"Emotional blackmail is a powerful form of manipulation. It leaves you in a FOG when there is a haze of Fear, Obligation, and Guilt."

- CAREY WEST


It was nearly pitch black. Only nearly.

The morgues made even the Prototype uncomfortable. Even he hated to think of what the orphans and toys went through in here. Only for their bodies to be disposed of like rotten pieces of meat at the end of it.

Though in the end, every employee - nearly every employee - paid dearly for their crimes. With their very lives.

Except for one. And she had finally returned.

Those who survived the Hour of Joy were penned up as livestock, ready for consumption for the toys here. Eventually, that food source had depleted, and the toys started turning on each other. That was the only reason he kept the Doctor alive. He needed him to improve their bodies. So they no longer had to rely on a food source to survive. To improve their immortality.

So far, the Doctor had failed his tasks. But that was the least of his worries for now.

His large mechanical, crab-like legs collided loudly with the floor, his joints and cogs groaning and clicking loudly. The chains on his legs clanked together as he moved.

The intruding human was giving those heretics hope. They looked to her to kill him. To end his 'tyranny.' They saw her as an 'angel.'

That made him sick. He was their savior. He saved them from the real tyranny within the factory.

Though, he had to admit, the human fascinated him. She survived impossible odds. Again and again and again.

He found it impressive.

However, just when he had Poppy and the heretics in his grasp, they managed to slip away. At the same time, the Doctor had the perfect opportunity to bring the human to him, only for her to slip through his fingers. Worse yet, the Doctor disobeyed him and sent his leonine ball of yarn after her. And Yarnaby was nothing like the others she had faced. He was purely animalistic and savage, not too different from a rabid animal. Luckily, she had slipped away from him. That was one thing that worked in his favor.

Unfortunately, when he had them cornered, when he was so close to getting into the 'Safe Haven,' that grotesque glob of clay tricked him into following him away from the place, only to lose him in the mines.

The Prototype hadn't felt this level of frustration in so long. He had planned it all so carefully, only for it to backfire drastically.

He gave what could be passed off as an irritated growl.

He needed that glob of clay out of the equation.

Stalking along the room, the Prototype tried to think of how to approach the new situation he was in. Those heretics and the intruder were in the Safe Haven. Poppy was in the Safe Haven. He needed them. He wanted them. Especially Poppy and the intruder.

Poppy was the key to unlocking the secrets for his goals, and the intruder, the 'Angel of Playtime,' could be of use to him.

The others saw her as their savior who would take him out. He could use that to his own advantage. She could become his angel.

The only obstacle was Doey. And he could easily elude the Prototype.

The scientists, however, made a fatal flaw when they made Doey with the souls of three children. One of whom was impulsive and easily angered.

Doey was a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. The fuse just needed the right spark.

The Prototype paused when that thought came into his head, and gave what could be passed off as a sadistic, pleasurable hum.

He had an idea.

Before he could think further, another figure caught his attention.

There, on the far side of the room, stood CatNap. His head and left eye was still bandaged, as well as his chest, abdomen and right paw. His lavender purple fur was now darkened from being electrocuted and burned.

Sadistic joy filled the Prototype upon seeing his best disciple. He still had the upper hand after all.

"Ah, my most faithful servant, finally back on your feet, I see," the Prototype purred in comfort.

Surprisingly, instead of kneeling before his god, CatNap remained on his feet, not taking his eye off the Prototype.

Offended by his defiance, the Prototype questioned in warning, "something on your mind that you wish to share?"

Barely fazed by the anger the Prototype was displaying, CatNap asked in a deep, raspy, strained voice, "I don't understand. You promised me salvation. You said you'd make me a part of you. Instead, you spare my life."

Annoyed by the question, the Prototype did his best to mask it when he answered, "I still have use for you, my friend. That intruder thinks you're dead. We once again have leverage against her."

"But I failed my task," CatNap stated.

"Exactly," the Prototype agreed simply. "You're point being?"

"And you promised that I would be made a part of you regardless if I failed or not. I've carried out your orders without question or hesitation," CatNap pointed out.

"And I told you I wanted that intruder alive," the Prototype growled in reminder. "You disobeyed a direct order."

"You said I could kill her if she didn't leave Playcare!" CatNap countered louder than he intended. When he noticed the Prototype twitch in anger, CatNap recoiled slightly in fear before he continued, "she came for the heretic. She didn't leave."

"And you brought her right to the machine you were supposed to protect!" The Prototype growled louder, advancing towards CatNap. His large metallic legs clashing loudly against the floor. "You could've hidden the heretic in any other place in Playcare! But instead, you failed BOTH objectives I gave you! And for that, your salvation will not come. Not yet."

CatNap, instead of flinching away or submitting to the Prototype's dominance, held his ground.

"But I did what you said!" CatNap repeated. "I protected the machine as best I could! I tried!"

"And you fell into your own trap," The Prototype reminded in irritation.

With that, CatNap flinched slightly. "I did what you asked. I set up that trap on your orders!"

"The trap was meant as a last resort! The heretic was our leverage and you failed to do what you were told!" The Prototype growled.

CatNap had never felt this conflicted. Had he really failed? Yes, he did. That intruder managed to injure and nearly killed him. That traitorous mongrel had sided with her and saved her when CatNap had her in his grasp. But the Prototype promised salvation regardless of the outcome.

Now that CatNap thought about it, this isn't the first time he nearly died following the Prototype's orders.

Was it really worth it at this point anymore? To follow the Prototype?

"This isn't the first time I nearly died following your orders," CatNap said out loud, rather challengingly.

Taken aback, the Prototype growled, "excuse me?"

"Before I became this," CatNap growled, "I nearly died helping you escape! And now, I suffer a similar fate obeying your commands! I nearly died twice following your orders!"

Not expecting this from his disciple, The Prototype started advancing towards him, "I'm surprised by this level of defiance coming from you, CatNap. Has that intruder gotten to your head? Or even that mongrel heretic?"

CatNap held his ground, but didn't answer.

The Prototype then gave another growl, "are you actually doubting me? After all I've done not just for you, but for everyone here?"

This time, CatNap answered without hesitation, "maybe I am."

The Prototype gave no response or reaction. Seeing that, CatNap continued.

"You promised no more cages! You promised no more suffering! You said with the humans dead, things would get better! But… things have only gotten worse! We're starving! We're still suffering! Things have not gotten better! Only worse --"

SLAM

Before CatNap could go further in his rant, the Prototype, angered further, suddenly grabbed CatNap by the neck and slammed him to the ground.Stunned by the sudden blow and the pain to his pre-existing injuries, CatNap tried to move, but the Prototype prevented him from moving.

"Such defiance," the Prototype stated, "Rather impressive, yet unexpected coming from you, Theodore."

At the sound of his real name, CatNap tried to struggle again, but the Prototype's needle fingers started to pierce his skin, inflicting new pain.

"Don't forget that you owe me! If it weren't for me, you'd be rotting in an unmarked grave! I sacrificed my freedom for you! I made you what you are! I deemed you worthy, and I expect nothing but obedience from everyone!"

CatNap gulped before he adjusted himself as best he could and faced the ground in submission.

"Forgive me," CatNap whispered.

Seeing that he was getting through to CatNap once again, he stated simply, "you're forgiven, my friend. You're in pain. And you're simply confused from blood loss. And don't worry about the conditions of this place. I have a plan. I always have a plan."

That sounded reasonable and logical to CatNap, who relaxed slightly, but then tensed up again when the Prototype loomed over him.

"Don't let this defiance happen again, CatNap."

With that threat, CatNap remained face down in submission.

"My loyalty is yours, and yours alone. I will never doubt you again," CatNap whispered in his strained voice.

"That's better," the Prototype growled.

He removed his hand from CatNap's throat and walked away, who dared to look up from the ground.

"I have a special task for you, my friend," the Prototype spoke up. "You are still responsible with making sure that human is brought to me. I still have need of her. But before that happens, I need to take care of one crucial little detail. Wait here until your final instructions are given."

With that final order, not waiting for a response from CatNap, the Prototype left.

Once the sounds of the Prototype's footsteps faded, CatNap finally dared to stand up. Still looking in the direction the Prototype disappeared in.

Taking a deep breath, he released the tension he was feeling.

Though he was still at a loss. He didn't know what to do.

The Prototype had never gotten this violent with him. The Prototype had still broken his promises.

Right?

He needed to think.

With that, CatNap stalked into the darkness.


Arguing is a game two can play at. But it is a strange game in that neither opponent ever wins.

- Benjamin Franklin


AN: the moment you've all been waiting for... CatNap's return!!

What do you think he'll do?