Chapter XXXXV: The world of toys part XII

"MMmmmmmmmmmmppppppppphhhhhhh!!!"

Gravity dragging him hard and furiously to the ground, Pete could see no way for himself to be saved as he clenched his eyes shut, awaiting the pain of impact.

Just as he thought the end was nigh suddenly he felt a tug on his back and the rushing wind from the thrust had ceased. Opening his eyes cautiously he saw that he was someway off the ground about a couple of meter's or more.

Confused as to how he'd suddenly been saved he blinked slightly as he then turned his head upwards and there to his surprise was Hari.

Her iron wings aloft and wide open as they beat steadily keeping them aloft as they shone with glowing red energy in-between the wiring. She gazed at him ever still with her cold eyes with the same expression she always had as she held onto him with one of the loose threads.

Enchanted by the sight and the incredibleness of her strength Pete then was dropped gently down as Hari descended with him. Finally as they landed Pete still in his cocoon was left to lie down on the ground, the rain continuing to fall.

Gazing at Hari still not sure what was to happen next, Pete watched as she was still aloft in the air suddenly from nowhere she summoned quickly into her right hand her keyblade, "The one winged angel," as she stared at him again.

As soon as he saw the weapon in her hands Pete then immediately grew nervous at what she was planning to do next, then to his horror he saw the blade begin to burn with her red energy.

Looking at her, her face seemed more deadly from the red energy as she said coldly, "you were heavy…"

"Mmmmmmmpppppphhhhh!" He burbled his mouth still enclosed.

With that she lifted her keyblade into the air, it was then Pete thought he was a goner for failing her as he clenched his eyes shut awaiting the finishing blow that was to come.

SLASH

The blow came fast and furiously as it cut all over and then all at once it ceased. Pete awaiting the pain then opened one of his eyes hesitantly and as he did just that, it was suddenly that the cocoon he'd been encased within was ripped apart as it all became loose pieces of string lying here and there.

Surprised at this it was then he realised he could lift himself up, doing so he held some of the string remains in his hands as he looked back to Hari who had now landed on the ground and had pulled her wings back into herself. She was looking into the distance once again her keyblade still currently in her hand.

Confused at what had just happened Pete started to ask, "how, why? Weren't ya just?"

Looking at him Hari replied, "just what?"

Blinking a little Pete dusted off more of the strings as he got up and enquired again, "well um, I thought that yer were gonna eliminate me?"

Staring at him with a silent cold curious face Hari responded, "eliminate? What reason would I have to do that?"

At this point Pete was feeling a bit stupid for assuming what he thought was going to happen but still he persisted, "well, I ah just thought ya were goin to… since I screwed up in there and-"

Hari then interrupted him, "I was not given orders to eliminate you… I only act on the current orders I have thus far… whether you fail or not does not fall into its categories."

Listening to this Pete was given his reason, yet he still completely didn't get what she was saying as he scratched one of his ears as the rain continued to pour, but then as Hari called the keyblade back she looked at him and said further, "and… you are also my accomplice, so it only natural for me to assist you. "

He then looked at her truly surprised as she turned away and walked into the cover of some bushes as the thunder sounded loudly crashing into the earth.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Snoring loudly lying in an odd position on the bed, Sid slept onwards as the thunder and rain continued onwards.

Meanwhile in the weighted down blue crate, Nozomi, Woody and Riku were all trying to escape their awful prison. Woody was trying to lift the crate up as he held onto its bars. Nozomi and Riku meanwhile were trying to do the same on the other side.

However after a few moments it proved worthless, as they all quickly collapsed down on their legs.

"Oh! I hate this!" Nozomi complained as loud as she was allowed to.

Looking at her annoyed Riku replied, "Well there's not much we can do about it is there?!"

Hearing and looking at him he was right for one thing, before they had both tried to sneak out through the gaps in the crate, even the handlebars. Since they were both a little smaller than Woody, however this too had proven fruitless since they were still both too wide to sneak out.

This memory though just further annoyed her as she remembered, then getting up she looked above to Cait sith who had jumped off to try and move the toolbox off the top of the crate.

"Cait sith have you managed anything?" She asked him.

At this point Cait sith appeared through one of the gaps of the crate as he looked down at her his tail wagging, "nah lass I can't, it's way too heavy fer me."

Hearing this Nozomi's shoulders slumped as she sighed, as this wasn't too big of a surprise, with that Cait sith hopped down and landed on her shoulder.

At this moment though Woody decided to make a move as he crawled slightly over to look out at Buzz and Mickey who were still taped to the rocket, "pssst, hey Buzz!" He whispered.

However the still melancholy astronaut made no reply, this annoyed everyone there and it was particularly annoying for Mickey since he was stuck to the back of the rocket and couldn't move at all.

Looking at him Riku made an observation, "I wish he would do something, at least his legs or arms aren't tied up."

"Same here," Nozomi replied having already seen this.

Woody though not deterred got down and picked up a small metal ring as he then threw it into Buzz's visor as he whispered to him bitterly, "hey, get over here and see if you can get this toolbox off us."

Buzz looked at everyone who were still trapped for a moment still forlorn as he then looked away again and back at the desk floor.

It was then Mickey decided to voice himself, "c'mon Buzz you gotta do somethin! Otherwise you and me are both doomed!"

However even at this complaint Buzz still remained silent, aggravated Nozomi complained, "will you give it a rest with your misery! We don't have time for it!"

Woody then started to speak again, "oh, come on, Buzz, I…" Woody then collapsed onto his knees as he continued again looking slightly disheartened, "Buzz we can't do this without you, we need your help."

At this Buzz responded sadly, "I can't help, I can't help anyone."

With this said Riku spoke himself, "what're you talking about?"

Hearing Riku say this Woody added himself, "yeah I mean c'mon why? Sure you can, Buzz you can get us outta here."

Hearing this Nozomi spoke too, "yeah and then afterwards we'll get that stupid rocket off you and king Mickey."

Smiling from Nozomi's comment Woody continued on, "yeah and then we'll all make a break for Andy's house."

King Mickey then too was smiling at the optimism everyone was showing and he hoped it would be enough to snap Buzz out of it.

However it hadn't as Buzz replied still sounding as moody as ever, "Andy's house, Sid's house, what's the difference?"

Hearing this Nozomi looked at him aggravated, "what's the difference?! A kid trying to blow you to smithereens! And a kid who just plays hero with you! Don't you think there's-"

At this Riku had stepped in as he covered Nozomi's mouth with his hand as she mumbled madly, he spoke to her annoyed himself, "we have not got time for your ranting!"

Woody then taking the initiative avoiding the outburst Nozomi had made he continued, "oh, Buzz you've had a big fall, you must not be thinking clearly."

Buzz's dismal reply came almost instantly, "no, Woody, for the first time I am thinking clearly." He finished as he turned and looked at everyone in their crate.

At this Nozomi stopped her angry mumbles as she looked at Buzz as did Riku and Cait sith, with Woody still looking on seriously as Buzz continued on, "you were all right all along, I'm not a space ranger, I'm just a toy, a stupid, little, insignificant toy." He finished as he looked at this thing that was once his communicator as he saw once again that industry writing and sticker markings.

Nozomi's eyes widened at this as he said this, she thought to herself, 'insignificant?"

At this though Woody responded looking alarmed at this, "whoa, hey, wait a minute, bein' a toy is a lot better than bein' a, a space ranger."

However Buzz didn't believe him as he replied dismal still, "yeah, right."

Determined Woody responded as he pointed out the window, "No, it is! Look, over in that house is a kid who thinks you are the greatest, and it's not because you're a space ranger, pal."

Looking at Woody Buzz asked, "It isn't?"

At this point Nozomi dislodged herself from Riku's mouth cover as she spoke herself, "no it isn't… it's because of this one reason," with that she turned to Woody as he knew he'd say the right thing.

He nodded to her and then spoke to Buzz again, "it's because you're a toy, you are his toy."

Looking at them all he shook his head and sighed as he asked them all, "but why would Andy want me?"

Mickey then spoke himself a smile on his lips, "why, do ya need to know why?"

Looking at the king who was still strapped to the back Buzz was distracted as Woody spoke once more sounding more and more energetic, " yeah, I mean c'mon look at you, you're a Buzz Lightyear! Any other toy would give up his moving parts just to be you, you've got wings, you glow in the dark, you talk!"

Cait sith then too chimed in, "yeah lad! And yer plastic bubble thing it does a cool whoosh noise, that even I ain't got!"

"Exactly! You are a cool toy!" Woody finished with the explanation of Buzz's coolness.

Smiling at this Nozomi responded too, "yeah, I mean you're more cool then any of the toys I-"

Once again Riku once more covered her mouth annoyed at her idiocy as he whispered to her again, "how many times are you going to trouble me in one day!"

Buzz then looked up as he stared at everyone as they all complimented him together, however at this point Woody then began to look depressed himself as he spoke, " yeah… as a matter of fact, you're too cool."

At this point Nozomi and Riku stopped their struggling as they heard this tone and watched Woody as he continued, "I mean, I mean, what chance does a toy like me have against a Buzz Lightyear action figure?"

He paused as he reached behind himself and then pulled on his pull string as spoke, "all I can do is…" "There's a snake in my boots." Came the recorded voice.

Nozomi as well as Riku, Cait sith and Mickey all truly felt saddened as they saw this display, Woody spoke once again saddened, "why would Andy ever want to play with me when he's got you?" He asked him.

Buzz then turned and looked at Woody and the others fully now his face a mixture of expressions as he heard Woody continued, "besides… for me callin the heartless, you guys all fallin out the window and all those toys losin their hearts…I'm the one that should be strapped to that rocket."

Woody then turned away from Buzz as he sat down and slumped on the floor, his own sadness affecting him deeply. Seeing him do this Riku looked at Nozomi for a moment as he then quietly released her.

Looking at him for a moment he spoke to her, "go on… you're the best one who can give him comfort."

Her expression unsure for a moment Nozomi closed her eyes as she nodded silently as she turned around and walked over to Woody. Getting down on one knee she placed one of her hands on his as she spoke quietly, "Woody…"

Looking at this awe inspiring moment with wide eyes Buzz then turned to his right foot as he lifted it up and gazed at the black permanent marker name of "Andy."

He then realised something in his heart and mind… he was important not in the way he'd always imagined but now it was something far greater, he was important for real and he had something he had to do. The king watching the whole scene saw the change in Buzz's heart and knew now that he had recovered.

Nozomi's hand still on Woody's hand she looked at him trying to cheer him up with the best smile she could do, Woody smiled a little himself at her attempt but the sadness still echoed within him.

Cait sith feeling bad himself slightly for all the words that had been said looked over to where the king and Buzz would be but then looking he cried out, "hey where's that bloke and rodent gone!"

At this everyone turned, "what!" Riku cried out.

Sure enough it was the truth, Buzz the rocket and the king had all vanished, everyone was in shock about this, though Woody only looked sadder as though he knew this was going to happen.

Cait sith then started to complain, "why that good fer nothin! How dare he just abandon us all like this! Wait till I get me claws on that no good double crossing-"

However suddenly there was movement from above as the red tool box creaked slightly, everyone startled looked up and to all there relief it was Buzz and Mickey (still strapped to the back) pushing it.

"Oh well cancel that idea then," Cait sith spoke as he too was relieved to see Buzz helping them out as much as Riku who was also smiling.

Woody though was in disbelief as he asked, "Buzz? What are you doin'? I thought you-"

Buzz cut him off as he spoke to everyone, "come on, sheriff, cadets, there's a kid over in that house who needs us, now let's get you guys out of this thing"

Mickey still trapped spoke too, "yeah… and we gotta hurry up! It's daylight!"

Hearing him say this Nozomi then realised what this meant, "oh no! We gotta go!" She spoke urgently.

"Yeah we better hurry up!" Riku spoke too realising the urgency.

"Right!" Woody spoke as he too was now filled with determination.

Pushing hard and furiously against the red tool box, Buzz began to push it forward, Nozomi, Riku, Cait sith and Woody in the meantime had gotten to the side of the crate as they too all began to push to make it move.

"Come on, Buzz, guys we can all do it!" He spoke gritting his teeth and mustering his strength.

As they pushed it a little ways suddenly Mickey heard and saw something as he looked outside, "Buzz!" He called urgently.

Getting his attention the reformed astronaut looked outside as the others did too to see what was the matter. Outside arrived a huge van coloured white and orange with an egg with legs and arms smiling happily on the logo, "Eggman Movers."

Seeing what it was Buzz spoke quickly, "guys! It's the moving van!"

Hearing this it was then Nozomi and Riku all realised that the moving day was today as she spoke aloud, "oh not now!"

"We gotta get out of here now!" Woody spoke urgently.

With that everyone with a renewed strength pushed against the side of the crate as they were all determined to get out fast, Buzz in the meantime had lifted himself up against the window edge as he pushed further forwards using it as a base. The king though unfortunately couldn't reach as his legs were too short to reach across.

But with everyone's combined efforts they were all quickly making progress as they pushed onwards, "come on, everyone!" Woody continued as he pushed a little more.

Finally they'd made a gap that was big enough for all of them to fall through, "all right!" Woody spoke overjoyed.

"Yes!" Nozomi smiled just as ecstatic as she jumped and landed on her wheeled shoes.

"Finally!" Riku spoke pleased as he jumped with Cait sith who this time for a change landed on his head, "nice goin there snow top!" At this though Riku was not amused.

King Mickey hearing and seeing everyone make it spoke to Buzz, "hey they made it all out Buzz you can stop-"

"Almost there…." Unfortunately Buzz hadn't heard everyone get out and was still pushing forward and as he did he made both crate and box fall over the edge.

"Oh no!" Nozomi spoke wide-eyed as she saw the tumbling things coming at them.

"Lookout!" Riku cried out as he pulled Nozomi out of the way, unfortunately this left Woody being hit first by the toolbox and then the crate as it bounced off.

Buzz turned quick to see if the noise had disturbed their captor, Sid turned in his sleep slightly as he mumbled aloud, " I want to ride the pony."

Blinking at this sudden pull Nozomi was a little distracted at what happened, looking up she saw that she was in Riku's arms as he sighed relieved he'd gotten her out.

She stared surprised for a moment at this sudden action but then worry distracted her as she cried out, "Woody!" Detaching herself quickly from Riku. Looking at all the collapsed boxes she couldn't see him, it was then Buzz came over the edge as he asked, "Woody? Woody? Are you all right?"

There was then movement as the red toolbox shuddered and then from its remains Woody lifted it up as he spoke, "I'm fine, I'm okay."

However at that point suddenly the little alarm clock sounded off as it started to chime as the doll hand hit against the blue bell loudly.

Everyone looked in shock and horror at Sid as the noise sounded and unfortunately he started to stir. Woody immediately hid back under the toolbox, Nozomi went to hide with Riku and Cait sith under the desk while Buzz simply set himself in a sitting position, the king still at the back of the rocket.

Waking and sitting up upon his bed Sid yawned a little more trying to gain back his consciousness, suddenly the alarm clock fell off the edge with a clunk. As it did it triggered something in Sid's mind as he was fully awake as he cried, "oh yeah! Time for lift-off! Whoo!" He cried as he quickly grabbed the rocket still holding Buzz and Mickey and then went to his door.

Nozomi and the others watched from their hiding places shocked at this as he unlocked his door fully as he then cried, "To infinity and beyond! Whoo hoo."

As he quickly ran out Woody, Nozomi and Riku still with Cait sith on his head leaped out of their hiding places and all rushed to the door.

"Quick stop it shutting!" Nozomi cried out.

Taking her words Woody leaped forward as he then put his hand through the gap in the door stopping it from closing leaving it a jar. Everybody quickly reaching him Nozomi spoke again, "oh thank goodness."

She then started to open the door but to everyone's shock and horror Skud was outside on the landing and he quickly spied the group of living toys together and quickly ran in for an attack.

"NOOOO!" Nozomi cried out not wanting to face this abomination as she ran back behind the door as she went to help Woody close it.

"Not this!" Riku spoke out as he too was not in the mood for dealing with such a beast.

"Back, back!" Woody cried out as he and the other pushed against the door to make it shut.

"Get lost ya thick animal!" Cait sith cried out mad as he too was pushing back against the door as the dog's nose poked in and out his teeth bare.

With everyone's fast effort they finally got the door shut locking Skud out but then locking them in.

Relief sinking in quick as she breathed in and out Nozomi asked, "What're we supposed to do now! How're we gonna get the king and Buzz out!"

Riku shook his head gritting his teeth as he replied, "I don't know but we've got to do something!"

Woody chimed in too, "yeah I know… c'mon think! Think!" He spoke to himself as looked at the ground in concentration.

As he did this there was suddenly a chiming in the air, then as everyone looked up they saw all the mutant toys again gathered in the distance as they all stared at them.

Looking wide eyed at them for a moment Woody cried out, "guys!"

However though with that word they all quickly went back into their hiding places once more.

"Hang on! Don't hide!" Nozomi cried out as she skated forwards slightly.

"No, no, no, no! Wait! Wait, listen please!" Woody cried desperate for them all to listen.

Everybody then gathered in the centre as they waited for something to happen, but nothing did. This frustrated Cait sith as he quickly stomped up and down shouting, "will ya jolly lot come out! We need help here! This ain't no time fer hide and seek we-"

"It is not up to you to give us commands," interrupted that same mysterious familiar voice.

Hearing her Riku then spoke out himself, " where are you! Come out and show yourself!"

It was then quiet for a moment when suddenly she arrived in a weave of bandages emerging once again, the same high collared masked girl as she gazed upon everyone still with those same fluorescent blue eyes.

Seeing her amazed everyone especially Nozomi as she asked, "it's you again. "

Looking at her the girl spoke, "yes… it is I… you all of been causing quite a ruckus here."

Hearing this Cait sith thought the girl was insulting them all so he complained, "and we have a right to ya banshee! We be needin help real bad and all ya lot do is just hide yerselves! That's mighty rude and-"

At this point Nozomi intervened as she stepped on Cait sith's tail on purpose as he tensed up in pain. Removing her roller blade from it, he then looked at her angrily as she replied just as annoyed, "and what your doing isn't exactly polite either is it!"

The girl continued to stare on still unsure of them as she gazed at Nozomi in particular. Nozomi feeling the girl's eyes on her scratched the back of her head as she laughed awkwardly and spoke, "yeah sorry about him, when he goes off the handle he kinda goes on like that."

Silent for a moment the girl stared on, but then she looked to the side into the distance as she replied, "I see…"

Looking at her and actions everyone was silent as they didn't know how to communicate with her but then Nozomi noticed something. So she went to speak further, walking she stopped at a certain distance she asked with a slight wonder, "are you sad?"

Turning to Nozomi the girl looked on with her cold eyes as she replied, "sad? What is the definition of that word?"

At this everyone was surprised as was Nozomi as she responded, "what sad? Um…" At this Nozomi paused as she thought for a moment as she replied, " that's a good question actually, how do you describe sad?"

Hearing this Riku and the others were just as silent as they too didn't know how to properly explain the emotion either, but then it seemed as though Nozomi reached a conclusion, "well… I'm not really the best at descriptions but when I look at you I get painful feeling inside, and the atmosphere around you seems very down and not upbeat all… a real sense of melancholy."

The girl was silent as she heard Nozomi's explanation, silent for a moment she then responded, "I see… well I have lost many comrades of late, both to that boy's cruelty, and to those black monsters that have appeared… so yes, if this reaction of mine is what you deem to be sad… then yes I am indeed sad." She finished bowing her head down as she remembered painful memories.

Nozomi looked saddened herself as she heard the girl's explanation as were the others but then she looked back up as she asked with a slight fierceness, "what is it that you wish of us?"

At this point it was then Woody rushed forward past Nozomi as he answered, "there's a good toy out there, and he's gonna be blown to bits in a few minutes… all because of me." He ended sadly as he told the girl of their troubles.

Riku then came forwards as he spoke as well, "exactly, and we have an important friend of ours as well in the same trouble… overall we need help to rescue them."

After Riku had finished Woody continued, "yeah and so… we need your help."

There was silence from the girl as she looked at all the toys still unsure of them, but then suddenly the doll headed spider toy came out of it's hiding place slightly and caught everyone's attention.

Seeing him Woody spoke to him, "please, they're our friends… they're some of the only ones we've got."

The doll headed spider listening then walked over to the mysterious girl as it reached out one of it's claws to her, taking it in one of her long sleeves the girl shook with it. Making their silent communication after a moment she asked him, "are you sure of this?"

The doll headed spider nodded quick and with that the girl turned and looked at the group, Nozomi hoped it was something positive that had been conversed and then suddenly all around them the mutant toys all started to gather together in a big circle.

Looking at all of them wide eyed Nozomi then asked with slight amazement, "does this mean that-"

"Yes," turning to the girl once more she looked at them all, the atmosphere around her brightening a little somehow as she spoke once more, "my comrades and I have decided to assist you."

"Oh thank you!" Woody spoke truly grateful and pleased.

Riku was relieved himself as well as Cait sith that things were beginning to go their way. Nozomi turned to the girl as she responded, " yeah thank you so much!... Um can I ask you something?"

Looking away from her doll headed friend the girl replied, "Yes what?"

Nozomi then asked, "Well what's your name?"

"My name?" The girl asked.

Nozomi nodded curious as to what to call the girl.

She was silent as she bowed her head for a moment and then lifted it as she replied, "I am Araxne… The Melancholy Spinner."