Chapter Text
Drip…Drip…Drip
Pebble’s terrifying bark echoed throughout the restaurant walls. Boxten’s hands slipped from the half-filled extractor’s valve. It was only the 6th out of 7 machines.
Even if Ren tried running from here, they knew it’d be too late. Twisted Pebble’s speed was undeniable, Boxten stood no chance, even with speedy shoes.
It was 2 seconds, Ren anticipated it. They didn’t even try running. Then came the familiar yet disappointing crunching sound. Boxten’s form exploding into ichor.
THAT’S A WRAP!
Ren teleported back to the lobby, in disappointment. They had actually found a decent public matchmaking team there, but the pro Looey had to leave on floor 16.
Their other team members dropped like dominos after that. First was a Roger, the research addict that flew to close to a Twisted Vee’s leg. Second was a Ginger, the unfortunate healer with one hp. Lastly was a Poppy, a beginner who somehow made it as far as she did. She died to a Shrimpo of all things.
After that, Ren only had to make it through at least 5 floors as Boxten before they called it a night. They unfortunately only made 4, up to floor 19. What a shame.
Boxten was no survivalist though. They shouldn’t have expected much. Well, I mean they did once beat Dyle’s challenging floor as Boxten, complete all 25 extractors BY THEMSELF mind you.
So maybe it was a skill gap. Maybe it was sleep deprivation, it was 1am after all.
They should probably sleep.
Then, the higher chance for a twisted poster reset. Twisted Bassie.
Right as they were about to sleep, REALLY?
Grey, fully mastered Boxten’s little feet walked up to the poster, along the rainbow carpet.
Ren stared sadly at the Twisted Bassie on the poster. They checked their research levels on her. 70%. They stared at the Twisted Bassie on the poster. They checked their research levels. They stared at the Twisted Bassie on the poster. They checked their research levels.
Ren, as Boxten, let out an annoyed groan. Other players turning to glance at them but end up minding their own business.
Ren really wants to get Bassie.
He wanted recreational runs today, not grinding. But fate is testing him.
Dandy’s world, it’s a Roblox game, no, it’s an addicting drug disguised as one.
Because there is no other reason as to why, Ren, a gamer, a pro if they feel a little confident, should BE THIS unhinged over a freaking TOON.
They had no choice, they had to play as him.
Ren checked their toons. They scrolled down to find him.
Roger. Equip.
Roger appeared as the new toon Ren was playing as. Ren was wearing his lazy skin, dark blue plaid PJs and the black shirt. Ren wonders if canonical lore accurate Roger would ever wear it.
Welp, time to go farm.
As Ren was about to turn around and walk into another elevator to another public matchmaking catastrophe, a pop up window slid down from the top of their screen.
MILKYWILKYWAY9000 has joined the experience
Ren turned around to see the spawning point. In the area of other toons spawning in, they could recognize a username in the crowd.
Their friend, generational Boxten sweat, Pixie joined their game.
Ren met Pixie through public matchmaking, if you can believe it. Ren had made it to floor 25 with him and he did extremely well before dying to an annoying Twisted Bassie during a spring fever. Ren was distracting as Pebble and well, there was no chance to go solo after that.
After that, Pixie friend requested Ren and since he was too good a player, Ren accepted.
They exchanged discords and have been duoing in random games ever since, they always end up as the only two alive. Pixie was really skilled and Ren wondered why he never changed his toon. He could fare really well as a survivalist toon.
Pixie seemed to finally load in, he made his way to where Ren was standing and said “Hello!”
Pixie never changed skin. He was always “Winged Chords” Boxten. Ren always assumed he was doing a challenge where he always plays as Boxten. Ren has never seen him play as any other character.
Ren replied back. “Hey there! Wanna duo?”
“Sure!” Pixie said enthusiastically.
Ren, and in turn, Roger, let out a sigh of relief.
Pixie, as Boxten chuckled.
“I was about to leave, actually. But then Bassie became the higher chance twisted and you know how it is.” Ren explained.
Pixie nodded along in understanding. “I get it. Off topic, but Qwel seriously needs to update her game.”
Ren rolled their eyes. “Oh, yeah.” They nodded along.
Pixie scoffed “Right!? I mean, no wonder veteran players are leaving now, this game is garbage!”
“Yet, you are the biggest sweat at it that I know.” Ren retorted. “You aren’t any better! Look, now you’re gonna grind for Bassie now.” Ren burst out laughing. “Wha-no! That’s not what I–“ Pixie sputtered uselessly, Boxten’s face slowly turned red. Other players passing by laughed and chirped “Ayo!” As they overheard the conversation.
Pixie just sighed and ran off to, presumably, an elevator. Ren was not far behind. Though, they were still dying of laughter.
“C’mon!” Ren yelled, still flustered.
Then, suddenly, Pixie’s Boxten just…vanished.
Ren’s chest heaved. They stopped abrupty.
No elevators were entered, none closed or open with a toon. Just nothing.
Ren looked around, circling the tree.
Pixie had disappeared.
Did he just disconnect?
Ren sighed. “Greaaat…” he groaned loudly. Guess they’ll have to do this on their own.
The first thing Pixie did was squeeze his eyes. Maybe it was because he blacked out and was just gaining back consciousness. Or maybe it was the obnoxious cacophony of voices he started to hear. He could barely make out the words, the voices sounded cartoonish and annoyingly so.
Pixie tried to open his eyes, bad idea. His eyes were attacked by a lightbulb shining into his vision, he immediately closed it. His body moved in sync, his breath hitching in surprise, he must’ve let out a groan of discomfort.
Or any indication that he was conscious because the voices stopped.
Pixie laid for a moment before he tried opening his eyes again. He adjusted them to the light by rapidly blinking. He could see a ceiling, dark grey with a bubble pattern.
Where the heck was he?
He sat up, the mattress he laid on dipping slightly to his weight.
Then he was greeted by 4 very bewildered faces.
First was a Shelly, who looked very cautious of him, her hands curled inwards on her chest. There was a Sprout right next to her, who looked just as cautious, but with a fierce and apprehensive posture. Behind them were two scared toons who glanced from behind the shoulders of the first two. A Poppy and a fellow Boxten.
The first thing Pixie took notice of was that none of them had skins. The second was the location.
He scanned around the room, it seemed to be Poppy’s room from the role-play servers. The pink and blue walls, the big bookshelf, the wardrobe, the vanity, the aesthetically pleasing plants. As Pixie glanced down he saw the mattress was pink. Pixie could catch a specific aroma from being in here…it smelled…fruity?
Or was that just Sprout? Who knows.
“Who are you?” Aforementioned Sprout said. He had a stern and fierce tone.
“Uh…” Pixie didn’t know what to reply. He barely caught wind of whatever this situation was. He was also incredibly confused. Where was he? Where was Ren? Why was he in this comfortably fruity smelling bedroom with 4 people who are acting very strangely. He was kinda scared. He scooted backwards, away from the angry strawberry.
Sprout took a deep breath, “Tell us now–“ Shelly cut in. “Sprout, I don’t think he knows what’s happening either.”
Sprout frowned. Shelly stepped forward.
“Hi, um…Boxten, right?”
A lot of people called him by his toon. He never felt the need to correct them. This situation was exceedingly weird so he doesn’t know how to feel right now.
“Yes?” He said, he sounded unsure to his own ears.
“Okay. Do you know me?” Shelly asked.
Pixie nodded.
“Do you know us?” Shelly asked.
Pixie nodded again.
The 3 toons behind her all perked up in surprise at that.
“Could it be…” Sprout mumbled.
Pixie could not guess whatever was going on the heads of the toons in front of him. Boxten and Poppy looked considerably distraught, their pupils small with a deep frown. Pixie just felt confused, he felt his brows furrow.
“What happened?” Pixie said loudly. Well, as loud as he could. He felt pretty awful, tired, and his voice was worn out. His throat felt like sandpaper
“We…uhm…” Shelly paused. “Poppy and Boxten found you lying on the floor of the warehouse.“
Lying on the floor of the warehouse. Found by Poppy and Boxten. Pixie tried to recollect his memories.
It was 1am. Pixie decided to log in for a chill round tonight, he noticed Ren was online. Perfect, that was his main duo buddy. He also needed more research on Dandy to complete his goal of getting all trinkets, sue him, it’s rough out here. He spawned in, Ren was playing as Roger to farm for Bassie. Pixie had an embarrassing wrong wording moment, and he was about to walk into an elevator when…
He must’ve teleported here somehow.
And he must’ve also blacked out. He doesn’t remember anything after that.
“Um, excuse me!” Poppy spoke up from the back, her voice could only be described as…blaring. Nobody seemed fazed except for Pixie who winced at the noise. Poppy let out a quick “sorry”. “Are you actually Boxten?” She asked as a follow up.
“Well- I can see that there’s” Pixie gestured to the other Boxten lazily “two of us so…you can call me “P” if that’d be easier.” God, he sounded really pathetic. The hoarse throat wasn’t doing him wonders either. Despite the toons staring at him like a wild animal, he felt like the prey in this situation. He didn’t notice how he purposefully made himself small.
The fossil at the front nodded and then became the first individual in the room to crack out a smile. “Alrighty, P. Do you know why you ended up at the warehouse?”
He shook his head, “No, I do not.” He said dryly. Both physically and figuratively. Shelly hummed understandingly, her smile softening. “Well, I’ll be honest, P. I don’t understand what’s happening and how you ended up here, but I’ll do my best to help you.”
Sprout scoffed from behind her “Help him? Shelly! We don’t even know who he is! I mean yeah, he looks like Boxten but he could be an evil clone for all we know!”
“Sprout—“ Shelly was cut off “We’re already dealing with so much trouble from the twisteds and I–…“ he paused. “I don’t want to see anyone else get hurt.” He finished sadly.
At that, something in Pixie’s brain clicked. These people…were acting so serious. They looked worn out, the slight eye-bags under the strawberry’s eyes, the tired frown on the shell’s face, the two beginner toons’ posture hunching. It was as if their world had ended.
And the way they were talking. Pixie wasn’t a giant lore geek like one of his friends, but he did enjoy some Game Theory videos. The first time he played, he read character descriptions out of curiosity. The way these people were talking was kind of like the actual character descriptions for the toons.
Pixie had read some comics here and there. Sprout was sometimes overbearingly overprotective and a little pushy. Shelly was kind and sweet, but would end up forgotten. Poppy was loud and a little ditzy, but always optimistic. Boxten, Pixie’s goat, was introverted and quiet but “tried his best to make others smile”.
Poppy cleared her throat exaggeratedly loud.
The atmosphere in the room was tense and solemn. Sprout was looking down at the floor like it was the worst thing he had ever seen.
“Well, uh- If you think about it!” Poppy started, “This isn’t so bad! I mean, Boxten has a twin now!” She grinned “And there’s no version of Boxten that could ever be bad!”
Except for the twisted version. Pixie thought, but he didn’t say it.
Boxten must’ve had the same thought, he looked pretty embarrassed. Poppy grit her teeth in her grin, nudging Boxten with her elbow, she mumbled something into his ear. “Oh! Uh…Ye-Yeah! He seems uh- n-nice!” Boxten managed to squeak out.
Shelly sighed, exasperated. She put a hand on Sprouts back and rubbed it. “Sprout, why don’t you go check in with Cosmo. I heard he made something today.”
Sprout gave her a quick smile but then retained his defeated expression and went off out the door.
Oh.
These “people” weren’t just players playing as specific toons. No.
They were the real deal. They are toons.
Pixie might’ve shit his pants at the realization. He wiggled his hips into the mattress to test that theory.
Nope, still has his dignity.
The remaining toons in the room were still looking at him, two of them were gawking.
Shelly, the only one who wasn’t, fully approached the bed where Pixie was sitting.
“So, P. Do you remember anything before you got here?” She asked kindly.
Yeah, you were all game characters and I was about to play as one of you.
“I…” he started. Well, he had to give them something. “I-I wuz goin’ to get in an elevator with my friend when–“ he stopped. His voice sounded like an old man’s. Just saying that sentence was causing him pain. Could someone give him some water?
“Do you want water?” Poppy spoke.
The pastel Boxten gave her a thumbs up. She nodded, grabbing Boxten’s arm, they bolted out the door. Pixie’s attention was turned back to Shelly who looked at him with patience.
“When they get back and you drink, are you able to tell me about yourself?” She asked. Pixie nodded.
Her smile grew, “Great!”. She hummed, “While we wait, do you mind if I tell you about some fossil facts? Just as a time passer…I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” The pastel Boxten managed.
Shelly beamed. Pixie noticed her shoulders relaxed. He didn’t even know they were tense. “Did you know that fossils aren’t actually real bones?” Pixie raised an eyebrow.
“Yes!” Shelly kneeled at his bedside, resting her shoulders on the mattress. Looking up at him, she rambled on. “They are actually more closely acquitted to stone. Over millions of years, all the organic stuff rotted away and the minerals from the ground seeped in and turned it into stone! So technically, fossils are just rocks shaped exactly like a bone!”
“They should call you “Rocky” Instead.” Pixie joked. He hoped it would land.
Shelly giggled. Yes, it did. The grating pain was worth it.
Quick footsteps could be heard, Poppy and Boxten stopped running right in vicinity of the door. As Poppy abruptly stopped, some of the water in the glass she was holding swished up from inside and a small amount of it fell and dropped onto the floor.
“Whoops. Sorry!”
“Poppy! Be more careful!” Shelly scolded. “I’m sorry!” Poppy repeated. She approached Pixie and set the glass on the desk at his right side. Boxten was right behind her.
Pixie glanced at his cup. 20% of it fell from when Poppy decided to run over here, but it was probably enough. He was reminded of how thirsty he was.
Pixie grabbed it and drank the entire thing.
That made a major difference. Pixie coughed and cleared his throat. Finally, some moisture.
“Are you okay?” Shelly again.
Pixie cracked out a smile, “never better.”
Shelly met him back with another smile. “Glad to hear that.” She stood up from her kneeling position. “So, P. You seem better now. Is it okay if I ask for your side of the story?”
“Yes.” The pastel Boxten sat up straight. Shelly nodded.
“I was joining my friend to go on a…uh…expedition?” He didn’t know if he should describe it as “runs”. He still doesn’t know the situation with these toons. He paused abruptly. But Shelly was nice, she was patient with him.
He eventually continued. “Then we were about to go on an elevator.” They probably understand the concept of elevators, right? “I was about to walk into it but…I think that was where I blacked out, and I woke up here.”
“What kind of expedition?” Boxten muttered.
“The uh…gathering resources kind!” Pixie said. “For what?” Poppy asked.
“Oh…” Pixie froze. His mind racing on what he should reply. He derived from their mannerisms and conversation that they were the actual toons from Dandy’s World, the game. He must be in some weird alternate in-canon universe that he accidentally noclipped into. He decided to just go for it.
“Something…bad happened at- at Gardenview, that’s- that’s where I used to live. Well, I mean I still live there but it’s-…it’s not safe anymore.”
Shelly stiffened. Poppy and Boxten were staring at him sympathetically. This gave Pixie the confidence to continue.
“I- uh…was gonna go down a couple of floors and–“ “and fill up some extractors?” Shelly cut in.
Pixie just stared at her. And he guesses that was all she needed because judging by her empathetic expression, she seemed confident in trusting him now.
“Well, P. I don’t know how you got here or what exactly went on in your Gardenview, but you’re here now!” Poppy said. Shelly nodded enthusiastically. Boxten still seemed shy but he gave a slight smile.
Pixie could tell Poppy was still a little confused by her tone. As for Boxten, his soft smiling face was unreadable.
“Thank you. Uh…where am I?, sorry for asking…” Pixie questioned. As a test for a final confirmation.
“No, it’s okay. Uh…How do I say this…” Shelly chuckled nervously. “P, You’re in Gardenview. Well, I think it’s a different Gardenview from where you’re originally from.”
“Really?” Poppy chirped. Pixie shifted into a criss-cross applesauce position. “I might be either really wrong or really right. But from everything I’ve heard from you…” Shelly put her knuckles on her chin…or well, the bottom of her shell.
“You might be from an alternate universe…?” Shelly said.
“WHAT!?” Poppy said, well, basically, she screamed. Shelly scratched the back of her head, nervously. Shell. Head. Shell-head.
“I mean– what do you mean an alternate universe!? Is that true!? Are those things ever real!? And you’re Boxten! Boxten from–“ Poppy gasped, “Is there an alternate universe ME!?”
From behind her, quiet compared to the excited bubble, Boxten’s eyes widened and his mouth was slightly open. “Wait…Alternate…Universe?”
The studious fossil turned to Pixie. “P, can I ask you about your Gardenview.”
Hooh boy. Pixie isn’t actually from another Gardenview, moreso, he’s from a game universe where they can play the horrific universe of Dandy’s world like a game. He really doesn’t want to say that, though. I mean, it sounds like a lie in itself. They’ll never believe him probably and it’d be really awkward to just say that. He has no choice, he’s gotta make up a story on the spot.
Pixie took a deep breath. “Well, for starters, Dandy had a show. Uh…I don’t think I was in any episodes.”
It’s okay to be slightly inaccurate, right? They do think I’m from an alternate reality.
“It was fun…for a while. Everything was fine and dandy.”
Shit, okay. Act a bit sad on this part.
Pixie furrowed his eyebrows and frowned in a solemn manner. He glanced up to see the other toons looking at him with pity. Good.
He continued, “Then, the humans…they- they left. Then, the Ichor thing. I don’t know the details, If I’m honest. Nobody really filled me in. But…Dandy started acting weird after that.”
Huh, what if he builds up the backstory and slightly alters it into fitting the actual gameplay mechanics. It would make his lie easier.
That might be a good idea.
“Um…us toons had 3 hearts to go off of. So when…these clones of us called twisteds…whatever the ichor did, it made them malicious and- and it…we had to avoid them.” Pixie sighed. “I’ve had my fair share of…runs…?” He tested. He looked up at Shelly when he said “runs”. Her eyes lit up in recognition. Yes.
The fossil nodded. “I see…well…is it okay if I let you in on ours?” Shelly sat down onto the bed by its side, the mattress slowly dipped under her weight.
The pastel box nodded.
Shelly looked up as if she was looking at memory bubble Pixie couldn’t see.
“It all started with a show.” She said.
“When the Dandy’s World show first started, me and my friends were included. It was Dandy, Astro, Sprout, Vee, and me. All 5 of us were main characters.”
Shelly smiled fondly. “In the episodes, we would go on fun adventures, make great memories, and play. A bunch of playing together for the children.”
“They were a lot of fun, the episodes.” She sighed dreamily.
“Then, two very important people made Gardenview. A museum made for showing off—well…us! In using a substance called ichor, which you probably already know of, they made us! The brought toons to life and well– we were all really happy.”
“Us main characters, we had handlers! They were humans who were really nice and would keep us company, supervise, take care of us…”
“My handler was a really nice lady, she…” the fossil paused. It was as if remembering that memory pained her, her expression turning sour.
“Sorry, where was I? Oh right! Gardenview.”
…
“Then there was the abrupt ending.” She said with a tired expression.
“I think it was…June 29th, 2002. They suddenly just…shut everything down. No more Gardenview, no more handlers, and…no more special company.” The fossil frowned.
“The handlers left?” Pixie spoke.
Shelly nodded once. “All of them. Now it’s just us toons.”
“As for…the ichor situation…I’m unsure what caused it, actually. I just know that there are a bunch of ichor infected clones of us running amok in different floors of Gardenview. Jeez, you know, the place is really large.”
The pastel box tilted his head. “Twisteds? They’re clones of you?”
“Yes. But we don’t know what caused it. So we’re cautious for anything that matches us.”
“That’s why Sprout was so unfriendly with you! You can’t blame a strawberry for being so suspicious!” Poppy said.
“Well, I understand.” Pixie replied.
*Wow, that was a lot to take in at once.* Pixie thought. At least he’s up to speed on the story behind this universe. Who knows if any of this is canon. At least Shelly is nice, she’s like a grounding presence. And about Sprout…god, these toons have some damage.
…GROWLLLLL…
Speaking about strawberries…
“Oh! You’re hungry. Gosh, we really need to stock up on food. Hey, Boxten. Can you go see if Cosmo has anything to spare?” Shelly said.
The music box simply nodded before walking off. Poppy stayed behind this time.
“Hey, uh– P, was it?” Poppy approached him, sitting down on the bedside adjacent to where Shelly was also sitting. Their combined weight made the mattress drop slightly lower.
“Can you tell me about your universe? Actually– specifically me! How am I? No- what am I like!?”
Oh. Well this is going to be awkward.
Most Poppy players Pixie encounters are beginners who die on floor 1 or die on floor 3-5 if they’re lucky. Or they’re just a griefer who has too much time on their hands.
He’s grown to hate that bubble face. Now that she, a sentient being, is looking at him with such anticipation, childish wonder, and hope. He’s a little guilty. Maybe he shouldn’t have gone with the alternate universe approach.
“Oh uh…”
Poppy’s happy eyes bore into him like a spike. He turns to Shelly to plead silently for help. His eyes meet hers in a frantic movement. Shelly seems to understand as she chuckles nervously.
“Hey, Poppy. P seems a little exhausted. I mean, he just probably fell out of an inter-universal wormhole. You should probably give him some rest.”
“Poppy’s straight posture deflates like a balloon, but she eventually nods her head as she stands up. She walks out of the room. “Bye, P! Chat to me later!” She said as she left.
Now it was just the two of them, him and Shelly. Based on her lore, Pixie doesn’t really understand why people ignore or forget Shelly. She could easily have a great role as the kind and nurturing mother of the main cast.
Seeing her gentle smile and her caring attitude really helped Pixie in keeping track of his surroundings and understanding the situation. He felt a pang of sympathy for her.
God, shut up. She’s literally right next to you.
Pixie turned back to Shelly who smiled back.
“Boxten’s taking a while.” He mentioned. Shelly hummed back.
“Do you feel okay to stand?” Shelly asked.
“Yeah, I do.”
Shelly nodded and stood up from her seat on his bedside. She took a step back to let him try to stand but still keeping a close watch.
Pixie threw his legs to his left. His feet hit the floor and he stood.
“We should go to the cafeteria to eat. It’d also be a great opportunity to meet the other toons.” Shelly said.
Other toons. Riiiiiiiiiiight…
Pixie felt a little nervous. Well if you think about it, the other toons are probably just as nervous as he is. He’s basically a stranger to them, even if he’s wearing the face of one of their friends. Well, that makes it creepier. Imagine if a stranger wore the face of one of your friends.
“Let’s go!” Shelly exclaimed, walking to the door. She gestured for Pixie to follow her.
Pixie followed after and they walked out of the room.