Dandys World: T.B.O.T.G. (infection Au)

Prologue: The Birth of Horror

The research lab, once a place of curiosity and discovery, now lay bathed in the harsh glow of flickering fluorescent lights. The usual hum of machinery was silenced, replaced by an unsettling stillness that weighed heavily on the group of toons gathered around a central table. The air was thick with anticipation, their eyes locked on the object in the center: a small, obsidian capsule. It glistened with a dark allure, the mysterious ichor inside swirling with an unnatural vitality that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.

Rodger, the researcher and detective, leaned in closer, his single eye narrowing as he inspected the capsule. His brown magnifying glass head reflected the dim light, making him appear even more intense. "This... doesn't look like the usual ichor," he muttered, his voice low but filled with concern. His magnifying glass head tilted slightly as he examined the strange artifact, noting how the liquid inside seemed almost eager to break free.

Vee, always the one to analyze, zoomed in on the capsule with her green TV head, static briefly flickering across her screen. "It's... almost alive," she observed, her voice tinged with a rare note of unease.

Goob, ever the optimist, attempted to lighten the mood, though even his usually cheerful demeanor seemed strained. "Maybe it's just a new kind of research material? Something Dandy brought in to spice things up?"

Poppy, the camp builder, bounced on her feet, her bubble head reflecting the others in its glossy surface. "I'm sure it's harmless! Dandy wouldn't bring us anything dangerous. Right?"

All eyes turned to Dandy, the beloved leader of the group, who stood at the head of the table. The flower atop his head usually radiated warmth and joy, with petals in a perfect rainbow of colors. But tonight, something was off. He seemed distracted, almost mesmerized by the capsule, his white torso casting an eerie reflection in the surface of the dark ichor. He reached out with a slender green arm, his fingers just inches away from the capsule.

"Dandy, wait!" Rodger's voice cut through the tension like a knife. "We don't know what that is. Regular ichor has twisted us before—what if this is worse?"

Dandy's hand hovered over the capsule for a moment, hesitation flickering across his usually cheerful face. He forced a smile, trying to dispel the growing unease among his friends. "It's just another sample, Rodger. We've dealt with these before. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?"

But as Dandy's fingers closed around the capsule, the worry was still evident in his eyes. The capsule was cool to the touch, colder than he expected, sending a shiver down his spine. He tried to shake off the feeling, but it lingered, gnawing at the edges of his confidence. This wasn't like the other ichor samples they had collected before. This one felt... wrong.

The group watched in tense silence as Dandy examined the capsule. His eyes traced the intricate patterns on its surface, trying to decipher its secrets. But before he could make sense of it, the capsule hissed, a faint crack appearing along its surface. The group tensed, a collective breath held as the crack widened, spidering across the glossy black shell. Dandy's eyes widened in alarm, and he quickly tried to pull his hand away.

But he was too late.

The capsule shattered in his hand, releasing a thick, black ichor that splashed onto his torso and dripped down his limbs. The ichor clung to him, its dark tendrils seeping into his skin with alarming speed.

"Dandy!" Teagan, the healer, rushed forward, her teacup head rattling with concern. The royal robe she wore swayed as she reached for her friend, but Dandy raised a hand to stop her, his eyes wide with panic. (ACCIDENTALLY TYPED HUSBAND AND NOT FRIEND BEFORE I FIXED IT😭😭😭😭😭