Buttercrush, thank you so so much for your review. i've written M stories before but i thought this one could still fall under t. i have changed the rating according to your suggestion. i am so embarrassed. thank you so much again and have a wonderful day. c:

Chapter 18: Love and Loss

Demongo took a long draw off his cigarette, then released a monster cloud of smoke into the air. "pardon me. I normally smoke what you humans call a 'doobie,' but I couldn't pick them up at the grocery store."

"that's fine," I said, layig in bed next to him. I was naked, on account of having sex with him. yes, I'd finally decided to do so. I needed a voice a little higher after making whoopie to Eldirdge Johnsonmeyer. but his smoking didn't bother me... honesylu it reminded me of Decter's trouble with cigarettes. it was almost endearing if it didn't remind me of how he never wanted to see me again.

"so, are you always so good at sexual intercourse, or did you make it that fun for me?" Demongo flirted and winked at me.

"well..." I said rubbing the back of my neck. "I've actually... gotten a lot of practice from Decter."

"wait, you were having sex with the founder of Declabs?!"

"he was my longtme serious boyfriend," I began, my voice shaking, "and we were almost engaged... then not only did I slap his ass in front of a crowd of three hundred people, but he caught me having sex with a tree and he left me."

"it wasn't for the chalmydia?" asked Demongo. yes don't worry I'd told him I had it but it's not like he was worried about catching anything! though he might've been a vector if he made love to other humans now.

"no... I never got the chance to tell him..." I said and started crying. "but the worst part is, considering when the doctor thinks I contracted it..."

suddenly my phone started ringing. i reached and looked at it. it was a notification that The Gangreen Gang was going to be playing a show at the Townsville Mall! I had to get over there to question Ace!

"oh, uh, I gotta go - I'm on a case to find Buttercup Utonium," I said and jumped off the bed, I didn't have to worry about the blanket because Demongo didn't have one because he couldn't afford one.

"aw, leaving so soon~?" he asked, then gave an insanely seductive smile. "surely there is time for a round two?"

I felt a shiver run up my spine at that smile. it was pretty hot for someone who was only black and blue and his face gave no hints of depth. "eh, sure, why not? not like I could get any sicker..."

after I left Demongo's place in the Cul-De-Sac, I waddled over to Marquee Row. my clam hurt from Demongo being inside it for so long. it was now gaping open like a can of corn or something. but oh well, sometimes you just have to live with your mistakes.

I know I was.

outside the band shell there were a bunch of green guys in allsorts of different shapes and sizes signing autographs. I never understood the purpose of just having some stranger's signature on hand it kind of disturbed me really but hey to each their own. I walked up to them but I cut in line because I'D HAD ENOUGH GOING ON ALREADY I DIDN'T NEED TO BE STUCK BEHIND DOZENS OF SQUEALING FANGIRLS!

"ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, OUTTA MY WAY, OUTTA MY WAY ALREADY! COMMANDER WIND WALTER, COMING THROUGH!" I shouted, holding up my ID badge.

the teenagers all looked at me and hustled out of the way because they saw how important I was. Ace and his hideous friends looked at me in annoyance.

"hey, hey, what's the big idea here?!" asked Ace, king crescent-head himself, placing his sickly green hands with long, unkempt fingenails on his hips. "why are you driving away all our adoring fans?"

I shuddered at the sight of his fingernails. they were so unlike Decter's. his were clean... well-manicured... shiny... healthy. unlike me, the four-timing harlot. I bit my lip but the tears showered out of my eyes anyway.

Ace jumped back, startled, and completely unsure of how to handle a crying woman. so Grubber walked up to me and in his own special raspberry language asked, "are you alright Commander Walter?"

"NO" I bellowed. "MY LIFE HAS BECOME UTTER HELL AND THE FUSIONS DON'T EVEN HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT"

"well, maybe we can help-"

"just what is it you want anyway?!" Ace screeched, impatient already.

"I understand you were the last one to see a young woman who looked something like Buttercup Utonium," I said taking a deep breath to get a hold of myself. "I am looking for her. her father is looking for her. her sisters are looking for her. the entire pokey oaks and townsville areas are looking for her because they miss her and love her so much. so you'd better tell me where she is, or I will show you what the custard buster can really do."

Ace stared at me in horror but Snake (AKA Sanford) stepped between us to protect his bandmate leader. "hey! you leave Ace alone, you tramp! get outta here or I'm calling security!"

"fine" I spat, turned on my heel, and left. "sheesh, that ugly Sanford guy sure is protective... I guess they're really good friends... or maybe..."

I turned around. Ace had turned around and was signing more autographs. but Snake was behind him, and looking at him with longing, sad eyes.

I gasped. Snake was in love with Ace, but couldn't tell him!

"oh no!" I said. the thing I hated the most was people who were too shy to tell others they loved them. well that and wet cheese puffs. "I gotta help him!"

but then I rememberd something else... I'd promised to help Ben and Vilgax! and I hadn't seen them in days!

"OH, SHOOT!" I shouted, and jumped on my jetbike to get the heck out of there. "I GOTTA GET TO TOWNSVILLE PARK - I'VE GOT A CRUSH TO HELP!"