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Ever since the “Ichor Operation” or whatever took place, the toons’ lives stopped to a halt. The operation really did change some toons. Goob keeps gathering the twisteds and having them chase him, doing what we call “distracting.” But he’s probably only doing this just so he can see his sister, Scraps. Which is unlikely, like really unlikely.
Scraps was a paper craft, she often hung around toons and was very joyful. She was considered a girl who never relaxed and was very focused on her brother. She made crafts with other toons, mostly with a smile on her face. She was sweet and gentle. Both of the mask twins liked her, not in a friendly way but in what people would call “Like, like.” They were planning on asking her out days before the operation began- before it was even known to anyone. Everyone believes she’s probably gone. They lost her very early into the operation and she wasn’t the first death. Razzle and Dazzle both believe she isn’t twisted or whatever those creatures are.. at least not yet. They were slowly losing hope of seeing her, at least one last time. She often held their hands, they used to be scared of her claws but every second since, they just wanted to hold them again.
The day everyone started to believe she was gone was when the elevator shut on her. Scraps’ ability was on cooldown and she was rushing to get into the elevator, and when it finally closed- there.. wasn’t a crunch? Razzle and Dazzle would definitely believe she was gone if they weren’t in that run.
It had been about probably two weeks since she disappeared. Every toon would say she was gone gently every time they’d try to bring her up, well not Shrimpo, he just yelled that she was dead. Razzle would often reminisce when she helped them with props for their play, whilst Dazzle would remember the times they practiced their poems in front of her- easing his nervousness. She’d cup their faces with her paws and it lessened all stress. They often looked forward to hang out with her- even when toons disliked her or said nasty things.
She was sorta mean but she had reasons most of the time. After all, she was just protective of her brother wasn’t she? Overly protective but who cares. She mostly was around Poppy, Looey and yes, surprisingly Shrimpo! Maybe they were all mourning, but nobody seemed to have heard them out. Did anyone truly care? They just seemed like idiots who won’t listen- maybe they were. “Dazzle! Do you wanna duo?” He asked, gesturing with his hand, optimistic as ever. “(Are you sure Raz?.. we’d probably die.)” He said, hesitantly while fidgeting with their hands. “C’mon! It won’t be THAT bad, besides! We will find her.” He pushed as he was desirous in finding her. Dazzle was slowly losing hope in her coming home safely. “(Fine…)” Dazzle sighed, for his twin was persuasive. But he knew it was not going to work nor be a joyous occasion.
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Her ears always seemed to go upwards when she heard them, was she excited to see them or was it just some coincidence? They were never really good exactly good at hiding their feelings- and the times they did, they seemed a bit too mean. Luckily for them she was sorta clueless, and kinda cute.
“Hey!” A voice giggled- it was Scraps. She had wrapped Razzle & Dazzle with her tail, using a claw to gently tap on their shoulder, startling Razzle. “AAAH!!!!” Razzle yelled out. “So sorry Raz! Are you okay?” She asked staring with intense worry. “I-it’s fine..” he mumbled. “(Scraps.. did you need something?)” he asked. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but are you joining the run?” She said seriously, fumbling with her own words. “We were going to stay here but sure!” Razzle said a bit cheerfully for the situation. Scraps skipped away while they both just stood there. “(W-what?…)” Dazzle asked, more than confused.”Well we sure can help the others in obtaining supplies! Nothing bad will happen.” “(Yeah.. aside from turning twisted or being left behind..)” he replied, obviously unhappy.
~~~
There wasn’t any crunch, yet somehow it was more deafening. Every toon stared in absolute horror as Scraps didn’t make it. All the other toons surrounded Goob, comforting him as he sobbed hysterically. “Maybe we should go back?” Poppy asked nervously with tears in her eyes. Razzle couldn’t understand why did they think that she was gone- she wasn’t, she couldn’t be. Razzle stared over at Dazzle who had tears flowing down his cheeks. “Daz! She isn’t dead. We know that- don’t cry.” Razzle whispered. “(I know.. but- if she is alive.. she won’t make it, will she?…)” Dazzle managed to blurt out. Razzle patted their shoulder and assured his twin that she for sure was okay .
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Dazzle was still very unsure about this run.. they were going without a team like Razzle instructed, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was gonna go wrong- and he hated it. Razzle, on the other hand was excited, and couldn’t wait! As they both snuck out of your bedroom, only to be greeted by Poppy sipping a pop in the kitchen . “Hey! Where are you two going?” She asked, with visible dark circles under her eyes, and an exhaustion that cannot be faked. “Well I got thirsty and I dragged Dazzle here- for a pop of course!” He said, sweat dripping down on the back of his mask. “Well just so you now, you both need rest! We’re going to a run tomorrow.. well you guys.” She said, fixing up her bow. Dazzle noticed her dress was torn, with a bit of ichor on it and casts. “(Pops.. you seem different.)” not knowing what to say, he left his sentence there.
“I went on a run like an hour ago.. and I believed you both about Scraps not really being twisted- but.. I think I saw her. “ She started tearing up, whilst both of their hearts crumbled into dust- like the glitter she used on her crafts. “(S-she’s gone?..)” Dazzle asked trying to wipe his tears as soon as they came. “Yeah, far gone.. she injured most of the team- she can do some stuff the other twisteds aren’t able to do. I guess I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up. Sprout lost nearly all his tapes due to the constant healing.” Both the twins turned around and walked back to their room, the silence extended as they tried to go back to sleep, their crafted plan being stopped before it began.
A lot of time had passed, both Razzle and Dazzle helped the team collect supplies, and while that was going on, each toon was getting picked off one by one. Every toon was worried, hungry, tense and upset- and they had every right to! The twins blocked out every thought of her, and just tried to move on, and no matter how difficult it was, they were gonna survive.
“Hey Daz! Hand me that box of chocolates.” Razzle commanded. Dazzle noticed his twin’s eyes had lost its spark, yet bringing it up would also come with an unwanted topic. Dazzle gave it, catching Razzle’s attention. “Hey.. what’s up? You know you can tell me anything! So please do so.” Razzle requested. “(Hm? Oh it’s fine…)” Dazzle mumbled.
“You know you can tell me anything!” Razzle inquired. “(I’m just.. scared for the next round.)” he answered. Razzle immediately knew what he meant, yet he didn’t push. Razzle put it in their small bag, tossing it on their shoulders, while he nearly jumped out their bedroom door, faking enthusiasm and excitement.
~~~
They were on floor 23, they were fueled with supplies, heals, and they were at full health! Nothing could go wrong.. right?
A twisted immediately noticed them, causing them to run in a specific direction, sweat dripping down their back. Each footstep caught the attention of every twisted near.. when they finally got away they found an undone machine.
They walked along, noticing a poster near it. It was Vee’s gameshow poster- Scraps at the front and center. Their hearts ached all over again at the sight of her. They traced their fingers over the poster, breathing heavily. Before they could utter a word they felt the warm feeling of her tail? They turned and they were face to face with her twisted. Dazzle noticed the ichor all over her and it pained him even more to see her in this state.
Her claws which were drenched in ichor sunk through their ribbons, the pain was excruciating but seeing her like that hurt them way more! It was agony. Dazzle wanted to grab a cloth and assist her wounds. She purred at their touch, wrapping her tail tighter around them, and did they care? No, as they found their beloved once again.
She pulled an undone string from their ribbon-scarf (Whatever it’s called..) and turned it and wrapped it around a single claw, resting it on their chest.
It was awkward, but luckily that feeling had long since passed. Unsure of how to continue, the twins just stood there. The paper craft had eyes that were red, but in that moment, it just looked back and forth at them. Removing her paws from their ribbons, she started to scratch them softly, almost playfully. Razzle held her face whilst Dazzle put his hand to her forehead, concerned as it felt cold. Her tail unwrapped and moved left and right.
She’s far gone. They know damn well. Yet her in their arms was more comforting than some worry of her being.
Each hour feels like a second- how stupid were they? To just allow a twisted into their arms! And yes, she was harmless now. But she could snap anytime. But her in their arms safe was more than enough. Despite it all- they craved her affection.. and it had a tight grip on them.
Then, they heard a crunch. Ichor was spilling out of them- and with each heal they went through, there was a thought “Shouldn’t I go?” But, they’d rather die in her claws than live without her.