Just another Ichor run.. Shelly twisted the valve of the machine, her tail wagging as she hummed to herself, getting lost in thought and missing a skill check. That’s when she heard a sharp electronic cry and rushing footsteps, rushing to finish her machine, she let the red light ding green, and whipped around to be met with a Massive twisted robot charging towards her, and all she could do was freeze in terror. She was on one and all she could seem to think about was Vee seeing that sick twisted version, would she even come for her..? The ammonite just guessed she was doomed, so she let her thoughts run. “What are you doing standing there! MOVE FOSSILIAN!” A loud voice boomed through a microphone as she ran in front of shelly and grabbed the paralyzed paleontologist's hand, dragging her along, the show host leaping into the elevator, pulling in Shelly with her as she fell to the tiled floor with a thud, cracking her screen while the last of the toon’s trailed in after. Vee tried lifting herself off the floor when the elevator door closed, but a weight was pinning her down. “Can.. Can you get off, you’re crushing me like a tin can..” Vee groaned, her screen glitching out. “Oh.. Uhm.. Yeah sure..” Shelly replied distantly, rolling off of Vee and lifting herself onto her talons.
“Thanks.. And are you alright..? You froze in the face of danger.. That's unusual for you..” Vee spoke up as she got to her feet staring at Shelly, the look of fear and panic she got in response confused her. “Vee are you alright..? Your screen looks worse for wear..” Shelly winced, seeing the cracks that lined her glitching display. “Nuh uh.. I asked first Fossilian..” Vee replied, determined to get a reply. “I'm fine..” The ammonite huffed, realizing that she was indeed still alive. “Good then I'm fine too..” Vee smirked, shooting a glance to sprout before her eyes flitted back to the fossil toon. Dandy emerged from the floor with his same sickening smile as always. “Oooh some of you look rough! Luckily I'm offering bandaids for the low price of 30 tapes!” He cheered, unaware of what had gone on, not that he’d care, he was just doing his job. Vee muttered something to herself as she walked up to the counter and bought a bandage, Shelly following behind. Vee stuck the bandage on her screen, hissing as the cracks singed themself back together with the missing ichor the bandage replenished. “I think we’ve got enough ichor to end this run..” She snarled, some agreeing nod’s spreading across the room. “Take us back up Dandy..” She frowned, slamming her fist against his shop counter. “Had enough huh..? Alrighty, up we go!” Dandy flipped his lever disappearing into the floor.
“I don’t like that flower..” The television stated bluntly. “He doesn't like you either Outdated Tech, though I have to agree with you.” Sprout retorted, his tail lashing as he gripped onto the railing. “Whatever Seedly..” She rolled her eyes then looked at Shelly standing alone, startled when the ammonite met her gaze and spoke up. “Hey.. Thanks for saving me back there Vee.. I’d for sure be extinct if you hadn’t come along..” Shelly smiled gratefully. “Of course.. Though you never told me why exactly you froze up..” Vee replied, her antennae twitching. “She wasn’t low on Stamina, I would’ve known..” Astro added, tightening his blanket around his body, Pebble whimpered along in agreement. “I do think it’s odd too..” Sprout chimed in, crossing his arms as he leaned against the elevator wall. “I… Never liked seeing twisted versions of you all.. Of anyone I'm close with for that matter.. I honestly just thought she was going to kill me right there.” Shelly murmured half to herself, her tail shifting slowly. “It makes me feel..Horrible…. That's pathetic right..?” She winced, rubbing her arm sheepishly
“No.. I don’t think so..” Vee hummed, holding her microphone cord tail close to herself so it wouldn’t be tripped on in the elevator floor. “I think it’s brave that you admitted it..” Astro added quietly. “I mean even I get a little choked up when I see that twisted form of Cosmo..” Sprout tagged in, trying to make Shelly feel a little better. Pebble even barked, nuzzling up to Shelly’s leg. “This whole thing is messed up anyway, I mean why does Dandicus want ichor, why does he want us to see these distorted versions of our friends… It’s sickening..” Vee sighed, her tail coiling around her hand at the thought. “Thanks guys..” she mumbled. “Yeah yeah.. Anytime..” Vee smiled, but beeped in surprise as she was pulled into a hug, the other mains joining in as the elevator dinged and opened up allowing them to leave.. Just another ichor run..