AUTHOR NOTES: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY PIXAR AND DISNEY! I'M JUST A TOY STORY FAN! THE FOLLOWING TALES ARE ALL AU AND SOME MAY CONTAIN ADULT TOPICS! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! Also, in this story Andy is ten years old while Molly is five.
Young Andy Davis was in Woody's opinion the finest artist in all of California. Sure, his owner's style would probably not meet the standards of the adult art world. However, to the boy's beloved toys nothing could stand past muster what Andy created. Whether it be his colorful crayon portraits of the various playthings that inhabited his bedroom. Or his several boxes that served as the ever changing background for playtime. Or the adorable costumes he made whenever it was for Halloween or just for play.
Anything he made never failed to amaze his toy admirers. Especially his latest masterpiece, which all of his other toys besides his favorite considered to be the best one yet. Standing just as tall as the cowboy himself was a impeccable replica of the one and only White House. Placed proudly on their owner's desk where it basked in the glory of sunlight. "Oh my gosh its ssooooooooo dazzling! Just look at the brilliant sheen of the paint! It reminds me of a top predator's teeth!" Rex the T-Rex gushed as the white paint shone brightly on the mini structure.
Alongside Rex on the desk were Slinky, Hamm, Jessie, Buzz, and of course good old Sheriff Woody. "Golly bob howdy! It should turned out pretty swell didn't it?" Slinky praised as he stretched a bit further to the left to see the backside of the national monument. "Oooooohhhh! The front lawn looks soft enough for a buncha critters to have a picnic!" Jessie exclaimed as she bent down to touch the tiny pompoms that were the flowers on the lawn of soft green cloth.
Only for her hand to be smacked away as Woody began pulling her away. "No, no no, no, no! No TOUCHING! We can't risk letting anything happen to Andy's school project!" The cowboy said as he pushed everyone back including himself a few more steps. "Awwwww, I know! But I wanna touch it! I wasn't gonna be messing with the building just the lawn!" Jessie protested.
"NOPE." The cowboy retorted as he crossed his arms and gave his sister a firm look as he went on, "We can't take any chances with this! Andy has worked on this project for a week and a half! Its due in only three days! We can't afford to let his grade suffer again since Buster accidentally ruined the last project on the day of the deadline!"
"Did you know that in the war of 1812 the British set fire to the national capitol, burning several federal buildings including the White House? It took more than four years for the building to be reconstructed!" Hamm blurted out, not doing Woody's growing anxiety any favors. "FIRE?! Oooooohhh, why do humans do just horrible things! Would they light innocent dinosaurs on fire if they were still alive?!" Rex shuddered at the horrid thought.
Buzz began rubbing the poor T-Rex's back soothing, "Easy there cadet! If any hostile forces threaten the safety of Andy's projects, we can always fight back!" "Oh sure yeah, we can blink them to death!" Woody snorted sarcastically which earned a glare from his best friend. The rag doll chuckled as he dragged out something he hid behind some of Andy's books. "Whatcha hiding there Woodster?" Jessie inquired.
"Fences! I made them myself! You can never be too careful since Andy will be away for the weekend at his grandparents!" He replied as he began placing his makeshift fences around the precious White House, having made them with pencils, string, and building blocks. "Oh, also at the next staff meeting I'll be assigning shifts on patrolling the house!" He added as he placed the last of the fences to make a perfect oval around his kid's creation.
"Shifts? Isn't that a bit too much sheriff? Its not like the redcoats have a bone to pick with us Yankees now!" Hamm joked. "Ha, ha! Very funny! But like I said, I am NOT taking even the slightest chance of letting this very important project get busted on my watch!" Woody said with steely conviction. "Alright Woody calm down a bit, what's the worst that could happen?" Slinky said humorously.
Later that night...
Buzz and Woody were halfway through their shift. The midnight moon made the paint of the White House gleam in its light. The futuristic space toy stood at perfect attention, his eyes roving around for anything out of the ordinary. His old-fashioned partner was just as vigilant, gripping a toy hammer as his large brown eyes searched for anything suspicious. "Pretty quiet huh?" "Gaaahh!" The rag doll jumped only to realize it was just Buzz.
"Don't scare me like that!" The cowboy grumbled. "Woody, relax, your getting too worked up over this. I promise you this time Andy's project won't end up in the doghouse." He joked. "Corny." His taller and more nervous friend scoffed. All was silent for five minutes until Buzz spoke up again, this time tapping the sheriff's shoulder first. "Hey Woody, I have a question for you."
"Can it wait Buzz? We are supposed to be watching the White House!" The brunette gestured to the object of their defense. "Seriously Woody? You know we all want Andy to do well in school as much as you do. But maybe ease up a bit for your own sake cowboy!" Buzz replied. The cowboy let out a huge sigh as he gave in, "Fine. Maybe I'm overreacting-" Since when do you ever not overreact?" His space pal grinned. "Oh shut up! Ask me now or keep your trap shut for the rest of the night!" Woody Pride growled, causing Buzz Lightyear to chuckle a bit once more before asking, "Your a family heirloom right?"
"Yeah, annnnnnd?" Woody lifted a painted eyebrow. "Which side of our kid's family you came from? Mom's or dad's? In fact, Andy's father seems nonexistent!" Buzz said. "Oh, Pixar couldn't afford him." Woody said as he looked away. "Pixar who? Is that a hospital he died at?" Buzz said quizzically. "No! I'm joking Sherlock! Listen Buzz, the reason you never heard about his father is because..." The cowboy heaved a heavy sigh as the dusty memories resurfaced after being buried for so long.
"My first owner was the father of Mom, he passed me down to her elder brother, Jimmy. Eventually, Jimmy gave me up when he grew older." His voice rung with a twinge of sadness. "Luckily, Jennifer kept me around hoping to one day give me to a child of her own. She was very close to her Pa. Which is why when Jimmy got too old for me, she took me in." The old rag doll's eye shone with gratitude as he leaned against the windowsill. Tipping his hat upwards he continued, "One day she met a guy, he was very nice and clever and caring and boy, was he creative! Any broken item Jenny had was refashioned into something brand spanking new by his hands.
One time, Mom accidentally tipped a tray and broke three of her favorite mugs. Well that boy just took all those cracked pieces and a few days later presented to her one of the prettiest cookie jars you ever seen! Purdy enough to put even the pricey stuff from the shops to shame! He made it from every last shard. Jenny still uses it to this day. I betcha a dozen gold nuggets Andy got his smarts and imagination from him..." The old-timer grew quiet again as he reflected on those lost days of young love. Buzz stood beside him, sensing how important the tale was since Woody kept switching from calling Jennifer "Mom", to using her actual name.
"What happened to him?" He dared to ask. The rag doll gazed turned to the action figure with a haunted look in his eyes. "We don't know for sure, Buzz. But boy, did I wish I knew! Mom eventually got married to the guy, oh, forgot to mention his name was Logan. But Jennifer called him Trickster because it seemed to suit him pretty swell. The guy was quite infamous for being a prankster. Once rigged a potluck with exploding watermelons and painted chickens... Anyway, they went on to have Andy, then they had Molly, and then when wee little Molly was only six months old..."
Woody breathed in deeply before exhaling, Buzz waited patiently for what his friend would say next. "He vanished. Just plumb disappeared without even a trace of that raggedy bomber jacket he always wore! He left for work one morning only to never come back! Oh, we tried to find him Buzz! The police, Jenny, Mom's extended family, neighbors, the mailman, Logan's coworkers, even me! I snuck out of the house for two weeks to see if any of my neighboring toys heard from him. But no, we all failed Buzz. None of us ever found him...
And Buzz, you should be grateful you never saw the look on Mom's face when the cops had to tell her the case has gone cold turkey..." The cowboy stopped. Covering his eyes with his hat as that painful moment surged back in his stuffed chest like a dull ache. The space ranger placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. A toy who still mourned the loss of a man who was once part of his family. "I'm sorry Woody-" "Don't be Buzz." Woody cut him off.
His friend looked at him confused before Woody clarified, "Its if anyone you should be sorry for, its Mom and the kids. Jennifer will never be able to love another man like she did Trickster. While the children, have no choice but to grow up without a Pa..." He sighed once again. Buzz stood there, holding onto his best friend's shoulder. The space toy glanced at the window; he could make out a few glittering stars scattered around the moon. Including the large screeching shadow coming towards-
"DUCK!" He shouted as he grabbed Woody and rolled with him out of the way of the incoming shadow. The two toys rolled off the desk with the cowboy screaming, "WHAT IN TARNATION LIGHTYEAR?!" A great screech erupted along the tell-tale noise of glass being smashed as the mysterious object crashed through the window. CRACK! On the cold floor Woody shivered from the sickening crack he just heard. He and Buzz began scaling back up the desk, the plastic ranger picking up the rambling of the cotton cowboy praying under his breath for the safety of the White House.
When both of them neared the edge Buzz turned to Woody, "Want me to go up first?" "Right behind you ranger." The sheriff nodded. Buzz pulled himself up, getting onto the desk he crouched down to pull up Woody. Only for a faint screech to freeze him in his tracks. He turned around, let out a startled gasp, "Oh no..." "Hey pardner? Mind pulling me up anytime soon!? I don't have all night to be hanging like a monkey in a tree!" Woody grumped.
"Uuuuhhhh, Woodster, you might not like what's up here." Buzz coughed. The cowboy stopped when his friend called him by the nickname Jessie gave him. He only ever used it when the sheriff was about to be confronted with something very upsetting. "OH. What now?! Let me up so I can deal with it!" The rag doll's grumbled as he pulled himself up to see what could possibly have happened now. His friend attempted to block him from the horrific sight, but it was useless considering Woody's height.
The sheriff saw it, the whole bloodstained and feathery catastrophe before him. A large bald eagle had crashed through the window, landing on Andy's desk. The majestic bird cawed in agony from the sharp shards of glass embedded into her body. Crimson drops stained her gorgeous brown feathers, her wings askew from the disastrous landing. Yet that was not the worst of it, for trapped underneath the eagle's body was the remains of what had been Andy's greatest masterpiece.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The next morning...
"OF ALL THE THINGS THAT COULD DOOM ANDY'S ACADEMIC CAREER IT HAD TO BE A BIRD! NOT PROCASINATION, DRUGS, GANGS, PLAGIARISM, OR EVEN ROTTEN TEACHERS! IT HAD TO BE A BLASTED BIRRRRRRRRRRD!" Woody wailed in despair. Then he spun enraged to the guilty party. "This is all your fault! What kind of featherbrain decides it's a good idea to dive bomb the window?!" He shot his finger accusingly at the bald eagle that literally fell from the sky last night.
The creature laid in a box the toys hurriedly made for it last night. Made comfy with plenty of clean rags from the laundry room. It cocked its head at the hopping mad cowboy before petting the rag doll's wooden head with the bottom of its beak. Bonk! Bonk! "HEEEEEEEY! BACK OFF YOU FISH-EATING VARMINT!" Woody pushed back the huge beak as he jumped a few feet back. "Aaaaaaawwwwww! I think he likes you brother! He watched you this entire morning!" Jessie giggled as she unwound a fresh roll of bandages.
Last night, the rest of the gang were awakened to the crisis when Buzz failed to calm down a hysterical Woody. When Bo Peep finally managed to bring back the sheriff, their leader got everyone to work on damage control. Hamm looked up the necessary instructions to look after injured wild birds. Rocky the wrestler, with assistance from Buzz and Bullseye. Placed their patient gently into the bed assembled by the Potatoheads. Sarge and his men retrieved the necessary supplies from around the house for the eagle. Even going to the neighbors to ask their fellow toys for fish, since Mom did not stock up on any, and soon returned with cans of salmon and cod.
Buzz and Hamm worked together to set the eagle's wings. The few girl toys of Andy's room were the nurses who cleaned up the poor critter and nursed it during the long night. Woody, Slinky, and the barrel monkeys covered up the broken window with plenty of sturdy cardboard and duct tape. While Mr. Potatohead sorted out what was salvageable from the wreckage of their owner's schoolwork. "I still can't believe the worst thing ever unimaginable had to happen to Andy's project!" Woody groaned as he glanced glumly at the small box full of parts the Mr. Potatohead deemed "reusable".
"You said that with the one Buster wrecked." Jessie remarked as she stroked their beautiful guest's fine head. "Well now Andy can't even use the darn "my-dog-ate-my-homework" excuse! What on earth is he going to tell his teacher on Monday?! Oh sorry Miss Georgia, but a freaking, flipping, featherbrain dive bombed my window and blasted all hopes of getting a decent grade to the Badlands! Ow, ow, STOP IT YOU PEST!" Woody shielded his head as the eagle tried to give him more affectionate bonks.
"Well it can't be helped Woodster, we might as well make do with this mess of a bar fight aftermath.." Jessie told him as she began replacing the bandages. Her brother began sifting through the box of project pieces, muttering how little was left of the original White House. A couple of thuds echoed as Hamm, Buzz, and Bo Peep came onto the desk. "How is the poor thing doing Jess?" The shepherdess asked. "Kevin seems to be doing fine so far. He finished the salmon we gave him last night." The cowgirl answered.
"Wait, Kevin? You gave that ruffian a name?!" Her ticked off sibling looked up. "Of course, I named him Kevin! It's a perfect name for such a handsome and sweet critter like this mighty fine eagle we have here!" Jessie cooed as she scratched the animal under the beak. "THAT supposedly sweet critter destroyed both Andy's project and his window!" Woody argued as he glared at the creature oblivious to what it had done.
"I'm sure it was an accident Woody. I highly doubt our guest held any malicious intent towards Andy." Bo Peep reasoned as she took hold of the cowboy's arm. "I know Bo, but why in tarnation is there even a bald eagle here in the first place?! We never had those oversized birdbrains in our home range before!" Woody wondered aloud. "Just be glad folks that the species have moved up from the endangered list to the threatened list! Did you know in the early 1960's there were fewer than 450 nesting pairs of bald eagles left in the entirety of the United States?" Hamm informed them.
"Well whether there are more of them now than back then does not explain why we have one in our neck of the woods!" Woody grumbled with exasperation. "Hold onto your hat sheriff! I was just getting there!" The piggy bank assured Woody before continuing, "We are about 150 miles from the nearest bald eagle habitat. The time for migration is well over and there is no news online of any zoo escapades."
That's when Buzz took his cue by holding up a small band with a metal tag attached to it. "I found this on the leg of the bird. The tag explains its a domesticated bald eagle who belongs to a ecologist named Dr. Magareta. Oh, and sorry Jessie, but the eagle is a she named Starlight." He said sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "We can't call him, er-her, Kevin." "No fair!" Jessie whined. "I always wanted to name a eagle Kevin! Hey, how about we call her Kevinella Starella! The best of both names as one!" Jessie suggested dreamily.
"How about we call up the missus responsible for that blasted bird and demand a full compensation?!" Woody scowled. "Sweetheart, calm down, no need to take it out on unsuspecting humans." Bo tried to soothe him. Woody sighed, "I know Bo, but Andy worked so hard on this project! It's no fair this had to happen twice in a row!" "Well lucky for us..." Buzz began as he held up the tiny American flag that survived last night's crash.
"We have time to rebuild!" The galactic hero declared.
Twenty minutes later...
All the inhabitants of Andy's room were assembled before the building block podium for the latest staff meeting. Their leader held up the mic passed to him graciously by Mr. Mike. The sheriff began, "Alright everyone, am I coming loud and clear?" The crowd echoed back in agreement. The cowboy then continued, "Good! Now we all have a emergency on our hands. Due to last night's failure of the White House patrol, Andy's project has been severely compromised and the deadline is only in two days!
So we all need to hustle and cooperate in order to fully restore the monument before Andy returns home!" "TWO DAYS?! How are we supposed to rebuild something that took Andy a week and a half to build?!" Rex wailed from his spot in the audience. "Well there ARE more of us than him bonehead!" Mr. Potatohead snapped with a eye roll. "Alright, alright, order in the court! Let's not overreact here!" Woody responded to the growing unrest.
"Overreact?! Ha! Says the guy screeching like a headless chicken last night!" The snide spud snickered as he adjusted his bushy mustache. Woody ignored the crackles that followed the spud's smart remark as he went on. "Considering we also have, a guest, to take care of. We need to split up into two teams. One team will focus on reconstruction while the other will be charged with the care of our patient." He gave the bald eagle watching overhead a side eye that flew over the animal's head of course.
The rag doll then read from his doodle pad, "I'll be leading Team Restoration which includes Buzz, Slinky, Mr. Potatohead, Rex, Rocky, Etch, Sarge and whatever troops he assigns to assist. For Team Nurse Bo will be in charge and assisted by Jessie, Bullseye, Mrs. Potatohead, Hamm, and Wheezy. Wheezy, your be able to communicate with our guest perfectly right?" The sheriff asked the squeaky toy. "Let me check!" The penguin replied as he hopped his way out of the crowd towards the eagle.
"Hey, how are you doing Starlight?" Wheezy called up. The eagle responded with a few caws which the toy below nodded to in understanding. Wheezy than hopped over to Woody affirming, "Yeah, we can understand each other just fine! Oh, and Starlight was wondering if she could borrow your hat!" The cowboy instinctively gripped his most precious possession as he exclaimed, "Tell her that MY hat is off-limits thank you very much! Now back to business!"
The penguin relayed to his fellow bird Woody's decline before rejoining the crowd. Woody went on, "Alright, before we begin work does anyone have any questions or concerns?" Hamm raised his foreleg, "Why am I on Team Nurse?" "Because you're our top researcher and whatever info you packed into your bank might come in handy in case our patient gets sick or something." Woody answered. Slinky raised his paw next, "Aren't we gonna call the proper authorities to pick up the big bird? I'm pretty sure humans are better equipped for these types of cases than we are."
"Well, it will look mighty suspicious for the animal rescue team to answer a call from an empty house with the critter all bundled up and no one around that could have been responsible for it." Woody reasoned with his coiled friend. Rex raised his fore claws which got a nod from the leader, "Can we switch teams? If so, I want to be on Team Nurse!" "That's the tenth stupidest idea I ever heard blurted from your mouth lizard breath! Your just get scared of the eagle!" Mr. Potatohead huffed.
"Aaaaww, but maybe we can be friends! I can tell her all about her ancestors the mighty dinosaurs!" The T-Rex insisted as he skipped over to the desk where their guest was situated. When Starlight saw him, she let out a long caw. "See? She likes me!" The plastic dinosaur grinned. "Well, she would like to have you as lunch. It's been a while since she had a tender lizard." Wheezy corrected him. "AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH I'M NOT A LIZARD!" Rex squealed as he scrambled away from the predatory creature and dove under Andy's huge bed for safety.
"Okay, Rex will stay on Team Restoration. Anyone else want to switch?" Woody offered. That's when Sarge spoke up, "Sir! A few of my medics have volunteered to join Team Nurse!" "Request granted." Woody replied. "Can my children help out too sheriff? Milo and Twinkle want to be with me on Team Nurse. And Ronnie wants to help out his daddy." Mrs. Potatohead gestured to her alien triplets. "Of course!" Woody agreed.
"Alright, everyone knows what they have to do?" The rag doll asked. The assembly responded with a resounding "Yes!". "Okay, then meeting adjourned! Everyone on Team Nurse up onto the desk! Those on Team Restoration come with me! And for goodness' sake Rex get out from under the bed and join us!" The sheriff called out the scaredy carnivore.
Team Restoration gathered around their leader, holding his doodle pad Woody began, "Alright. So far, the original pieces left from the first replica are..." Woody checked the small box holding what was left. "The flag, some of the windows, and a piece of the roof..." Everyone stared at the pitiful pile. Pulling his bandana nervously the cowboy resumed, "As you can see, we will need new supplies. A shoe box for the majority of the building, white paint, popsicle sticks for the pillars, cardboard, paintbrushes, glue, scissors, clear tape for the windows, green construction paper for the lawn, and mini pompoms as the flowers."
"That's sooooo many items! Do you really think we can finish it in time?" Rex gulped. "Chin up Rex, we done crazier stuff before. If we can handle a rescue mission, I'm sure construction won't be as difficult to handle." Slinky consoled him. Ever grateful for the slinky dog's support, the cowboy smiled before continuing, "Alright, let's split up for supplies and regroup to the coffee table in the living room when we have everything."
"Why not meet up at Andy's desk?" Rex cocked his head bemused. "Oh, I don't know, maybe because there is a wretched excuse for an eagle occupying it that's responsible for this whole mess!" Woody grumbled. "Hey, keep it cool cowboy, don't hold it against Kevinella." Buzz tried to calm him as he placed a steady hand on the rag doll's shoulder. His best friend turned to him with a countenance of disbelief, "Are you really calling the bird THAT Buzz?" The ranger coughed as he awkwardly glanced away, "Well, Starella, I mean Starlight, doesn't seem to mind Jessie and me calling her that..."
"Oh never mind! Forget I asked!" Woody groaned as he got back to business. "Okay, Sarge, you and your men are tasked with retrieving the mini pompoms, paint, paintbrushes, and green construction paper from Molly's room. Rocky will bring us the glue and scissors from Mom's office. Potatohead, Ronnie, and Slinky will search the closets for a shoe box and cardboard. Buzz and I will search for the clear tape. Rex will go to the kitchen for the popsicle sticks. And Etch, I hope you don't mind, but will need you to wait in the living room for us."
The sketching tablet speedily scribbled its reply, "Not at all. I can't do much without hands but at least I'm a reliable blueprint!" The cowboy gave the trooper a thumbs up before concluding, "Alright, everyone knows their assignments? Good! Now let's roll!" "You heard him men! Now let's move, move, move, MOVE!" Sarge barked as Team Restoration dispersed to complete their tasks.
Etch was heading towards the living room when Rex hurried up to him. "Hey Etch? Can you come with me to the kitchen? I'm not too sure about going alone." The drawing board quickly wrote, "Are you sure? I won't be able to reach or carry anything." The prehistoric predator assured him, "Oh don't worry about that! Your company will be more than enough. Besides, as a dinosaur I'm strong enough to carry everything by myself." He posed confidently, a image of a powerful dinosaur unfortunately ruined by his scrawny arms and claws.
"It would not hurt to bring a basket or box along. Maybe even one of Molly's toy carts." Etch suggested kindly. "Yeah maybe your right, let's find one!" Rex agreed as the two companions embarked on their quest. Meanwhile, the green army men had just entered Molly's bedroom. The playthings of the little girl's nesting space looked up when their neighboring toys marched in. "ATTENTION!" Sarge announced, his men stood up straight and saluted to the natives who waved back amicably.
"Hello there! What mission are you on now troopers?" Barbie asked as she jumped down gracefully from her spot on her owner's bright pink bed. "Miss! Andy's room is currently under a situation calling for the reconstruction of Andy's project. Which has unfortunately been terminated last night at 12:34 PM." The mini commander informed her.
"Oh my! That's so awful! I know how hard Molly's big brother worked on it! It was so beautiful when I caught a glimpse of it... Is there anything we can do to help?" The blonde doll offered. "Indeed, you can. We are in need of the following supplies: green construction paper, white paint, paintbrushes, and miniature pompoms. Do you think you have some of these to spare miss?" Sarge requested.
"Hhhmmm, I'm pretty sure we have some. However, Molly accidentally spilled most of the white paint the other day while making a surprise for Mom. So you will have to find another substitute in case her paint is not enough." The toy fashionista told the mini military as she walked over to her owner's art box to withdraw its contents. Pulling it out of the bottom shelf of the bookcase. She pushed it over to the green troops, then picked up the lid and allowed the tiny soldiers to crawl inside.
The plastic warriors climbed into the colorful box. After a few minutes eight of then reemerged with a roll of construction paper that matched their signature color. Then four more of them popped out carrying a small jar with only one third of it filled with paint. Twelve more soldiers filed out with three paintbrushes. The last one to come out was Sarge and the last four of his men. "Miss, not to be of any trouble but you seem to be out of the pompoms." Sarge pointed out to Barbie.
The blue-eyed doll frowned, "That's funny. I counted more than thirty of them yesterday. They usually never get used up that quickly-Billy! What's wrong?!" The girl toy has turned around to see Billy, Molly's toy goat, violently trembling as he choked on something stuck in his throat. "CODE RED! CODE RED! The goat civilian is on the brink of suffocation! MOVE, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!" Immediately, fourteen soldiers dashed over to the suffering goat and jumped onto his body.
One of Sarge's remaining medics, signified by the white cross on his head. Shouted to the troops on the goat, "Alright when I count to three! You must jump on the neck and jump his back at the same time! ONE, TWO, THREE!" All the soldiers jumped at the same time before landing back onto the goat simultaneously. The combined force caused the goat to let out a huge, "AAAACCCKKK!", as it coughed out a cluster of red and white pompoms.
Barbie placed her hands on her hips as she scolded, "Billy! How many times have I told you to stop treating Molly's art supplies as snacks? You almost choked on them today!" The goat bleated back an apology as the tiny toys who saved him climbed off. Sarge did not let it show but he became worried. What were they going to use as flowers now? Barbie must have thought the same as well, for she rummaged through the art box before fishing out a couple of sticker sheets.
Handing them to Sarge she said, "I hope these will do for now Sarge. They are all stickers of flowers and I'm sure they will look fantastic on the White House's lawn!" A tight frown formed on Sarge's lips as he eyed the girlish sticky flowers. Some of them even had ridiculous smiley faces and glitter. While others were, horrors of horrors, multicolored. None of them even came close to what the original flowers were supposed to look like. Sadly, they will have to make do for now. Also, it would not do to leave Barbie's generosity unappreciated.
Taking the sticker sheets the green commander said, "Thank you miss for your assistance! These will do just fine! Remember, we will always be at your service if any of you in Molly's room needs it!" Barbie beamed, "Why thank you Sarge! And good luck on your mission!" All the soldiers saluted the inhabitants of Molly's bedroom before marching back out with their cargo.
As the green army men made their way through the hallway, they ran into Rocky. The bulky strongman carrying the tape with one arm and the scissors with the other. "Hey, Rocky!" Sarge cried out. The wrestler stopped in his tracks as he turned to the troops. "There won't be enough paint for Andy's project. I think whiteout will be the acceptable substitute but its in Mom's office. Can you retrieve it soldier while we deliver the rest of your cargo to home base?" Sarge entreated the bigger toy.
The muscleman grunted his consent as he placed down his items. The soldiers saluted him before taking the glue and tape which they soon marched off with. When they were out of sight, Rocky stretched out his arms a bit before backtracking to the office he just left seconds earlier. Entering the cozy workspace, the bodybuilder strode across the light blue rug before taking a great leap. He landed on the edge of Mom's desk and pulled himself up with little effort. His dark eyes hunted around for any available whiteout.
On the elder human's polished brown desk was a computer complete with a keyboard, a mouse pad, and mouse. A phone had been positioned nearby the computer in case the lady of the house received any calls from work. There was also a Christmas mug holding a few pens, a stack of paper, and a flowery box containing other necessities. Arranged neatly beside the mug was a trio of framed photos. One cheery red frame held the picture of a younger Mom with her father during her graduation. The second light pink frame decorated with white roses showcased Mom at her wedding day with her dashing groom and still-good-looking father.
Rocky saw that despite the oldest human's glowing smile, his body looked...weak, compared to the first photo. The last frame was also as Christmasy as the mug. A candy-cane striped frame containing a frozen but joyous moment in time. The entire Davis family posed in front of a train that was styled to appear as if it were made of gingerbread and candy. Mom's father was sadly not present, but the new addition, a newborn Molly. Covered his absence with her infectious smile and sparkling eyes. Mom was holding her adorable daughter while her husband, Trickster, held little Andy in his embrace.
Who in turn was carrying Woody in his arms, having switched the cowboy's regular hat for a small Santa one. Rocky gazed at the brown haired human with the captivating gleam in his golden brown eyes. The strongman had a feeling he would have liked him, if that human was still here... The plastic wrestler paid his respects by crossing himself before moving on with his new mission. He went over to Mom's box and opened it. He shuffled through the various objects but found not one bottle of whiteout.
Remembering the drawers, he carefully leaned over the edge of the desk to pull them open. The drawers slid wide to reveal sticky notes, highlighters, thumbtacks, envelopes, some stray ten dollar bills, and luckily three bottle of whiteout. The muscular toy picked up all three bottles, placed them beside him, and slammed the drawer shut. When he looked back up that's when he spotted a shining dark purple bowling ball on the bottom shelf of Mom's bookcase. Signed in elaborate golden letters, Trickster. As he stared at the gleaming orb, the bodybuilder started to wonder if he possibly had the strength to lift it.
Reasoning he had enough time, Rocky jumped down from the desk. After setting down his load he approached the gleaming purple orb. Cracking his plastic knuckles confidently, he gripped both sides of the gigantic ball firmly. Grunting, he lifted up the ball with all his might and hoisted it high into the air. The strongman grinned in triumph, until the sheer weight of the bowling ball started to catch up with him. Staggering, his plastic frame struggled to keep the great weight from crushing him. He wobbled sideways, then forwards, then backwards, and finally he fell onto his back. At that moment he let go of the ball which flew from the momentum of Rocky's fall.
The runaway bowling ball zoomed out the door into the hallway. Also in the same hallway were Slinky, Ronnie, and Mr. Potatohead. The three of them emerging from a closet lugging along their load of cardboard. The little alien Ronnie was pretending the shoe box his dad pulled along was his spaceship. "I have set a course for the planet Livia Roomune! We shall be there in only five minutes daddy!" Lil Ronnie announced as he typed down the coordinates on a flat cardboard piece.
The usually grouchy spud smiled as he replied, "Hey kiddo, while you're at it, make sure to chart a course for a galactic coffee shop for dad, eh?" It was then the brown toy heard the rumbling and looked up to see the purple missile hurtling towards them. "SLINK! SAVE MY KID AND THE CARDBOARD!" He yelled as he shoved the box with Ronnie in it over to Slinky. His friend immediately complied by grabbing the box with his mouth and pushing it a few feet away just as the bowling ball struck Potatohead!
CRASH!
When Slinky and Ronnie dared to look up again, the deadly projectile had finally rolled to a stop. Its unfortunate victim's body parts were scattered all over the place with their owner nowhere in sight. "Potatohead?" Slinky called out as he approached the crime scene staying in front of Ronnie. "Daddy?..." The little green alien called out with his voice quivering from fear. Luckily, Mr. Potatohead soon dragged himself out of the closet with his mouth, left eye, and his right arm still connected to his body. The bowling ball had knocked him into the closet.
"Spudster! You're alright!" Slinky cried out in relief. "Daddy!" Ronnie cheered happily as he ran over to help his father. "Well, couldn't have the Star Spud getting wrecked on its first trip. Isn't that right my boy?" Potatohead joked as he began assembling himself back together. "Oh, and just so you know old buddy. Since you saved our lives we are ETERNALLY GRATEFUL." Slinky beamed with seeming benevolence as he gave Potatohead his two ears back.
The other toy scowled and resumed his usual cranky demeanor, "Oh you shut your muzzle you mutt! Just be glad I had my eyes on the road unlike most dogs who have their snouts headfirst into the dirt! Now, whose the genius who used a freaking bowling ball for a asteroid?!" He demanded as he switched his normal eyes for the angry ones. Rocky, having seen the scene from afar. Stepped back into Mom's office deciding he should wait until the fuming father was well out of sight...
Meanwhile, Buzz Lightyear and Woody Pride were still hunting for their item. Clear tape was a scarce commodity in the Davis household. Due to how nice the see-through and shiny material worked in the countless art projects of the human and toy residents. Since the tape usually ran out almost as fast as it was stocked up. Mom hid a secret stash for her own use. They just had to find it because the supply for the whole household was well dried up already.
The duo hunted through a cluttered room Mom had designated as the storage area. "Let's try this one." Buzz pointed to a large bin labeled ODDS & ENDS in permanent marker. The duo grabbed hold of the lid together and pulled it off. Woody hopped into the bin and began rummaging through the sea of objects inside. Buzz jumped into the bin with his friend, sifting through the pile he found something shiny.
"Hhhmmm." Buzz said as he held the bizarre object in his right palm. "This appears to be a missing eye of one of the killer drones commissioned for Zurg's army. Some brave soul must have destroyed one of these hateful robots and claimed one of its eyes as a trophy." The cowboy turned to the space ranger with an incredulous expression. "Buzz, that's the front piece of a broken camera with the lens. This is not the time to be daydreaming about space!"
"Oh! Um, of course!" Buzz looked away in embarrassment as he tossed the camera lens behind his back. As the sheriff continued his search a slight smile graced his face. As annoying as it could be sometimes, he couldn't deny that his best pal's tendency to wander into space lust was darn amusing. The rag doll dug up a couple of batteries, "Ooh! Triple A! Hopefully they still have juice..." He dropped the batteries outside of the box to take with him later.
"Hey Woody, you think Jessie might like this?" Buzz came up to him holding a lovely green ribbon edged with gold. The sheriff agreed with him but decided maybe to have a little fun with him. "Now Buzz, we are on a mission here! We don't have time to be shopping for your sweetheart." He grinned cheekily. The friendly poke produced the desired effect of making the great galactic hero blush as red as a tomato. "Wait, what-I,I,I, what are you IMPLYING?! I'm just saying Jessie might like this! Its not like I'm romancing her!" He protested furiously.
"Says the guy who wakes her up every Sunday morning with a generous piece of blueberry muffin he snatches from Mom's fresh batch!" Woody winked. "That means NOTHING! I'm only doing it because it's our favorite! We share! Isn't that what two very good friends do? Like how you and I share a stick of beef jerky whenever Mom buys some? It's just a friend thing to do!" Buzz argued. The cowboy accepted the "friend logic" his buddy presented to him. Alas for Buzz, the older toy was not done with him yet.
"That may be true pardner, but you sure seem to seize every chance you get to blabber to Jessie about the wonders of space. Cuz, you know it keeps her full attention on you!" Woody pointed a playful finger of accusation at the increasingly bamboozled space toy. "Jessie loves learning about space! It has nothing to do with me! Plus, she is not the only one who is curious about space! Milo, Twinkle, Ronnie, Rex, and Slinky also come to me whenever they have any questions about the final frontier!
I am happy to assist anyone who wants to know more about the world beyond planet earth! Although, whenever you ask the questions, you fall asleep halfway through my explanations!" Buzz glowered at Woody. The cowboy held up his hands, "Okay, okay! You have a point! But what about those all those times you acted as Jess' guardian knight?" "Technically, it can be argued that I AM the guardian knight of everyone in this house! Even yours, despite how many times I have been tempted to let a bulldog rip you apart or allow you to fall off a shelf!" Buzz crossed his arms and rolled his eyes.
"Well, what about all those times you opened doors and pulled chairs for Jess? You even carry her across puddles and help her onto RC or Bullseye!" The sheriff replied cockily. "That's basic chivalry, Woody. You do the same for Bo!" Buzz parried back. The taller toy grinned, "Aaaaahhh, but chivalry is something that's also for couples! Not just manners for the everyday guy and gal. What about all those flowers you have ever given her?"
"Its just being ni-" Buzz began.
"Those compliments about her beauty, wit, and grit?" Woody beamed evilly.
"She, she is a very, very, admirable woman!" Buzz stammered.
"Those times you helped her fix something broken or braided her hair? I bet you enjoyed the latter!" The sly rag doll chuckled.
"Now, wait just a minute here!" Buzz managed to choke out as he felt his non-existent insides churn like a boiling pot.
"How you always wrestle with her and allow her to plaster you with any stickers she finds befitting a mighty space ranger? And how you keep every last one in a pocketbook you keep hidden under Buster's bed where no one will steal it? Good job bribing the pupster with dog treats or else he would have torn that precious book apart!" Woody smirked mischievously.
"You, you, you weren't supposed to know that! You, you, TRAITOR!" A hapless Buzz stammered out. "I am NOT in love!" This only caused his teasing friend to guffaw as he slung an arm around the space toy. "Now Buzzy, don't be ashamed! I have a girlfriend myself! And besides, you're better off as a lovey-dovey fishbowl instead of a space nut!" Woody winked.
The short action figure could not be more infuriated, "Fishbowl?! Why if you think that's funny its also equally as laughable to see you as a...as a...Panicking brunette!" Woody frowned at the lame comeback. "Seriously Buzz? That's the best you can throw at little old me?" "Of course not! Your also a...a...aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, very lanky doll!" Buzz shot back. "Buzz. I am literally lanky! Like come on!" Woody shook his head in pity. "Well I'm not the one who attacks innocent rangers with metaphorical language 24/7!" Buzz grumped.
"Alright Buzz, you got a point! I just can't help but tease you. You're too funny to resist!" Woody smiled warmly as he patted Buzz on the back. "And to think back then you were beyond annoyed with me." Buzz replied. "Well, let's say after almost losing you to a sadistic kid and a rocket you grew on me." Woody admitted, then his voice took on a more serious tone, "But seriously Buzz, everyone in Andy's room would have to be deaf, blind, and dumb to be ignorant of the fact you have it baaaaaad for our cowgirl Jessie!" The elder rag doll insisted with his hands on his hips, signifying he was not playing around anymore.
"I am afraid then that everyone else in Andy's room but me and Jessie have become just as delusional as I was when I emerged fresh from the box!" The younger action figure stubbornly claimed. "Buzz. I am only saying this for your own good. There is nothing wrong with being in love! I know the emotional stuff is not your department but its not good to deny your feelings.." Woody started lecturing. The space ranger fidgeted and grumbled as the darn cowboy went on and on about being honest with your feelings. Or admitting the truth, or whatever the stars his well-meaning but very incorrect buddy was droning about.
His eyes frantically darted around for something to cut him loose from the rag doll's spiel. Then a spark of salvation caught his eye from one of the corners of the box. "Hey, Woody look!" He cut his friend off as he hurried over to a corner of the box. Happily he fished out two full rolls of clear tape. Dropping them into Woody's arms triumphantly he said, "Now were one less step away from recreating the White House!" Buzz said cheerfully.
Woody nodded, "That's great! Now about Jessie-" Before the cowboy even had a chance the space ranger swiped his hat. "Well, we don't have time to be jabbering like blue jays pardner! We gotta hit the road YYYYEEEEEEEEHAW!" Buzz exclaimed in a wannabe Western accent as he dashed out of the room. Hoping a good dose of teasing and hat theft would make Woody drop the crazy possibility he was in love. It did. "HHHEEEEEEEYYY! GIT BACK HERE WITH MY HAT YOU SPACE OBSESSED-CHEAP PHONY PLASTIC-STUCK UP-CHICKEN COLORED VARMINT!" Woody roared as he gave chase to Buzz like a ticked off coyote after a pesky roadrunner.
Sometime later, every member of Team Reconstruction was present on the coffee table of the living room. Holding up his doodle pad Woody began, "Alright! Good to see everyone here! I trust y'all did not have much trouble finding what we need?" "Of course not! All we had to do was dodge asteroids on the way over here!" Mr. Potatohead cried out in irritably. Woody turned to the rattled spud, "What asteroids? Did someone attack you?" The sheriff questioned with concern. "We're not sure Woody. One minute we were on our way to the living room and the next a bowling ball knocks over Potatohead!" Slinky explained.
"Yeah! You better get a hold of the scumbag responsible for that screw-up before Andy comes home sheriff! And when you do catch him make sure to call ME." Mr. Potatohead demanded as he punched a clenched fist into his palm as emphasis. Seeing how the toy spud was still ticked off, Rocky remained silent. Praying no one would catch on he was the guilty party.
The Western law enforcer frowned from the possibility of someone sabotaging the reconstruction or seeking to harm their fellow toys. So, he answered back, "I'll be sure to have that matter investigated later. In the meantime, every toy will have to careful in the hallways. And make sure to not travel alone outside their rooms." He decreed. Looking back at his list he says, "Okay, Buzz and I have the clear tape, check. Potatohead, were you and your teammates able to get the cardboard despite the incident?" "You're lucky we did with a bowling ball wielding maniac on the loose!" The cranky toy growled.
Woody moved on, "Sarge, did you and your men get everything you were assigned to?" Sarge shook his head, "Not exactly sir! We have the construction paper and the paint brushes. But we might have to use whiteout and stickers as substitutes..." With a wave of his hand the tiny commander's men placed the girlish sticker sheets and bottles of whiteout before the cowboy's pointy boots. The rag doll's did a double take, "You cannot be serious." "I'm afraid so sir!" Sarge winced slightly.
Woody sighed before moving on, "Okay. We can improvise. Rocky, I assume you got the glue and scissors?" The muscleman answered him by holding up the requested materials like weights. Woody felt a little better as he checked those items off the list. "Good job! Alright, Rex do you have the popsicle sticks?" He turned to the dinosaur. The T-Rex beamed at him as he exclaimed excitedly, "Oh! Etch and I got something wwwwwaaaaaaaayyyyyy better than just popsicle sticks!"
Then proceeded to reveal the bulging box of Andy's favorite chocolate popsicles, Chococraziness. Woody's doodle pad fell to the ground with a plop! Everyone else stared in utter shock at what the jungle green carnivore was suggesting. "Uuuuuhhhh Rex? I don't think this is the time for dessert..." Slinky told him. "Oh, come on guys! There is always time for dessert! Besides, Etch and I could not find any popsicle sticks leftover. So why not get them from the ice cream and have fun doing it?" Rex suggested while licking his lips.
Etch also added in his two cents, "Sorry guys! But it was the best we could do. Oh, I hope you enjoy the ice cream!" Woody wiped his face with both hands as he resigned himself to their fate. "Well gang, eat up. We have to keep on moving!" He announced. Everyone gathered around the box and Rex handed out the frozen treats graciously. Potatohead did not admit it, but he liked the snack they were receiving before Woody worked their tails off. It also pleased him that his son Ronnie was giggling in joy from the yummy chocolate he was ravenously devouring.
"Kid, try to keep it off your suit! We can't have your mother seeing you like this!" The father said as he wiped the alien clean with a napkin. The army men were steadily working away on their one popsicle as Rocky was already on his second. Etch could not eat, but he participated by speed drawing stick figures enjoying fanciful ice cream concoctions. "I cannot believe were eating all of Andy's favorite ice cream!" Woody moaned in shame as he sat down next to Buzz.
"How is he going to react when he comes home, has dinner, and finds out he can't have dessert because someone ate all his ice cream?!" The cowboy almost felt too ill to even nibble the frozen chocolate. Buzz tried to console him, "Remember cowboy, this is for Andy's grade. I bet Mom will take him to an ice cream port if he gets a stellar grade for this!" "Buzz, they are called ice cream parlors! Not ice cream ports! But what if we do just a shoddy job replacing his old masterpiece that his teacher gives him a terrible grade and he can't even feel better because we ate all his ice cream for nothing?!" The paranoid sheriff manages to blurt out in one sentence.
The space ranger beside him had only one thing to say, "I hate to be crass with you buddy. But shut up and eat your popsicle." He ordered sternly. The cowboy grumbled like a petulant child but bit into the creamy dairy anyway. Rex was chomping happily on his share when Slinky passed him his half-eaten bar. "Hhmmm? You're not a real dog, Slink. So, you shouldn't be poisoned." Rex cocked his head in confusion. Gagging the springy canine said, "I do believe I can't be poisoned, but I doubt any dog real or not would eat this stuff of their own will-GURK!" The poor dog grabbed the empty ice cream box and barfed into it. Rex shook his head sadly for his friend before polishing off Slinky's portion.
Fifteen minutes later...
Back in Andy's room Team Nurse and Starlight, (or Kevinella Starella in Jessie's case), were getting along splendidly. The eagle made no attempts to dismember, claw, or screech at any of her small caretakers. However, she found them to be very odd creatures. The pig's skin was almost as thick as rock, the two frogs still hung around their toad parent despite being of age. (What toad raised frogs anyhow?!) The nice crow squeaked and was unable to fly. The little grasshoppers looked more human than insects. She couldn't decide if the pink animal was one of those fussy poodles that humans loved to torture with dyes and other such nonsense. The horse was the smallest equine she ever laid eyes on. As for the creature with red fur, the most her brain could come up with was that she was a very small human.
Small humans?! Has Mother Nature decided that the human species needed a change in size?! If only her human, Magareta, could see these bizarre critters now! She would literally be doing back flips and scribbling away on that white object she carried with her all the time. Starlight glanced up when she heard a soft neigh from the horse. He offered a piece of juicy salmon he was carrying in his mouth. The eagle patient gobbled it up with gusto, it has been so long since she had salmon. Not since she has been trapped in that nasty cage before finally breaking free from her captors.
Starlight showed her gratitude by nuzzling her beak against the kind stallion, "Aaaawww! Kevinella likes you too Bullseye!" Jessie gushed as she came over to stroke the bird's fine feathers again. The injured bird seemed to relax from the cowgirl's gentle touch. "Congratulations Jessie Pride, you have tamed the national bird of the United States of America!" Hamm called out from his spot beside the computer. Then he bombarded his fellow nurse with the following inquiries, "Now are her eyes or membranes swollen? Any wet discharge from the eyes, mouth, or beak? Is she tilting her head side to side or squinting? Is she drinking too much?"
"Hamm! I'm pretty sure the answer is N-O to every last one of those questions!" Jessie told him. "Just checking, oh, also to make sure she can breathe properly!" The piggy bank added before turning his focus back to the computer. Jessie gave the great bird one last loving stroke before getting up on Bullseye. "Jess? Why are you leaving?" Bo Peep asked when she glanced up from the first aid kit she was reorganizing. "Oh, don't worry Bo! I'm just going to check on how the boys are doing and will be right back in a jiffy! Ride us outta here Bullseye!" The plush horse reared before leaping off the desk, landing perfectly on all fours, and galloping out of the bedroom.
Bo Peep shook her head as she resumed her task. "I'm sure the boys are doing just fine. Its not like Woody is letting them lounge around." She told herself confidently. Jessie rode her speedy steed down the hallway, fortunately unoccupied by surprise asteroids at the moment. Bullseye leapt onto the railings of the staircase and the two of them slid at roller coaster speed. "YODEL-AY-YEEEEE-HOOOOO!" The rag doll cried out as her faithful critter once again landed them safely on the floor.
"After Starella gets better Bullseye, I betcha she could learn a few landing tips from you!" The cowgirl suggested to him. The horse blushed from the compliment before cantering on to the living room. Bullseye trotted over to the coffee table and hopped onto it. "Heya fellas! I bet y'all making good progress on the-" Jessie stopped halfway through her sentence before letting her mouth open agape. Team Reconstruction was surrounded by chocolate stained popsicle sticks, many of the members laying on the tabletop with brown stains on their mouths. Their pile of materials hardly even touched.
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER Y'ALL DOING EATING UP ANDY'S FAVORTIE ICE CREAM?!" The astonished cowgirl yelled at them. Woody hurriedly stood up, "Jessie! This isn't what it looks like! We needed the popsicle sticks for the pillars!" "What a likely story! It more like y'all decided to enjoy yourselves while the rest of us worked to the bone, ya pack of lazy donkeys!" Jessie scowled as she placed her hands on her hips.
"Oh, Jessie! I was just about to get you!" Buzz exclaimed as he ran over to her. "What for Buzz?" She said curious. The space ranger eagerly pulled her over to a bowl containing some melted chococraziness. "We kinda had to improvise with some of the sticks from Andy's ice cream. But I thought you might like some so I saved some for you! Its sort of melted now, but its still cool enough and you can use a spoon!" He passed her a pink plastic spoon Molly had kept from Buy Yogurt.
Jessie beamed at him as she accepted the unexpected treat, "My! Aren't you such a sweet space toy! Although I'll have to save it for later because I need to get back to Kevinella-" "Uh, I'll take your place! You can stay here and enjoy the ice cream while I go back up to Starella!" Buzz suddenly blurted out as he pushed the tempting bowl closer to her. "Besides, you deserve a break! You work almost as much as Woody! And we all know how much of an unhealthy workaholic he is!" "I BEG YOUR PARDON?!" Woody cried out insulted. Before Jessie could stop him, the action figure jumped off the coffee table and sprinted for the stairs.
""Hey! Git back here! We need you for the reconstruction space nut!" Woody shouted at him. "Sorry commander, but I'm switching units!" The ranger called back as he reached the top of the stairs before vanishing from sight. Buzz pushed open the door to Andy's room and entered. He climbed back onto the desk where Team Nurse resided with Starlight. Everyone present looked at him puzzled. "Buzz? Is anything wrong?" Bo Peep asked.
"Not at all Bo! I'm just here to cover Jess while she takes a well-deserved break!" Buzz informed her. "We've only been at this for 25 minutes Lightyear! None of us need breaks!" Hamm piped up. "Oooohhh, uuuhhh, well she needs to eat her ice cream!" Buzz insisted. "Ice cream?! You guys are having ice cream without me?! No fair!" Wheezy whined from missing the opportunity of partaking in his favorite dessert.
"There are no more available popsicle sticks in the kitchen. So we had to make do by using the ones from Andy's ice cream." Buzz explained. "But don't worry Wheezy, I'll grab you two pops next time!" Bo Peep asked, "Did those popsicles happened to be Andy's favorite flavor?" Buzz coughed, "Unfortunately yes." "Did you have to eat all of them?" The shepherdess ventured further. Buzz rubbed the back of his neck, "Sadly we had to. Rex had four of them including half of Slinky's." "Let's hope a excellent grade makes up for it then." The porcelain figurine sighed as she shook her head.
Back in the living room, Woody tried his utmost hardest to focus on the tasks at hand. However, the constant clinking of spoon against bowl and Bullseye's slurping of ice cream was getting on his nerves. "Are you two done yet so you can help us out?" Woody tentatively asked. "Gee brother, I thought it was break time with how you fellas were indulging yourselves." Jessie smartly claimed as she sipped up another spoonful of chocolate cream. "It wasn't a break! We needed the popsicle sticks!" Woody glowered. "Whatever you say Woodster." His sibling singsong teasingly.
"I cannot believe you're eating that Bullseye. It tastes like dirt but without all the good stuff!" Slinky cringed as he nervously watched the stuffed horse drink heartily from the ice cream he was sharing with Jessie. The soft cloth stallion paused a moment to whinny something to the springy canine. "I'll just leave it to you buddy." Slinky sighed as he shook his head.
Team Reconstruction worked away on their given assignments. The soldiers were painting the sticks with whiteout, Mr. Potatohead was cutting out window holes in the shoe box. His son decorated the paper lawn with the glittery flowers. Rocky busied himself with covering the other half of the lawn with plenty of glue for the White House's foundation. Rex dried up the painted sticks with a toy fan Woody had the good sense of bringing along considering their painfully short timetable. While Etch provided them with accurate instructions on how to go about their construction. Sketching out what he had witnessed from Andy building the original one.
When Mr. Potatohead finished his task, he passes on the shoe box to Woody. The sheriff than took the clear tape and began pasting pieces over each of the cut-out holes. After taping every four windows the rag doll would step aside to let Slinky paint in the cardboard. In the meantime, Mr. Potatohead and lil Ronnie would use the excess cardboard to create the new roof pieces. Ronnie grinned widely as he applied the star-spangled banner on the triangular piece. "The bannnnnneeeeeer!" He said proudly. "Yeah, it's not too shabby kiddo." Mr. Potatohead agreed before he passed on their finished pieces to Sarge and his men to whitewash.
Progress ticked smoothly along for about ten minutes before Jessie piped up. "Hey Woody, I don't think your gonna have enough white for the big house!" Her brother waved her off saying, "No sis, were doing fine! Now if you finished your treat, you should go back to rejoin-" "Uuuuuuhhhh, Woody? I ran out of paint." Slinky spoke up. Woody looked down to see that his animal pal was right. "Oh, then Sarge can give you some whiteout." He assured Slinky.
"No can do sir! Were fresh out of whiteout!" The green army leader called out. "WHAT?!" Woody cried out startled. He took a few steps back to survey everything before him. All the sticks were covered, so were the roof pieces. Unfortunately, it appeared Slinky could only finish half of the building and part of the roof before his supply given out. For a split second the stuffed sheriff debated whether he should scream bloody murder or strangle a certain feathery culprit to death. He took in a deep breath to compose himself as he pondered his next move.
After a few minutes he said, "Alright! We can still finish this. However, it might be a little different from what we were originally going for. Let's split up into search parties. Mr. Potatohead, Ronnie, and all you soldiers will search the downstairs for white paint. Rocky, Jessie, and Bullseye will check the upstairs floor. Now even if any of the search parties cannot find paint, at least pick up a substitute close enough!"
"Sure thing Woodster!" Jessie tipped her cowgirl hat.
"Aye, aye, sir!" The green army yelled out.
"Hopefully there are no brainless bowling ball bozos downstairs!" Mr. Potatohead grumped.
Woody turned to the other three toys. "Etch, you can stay here with Rex as he dries up the rest of the wet paint. Slinky, I need you to come with me to pick up some more supplies from Molly's room." Etch scribbled a thumbs up, Slinky nodded, and Rex replied, "Don't worry Woody! Everything will be drier than dinosaur fossils when you get back!" The cowboy then whistled, "Alright everyone, let's go!"
The search parties split up as one party began exploring the living room while the other ascended the staircase. Leaving Rex and Etch alone with the half-finished White House. The T-Rex moved his toy fan to dry off the last spots Slinky had painted. Etch fiddled with his knobs, the sketch board wistfully wishing they were hands. Getting bored, the toy tablet scribbled a detailed drawing of a rampaging Rex attacking the White House. "Hey! That's me! I look so cool!" Rex praised as he turned to Etch.
Inwardly Etch smiled from the compliment, it was nice to have his art appreciated. Then he speedily replaced his sketch with the striking image of General George Washington and his men crossing the Delaware river on Rex's back. "Ooooooooohhhhhh! I love that idea Etch! I bet you the American Revolution would be over a lot quicker if dinosaurs were still around!" Rex claimed. "That is, if the Brits didn't tame them first and used them against the Yankees!" Hamm's voice rang out.
Slightly caught off guard, Rex and Etch peered down from their workspace to see the piggy bank below them. "Hamm? Aren't you on Team Nurse?" Rex cocked his head quizzically. The pig shrugged as he started shimmying up the coffee table. "Eh, if Mr. I-will-do-anything-for-miss-cowgirl can switch teams, so can I. Besides, I think Bo and the others have it covered. Our eagle patient is doing alright so far." Etch and Rex moved aside as Hamm pulled himself up to stand beside them.
The pink bank let out an impressed whistle as he saw the half-finished White House. "Not bad guys! You got the number of windows and pillars right! I just don't know about the lawn..." He eyed the sparkling stickers critically. "Oh, well they ran out of pompoms from what Sarge reported." Rex explained. "I hope you're not sticking with this. I highly doubt Andy will be turning this in if he cares about his boy pride." Hamm pointed out as he tapped the fake flowers disdainfully.
Meanwhile, Woody lead Slinky to the storage room he and Buzz had searched earlier. "Since will have to use more of Molly's supplies now. I think its only fair we traded over some things they could use." The cowboy told the stretchy canine as he located the ODDS & ENDS bin. "Fair enough to me." His dog pal agreed.
The two of them dived into the sea of knickknacks and thingmabobs. Rummaging through the assortment of items Slinky uncovered a few plastic gems Molly might like. Grabbing them with his mouth he deposited them into a mini gift box leftover from Christmas. Then he pushed his container towards Woody proposing, "Anything we find to Molly's liking we can toss in here." "Nice one Slink." The sheriff agreed as he dropped a fuzzy scrunchie into the box.
Rummaging through the pile Slinky stumbled upon something unexpected. "Hey, isn't this one of Buster's?" The plastic dog held up a squeaky toy in the shape of a plump steak. "I think that one broke. Try to give it a squeak." Woody suggested. The springy canine clenched the faux meat tightly between his jaws but hardly even a eep echoed. "Mom must have forgotten to take it for another squeaker." Woody reasoned.
"Well, let's leave it out by her desk after we finish up here. Buster had been hunting for this before Andy dragged the poor doggy to grandmas with him." Slinky informed his friend. Woody gave a nod as he tossed a few fake flowers into their box. A glint of gold caught the cowboy's eye, he bent down to find the ribbon Buzz was hoping to give Jessie earlier. Smirking to himself, he picked it up to add to their inventory. He'll be sure to deliver it to Buzz later along with a generous helping of teasing.
Slinky sifted through the mess of items with his long snout. Judging what was suitable and safe for Molly with his big black eyes. He stretched a bit to suddenly feel a few kinks in his coils. He looked behind him to find paper clips and mini magnets attached to his coils. Growling he violently shook himself causing his whole body to sway back and forth. Eventually the nuisances flew off his body-with one of them unceremoniously landing on Woody's head.
"Oooowww! What the busted water barrels was that for?!" The rag doll grabbed his now sore head. "Ooops..." The guilty party replied. The cowboy held up the magnet that hit him. It appeared to be a yellow ball of sorts with a blue band surrounding a red star. A twinkle sparked in Woody's eyes as a fun idea popped up. "Hey boy, go long!" Woody exclaimed as he threw the ball over the walls of the ODDS & ENDS bin.
Not one to pass up an opportunity of fun, Slinky immediately leapt out of the bin to reclaim the ball. It wasn't long before the toy dog returned proudly with the ball. "Good boy Slink!" Woody praised him as he scratched the floppy ears of his doggy pal. The sheriff picked up the ball before launching it back into the air. "Go fetch boy!" Slinky enthusiastically sprung into the air as his muzzle snatched the magnet midair. "Yeeeehaw! There ya go long doggy!" The cowboy waved his hat in praise.
The rag doll and slinky dog played their game for a good ten minutes. Slinky catching their "ball" each time without fail. "Good boy Slink! You are definitely the fastest fetcher in the West!" Woody affectionately rubbed the dog's smooth head. Slinky picked up the ball which he dropped into their gift box. "This ball is a keeper! It will be a great addition to my ball collection!" The toy dog grinned. "I'm sure Mom won't mind us playing with it." Woody smiled back.
Once the gift box was filled to the brim, the two playthings worked together to carefully bring their haul out of the ODDS & ENDS bin. Once they both reached the floor Woody hoisted up the gift box while Slinky dragged along Buster's squeaky steak. The cotton cowboy staggering a bit from the weight of their cargo. They left the storage room and started towards Mom's office. As they approached the door they heard Jessie Pride's voice demand, "What do you mean you never saw the big old bowling ball here before?! It's always been in Mom's office since and before the day I came here! Come on Rocky boy you gotta have SOME idea where it went!"
"What bowling ball?" Woody called out as he and Slinky stepped into the room. Jessie, Bullseye, and Rocky were on the floor with two more bottles of whiteout. The cowgirl had her hands on her hips as she faced Rocky. The wrestler's frame was a bit hunched with an uneasy frown on his face. It was obvious he and Jessie were in disagreement with one another. "Hey, Woodster! Isn't there supposed to be a big old purple bowling ball that belonged to Andy's Pa that Ma always kept in her office?!" The cowgirl turned to her brother.
This caused the elder sibling to freeze in his tracks. "What do you mean supposed to be?" Suddenly remembering that he never asked Mr. Potatohead what exactly the bowling ball that attacked him looked like. Worry rising in his stuffed chest, the cowboy glanced towards where Logan's bowling ball was kept. To realize to his horror that the bottom shelf was left bare of its former trophy. "What...but, Trickster's prize-winning bowling ball is gone?!" Woody gasped.
His younger sister vigorously bobbed her head up and down, "That's right Woody! It's gone! Like if a tornado from the Land of Oz swept it up to the Land of Munchkins to fall on top of a wicked witch's head! Me, Rocky, and Bullseye came here for whiteout when I noticed the old bowling ball missing and so I asked Rocky if he seen it. Then big boy here has the gall to act like he has never seen it before. BUT I know that can't be true because we all have been in Mom's office once before so of course we've seen the big ball standing out like a sore thumb!"
The sheriff set down the gift box he was carrying next to Slinky. Then he walked over to Rocky with a grim frown on his face. The strongman immediately straightened up as the leader of the toys stood before him. Seeming perfectly stoic except for the nervous tapping of his left foot. Crossing his arms, the tall rustler locked his brown gaze with Rocky's black one, "Rocky. I sent you to Mom's office earlier today. The closet I sent Slink, Mr. Potatohead, and Ronnie to is not that far from the office.
Close enough proximity for someone to send something flying or rolling towards their way. Now I know Sarge and his men were in the same area due to Molly's room being close by. Yet I highly doubt that even a squad of green army men would have the strength to carry a ball weighing nearly fourteen pounds. However, you on the other hand have proven time and time again your capable of carrying more than your weight. Also, that sometimes you happen to bite off more than you can chew sometimes. So, I only ask you this, did you happen to have an accident Rocky?" The sheriff questioned sternly.
If the muscleman seemed cool as a cucumber before, it became apparent the interrogation had shriveled up all chill he had. The toy before Woody was trembling so much that the floor beneath him quivered like a miniature earthquake. "Well?" The cowboy prodded. Just as Rocky was about to give up all hope and confess his disastrous deed. An all too familiar scream was heard as a certain dinosaur rocketed into the room.
"WWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDYYYYYYYYY!" Rex wailed as he rushed up to their leader in hysterics. "What? What?! WHAT?!" Woody stammered as he grabbed the panicking carnivore by the shoulders. "THERE'S A BOOGEYMAN PLANNING TO BREAK INTO THE HOUSE AND DESTROY US AAAAAAALLLLLLL!" The tyrannosaurus shrieked as he swept up the rag doll into a hug a bit too tight for the older toy. "I'm sorry Rex buddy but a WHAT NOW IS GOING TO DO WHAT?!" Jessie uttered baffled, her bottle green eyes almost popping out of their sockets.
"Translation: A human stranger has trespassed our property to peep through our windows. Probably planning to rob us tonight!" Hamm explained as he came into the room with Etch, Mr. Potatohead, Ronnie, and the green army men. "Yeah! As if a brainless bowling ball bozo running around wasn't bad enough, some human creep is going to arrive to keep him company!" Mr. Potatohead snarled as he held onto his son protectively.
"What did he look like?" Woody dared to ask. "SIR! The enemy is a grown human man dressed in casual clothing wearing sunglasses. He has been seen prodding the windows and the backdoor for a potential weak spot in our base's defenses!" Sarge answered him. Just then Buzz came rushing into the room, leaping over all the toys blocking the doorway to the office. Landing gracefully before the sheriff the ranger reported, "Woody, I just saw a stranger prowling around our premises!" "Yeah, we know! It's not like the trespasser was especially inconspicuous!" The cowboy gestured to the others.
Yet Buzz was not finished yet, "That's not all, he has an accomplice! I saw him walk over to a truck nearby where another man was waiting. Eddy and I were able to make out their contents in the back of the truck. They not only have tools to break into the house, but they had a lot of rope." "Rope? What would they need the rope for?" Rex questioned. "To make dollies of course stupid! They want to have a tea party here!" Mr. Potatohead spat sarcastically. "Heeeyyy!" The two actual dolls in the room protested in indignation.
"Oh. No offense." The plastic spud apologized awkwardly. "None taken I guess..." The Pride siblings huffed. Buzz continued, "That's what I also wanted to know. The two criminals were loitering by their truck a bit, so I decided to sneak out and spy on them." "And of course, I told Mr. Lightyear that was the most reckless and thoughtless stunt no toy should ever pull in their lives!" Bo Peep declared as she swept into the office peeved. "Hey! It's getting too crowded in here!" Hamm whined as Wheezy, Mr. Mike, Eddy, and even the robot toy, Disco, came right behind the porcelain shepherdess.
"Wait a sec here Buzz! You actually went outside to go spy on those two no-good varmints?!" Jessie gasped. Buzz, already uncomfortable by Woody's and Bo's scrutiny, coughed, "Yes, I knew it was quite a high-risk maneuver for a toy. But-" Why didn't you take me with you!? I didn't get into James Bond for nothing you know!" Jessie claimed as she grabbed onto the space warrior's arm. Buzz stared at his bold and beautiful crush unsure whether he should be worried over her crazy confidence or elated. Bo stared, Hamm stared, Eddy stared, Mr. Potatohead covered Ronnie's ears.
Woody stared, then slowly pulled his sister away from the highly dangerous action figure. Before enclosing her into a protective hug as he told Buzz through clenched teeth, "Continue..." Accepting that his friends would never let him live this stunt down. Buzz resumed his story, "So I ventured outside to spy on them. I hid nearby in Mom's flower bushes and managed to pick up the main goal of their shady operation. They don't plan on stealing.
They plan on hiding inside the house to wait for our family to return home. When our family does, they will capture them and demand for money or blood will be shed. That's what the rope is for, to tie them up." The space toy shuddered as he quoted the very words spoken from the outlaws themselves. No one moved nor spoke one word. The hearts of all the toys present seem to fuse into one. Now dangling over a bottomless abyss that threatened to consume all they ever loved...
"I'm calling the cops." Woody broke the silence.