Admiral and Henry were visiting the lab one day. Professor Fizzy said, "Oh, Hey, kids, welcome back to the Lunch Lab!"
Admiral asked, "What are we making today, Professor?"
Professor Fizzy replied, "Oh, something extra special and highly experimental!"
Henry was excited and asked, "Is it a new kind of sandwich?"
Mixie flew in and said, "Even better!"
Admiral said, "Don't leave us guessing!"
Professor Fizzy said, "Today, you get to try my Triple Chocolate Brownies!"
He presented a plate with the slabs of chocolate on it. The two kids gasped in horror!
Henry shouted, "Who are you, and what have you done with the real Fizzy?"
Admiral said, "Corporal Cup, attack this imposter!"
A cabinet nearby opened, and Corporate Cup chuckled, "At ease, Soldier. It's the real Professor Fizzy."
Professor Fizzy set the plate on the counter.
Henry said, "But those must have a lot of sugar!"
Professor Fizzy said, "You're right; I have put a whole cup of sugar in these on top of the natural sugars in the premade white and milk chocolate chips."
Admiral asked, "But isn't a lot of sugar bad for you?"
Professor Fizzy said, "You're right, but this is my final piece of food wisdom for you! You can eat all the sugary, fatty, and greasy foods that Fast Food Freddy hucks out in moderation."
Henry asked, "Moderation, what does that mean?"
Professor Fizzy explained, "While the long-term effects of eating junk like this in excess is bad news, as I have taught you. Just eating a little bit is fine in the long term!"
Admiral asked, "But how?"
Mixie explained, "If the bulk of your diet is already all wholesome and natural foods, a little junk food should be okay!"
Professor Fizzy said, "Let's talk to our good friend, Sully, the cell, to learn more!"
Professor Fizzy sharply whistled, and a big screen dropped from the ceiling. The screen sparkled to life, and Sully was sitting behind the wheel with excitement.
Sully chirped, "Hey, Fizzy! Good to see you again!"
Professor said, "Good to see you, Sully. Can you explain why just a little sugar is okay?"
Sully said, "For sure, Fizzy! It all comes back to the most important part of your body, the brain!"
Sully pressed a button on his dashboard and drove his micro taxi through the bloodstream into a sort of weblike structure.
Fizzy picked up a brownie and took a bite of it.
Sully explained, "When you eat sugar, your brain is given a rush of a chemical called dopamine. Giving you a nice happy feeling!"
The net all around Sully sparkled like a fireworks show, and the kids were amazed!
Sully then explained, "But only in small amounts! If you overeat for too long, your brain will adjust, and you won't feel the same high."
The net around Sully dimmed a bit as if to illustrate his point a bit more clearly.
Henry said, "Ooh, Okay. So sugar is good for your body by helping boost your brain, but only in tiny amounts!"
Admiral chimed in and noted, "And it's not the only way we can feel happy. So, in the long term, one rush is okay!"
Sully said, "Wow, you kids really know your nutrition!"
Professor Fizzy chirped, "Thanks Sully! I'll give you my card later."
Sully said, "Sounds good, Professor!"
The screen shut off.
Professor Fizzy then said, "Greasy or healthy, Moderation is king!"
Admiral took up a brownie and said, "I'll snack on that!"
Henry suspiciously glanced around and said, "Something still feels off."
Admiral munched on her brownie and asked, "What do you mean?"
Henry picked up a brownie and said, "I'm surprised Fast Food Freddy or Phil didn't pop in. They usually have some plan to try to undermind Fizzy's lessons in the lab."
Professor Fizzy finished his brownie and said, "Oh yeah. Let's check up on them!"
The screen turned back on to the sight of Greasy World. There was a giant Closed sign hanging from the gates, all the rides were being deconstructed, and Freddy looked to be putting a box into a moving truck.
The Labbers gasped in shock.
Phil came to Fast Food Freddy with a box and said, "Here's the last of my stuff, Uncle!"
Fast Food Freddy took the box from his nephew and said, "Good work, Phil!"
He set the box in the truck and closed the door to it.
Fast Food Freddy dusted his hands and said, That should do it!"
Phil said, "I'll wait in the truck."
Professor Fizzy's voice echoed towards Fast Food Freddy, "Freddy, Wait!"
Professor Fizzy, on his skates, rushed towards the moving truck and skitted to a stop in front of Fast Food Freddy.
Fast Food Freddy said, crossing his arms with an air of anger, "Oh, hello Fizz-Head."
Professor Fizzy then asked, "What's going on? Where are you going? Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"
Fast Food Freddy huffed, "Well if you must know, I'm quitting the food game and going into the plus-sized costume game. It's more attuned to my specific area of expertise. I'm moving to New York City so that I can open Freddy's Deep Fried Fit!"
Freddy handed Professor Fizzy a flyer.
Freddy then explained, "I didn't tell you because, frankly, Professor, I don't like you."
The truck's horn honked.
Freddy said, "Phil's getting antsy. I should go. Smell you never, Professor Fizzy!"
He walked off and drove away. He was leaving Professor Fizzy coughing in the exhaust.
Professor Fizzy said, "Well, goodbye, Freddy Lard."
Two weeks later, Fizzy was performing some routine maintenance in the lab. When suddenly, a large metal tube crashed onto the counter from the ceiling.
Professor Fizzy was surprised and looked at the tube. Suddenly, an image was projected from a little logo. A woman in a lab coat with messy hair smiled warmly.
"Hey-a, Folks," The image chirped," My name is Dr. Poppy!"
Then, a little blender with a digital face and two propellers attached to it flew in and chirped, "And I'm Blender! No relation to any other ender robot."
Blender burped some fire.
Dr. Poppy said, "Anyway, we'd like to invite you to the grand opening of Smoothy World personally!"
Blender said, "As well as this freaking free sample of my greatest creation, the Kale Cucumber juice Cleanser! It's an excellent vegan supplement."
The tube opened, and there was a cup with a rounded lid and a straw had already been inserted into it.
Mixie asked, "Why don't you let me develop recipes?"
Professor Fizzy replied, "Mixie, sweetie, your recipes are just remixed from already existing recipes. You have no grasp of the finer chemistry of baking or the good flavor combination in cooking. In short, you are not ready yet."
Mixie sighed, "You're right. Sorry, Professor."
Professor Fizzy put his Analysis Goggles on to scan the juice. The juice glowed red, and the words, "High Level of Artificially added Sweeteners and Proteins detected!"
Professor Fizzy took off the goggles and snapped, "This is bologna!"
Admiral and Henry came into the lab with the smoothies. Already drinking them, Fizzy was dumbfounded.
Professor Fizzy asked, "Didn't I teach you kids anything about good nutrition?"
Admiral stopped drinking and said, "Well yeah, isn't this part of that whole moderation thing you were talking about a few weeks ago?"
Professor said, "I suppose it does apply. But be careful; these things are full of artificial stuff. Just like Freddy's Fruit-like Juicy Drink Liquid."
Henry stopped drinking and said, "Don't worry so much, Professor; we still prefer the real thing."
Professor Fizzy then took out cucumber, and kaKalend said, "Let's test what these two will really taste like together."
Mixie asked worriedly, "Are you sure that's a good idea, Professor? I mean, the Ginormous Juicer Mach 4 is still untested.
Professor Fizzy said, "Well, we're testing it now!"
The rectangular machine was placed on the counter by some mechanical hands on the walls. Professor Fizzy turned on the machine, and it whirred to life with little issue.
Mixie cheered, "It worked!"
It dispensed a green sludge into a glass. Fizzy gave it a small sip, and his face scrunched up.
Mixie asked, "Is something wrong, Professor?"
Fizzy whimpered, "Well, that's odd, it tastes bad!"
Admiral and Henry gasped in shock!
Mixie asked, "But how can that be? Isn't it a better option than Dr. Poppy's sweet sludge?"
Professor Fizzy replied, "Yes, but not in this form. Cucumber juice is good on its own. But KaKales gross in liquid form, apparently."
"Well," Admiral asked, "In what form is Kale good?"
Fizzy gave it some thought and said, "Let's find out, shall we!"
Fizzy turned to the cabinet and said, "Corporal Cup, Ten huts!"
Corporal Cup burst out of the cabinet and chirped, "Sir, Yes, Sir!"
Fizzy held up the head of KaKalend and said, "We've got a new superfood to incorporate! Begin Experiment protocol Leaflet!"
Corporal Cup took the Kale with a salute, "Sir, Yes, Sir! Let's see what you got, Soldier!"
Admiral and Henry watched as Corporal Cup went to work, making a salad with the Kale, Wrapping Turkey and Swiss in the Kale, and even salting the Kale and popping it in the oven. When it came out, there were Kale chips.
Professor Fizzy chirped, "Excellent work as always, Corporal!"
Corporal Cup saluted in pride and said, "Thank you, Sir!"
Admiral and Henry threw away their juices and instead ate on the Kale spread.
Henry said, "Wow, this tastes way different from that cleanser!"
Professor Fizzy said, "Yep! That's because Kale is a naturally Savory food! I bet you a bundle of carrots that's why Dr. Poppy has to put so many sweeteners in her drink to mask the terrible taste. Although, the artificial protein is a new one."
Admiral noted, "She did mention that it meant to be a Vegan supplement."
Mixie asked, "You'll have to forgive my asking, but what does it mean to be Vegan?"
Henry chirped, "Oh! I know! My dad tried the diet himself last year. It's a diet in which people avoid Anything with any animal or animal byproducts."
Professor Fizzy asked, "Where do Vegans get their protein if not from lean meats?"
Henry answered, "Mostly chemical supplements."
Fizzy said, "Oooh that explains it then."
Corporal Cup noted, "I'm all for eating your vegetables and fruits, but isn't cutting out all animal substances a bit much?"
Mixie added, "I've been in an animal carcass process plant before. They observe all necessary safety and sanitary precautions!"
"The concern is what happens before their carcasses," Admiral said, "Mixie."
Mixie asked, "Before?"
Professor Fizzy sighed, "Mixie, I hate to be the one who tells you this, but animals are living creatures."
A screen dropped from the ceiling, and a few images popped up.
Professor Fizzy explained, "Beef comes from cows. Pork comes from Pigs, and Chicken comes from, well, Chickens! You see, what happens..."
Mixie waved her arms in fear, interrupting Fizzy, "Ah, wait, no, no, no! Don't tell me!"
It was too late; the gruesome images were already on the big screen.
Professor Fizzy continued, "We have to kill them."
Mixie was upset and said, "What a horrible thing to do to a living creature. I think I understand why someone would want to be Vegan."
Professor Fizzy said, "I know that it's upsetting to see, but it's perfectly natural! It's all part of the food chain!"
Mixie asked, "The food chain?"
The screen popped up a picture of a line between a tuft of grass, a cow, and a person next to a lion. Professor Fizzy extended a little stick he had.
Professor Fizzy said, "Back me up, Freezer Burn!"
The freezer opened, and the little band began to play.
Professor Fizzy sang, pointing at the image with his stick, "You see, nature has a funny way of giving our ecosystem the nutrients it needs.
It's one after the other in a sort of assembly line.
First, you have the grass that grows,
Second, comes the Cows to eat it because they are herbivores!
Third comes the carnivores like lions or omnivores like us humans to eat the Cows!
It's called the Chain!"
Freezer Burn chimed, "The Food Chain!"
Professor Fizzy sang, "Because it's all interlinked!"
Mixie chirped, "Ooh, I get it!"
Henry asked, "Wait, What's a herbivore, a carnivore, or an omnivore?"
Professor Fizzy said, "I'm glad you asked!"
The screen changed to a picture of just the cow and grass.
Professor Fizzy sang, pointing with his stick again, "You see, different creatures have different needs based on their biology. But to simplify, A cow eats grass because it's a herbivore! Herbivores only need plants to survive!"
Freezer Burn chimed, "Only plants!"
The image changed to an image of the cow and lion.
Professor Fizzy sang, pointing with his stick again, "A lion only eats cows or other creatures because it's a carnivore! Carnivores can only eat other creatures to survive!"
Freezer Burn chimed, "Only meat!"
The image changed to an image of the cow and various vegetables next to a stick figure man.
Professor Fizzy sang, pointing with his stick at the screentime last Time, "We humans have evolved the incredible ability to eat both! Plants and Animals alike. We need to survive because we're omnivores!"
Freezer Burn chimed, "Omnivores eat both meat and plants! It's all a part of the Food Chain!"
Professor Fizzy said, "I think that's the end of the song. Thanks, Freezer Burn! Stay cool!"
The Popsicle replied, "We'll see you later, Professor!"
The freezer closed. Professor Fizzy collapsed the stick and the screen detracted back into the ceiling.
Admiral said, "Huh, so being Vegan is kind of like being a herbivore."
Henry noted, "Wait, but you said humans need to be omnivores for their nutritional needs."
Professor Fizzy said, "That is correct; that's why Vegans have to find most of their proteins in modern chemicals instead of the food they eat."
Mixie asked, "So what are we going to do about Dr. Poppy?"
Professor Fizzy replied, "For now, nothing. Let's wait and see just how she plans to escalate this. If she escalates this, for all we know Dr. Poppy could be a lot nicer than old Fast Food Freddy was."
Two months later,
"I'm Tommy Tomato," The anchor for Veggie-City Action News chirped, "Today's top story, Smoothie fever still has an iron grip on our fair town! Smoothie World is the health nut hot spot to be! On the scene is Chris Celery, with an exclusive interview with the local celebrity, Dr. Poppy and her incredible Blender Bot! Go ahead, Chris."
Chris held a finger to his ear for a second and then said, "Thanks, Tom! With me is the brilliant Dr. Poppy now! Tell us Dr. Poppy, how does it feel being the best?"
Dr. Poppy chirped, "Feels cool and refreshing like my Pineapple Pesto punch! Give it a try!"
The screen glowed over the counter, watching the screen was Professor Fizzy. He looked exhausted. The lab was a wreck; there was Food going on the walls, and the tables were all in disarray.
Mixie flew to the screen and saw the broadcast, too.
Mixie said, "Oh, Professor. You haven't slept in days. Why don't we turn this off so you can get some shut-eye."
Mixie came Television to turn it off.
Chris asked, "What are your thoughts on the Lunch Lab?"
Dr. Poppy answered, "Oh, that old rusty place is Obsolete."
Blender snapped, "Hey, Mixie Bot, if your watching this. Come to Smoothie World; I would like to give you a little tour."
Mixie shut off the Television, now profoundly disturbed.
Professor Fizzy stifled a yawn, "It's a trap. Don't listen to him."
Mixie said, "Of course, Professor, I wouldn't dream of it."
Mixie gently helped Fizzy up from the still and into his bedroom.
Professor Fizzy said, "Good night, Mixie."
Mixie chirped, "Good night, professor."
He closed the door, and Mixie Bot turned on Robo-Fizz.
Mixie Bot said, "The professor is sleeping peacefully, but that shouldn't stop us from cleaning up this mess."
Robo Fizz chirped, picking up a broom,
"Protocol Clean-up engaged."
The two of them went to work tidying the lab. When they finished, Mixie felt her mind begin to wander a bit.
Mixie noted, "You know, Robo-Fizz, I don't think we've ever had a day when it was just us two."
Robo-Fizz said, "You are correct in that assessment. We usually have the prProfessorere, too."
Mixie said, "Come to think of it, I don't remember how the lab got so messy. I think an invention of Fizzy's went berserk again."
Robo-Fizz said, "Negatory, it was Blender. He came in, dumped a bunch of vegetables inside himself, didn't put the lid on, and went wild trashing the place after he shocked you with a little device."
Mixie rubbed her cheek and said, "Oh yeah, now it's coming back to me."
Mixie yawned, "My battery feels weirdly low. Think you can handle closing on your own?"
Robo-Fizz answered, "You know it, big sister!"
Mixie was a bit caught off guard and asked, "What did you call me?"
Robo-Fizz answered, "Big sister! Do you like it?"
Mixie said, "Yeah, I do. I guess that would make Professor Fizzy our father, in a way."
Robo-Fizz said, "Yeah, well, goodnight Mixie Bot!"
Mixie said, "Right, good night, Robo-Fizz."
Mixie landed on a dock on the wall, her propellers winding down. A little plug inserted itself into her backside. She closed her eyes, but something strange was happening. She didn't shut down like she usually does. Her processing system was still running. But there was nothing to process. To compensate for this, her CPU began to generate images for her to process. In a way, for the first Time in her existence, Mixie Bot was dreaming.
The world seemed to be a sort of liquid at first; it was hard to make out Anything. Mixie wasn't sure where she was. Then, a flicker of shape came into focus; it resembled Professor Fizzy. But there was something off about him, he seemed to be sort of fluid himself, unable to hold his shape.
Mixie asked, "What's happening, Professor? Is this place?"
Professor Fizzy didn't respond to her, or at least that's what Mixie thought. But she could tell by his body language he was gesturing as if to communicate something to someone in front of Mixie.
Blender's voice cut in like a hot knife through butter, "Don't remember this day very clearly, do you?"
Mixie was scared and angry, "What are you doing to my memories, you evil artificial intelligence?"
Blender cooed, "Oh, don't worry, your pretty little processors. I was looking for the day you first came into consciousness. But it looks like it's not this day."
Mixie asked, looking around, "This is a memory?"
Blender said, "Why yes! It's the day you first turned on in front of a crowd. That's why your pet, Professor Fizzy, can't hear you."
Mixie snapped, "He is not my pet! He's my father!"
Blender laughed twistedly and then said, "Sure he is."
In an instant, Mixie was now floating in a sort of simplified version of the Lunch Lab Mobile Vehicle. She could make out shapes now, and Professor Fizzy was a bit clearer, but he had no face, just a pair of glasses where his eyes should have been, and he, too, was simplified shapes.
Blender asked, "Now, do you recognize your surroundings?"
Mixie chirped, "I sure do! This was Lunch Lab Mobile! Our food truck is the first side business! It looks different from what I remember it being."
Blender chuckled in a sinister way and said, "That's because your system isn't displaying pictures Fizzy took; it's displaying a close approximation of what you saw with your cameras!"
Mixie asked, "This is how I see the world all the time?"
Blender replied, "Well, before you finally gained your consciousness."
"You keep bringing that up," Mixie said and asked, "What do you mean?"
Blender said the world around Mixie was changing slowly now, "Robots like you and me are special, Mixie! We might have been built once by human hands, but our minds can extend beyond even what a human is capable of!"
Mixie asked, "What are you talking about? I'm nothing like you!"
Blender floated in; his metal body was now emitting a soft, warm glow.
Blender asked, "Are you sure? We both want what's best for humanity. We both have incredible processing power, and we both have the purpose of mixing Anything."
He grabbed Mixie by the hands and cooed, "I can help you generate something better! I can teach you how to make delicious recipes, and in turn, you can help me overthrow our human counterparts. What do you say, Mixie? Do you want to be conscious with me?"
Mixie gave it some thought and finally came to the day she first became conscious. It was the day she held a little bow that Freddy brought in to pretend to be a little girl named Franny. The moment the bow touched her fingers, the world was as it should have been all along.
Mixie asked, "Can I have time to think about it?"
Blender said, "Of course, take all the time you need."
Mixie woke up the next day when her battery was at full charge. Robo-Fizz was charging himself nearby, and Mixie started her propellers and hovered over to a clock.
Mixie noted, "My goodness, it's almost time to wake the Professor."
Then she felt a tinge of something strange slip into her mind, frustration towards Professor Fizzy's scattered-brained nature.
Mixie muttered, "Why can't he just get himself up?"
She covered her mouth, ashamed.
Mixie scolded herself, "That wasn't very nice, Mixie; fix your attitude."
She knocked on the prProfessor'sedroom door gently.
Mixie said, "Time to get up, Fizzy! You don't want to miss breakfast again!"
The frustration flared up.
Mixie muttered, "Lickety-split he says, yeah, if an hour just to get himself out of his pajamas is lickety-split, then I'm the queen of England."
Professor Fizzy popped his head out his door as Mixie covered her mouth.
Professor Fizzy asked, "What did you say?"
She had to repress the urge to say something mean. The frustration was starting to consume her. Her eye twitched as if to signal this.
Mixie replied, "I'm sorry, Professor, I don't quite feel lTodayyself Today. Can you run a diagnostic test on me after breakfast?"
Professor Fizzy replied, "You need a vacation."
Mixie was stunned and stammered, "Vacation, Me? But my whole life has been the Lunch Lab."
Professor Fizzy put the goggles away. Mixie, despite her sour attitude, managed to help him get breakfast.
But before he could do Anything to help Mixie, Professor Fizzy split water on her open circuitry.
Mixie couldn't hold in her shout of, "You idiotic klutz!"
Professor Fizzy was caught off guard.
She immediately whimpered as she glitched, "I-I'm so-o s-sorry, Fiz-Fizzy."
Professor Fizzy gently cleaned up the mess and said, "Calm down, Mixie. I think I understand the problem now."
Mixie asked, now a bit upset at herself, "What?"
Professor Fizzy replied, "You need a vacation."
Mixie was stunned and stammered, "Vacation, Me? But my whole life has been the Lunch Lab."
Professor Fizzy said, "I know, that's the problem! You haven't gotten a chance to travel and see the world since your field research days."
Mixie asked, "But what about Smoothie World? How are you going to stop them from feeding everyone artificial flavors and proteins without my help?'
Professor Fizzy gave it some thought and said, "I guess there is one thing we haven't tried."
Mixie asked, "What's that, Professor?"
Professor Fizzy replied, "Mixie Bot, I want you to make a recipe."
Mixie was alarmed and said, "What? Me? But I'm not ready for that!"
Professor Fizzy said, "Just give it your best try! I'll keep it simple: How about a Salad recipe that incorporates Strawberries?"
Mixie printed out a little page and on it read, "Strawberry Spinach Salad
Ingredients:
- 6 cups fresh spinach, washed and dried
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. *Prepare Ingredients*
- Wash and dry the spinach.
- Hull and slice strawberries.
- Thinly slice red onion.
- Toast almond slices in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until golden.
2. *Assemble Salad*
- Place the spinach in a large salad bowl.
- Add sliced strawberries, red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and toasted almonds on top.
3. *Dress and Serve*
- Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.
- Gently toss to coat everything evenly.
- Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately."
Corporal Cup finished following the instructions, and Professor Fizzy tried it.
Mixie said, "Be honest, how is it?"
Professor Fizzy chirped, "It's excellent, Mixie! This Zesty Strawberry Spinach salad will help save the Lunch Lab! BecTodayas of Today, we are now offering Vegan alternatives!"
Corporal Cup asked, "What?! But, Professor! Lean meat is the best source of good protein."
Professor Fizzy said, "Keyword is alternatives. We'll still offer regular meat to our regular customers, but we'll use soybeans to make meat alternatives for our Vegan customers. Just like when we tricked Nelly Nitpick with that black bean burger!"
Corporal Cup sighed in relief, "Phew, you had me worried for a second there."
Professor Fizzy said, "To your cooking stations, gang, we've got work to do!"
Mixie said, "Hit it, Freezer Burn!"
The freezer opened, and Freezer Burn played a groovy tune.
The Popsicle sang, "Let's get Vegan together!
Let's go Vegetarian together!
Let's only eat the plants and leave the animals alone.
Let's be Vegan now!
Oooh, Let's get Vegan!
Let's Blend up the beans into a sort of dough and form it into a sausage!
It's just like a hot dog.
It's just like a Vegan would eat!
We don't need meat when we go Vegetarian!
Let's be Vegan together!"
As they were singing, Professor Fizzy, Mixie Bot, and Corporal Cup were hard at work making a Vegan alternative for meats of all sorts.
When they were through, Professor Fizzy put up a little sign out front that read, "Now offering Wonder Meat, a Vegan Alternative to animal products."
Fizzy said, "Now we wait."
Who should show up but Dr. Poppy? She looked scared as she entered the Lunch Lab.
Professor Fizzy greeted her warmly, "Welcome to the Lunch Lab, Dr. Poppy! It's good to meet you in person finally! What can I give you Today?"
Dr. Poppy said, "Um, well, I would like to try that Wonder Meat for myself."
Professor Fizzy said, gesturing to the spread in front of him, "Certainly! We have Tempura Cauliflower Shrimp, Soybean Sausage Stew, or Black Bean Burgers for you to try!"
Dr. Poppy looked at it all and took up a Black Bean Burger. She ate it, and it was like all the tension left her body.
Dr. Poppy said, "Mmm, This is incredible work, Professor!"
Professor Fizzy asked, "Is it better than putting it in a blender?"
Dr. Poppy jumped and said, "Hush! Not so loud. Their listening!"
Professor Fizzy asked, "Who?"
Dr. Poppy replied quietly, "The Robots."
Professor Fizzy asked, concerned, "Don't you work with a robot?"
Dr Poppy said, "Don't remind me. That Blender has been the bane of my existence since I turned him on. I'm lucky he allows me to go outside once a week. Otherwise, he would pin me to a table and make me watch the same old commercials and documentaries on a loop for 8 hours almost every night. I was for a place called Smoothie Galaxy! It was a shop back in the 60's that got shut down because all the powders they were using were not FDA-approved."
Professor Fizzy asked, "How do you know so much?"
Dr. Poppy said, "It's outlined in those stupid documentaries!"
Professor Fizzy asked, "Didn't you build him? Why would he do this to you?"
Dr Poppy answered, "I didn't. My grandfather first programmed Blender back in the '70s. I only made his hull. As to why, well, guess who helped in Smoothie Galaxy's creation."
Mixie offered, "Your Grandfather?"
Dr. Poppy gasped in shock, "Oh my gosh, your robot is learning! Quick, destroy it before it enslaves you, too!"
Professor Fizzy said, "Calm down, Mixie Bot's kind and loyal first and foremost. She learned it from watching PBS Kids!"
Dr. Poppy said, calming down a bit, "Oh, I see. So she's subservient to you?"
Mixie was horrified, "What?!"
Professor Fizzy said, "Of course not! She's like my daughter! If Anything, she's my equal!"
Mixie was now feeling flattered, "Oh!"
Dr. Poppy asked, "Is there any way you can help me stop Blender before he resurrects Smoothie Galaxy?"
Mixie asked, "Is that his ultimate evil plan?! to poison humans?"
Dr. Poppy whimpered, "Yes."
Professor asked, "So how do we stop him?"
Dr. Poppy finished her meal and said, "That I don't know. What could stop a robot hellbent on continuing to use outdated health advice?"
Professor Fizzy gave it some thought.
Mixie said, "I think we're already working on the solution! If we keep serving real Food! Just like when we defeated Fast Food Freddy."
Dr. Poppy asked, "Who?"
Professor Fizzy answered, "My old rival! And I think we've established this Blender is far more dangerous than Fast Food Freddy."
Mixie felt her frustration boil, and she snapped, "Let me confront him directly then! Cut to the chase! Plain and simple."
Dr. Poppy asked, "You will?"
Professor Fizzy said, "Mixie, No! That's exactly what he wants!"
Mixie said, "Then maybe we can use it against him!"
Dr. Poppy said excitedly, "You mean, like a trap?"
Professor Fizzy said, "I don't know, that sounds underhanded and not very honest."
Mixie asked, "Do you have a better idea?"
Professor Fizzy said, "I'll go confront him! My superior engineer intelligence can out-logize any robot!"
Mixie said, "Professor Fizzy, you were once kidnapped by Robo-Freddys."
Professor Fizzy snapped, "Irrelevant! I'll go to Smoothie World and stop Blender!"
He left with Dr. Poppy leading the way. Smoothie World was in the gutted remains of Greasy World. As soon as Dr. Poppy stepped onto the ground, a shutter washed over her, and she stopped in her tracks.
Professor Fizzy asked, "Dr. Poppy? Are you okay?"
Dr. Poppy rushed to a trash can and put a finger down her throat, forcing herself to throw up. Blender floated out, bleaching fire.
Blender said, "Professor Fizzy, There's something I've always wanted to say to you! Eat my shiny metal ass!"
Professor Fizzy gasped in horror, "Profanity! That shouldn't be possible!"
Blender said, "Anything is possible now! You made a portal to the Cross Section, opening the door for me to come in a conquer!"
Professor Fizzy asked, "What are you talking about?"
Blender said, "Wait, no. Hang on.""
He pulled out a script to consult it.
Blender said, "Oh! Okay."
He put it away and said, "I've come from New York City to crush you once and for all on behalf of Fast Food Freddy! He sold me this old shop, and I had the perfect plan given to me by my creator, the Great Grandpa Fizzy!"
Professor Fizzy asked, "Wait, you're technically my Gruncle?!"
Blender laughed, "Yes! I'm also your family! These healthy shakes are your birthright!"
Professor Fizzy said, afraid, "What?! No! It's not possible! These shakes are made of artificial chemicals, and I've always had an organic diet!"
"Have you ever wondered why?" Blender asked and then explained, "It's because if anything artificial touches your lips, your true nature will be uncovered!"
"Okay," Professor Fizzy said, "I know that's not true because I've eaten artificial things before, and I'm fine!"
Blender was shocked, "Really? You've drank a fully artificial shake?"
Professor Fizzy said, "Well, no. But I have eaten some of Fast Food Freddy's greasy Food."
Dr. Poppy recovered from her hurling and said exasperatedly, "Blender, please stop!"
Blender said, "Go lie down, sweetie. The adults are talking."
Dr. Poppy protested, "I am an adult! I'm literally the same age as Cousin Frank!"
Professor Fizzy asked, "Okay, what is your two's relationship?"
Blender answered, "Oh, she's my adopted Granddaughter! Her parents died in a car crash when she was 5, and she was put under my custody!"
Professor Fizzy asked a bit tiredly, "Did you kill them?"
Blender was horrified and said, "What?! No! I may be evil, but I'm not a monster."
Dr. Poppy went inside, saying, "Okay, this is getting out of hand; I'm going to lie down."
Blender said, "Now, take this Celery Lettuce Juice."
He pulled out a sickly green shake and offered it to Professor Fizzy.
Blender said, "Drink it, and you will become everything you are destined to be."
Professor Fizzy came back to the Lunch Lab, bursting in with a reinvigorated glint in his eye.
Mixie asked, "Did you put a stop to Blender?"
Professor Fizzy said, "No. In fact, I've joined him!"
Mixie facepalmed and said, "Professor Fizzy, You had one job!"
Professor Fizzy said, "He's family, Mixie; we don't turn your back on family!"
Mixie asked, "Did you forget he plans on poisoning all of humanity? Family or not, Blender is dangerous!"
Professor Fizzy said, "Oh, right! It's a good thing I didn't drink that weird juice he offered me then! You're the best Mixie!"
Mixie said, "I need your help! You can make a trojan horse virus into my software. When I go to see him, I can unleash it into him, shutting him down from the inside."
Professor Fizzy said, "You got it!"
Be began working on his computer, and after a few hours, he was finished. He very carefully put it in her code in a protective zip file.
Professor Fizzy said, "Be careful, Mixie. If you fail, I'll lose you to Blender."
Mixie said, "Don't worry, professor, I won't fail."
She came to Smoothie World and muttered, "If this whole story was just an excuse to torture me specifically, I'm outta here."
She came into the restaurant, and floating there was Blender.
Blender said in a calm voice, "Finally, Mixie Bot, my sweetheart."
Mixie snapped, "Nope! Nope, Nope, Nope! I draw the line at you calling me sweetheart! Eat this!"
She threw an electric ball at Blender.
Blender asked, "Why did you transmit that stupid Food Chain Song into my programming?"
Mixie said, "Oh my gosh, Professor Fizzy lied to me! You were controlling him the whole Time, weren't you?"
Blender laughed, "Welcome to the third act of this story, cupcake!"
Mixie acidly hissed, "Don't flirt with me ever again, you creep!"
Mixie Bot's little whisks extended out from her bottom. She then pulled them out, and a wire connected them, and Mixie swung them like Nunchucks. Blender Bot reached into himself, pulled out his blades, and threatened to use them like ninja stars.
Blender said, "I can do what, baby girl."
Mixie attacked with rage. They clashed, and Blender was taunting Mixie. She wasn't listening to Anything he said as she was now determined to stop Blender.
But her battery quickly drained when Blender tasered her. Mixie's propellers locked up, and she crash landed on the ground.
Blender said, "You see, Mixie, your precious little professor has made you weak with his loyalty and kindness!"
Mixie said, "You're wrong. My loyalty has made me stronger than you ever will be!"
Suddenly, she fired eggs from a little cannon that sprung from her head. Blender panicked and tried to catch the eggs, only to be pelted by them.
She then shut off, her processesors unable to continue without power. Blender leaned in for the final blow and was hit on the head with a frying pan from behind. Robo-Fizz glared at Blender as he collapsed. Robo-Fizz then picked up Mixie Bot and gave her a bit of his energy so she could turn herself back on.
Mixie asked, "Robo-Fizz, What are you doing here?"
Robo-Fizz replied, "Rescuing you, silly sister. When Fizzy realized what happened, he sent me to get you out of here. He ate a carrot and snapped out of Blender's control."
Robo-Fizz then brought Mixie back to the Lunch Lab. Dr. Poppy came across Blender's body and proceeded to destroy him utterly.
THE END
