TAKEOVER!: CONTINUED

CHAPTER 26: The Smiling Friends

A TV blared in the middle of a large living-room-type area adorned in bright colors. Three characters were closely focused on it while one stood to the side.

"They've been missing for weeks... we're getting worried now", A superhero-like woman stated; Supergal. 

She turned to another character and interviewed as one of the characters watching the news story piped up.

"Charlie, this is terrible! Look at the missing posters, the panic, the... all of it! Everyone's scared, Charlie! Those people are in danger!", he chimed in worry. He was a lavender-mauve color, his eyes were different sizes and a nerve ending exposed itself on his head. Pim was his name. Charlie, a large yellow homunculus in a red sweater, blue jeans and a red cap nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, Pim, this is getting, like... really bad. I don't even wanna know what they did, man, like, they were gone for weeks. These guys basically have superpowers, Pim, anything that can keep them in like that's gotta be really fuckin' harsh", Charlie stated while repeatedly turning his head. Glep, a tiny, green, lizard-like creature began to loudly state his opinions in Wingon, a complex yet nonsensical language that's hardly understood in Newgrounds at all. Both of the other characters nodded and agreed with him as he intelligibly rambled and threw his hands up, looking at each of them seemingly every other word.  Charlie looked back to the screen.

"OH, MY GOD! DUDE!", he suddenly yelped. Pim looked instantly and gasped in shock.

Images of the Gang were being displayed. Captain John looked mangled and robotic.  Pico looked helpless and traumatized. Salad Fingers was something out of a night terror. 

Cassandra was unable to retain her alien form, Alien Hominid had his eyes removed and Blockhead was recorded in his cell horribly twisting and transforming into a puppet...

The three watched in terror as blood and organs forced themselves out of his throat. A red figure turned around after noticing them going quiet; Alan.

He focused his stare from them to the screen and froze. "Holy shit", he whispered. "BLOCKHEAD!? HE'S MENTALLY STILL A KID! THAT'S TOO FUCKING FAR!", Charlie angrily yelled. Pim covered his mouth and began to cry as weak sobbing and cries for help played out. Instantly, the three got up and began to prepare.

The boss walked in.

"Hey, boys! Where are you goin' in such a hurry?", he quizzed. "Anywhere where we can help them", Pim sobbed while pointing to the screen. The boss stared and realized that the situation was dire. He nodded and returned to his office with an anxious look. They set off and began to find the rest of the gang. Charlie knew one of the numbers that belonged to the to-be-captured members. He called Lila, who he'd been introduced to by Pico. "Hello..? Charlie? What's going on?", she asked. "We're on our way to help. Listen, man, It was just on the news. We're not wasting any time, especially with those kids vulnerable. If they can catch Blockhead, they can catch Skid and Pump. We can't-- we can't risk that, man, we're coming", he stammered. "Tell her I said hi", Pim loudly whispered. "Oh, ok, ok, yeah, uh, also, Pim says hi", Charlie added. Lila simply laughed with a tinge of anxiety. "Hi, Pim. Ok, now, you guys be careful... We'll see you soon", she stated before hanging up.

While they made their way, another issue was taking place.  In a normal-looking house off the road that connected the city to the Gang's Base, someone waited. 

Inside were photos of different events, a couple of tongs, and Blockhead's drawings of different Newgrounds characters. A large armchair was located in a corner, and a character resided there in his usual spot:

Conscience.

He looked around and took on a worried look. "He's been gone for days before, but not for weeks... He's probably not hurt... I can't worry right now, I'll drive myself to insanity...", he anxiously stated to himself. A knock became audible seconds later. He jumped at the sudden noise, then realized... it must've been him.

"Blockhead..!? H-HANG ON!", he cried out, not expecting the return. He opened the door.

Nothing. Nothing but a note taped outside the door. He breathed a sigh of disappointment and defeat. Then, out of curiosity, he opened it. "Who would leave something like this outside of our door if they know the guy's missing..?", he asked himself. He pulled three photos and a written message out of the envelope. The photos made his stomach churn.

It was Blockhead... The first image depicted him being held and scorched by hot, demonic chains. In the second, he was panicking and on his knees while choking on his own heart. Blood and organs surrounded him as he reached his hands to his throat and mouth, trying to pull it out as parts of his body transformed into wood. The third image was the worst... He was curled up, sobbing and bloodied... less than one third of his original size... His eyes were buttons and he had strings. Conscience stared and trembled as he realized what had happened. He got flashes of Blockhead's memories as he put it together;

Blockhead had been captured and transformed into a puppet. 

He breathlessly read the note he'd received, trembling and frozen in terror. 

"Hello, Conscience.

I have your little friend in my grasp. He's mine. If you ever want to see your little number one guy again, you better be here to get him.

Happy travels~!-- Your worst fucking nightmare, Piconjo"

Conscience dropped everything and released a panicked scream before grabbing weapons. He shakily took a spare shotgun, a pistol and a pocket knife. He turned to the door and almost made it before noticing Blockhead's tongs. He turned back and gently took them. He knew he would want them. Then he took off, levitating.

Fear gripped his mind as he dashed around the city, people noticing him and wondering why he was even out of the house. Hank, who was on the lookout at the time, noticed him approaching the makeshift base at extreme speeds. "LOOK OUT! WE GOT A FAST MOTHERFUCKER AT 12:00!!", he called. 

Pim, Charlie and Glep arrived at the same time, running in from the left. Everyone else tried to warn, but it was too late. The trio yelped and Conscience cried out, trying to stop himself before they collided. The screams slowed to an awkward stop. "Dude... Who are you?", Charlie asked. "OH, MY GOD! I-I'm sorry! Let me get off, I-I.. I don't know what I was thinking..! Jesus Christ, uh.. I'm Blockhead's Conscience.. he went missing an-and I got these creepy ass images taped to my fucking door earlier... I-I can't-- WHO DOES THIS!?", he panickedly stammered while pulling out the photos. The gang panicked. He was approached by Bitey, who had just returned from the facility. He noticed Conscience and called out. "Hey! Dude! You left the house! ...You can do that?", he asked. Conscience turned, now crying. He knew to cut the shit and got serious. "Ok, what happened..? Are you okay?", he asked. "NO, I'M NOT FUCKING OKAY! BLOCKHEAD'S A GODDAMN MARIONETTE! THEY TURNED HIM INTO A PUPPET! HE WAS CHOKING ON HIS OWN HEART AND LUNGS! I GOTTA GET HIM OUTTA THERE!", Conscience responded in terror and anger. He got another flash.

Where he was found. His body was dragged as he faded in and out. He saw the facility.                  Jackpot. 

Conscience instantly turned and dashed toward the woods as the gang protested. Pim piped up. "EVERYBODY, STOP! He's not gonna stop, he lost his best friend! Look at everything they've been through together! He used to hate Blockhead, remember?! This is a trauma bond we're talking about here! He's gonna keep going until he finds him... even if it costs him his life. We can't make him stay...", he stated grimly.

Everyone paused and looked to one another. Nods and agreements aired. "But... what if he gets hurt..? Will he be okay?", Skid innocently questioned. Pim nodded. "He's like a ghost. It would be hard to hurt him, but it's inevitable there...", Bitey stated coldly and in fear.