Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In a dusty, monochrome small town, all was usually calm, silent. But one night, all that could be heard was car tires scratching the ground, screaming and laughing. All mixed up like decently sweet creme brulee.

Gunshots, footsteps, they took over the town.

“I bet I could shoot better than that!” A playful voice called.

“Shut up, Looey! I could shoot give of these guys! Cause I'm Shrimpo! And I do everything better so!” a croaky, proud voice replied.

“Whatever you say, Samuel.” Looey teased.

Shrimpo turned around, “Dont call me that I'll beat your ass!”

“Never call me Louis then!” the balloon dog barked.

“Guys be fuckin' quiet! We just gotta get to the bar and give these to Miss Teagan, so shoot and get going!” this time another voice popped up. It was a cat-like craft. “Poppy, you got them safe?”

“Yip, yip Ms. Crafton!” Poppy the bubble laughed, “Sorry, Scarps I couldn't not!”

While the gang was yelling out at the police chasing them, commotion was erupting at the driver's seat.

“Yatta get off! We will crash, let me drive!”

“Tisha! Tisha! Through the alleyway c'mon!” Yatta replied, nudging the tissuebox away.

The car went in zigzag motions, back and forth for a few minutes before actually zooming to the alleyway, causing the police to lose them.

The soft click of alcohol bottles were heard as Poppy opened a box that was hanging on backseat. Looey was jumping around with excitement, shaking his hands before being shoved slightly by Shrimpo.

The tune of violin met their ears and Scarps immediately ran off to the bar right next to them. Looey and Poppy followed, carrying the box, with Shrimpo, Yatta, Tisha and Shrimpo running behind.

They came across a long, red carpet in the entrance, the smell of wine, special dishes and smoke almost comforting them during times like these. They opened the gate to the main area and Yatta immediately locked eyes with a certain teacup.

“Miss Teagan!” the young pinata called, running towards the elegant cup. She placed all 5 bottles on the counter, laughing.

“Ms Confi, what a surprise.” Teagan softly chuckled. “And Mr. Krillet turn your frown upside down, honey.”

Shrimpo didn't react for once, just looked away and sighed. Looey joined Yatta as she poured the whiskey in the glass.

“Hey, that's my job!” from the supply closet came Cosmo, the waiter. Looey smiled, taking off his hat and bowing to the respected rollcake.

“Mister Roll, my apologies, could I clean up the-” Tisha started, before Cosmo interrupted.
“Yes yes please! I can help it's such a mess-”

The two walked back to the supply closet. As everyone else stood outside, awkwardly staring at eachother.

The musician up on stage, Barrett Softsong or "Boxten" as everyone calls him tilted his head to the group and played a small tune on his violin to Poppy. Poppy gasped and ran over to him. The two have been best friends for decades, the reaction though was as if they haven't seen eachother in months.

A certain gachapon also came from the door. Georgia. Gigi. The seventh member of their gang, though she was feeling nauseous up in the car so they mostly use her during grave riling ups for alcohol.

“Oi, guys! What a beautiful day!” she runs up to the group and hugs Scarps, slyly stealing her hat. Scarps hisses and chases her to the other side of the room.

Everyone starts talking, and Shrimpo walks up to Looey. “I will go get more alcohol from the graveyard, Louis. I'll be fast. This is just not enough.”

Looey sighed and bent down to have eye to eye contact with Shrimpo. “...I will tell you something later, but go on.”

Shrimpo nodded and walked out.

Chapter Text

Shrimpo made his way through the muddy cemetery, breathing heavily. His pants were slightly torn at their tip. God, he has to clean up afterwards. Sneakily walking towards the graves, Shrimpo found one that could definitely have bottles of whiskey in.

The name was unreadable, smudged. He took a deep breath, grabbed his shovel and placed his flashlight next to him. Time to dig.

Could it be hers?

No... They would leave her to rot. These... These...

He began shoving dirt to the side until he hit wood. There was a jingling sound as he did. Jackpot.

Before he could open the coffin, he heard a creek from behind. Quickly, he pulled his gun out.

“Hello, sir? Heh... Why are you diggin' up this grave?” A fishbowl with two fins on the side appeared. Shit.

“None of your fucking business.” Shrimpo growled and pointed the gun right at him. The fellow fishbowl blinked.

“Hey...I know you! You're that gang that manages to get alcohol from graves and gets chased and has adventures!” The fellow sounded almost excited, “How do you not get caught? Do you get lots of money?!”

Shrimpo was taken aback by the questions. “You won't tell anyone?”

The fishbowl extended his arm, “Finnegan Willikers, nice to meet you!”

Shrimpo blinked. “...Samuel Krillet.”

Finn twitched his fins, “Nice to meet you, Mr. Krillet.” he took off his hat and bowed, a bit of water spilling out of his head.

Shrimpo smirked slightly but quickly shook it off. “Please, call me Shrimpo.”

Finn nodded, “Then just Finn for me! Hehe! You're shrimply amazing! How do you do all this? Running away stuff?”

Shrimpo pondered for a minute before brightening up. “Hey, Finn.” he whispered, “Are you in need of a job...?”

Finn gasped and jumped, “That would be fin-tastic! I need to help my fellow grandpa neighbour, Eggson. He's so old and needs care from me. He has basically no one, sadly.”

Shrimpos heart softened at Finns words. “Alright, come on this way. Let's go.”

Chapter Text

A month has passed and Finn has earned his place in the group. They have managed to snatch lots and lots of bottles so they decided to have a day off.

“Finnman? You coming?” Gigi nudged him, smirking widely.

Finn twitched his fins. “Nah, I'll stay here to keep Boxten company. You fishies can swim off tho.”

Yatta was circling around Looey, her smile wide. “IT WILL BE JUST LIKE THE OLD DAYS!” she squeaked, shaking him, “ARE YOU EXCITED? AM I? OF COURSE I'M EXCITED, YOU?”

Looey shook his head and laughed, “Yeah! Yeah! Slow down!”

Everyone started to walk outside, it was just Finn and Boxten. Finn walked over to the counter and sat down at the chairs. Boxten smiled.

“So what brought you here to our group? You never told us but Shrimpo seemed to know.” he asked.

Finn looked up from his drink and smiled back, his tooth gap showing. “Well, I... I was at the graveyard to mourn my dead fish buddy-”

“Arent fish in pet cemeteries?” Boxten interrupted.

“...I made fake papers of him cause he was so much more to me.”

They laughed a little and Finn continued.

“And then, I heard some weird noise. See I was only a fisherman, I don't have good financial stability cause there's always giant fish companies so I am... Broke.”
He made hand gestures as he explained his story. “My neighbour, Eggson is old and.. no one can take care of him now. So I do, as much as I can. Do you know how happy he's been recently?”

Boxten listened eagerly, “Ah, that's nice. Me, Poppy and Tisha were in need of a job too. Basically, Ms. Teagan found us asking people to give us a chance to work. None would. But she did and we are greatful.”

They continued to speak back and forth about a multitude of stuff, until they heard commotion outside.

“...What the carp.” Finn whispered. It wasn't cheerful commotion it was...

Boxten suspiciously eyed the door. “Theyre never back so soon. It's someone else. And it doesn't sound friendly.”

They both approached the door slowly, the screams getting louder. Suddenly Boxten started running towards it.

“BOXTEN, DON'T- STAY CLOSE IT'S DANGEROUS!” Finn begged, grabbing the back of Boxtens suit.

Boxtens feet slipped beneath him and he hit the ground-

CRACK.

Blood stained Finns pants, he held himself. Tears were welling up in his eyes, jaw clenching.

“...Boxten?..” he whispered.

Boxtens head was caved in, blood dripping everywhere. He was dead.

Finn started panicking, crying urging Boxten to wake up but he was so weak and Boxten was lifeless.

Suddenly, he heard someone come in and covered his face, trembling.

“Finn?! FINN WHAT THE FUCK?!” It was Shrimpo, fussing over everything. “Did you do this?”

Finn opened his eyes, “No I fucking didn't!” he wailed, “Some people were outside and he was running headfirst, I tried to grab him but-”

Poppy came in in horror, she started crying at the sight of her best friend dead right in front of her. Looey was blank, eyes just piercing coldly.

Everyone was at a state of shock, Shrimpo sighed. “May he arrive safely.” he prayed.

They buried him in the cemetery Finn and Shrimpo met in. As everyone was grieving, Finn cracked out, “I didn't mean to. I tried to save him I tried-”

“Its not your fault.” Poppy placed her hand on Finns back and sniffled, “This is the harsh reality we live in.”

Crows were calling and silence remained.

Chapter Text

“A murder happened in Sweet Tea Bar a week ago. I want you to go find them.”

“Dandy- They might not even have to do anything with it.”

“They dig up graves and now they kill their own? We let them go for too long. Get them, now.”

“Come on Berry Boy, let's go. I'll get the other two.”

“... He will fucking hate me.”

--------------------

After coming back from another parade around town, the gang settled down at the table near the entrance to the bar. They drank together, feasted and laughed. Everything seemed to go back to normal.

Shrimpo blinked his eyes open as Finn patted his back. “Fin-tastic time we're having huh, Shrimpy?”

Shrimpo growled playfully “Pft- I guess. You're annoying though.”

Finn scoffed, smirking “Oh- I am offended!”

Scraps and her brother, Goob were fighting over the last bite of food before Gigi quickly made her way and snatched it.

“H-hey!” Goob extended his arms and grabbed her, quickly putting her back in place and snatching his food. Scraps hissed.

Looey and Yatta were surprisingly sitting more calmly, with Looey making jokes and Yatta giggling at them.

Tisha was running behind Poppy to clean her bow, she was doing anything she could to stop it. The sounds of their shoes clicking the hard wood.

Miss Teagan and her partners, Rodger and Glisten, were hanging out near the counter with Cosmo. Cosmo brought them their wine.

“Its a lot quieter without Boxten, huh?” Glisten whispered solemnly, smile fading for a second.

“He is doing better up there. But hey, we still have people that are willing to perform!” Rodger nudged Glisten softly.

Teagan watched everyone from far away. They were like her children, happy, aloof. They are happy and safe.

Suddenly, Toodles emerged from the door. “Mommy! Mommy! Can- can the others take me to the park again soon pleaseeee? Please!”

Teagan looked up at the rest of the crew who suddenly stopped talking, instead smiling and giggling at Toodles.

“Of course, little princess! We don't want you climbing trees again though.” Looey smiled, Toodles scoffed.

“Theyre my castle!” she stomped her foot on the ground.

“They just don't want you hurt my dear.” Teagan smiled and spoke to the rest of them, eyes softened and full of pride. “Im so proud of all of you here, my dears.”

Shrimpo looked away, Finn smiled, Looey rubbed the back of his head, Yatta did a thumbs up. Even Scarps purred slightly
Everyone reacted positively.

BANG

“H-Huh? What- Miss Teaga-”

...

“No...NO- NO NO NO NOOOO-”

Teagan was bleeding on the ground, Glisten fussed over her, sobbing and crying. Rodger tried to get Toodles away. Everyone else was yelling at eachother.

“WHO THE FUCK DID THIS?”

“ITS AN AMBUSH.”

“ITS A MASSACRE.”

“They're here.” Looey whispered. Everyone stopped.

“The fuck you mean Louis?” Shrimpo cried out.

“THE INVESTIGATION YOU SON OF A BITCH, THE GUYS THAT HAVE BEEN HUNTING US DOWN! THEY ARE HERE! THEY FOUND US-”

Before he could finish another gunshot was heard. Four people kicked down the door.

Astro Novalite, Shelly Fossilian, Vee Versionone

And... Sprout Seedly.

“Fucking RUN FOR IT-” Scraps took Goob by the hand and everyone panicked, running towards the exit. Shrimpo pulled out his gun, Looey put on his brass knuckles, Tisha grabbed a gun too and Yatta took her bat.

As they were being chased down, Finn got shot in the arm. “CARP- FUCK- SHRIMPO-”

He hit the ground. It was a dead end. The alleyway was a dead end.

Everyone got ready to throw hands. Shrimpo started beating everyone up and everyone else did too. Looey spun around.

Sprout.

“Why.” Looey only said, holding up his hand ready to punch him. “Why after all this. You want justice, and now...”

“I betray you.” Sprout finished, voice cold and melancholic. “Unfortunately.”

Looey growled and threw himself on Sprout, pinning him in the ground. Sprout grabbed his arm and twisted it slightly to get a reaction out of Looey before shoving him away.

“Take one.”

Sprout spun around, it was Astro.

“What?”

“Take one, spare the others.”

Sprout looked back at Looey who only tried to kick himself free.

“LET ME BE- GUYS- HELP! HELP!” Looey screamed and called to the others.

Everyone else was so hurt, Yatta was being held back by Finn and Poppy. “LET ME HELP HIM- PLEASE-”

Sprout began choking Looey slightly.

“F-fucking...” Looey breathed, struggling. “Kill me coward, do it. See what happens.”

Sprout grabbed the half-dead balloon dog by the scruff and began to drag him as the four retreated. Looey was still struggling to break free.

“Please-”

He vanished in the shadows. Everyone else was crying, bleeding. No one could help.

No one.

Chapter Text

May 16th 1919
•
Three friends were running through the field. Looey, Blot and Yatta. They managed to lay down on the tall grass.

Blots ink started staining and Looey nudged him slightly. “You dirty bitch! Ahahaha!”

Blot grumbled, “Pu Tuhs.” (Shut up)

Yatta was looking at some flowers nearby, shaking Looeys shoulder for him to look her way. Some creaking sounds were heard and the three turned around to see a little bird.

“Awww!” Looey giggled, “Look how cute it is!”

“Deedni.” Blot extended his hand and the bird hopped on him. “yffulf.” (Indeed, Fluffy)

Yatta pestered Blot to give her the bird when suddenly it started to fly away. The three stared at it for a minute before Looey yelled, “¡El pájaro, el pájaro! ¡Que vuelva!”

Yatta got up and chased after it. “¡Está bien! ¡Lo tengo!”

Blot seemed confuse, not quite getting what the others said but still got up to help out. They continued to chase the bird.
•••
...
Looey was standing over a small grave, crouching down.

“Hey, Blot.” he whispered, tears welling up in his eyes. “Its me. I... I just wanted to check up on you.”

It was cold and windy. Nothing was heard, there was silence. Only the small breeze that hit the trees.

“...I just wanted to tell you...” Looey choked out, “Im sorry.”

He curled his tail around himself, putting some flowers near the grave. “I am sorry I couldn't save you.”

“And I'm sorry that... I had to betray all of us to keep you safe. I promise I'll come back home. Just tell me Miss Teagan and Boxten are up there with you, please?”

Looey broke down, crying. His heart ached at the thought of his friends. “I-- If he lets me go... I will be back, please-- I'll be back. Just, keep the others safe. For me, okay?”

No answer, Looey sighed.

“...Do you want to head back.”

“Shut your sorry ass Sprout.” Looey scoffed, voice full of venom.

Sprout looked up and down, “Right.”

And they both walked back.

Chapter Text

Back at Sweet Tea Bar, everyone was gathered around. The bar was closed for a few days after the whole massacre. Nothing was heard in the roads nowadays, and they were running out of supplies.

“P-Papa Glisten! Papa Glisten!” Toodles cried, “Where is mama? Why aren't you telling me!”

Glisten and Rodger held onto eachother. Everyone else was running around anxiously. “...Shes gone sweetie, I'm sorry.”

Toodles started crying and ran away into her room, leaving all the adults alone.

Tisha paced back and forth, “Alright, alright so they ambushed us and took Looey, but is he alive? Is he dead? Is he a fucking Schrodingers cat?”

“I think he is dead, ain't no way they let him leave.” Poppy whispered to Yatta who stepped back.

“No! He is alive I swear! He can't have left like this! He's alive! He is!” Yatta started stumbling over her words, tears started forming. Yatta never cries, what the hell went wrong.

“We know it's hard cause you lost another friend, Yatta. But there is no hope that Looey is alive. They killed him to spare us, thats simply it.” Rodger approached her.

In the state of distress everyone was in, only a few whispers could be made out. The late night honks of boats from afar. The flickering lights. It was empty. It wasn't the place they used to know.

“Hey. We... We have the Investigators number. We can call them!” Shrimpo finally said, eyes widening. “We can ask them if they have seen anyone called Louis Ballooney and if they stutter it means he's alive!”

“Shrimpo, they know us all.” Finn was sitting in the corner this whole time, obviously traumatized. His bullet scar still hadn't healed after so long.

Everyone stared at him. “What the carp are you looking at me for.”

“They might know us, but they don't know you! Not your voice, not your name. You can ask!” Gigi approached Finn excitedly. “Come on! Come on!”

Everyone seemed a little hopeful before Glisten spoke up.

“Theres no way this weak soul is alive. He probably couldn't bare the thought of being away from us and died before Seedly could finish him off himself.”

Glisten had become so cold and horrible ever since Teagans death. Shrimpo growled.

“Never say this about Looey again!” Yatta grabbed Glisten by the tie. “He is alive and probably isn't coming back cause they won't let him!”

Some toons seemed doubtful, others nodded.

Finn walked over to the telephone placed on the counter. He dialed a number and waited, his hand being held by Shrimpo the whole time.

A familiar voice picked it up, “Investigators! How can we help?” Shelly Fossilian. The most optimistic, the most remorseful, the most empathetic one. She would understand, she would know!

“H-hello, Ma'am. I am Finnegan Willikers. I'm looking for my friend, Louis Ballooney he went missing a few days ago and I-I asked the whole town.” Finn could barely make out the words in the fear of getting hurt.

Shellys voice softened, “Oh, Louis Ballooney you say?”

Finns eyes widened, his voice full of emotion. “Have you found him? Is he coming home?”

Everyone noticed how desperate Finn sounded. They didn't believe that Finn would sound like this.

“Woah, good actor.” Gigi commented, snickering.

“He is not acting.” Shrimpo whispered, also getting stressed at Finns speech.

No one was answering from the other line.

“Hello?” Finn asked again, arms shaking.

“A-apologies, we haven't heard of him going missing yet. We will- get to it now! May we have information on where he was beforehand?”

“We- I--” Finn was taken aback by the question before all the crying stopped. Emotion was nowhere in his voice.

“Sweet Tea Bar. You sea, he had friends there.”

The line cut off. Finn dropped the phone.

“What the hell happened?” Tisha approached Finn and held him a little bit.

“The line. The line cut off. I think--”

Everyone started panicking, screaming to lock the doors. If they're coming again they're doomed they're doomed!

A knock was heard from the window. Shrimpo turned around.

Vee.

Chapter Text

Looey was slowly starting to wake up, hearing muffled voices fuss over him. It was... An unfamiliar place.

“So he works here now?!”

“Yea, let's just say he does.”

“Poor guy...”

“Oh. He is awake.” the voices started becoming recognizable. “Welcome, Louis.”

Looey blinked his eyes open to notice Sprout Seedly, and two conjoined twins. He stared at them emptilly for a second before skittering the ground and bumping in the wall. “WHAT AM I DOING HERE?! WHERE ARE MY FRIENDS?! WHAT DID YOU DO?!”

Sprout sighed and tried holding down the balloon dog, whilst Looey twisted and turned in his grasp. “SHUT UP! THEY ARE GOING TO HEAR YOU AND WE WILL GET IN TROUBLE.”

Looey gasped for air, “WHAT- THE FUCK- WHO?!”

The two twins nervously looked at eachother. “Hey! New guy! I am Razzle, and- and this is Dazzle.”

Looey still didn't stop, “Let me GO!” he cried. Suddenly the door creaked open.

He noticed Sprout mouthing something.

“Seedly. He is awake. It's time to-”

Sprout raised his hand, “I have a better idea.” he interrupted. “He can be used for our benefit. Let him be my helper, Novalite.”

Looey growled to intimidate Sprout but it didn't work. Emotions were so much that he started crying.

Razzle and Dazzle noticed it and tried calming him down.

Astro looked at Looey for a bit, “He looks like he wants to be put out of his misery, but give him a chance. He's too young to go.”

“I-Id rather die than stay here! You- you killed-” Looey stammered, “...Oh no.”

“My friends.” he let out

“Oh, gods, THEY'RE ALL DEAD!”

Sprout turned around, “NO THEY AREN'T! WE SPARED THEM. LISTEN HERE--” He grabbed Looeys wrist.

“Either you work for us and your friends aren't harmed or you go back and we burn you all alive in there.”

Looey hesitated, finally looking Sprout in the eyes. They were cloudy and full of disbelief. His jaw was hanging down and he looked... Different. A shell of what he once was.

“...Please just don't hurt them.” he whispered. Sprout nodded.

“Alright.” Astro smiled a little and closed the door.

Sprout got up and walked right behind him, “We have a meeting. Raz, show him around.”

Razzles face sparked up whilst Dazzle sighed. “Okay so as I was saying, I am Razzle and this is Dazzle and we are Mr. Astros assistants!”

Looey looked at them with blurry eyes, “...I am Louis Ballooney. Everyone calls me Looey.”

Dazzle reached out his hand, “We weren't forced in this position but you were so. I hope... We become friends. Even though this all happened.”

Looey sniffled a bit and rubbed his tears away. “...O-okay.”

Razzle and Dazzle got up and pulled Looey up too. They began showing him pictures of the investigators and talking about legends that people say about the Great Dandicus. The toons we're almost empty with a few desks and a library area. Such dull colors for dull people.

“We haven't met him but the investigators have!” Razzles eyes sparkled with excitement. “It is said that we will one day..” Dazzle added.

Looey raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And where is he now?”

“In the forbidden area. We workers can't enter!” Razzle pointed to some stairs.

Looey inspected it for a moment, if only he had a firearm or his brass knuckles.

“Alright.” He turned to Razzle and Dazzle, “And why can't we?”

“We are not worthy of his sight until we finish our training!” Razzle smiled widely. This poor thing doesn't know they're trapped here.

“And when will that happen?” Looey started getting closer to the stairs before Dazzle dragged him back.

“If we solve a mystery ourselves.” Dazzle whispered, “We are trying to find out who killed Barrett Softsong.”

“Boxten? It was an accident. No one did.”

“He couldn't have tripped in thin air!” Razzle gasped.

“You don't know shit.” he said, voice full of venom. “See you later, I need to find Seedly.” he pulled his arm away and left, leaving the two twins puzzled.

“Did I say something?” Razzle asked, Dazzle shrugged.

Chapter Text

Everyone stood silent as Vee slowly walked in and inspected the room.

“This is where you hide everything huh?” she almost barked out her words. You could tell she wanted everyone in there dead.

Finn was the first one to try and utter a word, “Have Mercy, Ms. Versionone, we--”

“SILENCE!”

Finn closed his mouth with a whine. Tisha started to hold her feather duster up, as if she was going to attack. Shrimpo raised his fists.

Cosmo ran over to them, waving his arms. “Hey- no- no fighting! She knows where he is!”

Everyone looked at eachother, “She will kill us, Cosmo! Step aside, please!” Poppy pleaded.

Vee smirked “I suppose I know. But you won't see him again. He's one of us now.”

The room went unnaturally quiet. Not even whispers of fear, nothing. Everyone stared at her.

“L-looey would never do that!” Yatta growled and tried to attack Vee. Vee grabbed her and threw her down, laughing.

“Funny! Cause we could show him if you want.”

“Its a trick, isn't it?” Glisten yelled from the back, “You will lure us to his body--”

Suddenly, her screen lit up to show Looey. Looey himself. This was from a tape that they recorded.

“Say something Looey.” a voice similar to Astros said.

“...I am sorry. I want to protect you- ill-”

The tape cut off as the door opened.

“Who the fuck--” before Vee could turn around, Shrimpo attacked and punched her repeatedly.

“IF YOU KILLED HIM AFTER THAT I AM GOING TO THROW YOU TO A PIT OF FIRE YOU BITCH OF AN INVESTIGATOR!” he growled, almost tearing up. Looey was one of his closest friends.

“Shut up, you fucking--” Vee grabbed him and shoved him aside, still bleeding. Shrimpo didn't give up and jumped on her again.

Everyone whimpered and tried to get the two to stop before firearms are also used. Until a voice was heard.

“Guess who's back!”

Everyone knew. Only Vee and Shrimpo were still fighting, unnoticing the new arrival.

Chapter Text

Sprout stood there, considering Looeys words. Looey almost teared up.

“I suppose... You really, really want to see them? What do I get tho.” he smiled suspiciously.

“Please, Sprout we were friends. We- c-can do this together!” Looey held Sprouts arms. Sprout pulled away.

With a hint of blush, Sprout muttered under his breath, “I suppose I should tell you something.”

Looeys ears perked up, “W-what? What is it?”

Sprout walked over to his files and grabbed a photo of himself but... In a wanted poster?! The poster read, “WANTED Sage "Sprout" Seedly, DEAD OR ALIVE”

Sage... Sage... SAGE?! THIS WAS THE MISSING MEMBER FROM YEARS AGO. LOOEY WAS STILL NEW AND MET HIM BEFORE.

“Well, now you know. I can tell from your face you recognize me.” Sprout giggled, putting the same hat that the poster has on.

Looey was stunned. “Its you...”

Sprout looked almost identical, how didn't he knows? Except his leaves were longer back then, and werent tied up.

Sprout walked over to him, his smile unreasonably wide. As if he was going to reveal more. But he didn't.

“See, if I help you, I get my old life back.”

“Why did you leave in the first place.” Looey growled slightly, “You--”

“I was just like you.” Sprout sat down again, smiling. “They took me away. I guess ... Teagan didn't say anything.”

Looey stood in shock, suddenly everything made his head buzz. He broke down. “F-fuck!-- why-- wh-”

Sprout patted his back gently. “Lets take a nap, okay?”

Looey nodded.

•••

Whilst Sprout was sleeping, deeply and happily, Looey couldn't. He paced back and forth in the hallways, pulling his ears and crying.

“Hey, you okay?” a familiar voice piped up. Razzle and Dazzle.

“Yes, Razzle.” Looey sighed, shutting his eyes.

The two twins looked at eachother and shrugged. Quickly running next to him.

“Do you know where everyone else is?...” Dazzle sounded worried. Looey perked his ears.

“No?” he asked, almost as if the answer was obvious. But they're right. Where were they?...

Looey signalled RnD to walk with him, they quickly ran to the hallway and into Sprouts room. There he saw it.

Astro and Vee. Holding Sprouts old wanted poster whilst Sprout was asleep and didn't know they were there. They looked shocked, angry. Looeys breath started getting faster.

“HEY! GET THE FUCK--” Looeys words were interrupted as Astro shoved him aside. He had a nosebleed from the hit and quickly realised the other investigators running out. Some to tell Dandy, others to ...

RnD ran to Sprout. “WE HAVE TO GO!” Razzle screamed.

Sprout quickly woke up from the screaming. He looked at Looey and Looey grabbed his arm.

“Come ON!” Looey cried. Everyone ran miles to the bar.

They're back.

But commotion was heard. Looey knew one of them had arrived there.

He tried his best to pull up a smile and opened the door.

“Guess who's back!”