Chapter Text
Leafy's heart pounded away in her chest as she tried to peek around the other contestants ahead of her. It was purely incidental that she'd ended up at the back of the line. But it was okay! She would have gladly let everyone ahead of her anyways. It was the nice thing to do!
She wasn't the only one who was absolutely buzzing with excitement. This was no ordinary line to stand in. It was the line. The one to enter Dream Island.
She couldn't believe that it was finally happening. BFDI was over. She'd spent two whole years participating in this wacky competition. She was beginning to think that it would never end!
Leafy perked up when she heard a joyous, "Yoylecake!" from somewhere near the front of the line and smiled broadly. Bubble got in! They may have had a bit of a... falling out recently. But that didn't mean that she couldn't be happy for her former best friend. Who knows? Maybe they would even have a chance to patch up their relationship once they were all inside!
Huh. The line was actually moving surprisingly fast with only a few short pauses here and there. People being turned away? Surely not! She didn't see anyone stepping out of line and glumly walking away. Not even the enigmatic David who stood just ahead of her was rejected!
Ah... and there he was. The winner of BFDI himself, and her very best friend.
Firey.
There was a tense pause as the young flame looked up at the next person in line... Flower, one of the biggest bullies that anyone had ever known. The girl had been an absolute menace during the entire competition! Always shouting, throwing wild tantrums, ordering people around, and causing problems whenever she possibly could. If there was any singular person who didn't deserve to enter Dream Island, it was surely her.
Flower was staring straight ahead towards the golden gates of Dream Island. Her expression was blank, but there was a longing in her eyes. Deep down, she knew that her rotten attitude could have just cost her the opportunity to ever set foot beyond those gates.
Leafy was the only person present who was still smiling. Not out of some smug satisfaction out of seeing Flower finally receiving some well-earned karma. But because she knew Firey better than Flower did. And she knew for a fact that the spiteful girl had nothing to worry about.
Just as she'd expected, the gracious winner of BFDI quickly dispelled all of Flower's worries.
"Flower, I still think you're a jerk, but you can come in," he said with a grin.
The pink-petalled bully smiled brightly in return as all tension immediately left her body. She held her head up high as she walked past Firey without even a hint of malice or deceit. Leafy could have sworn that she saw Flower's hands trembling. She found herself actually feeling happy for her, despite all the trouble she'd caused.
"Wow, Firey, that's so nice of you!" Leafy praised as she lifted her hands into the air.
She was about to shower him with praise for his kindness, but she was quickly cut off by... none other than Coiny. He'd been scowling ever since Firey was crowned the winner. What a heavy blow his pride must have taken to lose the ultimate prize to his longtime rival.
"You'd better let me in," the copper coin threatened as he immediately stepped forward and held his fist right in Firey's face, "or else!"
Leafy was worried that something like this was going to happen. And Firey wasn't having any of it.
"No! Are you serious," Firey barked as he pushed Coiny away hard enough to almost topple the boy over. "Think of all the things you've done!"
Coiny's aggressive attitude faded away in an instant. Leafy guessed that it must have finally hit him just then that being a jerk wasn't the way to gain access to the coveted prize. It didn't take him long to switch up tactics.
"But that's just it! I've grown closer to you than anyone you've ever known," he reasoned. "I mean, if there's anyone who should be allowed into the island, it should be me!" he cried as he flapped his arms about.
Firey was taken aback as he thought over his adversary's words. "Y-you're right," he admitted with only the slightest bit of hesitation. It was true! They'd been fighting each other for so long that they practically knew each other inside and out!
Firey soon broke out into a wide grin and jabbed his thumb backwards. "Get in there, Coiny!"
Leafy felt deep relief and a sense of pride as she watched the two put aside their rivalry for once. As Coiny proudly strut his way through the gates, Leafy was overjoyed as she realized that it was finally her turn.
"Wow, Firey! That wa-that was... that was amazing," she stammered, genuinely impressed by Firey's actions just now. "On another note, I can't wait to see Dream Island," she said as she curiously tilted her body to the side in the hopes of catching a mere glimpse through the gates as they closed behind Coiny.
She hadn't even realized that Firey stopped smiling the moment she started talking.
"Well, Leafy, I don't think I can let you in," he said quickly as he glanced backwards.
Leafy's heart sunk. "What! But you let everybody else in," she protested, "even Coiny!"
Firey looked uncomfortable. "Leafy, when you rode my ferris wheel, you said... 'get me out of this thing'! And that really hurt me, deep down inside," he explained as his frown deepened.
"You'd better be joking, Firey," the girl cried as panic welled up inside of her. He had to be joking, right? There was no way, no possible way that he would actually shut her out, right?
"Leafy, you don't understand! That ferris wheel, I made it for myself," he admitted. Then, his demeanor soured as he furrowed his brow in anger. "But more importantly, I made it for you! And you just rejected it!"
Anger took hold of Leafy as well as her hands began to shake. This couldn't be happening. Not again. "Firey, I don't believe this!"
"Leafy, I'm sorry... but now I see the truth."
Firey closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath to compose himself. When he reopened them again, he locked eyes with Leafy with such intensity, such disdain that her own angry expression faltered and was replaced with confusion.
"You never deserved Dream Island," he spat. "You didn't work nearly as hard as I did, and now you think you can just waltz right in like you own the place?"
Leafy stared at him incredulously. "What are you talking about?! Firey, I fought for Dream Island just as hard as everybody else did! Maybe even harder! I-I even helped the others with the competitions, I was doing the work of–"
Firey scoffed at her and crossed his arms. "Yeah, yeah, I saw. And look where it got you, Leafy. Did you think that 'being nice' was going to make people like you? All you did was show them how much of a doormat you are!" A nasty grin spread across his face. "Heh..! Talk about pathetic."
Leafy's eyes widened with shock as her own best friend viciously mocked her. No, no, this... this isn't right. This isn't happening. This isn't the Firey that she knew, it... couldn't be...
"What? Got nothing left to say? That's a first," he sneered. "Honestly? I think I like you better this way, Leafy. Maybe if you keep your mouth shut and stick to the whole 'people-pleaser' schtick without whining, I might consider letting you in."
Firey turned and looked up. "What do you guys think?"
That was when Leafy finally noticed that all eighteen of the other competitors were now standing atop the short wall, staring at the duo as they peered between the pointed metal bars that would prevent any would-be intruders from even thinking about sneaking inside.
"Like, OMG, her? Yeah right! I can't be seen hanging around with that loser," Match laughed.
"Yeah! This is supposed to be Dream Island, and that girl is nothing but a nightmare," Pencil agreed wholeheartedly.
"You can't be serious, Firey," said Golf Ball as she rolled her eyes. "Allowing such a nuisance into our paradise would be a grave miscalculation on your part."
"I agree," nodded Tennis Ball as he grimaced down at Leafy before averting his gaze. "I mean... isn't the whole point of Dream Island to keep out people like her?"
"She's mean!" cried Ice Cube.
"She's weak," scoffed Snowball.
"She's so annoying," huffed Needle.
"Honestly? Why is she even still here? She shouldn't have even been allowed to participate in BFDI," said Coiny as he frowned down at her.
Teardrop nodded silently in agreement. Even Rocky turned away from her.
It was getting harder for Leafy to breathe. She blinked away tears of disbelief as she could have sworn that she felt her heart beginning to crack. Her eyes scanned the faces of each and every contestant-her friends-until they landed upon none other than Bubble, who kept her eyes low and rubbed her arm uncomfortably.
"B... Bubble... you want me here, d... don't you," the trembling leaf asked quietly.
Bubble turned towards Leafy for only a moment, but couldn't bring herself to look at her for long. "Loify... I thoink... oit's for the best oif you'd just... left," she admitted with a deep frown and guilt in her eyes. "I moin... you're not a very noice person. You'd just get ointo foights woith everyone anywois, woildn't you..?"
Leafy felt her entire world shatter around her as she stared up at Bubble. Her mouth hung open in shock as she struggled to find the words to say, but she could only utter a pathetic whimper. Bubble didn't seem like she was trying to be outright malicious, but she also did nothing to reassure or stick up for Leafy. She was just... standing there, refusing to look at her. It stung almost as much as the insults being hurled her way. Or... maybe it was worse.
"Hah-hah! Look at her dumb face! She looks like a dying fish!"
Laughter rose up from the crowd, engulfing Leafy and shaking her down to her core. She tried to speak up and defend herself, but no words came out. Her own silence frustrated her and she could feel hot tears beginning to roll down her cheeks. She never judged or scolded others for crying, but doing it herself filled her with shame.
This wasn't fair. This... this was all wrong!!
"Welp... that's that," said Firey at last as he clapped his hands together as if dusting them off. "You see, Leafy? You're not wanted here. Nobody even likes you. So, why don't you save yourself the embarrassment and just walk away? While I go into my island and finally enjoy myself for once without you breathing down my neck."
Leafy stared at Firey with eyes as wide as dinner plates. She... couldn't believe what she was hearing... her heart was completely broken by the sheer cruelty of her own friends, the people she'd spent all of her time with and did everything to help! This... this was just..!
Her hands balled into fists as heartbreak turned to anger. Save herself the embarrassment? She was humiliated. Completely torn apart by everyone that she knew. Had the past two years meant nothing to them? Did she mean nothing to them?!
"You... can't do this," she finally managed to say as Firey turned away from her and opened the gate.
He took a moment to glance back at her one last time with a smug grin. "Goodbye, Leafy. And good riddance."
Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at him. She then found herself impulsively moving forward, feet hitting the pavement as she ran and reached out to grab the closing door. It shut right in her face before her fingers could even graze the cold metal. She'd barely managed to stop herself before she ran into them full-force and stood there rooted to the spot, her mind swirling with a hurricane of emotions as she laid her hands upon the golden surface.
"... no... no," she mumbled, shaking her head slowly as the reality of the situation fully sunk in.
The laughter of the other contestants died away, becoming muffled as they hopped down the wall and disappeared behind the puffy green bushes that obscured her view of the island. Soon, Leafy was left there in total silence. Alone with nothing but her thoughts to keep her company.
Leafy didn't know how long she stood there, unable to move or speak or... do anything to make the situation any better. Her hands trembled as she curled her fingers around the shiny bars and pulled with all her might. But it was useless. The doors didn't so much as reward her with the tiniest squeak as she used every bit of her strength to try to pry them open.
Her breathing became ragged and uneven as she lifted her head and looked up at the sign. That... damned sign. Dream Island. It used to fill her with so much hope. Now, all it did was taunt her. A pretty reminder of everything she worked for but would never achieve.
Leafy unleashed a screech of rage as she swung her fist forward and punched the gate. Pain radiated up her arm from the impact, but the gate didn't budge. She then threw her left fist forward and was rewarded with the same. It hurt, but she didn't stop.
She threw punch after punch, sweat beaded on her brow as she exerted herself on the useless endeavor. It didn't matter how much it hurt. All that mattered to her was the pain in her chest, the anger that clouded her senses, the... hatred boiling within her.
Leafy flinched and looked up when she noticed a flash of light somewhere above her. A moment later, a dull pop reached her ears. Another flash soon followed, and she realized that they were fireworks. They were celebrating without her. Or were they celebrating because she wasn't there? Another scream slipped past her lips as she vented her anger out into the void.
She'd lost all rationality as she redoubled her efforts to destroy the gates with her bare hands. She swung her arms wildly, blinded by fury as her fingers cracked and her knuckles bled a clear fluid. The agony that she should have felt as she destroyed her own body was little more than an irritating buzz in the back of her mind.
She was going to tear those gates right off of their hinges. She would rip the entire island apart! She'll leave nothing behind for those... those... ungrateful... selfish... two-faced monsters to enjoy!! She would... she was going to... destroy them!!
Leafy pulled her right fist back and sent it forward with every ounce of her strength. This time, however, she did feel pain. She gasped and jerked her hand back, stunned as she looked down at the wicked thorn that had implanted itself deep into her skin.
"Wh... wha..?"
Her hand shook, hurting more than even her hardest punches did. She watched as sap trickled down her arm from the wound and dripped down to the pavement below. Where did it... come from..?
And why was it...
Purple.
Leafy watched in abject horror as the thorn split open, revealing itself not to be a thorn at all, but a seed. Purple vines snaked outwards, wrapping around her limb and creeping up her arm as she screamed and tried to pull them off to no avail. She clenched her teeth as the vines sprouted thorns of their own and bit into her skin. They quickly reached her face and were curling towards her right eye.
"No! Please, no," she shrieked as she stumbled backwards and pulled at the plant with all her might. But the harder she struggled, the deeper the vile thing burrowed into her flesh. She was hyperventilating now, helpless to save herself as she felt it beginning to press against her eye.
"FIREY! HELP ME! SAVE ME!!"
But no one could hear her.
Beautiful fireworks burst overhead, filling the lovely blue sky with a wondrous display of color and light, delighting all who could see. A cloud of balloons floated freely in the air, released in celebration as the new island residents clapped and cheered. All of their worries, all of their struggles, had finally come to an end. At long last, they had earned their peace and happiness together on Dream Island with their friends.
Leafy would never get to see any of it, however.
She wouldn't get to see anything ever again.
Not after the creeping purple vines gouged out her eyes and left her blind.
Darkness enveloped the girl as she wailed, her entire body wracked with pain as she writhed helplessly on the ground and begged for any of her friends to come back and save her. Somebody. Anybody.
"F-Firey," she whimpered as she reached out a shaky hand, hoping despite everything that someone would notice her. "Bu... bble..." She sobbed. "Pin..."
Leafy trembled and curled in on herself as she cried. Deep down, she knew that no one was coming for her. She'd been abandoned. Rejected by all of her peers.
She was alone now.
Alone...
...
... Leafy slowly blinked open her eyes as her senses returned to her. The dull yellow sun had just begun to peek over the horizon, informing her that yet another long night had passed. Another night in a prison of her own making.
She shivered in the cold and felt a tickle on her cheek. A bug? She reached up to touch her face and stared down at the wetness that had been left behind on her palm.
Was she... crying..?
She shivered again. Not from the cold, but because her dream was coming back to her. No, not a dream. A nightmare.
She grit her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut as it all played out in her mind once again. Those sneering faces, that terrible laughter... that nightmare... logically, she knew that none of those things really happened. It may have been based on her own memories, but she knew that they had become twisted and distorted at some point. Firey would never talk to her like that. Never. Not even if he was threatened at knifepoint!
... but what the dream hadn't changed from reality was the way she felt.
Leafy sniffled and hastily scrubbed the lingering tears from her face. Maybe the truth was even worse than the dark images presented to her in her sleep. Because at least in there, while she was being torn down bit by bit, her so-called friends were honest and upfront about the way they felt about her. At least in there, she hurt nobody but herself. At least in there, it... it wasn't her fault.
She bit her lip to keep it from trembling.
But it was her fault. And now she was here, fully awake and stranded all alone in Yoyleland. She cursed herself every day for not choosing a different place to live out the rest of her life.
She sucked in a shaky breath and let it out slowly. She didn't want to dwell on it anymore. That's all she did for the first few months, and her hatred for herself could only deepen so much.
She looked up at the thing nearest to her and cringed. Bushes. Nothing but bushes all around her. Now, normally she didn't have a problem with greenery of any kind. She herself was a plant after all, and she found great comfort in exploring the woods and the grasslands of her former home.
No, the problem with these bushes were the... things that hung from their branches, plump and juicy and ripe for the picking. Yoyleberries. Even so much as uttering the word filled her mouth with a metallic tang that clung to her tongue.
As Leafy shot the fruit a dirty look, a shiver of dread ran up her spine. That purple... it was the exact same shade as the vines from her dream. She subconsciously touched her right eye and looked away. She... supposed she should be thankful that the vines weren't brown like Yoylewood. Otherwise, she'd never be able to look at a tree or a bush ever again.
... not that she particularly wanted to look at these bushes anyways. Maybe the dream was just messing with her. But she was feeling a little anxious being surrounded by these things.
What if... what if something did happen to her eyes? She wouldn't want the last things she ever saw to be the same old purple hills, the same old bushes, the same old... well gee, that's pretty much all there was to this place. All this time, she'd never taken a risk and just gone out to explore. She didn't need to, since her food source was right here.
Sighing, Leafy pushed herself up to stand and brushed herself off. She had nothing left to lose by venturing out further away from her field. Hey! If she was lucky, she might find other things to eat! And maybe if she was extra lucky, she'd find... an abandoned shack somewhere? A house would be nicer, but she didn't want to get her hopes up too high.
She muttered to herself as she reached underneath the nearest bush and felt around for her trusty tool and constant companion. Aha! Her fingers grazed against a smooth wooden handle. She grabbed hold of the item and pulled it out, grinning as it gleamed in the morning sunlight. A long chef's knife. She used to use it to chop up berries, before she just stopped caring and began to eat them whole. She thought that she'd have more uses for it than that, but she really overestimated the food choices here.
She twirled the blade around for a moment. It may not serve its purpose as a kitchen knife anymore, but it made her feel safer. She's even used it to pass the time by teaching herself how to throw knives. Er, knife. She didn't know what she'd do if she lost it.
Leafy shuddered as she plucked a berry and forced herself to eat it. They used to be such a treat, but she's definitely over them now. Still. She can't exactly afford to turn her nose up at them, since they're her only choice of food and her only reliable source of water. She always looked forward to the rain, it didn't taste like sucking on a mouthful of pennies.
"Let's go," she mumbled to her knife as she looked up and stared at a distant hill. She wondered if she could do it this time.
Leafy closed her eyes to concentrate, pouring every bit of her willpower into making the leap. She visualized herself standing at the top of that hill. Remember what it looks like up there. Remember! And... focus! Visualize! Jump!!
She felt an unnatural pulse course through her body, and she was certain that the grass felt different beneath her feet. She gasped and opened her eyes, a spark of hope welling up inside her chest as she expected to be looking down from the hill.
"Yes!"
... but, she found herself standing only a foot or so away from where she started. The young leaf groaned loudly as she slumped over.
"Nooooo," she whined, bent over so far to the side that her hand was brushing against the ground. "I could have made it this time! I was so close! Ugh!"
Welp... looked like she was gonna have to walk the whole day after all. She didn't have nearly enough stamina to constantly be teleporting only a few inches at a time. Just using her own feet would be so much simpler, and it wouldn't cause such intense stress on her body. It felt shameful to admit that she couldn't properly teleport without the use of a map to look at.
With a resigned sigh, she adjusted her hold on her knife and began what she was sure would be a long trek through a whole lot of nothing. Who knows? Maybe she could find a nice big tree to sleep in. Whatever she found out there couldn't possibly be any worse than a boring old field of Yoyleberry bushes, right?