Are you ready? Because the next chapter is up! Who will steal the Golden Dolphin?: The Bad Guys or Boy? To find out, start reading. Enjoy!
Chapter 6:
"Ladies and Gentlemen," an announcer called out to all the distinguished guests who'd gathered together for the main event. "Introducing your MC for the Good Samaritan Awards…"
Meanwhile, Shark continued to keep the guards occupied as the predator did his 'pregnant-breathing' technique until Wolf talked to him over the comm.
"All right, Shark, we're in" Wolf answered
Shark quickly stood up and told the people around him, including the guards, "Oops, I forgot, I'm not pregnant"
"Then where did the twins come from?" Boy insulted, in his disguised voice
Shark's eyes widened when he heard the remark and he bared his teeth at Boy, giving him one last warning. Boy just tipped his hat at the disguised predator and took his seat while leaving the guards confused.
At the stage, the announcer spoke, "…President of the committee, Governor Diane Foxington"
Diane is seen walking to the podium as the crowd cheered for her, she waved to the crowd.
"Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you so much" Diane solemnly addressed the crowd while recalling footage of the most horrific natural disaster in the history of the city played on the screen behind her. "Last year, we faced our biggest test when a meteorite crashed into our dear city. That meteorite didn't just make a hole in our city…it made a hole in our hearts"
The audience all awed sadly, remembering that day, with Shark even shedding a tear. Boy gave him a comforting pat on the arm until the disguised predator gently shoved the disguised kid away from him not wanting to have anything else to do with him.
On-screen behind her there was a video of people gathered at the edge of the smoldering crater, crying into the debris. Diane continued on with her speech.
"But even in tragedy, "Diane went on, "Professor Marmalade, he did what he does so well…"
The screen switched to footage of the night's hero, the tiny annoying guinea pig, making his shocking discovery: that the meteorite looked like a massive heart.
"He made us look at things differently. And thanks to you, Marmalade, the Love Crater Meteorite will forever serve as a symbol of how there is good, even in the worst places"
(GUESTS APPLAUDING)
Everyone in the audience—and on-screen—cheered for their city's hero: the good-hearted Professor Marmalade.
The governor's presentation was moving, to be sure, but the Bad Guys had better things to do. Backstage, it was time to get what they'd come for, and get out. Wolf and Piranha ripped off their tuxedos, revealing the full-body tactical suits they were wearing underneath. They launched themselves over the gauntlet of laser beams surrounding the Golden Dolphin trophy. As they flew through the air, a vent in the ceiling popped open and Snake popped out—just in time to catch his two pals zipping through the air.
Wolf, Snake, and Piranha all dangled directly above the Golden Dolphin. Success was so close, Snake could almost smell it with his tongue.
Snake did his best to hold them up, "Hurry up"
Piranha quickly climbed up to the top of the vent and held tightly onto Snake's tail, holding on from the other end. The reptile then slowly and cautiously began lowering himself along with Wolf coiled around him ready to make their move.
As they sunk lower and lower, getting closer to the trophy, Wolf commented to Snake, "This is going surprisingly smoothly"
But just as he said that, the diamond ring he'd slipped off Governor Foxington's hand earlier in the night flew out and fell, slightly hitting the trophy before it started to fall towards the lasers. Wolf quickly scrambled to catch the ring with his hands but ended up catching with his feet instead. However—it was too late—dozens of laser cannons flipped out of the base of the Golden Dolphin pedestal and fired into the air, which ended up hitting and destroying a nearby statue.
PEW!
PEW!
PEW!
"What the molt is that?!" Snake commented
Wolf used his superior vision to read the plaque on the front of the trophy stand. The canine gasped with shock.
"The Wolf-Piranha-Snake-Shark-Tarantula Protection System!" Wolf commented, reading the plaque
Over the comm, Webs gasped. "The WPSST?"
"This was NOT supposed to happen!" Wolf said, freaking out
"What?" Snake snapped back
"Guys, calm down. I'm on it" Webs told them both, before inserting a USB drive into the museum's main system. "Initiating WPSST Override Protocol." She laughed confidently to herself. This was beginner's stuff. "Get it, queen!"
(BUZZING)
Instantaneously, a DENIED message flashed on-screen. Webs was supposed to be the queen of hackers and somehow she didn't successfully hack into it. The eight-legged hacker had an unamused look on her face telling her: What the thorax?
"Did it work?" Wolf asked, over the comm
Webs tapped a few keys, muttering, "Just give me five minutes!"
However, when Wolf and Snake heard Diane starting to greet Marmalade to the podium. They had no time at all. The clock was ticking.
"And now, please join me in welcoming to the stage…"
"We don't have five minutes!" Snake commented
"…Professor Marmalade!"
The guinea pig strolled out onstage, bowing as guests offered him a standing ovation and loud cheers from all corners of the room.
"We love you, Professor Marmalade!" One attendee screamed out, sounding like a fan at a rock concert
"The pig is on the move," Shark whispered into his comm unit, doing his part of the mission—keeping watch over the festivities. "I repeat, the pig is on the move!"
"Webs, Webs!" Wolf cried, from where he was still hanging over the spot where the Golden Dolphin statue used to be. "The curtain's going up any minute!"
Webs was working as fast as she could but nothing seemed to be working as she replied, "It's not letting me in!"
"What do you mean it's not letting you in?" Snake snapped
Boy, who was still sitting next to Shark, played on his phone. However, unaware did the large predator know next to him, the kid was really hacking Webs every move through the museum's main system—on his phone. Boy just smirked knowing he was able to prevent the tiny hacker and her friends from getting the statue. He couldn't be more proud of himself.
Boy rolled his eyes to the fourth wall and whispered, "I'm such a stinker"
Webs kept on trying to hack into the system override but it seemed all hope was lost for her and her teammates. Nothing was working! They were going to get busted on-sight by everyone—especially the police department.
Webs expressed frustration on her face and growled, "I don't understand why it's locking me out so quickly!"
"Check your system preferences," Wolf said
"You probably need to download a driver," Snake suggested helpfully
"Try rebooting" Wolf added
"Oh my gosh!" Webs gasped. "You fixed it"
"Really?" Wolf and Snake both asked at the same time
"NO!" Webs snapped back
In Web's end, there was a knock on the door of the Security Room. The hacker's eyes widened and with a quick glance behind her at the still-locked door she saw the door handle jiggle—she had company! On the other side of that door was a voice calling that sounded like…the chief of police!
"Hey, Larry!" The police chief's voice echoed through the thick door. "Come on, open up. What did we say about locking doors?"
Webs gasped and frantically commented, "Oh, no, no, no. Shark, I got a situation here"
"Copy that," Shark said, heading out of the party. "I'm on my way"
Shark calmly got out of his seat and began heading his way to the Security Room. But Boy stopped him quickly.
"Leaving so soon, my shrinking violet?" Boy asked, in his disguised voice. "I'll miss you. Be sure to write me a postcard or better yet come back with a slimmer body to impress me next time. I'll never forget about you"
Shark rolled his eyes in annoyance before turning to face the disguised child with a big smile and chuckled, "The next time I see you, I'll be sure to save you a seat…in my STOMACH!"
But instead of a fearful reply, Boy just smiled. "Good, that's means you'll finally be able to have babies but I don't mean sharks. You just keep stuffing yourself with fat cakes and I'm sure you'll look convincing in no time"
Shark growled and he slammed his heel on the ground and began marching away from the horrible man having to be rid of him for good. Boy blew a few kisses and then waved goodbye to him without saying another word.
In the vents, Piranha could feel his stomach starting to gurgle, as he tried to hold on as hard as he could. Something wanted out of him and only Piranha could feel it as he commented, "Hurry up, guys"
With only little time left, Webs knew what she had to do. She was the team hacker after all. She cracked her tiny knuckles, and said, "Time to turn this baby on beast mode"
With the press of one button, three new keyboards suddenly appeared out of Web's main terminal. Now she could bet more hands on the job. "Eat it, WPSST!" Her eight legs went immediately into overdrive on all her keyboards, she quickly started unlocking each of the WPSST's security firewalls at an unbelievable speed.
Meanwhile, a panic-stricken Piranha could feel the end coming near—and it was about to get green and smelly. "Please, not now"
"Wolf!"
"Wait-wait-wait!" Wolf cried, as he and Snake looked up with fear on their faces. "No, Piranha!"
At the reception area, Marmalade was giving an acceptance speech, "This award is for…"
(FARTS)
Suddenly, everyone grew quiet including Professor Marmalade who heard the sound in the distance.
Boy sighed saying into his thoughts, "Thank God, I'm not behind that curtain with them"
The guinea pig looked around him but figured it was nothing, as he continued, "As I was saying…"
Seeing it was too late for regrets—the fart was out! Piranha released a giant fart into the air duct as it now began traveling through the museum's system of duct work.
"No-no-no-no-no!" Piranha groaned
It wasn't long before the odor slipped into the Security Room. Webs continued working hard on hacking the 'WPSST' system until she got a whiff immediately. She turned around and saw Piranha's fart cloud entering the room, and she grew agitated. At a time like this, it had to be where she was working from.
"Piranha! Are you kidding me?" Webs shouted, into her comm
"Sorry!" Piranha whined, his voice carrying through the vents
Meanwhile, Marmalade continued rambling on his speech to the people, "And that's why my Gala for Goodness will raise all the money needed for those less fortunate"
From the outside, the chief pounded on the door again, impatiently, "Come on!"
The air was quickly filled with the power of Piranha's powerful gas. Webs knew she had to work even quicker now before she suffocated or lost consciousness. The hacker quickly held her breath and began working as fast as possible, knowing she didn't have much time left.
The chief continued knocking on the door, but there was still no answer from the inside and then commented, "I'm starting to get mad here, Larry," She pulled out a set of keys, finding one to unlock the door.
Webs was trying her best, but she could barely see through the cloud of toxic fart. But she couldn't stop, so they could finish their mission and get out. Unfortunately for her, the fumes were too strong as her eyes began watering uncontrollably. It was then her vision began to get blurry.
"Webs! Webs!" Wolf cried, through the comm
Onstage, Governor Foxington was saying, "And now, the moment we've all been waiting for…"
The curtain started to rise, about to show the backstage. Wolf and Snake were still dangling until they saw what was happening. They panicked while trying to move upward to avoid getting caught but the lasers were still following their every move preventing them from escaping.
That's when Webs lost consciousness. She was so close to completion that she couldn't handle the fart cloud anymore. Which was extra unfortunate timing since it was also at that moment that the chief of police slid her spare key into the lock and opened the door to the security room. As the curtain began to rise, Wolf and Snake are seen panicked while still being targeted by the lasers pointing at them. They feared the worst; dripping sweat from their foreheads knowing this was not going to end well for them. The end was most definitely near! Or was it?
"Excuse me," Shark said, composed and full of charm. "Is this the LADIES room?"
This made the chief turn to his attention as Shark smiled nervously.
"Oh, uh, you need to take a right at the end of the hall, ma'am" the chief instructed, pointing to her right
Just when Shark had her completely distracted, the fart fumes cleared out of the Security Room. Webs woke up, shook her head to clear it, and immediately got back to work.
"Whoa!" Webs cried
With not a second to spare, she successfully cracked the WPSST code!
Webs cheered with victory, "Yes! Whoop-bam!"
However, her victory was cut short when a final tab appeared on the screen saying, 'I'm not a tarantula' with a checkmark box to the left. This made the hacker feel even more annoyed.
"Oh, come on!" Webs shouted
She used her mouse and clicked the checkmark box leaving a red X. This caused the entire WPSST system to shut down completely, making Wolf and Snake relieved. The two then shared a look remembering they had a mission to complete.
Onstage, Diane proclaimed, "And now, it is my honor to award Professor Marmalade with the Golden Dolphin!"
However, the audience, Diane, and Marmalade were in for a shock to see that there was nothing there! No Golden Dolphin—No Bad Guys—Nothing!
"No!" Diane screamed, immediately realizing what had happened
"No!" Marmalade screamed
"Yes!" Shark cheered, in his normal voice. Then he quickly changed back to his high-pitched voice, "I mean, yes!" He gave the chief a friendly wave before walking away.
"What?" The chief said, looking confused
However, when the chief opened the door all the way, she saw on the computer screen that showed the Golden Dolphin was gone. She gripped her head with her hands and jumped up in panic mode.
(CHIEF SCREAMING)
She ran off, slamming the door behind her leaving a still tied-up Larry hanging from the ceiling, still gagged with duct tape.
Moments later, Diane regained her composure and tried to calm the panic-stricken crowd. "Everyone, everyone, please don't panic. Just stay calm!" She held up her hands, attempting to silence the room. "I'm…I'm sure there's an explanation for this. I repeat, uh, please do NOT panic"
Using the chaos around them as a cover, the Bad Guys quickly changed back into their partygoer disguises and discreetly made their way past the screaming crowd, creeping toward the front door. Their work here was finished. They had pulled off what no other criminal could have done. They were victorious!
"Nice work, everybody" Wolf told them, "Now, let's make like a wolf and get the pack out of here"
"Ah, wordplay," Piranha said, chuckling. Then, after a quick pause, he added, "I don't get it"
As they made their way towards the exit, Webs noticed Shark was acting weirdly all of a sudden. The large predator was wobbling in a funny manner that she couldn't explain.
"Hey, Shark, what's the matter?" Webs asked, "Is the dress giving you a wedgie?"
(OTHERS LAUGHING TEASINGLY)
Shark shook his head, "No! I just never felt a Golden Dolphin being as soft as a baby's bottom. I think it's giving me a rash"
"Just hang on for a few more seconds, big guy" Wolf told him, "We're just seconds away of making history"
Piranha, however, caught sight of something he'd never seen, "Or more like seconds away for Shark to make a rest-stop. You're leaking, Flipper"
"What?" Shark asked
The large predator looked down when much to his horror he discovered brown-liquid drippings in between his legs that went all the way down to his heels. When the other Bad Guys saw it too they glared at Shark.
"Shark!" They all shouted in unison
"It wasn't me! I swear" Shark said, defending himself. "I went to the bathroom two hours ago"
Wolf and the other Bad Guys quickly ducked over by one of the museum's sculptures so they could help clean-up their friend.
"Shark, what's the matter with you?" Wolf shouted
"Looks like he took his diversion way too far" Piranha mentioned, recalling his big friend's 'pregnant distraction'
"That's NOT true! I didn't do this on purpose!" Shark said back, "If I did, there'd be gas all over us right about now"
Webs groaned sticking her tongue out, "Ugh, don't get me started on that again!"
"I said I was sorry!" Piranha apologized, "You're all lucky it wasn't a bomb"
"Yeah? I'd like to stick one right up the next piece of grub that upsets your stomach, fish breath!" Snake snapped
Piranha growled at the reptile showing him his fist, "How would you like a fist up your…"
"Guys!" Wolf shouted, silencing the group. "This is NOT an important conversation right now!"
Shark was wobbling again in discomfort. Something felt off and he could feel it in his dress.
"What's going on, Shark?" Wolf asked, "What do you have back there?"
"You should know," Shark said, "It's where I stuck the…stuck the…"
Suddenly Shark's eyes widened in realization when he remembered what was under his dress. The other Bad Guys had the same reaction as well.
"…the Golden Dolphin" they all exclaimed at once
Shark turned away to pull out of the Golden Dolphin statue from under his dress. Once the large predator did, he gasped with shock. Slowly turning back around with a horrified expression on his face, Shark showed the Golden Dolphin to the four other Bad Guys. They all gasped in horror. It would seem that they all made a shocking discovery. The Golden Dolphin was revealed to be melting through what seemed to be golden wrapper that was covering around it and it dripped a lot of brown-liquid. Since it was under Shark's dress, his body heat must've caused it to thaw. This wasn't the Golden Dolphin at all!
"What the…" Wolf said, taking the smushy Golden Dolphin statue. "This isn't the Golden Dolphin…" He then used his finger to wipe up a sample of the brown-liquid and he tasted it in his mouth. The canine spat it out and realized what it was and commented, "Its CHOCOLATE!"
"No!" Shark screamed
"Are you kidding me!" Webs screamed
"Ay caramba!" Piranha screamed
"WHAT?!" Snake snapped
"I know," said a voice
All five Bad Guys were taken by surprise by an unknown guest from behind them and they quickly spun around showing off their fake smiles to none other than Boy, still in his disguised mode. He smiled calmly at the group before glancing to the stage ahead of him.
"It's a real shame what happened here, tonight" Boy said, in his disguised voice. "That chief really screwed things up this time. Letting those dastardly Bad Guys steal the Golden Dolphin from right under our noses. I guess they'll be cementing their legacy after all, eh Mr. Poodleton?"
Wolf chuckled nervously while trying not to break his character, "Yeah, it's a real shame"
Piranha chuckled, "I'll say because it just so happens that the Golden Dolphin we stole was really…"
Snake quickly clamped the little fish's mouth shut with some of his shedded dead skin to keep him quiet. The reptile whispered, "Shut up, stupid!"
Boy then noticed Wolf was dripping sweat from under his hat. "You seem nervous, pal. Hope you're not catching a fever"
Wolf glanced up, noticed the sweat dripping from his forehead, wiped it off with his sleeve and shook the nervous feeling away.
"No, no, I'm fine" Wolf lied, "It's just…for all we know those Bad Guys could still be here waiting to strike any minute"
Boy waved a hand at him, "Don't be silly. I wouldn't call them murderous monsters…but maybe a bunch of big dumb dummies"
"You can say that again" Shark replied, smiling nervously
"A bunch of big dumb dummies" Boy repeated
"All right, all right, we get it!" Snake snapped, "You don't have to overdo it"
Boy then extended a hand to Wolf, "I'm afraid I must bid you farewell, Mr. Poodleton. I must be going. Hope to see you again sometime"
Wolf smiled and shook his hand, "Count on it, Mr. Rooney"
Boy then tipped his hat to the other four Bad Guys and began heading towards the exit, with a cunning smirk. The Bad Guys then huddled up.
"What do we do now?" Webs asked
"I'll tell you what we're going to do" Wolf said, "We're going to walk out that door and pretend like we weren't even here"
"But what about cementing our legacy?" Piranha asked
"Someone obviously beat us to the Dolphin" Wolf added
"So all of this was for nothing?" Shark whined
"No way couldn't it have been for nothing! No one could have the brains to pull off this job. Someone must've sabotaged our whole plan!" Snake said
"BUT WHO?" All four Bad Guys asked in unison
Meanwhile, onstage, Marmalade stepped up to the mic. "Diane, Diane, if I may…" The crowd calmed slightly at the sight of their composed guest of honor coming forward to speak. "You have to understand, I didn't bring hope back to the city for an award…" Everyone's focus was now on Marmalade. The Bad Guys continued arguing, not paying attention at all to the guinea pig when Marmalade added, "I did these good things because of how they made me feel…that tingly feeling I get…that shiver up my spine…the wag in my tiny tail!"
When Marmalade said those final words, Wolf stilled. He remembered that feeling, from when he'd helped that old lady earlier in the night! He paused, unable to resist the pull to find out what the pig would say next.
"Wolf?" Snake asked
(WOLF SHUSHING)
"Because you see…being good, just feels so good. And when you're good, you're loved" Marmalade finished
Wolf couldn't help but smile at the inspiration of those words. He suddenly got that tingly feeling…that shiver up his spine…that wag in his tail. But Wolf looked down when he discovered his tail was wagging—again. His friends watched in confusion by what was happening with their leader right now.
"Guys!" Wolf said, struggling to control his tail. "A little help, please!"
Piranha, Shark, Snake, and Webs rushed to his aid as they to stop Wolf's tail from wagging.
Meanwhile, Boy was slowly making his way towards the exit until he stilled for a moment. He turned to his left—then to his right—no one was looking. Boy took off his hat and threw it away along with the fake beard on his face before whistling to his furry companion friend in the distance. Webs, who heard the whistling, turned around until she spotted a guinea pig riding on a skateboard rolling towards Mr. Rooney. The hacker rose a brow by the sight until she saw Rooney's fake beard that was on the ground. Now, she was puzzled. Soon enough, she discovered Jake Rooney picking up a flower pot next to one of the museum's sculpture's. Using two hands, Boy pulled out the plant—but instead of dirt and roots—its was the Golden Dolphin! It was hiding in the plant pots this whole time. Boy then yanked off his tuxedo disguise revealing the stilts as he hopped down and tossed 'em away. The child picked up the statue and kissed it. It tasted like—sweet victory! Webs, who literally just witnessed the whole thing, stood shocked and speechless.
"You gotta be…" Webs stuttered, before she quickly tried to grab the Guys attentions. "Guys, Guys!"
"Not now, Webs" Wolf said, "I've got a problem"
"This one's going to blow your minds" Webs pointed out
"I don't think so" Wolf replied
"GUYS!" Webs shouted
All four Bad Guys turned their attention to the arachnid perched on Shark's shoulder and yelled, "WHAT!"
Webs pointed behind them. All four Bad Guys spun around and followed where the arachnid was pointing at. Their expressions grew in horror as all their jaws hit the floor! In front of them, they watched a kid hugging the Golden Dolphin. The real Golden Dolphin! The child's guinea pig companion climbed up his master's leg like a tree and hopped into his backpack as they two shared a playful fist bump. The sight caused the wagging in Wolf's tail stop completely.
"Yep, Barks, just like stealing candy from a bunch of big dumb dummies" Boy said, happily
(BARKS BARKING)
Staring speechless, The Bad Guys began stammering sentences that they couldn't put together. Who would have thought that a kid could pull off such a dirty trick? Especially on them?
"He…"
"…he stole"
"But-but-but…"
"…he has the"
"G-G-Golden…"
"…hubba-hubba"
"But-but-but…" Wolf stammered, "B-But if he has the Golden Dolphin. Then that means…he…he…WAIT A MINUTE! HE HAS THE GOLDEN DOLPHIN!"
"OUR GOLDEN DOLPHIN!" All four Bad Guys exclaimed, angrily
Snake ripped off his fake hair, hat, and mustache yelling out, "HEY YOU LITTLE BRAT, GIVE THAT BACK!"
Boy immediately spun around when he realized he was discovered by the Bad Guys. The child yelped and scattered off on his skateboard riding towards the exit at high speed with the Golden Dolphin in one arm.
"HE'S GETTING AWAY!" Piranha shouted
"WELL, GET HIM!" Wolf ordered
Ooh boy! Looks like Boy's first meeting with the Bad Guys will have him fighting for his life. Will he escape? Or will the Bad Guys catch him? Please review and stay tuned for more exciting chapters soon!