thin, it hadn't even crossed Sunflower's mind of what she'd do once they were about to explode. Gladiolus seemed to though, as she waited for the rope to almost be entirely burned up, then threw the dynamite at Ester! It went into their cape and Sunflower heard a deafening boom. He opened his eyes to see a mass of flower petals everywhere. He looked at Gladiolus, she seemed okay. Rose and Tulip who had been behind him were okay too. Ester mustve made this happen somehow.

"Be amazed!" They shouted and flew around the circus and the usual activities of hell on earth continued. Gladiolus wheeled the unicycle back to the platform and collapsed. "I've never hated a... whatever they are, I doubt they're human at this point." she said, laying on the platform. The stunt clearly took a lot out of her. "We have to wait here for over 7 hours, let's just take a quick break." Sunflower said as he sat down on the platform with her.

One of the dragons fell behind him as the other roared in victory. "Wow this whole thing is really starting to drag on eh?" Cactus said with a shrug. Despite that being the worst joke ever, the audience still roared with laughter. 6 entire hours to go, Cactus wondered if he could do it.

Gladiolus sat up. "Okay resting is boring, let's go do that human tightrope thing." She said. "One issue... which of the billion clowns out here is clown group C?" Rose asked. Sunflower didn't want to look, he had already seen enough clowns today, enough for the rest of his life even. He put his hands over his eyes. "I hate this so much." He groaned, Tulip gave him a pat on the back. "Perhaps there's a way out of this?" Rose wondered. "Escape? You saw what that jester did to a dynamite explosion... like hell we could escape him." Gladiolus said. 

"She has a point." Sunflower thought to himself. "But on the other hand, I don't think anyone else can take much more of this." The other part of his brain said. He thought about what to say for a bit more. "How about we just do what he says for a bit longer, do the human tightrope, beat up the lion riding clowns, then try to escape." He says. 

"That's... a really good plan!" Gladiolus says. "Alright then, lets do ourselves a tightrope!" Rose says as he stands up, they then head off to go find clown group c

"Really, and then like, the whale said. "really." it was wild." Cactus said. He was making things up, he just wanted this to be over.

Sunflower was trying his hardest to not look around, too much clowns around, it made him feel nervous. He decided to look up and check on Ester who was currently riding a horse in midair as the audience ooh'd and aah'd. "How do we know what gaggle of clowns is clown group c?" Rose asked. "Beats me, lets just ask a clown who isn't dead or doing something like riding on an elephant that is balancing on a ball." She suggests. Sunflower didn't want to be any help on this part. "That leaves almost no clowns." Rose said. "Well then C might be easy to find, lets ask that group there." Gladiolus responded as she pulled Sunflower along with her.

Rose walked up to the clowns and cleared his... whatever to get their attention. "Hello, do you fine funnymen know where clown group c is?" He asked in his most fancy voice. "Us, you the tightrope replacements." One of the clowns said, he sounded like he smoked a pack of cigarettes a day. "Yeah, we gotta make a rope apparently." Gladiolus said, the Clown sighed. "ALRIGHT BOYS LETS GET TO WORK!" He yelled and Gladiolus pulled Sunflower forwards. He still didn't look up, a panic attack would be devastating at this point. 

They all climbed up a latter to a platform in the air, across from the there was another platform that Rose and the other clowns were going to apparently. "Hey, get your head in the game, your gonna be the start of this side, so its gonna be very you dependent, got it?" Gladiolus said, forcing him to look in her eyes as she spoke. "G-got it!" He stuttered out before looking back at the ground away from the clowns. Gladiolus pulled his face back up forcing him to look at the clowns. "FACE IT MOTHERFUCKER!" She yelled.

His heart began to beat faster, his breath accelerating. clowns. He felt like he was going to fall over, his fear gripping his mind. Gladiolus slapped him. "Focus, bridge, not clowns." She said before heading to join Tulip on the forming bridge. Sunflower took a deep breath.

"Bridge... not clowns." He thought to himself and went to go join everyone.

He grabbed the bar at the edge of his platform and dangled his legs off. He held his breath and waited for the clowns on the other side to grab his legs and... Success! He felt something grab the back of his legs, he just hoped it was the arms of the clown behind him. Which a quick look behind him revealed to be true, it also revealed an elephant about to cross the bridge made of living things. Sunflower began to scream, causing Tulip to notice the massive mammal and begin to lose his grip.

The massive beast began to walk across and both Sunflower and Tulip were losing their hold. The elephant walked closer and closer to Tulip. "Please for the love of god hold on." Gladiolus said to Tulip who was right behind her. The elephant waked over Tulip and... nothing happened, it walked over Tulip, Gladiolus, a clown, then Sunflower without an issue. Sunflower looked at it, it was defiantly a real elephant that was of normal health and weight.

"Alright lets disassemble." Said the chain smoking clown who was at the opposite end to Sunflower. The clown then let go and Sunflower held on for dear life as everyone behind him swung towards the pole. Rose, Gladiolus, and Tulip all screamed as they approached. Then the clown at the end stuck out his legs and they stopped safely and began to climb off. "I never want to do anything again." Sunflower said to himself out of breath...

"So in conclusion, we do not learn, and what we think is learning is really just us tricking ourselves into knowing more." Cactus said as the audience silently nodded. He was pretty sure he messed up the quote but that didn't matter, he looked at the clock to see how long until freedom, it had only been 1 hour and 45 minutes. Cactus screamed and the audience laughed.

Eventually the person climbed down and Sunflower pulled himself up to the platform and began to climb down. His friends were waiting for him. He reached the bottom and let out a sigh the size of which had never been seen before. "let's... hurry please I can't take this." He said exhausted. Tulip gave him a hug and Sunflower gave him a pat. on the back.

"That's cute and all but lets move on." Gladiolus said. "look, the two lion riders are done, lets beat the shit out of them and then go rescue Cactus and leave" She said as she pointed to the spots they'd go.

"Alright, lets go beat up some clowns!" Sunflower said and Gladiolus cheered. Rose sighed. "Are you okay?" He asked. "No." Gladiolus responded as she took off. "this day..." Rose sighed as he followed after her, Tulip and Sunflower following suit.

They reached the lion riding clowns who were relaxing by the cage that once held a bunch of rabid monkeys who were now chasing another group of clowns. "Hey uhhhh... this may be odd but we have orders to beat the shit out of you." Gladiolus said. The two clowns looked at each other. "What?" They both said

[turn 1]
Sunflower is afraid of clowns...
Sunflower became afraid.
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Tulip attacked rodeo clown A!
Rodeo clown A took 26 damage!(134/160)
Rodeo clown A's lion roared!
Rodeo clown A's attack rose!
Rodeo clown B straightens his bow tie...
Sunflower used pumpkin seeds!
Everyone recovered 20 hp!
Gladiolus used rage state!
Gladiolus became angry
Gladiolus's attack rose!
Gladiolus became uncontrollable! 
Gladiolus lost 12 chlorophyll(7/41)
Rose attacked Rodeo clown A!
Rodeo clown A took 20 damage!(114/160)

[turn 2]
What will sunflower and friends do?
Tulip attacked Rodeo clown A!
Rodeo clown A took 31 damage!(83/160)
Rodeo clown A attacked Rose!
Rose took 33 damage!(12/70)
Rose has 3 combo points!
Rodeo clown B's lion roared!
Rodeo clown B's attack rose!
Sunflower attacked Rodeo clown A!
Rodeo clown A took 29 damage!(55/160)
Gladiolus attacked Rodeo clown B!
Rodeo clown B took 51 damage!(109/160)
Rose used check up on Rose!
Rose recovered 35 hp!(47/70)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll(16/54)

[turn 3]
What will Sunflower and friend do?
Tulip attacked Rodeo clown A!
It was a shattering blow!
Rodeo clown A was defeated!
Rodeo clown attacked Rose!
Rose took 38 damage!(9/70)
Sunflower attacks The enemy!
The enemy took 30 damage!(79/160)
Gladiolus attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 52 damage!(27/160)
Rose attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 21 damage!(6/160)

[turn 4]
Tulip attacked the enemy!
Rodeo clown was defeated!
Sunflower and friends were victorious!
Everyone gained exp!

The other clown fell over and Sunflower sighed. "Any chance they have the ingredients for Sunlight juice sitting around?" He asked, Rose shrugged in response. "Whatever, let's grab Cactus and escape." Gladiolus says. Sunflower nods and they headed off the grab Cactus.

Cactus sighed, it had only been two and a half hours. "So, I just thought of the best joke ever." He said to the audience which was barely watching him anymore. There was pure silence and he sighed again.

Sunflower snuck up behind the stage. "Alright, just grab his shirt and say its comedy intermission." He said. Gladiolus nodded and headed onto the stage. Moments later she came back dragging Cactus behind her. She dropped him on the floor and started picking thorns out of her hand. "What... what are you guys doing?" Cactus asked in a null voice. "We're escaping, you do not have a choice." Gladiolus said. Cactus stood up and nodded. "Well? What are we waiting for,?" He asked and Sunflower nodded.

"Alright, so next part of the plan, we head for the stage exit opposite side to the seating elevators." Gladiolus said, pointing to the exit. "We hide behind the cages and cannons, if Ester see's us tell him we are preparing for the cannon launch act." She continued. she looked around at everyone "Any questions? Good lets go." She said before marching off, everyone following quickly behind. Sunflower looked at the hole in the tent again, the moon was still there, watching him, he felt comfortable yet uneasy.

He looked back at the all the chaos as they snuck out, Ester was firing lazers at a T-rex. Sunflower didn't want to know what'd happen if they got caught. It surely would be the end of their journey. HE followed Gladiolus as they snuck behind cages polls and stages, eventually reaching the door out of the main show area. "Alright now what." Said Cactus. Gladiolus shrugged. "Hopefully we just leave." She said and opened the door, it was now time to make their escape.

...

The shadow entered the main office... the jester was nowhere to be found, perhaps the show had started. It readied itself. The only way to come face to face with the jester was to get it's attention it seems...

Chapter Text

Sunflower entered into the hallway, lights lined the less tent like ceiling and the area seemed to have a more business focused aura. "Talk about whiplash..." Cactus said as he peaked through an empty door. "It's like they said playtime is over, we do taxes now." Rose said as they crept along the eerily silent hallway. Sunflower looked inside one of the rooms and gasped. "Guys look in here!" He said, waving his hand to hurry everyone along.

Inside the room there was a clown who appeared to be knocked out and badly injured, but more importantly, there was a patch of basil growing through a hole in the tents floor. "Sunlight juice!" Cactus cheered and everyone got to work.

The party was fully healed.

Sunflower stretched his body, he felt like he had just awoken from the best nap of his life. "I feel like god himself has just come down and kissed me." Gladiolus said as she finished her drink. "Why couldn't Lily wake us up last time before giving this to us." Rose said after finishing his drink. Sunflower looked at the knocked out clown.

"I never saw a clown in this uniform in the show... what happened to him?" He thought to himself. But he didn't have time to continue his thoughts. 

"We gotta move, the further we get before someone notices we're gone the better." He said, signaling for everyone to go. Everyone followed Sunflower out of the room and they continued down the hallway. As they went they checked empty rooms. 

"Hey, this one's empty, lets check it out." Gladiolus said as she peaked in one of the rooms. Sunflower followed her in.

This room was quite larger then the other rooms they had been in, it had several desk, some wrapped up presents, and a set of stairs. "I wonder what this room is for." Sunflower said as he looked around for clues. Before they could get anything done they heard footsteps and voices coming down the stairs. "Shit uhhh... hide!" Gladiolus whispered at them as she ducked under a desk. Tulip hid behind all the presents, Cactus hid himself under the stairs, and Rose hid under another desk. Sunflower was out of places to hide, there was only space for one person where everyone else hid. He looked around in a panic.

Gladiolus signaled to Sunflower to get under the desk with her. He rushed over, there was no way they could both fit. "I can't fit in there!" He whispered at her. She sighed and balled herself into an awkward position, allowing Sunflower to squish in at an even more awkward position. Sunflower couldn't say anything at all though, the people had arrived in the room. No one made any noise, they just listened closely to the people talking and walking, praying they wouldn't stay in the room for long.

The people in the room stood and kept on talking... and talking... and talking. Sunflower felt like it had already been ten minutes, and he felt itchy, horribly so. But due to the position he was in, he could not move at all. The group in the room all laugh simultaneously at the worst time, as Sunflower then sneezed, which rocketed his head into the desk above him, making a loud slam noise. He instantly held hos breath and stopped moving at all. 

"Did you hear something?" one of the people in the room asked. "They're launching people out of cannons out there. Of course you'd here something." Another one says. "Who cares, we gotta warn Ester about the disturbance at the top floor, something is going through and mauling security and we gotta get him to help." The third one says before they all eventually leave the room.

Sunflower tumbles out of his spot bringing Gladiolus down with him. She pushes him off her and gets up as everyone else exits their hiding spots. They all wait in silence for a moment to make sure the three people were gone. Everyone then sighed the biggest sigh of relief. Sunflower stood up, looking around the room. "That was... too close." He said as he dusted himself off. Gladiolus sighed. "Next time I'd rather just fight them." She said as she wiped some of Sunflower's sneeze off her. "ew..." is all Rose had to add.

"Anyways..." Sunflower tried to change the subject. "we should move on, we could continue down the hallway or go up the stairs..." He said. "Better idea, what's in the presents." Cactus said tearing some open. It was just a bunch of random items. 

Rose equipped scalpel

Rose picked up a scalpel ."Cactus, don't just toss this behind you, you could've hurt someone." Rose said as he shoved it in his pocket. "Why do they even have that here?" Gladiolus asked. "beats me." Rose said with a shrug. "Anyways... Hallway or stairs?" Sunflower asked, ignoring the mess cactus was making in with the presents. "I'd say... stairs, never know when those people might return." Rose suggested. "They were going to the main circus, they are not coming back. More of those people might be up the stairs." Gladiolus said, countering Rose's point.

They stared at eachother, both had valid points in Sunflower's eyes and either one could work. "How about we... vote?" He said, trying to get pressure off himself. "So Cactus, Tulip, and I will vote for either side, sound good?" He asked, praying they wouldn't smite him for being a coward. "Fair enough..." Gladiolus said with a sigh. "Alright, just vote, no need to make it fancy." She said as she sat down and waited. Gladiolus and Rose looked at everyone as they stayed silent.

"VOTE FOR SOMEONE!" Gladiolus screams at everyone. "You." Tulip says hastily after, presumably out of fear. Cactus on the other hand stands there for a moment, thinking of the two points, or not, not like Sunflower could tell. "Rose clearly has the better point." Cactus says smugly. Sunflower gulped.

"great a tie, exactly what I wanted..." Sunflower thought to himself.

Rose and Gladiolus looked at Sunflower, waiting for a response from him. 

Sunflower sighed and considered the points. The hallways and almost every room had been empty, and they didn't know what was upstairs. But what if more people were going to the circus from the hallway, not every room had been empty. He sat there and just thought. "I'll go with..." He hesitated, but forced the words out. "Gladiolus." He said nervously, he felt bad for some reason.

"Well then, vote's a vote. Let's go." Rose said, Sunflower was unable to tell if he was hiding anger in his voice. They all got up and exited the room, as they did so, Sunflower wondered if he had made the right choice.

They all exited the room and Sunflower looked up and down the hall, there was no one to be seen. Sunflower quietly lead everyone down the hallway, checking on the rooms they passed by less, there wasn't any rooms as interesting as the one they hid in anyways.

Eventually, they found themselves at a crossroads, left, right, or straight. "Well... now what?" Gladiolus said as she examined the paths. The two sides seemed to curve in the distance and the straight one led to some stairs. "Where do we head now?" Cactus asked. Sunflower thought for a moment. "If I remember correctly, the edge of the tent is left." Sunflower said confidently. "You're sure?" Gladiolus asked, Sunflower nodded. "I have a great sense of direction." He said. "If you say so." She responded and they turned left.

"I wonder how close we are to the exit..." Rose said as they walked along the empty hallway. "This castle was huge, you saw, we can't take the way we came in from, so we just have to find another way." Sunflower said. Eventually, he noticed a door in the distance, two doors actually. Sunflower ran up to them. He looked at the signs on them, they were bathrooms. "Anyone need to go?" Sunflower asked awkwardly. "Actually, I do." Cactus said as he opened one of the doors.

Unfortunately right as Cactus did so, a clown wearing a security outfit was right at the doorway. "This area is off limits!" He said and decked Cactus

Security clown attacked!
[turn 1]
Sunflower is afraid of clowns
Sunflower became afraid
Security clown is happy
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Security clown attacks Rose!
Rose took 25 damage!(45/70)
Tulip attacks the enemy!
It whiffed....
Sunflower attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 33 damage!(157/190)
Gladiolus attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 42 damage!(115/190)
Gladiolus combo'd with Sunflower!
Sunflower attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 31 damage!(84/190)
Rose attacked the enemy!
The enemy took 30 damage!(54/190)

[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Security clown attacks Sunflower!
It's a moving hit!
Sunflower took 43 damage!(24/67)
Sunflower has 3 combo points!
Tulip attacks the enemy!
It whiffed...
Sunflower attacks the enemy!
The enemy took 32 damage!(22/190)
Gladiolus attacks the enemy
Security clown was defeated!
Everyone gained exp!
Gained 65 mint!
Rose grew to lvl 6!
Rose learned mystery pill!

The clown fell over and Cactus stood up "yikes, talk about a potty attitude." Cactus says. "That was the worst joke in the history of jokes, go to the bathroom so we can move on." Gladiolus says as she leans on the wall. Cactus then headed to the bathroom.

"Do you think that anyone heard that?" Rose asks. "I'm not sure, we don't know how many employees are here." Sunflower says as he sits down to rest. He looked up and down the hallway just to be sure, it seemed no one was in the immediate range of the battle. "Where should we head after we get out of here?" Sunflower asked in an attempt to start a conversation. "Beats me, I saw several paths besides the one we used to get here leading to the the clearing." Gladiolus said. Sunflower nodded slowly. "I guess we'll just decide once we get out of here.

Cactus then came out of the bathroom. "I feel INFINITELY better!" he says with a stretch. "Keep it down! Someone may hear us, we're apparently in a restricted area." Gladiolus says, almost slapping Cactus yet again. "Right right... anyways, should we go onward?" Cactus says, only lowering his voice by a tiny amount. "Don't make me actually hit you." Gladiolus responded in a low but serious voice. Cactus gulped. "Understood ma'am." They then continued walking.

The hallway then split in two directions, everyone looked at Sunflower for his sense of direction. Unfortunately, after the fight, Sunflower had lost his. "Uhhhhh..." He looked at the two directions and looked behind him. He had to take a guess and pray. "Right!" He said, unsure if the fake confidence in his voice fooled anyone. They turned the right corner and began walking.

"Do you think-" Rose was then interrupted by shouting. "I FOUND THEM! THE RUNAWAYS!" The clown yelled into a walkie talkie and charged at the group.

...

Ester was flying around his circus, thanking his audience for a good first half of the show. He turned of his mic and sighed. He could use some rest. Unfortunately, a voice piped through his earpiece. "Ester, meet me at the zone 7 exit, I have something to tell you." The voice said. It was his head of security.

Ester flew down to the exit and saw a security squad waiting for him. "What's up." He said as he took of his large hat and wiped the sweat of his forehead. "There's... a disturbance in the upper floors. Some... thing has taken out most of security, the rest is focused on getting some... flowers? Out of a restricted area. Whatever is in the upper levels is telling us it wants an audience with you." The security head said. "Well there goes my break... I'll see what I can do." Ester said as he flew off through the hallways.

As he flew up the levels, the higher he got the more knocked out and dead security he saw, he sighed. It was going to be a PR nightmare. He eventually flew to his office, the doors were wide open, and the chair he sat in spun facing towards the wall. But Ester felt some sort of presence in it. He sensed violent intent and readied himself. "Just what are you?" He asked...

...

Security clown and circus cat attacked!
[turn 1]
Sunflower is afraid of clowns
Sunflower became afraid
What will sunflower and friends do?
Tulip attacks Security clown!
Security clown took 30 damage!(160/190)
Security clown sprays everyone with a fake flower!
Everyone's accuracy and speed fell!
Circus cat slashes Gladiolus!
Gladiolus took 29 damage!(43/72)
Sunflower used vine rush on Security clown!
Security clown took 60 damage!(100/190)
Sunflower lost 25 chlorophyll(70/95)
Gladiolus attacked Circus cat!
It whiffed...
Rose used mystery pill on Sunflower
Sunflower became angry!
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll(48/58)

[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Security clown pummels Tulip!
Tulip took 48 damage!(10/58)
Circus cat swipes Gladiolus!
Gladiolus took 23 damage!(20/72)
Tulip attacks Security clown!
it whiffed...
Sunflower used Vine rush on Security clown!
Security clown took 73 damage!(27/190)
Sunflower lost 25 chlorophyll(45/95)
Gladiolus attacked circus cat!
Circus cat took 47 damage!(63/110)
Rose used check up on Sunflower!
Sunflower recovered 33 hp!(57/67)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll(38/58)

[turn 3]
Security clown pummels Sunflower!
Sunflower took 46 damage!(11/67)
Circus cat sharpens its claws
Circus cat's attack rose
Tulip attacked security clown!
Security clown was defeated!
Sunflower used vine rush!
Circus cat was defeated!
Sunflower lost 25 chlorophyll(20/95)
gained 105 mint!
Everyone gained exp!

The man fell over, Sunflower sighed. "Well, do we continue..?" Sunflower asked a little unsure. "Yeah, sticking around here doesn't seem like a good idea." Rose said, staring at the unconscious clown on the ground. They take a few steps forward before they found who they think was on the other side of the walkie talkie. A whole stampede of clowns turns a corner to face everyone. "Guys, small thought, let's go left now!" Sunflower said, slowly backing away before turning around and sprinting and going around the other direction.

The mass of security clowns was close behind them, but Gladiolus scooped Tulip into her arms to Sunflower's jealousy and kept on running at full speed. "WHERE DO WE GO?!" Cactus shouted as the sped down the hallway. "QUICK UP THOSE STAIRS!" Sunflower shouted back as he noticed some stairs coming up to their side. They didn't slow down as they turned and went up the massive spiral staircase. It kept on going up for what seemed to be like ages, speeding up the massive staircase. 

Eventually though, they reached the top. Handily enough, there was a large lever that allowed for the staircase to be collapsed. "PULL IT QUICK!" Gladiolus shouted and Sunflower yanked the lever, causing the staircase to fall over and for all the pursuers to fall down.

"That... hopefully bought us enough time to think of something..." Gladiolus said as she set Tulip and collapsed. Sunflower looked around, there was just a large table with some stuff on it, a massive door, and a plaque next to the door most likely signifying the rooms usage. Sunflower looked at what was on the table. Oddly enough, there was some Basil and flowers on the desk. "Guys look!" he shouted, and they all ran over. "Oh sweet!" Rose said. 

Rose made everyone some Sunlight juice and they all had some.

the party was fully healed.

"Ahhh that hits the spot!" Cactus said as he flexed his arms. "Stop messing around, we need to think of something before those clowns get up here." Gladiolus said. "How about this room" She continued.

Sunflower looked at the massive doors, he then read the plaque.

"Ester's office."

Sunflower gulped. "He can't be in there, right?" Sunflower said nervously. "Nah, he's running a show, c'mon face your fears." Cactus said, the sound of those last few words rattled around Sunflowers head. He breathed in, then out.

"Alright, let's do this." He said as he slowly pushed open the massive doors.

The second Sunflower walked in, time seemed to stop again. Then the chair in the room swiveled around, and Sunflower got his first real look at the shadow.

it looked like...

...

Sunflower shuttered.

"I told you, yet here you are. I hope you know I don't want to hurt you, I'm merely saving you." The demon said.

"Who are you!" Sunflower shouted at it. It did not respond, it merely vanished and time began to move again. 

Ester then stepped out of the shadows, looking more... demonic.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't my runaways." Ester said with a laugh. "HOW DID YOU GET HERE?!" Cactus shouted, Ester merely shrugged. "My abilities are far beyond your understanding boy." Ester said and then he snapped his fingers.

They were now back in the main stage, which was now empty, all the spotlights on Ester and Sunflower.

Ester then shouted into the mic. "THANK YOU THANK YOU, I HAVE SOMETHING GLORIOUS TO SHOW EVERYONE TODAY!" He shouted.

Ester then bent down and looked and looked Sunflower dead in the eyes.

"Your final act."

Chapter Text

Ester looked at the crowd, with a flick of his hand the lights turned on and he roared. "I PRESENT TO YOU! THE GREATEST SHOW YOU'LL EVER SEE!"

Sunflower looked at the moon, he didn't know why but he did. "If you have a god pray to it!" Cactus said, and Sunflower did.

Ester the the Jester attacks!
[turn 1]
Sunflower is afraid of clowns!
Sunflower became afraid.
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Ester shoots some lasers around to impress the crowd...
Tulip attacked Ester!
Ester took 30 damage!(1720/1750)
Sunflower attacked Ester!
Ester took 33 damage!(1687/1750)
Gladiolus used triple hit!
Ester took 41 damage!(1646/1750)
Its a shattering blow!
Ester took 80 damage!(1566/1750)
Ester took 39 damage!(1527/1750)
Gladiolus lost 20 chlorophyll(21/41)
Rose attacked Ester!
Ester took 24 damage!(1503/1750)

"ohohoh! A couple of showmen are we?" Ester sneered as he dusted himself off. "Twice the showmen you'll ever be!" Cactus said triumphantly. "Well see haha!" Ester said as he teleported around.

[turn 2]
Ester teleported some dynamite on top of Gladiolus!
Gladiolus took 50 damage!(22/72)
Gladiolus has 3 combo points!
Tulip used perfect melody on Sunflower!
Sunflower became happy!
Tulip lost 5 chlorophyll(68/73)
Sunflower used beanstalk on Rose!
Sunflower and Rose's defense rose!
Sunflower lost 15 chlorophyll(80/95)
Gladiolus attacked Ester!
Ester took 40 damage!(1463/1750)
Rose used mystery pill on Gladiolus!
Gladiolus's attack fell...
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll(48/58)

Sunflower looked around for some form of help, but saw nothing. "Guys, any clue of what to do?" He asked as he caught his breathe. "MORE!" Gladiolus yelled as she charged in only for Ester to teleport out of the way.

[turn 3]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Ester teleports all around!
Ester's evasion rose!
Tulip attacks Ester!
it whiffed...
Sunflower attacks Ester!
Ester took 31 damage!(1432/1750)
Sunflower combo'd with Tulip!
Tulip became happy!
Gladiolus used rage state!
Gladiolus's attack rose!
Gladiolus became angry!
Gladiolus lost control of herself.
Gladiolus lost 12 chlorophyll(9/41)
Rose attacked Ester!
It whiffed...

"Haha! Catch me if you can! Wait, no how did that obnoxious children's rhyme go again?" Ester paused for a moment but then nothing personal kids Tulip as he tries to attack him.

[turn 4]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Tulip attacks Ester!
Ester took 28 damage!(1404/1750)
Ester swept everyone off their feet
Sunflower took 14 damage!(53/67)
Sunflower's speed fell...
The attack whiffed Tulip!
Gladiolus took 20 damage!(2/72)
Gladiolus's speed fell...
Rose took 19 damage!(54/73)
Rose's speed fell...
Sunflower used photograph!
Sunflower became Ecastic!
Ester's accuracy was lowered!
Sunflower lost 20 chlorophyll(60/95)
Gladiolus attacked Ester!
Ester took 44 damage!(1360/1750)
Rose used Sunlight smoothie on Gladiolus!
Gladiolus recovered 50 hp!(52/72)
Gladiolus recovered 50 chlorophyll!(41/41)

"Hahahaha! you're good, but I'm better!" Ester taunted as he roundhouse kicked Sunflower. Sunflower got up and locked at the fight, they were getting nowhere, had they bitten off more then they could chew? Had the shadow been right?

[turn 5]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Tulip attacked Ester!
Ester took 30 damage!(1330/1750)
Ester teleported some boxing gloves onto his hands
Ester's attack rose
Sunflower used vine rush!
it whiffed...
Sunflower lost 25 chlorophyll(35/95)
Gladiolus used rage state!
Gladiolus became enraged
Gladiolus's attack rose!
Gladiolus lost 12 chlorophyll(29/41)
Rose attacked Ester!
Ester took 25 damage!(1305/1750)

Ester wasn't slowing down at all. Sunflower looked at the audience for help, but they were just cheering as the fight went on. He did notice Lily in the top row waving a shirt on a stick supporting them. At least they had someone on their side.

[turn 6]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Tulip used high pitch on Ester!
Ester became angry!
Tulip lost 5 chlorophyll(63/73)
Ester shoots a laser at Rose!
Rose took 34 damage!(20/73)
Sunflower attacked Ester!
Its a moving hit!
Ester took 48 damage!(1257/1750)
Gladiolus used Bully!
Ester became enraged!
Ester took 55 damage!(1202/1750)
Gladiolus lost 15 chlorophyll(14/41)
Rose used mystery pill on Rose!
Rose's defense rose!
Rose's attack rose!
Rose's speed fell...
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll(38/58)

"You kids are good, I'll give you that... But can you handle... THIS!" Ester shouts, Sunflower instinctively brings his hands to cover his face as Ester... Pulls an adorable puppy out of his hat. Everyone stopped fighting for a moment to pet it, then Ester levitated it out of harms way and into the audience. "Anyways... NOW DIE!" Ester shouted as he flew at them again.

[turn 7]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Tulip attacked Ester!
It's a moving hit!
Ester took 39 damage!(1163/1750)
Ester shoots a laser at Sunflower
It whiffed!
Sunflower used Vine rush!
It was a moving hit!
Ester took 99 damage!(1064/1750)
Sunflower lost 25 chlorophyll(10/95)
Gladiolus attacked Ester!
Ester took 57 damage!(1007/1750)
Rose used check up on rose!
Rose recovered 36 hp!(57/73)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll(28/58)

Sunflower stopped to breathe for a moment, He was surprised Ester hadn't just teleported an anvil on top of all of them, was he toying with them?

[turn 8]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Tulip attacks Ester!
It's a moving hit!
Ester took 42 damage!(965/1750)
Ester hits Gladiolus with the ol 1 2
It's a shattering blow
Gladiolus took 52 damage!
Gladiolus wilted...
Sunflower attacked Ester!
It's a shattering blow!
It's a moving hit!
Ester took 87 damage!(878/1750)
Rose used check up on Sunflower!
Sunflower recovered 33 hp!(67/67)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll(18/58)

Ester stumbled back a bit, They were really starting to really deal a number to him. "Well well well, it seems I underestimated you all." He says as he slowly stands to his full height. "But this little skit ends now!" He pulled something from behind his back, Sunflower got a little bit closer to see what it was. It appeared to be one of those theater masks, one half was smiling, the other frowning... just what would it do?

[turn 9]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Ester hid his emotion!
Ester randomized his emotion!
Ester became immune to emotion changing effects!
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Tulip used fertilizer on Gladiolus!
Gladiolus was revived!
Ester teleported around!
Ester's evasion increased
Sunflower attacked Ester!
It whiffed...
Rose used mystery pill on Tulip!
Tulip's speed majorly fell...
Tulip will gain bonus exp at the end of the battle!
Tulip became angry!
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll(8/58)

"A couple of jokers, are we?" Ester asked as he flipped backwards avoiding everyone. "But your show ends now! You cannot stop me!" He laughed and flew around, he seemed somewhat slower though.

[turn 10]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Ester shows off his magic to the crowd...
Sunflower attacks Ester!
It wasn't a very effective attack...
Ester took 36 damage!(842/1750)
Ester lost 4 chlorophyll!
Gladiolus tagged out!
Cactus joined in!
Tulip used high pitch on Cactus!
Cactus became angry!
Tulip lost 5 chlorophyll(58/73)
Rose attacked Ester!
It whiffed...

Ester grunted as he stumbled back, using magic to prevent himself from falling. "Feeling the burn?!" Cactus sneered as he jumped at Ester. "Y-you brats, I'll show you power!"

[turn 11]
What will Sunflower and friends do
Ester shoots lasers at Sunflower!
It whiffed!
Sunflower attacked Ester!
It whiffed...
Cactus Used orange rush!
It was a shattering blow!
It was an effective attack!
Ester took 71 damage!(771/1750)
Ester lost 15 chlorophyll
Cactus's speed rose!
Cactus lost 15 chlorophyll(47/62)
Tulip attacked Ester!
It was a dull hit...
Ester took 21 damage!(750/1750)
Ester lost 9 chlorophyll
Rose attacked Ester!
it whiffed...

[turn 12]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Ester kicks Sunflower in the back of the head
Its an effective attack
Sunflower took 40 damage(27/67)
Sunflower has 3 combo points!
Cactus uses orange rush on Ester!
It's an effective hit!
Ester took 38 damage!(712/1750)
Cactus's speed rose!
Cactus lost 15 chlorophyll(32/62)
Sunflower attacked Ester!
It whiffed...
Tulip attacked Ester!
It was a dull hit...
Ester took 22 damage!(690/1750)
Rose attacked Ester!
It whiffed...

Sunflower smiled as he looked at his team, he felt it in his hear of hearts, the winner of this battle had already been decided.

[turn 13]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus used orange rush!
It was an effective hit!
Ester took 39 damage!(651/1750)
Cactus's speed rose!
Cactus lost 15 chlorophyll(17/62)
Ester randomized his emotion!
Sunflower got into a ready stance!
Tulip got into a ready stance!
Rose got into a ready stance!
All party members in a ready stance lost all chlorophyll and combo points!
Its an outstanding attack!
Sunlight beam!
Ester took 300 damage!(351/1750)

Ester tumbled backwards, his magic failing to catch him. "YO WE'RE KICKING HIS ASS!" Cactus shouted as he dodged a laser. "Just a bit more!" Sunflower shouted as he readied himself to go at it again.

[turn 14]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus used crash and burn!
It was a dull hit...
Ester took 105 damage!(246/1750)
Cactus's speed fell back to normal
Cactus lost 15 chlorophyll(2/62)
Sunflower attacked Ester!
Ester took 34 damage!(212/1750)
Tulip attacked Ester!
it whiffed...
Rose attacked Ester!
it whiffed...

Ester leaned on his knee. "Y-you kids... I'll give you a taste of fear." He said in a scratchy voice. "Haha no." Cactus said as he stamped on Ester's foot. "FOOLS!" He yelled as he tried to attack, but he seemed too tired to go at the moment.

[turn 15]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Ester teleports around
Ester's evasion went up
Sunflower attacked Ester!
Ester took 33 damage!(179/1750)
Cactus attacked Ester!
It whiffed...
Tulip attacked Ester!
it whiffed...
Rose attacked Ester!
Ester took 25 damage!(154/1750)

[turn 16]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Ester randomized his emotion
Sunflower attacked Ester!
It's an effective blow!
Ester took 41 damage!(113/1750)
Cactus attacked Ester!
Ester took 33 damage!(80/1750)
Tulip attacked Ester!
It's an effective blow!
Ester took 40 damage!(40/1750)
Rose attacked Ester!
It whiffed...

"Y-YOU, I'll finish you all!" Ester shrouded the stage in a dark purple mist, setting of explosions left and right, it was the finale.

[turn 17]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Ester explodes everyone!
All party members reduced to 1hp!
Sunflower attacks Ester!
it whiffed...
Cactus attacked Ester!
it whiffed...
Tulip attacked Ester!
It was a shattering blow!
Ester the jester was defeated!
All party members gained EXP!
Sunflower grew to lvl 7
Gladiolus grew to lvl 7
Cactus grew to lvl 6
Cactus learned slam dunk!
Cactus grew to lvl 7
Rose grew to lvl 7
Tulip grew to lvl 7
Tulip grew to lvl 8
Gained 1500 mint!

Ester stumbled back. "Y-you!" He shouted as the theater mask fell off. The shadow that was imbued within him was leaking out. "I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU!" He shouted as he flew at the party. Straight at Sunflower. Everyone else was too far away to help. "FACE YOUR FEARS! GROW BEYOND WHAT YOU ONCE WERE!" Gladiolus shouted at him. He looked at the clown, zooming towards him at mach speed. The fear rising within him.

Yet he steeled his resolve. Sunflower is no longer afraid of clowns! He sharpened his eyes and right as Ester was about to hit him. He swung his shovel at Ester. He hit Ester, with everything he had. 

Ester spun in the air and hit his back on the ground. All form of light vanished. Ester was no longer breathing. All the faces of the crowed were replaced with eyes, watching, eerie red smiles, they were laughing. All of his friends were gone. He was alone on the stage with... Ester was gone, in his place was Basil. Fallen and down and no breathing. Sunflower found himself laughing too as the crowd closed in on him. Without his mask, the world knew who he was. He couldn't help but keep laughing as the crowd ripped him to shreds...

...

Basil woke up.

Chapter Text

Basil slowly sat up in his bed, his eyes adjusting to the light pouring into his room. He heard laughter, he looked around only to realize he was the one laughing, he quickly stopped, rubbing his eyes and getting out of bed.

He heard a knock on the door to his room. "Can I come in?" Polly asked from the other side. "Yeah." Basil said as he went to his drawer to look for his clothes for that day.

Polly entered his room, eating from a bowl of cereal in her hand. "I heard you laughing, did you have a good dream?" She asked. Basil shuttered, remembering the end of it. "Yeah it was a good one..." He said, unsure if his voice fooled her. "Good! I made you some toast, get dressed and meet me at the table, I got some stuff to talk to you about." She said in her usual chirpy voice.

At this point Basil's heart dropped, he remembered what he did last night, did she know? Did anyone know? Was he going to go to jail? He felt happy that Sunny was going to be around longer, but he now felt horrible about what he had done. He pushed down that guilt for now and got dressed.

He went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and froze. This was the first time he had been in here since he fought Sunny, Polly had done a good job cleaning up the mess it had made. He sighed and stepped forward. This was the first time he saw himself in the mirror, Sunny had done a number on him too. It was relieving to not see something in the mirror for once. It was gone, done. He was only now really reflecting on everything that happened yesterday. The truth was out... to a few people at least, he'd tell others with time.

Things were going to be a lot different from now on, and his friends would view him differently... friends...

"They're still my friends right?" He thought to himself. He shook his head as he finished brushing his teeth. "No, they wouldn't be friends with someone as horrible as me, especially not after yesterday..." He frowned and held back the tears as he looked at himself in the mirror. "Remember what Aubrey said yesterday..." He told himself and began to calm down. He headed out to his main room where Polly was sitting down next to an empty bowl of cereal.

"Hurry up and eat your toast before it gets cold, we'll talk after you finish." She said as she put her bowl into the sink. Basil gulped and looked at his toast, it looked yummy as Polly seemed to have bought him some of his favorite jam while he was in the hospital. His anxiety was messing with his appetite though. "You noticed the jam huh? Surprise!! I bought it for you as a little get well soon gift, I think now I should just say right now that, no matter whatever went down between you and Sunny... I want you to get better." Polly said as she looked at him just stare at his toast.

Basil managed a weak smile at Polly. "T-thanks..." He squeaked out and began to look at the toast again, he didn't feel the hungriest but the toast looked really good. He reluctantly took a bit and it was all over. The lukewarmess of the bread, the melted butter, and the sweet grape jelly. He began to devour the toast like a starving dinosaur, it was the best thing he'd eaten in a while.

"Haha! glad to see you liked it!" Polly said as she looked at Basil as she washed the dishes. Basil brought his plate and helped her finish with the dishes. It didn't take long at all for them to load the dishwasher and get it going.

Polly then sat back down at the table, Basil felt a shift in the atmosphere. He nervously pulled a chain out and sat down, his heart was racing, yet he remained as calm on the outside as he could. Polly looked at him and sighed. Basil gulped, he had to keep himself under control as to not alert her to anything being wrong in case she didn't know.

"Where to even start..." Polly said as she sighed, tapping her chin a few times. "You know what, I'm going to leave talking about whatever happened in that bathroom for later, I'm still processing everything, for now there's something else." she said and reached below the table and pulled out a small box. Polly cleared her throat.

"Last night someone broke into the car Sunny was going to use to move, stealing a magazine and several parts from under the car. They are going to be unable to move for a bit while they wait for the necessary parts to fix the car arrive at the nearest auto shop." Polly said as she opened the top of the box, dark green paper wrapping was preventing Basil from seeing inside though. "Due to this I've... grown concerned about safety, especially due to most of the roads in our part of faraway still being blocked by construction."

Polly then takes off the paper revealing a... block of sorts, a plastic block with an antenna that reminded Basil of those brand new mobile phones he saw on t- "wait." Basil thought to himself. He jumped up in pure excitement and shock. "YOU DIDN'T ACTUALLY!" He shouted in excitement, causing Polly to laugh.

"Your parents gave me a bit extra last paycheck, and I had a bit left over after the hospital bill, and I woke up a few hours before you, saw and heard about the news, from that one friend... Kel I think his name was... Anyways, after hearing the news, maybe in a biiiit of a blind panic for your safety, I drove to the tech store not far outside of faraway, and bought you this, it's a nokia 3310!" Polly said as she walked over to Basil and showed him the phone.

Basil thought for a moment, Polly rarely brought up his parents, too busy with work to be here, leaving him in the car of his grandma until they got Polly 2 years ago, he hadn't seen them in over a decade. But he didn't let his mind wandering to his parents keep him down for long, he reached up and gave Polly a big hug. Polly stood there in shock for a second, allowing Basil to realize this was the first time he had hugged her, like an actual hug, not two people awkwardly wrapping arms around each other. But he accepted it as Polly hugged back.

Polly sat down right next to him. "Now before I hand this to you, I need to set some rules in place." She said, keeping the phone away from Basil. "This is only to call your friends if its absolutely necessary and to call the cops or other help if you feel threatened. This doesn't have infinite space for calls." She said, opening the phone and showing Basil the data storage. "And second off, absolutely no calling... certain numbers alright, no shady stuff, if I catch you calling some of those places, you can say bye bye to phone, am I clear?" Polly said, showing off her rare yet fierce stern side.

"wha- You know I don't do that type of stuff!" Basil said, flustered Polly would even think he would try to. Polly sighed. "Normally I'd agree with you, but considering you not only beat your childhood best friend half to death but stabbed his eye. I now know that I don't know as much about you as I thought." She said with a huff. She didn't sound exactly angry, more concern was in her voice than anger. Basil couldn't blame her for that, she literally in a blind panic for his safety bought him a phone.

"Got it..." Basil said. Polly sighed and smiled again. "I hope you know I'm not mad at you, just concerned. I want you to be safe and happy and... yeah." she said, and then finally handed Basil the phone. He looked at it in awe, opening and closing it, studying how it works. "You get one freebee, give it a try!" She said staring at him eagerly.

Basil froze, he didn't know or remember the numbers of any of his friends. The only number he knew off the top of his head was Gino's, but he literally just ate, so he had no place to reasonably call. "I personally think I should save ALL the data for emergency calls." Basil unconvincingly lied. Polly shrugged. "Well if you say so." She said. "I have a call to make on the home phone, if you're going out comb your hair, it looks like a beehive." She said as she walked to the phone on the wall and began to dial a number.

Basil sighed and went back into the bathroom and dragged a brush through his hair. He wasn't really concerned with hair care at the moment so it looked sloppy, but it always looked sloppy so he was fine with it. He stepped out and heard Polly talking about contracts and something, something to do with whatever a router was. Basil found it ultimately uninteresting and went to his garden.

It seemed Polly had taken care of the plants the day he was absent, he'd have to thank her for that later. He grabbed his watering can and filled it up. He began to look at each plant closely, Polly had over-watered 2 and under-watered 4. Basil let out a deep sigh and opened the small gardening cabinet. Most of the special supplies were still unopened or hadn't been used. "At least she tried." He thought as he began to work on fixing his garden.

He always felt comfortable in here, nobody besides him entered this room often, and he knew how it worked and where everything was like the back of his hand. Basil couldn't help but smile, early morning gardening always got him in a bit of a happy mood. He was always in control here, nothing happened without him noticing, such was his knowledge of gardening and botany... well maybe not an expert in botany... yet.

Basil didn't let his lack of knowledge in the field of plant science get him down though. The pleasant smell of freshly watered plants brought a smile to his face. He stood proudly over his work and put away the equipment he used. No big moving or work had to be done today. He took in a large breathe, taking in the aroma of all the flowers and headed back into the main part of the house.

Polly was sitting on the couch listening to the news, she turned to look at Basil. "Are you heading out?" She asked as he walked towards the door. "Yeah, I gotta go check on Sunny and such." He responded as he stopped with his hand on the door, waiting to see if Polly had any objections. "Take off your sweater, I was listening to the news, today is going to be the hottest day in the past 50 years." Polly said in a matter-of-fact voice. Basil sighed, seeing no point in protest and took off his sweater.

"Alright, you have fun! Be back in time for dinner, or lunch, just... be back okay!" Polly said with a bit of a worried look. Basil gave her a comforting nod. "I will!" he said with a smile and headed out the door, shutting it behind him.

He headed down towards Central Rd. and began to walk down, wondering where he'd find everyone. He stopped walking for a moment to think. "Maybe... the park?" He nodded to himself and continued down central road towards faraway park at the end. As he walked he stopped to look down 1st St. where Sunny's house was to check on things, he saw Sunny's mom with her hands on her hips talking to a police officer.

Basil gulped knowing exactly why. He hurried along, not wanting to stick around and look at the situation much longer. Basil walked up to the edge of the park and scanned it for any of his... Are they my friends? No... surely they aren't anymore... were they ever?" Basil shook his head and continued to scan the park for anyone he knew. He saw a few of Aubrey's gang but no one else.

Basil thought for a moment before hearing a shout. "HECTOR SLOW DOWN!" Basil turned towards the source of the shouting and saw a large mass knock him over, he brought his hands up and closed his eyes out of instinct. He hit the sidewalk with a thud, his back flared up in pain, but not enough for Basil to think he broke something. He groaned in pain and tried to stand up but whatever knocked him over was now on top of him. Basil then felt his face be assaulted by... "Tickles?"

Basil opened his eyes to see a large dog on top of his licking his face affectionately. He began to push the dog off of him, making sure not to be too forceful. Eventually the dog was pulled off him by something else. Basil sat up, still on the ground and looked in front of him to see Kel struggling to keep his dog on a leash.

Basil stood up and dusted his legs off as he looked up at Kel. "Hey man, sorry about that, Hector saw you and took off, I was so unready for it that I dropped the leash and he ran away." He said with that doofy smile he always had. Basil gave him an understanding nod and then sighed, deciding to bring up what happened last night now. 

"Hey Kel" Basil said and Kel perked up. "I have to talk to you, can we sit down at the park?" He asked earnestly. "Sure, lemme just finish walking Hector, you pick out a table then tell me whats up!" Kel said and he went off pulling Hector, who was still barking at Basil, it made him feel uncomfortable. He shrugged it off and sat down at an empty picnic table and waited for Kel to finish his dog walk.

Basil eventually saw a much more tired Kel walk by again lugging hector along towards his house, coming back to the park not long after. He sat down across from Basil. "What's up dude?" Kel asked as if there wasn't a crime committed against his friend. Basil gulped, his anxiety gripping his soul once again. All the what ifs gripping his throat as if to let no words escape. His breathing accelerated, and he wanted no NEEDED to shrink and go away.

Kel tilted his head as he waited for Basil to speak, Basil just sat there with his hands glued to his knees, he didn't know if he looked worse physically or mentally at the moment. His inner thoughts beginning to take over. "He hates you." "He's just doing this to mock you." The thoughts swirling around his brain, telling him to abandon ship.

"You okay Basil?" Kel asked with a concerned look on his face, Basil knew it was fake though. "Kel doesn't actually care about me." He thought to himself, Kel looked like he was connecting two dots. "Uhhhh... what was that thing Aubrey did to calm you down... RIGHT!" Kel said as he jumped up on the table and kicked Basil in face. He fell off his seat onto his back yet again. He looked at Kel and was about to cry, everyone else was looking at the commotion the two were causing.

"AAahhh oh shit uhhhhhhh, don't cry? Man great advice Kel." Kel said in a panic, trying to calm things down. He helped Basil stand up and sit back down on the bench, Basil was trying to hold his tears in as hard as he could. "I-I've spent enough of this summer... no... my whole life crying... I can't..." He told himself, somehow stuttering in his own head. 

"KEL YOU MORON WHAT DID YOU DO?!" A voice shouts. Basil and Kel hush and turn to the source. It's Aubrey who looked half asleep still with one of her goons... "Angel was it?" Basil struggled to remember his name among all the other goons she had. Aubrey ran up to the two, her goon following close behind. "Kel why is Basil about to cry and why are you just standing above him like holding your hands up in a panicked manner will help?" She asks.

"I TOLD you, they were just sitting there and then he got up and kicked him in the face!" The goon said. Basil sighed, he would explain things but he was still trying not to cry. "Shut up angel!" Aubrey yelled. "I knew it!" Basil thought with a mental fist pump. "Hey can we calm down and I can explain things?" Kel asked with his prettiest voice as he sat down himself. Aubrey sighed. "Go explain yourself." She said and sat down, leaning on her arm.

Kel gave an award loosing smile. "Thank you, anyways. Basil was like, well he looked like he was doing that thing he did in the hospital... anxiety or something, and I remember it helping when Aubrey hit him so I-" Aubrey cut Kel off. "SO YOU KICKED HIM IN THE FACE?!" She gave an angry sigh. "I gave him a LIGHT L-I-G-H-T slap in the hospital! You kicked him in the fucking face!" she put her thumb and pointer finger on her forehead and rubbed it.

"Sorry, sorry. I just wake up to Angel throwing rocks at my window, screaming about something that needs my attention, I barely get to brush my hair, and I haven't eaten breakfast." She sighed and stood up. "Where is everyone else even?" She asked. "Hero's stuck inside with mom, who is mad with how much he's been out, and I dunno about Sunny, probably inside his house." Kel said with a shrug when he mentioned Sunny. "Well, let's go pick up hero, and totally not because I want breakfast and he makes some good eggs." Aubrey said with renewed vigor.

Everyone stood up and followed Aubrey to Kel's house. Basil didn't know how to feel about his problem being ignored for this. "It's because they hate you, the second something else popped up they moved onto it." The voice in his head told himself. He nodded, it was right. He trailed behind Kel and Aubrey, who were deep in the middle of a conversation about who can be quiet longer it seemed. "Should I walk up and say something?" He thought despite what he had just been told.

Basil took a deep breath and walked up to the two. But before he could say a single word they arrived at Kel's house. "Well let's get some food and some Hero!" Kel said then stood still for a second. "That sounded wrong." He continued in a much less enthusiastic voice. Aubrey let out a snort and knocked on the door. Basil heard Kel's mom from inside "I swear if it's the police again!" She said before opening the door.

"Oh Kel! and your friends!" She sounded a lot happier now. "Hey, sorry for the early morning visit we were just stopping by." Aubrey lied about her true purpose. "Well come on in feel free to do whatever." She said before a loud scream pierced the air. "Oh that's Sally, you guys just do whatever you want here alright!" Kel's mom said before running off towards the noise. Kel scratched the back of his head. "Sorry for the mess, isn't a very calm day." He said as he lead them to the dining room.

Basil sat down at the table, not having said anything in a while, not that he had anything to add. Talking about what happened last night here might be better then the park." He thought as Aubrey sat down. Hero poked his head in. "Oh hey everyone! What brings you around?" He asked, sitting down with everyone. "You and food." Aubrey said Bluntly. Hero hesitated for a moment. "Oh, I can make everyone some food with my breakfast, I wasn't able to eat, I was getting interviewed." He sounded unsure if he should be proud of that or not.

"Interviewed, why?" Basil asked, finally speaking up. "Last night when Sunny got robbed, I think I chased the culprit for a bit." Hero said, almost as if trying to hide the pride in his voice. "REALLY? WHO WAS IT?!" Aubrey said, a little too excited. Hero shrugged. "I dunno, I think it was a hobo, I chased them for like 10 seconds then they threw something at me and I lost them in the woods." He said, recounting his story.

Basil almost let out a sigh of relief but stopped himself. "Hero told the police it was a hobo! I might get away with it!" Basil thought excitedly, happy that jail wasn't in his near future. "But ten seconds, it felt and sounded like I was being chased for much longer, weird..." Basil continued to think. He mentally shrugged and tuned back into the conversation.

"A hobo, got it, I'll go down to the park later and threaten the hobos there till one of them spills the info." Aubrey said gleefully, slinging her bat over her shoulder. "The police are already doing that Aubrey... Minus the threatening." Hero said awkwardly. "Anyways, what does everyone want?" Hero asked as he stood up. "BACON!" Kel shouted. "Some pancakes please." Aubrey asked much more kindly. "I'll a-also have some pancakes." Basil stuttered out, still a little nervous from the fear that Hero told the police.

"Alright, bacon and pancakes, coming up!" Hero said with a smile and got to work. "Should... we go get Sunny?" Basil asked, trying to sound innocent, but really wanting to confirm that Sunny didn't figure out what Basil did. "Nah, he's already probably eaten, and his house must be swarmed with police." Kel said as he got up and poured himself a glass of orange juice from the fridge. Hero loudly cleared his throat as he saw this. "Oh right, uhhhh. You guys want any?" Kel asked, opening the fridge. "Nah, I'll have some with the food." Aubrey said. "Same." Basil replied, Kel shrugged and put the orange juice away.

"Also Kel, you saw Sunny's fridge he has no food, and I'm sure the police wouldn't mind if he left the house." Aubrey responded. Basil gulped. "No food?!" He thought panickedly, wondering if Sunny had been being given proper care. "I can easily make more for Sunny!" Hero interjected. "Well it's settled, let's go get Sunny." Aubrey said, standing up. Basil and Kel followed suit. Kel smiled. "Don't worry, I know how to get him out of his house." Basil gulped, for some reason he didn't like the sound of that.

Chapter Text

Aubrey walked out the front door, Kel and Basil following not far behind. Basil noticed how there weren't as many police cars outside Sunny's house as he'd thought, which was a relief. "Well, whats your almighty plan to get Sunny out of his house?" Aubrey asked as they reached the front door. She then opened it, as it was unlocked.

Kel's shoulders slumped. "Well how was I supposed to know it would be unlocked?" Kel whined. Aubrey raised an eyebrow. "What were you going to do, slam on the door as hard as you could till Sunny responded?" She asked. Kel looked down. "Yes..." He said defeated. Basil let out a snort and then walked inside.

Basil gasped, he hadn't been inside Sunny's house yet, all the boxes strewn about, it was worse than he'd thought. "How do I stop him..?" He thought as he walked in. "Yo Sunny! We're doing more adventuring, you are coming along and you do not have a choice." Kel said as he walked in. Aubrey elbowed him in the gut. Basil then noticed Sunny peak his head out from the bathroom. He walked downstairs towards everyone and faced Basil. "H-hey Sunny how are you?" Basil asked meekly.

"Scared." He said quietly, it had to be serious if Sunny felt the need to talk. Kel pulled Sunny into a hug. "Don't be, we're here for ya!" He said as looked around to see if anyone else would join the hug. Aubrey stepped forward and looked like she was about to join, but stopped herself. Basil was too socially awkward to do anything, but he felt bad about it.

Kel let go of the hug. "Hero's cooking breakfast c'mon!" He said as he grabbed Sunny's hand and began to pull him along. He pulled Sunny out the door leaving Aubrey and Basil alone. "So weird..." She said before following him. Basil looked around the house a bit. Basil shuttered and then ran after everyone.

Kel had stopped pulling Sunny who was now walking along willingly. Basil had a suspicion that Aubrey had something to do with it. They walked to Kel's house and re-entered. "We're hoooome~" Kel said as he walked inside. "Good, food's almost done!" Hero said as Basil heard a bunch of wet slapping noise from the kitchen. He walked in but they had stopped. Basil sat back down with everyone else, a pleasant aroma filling his nose. Sunny sat down and Basil moved a seat closer to him.

"I'm almost done, I think this is the best batch I've ever done." Hero said as he flipped a pancake. "Good, not only am I hungry but I think this is the best thing my nose has ever smelt." Aubrey said as she watched the cooking food intently. "That good huh?" Hero said as he took the bacon off the stove. "Oh my god you made a lot!" Kel said, his mouth watering. Basil couldn't deny, it looked like the best goddamn pancakes ever. "Just give me a few more minutes, I'm almost done." Hero said as he flipped another pancake.

"Well minute faster, I think I'll explode if I smell it much longer without being able to eat it." Kel said. "You can help by setting the table." Hero said with a slight hint of annoyance in his voice. Kel got up and grabbed a bunch of plates and silverware. He set them down in front of everyone. Basil admired the fancy plates, they were better than anything he had eaten on. "Oh my god Hero, aren't you supposed to be a doctor, that actually smells like something you'd find at a three star restaurant." Aubrey said. "I'm flattered, I guess I'm just a natural on it." He said as he turned off the stove.

"Soup's on!" Hero said as he set a mountain of pancakes and bacon on the table. "Oh my god." Basil thought as he saw the delicious meal in front of him. Kel took a pile of pancakes and bacon and began to tear into them. "Oh my god, you're acting like you've never been fed." Aubrey said as she calmly took a bit of pancakes and bacon. Sunny reached up and grabbed some too. His eyes said how good he thought they looked. Basil had already eaten today but he couldn't help himself from grabbing some.

"Jesus slow down you guys, I need to eat too." Hero said as he took off his apron and sat down. "mhhffff, profs to the cheff." Aubrey said with a mouthful of pancake. Basil took a bite himself, his mouth exploding with joy. "Oh my god Hero I think you chose the wrong profession." Basil said as he eagerly took another bite. "Thank you I'm flattered." Hero said proudly as he also began to eat. "Kel slow down, you're going to choke." Hero continued as Kel stuffed a whole pancake in his mouth. "I'll be ffi- ACK!" Kel coughed up a bit of pancake and Aubrey began to laugh... and choke on her own food. "Oh my god..." Hero sighed as he went over at began to help Aubrey spit out her food. She spit it out with a loud hack.

"There... slow down you two." Hero said with a hint of sadness as he looked at his spit out food. Sunny sat there calmly eating his food. Basil slowed down himself as he saw the other two catching their breaths still. "ooogghhhh... I'm sorry about that." Aubrey said with a deep breath. Hero sighed. "It's fine." He said. "I'd take it as a compliment, the fact we ate so fast we almost died because your food was that good." Kel said with another huge bite. Hero considered the compliment for a moment. "Just be safe." He said as he tried to hide his smile.

Everyone continued to chow down on the holy bacon and pancakes. "So good..." Sunny said quietly, Basil was the only one who heard it. He blushed at his cuteness. "Man is it just me or is it hot today?" Kel asked, breaking the silence. "You didn't hear the news?" Aubrey asked as she took another bite. "Apparently not no." Kel said. "Today's supposed to be the hottest day in like... ever, I don't remember." Basil said as he grabbed another pancake off the center stack. "Dang thats... I got nothing..." Kel said defeated.

"On that note take off your sweater, your going to die." Hero said with a bite of his own food. "I'll be fiiiiine." Kel said confidently, Hero shrugged. "You better not complain." He said. "I won't I swear." Kel said, Aubrey let out a chuckle. "What?! I won't!" Kel said with a hint of defiance in his voice. "Suuuuuuuure." Aubrey said, trying to hold back laughter. "I swear on my mother I won't." Kel said, Aubrey burst into laughter. "You sure? Mom's in the living room, swear on her." Hero said in between chuckles.

Aubrey burst out into laughter, no pancakes in her mouth this time though. "What is this? International bully Kel day?" Kel asked annoyed. "We should make it that!" Aubrey said and began to laugh even harder. Kel crossed him arms and shrunk down. Basil sneakily began to move, and pulled out his camera. He put the camera to his eye and aimed. Flash. Everyone immediately stopped and looked at Basil. He blushed out of embarrassment. He took the photo out of the camera and let it sit for a bit.

Everyone went towards Basil, eager to see the photo. Basil took it out and waved it a bit, letting the photo settle. "Lemme see! Lemme see!" Kel said excitedly. Basil held out the photo and showed it to everyone. It depicted everyone at the table eating and talking. "You're taking photos again huh?" Aubrey asked. "I guess." Basil said shyly. "Wait but where are you gonna keep it, you gave Sunny your photo album." Kel pointed out.

"He... has a point." Basil thought. "I guess... I'll just get a new photo album?" Basil said, unsure of his own words. "Yeah that makes sense." Hero said as he went back to his seat and sat down. "That is a good photo though." He continued, Basil couldn't help but smile at the compliment. "Thanks." Basil said. "Damn he's right, that IS a good photo." Aubrey said as she leaned closer to it. "I-it's nothing really." Basil said, now starting to get embarrassed. "C'mon that's an amazing photograph!" Aubrey said. "Yeah!" Kel agreed, Sunny just gave a nod.

"That's too much thanks." Basil said shyly. "They're... faking it?" Basil thought, his own self hatred struggling. He felt a warm feeling inside him, one he rarely remembers feeling. "What... is this?" He thought, trying to name the feeling. 'I feel... good..." He thought. Basil couldn't help but just smile. Everyone went back to their seats and began to eat the last of the food. "DAMN that was a good meal!" Aubrey said as she leaned back in her seat. "Yeah, seriously, can you cook the rest of our meals forever?" Kel asked, he then lowered his voice. "Mom and Dad are not the best..." He continued.

Hero laughed. "I wish I could, but y'know, college." He said with that cant-do-much-about-it voice. Kel sighed. "Yeah..." He sounded sad. "He must really love his brother huh?" Basil thought, he then considered something for a moment. "What if I have a sibling... everyone els- wait no Aubrey... Anyways. How would my life be different..." Basil thought. It wasn't the first time he'd followed this train of thought, but he could never reach a solid conclusion. He mentally shrugged and decided to ignore the thought once again. His mind wandered a bit back to it though.

Basil's mind was always a wandering one. "Explains my anxiety really..." Basil thought to himself. Kel burped loudly. "Hero... Drop out of college." He said, almost sounding desperate. Hero chuckled. "Mom would kill me you know that." He said. "K- on second thought not saying that one." Kel said, a grin on his face. "Why do I have a feeling I know what it is?" Hero said slyly. Everyone else sat there, trying to think about what Kel was going to say.

Suddenly Sunny burst out into laughter. "HAHAHAHAHA! TH-THAT'S HIL- AHAHAHAHAHA THAT'S HILARIOUS KEL!" Sunny fell off his chair from how much he was laughing, Basil blushed as he looked at it. Sunny rolled on the ground as he laughed. He'd only done this once before, when a joke on sweetheart caught him off gaurd.

Kel, Aubrey, and Hero seem to be equally caught off gaurd by Sunny's eruption. Sunny slammed his hand on the floor, laughing as she struggled to say anything. Basil looked at Sunny again... "heh... hehehehehe... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Basil roared into laughter himself, he couldn't help it. "Do I even know what Kel was trying to say?" He thought as he fell out of his chair too, rolling on the ground as he giggled. Kel's mom finally poked her head into the room. "Whaaaa... You know what, I've learned boys... and girl sorry Aubrey, will be boys and girls." She said with a sigh and left the room. Aubrey chuckled.

"I wish I could grab my camera..." Basil thought as he lived in the perfect photo right now. But he had set it on the table and he was laughing too hard to get up and grab it. Tears began to fall from Basil's eyes as he continued to laugh. "Why am I even laughing????" He finally thought. "Sunny rolling on the ground is funny... but not funny enough to make me do the same... right?" Basil wondered, or tried to through his laughter. "Am I... doing this for Sunny?" He thought, his laughter beginning to die as he did.

He smiled and looked at Sunny again. "I-" He was cut off by a Flash! Basil and Sunny both stopped laughing and looked at the source. Kel was standing above them holding Basil's camera. "I couldn't resist, sorry." He said as he set the camera down and took out the photo. Basil smiled and blushed. "It's alright, I would've done the same." He said as he went over to Sunny and bent down as he extended his hand. Sunny giggled one last bit before he took Basil's hand and stood up. "What did you even start to laugh at?" Basil asked, he had an idea but wanted to make sure.

"I figured out what... Kel wanted to say..." Sunny said, becoming quiet once again, as if his introversion had realized what he'd just done and was forcing him to retreat. "Oh? I doubt it." Kel said over confidently, Sunny shook his head. Sunny got on his toes, still didn't reach Kel's ear, pulled Kel down and whispered something in his year. Kel's eyes widened in shock. "Dang you did figure it out." Kel said in awe. Sunny nodded. "Sunny what was it!" Aubrey said with a fire in her eyes. Sunny blushed and looked down, shaking his head.

Basil looked at Sunny's blushing at Aubrey and the lack of eye contact and connected 2 and 2. "No! He can't... She can't... I..." Basil smiled as he watched, but his anger was beginning to rise. "I won't let you steal him after I just prevented him from going away!" He thought angrily, but shook his head. N-No what am I thinking... That's..." Basil gripped his head as he began to yell at himself in his head again. The screaming in his head grew louder and louder, the other side was winning...

Everyone else took notice of this pretty quick. "Oh sh- Basil, Basil calm down!" Aubrey said as she walked towards him slowly. "You'll be fine... Just breathe... I know how you feel." She said as she approached him. Basil looked at her, finally taking notice of her approach. "THIEF!" His mind screamed. An impulse jumped inside of Basil's head, leaving his mouth before he could stop it. "YOU DON'T FUCKING KNOW HOW I FEEL!" He screamed at Aubrey, shouting at the top of his lungs. Everyone looked at Basil. He realized what he had just done.

"I... I-I" Basil couldn't think of anything to say. "WHAT DID I DO WHY DID I DO THAT?! T-THAT'S NOT LIKE ME... THAT WASN'T ME!" Basil's panic grew as he thought more and more. "There's a child in this house... this isn't even my house... I did that for no reason..." Basil looked at everyone just looking at him in shock. The dam broke.

Tears began to flow from Basil's eyes. He fell to his knees and sat there as he sobbed. He couldn't see the door from his position, but he had to assume Kel's parents had also popped in. He saw everyone looking at each other, unsure if they should approach. "I'll j-just leave... I'm sorry." Basil said as he picked up his camera and fled the house. He looked around the roads, he couldn't see any cars through his tears. Though his vision was restricted greatly.

He ran home... The only safe place... "Then why don't I feel safe there..." Basil thought as he tripped over a curb. He stumbled and fell on his knees. He rubbed his hands over them, they didn't hurt too bad. He sniffed and continued to go home. "Please... no one follow me..." He thought as he reached his house.

He threw open the door and slammed it shut. "OH B- Oh my god what ha-" Polly stood up in surprise but Basil ran around her to his room and slammed the door shut as he locked it. Polly knocked on the door, not too hard, but loud enough so Basil could hear she meant business. "Basil! Open the door! What happened!" She... not yelled but it was louder than normal. "..." Basil decided not to respond. "Go away... Please..." He silently wished. "Basil! Please open the door! At least tell me what happened!" Polly said, her voice rising slowly.

"..." Basil said nothing as he continued to cry. He heard Polly sigh. "Basil! Don't make this hard! I'm worried! Say something!" Polly was now yelling, but she sounded desperate. Basil's guilt won him over and he spoke. "...Go away... Please..." He said silently, but loud enough so it could be heard over his tears. Polly groaned from the other side of his door. "Fine... But come out soon... okay?" She asked. "...ok." Basil said silently as he heard Polly almost stomp away.

He just continued to cry louder after that. "Why did you do that? You made her so mad... You're horrible..." That same voice told him. "You ruined the day... Why are you such a disappointment of a human being?" It said silently. Basil looked around, almost expecting to see that gaping mouth about to swallow him whole... He looked... and waited... and cried.

Yet it didn't show up. Basil sniffled as a sense of calm washed over him. "Right... It's..." Basil took a deep breath in through his nose as he remembered the events that transpired in the hospital yesterday. "It's gone..." Basil thought as he cracked a smile of sorts, his crying slowing down. "I'm... There's nothing there... Perhaps I..." "Perhaps you what? Overreacted? You told what looked like the last person who cared about you to fuck off, at the top of your lungs, in front of an actual baby, at a house that isn't yours." The voice interrupted Basil's thought, dragging him back down.

Basil heard another knock on his door. He lifted his face from his hands and looked at the door. "Why did you look? It's a locked door, you saw a locked door, a big surprise." The voice said in a mocking tone. Basil just grabbed a nearby hardcover plant dictionary and began to slam it into his own head. "GET" SLAM "OUT!" SLAM. Basil fell backwards onto his bed and rubbed his head, he had a headache now. Whoever has at the door knocked harder.

"I can hear you in there, I'll keep knocking till you respond." She said. Basil's eyes widened in shock. "That's not Polly! That's..." "A-aubrey?" Basil asked with a sniff. "In the flesh." She said from the other side of the door. "W-what are you d-doing here?" Basil asked as he slowly crawled off his bed. "What do you think? You exploded and ran out of Kel's house crying at only 9 AM." She said quietly, as if to sound as unoffensive as possible. Basil sniffled, "That... makes sense... But still... Why?" He asked.

He heard Aubrey sigh from outside the room, then what sounded like paper being slid on the floor. He shook his head to try and not give into the splitting headache he gave himself and looked at the bottom of the door. Two upside down photos were on the ground. It didn't take a genius to figure out what was on them. "You forgot them, felt you would want them back." She said in a smug yet wholesome voice. Basil couldn't help but chuckle, even as he looked over the photos.

Everyone smiling and talking as they ate Hero's breakfast. Him and Sunny rolling on the ground laughing. Basil couldn't help but blush as he looked at them. Though he eventually set them down, fearing his tears would get on them. "So... Can I like... Come in? Make sure you're alright?" Aubrey asked. Basil voiced what the voice asked him. "Why do you care so much?" He sounded ruder than he'd liked...

Aubrey let out a deep sigh. "Look, I'm worried, that's why. But because you insist on being alone in your circle of depression, you're going to ask. "Well why are you worried?" Aren't you?" Aubrey asked, Basil just gulped at his question being predicted. "I'm taking that as a yes... It's because you're my friend... I... I gotta fix my mistakes..." Aubrey said with a hint of sadness. Basil sat there silently. "She's only your friend because she wants to be liked be the others, the second they aren't looking she'll hurt you again." The voice said. Basil sat there for a second. "That... That doesn't change the fact... That she's my friend." He thought.

With a deep breath, Basil stood up and unlocked the door, cracking it slightly open. "Come on..." He said in a quiet voice. 

Aubrey slipped into his room and Basil shut the door behind her, locking it once again. "Jeez, you don't need to lock it again." Aubrey said as she saw Basil do it. "I... I can't handle more people right now." Basil said softly as he walked over and slumped onto his bed again. Aubrey sat right next to him.

"Dang... You really were crying." Aubrey said in awe as she moved her head to look at Basil's eyes. Basil looked away in embarrassment. Aubrey chuckled a bit awkwardly. "Your forehead it really red too, were you hitting yourself?" She asked, sounding legitimately concerned for him. "Y-Yes... It doesn't hurt too much though." Basil lied as the splitting headache he had given himself continued to eat away at him. "Why?" Aubrey asked, almost sounding sad. "I was mad at myself..." Basil lied again.

Aubrey sat in silence for a few seconds. "I think I should start with an apology." She said, breaking the silence. Basil looked at her with a confused expression on his tear-stained face. "You were... right in a way. I don't know how you feel." Aubrey said as she continued to look at Basil. "Please... Don't apologize about that... I'm in the wrong..." Basil said. Aubrey sighed. "You did go about it in like... the worst way possible, but you're right. I do not... and will never understand how you feel" She said.

Basil looked at Aubrey shocked. "Why so surprised? You've gone through something I can't begin to imagine... With all the shit you've been through, no doubt your brain works so differently from mine or others... Sorry that sounded worse then I meant." Aubrey said solemnly. Basil shook his head. "I get what you mean... But what I've been through isn't an excuse." He argued. Aubrey sighed. "Basil you were subjected to a horror beyond horrors at a young age. You lived in hell for 4... or more years. You had something you maybe weren't ready to tell forced out of you..." She said sadly.

Basil gulped. "Don't phrase it like that..." He said awkwardly. Aubrey looked at him confused. "What do you mean?" She asked. Basil blushed. "N-nothing." He stuttered. Aubrey shrugged. "Whatever. Anyways, Basil, you need help... not isolation right now, everyone else is in the front, they're also worried about you." she said with a smile. Basil recoiled in shock. "E-everyone? Why? Why would they care?" Basil thought. "Don't look so shocked, despite everything, all that's happened. We're still your friends, we want the best for you." Aubrey said with a smile.

Basil couldn't help but smile. "THERE IT IS!" Aubrey said, as if patting herself on the back, Basil scooted back out of shock. "Sorry, was just excited to see you smile again." Aubrey said, Basil chuckled and forced himself to smile again. "Alright... I-I think I'm ready to... go out." Basil said, Aubrey smiled and nodded. "Alright, let's go!" She said excitedly as she stood up and went to the door.

...

"You're only making things worse for yourself... I hope you know that."

Chapter Text

Basil gulped as the voice's words rung in his head, he peaked his head outside his room to check if anyone was waiting for him right outside... nope. "Well... Aubrey wasn't lying at least." Basil thought as he shuffled behind her, basically dragging his feet on the ground. Aubrey looked back at him and sighed. "Are you able to hurry up? Please? I know you're nervous... But that slow?" Aubrey asked. Basil frowned and slightly sped up. "Alright, just breathe and don't listen to whatever bullshit is going on in your head." She said with a smile as she exited the hallway to the main room.

Everyone seemed to be in the main room watching something on TV, Polly was pacing worriedly around the dining area, stopping to look at the phone every few seconds. Basil hid back around the corner. "This... This isn't a good idea... I need to go back I NEED TO!" He screamed at himself mentally and began to shuffle back to his room. Aubrey looked back at him. She walked towards him and grabbed his hands. "A-aubrey?!" Basil said in shock. "3." Is all she said, Basil tilted his head. "2." She continued. "Two what?" Basil asked. "1." "Wait plea-"

Basil's plea was ignored as Aubrey pulled him behind her, he stumbled and stomped at the sudden increase of speed, flailing into the front room in front of everyone. Everyone looked over at the noise and saw Basil wiggling back and forth to keep his balance and Aubrey's arm outstretched like she had just bitch slapped Basil. "Aubrey! We said to not force him out of the room!" Kel said annoyed. "We?" Basil asked, Kel just coughed in response. Hero sighed. "We just though Aubrey would be the best to talk to you one on one, we asked her to get you out of your room... without force." Hero said, scowling at Aubrey at the last part.

"I didn't force him the whole way! Just grabbed him around the corner!" Aubrey said. Basil sighed. "Well... I'm here... What did you all want?" He asked, looking down. "We were just concerned... I mean this in the best way I can, but that was not only really out of character... but just weird." Hero said as he got up from the couch. Basil slightly shifted around awkwardly as he felt all the eyes on him. "I'm... sorry." He eventually said.  "It's fine... Just... I know this may come off as a bit rude but... Please keep it a little bit... Cooler? For a lack of better words in public, okay?" Hero asked. Basil nodded. "You're right I guess, sorry it's just... Stressful past few days." Basil said, electing to not tell the whole truth right now.

"Yeah... we're... Stressed too..." Hero said sadly, the events of the hospital flashed in Basil's mind. He nodded slowly. "I could imagine..." He said trying as hard as possible to be as least offensive as possible. Basil looked around at everyone's faces, they looked like they needed sleep, Basil sighed, though it was more of a breath that let out anxiety. "How about, we just take it slow right now, a lot happened these past few days, let's just try not to mention it, a break from all this... Mumbo jumbo." Basil said with his signature weak smile as he tried to lift everyone's mood.

The room was silent for a second or two. "Did I mess up? Was that too much? Too awkward?" He thought as everyone looked at him standing there. His smile began to fade from his face as the silence continued. "I think he's right, we should just lazy around and rest." Kel said, Basil was confused why Kel of all people would say that. Hero began to slightly laugh and Kel whipped his face to glare at Hero, Basil then understood why. Kel was almost drenched in sweat, still wearing his sweater. Basil's smile began to re-appear.

Everyone else took notice of this too, A smile appearing on Aubrey's face too. "What was that? A complaint?" She said as obnoxiously as possible. Kel let out a loud groan. "You're a complaint." He said in an equally annoying voice. "Kel you sound like you're five with stuff like that." Aubrey fired back at Kel. "You sound like you're five in general." Kel said, Basil couldn't help but feel sorry for Kel. "Alright, that's enough you two, we don't want more angry explosions today." Hero said calmly. Basil knew he meant well and was trying somewhat to be funny, but he still felt hurt by the last remark.

"What were you guys doing out here anyways? Like while you waited for Aubrey." Basil asked as he pulled a chair over since the couch was full. "Watching these DVD's we just found laying around... Sure is a lot of stuff I didn't know you guys had." Kel said as he flipped through the packages of movies in his hand. Basil was confused. "Why so many movies? It didn't take me that long." He asked. "Honestly, we thought it might've took 10 or more hours, we were gonna switch off if Aubrey didn't work.

Basil didn't know if he should feel happy they planned all that out or weird that they planned all that out. "Got it... So... now what?" He asked as he leaned back in his chair. "I dunno." Kel said as he fanned himself with his hand. "How bout we finish this movie then just... something else I guess?" Aubrey suggested. "What movie even is it?" Basil asked as he looked at the TV, a spaceship was blasting through an asteroid field being chased by what looked like space motorcycles. "Cpt. Spaceboy 4: return of the space British."

"Oh that one, wasn't that the one that shot the franchise to global fame?" Basil asked as he continued to stare at the screen, Spaceboy giving a dramatic speech as he faked his death. He chuckled at the cheesiness of the movie that was all too popular when it came out. Basil leaned back in his chair as they all watched the movie, Polly bringing them snacks part way through. It reminded him of the feeling of resting under a blanket by your friends late at night despite how early it was.

As the credits of the movie finally began to roll to a song sung by spaceboy himself that made Basil's ears bleed. "God... that was... A lot worse then I remember." Kel said in between heaby breaths. "Yeah, that sucked." Aubrey said as she stood up and stretched her back. "I've all respect for spaceboy..." Sunny said as if he was just betrayed by a close friend. "Can we go do... something that isn't awful?" Aubrey asked as she was already walking towards the door like she was ready to leave. "Yeah what?" Hero asked. Everyone stood in silence as they thought. 

"Gino's?" Kel asked. "Kel we just ate 3 tubs of popcorn no one is hungry." Hero said, everyone nodded. "We could go somewhere else, spontaneous mini road trip style." Aubrey suggested. "Sorry, I gotta shoot that one down, I can't take anyone anywhere right now, Basil's new gadget... was quite a bit." Polly said. Basil put his hand on the phone in his pocket. An idea struck him. "It's not much or long... but can I have everyone's numbers? I forgot all of them, sorry." Basil said shyly.

"Oh sure... Why though, don't you guys have a phonebook?" Hero asked. "A PHONE BOOK I'M STUPID! HOW DID I FORGET THOSE EXIST!" Basil screamed in his mind. "Oh yeah... I forgot those existed." He said awkwardly. "It's in the drawer in Parsely's room!" Polly said and Basil hastily walked over to his grandma's room.

Basil opened the door and sighed. It just now hit him this was the first time he'd been in this room since she passed. The light pouring in through the window landed on a white egret orchard. "Crap... I forgot to water this one this morning." He thought as he crouched down to investigate the status of the flower. 

The flower was still in rather good shape, it would probably just need some extra care for a few days. Basil picked up the pot and set it on the drawer next to a photo of himself and his grandma from over a decade ago. He opened it up and dug through a bunch of old stuff till he found a yellow book "Bingo!" He thought happily and placed it next to the egret as he put everything back in the drawer. He gently placed the potted flower on the book and carried them out to the main room.

"Oh sweet you fou- Flower?" Kel said, trying to understand the potted plant in Basil's hand. "I found it while looking for the phone book, I forgot we had it, it hasn't been watered in awhile." Basil said, staring at the plant fondly. Sunny stared at the plant with a similar fondness, he seemed to like white egrets. "Hey... You can have this one Sunny." Basil said as he gave him the plant. Sunny's eye's widened in shock at Basil's sudden gift. Though it seemed to make him very happy. "Thank you..." Sunny said quietly, Basil just smiled in return.

Sunny took the flower and held it close to his chest like he was giving it a hug. "whftvtvtfvtfvtvft THAT'S SO ADORABLE!" Basil thought, trying to prevent himself from blushing or squealing at how cute Sunny looked holding the plant. He instinctively reached for his camera, but he left it in his room. He sighed and sat down to start entering the numbers into his phone. 

He quickly entered his own house's number, Aubrey's house's, and Kel's. "Hey... quick question?" He asked as he stopped before the last number. "What's up?" Hero responded. "If Sunny's moving soon." Basil internally cringed at his own lie, but he had to do it. "What number should I enter, cause if I remember correctly, Sunny or your mom don't have one." He said sadly. Sunny shook his head. "My mom does have one... I memorized it." He said, Basil's head shot towards him. "Well what is it?" He asked, sounding a little too excited.

Sunny walked up to Basil and typed the number on the phone for him, Basil nodded and smiled. "Thank you!" He said happily as he looked at all the new contacts in his phone. "It's nothing..." Sunny said shyly, Basil smiled. "None of them know... that's good... I just need to think of something now..." He thought, his outward smile didn't waver though, 4 years of hiding how you really feel gave him a lot of practice. "Should I feel bad I'm betraying the only people who like me without any second thoughts?" Basil asked himself, he knew it was a stupid question, but couldn't help but think it.

"The rest don't like you, only Sunny, you're doing this for the greater good for him, he'll thank you with time." The voice said, ringing around as it bounced through his head. Basil frowned, if only for a second, another once of regret hitting the chords of his soul before going quiet. "I'm... I'm doing the right thing... Everyone will understand with time." He though, though he felt less sure then a few seconds ago as he continued to look at all the numbers in his phone. He only sighed though.

"Well that was cool I guess... But still we gotta think of something long to do." Kel said. "Yeah, I guess." Basil said as he slipped the phone back into his pocket. "But what?" Aubrey asked as she swung a chair around and sat in it backwards. The group once again sat in awkward silence.

"I guess, I could drive everyone to somewhere?" Hero suggested. "Hero, your car is at your college which is halfway across the country." Kel said flatly. "I could always just drive mom's car y'know?" Hero said back. "I guess... But where would we even go?" Kel said, still thinking.

"Oh! What about that arcade a few miles out that opened like... 7 months ago or something?" Aubrey said excitedly. "That does sound nice." Kel said, putting another vote in for the idea. "I-I guess we can." Basil said. Video games or arcades weren't really his thing. "But I'd be an awful person to not let them go have fun because I don't really like it." Basil thought to himself. Sunny nodded to the arcade suggestion. "Well then it's settled, let's go to the arcade for a few hours!" Hero said as he stood up. Everyone nodded and got ready to leave. "Be safe okay?" Polly asked as the opened the door. "I will!" Basil said confidently as he ran out the door to catch up with everyone.

He ran up to everyone else who had already started the walk. "So... Where'd you find the plant?" Aubrey asked as they made a turn. "Grandma's r- old room." Basil said, hesitating before correcting the statement to be in the past tense. "Oh, I see..." Aubrey said sounding a bit sad. "Oh don't worry about my grandma... she's... I'm..." Basil took a deep breath. "I'll deal with that later today... so just, don't worry." Basil said as they arrived at Kel's house. "I'll get the keys from my mom, You go drop your plant off in your house okay Sunny?" Hero said as he went in his front door as Sunny scrambled to his own house.

"So... Am I really going to be the first to ask how much money all of us have?" Aubrey asked. Basil and Kel facepalmed at the same time. "You both forgot you have to pay, didn't you?" Aubrey asked, the two nod in response. "You guys run and grab your money and I'll remind Sunny and Hero." Aubrey said. "Thanks for the r-reminder." Basil said. "No prob." Aubrey responded.

Basil took off... well half-took off towards his house to grab a bunch of his savings. "It's not that long of a distance... Why does it feel... So long..." Basil thought as the heat of the day really began to get to him, though he eventually made it to his house. He tore open the door and ran inside to his room. "Wai- again?!" Polly said in shock as she gave chase. Basil stopped in his room and eventually found the watering can shaped bank he kept. He removed the work and took out a few bucks.

"Oh... You just needed money." Polly said with a relieved sigh. "Yeah, sorry to worry you, just gotta be quick, anyways see ya!" Basil said as he hurried out the door. "Alright... Have fun... And stay calm!" Polly shouted after him, Basil just gave her a thumbs up as he slightly slower ran back to Kel's house, the blistering Sun starting to be a serious issue.

He got back to Kel's house to find Kel also panting and sweating despite only going in and out of his house. "Dude... Just take off the jacket." Aubrey said. "I... can't." Kel said sadly, and Aubrey just snorted as a response. "Suuuuure." She said sarcastically. "I'll... Show you why at the arcade." Kel said, Aubrey chuckled to herself. "Alright man." Her sarcasm was through the roof.

Sunny eventually walked back with a wad of cash that didn't make sense how he had, Hero exited his house not long after, spinning the keys in his hand. "Sweet finally!" Aubrey said as she fanned herself. "Let's go arcading!" Kel said as he ran into the car."

"I have a feeling this will only go well." Aubrey said as Hero and Sunny planned who would sit where.

Chapter Text

Basil was happy Kel's family had a 3 row car, it meant he wasn't squished between Kel and Aubrey in the middle, especially with how much Kel was sweating despite the car's best efforts to cool him down. "Hey Aubrey, why'd you wanna go to the arcade?" Basil asked, getting bored of the other conversation that was going on. "Eh, seemed like something everyone would at least somewhat enjoy." She said bluntly. "So much for a conversation." Basil thought as Aubrey turned away from him, as if ignoring him.

Basil sighed and turned his attention back to the conversation Kel, Sunny, and Hero were having. "Listen, it's easy to understand." Hero said calmly as he kept his eye's nailed on the road. "It's not! How does that happen, how do the cells just... Know to do that?" Kel whined. "They just do Kel, if there is an answer, I don't know, and it's like i can grab a mic and interview a cell." Hero groaned as he pressed on the gas a bit harder. "You could try..." Kel said very quietly, Hero did not respond.

Basil leaned his head forwards to be closer to the middle row. "Did you find your answer Kel?" Basil asked, He knew the answer but was trying to be pleasant. "Nope... Did they teach this in bio class last year and I just didn't pay attention?" Kel asked, Basil nodded and Kel let out a defeated sigh. "You're lucky, you liked that class, and were good at it, I hated it." He continued. Basil let out a small chuckle. "I'm always happy to learn about plants." He said happily. "I'd be happy to learn if they taught classes that were interesting to me." Kel complained. "Isn't that exclusively PE..?" Sunny said quietly from the front row. "Well yeah... but like... I dunno... I don't have any clue what I want to do yet." Kel said, giving up on whatever he was going to say.

"That's fine you got time, trust me." Hero said, finally turning back to face everyone as he stopped at a light. "I know, but like, you know how mom is, she won't take "I don't know." As an answer for much longer." Kel said grumpily. "Yeah, but don't worry, you got the second child luck, I had to be the guinea pig." Hero said with a chuckle, his mind clearly playing back some memory. "I guess." Kel said in his usual happy tone. 

Sunny gasped. "Oh my god..." Sunny said as he looked out the window. Everyone turned their head to see what was interesting. Hero was driving past a side of the arcade to get to the parking lot. "THAT THING'S HUGE!" Aubrey and Kel exclaim at the same time. Basil's jaw dropped at the sight of the multi-story arcade, he didn't even care about the games, it was just a sight to behold. "Well, everyone ready?" Hero asked as he turned into the lot and began to search for a spot to park. "HELL YEAH I'M READY!" Kel shouted, Basil and Aubrey recoiled at his sudden volume.

Hero scooted around the lot for a few minutes as everyone talked about what they were going to do. "I really want to see what the newest technology of shooters have to offer." Kel said, mimicking a gun. "You concern me." Aubrey said slowly. "AHA! Finally!" Hero said triumphantly as he zooped into a spot basically on the other side of the parking lot. Everyone hopped out of the cars, Hero folded the middle seats and Basil crawled out last. "Nice spot, We got food nearby too." Hero said, his sights on a nearby pizza place.

"Food later, giant arcade now." Sunny said as he began to speedwalk to the arcade. "I think that's the fastest I've seen him move in 4 years." Kel said in awe, despite how slow Sunny was still moving. "Kel hasn't that been like 5 times?" Aubrey asked, Kel put his hands on his hips and looked confidently at the arcade. "You're totally right" He said with sheer optimism and ran after Sunny to the arcade. Aubrey chuckled. "Well, what are we waiting for?" Aubrey says as she followed after. Basil shrugged and looked at Hero. "I'll be right behind ya." He said and Basil nodded and ran off after the other 3.

Unsuccessfully though, Sunny had a big head start, and Kel and Aubrey were physically active a lot, the huge parking lot tired him out quick. "W-Wait up!" Basil called after the others as his pace slowed down. "Come baaaaack!" Basil mentally whined as he pushed himself beyond his limit. "How are they... So fast." Basil thought as he finally arrived at the entrance to the arcade. He leaned on one of those weird pillar things between stored and parking lots to catch his breath.

"Daaaang, you two ran fast." Kel said in awe at Sunny and Basil. "I... I want... wanted to c... catch up." Basil said in between his breaths that sounded more like gasps for air. "It's not like we would've gone inside without you, but alright." Kel said happily. "Yeah, Hero's taking his time, you could've too." Aubrey said flatly, Basil turned around to see Hero slowly strolling across the parking like, clearly whistling something, but he was still so far away it couldn't be heard. "I didn't even run that fast... I just ran first." Sunny said quietly. "Still, that was faster then the past few days." Kel said. "Oh yeah, can you tell me about your wacky adventures at some point?" Basil asked as he finally stood up straight and composed himself. "Sure, but adventure later, arcade now!" Kel said rushing in right as Hero caught up with everyone.

"Well he's excited... Anyways, go one you guys, you don't gotta wait for me like some chaperone, you can take care of yourselves." Hero then paused, clearly thinking of the past few days in his head. "I think." He said less confidently, Basil couldn't help but snicker a bit. "Gee thanks, anyways, you enjoy yourself, nobody is gonna die at an arcade." Aubrey said as she turned a 180 and walked into the building. "She's right... I'll be fine... Trust me." Basil said, trying to sound confident. "Let's go Sunny!" Basil said with a smile as he extended his hand. Sunny just looked at him and walked to the building. "Fair..."  He thought sadly and lowered his head. "I guess everyone's just... Silently dealing with it... Does that mean I'm behind... or something?" Basil thought, but he shook his head and ran inside the arcade.

It was like an entirely different universe inside. The whole thing was black with almost a galaxy tone to it. There were arcade machines not only on the walls, but everywhere, back to back, all lined up. "How can a place this cool exist?" Kel asked, still standing in awe by the entrance. "Kel the last video game I played was 3 years ago, and I think i just found my lost childhood on the everything here." Basil said in awe, the whole place was so impressive. Basil noticed Aubrey already hard at work at a claw machine.

"Well enough standing around, let's go!" Kel shouted and ran off at the speed of sound. Basil looked around the arcade, there were so many options just lying around, the variety was insane, and he didn't know what to choose. He scanned over all the machines by the entrance, Hero walked in behind him. "Wow... How far we've come..." He said in awe as he looked over the space before him. "The one arcade machine they had a Hobeez is nothing to this!" Basil thought as his eyes finally found something that peaked his interest.

He walked over to the machine and read the title. "Dance dance revolution 2nd mix." The machine had a sort of floor in front of it and Basil stepped onto the machine. Basil took out some coins and slotted them into the machine. The screen changed from some random animations to a list of songs. Basil looked at the machine. "Huh? Where are the controls?" Basil thought as he looked all over the electronic box. He took a step back to maybe see something and the selected song moved down. Basil glanced down and noticed arrows on the machine's platform. He stepped on the one that point down and the selected song moved again.

Basil began to rapidly tap his feet, scrolling through the songs, none of them looked familiar. Basil never really listened to music though. He scrolled till he found one with an interesting title and selected it. Without warning the machine began playing a song and arrows began to fly up the screen at an inhuman pace. Basil's eyes couldn't keep up with all the flashing colors and he just took a deep breath and walked away before he had an anxiety attack from pure sensory overload. He glaced at the nearby machines, a bunch of driving games. "Last time polly got me to practice driving I almost crashed and ended up crying..." He thought as he stepped away from the section.

Basil began to look again and saw stairs to the next floor. A vending machine lay nearby. Basil walked up to it examined the options. He slipped in a few quarters and out popped a bag of pretzels. He began to snack on them as he headed up to the next floor. He noticed Sunny in a row with a few other kids in it slouched over focusing on whatever he was playing. Basil walked over and saw two overly buff characters beating the ever loving shit out of each other. "Never knew Sunny liked these types of games...I'll keep that in mind." Basil thought as he leaned on a nearby machine and watched the game intensely. Sunny's eyes only darted over and noticed Basil for half a second before returning to the fight.

Sunny was very good at it. Basil was enjoying watching Sunny more than he could get out of any game. Eventually though a guy with red hair came onto the stage and beat Sunny in seconds. Sunny hung his head down and Basil gave him a few pats on the back. "You did really good there!" He said proudly, as the new high score letters flashed on screen, they asked for Sunny's name but only allowed for 3 letters. "Why not S U N?" Basil suggested, Sunny nodded in agreement. Sunny then stepped out of the way and signaled for Basil to give the game a whirl. 

"Sunny, it's not really my thing... thanks for the offer though!" Basil said, hoping he wouldn't embarrass himself. Sunny sighed and stepped back on the machine. "Thanks... I enjoy watching you more anyway." Basil said a little more quietly so none of the other kids around would hear. Sunny smiled turned back to the machine. "Did he blush? Or was that just me?" Basil thought. He rubbed his eyes and Sunny's cheeks looked as pale as normal. "Whatever, just focus... Don't blow it." He sighed and leaned on the machine next to the one Sunny was using as he observed him play.

Sunny beat his own score six times total, he was a natural at the game. After he entered his name again he sighed and walked away. "Oh, you wanna do something else?" Basil asked as he walked with Sunny. "Food..." He mumbled. "Oh, there's a vending machine right down the stairs!" Basil said as he pointed to the stairs despite Sunny obviously knowing where they were. "No... real food." He said slowly. "Oooooooooh, my bad, I think they have a small cafe in here, don't know where though." Basil said, Sunny just pointed to a giant poster with even bigger letters that read MAP. Basil blushed and scratched his arm awkwardly. "Right..."

Basil and Sunny looked at the map, unfortunately. "This thing is shaped like a five dimensional object!" Basil complained as he struggled to understand it. Sunny was standing on a chair they found nearby to get a better look, but was no closer to figuring out the map than Basil was. "Maybe Hero could help?" Basil asked, out of ideas. "Or an employee..." Sunny said, staring at some teenager with a uniform. They looked barely older than Basil. Sunny looked at Basil and he instantly understood. "Sunny wants me to do the talking..." Basil thought. He sighed and walked up to the employee. 

Basil recognized him as a kid from school. Basil never talked with him but he had a few classes with him in his time in high school. "Hey... Do you know where the cafe is?" He asked, and the kid looked at him and just pointed to the map. Basil scowled a bit. "Oh right... Sorry me and my friend can't understand the map, just tell us where it is on whatever floor." Basil asked, still keeping his friendly tone. The employee sighed and walked to the balcony on the second floor and pointed to a hallway with no signs on it. "Thank you!" Basil said and ran back to Sunny as the employee groaned and went back to work.

"It's just down some... random hallway, let's go!" Basil said, Sunny clamored down from the chair and and ran off towards the stairs. "He's growing fast..." Basil thought fondly and ran after him.

Sunny and Basil waltzed into the cafeteria. "Oh god this place is not made for food it is made for birthdays." Basil thought, he cringed as he looked at the menu and it was just awful health wise. He didn't mind eating greasy pizza or wings, but the whole vibe of the place put him off. "Eating one slice of this pizza would be the equivalent to three slices of Gino's health wise." Basil continued as he judges the puddles of grease and wings this place called food. Sunny did not seem to mind as he walked up to the stand and pointed at a bucket of wings labeled "EXTRA SPICY!!!!!!" Basil sighed and got the person working the food bar's attention. "Do you have any salads?" Basil asked, the man just burst into laughter, choking out the word "salads" as he struggled to breathe from sheer laughter.

Basil just backed away and sat down with Sunny who had a giant bucket of wings. "You paid fast." Basil said as Sunny began to snack on the wings. Sunny took a bite and froze for a second, his left eye twitched and a shiver shot up his spine. Sunny just shook his head and began eating them at a rapid pace. "Not that spicy huh?" Aubrey said as she walked into the cafe. "Oh hey! What have you been up to?" Basil asked her. Aubrey took a single wing from Sunny's bucket and ate it in one bite. "some stupid ga-" Aubrey stopped mid sentence. Her face turned a bright red and tears began to run down her cheek. "G-Give me a-a-a m-moment." She said in a very shaky choice and ran off towards the nearby restrooms. Once the bathroom door Basil heard a scream that genuinely concerned him.

"Sunny, do you know what's on these wings?" Basil asked as Sunny shoved two into his mouth at once without flinching. "Ghost pepper." Sunny said bluntly. Basil reached for the bucket and read the label, sure enough, there were ghost peppers on these wings. "Jesus christ Sunny! I don't know if this is healthy!" Basil said as he looked at how many wings were in the bucket. "Oh..." Sunny said sadly and shoved the bucket away from himself. "He didn't know... Oh my god... Basil you moron of course he doesn't know he had himself as the only think to learn from for four years!" Basil shook his head. "I'll... try to finish off the wings so you don't waste your money." He said.

Basil picked up the wing and judged it. He gave it a sniff and besides it making his nose feel weird it smelled good. He took a deep breath in and ate half of it in a single bite.

"Hey, that ain't that baaaaaaaahhhh Aaaaaahhhh aahhhhhhhhhh..." Basil physically recoiled at the wing as he bit it. He wasn't new when it came to peppers, quite enjoying jalapenos when they were cooked right. He gulped it down and through the natural wetness in his eyes despite him not really needing to cry, smiled. "I need a drink." Basil said in a dry voice as he walked to the soda fountain. He grabbed some water and sat back down. Aubrey walked back to the table, her face was very red.

"You feel better?" Sunny and Basil asked at the same time. "Yeah... I'm fine..." She said. She very clearly was not fine, but Basil had no idea what it could be besides the pepper. "You want some water?" Basil asked, pointing to the fountain. "I'm good, now. Do we want some actual food?" She asked. "What do you mean?" Basil asked. "That restaurant Hero mentioned, lets round everyone up and go there." Sunny frowned. "We've barely done anything here though." Sunny said sadly. "We could... just come back after we eat if we wanted to." Aubrey said. "Oh." was Sunny's only response.

"You go find Kel." Aubrey said facing Basil. "Me and Sunny will find Hero, we meet at the couch area by the entrance okay?" Everyone nodded and headed off.

It didn't take long for Basil to find Kel DESTROYING the dancing game he had struggled at earlier. "Kel." Basil said, Kel continued to dance. 

"Kel." Basil said, Kel continued to dance. "Kel." Basil said, Kel continued to dance. "Kel." Basil said, Kel continued to dance. "KEL!" Basil shouted and Kel turned to look at him. "oh hey Basil whats up?" He asked. Basil sighed. "Everyone is meeting at the couch area by the entrance." He said. "Oh, I'll meet you there, just gimmie a moment to finish up." He said as another song started. Basil sighed and walked away.

Basil was the first one to the couch area. "I thought Hero would be easier to find..." Kel thought as he leaned back into the chair. It was surprisingly comfy. He could really get used to this. It was quiet too, but not the eerie quiet, the pleasant quiet. Basil closed his eyes and played a song in his head. It was peaceful, the distant beeping of the arcade machines were not an issue at all. They were in fact, just the right volume.

"Oh, you're the first one here, nice." Kel said in his usual not quiet at all voice. Basil groaned and sat back up as he opened his eyes. "That was faster than I thought." He said, his friendly voice still waking up with him. "Yeah, short song I guess. Anyways, you got an idea when everyone else is gonna be here? He asked. Basil shook his head, Sunny, Aubrey, and Hero were nowhere in sight. "Damn, gives us a moment to chill." Kel said as he sat down.

It seemed the couch area was cursed to irony, as right as Kel sat down, the other three emerged from a row of arcade machines, walking and talking, well Aubrey and Hero at least. "Oh sweet, finally." Kel said, despite it being literally like 10 seconds. Basil sighed and stood up as Kel did the same. "Alright, let's get some good food!" Hero said excitedly.

Chapter Text

Basil looked at the menu, the food was better then the arcade's, but it was still awful looking. "Though I haven't had anything particularly bad lately... It wouldn't hurt to have a bite..." Basil looked at the menu, the salad options were not big at all. "Is everyone ready to order?" Hero asked. "I guess." Aubrey said. "I'll just order last, you guys start." Basil said as he debated between some pepperoni pizza or a salad with a hamburger on the side. Everyone else ordered and Basil turn approached. He stared at the two items. "Fuck... uhhhh..." Basil began to waggle his finger between the two choices on the menu. "3...2...1...stop." Basil stopped and his finger ended pointing at the burger. 

Kel finished ordering a massive sandwich and then the cashier faced Basil. "I'll have a cheese burger, add lettuce, onions, tomato, and mustard please!" Basil said, and the cashier tapped away at his register. "That will be $57.89 please" "Wow that's cheap!" Kel exclaimed as Hero reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He handed the cashier the exact amount of money and pointed to a table for them to rest in while they waited for their food. 

"I'm surprised, mustard but no ketchup." Kel said as he slid into his chair. "Is there something wrong with that?" Basil asked as he sat down next to him. "No, just seems weird, like I'm used to ketchup basically HAVING to go with mustard." Kel said, emphasis on having. "He got a tomato, no need to add more I guess." Hero said. "What do you always say about onions?" Kel asked Hero. "No such thing as to much onions." He said as if reciting some 100 year old anecdotes. Aubrey made a gagging noise at the mention of onions. "Same goes for tomatoes." Kel said, Hero shook his head. "Tomatoes are vastly different from onions Kel." Hero said, Basil elected to side with Hero due to his advanced knowledge of food.

The cashier then called out their order number. "Odd... That was unnecessary, we're the only ones in here..." Basil thought. Hero sighed and stood, he took one look at the food on the counter. "Alright, they used a lot more trey's then I thought, who wants to help?" Hero asked. "Sure." Everyone minus Sunny (who nodded) said. Hero sat in silence as he stared at everyone. "I pick Kel." He said, Kel threw his arms up in response. "Why me?" He asked, but he was already on his way to help. 

Everyone sat in silence as they waited for the food. "Not like there's much to say..." Basil thought as everyone sat there bored... presumably. The silence was almost eerie, it creeped Basil out, a lot more then he thought it would've. But since the food was like 6 feet away, the silence lasted all of 10 seconds or so.

Kel set the food down with a grunt and Hero followed suite. "Bon appa-" Hero was interrupted by Kel tearing into his sandwich at the speed of sound. "Well then..." Hero said as he sat down. "Slow down, you're going to choke." Aubrey said as she opened her pizza box and began to slowly munch at it. Basil looked at the pizza and sighed. "Dodged a bullet there." He thought to himself, Hero noticed the look on his face. "Is it that bad?" He asked as he looked at his own pizza which was still in the box.

"It looks like a slice of cheese wheel which they poured some bacon grease on." He said bluntly. "Jeez, it's just a fast food pizza." Aubrey said as she bit hers. Basil sighed in response and took his burger out of its little box thingy. He then gently placed it on the trey and began to examine it carefully. He took it apart and looked at each element inside at a level a professional detective would be jealous of. 

"What-"CHOMP CHOMP "Exactly are you-" MUNCH CHOMP "Doing?" Kel asked in between his sandwich bites. "Making sure it's safe to eat." Basil said, looking at the tomato for a second time. Kel burped loudly. "I knew you were a picky eater, no offense. But this is a lot worse then I remember." Kel said as he looked at basil worriedly as he stuck a finger in the mustard and sniffed it. "Did you like develop food trauma or something in the four years too?" Aubrey asked.

"Nope." Basil said bluntly in response, trying to hide the embarrassment of being read and called out so easily like that. He had just suffered 5 basically back to back cases of food related illnesses around 2 years ago and after that he made sure everything he ate was perfectly healthy. "Weird... Maybe I just remembered it wrong." Kel said with a shrug. Basil shrugged back. He then reconstructed the burger and took a bite. Basil slowly moved the burger away from his mouth and stared straight in front of him blankly. "That bad? Really?" Hero asked. "Tha-... That's not mustard... I do no know why it smells like mustard... That is... Not mustard." Basil said in a dry voice.

"C'mon it's probably just a different formula!" Kel said as he pat Basil on the back. "No seriously, try it yourself." Basil said, Kel shrugged and took of the top bun, getting some mustard on a fry and taking a bite.

Basil had to hold back his laughter as Kel's face scrunched up like he fell in a salt mine. "That's... Not mustard..." Kel squeaked out. "Just scrape it off I guess." Hero suggested. Basil nodded and scraped all the "mustard" off with a fry.  He took another bite and it was bearable now. 

Everyone ate in silence, besides Kel they all ate slowly and cautiously. "This place is not good..." Basil thought as he looked at Sunny shudder as he took a bite of his meal. "It's bearable... but not good at all." He thought as he stared at the rest of his burger. 

"Just one bite at a time." He told himself as his stomach growled

"Just."

"One."

"Bite."

"At." 

"A."

"Time."

...

Basil looked at the puddle of grease that remained of the burger on his tray. His taste buds whined in unhappiness and he had a sour look on his face. "I honestly am wondering if this place is somehow worse than the arcade cafe." Basil said. "Relax, it's not that bad, maybe you just got the wrong thing or they just happened to screw up on your order, human margin of error." Hero said. "Human margin of what now?" Basil asked. 

"Basically, if you do something a lot of times even if you're really good at it, statistics say your bound to screw up eventually." Hero said confidently. "Weren't you studying to be a doctor not a statistician?" Aubrey asked. "Yeah, I am." Hero said with a grin. "You not only just come about a lot of random information at college, but doctors have to account for it as well. Surgeons especially." He continued, Hero seemed to really enjoy talking about his college learning. "I see... Still I doubt that a margin could make a burger this bad." Basil said. Hero just shrugged. "Everyone's taste buds are different I guess." He said as he turned back to finish what little food he had left.

"Hey at least it's better than McDonalds." Aubrey said, leaning back in her chair. "Agreed." Sunny said quietly. "I agree as well... but hasn't it been over 4 years since you had it?" Hero asked. "No... Mom brought it home often." Sunny said. Basil frowned at the thought of Sunny having to stay fed of purely McDonalds for some days. "Anything's better than McDonalds, I don't care how good they taste its basically a diabetes bomb." Basil said, thinking back to when he threw up not even 5 minutes after having it for the first time.

"Well... Let's go back to the arcade!" Kel said. "YOU can, I'm not done yet." Hero said, still basically nibbling on his food. "Well everyone else is done." Kel said. "Well you guys can go ahead. I don't do well with walking and eating." Hero said with what basil thought was a hint of regret on his face. "Well I'm off, whose coming with?" Kel asked.

Sunny was the first to nod. "I'll come too I guess, Hero's used to spending time alone in a dorm anyways." Aubrey said. "I know she's joking but OUCH." Basil thought as he slid off his chair. "You coming too?" Aubrey asked, she sounded annoyed. "Is she? Am I thinking too much into it?" He shook his head. "Yeah, I'll come too.

Chapter Text

Basil exited the arcade first, the oppressive sun blinding him for a small moment and he blinked rapidly. He looked back at everyone else, who were fine with the drastic light transition... Except for Sunny who looked like a cat pawing at his face. "I guess he and I still aren't used to it..." He thought as he waited for Sunny to be adjusted to the light. "Hey you guys good?" Hero asked as he waited by a trashcan. "Yeah, just adjusting to the light." Basil said with a slight grin as he blinked and began to walk towards everyone with Sunny.

They all piled into the car, the same positions as before and began to head home. Unlike the ride there however, it was not silent at all for the whole ride. "I swear, I'm bringing my own food there next time." Hero said with a shudder. "That muffin looked awfully a lot like a rat." Kel said as he remembered the second trip to the arcade cafe. "Great games... Hr nightmare kitchen..." Sunny said bluntly from the front. Basil nodded silently. "Agreed... I would call the health inspector... but idk how..." Hero said sadly. "Now that I think of it, I hear so much talk about them, especially from dad... But I've never seen, heard, been around, or heard from a health inspector." Kel said. "Isn't that the point? They randomly show up and do an inspection?" Basil hypothesized, Kel shrugged as a response.

"I don't think so? But I'm probably the least qualified person to talk about a clean environment." Aubrey said with a half snort. "Am I missing something? I really feel like I'm missing some sort of punchline." Basil said. "Later." was Aubrey's only response. Basil shrugged "At least I have something to look forward to." Basil thought. "Shouldn't there be a health inspector in our phone books or something?" Kel asked. "If we did I hardly think they'll listen to a bunch of random kids asking about his job." Hero said. 

"But what if it's like a dying profession and they're really passionate about their job though." Kel said desperately. Aubrey burst out in laughter and Basil joined in too. "they're... healing?" Basil thought to himself. as Aubrey looked like she'd forgotten about the hospital in the moment.

"I know she hasn't... there's no way... but maybe just... for this moment?" Basil mentally shrugged, fine with the answer he thought up to his own question. "Don't lAUgh at Me!" Kel said, despite almost falling into giggles himself. This only increased Aubrey's laughter.

"How much longer till we're back?" Sunny asked as the laughter began to fade. "Oh, not much, do you have to use the restroom?" Hero asked. Sunny shook his head. "My eye... and head." He said, pointing to the body parts, then main a disgruntled noise that sounded like he was in minor but potentially worrying pain. "OH MY GOD WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT!" Hero almost shouted as he slowed the car down and looked for a place to pull over.

"W-whats wrong?!" Basil asked. "Of course the arcade would mess with Sunny, he's still getting used to his new vision and all the flashing lights and blurs as I sped home are probably giving him a migraine." Hero said. Basil gritted his teeth. "YOU MORON WHY DIDN'T YOU THINK OF THAT!" Basil yelled at mostly himself but a bit at everyone else. Sunny sighed "Don't worry... just get home." Sunny said lightly. "Last time we didn't worry about you and Basil almost fought to the death at 2 AM." Kel said all heroically.

"That was a 4 year spiral and explosion... this is a headache that can be solved by Tylenol." Sunny said as blunt as ever. Kel sat there motionless with a gobsmacked expression for a second before getting back into position in his seat while Hero snickered. "Fair enough, I'll just drive slower, just ask if you need anything." Hero said as He cruised towards their houses. Sunny just nodded and shut his eyes.

Basil leaned forwards to look out the window. They were around 5 minutes away from home. "So what are we gonna do next?" He asked as they pulled into the little area where everyone lived.

"I just need some time to rest, you guys can do something though." Hero responded. "My mom wanted me back at the house... pretty sure she's just gonna check if I trashed her car... which I didn't." Sunny said. "Should I say I believe him on that or would that be too much..." Basil thought to himself. "Bruh." Was Kel's only response. "That's it? Bruh?" Aubrey asked. "What am I supposed to say to that, some long and complex statement about how I trust Sunny?" Kel asked defensively. "Yes actually." Aubrey said annoyed. Kel just sighed and looked out the window.

"Does anyone need to be dropped off anywhere specific?" Hero asked as he turned onto first street. "Just my house." Sunny said, Hero nodded. "I'm just gonna chill at the park, but that's in walking distance so you don't have to do anything." Aubrey said. "Mind if I join?" Kel asked. "Yes but you can come anyway." Aubrey said with a slight sigh. Basil thought about his schedule. "Polly just said I have to be home by dinner... I can't be with Sunny though... so..." "Can I tag along too?" Basil asked. "Sure why not." Aubrey said. "Oh he gets a sure why not but I get a "I mind you being here but i will grace you with being allowed in my presence."" Kel said in a mocking voice. "I can make you not come." Aubrey said quickly, Kel had an annoyed expression but was quiet.

"Well I think that settles that." Hero said as he pulled up to Sunny's house. "Have a good one!" He said and Sunny nodded as he hopped out the car and walked inside. Hero then pulled the car into his house. "Well that was fun. Have a good one you guys!" Hero said as he exited into his house.

The three passengers in the back exited the car. "You mind if I grab a water real quick?" Kel asked as he finally slid off his jacket. "Nope." Aubrey said as she began to stroll towards the park. Basil looked at back and forth debating whether to wait for Kel or go with Aubrey.

Basil spedwalked up to Aubrey as she got to the park. "thought you were waiting for him." She said as she sat down on the swings. "I changed my mind." Basil said as he sat next to her. "Ah, any reason?" She asked. "Boredom I guess... Hey, why aren't we heading to our hangout spot?" Basil asked Aubrey as he slowly rocked on the swing. "I don't want Kel to not know we went there, so I'm waiting here till he gets back." She replied, mimicking Basil's swinging. "Ah makes sense." Basil said quietly.

The two swung in silence for a little bit. "What's taking him so long?" Aubrey asked as she looked down the street with Kel nowhere to be seen. "Beats me..." Basil said quietly. "... Hey... do you mind telling me what you were hinting at in the car earlier?" Basil asked, he noticed Aubrey freeze up for just a moment. She took a deep breath in. "... For... A lo-" "YO! Sorry I took so long mom wouldn't let me leave." Kel said as he ran up to the two. Aubrey sighed and closed her mouth. Kel took a swig of water. "So what exactly are we gonna do?" He asked, Basil shrugged. "I thought we could just go to the spot and chill." Aubrey said. "Oh, sweet!" Kel said as he went to the spot. Aubrey waited for Kel to be a bit further away. "I'll tell you later, now c'mon." She said as she hopped of the swing, Basil quickly followed.

The small gaps in the greenery were never kind to Basil, A tree branch whipped him in the face as he stepped over a root. He shook it off and walked into the clearing. The blue picnic basket that he didn't know who it belonged to was still there. The only difference was a stain on the blanket by the basket.

Kel sat down on the dock, his feet barely hanging above the surface of the water. "I was about to make some comment about having swam here in a while then I remembered what happened literally 3 days ago." Kel said, breaking the silence. Aubrey sighed. "If you decided to not say it, why did you say the thing while talking about not saying it?" She said, clearly annoyed. Kel dangled his legs a bit. "Fair point." He said while nodding his head. 

Basil and Aubrey sat down on the picnic blanket, Kel got up and sat with them too. "So... now what?" Kel said as he opened the picnic basket, the disappointment on his face showed there was no words needed to describe the lack of food. "I guess we just... talk about whatever, like we used to do... We can do it again, I'm sure that's not a skill you can just... loose." Aubrey said. "I know what you're trying to say." Basil said reassuringly, Aubrey flashed him a quick smile. "Yeah... But like where do we start?" Kel asked, looking up in the sky as if in search for inspiration.

The three thought for a few seconds. "Pizza-" "vetoed" Basil snorted at Kel and Aubrey's interaction. "Don't encourage her!" Kel said desperately. "Anything but pizza." Aubrey said. "What did pizza do to you?" Kel asked. "I just had a feeling you were going to get real stupid with that one." Aubrey said. Kel sighed. "Well whatever, not like you have anything better to talk about." He said. "I do actually, first off, what the fuck, second off, how the fuck." Aubrey replied and threw a rock in the water. Basil looked over at her confused. Kel did the same. "What...?" "It's just these past few days... I need to just talk about it to someone." Aubrey said, picking up a larger rock and barely getting it to the lake.

Basil looked over at her. "I was... not expecting that..." He thought, but kept a straight face. "Go on..." Basil said slowly. Aubrey sighed heavily. "Where do I start..." She said as she scratched her arm. "...At the beginning?" Kel suggested. Aubrey looked at him. "For once I think that's a good idea." She said with a slight grin. Kel beamed with a smile. "See, I'm useful sometimes." He said as if rubbing something in. Aubrey rolled her eyes. "So... fucking... I dunno how does someone go about this type of thing?" Aubrey asked. "I dunno... I just kinda spoke whatever I was thinking to Sunny whenever I did something like this." Basil said, remembering talking his thoughts to Sunny as he played pokemon. "I just got happy through something else." Kel said, Basil looked at him with a concerned look.

"Well... I'm just like..." Aubrey said, she then began circling her hands as if trying to think of something. "Go on..." Basil said "That doesn't help, why did you say that you moron." Basil thought to himself. "My best friend didn't actually kill themselves, it was hidden from me for 4 years, my other friends almost kill each other at midnight over this, then I learn all this, THEN their car is destroyed, preventing them from leaving." She said, taking a deep breath after talking so fast. Aubrey then leaned forward and lowered her voice. "And this may sound odd... But I think all the stuff with Mari and the truth, and Sunny's mom's car being wrecked preventing them from leaving... They're connected." She said in a hushed whisper.

Basil leaned back in shock, his arms shot back to hold him up from falling on his back. He noticed Kel did the same. "Well at least I'm not the only one who did... Hopefully that makes me less suspicious..." He thought, he clenched his jaw. "I have to choose my words carefully..." Basil steeled his focus "Really?! What makes you think that?" He asked, monitoring his voice tone on a level professional speakers would be jealous of. "It just seems like... too much of a coincidence to me... Maybe I'm just forcing myself to make sense of all of it somehow... But I really think all of this is connected." She said.

Basil noticed Aubrey's eyes. They were darting between Basil and Kel, digging into their souls. "She's suspicious of both of us... Just act normal... Don't match her gaze but don't try to look away." The voice told Basil, he listened to it this time. "Well... who do you think did it?" Kel asked, Basil heard the uneasiness in his voice. Aubrey sighed. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I think it could've been any one of us... Sunny... Hero... You..." She said as she looked at Kel. "And you." She turned to Basil. "Hell, if you guys think about it, you could think it's me... It wasn't... But I can see why, no matter how much of a stretch... We all have motives..." She said.

Basil just slowly nodded. "shit... Shiiiiiit... She's close... I have to... shift the blame onto somebody else... In the group or not... I can't let them know... Yet." He thought as his heartbeat began to rise. "Anything that makes you think the theory that a hobo did it is wrong?" Basil asked nonchalantly. Aubrey shrugged. "It's a possibility, but I just... can't shake this feeling that something is off." She said looking downward, almost as if she was disappointed. "I don't see it." Kel replied. "How?" Aubrey asked, sounding shocked. "Like I don't see how or why anyone would've done it." He said.

Aubrey just sighed. "Fair enough... I probably shouldn't have told you guys this, maybe my brain is just... forcing me to find some reason to all of the bullshit that's been going on." Though strangely she didn't sound sad or regretful, but more like "welp you guys didn't believe me so I'll just pretend I'm wrong." Kel didn't seem to notice this though.

Basil sighed. "These past few days have been a doozy..." He said flatly. "God I can't imagine how it's been for you... You know once Sunny's car gets fixed and leaves... You can always talk to me." Aubrey said, Kel nodded. "Me too." He said with a smile. Basil smiled back, though he mentally grimaced at the thought. "I... I'll try." He said slowly, looking towards the ground.

Basil suddenly felt something warm wrap around him. He smiled and hugged Aubrey back, he felt a tingly feeling in his stomach, an unfamiliar one. Though it made him feel happy. "group hug?" Kel asked, Aubrey smiled with and shook her head though it felt positive this time. "Why not... group hug." she said. Basil felt Kel barrel into the two of them. "I wish... things would stay like this forever." Basil thought.

A voice rung out inside Basil's head "They can... you're so close." It said. 

"No... Go away... not right now." Basil fired back at the voice. 

"But I can't... you wont let me. Won't you?" The voice said. And it was right.

Basil frowned, the voice sounded so much louder right now. Aubrey seemed to notice Basil's mood drop. She tilted her head. "Wanna... Try right now?" She asked. Basil looked at her confused. "Oh I mean the... talking to people thing, my bad should've clarified." She hastily added. Basil shrugged. "I... Guess?" He said, but it sounded more like he was asking Aubrey. "Alright, what's bothering you?" She asked, Kel gave a thumbs up from behind her as if cheering Basil on. Basil sighed. "I dunno... Things are still weird I guess... I didn't even do it but I expected some sort of big change after what happened in the hospital... It just feels samey... Like everyone's ignoring it, Which I know they aren't, but still..." He said, finding himself unable to keep eye contact with Aubrey.

He felt Aubrey pat him on the shoulder. "Yeah... We're all thinking through it, it takes time y'know?" Basil nodded at her statement. "It took me 4 years to think through it, I'm sure I can wait a week or so." Basil said with a sly grin that disappeared when he noticed nobody else found that funny. He coughed and looked at Aubrey for a response. She took the hint. "Well... I'm glad you have patience, anything else bothering m- you?" She asked.

"Do I tell her more or not..." Basil thought as he just sat there in silence, practically not moving. "N...ope I'm good!" Basil said unconvincingly. Aubrey sighed. "Well alright, but call me on that new fancy phone of yours if you need me." She said with a smile which Basil returned. 

"Well, I should head home home, promised my mom I wouldn't be out long, you two have fun!" Kel said as he stood up. "Have a good one." "See ya!" Basil and Aubrey said as Kel left the area. 

Basil sighed and slid down to rest on his back. "You tired?" Aubrey asked. Basil nodded as he yawned. "Not tired enough to go home though." He said, looking at the stars beginning to become visible with the setting sun.

It gave him an odd feeling...

Chapter Text

Basil looked over at Aubrey, her pink hair spread over the ground like a mop. "Out of curiosity, how do you deal with that much hair?" Basil asked, hoping to break the silence in a normal way. "It's honestly not that hard, I always wondered how you got your hair to look like... what it looks like." Aubrey said. Basil touched his hair. "I never really put much thought to it... It just looks like this." He thought. "I dunno, my hair care is just, wash it when I bathe and drag a comb through it every once in a while, it just shifts to this shape on its on." Basil replied.

"Really? No secret gardeners technique?" Aubrey said shocked by the revelation. "Nope, just lucky genes I guess." Basil said with a giggle. "Fair enough." Aubrey said with an exhausted sigh. "Don't you have to be home soon?" Aubrey asked, sounding disappointed. "Not really, Polly cooks dinner really late most of the time, and the Sun is only just going down." Basil said as he turned his gaze back up to the sky. "Is that the big dipper?" He asked, recognizing the shape of the stars. "The what?" Aubrey asked.

Basil pointed to the sky and Aubrey followed the direction. "I don't see anything, besides, the fuck is a big dipper?" She asked. "You know, the constellation." Basil said. "she knows what those are right?" He thought. "huh... I vaguely remember what those are... those stars that people say look like something but don't?" She answered. "Yeah those, the big dipper just kinda looks like a big spoon." Basil pointed to the shape again. "You see it now?" he asked.

Aubrey leaned up a bit and squinted. "I see a frog trying to catch some mosquitoes." She said. Basil looked over at her flabbergasted. "You what?!" He asked in shock as he scanned the sky looking for the shape. "I don't see it." He said, doing another look through the sky. Aubrey pointed to some stars "see right there!" she said. Basil followed the direction of her finger to a jumble of stars that looked like nothing. "I see where you're pointing... but I don't see it." Basil said. "You don't it looks exactly like a frog, here, swap positions, maybe you'll see it then." She sad as she rolled into standing up.

Basil scooted over and looked up again. "That changed nothing." He said disappointingly. "Really?! It's like right there, frog, mosquitoes." Aubrey said in awe at Basil's lack of shape seeing. "I don't see it at all, guess it's just a brain difference or something?" Basil suggested. Aubrey sighed. "Maybe it's the sun and once it goes down more you can see it." She suggested. Basil shrugged "Maybe."

"You see anything else?" Aubrey asked. Basil looked around the sky. "I see a stick figure chasing some sort of four legged animal." Basil said as he pointed to the sky. Aubrey looked at it. "THaAT'S THE FROG TOngUE" She said with a bit of laughter. Basil tilted his head. "OH I SEE IT!" Basil said, now seeing a frog in the stars. "HHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA YES!" Aubrey shouted while clutching her stomach from laughter. Basil chuckled a bit too. "Stop laughing it isn't funny." A voice rang out inside Basil's head suddenly, he obliged to it's request.

Aubrey looked over at his sudden silence. "It wasn't that funny?" She said but sounded more questioning then stating. "No no... it's just..." Basil said meekly, stumbling over his words. Aubrey tilted her head. "You good?" She asked as if she sensed his anxiety.

"You're fine." The voice said.

"I'm... good, thanks for the concern though." Basil said with a fake smile. Aubrey looked at Basil for a few moments then sighed as she sat back down. "If you change your mind I'm always available." She said in a calm tone reminiscent of Polly Basil didn't even know she was capable of. "Alright..." Basil said softly, yet he made sure Aubrey could hear him.

"Hey... do you comfortable with telling me what you were referring to and tried to tell me earlier?" Basil asked out of the blue. Her hear Aubrey turn towards him. "Oh?" She responded. "Sorry I've been so pressing about it, I just can't help but feel this is serious... and I think it's just the whole thing that once you learn there's a secret you wanna hear it really bad simply because it's a secret." Basil said, unsure if he had just helped or harmed his case. Aubrey sighed and looked up at the increasingly dark sky, Basil followed suite.

"Basically me and everyone were talking about how my house is a mess." She said quickly. "That's it?" Basil impulsively said. He slammed his hands over his mouth. "I-I'm sorry I didn't meant it like that I-I-I" Basil stuttered as he tried to apologize. Aubrey chuckled. "It's fine, besides. Messy house is an understatement, my mom hasn't picked up our house in 2 years, and even when I do it piles back up within a day. I don't see my mom move unless it's to go to othermart to buy beer, food, and cigarettes." Aubrey said slowly. 

Basil's mouth was wide open in a mix of shock, fear, sadness, anger, and awe. He thought back to a time around a year ago when he saw Aubrey's mom at othermart. He remembered her smelling like a 6 week out of date gallon of milk that was left in a sand dune. At the time he'd just assumed there was a plumbing problem at their house.

"And you just... live in it?" Basil asked. "Not really, Mom always stays on the couch either watching TV or passed out. She doesn't go in my room which stays clean." She said, she looked normal but her face was pained. "That... sounds awful... I don't even know what to say..." Basil said. "Just please feel whatever aura I'm giving off and be comforted... or something." Basil though as he waited for Aubrey's response.

Aubrey sighed. "Not much either of us can do about it anyways, I just gotta live with it till I head out for college." Basil looked at her. "Already thinking about college huh? What do you wanna do?" He asked in attempt to change the subject. Aubrey thought for a moment. "I don't really know, I was thinking of something to do with law though." She replied. "Law huh? I didn't know you were interested in that type of stuff. Police type side of law, or lawyer side of law?" Basil asked, Aubrey shrugged. "Right now I'm fine with either." She said as she turned towards the stars once more.

"I see... I haven't given college much thought myself, despite us becoming juniors next year." Basil said. "Hmmmmmmmmm. I think you'd be a great model." Aubrey said, she sounded a bit sarcastic but Basil couldn't tell. Basil's cheeks flushed red "A- You really t-think so?" He asked. Basil tried to think of something else to say to sound less awkward. "Basil 404 has crashed, please reboot." Basil sighed. "W-what makes you think that?" He asked nervously. "You just look good, like not in that way, like you just look nice no matter the outfit or anything really." Aubrey said, something in her voice sounded off to Basil but he elected to ignore it.

"I see..." Basil said, his cheeks returning to normal "You moron, why did you think she meant it the other way, she doesn't like you, no one does." His mind yelled at him as he calmed down. He sighed and looked at the stars once more. "You know what I see up there." Basil asked. "What?" Aubrey said. "A galaxy." Basil said with a snicker. "PAHAHAHA good one." Aubrey commented. Basil smiled at the relieved tension.

He pulled out his phone and looked at the time. "Damn that thing is fancy, it's crazy how good tech is now, huh?" She asked, Basil nodded. "It feels like this is the peak of human engineering." Basil said as he looked over his phone. "Crazy how far we've come in like 5 years or so." He continued as he put the phone back in his pocket. "Yeah, tell me we'd have this 2 years ago I'd laugh at you." She said confidently. 

Basil chuckled and stood up. "I should get heading home though, thanks for hanging around I guess." Aubrey stood up too. "No reason for me to stay here alone, I'll head home too I guess." She said with a smile. "Let's go then." Basil said with a nod that Aubrey repeated.

...

The walk back from the park was nothing special, and they arrived at 3rd street without a problem. Basil looked at Aubrey. "Do you... Mind if I just take a peak inside your house as you go in?" He asked out of nowhere. Aubrey looked at him. "Huh?" "Y'know like just look inside as you go in... I'm curious and worried." Basil said quietly. Aubrey stood there, her face shifting to a different expression a few times as if selecting a dialogue option in a game. She turned to face Basil after shifting back to a neutral face.

"Go ahead I guess, but don't make a big scene out of it, kay?" She asked, her voice a mix of kindness and severely annoyed, which Basil didn't even know was a voice someone could do. Basil nodded and they crossed the street to Aubrey's house. Aubrey walked up and looked at Basil as he hurriedly did the same. 

Aubrey opened the door and Basil took a look inside. His jaw dropped as he looked inside. He turned to Aubrey to say something, but she made a "shhh" noise. "Tomorrow, it's late and I want dinner." She said as she began to close the door, but stopped midway through "Don't worry about me, worry about yourself for once." She said with a smile then finished closing the door, leaving Basil in the cold night. He sighed and turned back to his own house.

His mind wouldn't stop racing as he walked back home, the whole day, but mostly the past 30 minutes looping in his head. "What have I done..." He thought as he reached the walkway to his house. "The right thing." The voice in his head said. Basil refused to acknowledge it.

He knocked on his front door and Polly opened it not long after. "Oh Basil! You're home! I was starting to get worried." Polly said as she hugged Basil then let him inside. The house smelled of freshly mashed potatoes and corn beef. A pleasing smell to Basil's worn out mind. He walked inside and shut the door behind him.

"What were you doing all day?" Polly asked as she set down some food for Basil. "Just hanging out... processing the past few days." He responded, before digging into his dinner. Polly stood there nodding. "Was it nice?" She asked, Basil nodded as he took another bite of mashed potatoes. Polly sat down next to Basil after he finished swallowing the bite. "Hey, is it alright if we talk about some things?" Polly asked in an innocent voice.

Basil's mind went into full panic mode. "Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck she knows something what did she figure out fuck shit fuck fuck fuck." Basil thought as his mind scrambled in attempts to predict what would happen. "Sure!" Basil said happily with a smile. Polly smiled, "Good! Do you want to finish your dinner or start now?" She asked, Basil shrugged in response. "Either way is fine with me." He said before taking a bite of corn beef. Polly sighed, "Basil, I want you to be honest with me." She said in an almost sorry tone, Basil looked at her, his calm facade cracking.

"Are you okay?"

Basil stopped. "Wh-what do you mean?" He asked her. "Basil... I'm saying this in the nicest way possible but, it doesn't take a genius to see how Sunny suddenly popping up, you acting weirder then usual." "What do you mean then usual??" Basil thought in between Polly's words. "A giant fight between you and him that almost kills both of you, and now everyone in your group acting strange is connected." She said, looking at Basil with piercing eyes. Basil sat there for a second in silence.

"What... do I say?" Basil thought, his mind scrambling for an answer. "W-what do I do... WHAT DO I DO?" He thought, more panicked now. Polly raised an eyebrow as she waited for Basil's response, his breath began to accelerate and panic began to take hold of him. This did not go unnoticed by Polly. She softly embraced Basil in a hug. "Just... tell me when you're ready, okay? She said with a smile as she stood up.

...

...

Basil took a deep breath.

...

...

"I'm ready..."

Polly looked over at Basil from the couch, she pat the seat next to her and Basil sat down next Polly.

"Well?" She asked.

"No... I'm not okay... I haven't been for a while." Basil said, finding himself unable to move his eyes from the ground.

"What do you mean? You're fine!" The voice said from Basil's head, yet it sounded more like a whimper then its usual commanding boom.

Polly reached over and hugged Basil. "It's okay... Things will get better. I promise." Polly said with a smile. Basil smiled back. "Thank you." He said as a tear fell from his face.

...

Basil tucked himself into bed, he was tired from a lack of sleep. He heard the door creak open. Basil looked up to see Polly's face peaking through his door. "Good night... If you need anything, just tell me okay?" She said in a caring tone. "Okay." Basil said with a smile as Polly closed the door behind her. Basil closed his eyes and prepared to go to sleep, though he felt tonight's rest would be wonderful.

Chapter Text

Sunflower couldn't see anything, even though his eyes were open. His vision was just pure red, and he felt like he had a giant shirt over himself. He grabbed his shears and began to snip the cloth around him, making sure to not hit anything potentially alive around him.

He broke through to see the moon staring at him, still shining brightly. He looked around to find the giant red covering was what was formerly the circus, now reduced to a pile of red and while cloth. Sunflower sighed and stood up. He saw three suspiciously friend shaped lumps in the tent.

Help walked over to one of the lumps and cut a hole. Rose's head shot up with a gasp, his petals all strewn around, it looked like he'd been out for quite a while.

"What... What happened?" Rose said groggily as he stood up and ruffled his petals. "I don't... really know... We beat Ester then... Then..." Sunflower said as he strained his mind for some sort of answer that didn't come. "It... doesn't matter... where is everyone else?" Rose asked as he looked around, Sunflower pointed to the other lumps in the tent as he walked over to snip them free.

Cactus emerged from the next lump. "God, it smelled horrible, I'm going to kill whoever farted." Cactus said in an annoyed tone. "You did you moron." Gladiolus said as she was freed from her fabric prison. Cactus shrugged. I don't remember farting." He said. Gladiolus face...flower? Whateverpalmed. "Forget it, where's Tulip?" She asked, noticing how there were no more lumps in the circus fabric. "That's a very observant question." Sunflower said slowly as he looked in the jungle surrounding the former circus, with no sign of Tulip.

"Tulip, you around here somewhere?" Sunflower shouted, everyone standing in silence waiting for any sort of response. "Tulip?" Gladiolus shouted, her booming voice going much further. The silence still continued, Sunflower was beginning to get worried. He looked around at the trees. Still no sign of him. Sunflower started to panic as the thought of losing Tulip grasped his mind like a bear trap, deadly and inescapable. 

"Shit... Where could he-" Gladiolus was cut off by the rusting of some bushes.

Everyone seemed to tense up as the rustling sound got louder and louder. "An enemy?" Sunflower thought as he pulled his weapon out of his pocket, he gulped and mentally prepared himself for another brawl. Everyone around him did the same as the rustling continued to rise in volume, it sounded like some large bipedal stomping through the jungle.

...

Sunflower whipped his head over.

...

HESAWMARI'SCOLDDEADBODYHANGINGFROMTHETREESHESAWMARI'SCOLDDEADBODYHANGINGFROMTHETREESHESAWMARI'SCOLDDEADBODYHANGINGFROMTHETREES

...

He sighed a sigh of relief as Lily came out of the trees with Tulip on her shoulders. "OH MY GOD YOU SCARED ME!" Gladiolus said as she got out of a ready stance. Lily chuckled. "I found Tulip and none of you around, so I took him to go find you, but I guess we were just chasing each other's tails." She said.

"Just, Don't scare me like that again I can't take it." Rose said as he laid down on his back, somehow out of breath despite doing nothing. Lily crouched down next to him and chuckled. "Oh what would you do without me~" She said in a cute voice. "Cry." Rose responded solemnly. Lily laughed and hugged him.

Sunflower, Cactus, Gladiolus, and Tulip watched from a distance. "They're cute together." Gladiolus commented as Mari did some sort of maneuver on Rose's belly that caused him to burst out in laughter and crinkle into a ball. "I don't know how to feel about it..." Tulip said as the two stood up. "Fair." Gladiolus and Sunflower said at the same time.

"So... Now what?" Rose asked as he walked over. Sunflower shrugged. "I guess we just... Continue on, wherever that leads us." He said as he looked at the circus destroyed in front of him. "What even happened here, we beat Ester then... My memory gets foggy, but I don't remember destroying the Circus." He continued.

"Oh that makes sense, you were hit pretty hard." Gladiolus said, Sunflower looked at her. "I got hit?" He asked confused. "Yeah, after we got Ester to their last leg, they turned their ball into a bomb and kicked it at us, you got hit by some debris as we tried to escape." Gladiolus said. Sunflower scratched his head, for some reason his head started ringing towards that last part, but after she stopped talking it ended as quickly as it started, like a comet flashing through the sky.

Sunflower put his chin in his hand, considering the options. "Do you guys smell that?" Cactus asked. "You farted again didn't you?" Gladiolus scoffed. "No no, like do you smell that... cake?" He said. "I'm not falling for this." Gladiolus said annoyed. "No no he's right... Someone's baking something." Lily said. "Holy cow! You're right." Rose piped in. 

Sunflower noticed the smell, it reminded him of birthday parties and bakeries. "Is... Someone nearby?" Sunflower asked. "I'd think so, a smell this powerful couldn't possibly be from far away." Rose responded as he turned in a few directions, trying to pinpoint where the smell was coming from.

"That way..." Tulip said quietly as he pointed to seemingly a random direction in the jungle. "Huh? Why that way?" Sunflower asked as he stared into the void-like darkness of the trees looking for some sort of tell. Tulip then pointed to a dim yet visible light above the tree canopy that didn't look all that far away.

"Last time we went to some lights in the middle of the jungle we had to fight clown god in circus hell." Cactus said. "Why do you say that like it didn't just happen?" Rose asked. "He's got a point... We don't know if we can trust whatever is making that light." Gladiolus said as she examined it. "I mean with such a sweet smell, how could we not give it a try?" Sunflower said as he took a deep breath of the scent.

Gladiolus shrugged. "We are looking for the sun I guess, so I guess it's worth a shot." She said as she began to stretch her legs. "Is everyone else okay with that?" Sunflower asked. Tulip shrugged. "Good enough for me." Sunflower thought.

"Well you all have fun!" Lily said as the group got ready to head off. "You aren't coming?" Tulip asked sadly. Lily pat her little brother on the shoulder. "I'm looking after the garden while you all are gone." She said. "But don't worry, I'll have a feeling we'll see each other again." She said with a smile. "You all have fun!" She said as she walked back towards the garden. Tulip reached out after her but stopped after she got far away. Sunflower grabbed Tulip's hand and smiled.

"Well, let's go!" Sunflower said with a smile as he began to walk towards the distant light, Tulip in hand. "We either find the sun and a nice pastry or a nice pastry and a candle or something." He said in a poor attempt of a joke. Everyone's silence spoke volumes and Sunflower just sighed as he exited the clearing.

Oddly there were no violent animals around, just the distant chirping of some birds and the occasional snap of a twig. As the group walked towards the distant light the pleasing smell of cake and other baked goods became stronger and stronger, it was like a full on assault of pleasure on the nose. "My god, this is so intense, is there like a world's largest cake competition?!" Rose said as he walked along.

"I mean... somehow that'd fit." Sunflower said as he led the group through the narrow jungle path. He felt his steps slowly getting heavier. "It feels like I'm walking in mud... which would be normal in a jungle I guess... Maybe the weird part is how we haven't walked in mud until now." He thought as he picked up his foot and looked down.

"Guys I don't mean to alarm you but please look down." Sunflower said, the shock in his voice couldn't have prepared everyone for what was to come. They all looked down to see themselves stepping in some cream colored mud like substance that seemed to stretch endlessly in front of them. "Well, we're fucked huh?" Gladiolus said as she put her hands on her hips. "Huh?" Sunflower and Cactus said at the same time. "Isn't this quicksand?" Gladiolus said as she put 110% of herself into lifting her foot off the ground.

Sunflower shook his head. He crouched down and swiped a finger across the ground, getting some of the substance on it. "Oh my god please don't" Gladiolus said. Sunflower took a deep breath. "Trust me." He said. He shoved his finger into his mouth expecting the worst.

...

"It's cake." Sunflower said slowly. Rose bent down and sniffed the ground. "Oh my god he's right! The floor is cake!" He said in awe. "WOOHOO!" Cactus said as he belly-flopped into the ground. Rose just stepped away from him as all the cake splashed around almost as if it were a pool. Gladiolus sighed as she wiped off some cake from her skirt. "I have 2 feelings, This is going to be awful, the Sun is not here." She said as she shook her foot and cake flew off it in all directions.

"What I'm concerned about is what did this... As correct me if I'm wrong... But I don't remember there being a massive cakeland in the forest." Rose said as he looked at the cake ground before him. "That's a good point, both of you." Sunflower said. He considered what to do greatly for all of three seconds. "I think we investigate further into this area." He finished, watching everyone's responses carefully. Everyone just sighed. "I can't wait to be beaten up by the hamburger helper this time." Gladiolus said sarcastically. Sunflower chuckled. "God if something there is against us... What will we have to deal with now?" He thought awkwardly as he he began to trek through the endless cake.

They walked through the cake plains, eventually though, the landscape became more full, trees, bushes, rocks, and even animals began re-appearing, though they looked suspiciously cake-like. Cactus leaned on a tree only for it to collapse as it was made of cake. Tulip burst out in laughter at Cactus face first in the cake.

Sunflower quietly took out his camera and took a photo.

"Another perfect moment, another example."

Sunflower recognized the voice and whipped his head around, looking for it. But saw nothing. "Maybe... Maybe I'm just hearing stuff..." He thought as he slowly calmed down. Sunflower shook his head and looked at the photo he took. "Oh, you took a photo?" Gladiolus asked as she walked over to Sunflower to take a look at it. "Great photo... but why is there a person running at us in the distance?" She says with confusion in her voice.

Sunflower looked up to see exactly that, someone far in the distance was running at the group. "Should we... Do something about that?" Rose asked confusedly. "Wait be quiet." Sunflower said as he cupped his hand over his ear.

"Heeeeelp~ Heeeeeeeeeeelp!!!~" The person in the distance screamed. Sunflower scratched his head. "This is just getting weirder and weirder..." He said slowly. The person Running towards everyone had an apron on and cooking utensils in their pockets. Sunflower strained his eyes and looked behind them. "Are they... Being chased?" Sunflower asked, vaguely seeing something behind all the cake they were kicking up running so fast.

"I don't mean to alarm you... But I thinK THEY'RE LEADING THOSE MONSTERS RIGHT TO US!" Cactus said as he started to run. But it was too little too late, By the time everyone started to run, the person... and monsters had already gotten to them.

...

The shadow sighed from the top of a tree. It looked towards the center of this land, it had something to do.

...

Chapter Text

[cakeling A and cakeling B attacked!]
[turn 1]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cakeling A sings an embarrassing birthday song to Rose
Rose became angry
Cakeling B burns Cactus
Cactus took 22 damage(51/73)
Cactus attacked Cakeling A!
Cakeling A took 30 damage!(205/235)
Sunflower attacked Cakeling A!
It whiffed...
Tulip attacked Cakeling B!
Cakeling B took 32 damage!(203/235)
Rose used mystery Pill on Rose!
Rose's accuracy rose!
Rose's speed majorly fell...
Rose lost 10 cholorphyll(67/77)

[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cakeling A burns its candle bright!
Cakeling A became happy
Cakeling A's attack rose
Cakeling B Sang an embarrassing birthday song to Rose
Rose became enraged
Cactus attacked Cakeling A!
Cakeling A took 33 damage!(172/235)
Sunflower attacked cakeling A!
Cakeling a took 37 damage!(135/235)
Tulip attacked Cakeling A!
Cakeling A took 35 damage!(100/235)
Rose attacked Cakeling A!
Cakeling A took 58 damage!(42/235)

[turn 3]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cakeling A licks its own frosting...
Cakeling B burns Rose!
Rose took 51 damage!(26/77)
Cactus used orange rush on Cakeling A!
Cakeling A took 33 damage!(9/235)
Cactus's speed rose!
Cactus lost 15 chlorophyll(54/69)
Sunflower attacked Cakeling A!
It whiffed...
Tulip attacked Cakeling A!
Cakeling A was defeated!
Rose attacked Cakeling!
Cakeling took 61 damage!(142/235)

[turn 4]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus used Crash and burn!
Cakeling took 49 damage!(93/235)
Cactus lost all speed buffs
Cactus lost 15 chlorophyll(39/69)
Cakeling wishes someone something...
Sunflower attacks Cakeling!
Cakeling took 39 damage!(54/235)
Tulip attaks Cakeling!
Cakeling took 34 damage!(20/235)
Rose attacked Cakeling!
Cakeling was defeated!
Everyone gained exp!
Gained 688 mint!(2480)

Sunflower sighed as he wiped the frosting off his shoes. This was going to be a nightmare to wash out. He got a similar vibe from everyone else besides Cactus, who was busy eating their fallen foes. "You guys gotta try this! it's the BEST!" He said enthusiastically as he took another bite. "Despite being totally fine with eating meat... Something feels weird about eating previously sentient cake..." Gladiolus said as she inches away from Cactus. "It sounds bad when you put it like that..." Cactus grumbled through a mouth... whateverfull of cake. "It IS bad." Gladiolus sneered.

Sunflower sighed and turned away from the two, focusing on the person who had been running away from the two cakelings. She had tripped on seemingly nothing and was groaning as she lay on her back. all her cooking devices had fallen out of her apron, which looked like it got put in a rainbow machine with all the colored frosting on it. Sunflower offered her his hand and she took it and stood up with a smile. "Thank you..." The woman paused and looked Sunflower up and down, he noticed something on her face flash for just a second, before going away.

"The name's Sunflower!" He said optimistically, ignoring whatever happened. "It's good to meet your Sunflower! I'd tell you my actual name but that usually gives people a nosebleed, so just call me Polly!" The woman said happily. Sunflower awkwardly nodded, unsure what to do with the information he'd been presented with. "It's... good to meet you too Polly!" Sunflower said, trying to sound as positive as he could. Polly and Sunflower looked back at the rest of the group, Gladiolus was now throwing cake at Cactus who wasn't really trying to defend himself, Rose and Tulip watched on, unsure really of what to do.

"I'm assuming these are your friends?" Polly asked as Tulip and Rose noticed Polly. "Oh right, That little scuffle back there got so intense I forgot about you, my apologies." Rose said as he softly kicked Cactus to make him pay attention. "huh? oh? what? oh Hi!" Cactus said as if he didn't look like he was a snowman made of cake... A cakeman. "Cactus please for the love of god clean yourself." Gladiolus said with a sigh. "Hello miss..." Gladiolus paused. "Polly." "Polly, please ignore him. What're you doing here?" She asked as she stepped away from the splash zone that was Cactus cleaning himself.

"Oh it's a loooong story" She said as she looked up as if recounting the long story in mere seconds. "Well we have all day... night." Rose said as he almost sat down, looked down, then sighed remembering the floor was cake. "No no it's like... my whole life story." Polly said with a sigh. Sunflower shrugged. "Well whatever, you don't gotta tell us." He said, trying to keep everything grounded.

"Well then, on that note, it was good meeting you Polly, but we must be on our way." Gladiolus said as she wiped the last bit of cake off her. Sunflower waved goodbye to Polly as he began to walk away, there was an uneasy churning in his stomach. "Why's that there?.. Did I get too much cake in my mouth?" He thought, touching the sunflower mask to make sure it was still on tight. The sharp tendrils on its back dug into the back of his skull even more so then before almost as if in retribution. 

Sunflower turned around only to find yet another being of cake attacking Polly. "Jesus christ, what did she do?!" Sunflower yelled as he ran back to go save her. Everyone else turned around to see what was going on. "Oh my god again?! We just saved her!" Cactus groaned as he and everyone else followed Sunflower.

[Baker cat and Cakeling A and Cakeling B attacked!]
[turn 1]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cakeling A burned its candle bright
Cakeling A became happy
Cakeling A's attack rose
Cakeling B burned its candle bright
Cakeling B became happy
Cakeling B's attack rose
Cactus attacked Baker Cat!
Baker Cat took 39 damage!(171/210)
Sunflower used beanstalk on Rose!
Rose's Defense rose!
Sunflower's defense rose!
Sunflower lost 15 chlorophyll(82/97)
Baker cat hits Tulip!
Tulip took 31 damage!(34/65)
Tulip uses banana cream pie on Rose!
Rose recovered 50 HP!(76/77)
Rose attacked Baker Cat!
Baker cat took 35 damage!(136/210)

[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cakeling A burns Cactus
It whiffed...
Cakeling B burns Tulip
Tulip took 37 damage
Tulip withered...
Cactus used slam dunk on Baker Cat!
Baker Cat took 61 damage!(75/210)
Cactus became sad!
Cactus lost 20 chlorophyll(19/69)
Sunflower used Photograph!
Sunflower became happy!
All enemies accuracy lowered!
Sunflower lost 20 chlorophyll(62/97)
Baker Cat sharpens it's claws
Baker Cat's attack rose
Rose attacked Baker Cat
Baker Cat took 31 damage!(40/210)

[turn 3]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cakeling A burns Rose
Rose took 41 damage(35/77)
Cakeling B Burns Sunflower
It's a shattering Blow!
Sunflower took 68 damage!(2/70)
Cactus attacked Baker Cat!
Baker Cat took 34 damage!(6/210)
Sunflower attacked Baker Cat!
Baker Cat was defeated!
Rose used Resuscitate on Tulip!
Tulip was revived!

[turn 4]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cakeling A Burns Cactus
It's a dull blow
Cactus took 21 damage(30/73)
Cactus lost 9 chlorophyll(10/69)
Cakeling B wishes someone a happy something...
Cactus attacks Cakeling A!
It's an effective blow!
Cakeling A took 37 damage!(198/235)
Sunflower attacks Cakeling A!
Cakeling A took 38 damage!(168/235)
Tulip tagged out!
Gladiolus was brought in!
Rose used doll!
The enemies were distracted!

[turn 5]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cakeling A Burns doll
it whiffed!
Cakeling B flings frosting at doll
It's a shattering blow!
The doll got thrashed
Cactus attacked Cakeling A!
It was an effective blow!
Cakeling A took 38 damage!(130/235)
Sunflower attacks Cakeling A!
Cakeling A took 40 damage!(90/235)
Gladioulus attacked Cakeling A!
Cakeling A took 43 damage!(48/235)
Rose used banana cream pie on Sunflower!
Sunflower recovered 50 Hp(52/70)

[turn 6]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cakeling A wishes someone a happy something...
Cakeling B licks its own frosting...
Cactus attacks Cakeling A!
It's an effective blow!
Cakeling A took 39 damage!(9/235)
Sunflowe attacks Cakeling A!
Cakeling A was defeated!
Gladiolus used Bully!
Cakeling became angry!
Gladiolus attacked Cakeling!
Cakeling took 53 damage!(182/235)
Rose used mystery pill on Cakeling!
Cakeling's speed rose
Cakeling was reduced to 1HP!
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll(15/60)

[turn 7]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cakeling flings frosting at Gladiolus!
Gladiolus took 51 damage (24/75)
Cactus attacks Cakeling!
Cakeling was defeated!
Gained 898 mint!(3378)
Everyone gained EXP!
Tulip gained bonus exp!
Sunflower grew to lvl 8!
Cactus grew to lvl 8!
Gladiolus grew to lvl 8!
Rose grew to lvl 8!
Tulip grew to lvl 9!
Tulip learned low chord!

Sunflower cracked his back with a groan, another set of enemies lay defeated in front of him. "wow, you folks are too kind!" Polly said, Sunflower gave a weak thumbs up as a response. "Miss, can you please tell us what you did?" Cactus asked in between his panting. "ehhhh... I don't really even know... they just started attacking me when... Well I don't remember particularly, but the sun was there, then the moon... I don't remember in between, but the cakes just started attacking after that.

Sunflower froze for a second, something about that just felt wrong. "Is she... lying... or is she just missing something..." He thought. "Well, it seems that happened to everyone... well not exactly, we weren't attacked by cakes, but the sun was there then it just... wasn't." Rose said in a curious tone. Sunflower's eye twitched at Rose's comment but he nodded nonetheless. "We're on an adventure to find... replace... whatever the sun." Cactus said, striking an exotic pose as everyone looked at him like he was a creature in a zoo.

Cactus coughed awkwardly. "Anyways, we're just kind of wandering around looking for however to do that, you can stick with us if you need protection, those cake fellas can't take US down!" He said while puffing his chest. Gladiolus pushed him to the side. "yeah we'll just escort you through this little area, does anyone object to that?" Gladiolus said, looking at everyone as they remained silent. "Well then, just come with us Polly, this cake land shouldn't be too large." Sunflower said with a smile as he extended his hand. Polly nodded and the group continued onward.

For all of five seconds.

"OH! IT'S... IT'S THE... THE THE THE THE... THE SQUAB SQUABAP." Cactus yelled, the suddenness of it causing Tulip to stumble back a bit. Cactus was pointing to a patch of basil, still speaking in what sounded like an enigma. "You mean basil?" Rose asked as he noticed the plant somehow growing in a patch of cake batter. "YES THAT!" Cactus yelled as he ran up to the plant. "DO THE UHHH THINGY IFORGOTHOWTODOIT." Cactus said as he was practically jumping up and down. Rose sighed. "I got this." He said in a worn out voice.

The party was fully healed

"It somehow tastes better each time." Gladiolus said with a satisfied tone. Sunflower somehow managed to nod through his shaking, which went unnoticed by the others. "Ooooooh, is that a sort of smoothie?" Polly asked as she looked at everyone drink it. "I guess you could call it that, want a try?" Rose asked. "Well nothing ventured nothing gained." Polly said with a shrug as she proceeded to take a massive sip of Sunlight juice.

"PBBBBBBBBBBBTTTTT." Polly spit the drink all over Rose then put her hands over her mouth in shock. "OHMYGOSHIMSOSORRY!" She yelled as she set the drink down. Rose sighed as he sat there silently for a moment. "No no, it's fine, the drink probably isn't for everyone." He said, his very clearly annoyed voice betrayed the calm vibe he was trying to display. "One second, let me clean all that up for you." She said with a smile. "How are you even going t-" Rose didn't get to finish as Polly tapped two wooden spoons together and all the drink on Rose's shirt vanished nigh instantly.

Everyone stood there with their hypothetical jaws on the floor. "WHAT! WHY DON'T I GET A MAGICAL CLEAN CLOTHES ABILITY?!" Gladiolus yelled as she kicked a rock which was actually just a cake. "THAT WOULD BE SO USEFUL WHAT!" Cactus shouted before doing a belly flop into the cake. "DO ME DO ME!" Polly chuckled as she turned to Sunflower. "You got an adorable group of friends." She said with the purest smile imaginable. Sunflower smiled under the mask. "C'mon clean me!" Cactus yelled with excitement. Polly sighed. "There's a uhhhhh... cooldown." She said awkwardly. "SHIT!" Cactus yelled as he stood up now covered in cake. Gladiolus fell over laughing at the turn of events.

"Well... should we... continue on?" Tulip asked from behind Polly. "Yeah guys, c'mon, we can't sit here all dayNIGHT." Sunflower said, loudly correcting himself before anyone else could. Cactus groaned as he wiped some cake off his shirt. "I suddenly like this place less." He said, Gladiolus chuckled in response.

"So... how do you all plan to find ore replace or who cares the Sun?" Polly asked as the group walked on. "That's an excellent question." Cactus said before he scooped a bit of tree to munch on. "and...?" Polly asked, to which Cactus shrugged. "There is  no second part, we're figuring it out as we go." Gladiolus said as they trudged along. "We're open to ideas if you have any." Sunflower said as he adjusted his walking pace to match Polly's. "Well... Maybe that?" Polly said, pointing to a giant cake in the distance.

"Why so?" Rose asked as he stared at it. "Well if you get to the top, you might be able to see something you haven't before." Polly said chirpily. "What?! That thing has to be taller than an average mountain!" Cactus said as he looked at the hulking mass of cake in awe. "Come on, I know you guys can do it, you all look like a strong bunch, besides whats the worst that can happen?"

...

The shadow sighed as it watched the group converse about the mountain. A cat walked up the shadow and meowed as if asking what it would do. The shadow glared at the cat which promptly exploded as a response. It scraped a bit of former cat off its leg and flew over to the mountain sized cake. "This is fine, I can still stop them."

...

Chapter Text

Sunflower looked at the mountain ahead of him with unease. He was starting to have second thoughts. Polly, who had gotten ahead of the group looked back. "C'mon, it's not as bad as you think!" She said as she waved her hand for them to catch up. Sunflower gulped but lead the group towards the seemingly vertically endless cake. "Shouldn't you stay closer to us considering how much these guys want to kidnap you?" Gladiolus asked as they reached the end of the mountain. "Oh please, i thank you for your concern, but I'm not that helpless." Polly said as she began to walk up the layers of the cake. "I mean you were running pretty fast that first time." Rose said while helping Tulip up.

Cactus groaned as he looked down, while the are they had to stand on in each layer had gotten larger, so had the height of each layer. "Somehow this feels wrong..." Tulip said as they ascended another layer. "If it's scary I can give you a boost for a bit." Polly said as she smiled and stretched out her hand. Sunflower felt embarrassed and angry at once with the thought of Polly giving Tulip a piggy back ride. "I'm... good." Said Tulip as he looked away. "Hey, just so you guys know, I see some enemies, well presumably enemies up above." Gladiolus said, as he scaled another layer effortlessly. "How do you... Have so much stamina?" Rose asked as he leaned on his knees for what felt like the 5th time. Gladiolus shrugged as she began to hop up another layer.

Sunflower gulped, they were getting close to the layers with all the hopefully-not-but-will-probably-be enemies on it. "So are you guys just gonna jump up there and whack them or?" Polly asked as she looked up at the layer above with all of the figures. "Well I'd prefer if we didn't fight them but yeah that's probably what's going to happen." Rose said as he stood next to Polly. "Well, I don't think we should sit here forever, should we just go up and get them?" Gladiolus said as she looked to Sunflower who sighed. "Yeah I guess." "Good luck!" Polly said from the row below.

Baker cat attacked!
[turn 1]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacked Baker cat!
Baker cat took 43 damage!(167/210)
Sunflower attacked Baker cat!
Baker cat took 50 damage!(117/210)
Baker cat bakes up an explosive!
Rose took 21 damage(59/80)
Rose has 3 combo points!
Gladiolus attacks baker cat!
Baker cat took 51 damage!(66/210)
Rose attacked Baker cat!
Baker cat took 44 damage!(22/210)

[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacked baker cat!
Baker cat was defeated!
Everyone gained exp!
gained 210 mint! (3588)

Sunflower sighed, he didn't know how to feel about how he thought these were getting easier. "See that wasn't so bad" Cactus said with a slyly at Rose who merely sighed in response. "Let's just continue on, you ready Polly?" Rose asked

...

"Polly?" Rose asked now looking around, noticing she wasn't here anyone. "Did anyone see her wander off?" Gladiolus said as she looked at every direction she could. "HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!" A voice cried from up the cake. Everyone looked up to see Polly being taken away by some cake creatures.

"Those FUCKERS took her while we were distracted!" Gladiolus screeched as she slammed her weapon into the ground. "noooo..." Tulip said in the softest voice Sunflower had ever heard. He felt his determination steel. "We gotta save her!" He said with more force in his voice than intended. "Well what are we waiting for?" Cactus said as he began to climb to the next layer of cake.

It got progressively harder to avoid enemies as they approached the layer where Polly seemed to have been taken as more and more enemies seemed to pop up the higher they went. "Stop going so fast Cactus, you'll get us caught!" Gladiolus said as she hid behind a lump of cake conveniently in her shape. "Alright alright jeez, you guys are just going so slow we'll get caught because we spent 50 years in the same three yards." He said from the top of a tree shaped cake. "C'mon you two, dont fight now. "Rose said inside a snowman made of cake.

Sunflower was hiding in a cake bush on the next layer with Tulip as they waited for everyone else. He was supposed to be looking out for enemies about to find them but he found himself unable to bring his focus off Tulip. "So... how are you?" Sunflower asked as he waited for everyone else to have an opening to climb up. "Eh." Tulip said as he looked down at everyone else. "Do you miss the garden?" Sunflower asked as he looked at Tulip for an answer.

Though as soon as Tulip opened his mouth, the opening in the enemies everyone else was waiting for arrived and they all rushed up at top speed. "C'mon guys dont stop while we have an opening!" Cactus shispered(shout whispered). With a heavy sigh Sunflower stood up and pulled Tulip along as they raced for the next layer where Polly was being kept. 

Sunflower snuck up to the area making sure to be unseen. "Oh, you guys, its dangerous how did you get up here?" Polly asked in a shocked tone. "Doesn't matter we're here to rescue you from..." Sunflower stopped as he looked at the bars Polly was being held in. "Yes they're birthday candles and no you can break them I tried." She said in an uncharacteristically monotone voice. "Well then what are we supposed to do?" Sunflower asked as he looked around for ideas.

"Listen up, I got an idea, you see those three other smaller cake mountains around this?" Polly asked, Sunflower looked around and sure enough, saw 3 smaller cake mountains, connected to the main one by bridges. "Yeah, what about them?" Rose asked. "Well they got their, candles on the top lit, those candles are the ones forming my prison bars, blow them out and i might be able to get out!" She said in a confident tone. "First off, wouldn't leaving the candles on make them till they melt? And second off how do you know they're the same candles?" Sunflower asked, Polly sighed. "Just go do it!" She shispered.

Sunflower sighed and looked once more to the 3 surrounding cakes. "Let's go get them guys." Everyone nodded as they followed Sunflower.

"So which one are we hitting first?" Cactus asked. "Let's go to the one on our left, then go left as we hit the other two, alright?" Sunflower asked, getting a yes in response. They snuck around the cakes still yet patrolling the area. "What's so important about this place that they have it on such high guard?" Gladiolus asked as she crouched down behind a lump of batter. Tulip shrugged as they approached the bridge. "Well there's no other way to the other cake, so across the bridge it is." Sunflower said, looking at the creature on the bridge.

Batter batter attacked!
[turn 1]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacked Batter batter!
Batter batter took 44 damage!(178/222)
Sunflower attacked Batter batter!
Batter batter took 49 damage!(127/222)
Gladiolus attacked Batter batter!
Batter batter took 50 damage!(77/222)
Rose attacked Batter batter!
Batter batter took 42 damage!(35/222)
Batter batter ate a foul ball...

[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacked Batter batter!
Batter batter was defeated!
Sunflower's party won!
Everyone gained EXP!
Cactus grew to level 9!
Cactus learned protein shake!
Sunflower grew to level 9!
Sunflower learned floral scent!
Gladiolus grew to level 9!
Gladiolus learned Hooligans call
Rose grew to level 9!
Rose learned common cold
gained 230 mint!(3818)

Sunflower pushed the enemy off the bridge and walked across, observing the candle before him. He sighed before grabbing a glob of cake and putting it on the candle, extinguishing it. "Nice going!" Rose said and Sunflower nodded as they headed for the next bridge and guard

Cakeling attacked!
[Turn 1]
what will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacked Cakeling!
Cakeling took 48 damage!(187/235)
Cakeling Burned Sunflower!
It whiffed!
Sunflower attacked Cakeling!
Cakeling took 50 damage!(137/235)
Gladiolus attacked Cakeling!
Cakeling took 53 damage!(84/235)
Rose attacked Cakeling!
Cakeling took 44 damage!(40/235)

[Turn 2]
what will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacked Cakeling!
Cakeling was defeared!
Everyone gained EXP!
Gained 344 mint!

Sunflower breathed another sigh of relief as the guard collapsed. "We don't have all day-night, get that candle out!" Cactus said as he put as much of himself over the edge as possible. Sunflower nodded as he used his watering can to set out the candle. "1 more to go..." Tulip mumbled as he stared at the last bridge. "We can't stop now, let's go!" Gladiolus said as she rushed causing everyone to trail behind her as the went to the final bridge.

Baker cat and Batter batter attacked!
[Turn 1]
what will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacked baker cat!
Baker cat took 51 damage!(159/210)
Sunflower attacked baker cat!
Baker cat took 54 damage!(105/210)
Baker cat licks its chef coat...
Gladiolus attacked Baker cat!
Baker cat took 57 damage!(48/210)
Rose attacked Baker cat!
it whiffed...
Batter batter hits a home run into Gladiolus's face
Gladiolus took 41 damage!(40/81)

[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacks Baker cat!
Baker cat was defeated!
Sunflower attacked Batter batter!
Batter batter took 49 damage!(173/222)
Gladiolus attacked Batter batter!
Batter batter took 52 damage!(121/222)
Rose attacked Batter batter!
Batter batter took 42 damage!(79/222)
Batter batter whips up a fly ball into Rose!
Rose took 44 damage!(39/83)

[turn 3]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacked Batter batter!
Batter batter took 42 damage!(35/222)
Sunflower attacked Batter batter!
Is a shattering blow!
Batter batter was defeated!
Everyone gained EXP!
Gained 440 mint!(4258)

Sunflower wiped the non-existent sweat off his mask. "This is the last one! Let's get Polly and scram!" Cactus said with a sigh. Sunflower looked at the candle. "Does anyone else have a bad feeling about this or is it just me?" Sunflower said right before he set out the last candle.

Everyone looked at eachother for a second. "It's just you, if something bad happens no way we can't get out of it." Rose said with a smile. Sunflower sighed. Tulip walked up to him and nodded. "You mean it?" Sunflower asked. Tulip nodded again.

Together Sunflower and Tulip sort of high fived on the flame and set it out. From the distance Sunflower heard someone shout "FINALLY!" and he smiled. "Let's get over there and get out!" He said as he ran over to where Polly was kept. "Polly!" Sunflower said as he ran up and hugged Polly. He pulled away quickly after realizing what he was doing. "I-it's... Good to see you!" He said, Polly smilled and rubbed Basil's head. "Let's get off this hellish cake!" she said as she began to march off.

Before anyone could take a step, all the candles on the cake roared to life with a pitch black flame. The cake began to shake and everyone tumbled off to the ground. As Sunflower fell he saw the shadow floating high above the cake. "This is for your own good! You will thank me!" It boomed before vanishing. Sunflower hit the ground and stood up. Only to see the mountain of cake sliding towards them. "oh shit! Guys!" Sunflower said in shock. "I see it!" Cactus said as he drew his weapon.

Sunflower sighed as he took a ready stance in front of Polly and next to Tulip.

"I'll protect you."

Chapter Text

The mountain of cake slide ever closer to the group, Polly crouched in fear. "HOW THE HELL DO WE FIGHT THIS?!" Gladiolus asked as she looked at her weapon as if it were a wet slice of bread. Sunflower looked at the cake and back at everyone and sighed. "We try I suppose." He said in the worst attempt ever to sound reassuring. "If it helps I believe in you all!" Polly said from atop a tree she climbed. Rose flashed her a thumbs up as the cake approached

[turn 1]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus attacks Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu takes 21 damage!(539/550)
Sunflower used beanstalk on Rose!
Sunflower's defense rose!
Rose's defense rose!
Sunflower lost 15 chlorphyll(86/101)
Gladiolus attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 28 damage!(511/550)
Rose used check up on Rose!
Rose recovered 42 hp!(81/83)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll(55/65)
Kilaramisu used sweet surprise!
All layers attack raised!
All layers defense raised!
All layers speed raised!
All layers accuracy raised!
All layers evasion raised!

Sunflower sighed, they'd barely scratched the cake, they were in for the long haul

[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Cactus tagged out!
Tulip was brought in!
Sunflower used beanstalk on Gladiolus!
Sunflower's defense rose!
Gladiolus's defense rose!
Sunflower lost 15 chlorophyll!(71/101)
Gladiolus attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 23 damage!(488/550)
Kilaramisu began welling up frosting!
Rose used check up on Gladiolus!
Gladiolus recovered 41 hp!(81/81)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll(45/65)

"Uhhhh, is that bad?" asked Gladiolus as she looked at the mountain generating a huge amount of frosting at its top "I uhhhh... hope not." Rose said with a gulp.

[turn 3]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower used beanstalk on Tulip!
Sunflower's defense rose!
Tulip's defense rose!
Sunflower lost 15 chlorophyll(56/101)
Gladiolus attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 22 damage!(466/550)
Tulip attacked Kiliramisu!
Kilaramisu took 17 damage!(449/550)
Kilaramisu used avalanche!
Buffed from 11 layers!
Sunflower took 13 damage!(63/76)
Gladiolus took 38 damage!(43/81)
Tulip took 36 damage!(31/67)
Rose took 40 damage!(41/83)
Rose used mystery pill on Rose!
Rose's defense dropped...
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll(35/65)

Sunflower gasped as he caught his breathe... there had to be some way to weaken that attack... but how..?

[turn 4]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 19 damage!(430/550)
Gladiolus used Hooligans call!
Gladiolus's attack rose!
Gladiolus's defense rose!
Gladiolus's speed rose!
Gladiolus's accuracy rose!
Gladiolus's evasion rose!
Next attack doubled!
Gladiolus's lost 25 chlorophyll(24/49)
Tulip attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 15 damage!(415/550)
Kilaramisu checks on it's candles...
Rose used common cold!
Kilaramisu's defense was lowered!
Rose lost 10 Chlorophyll(25/65)

"Hey guys, look! The bottom layer!" Gladiolus shouted as she evaded an attack. Sunflower looked closely, the layer was pretty bruised, was this the key to success?

[turn 5]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 24 damage!(391/550)
Gladiolus attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 62 damage!(329/550)
Tulip attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 17 damage!(312/550)
Kilaramisu used sprinkleslide!
Boosted from 11 layers!
Tulip withered...
Rose attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 16 damage!(296/550)

[turn 6]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower used vine rush! 
Kilaramisu took 78 damage!(218/550)
Sunflower lost 25 chlorophyll(36/101)
Gladiolus used triple hit!
Kilaramisu took 33 damage!(185/550)
Kilaramisu took 35 damage!(150/550)
Kilaramisu took 35 damage!(115/550)
Kilaramisu shakes its sprinkles...
Rose used resuscitate on Tulip!
Tulip was revived!(13/67)
Rose lost 25 chlorophyll(0/65)

The first layer was almost done, Tulip was curious what would happen when it was destroyed. "Only one way to find out." He said to himself as he went in again

[turn 7]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower used Vine rush!
Kilaramisu took 75 damage!(40/550)
Sunflower lost 25 chlorophyll(6/101)
Gladiolus attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 34 damage!(6/550)
Tulip attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 16 damage!
Layer destoryed!
All layers attack lowered!
All layers defense lowered!
All layers speed lowered!
All layers accuracy lowered!
All layers evasion lowered!
Kilaramisu was toppled!
Rose attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 20 damage!(480/500)
Kilaramisu is toppled!

"WOAAAH!" Cactus screamed as the giant cake fell off balance. "THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" Gladiolus screams as she went in for another hit. "This is it, our chance!" Sunflower thought.

[turn 8]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 29 damage!(451/500)
Gladiolus attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 41 damage!(410/500)
Tulip used silence!
Tulip recovered 13 hp! (26/67)
Tulip lost 10 chlorophyll (71/81)
Rose attacked Kilaramisu!
It was a shattering blow!
Kilaramisu took 39 damage!(371/500)
Kilaramisu untoppled!

[turn 9]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 31 damage!(340/500)
Gladiolus attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 41 damage!(299/500)
Tulip cannot move...
Rose attacked Kilaramisu! 
it whiffed...
Kilaramisu used sprinkleslide!
Boosted from 10 layers!
Sunflower took 23 damage!(40/76)
Sunflower has 3 combo points!

[turn 10]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 29 damage!(270/500)
Gladiolus attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 43 damage!(227/500)
Tulip attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 23 damage!(204/500)
Rose attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 26 damage!(178/500)
Kilaramisu shook its sprinkles...

"Just a bit more till this one is down!" Gladiolus shouted as she slammed her weapon into the side of the layer. "Keep up the good work you're doing so good everyone!" Sunflower shouted as he attacked as well.

[turn 11]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 30 damage!(148/500)
Gladiolus attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 44 damage!(104/500)
Tulip attaked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 24 damage!(80/500)
Rose attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 25 damage!(55/500)
Kilaramisu showered everyone in sprinkles!
Sunflower took 8 damage(32/76)
Gladiolus took 12 damage(31/81)
Gladiolus has 3 combo points!
Tulip took 20 damage(6/67)
Rose took 12 damage!(29/83)

[turn 12]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 28 damage!(27/500)
Gladiolus attacked Kilaramisu!
All layers attack lowered!
All layers defense lowered!
All layers speed lowered!
All layers accuracy lowered!
All layers evasion lowered!
Kilaramisu was toppled!
Tulip attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 31 damage!(419/450)
Rose attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 34 damage!(385/450)
Kilaramisu is toppled!

[turn 13]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 36 damage!(299/450)
Gladiolus attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 55 damage!(244/450)
Tulip attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 32 damage!(212/450)
Rose attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 36 damage!(176/450)
Kilaramisu untoppled

"Jesus! it's falling fast now!" Rose said as he bashed the new layer. "Thank god!" Gladiolus commented.

[turn 14]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 38 damage!(138/450)
Gladiolus attakced Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 56 damage!(82/450)
Tulip attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 32 damage!(50/450)
Rose attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 39 damage!(11/450)
Kilaramisu used sprinkleslide!
Gladiolus took 18 damage!(3/81)

[turn 15]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower got into a ready stance!
Gladiolus got into a ready stance!
Tulip attacked Kilaramisu!
All layers attack lowered!
All layers defense lowered!
All layers speed lowered!
All layers accuracy lowered!
All layers evasion lowered!
Kilaramisu was toppled!
Rose got into a ready stance!
Kilaramisu is toppled!
Its a superb attack!
Kilaramisu took 300 damage!(100/400)

[turn 16]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 48 damage!(52/400)
Gladiolus attacked Kilaramisu!
All layers attack lowered!
All layers defense lowered!
All layers speed lowered!
All layers accuracy lowered!
All layers evasion lowered!
Kilaramisu's topple timer was extended!
Tulip attacked Kilaramisu!
It's a shattering blow!
Kilaramisu took 90 damage!(260/350)
Tulip has 3 combo points!
Rose attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 49 damage!(211/350)
Kilaramisu is toppled!

"C'mon! Just keep pressing our advantage!" Rose said as the Cake fell over again. "You guys are doing great!" Polly said from her hiding spot. Sunflower chuckled at her.

[turn 17]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 60 damage!(151/350)
Gladiolus attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 89 damage!(62/350)
Tulip attaked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 45 damage!(17/350)
Rose attacked Kilaramisu!
All layers attack lowered!
All layers defense lowered!
All layers speed lowered!
All layers accuracy lowered!
All layers evasion lowered!
Kilaramisu's topple timer was extended!
Kilaramisu is toppled!

[turn 18]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 73 damage!(227/300)
Gladiolus attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 102 damage! (125/300)
Tulips attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 59 damage!(66/300)
Rose attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 64 damage!(2/300)
Kilaramisu is toppled!

[turn 19]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Kilaramisu!
All layers attack lowered!
All layers defense lowered!
All layers speed lowered!
All layers accuracy lowered!
All layers evasion lowered!
Kilaramisu's topple timer was extended!
Gladiolus attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 125 damage!(125/250)
Tulip attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 80 damage!(45/250)
Rose attacked Kilaramisu!
All layers stats cannot be lowered any further!
Kilaramisu's topple time was extended!

[turn 20]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 100 damage!(100/200)
Gladioulus attacked Kilaramisu!
All layers stats cannot be lowered any further!
Kilaramisu's topple time was extended!
Tulip attacked Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu took 81 damage!(69/150)
Rose attacked Kilaramisu!
All layers stats cannot be lowered any further!
Kilaramisu's topple time was extended!

[turn 21]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacks Kilaramisu!
All layers stats cannot be lowered any further!
Kilaramisu's topple time was extended!
Gladiolus attacks Kilaramisu!
Kilaramisu was defeated!
Gained 4000 mint!(8258 total)
Everyone gained EXP!
Sunflower grew to level 11!
Gladiolus grew to level 11!
Tulip grew to level 11!
Rose grew to level 11!
Cactus gained bonus exp!
Cactus grew to level 10!

The last bit of cake fell into a slop of batter. Sunflower looked around, but the shadow was gone...

...

Far away, at a stage yet to play, the shadow looked at the DJ and smiled.

...

Chapter Text

"I'm gonna be honest I didn't think we were gonna get through that one." Rose said as he wiped the cake batter off his everything. "I never want to see a cake in my life again." Gladiolus groaned as she ran her fingers through her petals again to get the cake out. Polly climbed out of the cake-tree-who even cares anymore she was hiding in. "This is why salads are better" Sunflower sighed as he wiped off his camera lens. "Agreed." Polly said with a sigh. "I can't thank you kids enough, really." She said with a smile.

"So... now what? We just walk in another random direction till we find the Sun?" Cactus asked, finally somewhat clean from the enormous amount of cake on him. "The Sun can find itself, I wanna go home." Gladiolus said with a sigh. "And home is... where exactly?" Rose asked.

Gladiolus spun around a bit, humming and haaaaing. "Outstanding question." She said awkwardly as she placed her hands on her hips. "Besides, we've come too far to stop right now." Rose said. "We gotta just continue on, I'm sure we'll have a breakthrough soon." He continued with a nod and thumbs up.

"Maybe we try there?" Tulip said quietly, pointing to a clearing in the cake-trees behind where the mountain once stood. "That's... A good start." Sunflower said. "What're you gonna do now?" He asked Polly. "Well... I'll probably follow you till the cake ends, for safety if you don't mind." She said. "Not at all!" Basil said with a smile behind the sunflower mask. "Thank you, after the cake... I'll most likely head off on my own." She said with a smile. "To where?" Gladiolus asked. "Oh, I'm meeting up with my friends in a few days... well the time period that would be days if the Sun and Moon still worked properly." She said with a giggle.

"You sure you can make it on your own? If everything out there is like those cakes to you, you're gonna have a rough journey." Rose said with concern. "Oh thank you for the concern, but it was just the cakes, y'know, cause I'm a baker." Polly said as she motioned to her outfit "Yeah I suppose so, be cautious around any other sentient pastries I guess then." Rose said with a chuckle. "I will be." She said with a smile as she turned to Sunflower. "Good luck, you're on a tough journey, with hard times ahead, but I know you can pull through it." She said with a smile.

Sunflower scratched the back of his head, the back of his mask had randomly started poking him. It hurt so much he didn't hear what Polly said, but he felt like it wasn't important. "So should we head off to the clearing?" Sunflower asked. "Well, we got no reason not to." Cactus said with a shrug.

The group walked towards said clearing and began to walk, the cakeness of the land quickly fading as the group walked away. "Boy am I GLAD to be out of there." Gladiolus said with a sigh, finally able to wipe the cake off her shoes for good. "I'll miff thuh freeh cake tough" Cactus said with a handful of cake. "You worry me..." Rose said with a huff. Sunflower spun around and took a photo, depicting a defeated looking Rose with a proud covered in cake Cactus. "Capturing me at my lowest... how cold." Rose said, trying not to chuckle.

"ooooh, lemme see it!" Cactus said rushing over. Gladiolus tripped him with her bat. "Not until you clean your dirty ass hands." She said, using the bat to point to the mess that was his hands. Cactus sighed. "Is there a lake that isn't frosting nearby?" He asked with a groan. "No... But I still have a bit of water left in my can." Sunflower said as he pulled out his watering can. "YES!" He said as he hastily put his hands under the stream of water as Sunflower emptied his can. "But you sill gotta wait for your hands to dry, and wiping them on your shirt doesn't count!" Sunflower said, putting the photo away, Cactus just sighed.

Cactus rapidly shook his hands as the group walked, the cakey environment almost entirely gone at this point. "So you'll be heading off soon?" Sunflower asked Polly suddenly. "Yeah, though it isn't urgent if you want to ask something." She said as she looked at Sunflower with a smile. "Oh no it's nothing." Sunflower said awkwardly. "I was just... making sure." He said with a pathetic attempt to seem happy. "You sure?" Polly asked, her face turned towards him with a smile beaming onto the mask. For a moment Sunflower wanted to say no, to do anything, something about Polly just seemed so welcoming, warm, like it was okay.

"Yeah, I'm good!" He said, his happy voice now fully back on track, sounding like the same old Sunflower. "Alright then, let's carry on to a bit, to the next clearing in the trees, I'll probably split off their" Polly said as the group began to walk at full pace again. Basil stepped on a twig and heard some rustling in the bushes, he got ready to fight but some bunnies just ran from the bushes. He sighed of tiredness and slightly of embarrassment. "Don't worry about it, it's natural to be tense." Polly said as if reading his mind. "You just fought a giant cake after who knows what else you've all been through, you gotta be ready, so don't worry if you tense up at nothing!" She said with that trademark welcoming smile. Sunflower just nodded back.

They continued walking on for a bit, the occasional scuffle starting between Cactus and Gladiolus, Polly and Rose having to stop them. Sunflower moved sideways towards Tulip. "You doing good?" He asked as Tulip turned towards him. "Mhm." Tulip said quietly. "Your throat hurts?" Sunflower asked as he pushed a branch out of the way. Tulip nodded. "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll be able to rest soon." He said while patting Tulip on the back lightly. "Hey!" Gladiolus said, getting everyone's attention. "I think I see a clearing up ahead."

Sure enough, as everyone walked a bit further up, the trees opened up into a neat little circle with a lake that led into a river and a mound with a door in the side of it. "OH SWEET RELIEF!" Cactus shouted as he ran into the clearing before laying down on his back. "Goodbye trees hitting me in the face and hello comfort" He said with glee. "Well this certainly is a nice change of pace." Sunflower said as he stepped through the last bit of trees. "Agreed, I can get used to this." Gladiolus said as she surveyed the land. 

"Look!" Gladiolus suddenly said, pointing to the middle of the clearing close to where Cactus was lounging. Right where her finger led was a patch of basil. "OH THANK GOD!" Rose said, joyous to see the plant again. Sunflower turned and looked at the moon as he heard the drink being made. The party was fully healed! "Oh thank god!" Cactus said in relief. Polly shrugged. "I just don't get how you guys like that stuff, well I guess I'm not a flower so." She chuckled. "Well this is where we part ways?" Sunflower asked as he finished the drink. Polly sighed. "I suppose so."

Sunflower frowned behind the mask. As if sensing this, Polly pat him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, I have a strange feeling we'll cross paths again." She said, her smile erasing Sunflower's frown. "Alright! Sunflower said. "I'll hold you up to that!" He said, a smile of his own now creeping onto his face. "Stay safe miss, and please don't run into sentient pastries again." Rose said, Polly nodded as she started to walk in the direction of the mound. "HEY!" Sunflower shouted, surprising everyone including himself. "uhhhh... Good luck... And stay safe" Sunflower said awkwardly. Polly smiled. "You too Basil, I believe in you." She said with a warm smile. A loud ringed blared in Sunflower's ears as she said that "Huh? What did you say?" Sunflower asked "I said good luck on your quest Sunflower!" Polly said as she descended beyond the mound, then she was gone from sight.

Sunflower frowned as he watched Polly vanish from his line of sight, sighing as she fully left it. "What an odd person." Cactus said. "I mean in a good way." He quickly said, saving him from an angry glare from Gladiolus. "So, we gonna sit here and rest or what?" Cactus asked as he began to aimlessly wander around a bit. "I guess it wouldn't be too horrible of an idea to just rest a bit..." Sunflower said as he sat down. He let out a deep breath, thinking about the journey thus far. HE looked around the clearing they were sat in, his eyes stopping on the door in the mound.

Sunflower got up and walked to the door. He gave it a push and it didn't budge, neither did it have any way to pull it potentially. The door itself had three half-sphere divots in it. "You thinking about how to open it?" Gladiolus asked. Sunflower stumbled back a bit. "Sorry, you surprised me there." Sunflower said as he regained his composure. "But yeah, I know its not exactly gonna help us find the sun... but I'm just... I feel like something's in there, y'know?" He continued as he brushed the door, hoping that would somehow magically open it.

"I get what you mean... It's very intriguing to just see an immovable obstacle, feeling like somehow exactly what you need is beyond it." She said as she weakly kicked the door. "Though getting caught up on something you can't do anything about isn't helpful, if you find something to open this door we can come back, but for now let's just take a break and move on when we're ready." Gladiolus said as she turned around and walked away. Sunflower looked at the door, questioning what was kept behind it, before walking away.

Sunflower sat down by the lake, looking into the river. The glare of the moon reflected in the clear water. He picked up a nearby rock and tossed it to the water, achieving a staggering 0 skips. Tulip sat next to Sunflower, throwing a rock to similar results. "You holding up well?" Sunflower asked as Tulip threw another rock to the same effect. Sunflower scooted a bit closer. "You miss Lily?" He asked, Tulip nodded. "I wonder how she's holding up..." Sunflower said as he looked to the moon once again. Sunflower scooted even closer to Tulip, working up the courage to-

"Yo guys, Rose found something you might want to see." Cactus said as he ran up behind the two, startling them, before running back to Rose. Sunflower sighed and pushed himself up, blushing as he grabbed Tulip's hand to help him up. They walked over to Rose, who was standing a little up the river towards the edge of the clearing.

"So, what is it?" Sunflower asked as they reached Rose. "Shhhh!" Rose went quickly... baaaaa-bump... baaaa baaaaa baaaaaa-bump... dawww dawwww dawwwwwwwwwmmmmmmm... "Is... that music? Sunflower asked as the distant noise grew quiet for a bit. "It seems so..." Rose said as she distant noise grew audible once more. "You suggesting we check it out?" Gladiolus said as she leaned on a large boulder. "I mean we've just been going from interesting looking place to interesting looking place, this one is as likely to hold the sun as it is the others." Rose said quietly, listening to the distant rumble of the music.

"Seems... loud..." Tulip said as he looked in the direction of the music. "I'm sure it can't be that bad." Cactus said as he pat Tulip on the back. Sunflower grimaced at the thought of Tulip suffering in the loudness of the music. Though it wasn't like they could just leave him behind. "I-I'm sure it'll be fine." Sunflower lied to everyone including himself. Resisting the urge to punch himself till he passed out over that, Sunflower looked down the river. "Seems like it's just down the river." Sunflower said. "Yeah, that doesn't seem too bad." Rose said in an upbeat voice.

...

The shadow frowned as he looked at the group begin to talk down the river... Though it'd already prepared for this, they wouldn't stand a chance.

...

Chapter Text

Sunflower hummed somewhat to the tune of the distant music as he walked, though his own humming grew quieter as he walked. The music kept on getting louder and louder. "Jesus Christ I can feel the bass through the ground all the way over here, are we sure going over there is a good idea?" Cactus asked. Sunflower felt the distant rumbling too. "I'm sure it can't be that bad." Sunflower lied as he put some cotton in his ears.

"I'm going to be entirely honest the music doesn't even sound good." Rose commented. "I think it's pretty funky, i liked the part where it was bwaaaaaaaaa dundundundundund beeeeee bwaaaaaa, y'know?" Cactus said, horribly imitating some of the noises that had played not too long ago. "Why can't they play something a little more... structured." Gladiolus complained as the music randomly dropped into a bit that was so fast and loud it was making Sunflower's head spin. "I didn't even know people could make music this fast." Rose said with a groan. Cactus giggled a little at Rose's plight, at least he seemed to be enjoying the music.

Sunflower began to see what looked like a dance floor made of too many colors in the distance as he walked. "I think that would make a blind person have a seizure Jesus christ..." Rose said as he looked slightly away from the dance floor as he continued forwards, tripping on a tree root due to this. Sunflower offered his hand to Rose, who grabbed it as he stood up, towering over everyone once again. "Thanks... heh, can't see no matter where I look" Rose said before sighing. "I wonder how Lily is doing..." He said as he looked at the moon. "mmm..." Tulip said, agreeing with Rose.

"I'm sure we'll run into her at some point soon!" Sunflower said. "You'll see your big sis soon." He continued as he rubbed Tulip in the back. Tulip made a vaguely positive sounding noise in response. Sunflower blushed under the mask. "DUN DO DUN DUN DUN DO DUN DUN DLUNDUNDUNDUNDUN" The ever approaching constantly increasing in volume music said, ruining the moment. "Okay at least this song is somewhat good." Gladiolus commented. "At least I can jam out while I look for a hole to shove my head into and scream." She continued, getting a chuckle out of Tulip. "At least he's happy." Sunflower though, ignoring the small twinge of "That should've been me making him laugh!" Inside him. 

"I think I can see... People doing the conga?" Cactus said as they approached the seemingly endless dance floor. "Really? The conga doesn't even go with this music!" Gladiolus said. Sure enough there were several Conga lines parading around the dance floor. In the center of the floor was a sort of obelisk-like structure, with a DJ stand, and the DJ at the top. "That's the thing making this racket? Jeez I can't even see the top and there's not even a way to get up there!" Rose said. "Maybe the thing can lower down when the DJ's gotta leave?" Cactus suggested.

Sunflower took a step onto the dance floor and instantly his whole body started vibrating like there was a gigantic earthquake the likes never before seen. "oOoOoOhHhH MmMmMyYyY GgGgGoOoOoOdDdDdD! IiIiI'mMmMmM VvVvViIiIiIbBbBrRrRaAaAtTtTiIiInNnNgGgG" Sunflower said, the sheer force of the music making it sound like he was talking on a rollercoaster. "WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU?" Rose shouted at the top of his lungs, even then Sunflower barely heard him. "HEY WAIT IS THAT-"

Before Cactus could finish his statement, Tulip had already bolted off. "HEY WAIT UPPPPP!!!!" Gladiolus screamed. The group ran up to Tulip, who had found Lily in the crowd of people. "LILY! THIS IS WHERE YOU'VE BEEN!" Rose shouted. "WHAT?!" Lily shouted back. "I! SAID! THIS! IS! WHERE! YOU'VE! BEEN!" Rose practically screamed directly into Liliy's face "OH! I'VE BEEN HEY! LOOKING ALL OVER FOR HEY! YOU GUYS! THE MUSIC HEY! HERE HAS SOME SORT OF HEY! EFFECT ON IT, ONCE HEY! YOU GET IN THE CONGA HEY! YOU CAN'T STOP HEY! WORSE YET, I'VE HEY! BEEN FORCED TO SCREAM HEY! EVERY TIME YOU KICK HEY! YOUR LEG OUT WHICH HEY! IS A LOT!" Lily shouted all while doing the conga non-stop with a bunch of other hypnotized people.

"DON'T WORRY WE'LL GET YOU OUT OF HERE!" Rose shouted with a nod from everyone else. Tulip said something too but it was so quiet no one could've possibly heard it over the music. "OKAY SO HOW DO WE SHUT DOWN THE MUSIC!?" Cactus shouted."THAT'S A WONDERFUL QUESTION! HOW DO WE DO THAT?" Gladiolus shouted in response. 

Everyone sat there for a second or two in the loudness thinking. "THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WE COULD DO!" Rose shouted, but Lily was already far off, unable to stop conga'ing away. "DOOOOOOES AAAAAANYONE HAAAAAAAVE AAAAAAAAN IDEEEEEEEEEEA?!" Gladiolus shouted, a sudden upkick in the music causing her voice to waver a bit as the ground shook like an earthquake. "WE HAVE TO SHUT THAT DJ OFF!" Rose shouted as the music switched tracks. 

"AW COME ON I KINDA LIKE IT! LISTEN TO THIS!" Cactus said. "DUN DUN DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUUN DOON DUN DUNDUN DUN DOOOOON" The music responded, the sound feeling like it was going to split open. "CACTUS THAT ONLY PROVES WE NEED TO SHUT IT OFF MORE!" Gladiolus screamed, almost seemingly passing out from how much effort she had to put in to be heard. Rose steadied her and looked at Cactus. "WE GOTTA SHUT IT OFF! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS?!" Cactus shrugged in response. 

Gladiolus looked around. "I GOT ONE IDEA!" She shouted. "WHAT?!" Everyone shouted back. "I SAID I GOT ONE FUCKING IDEA!" She screamed even louder, actually falling to her knees due to the effort of screaming this time, Sunflower ran over and helped her up. "YOU OKAY?!" He shouted, Gladiolus gave a hearty thumbs up. "WHAT'S THE IDEA?!" Cactus asked. Sunflower stood there holding Gladiolus steady as she caught her breath for a moment, though he almost stopped when he saw Tulip bury his head in a pile of discarded merch for this show, clearly in pain due to the sheer volume, more so then everyone else.

Gladiolus finally stood up straight, Sunflower stood for a moment making sure she was fine before backing off, though not too much as to hear her. "WHAT IF WE KICK THE SHIT OUT OF SOME OF THE PEOPLE HERE SO THEY'RE FORCED TO STOP THE SHOW?!" She suggested. "AND WHY SHOULD WE DO THAT?!" Rose asked. "DO YOU HAVE A BETTER FUCKING IDEA?" Gladiolus responded, once again everyone was silent except for the blaring "DRUN DUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUN DRUN DUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUN" of the music. "MY POINT EXACTLY!" Gladiolus said.

"MOST OF THESE PEOPLE SEEM INNOCENT! HURTING THEM WOULD BE WRONG! FROM WHAT LILY SAID IT SEEMS THESE PEOPLE ARE SOMEHOW BEING CONTROLLED BY THE MUSIC!" Sunflower shouted, voicing his concerns. "UGH STOP BEING RIGHT!" Gladiolus screamed, kicking a vending machine over. Tulip finally unburied his head from the pile of XXXL shirts to look at the vending machine, which somehow made a crash loud enough that it was quite audible even from Tulip's distance and covering.

Seemingly everyone else did too, cause all the conga line zombies stopped moving and looked at the group, Sunflower also swore he could see several sets of glowing eyes covered by over fifty fog machines at the top of the dj's tower. The music did not quiet in the slightest though. "I THINK I BROKE THEM?!" Gladiolus shouted as she peered at the groups of people looking at them. "MAYBE YOU SNAPPED THEM OUT OF IT?" Cactus shouted as he walked towards the frozen "zombies". "ANYONE THERE?!" Cactus shouted as he waved his hands in front of one them.

...

Nothing happened, they simply stood their, watching, music raging on. "YEAH WE BROKE THEM!" Cactus shouted, turning away from them and walking back towards the group. "CACTUS!" Rose shouted. "WHAT?!" He said still jauntily strolling back to the group. "RUUUUUUUUN!!!" The whole group shouted, Cactus turned around to see the mob of people charging at him

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

Chapter Text

Conga Zombie A and B attacked!
[turn 1]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Conga Zombie A 
Conga Zombie A took 56 damage! (244/300)
Gladiolus attacked Conga zombie A
Conga Zombie A took 60 damage! (184/300)
Tulip attacked Conga Zombie A
Conga Zombie A took 41 damage! (143/300)
Rose attacked Conga Zombie A
Conga Zombie A took 40 damage! (103/300)
Conga Zombie A is busting it down...
Conga Zombie B adds another friend to the line!
Conga Zombie B's defense rose
Conga Zombie B's attack rose

[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacks Conga Zombie A!
Conga Zombie A took 56 damage! (47/300)
Gladiolus attacked Conga zombie B!
Conga Zombie B took 49 damage! (251/300)
Tulip attacked Conga Zombie A!
It whiffed...
Rose attacked Conga Zombie A!
Conga Zombie A took 41 damage! (6/300)
Conga Zombie A tramples Rose
Rose took 27 damage! (60/87)
Conga Zombie B tramples Sunflower
Sunflower took 34 damage! (47/81)

[turn 3]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacks Conga Zombie A!
Conga Zombie A was defeated!
Gladiolus used triple hit on Conga Zombie!
Conga Zombie took 51 damage! (200/300)
Conga Zombie took 50 damage! (150/300)
Conga Zombie took 50 damage! (100/300)
Gladiolus lost 20 chlorophyll (33/53)
Tulip attacks Conga Zombie!
Conga Zombie took 29 damage! (71/300)
Rose attacks Conga Zombie!
Conga Zombie took 29 damage! (42/300)
Conga Zombie just hit the hardest whip ever...

[turn 4]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacks Conga Zombie!
Conga Zombie was defeated!
Everyone gained EXP!
Gained 700 mint (8958 total)

Sunflower sighed, the second zombie collapsed. "I hate to break it to ya, but more seem to be shuffling over here" Gladiolus said, pointing at some zombies quite literally shuffling over to the group. "Ugh, I can't... WE can't fight off all of them!" Cactus groaned. Sunflower began looking around to find some sort of resting area. "Hey look!" Rose shouted while pointing to a giant tent with a sign that said "resting area" above it.

The group ran over to the tent, it seemed heavily secured. "Nice! I could live for a thousand years in here without worry of harm!" Cactus cheered as he saw the tent's card reader at the door. "What kind of tent has a door and card reader?" Sunflower thought before a sound brought him out of his mind.

A large security guard stood in front of the door. "Yooz Kidz got ticketz?" The guard asked. "Who talks with z's like that?" Tulip asked. "if yooz don't gotz ticketz, yooz can't enter the vip'z tent" the guard said. Sunflower looked at the security guard, he had some tickets... or "ticketz" as they were labeled in his back pocket "Can we buy those ones off you?" Sunflower asked, the guard looked at his back pocket with the tickets poking out. "They're 9,999,999,999,999 clamz each" he said. "okay I'm getting tired of this, so how about we~" Gladiolus said as she pulled out her bat "wait wait wait no do-" Rose said, trying to stop her, but Gladiolus had already swung her bat at the guard

[turn 1]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Security agent!
It whiffed...
Security agent clobbered Gladiolus!
Gladiolus took 29 damage (57/86)
Gladiolus attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 50 damage! (700/750)
Tulip attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 30 damage! (670/750)
Rose attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 28 damage! (642/750)

"What made you think that was a good idea?!" Rose shouted at Gladiolus as they fought "Well what was your idea?!" Gladiolus shouted, still struggling to be heard over the music.

[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 46 damage! (596/750)
Security agent is quietly talking on a walkie...
Gladiolus attacked Security agent!
It whiffed...
Tulip attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 31 damage! (565/750)
Rose attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 27 damage! (538/750)

[turn 3]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 44 damage! (494/750)
Security agent clobbered Gladiolus!
Gladiolus took 30 damage! (27/86)
Gladiolus attacked Security agent!
It whiffed...
Tulip attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 31 damage! (463/750)
Rose attacked Security agent!
It whiffed...

"I DIDN'T HAVE ONE BUT WAS FIGHTING HIM THE BEST OPTION?!" Rose screamed at Gladiolus, Sunflower couldn't tell if Rose was actually angry or just trying to be heard over the music.

[turn 4]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower used Vine Rush on Security agent!
Its a shattering blow!
Security agent took 106 damage! (357/750)
Sunflower lost 25 chlorophyll (81/106)
Security agent is quietly talking on a walkie...
Gladiolus attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 51 damage! (306/750)
Tulip attacked Security agent!
it whiffed...
Rose attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 26 damage! (280/750)

[turn 5]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 44 damage! (236/750)
Security agent braces himself!
Gladiolus attacked Security agent!
The attack was blocked!
Tulip attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 32 damage! (204/750)
Rose attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 27 damage! (177/750)

[turn 6]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacks Security agent! 
Security agent took 45 damage! (132/750)
Security agent is cracking his knuckles...
Gladiolus attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 52 damage! (80/750)
Tulip attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 32 damage! (48/750)
Rose attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 26 damage! (22/750)

[turn 7]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacks Security agent!
It's a shattering blow!
Security agent was defeated!
Everyone gained EXP!
Sunflower grew to level 12!
Gladiolus grew to level 12!
Tulip grew to level 12!
Rose grew to level 12!
Gained 550 mint! (9508)

Sunflower took a sigh of relief as the security guard fell over. "Jesus Christ... Don't go swinging at random people!" Cactus scolded Gladiolus. "Whatever" Gladiolus scoffs as she bent down and grabbed some VIP tickets off the security guard. "Let's just get in there." She said as she gave everyone a ticket. Sunflower walked up to the tent and inserted the ticket, the door opened and he walked inside, everyone else following shortly after.

The inside of the tent was more like a house than anything. "wow, I could get used to a place like this!" Cactus cheered. "You remember we do have a mission?" Rose asked. "Right right..." Cactus said with a sad sigh. Sunflower sat down in one of the big chairs. "That music is still earsplitting..." He groaned. "At least it's quieter now" Gladiolus said, her voice sounding sore from all the shouting earlier. "Still, even if we gotta goal, we gotta stop this music and save Lily" Sunflower said. "I agree, but how?" Rose asked

The group sat in silence... well as silent as inside a room in the loudest concert ever can be, thinking of how to stop the music. "The source has to be at the top of that tall tower, where the DJ is" Cactus said. "How do you know the DJ is up there?" Gladiolus asked. "I just happened to see a bit of him when I looked up, 100% the DJ is up there." Cactus said. "Then how did he get up there, there's no stairs or ladders, so the only real option is he flew up there?" Sunflower commented. "I guess? I can't think of another way to get up there" Rose said

"So then how do we make him come down?" Gladiolus asked. "We have to trash the show" Tulip mumbled. "What was that?" Sunflower asked, not hearing him over the music. Tulip walked up to Sunflower and said it straight into his ear. "We. Have. To. Trash. The. Show!" Tulip said. "What's he saying?" Cactus asked. "He's saying we gotta trash the show... which I get" Sunflower said. "Why would that work?" Rose asked. "Well why else would you hold a concert but for fans?" Sunflower said "We beat up and trash the fans, we meet the DJ and save Lily!" Sunflower said, Tulip nodding in agreement

"First off, I don't think we can take all those zombies, and second off, this is a special case and the DJ, who has access to mind control might just be doing this to get a mind controlled army" Rose said, glaring out a window in the tent at group of zombies doing some strange dance. "Even though I wan't to disagree, he's right on both things, even if we beat everyone up that wouldn't get us face to face with the DJ." Gladiolus said. "Then what if we turn off his tunes?" Cactus asked. "What do you mean?" Sunflower said. "Well I know what you mean but you know what I me- AGH just go on." Sunflower said.

"Well if he's using all these speakers to push out his song so loud, then we trash all his speakers." Cactus said, making a little example with his hands as he talked. "There's no way we could do that, first off we don't know how many speakers there are, and second he could just have his zombie army repair all the speakers as we take them out, we simply can't do it fast enough." Sunflower said. "Electricity..." Tulip mumbled. "Huh?" Sunflower said. "Speakers use electricity... add too much and it overloads... goes boom." Tulip said softly, barely audible over the music. "That... might work, the fact I haven't seen any generators for all this power means there are not much, but they are INSANELY strong, so strong they can't be at full power, or else the speakers would overload." Rose said.

"All that's to say what?" Cactus asked, Gladiolus sighed. "You can't possibly be this stu-" She was cut off by Rose. "Let him, all that's to say, we turn the generators to full power, the speakers overload and shut down, in mass numbers." "How do you even know all this?" Sunflower asked. "You just learn these types of things at college." Rose bragged.

"Anyways, it's settles then, right? We power up the generators fully, blow out the speakers, beat up the DJ and save Lily?" Sunflower asked. "Please..." Tulip said in a soft voice. "AAAAAAAA HE'S SO CUTE I JUST WANNA-" "I think so, let's get on with it then!" Gladiolus said, slamming on a table, dragging Sunflower out of his mind. "Guess so" Sunflower said

"Hold up can we rest for a bit?" Cactus said. "OH COME ON RIGHT NOW REALLY?" Gladiolus shouted. "What? We're all beat up from that battle with the security agent." Cactus said. "He's... right" Tulip said. "Can't argue with him..." Sunflower thought. "How long should it take?" Gladiolus asked. "Just around an hour in the su- oh God damnit." Rose said, looking through a window at the moon. "So we just... go out there all injured in stuff?" Gladiolus asked.

"hey... look..." Tulip said, pointing to something

Miraculously, a clump of basil had grown through the light up disco flooring. "Oh thank GOD!" Rose said relieved, Sunflower couldn't look as the group made the sunlight juice

The party was fully restored

"Well then, if that's all cleared up, are we all good to go?" Rose asked, Cactus nodded in response. "Okay, let's go power up to power this place down thatsoundedcoolerinmyhead." Sunflower said, sounding more depressed the longer he spoke. "Eh it was alright" Gladiolus said. "Whatever, lets go." Sunflower said, opening the tent door

...

The shadow watched from atop the tower next to the DJ. "WELL?" The DJ asked. "Simple, just keep them here under your control, don't hurt them too badly... that's not what I want you to do." The shadow said sternly. "And if I do get carried away and pop a few heads?" The DJ asked. But by that point the shadow had already vanished, but the DJ still heard him speak. "I'll bury you with all the other groups who looked for the sun."

...

Chapter Text

Sunflower looked around the dance ground, zombies were patrolling everywhere. "They're definitely gonna beat us up if they see us." Cactus said. "We did kinda beat up a security guard and a few of them." Rose said. "Fair." Cactus responded.

Sunflower helped maneuver the party in between food and merchandise stalls looking for generators. "Where the hell do you think they could be?" Gladiolus asked, everyone simultaneously shrugged in response, Gladiolus sighed. "Why do I even bother?" She said in a disgruntled tone. "I mean this place can't be that big." Cactus said with a thumbs up. "Don't jinx us." Sunflower said. "You're being superstitious." Cactus said as he looked around for a generator.

The group looked for a while, the dance floor seemingly getting larger and larger. "I'm starting to think we're wrong and there aren't any generators and this place runs off lunar energy or something like that." Sunflower said as he looked inside a hot dog stand. "Or maybe it's like a billion mini generators underground" Gladiolus said as she popped out of a pile of sweaters several yards tall. "Help" Cactus said, as several articles of clothing had stuck to his needles. Rose began to help unstick them as Tulip walked over covered in ice cream. "You find anything?" Sunflower asked, Tulip shook his head.

Sunflower sighed and leaned on a nearby clothing stand "Raggghhhh" A Conga Zombie said on the other side. "I feel you" Sunflower said. "Wait"

Conga Zombie and Disco demon attacked!
[turn 1]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Disco demon!
It's a shattering blow!
Disco demon took 99 damage! (301/400)
Gladiolus attacked Disco demon!
Disco demon took 57 damage! (244/400)
Disco demon boogies all over Tulip
Tulip took 26 damage! (50/75)
Tulip attacked Disco demon!
Disco demon took 40 damage! (204/400)
Rose attacked Disco demon!
Disco demon took 37 damage! (167/400)
Conga zombie is getting low...

[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Disco demon!
Disco demon took 52 damage! (115/400)
Gladiolus attacked Disco demon!
Disco demon took 59 damage!(56/400)
Disco demon hits a cool pose!... it hit Gladiolus during so...
Gladiolus took 35 damage! (54/89)
Tulip attacked Disco demon!
Disco demon took 40 damage!(16/400)
Rose attacked Disco demon!
Disco demon was defeated!
Conga zombie adds another one to the line!
Conga zombie's attack rose
Conga zombie's defense rose

[turn 3]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Conga Zombie!
Conga Zombie took 49 damage! (251/300)
Gladiolus attacked Conga Zombie!
Conga zombie took 53 damage! (198/300)
Tulip attacked Conga zombie!
Conga zombie took 33 damage! (165/300)
Rose attacked Conga zombie!
Conga Zombie took 30 damage! (135/300)
Conga zombie kicked Rose when the song said "HEY!"
Rose took 50 damage! (41/91)

[turn 4]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Conga Zombie!
Conga zombie took 48 damage! (87/300)
Gladiolus attacked Conga zombie! 
Conga Zombie took 53 damage!(34/300)
Tulip attacked Conga Zombie!
Conga Zombie was defeated!
Everyone gained EXP!
Gained 735 mint!(10243)

Sunflower sighed. "There's... a lot more of them walking around" Rose stretched his shoulder "We should NOT take on all of them we see, sneaking in between the alleys of the stands is our best bet" He said, the group nodding in agreement.

...

"Is there seriously not a better way?" Cactus complained "Just hold still, you've already taken out 2 of us with your thorns" Rose said. Sunflower dipped his hand in cold water again, trying to sooth the pain of all the pricks in his hand. "Can we put like a large tupperware box on his head so this doesn't happen?" Gladiolus asked as she removed another prick from her arm. Tulip sighed as he carefully removed another bit of Cactus from the stand. 

The pop up stands of course, were covered in fabric, and the spaces between them were extraordinarily tight. So as the group was sneaking through, Cactus got stuck on a clump of fabric due to his pricks. "How about we just be extra careful next time?" Rose asked, Gladiolus cackled. "HA! With HIM?! Good luck!" Cactus snarled. "If I wasn't stuck to a hotdog booth I'd go over there and kick your ass!" He shouted. Gladiolus fell over laughing, then promptly stopped laughing as the fall pushed most of the spikes even further into her arm.

"Whatever, I don't care if I got fabric stuck to my head anymore lets just go." Cactus said as he marched forward, tearing off a small bit of the booth. Sunflower couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "YOU- YOU LOOK LIKE A- A GODDAMN MORON- WAHAHAHAHAHA!" Gladiolus said through laughter, seemingly ignoring the pain in her arm now. Cactus grunted and walked off, the bit of the booth waving off the back of his head like hair, Sunflower even heard Tulip lightly chucking.

"Don't laugh at me!" Cactus shouted before stomping off, walking face first into... nothing. "OUGH!" Cactus shouted as he seemingly walked into thin air like it was a brick wall. Gladiolus burst into laughter again. "Is now the time for jokes Cactus?" Rose asked sternly. "You try it!" Cactus complained. Rose walked to where cactus was and stuck his hand out. "G-GAH WHAT THE HELL?!"

Sure enough, there was a seemingly invisible brick wall in between the stalls. "Who the hell would put this here and why?" Rose asked, as he felt along the wall. "I... don't know." Sunflower said. Rose rounded a corner as he mapped out the wall. Sunflower looked at the wall. "Odd, I can't see you through the wall..." Sunflower said. "...Wait a minute" Gladiolus said, walking up to the wall then SMASH! Gladiolus slammed her bat into the wall. The wall crumbled and chunks of brick fell off. Cactus tilted his head. "I don't get it." Gladiolus scraped some bits of the brick against the wall, causing some paint to fall off it. "OOOOOOOH, THAT'S SICK YO!"

Rose eventually found a door as he felt along. "I still cant believe they painted it to look like it wasn't there that's crazy!" Cactus said. "Cool, shut up." Gladiolus whipped back as Rose opened the door. On the inside was another Security agent. "Not again" Gladiolus groaned.

Security agent and booth cat attacked!
[turn 1]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 49 damage! (701/750)
Security agent makes himself look intimidating
Sunflowers attack fell...
Gladiolus attacks Security agent!
Security agent took 57 damage! (644/750)
Tulip attacks security agent!
Security agent took 36 damage! (608/750)
Booth cat gives a horrible sales pitch...
Rose attacks security agent!
Security agent took 29 damage! (579/750)

[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 40 damage! (539/750)
Security agent pummels Sunflower!
Sunflower took 40 damage! (45/85)
Gladiolus attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 58 damage! (481/750)
Tulip attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 36 damage! (445/750)
Booth cat scams Rose out of a portion of his soul
Rose took 35 damage! (6/91)
Rose attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 28 damage! (417/750)

[turn 3]
what will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 39 damage! (376/750)
Security agent murmurs something into a walkie talkie...
Gladiolus attacks Security agent!
Security agent took 57 damage! (319/750)
Tulip attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 34 damage! (285/750)
Booth cat is licking its paws...
Rose attacked Security agent!
it whiffed...

[turn 4]
what will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 28 damage! (257/750)
Security agent slammed Gladiolus
It's a shattering blow!
Gladiolus withered...
Tulip attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 36 damage! (221/750)
Booth cat sold Security agent some food
Security agent recovered 75 hp (296/750)
Security agent's speed fell...
Rose used check up on Rose!
Rose recovered 46 hp! (52/91)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll (65/75)

[turn 5]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 29 damage! (265/750)
Tulip attacked Booth cat!
It whiffed...
Security agent is mumbling into a walkie talkie...
Booth cat's wage was lowered even further
Booth cat became sad
Rose used resuscitate on Gladiolus
Gladiolus was revived! (18/89)
Rose lost 25 chlorophyll(40/75)

[turn 6]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Security agent
Security agent took 29 damage! (236/750)
Gladiolus attacked Security agent!
It's a shattering blow!
Security agent took 104 damage! (132/750)
Tulip attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 35 damage! (97/750)
Security agent bashes Tulip!
Tulip took 27 damage (23/76)
Booth cat's wages get lowered
Booth cat became depressed
Rose attacked Booth cat!
Booth cat took 11 damage! (239/250)
Booth cat lost 16 chlorophyll

[turn 7]
What will Sunflower and friends do
Sunflower attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 28 damage! (69/750)
Gladiolus attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 56 damage! (13/750)
Tulip attacked Security agent!
Security agent was defeated!
Booth cat gives a sponsor loosing pitch...
Rose attacked Booth cat!
Booth cat took 10 damage! (229/250)
Booth cat lost 15 chlorophyll

[turn 8]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Booth cat!
It's a shattering blow!
Booth cat took 42 damage! (187/250)
Booth cat lost 54 chlorophyll!
Gladiolus attacked Booth cat!
Booth cat took 29 damage! (158/250)
Booth cat lost 31 chlorophyll!
Tulip used high pitch!
Booth cat became angry!
Tulip lost 5 chlorophyll (85/90)
Booth cat gives a sponsor loosing pitch...
Rose attacked Booth cat!
Booth cat took 33 damage! (125/250)

[turn 9]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Booth cat!
Booth cat took 59 damage! (66/250)
Gladiolus attacked Booth cat!
Booth cat was defeated!
Everyone gained EXP!
Gained 900 mint! (11143 total)

Sunflower struggled to keep his head up straight as the enemies finally collapsed. "I thought that would never end!" Rose complained as he put his hands on his knees. "So... Tired..." Tulip mumbled. Sunflower managed to move enough and looked in the door they had opened, inside was a long set of stairs leading down. "Great more walking..." Rose groaned as everyone began to head down the stairs

As the bottom was another door, Sunflower Cautiously opened it and inside was a massive generator. "THERE IT IS!" Cactus shouted, jumping up and down. "Great!" Sunflower said as he walked up and examined it. "So... How do we power this thing up?" Sunflower asked as he looked at all the switches, nodes, plugs, and dials on it. Gladiolus walked up "We... We uh" Gladiolus put her hands on her hips as she hmmmm'd and haaaaa'd.

Rose walked up. "I think I can figure it out?" Rose said in a confused tone. "Aren't you a doctor?" Gladiolus asked. "We have to learn a bit about electricity and such due to the heart and cardiac system." He answered as he looked over the giant machine. "Aha!" He said as he turned up some dial.

The machine began to whir loudly and the music outside got even louder. "Oh boy... This better end soon as I will NOT be putting up with that!" Gladiolus said angrily, meanwhile Cactus was stomping around dancing to the music. Rose nudged him "You can dance later, now we have to work on finding that other generator" He said, Cactus slowly and sadly stopped dancing. "With how huge this place is... How are we going to find it?" Sunflower asked as he looked at the current one, whirring loudly.

"How about this?" Gladiolus shouted from behind the generator. The group walked behind it to see a map that read "LOCATIONS OF GENERATORS" In giant text on the top, on the map there was a you are here symbol, and a circle showing there was one other generator. "Oh thank God there's only one more." Rose said with a sigh of relief. "I also found" Gladiolus stopped talked and stepped to the side, revealing a bunch of maintenance tools that could double as weapons. "Yo sick!" Cactus said

Everyone's weapons were upgraded

Sunflower snipped the wire cutters a bit, getting a feel for them. "How about we hit that VIP room from earlier and rest up a bit before getting the 2nd generator?" Rose asked. Everyone nodded and they headed back to the VIP room, the walk was rather annoying due to the now ear piercing music.

The party was fully healed!

"Ah, it feels good to feel good!" Cactus said as he finished his sunlight juice. "As opposed to it feeling..?" Gladiolus asked, Cactus just grunted as a response. "...Okay so does anyone remember how to get to the second one?" Sunflower asked "Yup!" Rose said with a nod. "...Let's get going then..." Tulip said with a bit of desperation in his voice. "Don't worry, we'll save Lily" Sunflower said as he pat Tulip on the shoulder. Tulip just meekly nodded in response.

They began to cautiously travel to the next generator location, having to rely on vision cause they couldn't hear anything over the music. Sunflower could tell a few of the team members were trying to talk, but no one could be heard over the excessively loud noise. "IS... T CL... DO Y... OW?" Gladiolus shouted, Sunflower was only able to shrug in response, and barely at that, not wanting to move his hands from his ears.

Finally Rose pointed to nothing, well the generator room that was painted to make it look like nothing was there and they went inside the building. "OH THANK GOD I WAS GOING INSANE!" Cactus said with a sigh of relief. They looked towards the generator to see nothing else in the room. "oh sweet, no fighting for this one either!" Cactus said as everyone walked towards the generator. "Do your thingy or whatever Rose" Gladiolus said as she stepped back as Rose began to turn and flip some stuff on the generator

The music outside grew even louder and a little alarm buzzed "Warning! Warning! Volume and power levels approaching dangerous levels! Please adjust settings at the main breaker at  the DJ's tower, warning! Warning!" "What?! there's still one more?!" Sunflower said surprised. "Well let's go do it quick! If we mess with that surely we can overload the system!" Rose said, as the group turned to leave they ran face first into another security guard

Security guard appeared!
[turn 1]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Security agent
It whiffed...
Security agent mumbled something into a walkie talkie...
Gladiolus attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 67 damage! (683/750)
Tulip attacked Security agent!
Security agent took 45 damage! (638/750)
Rose used mystery pill
Congragulations! its your lucky day!
The battle was won!
Everyone Gained EXP!
Sunflower grew to level 13
Gladious grew to level 13
Tulip grew to level 13
Rose grew to level 13
Gained 550 mint! (total 11693)

"Jeez..." Gladiolus said "MY EARS!" Rose said, covering his entire head with the shirt he'd somehow already ripped off the security guard. Tulip just groaned, which somehow was the most worrying to Sunflower. "LET'S SHUT THIS OFF AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Cactus yelled running away. "OH NOW YOU WANT TO TURN IT OFF!" Gladiolus screamed stomping after him.

The music was so loud the ground and everything around them was shaking and vibrating, stalls were falling over and there was trash and junk seemingly hopping along the ground. "..." Rose screamed, but whatever he said was illegible to anyone due to a spike in the bass at the time. Sunflower felt like he was going to throw up his insides were vibrating so much. "WE SHOULD GET SOME SUNLIGHT JUICE WHILE WE STILL CAN!" He screamed, luckily at least Gladiolus heard him and grabbed Cactus to drag him back.

They quickly ran to the Vip tent and...

The party has healed

"OH MY GOD I" burp "CAN BARELY KEEP THIS DOWN!" Gladiolus shouted as she struggled to walk straight. "LET'S JUST GET TO THE MAIN TOWER!" Sunflower shouted, his vocal cords were not hurting from all the shouting.

They ran through the fallen stalls, any things that would've attacked them were hunched over in pain or had been vibrated to death. "IT'S JUST AHEAD KEEP GOING!" Rose shouted as they ran. The tall central tower loomed in the distance. Sunflower felt like the world was collapsing around him. He looked ahead, 10 feet, 5 feet, 2 feet.

His hand slammed the tower, the music was louder then ever before. "..." Sunflower shouted. Gladiolus looked at him confused. He mouthed the words very carefully. "WHERE IS THE GENERATOR?" Everyone looked around confused, only now realizing they didn't know exactly where it was. Sunflower looked around panicked, the music rattling his brain, he felt faint and weak. His hand slipped from the tower, his eyes felt heavy. He looked at the tower where his hand was. There was a knob there now. 

Sunflower reached for the knob and cranked it all the way up. 

The music got unbearably loud, Sunflower nearly collapsed, Cactus and Tulip actually did though. Sunflower tried to catch Tulip but couldn't get there in time. The music got louder then...

BOOM CRASH PA-POW 

The speakers exploded all around them and the lights went dark.

It was quiet, except for the whirring of the tower lowering. Sunflower looked up, and in the moonlight there was 6 pure white eyes glaring down at them. Sunflower looked up at them. Gladiolus and Rose were trying to wake up Tulip and Cactus but Sunflower couldn't seem to look away from the eyes.

The tower got to ground level, Sunflower could barely tell the best apart from the shadows around them in the dim moonlight. But he could make out some features. The beast had horns of shadows and six large clawed arms that blended in with the shadows. The beast looked at the group and spoke in a low and raspy voice

"So it was you who turned off the music?" It asked, extending itself impossibly close to Sunflower without touching him. "It was too loud!" Gladiolus said, having roused the other two from their sleep. "and we had to free our friend from the control of the song!" Cactus shouted. Sunflower hated to realize he forgot about Lily in all the chaos.

The beast launched it's head back and laughed. "That is amusing little ones, but for your own safety I must keep you here forever!" "Our own... Whatever we'll never do that!" Cactus shouted, getting ready to fight. The beast laughed again as 4 of its arms restored some power to the stage, the DJ stand powering back on and two speakers began to emulate a low static buzz. 

"Then to you I give what I call my last boss mix!" The beast said as it got into a position ready to play the music. "Why's it called that?" Rose asked, the creature grinned a dark grin, revealing its even darker insides. "BECAUSE I'M THE LAST BOSS YOU'LL EVER FACE!"

Chapter Text

The DJ scratched the records on his stand a bit, even with just 2 speakers the sound was way too loud. "LET THE SHOW BEGIN!" The DJ roared

DJ $HAD0WVER$3 attacked!
[turn 1]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked speaker A!
Speaker A took 50 damage! (150/200)
DJ Shadowverse adjusted his headphones...
DJ Shadowverse (yeah I'm not typing out that actual name every time) slammed his fists into Gladiolus
Gladiolus took 28 damage (65/93)
DJ Shadowverse slammed his fists into Gladiolus 
Gladiolus took 27 damage (38/93)
DJ Shadowverse pumped up the volume
Speaker A's damage rose for this turn
Speaker B's damage rose for this turn
Gladiolus attacked Speaker A
Speaker A took 61 damage! (89/200)
Tulip attacked speaker A!
It's a shattering blow!
Speaker A was broken!
Rose attacked Speaker B!
Speaker B took 40 damage! (160/200)
speaker B blasts its volume
Sunflower took 40 damage (48/88)

"You still stand in resistance... how quaint" The DJ said in an almost comically overconfident voice
[turn 2]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower used beanstalk on Rose!
Sunflower's defense rose!
Rose's defense rose!
Sunflower lost 15 chlorophyll (98/113)
DJ Shadowverse screamed at the top of their lungs
All party members accuracy fell
two of DJ Shadowverse's hands went to fix speaker A
DJ Shadowverse slammed his fists into Rose
Rose took 29 damage (66/95)
DJ Shadowverse plays a hypnotic melody
Conga Zombie Lite was summoned
Gladiolus attacked DJ Shadowverse!
DJ Shadowverse took 88 damage! (2912/3000)
Tulip attacks DJ Shadowverse
DJ Shadowverse took 55 damage! (2857/3000)
Rose attacked speaker B!
Speaker B took 42 damage! (118/200)
Speaker B blasts its volume
Rose took 25 damage (41/95)

[turn 3]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked DJ Shadowverse
DJ Shadowverse took 75 damage! (2782/3000)
DJ Shadowverse watches menecingly...
DJ Shadowverse's hands are fixing speaker A
DJ Shadowverse throws up some gang signs
Pumps up the volume
Speaker B's attack rose for this turn
Gladiolus attacked Conga Zombie Lite
Conga zombie Lite took 80 damage (70/150)
Tulip attacked Conga Zombie Lite!
It was a shattering blow!
Conga Zombie Lite was defeated!
Rose used check up on Sunflower!
Sunflower gained 44 hp! (88/88)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll (70/80)
Speaker B blasts its volume
Tulip took 40 damage (40/80)

[turn 4]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked Speaker B
Speaker B took 53 damage! (65/200)
DJ Shadowverse gives a direct shout
Gladiolus took 30 damage (35/93)
DJ Shadowverse's hands are fixing speaker A
DJ Shadowverse swings his arms around
The attack whiffed...
The attack whiffed...
Tulip took 12 damage (28/80)
Rose took 8 damage (33/95)
Gladiolus attacks speaker B
Speaker B took 64 damage! (1/200)
Tulip attacked Speaker B
Speaker B was broken!
Rose used check up on Tulip!
Tulip Recovered 40 hp! (68/80)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll (60/80)

[turn 5]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower attacked DJ Shadowverse!
DJ Shadowverse took 76 damage! (2706/3000)
DJ Shadowverse watches menecingly...
DJ Shadowverse's hands are fixing speaker A
DJ Shadowverse's hands are fixing speaker B
DJ Shadowverse slams Rose
Rose took 29 damage (4/95)
Gladiolus attacked DJ Shadowverse!
DJ Shadowverse took 89 damage! (2617/3000)
Tulip used burning dog!
Party recovered 25 hp!
Rose used check up on Rose!
Rose recovered 48 hp! (77/95)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll (50/80)

[turn 6]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
Sunflower used Vine Rush on DJ Shadowverse!
It was a shattering blow!
DJ Shadowverse took 200 damage! (2417/3000)
DJ Shadowverse shouts at Tulip
Tulip took 36 damage (44/80) 
DJ Shadowverse fixed Speaker A
DJ Shadowverse's hands are fixing speaker B
DJ Shadowverse plays a hypnotic melody
Conga Zombie Lite was summoned
Gladiolus used hooligans call
All of Gladiolus's stats rose!
Attack doubled for next attack!
Gladiolus lost 25 chlorophyll (35/60)
Tulip used perfect melody on DJ Shadowverse!
DJ Shadowverse became happy!
Tulip lost 5 chlorophyll (88/93)
Rose attacked DJ Shadowverse!
DJ Shadowverse took 45 damage! (2372/3000)
Speaker A blasts its volume!
Rose took 25 damage! (52/95)

[turn 7]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
DJ Shadowverse shouts at Sunflower
Sunflower took 31 damage (42/88)
DJ Shadowverse's hands are fixing speaker B
DJ Shadowverse threw up some gang signs...
DJ Shadowverse slammed Gladiolus
It whiffed!
Sunflower used beanstalk on Tulip!
Tulip's defense rose!
Sunflower's defense rose!
Sunflower lost 15 chlorophyll (83/113)
Gladiolus used rage state!
Gladiolus became angry!
Gladiolus' attack rose!
Gladiolus became uncontrollable!
Gladiolus attacked DJ Shadowverse!
It was a moving attack!
It was a shattering blow!
DJ Shadowverse took 1134 damage! (1238/3000)
Tulip attacked Conga Zombie Lite!
Conga zombie Lite took 39 damage! (111/150)
Rose attacked Conga Zombie Lite!
Conga Zombie Lite took 30 damage! (81/150)
Conga Zombie Lite busts a move on Sunflower
Sunflower took 15 damage (27/88)
Speaker A Blasts its volume!
Gladiolus took 25 damage (35/93)

"Your continued persistence is bothersome! However you shall fall to the song in no time!" The DJ roared as Sunflower barely dodged an attack "TURNING UP THE VOLUME! LET'S FINISH THIS!" The DJ screamed as it readied for another assault
[turn 8]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
DJ Shadowverse seems to be preparing something!
Sunflower attacked Conga Zombie Lite!
Conga Zombie Lite took 47 damage! (34/150)
Gladiolus is uncontrollable!
Gladiolus attacked Speaker A
Speaker A was broken!
Tulip attacked Conga Zombie Lite!
Conga Zombie Lite was defeated!
Rose used Check up on Sunflower!
Sunflower recovered 44 hp! (71/88)
Rose lost 10 chlorophyll (40/80)

[turn 9]
What will Sunflower and friends do?
DJ Shadowverse used Bass Boost Blast!
Sunflower took 19 damage (52/88)
It was a dull attack...
Gladiolus took 25 damage (10/93)
Tulip took 28 damage (16/80)
It whiffed!
Sunflower attacked DJ Shadowverse!
DJ Shadowverse took 75 damage! (1163/3000)
Gladiolus is uncontrollable!
Gladiolus attacked DJ Shadowverse!
It was a moving attack!
DJ Shadowverse took 287 damage! (876/3000)
Tulip attacked DJ Shadowverse!
DJ Shadowverse took 56 damage! (820/3000)
Rose attacked DJ Shadowverse!
DJ Shadowverse took 45 damage! (775/3000)

"Hm? You still stand, your defiance shall end soon!" The DJ roared again. "Here it comes, get ready!" Gladiolus shouted
[turn 10]
DJ Shadowverse became angry!
DJ Shadowverse's emotion cannot be altered
What will Sunflower and friends do?
DJ Shadowverse shouted at Sunflower
Sunglower took 19 damage (33/88)
DJ Shadowverse's hands fixed speaker B
Two of DJ Shadowverse's hands began fixing speaker A
DJ Shadowverse slammed Rose
Rose took 24 damage (28/95)
Sunflower used Vine Rush on DJ Shadowverse!
DJ Shadowverse took 101 damage! (674/3000)
Sunflower lost 25 chlorophyll (58/113)
Gladiolus is uncontrollable!
Gladiolus attacked DJ Shadowverse!
It's a shattering blow!
DJ Shadowverse took 567 damage! (98/3000)
Tulip tagged out!
Cactus swapped in!
Cactus attacked DJ Shadowverse!
DJ Shadowverse took 27 damage! (71/3000)
Rose attacked DJ Shadowverse!
It's a shattering blow!
"GH- I-IMPOSSIBLE! M-MY MUSIC SHALL BE HEARD BY THE WORLD!"
DJ Shadowverse was defeated!
Everyone gained EXP!
Sunflower grew to level 14
Sunflower learned wall of thorns
Gladiolus grew to level 14
Gladiolus learned taunt
Cactus grew to level 12
Tulip grew to level 14
Tulip learned duet
Rose grew to level 14
Rose learned take a candy
gained 5000 mint (Total 16693)

With a final blow the DJ fell over and quickly faded away. "I guess it really was a shadow" Cactus said as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. "I guess so..." Sunflower said. He didn't feel safe at all, like he hadn't truly won, like there was something else nearby, but he didn't tell the team as he didn't want to take away from their sense of victory

Tulip walked up and tugged at his shirt. "Oh right lets go get Lily!" Sunflower said, grabbing Tulip's hand as they walked

...

In one of the destroyed stalls the shadow watched the group walk away, it looked at where the DJ used to be annoyed at its failure to keep them hostage it sighed as it warped to a single island over a lake, perhaps the blonde one's fears would keep him paralyzed

...

Chapter Text

Hey guys, life has been crazy, I still want to work on this but who knew going to your next stage in life ate up so much of your time (ah how long this has taken :3)

But I'm still alive, the progress on what was this chapter is safe and I will return to it once everything settles down, I WILL finish this even if it takes all through my college life, at least you get to see what the title for this chapter (as of now) is.

I doubt anyone still reads this or gets this far but... if you are, thank you. I write this for me and the one person who will see this, even if it is just one, i'll play my horn for you