The strange buzzing and clicking sang like a chorus from the heavens above. The two scientists watched with ease, as the machine carefully recovered the contestant that they had been familiar with. That striking red hue caught their eyes, as he plopped on the ground, immediately grunting from the impact.

Well, that was a first. The first three gave no reaction during their initial recovery- but Fries was conscious, carefully adjusting himself as he stared at the ground below.

No wonder they chose him. He seemed strong- already pushing through the haze of being brought back to life. But nobody wanted to make any assumptions just yet, as his eyes suddenly darkened as he lifted his head.

Nobody could describe the expression they saw on his face. Fries glanced around, carefully standing back on his feet.

"...Is this.." His voice was low, almost careful, as if he were afraid of gaining the attention of something... or, well, someone... he didn't want to see.

Just the way he was standing was enough to send a twinge of worry down Eraser's spine- he had never seen him in such a state before. This didn't last too long, as Fries immediately lifted his head up, gazing across the familiar faces that he had met once before.

He couldn't break now- not ever.

He needed to stay strong.

Golfball would approach him, collecting herself as she nodded.

"You're back, Fries. We're safe."

"B-But- we were- I was- the recovery centers..."

"...They brought them back. They fixed them."

The words immediately clicked in Fries' mind. Golfball turned to face the crowd to at least address their concerns, but the breath was knocked out of her, as Fries immediately rushed past her, making it to the keyboard.

The instructions rang clear in her head. Revive Fries, and move the way down to the Freesmarters. If both Golfball and Tennis Ball had woken up with the terror that stabbed through their very minds, they couldn't fathom just how shattered the final few survivors were.

But to Fries, the fact that the recovery center was back was beyond tempting, as he immediately realized that he could get them back. He didn't want to waste anymore time while he was alive- for tater's sake, he didn't know if the recovery center could give in once more, leaving them all at the hands of death itself.

Ignoring the furious glare that Golfball shot at him, Fries immediately typed away.

P-U-F-F-B-A-L-L.

He held his breath. Even as the smaller object tried to headbut him to the side, he stood his ground, clenching his fists with anticipation while the machine did its work.

And less than a minute later, there she was. The familiar pink hue from her body made Fries' heart skip a beat, as he watched her carefully slip to the ground below.

After everything.

After the hell that they had to endure- the guilt that clawed at his very spirit, and ate away at the will that he had to continue fighting.

That pain all washed away, as his arms began to tremble, watching those multicolored eyes of hers carefully open.

Those eyes he had fallen in love with so long ago, that familiar glimmer of life now twinkling within them.

She was here.

She was alive again.

And Fries had to bite back the urge to run to her, to scoop her close to himself, and never let anything, or anyone, hurt her again.

But he refused.

The others watched, as Fries carefully stepped over to the pink object that was on the floor. She showed no reaction to returning once more, and this confused the few objects to no end.

She knew how to fly, didn't she?

Why was she on the ground like that?

Despite how badly his hands trembled, Fries reached over, placing a gentle hand on his lover's cheek. The endless hurricane of questions stormed through his aching mind, but he mustered up the strength to turn that chaos dark.

"Puffball.." Fries whispered, his thumb caressing the gentle fluff that graced his lover's cheek. He couldn't realize just how broken his voice had become, with the weight of before pulling him down.

It brought tears to many of those in the room.

Blinking, Puffball's colorful pupils carefully lifted themselves, and locked with the familiar golden hue of her dearest boyfriend. His gaze, which forever brought her such joy and ease, striked through her heart with the realization that she had returned.

And this brought such sorrow to the poor woman, as her lip quivered, those striking eyes of hers now filling to the brim with tears.

"...It.. can't be.." She whined out, her voice just as hushed as her lovers. This broke the poor man's heart in two, as his stiffness had shattered from the mere sound of her.

His lover. His dearest- she was safe once more.

Grimacing, Fries scooped Puffball into his arms, letting the tears slip down his face as he clutched her close to his aching heart. The strength it took him to hold back the sobs was a battle he was on the verge of losing- as even now, he still couldn't believe what had taken place on that horrifying day. But when he began to hear the quiet sniffling below- oh, he had to close his eyes.

His soul ached with guilt. He never forgave himself for leaving his family behind- and he swore, with his new chance at life, he would never leave them again.

As the two held each other tightly, their souls intertwining with the beat of their hearts, Tennis Ball would walk over to the two, frowning.

"Cmon'. We have to bring everyone back."

A murmur. Tennis Ball pouted, not being able to understand what Fries had said in response- but not wanting to fight, he looked down.

"What was that?"

"My son." Fries stipulated, gently clutching Puffball closer. "You're missing my son."

Oh.

Worriedly, Tennis Ball glanced over towards Golfball and Basketball, unsure of what to do now. They had hoped to try and keep this entire process smooth and simple, not wanting this very situation to happen this way.

But now, the two did not care. Basketball glanced down, frowning as Golfball was holding Rocky as gently as possible, easing the trembling that came from his body. There was a demand for order, of course- especially when it came to the recovery of everyone they had come to know- but she succumbed to the exhaustion that tugged at her mind, giving him a simple nod in response.

Well, there was no arguing with that now, was there.

Tennis Ball carefully helped Fries up, letting him make his way towards the others as he turned right back to the keyboard.

G-E-L-A-T-I-N.

Seeing the green jello drop from the machine, the objects from the Loser Chamber would watch the recovery of the crew progress. Some had to admit that it did feel weird to be here- after all, this was something that was so tender to object kind, there should be some kind of privacy as it goes on.

But curiosity kept them in that lab. The stories that they had heard- the views that were rumored to have exist- they needed to know if it was true. The horrifying secrets that had been passed back and forth were enough to persuade almost ANYBODY to try and find the missing pieces of this puzzle. And this especially counted for a familiar purple lollipop, who observed the scene with a keen eye.

She watched silently, her eyes locked onto the green object as he returned from his ethereal unconsciousness. There was a hesitation that stuck out from him, as he was carefully sitting up to try and understand what had just happened. Surely, it was the recovery burn- how couldn't it be?

They had been dead for months. How long? Why- they couldn't remember.

What struck Lollipop most, was how Gelatin would look down, his eyes suddenly widening at the sight of his hands. The faint scar that wrung around his wrists stood out like a sore thumb- and it was clear that he knew it too, as he was slowly holding one of his wrists, his hand hanging limply underneath.

Wait- his, hand...?

He lost it.. He swore- he- he FELT how-

....

This- this was real, was it...?

Gelatin blinked, watching as his fingers would curl and twitch like the wings of a butterfly. He would carefully wave his hands in front of his eyes, a bewilderment shining within them, almost as if he had never seen them before.

Such a small moment made Lollipop's chest ache- it nearly caught her off guard, as she placed a hand over her own beating heart. A part of her didn't want to believe the rumors that traveled between the others- a garden of hands? A murderer?? What kind of demented being would do such a thing..?

It was just a horror story- it couldn't have been real.

But these doubts had been shattered, as she watched Gelatin testing the movements of his hands. He balled them into fists, before letting them unfurl- he poked each finger out, one by one, before slowly bringing them back to the palm of his hand, feeling the movements that silently reassured his questioning mind.

This continued on for a few more seconds, before the interest had shifted, moving away from his own hands, to the objects that were standing near his very being. It didn't take him long to see Fries standing across from him, and as soon as he recognized who that man was- alongside the memories they had shared together- his mouth wobbled, as he tried to speak.

"Fries...?"

Nothing had broken him; he refused to let anything try and bring out a different side in him. But the moment Gelatin's voice rang in his ears, the strength he had to hold himself together immediately vanished.

There wasn't a single object who had seen this man cry before. So when the sob escaped Fries' mouth, it sent shockwaves through the hearts of those who watched. Even those who were more brute than others had to turn away from the scene, as Fries opened his arms towards Gelatin, letting the smaller object sprint into the comforting shield of his embrace.

Reunions were supposed to be sweet. They were supposed to be a reminder that, no matter what, something or someone would always be waiting for you on the other side. It was supposed to bring a sense of joy, a wave of relief that relinquishes the thorny vines of anxiety from the mind.

If that's how it's supposed to be- then why, oh why, did it hurt so much.

F-I-R-E-Y.

"The first to go, huh..." Blocky murmured to himself, watching as Tennis Ball pressed the "GO" button on the machine. "I wonder how he's going to handle it..."

"Who knows. It's like a gumball machine- except all the flavors are a different type of trauma..."

At that moment, all eyes turned to face Pen. And in each gaze, they all carried a message that rang out in unison:

What the fuck.

Thankfully, this tense moment was short-lived, as the room suddenly illuminated with a familiar orange hue. And not just this, but that familiar scream immediately returned to the air of Yoyle City, as Firey tumbled onto the tiled floor of the lab.

Never in their lifetime did they expect to miss the sound of Firey's scream.

It even brought tears to the eyes of those who had been revived, easing themselves into the reality that they had now returned to.

His screams would immediately stop, as Firey's eyes revealed the floor beneath him, his hands kissing against the cold surface and the grooves that traced its patterns. Confusion turned to ease, when he realized that he was no longer in the air, but instead, safely on the ground, where he would stay.

"I-.. wasn't I just- falling..?" Firey stuttered, carefully stepping back on his feet, averting the eyes of the crowd before him. "What's going on..?"

Silence. That is, until Tennis Ball let his eyes shoot a glance towards the flame, somewhat looking at him up and down, before he spoke.

"You've been recovered, and after a good while too... Basketball did say that this could have some effect on your memory- since you were gone for so long.."

"It was just- I was helped out of the cage... but... I fell... I mean- she made me fall... wasn't it-.."

And, there it was. Firey had answered his own question, much to Tennis Ball's attempt to help.

He was so sure that he would have the same reaction that they had- the screaming, the silence, the haze that kept them from remembering anything and everything that had taken place countless months ago.

To his surprise, Firey instead turned towards the recovery center, with concern radiating from the look on his face. Tennis Ball was, at first, confused as to what he was doing. At least, until he spoke.

"Pin." His voice trembled. "Is she gone."

Pin.

Oh, that name. It stabbed through Tennis Ball's skull- the mere mention causing him to grimace, biting back the urge to snap at the flame. He knew that Firey didn't mean to come off that way, as he was the first who had fallen victim to her wicked ways.

But this was unexpected. How could the name bring such a reaction to him? Not just him- he could catch Golfball in the corner of his eyes. A mere glimpse caught the sudden clench of her teeth, as she silently comforted Rocky, who was now hiding within her hold.

Fries? Oh, don't get the three started. Hearing the name made him clutch his family tighter, his arms quivering with, what he assumed, fear. His eyes were locked onto the ground, making it hard for Tennis Ball to try and figure out what ran through his mind- yet, Gelatin's shivering only grew more violent, and Puffball immediately cowered in her lovers arms, not wanting to hear the damned woman's name once more.

Feeling his heart beginning to ease, Firey cringed- realizing now how unnecessary that was. Of course Pin wasn't here.

She wasn't going to be.

Even if she was recovered.

Firey looked up. He watched as Tennis Ball would silently try to ease his racing mind, letting an exhale break past his lips before he spoke.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"..I'm.. not so sure." Firey murmured, rubbing his arm. "It's been a long while since.. Y'know.."

"Yeah. No need to go into detail- just let Basketball check up on your vitals."

Hearing how worn down the sports ball was, Firey looked away. He really didn't want to make this mistake again- after all, he was also shaken up by what had happened before.

How couldn't he? Heights were beyond a fear for him now- the mere thought alone made his mind crack.

But before he could walk away, a new realization dawned upon him, one that caused him to stop right in his tracks. And before his mind could even process the possible sentence, he turned back to face Tennis Ball.

"And Leafy?"

"Leafy?" Tennis Ball raised an eyebrow. "I-..What about her?"

"Are you going to bring her back??"

Perplexed, Tennis Ball couldn't help but pucker his lips out of confusion. The contestant went on for years without mentioning her mere presence- and now, he was asking for her to return?

He wasn't the only one who was also lost by the matter. Snowball crossed his arms, unable to process how he could simply change from complete ignorance, to deep concern over their former acquaintance.

"Firey, we thought you hated her!" The others murmured in agreement as Snowball had spoke. "What do you mean by that??"

"Snowball- does it matter?"

"It does if you could drop her like that-"

"After everything, it shouldn't!"

"Firey-"

"I need her back."

L-E-A-F-Y.

Each second that passed felt agonizing to the flame. He had to cut the act- he had to make up for what he had done.

He never knew how short life was until he wasn't recovered from the fall.

The familiar green hue then caught his eye, as the lemon leaf carefully emerged from the machine- and unlike the others, she plopped onto the ground with a solemn hush, silencing the quiet chatter that swarmed the lab.

There she was.

His-

"Leafy...?"

It had been months- years- since he had said her name out loud. It rolled off his tongue with such ease, filling him with a sense of ease, and grief.

He couldn't leave it like this.

Hesitantly, he tried to approach her, before Tennis Ball quickly held him back- a yoyleberry in hand.

"Let's not recover her twice, now."

Oh. Right.

Ringing.

It was all that she could hear.

The woods called to her- it was the very last thing she saw.

But something deep in her soul called to her-

Leafy.

Was she still dead..? Forgotten by those she had known?

Not once did she ever picture this for herself.

She never meant to.

Please. Listen to me.

She was alone.

She had to get used to it.

It stung, it hurt, it made her bleed- but it would never leave her. And she had to understand this-

Please.

There was so much she wished she could have fixed. She never wanted to die; but-

Listen to me.

..Firey...

Her heart- was she ready to.. Love again..?

Please.

Would she ever get the chance to see him...?

I see you.

That voice...

"I-I see you now. I promise." Firey reassured her, carefully wrapping his arms around her now stiff body. "I see you."

The words were enough to break Leafy out of the trance, as her eyes would slowly begin to shift towards his arms. Feeling his warmth- his love- seeping into her frigid soul...

It was too much. Leafy's eyes watered, as she immediately threw her arms around Firey, hugging him tightly.

"Oh my tree- I-.. You don't even know how much I've missed you.." She croaked out, shakily wiping her eyes as she placed her hands on his cheeks. The way his light reflected off of her metal filled her heart with such ease, a reminder that they were both now here, alive, and out of harm's way.

And boy, did that comfort him too.

Carefully, Firey would cup his hands along the lemon leafs cheeks, letting himself be comforted by the green of her sparkling pupils. There was so much he wanted to say- to ask- to do, and to listen to- and this time, he was willing to make it right.

"So.. Yoyle City huh.. h-hah.." he began, gently caressing her cheek. Leafy could feel her heart melting at the gesture, but she shut her eyes, giving him a halfhearted chuckle.

"I guess so... there aren't many places for us to go, you know." She looked up. "But.. I don't mind."

"Where were you before.. or- well, after I.." he shivered.

"Hey.. no need to explain, I promise. I.. made things work down here. Even when.. it was all happening.."

"And- Did you see Pin..??"

Pin.

Leafy's heart sank. The smile that had grown from Firey's words immediately began to drop, as she then realized just how much he had missed.

How long he had been... gone for.

He..

"I..." Leafy could barely form a sentence, slowly glancing down at her quivering hands. Her fingers twitched and trembled with unease, the faded scars immediately serving as a reminder of-

Garden.

Hands.

Stretched aimlessly to the sky.

No, no- wait- she didn't get to-

Her hands- trembling, can't stop-

Screaming.

Pin.

Clawing. Fighting.

Wait-

Can't breathe- can't see- can't BREATHE-

Stab.

Stabbing.

Twisting.

No one is here to save you.

Get off-

Get-

Her eyes squeezed shut.

"I'm... really happy to be back.." Leafy clapped her hands gently, letting the dewiness of her eyes quickly vanish back into the depths of her mind. "And I'm- just as happy that you're back too, Fireball.."

Fireball. He hadn't heard that name in a while- he almost forgot how it swept him off of his feet.

Concern radiated from Firey's eyes, not realizing that he was holding his breath as he listened to his dear leaf. Watching how she tensed up, her eyes glistening over with a blanket of deeply-rooted terror that carried memories that were foreign to him. He couldn't just leave her like this- he wanted to know more.

He wanted to know what really happened back there.

But right now, he couldn't. Not yet.

Sighing, his hands carefully slid into Leafy's, their fingers intertwining with one another as he carefully lifted her to her feet. It took too much effort for her to try and pull herself against gravity- but she could feel the weight of the past dragging her to the center of the Earth. She wanted to fight- but she was so tired, after everything, all she wanted to do was have this taken off of her.

To have this dissipate into the tiniest grains of sand, raining down to the soles of her feet.

Firey would carefully wrap an arm around her, gently bringing her to the side so they could get themselves settled into the world that awaited them. There were no wounds on them- at least, not anymore. But the mental wounds were still gaping, stinging from the cold air of truth that glazed against that raw flesh like the tip of a blade.

Despite this- here they were, together. In each other's arms, and not letting each other go.

Any object could see just how strong this care was, a tenderness that strengthened within the harmonizing beat of their hearts. It brought their eyes to the newly recovered, and while Pen watched everyone hug their loved ones after being apart for so long, he couldn't help but wonder, when was the last time he hugged a loved one?

When was the last time he hugged his sister?

Told her that he loved her?

The more he thought about it- the more he couldn't remember. And this brought a heartache that crashed straight into his chest, knocking the cool that kept him together, and filling his veins with the gut wrenching realization that-

"I want my sister back."

It only took the eyes of the faces he knew, for him to realize that he had said that out loud.

And what made it worse, was the fact that he felt the salty tears slipping from the corner of his eyes.

He never even considered what she had gone through while he was trapped in the Locker of Losers, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of selfishness for forgetting his sister that way.

But here he was- no longer an adult, no longer standing in a crowd of strangers, but a mere child, now trembling with unease as he wanted to see the face of his big sister once more.

Eraser would carefully take his hand into his, as Tennis Ball raised an eyebrow.

"So... I assume that Pencil's next?"

"Please.."

P-E-N-C-I-L.

"NOOOOO!! NO, NO!!"

"PENCIL- YOU'RE SAFE! IT'S OVER!"

"MY HEAD!!! SHE'S CUTTING MY HEAD!!"

"PEN, I AM NEVER TAKING YOUR INPUT EVER AGAIN." Tennis Ball shouted, trying to hold the flailing woman back before she did even more damage to the environment around her.

Or, at least- have the environment reflect the damage she carried in that mind of hers.

Pen shot the taller scientist a glare, as he frantically tried to get closer to her. His eldest sister was holding her hands over her head, kicking at anyone who tried to get near her, and this shook Pen to his very core.

What was once, a leader, and, may he add, the biggest jerk on Earth, was now reduced to a screaming mess, all while she held onto that head of hers. Pen was trying everything he could to calm her down, and he soon managed to clasp his hands on Pencil's shoulders. This proved to be terrible, as she immediately began to viciously slap at her brother's (noodle) arms.

But, with her hands now off of her head- she began to scream even more. She immediately slammed her hands over the top of her head, her body trembling with unease at the thought of leaving it alone like that.

Pen could only watch in despair.

Why was she holding her head like that? WHY was she freaking out over letting it go?!

It had only been a few seconds since she was recovered- and with how hard she was screaming, he was sure that her vocal cords would soon rip.

No- no, no. He couldn't let it happen. Not now.

He had to get to her. There were still ten left to recover- he had to try and get her back.

He grabbed her arms, fighting the tears that stung at his eyes as he forced his sister to turn to face him.

"PENCIL!"

"P-PEN?!"

M-A-T-C-H.

"PENCIL, PLEASE!! MAKE IT STOOOP!!!"

"MATCH- LOOK AT ME!!"

"IT BURNS!! SHE'S BURNING ME!!!"

"NO! SHE'S GONE!! MATCH!"

"HELP ME!!! HELP ME, PLEASE HELP ME!!!"

Every recovery became more of a blur.

N-I-C-K-E-L.

"Oh- I'm fine, it's all fine! It was just a silly mishap- there's nothing to worry about!"

"Nickel- she killed you..."

"Cmon', TB! It doesn't mean I'm dead now! Haha, hah..."

"..Cut the act, Nickel. You aren't the only one who isn't okay right now."

Some quiet.

B-O-M-B-Y.

The faded scars on his wrists were nothing more but a sour reminder of what happened that day.

And Bomby- he couldn't stop brushing his hands over them.

"Hey- don't touch those scars on your wrist, they're just recovery burn..."

"Basketball- you're being too nice. Nickel- get him talking. You know him the best."

"I'm trying, GB! Bomby...?"

"..I just.. Wanted some bananas... why did she do that to us...?"

Some, still horrified.

S-P-O-N-G-Y.

"She ripped him in half."

"WHAT?! Nickel- you- are you SURE?!"

The silence alone was an answer; his silver eyes had seen the things that Pin had done.

But- no one could believe it.

"Jeez, GB... I think that's the biggest scar the recovery center has produced..."

"How long is it, TB."

"...The scar runs right down the middle of his body."

From the crowd, Donut could feel Barfbag's hand twitch ever so slightly. He didn't have to look down to see it-

He knew they were friends.

And he wouldn't keep her from that.

Letting her go, Barfbag would carefully approach the yellow sponge (don't say it.) and cupped her hands around his face, her mind drowning in disbelief as the scar told her the never ending nightmare that he would have to endure..

"Spongy.. what did she do to you..?"

One returned to the song of comforting silence.

W-O-O-D-Y.

All the fear he felt now condensed, to the violent, raging fear of that familiar red Pin.

His heart would forever race, now a little faster,

And his mind already fell into the claws of the damned.

He knew this would forever stay, as the scar on his cheek told a story he could never dare speak of.

Yet, here he was now, his feet firm on the ground, the gentle hum of the recovery center reminding him;

All was over.

No words were said.

But none were needed.

After all, his eyes met with Firey's. Rocky's head lifted to meet his gaze.

They are here now. The thought fluttered in his mind. They're here- and it's over.

Finally over.

Rocky quietly slipped from Golfball's hold,

Letting Firey step towards the balsa slice,

A hush falling over the rest.

Their faces told him everything.

The first three to go.

But Rocky's gentle embrace brought ease to his soul,

And the feeling of Firey's hand over his,

Was enough to bring tears to his eyes.

Safe.

They were now safe.

First three to go.

But now, the only three who could tell the tale.

Others returned in the moment.

N-E-E-D-L-E.

No.

She was- no, how could she be-

Was this-

No- she was back outside.

Back on the field.

Yoylebushes left and right, taunting her, screaming, laughing, reminding her that it was not over.

It was never over.

Pin.

Her throat closed.

She shook her head, tears stinging at the corner of her eyes.

Get back-

Let me go-

Pin-

Her hands squeezed tighter and tighter around her throat.

No-

LET GO-

"LET GO OF ME!! I CAN'T BREATHE, I CAN'T BREATHE PIN!!"

"STOP- FIGHTING, BACK!! TB, PUSH HER DOWN!"

"I'M TRYING- NEEDY!!"

"....W-WHAT... did you... call me...?!"

Another, returned after.

T-E-A-R-D-R-O-P.

Oh.

Needle couldn't believe it.

Seeing that face- the face that she had fallen in love with, many years ago.

She was so sure she would never see her again.

One step forward, three steps back.

Golfball had said to give them space. After the previous recoveries, it was currently unknown how every object would react, and she didn't want to risk anybody getting hurt once again.

...

But it had been so long...

The last time she saw her- it was before...

With trembling hands, Needle began to reach for the shorter object, shock painted over her pale face. She didn't want to try and go against GB's words here- but... maybe she could just...

Her face... wait...

Why were they...

In an instant, Teardrop fell onto their knees, throwing her arms around her stomach as violent retching filled the air. The contents that had once sat in their stomach now shot from her mouth, leaving a trail of fire that burned at the poor object's throat.

It had happened so suddenly, that the mixed reactions from the others were of little to no help. Some shrieked in disgust, while others immediately turned away, shielding their eyes from the disgusting scene. Eraser, who still held Pen in his arms, glared in disgust, the urge to yell at the girl biting at his mind- as this was SERIOUSLY uncalled for.

Those who were near her, immediately stepped back. The bitter stench brought tears to their eyes, and to Golfball, it nearly set her off, as she had now caused a mess on her own lab floors.

Yet, just how quick it had begun, it stopped. The remains of a familiar cupcake now on the ground, Teardrop coughed the remaining bits from her system, her limbs now losing their strength entirely. She could feel the last remaining fragments of strength leaving her body, a hollow, ghostly shell staying as a reminder as to the hell she had to endure.

Their eyelids began to grow heavy. She tried to fight against it, but the haziness would cloud her vision, with the world around her beginning to darken, more and more...

Fwoosh.

...

...Where was the floor...?

Confusion began to cloud Teardrop's mind, but the exhaustion was so strong- she barely had the strength to open her eyes and see what was happening. It was a battle, for sure- but Teardrop wasn't going to lose this one.

They fought against the sleepiness, silently grunting from the splitting migraine that stabbed at her skull. Even with this, her eyes fluttered open.

Her arms. How could she forget them? It had been so long since they last saw Needle- is... was she still dead..?

Was this all some sort of prank??

Needle teared up. Cradling her dearest girlfriend, she hugged her tightly, her first and final words echoing in the back of her mind- back when it was Teardrop, who held her close instead.

But, unlike the past- they were both alive now.

They were here, together, their hearts beating as one. Finally reunited from death and metal boxes, refusing to let anything rip them apart once more.

Placing a kiss on Teardrop's forehead, Needle grimaced, letting their foreheads touch.

"I love you too, Teardrop...!"

F-L-O-W-E-R.

"FLOWER, NO!!!"

"Ruby, she's gone.."

"NO! NO!! DON'T TAKE HER AWAY FROM ME!"

"Time of death-"

"NOOOO!! FLOWER!!! FLOWER!!"

"RUBY!"

The scream burst through Flower's lips without a second thought. The metal taste of blood haunted her taste buds, her throat scorching from the vomit that ripped through her esophagus.

These senses still lingered- clinging onto her newly recovered self as she was now far from the past.

But her lover- her Ruby- her screams still echoed in the back of her mind. Even when her final breath slipped from her body, the gemstone's wails were the very last thing she heard before slipping into death's grasp.

Yet, she was no longer in that damned bed. The image of the clubhouse room was washed away by the fluorescent lights that shone down upon her, alienating her from the objects who stared at her.

It was like she was the sole star of the show; the stage was now paved for her, and the objects she had come to know were mere spectators in the seats below...

...That is, before Golfball's voice made her wince.

"Interesting... looks like they're beginning to start right where they left off." The scientist murmured, adjusting the glasses that Tennis Ball had retrieved for her, being mindful of the little rock that was hiding in her hold.

"S-Starting... where..?" Disoriented, Flower sat up, weakly brushing her hands against her disheveled (and, rather dry) petals. Golfball huffed.

"Doesn't matter. Can you try and stand?"

Oh, she wished she could.

Pins and needles stabbed at her muscles, inching deeper beneath the layers of flesh as Flower would make a poor attempt to get herself off of the ground.

So much for being on a stage.

"Okay... can we try and help her here? We're not in Goiky's Funniest Videos."

Woah. Sorry- was that-

Pencil?

Flower's eyes glanced around the room. It had been so long since she had seen friends and enemies staring back at her; the blood in her veins nearly freezing in shock as she realized that she wasn't the only one who died back there.

But what made her heart drop, was when she spotted the horrendous scarf that was wrapped around Pencil's neck.

Seriously- were those polka-dots?! Polka-dots were SO not her.

...Wait. Come on- not now!

This wasn't the time!

Brushing herself off, Flower looked back towards the writing utensil. "I'm sorry- did you just-"

"I did. No need to repeat it." Pencil glared. "Let this be the first and last time I help you out here. We can't have everyone gawking at you as you get a taste of the ground."

Yeesh.

Flower swallowed any remaining words in her system, before her eyes trailed down to the woman that was being cradled in Pencil's arms.

Match.

Match...? She swore it was her, but-... she looked... terrible.

The matchstick's eyes were bloodshot, her pupils trembling like a leaf. She would repeatedly fan herself, ripping away from the striking warmth of Pencil's arms to let the winter air wash away the hellish burning from the past.

When she broke away, Pencil tried to pull her back- but her movements caused the scarf to shift, loosening from the poor girl's neck. Flower could catch a glimpse of what looked like a scar- but the fact that the scarf was falling made Pencil immediately tense up.

The color drained from her face, her exhaustion snapping back into fear as she immediately forgot about Match, grabbing both ends of the scarf and tightening them, hiding her scar once more. She swore- that seemed to be way too tight for it to be any comfort, at all.

But Flower looked away. It was clear that these two had been through hell and back after her death- and judging from their states now, she wasn't planning on asking them about it, anytime soon.

And that's when it hit her.

Book.

Ruby.

Oh.

Immediately, the bloom would whirl away from the crowd, coming face to face with the glowing screen of the recovery center.

B-O-O-K.

She had gone out to the roar of clashing, metal teeth, grinding her bones to mush.

Now, the hum of a pale machine filled her mind, almost as if it were giving her a warm welcome.

But this was short lived- as the aborted that were buried in the back of her mind, immediately returned to stab through her chest, much similarly to the shredder.

And boy- did it hurt; her papered heart being punctured over, and over, until she could feel no more. She may have laughed then- but would she now?

Hums. A reminder of the present, the now, this very moment which draped a blanket of ease over her aching soul. She wished this would help- but her wounds corrupted the pearly white sheet of the present, blood beginning to cloud the innocence that she would never have again.

Her blood.

The hums...?

Roars.

No. It's over. It should be over-

No-

Oh no, please, not again-

Please let it be-

"Book?"

The Yoyle air should've made her smile, but Book could only look up at the source of the voice- her bloodshot eyes twitching as a stream of blood trickled down her nose.

Tears. She was crying- were they tears?

Was it blood..?

No- she couldn't think. How her body ached with every movement she made.

"I... I think I broke something.": The sound of her own voice had grown foreign to her- she was gone for so long, it almost felt like an eternity.

Time, oh time, how cruel could you possibly be?

The sight disturbed those who had escaped the TLC. Every recovery unveiled a missing fragment from the puzzle that was the past, and they could only be thankful that the metal walls of the TLC kept them at bay from the chaos outside.

But to the victims- oh, it was such a quiet comfort to see, bringing back their fallen comrades and seeing them alive once more.

After being handed a rag from Basketball, Flower knelt down to Book's level, carefully wiping the tears of blood that would stain her cover. Her movements were so gentle- so tender- that it took the others by surprise, knowing the history that these two had.

Both as individuals, and together.

Knowing this- Book could feel an orb of sadness swelling in her throat, making it harder for her to try and take in a deep breath.

Here she was, being cared for by the girlfriend of the gem she had loved. And she didn't need to look to know that Ruby wasn't in the room with them.

Not yet.

"I-...I'm sorry I couldn't protect her." Book croaked out, her body shivering from the plethora of emotions that swarmed around her. Like a sea of box jellyfish, the guilt, sadness and anger stung through her skin, painting her body with the scars from their nematocysts.

The stinging immediately shaped into regret, as the woman held her mouth in shock.

Why? Why did she say that?!

What was she thinking?!

She wouldn't forgive her- she wouldn't-

"You did enough."

Book's thoughts were immediately cut short by the bloom's words. Stunned, she looked up, letting her eyes lock onto hers.

"..What..?"

"You did enough, Book. Enough for me- enough for Ruby." Flower took in a deep breath, clenching the rag tightly in her hands as she-

Wait.. was she crying..?

"Flower.." Book carefully reached towards the taller woman. This immediately made Flower jump, blinking rapidly to fight the tears that threatened to spill down her freckled face.

"Book- you never needed to apologize." Flower's voice trembled.  "You did- everything you could to keep her safe."

"But-"

"-But nothing. It doesn't matter anymore- we're alive again, and now..."

The two held each other's hands, giving one another a firm nod.

"...We can bring her back..."

They both began to type.

"And it'll all be okay again- only this time... it'll be three of us..."

Flower pressed R. Book pressed U. And the two continued, until their hands were over one another on the green button- pressing it down, together.

R-U-B-Y.

It happened too fast.

First- her screams. Her begs for mercy.

She wailed about her aching eye- the eye that she had taken out.

Her cries wouldn't stop- they couldn't- and this disturbed the bloom and the book to their very cores.

But it seems that the gemstone had broken out of her flashback- seeing the two ladies she had fallen madly in love with, now standing before her, after losing the both of them in ways that would haunt her for the rest of her life.

....

Her breaths quickened. It's been too long- way too long- she needed them, she had to make sure that they were real-

But in that moment, she lifted herself up, sprinting straight into the arms of her girlfriend.

Flower.

The wails continued. Ruby could only bury her face into the blooms chest- disbelief striking her as she was now healthy, and alive.

How it hurt- to finally see that familiar gemstone with them in this plane of existence..

Only for her to see the other woman instead.

Book's paged heart broke.

For it was very clear, that she was no longer in that gemstones vision, any longer.

Recoveries.

A process that they had once grown used to.

Dying repeatedly in the games led them to being unfazed by the process- hell, they weren't even phased by the idea of death.

But after everything that had taken place- the garden, the hands, and their murders- they could never see their original visions, for the rest of their lives.

With the return of the majority of the IDFB cast, Basketball looked towards the two scientists, relying on their commands in order to proceed.

But- she could see a tense aura hanging over the two, as she sensed that there was still someone they had yet to recover.

"Golfball- we have to- we can't just leave him like that."

"No."

"He didn't do anything! Coiny was her-"

"WE ARE NOT BRINGING COINY BACK." The sudden yell from Golfball made a sharp chill run down Tennis Ball's spine, as he immediately turned back to face the woman.

"Wh-Why not?!"

"What do you mean "why not"?! That idiot- HE WAS THE REASON WE ALL DIED!"

"He couldn't have known!"

"HE ABSOLUTELY COULD HAVE. HE NEVER KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON- HE'S NOTHING BUT AN IDIOT!"

"GB- keep it down!" Tennis Ball noticed Rocky's flinching, his trembling growing more severe as the yelling triggered a migraine.

Almost immediately, Golfball would stop- her eyes widening in fear as she frantically checked the small figure. His whines tugged at her petrified heart, as she grimaced, immediately looking back towards the crowd.

"He could've known. And if he didn't- his blind eye resulted in our deaths."

"..But.. she killed him." Firey looked up, holding onto Gelatin and Puffball as his body continued to shiver every now and then. "How could he have known- if she killed him herself?"

"I-.. well-.. still-" Stuttering, GB tried to divert the question- but the lemon leaf wouldn't let this slide.

"He never thought that she'd be behind it all. You knew him- we all did. She was his world.

"And like the rest of us- he fell into her dirty little hands. He needs us- and that's something I will not let down."

Hesitation came from the crowd. How couldn't it- they knew she had a point. The coin was head over heels for his dearly beloved thumbtack- love blinded him from seeing the horrific nature that fell into place because of her.

But if he returned without a care...?

He couldn't- Fries heard it- he heard their fight, even as he slipped from conciousness.

...but was it really worth the risk..?

C-O-I-N-Y.

Sometimes, when the competition becomes overwhelming, good dreams bless the exhausted mind of that familiar copper coin. Being handed the certificate of Dream Island. Winning the first prize ever in BFDIA. Recently, fate sent him his friends and acquaintances, all gathered together in a field of light, their endless chattering filling the angelic air.

He saw no signs of death- there was no blood, no wounds, just the smiles and laughter of those he had been around for years on end. Their conversations were endless, going on and on and filling him with a sense of ease.

Though, it had all fallen quiet. There were strange in-betweens where the quiet voices would brush by his ears, and vanish, returning to the silence that now surrounded him.

It took him a minute, but when his eyes opened, he was greeted with the faces he once saw in his dreams- as well as faces he hadn't seen in forever.

And when that familiar flame came to view, Coiny could feel the sobs scratching at his throat. He sprang up, immediately rushing to Firey as he threw his arms around him, squeezing him ever so gently.

This caught Firey by surprise- I mean, this was his arch nemesis- it was COINY. You'd think they'd immediately go at each others throats, but the quiet sobs that came from his shivering body was enough to make Firey hold him tight.

"Y-You're alive.." Coiny cried, holding him tighter. "I-... oh my mint, I am so sorry..."

"Sorry for what..? Coiny.." Frowning, Firey would rub his back, trying to soothe the guy. The question fell on deafened ears, and all he could do was comfort him to the best of his abilities.

Coiny's mind raced. He was alive. He was alive, he was here, and he was holding him. No more of that stupid rivalry, no more tension and no more slapping- no. He couldn't lose him again.

And this brought a wave of ease to the coin. Even as he held Firey's face, getting a good look at him to make sure that this was real, there was something about this that eased his racing mind. It was strangely a comforting sight, but as he tried to hold on, that feeling would eventually slip away from his grasp, leaving the space for reality to set in.

And it did.

Once he let go of Firey, he stepped back, now getting a good realization of the damage she had done. His body was painfully heavy, almost as if there were cement that had now hardened and settled in his veins. It kept him grounded- leaving him on the floor as his eyes glanced over the others, both who had died before him, and, from what he could guess, those who died after.

He clenched his fists. It was hard to tell what was going through that mind of his- his arms now beginning to tremble as his eyes became dewey with tears. There was nothing that anyone could try and say to him- except for one.

He had always seen Coiny as a son. Well- son-in-law. He was... her... partner- and she was someone he had grown to care for, even if he couldn't show it properly. And after hearing the points that were made previously, he was so sure that his anger would snap, the moment he saw that coin's face. But he couldn't.

There was no use for it. After everything they had been through, this was not worth the energy. Everyone was exhausted, and dreary, with long battles awaiting them on their paths to the future. Fries didn't want to make this any harder.

He looked towards Coiny, and as if their minds synched together, his eyes locked onto his. The two had gone together- one after the other, after making a discovery that changed their lives for the worst. That connection never faltered- even as they stood here, in the present. There was a silence that stretched between the two, but the gaze from Fries began to break him, his lip shivering as he tried to find the right words to say.

It had been so long.

He had lost count.

What could he say...?

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." The sorrow that radiated from Coiny's own voice made him wince.

Regret.

He had no need to feel regret.

And that was enough to prove it, right there.

"None of us knew," Fries uttered, carefully holding his family close. "It isn't your fault, Coiny."

"But- she... I was-... I never thought she would..."

"We didn't know. We didn't."

Suddenly, Pen's voice interjected the two, his face beginning to radiate with the frustration that raced through his heart.

"YOU DIDN'T KNOW?!" He scowled, "HOW COULDN'T YOU HAVE KNOWN?!"

Coiny shot up, shivering at the rage from his friend. "I-I- I was-"

"COINY- SHE KILLED EVERYONE. EVERYONE!! AND YOU WEREN'T SUSPICIOUS OF HER AT ALL?!"

"Pen, I COULDN'T BE! I-I LOVED HER-"

"SHE KILLED MY SISTER!"

His heart dropped. Coiny watched as Eraser would carefully pull Pen back, his face scrunched with anger as he could barely look at his elder sister. He wasn't the only one who had lost someone that close to him- and that realization made his heart shatter, the pieces scattering endlessly through his body.

But before he could fully collapse, he could see Fries reaching for him. With the remaining amount of strength he had, he ran into Fries' arms, his sobs breaking through the barrier he had desperately tried to keep. Every cry and wail reverberated through the lab, carrying the regret and heartbreak that he had to carry for the rest of his life.

She did what she did. There was no changing that.

But the sun was still here- Pin, was not. The world may not have ended, but to Coiny, it felt like it did.

"Are. You. Serious."

The words escaped Fanny's mind, even as she tried her best to contain the anger that was quickly beginning to spike. She felt how heavy the atmosphere was- the misery practically radiated from those who were brought back.

But after EVERYTHING. They-

"How could you all FORGET about her?!"

"Forget about who, Fanny." Basketball pouted, immediately shooting an angered glare towards her.

"I wasn't talking to you, but maybe I'll let you pass. Your IQ is about the same as the cold right now, after all!"

"Excuse me?!"

"Hey- enough! Fanny, what are you talking about?!" Tennis Ball interjected, carefully pulling her away from the electrical fan.

Oh, how dense could they POSSIBLY be right now- the light was practically bending around these idiots!

After everything, Fanny was furious as to how little they cared about the one that had put an END to that monster- INCLUDING her own teammates!

She whirled towards the Freesmarters- not caring that they were all still in shock- as she immediately addressed them.

"Don't you think you're forgetting SOMEONE." Fanny gritted through her teeth.

Someone.

Oh.

Book flinched, her arms hugging herself tighter than before. She knew exactly who she was talking about- besides, how could she forget?

The way they gave her in?

Tossed her aside, like a rotten banana peel?

Her expression was enough to give her away, as Fanny's eyebrows furrowed together, frustration now boiling from her head.

"BUBBLE AND ICE CUBE! YOU IDIOTS!"

"We were getting to them." Pencil murmured weakly, her voice rather hoarse as the scarf was tightening every last breath out of her. "We just had to wait."

"Wait?! They deserved to be THE FIRST who got recovered- they SAVED YOU!"

"Saved us?!" A broken smile etched on Book's cover, clenching her fists. "They got me KILLED!"

"AND THEY STILL KILLED HER IN RETURN." Fanny snapped back.

The chaos that ensued only caused the others to shrink into nothingness. Hearing the words that left Book's mouth, Ruby looked up, her heart dropping as she realized that she didn't make it far, either.

Book.

The gemstone shakily reached for her, but Book didn't see this- her frustration and grief blinding her from any rational thought that formed in her mind.

"THEY GAVE ME UP." She yelled. "AND YOU THINK THEY'RE HEROES?!"

"BOOK- I'M SORRY, BUT THEY PUT AN END TO IT ALL."

"AT THE COST OF MY LIFE! I COULD'VE REVIVED EVERYONE- I WAS THE ONE WHO NEARLY FINISHED THE RECOVERY CENTER!"

"STOP IT!" Bracelety screamed, immediately jumping in between the two. "JUST STOP!!"

A hush blanketed over the objects. There was nothing they could say- but the realization that they had left the two for last immediately sank underneath their skin, and the guilt that ensued was enough for them to break beyond repair.

But, they held themselves together.

"...Let's bring them home." Golfball adjusted her glasses tiredly, giving her nod of approval as Tennis Ball made his way to the recovery center.

"Any particular order you want, here?"

"No. We just need to recover Bubble- and Ice Cube. And don't you dare forget them ever again." Fanny growled, turning her head to watch as the sports ball began to type her name.

"We already let them down once." Bracelety whispered, the name of her lover reflecting from her shimmering eyes.

Just by not being there.

Not saying enough.

Not helping enough.

I-C-E-C-U-B-E.

But now, they would make things right.

"We won't let them die in vain again."