Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Boardy has managed to reach his home. He knows he's not safe. The police will come at any moment.

He was accused of being the one who burned down the park. That wasn't true, but Boardy can't just say that. He saw the Dancing Banana with his own eyes.

Boardy hears sirens outside. No time to think. Only time to start up his robot.

Boardy boots up the robot.

The robot, golden with green eyes, starts up in a matter of seconds.

"Huh? Where... Where am I?" he says.

"Hello. Your name is Gildon the Smart Robot, or just Gildon. And I am Boardy the Smart Board, or just Boardy."

"Hello, Boardy. My name is Gildon, correct?"

"Yes."

Police sirens are heard outside as the police surround Boardy's house. The police instruct Boardy to leave the house with his hands up.

"What's going on?"

"I have been framed for arson. Your job is to do the chores and take care of my girlfriend Gracie while I'm in jail."

"So what should I refer to you as? My father?"

"No. Refer to me as your creator. A mentor, if you'd like. Use my name, though. Goodbye, Gildon. And remember: keep this door locked and do not open it until they leave. If they see you, pretend to be inactive."

"Got it, Boardy. Goodbye."

Boardy leaves the room. Gildon locks the door and waits. He can't help but feel bad as he hears Boardy crying.

As the police leave, Gildon finds a phone on the desk marked for him. He pulls out the phone and checks the contacts. He needs to know what happened.

Chapter Text

Gildon sees a contact marked Smartie. His profile picture looked like Boardy, but with a yellow screen and wearing glasses.

Gildon calls Smartie.

Soon, Smartie picks up.

"Hello? Who is this?"

"I'm Gildon! I'm Boardy's robot! I assume you must be Smartie."

"You're correct! I'm Smartie, Boardy's twin brother."

"Boardy has a twin?!"

"Yep, and that twin is me. I assume Boardy filled you in on his situation?"

"Not entirely. He only told me that he was framed for arson. Then he was arrested."

"Oh, I see. Well, he did get framed. He was observing the park when a banana called the Dancing Banana lit it on fire. It was caught on camera, but DB edited the footage. One camera was left unedited, and Lumio took that camera."

"Who's Lumio?"

"Oh! I forgot to tell you about them. Lumio is a firefly who is Boardy's lawyer! They were also Boardy's work partner at our home company. They'll most likely show up to defend Boardy."

"I hope so. My creator is counting on him - sorry, them."

"It's okay! Lumio uses they/them and he/him!"

"Good to know. Will you be helping out?"

"I would if I could. I never went to law school."

"Oh, I see. May I help?"

"Boardy? Most likely not."

"Oh, okay. Wait. Has Boardy told you anything about me?"

"Yes, actually. He said you were a passion project. He told me you were meant to help out with Shovelware's Brain Game, the show he used to work for, but his intentions for and with you have changed recently. Did he tell you that your goal is to do chores and care for his girlfriend?"

"Yeah. He told me that."

"Good. We should meet up. We can talk then."

"But what about Boardy?"

"Nothing we can do. If anything, we can only hope that Lumio is able to prove Boardy innocent."

"When will you pick me up? And where are we going?"

"In the next half hour. We'll go to Friendly Burger."

"Sounds good. Okay, bye."

"Bye, Gildon."

Smartie hangs up. Gildon gets himself ready to go to Friendly Burger and leaves a note for Gracie.

Chapter Text

While Smartie is driving Gildon to Friendly Burger, Gildon asks Smartie some questions.

"What is Shovelware's Brain Game, anyway?"

"It's a trivia game, basically. You'd choose a topic, and you're asked a question based on that topic. Then, you need to answer in a matter of seconds. If you're correct, you get points. Some questions have prizes if you answer correctly. If you get the most points, at the end of the round, you receive a prize!"

"Oh, I see. What are the roles in the show?"

"The Dancing Banana is the host, the Announcer is... well, the announcer, and Boardy helps - or helped - with visual questions."

"I get it now! So... If Boardy goes to jail, who will replace him?"

"I don't know."

"Oh. Well, let's hope Lumio can prove him innocent."

"We can only hope."

"But enough negatives, Smartie! Let's get some food - oh, wait. Do they have anything for robots? I'm pretty sure I can't eat regular food."

"Yes, they do. They have robot fuel, as well as nuts and bolts."

"Count me in!"

Smartie and Gildon arrive at Friendly Burger. The two order their food/fuel and sit at a table.

Just then, the news came on.

"Breaking news! A popular object from Shovelware's Brain Game, Boardy the Smart Board, has been arrested today for burning down Shovelware Studios Hollywood. He is awaiting trial."

"Oh, that stupid banana!" Gildon says. "When I get my hands on him-"

"Easy, easy!" Smartie says. "Remember what I said? All we can do is hope that what Lumio has is enough."

"I know. I'm just so, so mad!"

"I can see that. And it's okay, but you can't flip out here. You gotta learn how to regulate your emotions. In a healthy manner."

"Oh. But still, that won't make it hurt any less."

"I understand that, Gildon. But it's common sense to not flip out in public."

Gildon nods.

"Thanks, Smartie."

"Anything for my brother's creation."

Just then, Gildon gets a call. It's from Gracie.

"Hello?"

"Gildon? Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me."

"You left a note saying that Boardy got arrested, and I checked the news too. Will my darling be okay?"

"Only time will tell. For now, don't worry. You're safe with me."

"Thank you, Gildon."

"You are very welcome, Gracie. Bye."

"Bye, Gildon!"

Gracie hangs up.

"That was Gracie?" Smartie says.

"Yep."

"I've seen her a few times. She's a great gal. You best take care of her, okay?"

"I will. I should go now. Text me if you or Lumio wanna meet up."

"Okay. Bye, Gildon!"

"Goodbye, Smartie!"

Gildon goes home and stays with Gracie for a while.

A few hours later, Lumio texts Gildon.

"Hey, Gildon. When should we meet up?"

Gildon texts back.

"Whenever you're available."

"I'm available today."

"Great. Gotta tell Gracie."

"Who's Gracie?"

"Boardy's girlfriend."

"Oh, okay. I see."

"See you soon, Lumio."

Chapter Text

Gildon meets up with Lumio at Holly Park.

"So you're Boardy's lawyer?"

"Yeah."

"Cool. So, Lumio, what are you up to?"

"Oh, not much, just WORRYING ABOUT DEFENDING BOARDY IN COURT!"

"But you have the evidence, right?"

"I do, but because DB's video editing skills are so good, I fear it may not be enough."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you see, Gildon, the Dancing Banana has been accused of multiple crimes over the years, but we can't prove him guilty or tie him to any crimes, and he knows it."

"So he's that sneaky?"

"Yes. And only a select few believe us, because despite the lack of evidence, they know something's fishy about him."

"What do you mean 'us'?"

"A group of witnesses of DB's crimes. Some of us work in law, while others are simply witnesses. We've been trying to gather enough evidence to show that DB is guilty, but he's REALLY good at covering up his tracks."

"So you can't prove anything?"

"And he knows it."

"He knows you're after him?"

"Yep."

"That's a horrible situation to have to deal with."

Lumio checks their phone.

"OH SHIT! I gotta go to the courthouse! Boardy's due for his trial!"

"Sorry about that! Catch ya later, Lumio!"

"Later, Gildon!"

Lumio gets on his motorcycle and leaves quickly. Gildon is left to wonder...

Will DB ever be enough of a fool to not cover up his tracks?

Chapter Text

The next three days were a blur. Lumio tried proving Boardy innocent, but they failed to do that, even with the evidence they had. Gildon couldn't believe it was even real. Gracie was there to comfort him, but it was still shocking.

But even when Boardy went to jail and had his battery replaced, something felt wrong - and it wasn't just that the Dancing Banana wasn't brought to justice.

Lumio had their suspicions, especially since Boardy's battery replacement wasn't due to happen yet.

They text Gildon as soon as they can.

---

"So you mean to tell me that after Boardy was brought to jail, his battery was replaced at a time it shouldn't have been?"

"Yeah."

"Lumio, are you sure that it's not the right time for Boardy's battery replacement?"

"I'm sure. He told me that his battery is replaced every few years, and it has only been a few months. I know him well, Gildon."

"So you think that's suspicious?"

"It is suspicious, Gildon! Boardy would've told them if he needed his battery replaced."

"I see. So, what do we do?"

"We contact Boardy and tell him. We also have him tell us his side of the story."

"Sounds like a plan, Lumio!"

---

"So Lumio thinks that my battery replacement is suspicious?"

"Yeah. That's basically it."

"Gildon, I'm sure I'll be fine. They seemed nice enough about it, even for a prisoner."

"They were polite about it?"

"Yeah. They knew just what I needed!"

"But your battery was replaced a while ago! Boardy, do you not see the suspicion here?"

"I was having some issues with the old one."

"I see, but I still don't get it."

"Whew! Why do I feel hot all of a sudden?"

"It's probably the battery - but if you don't want to accept my warning, then whatever."

"Just know that I'm not... too worried about it. Maybe they just didn't know!"

"If you insist, Boardy."

---

"So he didn't believe you?"

"Of course he didn't, Lumio! It's most likely the benefit of the doubt!"

"Well, I don't know what else to do."

"You don't?"

"Of course I don't! What can I say? He would always blindly trust people because he thinks they're all worth trusting. And then there were his parents... But that's something you'll have to ask Smartie to tell you."

"So be it."

Chapter Text

Gildon goes over to Smartie's house to hear about Boardy's past. He knocks on the door. Smartie answers it.

"Oh, hey, Gildon."

"Hello, Smartie. So I was talking to Lumio, and they mentioned something about abuse in you and Boardy's family."

"...oh. And after that, they told you to ask me if you wanted to hear it?"

"Yeah."

"If you insist. I am perfectly fine and capable of telling you this, but don't go telling strangers this."

"I won't. Go ahead."

"Up until we were both first graders, our parents built our trust in them. Around the beginning of first grade, things changed for the worse. They would hit us, call us things like stupid and useless, and they were generally horrible people. Boardy was the more emotional one. I, on the other hand, bottled it all up. I took on a more logical approach. I also comforted Boardy when he was sad and scared. Eventually, after we finished school, we got jobs at SMART Technologies. After we moved out of Canada, we cut contact with our parents. It was for the best. So, does that satisfy you, knowing this?"

"Wow. That is sad. I don't know what I expected my creator's life to be, but it was certainly not this."

"I wish we didn't have to live through that. But it is what it is. And it's over now. But people love to hate Boardy."

"They do?"

"Yeah, unfortunately. When he worked with the Brain Game team, many fans found him annoying. Everything about him. They still do to this day, and Boardy knows it. But what can he do?"

"Beat their asses. Hurt them. Somehow. I know I would."

"Hey, hey! Easy there, Gildon. There's not much we can do about that. Besides, beating the shit out of people isn't gonna make them like Boardy."

"Sorry. I have trouble with regulating these feelings. Fear, anger, sadness... It's all too much. I was brought to life recently! Why does he have to suffer? Why do I have to suffer? Why's it all so complicated?"

"It'll be okay, Gildon. You've got people who can help you out with these feelings and negative thoughts. Me, Lumio, Gracie... We're here for you."

"...I appreciate that."

"I'm glad to help. If you ever need any more help, give me a call."

"I will."

Chapter Text

Boardy is in jail still. He tries to fall asleep, but he is too stressed out.

He starts to feel hot. Very hot.

Then he receives a warning on his screen:

"WARNING. Battery overheating."

Boardy tries calming himself down, but he can't.

His battery gets hotter, and then...

KABOOM! It explodes.

Boardy is dead.

Chapter Text

Gildon had the hardest time with Boardy's death. He invited Lumio to the robot bar with him.

"Why'd you even invite me here, Gildon?"

"So I wouldn't be alone while I drink myself cold and vent about my problems."

"Gildon, what the fuck."

"It's over, Lumio. Boardy's dead. I can't do this anymore."

"There are better ways to cope."

"I'm sorry. I just need to forget this for a while."

Gildon chugs the glass of antifreeze.

"Oh, shovel gods... Take the pain away!"

"Gildon, I swear to the shovel gods. If you chug one more glass of antifreeze..."

"Great idea. Waiter! MORE ANTIFREEZE, DAMNIT!"

"Okay," the robot behind the counter says.

"Oh, come on."

"Lumio, I'm not getting paid to care about your friend."

"HELL YEAH!" Gildon says, chugging until he can't anymore.

"So you're saying he's my problem?"

"Correct."

Lumio groans as Gildon tosses his glass, causing a bar fight. They immediately become shocked when the patrons begin fighting.

"Come on, Gildon! Let's get outta here!"

"Boardy..."

"HEY! Do I have to deal with your mess?"

"Well, Mr. Your Problem, now you know how I feel."

Lumio drags Gildon to Smartie's car, where Smartie is waiting.

"What happened?" Smartie says.

"What do you think happened? Gildon is drunk, he started a bar fight while intoxicated, and now the bartender, Mr. Your Problem, has to deal with it."

"Plumbot. His name is Plumbot."

"Whatever. Let's just go drop off Gildon."

Smartie and Lumio drop off Gildon at home and cover him in blankets, because one of the side effects of antifreeze on a robot is making them cold.

The two explain to Gracie. Gracie is upset that they allowed that, but she agrees to take care of Gildon when he can't care for her.

Meanwhile, Gildon witnesses multiple visions of Boardy... Boardy glitching, trapped in a TV... but he's too drunk to do a thing about it.

Chapter Text

Even after recovering from the effects of the antifreeze (which took 2 weeks), Gildon still had dreams about Boardy, most of them involving Boardy being trapped somewhere, mainly a TV.

Gildon talks with Smartie and Lumio about the dreams, to which they consider the option that Boardy might be trying to communicate with him in spirit.

Gildon considers this as well, but can't confirm it until one night when he once again dreams about Boardy.

However, the message is different this time around.

"Gildon? Gildon!"

"Boardy!"

"I'm stuck in a TV! You've gotta get me outta here!"

"Do you know where the TV is?"

"Yes! It's in the fire station on Shovel Street. Once you wake up, hurry over to the fire station, and I'll tell you how to get me out."

"Got it, Boardy. But I have a question."

"What is it, Gildon?"

"Are you just a dream projection?"

"No! My spirit is trapped! But using your signal with your antennas, that allows me to contact you remotely."

"Oh! I see."

Gildon senses a tingly feeling.

"I must be waking up!"

"Remember what I said, Gildon! I'm counting on you!"

"I will.

... Goodbye, Boardy."

"Bye, Gildon!"

Gildon wakes up. The first thing he does is note what he needs to do.

Things to do:

• Free Boardy
• ???

After that, he gets ready to go to the fire station.

Chapter Text

After the whole fiasco with the Dancing Banana, Gildon searches through the stuff in the room where he was first booted up.

He finds a USB marked "Boardy's happy memories".

Gildon opens a compartment in his head and plugs in the USB.

A series of videos can be seen through his eyes as he plugs in the USB.

Boardy moving to Neo Shovelware City. Boardy helping out in Shovelware's Brain Game. Boardy hanging out with Announcer and the Dancing Banana. Boardy having the time of his life. It all flashes before Gildon's eyes. He can't help but cry as he watches the best parts of his creator's life play out in front of him.

And they aren't just videos. They're real memories. Memories that Boardy made and wanted to share with Gildon.

And that shows Gildon how much Boardy cared about him.