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Toy-napped. By a grown man. In a no children allowed zone?! What sort of home was this for a toy? And boxed in a display case to boot… Woody had to get out of here now! Swinging the door open, he jumped down to the floor.Come on! Get the door! Get the door! Drat! He just couldn’t jump high enough. I wish Buzz were here to give me a boost… he thought to himself. Buzz… the Space Ranger had fought life and limb to get that car boot open, and bounced off as the car drove away. Was he alright? He had hoped Buzz made it safely back to Andy’s room. Wheezy was in good paws with Buster…Okay, if that didn’t work, Woody had to try the window. It couldn’t be too high, right? After scrambling over a conventionally placed box next to a chair, the cowboy finally reached… the window on the twenty-third floor!“Andy…” he breathed. No! There was no way he could jump from this high. And “falling with style” was out of the question. Okay, time for plan C. There was a heating duct he passed on the way to the window. That could potentially work….If it wasn’t screwed in shut. Oh, come on! Woody tried to get his undamaged hand to unscrew it. Unfortunately, it was his non-dominant hand, which only made his task even more difficult. Open up! He thought. I’ve gotta get back to Andy and my friends! Please, please, please…A loud popping noise broke Woody out of his thoughts. The box had opened up and packaging peanuts were scattered all over the floor.“Wha…” suddenly, a brown plush horse scooped Woody up and they started galloping across the carpet. “Whoa! AH! AH! AH AHHHHHH!” They shot past the various armchairs in the room. “Stop! Horsey, stop! Stop! Sit, boy! Stop it!” Woody had to duck to avoid a table above him. “Sit, I said!” the horse suddenly stopped and Woody flew right off. “Whoa!”A second plush horse, this one a reddish-brown and white paint, gently nosed Woody and shook it’s head at the brown horse.“Ugh… ugh… th-thank you, horsey,” Woody slowly rose to his feet and tipped his hat at the horse. “But now I really must be–”“YEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!!”“Wah—!”A cowgirl scooped up Woody and started dragging him about, screaming “It’s you!” over and over again! She even yanked his pull string. “Whoa, whee!”“There’s a snake in my boot..”“Ha, it is you!”“Please, stop saying that.”The cowgirl threw her arms around Woody and hugged him tight. “Prospector and Senorita Cactus said someday you’d come!” The cowgirl let out a gasp as Woody dropped from her arms. “Sweet mother of Abraham Lincoln! The Prospector and Senorita Cactus! They’ll wanna meet ya!” She whistled and the brown horse galloped to the box. Once again, the paint horse nosed Woody to his feet.“Goodness gracious!” yawned another voice; this time, a plush dark green cactus in a brown pot plant hopped out of the box. “Bullseye, Jessie, could you both hold your horses?”“Heh…” Jessie brushed her leg back sheepishly. “Sorry, Senorita Cactus. But there’s a new face around here.”“And who…” she gazed over, eyes wide. “why, bless my soul!”“Er… why is there a box here as well?” asked Woody. The box had four ‘pull string’ phrases on the back: “There’s gold in them there hills”, “help! I think I’m stuck!” “aw… shucks a roo” and “oh boy, beans for dinner!”.“Oh, the Prospector is mint in the box,” explained Jessie. “Never been opened.”“Turn me around, Bullseye,” said a male voice, “so I can see.” Bullseye obeyed and there was a fat looking doll in the box; a pickaxe and gold pan were tucked inside. “Why the prodigal son has returned.”“YEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! It’s you! It’s you! You’re here! IT’S YOU! IT’S YOU!! IT’S YOU!!!”Woody managed to break free from Jessie’s grasp, steadying himself. “Okay… I’m officially freaked out now….” he started to slowly back up.“Oh! We’ve waited countless years for this day,” smiled the Prospector. “It’s good to see you, Woody.”“Listen, I don’t know wh…” the cowboy blinked in surprise. “Hey. How do you know my name?”“Everyone knows your name, Woooo-dyyyy.” grinned Jessie.Again, Woody just gave the other five a blank stare.“You don’t know who you are, do you darlin’?” asked Senorita Cactus. “Prairie, if you please.”Prairie – the pinto horse – galloped up to a light in the room, and nosed the switch.Posters, plates, books, toys and various other things nestled on the shelves. But not just any ordinary objects. They had Woody and his new acquaintances all over them. However, Woody and Jessie appeared on the most merchandise.“Wow…” the cowboy was so in awe he backed into a giant billboard, with a large picture of himself plastered on it. He glanced down at some catalogues; one such was of him riding Bullseye, and Jessie was on Prairie next to them. “Holy cow…”Speaking of, Bullseye and Prairie were nosing a video tape into the TV, and Jessie pushed the button with her foot. A jolly tune started playing as Woody turned around.“Cowboy Crunchies, the only cereal that’s sugar-frosted and dipped in chocolate... proudly presents…”
Cowpoke Roundup
Come on, it’s time to play
There’s Senorita Cactus…
“Oh, I do look swell!” the toy giggled and fanned herself.
Bullseye and Prairie, faithful horses
They’re smart ones!
The TV counterparts of the horses were shown stacking horseshoes on a stand, and helping out with the garden. Both horses glanced over shyly. Bullseye brushed his hoof back and Prairie tilted her head down.
Pete’s the old Prospector…
“Has anyone seen my pick?” The TV Prospector was being poked in the back, which caused his toy self to be annoyed.
And the duo themselves, of course
It’s time for Woody and Jessie
They’re the very best
They’re the rootin’-est, tootin’-est cowpokes in the wild, wild west
Cowpoke Roundup
TV Woody stepped out of a building proudly and leapt onto TV Bullseye’s back. Beside him, TV Jessie yodelled to some critters and leapt onto TV Prairie’s back. Both horses struck a heroic pose.“Lookit! Lookit! That’s us!” Jessie cried excitedly.Wow… Woody stared in wonder. This is a cool show! The guys would love this…
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Back in Andy’s room, Buzz and the others were watching TV as well, but not for their own enjoyment.“I can’t find it!” cried Rex. “It doesn’t seem to be on any of these stations!”“Keep looking,” Buzz advised.“Ah, you’re goin’ too slow,” scoffed Hamm. “Lemme take the wheel.” He grabbed the remote and scrolled through the channels. He went so fast they were in a blur.“It’s too fast!” Rex cried. “How can you even tell what’s on?”“I can tell.”A loud ‘bawk’ caught the group’s attention.“Go back!” they cried. “Back back back!”“Too late, I’m in the 40s,” Hamm groaned. “Gotta go ‘round the horn. It’s faster.”A unanimous “STOP!” halted Hamm from scrolling any further.“And look for the giant chicken!”“Now, Etch!” Immediately, the map showed up on Etch’s screen, and a determined glint came into the Space Ranger’s eye. “That’s where I need to go.” Buzz quickly marked the directions on a bit of paper.“You can’t go, Buzz,” Rex protested. “You’ll never make it there!”“Woody once risked his life to save me.” He responded, his voice not wavering once. “And I couldn’t call myself his friend, if I weren’t willing to do the same. So... who’s with me?”Bo Peep took a step toward Buzz, clutching her crook. “I am.” She said firmly. “Woody has done so much for us. If that guy has hurt him, I’ll knock him out for good.”Buzz nodded in approval. “Who else?”“I wouldn’t give up on Woody,” came Slinky. “We’ve been best pals since forever. I’m with you, Buzz.”“Count me in,” called Hamm. “You never know when another toy could sneak attack ya. I could make a good diversion.”“I... guess I’m coming,” Rex said timidly. “Woody could be petrified over there, too scared to leave the kidnapper’s house!”“Don’t leave me behind either!” Mr. Potato Head stepped up. “That thief has another thing coming!”“Excellent,” said Buzz. “Sarge, you’re in charge of Andy’s room until we get back.”“Sir, yes sir!” Sarge and Buzz exchanged a salute and a nod.“I’m packing you an extra pair of shoes, and your angry eyes, just in case.” Mrs Potato Head told her husband and closed his back holder.Bo meanwhile turned to her three sheep. “Billy, Goat, Gruff, you three are in charge of Molly’s room until I get back.” They gave a nod as she petted each one under their chins. “There’s my girls.” She started walking over toward the rest of the rescue party and taking a few deep breaths.“Mr Buzz Lightyear.” choked Wheezy, “you just gotta save my pal Woody.”“I’ll do my best, son.”After the Potato Heads exchanged a kiss and Mr. Potato Head put on his moustache, he was ready to go. “Okay guys, let’s roll.”They all marched to the edge of the roof, and Slinky started to use his coil as a rope to get them down.“Geronimo!” Called Mr. Potato Head.“You’d think with all my video game experience, I’d be feeling more prepared.” Rex was saying as Hamm jumped down. Then, when it was his turn, Rex was bounced around. “Whoa, whoa!”“The idea is to let go,” sighed Slinky. The dinosaur finally did so. Now, it was Bo Peep’s turn.“Don’t worry, honey,” she said quietly as she swung down. “We’re coming to save you.”“We’ll be back before Andy gets home,” Buzz activated his helmet with a firm nod.“Don’t talk to any toy you don’t know!” Mrs Potato Head called after the rescue party, the others waving as well.“To Al’s Toy Barn... and beyond!” Buzz leapt down off the roof, and Slinky tumbled off by himself.* * *When all six toys were on the ground, they started to collect themselves.“Which way first, Buzz?” asked Bo.“The city is east of here,” he confirmed, and they started trekking through the dark night. Only a few streetlights and the glow of the stars kept them company. Almost like how my video game counterpart flies through the stars. He thought.The space ranger titled his head down, thinking back to his and Woody’s last play session…* * *
Earlier that day
The situation was very grim. Miss Peep was hanging over the edge of a noose, and Mr. Potato Head was destroyed by a bunch of monkeys. And the mastermind behind it all? Evil Dr. Pork Chop.
However, Sheriff Woody was on the case, and he had just radioed to Star Command. “I’ll need help wrangling this criminal!” he said into his intercom.
“Buzz Lightyear, at your service, Sheriff!” he said with confidence. “Just give me the word.”
“Oh, you’ll know the signal,” chuckled Sheriff Woody.
“You must choose Sheriff Woody!” said Evil Dr. Pork Chop, “How shall she die? Shark, or Death By Monkeys?” a monkey let out a screech. “Choose!”
“I choose Buzz Lightyear!”
Immediately, Buzz raced out in his spaceship and charged at the evil pig. “What?! That’s not a choice!”
“To infinity and beyond!”
“Ugh!” cried Evil Doctor Pork Chop, emptying out his safe all over the battlegrounds. Buzz gave the Sheriff a thumbs up as he raced to his girlfriend.
“I’ll save you, Miss Peep,” he untied the rope and gently lowered her to the ground.
“My hero!” Miss Peep leaned in and covered Sheriff Woody in kisses.
He chuckled before glancing back at the space ranger. “Thanks, Buzz!”
“No problem, buddy!” he smiled, and the two of them got close for their signature handshake. “You should never tangle with the unstoppable duo of Woody and Buzz Lightyear–”
A loud ripping noise made all the toys jump.
* * *“Oh no!” cried Andy, seeing Woody’s arm. All the toys, still frozen in place, could only watch in horror as Andy and his mum decided to shelf the cowboy. As the humans left, the toys slowly awakened.“Woody?” asked Slinky quietly.“Woody?” Bo Peep called up. “Honey, are you okay?”The cowboy pulled his legs over the top of the shelf, and Buzz and Bo Peep exchanged a worried look.“Come on, buddy,” Buzz called; he started to climb up to the top shelf. “Please, we’re all here for you.”“Buzz…” Woody sighed. “I… I just…”“I’m sorry…”The cowboy blinked in surprise. “What? No, Buzz, no no no no! That wasn’t your fault. Andy just got a bit excited.” He gave a weak chuckle, glancing around at the various pictures and posters on the wall: all either cowboy or space themed. Even the stars on Andy’s wallpaper could mean one of two things: Woody’s sheriff badge or Buzz’s home in the night sky. “Why wouldn’t he? We make quite the dynamic duo.”The space ranger managed a small smile. “Just remember, sheriff: if you need to talk to us, just give a shout.”“For now, Buzz… I just need time,” said Woody. “Could you… take charge of the room for a bit?”Buzz sighed. “Okay, Woody. If that’s what you want.” Slowly, he began to climb down.* * *
Now
“I should have stayed up there longer…” Buzz mauled over the map. “Then I could have saved Wheezy myself and this wouldn’t have happened!”“Buzz,” said Slinky. “You couldn’t have guessed that Wheezy would have ended up at the Yard Sale.”“We didn’t even realise he was up there,” added Bo. “And you know what Woody is like. He’d never give up on another toy. You gotta love him for it.”Buzz chuckled. “Well… his dedication is unmatched as far as I’m concerned.”“We’re going to get him back!” Mr. Potato Head said firmly. “That cowboy ought to be grateful when we bust him out…”“This isn’t going to be an easy one…” Hamm agreed. “But we’ll give it everything we’ve got!”“Yeah!” nodded Rex. “Let’s pick up the pace, guys. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can be safe at home!”The toys charged on. But with their tiny legs, they weren’t getting very far very quickly…
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It was dark… so very dark. At every step, Jessie and Prospector heard a groaning noise under their feet.
“They don’t call this the old abandoned mine for nothin’, Prospector,” Jessie said cautiously. “I reckon we oughta get outta here.”
“Hold your horses, Deputy Jessie,” called the Prospector. “I smell gold.” He dug his pickaxe into the ground, scraping at every speck of dust. With every whack from his pickaxe, the creaks got louder and louder. In the gloom, something sparkled. “Eureka!” he proudly held up a gold nugget.
Just then, a loud whinny was heard from outside. “Prairie?” called Jessie. “What’s happenin’, girl?”
CRASH!
“Prospector!” cried Jessie. “Back, back, back!”
The two of them leapt toward the corner, away from the tumbling beams.
“Hold on,” said the Prospector, lighting a match. “I’ll light me a candle… hmm, this sure is a fast burning wick.”
“Blast us to smithereens– that there’s dynamite!” cried Jessie.
“Holy tarnation!”
“I’ll call for help – yodel-lay-hee-hoo!”
Instantly, a bunch of critturs rushed out to the blocked entrance, consisting of an armadillo, a bat, a bear and her cub, a beaver, a bird, a deer, a vulture, a porcupine, a flying squirrel, a rabbit, a raccoon, a skunk, a snake, a tortoise and wild cat cub. The beaver immediately chewed at Prairie’s rope, and it cut loose.
“Hey critters, you and Prairie go get Woody!” called Jessie. “Now scurry!”
* * *
Meanwhile, Woody and Bullseye were painting a building, as Senorita Cactus was planting some desert plants nearby.
“Good job, Bullseye,” smiled Woody. “I reckon the new school house is finally done.”
“What do you think of the landscaping, Sheriff Woody?” asked Senorita Cactus.
“Looks right and dandy, Senorita Cactus,” nodded Woody. “I think the critters would love it.”
Just then, the critters arrived with Prairie in tow, and chatted anxiously to the group.
“Easy there, girl,” soothed Senorita Cactus, reaching out to touch Prairie, “what’s the matter–” Prairie flinched back as the prickle stabbed. “Oh, dearie me! Terribly sorry, sweetie.”
“What’s that?” asked Woody in surprise. “Jessie and Prospector are trapped in the old abandoned mine, and Prospector just lit a stick of dynamite thinkin’ it was a candle, and now they’re about to be blown to smithereens?!”
“Mmm-hmm,” nodded the rabbit.
“Senorita Cactus, keep an eye on the critters!”
“Well do, Sheriff Woody,” said Senorita Cactus, “just get our friends back home safe.”
“Of course,” Woody nodded, jumping on Bullseye. “Hang on, my darlin’!” Bullseye reared up. “Ride like the wind, Bullseye!”
Bullseye and Prairie galloped like no tomorrow, as bushes and small buildings flew by.
I called her ‘darling’, again? Woody put a hand to his forehead and looked at Jessie. How do I explain to my ‘promised love interest’ that I’m with another girl? “Are you… okay with ‘us’ in the show?” He asked, trying to word things carefully.“Er… that’s how the show always was,” she shrugged. Maybe give him a bit more time. She thought. Don’t rush into it. You already ‘officially freaked him out’ today…* * *
Back in the mine, Jessie is using her hat to try and put the flames out.
“You’re fannin’ the flames, Deputy Jessie. It takes brains to put out that fire,” however, his ‘brains’ only thought of one thing: sitting on the flames. “Yeow! My biscuits are burnin’!”
* * *
Woody, Bullseye and Prairie galloped hard and leapt high over the grand canyon.
“Will Woody, Bullseye and Prairie land to safety? Can they reach Jessie and Stinky Pete in time?! Tune in next week for the exciting conclusion: ‘Woody’s Finest Hour’!”
“Alright! Alright! Next tape!” With a sudden click, the TV turned off. “Hey. Wait. Wait, wait. What? What happened? What happens next? Come on, let’s see the next episode!”“That’s it…” sighed the Prospector.“What?”“The show was cancelled, darlin’,” said Senorita Cactus.“Wait, wait, wait, wait,” cried Woody in despair; Bullseye nosed him up to the shelf to see the Prospector; Senorita Cactus was assisted by Prairie, “What about the gold mine and the… And the cute little critters and the dynamite? That was a great show! I mean, why cancel it?”“Two words: Sputnik.” scoffed the Prospector. “Once the astronauts went up, children only wanted to play with space toys.”Woody sighed and shook his head. “I know how that feels…” How Buzz swooped in and (unintentionally) took his role as the top spot in Andy’s room still stung a little. But at the end of the day, Woody knew it wasn’t Buzz’s fault and didn’t hold it against him anymore.The cowboy brushed that aside and stared out in awe, in front of him. “Still, a show where I’m co-star…”“Didn’t you know?” asked Jessie as she and the two horses joined the others. “Why, you’re valuable property!”Woody started to stroll onto the table to get a better look at everything. “Oh, I wish the guys could see this…” he grinned. “Hey howdy hey, that’s me! I’m on a yo-yo!” He raced over toward a game that had his face on it. “Ah, hey, nice teeth!” he grinned, and tossed a ball toward it. One tooth fell out and the ball rolled out the bottom. “And yet, still a good lookin’ guy.” Woody and Jessie laughed, as the two horses and Prospector gave amused expressions.“Er…. sweetie,” Senorita Cactus tried to pull Woody away. “I hate to throw a wet blanket on those fun loving instincts but these are for display only.”“Oh, calm down, Senorita,” soothed the Prospector. “Let Woody have some fun. He hasn’t seen this before.”“Wh-Wh-What do you– You push the hat?” asked Woody “And out co... Oh, out come bubbles. Clever!”Bullseye raced up and chomped on one with his teeth, while Prairie pranced through and whinnyed.“Oh wow, look at that!” cried Woody, racing over to a giant shoe. “Hey. What’s this thing do?” He pushed the spur down.“Woody, be careful–” called Senorita Cactus.A toy snake jumped out and whacked his face. “Ha ha ha! I get it. ‘There’s a snake in my boot’! Ha ha ha!” He aimed the snake at some cereal boxes. “Reach for the sky!” The snake bounced all over the place and hit a wooden figure of Woody. “Ooh! I got me!”“Oh, good one, Woody!” laughed Jessie. “Can I try?”“Go for it, Jess!”Jessie grabbed the boot. “Hey, Bullseye, Prairie, go long!” she fired the toy snake as the horses galloped after it. Suddenly, both horses landed on a disc that spun around and around.“A record player!” cried Woody. “I remember these! I haven’t seen one of these in ages.”Woody, Bullseye and Prairie raced as fast they could, and Jessie laughed at the sped up music.Senorita Cactus found the toy snakes and gathered them back in the boot, and stood the figurines back up. “Ugh… why do I have to be the one to clean up…”“Okay now, slow…”The record went really slow.“Oh, that’s funny, Bullseye and Prairie!”“Hop on, Deputy!” grinned Woody, helping her up. “Think fast.” Woody and Jessie skilfully leapt over the record needle. “Not bad!”“Whee!” cried Jessie.“It’s time for Cowpoke RoundupThey’re the very bestThey’re the rootin’-est, tootin’-est–”Woody cranked the record player to full speed, as he, Jessie and their horses raced all around the player.“Oh! Hey, look at us!” cried Jessie. “We’re a complete set!”“Now it’s onto the museum,” said the Prospector.“Museum?!” Woody stopped in his tracks, which in turn, made him slam into Jessie and the other two horses. The four of them tumbled off the record player with a scream. “What museum?”“The museum!” elaborated the Prospector. “We’re being sold to the Konishi Toy Museum in Tokyo!”“That’s in Japan!” added Senorita Cactus. “An absolutely top link location for us!”“Japan?!” exclaimed Woody, shaking his head. “No. No, no, no, no, no, no. I can’t go to Japan.”Jessie let out a weak chuckle. Surely, Woody must be joking, right? “What do you mean?”“I gotta get back home to my owner. Andy,” Woody explained. “Hey. Look. Look. See?” He quickly lifted his boot, the slightly smeared letters and backwards ‘N’ showed just who he belonged to.“He still has an owner!” gasped Jessie.“Oh, my goodness…” trailed the Prospector.“Well… the curtains’ up for us then, isn’t it?” scoffed Senorita Cactus.Poor Jessie began to hyperventilate; both horses rubbing their noses against her. “No. Can’t go… I can’t do storage again. I just can’t!”“Jessie, Jessie…”The cowgirl shook the Prospector’s box violently. “I won’t go back in the dark!”“Wh-What’s the matter?” asked Woody. “What’s wrong with her?”“Well? We’ve been in storage for a long time, dearie,” said Senorita Cactus. “For you to come to our rescue.”“Why me?” asked Woody. “And what do you mean by–”“The museum’s only interested in the collection if both you and Jessie are in it, Woody,” the Prospector explained.“Without you, we go back into storage,” added Senorita Cactus, “It’s that simple, darlin’.”“It’s not FAIR!” cried Jessie, fiddling with her braid. “How can you do this to us?!”“Hey. Look. I’m sorry,” Woody sincerely said, “But, this is all a big mistake. You see, I was in this yard sale—”“Yard sale?” asked the Prospector. “Why were you in a yard sale if you have an owner?”“Well I wasn’t supposed to be there,” Woody began, “I was trying to save another toy when–”“Was it because you’re damaged?” scoffed Senorita Cactus, “Did this careless kid break you?”“Yeah, but…” Woody shook his head. “No. No, no, no! It was... It was an accident. I mean–”“Sounds like he really loves you.” muttered Jessie.“It’s not like that! Okay?!” cried Woody indefinitely. “And I’m not going to any museum!”“Well, I’m not going back into storage!” Does that mean the season finale was doomed from the start? She thought. Are Woody and I… never meant to be?Suddenly, the whole gang heard footsteps.“Al’s coming!” cried the Prospector.Jessie twitched and moved back from the box, gulping.“Go on sweetie!” called Senorita Cactus, “Look at us! You’ll come out of the box again!”“Now go!” cried the Prospector.Bullseye nosed the Prospector into the bigger box, and the other toys leapt in one after the other. Woody darted to his display case.“It’s showtime!” Al announced. Senorita Cactus was in a hole specifically for her pot stand, while Jessie was on Prairie, Bullseye stood next to her, and the Prospector was off to the side in his box. He grinned and walked over to Woody. “And now, the other main attraction!” he pulled Woody out of the box, not realising something wasn’t quite right…As he sat Woody on Bullseye, it happened. “No! His arm! Where’s his arm?!” It was on the floor. Shaking his head in frustration, Al picked up his phone and toiled away to a toy cleaner, carrying Woody’s arm with him.“AAAAHH! It’s gone!” wailed Woody. “I can’t believe it! My arm is completely gone!”“All right. Come here. Come on. Let me see that,” Woody shakily walked over to the Prospector’s box. “Oh. It’s just a popped seam. Easily repaired. You should consider yourself lucky.”“LUCKY?!” cried Woody. “Are you shrink-wrapped?! I am missing my arm!!”“Big deal,” scoffed Jessie, shooting a dart at Woody’s poster stand at the forehead. “Let him go! I’m sure his precious Andy is dying to play with a one-armed cowboy doll.”“Jessie, you’re just as bad as Woody! You weren’t supposed to play with that!” cried Senorita Cactus. Grunting, she went to collect the dart.“Oh, whatever, Cactus,” muttered Jessie. “Killjoy…”“And, Jessie, you know Woody wouldn’t last an hour on his condition,” the Prospector snorted. “It’s a dangerous world out there for a toy.”Woody sighed. Yeah… way too dangerous. But despite that…. Buzz tried to get me out of the car boot. I heard him… and I’m grateful for that…
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
In the outside world, the moon had risen into the sky a few hours ago and the rescue team had reached a house some distance away from Andy’s. Buzz darted forward toward the letter box, being careful not to be detected by the streetlight.No one was around, so he signalled for the others to start walking. Rex rushed forward, covered in leaves to look like a bush. But, it turned out the leaves fell apart anyway. “Heh…” he shrugged. He was sure Hamm and Potato Head were glaring from behind him. They and Slinky followed from behind, Bo taking up the back of the crew.“Whew, doggie,” said Slinky. “This sneaking around stuff sure is exciting!”Unfortunately, while Hamm was catching up, he tripped and his money fell out. “Alright, nobody look till I get my cork back in!” He called. As he went to collect it, Slinky, Mr. Potato Head and Bo helped to pick up the money that fell on the pavement.“Hey, Hamm!” called Mr. Potato Head. “Ah… ah… ah-choo!” A nickel appeared with the ‘slight-of-hand’ trick, and was placed into Hamm’s slot. The duo, Slinky and Rex all laughed heartily. Bo shook her head at the quartet.“Guys, if we’re going to get Woody back before Andy comes home,” she said firmly, “time is of the essence! We can’t mess around!”“Oh, lighten up, Miss Peep,” grunted Hamm. “We’ve got plenty of time.”“Maybe it’s not as far as it looks,” Slinky said hopefully.“Oh, it is!” huffed Buzz. “we’re only 2 blocks down and 19 more to go.”“What?!”“19?!”“Are we going to do this all night?” grunted Mr. Potato Head. “My parts are killing me.”“Come on, fellas,” Buzz said firmly. “Did Woody give up when Sid had me strapped to a rocket?”“No…”“No! And did he give up when you threw him out the back of that moving van?” added Bo.“Oh, you had to bring that up!” Mr. Potato Head gulped, and the others exchanged guilty expressions.“No he didn’t!” Buzz cried. “We have a friend in need, and we will not rest until he is safe in Andy’s room. Now let’s move out!”* * *Back at Al’s, the toys were fast asleep. The fat man was also snoozing away on the sofa near the TV, spilling some cheese puffs all over the floor.CRUNCH!“Mmm…” Senorita Cactus let out a yawn. “The desert sand is harsh out there…”“Senorita Cactus,” hissed the Prospector. “You’re talking in your sleep again.”“Hmm… oh, sorry,” Senorita Cactus tried to go back to sleep.CRUNCH!“Huh?” The Prospector blinked in surprise. “Okay, I definitely heard something else that time!”“What did you hear, Prospector?” asked Senorita Cactus.“Well, let me answer a question with a question: why are two of the display cases empty?”Senorita Cactus gasped quietly. “Woody and Bullseye… they are…”“Down there,” the Prospector pointed toward the floor. Sure enough, the cowboy and his faithful steed were slowly making their way toward Al.“If Woody gets his arm and escapes, we’re going back into storage!” cried Senorita Cactus. “We have to do something!”“Hmm…” the Prospector glanced around the room, and smirked to himself. “Keep an eye on Jessie and Prairie for me.”“I don’t think that’ll be a problem,” said Senorita Cactus, “they are such heavy sleepers that– wait, shouldn’t you watch them? You can’t get out of that box–!”However, the Prospector carefully unwound his pickaxe from the twisty ties, and started to carve his way out.“O…kay, I take that back,” she hummed. “Are you sure you don’t want me to handle the remote?”“And have you risk waking up the entire building with your pot pressing the wrong buttons?” he remarked. “Not a chance.”“But won’t you be suspected?”The Prospector smirked, eyeing the sleeping Jessie. “I have a backup plan…”* * *
Come on… just a bit further…
Woody had almost got it. He just had to carefully move his arm out of Al’s pocket, and then he was home free–“Cowpoke Roundup. Come on it’s time to play!”In an instant, Woody was launched onto the floor as Al shot up. “Bullseye,” he whispered, “get back to the display case!”Bullseye obeyed. The horse was just in time, but Woody wasn’t so lucky and flopped on the floor. Al went to scoop him and his arm up. “Oh, get in there. There you go. Cheap case.” he shut the door. As he tried to find the remote, Woody caught sight of it… right next to Jessie’s case. “Oh, here it is.”Al turned off the TV and strolled away with Woody’s arm in his grasp to bed. Now completely in the clear, Woody leapt out of his case and turned toward Jessie.“What is your problem?!” he exclaimed. “Look, I’m sorry I can’t help you guys out. Really, I am. But you didn’t have to go and pull a stunt like that!”“What?” gasped Jessie. “You think I did that?”“Oh. Right, right,” scoffed Woody. “Yeah, the TV just happened to turn on. And the remote magically ended up in front of you!”“You callin’ me a liar?”“Well, if the boot fits.”Jessie eyed him dangerously. “Say that again.”“If the booT. FitS.”“Okay, cowboy…”Bullseye scrambled into a cookie jar as Jessie lunged at Woody, pulling at his still good arm.“How do ya like that?!” she growled. “Take it back! TAKE IT BACK!”“Don’t think just ‘cause you’re a girl I’m gonna take it easy on ya!” cried Woody.Prairie grabbed Jessie and yanked her away, firmly shaking her head. Senorita Cactus pulled Woody back.“Prairie, this doesn’t concern you!” Jessie cried. “Let me at him!”“That’s enough, Woody!” Senorita Cactus exclaimed. “Highly unbecoming of a gentleman! And Jessie, so unladylike!”“Indeed!” agreed the Prospector. “I don’t know how that television turned on, but fighting about it isn’t helping anything.”“If I had both my arms–”“Well the fact is, you don’t, Woody,” the Prospector retorted. “So I suggest you just wait until morning. The cleaner will come, fix your arm…”“And then I’m outta here!”Bullseye and Prairie slowly lowered their heads. “Oh. No. No, Bullseye, Prairie. Don’t take it that way. It’s just that Andy…”“Andy, Andy, Andy.” muttered Jessie, leading the two horses away. “That’s all he ever talks about.” I can’t believe I’m supposed to love this guy… she thought. Has he drifted too far from the show that we don’t matter to him?!Woody sighed sadly as he went to his display cabinet. Buzz, Bo, Slinky and the others will be worried sick, he thought. I’ll get there soon… I promise…
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The next day, Buzz, Hamm, Slinky, Rex, Mr. Potato Head and Bo Peep were trudging through some bushes near a wall. They had been walking all through the night, and it was taking its toll on them.“Hey, Buzz.” Called Hamm. “Could we slow down? May I remind you that some of us are carrying over 6 dollars in change.”“Losing health units,” panted Rex, slumping in with Mr. Potato Head, “must rest.”“Is everyone present and accounted for?” Asked Buzz, checking his map again.“Not quite everyone,” Potato Head put in.“Who’s behind?”“Mine,” Slinky’s voice came up, as he waited for his tail to trudge over. It flopped down just as Bo walked over.“Phew.” She sighed, fixing up the ruffles on her dress. Bo then glanced anxiously over at the map Buzz was holding. “Are we close to Woody?”“We’re getting there,” Buzz assured. “I think we’ve only got one or two blocks left.”“I hope he’s okay,” Bo fiddled around with her crook. “I just... don’t think this stealing makes sense.”“What do you mean, Bo?” asked Rex. “Stealing is illegal and we have to get Woody back.”“That’s true enough, Rex. But what I mean is... the little girl we saw at the yard sale,” Bo began. “She wanted Woody because Woody’s a toy and kids play with toys. But…” she paused. “Why would Al want Woody? He’s a grown up.”The other toys looked at each other in surprise.“It can’t be because he wanted to have Woody in the toy store,” Slinky mused. “He’s got plenty of toys there.”“Something else must be going on that we don’t know about,” Buzz admitted. “But what...?”“Hey, guys!” Called Hamm over his shoulder. “Why did the toys cross the road?”“Not now, Hamm.” Grunted Buzz, mauling over Bo’s question.“Oh, I love riddles.” Smiled Rex, now in a bit more of a cheery mood. “Why?”“To get to the chicken on the other side!” Hamm grinned, showing the others Al’s Toy Barn across the street.The other toys cheered with delight. Now they were really close to rescuing their friend. But, the dangers of crossing the street came into full force when a can got squashed by a car.“Oh well.” Rex shrugged. “We tried.”Buzz firmly grabbed the dinosaur’s tail. “We’ll have to cross.”The others shuddered.“You’re not turning me into a mashed potato.” Grunted Potato Head.“I may not be a smart dog.” Slinky went on, “but I know what roadkill is.”“There must be a safe way…” Buzz said quietly, glancing around the area. “Hmm… ah, road cones.”Each of the toys put a cone over the top of them.“How will we see where we’re going?” Asked Rex. “What if a car runs us over?”“There’s a hole in my cone.” Buzz assured. “Don’t worry. We’ll be fine.”The light soon went from green to red.“Okay, here’s our chance. Ready, set, go.”The toys rushed out one by one. Rex let out a whimper as he heard the rumble of cars approaching.“Drop!”The toys fell to the ground as a car rushed to the side and a ute crashed into it.“Go!”They moved out a bit until the toys were zig-zagged across the street.“Drop!”Hamm and Mr. Potato Head didn’t respond.“I said drop!”More cars zig-zagged around the cones and a hub-cap blew off a tire.“Go!”The toys did so, and one car spun Hamm’s cone around. He shook it off and kept going.“Drop!”A car spun round in the opposite direction and a truck with a drainpipe spun while chains came undone.“Go!”The toys moved off once more, but Potato Head’s shoe got stuck in gum. He felt around for it, then tugged and tugged. He removed it from the gum and raced off just in time. The pipe rolled into the gum and went off like nothing happened.“That went well.” Said Mr. Potato Head when he met up with the others.
HONK HONK! CRASH, SMASH!
“Or not.” Sighed Bo, looking down the ruined cars and lamppost.“Okay… didn’t think this through,” Buzz shook his head to himself. “But we’ve come too far to turn back now. Onward, troops!”Unknown to the toys, they were further away from Woody than before they crossed the street. He was getting a visit from a cleaner to fix his arm, and get a few touch ups…* * *It wasn’t long before the toys discovered a trolly shaped like a cow. Bo and Buzz urged the others into it and started pushing it toward the barn. But, there was one problem.“Oh no. It’s closed.”“We’re not pre-school toys, Slinky.” muttered Mr. Potato Head. “We can read.”“How will we get in?” Asked Bo.Buzz was silent for a moment when he caught sight of a person walking in. Well, at least the doors were open.“All right,” said Buzz, leading the other toys toward the door.“But the sign says it’s closed!” Rex protested.Feeling it wasn’t getting anywhere, he followed the others and the toys jumped around.“No no no no.” Buzz cried. “Altogether. Now!”The six toys jumped and the doors opened. But they were not expecting the vast space inside. Aisles of toys were stretched as far as the eye can see.“Whoa nelly!” Slinky cried. “How are we going to find Woody in this place?”“Look for Al.” Buzz said with confidence. “We find Al, we find Woody.”“Split off into groups of two.” Bo advised. “Slinky and Hamm, you go down the middle of the store. Mr. Potato Head, you and Rex... wait, where’d Rex go?”“Right here!” He cried happily. “Look, it’s a book that tells you how to defeat Zurg.”“We’ve got more important things to worry about Rex,” sighed Buzz.“I’ll keep my eyes out for Woody.” He said with a firm nod. “I promise.”“Alright…” Bo agreed reluctantly. “You and Mr. Potato Head take the right side of the store. Buzz, we’ll take the left.”“Affirmative, Bo. Let’s move.”The toys rushed off in different directions, calling for the cowboy.* * *Slinky and Hamm came to the far right of the toy store.“Hey, I see a few wild west themed items here,” called Slinky. “Maybe Woody’s come this way!”“Worth a shot,” said Hamm, as the two strolled down the aisle. “Woodster? You down here, buddy?”Slinky caught sight of a large display of Schleich toy animals all snoozing on the shelf. It was mostly dogs and horses, but there was a wide variety of other animals too. “Bark bark bark bark bark?” [Pardon me, fellas, but have any of you seen a cowboy ragdoll with a bad arm?]One of the Schleich dogs looked up and wagged it’s tail. “Bark bark bark.” [A cowboy ragdoll? Why?]“Bark bark bark bark,” [he’s our friend and we have to bring him home].“Bark bark bark bark bark,” [Sorry. We haven’t seen a cowboy doll of that description. The only cowboys we see are molded figures.]Slinky sighed in disappointment. “Bark bark bark bark.” [Thanks anyway.] He started to stroll further down the aisle. “Maybe we’d have better luck further down–”“Hey, Slink!” called Hamm. “Come over here!”“What’s up, Hamm?” asked the spring dog.“Look what I found,” he grinned. “This corvette’s packaging was damaged, but the car is still in good condition.”“Hmm,” said Slinky. “We could get around the store quicker this way…”“Hop aboard, my spring loaded friend!”Slinky got into the car as Hamm hopped into the driver’s seat. “Wait, Hamm!” he cried. “Do you know how to drive this thing?”“Andy makes me drive an airship all the time during play time,” He chuckled. “I’m sure I can handle it.”“But it’s not the same as–”Hamm put his foot on the ‘gas’ pedal and drove it down the aisle. “See, Slinky? We’re really cruising now!”“Don’t go too fast!” he cried. “Remember: we have to find Woody!”“Hold your horses, buddy,” he chuckled. “I got this.”* * *At Al’s apartment, the cleaner was just finishing Woody’s restoration. The cowboy doll was given some touch ups on his paint job on his cheeks and hair, and his arm was sewn back on. Woody may as well have been asleep the whole time, because he failed to realise something else the cleaner had done…“You’re amazing! You’re a genius! He’s just like new!”* * *Back at the toy store…“No, this aisle is all baby toys.” Bo sighed.“Uh... no, this aisle just has teddy bears and other plush toys,” Buzz went on. “Including some that smell like strawberries.”“Let’s keep on looking,” Bo tapped her crook worriedly. “Oh, Buzz, are you sure we’re in the right place?”“Certain we are,” Buzz replied, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Woody can’t be far. We’ll find him. Don’t worry.”“But will we find him in one piece?” Bo wondered, her free hand went to her forehead in worry. “What if Al has a mean dog like Scud or something?”Buzz let out a quiet gasp. Woody’s arm would be in worse shape! Or his leg might come off. Or… Star Command forbid, something worse…“Maybe Al took Woody to his house,” he realised. “We’ll have to find a way to sneak in.”“But how?” Asked Bo. “We don’t even know where he lives! Would Al even be at work today?”“I don’t know, Bo,” he sighed. “We’ll need to ask someone for guidance.”The two started taking down another aisle. Both of them were quite surprised at what they saw. Boxes upon boxes lighting the aisle in a bright blue, full of Buzz Lightyears.“I... had no idea I was this popular,” Buzz trailed off in amazement.“You’re in a video game, Buzz,” Bo chuckled. “I’m sure Andy’s not the only kid to know about you.”“I guess it does make sense,” he admitted with a smile. “I wonder if we can ask any of them for help.”“There’s one in the display case,” Bo gestured. “Maybe he’ll know.”Buzz nodded thoughtfully and he and Bo steadily climbed up and inside.“Whoa.” Buzz gasped, seeing his other self with a new utility belt. “I could use one of those.”It did look really cool, and curiosity welled up in his mind. What could the belt do? Obviously it couldn’t make a bubble like his video game counterpart. Maybe it had suction cups...“Uh, Buzz…”Before either Buzz or Bo could react, the other Buzz came to life and smacked the former into the wall.“Ow! What are you doing?”“You’re in direct violation of code 6404.5, stating that all space rangers are to be in hypersleep until awakened by authorised personnel.”“And you, sir, just made a big mistake.” Bo growled, using her crook to hook onto the new Buzz’s leg and launch him away from her friend. “Come on, Buzz, let’s ask for help elsewhere.”“Good idea.” Both of them were about to storm off, when the other Buzz got up and started attacking them.“You’re breaking ranks, ranger, and you, ma’am, are in the wrong headquarters.” He opened his communicator. “Buzz Lightyear to Star Command, I’ve got an AWOL space ranger and shepherdess.”“Oh no, tell me I wasn’t this deluded…”“No back talk. I have a laser, and I will use it.”“You mean the laser that’s a light bulb?” Asked Buzz, pressing his newer counterpart’s button.“Has your mind been meddled?!” Gasped the new Buzz, aiming his “laser” at Buzz and Bo. “You could have killed me, space ranger. Or should I say, traitor?”“We don’t have time for this.” Sighed Buzz as he and Bo got out of the case.“Halt, I order you to halt.”The new Buzz tried to tackle Buzz, but Bo used her crook and knocked the new Buzz into some pin art.“Get the box from the display case.” Bo urged. “Quickly now.”Buzz nodded and swiftly delivered the box. He and Bo tied the new Buzz inside.“Unhand me, Zurg scum!” Demanded the new Buzz. “You’re in the custody of the galactic alliance.”“We tried asking for directions but you wouldn’t listen.” Sighed Buzz. “We gotta go help our friend.”“Let me go!” The new Buzz shook violently. “Buzz Lightyear to Star Command! Buzz Lightyear to Star Command!”Bo and Buzz exchanged a high five and were about to go, when they heard a toy car drive in.“And this is the Buzz Lightyear aisle,” came a new voice. “Back in 1995, short-sighted retailers did not order enough dolls to meet demand.”“Hey, Buzz, Bo!” called Hamm.“Where have you guys been?” Asked Buzz as he and Bo jumped in the car.“I was looking for a way to search in style,” said Hamm. “And we picked up a familiar looking acquaintance.”“Oh!” Surprised, Bo stared at the other Barbie doll. “Greetings. My name is Little Bo Peep Barbie.”“Heh, pleasure to meet you,” smiled the other doll. “I’m Tour Guide Barbie. Say, want to join me at the pool party later?”“Oh, sorry, I can’t,” Bo frowned. “I have to help my friends find Al. We wasted enough time with a Buzz Lightyear toy who thought he was the real deal.”“Is that the case with all Buzz Lightyears when they’re new?” asked Slinky.“Apparently,” sighed Buzz. “Let’s get going. And let’s not mention anything from... you know…”“But I just figured out how to defeat Z–”Buzz quickly hushed Rex. “Tell me later.”The car drove off, leaving new Buzz fuming.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Down at Al’s apartment, the Roundup Gang were in various poses for Al’s camera. Holding musical instruments, having a knee on a ‘podium’ next to silver spoons, or even on a western set. One such picture had Jessie and Woody driving a stagecoach while Bullseye and Prairie were pulling it. And yet another was both cowpokes riding on the backs of their faithful horses.However, under the frozen toy smiles, was tension bubbling under the surface, as Al left the apartment to fax the photos.“Oh, wow, would you look at me? It’s like I’m fresh out of the box!” Woody grinned, examining himself. “Look at this stitching! Andy’s gonna have a hard time ripping this!” he started waving to Jessie in a goofy manner. “Hello! H-hi! Hello!”“Great!” huffed Jessie. “Now you can go!” She stormed off to the windowsill. Prairie shot a huffy look at Woody before trotting off after Jessie.“Well, what a good idea(!)” He hated having to leave Jessie on a bitter note. But she wasn’t bothering to listen to him. Besides, Andy would be home tonight anyway… he did not, however, account for Bullseye nosing his shoulder. The cowboy looked up with uncertainty.“Woody. Don’t be mad at Jessie,” the Prospector said gently. “She’s been through more than you know. Why not make amends before you leave, huh? It’s the least you can do.”“She’s a real sweetheart deep down, Woody,” added Senorita Cactus. “Come on. You saw it when you first got here, right? She was so wide-eyed and excited to see you.”Bullseye’s ears drooped and Woody sighed. “All right. But I don’t know what good it’ll do.”He scrambled off the table and went to the window. Jessie was there, stroking Prairie. Bullseye trailed the rest of them, and sat with Woody.“Hey…” Woody said quietly. “Whatcha doin’ way up here?”“Prairie and I thought we’d get one last look at the sun, before we get packed away again… looks like Bullseye wanted to do the same.”“Look, Jessie,” Woody began, “I know you hate me for leaving, but I have to go back. I’m still Andy’s toy. Well, if you knew him, you’d understand. You see, Andy’s a…”“Let me guess:” sighed Jessie, “Andy’s a real special kid. And to him you’re his buddy, his best friend. And when Andy plays with you, it’s, like, even though you’re not moving, you feel like you’re alive. Because that’s how he sees you.”Woody quietly gasped. “Whoa…” he shook his head in disbelief, “How did you know that?”“Because, Emily was just the same,” said Jessie. “She was my whole world…”Woody and the two horses settled down on the windowsill, as Jessie took a deep breath.* * *
When somebody loved me,everything was beautiful
A room was painted in a lovely golden yellow colour, with bedsheets to match. The bedside table had a lamp shaped like a riding boot; two horseshoes were on the wall near the window. And on the centre of the bed, was a toy riding hat and a rootin’ tootin’ cowgirl deputy; Jessie. A young girl reached down and gently picked Jessie up, putting on her matching hat.
Every hour spent togetherLives within my heart
Jessie was perched on the back of a chestnut model horse, being ridden in front of a picture of various horses behind her.
And when she was sadI was there to dry her tears
Emily played with Jessie in a makeshift tent under her duvet cover of her bed, lite by a flashlight.
And when she was happySo was I
When she loved meEmily cradled Jessie on the seat of the car, holding her hat. Jessie beamed and blissfully closed her eyes.
Through the summer and the fallWe had each other that was allEmily sprinted with Jessie toward a tire swing near a tree, flowers are in bloom as the sun beams on them.Just she and I togetherLike it was meant to beThe two of them spun around on the tire as the world flashed by.
And when she was lonely
Emily and Jessie landed gleefully in a pile of leaves in autumn.
I was there to comfort herAnd I knew thatShe loved me
Jessie was on the bed, as Emily giggled and removed her pillow. Suddenly, Jessie felt herself slipping off. At first, she thought it was a mistake, but as she crawled closer… she saw Emily and a friend playing with nail polish.
So as the years went byI stayed the same
The breyer horses on the tallboy were soon replaced by various lipsticks, eyeshadow and eyeliner. Jessie could only watch with dismay.
But she began to drift awayI was left alone
Various Cowpoke Roundup merchandise, including a Bullseye horse-riding stick; a Jessie lunchbox; and even a picture of Emily and Jessie together, transformed into music, records, and posters of dance parties.
Still I waited for the dayWhen she’d sayI will always love you
Jessie loses hope that she’ll ever get played with, as Emily passes by with her pink phone and various Cowpoke Roundup merchandise and the toy horses appear under the bed.
Lonely and forgottenI’d never thought she’d look my way
Emily accidentally spills some of her makeup things under the bed and tries to retrieve them; Jessie freezes.
And she smiled at me and held meJust like she used to do
Emily gives Jessie a big smile, as she’s on the road through an autumn day.
Like she loved meWhen she loved me
Poking out of the bag, Jessie smiles up at Emily and once again, blissfully closes her eyes.
When somebody loved meEverything was beautiful
Emily got out of the car, with Jessie in her handbag.
Every hour we spent togetherLives within my heart
Suddenly, Jessie gets placed in a donation box with other Cowpoke Roundup memorabilia. Shocked, she gets up and walks to the small gap within the box.
When she loved me
Emily drives the car away, and Jessie put her hands to the gap in the box in defeat.
* * *Woody could only look down at the floor. Bullseye and Prairie’s ears drooped.“You never forget kids like Emily. Or Andy…” Jessie’s voice dropped to a whisper. “But they forget you.”“Jessie, I… I didn’t know.”“Just go…” the cowgirl was on the brink of tears… if toys ever had the comfort of tears.Woody slowly rose up from the windowsill and scrambled down to the grill. Really, there wasn’t any physical barrier holding him back now. He had both his arms back, and the screw in the grill was able to come off easily. His friends would be frantically wondering where he was…“How long will it last, Woody?” The cowboy glanced back at the Prospector. “Do you really think Andy is gonna take you to college… or on his honeymoon?”“Your boy’s growin’ up, dear,” said Senorita Cactus, “and there’s nothing you can do about it.”No matter how one sliced it, they were right. All kids grew up… Jessie’s story about Emily proved it.“It’s your choice, Woody,” continued the Prospector, “You can go back, or you can stay with us and last forever.”“You’ll be adored by children for generations!” added Senorita Cactus.Woody hesitated. What was the right decision? He loved his friends. He loved Andy so much… but what would Woody do in college? If that…?
“Woody, look under your boot…”
Slowly, Woody rose his boot. No hat, just the word– wait. It’s gone?! Andy’s name is gone?! The cowboy shook his head worriedly. Oh, Andy won’t recognise me at all…Bullseye rubbed his nose to Woody’s shoulder. “Sorry boy… sorry… it isn’t your fault.” he sadly shook his head. If Andy’s name was gone… was he really his toy anymore? And what about Bullseye? Jessie? Prairie? Senorita Cactus? The Prospector? They would all be tucked away into storage…But if he stayed here… they would all be together as a happy little family. “Who am I…” he said quietly, stroking Bullseye’s mane, “to break up the roundup gang?” Without another word, he closed the grill.On the windowsill, Jessie and Prairie stared in wonderment and joy as Woody grinned back. The Prospector and Senorita Cactus also smiled warmly.“When do we leave?” Woody asked the group.“If things go according to plan…” grinned Senorita Cactus. “we should be on the plane at around 9:00-10:00 at night.”“Yee-haw!” cried Jessie, giving Woody a hug while Prairie nuzzled his shoulder. “Thank you, Woody!”“Ha ha!” grinned the Prospector. “Cowpoke Roundup rides again!”Woody chuckled. “That’s alright, guys…”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
At Al’s Toy Barn, furious kicking and grunting was heard as the UB Buzz burst from his new packaging. “Buzz Lightyear Mission Log: an AWOL Space Ranger and Shepherdess enclosed me in my spaceship,” he reported. “But I’m back on my way to find the Evil Emperor Zurg and stop him and his minions.”* * *“And here is Al’s head office,” The Tour Guide Barbie smiled. “The toy store first started out as a cattle barn back in…”The toys all scrambled out of the car. This had to be it.“Thanks for the tour, Tour Guide Barbie,” Slinky said cheerfully. “We’ll take it from here.”But she was too busy rambling to hear Slinky or see the toys duck into the office.“Woody may be in one of these boxes somewhere.” Mr Potato Head said to himself.“You and Hamm start from that side.” Said Buzz. “Rex and I will go from this one. Slinky, Bo, see if there’s any boxes on those shelves.”“Gotcha.” Slinky nodded, jumping up to a nearby box and opening the flaps. “Come on, Bo.”“Woody? Honey, are you in here?” Called Bo.“Come on out, buddy... ugh... nothing.” Sighed Slinky.“Hey Woody, are you in here?” Called Hamm.“Nah.” Grunted Mr. Potato Head. “This one’s empty too.”The toys spread out around the office, calling out the cowboy’s name.“Pardon us, gentlemen,” Said Slinky to a pair of robots, “Have either of you seen a cowboy doll with a bad arm?”“Why, no I haven’t.”“Hey, he was talking to me!”“No, he was talking to me!”This caused the robots to get into a slapfest which resulted in one of their heads popping up. Bo grunted and she and Slinky walked off to another shelf.“You see, all along, we thought the way into Zurg’s fortress was through the main gate.” Rex was saying to Buzz. “But in fact, the secret entrance is to the left, hidden in the shadows.”“I’ll keep it in mind when we play later.” Buzz nodded. “Now, we must keep on looking for Woody.”Just then the group heard a voice coming into the office.“Someone’s coming!” Called Slinky.“Everyone take cover,” Buzz urged his friends under the desk.The man was revealed to be Al, and he was sending some photos via a fax.“It’s the chicken man.” Hamm whispered.“What has he done to my Woody?!” Hissed Bo. “Why I oughta…”“Bo,” Buzz pulled her back. “We can’t show ourselves like this. It’s against the rules.”Bo tried to protest, but the toys were cut off by a picture of an all too familiar cowboy doll that fell in front of them. And though they didn’t catch the full exchange, they were shook by Al’s next words.“I promise the collection will be the crown jewel of the museum and be on the next flight to Japan!”“Woody going to Japan?!” Gasped Bo Peep. “We’ve no time to waste!”“Into Al’s bag.” Said Buzz, urging them in. “Let’s move, move, move!”Al grabbed his bag, too excited about his new found fortune to even notice Rex’s tail was poking out of the bag. Someone else did though…“Al, you are rich, rich, rich!” He laughed, and the toys cringed from inside the bag as the car drove off. How dare Al use their friend as a way to make quick bucks.* * *As Al went down the store, UB Buzz chased on an aisle and slipped over the bouncy balls that the toys had spilled earlier. He got up and jumps on the sports stuff, released a red baseball bat so that he can jump from it, bounced on a trampoline and grabbed a monkey zipline which moves down towards the entrance where Al was exiting but as he let go of the zipline and leaped towards the doors, they shut.“Ugh!” He groaned, jumping on the sensor mat to open the door. Unfortunately, due to his small size, it was no good. “Now what do I…” he sees a stack of boxes nearby. “The gravitational weight of that lot may be able to operate the automatic sensors! Of course!”UB Buzz ran over and kicked them, making them all fall over and land on the sensor mat, making the doors open and he ran through them and onto the parking lot. One of the boxes stood at the entrance and the doors kept hitting it.Suddenly, a grey hand burst through the box and out came..... Emperor Zurg! He woke up and saw UB Buzz running across the parking lot towards Al’s apartment.He growled with rage and gave chase. “Destroy Buzz Lightyear! Destroy Buzz Lightyear! Destroy Buzz Lightyear!” However, he failed to notice just how small he was on his little wheels.* * *When Al’s car stopped, the fat man strolled out, still exuberant about his recent treasures… empty handed.“He didn’t take the bag!” Gasped Rex.“No time to lose.” Buzz quickly urged his friends out of the bag.“Al’s in the elevator.” Mr Potato Head called while trying to jimmy the lock. “We have to get outta here quickly.”“But how do we do that?” Asked Rex, absentmindedly putting his foot on a switch.That triggered the door and Potato Head tumbled to the car floor. The toys scrambled down from the car and glanced up at the levels of the elevator.“Blast!” Gasped Buzz. “He’s on level 23!”“How are we going to get up there?” Asked Slinky.“Maybe if we find some balloons we could float to the top.” Suggested Rex.“Are you kidding?” Grunted Mr. Potato Head. “I say we stack ourselves up, push the intercom, and pretend we’re delivering a pizza.”“How about a ham sandwich, with fries and a hotdog?” Hamm put in.“What about me?” Asked Rex.“Yeah, you can be the toy that comes with the meal.”“Sounds a bit too risky to me.” Buzz sighed. “We need a back route. What do you think, Bo…” he blinked. “Bo?”“Bo Peep?” Asked Slinky. “Where are you?”“Just here, boys.” She called. The shepherdess opened up the vent from the side of the building. “I think we could make our way through here.”“Good plan, Bo.” Smiled Buzz. “Let’s move, guys.”The group rushed in.“Woody,” Buzz whispered to himself. “We’re almost there. Just hang on a little longer, buddy…”“Oh no!” Cried Slinky when they came to a fork in the road. “Which way do we go?”Buzz used his laser as a light to see where to go.“The right vent leads outside, so that’s not correct. It’s either straight or left.”“Oh that’s just great…” Mr Potato Head grunted. “We’re lost in the middle of darkness.”Just then, there was a rumbling noise further up.“It’s the elevator.” Rex cried. “That way, guys!”The six toys raced down the left corridor and found the elevator down the bottom.“Jump on, guys.” Buzz urged as everyone followed him.* * *Outside, UB Buzz reached the car, and glanced over to see it unlocked. “They must have departed from the transporter and gone through a secret route… ah!” He smiled to himself. “Hidden in the shadows! Perfect!”UB Buzz raced toward the vent, overhearing a conversation.“He’s got to be okay…”“Hang in there, Bo,” soothed Slinky. “We’ll get him back from the kidnapper.”UB Buzz gasped quietly. “A kidnapper… an agent of Zurg if I ever saw one!” Immediately, he started to use his suction cups to start climbing the wall. “I can’t just use the vertical transporter; Zurg will be expecting that!”
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Back in the apartment, Al was packing up the various merchandise into the boxes, complaining about the prices of shipping. The Round Up Gang were all in their own packaging, as Al took half of the boxes downstairs.“Woo-hoo!” cried Jessie. “We’re finally going! Can you believe it!?”Bullseye curiously sniffed the packaging he was in, while Prairie struck a pose on her container.“That’s custom-fitted foam insulation we’ll be ridin’ in, Bullseye and Prairie!” Senorita Cactus explained. “First class all the way!”“You know what?” asked Woody quietly,
“I’m actually excited about this.” he beamed, “I mean it. I really am!”“And, why shouldn’t you be?” grinned the Prospector.“YEE-HAH!” cried Jessie, and she and Woody started to dance, Western style, across the floor. “Swing your partner! Do-si-do! Look at you, dancing cowboy!”Bullseye and Prairie let out excited whinnies as they pranced in a circle, and Senorita Cactus hopped around in joy.“Look!” called the Prospector, shaking his box around. “I’m doing the box step!”The Round Up Gang all continued to dance in celebration.* * *The lift continued to go up, and Rex glanced upwards.“Ugh, it makes me feel dizzy,” He groaned, about to fall over.Bo grabbed his arm to steady him. “Try looking straight ahead!” she advised.“Take a few deep breaths, Rex.” Slinky added. “We have to press on for Woody.”“Right. For Woody… for Woody…”“Hey, how much further, Buzz?” asked Mr. Potato Head.“We’re already about halfway there,” he smiled. “The tricky part... is making sure we get to the right apartment when we’re up there.”The toys had doubts running through their heads. How many apartments would there be on the top floor? And which one was their cowboy friend trapped?The elevator soon reached the top, and the toys raced along.“Woody?” Called Bo in her gentle whisper. “Please be alright. Please be in one piece…”“How hard is it to find a cowboy doll?” Hamm put in quietly.* * *Back in the apartment, the Roundup toys were still having a great time.“How about giving us a little intro there, Senorita Cactus?” asked Jessie.“Introducing the high-ridin’-est cowpokes around…”“You forgot ‘rootin’-tootin’-est’!” called Woody.Senorita Cactus giggled. “The high-ridin’-est, rootin’-tootin’-est cowpoke heroes of all time... Sheriff Woody and Deputy Jessie!”Both cowpokes leapt out of the box, with goofy expressions on their faces. Jessie gave her trademark yodel, and Bullseye and Prairie trotted to her side. Woody strolled over to Senorita Cactus.“Say, little missy,” said Woody, “you notice any trouble around these parts?”“Nary a bit,” chuckled Senorita Cactus, “Not with Sheriff Woody and Deputy Jessie around.”Woody grinned as an idea came to him. “Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! I got it! I got it! This is great! Okay! Jessie, come here!” he whispered something to her and she grinned.“The bandits got the critters tied up in the burning barn, and now for the best part!” Jessie changed her voice accordingly. “Help us! The barn’s on fire! We gotcha critters! No need to worry!”“Woody and Jessie save the day again!” he and Jessie strolled out with packaging peanuts and hi-five each other.“YEEE-HAH!!”“Now, where’s our trusty steeds Bullseye and Prairie?” asked Woody. “We have to ride off into the sunset... Ohh!”“Heh, watch it, you two,” chuckled Jessie.Both horses reared up.“Ride like the wind, Bullseye!” cried Woody.“Kick up dust, Prairie!” called Jessie.Both horses galloped off across the carpet, racing around the chair legs like a bunch of barrels.“I’m gonna beat you, Sheriff!” Jessie challenged.“That’ll be the day, Deputy!” chuckled Woody. “Bullseye’s making tighter turns than Prairie!”“Prairie’s faster than Bullseye!” she laughed. “Hey, why don’t we switch horses next round?”“Oh, it is on!” grinned Woody. “Last one there is a tumbleweed!” Both laughed as the two horses charged across the carpet.Senorita Cactus and the Prospector both chuckled from a distance.“Woody and Jessie are so sweet together, aren’t they?” remarked Senorita Cactus.“They are made for each other,” nodded the Prospector quietly. “Woody will realise that... one way or another.”
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Back in the vents…“Hey, watch your tail, godzilla!” cried Mr. Potato Head.“Uh, sorry…” gulped Rex. “It’s so pitch black!”Buzz turned on his ‘laser’ to get a better look. “Hmm… there’s a light coming from that way. I’ll scout ahead and…”Just then, Slinky pricked his ear up.“I’ll get ya this time, Jessie!”“That’s Woody!” Slinky howled in triumph.“Slink, lead the way!” called Buzz. The dog more than happily obliged as the group rushed to the grate. But much to their surprise, there was no sighting of their cowboy friend.“Buzz, what can you see? What’s going on?” Asked Mr. Potato Head.“That’s the thing,” he sighed. “I can’t see what’s going on back here.”Mr. Potato Head gave Buzz one of his eyes and he held it through the grate.“To the right.” Mr. Potato Head called. “No, your right. Take it up higher.”“Round that corner, Prairie!”“Faster, Bullseye! Faster!”“Hey howdy hey, giddy up!”“Come on, we can beat them!”“What’s happening?” asked Buzz.“Er… they’re on the other side of the room!” cried Mr. Potato Head. “I can’t see what’s going on either!”“Ugh… that’s all we need,” groaned Buzz.“What are we gonna do, Buzz?” gasped Rex.Buzz pushed on the grill experimentally. To his shock, it swung wide open. “Come on!”The toys all rushed into the room, just as Woody, Bullseye, Jessie and Prairie all galloped past them over the finish line.“Prairie and I definitely won by a hoof that time!” Woody said firmly.“As if!” remarked Jessie. “Bullseye and I won by a nose!”“Prospector, Senorita Cactus,” called Woody, “who do you think won?”“We have a problem here!” cried the Prospector.“Huh?” asked Jessie, glancing down at the unfamiliar toys. “Er… who are these guys?”Woody was beaming from ear to ear. He dismounted Prairie and dashed toward the other group.“Woody, thank goodness you’re alright!” smiled Buzz, putting a hand on his shoulder.“Honey!” Bo Peep kissed Woody on the cheek. “Oh, thank heavens!” The rest of the Roundup Gang blinked in utter surprise.He’s… already with someone?! Jessie thought, dismounting Bullseye. And he didn’t say anything?“Buzz, Bo!” gasped Woody. He exchanged a handshake with Buzz and Bo received a kiss on her cheek. “How did you find me? Mr. Potato Head, Hamm, Rex, Slink, it’s great to see you too!” He shook hands with the rest of the rescue party, and gave Slinky a pat on the head. He gestured toward Jessie, Bullseye and Prairie to come closer. “It’s okay, they’re my friends.”The cowgirl shuffled and walked nervously over, while Bullseye bounded over eagerly, and Prairie pranced over. Bo gently patted Bullseye and Prairie on the noses.“Aww, you’re a pair of sweeties, aren’t you?” Bo smiled.“This is Bullseye and Prairie,” Woody introduced. “They’re mine and Jessie’s horses.” he gestured toward the cowgirl reassuringly. “And this is Deputy Jessie!”“Er… howdy, everyone,” Jessie shyly waved. “We er… weren’t expecting visitors.”“It’s okay,” said Woody. “And over there is the Prospector and Senorita Cactus.”“Charmed…” the Prospector said quietly.“Yes, yes,” muttered Senorita Cactus, “any other surprises today?”“Hold it right there!”Both Andy’s toys and the Roundup Gang glanced up in shock.“You again!” cried Buzz. “When Bo and I tried asking for directions, you tried to capture us!”“Wait, what?!” exclaimed Woody. “Are you two alright?!”“Just fine, honey,” Bo said calmly, “nothing we couldn’t handle–”“Well, you two then forced me into my spaceship when I tried to defend myself!” retorted UB Buzz. “How does that make it any better?!”“What?!” cried Jessie. “No… no no no!”Woody gasped quietly. “Uh oh… Jess…”“How could you?!” she snapped. “Don’t you know how suffocating it is, being locked in a dark space forever?!”“Well, it wasn’t supposed to be forever,” Buzz tried to explain. “It was until a kid could–”“Figures a space toy would say that!” growled Senorita Cactus. “You’re all the same; upstarts and getting our show off the air!”“What–”“Okay, Senorita Cactus, time out!” cried Woody. “You need to calm down!”“But yesterday, you said–”“I haven’t told you guys the full story yet!” Woody sighed. “I promise, I’ll explain everything later. I just need to talk to my other friends, okay?”“Fine, Woody!” grunted Senorita Cactus, hopping away. “Just don’t take too long, we’re on a time limit!”“And Jessie,” Woody’s voice was more even, “I suggest you go with Bullseye and Prairie while I straighten this out, okay?”“O-okay.” Jessie, still shaken up, trudged away with Prairie and Bullseye to the window sill.Sighing, Woody walked to another corner with Buzz, Bo and the rest of Andy’s toys. “Okay, so, what exactly happened back there?”Buzz put his hand to his forehead. “Woody… you know how I was all… deluded when we first met?”“How could I forget?”“Well… that other Buzz was in a display case at Al’s Toy Barn, thought he was the real deal, and that I was an ‘AWOL Space Ranger,’” he explained, “and that Bo was also AWOL.”“We were going to ask if he’s seen you,” added Bo, “but then he started attacking us, so we defended ourselves. We decided to seal him in a box so he wouldn’t try attacking other unsuspecting toys, and so he may one day get picked up by a child.”“That’s when Bo and Buzz rendezvoused with the rest of us,” Hamm put in. “And we continued to try and rescue you.”Jessie stared back at Woody’s friends. “They… just wanted that other Buzz to be loved by a kid… a bit extreme but…” she managed a small smile. “They did a good thing…”UB Buzz put a hand to his helmet. “So, let me get this straight: you were all on a rescue mission when your colleague was kidnapped?”Buzz nodded. “Affirmative space ranger. It’s a code 546.”UB Buzz gasped. “You mean it’s a–”“Yes.”“And he’s a–”“Oh yeah!”UB Buzz bowed toward Woody. “Your majesty!”Woody gave a sheepish chuckle before clearing his throat. “Now… about Jessie and Senorita Cactus. They… well, they’re good toys, but… especially in the case of Jessie, they’ve been through a lot.” A heavy sigh escaped his mouth.“Have they been… replaced by space toys?” asked Buzz.“Er… it’s a bit more complicated than that,” Woody admitted. “Come over here, gang, I want to show you something.” The cowboy led his friends over to the TV. “This is Cowpoke Roundup; a great old TV show where Jessie and I were the stars!” He quickly flipped the TV on. There was Woody on the back of Bullseye, galloping over the desert, while Prairie galloped in front of the duo. “See now look? See? See that’s me and the horses!”“Oh my…” gasped Bo. “I always knew you were something special, but I didn’t think you’d have your own show.”“Well, co-star show,” Woody corrected, “and it was a national phonon alright, Bo.” the cowboy then turned toward Buzz. “And there was all this merchandise.” Woody frowned slightly as he had nothing to show his friends. “It just got packed up, but you should have seen it. There was a record player and a yoyo! Buzz, I was a yoyo!”“Was.” Potato Head muttered to Hamm.“Woody, okay, we get it,” sighed Buzz, “a great TV show. But what does that have to do with space toys and Senorita Cactus’ hatred of them?”“Oh…” Woody bit his lip. “Well… Spudnik went up. Once that happened... a lot of children wanted to play with space toys. And… that was curtains for Cowpoke Roundup.”Buzz gasped in shock. Woody was jealous enough when he first showed up in Andy’s room. Now… two other toys were emotionally compromised because of space toys like him?! “By Star Command… I’m–”“Buzz,” Woody put a hand on his shoulder, “it’s not your fault; your toy line wasn’t even around at the time of Cowpoke Roundup’s cancellation!”“But… going for so long, without knowing who you really were…”“Hey, I got by didn’t I?” Woody let out a chuckle. “Besides, if I did know about the show straight up, I might have been as deluded as you.”Buzz smirked. “Okay, I deserved that!” The two exchanged a brotherly hug.Jessie gasped quietly. Joking? Hugging? A cowboy and a space ranger as best friends… I didn’t think that was possible…“As for Jessie, she’s been in storage for a long time,” Woody continued. “Not just her… the rest of the Roundup Gang has been waiting for the collection to be complete to go to Japan. And now that time has finally come for us to–”“Woody?!” gasped Buzz. “Are you saying you want to go to the Toy Museum?!”“Well… yeah,” he nodded. “The owner’s only interested in the collection if Jessie and I are in it. If I go back, they’ll be collecting dust.”Buzz’s patience had finally worn thin. “Woody, you’re not a collector’s item, you’re a child’s plaything. You. Are. A TOY!”“For how much longer?” Woody retorted. “One more rip and Andy’s done with me. And what will I do then, Buzz, huh? You tell me!”“Somewhere in that pad of stuffing is a toy that taught me life is only worth living if you’re being loved by a kid.” Buzz said firmly. “And I travelled all that way to rescue that toy, because I believed him.”Bo Peep gently lowered her shepherd’s crook. “Woody, honey, is this what you really want to do? Look under your boot. Who’s name is written there?”Woody swallowed hard, holding up his plain, brown boot.“W-Woody?!” Slinky exclaimed “What happened?!”“Holy cow…” trailed Mr. Potato Head.“Oh, this is terrible!” wailed Rex.“So much for that…” muttered Hamm.“Oh, honey…” whispered Bo.Buzz nearly tripped up. “Woody… how in the name of–”“Nothing!” he cried. “Nothing is written there. I’m not Andy’s toy anymore. Please… just go!”Buzz shook his head, dejected.“Oh, Woody…” trailed Slinky.“But... but Andy’s coming home tonight!” cried Rex helplessly.“Then we’d better make sure we’re there waiting for him…” Buzz said quietly.One by one, Andy’s toys and UB Buzz made their way back to the heating duct. Slinky hung back with a dismayed glance... one Woody had only seen once before in his life. He looked down at his boots.Bo Peep stared up at the TV. The puppet Woody had such a jovial tone of voice, immediately greeting the puppet Jessie with a hug. However… the hug was immediately followed up with… a kiss?! She gasped quietly and shook her head sadly. Jessie was supposed to be Woody’s girlfriend? Is that another reason why he’s staying behind? Swallowing hard, Bo Peep slowly retreated into the grill. Maybe he does belong here…Buzz glanced back one more time.“I don’t have a choice, Buzz,” Woody said quietly. “This is my only chance.”“To do what, Woody?” asked Buzz. “Watch kids from behind glass and never be loved again? Some life!” A loud thud echoed through the room as the grill closed.Jessie should have been happy. Woody chose the Roundup Gang over his life at Andy’s house… meaning he chose her over Bo Peep to be his girlfriend. Well, not yet, at least, but there was still a chance down the line they could get together in Japan. So… why do I feel so hollow? She asked herself.
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“Good going, Woody!” said the Prospector with a smile. “I thought they’d never leave.”“Now we can go over to Japan!” grinned Senorita Cactus.But Woody was too defeated to talk anymore and sat down in front of the TV.“Woody?” asked Jessie, walking over to him and putting a hand on his shoulder.The sheriff moved closer to his deputy and sighed. “Jess… I don’t know what to do…”Neither do I, cowboy… she thought. I wish I knew how to help you fix it…Both toys stared at the TV. The TV Woody was strumming a guitar while the TV Jessie was playing the accordion, singing a duet. Little did the cowpokes realise they weren’t the only ones listening.
You got troublesWell I got them too.
Was going to the museum really worth it? Jessie was so certain before… but never being loved by a child again? Was that a life?
There isn’t anythingI wouldn’t do for you…
Buzz and Bo stared back at the apartment. Should they try again? Or was it fruitless…
We stick togetherAnd see it through, ‘causeYou’ve got a friend in me…
Woody had been anything but a friend… he wished he could take it all back.
… but none of themwill ever love youThe way I do
Both the Woody and Jessie puppets on the TV were hugged by two children. A little boy and a little girl…
And as the years go by,Our friendship will never die…
“Life’s only worth living if you’re being loved by a kid…”Woody gently lifted his boot, once again seeing no name on the bottom.“Maybe it’s not as bad as it looks,” whispered Jessie. She started helping Woody gently scrape the paint at the bottom of his boot. Sure enough, the black texter of a child’s handwriting appeared.“Andy…” Woody said quietly with a smile. “Oh, Jess…” he hugged her, as his voice cracked. “Thank you.” As Woody broke from the hug, he scrambled up.“Go get ‘em, cowboy!” Jessie managed a weak smile. Maybe she and Woody were not meant to be after all… but she’d support his decision to go back.* * *“I’m sorry, Bo…”“Don’t blame yourself, space ranger,” she replied. “At least we know Woody is in one piece…”“He wasn’t clear in his decision!” cried Buzz. “He was very insecure about his ripped arm, and missing cowboy camp.”“Buzz,” Bo sighed. “I saw the show… Jessie, that cowgirl… she’s supposed to be his girlfriend. You know what happened with the likes of Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. It was an instantaneous connection! That probably has something to do with him staying behind.Mr. Potato Head spun around and face palmed himself. “Bo, listen very carefully. The whole reason why Mrs. Potato Head and I connected like that was because we knew of each other’s existence right from the start. Woody didn’t even know about his own toy line until he got here. Besides, did you actually see our Woody make a move on Jessie? Or was it just on the TV?”The shepherdess blinked slowly. “Well… it was on the TV… but…”“Bo,” Mr. Potato Head put a hand on her shoulder. “Woody loves you. I guarantee, he would never cheat on you. We can’t go a day without hearing one of his loyalty speeches in a staff meeting!”Bo glanced back, clutching her crook and taking a deep breath. “You’re right. Come on, we just need to talk to him again–”Just then, the sound of the grill opened. “Buzz! Bo!”“Yes?” Both toys (and UB Buzz) called up the alleyway.“I’m coming with you!” Woody announced, then he blinked, as an idea sprang in his mind. “Wait wait wait wait wait wait! I’ll be back in just a second!”“Way to go, cowboy!” grinned Buzz, and the other toys cheered for his change of heart.“That’s my sheriff!” smiled Bo.* * *Jessie hesitated. Let herself into a kid’s heart again? Sure, she was allowing Woody to make his own choice, but… could she follow in his footsteps?“Bullseye and Prairie, are you with me?”Bullseye eagerly licked Woody like a puppy while Prairie gently nosed his shoulder.“Okay, good horses.” He strolled to the Prospector’s box. “Prospector, how about you–” broken and empty! The box was broken and empty! But–CLANG! The screw on the grill was firmly back in place.“Prospector?!” cried Jessie. “Senorita Cactus?!”“He’s out of his box!” Woody finished for her.“We tried reasonin’ with you, darlin’s ” said Senorita Cactus, “but you kept forcin’ us to take extreme measures.”The Prospector used his pick to shut the TV off.“Wait a minute, you turned on the TV last night, not Jessie!” cried Woody in shock. “And you were in on it, weren’t you, Cactus?!”“Si, Woody,” she giggled. “Getting all defensive of your girlfriend. You’re sweet!”“She’s not my girlfriend!” snapped Woody. “Bo Peep is!”Inside the vent, Bo wiped away a non-existent tear of joy. I'm sorry I ever doubted you, my love...“Besides, we have an eternity to spend together in the museum,” chuckled the Prospector. “Better get used to being an item.”“You really are Stinky Pete, aren’t you?!”“This isn’t fair!” growled Jessie. “If Woody loves someone else, we shouldn’t keep him away from her, or the rest of his friends and owner!”“Fair?!” He retorted, “I’ll tell you what’s not fair. Spending a lifetime on a dime-store shelf watching every other toy be sold!”“And I was ripped apart by some lunatic kid frustrated that she didn’t get you!” Cactus pointed at Jessie. “If not for her mother fixing me and selling me to Al, I wouldn’t be here!”“Well, finally our waiting has paid off,” continued Stinky Pete, “and no sentimental cowpoke dolls are gonna mess it up for us now!”Woody made a mad dash for the grill. “Help! Buzz, Bo, guys!”Buzz and Bo darted forward, the others quick on their heels.“It’s too late, Woody!” retorted Stinky Pete. “That silly Buzz Lightweight can’t help it.”“HIS NAME IS BUZZ LIGHTYEAR!”Despite everything, Buzz couldn’t help but give a small smile.“Whatever!” grunted Stinky Pete, hopping back into his box. “I’ve always hated those upstart space toys!”“Throwing away your opportunity, Woody,” scoffed Cactus, getting into her casing. “How absurd.”Woody tried to unscrew the bolt, but it was wedged in tight. “It’s stuck!” cried the cowboy; Bullseye, Prairie and Jessie rushed to his side. “What’ll we do?!”“Bo, see if you can use your crook to loosen it,” said Buzz.“Alright, Buzz!” she nodded. “Hmm… ugh… it’s real tight…”“Keep trying, honey,” Woody advised. He went to see what he could do from his end. “Ugh… oh, come on!”“Oh…” gulped Jessie. “We can’t go… we can’t!” the cowgirl started hyperventilating. “Stuck behind glass… in a box… for eternity…”The slightest touch made her jump. However, she did not pull away. A firm, yet gentle hand had found it’s way through the bars and held hers. To her surprise, she found herself face-to-face with the space ranger.“It’ll be okay, cowgirl,” Buzz said quietly. “We won’t let you get confined to being behind glass. Match your breathing to mine. In… and out… in… and out…”“In… and out…” whispered Jessie. “In… and out…”“That’s good,” Buzz smiled. “You’re doing fine…”“In… and out… in… and out…”Just then, footsteps echoed down the hall.“It’s Al!” cried Woody. Bullseye and Prairie scrambled back into their cases. However, Jessie did not move, still in her breathing exercise with Buzz.“Jess, come on!” Woody hated having to do this, but there was no time. “I’ll help you in there. Okay?”“Okay…”“The rest of you, get back!” Woody called. “Quickly!”Woody and Jessie got into their foam cases just in time, and the others scrambled out of sight. Buzz, Bo and the others watched helplessly as the round up gang was placed into the suitcase.“Quick!” announced Buzz. “To the elevator!”
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“Keep going, Jess…” whispered Woody. “In… and out… in… and out.”“In… and out,” she repeated; Bullseye and Prairie gently nosed her shoulders. Slowly, Jessie was coming back to reality, and clung to Woody tightly. “Oh, Woody… I… I don’t want to go there anymore.”“I know…” whispered Woody. “I know… Don’t worry. Buzz, Bo and the others will rescue us.”“You will do as you are told!” huffed Stinky Pete. “that lowdown space toy and Barbie Bo Peep knockoff couldn’t convince you to come home!”“You have no right to talk trash about my friends!” growled Woody. “Buzz always completes his mission, no matter how drastic it is! And my Bo is no pushover either.”“Your Bo?” laughed Cactus. “You sure have been living under a rock. You were made to love Jessie. She was always talking non-stop about you coming to join us!”“At least I got to know Bo based on real life experiences!” snapped Woody.Jessie nodded. “And you guys didn’t even try to get to know Woody’s friends! That space toy is real sweet…”“Oh, don’t tell me he manipulated you with his ‘charms’,” scoffed Stinky Pete. “Those toys are–”SMACK“Buzz Lightyear was helping me through a panic attack!” Jessie snapped. “One that wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t shut the grill!”“You two and the horses are insane for wanting to go to Andy!” huffed Cactus. “Especially after Woody’s arm was torn!”“It. Was. An. ACCIDENT!” growled Woody. “I will not miss out on Andy growing up for two blowhards like you!”* * *The toys sprinted as fast as they could to the shaft. However, much to their shock, they found someone else waiting…“So, we meet again, Buzz Lightyear, for the last time!”“It’s Zurg!” cried UB Buzz and Rex.Buzz turned to his newer counterpart. “Could you keep him busy while we rescue our colleague?”“Affirmative, Space Ranger!” he nodded.“Excellent,” said Buzz. “Everyone else, come on! To the Emergency Hatch!”“Wait, I’ll help the other Buzz too,” said Rex.Bo sighed. “Alright, Rex, alright. Hurry, guys!”* * *“Jess… I’m sorry about last night.”“It’s fine, Woody,” Jessie whispered. “I only wish I was awake so I could see the truth for myself. And… I’m sorry too. Not just about our spat last night but… you and Bo Peep belong together; you can’t be forced apart.” she sighed. “That being said…”Woody hugged Jessie comfortingly. “I know, Jess, I know… you couldn’t have known any different about how things would pan out between us. But perhaps… your true love may one day come into your life.”Jessie gave a weak smile. “It is a little early to make the call… but…”Just then, the duo heard the suitcase’s latches open. “Slinky!” Woody whispered hopefully. “Jessie, Bullseye, Prairie, stay close.”The trio slowly moved toward Woody, as the cowboy poked his head out. The springy dog reached down to grab his friend, but Stinky Pete forced Woody back down.“Hey, ow!” he cried.Bullseye anxiously nosed Woody’s shoulder and Jessie helped him up, while Prairie stomped her hoof at Stinky Pete.“The only way you’re getting out is when we’re put on display,” scoffed Stinky Pete.“You may as well get back in your casing and enjoy the flight,” added Cactus. “It’ll take all night and all day.”Just then, the whole Roundup Gang was bumped and bounced around inside the suitcase. We’re in the car?! Woody thought. Oh no! Buzz, Bo and the others may not be able to follow us now! Walking would take too long, and any other way would result in them getting caught!Jessie put a hand on Woody’s shoulder, and pulled him in for another hug. Like Woody, she had no idea how to escape this one… so she did the only thing she could.“You got a friend in me,You got a friend in me…”The cowboy gave a weak smile as he joined in, and Bullseye and Prairie nuzzled up close.* * *Meanwhile, Buzz, Bo and the rescue party had tumbled into the main part of the elevator.“So close…” whimpered Slinky. “Oh, dagnabbit…”“Easy there, Slink,” whispered Bo, petting his head, “You did your best…”As the door was closing, Mr. Potato Head whipped his hat off and it flew into the door. The toys all charged forward through it as Mr. Potato Head grabbed his hat. But much to the toys’ horror, Al was in the car and drove away. “How are we gonna get him now?!” exclaimed Rex.“Pizza anyone?” asked Mr. Potato Head, gesturing to a nearby Pizza Planet truck.“Ah, great idea, Mr. Potato Head!” said Bo Peep. “Let’s go, fellas!”“Go go go!” cried Buzz. Andy’s toys and UB Buzz and Zurg scrambled into the car. “Oh, you two are coming as well?”“Well, yeah,” said UB Buzz. “My dad and I decided to assist you in this rescue mission.”“My son beat me fair and square,” Zurg replied. “I want to spend more time catching up with him!”“Oh, you’re a great dad! Yippie!”Buzz was a little bemused, but decided they could tag along anyway.“Does anyone know how to drive?” Rex blinked in confusion.No time to think about that now, Buzz concluded. Time is of the essence. “Slink, Rex, take the pedals. Bo, you navigate. Hamm and Potato, operate the levers and knobs. Other Buzz and Zurg, keep an eye out for cars behind us.”The toys quickly assembled positions, but didn’t realise they were being watched. “Ooooooooooooh.”“Strangers.”“From the outside.”“Oh, no…” groaned Buzz. It was a group of aliens that were the same type of toy from the claw machine game… Why now of all times?“Red light, Buzz!” called Bo Peep. “We can catch him!”“Maximum power, Slink and Rex!” called Buzz.The two of them pushed the pedals, but the truck just revved.“Wha–” cried Rex. “We won’t catch him at this rate!”“Don’t worry, Rex,” called Bo, “It’s still red– okay, never mind. It’s green!”“Why won’t it go?!” cried Buzz.“Use the wand of power!” called the aliens.Mr. Potato Head pulled the lever and the truck sped off after Al’s car, ploughing through some road cones.“Thank goodness that wasn’t us…” Bo said under her breath.“Ugh…” groaned Hamm as books tumbled on him.“You right, Hamm?” called Bo.“Yeah, yeah,” he explained. “I’m fine. Hmm… I seriously doubt he’s getting this kind of mileage…”“Bo, which way?” Buzz called.“Keep to the left lane, Buzz!” Bo responded. “Stay as close as possible… oh, he’s turned left!” The space ranger toy obeyed the command.While Buzz and Bo were managing the truck’s direction, they failed to realise something else…“Whoa, oh boy!” The aliens slipped right off the keychain.Oh no! Quick as a whip, Mr. Potato Head nabbed the trio of aliens by the keychain’s cord, and yanked them back into the truck. He was so quick that the four toys landed in a heap at the bottom of the truck and his ear came off.The little aliens all smiled and gently gave back his ear. “You saved our lives, we are eternally grateful.”“Yeah yeah yeah, whatever!” he scoffed.“Make a right, Buzz!” called Bo.“Copy that!” he cried. “Any sign of the airport?”“Hmm… ah, yes!” Bo nodded. “Tri County International Airport, dead ahead! Entering carpark now!”The truck drove right into the carpark, the toys panting from all their high speed antics on the road.
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“Phew…” sighed Bo. “Not a bad run, gentlemen.”“Guys!” cried Rex. “We can’t park here, it’s a white zone!”“You have saved our lives, we are eternally grateful!”Buzz scanned the passengers who were about to board the plane. “Ah, there he is!”“We have to hurry!” cried Bo. “There isn’t much time before that plane takes off!”“But how are we going to get to Woody?” asked Rex. “Everyone’s going to see us!”“Hmm… ah ha!” said Buzz. “Everyone, into those pet transporters!”The toys all carefully scrambled aboard the pet carrier, several tiny legs poking out of holes on the bottom.“You have saved our lives, we are eternally grateful!”“Would you just leave me alone?!” scoffed Mr. Potato Head.Just then, the gang heard footsteps. “Someone’s coming!” cried Rex.That someone turned out to be a little girl, with a wide-eyed grin. “Ooh! A puppy!” However, a deep bark from Slinky scared her off. Bo petted him on the head as Buzz gave a thumbs up.The toys slowly slipped past the customers onto the conveyor belt, just behind Woody’s case. It should be simple to find, right? The luggage just goes in a straight line through the “mystic portal”...Except that it winded into at least 10 different directions winding up, down and splitting off various paths!“There’s the case!” cried Slinky when he saw a green speck amongst the baggage.“No!” Hamm exclaimed. “There’s the case!” A second green case was spotted as well.“You take that one, we’ll take this one!” called Buzz. He, Bo and Slinky went after the first one, while the others sprang after the second.* * *They were so close, yet so far… it was all or nothing no, and Buzz and his rescue party knew it. Just hold on a bit longer… the space ranger thought. We’re almost there. I won’t let you down, cowboy.As they made their way closer, Slinky jumped onto another suitcase as yet another path for them opened up!“Buzz, Bo! My back end’s going the batten route!” he cried. “Whoa!”“Slinky!” Buzz exclaimed.“We’ll have to go back for him!” Bo reasoned. “Come on!”Silently cursing himself, Buzz agreed as the duo kept rushing on toward the case.* * *Inside their case, Woody and Jessie were now singing their song together.“… some other folks might beA little bit smarter than I amBigger and stronger tooMaybe…”Suddenly, the toys heard a clicking noise and a voice ring out, “Okay, Woody! Let’s go!”SMACK!“Take that, space toy!”Oh, that was it! “HEY! NO ONE DOES THAT TO MY FRIEND!” Woody leapt straight at Stinky Pete, trying to pin him to the floor.RIP!“AH!” cried Woody.“Your choice, Woody,” Stinky Pete scoffed. “You can go to Japan together or in pieces. If he fixed ya–” WHACK! “Hey! My pick!” His weapon had fallen onto the conveyor belt below.“Keep your hands off my man!” snapped Bo Peep; she had knocked the pickaxe out of his hands with her crook.“Well, I’m sorry to say that ‘your man’ was created specifically to be with a certain cowgirl doll of our Roundup Gang!” scoffed Stinky Pete. “You and that space toy would be the perfect pair!”Woody kicked Stinky Pete in the face and Bo used her crook to whack him as well. “So, I suppose that you being a bumbling idiot on the show is also accurate to your toy self as well?” he remarked.Stinky Pete growled, and scrambled to his feet. “That is the only thing the show got wrong!” Quick as a whip, he swiped Bo’s crook from her grasp and whacked her in the head into the suitcase.“BO!” cried Woody. He was about to dash inside, but Stinky Pete pinned him down again. “LEAVE MY GIRLFRIEND ALONE!” The poor cowboy wriggled and kicked, but he couldn’t get free.* * *“Holy tarnation!” cried Jessie. “Hey… come on,” she tried shaking the shepherdess awake. “Please wake up…”Bullseye and Prairie started to nose Bo’s shoulders, but they weren’t getting a response. To make matters worse, Jessie was pinned down by Cactus.“Leave that girl,” she scoffed. “She was rustling your cowboy.”“Bo and Woody belong together!” Jessie kicked Cactus in the face, causing her to yelp. “Woody had a life outside of Cowpoke Roundup, and made something for himself! It’s time we all did the same!”Prairie snorted and gave Cactus a good hard kick with both her back legs. The suitcase opened just enough for Cactus to fall out, and Prairie followed through the gap.“Bad horse!” cried Cactus. “You and Bullseye should be locked up and broken in a corral!” Just then, a bright red light blinded her and she fell over. “Ugh! Prairie, help me up– ouch!” Buzz firmly grasped Cactus.“You aren’t going anywhere!” he said firmly.FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!“Ough!” cried Stinky Pete, letting Woody go. “Where did that–”Slinky coiled around him. “You ain’t getting away with this!”“Idiots!” cried Stinky Pete; Woody removed Bo’s crook from his grasp. “Children destroy toys!”“You’ll be ruined!” exclaimed Cactus; wriggling in Buzz’s grasp. “Forgotten! Spending eternity rotting in some landfill.”“Well, Stinky Pete and Cactus,” said Woody, “you two will need to learn the true meaning of playtime! Buzz?”“That way, guys!”“No! No! NOOOOO!”Zurg and UB Buzz smiled to themselves.“Hmm, maybe it would be beneficial for us to experience ‘playtime’ ourselves,” said UB Buzz.“Let’s follow them and see what we can do.”* * *A Barbie and Buzz Lightyear backpack were coming out at the terminal, and Stinky Pete and Cactus were wedged inside them. They desperately wanted to get out, but two children skipped eagerly toward them, so they had to freeze. UB Buzz and Zurg jumped into the Buzz Lightyear backpack too, and they copied the actions of the ‘local peers’.“Look, Barbie!” the girl cried, stuffing her barbie in there. “A big ugly man doll! Ooh, he needs a makeover!”“And there’s a mean ol’ cactus with a Buzz Lightyear and Zurg.” said the boy. “I always wanted those two toys. Come on, Buzz. You and Team Lightyear can fight the cactus and Zurg later.”Both toys panted with shock as the Barbie greeted Stinky Pete warmly. “You’ll like Amy!” Eagerly, she showed off her paint. “She’s an artist! And Harry is a fun boy too.”“No!” wailed Stinky Pete. “NOOOOOO!”“Another ally of Zurg!” remarked UB Buzz. “You will be in custody of the galactic alliance, if Captain Harry has anything to do with it!”“A partner to play with!” smiled Zurg, “I like this very much.”“Wait, no!” squealed Cactus. “I’m a mere cactus landscaper in Jessie’s animal sanctuary–”Amy and Harry skipped happily to their mother. “Come on, kids!”
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“Ugh…” Bo groaned as she finally came to. “Huh… Jessie? Bullseye?”“Easy, Bo,” soothed the deputy. “Can you get up?”The shepherdess brushed the dust off her dress and held her head. “Er… close enough.”“Here,” Jessie extended her hand and pulled Bo up. “I gotcha.”“Thanks,” she smiled weakly.Just then, the girls and Bullseye heard the clicking sound of the suitcase opening. “Bullseye, you first, boy,” Jessie urged. “Go on!”With a whinny, Bullseye nosed his way out of the case, immediately greeted by Rex, Hamm, Mr. Potato Head, Slinky and Prairie.“Buzz, Woody!” Slinky called up toward the front.“Help us out here!” Hamm called.“Hurry!” Rex cried.“Oh no!” exclaimed Woody. “Jessie and Bo!” He and Buzz sprinted toward the case.Jessie and Bo felt the rumbling of the suitcase getting closer toward the exit. The shepherdess swallowed, remembering what Woody said. “The museum is only interested if Jessie and I are in it…” Without thinking twice, Bo used the last of her strength and pushed Jessie out of the suitcase.The cowgirl dusted herself off and scrambled up. “Bo, wait!” she cried, spinning back around and giving chase. “You’re still not at full strength!”“Relax, I’ll be–” suddenly, the suitcase slipped down the ramp. “Help!” she cried. “Guys!”“Bo!” The rest of the toys exclaimed.It was no good. Bo had to duck back into the case as it was sealed shut.“Oh no! Bo Peep!” Woody cried.“Don’t worry, we’ll get her back,” Jessie assured. “Yodel-lay-hee-hoo!”Both horses galloped over to the cowpokes’ sides, giving firm nods of their heads. Woody and Jessie swung onto their respective horses, while Buzz was pulled onto Bullseye by Woody. Jessie blinked in surprise.“Do you know how to ride?” she asked Buzz.“We have a mission, don’t we?” he responded. “I’m not going to back down now!”Jessie dipped her head respectfully. He's got a lot of courage, she thought. “Okay. Well… hold on tight!” She gave both Woody and Buzz a thumbs up.“Ride like the wind, Bullseye!”“Kick up dust, Prairie!”Both horses reared up and galloped off after the luggage train.“Hey, howdy hey!” called Woody. “Giddy up!”“Come on, Bullseye!” cried Buzz. “Yah!”“Yee-haw, Prairie!” urged Jessie. “Yee-haw!”The toys raced closer and closer to the luggage train. I won’t let you down this time, my love, Woody thought. “Hey, Buzz!” he called, “give me a boost!”Buzz braced himself as Bullseye galloped even closer. Woody climbed onto his shoulders and grabbed hold of one of the tags. Suddenly, the truck steered away and he flew through the air.“WHOOOOAAAA!”“Woody!” Buzz and Jessie cried together. Both exchanged a grim look of determination as the horses galloped toward the plane. Jessie controlled Prairie expertly, but Buzz was only barely keeping his balance on Bullseye.“Got any tips on riding?” asked Buzz.“Keep your heels down, shoulders back, lean where you want to go, and move in time with Bullseye on each stride!” called Jessie. “He’ll do the rest!”How does she remember all that while at a gallop? Buzz thought. Even still, as the space ranger followed Jessie’s advice, he found the riding much easier.“You’re doing great, Buzz!” smiled Jessie. “Now, follow us to the plane! Yee-haw!”Buzz smiled as he urged Bullseye after Jessie and Prairie. “Bullseye is far more obedient than those Barbie horses Woody dared me to ride back home.”Jessie blinked in surprise. “Andy has Barbie horses?”“Well, they are hand-me-downs to Molly from her and Andy’s older cousin,” Buzz explained. “Though she’s a bit too young to be playing with them at this point–”“Molly? Andy has a little sister?!” cried Jessie. “Why didn’t anyone say so?!”“I just did–”“Wow!” she gasped. “A little girl! Oh, I can’t wait till she’s old enough to play with us!”Buzz chuckled. “Well, I’m sure Andy will enjoy playing with you as well, Jessie. He has already started incorporating Mrs Potato Head into his games as One-Eyed Betty. We could use a few more heroes on mine and Woody’s side.”“Really?!” gasped Jessie. “Oh, that’s swell news! I can’t wait to get home now!”“I suggest we focus on our objective,” Buzz commented. “Woody and Bo still need our assistance.”“Oh, of course!” Jessie nodded. “Turn here, Buzz! We’re closing in on the plane.”“Affirmative, Deputy!”* * *“Excuse me, ma’am, but I believe you’re on the wrong flight.”“Woody!” Bo rushed over to his embrace. “Oh, I knew you wouldn’t give up on me!”“Of course, Bo, of course,” he kissed Bo on the cheek and passed her the shepherd’s crook. “Come on; the calvary is coming.”“Lead the way, Sheriff!”The two of them dashed toward the door, and Woody gave Bo a nod. “Okay, on three. One… two…”“Too late! Put em on the next plane!”The plane doors were firmly shut as a loud whirring noise echoed through the area.“This is bad!” cried Woody.“What are we going to do?” asked Bo.A light shone from further down. “Over there! Come on!”Woody and Bo raced toward the airlock hatch and it creaked open.“I’m not so sure about this…”“It’s our only chance!” said Woody. “Let’s go!”The two slowly started to walk down the landing gear. I wish I was a tightrope walker Barbie instead… Bo thought to herself. “Easy does it…”“WHOA!”Quick as a whip, Bo latched onto Woody’s arm. “I gotcha, honey!” she cried. Unluckily, it was his ripped arm, which teared further. A strong gust of wind caught Woody and Bo off guard. “Oh no!”“What’s a cowboy without his hat?”“Or a shepherdess without her crook?”“Buzz, Jessie!” cried Woody.“Excellent timing, guys,” Bo beamed.Bullseye and Prairie galloped hard across the tarmac. They were both incredibly fast, but they couldn’t keep up forever.“We’ve got to get closer!” called Buzz.“I don’t think we can!” Jessie cried. “Ugh… it’s a shame we don’t have lassos on us…”Woody’s mind whirred. “Jessie, that’s it!” He grabbed his pull string like a lasso and tossed it around a bolt. “You and Buzz get behind the tires!”Buzz and Jessie nodded and obeyed.“Woody, what’s the plan?” asked Jessie.“Pretend it’s the final episode of Cowpoke Roundup!”“But it was cancelled! We never saw if you made it!”“Well let’s find out together!” called Woody. “Bo, let go now!”With a firm nod, the shepherdess let go of the plane. Both of them swung downwards. Woody landed on the back of Bullseye, while Bo landed on Prairie’s back. They were just in time, as the plane took to the sky.“You did it! You did it! You did it!” Jessie leapt for joy as she hugged Woody.“Nice roping, cowboy!” Buzz smiled.“That was definitely Woody’s Finest Hour!” Jessie beamed.“Well done, sweetie!” Bo gave Woody a big kiss on the lips. “You were great!”“Aww, Bo… you were great too. You all were!”Buzz and Jessie then strolled over with familiar objects in their hands. “Your hat, partner,” Buzz chuckled.“Thanks, Buzz!”“And I believe this is yours, Bo,” said Jessie, handing her the crook.“Oh!” giggled Bo. “Thanks for catching that. I wouldn’t know what I’d do without it.”At that moment, another plane passed overhead.“Let’s… go home.” Woody said quietly. All the toys nodded in agreement, and quickly raced off to find the others.
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Slinky, Rex, Mr. Potato Head, Hamm and the aliens were gathered up at an empty luggage train.“You think they found Bo yet?” asked Rex. “Oh, we couldn’t save her in time! I feel terrible!”A hand softly tapped the dinosaur on the shoulder. “Er… Rex?”“Oh!” he cried. “You saved Bo! That’s such a relief!”“Thank heavens for that,” sighed Slinky. “Good to have you back, Bo.”“Good to be back,” she smiled. “And Jessie, I think you have a few new friends to meet.”Jessie nodded. “Er… it’s Rex, Hamm, Slinky and Mr. Potato Head, right? Howdy!”“Correctamondo,” said Hamm. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Jessie.”“Welcome to the club,” greeted Mr. Potato Head.“Nice to meet you,” said Rex.“Welcome, Jessie,” smiled Slinky; the cowgirl scratched him under the chin. However, the toy dog gasped when he glanced up. “Woody, your arm!”“I know,” said Woody. “Honestly, I think it’s better this way. That’s one less question for Andy to ask about when he gets home.”“You’d better rest that arm of yours, pal,” Slinky tapped a seat for Woody to sit down.“I got a good view of the road from here,” smiled Woody. “I could navigate if you want.”“Go for it, Sheriff,” smiled Bo. “It will be nice to see you in command again for the ride home.”“Sure, Woody,” nodded Buzz. “Slink, Hamm, Potato Head, Rex, same protocol as last time. Bullseye, Prairie, could you two watch the Little Green Men?”Both horses nodded and the aliens all sat down obediently. Jessie, a bit unsure of herself, settled into the next seat over. Bo, sensing Jessie’s uncertainty, sat down near her.“Jessie… thanks,” smiled Bo.“Thanks? For what?”“For waking me up in the suitcase,” said Bo. “And for catching me after I escaped the plane.”“Oh,” said Jessie, “it was no problem, Bo. You and your friends were very brave yourselves. Travelling all that way to save Woody, fighting Stinky Pete… and getting me out of the suitcase. Thank you so much…”“You hate small, dark spaces, don’t you?” Bo asked.Jessie quivered and nodded. “Ever since I was sealed away in a charity box… and then with Stinky Pete, Cactus, Bullseye and Prairie…” she gulped, trying to think of her next words. “I thought the first two were my friends…”Bo put a hand on her shoulder. “None of the toys in Andy or Molly’s rooms will treat you like that. I promise.”Jessie swore she could wipe a tear away. “Thank you, Bo.” she gave a weak smile. “I… I meant what I said earlier. You and Woody belong together… I only based my ‘love’ for him on superficial information from the TV show, and I’m so sorry…”Bo put a hand on Jessie’s shoulder. “I know, Jessie. I jumped to conclusions based on the show as well, and I’m sorry you got caught in the middle. Besides, you didn’t know about me until I entered Al’s apartment. And while you don’t love Woody like that, there are different ways to love. You both care about each other a lot.”“Hmm… we do,” smiled Jessie. “He comforted me when we were trapped in the suitcase, and I helped remove the paint on his boot where it said Andy’s name.”Bo let out a quiet gasp. “That means everything to him… thanks, Jess.”“Aw, anytime,” she beamed, and giggled. “He’s also a lot of fun. We were challenging each other to racing around on Bullseye and Prairie. I swear I won the last race, but he insists he won.”Bo giggled and smiled. “Prairie is a steady runner,” she commented. “I felt it when I landed on her back. Looks like there’s no patch on Bullseye either.”“Horses could be man or woman’s best friend,” said Jessie. “Prairie and Bullseye have been true friends to me for ages.” she giggled. “That’s one thing the show got right: my love for critters.”“I don’t suppose you could lend me a hand back home then,” said Bo. “Between the Barbie horses and my sheep, it can be chaotic for me to get them back in line.”“Of course, Bo!” grinned Jessie. “That will be so much fun!”* * *The group raced into the bedroom. “They’re back!” Mrs. Potato Head rang out, giving her husband a kiss.“Of course we are,” smiled Mr. Potato Head. “I wouldn’t be away from you for that long, my love.”The rest of the toys all started to greet Woody with waves and handshakes, as well as congratulating the rescue party.“It’s great to be home,” said Woody. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet Jessie, Bullseye and Prairie, from our old TV show Cowpoke Roundup!”“Howdy, y’all,” smiled Jessie. Bullseye and Prairie gave a neigh in response.“Oooooooh!” grinned the aliens.“Welcome, newcomers,” said Sarge, then turned to Buzz. “Mission accomplished.”“Affirmative, sir,” nodded Buzz.Just then, a trio of sheep raced over to Bo Peep.“Aww, there’s my girls,” she grinned, petting each of them. “Hey Billy, Goat and Gruff. Did you take care of Molly in my absence?” They all ‘baaaed’ in response.“Bo, your sheep are adorable!” said Jessie, gently stroking them. “Pleasure to meet ya, little critters.”“Baa!” The sheep rubbed their heads against Jessie’s hand and licked her like dogs.“That tickles!” giggled Jessie.Just then, the group heard the sound of a car pulling up and someone exiting it. “Yee-haw!”“Red alert!” called Sarge. “Target on approach!”“Get into positions, everyone!” cried Buzz.“Oh, we have to get back to Molly’s room!” said Bo to her sheep and Mrs. Potato Head. “We’ll talk more tomorrow, folks.”“Okay,” said Woody. “Love you, Bo.”“Love you too, Woody,” she gave him one last kiss for the night before dashing off.Andy zipped upstairs and raced to the shelf. “Hey, Woody!” he cried. “Woody…” he turned around to see all his toys on the bed, including Jessie, Bullseye, Prairie and the aliens. “Oh wow!” he grinned. “New toys!” he picked up Bullseye and Prairie with the cowpokes on board. “Cool! Thanks mum!”He began to come up with a new pretend scenario. “It’s Bazooka Jane and her jet propelled horses!” He made a plane noise as the horses ‘flew’ around the room. “Woody! Buzz! That polecat Zurg has stolen my space cows…”* * *The following day, the toys were glad to wind things down. And Woody was even more surprised and delighted when his arm was repaired.“Glad I decided not to take him to camp,” said Andy. “His whole arm might have come off!”If only toys could talk to their owners… Woody thought to himself as Andy left. He smiled as he glanced at his fixed arm. It was a bit puffer than what had happened when the cleaner fixed it, and had red string attached… but his owner had fixed him with the promise to continue playing with him. “Well, what do you know…”Jessie, the two horses and the aliens were accepted into the fold, (to the point where Jessie, Bullseye and Prairie had Andy’s name written on them).“YEEE-HAW! Oh, Bullseye and Prairie, we’re part of a family again!” cried Jessie in excitement, looking at her boot. Bullseye and Prairie also proudly showed their hooves. The cowgirl petted them on the head, as she saw Buzz approaching her.“Buzz…” said Jessie. “I’m very sorry…”“Huh…” the space ranger blinked in surprise. “Wh-what are you talking about?”“My callousness towards you in the apartment,” she admitted, fiddling with her braid. “I was wrong about you. You helped calm me down during a panic attack, went back for me, Woody and our horses when we changed our minds, and cooperated with me to ride Bullseye and Prairie to rescue Bo.”“Well… er… it’s all part of protocol,” Buzz said modestly. “You did an excellent job of coaching me to ride Bullseye last night.”“Aww, glad to help, Buzz!” Jessie smiled, throwing her arms around him. “You’re the sweetest space toy I ever met!”Buzz was very surprised, but yet, he felt his toy heart leap in his chest. She’s so sweet and beautiful… he thought. What do I say to her now? Er… hmm, Woody always compliments Bo, maybe I could try that. “Uh, I, uh, um…” come on, it can’t be that hard. “Well, I just wanted to say... you’re a bright young woman with a beautiful ‘yarnful’ of hair. A ‘hairful’ of yarn. It’s, uh… Whoo... Uh...” Darn… I sound like an idiot… “I must go…”But Jessie just giggled and put a hand on his shoulder. “I get what your sayin’, partner. Thank you.”Unfortunately, the tender moment was interrupted by Slinky and Buster. “What’s that? Bark bark?”Buster barked and whimpered. “Er, this fella needs to go outback for a little private time!”“That critter needs help!” Jessie said firmly. She grabbed a toy car from the racetrack and loop-de-looped around it. “Yodel-lay-hee-hoo!” With a leap, Jessie grabbed the door and opened it, allowing Buster to run outside.Whoa… Buzz thought. As if she couldn’t be any more incredible… His wings sprang open. Realising this, he sheepishly pushed the button to close them.* * *Woody and Bo Peep, snuggling into each other, overheard the whole exchange. The happy couple chuckled to themselves.Maybe it wasn’t too early to make the call after all, Jessie, Woody thought with a cheeky smile. Just then, Wheezy came squeaking over. “Wheezy!” Woody snapped out of his thoughts. “You’re fixed!”“Oh yeah,” he nodded. “Mr. Shark looked in the toybox and found me an extra squeaker.”“And how do you feel?”“I feel swell. In fact, I think I feel a song coming on!”Mr. Mike tossed Wheezy his microphone and he began to sing.“You got a friend in me
You got a friend in me
When the road looks
Rough ahead
And your miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
You just remember
What your old pal said
Babe you got a friend in me
Yeah you got a friend in me!”
Woody strolled over to the window. There, he saw Andy, Molly and their mum chatting (well, ‘chatting’ was a relative term for Molly; she was only a toddler). Buzz caught sight of this and strolled to his best friend.
“You still worried?” Asked Buzz.
“About Andy?” Woody shrugged. “Nah. It’ll be fun while it lasts.”
“I’m proud of you, cowboy,” smiled the space ranger.
“Besides, when it all ends, I’ll have old Buzz Lightyear to keep me company,” Woody grinned and put a hand on his shoulder. “For infinity and beyond.” he chuckled. “So… you and Jessie, huh?”
“Er… what?” Buzz sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. “I have no idea what you mean.”
Woody just laughed and motioned for them to step down from the window.
* * *
By now, Wheezy was joined by three Barbies singing the song. Woody put his arm lovingly around Bo Peep, while Jessie leaned an arm around Buzz’s shoulder.
“You’re gonna see it’s our destiny~
You got a friend in me~
Yes, you do~
You’ve got a friend in me~
That’s the truth~
You’ve got a frieeeend in meeeeeeeeeee~ Yeah!”
The End
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“Speed.”“Marker.”“And… action.”Woody and Jessie started to trudge to the TV. “You Got A Friend In Me” was playing in the background as they sat down. However… Woody didn’t focus on where he was flopping down. He sat right in the hole of the tape roll.“Oof!” he cried. He tried to wriggle out of it, but was having trouble. “A little help here, please?” he laughed as he started to move around like a turtle.“Woody!” laughed Jessie. “Try sitting on the edge of the tape next time!”“Why exactly is the tape here?” chuckled Woody. “And why do we sit on it?”“I think it’s because Al needed to package the merchandise in the boxes.”“Ah, gotcha.”* * *“What are we gonna do, Buzz?” asked Rex.“Use your head.”Suddenly, all of the toys were holding Rex on top of them and charged towards the grate.“But I don’t wanna use my head!”They all screamed as they approached the grate and the toys slammed into it. However, instead of making the grate open, it was shut tight.“Ow!”“Cut!” called the director. “We’re not doing that in this take on the movie after all.”“Huh?” asked Rex. “Why not?”“Because we have the real Buzz, not that UB clone,” the director replied. “Our Buzz is more respectful than the UB Buzz.”“Oh, thank you,” smiled Buzz.“I heard that!” called UB Buzz.* * *“Speed.”“Marker.”“And… pull back.”It was supposed to be a silent shot, with the toys in their inanimate forms. However, that didn’t exactly go to plan…“Mmm… yummy!”“Cut!”“I can’t believe this!” cried another Buzz.“That’s the fifth time!” said a third.“What box was that guy in?” a fourth complained.“Sorry, everyone,” said the first Buzz. “I got hungry for a bean burrito. Okay, I won’t eat anymore. Sorry.”“Okay, let’s try this again!” said the director.* * *It was time to prepare for the rescue mission, and Mrs. Potato Head knew her husband had to be prepared for anything.“I’m packing you an extra pair of shoes and your angry eyes just in case. And if you get hungry, here’s some cheese puffs and a key. I don’t know what it’s for, but you never know…”* * *“Speed.”“Marker.”“And… action.”Excitedly, Jessie pulled on Woody’s pull string. “Whoo wh–” suddenly, the string snapped, and Woody went flying across the room. “Oh no! Woody! Are you okay?!”But much to her surprise, Woody was laughing. “Heh, okay! I’ll just get that fixed. Whoops!”Jessie also burst out laughing. “Should we just... Should that be part of the movie now? He lost... He lost his string?!” she dropped the string and clutched her stomach, completely hysterical.“Try again, Jessie,” advised Senorita Cactus. “But this time, be a bit more gentle.”* * *“And a golf ball, if you have time for golf. And a plastic steak and a rubber ducky and a yoyo…”This is going to take all day… Mr. Potato Head thought to himself.* * *It had been a hard trudge to try to look for Woody, but Buzz, Bo and their rescue party were not intending to give up. However, someone was still missing.“Who’s behind?” asked Buzz.“Mine.” said Slinky.Slinky’s back end trudged up slowly to the others then slumped down, exhausted.“All right,” called the director. “Good take.”Suddenly, Slinky’s tail sprang to life and the dog beamed. “What good acting. That was a good take.” he started petting his tail. “You’re such a cute little bottom. Look at you, look at you, look at you, look at you.”“O…kay?” Bo shrugged. “Can we do the next part of the scene now?”* * *It was almost time to go to the museum, and the Roundup Gang were bursting with excitement. But now was the time for a bit of fun, and Woody and Jessie knew exactly how to entertain themselves.“Ride like the wind, Bullseye!” The chestnut horse reared up, but Woody felt himself slip. “Waaa-oof!” Bullseye, feeling a wave of embarrassment, shuffled off his back hooves.Jessie giggled and dismounted Prairie. “You need better balance, partner.” She offered a hand to Woody. However, he started to chuckle.“W-Watch it. Wait, wait. I’m ticklish, okay?”“Oh, you are?” remarked Jessie. She bent down and immediately started tickling him. The cowboy started laughing uncontrollably.“No. No, no, no. Cut it out,” Bullseye and Prairie both started nosing Woody as well. “Stop it. Stop it, stop it. No, please. Please! No! No, no! Stop it! Stop it!”“Heh, you’re getting it, bro!”“Stop it, sis! Stop it!”“Cut!”Woody blinked. “Oh… was it too soon for our ‘brother/sister’ dynamic reveal?”“It’s not that,” said the director. “We decided to take the scene in a different direction. I want to see you two racing around on Bullseye and Prairie instead.”“Ooh! A horse riding competition,” smiled Jessie. “We can do that no problem!”* * *“... and an extra bouncy bouncy ball, and some extra teeth. Be careful, they chatter.”Mrs. Potato Head put the teeth inside Mr. Potato Head. As soon as she did that, a rattling was heard as Mr. Potato Head’s eyes widened like saucers before jumping up.“Whoa!”* * *“Marker.”“And… action.”Buzz slowly walked with Bo, in deep awe. There were so many copies of himself laid out all over the aisle…And two cowpoke dolls making silly faces in the boxes.“Heh heh heh!” chuckled Bo. “You two aren’t supposed to be here!”Even Buzz couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.* * *It was time to head out on the rescue mission. Bo Peep clutched her crook close, while Buzz activated his helmet.“Don’t worry, honey,” Bo hummed to herself. “We’re coming to–” an unceremonious laughter came out of those present. “Huh? This is supposed to be an emotional moment! What are you laughing about?” She glanced up at her bonnet, seeing some blue and purple ribbons flapping from it. “Okay, Jessie, good one!”Buzz glanced through his helmet, seeing a moustache drawn on. “Oh, real funny, Woody!” he laughed sarcastically.“All right. We’re losing our light,” said the director. “Wipe it off, take those off and let’s go again.”* * *Buzz, Bo and the others all cheered as Woody started taking Wheezy back to Andy’s room.“Golly bob howdy!”Buzz carefully lowered Lenny, and Bo sighed in relief. However, the toys all started laughing.“What?” asked Buzz. “What’s so funny?” Suddenly, he saw why: two large black circles were drawn on his helmet. “Woody!”“Hmm… okay, what’s the joke with me…” Bo saw a white “armband” on her left arm. “Oh, Jessie!”* * *Wow… Buzz thought Jessie couldn’t be anymore incredible. He was so stunned in fact that his wings popped out.Suddenly, laughter erupted from everyone again. “Huh?” ‘This space for rent’ was on Buzz’s wings. “Darn it, Woody!”“Okay, let’s go again.”* * *He was glad to be back in his sweet shepherdess’ embrace. Woody felt safer than he had been in days…And yet, there was more laughter for some reason.“Hmm?” Bo stared at her crook, which had K-I-S-S-I-N-G written on it in red marker. “Jessie! Stop drawing on my things!”* * *“And crayons, in case you get bored. And some blue Play-Doh…”Mrs. Potato Head tried to shove the Play-Doh into him. Mr. Potato Head let out a groaning wheeze as some of his pieces started getting pushed out. He covered his mouth and eyes as the Play-Doh pushed his ears out and started to squeeze out of the holes, he looked down as the two ears hit the floor. How much longer…* * *As the toys waited for their next scene, there were two unsuspecting insects on a leaf.“Isn’t this exciting, Heimlich?” said an ant, “Our first day of shooting.”“Oh, yeah, yeah, it’s so exciting!” Hemlich bounced with a grin.“You know, I can’t believe you talked them into making A Bug’s Life 2.”“Oh, oh, yeah.” He nodded. “I can hardly believe it also. Oh, but there’s a little baby tiny thing I forgot to tell you.”“What’s that, Heimlich?”“Well, you know, it’s a ‘2’ movie,” he explained, “but it’s not A Bug’s Life 2.”“What...?” The ant blinked. “I don’t understand. What is it then?”“And action!”Buzz comes in, karate chopping leaves as he steps. The bugs screamed as they fell.“Buzz, wait!” called Bo. “You could have hurt these little guys.”“Huh… oh, sorry!” he cried. “We were filming a sequel. Let’s er… move you two off the set.”“Er… okay,” groaned the ant.* * *“Marker.”“And… action.”Jessie twitched her fingers nervously. Could she really go back with Woody to Andy’s house? Let another kid into her life…“Bullseye, Prairie, are you with me?”Bullseye eagerly licked Woody like a puppy, while Prairie pushed her nose into his hand.“Okay, good horses!” he nodded. “Prospector, how about you?” He turned around the box… only to find the Prospector and Senorita Cactus talking to two Barbies.“And so you two are absolutely identical?” asked Senorita Cactus. “Are you cameoing in Al’s Toy Barn?”“They have enough Barbies there as it is,” shrugged one of them.“Don’t worry,” said the Prospector. “There could be an opening in Toy Story 3…”“Er… Prospector…” said Senorita Cactus.“What… oh! Sorry, are we back?” He asked in surprise. “All right, girls. Lovely talking with you. Yes.”“Any time you’d like some tips on acting,” added Senorita Cactus, “we’d be glad to chat with you. All right, off you go then.”The two Barbies waved and walked off the set.* * *“Speed.”“Wait, wait, wait, let me check focus…”The aliens were all clustered on the keychain, talking amongst themselves.“So, did you make it into the first Toy Story?” asked one.“Well, if you look in the letterbox copy, you can see my arm grabbing Woody’s ankle,” said the second.“What will you do next?” asked the third.“Well, I’m up for this villain in a toothpaste commercial.”“Really?” gasped the third.“Wow,” smiled the first. “That’s great.”“Fascinating,” said UB Buzz. “Is there a hero in the commercial yet?”“Well, not at the moment,” said the second alien. “Maybe you could be a good candidate.”“Yeah… thanks.”“Okay,” called one of the cameramen “got it.”* * *“… and a dime, call me, and monkey chow.”“Monkey chow?!” exclaimed Mr. Potato Head. “For what?!”“Well, for the monkeys, of course!” said Mrs. Potato Head. “Come on, monkeys!”The monkeys all leapt up and started screeching for food.“That’s it! I draw the line at monkeys!” snapped Mr. Potato Head. “Get my agent on the phone!” he stormed off.“Aww, they are so cute,” smiled Jessie. “Over here, monkeys. I got some food for you.”The monkeys eagerly went over to eat the monkey chow. “Good monkeys. Good monkeys…”* * *“Marker.”“And… action.”He couldn’t leave. Not when they were so close. The Prospector had one last trick…“It’s your choice, Woody. You can go back, or you can stay with us and last forever…”“You got a friend in me!You got a friend in me!”“Oh… that’s beautiful singing, Senorita Cactus,” hummed the Prospector. “Shall we dance?”“Si, Senor,” giggled Senorita Cactus. Both of them started to glide across the floor.“Okay, let’s cut!”The Prospector and Senorita Cactus blushed in embarrassment.“We went off track, didn’t we?”“Whoops…”* * *Tour Guide Barbie waved out to a crowd. “We are so glad you came. Remember, please discard all candy wrappers and popcorn containers in the nearest trash receptacle. Thank you.” She gave a cheerful nod. “And because you were so patient… I wish to show you something extra special…”* * *It had been a week since Jessie, the horses and squeeze toy aliens came over to live at Andy’s. The group had settled in nicely, and right now, Andy, his mum and Molly had gone to the beach for the day. The toys were currently finding ways to relax, when…“Guys! Guys!” Woody cried excitedly; bringing over some video tapes. “Look what Andy and his mum found in the attic last night.”“Huh…” gasped Jessie. “Cowpoke Roundup?! No way!”“Golly bob howdy!” cried Slinky. “Now we can see what your show was like.”“Well, since you’re not galivanting off to Japan this time, I don’t see why not,” smiled Buzz.The toys all eagerly started watching, as the Cowpoke Roundup theme started filling their ears.“So, just to make it clear, Cactus and Stinky Pete on the show aren’t scary?” asked Rex.“Not in the slightest,” chuckled Woody. “In fact, Stinky Pete was meant to be a big joke in the show.”“And Cactus was supposed to be a gentle mother figure,” added Jessie. She sighed. “I really thought she was for a time…”“Neither of them can hurt you anymore, Jessie,” soothed Bo Peep. “They live with other kids some ways away…”* * *“You are in the custody of the galactic alliance!” UB Buzz declared. “We’ll have you locked up for good. Mira, report to Commander Nebula at once.”
“Affirmative, Buzz!” she nodded.
“A cactus for a minion,” said XR, “highly unusual for Zurg, wouldn’t you think?”
“Anyone would think we’re in the wild west, not space,” Booster chuckled.
“I’m willing to take anyone I can get,” Zurg huffed. “And we’ll get you next time, I swear!”
“Send me back to the desert!” cried Pickler. “It’s way too cold here!”
“Harry! Amy! Time for lunch!”“Coming, mum!” Both kids sprinted outside. No sooner had they left, UB Buzz turned to ‘Team Lightyear’ and Zurg.“This kid really knows our show,” he smiled.“Still a bit rusty around the edges,” shrugged Mira.“Hey, give him time,” smiled Booster. “I’m sure he’ll get it.”“He doesn’t know my show at all!” cried Cactus. “He doesn’t even know my name! It’s Senorita Cactus, not ‘Prickly’!”“Er, actually, the name he gave you was ‘Prickler’...”“Can it, space toy!” she snapped at XR, “Ugh, Prospector, this really isn’t working. We have to leave now–” But much to her shock, she heard laughter coming from Amy’s room. “Huh?!”* * *“... and so, you unicorn ponies are able to ‘wink’ in and out on your show?”“That’s right,” nodded a pink unicorn with various shaped buttons as a cutie mark; her name was Buttons. “Amy is planning on watching the movie when she gets home.”“Oh, you’ll love it!” cried a blue unicorn with sodas as her cutie mark. “I play a decent role in the movie!”“Thanks, Fizzy,” he nodded. “So, about this ‘Megan’ character, does Amy own a Megan doll?”“Not really,” said Barbie. “Amy uses me to ride the ponies if need be. It’s a lot of fun. Want to try it? We could use someone to be Danny.”“I’d be delighted,” he smiled, and gestured to a rainbow on his cheek. “And you all said the rainbow has some significance to the movie?”“It is the Rainbow of Light,” said a greenish pegasus named Wind Whistler, “a vital instrument used to protect our world from injustice…”* * *Back at Andy’s house, the toys were thoroughly enjoying the TV show. The LGMs were settled between Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head; Hamm, Wheezy and Rex were off to their left; Slinky, Prairie, Bullseye, Billy, Goat and Gruff were off to the right, and front and centre were Woody, Bo, Jessie and Buzz. The former two were gently caressing each other’s hands, while the latter two were leaning on each other’s shoulders.“When we last left off, Jessie and Stinky Pete were left trapped in the mine! Can Woody, Bullseye and Prairie get to their friends in time? It is time for Woody’s Finest Hour!”“Hogtie the mailman!” cried Jessie, pausing the tape. “The final episode did air?!”“Stinky Pete and Cactus had to lie to us about that too!” Woody exclaimed.“It figures,” muttered Hamm. “Their loss for being so brutal.”“Well, what are you waiting for, Jessie?” asked Mr. Potato Head, “let’s make those two eat their words already!”Jessie giggled. “Okay!” She pushed the button to resume the episode.
Woody, Bullseye and Prairie land with soft bumps on the sand on the other side of the canyon.
“Good horses,” he praised, “now keep going! We can’t give up now!”
Prairie dashed off and Bullseye followed, quick on her heels. The dusty old mine started coming into sight.
“There they are!” he cried. He swiftly tied his lasso to Bullseye’s saddle horn and another rope to Prairie’s. “Okay, take it slowly, you two.”
Woody was gently dropped down into the cave in a small hole in the roof.
“Sheriff Woody!” Jessie beamed. “Are we glad to see you!”
“Quick!” he cried. “Grab onto the rope!”
“Got it, Woody!” called Jessie.
“Same here, Sheriff,” said the Prospector.
“Okay!” Woody signalled to Bullseye and Prairie. “Pull, Bullseye, Prairie! Pull!”
Both horses pulled back with all their might, steadily getting all three humans out of the mine. It wasn’t a moment too soon. When everyone was safe, BOOM, the mine exploded
“Is everyone okay?” asked Woody.
“Sheriff Woody!” Jessie threw her arms around the cowboy. “I knew you’d make it!” She kissed him on the lips.
“I’d never leave you hangin’, Deputy Jessie,” he snuggled into her, as their horses watched lovingly.
“Oh, sassafras!” groaned the Prospector. “I just lost the biggest gold strike of all time.” Just then, his gold nugget fell on his head and flattened him.
“It looks like you got your big strike after all,” said Woody. He picked up the gold. “And what do you know? It’s nothing but fool’s gold.”
“Aww… shucks-a-roo…” the Prospector groaned.
“Heh, wait till Senorita Cactus hears about this,” giggled Jessie. “Come on, Woody and Bullseye. Prairie and I will beat you home!”
Woody laughed, pulling the Prospector aboard Bullseye. “In your dreams, cowgirl!”
“Wait, don’t go too– fast!”
Both horses blitzed off, leaving the fool’s gold nugget in the dust.
After that, Woody and Jessie turned to address their audience.
“Now, remember, sheriffs and deputies,” said Woody. “The real treasures are your friends and family.”
“Before we go, kids,” added Jessie, “we want to share somethin’ special with you... for the times when we’re not around…”
As the familiar melody of the song started to play, the toys all smiled in content.“Well, he did make it after all,” said Slinky.“Just like our Woody,” grinned Jessie. “You never give up… ever…”“And neither did any of you,” Woody smiled.The toys all gathered around for a group hug, knowing their love for each other would stand the test of time.The End (For Real)