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Chapter Text

He failed, again. He screwed up big time and he didn't know what to do anymore- what was he meant to do?? He messed up every chance of having a genuine friend and honestly, Puzzles was starting to think he wasn't cut out for the whole showstopper gig...So what? What could he do? He was a failure, a fraud- he's hurt two people who cared about him. Puzzles scowled, digging his hand into his pocket as he gripped onto the bullet he was given, screen reflecting in the shiny metal as rain poured down. Possibly ruining his screen and other components more than they already were. A robotic sigh escaped the CRT as he gripped onto the bullet tighter, a look of determination in his eyes.

He needed to help WPNZ, he left him with that...thing. He can't fail again- Puzzles wont let someone else take his punishment.

Pushing himself to stand, Puzzles shoved the bullet back into the pocket of his jumpsuit, and looked in the direction of the nearby dump. That's where he found WPNZ last time, maybe he was there once again- in danger- hurt? Shit, he needed to get there sooner than later. But how...Wait- His screen stopped on a nearby bike, a motored one. Perfect, no one will mind if he borrows it, it's fine. Situating himself onto the vehicle and staring down at the controls- he paused. He...does not know how to drive something like this- oh whatever he needs to, so- he revved up the bike and launched himself forwards, a wide grin forming on his face as he cackled into the night- on his way to the dump. Ignoring the occasional bumps into things on the way...

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Getting there was easy, now it was time for the difficult part of the plan, finding his target. The CRT slid behind a large pile of junk, cringing to himself for a moment- before scanning the area. Surely it can't be hard to spot a giant box hunting down his ex-friend and partner in crime, right??? 

He searched and searched, losing hope the longer it took to find him. But- was stopped in his tracks at the sound of nearby screaming, rage filled screaming. With bullets! That HAD to be him, Puzzles grinned and rushed towards the scene, making sure he was still hidden at first as he peeked around more garbage. And sure as hell, there he was- the man himself. WPNZ was corned against trash, Toomp held in his arms with his gun pointed towards said 'Death Box', or the fridge- as his little delinquent called it prior to their...fight. Mr. Puzzles shook his head, he needed to focus here!! How to help how to help...

Ah- right. His execution was tonight, correct?...Maybe that is the way to mend all of this. I mean, he isn't needed no longer- the curtains on his show can close, he can do one final act. One final thing to assist someone else, give him a chance instead. Puzzles frowned as he glared at his executor, steadying himself with one final breath, before rushing out from behind his hiding spot, now standing a distance away from the two caught in a fight. He suddenly started to wave his arms, attempting to get its attention instead.

"HEY!!! Uh-" He paused as both WPNZ and The Death Cube turned to stare at him, his shattered screen reflecting an expression of hesitation. Before scowling as he gripped his hands into fists and stepped forwards, a hand raising to his chest and resting there as the other stayed closed by his side- gripping something. "I'm the one you want you- REFRIDGERATOR! It is my execution, not his." Puzzles was...honestly afraid. He didn't know how painful this was going to be- but he had to do it, he had to be useful, to help someone. His final act- the grand finale. The Cube stared in silence, before rushing to stare down the CRT, mere inches away as it analyzed him- causing the man to flinch and turn his head away. Mentally preparing for what was to come, he just hoped this was enough to let WPNZ get away...to be safe. WPNZ and Toomp. 

His eyes were closed, awaiting the final toll of death to ring. But it never came, instead he heard the sound of metal feet stomping his way- and he was lifted into the air with ease, the sounds of rockets powering up and- yelling?...Mr. Puzzles flinched and turned to look at who had grabbed him, eyes widening as he was met with the face of someone he had hurt so bad. WPNZ was holding him, saving him. Using his prosthetics to boost all three of them away from the dump and that god forsaken Cube- all while just...focusing on the path ahead of them. He said nothing to Puzzles, didn't even spare him a glance- what was going ON???

"Uhm...WHAT?? I was trying to SAVE YOU." Puzzles realized he was indeed now in the air- and shouldn't be fidgeting around so much, so he moved to cling onto the other for dear life, screen shifting from his normal face to static. He was snapped out of his panicked thoughts by the other sighing, his grip tightening on the TV man. "Why." He went quiet, but it was obvious he was confused, his voice threatening to break. "Why did ya come back?...You were just- gonna throw your life away- Why??" 

Mr. Puzzles paused, eyes focusing on the criminal once more as he stayed silent. A shaky hand moving to hold out towards him, WPNZ's eyes moving to look for a mere moment. What he saw? That bullet he had given to Puzzles earlier, when they were having their stupid little 'moment'. He still had it, he was holding it when he was just...standing there waiting to die. "I couldn't let...A friend get hurt." 

Puzzles frowned, head tilting to rest against WPNZ shoulder as he glanced down towards the metallic bullet in his hand, closing his fist around it and holding it close to his chest, he would treasure it, keep it close to him. A sign of friendship, of their partnership. He didn't want to lose that- not again.

"I'm...I'm sorry for lying. For using you. I didn't know I was going to lose something great, someone great." He kept his voice low, trying to show he was genuine, anything to get his friends back. WPNZ and Toomp, the two that helped him. Shared fun memories with him. People who- cared?...For some reason. He couldn't lose it again.

WPNZ didn't respond for a while, but he just barely cracked a small grin. Heavily exhaling as he spotted a building ahead of them. Was he really going to do this?...He was all he had I suppose...someone to have around. A new business partner maybe? Eh...Fuck it.
"Y'aint forgiven just yet, Boxhead. But I'll give you a chance." He grunted as they landed in front of a metal warehouse, it seemed to be upgraded into a small base of operations- perhaps being his home in a way. And now he had two new roomates...oh boy. "You can stay, prove you aren't a piece of shit. Got it?" He looked at the CRT in his arms with a small glare. He was serious, only one chance- if he screws up again its over. 

This was his final shot at keeping someone around, Puzzles could do it. He knew he could.

"I promise, I will do anything it takes." Puzzles was set down, now looking down at the shorter one as he held his hand out towards him, WPNZ staring for a moment, before rolling his eyes and grabbing it, giving it a firm shake.

"Welcome home then, partner." 
They had a LOT of work to do, It would be a bit until they got some form of routine down, huh?

Chapter Text

Mr. Puzzles wasn't usually one to "sleep", so he was sat in the makeshift guest room (a shabby storage area with a quickly set up mattress) staring at a wall with a...rather bored expression on his face. He had been up all night, rewinding his interaction with WPNZ the day before. He wasn't expecting to live- to make it out alive, he was supposed to die back there, his great sacrifice to make up for what he did to Mr. WPNZ and Toomp. But instead they saved him, he had no idea why...He didn't deserve any form of forgiveness- even if he hasn't gotten it yet. He groaned- hand moving to adjust the volume dial on his monitor, making sure he wasn't too loud, before gripping onto a pillow he was given, turning and screaming into it. 

He eventually managed to get whatever breakdown that was out of his system, a strained smile on his face as he adjusted the bowtie he wore- making sure it was on correctly before he even considered stepping into the main area. I mean he couldn't look like more of a mess than he already did, he needed to look professional...Helpful! He didn't know if he wanted WPNZ to throw him back onto the street so...He needed to try his best to just, stay on his good side. Which shouldn't be too difficult seeing how Puzzles did want to keep this friendship, as much as he used to want Leggy back...He knows that won't end well. He shook his head, looking around the room one last time before opening the door and shuffling into the main room- eyes scanning about for his little living weapon companion...er- acquaintance? Whatever- no need to think about the details right now. He paused in the doorway at the sight before him, digital eye's shrinking into white dots as he stared down at....A fight?

Toomp was being held in the arms of WPNZ as the strange blob creature tried to struggle free, all while WPNZ was attempting to keep him there. Puzzles eventually decided to clear his throat, holding a fist up to his screen and folded his arm behind his back, tilting his head. "What...Are you two doing?" The fighting seemed to pause as they slowly turned their heads to stare at the CRT, going silent. See, Mr. Puzzles was usually a fan of having all of the attention on him, but right now? He felt...nervous? Which was odd- he was built for the stage! Used to having eyes lingering on him for hours at best. But now? He wanted to shrink into a hole and never be seen again. WPNZ eventually stood up, Toomp still in his arms as he grunted a bit- eventually shrugging. "Was just tryin' to get half-pint to take a bath.." He muttered- before rolling his eyes as Toomp eventually wriggled free, watching as the pink creature wobbled away. WPNZ scoffed, eventually looking back at Puzzles with a small shrug.

"Y'rest well Boxhead? We got a lot to do." Puzzle tensed up at the question, eyes darting to the side as he slowly nodded. "Yyyeess..I slept fine." 

Puzzles lied through his digital teeth, gaining a small eyebrow raise from the other man, before he shrugged and shuffled towards a little kitchen area. He had really made this warehouse a home hadn't he? It was rather impressive he was able to manage that with how...rough he seemed? It was endearing in an odd way. Wait what. 
Puzzles shook his head, blinking in confusion for a moment as a hand moved to clasp over where his heart normally would be, a digital heartbeat thumping loudly in his chest, odd...He- had zero clue where that thought popped up from. But! No matter, he had other things to focus on right now. Like what him and his little pal were going to be doing- what was that exactly? He forgot to ask honestly...

"So..What is it we are going to be doing?" He tilted his head, shuffling into the kitchen space alongside the other. Hands folding behind his back as he eyed the food WPNZ seemed to be making. Ah- eggs? Too bad Puzzles doesn't need to eat, his body was far too upgraded at this point to even need food. WPNZ hummed, eyes focusing on the taller one next to him, before looking back at the food. "Trainin' I didn't get to see a lot of what you can do during our little...argument. So-" He reached over and turned the stove off, gently sliding the eggs onto a plate, looking back up at Puzzles. "I wanna see what you can do. Sound fine? Cause y'don't really get a choice here."
Puzzles tensed up a bit, before dramatically exhaling, giving WPNZ a little nod, he supposed it would be fine. He wanted to be useful to the weapon- so he'd do his best here, even if it meant showing how every one of his abilities worked...in odd detail. Eugh his weaknesses are going to be out in the open here.

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It took a bit for WPNZ to finish his breakfast, but once he was finished he gestured for Puzzles to follow, walking into a large empty room, it was littered with scratches and bullet holes- along with some dummies that seemed to be pretty damaged. He really took this whole training thing seriously huh? Puzzles looked around in awh, before stopping abruptly to avoid bumping into the smaller man as he suddenly halted his movement, looking over his shoulder at the CRT with a wide smirk. "Alright," He turned on his heels, hands resting against his hips as he tilted his head to the side- analyzing the show host, before gesturing towards the dummies behind him. "Yer gonna show me what you got first, then we'll do hand to hand- got it?"

Puzzles seemed nervous, tugging at his gloved hands as he inhaled, before giving the other a quick nod. Nothing too new here- he's just showing some of his abilities off. If anything he should look forwards to this!! A new audience, a new scene- a way to prove himself. And to prove he can help the other when needed. WPNZ stepped to the side, arms staying rested against his hips as he turned his attention to the dummies, waiting for the CRT to make his move. 
Said star stared ahead at his targets with a small frown on his screen, sweat droplets simulated right beside his eye as he glanced down at his hand. They weren't really....living? How was he supposed to show this? He cleared his throat, a nervous little chuckle escaping as he glanced at the other. 

"I..Need a moving target for this to really...work." He hummed, his hand adjusting his bowtie once more. This was...awkward. WPNZ raised an eyebrow, before sighing. He brought his fingers up to his mouth and whistled, Toomp rushing into the room and looking up at the man with his weird empty eyes, WPNZ grinned and crouched in front of the Glob. He gently patted their head, pupils expanding as he gave the other puppy eyes. "Toompkinssss- can you help the TV man for me pwetty plleeaseee?" 
Toomp stared up at it's friend with narrowed eyes, before looking at Puzzles. It only seemed to glare at the man for a few moments, before shuffling to stand in front of the dummies. Puzzle seemed...unsure about using their companion for this- but WPNZ gestured for him to continue. Oh whatever, it's not like his controlling abilities hurt, just feels...fuzzy! Like static. Puzzles inhaled, his fingers aiming towards the blob as he focused, feeling the swirling static gather at his fingertip as a blue orb like bullet formed. It zapped towards Toomp at a fast pace, eventually colliding with the alien like goop, it's eyes shifting from their normal, empty look- to a static-ey gloss. Puzzles then shifted his hand to the side, Toomp moving due to his command, controlling how its body shifted and changed- causing the TV man to sweat. 

He hadn't used his power to this extent in a while, it was using a bit of energy to even fully control a mind once more, but it was a useful ability. At least, WPNZ seemed rather interested in it- eyes focused on his basically child getting controlled like some stringless puppet. He side eyed Puzzles, watching as the mans expression seemed...strained. It took energy to do this? Makes sense, they'll have to work on how long he can use it, that would be a good place to start after the hand to hand training...
"Okay, y'can stop now Boxhead." Puzzles instantly let up on the control, allowing Toomp to regain its consciousness- the poor thing shaking about for a moment before hopping back over to the two, resting by their feet with an agitated look. It didn't really favor not being able to control its actions- but it was for a good cause. Puzzles let out a heavy exhale, hand resting on his chest- before turning to WPNZ and giving a little bow. "That is my main ability...Though it takes quite a lot out of me now- I need to get back into the swing of things." 
He cringed, hating that he admitted that, he wasn't supposed to be seen as weak or useless, but that was hard when he could barely compare to the great Mr. Puzzles he was before his imprisonment- he would make sure SMG4 rued the day he took everything from him. And, maybe WPNZ can help- someday. For now he needs to focus on getting on the others good side again. Which will be...Difficult considering how badly he screwed up, but he'll fix it. He has to- WPNZ is all he has left at this point.

WPNZ seemed deep in thought, his hand rested against his chin as he muttered to himself- before grinning and looking up at Puzzles, a glint in his eye. "Alright...But can y'fight? It'd be bad if you had zero clue how to use guns or nothin'." He grabbed something from nearby, spinning it about in his hand before holding it out to Mr. Puzzles, the CRT's eyes widening as he looked down at the gun in the others hand. Honestly, Puzzles never thought he'd end up using one himself- only ever seeing them fired in action movies or...against himself by SMG4's crew. 
He stayed silent for a few moments, before chuckling and taking the gun from the other- slowly turning to look at one of the dummies that had less bullet holes and nervously aiming the gun towards it, though his form was...Not great! What? He's never even been near a gun- he wouldn't know how to handle it!!! He's not GOD.

WPNZ took notice, grumbling as he rolled his eyes and stood right next to Puzzles, his hand reaching up and grabbing the others wrists, he made sure he wasn't hurting him as he gently shifted his posture, standing behind the CRT now as he kept his hands against his arms. Eyes staying focused on the target ahead of them. 
Puzzles was struggling to keep his attention on the fact he was supposed to be shooting something though, his eyes occasionally darting back to look at WPNZ, a strange heart monitor like line on his face as he nervously chuckled. "Silly me, wrong form er.." Puzzles cleared his throat, shaking hands gripping onto the gun as he looked back at the target. WPNZ couldn't help but chuckle, narrowing his eyes as he looked up at the other. 

"Assuming y'don't know how to use this?" Puzzles went silent, before dramatically sighing and giving the other a small nod. WPNZ hummed, before gently letting go of the other, making sure he kept that specific stance, before pointing at the dummy. "Fire." The CRT's eyes widened at the sudden command, his finger sliding to the trigger as he flinched back at the sound of the bullet piercing the air, watching as it barely grazed what he was trying to hit. Cringing and setting the gun down as gently as he could- turning to stare down at his partner.
"I'm- sorry. I do not think those are really cut out for me..." He huffed, brushing his hands off on his suit as he watched the others expression shift into one of slight amusement, fighting back obvious laughter. "Right...right okay. Yeah makes sense I suppose." WPNZ chuckled, shaking his head.

Before he grinned up at the other. "Well- how about just physical fightin' then? Shouldn't be too difficult. Would be easier to train you with that anyways." WPNZ seemed rather confident in his ability to help Puzzles learn to fight, and it's not like he didn't already know how! It has just...been a while. And usually he relied heavily on his abilities to get him by, now he needed to learn to trust them less and get used to getting his hands dirty.
Puzzles huffed, before nodding, following behind WPNZ as they stepped into the more open space, WPNZ putting his arms up in front of him acting as some form of guard, tilting his head slightly. "Match how I'm stood, Boxhead. You're gonna have to learn t'block so you're prepared." Mr. Puzzles hummed, mimicking the others stance with an awkward look on his face, grumbling to himself as he watched the other snicker a bit, their height difference made this a little entertaining- but Puzzles wasn't in the mood to laugh about. He honestly wanted to get this over and done with...It was embarrassing.

It took a bit, Mainly consisting of Puzzles blocking hits (poorly) from WPNZ, wincing every now and again and almost tripping over his own feet. But he managed to block a good amount of the hits, hell he was even able to push WPNZ back at times. Though- the man eventually decided it was time to try and teach the other to attack on his own. Standing next to Puzzles once more as he gripped his wrists, bringing them up into an offensive position, making sure his fingers were tucked in a way that wouldn't break his fingers on impact. "Punchin' is a little different to blocking, y'gotta know where to hit and when, especially how to break down a block if your enemy is a coward." 
WPNZ hummed, watching as the very obviously exhausted Puzzles seemed to be taking in the info, looking down at his fists with a comically large frown, he was never one to be so...brutish with his actions. But I suppose there's a first for everything. Though he seemed to grow more nervous as the other stared at him, for some reason WPNZ eyes being focused on him was...Stressful- Which was ODD, he was supposed to be used to this- but this one man, this weapon was making him want to shrink, to hide. He was oddly clumsy.

Puzzles side as he watched WPNZ back up, bringing his arms up to block himself with a sly smirk. Yes, he was training Puzzles, but that wasn't gonna stop him from having SOME fun and getting back at the TV. He had some held back anger he himself wanted to get out, why not vent that out in a mutual training session? Though, Puzzles was clueless on his plans.
He open and closed his hand, silently telling Puzzles to attack at anytime- he was ready for whatever pathetic attempt he was about to witness.

One goal, knock WPNZ down, that was all Puzzles had to do- and honestly he was NOT confident in himself at all. Yes he was taller than WPNZ, but the living weapon was more...bulky? Harder to move, a lot like a rock. But maybe Puzzles didn't have to rely on strength, maybe smarts was his to-go here. 

He'll just have to see if it works.