Shantae Wedgie Story

Looking to the Future

Shantae woke up, rubbing her eyes as she let out a yawn. She felt Rottytops's head resting against her shoulder. "Hey, Snack Cakes," the zombie greeted the half-genie. Rotty knew that Shantae disliked the nickname, making it all the more enjoyable to see the half-genie flustered.

"Very funny," Shantae replied, flicking the zombie on the nose.

"So, what's the plan for the day?" Rotty asked, sitting upward.

"I was thinking about paying Uncle Mimic a visit," Shantae suggested. "I haven't seen him or the others in a long time." She and Rotty had been going on adventures across the world, leaving Bolo and Sky to defend Scuttle Town. Judging from the fact that the town wasn't destroyed, Shantae presumed her friends had done a good job. It was only within the past day that she and Rotty had returned.

"Sounds fun," Rotty replied, wrapping her arms around the half-genie. "How much have you told him about us?"

"Actually, I haven't," Shantae admitted. "I was going to surprise him today."

Rotty smirked. "Hope he doesn't mind me kissing his favorite niece," she said before pressing her lips against Shantae's left cheek. Although she could not explain it, Rotty always felt a sense of reassurance from Shantae's presence.

"I'm sure he'll be fine," Shantae replied confidently, her face becoming red as Rotty continued pecking her on the cheek. "We're both twenty-two. I doubt he's gonna care who I'm dating."

"And I'm immortal," Rotty added. "So that's a plus."

"Yeah, but I'm not," Shantae replied, looking down. She had always wondered what the ramifications of dating an immortal would be. Even though she was a zombie, Rotty still aged until she reached her physical peak. Shantae questioned how this process worked, but she based her knowledge off what Rotty had told her. Despite being undead, Rotty had the capability of existing forever. The only way she could be extinguished was for her body to be completely destroyed, which was not a thought Shantae particularly wanted in her head.

"Then, I'll just make you a zombie before you die. That way, we'll be together forever," Rotty said optimistically, hoping she was correct.

"How?" Shantae asked, scratching her head. "Won't I forget who I am? You don't remember who you were before you died."

"That's the thing," Rotty began. "Poe's hamster became a zombie before it died. And it recognized its name after becoming a zombie. I think you'll be fine." Granted, only her older brother knew how the hamster became a zombie. She could only hope Poe could help her learn more about such a concept. At the moment, however, she put the thought into the back of her head. She wanted to enjoy her time with Shantae while she could. It wasn't everyday that she met someone as nice to her as Shantae.

"If you say so," Shantae replied, resting her head against the zombie's shoulder. "I trust you."

"Not many do," Rotty admitted somberly. "I tend to scare people off. I know that Sky still doesn't trust me. She thinks I'm still the prankster who's going to hurt you."

"She's half right," Shantae replied. "You are a prankster, but I know you won't hurt me again. I trust you more than anyone else."

"Thanks," Rotty murmured somberly. The lingering memory still hung in her head even three years after the event. The night she and her brothers had betrayed Shantae and sold her out to her enemy, Risky Boots. Unlike most zombies, she and her family had a conscience. To retain this ability to think, she and her brothers relied on consuming coffee every day. She did not understand why this was, but it was quite the addiction. Although she loved the taste of coffee, she despised the fact that she required the substance to stay sane. She and her brothers had sold Shantae out for coffee and her brain, which Rotty desired to eat due to another addictive quality that came from being a zombie. She had long since regretted that day, that memory reappearing every time she looked into Shantae's eyes. Eventually, Rotty had repaired her friendship with Shantae, but she could never forget that day. She let out a sigh as she pulled herself out of bed and started stretching her body, hoping to think about something else. "Maybe today will make me feel better."