Chapter 9
Tohru's Metal Madness

Percival took Tohru, Arisa, and Hanajima to the Neon Casino Zone, via a black van that he borrowed from his friends. He drove, as Tohru was in the front, as Uo and Hana were in the back.

"You have such a nice vehicle," Tohru blushed.

"Thank you. It's my wife's," Percival said, "She bought it as our all-terrain Tour Van. I did say it was an aircraft, but it's more than that. I happened to be in a band… or used to be. I'm thinking of leaving the band, soon."

"What kind of band?" Hana asked, "Are you famous?"

"Hardly. But we are a rock band, if not busy with assignments… No, uh, I mean, if not busy with time off… lazing and slacking off, and the usual fighting."

Uo asked, "How come you're so secretive?"

Percival huffed, "I cannot explain. That information is classified. I have my own worries."

Uo sighed, "Fine. Whatever… You got your worries, but we're after Chris McLean."

"Him?"

"Yes. But we cannot explain further."

He stopped the van and said, "No. Tell me. But to ask, who gave you the package?"

Tohru confessed, "It was from a Chef."

Percival said, "Chef Hatchet…"

He calmed down and said, as he drove the van, "Perhaps we shall explain it, another time. Right now, let us stop this evil carnage."

Hanajima whispered, "Another day then, Agent…"

Percival nervously tittered, as they arrived at the Neon Casino Zone. It had huge Casino chips, dice, and roulette wheels. However, the neon lights were not shining, since Dawn and B entered and destroyed the entire Zone.

"Play is suspended, due to the rampage that these robots caused," he explained, "If a Zone or Level is tampered or destroyed, then play has been postponed, until repairs are finished. However, the life meter remains active."

He stated, as they stepped out, "In Neon Casino Zone, however, all players over 21 are eligible. You three are around 16, so you'll come with me."

They went upstairs, through the red carpet walkway, which has already been smashed and shattered.

Hanajima said, "It should be closed, since the glass shards are everywhere."

"I know…" Percival said, "High-Definition screens and 3D graphics work fine… until now. Why do you think it looked like you're in a virtual casino? It's not just magic… It's about fun money and casinos."

Uo stated, "That last remark made no sense."

Percival exclaimed, "I know. I just thought of it. Anyway, according to my sensors, the two robots are near. They must be at the Neon Casino's BINGO Highway. We'll make it, if we walk down the pathway."

He insisted, "By the way, what does the robots look like? I never asked that cute dog."

"Well, we did have signs of them," Tohru said, "I found a huge footprint of a man's shoe."

Arisa said, "We confirmed, in Green Hill Zone, that two robots, male and female, have obliterated the BOSS Level."

Percival said, "Then, we are not alone. They are close-by, but we must travel downward through the BINGO Highway. Luckily, for safety, the FAIL Holes have been patched up, to avoid any certain deaths."

"FAIL Holes?" Uo inquired.

"Sometimes you lose money or a life, for leaving the course, through a FAIL Hole, marked with an "X". It's like a game of risk, like all Vegas-style games." Percival remarked.

Hanajima said, "But you said that they were sealed up."

Percival said, "Yes. I talked to the Casino supervisor, earlier, before we entered, that the courses are safe and sealed up."

He also added, "We'll be able to chase off our two robo-tweebs."

Tohru asked, "But… What if we fail?"

"Then we'll move to the next Zone, where they head off to. We won't rest, until these android assholes are stopped!"

Omusubi whispered to Tohru, "Tohru, they are near. The robots he mentioned… One of them contains a Congregated Control. I'll tell you when. I sense that they are at the entranceway in the BINGO Hallway."

Tohru gasped, "I think they already may be at the entrance!"

Uo cried, as she ran off, "I hope your right. If they are sealed up, then our robot rejects cannot get in!"

Percival called, "Don't be so sure! They're obviously recharging, or they lost a life, on purpose!"

As they ran off… meanwhile at the BINGO Hallway entrance, the robots were at the front gate. Dawn scolded at B, "Unit B! What did I say about hitting those robots, using your inventions?"

B beeped at Dawn, as Dawn understood, "I know. But we need about one more number, and we'll have a BINGO."

B beeped again, as she exclaimed, "Oh, please. What would you want with 500 rings? Personally, I want to save my currency in the Video Game World and produce a Robotnik-Brand Estate for the homeless and needy animals, captured and obtained by Eggman!"

B whirred and beeped, asking why. Dawn remarked, "Oh, please. The Eggman's chi is corrupt, but my sensors indicate that some of these animals are precious to me. I can feel it in my servos."

Percival said, "Oh? I wonder how you feel, when you are melted down into ooze."

Dawn gasped, as she growled, "THE FUZZ! ERROR! ERROR!"

B grabbed Dawn and threw her into the BINGO chute. She rolled off, as B flew into the chute. Percival chased after them.

"GET THEM!" He cried, as he, Arisa, Tohru, and Hanajima fly into the pinball game, which is a BINGO/Pinball game.

In this, originally from "Sonic Heroes", the object is to get a BINGO, in a 3x3 card, collecting numbers 1 thru 9, in a line. You get about 20 rings for a BINGO across, down, or diagonally, and a helluva lot of rings for a PERFECT BINGO.

They rolled off into the game field, hitting coins, rings, bumpers, and BINGO markers. Hanajima rolled into a 1, 2 and 4. Tohru hit a 5, and Percival hit a 7. They rolled around the BINGO field, chasing the rogue robots. Dawn hit an 8, but it didn't get her a BINGO. Arisa hit a 9, and…

BINGO!
She lined up a 2, 5, and 9. Team effort! Dawn and B made it to the end, as Percival and Tohru appeared next. Percival stood up and called, "HALT!"

Dawn snarled, "YOU! You'll never best me!"

Arisa and Hana appeared, as Percival asked, "Who are you? I want to know… Just curious."

Dawn smiled, "This is Unit B. He's called Beverly."

She spoke in a robot voice, "I am Robo-Dawn. We obey Doctor Robotnik…"

She spoke normally, "I am B's interpreter."

Arisa said, "You don't think they are responsible."

Percival nodded, "I'm afraid so."

Dawn beeped, "We come in peace. We mean you no harm. But my programming insisted on eradicating humans, like you. We only obey Eggman!"

Hanajima said, "You obey Eggman. But you said that you work for Robotnik."

Percival said, "The Bad Eggs. I should've known."

Uo gasped, "You know them?"

Percival nodded, "They are the baddest doctors in the world. However, it's weird. They go by the same mantle – Eggman. Four doctors, one voice."

Dawn whirred and beeped, "The man that has such intelligence… has a brain, with a devious chi. We've heard good things about you, Percival P. Gaynes."

Percival barked, "I don't know how you got here, or why you became robots, but you better tell me, right now… or I'll make you wish you're the ones that I don't save as paperweights!"

Tohru cringed, "He's angry. He must've hated the Eggman men…"

Dawn barked, "For a man with the IQ that does not surpass Dr. Eggman, you are very determined. For that, I shall eliminate you and your impediments… meaning the three women behind you."

Omusubi said, "I sense it. You take the big robot. I'm counting on you."

Hanajima asked, "Tohru, can you handle it?"

Tohru nodded, "I think so. I'll take Beverly-bot."

"Right," Uo said, "Hana, assist Percival."

Percival does a fighting stance and barked, "You freaks are going down!"

Dawn beeped, glowing her eyes infrared, "Then, be prepared to be exterminated. Activating laser cannons!"

She sprouted laser guns from her arms and fired red laser beams. She shot at all four of them.

"GET DOWN!" Percival cried.

Uo shouted, "AHH!"

They ducked down, avoiding the lasers. Dawn laughed robotically, as B stepped in. He huffed and signaled to the girls. Tohru, however, was prepared. She whispered, "Omusubi, what now? I can take Abobo… I don't know about B."

"Do it like Bowser! Don't try!" She cried.

Tohru shouted, "FINE! But I'll have to weaken it, first!"

She prepared to fight, as B beeped and whirred. He ran to her and grabbed her by the waist. He spun her around and threw her into Hanajima, colliding into each other. Tohru got up and shouted, "NOW, I'M MAD!"

Uo cried, "I'll help you!"

Uo started to fight B, delivering a blow to the big gut. However, B grabbed her ankles and spun her around. Dawn, however, grabbed Uo's hair and tossed her down. She was about to shoot a laser at her, but Hanajima tackled her. Percival approached B and delivered a huge Muay Thai kick to the head. B staggered down and was kneeled down. Percival smirked, "Only two people I know in this world can pull off a huge move – Sagat and Joe Higashi!"

He used a Tiger Heel Kick on B, knocking him out. Tohru ran to B and launched a right punch at B's gut.

"NOW! Congregated Control!" She screamed.

She glowed in a red aura and started to sparkle. She then consumed some of B's aura, fusing into her body. She collapsed and was out cold.

"Holy shit!" Percival gasped, "How in the world did she hit B, with one punch?"

Tohru got up and beeped in a robot voice, "HA! HA! HA! I now have your powers!"

Omusubi gasped, "WHAT? She's a robot? Uh, oh… Maybe I overlooked that one, too. Snap out of it, Tohru!"

Percival whispered, "Amazing. It's like she's Kirby, except with a cute female body."

Tohru was still human, but the way she was acting robotic was an enigma. Something must've given her a robotic personality, but what?

"Maybe I can examine her," he thought, "She seems different."

Omusubi screamed, "Onigiri! Speak to me!"

Uo and Hana fended off the Dawn robot, as she fired more lasers at her. They dodged out of the way, as Dawn laughed. Tohru approached her and spoke, "Excuse me, fellow robot, but you are hurting my friends!"

"Friends?" Dawn bellowed, "They aren't your friends! And why is your aura corrupted?"

Hanajima gasped, "No… Tohru's electric waves are distorted!"

Uotani cried, "What? What is wrong with her?"

Dawn glared at Tohru, as she shouted, "You poser! You are NOT a robot! You don't look or act robotic!"

Tohru beeped, "Negative! My power is classified!"

Dawn shouted, "YOU!"

Dawn and Tohru started to brawl, exchanging punches at each other. Uo and Hana watch on in horror, as they continued to fight.

"What'll we do?" Uo cried.

Hanajima then remembered, as she dug into her pocket, that she had that lightning bolt from back at the Mushroom Kingdom. She pulled the tab and whispered, "I'm sorry, Tohru…"

She threw it up in the air, as Hanajima grabbed both Uotani and Percival.

"HIT THE DECK!" She screamed.

BOOM! CRACK!
The lightning clapped in the air, as it struck B, Dawn, and Tohru, short-circuiting them, collapsing onto the ground. B was out cold, Dawn was twitching, and Tohru was calmly spinning in the eyes.

"Malfunction…" Dawn moaned, as she smoked profusely, "…detected. For safety procedures, this unit must shut down."

She powered down, as B was getting up. He was to pick her up, but he collapsed onto the ground. Hanajima held Tohru tight, as Omusubi whimpered, "Hanajima… Thank you."

Uo cried, "Hana, wasn't that reckless?"

Percival thought, "She sacrificed her friend… Amazing…"

Hana said to Tohru, "Tohru… Speak to me…"

Tohru weakly replied, "Ha… na… ji… ma… I… I… What is wrong… with m-?"

She froze and clicked her eyes closed. Hanajima cried in fear, "NO! WAKE UP! TOHRU! TOHRU!"

Uo gasped, "Please, no…"

Percival approached her and asked, "Miss Hanajima. May I take care of her? I know I look smart and handsome, but I have six PhDs in different scientific disciplines. Maybe I can examine her body, and see what went wrong?"

Hanajima said, "Please. Take her and fix her… despite that she is human."

Percival said, as Hana gave him Tohru, "I'll try. But I will also need these two robots, as well. You tend to Robo-Dawn and Unit B, and bring them back to the van. I'll fix Tohru up, and see what went wrong. Luckily, there's a medical hall, located in the Stardust Highway Zone, which hasn't been destroyed yet. I'll take them there and fix them. You return to the Cantina and wait. While we are at it, you go and alert the others that the crisis has been averted… for now. I'll explain further on the Dr. Eggmen, later."

Uo saluted, "Will do."

Hana saluted, "Understood."

They ran off to grab B and Dawn, while Percival cradled Tohru in his arms.

"Who are you?" He whispered.

Omusubi then spoke, "The time for me to show myself will happen later. Once we are alone, I shall meet with Tohru… personally."

Omusubi disappeared, as Percival took Tohru into the van, while Uo and Hana carried the motionless and deactivated B and Dawn with.

Hours later, Percival examined Tohru on the table, in an operating room that he entered, located in the Stardust Highway. He examined Tohru's motionless body, in which she was wearing a white shirt and panties, only for the examination. He was baffled by the results.

"Something about this girl seemed… odd…" he thought, "I sense that she has blood, bones, and other human DNA traces… but she has no robotic form. What could it be? This defies all science… Could her brain be altered, or was it something else?"

He then pondered, as he covered Tohru in a white tarp, "Oh, well. Maybe I'll have the answers, soon, from my superiors. But, I'll have to examine the robot slaves, while we're at it. I'll start with-."

BEEP! BEEP!

He then got a call from his cellphone and called, "Hello?"

He responded, "Hmm… What now? Right. I'm kind of busy, but-. But… Uh, well… Right. Son of a bitch. Okay. Give me a minute."

He left the room, to take his call. Tohru was motionless, as the room was quiet. But then, Tohru's Omusubi badge disappeared, as a female silhouette appeared from the shadows. She approached Tohru, removed the tarp from her, and awakened her. She spoke, "Tohru Honda… At last, we meet."

Tohru rose up, as a girl, with long black hair, blue eyes, and a pink scarf, wearing a Cambridge blue school uniform, approached her. She then grabbed her by the hair and shouted, "Does not compute! Does not compute! YOU ARE A STRANGER!"

She yelled out, "OW! What are you doing? Let go!"

Tohru snapped, as she pulled her hair, "You're evil!"

The girl said, "Am I?"

Tohru shouted, "DESTROY! DESTROY! I MUST DESTROY!"

She continued to scream, as the girl tried to break out of her grasp. She grabbed Tohru's shoulders and stared at her blue eyes. The girl's eyes glowed in a magenta hue and shot at her eyes, toning her down. Tohru started to feel sleepy.

"Tohru… You have to control your power," she said, "I must modify your body. Please, calm down…"

Tohru started to limp and shake. She wound down, "Error! I must… Destroy… Destroy! Des… trrrrrrr…"

She limped down and was laid out like a ragdoll.

"Honestly, that hurt. But at least I managed to control you. Maybe this'll control your inner beast… and inner robot, in this case."

The girl closed her eyes, held her arms out, and flashed a white light, over Tohru's body. She was holding her powers still.

"Forgive me, Onigiri," she said.

Tohru woke up and saw the girl, in which she recognized, in an instant.

"O-, Om-, Omusubi?" She whispered.

The girl said, "Yes. At last, we now meet. It is an honor to meet you."

Tohru asked, "Omusubi? Why are you in a human form?"

"I shall explain… For starters… I am not Omusubi."

Who IS this mysterious girl, and why did she controlled Tohru's Congregated Control, through her form of an Onigiri Badge?
The answer lies ahead in our next chapter…