literature

TS3 Unscripted: Your Choice...

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Literature Text

It's Your Choice, Woody
Rated: K+
Genre: HurtComfort/Friendship
Pairings: WoodyBo, BuzzJessie

They were so close. Just a few more steps and they would have been out of the hailstorm of trash raining down ceaselessly upon them. The efforts even looked heroic on the Space Ranger's part, cradling Jessie as he ran to protect rather than to rescue her. But it all turned tragic. For a second's length, for the first time in Woody's life, the cowboy did not know what to do once the bulky, broken television literally crushed his best friend under its heavy weight.

His cowgirl counterpart had been tossed out of harm's way, a sacrifice on Buzz's part. Yet, she lied where she landed naught two seconds before she bounded toward the television, crying out her rescuer's name. She would've tried to lift the whole thing herself too, but Woody wouldn't let her do it alone.

When he silently rushed to heave up the boxy electronic, the others followed his example, impelled by the same worry and anxiety he felt. They combined their efforts and their wills to reach Buzz. Soon, the television was elevated just enough for them to search for the ranger. Woody got down on his hands and knees first, no longer able to wait to see the condition of his friend.

"Anyone see him?" He cried, gazing underneath frantically.

"Over here, y'all!" Slinky called from the other side, staring steadily at a green glow shining deep beneath the television. "I found him!"

The sheriff swiftly moved to where the coiled dog toy stood, not paying attention to whether or not he shoved anyone aside. Jessie quickly joined him, observing the situation just as anxiously. The cowgirl prepared to dive underneath when Woody placed a shaking hand on her shoulder.

"I'll dig him out." He commanded rather than advised. "Grab him once I bring him close enough."

He crawled under before she could retort, knowing the cowgirl's rough and tough attitude too well. The last thing he needed was for someone else to get hurt. Before the space tightened too much due to the television's tilt, Woody reached Buzz. He took a moment to examine the limp ranger, hoping he was merely unconscious. His suit did not look damaged, his helmet remained intact, and his buttons did not fritz. It was a good sign, but the sheriff was not entirely sure.

"Woody?" Jessie's restless voice called. "Did ya find him?"

"Yes, I'm getting him."

Grabbing underneath Buzz's splayed arms, Woody began to carefully, but promptly, drag his friend out. Glass debris from the broken television screen fell off the ranger's suit as he continued to tug. Before the sheriff could clear the television propped above him, though, Jessie hastily came to his aid and clutched one of the ranger's arms, pulling with much vigor. Once they were all deemed safe, the others gently set the electronic back onto the ground of trash.

The garbage truck suddenly shifted as it stopped, causing all of them to freeze and anticipate another dumpster full of trash to begin pouring on them again. When that didn't happen, Woody decided they needed to move quickly.

"To the back of the truck, like before." The sheriff directed. "Hurry."

He bent down and grabbed one of Buzz's limp arms once again as Jessie seized the other. Hoisting his upper body off the ground, the two half-carried him where the others proceeded to take cover. The ranger was heavy due to his built-in machinery and thick plastic and left them out of breath once they reached the safety of the back of the truck.

Jessie wasted no time in trying to wake the space toy.

"Buzz, are you ok?" She cried, the efforts to keep her hysterics at bay no longer significant.

The cowgirl opened Buzz's helmet and began to shake him, hoping that would startle him awake, cause him to unconsciously react, anything. Her voice became strained as she helplessly called his name, her efforts soon growing more desperate.

Woody knelt off to the side, watching the scene dismally. It almost didn't seem real; it was like a movie in a way. He never imagined it could happen, especially not to Buzz. The other toys Andy and his father once owned had been lost only to yard sales or donation drives and so forth. He had never actually witnessed the death of another toy.

Yet, the more he watched, the more nightmarish the situation seemed. This was his best friend after all. Yes, when Bo Peep was sold, he felt utterly broken and depressed and remained so up until then, but a small hope burned persistently inside him. He still had the tiny possibility of seeing the shepherdess again, no matter how unlikely it seemed. If fate favored him, he could very well come upon her porcelain figure once again.

If Buzz was dead, there would be no seeing him again, no possibility, no chance. And that frightened the cowboy.

Eventually, Jessie gave up on trying to wake the space toy and collapsed against his chest in a fit full of sobs. If her rigorous efforts hadn't done a thing, then no one else's would either. The group merely stood frozen in their spots, gazing gloomily upon the body of their comrade. They didn't know what to do except mourn silently amongst themselves, distraught at the loss of, who they considered, their co-leader.

Jessie's audible weeping expressed their emotions enough.

Woody did not know how long it had taken them all to deem their friend lost forever, but he knew their own life clocks continued to tick time away. Soon enough, they would wind up at the dump and he needed a plan to keep everyone safe. What he came up with would not go over well with everyone.

The sheriff inwardly hesitated, but incited enough courage to step forward. Ignoring everyone's stares, Woody knelt next to the sobbing cowgirl and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. She did not move.

"C'mon guys." He spoke aloud so everyone could hear him. "We need to get ready."

A pause riddled the air.

"What do you mean?" Slinky asked quietly, tilting his head.

The sheriff sighed, trying to steady his breath for the rest of his explanation. Luckily, he didn't have to say anything further.

"Don't you dare!" Jessie thrust herself onto her knees, glaring fiercely at her counterpart through the dim green glow of Buzz's suit. "Don't you dare try n' leave him!"

Woody expected that reaction from her and sighed heavily. He gazed toward Buzz's face to avoid the cowgirl's glare.

"Jess, there's not another option." He reasoned calmly albeit sullenly. "He'll weigh us down and–"

"Excuse me?" Jessie seethed, completely indignant. "He was your best friend, Woody! And now that he's–" Her voice caught abruptly, but didn't falter for longer than a second. "…h-he's just useless now? What kind of a friend are you?"

The others in their group mumbled in unison, agreeing with the cowgirl's argument and upset by the decision as well.

"We-we can't just leave him." Rex whimpered.

"He'll be destroyed at the dump!" Mrs. Potato Head cried.

"He wouldn't leave you, ya know." Mr. Potato Head griped.

"That's just cruel." Hamm added.

By that point, the reprimands had built up the ire and distress Woody had tried to keep at bay. It was just like their car ride to Sunnyside and he reminisced about where that had led them all. He let the insults fly for a bit until he had enough entirely. The volcano finally exploded.

"You think I want to leave him behind? You think I wanted any of this to happen?" Woody hollered, standing up and balling his hands into plastic fists. "He's my best friend and he still is, no matter whether he's gone or not! I would give an arm and a leg if it meant to bring him back, but I can't! Don't you think for a second that I'm not tearing myself to shreds over this decision! I don't want to leave him behind, I will never want to, but darn it, I'm not losing anyone else!"

Silence met his ears. If he could cry, he would probably be bawling through tightly closed eyes, gritted teeth. His breathing was heavy with diminishing rage. But none of that mattered to him at that moment. The faces of those who were lost, of those who still could be lost raced through his scattered mind. At that point, he wanted nothing more than to just lie down himself and await his own fate.

Surprise struck him when he felt thin, cloth arms envelop him suddenly. Opening his eyes, he found Jessie embracing him tightly, her hat ready to fall off her head. She continued to cry gently against his shoulder, willing any form of comfort to take a hold of both him and herself.

"I'm sorry, Woody." The cowgirl whispered quietly. "I-I just…"

He returned the embrace without waiting for another word, muttering a small acceptance to the apology. After a few moments, the others surrounded him as well, issuing their own apologies and regrets. The rant had the same affect on all of them and Woody made sure to acknowledge each of them in turn. Everyone began to understand everyone else's shared plight.

By the end of it all, they decided as a family to move on together. They bid Buzz goodbye, one by one, until Woody was left. He remembered their greatest moments together and thanked his friend for everything. It took all of his strength to begin to turn away.

That is, until he heard a familiar series of bleeps erupt from the space toy.
Another one-shot form my Unscripted collection. Buzz doesn't wake up as soon as he does in the garbage truck and Woody is forced to make a very difficult decision. Enjoy!
© 2011 - 2024 Elocinn
Comments5
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eene-fangirl's avatar
I almost thought you'd end it with him dying. This was amazing, Well written and very emotional.