Jaune and Courage the Cowardly Dog
Chap 33: Courage vs Mecha-Courage
It was a long month. First the tornado and then the tidal wave. It left a lot of destruction in their wake. But like the will, or rather strangeness of Nowhere, everything was back in a matter of days. With everyone acting like either nothing happened or that this weather was normal. But at least now, we can rest as everything is back and we don't need to worry about any more weather emergencies as the computer told us these events only happened every couple hundred years.
But that did not stop my friends from worrying. After days after the tidal wave, transportation between places were back up and running. So, Ruby left once she could get a flight back to Vale. For the next two weeks, it was just me Courage and the Bagge family. But after that, we got the surprise, and tackle, of my friends, Team Rwby and my old team to be exact, when Courage and I were taking a stroll around Nowhere town. Apparently, when Ruby came back to Vale, she told the others of went happened when she came to visit. Needless to say, they were all scared and worried about what Ruby told them. So scared and worried that the first chance they could get, they took a bullhead here to Nowhere to see if I was okay. And they were relieved to see that we were.
That was a few days ago. Currently, they were inside the kitchen. Muriel was teaching them some recipes she knew. They all apparently loved her cooking. Despite the fact that Muriel sometimes put too much vinegar in her cooking. Right now, though, me and Courage were a good distance away from the house. Courage was chewing on Eustace's work boot while I was reading a book I got on places of the world. So, at least I would have some knowledge of the places if we have to go to one of them again like we did with Ecuador earlier this month.
"How does that boot taste like Courage?" I asked turning to him as he was really enjoying that boot. He just looked at me with a smile before going back to chewing on it.
"Hey canine." A voice suddenly said getting our attention.
Turning to the voice, we saw Di Lung approaching us with his smirk and ever-present shades. He is the towns resident jerk. Eustace holds the title for resident ass. But at least with Di Lung, he will not actively try to insult you each time he sees you where Eustace is. Most of the time he will just ignore you or have a small chat at most. Though, what everyone in Nowhere knows him for is his trademark 'Watch where you're goin', ya fool!' when you get in his way. Even though most of the time when he says this, he is the one not paying attention.
"What do you want Di Lung?" I asked getting up.
'Yeah, can't you see we are busy?' Courage asked as he continued to chew on the boot.
"Not you, Courage dog. Want to play quick game of fetch?" He asked pointing to Courage. He then took out a stick and placed it in a launcher that he clearly made himself. Despite being a jerk, he is smart and likes to create different inventions. Whether they work or not is a different story all together.
'Huh?' Courage asked confused. And we both grew even more confused when Di Lung shot the stick extremely far away that we could no longer see it.
"Fetch." He said pointing in the direction that the stick went in.
'Yeah, right.' Courage said as he went back to the boot.
"And how do you figure he do that Di Lung?" I asked as I tried to see if I can find where the stick landed.
"As dog, you no good. And like this." He answered before grabbing Courage, placing him into the launcher and firing him before I could even react. He then began to laugh. "FETCH!"
"And how do you expect for him to get-OOF!" I began to ask but couldn't finish as Courage suddenly came back and hit me from the other direction. Groaning, I got back up and helped Courage to his feet as well.
"No stick?! You no good dog two times." Di Lung said while throwing down his launcher when he saw Courage did not have the stick.
"Back off Di Lung." I said as I moved between him and Courage.
"I bet I can make better dog than you. You'll see. Courage dog, joke." He declared before taunting.
"I said back off Di Lung." I threatened while pulling out my sword and aiming at him. He, however, just laughed before leaving. Shaking my head, I turned to Courage who was searching his mouth for a moment before pulling out the same stick Di Lung launched. "You okay Courage?"
'Fine. Just a bit sore in the throat from having this stick lodged in there.' He answered as he took a few deep breathes.
"That's good. Let's head to another spot so if Di Lung comes back, he won't find us." I suggested.
'Sure.' Courage answered as he picked up Eustace's boot.
Half an Hour later
'Seriously, what does Courage find so appealing in chewing Eustace's shoe?' I thought as I watched him continue to chew on the boot. Even though it's been half an hour since Di Lung was here, he still hasn't stopped chewing the boot.
"Hey Jaune." A voice called out. Looking over my book, I saw Pyrrha and Ruby approaching us.
"Hey, you two." I said with a smile while getting up.
'Hello.' Courage said waving at them before going back to the boot.
"You know, there is a leak in the basement and Eustace is looking for that boot so he can fix it." Pyrrha said pointing to the boot Courage was chewing on. We all looked at him for a moment before silently deciding to let him keep chewing on it.
"Anyway, you two need something?" I asked getting their attention.
"Right, Muriel wanted us to get you so we can start preparing for dinner." Ruby answered excitedly as we planned on having chicken dumplings tonight. And judging by how their mouths seem to water a bit at the thought, I can tell they like Muriel's chicken dumplings as well.
"Alright, let's go." I said but before we could go, they stopped me.
"Who's that Jaune?" Pyrrha asked. I was about to turn around but the voice was all I needed to know who it was.
"No good dog. Meet Mecha-Courage." Di Lung said as he approached us. But as soon as he did, a loud vicious barking was heard. Quickly turning around, we saw a strange dog heard coming out of a pink round robot thing that had a red bulb for what we can presume is a nose.
"That's Di Lung. The town jerk essentially." I told them before turning to Di Lung. "What's the meaning of this Di lung?"
"To show that I build better dog. He better dog than Courage in every way." He answered laughing while poking his finger on Courage's head. He then turned to the 'dog.' "Watch. Chew boot."
"WOAH." We all shouted and jumped back when mech-courage pulled out a bar filled with blades. It then spun up and absolutely destroyed the boot. Leaving nothing but shreds of it left.
"That was excessive." Pyrrha remarked as she watched the robot pulled the blades back into itself.
"Definitely." Ruby agreed glaring at mech-courage.
"COURAGE! KIDS!" Muriel shouted from the house.
"Now I prove my dog better dog. Be better dog." Di Lung declared before ordering mech-courage to do so. It barked before speeding off to the house while Di Lung laughed. Only to stop laughing and fall down when a giant hammer hit him on the head. Looking up, we saw Nora holding her hammer glaring at him.
"He was annoying. Though, I still don't think knocking him out was the answer." Ren said next to her shaking his head.
"But he was making fun of my buddy Courage." Nora defended herself before picking up Courage and nearly squishing him with her hug.
"But still." Ren kept on while helping Courage escape Nora's death grip.
"It's fine Ren. He deserved it." I told him.
"Um, shouldn't we go to the house to make sure the robot does not break anything?" Pyrrha asked.
'Right.' Courage answered before running to the house.
We looked at each other for a moment before leaving Di Lung where he was and followed Courage. Getting to the house, we decided not to enter but to observe from the window. Inside, we saw Muriel by the stove watching something cook. Behind her was Blake, Weiss and Yang. Though, they were too preoccupied to notice Mecha-Courage enter and go up to Muriel.
"You're looking mighty fit today Courage. Must be the vinegar I put in your dog food." Muriel said when she saw Mech-Courage and mistook it for Courage. Despite bearing no resemblance aside from the color.
'Bleah.' Courage said in disgust at that.
"I always thought that you were kidding Jaune when you said Muriel puts vinegar in everything. But apparently, she does." Ren said in surprise.
"MURIEL!" Eustace shouted getting everyone's attention as he entered the kitchen. At this point, the others had looked up and spotted Mecha-Courage. Their eyes going wide at what they saw. "Where's me boot. How am I going to fix the flood in the basement without me boot?"
"What's with the pink robot?" Weiss asked as she, Yang and Blake ran outside.
"And why does Muriel think that is Courage?" Blake asked.
"A guy named Di Lung created it apparently." Ren answered.
"To try and replace Courage" Nora added as she once again nearly squished Courage in her death hugs. Luckily, Ren helped him escape again.
"Why don't we just turn it to scraps?" Yang asked as she punched her fist into her palm.
'As much as I want that, let's see how it plays out.' Courage answered to which Nora then translated to the rest. We nodded and turned back inside and saw Eustace now shouting at Mecha-Courage thinking it was the real Courage.
"Hey stupid dog! Where's me boot?" Eustace demanded. Then, from the top of the head, came out two giant gloved hands that grabbed Eustace's sock clad foot and started massaging it. Next it took out a ruler to measure his foot before pulling out an exact replica from itself and placing it on Eustace's foot. "Look at that!"
"Okay, how do they still think that is Courage?" Weiss asked astounded that both Muriel and Eustace simply smiled and thought that was normal. Despite the fact that two robot hands and a shoe came out of it.
"Quick, it must be going to the basement to fix the leak." I said as we rushed inside the house and passed both Muriel and followed Eustace to the basement. Getting there, we saw Mech-Courage raise itself on its wheels so that it stayed above water. It then went over to the pipe and took out a wrench and fixed the leak.
"Wow. You ain't so stupid after all dog. But you're still a stupid dog." Eustace said admiring what Mecha-Courage just did before reverting back to insulting him.
"He never ceases to amaze me on how idiotic and mean he can be." Weiss whispered to us at how Eustace still thought the robot was Courage. We all nodded before turning back to the robot and saw him pull out a vacuum and started sucking up the water.
"Oh, look at him sucking up that water. Hey, nice." Eustace said admiring what he just saw.
'AAARRRGH.' Courage said in growing irritation as he ripped off the fur on his head.
"I know Courage. We'll get rid of this guy later." I told him as I pulled him into t hug to try and calm him down.
"KIDS! COURAGE! Come here." Muriel suddenly called out.
"Coming." I shouted back as we made our way to the kitchen. Getting there, we saw the food on the table with Muriel standing in front of the cabinets where we keep the plates.
"Yes. Ms. Bagge." Weiss said as we walked over to Muriel.
"Oh, how many times do I have to tell you all. Just call me Muriel. Now, if you all please help me set the table so we can eat." Muriel told us as she started to hand us some plates and utensils.
"Of course, Muriel." Blake said as she took some plates herself. We all took some as she gave it to us, but before we could leave or Courage get his share, Mech-Courage came in and took everything with the many robotic hands he has before going to the dining room.
'AARRGGHH!' Courage growled at the robot in anger. Curious, we followed it into the dining room where we saw Eustace sitting down waiting to be fed.
"Aside from only helping himself, does he ever lift a finger to help around the house?" Yang asked glaring at Eustace.
"Rarely, but that is only when no one else is around." I answered. Looking back at the table, we saw Mech-Courage start setting the table. And going a bit overboard as well. He pulled out from his robotic body a dozen different glasses for drinks. Each one for a different type of drink. Then it took out five different forks and two different knives and placed them next to the plate. And to top it off, it took out a lit candelabra and placed it on the center of the table.
"Um, I didn't know this Di Lung included enough silverware to make this a formal and/or fancy dinner into the machine." Weiss said surprised.
"Why are there so many forks and knives Wiess?" Ruby asked.
"In most formal meals, each utensil is meant for a different type of dish. Such as a dinner fork, fish fork, salad fork etc." Weiss explained. Ruby nodded though still did not fully understand the reason behind it. Hearing some soft music playing, we turned back and saw Mecha-Courage playing the violin.
'AAHHH!' Courage gasped in shock at seeing this. His mouth hitting the floor with all his teeth coming out as well. Hearing Ruby shiver in fear we turned back to her.
"You okay Ruby?" I asked worried.
"Violin girl." She answered shivering in fear at those memories from New York.
"Violin girl?" Pyrrha asked confused.
"We'll explain later. Ruby still just have some nightmares of what we saw there. Therapy sessions don't seem to be helping with it." Yang answered as she wrapped her arms around Ruby.
"You know, for a stupid dog, you ain't so stupid. But you're still a stupid dog." Eustace said with a rare smile before returning to his usual frown and insulting Mecha-Courage. Still believing that it was the real Courage.
"Don't worry Courage. We'll get rid of that thing." I told him while giving him a scratch behind his ear to calm him down.
"OOH! Can I smash it?" Nora asked excitedly. We all looked at each other before shrugging and nodded. "YAY!"
"Okay dearies. Dinner's ready." Muriel said as she came out of the kitchen carrying two large trays full of chicken dumplings.
'But first dinner.' Courage said as his mouth watered when he smelled the fresh dumplings. Turning to the others and seeing their mouths water a bit as well, I just chuckled and nodded in agreement.
One Hour later
'Tired of fishing the old-fashioned way?' The reporter asked.
"Sure am." Eustace answered.
After dinner and putting away all the dishes, we decided watch some television to let the food settle. Team Rwby were sitting on the couch along with Nora and Ren while me and Pyrrha were sitting on the floor. Though, Nora was sitting on Ren's lap. I was first surprised that Courage could legally marry two people. But I thought that it wouldn't be valid in other places. But apparently it was and now Ren and Nora are now a happily married couple. But that wasn't fully on our minds now as during dinner, Mecha-Courage disappeared.
"Hey Jaune." Blake called out.
"Yeah, Blake." I said turning to her.
"When do you think, we can go fishing again in Nowhere Lake?" She asked.
"Next time your free to come over I suppose." I answered. She smiled and nodded at this before we turned back to the television.
'Then try the brand spanking new super deluxe mega fish stick 4000!' The reported announced showing before changing to a fancy looking fishing rod.
"Would you look at that rod? Boy, oh, boy. What I'd do for that." Eustace said in total admiration of the fishing rod before frowning when we heard a knock on the door. "Muriel! Someone's at the door. Go to get me that rod."
"Oh, thank you Courage." Muriel said as Courage jumped off her lap and headed to answer the door. Curious but also concerned, I went with him.
"Yes?" I asked as we opened the door.
'AAHHH!' Courage gasped when we saw that it was Mech-Courage.
"BOW-WOW." It said before barging through before we could close the door. And I was certain that had I not been there, Courage would have been smashed between the door and the wall from how forceful Mech-Courage barged in.
"You okay Courage?" I asked him once we moved to the side and full closed the door.
'Yeah, thanks for the save.' He answered.
"That fishing stick is every man's dream." Eustace said happily as he continued to stare at the fishing rod on screen.
"BOW-WOW" Mecha-Courage said getting Eustace's attention.
"Go away." Eustace demanded angrily. But changed to wonder when he saw Mecha-Courage give him the same rod he just saw on screen. "Oh, A dream has come true. Hey, dog. You're not so bad after all. He, he, he."
"Oh, good dog Courage." Muriel said mistaking Mecha-Courage for the actual one as the robot jumped onto her lap.
'Oh!' Courage gasped. Turning to him, I saw that he was staring to cry at seeing Muriel mistake a robot for him.
"Come here Courage." I said as I picked him up and headed outside. Once out, I sat down on the porch stairs and let him cry and let it all out. After a couple of minutes, he stopped crying but did not let go. Pulling him tighter, I let him silently know that I am still here for him.
"Are you alright Courage?" Weiss asked as she sat down next to us. The others soon following as well.
'Yeah, I just need a moment.' Courage answered sniffling as he hugged me tighter. Unfortunately, the moment did not come as Di Lung arrived.
"Ha, ha, ha. Give up dog. I won bet. New dog in town. He better than you. Better than you in every way. Better than you in every other way." He taunted Courage. Luckily, I still had my shield and Yang her gauntlets.
"OW!" He shouted in pain as I hit him with my shield in the face while Yang also punched him as hard as she could. Also, in the face. He fell to the floor in pain, but like every other person or creature we faced, he was surprisingly durable.
"Shut up Di Lung." I nearly shouted at him as I put away my sword.
"Or I'll break your legs." Nora threatened as she had her hammer out. Ren seemed like he was about to try and make her put her hammer away but stopped when he realized that everyone else had their weapons out as well.
"No matter. Courage will still never beat him. No way he ever beat him. Even if he's gladiator in colosseum of Rome." Di Lung declared while nursing his broken nose.
"Rome? Where or what is that?" Pyrrha asked confused along with the others. But before either of us could answer, Courage jumped off me and disappeared for a brief second before returning with a suitcase.
'I accept you challenge.' Courage declared as he set the suitcase down. And on the side was a tag for Rome. We all looked at each other in worry at this after I translated what Courage said to the others.
'This can't be good.' I thought worried.
Next day Rome
"Be careful Courage." I shouted out to him from the spectators' seats we were in.
"Go get him Courage!" Both Nora and Ruby shouted while holding onto a sign that said 'GO COURAGE!' Blake was even waving a small flag that had Courage laughing on it.
We were in an apparently famous colosseum of Rome. It was home to many gladiator battles and fights. All to gain the favor of the emperor or to entertain the masses. It was a long flight to here but we were here now. Cheering Courage on as he was in the field dressed in armor and had a shield and giant spiked club. He was going to face Mecha-Courage in battle and fight until there is only one left standing. And as much as I wanted to be down there with him, I knew it was his fight.
"You okay Jaune?" Pyrrha asked sitting next to me.
"Worried for Courage. He may be durable and can survive a lot but that does not mean I like seeing him get hurt." I explained.
"I know Jaune. It's fairly easily to see that he is like your brother." Pyrrha said giving me a hug.
'Yeah, but calm down blondie. I'm pretty sure he'll be alright.' A new voice suddenly said.
"Was the Coco's voice?" Pyrrha asked looking around.
'That's right blondie.' Coco answered. Looking around, we saw Weiss and Yang holding their scrolls to the arena. And on their scrolls were Coco, Velvet, Peach, Glynda, Winter and Penny.
"Um?" I asked confused. Luckily, Weiss decided to explain.
"They heard about what was going on. And while they couldn't be here in person, they still wanted to cheer Courage on." She explained. We nodded but before anyone else could say anything, the doors in the arena flew open.
"BOW-WOW." Mecha-Courage said before speeding into the center of the arena.
'GO GET HIM COURAGE.' Peach surprisingly shouted before giggling and adding. 'I should probably make some painkillers for him to take after this fight.'
Hearing this, Courage then struggled to lift this weapon and barley managed to get it over his head. But before he could attack, Mech-Courage pulled out an even bigger spiked club. It then proceeded to bash Courage repeatedly into the ground. Completely destroying his armor, shield and weapon in the process. After the final swing, Mech-Courage let the weapon stay there for a moment before pulling away. But struggled for a brief moment as Courage turned to gum and stuck to the weapon and ground. But after another hit into the ground removed him allowing Mecha-Courage to take back his weapon.
'Ha, ha, ha.' Courage laughed as he pulled himself out of the hole and fell to the ground in pain.
'I must say Jaune, Courage is more durable than most drones we have here in Atlas to train with.' Winter said in admiration at seeing Courage easily, although painfully the attack.
'Will he be okay Jaune?' Velvet asked worried.
"I can only hope so." I answered as we continued to watch the fight.
Looking back at the fight, we saw Courage decided to change tactics this time and go long range by using a crossbow. But it failed as the arrow harmlessly bounced off Mecha-Courage. As if to add salt to the wound, Mecha-Courage transformed into a giant bow that was capable of launching a volley of giant arrows all at once.
'AAHHH!' Courage screamed when he saw this. The arrows were soon launched and he was no longer seen. But miraculously, he was not hit and just pulled to the wall. Stuck in between the giant arrows. But he freed himself by melting and slipping through the tins space. Unfortunately, this also meant losing his armor.
"Ha, ha, ha." Di Lung laughed from the other side of the arena. But a quick volley of shots fired from the other silenced him. And after a quick explanation, the other who had not met him before or knew him, easily accepted our actions as appropriate.
'Jaune, I did not know that Courage could change his form outside of the computer.' A human Penny said amazed but also confused.
'Wait, you were actually inside a computer?' Winter asked confused.
"To answer your question Penny, yes he can. And We'll explain in greater detail later Winter." I told them.
They nodded before turning back to the fight. Mecha-Courage was in the center of the arena filing the nails of one of its robot hands. Courage this time decided to ram Mecha-Courage. Though instead of using a horse, he was in a carriage being pulled by a green pony. Once close, he pulled out a battering ram. Only to get sent flying out of the carriage once he hit Mecha-Courage. Groaning, he then began to scream when he saw Mecha-Courage equip a giant wheel and proceed to run over Courage a few times. With the third time finally pulling away.
'He certainly has a will to go on despite the beating he just took.' Glynda said worried as Courage took the beating and still got up to continue.
'Ha, ha, ha.' Courage laughed as he climbed out of the hole again.
He then pulled out a water gun and pulled the trigger. Making some water hit Mecha-Courage which it just wiped away with a windshield wiper. It then transformed into a giant spiked fire hydrant. Turning the valve, it spewed a giant torrent of water that sent Courage into the seats next to a just waking up Di Lung who began to taunt him. But Courage just ignored him and climbed down back to the arena.
"I don't think Courage can withstand much more Jaune." Ren said worried as Courage was stumbling around the arena.
"I hope it ends soon." I said as I didn't want to see him in more pain.
Courage, using his remaining strength, tried to push Mecha-Courage around. But in response, Mecha-Courage arms came back out and grabbed Courage and started to stretch him to painful lengths. It then started to toss him onto the ground a few more times. It then started to rub him into the ground before preparing to toss him down one more time. But then it happened. Its arms started to wobble with sparks coming from the inside of Mecha-Courage. Soon followed by smoke coming out as well. It tried to continue to hurt Courage but started to fail. And then all of a sudden, Mecha-Courage exploded with Courage laying on the remains.
"COURAGE!" I shouted as I ran down to the arena.
"NO! NO!" Di Lung shouted as he ran to the arena as well.
"Courage are you all, right?" I asked as I took him from the wreck and started to examine him. Luckily, it seems that aside from some bruising, he seemed to be recovering quickly.
"AAH! Stupid dog not know-OW!" Di Lung started to rant but was cut short when Nora broke his legs and Yang punched his face. But before anyone could say or do anymore, horns sounded throughout the arena.
"Huh?" Di Lung said through a broken nose confused.
'Over there.' Coco said pointing to the other side of us. Turning around, we saw a man in robes standing in a booth of some sort.
'I do believe he is the decider of the match.' Glynda said referring to how important he looked. And this was confirmed when the man raised his fist with his thumb pointing to Di Lung. After a tense moment, he turned it down and a trap door opened underneath Di Lung which he fell in.
'Good riddance.' I thought after we could no longer hear his screams. Turning back to the man, we were about to ask who he was only to see that he disappeared just as quickly as he appeared.
'Yay.' Courage cheered before falling down on his back in exhaustion.
'Well, I must say this was an interesting fight. And even more interesting to see how Courage faired in a clearly one-sided fight. But we must go now. I do hope to see you all soon and I do wish Courage a speedy recovery.' Glynda said before her screen turned to static. The other said their goodbyes as well before their screens turned to static as well.
"Well, that was intense. Now how about we all go home and celebrate with some chicken dumplings." I suggested. They all nodded in agreement with Courage even jumping up at the mention of chicken dumplings.
Farmhouse Ten P.M.
We were all back at the farmhouse resting after a long trip back. We were watching some tv after eating some remaining dumplings. Team Rwby were on the couch sleeping while the rest of us were on the floor. Ren and Nora were sleeping as well while Pyrrha was struggling not to fall asleep as well. Apparently, all of them got jet lag. Muriel was in her chair with Courage on her lap. Eustace was in his chair admiring his fishing rod still.
'And this program is brought to you by tekno dog. Men's mechanical best friend.' The reporter announced showing a dumb looking robot dog.
"That's what we need. Better than this stupid dog." Eustace grumbled.
"Should we tell them?" Pyrrha sleepily asked. I just shook my head in response as they wouldn't believe us. She just nodded before succumbing to sleep as well.
"Eustace! No machine could ever replace my Courage." Muriel said patting Courage in the head.
'You fool. Ha, ha, ha.' Courage said before laughing in Di Lung's voice. I just smiled and chuckled as well. But I couldn't agree more with Muriel. Nothing could ever replace Courage.
Note:
(1) Windmill Vandals with Ruby and Pyrrha. (2) Watch the Birdies with Summer Rose and Ruby. (3) Bad Hair Day with Yang. (4) Hot head with Yang. (5) The Fog of Courage with Iris. (6) Record Deal with Weiss. (7) Serpent of the Evil River with Weiss and Blake. (8) Sand whale strikes back with Team Rwby's mother. (9) The Mask with Blake and Velvet. (10) Muted Muriel with Ruby and Weiss. (11) Car Broke, Phone yes with Pyrrha.
Iris in any of these, or no?