Reviews :

Nikki Firesong : Wow! Thank you SO MUCH. That means so much to me, seriously. I think Berri is probably the closest thing to a mary sue character I've ever written for. She gets a massive reality check in later chapters, something that really takes her down a peg, so it's been fun building her up as this mildly snotty and girly individual that she'll unfortunately turn into, temporarily. She comes to know a lot of emotional strife, where as my other main characters knew a lot of physical strife added - Berri's is nearly entirely inner turmoil, which almost could be worse, if I'm being honest. She's a BLAST to write for, I always knew she would be. I'm just glad you guys are enjoying her character as well :) Thank you again!

Jay Sketchin : You're definitely right, there! :D I need to really get that picture of Bug uploaded. UHG.

Burgie : Aww D: Yeah, to be honest, the original plan for that chapter was a small smidge of romance between the two, but I went a different route. Sorry for the torture x_x

chuckiboo : YES I am doing that again! CHapter 71 has currently been requested twice now, so who knows. It'd definitely be interesting to draw, cause that chapter hardly has any dialog haha. Would be fun!

Snake557 : Aww I'm sorry x_x


Song Listened To :

It Ain't Me by Kygo and Selena Gomez


*Chapter 100*

With a pep in her step, a gentle jostle of her loose, lovely blue hair, Berri, Wren and Theo softly welcomed themselves into the conservatory, Acamdey's lovely, sun lit greenhouse and safe spot. Eager to relax for a few minutes before the bell rang, the three pushed inside and were greeted by Tessa, Tammy and Oliver with a subtle few waves, from across the stretch. Berri wrinkled her fingers and smiled to her mother, aunt and uncle in kindness, and in a gentle swoop, they hooked a right and began to find the typical area where they would meet up with Gunner. Dressed in a little bit more of a casual attire, than typical, Berri wore a comfortable pair of normal, faded blue jeans, a grey tank top and, in a whole action of pure accident, she wore the hoodie that Turbo had brought over the night prior; the one that had his name plastered down his arm. Although Berri, Wren and Theo came calmly around the corner, they were jolted in a stab of confusion as Gunner nervously rushed them.

"Berri, what's going on?" Gunner suddenly stabbed, he looked entirely nervous, an agitated mess, he held his phone out a little, though his screen was lit up, it wasn't clear to anyone what he was previously looking at.

"Wh-what do you mean?" Berri staggered as she could see Theo and Wren visibly reel, in her peripheral, though Gunner nervously showed the three just what was on his phone; quick as lightning, paparazzi had successfully taken pictures of the three walking into Academy, and plastered all over the headline was Turbo's name. Berri held her breath and felt her pupils tighten in a draw of whole terror. She grappled the cloth on her left arm and was mortified to see Turbo's faded name plastered down her left arm; having sought out to enjoy a lazy outfit day, at Academy, she forgot that Turbo's name was on this specific hoodie. Although Gunner looked a mixture of displeased and agitated, Berri desperately tried to play it off with a wide, easy smile of girly charm, "Oh, what's the problem, then? I've had this hoodie for ever now. Turbo left it at the palace, once upon a time, and-"

"We have that super important press meeting, after Academy, Bear," Gunner firmly reminded, and although his tone was urgent, he still peered to her in a swathe of nervous love. He shook his head and furrowed his brow in rising confusion, "I-I mean... All they're going to be asking about is the dreaded Turbo Black. This was supposed to be our upcoming show, but you seemed to have other plans, then, I guess?"

"I didn't PLAN this, Gun," Berri defended softly, she shook her head and aimlessly looked off, "I just... Threw it on, I totally forgot all about that press meeting."

"I did too," Theo mumbled in regret down to his feet, though Wren rolled his eyes and looked up.

"It's fine, she can just take the coat off when it's time," Wren included, Gunner bobbed a nervous nod and now glossed his eyes to Berri's natural-styled hair, down in lovely waves.

"I-I'm sure I can have a hair straightener delivered to my place, before the meeting," Gunner gently gestured to Berri's beautiful hair, and although he had become flustered, he lulled his eyes closed for a moment before giving Berri an apologetic frown, "Your hair looks pretty like this, Bear, but... We gotta stay uniform."

"I-I just forgot, I... It all slipped my mind," Berri shook her head and held her forehead, she peered to Gunner in softness and allowed humility to soak her.

"Unlike you," Gunner cooed warmly, though Wren and Theo began to softly step to a nearby drinking fountain. It was here did Gunner heave a shaky sigh and look off in an uneasy show of a busied mind, "I-I'm... I'm sorry, for coming at you, like that... Sama texted me last night."

"...What? Why?" Berri stated firmly, she furrowed her eyebrows and began to feel a weird wave of protectiveness come over her, "What the hell does SHE want?"

"She wanted to talk," Gunner lulled his eyes closed and rubbed the side of his head in agitation, "I really can't take this, right now. She kept saying she missed me, I...I guess word got out that we were together, and..."

"She realized what she lost?" Berri completed in a show of stern frustration for the situation, she shook her head and eased a mean chuckle, "She wont be missing these hands, I'll tell you that."

"It's okay, I... I didn't reply to her," Gunner assured nervously as the two hovered closer to each other, "It just added to my stress. I hope you're not upset..."

"Why would I be upset?" Berri wondered in a tender show of confusion, she eased deeper into Gunner's warm presence and shook her head as their eyes met, "Hopefully she understands that she needs to ease off. Seems a little suspicious that she misses you now that you're seeing someone else and have moved on."

"I worried this would happen," Gunner shrugged as he gave Berri a soft smile, "Jealousy, I guess."

"Didn't she cheat on you? This all seems a bit odd," Berri navigated in confusion, though due to the way Gunner rolled his eyes and looked off, Gunner was equally as confused.

"It's... Whatever," Gunner huffed a nervous chuckle and lovingly slipped his hand into Berri's,"I guess... We gotta come up with something to say to the press, later today. Will Turbo be upset that you have his hoodie?"

"O-Oh, I doubt it," Berri shrugged, she knew, full well, that Turbo was delighted that she had it; his lovely scent still eased her soul, on a daily basis, little did he know. She knew Turbo was well on his way to becoming a now public and known figure, she assumed he wouldn't be too upset about the pictures of her walking into Academy, in his hoodie, "I can just shoot him a message and warn him. He won't mind."

"... Strangely nice of him," Gunner pressed curiously, both beings finally beamed knowing smiles, alongside soft laughter, "I don't know, seems odd that the hugest bad guy, in all of Arcade, would just be so chill about something like this."

"He may be a bad guy, but he's not... A BAD guy," Berri stated with emphasis, she shrugged and squeezed Gunner's hand softly, "I'll message him later... I'm sure he's probably just busy, for now."


Through a deep inhale and a brave swing of the side door of Sugarbucks, Turbo relished in the way his dimly glowing eyes made the soft aura of the cafe fill with a new sense of atmosphere. He tried to release his breath in such a way that didn't tremble, his hands eased into the thick side pockets of his hefty motorcycle jacket, and upon the glass door behind him coming to a gentle clack, he felt his heart begin to throb in a tender show of uneasiness. Not only was he entirely alone, in this daring venture, this time, upon entering Sugarbucks, there was a line of about two or three people in the cafe, something he'd now have to stand in. He held his breath a little tighter and desperately tried to relax his shoulders. The instinct to pull out his phone and busy himself was overridden by the sheer desire to watch his back. As his golden eyes glossed the place, he took in everything.

With the glass windows all about the store, tinted for the easiness and dim atmosphere these cafes usually had, he thought it strange that the crowd of Berri's fans were no longer crowding the view of the bustling street and sidewalk outside. People came and went, the handful of quiet people in the cafe continued on with their tender conversations, Turbo knew he was safe here, no matter what. He finally felt his spine unhook itself from the rigid positioning it was in, the line tenderly moved, as did he. In a gentle sway of easy give and take, someone tenderly passed by him, on their way from the restroom. In the firm act of catching glances, said stranger nervously double-took on Turbo's figure and did everything they could to not stare. Out of Turbo's peripheral, he could see this stranger nearly break their neck in an ogling, almost apprehensive mess.

Turbo felt his stomach squeeze with nervousness, though he felt solace in the simple fact of staying true to the uniform line he was in. He gently took a step forward the second the line moved, though he felt agitated the second said stranger collected with their friend, across the way, and began to subtly and nervously point in Turbo's direction. He inhaled a shaky breath through his nose and allowed his eyes to aimlessly gloss Sugarbucks' menu, a collected tidiness of words he couldn't even comprehend in this moment, though he flinched the second the person in front of him stepped away, and he was greet by Bug's adorable, friendly disposition. His ears were perked high in cuteness, his tail just barely wagged, he looked like he was about to burst out of his own scaly green skin.

"Told'yah I'd come back," Turbo muttered with a cheeky smile as he finally eased to the counter, Bug beamed a wide smile and gestured to Turbo, his excited demeanor was palpable.

"I almost didn't believe you," Bug eased quietly, he snapped his fingers and began to write on a medium hot cup, Turbo's usual black Americano, "I WAS going to call out to you and say hi, all the way at the back of the line, there, but... I figured you'd appreciate a low profile hello, for your first solo go-round."

"Much appreciated," Turbo grumbled with a small chuckle, he nervously looked about; about half of Sugarbucks' quiet, whispering attention was now honed to Turbo. He shook his head and blurt another chuckle, his eyes showed a great deal of smiling worry, "Hopefully I can find a spot to sit and relax without being stared down."

"I'm actually about to go on my break, I can come out and sit with you, if that'll help," Bug chimed in boyish cuteness, though his ears sagged in uncertainty, "U-Unless you wanted to just be alone, on this venture. I won't take it personally!"

"No, you're more than welcome to sit with me," Turbo assured as softly as he could, he was well aware his demeanor probably came across as cold and unwelcoming; he did everything in his power to eke warmth, though it all duplicated the second a few girls, from the other day, urgently waved to him from across the employee end of the bar. Turbo beamed a gentle smile and waved back as they eagerly showed their excitement for him showing up, once more, "Didn't think I'd make it, didja?"

"We had bets going," The closest barista eased to him with a cute, cheeky smile; her quick hands prepared drinks, lightning quick.

"Well, I hope someone won," Turbo eased, though Bug began to wave off Turbo's desire to pay, he slumped his shoulders and began to feel further at ease, "Bug... Please tell me you're going to let me pay at least ONE of these times."

"I don't know, I'll think about it," Bug grunted with a cheeky smile as he hopped off of a step stool, just for him. He began to clumsily take off his green apron as he began to gingerly give his team direction and instructions for while he was on his break.

Turbo perked up in nervousness the second his name was called out, near the hand-off area. He felt his face get hot the second nearly everyone inside the cafe dart their nervous eyes in Turbo's direction, though as he made his way to the edge of the bar, he somehow felt a firm few steps of further added confidence flood him. He let a nearly sly, small smile ease across his face, he knew he was definitely treading into dangerous waters by beginning to come out in public. He was well aware it wouldn't always be smooth sailing, though somehow, the very idea of people breaking their necks to get a glimpse of the all-powerful nightmare fuel that was Turbo was something that he was beginning to relish in. He smirked and gently grabbed his drink from the glossy marble counter, and in the act of turning heel to begin to meet up with Bug and find a place to sit, he politely thanked the barista that made his drink and began to step away.

As if parting a crowd of naysayers that hardly had any power to do anything about their potentially negative opinions, Turbo gently took a sip of his drink and nonchalantly eased closer to the smaller employee entrance of the bar, to make waiting for Bug a little easier. He could feel almost all eyes on him, the atmosphere in the cafe grew thick, and although he was well aware it would only thin with time, he waded through the heat of it all and was beginning to feel the exciting, invigorating aspect of all of this hit his skin. Like a bad guy that nearly was so long forgotten, his poor deeds almost left in the lore of nightmares, something he had almost successfully climbed out of, like a cold ghost story that had somehow been warmed from death, re-illustrated in the form of history that was simultaneously feared and admired. Turbo desperately grappled the rungs of said idea, something he gladly was on-board for.

"Let's go sit near this window," Bug gingerly instructed, his almost rabbit-like feet hopped a few times to a smaller, more quieter corner of the cafe, vacant of beings. A glint of sunshine hit through the tinted windows, and as Bug approached two larger, cushiony cafe chairs, they both slowly sat down. Bug fluffed his tail and eased it out of his way as he sat down with a grunt and a sigh to follow, "It's sunny... Somehow, I always come back from my break freezing cold, but this window helps keep me warm."

"Yeah, it's freezing out, huh," Turbo gently agreed, Bug lit up and gestured his hand a little.

"Winter is my favorite season!" Big exclaimed softly, his ears sagged in softness, "Though, the city doesn't see much snow... That palace gets a good heap of it, huh. I see it on the mountain side, all twinkling with fresh snow. I'm jealous."

"Hoo, don't be," Turbo blurt a chuckle as he brought his searing hot drink to his lips in delight. The glow in his eyes vanished, due to the cut of warm sunshine they sat in, "It's at least twenty degrees colder on that mountain. The palace isn't anywhere I enjoy being, in these snowy months. It's beautiful, but freezing."

"So... You're at the palace often?" Bug questioned, his big brown eyes hooked tight to Turbo's, as if he had a million questions, and even more topics that he couldn't even begin to think about squeezing into his one, tiny half an hour break.

"More often in these past few months, yeah," Turbo shrugged, and before he could try and segue away from the idea of his palace visits only getting more abundant due to Berri, Bug successfully jumped off of the topic for him.

"So, like... You're good friends with the King and Queen?" Bug pressed with twinkling eyes, his ears perked, "What about Ralph and Vanellope?"

"Yeah, I'm good friends with all of them," Turbo assured, he did his best not to hold a resting grumpy face. He raised his eyebrows gently, smiled with warmth, and did everything he could to treat one of Berri's close friends like a pot of gold, "I'm one of King Zed's right hand men, alongside Rancis. Rancis protects the palace lot and the whole perimeter of the palace and Orion City, where as I protect a hefty chunk of Sugar Rush's inner workings, code room and the city as a whole."

"Who woulda thunk," Bug sighed, he shook his head in tender, bewildered amazement.

"Ralph and Vanellope are around often, with their first born as Queen, Vanellope is sometimes needed for advice and such... Due to all of her experience, y'know?" Turbo eased, Bug nodded and furrowed his brow.

"Wow, so... Is everyone inside the game just the last to get to know this new and improved, well... YOU?" Bug blurt a chuckle, to which Turbo beamed a nervous smile and looked down to his lap; he was well aware his and Berri's friendship helped that along, though tip toeing around it was likely becoming too much of a burden.

"More or less," Turbo sighed, he lulled his eyes closed in nervousness and dared to press on, "Berri's been a huge asset to me, she's... She's really helped me out of my shell and gave me the confidence to come around, more often. I owe that girl a lot."

"She's pretty awesome," Bug gently agreed, though he narrowed his gaze and gave Turbo a cheeky smile and knowing side-eye, "She definitely has been playing her part as princess, lately... Bossy lady, that one."

"She's a handful, sometimes, huh," Turbo pressed, though Bug began to almost look a little defeated, a sad aura that fell over him.

"I just... Worry about her," Bug's tone eased to seriousness, something Turbo caught on to. He raised his eyebrows and frowned as Bug almost nervously pressed on, "Wren and Theo seem to have their wits about them, but... I worry that... Berri's going down a weird route, getting together with Gunner."

"...You think?" Turbo wondered nervously, and although he had yet to be worried about Berri's character, his heart sagged with sorrow as Bug urgently nodded.

"I-I don't know, she seems really stressed out," Bug shrugged, "I'm sure dating a celebrity, and climbing those ranks herself, isn't easy. I just hope she doesn't lose her head... I hope she doesn't lose her humility."

"I don't think she will," Turbo's voice wavered, however confident his words were, though he eyed Bug and narrowed his gaze in curiosity, "You... Know something I don't?"

"I don't think so, I just... Have noticed the way she questions herself," Bug shrugged, "I'm not as close as you and Berri are, so I'm sure you've heard all about how Gunner acts."

"...No, she doesn't tell me much about Gunner," Turbo blurt a nervous chuckle and fingered the rim of his cup's lid. He cocked an eyebrow and heaved a nervous, though smiling sigh, "We, well... W-were in the beginning stages, of, well..."

"Romance?" Bug wondered softly, to which Turbo looked off and tried not to smile.

"Something like that," Turbo muttered, he still forced back a grin as he looked down, once more, "She tries not to mention Gunner to me. She knows it'd probably bother me."

"Just... Keep your eye on her, I think Gunner may be putting some form of pressure on her," Bug worried, he nervously shook his head, "D-Don't tell her that I said anything, though. She just... Anytime Gunner is brought up, she gets a bit flustered and berates herself for forgetting things that Gunner told her to do, or band-related things that slips her mind. She never struck me as the forgetful type."

"She's definitely been through a lot, recently," Turbo pressed in gentle knowing, he was well aware he shouldn't mention the deleter virus to Bug, due to trying to keep the peace. He sighed and knew Berri's stress lines had something to do with this stress, though he began to feel protective over the fact that Gunner was likely aiding in said stress, and not seeking ways to soothe it. Turbo cocked an eyebrow and looked off in mild irritation, "I almost had the pleasure of meeting Gunner, once... But I'm glad I didn't. I'm not sure I'd have anything nice to say."

"He just... Swooped in, so it seems?" Bug wondered delicately, he was well aware that Turbo and Berri had some form of embers, whether they were dying or to be eventually fanned, Bug wasn't sure. He looked up in curiosity and shrugged a little, "Maybe... You could swoop right back?"

"I'm trying to turn over a new leaf, here, Bug," Turbo blurt a laugh, which had both boys sharing warm laughter, "I used to play dirty, that's what got me into all this hot water, anyhow, you suggesting I go toe-to-toe with a full blown celebrity? Someone who could easily take my already-tarnished name and drag it deeper into the mud?"

"You win, you win, you win," Bug held his hands up and blurt a hard laugh, to which Turbo covered his face and sagged into easy laughter with Bug, a spark of a cute, boyish friendship somehow Turbo craved, "I don't know... I'm just glad you're good friends with her. Now that you're here, and I can see the kind of person you are, it's very abundantly clear that you keep her centered. I hope she never loses you, Turbo. You're a good guy."

"Well, you're one of few to think that, but..." Turbo trailed and knew he needed to take the compliments where he could, he knew his journey to Berri's heart was long and winding and confusing, though the encouraging signals, left and right, only gave him more motivation, "Thank you... She won't lose me unless it's her doing."


A/N :

Hey guys, WOW. So sorry for the weird breaks, here and there. We are FINALLY. FINALLY moved into our new abode. Unfortunately, we won't be there for very long. We'll be moving to Sarasota next summer, after our wedding, but for now... I'm RESTING. I'm so sorry it took forever to get to chapter 100, but we DID IT!

And, like promised, I'll be opening REQUESTS for a FULL COLORED COMIC for whatever chapter you guys would like, between chapter 50-100! Cast your votes in the review section, PMs or emails - any form you'd like, I'll tally them up and see what happens!

As for my previous comic, I only have 2 more pages to upload before chapter 46, comic form, is complete! The entirety of the comic is on my deviantART right now! Username Vyntresser.

Because this past month has literally been the month from hell, I'm going to be taking a mini writing break, once more. I haven't had a legitimate day off in over a month due to working, and then on the weekends we've been doing nothing but moving furniture and such (it's a lot to explain, but we can't catch a break) - now that we're finally settled, I need to regroup with myself. It's been extremely rough and I'd like to properly ease back into my story with the momentum I had. Now that I can mentally rest within myself, I'll be back to my uploading schedule come Monday September 30th!

Thank you for understanding guys! We made it too 100! WOOT!