Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The night was as simple as before the moon shone bright above the once lively place known as gardenview of course now it lay abandoned and empty….well as empty as it can be the toons, who were once so popular now all forgotten, stay where they were in front of the train station as if waiting for the handlers to return; they’ve been at this every night since the toon handlers left them abandoned almost 3 months ago every toon, except Shrimpo, had all stayed with the hope of the handlers return but eventually hope faded and 3 months turned into 5 and then now it was May 28th 11 months and 28 days since their handlers left them alone in this place. Most toons had given up hope opting to survive off of Cosmo, Ginger, and sprout who baked and cooked for everyone whenever needed.

Of course this isn’t about them currently a certain conjoined toon is sitting in their room silently speaking with each other; Razzle and Dazzle whispered silently about their thoughts on if the toon handlers would return. “I don’t know Dazzle from what I’ve seen I doubt they will return after all you saw how they said goodbye they hugged everyone as though they’d never see them again!” Razzle exclaimed before lowering his voice back to a hushed whisper. “I just wish everyone else could see it…” Dazzle hummed in response blinking slowly taking in his brothers words.

“(That is true Razzle….I too do not believe they will come back after all they told us to take care of each other and ‘keep dandy in line’ whatever that means….besides Sam had left their name tag with sprout it’s obvious they will not return.)” Dazzle said in agreement with his brother; he rose his head upon hearing a knock on the twins door. He looked at Razzle who seemed just as confused confirming neither had been expecting someone.

The pair got up slowly walking to the door since it was Dazzle’s day to control their body and he was slower than Razzle. Upon reaching the door Dazzle extended their arm grasping the doorknob and twisted it before pulling it back opening the door to see a certain moon toon standing their smiling softly eye sunken in need of sleep despite sleeping almost all day. “Razzle and Dazzle sorry to bother at such an early time but would you like to come down with me to the gift shop area me, sprout, Tisha, and Gigi are going to go clean it up and organize it since we don’t want ants due to yatta always dropping candy..” The moon said shifting slightly as he awaited the conjoined twins’ response.

“Sure!” Razzle replied rather quickly before immediately looking guilty turning to stare at his twin. “If you want to of course!” He added hoping he hadn’t screwed up and made his brother mad at him even though they’ve never been mad at each other before.

Dazzle nodded slowly. “(Sure I guess…..I just hope nothing goes wrong….)” He murmured as Astro began to lead them towards the main lobby passing by a couple of tools. As they walked Razzle decided the glance about since he wasn’t in control today. He smiled and giggled slightly as he watched Finn hold back Shrimpo as he tried to poke Looey with a needle yatta and Blot both put themselves between them so their friend wouldn’t get hurt.

Razzle turned his head to the other side staring past Dazzle’s head watching Teagan and Rodger walk side by side; Rodger’s hand rested on her waist as they walked presumably to the lounge area at the back, he smiled at their wholesome relationship it always brought light on their darkened day to see them so close. He blinked as they came to a stop realizing they had finally reached the elevator where sprout, Tisha, and Gigi all were waiting; Tisha was currently scolding Gigi about her mess of a room while Gigi simply shrugged waving at Astro as he and the twins joined them in the elevator.

Sprout nodded a greeting as he pressed a button on the elevator presumably button 10 since that’s where it was located. As they went down sprout approached the twins gently tapping their shoulder. “Hey you two okay?” The strawberry toon asked tilting his head gently his leaves falling to the side.

Dazzle gave a confused look before nodding. “(Could be better but I’m still here so I guess that counts)” Razzle shared the same puzzled look but waited for his brother to finish speaking before he spoke up as well. “Yeah….why wouldn’t we be..?” The white masked toon asked a smile creeping onto his face as he waited for the strawberry toons answer; behind his facade of happiness he was panicking on why sprout was asking this, did they look nervous? Did they seem to Off? Was Dazzle not sad enough or something? Which wouldn’t be the answer since Dazzle doesn’t have to be sad all the time he can be happy at points.

Sprout simply nodded and spoke breaking through Razzle’s train of thought. “Just wanted to make sure since you’ve been hanging out with……him” Sprout left it at that turning and walking off to go make conversation with Gigi who failed to get him to look at the top of the elevator with her gullible joke. Razzle turned to Dazzle opening his mouth to speak before the elevator dinged signaling their arrival to the gift shop. The toons immediately began to wonder off; Tisha began dusting the shelves, Gigi pocketed anything she could fit in her pockets and capsule, sprout began to organize plushies making sure they were straight and in a row, Astro went off to clean the candy Yatta left everywhere, and then Razzle and Dazzle they just wandered about looking at overpriced stuffed toys and the carpet that once so bright had seemed to finally begin to fade due to the lack of vacuuming, as they were walking they overheard Tisha speaking to Sprout.

“So how’s your little boyfriend doing?” Tisha asked sprout in a slight teasing tone as he lifted up plushies so she could dust underneath them her gaze remained on the mess but she took over the conversation since it had begun to get awkward. “He’s doing fine; Shrimpo keeps trying to pop him but other than that it’s all good….but I’m a bit worried…” Sprout said trailing off at the end before continuing on. “Looey is amazing and it’s not him I’m worried about it’s his friend Blot…” Sprout began causing Tisha to look up in shock: sprout was never one to talk about toons not without them being there to defend themselves.

“How so are you worried about him? I mean I understand no one else can understand him except Yatta and Looey but is it that worrisome he uses sign language most of the time anyways so.” Tisha said finally putting down her dust sweeper so they could have a proper conversation; the twins knew they should’ve walked away and stopped eavesdropping but they couldn’t help it.

“It’s not that..” Sprout said glancing down to meet Tisha’s eyes. “He’s….a bit…to clingy to me I complimented him once and now it seems like he never wants to leave me alone even Looey has noticed this and I’m nervous I don’t want to hurt Blot and Looey’s friendship but it’s kinda weird how he follows me around like a dog almost” He said with a sigh burying his hands in his face as Tisha led him away to the elevator calling for the rest of the toons to come so they can go back up.

The way up was awkward to say nobody spoke it seemed as though they all had heard what Sprout said which they did since they were all in the same vicinity but none had made it obvious they just all did their own thing. Once the elevator dinged and the twins stepping out watching the other toons depart they immediately took in how Looey ran up to hug Sprout, Blot trailing behind Looey in the middle of a sentence showing the two had been speaking prior to the other toons return.

The twins yawned almost in sync and giggled at that making their way to the doors passing by the toons showing no mind for their conversations as they walked down the corridor behind the door till they reached the toon rooms, they walked down the hallway glancing into some rooms as they did so watching as Rodger tucked toodles in the eight ball had forced him to start doing that or she’d cry; everyone knew she was joking but Rodger took it to heart. Glisten was in his room doing his nighttime routine; and in the room of two siblings goob was asleep while scraps was finishing up a drawing.

Razzle and Dazzle finally made it to their room stopping to grasp the doorknob, twist, and push shutting the door behind them as they flicked the lights off dazzle situated himself with a book while Razzle simply laid his head back waiting for dazzle to finish a few chapters so they could sleep; Dazzle eventually finished those few chapters setting the book down with a bookmark in it, he laid his head back alongside his brothers the two closed their eyes Dazzle whispering gently coaxing Razzle to sleep before following suit darkness absorbing their vision as they went into their sleep.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝.

Chapter Text

The sound of distant running water made Razzle’s eyes snap open he was standing on a stage; the same stage he once told comedic jokes on. He closed his eyes remembering the soft memories of the laughter from children as he cracked jokes, the way toons groaned whenever he unintentionally made a joke, the way Dazzle complained about him always being so loud and energetic but he knew Dazzle was joking he knew his twin never actually got mad at him he usually found it enduring. “I missed this stage when it was filled with children laughing and crying at my jokes, remember that Dazzle?” He asked finally opening his eyes to stare at the blank seats in their nest rows almost too neat now.

There was an eerie silence that had Razzle’s head fly up his heart suddenly pounding in his chest. “Dazzle…?” He asked turning his head to stare at the side where his brother’s head usually was only to see a shattered barely recognizable mask covered with blood running down the entire side where his brother resided. He let out a blood curdling screech as he twisted and turned his heart now racing like he was having a heart attack; he turned once more crying out begging dazzle to suddenly appear and say it was a prank gone wrong….he never did.

His eyes snapped up seeing a black paw, with three long, sharp, deadly, red, orange, and yellow, claws, reaching out towards him he shrieked and stepped backwards only to feel the ground give way plunging him into complete darkness Razzle twisted and turned tears rolling down his mask as he heard faint whispers and laughter; he curled in on himself begging for this nightmare to end.

Dazzle hummed as he thought he heard his name being called but could not pin point the location of the caller, he stalked over to a fountain enjoying the sound of the running water smiling up at it the black water always calmed him- wait black water? His eyes flew open staring at the black water….not water…ichor….toon blood to be exact. He stepped back horrified as he saw his reflection in the ichor only one head not two one. “(Razzle…)” He barely managed to choke the words out. He get his throat tighten as glossy eyes turned to tears and tears turned to crying and crying turned to sobs.

His sobs grew louder and more desperate begging this nightmare wasn’t true he couldn’t live without Razzle he just couldn’t Razzle was his twin his world he meant everything to Dazzle. “(No no no!)” He screeched scrambling to his feet shaking his head as he turned and ran seemingly going through never ending corridors that seemed to stretch wider and wider before suddenly becoming extremely small.

He turned to go back but found there was no more door his breathing quickened as a hand came to clutch his shirt right above his racing heart. He took a step back everything seemed to sway and was too loud but too quiet. He put his hands to his head cradling himself as he slumped against the wall sliding down till he was sat on the ground. Everything seemed to blur together it felt unreal as he sobbed and cried shaking terribly. He felt someone reach out for him but he slapped their hand away.

“(Don’t touch me!)” He shrieked trashing in the others hold but as he spun around to face them he saw no one…just the wall. His heartrate seemed to increase as his breath hitched seemingly gone at this point the world had seemed to have gone still before it began to sway and he swayed with it till his footing seemed to not agree with his mind and he fell sideways his mask hitting the ground with a loud crack.

Dazzle’s eyes shot open and he practically shrieked waking his twin next to him who seemed to have the same reaction. They both turned to face each other assuring they were both real before Dazzle immediately broke down. The twins pressed their head together wrapping their arms around their knees glancing about as if to stop anything from harming their conjoined twin.

Astro tossed and turned seemingly unable to sleep something felt way too wrong as though the world had just shifted. He blinked sleep away from his eye and pushed himself up with his lower set of arms his upper set gently brushing his shirt down as he suddenly felt a pain in his head. He groaned he shut his eye suddenly getting a flash of something in his vision immediately his eye shot open as quickly as it had shut. He scrambled off his bed running about before realizing his blanket was on his bed. “Stupid…” he murmured, scolding himself as he grabbed it and wrapped it around himself making his way to his door as quickly as possible.

As the moon made his way towards the toon hallway where the regular toon rooms were located, unlike main character toons who got their own bigger rooms farther away. As he opened the door to the hall and began making his way towards a certain black and white themed room, his blue glow shining down the hall, he halted a few inches away from a certain strawberry toon who seemed to also be shocked to see him. The two stared at each other for what felt like an eternity before he spoke. “Sprout…..what are you doing up so late?” Astro asked concern practically dripping from his voice.

“I could ask the same about you.” Sprout shot back before recoiling realizing that Astro only meant well. “Sorry….im heading to looey’s room he asked me to meet him there” Sprout said smiling slightly. “Uhm….have a goodnight” He said turning on his heel making his way back towards a balloon toons room.

Astro watched him go with a smile. He didn’t hold it against sprout for immediately shooting the question back at him he knew he was used to Rodger pestering him all the time besides it wasn’t any of his business what sprout was doing. He turned back to his task at hand he reached out from under his blanket knocking three times on the black and white door. He heard nothing but chose to go in, he reached out twisting the doorknob and then pushed it open his gaze softening at the sight of the twins curled up practically bawling in each others arms.

Astro knocked again the twins now noticing his presence they seemed to relax slightly before tensing as Astro slowly approached. “Hey hey…it’s okay it’s okay just breath for me slowly…” He spoke in a comforting tone breathing in and out gently as an example smiling when the twins slowly began to copy him. He approached slowly knowing they hadn’t fully calmed yet. “May I hold your hands?” He asked slowly shutting the door as he sat on the edge of their bed awaiting their answer with such patience.

Razzle looked at Dazzle who seemed to still be trying to breath but managed to give a shaky nod. “Mhm…..just not to much…” Razzle said his voice shaking as he screwed his eyes shut as though preparing for the worst. Dazzle followed suit his eyes shut so tightly you wouldn’t believe he’s ever opened them before.

Astro nodded at the confirmation and leaned forward resting his star hands upon their hands slowly closing his eyes and humming softly feeling the tension leave their body gradually until they finally relaxed into his touch their breathing steady and calm as they leaned against Astro happy that comfort had finally come.

Chapter Text

Sprout stepped through the entrance of Looey’s room. The room was filled with different bright colors that popped out, with an abundance of purple and green frilly decorations scattered across the walls. The circus toon seemed to be moving around papers and stocked boxes, all filled to the brim as they looked stuffed, the tape on them about to lift off. Sprout assumed the boxes were full of stuff for the circus, in which Looey and his members haven’t ever done again since the Toon Handlers left and the children stopped coming by. “Hey, Looey.” Sprout said in a loud whisper. Looey’s ears shifted downwards almost immediately after, out of shock. He turned around, and his ears lifted up again, and he smiled softly. Sprout gave a weak smile, in a sense that he knew Looey wasn’t doing okay. That would be why he had called him, right? “You made me think you weren’t coming for a hot minute!” Looey sighed, placing down the last box, “How are you feeling? Well, I hope?” The balloon dog’s tail was wagging slightly. He was happy, which made Sprout happy. “How are you feeling, Looey? You know I care about you the most here.” Sprout asked, laying his hand on Looey’s shoulder, patting it. He smiled warmly as the taller toon’s comforting hand lay on him, and he knew it was safe to talk with him about what he wanted to. “Haha, Sprout, I’m fine. I just wanted to talk to you about…” Looey trailed off into a short thought. Would Sprout want to talk with him about this? He wanted to ask about Astro, so Looey didn’t know where to start. Sprout and the quiet moon had started to drift as Sprout speculated something about him… Looey hadn’t knew what the strawberry had thought though, as Sprout only brought up small segments of his thoughts on Astro near him. “…About Astro?” Looey said slowly, lifting his shoulders. They starred at each other. Looey assumed Sprout was thinking, and then he took his hand of Looey’s shoulder, and looked to another direction. He wasn’t mad, Looey knew that. “Him.” Sprout responded, looking back. Looey shrieked, and gulped at the slight harshness of Sprout’s tone. Maybe he was mad, but not at him… at Astro. What terrible thing had the toon done? Was it his associations with dreams? Like Boxten’s nightmares? “What? You can tell me Sprout, I swear on helium, I won’t tell another toon!” He said, reaching for Sprout, practically begging for the answers. Sprout still didn’t tell, but now all he knew was that he somewhat hated Astro. “Looey, I’m sorry but… let’s talk about this later.” The strawberry’s eyes shifted away as he replied. “But, oh, geez, it really looks to be bugging you and-..” Looey paused. He thought that he was getting quite annoying, and Sprout hadn’t wanted to hear what he had to say any longer. Sprout was obviously straying away from telling Looey, but why? It might’ve been to protect him, which is what he swore to do for everyone he loved, like Looey, Cosmo, and all his other friends. “Yeah… okay. I’m sorry, Sprout. We can talk about this another day.” Looey mumbled as his ears drooped. He didn’t want to see Sprout upset. “And Looey, I know you’re thinking you’re being annoying…” Sprout said, still turned away, “You’re not. And please don’t think you are. I’m just not all there today. Haha, I’m the one being a bit annoying here, aren't I?” He finally turned to Looey once more, smiling. Sprout’s smile warmed Looey, and he felt his face heat up, “No, no, Sprout-! Don’t say that!” Looey chuckled as Sprout nuzzled against the side of the balloon toon’s head. “Okay, Loo, I’m going to have to head back now.” Sprout told, rubbing on Looey’s head gently, making sure not to hurt him, “I’ve got some other important things to do. I’ll see you next morning. Goodnight.” He kissed him softly on the side of his head. Looey blushed and held onto the spot, smiling. “Ooh, uhm, hahaha.. ahem, goodnight to you too, Sprout!”

Astro quietly shut the door and shifted out of Razzle & Dazzle’s room after successfully getting the two to calm down and get back to sleep, casting them great, soft, and wonderful dreams. He hasn’t liked seeing the two breakout like that, especially Razzle since he was always so happy. As he laid his star hands on theirs, he had a more detailed glimpse of their nightmares. The twins were obviously inseparable, and Astro just seeing a second of those nightmares made him sick. He hoped that he’d never have to see them like that ever again, hurled up and tense… It made him want to join in on the sobbing session as well. As Astro moved along the halls, he noticed Sprout not too far ahead of him, shuffling his hands around as he entered his room and took off his scarf. Astro wondered what he was doing, and wondered what he had done, but he knew that he shouldn’t invade someone’s privacy… outside of dreams. Astro was quite glad he was the only one to have the ability to see one’s dreams, as his own ‘dreams’ aren’t too… pleasing. Not pleasing at all to the other toons. Astro had gotten used to them, though, after seeing everyone else’s dreams. He slithered himself into his own room silently, making sure not to awaken any of the other mains, especially Dandy. Slowly, he shuffled off his blanket and fluffed it, preparing himself to calm down and get sleep for the rest of the night, as he had started to imagine an image of tomorrow being an important day, much more important than others. He snuggled up around the comfort of soft fluffy pillows and his fuzzy cornflower blanket, silently hoping there’d be no more visions of terrible nightmares for tonight. His heavy eyelids closed shut as he stuffed his face into a giant feathery pillow, his gaze darkening. Maybe, if tomorrow were to be important and all so special, it would be an amazing day, and the toon handlers would come back. But at this point in time, after those pained eleven months of waiting and waiting, wishing for at least one signal, there’s not a reason to hope for that anymore.

They’re not coming back, ever.

Chapter Text

Astro’s eyes shot open to the sound of a banging door. He seemed to have overslept past the time he usually roamed around, which was quite early. He shifted himself off his bed immediately, wrapping his blanket around him tightly, but still loose enough to hide his arms. He twisted the knob of his door and opened it swiftly with a star hand. His gaze lifted up, and it was Vee, standing with her arms crossed like they usually were… that sarcastic, sassy pose. But she wasn’t these things, she seemed mad, but over what? Astro couldn’t come up with any reasons why, and it hurt to think why.

“Astro.” Vee started, looking at him up and down, raising an eyebrow. Astro shuddered, he didn’t like how strict she sounded, and the fact her voice was much more… scratchy? Her speaker must’ve been messed up. “I’ve been knocking for minutes on end. What were you even doing??” Vee asked, leaning in a little closer to Astro, examining him. Astro shrugged, and looked away, “..Sleeping.” He responded, playing with the end of his night cap. Vee’s strict expression calmed down a little, and she moved a bit away from Astro. Her bent antenna sparked as she remembered what she wanted to ask Astro, and she played with her microphone tail as she did.

“Weird. You don’t sleep that long.” She wondered, then she shot up, finally remembering, “Oh, well, other mains and I are starting a meeting and we expect you to be there. We’re gonna make some new. . . uhm, ‘rules’. Or whatever you would call them. Since Dandy’s been gone.” Vee said, trying to explain clearly. Astro hadn’t heard Dandy’s name mentioned in a while, and after Vee had said his name, he leaped up, with shrunken pupils. Dandy hasn’t been heard of or outside since… those two disappeared. They wondered what he was doing, but there was no way to find out. “D—oh, uhm… new rules? You said..?” Astro checked, his eyes readjusting back to normal. Vee slightly nodded, and then nodded faster. “Yeah, rules. We’re meeting in Shelly’s room, 3pm, on the dot. The benches there are great for this kind of stuff,” she said, “I expect you to be there on time, if you can. You are coming, right?” She placed her hands on her hips, doing that eyebrow raise once again, waiting for a response. Astro’s eyes looked around the halls as he thought hard. A meeting… a meeting..? He pondered. Just about bettering the life of the toons? He looked back and Vee and nodded, “…Yes, Vee. I’m going to be coming.” He assured. Vee smiled and nodded back, holding out her hand, expecting a small handshake. Astro shook her hand with one of his sparks, and softly smiled back at her.

As they let go, Vee began to walk off down the hall, then she disappeared through the exit. Astro’s small smile faded right as she exited, and he entered his room once more and shut the door. 3pm..? What time is it now, then? Astro wondered as he turned to the tiny, shining silver clock that laid on his neatly decorated nightstand. It had just turned 1pm, and it reminded Astro of how long he had slept, and how much time he had until that meeting.

2 hours. That’s enough time… Astro thought, tugging on his blanket to ensure it didn’t loosen around, revealing underneath, and due to his nervousness wanting to take over. He knew that meeting wasn’t just going to be about the life of the toons. It was going to be much worse.

• ••

Astro slipped through the halls, making sure no other toon saw him, as he was in a rush and that meeting is one no one should know he was going to. He slid into the elevator, tapping on buttons to Shelly’s floor.

The elevator was beginning to rust on the roof. Nobody has cleaned these walls in forever, and even if Tisha wanted to, she wouldn’t be able to get there.

There was a loud ding! and the elevator doors moved open. He walked out, but hadn’t seen anyone there. He dashed through an open frame and he noticed them all at the giant dinosaur statue that was under a bright spotlight.

The rest of the mains—except Pebble—were seated on a bench, talking, but Astro couldn’t hear what they were saying. Shelly seemed to be listening to music with one earbud in, which Astro guessed was to listen to and take part in the conversation, like she was supposed to. Vee was talking with Sprout, looking to be annoying, like she usually did whenever she talked to him. Shelly nor Astro were never able to get them to stop their bickering, so now whenever they did, they didn’t take part in separating them. They just let them fight.

He couldn’t see Sprout’s face, since he was turned the other way. He turned around, and saw Astro. Vee had just noticed him as well, and gave him a small, nervous grin, and she patted on a spot of the bench seats, silently telling him to sit down. Astro smiled, and ran over to sit down.

Shelly grinned, and waved to him after he sat down. She just looked happy to be there.

“We were wondering where you were.” Sprout said, giving a forced smile, “Vee thought you died.” He continued, attempting to be humorous.

Vee gave an offended stare, and rolled her eyes, “No, I did not, Sprout. I never said that I thought he died, I said—“

“Okay, now that Astro’s here, can we start talking about that rules thing? I don’t want this to be, uhhm… another fighting session.” Shelly interrupted. It was one of these times the toons went quiet and listened to the ammonite. She was smiling shyly, taking out her earbud, and Vee sat up straight and stretched her robotic arms.

Sprout straightened as well and nodded, “Well? Vee?” He asked, expecting her to begin speaking. Vee sighed and her screen flashed with static, and her antenna had sparked again, eyes closed, thinking. “Yes, we’ve all been hurting like how we’ve been since our toon handlers have disappeared. I know you have Astro, and you especially, Shelly.” She answered, turning to Astro, then the shell. Shelly turned away slightly, looking down to her arm. Astro remembered the face of his toon handler, Austin, and how he was able to relate to him in some way. He looked down as well, feeling a bit empathetic to Shelly. 

“I do miss Veronica myself, but it’s time we’ve moved on, and accept the fact that they are gone for good.” Vee continued on, her voice was glitching a little, and it was throwing Astro off guard. “And Dandy. So I have decided that now would be a good time to address what we need to change, to better the lives of these toons.” She said.

The rest of the mains nodded, and Shelly pointed up a finger, wanting to ask a simple question, but she quickly put it down after Sprout and Astro turned to her.

“I’ve been noticing the elevators acting up.” Vee started, once again, “Nobody’s been powering Gardenview for what…? Eleven months? God, eleven months…”

It made Astro remember again. It was eleven months since they left. Gardenview had been cracking since they left, lights flickering out, and he remembered how gross the elevator was. No one was cleaning except for poor Tisha, and no one was powering anything. So if the whole museum went out, it could never be fixed.

“Uhm, does anyone actually know where Dandy is..?” Shelly asked. She shrunk down as everyone looked at her. Vee looked around the room, and shrugged, turning to Sprout. “Do you?” She questioned, raising her eyebrow like usual. Sprout shook his head, and slightly looked to Astro, and tried not to make it obvious.

Astro was Dandy’s closest friend, and everyone knew this, so Astro knew he would get pointed out at some point… especially by Sprout, who was acting a lot more different towards him. Vee tilted her head, and she turned it to Astro. He was messing with the ends of his blanket, looking at Vee nervously. She pointed at him, tilting her head forward. He knew she was asking if he knew where Dandy was.

He shook his head.

“… No. No I don’t…” He murmured. Sprout shook his head slightly, which Astro could see from the corner of his eye. He knew Sprout was suspicious of him, but at the same time, he knew that he would never say what he thought out loud. He would only… hint at it. Vee squinted her eyes, staring deep into Astro’s, at his soul, in which he was unsure he even had. “Uhm, Vee? Are you-“

“Okay. Sprout, do you have anything to say?” Vee asked, finally turning herself away from Astro, and she cut-off Shelly, who went silent. Sprout laid his hand on his face, and he closed his eyes tight. “About the rules or… Dandy?” He mumbled, opening his eyes slightly. He looked as if he was having a throbbing headache, and Astro assumed he was. Vee shrugged, “Whatever you want it to be, berry boy.” she smirked. He gave an offended eye roll and a slight groan, covering his eyes with his hands.

He was recalling everything, it seemed like. Astro hoped that he wouldn’t mention him, even though he knew he wouldn’t, but there was still a small chance he would as he began to remember how he had responded to him last night. It’s fine, you’ll be fine. Astro reassured himself. Sprout dropped his hands across the bench table, and sighed, “I saw something that looked like a machine, yesterday.” Sprout said, eyes still closed, “There was this strange… black liquid dripping inside of the glass. Do you know what that is?” He opened his eyes, and looked at Astro for a small second. Astro felt his heart drop, and he looked around, searching for many answers but he couldn’t find out what.

He had no part in this.

What machines? There aren’t any weird machines.

There aren’t any machines I have made. Astro knew, deep down, he hadn’t helped with anything like that.

“Me and… Machines..?” Astro gasped, finally turning to the strawberry, slowly. Sprout’s gaze was soft, he seemed a bit too… calm about it. Maybe it was that presumed headache. “Where did you even see it…? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Astro didn’t want to talk that very moment. Dandy never told him anything about some kind of machine.

“Hmm, I saw it in the warehouse.” Sprout continued, looking to Vee, who had her hands under her chin, very interested. “Dandy, huh? That guy was always some trouble, I swear.” She claimed, sounding slightly aggressive. Astro looked around because he knew that they would ask him questions. As he looked, he noticed Shelly covering her face with a dinosaur facts book she had brought with her in a book bag. She looked as she wanted to take no part in the meeting, like she was just dragged there.

Poor Shelly… Astro thought, I don’t want to be here either. I wish I could tell her that…

Vee and Sprout were going back and forth constantly, but surprisingly, they didn’t seem to hate each other in that exact moment, until Sprout had began asking Astro questions about still being friends with Dandy.

That was when it all stopped for the mains. Astro’s lips went ziplock tight. Vee straightened herself, and she became defensive, “Stop asking him those damn questions, Sprout.” She slightly raised her voice, her eyes squinting angrily. Sprout upsettingly sighed, and he turned away to the dinosaur statue. He finally went silent. Shelly lowered her book, revealing her eyes. She looked around curiously, and as Vee looked at her, she raised the book back up immediately, embarrassed.

Nobody spoke for a long while. All everyone heard was the loud stinging of the silence.

“I’ll see you all soon.” Sprout said, standing up and walking towards one of the elevators. Shelly got up without saying anything, waved goodbye, and followed behind him.

It was just Vee and Astro.

“I’m sorry, Astro.” Vee apologized. She sounded bitter, but he knew she meant it. “… It’s fine, Vee. You didn’t do anything bad.” Astro replied, a little more quiet than usual, “I think I just need some sleep. I think all that… dream stuff is getting to me.” He got up.

Vee’s gaze softened and she stood up as well, messing with her antenna, it sparking every time it was hit. “Uhh, I’ll see you later. Bye, now.” She waved, and walked off to the same elevator as the other two.

Astro stood in the same place for a while, thinking over everything. Maybe he should’ve stayed, and told them he overslept. But now, there’s no going back. He trailed over to a different elevator, sighed, and went off. They had hardly even said anything about what the meeting was going to be about. The "new rules".

I hope Razzle & Dazzle are doing well.

He thought.

And I hope Dandy is too. Astro sighed, He needs to stop whatever he’s doing.

Chapter Text

Looey hummed as he walked with one of his closest friends, Yatta, to the main lobby area where most toons now resided during the day. As he walked alongside her he chose to strike up a conversation with her since they hadn’t had time alone due to all that was happening around gardenview.

“So Yatta…..been a while huh…” He said his tail swaying slightly as he realized the two hadn’t had a proper conversation in almost 3 months due to everything that was going on. Yatta only hummed in response glancing sideways at him ‘something is clasped in her hand- is that a god damn box of chocolate bars- you know what don’t even ask Looey’ The balloon dog though to himself before being pulled out of said thoughts by Yatta.

“It really HAS BEEN awhile! We haven’t had much TIME TO OURSELVES!” Yatta commented a pep in her step as they absentmindedly walked the halls till they finally reached the lobby seeing as it was lit up with chatter amongst all toons even Shrimpo was speaking…..well yelling at Finn for making a pun but it still counts I guess.

The two toons found a bench near the blue walled elevator sitting down to speak. “OKAY SO I was talking WITH BLOT THE OTHER DAY AND HE kept asking if I was ever going TO RID MY CANDY STASH from the vents!” Yatta exclaimed dramatically throwing her hands up in the air waving them wildly to express her emotions.

Looey just giggled at her smiling softly before he caught a flicker of movement in the corner of his eye; he turned his head noticing Razzle and Dazzle staring the two immediately averting their gaze and speaking amongst themselves Dazzle seemingly worried.

The two masks glanced the duo’s way every now and then before turning back to having their own conversation. The thought of them talking about him or Yatta made him slightly nervous he had thought they all got along so the idea of the two talking about the duo seemed out of character but entirely possible. He was pulled from his thoughts when Yatta tapped his shoulder her face tilted in confusion with a mix of..pity? No compassion.

“Are YOU OKAY!?” Yatta asked ignoring the glances that got sent their way from her sudden yelling. “You LOOK worried.” She said shuffling closer reaching her arms out slightly hesitating wrapping her arms around him once she got the confirming nod. “Whatever IT IS it’ll all BE fine I promise!” She said holding out a chocolate bar for him to take.

Looey slowly reached out and hesitantly took it knowing how Yatta was with her candy. He looked back over to the twins locking eyes with Dazzle who had been looking over. They both looked away to awkward to even address it. Yatta followed his gaze before he looked away tilting her head in confusion at why Looey seemed to be staring at the twins noting how they glanced over before turning back to each other.

Yatta finally tapped Looey’s shoulder noticing the conjoined pair nod to each other before glancing the duo’s way before making their way over quite quickly hinting at Razzle’s control since Dazzle seemed to not be as fast as his brother. Looey glanced up jolting as the twins stopped in front of them. “uhm- Razzle, Dazzle! It’s good to see you two what-uh what brings you over here!” He said averting his attention to playing with his tail that he hadn’t notice folding over his lap his ears slightly going downturned before he forced them up.

Dazzle looked at Razzle slightly nodding at him as to tell him to say it. “Wellll” Razzle began beaming slightly as though he had the most perfect idea in mind that had been thought of. “We wanted to know uhm if you and the circus troupe would allow us to perhaps help you guys make a performance since you all haven’t done one since Y’know the handlers left….” He said buzzing with excitement as Dazzle slowly nodded. “(Not that you have to we just wanted to know)” the tragedy mask added slowly looking away.

Yatta looked at Looey equally shocked. “Has IT REALLY been that long?” She asked her tails wrapping around each other. Looey hummed realizing it had been quite awhile since they had all preformed for anyone. Yatta and Looey both shared a glance a silent message passing between them. Looey then turned to the conjoined twins. “We don’t know about blot since we haven’t seen him today but.” Looey said sitting up straight smiling brightly.

“We’re in.”

Chapter Text

Razzle was basically buzzing with excitement; Looey and Yatta agreed to let the twins help on an act! The duo went to fetched blot while the masks were sent on their way to the stage to begin pulling out prop boxes as well as costume boxes to see what they had and begin to conjure up a plan for the act.

Dazzle hummed looking up at his twin only to see the other lost in thought, he tilted his head before nudging Razzle to snap him back into reality stopping them from almost walking into the door. “(We’re here…)” The tragedy mask said tilting his head and signaling for Razzle to open the door.

Razzle blinked a few times before taking a step back and opening the door glancing about the room as the conjoined twins walked in eyeing everything the costume boxes stacked neatly atop each other, a curtain for outfit changes, a stash of candy visible in the vents, a flashlight? A box presumably full of props, and some pins, balls, rope, basic stuff for a circus.

“Whoa….this is epic!” The comedy mask exclaimed lowering his voice as his brother flinched. “Sorry!” He apologized smiling even brighter as Dazzle nodded seemingly unbothered after that. The twins pulled out the requested boxes and a notepad with a pencil from who knows where.

The two began to look through the costume box huffing as nothing seemed to appeal to Razzle. The comedy mask rolled his eyes and decided the trio’s outfits as they were would suffice. With the notepad and pencil Razzle wrote a list of act ideas.

Acrobatics + shadow animals
Juggling + acrobatics
Aerialists
Flying trapeze + juggling
Rope + shadow animals
Knife throwing + juggling (perhaps juggling the knives)
Cloudswing

Once the list was complete the twins sat in utter silence sitting on the prop box as they waited for the trio to arrive. Dazzle picked at the hem of their shirt only stopping once the sound of chatter and footsteps approached. It grew louder until the door swung open Yatta entering first, followed by blot, then Looey. Their chatter stopped as Looey walked over to the twins looking over at the notepad to see what they had written.

“⸮htiw pu emac yeht kniht uoy od tahW” Blot asked looking up at Yatta as the conjoined twins and Looey discussed the act plans. “..siht tuoba deirrow leef I” he commented watching as Yatta opened her mouth to respond but quickly got cut off by Looey walking over all giddy and excited for the act.

“Okay so!” Looey began as he clasped his hands together motioning to the rest of the trio as he spoke. “We went over the list and decided to do a 4 part act! If that’s okay with you both!” He added quickly his tail wagging happily as he basically bounced on his feet.

Yatta responded immediately her face lighting up with excitement. “Yes WE WOULD love TO DO THAT!!” She exclaimed Blot nodding in confirmation. “This WILL be SO exciting!!” Yatta said her tails now wagging as well as she rushed over and snatched the notepad from the twins looking over the list deciding which ones she’d be willing to do ignoring blot and looey’s sigh as she did so.

She looked through the list reading them all eagerly bouncing on her feet. “I say we should do THE FIRST TWO, the FOURTH one, and the sixth one! IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE we have done multi-ring PERFORMANCES!” Yatta exclaimed showing the list to blot who nodded in agreement at the proposition.

“It’s been settled then! Let’s begin setting up the acts!” Looey said as he pulled out the prop bin sliding it towards a side door. He abandoned the bin to go to the door opening it and stepping onto the backstage signaling for the rest of the group to follow.

Yatta eagerly trotted up grabbing the prop box and running onto stage blot following more carefully. Razzle and Dazzle blinked at the crew before slowly following onto stage awaiting instructions.

The piñata toon who had been holding the prop box simply dumped all the props onto the floor instead of just setting the bin down. “Well what ARE WE waiting for let’s DECORATE THE stage!” Yatta exclaimed digging around in the pile grabbing multiple pins which were candy based.

Blot shook his head and squatted down beginning to separate the props into sections; decoration, pins, stickers, random objects, and show items. He reached for the stickers grabbing some to begin decorating the stage.

The crew got to work Yatta with pins, Blot with stickers, Looey setting up the items for the show, Razzle and Dazzle were hanging around helping Yatta put pins in higher places helped Looey inflate one of the bounce balls. The twins reached blot beginning to help place stickers.

Razzle watched blot cocking his head in confusion at the ink toon’s unique appearance finally getting a easier look at the toon. “Blot why do you act so…uncanny.” Razzle asked watching as the ink blot froze mid reach now stiffened his eye wide.

Dazzle gasped slightly, Yatta and Looey both froze mouths agape. “(Raz…)” Dazzle began trailing off as Blot’s arms fell to his sides. “What! Did I say something wrong?” Razzle asked his voice tinted with confusion as he looked around at everyone’s very astonished faces.

“(….Raz…you just called Blot weird….)” The tragedy mask explained averting his gaze to anywhere but blots eye which was now glossy with tears. “What! Oh no no no I didn’t mean it like that!” Razzle exclaimed reaching out to blot who instinctively took a step back sniffling. Yatta instantly rushed over putting herself in between the two.

“Razzle. Dazzle. I think it’s best if you two just let us handle the decorations just go sit and wait for us to finish.” Looey said making his way over allowing blot to latch onto him gently rubbing his back.

“But….” Razzle said guilt washing over his face. “(Raz…let’s go sit…please.)” dazzle hummed softly keeping his gaze on the floor as Razzle slowly led them to the side sitting down watching the crew as they began to decorate. Yatta sent a glare their way every now and then huffing as she set up the pins the air now tense.

Razzle leaned his head against Dazzle’s exhaling slowly as he zoned out. Dazzle reciprocated the gesture allowing Razzle to lean on him. “(It’s alright Raz I know you didn’t mean it…)” He whispered looking up at his brother.

Chapter Text

The circus troupe sprinted through the curtains on the stage with taped up boxes retrieved from Looey’s room, “Just in case we forgot something. Blot reminded me to bring these up here.” Looey said, looking at Blot, smiling, “.eseht fo eno ni gnihtemos tfel ev‘thgim I” Blot replied, placing the box he was holding down next to Looey’s. Yatta placed her box down a bit farther away and bounced her legs in a silly motion, beginning to unbox, and she was doing it quickly, like how she looks when she’s candy hunting in her candy stashes.

Looey and Blot were chatting while unboxing, them being much more careful compared to Yatta. Razzle and Dazzle sat farther away, without a box, practicing their shadow puppet skills. The twins had done different puppets based on their personalities, which cheered them both up a lot.

“You know, I really didn’t mean to say uncanny… I meant, uhm, strange! In a sense, like… the speaking way… ONE EYE! You know, like Rodger! And-”

“(Razzle… Please stop bringing it up right now!...)” Dazzle interrupted, and covered his mouth lightly, “(Sorry... I just don’t want you to screw up again…)” He shook his head. Razzle sighed and started making a messed up shadow bunny, which Dazzle helped him fix afterwards.

Everyone had beautifully done face paint on and pastel, nicely made costumes stitched perfectly that matched everyone. Yatta turned around to face the two twins, and she smiled, gesturing them to come over and unbox some things with her. Razzle grinned, and Dazzle softly smiled, and trotted over to the piñata. Dazzle had taken over for a while to unbox, as Razzle had gotten bored from the task fast. Razzle’s vision shifted over to Looey and Blot, who seemed to be laughing and having a fun time, yet, their boxes were halfway finished. Razzle’s smile dropped a bit, still looking at the two happy toons. He felt a tap on his face, and his head shook, and looked side to side. It seemed to only be his own hand, which Dazzle was still moving. “(Are you okay, Raz..?)” Dazzle asked, looking at him slightly. “Oh–Haha, yeah! Daz, I’m fine.” Razzle reassured, raising his smile. Dazzle gave a small concerned look, and looked back to the box to retrieve the extra decorations and supplies.

“Would you look at the time, our act is in a few!” Looey recalled, looking at their giant wall clock, laying his hands on his hips, “Let’s go finalize the stage decorations.” He said, tilting his head to the curtains. The circus dashed out through the curtains, except Razzle and Dazzle, who stayed behind to chat with each other before the show started.

“Want me to take control of the whole running around? I mean, I’m not saying you can’t but you know, I’m super fast!” Razzle exclaimed, raising his arm up in the air for a comedic effect. “(I don’t mind if you take control… Just be careful.)” Dazzle responded. Razzle gave a thumbs up and a happy grin.

*

The toons that had arrived sat down in the theatre chairs that surrounded the stage. Chattering filled the dark room before the lights above the stage flickered on. Everyone shuffled in a proper sitting position and faced the stage and shut their mouths.

The curtains slid open in surprise as confetti burst from the sides of the stage, falling down like snow, and the viewing toons shouted and clapped, joyous sounds already filling the room. The circus slithered through decorations, performing flawlessly.

Music blasted through the room, filling the toons with the joy they had all dreamed for since. Everyone cheered as a trick was done and everyone yelled as a knife was swung.

Razzle left small hysterical moments in between parts of the act, leaving most toons into a laughing fit.

The circus, although they haven’t done an act in months, were thrilled by how much the toons loved it. They loved their own act as much as the viewers. Yatta spun and twisted her body in ways, doing backflips and frontflips from high ground which the toons seemed to either enjoy or fearfully gasped at every time she jumped, sighing when they realized she didn’t tumble down. Blot’s small silent acting moments with Razzle and Dazzle made it much like a comedic tragedy drama, which the toons were delighted by.

Unlike the toons had assumed, Looey’s juggling was on point and it was shown he had improved a lot from their last acts. The beaming stage lights flashed pink, blue, and yellow, and confetti had burst throughout once more.

The circus toons, with Razzle and Dazzle, looked professional, if not shimmering like a bright star to the others watching. They were all smiling, even the circus troupe, and the troupe’s graceful and perfect moves made everyone smile wider. It was the happiest they’ve been since Gardenview shut down, it was amazing, and it took the toon handlers off everyone’s minds.

An act so wondrous and appealing could never have errors, right? But that’s what the watchers had thought when they saw.

Razzle seemed to be too distracted by the crowd of people, grinning widely, performing his part so smoothly he couldn’t see where his legs were trotting onto. Just as Yatta finished her final move for the act, Razzle stepped on all of her tails just before they raised up, and he had almost slipped over, leaving Dazzle’s mouth agape in fear. Yatta took a step to the side and tripped from Razzle, falling onto Blot, who fell over to the ground, leaving a giant puddle of ink, which Looey had slipped on, falling onto both Blot and Yatta.

They had fallen when the act had ended, and everybody erupted into laughter.