This is an AU to my Brave Little Toaster fanfic Invincible where Toaster has sadly succumbed to his injuries and the gang is forced to move on without him. Also I want to point out that everything that occurred in the sequels (besides Rob going to college, getting married, and having a son) didn't happen. Therefore, Rob didn't study to become a veterinarian in this universe and there are no animal rescues or insanely weird trips to Mars.
Warning: Some self-harm. Based off an old fanfic I did for another fandom.
They all knew he was dying, yet there was nothing that could be done. His condition was far too extreme and Radio knew that whatever remaining energy he still held would soon run out at any given moment.
What good was keeping him alive any longer if all they were able to do was watch their poor little friend suffer through never-ending misery day after day feeling awfully weak and worthless.
"Attention all fellow appliances: We interrupt this station with an important news bulletin. It is with a heavy heart that I unfortunately report this, but our dear old friend Slots has sadly passed away today. He gave his own life to save us and our master from dying a very painful death. Funeral arrangements will be made at a later date, and all future adventures are postponed until further notice. Any tributes in his memory will be gladly appreciated. Thank you. We now return you to your regular program."
Radio was left in charge now and even though he'd always dreamt of taking control as leader (of course, he still loved being a brave adventurer) instead of playing second fiddle to Toaster nothing felt the same without him. Still, he'd made sure Toaster got his dying wish—take good care of Blanky and keep moving forward.
Blanky silently cried himself to sleep that night while wrapped tightly around Kirby (who for once didn't push him away, or harshly abused his sensitive feelings with a rude comeback whenever the blanket would greatly annoy him. If Blanky had any frightful nightmares, then he did his best to help chase away the pain.
It definitely wasn't something he was any good at or used to unlike Toaster who once took on that role quite well. However, Blanky still deeply appreciated the support and comfort Kirby gave in his darkest hours.
T.V. even kindly volunteered whenever possible, putting on a little puppet show and broadcasting advertisements about Hollywood blockbusters. Lampy, on the other hand, just sat there in complete silence reading a book on electricity though Radio knew him well enough to notice he too was in grief.
Not even Plugsy or the other appliances in Rob's apartment would dare interfere their personal space. It would only add insult to injury.
Besides, it was obviously their darn fault anyway since they're the ones who kicked Toaster and his gang out into the dumpster in the first place thinking they were intruders. Yet, Radio could secretly tell they were starting to slowly regret their evil scheme after hearing Blanky cry out Toaster's name before sinking to the floor in tears.
Now they were facing the consequences. If only they never let their stupid jealously take over. Toaster would still be here alive and well. Not end up on his deathbed and as scrap metal in a junkyard among the deceased and broken down automobiles.
Turning away from the window and sadly hopping off the master's bed at last, Radio trudged over towards his friends when T.V. politely stopped him.
"How's Blanky holding up, Loudmouth?"
Radio couldn't help but chuckle a little at the news anchor's light sense of humour. How he'd missed his presence back at the cabin when the five were still together. It just wasn't the same when Rob's family came and took him away to live with them in the city. Toaster been right about that. All they had in his absence was Air Conditioner, and he wasn't exactly the best housemate to have around.
"No change, Rabbit Ears. He's devastated. Can't say I blame the poor guy. We've been through so much both past and present. But I do greatly appreciate your support and also helping the master find us. Toaster would be very proud. Too bad he couldn't be here to see our master earn his college scholarship. You know, education. At least he died a hero and happy we were finally reunited with the master after all these years." The radio lamented.
"Poor sap. He was far too weak to leave the junkyard with us'' He was now choking back tears. ''It was his funeral."
"Anything for my old cottage buddies. You know, I'm honestly gonna miss his relentless optimism. He truly deserved all the credit." T.V. remarked wistfully. "Well, best of luck with college tomorrow. You're looking at a future appliance technician. Sleep well, Radio."
"Thanks, pal. I'll be sure to send you a postcard."
After T.V. left, Radio sat beside Kirby and softly pat the blanket on the head.
"Hang in there, kid. Things will get better. You'll see."
Tomorrow was the start of a new journey, but to four remaining appliances their own lives would never truly be the same way again.
Ten Years Later…
Lampy jolted awake late one night to a loud clang coming from the kitchen. Letting his curiosity get the best of him he quietly hopped down from Rob's computer desk, and raced downstairs in search of the culprit responsible for disturbing his peaceful slumber.
Once he approached the doorway he poked his head around the corner. There he saw young Blanky frantically digging around in a kitchen drawer looking awfully troubled by something.
"Oh hey, Blanky. What are you doing up so late? Couldn't sleep, huh?"
The little Blanket didn't answer him, nor did he even bother turning around to face the other appliance. Instead he kept his tiny beady eyes glued to his 'bleeding' left arm.
"When Lampy didn't get any response from the electric blanket, he then spotted a pocketknife Rob kept to slice open letters and envelopes with laying there on the floor. His eyes widened in extreme shock at the sight of a huge gash scraped straight across Blanky's now torn up fabric.
"Blanky, what in the name of Edison happened in here?! D-did you cut your arm while we were all asleep? Why did you do that?"
Blanky slowly turned to face Lampy with a quivering lip. A wave of intense sadness quickly came crashing down over his gentle, fragile heart.
"I-I did a bad thing, Lampy. A very bad thing! I-I couldn't control myself!" He was now in hysterics. Tears streaming down his face like a child who had done something wrong.
"I should've stopped him, but I didn't wanna be separated from our master again. Now Toaster's gone forever and it's all my fault!"
"Without a second thought, Lampy threw his cord around Blanky and hugged him tightly. To see his little friend look and sound so crestfallen was more than enough to bring tears to his own eyes.
It had been approximately ten years since Toaster's death and it had struck his friends hard with each passing day, especially poor Blanky. Since then Rob had successfully finished college, and now lived on a farm with his wife Chris and their newborn son.
Lampy still remembered the day of Robbie's arrival from the hospital, and how fast Blanky rushed into the kitchen filled with excitement to tell Toaster about the special delivery, only to be sadly met with a dark and cold room and an empty space up on the countertop. Almost as if Toaster's absence had stolen all the light and warmth that once filled the room. Christmastime being the most heart-wrenching of all.
Some nights he'd dreamt Toaster would still be alive and kicking ready to plan their next big adventure. In others he sadly wouldn't survive, or fell into a comatose state shortly after being rescued from the rusty old gears. Those dreams would often leave Blanky feeling traumatized and awfully hopeless.
Radio would help calm him with a gentle lullaby Toaster used to softly sing whenever he had nightmares back at the cottage on stormy nights, and Lampy would always gladly read him one of Rob's favorite childhood storybooks.
Kirby? Well, although still cantankerous and not really the comforting type he too would pitch in regardless whenever Blanky needed a hug and a shoulder to cry on.
"It's not your fault, Blanky. None of us even knew where Toaster was at that very moment, and we just couldn't leave the master's side since the magnet was constantly after us. That and it highly goes against our appliance code around humans. It's okay. Look, I know I'm not very good at this whole being nice around others kind of thing, but-"
He stopped mid-sentence when he felt Blanky snuggle up against his gooseneck.
"it just felt like the right thing to do…"
Blanky immediately brushed away the remaining tears and slipped himself out of Lampy's cord. He'd felt so ashamed of doing such a horrible thing. He and the others often heard about and had actually seen with their own eyes some bad things humans were capable of doing. However, never had they ever suspected one of their own would commit such crimes.
"It's okay, Lampy. I'm sorry I scared you like that. I guess I just let my deep sorrow of missing Toaster get in the way. I was trying to find a bandage when you came down here. I really appreciate your company, Lampy. Thanks."
Lampy smiled sadly and nodded in understanding. He lightly pat Blanky's head with his plug, then grabbed some bandages from the first aid kit inside the drawer and wrapped up Blanky's arm.
"That's what friends do, Blanky. They help each other, especially in time of need."
