Save the Factory (Poppy Playtime Reader Insert)

The Playhouse

Walking down the tunnel you'd just entered, stolen weapon from the now deceased Miss Delight in hand. You cautiously walked up to a cutout of Hoppy Hopscotch at the end of a hall. You also found a red case in a locker next to the cutout, containing of all things a flare gun with around twenty rounds as you counted it. You wondered why such a thing was even inside the building as you picked it up and cautiously placed one flare into the chamber before storing the rest in the bag.

You then opened the door to the side, and were greeted with shock at the cave system on the other side, a small rope bridge leading to a door on the other side, labeled as 'Restricted Access'. Passing through it, you came out into an even larger cave system that seemed to go on for miles. You decided to see if you could get a better look at things, grabbing the flare gun and shooting a round into the air, watching as the bright red spark did little to illuminate the surroundings, save for lighting up a bridge which you then proceeded to approach it.

You decided to no longer count out the usefulness of the flare gun as you reloaded it. but you also spotted a vhs on the ground, with a nearby vcr connected to a tv. "Of all places, why put a tv down here!?" You questioned as you decided to take a moment to listen to the tape. At first sounded the noise of an old elevator clunking into place, before a voice you thought sounded vaguely familiar groaned, "Stupid clunky elevator."

An older sounding man then spoke up, "What was that, Richie?" You began racking your brain to try and think of the man as the tape continued. "Nothing, nothing. Let's just get this shipment dropped and go." The younger man replied. They then entered the elevator as the automated message from Elliot Ludwig began playing, but was soon shut off as the older man asked, "I take it you're not a fan of this place? Are you?"

The younger man bluntly replied, "Nope. Never liked the feel of it. I mean don'tcha think these kids deserve some real sunlight instead of floodlights and painted skies? Hell, we're not even allowed to talk to these kids, isn't that- Ahem- Sorry Stu." "Sorry? That doesn't sound like the Rich I know." Said Stu jokingly. "Well... I'm trying to stop being so pissed off all the time." Replied Rich, "My wife says I'm a lovely man, but I gotta control my temper. So I'm doing it for her."

Stu chuckled as he said, "You're just different, Rich. Honest to a fault. But I've always liked that about you." "Yeah? You're one of the few." Rich replied as you could hear the solemn tone in his voice. After a brief silence, Stu began again, "You know Richie, with my retirement coming up, uhm... they've been pushing hard for me to choose my replacement. I'm thinking about giving the role to you."

Rich appeared to studder as he said, "Really?" "Really." Stu replied, "Nothing official yet. But I think there's a decent guy beneath all that gruff. An honest, hardworking man. You prove me right- I'd say your chances are pretty good." Rich was at a loss for words as he simply said, "Wow, I uh... I don't know what to say! I'm just... Glad to see not everyone in this place has it out for me." You could almost hear Stu's smile as he said, "Not everybody, Rich. Not everybody."

The tape then ended as you began walking down the bridge while in deep thought. The only time's you remembered hearing about Rich was when he was apparently trouble for others around the factory, but you never heard about what happened to him. You held your head in a single hand as you massaged your temples before getting back on track.

Walking around, you had to take a few running jumps or sliding down slopes to get to where you were going since you didn't have a grab pack with you. And while you eventually ran into a puzzle with the rotating poles, you were fortunate that it was able to be completed thanks to some nearby turrets with hands on them. Quickly breezing by the puzzle, you continued going, soon entering an even larger cavern.

You suddenly felt a chill run up your spine as you looked around, soon spotting Catnap on a lower ledge, in front of an amalgamation of toys, machine parts, and a human skeleton at the front. You remained quiet as you checked the bag for the gas mask, fortunately finding it still there. You simply watched as Catnap stood up and appeared to begin praying to the sculpture. You didn't want to be seen by Catnap, so you slowly began creeping along the path, watching as he eventually walked away and in another direction.