Chapter Text
I stood in Testtube's laboratory. But no Testtube. She was still in Season 3. Well, she got eliminated but she's still on the show?? Idk.
I was bored and decided to explore. Then I remembered Testy's Lab, so I went there!
It was big but kinda bland. Eh, I guess most labs are, right?
But before I could continue further, I saw something that peeked my interest.
A revaped timetravel machine thingy!
A few years ago, on II season 2, me and Testtube took a little timetravel adventure. It was super fun.
I didn't quite know how it worked but sure as hell wanted to try it anyway.
I pushed over a vile of liquid, that was sitting on the counter. It's contents spilled on the floor, making a huge mess.
Then I pushed a few buttons on the machine and... it worked! I was sent a few minutes before. No gross liquid on the floor.
But wait- there was also no "double-me"?
I noticed a small note next to where the machine sat. I picked it up and read it.
'Timetravel.
Prototype 1.5
To avoid a paradox, this will send an object into the body of their past self instead of just sending them in the past to meet an alternate version of themself. Hopefully, this fix will avoid any unwanted paradoxes.
...
Who am I kidding, this is a terrible idea!'
Yeesh... but cool.
I wanted to play around with it a little more, even if Testtube would say it's a bad idea. But where should I go?
...
My face turned down into a frown as I thought of where to go.
Even though it hurt, something called me back there.
The night Painty got eliminated.
I put the date in and wait.
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I stumbled. Suddenly caught off guard.
"Whoa, are you okay, Lightbulb?" Testtube asked, concerned about me suddenly being off balance. Her liquid illuminated in the night.
I hadn't seen her in, like, three years! I resisted the urge to hug her.
"Y-yeah, 'm fine. Just a little dizzy from our trip, hehe." She gave me a sympathetic smile. Then a smug one.
"Well, that's what you get for messing with time!" She pointed her finger in the air to make her point. I nudged her with my elbow and she laughed.
Boy, did I miss her.
As we walked, I saw more people I hadn't seen in forever. Fan ran over and told us to hurry up, that the voting's gonna start soon. Microphone walked slowly and unsure. She looked around like someone was watching her. MePhone, already at the voting area, looked at his contestants with frustration. Ah, I missed my people.
I sigh, taking in all their faces.
Then, off in the distance, already at said voting area (Idk what it's called ok). The person I came here for. The person I missed more than anything... Paintbrush.
A tear weld up in my eye, but I wouldn't dare let it fall.
I ran over quickly. Punching their arm softly to get their attention. They look over at me with an anxious smile, they tried to hide. I think they had an idea of what was going to happen. I gave them a warm smile back.
It went as it did before. It didn't matter who I voted. They would be eliminated anyways.
And sure enough...
"Paintbrush." MePhone called.
Even though I knew it was gonna happen, I still flinched at the call of their name.
They got up, accepting their elimination calmly. It was the name of the game, right. You couldn't fight it.
Before they left for good, I got up.
I recited what I said last time this played out.
"If you're ever feeling like you're at the bottom of the ocean, just look at this crab..."
I placed Baxter in their hand. They looked at him and smiled softly. Forming their other hand into a finger gun, they pointed it at me.
"I got you."
I watched them walk away. Knowing what would happen.
They would leave.
Then Fan would leave, then Testtube, then MePhone.
Then they would all leave me alone.
They would leave. They would leave. They would leave. They would leave. They would leave. They would leave. They would leave. They would leave.
They would leave...
"Lightbulb...?"
Before I knew it, I was holding on to their hand. Squeezing it. My anxiety taking over. I was shaking. All I could do was look at the floor.
"Lightbulb, ar-are you alright?"
I couldn't let them leave again, I just couldn't.
"Don't go." I whispered desperately.
"What? Lightbulb, I have to..." they said calmly.
"Please..." I pleaded. I didn't even realize I was crying.
Noticing my tears, Paintbrush gave MePhone a desperate look.
He groaned "Ughhh... Fine. You have 20 minutes to deal with this. That's it. Then you gotta go, got it?" He was upset.
"Got it." They looked back at me. Wrapping their arms around me.
They were warm and comfortable. I leaned into the hug.
"Lightbulb, what happend?" What's wrong?" Paintbrush asked once everybody left, except for Fan and Testtube, but Fan wasn't paying much attention.
I couldn't tell them, though. 'I'm a timetraveler, and after you got eliminated we never talk again, and I can't stand to see that happen again.' I would sound crazy.
"I-I don' know. I just... I just, don't want you to leave." My desperately sad voice made me cringe.
I could feel Baxter putting his claws on my head. He must be worried about me too.
Paintbrush put their warm hands on my cold cheeks, lifting my face to face them. Wiping a tear from my eye.
I couldn't help but smile at them.
"Don't worry, Lighty. I'll just be at the hotel if you need me. And the show is almost over. We'll be together in no time!"
I frowned. "Yeah..." I can't tell them.
I have to let them go.
I spent my 20 minutes in their warm embrace. After my minutes were up, Testtube asked me what happened. I just shrugged, not wanting to get into it right now.
But my time was up. I watched helplessly as my bestfriend, and crab, left my life forever.
They stepped through the portal and disappeared. But before I could stop it, my body moved on it's own.
I ran full force into the portal before it closed. On the other side, I crash landed on Painty.
They stared at me, bewildered.
"Look... I solved it!" I spoke through panted breaths. "If I come with you... we won't have to leave again... You don't have to leave again!"
"W-what?" They had a nervous grin, as I hugged them tight.
"What about the game?" They asked.
"I don't care anymore!" A tear bubbled up in my eye. I was just happy I was finally home.
Finally, home.