Buzz awoke still in his deluded state, now fully immersed in the science fiction world he had concocted. He sat on the floor, his head foggy and heavy, and found nothing around him familiar. The planet had morphed into a large furnished area, Buzz suspected it to be a glitch in Zurg's hologram machine but it could also be a drastic attempt to throw him off his game. He had foiled the evil emperor countless times before, no doubt he was resorting to desperate measures. Buzz needed to be more aware than ever.
"Where am I?" he murmured to himself, his eyes struggling to focus. "This looks… sespiecious…" He couldn't hear himself slur or mispronounce his words, but his head swarmed with possibilities and questions, and he was barely able to sit up straight. He brought his communicator up, accidentally hitting himself in the face. "Day star log date: now," he garbled. "I am… somewhere… maybe. The Admiral is gone but its fine I don't miss her. But if she misses me well… anyway the mission is… what is the mission?"
Above him, he heard rattling and a small box suddenly fell down and landed beside him. "Who goes there?" he demanded, his laser at the ready. When he attempted to rise to his feet he stumbled and nearly fell over and couldn't steady his aim.
"Oh you're awake," exclaimed a chipper voice as the rattling stopped. "Don't worry, the batteries are around here somewhere. We'll get you fixed up in no time."
"Show yourself," said Buzz, quickly losing balance and returning to the floor.
"Just a second," said the voice again. "I'm a friend; I promise."
"What have you done with the Admiral?" he said from the ground, only half aware that he had fallen and was facing the wrong direction.
"Oh, you're here with someone?" asked the voice sweetly, trying to change the subject.
"I mean, I not 'with' her, we're together but not 'together', it's all professional. Well right now we're apart but that's really classified information and I don't know if your security clearance is…. Um…"
"I see," the voice replied with a light chuckle, coming down to the ground and walking closer to him. "No luck on the batteries, sorry to say. Guess we'll have to try the other side of the shop."
"Oh no, you're not getting me to no second location," scoffed a very loopy Buzz, spreading out like a starfish which in his mind was significantly more noble than it looked.
"Oh you poor thing," said the voice standing above him now. "Don't fret, I've seen this before. Just a couple of Double As and you'll feel brand new."
"'Double As?' What kind of code is this? Has Zurg sent you?"
"I promise you, I don't work for anyone," she sat beside him to make sure he hadn't injured himself when he fell. "Ya know, I used to know a Buzz Lightyear."
"Um, I am THE Buzz Lightyear." he said hoisting himself back to a sitting position. "And I don't recognize you at all." After rocking himself back and forth, he finally managed to successfully sit back up again. He turned to see the speaker for the first time. In his current state, of course he found nothing familiar about her light porcelain skin, golden hair, or gentle smile. The porcelain doll beside him now had no place in the ranger's history. "Not at all."
She sighed and shrugged, Bo Peep extended her arm to help the space toy up, but he refused and instead tried to pull himself up using the drawer. "Think of me as… a special agent. Special Agent Bo Peep."
"I thought Star Command discontinued that program," he mumbled as he struggled.
"Well regardless," she laughed, watching him attempt to lift himself. "It looks like you're lost and in need of a power source. I'm your best bet so let me help you up and we'll… be…" as he nearly fell over again, Bo caught a glimpse of the bottom of his foot. Like a flash of lighting appeared a word she had seen many times before, even now sometimes when she closed her eyes. At first she thought it was just a smudge, but as she looked closer, there was no denying it was the word 'ANDY.' It couldn't be a coincidence, but it was too good to be true. After all these years! "Buzz?!" she exclaimed, her volume almost knocking him over again.
"Yes, yes always nice to meet a fan," he said, tipping to his left. She ran beside him to catch him before he fell again, practically bouncing with giddiness.
"My old moving buddy, well whaddaya know!" she laughed, to which Buzz offered a confused smile in response. "It's been so long! But it's really you, wow!" But soon Bo remembered that this was not a place that toys ventured to under happy circumstances and her face fell. "Oh, oh I'm so sorry Buzz."
"Don't apologize, nothing wrong with being a fan," he said, his inflection randomly changing. "I'm sure the Admiral has fans too, not that I'm jealous…"
"That's right! You're with someone!" exclaimed Bo with relief and worry. "Oh my- i-is it Woody?" her hands instinctively went to her skirt, though faded and ripped now, to brush off any new dust she had collected. She stopped herself, not having felt flustered in years and tried to focus. "Oh, I have so many questions, I-...never mind that, we need to get you fixed up first."
"Why would I travel with someone made of wood?" slurred Buzz as Bo helped him to his feet, the shepherdess practically dragging him away, her focus trying its best to remain on him but her mind found its way back to sheriff, after fighting the urge for years.
After much hassle, Bo was able to direct Buzz where she needed to go. Having seen him in this state once before, she knew (somewhat) how to handle the space toy but her new location offered unique circumstances and obstacles.
"Okay, this should be a good spot," she decided as he fell to the floor beside her, having traveled miles in his mind. "You just need to wait here for five minutes while I sneak onto the shelf."
"Negative, ma'am," he protested, face down on the floor. "Buzz Lightyear does not wait; he is a man of action."
"Don't think of it as waiting," said Bo with grand patience, making sure the coast was clear. "I just need you to keep watch."
"I also don't take orders from you," he said matter-of-fact, barely able to hold his head up to be heard.
"Orders? From me?" she replied with faux innocence. "Captain, this was your plan. Don't you remember?"
"This was… my….? Oh, yes of course!" he lied. "I was simply testing tooooo see if you renembered and congradulotions, you pa-assed." he struggled to say each word and found her coming in and out of focus, but his nerve was unwavering.
"Well, I'm glad," she whispered. "Okay, I'll be right back. Stay here and stay quiet."
Bo jumped into the shadows, heading towards the shelves that were in the dead center of the were painted an elegant eggshell white, the contents protected by spotless glass, the reflection of the dim store lights the only indication it was really there. The shelves were under lock a key, but that was no issue for Bo. By the wall was a desk with a container of paper clips and thumbtacks, she took an armful of tacks and stuck them on the side of the shelf to create a makeshift staircase to help her climb up to the lock, using her crook to bring herself up when she ran out. Once there, she stuck the last tack inside and jiggled it around to pick it until it unlocked. When the door opened, she carefully climbed up, careful not to make a sound and accidentally slam the door behind her
Once inside, she made her way down to the second to last shelf and ran to the end. There was what she was looking for; the battery pack for the lights on the shelf. She used her crook to bring the battery pack down to her level without making a sound and checked that her exit was still viable before she opened the pack. Once the lights went out, no doubt there'd be protest and she could be nowhere near the scene of the crime when that happened.
"How's the mission coming Agent?" came Buzz's loud voice from behind her, echoing through the store's empty halls.
Bo Peep turned around quickly and covered his mouth, shoving him into the darkest corner. "Buzz what are you doing?" she whispered harshly, frantically searching for any indication he had been heard. Buzz simply mumbled in response, not removing her hand to answer her. She simply sighed. "I told you to stay back there. We need to get out of here before-."
"Before what exactly, dearest?" asked a voice from behind them. It sounded delicate and friendly, but Bo knew all too well that the opposite was true. The shepherdess turned slowly to face the source, ushering Buzz behind her as she held her crook up high in defense.
Before them stood another porcelain doll, this one a bit taller than Bo Peep and her outfit was more intricate and detailed. Her hair was light brown, collected in large curls under a magnificent purple hat, her bangs swooping perfectly above her forehead demonstrating the careful placement her craftsmanship demanded. Her face was pale and bright, glimmering hazel eyes, real eyelashes, rosy cheeks and hand painted ruby lips. But somehow even more captivating was her dress, lavish skirts a rich purple like her hat with a pattern of black swirls to match the black bodice. With one hand, she lifted them slightly so she could walk without stepping on them, offering a glimpse of the white petticoat beneath and the intricate laced knee-high mahogany brown boots.
The doll offered what appeared to be a pleasant smile, but something about her eyes made Buzz even in his deluded state uneasy. Then when she saw Buzz, her smile vanished and completed the menacing expression.
"Well well, what's this now?" she asked, her tone suggesting she had already decided on the answer. "Bo Peep, who have you brought behind our glass?" She marked the word 'who' as though she believed Buzz unworthy of it.
"This is my friend, Cordelia," Bo snipped back, saying the China doll's name with the same unkind inflection.
"Oh Bo, darling, you're so funny," Cordelia sighed sarcastically. "You know our rules and yet you force me to share the same space as this… plastic man. Pray tell, have you cracked your brain in addition to your arm?"
"She is not very nice," Buzz whispered loudly.
"I know," Bo whispered loudly back, smiling at him before furrowing her brow to confront Cordelia. "Leave us alone, Cordelia, this doesn't concern you."
"Oh, you couldn't be more wrong," she laughed, the others following her lead halfheartedly. "As usual. You know by now what this shelf is reserved for; valuables, collectibles, unique items. Not this mass produced hunk of junk."
"Buzz Lightyear, pleased to meet you," sang Buzz, extending his arm which Bo gently lowered for him, her eyes not leaving the doll before her.
"I just need to find him some new batteries," said Bo. "Then he'll be on his way."
"Batteries," scoffed Cordelia like the word reeked of expired milk. "Of course it needs batteries. Flashy tricks and stickers in place of real craftsmanship. How did you ever end up in such company? And you're attempting to take them from our lights? Appalling!"
"He only needs three," said Bo, her voice low and calm though she was actually enraged.
"Well they're not his to take are they?" scoffed the doll. "They are meant to highlight and guide customers to the real purpose of this shop, and you want to prioritize this future landfill?"
"Watch it..."
"You're in no position to ask anything of me, dearest," said Cordelia, her voice the epitome of elegance barely covering the deviance that lurked beneath the surface. As she tilted her head and stared Bo Peep down, two more figures appeared beside her. They were also china dolls, their outfits nowhere near as extravagant but elegant nonetheless. They blocked any hope Bo had of finding a quick exit. They clasped their hands delicately as stood perfectly still as they listened to Cordelia speak. "This is my shop and nothing happens here without my approval. You had your chance to be on this shelf and you proved yourself unworthy. Yet, I still have to teach you this lesson over and over again..."
The determination fell from Bo's face as she saw where Cordelia was going. "No!"
"... and I tire so of repeating myself," she continued with a fake and insincere yawn. "So it seems placing him with the other unwanted things won't be enough. Looks like your sheep will have some company."
Before Bo could protest further, the dolls at Cordelia's sides lunged forward. One used Bo's staff to pin her against the wall, her feet hovering above the floor as she kicked in rebellion. The other grabbed Buzz by the back of his suit and he was far too confused to fight back or fully understand what was happening.
"Oh, and Veronica," said Cordelia over her shoulder to the doll dragging Buzz away. "Move them up one shelf higher, where the light doesn't reach."
"No!" pleaded Bo, though it was no use. She knew fighting any harder could shatter her and she knew they'd have no regrets if it did. When she was finally released, she tried to run after them but Cordelia knocked her down before she got too far. The impact triggering her old injury and her arm fell from the tape previously securing it and landed beside her. She went to grab it and but before she managed to, Cordelia placed her foot on it. She applied just enough pressure to not break it it but enough that Bo knew she could shatter it in a second. Still, the shepherdess showed no fear in her eyes, only fire as she reached out for it.
"One way or another, you'll learn your place," said Cordelia firmly as she looked down on Bo, narrowing her eyes before kicking the arm over to her and turning to leave. She did not look back but rather knew Bo would not get up to chase them. No now. Cordelia had the advantage now, whatever Bo did next could not be sloppy, had to be planned. They were disposable, just pawns in Cordelia's game, and anything unexpected could lead to their doom.
One the other side of the shop, a box arrived ungracefully at the the side door. Despite saying 'fragile' very clearly on the sides, the box was practically thrown at the door.
"Well how do ya like that!" exclaimed Woody from inside, struggling to open the box as the 'the side up' part was not, in fact, up. He grunted as he pushed the box trying to flip it, but when he finally managed to it was over the edge of the steps and he took a unplanned and unwanted trip down. At least it had turned the box over and he was able to break the flap open and free himself. He kicked away the excess packing peanuts, even coughing one up, before exiting the box and landing face first in a puddle. "Ugh," he groaned, getting up quickly to try and shake off the water. He returned back to the box to retrieve his hat and the batteries and then let out another heavy sigh before heading for the door. "Well, this is it I guess," he said to himself, pushing the batteries through the mail slot and the following them in. "I swear when I find you Buzz I'm gonna kill you."
As Woody looked around the shop, it appeared to be empty. But, little did he know, from just beyond the shadows, he was not alone.