Author's note: For those who haven't read the bottom of my profile page, my dog had died. It was natural, quick, and painless. I miss him dearly. *sigh*
Note to self: take a day off from school next time. Seriously, watching 'War Horse' and seeing one of the horse characters die in the movie the day after your beloved pet dies is not a good idea. Thankfully, I was in the front and nobody saw my face.
Inconspicuous
"Good morning Bumblyburg, I'm Vicki Cucumber, here to bring you the early morning news report. Local superheroes and policemen are working at a steady rate to recapture all the escaped convicts from Bumblyburg Prison from yesterday. So far, 14 escapees have been rounded up by superheroes and policemen and returned back to jail. We here at Channel One News wish them all the luck and thank you for keeping the citizens of Bumblyburg and other cities safe.
"Speaking of the citizens of Bumblyburg, today is election day for Bumblyburg's next mayor. Voting ballots will be open to the citizens of Bumblyburg all day and end at four, though they might close early due to rain clouds looming in the distance. They should arrive late afternoon, enough time to still hold today's election ceremony at our Central Park. The competition looks pretty intense between Councilman Peach and Mayor Blueberry. Due to yesterday's prison break, it looks like both candidates have gained political boosts to both their causes; seeing that Councilman Peach favors to augment security, and Mayor Blueberry states that superheroes and police officers are enough to handle any sort of threat. Whatever the case, it seems like this is going to be a close election.
"Now onto recent news: the LarryManor, the home of millionaire entrepreneur Larry The Cucumber, was burned down late during the night. It wasn't until early morning when the Fire Department received a call from an early jogger regarding the flames. After firemen arrived on the scene, it took them nearly an hour to put out the fire. Authorities are not sure how this could've happen, nor do they know how the fire was started in the first place, or how there is now a HUGE crater where the LarryManor use to be. So far, firefighters weren't able to find anybody caught in the fire, but the resident and his butler, Alfred, are missing. Stay tuned for more updates on this mysterious incident. And now back to you Jimmy…"
With a push of the remote's button, the image on the screen faded out and the TV's systems clicked off.
At the corner of Lime Street and Rick Blvd.
Nezzer's Souvenir Store
8:04 AM
Mr. Nezzer set the TV remote on the table and got off of the edge of his bed.
Checking the clock hanging on the wall and seeing that he still had an hour before opening time, Mr. Nezzer left his bedroom. Passing through his living room and kitchen, he opened a door that led had stairs going down. After locking the door to his living quarters behind him and putting the key in his jacket pocket, Mr. Nezzer proceeded to go downstairs.
At the end of the stairs was a cashier's desk and a light switch. Mr. Nezzer flicked the switch, and light illuminated the inside of his closed store. Souvenirs of all sorts were neatly arranged on the shelves and tables that were placed around the big space, ready to be sold. The room itself had a decorative appearance and a pleasant feeling of subtle charm of tranquility to it.
Making sure nobody was waiting outside the front of his store, Mr. Nezzer pushed a button underneath the cashier machine. There was a quiet hum and hiss as a secret passage opened up on the wall behind Mr. Nezzer and the cashier desk, revealing another set of stairs that led downward. Humming to himself, the zucchini entered down the stairs and pushed another button inside the passage. As he ventured down, the passage closed in the same manner of opening.
For an individual in the situation he was in, he was surprisingly calm over the matter.
(…)
"You really should go back to sleep, Master Larry." Alfred opted.
"We only need a minimum of four hours of sleep though Alfred." Larry replied as he shifted through the channels on the TV. For being underground, the reception was amazing.
"Yes, but you only slept for two."
"Well…I can sleep the other two later."
Their conversation was interrupted when they heard someone entering down into the basement lair. They both stared at the doorway for a few seconds before they saw their vigilante friend enter.
"Did yall see the news?" Mr. Nezzer asked as he entered.
"Yeah, we saw it." Larry replied as he got off the couch and turned off the TV, "It's still a little shocking though."
"A little?" Mr. Nezzer repeated, heading over to the computer mainframe on the other side of the far side of the room, "if this is what you consider a little shocker, I hate to see what your description of a big one is."
Larry and Alfred followed after him.
Even though Larry still had his LarryBoy suit on, he held the LarryBoy helmet by his side; he need not to bother with concealing his secret identity.
He and Mr. Nezzer were good friends even before Mr. Nezzer had taken up the cloak, mask, and rapier of the Masked Zucchini.
Mr. Nezzer took a seat in front of the computer system and started to log in. In the meantime, Alfred had examined the computer system that took up half of the wall.
"Thanks for letting us stay here." Larry thanked.
"Oh, anytime Larry." Mr. Nezzer assured kindly, not even looking up from the keyboard.
"What model is this?" Alfred inquired.
"An older version," Mr. Nezzer replied as he typed away on the keyboard, "it's obsolete compared to the LarryComputer or any other kind of super high tech mainframe…" He hit enter, and the main screen displayed desktop that was filled with files and installed programs. "But it gets the job done."
"How did you afford all of this?" Larry questioned, glancing around at the secret basement lair located underneath the souvenir shop, the very same one that they were in now. Mr. Nezzer stood up from his seat before he answered back.
"My three older brothers were owners of successful businesses and factories," Mr. Nezzer simply explained, "they would send me a tiny bit of their profits, and I'd just been saving up over the years."
"So, in retrospect, business runs very deep in your family?" Larry continued on questioning. Alfred had taken a seat at the computer and was already browsing.
"They all had ideas of owning big tycoon industries," Mr. Nezzer indirectly answered the cucumber's question, "I only wanted a small little store that would offer goods to people at a low price."
"I hate to interrupt, but we have pressing matters to attend to." Alfred informed, spinning the chair around to face the two. "With the LarryCave gone, along with the LarryComputer, and a superhero missing, we are at an extreme disadvantage."
Larry's heart sunk at the mentioning of what had happen only a few hours ago. Steeling himself, he put his feelings aside and continued to listen to Alfred.
"From what I saw last night, the amount of villains are too much for the current number of superheroes in Bumblyburg to handle at the moment." Alfred said.
"Maybe we should call in the Global Hero Society?" Mr. Nezzer suggested.
"As much as I would like to," Alfred said, "they can only intervene when there is too much danger for local superheroes to handle."
"And according to the news and condition of the city, Bumblyburg seems pretty much safe and under control with superheroes out on routine patrols." Larry said dryly, setting his helmet down next to the keyboard. Little did Bumblyburg know, escaped criminals weren't the only threat; there were also mercenaries apparently.
"Perhaps we should be out searching for villains instead of patrolling areas." Mr. Nezzer thought aloud, "Hunting them down instead of going around and making sure everyone is safe from them."
"I guess we could, but some of us would have to make sure Bumblyburg is safe." Larry added.
"Before we go about all this superhero arrangement," Alfred spoke up, "may I remind you of your own urgent matters, Master Larry?"
Confused, Larry opened his mouth to ask, but Alfred had already beat him to speak.
"You're publicity as Larry The Cucumber," Alfred reminded, "our home just got burned down, and as far as Bumblyburg knows, we both are missing. Not only will that cause concern to your workers at your enterprise, but also to Mayor Blueberry, whom you are sponsoring, and to others who know who you are."
Larry took a moment to take in what Alfred had said. Meanwhile, Mr. Nezzer pulled out a pocket watch from his jacket and checked the time.
"I better get up to the shop, it's just about opening time," Mr. Nezzer said as he turned to head up the stairs, leaving Larry and Alfred to decide on what to do next.
(…)
ELSEWHERE…
Fish Taco stood in the empty planning room, breathing through his rebreather and brooding over his predicament. They were just about ready to initiate the final part of his plan, but a certain setback had caused delay; and they couldn't afford anymore problems than they already had. Standing on the adjacent sides of the table were his two lieutenants of the mercenaries he had hired that believed in his cause.
Hector Scallion waited patiently, idly fidgeting with his paintball rifle. Across from him was Franco, the radish, who was staring off into space. Finally losing his patience, Franco turned to Fish Taco.
"I don't see why we can't just start early," Franco pointed out, "we could do it now and complete your plan faster." Fish Taco scoffed and looked at Franco with a frustrated glare. Franco shrugged and didn't break eye contact.
Hector could feel the tension from Fish Taco's eyes, but Franco seemed oblivious to it. Despite this, he knew that Fish Taco wouldn't lash out at his own mercenaries; it would be ill-suited and senseless.
"The whole reason we attacked that manor was to find LarryBoy; he was suppose to be there." Fish Taco explained calmly.
"I know, but he wasn't," Franco recalled, "Bad Apple was right about him living there, but we only burned down his house and destroy his cave, along with capturing that Phosphate Knight guy."
"Has he been broken yet?" Fish Taco wondered.
"Not quite yet," Hector spoke up, "he remains silent no matter what we do, and we can't get his helmet off to see his face."
"As long as we have him captured, he is of no concern." Fish Taco stated, "What is of concern, however, is that LarryBoy is still out there."
"So?" Franco dared to ask again.
"So," Fish Taco wheezed, "our plan is still susceptible to being foiled."
"You really think just one guy can do all of that?"
"From what I heard about LarryBoy…yes." Fish Taco growled in frustration, and then fell back into silence. Although it seemed wrong for him to do it, Hector decided to speak up again.
"If I wasn't mistake, sir," Hector began, "but we all know who LarryBoy is, correct?"
"If you are suggesting that we just go in and take him, that would cause too much attention and more resources than needed." Fish Taco interjected.
"Pfft, we have the resources..." Hector scoffed. A stern look from Fish Taco made him cough and get back on his main point.
"If we can't get him, then perhaps we can draw him out?" Hector thought aloud. Fish Taco merely listened.
"And how might we do that?" Franco demanded as politely as he could.
"We would need a hostage…" Hector figured out, "Someone of high importance."
"What about…" Franco said, but hesitated, "Mr. Taco Fish?"
Both Fish Taco and Hector looked at him in disbelief. Actually, Hector was showing disbelief, Fish Taco continued to listen with an unfazed expression.
"He is of high importance," Franco continued, "and he's also Councilman Peach's sponsor, so kidnapping him won't really get in the way."
Fish Taco placed his fin arms on the table and breathed through his rebreather.
"Sir?" Hector asked. Fish Taco shifted his glanced from the table, to Hector, across to Franco, and then back to the table.
"Fine," Fish Taco finally said, "we kidnap Mr. Taco Fish."
(…)
Bumblyburg Eco. Tower
12:01 PM
"Welcome back, Mr. Cucumber!"
"Thanks Phil."
"Glad to have you back sir. Do you need anything?"
"No thanks Mike."
"Nice suit boss!"
"Thanks Kurt!" Larry replied as he made his way over to the lobby elevators pass the lobby desk. When Larry entered into the main lobby, employees started to crowd around him, greeting him and making sure that he was alright.
Larry pressed the elevator button to call an elevator and only then did he realize how many employees were around him.
"Ok everyone, I know that there has been a lot of news about me lately," Larry told all of them with a smile, "but that does not mean everyone needs to stop working."
When the elevator finally arrived, the crowd of employees had filed out. Larry took the elevator to the Executive floor and started to make his way to his office. Similar to what had happen in the main lobby a minute ago, employees came over and greeted him. Doing his best to answer them all, Larry finally made his way over to his secretary's desk outside of his office.
"Mr. Cucumber," his secretary piped up as he walked by, "there was a delivery this morning; I put the package on your desk."
"Thank you." Larry said as he approached his office door.
"Oh, I let your friends into your office," the secretary added, "they are waiting for you inside."
Larry froze with tension and suspicion as he was about to open the door to his office. There had already been an attack on his house. If the bad guys knew where to find the LarryCave, surely they would have also known whose mansion they burned to the ground. Hesitantly, he turned and eyed his secretary.
"Who exactly?" Larry questioned.
"A tomato, a gourd, and Ms. Rhubarb." reported the secretary nonchalantly. At the mention of 'Ms. Rhubarb', Larry felt the tension leave him and figured out who the tomato and gourd were. Shifting the grip on his package, Larry entered his office and closed the door behind him.
(…)
INSIDE LARRY'S OFFICE…
"Man, this place has a great view!" Mr. Lunt exclaimed as he leaned on the wall-sized window that overlooked the streets and buildings of Bumblyburg, "And that's coming from a super hero with a jetpack!" Bumblyburg Eco. Tower wasn't the taller skyscraper in the city, but it was one of the few that had a great look on the beautiful and busy city below.
"I don't think you should lean on the glass..." Bob pointed out cautiously as he observed the gourd.
"And why not?" Mr. Lunt shot back, forehead and nose still pressed up against the glass, "It's not like I can't fly or anything."
"No," Bob countered, "but you're leaving smudges on the window." Confused, Mr. Lunt pulled away from the window. When the gourd withdrew from the window, he saw the he had left hazy smudge marks where he is nose and forehead were pressed against moments ago.
"Oh…my bad." Mr. Lunt apologized and started to look around for something to wipe away the smudges. Bob rolled his eyes and sat back into the leather couch perpendicular from the main desk. Across from Bob was another couch and a coffee table in between the two couches. Sitting on the other couch was a red-haired rhubarb staring at the coffee table with glazed eyes. She had said very little since they all had arrived. Despite keeping a straight face, Bob could see the concern and nervousness in the rhubarb's eyes.
"Petunia, it's gonna be alright." Bob assured calmly. Petunia glanced up from the coffee table and looked at Bob with a faint smile.
"I know…" Petunia said, managing to find her voice, "it's just that I worry-"
Before she could finish her sentence, the soft click of the door opening caught her attention and left her sentence incomplete. By the time everyone turned their heads to see who had entered the office, the guest had already stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. The 'guest' was none other than Larry himself.
"Larry!" Bob, Mr. Lunt, and Petunia said in unison.
"Hi guys." Larry greeted sheepishly.
Petunia was the first one to get up and rush over to the cucumber in a suit. Larry had only taken two steps before Petunia swamped him in a tight, embracing hug. Larry, now recovering from the sudden action, returned the hug as best as he could.
"Don't scare me like that again." Petunia whispered. Larry only smiled.
"Hey Larry, you feeling ok?" Mr. Lunt asked as they crowded around the cucumber.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Larry replied as he and Petunia relinquished their hug. He made his way over and sat at his desk, placing the package onto the desk and sitting back in his seat. Petunia, Bob, and Mr. Lunt made themselves comfy on the nearby couches.
"Junior wanted to visit with us, but he had school today and a field trip this afternoon." Mr. Lunt mentioned.
"That's ok, I'll let him know I'm alright." Larry stated.
"We heard the news this morning..." Bob spoke wearily, "we're sorry for your loss."
"Nah, don't be," Larry told his best friend, "it wasn't your fault."
"What happen?" Bob inquired. Larry inhaled and exhaled deeply; he was still trying to process all that had happen.
"From what Alfred told me, almost all the super villains that escaped Bumblyburg Prison attacked the manor last night," Larry imparted, "they were looking for me, but I was out on patrol. Instead, they ransacked the LarryManor and LarryCave; you already saw what was left on the news."
"Hold up, how did they know where the LarryCave was?" Petunia asked.
"I have no idea," Larry responded, "someone must have told them. If they had used a tracking device, the LarryComputer would have alerted Alfred."
"Speaking of which, how's Alfred?" Mr. Lunt asked.
"He's a bit more shaken up than me." Larry answered solemnly.
"Why didn't he contact you when this happen?" Bob wondered.
"Alfred said a helicopter fired missiles and destroyed all the power and communications on the rooftop."
"Wait, how did they get that kind of fire power?" Mr. Lunt demanded.
"I have no idea." Larry sighed.
"They could've stolen it." Petunia suggested.
"A helicopter, yes; but a helicopter armed with missiles? No way." Mr. Lunt declared. "Helicopters are expensive and missiles are kept locked away."
"Someone must've had access to both then…" Bob realized. It took a moment for them to piece together the subtle information and come to the same conclusion.
"There's gotta be someone coordinating all of this." Petunia opted, speaking up for everyone. Taking in her words, Larry started to process all that had happen within the last few days. Larry felt the dread fill his heart and comprehension slap his face when he came to a realization. The words of Mr. Potato Face came back to haunt him.
'All I know is that they are planning something big…'
Along with those words, Larry recalled another thing that Mr. Potato Face told him.
'A huge fish with a spiky mask.'
But who? The only fish that Larry knew was Mr. Taco Fish, and he was as down to earth as possible. Sure, he was tall, but he wore a modified glass bowl over his head…not a spiky mask.
"The LarryComputer is gone, too, right?" Bob's question interrupted Larry's thoughts. Larry recollected his thoughts to answer the question. Who knew that his suspicions could get the best of him?
"Yeah…why you ask?"
"Did Alfred clear the databanks?" Bob wondered. It would be disastrous if the villains got a hold of all the information on the LarryCave. Fortunately, and yet grimly, that was not the case, and Larry remembered their lost ally.
"Alfred managed to start the countdown…" Larry's voice began to trail off, his voice choking on the knowledge. Mr. Lunt, Petunia, and Bob waited patiently for Larry to find his voice again. Bracing himself, Larry found the ability to speak.
"And Phosphate Knight finished it." Larry stated, earning a gasp from everyone. Before he was rained with concerned questions, Larry pushed on.
"From what Alfred told me, the villains were on the brink of breaking into the LarryCave, and the memory purging had a few minutes left," Larry continued, "Phosphate Knight ordered Alfred to leave while he stayed behind to finish the count down."
Everyone fell into another thick silence. Accompanying the sadness from his lost friend, a question nagged inside Larry's brain: Did Phosphate Knight complete the count down?
"Is he…?" Petunia started to ask quietly.
"I don't know." Larry answered solemnly. His eyes drifted over to the package on his desk. Deciding that it had been placed there long enough, Larry grabbed a pair of scissors and started to open the box.
"Well, he can't be dead!" Mr. Lunt pointed out confidently, "The news said that the firemen couldn't find any bodies after the rubble was cleared."
"True," Bob said, "but that doesn't mean he got out safely."
Larry opened the box and found a laptop inside. Wondering who would have given him a free laptop, Larry took the device out of the box.
"He could have been captured." suggested Petunia.
"If that's the case, then may God be with him." Mr. Lunt solemnly said as he stared at the floor. Bob glanced over at Larry and noticed the laptop that he held.
"What'cha get Larry?" Bob asked.
"A laptop," Larry answered as he set it down and opened the screen, "I don't know who-"
"Greetings LarryBoy." a recorded voice played on the laptop. Larry jumped in his chair while the others immediately rushed to his side. A video had automatically started to play on the laptop's screen. A scallion was standing in a grey room in the video, holding a paintball gun. In a second, the four of them were watching the video.
"Oh don't worry, LarryBoy, we won't spill your identity." the scallion on the screen sneered, "There's…'no fun' in that. I have a message for you."
The scallion step-sided and revealed a hostage, and the hostage's identity shocked them all. The video showed Mr. Taco Fish tied, chained, and cuffed to a chair in the middle of the empty room. Mr. Taco Fish was beat up, covered in paint, and his taco vest was tattered. From how he looked, it seemed like that he was beat to the pulp of his scaly skin. The scallion went over and stood beside the bounded fish out of water, nudging the glass bowl over Mr. Taco Fish's head.
"Well…more like a challenge, really." the scallion in the video corrected himself. "As you can see here, we have Mr. Taco Fish."
"Let…me…go." Mr. Taco Fish strained. The scallion struck the glass bowl with the paintball gun; hard.
"If you want to see this fish-brain again, you will me us at the Eastern Sewer Pump Station at 3 PM today." the scallion demanded. Larry's eyes darted to the clock that displayed the time. He only had a few hours. "And if you even think about calling the police, I will turn this sponsor into sushi." A sudden smile crept onto the scallion's face. "Perhaps if he doesn't show up to the election, Mayor Blueberry will have an advantage…right? Actually, I might as well be doing you a favor if you don't show up! Ha!"
"This guy is crazy." Mr. Lunt remarked as they continued to watch the video on the laptop.
"So to sum it all up: Eastern Sewer Pump Station…3 PM, be there…or Mr. Taco Fish will literally become his name."
The screen turned the black and the laptop shut down, leaving the superheroes stunned. Slowly, they exchanged worried glances with each other before they all turned to Larry. A flurry of thoughts was rushing through Larry's head. The scallion expected him at three, the election ceremony was at four. If he could save Mr. Taco Fish in time, they could make it to the election ceremony. If not, then the candidates would have to do without their sponsors. Either way, Larry wasn't going to leave a helpless victim because he was his political rival.
"What's your call, LB?" Bob finally asked. Without hesitation, Larry closed the laptop and stood up from his office chair. Slowly, they all started to make their way to the door.
"You know it's gonna be a trap." Mr. Lunt pointed out.
"Which is why you're coming with me." Larry shot back with a smirk. "Petunia, tell all the other superheroes to be on the lookout. Bob, get in contact with Captain Bumble and tell him to put the Global Super League on standby. If this gets out of hand too quickly, we gotta have some back up ready."
Bob and Mr. Lunt exited the room, but Petunia stopped Larry before he exited, too.
"Larry," Petunia spoke softly, "please don't make me lose you again."
"Don't worry, you won't." Larry assured with a smile. Putting her trust in his words, Petunia exited the office with a little smile and went off to go warn the others.
When Larry exited his office, he found Mr. Lunt waiting beside his secretary's desk.
"Let's go." Larry declared, and he and Mr. Lunt were off.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Author's Note: If any sentence looks oddly structured or placed, I am sorry. There have been several updates since I had last use the FanFiction editing system.
Due to the fact that this won't be updated by then, I would like to wish all the readers in the United States of America ahead of time:
Happy Thanksgiving! One of the many holidays overlooked by the economy.
Seriously, stores were selling Christmas decorations...in October. The TV channels are being swarmed with 'Holiday' related commercials. Given there are a few Thanksgiving commercials...but they are outnumbered. Leave a review if you wish, and thanks for reading.
