Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was supposed to be the event where every contestant could celebrate their journey and talk amongst friends; and yet it ended with Oj’s life being taken away in a blink of an eye. 

How could everything go so wrong? 

The hotel looked messy, with orange cups littered, the balloons flying aimlessly and the frightened chatters. What really sets the scene was Oj’s motionless body, the orange juice that filled his glass had dried out on the floor. 

Despite distancing himself away from Oj’s corpse body, he was still the closest, he felt the need to take a quick glance—just to keep an eye on him. (And hope that Mephone can revive him soon.) 

“I guess the first thing we should address are the questions,” Baseball announced, lightly sweating and scanning the room. Everyone immediately started to demand answers from Baseball. It seemed so out of hand, unorganized and chaotic—nothing like what Paper wanted to witness at the party. 

“Everyone, please raise your hands," Lightbulb requested nervously, raising her own hand as demonstration. “So there we can better answer your questions.”

Lightbulb stepped up beside Baseball as a way of assist. Lightbulb still had her light hearted tone, however, she’s taking the situation more seriously than prior; truly taking her leadership to good use. 

The room went silent for a second until everyone’s hands shot up vigorously, including Paper. “Thanks Lightbulb.” Baseball gratified. Baseball examined the crowd and pointed to Balloon by raising his left leg. 

“What is your question, Balloon?” Baseball asked, Balloon clearly not expecting to be called out first, was startled but nonetheless, he began. 

“Can you fill us in on what you know?” Balloon inquired. 

“Well, as you know—Pickle was also eliminated alongside Nickel…” Balloon gasped while Baseball’s eyebrows fell. Paper didn't know their relationship but the indications that the both of them were close with Nickel is depressing. 

Baseball shifted himself. “They both had no limbs and their faces disappeared. Mephone attempted to recover Pickle but…it didn't work; Pickle’s icon vanished.” Upon hearing those words, Paper was stricken with agony. It seemed like everyone was silent and still, the environment was suffocating Paper. 

“We do know that Steve cobs is responsible for this, so Mephone sent Knife and Suitcase to MeCloud in order to confront him. I say that's all we know.” Baseball exhaled, the air felt heavy and everyone had a conflicting expression—clearly unnerved by the amount of information that was just poured onto them right now. 

“Oh, any more questions?” Lightbulb prompted, clearly taken aback of the negative energy. It seemed that nobody had their hand raised, except Yin-Yang. 

Lightbulb turned her head to the side, Baseball gestured Lightbulb to answer her question—to which Lightbulb comprehended: Baseball was exhausted mentally. 

“Yes, what's your question, Yin-Yang?” Lightbulb questioned. 

“Where’s MePhone and MePad?” Yin-Yang looked around the place, almost as if they're expecting for them to appear. 

“Oh, MePhone said that he’s hiding in the old elimination closet and MePad teleported Knife and Suitcase to Cobs.” Lightbulb answered casually. Paper’s eye twitched, did he hear that right? The host isn't even doing anything, not even doing the bare minimum of being here present? Paper had the urge to walk up there and drag MePhone out. 

“MePhone should be here, not in a closet hiding!” Microphone exclaimed. 

“He said that he needs protection, besides, he is the only one who could respawn us,” Lightbulb reminded her. “If he’s in danger, then there's no chance we can reappear.”

Deep down, Paper knew she was correct—it still doesn't ease his distaste for his cowardly action however. Although, he does wonder where MePad is at? It usually doesn't take him long to teleport two contestants, unless he’s also included on the mission. 

Speaking of MePad, he appeared with his usual teleportation—glances at the area in a calm but staggering manner, as if he knows something is wrong. 

“Is everyone alright?” MePad’s eyes trailed over to Baseball and Lightbulb, who turned around to face him. MePad has a sense of…urgency.

“Everything good, just a little alarmed of the situation,” Baseball explained, to which MePad slightly nodded. “One thing, can MePhone come join us?” 

“Sure thing, I'll check on him.” MePad affirmed and teleported away. Lightbulb raised a brow on Baseball’s request, why bring MePhone now? Wouldn't he need some sort of protection? 

“Baseball, what are you doing?” Lightbulb whispered. 

“I have an idea, what if we form a circle of protection—there we would know where everyone is and to protect MePhone.” Baseball whispered back, lightbulb eyes widened.

“Omga, that's a great idea!” Lightbulb whispered, giving Baseball a thumbs up. 

Suddenly, the sound of glass shifting can be heard echoing; Paper immediately turns his head towards Oj’s body. The empty glass now had limbs again: arm and legs but no face. The empty glass stood up steadily; Paper felt a single tear in his eyes, threatening to come out. 

“Oj!” Paper cried out. The glass didn't respond, he stood still.

“Are you okay, Oj?" A look of uncertainty in Candle's face. 

Without warning, Oj rushed to Paper and tackled him to the ground fullforce. Paper tried to free himself but Oj wouldn't budge. He felt his paper rip a little, but for him, it felt agonizing. 

“Stop Oj!” Paper begged, Silver Spoon, Trophy and Bomb were pulling Oj off of Paper—however, Oj only resorted in attempting to kick and punch the three objects holding him back. 

“Pin him down!” Trophy yelled, his grip loosening around Oj. The three objects gained help from Candle, who helped pinning Oj down as Paper scrambled backwards. Paper let out heavy breaths and touched the top of his paper on the right, he felt the paper being torn and slightly seperated. But that wasn't what pained him, what pained him more was that Oj hurted him intentionally. He lifted himself and stood up uncoordinated. 

“How do we keep him still?” Silver Spoon grumbled. Candle activated her telekinesis to lift Oj in the air. Oj is still kicking and punching aimlessly, seemingly out of frustration from being restrained. (Paper has never seen Oj so violent. It terrified him.) 

“What’s wrong with Oj?" Balloon asked, walking towards Candle. Candle closed her eyes, her brows furrowed immensely—she glared at the struggling Oj, then to Balloon. 

“Something is wrong with him," Candle firmly stated, her dread remaining in her expression. “He has no aura, yet he’s still moving. Steve Cobs must’ve somehow influenced his body in some way." Candle solemnly said, her eyes trailing towards Oj. 

“He isn't Oj.” Silence caved in the room. Everyone reacted differently but there was one question in their mind, why? The possibility that Steve Cobs could play around with a friend’s dead body like that is heartless. And what if it happens to one of them next? Will they see their own friends being puppeteered by a sick individual? 

The sudden door opening made some yell out, fortunately, it was MePhone and MePad. 

“Goodness, you scared us!" The cherries shrieked. MePhone and MePad looked at each other in concern, then to the crowd. 

“What’s going on?" MePhone inquired, still having a worried look on his face. “And why is Oj floating?” MePhone pointed at Oj, restlessly moving and trying to break free. 

“Oj had his body tampered by Steve Cobs." Cabby flatly said. MePhone’s jaw hit the floor, if MePhone wasn't stressed before—now he’s completely stressed. MePhone paced around, his hands holding the top of his head. 

“How…” MePhone blurted out, in complete panic. 

MePad sensed his anxiety. “Sir, you are anxious-”

“I know that.” MePhone interjected, he stopped pacing around. The implications that the objects—creations that he made could be manipulated against his own will is a horrifying thought. At this point, Cobs is toying with him. 

“At this point, it’s getting ridiculous." MePhone sighed tiredly. 

“Ugh, do you guys not hear that sound?" Yang growled, his hands blocking his ears. “It's annoying!” 

Baseball sprinted towards Yin-Yang. “What sound? What do you see?” Baseball urged. 

“I see…I see…a MePhone!” Yin exclaimed, pointing at the direction of the door. Everyone was perplexed but regardless, they paid close attention to Yin-Yang.

“B-but, not our MePhone!" Everyone's brow were raised. 

“Sorry, Yin should have clarified.” Yang raised his index finger. Truth to be told, they were nervous about the red figure. 

“You can see them too, right?!" Yin pleaded, looking at Yang for confirmation. The red figure continued to move and the bright red light kept getting brighter. 

“I-i’m afraid…for once…” Yang looked at the figure, feeling the inevitable happening. 

“We have the same point of view, Yi-” Yang cried as they felt the closest thing to death. 

The crowd were in disbelief, another one had perished. Paper clenched his teeth nervously. (He hoped that his body would be left alone.) 

Baseball marched forward. “Guys, we have to form a circle of protection, except MePhone.” Baseball instructed while MePhone raised his brow. “Candle, are you sure you can still maintain him?" 

“If I'm not disrupted, I can keep him sealed.”

“Why am I not going to be in the circle?” MePhone inquired. 

“You’re going to be in the middle of the circle.” Baseball explained. MePhone scratched the back of his head. “Oh, oh that won’t be necessary, I-I don't deserve all that-”

“It’ll serve two purposes! Guarding you, and also so we know where everyone is at all times.” Baseball finalized his reasoning.

“C’mon, round up!” Lightbulb instructed. Paper went beside Salt and Pepper, seeing as there’s space. Surprisingly, they weren't as clingy as he thought, Salt seemed more distant. 

Paper felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Pepper. “Oh my gosh, are you okay, Paper? That cut looks painful.” Pepper winced, Paper touched his ripped paper. 

“It's fine.” Paper’s voice sounds shallow, and Pepper knew. He felt a urge to just vent, but not now. 

“If you want to talk about anything, I'm here." Pepper offered, she took away her hand and gave him a sincere smile—Paper just nodded. 

A sudden harsh swing of the doors made him snap out of his thoughts, he encountered a faceless Nickel and a faceless Pickle. 

Chapter Text

It quickly turned to chaos, Nickel and Pickle stormed in, quickly turning hostile to anyone near them. Everyone was running from the opposite side of the room, trying not to get close to the faceless objects. 

Unfortunately, the cherries were incredibly close to the door: the Cherries ran as far as they can, if they looked back, they could've seen Nickel almost successfully headbutting them from behind. Thankfully, Baseball was nearby and managed to block Nickel’s attack by using his body as a human shield. 

He peeked behind him to see that the cherries ran with the others and smiled softly. Although, Baseball can’t deny the headbutt hurted. He pushed Nickel using his leg and rushed to safety. (Or the safest option currently, which is with the rest.) 

“Guys, we should escape and get out of here!” Starfruit exclaimed, murmurs of agreements started flooding the room. 

“We need to hold them off first, then we should escape." MePhone seconded. 

“But how do we hold them off when they're like…this?!” Paper countered, MePhone had a face of uncertainty. 

Baseball could hear some muttering from the contestants about escaping before things get out of hand, which he remembers to keep in mind. 

Candle, still keeping Oj in the air, was vulnerable and it seemed that Nickel somehow sensed it; he quickly rushed to Candle’s direction. Candle opened her eyes and used her powers to stop Nickel from moving. 

Unknowingly, Pickle was right behind Candle. 

Candle was struck on her back by Pickle, immediately making her fall as Nickel and Oj were released from her grip. While Nickel only decided to terrorize the other contestants that got too close, Oj upon being dropped gained a crack on his empty glass and stopped moving. 

Pickle quickly started stomping on Candle’s stomach, Candle tried to protect her stomach using her arms. She released a painful cry that made everyone tense. (Nobody is responding quickly, they just froze.) 

Silver Spoon stepped up and pushed Pickle away from Candle, he held her quivering. 

“Candle, are you okay!?" Silver Spoon cried, she had her eyes closed and her body moved like a ragdoll—she’s not responding. 

Silver checked her pulse, it’s present but faint. He gently picked her up, making sure to support her head. The contestants knew things are getting out of hand, but how could they escape? 

“What if I teleport the three of them to another room? Perhaps the old elimination closet?” MePad asked, raising his brow. MePhone’s eyes widened and looked at MePad as if he found a cure for all diseases. 

“You’re right! But, wouldn't you get hurt?" Cabby commented, concerned about MePad’s probability with the corrupted contestants. 

“I’ll try my best to be unharmed.” MePad assured.

MePad first began to teleport Oj, it was easy as he was unconscious and just to test himself on his location. Alas, when he teleported Oj to the elimination closet, Tissue’s body was still there—thankfully not making MePad’s job harder on bringing the faceless objects but skeptical on Tissue not being affected yet. He teleported back again and quickly went for Pickle. Pickle almost punched him on his screen, but MePad did his best to dodge the attack and teleported to Nickel. Nickel wasn't hard as MePad spawned behind him rather than in front. 

With all the aggressive contestants gone and with MePad’s return, relief was apparent—but it’s not over. 

“Let's go!” Goo yelled, to which he was promptly picked up by Cabby and placed into her drawer as she rushed outside with the rest. Baxter crawled to Lightbulb, quickly bringing him to safety as well. Paper held onto Box, cautious of his grip and held Box on top of his head. Everyone went outside and closed the doors. 

“Where should we go?” Balloon asked, to which MePhone shrugged helplessly. “I don't know.”

Lightbulb glanced towards Baxter and realized something. “Wait, the rest are in the mansion! We have to warn them!” Lightbulb announced, waving her arms frantically. Right, how could they forget about the others? 

“Then we should all go to the mansion this instant." MePhone agreed, who quickly started running towards the forest. 

“Wait for me!” Lightbulb ran after him, she took out her pen and began clicking on it like her life depended on it. The rest followed shortly, running towards the forest. 

Trophy stopped, exhaled and inhaled rapidly. “I’m tired, I need a break." muttered Trophy. 

“We’ve only been running for five minutes.” Microphone pointed out. “I thought you were supposed to be the jock?”

“Not a jock." Trophy objected. 

“Yea, can we please get a break? My legs are tired.” Salt whined. 

“Same here!" Pepper seconded. As always, Pepper would back up Salt. 

Cheesy stopped running to face the group. “Why would we need to stop? We might be close!” 

Cheesy interjected. The whole group had been running for five minutes towards the mansion, however, the path seemed longer than they suspected and was covered in trees. While the group began slowing down a bit, Lightbulb still ran as if she was in a marathon; there was an obvious gap between Lightbulb and the rest. (Lightbulb had to hurry and get towards her friends.) 

“No, we should stop!" Silver Spoon demanded. “Candle is injured, we need to check her health.”  Silver Spoon unconsciously moved Candle closer to him. 

“Oh, then, we should have a break…" Cheesy amended, feeling sympathetic towards Candle. 

“I believe a break is in order." MePad announced.  Everyone stopped immediately, but Lightbulb was more hesitant. “Candle is injured and she needs medical attention.” MePad stated firmly, eyeing Candle as Silver Spoon laid her down steadily in the grass. 

“We don't really have anyone with medical experience—the closest one we have is Lifering and uh…” MePhone scanned his surroundings. “He’s not here.”

“Has anyone seen him at the hotel?" Balloon asked. Everyone declined seeing him after the whole situation was crashing down. 

“Actually, I haven't seen Soap anywhere either.” Microphone revealed. 

“Nor my group." Starfruit crossed his arm in annoyance—although internally—he was afraid of the possibilities of his group being gone. 

“Ev-everyone i-i-is missing.” Bomb summarized. The group was silenced from that comment. MePad came to a realization—one he should've done sooner, one object came to his mind: Taco, Taco was still in the hotel; trapped with hostile contestants. (And possibly gone, but MePad erased that horrid thought.) 

“I’m going back to check if anyone else is there." MePad stated, not even a suggestion, a mere fact. 

“Wait, what?” MePhone yelled out. 

“If there are survivors, I'll bring them here." MePad added with determination. Most seemed to lighten up. Except Lightbulb, who’s inpatient. 

“Yes, while you rescue them,” Lightbulb began, her impatience increasing exponentially as she continued to click on her pen. “I’ll go to the mansion and warn the comrades.”

“Be careful.” Baseball warned her. Lightbulb gave him a quick salute and continued her journey with Baxter on her side. In a few seconds, she was out of sight. 

“Will she be okay on her own?" The cherries questioned with worry, looking up to Baseball for an answer. 

“I’m sure she’ll be fine.” Baseball reassured them. 

MePad prepared himself mentally. “I must get going now.” He looked at everyone. 

“Good luck, MePad." Goo peeked out of Cabby’s drawer. MePad looked around one last time as he vanished. 

Chapter Text

At this point of his life, this is the only way he can have success back home again, in time to make him rich again—important again. Steve Cobs is by all means not a clueless man, he’s aware of the damages he's done to the eggs and to his creations. The thing is: he doesn't care; sacrifices have been made to save his business and his future products. It was disconcerted how Cobs, a brilliant object, could be cruel and heartless towards his inventions and to a species. Regardless, that's how MePhone 4 was fruitioned.

MePhone 4 was by far his biggest accomplishment—a MePhone that can create life itself? Spectacular! He should be having an award, plain gold with his full name imprinted in the trophy for his rare innovations. But no, because MePhone decided to run off like a tortured puppy and left him infuriated. He didn't even treat him that badly, MePhone 4 just thinks he can be independent; Steve Cobs mused.

He’s currently inside the half sailboat half spaceship—whatever it is, at least it does get the job done. The concept was definitely there, it just needed an upgrade (just like how season one of Inanimate Insanity needed an upgrade). He skimmed through the area, seeing no signs of MePhone 4 or the other insects outside. Cobs took off his glasses and inspected the crack on one of his lenses, the damage was definitely there; he should've known that Knife would try to attack him—he was supposed to be the self proclaimed “violent bully." No matter, the glasses were getting old anyways. 

He puts his glasses on again and walked towards A.D.A.M and B.R.I.A.N, who are working on the computers currently—typing as fast as they possibly could. (Or engineered to be as fast as they could.) 

Cobs puts his hands behind his back. “How’s the process?" Cobs asked, expecting the very best out of the both robots. The robots turned their heads to him, almost hesitant.

A.D.A.M was the first to speak. “It's going well, but-” 

“But what?” Cobs frowned, he spoke too soon. A.D.A.M shrinked a little internally. He doesn't want to disappoint Cobs, but sometimes—it just doesn't go his way. 

“Well, when the contestants get eliminated,” A.D.A.M began. “It takes a while to fully get into their codes." 

Cobs sighed and rubbed his eyes with his hand. Why does he have to rely on two outdated measly robots for assistance? Right, he can't multitask and be in different rooms at the same time! 

“Approximately, thirty minutes after they get eliminated." added B.R.I.A.N, unaware of his clear annoyance. 

“How can I work with that?” Cobs demanded, raising his voice and flinging his arms around. “MePhone 4 will never scream at such a low pace.”

“Excuse me, but why do we need to make MePhone 4 scream?” He cut in. Poor choice of words. Cobs smacked B.R.I.A.N in the head. 

“Stop sidetracking me.” Cobs ordered coldly, his voice going low and unsettlingly calm. A.D.A.M stiffed at the scene, turning his head to the other side to stare at something. (As a way to distract himself.) 

“Right, I apologize." B.R.I.A.N muttered, bowing his head woefully. Cobs exhaled, he almost lost his temper—he shouldn't be stressed about any of this, he still has a plan that should work flawlessly. 

“Don't do it again then, or else you’re done." Cobs began. He then turned his attention to A.D.A.M. 

“A.D.A.M, make sure that Toilet eliminates most of the contestants,” Cobs instructed. “It could be an apocalypse of his beloved contestants; then, that should make him scream.” 

A.D.A.M turned immediately. “Okay.” A.D.A.M rushed to the other room. The doors that opened the room of the “simulation” were actually just the control panels for MePhoneX. With its big screen and red lines that decorates the room, but most importantly: the MePhone X model on the left is controlled by Toilet on the right. 

“How has the simulation been?" A.D.A.M asked with fake enthusiasm. 

“It's been great, mistah Adam!” Toilet exclaimed. "I just got a little distracted trying to find everyone!” 

“Hope you find them soon,” he began. “A good assistant should always know where everyone is at.” He flung his arms in the air as a way to exaggerate it, despite Toilet still facing the screen. 

“I didn't know that." Toilet murmured, clearly unconscious about his skills (but he’s learning! That's the whole point of the simulation, he coped.) 

“Don't worry, you’ll get the hang of it.” He reassured. A.D.A.M left Toilet alone with that only advice. 

Toilet has been working hard on taking care of the contestants, but when he approaches them in the simulator, they just make a high pitch scream or the alternative; run away from him like he’s  some kind of deadly parasite. Genuinely, what has he been doing wrong? Every attempt leads with the same results. 

No, he needs to improve—to be the perfect assistance for mister Phone. (Then, he could be forgiven and return with pride.) 

Toilet explored the hotel once more, but he halted at the sound of banging noises coming from the elimination closet. Toilet opens the door impulsively to find Nickel, Oj, and Pickle falling, possibly from leaning on the door. “Phew, that was a close one!" Toilet exclaimed. “Mistah Phone would've been sued again!”

But, there's still no sign of anyone. Toilet had checked all around the hotel. Wait, he didn't check the mansion again! He should do that. He teleported in a random location of the forest; while going to the mansion, he could also try to see if there's anyone in the forest—perhaps the next challenge takes place in the forest. 

Toilet scans the place and detected movement, someone running. Toilet squinted his eyes, it’s Lightbulb! She must be lost considering on how anxious she is, sweating and clicking on her pen for dear life. Toilet decided to help her, maybe this time she’ll be different, he hoped. 

Lightbulb is very close by, she knows it! She looks at Baxter, who’s very steady for a crab. She'll warn Paintbrush or literally anyone who's there, the rest of the group will reunite, then they'll help Knife and Suitcase and everyone will be okay! That's how every adventure ends in this show. (She just hopes it’ll also apply now.) 

“Hang on, Baxter!" Warned Lightbulb. “Just in case I trip somehow.”

Almost as if Baxter comprehended, Baxter climed on top of Lightbulb’s head and held a little tighter on Lightbulb’s shoulder—but not too tight that it’d leave a claw mark or make the glass rip. Lightbulb continued to click on the pen, until she heard a weird sound, it’s almost like it's coming closer.

“What the-” suddenly, a MePhone with a massive x on their screen approached her without warning. “Whoa!" 

Something in her gut told her to get away from this phone, that's the same red x that appeared in Oj and in Yin-Yang’s face. It's a no brainer on what their intentions are: they're trying to erase Lightbulb. 

Well, not without a fight because she's still going to deliver the news, regardless of the circumstances. She ran to the other direction, perhaps if she loses the MePhone, it’ll get lost. How wrong was she. She looked over her shoulder and the MePhone just kept following in her trails—at this point, hiding will be a bad move too. With no other options, she continues to sprint faster. However with the newfound speed—the pen slipped out of her grasp. Regardless, she looked over her shoulder again to see the MePhone gone, a bad sign. 

Nonetheless, she arrives at the mansion, seeing Paintbrush standing beside a limbless Fan. “Painty!" Lightbulb yelled out as Paintbrush hurried to her direction. 

“Painty! it isn't safe! Everyone’s getting erased! We need to come toge-” The MePhone spawned in front of her, she flung herself to the side with a yell, feeling Baxter forcefully flung to the opposite side. 

Lightbulb got up but in one knee supporting her weight, feeling the red light. “Lightbulb?" Paintbrush said with a worried expression. “Lightbulb!”

Here goes nothing.

“It's about to be lights out for me!” Lightbulb begun. “But Knife and Suitcase!”

“They're at MeCloud to stop Cobs, and I bet they could use your help.” Lightbulb informed, relieved that she told the information in such a short matter of time. Adrenaline is one heck of a drug! 

“Lightbulb just run!” She tried but it’ll always follow her. 

“Where is it?” Paintbrush can't see that the MePhone is right beside them. 

“Where is it?!" Paintbrush repeated, punching aimlessly at the air as the MePhone dodged their punches left and right. 

“Painty, I know you've obviously never wanted this before. But…” Lightbulb looked at Paintbrush in the eye, she tried to smile as a way of comfort for what’s about to happen next, but it just came off as a depressing smile. 

“it's time for you to be the leader.” Paintbrush took one last glance at Paintbrush as she closed her eyes—feeling the red light getting brighter by the second and absorbed her consciousness.

After Lightbulb was eliminated from the competition, she reunited with her team once again. She cried a few times here and there, mostly from joy of seeing their faces again. 

“Can't believe it's only been a few days since I last saw you three!” Lightbulb chuckled. 

“Only a few days?” Test Tube questioned, she raised her brow. “It felt like…a few weeks ago?”

“Wow, you must’ve really missed me.” Lightbulb teased, not comprehending the actual implications of it. Fan and Paintbrush looked complex, but chose to not add any more stress into it. 

“Actually, I’d like to discuss with Test Tube,” Fan’s voice was filled with concern. The group stood there awkwardly, Test Tube gazed at Fan. 

“Alone, privately." Fan pleaded, grasping Test Tube’s hand and rushing to another room—leaving the mystified pair alone. The two looked at each other fondly. 

“Want to go to my room?" Paintbrush requested. “Baxter must really miss you." Lightbulb smiled practically radiating her surroundings. 

Lightbulb and Paintbrush started walking to Paintbrush’s room—to catch up on everything. (And to enjoy each other's company after being separated for what felt like weeks.) Fortunately, Fan wasn't in the room at the time; so it was just the both of them, sitting beside each other on Paintbrush’s bed, with Baxter on Lightbulb’s lap—having all the time in the world. 

“Omga, I didn't know you had to compete again!" Lightbulb began. “How did you get here before me? Did you get eliminated early?” Paintbrush only laughed at that comment. 

“What? No, there were only half of us when I got eliminated." Paintbrush crossed their arms, feeling proud of them lasting long in the competition. 

“Actually, the competition already ended.” Paintbrush continued, Lightbulb stared at them intensely—paying attention as if her life depended on it. (She also smiled widely like the love-struck fool that she is.) 

“Cabby won and she built a library!” Paintbrush dramatically explained. They looked towards Lightbulb, flustered on how Lightbulb is leaning further to their side—feeling embarrassed on how they're reacting. 

“Hey, I-I drew you something while you were gone,” They lightly stuttered as they got up to retrieve their painting. Paintbrush held the painting and showed Lightbulb nervously: a painting of Lightbulb and Baxter sitting on the grass with the calm down corner in the background. Lightbulb recalled how fixated she was on the gorgeous and ravishing art work—words couldn't describe how exquisite the painting is. Lightbulb just felt so lucky to have met someone as great as Paintbrush. 

Lightbulb gently placed Baxter to the side of the bed, stood up and hugged Paintbrush. They jumped a little but immediately reciprocated the affection. Baxter, feeling left out; jumped out of the bed, stood beside Paintbrush and leaned into their leg, almost as his way of hugging Paintbrush. It was silent, it was the most intimate moment Lightbulb had ever lived through—it was perfect. 

“I missed you, Lightbulb." Paintbrush admitted with a great amount of passion. Lightbulb wanted to say the forbidden “I love you, Paintbrush” but she didn't want to ruin it, just—not the right time. Perhaps on better occasions. 

Lightbulb leaned more closer into the hug than possible. “I missed you too, Painty." Lightbulb breathed. It felt like seven minutes just went by so quickly—Lightbulb closed her eyes, completely submerged in their embrace. 

Paintbrush practically collapsed into tears, they cried their very soul out as they felt the unbearable pain of her two friends dying. They couldn't do anything, so they took a while for every drop of tears to come down while Baxter leaned onto them as a way of comfort; they couldn't bear looking at the crab, it just reminded them of Lightbulb again.