A/N Sorry for the long wait, for the last couple of months I was busy with school work so I didn't have much time to update the story but I will definitely try my best to update more frequently.

Otherwise than that onwards with the story! (づ。◕‿‿◕。)づ


More Than Meets The Eye

Chapter 3-What's An SSL

"So how was your journey here?" Asked Wendy as she began walking upstairs towards her room with Toadette.

"It was actually alright I managed to get to the bus stop station on time, catch the right bus and I saw Iggy!"

"Iggy? Daddykins said that he wasn't allowed to go out anywhere today, because last time he went out somewhere he nearly got kidnapped by Princess Shroob."

Toadette had an anxious look on her face. "Well hopefully he doesn't get kidnapped anytime soon."

Wendy nodded her head in agreement. "Did he tell you where he was going by any chance?"

"He actually arrived here with me and he walked upstairs just before you came to greet me."

Wendy rolled her eyes dramatically. "He'll probably be working on one of his crazy inventions all night...again oh well it's not like I'm sleep deprived from constantly hearing him working on his inventions or anything."

Wendy opened her bedroom door and closed it behind her and Toadette. "Well enough about him. What did you need to tell me?"

Toadette took her bag and coat off and placed them next to Wendy's bed. "Well when I was on my way to the station I cut through an alleyway; to get there quickly after I got out of the alleyway there was this person in a trench coat and they were talking on a phone... something about a package."

Wendy was listening to Toadette intently. "So what happened after that?" She proclaimed.

Toadette continued to explain the events that happened whilst pacing up and down restlessly. "Well at first I didn't think much of the person, but after I boarded the bus the same person was there; they were still on the phone however this time they mentioned meeting at Soda Jungle at 9pm."

"That definitely sounds suspicious; do you know whether the person in the coat was a man or a woman... did you see their face at all?" Questioned Wendy.

Toadette shook her head. "No, I didn't see their face at all the person was wearing a hat... but the person's voice sounded irritating and squeaky."

"Hmm... I have an idea." Wendy spoke.

Toadette's face lit up. "What? What is it?"

"We should go to Soda Jungle and see if we can track down trench coat."

"I was thinking the same thing! I've always wanted to be a detective and investigate something."

"Oh, our detective names should totally be Bangles and Pink Polkadot!"

Toadette nodded. "Those names fit us perfectly, but we can't just go by ourselves we should take someone with us just in case we need backup but who should we take?"

"Hmm, well I'm not sure we should take someone with us yet. We should see how bad it is first and then if we need help we'll tell someone, because we don't want people worrying if we don't even know if the situation is serious or not." Wendy suggested.

"Well you have got a good point Wendy we don't want people worrying... oh well I suppose it couldn't hurt to go by ourselves, lets get going then."

Toadette grabbed her coat and bag. "I made sure that I brought a notepad, pen and torch; it should be easier for us to gather clues when we get to Soda Jungle. What are you going to bring?"

Wendy rushed over to her wardrobe and swung the doors open eagerly, it was crammed full of clothes, bags and many purses.

"Well before I bring anything I need a fabulous outfit, we may only be going to Soda Jungle but good fashion sense is always appreciated." Wendy searched through her wardrobe and pulled out a black skater skirt, opaque black tights and a black long sleeved top that was embellished with sparkling silver studs that formed the shape of a skull. "Now for shoes I'll just put on my studded boots and for accessories I'll change my bow to a black and white one and I'll take my backpack." Wendy proceeded to get changed into her outfit then she picked up her backpack. "Right, back to what you asked I'm going to bring my phone, my scepter, some coins and a first aid kit."

Toadette had a puzzled expression on her face. "Some coins? Why would you need money in the jungle?"

Wendy turned around to face Toadette. "Well there is always a chance that we'll have to bribe someone to give us information, all the professional detectives do that at some point in their investigation... well they do on TV! So are you ready to gather some clues?"

Toadette smiled at Wendy. "Of course I'm ready! I can't wait for our little adventure!"

The rookie detectives made their way out of the bedroom and downstairs to the main library. Kamek was sat at a small wooden desk, with what seemed like a dozen books piled up beside him.

"Why hello young ladies, what brings you to the library today?"

"Well I just came to tell you that Toadette and I have to go out somewhere." Stated Wendy.

Kamek scratched his chin pensively. "Where would you two possibly need to go at this time?"

Wendy glanced at Toadette nervously. "We can't tell you right now Kamek; but it's really important so please can you let us go?"

Kamek sighed deeply and closed the book he was about to read. "Well if it means that much to you I'll allow you to go, but please don't get hurt or I might risk getting a pay cut... err I mean stay safe and don't stay out too long."

Wendy and Toadette thanked Kamek and made their way towards the aircraft hangar. Many koopa troopas and monty moles were repairing and running checks on airships and clown cars.

Wendy walked towards her perfectly pink clown car and beckoned to Toadette. She then called out to one of the moles. "I'm signing my clown car out, remember to document it in the travel log."

"Right away princess!" The mole replied.

Wendy tossed her bag into the clown car and hopped in effortlessly.

Toadette stared at Wendy with a bemused expression on her face. "You can't expect me to just hop into the clown car easily like you... I mean I'm quite short and when you're my height it's not so straightforward to jump over something that high."

Wendy giggled. "Oh sorry Toadette, sometimes I forget that the clown car isn't the easiest vehicle to get into." Wendy reached out her hand. "Here grab my hand and I'll pull you up."

Toadette took Wendy's hand; then suddenly without a warning she was hauled into the clown car.

"Didn't the person who designed these things even think to add doors... don't you think jumping into a vehicle is a bit unnecessary?"

Wendy adjusted her bow. "Well, Iggy designed these and he builds all types of weird wacky contraptions. So, he probably didn't even consider adding doors."

With a press of a button the clown car came to life; the engine emitting an almighty roar and the propeller whizzing around frantically.

"Ready for take off?" Asked Wendy.

Toadette smiled brightly. "Of course I am. I'm always ready for an adventure."

Wendy spun the steering wheel swiftly and steered towards the aircraft hangar exit; she signalled to one of the koopa troopas to open the door. Then with a pull of a lever the clown car ascended into the starry night sky, gaining altitude rapidly.

Toadette gazed down at the numerous buildings and trees below. "Wow... everything looks so tiny from up here and the sky looks absolutely stunning!"

Wendy smiled cheerfully as she continued to steer to and fro. "I'm glad you like it, I remember the first time I flew in my clown car... I loved it, the breeze in my bow; plus the incredible views it was brilliant... and it still is!"

Toadette noticed that the ground below was no longer jagged and volcanic, but instead icy and smooth. "Are we flying over Frosted Glacier?" She asked.

Wendy sighed. "Yeah we are, it's beautiful here but I don't exactly have the most pleasant memories of this place... it's just one of the places I was beaten violently by Mario."

Toadette placed her hand on Wendy's shoulder to comfort her. "Stay strong Wendy, one day you won't have to fight the Mario bros instead you'll be able to enjoy life."

A tiny smile appeared on Wendy's face. "I'm so glad to have you as a friend, you always help me when I'm having a difficult time. You've always got my back and I just want you to know that I'll always have yours."

"Thank you Wendy I really appreciate that." Replied Toadette.

As the clown car continued to soar through the sky, the cold and crisp air became thick and stuffy in addition the sky was no longer clear and full of shimmering stars; instead a grey fluffy blanket of clouds.

Toadette looked up towards the sky briefly and inhaled deeply. "Why is it so cloudy all of a sudden and why is it so humid?"

"We've arrived at Soda Jungle now and this is the usual climate. Oh, and if you're finding it a bit difficult to breath at the moment; don't worry you'll adjust the air is normally like this here." Explained Wendy.

"Since we're here now where are you going to park the clown car?" Asked Toadette.

"Well I'm just going to park in the middle of Soda Jungle, since no matter what direction we decide to walk in, it won't be too difficult to get back." Wendy frantically began pushing buttons on the control panel. "Right, we're going to make an SSL so hold on tight."

"What's an SS...AHHHHHHH!" Toadette shut her eyes tightly. In a blink of an eye the clown car began plummeting towards the ground at a breathtaking speed, then just as quick it had come to a halt.

Wendy noticed that Toadette still had her eyes closed and giggled. "You can open your eyes now; an SSL is a sudden surprise landing."

Toadette opened her eyes reluctantly and focused directly on Wendy. "Sudden...surprise...landing! You couldn't tell me that BEFORE! My soul nearly jumped out of my body!"

Wendy continued to giggle despite her friends' dismay. "Calm down at least we still got here in one piece; besides our adventure is gonna start getting real interesting now!"


What information do you think Wendy and Toadette will discover in Soda Jungle? Will Wendy be able to use her 'professional' detective skills and will she have to bribe someone? (ღ✪v✪)。o○ I'll let you think about that and I will see you in the next chapter!