Last time, the Empress sent her newest mega-demons to take more children and to eliminate our heroes. Unfortunately for the demons, Rock Lee, Garra and Sanji were in the village they decided to attack. With Usopp rushing back to Meridian for help, Garra faced the two Naz'riak by himself. Garra slew the two mega-demons, but not before being poisoned with deadly Nightshade. Garra was moments from death when Doc Chopper rushed in to cure him. Back in Meridian, Taranee suggested that Irma could convince Martin Tubbs to help. Martin, Heatherfield's biggest brain and long-time stalker of Irma, might be able to access the hard drives of the biots. Irma refused at first, but agreed after some convincing words from Cornelia. And now, on with the show!
Chapter 17: The Worlds' Biggest Turbo-Nerd
"You really are sick!" exclaimed Irma, "You know that?" "I have my moments." Said Cornelia smugly. No more than five minutes ago, Will used the Heart of Candracar to create a Fold, which allowed Martin Tubbs to literally fall into the castle library. By now, Elyon, Naruto, Luffy, Will, Matt and Caleb were finishing up explaining the situation to him. So here was Irma and Cornelia, waiting outside the door, waiting for Will, Matt and the others to return with Martins' answer.
"I still can't believe that to beat the demons," said Irma darkly, "We need the help of the worlds' biggest turbo-nerd." "Oh come on!" exclaimed Hay Lin, who was also waiting there, "He's not that big of a nerd." "You misheard me," said Irma, "He's a turbo-nerd! There's a difference."
"How bad could he be?" asked Sakura, who was also waiting. "First of all," said Irma, "He's been stalking me for years. He's obsessed with science. I wish he'd put his full focus into science instead of multitasking to accommodate me in his sick fantasies." "How do you know he fantasizes about you?" asked Hay Lin. "Call it woman's intuition." Said Irma.
Just then, Elyon, Will, Caleb, Naruto and Luffy came out of the library. "Well?" asked Hay Lin. "He'll help us," said Will, "But Martin has one request." "Let me guess," said Irma, "He wants me to get down on my knees and beg for his help, the little pervert." That last part Irma muttered under her breath.
"It's not that drastic," said Elyon, "He just wants to hear you ask." Irma hesitated before saying, "Okay, I'll do it. But when this whole mess is over, you," she pointed at Cornelia, then Will and then Elyon, "Are buying me a new wardrobe for fall, winter, spring and next summer!" Irma then gathered her full dignity and strode into the library.
There stood Martin admiring the many books arranged along the walls. He then noticed Irma and a large grin broke onto his face. "Irma!" exclaimed Martin as he took his glasses off for cleaning, "Isn't is glorious!" "What's glorious?" asked Irma. "Here we are!" exclaimed Martin as he put his glasses back on, "In a parallel dimension! And here you are, fighting against a demonic force trying to take the children of this world! And you have ninjas and pirates from other dimensions helping you! I am so geeking out here!"
"I can't believe you!" exclaimed Irma, "Innocent children have been taken from their families to a unknown fate, and you find the situation glorious?" "That's not it," said Martin in a more serious tone, "What I meant was that being in a parallel dimension is a scientist's dream come true." Irma took a calming breath before saying, "So you're okay with the fact that I and my friends have magic powers? And that Elyon is the queen here?"
"I'm more than okay," said Martin, his grin returning, "I've always knew there was something special about you girls, especially you. Oh and you can trust me to keep your powers a secret." "Well then," said Irma, "Will you help us find where the demons have taken the children?" asked Irma. "Yes," said Martin, "But on one condition, and it's a really small condition."
Here it comes thought Irma, "What is it?" "One kiss," said Martin, "On the lips, no tongue, lasting no less than 3.5 seconds." Irma was severally tempted to yell 'No F#ck$ng Way!' but her sense of reason kicked in, it's for the children. "Okay," said Irma reluctantly, "But if you tell anyone about this, if you go bragging to anyone, I'll castrate you." "Fair enough," said Martin as he took off his glasses, "Now pucker up my little turtledove."
Irma took several cleansing breaths, kept thinking it's for the children, it's for the children, closed her eyes, and kissed Martin. Five seconds later they broke apart for air. That wasn't so bad, thought a surprised Irma, and when you get down to it, he's not that bad looking with his glasses off… What am I thinking? He's a f#ck$ng turbo-nerd!
But before Irma could think anything else, her train of thought was interrupted by the exclimation of "Oh my god! She did it!" followed by several whistles, wolf-howls and clapping from the doorway, for Cornelia, Taranee, Hay Lin, Will, Caleb, Elyon, Sakura, Naruto and Luffy were watching. "How long have they been there?" whispered a highly embarrassed Irma, blushing five shades of red. "Long enough!" whispered an equally embarrassed Martin, who was blushing six shades red.
With her rage treating to boil over, Irma grabbed Martin by the shirt collar and began to drag him out of the library. "I swear I had nothing to do with them!" exclaimed Martin. "I don't give a damn!" exclaimed Irma, "Come on you pervert! I've kept my end of the bargain, now it's time for you to keep yours!" "Where are you taking me?" asked Martin. "To Doc Chopper's lab!" exclaimed Irma, "You've got work to do!"
Pausing at the door, Irma glared at her friends each in turn. "Not one word of this to anyone back home!" said Irma, "You here me? Not one f#ck$ng word!" With an extra glare at Cornelia, Irma dragged Martin out of the library, and down to Chopper's lab.
"That was priceless!" exclaimed Hay Lin, "The look on her face when Martin asked her to kiss him!" "Why didn't you bring your camera?" asked Cornelia to Taranee, "That kiss was solid gold!" "I knew I forgot something!" exclaimed Taranee.
The end of chapter 17. Next chapter, while Martin tries to locate the base of the Naz'riak, Sakura and Saske reveal, what they hope, is the origin of the Empress. See you next time!
