Chapter 21: Metallic Badlands[]
The next day, with a bustling sense of excitement and optimism, Pouchy awoke. The night before the group had managed to settle outside of the forest, in a quaint space that could only be described as similar to the serene flower fields they had encountered before. Pouchy sprung up from his spot, stretching his wings excitedly as he let out a yawn, swiftly shifting back into position as an adventurous grin stretched across his face.
Without waiting for a word, he swiftly reached into his Pouch, grabbing hold of the map as one grips onto the pan above the stove, and began eyeing it intuitively. Suddenly, the Map flew out of his hands, catching him by surprise as it chased him around, leaving a trail of green sparks in its wake. “Hey! Get back hereee!!” He called out in a joking tone as the Map eventually nestled back into his palms, flashing something he’d never seen it do before. A Grin.
His eyes widened as he saw this, frantically springing up and dashing over to Brad and Spectacles, shaking them with an astonished look coated on his face, his eyes sparkling like ther stars in the night sky as the words slipped from his mouth, barely distinguishable from gibberish. “G-Guys! Map! Grin! Smiling!” .
Spectacles and Brad both looked him down with deathly confused expressions, their drowsiness showing on their faces like a coat of paint. “Just.. look!!” Pouchy called out exhaustedly, pushing the Map to their faces. Brad coughed slightly. Spectacles adjusted his glasses before speaking. “U-Um.. Pouchy, I.. I don’t want to sound rude, but.. There’s nothing there.”
Pouchy’s face faded into annoyance as he pulled the Map back. “Darn thing! It was literally just doing it..” Brad coughed again, smirking lightly as he placed his hat on his head, the fur ruffling under it with a soft crinkle.. “..Care to explain what ‘it’ was? Couldn’t really understand your, uh.. Commotion earlier.”
Pouchy looked up at Brad then down at the Map with a beaten look. “It was.. Grinning.. I think? Maybe I’m just waking up..” Brad flew over to Pouchy, ruffling the fur on his head with a slight parental tone in his voice. “Eh. We’ve all seen that thing do some pretty wacky stuff before. Grinning certainly ain’t outta the picture.”
Pouchy turned back towards Brad and Spectacles with a large grin stretched on his face. “Well! The thing that matters is that you guys are up now! And.. you know what that means..!” Spectacles pushed up his glasses, shuffling his eyebrows down slightly in nervousness. “A-an adventure?”
Pouchy pointed at Spectacles, closing his eyes as he smirked. “Right on the money there, Specks! If we were playing a game show you’d of gotten first prize!” Spectacles’ nervous expression soon turned to something resembling that of pride. “Y-Yeah, I guess I would’ve!”
Brad crossed his wings, fiddling with his revolver in his pocket. “So.. What’s on the menu for today?” Pouchy looked down at his Pouch, his eyes resting on the small gift box within it. “Hm.. You know what, guys? I, as leader, have decided.. That we’ll just eat when we get there!”
Brad narrowed his eyes. “..And where is ‘there’?” Pouchy chuckled, playfully nudging Brad. “Well, there is wherever I say it is! And right now.. There is over there!” He swiftly grabbed the straps of his Pouch, hoisting himself into the air with a swift flap of his wings as he took off in a straight direction.
Spectacles looked at Brad, his eyes almost dizzy from the excessive use of ‘There’. “Yeah, tell me about it, kid.” He swiftly picked up Spectacles, dashing after Pouchy as the group slowly formed back together, soaring through the crisp morning breeze as pollen coated the outwardly tips of their fur.
The flowers fluttered beneath the trio as Pouchy outstretched his wings, letting himself slide through the air as if he were a glider. The sun was shining over the beautiful green grass; the morning due almost making the surface of it appear reflective as the three whisked by.
Soon enough, just as it had many times before, the grass slowly but surely began to thin out, giving way to a new type of terrain the group had never seen before. On the surface, it resembled desert soil, but the patterns on it were far too intricate to just be simple sand. Pouchy flew downwards, landing on the powdery yet strangely solid ground, his chest heaving as he caught his breath from flying.
Spectacles and Brad followed soon behind him, Brad spiraling into the patterned dirt with a stylistic thud, kicking up dust that Spectacles coughed on. “Whoops. Sorry ‘bout that Specks.” Spectacles coughed, closing his eyes as he smiled reluctantly, holding out a wing to resemble a thumbs up. Pouchy looked around at the environment around them.
On the surface, it resembled the desert that they had all been to before. But beneath that, under the surface, lay something completely new. Multiple cliffs could be spotted around the area, speckled with various textures and patterns so intricately, it was as if somebody put them all there deliberately. Brad smirked. “Huh. Guess we’re gonna be visitin’ home twice.” Spectacles coughed. “W-Well.. This isn’t particularly a desert..”
Brad and Pouchy looked over at Spectacles as he continued. “I-It’s actually a mesa.. O-Or, in.. less scientific terms.. A ‘Badland’. ..Science Bear told me a-all about them. Said that Sun Bear visited a desert o-one time, and that whole deal made him want to research more about these kinda biomes.. S-Sorry for correcting you, Brad..” Brad looked at Spectacles, patting him on the head. “Correctin’? Nah, you’re fine kid. Even somebody like me can afford to learn somethin’ new every once in a while.”
Pouchy grinned, intrigued. “Yeah! I think it’s super cool how you can know what biome this is just by looking!” Spectacles blushed from the compliments. “W-Well.. Thank you both..! I’m glad I can have some sort of outlet for my knowledge..”
Pouchy looked down at the map, sticking out his tongue in concentration. “Well, then.. Looks like we’ve gotta turn around a little bit, but we should be good after that.” Brad cracked his knuckles. “Sounds good t’me. Seems like we’re makin’ good progress, anyway.”
The group lifted themselves back into the air, letting the hot mesa air run through their fur as they admired the sparsely populated foliage beneath them. Cactuses with strange bases seemingly made entirely out of stone, even the occasional beautifully patterned flower; reflecting the intricate design of the cliffs stretched around them.
As they continued fluttering low to the ground throughout the vast fiery mesa, various signs seemed to spring up from the ground more occasionally with each distance passed. They all seemed rather dilapidated. As if whoever placed them either died a long time ago, or lived long enough to not fear death anymore. Rust coated the edges and bases of all the signs, perhaps especially accelerated by the hot temperatures of the area.
Pouchy signaled for the group to slow down as they began looking at all of the signs. Most of them had different messaging, but all contained some similar things: bright bold letters, mesa scenery, gold or other materials, and strangely enough, a blue and white bee. The Bee could be seen in all of the signs smiling with glee; whether they were holding an advertised product, or just acting as a background character to the advertisement, they always seemed to smile. Despite their wide grin, their face was covered up by large white glasses.
Pouchy looked closely at the signs, barely able to make out the words. One of them read “Best jobs for 5000 miles! Or more! Hey, we don’t make the land measurements, pal!” With a small Bee alongside the blue one with the words “Thank you, King Cobalt!” as well as a small asterisk that had the text “*Jobs may not be available for Red Bees.”
Pouchy’s eyes widened with stars as he continued to stare at the poster, completely mesmerized. “Guys! That’s.. That’s Cobalt Bee! Right there!” Brad chuckled lightly, looking at Cobalt on the sign. “Honestly surprised to see a deity dressin’ up better than me.”
Spectacles read the Red Bee part. “Jobs m-may not be available to red bees? W-What’s that supposed to mean?” Pouchy looked at the part of the advertisement. “Huh.. That is kinda strange, Specks.. Maybe there aren’t enough spots?”
Brad narrowed his eyes. “Even so, that’d mean the Blues get first pick. Kinda.. Strange if you ask me.” Pouchy and Spectacles looked at eachother, the ‘Blue and Red’ topic reminding them of a certain duo on the Mountain. Pouchy pointed at the sign. “Well then, Mr. Cobalt, we shall address this with you! Personally!”
The group continued on throughout the vast maze of presumably recycled signs, eventually coming upon one that read “Visit Minetown today!” With a small, smirking cobalt that said in a speech bubble “It’s called Minetown cuz I own it! Oh also because there’s a mine. That too!”
Eventually, they came across one that seemed to have a sort of.. Robot on it. Followed, of course, by a small Cobalt explaining the presumed product. “Minebots! They work, so you don’t have to. *Mostly.” Pouchy’s eyes widened at the sight of a robot as they continued on.
Pouchy giggled at the sign as they fluttered around each and every one of them, attempting to inspect everyone of their details in spite of the intense rust coated on each and every piece of them. Eventually, the signs became less frequent, until all together stopping. “Well, darn! I guess the comedy part of the adventure is gone..”
Suddenly, a small rustling sound could be heard behind the trio. “Uh.. Guys, did you..” Before Pouchy could continue, he was interrupted by the bending of metal, presumably from a sign. Brad swiftly flew over to them, holding them close as his eyes darted around. Swiftly, he saw a blur slip past him, bending another sign with a loud clunk.
He stuck his wing into the strap on his chest and swiftly latched onto his revolver, loading it up with the packaged bullets they had bought previously in the blink of an eye. “Whoever or whatever you are.. Stop tryin’ t’spook us. It ain’t workin’.” Spectacles spoke with a quivering lip. “W-Well, a-actually-”
“We’re not scared.” Brad reiterated. Something began inching out of the shadows of the cliffs, stumbling slightly, as though whatever it was, was injured. The figure stood themselves into the light as Brad stood his ground, continuing to point his revolver directly at them. Brad’s eyes widened slightly as he recognized what it was. He looked back behind at Pouchy and Spectacles, speaking through his teeth gruffly. “It’s one’a those Minebot things. ..Maybe broken? I don’t know.”
“Hey, Minebot. Care t’explain your business with scarin’ us ‘nd all that?” The robot walked closer, the tail on its back waving back and forth like a cat stalking its prey. Brad could see a very visible gash in the left corner of its head, of which electric sparks occasionally flared out. Without a warning, the Robot suddenly flew over to Brad as his eyes widened. He attempted to grab his revolver but the robot was too fast, picking him up with his tail and dashing him into the ground with a large powdery thud before turning its one red eyed gaze over to Pouchy and Spectacles.
The tail continued to sway back and forth as Brad attempted to gain his bearings. Spectacles looked back at Pouchy, sweating profusely as he stepped in front of him, reluctantly flashing an angry gaze at the metallic monster. “H-Hey! N-Nobody hurts my friends! Y-You hear me?” He said with a quivering voice. The Robot didn’t tilt its head, nor move in any way excluding the constant swaying of its tail.
The small dot in the robot’s eye seemed to grow smaller as Spectacles’ fear levels continued to rise. Brad swiftly lifted back up, slamming into the Robot and taking a direct shot at it with his revolver, tearing off a piece of its head as it rolled across the sandy ground. Brad wiped oil from his mouth, scowling. “Guess peace wasn’t ever an option, huh?” The Robot swiftly shot back up, aiming its tail at Brad as he swiftly dodged it, the blade slicing off small pieces of his fur as he fired another shot at the Robot which it blocked with its metallic wing.
The Robot swiftly activated something on its wings, lifting itself high above Brad as it raised its other wing; the metal compartments of which splitting open to reveal a decently sized cannon. It fired at Brad as the circle in its eye shrunk, as though from rage. Brad rolled across the ground as he dashed into the air, taking advantage of the reeling Machine as he punched it in the face, sending it flying and nearly denting the metal.
Brad sped himself up as he swiftly launched himself onto the wing of the machine, dodging an incoming impaling from the tail as he swung it into the ground, taking another shot as it spiraled into the ground. Just as it was about to slam into the ground however, it caught itself with the sharp end of its tail; the pickaxe on the end digging into dirt with a mixture of metal and dirt crunching.
“So you wanna play like that? Fine by me.” Brad wiped sweat from his brow as he pushed off the ground, dodging an incoming beam from the robot as he attempted to slam into it, being caught instantly by its large metal fists. With widened eyes, Brad was slung into the air as the Robot launched itself dangerously into the air, preparing to launch a strike onto Brad. Suddenly, Spectacles appeared between the two, holding up his pencil as he swiftly and nervously drew a barrier, to which the machine dashed and broke through, leaving it temporarily stunned.
Brad looked slightly confused. Both at not getting beaten to a pulp, and secondly because of Spectacles. “S-Spectacles.. You..” Spectacles flashed a smirk, trying to hide his heart pounding and increased nervousness. “I-I said I wouldn’t let it touch my friends..” Brad chuckled nervously as his expression soon turned to horror as he watched the machine appear behind him like a blade being drawn.
Brad attempted to push Spectacles out of the way, but it was too late. The Robot had fired a beam and the bottom part of Spectacles’ wing was caught in the crossfire. Spectacles winced as he fell to the ground, the Robot following behind him like a heat seeking missile. Brad’s horrified expression soon turned to anger as he blasted towards the machine, the sheer force of the impact nearly rippling the metal on the robot.
The star on Brad’s chest began to glow as the Robot attempted to slash him with its tail. With rage seeping out of his expression, Brad grabbed hold of the non sharp end of the tail, using it as a slingshot as he shot the Robot through the air, swiftly catching up to it as he punched it in the head, and then in the gut, grabbing hold of its wing as it attempted to punch him and nearly shattering it into pieces as he lifted the Robot above his head, breathing heavily as he spun around; small sparks of cyan fire beginning to catch around him and the robot as he spun around in the air like a top, the force of the impact spilling oil around everywhere.
With one final swing, sparks crackling on both his body and the space around him, he slammed the Machine into the ground, following behind it as it attempted to launch another beam at Brad’s downward flying position, before he swiftly reached out his revolver, slamming down onto its head and pulling the trigger, oil splattering on his face. Despite its broken eye and spark emitting wires, it continued to twitch.
Brad raised up his fists, pulsating with energy. “You can do a lot of things. But as soon as you try to hurt my friends.. There’s no turnin’ back.” Brad said with unbridled rage seeping out of his voice as he slammed into the Robot with his fists repeatedly, each blow against the metal shaking the very ground around them and casting shockwaves.
Pouchy held onto Spectacles nervously as he watched blow after blow land on the Robot, oil splattering all over Brad’s face. “YOU HEAR THAT YOU PIECE OF METALLIC CRAP?!” He shouted angrily through the repeated crunching of fists against metal. He looked into its eyes, that dull, lifeless glare reminding him of something in his past he had desperately tried to hide. He continued punching, the force growing more intense with each word. “NEVER! HURT! MY! FRIENDS! EVER! AGAIN!” He enunciated his final word as he punched directly through the Robot’s eye, pulling out a strange chip as he crunched it in his wings, throwing the metallic corpse onto the ground.
Brad fell to the ground, holding his chest as he breathed heavily. Pouchy rushed over, concerned. “B-Brad! Are.. Are you okay..?” Brad looked down at himself, chuckling, then at Spectacles. “Screw me.. How’s Specks?”
“H-He’s okay.. He’s just.. Unconscious right now..” Brad looked at the oil staining his wing. “..I’m sorry you had t’watch me lose my cool like that.” Pouchy closed his eyes nervously. “N-No, it’s alr-”
Brad shook his head, continuing to hold onto his chest as his breathing slowly began to calm down. “No. It’s not. Y’all are just kids. You.. don’t need to see that stuff. Especially not from the person tryin’ t’protect you. I shouldn't've lost my cool like that. Robot or not, I’m sorry.”
Pouchy held onto Spectacles tightly as he breathed softly in his wings, the burned part of his wing still emanating steam. “It’s okay, Brad.. I really mean that. You shouldn’t apologize for protecting us..” Brad shook his head again, his fur still drenched in sweat. “It’s not about protectin’ y’all. It’s about how I protect y’all. Whatever. I’m.. just glad he’s okay.”
Brad layed on the ground alongside Pouchy as they looked up at the evening sky. The sun was setting now, casting brilliant and beautiful colors across the night sky, shining through the multicolored cliffs around them with brilliant hues.
Suddenly, in spite of the silence coating the area around them like a secluded den, a strange clapping sound could be heard. Brad lifted himself up, still keeping a weary grip on his chest. Suddenly, before his very eyes, a flame appeared in front of him, followed by a bee materializing out of it, continuing to clap while flashing a cheeky grin. “Well done!” The Bee revealed themselves further. They seemed to have large pointy red horns and a triangular ended tail that swished around in a similar pattern to the machine from before. They were wearing a button up coat with a bandana and gloves, complete with a cowboy hat almost matching Brad’s.
“Golly, I’ve seen some amazing fights in my time, but that was one for the record books. Even from where I come from!” Brad looked up at the Bees’ horns and at their tail and arched an eyebrow. “Get away from us.”
The Bee mock winced. “Aww, what a cruel world.. Can’t a little old fellow like me compliment another’s hard work? Truly, what is this world coming to!” Brad raised up his revolver weakly. “I said.. Get away from us.”
Pouchy looked at the Bee then at Brad, pushing down his revolver. “C-Can.. You help us?” Brad’s eyes widened when he heard Pouchy speak to the Bee. The Bee smirked at Brad’s annoyance and then looked back at Pouchy. “Sure can lil’ fella! Well, uh.. Not me, but.. I can take ya’ to someplace that can. ‘Kay?”
Brad looked at Pouchy with a stern expression, then back at the Bee. “Sorry, do you mind givin’ me and my friend here a moment to talk?” The Bee backed up, shaking his head as he continued to smirk. “(You can’t trust that Bee, Pouchy. It’s a Demon Bee. Do you know about them?)”
Pouchy shook his head. “(They come from somewhere.. Different than us. Different rules. They’re trained from birth on how t’trick people like us. People that need help. That’s what they love. And then when they got you right where they want you, when they know you don’t have anybody else to turn to, that’s when they strike. They’ll take everything. Your valuables, your friends, your par..” He coughed. “Point is.. Don’t trust them. No matter what they say. Understood?”
Pouchy rubbed his fur as he turned back towards the Demon Bee who was digging their hat in the sand. Upon hearing Pouchy clear his throat they spun around, their signature grin coming up on their face again. “I'm.. sorry but.. We can’t accept your offer.” The Bee’s smile faltered for a moment before returning, throwing up their hands in a shrug.
“Aw, that’s a shame. Oh well, I suppose. Just three Bees, alone in the desert,” He paused, making sure Pouchy was looking at him before continuing. “In the dead of night.. With a deathly tired friend and another injured.. But that’s that, I suppose! Rules are rules and deals are all up to both parties!”
Brad smirked weakly as he bent down, reaching into Pouchy’s Pouch and beginning to take out the various logs and set them around. Pouchy looked ahead and then back at Brad. “Y-You.. Don’t think we needed their help?” Brad’s gaze turned icy as he turned his head to Pouchy. “Like I said. We don’t negotiate anything with Demon Bees. They’re nothing but con artists,” He paused, muttering under his breath gruffly. “..And sometimes worse than that.”
Pouchy looked down at Spectacles. The burnt spot on his wing seemed to be leaking something. Not blood, but.. Ink? Pouchy made sure Brad could see Spectacles in his wings. “..I know, but.. We really need to get Spectacles some help..” Brad’s gaze turned genuinely questioning for a moment, as though his beliefs in their entirety were being challenged. “No. That little punk is waiting for us to cave in. I.. I won’t let them. Not again.”
Pouchy raised an eyebrow. “Again?” Brad looked stunned for a moment, coughing in a blind effort to cover up his words from before. “Just.. don’t mind that, ‘kay? The important thing is that you shouldn’t trust ‘em.”
Pouchy looked down at Spectacles. His face seemed to contort in fear with each passing second of them not interacting with the Bee. He looked at Brad who had already sat himself down on the log and was looking down at the ground with an exasperated look on his face, still clutching his chest tightly as he breathed heavily. “Brad.. We need to get help.. I know you don’t want to trust them, but.. The Map can only get us so far. I don’t have any idea when or where the next town is. A-and.. With Specks in this state.. We don’t have that kind of time..” Brad looked more sternly at the ground, a slight noise filling the air as he gritted his teeth.
“You know.. I.. I don’t want to be mean.. But your view on Demon Bees is a lot like what Specks thought of you when we first met. And even what.. I started to think of you before you turned that around. Brad, I know you don’t trust them, but.. That doesn’t mean every one of them is out to get you. There can be good people. Just because.. They’re raised to be like that.. Doesn’t mean that one of them can’t break that mold.” Brad looked up at Pouchy, blinking as though he was caught off guard by how he was speaking. “A-And I know you think I’m taking a chance by believing in the good.. But you’re taking just as much of a chance with believing in the bad. So, just this once.. Can you make an exception? If something happens, I’ll know you’ll be there to protect us. And if something doesn’t.. Then we have nothing more to want, right?”
Brad sighed. He hesitated arguing back with Pouchy. But something about his words; not just how he was saying them, but what he was saying.. From somebody like him, stuck in his brain. “..You’re.. Right.” Pouchy smiled weakly. “But if I see anything suspicious.. Well.. You know what’s going to happen.” Pouchy stuck his wing up as Spectacles’ sleeping face easened up.
Pouchy handed Spectacles over to Brad as he flew farther out, waiving his wings purposefully to generate more noise. Pouchy extended his wing, calling out. “H-Hey! We.. I.. I want to reopen the deal..”
The Bee’s horns almost perked up as soon as they heard the deal be mentioned again. They instantly appeared in front of Pouchy with a spark of fire, making Pouchy almost fall over from shock. Their signature smirk instantly returned across their face. “We.. would like you to take us there..” The Bee grinned. “You sure? Your little friend doesn’t seem too keen..” They peeked over Pouchy’s shoulder at Brad who was giving them an icy glare.
Brad sighed. He flew over to the Bee, keeping Spectacles tightly held in his wings as he stared them straight dead in the eyes as he spoke, being sure to speak with exceeding clarity. “We’ll go with you. But only because we ain’t got nothin’ to lose. If you so much as even think about touchin’ a hair on either one of their heads.. You’ll get what happened to that Robot done to you tenfold. I don’t care if you’re a Demon Bee. Don’t care if it hurts me even more, either. Ain’t nothin’ gonna be able to save you once you betray my trust. Got it?” The Demon Bee gulped discreetly, attempting to cover it up with a charismatic smile.
“Got it, bud! Speakin’a which, what’s your name?” The Bee extended its wing. Brad reluctantly shook hands with the Bee. “Brad.” The Bee nodded, surprised at his grip but once again masking it. “Neat name. Mine’s Thorn.”
Pouchy waved his wings up and down, hopping on the sandy ground. “And my name’s Pouchy!” Thorn grinned almost.. Genuinely. As if the innocent nature of Pouchy’s statement reminded him of somebody. “Well it’s nice to meet y’all. Now. Said ya’ wanted to go to town, right?” Pouchy nodded excitedly. “Great! See ya’ there!” He said as he disappeared in a puff of flames.
Brad turned over to Pouchy, his presence almost sounding like concrete sliding which fit in nicely with his icy gaze. He raised up his wing to lecture Pouchy as Thorn suddenly appeared back beside them, holding his wing beside his head shamefully. “Sorry y’all. I forget mortals can’t teleport. Happens all too many times.” Brad looked at him with a dead straight face as Pouchy began giggling. “Now, then! Shall we actually start the adventure?”
Everybody nodded as Brad swiftly lifted Spectacles up into Pouchy’s Pouch, snuggling him into the fabric neatly. Pouchy lifted up his wings, dashing into the air as Brad followed wearily behind him. Pouchy flew up next to the Demon Bee. The Demon Bee looked back at him smugly, winking. “Got a question for ‘lil ol’ me?” Pouchy looked back at Brad then at Thorn. “S-So.. My friend said you guys are from some place different.. Where is that exactly? A-And.. Do they have sunflower seeds?”
Thorn closed his eyes as he spoke in an explanatory tone, Brad watching his movements wearily from behind. “Well.. we come from another dimension, t’say the least. Things ain’t half as good as they are here, I’ll tell ya’ that. Got booted outta there from takin’ the dollars from the rich.” Pouchy looked slightly shocked. “Why were you stealing money??”
“Eh. Those guys don’t need it. All they ever do is use it to make our lives worse. Uh. Lemme tell it to ya’ this way, kid. Ya’ got guys like me. We’re on the bottom end of the totem pole. Then ya’ got the rich guys. Then ya’ got the guys above them, and the royal family. It’s also important to know that the rudeness scales with each level passed.” Pouchy’s eyes sparkled as stars danced around in them like students at a school prom. “Oh.. So like.. Stealing from the rich and giving to the poor?”
“That’s right, kid! But yeah. Us Demon Bees ‘re all given these little passports,” He held one up in his wing, looking a bit irritated by its mere appearance. “They essentially, eh.. Let us go through both you guys’ world and our own. But dat royal family over dere is super strict. One small mistake and next thing ya’ know they’re shoutin’ “Treason”! And “Thorn, why did you forget to take out the trash today”?!” He coughed. “Well, mainly the first thing. And then poof! Just as soon as ya’ got it, you’re stuck in a mandatory meetin’ where they take away all your prized valuables. And then, if that wasn’t enough of a spit in the face, the final, more rotten cherry on top comes. They take your darn passport!”
Thorn suddenly smiled as he signaled for Pouchy and Brad to follow him downwards. He teleported onto the ground in a small flash of flame, catching his hat which fell from above and placing it over his eyes stylishy. “Welp! Seems as if my time as a taxi driver is runnin’ on short time. Guess I’ll be seein’ y’all later? Or never? Dunno. Just.. call me if ya’ need anything, ‘kay? Was nice talking to ya’! Chao!” He poofed away in a smoky flash. Brad sighed in relief, following behind Pouchy as they made their way into the town.
It was a small town, just as advertised. The houses, though, seemed surprisingly modern. They were all made out of a very specific metal compound and were painted white. Presumably to help with the high temperatures. Luckily, the sun had now completely set on the town, and the bright nighttime stars shone on the shiny metal surfaces like the reflection of one’s face into a lake. Pouchy took a deep breath, extending the straps on his Pouch. “Well, it’s nighttime. No more flying for us. And good, ‘cause I’m beat!”
Brad was too busy looking around. Atop most of the buildings, and if not them, then lanterns, large blue and white flags were shown; boasting the familiar face of the Bee imprinted onto all the advertisements from before. Smiling smugly as always. Pouchy soon caught on and looked back at Brad. “Do you know what that means?” Pouchy didn’t wait for an answer. “We get to help Spectacles, and get closer to Cobalt!”
“Speakin’a which. You see a hospital anywhere around here, Pouch?” Pouchy held up his wings to his face, as if using binoculars. He scanned the area around them almost robotically before his eyes fell upon a blue cross atop a large building. “There!” Pouchy and Brad rushed over as fast as they could to the building, Spectacles still sleeping soundly from within the Pouch.
Brad opened the door for Pouchy. “After you, Pouch.” Pouchy grinned, closing his eyes smugly as he wandered in. “What a gentleman! No wonder ZimZam was crushing on you!” Brad’s face slightly reddened. “H-Hey, don’t.. Don’t mention that! We were just.. Talking!”
“Yeah, yeah! I get it.” Pouchy giggled at Brad before turning his gaze to the front desk of the hospital. At it, a Buoyant Bee stood. She had a rather irritated expression on her face, her eyebrows hunched over as though as disappointed as she looked. She wore a rather fancy outfit, almost resembling a suit, with a blue heart on the middle of her hat. She sighed under her breath as she looked over the counter to see Pouchy. “What is it.” She asked annoyedly, her tone also carrying a defining hint of indifference.
Pouchy moved his Pouch off of his back, holding Spectacles in front of her. She took her glasses off, cleaning them. “..And what happened to him.” Pouchy placed his wing behind the back of his head nervously, crinkling his fur. “W-Well, he sort of got.. Burnt.”
“Ah. And do you have the money to pay for him?” Pouchy shook his head nervously. Brad stepped alongside Pouchy. “We.. Need money? But he’s just a kid.”
“Sorry, kids. Rules are rules. Ain’t gonna break them for some non blu..” She coughed. “Citizens. Ain’t gonna break rules for citizens.” Suddenly, the door behind her opened, revealing another Buoyant Bee. She wore a similar outfit, only far less fancy; instead a white coat with some pockets and buttons, wearing a similar blue hearted hat to the one the other was wearing. She was sweating, her fur as ruffled as an unkempt rug. “You would not believe what just happened. You know Gerald? Well turns out., he swallowed a hat. Like a little cowboy hat. The Ones they make for dressing up cactuses. It’s been in there for something like.. Ten ye-” She stopped, her gaze turning to Pouchy and the group.
“Aww! Who are you little sweethearts?” Pouchy waved invitingly. “My name’s Pouchy!” The intern turned her face over to the nurse. “Well ‘Pouchy’ and his little trio here want to get their friend cared for with zero price.”
“I.. Don’t see a problem with that, Samantha. They’re just children.” Samantha looked even more annoyed, and a bit shocked. “..Do you hear yourself? This place ain’t free to run. Giving these guys free care would..”
“..Would waste some money? Samantha. I’m sure I can fix this in a jiffy. Besides, we’re not doing the whole town for free. We can afford to make some exceptions every once in a while.” Samantha’s gaze turned cold as she leaned towards the nurse, whispering something about ‘Red Bees’. The nurse flashed her a glance and turned back to the group. “Here’s the deal y’all. I’ll take your little friend in and get him all fixed up, I can promise you. And while you’re waiting.. You can either stay in the waiting room or find something else to do outside! We’ll come find you if you do the latter.”
Pouchy held up his wing in a triumphant ‘Thumbs Up’ pose as he turned back towards Brad. “You know what that means, Brad?” Brad coughed. “..Yes..?” Pouchy raised up his wings and began bouncing around. The nurse chuckled as Samantha rolled her eyes.
Pouchy latched onto Brad’s wing as they flew out of the Hospital. Once they got out, Pouchy began doing a little dance. “See that, Brad? Specks is gonna be okay and.. Now we get to party!” Brad coughed, chuckling lightly. “..And what exactly is your definition of a party?”
Pouchy grinned complacently. He soon flew around the town; the yellowish light emanating from the metallic lanterns casting illumination all across his fur. Eventually, his never tiring gaze fell upon two people. He lifted up his wing to point to them as Brad slowly pushed it down. “It’s rude to point.” Pouchy nonetheless flew over to the duo, grinning.
He picked up a stick from the ground, holding it up to the first person’s face. One of them appeared to be dressed in overalls of some sort, outfitted with large gloves and some plates on his shoulder area. His fur was white, but a dirtier shade of white, almost gray; as though it's color had been changed by dirt. The other wore an outfit resembling a construction hat, along with a small hoodie. His white fur seemed to be a lot more pure, and almost fluffy. He washed it every day, that's for sure. One thing was in common between them, though, they were both Rad Bees.
The Bee coughed as he raised an eyebrow. “What’s yer name??” Pouchy said in a forced western accent. The Bee looked down at Pouchy then back at the ‘Microphone’ he was holding. He coughed gruffly. “..Rusty..?” Pouchy threw his wings in the air. “Well then, give it up for Rusty! One of two surprise special guest stars on my show!”
Brad clapped reluctantly. “So, Rusty, where ya’ from?” Rusty coughed. “Uh. Here. I feel like that’s sorta obvious.” Pouchy laughed with forced properness. “And what do ya’ do?”
Rusty’s eyes slightly lit up by the question. “Well, I.. Actually used to work as a weapon smith in Cobalt’s Guard. Before.. Those darn Robots put us all out of business.” Pouchy nodded with a serious face. “And what did you think of this.. Cobalt Bee? Friend, or foe?”
Rusty coughed again. “Don’t even know. On one hand he gave guys like us a job. On the other.. He ain’t seem to fond of us Reds gettin’ certain jobs. No idea why that is. But hey, havin’ a lesser job is better than havin’ a stupid machine in your place.” He paused. “Wait, why am I even tellin’ this to a random kid whose pretendin’ to interview people with a stick microphone?”
“Your guess is as good as mine, Mr. Rusty! And how about you, Hard Hat?” The Bee looked down at himself, then up at Pouchy, pointing at his chest as if to check if he heard right. He coughed nervously. “U-Um.. It’s.. Conner.” Pouchy grinned, turning the stick over to his face as he prepared to ask another question. Brad set in the corner, his gaze completely perplexed, but strangely entertained by the whole ordeal.
“Well then, Mr. Conner, what do you think of the Robot takeover?” Conner gulped. He looked at Rusty then back at Pouchy. “W-Well, my brother isn’t too thrilled about it, but.. I honestly don’t mind it..? It’s nice not having to work that much anymore. ..Mostly..”
“Differing opinions, I see! We love to see it, right folks?” Brad clapped once more as Pouchy grinned victoriously. “Well then! That’s all for tonight, y’all! And do you have anything else to say while you’re on the air?”
Rusty coughed. “That’s a wilted twig, kid.” Pouchy laughed, flying around in the air and rolling around. “And he’s got a sense of humor too, folks! Well then. That’s all, goodnight!” Conner and Rusty both exchanged confused glances as Pouchy leaned over to Rusty. “Sorry, our friends in the hospital and we needed a way to kill time..”
The two looked back at each other, now even more confused. “Nice talking to you guys, though!!” Pouchy grinned widely as he waved. Conner attempted to wave back at Pouchy as his wing was pushed down by Rusty as he shook his head. Pouchy flew over to Brad, dusting off his Pouch. “How was that for entertainment?”
Brad smirked. “..Surprisingly good.” Pouchy began cheering before his celebration was cut short by the sound of flapping wings. “Pouchy, and..” Brad interjected. “It’s Brad.” The nurse continued. “Well, Pouchy and Brad.. I have some news..” She paused. “The operation has been a complete success!”
Pouchy and Brad swiftly followed her back to the hospital as Spectacles stood in one of the waiting chairs, still sweating. “H-Hi guys..” His wing seemed to have been bandaged up with a decent amount of gauze. Pouchy and Brad both wrapped their wings around him, nearly lifting him into the air with the embrace. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Specks!”
Spectacles chuckled nervously. “I am t-too, heh heh!” Brad pulled back from the embrace, looking back at him with an impressed look. “What you did back there was very brave, Specks. ..Don’t do it again. ‘Kay?”
Spectacles nodded, placing his wing on the back of his head and rubbing it through his fur nervously. “N-No problem there..” The nurse soon arrived back behind them, sweating and holding her chest. “Goodness you two are fast. You should be free to go now. But.. I don’t believe I told you my name, no?”
Samantha glared at them from across the desk. Yet a part of her began to push up a small, happy smirk up to her face. The group all shook their heads. “It’s Christine! Well, anyway. I guess.. Let me know if anybody ever has any health issues? You’re always welcome here! Just.. Please be sure to pay next time!” She laughed heartily. Pouchy and the others nodded. “Thank you so much, Christine! Our little Specks is a tough one!” Spectacles smiled at Pouchy shyly.
Spectacles leaned over to Pouchy, whispering. “(So, where do we go now?)” Brad overheard them talking. “Well. I saw some sorta Hotel of sorts a little while aways from here. Somethin’ like.. Golden Canyon Retreat? Dunno.”
Christine turned her gaze back to the three. “Oh, I used to love that place as a kid! Here, before you go.. Take some. Y’all deserve it after this whole fiasco. Sorry about Samantha by the way. She can be a little..” Samantha glared at her to which Christine laughed. “Anyway.. I guess.. Goodbye you three! Stay happy and healthy!”
Everybody said their goodbyes as they waved back at her, Spectacles looking at Pouchy as he hopped into his Pouch, the others flying out of the hospital and into the new search for the aforementioned ‘Golden Canyon Resort’. Soon enough, they found it; a large, obviously golden light shining outside of its interiors.
Pouchy stood in awe for a moment, the golden light reflecting off of his star filled eyes almost like a mirror. With Spectacles in his Pouch, they flew into the Hotel. They were immediately greeted with beautiful scenery; relaxing piano music, a large cactus-shaped fountain, golden tiled floors, and everything else needed in an exquisite looking resort.
Near instantly, the entire group began to feel a massive weight lifted off of all their chests. They walked up to the front counter. Standing in front of it was a well dressed Bee. “Are you three looking for someplace to stay? Travelling I’m guessing?” Pouchy nodded, grinning. “..And aren’t you a little.. Young to be travelling.. On your o-” He saw Brad in the corner. “Nevermind. Can you pay?”
Spectacles reached out from Pouchy’s Pouch, placing the coins into his hands. They seemed to be a goldish color with a very small hint of blue. And, just like every other object, had Cobalt's face etched into them. “Here are your room keys.” He handed them as Pouchy flew up the stairs, Brad following behind him cautiously.
Once there, all three of them collapsed onto the red velvet floor of the room. It was a small room. A rectangular window in the back; the inside of which lit up with golden lights, allowing the observer to see through it even during night. In front of that was a small, but reliable, table. Rather than traditional wood, it seemed to be made out of metal. Fitting. Next to that, lay a small chair. Made out of metal but luckily punctuated with various golden and red cushions. Finally, closest to the entrance, lay two small, but very tidy and well made beds.
“I don’t even care how good the room looks.. All I want is a bed.” Pouchy exclaimed as he threw himself onto one of the two beds. Spectacles crawled into the next one. He looked at Brad who had crawled into a small chair. “Brad.. You can use this bed and I can get i-in the chair.. It’s really the l-least I can do after..”
Brad shook his head, making himself comfortable in the chair. “No. You need it more than me, kid. Besides. This ‘ol thing is actually kinda comfy.” He chuckled in his signature western accent. Spectacles pushed up his glasses, climbing into the covers. “O-Okay.. Whatever you say, Brad..”
Pouchy pulled out the Gift Box from his Pouch, tossing a couple of snacks into his mouth. With his mouth full, he looked over at Spectacles and spoke. “What’s that cast thing feel like?” Spectacles rubbed the back of his head nervously. “W-Well, funnily enough.. I can’t feel it. L-Like at all.” Pouchy handed him a snack from the gift box. “Why?” he said with his mouth full.
Brad noticed Spectacles eating and decided to reply. “See, when ya’ get burnt Pouch, everything goes numb. Can’t feel nothin’. It’s.. a gift and a curse.” Pouchy stuffed another snack into his mouth. “How’d you find that out?”
Brad looked down, shuddering but concealing it. “I’ve.. been around the block a couple times. Know some things.” Pouchy nodded, his eyes baggy from tiredness. “Well.. I’m absolutely beat.. Goodnight, guys..” Without warning, he pulled the string on the lamp, drowning the room in darkness.
Like clockwork, as soon as the darkness fell, everybody drifted off to sleep.
