Chapter Text
The day was like every other day. People would get on the elevator, leave, and maybe come back later. Nothing special was going on, nobody was planning on doing anything special either. It was just a slow, calm day…
Until…
Later that day, a special person entered the elevator. PartyNoob. They were planning to throw another party soon, more enjoyable than the last. They had their party planning notebook in hand, writing in glitter pen. Nobody else was in the elevator except for them, so they were extra giddy and stomping their feet in excitement.
Especially when they wanted to invite EVERYBODY! Well, except for Unpleasant, of course. They still felt bad for Kasper, for that… incident… They wrote that down, but then they had to decide where the party should be. They were deep in thought until someone arrived on the elevator.
It was Spud.
Poob’s eyes lit up and they had a brilliant idea. They scribbled harder in their notebook, the pen making a loud scratching noise against the paper. Spud noticed, squinting their eyes at Poob’s rapid writing pace.
”Spud.. um… What are you… Spud… Writing? It’s… um… Loud.” The creature tilted and readjusted their bucket as he spoke. Poob looked up from burying their face into the planning notebook, having a wild grin on their face.
”oki! hear me ouut… but… wat if u & i pland a parti!?” Poob exclaimed, putting up their notebook and flapping their hands. Spud’s eyes widened at the abrupt suggestion, seemingly not on board with it.
”Errr.. Spud… I’m not sure about… Spud.. That. I’m not much of a… Spud… Party person.. Like you.” He murmured, he tilted his head in a way that expresses his awkwardness at the moment.
Poob blew their party horn, “ooh! dats oki! i meant liek!! a camping parti!! liek we go to da two stud camp & hav a BIIIG parti! & we camp & stuff!”
“Oh.. Spud… I don’t know if that’s a good idea… Especially with the… Uh… Spud… Recent invasions… Ggrhhkk..”
“im sure itll b fine! bsides… u maek da BEST marshmallows! im sure evryone would be ecstatic to hav a taste of em!” The noob spoke enthusiastically. Spud sighed, looking down at the elevator’s floor.
”Um… Okay. I guess… Spud… We can.. um.. Have a camping trip there… It wouldn’t… Spud.. Hurt to have campers again.” They muttered to Poob, whose eyes shone in excitement and they blew their party horn in excitement.
”im so happi u agreed! ill tell evrybody!! thisll b so fun i promise u spud!” Poob squealed in happiness. Spud grumbled softly, in slight discomfort of the idea of loud chatter and noise, but they tried to ease himself.
As the elevator went quiet again, with the occasional blowing of the noob’s party horn, Poob pondered on the details of what the party would look like. What would appeal to everyone’s taste? What would appeal to Spud’s taste? The thoughts flooded Poob’s mind. They started to worry, snapping their head to Spud, who was nervously typing his fingers on the floor.
”sooo… wat wuld u wanna do for da event? any themes u wanna set up? i hav a WHOLE section in my notebook for themes! :D !!!” They cupped their own face with both hands, beaming at Spud, who tried to not make eye contact with the noob.
”Ermm… Whatever… Spud… You wanna do? I don’t… um… Mind…” Spud puffed out, sweating at the sudden questions. It seemed like a lot of pressure to plan a party, Spud thought to himself. He didn’t want to deal with it all that much, he was just hosting the area for the other party attendees.
"well,, ur camp obv needs sum colors & sum decor!! i hav sum back at my house!" They spoke thrillingly, fidgeting with their hands in an excited manner. Spud just shrugged, everything Poob was spouting out at once was... Nerve wracking to the camp counselor.
"Um... Spud... Can you tone it... Um.. Down a bit? Spud... doesn't like loud noises. This... Um... Whole planning is making... Spud... Me nervous." The camp counselor paused, awaiting Poob's response. Poob's party horn blew halfway, before stopping entirely.
"ohh sry! im just supr dupr excited! :D !!! thisll b so fun! but ofc u r free to sit out if u need!" The noob gave a toothy grin to the creature, who in response had their lips curled ever so slightly at Poob's sympathy. "Um... Yeah... Spud... Thank you."
The elevator then abruptly came to a stop, having both of them tumble to the floor. The lights flickered, as the elevator door unlatched to a certain doctor peeking from above of the elevator. The doctor hopped down, having the elevator shake in response to the impact.
It was the Katball known as DrRETRO. She had been visiting the elevator and talking to the other Regretevator attendees much more frequently than before. As she spun in the corner of her spot, she noticed Poob was sketching down in their notebook roughly, creating a loud scraping noise. DrRETRO raised an eyebrow at the noob, finally asking them, "Meow mrr.. (What'cha doing there, dear?)"
"oh im planning da next parti w my buddy spud here! im gunna inv evrybody that gets on da regretevator!!"
”Mrrp! (Oh, that’s lovely. I hope the party goes nicely!)” DrRETRO sweetly spoke, as the noob still cannot contain their excitement.
”y dont u & pest come? it wuld b nice to hav u both come!!!” Poob perks up, fidgeting with the texture of their notebook and practically digging their nails into the material as they tried to not squeal of pure excitement.
”Mrrreow… (Oh… I’m unsure if Pest wants to come. He’s… not a big fan of parties!)” She nervously said, trying not to be straightforward about how Pest just didn’t like the noob.
However the partygoer didn’t buy it, “i see him parti! he da party guy eva! i don understand wat u mean dat he isnt wen i do see him parti!” They scratch their head in doubt and confusion. “bsides… cant u convince him? i see u guys r preeetty close!” They exclaimed. DrRETRO sighed, scratching her head. Spud is unsure at what they’re listening in on, standing there awkwardly in between the two.
”Meeerrow… (Fine. I guess… I could ask him.)” The noob cheers, hopping in excitement.
”r u coming too if he accepts ??? ill b SOOO happi to have two peeps come too!!!” They blow their party horn in excitement.
”Mrrp. Mrrow.. Miaw. (Most likely. We agreed to stick together ever since… Hm.. Never mind that. Yeah, I guess I could come.)” DrRETRO meow. The partygoer has high hopes to find both DrRETRO and Pest at the party. It would make the atmosphere so much brighter to them! Especially when they’ve always wanted to get along with Pest.
“oki! who else…” Poob murmurs as they write down the possible attendees. As soon as they wrote, the elevator dinged and there was Split, who threw bright yellow confetti and stepped right in.
”Hiya, Poob! What’s goin’ on?” Split barked, as she noticed they were heavily focused on writing notes down in their book.
”Poob? Heelloo?” She waves her hand in their face. They perk up, instantly getting excited at the fact their best friend was in the elevator.
”OMGOSH!!! HIII! :3 hows u doing split??” They continue to ramble, “gud? gud! oki so… i hav dis plan where… we hav a parti at spud’s two stud camp!!! liek a camping trip!!! isnt dat a fun idea???” Split’s mouth was slightly ajar, unsure on how to process all of the information thrown at her at once, but the cogs in her brain finally turned, as she realized they were basically just inviting her.
”I think that’s an a-PEEL-ing idea!” Split spoke gleefully, throwing in her casual puns. “sori for a SLIP of da tongue! i wuz jus SOOO excited to tell u!” Split laughed, brushing it off. “Ohh, it wasn’t a big deal! I’m glad you’re happy to share this info!”
”Heya doc! Heya Spud! You guys doing alright? Are you going to Poob’s party, doc?” She inquired the Katball, who turned to face her.
”Meeow. Mrrow. (I guess. Well, I’d have to drag 1314 along… He’s not too fond of parties, so I’d need to ask…)” She murmured the last few parts. The fruit-taur looked at the doctor, slightly confused at what she meant, but she ended up brushing it inside. She thought to herself, maybe she could help Poob invite more people too!
”Hey Poob, I have an idea on who you could invite!” Poob snapped their head up immediately, smacking the covers of their book shut and listening intently. “im ALL ears!”
”Okay, so I have this new friend. Her name’s Melanie! I feel like you two would get along, she’s very PAWS-itive and sweet to be around! Could we invite her?”
”ofc! n e body is allowed to come!!! :D” Poob said with an upbeat tone. They hummed, delighted at the amount of guests that’ll be attending the party.
DrRETRO chimed in, “Meeow mew.. Mrrow. (I apologize for intruding, but I have not seen that bunny in a while. Maybe a checkup would be nice?)”
Split put a finger on her chin, thinking. “Hmm… Now that I think about it… I haven’t talked to her in some THYME! It’s been a while ever since she told me she was going to Mozelle’s tea party… Maybe we should check on her…” Split started to worry.
Spud spoke up, “Spud… I don’t know any… Spud… Melanies… But we could… Um… Check. Spud will stay behind.” He walked off at the next floor, which happened to be Cardboard Mansion. Poob and Split said their goodbyes to Spud; who responded with a wave.
As the three of them waited for the floor to come to an end, DrRETRO spoke to the two.. quietly.
”Meow miaw meeow… (This may be an odd question but… Have you two been having weird dreams lately?)”
Split and Poob looked at each other with an uneasy glance. Poob spoke, “well… weeks ago! it wuz of an odd shadow lady… me n split had da same dream! it wuz so odd…” They looked down at their hands, rubbing them together in a nervous manner. “howevr… da dreams stopped… which is great! :3”
DrRETRO had an uncomfortable expression on her face, as Split noticed, but the Katball did not say anything. Split suspected she knew something about the dreams, but she didn’t say anything much further. The fruit-taur decided to keep an eye on the doctor for the entirety of that ride until it’s either her or the doctor’s stop.
Poob snapped Split out of her thoughts, talking, “sooo… do u kno where melanie is located??? we culd get to da floor easier w my ticket!” Poob took a colorful, holographic slip of paper that fitted perfectly into the elevator ticket’s slot.
“Wellll… She might be on set, at that one auditorium with the setup of a flower field?” Split shrugged, she wouldn’t know if she was with Mozelle or her play setup. She hasn’t gotten a response from the CRT bunny in a long period of time.
Poob chose the floor Melanie came from, and the elevator dinged. The lights of the elevator flickered, the elevator felt shaky and uncomfortable to be in, so the three got off immediately. DrRETRO didn’t have a good feeling about the place right off the get-go, but they skipped over to the set where Melanie was usually located. She wasn’t there. The set was slightly torn down, some paint was peeling off of it, and there was dust bunnies building up on the floor.
Poob stepped forward, immediately hearing an odd noise come from underneath their shoe. It sounded high pitched and glassy. They lifted their foot up and backed away. Shattered glass on the floor.
The glass had a trail that led up to the backstage. Nobody wanted to go back there, the place felt chilly and empty. It wasn’t empty space, no, but the atmosphere felt odd to the point of emptiness.
The three glanced at each other, not knowing who should go in first.
”umm… so whos going in first? 3:”
”Not it!” Split placed her finger on her nose, as Poob copied the same action. DrRETRO looked at them both, trilling in annoyance.
”Mrrp.. (Fine. I can go in first.)” The Katball slowly crept in, throwing the curtain plain away from her direction and waltzing in backstage. The path was dark, the trail was still filled with glass particles and glass shards that shone, and still no sign of the TV head.
”Jeez… I hope Mel’s doing well…” Split muttered under her breath, throwing the curtains over, Poob following alongside her.
DrRETRO looked around for signs of trouble, any cause of this trail of shattered glass… She then turned her attention to the left side of the backstage wall, and there IT was.
DrRETRO gasped, making the other two snap their head towards the sound of the doctor’s gasp.
They both held their mouths in shock, trying to not make noise.
On the wall was a stained message, presumably blood stained, with the writing of “DO NOT LOOK FURTHER. YOU WILL BE NEXT.”
The eyes.
They were looking directly at the three. The eyes immediately blinked themselves away, leaving the message there plainly. The blood slowly seeped into the wall, as if it was getting consumed.
Poob gulped, as Split had tears pricking at her eyes. “D-Does this..?”
”Meeow mew. Miaw. (No. We will find Melanie, I promise.)” She stopped Split from speaking any further. DrRETRO knew that Melanie might as well be long dead, but she couldn’t just say that. She wanted to reassure Split and make sure the others don’t find out about this.. Misfortune that is going on.
”O-okay.” The dog sniffled, calming down with the comforting touch of Poob’s and the doctor’s reassurance. She wiped her tears and her glasses with her shirt, putting them back on and readjusting the glasses.
“Meerrow, miaw! Mrrp, meew, moaww.. (We can find Melanie sooner or later. I’ll take care of the investigation… You and Poob can continue to hand out party invitations until then. I’ll continue the investigation when we are on the road. Ask Wallter to drive you all if you can, since he seems to be the most reliable.)”
DrRETRO sends them back to the elevator, as she stayed behind to further look for clues to Melanie’s disappearance.
Poob wraps their arm around Split, easing her in and pulling her back into the Regretevator. She looked slouched, dozed off, upset. Not like her usual jokester, bright self. She was sickly worried about Melanie, even after being reassured by both Poob and DrRETRO.
“cheer up splitsy!! i betcha shes alive n well w moz!” They attempt to cheer the banana dog up, but she still frowned in thought. Poob blew their party horn sadly, glancing back at Split occasionally to see if she was finally alright. She still wasn’t.
Then the elevator dinged, revealing the WHEEL OF floor. As soon as the wheel landed on “FUN,” the two currently in the elevator ducked, trying to avoid the impact of the distressed red balls bouncing off the walls and almost hitting them.
Then, Pilby zoomed straight in with their tiny legs, fiddling with their arms in anxiousness. Split and Poob were relieved that it was the little caterpillar. Those two enjoyed the clown’s company, despite their pitiful sadness.
Poob rushed straight in to hug the tiny caterpillar who looked utterly surprised.
”Hoohh? Oh.. Hi, Poob..” They patted Poob, before the partygoer let go of the caterpillar.
”ohh its so great to see u! i have a question to ask u!!!” Poob exclaimed, as Pilby raised their eyebrow.
”Ouhh… What is it?”
”well… me n split r inviting ppl to a camping parti! we want u to come w us to let wallter kno too!”
”Ough… Is the party big..?” The caterpillar sheepishly asked, clutching their pink bowtie in nervousness.
”no! its jus the same guys u see on da elevator evryday!” Poob clenched their own hands together, basically praying Pilby takes the offer. They really wanted to invite Pilby to parties, but the caterpillar would always get nervous and not show up as unanticipated.
”Doh.. Sure. I think’ll be fine this time… :0)” The noob was certainly surprised, but was happy and squealed. Split was also surprised, but was proud of the clown for having the willpower.
”oki! now we need to find wallter liek doc told us to!”
Now going up… Waiting for Wallter’s floor, as Poob ran out of tickets inconveniently.