Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Okay. And that’s how that works! From Discord to IRL!”

Booloo sighed dreamily, satisfied with her newfound powers, as she glanced at the lobby in front of her. Next to her, a human with peachy skin, shoulder length brown hair and blue-gray eyes, with orange glasses on their face. They were also wearing a green t-shirt with blue jeans and pink sneakers. On their back was a black backpack with a Dumbo keychain.

“...So. Living!”

“Call me Avery.” They requested.

“Okay. Avery!” Booloo sounded determined, not missing a beat with her tone. “Plan is simple. Find a curse in this dimension, get ideas to write so this universe remains, and then...profit, I guess!”

“Is that how it works? It vanishes if you don’t write?”

“I don’t know. But I’m not sticking around to find out!” Booloo smiled. “...Kinda hungry, though. Maybe Aianna has some ideas in the break room?”

She did a good job hiding her stress. Not so much her hunger.

“Are there snacks too?” Avery asked, clutching onto their backpack straps.

“Probably! I mean...if I remember my headcanons well...the break room has chips and stuff.” Booloo explained. “Besides, if there were any recent curses, they’d sure be gossiped about here.”

Avery grinned. “Alright! Race you to the break room, then!”

“Hey!” Booloo giggled as she ran alongside them, panting all the while.

***
Unfortunately, the break room didn’t have the gossip they were expecting.

“Yeah. No curses today. Isn’t that odd?” Aianna told Bob as they sat down together. Bob had some doritos and coffee in his hand, whilst Aianna was typing on her computer. “...Nothing in a few days.”

“Maybe Raven’s playing the long game?” Bob sipped his coffee. “Wouldn’t be surprised.”

Booloo’s expression dropped. It was harder and harder to hide her frustration.

“At least they got snacks.” Avery shrugged with a laugh. “Something wrong?”

“...I…” Booloo sighed. “Nothing. It’s okay.”

Sure doesn’t sound like nothing.

Booloo’s eyes turned red as she tried not to pay too much attention to the spirit behind her.

Avery smiled a little “You want anything, Boo?”

Booloo glanced at Avery. “...Uh...I’m...kinda busy?”

She was bad at lying. 

…I know you don’t want to risk this world dying. Raven placed a comforting hand on Booloo’s shoulder. This is your escape, right? Your place to ignore bullies...and mental health stuff...and-

“...Uh…” Booloo closed her eyes. “...Yeah. I don’t want this world to die.”

Avery was just curious and sat close to the couple. “Whatcha writing, Aianna?”

Aianna looked at them, curiously before smiling. 

“Oh, I’m writing a magical girl romance fic, it’s got it all. Drama, romance, action, betrayal. All that jazz.” Aianna explained.

“It isn’t an autobiography though.” Bob joked.

Booloo glanced at the couple. 

“...Augh, and I...I want to write stuff like SHE does! She’s a fictional creation! How does she get all of those ideas!?! I’ve got nothing!”

Good question, Booloo. You’ve been writing about this universe for a long time. Why don’t you show everyone your true powers? Raven suggested. Write the first thing that comes to mind and don’t stop!

“Getting writing advice from you, sounds like a bad idea…” Booloo winced. 

Let me start you off. Not long ago, on a day full of boredom and dread…there was a writer…a starving writer. Raven grinned.

Booloo looked interested. 

“...I think I can work with this.” Booloo smiled. “...I…I can make this into one of those actual magical girl shows!”

Need a pencil? Raven suggested.

“I’ve got dysgraphia. But I like the feel of it. Just...give me the strength to write more than 2 sentences, clearly, too, and we’ve got a deal.”

This pencil will give you all the strength you need to write your stories and really bring your universes to life. Take it and we’ve cemented the deal.

Booloo caught said pink pencil. A spiral notebook then summoned in her hand, one white, but covered with Precure symbols from the last two decades.

Aianna clutched her heart.

“Uh...Avery? You related to Booloo somehow?” Bob sweated, glancing over at her.

“I do a bit of writing with her. Why?” Avery wondered.

“Don’t worry. I won’t get you involved in this.” Booloo reassured them. “...You’re not a character. But...these two are.” 

“Oh? What are you talking about?” asked Avery, a question mark floated above their head.

“...Just…don’t judge. Okay?” Booloo prepared to write. “Any way to keep my universe alive.”

Clearing her throat, she began to write.

Being a magical girl herself was tough, too, but she was lucky to have her friends Bob and Aianna help through it. But more than anything, she loved to write. And fight crime. But mostly write. (Maybe I should edit the wording of this later...gotta continue writing, though.)

But regardless, they had some stuff to do. She could tell. Aianna was approaching her, a pace filled with urgency. 

Aianna stood up.

“Woah, uh, what’s going-” She spoke as she quickly walked towards Booloo. 

“I wish I knew.” Avery shrugged and looked at Bob.

“Bob’s cursed!”

Aianna quickly covered her mouth upon saying that. Bob, meanwhile, gained glowing red eyes.

Avery’s jaw dropped “Holy fuck!”

“...Puppeteering curse. Knew it.” Aianna sounded sheepish. “Avery?”

“Yeah?” Avery sounded curious.

“Get Kiruru to Schmitty and Bob’s compact to Guy. Would ask literally anyone else…but…”

“Stick to the script.” Booloo gently requested. “...Avery. It’s okay. Just- do what Aianna told you. I’ll be fine.”

She snickered.

“After all…a true story needs conflict.”

“Okay. I am on it.” Avery reported.

“KIRURU!” Kiruru flew over and studied Avery.

“Do you have Bob’s compact?”

“RURU!”

“Thank goodness, lead the way.”

“Kiruru!”

Satisfied as Avery left, Booloo turned to her book once more.

“Bob’s cursed because he feels like his brother is better than him. I...I don’t know what to do?”

“Powers?” I asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

Booloo paused to think, smirking all the while.

If this was a power trip...she would love more of it.

***

“Slow down, Kiruru!” Avery panted.

“RURU! RURU!” Kiruru cried as the two zoomed past Buzz and Nate.

“Was that Kiruru?” Buzz spoke up.

“Better question, who’s that with it?” Nate asked.

“KIRU! KIRU!” Kiruru yelled, stopping in front of Nate and Buzz, summoning their compacts in their hands.

“Oh! Uh- Aianna curse?” Nate wondered.

“RURU!” Kiruru said.

Avery stopped running. “Nate and Buzz, eh? Well, no time to talk. I’m looking for Schmitty and Guy cause Booloo is manipulating Aianna and Bob and-”

They paused.

“Do you know Booloo?”

“...Oh! That gal!” Nate chuckled. “I saw her debut as Robopika. Also got mindfucked by a singing zombie thing, different curse, different time. Gotta admit, she’s a good charmer.”

“We’ll call Roxanne and head over.” Buzz nodded. “Go get the backups!”

***

See? As a literary genius, I should know what I’m talking about. Raven reassured as Booloo and Aianna dodged an immensely cartoonish-looking Bob, who was charging at them with a mallet.

Bob did not look like he was having a good time. Neither did Aianna. But their feelings escaped Booloo’s thought process.

“…truth be told, Raven…in my world, this doesn’t happen.” Booloo explained. “So...I honestly dreamed for this to happen to me? I mean, yeah, Queenie and I were affected...but...this is the first ever curse that felt like...yknow...I was an akuma. Hammy. Large. In charge.” Booloo stopped. 

“Does that make me a…well, a slight masochist?”

How would I know? Raven questioned. I’m not the one writing. I just gave you the pencil and motivation.

“True.” Booloo shrugged. 

So, should we get Aianna’s little sister involved? Oh the damage she could do, that bookworm. Not to mention all her powers and trauma and stuff that we can write into dialogue!

“...Good idea.” Booloo turned back to her book. “Besides...if the Robodoki gang’s gonna stop me, I’ll need extra assurance to see this story come to life without any interference. What a great idea! You’re great at making a good story.”

I know.

***

“TAXI! TAXI!” cried Avery. “SLOW DOWN!”

“Kiru!” Kiruru sounded even more panicked.

“Roxanne?!” Nate called out before the group saw her being toyed with by Booloo's curse.

“The only member of Robodoki that keeps my cousin sane!” Buzz added. “That one! I video chatted with her and she lost control of her-”

Nate shot him the stink-eye. “I’m gonna ignore that comment. So. She’s...puppeteered? I mean, not mindfucked. Mindfucked implies something happening to the mind.”

“Bodyfucked?”

“That’s not quite it either.” Nate tried not to laugh as he pulled out his compact.

“Let’s focus on finding the others.” Avery suggested. “Is Glitch around?”

“I don’t think so.” Nate glanced at his phone. “School day.”

“Gotcha!” Avery began calling out “SCHMITTY! GUY! WHERE ARE YOU?!”

Cookie shook his head. “Do I even WANT to know what’s going on?”

Nate shrugged. “Depends. Big fan of being puppeteered? Or magical girl fanfics?”

“No! No! No! Nope! No way! No way in HELL!”

“Thought so.” Buzz smirked a little.

“I think I can handle it. Booloo may be good at winning people over, but she’s no match for- HEY! WAIT UP!” Nate yelled exasperatedly.

“GUY! SCHMITTY!” Avery shouted more.

“WHAT?!?” Schmitty rushed out. “I’m in the middle of recording for Quiplash- this better be good.”

“...Well-” Buzz sweated.

“Get used to it. You’re summoned on B-team duty.” Nate snarked.

“B-Team? What the FUCK? And who’s THAT?!” Schmitty asked.

“Kiruru!” Kiruru hugged the redhead’s leg. “Ruru! Kiru! Kiruru!”

“...Avery. They/them. Booloo’s friend. She’s cursed again.” Nate explained.

“AGAIN?” Schmitty facepalmed. “...I barely survived last time. My feet were killing me after all that dancing.”

“Well, this time you have a magical girl form. Use it.” Nate gritted his teeth in a smile.

“Ah fuck…” Schmitty cussed.

“Kiruru!” Kiruru added, holding up Bob’s compact..

“Oh yeah. Guy, where the hell is he?” added Avery, flapping their hands a little.

“Someone called?” Guy walked in. “...Oh! Schmitty! Thought you were recording now.”

“I was. ” Schmitty spoke with gritted, smiling teeth.

“Can you help us with something?” Nate grinned. 

“What happened? Who needs therapy?” Guy, not as upset as Schmitty, still sounded a bit off-putted. 

It was swiftly answered by Booloo appearing in front of them…alongside a strained Robohoshi.

“...Sorry.” She sounded sheepish. “I...can’t exactly control myself.”

“I mean, it’s all for a good cause!” Booloo argued. “...Think I might take control of everyone else. Except you, Avery.”

“Why would you do that? Spare me and harm your creation?”

“...If I don’t do something…” Booloo sighed. “...The one thing that brings me joy...I’m afraid it’ll go poof.”

“You’ve done hiatuses before, haven’t you? Collect your thoughts for a bit and then just run with your ideas.” Avery said.

“That was before I knew it was real.” Booloo sounded increasingly unsure. “But…you’ve got a good idea.”

Raven took notice.

Aw, giving up so soon? You love this villain role! What harm can it do?

“...I…Is it worth it?” Booloo wondered. 

It feels powerful, giving everyone something to spice up their lives. And besides, nothing’s more fun than the adrenaline of being able to write a narrative!

Booloo beamed. “...You’re right! I FEEL POWERFUL!” Booloo began to scribble rapidly. “I AM A MONSTER OF THE WEEK…AND I WILL EMBRACE IT!”

Yes! YES!

Everyone began to freeze. Except for Avery.

***

“BOOLOO, THIS DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS!” Avery explained. They began to flap their hands even more. “I…I want to help you, just give me a minute.”

Panicked, Avery unzipped their backpack and pulled out a pink and purple toy dog, giving it a squeeze. 

“Alright, now where was I?”

“Hurry up, BEFORE I get writer’s block!” Booloo groaned. “I DON’T WANT THAT!”

“KIRURU!!!!”

An orange light shot out towards Avery, summoning a neon orange compact in their hand. The center was pink, and it had a white and red wire crossed.

“Hi! Do you recognize my voice, Robomecha? Because today’s your lucky day! You are now the Guardian of Creativity with the power of light coming from electrical currents. So basically, machines! Isn’t that cool?!?”

“Who said that?” asked Avery, hugging their lovey as they held the compact.

“Kiruru!” Its voice echoed joyfully.

“Okay, not the weirdest part of today…”

“In order to help your friend, say Mirror of Miracles, Lend Me Your Magic! And you’ll gain powers to help her, and others in need!” 

“Just those words. Here goes nothing…hold on tight, Rose…” Avery hugged their lovey, its name now known.

“Mirror of Miracles, lend me your magic!”

***

As they said those words, the background behind them transformed into a pastel blue with Js made with gears forming behind them. They waved their hand over the mirror, causing it to float into the air and for their entire body to gain neon orange shorts and a shirt.

"Mecha, Mecha, Lovely START!" they yelled as they immediately began to spin, the compact following suit as it landed on their chest.

There, it solidified into a metallic chest plate, transforming into a built in jewel as a white lab coat fell on their shoulders. As they put it on, the magic then continued down in the form of pixels creating their tangerine shirt, then the neon orange welding flame outlines on the bottom edge of the coat opening, as well as a neon pink meander belt. The pixels then surrounded their big, baggy loose sleeves as they crossed them into an x shape, and thrusting the hands out to the sides added both the gloves and the details, mainly the pastel blue and pink Js layered on their gloves

Then, a welding flame went across their face from left to right, summoning their visor as it went. Their hair then lengthened and poofed up like the mad scientist detective from Weapons Drawn, with the process changing its color to neon orange and gaining pink flower clips to separate the two poofs.

Then, they began to smile and fly around in the air as various mechanical arms placed elements of their outfit on their body. This gave them a poofy orange red skirt accented by white gear patterns, short white rain boots with neon pink and orange Js on them, and half neon orange, half neon pink tights. Avery then waved happily as an orange backwards J-shaped keyblade shaped very similar to Robodoki's heart collision key fell down, to which they caught and used it to launch in the air. Then, as they landed, they put it behind them and began their speech.

"The power of creativity that'll work up a storm!" Avery covered their hands across their heart for the first part of that sentence, awkwardly chuckling as they rubbed their neck. Then, they spun one last time and widened their stance,their left hand forming a J on the left of their chest.

"Call me Robomecha, cause I'll make your heart spark!"

***

“...HOLY SHIT, OKAY.” Booloo frantically erased the words on her page, unfreezing Nate, Buzz, Schmitty, and Guy, but keeping the others frozen. “I...I can work with this. Plot twists are so fun!”

“Phew. Okay.” Nate placed his compact on his chest, transforming into Pixel. “...Name?”

“Robomecha.” Avery’s voice explained before looking at Rose, now with an orange visor and a matching orange bow similar to Komugi’s- with a marigold heart keeping it in place. “And I guess this one is Roboteddy.” They joked.

Bob couldn’t help but awww at it.

“Okay...whilst Booloo’s fangirling...I couldn’t get much from her heart. But in addition to the writing block stuff...she likes being a monster of the week? Gets to realize her dream fantasy.”

“Ah. So she’s into that sort of stuff. Noted.” Pixel observed. “...Not much in my arsenal to talk her down from that type of fantasy.”

“PIXEL!”

“Sorry, cuz.” Pixel raised his hands in surrender as Guy, Buzz, and Schmitty followed suit. “Mecha, got anything?”

Mecha looked through their powers for the first time. ”I am looking…let’s see…”

Shrugging, Mecha looked at the others “I can’t see anything useful, yet.”

Are you done fangirling yet? Raven asked politely.

“Yeah. I guess. But...now I’m stuck on how to work with this new character. I don’t want to possess them.” Booloo pondered. “...So I gotta work around it.”

Why? What’s wrong with making them another puppet in your story?

“They’re afraid of marionettes. And...I don’t know, it’s a real person. It just feels wrong.”

“This isn’t a fantasy. She...just can’t tell she’s doing wrong.” Pixel realized. “...We need a way to convince her otherwise.

“I’m trying to find a cool power, guys…there’s so many choices.” Mecha said, placing Roboteddy in a pouch in the back of their lab coat.

Oh come, you know you wanna involve your friend in your stories. They won’t mind their fear being involved.

“...How do you know?” Booloo sounded skeptical. “Not like I could suppress their fear. Right?”

You know you have a very double-edged fear yourself, right? 

“Don’t remind me.” Booloo sighed, her voice caving in. “...This is still conflicting. But it feels good. But it feels scary. I don’t know. Just....tell me what I need to write.”

“Yep. Definitely a-” Hino promptly covered Pixel’s mouth before he could finish.

So far, your friend seems to not take this seriously…that or they procrastinate a lot. One of the two, Maybe seize the opportunity! Raven suggested.

“...Hmmm. You’re right. Not doing anything plot related.” Booloo sighed. “Alright. I can do this. I just need to figure out how to add them into the plot…without causing any plot holes.”

Feel free to take your time. I know how important this is to you. But once you’re ready, I’ll be there.

“Okay, what to choose, what to choose…” Mecha checked their options before something landed on their visor. “The fuck? This power makes me blackout, this one creates a pillow shield, this one makes stuff turn sentient…”

Pixel winced. “...Better hurry. Once she gets an idea, we’re done for.”

“I…I don’t know what to do…” Mecha began to hyperventilate “I…I…”

Aianna took notice.

“Hey…you can do this! It’s always stressful the first day…but magical girls never give up!” Aianna tried to move.  “And neither does a magical enby!”

“Thanks, Anna.” They checked their visor again, still anxious. “I…before I can…I…I need to calm down…how does this work?”

“How does what work?” Pixel asked.

Mecha scrolled through the power on the visor. “I think I need a breather….”

“Want me to cover?” Hino tried his best to hide his impatience. For Mecha’s sake, of course. “We can’t just stand here and do nothing.”

“I…I…yes, cover for me…” Mecha said, looking at Booloo.

“...I don’t like that loo-” 

“ROBOMECHA SHUT DOWN!!!”

Upon saying those words, both Booloo and Robomecha were knocked unconscious.

“....Okay. Was this a suicide bomb attack?” Pixel sounded off-put. “...Would our universe even allow that? Is that a thing that can happen? I think those two agents would know…”

“Least I can move again.” Aianna sounded unsure.

“Mecha? Can you hear us?” Hino asked, calling out their name.

“Booloo? Uh…” Hoshi sounded awkward.

***

“Okay, I need a minute…” Mecha said, opening their eyes and awakening in a dark void with soft orange hues. 

Booloo did the same.

“...This is how I die.” Booloo groaned. “Kinda hungry. Stuck in a void. Can I at least get a switch or something? Play the new Kirby game in purgatory.”

No answer.

“...It’s okay.” Booloo glanced over at Mecha, as if she realized something.  “...I...kinda got carried away. But...if this is temporary...I might fall back under Raven’s spell.”

Mecha said nothing and floated around, as if they were swimming. 

As if they were trying to not panic.

“...Hey? Avery?”

Silence.

“I...I’m not going to share this sentiment when I get out. I can tell. But I want you to know that they chose you for a reason. You can do it. If there’s anyone who can stop me from going too deep into a fantasy…it’s you.”

Her stomach rumbled.

“...Go get 'em, Mecha. I believe in you.”

Avery stopped floating around. They looked around and then smiled, placing both hands on their chestplate.

Robomecha Restart…

***

“...Ghhh. What…” Booloo awoke, clutching her head in pain. “...Did I...die?”

The group made various noncommittal remarks.

“...Eh. We all die anyway.”

Her stomach rumbled again.

“Now to figure out how Mecha fits into this Bob curse. And after that, a lunch break.”

She tapped her pencil on her notebook, lost in concentration.

Mecha groaned, taking a bit longer to come around. 

“Dear god, was that a seizure? The last time I blacked out during a seizure was when I was three…THREE!” they said to no one in particular.

“Wait…you have seizures?” Hino spoke up. “It looked like you died!”

“They’re not the stereotypical shaking seizures…darn epilepsy.” Mecha sighed. 

“Don’t worry. I think your power made you blackout.” Doki reassured them.

“Yeah, you said ‘Robomecha Shutdown’ and you and Booloo well…shut down…” Pixel shrugged.

Mecha took a minute to realize. “Thank heaven…”

“So, what happened?” Denki asked.

“It was like a black void with an orange hue…” Mecha explained. “And…and it was relaxing and mostly quiet. I could float in there…”

“I just need a quick snack and I’m back in the game.” Mecha added.

“Me too.” Booloo admitted

Come on, you’re on a roll! Raven reminded.

“I missed lunch because of this, and didn’t calculate being cursed into my plans. I’m starving. Can’t I just write something in?”

You can control one of them to grab a snack…if you can fit it into the narrative.

“Easier said than done.” Booloo groaned. 

Mecha thought a little bit and got up off the ground. “I wonder what my creative powers can do…”

Their eyes then widened. “Any of you guys have the munchies, too?”

“A little.” Denki said.

Doki shook his head. “I planned to get something to eat after recording voice lines.”

“My cousin and I were actually gonna get something from the break room before you and Kiruru zoomed by.” Hino confessed.

“Do you have snack powers?” Pixel asked.

“No, but I think I have an idea.” Mecha replied

“Thank god!”

“Robomecha Mechanize!”

Mecha smiled and pulled out their keyblade, holding in the air as they said the phrase. When they put the blade away, they pulled out Roboteddy. 

“Hi Roboteddy.” They touched the toy dog’s nose.

“WAN!” Roboteddy came alive, surrounded by orange gears. “WHOA! This is so cool!”

Robomecha silently noted that Roboteddy sounded like Abby Cadabby from 'Sesame Street'.

“Okay, it works. I just need to prepare a quick snack for Boo.” Mecha explained as Roboteddy scurried over and grabbed a cookbook.

“Here! Here! Here!!”

“Pancakes?” Robomecha laughed a little and touched the pancakes in the cookbook, making an actual stack of pancakes come to life.

“...Hmmm.” Pixel paused. “Solid start. But won’t it just make Booloo ready to fight us sooner?”

“Actually...that’s where you come in. Robomecha Upgrade!”

They shot out a wire towards Pixel, and a computer summoned in front of them as Pixel was hit. The text on the screen revealed to be a fill-in-the-blank prompt for an attack, and after completing it, they pressed enter. The wire and the screen faded.

“Robopixel Bit Of Truth? Is this permanent?” Pixel wondered.

“Temporary, so use it wisely.” Mecha said.

“YEAH!” Teddy barked, wagging her tail.

“....I see what you’re saying.” Pixel smirked. “Hand me those pancakes.”

Booloo didn’t notice. She was lost in thought, being interrupted by her louder stomach.

“...Raveeeeeeen…”

A story well done will make a snack break more rewarding!

“You sound like my mom.” Booloo groaned.

Sorry…but it will be worth it in the end.

Pixel grabbed the pancakes, which briefly gained some pixilation, before fading to normal.

“Okay. Give her the pancakes. If she eats them or otherwise interacts with them, she’ll tell the truth. I can work with this.” Pixel took a deep breath. “Denki, get ready for therapy. I’m going in.”

“On it.” He nodded as Pixel turned to Booloo.

“Hey! I...uh...I wanna make this fair!” Pixel waved Booloo over. “...Want some? I found these in the break room!”

“...Japanese pancakes.” Booloo’s mouth watered. “I always wanted to try them. Gimmie!”

Careful. It’s a trap, I’m certain.

“...Yeah, but I’m HUNGRY!!!” 

“Wow, you sure look hungry!” Pixel laughed.

“I AM!!! GIMME! GIMME! GIMME!” Booloo exclaimed.

“Okay! Okay! Here you go.” Pixel gave it to her, to which she comically scarfed down. “Woah, you sure are hungry. What gives, you didn’t eat lunch or something?”

“Yeah. ADHD brain preferred this. Stupid executive dysfunction, am I right?” Booloo glowed green as she casually admitted this. “Now back to writing.”

“Did you even swallow? It’s like you inhaled those pancakes, Booloo.” Pixel laughed. “I mean, I’ve been hungry too, but not THAT hungry! You MUST wanna get back to writing!”

“Yeah, I guess I’m sorta a glutton.” Booloo admitted, her green glow returning briefly before swiftly vanishing. “...But you’re right.”

“I am? About you inhaling the pancakes or about wanting to get back to writing?”

“Getting back to writing.” The glow returned once more. “I mean, it just…it feels so much fun, yknow?”

“Look, I know it’s fun doing your favorite things. I mean, it’s Truth Talk 23/7 so I can step away from it and take a breather, but I must say you are quite invested in being Monster of the Week!”

“...And why wouldn’t I?” Her green glow returned...and with it, a memory. 

Drawn in 16-bit, it showed Booloo drawing an Akuma oc.

“...I know it might sound weird. And...a bit wrong. But I always wanted to be in Miraculous, for example. Partially why I wrote this series, as a form of escapism. Having to fight the heroes whilst not in my right mind as a hammy villain, all because I got angry one time. Basically thinking you’re helping others, and then realizing what’s wrong in the end. It’s one of my favorite tropes, and I wished more magical girl media did that!”

“I think it’s pretty badass. And you sure play the role of a villain quite well.” 

“Thanks!” She beamed. “...Should probably get back to writing.”

“Do you like writing me as a villain?” Pixel wondered.

“Yeah!” Booloo nodded. “Honestly, I like writing you in-”

“PIXEL! STOP STROKING YOUR EGO!” Hino shouted.

“I just wanted to know, cousin!” Pixel shot back. “I mean, being the last of the Robodoki members to join, as guardian of wit-”

“...Can I please get back to writing?” Booloo asked. “I mean, you’re super nice, and I trust you…but I gotta fulfill my duties with my patron.”

“Okay, I won’t bother you anymore…” Pixel called out. 

“That’s it?” Hino groaned. “God, at least ask her why she-”

“Shhhh. I’ve got a plan.” Pixel reassured, walking over towards Booloo and looking over her shoulder.

“Acting like a cat is not a plan…” Doki commented.

“So...what exactly are your duties?”

“Cause chaos. Stuff like that.” Booloo spoke nonchalantly, the glow returning. “Not a bad tradeoff.”

“So, what can we expect?” Pixel asked. “How’s Bob gonna get uncursed, in this?”

“...Standard purification.”

“And then what? Is the story going to last forever?”

“...Yeah.” Booloo faltered upon hearing these words, but regained her composure. “Still, Better than this world disappearing. And I get to fulfill a dream.”

“Ahbuhbuhbuhbuh. Disappear?” Pixel began. “Like Thanos snap?”

“...I don’t know if it can.” Booloo admitted, the pixel art behind her changing. There, it showed a very tired, crying Booloo writing stuff on her computer. 

“...But I don’t want to risk it. This story helped me through so much highschool and college mental health bullshit. And...I couldn’t think of anything to add. And this was before I realized my world could be recreated in real life.” Booloo turned away from Pixel. “I don’t want this world to die, if I can help it.”

“It means a lot to you, huh?”

“...yeah.”

“Is this a good time for therapy?” Denki whispered.

“Wait for Pixel to stop the interview first.” Mecha whispered back. “Or for Boo to be tired of his bulls.”

“...I...know this may sound strange.” Booloo, still glowing, glanced at her book hesitantly. “...But...I’ve had hiatuses before. But this was before this world was created. I’m not sure if this world would live on without my input...so it’s either constantly thinking of new ideas, or just…letting someone help.”

“Well it’s been a while and we’re still here, aren’t we?” Pixel asked. “This universe hasn’t died yet, has it? And Raven’s still mindfucking with us, isn’t she?”

Booloo’s eyes flickered.

“...Good point.” The green glow faded. “...What have I done?”

Pixel shrugged. “I have no clue. Maybe take a break and think this over. Start a new story from scratch. I dunno what’s in your brain.”

“Stress, I guess.” Booloo glanced at her hands. “...Regret, maybe?”

“Then take a breath… calm down…”

The tone in Pixel’s voice on those last two words sounded like it hinted at something.

“I said, if you calm down, you’ll feel much better…” Pixel continued.

“I heard that part! Easier said than done.” Booloo began to hyperventilate. “...I…I…”

Pixel looked down and whisper-shouted. “Denki, that’s your cue!” 

Blondes… Pixel thought to himself.

“-Denki?” Booloo looked up sharply. “Uh-”

“Oh! Right!” Denki chuckled nervously.

“What’s gonna happen to me?!?”

“Shhhh.” Pixel reassured, offering his hand. “...He’s going to help you out, okay? It’s...it’s like falling asleep during surgery.”

He paused, as if he realized something.

“But a lot more electricity is involved, ‘cause this is a Robodenki attack.”

“SURGERY?!? ELECTRICITY?!?”

“It’s not going to hurt. Here. I’ll hold you. Just count to ten.” Pixel offered a hug. “It’ll be over before you reach five. And you don’t have to look.”

“O...okay.” Booloo took the offer, pressing her face against Pixel’s chest in an attempt to ignore what was going on. “One…two…three…”

“Go for it!” Mecha nudged Denki. “I’ll catch you if you fall.”

“When.” Doki whispered a correction.

“Robodenki Calming Therapy!!!” Denki declared.

“F…our….” Booloo collapsed into Pixel’s arms as the lightning hit her, lulling her to sleep. “...zzzzzzzzz.”

“It’s okay. I’ve got ya. I’ll help you when you wake up.” Pixel spoke to Booloo’s face. “Promise. So prepare yourself.”

***

“...Mmmph.”

Booloo woke up in the same Celestia dimension others had seen before her. Memories of her writing surrounded her...but so did the breakroom interaction. The thing that made her cursed.

“This must be the afterlife.” She rubbed her head. “Purgatory, I suppose.”

She paused.

“Is THIS purgatory?” She fretted. “...Uh...not a big fan if it is.”

“You’re the first to ask that.” Denki’s voice chuckled.

“...I guess you’re right.” Booloo admitted. “Outside context problem.”

Silence.

“...Did...curses...feel good for you?” Booloo asked. “...Or is it just...me being a freak?”

“Hmmm…” Denki thought about it. “The power part of a curse is good, but when outside forces interfere, it’s bad…”

“...I can see what you mean, there.” Booloo admitted. “I’m just not sure if at least part of it was me...wanting to be an akuma. Like...I know it sounds very wrong. But in the real world, it...magical girls aren’t a thing. It’s an escapist thing to imagine stuff like that, because it’s like imagining yourself as a superhero. It’s something that should be impossible, so it’s okay to imagine without considering the potential damages, because it’s fictional.”

She paused.

“...And I let that feeling ruin a lot of stuff.”

“You didn’t mean to let it ruin stuff. You made a pact with the embodiment of evil. We all get temptations, urges, thoughts that won’t leave. And fuck, Raven is good at striking up deals!” Denki reminded her, shuddering a little. “Especially when you aren’t in a good state of mind.”

“Yeah.” Booloo sighed, sitting down on the glass-like floor. “...I guess nobody’s immune to that. I still feel kinda bad, though.”

“Do you have a happy place you want to go to?” Denki wondered.

“...You can do that?” 

“Yeah. Bob gets jealous sometimes, but hey, I get jealous of his attacks too. So, got a happy place?”

“I think I’ve got one in mind.” Booloo chuckled back.

“Okay, just take my hands.” Denki smiled as Booloo did so. “And I swear, this isn’t like that one scene in the Barbie movie with the creator and-”

“I loved that movie! But yeah, rather not go through that.” Booloo smiled. 

***

The scenery changed to Tokyo at night, surprisingly quiet, but still glowing with all its neon glory. They were sitting together, having Takoyaki balls in their hands. A shopping bag was slightly spilled out, having a whole bunch of pretty cure merch turned on and ready to play.

“...It’s...it’s weird. I know. I’ve always wanted to go to Tokyo.” Booloo admitted. “...Pretty cure store. Good food. Maybe a trip to that Ghibli museum...Kirby cafe…” She paused. “...I’m such a weeb.”

“Nnnmmmph…ymmmph nnmph…” Denki paused, gulping. “No, you’re not a weeb. I’ve seen a few happy places that surprised me, this is no exception.”

“Fair.” Booloo took a bite with one hand, placing a Sky Tone onto a Sky Mirage with the other.

“SKY MIRAGE! TONE CONNECT! HIROGARU CHANGE! MAJESTY!”

“Well, it works.” Booloo chuckled as the speakers began to play a compressed version of the transformation song, the ball on the top spinning with fancy light show graphics.

“So…what’re you gonna do when we wake up from this?” Denki wondered.

“Hmmm…” Booloo thought about it. “I mean, Raven gave me a pencil that would give me the strength to write…I must sound stupid.”

“It’s okay. I won’t judge.”

“...I guess I could break it, and...and then apologize to Avery.”

She paused.

“...Oh god. Avery. I-”

“What is it?” Denki wondered.

“...I...this was the last thing I wanted them to experience.” Booloo explained. “...I was trying to show restraint in controlling them...but it…faded, and if it wasn’t for my stomach, I’d…”

She trailed off.

“...What would they even think?”

“They’re your friend. I’m sure they’d forgive you.” Denki replied. “I mean…after every curse Aianna, Bob, Buzz, Roxanne and Nate deal with…”

He paused.

“...They learn from the curses and grow…don’t they?”

“...Yeah.” Booloo admitted. She felt calmer. “They do.”

Silence.

“If Avery’s like them, I’m sure they too will forgive you.” Denki smiled. “Even if you tried to do what you were gonna do.”

“Yeah. They would!” Booloo felt a weight fall off her shoulders.

She ate the final part of the takoyaki stick, and turned off the toy.

“...So...what now?” 

Denki flung the last piece of takoyaki in his mouth. “Well…you ready to wake up now and write your narrative?”

“Hell yeah I am. God, this was an amazing feeling.” Booloo glanced at the moon. 

“Okay, just put your hands in mine. And don’t laugh at what I say next.”

“No promises.” Booloo did so.

“Robodenki Sunny Days…”

Booloo successfully stifled a giggle as they faded.

***
“Booloo? You need any help?”

She woke up to Pixel offering a hand to her.

“...I guess.” Booloo took it.

“See? Wasn’t so bad.” Pixel grunted. “Now let’s get Raven out of your head.”

“I’ll try my best.” Booloo nodded in determination, straining, as if to figure out how to contact her.

“Go Booloo!” Mecha cheered, helping Denki up.

“Alright!” Roboteddy barked eagerly.

“You got this, I KNOW you do!”  Doki yelled.

“...With you guys by my side, I know I do!” Booloo declared determinedly as she prepared for what would come. “Let me be brave.”

“YOU CAN DO IT!” Mecha continued being supportive.

So, dream up any ideas for Mecha? Raven cooed.

“Yes.” Booloo said.

Oh goodie. What ARE they?

“...I...I have decided that they made the story unviable.” Booloo argued. “...And…I think that it’s time to end this story for good.”

But Booloo, your story. Your universe. It’ll crumble without you!

“It’s not how that works. I know that now.” Booloo gained a bit more bravery. “And without that, what’s the point in listening to you?”

“Booloo!” Mecha grinned even more.

Roboteddy grinned widely, too. “BOO!”

But what if you go on hiatus and…look, just take the pencil and-

“There was a thing I heard once...think it was the twelfth doctor? Doctor Who?” She pulled out the pencil. “Hope is scary. And seductive. Well...I don’t agree with that. I think you’re the seductive one.”

Just put the pencil to paper and continue your story…that pencil is gonna give you all the power you need to continue it. You’re hungry for power, aren’t you? Like an akuma, you feast on power! Being powerful feeds you!

“I…it does feed me. But that doesn’t mean anything.”

With this pencil, you’ll be like an akuma. An unstoppable force, not harming anyone...but without the burdens of judgment. Of life. Fantasy is like that. Fantasy is better than reality, don’t you agree? Hmm? I know you do.

“...It...it…i-”

Mecha glanced over. “Booloo, just focus!” they grabbed a pencil from behind their back and snapped it.

It brought her back to reality.

“-It will not feed me anymore.”

You CAN’T be serious. Raven scoffed.

“EVEN IF IT FEELS GOOD…IT WILL NOT FEED ME ANYMORE!” She snapped the pencil in half, her eyes going back to their normal bright blue.

“BOOLOO!” Mecha’s eyes filled with tears and they hugged Roboteddy tightly. “BOO, YOU’RE…YOU’RE…”

“...Back to normal. Yep.” Booloo clutched her head. “Well, at least this is all there is. No other curses.”

“Don’t say that.” Pixel warned. 

“Booloo, you’re a writer…so am I.” Mecha warned. “You’re tempting fate.”

“...It’s not like that. I mean, I can’t control this universe. I…I guess it’s like I planted the seeds and it grew on its own. But...the fate rule can’t do it here! Not while I’m technically still affected. Right?”

Mecha looked at Booloo and nodded their head.

“...Right?”

“RIGHT!” Mecha agreed. “So let’s transform back and grab a snack!”

“Woah, you’re eager.” Pixel laughed. “Booloo, I’ll talk you through this while you eat. Promise.”

“I’d love that. You’re like a cool big bro!”

“I get that a lot.” Pixel chuckled. “And you’re like a cool big sis!”

“I second the fact!” Mecha agreed.

“Me three!” Roboteddy barked, making Robomecha hug her.

Little did they know, something was crawling into Mecha’s ear...ready to make its pitch.

Chapter Text

After the purification, life seemed fine. Booloo was talking to Nate, and the rest of the gang was hanging with him.

But Avery wasn’t focused on that.

“Avery? You okay?” Guy asked.

“Oh, yeah…must’ve been the shut down…” Avery shrugged it off, hugging Rose.

Nate looked at them. “If you say so, that did look scary from an outsider’s perspective..”

“Besides, being a new guardian and all. Really busy day. Might wanna crash after all that excitement.” Avery added.

They winced a little and clutched their head. “Yep, brain’s saying I need to lay down…know anywhere quiet I can rest?”

Booloo felt a bit of hesitation.

“...We might have to take you home. Y'know...before...before…”

She had trouble spitting it out. 

Avery blinked a little. “Is something wrong? Do all new Robodoki members get this burnt out after their first battle?”

“Yeah!” Booloo lied. “Still do, and it’s my...well, I haven’t fought this time, but...I guess the curse-”

“She thinks you’re at risk of getting cursed.” Nate explained.

“Oh…” Avery sighed. “More like at risk of falling asleep.”

“...Yeah!” Booloo nodded, thankful for a less hostile reaction. “...Here. I’m gonna finish talking to Nate, and we’ll go straight home. Promise.”

“Kay…” sighing, Avery closed their eyes and hugged Rose tightly.

“So as I was saying…the pancakes...they were poisoned?”

“Not poisoned, more so…powered up. Truth serum type stuff.”

“Same thing, Nate.” Buzz spoke up.

Pssst. Avery, you asleep yet?

“No…” Avery muttered. “Besides, I can’t fall asleep. Not in this weird place…”

Fair enough.

“Maybe…maybe I’m lightly dozing…” Avery said.

“I mean, truth serum isn’t a poison? They had that same thing in Lunch Lady.”

“Lunch Lady?”

“Childhood book series. Lunch Lady has secret agent gadgets, fights crime. One of those things was a truth serum brownie, but there were fish-stick nunchucks and a lunch tray laptop…and a spatucopter, and a hairnet net, it was so cool!”

You know, you look like you need an undisturbed nap.

“Maybe YOU need to fuck off.”

Yep, you really need a nap, Avery.

“That sounds like a cool series.” Nate admitted, “Right up my alley.”

“I think you’d like it! Deedee’s a huge jerk, though.”

“Can’t, if I do, I’ll fuck up my sleep schedule…” Avery explained and gave Rose a tight hug.

Maybe an undisturbed nap, like you freeze time or something so no one wakes you.

“You can do that?”

I COULD give you an ability to mess with time, if you want.

“You could?” Avery laughed a little. “What would I do with that?”

“...Wait, Uh-” Booloo glanced at the group.  “...Guys? Red eyes, take warning.”

“Maybe they’re just tired.” Bob sounded calm.

“They’re glowing. I know what curses are.” Booloo argued. “...Unless.”

If you have time control powers, you could do so much and not worry about procrastinating. No time schedules, no risk of being late

“Are…you guys being affected? Cause...I mean, I don’t feel anything.” Booloo admitted. “...But I feel like if they're tired...and that’s causing the curse…and I spared Avery earlier...”

Avery just grumbled and closed their eyes tightly. “What’re you talking about, Boo? I’m just drained.”

Booloo said nothing. What could she say? The other magical girls knew. Everyone else knew.

Except for Avery, ironically enough.

That’s it, calm your brain and I’ll give you time control powers… Raven sounded very promising. Keep your eyes closed. And relax yourself.

“Don’t need to tell me twice…” Avery muttered.

“...Be on your guard.” Booloo warned. Aianna raised a finger, but decided against it.

Come on, listen, Avery…

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are gray

You'll never know, dear

How much I love you

Please don't take

My sunshine away

“Mmmm…” Avery smiled tiredly and nuzzled Rose even more as even the lovey gained red eyes.

“-I don’t like this.” Buzz admitted. 

“This is a first!” Bob pointed at Rose’s red eyes..

“That’s the object we have to focus on.” Aianna determinedly nodded. “Kiruru?”

Avery smiled and opened their eyes, rubbing them.

Their eyes were red.

 “I wonder what my powers do…”

Booloo winced. “...Maybe we can try them out at home? Come on, it’s much more comfy there!”

“Can’t we stay a bit more?” Avery whined. “They have snacks and I really wanna see so much more…”

“Welp, I tried my best.” Booloo admitted.”...I...don’t know how to come back from that.”

“It’s okay. Compacts out.” Nate ordered.

“Wait! WHAT?!” Avery gasped, while a beam in the shape of a teddy bear hit Nate before he could transform.

“SHIT.” Nate slapped his face. “...Must…stay…awake.”

“Nate? You okay?” Booloo asked.

“I’ve been hit with a sleep bomb! What do you think?!?”

“Sorry I asked! Just transform, maybe that’ll help!”

Sing something! Lullabies make people sleepy.

Panicked, Avery began improv singing.

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry

Go to sleep, little baby

When you wake, you’ll have cake

And all the pretty little horses

Blacks and bays, dapples and grays

Coach and six of little horses

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry

Go to sleep, little baby

Avery glared at Rose as they finished.

“I thought she was gonna give me time control powers…” they whispered.

Hey. I don’t control the weaknesses. But we can adapt to them.

“What happened to time control powers?” 

Funny you should ask…

“Nate?” Buzz gulped.

But Nate slept, laying on his shoulder, his face content.

“...Okay! We may not have the disguise thing, but-” Booloo stopped. “Right. No jinx.”

“We need a Pixel.” Roxanne said. “Cookie!”

“Wait, we gotta subdue Avery first!” Bob yelled back. “...Because if they make us sleep, we’re done for.”

“I know!” Roxanne yelled. “But they aren’t gonna wait to do that!”

“What should we do, Rose?” Avery wondered, definitely sounding woozy. 

They made Rose whisper in their ear. “I like that idea.”

Booloo pulled out her compact, hoping her guess was right. Maybe they’d spare her.

She hoped they’d spare her.

Avery looked over “Booloo, what’s going on?”

“You’re cursed. It’s gonna be okay. We just need to take it out of you.” Booloo explained, her hands out in caution.

“No; not cursed. Just tired as fuck…” Avery retorted.

“Should…we be on standby?” Schmitty asked..

“I guess?” Aianna wondered. “We don’t know what their power is. Maybe it’s an area effect. Stay outside the room.”

Avery looked around the room, definitely not in a good state of mind. They aimed a bunny themed beam at Aianna which Bob ran in front of, getting hit by it and freezing in place.

“BOB!” she gasped.

“...Frozen?” Booloo asked, her breaths quickening. “...Okay. Uh- any other ideas?”

“What kind of ideas?” Avery wondered. “What is going on?”

That last question was for Raven, no doubt.

“Nothing!” Booloo laughed awkwardly. “Nothing, it’s okay. Just…”

“-Just be quiet, Booloo.” Buzz spoke sternly.

“Gotcha.” Booloo chuckled a little.

“Ruru!” Kiruru pulled out Bob’s compact. 

“Good idea.” Aianna said. “Go hide with the others.”

“Me or Kiruru?” asked Booloo.

“Both of you.” Aianna said.

“Okay.” Booloo took a deep breath. “Good idea. It’s...it’s gonna be okay.”

“Ruru!” Kiruru saluted.

And with that, she ran off, with Kiruru following close behind.

“Wait, you won’t be able to turn into Doki!” Buzz noticed.

“I know, but I’m gonna supervise Nate and Bob for when this one wakes up and this one thaws out.” Aianna said. “What’s the worst Avery can do?”

Oh you did not just say that, Aianna Sharp.

“Hmmm?” Avery looked over.

Get her!

“Whatever you say…” Avery slurred their words a little and prepared a teddy bear beam, which instead of hitting Aianna, struck an unsuspecting intern, making the intern fall asleep. “Whoops…”

Try again! Raven suggested.

“Good idea…” 

“Avery, who’re you talking to?” Roxanne wondered.

“Mmm…no one…” Avery denied. 

“Okay, you look tired, so why don’t you lay down a little and-”

Avery instantly looked defensive. “Of course I’m tired, first battle…”

“I know, so maybe you should take a quick victory nap.”

“I’ll show you a quick nap!” 

And with a bunny beam, Avery hit Roxanne, freezing her on the spot.

“FUUUUUUUUUCK!!!” Avery began to cry a little.

Aianna kept her distance “Avery, are you okay?”

“NO!!! I need a chocolate bar…”

And with that, Avery groaned and yawned as they went to a vending machine.

***

Booloo glanced at her compact, a bit nervous. Guy and Schmitty were huddled with her.

“You okay?”

“I’m...not doing great.” Booloo admitted. “I feel like I have to go in there. Do something.”

“...Same here.” Guy admitted. “Bob’s probably mindfucked.”

“But what can we do?” Schmitty wondered. “I mean...it’s not like we have a defense against this.”

“...We might.” Booloo realized, placing the compact on her chest, gems surrounding her and turning her into Robopika. 

“How’s that got to do with anything?”

“...I know it’s a bit early to use this. But I need to do something.”

***

“Okay, that chocolate bar should get me through this…” Avery grumbled and placed Rose on the ground. 

“Avery, do you wanna talk about anything?” asked a conflicted Buzz.

“Do nooooooooot!” 

“You’re attacking left and right.” Buzz explained. “You put Nate and an intern to sleep and froze Bob and Roxanne-two people Aianna love.”

“I…I can fix them…” 

Quick, hit him!

Without warning, Avery hit Buzz with a bunny beam, making him freeze in place, too.

“Avery, maybe you really need to take a nap or something; before you hurt anyone else.” Aianna suggested as she tried to wake Nate.

“You sound like my moms…” Avery scoffed and hit Aianna with a teddy bear beam.

Aianna gasped. “Avery…”

Somewhere over the rainbow

Way up high

There’s a land that I heard of

Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true

Aianna, despite being a robot, could not fight off the sleep bomb and she flopped on the ground, near instantly mumbling about Bob.

***

Guy and Schmitty looked at each other in confusion. Pika, by contrast, remained firm, posing with her fist out.

“ROBOPIKA LUCKY RUSH!”

Her eyes flashed a bunch of colors, eventually stopping as slot machine dings were heard.

“...Dream Weaver.” Pika realized, noticing her hands glow. “Wait. Maybe I can go into people’s dreams. I think. And I’ve got 30 seconds to go.”

She grabbed the other two’s hands.

“Sorry. Time limit.” Pika yawned. “Dreamland time.”

Fighting with a desire to rest, and lost, the three collapsed in a sleeping heep.

***

“Avery, the fuck are you doing?” Cookie asked, looking around. “Why is Nate’s compact here? Why are Nate and Aianna asleep? And Bob, Buzz and Roxanne are frozen!”

Avery glared at him, bitterly.

“What are you doing?!” Cookie gulped.

Avery tried to hit Cookie with a bunny beam, but it hit the ceiling and in turn, struck Chad, freezing him. 

“FUCK!” Avery swore angrily and tried again, this time, a teddy bear beam.

That too didn’t hit Cookie; but it did attack Helen and definitely gave her a much-needed nap.

“You’re insane!” Cookie exclaimed and grabbed Nate’s compact before running to hide in his office with it.

***

“...Okay. Time limit paused in dreamland.” Pika spoke to herself as the three woke up. “Good to know.”

“What’s the plan?” Schmitty snarked.

“Wake them up from the inside.” Pika thought. “...If the name I got matched the trope, then I can manipulate this a bit.”

She paused.

“Schmitty. Try to summon something. Like...a person.”

“Gladly!” Schmitty replied and closed his eyes tightly. At first, none of the three noticed anything before hearing what sounded like running water and singing. 

Schmitty opened his eyes and looked behind them at what seemed to be Cookie mid-shower.

“These are your dreams?!” Guy gulped.

“HOLY FUCK, MY EYES!” Pika covered her visor. “Jesus, put some pants on!”

Pants appeared on Cookie’s crotch.

“Well…at least we know it works.” Guy cringed. “...Schmitty, can you stop showing Cookie’s dingdong to the poor girl?"

“I NEVER KNEW STUFF LIKE THAT COULD BE THAT SMALL.” Pika freaked.

“Welcome to my dreams; usually it’s a lot bigger.” Schmitty confessed before blushing. “Too much information?”

“...Yeah.” Guy motioned to Pika, who was stumbling around trying to get away, eyes still covered. “Poor girl’s 20.”

“As if your dreams aren’t ball-filed too.” Schmitty joked playfully.

“You two…” Pika groaned. “Just…unsummon it. We’ve gotta find whoever fell asleep and wake them up. Like...uh...there was like this Disneyland ride or something where they entered the human body and fought an infection, and I think some 3 year old died on it? That but dreams. And less death.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but now I’m kinda intrigued.” Guy pointed out. 

“Fair.” Pika conceded. “...Let’s just see who we discover first, and PLEASE unsummon that, Schmitty.”

“Fine, I’ll see how I can get rid of Cookie…” Schmitty said and tightly closed his eyes again. After thinking really hard, Cookie was gone and in its place were warm chocolate chip cookies and a tall glass of milk with a silly straw. “Better?”

“Much better.” Pika sighed. “...Now I’m just hungry.”

“So, Nate first?” Guy asked.

“Naturally.” Pika said as she turned next to her. “...Cause I think we found him.”

“Alright!” Schmitty cheered. “And…sorry about the thing with-”

“I can’t look at Cookie the same, now!” Pika commented.

“So, you found Nate?” asked Guy, trying to change topics.

Pika smiled “Oh yeah! There!”

She motioned at what seemed to be Nate, in a dapper green tuxedo and holding a microphone.

He seemed to be singing. And it didn’t take a genius to know what he was singing.

Can you hear the drums Fernando?

I remember long ago another starry night like this

In the firelight Fernando

You were humming to yourself and softly strumming your guitar

I could hear the distant drums

And sounds of bugle calls were coming from afar

“Definitely Nate…” Guy and Schmitty confirmed.

“...So he’s a popstar?” Pika thought. “Makes sense.”

She focused on the speakers, which began to spark and short out.

They were closer now Fernando

Every hour every minute seemed to last eternally

I was so afraid Fernando

We were young and full of life and none of us prepared to die

And I'm not ashamed to say

The roar of guns and cannons almost made me cry

He tried to ignore it until he couldn’t not notice.

“Alright! Who’s messing up Fernando?!” Nate scolded.

Pika stayed quiet, keeping her poker face.

“Hey, aren’t you supposed to be fighting that sleep curse?”

Nate turned to see Roxanne scolding him. Unbeknownst to her, Pika was speaking through her, her mouth movements thankfully being unnoticed by Nate.

For the time being.

“Oh, well you’re smart. Can you PLEASE help me fix these speakers? I was on a roll.” Nate stated.

“Dear god!” Schmitty whispered as he and Guy facepalmed.

Pika prayed it wasn’t about her as she continued.

“Nate. Do you even remember how you got here?” Pika concentrated hard, trying not to break character. 

She wasn’t the best at acting. But she also knew Nate knew when he was being tricked.

“Oh yeah? And how did you get here, wise guy?”

Pika gulped.

“...I don’t know.”

“Pika. Is that you?”

Pika sighed, stepping in front as Roxanne vanished. “Guilty as charged.”

“You gotta be a better actor than that. Or at least keep your composure, keep it rolling, cuz freezing just outs you faster.” Nate advised. “...But I got snapped out of it, at least.”

“Thank goodness.” Pika smiled at that. 

“What’s the last thing you remember before winding up here?” wondered Schmitty.

“...Just panicking.” Nate paused. “...Though, the last thing I remembered before being dazed into my dream...was seeing...Avery, I think?” He rubbed his head. “Some guy with a lovey, flying past my stage. And then they vanished, and that was it.”

“Yep. Sounds like Avery.” Guy explained.

“So...Aianna, right? Only other gal that’s affected.” Pika thought to herself. “Any idea on where she’d be?”

“Somewhere Pretty Cure related.” Schmitty shrugged.

“Maybe a dream date with Bob.” Guy suggested.

“Latter seems more plausible.” Pika thought. “...I mean...if the dreams are supposed to keep you in here whilst Avery naps...then that means that it has to be the one that brings the most joy to her. And...she just wants a date to not be disturbed for once, right? Like, at least somewhat more than being a Doki Doki Precure knockoff.”

A flurry of giggles next to Pika confirmed her suspicions.

“Hold up!” Guy realized. “If we’re dream weaving…does that mean we’re also asleep?”

“Yes!” Schmitty explained.

“Thought that would’ve been more obvious-” She paused. “Oh. Oh, that could be a troubling development.”

“What?”

“We’d better hurry before Raven gets the idea to make Avery teddy-beam us.” Pika worried. “I don’t know what will happen, but it won’t be good.”

The four quickly complied as they rushed into the Tokyo section of the dream...

***

Avery was just grumbling while looking for Cookie “Where are you?” they called out, way too grumpy. “Cookie…where the FUCK are you?”

Cookie was glad he could transform into Pixel in peace and quiet, in his office.

Avery however was more than ready to go Cookie hunting and they stomped a bit as they checked the studio, while dealing with the urges to not zap other interns and staff with beams. With a huff, Avery headed outside…

…And was greeted by Pika, Guy and Schmitty, all together in a sleeping heap with Kiruru standing guard.

“Did…did I get you three already?” Avery sounded confused. “I…I must’ve…but I don’t remember…”

Maybe you were too tired to remember. Better make sure no one can bother you. Raven suggested.

With a sigh, Avery decided to use another power and pulled out a moon themed blanket from behind their back. They placed it on the heap and it turned into four different loveys; a plush papillon, a teddy bear, a patched up blanket, and even a very small plush rabbit for the curious, keeping-duty Kiruru.

“There.” Avery smiled tiredly and left with Rose, yawning loudly. “That should keep them asleep…”

“KIRU!!! KI….Ki…” Kiruru yawned as its plushie glowed, compelling it to settle down.

The cry thankfully was heard by Pixel. He gasped as he saw the whole thing.

But he couldn’t rush in. Not yet.

Not unless he wanted an energy sapping, worn out, patchy plush dog.

No, he had to wait. Until Avery fell asleep again, at least.

“I am so sorry, you four…” Pixel whispered. “I fucked up…”

***

“...Why do I have this feeling…” Pika glanced at her hands. “...Oh. I think...Avery…”

She yawned.

As if by cue, a group of pretty cures she adored gathered around her. Ageha Hijiri and Inukai Komugi. Hikaru Hoshina and Lala Hagoromo. And of course, Yayoi Kise.

“Uh…hi?”

“IT'S HER!!” Hikaru beamed. “KIRAYABA!”

Pika lit up. “IT'S YOU GUYS!”

“What’s going on?” Schmitty blinked a few times, feeling something wrapped around him tightly. It felt like a blanket, his blanket. “What the FUCK is going on here?!”

He blinked a bit more.

Schmitty’s eyes widened a bit as he saw his hands now full of Quips chattering away to him about anything and everything. 

And Guy was nowhere to be found.

“...Oh shit. Gotta bust out the Nate Shapiro charm early.” Nate sweated, turning to Pika first. “...If I’m dreaming-”

He summoned a batch of custard shaped like a squirrel.

“Pika! Can you hear me?”

“Eh?” Pika sounded out of it. “...Food?”

Nate nodded. “Uh huh.”

“You’re so awesome, Cure Glitter!” Cure Peace beckoned. But Pika wasn’t too interested.

She floated towards Nate’s plate, taking a bite.

“Delicious!!!” She swallowed it. “Never had this type of custard before…”

“Figured as such. Now. What’s going on?”

“These cures...they’re recruiting me.”

“No we’re not!” Hikaru spoke, before covering her mouth.

Ventriloquism. Nate smirked. Pika had to move her mouth to communicate through dream people, but Nate had got some tips on throwing his voice from Cookie.

Not perfect, his mouth did move a little more obviously. But still not enough for Pika to notice. Least in her tired state.

“Yeah! We’re just figments of your imagination-lun!” Lala added.

“Avery needs your help! So let’s get excited!” Ageha cheered.

“We believe in you! And also Nate is super cool!” Kise finished.

Pika snapped back.

“...Wha?!?” She glared at Nate. “...Really. Had to add that last part, didn’t cha?”

“Knew you’d react to that.” Nate shrugged. 

Pika nodded, her expression unamused. “Touché. Clever. Etc.”

“I know. Now to get the boys!” Nate added. “Schmitty first!”

“Right! Tell me what to do!” Pika glanced at the quips.

“We need to get them away from him. Somehow…”

“Okay. I got an idea.” She summoned a tiny magenta colored trunk with a bell in the center.

She wiggled the small trunk with her fingers, which jingled said bell.

“Who wants to go to the Niko garden?” She cooed in a sing-song voice. 

Next thing she knew, sixteen Quips had launched themselves onto her. 

“AUGH! OKAY OKAY NATE, I DID IT!” Pika grunted. “Do your thing!”

“Okay, okay, easy, Pika.” Nate laughed.

Schmitty just looked worried before leaping onto Pika to get his Quips back. 

“Don’t EVER leave my sight again! ANY of you!!!” he scolded, scooping up some Quips.

Pika clutched them tight.

“Schmitty, I want them!” She lied. “Keep them with me for a sec.”

“But-” Schmitty sounded skeptical.

Pika froze.

But then she remembered Nate’s advice.

At least keep your composure better.

“C'mon, they’re so CUUUUUUUTE!” Pika pleaded, jumping back into her adorable tone as she pet one of them. “Hang with Nate for a sec while I pet them!!!!”

“Hang with Nate?” Schmitty was a bit taken aback. “I can do that.” 

“EEEEE! THANKS!” Pika geeked. “I’ll be done soon, I promise!” 

“Come on, Schmitty, she’ll give them back soon.” Nate reassured him.

“But…but…Quiplash is my thing…” Schmitty explained. “Those quips are my babies.”

Nate rolled his eyes and was about to speak up before feeling something chew on his green suit. 

He looked down, clearly surprised by a wooly ovine chewing on a sparkly green pant leg.

“Why is there a sheep chewing on my suit?” Nate asked but shrugged it off. “We’ll figure that out later. Schmitty, listen up.”

“Listening.” Schmitty replied, clearly confused by the sheep as well.

“The quips are your thing…and so is Quiplash. But…but some people…” Nate was trying NOT to get distracted by the sheep. “I have so many questions.”

Pika glanced at the sheep. “...Hey! Mx. Sheep Person!” She pulled out the trunk once more, ringing it. “Wanna go to the Niko Garden?”

The sheep just bleated in response before chewing on Nate’s suit some more.

“Okay, somebody’s onto us. Or it’s Guy.” Pika spoke to herself. “...Where is he, anyways?”

Nate was just trying to focus on talking sense into Schmitty. “Okay, sheep or no sheep, I need you to pay attention. Avery KNOWS we’re trying to do something, I can tell. So we NEED to focus on getting to Aianna.”

“But…Quips…” Schmitty said.

“They’re not real. They’re figments of your dreams.” Nate said, trying to shake the sheep away from him.

Schmitty nodded his head “Yeah…something’s going on. Someone’s trying to distract us…but quips!”

“SCHMITTY!” Pika groaned. Another sheep was now eating her dress, distracting the quips. “CAN YOU GET THIS STUPID SHEEP OFF OF ME?!?”

“Here, sheep! Here, sheep!” Schmitty called out before seeing the sheep not listening.

Schmitty looked at Nate, with a chuckle.

“Know anything about sheep herding?”

“Avery must really wanna distract us.” Nate laughed a little. 

Pika rolled her eyes. “Well they’re doing a damn good job of it. This clothing damage better not be permanent, or I’m gonna chew Avery-or-Guy-or-Schmitty OUT!”

“Don’t, I only brought the Quips.” Schmitty confirmed.

Nate sighed and began herding the two sheep away.  “I don’t think damage taken in dreams will affect us in the long run…”

His eyes widened.

“...and if I’m correct, I think I know where these two came from…”

“Avery?” Pika sighed, deadpanned. “What, they want to be a farmer or something?”

“I KNOW it was them!” Nate laughed.

“How is that funny?”

“But I highly believe Avery did something to Guy.” Schmitty explained.

“Well, then, what did they do to Guy?” Pika asked. “Guy doesn’t seem like the farmer type to me.”

Schmitty and Nate burst into laughter.

“I feel like I’m missing an inside joke…” Pika realized. “Stupid outside context problem.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you.” Nate said with a giggle. “You know the old wives tale?”

“Eh?” Pika looked confused. 

And then it hit her.

“Wait. Counting sheep- oh my god, I am such an idiot.” Pika facepalmed. “I LITERALLY WROTE ABOUT THAT A WEEK AGO.”

Schmitty couldn’t help but laugh.

“Ugh, that was so obvious.” Pika groaned.

“Only an idiot falls for it.” Nate whispered.

“And I’m not that idiot.” Pika sounded determined. “Unless some lovey magic goes on-”

“Don’t jinx it.” Nate cautioned.

“Besides, wouldn’t there be a fence for counting sheep or something?” Pika just groaned before bumping straight into a small fence. 

***
“...Booloo’s a bit more restless.” Avery noticed.

Adjust the lovey. That should help.

Avery hesitated, studying Pika’s stressed expression. “No…I can’t…”

Why not? She was just cursed, right? Some rest can do her some good.

“I’m too tired for this…” Avery complained. “Can I just get a quick nap?”

Mess with the lovey, and then you can nap. I promise I won’t ask anything more. Raven softly consoled. We just don’t want anyone to mess with your dreamland.

Avery groaned “I hate this…I just wanna take a nap, for fuck’s sake…” 

Grumpy, they were about to adjust the papillon plushy when Avery accidentally let go of Rose and the dog lovey landed on Pika’s head as she slept.

“I’m too tired to help. It’s up to you, Rose.”

***
“-Ow.” Pika groaned. “...That weird feeling’s back…think I got a concussio-”

She paused.

“Hi there. Mind if I crash here?” Rose asked, now a sentient dog.

“Oh god. Dogs. My one weakness.” Pika cringed.

“You have more than one weakness!”

“SHUT UP.” Pika winced. 

Giggling, Rose walked over and barked at the two sheep. “Alright, let’s get this over and done with. Over the fence….come on…” the dog ordered.

“Wait…is she helping us or sabotaging us?” Schmitty paused.

“Better than having her chew our clothes.” Pika yawned. 

Rose barked a few orders at what seemed to be where the sheep were coming from.

“Guy’s record is 15- I think…at most. So I’ll take five sheep, you take five sheep and Pika takes the other five.” Nate reminded them. “If there are more, we are fucked.”

Pika yawned. “...Why can’t I just count them all? Seems easier.”

“Trust us. Fifteen in one go and you’re a goner.” Schmitty laughed a bit.

But Pika didn’t pay attention. 

“...1…2…3…4…5…6…”

“Is she under some sort of spell?” Schmitty wondered. “Normally she listens to you. Maybe not me. But you? It’s like she idols you or something.”

“7…8…9…10…11…12…” Pika continued, slumping down.

“PIKA!!!” the two shouted.

“Eh? Now I gotta start over.” Pika yawned. “1...2…”

“No you’re not .” Nate stressed. “...Wait. Didn’t we give Cookie a communicator?”

“I think we did?”

“I’ll have to check to see if this works. Keep her awake.” Nate ordered. “Nate to Cookie. Can you hear me?”

***
Pixel was just idly watching over the four, sitting with a dozing Kiruru. 

“I am so, so sorry I couldn’t stop them.” Pixel apologized.

“Stop what? Cookie, whatever happened, it is certainly not your fault, but we kinda need to know what’s going on here.” Nate explained. “Pika’s counting sheep, we don’t know where Guy is, and Schmitty’s still half-dreaming.”

“If I had to guess, try looking for Guy wherever the sheep are…” Pixel told the communicator. “That or, heaven help you, listen for loud snoring.”

“Thanks. That helps.” Nate responded. “But we meant what’s going on in your neck of the woods.”

“Okay, okay, Avery left you three and Kiruru with lovies…Pika has a papillon and Schmitty has a blanket-it’s definitely seen better days.” Pixel explained.

“Anything else?”

Pixel nodded his head “Kiruru has a plush bunny, it sure loves it.”

“Easily bribed, noted.” Nate nodded.  “What else can you see?” 

Pixel walked around. “Hmmm…well, Guy’s record of counting sheep is either 14 or 15 before he falls asleep. Try to keep Pika from reaching those numbers. Distract her. Try bribery with sweets.”

“I mean, good tip.” Nate’s teeth were gritted. “That’s nothing we can see, though! Some random pink dog just showed up to summon the sheep, and I don’t think it’s connected to the dream.”

“What does it want?”

“Either it just wants to sleep or it’s trying to sabotage our efforts. Any ideas?”

“I think Avery dropped Rose by accident.” Pixel thought about it. “Only logical explanation.”

“Okay, bingo. You think you can pick her up?”

“What do you think, dumbass? They’re watching the group like a hawk!”

“...Then use the glitch thing on them!” Nate suggested. “Maybe it’ll make them sleep or freeze or something!”

Pixel began to panic. “I can’t do that! They’re staring at me!”

Sure enough, Avery, grumpier than ever, was glaring at Pixel, more than ready to attack him.

“Attack them first!” Nate yelled.

“Okay- ROBOPIXEL GLITCHOUT!” He threw a ball of ones and zeroes.

“NOT SO FAST!” growled Avery as they tried to avoid the attack and tossed a teddy bear beam at him in retaliation.

Both had direct hits. Pixel had collapsed first, but it took Avery a solid second to succumb.

“Cookie? Cookie?” Nate called out.

*SNNNNNXXXXXXXX*

“Okay. We’ll see you here. Over and out.” Nate deadpanned as Avery slumped over.

“Ru…” Kiruru’s eyes fluttered a little. “Kiru…”

***
“...five…six….seven…” Pika yawned as Pixel appeared. “...eight…hi Pixel…nine…”

“The fuck?!” Pixel glanced at himself. “...Did-”

“Yep. They did.”

“Damn it.” Pixel face palmed.

“No worries. Help me bribe Pika awake.” Nate ordered. 

“Guy? Where are you?” Schmitty called out. “GUY? HERE GUY? WHERE ARE YOU?”

Pixel groaned “Use your ears, Schmitty.”

“...1…0…”

“I’ve got some ice cream! Vanilla, your favorite!” Nate offered.

Pika took a bite, then started over the count. “1…2…”

Nate then got an idea. He looked at Pixel. “We’re gonna be here a while. Maybe dream up some cake…or those octopus balls.”

“...mmmph. Cake?” Pika stirred. “...3…”

“It’s working. Uh, quick, what are some other things Pika likes?” Nate asked Pixel..

“I’m sure she likes many foods. Wonder how she feels about pancakes.”

“...pan…cakes?”

“...She’s going to be so mad at us for this.” Nate admitted. “Anywhoo, I think I’ve got some merch for her to try out! Shame she’s asleep.”

“GUUUUUUUUUY!!!” Schmitty practically hollered, startling the three for a second. “The fuck is he?”

“SHEEP! SHEEP!” Rose barked at the sheep some more.

“...merch?” Pika stirred. “...6…”

“...I also have her DeviantArt account! Wonder what she wrote with us-”

“-DONT TOUCH THAT!” Pika shot up. 

“Found the soft spot.” Nate stifled a giggle.

“...Oh my god.” Pika facepalmed. “You scared me half to death.”

“Well, it woke you up, didn’t it?” Nate retorted. 

Pika was about to talk before looking confused. “Wait. What were we doing?”

“Counting sheep!” Rose answered, practically annoyed.

“No, we weren’t.” Nate retorted. “We were trying to find Guy, remember?”

“Oh…yeah. Let me give you a paw.” Rose chuckled a bit before barking at the sheep and even pointing at them.

“...mmmmph.” Pika’s eyes fluttered. “...How is this related to Guy?”

“It isn’t!” Pixel pleaded. “Unless you count gullible nature.”

“-Gullible?!?” Pika shot up.” I’m…I’m not an idiot. I’m...not gullible.”

“Just count the sheep and you’ll be with him.” Rose groaned and facepalmed. “He’s in dreamland. Well a dreamland within a dreamland…inception…”

“...makes sense.” Pika yawned. “...1...2…”

“You’re doing this for free? Sometimes I have to pay Guy to do this, just to keep him busy…” Nate laughed.

“Ghh..I’m not…3…I’m not…gullible!” Pika tried to fight it off, clearly trying to prove Nate wrong.

“Okay. If you’re NOT gullible, you’ll march right over and go help Schmitty find Guy.” Nate smirked.

“MAYBE I WILL!” Pika snapped up. “Come on, Schmitty. Let’s prove this bozo wrong.”

Nate winked at Schmitty.

“As I was saying…THERE!” Rose was at her wits’ end. “He’s there!”

“Yeah. And how are we supposed to believe that?” Nate argued. 

Rose facepalmed again “Seriously? You are bigger idiots than Guy…or even bigger idiots than Avery, when they’re tired.”

The lovey paused.

“And THAT’S saying something!”

“...Wait.” Pixel stopped. “...a cursed person would never call their partner an idiot. Least whilst Raven’s in charge.”

He crouched down.

“...You wanna help? Like, with no funny business?”

“Raven CAN’T control plushies, I just got the freaky eyes cause I’m Avery’s lovey. Their sidekick. I rarely leave their side.” Rose groaned. “I got red eyes cause they did! Is that so hard to believe?!”

“...Not to me.” Pixel observed. 

“Besides, dogs have pretty good hearing. I can hear Guy…trust me.” Rose added.

“Okay. Lead us on.” Nate sounded a bit tense, yet trusting. 

Rose nodded her head and ran over, on all fours. “Okay…closer…closer.” 

She paused and flinched, while the others watched in confusion.

“Definitely closer.”

“You heard something?” Pixel asked.

“Unless your dreams include a steady patterned power saw, I think I’m hot on the trail!” Rose barked and looked at Pixel.

Pika just shook her head. “Nate would have a dream like that.”

“But my dream was about ABBA…” Nate’s eyes widened.

“Of course it was about A- holy shit.”

Rose tilted her head. “You heard it too?”

“...Think so?” Pika thought. “Is that-”

“Is that what?” Rose smirked a little.

“...Guy snores like a BUZZSAW FACTORY.” Pika observed. “I feel like a tied-up maiden on a log just thinking about it.”

“Yeah. Who wants to soldier through and wake him?” asked Rose. “Cause I sure can’t! I’m a stuffed animal, I’d just unintentionally cause more harm.”

Pixel thought it over. “Anyone?”

Schmitty winced the most, clearly forgetting about the Quips slowing him down earlier.

“...Wish I brought my camera.” Pika admitted. “I mean, if nobody else wants to-”

“Need I remind you almost drifted off to dreamland too? ” Nate vetoed.

“Fair.”

“Pixel, you suggested it.” Nate looked over.

“Oh hell no. I was watching Pika, Schmitty and Guy before I got zapped by Avery. I heard enough of that racket!” Pixel shuddered.

Pixel, Nate and Pika all looked at Schmitty.

“I’LL do it.” Schmitty declared.

“You will?” Rose tilted her head.

“...Okay. I need a camera.” Pika admitted.

“Why?” Schmitty wondered, turning to her. 

“No reason.”

“Pika… what is the camera for?”

“...to film it. In case it fails.” Pika trailed off, glancing at Nate, her expression worried.

Nate nodded, as if to say ‘no, no, keep it up!’

“Well, just dream up your camera, like I dreamed up Cookie, earlier.” Schmitty suggested.

Pixel looked at Schmitty “WHAT?!”

“Noodle incident.”

“Thank goodness we’re calling it that.” Pika said. “Anyways...it will be SO funny when you fail to wake him up…” She winked at Nate. “...I mean, you’re not even awake yourself. So gullible.”

Schmitty growled, bearing teeth. “I’ll show you!”

“Suit yourself!”

***

“Ki…Kiruru?” yawning, Kiruru looked around, before getting a really bad feeling. Panicked, it dropped its bunny plushie on the ground and flew back inside, finding Aianna asleep.

“Ruru?” Kiruru nudged her. “Kiru? Kiruru?”

Nothing.

Groaning, Kiruru cleared its throat. 

“KIRURU!!!”

Aianna slept through it. 

Kiruru knew it had to take measures into its own hands and began slapping Aianna’s face.

“Mmmph…” Aianna reacted to that.

“KIRU! KIRU!”

“Just...five more minutes, Bob…” Aianna mumbled.

“KIRURU!!!” pleading, Kiruru prepared to do the unthinkable.

It prepared to transform Aianna into Robodoki while she was asleep-

“...can’t you just-”

“KIRU!”

-slamming into Aianna, jolting her awake, Pink light surrounding her.

“WHAT THE-” Robodoki gasped and looked around. “WHERE’S AVERY?!”

She looked at everyone knocked out in front of her. Most were frozen. Nate was still asleep.

“...Oh. This can’t be good.” Doki glanced at her communicator. “Schmitty? Guy? Are you two asleep out there?!?”

All she heard was what she assumed to be static. 

“Very useful! Great!” Doki groaned.

“...Okay. Gotta wake Nate up. Maybe he’ll know what to do.”

***

Schmitty could barely hear anything, not even his communicator. 

Pika did.

“Wait, Schmitty? I think Aianna’s calling you!”

No response.

“Schmitty?!? You hearing me?”

Nate scoffed. “Lesson number 3 in being a trickster. Nobody can hear anything when Guy’s snoring.”

“WHAT?! I CAN’T HEAR YOU!!!” Schmitty cried out. “NOT OVER GUY SNORING!”

“Told ya.”

Pika groaned. “Pika to Aianna. Bad news. Schmitty can’t hear you. There was this bunch of sheep and-DON’T LAUGH!”

“Wait. Hold on.” Doki remarked. “Where are you? I’m trying to wake up Nate. What’s with the static? Are y’all in the basement or something? Connection’s kind of spotty th-“

“Static?!” Nate cackled.

“Not funny. Pika’s hiding somewhere with Schmitty and Guy. I told them to.” Doki rubbed her head, before pausing. “Wait, Nate, how are you-”

“Loooooong story…” Pika said.

“I’m waking him up.”

“Don’t do that!” Pika insisted. “We need him here to help talk down Avery from the inside.”

“Like that movie where that one guy plants an idea into someone’s mind, but it’s a dream? Think it was called an exception or something.”

Next thing they heard was Schmitty cursing loudly. A really loud “FUCK, THAT IS LOUD!”

“Okay, Schmitty’s swearing over static. Great…” Doki said.

“Anna, do us a favor. Do not laugh..” Pika pleaded.

“...Okay. Shoot. What’s up?” Doki steeled herself. “Why can’t I get through to Schmitty with all that god-awful static?”

“Don’t laugh.” Pika inhaled. “That ISN’T static…”

Doki blinked. “Seriously? What is that? A buzzsaw?”

Pika chuckled a little. “Yep, we think alike, alright…”

Doki sighed “Is that a buzzsaw?”

“I. Wish.” Pika facepalmed, with Nate and Pixel laughing behind her. “I’m gonna tell you what that is, but DO NOT LAUGH!!!”

“Okay. I will not laugh. What is that?”

“...Guy’s snoring.”

“...Really.” Doki snorted. “You gotta be pulling my leg.”

“Wish I was. Schmitty’s trying to wake him up now. We’re going to talk Avery down from the inside, seeing that they’re probably dreaming right now. You make sure Avery doesn’t get any others, or doesn’t mess with us any further.”

“On it. Doki, over and out.”

“COME ON! WHAT THE FUCK?! HOW ARE YOU SO DEAD ASLEEP?!” Schmitty’s voice echoed through the communicator.

Doki groaned and got back on the communicator. “Schmitty, I can hear you, you know.”

“Did you accidentally press the button too hard?!?” Pika called out. “Sometimes that happens with me! You just have to unjam it!”

“WHAT?!” Schmitty called back. “I CAN’T HEAR YOU!”

“DID YOU ACCIDENTALLY PRESS THE BUTTON-”

“Leave it. It’s useless.” Nate groaned. “...I guess while we wait for Guy to awaken...wanna hear some tips to be a good trickster? Cause you got the charm and weakness knowing part down. You just need to learn to act. And manipulate.”

“Sure.” Pika shrugged. “Lead on, Sensei.”

***

Schmitty was thankful that due to them being in a dreamland, he was able to summon as many noisy instruments as he wanted. A vacuum,  an airhorn, cymbals, even a freaking gong and a dinky old alarm clock. 

Nothing.

“FUCK! Avery has no idea how PISSED I am!” Schmitty swore. “That tired MOTHERFUCKER!”

“Who?” a voice chimed in on the communicator.

Schmitty knew that voice.

“Glitch?!”

“I’m in the principal's office because of your swearing. This better be good.” Glitch paused “My teacher is PISSED at me!”

“Listen, your dad got mindfucked. I am trying to fix it…here, listen for yourself.”

Schmitty kept silent.

“Yep, that’s dad’s snoring…” Glitch confirmed. “May I interfere?”

“Knock yourself out.” Schmitty groaned.

Glitch cleared his throat. “Dad? Daaaaaaad? Yooooooo hoooooo?”

Still nothing.

“Dad, wake up.” Glitch said softly.

“Yeah, nothing’s working.” Schmitty reported. “Wish you were here right now. Well not here-here, just in the Studio.”

“Same.” Glitch sighed. “...Heads up, can’t stay long. I think they want a parent teacher conference after my lecture, by the way.”

“WHAT THE FUCK?!” Schmitty hollered, then regained himself. “Okay, if you were with me, what would you suggest I do?”

“...Sing ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’.”

“You fucking serious?”

“I am! Guy gets riled up and restless- we told you about that curse? If I need to wake him up due to trauma nightmares, I just do that!”

“And on the off-chance it doesn’t work?”

“Then you’re not talking to the principal and Mrs. Katz. Deal?”

Schmitty sighed “Thanks Glitch. I just HOPE I can hear myself sing! I can BARELY hear you!”

“Doesn’t matter the volume level. He’ll-” a pause. “-I’m coming! I’m coming- I gotta go. Wish me luck.”

“Good luck.” Schmitty sighed. “Sorry for getting you in this mess.”

“No worries. Hope you get through this curse alive. See ya.”

Schmitty gulped. “I can do this, I can do this-”

He shuddered. 

“I need to do something about volume control first…”

Schmitty thought hard about what to do. “Fuuuuuuuuuck!”

***

“Think he’s okay?” Pika asked.

“Schmitty’s gonna be okay.” Nate replied.

“Fingers crossed.” Pixel added.

“So anyways…” Nate turned to Pika. “First thing you need to know is that improv is your friend. You gotta be able to bounce back from…:

“I hope he has a plan…” Rose worried.

***

Schmitty inhaled. He couldn’t shout more, so he had to do something. He thought about what Glitch told him..

He hoped Glitch was right.

Take me out to the ball game

Take me out to the crowd

Schmitty gulped and began singing in a lullaby tone, covering his ears with his hands.

Guy stirred, though, so at least some progress.

Buy me some peanuts and crackerjack

I don't care if I never get back

Schmitty uncovered an ear, looking around nervously.

“God I hope this is working…” Schmitty whispered to himself.

“Mmmmph...Ball game?” Guy woke slightly. 

Schmitty uncovered both ears. “Thank god!” he chuckled a little.

He couldn’t jinx it and say ‘Thank god you’re awake!’ and he knew it.

“...What…happened?” Guy rubbed his head. 

“You were a dumbass.” Schmitty shrugged. “Oh yeah, one other thing…”

Schmitty giggled a little. 

“Are you awake?”

“Yeah. I'm talking, aren’t I?” Guy rolled his eyes.

“You never know. Are you sure you’re awake?”

“...And how would I not be, dumbass?” Guy growled. 

“Okay, what’s the last thing you remember before we started talking?”

“I remember counting sheep!” He paused.

“Wait. I think I remember something else. Avery….bet me 20 bucks? I think? I...it’s not clear. They said they were magic sheep and thus impossible to not fall asleep to, so I was like ‘YOU’RE ON!’”

Schmitty groaned. “You listened to them?”

“THEY SEEMED TRUSTWORTHY!”

“See? I wasn’t gullible!” Pika protested. Nate snickered in response.

“Ah great, my communicator is still on.” Schmitty groaned and turned it off. “You have no idea how stupid of an idea that is.”

“Well, excuse me, princess! I think I was partially enchanted too, dumbass!”

“GUYS. FOCUS.” Pika yelled. 

“Aaaaaaaand they found us.” Schmitty shrugged. He giggled a little “How many sheep did you reach, you remember that or not?”

“14. So close.” Guy snapped his fingers in an ‘oh, darn’ motion.

“Either one less from your record of ‘fif’ or it was ‘fif’.” Schmitty shrugged. 

“There’s one teeny-tiny other thing I need to tell you, but once we get out of this mess.” The redhead added.

“And what would that be?” Guy sounded skeptical.

“It’s about Glitch.” Schmitty said. “So we’re gonna need full consciousness.”

“...Oh boy.” Guy shook his head. “...Find Avery fist.”

“Yeah. Big time. I think Aianna’s up.” Pika said. Her communicator then went off.

“I AM!” Doki said. “And it’s Robodoki!”

“Shit. Sorry. Bad at this.” Pika admitted.

“It’s okay! It took Glitch a bit to learn the codenames.”

Pixel’s eyes widened “KIRURU! IT WOKE UP!”

“Yeah?”

“I-I KNOW CAUSE AVERY DREAMFUCKED WITH THEM! THEY GAVE KIRURU A BUNNY PLUSHIE!” Pixel added “AND PIKA HAD A TOY DOG, SCHMITTY HAD A BLANKET AND GUY HAD A TEDDY BEAR!”

“If it's the dog I'm thinking about, that checks out.” Pika mumbled to herself.

“Pixel, how do you know?” Schmitty sounded surprised.

“I HEARD KIRURU CRY AND WHEN I  RAN OVER, IT WAS ASLEEP WITH THE BUNNY AND YOU THREE WERE A SLEEPING MESS!” Pixel said.

“Oh we were a sleeping mess BEFORE the lovies.” Pika laughed. “Blame my lucky rush for that one. But the lovies probably made it worse.”

“I’LL SAY! You three were clutching them WAAAAAAY too tightly!” Pixel added. “Then YOU let go of the dog and Schmitty released the blanket. Guy was really clutching that teddy.”

“Probably coincides with y’all two breaking out.” Nate observed.

“Elaborate.” Guy asked. “What are you talking about?”

“Well, I dreamed that- don’t laugh- my favorite precures were my friends. And then Nate went all ‘Who’s the Dummy?’ on them and did that teeth thing ventriloquists do to successfully snap me out of it by making the cures say that this was all a dream, and then saying ‘nate is the coolest! And you should get autographs from him!’”

“Not what I said.” Nate mumbled.

“I wish I could’ve seen that.” Pixel laughed. Pika groaned in response.

“Now, what about Schmitty?” Doki asked, her voice booming from the communicator. “What happened to him?”

“One word: Quips.” Pika explained.

“Okay…go on…” Doki continued. “I’m heading outside now…anything about the Quips?”

“Well...I summoned a trunk with a bell on it, rang it, and the Quips rushed onto me. And then sheep came onto me. Schmitty was distracted by that, and I think that woke him up?

“Uh huh…got it. Okay, I am heading outside now…”

“You said that twice.” Pika reminded her.

“Okay. I am now outside and- dear god it’s a mess out here!” Doki gasped.

“What? What’s going on?!?” Pika asked concernedly. 

“Okay, you look really relaxed with a Komugi plushy beside you, as if you dropped it.” Doki began. 

“Knew it.” Pika snarked. 

“And there’s a patched up blanket that Schmitty definitely dropped. Has to be his, it’s all patchy and old! Soooooo many colorful patches, too! It screams ‘Schmitty’!”

“Okay. Be careful.” Pika reminded her. “If-”

She paused.

“...Would that count as a jinx if I told her to watch out for lovies?”

“I guess not?” Nate shrugged. “I just see more blackmail on Schmitty.”

“Har de har har.” Schmitty scoffed.

“Okay, I see you, Guy. There’s a teddy bear near you, it looks like you let go of it recently.” Doki then walked around “That’s all I see with you three, though.”

“Okay. Just be careful.” Pika warned.

“Moving on, I see Cookie. He’s used Nate’s Robopixel compact and he’s also asleep. God, he’s got a weird snore.” Doki narrated before moving the communicator a little. “Listen.”

*HONK SHOOOO HONK SHOOO*

“I see what you mean.” Pika commented. “Now...uh…might I recommend getting out of there? Before you go honk shoo with a lovey or worse? I was trying to hint at that without causing a jinx.”

“Don’t worry, Avery’s also crashed out.” Doki reported. “They’re drooling a little and they don’t seem very happy. They…they look stressed.”

“Then that means two things.” Pika observed. “One: they’re here. Two: they’re not so happy with the situation they’re in.”

She turned to Nate, then Guy.

“Guys? Final battle time.” Pika deduced. “All we need to do is find Avery’s dream, talk them down, Guy can therapy them, etc, profit!”

“They grow up so fast.” Nate teased.

“I don’t know.” Doki said. “They look really stressed. I think they’re having a nightmare.”

“...Oh.”  Pika sweated. “Wait. I still have the dream weaver thing. Might be risky…but I could potentially alter the dream and calm them down enough for Guy to therapy them.”

“I don’t even have the Robodenki compact.” Guy reminded.

“You can dream it up.” Pika suggested.

“Oh.”

Rose then spoke up. “Oh! Oh! Avery needs me! They need me!”

“Good idea. You’re coming with me.” Pika nodded. “...Think I could summon a portal.”

As she predicted, a glitchy rift in the universe opened up.

“Knew it!” Pika cheered. “Anything is possible in dreams!”

Rose whimpered. “I’m scared. Avery rarely sleeps without me. Well, unless they doze off in class, but still.”

“You’re gonna be okay, girl.” Pika shushed, her tone comforting as she petted the pink dog. “I’ll be here to help out. Promise.”

“Thank you.” Rose smiled and wagged her tail, slowly but surely. .”Let’s get to Avery! They need me so much!”

“I see Rose in the pile, she’s on your head, Pika.” Doki reported. “Should I give her to Avery or not?”

“Just leave her with me.” Pika replied. “Just for a little longer. I’ve got a plan.”

She turned to Nate and Guy.

“Guy? Stay back until I communicate. Then you’ll leap into the portal and immediately use your power. Nate, Pixel, Schmitty, you three are emotional support. Stay back in case I get affected.”

“On it.” The four nodded.

“Okay!” She clapped her hands. “Rose. Let’s do this.”

And thus, the two entered the portal.

***

“Avery? Ave? Avery?” Pika called out as she entered, holding Rose tightly,

Everything was a black void. 

“Where are you?” Rose whimpered worriedly. “Avery, I need you…”

The two listened closely before hearing sniffling and sobbing sounds. Upon walking further, Pika saw Avery asleep in the fetal position, shivering and crying.

“Avery?” Pika whispered quietly. “Oh...Avery.”

She rushed towards them, placing Rose on the ground.

“...Lord. Forgive me for this.”

Hands glowing, she embraced them, and their expression seemed to get less distressed.

“Shhh. It’s okay. Your lovey is coming for you. For now, I’ll ease your burdens. Give you a happy dream.”

Avery just kept sniffling and crying in their sleep, not enjoying their dream very much.

Go figure, the dream was just a dark void.

Pika knew she had to do a bit more.

“Can I help now?” Rose whispered.

Pika shook her head. “They helped me, I need to help them; then you can come help.”

Hey

You'll be okay

Your eyes are misty now

But there's life there to be found

Some sunlit day

Dear

You're full of fear

And I am a little too

But I'm also full of you

Long as you're near

“There there, I’m here.” Pika whispered as she paused singing and watched.

It wasn’t working, Avery was still a sniffling mess.

Slow your lungs

Close your eyes

Realize

Dark things have passed

You're still alive.

“It’s gonna be okay, Avery. I’m here, I will not let anything happen to you.” Pika continued to whisper.

Avery’s sniffling stopped, only by a little bit. Their face was still full of distress, though.

“...I’m sorry I tried to force you home.” Pika continued. “I feel like that made things worse. But now, I’m here. I’m not going to object if you want to stay.” She wiped a tear from Avery’s face. “If you needed a nap...you needed a nap. Curse risk or no curse risk. I should’ve understood that sooner and accepted your boundaries. I’m sorry.”

Avery just grumbled a little, face still distressed. They weren’t crying as much though. Progress.

Hey

Skies will be gray

Thunder's going to fall

But you'll make it through it all

You have a way.

Rest

Curl in your nest

Plant some seeds when you're alone

Let the blossoms grow

Inside your chest.

Pika continued.

Avery mumbled a little and tried to grasp at nothing. It was as if they were looking for the comfort of a lovey.

“...Rose! That’s your cue.” Pika nodded.

Rose nodded her head and rushed over to Avery’s side, and almost like magic, it began to calm them into a more peaceful dreamscape.

Slow your lungs

Close your eyes

(Eyes)

Realize

Dark things have passed

You're still alive

“There there, Avery.” Rose smiled happily. “You may be a bit of an idiot, but you’re my idiot. And I am not leaving your side ever again!”

Avery’s eyes opened a little as the dreamscape changed from a pure black void to a treehouse with a lookout, a table with chairs and even a bookshelf.

“Hey. Treehouses are cool.” Pika spoke softly. “...Especially this one.”

Avery smiled a little, waking up even more “Thanks, Boo. I always wanted to be in a treehouse, especially one like this. God, why did TV make that treehouse look so fun?”

Pika paused, realizing something.

Maybe they didn’t need therapy. Maybe…they just needed to nap. Vibe in the treehouse.

“...Hey, Guy? Never mind on the therapy thing.” Pika spoke

“Huh, what’re you doing?” Avery wondered.

“I’m just going to vibe with you until we have a good night's sleep together.” Pika reassured them. “Change in strategy. Nothing bad.”

“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Back the fuck up!” Avery sounded way too confused. “Strategy?”

Pika froze. “Uh…”

Avery saw the look on Pika’s face. “WHAT the FUCK did I do?”

“Nothing bad!” Pika started. “Yeah, you basically made Guy count sheep, and made me count sheep, and made Nate sing ABBA songs…but it wasn’t-”

Pika paused.

“...Wait. Is Raven still in you in the dream dimension? Cause that would-”

“I’m sorry…I did what?” Avery sounded even more confused.

“Nothing bad! I promise!” Pika stressed.

“Yeah. So much for not needing therapy.” Guy, now transformed into Denki, climbed in the treehouse.

“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What the HELL did I do?” Avery asked as Rose hugged them.

“Just normal curse stuff!” Pika stressed even harder. “Denki-”

“CURSE?!” Avery began to panic but held Rose tight. “I don’t remember being CURSED!!!”

“ROBODENKI CALMING THERAPY!”

Lightning hit both Avery and Denki, and they fell asleep soon after.

“Avery?” Rose whimpered before a bolt of lightning hit her too.

“..yeah. Not my smoothest.” Pika groaned. 

Nate climbed after. “Lesson 4. Sometimes no matter how smooth you are, smoothing over the situation is impossible.” 

“Fair.” Pika rubbed her head. “...let’s just prepare to get outta here once they wake up.”

***

Avery groaned as they and Rose rubbed their eyes “What was that all about?” Avery asked.

“You’re asking ME?” wondered Rose, walking on all fours. 

“Hello?!” Avery called out. “Anyone here?”

“Over here!” Denki motioned.

“Boy am I glad to see a familiar face. What the fuck did I do?” Avery began before they and Rose stopped at a memory.

“You know…” Avery sounded a bit cunning. “Raven said these here are magic sheep, impossible to not fall asleep counting.”

“You are stupid, no one will fall for that.” Rose facepalmed.

“We’ll see about that.” Avery winked as the two hid, watching Pika and Schmitty try to resist dreams of their own.

“What’re these?” Guy wondered, walking over.

Avery’s smile widened. “You know the old wives tale. Well, apparently these sheep are magic sheep. No one can count past a hundred without sleeping like a baby.”

“Is that so?”

“Trust me. I know what I’m talking about.” Avery smiled even more “You like challenges?”

“More than anything!” Guy grinned.

“Oh shoot.” Rose sighed.

“Alright then, I’ll give you five bucks if you can count all these sheep without falling asleep.” Avery suggested.

“JUST five?” Guy laughed. “Come on, higher.”

“Ten.” Avery realized.

“Higher.”

“Fifteen!”

“Fifteen? That’s nothing! I could do that for twenty dollars!”

“Alright. Floor is yours.”

Guy smiled. “Watch. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5…”

“Avery!” Rose scolded.

“6…7…8…9…” Guy flopped on his back.

“He said he’d do it for twenty.” Avery reasoned.

“10…11…12…13…” 

“You are stupid…” Rose groaned.

“You don’t have to remind me.” Avery said.

“14…1…” Guy paused, near ready to fall asleep. “No! Stay awake! You can do this!”

“You sure can!” Avery called out.

“...1…”

Rose sighed in disbelief as Guy fell asleep and began snoring. “Avery…”

“What? She said the sheep would really be an obstacle for them.” Avery reminded.

Avery looked stunned at the memory. “I don’t remember any of that…”

“You were tired as fuck!” Rose barked. 

“Oh…”

“Okay, so I got a few details wrong in retelling Schmitty.” Denki shrugged. “Oh well.”

“What the fuck was I thinking?” Avery asked.

Denki looked at them “Not much.”

“You were tired!” Rose added, pulling on her ears.

“Yeah. Sleep deprivation is a bitch. You say things you don’t remember, and do pretty stupid stuff.”

Avery focused their attention on another memory. The whole group talking earlier, them trying to recover and Booloo trying to talk to them.

“I don’t remember much after that voice sang my favorite lullaby…” Avery said. “So…sorry about the sheep…”

“It’s okay. I get it.” Denki laughed. “My record’s ‘fif’ sheep, either way…but it’s debatable on if it’s 14 or 15.”

Avery giggled.

“And, sorry for whatever else I did in that…what DO you call that state of mind? Mindfuckery?”

“If I had to guess, I’d say it's more of a sleepwalk state…” Rose tilted her head.

Denki looked at Rose “You’re smart for a toy dog. So…you two wanna go to a happier place or something? He held out both hands.”

Avery took one hand, Rose took the other.

“Good.” Denki smiled as the three linked hands and the scenery changed, slowly.

***

“Will this do?” Avery asked. Denki was confused.

It looked like a beach. Sure there was sand and water and beach toys.

He didn’t wanna ask why there was a purple dinosaur in the happy place, though.

“So, tell me, what’s exhaustion like?” Denki spoke up.

“It fucking suuuuuucks!” Avery whined. “When I’m really tired, I just wanna lay my head down and sleep! You know when you’re sick with a flu or shit and can’t do anything?”

“Yeah. Been there.”

“Exactly. Apparently, being tired is a great time for…getting stuck in this mess!” 

“Your happy place is nice.” Denki commented.

Avery smiled “Thanks, I love the water, and playing in the sand.”

“Just, one more question?”

“Yeah?” Avery wondered.

“How do you feel, currently?” Denki asked.

“A LOT less sleepy, very attentive and aware of my surroundings! God that felt good.”

“Getting cursed by Raven?”

“No, getting attacked by Pixel’s Glitchout. I never FELT so rested!”

“Avery…” Rose rolled her eyes. “You’re crazy.”

“I know, Rose.” Avery said as they patted their lovey’s head. “I feel like I can take on anything!”

“Thank goodness. Raven managed to mindfuck you because you were tired and mumbling.” Denki said. “But when she knows you feel more energized…”

“...she’ll leave!” Avery gasped. “YOU’RE A GENIUS!”

“I am?!”

“We have GOT to get back!”

“Okay. Avery, Rose, take my hands.” Denki instructed.

“On it!” Avery said.

Rose wagged her tail.

“Robodenki Sunny Days!!!”

“You’re kidding.” Avery giggled.

***
“Anyways. As I was saying, improv is the thing you need to work on the most, no doubt. On the fly responses, not cracking under the pressure, stuff like that.” Nate stressed. “Maybe we could practice that-”

At that moment, Avery, Rose and Guy woke up.

“...Awww. Maybe after we get out of here, then.”

Pika didn’t pay attention to that.

Rather, she was dead focused on them.

She needed to encourage Avery.

Pika offered her hands to them, an encouraging smile on their face.

“It’ll be okay. I’ll help you fight her off, just as you did for me.”

Avery accepted, just as Raven made her presence known.

Hi there, Avery.

“And who the fuck are you, might I ask?” Avery shot back.

Oh isn’t that a shame, you forgot all about me.

Pika squeezed their hands. “Remember. She’s bad. You gotta tell her you’re done napping.”

“I don’t even know you!” Avery replied.

Let me jog your memory… Raven smirked and did a throat clearing noise.

“You are my sun-”

“And honestly, they don’t WANT to know!” Rose barked.

“Wait. You can understand-” Pika paused. “-Whatever. Avery. I got an idea.”

“I’m all ears…Booloo?” Avery blinked. “Sorry, you ARE Booloo, right?”

“Yep! As Robopika, but still the one and only.” Pika determinedly looked at Avery’s red eyes. “..And if she’s going to make you fall asleep with some stupid lullaby...they’ve messed with the wrong former choir student.”

“Boo?” Avery giggled a little “I mean, Pika…thanks. I NEED all the help I can get. She targeted my weak spot”

“They all do. Get ready.” Pika cleared her throat. 

Avery gulped a little “Please, I don’t wanna fall victim to her anymore...I think.”

“Yeah!” Rose nuzzled up to Avery.

A catchy EDM beat began ringing out.

It was clearly her favorite song from Splatoon. Spicy Calamari Inkantation.

She tried to hide her geeking.

“Oh yeah, we need more

When we rock around,

Listen, to me,

You need to hear my song,

Give it, to me, 

Eureka, I have you now and I

Move and I rule and I feel the melody

YOU BETTER INK!”

Come on, Avery, just shoot her down. She’s being a nuisance. She’s keeping you awake! Raven shouted.

“Wait, what?” Avery sounded conflicted on what to do.

“Don’t listen to her! JUST FEEL THE MUSIC!” Pika yelled.

Shrugging, Avery did just that, with Rose by their side.

“That’s it! Dance with me!” Rose barked, doing her version of Snoopy’s Happy Dance.

“Top any fight,

Should’ve, should’ve fell on your knees, 

(if you’re feeling me),

You run from me,

Am I an issue, a hurricane?
You don’t need to go BACK BACK BACK!

Oh yeah, we need more

When we rock around,

Listen, to me,

You need to hear my song,

Give it, to me, 

Eureka, I have you now and I

Move and I rule and I feel the melody

Raven sighed. Avery, I think you still have a date with a blanket and pillow.

“I think you need the appointment MORE than I do.” Avery scoffed as Rose growled. Both their eyes returned to their normal colors. Blue-gray for Avery and brown for Rose.

“Yeah! You better leave my thoughts!” Avery said. “I DON’T KNOW YOU AND I ALREADY HATE YOU!”

You better not, give in, to that,

We rock around,
And now, we met,

You need to hear my song!

Give it, to me, 

Eureka, I have you now and I

Move and I rule and I feel the melody!
YOU BETTER INK!

Pika finished, posing her fist up to the sky, successfully hiding that she didn’t remember the rest of the lyrics.

“That WAS BADASS!!!” Avery cheered, 

“THANK YOU!” Pika squealed. “I LOVE SPLATOON!!!!! I'LL BE HERE ALL NIGHT! METAPHORICALLY!”

“I NOTICED!” Avery laughed and hugged Pika. “THANK YOU!”

Rose jumped in the hug, howling happily.

“Nobody can resist that heavenly melody. They literally call that in canon , too. Very fitting title.” Pika giggled. “...Think we’d better tune out, though. Ready to head out?”

She paused.

“...If you wanna continue napping, we can do that too. I’m...sorry I got so nervous that I overstepped your boundaries. I was trying to care for you...and I think I made things worse.”

“I get it.” Avery gave Pika another hug. “I’m…I…can I just take in the moment? I rarely remember my dreams, when I do wake up. So…I wanna remember this one.”

“Sure thing.” Pika smiled. “Let’s get the gang here.”

Avery picked up Rose “That’ll make it even better.”

“That and hot chocolate.” Rose commented, making the three of them laugh.

THE END

Chapter Text

"Ugh...what the fuck-" Avery held their head.

"Welcome to your first curse." Pixel sighed. "Headaches are common."

"Ow..."

Pika handed them Rose.

"Let's head back in the office and-" Schmitty began.

"Ahem?" Roxanne asked as she, Buzz, Bob and Nate looked at the group. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

"Oh, yeah. Purification." Pika laughed. "It's not gonna hurt, trust me."

"Okay." Avery held Rose even more-

*PULL*

-as Guy pulled them in for a tight hug.

"Mmmmmm." Avery smiled.

"Hey, your eyes are good. We're all set!" Guy declared.

"You heard the himbo." Pika laughed.

Bob, Buzz and Roxanne got their compacts on as Pixel and Pika brushed themselves off. 

"Now, people!" Nate declared.

***

"Mirror, O Mirror, make our hearts shine!"  

As the mirror was held up, a rainbow colored beam shot out of it, hitting each of the magical girls and giving them more frills and bows on their outfits. Then, iridescent angel wings summoned on their backs, and silver crowns landed on their head. Those crowns had their card symbol as its jewel, colored in their respective theme color. As the crowns appeared, silver halos formed around them to match, and their keys transformed into a diamond-like material, gaining a whole bunch of facets and becoming more sparkly in the process. 

"Mirai Mode, Fully Charged!" They yelled as they leapt into the air, keyblades in hand, flying and looping around each other before diving towards Avery. As they did this, they got close to each other and held their keys out in front of them, the tips touching each other as their respective forms of light (purple stars, green pixels, yellow jewels, blue lightning, red fire and pink regular light) launched them forward like a rocket. 

"Robodoki Healing Tomorrow!"  

As they cried, the individual colors of their flight trails merged into a rainbow shape, just as they crashed into the cursed, knocking them into the air. A giant heart-cut diamond overcame the group as they hugged Avery, causing them to fade back to normal. Then, as the group jumped out of the heart, they began to slash their keys down to their sides, viewing the fourth wall as the heart behind them filled with energy. It began to expand, shining blindingly bright in the process. 

"Made your heart race with the lights of the future!"  

Then the heart exploded into a giant rainbow supernova, releasing tons of smaller tiny hearts into the air, which fixed the damage caused by the curse victim and magical girls alike.

***

Avery laughed as they pulled everyone in for a hug. "That was awesome! Thanks!"

"Not a problem." Doki said as she and the others detransformed, Cookie tossing Nate the Pixel compact.

"You'll get used to it." Booloo reassured. "So...uh..."

"Yeah. That was awkward." Avery laughed. "I LOVE awkward!"

"Now be careful, Raven's a tricky bastard." Cookie explained as they returned back in the office. "So...who wants to cry at a talking spider while Debbie Reynolds sings?"

Avery shot their left hand up, Rose in their right hand. "I LOVE THAT MOVIE!"

Booloo laughed. Avery was finally getting sorta used to being a magical girl- enby- whatever. They had a lot to learn about Raven though...

Chapter Text

“I got the ingredients.” Bob declared, setting everything out. “Roxie, do you have the recipe?”

“Printed it out last night.” Roxanne reported. “Organized is my middle name.”

She paused. “Actually, I don't have a middle name. But if I did, ‘Organized’ would be a BADASS one.”

“Let's just focus on the fucking recipe.” Schmitty groaned. “Okay, we can do this. Fucking chocolate birthday cake, simple enough. You CANNOT fuck up a chocolate birthday cake recipe.”

He looked at Bob and Guy. “Unless you're a fucking dumbass...or two.”

Booloo shrugged off Schmitty's comment. “I call dibs on eating the leftover batter!”

Nate chuckled. “I just...cannot believe this.”

“Aianna said she could handle this.” Cookie said. “Sure, she's a god-awful liar, but Avery's gullible. They won't even KNOW Aianna's distracting them.”

With a sigh, Buzz got out a baking pan. “Now, we got the date right, right?”

Roxanne checked a calendar. One of the boxes had a moon sticker on it. “May 18. Yep, that's today.”

“Woah, woah, woah. May 18?” Cookie was surprised. 

“Yeah.” Roxanne reported.

“Fuck, we have got to start fucking making the cake, then!” Schmitty reported.

Cookie chuckled. “On May 18, 1980, Mount St Helen erupted.”

“Is this gonna be a joke about Helen?” Roxanne groaned.

“No, we respect her too much.” Guy reported.

“He's right.” Cookie nodded. “But if Mount Schmitty erupts, today- May 18, 2024 -I would NOT be surprised.”

“At least Avery doesn't have a birthday curse, like I do.” Booloo muttered to herself.

“Say what?” Nate asked as Bob got out some icing bags.

“Never mind. Not important.”

***

“So, whatta ya wanna do today, birthday-enby?” Aianna chuckled as she and Avery walked around outside. “I'm up for anything!”

Avery smiled “Weeeeeeeeeeeell…”

“Don't make me regret anything.”

“Can we go to the bowling alley?”

“Of course.”

Kiruru giggled and flew over “Kiiiiiiiiii! Kiruru!”

“But first, we need to pick up Glitch from Logan’s place.” Aianna explained.

“Glitch…” Avery paused. 

“I know, you two haven’t really talked much before.” Aianna chuckled.

“Yeah…aside from some slight chit-chat. Is Glitch nice?”

“He is.” Aianna chuckled. “I’d say you’d get along well!”

“Okay…” they felt slightly better as they headed over to Logan’s house.

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

“That must be Aianna.” Glitch ran to answer the door. “Hey Aianna! Hey…”

He paused.

“Avery, isn’t it?”

Avery nodded their head, chuckling slightly.

Logan walked over, looking a little nervous.

“Avery, this is Logan.” Glitch motioned. “He’s a minotaur. Logan, this is Avery.”

Logan was an African American male centaur with striped rainbow suspenders and a bowtie, thick, black glasses, and hi-top fade haircut. His shirt was a geeky Mario themed one.

“Nice to meet you, Logan.” Avery stammered a little.

“You’re the one that had that dream curse on their first day, aren’t you?” Logan asked.

Avery glanced at Glitch.

“Yep.” Glitch confirmed.

“Nice to see you again, Logan.” Aianna smiled. 

“So, what’re we doing?” Glitch asked.

“Are you up for some bowling at the bowling alley?” Avery asked, still a bit nervous.

“I’d love that!” Glitch beamed.

“Mind if I tag along?” wondered Logan. 

“Sure.” Aianna nodded. “If Avery’s okay with it.”

“It’s fine.” Avery said.

“I…know this is sudden…” Logan chuckled.

“What harm can it cause?” Glitch shrugged.

“None at all!” Aianna sweated.

Avery looked around, in thought.

“At this point, I’ll do anything to keep Avery out of the studio.” Aianna whispered to Glitch and Logan.

***

“Alright, the recipe says to blend all the wet ingredients together.” Roxanne read aloud. 

Nodding, Schmitty went to turn on the blender.

“So, I heard you have plans for today, Pikachu.” Nate mused.

“Yep.”

“You’re going to Disney on Ice, aren’t you?” he asked.

“YEP!!! OMG, it’s gonna be SO MUCH FUN!”

“We’ll try to make sure to save some cake for you, then.” Bob explained.

“Careful with the blender, Schmitty. It’s a little old.” Cookie looked over-

*WHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIR*

-as Schmitty turned it on and it sent cake batter flying around the kitchen area, covering the walls, floor, ceiling…and them.

“...Do we NOT have a mixer?” Buzz groaned. “Not even a hand one?”

“That. Was. AWESOME!” Guy cheered. 

Bob nodded. “Yeah, maybe one of us should stir it by hand…”

“You should, before Helen has an aneurysm.” Roxanne facepalmed.

Helen walked into the kitchen area, looked around in confusion, glanced at Schmitty and then left.

“Oh she’s already doing her annual blowing up at us.” Nate mused.

“...I’d be done too.” Roxanne murmured. “I’d leave this place if it wasn’t for Ave’s birthday.”

“So anyways…this is the best day ever! I get to eat cake and then buy a wand and then I’m going to an ice-”

“Best way to spend a Saturday.” laughed Cookie.

Schmitty just grumbled. He wanted to swear. Oh how he wanted to.

How’s cake-making coming along?

“Mmmph.” Schmitty grunted.

I LOVE chaos. Especially on a Saturday!

“Don’t make me blow up in front of the 20 year old.” Schmitty cursed.

Where’s Aianna? Where’s the Robodoki leader? What’s she doing?

“She’s on Distraction Duty…” Schmitty said. 

Ooooooooh, maybe this year the team will remember your birthday. When IS it, again?

“...Man, can you just SHUT UP!” Schmitty growled, getting red skin.

This is the power I will give you. Accept your terms. And gain the freedom to be angry!

“UGH! FINE!”

He began to grow…and Booloo stepped back.

She was scared.

“...Should we get-”

“We’re not getting Aianna.” Roxanne nodded.

You can do this, Roxie. Lead this team as Robohoshi. She told herself.

***

“GNNNNNNNNN!” Aianna was clutching her heart area, as they were preparing to do some bowling. 

“Hmm? Is it-” Glitch paused.

“Shhh. Not in front of Avery, red heart.” Logan whispered.

“I…I’m fine, just a…bad thought. That’s it.” Aianna lied.

Glitch wasn’t convinced.

“And that is how you bowl.” Avery said as they helped Kiruru roll a bowling ball down the alley.

It landed in the gutter but it did NOT mind.

“KI-RU!” it clapped.

“Great job.” Avery smiled. “You get to roll again, go for it.”

Aianna sighed. “Glitch, Logan, do NOT bring up the fact that there’s a C-U-R-S-E in the studio.”

“I know, Ai.” Glitch sighed.

“Let’s just have fun.” Logan agreed,

*CRASH*

Kiruru’s eyes widened as it hit a few pins. 

“Great job, Kiru.” Avery smiled even more. “You’re getting good at this game.”

“Kiiiiiiiii.”

***

Roxanne was shaking like a leaf as she led Bob, Buzz and Nate to an empty broom closet.

“Hey, you okay?” Booloo asked as she followed them in, compact in hand. “I could lead in your place if you need it…or at least help out.”

“Aianna put me in charge, I can do this…” Roxanne gulped. “I just…” she gave herself a hug. “Here I go!”

***

"Mirror of Miracles, lend me your magic!"

As the group said those words, the background behind them transformed into a mixture of pastel orange, pastel pink, bright purple, and silver. Roxanne waved her hand over her compact mirror, causing it to float into the air and for her entire body to gain a lavender-colored shirt and shorts combo. Bob, Buzz, Nate and Booloo did the same, but their outfits were teal, light red, neon green and yellow colored respectively.

 As Booloo waved her hand over the mirror, her back was overcome by a teal blue light, and a sparkly pop noise and flash revealed giant butterfly-like fairy wings of the same color. In addition, her ears became more pointy, and she was wearing a pastel yellow shirt and shorts combo.

"Doki!" Roxanne yelled,

"Doki!" then the other 4,

"Lovely Start!" The group yelled together as they immediately began to spin around each other, before separating out in their own transformations. The compact flipped 360 degrees before it landed on the group's chests. Then all their compacts solidified into a metallic chest plate,  transforming into a built in jewel as their sleeves/sleeve details formed on their shoulders.

Fire went up Buzz's arms and surrounded them with magic, to which he crossed them into an x shape. That movement created his white gloves. Roxanne did this with her star dust, as with Bob with his lightning bolts, Nate with his pixels and Booloo with her faceted butterflies.

Then everyone rejoined the same transformation plane as they all thrusted out their hands to the sides, grasping each other's hands as the details formed onto their gloves. They spun each other around in gradually increasing speed as their hair gained their signature styles and accessories, including the visors, before using the momentum to fling themselves back into separate transformation planes.

Bob and Buzz's pillars allowed them to screech to a halt, Roxanne used the momentum to begin diving down, and Nate skidded to a stop, posing as the polygons hit him. Booloo also began to ground pound through gemstone platforms. All five forms of magic made their outfits and boots, and as the transformation completed, the team began to recite their speeches.

"The power of love that'll leave you in shock!"  Bob covered his hands across his heart for the first part of that sentence, before transitioning to posing with a peace signs, almost failing to grab the keyblade as it fell. Nevertheless, after fumbling with it a bit he stuck it behind him, before spinning one last time and widening his stance. His hands formed a diamond shape to the right of his chest.

"Call me Robodenki, cuz' I'll light up your heart!"

"The power of courage that'll grow with the flames!"

Buzz covered his hands across his heart for the first part of that sentence, before proceeding to punch and kick a bunch, catching his clover key and placing it behind him during that sequence. Then, he spun one last time and widened his stance, his hands forming a clover shape to the right of his chest.

"Call me Robohino, cuz I'll make your heart burn!"

"The power of strength that will shoot for the stars!"

Roxanne covered her hands across her heart for the first part of that sentence, before flipping her hair dramatically and punching her fists together. After catching her key and placing it behind her, she spun one last time and widened her stance, her hands forming a spade shape to the right of her chest.

"Call me Robohoshi, cuz' I'll fix your heart's wishes!"

"The power of wit that'll glitch out the evil!"

Nate covered his hands across his heart for the first part of that sentence, before blowing a kiss towards the audience with a wink, a flirting smirk on his face. Then, he caught his key, tossed it in his slot, spun one last time and widened his stance. His right hand formed a J on the right of his chest.

"Call me Robopixel, cuz' I'll patch your hurt heart!"

"The power of caring that shines like a diamond!" Booloo covered her hands across her heart for the first part of that sentence, before moving her fist up and down, as if doing a game of rock paper scissors. After opening her hand and doing a peace sign over her right eye, she spun one last time and widened her stance, her left hand forming an A to the right of her chest.

"Call me Robopika, cuz' I'll fix your gold heart!"

"With our lovely hearts, the future will start!" The magical girls, now holding hands with Robohoshi in the center, recited the speech while quickly spinning each other, transitioning to a playful embrace. Then they dramatically faced the enemy as they completed their second spin, posing with widened stances and salutes over their foreheads.

"We'll make your heart race! Magical Robodoki!"

***

Pika looked around. “Hold on…where’s Cookie and Guy? They WERE following right behind me…”

“Oh shit.” Hino cursed.

“GUY! COOKIE! YOU TWO!” Pixel yelled.

Hoshi looked at the team. She had an idea and began to ping on her communicator, seemingly in code.

“Hmmm?” Hino was confused.

“Glitch said this works.” Hoshi whispered before pinging a bit more. She then stopped. “Well, Schmitty must’ve attacked Guy and Cookie.”

“How exactly?” Pika wondered.

Hoshi checked. “I don’t see signs of them in the halls, we better check the kitchen for them.”

“On it!” Denki beamed. “Let’s hope the cake isn’t messed up.”

“Priorities.” Pika chuckled. “If it is, we can just buy it from Publix or something.”

“We don’t HAVE a Publix.” Pixel explained.

“Well, you know what I mean.” Pika giggled.

***

Cookie was struggling in a mess of buttercream batter. “Thank GOODNESS you’re here…”

“Yep. WE HAVE ARRIVED!” Pixel beamed.

“Look at all that batter…” Hoshi gawked.

“Yeah, Schmitty made batter beams with his hands- I don’t get it either.” Cookie groaned.

“Here batter, there batter, batter everywhere…” Hino gawked.

“We didn’t even AGREE on buttercream.” Denki grumbled. “It's a chocolate cake, in the oven.”

Pika was licking her lips. “I prefer buttercream…mmmmmmm…”

“Hold her back.” Pixel worried.

“Wait.” Pika paused. “Cookie, wasn’t Guy with you and Schmit-”

*TACKLE*

She was tackled by Guy, who was covered in buttercream, looking really hyper.

“Yeah, I turned my back on him for two minutes…” Cookie groaned.

“Ghh! Okay, I get the hint!” Pika groaned. “ROBOPIKA FIREWORKS!”

She shot out a hot pink gem, knocking Guy back.

“Woah!” Guy tripped into some of the batter. “Wow, this stuff tastes great.”

Pika gulped. “...It…can’t be that good…can it?”

“Oh god, we can’t have a hyper Pika.” Pixel sweated.

Pixel studied some of the batter. “Buttercream…nice.”

“Does it taste good?” Hino asked.

Pixel tasted it. “It’s…passable.” 

“Are you feeling hyper or anything? Cause I dont think-”

“Nope.” Pixel reassured. “I guess it’s just in big doses.”

“We just need to get Schmitty back to normal and make sure the cake isn’t ruined.” Denki explained.

“Easier said than done…” Pika sweated as Guy began to charge at her again. “I can’t keep him back much longer. Robopika Jewelry Hurricane!”

Robopika drew her hand in a circle, summoning a circle of rainbow colored gems, before pushing the crystals towards the enemy. The resulting blast of forceful wind didn’t do anything to throw him back.

“That’s…weird.” Pika was curious.

“You’re telling me.” Hoshi said. “Dang it!”

*PING*

“Hey, it’s Aianna. I’m hiding in a bowling alley bathroom stall.” Aianna’s voice whispered. 

“Hey, Ai.” Pika waved. “Don’t worry, we’ve got-”

*WHAM!*

“NOT MY CHAIR!” Pixel yelled. “I SPENT 50 BUCKS ON THAT-”

“-We’re fine!” Pika reassured.

“Yeah, let me explain. Schmitty’s nowhere to be found, there’s a buttercream mess and apparently eating big doses of it gives off a lot of hyperness…”

“I know. I THINK I can do a Kiruru Analyze from where I am.” Aianna’s voice whispered.

“Don’t risk it.” Pika stressed. “We’re fine.”

“Okay, is anything able to stop those who eat the batter?” she asked.

“I could do a Lucky Rush.” Pika offered. 

“Hmmm…is Denki-kun affected?”

Hoshi smiled “Not this time.”

“Have him try a Holy Thunder. If that fails, Pika can do a Lucky Rush.”

“Thanks, you’re a way better leader than me.”

“Just do your best, Doctor Flowers. I have to go now, my turn to bowl…Doki over and out.”

“You heard the lady, LIGHT EM UP!” Hoshi yelled.

“ROBODENKI HOLY THUNDER!” Denki declared, slamming his keyblade to the ground as buttercream splattered around as the attack played out.

“Nice, new method!” Pika beamed.

“What…the…woah…” Guy clutched his head.

“You really like crappy icing, huh?” Cookie snarked,

“It was buttercream, Cookie. You DO NOT back down from buttercream cake batter.”

“Can confirm.” Pika nodded. “GOD, it was tempting.”

“Okay, Cookie, Guy, what do you two know about Schmitty’s powers?”

“Oh, boy, DO I HAVE A GOOD ONE.” Cookie teased.

“Marvel called, it wants The Hulk back.” Guy explained, before groaning. “Maaaybe I overdid it on the batter?”

“I’m sorry. Maybe ?” Cookie laughed a little, still in his buttercream restraints.

“...Come on. Be serious.” Hoshi groaned. “We NEED to know, cause Ai’s not coming.”

“He’s able to swear like there’s no tomorrow and can attack us with cake batter.” Cookie groaned. “As far as I know.”

“Okay!” Pika nodded. “Do ya know where he went?”

“Check his office?” Cookie asked. “If I can get unrestrained…”

“Robohoshi Starburst!” Hoshi sent a shockwave that made Cookie break free from the buttercream batter.

“Thanks!” Cookie thanked.

“And there’s some chewable medication in case of a stomach ache.” Hoshi added.

“...Thanks.” Guy groaned.

“Now, let’s cure Schmitty’s Swearing Ass™!” Hoshi declared, holding her keyblade to the sky.

“Hell yeah!” Hino did the same thing.

“All for one!” Pixel beamed.

“-AND ONE FOR ALL, ROBO-GO-TEAM!” Pika finished.

***

“Any news from Roxanne?” whispered Glitch.

“They’re looking for Schmitty.” Aianna whispered back. “Wow, Logan’s good at this game.”

“Agreed!” Glitch beamed.

Avery chuckled a little as they watched Logan manage a spare. “Great job.”

“Woo-hoo! Spare!” Logan fistpumped.

“Your turn, Glitchy.” Aianna pointed at the screen. It read GTF.

“Lemme guess. Glitch Towers Masterson Schmitstenstien Flowers was too long?” laughed Avery.

“...No, it’s GTFO. GTFO was too long.” Glitch chuckled.

“Still, you have a big last name.” Logan chuckled.

“I get it, Glitch. I have two last names.” Avery shrugged.

"Fair.” Glitch beamed.

“So…uh…after this game, who wants to play again?” Aianna asked.

“I’m down.” Logan shrugged. 

“You know it!” Avery smiled.

“KIIIIIIIIIII!” Kiruru cheered.

As long as it keeps them distracted from the curse… Glitch shrugged “Me four!”

“Then it’s settled.” Aianna nodded. 

***

“Schmitty?” Hoshi yelled. “Schmitty?”

A green, star shaped Quip was launched in their direction, which promptly burst into a cluster of tiny star quips.

“Ooooooooooooh!” Denki and Hino grinned. “Pretty…”

“They’re mindfucked, calling it.” Pixel groaned.

“Psh. I knew that.” Pika smirked. “I conquered the temptation of sweets, I can conquer anything.”

“That’s the spirit!” Hoshi smiled. “We can do this!”

A teal cat shaped Quip was launched in their direction, which promptly burst into a cluster of tiny kitten quips.

“Nice try, Schmitty.” Pika called out. “We’re not affected!”

“HELL YEAH WE AREN’T!” Pixel cheered.

“Exactly!” Hoshi nodded. She waved a hand at Hino’s face and he barely reacted.

"What’s going on?” Pika wondered.

“The Quip launching is acting like your firework attack, in a way. Only instead of acting as a colorful explosion, it’s more so an ADHD trance simulator.” Hoshi studied. “If only…”

She pulled out the Mecha compact. “We need someone to put this on.”

“Hmmm? What for?” Pika asked.

“I have a plan!” Hoshi stood her ground, with confidence.

“You better.” Pixel chuckled. “Cause I got nothing.”

“Hey darlings!” Rue waved as she and Artemis walked over. “Great day, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Great day to have fun.” Pixel sighed. 

“Fun? What-” Artemis started, only for Pixel to shush her.

Hoshi put the Mecha compact in her hands. “Just say Mirror of Miracles, Lend Me Your Magic.”

***

*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP*

“Excuuuuuuuuuse me, but we can’t clean up buttercream AND take a cake out of the oven at the same time, asshole!” Cookie swore to the smoke detector.

“Exactly.” Guy said, trying to resist the urge to shove buttercream in his mouth again.

Helen walked in the kitchen area. “The hell are you two doing?”

“It was a curse!” Cookie groaned.

“Well what the fuck is setting off the smoke detector?” she asked.

“Oh, that must be the birthday cake we’re working on for Avery’s birthday.” Guy replied, nonchalantly.

Beat.

“OHSHITOHSHITOHSHITOHSHIT!” He ran to the stove.

“Well. I’ll go see what the curse is all about.” Helen groaned.

“Good idea!” Guy took the cake out of the oven “It’s not THAT BADLY BURNT. Cookie, can you sculpt something with this?”

Cookie sighed “I can try…”

***
“Woah…I…”

Artemis, now Mecha gawked at the outfit she wore…

.....which was basically the same as Mecha's, but with added feathers occansinally.

“AWESOME!” Pika cheered. “Now we just need to get them back to normal, right, Hoshi?”

“Exactly!” Hoshi winked.

“I got this.” Mecha smiled. “ROBOMECHA FLYING PAINTBRUSHES!”

The keyblade transformed into two paintbrushes, which hit Hino and Denki in the chest as they snapped back to reality. The keyblade then pixelated back to normal.

“...the…fuck?” Hino clutched his head.

“You two got hit with Quip Fireworks.” Pika sighed.

“So did you. How did you three not be affected?”

“Maybe Schmitty has something else planned for us.” Pika realized. “Cause you’re right. That should’ve made me…dopey as all hell.”

She shivered.

“Just think about eating a slice of cake before going to Disney on Ice.” Pixel whispered to her.

Mecha chuckled a little as she watched Pika stim “Great job, Pixel. I think…that IS your code name, right, Nate?”

Pixel nodded. “I’m Pixel, Booloo’s Pika, Buzz’s Hino, Roxanne’s Hoshi and Bob’s Denki.”

Denki clutched his head as Quips circled around it in a cartoony style.

“Well then, was that all you needed?” Mecha asked.

“Yes, thanks, Artemis.” Hoshi smiled as Mecha transformed back. 

“Shine on, you crazy diamonds.” Rue winked as they and Artemis walked away…

…right as Helen rushed over towards the group.

“Oh, hey, Hel!” Pika waved. “Look! I’m fighting crime! AGAIN!” 

“WHERE’S JOSH?!” Helen gasped.

“...Oh right, we gotta find him.” Hino groaned. “That quip was the closest thing I felt-”

“-goodnight everybody.” Pixel cut him off.

“No, it’s still afternoon.” Hoshi corrected him.

Beat.

***

“WOOOOOOOO! STRIKE!” Avery grinned.

“You’re getting good at this, Aianna.” Logan smiled.

“Thanks…” Aianna clutched her heart.

“Kiru?” Kiruru looked up at her.

“It’s gonna be okay, baby, I’m fine.” Aianna reassured.

“Ru?”

“Yes, I’m gonna be fine. Your turn to bowl now.” Aianna pointed at the screen. It read “Kir” 

“Did Kirumi not wanna bowl?” asked Glitch.

“Nah. She’s busy with something else.” Aianna sweated.

***

“HOSHIIIIIIIIIIIIII! HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!”

“Huh?” Hoshi looked behind her…

…seeing Kirumi getting chased by a raging Schmitty.

“KIRUMI!” gasped Denki.

“Oh shit! She’s gonna get mindfucked!” Hino winced.

“NOT ON MY WATCH!”

“Let’s cure some ass!” Pixel cracked his knuckles.

“LEAVE IT TO ME!” Pika sped over to Kirumi, catching Kirumi-

*TRIP*

-and falling to the ground.

“You okay?” Asked Kirumi.

“I’m…fine…” Pika got up-

*SLIP*

“Why am I so clumsy, now?” she groaned. “Schmitty, respectively, the fuck did y’all do to me?”

“Language.” Schmitty scolded.

“You’re one to talk.” Pika groaned-

*TRIP*

“UGH!” -then fell again.

“C’mere…” Pixel helped her on her feet. “Schmitty, if you wanna affect Pikachu, you-”

“Wait, what?” Pika paused. “You don’t have to sacrifice yourself, Pixie Dust.”

“-YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE OTHERS, FIRST!” Pixel declared as Denki, Hino and Hoshi whipped out their keyblades and made the tips touch like the Musketeers’ swords.

Helen was in awe before looking at Schmitty. “Joshua Schmitstenstien, what now?”

“I’m…FINE, Helen! I PROMISE, I’M FUCKING FINE!” Schmitty explained.

“Can I get a second opinion?” Helen groaned.

“I’ll say, you don’t LOOK fine, and you sure aren’t ACTING FINE!” Kirumi agreed.

“THERE’S NOTHING TO FUCKING WORRY ABOUT! SO STOP BOTHERING ME, I SWEAR TO GOD, THIS CAN’T GET ANY SHITTIER!” 

***

“Aaaaaaaaaaand done.” Cookie grinned.

Guy looked at Cookie’s attempt to sculpt the cake.

“It’s a dog.” Cookie explained.

“Looks more…more like a…” Guy began laughing. “Like a d- PFFFT!!!”

“A what? A dick?” Cookie groaned.

“Have you ever- *SNORT*- seen that FRIENDS episode where they get a cake for Emma’s birthday?” He was a laughing mess.

“No, cause I actually HAVE A LIFE.” Cookie scoffed. “Now come on. Let’s just…get a cake from Walmart or something.”

“PFFFFFFFFFT! Dick cake…”

Cookie went on the phone. “Actually, I think Dairy Queen’s better…”

He placed a call. 

“Hi, I’d like to order a cake for…2 hours from now?”

Beat.

“You can do it? Great! Uh, pink and orange icing with the words…’Happy Birthday Avery’ on them. Maybe add some gears, if you can draw them. If not, just draw hearts.”

Guy was still in hysterics. “It’s a dick, Cookie!”

“...Ignore my friend, don’t ask about our attempts to bake AND sculpt a cake.” Cookie groaned. “Great! I’ll pay in the store. My name is Cookie Masterson.”

Beat.

“35 bucks sounds good. See you at 5.”

BEEP.

“Well, what should we do with Dick Cake?” Cookie asked.

Guy couldn’t even talk, due to laughing too hard.

“...Jesus…come on…” Cookie groaned.

“Woah, trippy cake, Cookie.” Chad walked over, followed by Kim.

“Looks like a dick.” Kim snickered.

“YOU DON’T THINK I KNOW THAT?!?” Cookie groaned.

Guy kept laughing, in tears.

“SHUT UP, ASSHOLE!” Cookie yelled.

***

“I’m sure the others have things under control.” Helen shrugged. “Now to figure out WHY Schmitty’s the Hulk.”

“Agreed.” Denki sighed.

Pixel thought about it.

“WOAH!” Pika groaned. “C’mon, Schmitty!”

Smirking, Schmitty aimed a marigold moon quip at her as it exploded into many tiny moon quips.

“Huh…is that all you…” She yawned.

“There there, we’ll wake you before it’s time for you to go.” Schmitty chuckled a little.

“...Mmmmph-”

*FLOP*

She fell asleep.

“PIKA!” Pixel yelled.

“Well THAT was a dick move!” Hoshi scolded as she picked up Pika.

*SLAP*

Pika sat up, eyes shut, slapping Hoshi on the arm.

“Huh?” Hoshi quickly dropped her.

“She’s pretty feisty while she’s sleep-fighting, huh, asshats?” Schmitty smirked. “I control her vertical and horizontal.”

“Oh boy, old movie references she and Avery would never understand.” Denki groaned. 

“Point is, the dream she’s dreaming is gonna make her an ally! Go get them, Pikachu!”

Pika stood up, charging towards the group.

Pixel got an idea. Maybe, just maybe, they could manipulate her dream.

If only they knew what it was…minus the Pikachu nickname, they had nothing to go off of.

Or so they thought.

“I could use an attack, but that’s what Schmitty’s expecting.” Denki said.

“Exactly.” Hoshi agreed.

Pixel grabbed a lightbulb from a box and put one above his head.

“You’re not Denki.” Hino snarked.

“I have a plan.” Pixel smirked. He got on the communicator. “Pssst, Pixel to Cookie, is the cake ready?”

“IT'S BURNT AND LOOKS LIKE A DICK, SO NO.” Cookie groaned, trying to speak over Guy’s laughter.

“I’m sorry, the cake looks like what?” Pixel asked. “I’m sure Pika won’t notice. Can you cut her a slice and bring it to the outside of Schmitty’s office?”

“...Fine. But she’s not gonna like it. It’s chocolate and burnt.” Cookie warned.

“Good good. That’s what we’re counting on.” Pixel turned off his communicator…and began roaring with laughter.

“Well?” asked Hino. 

“THE CAKE LOOKS LIKE A DICK!” Pixel declared, laughing while crying. 

Hoshi and Kirumi shuddered. “Then thank goodness you asked for A SLICE!” Kirumi mentioned.

***

“So, some game huh?” Aianna asked as the group prepared to leave the bowling alley.

“Best! Game! EVER!” Avery grinned. “You bowl a good game, Glitcher.”

Beat.

“I’ll think of some sort of nickname for you.”

“Thanks.” Glitch beamed.

Logan laughed a little. “So, what’s the plan?”

Aianna paused. “We just go walk around for a while, when Roxie says that they need help with painting some rooms in the studio, we return.”

“There’s an arcade and a roller rink here.” Logan suggested. “Look, I know I’m part horse, but MAN can I skate!”

“Alright!” Avery smiled. “I…Logan, do you mind if I…hold onto you for some support?”

“No worries, I won’t mind.” Logan chuckled. “Better that instead of it happening without permission.”

Aianna got on the communicator “Good news, Logan just bought us extra time. How’s it going on your end?”

“Well, Cookie messed up the cake…” Hoshi groaned. “But it hopefully tastes good.”

“Don’t worry, I just got a text from Cookie. He ordered a Dairy Queen cake.” Hino added.

“Good to know.” Aianna winked.

“It’ll take a couple hours to be ready. Take Avery out to eat.” Hino suggested.

“I love your thinking.” Aianna added, before watching them holding onto Logan for support. “Once we’re done with roller skating, we’ll go back to the studio.”

***

“Here!” Cookie panted as he arrived. “Here’s a slice of dick cake.”

Pixel grinned and ate a bit “Not bad! Hey Pikachu, the cake’s ready!” he called out.

“...mmmph…” Pika looked over.

“You’re gonna need your strength to fight. Come have some.” Denki added.

“...mmmph…you…you sure I healed you from your curse…guys?” Pika murmured, still on guard.

“You sure did.” Hino nodded. “And you were amazing!”

“...thanks.”

She walked over. 

“Here you go.” Pixel handed her the piece.

She ate it-

-and promptly spat it out, jolting awake.

“FUCK! WHAT THE HELL DID YA DO?!?” Pika coughed. “I…I need water-”

“Burnt chocolate cake…” Cookie groaned.

“NO WONDER THIS TASTES LIKE SHIT.” Pika growled. “SCHMITTY!”

“Glad we agree…” Cookie grumbled. “Go kick my boyfriend’s ass!”

“AND I'M GONNA….WHY I OUTTA-”

“Pssst, Pikachu?” Pixel cooed.

“HE MADE ME THINK I WAS GONNA FIGHT YOU GUYS! CURSED! IT SCARED ME!” Pika growled.

“I know what you mean.” Hoshi spoke up. “It’s gonna be okay. Being scared doesn’t make you any less of a magical girl…or a substitute leader…”

“....I’m more pissed that he tricked me with a cowardly illusion.” Pika groaned.

“It’s not really Schmitty, it’s Raven.” she added.

“I know it is. But it’s still a low ball…I’d fight like hell for you guys, which includes kicking your cursed asses.”

“Pffffft, ball.” Cookie chuckled.

“...So…to see that he- she used that against me…oh my god.” Pika explained. “I’m relatively new to this. But I can safely say, not a fan.”

*SLASH*

A yellow quip attacked Pixel, stunning him.

“WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING THIS!” Pika yelled. “Really. What in your heart makes it worth this? Because you are hurting my family!” 

“THIS WHOLE DAY HAS BEEN SHIT!” Raven’s voice screamed from Schmitty’s mouth.

Pika paused. 

“...Where’s Raven?” Pika narrowed her eyes determinedly. “This may be a trick, but I’m going to help whoever said this..”

“SHE’S FUCKING INSIDE OF MY MOTHERFUCKING BODY!” Schmitty explained.

Pika sped over-

*PWOOMPH*

-tackling him in a hug.

“Shhh. It’s okay. Just fight it off with me. I won’t let you go.” Pika cooed.

“I can’t…she made me SOOOOOOOO fucking upset. Asshole…”

“Puff out your chest, take a deep breath, you’re gonna be okay. Is it loud in your mind? Just take your time. You’re gonna be okay.” Pika sang softly.

“Louder than any New Years Eve party Nate’s ever hosted.”

“I’ve been there.” Pika sighed. “Anxiety, sensory overload, general autistic shit. But it’s gonna be okay, Schmitty. I’m here. We’re all here.”

Schmitty inhaled, trying to breath deep “I know, it just FUCKING SUCKS ASS!”

“Don’t worry, we’re not gonna hurt you.” Denki said. 

“We’re just gonna help you.” Pixel added.

“Cause that’s what we do, we help our family.” Hino smiled.

“And THAT’S a promise, so prepare yourself!” Hoshi grinned.

“...It’s gonna be okay, Schmitty.” Pika tightened her hug.

“I’ll say.” Helen joined the hug “But man, Raven MUST have some pent up rage in her…”

Schmitty was still uncertain that it was gonna be okay.

“Hey, Schmitty, you wanna know how the cake went?” Cookie asked.

“...I guess.”

Cookie pulled up a picture on his phone. “Don’t laugh.”

He snickered, eyes filled with tears while flickering.

“I don’t believe it. That’s doing more damage than Pikachu’s hug?” Pixel realized as the quip's effects wore off. “And she does GOOD hugs!”

“Pika, your time to shine.” Hoshi whispered.

“Robopika Lucky Rush.” she whispered as her eyes quietly flickered colors before landing on something. “Group Hug.”

A pair of yellow hands wrapped the group around Schmitty, as his eyes flickered back to blue.

“Ya see? We’re all here.” Pika cooed. “We care for you. That’s a promise.”

“Thanks everyone.” Schmitty sniffled a little. “God, now I feel like a dumbass…”

“Don’t, it’s gonna be okay.” Denki reassured.

Cookie nodded. “I love you, Schmitty.”

“Love ya too, Cookie Crumbs.” Schmitty murmured.

“Trust me, I’m the bigger dumbass for eating…whatever that cake was.” Pika glanced at Cookie’s phone. “Wasn’t that supposed to be a dog?”

“...yeah.”

“It DOES look a lot like a hispanic dick. Like some bachelor party cake.” Pika giggled. “I’d go to that party.”

“PREACH IT, PIKACHU!” Pixel agreed.

“...Sorry about trying to attack you.” Pika apologized. “...I…genuinely thought you were cursed.”

“What were the curse powers we had?” Pixel tried to distract her.

“You had the ability to do camera flashes to stun people…Hoshi had the ability to summon weapons…Cookie summoned sweets…Denki had cartoony powers…Hino could charm people into working with him, which was how the entire curse worked.”

“Oh.” Hoshi mused.

“Makes sense.” Cookie laughed.

“I WISH that dream was real!” Denki grinned.

“Daaaaaaaaamn Pika…” Hino smiled.

Pika giggled. “Well. Who’s gonna purify?”

“...Yeah, we don’t have enough.” Hoshi paused. “Maybe if I-”

***

"Starlight Spade Key! Mirai Mirror, ready for launch!"

As she said the incantation, the compact popped out of her chest and attached itself on the center of her wand.

"Twinkling! Spade! Ro-bo-go!" Robohoshi cried as she drew a wire frame spade with the key's blade, sending it 50 feet away from her. Then, as the shape solidified, she summoned a giant cream yellow star in front of her, setting it on fire.

"Robohoshi! Spade Supernova!" The star began to expand quickly, rumbling like a giant explosion as it hit the spade in front of her. The collision caused the latter burst open like a balloon, sending a flurry of neon yellow and lavender spades towards the enemy. Robohoshi smiled gently at the result, as the spades clustered around Schmitty and absorbed the negative energy from inside his heart.

"Made your heart race!" Robohoshi wiped her brow as Schmitty, now back to normal, was slowly lowered down to the ground as lavender hearts swarmed around the building, fixing all the damage done by both the curse and magical girl team alike.

***

“-WHAT?” Hino gawked. “Ya mean we could’ve used our solo ones the entire time?!?”

“Looks like that’s the case.” Denki shrugged.

Cookie groaned. “Now to get back to the kitchen. I left Guy by himself.”

“10 bucks say it won’t end well.” Pixel whispered to Hino.

“Well, at least we got a replacement cake.” Hino chuckled. “And just in time to Pika to have some of it!”

“Oooooh!” Pika beamed.

“It’s Dairy Queen!”

“...YESSSSS!” Pika stimmed. “OMG, I LOVE THAT! Oh, there was this one time where my nana was sick, and my sib was in the hospital, so I told the website to write Get Well Soon, Nana, with a heart emoji at the end. It rendered as a question mark in the final email.”

“WHAT?” Pixel chuckled. “Oh…oh…that must’ve-”

“My sibling, they’re nonbinary and in the hospital at that point, my parents, even my Nana loved that. But it was corrected with an exclamation point…so…that was nice.” Pika beamed. “Also, the cake tasted delicious.”

***

“You…ate some of the cake?” Cookie looked at Guy.

“It was gooooooooood.” Guy reasoned, a little green in the gills.

Schmitty cut a slice for himself and ate it “Not half bad! Cookie! Have you EATEN a slice yet?!?”

“If Miss ‘Extreme Taste Buds’ says it tastes like shit, I’ll pass.” Cookie insisted.

“She doesn’t even like chocolate. But fine. More dick cake for us then.” Schmitty beamed.

Roxanne sent a ping to Aianna. “Curse is dealt with, cake should be ready by 5. Be back by 5:30.”

“On it! We’re at a pizza place…”

“Mmmmph!” Guy devoured another slice, looking at Cookie “Thmmmph immmph sommmmmph fummmphking gmmmmmph!!!”

“Glad we agree.” Schmitty laughed. “I just love putting it in my mouth.”

“The dick or the cake?” Cookie chuckled

“Yep, typical YDKJ humor.” Nate explained to Booloo.

“I don’t mind. As long as it doesn’t get to Floor 69 levels…” Booloo shivered. “But that’s why I love them. Makes dick and fart jokes actually funny.”

Cookie and Guy gulped, looking at each other. “Welp, she clearly hasn’t ‘discovered’ floor 288.” the former whispered to the latter.

***

“We’re baaaaaaaaaaack!” Aianna cheered. “We brought Logan with us because-”

Avery looked around. “Where IS the group?”

“I have no idea.” Glitch said.

Aianna sent a ping.

*PING*

“Breakroom, head there.” Roxanne’s voice instructed.

“Oop, they’re in the breakroom.”  Aianna beamed.

“To the breakroom, then!” Glitch giggled. “You’re gonna love this, Logan!”

“Hell yeah!” Logan beamed.

“Let’s a-go…” Glitch smiled, blushing.

Avery smiled as the four headed there. 

The lights were on, the Dairy Queen cake was on the table with two candles in and no one else was in the breakroom.

“...Oh! I LOVE DAIRY QUEEN!” Avery beamed.

“SAME!” Glitch grinned.

The two looked at each other, giggling.

Aianna sent a ping.

“Yeah, we’ll catch up in a bit.” Roxanne’s voice whispered. 

“Hmmm?” Aianna questioned. “Okay…”

“Huh, you’d think there’d be more people here.” Logan quipped.

“I wonder what happened…” Avery shrugged. 

*CREEEEEEEEEEEEAK*

“Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey, it’s your local friendly serial killer, REDACTED!” Redacted explained, holding a lighter. 

“Let’s not!” Aianna waved her hands around as if to say ‘stop’.

“Meh. What can he do?” Glitch shrugged.

“BESIDES KILL US?” Logan panicked.

Redacted walked over to the cake “Oooooh, you’re 20, huh?” He took out the lighter and lit the candles. 

“Yep. Now, uh, don’t eat that, this is for Avery.” Aianna sweated.

Avery shrugged. “Eh, he can have some if he wants.” They blew out the candles.

“So…how’s life? You know, I got a game of Mario Kart with your names on it.” Redacted smirked.

“Where’re the others?” Aianna whispered.

“Local dumb blond got sick from too much failed-attempt birthday cake, Cookie and Schmitty are with him. The rest of Team Robodoki’s getting last minute details on a present ready.” Redacted whispered back.

“Failed birthday cake? Surely the first attempt wasn’t that bad.” Aianna worried.

“See for yourself.”

Avery looked over at what remained at the first attempt, complete with a printed out picture.

“...Oh my god.” Aianna giggled. “...Was that a-”

“Ding dong, dick, penis, whatever. It was SUPPOSED to be a dog.” Redacted explained.

“How they fuck up a dog, I dunno.”

“Simple.” Cookie’s voice boomed on the communicator. “ I sculpted it.”

“Of COURSE you did.” Glitch snarked. “You ruined my Easter Bunny ear cake by making it look like a vagina.”

“Listen up Glitch, your dad is not THAT BAD of a baker.” Schmitty’s voice scolded. 

“Beg to differ, Dad 2.” 

“Oh come on-” Schmitty sighed.

“Hey, Aianna, you can tell Redacted he can start cutting the cake. Guy’s gonna sit it out, though- too much birthday cake and buttercream batter. Hel’s gonna stay with him.” Cookie sassed.

“Typical. Must’ve had a massive sugar rush.” Aianna chuckled.

“You don’t know the half of it. It’s all fun and games until you upchuck cake batter.” Cookie added.

“So. How did Roxie do?” Aianna asked curiously.

“She did AMAZING!” Roxanne declared as she, Bob, Nate, Buzz and Booloo rushed over. “Hi Logan, I see you met Redacted.”

“...You guys…are…”

“Eh. You’ll get used to me. I only kill people who attend the obviously murder filled Murder Hotel.” Redacted spoke nonchalantly. “If anything, I’m doing society a favor.”

Logan looked at Glitch “Your sisters have weird friends.”

“Meh. I get that a lot.” Glitch shrugged. 

“So, uh…” Nate began. “Here Bob, you do it.”

Bob nodded, holding a colorful box. “We all pitched in, Avery.”

Avery blinked, opening it up and seeing what was inside. A TeeKO shirt with a Snoopy plushie.

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! THANKS, EVERYONE!” Avery put the shirt on. It was a black shirt with a picture of Elmo on fire and the phrase “DIE MOTHERFUCKER” on it. 

“You like it?” laughed Nate.

*GLOMP*

They pulled the group in for a hug.

“Heck yeah!” Bob beamed.

“Guess they like it.” Roxanne chuckled.

Booloo offered a box. “And here’s mine. It ain’t much, but-”

Avery unwrapped it to see a picture of the two fighting back to back, as well as a hand-typed note.

“Thanks, Boo.” they hugged Booloo tightly.

“No problem. Sorry that it paled in comparison to the others, but I needed to get my crime fighting buddy something.” Booloo chuckled awkwardly.

“It’s PERFECT!!!”

Cookie and Schmitty laughed as they watched . “What does the note say?”

Dear Avery,

Ever since we sang Calamari Inkantation together, I knew you were something special. You make me feel seen. I mean, really. I have a lot of cringe fandoms that other people would feel weird about…like Veggietales. But you accept and share that weirdness.

And we fight well, too! Your creative powers can be used on others, while mine can be used on myself. I think we’ll be perfect together- like Cure Black and White. Or Cure Miracle and Magical! We gotta watch Precure together.

Anyways…thanks for being an awesome buddy! Happy Birthday! And sorry for the last minute typing- I had to get this drawing and note done within 30 minutes.

Abby “Booloo” Faebelle.

P.S: Don’t tell anyone else my real name, if you can. You only know cause I won that contest lmao.

“Awwwww, Booloo!” Avery smiled and hugged her even tighter. “Best. Birthday. Ever!”

“Thanks!” Booloo stimmed.

“So! Who wants ice cream cake?” Cookie asked.

The group looked at it.

“Why does it say ‘Happy Birthday Avery- tee hee hee’ , Cookie?” realized Roxanne.

Cookie facepalmed. “I had Dairy Queen on speakerphone, Roxie.”

“Oh no...” Booloo groaned. 

“Not his biggest fuckup.” Glitch shrugged it off.

“Language!” Schmitty scolded, ruffling his hair.

“KIIIIIIIIIIIII- RURU!” Kiruru inhaled a slice of the cake, a la Kirby.

Avery laughed, giving Bob, Aianna, Glitch, Logan and Booloo a hug. 

Yep, this was their best birthday ever.

A birthday to remember.

Chapter Text

Shit! Cookie’s cursed. We’ll need to go.

I’ve got my compact! I’m here to help!

We’ll call when you’re needed. Just stay back, okay?

…Okay.

And that goes for you, too. We’ll call if we need you. 

***

“...Great.” Booloo groaned as she rubbed her face, glancing at her phone as she reflected on that moment. Avery joined her, their expression equally as pissed.  “Why can’t we join?”

“Hey. Booloo. I’m…sure it wasn’t for anything.”

“Maybe they think we’re useless. Or weak.” Booloo groaned. “Which is a pet peeve of mine, if ya couldn’t tell! We’re capable! Hell, Glitch can fight with the others, and he’s the age of my youngest cousin!!!!!”

Avery grumbled to themselves at that fact.

“You’re right.”

“I know I am!” Booloo groaned. “I know it isn’t about our autism. But...it feels like it. Either way, I wish we could do something to help. But no! We’re seen as a B team. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Well well well, who do we have here? Robomecha and Robopika? What’re you two doing?

Booloo cringed. She knew that voice.

“Aren’t you supposed to be cursing someone else?” Booloo asked.

I’m the embodiment of evil, I can multitask.

Avery looked confused and hugged Rose. “Do I know you?”

“That would be the gal who cursed me.” Booloo answered. “And everyone else in this world.”

“Is she the one who gave me that weird dream where I cursed everyone?” Avery wondered. “And then you said it wasn’t a dream and it actually happened?”

“Yeah. That one. But that’s not important.” Booloo glanced. “Point is. Why are you here?”

Oh, I was just looking for chaos and saw you two moping like little kids. What happened? Did your balloon float away?

“Oh fuck you!” Avery growled.

“Heh. Thought you’d know.” Booloo growled. “We’re not kids. I’m 20.”

“And I’m 20 too.” Avery looked a bit confused as they looked at Booloo.

“Yeah! We’re old enough to be in college.” Booloo argued.

“But I’m not.” Avery said. “Mental health.”

“Oh. Well if we hypothetically wanted to!”

You two sure seemed younger. Especially you, Avery.

Avery’s eyes shrunk. Was it the pigtails? The bright yellow Snoopy hoodie? The fact they had a Dumbo keychain on their backpack? 

“Don’t talk to them like that!” Booloo defended. “If you’re trying to sell us powers, hurting my friend is going to have the opposite effect. They may like childish things, but they’re still mature and responsible. Now, I reiterate. What is the point of this?!”

I saw some crossover stuff from Avery that proves otherwise on the ‘mature and responsible’ label you gave them. I think it was something about a purple dinosaur and a beagle.

“Oh fuck you, ma’am!” Avery growled.

“Just sell to us. Quit the shade.” Booloo groaned. 

Think about it, Glitch is younger than you two. Right? Raven hinted.

“He’s the guardian of family.” Avery thought not much of it as they hugged Rose.

“...And he’s 13. And part of the main team.” Booloo reminded Avery. “Just mentioned it.”

And here you two are. One of you is practically hugging a toy dog. Glitch is more mature than both of you. YOU’RE the guardian of caring, right?

Booloo nodded her head, her expression faltering.

“Yeah. Your point?”

And you, dear, sweet, childish Avery. You are guardian of creativity, aren’t you?

“Well, yeah. Rose and I, that is.” Avery replied, not thinking much of it.

Time to ditch the rag. You don’t see Glitch with a teddy bear, do you?.

“HEY.” Booloo growled. “If you want me in on this, stop insulting my friend!”

“I’m used to it.” Avery shrugged.

That’s sad…

“And NOTHING you say will make me ever part with Rose.”

Okay. So Booloo, you’re older than Avery. Right?

“Yeah. What’s that got to do with anything?” Booloo gritted her teeth. 

Shouldn’t you be a bit more mature too?

“I am! Yeah, I like magical girl shows, but otherwise, I am-”

Well, I’ll give you credit. Unlike Avery, you hide your lovey fairly well.

Booloo faltered.

“...So I still sleep with a childhood stuffed animal. So what? At this point, you’re nitpicking. It doesn’t change a thing.”

Maybe they won’t let you join them on this mission because you’re both immature for your age. I mean, TWENTY?! Glitch is THIRTEEN!

“...Maybe she’s right.” Booloo blushed.

Avery rubbed their head “Are you TRYING to mindfuck with us?”

Nope.

“Look! NOTHING you do will make Booloo and I side with you!”

“...Yeah.” Booloo sounded half-heartedly.

Oh, really? Raven sounded skeptical. Hey, are those chocolate chip cookies?

“WHERE?!” Avery was the first to react, practically tossing Rose away as they looked over at a table with cookies and milk on it.

“...Illusion powers. Yippee.” Booloo facepalmed. “...Just tell me the powers. If Nate figures this out...he’s gonna laugh me out of next week.”

Avery was just busy stuffing their face with cookies. “Mmmmmm! So gooey and crunchy and perfect!”

“I can’t…I can’t be seen as immature. Not again, not with actual friends this time. And you’re not helping…” Booloo added, trying not to cry.

“Sorry, they’re just soooooooo good.” Avery was practically drooling as they ate the cookies.

Wow, at least one of you has willpower. I was sure those cookies would get you on my side first and then Avery would fight me. Oh well. Raven shrugged.

“..HEY.” Booloo growled. “I’m not that dumb with snacks!”

But they are.

“That’s just who they are!” Booloo was particularly growling. “Just get through the pitch, PLEASE.”

Okay, okay, you two really wanna be with them, fighting and using your powers?

“Preferably, YES;” Booloo was clenching her fists. “Instead, we’re being humiliated.”

Well, I’ll tell you what, Booloo. You two will have your powers. But that’s not all.

Avery looked up from the plate of cookies. Only one remained. Booloo looked stunned.

“...What’s not all?” Booloo tried not to draw attention to how quick they ate.

Now you two can give powers to non Robodoki members. Give them a real big challenge. Something to fight. Something to really keep them going! You feel me?

“Yeah, whatever you say.” Avery was way too nonchalant, their eyes already red.

“...Like...Hawkmoth?” Booloo sounded awestruck. “I...I can make my own champions?!?”

Sorta. Raven said. So, do we have a deal, Booloo? Cause I think I already won Avery over.

Booloo smirked. “As long as it doesn’t come out that I’m not as mature as they think, you’ve got it!”

Good girl. Raven looked on as Avery ate the last cookie and burped a little.

“Sorry.” Avery blushed, now with a jewel-encrusted bear in their hand..

 And good enby, too.

“Awwww, I am a good girl.” Booloo purred, summoning a jewel-encrusted butterfly in her hand. “...And I think I know who to target first.”

She let it fly.

“Doki...prepare yourself.”

***

“It’s okay, Cookie. You’re okay.” Robodoki comforted Cookie, who was lying on the ground, recently purified. “Great job, Bobby.”

Robodenki blushed. “No problem, sweetie.”

“Save the horniness when you’re off the clock.” Robokaku rolled their eyes...and that’s when he noticed the butterfly. “...Huh.”

Doki clutched her chest soon after.

“Spidey sense?” Cookie asked, rubbing his head.

“...Yep. It’s-”

The butterfly hit her chest plate, turning her eyes teal blue.

“...It’s…”

My champion, there’s no need to cry. 

“Babe?” Robodenki wondered. “Aianna? Honey-pie?”

You’ll never be alone again. I know deep down, that’s what you want. In exchange for your servitude, I will give you the ability to self-duplicate.

“KIRURU!” Kiruru quickly flew outside of Doki’s chestplate.

But by then, the damage was already done.

“Yes, Pika.” She summoned a clone of herself.

“She’s going to help the world. And I’m not letting you bench her.”

“Wait, what do you mean SHE?!?” Hino stressed.

“Booloo. My patron. OUR patron.” was the second Aianna’s response. “She and Avery are going to change the world.” 

“But enough of that. Let’s get them.” The first Aianna smirked. “More where that came from.”

Duplicating 3 more times, they began to charge at the group, leaving the others completely vulnerable to what came next.

“Uh, what the fuck is that?!” asked Denki as he, Hoshi, Hino, Pixel and Kaku turned back to Bob, Roxanne, Buzz, Nate and Glitch.

“Is that a teddy bear?” asked Roxanne.

Nate gulped. “Everyone hit the deck!”

The teddy bear hit Bob, turning both his eyes the same teal blue.

“Not surprised.” Cookie snarked. “I mean, Bob wasn’t cursed once while I dealt with the Robodoki team.”

“What is going on?” Bob began to hyperventilate.

Don’t worry, Bob. I’m not gonna hurt you. 

“You won’t?”

No, I just need someone smart and funny, loveable and not willing to give up no matter how many times you knock him down.

“And that bear didn’t choose me?” Nate asked. 

“What is going on? Who is this?!” Bob panicked before hugging himself tightly.

You’re a bit cartoonish already. Right? How about we increase the level of cartoony. Think of all you could do! If those you touched got your cartoony powers, too!

“Really?!” Bob smiled widely.

Well, we can discuss this over cookies and milk. Deal?

“Avery?” Roxanne gasped.

“Dual curse. Augh, I told ya benching them was a bad idea!” Nate groaned. “They’re insecure about feeling unwanted!”

“Well, they’re powerful! We’re saving them for later, right? That’s what Doki told us!” Buzz argued back.

As if on cue, there was giggling. Really loud giggling.

FOOLS! I’ll show them! I’LL SHOW THEM!!!

“Avery makes for a really badass villain, when their brain’s all there.” Nate realized.

“Shh, You’re just asking to piss them off.” Roxanne scoffed. “Let’s just keep some distance and then we’ll have a-”

A butterfly flew in.

“-NOW!”

“Have a what?” Nate questioned as the butterfly hit his chest. “...Oh.”

Hi, Nate! 

“Hey, what’s going on?!” Buzz gasped as Glitch groaned.

“Am I the only one here mature?” Glitch asked.

…Oh. Never mind. Hold on a sec-

The butterfly burst out of his chest, fluttering towards Glitch as Nate held his head,

It landed on his hand.

“Hi there, what do you want?” Glitch wondered.

I’m here to help you. You may be mature…but you could be so much more. You can be anything you want. You get the hint? 

“I…can?” Glitch asked before turning into a german shepard. 

“I really can?” smiling, Glitch turned into a monster, like one he saw on TV.

Of course, sure you’re 13. But hey, you’re still young. Have fun!

“Have fun?”

Glitch grinned and turned into a brachiosaurus. 

Glitch smiled proudly “HELL YEAH!”

“THE FUCK?!” Cookie gasped as he got Nate, Buzz and Roxanne to safety.

“Ruru!” Kiruru flew after them, compacts in tow.

That’s it, you ever seen Encanto?

Glitch nodded his head.

Think of yourself as Camillo.

Grinning, Glitch transformed into Schmitty before going off on a cursing tirade. “I like these powers! The pranks I can pull!”

Yes, YES! Now go commit them!

“ALRIGHT! WAIT TILL I SHOW DAD 2 AND DAD 3 WHAT I CAN DO!”

“Ah fuck.” Cookie cursed as the others hid for safety.

“Kiruru! Ru! Kiru! Kiruru! Ruru! Ruru! Ki!” Kiruru explained.

***
“...I FEEL UNSTOPPABLE!”  Booloo geeked as she glanced at her hands. “...I...I…”

Avery grinned “I FEEL LIKE NOTHING CAN STOP ME! LIKE I AM INVINCIBLE!”

“Cause nothing can stop us now!” Booloo smiled. “We’re no longer on the sidelines, baby!”

“HEY!” Avery huffed.

“...What? Did I say something?” Booloo stepped back. “...Sorry if I-”

“LOOK OUT, I’M GONNA CAUSE SO MUCH DESTRUCTION!” Avery chuckled “SO MUCH!”

“And SO AM I!” Booloo laughed without missing a beat!

***
“Okay. As the next in line for leader, here’s my plan.” Roxanne started. “Booloo’s going to be talked down first. And that’s because we have Nate here.”

“Yeah. As soon as Glitch claimed he was mature...the butterfly changed course. That, combined with what I know about her...she’s definitely more emotionally impacted by this.”

“Yes, she is. And she LOVES you. Once we get her out of there, we’ll go from there.” Roxanne nodded. 

“As she should.” Nate snarked.

“Compacts out!” Roxanne ignored that comment.

“Dear god, look out!” Buzz gasped as they saw Roxanne get affected.

Hi Roxanne.

Roxanne looked unamused.

You look a bit grumpy. 

“I AM!”

Maybe you can cool your jets. Rest your mind.

“Oh HELL NO!” Roxanne looked at the group. “It’s Avery, I can tell.”

“Fight it off! You’re the rational one!” Nate encouraged her.

“Right! I WILL NOT SUCCUMB TO YOUR TRICKS!”

What tricks?

“Huh?” Roxanne asked.

You’ve dealt with a lot. Haven’t you? All these curses, mindfuckings, the works. Wouldn’t it be nice to get away from it all?

“NO! I…mean, yes, but-”

Your brain and mouth are saying two different things, Roxanne Flowers. 

“What?! No they aren’t!”

Denial, sheer denial. Here, close your eyes. It’ll all be alright.

“I know you, Avery! You love a good nap, but I don’t!”

You think you know somebody…

“Besides, if I could, I’d still fight you, in my sleep!”

Kiruru, Nate, Cookie and Buzz looked horrified as she said that.

“...Oh, Roxanne.” Nate whispered as he cringed. “...Bad, bad move.”

We can arrange that. Just relax, and I’ll help you.

And with that, Roxanne collapsed in a heap on the floor.

“Is…is she…” Nate looked confused before seeing Roxanne summon a bunch of books in her sleep.

“Yep, she’s affected.” Nate sighed. “Damn. That’s strong if they can affect HER out of all people...”

“Just us three fucks left.” Cookie said.

Booloo peaked around the corner. “Make that two.”, she whispered, releasing a butterfly in her hands.

“Place your bets.” Buzz whispered.

It hit Buzz on the center of his chest.

“I won.” Cookie said.

Oh, Buzz, Buzz. The guy who wants all the attention on him. Booloo grinned. Wouldn’t that be nice?

“Oh fuck you!” Buzz retorted.

No, no. I’m not saying it to be mean. Honest. Booloo sounded apologetic. …You’re one of my favorite hosts. I’m not kidding. 

Buzz blushed at that.

You’re the embodiment of that Charlie Brown, buttmonkey, never-give-up spirit. When you’re knocked down, you get back up again. I...simply want to return the favor. 

“You’re damn right about getting back up again!” Buzz grinned. 

Cookie and Nate shuddered, knowing what he meant by that.

…So, I figured. Maybe the universe should give some more attention to you for once. When you want, all eyes will be on you. It’s...not much. Booloo awkwardly giggled. I wish I could give you more than one power. But I hope that this is enough.

“I…I’m good. Don’t wanna end up like Nate with an ego the size of Texas.” Buzz explained.

…So do we have a deal, Buzz? 

“COME ON! BEFORE SHE MESMERIZES US!” Cookie grunted as he grabbed Nate’s hand, rushing away from Buzz’s line of sight.

“Okay, fine. But just to save my cousin’s ass.”

As long as you trust in me, you’ll be fine. Booloo smiled smugly.

Nate stopped.

“HEY! BOOLOO!”

Booloo sharply turned to Nate.

“And what do you want?!?”

“I want you to listen to me!”

Buzz posed, causing the two to freeze in place.

“-And not freeze me while doing it!”

“Listen to them, first!” Booloo scoffed. “Avery! That’s your cue!”

“Huh? Oh, got sidetracked!” Avery chuckled a little as they walked next to Booloo.

“Remember what I told ya about him.” 

“Wait, Avery doesn’t have Rose…” Nate thought to himself.

“Yeah! Cause we’re mature!” Booloo argued. “Anyways, Avery, get on with it! I’ll handle Cookie afterwards.”

“Oh, right!” Avery chuckled. 

“What? Are you too much of a coward to-”

A light then hit Nate, stunning him.

“-to...oh, nuts.”

“You were saying, Boo?” teased Avery.

“Me?”

“No, him.”

“Oh, terms of endangerment. Right.”

“Oh fuck! I need to charm my way out!” Nate realized.

Hi there, handsome…

“Hi Avery…” Nate began to sweat.

My, my, look at you, getting flustered already? Doesn’t take much to turn you on, eh?

Nate thought about it. “Yeah. This charmer doesn’t need much to turn him on!”

I noticed…such a handsome thing, too. You’ll make someone real happy to be Mr. Shapiro.

“Awwwwww shucks. You should see me completely shirtless.” Nate used the compliment to his advantage. “12 pack, real sight.”

I’m good.

“I insist. I have big guns. In fact, some people call my muscles dynamite. I even have really badass leg muscles!”

I’ll pass on the offer.

“That’s not what Ricky said.”

Ricky?

“The last person I dated. God, he was dreaming. Wavy locks, sharp brown eyes, and that sweet, sweet voice…”

Avery stopped, wondering if they really wanted him on their team.

Booloo glanced. “I’ll handle this. Give me control.”

“He’s all yours, Booloo.”

“Okay.”

Hey, uh. New person. Get used to it. But don’t you want...more? Don’t you want it all?

Nate smirked. All part of the plan.

He needed to convince her to snap out of it. She needed to convince him to take the power.

Let the battle begin.

“Like the ABBA song? ‘Gimme, Gimme, Gimme’?” Nate smirked.

Yeah! And more stuff. Booloo smirked. Ever heard of a charm person voice?

“Honey, you have no clue. Rick says I have one.”

…Look. Booloo facepalmed. That’s not what I meant, and you know it. I meant like a subtle influence to get what you want.

“I answered you. Rick says I have a charm person voice.”

I meant strengthening it! Not-

“Booloo. I can try again.”

“No. I’ve got this. It’s personal.”

Nate scoffed “Like a snake charmer?”

No. Not like that. Booloo facepalmed.

“Any examples, then?”

Dracula’s stare. The Jedi Mind Trick. Your voice will be like honey, and though they’ll fight, you’ll be unstoppable.

“You mean more so than I already can?” Nate grinned. “Cause this other Ricky would blubber and swoon whenever I talked.”

It applies to everyone, yes. Booloo anxiously glanced around.

Why wasn’t it working yet?

“Raven...why isn’t this working?!? You promised it would!”

Hit him in a weak spot.

“Like what?!?” Booloo sighed. “I hit the date thing.”

ABBA, Truth Talk, his cousin. All that stuff.

“...I can work with that. I...I just need to think.”

Nate saw his chance.

“Come on, Cookie!” Nate mouthed.

“Oh! Got it!” 

But don’t you want people to listen to Truth Talk 23/7 24/7?

“Honey, ever since the magical girl thing, I’ve earned so much more than a voice would ever allow me to earn. Besides, breaks in listening actually gain more revenue, as repeat listener bonuses.”

…Shit.

“Go Cookie, save yourself!” Nate mouthed again.

“...Yes. I’m getting through to him. FINALLY!” Booloo cackled. “I can finally be unstoppable!”

“You remind me of someone.” Nate smirked.

“Raven?” Booloo spoke incredulously. 

Nate shook his head “You heard those stories about kings and queens who want more than they already have and then they lose everything?”

“What I have is something you wouldn’t envy.” Booloo argued. “Nobody treats me right. They treat me like a kid. I thought I found people who treated me like I’m actually an adult...but we’re in the corner.”

“Hey, it’s alright, Booloo. I’ll listen to you. But right now, we’re in a very freaky situation.”

Booloo paused.

“...Fine. Buzz, stop posing.” Booloo scoffed, her eyes still red, her expression still cross. “You’re lucky I’m a damn softy.”

“There there, Booloo.” Nate smiled a little.

Avery however, would be a different story. They wouldn’t go down without a fight.

“I trust too damn easily.” Booloo groaned. “Why did I even have the heart to free you? Oh right! It’s because you charmed me.”

“No. It’s because you have a heart.” Nate approached her. “I...I saw you react to Glitch saying he was the mature one.”

“Cuz he is.” Booloo scoffed. “Why else would you trust them over you? We’re 20, he’s 13. We could be contenders! But no, we act childish because of our damn-”

“It’s not that. Listen...it’s like the Bob situation.” Nate explained. “...Your powers are invaluable to the enemy. Both of yours. And whilst Denki needs to be on the ground, and Kaku isn’t usually a major target since he’s in school half the damn time...we kinda saw you two as a secret weapon. The instrument to turn the tides. With those two facts in mind, we decided that you’d be deployed like how Schmitty and Guy are.”

“Then why wasn’t that mentioned?” Booloo’s eyes flickered.

“We thought it was clear.” Nate responded softly. “...We’re sorry about that. We really should’ve told you...but the idea never came up.”

Booloo seemed noticeably calmer. Raven took immediate notice.

Avery! Hit her!

“RAAAAAAAA!!!” Screaming, Avery attacked.

“And they said Roxanne needed a nap…” Nate looked shocked.

Booloo just pushed them back.

With the teddy bear! Not with your fists!

Avery paused. “Oh! Oh Cooooookie~”

No. Don’t get Cookie. Change of plans. We need Booloo back on our side. 

“Fine…” Avery sounded unamused.

Booloo glanced at Nate.

“...Oh no. If that’s what I think it is…”

“It is…” Nate confirmed.

“Help me fight it off. Now that...I know and all.” Booloo pleaded.

Nate sighed “I’ll do my best. Ol’ Shapiro charm to the rescue.”

“Don’t feel too bad if it doesn’t work.” Booloo softly apologized.

“Hey Avery, it’s me, Nate…” Nate began “The one you were trying to fuck with a bit ago.”

Avery growled “I KNOW!”

“You don’t go down easily. Is something bothering you?” Nate decided to take it slow and steady.

“I’m FINE!!!” Avery reacted.

“You sound like you’re in a bad mood.”

Booloo remained silent. She didn’t want Raven talking sweet nothings to her. Or Avery.

She just wanted to crawl in a hole and hide.

“I’m not gonna leave you, Avery. I worry about you.”

“I JUST WANTED TO HELP AND NO ONE FUCKING APPRECIATES IT!” Avery shouted.

“...I do.” Booloo spoke quietly, her eyes flickering rapidly. “I know how it feels.”

Avery growled even more. “I AM NOT GOING TO GIVE UP EASILY!”

Any day now! I’m losing connection with her! Raven stressed. 

“I AM TRYING!” Avery shouted out. “MY BRAIN IS GOING INTO OVERDRIVE! I AM SCARED!”

And once you get Booloo back on our side, she’ll be there to help you. Thick and thin, no matter what. Right now, she’s not going to do that. She needs persuasion.

Avery could only tense up, hyperventilating. They wished they were Robomecha and able to shut down.

They wished they knew where Rose was.

Hey. You’ll be okay.

Avery just kept hyperventilating.

"Your eyes are misty now

But there's life there to be found

Some sunlit day

Dear

You're full of fear

And I am a little too

But I'm also full of you

Long as you're near."

“NO!!!” Avery growled and ran off, to hide.

“..I’m still cursed.” Booloo glanced at her hands. “..Go on without me, I’ll be a liability.”

Nate sighed “You’re still part of the team, Booloo.”

“I just act mature. I act like you guys, cause I idol you.” Booloo teared up. “...But I’m anything but. I own stuffies. I watch Saturday morning magical girl anime. I get tricked by the most minor of things.”

“You don’t have to worry. You think I was mature at 20?”

“...I guess not.” Booloo sighed. “But you don;t have to deal with the pressure to act like a normal person all the time. Society expects me to, or else I’m a womanchild.”

“I may not know that pressure. But you don’t have to go through it alone.”

Nate offered a hug.

“Okay?”

Booloo, eyes back to normal, accepted it.

“C'mere. Nate Shapiro special.” Nate pat her back. “Welcome back.”

“Let’s go get Avery.” Nate smiled warmly. “I think I have some ideas on how to calm them down.”

“Okay.” Booloo held her head, compact in hand. “Want some firework power?”

Nate shook his head “No; just…where were you two when Raven showed up?”

“...We were standing in the lobby. Moping, mainly.” Booloo admitted.

“TO THE LOBBY!” Nate exclaimed. “I need to get something…many things.”

Booloo couldn’t help but chuckle. “And I’ll be right behind ya, Nate.”

***

“No, no, where is it?” Nate looked around, with a few candy bars in a backpack, as well as a blanket and a notebook.

“Where is what?” Booloo asked.

Nate paused “You know, Avery’s lovey.”

“Rose. I didn’t see where they put her.”

“...That could mean Raven found her.” Booloo realized. “Do you think she did?”

“I’ll ask the others. Maybe Helen put her in lost and found.” Nate said. “Take this backpack and get to Avery.”

“Okay.” Booloo placed her compact on her chest, with yellow gems surrounding her, turning her into Robopika. “...Just in case.”

“Good idea.” Nate chuckled. “Oh, I see Helen. HELEN!”

And he ran up to her. Helen looked unamused.

***
“Avery?” 

Pika peaked into the corner where Avery was located.

They were a crying mess, giving themselves a hug.

“So much for being mature…” Avery groaned “I am everything BUT mature!”

And saying those words made them cry even more.

“...Being mature is overrated.” Pika spoke softly, slowly approaching them. “...I got so blinded by bad people who gave a damn that I forgot that...it’s not all that there is.”

Avery tried to drown out Pika’s words. It was clear they were tempted to listen to her.

Pika sat down next to them. “...Want a candy bar?”

They’re guilt tripping you! Raven warned.

Avery sighed and shook their head “Not hungry…not after eating all those fucking cookies…”

“They do hurt your stomach.” Pika nodded, unfolding the weighted blanket.

“You can have the candy bars…I didn’t save you any cookies…”

“Fair enough.” She opened one. “...I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”

Avery just began to cry a bit more and gave themselves a tight hug.

“Nate’s trying to find your lovey now.” Pika reassured.

“I DON’T NEED ROSE!” Avery shot out of a sad state and was now pissed.

“...Just like I don’t need my phone to calm me down? Accommodations don’t make us immature. They just help us live normal lives.” Pika explained. 

Avery shook their head before looking over “Is that my weighted blanket?”

“Yeah.” Pika nodded. “I came up with that idea. Helps me a lot when stuff gets tough mentally.”

“Oh…” Avery looked at Pika. They didn’t want to say it.

You know, this would be a great time to-

That voice. 

“NO!!!” Avery shouted, squeezing their eyes shut. They breathed deeply before finally looking at Pika. 

They pointed at their weighted blanket and nodded their head nervously, afraid Raven was gonna mess with them even more.

“Shhh. It’s okay. I’m here. Don’t listen to her.” Pika whispered. “Don’t make her convince you that this is what you want.”

Avery gulped a little and hesitated to grab their weighted blanket. “Pika…”

Yes, you should go after her. Bring her back to us.

“FUCK YOU!!!” Avery shouted before realizing. They felt even guiltier.

“It’s okay. I get it. Emotions are high.” Pika admitted. “I’m scared too. But we’re going to get through this.”

“Pass…the blanket…” Avery managed a sentence, nervously. 

Pika quickly complied.

“Here, this better?”

“Much better…” Avery cried, wrapping themselves in the weighted blanket. It was mid gray with a few drool stains on it. “So much better…”

“It’ll keep me from acting upon impulse…” Avery added.

“Good. Last thing we need right now.” Pika spoke softly.

“Exactly.” Avery looked around, nervously. 

They regretted throwing Rose, when Raven tempted them with cookies.

“I am so dumb…” Avery said.

“Nate’s trying to find Rose.” Pika reassured her.

“He is?”

“Yeah. I’m just making sure everything’s okay until then.”

“So much for not being a burden…” Avery chuckled a little.

“You’re not. I agreed to the role.”

Avery sighed “Yeah. We both did…”

They paused.

“I was half expecting you to go for the cookies, when Raven mentioned them.” 

“I was too pissed.” Pika admitted.

“And that’s why you’re eating candy bars.”

“Stress eating.” Pika spoke nonchalantly.

“Did Nate pack those?”

“Yeah. Mentioned something about making a stress kit for us. I thought it was a great idea.”

“I think he put those for you.” Avery smiled a little.

“Yeah. I LOVE Cookies and Cream Hershey's.”

Avery! Your guard is down!

Avery jolted a little and shuddered. “I am so sorry, Booloo…Pika…”

Pika quickly reacted. “It’s okay. Nate’s finding your lovey.”

“She’s tempting me…” Avery stopped. “...to hurt you.”

“I know, I know. Nate’s going to be here soon. I’m not leaving you until you’re better.” Pika reassured.

“Even if I hurt you?”

“Through thick and thin.”

We’ll have to see about that.

“GO HUG A CACTUS, BITCH!”

“Nice one!” Pika sounded impressed. “Stealing that.”

“Sorry…that voice…”

They looked at the chocolate bars. “I may have been lying about not being hungry…”

“Here.” Pika gave one of the milk chocolate ones to them.

“Thanks…” Avery held it in their hands.

Ooooooooooh, giving up? A pathetic little immature enby.

Avery snapped the bar in half, shocking Pika.

You think that will scare me? I’m the embodiment of evil and betrayal!

“Take half.” Avery offered half to Pika.

“Thanks.” Pika sighed. “Just hold on until Nate.”

“Hey, Nate to Pika, Nate to Pika.”

“One second. Help yourself to the chocolate bars.” 

“Okay…” Avery huffed bitterly. Bitter at Raven’s advances.

Pika turned away. 

“Hey, Nate? Found it yet? Over.” She teased.

“Don’t have to say over. And no, not yet. How’re you holding out?”

“I think I’m calming them down. Raven’s trying to get in, though, but they’re fighting her off well. Don’t know how long.”

“OH GO FUCK YOURSELF!” Avery shouted. “IF I COULD, I’D STRANGLE YOU LIKE I DID THAT KID IN SEVENTH GRADE!”

“...See what I mean?”

“What?” Nate sounded shocked.

“It’s just a side effect of fighting it off. Just be qu-”

“I AM NOT KIDDING, PIKA!” Avery shouted.

“Wait. ME?!?” Pika turned back. “Dude!”

“NO! I AM SERIOUS! I AM GONNA STRANGLE HER!”

Pika stepped back in shock. “S…sorry. Are you still talking about me?’

Avery sighed “Oh, I was trying to say I was gonna strangle Raven…did I sound too scary?”

“Y…yeah!” Pika quivered. 

“Oh shit! Sorry.”

“Don’t worry. I’m fine. Just a bit overloaded.” Pika gave a thumbs up, her breaths quicking.

“Join the club. I saved some candy.”

“Pika, you still there?” Nate asked.

“..Y...yeah. I might need to step back. But I promised them I’d stay, and I don’t wanna risk anything while I’m gone-” Pika panicked.

“Maybe they’ll be okay on their own?” Nate suggested.

“Not gonna risk it.” Pika reiterated. “...B…b…”

Now would be the best time to get her.

“You're right…” Avery said and wriggled out of the weighted blanket.

“...N...n...Nate?”

“Shit, I’m coming. Hang in there. Over and out.”

Avery charged over, eyes set on Pika.

They leapt…

…and pulled her in for a hug.

Avery, what happened?

“No…no…”

Don’t you want her to feel better? She won’t mind a little persuasion to do so.

Avery pretended not to hear Raven, and hugged Pika tighter.

It’s your fault you upset her. The swearing was all you.

“My… fault?”

She’s trying to trick you, to get you on her side.

“But…she wouldn’t just trick me with food…”

What did I do?

Avery facepalmed. “Oh right…”

Yeah. 

Pika was just too overcome with emotion to notice…or to react.

This is your chance to make things right. She’s just misguided, that’s all.

“If…if she’s misguided…” Avery shuddered. “...I wanna be misguided too…”

Well…she’s not with you thick and thin. 

“I’ve had friendships fizzle out…” Avery closed their eyes, praying it was a nightmare. “I’ll get over it, if that is the case.”

She’s panicking. She’s afraid of you. That’s the opposite of what you want, yes?

“No…she’s afraid of how you’re messing with my brain…”

Did she have the panic attack before or after the swearing?

“Do you WANT me to have a stress-induced seizure?!”

No.

“Then go hug an explosive!”

Avery shuddered and hugged Pika tighter. “Don’t you dare leave me…”

Pika didn’t respond, but her breaths became louder. She screamed.

“I’M SORRY! I JUST…” She hyperventilated. “I need some alone time! It’s not you!”

“Okay…you can use my weighted blanket and have some candy bars.” Avery smiled worriedly “I saved you some.”

“I’ll just try to calm down here. Maybe close my eyes.”

***

“I hope I’m not too late!” Nate said and rushed over. 

Pika remained nervous, hyperventilating.

“...I...I don’t know how much longer I can handle this…”

“Shhh.” Nate grasped her hands. “Can you take deep breaths with me?”

“O...okay.”

Avery was just curled in a ball and thinking about everything Raven said. 

…You see what I mean, now? 

“I need a nap, Raven…”

No, you do not. Lazy…

“I am not lazy!”

If you aren’t, prove it. Help her with your teddy-

“I DON’T WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT TEDDIES- OR LOVIES- ANYMORE!”

I’m giving you ways to help her! Raven insisted,

“YOU! YOU MADE ME ABANDON MY CALMING METHOD!”

AND SHE CAN HELP YOU GET IT BACK! Raven retorted,

“YOU TOLD ME TO GET RID OF THAT RAG!”

I KNOW! I SCREWED UP! Raven apologized. 

“YOU ACTED LIKE LUCY FROM PEANUTS! WHEN SHE TRIES TO GET RID OF LINUS’ BLANKET!”

I had to do what I had to do to get Booloo riled up. I’m not against you having your lovey, honest.

“YOU ARE!” Avery began to cry even more.

I have a lovey too. Mister Snuggles.

“Aren’t you the embodiment of evil and chaos and darkness and shit?”

Yep. But even we need our stuffies sometimes.

“So, you’re immature too?”

Yeah.

“SO YOU GASLIT, GATEKEPT AND GIRLBOSSED US FOR NOTHING?!”

My job involves me adapting to the situation.

“YOU LIED TO ME! YOU MADE ME GIVE UP MY FRIEND! YOU MADE ME HURT BOOLOO!”

And I want to make it up to you! Raven sounded near tears. I...I want to help you find your lovey. 

“If…if you really want to help, you’d know where I threw Rose…”

You threw it on the stage-light rafters. That’s why we need Booloo. She loves fairies, right? We calm her down with the promise of being one, and she helps both of us out. Win for all of us.

“Okay…” Avery sighed. They watched as Nate finally helped calm Pika down.

I’m so sorry about all this. Raven sighed. I just did what my powers told me too, but they were wrong, and I’m SO regretting this now.

“I’m gonna remember that line.” Avery said.

“Okay. You good?”

“I’m...not perfect. But I’m better.”

Avery inhaled. “Pika…I’m…sorry about earlier…”

“It’s okay.” Pika walked towards them. “You want a hug?”

“Bear hug…” Avery nodded their head.

She did so, tightly embracing them...not noticing a teddy appearing in her hands until she stepped out of it.

“...Avery?” Her eyes turned teal.

“I really need your help finding Rose. I…I’m worried I threw her somewhere high and…” Avery sighed “You like fairies a lot, right?”

“...Yeah.” Pika relaxed. Nate was not having it.

“Flight powers…”

“You’ll get mindfucked.” Nate called out.

“Were you able to find it?” Avery asked, curiously.

“No. They said they’d check the lost and found tonight. I’ll keep looking.”

“I can’t WAIT that long!” Avery explained. “Pika, you want to be a fairy, right?”

“I...do.” Pika winced. “But...it’s just flying.”

“I know…I need your help. Please? Through thick and thin?”

They were crying.

Nate put a hand on Pika’s shoulder.

“...This must be like tearing your own arm. off”

Pika nodded.

“...Or is it pleasur-”

“NATE.” Pika groaned, snapping out of her teal-eyed state. “No sex jokes. No.”

“Dear god, what am I doing?” Avery asked no one.

Getting your lovey back. Raven reminded.

“Hold on. I can get it back with my powers!” Pika suggested. “Come on, Robopika Lucky Rush!”

Avery sighed in relief, they really didn’t wanna hurt her.

“...Karaoke music wave?” Pika paused. “Okay, how’s singing going to-”

“Aianna has stretchy arms.” Nate reminded her. “Buzz is good at climbing. It’s like the end to that Disney 100 short.”

“Oh!”

You can still control those who are empowered. Maybe they can help you find it faster.

“And…I’m sure Roxie can do the same thing as Aianna…Bob has his cartoony powers maxed up…” Avery stammered.

But would they help? My way’s guaranteed.

“NO!!! WHY are you so helpful and so hurtful?”

I’m…sorry. I don’t want to hurt you. I was just trying to help you find it faster.

“You helped enough!”

Alright, let’s see you do it without extra help, Mx. I Know Where My Lovey Tulip Is.

Avery’s eyes glowed red. “HER NAME ISN’T TULIP!!! IT’S ROSE!!!”

As they said this, a crowd of those affected by Booloo and Avery came in, ready for blood.

There it is.

“Wuh-oh. We’ve got company.”

“More like an audience.” Nate noticed a microphone summon in his hand. “Got a track in mind?”

“You know I do.” Pika projected a karaoke track onto the screen as a remixed version of Fly Octo Fly began to play.

“I’ll take purple. You sing blue.”

“On it.”

The group turned to see the two preparing to sing.

“Eyes on me!”

“And you will see!”

“This place is your home, you know, you know!”

“What’s this in you?”

“Pay attention!”

“Closer tonight, dancing with me!”

The two alternated with each verse, clearly lost in the music as they sung in perfect harmony. As if by magic, the group began to climb up onto the rafters, searching for the lovie.

“Follow the power! 

I’ve got you now! 

I’ll take you up there, you know, you know!

I will miss you,

When you move on to

All of the other angels who are singing abooooove…”

They leaned in closer together during their shared verse as Aianna stretched her arms, grabbing Rose and tossing her to Avery.

“Stuck on your looooooove…”

The group proceeded to regroup as Nate and Pika stood back to back, glancing at each other with smiles on her face.

“You are my worrrrrrrrld!”

“Duh duh dun-dun-duh!” Nate finished, snapping everyone back to normal, just as their mics faded.

“...Nate...what happened?” Aianna rubbed her head.

“Wuzzat-YOU WILL NOT GO DOWN SO EASILY!” Roxanne threatened, striking a fighting pose.

“Alright, what’s going on?” Buzz asked as he looked around in confusion.

“You asked the wrong person.” Bob said as cartoon birds flew around him.

“I feel so weird and dizzy…” Glitch said.

Avery just inhaled and hugged Rose “I am so sorry, everyone.”

“What’s wrong?” Roxanne asked. 

“I…I hurt you…again…” their voice sounded bitter.

Roxanne just hugged her. “It’s okay, you have big feelings…and some pretty big hormones, too.”

“You’re newly 20.” Buzz laughed. “You think you and Pika are the only ones who had huge emotional outbursts in their twenties?”

“No…” Avery looked up. “But I feel so horrible…I tried so hard to not hurt Pika…so many instances where I was told to do it and I tried to fight the urges-I really tried…until I couldn’t…”

Avery sighed and walked away from the group, curling up with Rose. 

“I don’t deserve to be Guardian of Creativity…”

“You were chosen for a reason.” Aianna spoke up as Kiruru flew over. “Is this whole thing about not being able to help with Cookie?”

“I…yeah. I can’t be in certain situations or I risk a seizure, I have to avoid certain triggers or I go into overdrive…and I can’t be separated from Rose for long periods of time…” Avery winced. “What kind of…Magical Enby…am I?”

“I know you and Pika wanted to help earlier, but you’re both still new to this fighting the monster of the week thing, you still need to train. It isn’t about being mature or immature or autistic or even having ADHD or epilepsy. I’m sorry if we didn’t make it clear.”

“No problem, I get it now.” Pika reassured her. “...Sorry about getting all power hungry again.”

“It’s okay. Raven’s good at that.” Aianna insisted. “She knows everyone’s weaknesses, and yours is that.”

Avery sat up, patting Rose’s head. “I…I…”

“Kiruru. Ruru. Ki…Kiruru.” Kiruru reassured, putting a hand on their leg.

“Kiruru says that if there’s any way we can make it up to the two of you, we’ll do it.” Aianna translated.

“Hug? I promise no funny business, this time.” Avery suggested.

“...Yeah.” Pika rubbed her shoulder awkwardly. “I need that.”

The two embraced, ready to be purified.

“Let’s do this!” Avery declared, holding Pika’s hand. “Through thick and thin.”

Pika smirked back. 

“Hell yeah.”

Chapter Text

“...Man. If only they dropped Monster High ice cream bars with gumball eyes. I would’ve bought them in a heartbeat.” Booloo swooned as she looked at her Beast Boy pop. “Bob, did you ever get the Sailor Moon one back in the day?”

“YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!” he squealed eagerly before pausing “The ice cream truck people gave me weird looks whenever I got one alongside an orange-cream popsicle, but c’mon, I was young. I was fanboying for the Sailors!”

Cookie snarked. “Well don’t eat too much. Okay?”

Nate nodded “Yeah. We all agreed that tomorrow’s a beach day.”

“That’s right!” Booloo looked at Avery, who was enjoying a Blizzard they got at a Dairy Queen before arriving in the Robodoki universe. “Tomorrow’s beach day!”

“I cannot wait!” Avery grinned. “Tomorrow, I’m gonna log in and join ya, in full beach attire! God, I am gonna look fabulous!”

“Not as fabulous as Nate.” Buzz teased. “Right, cuz?”

“I’ve got abs for days, and these bathing suit shorts show my ass better than a Speedo ever could!” He flexed his muscles.

Roxanne rolled her eyes and tried to enjoy a strawberry-syrup vanilla sundae. “Are you trying to score a date tomorrow or are you just lustful?”

“Both. Naturally.”

Avery laughed and kept eating their Blizzard. “God, Nate, you are crazy.”

“In a hot way.” Nate fixed his hair, pointing at himself. “This guy has more fanservice than Baywatch.”

“What?”

Nate faltered. “Shit. I’m old.”

“Is that the beach show with the red swimsuits?” Avery wondered. “Cause…that’s all I know about Baywatch.”

“Yeah and the jiggly boob slow motion scenes. Only reason why I watched it.” Nate admitted.

Buzz groaned and facepalmed. “Here’s to hoping you don’t act like a horny slut, tomorrow.”

“I second that.” Roxanne declared.

“Same.” Aianna agreed as she enjoyed a strawberry ice cream cone. “So what did you get, Bobby?”

Bob sighed, “I went with chocolate ice cream.”

“So, I take it you guys know good beaches around the Chicago area.” Avery tried to change the topic from Nate’s lustful thoughts.

“Yeah. There's Rainbow Park beach, but Chicago’s Beaches is, of course, closer.”

“That’s the name?” Booloo asked.

“Yeah, it is. Chicago’s Beaches.” Bob shrugged, “It’s a bit lazy of a name.”

“Preach!” Aianna declared. 

“Kiruru!” Kiruru giggled, eating a kids’ sized vanilla ice cream cone. “Oooh! Kiiiiiii!”

“...I wonder what ice cream Cure Gelato had?”

“Probably blue moon and vanilla.” Bob shrugged. “It matches the colors.”

“God, you’re worse than Booloo.” Buzz commented, glancing at Bob’s direction. “What, is the June temperature making you a glutton or something?”

“HEY! I have you know I like ice cream as much, if not more, than Booloo.” Bob blew a raspberry.

“Bob…” Avery laughed a little. “I hate to agree with Buzz…but I have to agree with Buzz…”

“HEY!” Booloo smirked. “Don’t be dissing on my homie Bob. We LOVE ice cream. Especially beach ice cream. It’s not a problem.”

Avery giggled. “God, I should’ve brought those Mr. Freeze ice pops that-”

“MR. FREEZE?!? That sounds good!” Booloo drooled. 

“-that someone at a lake I tend to go to tends to bring…oh fuck.” Avery looked over. “I opened Pandora’s box! Sorry you two.”

“...Oh come on.” Booloo groaned. “This is becoming less jokey and more mean. So ice cream is my favorite? So what?”

Nate chuckled. “I’m trying not to eat too much of it. Gotta keep this sexy bod in ship-shape.”

Buzz groaned and shoved his honey-flavored ice cream cone in Nate’s face.

“The HELL?!”

“This is your warning to NOT act like a horny ass, tomorrow.” Buzz advised.

“ THEY HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING A STOMACH ACHE!”

This made Booloo and Bob MAD.

“Calm down, you two. Calm down. Nate just got a little upset.” Aianna said as Roxanne growled.

“He never does.” Booloo admitted.

“He’s never had someone shove their ice cream cone on his face before…”

“And he gets to make the comment?” Bob pouted.

“No. He doesn’t.” Roxanne scolded. “10 minutes in horny jail, when we get back in the studio. Okay, Nathaniel?”

“Deal.”

“So, what time do we meet up, tomorrow?” asked Aianna, trying to switch topics.

“5 am.” Buzz said.

Booloo groaned. “What is this, work?!?”

“No. We gotta set up our spots early. BEFORE the beach gets crowded.”

Avery shrugged, “Makes sense…I think.”

Buzz chuckled “Don’t worry, I’m driving one car. Schmitty will drive the other car. The rest of you can sleep on the car ride.”

“Thank GOD for everyone.” Nate sighed. “Aianna, Glitch, and Roxanne are LUCKY they don’t need to.”

“So? YOU need a specific amount of beauty sleep.” Roxanne snarked.

“Yeah. Otherwise, I look hideous.” Nate reminded her.

“Come on, everyone inside.” Schmitty called out. “The AC is on full blast and Helen is trying to talk Guy out of putting ice cubes in the water cooler.”

“Sounds like an average work day is back underway…” Buzz groaned.

“...Yeah. It sounds like it.” Booloo still sounded unsure.

Bob also nodded, examining himself. He sighed.

“I’ll make sure Nate doesn’t say anything stupid, tomorrow.” Roxanne winked.

***

*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP*

“Fuck, 5 am already?” Bob whined a little as Aianna nudged him awake, the next morning.

Booloo entered the portal. “...I woke up early.”

“What?”

“...My stomach hurts a bit. I should be fine.” Booloo yawned. “It usually goes away before noon.”

“Fine…” Bob groaned and pulled out a cartoonishly large mallet, smashing the alarm with it.

*SMASH!!!*

Aianna blinked. “Bob…”

“Yeah, Aianna-chan?”

“That’s the fifth alarm clock you smashed, this month.”

“Well, would you rather use your phone?”

Booloo rolled her eyes. “Come on…”

***

“And we’re all set. Let’s go!” Nate declared as everyone met up.

Any sleepiness Booloo had was gone, upon seeing Nate in bright green swim trunks and matching sandals.

Booloo wore a red polka-dotted swimsuit with black Croc flip flops, and her thick, black ‘backup’ glasses. Her plump figure looked surprisingly smooth with the suit.

“...Yeah. That’ll get all the boys to the yard.” Booloo tried not to snicker.

Avery gawked, already in a bright pink one piece swimsuit with a white stripe on it and black Crocs. “Looking good, Nate.”

Bob rolled his eyes, wearing a white tank top and bright pink swim trunks, alongside pink Crocs. “Said no one ever…come on, let’s get rolling…”

Buzz, in a bright blue swim shirt and navy blue swim trunks, smiled. “Come on in, team.”

And Nate, Roxanne, Aianna, Bob, Booloo and Avery clamored in the car with Kiruru fastened into a toddlers’ car seat.

“Okay, Cookie, Glitch, Schmitty and Guy are carpooling together.” Buzz explained. “I’m gonna see if I can get to the beach before they do.”

“With how slow both of you drive, they’ll probably be there first.” Nate snarked.

“Looking cute.” Booloo smiled as she glanced at her outfit. “Thank you, Target discount!”

Avery just laughed and held onto Rose. “So, you excited? Swimming in the sea, playing in the sand, boardwalk strolls. What can be better?”

“Hanging with my besties! AND ICE CREAM!” Booloo cheered.

“HELL YEAH, BOOLOO!” Bob agreed.

“KIRURU!”  Kiruru cheered as Aianna fastened it into the car seat.

“You two and your stomachs.” Nate laughed.

***

*HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONK*

“Everyone out!” Buzz declared. “We made it! And before Schmitty and the others, too!”

He checked the rearview mirror.

“...What? I normally don’t sleep in the car.” Booloo admitted, looking at the snoring beauties next to her.

“Psssst, Bob, Bob, we’re here…” Aianna cooed. “Bobby-kun, waaaaaaake uuuuuuuuuup…”

“Mmmmmph…” Bob groaned. “Noooo…I don’t wanna get up…”

Buzz sighed. “Should’ve expected this, since we DID leave around 5:30 in the goddamn morning.”

“Well, I could've told ya that.” Booloo snarked.

“Told him what?” Avery asked, wide awake and looking around.

“That 5 am is too freaking early.”

“Gotcha, Boo.” They smiled. “Alright! Here we are! The beach!”

They then stopped and motioned Booloo towards a sleeping Nate. At some point during the road trip, he had dozed off, with a matching green sleep mask over his eyes “HOW does he look so handsome even when he’s asleep- and snoring, too?” Avery inquired.

“Cause he’s NATE.” Booloo snarked.

“You’ve got that right. ALWAYS with the perfect hair.” Buzz explained.

“Well how do we wake the rest of the team?” Roxanne asked. She was rocking a lavender one piece swimsuit with a silver stripe on it.

“Honk the horn, I guess.” Buzz groaned.

“Uh…I think I’ll just carry Bob.” Aianna suggested, with a chuckle. She also had a one piece swimsuit that was bright pink with white hearts on it. 

“Awwww man, you mean I’m carrying Nate?” Roxanne groaned. “Do I have to?”

“I know I can’t.” Buzz snarked.

And with that, Roxanne picked up Nate in one hand and picked up a pair of green sunglasses, putting them in a purple purse she brought along. “Come on, Nate.”

“Gimme…gimme…gimme…a…maaaaaaaaaaan…” Nate snored loudly.

“Aaaaaaaand somehow he still sounds flawless…” Avery teased Booloo.

“Yeah. He does.” Booloo smirked.

***

“Alright, all our stuff is set up, the two sleeping magical girls are cozy, now to wait for Schmitty, Cookie, Glitch and Guy.” Buzz declared.

Aianna nodded in confirmation as she handed Kiruru a few strawberry slices for a snack. “Maybe they took a wrong turn.”

“We’d hear cursing a mile away.” Booloo glanced around. “Bob, keep an ear out. Once the ice cream truck-”

“Mmmmph…one Sailor…mmmmph…” Bob murmured, still conked out. 

“You were saying?” Avery smirked teasingly.

“...Ugh. Don’t remind me.” Booloo sighed. 

Roxanne nodded “Besides, it’s still WAAAAAAAAAY too early for us.”

“And the ice cream truck won’t be for a few hours.” Aianna added as she put a bucket hat on Kiruru.

“Ki?!” Kiruru was surprised.

***

Booloo tried to hide her restlessness, but 2 hours in, felt like two years.

And a now awake Bob seemed to agree.

“...Ugh. Noon can’t come soon enough.” Booloo laid down on the towel.

“You’re telling me.” Bob sulked. “Hey, Buzz, where’re the others?”

Buzz shrugged. “Probably stuck in traffic or something.”

Booloo groaned. “Great. Another thing to add.”

*HONK HONK HONK HONK*

Nate jolted awake at the sound of a car horn.

“Taking it back, they’re here.” Buzz corrected himself.

Schmitty groaned and exited the driver’s seat, in rainbow colored swim trunks “Cookie, can you FUCKING remind me WHY THE FUCK I FUCKING let GUY read the MOTHERFUCKING road map?” he opened the other car doors.

“Because you somehow trusted him.” Cookie remarked, in blue swim trunks with cookies on them.

“Sorry, I had the road map upside down…” Guy confessed, in a bright orange pair of swim trunks. “Need any help getting the stuff out of the trunk, Glitch?”

“No, dad.” Glitch called out, already unloading the car.

“That explains why you four were TWO HOURS LATE.” Buzz joked.

“...Schmitty's definitely swearing up a storm.” Booloo glanced at Bob.

She didn’t want to say anything about the ice cream. It was clear from Bob’s face that they both feared the fat jokes and glutton teasing.

So they kept quiet.

“Uhhhh…” Bob looked at Avery, who was snacking on some yogurt. “What’re you doing?”

“Mom said that if I was gonna join you guys, I’d have to take my medication at the beach.” Avery instructed. “Aianna said I could take a yogurt cup from the portable fridge thing.”

“Better than nothing?” Bob asked Booloo.

“I guess.” Booloo groaned. “...Now I’m craving frozen yogurt.”

Aianna chuckled. “I get it, we didn’t really ‘have’ breakfast. Just save an appetite for lunch, okay?”

“Okay.” Booloo nodded.

***
It wasn’t really the same. Booloo would know. She had frozen Trix pops before, Trix yogurt was clearly the best method to cool off during breakfast in the summer.

She grew up loving ice cream from the second she first walked into an Outer Banks ice cream shop. The taste of their soft serve was LEGENDARY. And so were the ice cream truck delicacies.

“What time is it?” Booloo asked Bob. The rest were out in the ocean, or playing with beach balls in the distance.

“11:45 am.” Bob reported.

“Uggggggh….” Booloo groaned. “It sucks. I want ice cream, but if I tell it to anyone else, they’ll call me a glutton and rude! Why am I like this?”

“Cause ice cream is so fucking good!” Bob declared.

“Finally, someone gets it.” Booloo sighed in relief.

The two paused.

“Wait…you just swore, Bob.” She realized. “Must be true, then.”

“It IS.” Bob pulled out a picture of him at a young age, with a comically large ice cream cone.

“EXACTLY!” Booloo smiled. “...I have so many memories of going to The Outer Banks and getting ice cream from the local creameries with such names as Drippy’s and Cups and Cones.”

Bob’s mouth began to comically water. 

“WHAT THE FUCK?!” Buzz shouted from their spot at the beach.

“...FUCKING A.” Booloo cursed, starting to get up and walk away. “I CAN’T DEAL WITH THIS! BUZZ, JUST CALL ME A GLUTTON-”

Buzz looked over “Booloo, Bob, I…hate to get your spirits down…”

“WHAT?” Booloo growled, sitting back down.

“Apparently the ice cream truck broke down and will be delayed…” Buzz sighed.

“...YOU’RE KIDDING!” Booloo cursed. “I’D RATHER BE CALLED A GLUTTON!”

Bob’s jaw dropped.

“I’ll tell you when a replacement ice cream truck arrives.”

“...This better be a sick joke.” Booloo groaned, checking her phone.

It was indeed true.

“Motherfucker…” Bob looked over. He slumped down on his beach towel. “NOW what do we do?”

That was when Raven made her move.

Hi, you two. Raven cooed.

“...oh geez.” Booloo sweated.

“For once, I agree.” Bob agreed.

What’s wrong? Raven asked.

Booloo sighed. “...Please don’t laugh.”

I won’t. Raven promised. 

“Ice cream truck’s delayed, and we were looking forward to it all morning. But we can’t vent, unless Nate wants to call us a glutton again.”

I got the perfect way to cheer you two up. 

Bob sighed. “Shoot.”

You’ve heard of King Midas, right? That, but anything your hands touch turn into ice cream.

“Yeah. I want to be able to control it, though.” Booloo sighed. “...If I accidentally turn Nate into ice cream, I’d never forgive myself. Like King Midas’ daughter.”

I’ll make sure you don’t turn people into ice cream.

“And animals.” Bob added. “Including Kiruru and Kirumi.”

Yes, animals and robot sidekicks, too.

“...Should we go for it?” Booloo looked at Bob. “Cause I’m down if you’re down.”

“YES!!!” Bob declared. “YES, RAVEN! YES! WE’LL TAKE THE POWERS!!!”

Very well then. And Raven split herself into two to engulf them both into shadows.

“...So. Let’s test this out.”

Booloo touched a nearby beach ball, which turned into a Superman ice cream delight.

She licked it.

It didn’t taste sandy or anything.

It tasted like HEAVEN.

“...Maybe we can turn the entire BEACH INTO ICE CREAM!” Bob suggested, touching the ground.

It turned into a vanilla ice cream layer.

“...HOLY SHIT!” Booloo geeked. “LAST ONE IN IS A ROTTEN EGG!”

***

“Alright, WHAT THE FUCK is going on?!” Nate declared, leaping onto a picnic table.

Roxanne rolled her eyes as she looked up from reading to Glitch, who was in an indigo one piece swimsuit. “I…think it’s a Booloo curse.”

“...No. it’s Booloo AND Bobby.” Aianna rushed over. “...Nate?”

“Yeah?” Nate asked.

“...They were afraid to tell you that they were craving the stuff because of that comment you said in the car…and that comment you made yesterday. I...look, I’m not good at confrontational stuff...but I feel like you need to make it clear to them that it was a fluke this time. Booloo in particular, she’s sensitive to this. She hasn’t seen you at your worst.” Aianna tried to explain.

Avery was just curious. “Hey! Look! I found a seashell! A seashell…in ice cream…the fuck?”

“They noticed quickly.” Buzz snarked.

“Now, don’t think you’re blameless either, Buzz.” Roxanne scolded. “You caused Nate to blurt out that awful comment with that prank, and you should’ve let them down more gently about the delay. Ball’s in both of your courts.” 

“...Shit.” Buzz cursed. “I hate it when you’re right.”

“Uh, how are there seashells in ice cream?” Avery tried to reason.

“Because the entire beach is ice cream.” Aianna explained. “...AND THEY’RE HEADING FOR THE OCEAN!”

Sure enough, Booloo and Bob were rushing in the water, in a clear sugar high.

“...We’ve GOTTA stop them.” Aianna sweated. “Kiruru!”

“Ki!” Kiruru flew over, nodding.

“Compacts out, team.” Roxanne ordered. She looked over. “Glitch, try to get the beach goers to safety. Cookie! Schmitty! Guy!”

“...Gee. took you long enough to notice there was a curse.” Cookie snarked.

“Who’s the lucky victim?” Guy added. “...Haven’t seen anyone.”

“Well, newsflash, it’s a double curse. Booloo and Bob.” Roxanne said.

“FUCK!” Guy facepalmed.

“Okay, now, we need your help, you three.” 

Schmitty rolled his eyes “Oh of fucking course.”

“Okay you three, they’re cursed with some sort of ice-cream-themed-Midas-touch.” Roxanne explained.

“Well, well, well. Why am I not surprised?” Cookie deadpanned.

“Ohhhhhh fuck Raven!” Schmitty declared.

“Glad we agree.” Roxanne sighed. “Now, we need to get the rest of the people to safety…at least until the curse is dealt with.”

She looked at the team. “Do any of you have ideas on what to do?”

“Well, normally I’d say lure them away with sweets…but…wait.” Buzz pondered. “The whole reason they were upset was because the ice cream truck was broken down and they were SUPER bored. Like the breaking point. So…”

“...if we have an illusion of the ice cream truck arriving, maybe with some other boredom busters, then we can let them blow off some steam, trap them when they’re tired, talk them down, and prevent any further damage! God, I like your thinking, cuz!” Nate cheered.

“Let’s power up and save the beach!” Avery declared and tossed their compact in the air.

***

"Kiruru!"

"Mirror of Miracles,"

"Magical Set!"

"Lend me your magic!"

As the group said those words, the background behind them transformed into a mixture of bright yellow, pastel orange, silver and light pink. Avery waved their hand over their compact mirror, causing it to float into the air and for their entire body to gain a neon orange-colored shirt and shorts combo. Buzz and Roxanne did the same, but their outfits were light red and lavender colored respectively. And after a few backflips, Kiruru flew into Aianna's chest, giving her a metallic chestplate and turning Kiruru into a jewel resembling the paint and gem that acted as the robot's core.

"Doki!" Aianna yelled,

"Doki!" then the other 3,

"Lovely Start!" The group yelled together as they immediately began to spin around each other, before separating out in their own transformations. For Avery, Roxanne and Buzz, the compact flipped 360 degrees before it landed on their chests. Then all their compacts solidified into a metallic chest plate, transforming into a built in jewel as their sleeves/sleeve details formed on their shoulders.

For Aianna, cotton candy blue and pastel pink hearts flew out of the screen as she lept upwards and continued to spin around in the air, hands crossed in an x shaped formation across her chest.

Gears went down Avery's arms and surrounded them with magic, to which they crossed them into an x shape. That movement created their white gloves. Buzz did so too as fire went down his sleeves, as did Roxanne with her star dust.

Then everyone rejoined the same transformation plane as they all thrusted out their hands to the sides, grasping each other's hands as the details formed onto their gloves. They spun each other around in gradually increasing speed as their hair gained their signature styles and accessories, including the visors, before using the momentum to fling themselves back into separate transformation planes.

Robodoki crashed into the pile of hearts as normal, while Buzz's pillar allowed him to screech to a halt, and Roxanne used the momentum to begin diving down. Avery pulled out Rose as they jumped into a pile of orange gears. All four forms of magic made their outfits and boots, and as Kiruru screamed its battle cry the four began to recite their speeches.

"When two hearts collide," Robodoki thrusted her arms out as if offering a hug, spreading more cotton candy hearts out, before transitioning to a spin. "then anything can happen!"

Right on cue, a giant blue key summoned in her right hand, and she placed it behind her, before widening her stance and posing. Both of her hands formed in a heart shape on the right side of her chest.

"Call me Robodoki, cuz' I'll make your heart race!"

"The power of courage that'll grow with the flames!"  Buzz covered his hands across his heart for the first part of that sentence, before proceeding to punch and kick a bunch, catching his clover key and placing it behind him during that sequence. Then, he spun one last time and widened his stance, his hands forming a clover shape to the right of his chest.

"Call me Robohino, cuz I'll make your heart burn!"

"The power of strength that will shoot for the stars!" Roxanne covered her hands across her heart for the first part of that sentence, before flipping her hair dramatically and punching her fists together. After catching her key and placing it behind her, she spun one last time and widened her stance, her hands forming a spade shape to the right of her chest.

"Call me Robohoshi, cuz' I'll fix your heart's wishes!"

"The power of wit that'll glitch out the evil!" Nate covered his hands across his heart for the first part of that sentence, before blowing a kiss towards the audience with a wink, a flirting smirk on his face. Then, he caught his key, tossed it in his slot, spun one last time and widened his stance. His right hand formed a J on the right of his chest.

"Call me Robopixel, cuz' I'll patch your hurt heart!"

"The power of creativity that'll work up a storm!" Avery tossed Rose in the air for the first part of that sentence, awkwardly chuckling as they caught her in the second part of the sentence. Then, they spun one last time and widened their stance, their left hand forming a J on the left of their chest as they put Rose- now Roboteddy- in the lab coat's back pocket.

"Call me Robomecha, cause I'll make your heart spark!"

"With our lovely hearts, the future will start!"  Pixel and Mecha, now holding hands with each other, recited the speech while quickly spinning each other, transitioning to a playful embrace. Then they dramatically faced the enemy as they completed their second spin, posing with widened stances and salutes over their foreheads.

"We'll make your heart race! Magical Robodoki!"

***

By the time they finished, the entire ocean was turned into a slushy-like material. 

“Well, they’re desperate…” Pixel snarked.

“And they look bored.” Doki noted.

Sure enough, everything was indeed turned to ice cream, and they looked kinda bored as they ate.

“...be careful.” Doki warned. “If you eat the ice cream, it’s addictive. You might not even wanna fight.”

Mecha nodded. “Pixel, get ready to put the plan in place.”

Pixel nodded. “On it!!! Doki, prepare the barrier!”

“All ready.” Robodoki saluted.

“Robomecha Mechanize!”

Mecha smiled and pulled out their keyblade, holding in the air as they said the phrase. When they put the blade away, they pulled out Roboteddy. 

“Hi Roboteddy.” They touched the toy dog’s nose.

“SURF’S UP!” Roboteddy came alive, surrounded by orange gears. 

Giggling, Robomecha smiled and began to sculpt an ice cream truck out of the vanilla ice cream-sand before touching it as it came to life.

“AWESOME!” Roboteddy howled.

“Could you make an arcade too? Like carnival games?” Pixel asked.

“Might need to recharge real quick, first.” Mecha reminded.

“Or you could upgrade me.” Pixel smirked. 

“Oh it’s on!”

“Robomecha Upgrade!”

They shot out a wire towards Pixel, and a computer summoned in front of them as Pixel was hit. The text on the screen revealed to be a fill-in-the-blank prompt for an attack, and after completing it, they pressed enter. The wire and the screen faded.

As Pixel examined his new attack, Roboteddy rushed over and began licking the vanilla ice cream.

It was her first time actually eating ice cream, and she didn’t want it to end.

***

“...I don’t WANNA make my phone into an ice cream sandwich, though.” Bob groaned. 

“Same. I’m not THAT stupid.”

“Hello!”

The ice cream truck song played in the distance, perking their attention.

“FINALLY. I thought it would never come.” Booloo groaned.

But what about the ice cream world?

“You didn’t give us the ability to turn things into Beast Boy pops.” Booloo argued. “Come on!”

“Last one to the ice cream truck is a rotten egg!” Bob announced.

“It’s working…” Hino smirked. “One flame chain coming up…”

“Let them play and tire themselves out, first.” Pixel reminded him. “Sugar crashes are real.”

“Deal!” 

Hoshi smiled. “So…what’s with these?” she held up a Sailor Moon ice cream bar.

“I had to include them.” Mecha chuckled.

“...What does Booloo like?” Hoshi wondered. “If Bob’s getting one.”

Doki looked over at some ice cream bars of skulls with pink ribbons on them. “I think these are the answers.”

“We are monsters, we are proud.” Pixel realized. “Nice one.”

“I know my friends.” Mecha replied and handed Pixel a lime ice cream pop.

***

“...HOLY SHIT!” Booloo geeked. “...WHERE DID THIS ARCADE COME FROM?”

“Welcome, welcome, boys, girls and enbies alike!” Pixel walked over, as a ringmaster in a bright green outfit.

“...HOLY SHIT! YOU LOOK AWESOME!” Booloo geeked. “...AND ARE THOSE- DID YOU-”

“THE SAILOR MOON POP!” Bob geeked. “...And that looks like-”

“WE DON'T HAVE TO SAY GOODBYE CUZ FRIENDS LIKE THESE WILL NEVER DIE, BITCHES!” Booloo started to stim.

“Help yourselves, they’re on the house, you two.” Pixel winked.

Hino scoffed. “...That’s my cuz. Always HAS to be dramatic.” 

“Shhh. It’s working, isn’t it?” Hoshi scoffed.

“...Are the arcades…y'know-” Bob tried to not sound rude.

Pixel offered two cards. “Consider this to be my way of apologizing for those jokes, yesterday. Didn’t realized I’d hurt your feelings so much. Tunnel vision. Anyways, this is all an apology from yours truly.”

“Of course.”

“Hey!” Booloo was surprised as she held the card. “These…”

“Doki told us, these bad boys are strong enough to withstand any Raven curse.”

“...That explains the lack of red eyes.” Booloo glanced at the reflection caused by the DDR machine. “...LET’S DO THIS, BOB!”

“HELL YEAH!” Bob rushed in with her. 

“And now, we wait.” Mecha grinned before pausing. “Wait, where’s Teddy?”

***

“This is SOOOOOOO good.” Teddy was busy eating the ice cream sand. 

“Of course you’d say that. You don’t have a brain.” Cookie said and tried to pick her up.

“Catch me if you can!” Teddy ran over and began eating more of the ice cream.

“Well, she isn’t wrong.” Guy reminded. “God, this…actually tastes good.”

“Not you too.” Cookie groaned.

“Let’s just get Roboteddy back to the team.” Schmitty tried to get the group to focus. 

“ALRIGHT!” Glitch cheered.

***

“...Anyone else…feel kinda woozy?” Booloo panted. “...I gotta drink more water.”

“Yeah.” Bob sighed, pulling out Princess Peach Showtime. “Well, we got our prize.” 

“5000 tickets for that. Highway robbery.” Booloo smiled.

“...Okay.” Pixel spoke to himself.

Mecha giggled. “They’re getting woozy…”

“I would too.” Hino snarked. “...Should I use it now?”

“Nah. Phase 2 is calming them down via a dream illusion, thanks to Mecha. We’ll wrap them up while they’re snoozing.”

“Wait, WHAT?!” Mecha jolted. “You want me to do shut downs on them or something?!”

“No, no!” Pixel insisted. “...The same thing that allowed me to do arcade stuff is going to allow me to coax them into taking a nap. Then we’ll purify them, make sure they’re okay and not sick, and they’ll get to redo the prize.”

“Ohhhhhhhh.” Mecha said. “Gonna need to detransform real quick though.”

“No, you don’t have to redo that.” Pixel insisted. “You gave me tangible illusion powers.”

“Oh! Can I still help though?”

Hoshi nodded. “As long as Pixel ain’t nagging me 24/7.”

“Besides, I’ve got a few Mechanize ideas.” Pixel insisted. 

“Oh you’re ON!”

***
“...Shit.” Booloo cursed as she fell on the bench. “...I need to lie down.”

“Okay. Same.” Bob added.

“Now.” Doki whispered to the two. 

Pixel grinned. “Hell yes.”

“Showtime!” Mecha added. 

“You can go first.” Pixel smiled. “You know Booloo more than I do.”

Mecha began to stim. “I am ON IT!”

“...Ave?” Booloo groaned. “...I fucked up, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, biiiiiiiiig time, buddy…” Mecha nodded their head and began to quietly do a Robomecha Mechanize.

The arcade slowly began to transform, in orange lights.

“...I’m so stupid.” Booloo cursed. “...Can’t I just have patience for once?”

What was once the arcade illusion was now some sort of combination of a library and a bedroom. Rain sounds were playing and fireflies were flying up above a sunroof as rain fell during the night.

“Now we need music…” Hoshi said.

“We got that underway.”

Pixel pulled out his phone.

“....mmmph. Am…am I high?” Booloo rubbed her eyes.

“High on sugar.” Mecha sassed.

“Save it.” Booloo groaned. “I fucked up. I get it. I can’t help my cravings and impulsivity.” 

“I get it.” Mecha said, more calm now. “It’s a bitch, impulses. Especially when plans derail.”

Booloo covered herself up. “...yeah. Do you think you could tell me a bedtime story?”

“It’s still early afternoon, but why not?” Mecha shrugged.

“...I’m tired.” Booloo groaned. “...And clearly, they need me to nap. So...it would help.”

Mecha nodded and sat down beside Booloo. “Once…there was a group of friends…a bunch of good-freaky monster hybrids…Frankie, Ghoulia…hmmm…Clawdeen?”

“I love that movie.” Booloo murmured happily. “Draculaura…Cleo…”

She yawned.

“Exactly. And it was the day of the big Monster High scream-ball game…”

***

“There they are.” Schmitty looked over. 

Roboteddy howled happily. “Alright!”

“So…” Cookie sighed. “You got distracted by the ice cream?”

“I rarely eat food. And man, is it good!”

“Fair enough, sport.” Guy laughed and held her.

“Now to get to the others.” Glitch reminded everyone.

“Oooooooh, it’s just soooooooo good! I could go for some more, right now!” Roboteddy wagged her tail. “Guy, get a bucket. Stat!”

***

“...And even though they lost, they won in their hearts, with smiles as full as the moon, and with a friendship that would never die.” Mecha paused as they noticed Booloo snoozing. “The end.”

“...Awww.” Bob cooed as Booloo snored. “She looks cute when she’s sleeping.”

“One down, one left.” Doki whispered. “Now to get Bobby-kun.”

“...You want me to snooze?” Bob asked. “Figured. But...just, don’t make me count sheep. Do something more creative.” 

“Gotcha. Creativity IS my-” Mecha paused. “Thanks, Bob, I’ll remember that heads-up, for the future.”

“Guy would laugh at me in the parking lot.” Bob insisted.  “Please.”

Mecha nodded. “I guess you’re as gullible as him in that department. I’ll remember that. Cause I, Avery “Robomecha”  Bonny, have a plan. Doki, a bit of help, please?” they whispered to the team leader in cotton candy pink.

“Gotcha.” Doki nodded. 

“So, any ideas, Doki?” Mecha whispered.

“...Okay. This might sound weird, but-"

“Weird is my middle name.”

“-Bob watches old TV closedown idents when he has trouble sleeping.”

“Mood.” Mecha nodded.

“There’s one with a train with beds that cradle the Disney Junior head things, while there’s moons and slippers and beds in a town and stuff. And a lullaby- which I can handle.”

“WHOA! I CAN DO THAT COOL TRAIN STUFF!” Mecha began stimming.

“Let’s do this, Robomecha.” Doki grinned.

“...Well? I’m waiting.” Bob smiled.

“Okay, Robomecha Mechanize!”

Mecha smiled and pulled out their keyblade, holding in the air as they said the phrase. When they put the blade away, they began to draw a train with their finger, as well as a bright yellow crescent moon, as the illusion turned into a sleepytime town with sheep driving the train..

“...This feels nice.” Bob yawned, gaining pajamas and a Luna plushie in hand.

“Oh, yeah, I'll tell you somethin'

I think you'll understand

When I say that somethin'

I want to hold your hand

I want to hold your hand

I want to hold your hand”

“...My favorite lullaby.” Bob smiled softly.

“Oh, please, say to me

You'll let me be your man

And please, say to me

You'll let me hold your hand

You'll let me hold your hand

I want to hold your hand”

“Come on, buddy…” Mecha offered and helped him onto the train. “Let’s just ride together for a while.”

“I’d like that, yeah.” Bob admitted as he covered himself up. 

“And when I touch you

I feel happy inside

It's such a feelin' that my love

I can't hide

I can't hide

I can't hide”

The train passed by some houses, a few beds, some sheep farms, a slipper factory, and as he curled up he felt himself drift off.

“I like this train ride.” Mecha smiled and patted his head.

“Same. Thanks…for summoning it.”

Yeah, you got that somethin'

I think you'll understand

When I say that somethin'

I want to hold your hand

I want to hold your hand

I want to hold your hand”

“No problem, bud.” Mecha replied.

“And when I touch you

I feel happy inside

It's such a feelin' that my love

I can't hide

I can't hide

I can't hide”

Bob closed his eyes as they turned a corner, a smile on his face.

Yeah, you got that somethin'

I think you'll understand

When I feel that somethin'

I want to hold your hand

I want to hold your hand

I want to hold your hand

I want to hold your hand

And with that, he was fully asleep, and the illusion vanished.

“Teamwork makes the dream work.” Mecha giggled to themselves.

“Geez. You almost made ME sleep.” Pixel yawned. “...Can’t have a sunburn, though. Against my code.”

“AROOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

“What the FUCK was that?” Hoshi realized.

“...I was also wondering where Roboteddy went, and I’ve got my answer.” Doki sweated.

“ROBODOKI BARRIER!”

She thrusted her hands out, summoning a barrier around herself and the two.

“I’ll keep them asleep. You guys make sure they didn’t eat any of that ice cream. Because if they did, they will go apeshit when it leaves them.” Doki whispered.

“Now to see where that crazy gremlin dog is…” Mecha waltzed over before pausing. “Teddy…”

Roboteddy, snug in Guy’s arms, howled. “It’s soooooooooooo good, Mecha.”

“She’s right!” Guy bounced eagerly.

“Not you too…” Mecha groaned.

“...They ate the fucking ice cream, didn’t they?” Hino groaned.

“Well, I can’t blame Roboteddy. She doesn’t exactly have a brain.” Mecha reminded.

“Like, she’s dumb, or is it a Scarecrow song sorta thing?” Hoshi asked.

“It’s a stuffed animal thing.” Doki said. “I’ve…never seen a stuffed dog with a brain.”

“And my head I'd be a scratchin', While my thoughts are busy hatchin', If I only had a brain.” Pixel sung to himself. 

“Not the time. Read. The. Room.” Hino reminded.

“...Fine.” Pixel scoffed.

Beat.

 “...Hey, Guy?” He assumed a charming voice. “What’s eating ya, bud?”

“The ice cream, what else?” Guy asked, eyes wide and mouth watering.

“...Well…” He paused. “...clearly it’s not eating up the pounds.”

“Huh?” Teddy blinked.

“...I mean…” Pixel paused. 

He forgot the plushie was also a part of this.

And…do plushies gain weight?

He was pausing too long.

“...You look a little tubs, my Guy.” Pixel teased. “And Teddy, you don’t want a stomach ache, now do ya?”

Roboteddy growled, bearing her plush teeth.

“Wow, very threatening.” Pixel snarked. “Hino?”

“I have every right mind to dim your lights, Pixel. If the ice cream wasn’t so tempting.” Guy reminded.

“Look. Is it the ice cream talking?” Pixel sounded matter-of-fact. “Cause we JUST found out the ice cream has Lotus-Eater-Machine addiction abilities. Man. I knew you were gullible, but not ICE CREAM CRACK gullible, Jesus.”

“Huh?” Roboteddy was confused.

“It’s not every day there’s free ice cream.” Guy reasoned.

“As long as it’s just you and Roboteddy-” Pixel began.

Schmitty rushed over. “GUY WAS RIGHT! THIS ICE CREAM IS THE SHIT!”

“...oh no.” Pixel realized. “...There could be an ice cream zombie apocalypse. I mean…did anyone else-”

Cookie groaned as he restrained Schmitty. “No, Glitch got the rest of the beach goers to NOT eat the ice cream. He even managed to coax A TODDLER not to put the ice cream in her mouth. A TODDLER had more restraint…”

“I did great, Uncle Pixel…mostly.” Glitch was embarrassed by the current situation.

“...Yeah, yeah, now can ya PLEASE restrain them so they don’t knock me out?!?” Pixel sweated. 

Hino grinned. “Robohino Flame Chain…”

The chain tied all three of them together.