Chapter 1 - You And I Are One Now.
Feet thundered down the stairs in the early hours of the morning, snow falling in the faint light outside on the horizon of the neighbourhood.
The youngest, an orange-haired freckled boy of seven, sat in the dim light of the tree clutching his Good Guy doll in excitement while his parents and sister traipsed down the stairs behind him.
Nearly twenty minutes and a boxful of torn wrapping-paper later, a collection of items had been gathered by each person - books, toys, the lastest handheld videogame console and some games, along with clothing, jewellery and movie video casettes - and two larger presents still lay under the tree. One was a Good Guy Tool Set.
"Go ahead, Miranda, that last one's yours."
The elder sister moved her dyed-brown hair over shoulder, only glancing at the torn corner as she carefully unwrapped the rest of the large leather case. She unclipped the clasp and opened it, reading the small metal plate inside.
"Slappy."
She cautiously brought out the heavy wooden dummy, dressed in a smart black suit and red bow tie with green eyes,orange hair and eyebrows. She slipped her hand into the dummy's back and turned the head towards her brother.
"Looks like your Good Guy has some competition."
She turned to the parents, grinning with shining eyes.
"Thank you!"
"What's that in his pocket?" Young Timmy had noticed something white tucked into the fabric.
Miranda reached with her free hand and brought a small card out of Slappy's shirt pocket.
"It's not a calling card..."
She tilted her head.
"Must be Latin or something..."
"What's it say, sis?"
Miranda cleared her throat and clearly pronounced the words.
"Karru marri odonna loma molonu karrano." She slipped the card back into the pocket.
"Any idea what it means?"
"None whatsoever, dad."
No-one noticed Chucky turn his head and narrow his eyes a fraction at the dummy. He'd seen the faintest spark of life light up in those glossy eyes.
"Let's introduce 'em!"
Timmy's voice was enough to break through Chucky's thoughts and the doll immediatley reverted to his usual bright-eyed friendly smile. Chucky was adjusted so he was facing the dummy.
"Chucky, say hi to the dummy."
Beneath the faint whirr of motors moving his mouth and eyelids and activating his voice box, Chucky spoke.
"Hi, I'm Chucky, and I'm your friend to the end! Hidey-ho! Ha ha ha."
Miranda put on as deep a voice as she could while moved Slappy's mouth up and down in reply.
"Hello Chucky, I'm Slappy. Are you enjoying this Christmas?"
"Hi, I'm Chucky, wanna play?"
"Maybe after breakfast," Sandra, the mother, interjected.
"How about waffles?"
She stood up, straightening her dressing gown as she headed to the kitchen.
"Who wants to help?"
The kids stood and dashed out of the room instantly while the father gathered the full box of paper, following in the same direction.
The two toys were alone, and were alert to the voices in the kitchen. Slappy slowly turned his head to his new 'companion'.
"The girl's right y'know, Chuck, you've got competition." He growled in a low raspy voice.
Chucky turned his own head in typical Good Guy fashion.
"Hi, I'm Chucky, and I'm your friend to the end! Hidey-ho! Ha ha ha."
Slappy glared, his orange eyebrows lowering over his own large eyes.
"Is that all you can say?"
Chucky blinked and glared back.
"Not to you, pal. And this family's mine."
"Wanna bet?"
Chucky clenched his fist.
"Bring it, Woody."
Slappy chuckled.
"Just think you should know, buddy..."
He gestured to the card.
"With the rest of this family... You and I are one now..."
Chucky sneered in amusement.
"Not on your life."
A/N - I DO NOT own Child's Play's Chucky (Universal Studios), or Slappy (RL Stine's Goosebumps).