A Mutation Problem and An Accusation-Chapter 2
While all this went on, Limburger and his two cohorts escaped into the jungle.
"Everything was going so well till those annoying motorcycles riding moles showed up!" Limburger groaned.
"Not to worry, Your Rotundness. I added an extra ingredient in the Clampoo mixture: a mutagen capable of turning the user into an uncontrollable monster. It'll tear those mice to shreds!" Carbunkle cackled.
"Perfect!" Limburger joined his laughter while Greasepit grinned.
"Me, a king?" Vinnie asked, stunned.
"They means us, too, genius." Throttle replied.
The mice were still stunned at the villagers' reaction. Here they were bowing and paying homage to them like they were something sacred. There was no fear only admiration in their eyes.
Within minutes, garlands of strewn flowers were placed around their necks and they were sitting on thrones made of pure gold.
"This is not what I expected. 'Course it beats having them run away from us screaming." Throttle said.
"Somehow I always knew Yours Truly was destined for greatness." Vinnie grinned, enjoying all the attention.
"Well, sometimes you can be a royal pain in the butt." Modo teased.
"Very funny." Vinnie grumbled.
Then brightened up at the sight of Shakira dancing with the other native girls which he noted were very pretty. But Shakira outshone them all. The white mouse was fascinated by the red haired jungle beauty. She glanced his way and gave him a warm smile. Her dark blue shinning eyes and sliding gait bewitched his heart.
Charley sat nearby next to the chief who ordered his people to bring food and drink for his guests.
Everyone drank from goblets made of gold and silver. All kinds of fruits were brought including watermelon, pineapples, grapes, kasaba melons, and honey. A roasted chicken was then placed on the table.
"So, chief, whose this god you're referring the guys to?" Charley asked.
"Esuom. He's the Protector of our beloved Saturnistan. It was predicted by our chief priest that he would come out of the sky and save our land from those who wanted to take it away from us. He told us it would be a man with the face of a mouse and with the body of a man." The Chief replied.
"And you think Vinnie is this Esuom?"
"I know he is. He saved my daughter. If not for him, she'd be dead." He replied, glancing at love at Shakira who was now talking to Vinnie, "He also brought Mr. Limburger into our lives. Because of him, there are no more wars between my people and our neighboring tribes."
"Limburger is tricking you. He's very bad. Don't trust him."Charley pleaded with him.
" He's going to pay money to have a school and a hospital built for all of us. He promised."
"And we already know what that Rot Fish's promises are worth." Throttle told him, walking up and sitting down. Modo did the same. Soon Vinnie and Shakira walked up.
"Yeah, Ol' Cheese Breath don't care 'bout nobody but himself." Modo said.,then eyeing the food, "Nice spread!"
"Help yourselves, gentlemen. And you're wrong about Limburger. All he's asked from me was a small portion of my land in exchange for his help. But I'm willing to give him more if he asked."
"Oh, Father, please don't. I do not like nor trust that ugly man. He frightens me so." Shakira said, shivering.
"Not to worry, my dear. It was just a thought."He told her, soothingly and patting her shoulders. Then grabbing his stomach.
" Father!" Shakira cried out, concern on her face. She and the mice at his side in a minute.
"I'm alright, child. Just a little something disagreed with me, that's all." He replied, waving her off. Charley and Modo helped him into his seat.
"What's that smell?" Throttle sniffed.
"It's coming from your hair." Shakira said.
"Oh, it must be that new shampoo Limburger gave me. He called it Clampoo."
"Ugh! It smells like fish and clams!" Charley told him.
"He said it's a deep cleaning shampoo. He gave one to all the chiefs in this region." The chief told them."It was a generous gift. I decided to try some of it this morning."
I'll bet. That Stinkfish is up to no good. Throttle thought.
He grabbed at his stomach again and doubled over on his knees to the floor.
"Father!" Shakira screamed.
"Chief Hgumbu!" Several villagers called out.
Within seconds, the chief enlarged in size and turned an ebony color. Dark fur grew out. The gold robe was torn to shreds.
"Father..." Shakira faltered, placing her hand on his shoulders.
She was greeted with fierce, glowing gold eyes and pointy yellow fangs! He gazed at her then looked away baying at the moon. She stepped back horrified. Vinnie pulled her behind him. The creature then threw over the table, jumped on top of it, and ran into the jungle.
"Why do I get the feeling we're stuck in some cheesy werewolf flick?" Throttle asked.
"This has got Carbunkle written all over it." Modo said.
"No kidding, Sherlock." Vinnie retorted.
"Chief Hgumbu! We must get him back! Someone's placed a spell on him." The chief priest said, then glancing at them, "You! What have you done to our chief?"
"We didn't do anything to him!" Throttle exclaimed.
"They are right, Iago. Limburger. He did this." Shakira replied, "I'm sure of it."
"Impossible! Mr. Limburger is a reasonable businessman. He'd have no reason to hurt Chief Hgumbu. But they would. Our chief was in good health till these beings showed up. They are in league with evil spirits! They are tainted! They must be destroyed!"
The other villagers glanced at each other and nodded.
"Arrest them at once!" The high priest cried out. The villagers began to move toward the mice when Shakira got in front of the mice.
"As princess of this realm, I order you to stop!" She told them.
"You will arrest no one." The villagers backed down.
"Go, my friends! Save my father!" She cried out to the Biker Mice and Charley. They gave her a reassuring look. Then the latter got on their bikes, helmets on and rode off.
"Helping your father's enemies escape? That's treason, Shakira." Iago told her.
"No. Those mice are the only chance my father has. I trust them." She said, silently praying it wasn't too late.