Rose - A Poppy Playtime Story

Chapter 65 - Rest

(It's officially been a year since I first created this AU! Funny, because I thought I'd been done with this AU by now, but I'm not even close lol)

"Bubba, how long will we be out here?" Kickin whined, his posture hunched. Picky rolled her eyes, not sparring him a glance.

"Until we find our friends." He answered, leading the group.

"It's been days, Bubba. We need to rest." Kickin complained.

Picky snorted, "You? Suggesting we rest? Wow, how far you've come, Kickin!" Kickin just bobbled his head at her, sticking out his tongue.

A terrified scream echoing through the hallways, making them freeze. Bubba looked back at the other two, and they stared back at him, their mouths in a thin line.

The scream was followed by panicked yelling from multiple voices. Voices they recognized, along with one that made their hearts skip a beat.

Kickin started running first, rushing towards the sound. Picky was next, and Bubba wasn't too far behind.

"What the fuck do I do now?!" One voice screamed.

"Just give me a damn minute!" Hoppy's voice responded, shrill and loud. Kickin would be very impressed with whoever could make her panic that much.

"Everybody stop yelling! This isn't helping anyone!" That. Was that Dogday? The trio turned the corner in time to see a pink creature charge at something. Kissy?

Crafty stood there, hugging her shoulders. Hoppy rushed after Kissy, a little mini Kickin following. Poppy stood there, a hand over her mouth. Then, most importantly, Dogday.

Their leader picked up a piece of debris, and ran in the same direction as the other three. A loud 'clank!' was heard soon after, as well as a small thump as something hit the floor.

"Woah!" Hoppy yelled, alarmed.

"Holy shit, Dogday. Did you just..?" An unfamiliar voice asked.

"I don't know! But can we please get out of here before something else shows up to kill us! We have a mission here, people!" Dogday responded, before walking back into view. The debris had a red stain on it.

It only took mere seconds, before Dogday's eyes found them. His shoulders slumped, and his eyes widened. Hoppy walked up behind him, seeing them as well.

"Wait, what are you guys-" Hoppy was cut off as Kickin ran at Dogday, wrapping his feathery arms around the canine.

"You're fucking alive!" Kickin laughed, grinning as tears started to fall. Dogday chuckled, hugging the yellow critter.

"Glad to see you too, Kickin." He whispered, giving the chicken a tight squeeze. The pair let out a startled yelp as they were tackled to the group by a certain pig.

"You've got some explaining to do, mister." Picky joked, giving him a teasing smile. Dogday grinned, and looked to the last critter; Bubba.

He stared at Dogday, "I thought you were.." His voice trailed off, not completing the sentence.

"Dead? Yeah, I thought I was going to be dead, too." He laughed. Bubba rushed up to him, pulling him from the ground with surprising strength and hugging him tightly.

"I'm really sorry to ruin this reunion, but Dogday was right, we need to move before something else comes to check out what that commotion was all about." Poppy said, while Kissy put the doll safely back on her shoulder.

Dogday gasped, "Catnap!" Then he smiled, "We have more people now! Oh, this might be a little easier!"

"Wait, Catnap?" Picky asked, with confusion, turning to look at Kickin. Kickin shrugged at her, sharing the confused look.

"Yeah, we need to look for Catnap." Dogday said, getting up and going over to the human. Wait, human?

"Holy guacamole!" Kickin exclaimed, backing away from the human.

Dogday laughed, "It's a long story, but this is Angel. They're here to help." The canine picked up the human, who had been lying in the ground with exhaustion.

"I think we should rest before going after that monster." Picky said, crossing her arms. Dogday paused, his expression going blank.

"Catnap is not a monster." He replied, looking at nothing in particular. The three newcomers all turned to one another.

"Dogday, I think we're going to need some more information here." Bubba patiently spoke, taking a cautious step towards him.

"Yeah, dude, he tried to kill us all! How is he not a monster?" Kickin questioned, leaning against Picky's larger frame.

"Because some serious shit happened, and now he needs our help. Look, I can explain everything on the way, but he is in serious danger."

"Picky, am I going crazy or did Dogday, of all people, just curse." Kickin whispered, using a feathered hand to cover his mouth.

"Not going crazy, Kickin." She responded.

"Dogday, at least can you answer this one question?" Bubba said, making the canine glance at him while he held Angel in his arms. He nodded.

"Where were you for ten years."

The dog stared at him for a minute, "In a cell, chained up by the arms and my legs ripped off."

The three gasped, before Kickin spoke, "Let me guess, Catnap did that to you? The same person who you want to help."

Dogday groaned, "Yes."

"Trust me, I've already tried to tell him he's crazy for this." Hoppy cut in. Dogday resisted the urge to growl at her.

"Agreed." Poppy said, "Though, it would be wise to get out of here, no matter where we go next."

The others nodded, and Dogday rolled his eyes. Which was not defiantly not unnoticed by a certain blue elephant.

"I think we should head back to the base. It's not that far, and the human looks like they need the rest." Picky advised, pointing to Angel.

Angel was limp in the canine's arms, barely able to stand. Not to mention, their eyes were half-lidded and their head was resting on their shoulder.

"N-No! I'm fine..." They huffed, before passing out completely. The others stared at the sight.

"Okay, fine. Let's go." Dogday growled, now seeming to be in some sort of rush.

(Me: *Gets crazy writers block while trying to do this chapter
*Goes to try to clear my mind with working with another AU
*Writes an entire 2000 word chapter for the other AU
Me: 🥲)

1037 words