Chapter Eleven – Burnt

"How was your day?" Mary said as she went behind Gene, putting her arms around him. The chubby mayor blushed deeply, still finding the amount of attention Mary was giving him both wonderful yet still strangely new to him. The woman hadn't been so close to the man since….

Well, since the game was first plugged in.

Maybe it was the near out of order that brought her back or how it seemed that things were starting to calm down in the game that did it but Gene, despite his proper air, despite his attempts to flash himself as the prim and posh man he was, he felt as nothing but Mary's little toy whenever she found herself alone with him. Granted though, it wasn't as if Gene DIDN'T enjoy this.

If only the others knew what Mary was like behind closed-doors.

"D-dear, control yourself." Gene grunted, taking her hands gently but she pulled them away, quickly putting them back on his sides "We still have things to do, you know that. Business to take care of, plans to make. We can't dawdle."

Gene felt Mary's lips brushing against his cheeks. She wasn't stopping now.

"What do we have to do?" she whispered, kissing his chubby face sweetly "Chu, chu, chu. I didn't know you scheduled times to grump about."

The Mayor's entire body was now red in embarrassment, tuffs of pixelated clouds popping over his head. He growled but Mary held him like a vice, escape impossible no matter what he tried.

"I-I-!" the man stammered "It's Friday! The day we're to hold the NPC Support group, you know that!"

"I know….." the woman in pinked cooed, resting her head upon the man's shoulder "But we have an hour. One hour."

The Mayor gulped; Mary's hold was stronger than Ralph's!

"H-Honey?"

"Yes?"

Gene looked about, struggling to find his words "Is this what you really want?"

Mary blinked, Gene finally able to wriggle himself free to face her "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is…." Gene began. He stopped, looking down at his feet as a heavy thought crossed his mind "Darling?"

Mary smiled "Yes, Blueberry?"

"I care for you…your well-being. You know that?"

"That I do." The pie-maker nodded "And?"

"And? And despite that, I haven't done much to bring any ease to your life."

"Goodness Gene!" Mary huffed, forcing the man to turn around "What is this all about? Can you not take a hug without turning it into something so negative? You sound like ROY of all people!"

The little Mayor scrunched up his face in annoyance, crossing his arms in a pout.

"I am NOT like Roy."

"Then why the act?"

"It is NOT an act either." The man grumped "I really do feel this concern over everyone here."

"Sweetie…." Mary said, taking Gene's chubby cheeks into her hands and squishing them playfully "C'mon, just tell me what's wrong."

"Mary….am I really what you want? Or NEED for that matter?"

"What a silly thing to ask." The woman said, her voice teasing the man. She patted his head "Of COURSE I want and need a giant blueberry like you!"

Again with the blueberry comments….

"DEAR."

"Mmmm, you're just so sweet n' squishy to kiss!" she giggled, wrapping her arms tight around the Mayor. Gene let out a little squeal, losing his balance as he fell back onto the ground.

"OOF!"

Gene's Nicelander frame bounced slightly as he hit the floor, Mary still laying atop him in glee. She nuzzled him, wrapping herself even closer around him which only served to make Gene feel even more awkward than before.

"M-Mary, please!" he coughed, arms flailing "Th-this is most unbecoming for BOTH of us!"

The woman gave the man a sultry look as she looked into his eyes "Oh, trapped?"

"Y-Yes! Mary, this isn't funny! I-I can't get up! REALLY, I can't!"

"Oh, stop squealing." The woman chortled, putting her fingers upon his lips "Don't think I don't know. Don't think I don't know this is what you wanted."

"What I wanted-?!"

"A night alone with me on a Friday night such as this…" the woman snickered "Just the twooo of us. In the apartments. With no Wrecker or Repairman around…."

The man was turning even redder, his eyes shut tight as eight-bit puffs of steam were popping from atop his head.

"You were programmed to torture me. You were, weren't you?"

"Maaaaybe…."

Gene's brows furrowed, his hands reaching up to take Mary's "D-do you think of me to behave in such a crass manner? What type of gentleman would even SUGGEST or THINK in such a wa-!"

"You're lying."

"Don't play with me like this." He said, his voice surprisingly gruff "Don't you DARE play with me."

"I'm not playing…." Mary said tartly "I'm just giving you the thing you've always wanted."

"H-How do you know what I want?" Gene pouted "There are still certain things I have not told about myself, even to you!"

"What more could a chubby, little runt like you want?" the pie-maker smiled as she tapped Gene hard on his forehead "There are only two desires in that mind of yours! Food and s-!"

"MARY!"

"You don't think I've forgotten the last time? Don't tell me YOU have."

"I-I would never do that to you…." Gene meeped sheepishly "I would never be that cold."

The smile that was on Mary's face seemed to fade a bit, as if she were hit with something from within.

Sorrow? Guilt?

Gene found himself drawn in as he watched the sadness come over her.

"Dear, what's wrong?"

"I just keep thinking about everything that's happened. I don't want to let things hold us back anymore." she replied, her eyes closing as she rested atop the man "We've always waited. We've always let others scare us."

His reaction was slow at first but the man moved his arms around, embracing the woman in a hug. It was a little weak at first but the more her words ran through his brain the more he realized how much he wanted the exact same as she did. He clutched her tightly against his frame.

"Cheeky." He snorted, though it was obvious he was covering "Behaving like this and for what?"

"Don't try to act as if you're so big." the woman said, kissing Gene on the cheek "Acting all hoity-toity."

"I have to."

"I know the real you, greedy."

"And I know the real YOU, brat. Now help me up."

"What if I don't want to?" Mary sniffed, looking away.

"Dear…."

"Oh, FINE." Mary moaned, getting off the man but rather than pulling him back onto his feet, she simply SHOVED him over on his stomach, the man crying out as his face hit the floor.

"GAH! I KNEW it! I KNEW you were going to do something like that, you big pink brat!"

"Then why didn't you stop me?" Mary snickered, pinching Gene on his sides.

"I am a GROWN MAN. Not your personal PLAYTHING."

"Awww, is the big blueberry upset?" the woman teased, poking Gene on his nose "Chubby-wubby widdle Mayor? Squishy-cheeked baby ma-AAAAAUGH!"

"GOTCHA!"

Mary was far too entertained by her teasing of the Mayor she didn't watch as he slinked close to her, turning the tables as he had grabbed her. He held her tight, mustache tickling against her cheeks but there was no struggle, no fighting. Mary was now laughing brightly as the Mayor kissed her playfully.

They had an hour.

"See, this is the Gene I love to see." The woman said as she wrapped her arms around him, planting another kiss upon a lips "You're so adorable when you smile."

Adorable?

Gene cleared his throat, trying to avert his eyes away from Mary and hoping that she did not notice his blushing cheeks.

"You know I don't like being called adorable. Why do you insist on calling me that?"

"Stop it." Mary said "Just stop it. You put on this act, as if you think any compliment is an insult towards you!"

"It's not like that and you know it."

"Then why are you pushing away? Why are you pushing ME away?"

"I am not…." The mayor said as he pulled Mary closer, kissing her gently "I just want…"

"What DO you want?" Mary asked, Gene feeling a strange sense as he heard those words.

Hadn't he asked someone else that exact same question?

"I-I just want…."

Mary looked right into Gene's eyes, the man feeling no escape.

"Yes?"

"I-I want-!"

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!*

The two Nicelanders gasped, the loud knocking on the door nearly making them jump.

"Oh my!" gasped Mary, clamping her hands over mouth as she heard how loud she was. Gene was just as embarrassed, looking at the door and looking down at Mary.

Yeah, had anyone taking one glance at both they would have known SOMETHING, or someone, was about to go down.

"W-Who is it?" Gene faltered, his voice cracking.

"It's Felix!" a familiar voice sang from the other side "Just wanted to remind ya about tha meetin'!"

Was THAT all Felix wanted? It wasn't as if either Nicelander had forgotten. Gene growled though he tried his best not to sound too angered towards the game's hero.

"I am AWARE of the NPC meeting." The man said, his tone a little harsh "We have PLENTY of time before-!"

"No, no, no!" said Felix, still behind the door, still wondering WHY he hadn't been let in "You're supposed ta bake with Vanellope an' Ralph AFTER that, remember?"

"Vanellope and Ralph?"

VANELLOPE AND RALPH!

"Aw, GHOST!"

The man shot to his feet as if a pin had been stuck in his seat, rushing to the calendar on the wall. Yup, it was there plain as day, circled and highlighted. The mayor smacked his forehead; how could he be so forgetful?

"The things that slip my mind-!"

On the other side of the door, Felix leaned on the wall, his hammer twirling in his fingers.

"Heh, knew you'd do that….." he chuckled to himself "Everything okay in there?"

Back inside, Gene gave Mary a trapped look. She shook her head quickly, rushing into the man's room.

"AH! Y-Yes, things are GREAT!" Gene coughed, trying his best to straighten up his attire. He knew he looked a mess but with the way he was going about he would rather look a little wrinkled then caught with his hands about to go in the cookie jar.

"FELIX!" Gene panted as he threw open the door, a huge smile plastered on his face.

"Gene?"

The repairman looked up and down the tiny Nicelander, Gene puffing as if he were out of breath and his face blushing terribly.

"Um, are ya okay?"

"W-whatever do you mean?" Gene chuckled nervously, tying his tie back into place "I am P-PERFECT!"

"Ya look as if ya had someone rough ya up." said the little hero "Ya don't need me ta talk ta anyone, do ya? Ya know I got your back if people are still givin' ya guys guff!"

Gene blinked as he looked up at Felix, the repairman smiling down at him.

Even with the events that had transpired in the game, it was still so comforting that Felix was still on the Nicelanders' side, ready to help them when they needed it.

And boy, did they need it lately!

"Thank you….." the chubby Mayor sighed with a smile, feeling a bit better "Nothing too terrible has happened as of late but if it does, I will ask for your assistance. Not that I require it now! I've got EVERYTHING under control!"

"Aw, ya know I'll always be here for ya!" Felix said as he gave Gene a hearty slap on the back "But really, it's not like ya ta forget dates like that!"

"I apologize." The mayor said in a posh tone "We've just been so busy. Heh, something was bound to slip through."

"Where are ya goin'?" the repairman asked.

"I need to pick up a few things to get ready for the baking session." The mayor said "I only want those two to work with the best, you know."

"An' tha NPC meetin'?"

"I'll be back in no time!" Gene sang as he ambled off to the elevator "But if I am a little late, have Don lead the session. As much as he likes to deny, that man has been itching to throw his hat into the conversation, literally."

"Okay." Smiled Felix, tipping his hat towards the Mayor "I'll be sure ta do that!"

The two men parted ways, the halls silent. A few seconds later, the door to Gene's apartment slowly creaked open. Two eyes looked back and forth down the hall, checking to see if a soul or a single pixel were there.

"Goodness, that was close!" Mary breathed out, a little pout coming on her face a second later "But phoo! The blueberry's gone!"

There was no choice now but to get cleaned up for the meeting but with so much time still left, the little woman now felt bored.

"Maybe Gene is right….." she sighed to herself "I am acting like a brat. It's not like I actually-!"

Just as Mary rounded the corner, she ran RIGHT into the armored plating of another figure.

"AH!"

"OOF!"

Onto her bottom the pie baker went, a little dizzy from the encounter but not a pixel out of place.

"S-sorry, I didn't mean to-!"

"Ms. Mary?"

The Nicelander shook her head, looking up to see Calhoun standing over her.

"Whoa, sorry about that!" Calhoun said, picking Mary up before she had a chance to object "I'm still gettin' used ta lookin' down so much! I wouldn't wanna hurt any of ya guys!"

"Th-that's quite alright, young lady." Mary grimaced, not feeling all too comfortable with the way Calhoun was holding her "I wasn't looking where I was going so don't feel bad about it."

"Just long as I didn't hurt ya." The marine said with a smile "I'm off tha clock. Don't need ta bust heads now!"

Calhoun smirked, giving Mary a wink.

"Less ya need me ta, of course? Wouldn't want things ta get too ugly 'round here!"

Without even realizing it herself, Mary let out a laugh at Calhoun's joke. She never would have thought that such a joke would make her laugh in such a way but after getting to know the marine Mary found herself finding a bit of solace in the woman.

Especially after what had happened during the misunderstanding with Vanellope, Calhoun had shown herself to be a surprising alley to various characters in the arcade. She wasn't as jump-the-gun as her profession had made her out to be.

Quite the contrary. If anything, Calhoun and several of the Hero's Duty operatives had shown themselves to be a lot more CIVILIZED than many characters Mary had encountered before.

And that was something she was thankful for. It was such a welcome change to say the least.

"Say, are you busy at the moment?" asked pie-maker to warrior.

"Er, no. Why?"

"I need a little help setting up for tonight's meeting and I think YOU would be just the person to help!"

"Me?" Calhoun smirked playfully "Ah, okay. If ya think I'd help with such a meetin'."

"Oh, I think you would help Gene and I tremendously!"

"Settle down, Genie. With everything you've gotten, this pie is going to be TREMENDOUS! Not that I'm complaining of course…."

A small figure finished his rounds in the arcade, exiting Mappy with several bottles of fresh cream in his shopping bags.

"Now is that everything?" the Mayor asked, stopping and checking his list "Fresh Blueberries from Fruit Bar. Mmm, fresh flour from E. Honda.

Gene narrowed his eyes, taking a step back into the shadows.

"Make sure not to tell ANYONE…."

He smiled, seeing that his checklist was complete and with plenty of time to spare!

"Ah-HA! Once again you've outdone yourself MAYOR! Once Ralph and Vanellope come by MY apartment, I am sure they'll-!"

*BOOM!*

"GAH!"

"NYAGH!"

That's what one gets when they leave their mind distracted. Right into another character did the little Mayor run into, his groceries spilling out on the floor.

"AH!" he cried, watching the fruit and cream spill out but then he remember he had run into someone else as well "I mean-! GAH! TOO MUCH AT ONCE!"

"Why don't you watch where you're goin', RUNT?!" came the OBVIOUSLY upset voice of the other character. Gene felt his spine shiver; even without getting a glance he KNEW he was in trouble. The character sounded BIGGER, sounded STRONGER.

If only Felix had been there NOW.

But he wasn't this time which meant that this was something Gene was going to have to take on ALONE.

"Programmers…."

But he knew he could do it. He HAD to do it.

Gene stood on his feet, brushing himself free of dirt and lint before adjusting his tie. Without missing a beat, he approached the character, making sure to do so as prim and as proper as he could.

"Young sir?" the mayor began "I apologize for running into you like that. My mind was somewhere else I am afraid."

"Aw man, he got blue stuff on my uniform!" the character growled, Gene looking over.

"Ah…yes well. It's just BLUEBERRIES. It'll come out easy enough with a rese-!"

"Do ya really expect this to just pass on by?!" the character growled, standing up at full height.

Wonderful; Gene was afraid something like this would happen. His lucky ALWAYS lead to things like this. The Nicelander craned his neck up, already aggravated at the size of the opposing character but what caught his attention the most was the LOOK upon his face.

Gene had a bad feeling he knew what was about to happen next.

Trying to remain in control of the situation, Gene took in a breath, keeping his nerves calm.

"Young man, I can assure you that there is nothing to get THIS upset about." The mayor said, though it was obvious with his tone that even he was starting to lose his temper "I just walked into you by ACCIDENT, there is no reason to start a scene."

"Oh, we don't have to worry about THAT." The character said.

The Nicelander sighed in relief, clapping his hands together "Ah, wonderful! So much energy is usually wasted on small things like this but-NYAAAAAGH!"

Before the man could even finish, he felt himself YANKED off the ground, the other character holding him tightly around his collar.

"Cuz we're gonna make sure ya REMEMBER not to walk inta ANYONE else again!"

"HOLD ON! HOLD ON!" Gene growled, grabbing onto the offender's hands "Now this is going TOO far! I just walked into you for CRIPES sake! There's no need to get violent like this!"

"If it's the only way to teach you…."

"URGH! TEACH ME WHAT!?" Gene shouted, turning red in anger. The character shook Gene a bit as he held him away from him, a nasty smirk on his face.

"Teach you lil NPCs where to walk, of course!"

Now Gene knew he was in trouble.

It had to be just pure chance. There was no way this was happening for any other reason. Gene was just about to return home to hold the NPC support group and in the midst of his errands what should happen?

What should happen but the Nicelander finding himself right in the middle of the very reason the group was needed.

The Mayor struggled against the character's hold but he was too strong. Nonetheless, Gene wasn't going to allow himself to be humiliated in the station, especially as a cfrowd had begun to form around him.

"L-Look, you know this is not worth it." The Nicelander said, trying to keep his anger down "Th-think what could happen if SURGE were to find us like this! The consequences of THAT would-!"

"Do you really think I CARE about what SURGE will do? Let him slap me with whatever punishment he can dish out. It's YOU that needs to learn a less, Fatty!"

Gene's anger was only rising, his efforts to keep it down failing noticeable.

"Now listen here…." The smaller man growled "I was more than willing to give you a chance seeing as I DID walk into you, but you sir are GOING TOO FAR NOW AND SO HELP ME-!"

The Nicelander had only taken another breath before finding himself dropped onto the ground, crying out as he hit the floor but any sound he made was drowned out, drowned out by the sound of laughter.

"W-what the-?"

Various sounds of laughter.

He sat up, looking around to see that he was surrounded by so many characters, some old, some new but they were all doing the exact same thing.

They were laughing at him.

Just laughing.

"oh-HO, you cannot tell me you EXPECT me to take someone like YOU seriously!"

Gene glowered, returning to his feet "What do you mean by that, SIR?!"

The character bent down to Gene's height, the smile on his face not unlike that of a snake ready to eat its prey.

"Someone like YOU? Someone like an NPC?"

Gene knew it was going to lead to this.

The mayor smacked the character's hands away, anger clearly written all of his face.

"So what if I'm an NPC? What does that have anything to do in the matter?!"

"PLENTY!" the character growled, pushing Gene down with ease "I'm gettin' so SICK of you guys getting in our way! Thinkin' ya can act so hoity-toity here!"

"I-I did nothing of the kind!" the Nicelander fumed "I wasn't LOOKING for trouble with you, I just-!"

"This is what happens when NPCs get too big for their britches!" the character said as he glared down at Gene, reminding the Nicelander just how SMALL he was in the arcade. By now, Gene already felt a migraine coming on but he knew he had to remain the mature of the two, even though it was obvious to those around the characters that the Nicelander was starting to wane slightly, his hands rubbing his temples.

"Okay, alright…." The mayor said "I can see that this conversation isn't going to take us anywhere but in circles so if YOU DO NOT MIND? I would LIKE to return to my home. I have a meeting to conduct in less than half an hour so-!"

"Wait, wait, wait, WAIT…." The character said, his mocking tone hitting Gene "Meetings? Are you….are you one of those NICELANDERS from that old-as-shit game back there?"

Old as….WHAT?

Gene had been around long enough to hear Fix-it-Felix Jr. be described as many-a things….but never something like that. It was bad enough this guy was giving the Nicelander a hard enough time but now he was mocking his home?

What strike was this? Four? FIVE?

"If you mean Fix-it-Felix Jr. YES." Gene said, his voice lowering "YES, I am from that game and-!"

Before Gene could finish the character threw his head back and began to howl in laughter, a few others joining in with him. The revelation must have been more than he could take as soon he was nearly buckled over, his arm clutching around his tickled middle.

"Oh-! OH!" the character laughed, slowing slightly as he wiped an eye "N-Now I know for sure that I'm DEFINITELY up against one of the lamest NPCs in the game!"

Just remain calm, Gene. Do not give him what he wants.

"If I might ask, what exactly is it that you find so humorous?"

"Just the fact that you actually believe that you're worth JACK in this arcade, small fry." The character smirked, his eyes aimed right at Gene "A few of my NPCs were mutterin' somethin' about some meetin' but I had no idea what they were talkin' about. Now that I DO? Hmmph, what were ya gonna tell 'em, Fatty? What kind of help does an NPC NEED exactly?"

The Nicelander's heart was RUNNING in rage by now but he still kept himself calm, or at least he attempted to do so.

He remembered his promise, his promise to everyone. He would stop being so judgmental, he would stop being so angry, he would stop losing his temper.

But in the face of someone like this? That was easier said than done.

"You know….it says something."

"''Scuse me?" said the character.

"Just right now. You mentioned that characters from YOUR particular game were discussing the meetings…" the Nicelander said, adjusting his collar tartly "Hmmm, if that were to tell me something maybe the trouble isn't coming from your NPCs, but perhaps it's coming from YOU."

Gene could see a fault, he could see the large character TWITCH right before him.

BULL'S EYE.

The crowd was hushed, awaiting the next remark from both men but for a while it appeared as if Gene had gotten the upper hand of the confrontation, the larger character straightening up.

"Well?" Gene said, hiding a smirk behind his mustache "Hopefully for your sake, that is NOT the case is it?"

"I hafta admit…." The other character chuckled warmly "Ya lil guys do have some SPUNK in ya."

Gene frowned, taking a small step back, already feeling that something was wrong "I will take that as a compliment."

A hand reached down and placed itself on Gene's shoulder "Whoa, whoa, whoa….don't leave just yet. Your…SPRIGHTFUL NPC charm has said something to me!"

The Nicelander forced himself away from under the hand, eyes glaring daggers "O-oh? And what would that be?"

It took just one second.

*WA-BAM!*

Gene cried out as he felt another hand giving him a surprise SMACK, the force just right to send him flying off his feet a few yards! Several gasps rang around the area but as the Nicelander quickly found out, none were too quick to actually HELP HIM.

"Ugh, that stung…."

If anything, people had gotten OUT of the way as if to let the Nicelander roll.

"You've GOT to be kiddin' me….." said the character "THIS? THIS is what I've been told is worthy of respect? THIS thing?"

His cheek was still throbbing but it didn't keep Gene on the floor for long. He staggered to his feet, his hand clutching his face.

"Y-Young man, you are crossing DANGEROUSLY close to-!"

"Oh just shut up! Do you think ANYONE cares about what YOU have to say?!"

"You're going too far!" Gene shouted, wanting nothing more than to leap upon the character "D-Do you think running into someone warrants THIS type of behavior?! I already said I was sorry, what else do you want me to do?! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO?!"

"What all good lil NPCs do…." The man hissed with a smile "Ya know its NEVER a good idea ta get in IMPORTANT people's ways. Ya know, characters that actually MATTER!"

Gene's shoulders bunched as his anger grew. He was losing his battle but he had to remain together. He could not let these words bother him. He had promised he wouldn't!

"I always thought that NPC meetin' of yours was a joke. It couldn't have been real! What problems could NPCs really talk about other than how USELESS you guys are?"

"We are NOT useless…." Gene growled, hands balled up tight.

"What was that?"

"I said…We are NOT USELESS!"

The character once again laughed, finding Gene's anger more entertaining than threatening "Oh PLEASE. I have shoes that have more value than you! Chairs! LAMPS! Household OBJECTS have more use than you an' make better company as well!"

Three decades of memories were starting to swirling within Gene's mind, the little Nicelander bubbling over with resentment and rage with every word that was being thrown at him.

They were all so familiar, all so painful. They were painful because they had been thrown at him in the past and just like the past, everyone had expect him to TAKE it.

No, everyone had expected ALL NPCs to take it.

"An' to think that of all the worthless piles of pixels that's tryin' to lecture me? A Nicelander? Are you KIDDIN'?"

Some snorts and chuckles were heard behind the Mayor, adding more and more to his capped fury.

"I should have known that you guys would get uppity sooner or later, what with the way that HERO of yours coddles you."

"You call it that but apparently you have no grasp on the basic concept of RESPECT, especially given the way YOU'RE behaving."

"I know LOTS about respect…." The character nodded "But I only reserve that for the people who actually matter. But if you're that concerned about how people behave, maybe I COULD change!"

Gene didn't trust a single word the character had said, still trying to hold back all instincts to send his fist flying towards his nose.

"What are you saying?"

"Where's that PINK one that follows you around?"

The Mayors heart stopped, his eyes widening with shock.

Mary?!

"Heh, I betcha she would be TONS of fun to hang out with and TALK to!" the man laughed harder, knowing this was only serving to rile Gene up "I'm sure she won't get as smart as you will, that's for certain! ESPECIALLY after I show her a few th-!"

*BAM!*

The man cried out as he felt a painful blow crash in the middle of his face! He fell back on his bottom but as soon as he opened his eyes-

"Th-the hell?!"

Standing over him was a single man. A small man yes, but a man showing seething hatred in his eyes.

Mayor Nicelander Gene.

And he was FURIOUS.

"If you so much as take one BREATH near her…." The Nicelander growled as he reached down and took the man by the collar "I WILL KILL YOU!"

"GET OFF!"

And then the fight began.

Many began to gather round as the tussle of a Nicelander and a main character grew more and more insane. While Gene was at a disadvantage in both size and strength, the anger that was running through him was more than enough to keep him clutching onto the character, his hands digging in deep, his teeth biting flesh.

"OW! Get this little turd offa me!" the instigator cried out in anger, hitting Gene upside the head. The pain was great but the Nicelander was far too angry to let go now.

He had been struck first.

He had been insulted.

Mary had been threatened.

And if there was something EVERYONE in Niceland knew, it was NEVER threaten Mary.

Not too far away, Felix was exiting Tapper's after having fixed yet another broken pipe in the game.

"Just call me again when ya need help!" the man said cheerfully "it's no problem for m-!"

"We GOTTA go see this!" a dinosaur laughed as she rushed past, nearly stepping on Felix in the process.

"Woo! What was that?!"

"Ya've never seen a fight like this!" someone else said, once more ignoring the dizzy repairman "Some chubby lil dude in a blue suit is WAILIN' on that space guy from Cozmik-Naunt!"

"Ya mean Quasar?"

"Yeah, think that's his name!"

Chubby little dude?

Felix's heart sank "Oh, please don't tell me…."

Back in the fight, people were now cheering on but there was no sight that anyone wanted to victor in this battle. All they wanted to see was how crazy the fight could get. By now, the man called Quasar had had enough of the Nicelander's wailing.

"I SAID TAKE IT BACK!" Gene roared "TAKE BACK EVERYTHING YOU'VE SAID!"

Quasar might have been bigger but it seemed that Gene was just small enough to keep out of his reach every time, ready scratching and bite whenever he could.

"GAH! He's like some sort of RABID BADGER!"

All hell had broken lose as Gene LEAPT upon the character, his hands scrabbling for the other man's throat.

"YOU THINK YOU'RE FUNNY?! YOU THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE LIKE THAT!"

"Freakin' twerp!"

And with one strong kick of his legs he knocked Gene off of him, the Nicelander rolling feet over head right into something.

"MAYOR GENE!"

And that SOMETHING turned out to be-!

"F-FELIX?!"

Gene tried to get away, he tried to roll back onto his front but Felix proved to be the quicker, reaching down and plucking him off the ground.

"Gene?! What in tha arcade are ya doin'?!"

The Nicelander looked MORTIFIED, unable to find anything he could say to explain his actions.

When did Felix come in? Had he seen the whole fight? Was he even going to do anything?

"I-I-! I was-!"

"''Bout time your baby-sitter showed up…" Quasar sniffed, rubbing his bloodied nose onto his hand "Guess he heard your animal call a few miles away."

Felix took one look at the larger character and instantly felt the trouble he was giving off. He kept hold of the Nicelander, scowling upwards.

"N-Now, I take it you're Quasar?" Felix said in an attempt to sound tough.

"Yeah, so what if I am?"

Felix always hated finding himself in the middle of confrontations like this, his attempts to play peace-maker always ending up in disaster.

"Y-Ya know, startin' fights in tha middle of tha station like this? Ya know nothin' good comes from that!"

"Ya call this a fight?" Quasar cackled, patting Gene atop his head "No, no. I was just reminding your lil 'friend' here of the important RULES he and his ilk should follow."

"Don't you DARE touch me!" Gene snapped, slapping the hand away.

"Gene, no!"

"Aw, don't worry buddy! I'm sure Mr. Felix will take care of those boo-boos of yours seeing as ya can't do it yourself!"

"SIR, that is ENOUGH!" growled Felix "I think it's more than obvious now that ya mean ta INSULT both Gene an' myself here so I would advise ya that ya apologize before-!"

"Apologize? To HIM?"

The repairman scowled, "Yes. Who else do ya think I'm talkin' about?"

A snooty smile curled on Quasar's lips; he was just too humored by Felix and Gene alike.

"Ya know, I would have thought a hero like you? You'd have more DIGNITY than this."

Felix blinked in confusion but he could feel the trouble stirring up in his stomach "I-I don't think I get what you're sayin'."

"I would have thought Good-Guys like you be a bit PROUDER than to waste time on or even CONSIDER a bunch of jabbering eggheads to be your FRIENDS. But hmm, guess that reflects YOUR heroics as well."

Had that really happened? Had someone gone so far as to insinuate that even FELIX was lowering himself down by coming to the add of his own background NPCs?

"At least with that bad guy of yours, you're hanging out with a PERSON. Not….whatever the heck THOSE things are supposed to represent."

In a second, it felt as if the floor had come crashing out from under Felix as he stood there, stood there feeling so empty despite being surrounded by others and still holding Gene in his hands.

He had been at Litwak's for thirty years and in those years….

"By the way…."

He never thought he would be treated like that again.

"Keep those lil shits tied down. Who knows what disease they can spread."

And just like that, the crowd dispersed. Felix felt so cold, Gene felt so angry but there was nothing that neither one could do. Surge, in all his previous actions, had failed to show up which made the two feel even lonelier in those moments but Felix felt that he couldn't let that get him down.

"H-he was upset."

No matter how hurt he felt, no matter how outraged he was inside.

He just couldn't show it.

"Oh gracious…." The man breathed out as he put Gene down on the ground "Maybe I should have gone with ya. People still don't seem ta get tha message that it's not a good idea ta handle ya so roughly!"

There was no reply from the Nicelander.

"Mayor Gene?"

The Nicelander was trembling, his hands clutched to his side.

"Sir, you're okay aren't ya?" the repairman said as he went down to his knee, putting his hands on the Nicelander's shoulder "I can fix it in no time, whatever is hurt I mean! Just-!"

"Don't touch me."

Felix jolted back, nearly dropping his hammer in the process "Wh-what was that sir?"

Gene looked up; there was so much ire in his eyes but Felix could see something else. The little man was trying to hide it, he was trying to hide it with as much anger as he could but-

"G-Gene?"

"I said DON'T TOUCH ME!" the Nicelander snapped, pushing Felix's hands away "I-I'm not WEAK! I AM NOT WEAK!"

"I never said that ya were!"

"Don't-! Don't look at me like that!"

"Like WHAT?!"

"You're like everyone else….." the Nicelander panted "YOU'RE JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE!"

By now Felix was beyond concerned; Gene NEVER treated him in such a manner before.

"Sir, if ya would just calm down I am sure we can-!"

"Just leave me alone…." The Nicelander said as he pushed Felix aside "Just leave me alone….."

"B-But Gene-!"

All attempts to stop the Nicelander were made in vain as before Felix could stop him, the little man disappeared into the crowd. Felix ran forward, pushing others to the side but his friend was no longer there.

"Gene?"

No reply.

"GENE!"

Again, nothing.

Felix looked to the left, to the right, but he was alone.

Completely alone.

"I-I never wanted things ta get this bad…." The repairman panted, feeling anxious as he stood in the station "B-But what can I do?"