[Time is of the Essence by Teekl , pet_foolery]
Waiting for Anna at the company entrance hall, Sully cuddles Bu in anticipation.
Sulley – C'mon Mike, it's night now so I think Boo can walk around for now.
Mike – Sure, as long as nobody can see us. Luckily it's nighttime...
Been a day or two since they took a train.
Sulley – They'll be arriving soon... which reminds me, did you finish her door?
Mike – I needed MONTHS to finish yours so wish me luck now.
Boo – Buahahaha! Mike Wazowsky!
Mike – Sure kid! Sure!...
Anna – Michael Wachowsky!
Mike – Aha! Can recognise that anywhere now!
They could see her now, in arms of their old colleague.
Mike – BING BONG! My candy looking pal is here.
Bing Bong – Good to see you too Mike! And you Sulleeeey... that is uhm
Sulley – Don't worry this is Bu, she's not harmful... And Anna, glad to see you are back and in one piece...
But it seems Bu's old suit is losing it's usability .
Anna – Thank you Sillie!
Sulley – It's Sully.
Bu – Kitty!
Sulley sighs
Mike – Welcome to the club Sully. Oh by the way here, meet Bu! The kid's our companion in human world like you are Tylor and Val's!
Sulley puts her down and Bing Bong places Anna down to her level.
Anna pulls hand forward
Anna – Hi!
Bu – Hehehehihei!
Bu hugged her old suit and Anna returned the hug.
Anna – I'm princess Anna!
Bu – Prins!
Anna removed the head cover.
Bu looked in awe, another kid like her.
Bu now puffed her cheeks.
Anna – What?
Sulley – I think she doesn't like seeing you in her old clothing.
Anna – Ooouh. By the way, I like your new one too.
Bu had one of a clownish, although Anna doesn't know that. All she sees is red or orange with white stripes.
Bu then put on her head cover, running off with Anna following playfully.
Sulley – A a ah. Not too far please.
Mike – True, enough adventure for a month or two.
Mike got a message on his phone.
Mike – Ah, hey listen. You'll be able to handle this now right?
Sulley – I think so. Why? Gotta go?
Mike – Me and Celia have plans.
Bong Bong – Ah, good old Mike. Knows what she wants~
Sulley chuckled.
Mike – Ha, Ha. Haven't lost your jokester talent. Anyway, see ya two later oh yes. See you around.
Mike departed on his way to Celia.
Sulley – Meh, don't mind that. They just didn't had a proper interaction for a week... we were busy.
Bing Bong nods, looking at the kids.
But took out her Jessie doll.
Anna took out her Arlo dino.
The image of their games refreshed an old memory in pink elephant's mind.
Sulley noticed a change in his eyes.
Sulley – Do... you have something to say Bing Bong?
Bing Bong – Just reminded of my own human kid, I guess.
Sulley – Oh , I remember seeing you two play yeah. Riley was her name.
Bing Bong – Yeah, wonder how she is... but then again, I got nearly caught last time I seen her.
Sulley – Oh yes. And between the two of us, once one of our employees got stuck on the other side... had to go in and help, and we were seen.
Sulley rubs one of his sides.
Sulley – Got out luckily but some of my fur got torn and left there. No idea what they did to it but had to stay home for a while.
Bing Bong – Ouch. I guess no matter how gullible we are, to most adults there we are unwanted guests breaking in.
Sulley thought of that too as he looks at Bu.
If her parents ever found her absent, they may go crazy.
Sulley – You mean, sooner or later I won't be seeing her anymore?
Bing Bong wanted to assure that's not what he meant but realised that... yes, that's actually true too.
Bing Bong – It's an unfortunate thought really.
The atmosphere got a bit sour.
Seeking to change the topic, Bing Bong asks
"Uhm hey , how is Fear, Co after all that happened?"
Sulley – Not much really. The company got absorbed into Monsters Inc. 'It's our house now' you can say.
Bing Bong – I had some associates there too... not that we always agreed either.
Sulley – If you wanna go see them, be my guest. It's already time for Bu to return home before anyone notices AND for Anna to reunite with MIFTers.
Bing Bong – Oh, okay. Have fun. See you tomorrow. Anna!
Anna turned to him.
Bing Bong – I'll give you a ride on my Rocket Wagon tomorrow alright?
Anna – Ayyyee!
Smiling and satisfied, Bing Bong exited the entry...
Bing Bong looks up at the sky.
Nighttime can also be pretty.
Bing Bong – Well, my first day back should be interesting I thi-
Bing Bong was then grabbed and pulled away, before he was knocked out cold.
...
...
...
Making dolphin like sounds, Bing Bong came to his senses...
Bing Bong at first didn't understand what was going on, coming to his senses slowly.
"You sure this was necessary?"
"Oh C'mon, you are the one that thought a friend on inside"
"True... I think he's waking up"
Bing Bong – Aauuuh, what happened?... Did I fall asleep right on the way?
He then notices, he is not outside anymore.
He is some big, old chamber...
Bing Bong – Wait, this isn't company entrance!
He then sees three individuals he never seen before.
One was a young monster... looking somewhat like Sulley.
"My apologies if we had to resort to such measures but we just didnt want for you to potentially make a scene"
One was a human boy with black hair which had a streak of white, pale blue eyes and... a wooden arm?
"Just so we're clear, you should be at your home right now but plans changed"
And then there's... he isn't sure how it's possible but it seems to be an invisible kid whose form can only be seen while the lights are on them.
Humanoid didn't say anything... merely looking at him.
Bing Bong – I...Uh... wait a second, you kidnapped me! And adult humans aren't supposed to be here even!
"There we go again...And Do I look like an adult to you?"
Bing Bong – Well, excuse me... but I didn't expect this to happen today.
"Oh, I agree... neither you should be here, nor that child should be there"
Bing Bong didn't know what to take from that... if they meant Anna, 'why?'
"Kitty, dropping a bombshell like that..."
Kitty – Once you go through these introductions numerously, and you'll no longer care Jamie.
Jamie sighs "Mr Bong, we wish to give you an assignment of sorts"
Bing Bong didn't know what that meant.
Jamie – You'll have to bring little Anna to us.
Now he was suspicious.
"Why would I do that?"
Kitty – Return that kid to where she belongs... actually belongs. Refusing to do so will invite dangerous consequences.
Bing Bong found that puzzling, what danger could a child bring? All those stories were lies.
Bing Bong – From what can you say that? Who are you even to-
Kitty - Time travelers.
Then a minute of silence.
Kitty – And don't look surprised, you use door portals to jump through space and time. Anna is from long old past...
Bing Bong did know that about jumping to human world... but through time? That's first time he heard this.
Bing Bong – How? Time jumps?
Jamie – Yep. I also had that reaction at first.
Bing Bong thought 'At first? Wait, if time travel is true... then could it be?'
Bing Bong – Why do you look like Sulley?
Jamie anticipated that question.
Jamie – Get ready then.
Bing Bong breathes in.
Jamie – Ookay. Not like that but anyway... my full name is Jamie Periwinkle Sullivan, Sullivan is my father.
Bing Bong - ...
Kitty – Yup, such reactions also happen.
But they had little time for jokes.
Bing Bing – Oookaaay. Wow, I did not see that one coming.
But if that's true... then what's the third story?
He looks at the third individual in the room.
"What's your story then?"
The third person in the chamber uttered a word.
The kid was not yet visible.
Kitty – If you wish to tell him now, show your face.
A sigh is heard.
And then, invisible becomes visible.
A person in white armour, and grey coloured visor on her face. But he could see her long blonde hair...
"Do you recognise my voice?"
A little, but he is uncertain from where.
Bing Bong – Should I?
"Maybe... you should..."
She walked up to him.
He looks into her eyes which were difficult to make out.
That is until she removed it from her face...
And shock to his face, he recognised it...
It was bigger now...
But could it be?
Bing Bong – I... I can't... what... you...
She's all grown up now.
"Riley..."
The blonde girl looked at him, more puzzled than happy.
Riley – You know me... so what Mr Kitty says is true.
She looked concerned.
Riley – But I don't understand how?... You were my imaginary friend presumably... but you're here.
Bong – I wasn't imaginary, you were just a kid...How are you here then?! All tall and that?!
Riley – I'm on a mission of my own her-wait-
He then feels something rumbling below him, like cracks opening up.
Kitty – GRAB HIM!
Jamie linked to hold him by his hands as the ground below suddenly dissapeates amidst all the glitches, leaving a chaotic warm hole.
Riley joined in as they pulled him out of there.
Bing – Wha?!
Kitty – Alright that's it!
Kitty then pulls his face to him.
Kitty – Listen, you got questions for later. Right now you have to get Anna to us so we can send her back to her home! Or else this!
He points at the whirlwind portal.
Kitty – Will be all over the place soon!
He still didn't get the whole picture except that it's getting dangerous now.
Bing – Ah, okay but how can Anna cause all of this?!
He felt Jamie's hand on his shoulder.
Jamie – There are people here who shouldn't be here. That little one is an anomaly!
Kitty – And there are too many of them already right now! That's why we need your help!
They can't intervene directly themselves for it'll simply add more temporal paradoxes.
Then there's a loud growl coming from portal hole.
Riley – Oh goodness, there they are again.
A large, foggy creature has emerged from the portal.
With the trio now in it's sight...
"Heartless!"
[STAY TUNED FOR MORE!]