Ian didn't know how he came to be standing in the meadow of grass. But he was there suddenly, and he had a small pink object sitting beside him.
Frowning and feeling disoriented, Ian looked down. Next to his right foot was a bowling-ball sized, pink-frosted donut hole.
Ian stepped away from it in surprise. What the crap was this? It was…it was…
Edd.
The little donut hole looked up at him, and Ian gave a little cry of surprised as it moved. How did it move? It didn't even have legs.
The donut hole squeaked questioningly, its large, dark eyes blinking.
"Hi," Ian said, feeling insane. "Hi, Edd. Oh, God."
Edd smiled contentedly and rolled up to Ian, nudging his leg like a friendly cat. His touch felt much firmer than that of simply a doughy ball.
Ian crouched hesitantly and set his hand on top of Edd to see if he was covered in actual frosting. It certainly felt that way, although Ian wasn't about to taste it to find out.
"Where are we, dude?" he muttered to his bronut as he stood up and looked around. He saw a lot of bright grass, some boulders, and a stone path that led off to his left.
Figuring he didn't really have much of a choice, Ian started off down the path. Edd followed, rolling along behind him.
They didn't have to walk—or roll—far before coming to a wooden fence that stretched out and around the grassy area. The path ended and met up with a cobblestone road, beside which was a sign that read 'Welcome to Tickputt!'
Ian stared at the sign for a long time. Edd had already been proof that he was exactly where it looked like he was, but seeing the word 'Tickputt' hammered it into his brain much more forcefully.
This was Food Battle.
This was the game that he and Anthony had helped design many months ago.
Ian closed his eyes and shook his head as if to rid his mind of this crazy idea. How was this possible?
And if Ian was here, did that mean Anthony was somewhere here too? Would it be the real Anthony, or a Food Battle: The Game Anthony? Would there be any difference?
That was when Ian turned and spotted his friend.
And also the killer donuts that were attacking him.