Ollie, Verminious Snaptrap, Francisco, Bad Dog, Larry, and DOOM (c) Butch Hartman
Ivonne, Silas (c) Me
Ollie and Ivonne entered the main chamber only to find that it was completely empty, save for Francisco and Bad Dog watching TV on an old beaten up couch. Francisco noticed them walking towards them. "Hey, uh, what's she doing here?" He asked, pointing at Ivonne.
"Ivonne, told me that she was sent here to giva an upgrade to our computers," Ollie explained, "She said that we should've received a message from that Silas Mane fellow earlier. Did either of you get it?"
Francisco and Bad Dog exchanged glances and shook their heads. "Uhhh, no, I don't remember ever getting any message," Francisco replied. Bad Dog just shrugged.
Ollie and Ivonne exchanged glances, both more puzzled than ever. "So what…"He began when a loud ruckus from upstairs was heard, like someone shouting. They heard a door slam upstairs, then the sound of footsteps stomping down the stairs accompanied by the harsh whiny voice of Verminious Snaptrap, leader of D.O.O.M.
"Darn it, Larry!" He shouted as he leaped down the last few steps, dressed in a tux, "How could you lose the dinner reservation tickets! Do you have any idea how much of your paycheck it cost me to pay for those stupid things?!"
"But Snaptrap, you never gave them to me!" Replied the small bespectacled shrew, who was also wearing a tux.
"Don't give me your lame excuses!" Snaptrap snapped as he began rummaging around D.O.O.M. HQ., "Just help me find those darn things so we can take my mom and sister to their Valentine's dinner and get this whole thing over with!"
Ollie, Ivonne, Francisco, and Bad Dog all watched in confusion as Snaptrap and Larry rushed helter skelter throughout the lair, checking every nook and cranny. Both were oblivious to the observers until Snaptrap spotted them as he rushed by. "What're you yahoos lookin' at?" He snapped, "Make yourselves useful and help me out here!"
"Um, Boss," Ollie spoke, "What exactly is it you're looking for?"
"The dinner reservation tickets that I paid for," Snaptrap replied in disgust, "My mom said that since it's Vaaaalentine's Day, I should treat her to dinner for being such a good mother. Ha!"Good" my hairless pink tail!"
"I helped pay for those tickets too!" Larry complained.
"No one cares, Larry!" Snaptrap shouted, "It's bad enough she decided to have you and my sister come along!"
"Why's Larry going?" Ivonne asked Ollie.
"Larry is married to Snaptrap's sister," he answered, "He's Snaptrap's brother-in-law."
"Geez, Ollie, do I tell people your dark family secrets?!" Snaptrap exclaimed indignantly over his shoulder as he continued searching.
"Oh," Ivonne merely replied, "Well, that explains a lot." Snaptrap came stomping back to them, fists clenched in anger.
"Great! Just great!" He exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air, "I can't find those stupid tickets anywhere! Now I'm never gonna hear the end of it from my mom! This is all your fault, Larry!"
It was then that Ollie noticed something sticking out of Snaptrap's tux. He tapped Snaptrap on the shoulder.
"Um, Boss, what're those?" He asked, pointing to the unidentified object.
Snaptrap looked to where Ollie was pointing. He pulled the object from his suit, revealing them to be the reservation tickets.
"Well, whaddaya know?" He said cheerfully, "I had them in my suit the whole time. Silly me."
"I told you, you never gave them to me," muttered Larry.
"Stop dwelling on the past Larry!" Snaptrap retorted, shoving his brother-in-law ahead of him, "Now let's get goin' before my mom starts yelling! Sheesh, She can break glass with that voice!"
"Boss, before you leave, may I ask a quick question?" Ollie asked politely.
"Oh for crying out loud!" Snaptrap cried, turning to him impatiently, "What is it?!"
"Did you, by any chance, receive a message today from Silas Mane?" Ollie inquired.
"Si who?" Snaptrap asked dumbly.
"You know, that lion chap who works at that organization we're working with." Ollie explained, "Ivonne here told me that he should've called over here earlier and let us know that she was coming."
Snaptrap just blinked. Then his eyes briefly widened as he remembered.
"Oh yeah," he replied casually, "He did call earlier today, something about computers…blah blah blah. Whatever. Can I go now?"
Ivonne watched pityingly as Ollie sighed hopelessly. She had to give him credit for his eternal patience.
"It was about computer upgrades for D.O.O.M., Boss," Ollie corrected tiredly, "You really should've mentioned something earlier."
"Sheesh, I mentioned it now didn't I?" Snaptrap replied, "Anyways if that's it, I'll be on my way."
"So…Ivonne can proceed with the upgrades then?" Ollie asked.
"Hey, if makes D.O.O.M. cooler, I'm all for it!" Snaptrap replied as he continued pushing Larry up the steps. Just then a screechy, raspy voice rang from upstairs.
"VERMINIOUS! WHAT THE HECK IS TAKING SO LONG?! GET YOUR USELESS TAIL UP HERE RIGHT NOW, YOU BUM!"
"ALRIGHT MOM! GEEZ! DON'T HAVE A COW!" Snaptrap shouted back.
"This is gonna be a looong night," Larry groaned.
"Can it, Larry!" Snaptrap snapped, "You're lucky I don't have time to throw you in the shark tank! Now move it!"
Everyone listened as the door upstairs opened and slammed shut. For a moment, there was an awkward silence, then Ollie turned to Ivonne with a sheepish smile. "So…I guess you can get started."
Ivonne just nodded, glancing cautiously up the stairs. "Um, yeah, so, where's the main computer?" She asked.
"Right this way," he replied. They were both silent as they walked into another room. Ivonne continually glanced at Ollie, feeling more anxious by the minute. Ollie, please say something, she thought pleadingly. Then, as if on cue, he spoke.
"So, er, how've you been doing?"
"I've… been doing fine," Ivonne answered somewhat awkwardly.
He nodded somewhat absentmindedly. "That's…great," he answered. They soon came to a giant screen with a large control panel. Ollie pressed one of the buttons and turned it on.
"I'm sure it's not as impressive as the ones you have," he chuckled half heartedly to Ivonne, "But it gets the job done." He politely held the chair for her, as she took a seat.
"You um, you mind if I watch you work?" He asked timidly.
Ivonne felt a glimmer of hope in her heart. "No!" She exclaimed a bit excitedly, "Um, no, not at all."
Ollie gave a small smile, a bit amused by her reaction. He stood quietly beside her as they waited for the computer to turn completely on. Ivonne stared at the screen then glanced at Ollie out of the corner of her eye. He too seemed to be taking quick side glances at her. He's holding back, Ivonne thought. After some more uncomfortable silence, Ollie finally spoke.
"Ivonne? May-may I speak to you for a moment, in private?
Ivonne looked straight at him, the glimmer of hope growing even more. "Sure," she answered softly. Ollie began to look around as if searching for a perfect place to talk. Then an idea came to him.
"The roof," he said pointing upwards, "C'mon, I promise I won't be long." Ivonne nodded and followed him, her heartbeat quickening with each step. They both walked through the main hall, just as Francisco and Bad Dog were getting ready to leave.
"Where are you two going?" Ollie asked.
"Eh, we decided to head out and play a little pool," Francisco answered, "It's dull around here. Besides, the pool place won't be too crowded with everyone out for Valentine's. You guys wanna come?"
"Er, no thanks, Chum, you two go on ahead," Ollie answered, trying to sound casual, "We're just going to stay here and see about those upgrades."
"Hey wait," said Francisco, "Where are you two goin' exactly?"
Ollie seemed lost for an answer, then Ivonne spoke up. "To the roof," she answered quickly, "I…can't find the disk with the upgrade download. I think I might've dropped it up there."
"Why would it be up there?" Francisco asked suspiciously.
Ivonne folded her arms and sighed impatiently. "Because I had to go up on the roof to see if anyone was here, because no one was answering the door, because your boss forgot to mention about the call that told you I was coming!"
"Okay, okay, no need to get your tail in a twist," Francisco answered, backing off, "Anyways, it looks like you guys will have the place to yourselves for awhile. Behave you two."
Francisco and Bad Dog began laughing uproariously as they exited the lair out the main hallway. Ollie turned to Ivonne looking somewhat embarrassed. "Heh, yes, um, shall we continue?"
Ivonne smiled shyly and waved her hand towards the stairs that led to the roof. "Lead the way," she answered.
They made their way up the stairway and onto the roof top. Ivonne noticed there was a full moon out, casting a soft glow all around. She could recall the many times she and Ollie had gazed at the full moon on their night missions. She continued following him until he stopped, just past the giant smokestacks.
Ivonne stood beside Ollie, watching him expectantly. He just stood silently, staring out across the horizon. He then took a deep breath and turned to her.
"Ivonne," he began nervously, "A-About what happened today, at the park, um, I'm…I'm sorry if I startled you. You know with my gift. I…I was just trying to do something nice for you."
Ivonne looked at him sweetly, "I know you were," she answered gently, "I'm…I'm sorry about the way I acted. I know I was out of line." She stared down at the ground, ashamed. "I'm sorry I called your gift stupid," she apologized, "It wasn't. The truth is…I really did think it was lovely. I still do."
This statement seemed to brighten Ollie's spirits a bit. "Really?" He replied, sounding a bit hopeful, "Then…then why…"
"I was afraid," Ivonne interrupted, "I…I've had a lot on my mind lately, and it's been stressing me out, and I took it out on you."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Ollie replied, "But what were you afraid of?"
Ivonne just stayed quiet, still staring at the floor. Ollie watched her, feeling concerned. Gathering his courage, he reached out and took her hand. She looked up at him as he began to speak quickly.
"Ivonne, you…you remember what you told me when we started working together? About how you'll never fall in love with me and that I wasn't to make any advances and, and things like that?
He paused for a moment as he took another deep breath. Ivonne just nodded, feeling her heart beating even faster. He continued, slowing down a bit.
"Well, the thing is, first of all I respected your wishes, I really did, but as time went on and I got to know you better…well, you see I…"
"Ollie, you care about me don't you?" Ivonne asked suddenly.
Ollie jerked back, stunned that Ivonne knew and how quick she got to the point. Ivonne just smiled fondly at him, in a way that she never did before, which made his face feel warm.
"Well,I…yes," he admitted, "Yes, I do care about you…very much." He looked embarrassed. "Was it really that obvious?"
"A little," Ivonne admitted with a giggle, "But, I never knew how you truly felt until tonight."
Ollie look perplexed. "Tonight?"
Ivonne shyly brushed away a lock of her hair. "I was on the roof longer than you thought. I…I listened in to what you said to Francisco on the roof, and what you said to yourself."
Ollie's face turned a bright shade of red as his eyes nearly popped out of his head. "You did?" He said in a little squeak.
Ivonne nodded. "You really feel that way about me?"
"I…I," Ollie stuttered, still recovering from the small shock, "Y-Yes. Yes, I do feel that way. I've felt that way for a long time."
Ivonne blushed slightly, "Oh Ollie…"
"You're…you're an amazing woman, Ivonne," Ollie stated, sounding less nervous, "You're intelligent, clever, graceful, resourceful, and many other wonderful things. Me? I…I know I'm not much. I'm not buff or very talented. I'm not like that Terrence fellow or the other men at your work. I'm just a plain looking, buck toothed opossum from England. But, I really do care about you…much more than a partner, and friend. And seeing how your attitude towards me changed…it made me feel… like someone special, someone who was worth talking to. When you laugh, it lifts my spirits sky high. When you smile at me, it makes my whole day. When you're sad I desperately wish that I knew how to help you. With you, there's much more to my world than D.O.O.M. and fighting T.U.F.F. I see that there are other things that are much more worthwhile…you're much more worthwhile."
He looked her straight in the eye. "I…I love you, Ivonne," he said softly.
Ivonne felt as if her heart was soaring through the clouds. She closed her eyes, trying to calmly take it all in. Ollie watched her anxiously. "Well, say something," he pleaded.
Ivonne gently opened her eyes and looked straight at Ollie. Her emerald green eyes seemed to glow. "The truth is," she said softly, "I feel the same way about you."
Ollie's blue eyes lit up the night. "You do?! But, I thought…"
Ivonne held up her hand. "I know what I said when our organizations started this partnership," she continued, "And to be honest, I was a bit shallow with you. I took one look at you and thought that this was going to be a nightmare. I thought you were weak, a…a fool. But then, as we went on more missions, as I saw you more and got to see and know what kind of guy you were, I began to see that…maybe I was wrong. You had good common sense, clever ideas, and were very polite…even sometimes when I was rude to you. You proved yourself to be a capable and dependable partner."
Ivonne smiled as she saw Ollie's face brighten even more. She continued. "I started to look forward to seeing you. I enjoyed talking to you. You weren't like some of the other men I've dealt with at work." A sad expression suddenly appeared on her face. "My work," she said quietly. It all came back to her again, the plan her problem…
Ollie stared in surprise as tears started to form in her eyes. He took her hand again, worry in his eyes. "Ivonne, what's wrong?"
She looked at him. She had to tell him. It was now or never. "Oh, Ollie, I care about you…more than you know. You've made my world brighter than it's ever been. I don't want you to get hurt. And that's why… I can't do this."
"Do what?" Ollie asked, "What are you talking about?"
"The plan, Ollie, I can't go through with it," Ivonne replied, her voice starting to shake.
"The plan? You mean to destroy T.U.F.F.?" Ollie said, still not understanding, "Of course you can, why wouldn't…."
"No, Ollie! It's not what you think!" Ivonne cried, "The plan, my boss' plan, it's not just to destroy T.U.F.F. My boss is going to double cross Snaptrap. Him, you, your friends, all of D.O.O.M. is going to be destroyed along with T.U.F.F."
Ollie stared at Ivonne blankly. None of what she said seemed to be registering. She might as well have told him that he had two heads. "You're…you're pulling my tail, Ivonne," he said with a shaky laugh, "This is some sort of joke right?"
Ivonne just stared back at him, her face full of sorrow. And then Ollie knew, to his dismay, she wasn't joking. He could feel his heart starting to break. He stepped closer to her, looking as if he were suddenly in a trance.
"You're serious," he said in a hoarse voice.
She just nodded. Ollie couldn't believe it…he wouldn't believe it. But her expression said it all. He felt as if he were walking a tightrope only to find the rope was tearing, and there was no net underneath. He knew he had to ask. He didn't want to, he was afraid to…but he had to.
"Ivonne," he asked slowly, "What's really going on?
Ivonne rubbed her arm in shame. She knew she had to tell him everything now. There was no turning back.
Ollie stayed in complete stunned silence as Ivonne went through the whole story: What happened after they first met, how his crush on her gave her boss the idea to use D.O.O.M., and how she was to use Ollie to give her any information that might be of use to the organization. She even told him what the plan was and her real purpose for going to D.O.O.M. that night. Ollie's expression remained the same throughout the whole explanation: confused, hurt, and disbelieving…just like at the park. When she finished, she looked away, unable to face him.
"Ollie," she said, on the verge of crying, "I'm so sorry."
Ollie made no reply. He was still trying to register everything she had told him. He turned around and walked to the wall that ran along the roof edge. Ivonne watched him, tears streaming down her face. I lost him, she thought mournfully, I said I wouldn't, but I did. He hates me now. I've lost everything.
Ollie stared out across the horizon, feeling as if his whole world had shattered completely. Just when he felt happier then he ever had been in his whole life, he was betrayed...betrayed by the one woman that had started to mean more to him than anything in the world. He began to feel angry, angry at her for fooling him, and angry at himself for being a complete idiot. He had suspicions when her boss first proposed the idea of a partnership, but immediately cast them aside when she was to be his partner. He had put aside his common sense for a pretty face. He looked back at her, and saw the expression on her face.
His anger then subsided for a moment. She was still standing there with her arms wrapped around her, staring at the ground with tears falling from her face. Ollie continued to stare, a bit puzzled. He had never seen her like this before. Yes, she did get sad sometimes, but nothing ever like this. She looked so downcast, so lost, so sorrowful. Could she truly have feelings for him? He turned back around. What if this was another trick? What if she was just acting? Playing him?
He drummed his fingers on the wall, thinking deeply. How she was right now, it reminded him of the scene she made in the park. At least now he knew the reason for her strange behavior earlier that day. Then something dawned on him. How she acted in the park, that wasn't the first time she displayed that odd behavior. There were other times when they would be having a pleasant time only for her to suddenly try to distant herself from him. And all those times she did, she had the same distressed expression. Could it be because…she truly was concerned for him? That she really did care about him? That she loved him?
A tap on his shoulder brought Ollie out of his thoughts. He whirled around and found himself facing Ivonne. Her eyes were dry, though her face was now stained from tears. Saying nothing, she took his hand and pressed something into it. He stared at the round item in his hand. It was a computer cd. He looked back at her. "What's this?" He asked.
"That's the special virus protection my boss' scientists developed," Ivonne explained, "My boss is giving them to his agents to install in their laptops and computers for protection against the worm. You can use it to protect D.O.O.M.'s computers."
She then took out another cd, a different color than the first. With both hands, she snapped it nimbly in two and let the pieces drop onto the ground.
"That was the disk to give your computers the so called upgrades," she continued, "At least now you'll have a chance when the plan is put into action."
Ollie stared down at the broken pieces then back up to Ivonne, perplexed. She stared back at him regretfully.
"I love you, Ollie," she said seriously, "I really do. You made my life in that place bearable. I didn't think I was capable of ever feeling anything again in that place until I met you. You made me happy in that dark world. I constantly agonized over what I should do about this, and saw that this was the only way. At least now I know you have a chance against my boss."
She turned and began to walk away. Ollie took a step forward. "Where are you going?" He asked.
Ivonne continued walking, not looking back. "I'm leaving," she replied.
"Back to work?" Ollie asked.
"Back to my apartment to pack," Ivonne explained, "I'm leaving Petropolis."
"WHAT?!" Ollie exclaimed.
Ivonne stopped and turned around to face him. "I can't stay here, Ollie, not after I told you everything. My boss will find out sooner or later if I stay. I'll only bring danger to you, my friend Ava, and others I care about. I have to leave. It's the only way."
Ollie stared blankly at her. She stared back sadly, her voice full of sadness and regret: "Goodbye, Ollie."
She turned around again and continued to walk away. She hadn't got far when suddenly she felt something grab her by the hand. She quickly turned around to find Ollie holding her back, a look of determination on his face.
"Who is your boss?" He demanded.
Ivonne tried to pry his hand off. "Ollie, please..."
"Tell me who he is!" Ollie ordered, tightening his grip, "Or last least show me what he looks like! If you're being truly honest with me, then you can at least show me who's running this whole blasted thing!"
Ivonne stared at Ollie pleadingly. The look in his face told her he wouldn't let her go unless she complied. She gave a hopeless sigh and cooperated. "Alright."
Reaching into a pouch on her belt, she pulled out her phone. Scanning through some images, she finally found the one she was searching for. "Ava accidentally took our boss' picture when she borrowed my phone one day," Ivonne explained, "I keep forgetting to delete it."
She held the image up to Ollie. He looked at it, then jerked back in fright. The image wasn't too clear but he could see the powerful figure well enough to make out what species of animal it was. It was an wolverine, a creature known for being one of the most ferocious species in the animal kingdom. Large, frightening, powerful looking, it's eyes were calm and serious, yet menacing. Underneath those eyes was a long row of sharp teeth, two which protruded out like the fangs of a saber-toothed tiger. A sharp, lethal, enormous metal claw made up the right hand. The left hand was normal, but just as large and threatening with sharp, black glistening claws. Ollie stared at the image in fright.
"That's your boss?" He whispered hoarsely.
Ivonne nodded. "His name's Ripclaw," she said quietly, as if the name were taboo, "He's a type of crime boss...has been for years. He has others do his dirty work while he directs and oversees things from behind the scenes, like a puppet master. That's why no one has been able to pin any crimes on him so far. He kidnaps people that have potential to be agents for him. That's how I ended up in this. Ripclaw is cunning, intelligent, oppressive and cruel. He can be calm at times, but when he loses his temper…well, it's not a pleasant sight. See Ollie? That's why I have to leave. If I don't, this is what will be coming for us. Please just let me go!"
"Wait!" Ollie cried, grabbing her hand again, "Ivonne…"
"Ollie please!"
"Let me say something!"
"Just leave me alone!"
"Ivonne will you just please..GAAAAAHHHH!"
Ivonne let out a cry of shock as something knocked Ollie to the side, making him release her hand, and her fall to the ground. She slowly sat up, shaking the dizziness from her head. She saw Ollie lying on the ground, struggling to get up. Standing over him was the figure of another opossum with a long tail. It was Terrence. Ivonne was horrified.
"Terrence?!" She cried fearfully, "What're you doing here?!"
Terrence's gaze stayed focused on Ollie as he explained. "I heard you were coming here tonight and decided to check on things. Good thing I did or who knows what this punk would've done."
Ivonne then realized that Terrence must have seen Ollie grab her hand, heard them shouting, and figured she was in trouble. She had to convince him that everything was alright or else things would get worse.
"No, Terrence! It's okay!" She cried, getting up shakingly to her feet, "There's no…"
"Let me handle this!" Terrence snapped back at her. Seeing this as his chance to win her affection, he turned savagely to Ollie, who had just gotten up.
"Thought you'd try something funny, huh, Punk?" He growled, "Trying to put the moves on Ivonne were ya'? Let's see just how well you can handle yourself in a fight. I've been waiting for this."
He cracked his long, whip-like tail against the ground threateningly. "Come one! Let's see what you got!" He challenged to the British opossum. "One on one, D.O.O.M. agent! It's just you and me now!"
Ooohh, things are not looking good for our two sweethearts.
So, now you know what animal Ivonne's boss is as well as his name. "Ripclaw"...sounds like a fun guy.
Terrence shows up once again to ruin everything. Darn him. Even if Ollie wins, what'll he and Ivonne do now? Will he stand by her? Will she end up leaving?
Next chapter: Ollie vs. Terrence! Who will win?! Fight! Fight!