Chapter 5: Mario the Spy
I DO NOT own T.U.F.F. Puppy or any characters except for Maria, Mario, and their parents. Mario is a fun character to write about. He might be in his sister's shadow yet he adores her. Enjoy!
It wasn't a dragonfly at all. The Chameleon had actually caught a tiny remote-controlled helicopter with a video camera attached. Maria already suspected the source. She tossed a stick upward into the branches of a tree. They heard a yelp as something fell and crashed into them.
It was a fox two years younger than Maria. He had the same dark blue eyes and his hair was the same color but his was in the same wild ringlets as their father. He had a sheepish expression on his face. "I am so busted."
"You certainly are," confirmed Maria. "Mario, this is our neighbor, the Chameleon. Chameleon, this is my little brother, Mario."
The Chameleon held out the helicopter. "What exactly did you see?"
"Oh, pretty much your whole conversation. So, Maria wants you to come over tonight?"
"I thought you said you were listening. Yes, she does. And I wish I could accept her invitation, but I'm not sure I can. Do you have an objection?"
"Heck no! I think you should come too." Mario threw his arms up. "Finally! Something exciting happens to me!" He looked at the Chameleon slyly. "Plus my dear sister could really use a littlecompany." He winked at Maria. "So, why aren't you sure?"
"Why do you think?"
"Oh, it's because of my old man, isn't it?"
"Of course that's the reason!" said Maria. "You know what Dad's like."
"You ought to come over, Cam-uh-Leon, no matter what Dad says."
"It's pronounced Chameleon!"
"Whatever. I know what you two did yesterday, and I don't think Maria should be hogging all the action." Maria rolled her eyes. Mario saw the painting. "Hey, sis, did you do that?" She nodded. He looked back from her work to its subject. "Oh, this is excellent, Maria! Jeez, is there anything you can't do?" Maria started to shush him. "I mean, you paint like the old masters, you're a black belt, and you play the trumpet? Come now, don't be modest." He turned to the Chameleon. "So, are you telling me you're afraid of my dad?"
The Chameleon's eyes darted around. "Now why would you think a thing like that?" Just then, Malcolm Foxxy's head stuck out the window and glared at him. "Aah!" He turned into a bush. Malcolm went back inside.
The Chameleon turned back into his normal form. "OK, you got me, I'm afraid of him," he admitted. "Are you satisfied?"
"Not yet. Who cares what Dad says?" This shocked his sister and their neighbor. "I don't care what it takes, Chameleon! Break down the door!" Mario paused and reconsidered. "Well, maybe it would just take some pleading from Daddy's favorite," he said, nudging and winking at Maria.
She glared. "Knock it off, Mario. I don't think I can convince him to let the Chameleon come over any more than you can."
"Ha! Please," said her brother.
The Chameleon told her, "Maria, if any of what he says is true, please try asking your dad." He thought of something. "As a matter of fact, I don't think he could say no if he wanted to. Know why?"
Maria groaned. "Why?"
"It's because you'll get down on your knees and beg him."
She groaned again. Mario was baffled. "I don't get it."
"It's an inside joke."
Mario chuckled. "I see. Inside jokes already. Well, that brings me to my next question? Exactly why do you want the Chameleon to come over to dinner anyway, hm?"
Maria didn't know what to tell him. "Well, he's my. . . my friend. Plus, I don't think he gets out much."
"Sounds like you're two of a kind."
"Shut up, Mario."
"Shutting, sis."
Maria sighed. "I'll try asking him, Chameleon. But I can't make any promises, okay?"
"Okay, no promises." He watched the siblings go inside nervously. Imagine that, he thought. She called me her friend!
In the next chapter, you'll find out Malcolm's answer. Will the Chameleon come to dinner? What other surprises await? Chapter 6 will be available soon. Bye, and PLEASE review soon!
