When the group was inside the room, they heard loud thuds from the roof, which made them look up. "If that's who I think it is..." Michelle said, lowly, before looking at the others. "Everyone, stay close."
The group nodded as Mommy Long Legs looked around the room. "What an odd little area," she said as she looked at the machine at the center. "What does this machine even do?"
CatNap stared at the machine. "I'm not sure... though I believe I remember the Doctor talking about this contraption. I think this is the 'The Neural Mapper' he was talking about," he said.
Huggy Wuggy deadpanned at the Neural Mapper. "Lame machine," he said.
Michelle looked at the door behind the Neural Mapper. "Lame or not, activating this machine is the only way we can move forward," she said before placing her hand against her chin. "The question is... how?"
As Yarnaby walked around, he spotted a note next to the machine and opened his mouth before picking up a corner of it. Michelle looked at Yarnaby as he approached her and sat down. "Oh, you found a note," she said before petting his head. "Good boy."
Yarnaby purred a bit as Michelle grabbed part of the note, which made him open his mouth before closing it. As Michelle read the note, she was shocked. "It's an observation note on Lily," she continued.
Most of the group froze before approaching Michelle and looking at the note. "The Prototype wrote this; she was isolated for four hundred and ten days..." she said. "That would drive any person crazy, and to have the bare minimum of supplies..."
CatNap stared at the note. "Insane or not, it changed nothing to him... she was responsible for our conditioning," he said. "She didn't deserve a quick death or to join him..."
Michelle stared at the note before folding it and putting it in her left pocket. "You're going to keep that?" Doey asked.
Michelle turned to Doey. "Yeah... who knows, it might come in handy," she said before looking at the TV. "Before we touch the Neural Mapper, let's see what's on the tape first."
The group nodded before approaching the counter; Michelle picked up the tape before putting it in the player. The group looked at the TV as it booted up; soon after, they heard footsteps. "Doctor Sawyer," a male scientist said.
"I wish to see him," the Doctor said.
"O-Of course, he's—" the male scientist was cut off when a door opened, and they heard steps. "Just..."
Soon after, the group heard growling from the TV. "Ah, and here you are..." the Doctor said. "They said it was impossible, yet you— you..."
The group heard roaring coming from the TV, terrifying Michelle, and she held Doey's hand, which made him caress the back of it with his thumb. "...Defied all odds..." the Doctor continued.
The group heard music in the background, calming the monster down. To think that Boxy Boo was the first successful Bigger Body... Michelle thought.
"First of many, naturally..." the Doctor said. "You have proven my Bigger Bodies Initiative a success."
Michelle glared at the screen. "Many doors have opened today, thanks to you. Now, we need to start tailoring that appetite of yours to flesh," the Doctor continued. "Where to start... get me an update on the situation with Rowan Stoll."
The group heard a phone ringing, which shocked them. "What is that—" the Doctor stopped for a bit. "WHO IS THAT?! TURN OFF THAT CAMERA, NOW!"
The TV turned off before part of the tape came out of the player, which made Michelle grab it and pull it out. "Another useful tape," she said before holding it out to Doey. "We need all the evidence we can get to help us."
Doey nodded as he grabbed the tape before it went inside him. As Katelynn turned away, she looked at the gray disk next to one of the machines before stretching her arm and grabbing it. "What do you do?" she asked.
As the others turned to Katelynn, she placed the disk inside the slot, which lit the cable at the back before the Neural Mapper made a jingle. When the group was close to the Neural Mapper, they saw the status saying 'Ready', and the door code with six random symbols.
Michelle hummed. "Seems like the only way to get the code for the door is to go through this Neural Mapper three times," she said before looking at the machine.
The group looked at Michelle. "Are you really gonna—" Doey stopped mid-sentence when she turned to him. "Out of all of us, I'm the only one who can fit into this machine, and don't even think about splitting apart because of me. We don't know how long this machine will take..."
Doey stared at Michelle before sighing. "Fine... we'll guard the machine while you're in it," he said.
Michelle smiled. "Thank you," she said before approaching the circular platform.
When Michelle stepped on the platform, she faced the others. "Well... wish me luck," she continued.
The group nodded as Michelle looked at the lever on the left before grabbing it and pulling it down. The upper part of the Neural Mapper started lowering around Michelle until it covered the upper part of her.
When Michelle looked forward, she saw a window about the Neural Mapper before showing a digitized version of a brain in another window.
After the windows were moved to the corners, Michelle saw a loading circle before her vision brightened. Let's hope this works, she thought before the light engulfed her vision.
Soon after, Michelle saw a gray roof in a blurry vision. What... what is this place? she thought.
Michelle heard noises coming from her right. "Hey there, Sleepy Head! Rise and shine!" a female voice shouted. "It's time to meet the day!"
Michelle turned her head to the source and saw a woman with hazel eyes and brown hair being held by a light purple scrunchie, wearing a red, blue, yellow, and green striped shirt, light gray overalls, and a light pink bandana wrapped around her neck as a rooster noise was heard in the background.
Michelle stared at the screen. That woman... that must be Ms. Gracie... she thought before sitting up.
Ms. Gracie smiled. "We're all so proud of your progress, Huggy! You're going to make the friends so happy!" she shouted.
Michelle's eyes widened. Huggy?! she thought.
When Michelle looked at her hands, she saw Huggy Wuggy's hands, which made her flinch. When Michelle placed her hands against her face, she felt fur. I'm actually in Huggy Wuggy's mind, she thought before looking at her hands and grabbing her right hand. This is some twisted nightmare...
"Today we are going to play a game called Cleaning Up," Ms. Gracie said.
Michelle looked at the screen before standing up. "The friends all LOVE this game! Drop the blocks into the correct hole," Ms. Gracie continued. "And for those naughty blocks that don't match, see if you can find a place for those!"
Michelle stared at the screen. So, it's basically like a memory game; it should be simple, but knowing this company, it's probably not... she thought.
Soon after, music started playing on the TV and revealing shapes with a faded timer in the background. Blocks started falling from the roof, which made Michelle look at the ground. I have to be quick, she thought.
Michelle picked two of the twisted shapes up and looked at the recycle bin in the right corner. These shapes should go in here, she thought before placing them inside.
When the blocks stopped dropping, Michelle finished placing the twisted shapes into the bin. When Michelle looked at the screen, she saw green triangles spinning on the screen. I need the triangles, she thought before picking two of them up and reaching for the center slot.
The screen changed to yellow squares before Michelle placed the triangle inside, which electrocuted her and made her screech.
When the electricity stopped, Michelle shook her head as Ms. Gracie appeared. "Don't be a Silly Sam," she said as a cartoon version of Doey appeared beside her, slightly angry before moving her fingers into a square shape. "Does that look like a square to you?"
Michelle glared at the screen with a growl as the yellow squares appeared. You bitch... she thought.
Soon after, the screen changed to green triangles before Michelle placed the block in her hand inside the center slot. So, placing the wrong blocks electrocutes me, I'll need to avoid that, she thought before picking up a triangle and a square.
When Michelle looked at the screen, it changed to yellow squares before placing the one in her hand into the center slot, picking the other square up, and quickly placing it inside.
When the screen changed to green triangles, she placed the triangle in her hand inside it before picking the yellow squares up and looking at the screen. Now all I have to do is wait, she thought.
When the screen changed to yellow squares, Michelle quickly placed the squares in the center slot. Soon after, Ms. Gracie appeared on the screen, smiling. "Very good, Huggy! You're doing so great!" she shouted before the cartoon version of the Smiling Critters cheered.
Michelle stared at the screen. "I think someone's ready for round two!" Ms. Gracie shouted as the number two appeared beside her. "It'll be a little harder, but I believe in you, Huggy!"
Soon after, blocks started falling from the roof; Michelle picked two of the twisted shapes up. Just like the last one, she thought before putting them in the bin.
After the twisted shapes were in the bin, Michelle saw red circles on the screen before picking two of them up and quickly placing them in the slot.
When Michelle saw the yellow squares, she picked them up and quickly put them inside the slot. When Michelle picked up two circles, she looked at the screen and saw green triangles, which made her growl. Come on, you stupid machine... she thought.
Soon after, the red circles appeared on the screen, which made Michelle place them inside the slot. So, the order is yellow squares, green triangles, and red circles, she thought as she picked two yellow squares up. Hopefully, I'll have enough time to put them inside this slot.
When the yellow squares appeared on the screen, Michelle quickly placed them inside the slot before picking a square and a triangle up; she quickly placed the square in the slot before the screen changed to green triangles.
Michelle quickly picked up a triangle before putting them in the slot. As Michelle placed the blocks in the right order, she noticed she only had ten seconds left, which made her grit her teeth. Damn it, I don't have a choice, she thought before picking the triangle and circle up.
Michelle quickly put the triangle into the slot, which electrocuted her, before putting the circle in the machine, electrocuting her and making her screech.
Michelle wrapped her arms around herself and breathed heavily as Ms. Gracie appeared on the screen. "My my, aren't YOU impressive!" she shouted.
Michelle stared at the screen. "Just a little more, and you'll be exactly the kind of toy the friends need! Be the joy, Huggy!" Ms. Gracie shouted.
As the blocks from the roof started dropping, Michelle noticed the timer on the screen was thirty seconds, which made her eyes widen. All of this in thirty seconds?! she thought.
Michelle picked the twisted shapes up and placed them in the bin. As the time on the screen counted down, more blocks dropped to the ground. This is impossible! Michelle thought as she picked a star and a circle up.
The screen quickly changed the shapes as Michelle placed them into the slot, electrocuting her. Michelle's vision turned red as she kept getting electrocuted by placing the blocks in the slot. Impossible, impossible, impossible?! she thought.
Soon after, Michelle screeched before slamming her arms against the ground, scattering the blocks around the room. Michelle tried to catch her breath as Ms. Gracie appeared on the screen. "You don't have to be angry, Huggy!" she shouted.
Michelle looked at Ms. Gracie as she frowned. "Now now... let's all practice our breathing!" she shouted. "In..."
As Ms. Gracie inhaled, Michelle saw Red Smoke entering her room, which made her eyes widen. No, not the Red Smoke; anything but the Red Smoke! she thought.
"And out..." Ms. Gracie said as she exhaled before the screen turned off.
Michelle quickly approached the glass. Get me out of this room now! she thought before banging on the glass. Let me out?!
As Michelle kept banging on the glass, her vision turned gray and static-like before it became white. Soon after, the machine covering Michelle lifted before she collapsed to the ground on her hands and knees, which shocked the group, and they quickly approached her. "Are you alright, my little Misha?" Mommy Long Legs asked.
Michelle looked at the group. "Everyone... then that means..." she said as she placed her left hand against her cheek. "I'm me again... I'm me again..."
Katelynn held her hand out to Michelle, which made her look at it before grabbing it. As Katelynn helped Michelle stand up, Doey looked at her. "What did that machine do to you?" he asked.
Michelle placed her hand against her head. "It's hard to explain, but... that machine let me relive one of Huggy's memories," she said.
The group was shocked. "It all felt so real... the fur... Ms. Gracie's voice..." Michelle continued as she wrapped her arms around herself. "I could even feel the electrocution after placing the shapes in the wrong order... it was terrible..."
Huggy Wuggy frowned before approaching Michelle. When Huggy Wuggy was close, he kneeled and wrapped his arm around Michelle before pulling her into a hug. "Misha OK now..." he said, lowly, as he petted her head.
Yarnaby approached Michelle's side and lay against her, purring. Michelle stared at the duo before gently smiling and wrapping her right arm around Huggy Wuggy while petting Yarnaby's head with her free hand. "Thanks for that, buddy..." she said, lowly, which made him nod.
CatNap approached the Neural Mapper and noticed the numbers '66' on the door code. "Seems like reliving the memories is the only way for us to get that door code," he said before looking at the others. "We'll need to search this area to find the other disks."
Doey glared at CatNap. "Are you serious?! You really want Misha to go through that hell again!" he shouted.
CatNap glared at Doey. "I don't like this just as much as you do, but there's no choice in the matter," he said, which made him growl.
Huggy Wuggy let go of Michelle, and Yarnaby stepped away before she looked at the duo. "I'll be fine," she said, which made the duo look at her. "Now I know what to expect inside these disks."
Michelle looked down. "While the memories are awful, we can't stay in this place with our thumbs up our asses," she continued before looking at the group, determined. "We need to get back to the others, and if I have to go through some painful memories, I'll do it."
The group stared at Michelle before Doey sighed and placed his hand over his eyes. "As much as I would like to disagree with you, you're right in the matter," he said before looking at Michelle. "Let's just get this over with."
Michelle smiled and nodded as the group approached the door. No matter what that machine shows me, I gotta do it for them, she thought before they left the room.