Chapter One- Just a Pipsqueak
"Is everything steady?" Gene asked as he held his end of the coffee table, making sure not to bump into any surrounding furniture.
"You've asked me thirty times, Gene!" Don chuckled, the sailor carefully walking into the Mayor's apartment, his hands holding the other section of the table "Don't act like I'm just going to TOSS it in here. I have more class than that!"
"Just be careful!" the mayor huffed, scowling slightly "I don't want anything broken. If that were required, I would have just asked RALPH to do the moving for me."
Once the table was finally placed onto the floor, Gene gave the piece of furniture another look, making sure that it was lined up PERFECTLY with everything else in the room.
"Has to be symmetrical with the couch. Must not be too far from the chairs! Should it be a little closer to the television? No, no, not that close!"
Don couldn't help but chuckle as he watched Gene going around the room like some sort of bumblebee; doing this doing that, placing this here, putting that here. The little Mayor had to make sure everything was situated perfectly in the apartment. He would not settle that his home to be seen in such an disorderly state.
"Sure you don't need me to get you some measuring tape?" Don chortled "Just to be sure the thing isn't an inch too high oooor-?"
Gene was too busy with himself to hear the chatty sailor but he got back on his feet, a smile of satisfaction on his face "There! Pure perfection!"
Finally! Only Gene could make a simple move from one apartment to another last for DAYS. He had asked every single Nicelander to help him with the task but after a few hours, they soon began to realize just how adamant Gene was on making sure the entire place was set up to a T.
First Nel got fed up after she had been scolded about putting the rug too perpendicular to the outlets. Then Norwood left when Gene continued to bug him about how far the dining chairs were away from the table.
Then Lucy and Tony left.
Then Kal.
Then Carlos.
Even ROY had finally given up, Gene becoming much too compulsive even for HIM.
The entire lot of Nicelanders had gone from helper to spectators, standing on the sides and giving their commentary on what actions the tiny Mayor would make or what move would send someone else to walk out.
"Wait, wait, wait! He's pullin' out the ruler again!"
"Man, I never knew Gene was so high-strung about where a CLOCK should go…."
"Can you understand why I would rather live in a box than have this man as a ROOMMATE?"
It was Nicelander Gene. What else could they do?
Gene ignored the giggles and the smug comments, the man convincing himself that he was well justified to be so careful and precise. After all, this wasn't just any move that was taking place, It wasn't as if Gene were making more room for HIS things.
No, the extra items, the extra keepsakes….
They belonged to Mary.
It was his beloved Mary who's things were being moved into his lavish apartment and soon, so very soon….
They would be wed.
Even as he rearranged things, even as he moved thing, he still got a pleasant feeling in his heart when he would whisper those words to himself.
"We're going to be married…"
He had always fantasized about the moment, dreamed about the future he and Mary would share with each other once they were finally husband and wife. After decades of being together, through good times and bad, they were finally going to tie the knot.
It seemed like everyone in the apartments had breathed a collective sigh of relief when the event had come, though it did follow quite a few harrowing moments. It wasn't as if Niceland, or even the entire arcade, had been at peace during those many years of Gene's fidgeting and it wasn't as if he hadn't attempted to ask Mary the big question even before Turbo's return to the arcade.
Things had a way of popping up when Gene only wanted some peace, when he only wanted to talk to Mary and show her that he wasn't as big a grump as he often came out as. But when he finally asked, when she finally said yes….
It was the best moment of their lives.
Gene looked about the room, so much warmth and happiness surrounding him. Things had really changed since that fateful night during the thirtieth anniversary party. He looked over towards the side table, seeing a picture that was taken not too long ago. There was something different about this photo compared to so many from the past though. Sure, to the naked eye it wouldn't have looked any different than the first photo taken of the spryly gang when the game was plugged in so many years ago.
Put them side to side however and one could see a STARK difference.
Everyone was there; Felix and his own lovely Calhoun, Vanellope tagging along for the photo opt.
But if there was one thing everyone who saw the picture agreed upon, it was how surprised they were to see, of all people, RALPH and the NICELANDERS looking so happy to be in each other's company.
No one was left out, no one was pushed aside. The group was HAPPY to be with each other.
Not only did RALPH look happier to be with the Nicelanders but down below, two little characters held their hands together.
Mary and Gene.
Her gloved hand was gripped around his, their golden wedding bangs shining bright. Seeing the photo made Gene realize just how lucky he was but also how close he had come to losing it all.
There was no denying the truth of it all; the Nicelanders and their titular Wrecker had not been on good terms throughout those thirty long years together and it was only through Gene's own anger and hate that he had nearly caused a catastrophe to hit the game.
But everyone promised themselves that things would change.
Ralph, Felix, all the Nicelanders.
Better days were ahead and it was going to start NOW.
Don peered over, noticing that Gene had fallen silent as he looked upon the photo. The sailor couldn't help but grin, putting his arms behind his back.
"A-HEM?"
Gene turned around, seeing the joking grin on his neighbors face.
"Yes, what is it Donald?" Gene asked tartly, adjusting his tie.
"You're a lucky man, you know that?"
Gene blinked "What do mean?"
"Oh, don't hide it, private!" Don laughed richly as he walked over to the Mayor, placing a hand on his shoulder "I've been counting the days when you and Mary would finally get hitched! I'm just glad it happened in our game time!"
The little mayor scowled, his cheeks flushing red in embarrassment.
"WELL, I was only trying to keep things PROFESSIONAL." Gene sniffed "You know things back then weren't as LOOSE as they are now, Donald. Mary and I would have been seen as…well, we would have been seen as INDECENT if we performed an office-romance, especially since our backstory-!"
"Oh, get off it Genie!" Don chuckled, patting Gene a little too hard on the back "Just admit you were too shy! At least, you've covered up how shy you could be. Considering the things you've said over the years about her, it's no wonder the entire arcade KNEW how your felt and-!"
The Mayor growled angrily as he peered up at Don, the sound a clear indicator to the sailor that he had spoken a bit out of term.
Oh, Don and his mouth.
"Really, Donnie? REALLY?"
The sailor grimaced, taking a step or two back "Now, Gene. You know I didn't mean anything by that! J-Just some friendly banter, that's all!"
Gene folded his arms across his chest and tapped his foot on the floor but he took a breath in, remembering the promise he had made to himself and everyone else in the game.
He wouldn't jump the gun like he used to. He wouldn't let his anger get the better of him. And after all, he knew that Don meant the best, even if his mouth sometimes went faster than his brain.
"Friendly banter?" Gene said "Dear Donald, I believe that there is a quote that would suit your PERFECTLY at this moment."
"UH."
"Loose lips, sink ships?" the man in blue smirked much to Don's chagrin "Right, CAP'N?"
Gene always felt a sense of joy when he was able to pull jokes on the OTHERS for a chance.
Gene could see a few pixel sweat drops blinking over his friend, making the situation all the funnier.
The sailor tipped the corner of his cap down, his cheeks now flaring "Ahaha, I-I'll try to remember that next time, Genie…."
"Good boy." Gene said arrogantly, patting the sailor on the head "I knew you'd learn eventually."
The clock on the wall suddenly began to chime, the two men looking up; Ten p.m. They had worked a longer than they thought.
Even though it was late everyone in the building was too full of energy to even THINK about going to bed. There were parties to plan, games to visit! So much to do before the wedding!
"Hmmm, I'm not ready to turn in at all…" Don said, rubbing his chin and quickly thinking of something to change the subject "You feel like picking up a few burgers? My treat!"
Don already knew the answer to this. There was no way in the code void that Nicelander Gene would pass up a meal.
"Burgers? Right now?" Gene asked, attempting to act as if he had never conceived of eating at such a late hour "Er, as TEMPTING as that is Donald, I will have to decline."
"Ah-WHAAA?" Don teased "Mayor Gene? REFUSING FOOD? Are you feeling okay, private?"
"I am NOT refu-!" Gene put a hand to his temple as he caught himself "Look, I want to thank you for the offer, but I'm…I'm trying to watch my diet you know? I don't want to go overboard on indulgent foods!"
"Oh, please!" a haughty voice rang from the door "I'm surprised you didn't BOLT from the place at the offer!"
Both men turned to see Mary standing at the door, a teasing grin on her face as she looked directly at her fiancé, Gene blushing brightly and attempting to straighten his tie.
There was no one else in the arcade who could make Nicelander Gene react in such a way and even after thirty years, he just could not explain it. To anyone else, Mary was just another Nicelander, another little NPC but for those who had known her, for those who had been around her, talked with her, had been helped by her, they all knew better.
There was something special about Mary and it was that thing that was the prime force that lead Gene to love her but no matter how haughty he acted, no matter how grumpy and professional he tried to behave when she was there. She was always there to poke at his weak-spots but for all the teasing she did towards him, she was also gentle, also caring.
She had been there for him when he was at his lowest, when he had been at his worst.
All those years together, Gene had found a heart who he felt he could trust, who he felt finally understood.
A heart that he could love.
"M-Mary! Darling!" the Mayor stammered, a nervous smile on his face "*AHEM!* Y-You know that it is important that I keep myself in shape!"
"What shape?" the woman said, moving in closer to Gene, wrapping her hands around him "You mean ROUND? I think you have that covered!"
"MARY!" the Mayor snapped, pushing himself away as he faced his fiancée "Now, I'm serious! We promised ourselves that CHANGES would happen in this game and this? Well, this is part of MY promise and I would have thought that you, no, BOTH of you would have taken it a bit more seriously!"
Mary and Don looked at each other for a moment.
"Well?" huffed Gene "What is it now?"
And that was when the laughter began.
Some things never change.
The Mayor stood in the middle of the laughter, arms crossed against his chest and his cheeks puffed and blushed.
"Okay, okay. Ha ha…."
"Awww! Don't be so gwumpy, squishy face!" Mary tittered as she approached her love, kissing him sweetly on the nose "Besides, what's wrong with a little treat now and again?"
Gene softened as he looked into Mary's eyes; he just couldn't stay angry at her.
"I-I'm not being gwump-! GRUMPY as you put it…." Gene said, feeling lightheaded as Mary held him "I-I just wish that you'd two would take me more seriously, that's all."
"Dear, we're just having fun! Both Don and I meant nothing bad….mostly anyway."
"DEAR."
"So how about it, Donnie." Mary smiled "Still feel like picking up some burgers?"
"Why not?"
"Hold on for a moment, everyone. Before we go running out, we need to just-!"
"Just-!" Mary sang, turning Gene towards the door "YOU need to just get your big blueberry booty out that door n get us some snackies while I finish unpacking. Does that sound nice, dear?"
The chubby little woman fluttered her eyelashes at the Mayor, her big blue eyes sparkling; it was her killing move!
Gene looked over towards Don but the other Nicelander had his back turned towards the two, rocking on his heels as he whistled a tune. Another quick glance at Mary was enough to show the Mayor there was no turning back. But then again, WHY would he want to fight this?
The man smiled, leaning in and giving his love an Eskimo-kiss.
"Fine, darling. We'll be back soon."
The two men then made there way to Burger Time, the station still filled with people even in the late hours of the evening. If anything had changed the most in Litwak's it was how energetic the place had become in the past year but if the players were to only know the true happenings within the cords.
Gene looked up, feeling so energized and alive as he gazed open the lights of the station. Years ago, he would have never paid attention to such things, he would have just walked on by with other, heavier thoughts clouding his mind but ever since becoming engaged the Mayor just felt…freer.
He couldn't explain it but he felt better, as if so many things had been lifted off his shoulders and it was finally at last possible for the man to take the steps forward to pave, or in his case, PIXELATE the path for a new future.
"Don?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I confide in you for a moment. REALLY?"
Don coughed, the jab obvious.
"There were times when I used to hate this place…."
"Oh?"
Gene nodded "Endlessly. All the people, the way they used to mess with us. The way they used to shove us back, push us down. Years and years of it and I couldn't take it."
There were so many memories like that, so many memories that Gene wanted to forget, to push aside but so many refused to let him, to let the other Nicelanders forget.
But when he thought of Mary….
He chuckled, running his fingers through his hair.
"Now? I just want to see how many more years we have under our belt. I want to see what games we can explore, what new friends we can make!"
"Any chance to plan parties, eh?" chuckled Don "Well, you have to keep your reputation as the arcade's best party planner SOMEHOW now that little Miss Candlehead has begun to branch out."
Gene laughed "She still has a LOT to learn! Heh, I wouldn't mind taking her under my wing if she would like it."
"I'm glad you're starting to see things a lot brighter, Gene."
The man looked over, noticing the softness come upon his friend's face.
"What was that?"
"I'm just happy to see you like this." The sailor said "For the longest time, I was worried that everything in our game would be upside down. That everyone would be miserable. But…but you know me. I've always worried so much about you two."
"Who?" Gene asked, arching a brow.
"You and Mary, of course." Don continued "I wasn't joking when I said I was happy you finally decided to ask her. For once, I just wanted to see something GOOD happen to you two."
Something GOOD?
For the Nicelanders?
There were various people in Litwak's who would have thought differently.
"Ah-hah….well." Gene sniffed in arrogance "Thank you. Thank you for sticking with us for so long, Donald."
"Ey, someone's gotta keep you guys out of trouble." The sailor chuckled "This place is so busy now, it's easy to get a little mixed up!"
"Speaking of busy…." Gene said as he noticed the line filing into Burger Time "Seems to me we're not the only ones with late-night cravings."
Indeed, the little man was correct as Burger Time was abuzz with business. Everyone from Peter Pepper to his burger-ingredient helpers were working to their pixels to ensure the crowds were taken care of, the hungry lots rushing in faster than the orders could be jotted down.
"Hey, EGGY! I said we needed THREE specials tonight!" shouted Peter from the kitchen "Keep makin' mistakes like than an' tha customers will be askin' for YA on a plate!"
"'Ey, 'EY!" shouted the miffed egg maiden "I DID put three on there! S'my fault people can't count in this place? SHEESH!"
The game-diner was packed to the gills with people, the seats filled and people standing in wait for their opportunity to partake in some fine dining. For the two Nicelanders, making their way through the crowd was going to be harder than it looked as so many people TOWERED over them like skyscrapers, pushing and shoving them so tight that they felt like sardines. Gene blanched a bit as he looked up, feeling a knot twisting in his stomach and it WASN'T from his hunger.
"Urgh, this place WOULD be busy of all nights!" he groaned, trying to push his way through but it seemed that the more he fought the more lost he became in the masses, his mind making it feel like they were stretching taller and taller over both Don and himself.
Don on the other hand didn't seem too phased by the situation but of course, he was always much calmer than Gene. What he saw before him MIGHT have been cause for some annoyance but he always found a way to turn it around to make it LESS worrisome.
"Aww, ya know how this place gets when Pete comes up with a new dish!" Don said brightly "We might get lucky! He'll probably give us a taste of it!"
Gene rolled his eyes as his expectations were far from as positive; if only things were that simple and perfect.
"Come on…." The Mayor grumped, preparing to make his way through the dense group "If we don't hurry, we won't be back home until MORNING!"
"Hey, hey then!" chipped Don jokingly "If we're hear till then we'll get dibs on those breakfast burgers you enjoy!"
"DONALD."
The crush proved to be a lot tougher for the two men to get through than Gene had first feared. It was bad enough being too short but as small as they were even their voices couldn't carry up high enough.
"Hey!" called Gene "We're down here so please be careful if you don't mind!"
It was if a mouse had spoken in a room full of blaring engines; no one seemed to hear him. The continued to yammer on and on, the two small men finally able to squeeze out of the crowd into a little pocket that was large enough to stand without being pressed against any more legs.
Gene's cheeks darkened in annoyance, his hand going to his forehead "Do you people have ANY courtesy? We are here you know!"
"Gene, cool it okay?" Don said again, pulling his friend back "We're just here for some dinner, not to start a fight."
"I would never even consider doing such a thing." Gene scoffed, turning in time to get wacked in the face but a wayward purse. The Mayor rubbed his sore nose, struggling to keep his temper in check.
Don flinched at the hit but he didn't say anything in response which in this situation turned out to be a good idea. Gene let out a snort, his nose still aching a bit.
"Let's get out of here QUICKLY, shall we?"
Every few seconds Gene looked at his pocket-watch, the golden arms ticking away as the crowd inched on and on. He and Don had found their footing in the line but he was still anxious, on edge just in case someone would come up, not notice them and take their place as had happened a few times before.
"By the time we get there, it'll be time for the wedding." Gene puffed but he smiled just slightly at his own joke.
After what felt like an eternity of waiting, the two Nicelanders finally found themselves at the main counter.
"Finally!" he said, wiping his brow "Maybe now we can get some service."
Adjust tie, straighten hair.
Now he looked presentable!
Feeling as bright as a star, Gene raised a hand up to touch the bell on the counter, his tiny hands reaching up-
"Urf."
And up.
"Darn it."
And UP.
"Um, gotta a problem?" asked Don.
Gene blushed brightly but forced a smile on his face "No, no, no! I've got it!"
"Um, I could-"
Gene stood on his tip-toes but found he STILL could not reach the bell above the counter, his fingers stretching as best he could.
What an embarrassment this was. Mayor of a game but still too small to reach a bell and he was standing on his tip-toes at that!
"Blast it all….."
Gene wasn't going to let a small hitch get in his way, especially with as much as both he and Don were pushed around to even get to the counter. He hopped up again but he still missed, his fingers mere inches off from the bell.
"DARN IT!"
"Here…." Don said calmly, walking past his friend "I got this."
The Mayor watched as Don stood on his tip-toes with very little effort and-
*DING!*
Right.
Nicelander Don: The BIGGEST of the Nicelanders.
Gene hated being reminded of that little factoid.
"Yeah, who rang the bell?" asked Eggy, a little gruff from her work in the back "If this is some sorta joke, it ain't funny!"
"Ma'am, we're down here." Don waved "Sorry for the confusion."
Eggy lightened up, a playful little smirk on her face "Ah, YOU guys. Sorry that I didn't see ya lil cuties down there!"
Lil cuties?
Gene didn't know whether to be angry, embarrassed or perhaps a little bit of both. Well, it wasn't that bad of a 'compliment'. He had had WORSE before.
"So, what'll it be, shorties?" Eggy asked, preparing her menu pad "Hope I don't sound like I'm rushin' ya but there is a crowd…."
"Yes, we are very much aware of that." The Mayor said in a miffed tone "You really must find a way to keep your lines in orders. Someone could wind up CRUSHED in here."
"Gene, give the lil lady a break and just order."
"Right." Gene nodded "I would like-!"
"MOVE IT!"
"Nyaugh-!"
Before Gene even knew what had hit him his nose bumped against something, the chubby man tumbling back and falling right at Don's feet.
"Holy-!" gasped the sailor, helping the dizzy Mayor up "You okay?"
Gene shook his head, tiny stars floating above his head "Y-yes, yes. Do not worry, Donald. I just ran into…into….something…"
"Where is the service?" growled a gruff voice "C'mon! We've been waitin' for HOURS!"
"Ey, boy! Don't go shovin' our customers around!" Eggy snapped "If ya wanna order somethin' wait in line for your turn!"
"Our t-?!" said the figure "I didn't see anyone else around here! Who are ya talkin' about?!"
The two Nicelanders looked forward, the voice sounding a tad familiar to them.
"Is that-?" asked Don.
"It can't be…" grumbled Gene.
"Quasar." called a female character, giving her partner a shove "Look, babe. I know you're kinda restless tonight but don't make a scene. Everyone here is just tryin' to enjoy themselves."
Quasar and Hailey, the two former main-players from Milky-Way Mayhem.
Gene felt a shudder running down his spine at the mere sight of the large space-fighters as he knew nothing good would come from their meeting on this night or any other for that matter.
He and Quasar had held a bitter animosity towards each other since the space-fighter made it his mission to 'impress' Ralph in some sadistic manner by going after the Nicelanders constantly, the worst of it coming to a head those days before Candybug had returned. In the wake of the villain's return however, the two space-jockeys lost their home in the melee and were now residing in Niceland, something that the male of the two former mains had LOUDLY been protesting against.
"C'mon back." said Hailey "We have to get back in line."
"They can wait, Hailey." the one called Quasar growled, his finger drilling on the counter "'Sides, it's not like this place is goin' anywhere! A few more minutes for 'em won't hurt!"
"The same could be said for you!" Hailey said, slugging her partner in the arm "Or are you STILL sulking over what happened-!"
"DON'T START THIS UP AGAIN!" the man growled, loud enough that even a few people sitting down felt themselves jump out of their seats "I feel like crap as it is so don't add to it!"
"Young man!"
Quasar twitched at the voice who had called him but for a moment, he had no idea where the sound had come from.
"Yeah? What do ya want?!"
"Down here."
The space-man looked down, surprised to find the form of Nicelander Gene glaring up at him, the Mayor's arms crossed against his chest. To say the least, the larger character was NOT happy to see the pudgy figure before him. He growled, his unusually sharp teeth bared before Gene.
"Well, look what crawled out from the apartments…."
"I don't at all mean to sound rude about this but Donald and I were here before you." the Mayor replied matter-of-factly "BUT seeing as it looks to be that you are very busy tonight, why don't you go before us?"
Was Gene actually being humble or was he trying to find a way to get Quasar away from him as quickly as possible? Even Don couldn't tell at this point and he was familiar with Gene's particular brand of mannerisms.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I guess you're the THING I ran into earlier?" Quasar laughed richly "It's kinda hard to tell you guys are here when you're so underfoot."
"Well, we all make mistakes I guess." Gene replied, doing well enough to keep himself calm in the matter "No harm done in the matter."
"Aw, REALLY?" Quasar said, the mask coming off "Hmmm, maybe if I came in HARDER you guys would have flown back into the kitchen. Maybe next time."
The annoyance was starting to rise, Gene turning back towards Don to regain his place in line.
"Yes, yes. I'm certain you have MANY abilities, young man. Now if you excuse us-"
"Hay now!" the space-man said as he roughly took Gene by his shoulder "Get back here fatty. Who said you were takin' our spot?"
"O-Oh right." Grimaced Gene "Ah-HEM! If it really means that much to you, be our guest."
"Don't play innocent with me, Tubbo!" growled the space-fighter, stooping down to Gene and giving him a light shove "You guys prance an' smile an' gibber about as if you're so sweet an' so innocent! Actin' as if you're past is so clean!"
"Sir…." Gene began, fingers twitching and tempting to roll into a fist "How can I discuss this matter to you if I have NO IDEA what you are carrying on about?"
"Oh, I forgot. The Nicelander mind only last fifteen seconds right? I guess that explains WHY ya forgot how it was YOUR fault Turbo came back and YOUR fault that so many games got infected!"
Gene was aghast that the character was bringing up those events into the conversation "So ma-?! Only TWO got unplugged in the wake of that horrid event!"
"An' one of them was OURS!"
Quasar's voice echoed across the diner, all eyes turning towards both he and the Nicelander below him.
As Gene peered up at the larger character he could not only see but feel the angry seething from him, the contempt that Quasar felt towards him and his neighbors easy to spot.
What could Gene say?
What could he do?
"Young man…." Gene said, trying his best to push back any feelings of fear welling up within him "I cannot begin to imagine the pain you have gone through with the loss of your home but what I CAN tell you is that acting out in such a manner is NOT going to help."
"It was all your fault…"
The hair on the back of Gene's neck began to rise, his spine tingling.
It wasn't our fault!
"Sir, please calm down."
"You LET Turbo in."
No! No, I did not! I DID NOT!
"Look, we just want to get dinner! Is that so much to ask for?!"
"You made it EASY for him to capture you! You made it EASY for those viruses to attack EVERYONE! TO ATTACK ME!"
"Enough you guys!" Don said as he jumped in-between the two men "Look, I can tell right now that the tension here is thick enough to cut with a chainsaw but THIS is not how gentlemen carry-!"
"Butt outta of this, chum-face!" Quasar barked, shoving Don onto the floor "Don't go covering for his screw-ups!"
Seeing his friend fall, Gene rushed over to help "Donald! Are you-?!"
"Answer me, you bloated tick!" growled Quasar as he yanked Gene back.
"Quasar, stop!" called Hailey "Why are you doing this?!"
"IS EVERYTHIN' AN ACCIDENT TA YA?! IS EVERYTHIN'-!?"
"I DID NOT plan on Turbo returning! NO ONE DID!" shouted Gene, his entire face red in anger "I am so SICK of everyone pushing these accusations on us when the person who knows more about the entire thing is sitting in Hero's Duty behind BARS! If you want your answer to what he had planned, why don't you just waltz your butt right out that door, stroll down the station and ask him yourself?!"
Once again, Gene had found himself at the shallow end of the strength pool in this confrontation, Quasar lifting him off the ground.
"You and the rest of your butter-chunk friends can smile about it all you want. You guys can go about gigglin' an' scarfin' down all that pie but you know you can't cover it up. You know you can't."
Tiny legs dangled in the air in a futile attempt to reach the ground "C-Can't cover WHAT?"
"The fact that you're ALL pathetic." Quasar hissed in an oily tone "You were coded to be pathetic, the most pathetic scraps of wasted pixels in this arcade. We all know it, TURBO knew it. Why do you think he went right for you?"
The Nicelander forced an eye open, glaring at the angry alien.
"You just let it happen. You didn't even ATTEMPT ta fight back…." The man hissed "Just like you're not even making an effort now. Cause you know you can't, weakling…."
Gene was sure that the entire diner could hear his heart racing within his chest but even more frustrating than that was the feeling of helplessness he felt at that moment, making Quasar's words sting all the more.
"Put him down, Private!" Don called out. Poor Don, he was trying his best to help but even being the largest of the Nicelanders meant nothing as he was still too small.
And Quasar knew it.
Quasar reached down and picked Don up as well, keeping him some distance away "Don't worry, SAILOR. I'll get ta you next since you're so restless!"
"Donald has nothing to do with this, so leave him alone!" snarled Gene.
"Heh." smirked the man as he tossed Don onto a nearby chair "What if I talk to your GIRLFRIEND instead?"
Don saw something go off in Gene's eyes; this wasn't good.
"Don't you dare…."
"But she seems smart, she seems sensible enough. For a NICELANDER anyway." Quasar continued in his insults "Maybe I could test her out. See if she last much longer than YOU!"
Gene began to kick and thrash in Quasar's arms but his size was being used against him "I swear to PROGRAMMERS! If you put ONE! HAND! ON HER I WILL-!"
"You'll what?" The larger character purred, lips curling into such a devious smile "What is a small fry like you gonna do?"
"I'll-!"
"Pathetic little weakling."
"Stop it!"
"Useless, helpless mite."
Gene was red-hot in rage, wanting nothing more than to slam his fist right into the middle of Quasar's mugging maw but he was just so far away, just too small.
"YOU HEARD ME, STOP!"
"Overfed, insignificant twerp." Quasar continued, laughing at how angry Gene was becoming "Maybe I was wrong? Why should I get my blood pressure into a whirl over someone like YOU? You're so small, you wouldn't last a second in my game!"
"You mean the game that got unplugged?!" Gene finally managed to choke out, his anger clouding his brain to what his mouth had spouted out "You mean the game YOU couldn't save, HERO!?"
Don looked over, astonished to what he had heard, Hailey's reaction mirroring that of the Sailor.
He had gone too far.
Way too far.
And as far as Quasar felt?
He would have been hard-pressed to know what both he and Gene were sharing a common feeling in that moment, both men feeling the unwanted attention of the game prying into them but while Gene's words brought back horrible memories of the faithful night to Quasar, the space-man did have one advantage to aid in his rising anger.
His strength.
He tossed Gene onto the ground, the Mayor grunting as he bounced just slightly.
"Gene!"
The blue Mayor was regretting the very choice of uttering those words as he struggled to lift himself off the ground but he heavy thud sent him back onto his face, Quasar holding him in place with his foot on his back.
"For someone of your STATUS, you sure do talk big."
The space-man's eyes narrowed as he felt Gene continue to fight against him, trying so hard to press back.
"Gimmie a second. I'll make sure you leave a BIG MESS on the floor."
"HEY."
Everyone turned, seeing a familiar figure approaching them from the back of the kitchen.
Peter Pepper.
His face squished onto the ground, Gene could just barely make out the figure as he stood before all, arms crossed against his chest and looking not at all pleased to the brewing fight in his establishment.
"Ya know I don't like fights ta break out in my kitchen OFF HOURS." the hero-cook said, his words aimed DIRECTLY at Quasar "So would you kindly do me a favor an' remove your foot from atop my customer?"
Quasar took one look at Gene before returning his focus on Peter, that arrogant smile returning on his face.
"I didn't know you served NPCs here."
"ENOUGH!" Peter shouted "Keep this up an' you'll be BANNED! Ya hear me?!"
Quasar looked unfazed, almost humored at what he had been told but something in him, whether it was part of his conscience left or something else, told him that his energy would be better spent elsewhere. After all, even if Peter were smaller than him he was still a MAIN, someone that the space-man knew better than to
"Okay, fine. Be that way….." the former hero managed to laughed, his voice hiding back his still burning anger "I guess this guy pays for most of your bills with as much as he eats, right?"
*SWACK!*
"GAH!"
Quasar prepared himself to land his fist directly in the middle of whoever's skull had hit him but once he say Hailey GLARING at him with eyes colder than space-
"Enough."
He stopped.
"We're going home…." The female space fighter said as she gripped her boyfriend's arms roughly, pulling him with ease. Gene remained on the floor as he watched the two leave but there was something to Hailey's eyes as the two caught a glimpse of each other in those final seconds.
The female of the two looked embarrassed, unable to string together the right words in response to both Nicelanders and as such she rushed out of the establishment with Quasar tripping behind. All eyes returned upon the two small characters in front of the order window, Don on his feet but Gene still on his knees.
What HAD just happened? All he wanted to do was pick up a few burgers for the night but even in his attempts to do that he had somehow found himself stuck in the middle of chaos.
"Hey, hey. You okay?" Don asked, helping his friend back on his feet. Gene was breathing hard, trying his best to regain his composure as not to look any worse than he already did but at this point it was futile.
He could hear a few whispers, hear a few snickers. He knew people were talking about him, he knew people were laughing at him.
It was always the same.
"Gene?"
The Mayor held out a hand, using the other to shakily dust off his suit "I-I'm fine, Donald."
"Are you certain?" asked the sailor, rightfully concerned "I don't need to call Surge about this do-"
"WHAT IS SURGE GOING TO DO?!" Gene roared, turning red in the face "WHAT THE HELL IS HE GOING TO DO!?"
Don nearly landing on his rump from the Mayor's blow up "Whoa, whoa! Simmer down, Big Guy! Simmer down!"
Big Guy.
If only that name meant something in this situation.
Once more he had fallen right into the trap of a larger character and once more he had come out on the losing end. While he counted his pixels that nothing larger had risen from the confrontation it was just amazing how quickly the Mayor's mood had gone from jubilant over his upcoming wedding to downright despair and utter humiliation.
But he had to push through it. He had to.
Breathe in, breathe out; just as Mary's yoga lessons said.
There was a slight relief from that.
Not much but there was something.
"Are we next?" Gene coughed, running his fingers through his ruffled hair.
"Er, yeah…." Don nodded, his own appetite all but gone "Are you sure you don't-?"
"GOOD." The Mayor replied, not even waiting for the Sailor to finish his words. He tried to step forward, his legs shaking like jelly under him "Young lady."
Eggy once again couldn't hear nor see the Nicelanders below.
"YOUNG LADY!"
"Yikes, okay!" the character shouted, dropping her menu pad right on Gene's face with a *PAP!*.
Don took a few steps back in caution; he didn't want to get in the way of the blast zone should his friend explode.
Gene picked the pad up off the floor and handed it back to the waitress, the atmosphere couldn't have been any more awkward.
"W-What can I get ya, shorty?" Eggy smiled nervously, suddenly realizing the words she had just said "I mean, SMALL FRY! I mean-! GAH!"
Eggy slammed her head on the counter, hands pressed against her hair.
"Sorry….."
Gene could still hear the snickering, the laughing. It didn't matter how much the crowd attempted to hide the facts; they were enjoying every moment of this.
"So Gene…." Don sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose "What do you want."
Gene looked Eggy right in her eyes, placing both of his hands on his stomach.
"BURGERS. LOTS."
