Chapter Text
June 16,2002
The stage lights shined brightly against her face as she waited patiently so she can step in and do her role, after all she was the main character of her own show. She took a deep breath, letting all her worries exit her body "You okay Poppy? " Delilah asked, holding the episode script tightly in her hands "Yes! I'm just a little nervous" She shook it off.
She felt anxious as she saw deliah sign, looking over to the scene happening in front of her. This episode was just a typical lesson for kids to learn, Sharing is caring was the clear message it was trying to teach as much as she saw on that set, it was probably Cosmo not wanting to share his things with anyone else so Poppy had to come and help him out.
Poppy could tell whenever her fellow actors were nervous, well except Boxten...
The only thing she was told about him was that he was going to be introduced in a later season that was probably close. Boxten told her hopefully it gets delayed to a response to that but for now he was working as a crew member.
"Poppy get ready, you'll be in the scene in thirty seconds" Arthur pointed forward to her station for when she goes in, she nods getting ready in her station as she precisely practices her own lines in her head.
"Poppy, in the count of one two three get in the scene" The director called out with his giant megaphone, Poppy gently placed her script on the tall black chair, smiling happily. The others were doing their own things off set, she could see Boxten helping with the cable wires though She always suspected Boxten was a mechanical nerd but not in the mean way.
"Three",she took some deep breaths.
"Two", she corrected her own pose, hooping that would get her ready.
"One", she was finally ready.
"Action! " She swooped in, skipping to a bummed out Cosmo lying under a tree "Cosmo? What are you doing here? " She asked, coming closer "Poppy, can I tell you something? "
"Of course! Tell me anything"
"I don't really want to share my thing, like I feel really jealous when someone borrows what's mine? What if they break it? " He asked nervously, looking up at her.
"Well... Cosmo, how would you feel if nobody shared their things with you? Like Brightney not letting you borrow any of her fancy books or Sprout not letting you borrow any of his gloves" She asked, she could clearly see the shift of look on his face, going from confused to guilty. She knew it was just an act since the director got mad at him a while ago for not showing 'too much emotion'.
She heard Cosmo sign, standing up "Your right Poppy, I should start sharing some of my stuff, even if I can't bear to do it I'll try". Poppy let him get up, glancing at him while he brushed off some dirt on his knees.
" That's more like it! " She giggles, skipping excitedly while Cosmo followed.
"Cut! " The director yelled from his seat, the camera man immediately turning off his camera to the announcement.
"Break time, everyone have their break" He stood up from his chair, approaching Delilah as she was making new concepts for new episodes.
Poppy wiped some sweat on her forehead, she found it quiet strange that she always found herseld sweating despite it being freezing in the set. She saw all her friends in one specific table named the toon tables, she was the one who suggested it would be called that.
As she approached the table she happily waved, Tisha spotting her first, she knew Tisha was kinda overprotective and overworking after what happened between her a month ago.
"Poppy! How did the scene go? " Tisha asked her, gesturing her to sit down near her. "It all went perfectly! The scene didn't have any reshoots or anything" She acknowledged, taking a bite out if a small sandwich.
The other five mains finally came, doing their own things or talking to each other. "Hey did anyone hear the rumor that they'll be planning to make us do a international visit or whatever" Brursha uttered out, all of them stopping and listening to what she might say next. "Well, we don't know if it is true or not like it's probably a rumor someone made up" Looey commented, stealing some candy from Yatta's grasp.
"Yea that what I said, that's what rumor means-"
"No, you that might be true"
Everyone was silent, stopping their little talks and whatever else they were doing, eager to listen.
"I heard Arthur and Deliah talk with a producer infront of the voice acting studio last night, they said they might start it at late may" Poppy explained finally finishing her sandwich.
Now, everyone was completely tranquil, processing what she said well looking back at it, she wishes Brusha never mentioned it.
"It's time to go home people! Well start the next scene tomorrow" The director announced, every single person in the set was relieved, it had been such a busy day a well deserved rest is what they yearned for all day.
Slowly, all the cast members were out, not one human person to be seen anywhere except Deliah and Arthur. Poppy explored the long corridors,seeking her creators until she stumbled upon... Shrimpo infront of the management rooms? What was he doing here? "Hey Shrimpo have you seen any of the others? " She Asked, her tone filled with confusion while she had such a perplexed expression on her face "Deliah and Arthur told us we should gather infront of the management office, the others are inside we were waiting for you specifically I decided to see if your here yet since your terrible at things like this" Shrimpo replied, using a snarky toon. Poppy scowled, crossing her arms.
"Well I'll let you know! -
" Hurry up or ill leave you behind! "
He teased, swinging the door open and rushing inside "Hey! Wait up! " Poppy helplessly scurried behind him, gently opening it and letting it click close behind her.
The room glowed a faint yellow, clear posters of her and all of her friends plastered on the wall. This isn't her first time being here she will admit but saying she's been here a lot is a exaggeration. She's only been here twice of once, for most of her friends this is their first timers being in this space since it's kinda a odd place like it's familiar but it isn't.
"Poppy, your finally here take a sit on the far left of the couch" Arthur stated but it wasn't the calm and soothing type of voice they were all used to but it was a hesitant and dead like tone instead. She sensed something was horribly wrong by the atmosphere in the room.
It wasn't sweet and welcoming, it was frightening and worrisome. Something was just wrong...
"So, let me cut to the chase, all of you please promise to me you all won't freak out. " Deliah's face crinkled, a brown but bubbly substance trapped in a vile found it's way in her hands. They all nodded, a cynical expression painted their faces.
"I'm so sorry to all of you but the show's canceled"
Their faces fell, Poppy comprehending the fact of her own show being canceled, 'if the show's canceled then what will happen to all of us?' Was the only thing in her mind, a tear stinging her eye, why? Why did they have to cancel it for some reason? She thought, it was terrible despite that something else was brewing inside her that time.
"Why? " Poppy muttered, it was quiet but urgent as ever. A waterfall of tears finally breaking the dam she was holding. Tisha catching sight of this, she knew it was hard for her since she was so sincere and passionate for her own show, if she didn't have a show anymore then what she only do now?
Deliah signed, flicking the needle in her fingers. "I'm sorry poppy" She whispered, her tone crumbling by her own words. "Arthur grab the needle, do it now! " Deliah suddenly blurted out, handing him the needle filled with that same substance earlier and holding the toon nearest to her down.
Yatta hissed, moving and thrashing around until the needle hit her left arm,A daze taking over her as she fell unconscious. One by one all of them were knocked out, Poppy whimpering as Arthur held her down, Deliah getting ready to insert the horrific looking needle in her own arm.
"Mom stop! Please! " Poppy cried out, tears dribbled down her face, she felt as she was betrayed.
Betrayed by the people she looked up to.
Deliah and Arthur's face fell, a frown fell on both of their faces "I'm sorry poppy" Deliah muttered out, jamming the needle in her and inserting the toxic substance.
As a sudden feeling of daze fell on her, she felt warm hands wrap around her, cradling her as she was their own sleeping child.
Deliah cried silently, her own creation leaned closer. A right feeling pounding on her chest, Arthur gazed at the two figures on the ground, a feeling of guilt sprouted within him "Come on Deliah, let's get them all ready" Arthur helped her up, sniffing and gasping coming out of the weeping women as she tried to keep her composure.
"Of course,- she wiped her tears away- we can't waste any time anymore "
Hours sped like minutes, bringing all of them to their respective rooms and tucking them all in, one by one. Deliah grasped the keys in her arms, checking the daily supplies that will be delivered by the train at least they wouldn't starve she's not that cruel. She grabbed her coat littered with wet tear stains, shutting the large glass door and locking it tightly. The two figures signed, the now abounded center brang a state of nostalgia but they couldn't let their creations come out to the world, no it was dangerous, to much for one simple person to handle they couldn't let anyone find out their creations, it was a mistake and if anyone find out, they would be doomed.
After a few days, Poppy gasped for air in her own bed however wasn't she in the office a few minutes ago? What happened in the time she was knocked out? So many questions filled her mind at the same time, it was to much to handle at the same time.
"Poppy! Your awake" Someone gasped at the front of her bed, she shook herself awake finally noticing that's it's Boxten "Boxten! What happened" She asked, desperate to know what has happened "Poppy, the front doors won't open. I tried my best but I just won't budge, they sealed all the windows also" Boxten shifted, realization dawned on the bright bubble the thing that happened in the office wasn't simply a dream so that means...
"Oh god" Poppy muttered She felt terrible yet something started to take over, livid filled her, why would they abandon her? Why must I suffer? I did everything I should do? Anger took over her in that moment, she wanted to scream out and sue the world for why did this have to happen.
But..
If she fixed everything, they would want her again
They would admire her for what she actually is if she fixed all their mistakes, they would love her.
She'll fix this.
"Boxten,do you know where they keep the Pop at?"
She asked, nothing but horrid hate filled her mind. She wanted to get revenge,to show them what she can do. Boxten noticed a dot of red suddenly appeared on her pupils, if he was honest he was worried for her but he decided not to ask.
"Uh, it's at the basement, below the ticket booth" Boxten answered hesitataly, confused on what she was about to do with it.
"Just, do whatever you want, I'll do my own thing"
She'll be the star, the bright star in her own plan.