Save the Factory (Poppy Playtime Reader Insert)

A Plan Begins

Your stomach grumbled for the first time in a while, and you decided to bite your fears and kick one of the vending machines, knocking some food out of one and a couple bottles of water out of the other. They all tasted disgusting from how long they'd been in there, but you were mostly sure you weren't gonna get sick from it. After taking the small snack break and stashing some more in a bag you found to carry with you, you entered the tram and pressed a button on the inside. The doors then closed as you sat down and felt the tram jerk forward before slowly beginning its journey.

A TV in one of the corners then activated as the voice of Eliot Ludwig spoke through the old speakers, and a much older Playtime Logo sat on the screen in monochromatic colors. "Hello." The recording said, "My name is Eliot Ludwig. When you look around at the world today, what one thing do you think it needs more of? I asked around, once. "Money, I never have enough." "Understanding, I can never get any." "Faith, the common man has lost it." Each answer was different... and I could perhaps see some little truth in each. But I think each was also missing something. Something simple. You see, not one of them could muster a smile."

You continued to listen as you saw the tram come out into a large cave system with a large dome in the middle. You were driven into awe as you looked onward, with the recording continuing, "A smile is hope. A smile is love. A smile is understanding. And there is nothing more gratifying to my soul than being the reason for a child's smile. To be the spark that ignites all their hopes and dreams. For it is only through hopes and dreams that we may create a better world. One where our children need not be afraid. One where they are protected. After all, this company and its toys are nothing without them. These children deserve to smile, they deserve to love, and they deserve a safe home."

The tram then entered through a hole in the dome that was shining a bright red light that led you to covering your eyes to not be blinded. "That is why it is with enormous pleasure that as the founder of Playtime Co., I announce... PLAYCARE!" Announced the recording as you opened your eyes to see the inside of the dome was a large artificial landscape where several buildings were surrounding a large centerpiece. One looked like a large tent, one appeared to be a type of school, and there was even an orphanage. It was all just like you'd designed it, remembering the job you'd been assigned to several decades prior. "Our very own on-site orphanage." Continued the recording as the tram began to snake down to a small station at the bottom, "But it's not only that. It's a school, a playhouse, a place to belong. Our very own ecosystem beneath the surface, dedicated in every inch and detail to ensuring a child's smile."

Those words struck a cord in you as you remembered all you'd found out about after coming back. You'd gotten lost in the wonder for a moment, but you shook your head to remind yourself why you were down here. "It's teachers and councilors, mothers and fathers, until such a time they have all that in you. May Playcare bring joy, inspiration, and smiles to all who enter these doors. For what gives life its meaning ,if not a smile?" With those final words, the tram came to a stop, and the door creaked open, allowing you to exit and walk down the steps and deeper into the dome.

As you walked down the steps to the main area, the phone you still had on you rang once again and you picked it up, replying, "Back so soon, Ollie?" "Yeah. Cool place, right? The kids used to live here. Now look at it..." He asked as you had a look around. "I remember drawing up some concepts for this place, so it's pretty impressive to see it off the page and right in front of me." You said as you walked down the beaten path. The lights didn't perfectly mimic sunlight, but it felt more like you were in a type of indoor amusement park.  "Anyways... do you see that statue in the middle of the room?" Ollie said as you turned to the massive centerpiece, "Take the stairs that go under it. There's a really cool room that powers literally ALL of Playcare! I can give you a key down there."

You nodded as you opened the door at the base of the statue after taking a quick look at all of the surrounding signs displaying information on the Smiling Critters. While one part of you was in awe at seeing something you helped design being made, you also had constant flashbacks to the toys that had tried to kill you before. It was a mix of wonder and unease that you only first picked up when seeing Boogie Bot for the first time. That felt like so long ago. None the less, you walked down the stairs and into the main area, with all types of machinery scattered all over the place.

You held up the phone and spoke to it like it was a walkie talkie, "Okay Ollie. I'm here. Where can I find the key?" Ollie then responded, "Just open the door to the tube, I'll send the key down now." You opened the gated door and watched as a key came sliding down on a small rail and came to a stop at the mouth of the tube. You picked it up as Ollie explained, "So you got the key... Now the question you're probably asking yourself is: Where does it go?"

"Well, there IS a label on this tag, but what on earth is a G.P.Z.?" You said as you examined the dirty tag, wiping away some slight dirt. "Well, head back out, and you should find a door just to the left of the cable car you took down here." Ollie explained as you left the employee access area and quickly spotted the door. "Got it, heading there now." You said as you walked up the stone path and stairway and past some benches and tables before reaching the door.

You placed the key into the lock and twisted, getting an odd sense of deja vu as you headed through. You were now in a set of utility tunnels that lacked the same aesthetic as the area just outside. Heading on through, you soon reached a massive chamber full of pipes, containers, and other machines. "Welcome to the Gas Production Zone, the beating heart of the whole evil Playcare system." Explained Ollie as you stepped over loose wires strewn about the floor, "All that gas you see coming from the machine is made right here in the factory. It's called 'The Red Smoke'."

"Yeah, cause that's a friendly title I'd use around children." You sarcastically said as you looked through an open window into one of the other rooms. "Right now it's all headed off to the right. WE need to make that Red Smoke go left instead. That's how we can get to him." Ollie said as you turned to the machine in the middle of the room. "Get to who? Catnap?" You asked as you began following some of the powerlines about. "No, The Prototype." Ollie said as you heard him shudder before he explained, "The machine will probably have a few dumb safeguards for you to work around, but I think you can do it."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Ollie." You replied, "And you'll have to explain this 'Prototype' thing to me later. While I'm no Rowan Stoll, I'm not half bad at tech myself. I'll see what I can do." "Thank you. I'll call you once it's done. Good luck, (Y/n)." Ollie replied as he hung up his end. Given how he'd explained the situation with the smoke, you assumed you'd want to try and avoid inhaling any of the stuff. Looking at your surroundings and seeing what you had at your disposal, you clapped your hands together as you said, "Well. Time to get to work."