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Toadette, Minh T. and Toad hunt for stars to stop Wario. New allies, new foes, new feet. |
 Chapter 1: Wario’s Little Star A mellow summer wind blew through Diamond City’s glass streets, carrying the scent of smoked food and perfume. It was Friday night in 2006, and the city’s heart pulsed towards the arena for Pop Party ‘06—the year’s most fevered celebration of Diamond City’s idols. “And now with her hit new single ‘Starlight’. Give it up for Mona!” The stage exploded with strobe lights and confetti. The roar of thousands filled her ears. Fourteen-year-old Mona owned the space even before she reached centre stage, her stride in perfect sync with the beat. She flicked her hair, adjusted her earpiece and grabbed the microphone with a twirl. Listen, boy! D.C.’s here vibin’ with its sparklin’ glow I see you twinklin’, and you really know ti amo Our pulse is hittin’ that same high note A rhythm only we can know This energy bubbling under my skin So delicious, just where do I begin? Ah, I know exactly where! This is our love song, the best of the year The sound of your voice is the only thing I wanna hear Tonight we’re burning, so dang fiercely So whisper something to me, baby You’ve got this heart; mi fai sentire viva Every time you touch me, ooh, my emotions rise Baby, this is our love song, under starlight Mona’s powerful vocals left the crowd breathless. Twice, bodyguards intercepted fans who tried to vault the barricade—teenage girls screaming her name. Her dancing was equally captivating; every movement of her hips drew the audience’s attention. The boys wished they could break it down on the stage with her. “Do you see the footwork she’s got? Look!” one yelled. “She hasn’t paused for a second! Coordinated like a pro!” Diamond City’s television feeds drank in every frame, streaming her face across the island and into far-off Sarasaland, where viewers caught her performance on a slight delay. But across the water in the mainland Mushroom Kingdom, the signal went dead. Diamond City’s cultural vacuum was absolute. It was a stark reminder of the beautiful bubble Wario had crafted: a self-contained territory where his people could shine brightest. Here, Mona was an icon. Anywhere else? Just another face in the crowd. As the music faded, she performed one final act. She kicked off her shoe, pulled off her sock and threw it to the crowd. “There you go! Thank you, Diamond City!” she laughed as they went crazy trying to grab the one piece of fabric she could afford to lose. Backstage reeked of hairspray, sweat and hot metal from the stage lamps. She skipped down the ramp, still humming the chorus under her breath. “Whisper something to me, baby…” A wide-eyed Toad—another performer for this event—stepped forward, hand outstretched for a congratulatory shake. “You were killing it out there,” he said. She smiled at him, took his hand and, in the same motion, whipped a bottle of hand sanitiser out of her pocket. She lathered her palms immediately. “Habit,” she giggled. “I do it with everyone. Good luck to you, too.” The Toad’s grin faltered for a second before he forced it back into place, shuffling away. Moments later, a cat technician with grease-stained hands offered a high-five. Mona slapped it back without a beat of hesitation. The Toad glanced back for a second. He shrugged. Wario was in the middle of an interview when she burst in, still flushed from the attention. The reporter was asking about Mona’s dancing. “Those are some intense moves for someone so young. I mean, I would’ve broken my spine trying some of those tricks.” “She’s a sponge,” Wario said, leaning back in his chair. “My friend, Mister Jimmy Thang, taught her the basics, but the kid remixed them all. Made it her own style.” “And in five years?” “Who knows?” Wario chuckled. “Maybe she’s on the big screen. Maybe she’s helping my game division. We’re building a new kind of system here rather than that Nintendo stuff. Cheap prices, more entertainment.” Mona rushed over and practically melted into his lap, draping an arm around his shoulders. She fanned her face with her other hand. “It’s so hot out there!” “Easy there, starlight,” he murmured. “We can’t have you burning out before the encore.” She looked into the camera. “Mom, Dad, if you’re watching this, I’m fine. I’m happy. Happier than I’ve ever been.” Wario smirked, patting her head. “You’ve raised a fine daughter.” The reporter’s smile faltered for just a moment as Mona’s hand wandered absently along Wario’s thigh. Wario gave her wrist a light squeeze, redirecting her attention to her own lap. “So,” he said, “tell the lady what you think about working with us.” “I love it! If they ever fired me, I’d just show up anyway. Everyone here is like my family.” Her gaze drifted past the reporter, where stunt rigging was being wound up. “You know,” she added, “singing’s amazing, but sometimes I think I wanna do some action stuff. Real explosions, car chases, diving off skyscrapers. Like in movies.” Wario’s smirk widened into an even toothier grin. “Stick with me, kid. I’ll give you all the explosions you want.” “You’ve been saying that for a while.” “And have I lied to you yet?” He pulled her face closer. “I’m the only director you’re gonna need. Trust me.” Mona giggled. “Maybe I’ll be Miss Director. Who knows?” “Maybe… Maybe…” He looked the other way. “If it happens, time how long it is before you come crawling back to good ol’ Wario.” Chapter 2: Service with a Smile The first light of morning painted the skyline of Diamond City in tangerine. In her family’s mansion, nineteen-year-old Mona was already stirring. She twisted and turned in her bed, groaning at the ceiling. Almost twenty… Almost… She smacked her dry lips. “Yum Yums!” She clapped twice. “Shower time!” The patter of tiny feet answered her. Down the hallway came her beloved trio: elephant first, then pig, then monkey. They disappeared into the bathroom and, seconds later, she heard the squeaking of knobs and the hissing of water. She allowed herself another minute to rest before finally throwing off the yellow sheets. As she stripped out of her pyjamas, the bathroom mirror caught her toned reflection. She flexed her muscles before dipping one foot beneath the shower spray. She held it there for a few seconds before nodding. “Perfect.” She glanced back at her pets, who were sitting in a neat row. “You three are getting scary good at this. Treats are downstairs. Go wild.” They scurried off. Mona stepped into the shower and let the heat envelop her. As she scrubbed, her mind turned to the day ahead. She would be at Mona Pizza from eight to two, followed by WarioWare, Inc. from three to six. The first part was routine, but the second made her stomach tighten. Over a month had passed since Wario’s attack on the greater Mushroom Kingdom. A month since her disappointing results. She’d been working to claw her way back into Wario’s favour since then, but all she’d gotten was the occasional opportunity to pleasure him. Even this was a rarity. Baby steps, she told herself, working a loofah along the sole of her foot. You can’t rebuild overnight. After the shower came the rest of her morning routine. She brushed her teeth until they were pearly white. Then she moisturised her skin until she smelt like a garden in bloom. Finally she put on her red-and-white uniform and strapped on her roller skates. With socks. She could’ve taken her scooter or motorbike, but she’d been pushing herself to skate and build her strength and stamina. Wario would call on her again eventually, and she intended to be ready when he did. *** Diamond City’s streets were already awake with honking cars and shuffling pedestrians. Mona weaved through them all effortlessly. At one point, a van cut her off, and she vaulted over the hood without breaking stride. “Hey!” “Sorry!” she called back, not sorry at all. “Pizzas wait for no one!” Now she was zooming downhill. Her wheels screamed against the asphalt as she picked up a load of speed. But her eyes widened. She dug her heels in hard. Sparks sprayed; her ankles twisted dangerously before she jerked to a stop. A duck stood in her path, dragging one leg as it limped. She stared at it, and it stared back. “Oh, you poor thing.” She crouched down, scooping it into her hands. Its leg was red. “Okay. We can fix this, trust me.” She looked west. The vet was halfway across the city. She then looked east towards Mona Pizza. Joe’s not gonna be happy today. She looked down at the duck again. “Hold on tight, Ducky.” And she was off. She tore through intersections, ignoring the cacophony of horns that followed in her wake. A bus nearly flattened her. A taxi clipped her hip; she spun with it, using the momentum to keep her pace. Some guy in a low-rider screamed something about a death wish. “I’m saving a life here!” she shouted back. “How rude can you be?” The veterinarian’s office slowly came into view. Mona burst through the door, sweaty and gasping, and set the duck on the front counter gently. “His leg,” she panted. “Fix it. Please.” The receptionist blinked at her. “Ma’am, you need to fill out—” “He’s a duck. Just help him and return him to nature.” She threw several coins onto the counter before stroking the bird’s head, her voice softening. “You’re gonna be fine, lil’ guy. They’ve got you.” She took a photo of herself and the duck on her phone before dashing out. *** Twenty-three minutes late. She checked her phone twice just to be sure. You saved a creature in need, she reminded herself. That counts for something. She was still repeating this in her head when she passed the newsstand outside Mona Pizza. A headline stole her attention: MUSHROOM CITY REBUILDING EFFORTS CONTINUE. TOAD TOWN DEATH TOLL REVISED TO 42. She tilted her head. Forty-two was six more than she had expected. “Cute.” She walked into the restaurant. “You’re late.” Joe’s voice hit her before the smell of pizza did. He stood behind the counter with his arms crossed. “And good morning to you, too.” Mona pulled off her hat and fanned herself. “I had an emergency. Animal rescue, very heroic. You’d be proud too if you had a heart.” “It’s Monday, Mona.” “I’m aware.” “It’s the worst Monday! We had orders coming in before I even unlocked the doors.” He pointed towards the kitchen. “Six pizzas waiting. Now seven, since you decided to play veterinarian.” “More like a pro ambulance. Besides.” She was already skating past him. “I’ve got this.” The kitchen was alive with chaos as several employees worked to make the best pizzas the Mushroom Kingdom had ever tasted. If said pizzas actually reached the mainland, of course. Her fellow employees were a varied assortment that represented the city’s diversity. Humans, anthropomorphic dogs and… She felt her blood chill. Toads. Four of them working the prep station. Those spotted caps… That lack of physical ears… One of them glanced at her and quickly looked away. Mona fidgeted. Deep breaths. You’re at work. They’re your coworkers. Technically. Legally. Whatever. Don’t say anything stupid. Just smile and do your job. But… Why did Joe even hire them? There are plenty of normal people who need work. All these Toads out here stealing people’s— “Morning, crew!” She struck a pose, flashing a smile. “Sorry I’m late!” Most of the staff grunted, but one froze. At the prep station, a small Toad with blue spots stopped chopping peppers. He stared at her, his mouth hanging slightly open. His bright eyes travelled from her face, down to her dress and lingered on the exposed skin above her skates. “Hi…” he squeaked, his voice cracking. “Morning, Miss Mona.” His hand bumped into a pizza tray. Three family-sized pizzas landed on the floor. Sauce splattered onto Mona’s skates. The kitchen fell silent. All the colour drained from the Toad’s face. “No, no, no. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to…” Mona stared at the mess. She felt the urge to kick him across the room. But the eyes of the kitchen were on her. She swallowed the rage. “Wow. Slippery fingers, huh?” She leaned down, invading his space until he could no doubt smell her expensive perfume. “Accidents happen. But try to keep your eyes on the pizza, okay? Not on me, Faul T.” He nodded rapidly, clasping his hands together. “Yes! Yes, Miss Mona! I’m sorry! You just…” His voice trailed in a mumble. “You look very beautiful.” Mona’s fingers twitched. “She doesn’t want you,” another Toad said, his back turned to both of them. “Believe me.” Mona put her hands on her hips. “With all due respect, I can speak for myself. Faul T., I’m flattered you see the beauty in me, but—” “You do your nails very well.” “Hmm?” Mona looked at her fingers. “I mean, I make sure it’s a thicker coat, so—” “Mona!” Joe clapped his hands. “The delivers won’t deliver themselves! Come on!” “Right!” She grabbed the delivery bag and swung it over her shoulder. “Clean that up, Faul T. Try not to make it worse.” She spun on her heel. “Seems to be in your DNA, after all.” He nodded with a soft, dazed smile on his face. He hadn’t even heard the insult. All he heard was the sound of her voice. With a determined look, she skated towards the exit. He probably thought he was gonna get something good out of calling me beautiful. Puh-lease. *** Mona knew this route so well that she didn’t need a GPS. The door to 5-Volt’s house was the same wood as always. She knocked twice. “Player Two has entered the game! Door’s open, sweetie!” Mona stepped inside and immediately felt her shoulders relax. The house smelt of lavender and something baking—probably cookies for 9-Volt. She glanced towards the living room and paused. 5-Volt was sitting on the sofa with her bare feet on the coffee table, rubbing a pumice stone on her heels. Pale shavings dusted a sheet of paper that had been carefully placed beneath her feet, collecting like dirty snow. Mona raised her eyebrows but couldn’t stop a smile tugging at her lips. “You know the deal,” said 5-Volt with a warm smile, gesturing to the bag of shavings. “If 9-Volt misbehaves, he gets Mommy’s special parmesan.” Mona opened her bag and leaned against the doorframe. “Brutal difficulty setting.” “Cheat codes for parenting. Though, between you and me, he’s eaten more of my feet than he has vegetables. Even my hubby gets a little cheddar if he’s not playing right.” She peered at Mona. “How’s my baby boy been with you guys?” Mona slid the pizzas onto the table next to the foot shavings. “A model citizen. Can’t think of a single thing he’s done wrong lately.” “Well I know he went with Wario on that island trip.” Mona’s stomach tightened, but she kept her voice light. “Yeah. But he got some good results from it. You’d be proud.” 5-Volt studied her for a moment before nodding slowly. “If that’s true…” She picked up the sheet of shavings, folded it neatly and put the contents into a plastic bag. “Then I won’t be needing these. Yet.” Setting the bag aside, she stood and patted Mona on the shoulder. Before Mona could respond, 5-Volt pulled her into a hug that reminded her that she could snap bones if she wanted to. “You’re such a special kid,” 5-Volt murmured. “Thank you for looking out for our people.” “Anytime.” 5-Volt walked her to the door then paused. “Y’know, I heard they’ve been hiring more at Mona’s Pizza lately.” “Yeah. Joe says we need the extra hands.” “Mmm-hmm.” 5-Volt’s expression darkened slightly. “Watch your back. You let one spore float in, and suddenly your whole garden is full of nasty weeds.” She shook her head. “I don’t mind the ones who were here first, but the new ones coming in from goodness-knows-where…” “Tell me about it,” Mona said. It was nice to talk to someone who understood, even a little. 5-Volt kissed her on the cheek. “You’re doing good work, Mona. Don’t let them drag you down.” “I won’t.” Mona grinned. “Hey, for the negative one-percent chance that a sporehead knocks me up, I’ll know exactly how to punish the little hybrid bastard.” “Just make sure your feet are nice and ripe before you get to harvesting.” After a shared laugh, Mona was back on her skates, rolling down the street towards her next stop. *** The next pizzas on her list were for the Travelling Sisters Three—people Mona had never heard of before. They were staying at a hotel on the northeastern end of the city. Mona pulled up outside the lobby and adjusted her grip on the bag. Before she could reach the door, it flew open, and three Toad sisters tumbled out, gossiping and laughing loudly. “Ooh! Sustenance has arrived!” trilled the one with red spots. “Finally! I was literally dying!” chimed the pink-spotted one. “Do you think the universe manifested this? Or did we order it?” pondered the green-spotted one. Mona forced a smile, feeling like her face was gonna crack in two. “Order for the Travelling Sisters Three.” “That’s us!” they sang in harmony. The red-spotted one stepped forward, clasping her hands together. “We’re so hungry! We’ve been travelling, you see.” “Oh, have you?” Mona began to unzip the bag. “Yep!” the pink one piped up. “OMG! We’ve just gotten back from a marvellous tour of the Variety Towers. They were, like, so tall! We literally saw the entire island!” “They really thought we’d be so stupid as to jump off! It felt like ten minutes of instructions before the fun commenced,” the green one sighed. You sporeheads need all the instructions you can get, Mona thought. She finally held out the boxes. “One with extra mushrooms and one with everything except mushrooms. That’ll be thirty coins, please.” The three Toads stared at the boxes, then at each other and finally back at Mona. A long, silent moment passed. The red one’s face slowly morphed into an expression of horror. “Oh dear…” she whispered. “What?” Mona asked. “We… We left our purses at the Variety Towers!” the red sister said. Mona’s eye twitched. “How do you even—?” “My contour palette! That’s limited-edition Beanbean Kingdom goodness!” the pink sister yelled. “And my aura crystals! I’m defenceless without them!” the green sister screamed. Mona took a deep breath. “No payment, no pizza. Company policy.” “Wait!” the red sister cried, lurching forward. “We can pay! We have…” She took off her ring and displayed it to Mona. “Look, this cost me ten thousand coins. Can’t you just borrow it until I get my purse back?” The pink one showed her a pearl necklace. “This was discovered in Vortex Island.” The green one presented a crumpled, slightly damp leaf from within her shoe. “This is a leaf blessed by a shaman. It promotes clarity of thought.” “Which you’re using so well,” Mona muttered. “Use her shoes!” the red sister yelled, pointing to the green one’s flats. “Those are so costly, they could buy us a thousand pizzas!” “My shoes? Absolutely out of the equation!” “You have over fifty pairs!” the pink sister butted in. “Give her your shoes if they’re so tradable!” Mona groaned. Arguing with these mushrooms would be like trying to play chess with a pigeon; they’d just knock over the pieces and strut around as if they’d won. And they just kept talking and talking… It’s like listening to three different Sofias at the same time… “Know what?” Mona gritted her teeth. “Keep your garbage. Consider it a donation to the Brainless Tourist Fund. Welcome to Diamond City.” The sisters gasped in unison, their eyes welling up with tears of joy. “You’re too kind!” the red one sobbed. “A true saint!” the pink one sniffled. “Your vibes are immaculate! I’m naming my first sporeling after you!” proclaimed the green one. “Please don’t,” Mona said, shoving the pizza boxes into their waiting arms before they could try to hug her. She turned on her skates, pushing off with more force than necessary. “Thank you! Thank you!” they yelled. Mona wiped sweat from her forehead. Some deliveries just gotta be written off as a loss. And some species, you just have to tolerate. Only just. And only for now. Chapter 3: The Punishment By the time she got back to Mona’s Pizza, her feet were throbbing. She burst through the back door, ready to take five in the break room. Then came a sound. Slowly Mona unbuckled her skates and stepped out of them, still wearing her socks. She crossed the floor and towered over the mess. There he was: Faul T. The semi-recent hire was standing over a pile of wasted ingredients. A pizza lay face down on the dirty floor. Cheese was splattered on his shoes. “I slipped!” he squealed, his voice trembling. “The floor friction was weird! I’m sorry!” Joe sighed. “Strike two, kid. You’re killing our margins. Cheese isn’t free.” “I’ll pay…” But Faul’s eyes weren’t on Joe. They were on Mona. And not in the way she expected. His gaze lingered, travelling from her face to her boots and back up again. Mona walked up to him. She didn’t say anything at first, merely looming. Compared to a Toad, her average height was intimidating. “Joe,” she said, her voice sickly sweet. “Let me handle this. I need a break anyways.” Joe looked at her and then at the terrified Toad. He shrugged and turned back to the door. “Just clean it.” Mona looked down at Faul, who was shaking so hard that his cap threatened to come off. “Grab a rag,” she whispered. “Then meet me in the break room.” She grabbed her skates and walked to the back, opening the heavy door to the break room. It smelt of grease and aged magazines. Mona took a deep breath. In minutes, Faul shuffled in, looking as though he were walking to his execution. Mona locked the door behind him. “So.” She looked him up and down, letting the silence stretch. “You have two left feet, zero brain cells and are just a negative asset to my payroll.” She took a step forward. He stepped back and hit a shelf. “Please, Miss Mona,” he stammered. “I have bad coordination.” “Bad coordination?” She laughed. “In WarioWare, we call that being a genetic defect.” She pointed a finger at the floor. Faul blinked. “What?” “Kneel.” She tapped her foot. “Kneel!” Faul dropped to his knees. Mona sat down on a nearby stack of crates, crossing one leg over the other. She extended her stained right foot towards his face. She was wearing white ankle socks—pristine and expensive. Or they had been pristine, rather. Now the ball of her right sock was stained with a dark, greasy smudge from where she had stepped near his mess. “Quite the mess you’ve made,” she sighed. “Now I’m dirty. It’s just natural of your kind, isn’t it? To contaminate just by existing.” Faul’s breath hitched. “Clean it,” she commanded. “Properly.” He flinched. He started to lean forward and stick his hands out, but the sharp click of her tongue stopped him cold. “No hands. Use your mouth.” A choked sound escaped his throat, but he obeyed. The cotton was hot against his lips. He started with a dry suck. A low hum from her was all he needed to suck stronger. His tongue began to work against the damp fabric, lapping at the residue of his failure. She watched the bobbing of his cap. A smile spread across her face. “Just look at you,” she whispered. “A greasy little bottom-feeder. You should feel comfortable sucking up this mess like the vacuum you are.” He whimpered against her foot. When he looked up at her, his eyes were glassy. But the look in them… It wasn’t just fear. It was a desperate, pathetic sort of adoration. She let it continue for another minute. Then she drew her foot away. The spot was clean, but the cotton was now damp with his saliva. “Not good enough,” she lied. “But then, I suppose I can’t go expecting perfection from something so slow in the head. Now remove my socks.” “Miss Mona…” “Gonna make me repeat myself? Let’s go.” His fingers trembled so violently that he could barely grip. It took him two tries to peel the damp socks off her feet. They balled in his palms like two damp onions. Her feet were flawless. The soles were smooth, the toes long and elegant, each nail painted a glamorous red. A sheen of sweat made her soles glisten, catching the light and defining every curve. Her arch was high—the kind a dancer would have. But the air between the feet was thick with the musk of a long day: worn leather, sweat and the faintest hint of cheese and tomato grease. Faul’s nose crinkled. Yet his heart skipped a beat. “Inhale,” she ordered. “Tell me exactly what perfection smells like.” He squeezed his eyes shut, a single tear tracing a path down his cheek. He hovered his nose centimetres from her foot and took one inhale. “Your feet.” “Don’t give me a simple answer, fungus. Describe it.” “I smell your feet!” he cried out, his voice breaking. He pushed his face against her sole, letting out a pained moan. “Mmm… They smell so…hardworking… I could smell them for days, Mona!” “Precisely. Hardworking. Something you freeloaders could only dream of being.” She ground the ball of her foot into his cheek, smearing his tears. “You’re being given a privilege. So show some gratitude.” “I… I am…” “Good ‘shroom,” she purred. “Now kiss them. Worship the feet that carried me through the spore-covered filth of this city all day.” “Yes, Miss Mona.” He pressed his trembling lips to the top of her foot before leaving little marks over her ankle. “Lick them.” A violent shiver travelled down his spine. His tongue darted out to draw a path from her heel to the ball of her foot. Mona leaned her head back and sighed, closing her eyes. Each lick was a testament to his worthlessness and her superiority. He licked again and again, his movements becoming less hesitant and more desperate. With every pass of his tongue, Mona’s smile deepened. “You know what’s funny?” She opened her eyes halfway. “The thought of you vermin touching me usually makes me wanna shower three times. I get sick just thinking of your spore-covered hands on my skin.” She watched his tongue slide across her arch. “But seeing you down there? Knowing you understand your place is under my delicious heel? That couldn’t feel any more right.” She drove her toes into his mouth, wiggling them with a cruel laughter. He gagged. His head bobbed up and down as he fellated her foot. “Which toe tastes the best?” she pondered. “The big one’s gotta be the juiciest. But that pinkie might have some secrets we don’t know about.” She pushed deeper, and his gag reflex finally won. He spat out her foot with a wave of saliva. “Ugh! Filthy vegetable!” she snarled. Her foot lashed out and struck him dead in the chin. His head snapped back. “And then you wonder why you make us mad! You’re all so hopelessly incompetent!” She stood over him, her bare feet planted on either side of his torso, arms folded across her chest. He sniffled. “It’s not my fault you’re…” “That I’m what?” “I’m sorry, but crazy.” “Crazy?” Her glare sharpened. “Big words for the biohazard scuttling into our city, infecting our culture and stealing honest Diamondites’ jobs.” She planted her bare, glistening foot on his crotch. He gasped. She pressed down firmly. “Oh! It’s even smaller than I thought. Is there even anything to crush?” She began to scrunch her toes, digging into the most sensitive nerves of his body. “Stop it… Miss Mona… You’re gonna make me…” His teeth gritted as she stomped his crotch. “You shouldn’t even exist,” she hissed. He was hyperventilating now. Then came the real pressure. Mona shifted all her weight onto her heel, driving it down with enough force to crush his balls. She watched with satisfaction as the colour continued draining from his face. She wriggled her toes, grinding her heel in a slow circle so that every bit of him was in pain. “And you will never, ever make a mess in my pizzeria again. Do you understand me?” “Yes!” he shrieked, wailing as one of his balls shifted under her heel. “Yes, Miss Mona, I understand!” Mona held the pressure for several more seconds until he made fists. She watched his face contort as he gasped. His hips bucked against her, but he couldn’t escape her foot. Only when his eyes rolled back did she finally lift her foot. A faint, damp mark remained on his pants. “Ew…” She gave him one final kick in the shaft. “Get out. Back to work, you capped retard.” She snatched her socks and skates. Without a second glance, she stepped over his body and walked away, leaving him whimpering. He shuddered as he tried to rise to his feet, only to collapse again. Her final kick had felt as though it had cracked his spine, and the throbbing in his penis was a painful reminder of her hatred for him. So why did it feel so good to have her cheesy foot pressed against his face? Chapter 4: Sunk Costs “I’m tellin’ ya: Wario’s sayin’ wages are gonna shoot up once he’s runnin’ things. Fares too.” “Yeah, but if he jacks ‘em up too high, these cheap motherfuckers ain’t gonna wanna spend shit on us. They just gonna run up these streets.” The bigger driver leaned on the horn. “Move! Get your ugly car out the way! Old Yoshi-head-lookin’…” “Nah, nah, you don’t get it. He’s gonna boost everyone’s wages. So once they got more bread to throw around, they’re gonna be more willin’ to spend it on us, ya feel me?” The smaller man in the passenger seat gazed out the window, gesturing with his hands. “We’re gonna be taxi-drivin’ millionaires, Dribble.” “When’d he even announce all this?” “You wasn’t at that meeting. He told us to stay on standby just in case. Got something big brewin’ with them stars or whatever. Says he’s gonna shake things up real good.” “Alright, alright. Hey, as soon as we’re needed, we’ll be there in a hot second. He’ll toss us more pay for an odd job than we get drivin’ these clowns around all week!” Dribble glanced in the rearview. “Hey, Mona! Spitz tellin’ the truth here? Wario’s really gonna make this whole economy sparkle?” The ride to WarioWare, Inc. usually pumped her up. Today, however, it felt more like standard business as usual. Mona had changed out of her pizza uniform and into a casual dress and sandals before leaving, deciding to take a taxi for a change. As Dribble navigated the streets, her mind kept drifting back to the break room and Faul T.’s face pressed against her foot. Even though she’d washed her feet in the bathroom sink, she could still feel the dampness of his saliva between her toes. Why am I even thinking about that ‘shroom? It wasn’t like she felt bad. He deserved every second of that humiliation. But there was something about the way he looked at her… The softness to those actions… They were pathetic yet also— “Yo, Mona! We’re here!” “Oh! Thanks, Dribble and Spitz,” she called out, shutting the door. “You have yourself a good one!” Spitz rolled up the window. He immediately rolled it down. “Wait one goddamned—! Mona! That’s fifteen coins! Ey, you ain’t paid!” But Mona was already out of earshot. “Damn, I don’t think that girl ever paid us,” Dribble said, staring slack-jawed at her retreating form. “We gotta start demanding payment up front.” “Nah, just gotta be more alert at the end.” “We’ll see.” Dribble pulled up alongside someone on the sidewalk and leaned out. “You need a ride? Get in!” “Pyoro!” *** Before entering the building, Mona checked her reflection in her phone. Everything was in place. Her hair was perfect and her makeup flawless. Showtime. She swiped her keycard and entered. Before hunting down Wario, she walked through the various corridors on different floors to check on everyone else. 9-Volt, 18-Volt and 13-Amp were nowhere to be found, most likely because they were at school or doing their homework. Doctor Crygor normally worked in his own lab, but chances were good that his daughter was still around. Mona popped her head into the open office. “Knock, knock!” Penny stiffened, her fingers pausing over her keyboard. “I’m not mad about the island thing, by the way.” Mona pulled up a chair and sat next to Penny, who was typing digital notes about some minerals. “We all know 13-Amp’s little rap squad dropped the ball. You’re still top in my book.” “Mmm…” Mona raised an eyebrow. Okay, she needs a proper reboot. Her eyes locked onto below the chair. Penny’s flats were half-slipped from her heels, the right one dangling lazily as she flexed her toes. Mona smirked. She pulled her phone out her pocket, letting it slide along her dress until it hit the floor. “Oh, dang it!” She slid down slightly, resting her arm along the side of Penny’s chair as she reached under the desk. The space beneath was warm, reeking of citrus layered over raw feet. With a suppressed giggle, she reached a hand out and brushed her fingers along the arch of Penny’s exposed foot. The reaction was instantaneous. Penny’s toes curled, her entire body jerking as if electrified. Her flat hit the floor. “Stop it…” Her voice was a breathless gasp. She tried to tuck her foot under the desk, but Mona seized her ankle. “You’re so tense,” Mona teased, letting her fingers trace another path along the delicate foot. This time she swirled over the ball of the foot and danced upwards towards the heel. Then she poked the soft, creamy pads of the toes one by one. “Laugh a little. It’s healthy.” The laugh came through gritted teeth as Penny desperately tried to release herself. Her knees trembled. Look at how cute these little toes are when they squirm. Emboldened by the sight and the sounds of Penny’s laughs, she dove into the warm, citrus-scented shadows. She darted her tongue out and took one long, slimy lick right up the centre of her foot, from the toes to the curvy heel. She then plopped it into her mouth, sucking on it as her fingernails scratched the rest of Penny’s foot. Penny squealed. She knocked a bottle of pills off her desk in her panic. The moment Mona’s teeth grazed her heel—munch, munch, munch—her breathing hitched. Another laugh escaped her, and she felt a trickle of water run down her legs. Survival instincts finally kicked in. Her other foot, still encased in its flat, shot back with a solid thwack as the heel connected with Mona’s face. Mona yelped and clutched her nose. She rose, still chuckling, until she got a look at Penny’s face. “Get out. Now.” “Penny, you’re acting weird. You’ve got that dead Ashley look, and it’s not cute on you, no offence.” When she realised she still wasn’t getting much of a response, Mona reached over and shut off the monitor. Penny finally looked at her. “Do not touch my equipment again. And like I said…fuck off.” She went to turn the monitor back on, but Mona caught her wrist. “Hey, I’m serious. You haven’t been yourself lately. Where’s the Penny that sings off-key the whole time and loves doing it?” Penny stared at Mona’s hand on her wrist then slowly pulled free. She took a deep breath. “Maybe she’s still recovering from the fact she assisted in… I should’ve never set foot on the mainland.” Mona scratched her head. “I really don’t get why you’re so hung up on that. We won.” “You seriously don’t get it?” Penny raised a brow. “Mona, this is not hard.” “Then explain it to me in a way that’s not too science-y.” “Don’t worry. Smart people always use fewer words.” Penny finally turned her full body, her eyes tired. “I didn’t set the explosion off, but I built the bomb. I watched you mutilate people, Mona. We didn’t just wage war against combatants. We hunted civilians. There is nothing in this world that justifies what we did to them.” Mona’s eyes darted towards the door. “Lower your voice. You want anyone else to hear that crazy talk?” “I’m sorry that my conscience hasn’t atrophied like yours.” Penny finally turned the screen back on. “And I’m sorry you’re too far gone to realise how sick you truly are.” The words stung more than Mona expected. “Do you… Do you hate me?” Penny scrolled slowly through her notes. She left Mona in silence for a minute. Then three. Then five. Just as Mona was about to get up and leave, Penny spoke. “I hate what Wario has turned you into.” “He hasn’t turned me into anything,” Mona said. “Nothing bad. What’s the problem?” “If you can’t see the blood on your own hands, then I can’t describe the colour to you.” The silence between them stretched on, heavy and uncomfortable. Mona wanted to argue, to defend herself and make Penny understand. But the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she leaned over and kissed Penny on the cheek. “I still love you, Penny. We’re family.” Penny stopped typing. For a moment, she looked like she might cry. “I love you too. But I shouldn’t have to calculate the probability of my family slitting my throat.” “I’d never hurt you like that, Penny. You know that, right?” Penny didn’t answer. She just turned back to her screen. Mona stood. “I’ll let you work.” As she walked towards the door, Penny’s voice stopped her. “Mona?” “Yeah?” She turned. “Just please be careful.” “I always am.” But as she left the office, her smile faded. Penny’s words echoed in her head, mixing with the image of Faul T. on his knees, his face pressed against her foot. I shouldn’t have to calculate the probability of my family slitting my throat. Mona shook her head, pushing the thought away. She had work to do. *** She found Wario in the main meeting room, but this time he was alone. The lights were dimmed, and a map of Sarasaland was illuminated by a projector on a board. “Hey, Wario!” Mona chirped, striking a pose in the doorway. “The party has officially arrived!” Wario didn’t turn around. He was chewing on a clove of raw garlic. “Peach’s mushroom dump is fine for its land, but Sarasaland? That’s a piggy bank just waiting to be smashed open.” Mona took a few steps closer, her sandals clicking on the polished floor. “Ooh, talking about those minerals, huh? Totally.” She skipped closer, sandals clacking. “We can conquer ‘em all. I’m way faster than that pink spore-slut Toadette now. And my moves? Check this out!” She performed a few kicks in the air, one of which was so powerful that it caused her sandal strap to loosen. Her shoe flew off her foot. “And that’s supposed to impress me?” “Yes?” Mona grabbed her sandal, catching it. “Why wouldn’t it?” “You’re still soft, Mona. These other morons have magic or actual muscle on their sides. And what are you stuck with? Cheerleading techniques. Great after I’m powerful, but it’s totally useless for hunting these stars.” “I am not just a cheerleader. Did you forget that I slaughtered thirty-six sporeheads! I blew ‘em into oblivion!” She held up her hands, counting on her fingers. “The news said the casualty count went up to forty-two. I did that!” “Jimmy could’ve done more damage just dancing down the street. Mushroom City’s still getting cleaned up, meanwhile the only thing they’re fixing in Toad Town is some cracked stained glass.” Wario sketched a line across the map with a thick marker. “At least the rapper knew how to destroy things right. Not rack up a pitiful body count with no extra advantage.” Mona’s breathing ramped up. “Oh, she’s failed recently, but this is the past. If she’d been the one in Toad Town, she wouldn’t have been so stupid as to bring me one star rather than two.” “I’m not…” “Even that Sofia girl—mushroom she may be—has shown more intelligence than you as of recent.” “Don’t compare me to that bitch!” she screamed. “I’ve been your Number One since I was twelve! I kill for you; I bleed for you! I…” Wario groaned, continuing to write notes on the board. “Wario! Quit treating me like I’m some disposable fungus and treat me like your fucking partner for once!” She hurled her sandal at him. It struck him in the head before landing with a thud. The echo drew a gasp from Mona. Wario stopped writing. Slowly he capped the marker. He turned around. Mona’s lips trembled. “I’m sorry…” “Easy.” He looked down, grabbing his head. “You’re right. I’m just so stressed. This plan…” He extended a hand. “Come here.” Mona’s heart was beating heavily. Every instinct told her to run, but her feet carried her forward anyway. She stopped within arm’s reach. “I just wanna be good enough for—” CRACK! The backhand was so fast that she didn’t see it coming. It lifted her off her feet. She crashed into the table, scattering papers and markers, and slid across its surface until she hit the opposite wall. Pain exploded through her skull, but her training kicked in before her brain did. Don’t cry! Wario hates ugly crying! She clamped her hands over her mouth, choking back the sob. Yet as she pressed her mouth, her cheek throbbed with a heat that made her eyes water. She started silently crying before she even realised it. “Look at you,” Wario said, adjusting his glove. “Making a mess. Again.” Mona scrambled to sit up. Blood dripped from her lip onto her dress. “I didn’t…” “You made me do it.” Wario shook his head. “Barging in here, screeching like a little girl. You know I can’t think with that high-pitched whining in my ear. I’m trying to build an empire, and you’re acting like a snot-nosed brat.” He walked over to her, towering over her collapsed form. His shadow swallowed her whole. “Why do you make things so difficult? No wonder Mommy and Daddy never cared to spend time with you.” Mona wiped the blood from her lip. Her jaw felt as though it’d been dislocated. The pain wasn’t the worst part, though. The worst part was the guilt. He was right. She had yelled at him. She had lost control and made him angry. “I’m really sorry,” she whimpered, curling up into a ball. “I didn’t mean to make you use your hand. Is your hand okay?” “It’s just irritated.” “I was acting like a ‘shroom. Just loud and stupid! I don’t know why I get like that sometimes… I don’t try to be this ungrateful.” “I know. Of course you never mean to,” Wario sighed, turning his back on her. “Look, clean this up. Then go run drills until you puke. Ashley’s gonna bring me results within the week. Try to be worth at least a fraction of her value, eh?” Mona nodded frantically. “I will. I promise.” Ignoring the pain in her ribs, she crawled forward on her hands and knees and began picking up the scattered papers. Tears dripped from her face and mixed with the blood from her lip. Sucking up her tears, she forced herself to breathe quietly so as not to disturb him again. After a few minutes of silence, Wario finally growled. “Done yet?” “Almost,” Mona whispered, her voice hoarse. “Good. Get out when you’re finished. And Mona?” “Yes?” “Next time you wanna throw a tantrum, remember what happens.” His voice was calm. “I don’t like repeating myself.” “I understand.” She gathered the last of the papers, stacking them neatly on the table. When she was done, she stood up slowly. She forced a smile onto her face, offering a weak peace sign. “I’m gonna… I’m gonna improve myself. I love you, Wario.” “Yeah, yeah, whatever. Shut the door.” She stepped out in the hallway. The moment the door shut, her legs gave way. She slid down the wall and sat on the cold floor, burying her face in her hands. The tears came harder now. I deserved everything he gave me! I’m so dumb! She had no idea how long she’d been sitting there. It could’ve been minutes or an hour. Eventually she heard footsteps approaching. She looked up and tried to wipe her face clean, but it was too late. Penny stood in the hallway, staring at her. Her expression shifted from surprise to horror as she took in Mona’s swollen cheek, the blood on her dress and how she was curled up against the wall. “Mona…” “I’m fine.” Penny just looked at her for a moment. Then, without saying a word, she sat next to her and pulled her into a hug. Mona buried her face in Penny’s shoulder and clung to her like a lifeline. All her pain, fear and guilt poured out in sniffles and gasps. Penny held her tightly and stroked her. “I try so hard to be the woman he wants. But the second I mess up, I feel like I’m twelve years old again,” Mona sobbed, trembling. “Why am I still her?” “You’re not. You’re an adult.” Penny looked around the hallway, paranoid. “Mona… Maybe we don’t have to be part of this operation.” “What do you mean?” Mona’s eyes widened. “I’m just saying, if you feel uncomfortable, we could just walk away from this. Let’s leave.” Mona blinked slowly. “Are you insane? Penny, he breaks me down to build me up stronger. That’s what love is. It’s… It’s tough love.” “But—” “Besides, who else do we have?” Mona stood up, her tears drying instantly. “The whole world wants us to fail! Those stupid fungi, that prissy princess—they hate us because we’re better. We’re the future, Penny! We’re the ones actually cleaning up this trashy society, and they have the nerve to act like we’re villains!” Penny stared in horror. “Even if I get killed doing it, which I won’t, I’ll at least know I died with Wario still loving me.” Penny gulped. “Suggestion rejected.” She stepped back. “Forget I said anything. Please.” “It’s okay. We’re all stressed right now.” Mona flashed a bright, bloody smile and adjusted her hair. “Hey, I’m gonna go ice this. Gotta look pretty for tomorrow. I love you, Penny.” Penny watched her strut down the hall, the clacking of her sandals echoing behind her. I can modify chemistry, I can sneak some items, but I can’t fix someone this broken. She closed her eyes, putting her hands together in a prayer. I don’t care if I end up in a cell. Please stop us, Toadette. Chapter 5: Dirty Soles Run drills until you puke. Run drills until you puke. These thoughts repeated in Mona’s head as she left the building. The night air felt cold against her swollen cheek. Although she had told Penny that she was going straight home, her feet carried her in a different direction. Halfway down the street, she stopped. She pulled out her phone and logged into the Mona’s Pizza employee records. She stared at Faul T.’s address for a long time. What am I doing? She should’ve just gone home, iced her face and forgotten this night. But she couldn’t, for the life of her, remove her thumb from the screen. *** Hours later, she found herself knocking on the door of an apartment building she’d never been to before. A minute passed. The door cracked open, with the chain still in place. “Miss Mona?” Faul T. peered out, one eye visible and wide with terror. He was wearing cheap, worn pyjamas that hung loosely on his small frame. “Open the door.” “Did I do something else? How did you even find—?” “Open. The. Door. Mushroom.” Metal clinked, the chain fell away, and the door surrendered. Mona pushed past him, swiftly removed her sandals and marched into the small living room. The apartment smelt of stale spores and poverty. It was cramped, decorated with garbage trinkets that only a Toad would find sentimental. Her bare feet met the carpet’s grit, and a cold shiver climbed her legs. Faul stood by the wall, hugging himself and trembling. “With all due respect, it’s rather late for me to entertain company, Miss Mona. If this is about something important, maybe we could talk about it tomorrow?” Mona began to whistle, as if his words were no more than background noise. Let’s see… Alone, broke, drowning in assignments. Hmph. As if wasting your youth in extra years of college makes you clever, mushroom. Cleverer than me? As if. Her gaze snagged on a crooked shelf lined with movies. She blinked then stared. Her own face was grinning from a glossy steel case: a limited-edition recording from one of her old solo concerts. Her fingers closed around it, and the swell of lights, music and applause rushed back. “I’ve…never been to one of your concerts in person,” Faul murmured. “The flashing lights make me dizzy.” Figures a sporehead wouldn’t know real fun if it burnt his retinas. Her fingers dug into the steel. In her mind, Wario’s voice crept back: I’m the only director you’re gonna need. Trust me. A tear slid down her cheek before she could stop it. You? Directing yourself? Not likely, but sure, dream away. The steel creaked. Faul flinched. “Miss Mona, please!” He darted towards her, tripping over her discarded sandals. “That’s from my sister. It was my birthday present.” Mona shoved the case back into place. She then grabbed his pyjama top and pushed him back. He stumbled and fell onto the cheap sofa, its springs creaking under his weight. “Not a word.” Her nails dug into his chest. “You’re just furniture. Do you understand?” She looked down at him. He was terrified, completely at her mercy. Something in her chest loosened. She took off her coat and let it fall to the floor. Then her dress. His eyes widened as her bra came undone, but he didn’t move. He didn’t speak. He just stared at her as though she were both divine and terrifying. Only then did she glance down at her own feet. They were dirty from walking the city streets—a faint, greyish film of grime and dried sweat coating her soles. Perfect. She turned her gaze back to him. Without warning, she mashed her lips against his, swallowing his surprised squeal. He tasted like mint and terror. She could taste the salt of her own sweat mingled with the bitterness of Wario’s words, which were still sharp in her mind. She pulled back, her eyes wild as she took in his face. Freaky dimples… Faul lay pinned beneath her, his breath hitching in his throat. “Useless,” she whispered. Then she kissed him again, harder this time, biting his lower lip just enough to make him whimper. “Stupid vegetable. You can’t even kiss a girl right.” “Yes, I can—” “Zip it.” Despite the hate in her voice, his skin against hers sent sparks through her. Under normal circumstances, she would’ve been repulsed by the very sight of him. But right now, looking at the terror in his expression, she felt powerful again. In control. She settled onto his lap. She brought up a foot to his cheek, pressing the grimy sole against his face before putting it on her mouth. “This,” she declared, wiggling her dusty toes. “That’s the street I walk on. The filth of a city that doesn’t want you.” She increased the pressure. “Taste it. Lick them clean. Show me the only thing a little punk like you is useful for.” “I don’t…” The words caught in his throat as her eyes met his. His lips parted and closed around her big toe. Slowly he sucked on it as if it were a pacifier. She threw her head back, and a soft moan escaped her lips. The sensation of his warm, wet tongue sliding over her filthy soles sent a rush of heat through her core. The way he cleaned her feet with such devotion, ignoring the grit and sweat, made her feel like a goddess. “Good boy,” she moaned. She caught herself, sharpening her tone. “Keep sucking.” “Yes, Miss Mona,” he breathed against her sole. “You’re… You’re so beautiful. Even your feet are…” “Shut up.” But the words, pathetic as they were, seeped into her. She caressed her own body, running her hands over her stomach and cupping her breasts. “Your mouth is only good for one thing right now, fungus-breath.” A dark mixture of street grime and saliva now coated his mouth. She hadn’t even realised she’d started to rock her hips. The throbbing in her cheek was a dull memory now, completely eclipsed by the rhythmic pulse between her legs. She pushed him further onto his back. “Don’t move.” She reached down between them and guided him out of his pyjama bottoms. His small cock was hard as a brick. “Mmm…” Her feet clasped around his penis. He tried to stifle a groan, but it escaped broken. His hips gave a tiny thrust into the warmth of her arches. “Miss Mona,” he shakily moaned. “Is everything okay? Your cheek…” Her rhythm faltered for a fraction of a second. Her face tightened. She squeezed him harder. “My cheek is fine. It’s nothing compared to the disgust I feel looking at you.” “I… I…” He bit his lip. “Even like this… You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I wish I had your level of perfection when it comes to completing—” “Ugh, stop talking!” But her words came out in a moan this time. She watched his face, lost between pleasure and an effort to remain perfectly still for her. A strange tenderness welled up alongside her contempt. She leaned forward, bracing her hands on the sofa cushions as her feet continued their sloppy work. Up, down, up, down… Faul’s hands landed on her feet. Mona’s brows furrowed. “Can I?” he asked. “You’re lucky I don’t break your balls again,” she muttered. “Ten seconds.” Gasping, he rubbed her feet up and down his shaft. When he pulled them down far enough to expose himself completely, she flinched. She turned her face towards the blank television screen. Faul tilted his head. She’s blushing… “Enough with the feet.” Mona took a deep breath, positioning herself above him. She took hold of his cock. His jaw dropped. She lowered herself centimetre by centimetre, her eyes never leaving his. When she was finally flat against him, a guttural moan escaped her throat. This was it: the line she’d sworn she would never cross. With every bit of him inside her, she felt the foundations of her world cracking. And for the love of the stars, it felt otherworldly. Her hips slammed against his repeatedly. Each impact tried to pound Wario’s voice out of her skull. You’re a monster-fucker, Mona! A traitor! What would Wario say? He’d call you a dirty little whore, and then he’d never let you in his life again! He’d— But Wario wasn’t there. There was no judging voice, just the wet slapping of bodies. A broken smile stretched across her face. She rode him like she was trying to break him. She clung to his waist, his expression the perfect portrait of a man caught between fear and lust. “You’re defiling me,” she whispered manically, her nails raking down his back. “I’m letting a parasite inside of me! Tell me how it feels to know you’re corrupting something pure, mushroom!” “I… I don’t know,” he panted. “Miss Mona!” “Say it,” she snarled, moving faster. The sofa creaked beneath them. “Say what you are! Tell me how grateful you are for this gift!” “I’m… I’m a Toad!” He gritted his teeth. “I’m a stupid, clumsy sporehead! I don’t deserve you, Mona!” The words were like a match to gasoline. An orgasmic shockwave ripped through her, detonating her shame and rage. She screamed, rocking her hips even faster. Then she crashed her mouth down on his and invaded him with her slimy tongue. She nearly choked him on her climax. Her body continued to move up and down, drawing out every last tremor of pleasure from them both. “More,” she gasped. “Don’t you dare stop, you fucking ‘shroom! Gimme everything!” “You want me to?” His breathing increased, becoming ragged, desperate. He squeezed her sides so tight it almost hurt. “Hmm? Am I doing good?” “Ngh… Yes!” It killed Mona to say that, but she couldn’t stop. “Okay.” He now ran his fingers along her arms. “I’m gonna… I’m gonna cum…” The first squirt gushed out of his cock. Several more followed as the two moaned. The sensation of him pulsing inside of her, coupled with the sound of his utter defeat, sent a second tremor through her. It was an all-encompassing clench that made her white out. Her toes curled so tightly that her feet cramped for a moment. For one perfect moment, the world consisted only of these two on the sofa. Then, as if it had never been, the feeling vanished. The warmth in her chest turned to ice. Without a word, she pushed herself off him. She snatched her clothes off the floor and turned her back to him completely. Faul remained on the damp sofa, his chest heaving as the A/C cooled the sweat on his body. He looked at her with half-lidded eyes. She towered over him as she pulled her dress on. “Listen to me, trufflefuck,” she hissed. “If you tell anyone about this, I will kill you. I will slice and peel your cap like an orange. Is that clear?” His fingers twitched. “I won’t say anything… I promise…” “I was just blowing off steam. You were just a convenient tool. That’s all you are, and that’s all scum like you can ever hope to be.” She turned on her heel and marched towards the door. “Wait.” He felt as if he’d stepped into the realm of death upon saying that. Mona glared at him. “I… I know what it’s like to be stressed a lot, okay?” “I bet. Coordination problems, right?” “Part of it, yes.” He looked down. “You make literally everything look like a breeze. I know I screwed up today, but I’ve been trying to take after you.” Mona’s fists clenched. “If… If you ever need someone to talk to—” “I’ll speak to the good, qualified people in my little circle. And in case your teeny brain has missed it, I’ll remind you.” She stepped to his face. “You Toads will never be real people.” With a growl, she slammed the door and left Faul alone in the silence. The walk home was a blur. All she remembered was the nausea at realising a Toad’s germs were contaminating her feet—her superior feet. It was worse than the city gunk clinging to her. Hell, the Toad’s germs were now inside her body. When she finally arrived at her mansion, she went straight to the bathroom. She didn’t dare look at her own reflection in the mirror. She turned the shower to its hottest setting, stepped under the spray and scrubbed her skin vigorously. She scrubbed until her skin felt raw. But no amount of soap could wash away what she had done. She wrapped herself in a towel, collapsed onto her bed and stared at the ceiling. The memory kept playing on a loop. She tried to force the images away. But they wouldn’t leave. What the hell is wrong with me? I don’t even know what I was thinking! I just… Please forgive me, Wario. I won’t ever do it again. To fill the silence, she started to hum. This energy bubbling under my skin So delicious, just where do I begin? Her mind remained on the apartment. It was as if she’d been in a bounce house with the amount of fun she had riding that cock. So whisper something to me, baby… Her eyes widened. “Quit being gross, Mona. You fucked a sporehead for some relief.” If she used a punching bag to vent her stress, nobody would care. If she stole some weights to improve her physique, nobody would judge her. Faul was no different. This disgusting creature was just a tool to help her gain her confidence back—a stress ball with a pulse. She quickly went onto her phone, downloaded the employee picture of Faul and started editing it with a manic grin. In one minute, he’d gone from looking like a shy, happy Toad to a bloodied mess. A sigh of relief escaped her throat. She then went to her home screen. “I’m doing this for us, Wario,” she whispered, kissing the screen. “I know deep down you’ve done nothing but love me for so long. And you don’t want your favourite weapon completely useless.” Moaning, she rubbed her feet together, as if wrapping them around an invisible penis. This weapon might just need some semi-regular maintenance, nothing more. *** Meanwhile, across town in the apartment, Faul finally managed to stand up on his shaky legs. He locked the door then stumbled to the bathroom to clean up. I wish I knew why she hates us so much, he thought, waiting for the blush to leave his face. I just… I don’t think I have the heart to hate anyone. When he came back out, his foot brushed against something soft near the door. He looked down. There, on the floor, were Mona’s sandals. They were dusty and worn, and they faintly smelt of city streets and her feet. Faul stared at them, his heart pounding. He picked them up carefully. He brought the dusty leather to his face and inhaled the toeprints deeply, the smell of her sweat sending a jolt straight to his groin. She hadn’t left them there by accident. A woman like Mona never forgot anything, especially not her shoes. This was deliberate. She’s coming back… Author’s Note: In retrospect, I realise that the first special starring Jasmin probably could’ve been broken up into chapters as well. Not that I regret making that one; I just realise how much more convenient it is to split them, even if chapters are shorter than the average Toadette’s Story chapter. I love working on this interpretation of Mona so much. I am aware she differs a lot from the canon version, which will throw many fans of her off. But I consider it simply a different outcome: what would she be like if Wario were a truly awful person and she were manipulated by him since being a child. It doesn’t justify her horrible actions in my opinion. Based on what we’ve seen her do, she is a terrible human being. But while black-and-white characters can be entertaining, I like to add layers or dimensionality to characters I work on. Worth noting that Mona was among my favourites before I decided to have her so in-depth. She’s my favourite to use in Get it Together. I have grown to like her a touch more than Penny’s, but that’s largely because Penny is younger in canon than I knew initially. That’s actually why she’s so much older here; I thought she was in university in the games. They’re both my favourites, however. |
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