A/N: Hello. Thanks for waiting. I have finally prepped another chapter for my Infinity Train Book Two story. Now, before we begin, I'd like to note that I am also posting some artwork for one of the characters in this story for deviantart soon after. I'll explain more later. For now, enjoy.
Infinity Train: Book Two: Return to the Beach City Car
Chapter 4: The Toad Car
Tulip and the others were just caught off-guard by Agents Mace and Sieve, accompanied by Officer Shard and Special Agent Bane.
"There's nowhere you can go now.", Shard discouraged.
"Step away from that criminal!", Mace shouted.
"Criminal?", Jesse puzzled.
"Let's keep it real, passenger. I've got business with the criminal sliver.", Bane spoke as he got up on the raft and wrung out his hat to dry it
"Wait. Are you the criminal?", Jesse asked.
"No! I mean, that's complicated.", M.T. responded.
"And that's part of what we were going to tell you.", Pink Steven added with a slight sigh.
"How about you fellas step aside?", Bane asked as he put the fedora back on before stepping forward only for Atticus to put himself in front of M.T.
"Absolutely not! M.T. is strictly off-limits!", Atticus responded.
"On whose authority?", Officer Shard asked.
"On the authority of the king and uniter of the cardigans and the pembrookes!", Atticus responded.
"So, you're a king, eh? Well, then. I suppose I should be honored to meet you, your majesty!", Bane responded before kicking Atticus off the raft into the water as he gave a slight pained howl.
"Atticus!", Tulip, Jesse, and Pink Steven shouted as M.T. gasped.
"Seriously? Animal cruelty? This is low, even for you!", Pink Steven spoke angrily.
"Yeah, it's even illegal, bub.", Sad One concurred.
"Looks like they got you pegged on that one.", Shard responded.
"I never did like animals, royalty or otherwise.", Bane responded before Atticus then resurfaced before dog-paddling toward his crown as it fell off when he was kicked before putting it back on, and then back onto the raft with Pink Steven helping him up.
"Atticus, are you all right?", Tulip asked.
"Yes, Tulip. I'll be fine.", Atticus assured before he then shook his body to get the water off.
"But he certainly packed a wallop with that kick.", Atticus responded.
"Now, for the last time. Hand over the sliver.", Bane urged as he got out a pistol containing mirror shards as ammunition.
"We gotta leave!", M.T. shouted before she then grabbed onto Alan Dracula and then pushed his head into the water so that the raft would speed up and knock the four flecs off the raft as Bane fired his shard at the water by mistake due to the sudden speed up and splashed into the water while making sure she, Tulip, Jesse, Atticus, One-One, and Alan Dracula get to safety before he, Shard, Mace, and Sieve jumped across the water while M.T. frantically opened the door and pushed Jesse through it as Tulip, Pink Steven, Atticus, and One-One went through as well before M.T. noticed Alan Dracula still on the sandy dunes.
"Huh?", M.T. exclaimed before she waved her arms to him in a panic and then got out a leaf, causing paper to fall off in the process, and waved it for him.
"Ugh, come on!", M.T. urged before Alan Dracula looked up and then suddenly morphed into balloon-like bubbles that floated all the way to M.T. and the others just as the flecs were catching up.
"Don't litter, M.T.! We're already criminals.", Jesse spoke as he picked up the crinkled paper.
"Run!", Tulip urged before she, Atticus, M.T., One-One, Pink Steven, and Alan Dracula ran out the car before the door closed on them from behind just before Mace, Sieve, Shard, and Bane caught up to said door with M.T. now trying to get the door to the other car open as she let go of the leaf before it was then eaten by Alan Dracula with Tulip and the others catching up before Mace and Sieve opened the exit door, chasing after them.
"There's no escape, Sliver!", Sieve shouted.
"Guys, what is going on?", Jesse asked.
"We'll explain everything as soon as we get out of this mess!", Pink Steven assured just as M.T. opened the door with Alan Dracula, Tulip, M.T., Atticus, One-One, and Pink Steven going in it as Jesse walked in and then turned around to notice the flecs closing in.
Jesse was caught unawares before M.T. pulled him back just in time for the door to close before Mace and Sieve bumped into the door and then tried to open it.
"Open the door! Open! The! Door!", Mace ordered as M.T. ran to the exit and tried to open it, but to no avail.
"Have you tried asking nicely?", Glad One asked.
"Aw, come on!", M.T. grunted.
"You and your friends are making a big mistake, son! You're all harboring a criminal reflection!", Sieve exclaimed as Jesse unfolded the paper and noticed a wanted poster of M.T.
"A criminal? Why would Ms. Tulip's mirror version be a criminal?", Glad One asked out of surprise.
"Uh, probably because she broke the law?", Sad One answered.
"But what law did she break?", Glad One puzzled.
"What? Mirror version?", Jesse puzzled.
"I know you hear me in there, sliver!", Mace shouted, trying to sand the door, only to fail before roaring in frustration.
"At ease, men. It's obvious that the door can't be opened once it's closed. And by proxy, the exit door couldn't be opened either. So, we'll just have to figure out a way to get in and finish the job, then figure out how to get out when it's said and done.", Shard suggested.
"Let me give it a try, Officer.", Sieve suggested.
"I'm not sure this is a good idea. That is, unless it's a distraction.", Shard realized, thinking of a new alternative.
"All right. We'll go with your plan, Sieve. For now.", Shard responded before Sieve then leaned against the door.
"Hey, you okay in there, son? What's your name?", Sieve asked before Jesse turned to M.T. and the others.
"Don't answer that.", Tulip whispered as M.T. shook her head with a grunt.
"It's never a good idea to give your name to strangers.", Sad One added.
"Jesse.", Jesse responded before M.T. groaned in frustration.
"Nice to meet you, Jesse. I'm Sieve. I'm a mirror officer of the peace. Jesse, do you know who she is?", Sieve asked as M.T. failed to open the door and groaned in frustration before banging against the door.
"She's a dangerous extremist from the mirror world. She'll say anything to get what she wants. She did it to her prime, and she'll do it to you, too.", Sieve continued.
"Her...prime?", Jesse puzzled.
"Oh. That would be Ms. Tulip over there.", Glad One grinned.
"What? You're actually her prime? Did she trick you?", Jesse asked.
"Well, technically, but...", Tulip began.
"Oh, boy. She hasn't told you anything, has she?", Sieve smirked.
"Ignore them!", M.T. shouted.
"Why? They've told me more about you than you have.", Jesse retorted, full of distrust.
"Like Steven said before, we were going to tell you, but then those flecs showed up out of nowhere in the water!", Tulip responded.
"And I don't owe you an explanation.", M.T. added.
"Oh, really?", Jesse retorted, showing the wanted poster of M.T.
"Where did you get that?", M.T. asked.
"It must've fallen out when you tried to get Alan Dracula to come with us.", Atticus guessed.
"Does it matter? It's you. You're a criminal.", Jesse spoke to M.T.
"Well, you're an idiot!", M.T. retorted.
"Yeah, I am, for trusting you!", Jesse argued as Atticus went over to the door before he started heading what Bane and the other flecs were saying.
"Tell me, Sieve. Is that how you always do your job? Turn one against the other and hope for the best?", Bane glared.
"Well, it's working, isn't it?", Sieve asked.
"Not for long. I've seen ordeals like this enough times to know that divisions never last. And that's why your plan will fail. No wonder you let the sliver slip away so many times.", Bane responded.
"But at the very least, it'll give us time to come up with a better alternative in case things go south with this plan, which it will. But Mace, I'm gonna need you to come with me back to the station to pick something up.", Shard responded.
"Loud and clear, Officer.", Mace agreed as he and Shard then started to take their leave.
"And what sort of weapon are you going to pick up?", Bane asked.
"The lawbreaker.", Mace responded before he and Shard left for the station while Sieve and Bane stayed behind near the door.
"Heh. Such a shame you didn't use that sooner.", Bane smirked.
"You're lucky you ran into me.", M.T. responded.
"Mm-Hmm.", Sieve grinned as Bane sighed glaringly.
"Yeah! 'Bad' lucky!", Jesse exclaimed.
"Guys, stop! This is exactly what those flecs want! He's trying to tear you guys apart!", Pink Steven urged, trying to break up the fight.
"He has a point. In fact, this very argument could be the distraction to buy them time to bring out the big guns, and I don't think any one of us wants to know what these guns are.", Atticus agreed.
"And you two arguing isn't helping much either.", Tulip added.
"Please don't kick me.", a voice spoke before the group looked down to see the toad on the ground.
"Pardon me, but why would we kick a gentle, delicate creature such as you?", Atticus asked.
"Well, sir, the only way to open the door so you can get out of this, here, car is if you kick me.", the toad responded before a sign that says "Kick the toad" was made known.
"But...please don't kick me.", the toad asked.
"Well, you don't have to worry about that. We're not going to kick you.", Pink Steven assured.
"You're not?", the toad puzzled.
"No, of course not. That's unreasonable.", Pink Steven responded.
"Sorry, Steven, but if it's the only way...", M.T. apologized before raising her leg, making the toad cringe in anticipation.
"Tch. You would.", Jesse scoffed.
"What's that supposed to mean?", M.T. asked.
"Kicking a defenseless frog?", Jesse began angrily.
"Uh, toad.", the toad corrected.
"Sorry. Kicking a defenseless toad?", Jesse spoke.
"Uh, thank you very much.", the toad interjected.
"That proves you're a criminal.", Jesse continued.
"Uh, yeah, only by technicality.", Pink Steven responded.
"By technicality? What does that even mean?", Jesse asked.
"I am not a criminal!", M.T. shouted.
"Oh, me, oh, my. All this anger and arguin', I know where this leads.", the toad spoke in worry.
"To fractured friendships that can't be put back together again followed by a lifetime of regret?", Pink Steven guessed.
"No. Actually, yes, that, too. But also, to kickin' poor, old, chubby-lovin' me.", the toad responded as he shook his head.
"Fine! You don't want me to kick him? I won't.", M.T. spoke as she set her leg down and walked off.
"Oh, thank my lucky warts.", the toad spoke before M.T. then turned around.
"You can do it, because all you've done is hold us back!", M.T. spoke.
"Ouch.", Sad One commented.
"That's not true. I got us out of that map car!", Jesse exclaimed.
"Yeah. And how long did that take? Do you even want to get off this train?", M.T. asked.
"Yes! Of course, I do!", Jesse exclaimed.
"Then kick the toad!", M.T. shouted.
"How can you even ask him to do such a cruel thing like that?!", Pink Steven spoke angrily.
"Hey, I don't like this any more than you do, but there's no other way out.", M.T. responded.
"Yes, there is! We just don't know it yet!", Pink Steven argued as Jesse looked back at the toad.
"Ugh, why can't we all just get along?", Sad One sighed.
"Oh, no, back to this again! Oh, oh, please don't kick me.", the toad requested.
"Ahh. I'm sorry, I...", Jesse began as the frog prepared himself before Pink Steven began to snap.
"DON'T YOU...!", Pink Steven exclaimed before Jesse then noticed his number going up to 34.
"Dare...?", Pink Steven finished calmly.
Then, as soon as Jesse put his leg down, his number went back down to 29.
"Wait a second. Jesse, try raising your leg again.", Pink Steven spoke before he raised it with his number going back up to 34.
"Okay. Now, set it back down again.", Pink Steven spoke.
Then, Jesse did that before his number went back down to 29 again.
"Wait a minute.", Jesse spoke before the toad shouted, surprising him.
"Just do it already! Get it over with! Waiting's the hardest part.", the toad spoke in anticipation.
"You're telling me. Up, down, up, down, up, down, it's almost too much.", Sad One agreed.
"Well, Jesse, it looks like if you try to kick him, your number only goes up. But if you leave him alone, your number stays down.", Atticus stated.
"Yeah. Maybe that's it.", Pink Steven guessed.
"Huh. I...think you have to do it?", Jesse suggested you M.T.
"Mm-Mm. Your number was changing. Clearly, it's a passenger thing.", M.T. responded as she shook her head while next time Alan Dracula, whose head was now a paddleball.
"Well, I guess we don't have any choice but to take a load off until we can figure out how to get out of here without having to kick the toad.", Pink Steven spoke.
"Really? But, Steven, are you sure?", Tulip asked worriedly.
"As long as we don't take too long coming up with something, we should still have time to spare.", Pink Steven responded.
"So, we're going to sleep on it?", Atticus puzzled.
"It is what you suggested, Atticus.", Tulip responded.
"That's right. I do remember suggesting that.", Atticus spoke as he remembered.
"Really? Y'all would do that for me?", the toad asked.
"Trust me. I've been kicked probably lots of times myself. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.", Pink Steven responded.
"Aw. Now, that's awfully kind of you. So, y'all need anything? Maybe some cookies and warm pond water?", the toad asked.
"No thanks. I think we're good.", Tulip responded.
"Water doesn't digest well for me.", Sad One added.
"And pond water doesn't sound very appetizing, even for me.", Atticus added.
"Okay, good. I-I ran out years ago. That makes hosting quite difficult.", the toad spoke.
"Okay. Just a few hours to come up with anything helpful. That's all we need. Right?", Pink Steven spoke.
Later, Sieve was adjusting the sleeve on his pants as Bane was examining his baton-looking beacon with a button on top, leaning against the wall.
"No, that looks...stupid.", Sieve spoke before adjusting it again as he noticed what Bane was holding.
"What's that you're holding?", Sieve asked.
"A distress beacon. To let my insider know when I require assistance.", Bane replied.
"You gonna tell me who that insider is?", Sieve asked.
"Soon.", Bane responded.
Meanwhile, the background of the car was orange before it turned dark blue with Jesse, Tulip, M.T., Pink Steven, Atticus, and Alan Dracula yawning before the deer suddenly appeared made out of pillows and knelt down before sleeping, waking up the toad by surprise.
Then, Jesse jolted awake a bit before then giving a sort of anxious look as M.T. gave a glare before Jesse stood up and walked over with M.T. gasping a bit and groaning before she did the same with the two resting on opposite sides of Alan Dracula while the toad hopped up to rest on top of Alan Dracula's head. After that, Jesse got out his phone to show himself on the Cross-eyed ducks car with one of the ducks wearing sunglasses as Tulip and Pink Steven peeped over before then showing one in the green car with Ben Green the grape person next to Jesse with M.T., Alan Dracula, Tulip, One-One (who was getting ready for his documentary before he officially met the grape person), and Atticus in the background before the next picture then showed Alan and Tulip hanging with Randall (one of which was showing a shocked and surprised reaction) as Pink Steven rested on top of her with M.T., One-One, Atticus, and Alan Dracula (who was now more water-like like Randall) present in the picture before going to the video with a group of people in said video.
"Record it!", one teen spoke.
"Jesse, record it. Record it.", another spoke before they, along with the third teen, chanted.
"Man test! Man test! Man test! Man test! Man test! Man test! Man test! Man test!", Jesse and the others chanted as Jesse smiled from the sight of seeing his little brother waving.
"Uh, I don't know. If I do it, can I hang out with you?", Jesse's little brother asked.
"Hey, be a man.", one of the teens spoke.
"Make him do it, Jesse!", Troy shouted.
"Yeah, it's fine. Just so it already, Nate. If you don't do it, you can't be a man.", Jesse spoke in the video, making Jesse cringe from hearing himself say that as Tulip and Pink Steven gave the same look themselves.
"Oh, okay. Can we do it on the count of three? I just don't want to fall.", Nate requested.
"Yeah. One..., two, three!", Troy shouted as he pushed Nate down the hill before he slid down on the drawer before winding up fumbling and landing on the ground before weakly getting up, cradling his apparently broken left arm as the group of teens gathered around Nate.
"It really hurts...", Nate spoke in slight pain.
"'It really hurts...' You failed.", Troy mocked with laughter before pushing Nate to the ground.
"Jesse, tell him he failed.", Troy smirked.
"Nate, you failed the man test.", Jesse spoke to Nate in the video as Nate couldn't believe it.
"Jesse...", Nate spoke sadly in the video as both Jesse, Tulip, and Pink Steven looked on sadly before he ran away crying.
"Crying?", one of the teens asked mockingly.
"You better not tell Mom!", Jesse shouted to Nate before Troy went over to Jesse and then moved the phone to show himself next to Jesse.
"You get all that? It was epic! Your brother beefed it.", Troy spoke before he laughed just before the video ended with Jesse sighing in regret afterwards.
"That's why you got on this train, isn't it?", Pink Steven asked before Jesse exclaimed a bit in surprise.
"Steven. Uh, how long have you and Tulip been watching?", Jesse asked.
"Long enough.", Pink Steven added.
"Even before you started watching that video.", Tulip added.
"Watch what video?", M.T. asked.
"Nothing.", Jesse replied.
"Didn't sound like nothing.", M.T. responded as Jesse got up, walked away, and then turned around before taking a look at some pictures with him and his brother, especially one with the whole family before the door was knocked.
"Hey, Jesse. You there?", Sieve asked, knocking on the door.
"Yeah, I'm here.", Jesse responded.
"That's great. I'm so glad you're safe.", Sieve spoke.
"You are?", Jesse puzzled as Tulip started to hear the two-way conversation.
"We're not the bad guys, son. Look around. You're the hostage. We're trying to save you.", Sieve continued as Jesse noticed Alan Dracula and the toad sleeping.
"Now, was that a phone I heard?", Sieve asked.
"Yeah.", Jesse responded before Sieve continued.
"Hm. Why isn't it reflective?", Sieve asked.
"It's really dark in here right now.", Jesse responded.
"Gotcha. Well, you can really help us out here, Jesse. All you have to do is leave that phone out until morning so we can pop through the screen reflection and arrest...M.T. for her crimes. Now, I know it's hard and her other friends are fine, I get that, but...she broke the law.", Sieve responded as Tulip overheard everything and growled angrily, her eyes turning bright purple with dark purple sclerae.
"You won't hurt her, will you?", Jesse asked.
Meanwhile, Shard and Mace emerged from the water and marched forward with a sort of powerful weapon known as "The Lawbreaker" near Sieve and Bane.
"Hmph. It's about time.", Bane spoke with a smirk.
"If she means that much to you, Jesse, I suppose we can make an exception.", Sieve spoke.
Meanwhile, as Jesse looked at his phone, hesitant at Sieve's offer, Tulip suddenly snatched Jesse's phone as her eyes were now back to a normal purple with white sclerae.
"Yoink!", Tulip spoke.
"What the...?", Jesse puzzled.
"Catch, Steven!", Tulip spoke before tossing the phone.
"No!", Jesse exclaimed.
"Jesse, what's happening in there?", Sieve puzzled.
"Gotcha. Sorry, Flec. You can't come out of what's bubbled.", Pink Steven spoke with a smirk, bubbling Jesse's phone and peeving Sieve as he grunted.
"I told you it would fail and it did.", Bane commented with a glare.
"Still, it bought us just enough time to bring this in.", Shard added.
"And now, we're gonna do it...our way.", Mace finished before powering up the lawbreaker by putting the plug in as as they machine powered up like a battery.
"Well, I could've settled it myself, but I guess that's not bad either.", M.T. commented.
"How could you guys do that? I wasn't gonna let them in!", Jesse snapped.
"Trust me. It's better than the alternative, which leaves your phone broken.", Pink Steven responded.
"Okay. Fair point, but still...", Jesse began.
"Why should we trust somebody who sells out his own brother?", M.T. interrupted.
"What?", Jesse puzzled.
"Okay, that was a bit too far.", Tulip commented.
"No, I-I didn't...it's more complicated than that. My friends, I-it was their idea. I just...thought it would be funny.", Jesse explained.
"Really? Because Nate sure didn't seem all that happy.", Pink Steven retorted.
"But...I didn't mean to hurt Nate.", Jesse responded.
"Well, you did. Still, I can tell you meant well, so I can't really stay mad at you for that. Besides, Nate might be doing okay, save for a few bruises, right?", Pink Steven asked.
"I wouldn't know. I didn't get to talk to him before...here.", Jesse responded.
"Your friends are bad. You know that, right?", M.T. asked.
"Maybe...", Jesse sighed.
"Still, I've done some horrible things myself. What you did? That was nothing.", Pink Steven responded.
"What did you do?", Jesse asked, worrying Pink Steven a bit before he took a deep breath and sighed.
"Well, let's just say I didn't exactly have the best control of my temper ever since Jasper brought something out of me that I never knew I had. Since then, my diamond powers have only gotten stronger up to a point and while I was training, I accidentally shattered Jasper. I managed put her back together in one piece after that, but still. I even tried finding help, but it only made things worse. And when things got really intense, I lost it and turned into a monster. Everything after that was a blank until I noticed Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, my dad, Connie, Lapis, Peridot, Spinel, and evening the diamonds hugging me and helping me feel better. After that, I realized I need to go clear my head and get this temper under control. Problem is I only have a short time to do that before I die. Or at least, my human half. And that's when I came across her. I knew that she could help so I asked her for help and she lent it, but because my physical form was still a monster, it changed her appearance.", Pink Steven explained.
"Wow. I guess that kinda explains why you look like a monster, huh, Tulip?", Jesse asked.
"Yeah. You're in the ballpark.", Tulip responded.
"But what about M.T.? What's her story?", Jesse asked.
"Well?", Pink Steven asked, turning to M.T., who groaned a bit.
"I probably should've told you what was going on earlier. It's true, what those flecs said. Technically, I am a criminal..., but I didn't do anything wrong.", M.T. explained.
"So..., you are a reflection? Who were you a reflection of?", Jesse asked.
"I'll give you a hint. It's the pink monster girl over there.", M.T. responded.
"Wow. Really?", Jesse spoke in surprise.
"Thing is, I used to reflect her, but...I wanted to love my own life, make my own memories. But it's against mirror law and...those flecs have been chasing me ever since.", M.T. added.
"And the time limit on our mission to get back to Beach City isn't helping either.", Pink Steven added.
"When I first met her, I thought she was a scammer when she first tricked me, but it turned out all she wanted was to be her own person. Like me. So, after finding out she couldn't leave without me while I was trapped, we switched back and I gave her her own reflection so that we can both go.", Tulip responded.
"Wow. I guess both those things are true.", Jesse spoke in awe.
"Yeah. I guess so.", Tulip shrugged.
"So, your name, M.T., does it stand for 'Mirror Tulip'?", Jesse asked.
"It's not my name. I'm just...letting you call me that.", M.T. responded.
"Sorry we had to snatch your phone like that.", Pink Steven apologized as he gave the bubbled phone back to Jesse.
"It had to be done, but we didn't want to go too far about it.", Tulip added.
"Well, thanks. But why did they take it, M.T.?", Jesse asked.
"It's just...the flecs can show up in any reflection. I'm never safe...", M.T. replied.
"But your body's reflective. Can't they jump out of you?", Jesse asked before getting painfully flicked on the head.
"Ow!", Jesse exclaimed.
"People can't jump out of people. Come on. It's stupid.", M.T. smirked.
"Oh, yeah, that's stupid. But the rest of it is normal.", Jesse spoke sarcastically before M.T. chuckled.
"I'm going to have to concur. If they can jump out of people, they would've done it by now.", Atticus interjected as he and One-One walked over.
"How long have you guys been up?", Pink Steven asked.
"Just after his phone got bubbled.", Atticus responded.
"I thought it was nice of you all to really get to know each other.", Glad One grinned.
"Although, I wish it was under better circumstances.", Sad One added.
Then, suddenly, they heard a noise before the whole group gasped upon noticing the door suddenly glowing red and white at the center.
"Sorry, Jesse! Should've helped us when you had the chance!", Sieve shouted.
"Not that it would've changed anything!", Bane added, peeving Sieve a bit as he growled a bit.
"We gotta get you out of there, M.T.!", Jesse spoke.
"The only question is, how can we do that without having to...?", Pink Steven began before the toad jumped up.
"Kick me! Please, kick me!", the toad urged.
"What?", Pink Steven puzzled.
"Hold on. First, you don't want to get kicked? And now, you do want to get kicked? This is confusing.", Sad One commented.
"If all my time in this car has taught me one thing, the toad always gets kicked. It's the only truth I know.", the toad responded.
"But it doesn't have to be like this. As soon as we get the door open, we'll get you out so that you don't have to be kicked anymore.", Atticus assured.
"Really? Well, in that case...kick me! Kick me straight in the grace lands.", the toad responded before Jesse prepared to kick him only for M.T. to stop him.
"Wait, your number will go up.", M.T. warned before Jesse looked back at his hand and then closed it.
"Who cares? We gotta go!", Jesse responded.
"He's right. As much as I hate to say it, there's no other way around it.", Pink Steven agreed.
"But what about finding another way?", Tulip asked.
"There's not enough time.", Pink Steven responded.
"Right. Let's just do it together!", Jesse agreed.
"One..., two...", Jesse, M.T., and Pink Steven began as they raised their legs.
"Is that a countdown? I love countdowns!", Glad One grinned.
"Unless this is a countdown to our inevitable demise.", Sad One added.
"Well, now, don't get too excited, now. It's...it's still my body you're injurin'.", the toad spoke medically while backing up before stopping near Alan Dracula's hooves before the deer grew surprised and then inadvertently kicks the toad toward a wall before the exit opened.
"Whoa!", the group spoke before the entry door opened as well, causing Mace to trip into the ground, catching the group's attention.
"Quick, everyone! Make haste!", Atticus urged before he and the others ran.
"After them!", Bane shouted before Tulip, M.T., Pink Steven, Atticus, One-One, Jesse, and Alan Dracula left the car with Pink Steven and Jesse turning back for the toad.
"Whoa, baby.", the toad spoke as he got picked up.
"Good thing you remembered, huh?", Pink Steven grinned.
"Can't kick what isn't there!", Jesse smirked before he and Pink Steven took off with the toad just as the exit closed on Mace, Sieve, Shard, and Bane just as Pink Steven and Jesse took off with the toad.
Then, the flecs turned back to notice the entry car closing from behind as well, cutting off the power to the lawbreaker.
"It was a trap!", Shard exclaimed.
"This isn't over, sliver! I won't stop until...! 'Till...", Mace spoke, beginning to lose heart before sighing as he slid down before Sieve then went to Mace to comfort him.
"We'll get her, buddy.", Sieve assured.
"For once, we can agree.", Bane added.
"Really? How?", Sieve puzzled.
"Remember an insider of mine I told you about earlier?", Bane asked.
"Uh, yeah. You never told me who it was, though.", Sieve responded.
"Well, what if I were to tell you that my insider is someone with vast resourcefulness? She'll help sort this mess out and this distress beacon will help make sure of that.", Bane assured.
"Oh, come on. You know that's not gonna work while we're trapped inside!", Shard objected.
"Oh, it will. But only for me. At least for the time being. When I catch them red-handed, then I'll let you out at the right moment. What do you say? Fancy a try?", Bane smirked.
Meanwhile, the group celebrated their victory as they cheered before M.T. and Jesse high-fived each other before they both blushed a bit with the toad then hopping away from Jesse.
"Thank you all kindly for saving me from an existentially nightmarish existence.", the toad thanked.
"It was the least we could do.", Atticus grinned.
"Well, I won't soon forget it.", the toad spoke before turning around.
"Wait! Uh, before you go, I feel like we should give you a name.", Pink Steven responded.
"What do you have in mind?", the toad asked.
"Hmm. Oh, how about, 'Kick'? A toad that kicks back at life.", Pink Steven suggested.
"Kick, huh? Far be it from me, but that's actually a great name.", Kick grinned before turning back around and then hopping away up above the train car.
"Goodbyyyyyyyeeeeee!", Kick shouted as he got farther away.
"Wow. I guess 'Kick' is actually a cool name now, isn't it?", Pink Steven spoke in surprise before Tulip noticed Jesse's hand.
"Jesse, your hand.", Tulip spoke before Jesse noticed that his hand now says 14.
"Wow! Down to 14!", Jesse spoke in joy.
"Hurray! You're one step closer to home!", Glad One cheered.
"Thank you!", Jesse spoke before hugging M.T., puzzling her a bit before she smiled as everyone else smiled with her.
A/N: So, what did you think about ending? Didn't expect to see that part, did you? Now, anyway, the artwork is going to be about Special Agent Bane himself. And like the previous artworks, the credit goes to johndoe326 for that. Until next time. :)