Twisted Mistakes [DW]

Shelly continued to cower at the sight of Dandy's awfully pale face, pinkish eyes locked onto her. His claw was lifted high into the air, about to land the killing blow. His petals... once colorful and round, now dull and sharp, hung down his head.

Sprout hyperventilated, paralyzed in fear as he watched the scene in front of him. The dinosaur enthusiast sobbing... the growl of a usual cheerful flower... the gasp of a baker... and then-- time slowed down. Sprout leaped into the air, knocking Dandy to the ground who was not yet aware of Sprout's presence. However, upon seeing him, screeched as they both crashed against the wooden floor with a thud.

Dandy had gained an awful lot of strength ever since his change of appearance, Sprout struggling to keep him pinned down as he grunted. He snapped his hands around his wrists, and kept his claws sticked to the ground, unable to scratch anything but the hard wooden planks. Dandy's eyes bored right into Sprout's soul, making him feel uncomfortable as he tried to avoid eye contact.

Shelly lost no time, and quickly called for help. She quickly lifted herself off the ground and leaned against the door frame, cupping her hand around her mouth as she shouted.

"ASTRO! VEE! PEBBLE! HELP US!" She continued to scream as Sprout did his best to keep Dandy on the ground, unable to move. However, as time ticked by, Dandy's strength only increased, and Sprout's arms were getting tired. He couldn't hold him down like this forever, he had to think of something to keep him restrained...

Shelly, noticing the obvious struggle Sprout was going through, decided to help. She approached the two Toons carefully, trying to catch Sprout's attention.

"Sprout-- Sprout! Hold him by his arms, I'll keep him still!" Sprout nodded, and made a quick movement in moving out of the way, freeing Dandy for a split second before wrapping his arms around his arm pits and shoulders, keeping his back planted against his chest. Dandy pulled forward, stretching his neck out in an attempt to pull Sprout with him, but Sprout was surprisingly stronger in this position. He still struggled, but had it easier as he kept Dandy restrained.

"Okay! Keep him steady! I'll just--" Shelly then grabbed Dandy by his legs, due to the fact he had begun kicking in a desperate attempt to free himself. She held his legs pressed against her stomach, holding them tightly together and she stared at Dandy's monstrous face.

Just then, as both Shelly and Sprout were about to give up on calling for help, Astro burst into the room, slamming the door open. "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!?" Astro's usual calm voice had suddenly disappeared, replaced by a loud, worrisome one. He was cut short however, upon seeing Dandy's current state, with both Mains restraining him the best they could.

All words he had bubbled up inside of him flew out of his mind, leaving him speechless. He stared for a few seconds, before jumping into action. He approached the two Mains, a blue sparkling cloud beginning to form above his night cap.

Shelly and Sprout knew what he was going to do, and quickly turned their heads away and held their breath, making it even harder for them to keep Dandy still as they needed all the strength they had. However, not breathing made that even harder, tensing their muscles as they did so.

Astro knew they were struggling, and was quick with his tactics. He threw the magic cloud down at Dandy, poofing upon reaching contact with Dandy's facial expression. He coughed, ichor spilling over his chest and chin. He continued to wriggle around, growling and screeching as ichor continued to pool in his mouth.

After what seemed like an eternity, the sparkling cloud effect started to take its toll on Dandy, who slowly began to calm down. His eyes drooped, before going limp in Sprout and Shelly's arms. They quickly let go off him, letting out a heavy sigh as they rested their hands on their knees, huffing.

"T-Thank you... Astro..." Shelly thanked, Sprout still unable to find the right words to speak. Astro did not smile, but nodded in understanding. He shook his head, as if to say, 'no problem'. Astro too was quiet as ever, not fully knowing what had just happened.

He had just been getting ready to tuck himself into his bed, before hearing Shelly's desperate screams and Sprout's loud grunting.

"W-What's wrong with him..?" Shelly asked, looking down at Dandy's sleeping figure. He looked so peaceful, unlike earlier...

She was just trying to calm him down. Patting him on the back, cleaning his forehead with a napkin, even speaking soothing words at him, and before she knew it... Dandy stood in front of her with his claws ready to pierce her shell.

Had she done something wrong? Was she the reason Dandy went insane? What had she done...?

"I'll tuck him in... you guys go get some rest..." Astro muttered, lifting Dandy's limp body up in the air with his magic, moving him toward his bed. Sprout and Shelly looked at him in concern, before hesitantly leaving the room. They hoped Dandy was alright... and although Sprout wasn't exactly the biggest fan of Dandy, he still hoped Dandy would recover. Because what he had just seen is not a normal Toonish behavior.

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Astro sat down on the edge of Dandy's bed, watching as he slept under the covers. His head rested on his pillow, petals now back to normal as well as claws sheathed.

What had happened? Astro could've sworn he caught a glimpse of Dandy's face before making him go into deep slumber. His eyes were pink... as if he were turning into a Twisted. Maybe that's the case. He's turning into a Twisted.

Astro shook his head, shaking his worrisome thoughts out of his head as he tried to stay positive. This was not normal in any way. And what Dandy had just done is just-- completely out of character. Dandy may be harsh at times, but he would never-- NEVER. Hurt a Toon. Let alone Shelly, who always finds a way to cheer Toons up with her silly speeches and shenanigans.

Astro sighed, allowing himself to get some well-deserved rest as well. He too was tired out after the fright Dandy, Shelly and Sprout had just given him. He could feel himself slipping away.

Before he could lay down and close his eyes, something dripping from Dandy's mouth caught his attention. It was ichor...

Ichor pooled inside his mouth, dropping down his lips and trickling down his chin, staining the perfectly white mattress under his body. What..?

Astro stood up, taking a tissue from the tissue box Tisha had installed in everyone's room for hygienic reasons, and quickly made his way toward Dandy's bed again. He gently rubbed the tissue on Dandy's chin, wiping the ichor off his face.

Dandy looked fine now, except maybe a little tired... he had eye bags under his eyes. He knew this would've happened sooner or later. He knew something was up with Dandy-- he..! he should've said something!

Oh well... there's no turning back now. He was just glad Dandy had not fully turned into a Twisted. He couldn't even imagine him turning into one... how terrifying would that be!

Heh, silly Astro. Always overthinking small situations. Dandy was fine! Maybe a little tired, and stressed out, but overall on good terms with everyone. Even Vee.

He didn't have a reason to become a Twisted if he was not attacked. The only way you can turn into a Twisted is either by infection or insanity, and Dandy didn't have either of them!

Well... maybe a little bit of insanity.

Just a little.