The air held a palpable melancholy that has stayed within the confines of his test chamber for a very long time. Perhaps it was due to the increasing lack of test subjects for which he can to some degree tinker with, even as he meddled with the insides of a small long-dead Catnap plushie, there is nothing new to look at. He has already examined every square inch of data he can possibly gather from such individuals.
The operating board he is hunching over, where he has once pioneered the concepts between life and death itself has now lost its appeal in his electrical eye-sockets. He has seldom felt that same pleasure that little spark of discovery has brought to his now non-present heart.
The makeshift lab he has built for himself, a far cry from the illustrious pristine laboratory just levels below him, has now gathered dust on the cabinets and desks, with some blood stains long since turned black by the years of air exposure, and traces of cobwebs laying around on the trays of surgical instruments like strands of loose cotton. Sanitation is basically nonexistent here, but he couldn't care less, he is more machine than man now.
At least the scalpels are still sharp enough to cut.
And it isn't like there is nothing to do here, far from it. Things have been busy lately, namely because of the Prototype's constant demand for progress. Normally he would continue with their 'project' as always, or dealing with the ever lingering issue of the rebellious experiment's of "Safe Haven". But awhile ago something had shifted. The Prototype has been behaving, anxious, and he can feel it.
The shortened intervals between visits, his nagging demand for the project's progress, and how he always ended their disputes with threats of violence. It was humorous for him to make such threats, the state he is now was supposed to be a punishment, but it has turned him into something far above that of the flesh. In their attempt to punish him they have inadvertently granted him the freedom beyond mortal constraints.
Unfortunately that didn't prevent the fact he's still under someone else's boot, whether it be that snob Leith Pierre, or the ever malignant Prototype.
And returning on the subject of the matter, he wondered what would have plagued the mind of such a being who's normally prideful for his abilities. But then came the day that the Prototype wasn't visiting at all, the frequent demands now turned to silence, he wondered if he was preparing for something.
And so with that he decided to broaden the reach of his vision. Peering through the cameras like an all seeing eye, a beautiful parasite inside the system that was meant to constrain him. And then he saw him, and to say the least he was pretty surprised, for the first time in years, he sees a human wandering the corridors of the factory once more.
But this wasn't one of the same individuals whom had just simply entered the lobby, for when he discovered this human he is already down in the Game Station, which means he'd had already passed #1170 "Huggy, and has undoubtedly been playing some of #1222's, "Mommy Long Legs'" games. That pink maniac always had an affinity with traps and tricks. Not that he is above that himself.
And so with nothing better to do, he'd figured he'll mind as well watch for the sake of entertainment, perhaps he'll even analyze and uncover some fresh new data from the ordeal this human endures while he lasts.
However, just when he thought the human's death was certain, he survives, miraculously. Over, and over, and over again. From the Game Station, all the way down through Playcare. It was strange to see how a simple human can endure through the constant struggle where most flesh would fail, disturbing even. But perhaps what has left him utterly confounded was a certain number of instances to which the only way he could thoroughly describe of as…"anomalies".
The moment when the human subject punched #1188, "Catnap", with a strength beyond human standards, or the moment when the same experiment has the human within his grasp, but then freezes, stares out into space as if there's something there, and suddenly vanishes from the Councilor's Office and the reappears outside.
He thought he was seeing things, a glitch in his synaptic system he believed, but he was wrong, and all these instances combined with the fact he has prevailed so long, made him come to the conclusion that there is another element unseen about the subject. There is something unique about this human, he just doesn't know what it is, not yet.
And it seems he wasn't the only one who knows, for while he was watching through the whole trial, he sees he is not the only observer. The Prototype has been watching the human, whether within a shadow or behind a corner, down the hallways or through cracks within the walls, the Prototype has always been there. Following, watching, never spotted and never noticed. There were even times when the human would have been so close that the Prototype would have mind as well breath down his neck and he would have noticed.
The Prototype could have killed him, many times, but he didn't. But yet he seemed to strangely possess a certain personal vendetta against the human, even though he knows for certain that he has no relation to this human in any shape or form, such as the instance when he somehow found the corpses of his deceased friends and displayed them in front of the subject as both a mockery and a desecration. All the way up to the moment in the depot, where he could have again killed him dozens of times, but yet couldn't.
The Prototype hates the subject, but yet does nothing about it. Just what is holding him back?
Some more observations and new data must be examined.
However before he could continue doing such, a door nearby opens, one of the larger ones that lead out into the prisons. Turning the monitor "head" of his endo-skeleton, the screen displaying a singular glowing eye amidst purple static, he sees an imposing figure approaching him, the draconian form becoming visible in the light of the surgical ceiling lamp.
"Ah! Experiment #1705." The machine said with eloquent formality yet muffled with a layer of garbling computer synth. "How admissible for you to come visit."
"Shut up." The draconic creature said with a beastly growl. "Using fancy words doesn't make you smarter, Doctor."
"True." The Doctor said with concise sarcasm, putting his hands together with a smug demeanor. "Yet it simply proves that my intellectual capacity is notably higher than yours, Simon."
The experiment in question, known as Simon Smoke amongst the plethora of other unused mascots and discarded characters Playtime.co conjured up, is part of a toy line similar to the Smiling Critters, yet with a bit more of that angsty edge for the older kids. Yet to the scientists below the factory, he is more than just "edgy". He is a Bigger Body of massive proportions, an ironic expression for the fact that Simon is modeled after the terrible red dragon of eastern mythology. But he is undoubtedly much larger compared to his fellow Bigger Bodies, hunched over he is just as tall as Huggy and longer than Catnap from snout to tail. He is among the largest experiments in the factory, only coming short of the Prototype.
However he has most certainly seen better days, for he was picked and designed for a grizzly purpose. With such strong experiments such as Huggy, Mommy, and the ever so gentle giant Doey, the executives believed that there should be something they can use in case one of such experiments goes awry. And so, they created a special Bigger Body experiment, one that can surpass in strength and endurance, and yet be controlled. And so they created Simon Smoke, to be Playtime.co's personal executioner.
But now, even though he is nowhere near the pinnacle of his strength, and covered in claw marks and battle scars, he has turned from Playtime's lapdog, to the Doctor's.
"Whatever." Simon belligerently replied as he pulls something he had been dragging behind. "I brought you something."
He then hurled the item in question in front of him, and in the light of bright overhanging lamp, it wasn't just something, but someone.
"Well what do we have here?" The Doctor said enthusiastically leering over the Bigger Body lying on the floor.
"Caught'em in the Warden's Office." Simon explained. "Was looking through the security cameras as it turns out."
"Yes, and a lovely find indeed. Experiment #1499, Boogie Bot. I haven't seen you in years. And I say, you look… absolutely horrible."
For it was indeed a Bigger Body version of said toy, much larger in comparison to the original counterpart part, albeit with noticeable differences. While he has the same body shape and sporty green metal shell, his head is just slightly smaller compared to his body, and his tubular arms are longer, ending in large mechanical grabbers. And along with all the dents and paint scrapes after years of wear and tear, his outer shell is now littered with new holes and exposed wiring leaking with blood. Most likely due to the struggle between himself and Simon.
However the one feature that wasn't originally broken by Simon was the Bot's face. Cracked like spiderwebs spreading out from the center, the screen displayed nothing except the flickering lights of static.
"I am, not, Boogie Bot. You crazy bastard." The green bio-mechanical robot said, his voice box glitching as he struggled to pronounce the right words. "I had a name, I had a life! And you stole it from me!"
"Yes yes, shut up." The Doctor rudely interrupted. "From what I understand the moment that you entered Playtime.co's orphanage you were thereby under our custody. And Leith, Stella? They considered you all numbers well before the experimentation even happened, I was just merely part of the process."
Simon said nothing, but merely watched on as the quivering robot tried to push himself up only to be too weak to do so, as the Doctor then puts a hand beneath the robot's chin and tilts his head up to meet him. A shattered screen reflecting the Doctor's own.
"Out of all the experiments though, you were by far one of my most intriguing ones, #1499." The Doctor said musingly. "During the process of your transition, your cellular alignment to a strange turn. You see, we designed you so that screen of yours can be removed to allow you to feed, however the cellular growth lasted much longer than expected. The result? Your screen face shattered, and the flesh making up your mouth molded along with the shards, giving you that oh-so glamorous smile of yours."
At once with a guttural hiss, the screen making up the robot's face suddenly splits open, the glass shards parting away like petals of a flower, revealing soft pink flesh underneath. Rows of sharp, angular teeth leading downwards towards a gaping circular mouth, revealing the experiment's true inside are not just of metal and wire, but also flesh and tendons woven inside of a steel hull.
Boogie bot then lunged and bit down on the Doctor, crushing the metallic body with a resounding crunch at the cost of a bloody mouth and a few lost teeth. The Doctor's husk landed on the floor, sparks flew from the mangled machine as the last bits of electricity sputtered out. For a few seconds, everything was quiet, until laughter echoed all around them.
"I see you still have some kick in you." The Doctor said as more and more screens flickered to life around them in the dark. The lights illuminating the surrounding lab, showing the many more of the Doctor's robotic endo-skeletons, each displaying an singular eye filled with contempt, their lanky forms covered head to foot in a garb of lab coats that had been stitched together.
"Good. That means you'll be ready for our little "discussion" later." A pair of droids then grabbed Boogie Bot by the underside of his arms and hoisted him up, bringing him eye level with another droid. "From what I heard you are one of Safe Haven's reconnaissance scouts. I look forward to hearing all about it."
But before the Doctor's Endos dragged the bot away, Simon then stepped interrupted. "Now wait a second. I went through a lot of trouble finding this twat." He said with laced bitterness.
"Yes, you must've indeed had." The Doctor answered haughtily. "Since it took you so long to find such a prominent member of Safe Haven it must have taken a great deal of effort to find him, did it not?"
Simon normally walked four legged, so upon hearing yet more of his pompous machine's remarks, his claws dug into the concrete leaving pairs of cracks in the cold floor. Though while his glare was still held to the Doctor's own, Simon hoped that he didn't notice the fresh pair of claw marks on his floor, despite his immense size and strength, the Doctor held more control over him than many realize.
"Yeah, which means you owe my end of the deal now." He said keeping his stance to appear less than inferior than he is. "Let me see her. Now."
"Of course." The Doctor replied nonchalantly waving a hand dismissively. "The door to the left, down the hall, and then take the elevator. And take the bot too, why don't you? Though I would be careful around her though." He further said with a hint of nuanced glee. "I have been running out of straitjackets lately, and the one she's wearing now is getting a bit worn."
Simon merely flashed a sneer at him, his serrated yellowed teeth glistening in the light. He wishes he could just tear him apart and be done with, but he knows that isn't possible. Out of everything else in this God forsaken factory, the Doctor would be the hardest to kill, second only to the Prototype. He is far smarter, devious, and most of all prepared in case someone were to ever truly contend with him.
At least for now, he'll get what he wants. "Come on, little twerp." Simon said as he then hastily passed while then wrapping his long tail around the bot's midsection and then yanked him up out the other Endos grasp.
However, Boogie Bot still had something to say. "You all have no idea what is coming." He barely said past the glitching, almost sounding exhausted. "You and the Prototype can lie all you want, Doctor. But I have seen it with my own eyes. Poppy's Angel is coming, coming for you all!"
Simon looked like he couldn't care less, but the Doctor, he instead listened keenly. And as he was being dragged past the double-sided door and into the darkness, his fervent yells echoed through.
"And when he gets his hands on you, you are all DEAD MEN!!"
The door finally slams shut behind them, leaving the Doctor alone with nothing but his own thoughts. He'd admit though, while his threats meant nothing to him, the implications of said threat held weight to them. He had seen what that human did to the Prototype just mere hours ago. While it was different watching from afar from the comfort of his makeshift lab, knowing that he will soon come down here, to his level, and when he finds him...
In all honesty just the mere thought of it was…unnerving.
But at least for now he can prepare for it, maybe even continue with his research on Boogie bot in the meantime. He is certain that such a prominent member of Safe Haven would know of a work-around for the Haven's security system. It would most certainly put himself on the Prototype's good graces due to any delay.
And speaking of whom…
"You know…" The Doctor spoke out towards seemingly nothing. "You should really figure out a different method for your dramatic entrances. They are becoming rather predictable."
Then as if on cue, out of the shadows emerged the Prototype, his body still just as battered and broken as he was when he left the human above. The Doctor observed his condition as the ravaged experiment trudged on in, he is already missing one of his legs, the ones that are left are horribly bent or deformed. The same can be said for his metallic frame, the cage holding the cluster of hearts still even has some bits of concrete lodged inside. Sparks flew from what little wiring is left attached to his skull, and a large I-beam remains skewered down through the Prototype's back and out through his heart cluster.
"Well, it would seem you have been inflicted some injuries." The Doctor remarked. "You should get yourself looked at before you exert yourself even further. Though you should thank me for installing that synthesizer in you, without it you couldn't produce the Poppy Elixir to regenerate what little remains of you."
The Prototype however didn't even so much as look at him, ignoring his remarks as he instead limped by the droids till he reached the other side of the room. There was a set of monitors in place along with a keyboard setup. And then with his uninjured claw he pressed some commands and the monitors display a security feed of a familiar place.
The Doctor looked and just as he thought, he is watching the live feed of the Ward, in the room exactly where the human subject is residing. The human still incapacitated within his healing chamber, with all of the other experiments asleep around him, far too tired to even keep watch. Perhaps since the Prototype is away and Catnap nowhere to be found, there aren't that many notable threats to worry about for now.
"Ah! Still obsessing over the latest trespasser I see?" The Doctor mocked. "I understand. It must have been so humiliating to be beaten by some random employee isn't it? It wouldn't be too hard to imagine that you will find it hard to let go such an embarrassment?"
Yet again the Prototype remained silent and dismissive, not even bothering to acknowledge the Doctor's snotty attitude. He instead kept on starring at the human's resting place, his focus seemingly on him and him alone.
It was then after a long pregnant silence, he finally spoke, but not to the Doctor. "Out of all the men in the world He would choose this one, random, nobody." The Prototype mused, his gaze never leaving the human. "How typical of you, Elohim, to always choose the most insignificant to prove your ideals."
By then the Doctor was clearly confused. "I'm…sorry? But I do not follow."
"Nothing of your concern, little man." The Prototype remarked, much to the Doctor's visible irritation. "What matters now, is that they have no idea of the fragility of their union. The seeds of doubt and suspicion are already planted, and given time, they will sprout. Dividing them, so that I may conquer the human, and crush the hopes of his allies."
"And so that is why you went to confront "Poppy's Angel" personally then?" The Doctor realized. "All of this was just to assert dominance? Well, it will be affective, for a little while. The human subject will undoubtedly begin to gain many of the experiments trust just as soon as he reemerges. And given his connection to the outside world, he will most certainly collect food, he'll end up winning them over through their bellies. Fear can only last so long, you know."
"True." The Prototype replied, a devious glint passing over his eyes as he then presses a few more keys on the keyboard. "But the one thing stronger than fear…" The monitors then show the feed of Catnap, his body curled in of himself in a fetal position. Whimpering with tears streaming down his black eyes. "Is hate."
"And they all hate him." The Doctor continued for him. "Except Poppy's little angel, and despite what they all say of him, he will still attempt to help #1188."
"For now, we avoid the human." The Prototype finished, and with a few more commands, the camera feed switches to a hallway, leading all the way to Safe Haven. "Instead we shall focus on preparing for the inevitable."
"Then what of the project?" The Doctor asked. "Hasn't that been the forefront of what we have been trying to achieve?"
"Yes, yes it has been" The Prototype replied. And then out from his disfigured right arm, a large phial containing the blood of the human was revealed, and he handed it over to the droid's waiting arms. "Here is your sample, Doctor. You will need it to better understand a coming patient, do you not?"
"Of course." The Doctor confirmed as the Prototype then began to take his leave. "I will leave no cell nor cellular structure unexamined."
But just before he disappeared back into the darkness, he had one thing left to say.
"I will be expecting results soon. Do not disappoint me, Harley Sawyer."
The Doctor watched as the Prototype finally disappear like a phantom returning to the shadows, he knew that while he is able to regenerate some parts of his original flesh, there is still the mechanical parts that he needs to repair. It may take awhile before anyone sees of him again, and he may even build himself back stronger and with far more brutal equipment than before.
Though whatever the Prototype decides what to do is inconsequential to him, he has his own agenda to achieve. And as his singular, static eye gazes admiringly at the dark liquid glowing behind the light of the bright security monitors, he knows that he too is but one step closer to achieving that goal.
<<<<<<<<<<~>>>>>>>>>>
Simon followed the Doctor's directions just as he had said, taking the elevator down to the level just below. Boogie Bot made no efforts to free himself, which is a good thing, he made sure of that. But that didn't stop it from mumbling on about the coming of some avenging angel descending from above. It was really starting to annoy him, he would really like to tear that hideous mouth of his apart, but it won't stop the mumbling anyway. The thing has a voice box, not a tongue.
And besides, the Doctor will kill him if he found out that he silenced this bot, Boogie may just be the only lead they have in bringing down the defenses of Safe Haven. Meaning that all that stands between him, and what Simon truly desired, is now being dragged behind him like a rag doll.
The elevator soon comes to a stop, he can literally hear the gears groaning under agonizing strain as bits of rust peeled off of them and tapped the floor like metallic water droplets. The door opens, and a pungent stench of rot and infection assaults his sensitive nostrils, he reels in disgust, but he deals with the sickly aroma and steps inside.
The room is large but barely lit, cages made of wired fencing lined in rows, the segments loosened are tied together and reinforced with chains. And these cages definitely needed chains, for inside, gnawing on the wire and reaching their tiny arms for him, is the entire assortment of Playtime.co' toys with teeth bared as they stared at him with dark, hungry eyes.
Squealing and shrieking as they did everything they could to reach out for Simon and at the very least get a taste of him. Simon himself however paid no heed, he simply kept walking on. Though he did get a kick out of dragging Boogie Bot just a little closer to the smaller toys outstretched arms, feeling him squirm in the iron grip of his tail.
Though these are not the cells that he was supposed to put the new prisoner in, he is going to a place for the more "special" experiments.
They soon reached the end of the hallway, and the thick metal doors parted themselves, revealing a large spacious room. Circular all around, and with a towering spire in the center with an assortment of cameras and TV screens hung all over it. He can already feel the Doctor watching him through them. And within the walls are massive glass doors, each strong enough to be bulletproof, revealing the interior inside of each to be a padded cell. The walls thick with pads so deep that it is basically bedding, but all of them are torn up from claw marks of the many residents inside.
And in speaking of the so called "residents", they were anything but hospitable.
For these are some of the Doctor's personal…pets.
Each cell held a nightmare just clawing to get out, each one a toy whose face never seen the light off day. One is a plastic dinosaur with a literal piano for its face, blood seeping between the gaps in the keys for teeth, and the joints of its bulbous body twitching spontaneously with the sound of bones creaking under the behind the occasional out of sync musical notes it made. And all that combined with the thing's soul piercing gaze those beady black eyes bore into him just made this creature all around unsettling.
Another is feline in shape and stature, sporting a full body mane made of thick ropes of yarn. And even though the yarn is a kaleidoscope of all the colors of the rainbow it cannot hide the dark red patches of stained blood or the many large scars adorning its amber colored fur. And that isn't even accounting for its horrific maw, splitting straight down its head allowing it to open diagonally, revealing a mouthful of enormous teeth that snap shut like a morbid bear trap. It clawed and bashed its head into the glass, cracks beginning to show making Simon worry if the glass is actually bulletproof.
And the third one, was the one that disturbed Simon the most. It is one of amongst the first successful experiments after the Prototype. What looked like an oversized Jack-in-a-Box, is actually a demon inside. Spring-like coils connecting its red fuzzed paws, feet, and head with such muscle control that it seemed to defy logic. Its claws sharp enough to leave gashes in the glass, and its red fuzzed, cubic head sporting a pair of eyes filled with viscous, bloodthirsty intent. And a mouth that can open so wide, that Simon had no doubt it can bite his own head off.
And then finally the last member in this prison, and the true reason why Simon is even here in the first place. But first things first, he has some baggage to take care of. Opening one of the spare cells without anyone inside, he then shoves the Doctor's newest prisoner inside without so much of a second thought before then immediately shitting it behind and making his way to the next one.
He nearly pressed his face against the glass in anxious anticipation, and thankfully the overhead lightbulb offered just enough light to see inside. He can see her just as he had remembered her the last time he came here, her back turned to him as she has curled herself up in a fetal position on the padded floor, the straitjacket she's wearing keeping her motionless as much as possible, but even that couldn't hide just how malnourished she is, even under her jet black wool, he can practically see her spine and ribs.
And stuck in the nape of her neck is a clear plastic tube connected to Iv catheter, carrying the crimson fluids of Poppy Elixir straight into her body. The only thing keeping her alive since she refused to eat or drink anymore.
Simon then lightly tapped on the glass, prompting the Bigger Body toy to slowly turn her head to look at him, even just moving looked agonizing. She looked similar to one of the Smiling Critters, except designed with the resemblance of a black sheep, and her dark eyes holding a small pinprick of vermillion red. While most would have trembled at the sight, Simon knowing better it was a scar of the unquenchable bloodlust that was within.
"Baba? It's me again, what's up?" Simon said buffing himself up to appear confident, but it looks as if Baba could see through him, and did nothing but hold her tongue.
Without so much as a reaction, Simon then continues. "I uh…have you heard the news? I brought back one of those Safe Haven hippies! Just threw'em in the cell next to you. That's how, well that's how I got here actually."
Again Baba still said nothing, she simply kept staring and listening. Simon knew this, so there was no point in stopping.
"Well, I guess you're curious about what our little friend group's been doing? Things haven't the same since, well since you got put in here." He said with a slight tremble in his tone, he really did not like to talk about that day. He instead kept up his cocky grin and kept on talking. "We don't talk much, not anymore, but we occasionally visit time to time. Poe and Rabie's been doing their own thing, hanging out in the caves and everything. Maggie and Allister got their own thing in the Water Treatment place, even Icky's got his spot there, though he keeps his distance. And as for Touille, he's got himself held up in the graveyard, an all you can eat buffet for him.
On and on he talked to Baba, and she listened to it all, because she knew where this will lead him. "So yeah, I'll say everything is just right…just…just…"
Simon's grin then fell, he just couldn't keep up the charade. "No...Baba…it is bad…all of it." He said, his voice downcast. "I…I know I'm supposed to be the tough guy, but this…this is just stupid. And you know the worst part is? That is all they want from me. That is the reason they chose me, to make me become…this."
He said as he clinched his clawed hands tightly until blood begins to trickle.
And still, Baba simply listened.
"The others…oh God Baba, they're even worse off than both of us! Allister and Maggie, they've been in the water so long they have algae growing on them, if they hadn't attacked me I would've thought they were all rotting. Toullie? All he can think right now is hunger, I watched him swallow one of them plushies whole, alive! He wasn't even bothered that the thing was squirming on the way down. Icky's now chocking on his own poison, I can't even touch him because he's practically wallowed in every disease imaginable. And Rabie's had her eyes gouged out, leaving Poe to fend for them!"
Simon then let his head fall, his sharp, angular horns leaning against the glass while his snout was pressed against it, the glass fogging with every bated breath he took.
"And I…All I have now, is just you, Baba. You're the only one who listens, who isn't scared of me because of what I was made to be. They picked me because I'd fit the mold perfectly. I was the strong one, the meaner one, I was a bully and that is all that they saw. What all the councilors saw in us was just something to sell, just as they did you. But, you know me better, you can know anybody better. And that, is why I can't lose you."
A long pause follows, neither said a word to each other as the silence became so thick it can be cut with a knife. Even the monsters seemed to withhold their grunting and roaring as if they felt the tension within the moment. Or maybe the silence was all simply within Simon's head, because he just wanted nothing more than to hear Baba say something, anything to alleviate him of this pain.
And just when he felt that maybe his only friend was ignoring him, his eyes lit up just as soon as he heard her words.
"Yes, I do know you." Baba said with words so weak that it was barely a whisper. "You were a bully, yes. Yet you grew older, like I did. And that is something none of the scientists can ever prevent."
She then sat up, facing Simon directly as she slumped to the back of the wall, her eyes just as bleak as his. The red irises within her eyes which once glowed with violent joy, now dulled with experience and calmed with temperament. And within those eyes, lies the despair within her heart.
"But yet, it doesn't change anything what has happened. Which is why,…" She said with much heaviness. "You should have just let me die."
Simon nearly broke the glass just for hearing that remark.
"NO! That isn't fair, and you know it!"
"But you've seen what I did." Baba replied just as remorseful as before. "What I did to those people."
"What we did to those people!" Simon pointed out. "They were the ones that made us! They all got what they deserved!"
"Did they? And even then what does it matter? We're still stuck here, the Prototype has betrayed us, and we are all dying, slowly."
Simon nearly relented, but he still has more to say. "The Doctor, I made a deal with him, remember? I help him and when Safe Haven's finally blown up he'll let you go. I can get you the hell out of here and we play and eat all we want!"
"You know that is a lie, right?" Baba said, much to Simon's despair. "The Doctor will never let me go, and the Prototype, he's far stronger than you. He'll kill us both before we'll ever leave. Death is our fate here, and I don't want to have any part in it anymore."
It was then that Boogie Bot, who has remained silent all this time, gave his turn to speak right at the opportune moment.
"But it's not too late." The bot said through his broken voice box. "Poppy's Angel is coming! He'll save us all and-!"
"Shut up! Just shut up will you!?" Simon roared, his fists bashed against the window of his cell. "I don't give a f**k about some dumbass human who thinks running around throwing flowers everywhere is going to make it all better!"
Boogie bot gave a blunt stare at him, knowing better of the violence that the human upstairs has committed mere hours ago. "You do not know this one, Simon. You haven't seen what he has done, what he is capable of. And when he gets down here he'll-"
Before he could even finish, his cell door was yanked open, and the iron grip of Simons claws found their way to his throat pipe so fast that it knocked the wind out of him. All he could do in the moment is stare into Simons burning eyes as they bore daggers into his.
"Listen here, whelp." Simon growled with such deep baritone that Boogie can physically feel it in his gut. "I don't know you've noticed, but I made a deal with the Doctor. And it just so happens that the only thing standing between me, and Baba's freedom, is you. So you mind as well spout it out, how do we destroy Safe Haven's defenses?"
Boogie bot strained to breathe, but at least he doesn't need air to speak through his glitching voice box. "Even if told you how, you can't do it anyway. Safe Haven runs on its own power grid, far from Harley, and the Prototype. You can't bring down our home, and you never will."
Simon's grip then becomes harder, and familiar and primal rage surging through his very being.
"Tell me. How. Now."
But yet Boogie refused to talk, further adding fuel to the fire of Simon's wrath. And despite Baba's desperate cries for him to stop, her weak voice never reached his ears. He kept choking on the living toy even harder till traces of blood oozed from claws puncture wounds. And harder did he strangle, and harder, and harder, and harder. Till his grip was so strong, that he threatened to crush his windpipe then and there.
And just as Boogie began to slip into unconsciousness, it all stopped.
He was suddenly dropped to the floor with a hard thud, hoarsely catching his breath again. His gaze trailed up, wondering what could have happened to make him do such a thing when he was so close to killing him. And what he saw was unexpected. He saw Simon clutching his head, eyes wide as saucers and his gaze unfocused, he watched as he then fell to one knee, his mind writhing in agony.
It was then that Boogie remembered one of Playtime.co's fail safes, meant to keep someone of Simon's stature in line. An remote controlled electrical implant directly attached to Simon's brain, and when activated, sends jolts of electricity throughout his entire nervous system, and do nothing but lay paralyzed whilst being electrocuted in every fiber and nerve in his body.
"That will be enough, Simon." The Doctor said with usual calm demeaning tone as his signature all seeing eye appears on the various television screens overhead him. "You should remember, I was the one who wished to conduct the interview, not you."
Just as soon as the sweet release as the implant stopped electrocuting him, three more of the Doctor's droids entered the cell chamber. One leading ahead while two are pushing a cart stacked with surgical instruments and a large battery with jumper cables attached.
Simon paid no attention to them, without even so much as a glance he went back over to Baba's cell. With the Doctor's presence here, he knew what it meant, and he did not wish to waste a single second more of his time.
But the Doctor had already beaten him to it. "And in speaking of which, I believe visitor hours are up. You may leave, Simon."
Simon however didn't budge. "Just one more minute."
The Doctor then gave him a serious look. "I said leave. Or should I let Yarnaby have a taste of you?"
"I said…" The dragon growled as his claws raked against the glass, his blood boiling to an impossible temperature. He turned back at him, his eyes aglow light burning flames. "One. More. MINUTE!!"
He roared as he at once lunged for the droid, his maw open wide with the intent to tear each and every one of the Doctor's playthings, whether it be his pets or droids, down the last, bite sized ribbons. However, like every other time he dared to rip apart his own superiors, with the flick of a hand the Doctor reactivated the electrical implant, sending the giant toy tumbling to the floor.
The electricity coursing through his veins was nothing short of pure agony. Simon's body becoming ridged and stiff as a board whilst every muscle and fiber of his being twitched and convulsed violently. With each passing second, more electricity was added, further increasing the intensity to levels of lethality, all the while Harley watched without so much as a glint of care behind that static eye.
Simon then bellowed, not in same the defiant roar that shook stone and made men tremble, but the hideous cry of a tortured animal.
Then just as quick it was activated, it all stopped. Simon could barely bring himself to move, the only thing he can do is look back up at the Doctor past the beads of sweat dripping from his brow, his head resting at the lanky droid's feet as the Doctor's singular looked down upon him with nothing but contempt.
The other two droids then walked over, and grabbed Simon's front paws as they prepared to drag him away.
"Please…" Simon weakly spoke. "Just one more minute."
Harley however was anything but lenient. "Know your place you meager brute. The only reason every nerve in your body isn't shot right now is because you still yet remain useful to me. I will call you whenever I need you and you will do whatever it is that I want, it's that simple. Now get out."
Then as the droids began dragging him away, Simon made one last desperate effort to speak.
"Then please…just…let me say, goodbye to her." He rasped.
"Hmmm…" The Doctor pondered upon this, letting his mechanical fingers caress the bottom of his monitor head like one would scratch their chin thinking.
Seconds went by, Simon hoping to hear an answer, just one word, and he can say at least goodbye to his friend. But his answer came when he was finally past the threshold, his head hung low and without care as the iron door shut behind him.
"No." The Doctor finally answered.
With that out of the way, the Doctor then went for the cart carrying his equipment, examining each tool with meticulous scrutiny. Boogie Bot watching on as the Doctors hand slowly hovered over each scalpel, saw, scissors, and clamps, too weak to do anything to stop what is coming for him.
"Do what ever you want, Sawyer." Boogie Bot defiantly said. "I'll only tell you as much as I told Simon. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Oh I know you will #1499. But that's not the whole point of this little interview." The Doctor replied coolly as he finally picked his choice. He then tapped the red and black copper clasps of jumper cables together, an arch of light sparking in between them. "You see, ever since this whole factory got dragged to hell, things haven't been the same lately. No new experiments to test on, no more fresh subjects of which to study. To put it simply, everything has become irritatingly, boring. But thankfully that is where you come in, because…"
Then slowly but surely, he brought the jumper cables closer to Boogie Bot, the stench of O-zone strong in the stale air.
"…I would like to reminisce, on old times."
<<<<<<<<<<~>>>>>>>>>>
Everything has grown still and quiet, everyone tucked in and sleeping in their beds and huts made from hanging blankets and bunk beds, pacing amidst the sleeping toys a lone feline figure walks. She is a bit bigger than the rest, about as big as a Dire Wolf in its prime. Though she doesn't look as fearsome as such, she is by no means shy or defenseless.
Her claws whilst sheathed now, can extend outward till they are as long as a man's forearm, and can just as easily cut through said arm. At the end of her long feline tail, hidden under a sheath of soft yellow and black fur lies a sharp stinger. And her eyes might appear similar to a normal mammal's, pearly white with black pupils, but if on were to look close enough, what seems like white sclera is actually just a soft plastic layer that covers her real eyes, the black pupils that are really dark hexagonal insect eyes. Giving her near perfect vision in the dark.
And the dark is just the way Catbee likes it, or Experiment #1276 as the scientists used to call her. Taking the night shift watching over the others as they sleep has been one of the very few enjoyments she gets to experience in this place. Though Safe Haven has lived up to its name sake for many years, slowly but surely, it is starting to lease like a haven, and more like an awaiting grave.
Everyone is feeling the gnawing pains of hunger. Some too exhausted to move, others too weak to do tasks. And unfortunately, some have already succumbed to the hunger, and perished in their sleep. But this is what they have accepted, as they refused to give in to the ways of the outsiders, the Prototype's followers. Because out there, it is eat or be eaten, and the Prototype, couldn't care less about whether it be the rotting corpses of humans, or their fellow friends.
They all believe cannibalism leads a person to madness, and after everything they have seen, there might actually be some truth behind it.
Once Catbee was certain that everyone was fast asleep she left the room and entered into the main area. The largest room next to the living quarters where all the toys sleep, it is the central area that connects to all the other facilities of Safe Haven. Playtime.co built this place should a possible brake-out happen, which is ironic given who is using it now, but it has all the amenities needed for prolonged survival, a bathroom, a kitchen, storage, multiple exit points, and of course the beating heart of Safe Haven, the generator room.
Normally she would take a rest in one of the huts while she keeps watch until the day cycle arrives, but instead right now, she is making a visit to one of the more special rooms, where their leader is currently in right now. And it just so happens as she draws near to the red door leading to her destination, her other more bigger friends are there as well
Experiment #1667, CandyCat, whose bulbous body displays a visceral sight. He was an experiment testing on the idea of how well organs work suspended in vats worth of Poppy Elixir. Besides his head, legs, and stubby tail, his main body being made of clear blue plastic showing all his pulsating organs, strung up guts, and even a beating heart with veins inside, gently floating about in the red substance which gives his main body a haunting purple hue.
And her other friend, #1854, Bron. A large, red, long neck dinosaur, albeit with some unfortunate side effects. During his transition from child to Bigger Body he suffered a strange medical condition where his senses were severely damaged and his motor functions just as impaired. They kept trying to fix him, over and over and over again, but even after all the probing, all the augmentations, they couldn't get exactly what hey wanted. He was considered a failure, and left as something to keep testing on. However despite the torments they gave him, despite being completely blind and mute, Bron now has the most exceptional hearing in the entire factory, and movements so careful and precise, that he has become the gentle giant of Safe Haven.
Catbee went over to them, and it seems they are just as concerned for their leader as well.
"How long has he been in there?" Catbee asked with a hissing chitter.
"Ever since he heard what happened to Boogie." Candy replied. "And I think he's taking it hard."
Bron then was just about to knock on the door until Candy stopped him.
"Wait!" He harshly whispered. "He might want to be alone for now. Just let him have his space."
"When do you think he'll be out though?" Catbee then asked. "The others will get worried, and they will want to know what happened to Boogie soon."
"And you don't think that is what he's thinking about right now?" Candy retorted.
They then hear Bron whimpering off to the side of them. They knew that the giant has a soft spot for Doey, he just couldn't say anything due to his condition. Damn those scientists.
"It's alright big boy!" Catbee comforted while rubbing herself against his thick foreleg. "I'm sure Mr. Doey is doing just fine in there. We just need to wait on him."
However, on just the other side of the red door, Doey the Doughman was anything but fine. A living mound of flesh turned to clay and given form, he sat alone in the small dim room, lit only by the lights of numerous candles. He gazes solemnly at the small shrine he personally made for those who have fallen in this terrible place. Made from a circular metal bench-table, the top of which painted red with a small red pedestal on top.
Decorating this small monument are candles made from various waxes, colored string strung through. Leaning against the candles or installed in picture frames are drawn pictures, colored with crayon, of faces and names of those that the residents memorialized. Surprisingly there are also potted plants carrying, ironically, poppy flowers in full bloom, with their petals scattered all over the shrine and concrete floor. The floor itself matted with pillows and child-sized sleeping pads for those who wished to sit comfortably.
And the perhaps the center piece of all this, is the painted mural just above on the wall. Depicting the rebellion that happened when they stood against the Prototype. One side has all of them drawn with blue outline, depicting them as the good guys, while on the other the toys that are outlined red as the bad guys. Of course Doey knew better that there were no real bad guys in that short rebellion, if anything it was a fight of the bitter against the starving.
Doey knew it was a long time ago, but the memories are still so vivid. It took them so much for all the toys to make such a decision to rebel, from the Prototype not allowing them to leave, to give them only human flesh to eat, and then force them to cannibalize each other. What made it worse was when everyone found out about Catnap's little cult that he is forcing the other experiments to follow in, and the Prototype, their "god", didn't do anything about it. In fact, he literally encouraged Catnap all the more.
But the last straw was when they discovered that Harley Sawyer, the very same man who had made them the way they are now, is not only kept alive by the Prototype, but that he is also using him to continue yet more experiments. That was more than enough reason for them all to turn against them. But they were too little too late. The Prototype must have prepared for such a rebellion to happen, which is why he even ensured that Catnap formed the cult in the first place, because as everyone knows, hardly anyone can stand against Catnap and his Red Smoke.
What happened next was carnage, a bloodbath comparable to the Hour of Joy that wiped out half of every experiment in the factory, from Small Bodied to Bigger Bodied, sentient or none sentient, it didn't matter. Once the brutal fight was over, there are nothing but corpses littering the factory.
And since then, it had been nothing but a downward spiral. Food running low, the Smiling Critters taken, everyone being forced to scavenge for the barest minimum, and just now, another one of their own has been taken.
Doey then takes his bullet hat off him and lowers it in front of him, he remembered of fonder days well before everything went further into hell. His hat was one of the only gifts that he was ever given, but it didn't come from any scientist, no, the ones they always give him are too easy to brake. This one, being made from hardened ceramic instead of clay, was actually from Poppy, while she was the one leading instead of him.
He remembered her kind smile and comforting voice, how she reassured everyone that everything is going to be okay. He remembered how much of a fiery idealist she is, how much she cared for what they stood for. Until, that one day, she wasn't there anymore. It was slow, and Doey came to believe that after all this time he should have noticed. The way Poppy began to loose that smile of hers, the way he voice trembled with every speech she took. Doey didn't understand why she left, but after feeling the years of leadership creep up on him, he can understand why she abandoned them.
It is all too much, everything is too much. The voices in his head running all around, one pleading for their parents, another attempting to figure out the solution, and another that simply wanted to watch the world burn. He never knew what these thoughts meant, are they from him or someone else? How does one lead while he can barely control himself.
But Doey, like he did always, pushed these thoughts to the side as he then placed his hat back on. Because whether he likes it or not, these toys, his family, they are all looking up to him. That is why he was chosen after Poppy's disappearance. He was their strongest, their most clever, and the most wisest amongst them. And the Prototype, that demon has taken more than enough prey. He'll lead no matter the circumstances that show their ugly face.
He doesn't pray anymore, he can't imagine the idea of someone high above watching over them as all this suffering is happening. But yet, for the first time in a very long while, he knelt and prayed anyway. Because deep down he hoped, that if there is a god above, any god watching, then they would have sent someone to save them from their madness.
But Doey knew it was a fools hope, after all, who would come to a hell like this?