Nextgen Kids: Legend of the Nine Newborn

Purple Jaguar Eyes

In the earlier draft last chapter, I kind of confused Benson with Dave. Whoopsie!

"So, what am I, chopped liver?" Dave asked. "I ain't good enough for this story?"

No, I like you, Dave, I just don't wanna juggle this many characters. ^^; But I'll work you in, I promise! Maybe...

Gourmet 12: Purple Jaguar Eyes

Augustus felt noxious as he returned to his senses, as if a strong perfume had seeped into his mind. He could feel his arms suspended via chains. A blurry red and light-brown mass was forming before him, until August could make out the smirking, scarred face of a mandrill. "Well, you seem a tad resistant to the pheromones. You have quite the will about you. Captain Augustus, I was told?"

"Peh...Are you the guy they call Scarlemagne?"

"Yes, it's a pleasure."

"But tell me... are you also the boss of Gourmet Corp.?"

"Hoo hoo who, me?" The mandrill gestured at himself. "But of course not, I have only just been acquainted with these chaps. And besides, my loyalty is to the Kremling Krew. But my word, you must be famished after your long trip." Scarlemagne snapped his fingers as a servant walked up with a plate of apple crumbles in hand.

"Yep. Ahh, haven't eaten anything since Glacia." August sighed, keeping his chill smile. "Had a few lollipops, but those don't fill up the belly."

"Then allow me to ease your suffering." Scarlemagne took a crumble and held it to August's mouth.

"No thanks. I ain't eating anything until my whole crew is back together. Now, tell me where Tama is."

"Ah, the little Historian girl, you mean? Now, how might you have come to have someone like that in your crew?"

"What do you think, buddy?"

"Ho ho! In any case, Tama is being treated in the 'luxury' room. We are stuffing her full of fattening sweets and reaping her of her dango. I took a picture of it, have a look." He held a phone up to the captain.

"UUUUGH!" Augustus wanted to barf in repulse. "God, you're a damn dirty monkey!"

"Ha ha! Hahahahaha!" Scarlemagne laughed madly. "And that's not all! Her dango has become an ingredient in this very dessert!" He emphasized the apple crumble, which was actually a dango crumble. "That Claiborne woman is an excellent confectioner. She created these through a mix of my sweat, Tama's dango, with eyecrust to serve as the topping. ...A rather repulsive topping, but the result is satisfactory. Now, I insist, EAT IT!"

The crumble was shoved into Augustus's throat, the captain squirming in resistance. "Hmmmmmmpp! Gourmet Arts Special Technique: SPIT!" And he hacked the crumble straight into Scarlemagne's face.

The ape wiped it off with a furious growl. "I had only offered you a taste test since I can easily pump you with more pheromones. But now you don't even deserve a place among my servants! Yuzu!" He clapped hands.

Yuzu obediently approached, her eyes dull from having been brainwashed by the pheromones. "Yuzu?" Augustus spoke with worry.

"Your little friend here has submitted to the will of Scarlemagne. Now, Yuzu, why don't you go for his leg?"

Like the zombie she had become, Yuzu drew her knife. She bent down and stabbed Augustus's leg, blood spewing out. "AAAAAHH!"

"HAHA! HAHAHAHAHA!" laughed the ape. "Oh hoho, yes! Perhaps a little pain will work up an appetite! Meanwhile, I have a new pet to feed! Come along, Yuzu!" Scarlemagne did a twirl and marched out of the holding room. ...Yuzunite smirked and winked at August before following the ape.