Flamingos squawked overhead as the group tread carefully through the town. Wolf rushed over to the next corner and peeked around it. She made a gesture with two fingers, swiping them forward, and Kipo poked her head out of their hiding spot. "I forgot what the signals mean." She yelled in a hushed tone. "Is that danger, or no danger?" Mandu waddled out of the hiding spot, and Benson popped out as well. Mark simply stepped out of the hiding spot as Dave popped out as well, accidentally kicking an empty can. It rattled along the ground very loudly and he gasped, before turning to Wolf as she glared at him, smiling nervously. Mark sighed.
"How you guys managed to stay alive for as long as you did is beyond me." He said. He started walking towards Wolf as she prepared Stalkie.
"Just, come on." She said. She jumped up onto the box she was using to hide herself as she looked as Kipo, Benson, Dave and Mandu ran up to her. Mark was the last one to arrive, as he was walking over there. Kipo looked at everyone.
"All right everyone, Operation Find my Parents's Old Burrow." Benson leaned against a car and Dave climbed up it. "Where do we find it? How do we find it? Where even are we right now? These are all questions I have."
"Well, if you'd like, I could answer the questions about where we are." Said Mark.
"That would be nice and all," started Benson, "but how do we find a burrow so secret not even the all-seeing goats know where it is?"
"Oh oh oh oh oh!" Interjected Dave. "I know who could help us! She's a dangerous Mute with short arms and even a shorter fuse, but, she knows every secret in the city. Cappuccino."
"Cappuccino?" Asked Mark. He thought for a moment. "I think I remember Scarlemagne talking about her a few times. She definitely has quite the record of information."
"Ooh, where can we find her?" Asked Kipo.
"She runs a restaurant called Brunchington Beach." Said Dave. "Best Brunch in the city!"
"What's a brunch?" Asked Wolf.
"I'm with her on that one." Added Mark. "It sounds like a meal, but it's no meal I've ever heard of."
"It's breakfast and lunch combined into one single meal." Answered Dave. He jumped off the car.
"Hm, kind of a rip off if you ask me." Mentioned Benson. Dave walked to the middle of the group.
"Only thing is," he started, "You gotta follow Cappuccino's three rules. One: everybody pays their own bill. Two: bills are paid with information. If you wanna trade, you better have something juicy. Or else!" He turned and started walking. "Let's go!" Wolf stopped him with Stalkie.
"You said there were three rules." She said. Dave looked at her.
"Uh, the third rule is probably something like, 'wash your hands', I don't remember. It'll be fine. Come on."
"I feel like that third rule is more important than what you say, Dave." Said Mark. "I can't remember why, but I remember Scarlemagne debating with himself about if he should send someone there to trade."
"Uh, guys," interjected Benson, "I know he's my best friend and all, but, following a Dave plan usually gets, pretty weird."
"Hey!" Countered Dave. "I would die for everyone here! And I have. Many, many times." Mark coughed. "Except you, but you just joined the group so it doesn't really count yet. But if no one else has a better idea," Dave just left it hanging there as he started walking again. Benson sighed, then followed him.
"This is definitely gonna get weird." Kipo started to follow, but was stopped by Wolf.
"You just figured out how to put your paws away." She said. "You sure you're ready for this?"
"No." Answered Kipo. "But what other option do we have?"
"There aren't many." Said Mark, as he started to follow Dave and Benson. "But what I do know is that things aren't going to end well if we don't go now. If we split up, we're far more vulnerable."
"That's right!" Said Kipo. "Plus, I'm really really hungry." Some flamingos squawked overhead, and Kipo gasped. She and Wolf looked at each other, then got moving as well.
Fear of humans, fear of what they'll do
Fear of others, no matter where you go
Taken from your home, forever lost
One light in the distance,
But oh so far away,
Run towards the light,
Away from your fear
Wolf led the group up a hill as Benson questioned Dave's idea. "I'm getting weird vibes, Dave." He said. "You sure this place is safe?"
"Like 80 percent sure." Replied Dave, chuckling. "Sometimes 70." Mark sighed as the group stopped to look at Dave as he rambled. "I mean like right at this moment, maybe 60 but it can go back up. But right now we at 45."
"You are the worst motivational speaker to have ever existed." Said Mark. "Are you leading us to a safe zone, or a death pit?"
"What?" Asked Dave. "I am offended by that!"
"Kipo!" Sang a far off voice. "Kipo!" Kipo gasped. "Listen where I am, everyone listen where I am!"
"Is someone, singing for me?" Questioned Kipo.
"It sure sounds like it." Said Mark. "But the obvious question is why."
"Should we, check it out?" Asked Benson.
"Let's go!" Kipo started running towards the voice, leaving the others to follow her. They crested the hill and got to the other side, and jumped down a small ridge, hiding behind an old truck.
"You're down here." Sang the voice, in a deeper pitch. "I need you to be" it went way higher, "here for Kipo!" The group peaked around the truck to see several costumes that looked like the members of the group, and some that looked like Newton Wolves. The one in the Kipo costume was playing a guitar while the ones in the wolf costume and the costumes for Wolf, Benson, and Atom were trying to make a diamond shape with themselves. "Kipo!" Sang the voice again, coming from the Kipo costume, then it cleared its throat. "Everyone stop!" It yelled. The people who were trying to make the diamond fell down, then got back up quickly. "Billions, you're dragging. And you missed your costume change." The Kipo costume pointed to a discarded wolf costume nearby. "Honestly, it's like we haven't been rehearsing for the past three days."
"Wait, is that, me?" Whispered Kipo.
"Uh, if that's you, then is that thing supposed to be me?" Replied Benson.
"And Benjamin." Continued the guy in the Kipo costume, sighing. "Your character is," he started making scared noises to make a point, "afraid! And I know you're wearing a mask," He put his hands on the other costume's shoulders, shaking it back and forth a bit. "But show some emotion! And where is that pig puppet?" The one in the Wolf costume reached back and pulled out a poorly made puppet designed to look like Mandu. "And you, Adam, where is the sword?" The Atom costume shrugged. Leo pulled himself out of Kipo's pocket and landed on her shoulder.
"Adam, huh? You'd be amazed at how many times people have called Atom that." He whispered.
"I know we're short-handed, but this is the biggest show of our careers. And most importantly, mine!" The guy in the Kipo costume sighed again. "So, let's pick it up from, where Kipo and her humans attack those defenseless Wolves!" Kipo frowned, then jumped out from the hiding spot.
"What are you doing?!" Whispered Mark.
"Hey!" She yelled. "That is so not what happened!" Everyone else reluctantly followed her out of the spot, glaring at the other group. The one in the Kipo costume took off the head and turned, revealing himself to be an otter. He gasped as the others removed the heads of their costumes.
"By Thespis, thou art her!" Said the one in the Kipo costume.
"The real Kipo." Said all of them.
"Otters, in costumes?" Asked Kipo, excited. Wolf spun Stalkie, aiming it at them.
"Who are you?" She demanded.
"You see? That's how you spun the staff!" Said the one in the Kipo costume. He took a small bow. "I am Puck," he stepped to the side to gesture to the others, "and this is my humble troupe of traveling bards, the TheaOtters!" He stepped back as they all took their own bows.
"Uh sorry," said Kipo, "did you say The Otters?"
"No, the TheaOtters!" Said Puck, walking back to the front. "As in thea-ah-tre?"
"I remember hearing something about you." Said Mark. "If I recall correctly, you're one of the few groups not working with Scarlemagne out of fear." Puck gasped.
"You're with Scarlemagne!?" He asked.
"I used to be." Replied Mark. He growled at the thought. "Though that's far behind me now."
"Why are you dressed like us?" Asked Wolf. Benson walked up to his costume.
"So who is he supposed to be?! Huh?!"
"Ah, that's Benjamin." Said Puck. "Kipo's cowardly friend in, the Ballad of Newton Wolf Bluff."
"What?!" Yelled Benson. "Ok, first off, it's Benson! And second,"
"It's all lies!" Interrupted Kipo. "The Newton Wolves attacked us." She crossed her arms. "You have to change the story, it's wrong!"
"Especially the Benjamin part!" Yelled Benson, walking back to the group.
"But Mutes love a human villain." Countered Puck. "We simply tell the people what they whant to hear. Which is why we've been invited to perform at Brunchington Beach." The TheaOtter's parted as Puck gestured down the hill to what looked like a restaurant. "That's right, Brunch theatre! The big time!"
"Ooh, that's where we're heading!" Said Kipo. "We can walk together and I can tell you what really happened!" Puck started laughing at the thought.
"What's so funny?" Asked Mark. Puck stopped laughing.
"Wait, you're serious? Have you lost your minds? You know Cappuccino's rules, don't you?"
"We know the first two." Said Wolf, glaring at Dave. He smiled and laughed nervously.
"Rule the third," started Puck, "no humans allowed by penalty of a most gruesome death." The other otters nodded in agreement, making various sounds of agreement. Dave stepped forward.
"That was rule number three!" He said. "Cappuccino hates humans! If she sees one in her restaurant, she feeds them to her pet! Yeah, we definitely shouldn't go there."
"Dave!" Accused Kipo, Wolf, and Benson.
"I knew that the third rule was more important than you let on." Added Mark.
"Honestly it's kind on you for trusting me." Argued Dave.
"But without Cappuccino, we'll never find the burrow." Admitted Kipo. A bell started ringing in the distance.
"Oh wicked Fortuna." Said Puck. "Only five minutes until curtain." He looked at the group again. "Uh good day, real Kipo, Benjamin, Wolf girl, bug, piggy, guy not working for Scarlemagne." The otters put their costume heads back on. "Everyone, everyone everyone grab something. Everyone get it." The otters began picking up their props and extra costumes. "I cannot believe Jane and Garrett dropped out last minute. This is why we have contracts!"
"I have an idea." Said Kipo.
"Why do I feel like it's going to be just as bad as Dave's?" Asked Mark. Kipo walked up to the otters.
"If we can't get in as humans, maybe we could get in as human costumes?" She suggested. Puck looked back at her.
"You're still going on about that?" He asked. He looked back at his group, then considered it for a moment. Mark walked up.
"Look, you said you're short-handed. Who better to represent the costumes you have than the people they're made to look like? As much as I'd hate to dress up like him," he gestured to the Atom costume, "it would be beneficial for all of us."
"Hm." Considered Puck. "You do make a compelling argument." He looked across the group for a bit, then back at Brunchington. He looked at the otters. "You three, get in the Newton Wolves costumes! As for you four," he looked back at the group, "there is a script to follow. Read it, learn it, and follow it to the letter! Understood?"
"Yes!" Said Kipo. She looked back at Wolf, Benson and Dave, smiling. Mark looked at the otters again.
"And if you betray us, do know that it will be the last thing you do." Mark's furred arm swelled out into his wolf paw, emphasizing his threat. He took a deep breath, focusing on the times he trusted Kipo, and it went back down. Puck looked at it, highly concerned, then turned away quickly.
"Right. Well, we must be off now! Brunch Theatre won't wait!"
A few bees were drinking something as Puck walked up with the others in tow. Kipo and Benson moved up a little bit to get a better look, and Kipo lifted the mask of her costume a bit. She took a few sniffs. "Whoa." Looking around, she saw Mutes of all kinds eating and having fun. A shrimp waiter walked up to a table with some raccoons, holding a plate of food.
"Is that a deconstructed eggs benedict?" Asked Benson. One of the raccoons took the plate and scarfed it all down at once. "And Belgian waffles with a raspberry reduction? Brunch, is, heaven."
"Told ya." Said Dave. Mark looked between them a bit.
"What is this foreign language you were speaking in?" Wolf looked around.
"Those Mutes are eating enough food to last a week." She said, turning to Dave. "This place doesn't make any sense." Dave took a few steps forward, turning to her.
"That's 'cause they're eating for, fun." Wolf rolled her eyes and lowered her mask again.
"I thought you said this place was dangerous." Mentioned Kipo. "It's delightful!" She pointed at something and gasped. "Look! Bendy Straws!" Puck pulled her mask down quickly.
"It tis dangerous!" He whispered. "If anyone finds out you're human, you'll be fish food. Remember, I'm only doing this because we're short a few actors. So, do not go off-book and do not get caught, or we're all in trouble!"
"Right." Said Kipo. "Focus." She turned to Dave. "Psst, Dave, which one is Cappuccino?" Dave pointed to a large shrimp talking with a Mod Frog.
"Oh, there she is!" Cappuccino glanced over, then glared at Dave. "The one scowling at us." Cappuccino started walking over, cracking her knuckles. "The one cracking her knuckles and walking over here." Dave was grabbed by a few shrimp waiters. "The one arresting me? Hey! Get off!"
"What's going on?" Asked Wolf.
"Stay back." Warned Mark. "Do not interfere." He watched Dave get carried over. "I feel like there's more to this story than what we've seen." Dave was brought before Cappuccino, who glared down at him.
"Dave the bug." She stated. "Bold move to show your face around here. What's it been, ten years since you scarfed down three soft-boiled eggs, half a sesame bagel, and a basket of breakfast poutine?"
"Whoa." Said Dave. "Do you have that written on your hand?"
"I've got an impeccable memory, David. Which is why I recall quite clearly that you broke rule number one. You didn't pay your bill!" Dave looked to the side for a moment, then back at her.
"Oh, right!" He realized. "I totally dined and dashed here."
"Oh, not to worry. I've got your new bill right here." Said Cappuccino, forebodingly. "Ten years of dish duty!"
"Huh? What?" Asked Dave. He was carried into the back. "I get a final meal, don't I?" He looked back at Cappuccino. "Ooh. Do I smell chilaquiles?" The door slammed behind him.
"What do we do?" Asked Kipo. "We have to help him!" She looked at Benson, who waved it off.
"It's all right. Dave's unbreakable! But we're not. So let's just focus on not dying."
"He's right, Kipo." Agreed Mark. "We can't save him if we're dead. And I don't know about you, but I'm not feeling suicidal right now." Cappuccino turned to the group.
"Is that thieving grub with you?" She asked.
"No, no!" Denied Puck as he ran up. "But may I say, on behalf of the entire TheaOtter company," he pulled out his guitar and plucked a few strings, "it is nothing short, of an honor, to debut our one act for you, this day." Kipo suddenly slid up next to him.
"And as another otter who is also a member of this company," Cappuccino glared at her, "I'd like to ask if you know the location of a human burrow that was destroyed about 13 years ago." Puck gave her a stop gesture, looking more nervous by the second. Everyone around the restaurant gasped as Cappuccino continued to glare at Kipo. Mark suddenly ran up and put a hand on Kipo's shoulder.
"Pardon her." He said. "She always gets really excited at the prospect of rummaging through old human stuff." He looked at Cappuccino as she considered for a moment, then started laughing.
"Ah you must not know the rules. Well information's got a price here. Give us a good show, and we'll see what you can afford."
A door was opened before Dave, and he was tossed in unceremoniously. It was slammed behind him and locked as he sat up. "Ten years is nothing to me!" He claimed. "I once spent 25 years in a Mega Chicken's stomach just 'cause it was chilly outside!" An ominous shadow suddenly grew on him, stretching to the door in what looked like horns. He yelped and backed away. "Shadow creature!" He ran into something and screamed, looking up to see Jamack with some bubbles on his head in the shape of two horns. "Jamack?" Jamack turned away, rubbing a dish clean. "What are you doing here?"
"Eh, same as you." Replied Jamack. "Stole some food, got caught." He finished cleaning the plate and set it down on a stack. "You know, I could be eating tea cakes with Scarlemagne in a palace right now." He grabbed another dish, turning to Dave. "But instead, I saved you and your little friends!" He pushed the dish closer to Dave, who shied away a bit. "And look where it got me. I've got nothing. I've got no one! And do you know what?" All of his anger seemed to dissipate in a single moment as he backed up and got back to work on the dishes. "That's ok by me. Because hey, they let me eat the scraps." He pulled out an old roll and ate it, smiling as he did.
"Yo dude, put the scraps down!" Said Dave, pointing to the ground with two hands. "Kipo's gonna need help getting Cappuccino." Jamack choked on his roll a bit. "We gotta break out"
"Wait wait wait wait wait." He interrupted. "You brought Kipo here?!" He grabbed Dave and slammed him into a wall.
"Wow Jamack." Instigated Dave. "You really care that much? She did change your heart." Jamack let him go, and he fell to the ground in a heap, shattering a few plates and Jamack turned around, scoffing.
"What? No!" He denied. "I just, don't want to see my noble sacrifice wasted." He threw his towel to the side. "If she's eaten alive, then what was all this for? Hm?" Dave got back up.
"So, what you're saying is," Jamack put on his overcoat, turning back to Dave.
"Oh, oh, wh-what am I saying? You're an idiot!" He buttoned it up. "Also, we're breaking out."
All over the restaurant, the Mutes were all booing at the group as they just stood on the stage, having not even started yet. Cappuccino sat on a larger bench, looking at the stage judgingly. "Are they booing us?" Asked Kipo. "We haven't even started yet! Do they really hate humans that much?"
"Yeah, they haven't even given us a chance." Agreed Wolf. Benson knocked into them.
"You just started giving Mutes a chance, like, a day ago." He moved back, putting his mask back on.
"Try three." Countered Wolf.
"Guys, this is not the time to argue!" Admonished Mark. "If we do not do this right, then we are screwed in so many ways that Scarlemagne would be the last of our problems. So calm down and focus!"
"Right, right." Said Kipo. She and Wolf put their masks back down as Puck took center stage.
"My lords, my ladies, my lemurs." He said. "The story you are about to hear is a harrowing tale of helpless heroes." He gestured to the wolf costumes, who bowed. The Mutes cheered. "And horrible, human, heathens!" He gestured to the group's costumes and plucked a few strings. All of the Mutes laughed as Kipo gave a single, nervous wave. One of the raccoons picked up a waffle and threw it at Wolf, smacking her in the face. It slid off, and Wolf made a lunge towards the raccoon who threw it.
"Wait Wolf!" Said Kipo, grabbing onto Wolf before she got too far.
"Keep your anger under control." Said Mark. "Or else we all die!" Puck began playing his guitar.
"The ballad of the Newton Wolves," he sang. The wolves all gathered together near him, "both learned and kind." the wolves paired off before dancing forward. Puck climbed up one of the stage poles, still singing. "Life on a mountain, bright and fair." He swung on a strand of lights. "Their knowledge o' they wish to share!" He jumped off, stepping across the group's heads. "'Til one day came a human pack, for friendship did they plea!" He jumped down next to Mandu. "They brought a gift, a suckling pig," he walked past her as she looked at him, "but also treachery!" He moved back to center stage. "Down with the humans!" The Mutes started cheering as Puck charged forward, jumping from table to table. "They ripped and tore and gnashed and bit!" He ran back to the stage and climbed up again. "Down with the humans!" He walked across an upper beam. "Send 'em back unto their pits!"
"Wow this song got super mean!" Commented Benson. Looking out, he noticed that Cappuccino was laughing.
"Play it up." Said Mark. "The better a show we do, the more information we can get from her. So just focus and play along!"
Jamack gestured to the conveyor belt that was moving dishes along rapidly. "All right, here's the plan. Ride this thing into the kitchen next door, and look for the chef with the keys on his belt. Be stealthy and don't get caught!"
"Yeah yeah yeah yeah, I got it." Said Dave. He jumped up onto the belt and rode it. "Easy."
"Remember, stealth!" Whispered Jamack.
"Hey guys!" Yelled Dave. "Anyone know where I can find the" Jamack scowled and turned away as Dave was used to hit something repeatedly, then exploded. Jamack shook his head, then saw baby Dave riding back around on the belt. He grabbed him.
"Uh uh uh, don't give me that look." Baby Dave cooed a bit, the split into toddler Dave, who ended up back on the belt. "No! Bad bug! No more rides!" He molted again and came back around to the other side.
"You can't tell me what to do!" Said teen Dave. "You're not my dad!" He went in again. "None of you are my dad!"
"Oh you gotta be kidding me." Complained Jamack.
"My mom woulda never dated none of you guys!" Continued Dave. "You don't even look like her kind!" Jamack turned back to the other side of the belt as Dave came through it in his normal form. "Ta to the da!" He said, brandishing a key ring. "Stealth!"
"Hm. That's one way to do it." Commented Jamack.
The Mutes continued to cheer as the song continued. "Their leader Kipo, hair of pink," sang Puck, flicking the hair on Kipo's costume a bit, "her brain so empty oh she stinked!"
"I bet she does!" Laughed Cappuccino.
"That rascally coward Benjamin, no muscles there he was so thin!" Puck walked over to Wolf. "Her vicious friend, created dread," he wrapped her in a strand of lights, "she wore a wolf upon her head!" He swung her over to Mark. "The final human of the crew, many wolves he came to slew! The bug, the pig, two traitor Mutes! They helped the humans fight and loot!" He moved to center stage again. "Down with the humans! Their furless flesh it smells of rot!" He climbed up some rocks as all the Mutes continued to cheer. "Down with the humans! They make us throw up a lot! Down with the humans! They're gross, they're mean, of ill repute!" Each person of the group was tied up swiftly and slammed into the ground. Another waffle was thrown at Wolf's face. "Down with the humans! The surface is for Mutes!" The wolves stacked themselves in a pyramid at the end of that verse. Puck started making his way back down. "So beware the humans, heed my words, who offer friendship true." He jumped onto one of the support beams and slid down. "They've dashed the skunks and plucked the birds, and next it could be, you." The wolves collapsed as the Mutes broke out into even more boisterous cheers than before.
"Bravo!" Called Cappuccino. "Brava! Bravissimo!" She walked up to the stage.
"Crushed it!" Said Kipo as she helped the others up. She stepped down towards Cappuccino.
"Help! Save me!" She said. "Kipo and her filthy humans are invading my restaurant!" She laughed at the thought. Kipo laughed with her a bit.
"Humans probably have pretty good hygiene in real life though, right everyone?" She looked at the crowd of Mutes, who all began booing again. Another waffle was thrown at Wolf.
"That was easily the best show I have ever seen." Said Cappuccino. Puck fist bumped another otter. "And you! You had me shaking in my shell! I was transported!"
"Why, thank you." Said Kipo. She started taking a bow, and her mask started to slip. It fell off halfway before Mark suddenly reached out and grabbed it, stopping it from coming off.
"That was close." He whispered. Cappuccino noticed something from the behind of the mask.
"What's this?" She asked, reaching out for some pink hair that was coming out from under the mask. Mark calmly put Kipo's mask back on correctly.
"It's nothing important." He lied. Cappuccino glared at him.
"I might have been born in the morning." She said. "But it wasn't yesterday morning. Something's fishy here." She suddenly reached out and pulled Kipo's mask off, revealing her. All the Mutes gasped at the sudden reveal and Cappuccino dropped the mask. Kipo looked around and chuckled nervously. Cappuccino yelped. "It's really her!" She exclaimed.
"Uh, this is a second mask?" Asked Kipo. The Mutes booed again as each mask was taken off in turn, revealing Mark, then Wolf, then Benson. Then, the booing turned to cheers when one of the wolf masks was taken off, revealing an otter. It was put back on, and the cheering stopped. Kipo looked around a bit.
"So, uh, about that burrow?" Cappuccino leaned in uncomfortably closely to her.
"How dare you disgrace my beautiful restaurant!? Toss 'em to Harriet!"
"Who's Harriet?" Asked Kipo. All of them were suddenly grabbed by shrimp waiters.
"I feel like we're about to find out." Said Mark. He attempted to pull against the waiters, only to have more grab onto him. He struggled against them, and suddenly a swarm came and picked up all four of them. Their costumes were stripped off swiftly.
"Whoa!" Called Benson. They were quickly dragged to the far back of the restaurant and held by the edge as the water below bubbled. A large pod-like thing sprung out and opened up, revealing a very large mouth and three black eyes.
"Oh, that's Harriet." Realized Kipo. "Hello Harriet." One of the waiters threw Benson's mask towards Harriet, who closed around it and ate it very quickly, practically whole.
"Great!" Complained Benson. "I'm gonna be brunch before I ever get to try it myself!"
"Not so fast!" Countered Kipo. "Unless Harriet's got a taste for paw!" She stuck her arms out, and nothing happened. "Ah, forgot to say herbs in." Mark struggled against the swarm.
"I can't control mine that easily, otherwise I'd get us out of here!" He said. A few stacks of shrimp suddenly pointed very, very large and sharp forks at the two of them. They pushed forward slightly, trying to get them to fall in, when suddenly a tongue lashed out and grabbed at them, flinging them into the ones holding the group. The tongue continued to lash out at the shrimps, knocking them all away. The group stood up and looked at their unlikely savior.
"Jamack?!" Asked Kipo. "I can't believe it!" She ran towards him, and he put his hand up.
"Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa." He interrupted. "Like I told the bug, I'm just making sure I didn't give up a life of luxury and respect for nothing."
"I dunno man," said Dave as he walked up, "you're way better at saving people than you are at being a criminal. Just lookin' from the outside in." The rest of the group walked up as Jamack groaned.
"Shut up and follow me." He said. He looked around the group, then noticed Mark's arm. "Wait, hold on. Aren't you that human that Scarlemagne had?" Mark sighed and looked away.
"That was the past, this is now." He said. "Scarlemagne promised me that he wouldn't kidnap the humans, they'd either come willingly or pay the price." He looked right back at Jamack. "Then he went and kidnapped everyone from her burrow, and now has them under some kind of mind control." He growled, then slammed his fist into his hand. "He's going to pay for that!"
"Uh," started Jamack. Leo popped out and floated in front of him.
"He was kidnapped when he was young." He answered. "Between you and me, he doesn't like the thought of kidnapping."
"Huh?" Asked Jamack. "You again? Where do you keep coming from?"
"Not important." Said Leo. "You said you knew a way out?" Jamack sighed.
"Yeah, let's go." He turned away and started walking.
"I guess we'll have to find the burrow a different way." Said Kipo as she reluctantly followed him. The group was suddenly interrupted by loud squawking outside.
"Mega Flamingos." Said Mark. Wolf walked to a broken wall and looked out.
"Unless Scarlemagne finds us first." She said. Benson and Kipo walked up behind her and looked into the sky to see a small convoy of flamingos making their way over. Leading them was Gerard. Mark walked over and looked up, then growled.
"Gerard." He said. The flamingos landed in the front area, scattering tables and Mutes alike. Gerard looked around them all as they all backed away in fear.
"This is your moment, Gerard." He told himself. "Make it count." He refocused on the Mutes around the restaurant. "Attention dinners, I-I mean diners! Dang it. We've come for the chef they call, Cappuccino."
"I'm Cappuccino." Said Cappuccino as she walked up, arms crossed. "Who the hash browns are you?"
"A messenger." Replied Gerard. "And I come bearing a, messenge." He pulled a sheet of paper out and began reading it. "Congratulations! You're going to cater Scarlemagne's coronation. And all his meals before and after that, forever." He put the paper away. "As for the rest of you, consider this a formal invitation from your future emperor." The Mutes around all gasped. "See you in one week, or else!" They all gasped again, and Cappuccino put one arm out to reassure them. Gerard laughed as Cappuccino snapped her fingers. She was suddenly surrounded by several shrimp waiters, all wielding the large forks. They brandished them at Gerard.
"Listen you fancy clown, I've run Brunchington since before Scarlemagne could tie his cravat! Now, I love what he's doing with those grimy humans, but this isn't his territory. And we're not goin' anywhere! Right everyone?" She looked back to all of her Mute patrons, who were all cowering in fear. Cappuccino looked forward again to see Gerard's Mega Flamingo dangerously closer to her as he laughed again. It suddenly reached down and snatched up one of the waiters and ate him whole. The group watched through the door, and Jamack turned away.
"They're not here for you. Let's go!" He started running, but nobody followed him.
"No." Said Kipo.
"Kipo, they sent us to Harriet." Countered Benson. "They don't care if we live or die!"
"I'd say they only care that we die." Said Dave. Mark shook his head, then stood next to Kipo.
"I don't care if they don't care because I care!" Argued Kipo. "Wait." She thought about it for a moment. "Yeah, that's right!"
"What are we supposed to do?" Asked Wolf. "Fight?" She spun her staff.
"Oh, we're going to do more than that." Said Mark. "These clowns deserve quite a bit for working for Scarlemagne." He growled, his anger rising as he thought back to that betrayal.
"And if either of you lose control and turn into a Mega?" Countered Wolf. "We're not ready. And when everyone realizes who you are, they'll come after you instead." Kipo looked down.
"I know." She admitted.
"If we lose control here, or somewhere else," started Mark, "it doesn't matter. If we lose Cappuccino, then odds are we'll never get Kipo her anchor." Leo landed on Kipo's shoulder.
"I'm going with these two." He stated. "Even if it's dangerous, this is the right call. Not only is it the right thing to do morally, it's the right thing to do logically." Kipo turned to the door and opened it, walking through. Mark followed her quickly, and Wolf, Benson and Dave hesitated for no longer than a second before following them. Wolf got Stalkie ready as they went.
"What do you all have against living?!" Complained Jamack. He reluctantly ran after them as the TheaOtters poked their heads out of a door.
"And we shall bravely survive to tell your tale another day!" They quickly closed the door again. Kipo walked forward with Mark in tow.
"Hey fancy clown!" Called Kipo.
"Remember us?" Asked Mark. Cappuccino and Gerard turned to them.
"What?" Asked Cappuccino.
"You!" Declared Gerard.
"If you want her, you're gonna have to go through these!" Challenged Kipo. "Herbs in!" She shot her arms forward and they swelled out into their jaguar variants.
"And don't forget about me." Said Mark. "Scarlemagne's deception is still fresh in my mind!" He shot his arms out, and his right one swelled out into its wolf variant. His left one grew fur, and not much else. All the Mutes around the restaurant gasped as they unsheathed their claws. One of the flamingos approached Mark as Gerard's approached Kipo. The Mutes began booing.
"Oh bring it on, burrow girl." Said Gerard. "Your weird arms don't scare me!" Mark made the first move, dashing into the flamingo facing him down and knocking it back, before following it up with a swift swipe against the heads.
"Act quick, and they can't hurt you!" He said. More flamingos surrounded them as Wolf and Jamack ran up to Kipo.
"We got you Kipo!" Said Wolf.
"Come on, let's get this over with!" Agreed Jamack. Mark looked at Benson.
"Focus on keeping everyone safe!" He demanded.
"You got it!" Agreed Benson. Kipo, Wolf and Jamack rushed forward towards different flamingos. Wolf made the first strike by swiping a flamingo's feet out from under it, sprawling its rider out at Kipo's feet. Another flamingo rushed down to her, and she dodged its first head before swinging at it. The other head lunged at her and she ducked back before swinging down at it with both fists.
"Whoa, cool!" She said, looking at her arms as the Mutes cheered. She looked down at the flamingo she had just knocked out. "Aw, poor flamingo." Another one suddenly attacked her but was knocked back by Mark.
"Look alive Kipo!" He called. "It's a fight! Don't get distracted!" He pushed the flamingo back as another one came at Kipo. She dodged its attack quickly. Up above, Jamack was swinging his tongue all over the place. He stuck it onto one flamingo and fell below it, before suddenly yanking down on it and sending it down to the ground. It landed near Benson and Dave.
"Stay calm and follow us!" Said Benson, leading another group of Mutes to safety. Dave ate some leftovers, not a care in the world about the battle going on over him.
"Last call for takeout." He said. Benson looked back, then ran towards Cappuccino, who was trapped under a table. He held a hand out for her as she struggled to get up.
"Really?" She asked.
"Come on!" Said Benson. "Let's get you to cover!" Cappuccino looked to the side.
"All right." She said. She took Benson's hand and he pulled her up. As he turned to help her to cover he saw Kipo get grabbed by two flamingos.
"Kipo!" He yelled. Mark backhanded another flamingo as he looked up.
"No!" He called. He grit his teeth. "They will not take her!" He focused, and his other arm suddenly swelled out to match his wolf arm. He started swiping at flamingos left and right, trying to clear a path for himself to get up to her. Kipo continued to struggle against the flamingos as she was pulled further and further away.
"No!" She said. She struggled a bit more, and her legs suddenly poofed up as her feet changed into jaguar paws. She swung herself up and attacked the two flamingo riders, knocking them into the water with well placed throws and kicks. Gerard looked back as he heard them splash into the water, then up as Kipo roared at him as she fell towards him. She landed on the flamingo just as it took off, and she climbed up Gerard's back. Mark suddenly held his paws to his head, getting a massive headache.
"Ugh." He moaned. "This is painful!" He fell to his knees as Kipo climbed around to the front of Gerard, and rose her paw up high, claws out, ready to deal the final blow. He looked up at her terrified as her eyes changed, losing control. Wolf ran to the edge of the restaurant and looked up.
"Kipo! Don't!" She yelled. Kipo glanced down at her, then back at Gerard. He suddenly threw her off of him and straight towards Harriet. Wolf grabbed Jamack's tongue and wrapped it around herself. "Launch me!" Jamack shot her towards Kipo quickly, and Wolf grabbed onto her. They fell into Harriet's maw, and it closed around them. Harrier sank into the water, pulling Jamack with it as Benson and Dave grabbed onto him.
"Oh no." Said Benson. Mark shook his head, managing to refocus on what was going on, then moved over to Jamack as Harriet began moving them back and forth. He grabbed onto them, stopping them from getting slammed into the walls.
"I've got you guys! Just keep a hold on them!" The group kept getting shoved to either side as Harriet continued to move. After several seconds, Harriet abruptly rose out of the water and opened up, revealing Kipo and Wolf. Kipo had managed to brace herself against the inside of Harriet's mouth, keeping them from being eaten. She jumped back and the two landed on the ground hard. Kipo glared up as Harriet sank back down, revealing Gerard retreating. She growled a little as Wolf looked at her concerned.
"Kipo, what was that back there?" She asked. Kipo turned to her, gritting her teeth tightly and panting.
"Herbs out!" She said quickly, trying to regain control. Her jaguar features retracted, returning her to normal. "I, I don't know. But it wasn't me." Mandu ran up as the others walked up.
"Ar-are you guys ok?" Asked Benson, handing Stalkie back to Wolf. "Dave was so afraid you were dead he started crying." Dave sniffled a bit.
"That's not true! I just got brunch in my eye." He wiped away a few tears. "I'm just glad you're both alright." Mark looked at Kipo.
"Aw, thanks Dave." Kipo opened her arms wide, and Dave went in for a hug.
"Kipo, you almost lost control there." Said Mark. "I could feel it."
"I know." Replied Kipo, looking up at him. "I just felt, I don't even know. Angry? Afraid?" Mark sighed.
"Well, that's behind us now. At least now we have a warning system for if one of us starts to lose control."
"How so?" Asked Benson.
"When Kipo was losing control up there, I got a massive headache. Kinda like my head was ripping in two, actually."
"Ripping in two?" Asked Wolf.
"If you think about it, me and Kipo have two different personalities inside of us. Ourselves, and the Megas. And if one of us loses control, the others follow suit."
"So that headache must've been the Mega Wolf trying to take control!" Realized Kipo. "Kinda surprised it took us that long to figure it out." Puck suddenly walked up.
"Hail Kipo our conquering hero!" Everyone turned to look at him. "Yours shall be the greatest story ever told on stage!" He suddenly rushed up to Jamack. "And you, the toad who wields his tongue like a swashbuckler's sword! Have you considered teaching a course in stage combat?" Jamack smiled at him, and put his arm around Puck.
"Oh, sure. Sure I-I could teach ya a thing or two. But I'm warning you, I'm not cheap." The two began walking away.
"Oh." Said Kipo. "Jamack, I thought maybe you'd wanna come with us." The two turned back to the group, and Jamack looked at Dave, who smiled back a little. He thought it over for all of a second before deciding.
"Absolutely not."
"Good call." Added Dave. Jamack and Puck again turned away and started walking.
"You know, I once defeated four of the most dangerous packs in Las Vistas single-handed, so, this is a pretty great investment on your part." Boasted Jamack. Puck gasped.
"You're the valiant frog with the Mega Bunny steed?"
"Oh? I got a reputation." Realized Jamack. "In that case, I'm charging you double." The group watched him go, only to be interrupted by someone walking up.
"Humans." The group looked at Cappuccino, and Wolf aimed Stalkie right at her as Mark brandished his claws. Cappuccino looked at them, then slowly pushed Stalkie to the side. "I don't know, why you helped me after the way I treated you. I'm a proud shrimp, but not too proud to admit, that I was wrong." Wolf pulled Stalkie back as Mark took a breath, refocusing. His paws retracted. "You uh, want to know about that old burrow, right?" She snapped her fingers, and two waiters walked up with a few pencils and a sheet of paper. She took them, and quickly scribbled down a map. She held it out to the group. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone where you're headed."
"Thank you." Said Kipo. She stood up and walked over to Cappuccino. "But Scarlemagne doesn't give in to anyone." She graciously took the map from Cappuccino. "They'll be back."
"If he wants you badly enough, he'll arrive in an even greater force." Added Mark.
"Brunchington Beach is my home!" Declared Cappuccino. "Let 'em come!" She smiled slightly at that. "Now, why don't you all have a nice meal before you go?"
"Really?" Asked Kipo, stunned. "But, we're humans."
"Yeah, well, nobody's perfect." Sighed Cappuccino. Mark looked at her.
"I'll fill you in on some details that will help you take down the flamingos before they get close. Rule number 2, right?" Cappuccino laughed.
"Sounds good to me, human." Cappuccino looked at her waiters. "Let's get Brunchington back open!" The entire swarm of shrimp waiters flooded around the restaurant, righting tables and cleaning them up in record time. During that time, Mark told Cappuccino everything she'd need to know to defend Brunchington Beach as effectively as possible. The group was seated quickly after that, though Mark stared at his seat questioningly.
"I'm not sure how I feel about this." He said. He slowly sat down. "At the lab, we were forced to stand while they fed us our nutrient solution. And with Scarlemagne, we were just given our food and told to eat it somewhere. This feels weird."
"Dude, do you have any kinds of memories that aren't negative?" Asked Benson. Mark thought for a few moments.
"Well," he started, not sure how to answer, "I suppose the four" Mandu squealed, interrupting him, "five, my bad. The five of you are the highlights of my life." Kipo smiled at him.
"That's what it's like to have friends." She said.
"I suppose it is." Agreed Mark. He looked down at his arm. It twitched a bit, and suddenly all the fur retracted. He gasped, then held it up. "Well, would you look at that?"
"Look like somebody's finally getting full control!" Said Dave. Menus were brought to everyone. "So, everybody know how to order?"
"Nope." Said Wolf. Kipo looked at the menu and decided quickly.
"I know what I want." She said. Mark looked at the menu, and squinted his eyes.
"Uh, you guys know how to read, right?" He asked. He held out his menu. "Er, a little help, please?" Benson looked at him, shocked.
"Your past is so messed up!" Exclaimed Benson. Mark glared at him.
"Gee, as if I didn't know that." He sarcastically remarked. Kipo gave him some help with the menu as the others decided. They placed their orders, and they were brought out quickly. Benson got his waffle placed in front of him and quickly stuck his fork in, taking a bite. He ate it and enjoyed it as Dave and Wolf got their own waffles. Mandu was given a bowl of something.
"Ah, Brunch." Said Benson. "Believe the hype." Kipo was served a plate of spaghetti and meatballs as Mark was served a burger. He picked it up cautiously.
"I remember hearing this word a few times. The lab coats always enjoyed it when they had it." Kipo prepared to dig into her meal, and her jaguar features suddenly came out in full force. She picked up the noodles with an animalistic hunger, shoving as much into her mouth all at once as possible. This kept up for several seconds at the group just kinda, looked at her, very concerned. She eventually looked up at them and swallowed most of what she had shoved in. Her eyes returned to normal as she realized what was happening.
"Herbs out." She said, returning to normal. The noodles that were in her paws slid out, back onto the table. She smiled nervously at everyone, a few noodles dangling from her mouth with several remnants all over her face. "Uh, hey, guys." She slowly said. "Have you ever had that feeling where you think you're in control but then you're not 'cause a ferocious jaguar is in control and its need to hunt is insatiable?!" She took a deep breath, and Dave scooted his chair back several feet.
"Maybe we should find that anchor?" Suggest Wolf. "Like, now." Kipo looked around the group, then slurped up the last noodle dangling from her mouth. She smiled nervously.
"Let's hope we can find it quickly enough." Added Mark. "I could feel our control slipping with that."