Toadette's Story: Book 2

Chapter 88 - Capturing 9-Volt

“Now what?” Toadette asked, removing the battery from the burner phone and snapping it in half.

“All that’s around Neon Heights is an endless desert. That boy isn’t going anywhere.”

“But how do we find him? So long as he’s not stupid, he knows we’re after him now.”

Toad kept a smile on his face, simply staring at Toadette.

“Real helpful,” she groaned.

“Relax. Do you know where we are?” He pulled her onto a crowded sidewalk. “There’s not a millisecond that goes by without gossip going around.”

Toadette was scanning the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of the boy and hurry things along. Even a sliver of a chance of missing him would be too much for her. Yet Toad strolled through the vibrant streets as calm as ever. To the people around them, he seemed like a tour guide leading the most paranoid tourist.

But he knew deep down that this plan was a long shot. While getting info on where people saw the boy headed would be possible, locating him at the moment would be much harder. Especially if 9-Volt was actively staying out of sight.

They’d have to draw him out. But it wasn’t as if they knew who worked for Wario.

Impersonating Kat and Ana would have been impossible. And then the mystery girl Mona, whose name remained unknown to the Toads, was far too tall.

Toad let out a sigh. “Wanna grab a drink while we’re out?”

“And lose my focus when I need it the most?”

“You were pretty alert at that festival despite being wasted as hell.”

So passed another day of Toadette being reminded of that dreadful night. At most the Red Essence gave her courage when the situation became dire, but this situation with 9-Volt wasn’t urgent enough to give her the same boost. Her life would need to be endangered right here and now.

“Oh well,” Toad said, sidestepping towards a pub. “That’s a you problem. It’ll take a barrel of the stuff to make me lose any sense of perception.”

“If you’re anything like me, you probably get tipsy just from a single bottle’s worth.”

“I’m not you, though. I’m better.”

“Barely.” Toadette pushed him aside. “Just because you act tough doesn’t mean you are.”

In that instant Toad yanked Toadette into the pub, immediately pulling up a stool and slapping his hand on the bar. His face was scrunched up.

“I want some Chuckya Vodka in the biggest, dirtiest glass you’ve got!”

Toadette gasped as Toad summoned everyone’s eyes onto the pair of foreigners. They still had on their all-black costumes, only intensifying the contrast between the more professionally dressed bargoers. This was no low-down bar but one of class, evidenced by the suits worn that had to cost in the tens of thousands.

The bartender, a Snifit with a pastel pink tunic, moved its nozzle-shaped mouth. “Chuckya Vodka?”

“Did I stutter?” Toad shot back.

“I think you did,” Toadette said, grabbing his shoulder. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Oi, start making that drink already!”

“You’ve got a death wish, boy,” said one bargoer, burping. “Just a pint of that stuff sent me to the hospital. They spent weeks trying to save my liver.”

Hearing this made Toadette’s grip tighter. She continued to tug on Toad, but she might as well have been trying to move a boulder. He eventually let out a deep sigh, glaring at her.

“If you tug on me one more time, woman, I will backhand you.”

“I dare you.”

Toadette let out a shriek as she hit the ground. Just as she did, a large glass was pushed before Toad.

The drink was served in a two-litre stein. Despite being crystal clear, the sheer smell of alcohol that oozed from it suffocated Toadette. It was as if she was constantly inhaling cleaner particles. Whatever percentage of alcohol this Chuckya Vodka contained couldn’t have been lower than eighty percent.

Toad cracked his knuckles, observing the bargoers with a smug smirk.

“Bottoms up,” he yelled. He threw his head back and started to gulp down the sharply bitter alcohol.

“Chug, chug, chug!” The patrons began clinking their glasses on the tables in a melody. “Chug, chug, chug!”

Throw up, throw up, throw up, thought Toadette, rubbing her pained cheek.

Eventually Toad slammed the glass down and applauded for himself. His applause was met with that of the rest of the patrons, who went from sounding professional to sounding like the hooligans one would expect in a pub. Only Toadette kept her silence, her nails digging into her palms. Why hadn’t she jumped in and knocked the glass out his hand? Why had she allowed him to just humiliate her like that?’

“Heh.” Toad spun to the bartender, sliding coins over the counter. “I kinda want another.”

“Absolutely not!” Toadette jumped to her feet. “Have you forgotten what we’re supposed to be doing right now?”

“You mean having a good time, idiot?” Toad flicked her nose and waltzed towards the group of patrons. “I tell you, it’s always the wife trying to keep a man from being a man.”

Toadette scoffed. Don’t you dare call me a wife after that slap!

Toad continued. “I just got to this city, and I’m hearing about some shit with a fight out in some geek convention. The hell is that about?”

“Indeed, a comic event being held at 146 Nova Road,” a Koopa man explained. “Was only on the news for a brief moment before all the cameras cut off, but there were these youngsters going at it.”

“They must be magic, for that place was crawling with cops, and yet there’s still not a single trace of them,” another Snifit added, scratching his head.

“Ah, I beg to differ. The little boy with the helmet passed by not too long ago. In a hurry.”

Toad’s eyes widened. “Where would he be going? Doesn’t look like he’s from here.”

“If he’s on the run, I’d wager he’s waiting for transportation to start back up so he can flee the city,” the Koopa said. “They say he was in the direction of NHS Airport.”

“Yeah, it’s not as if they’ll remember his face once he removes the helmet, after all.” The Snifit drank. “Kids these days, I swear.”

Toad smiled. “If he even has a mother to go home to, I bet she’ll be pissed.”

After some more small talk, Toad dragged his “wife” out of the pub, and the two burst out bickering like the couple they were.

“You wanna look inconspicuous, and here you are, yelling at me,” Toad said.

“You don’t care in the least how embarrassing that was for me?” Toadette’s face became redder. “Insult me in private all you want, but you made me look like a naggy killjoy there!”

“Well you were killing my vibe,” he said. “And I killed two birds with one stone. Proved I’m way more competent at drinking than you are, and I got us the information we needed. The least you could do is thank me.”

Toadette chuckled. “Yeah, totally. Thank you, Toad, for fucking slapping me in a bar!”

“They’re not gonna remember us anyways.”

“But I’m gonna remember that always!” Toadette wiped her eye. “If that’s how you would treat a wife sober, I’d hate to see how you’d treat one drunk.”

“Last time I checked, I’m the captain here. You might know how to defend yourself in a fight, but I’ve got you beat in everything. Know your place, dummy.”

Toadette growled.

“Heh. Keep that anger for when we find him. He might be as unpredictable as those…”

“Those what?”

Toad froze for a few seconds before stumbling back. He then shook his head, gasping.

“Wow… Okay, are we going to look for him tonight or tomorrow morning?”

“Why would we go tomorrow?” Toadette asked, rolling her eyes. “The vodka’s already eaten your brain.”

“It’s given me the strength to knock this brat out in one hit. We can grab the star easily after that.” Toad let out a sigh before straightening his posture. “Okay, to NHS.”

***

Minh was surrounded by four empty cans of soda, feeling the tiniest stress leave her body when the liquid stung her throat.

She wasn’t used to the lack of high-quality food in hotels after a month of being in Mushroom City’s grand Mushroom Kingdom Hotel, but the oriental take-out was enough to satisfy her large appetite. She barely stopped to breathe, forcing spoonfuls of yellow rice and orange chicken down her gullet. It was comforting.

Yet every time she looked at her little cousin or the princess’ daughter, the stress returned to her in the form of a lump in her throat.

Her fingers twitched every time it sounded like somebody was knocking on her door. All she needed was one aggressive knock, and the girls she was protecting would be busted. Even if they deserved it, she couldn’t risk Peach’s daughter being in a jail cell.

Jasmin and Penelope hadn’t shared a single word since the incident. After having showered, they lay in separate beds. Jasmin just pretended to sleep while Penelope played on her DSi.

Minh wasn’t Penelope’s proper guardian, but she knew she had to talk with Jasmin.

“Jazz, come here.” She pointed to the empty chair at the small table.

“Do we really need to do this now?”

“You don’t want Penelope listening in?” Minh transitioned into her native tongue. “And yes, right now.”

With a sigh, Jasmin moved out the bed. She now only stared at the table’s wooden surface.

“Why?” Minh asked.

“My loving sister wouldn’t take me to this convention I’d long asked to go to. That help?”

“Sofi likely refused because she literally couldn’t take you.”

“She could’ve. But nope, it’d have been way too expensive.”

“Expensive?” Minh raised a brow. “We got to this city on my own money. It ain’t cheap, but it also ain’t bankrupting.”

“I’d still miss school for it, and you know how she gets about that,” Jasmin groaned.

“Jazz, you nearly got yourself arrested and/or killed. For a convention? If Sofi really had issues with you going, you should’ve just called me.”

“Did you miss the school part?”

“As if your attendance isn’t already imperfect,” Minh scoffed. “Sofi has the degree, but who’s been winning tough arguments for years? Regardless, you know how we get when you run away.”

Jasmin formed fists, grinding her teeth against each other. “I knew I was fine!”

“I didn’t!” Minh’s voice startled Jasmin. “I wasn’t thinking, ‘Oh, Jazz is probably at a convention’. I was thinking she was running away with no intention of ever coming home. Or worse.”

Jasmin burrowed her head into her own arms, sniffling. Minh would wait as long as she needed to for the girl to finish crying, even if it lasted many minutes. Jasmin’s eyes were red, and her breathing was choked.

“I’m just a problem child,” she sobbed. “I should’ve never been born.”

“What is going on at home that I don’t know about?” Minh asked.

“Nothing.”

“That’s hard to believe. Jazz, I love you, you know that.” Just saying those words made Jasmin’s reaction stronger, and she pushed herself into Minh’s body. Minh hugged her. “But I can’t do a single thing if you won’t be honest with me.”

With Jasmin’s refusal to answer, Minh was back at square one. She still pondered why Sofia wouldn’t take Jasmin to the convention for reasons of expense. After all, didn’t they already live in one of the richest places? Sofia had enough money to drop on clothes and makeup, but not enough to take another flight? And moreover, why wouldn’t Sofia have even asked Minh to help?

So many questions, but they couldn’t be answered. Not tonight.

“Do I really have to go home?” Jasmin asked.

“You know you do.”

“Can you at least come with me?”

“Not like I got a choice,” Minh said, standing up and speaking English again. “Now, I’m going to shower. You two keep those windows closed and don’t take a foot outside. Anybody seeing you right now is dangerous. Understood?”

Jasmin nodded.

“Say it out loud.”

“Yes, Minh-Minh.” “I hear you, Miss Minh T.”

Minh breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps the night could go smoothly, especially if Toad and Toadette succeeded in collecting the yellow Ethereal Star.

She locked herself in the bathroom, turning on the shower water.

The second Jasmin heard that, she tapped on Penelope’s shoulder.

“Let’s go!”

“What?” Penelope raised an eyebrow. She jumped when Jasmin chucked her DSi aside. “Hey!”

“You wanted that star, right? Well why don’t we go snatch it up?”

“Miss Toadette and Captain Toad are already on that. And plus, Miss Minh T. just told us to not step outside. We can still be arrested.”

Jasmin pouted. “This is the most free we’ve ever felt. Don’t you wanna keep that feeling alive, at least for the rest of the night?”

Penelope shook her head. “I wanna stay not in trouble.”

“I’m leaving. I wanna bash that boy’s face in for humiliating me like that.”

Jasmin checked Minh’s phone. She was going to call Toadette pretending to be Minh, but lo and behold, there was a message on her lock screen. From Captain Toad, it said, “We will be around NHS Airport, if you don’t hear from us.” Jasmin smiled, throwing on her shoes and beginning to push the flimsy motel bed against the bathroom door, which sat in a small alcove where the bed prevented it from even budging.

Penelope waited for Jasmin to simply give up. But the darker girl was already heading out the door.

“Wait.”

It was with a heavy heart that Penelope scribbled a note together for Minh.

I’m so sorry, Miss Minh T. Please know that I tried to tell Jazz to stop, but since she wants to fight this boy so badly, at least I can try to keep her safe.

Jasmin dragged a disturbed Penelope out the motel, shrugging.

“Don’t be sad. Minh-Minh’s gonna be happy when she sees we’ve got the star faster than her friends.”

“She cares about you so much.”

“I know.” Jasmin looked down. “I ain’t doing this to hurt her. I’m doing this for me.”

Which still hurts other people, Penelope wanted to say.

***

9-Volt was crouched behind a stack of tyres, watching from a long distance the police and fire department as they searched NHS Airport. He shivered, trying his hardest to stay still and keep warm.

“Hurry it up,” he muttered. “I know there’s no bomb there.”

As tempted as he was to call somebody to pick him up, Diamond City was so far that it’d be a futile effort. His gaze fell on the Ethereal Star tucked in his bag.

“That girl shouldn’t have even known about this star. Unless she’s connected to the ones Mona ran into.”

“If this Mona is the one who fought us in a volcano, you’d be correct.”

9-Volt spun upon hearing that voice. Toadette stood in plain sight, with her hands curled into fists. He then heard a noise behind him and turned to see Toad, who had his hand on his pocketknife.

What little fear that had filled 9-Volt quickly dissipated.

“That bomb threat was very smart; I’ll give you that.” He dug into his bag. “But you know I can’t just give you the star.”

“This can go easy or hard. Don’t choose the hard option like your ninja friends,” Toadette said, readying to pounce on him.

She and Toad expected 9-Volt to pull out some kind of weapon. Instead he pulled out…a video game machine? It was some red device with black legs awkwardly dangling. The shock caused Toadette to drop her guard, though Toad grew even more suspicious.

“You’re challenging us to a video game match?” He smirked. “You might wanna sit this one out, Toadette. Let the boys handle this.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t force you to use this,” 9-Volt replied, removing his big helmet and strapping the device to his head. He grabbed the controller. “A weakling like you would get headaches in minutes. Me, on the other hand…”

A small dinging sound was heard, followed by the sound of something charging up.

Toadette yelped as something struck her midsection. It was a red laser, one that let more than just a little sting. Her eyes widened and her breath hastened as she saw 9-Volt’s grin stretch.

“What was that?” Toad asked.

“The power of an unleashed Virtual Boy,” 9-Volt proudly declared. “Wait until I show you all the rad features on this classic!”

Toadette rushed to deliver a kick to 9-Volt.

The second she did, she felt a laser zap her in her knee. All she could do was curse as she went back into hiding through the piles of tyres and trash.

“It’s useless,” the boy taunted. “The only two colours on this thing are red and black, and any person is gonna be red by default.”

Great. So he’s got a type of thermal version.

Whilst Toadette hid herself, Toad took a more direct approach to dealing with 9-Volt. He swung at him with his pocketknife, aiming for the boy’s arm. He missed once, he missed twice, but the third time landed. 9-Volt instantly used his controller to strike Toad in the chin, then he hit a few buttons.

Toad found himself shoved back several metres by what felt like a giant explosion. Now he was left just as stunned as Toadette.

“Thought I was lying about all these features?” 9-Volt giggled, creating a red wireframed rocket.

“That’s impossible!” Toad gasped.

“Ah, if only Nintendo realised the raw potential of this machine.” With the press of a button, 9-Volt sent the rocket to Toad once more. This time Toad blocked the explosion, though he still was sent tumbling a lengthy distance.

It packs a punch, but it’s nothing like getting hit by real ammunition. Still, if he wears us down, that just gives him another chance to escape, he thought.

“Take this!” Toadette came from behind, kicking 9-Volt in the back of his head.

The boy fell forward, and Toadette immediately put her foot on his back. She applied as much pressure as she could, waiting for him to start begging for mercy. Yet as soon as she saw his right hand aiming to hit a button on the controller, she stomped on it.

“Thank you,” 9-Volt said.

A blast sent Toadette spinning into Toad, with their caps colliding. 9-Volt dusted himself off, his curvy smile as strong as ever.

Toadette took a deep breath. “Well, well, I didn’t expect this.”

“Son of a…” Toad started to sway as he rose. “He’s just toying with us.”

“It’s just a matter of hitting him right.”

“Sure… Sure, Toadette…”

“Why are you talking like that?”

“I’m talking normal… What are you talking about? Come on.”

Toadette suddenly noticed his eyes, especially how his pupils weren’t adjusting to the light around them. She let out a bitter snarl.

“Idiot. I told you that that drink would mess you up.”

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Author’s Note:
Having drank alcohol for the first time since childhood, I don’t know how people can stomach it. It burns the hell out of my throat!