TW: Needles, death.

———

Test Tube was preparing to leave. She packed her goggles so she could meld metal together without harming her eyes, and a small satchel with a small knife and a few tools she took from her lab before. She then slung the small brown satchel over her shoulder. She had to be careful...

Test Tube then approached the doors to the Mansion, and peaked through them. She exited quietly and ran for the forest. She may have been a bright green, but it was easier to blend in than most. She covered some of her glass in mud to hide her glass's shine.

She then keeps through the forest careful for any soldiers patrolling the area. She had a few close calls too. Test Tube managed to reach the clearing where her lab was. And peaked through the bushes to see two soldiers near the vending machine. Her eyes narrowed and she took out the knife in her bag.

"I wonder what they did with the subject they captured." One of the soldiers audibly thought.

The other shrugged. "Probably off to the facility in the mainlands by now..." they crossed their arms. "Now hurry up and get your stupid drink so we can go. Boss will kill us if he catches us slacking off."

"Yeah... Hey, ever wonder why there's a vending machine out here in the middle of nowhere...?"

"Probably contestant grounds. This island has a gameshow Remember?"

"Right, right..."

Both soldiers grab drinks and leave. Test Tube exhaled in relief as both left the clearing. She then ran up to the vending machine and clicked the buttons. She then quickly slid down the tunnel. As soon as her feet hit the floor she locked the outside door.

Test a tube then sat up against the wall and wiped the sweat away from her face. Luckily, the hard part was over. With all these gadgets it would be easy to get back. Now, all she had to do was build the damn device.

Test Tube sighed and began gathering all of the material she'd need. She placed them all on her desk and began constructing the device. She worked hard at her desk, melding, building, testing. It took trial and error. And it still wasn't perfect. After all, the first law of conservation of energy is that energy cannot be created nor destroyed. She cant just make mass disappear entirely from an object.

Test Tube worked away and inevitably found she could compress the mass rather than make it disappear entirely. Baxter would still be as heavy, but be smaller. It was perfect! She tested it out a few times and worked pretty well. Sure, she hadn't tested it on biological matter, but she'd do that when she got back.

Test Tube sighed, and sat back in her rolling chair, pushing her goggles up. That only took the whole day... she glanced at the clock noticing the time. And then got up to put the rest of her extra materials away. She grabbed it and walked over to her storage room. She froze in her tracks at what laid across from her.

The robot she had built with her beloved friend...

The one she cared about.

That she loved...

She noticed her own tears, and quickly wiped them away. Approaching the robot and picked at it's unfinished body. There was no need for this tech anymore. Bow was alive. So should she scrap it? This could be the last time she ever saw this.

Test Tube frowned. She didn't want to waste her hard work. But she didn't have the knowledge of Bow like Fan did. And Regardless it wasn't necessary anymore. And the body itself was just a metal frame.

Then it hit her.

Maybe she could repurpose this... She dug out the main personality chip and processors. And grabbed a few parts. She spent another hour putting together a device. And developing the AI. She had already programmed fully, a program that allowed the AI to make its own decisions

Once the eye piece flickered on, Test Tube quickly stuck it to the side of her face, looking through the eyepiece. And then tinkering with it until the graphics worked.

She flinched as a few loading screens popped up and began to load. She walked over to her computer and then plugged it in, and edited the coding, and allowed the AI to be a learning AI. Maybe this could be some sort of AI assistant. And then she noticed that after she completed the programming combined with Fan's old programming and her own technology. It began to write its own code. As if it were... Alive... The free will aspect worked! She got it right! Her luck for machines lately seemed off the charts.

It was a miracle!

[Personality data processing...]

[Data processed. Not enough data. AI Substituting.]

[Avatar not loaded, Avatar preference selected!]

[downloading data...]

[complete!]

[Systems online.]

The small screen over her eyes flickered in boxes of information that included temperature, light levels, co-ordinates. Just like she had designed. Only when she turned around looking through her augmented reality she saw a small kid standing in the room.

They sat there and looked at their own hands. Code flowing through different parts of their body. Parts of their body glitches out as they tried to edit their digital avatar to their liking.

"Hello...?" Test Tube's eyes narrowed. This might be the embodiment of the AI. But it seemed... Conscious.

The kid flinched and turned to her. "O-oh! Hi!" They waved. They scan Test Tube and then seem to process the information. "It says in my data base you are Test Tube. It's nice to meet you!"

"Hello— er... AI...? I'm not sure what to call you..." Test Tube muttered.

Their digital body glitched slightly as they managed to download the last of their avatar files. "Oh... It says my name is supposed to be Bow." They said calmly.

"Well, not anymore. You were meant to be a recreation of someone who died. But... Now there's no need." Test Tube explained.

They seemed confused, but happy. Test Tube didn't really know why yet, but shrugged it off and began to think of what to name them. "I'll give you the choice. You're a conscious thing right? AI or not, you should be allowed to be who you want."

The kid thought for a minute. Well, I'm technology, and meant to be a robot... so why not shorten that? Just to Bot! Easy to say! Easy to call! And it sounds cute!" They clap their hands together.

Test Tube smiled. "Sure! It's your preference, and convenient. Two upsides!" Test Tube smiled.

"My coding says I'm supposed to help you. How so?" Bot asked, floating in the air looking around the room according to where Test Tube was looking.

"You're programmed to be able to inspect things, situations, and areas more closely. You can also search for certain things online easily with little to no internet connection." Test Tube informed.

"Oh! Sounds fun." They float for a moment without moving. "Uh... I don't think some of my coding is complete..." They inform. "I don't have complicated vocabulary like most robots do— a-and... I don't have any fancy systems! Not like any of your computers do..."

"Hey... That's fine. You don't need any of that." Test Tube reassured. "You don't need to be perfect, in fact, I think you're doing just fine." Test Tube gave a smile.

Bot looked worried. They looked around self consciously.

"You just focus on you for now. I programmed you to have feelings after all. Which is already a miracle in itself. I'm glad you work at all! So don't worry. You're perfect."

Bot smiles.

"Besides, I can tinker things to both of our liking. And you SHOULD be able to scan objects. Do you want to give it a try? You don't have to... You were literally born five minutes ago." She crossed her arms.

Bot shook their head. "No, no! I got this... I want to help!" They smile confidently. "You gave me life! And— freedom. Even if I am confined to your vision, You let me have a choice... And I appreciate that." They giggle. "What should I try scanning?"

Test Tube was flattered by the thanks, but quickly snapped out of it. "Hm... That scrap...?"

Bot looked towards it. A green light flashed over it through the eyepiece. "Ah! Obviously it's scrap metal. Complicated aspects are showing up on the augmented reality eye piece. But, notable things are it seemed it was used to build something!" Bot informed.

Test Tube quickly read through the details. "Alright! Great job! That's perfect! Okay... uh... Can you scan me?"

"On it!" Bot scanned Test Tube. "Hm, once again, complicated details are popping up on your [A.R.E.P.]. But something you might want to know is your blood sugar is low! You should eat something." Bot gave a warm smile.

"O-oh! Thanks! I see you used an abbreviation." Test Tube chuckled.

"I shortened it for it to be faster to say. I hope that's alright..."

"It's fine... Thank you. You work perfectly. Is there anything you wanted? I have to gather my materials and get going soon." Test Tube raised an eyebrow.

"I downloaded my pronouns as They/Them! And my model is designed after a butterfly— can you give my avatar antennae? The code won't let my general shape change..." Bot frowned.

Test Tube perked up. "Oh! Sure I'll add that to your avatar." Test Tube walks over to her computer and began to type the code into the computer.

"A unique voice would be nice too..." They rub the side of their digital arms.

"Oh sure. Pick one out and send it to my computer!" Test Tube laughed happily.

Bot was surprised. "I get to pick?" They asked excitedly.

"Of course!" Test Tube gave a thumbs up. Bot flew around in a circle happily on the [A.R.E.P.].

"Thank you thank you THANK you!" They said excitedly like a child would. Because they are. They look through a catalog of voices, and picked out their favourite.

Test Tube immediately uploaded it. "Just let it process and it will be finished soon."

Bot nodded.

"Anything else?" Test Tube tilted her head.

Bot shook their head. And instead looked at their surroundings in the augmented reality.

Test Tube smiled. This would be great! She could have a friend again... Someone to care for. Even if Fan wasn't a part of it, it was an interesting and now heart warming experiment. She felt attached to Bot already. Technically Bot was her child so, it made sense. She'd never say it out loud though. The only problem with this system was that only Test Tube herself could see and interact with Bot. Not was only visible through the [A.R.E.P.] and couldn't be seen otherwise. And they couldn't interact or be interacted with the physical world. They seemed unbothered by it.

But Test Tube was worried Bot would develop mental health issues due to their detachment from reality. She would keep an eye on Bot and be there for them. This was meant to be her AI assistant. But was more of her child if anything.

She promised herself she'd never force Bot to do anything.

Test Tube let Bot explore their surroundings. Test Tube grabbed one of her guns from the shelf, and looked to where she had put the prototype invisabows. She looked around and felt confused as to why they were missing.

She sighed and shrugged it off. Maybe Lightbulb ate them, or lost them. Either is likely. She'd just use the finished one. She was about to throw it into her satchel but stopped herself.

Bot flinched as Test Tube removed the [A.R.E.P.]. Test Tube then built the invisibow into the eye piece and put it back on.

Bot sighed in relief as they saw Test Tube come back. Test Tube noticed this. Bot clearly already had separation anxiety. Scared Test Tube would abandon them. "Don't worry... I'm not going anywhere." She gave Bit a kind and reassuring smile.

Bot smiled back.

Test Tube grabbed one last thing before she left. Her mother's scarf. She tied it around her neck. And looked around at her lab filled with experiments and gadgets with a frown. Knowing this would probably be the last time she saw this place.

"Goodbye memories..." She waved goodbye. And then clicked the button on her [A.R.E.P.] to turn invisible. And quickly fled the lab.

She'd miss that place.

Almost as much as she'd miss Fan.

The real Fan.

———

Syringe grumbled to himself. A middle aged man, in a lab coat. His body filled with a teal-ish chemical. His gaze on a stack of papers that laid on his desk. The rolling chair creaked with his occasional weight shift. He gave a brief sigh, and looked up at the unmasked guard before him. Tile.

"A Teen. You want me to tear apart... a Teen? Really?" He scooted forwards and leaned on the desk. His arms were neatly folded atop it's wooden surface. "Our facility is for studying the nature behind Object's varying abilities based on body type... Not dissecting teens that unrealistically obtain 'Magic Powers' through unrealistic manner." He gritted through his teeth.

"We understand. But, On my boss's behalf, imagine the possibility... The potential replication! Super soldiers Doctor! War will be a thing of the past." Tile explained, standing up, but Syringe lifted his hand, asking him to stop. Tile's stance and excited face faltered.

"It's not that simple." He grumbled, "You think corruption is not on the table? Imagine deities with that sort of power, allegedly. They would turn into uncontrollable monarchs." He informed, his eyes then narrowed harshly.

"The regenerative abilities. She's shown to be able to regenerate her body naturally. Bullet holes—burns... Barely scars remain. Medical bills—Disease could be gone in the blink of an eye if harnessed! If not the power at least consider the healing capabilities..." Tile slammed his hand down on the desk.

Syringe glanced at a few files... Remorse on his face as he reminisced in a time where that would've been... The best possible outcome. "My wife won't be happy on this project... The associate list is—Not the recommended persons." Syringe muttered dismissively. "Besides, having the ability to disregard morality for the sake of a universal cause is... Difficult. You're asking for compromise..." He grumbled caustically.

Tile's gaze softened, "Well... I..." He couldn't really combat that. "Listen, I can't force you to take direct action. We ask you at least contain her. And if possible we ask you partake in experiments, on the behalf of anyone and everyone who may contract incurable disease." He grunted bitterly. Unable to really think of a combatant.

Syringe pushed away from his desk, and glanced back. His gaze shifted as he looked through Taco's file again. "I could potentially put together a team..." He muttered. "I wish it could've been... anyone else. A child? Really...?" He sighed. "If word of this study got out— containment would be the least of our problems. Protests—if not a local uprising." He thought to himself, "What would my daughter think...?" He whispered.

"Sir... Please... Consider—This could compromise public safety. A child with power—Supernatural ability could lead to the entire world's end." Tile jumped up in suit, and approached Syringe, "This isn't just a child, this is in similarity to a live bomb—Nuke even!"

Syringe winced at those words, and closed the folder. "You're asking for emotional numbness that our bodies are chemically opposed against." He spat, with disdain to such a request. "Not many will care for your points. Put it into perspective..."

Tile thought for a moment, his gaze softened again, the edge it once had dissipated. "I..." He paused, trying to retort with a new argument.

"You see?" Syringe placed the folder into a filing cabinet. His gaze softened similarly, "I can follow through with orders. But I want full control of the study. And... A selection of Scientists." He ordered.

"I can't— I... I don't really know what you expect from me—I'm just a private—!"

"I don't care. Run along and tell your boss. He will agree if this truly is his orders. I will start immediately, but don't expect anything too extreme when getting the ball rolling." Syringe informed, turning away.

Tile sighed to himself, and briefly nodded. He exited into the crisp clean white halls of the lab. That stretched out in it's full underground facility. Which had been quite spacious. Syringe was left in his office. As he was sure Tile had left, he pinched the of his nose. He would—reluctantly—follow through with this project. It held as much value as it did compromise. He didn't feel comfortable testing on a minor, but, he had more job than options here.

Taco was lying in the cell. Memories flooding through her head. She tried not to give physical repulsion as her horrible life played over in her mind. That is, until she heard the door open. She flinched as two scientists walked in. One had a clipboard and was a syringe. The other was a black and blue-ish grey drill. Both wearing lab coats.

Taco flinched away. "What? What do you want with me...?!" Taco growled, backing away.

Syringe motioned for Drill to grab Taco. Taco scrambled away, but he grabbed the Cable and dragged her over. "H-HEY! NO!" She shouted frightfully.

Drill picker her up, and removed the cable around her ankle, and then placed a mask on her face that muffled her voice. He then restrained her ankles. "Subject secure." Drill nodded.

Syringe waved Drill to follow. Drill followed down the hallway. Taco was taken to a room with many devices and an operation table.

Taco's eyes widened and she kicked and struggled.

"Relax. This one is just a physical analysis." Syringe beckoned and strapped her down.

Taco struggles, but it was no use. She was stuck. Taco's eyes narrowed. Not trusting the scientists. Which was reasonable.

They used several devices on her, and checked her physical attributes and appearance. Syringe documented his findings, and Drill actually did the analysis.

Once they were finished Syringe wrote everything down. And then brought out a needle. "Alright..." He injected it. "We noticed you have some... unique regeneration characteristics. We're going to test a few things to do with that. So, I suggest you don't fight the sedatives. We can only give you so much." He informed monotonously.

She felt the needle pierce her skin. The chemical spread throughout her body until she was unconscious. What were they going to do to her...?!

Syringe laid his eyes on the unconscious teen with unsurfaced remorse. He gritted his teeth silently. The tests would consist of attempting to trigger her regenerative abilities... they didn't need to be large wounds, which didn't really help ease his nerves, but, this wasn't avoidable in either parties. So he would have to follow through.

———

Microphone grabbed what she could from the Mansion and then went to the doors. It was night, so most of everyone was sleeping. Knife and Pickle were behind her.

"So what's the plan?" Pickle asked with his arms crossed as Microphone shut he door behind them.

"Well, First we need to figure out where to go. And for that, we need information. We will find wherever these soldier guys set up base. And find the info." Microphone answered.

"Oh. Sure... Let's just give ourselves TO the government..." Knife growled as he crossed his arms.

"I have a solution to this problem! Back at Taco's camp, we can grab my invisibow I left there! That way I can sneak in." Microphone then put her hands on her hips. "We also have MePad in the camp. So we can teleport to where we need to go."

"You have MEPAD?!" Pickle flinched.

"Yeah? Long story... Just cmon." Microphone waved for them to follow.

Knife had a bad feeling about this...

Pickle grumbled insults about Taco but shook his head and followed Mic. Also cursing himself in the process.

"You owe me Mic..."Knife groaned as he jogged to catch up.

The forest was difficult to navigate in the dark. But the three of them managed. It was much easier to his at night. The soldiers had flashlights though. Pickle tried to whip out his phone, sick of not being able to see. But Knife took it. A flashlight was like waving around a red flag in a green field. They'd stick out like a sore thumb.

The three teens avoided stepping on dry leaves and only on grass as to not make any noise. Microphone saw the clearing and checked the bush. MePad was still hidden. Microphone exhaled in relief.

Pickle grimaced at the blood and black goo around the clearing. The smell was horrible. "What is this...?" He whispered.

"Taco's transformation... Was... Quite painful..." Microphone informed. "I heard her scream from the hotel...!"

Pickle flinched at the thought. He didn't want to imagine what that would've felt like for someone like Taco.

"I found it guys...!" She held up the two invisibows. "Taco must have dropped it here before we went to the hotel before..." She whispered.

"Cool... Can we go now? We're basically sitting ducks." Knife hissed.

Microphone rolled her eyes and grabbed MePad. "Yeah. Come here..."

Pickle and Knife both grab on too. And all three of them teleport in a flash of purple light. They re-appear inside the closet Fan had been kept in.

"Why are we in the hotel?!" Knife quietly but worriedly whispered in a quiet tone.

"It's the only building that they know of. Other than the small town down south, but they probably don't want to alert normal people... So I don't see why they wouldn't set up base in the hotel if it's 'abandoned'..." Microphone quietly answered, before she peaked through the cracks in the door. She saw people rushing around in uniforms.

"Question. There's only two invisibows... How the hell do I get around?" Pickle asked as his eyes narrowed in skepticism.

Microphone froze and throughly for a moment. "I will grab you a uniform! Easy." Microphone chuckled.

"Wouldn't they recognize Pickle?"

"They make your object impossible to see. It's to remain anonymous I think... he should be fine as long as he doesn't take the mask off." Microphone muttered as she looked through the door.

"Huh... Not bad. Cheesy... But not bad." Knife smirked. "Let's go kick some government ass."

Microphone handed Knife the other invisibow, and pressed the button on her own. Knife followed her direction. The bow itself was still visible. But it would have to do. Pickle stayed hidden as Knife Microphone went off to find a soldier alone.

They see a soldier head into the bathroom. Both of them take the hint and follow him. The soldier placed their gun next to the stall and reached for the handle. But knife picked the gun up, and his them on the back of the head hard. They collapsed. Knife and Microphone quickly remove the uniform and grab their tools.

"Now what...? Can we just leave them?" Knife asked.

Microphone shook her head, though Knife couldn't see it. "No, they'll find him for sure!"

"I have an Idea. Open the window over there." Knife commanded.

"Alright then..." She said in a confused tone as she opened the window, and then flinched and snapped her head back to a crunch sound.

The soldier, who was originally a vase had a hole where their face used to be. Microphone flinched at that. Knife then quickly dumped the body out the window into the bushes. He then cleaned up the little blood that spilt out of them with a red towel.

"Easy." Knife said confidently.

"Wh—was killing them really necessary...?!" Microphone asked in a concerned tone.

"If you wanted them to say out. Then yeah."

Microphone was silent, but then sighed. "I suppose it was necessary..." she frowned. "Let's just get back to Pickle before he gets caught or something."

"Y-yeah..." Knife muttered as they carefully and discretely carried the uniform towards the closet.

———

TEST TUBE DESIGN:

Explanation: Bot is part of an AI using their personality chip from the original "Bow Bot" due to Test Tube not wanting to waste her and Fan's work. Also being lonely due to having lost her friend (crush) she could at least have someone to care for.

Bot cannot be seen by anyone outside of the [A.R.E.P.] (Augmented Reality Eye Piece) Bot can scan items and people for physical and biological attributes. Bot can fly around what is in vision of the [A.R.E.P.]. Bot can't communicate with anyone if the ear piece is not on.

Bot has no knowledge of the show or what's going on yet. Memories are fragmented from bow, but aren't there fully. They only have a basic understanding of the world based on the information they were programmed with. Bot's AI programming is incredibly complex causing them to be able to feel and make their own decisions (Like in the show)

Anymore questions I'll be happy to answer! (Because Bot is a bit confusing lol)

———