Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Eyes In The Dark

Doey was worried.

Of course, this was nothing new!

Living down in The Prison previously meant that danger lurked around every corner and in every shadow, especially when The Doctor or The Prototype were making their rounds of terrorising anyone unfortunate to be outside of Safe Haven for too long.

At least that was the case until just a few hours ago when an Angel decended from above and saved the toys of Safe Haven.

Poppy's Angel.

Within a few hours of their arrival Angel had distracted Pianosaurus long enough for Doey to finally get rid of them, put Yarnaby out of their misery of being a manipulated slave, sent Harley Sawyer (hopefully) screaming into the depths of Hell and finally jump-started Safe Haven's generator to ensure the sanctuaries survival.

They had done more for the toys of The Factory than Poppy had in TEN WHOLE YEARS!

Doey felt a ripple of anger pulse through his dough causing him to reach up and drag his hands down his face while taking a deep breath, the doughman letting out a sigh as he dropped his arms back to his sides and turned his attention back to the door on his right.

The door to Safe Haven's Infirmary.

The door from which his current worry was the source of.

More specifically what was happening on the other side.

Thanks to the two small windows that sat about halfway up the door Doey was able to see into the makeshift surgical room that Medic had set up, the doughman wincing in sympathy when he saw the tiny red robot working tirelessly to calm their current patient.

Kissy Missy.

The lanky pink toy had been practically tied down to Medic's operating table as she continuously thrashed and screeched as Medic tried to work, the source of her agonizing pain and Medic's risk of blowing a fuse being her right arm that had been mangled by an attack in PlayCare.

Doey believed Medic to be one of the best in terms of medical knowledge, but even he could see how the doctor was running out of ideas due to his dwindling resources.

And that's why Doey is worried!

Because the moment Medic's resources run dry the rest of Safe Haven would be bound to crumble, leaving them as easy pickings for...The Prototype.

Doey was so caught up in his panic induced thoughts that when a gentle hand was placed onto his arm he almost leapt out of his dough, the doughman looking down to find Angel without their Grab-Pack and staring at The Infirmary door with an understandable amount of concern.

After a moment of silence between them Angel looked up at him and began to sign, Doey being lucky that Matthew had done a short course on sign language before he was unfortunate enough to...join them.

Angel: "How is she?"

Doey: "Not good. Medic is trying his best, but I can tell he's struggling."

Angel: "What can we do to help?"

Doey: "We need surgical equipment. But that stuff can only be found down in The Labs...in His home. That monster has always held it over our heads that he holds the keys to the kingdom down there!"

Doey accidentally shouted as the red portion of his dough began to warble and shift, Angel's calming hand on his arm being enough to bring a small smile to the doughman's face.

Angel: "Is there anywhere else we could find what we need? This place is the size of a small country after all!"

Doey let out a low giggle before placing a hand on his chin and beginning to think.

Angel wasn't wrong as The Factory was OBSCENELY large and there were undoubtedly places that nobody had stepped foot in since The Hour of Joy, but as the doughman pondered about the places he had never seen a sudden promising idea popped into his head...and was immediately met by backlash within his mind.

Really? Him! I thought taking more from someone who gave to you willingly was seen as rude? The more we take from him, the more he's not gonna want us around!

It's the best idea we've got Kev. If anyone has what Medic needs to help Kissy, it's him. And we're not taking from him. We spend time with him, and he gives us something in return.

M-Matthews right Kevin. He just w-wants a friend. I doubt he gets to t-talk to many people d-down there.

After Kevin reluctantly agreed to their plan Doey turned and looked down at Angel who was staring up at him expectantly.

Doey: "I think I've got an idea. I have a friend deep below The Factory, where all the water ends up. They're the online one who lives down there as most toys aren't waterproof, which makes all the salvage down there theirs and only theirs. They also live quite close to The Labs meaning they might have what we need."

Angel: "Great! When do we leave?"

And that's exactly what Doey DIDN'T want to hear.

Doey: "Not to burst your bubble Angel, but I think it'd be safer for you to stay here."

Angel: "(Looks up in confusion) What! Why?"

Doey: "My friend is a bit...unstable. He doesn't get to talk to many people, and the first time we met we even got into a fight!"

Doey said as he pointed towards a faded patch of dough on his stomach about the size of a dinner plate with Angel leaning in to notice that the patch was more akin to a crater.

Angel: "What happened?"

Doey: "He thought I was stealing from him and gave me a little bite to scare me off. We apologized after though! Now we're best friends!"

Doey said with a wide grin while Angel simply stared up at him in a mix of confusion and concern, them being caught off guard by how nonchalant the doughman was about how he was almost EATEN. Shaking their head to be away with their mounting concern for Doey's wellbeing Angel continued to sign drawing the doughman's attention.

Angel: "If what you say is true...then you definitely need my help. Maybe introducing me to them would help in the long run?"

Doey really didn't want to bring them.

He may have been slightly underselling just how dangerous his friend really was.

But...Angel had proven themselves before.

They had beaten Huggy Wuggy, Mommy Long Legs and those in The Game Station, Catnap and his troupe of horrors in PlayCare, Yarnaby and finally The Doctor practically singlehandedly.

It wouldn't be completely insane to bring them along.

At least, that's what he told himself.

Doey: "(Sigh) Alright. You can come along. Go grab your pack, as you might need it."

Angel: "Why?"

Doey: "Just in case you'll need to run."

Despite Doey's cryptic warnings Angel suited up with their Grab-Pack and the two of them left the safety of Safe Haven's walls and ventured out into The Prison.

Without the agitating voice of Doctor Sawyer over the PA system no longer calling out to those who strayed within earshot of a camera, The Prison had been plunged into an eerie silence that was only broken by the sound of perpetually rushing water or the pitter patter of feet in the darkness.

Doey kept his eyes wide and alert as he and Angel moved swiftly through The Prison and towards the mass grave that sat beyond, the doughman's presence being enough to ward off the small packs of starving Nightmare Critters that roamed aimlessly now that Doctor Sawyer could no longer guide them.

Eventually the two of them had reached the place where everything had begun and where the downfall of Doctor Sawyer had been sealed, the decapitated and half-eaten corpse of Pianosaurus laying in a pool of their own drying blood in the hole they had been abandoned in to die.

Despite Doey temporarily regretting what he had felt was a murder of just another desperate toy, Angel had brought the doughman comfort by telling him that Pianosaurus had been reduced to nothing more than a rabid animal.

Still though...he wished he could've talked to them before they turned into a stain on the floor.

Ignoring his feelings the two of them continued through The Prison following the path that Angel had originally travelled, Doey having to walk with his eyes closed and Angel holding his hand when they entered into the cell blocks as the sight of them brought back too many bad memories. Eventually Doey could open his eyes and walk unattended but the sight he was now privy too made him wish he had just kept walking blind.

He had seen the mass grave many times before but that didn't mean it didn't continue to cause knots to form in his stomach, blue teardrop shaped balls of dough slowly oozing out from his eyes as the two of them navigated through the mountains of bodies.

I hate this place.

You and me both Kev.

L-Lets just g-get through here fast.

A gentle tapping on his arm drew Doey out of his mind and he looked down to find Angel looking up before they began to sign.

Angel: "Where to now?"

Doey: "Just up here."

Doey said while pointing down a path in the mountains of bodies that led towards a large crack in the cave wall. While Doey effortlessly squished himself through Angel had to walk like a crab and suck in their belly to squeeze themselves through the tight gap, them almost collapsing when they reached the other side with Doey having to act as a makeshift support while they took in desperate breaths.

Doey: "Are you alright pal?"

Angel didn't respond but simply flashed him a thumbs up with their Omni-hand causing him to giggle as they pushed themselves off him, their heart dropping into their stomach when they found themselves on a large cliff overlooking a deep hole in the earth. Taking a few gentle steps towards the edge they peered over and saw that it descend more than fifty feet downwards, them noticing a few large waterfalls caused by leaking pipelines had formed a sizable body of water that had taken up the majority of the cave floor.

Turning back around they resisted the urge to laugh when they found Doey staring up into a stream of water with his mouth wide open, his eyes as small as marbles as the water filled his mouth before it began to overflow and pour over the side of his "lips".

Angel: "(Clears throat)"

Doey immediately looked down at Angel causing the water in his mouth to splash down his front, a goofy smile filling his face and his eyes returning to normal after he swallowed what remained in his mouth.

Angel: "I wouldn't drink that if I were you."

Doey: "What? Why?"

Angel: "Because it's most likely sewage from the upper levels."

Doey's smile disappeared within an instant and after he gagged he stuck his multicoloured tongue out and began to wipe away at it, it's length extending with each drag of his hands until it almost touched the ground while Angel was silently giggling to themselves at his misfortune. Soon enough Doey noticed them giggling at him and quickly sucked his tongue back into his mouth to join in, their shared laughter echoing through the chamber only to be drowned out by the roar of the waters below.

Within moments though their laughter had died down and Angel looked to Doey who had his eyes on them while his head was out over the edge.

Angel: "Which way now?"

Doey raised a finger towards them while pulling his head back before his body lost rigidity and he collapsed into a puddle of dough, his body slowly sliding off of the cliff edge and down the cliff face until it touched the floor where in it suddenly formed into a rickety but stable ladder. Doey's cap was balanced on the top rung of the ladder so after taking the first few steps down Angel plucked it off, them beginning their decent down the cliff with the ladder disappearing above them as they went.

When their feet eventually touched the floor at the bottom Angel looked around and jumped when they saw a hallway on their right that most likely led deeper into the facility, the thump of heavy feet against cold stone causing them to turn back and find Doey stretching himself out before he placed his cap back atop his head and looked to them.

Angel: "Where do we go now?"

Doey: "He's just over here. Remember to stay behind me until we know he trusts you."

Angel nodded and the two of navigated around the rim of the miniature lake before Doey randomly stopped and turned towards the wall beside them, Angel looking up at him in confusion before they followed his eyes and jumped back in shock at what they saw.

Stretching to the length of a school bus and the height of a small home was what looked like a den carved into the cave wall with dirt and boulders acting as a makeshift ramp leading up to the mouth of it. Covering the outward edge of the hole and strewn across the ground were deep grooves in sets of three as thick as tree trunks, patches of dried and fresh blood that led towards the den and the colourful remnants of unfortunate Nightmare Critters.

Angel went to tap Doey on the arm to get his attention but was stopped when he suddenly placed a hand beside his mouth and spoke up.

Doey: "Cracky! Are you in there?"

For the first few seconds there was nothing but silence before the shifting of something MASSIVE began to echo out from within the depths of the den.

Voice: "Doey? Is that you? I wasn't expecting you for the next few days."

The voice was deep and foreboding yet calm at the same time, but it was enough to make Angel step further into Doey's shadow.

Doey: "Yeah! I'm here. I just...wanted to see you again!"

There was a pause before the shifting in the den continued and two large white dots a few feet apart from eachother suddenly appeared within the dark.

Cracky: "(Low Bellow) Your voice is...unsure. Why are you really here Doey?"

Doey: "(Sigh) It's Kissy."

Cracky: "Kissy's alive? But I thought...nevermind. Why do you need my help?"

Doey: "Medic's running out of supplies, and we need surgical equipment to help her. I thought...you might have some?"

Cracky: "Oh...I see."

Pebbles around Angel's feet began to bounce around as the ground shook from massive footfalls within the den and a cloud of dust flew out from within.

When the dust cleared...Angel almost fainted.

Looming in the entrance of the den with their two, three fingered green claws gripping onto the rim was the giant head of who Angel assumed was Cracky. Their head was a faded green colour and crocodilian in design with a long bumpy snout with two large nostrils, two rounded eyes that peeked out of the dark and a solid wall of triangular teeth that were stained on the tips with blood. The scales that covered Cracky's head were broken up by scars, fresh and old, and viscous drool dripped from his reddened gums and onto the ground.

Cracky: "You want more from me, don't you? That's not very friendly Doey."

As Cracky spoke his mouth didn't move but instead his eyes lit up in a variety of colours in time with each word and syllable spoken.

Doey: "I know! But we're desperate. You're the only one who scavenges around The Labs, so you're the best shot Kissy has at recovering."

Cracky let out a deep growl as he removed one his claws from the wall to place under his chin as he took in a deep breath through his nostrils...only for him to pause and drop his hand to take a better sniff at the air around him. Cracky turned his attention on Doey and crept further out of his den to give the doughman a large sniff, Angel trying their hardest to both stay hidden behind Doey and get a good look at the giant toy who's green scales across his stomach and flank were battered by age and fights.

Cracky: "You smell different Doey. (Pulls away with squinted eyes) You smell like—"

Angel took another quiet step back only for their heel to catch on a stone causing them to stumble and fall to their right...directly out into the open.

Both Doey and Cracky immediately looked down at them with concern and rage respectively filling their faces, a massive red tongue worming its way from out between Cracky's teeth which dragged itself along their length before disappearing back inside.

Cracky: "—Humans."

Doey was quick on his feet as Cracky leaned closer towards Angel who was still on the floor and frozen in fear, the doughman heroically jumping inbetween the two of them with his arms outstretched and his back to Angel causing Cracky to growl in agitation.

Cracky: "Doey. What are you doing?"

Doey: "Protecting my friend!"

Cracky: "Friend? FRIEND!? Do I need to remind you about what those...BASTARDS did to us!?"

Cracky shouted as his eyes now blazed with solid red and he continued to advance upon them until his entire body had emerged his den, his tail that was length of an adult redwood tree crashed against the ground as his maw opened ready to strike.

Doey: "No! I remember it all! But Angel isn't one of them!"

Cracky paused and tilted his head to one side

Cracky: "What do you mean...Angel. Are they...?"

Doey: "Y-Yes! They're Poppy's Angel. They helped us in Safe Haven, and got rid of Doctor Sawyer for good. Not to mention everything the did on the upper levels. They're not one of the people who hurt us Cracky."

As the two Toys conversed Angel had been slowly working off their terror until they had picked themselves off the ground and immediately stuck close to Doey's back, them then working up their courage to peek their head out from around Doey's arm to now find Cracky staring down at them with something akin to...reverence.

Cracky: "If Doey isn't lying to me, then that would make you the one who got rid of Catnap."

Cracky then watched in confusion as Angel began to make strange gestures with their hands causing him to turn to Doey.

Cracky: "What are they doing Doey?"

Doey: "It's uh–Sign Language. They said, "It was The Prototype who killed Catnap. I just weakened him." "

Cracky: "It doesn't surprise me that He would've taken advantage of Catnap's vulnerability again. He probably just wanted more parts to keep himself going. But you have my thanks for removing Catnap anyway...Angel."

Cracky said while staring off into the distance at seemingly nothing before he slowly layed out on the floor like the animals he was based off of, Angel hesitantly stepping out from behind Doey after Cracky stopped moving to give him a more in-depth look.

The first thing they noticed was Cracky's size as he was ENORMOUS; easily the largest toy they had seen during their time in The Factory. He was a mountain of tattered green plastic from his tooth filled snout all the way down to the end of his gigantic tail, Angel noticing that the tip of his tail was missing and that his back right leg was also gone. In the place of the leg though was a collection of metal pipes, gears and wires make in vague resemblance of his other legs, the giant toy noticing their staring and letting out a quick chuff to get their attention.

Cracky: "The Prototype did it. He wanted me to blindly follow him like the rest of his nut job cultists, but I refused and we fought. I took one of his arms, but he got my leg in return. (Gently Wiggles Prosthetic) Only made this little thing so I didn't have a lopsided walk anymore. It took me few tries. You have no IDEA how hard it is to work with these claws!"

Cracky said as he slammed his left claw into the ground causing the stone to crumble beneath it causing him to scoff, the giant toy watching as Angel tapped Doey on the arm and began to sign something to him.

Doey: "No idea pal!"

Cracky: "What did they ask?"

Doey: "They were wondering what toy your based off of. Truth be told, I don't know either."

Cracky: "Cracky The Crocodile. It was a prototype toy that would've been able to bend, twist and contort itself freely. Example..."

Cracky pushed down with his right legs causing his whole body to twist to the point that it was completely vertical before it came crashing back down which shook the ground, the giant toy now being inverted with his legs firmly planted in the floor and his head twisting left until it was the correct way up.

Cracky: "Cool, isn't it? It's a bit of a pain though as I get tangled up sometimes. (Twists back to normal) Now that that's all done with. What did you need?"

Doey: "Medical supplies. Preferably surgical, if you have any."

Cracky nodded before turning and crawling back up into the darkness of his den with his tail dragging along the ground behind him like a snake, Doey taking a step back while keeping Angel behind him when random items began to fly out of the den and into the water beside them.

Cracky: "(Echoing Voice) No. No. Nope, not that one. Definitely not that. Where is it?"

Empty batteries, parts from various Nightmare Critters, boulders the size of trash cans and even half of a bleached human skeleton came flying out of the darkness, Angel watching the skeleton intently as it sunk beneath the waters surface and out of view to join whatever else was down there.

Despite Cracky now seemingly being a tense ally, they had to make sure they remembered how dangerous he could be.

He had fought The Prototype and lived for god's sake!

Before they could dwell on their feelings Angel's thoughts were interrupted by the pounding of dirt underfoot before Cracky emerged from his den once again, the giant toy looking to them before gently leaning down and opening his jaws revealing something placed on his tongue.

Cracky: "Go ahead, Angel. Take it. It should have what you need to help Kissy."

Pushing aside their disgust that was obvious due to the grimace on their face Angel carefully reached into Cracky's drool filled maw and peeled what looked like a metal briefcase off of his tongue, the toys jaw slamming shut just as Angel pulled their hands out causing them to stumble back and Doey to look up at the with humourless eyes.

Doey: "Was that really necessary?"

Cracky: "Very. It's been a good while since I've had a laugh."

As the two continued to bicker Angel, after slowing their racing heartbeat, clicked open the case in their hands and smiled at what they saw. Inside were rows of pristine surgical equipment including scalpels, saws, a staple gun and spools of sutures, everything that Medic would need to fully reattach Kissy's arm plus more for the road ahead. Closing the case and locking it shut Angel tapped Doey on the arm and began to sign to him before turning to Cracky and doing the same to him with a bright smile.

Doey: "They said, "It has what we need" and, "Thank you Cracky". Thank you, from me too."

Cracky: "You're both welcome. Just make sure you put that stuff to good use as I can't guarantee there'll be anymore in this godforsaken factory. Now if you want to leave I recommend going through there, NOT there."

Cracky said as he pointed to a bright red tube that sat to the left of his den, and then over to the hallway Angel had seen when they first climbed into the pit.

Cracky: "If you follow the tube it should lead you straight back up towards The Prison. The hallway would lead you directly into The Labs and towards The Prototype, and with everything that's been going on recently I don't think you want to meet him right now."

Doey had a massive smile on his face and without thinking wrapped his arms tightly around Cracky's front right leg, the giant toy just rolling his eyes before petting the doughman's head with his front left leg. After strangling the life out of Cracky's leg Doey unwound himself from it and waved at Cracky as he and Angel turned to leave, Cracky watching them go before turning and climbing back into his den only to pause to look over his shoulder.

Cracky looked back just as Doey and Angel stepped into the tunnel and disappeared within, wide smiles on both their faces, the giant toy also smiling before turning his front left leg over to see the bottom where the faded numbers "1–1–8–7" could be seen.

Maybe Poppy didn't lie to us after all?

Cracky hopefully thought before he turned and crawled back into the darkness of his den.

Chapter Text

Making Friends

Cracky's Burrow

Scratch!

Scratch!

Cracky blearily opened his eyes yet instead of stretching out he kept himself perfectly still as he attempted to listen for the source of the sound that had rudely woken him up.

Scratch!

Scratch!

Cracky at first tried to ignore the noise as he assumed it was just another starving Nightmare Critter or wayward toy trying to rob him of his scavenged food, the toy too tired to bother shooing them away and him also being confident that he scrounged up enough to last him the next few months.

And his inactivity seemingly worked as whatever was intruding in his home continued with whatever they were doing, them completely unaware that if they remained in the burrow for any longer Cracky's patience would run out and they would be in serious danger.

That was...until Cracky readjusted his tail.

The moment he did whatever the intruder was seemingly saw that as a declaration of war and released a garbled screech before leaping out of the darkness at him, Cracky catching a glimpse of orange fur in his peripheral before rows of teeth slammed into the scales across his stomach and bit down...hard.

Pain shot through Cracky's body and despite it being insignificant compared to some of the injuries he had received previously, it was enough to make him grit his teeth before planting his hands into the soil and shaking his body in an attempt to rid him of his unknown attacker.

Whoever they were was stronger than he expected however as their teeth only sunk deeper into his body in response to his movements, Cracky letting out a growl of genuine anger before gripping the walls of his burrow to pull himself towards the entrance and finally deal with his attacker.

What a way to wake up! I was gonna go exploring, but instead I'm dealing with THIS!

He thought with a sigh as Cracky heaved himself out of his burrow, his eyes squinting as they adjusted to the "morning" light that shone down from above, and collapsed onto the cave floor with his unknown attacker releasing a yelp of alarm though they remained stuck to him.

Despite the remarkable lengths at which he could contort his body Cracky's neck could only bend left and right so far, the toy turning his head far as he could to his left to finally get a glimpse at just who exactly had decided to attack him.

When he finally saw his attacker in the light however, you could say he was utterly confused at who he found.

Before he could speak up his attacker's hold on him with their teeth loosened causing them to rake their claws down his side to remain attached, Cracky growling in pain before his eyes flashed with red and he pushed himself off the ground to slam his attacker into the ground.

Blargh!

Crushed beneath the full weight of Cracky's body his attacker released another garble screech and their teeth immediately withdrew from his body, Cracky taking the opportunity to back up and wrap his claws firmly around his attacker before lifting them up into the air.

As they desperately struggled within his tight grip Cracky hovered his attacker in the light, and stared into the black emotionless eyes...of Yarnaby!

The lion toy had seen better days with his usually vibrant mane of multicoloured yarn having been scorched an ugly black up and down his body, some sections of the yarn having fallen away completely revealing his faded orange fur that lay beneath and the fresh scars that now covered it. Looking closely at the toy's mouth that he'd splayed fully open in an attempt to threaten Cracky the crocodile winced at what he saw, a large scar running up the inside of the right section of his mouth which oozed blood and mixed with Cracky's blood that currently dripped from his teeth.

That's probably from the hook Angel said he got stabbed on. The furnaces heat must of ignited the Red Smoke in his system, setting him on fire.

Cracky thought as he rotated Yarnaby around in his hand to give the rest of his body a look over, the crocodile only pausing when Yarnaby managed to lock his jaws around one of Cracky's fingers. Quickly prying his finger free Cracky turned Yarnaby back around to face him, the toy screeching at him sending spit flying onto his face that he was just as quick to wipe away in disgust.

Cracky: "I'm surprised you're even kicking right now Yarnaby. How are you alive anyway? Angel said you got banged up pretty bad."

Yarnaby's mouth shut with a disgusting squishing sound and they stared into Cracky's eyes with something akin to confusion.

Cracky: "(Sigh) Right...nonverbal. Just try your best to respond when I ask my questions. Okay?"

After a moment of consideration, Yarnaby slowly nodded.

Cracky: "Alright, cool. Why were you searching through my stuff?"

Yarnaby opened their mouth once again and when Cracky braced for another garbled sound to fall out of his mouth he was instead surprised, Yarnaby wriggling to free one of his arms and point at the bleeding scar in his mouth plus the numerous others that covered his body.

Cracky: "You wanted to fix yourself up?"

Yarnaby quickly nodded causing Cracky to begin thinking.

If this situation had played out at any other time in his toy life he would've likely crushed Yarnaby within his claws and devoured what remained...but times change, and so do people.

And Cracky isn't any different, so he now found himself at a crossroads.

He could either give into his old instincts and reduce Yarnaby to nothing but a simple meal, or help the wounded toy and maybe gain a new friend for him and those in Safe Haven.

After considering his options in silence for a tense moment Cracky eventually made up his mind and looked Yarnaby in their now hopeful eyes.

Cracky: "I've got some stuff in my burrow that should be able to help you. I'm gonna put you down now. Do you promise not to bite me?"

Yarnaby looked down at the floor and then back up before quickly nodding, Cracky releasing a breath through his nostrils before gently lowering Yarnaby to the floor. When the lion toy had all four of his paws on the ground Cracky watched them intently, waiting for them to inevitably spring up and attack him, but when no attack came Cracky hesitantly turned and crawled back into the darkness of his burrow.

Back within the confines of what he considered safety Cracky started to root around within the piles of scrap that lay within the deepest reaches of his burrow, the toy usually having slept near the piles of what he dubbed "The good stuff" so any would-be thieves had a rude awakening if they weren't careful.

Using his bulky front arms Cracky sifted through his collection of goods until he felt the distinctive smoothness of aluminium under his claws, the toy finding a small silver box with the words "Emergency Medical Kit" painted on the top in faded red paint.

With a precision you wouldn't expect from someone of his size Cracky picked up the small metal box and turned back to the entrance with it in his palm, the toy crawling on his belly through the soil bed of his burrow before he emerged to find Yarnaby...sat like a puppy and patiently waiting for him.

I was expecting him to have ran...though he probably will when I tell him what we have to do next.

Cracky: "Okay, good news! I've got some stuff that should be able to deal with all those scars."

Cracky watched as Yarnaby noticeably perked up at that information and made their way closer to him, before reaching up and making grabby hands towards the box in his hand of which he was quick to pull away.

Cracky: "But, I doubt either of us would be able to use this stuff very well. Luckily for you, I have some friends now who could. The bad news is though...they live in Safe Haven."

The happiness that had quickly spread across Yarnaby's static face immediately fell at Cracky's words, the toy quickly retract his hands and sitting back down with his arms crossed like an angry child.

Cracky: "(Sigh) I'm too old for this shit. Look, I know you don't like it. But Medic can fix you up, we just need to bring this stuff to him! Then maybe you can start helping the toys in Safe Haven, as Sawyer isn't around to bark orders at you anymore. And maybe, just maybe...the others down here might start trusting you again."

Yarnaby didn't respond to his reasoning and instead turned away from him causing the crocodile to roll his eyes before gently setting the box down beside the lion, Cracky creeping forward before lowering his body down until his belly touched the ground and his head rested cleanly on the floor beside Yarnaby where the two of them then sat in a tense silence.

Cracky: "I know what it's like to lose trust in someone."

Cracky caught a flicker of movement in his peripheral.

Cracky: "I worshipped The Prototype like any other toy, back when we were still stuck in those white boxes. I believed his lies of freedom, and that we'd one day see the light of the outside world. But then...The Culling happened."

Another flicker accompanied by the sound of shifting fur.

Cracky: "You probably know what happened next. Everyone down here does. I was chosen to be sacrificed to him, to expand his strength in order to "protect us"...but I refused. I tore my way out of The Labs going through anyone in my way, but I lost myself in the process."

In the reflection of a puddle on the ground Cracky could see Yarnaby was now staring at him, the lion's arms back on the floor as he slowly tilted his head from one side to the other.

Cracky: "It took me a long time to recover, and sometimes I still think I haven't. Then I met Doey one day, and he cared for me so...unconditionally. Safe Haven did so much for me, I haven't even been there yet! So if they can give a crap about me–"

Cracky pushed himself up and took the med-kit within two of his claws before looking down at Yarnaby who's usually stone cold eyes had widened considerably.

Cracky: "–then they can definitely care about you...Quinn. You don't have to be Sawyer's lapdog anymore. You can finally be yourself! So...are you coming?"

Cracky asked while raising an upturned claw towards the lion who stared at it for a moment with tears staring to well up at the corners of his eyes...before Yarnaby gently placed his paw on top of it.

The Prison

Cracky: "This place is worse than I remembered. There was only a few hundred bodies the last time I came through, now I can barely see the cave walls from how tall these piles are."

Cracky admitted as he continued down the path that led through the mass grave filling the room that was the entrance to The Prison, Yarnaby making sure to keep his claws securely in the thick plates that covered Cracky's back and his eyes wide open for any would-be attackers.

Cracky: "You see anything from up there? One yell for yes, two for no."

Yarnaby: "Blegh, blegh!"

Cracky: "That's good. The entrance to The Prison is just over he–"

BWAAH!

Cracky stopped in his tracks and Yarnaby yelped in surprise when an ear piercing siren blared throughout the entire area accompanied by a spotlight suddenly shining down upon them, the crocodile seeing through his near blinded vision that the massive blue bulkhead that acted as the main entrance into The Prison had now quickly sealed itself shut as they approached.

Cracky: "(Sigh) Hey, Yarnaby? Step down for a second. I gotta deal with this door."

Yarnaby quickly complied and crawled down Cracky's tail as the crocodile pushed through the rickety chain fence that cornered off the entrance and stepped up to the bulkhead, the toy looking it up and down for any perceivable weaknesses as Yarnaby entertained himself by batting at Cracky's tail that moved from side to side on the ground.

Yarnaby paused mid swipe when the sound of groaning metal suddenly filled the area causing him to look around in confusion, his eyes eventually falling back on the bulkhead where he found Cracky wrapping his claws around the edges of the massive door.

After taking a deep breath Cracky began to pull with all his strength causing the large bolts securing the bulkhead to the wall to begin shooting off, Yarnaby quickly moving away from Cracky's tail and standing off to the side as the metal began to bulge outward.

With one final pull the bulkhead was ripped from the wall causing Cracky to let out a growl of satisfaction, the concrete around the doorway to crumble to the ground and the spotlight overhead to flicker before shutting off completely plunging the area into darkness again.

Cracky: "Really hope that didn't cause any more structural damaged. I wouldn't want Safe Haven to be damaged even more than it already is."

Cracky said as he threw the now broken bulkhead past his shoulders hearing it crash into the mountains of bodies behind him, Yarnaby giving the area a quick scan for any signs of movement before scurrying up Cracky's tail to his vantage point upon the crocodiles back.

Cracky: "Did you see anything while I was tearing the place apart?"

Yarnaby: "Blegh, blegh!"

Cracky: "Good. I don't want any unwelcome visitors, and I doubt Doey would either. (Steps through the door) Which way now?"

Cracky felt tingles across his body as Yarnaby slowly crawled towards his neck before hanging off of it just beside his eye and looking around, the lion pointing towards a red door that sat on the level beneath them where Cracky could see a few wayward Nightmare Critters milling about.

He'd never seen into this part of The Prison so the sight of the numerous cells lining the walls on either side of him caused his stomach to churn, memories of his time in The Labs resurfacing causing him to squeeze his eyes shut and shake his head with a sigh before tilting his head to look up at Yarnaby.

Cracky: "You're gonna have to lead the way from here. (Yarnaby jumps down) I've never been here before, and my body isn't exactly built for places like this. I'm gonna assume you know the way to Safe Haven?"

Yarnaby nodded before turning and jumping over a nearby railing landing on the level below, the lion looking back up as Cracky began to push his way through the railing.

When the metal bars were out of his way Cracky's front end fell forward causing his front legs to impact the ground first, Yarnaby's eyes widening slightly when he felt the ground shake as Cracky pulled the rest of his body down onto the lower level.

The recognisable crimson of Red Smoke filled the air around them and mixed with the stench that wafted from piles of burnt toys, the revolting smell that came out of it assaulting Cracky's senses causing his eyes to water and forcing him to breath manually through his mouth. Despite his sudden need to vomit Cracky pushed forward and followed Yarnaby as the lion moved across the room, his smaller frame allowing him to crawl around and squeeze through debris while Cracky simply walked through anything in his way.

This movement caused alot of noise of course so within moments the two felt numerous pairs of eyes on them, Cracky spying tiny bodies moving in the darkness accompanied by barely distinguishable words from hushed whispers.

I wonder what they're thinking right now? Probably something along the lines of "Who the heck is this giant!? Where'd he come from?" That, or they're thinking of how they could attack us without turning into stains on the ground.

Cracky thought before wincing when his snout collided with something and he looked forwards to find him having bumped into the red door, Cracky snarling when he spotted Yarnaby covering his mouth in his peripheral while obviously laughing at him.

Instead of lashing out at the lion like he would've in the past Cracky threw his left arm forward, his claws smashing through the door sending it flying off it's hinges which immediately silenced Yarnaby.

Cracky: "(Pulls arm back) After you?"

Cracky asked while gesturing to the broken door with the smuggest smile he could muster without lips, Yarnaby hissing at him as he passed the crocodile to step through doorway and into the corridor within.

With a snort Cracky followed behind and ducked his head into the doorway before looking the tight space up and down, Yarnaby looking back at him and watching as Cracky folded his arms in to squeeze his way into the corridor with his back pushing up and breaking through the ceiling.

Cracky: "It's not comfortable, but I'm not gonna go digging through the walls again. So it's gonna have to do. Is Safe Haven far from here?"

Yarnaby shook his head before pointing to a picture fixed to the walls showing the layout for their section of The Prison, Cracky noticing "Safe Haven" scribbled onto it in red marker with an arrow pointing towards a large circular room that was a dozen or so hallways away.

Cracky: "Well, at least I won't have to crawl for that long. Let's get going."

Yarnaby nodded before running away down the corridor and waiting at the end to poke his head around into the next corridor, Cracky groaning before unfurling his front legs and using them to drag himself forward ripping up the corridor as he went. Stepping into the next corridor Yarnaby turned and watched with a tilted head as Cracky appeared and latched his claws onto the corner of the corridor, the crocodile gritting his teeth as he pulled himself into the next hallway causing his body to slam into one of the walls.

Cracky: "Y'know, I'm already starting to regret this. And we've only done one hallway! I should've just dug through the walls."

Yarnaby let out a raspy laugh before turning away and continuing down the hallway, Cracky staring at the back of lions head before sighing and continuing to pull himself forward.

I'm gonna sleep for the rest of my life after we're done here.

With his front legs stiff and aching from constant use Cracky used the last bit of willpower he hand to heave himself into the next corridor, the crocodile collapsing and laying his head flat against the floor before closing his eyes and taking slow deliberate breaths.

Cracky flinched when he felt hot breath against the side of his face and he opened a single eye to find Yarnaby's face inches away from his own.

Cracky: "(Deep Breaths) Please tell me we're close. If we go any further, my arms might twist off."

Yarnaby moved aside giving Cracky an unobstructed view of the corridor which revealed to him a heavily fortified door sitting at the far end, the crocodile lifting his head intrigued when he saw "Safe Haven" painted on the wall above it in various bright colours.

Cracky: "Finally! I was starting to feel like we were going in circles. Now are you gonna knock, or am I?"

Yarnaby deadpanned before pointing at the words printed over the door and then towards his own face.

Cracky: "Right...stupid question. Stick back a little. I don't want Doey trying to rip your head off when he opens the door. That is, if they'll even let us in to begin with."

Yarnaby nodded quickly before squeezing himself past Cracky after which the crocodile pulled himself down the hallway towards the door, the toy stopping just before and tilting his head towards it when he noticed the muffled sound of voices coming from the other side.

Doey always said there were plenty of toys living here. I guess it's time I finally meet them.

Cracky thought as he carefully reached towards the door with a single claw, the toy pausing for a moment while considering leaving before steadying his nerves.

Tap

Tap

Tap

The sounds from within Safe Haven immediately ceased causing a chill to run down Cracky's body, the silence that quickly followed leaving Cracky increasingly uncomfortable and self conscious.

Cracky: "Maybe they're not expecting vis–"

Cracky looked up when something within the door began to click and the sound of metal sliding against metal filled the room, the crocodile jumping back slightly when a small window suddenly appeared within the door allowing Cracky a peak onto the room within.

Just when Cracky leaned in closer to get a better look a familiar face, obviously irritated from the overabundance of red dough, filled the window bringing a small smile to Cracky's face.

Doey: "For the last time, if you're with The Prototype you can't co–Cracky!?"

Doey eyes physically widened as he stared incredulous at the crocodile, Cracky rubbing at his neck in embarrassment as he felt blood rush to his face.

Cracky: "(Tiny wave) Hey, Doey. Can I come in? Preferably now. It's very cramped in this hallway."

Doey: "Y-Yeah, yeah! Just...give me second."

Cracky went to speak but gave up when Doey quickly ducked out of view and began speaking with someone, Cracky trying his hardest to spy on the conversation and successfully hearing a few select words like "hide" and "friendly".

He's probably warning the other toys about me. But it's not like I'm gonna eat any of them...unless Poppy's here. Her, I might consider biting.

Cracky thought as a familiar bitter feeling settled in his mind before a hissing from the door drew his attention back to it, the crocodile having no time to make himself presentable as it suddenly sunk inward before sliding open revealing Doey stood on the other side with a warm smile.

Doey: "Come on in, bud! We can't keep it open for long."

After taking a deep breath Cracky reached out and latched his front arms onto the doorway before pulling himself forward, the crocodile squinting when his head cleared the door and the bright lights of Safe Haven's interior shone down on him. Ignoring the shocked gasps from his left and right Cracky continued to drag himself through the door only to pause, the toy wincing when he felt his tail catch on something though he was quick to relax when he felt Doey's arms wrap around it.

With a quick pull from Doey Cracky's tail came unstuck and snakes into the room behind him, which he was then quick to coil up beside him when it immediately began bumping into things.

Looking around him Cracky was pleasantly surprised as how homely Safe Haven really was.

It was a circular room barely large enough for Cracky to stand within with two concrete pillars acting as support structures in the middle, the two pillars creating a smaller "room" in the centre that contained a ramshackle store and an area for the toys to play kickball.

Lining the circumference of the room were makeshift shelters built from tubing and old piping, each decorated uniquely with bright cloths while being lit by string lights and small lanterns.

It's what was on the walls themselves though that attracted Cracky's attention the most.

Painted across the walls of the entire room was a both beautiful and subtly disturbing mural depicting various toys from around The Factory. Cracky recognised a few including Doey who was seen embracing the toys of Safe Haven, Catnap who was painted as a angular mess of purple terrorising toys with his Red Smoke and strangely The Prototype who was simply a blackened section of the wall with a red dot at the centre.

Much to Cracky's confusion however, drawn directly beside The Prototype was a section depicting Poppy, her picture surrounded with some less than loving words towards the doll.

The toys here must've hated her as much as they hate The Prototype. I don't blame them though, as she did abandon us.

Cracky was broken from his thoughts when something tapped him on the shoulder, and he looked away from the walls to find Doey pulling his arm back in to look him in the face.

Doey: "So, what's brought you here? I know you didn't drag yourself through all those Hallways just to say "Hi!"."

Being reminded of the hell he just put his body through Cracky raised a claw towards Doey before rearing back on his hind legs to stretch himself out, the toys snout grazing the ceiling as he felt his spine click causing a sigh of satisfaction to leave his mouth before he shook the ground as he went back on all fours.

Cracky: "Well, you got me there. I came through all that because...I need your help."

Doey: "H-Help!? What's wrong? Are you hurt!?"

Cracky: "N-No, no. It's not exactly...me, who's hurt."

Doey squinted at him before looking past Cracky towards the door he'd emerged through, the doughman being able to make out a silhouette of something cast onto one of the walls.

Doey: "D-Did you bring someone with you?"

Cracky: "Y-Yeah. He's injured, and he went scavenging through my stuff for help. I agreed to help him, for some reason. Just, don't attack him when you see him...okay?"

Doey: "W-Why would I attack him? Who are they?"

Cracky: "You'll see. (Turns to the door) You can come in now!"

Doey rises and eyebrow and peaked past Cracky towards the door where the mysterious silhouette had vanished...when suddenly a familiar orange paw latched onto the doorway.

After a moment the paw pulled the split head of Yarnaby through the door recieving a resounding gasp from the toys of Safe Haven, Doey staring at the lion with wide eyes before anger filled him and he stepped around Cracky's body to look the crocodile in the eyes.

Doey: "You brought him here!? How is he even alive? Angel said he was dead!"

Cracky: "That's what I thought too. I guess being set on fire and dropped into the bottom of this hellhole couldn't even put him down. (Looks down at Doey) And now you're going to help him...Doey."

Doey: "Why should we!? We can't just forget everything he and The Doctor did to us! And what makes you think we'll use our very limited resources...on HIM!?"

Doey shouted causing the red section of his dough to momentarily pulse as he turned and pointed directly at Yarnaby, the lion flinching where he had sat himself beside the door causing Cracky to drag a claw down his face with a sigh.

Cracky: "You don't need to."

Doey turned back to him perplexed and watched as Cracky opened his mouth and lifted his tongue with a claw to reveal a shiny metal box beneath, the crocodile peeling it from the bed of his mouth before wiping it down and turning it over revealing the words painted on the lid.

Doey: "A Med-kit?"

Cracky: "I found it while scavenging beneath The Labs. All I need is for Medic to take it, and then he can use it to work his magic on Yarnaby. That's it! You don't have to "waste" anything."

Doey: "And what if, after we help, he just goes back to hunting us down? How do you know he's not just using us, using you, to get back on his feet again!?"

Cracky: "I don't! But does that, look like a feral predator to you!?"

Cracky asked with anger beginning to rise in his voice while pointing at Yarnaby who was now busy licking the underside of one of his paws, the lion pausing mid lick when he noticed Doey and Cracky staring at him causing his tongue to hang halfway out his mouth.

Doey: "I-I guess not."

Turning back Doey still remained unsure causing Cracky to take a look around them at the terrified toys who hid themselves away in the shadows, the crocodile seeing much of himself in them causing him to sigh and look back down at Doey with determination in his eyes.

Cracky: "Without Sawyer barking orders at him anymore, Yarnaby can be whoever he wants to be. And if you do this one thing for him, I guarantee he'll protect this place with his life. But If you won't do it for him, at least do it for all of them...and for me."

Doey looked Cracky in the eyes for a tense moment before turning his attention back to Yarnaby, the lion watching the entrance beside him like a hawk before an long sigh from Doey drew everyone's attention.

Doey: "Boogie?"

A small Boogie Bot appeared from the shadows behind Yarnaby with a small remote held in their hands.

Doey: "Lock the door."

The robot nodded once before turning back towards the entrance and clicking a few buttons on the remote, Cracky watching as the doors to Safe Haven quickly shut with two metal bars sliding across them to secure it.

Boogie Bot: "Security reactivated."

Doey: "Cracky?"

Cracky: "Hm?"

Cracky looked back down to find Doey looking at him expectantly with his hand up, Cracky placing the medkit in the doughman's hands but holding on to lean down to his friends level.

Cracky: "Thank you Doey."

Doey: "Don't thank me. Thank Medic, after he's done."

Cracky nodded before moving aside while Doey turned back to face Yarnaby.

Doey: "C'mon then! We don't wanna keep Medic waiting."

Yarnaby nodded uncomfortably but was quick to follow when Doey turned and walked towards a door on the opposite end of the room, the doors sliding open when Doey was close enough revealing a makeshift surgical area accompanied by a small red Boogie Bot.

While Doey and the robot conversed Yarnaby stood within the doorway apprehensive before looking back towards Cracky, the lion nodding towards the crocodile in gratitude to which he received one in return causing him to smile before walking through the door causing it shut behind him.

A moment later the doors slid back open and Doey stepped out, the doughman waiting for the doors to shut behind him before sighing and walking back over to Cracky.

Doey: "Medic agreed to help. (Short laugh) He said he was surprised Yarnaby was even walking around. What are you gonna do now?"

Cracky: "I wondering if I could stay here. Just for tonight? I need to rest after... all of that."

Cracky said with clear exhaustion while gesturing with his head towards the entrance, Doey managing to crack a smile before gesturing to something behind Cracky.

Doey: "We've got a spot over there. It should be large enough, if you curl up."

Cracky: "Thanks Doey."

Doey: "It's no problem, pal. Just try not to stretch while you're sleeping. Oh! And uh, don't be surprised if you wake up covered in toys."

Cracky: "Oh...joy."

Chapter Text

Safe And Sound

Safe Haven

Doey was worried...again.

When Cracky had unexpectedly journeyed all the way from his burrow to Safe Haven, tore his way through the hallways of The Prison to get to them, politely knocked on the doors and then practically threw an injured Yarnaby at them it was safe to say Doey was concerned.

After all that was done however Doey was surprised when Cracky remained in Safe Haven and actually stayed the night as Medic worked tirelessly on Yarnaby's injuries, Doey learning that the source of the of the lion's pain was a large gash within his mouth from where he'd been impaled on a hook attempting to kill Angel.

Luckily for the rainbow lion Medic was the greatest, and only, doctor this side of The Factory and within just a few hours Yarnaby plodded out of Safe Haven's medical bay.

Doey was quick to not trust him as his large black eyes scanned across the wary residents of Safe Haven with the white eyes of those who'd hid themselves away peering at him from the darkness. Doey fearlessly stepped up to the lion and looked down at him with obvious suspicion, only to be shocked when Yarnaby like up and he was met with the eyes of a terrified child.

And it was in that moment that Doey realised something...Yarnaby was just like everyone else in Safe Haven.

He was a child who was given hope of a better like by people who seemed like wonderful people, only for those same people to take him and crush that newfound hope right before his eyes. His body was mutated and broken for a cause that Doey had never been able to wrap his head around, and when all that was over he in was taken by a sick man and mentally reduced to nothing but a feral beast.

Yarnaby was yet another victim of Playtime, and Doey helped set up Safe Haven to protect those victims.

So instead of interrogating Yarnaby like he'd originally intended Doey looked down on the lion with pity and, much to the surprise of the toys around him, hesitantly offered him a place within Safe Haven as long as he promised to protect it.

Yarnaby immediately accepted the offer and even managed to choke out a "Thank you!" through his heavily damaged vocal cords, the lion looking around awkwardly before plodding past Doey to cozy up beside Cracky who was already fast asleep.

Doey woke up the day after to find Cracky still asleep and Yarnaby trying his best to interact with those in Safe Haven, many of them giving him the cold shoulder though a few had gathered around him in a small circle to share stories with him before he eventually left.

After that, Doey went about his daily routine with a smile on his face fully expecting Cracky to wake up at any moment...but he never did.

He instead slept through the entire day drawing the attention of those in Safe Haven with some beginning to theorise on why he hadn't woken up, the most popular theory being that the he'd fallen into a kind of hibernation like brumation seen in real life crocodiles. That was disproven quite quickly however when Doey gently nudged the crocodile and he immediately snapped his jaws at the doughman, the room thinking he'd woken up and was trying to attack Doey only for his snores to once again fill the room.

So despite his worries beginning to overcome him Doey hesitantly turned in for the night along with the rest of Safe Haven, the only interruption to their sleep being Yarnaby who showed up wanting to be let back in by grating his teeth against the doors until they were opened. When asked where he'd been the lion didn't respond but instead plodded over to where Cracky was resting, curled up against the crocodiles side and promptly fell asleep with his head resting on his front paws.

When it was clear Yarnaby wasn't going to be moving anytime sooner Doey simply decided to leave the questioning for another time, the doughman lumbering out of the room and giving the two of them a final long look before switching off the lights in Safe Haven and retiring for the night.

That routine was then repeated for the next two days causing Doey to stress out more and more with each passing hour.

That was, until the forth day...

A rapid knocking on his bedroom door was what abruptly woke Doey up the next morning causing him to tumble out of his hammock on to the cold stone floor, the force of his landing shaking the room and rattling the door causing whoever was on the other side to stop their incessant knocking and instead tap gently three times.

Safe Haven Toy: "Uh, Doey? Are you–I was gonna ask if you're in there, but it's clear you are."

Doey: "W-What's happening? It better be important for waking me up like that."

Safe Haven Toy: "It's, uh, Cracky. He's woken up!"

Doey's tired eyes immediately shot open.

Doey: "WHA–"

As Doey shot to his feet the elasticity of his body turned against him causing his torso to extend sending the top of his head into the roof, the doughman groaning in pain as he attempted to smooth out his now smushed head while stumbling towards his bedroom door. Pulling it open Cracky looked around the seemingly vacant hallway on the other side in confusion before felt something tap his legs, the doughman looking down to find a green Mini Huggy looking up at him with a tiny smile.

Doey: "How long has he been awake?"

Doey asked as he stepped into the hallway and pulled the door closed behind him to be greeted by the sounds of vigorous conversation from nearby, the majority of the voices being high pitched and blending together though Doey could recognise the intensely deep voice of Cracky through them all.

Mini Huggy: "Uhm, about an hour. (Cracky looks down at them confused) W-We didn't want to wake you up! You've been really stressed since Cracky and Yarnaby got here, so we thought you deserved a little more rest."

Doey: "(Chuckles warmly) Thank you. Now let's go say Hi!"

The mini Huggy nodded rapidly with a teeth filled smile before slinking off down the corridor in the direction of the main room, the sounds of conversation growing louder as Doey followed behind them passing rooms packed with toys who danced and played together. Some of the toys waved and greeted him as he wandered past making him responded with a smile and a wave of his own, two additional arms bursting from his sides to wave alongside him drawing out amused laughter before quickly disappearing back into his body.

Stepping into the main room the mini Huggy ran off towards their friends and Doey smiled at what he saw across the room from him.

Cracky was exactly where he was the night before but now had his head propped up on his left claw and was nodding every few seconds, the giant toy surrounded by a large group of Safe Haven's residents who were excitedly talking with him about something Doey couldn't quite make out. Laying on the crocodiles back with his paws splayed out at his sides and a large blanket draped over him was Yarnaby, the way his tongue had fallen out of his mouth and how his body slowly rose and fell telling Doey that he was thoroughly asleep.

Walking closer Doey noticed how Cracky's eyes flicked up to him for a split second before returning to the little ones surrounding him, a bassy laugh echoing from his jaws causing Doey's dough to ripple like water as he sat at the back of the group surrounding Cracky.

Cracky: "(Looks at Doey) Doey. I was wondering when you were going to wake up."

Doey: "(Crosses arms with a smile) You were wondering when I was gonna wake up? This is coming from the guy who was asleep for four days straight."

Cracky: "(Rumbling laugh) Yes yes, I know. The little ones were telling me all about it. I'm guessing my lack of sleep over the past week finally caught up with me."

Doey: "Why haven't you been sleeping? Have the Nightmare Critters been causing you trouble?"

Cracky: "No, definitely not. I can handle those little biters without breaking a sweat."

Cracky then gestured with a wave of his claw for the toys surrounding him to move away and give the two of them some space, most of them quickly dispersing throughout the room while some remained nearby and within earshot trying their best to hide out of view. Despite this though Cracky still noticed a few of them in his peripheral but decided to ignore them as he leaned in closer to Doey.

Cracky: "I've been having nightmares again. About our time in The Labs...and about Him."

Doey: "Oh...Cracky. I'm so sorry."

Doey placed a comforting hand onto Cracky's claw causing the corners of his mouth to turn up slightly, though Cracky's eyes still held a tired sadness that Doey was much too familiar with.

Cracky: "They started again a few weeks ago. And they're always the same. Blinding white walls, a red dot in the darkness and then His face...always watching over me."

Doey watched as Cracky stared with misty eyes at the mural that covered Safe Haven's inner walls and focused intently on a single spot across from them, the painting depicting a massive set of iron doors with a blinding white light emanating from the crack between them.

Cracky: "He always tells me that it's for my own good, and that he'll make me me again. He'll have his best friend back. And then I wake up!"

By now tears had started to drip slowly down Cracky's scales causing Doey to shuffle forward and wrap his arms completely around Cracky's neck, the crocodile resting his head against the floor as he began to sob quietly to himself only making Doey hold him tighter.

Cracky: "I m-miss him. I want my dad back. And I just wanna go h-home Doey. Why can't we go home?"

Doey: "Shh...It's okay. We're gonna be okay Cracky. We'll work with Angel and get rid of The Prototype for good. Then...we'll all go home. (Turns Cracky's head to face him) I promise."

Cracky looked down on his friend with tearful eyes before exhaling through his nostrils and mumbling something to himself, the crocodile letting out a deep breath as Doey unwound himself from around his neck allowing him to gently pat at his eyes with his claws. Doey stretched out his arm and reached into the little shop set up at the centre of Safe Haven before returning with a box of tissues, the doughman holding them out to Cracky causing the crocodile to pause before chuckling and pushing the box aside.

Cracky: "You should save them. (Leans on his claws) With how big my eyes are, I'd have to use the whole box."

Doey: "I wouldn't mind. Sometimes...all you need is a good crying session to clear you up. (Looks down at his hands) Keeping all that anger and sadness building up inside you, just makes things worse when everything spills out."

Cracky: "(Sniffles before looking down amused) Been reading from your big book of quotes again Doey?"

Doey: "Nope! Made that one up just now. That doesn't mean it's incorrect though!"

Cracky: "(Chuckles) I guess so. (Pauses for a moment) Thanks Doey. For everything."

Doey: "(Smiles widens) No problem pal! I'm always here if you need to talk again."

As Cracky gave him the best smile he could muster Doey jumped slightly and looked down to see the same Mini Huggy that woke him up now tapping him on his leg. Doey was quick to lean down prompting the Mini Huggy to cup their hands over their mouth and whisper into his ear while taking short glances at Cracky, the crocodile growing concerned when Doey suddenly stilled though the sudden feeling of claws scraping against his back had him turning away.

Looking up Cracky was met with the adorable sight of Yarnaby stretching out like any common house cat as his blanket slipped off of him and fell to the floor, the lion letting out a deep breath as his body relaxed before looking down and jumping when he was met with the end of Cracky's snout directly in his face.

Cracky: "Did you have a nice nap?"

Yarnaby nodded rapidly as he lifted up one of his paws to lick only to pause when he noticed how Cracky was still staring at him.

Yarnaby: "(Tilts his head) Blegh?"

Cracky: "I don't remember saying that you could use me as a mattress."

Cracky growled as he leaned closer to the lion and opened his jaws wide causing fear to immediately rush through Yarnaby's veins, the lion shutting his eyes when Cracky came close enough for his breath to lay heavy across his fur and prepare himself for the worse.

Instead of having Cracky's jaws close around him though Yarnaby opened his eyes in confusion when Cracky's teeth instead latched onto the scruff of his neck, the lion hanging limp as Cracky lifted him off of his back and placed him gently on the floor before chuckling at the mixture of fear and confusion on his face.

Cracky: "Don't worry Yarnaby. The little ones were telling me about how you were checking on my burrow while I was sleeping, so I'm not gonna eat you Little Lion. (Leans closer to Yarnaby) Just try not to sleep on me next time. Your claws are still sharp, and the little ones say you move around alot in your sleep."

Cracky said as he lifted his head and gestured to his back where Yarnaby now noticed fresh claw marks running across his green scales, the lion cringing at the sight of them causing Cracky to sigh and gently poke the lion in his side causing him to look up.

Cracky: "I can barely feel them so you don't have to worry. Your claws aren't long enough to properly scar me, so there isn't a risk of you hurting me."

Despite his reassurances Yarnaby still looked across his body with sad eyes before suddenly nuzzling the side of his head against Cracky's front left leg, the crocodile watching him confused as he then plodded away and curled up against his underbelly after which Cracky turned back towards Doey.

Instead of finding Doey slumped against him Cracky saw the doughman now pacing in front of the reinforced entrance to Safe Haven, the obvious worry on his face as he conversed with the Boogie Bot acting as door security making Cracky tense in concern. His concern only grew when Doey eventually stopped and let out a long sigh before turning towards him, the doughman giving him his best smile as he readjusted his cap and came walking over.

Doey: "Sooo...Cracky. How long are you gonna be sticking around for?"

Cracky: "(Tilts his head amused) Why? Are you itching to get rid of me?"

Doey: "(Raises his hands) Oh, no! Definitely not! It's just...Angel's gonna be stopping by in about an hour."

Cracky: "That's great! It's been a while since I've seen them. (Doey fiddles with his fingers) What's wrong Doey?"

Doey: "Well, they're gonna be bringing along Kissy for her checkup. But wherever she goes...Poppy always goes too."

Doey immediately covered his face expecting Cracky to explode with anger due to his tumultuous relationship with the rosy-cheeked doll, but instead Doey was met with a deafening silence that was somehow leagues worse than the crocodile throwing out countless profanities. Hesitantly Doey moved aside his hands before looking up to be met with the sight of Cracky staring at him eerily still and silent, the anger the doughman had expected being relegated to Cracky's claws which were busy scraping against the stone floor.

Despite the marks Cracky was busy cutting into the ground Doey was pleasantly and confusingly surprised by the relatively tame reaction from the crocodile.

Doey: "I was expecting alot more swearing, I'm not going to lie. I thought you'd be angry knowing Poppy was coming?"

Cracky: "Why would I be angry? After all...(Leans down)...me and her will have so much to talk about."

Cracky's voice had dropped into a threatening growl as the corners of his mouth upturned ominously causing a single shared thought to manifest in Doey's mind.

This is NOT gonna be good...