Chapter 3
Aboard the E3 Express

On the train heading to the Mushroom Kingdom, the Resistance Girls were all resting in three rooms. Motoko and Minami shared one room, Mio and Mai had another, while Tohru, Arisa, and Hanajima shared a room. As they were resting, unknowingly to them, Antagony members, Jo and Lightning, were sneaking into the train, after failing to contact their HQ for the files of Tohru, and deliver it to Chef Hatchet. With no choice, Jo and Lightning's only option left is to tail Tohru, spying on her every move, seeing if anything is funny.

In their room, Jo pondered hastily, as she was two cars down from the seven girls. She then said, "So… I hear that these six Wannabe Soldiers and T-Phony are plotting something. The only question is… what?"

"Lightning's got a question. Where are we going?"

"No idea. I only chartered a train that can get us to Antagony HQ. Sadly, it goes on a westbound train. Where we're going is simply southbound."

"Sha-bam, bro. We should ask the conductor for the destination."

The conductor passed by and called, "Next stop – North Kentpalace! North Kentpalace!"

"SHA-BINGO! We'll stop there and call HQ!" Lightning cried, "No sweat!"

Jo slapped him and shouted, "ARE YOU STUPID? If we leave, the train will leave without us! Our only option left is to spy on those girls, with Tohru Honda in it! But first, we shall ask the conductor."

She ran to him and asked, "Excuse me, sir? Where is this train heading?"

He replied, "Oh? We're going to North Kentpalace, on an eastbound train, heading for the Mushroom Kingdom. It's simply a transport to the video game world."

Jo snubbed, "Video game world? You mean like that nerd and his handhelds, and even String Bean?"

Lightning sighed, "Funny…"

Jo said, "There were seven girls we know," and then lied, "We, uh, need to speak to them. DO you know where they are?"

"If you want to find them, they are two cars down, and start off there. The first car is the dining car," the conductor spoke.

Lightning asked, "One question… Does the food serve protein? Lightning needs his pro-!"

"OOF!" Jo elbowed him in the gut and said, "Sorry. He's such a jock."

The conductor said, "Once we pass LEGO Endor, then lunch will be served. We serve, when instructed. This is for people heading to the Mushroom Kingdom. It takes two hours to get there, of course."

Jo nodded and responded, "That's fine. We'll be on our way, then."

The conductor then smiled, "Okay. But once we stop, you can move across to the cars. You are forbidden to cross car-to-car, while the train is moving."

Lightning asked, "Even for the bathroom?"

"It's in each car." The conductor concluded, "But, this bathroom is out of order. You'll have to use the restroom, in the dining cart."

He left, as Jo was fuming, "Crap! Well… Once the train stops, will view each car… and spy on the troublemaking tramps, when we find them."

Lightning shouted, "NO WAY! Lightning isn't going to stay here and hold it in!"

He winced in pain, "I gotta go…"

Jo smacked her head, in anger and annoyance.

XXXXX

Meanwhile, Tohru was resting in her room, feeling uneasy, as her small package was on her lap.

"This is too much, today," she said, "It's so scary that we have to go to a video game world… and I don't even play video games."

Hanajima said, "It's not easy, you know. I'm surprised that Arisa knew about the Mario World."

Arisa replied, "True. I've seen games like that, back then. I never realize that there was a place."

Hanajima spoke, "In this fused world, anything can happen."

Tohru stammered, "You mean… maybe like if Yuki and Kyo, uh… Oh… Please don't say anything, guys. If that's true, I feel scared. Besides, I don't want to end up dead."

She said, as she calmed down, "But, I'm not going to let that moment break me!"

"Hana," Arisa asked, "Do you sense anything?"

"Not really…" she replied, "But… But we could be watched."

Meanwhile, in Motoko and Minami's room, Motoko was uneasy.

"Why are we riding on the train to Mario's world?" She sighed, "I don't get why we'd use the route to get there. Although, I am seriously PO'ed by the fact that Tohru Honda is with us."

Minami replied, "True. But we are members of the Resistance. We swore to protect anyone and anything, but that includes Tohru. She is our enemy, but it's Arisa's job. She's co-leader. You, Motoko, are an awesome leader!"

Motoko sighed, "Are you done?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Uotani, the Yankee, is listening in the next room. She's in the middle room, with Honda and Electric Girl."

At the middle room, Tohru remained very exhausted, "I sure do hope that Mario knows about this. Plumbers are very persistent… OH!"

Hanajima stated, "Once we stop, remember to ask to place that package in the baggage car. One must be safe than sorry."

The train went into a tunnel, as it went dark. The girls, except for Hanajima, screamed. The entire room was completely black. In another car, Jo and Lightning stumbled down, in the pitch black.

The train left the tunnel, as the lights regained, showing Jo on Lightning, like they were about to kiss.

"YAH!" Jo gasped, as she stood up.

Lightning sighed, "Whew… Glad I am not the same side. Lightning finds his groupies… if I had any."

Jo smirked, "Yeah, you do that. In any case, we should head to that car where T-Phony is."

"Whoa! Dude, hang on. The conductor says that we cannot cross, while the train is moving!"

"SCREW IT! I'm still curious! You hold your bladder, for all I care. I'm going to find Tohru!"

She went to the door, as Lightning was groaning in pain. "Conductor! Where's the bathroom? Lightning's gotta pee!"

XXXXX

Jo crossed to the dining cart, as she went to Tohru's door, in the car, next to it. She snuck by the door and eavesdropped on the girls.

Jo whispered, as she snickered, "Ah, yes… This is dynamite. Now let's see who you really are…"

Tohru said, "I know it is too much, but having to go one step closer to Chris McLean is very hard. I know we are doing Chef a favor, but it wouldn't be right."

Hanajima said, "True. But Chef said it was a solo mission. That package is a dangerous parcel."

Tohru cringed, "Hana! Stop! I don't wanna open it!"

Arisa pleaded, "Then don't! Whatever that package is that Chef had is very dangerous."

Hanajima said, "I sense bad waves inside. Tohru… Do not open this package."

Jo said, "What package? Oh… That package…"

Tohru cringed, "Hana… Uo… I'm scared. What if the box had a bomb in it? If we arrive, we all die!"

"I hear no ticking," Uo responded, "It's safe… but I don't think it is."

Jo smirked, "Yeah, now you go and say who you are, Hana and Uo."

She thought, "They do sound like those Resistance women… But I'm not so sure…"

Hanajima said, "Luckily we are bringing Motoko and the others."

Jo said, "Another one?"

Hanajima continued, "We're only going to drop the package off and return home. It's more of a hush-hush mission."

They stopped talking, as Tohru suddenly said, "I don't know… I'm scared… I've never been in the Video Game World… But we must grab what we need, before we head to Level 1-1. Uo, can you teach me some video game moves?"

Uo smiled, "Sure, kiddo."

They stopped again, as Hanajima whispered, "I sense some dark waves, outside."

Jo gasped, "HUH?"

Hana spoke, "I hear some corrupt waves in this car."

Jo cried, "DAMN!"

She dashed back to the car she was in, as Uotani sighed, "It's probably those Fan Club girls, by us."

Hanajima smiled, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

She thought, after sensing Jo's electric waves, "It can't be… We might be followed by those Canadian Soldiers of Antagony."

XXXXX

Minutes later, the conductor called out, after stopping at North Kentpalace, "Next stop – Mitten! Mitten next, after North Kentpalace!"

A few of the people were stepping out, as Lightning was worried, "Lightning needs a phone, or a note!"

Jo said, as she sat down, "Focus, brickhead. We get off at the end of the line. From what I heard, they are headed for the Mushroom Kingdom, the end of the line."

"How so?"

"The package they got must be sent to something, or somewhere. We're not sure why, how, where, and what. We'll ask them, once we're at the dining cart."

"Sha-Sweet! I DO need some protein!"

"After Mitten, the Mushroom Kingdom is next. LEGO Endor's station is at a detour. Which means… 1) We'll contact HQ, when we arrive; and 2) We'll find out more about Tohru Honda and her poser friends, by following them. If she is working for Izzy, we better be sure."

"Sha-please. For all we know that she must be a spy for those pretty-prima nerds."

"FOCUS! There's no way she's working for the Resistance! Whoever they are, and wherever they are going, we must stop them. Let them do Chef's job and make sure they come to us… and be dealt with. Suckers."

"They could be for real. Lightning will watch in the sidelines and obtain Honda! We'll beat her, before the buzzer!"

"Let's capture her, after she makes the delivery."

"Sha-Bingo! Lightning likes it. She'll do Chris's job… and then, we do our job!"

Jo smirked evilly, as the train stopped.

"Mitten! Next station! Mitten! Mitten!"

XXXXX

Hours later, at the dining cart, the girls had a bite to eat. Each girl had a plate of chicken, fried to perfection (yeah, right), covered in orange and brown sauce, with a shamrock on top.

"Any idea what this piece of shit is?" Mio groaned, as she jabbed the food with a fork.

"It must be throw-up, with a breast on it," Mai said.

"I guess the Special of the Day is not too special," Tohru smiled.

Arisa took a bite, "Not bad. I like how they made the chicken taste like… Huh?"

Hanajima said, as she set her plate aside, "What is it, Uo?"

She replied, "This tastes like… like… beaver… and spiderpig."

Motoko gagged, "You mean… It's not chicken?"

Minami cringed, "It's not even pork…"

All the girls, except for Tohru, pushed away their plates. Tohru took a bite and said, "Mmm… Yummy."

Minami gasped, "YOU'RE SICK!"

Hanajima said, "Whoever made this must be barbaric. Plus, this stuff is well-made. Making something like this, even for taste buds like ours, may be challenging."

Motoko gagged, "I'm gonna be sick…"

Arisa was pale blue, as she cried, "I ate a spider…"

The girls were in disgust… literally. Tohru, however, felt happy by the meal.

Meanwhile, Jo and Lightning had the Special, as well. Lightning engorged it and said, "Who cares what is in this Special of the Day! Protein is protein! SHA-BANG!"

Jo viewed the girls and said, "Maybe we could ask them, now, when we finish. I know it's too soon, but we have to know."

She thought, "I know they look like prissy Resistance women, like before… but that doesn't look like Hanajima. Whoever they are, they sure play the bill, acting like the real deal."

She glared at the girls, as Hanajima slowly turned her head to Jo. Jo jumped out of her seat and gasped.

Lightning asked, "Hey, bro. You okay?"

Jo panted in fear and replied, "Yeah. I'm fine. That girl, I think, gave me the ice stare."

"Ice stare" meaning the evil glare.

Jo grumbled, "Hanajima's trademark glare, minus the mean look. How authentic… Perfect play, Resistance fools… or should I say, The Good Teens! But if you think you can fool me, Jo of the Antagony, you are fools!"

Lightning asked, as he reached for Jo's plate, "You gonna eat that?"

Jo snuck to the table, as Lightning ate Jo's plate. She went to the Resistance's table and was in anger.

"Look who it is," Mio smirked.

"Antagonistic Asses…" Mai smiled.

Arisa huffed, "Joanna."

Jo snuffed, "Arisa."

She glared at her, as Tohru asked, "You know her, Uo?"

"She is from Antagony; a group of mercenaries, recruited and working for Chris McLean. One of our rivals."

"Oh. Is she nice?"

Hana explained, "Antagony is their name. Antagonize is what they do. So, no. They are plotters."

Jo said, "The Electric Girl is right. We have been at war with each other, since the worlds were in shambles. But we have a pack of heroes joining. Our roster included myself, Lightning, Alejandro, Sierra, Cody, Courtney, Scott, Sam, Dakota, and Brick. We also have a group that is against us. Part of the Good Teens, I believe."

Motoko said, "We'll meet them, when we finish."

Jo huffed, "Why the hell are you losers here?"

Tohru said, "Oh, you know… We are on our way to iHyrule. But the conductor said that this train goes to Mushroom Kingdom."

Arisa said, "It's a secret mission. We cannot explain it, any further, to you."

Lightning appeared and smirked, "SHA-ZAM! GOTCHA, T-Honey!"

Tohru gulped, as Uo shouted, "What is with the name calling?"

Jo elbowed his gut and said, "Oh, sorry. He gets in the zone, sometimes."

She whispered to Lightning, "If you EVER blab in front of them, I will mangle your pie-hole."

Jo nervously giggled, "Sorry… Uh, ha, ha, ha, ha… He's like that, a lot."

Hanajima spoke, "You're not working for Chris McLean, are you?"

Lightning smiled, "Sha-please. Like we work for that guy? Trust us. We work in our own way. Jo here is a leader, but Alejandro has suave skills."

Jo concluded, "We do get hired by McLean, now and then…"

Mio smiled, "Good to hear."

Jo said, "We got lost, so we were wondering if we'd come with you?"

Minami gasped, "No way… We get to join forces!"

Arisa said, "Thanks, but NO thanks. Maybe if you'd kept your asses in tow… you'd be on our side."

Motoko added, "She's right. If you want to join us, ask. However, we don't allow scum like you."

Tohru pleaded, "Uh… Don't agitate them, okay?"

Jo sighed, "At least tell us where a phone is."

"No Wi-Fi," Mai smiled, "You're welcome to use my cellphone."

Lightning sighed, "Forget it. We'll arrive soon, and find a payphone."

He left, as Jo said, "Don't think that this is over, Tohru Honda."

"Me?" Tohru shook in fear.

"Yeah! You watch yourself, if I were you. Chef may be evil, but Chris is bad-ass."

"Oh… You mean the same guy that-?"

"Yeah. THAT same guy."

Hanajima shushed, "How can we trust you on that?"

Jo walked away, smiling, "When the time comes, you'll know…"

The two Antagony soldiers left, as the girls got up.

"All of a sudden, I don't feel hungry anymore," Minami sobbed.

They returned to their rooms, as Tohru was completely nervous.

"Who was she, and how did she know about our mission?" She thought.

Hanajima thought, "Poor Tohru. I think Antagony wanted to spy on Tohru. I better view them, before it gets out of hand."

XXXXX

At Chef's office, two strangers appeared, with a file of Tohru Honda. One had brown hair and pale skin, while the other had long hair and dark skin. It was Sierra and Cody.

Cody asked, "Uh, Chef… We got your request."

Chef shouted, "WHAT? What about Jo and Lightning?"

Sierra explained, "Get this. On the way to the train, Jo and Lightning were talking about getting the file, but they didn't contact HQ. We saw Lightning run to the train, after they chatted, and we learned of their task. So, we decided to search a Tohru Honda, and here it is!"

She gave the files to Chef, as he read them.

Tohru's file read:
Real name: Tohru Honda
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 101lbs.
Born: Tokyo, Japan
Birthday: Taurus

Chef huffed, "I knew she was a phony. Says here that she goes to Kaibara High School… and was never expelled."

Cody said, "So, what should we know about Tohru?"

Chef stated, "I shall give you the orders on the situation. Until then, thanks. For now, I shall notify you on what to do with our Tohru girl. Leave me!"

They bowed and said, "Sir, yes, sir!"

They left, as Chef was smirking in malice. He thought, "There's but one way for Tohru to go… After she does the job… for Chris and me… T-Honey will be hunted… by me."

He laughed, "Heh, heh, heh! Fool thinks she can fool me? Well, let's see how she'll feel, when she dies in my hand!"

He laughed evilly, as the door closed.

OH, NO! Chef Hatchet is going to plan a hit on Tohru Honda? Could be… but we'll find out, later. Stay tuned to the next chapter, as Tohru and her friends arrive at the Mushroom Kingdom, thus starting Tohru's first of three fused forms – her inner beast. Also, we learn of how she got the powers, to begin with.