Evening had finally approached and generally the day had been quite.. dreary. Everyone had kind of been.. a little down based on everything happening the last few dsys. Even the brightest of the groups hadn't been feeling exactly the greatest and.. it honestly was looking pretty dull for the future.. if you looked at the bad side, at least.

Robot Flower, however, was excited to see her friend Tv after being away from him for so long. The whole reason why she went to the warehouse in the first place was because of Tv and to stop whoever was controlling him. She got more than she bargained for but.. despite this she was still really looking forward to being able to talk to him after all this time. She was.. surprised he hadn't already approached her at lunch. She thought nothing of it, though.

It was dinnertime and a lot of objects had retreated to their rooms to eat, however groups were still in the cafeteria. Robot Flower had asked Tree to join her in seeing Tv, and of course he agreed because they were friends and.. honestly it would be nice to see the object he was supposedly electrocuted for.

"I haven't seen him in so long.." She wearily spoke and looked to the ground as they were walking to the cafeteria together, clearly sounding kind of nervous. Tree shrugged, having his arms crossed "Well.. I'm sure nothing much has changed. He should be happy to see you, actually"

She sighed, trying to believe him "Y-Yeah.. I hope he's been okay here with Roboty.." Earlier after informing Tennisball of the bad news about Nickel and Anchor, she went to talk to Roboty. He seemed pleased to see her and she was likewise... Roboty didn't even mention Tv, though.

"Should be..." Tree mumbled and trailed off, kind of missing his friends in these moments.. the fact she was talking about it made him feel a little down. She didn't notice though, pushing her way through the cafeteria doors.

"Now, where is he?" She put her hands on her hips happily, searching the area for Tv. Tree took a moment to look around, becoming confused and tensing, uncrossing his arms.

"...What is Tv doing with Free Food..?"

"What?-" she instantly replied and paid attention towards where Free Food usually sat, taking a few seconds to take in the view.. Tree was right. Sitting with them was Tv, seemingly looking bored and miserable .. maybe it was some sort of mistake?

"Do you think.. Two put him with them..?" Tree asked her hesitantly, looking to her with concern.. why would Two want to do that..? She was unsure likewise "I..I.. I don't-.. " thinking about it frustated her..she became angry, going to storm over to the table in a rage.

Why would Tv be there? She hoped nothing had changed too much since she left.. she left BECAUSE she wanted to help Tv. What was the point of leaving for him if.. he had changed.. surely he hadn't changed? There had to be a good reason for this. She began to not feel so good.

"Tv!" She called out to get him to look over, making her way over to him. The group turned boredly as they heard her voice, Bell groaning quietly and tutting "I thought she died out there.." she muttered unhappily, looking away in irritation. Puffball made an exaggerated sigh "Noope.." she popped the "p" as she spoke.

"Tv! What the hell are you doing sitting with.." she realised her tone of voice so decided to pack it in, not wanting to seem like she .. didn't like Two. Sometimes she forgot she still had to pretend to like them. "...Why didn't you say hello to me?" Yellowface didn't like her attitude but let this play out, knowing well that she wouldn't like this. Bell smirked and looked away.

"...Oh, hi." He didn't even look at her, looking at the table. "I mean, ..I didn't really care.. that you came back." He admitted shamelessly, kind of irritated. She physically flinched hearing this.. "..Wh-..What..? Tv.."

Tree caught up, panting and trying to catch his breath as he peered over Robot Flower to see the rest of the group. They freaked him out so he kept distance, making a small and quiet sound of digust before looking over to Tv "..Hey.. er, Tv.. what are you-"

"What the hell do you mean you don't care?!" she suddenly raged, Tree jumping. "What.-?" He asked but she ignored him, grabbing Tv and forcing him to look at her, him startled but not showing it. "What the hell has gotten into you?! I left to HELP you! Don't you care I almost died for you?!"

Yellowface smirked, looking down but not speaking. Bell scoffed as she was being so aggressive "Calm downnn.. jeez.." she smirked smugly. "I mean, maybe we did do a liiiiiittle tweaking to him while you were gone so.. he's different now..oopsies "

She was in disbelief, looking over to Tv "Wh-What...? Tv,-" she let go, feeling nauseated as she held her arns "..I.. You wouldn't do that to him!" She spat back at Bell, who yawned in response.

"Tell that to your friend. He doesn't even like you now.. so.. I wouldn't call him your friend anymore.." she snickered and trailed off at the end of her sentence, angering Robot Flower further.. "..How..how COULD YOU?!"

"Don't yell like that." Yellowface demanded coldly, making her glare at him. She felt so upset, giving Tv another look.. had they seriously taken away her friend? Why hadn't Basketball said so.. or Tennisball..?

"How could you..do that to him-?" She croaked, before slamming her hands down on the bench "HE WAS MY FRIEND!" She wanted to hurt them badly but had to hold back. Tree quickly tried to intervene and grab her to pull her back, biting his lip.. "Let's just.. leave, okay?-"

"No Tree!" She shoved him off and made him stumble back, her glaring back over to the group "You've ruined him! All you do is ruin things!" she would be on the verge of tears if she could cry, a little shaken up. She felt so angry and distraught at the news.. disgusted that they would do that to her friend. He wasn't the same anymore.. he didnt care about her.. or that she left for him.. almost died for him, lost friends for him.. who was to blame here? She felt angry at Tv too but it was Free Foods fault... he wanted to grab him and shake him out of it, her systems close to overloading due to feeling overwhelmed.

"Do you even care about me..?" She looked to Tv desperately, who seemed bored of her emotional outburst.. "I would be sorry but.. I'm not. Please just leave me alone?" He asked of her. "You're making me uncomfortable." He turned away.

"N-..No!-" she backed up, Tree doing the same and brushing himself off, glancing off to the side. "What have they done to you.. you were so caring!" She cried, Tree putting a hand on her shoulder "H-Hey-"

"Tv please! You don't belong with them, they're all crazy!" She begged him. Yellowface raised an eyebrow "I really wouldn't say that if I were you.. I mean, I don't think Two would be very happy-"

"Oh shut UP Yellowface!" she screamed, cutting him off. He didn't like that, her turning away.. she knew she had gone too far but couldn't help it. Tv would've never have wanted to be like Free Food.. they were pathetic and were horrible for the things they do. Tv was the opposite.. he wanted to help out the survivors just like Robot Flower.. now he was nothing more than a mindless robot that wanted to kill "the enemy", lacking empathy.

Tree rubbed her shoulder, looking at Free Food wearily before looking to her. "Come on,.. we should just go.."

"All of that was for nothing.." she sniffed, holding her arms again and ignoring Tree "..Going to the warehouse was a waste of time.." she muttered quietly so she didn't make it obvious where they had been since she knew Yellowface owned that warehouse. "We went there to help Tv and.. we return to him like THAT. "

"He isn't that baddd.." Bell mocked her, swinging with a large mean smile. Robot Flower glared at her, growling lowly "You ruined one of my closest friends!"

"Ruined?" Yellowface held back a smile. "Whatever do you mean? Are you implying that us making him more useful to our side is "ruining" him?" Yellowface knew why he was saying this, and she knew too.. to catch her out saying bad things about Two and their side. She growled before yelling somw incoherent sound, turning around in a rage and going to walk away from the situation, too frustrated to deal with this.

"H-Hey- Robot Flower-" Tree tried to jog to catch up to her, looking behind himself over at the group at the table... he hadn't got through to her at all and she has just ignored him. "Are you.. alright-"

"No Tree, I'm not!" she hissed at him, stopping and glaring over to him. He stopped too. "We went to the warehouse for NOTHING. Our friends? They died for nothing!"

Tree wearily looked away from the table "N-Not.. all for nothing.." He whispered quietly "We still have a group that are trying to-"

"A small group.." she cut off, angry but making sure to be quiet as to not be heard. "It's practically..useless! After how many we lost too.. we lost 5 of us so far out of EVERYONE who was going to help .." she whisper-shouted back, before sighing loudly. "It's like.. he's just the complete opposite.."

Tree awkwardly stared as she was clearly upset, unsure on how to handle the situation and handle her feelings. Obviously she must've been.. absolutely horrified finding out they had turned one of her best friends into ..another replica of Free Food. Just another killing machine..

"Isn't there a way to turn him back or something?"

"I..I don't know- I don't know what they did.." she held her head "Oh, I don't know! This is stressing me out, Tree!" She began to storm off again, him surprised at her sudden stress. "..But what did I say-!"

He followed her out of the cafeteria doors, trying to stop her "H-Hey! Wait up!" He called with his hands cupping the sides of his mouth, trying to jog to her. She spun around again, irritated "Just leave me ALONE!!" She yelled at him coldly, shoving him back harshly.

He was surprised at her sudden physical contact, stumbling from her shoving, falling back onto the ground. She felt bad instantly after, calming down "L-Look just.. leave me alone for a little ..okay? I-I ..need to think.." she trailed off and avoided looking at him, quickly trying to escape the situation. She was upset that she had acted that way towards him.. she felt kind of awful

She felt shitty about losing her friends.. losing Tv and treating Tree poorly. She was so sick of all of this.. she didn't want to look back at Tree, leaving to her room. She didn't deserve any of her friends, which was why they were all being taken away.
---

"All ready?" Golfball interrogated Fries and Blackhole curiously, squinting and looking Fries up and down to make sure he had no injuries that could cause major problems in the future. "Are you sure you don't want any robotics?" She brought up again.

"No.. I'm okay, ha." He gave a awkward laugh, looking to the ground sheepishly "I-Ive never uhh, been into that sorta thing."

"Good luck!" Blocky wished, giving Fries an unexpected hug and squeezing  him tight, lifting him off thw ground. He was surprised, gently patting Blockys back and looking around, uneasy "Ah.. thanks. I hope to see you soon..but err, please put me down..?"

This would be the last time they would see each other for a while.. after the planned raid things were probably going to be more difficult on Twos side. Honestly Fries was dreading it..  going back there and suffering again. However.. he needed to be there for Donut and.. anyone else who would need his help. Blocky finally put him down, him stumbling backwards and trying to catch his balance.

He was just glad the prisoners were finally going to be free.

It was sundown and the group were just saying their goodbyes. Pen was so nervous to see Blackhole go, hoping that Two would beleive the story that they had fabricated "You sure you're definitely okay with this.. right? You'll have to be all.. lovey dovey to Two and pretend you actually like them.." Pen filled with his thumbs, having his hands close to his mouth from nervousness.

"I know..I know.." Blackhole sadly sighed "..But.. as long as it makes it more believable then that's okay." He seemed uncomfortable with the idea but it was clear that he was pushing himself. Golfball noticed this, feeling a little guilty. Honestly she had been hesitant and awkward around him since their whole incident.. even if they talked about it after.. so.. to now see him go like this.. "Good luck.." she muttered, wishful.

"Ah..thank you." He appreciated it.. especially since it was from Golfball of all objects. Fries lunged his shovel over his shoulder, looking around at each of their faces. "You guys know that.. not all the prisoners may want to ..er.. stay here, right? If..some leave, then.. you'll have to let them."

"I'm sure Eraser will wanna stay!" Pen exclaimed joyfully, cheering yo at the thought of seeing his buddy again. Lightning scratched his head "I haven't seen him for so long.."

"Maybe because we sent him off weeks ago??" Fanny hissed at him, pointing out the obvious. Jr smirked at her remark, before sighing and sitting down with a thump, tired. "Let's hope that there's no crazy fucking fire or snow while you're out there... I mean, it seems to be pretty normal right now.. so."

"I can't wait to see Eraser! I.. haven't seen Clock in a while, either." Blocky proudly exclaimed, thinking about it with his hand on his chin. "Man.. to think of it, me and Clock didn't hang out much before the war.. I.. hope he's doing okay."

"Had you fallen out?" Naily curiously questioned.

"N-No he.. was just.. not around." Blocky bit his lip, putting his arms to his sides. "It's just.. it's a little awkward since we haven't really talked in a while and.. we were really good friends..ha.." Woody pat his shoulder to comfort him, him giving him a soft smile of thankfulness.

"We will meet the day after tomorrow to help out the prisoners." Golfball firmly established, putting her foot down to catch their attention "I will need time to work on RoboTB so.."

"That's okay. " Fries assured. Bomby was worried about all of this.., "I really hope this works.. " Naily nodded in agreement "Y-Yeah.!. Two is really mean. So are Yellowface and all that so.. be careful, okayy?."

"I will..I will-" Blackhole laughed softly, trying to reassure them. It was difficult when he was struggling to even convince himself. Lollipop stood away from the crowd, feeling sick from all the goodbye stuff.

She didn't want to say goodbye.. not so soon. She had got used to having Fries around..what if she never saw him again? Or Blackhole.. nobody was thinking of that possibility. She never usually got this paranoid but.. this situation really brought back memories from the past.

It made her reflect.. too. Blocky had Eraser, Pen and Clock.. Pen the same. Pen had Blackhole and he had Tree and Pen, Bomby had Naily and Jr and they all had each other. Lightning had Fanny.. 8-ball had Tennisball (probably at least because Golfball likes to deny his existence so who knows if he's alive) and Basketball apparently. He even had Golfball.. and Gb had friends, too.

Who did Lollipop have?

She was pretty sure Gaty was alive but she wasn't sure how she was holding up..  what if she was dead, too? Who else was there? Everyone else got their little reunions and had friends around them but.. Lollipop had nothing. She knew there was nobody out there.. all her friends had probably passed away.

She knew Book had been alive but.. she overheard Blocky talking about finding her body a little while ago. She knew everyone had hidden this information from her and she was greatful but.. she wished she didn't have to have known. It was hard because they probably still assumed she didn't know.

Taco was dead.. she was pretty sure Saw was dead, too. Barfbag was alive but she had never liked her.. she always got an off feeling about her, like she wasn't who she said she was. She had tried to be friends with her but she didn't get along with her so.. kind of just pushed her away.

Teardrop, Icecube.. Eggy.. Pillow. All her old friends were dead. She didn't know if Needle was okay but.. Pencil and Match were gone too. She never even talked to them that much but the fact that even her weak linked friends were dead hurt a lot.

So.. where was she now?

"Lollipop, aren't you gonna say goodbye?" Blocky grinned playfully, nudging her expectantly. She was surprised and flinched, her train of thought cutting off. "I..I.." she held her arm and backed up slightly.

"What?" Fanny scoffed, Lightning looking at his hands and fumbling with them "You're kiiinda being super quiet, Lolly." He pointed out in suspicion, looking over to her for some sort of response.

Lollipop looked away, not wanting to make a scene like this. She hated vulnerability so much.. especially when she was the vulnerable one. She turned away so she was hiding her face, on the verge of tears.

"I..I need a moment-" she informed with an uneasy voice, walking off as quick as possible. She knew she couldn't handle being there.. it was too much stress. The group was left in silence, unsure on why she suddenly left like that. Nobody said anything to upset or hurt her so.. why was she acting like that? It wasn't..foreseen.

They exchanged glances, Golfball curious..  it wasn't like her to run off like that. Blocky rubbed the back of his head, not knowing what to say after that.. why had she.. left? Everyone was sad the two were leaving of course.. but for someone like Lollipop to get so emotional over this was concerning.

"I'll talk to her later." Blocky sighed finally, looking back at Fries and Blackhole. "Promise you'll keep safe, yeah?" He reminded, trying to move the topic

"We will try.. aha.." Blackhole joked, but wasn't very good at telling jokes. Jr laughed in disbelief "Uhh, of course they'll be okay! Look how far they've come.. I mean, no way this plan is gonna be a bust.. we got this in the bag! Two is gonna look like a total fucking moron."

"Soo exciting!!" Naily squealed, him looking behind himself to her with a grin. "It'll be nice to talk to Pin again. She was really nice! And I'm sure she'll be thrilled to get outta there.." Naily smiled with a joyous tone.

"Yeah no shit, they all will." Fanny spat back at her, hostile for no reason. "They've all been trapped there for who knows how long!! Of course they'll be happy to be free!!"

"I just hope we can do it okay." Lightning murmured anxiously, kind of shy to speak up about it. "...Well- you should probably.. get going now.."

He was right.. they couldn't just talk about this forever. Fries sighed sadly and held his arm, looking towards Blackhole and pulling himself together "..Come on. You'll be back with them in a few days.. don't stress."

"..I.. I know."

"Bye, guys!" Blocky waved enthusiastically on his tip-toes as the two of them went to walk out the door, Pen glancing off with a sad smile. As soon as their pair made their way out the door and up the steps to the surface the group was left in a strange silence.. the days would pass slowly now that they had to wait.. especially how they had to wait in fear. If the first part of the plan failed then it was all ruined. This had to be done PERFECTLY.

---

Thank you so so so so so much for all the reads on this book, I'm so happy that it got to 40k WHILE I'm still writing it thats insane 😭 in my opinion this is my most successful book thank you all so much, I counted the words and its almost 200,000 in total and thats crazy, thank you all for sticking by, hope youre enjoying it!