Chapter XXXV: The world of toys part II

"And then soarin Suzie and Buzz saved the say!" Andy cried as he held the doll of the roller blader doll and his now favourite toy of Buzz light year in his hands, holding them high in the air in victory.

"Andy come on down, its lunch!" His mother called to him from down the stairs.

"Okay mom!" With that he instantly dropped both toys on the floor as he rushed off to eat whatever his mother had prepared him, shutting the door ultra fast.

As soon as it was all-quiet everyone started to move with life once more, "man that was a rush!" Nozomi spoke bewildered as she breathed in, still sitting on the floor her right hand on her forehead.

Buzz on the other hand had already gotten up and had walked in another direction a look of focus on his face.

For the time that she and the others had been played with she'd been thrown, held and soared through the air. It had taken nearly all her energy just to remain inanimate.

"You can say that again!" Riku breathed as he had got up dusting himself off, in the game they had just played he'd been made to play the role of war wreckin Jake, who was trying to bomb the cardboard town the young boy had created.

Though thanks to Suzie (a.k.a Nozomi) and Buzz, as well as Mickey the land had been saved.

Looking at Riku still holding her head she then responded, "yeah, but I never thought you'd play the villain of all parts," she spoke a small smile emerging.

Riku then looked at her as he remarked to her, "and it was particularly fun when he butted your head next to mine."

This then made Nozomi wince as she still held onto her head that ached, for Riku was right in saying it wasn't fun, for Andy had butted the two of them together in a play attack that he'd dubbed, 'supersonic smash down.' Which had left her with a slight ache. Riku on the other hand seemed fine to her, which must have meant he was made of stronger plastic than her. Making her jealous as she replied, "don't remind me."

Before anything else could be said it was then that Cait sith ran over to the two of them as he pounced and landed upon Nozomi's head once more as he did his usual smack once more as he said, "now stop yer complainin lass! Ye gotta get movin!"

Looking at him annoyed as ever she replied to him, "and do what, there's been nothing to do here so far! What are we supposed to do?"

It was then that king Mickey walked over still in his teddy bear form as he then came to give the group some information, " now fella's ye gotta remember, we were brought to this world for a reason, now I don't know what it is yet… but we must be on our guard."

Nozomi and Riku both heard the king and acknowledged his words as Nozomi nodded, "of course your highness." Riku simply only stared into the distance wondering what it was they had to do.

But before he could think any further Nozomi had started to try and get back up. But as she had barely lifted off of her knees, she suddenly fell back down with a clonk right back on her backside. Knocking Riku out of his thoughts both he and Mickey watched as Nozomi tried again to get up.

Though shaking a lot in her legs Nozomi managed to stand up, though looked as though she was struggling, however she wasn't one to give in so proceeding as cautiously as she could she took a step forwards. Unfortunately though since she was on roller blades the wheels moved her feet backwards as she fell forward landing on her face, "owww that really hurt!" She complained as she got up sitting in place rubbing her nose, a few pained tears coming to her face.

Riku having watched her and her clumsy attack couldn't help but smile and then let out a small giggle, though Nozomi on the other hand hadn't noticed as she muttered, "why am I always the one getting hurt!"

"That's cause yer a daft banshee lass!" Cait sith told her a hint of taunting in his voice.

Though this didn't impress nor please her, and she was about to complain when suddenly Riku walked over to her side and offered a hand down to her. Looking at him as he was extending his hand to her she was silent for a moment baffled she then asked, "What're you doing?"

Seeing she hadn't got the hint Riku told her, "giving you a hand up."

Blinking Nozomi was a little surprised at this but then taking his hand with her own right one she was pulled up, the support of his hand helped her to stand on her wheeled shoes.

Still holding on for a moment getting a better balance of herself, Nozomi finally managed to, then letting go of his hand Riku took a step back. Once again Nozomi took another step forwards, though still a little uncertain she was stronger than she was.

"Are you going to be alright?" He asked her as he was on standby just in case if she mucked up again.

With that she replied with an awkward smile showing her difficulty slightly but she wasn't going to let it get to her as she replied, "I'll be fine, besides I'm not really a damsel in distress type, I've gotta learn to stand on my own you know."

Hearing this Riku was surprised slightly at this reply, but he acknowledged her remembering what she had wished to be, a strong and reliable person so standing by he let her work to achieve her dream. As she did this time she was more successful as she bladed forward slightly with only a little wavering.

Smiling at her achievement after moving across a certain distance she turned around as she was waved to him and called out, "thanks snowball!"

Looking then at Cait sith as he was still on his head she told him, "all right let's explore Cait sith!"

With that she then took off forwards as best she could as she went to explore Andy's room. Riku watching her speed off smiled but then saddened once again as he remembered the king's words as he stared at him with the sad knowledge as well.

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Exploring Andy's room was quite fun for Nozomi as she passed a lot of toys along the way, seeing everything in giant size was really a different experience altogether. She had also experimented more with her roller blades, though she still struggled now and again she was gradually getting the grip of it, she'd even been bold enough to try out a few tricks a couple of times. Though she had fallen over too a couple of other times she didn't let it get to her. Passing by the toy dog Slinky with a wave as she skated backwards she then spun around but suddenly skidded to a halt as she spied a toy she hadn't met before.

It was a shepherdess doll with blonde hair with a pink bonnet, she wore a pink dress with white and pink polka dots and frills here and there, looking at her Nozomi thought she was incredibly pretty but looking at her she could see she looked saddened about something, as she looked across from behind the bed post over to somewhere else beyond it.

Looking at the doll with curiosity she pondered something for a moment, Cait sith seeing her do this then asked her, "what's on yer mind lass?"

Hearing him Nozomi answered, "That doll seems to be sad about something… I'm curious about it."

Listening Cait sith then said, "Well why don't cha just go and ask her?"

Taking this reply Nozomi was quiet for another moment as she made her decision, she was a little hesitant at first for it wasn't really right to poke her nose where it didn't belong, but then remembering the king's words. She decided to do it, after all it may lead to the reason for them being there.

Skating over to the doll casually she halted before her quietly as she spoke, "hello?"

The doll turned around a little surprised at her appearance as she held a hand over her chest, "who're you there?" She asked.

Nozomi smiled awkwardly as she scratched the back of her head, hoping she hadn't been too rude she answered, "I'm Nozomi."

"And me name is Cait sith me fair lady," Cait sith bowed as he made his greeting to the shepherdess with his hand over his furry chest in a formal bow. Nozomi was a little disgruntled at this as she wished he'd show her some courtesy like that to her now and again.

But then distracting her from her thoughts it the shepherdess spoke with amusement in her voice, "nice to meet you both, I'm Bo-peep."

Hearing her name Nozomi smiled pleased she and Cait sith had made a good impression, "it's lovely to meet you too," with that she held her hand out to Bo-Peep who shook it with her own porcelain one.

After the hand shake Nozomi then proceeded to ask, "what're you doing here miss Bo-peep?"

"What am I doing?" She repeated questioningly.

Nozomi nodded, "yeah, well I spied you a minute ago and you seem a bit sad about something and well… I just wanted to ask what it was… if I can help at all?"

Bo-peep was silent as she heard Nozomi's explanation she was hesitant in answering her, for she wasn't sure at all if she could help or not, for none of the other toy's in the room had been able to help with this major trouble. But she sensed there was something different about this new female toy as well as her feline companion and so thinking it wouldn't cause any harm she told them.

"Well I was spyin on someone myself," she told them.

Nozomi's eyebrows rose at this as she asked, "spying?"

Bo-peep nodded, "yeah, on him," with that she then leaned over to where she had been spying from. Taking the initiative Nozomi poked her head around with Cait sith too, his hand over his eyes spying on ahead as well. Looking in the direction Bo-peep was looking at Nozomi's eyes looked surprised.

There in a corner by himself looking horribly depressed was Woody as he was looking down upon the floor his long arms wrapped around his legs in front of a toy chest in the shape of wagon in the corner.

Seeing him this way made Nozomi puzzled as he had seemed so bright and happy when they'd arrived, now it was the total opposite. The three spies then turning away from the lookout Nozomi asked, "why's he so depressed?"

Bo-peep lowered her face as she told the newcomer, "well you see, Woody was Andy's favourite toy for a long time, the two of them did everything together and go everywhere ever since Andy was in Kindergarten… but last week Buzz arrived at Andy's birthday party," Bo-peep paused as Nozomi absorbed the information she looked on slightly with concern as did Cait sith did too still upon her head. Bo-peep then continued once more, "since then Andy's been hyped up about Buzz and everything seemingly revolves around him… because of that Woody's been left out a lot and forgotten."

Hearing this Nozomi's eyes widened at this as they became depressed hearing this awful news, 'no wonder he's so depressed' she thought to herself.

Bo-peep still continued on, "I'm so worried about Woody, he's just not as completely lively as he used to be and also… I just hope that he can remember that Andy still cares about him… even if he is excited about Buzz right now… though I don't know what I can do to brighten things…" She finished confessing everything.

There was a silence between the three for a few moments but it was then that Nozomi spoke, "why don't I try and talk to him?" She asked.

Hearing this Bo-peep asked, "talk to him, why? Do you think you can help him?"

At this Nozomi was hesitant in answering at first, but then shaking her head she said, "well I can't guarantee that I can make things better… but at least I can try and give him a bit of comfort… after all just a little bit of that can go a long way." She ended with a smile then trying to show the brightness that optimism could bring.

Seeing her smile Bo-peep was quiet until Cait sith spoke, "right ya are lass! I can see even a banshee like yerself can have a good idea once in a while!"

Nozomi got a bit irritated at this comment, but not wanting to make an argument she clenched her fist a little bit biting back her anger as she said, "right then, let's go then!"

With that she took off before Bo-peep could say anymore to them but as she watched the girl skate away towards Woody she smiled and thought maybe that happy nature may indeed bring some help to him.

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Woody was still depressed as he looked at Buzz as he still played at being Mr space man trying to fix a ship that couldn't even take off in the first place!

It made him so irritated that goody over arrogant nature of his, taking away the attention of his precious owner Andy when he practically did nothing and got all the attention from all the other toys! Even a couple of the new guys had been taken over to his side as he asked the mouse and the commando about his ship. Their reactions were odd looks and sometimes there was even laughter.

He hated this so much! It was-

"Hi there!"

Suddenly he was distracted as he saw Nozomi had come over to him, she looked at him with a bright and happy smile as she waved to him.

Dumbfounded for a moment he then quickly tried to get his act back together again as the trustworthy cowboy, "uh hey! Howdy there!"

Happy she'd got a good reaction from him Nozomi continued, " How are you holding up Woody? Isn't it just boring sitting here all by yourself?"

At this Woody got a little depressed once more as he replied, "well, there's not much I can do… everybody's off helping good old Mr light year and there's never anything else for me to do here anyway…"

Seeing the happy mood vanishing Nozomi spoke once more, "Oh… that bad huh?" There was then an awkward silence between them. She was really not doing a good job at this.

"C'mon ya daft banshee! Say somethin at least a little more intelligent!" With that he smacked Nozomi's head once more, which again bitterly irritated her once more. But suppressing her anger once again she tried to speak, "sorry that was stupid wasn't it? Well anyway Woody, I just wanted to say that… I don't want to see you depressed and all… it doesn't seem right to me."

Hearing this he replied, "depressed? Who's depressed? I'm Woody! I'm cheery day to night there's nothing that gets me down!"

Seeing this she showed a sceptic smile with one of her eyebrows raised as she replied, "oh really can you?"

"You bet I can!" He boasted further smiling flicking his hat.

Nozomi shook her head as she then said, "well that aside I just want you to know that, no matter how much everyone likes Buzz… you're special too, cause you were the first one to show us kindness here… you really made me and everyone feel welcome and…you're not alone, we're on your side… no matter what kay?" She told him, telling him honestly.

There once again silence but it felt more comforting slightly, this was confirmed as Woody replied, "thanks… Nozomi."

Hearing him she nodded to him but then something caught her attention, looking she saw Riku was waving to her to come on over, probably to discuss something, seeing this she then started to skate away again slightly but before leaving completely she turned around and waved to Woody, "I'll speak to you again okay?"

Seeing her wave Woody waved back himself slightly as she then finally joined the others and left him alone once again.

As she skated away Cait sith spoke to her bitterly and quietly, "that was really daft of ya lass! Couldn't ya thought of somethin better ta say then that?!"

She replied back, "well sorry! I didn't know what to say exactly… it's tricky, I can't think of the right words straight away you know… besides I'm sure we'll be able to improve things as time goes on!"

As Nozomi finally reached Buzz, Riku and Mickey, Woody sank into his depressive state again though it wasn't so bad since Nozomi had cheered him a little… but it was still too small to call it that much better.

"How will I ever make things go back to how they were?" He asked aloud to himself.

"Well if ya just wanna make life better fer yerself why not just enlist my services?" Came a new voice with a strong hint of menace as it ended with a strong chuckle.

"Huh? Who was that?!" Woody spoke alarmed slightly.

"Why don't cha just come on over here to the closet and I'll let ya know the whole deal!" The voice came again.

Hearing this Woody looked at the closet, as he did he saw that it was unusually darker than what it usually was… even so he couldn't help but let his curiosity get the best of him…