Chapter Text
He failed, again. He screwed up big time and he didn't know what to do anymore- what was he meant to do?? He messed up every chance of having a genuine friend and honestly, Puzzles was starting to think he wasn't cut out for the whole showstopper gig...So what? What could he do? He was a failure, a fraud- he's hurt two people who cared about him. Puzzles scowled, digging his hand into his pocket as he gripped onto the bullet he was given, screen reflecting in the shiny metal as rain poured down. Possibly ruining his screen and other components more than they already were. A robotic sigh escaped the CRT as he gripped onto the bullet tighter, a look of determination in his eyes.
He needed to help WPNZ, he left him with that...thing. He can't fail again- Puzzles wont let someone else take his punishment.
Pushing himself to stand, Puzzles shoved the bullet back into the pocket of his jumpsuit, and looked in the direction of the nearby dump. That's where he found WPNZ last time, maybe he was there once again- in danger- hurt? Shit, he needed to get there sooner than later. But how...Wait- His screen stopped on a nearby bike, a motored one. Perfect, no one will mind if he borrows it, it's fine. Situating himself onto the vehicle and staring down at the controls- he paused. He...does not know how to drive something like this- oh whatever he needs to, so- he revved up the bike and launched himself forwards, a wide grin forming on his face as he cackled into the night- on his way to the dump. Ignoring the occasional bumps into things on the way...
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Getting there was easy, now it was time for the difficult part of the plan, finding his target. The CRT slid behind a large pile of junk, cringing to himself for a moment- before scanning the area. Surely it can't be hard to spot a giant box hunting down his ex-friend and partner in crime, right???
He searched and searched, losing hope the longer it took to find him. But- was stopped in his tracks at the sound of nearby screaming, rage filled screaming. With bullets! That HAD to be him, Puzzles grinned and rushed towards the scene, making sure he was still hidden at first as he peeked around more garbage. And sure as hell, there he was- the man himself. WPNZ was corned against trash, Toomp held in his arms with his gun pointed towards said 'Death Box', or the fridge- as his little delinquent called it prior to their...fight. Mr. Puzzles shook his head, he needed to focus here!! How to help how to help...
Ah- right. His execution was tonight, correct?...Maybe that is the way to mend all of this. I mean, he isn't needed no longer- the curtains on his show can close, he can do one final act. One final thing to assist someone else, give him a chance instead. Puzzles frowned as he glared at his executor, steadying himself with one final breath, before rushing out from behind his hiding spot, now standing a distance away from the two caught in a fight. He suddenly started to wave his arms, attempting to get its attention instead.
"HEY!!! Uh-" He paused as both WPNZ and The Death Cube turned to stare at him, his shattered screen reflecting an expression of hesitation. Before scowling as he gripped his hands into fists and stepped forwards, a hand raising to his chest and resting there as the other stayed closed by his side- gripping something. "I'm the one you want you- REFRIDGERATOR! It is my execution, not his." Puzzles was...honestly afraid. He didn't know how painful this was going to be- but he had to do it, he had to be useful, to help someone. His final act- the grand finale. The Cube stared in silence, before rushing to stare down the CRT, mere inches away as it analyzed him- causing the man to flinch and turn his head away. Mentally preparing for what was to come, he just hoped this was enough to let WPNZ get away...to be safe. WPNZ and Toomp.
His eyes were closed, awaiting the final toll of death to ring. But it never came, instead he heard the sound of metal feet stomping his way- and he was lifted into the air with ease, the sounds of rockets powering up and- yelling?...Mr. Puzzles flinched and turned to look at who had grabbed him, eyes widening as he was met with the face of someone he had hurt so bad. WPNZ was holding him, saving him. Using his prosthetics to boost all three of them away from the dump and that god forsaken Cube- all while just...focusing on the path ahead of them. He said nothing to Puzzles, didn't even spare him a glance- what was going ON???
"Uhm...WHAT?? I was trying to SAVE YOU." Puzzles realized he was indeed now in the air- and shouldn't be fidgeting around so much, so he moved to cling onto the other for dear life, screen shifting from his normal face to static. He was snapped out of his panicked thoughts by the other sighing, his grip tightening on the TV man. "Why." He went quiet, but it was obvious he was confused, his voice threatening to break. "Why did ya come back?...You were just- gonna throw your life away- Why??"
Mr. Puzzles paused, eyes focusing on the criminal once more as he stayed silent. A shaky hand moving to hold out towards him, WPNZ's eyes moving to look for a mere moment. What he saw? That bullet he had given to Puzzles earlier, when they were having their stupid little 'moment'. He still had it, he was holding it when he was just...standing there waiting to die. "I couldn't let...A friend get hurt."
Puzzles frowned, head tilting to rest against WPNZ shoulder as he glanced down towards the metallic bullet in his hand, closing his fist around it and holding it close to his chest, he would treasure it, keep it close to him. A sign of friendship, of their partnership. He didn't want to lose that- not again.
"I'm...I'm sorry for lying. For using you. I didn't know I was going to lose something great, someone great." He kept his voice low, trying to show he was genuine, anything to get his friends back. WPNZ and Toomp, the two that helped him. Shared fun memories with him. People who- cared?...For some reason. He couldn't lose it again.
WPNZ didn't respond for a while, but he just barely cracked a small grin. Heavily exhaling as he spotted a building ahead of them. Was he really going to do this?...He was all he had I suppose...someone to have around. A new business partner maybe? Eh...Fuck it.
"Y'aint forgiven just yet, Boxhead. But I'll give you a chance." He grunted as they landed in front of a metal warehouse, it seemed to be upgraded into a small base of operations- perhaps being his home in a way. And now he had two new roomates...oh boy. "You can stay, prove you aren't a piece of shit. Got it?" He looked at the CRT in his arms with a small glare. He was serious, only one chance- if he screws up again its over.
This was his final shot at keeping someone around, Puzzles could do it. He knew he could.
"I promise, I will do anything it takes." Puzzles was set down, now looking down at the shorter one as he held his hand out towards him, WPNZ staring for a moment, before rolling his eyes and grabbing it, giving it a firm shake.
"Welcome home then, partner."
They had a LOT of work to do, It would be a bit until they got some form of routine down, huh?