The entire factory of Playtime Co. erupted like a volcano. Plumbing fire and smoke through the air, scorching winds roared forward along with clouds of smoke. Jason ducked as hot air rushed over him. Some of the mini Critters and Huggies screamed from behind their bigger siblings. The roaring explosion tore through everyone's ear drums. A black fog of noxious smoke hung in the air.
Jason shifted his gaze back at the factory. Peering through the building that was now engulfed in flames. Poppy was perched on his shoulder, her small frame contrasting with the explosive display in front of him; her eyes fixed into the burning building with a frown and clinging close to his neck. Kissy Missy stood beside him as she too watched the Play Co. factory burn ablaze.
Fragmented memories flashed in his mind as Jason watched the factory he thought he knew burn. All the employees he worked with during his time working there, the innocent people he befriended; the many laughs he shared with them. Knowing that they're all gone and he'll never get to see them again. It broke his heart.
He couldn't find his employees and saved them.
But at least he saved all the toys and the children.
Jason frowned as he stared straight ahead. No, he was wrong. Some of them couldn't be saved. There were still hundreds of small toys in that factory, but he wasn't able to round any up. And of course, a much more notable absence was prominent. Ollie had betrayed him and Poppy. They turned out to be another splinter of The Prototype's mimicry, and had died along with it.
Dogday watched beside Jason to his right. Bobby Bearhug, Craftycorn, Bubbaphant, Hoppy Hopscotch, Kickin, and Picky gaze at the dancing flames behind their leader. Doey observed the flaming factory with wide eyes, his giant hand placed over his chest. Boxy Boo was standing a little far from the others, keeping a safe distance from the group while watching their hell of a prison burn. Yarnaby watched the illuminating sight beside Boxy with a tilt of his head.
Mrs. Delight stood quietly next to Huggy. Her bandaged face is testament to the struggles she had endured. The absence of Barb weighed heavily in the air, a reminder of the bond they had shared amidst ten years of being alone. With a heavy heart, Mrs. Delight had relinquished the weapon, her decision fueled by the promise of freedom from the factory's oppressive walls. The memory of Jason's sincere apologies echoed in her mind; she had brushed them off, knowing that accidents happen in such a frantic environment.
But the pain in her back, a lingering reminder of the door that had slammed down upon her, was a constant companion. A supportive brace encircled her torso, a symbol of both her resilience and the trials she faced. Yet her spirit remained unbroken as she contemplated the future that awaited her outside those grim confines.
Mommy situated beside Mrs. Delight to the left. One of her arms had been ripped off, and her whole body would've been maimed had Jason not yanked her from the shredder. She decided to help him after that; had she not been saved, she'd have been added to The Prototype's body. The missing arm was replaced with a new one that Jason made for her, although it wasn't pink like the original. The new stretchable arm was black with a red hand (the one she took from Jason) attached to it.
Catnap watched with saddened wide eyes. Compared to everyone else who knew that the Prototype was insane, Catnap genuinely believed that what he was doing was right. That staying in the factory was better now that the adults were out of the way, but then things kept getting worse and worse. Food became scarce, the factory, with no one to do maintenance, is falling apart. But he continued to cling to that hope that the thing that saved him will continue to protect him.
Then one ex-employee changes everything in one night. The tight control his savior had on his home began to wane and loosen, friends who became traitors joined his side, and yet he clung on to the false hope that his savior will protect him. Only for him to almost kill you too. It is because of the kindness of that ex-employee, revered an angel by the heretics, that he saved him, away from the grasp of the god that just betrayed you in your most vulnerable. It is that same night that the heretics win, his master has fallen, everyone is truly free.
The remains of the factory, a tormenting hell and yet...their home, burns ablaze. The sins of the evil adults cleansed by rightful fire.
But it was still his home.
Huggy was internally satisfied with what he was seeing. Sporting a bandage wrapped around his head, likely a result of an unfortunate encounter with a pipe. Like Kissy, he too was captivated by the Playtime Co. factory set ablaze. For ten years he was imprisoned in that hell hole. Following Leith's orders with no way of fighting back his command, which extended to the Prototype.
But he didn't have to worry about that anymore.
He was free.
This feeling extended to the bigger nightmare critters.
Baba Chops never thought this day would come. It was hers and her friends' greatest dream: her along with every single toy in the factory, marching towards the exit; striding towards freedom that they have longed for decades. She had always thought a day like that would be nothing more than a pipe dream. Oh, how wrong she was. Had it not been for Jason's never ending kindness, she wouldn't have gotten the chance to see the light of day as she is now.
"So…what do we do now?" Hoppy spoke up.
Jason turned his head when Hoppy asked that. All the toys shifted their gaze towards him. Hope and wonder washed each toy's countenance that extended to another. He took a deep breath.
"Well, calling a taxi is out of the question. There's too many of you guys to fit in," Jason replied.
Jason turned his gaze toward a building not too far away from the factory.
"There's a train over to that station," Jason said, pointing at the faraway building. The toys followed the direction to which he pointed. "If we set it right, the tracks should take us to the direction of my home town. Once we reach our stop, we'll have to walk to make it to my house. We'll figure out what to do next once we get there."
Jason shifted his gaze back at the toys.
"I apologize if my house isn't what you isn't to your liking," Jason said, rubbing his nape with his hand.
"Don't apologize Jason. I'm sure it's not even that bad," Poppy replied, forming a small smile. Kissy Missy nodded in agreement. "See? Even Kissy agrees with me!"
Dogday also nodded in agreement.
"Agreed. Nothing will ever be as bad as the factory, Angel," Dogday added, smiling down at him.
Bobby stepped close to Jason with a happy smile.
"Dogday's right. We're all free now and you're here with us! That alone makes things a lot better," Bobby chimed, her tone laced with genuine enthusiasm.
Jason turned his head when he heavy thumps drawing close to him. He turned his head to see Doey approaching him.
"And wherever you go." Doey stops in front of Jason whilst smiling down at him. "We are with you."
Hoppy nodded in agreement. "All the way."
All the toys surrounding him nodded in silent agreement. Jason couldn't help but smile at the amount of support he was receiving from his friends. He parted his mouth open, as to say something until he paused. The sudden reaction extended to the toys when all of them heard the sound of blaring sirens from far away.
"The police," Poppy muttered under her breath.
Jason frantically looked between the train station and the flashing red and blue lights slowly but surely approaching his position.
"Everyone! To the train station, hurry!" Jason shouted.
Jason and the group surged toward the train station in a frantic dash for safety. Jason ran at the forefront as he propelled himself forward, arms pumping with urgency. Poppy was back perching on Kissy's shoulder. Flanking them were the towering figures of Kissy Missy and Dogday, their immense forms a protective barrier as they cradled a little boy and girl in their arms. Both big and small toys added a whimsical yet desperate element to the scene, each one driven by an instinctual need to escape the authorities looming behind them.
Hoppy Hopscotch and Kickin Chicken sprinted behind the pair with urgency driving their every step. Hoppy cradled two unconscious girls in her arms, their small forms limp and vulnerable, while Kickin carried a little boy who appeared to be still asleep, his head resting against Kickin's feathered chest. Craftycorn, Bobby Bearhug, Picky Piggy, and Bubbaphant chased after them, their hearts pounding with a mix of concern and determination. The strong thumps of Doey's feet echoed through the air, each clomp resonating like a drumbeat as he followed closely behind. The mini smiling critters, along with the mini Huggies, Scout, and Medic raced alongside the group, each of them pushing their limits. Trying their best to keep up with the fast-paced rescue mission unfolding before them.
Mommy Long Legs stomped heavily on the floor while keeping up the pace with Doey and the others. Bunzo Bunny clung tightly to her back, his heart racing as he fought to maintain his balance, every jolt threatening to send him tumbling off. PJ Pug-a-Pillar darted alongside them, his agile movements allowing him to nimbly speed past the spider toy. Yarnaby and Pianosaurus raced together behind the frantic trio, their breaths coming in quick gasps as they pushed themselves to escape the looming danger. The little nightmare critters found a precarious refuge on the vibrant, rainbow-furred back of the toy animal, clutching desperately as the world around them blurred with speed. Huggy and the bigger nightmare critters charged at the rear of the group, their determination evident as he matched strides with Cat-Bee and Candy Cat.
Mrs. Delight was also running at the rear close to Huggy. She pumped her arms and kicked her legs as she trailed after the others to the train station.
Jason didn't know what the future would be from here on out. But he and the toys he had adopted will face it.
Together.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed my little Poppy Playtime - One Shot one shot fic. Think of this as a little tease of what I'm planning writing in the near future - and rhat is a upcoming fan written series based on the most talked about, and most famous game on the internet: Poppy Playtime. I dont when i will write this upcoming series but (if God wills) i will get started on it soon. Also, i'm FINALLY all better from the flu so you'll see some updates from one of my stories that i have left untouched for a long time. With all of that said I'll be going now. I hope you all have a wonderful day or night wherever you are!
See you all in the next chapter, my little shimmerings!