Colette Parfume and Vincent (c) Me

All other characters and TUFF Puppy (c) Butch Hartman

Snaptrap leaned back against the closet wall, switching Vincent from one hand to the other. Despite being locked in the closet for some time, he was starting to feel a little bit better. After a few tries with the communicator, his call had actually made it through to DOOM HQ. Thankfully, it was Ollie who had answered the call(He was hoping it wouldn't be Larry). Snaptrap had explained to the British possum as best as he could what was happening. Unfortunately, he had no idea where the yacht was so he couldn't give the coordinates to his location (Not that he understood such things). Ollie said that locating Snaptrap would take some time, but they would work as fast as they could. Snaptrap sighed. Now all he had to do was figure out a way to be outside on deck and meet his henchmen when they showed up. And that wouldn't be easy. A sound nearby brought him out of his thoughts. He turned and noticed Zippy squeezing through underneath the closet door.

"Whew!" She wheezed, as she popped out, "I think I put on a few ounces."

Fluffing her feathers back in place, she zipped on over to Snaptrap and perched on his knee. She cocked her head quizzically.

"You seem pretty alright for what you just went through," she observed.

Snaptrap looked back and forth then brought his head closer to her. "That's cause I found a way outta here. I found this communicator inside Vincent and contacted my pals at DOOM. Once they figure out where the yacht's located, they'll be on their way."

Zippy stared at the device. "So that's why it felt crowded in there...wait!" Her eyes widened excitedly. "You mean, help's on on the way?! That's great! I'll tell Matt and Pat!"

Snaptrap grabbed Zippy, keeping her from flying off. "No way!" He exclaimed in a harsh whisper, "First of all, I'm not helping those snobs! They wanted me to stay outta the way, so that's exactly what I'm gonna do...all the way at DOOM HQ! You heard Matt! They no longer have a little brother, so I no longer have an older brother or sister!"

Zippy stared at Snaptrap in surprise. "Isn't that a bit harsh?" She asked, "I mean, they are your siblings..."

"Don't remind me!" Snaptrap snapped, "And no, it isn't harsh at all! All those two have ever done for me is make me feel like a big zero! I've had to suffer under their shadows My whole life! They hate me! And I hate them!"

"You don't mean that," Zippy said softly.

"Yes, I do," Snaptrap muttered. "Matt and Pat have never liked me."

"Aw, come on now," Zippy spoke encouragingly, "I'm sure there were some times you guys got along."

Snaptrap leaned back against the wall. "Well...don't go telling it to anyone, but actually, there were, when we were little. We did have some fun together. Yeah, we fought but...it wasn't as bad as it is now. We were pretty happy, but then..." Snaptrap paused. His eyes started to become clouded, as if he were remembering something sad and sober. Zippy looked at him with concern. Then with a sigh Snaptrap finally spoke. "I guess Matt was right, we got older, we changed."

He gently released Zippy and she sat down upon the floor. Unbeknownst to either of them, at that moment, Matt was walking by the closet and caught their conversation as Snaptrap spoke again.

"Matt and Pat, they seem to have more in common with each other than me. I guess that's why they get along with each other so well. But me, I'm not like them. I'm not classy or sophisticated, I talk with a lisp, and my voice sounds like I've got a bad case of laryngitis. I've tried to get along with them, but it never works out. In fact, today when I was visiting Matt at his house, I even suggested maybe we hang out at the boardwalk, but he said no. He just wanted to be alone. Yeah, he lied, but I'm sure even if he wasn't having this party he would've refused, both him and Pat. They like to hang with each other but never with me. I embarrass them. To them I'm just the stupid tag along little brother that gets in the way of the big kids. They always have each other's backs...but no one ever has mine."

Matt breathed in sharply at Snaptrap's words. He didn't think Snaptrap was actually serious about hanging out earlier. He just assumed his little brother was just joking around like always. Then that meant... that really was disappointment he had seen in Snaptrap's eyes earlier. Matt was taken aback. Snaptrap had actually wanted to spend time with him and Pat? Usually he acted like he didn't care. He stared in silence at the closet door. Or did he care but tried to hide it? Snaptrap had sounded so hopeless the way he spoke about how he and Pat treated him. Like this was just a sad fate in his life that he had to accept. A fate that would never change...because he was sure that his siblings' feelings towards him would never change. Matt felt a strange twinge in his stomach. A twinge that made him feel rather...guilty. He turned and beckoned Pat to come over. As she came over, Matt motioned for her to be quiet and to place her ear against the closet door. Both continued to listen as Snaptrap and Zippy conversed.

The little hummingbird looked at Snaptrap sympathetically. "I think I kinda know how you feel. I feel a little left out whenever Birdbrain hangs with you and the Chameleon. I guess he's afraid I'll embarrass him or something. I do hang out with his other henchmen sometimes: Owl, Bat, Duck, and Ewe, but then...well they sometimes forget I'm there cause I'm so small." Zippy sighed. "It's tough being my size sometimes."

Snaptrap stared at the tiny hummingbird, feeling sorry for her. "That's too bad," he said, "You seem nice. Sickenly optomistic at times, but nice."

"Thanks," Zippy replied with a small smile. "Does Birdbrain ever talk about me when he's with you and the Chameleon?" She asked.

"Yyyeeeeah, kind of," Snaptrap said, a bit hesitant, "Mostly that you're an annoying chatterbox and are...sickenly optomistic."

Zippy rolled her eyes. "Yep, that sounds like Birdbrain. He's told me the same about you guys. How're you're both ignorant buffoons who need a social life and..."

"Okay, I get it," Snaptrap cut in. Zippy shrugged sheepishly then gave her wings a little flap before speaking again.

"You know, Snaptrap, I know you and your siblings aren't exactly on good terms. And maybe you have grown apart during the years but...maybe it's not too late for you guys to try to get along. You know, get to know each other again. I heard you talking to yourself in this room and it sounded like you were really happy to be spending time with your siblings."

"Well, yeah," Snaptrap admitted, "That's cause as Victor Von Marzipan, they weren't acting like they were better than me. I was equal to them. I didn't have to worry so much about looking than if I were just Snaptrap. They saw me as interesting, as a real great guy. As Victor, I wasn't labeled as a loser. After all these years, I finally made myself something in their eyes that I've never been...a winner." He fiddled with the skull a bit. "They...they liked being with me. I know it's cause I was Victor, but still, knowing that they wanted me around...it made me feel good...it made me feel good about myself."

Zippy flew over to Snaptrap and perched on his shoulder. "I bet deep down you guys don't really hate each other like you claim you do."

Snaptrap slinked down and scoffed. "Yeah right. You heard them, they hate me more than ever now. I bet they're wishing right now that Victor von Marzipan was real. I've tried you know. I've tried to get on their good side but it's no use. They don't want anything to do with me. We're past the whole bonding thing, Zip. It broke a long time ago and it's too late to do anything about it."

"It's never too late to mend a broken bond," Zippy replied softly. "Who knows? Maybe there's a chance it was never really broken in the first place."

Snaptrap folded his arms. "Yes it was," he muttered, resolutely, "It was broken in a million pieces. You can't fix a mess like that...ever. And even if you could I..." He then sighed sadly. "I'm not even sure I'd want it fixed."

Matt and Pat gave each other a glance. They never heard their brother sound so...morbid. Did he really feel that way? Matt looked back at the closet door hesitantly, then at its knob. After thinking for a few moments, he unlocked it. Gently turning the doorknob, Matt started to open the door.

"Verminious..."

Matt and Pat jumped as the door to their room burst open and a group of guards carrying flashlights came in. They stopped as they saw both siblings untied and up and about.

"What the...how'd you guys get free?!" One of them exclaimed, obviously not pleased.

Instantly, the guards rushed at the two rats and pulled them from the closet door. Inside the closet, Snaptrap and Zippy had heard the commotion. Thinking fast, Snaptrap grabbed Zippy and shoved her and the communicator way back into the closet, hiding them behind the clothes.

"What are you doing?" Zippy asked, frightened.

"Shh! No one but me and my siblings knows you're here!" Snaptrap explained quickly, "Maybe you can help us outta this! Just listen to the communicator, in case my DOOM buddies call back!"

"But what'll you do?" Zippy asked urgently.

"I have no idea..." Snaptrap confessed as the closet door burst opened. A humongous guard grabbed him by the shoulders and roughly yanked him out.

"Come on you!" The guard spat, "Dr. Rabies and Madame Catastrophe have something special in store for you!"

Zippy shrank back in fear as she watched Snaptrap and his siblings being cruelly shoved out the room. She winced as the door shut with a slam leaving the room empty and quiet. Zippy glanced about, the only sound in the dark closet being the pounding of her small heart.

Now what should she do?

Matt, Pat, and Snaptrap were brought out to the main deck where strangely it seemed a bit brighter. Dr. Rabies had found a small battery operated generator in the yacht storage and was using it to power some lights. They all shone on a small wooden table with a chair. Snaptrap looked up at the sky. A full moon was casting its glow upon the calm sea. The night was cold and clear as thousands of stars twinkled in the sky. Were it not for the urgency of their situation, he would've actually enjoyed the beautiful scenery. He scanned the deck. All the guests had been brought out and were standing at the edges of the different decks. Judging by their expressions, they were still suffering from the effects of the poison. He drew back at the sight in front of him. It was Colette, held by two guards. She had her hands bound behind her back and her legs tied. Attached to her with a long rope was a great metal weight.

"Matthew!" She called out in a frightened voice.

The look on Matt's face when he saw her was almost heartbreaking. Dr. Rabies smiled smugly at him, while strutting around like a vain peacock. "As you can see Matt, it would be foolish to try anything daring at the moment. Your girlfriend is sure to make quite a splash if you do."

Matt gritted his teeth at the dog. "You've got your yacht, what more do you want?"

Rabies stared Matt in the eye." What I want is to see you and your siblings humiliated," he answered with a smirk. "As long as my men are trying to fix the engine, Madame Catastrophe and I thought it only polite to keep the guests entertained."

Matt clenched his fists in frustration, but he knew the Doctor had him at his mercy. Dr. Rabies looked Matt up and down. "Hmmm," he contemplated, "We can start by having you give me your hat and coat. I think it'd be much more suited to one with more class."

Matt frowned, but if he didn't want Colette nor his siblings harmed he knew he had no choice. He removed his coat and hat and handed them to Dr. Rabies. Matt started to shiver a bit. With only his white turtleneck and pants on, he could feel the chill of the night sea air cutting through his fur. Dr. Rabies snapped his fingers authoritatively.

"And the monocle," he ordered.

Matt grumbled as he removed his monocle from his eye and handed it over. Dr Rabies wiped it on his sleeve and fitted it over his eye. After he put the rest of the outfit on, he presented himself to Madame Catastrophe.

"How do I look?" He asked.

"Like a million bucks, Darling," Catastrophe purred, "Far better than a rat could ever look."

Dr. Rabies turned back to Matt and pointed to the rat's shoes. "You might as well give me your shoes while your at it," he said indifferently.

Matt narrowed his eyes as he removed both shoes and handed them over. Rabies inspected them, then flung them over the railing. He grinned cruelly at Matt. "They weren't my size," he sneered.

This caused great laughter amongst his men. Dr. Rabies paced around Matt mocking him. "Not so high and mighty now are you, Matt? In that turtleneck and pants you look more like a pauper than anything. Look at you. You are skinny and weak. I could break you over my knee like a twig." He jerked his head towards Colette. "Franky, I don't know what Colette sees in you. Why would a beautiful creature like her ever want to be with a sewer rat? You're just a poor pathetic wannabe that uses his money to impress others. Look around you. Do you honestly think that these guests came because they like you? They only came because of what your money has to offer! Now you have nothing!"

Dr. Rabies and Madame Catastrophe laughed cruelly while Matt just stared at the ground. Colette watched the mockery looking sad and somewhat guilty. Snaptrap watched his brother. Although Matt wasn't reacting to their insulting remarks it was clear that they were having an affect on him.

Catastrophe stared down her nose at Pat. "Give me that pearl necklace!" She ordered. Pat touched the necklace she wore around her neck, giving Madame C a dirty look. Catastrophe growled and pointed a blaster straight at Matt and Snaptrap. "I said give them to me!" She hissed, "Or do you want your brothers to go for a swim?!That water is below freezing right now!"

Pat removed her necklace and handed it over to the demented cat. Madame Catastrophe smiled as she clipped the necklace around her own neck. "Not bad," she said, "At least you have good taste in jewelry Pat." She glanced down at Pat's waist. "And food by the looks of it," she added cruelly. " I suppose eating is the only thing you excel at. I'm afraid you can't hide your girth behind your wealth, my dear. No wonder you don't have a boyfriend yet. "

Dr. Rabies and the guards laughed. Even some of the guests, ill as they were, chuckled. Snaptrap couldn't believe it. Did Matt and Pat really consider these people their friends? He looked at Matt who just stood there dully. Without his captain's outfit, he no longer looked like the suave, confident classy rat he had been earlier. Poor Matt, being humiliated in front of everyone and the woman he cared about.

Then he turned to Pat who was still suffering the stings about her weight from Madame Catastrophe. She tried to put on a brave front, but he could see her eyes look a bit moist. She looked so helpless and vulnerable. Suddenly all the hurt Snaptrap had felt towards his siblings seemed to melt away. Now he was just angry. Angry at Rabies and Catastrophe. Angry at all the hurt and humiliation they had put him and his siblings through. He straightened up and before he could think, he was shouting right at the two villains.

"LEAVE 'EM ALONE YOU COWARDLY JERKS!"

Everyone on the yacht became deadly silent. Matt and Pat stared in surprise at their little brother while Rabies and Catastrophe both looked slack jawed. Catastrophe slowly bared her sharp fangs.

"What...was...that?!" She hissed.

Snaptrap could feel his sudden bravado start to wane a bit. "I-I said leave 'em alone...um, please?"

Dr. Rabies laughed. "Please?! Oh you really are pathetic, Snaptrap. The absolute worst villain to ever set foot in Petropolis! I knew that fact the day you invited us to your stupid Doomies awards. Which, may I point out, you yourself have never even won! You are hopeless! You and your siblings and your whole stupid family!"

Snaptrap heard some more snickers from the guests. The insult towards his family seemed to ignite something inside him. Growling, he shot back at the two criminals and let them have it.

"You talk big, Rabies, but you know what?! You're no big dog on campus either! You make fun of my family all the time but how come you never say it to their faces?! It's only me or Matt and Pat you always seem to pick on! Why not try that stuff on my cousins? You know those three mobster rats that have sent many dogs bigger than you running with their tails between their legs?Our family reunion was not too long ago, why didn't you cause trouble for us then? I'll tell you why! Cause you know that together we'd kick your sorry butts! I've heard my cousins say they've seen you try to avoid them...that's cause you and Miss Fraidy Cat here know they'd wipe the floor with both of you! And if you're both so tough, why do you have to have all these body guards around you right now, huh? Answer me that, Losers! You wouldn't be so tough if it were just you guys and my brother and sister! Matt's smarter than you two bozos put together! And Pat could knock the livin' daylights out of ya! The Snaptraps have more guts in one family member than you or your stupid guards put together! So there!"

Snaptrap folded his arms triumphantly while smirking at Madame Catastrophe, "And one more thing...at least my sister is clean shaven!"

Madame Catastrophe's eyes glazed over with pure hatred. With a screeching hiss she lashed out at him with her sharp claws. Snaptrap cried out in pain as her sharp claws raked through his snout. He clasped his hand to his snout as Madame Catastrophe glared at him, breathing heavily with fury.

"Laugh that off, Rat!"

Matt and Pat both rushed over to their brother who still had his hands covering his snout. "Verm?" Pat whispered with concern. She removed his hands from his snout and gasped. Three long crimson red lines ran down diagonally across Snaptrap's snout. The poor rat looked at his siblings, obviously in pain. Pat looked up at Madame Catastrophe, her eyes filled with rage. She started as if to attack the wicked cat.

"You-"

"Silence!" Madame C screeched, stopping her. She pointed at Snaptrap. "Think you're so smart, Rat?! I've got something that will wipe that smirk off your face!"

She beckoned to some guards nearby. "Take him to the table and sit him down!" She commanded. In an instant, Snaptrap found himself wrenched from his siblings and dragged all the way to the table where he was pushed down onto the chair. He blinked in confusion as the lights shone all around him. What were they going to do?

Madame Catastrophe appeared in front of him, with a wicked smirk. "So, Snaptrap, I'm sure you enjoyed my humiliation at the hands of your Von Marzipan identity. Well, now it is my turn. Now you will suffer in front of everyone just as I did! Bring in the plate!"

Snaptrap watched as a guard came over and placed a large covered plate on the table. At Madame C's command, the lid was removed revealing...a giant round cake of cheddar cheese. Snaptrap's eyes widened in horror as he realized what was about to happen. Catastrophe nodded towards the chunk of cheese.

"Eat it!" She ordered. "All of it!"

Snaptrap gulped. "But-But I'm allergic to cheese. It makes me swell up like a bloated tick."

Madame C gave the most evil grin Snaptrap had ever seen on a creature. "I know," she hissed gleefully.

Snaptrap stared at the yellow round cake of cheese. Though it smelled delicious, he knew what would happen if he tasted even one crumb of it. The evil cat was losing her patience. She grabbed Snaptrap by his collar and pulled him towards her, baring her sharp teeth at him. "Do as I say! Or I'll have my guards use you and your siblings as target practice!" She pointed to Colette. "Do you want to be responsible for her harm?! I don't think your brother will ever forgive you if you choose so!"

Snaptrap looked at Colette, who seemed worried and confused. Then he looked over to his siblings, who were watching with fearful anxiety. He surveyed the guards that had their blasters aimed at him. Finally, he stared at the cheese in front of him. He had no choice. Taking a deep breath, he tore off a large chunk and stuffed it into his mouth. His jaws worked laboriously, slowly chewing the big piece into smaller pieces. He swallowed with a shaky gulp. In an instant, Snaptrap's entire body began to bloat, making him look like some sort of grotesque balloon. Everyone gasped at the sight of the grey rat growing larger and fatter.

Madame Catastrophe began to cackle with evil glee. "Keep at it! I don't want to see a single crumb left on that plate! Do it or you and your siblings will suffer!"

Snaptrap complied, wearily tearing off more chunks and stuffing them into his mouth. Each piece he shoved in made him want to gag, but he knew stopping would be fatal. His jaws worked tiresomely at chewing the large cheese chunks, with each swallow causing him to bloat more and more. Soon his whole face was nearly unrecognizable, as it nearly sank into his now puffy flesh. Dr. Rabies and Madame Catastrophe laughed wickedly as did all the guards. Matt and Pat looked on in horror, unable to believe that the huge blob in front of them was their little brother. Snaptrap looked so miserable, that neither of them could stand it.

"Dr. Rabies!" Matt pleaded, "My brother's learned his lesson! Stop this cruelty at once!"

"We'll keep him quiet, just leave him alone!" Pat begged.

"Shut up, Fools!" Dr. Rabies shouted. He then turned towards the crowd and spoke in a mocking tone: "Ladies and gentleman, a rat that's allergic to cheese!"

Matt growled hopelessly as Rabies, Catastrophe, and the guards laughed at the ironic statement. Then he heard something else that caught his ear. He turned to the guests and couldn't believe what he was seeing. Some of them were laughing! Despite them being sick and the direness of their situation, some of the guests were actually laughing at Snaptrap's plight. Matt nudged Pat and nodded towards the guests. She too couldn't believe it. The mocking laughter filled their ears, filling them both with disgust. They looked to their poor brother who was as shamefaced and humiliated as one could get. Despite how bloated he was, he continued to stuff the cheese into his mouth. Some of it had caked onto his face and around his mouth. He looked as if he was going to throw up. Suddenly, the chair he was on broke from the great weight, causing him to fall on the floor. This caused an even greater uproar. Snaptrap looked up at everyone, humiliation and embarrassment stamped upon his face. He looked at Madame Catastrophe who was recording the whole thing on her cell phone.

"I can not wait to post this," she purred, "I'm sure to get a million hits!"

Snaptrap turned towards his siblings. His eyes looked slightly moist and his expression was like that of a wounded creature that had just been through a severe beating. Matt and Pat could only stare back pityingly. The sight of their little brother enduring this cruel humiliation caused a change inside of them. All the anger and hostility they had felt towards Snaptrap vanished completely. All that was left was sadness, pity,...

And guilt.

Poor, poor, poor Snaptrap.:( Not even he deserved that. But, wow, what a heroic moment he had there, if even for a moment.

Looks like Matt and Pat are getting their share of the guilt now. Maybe these guys can finally put all what's happened behind them.

Keep reading, there's more. Much more.