WORDGIRL; Tobey the Third

The Second

"Been a while, ey? I chalked it up to you doing school stuff."

How did he not recognise that voice? It's so distinct. Tobey couldn't answer. He was completely frozen, phone still to his ear. He didn't dare take a breath in.

"... Am I wrong?"

"How did you get my- this number?"

"I have my ways."

Another pause as he processed the ominous answer. He thought he'd cut ties to all the villains. Apparently this one was a lot stronger than the rest.

Sternly, he answered, "Do not call it again."

"Wait, wha-"

And hung up.

It took a moment, but his senses started slowly coming back. He stared down at the reflection of a pale, shocked face on a black screen. It had been almost a year since he talked to Two Brains, meaning it was a year since his last public disruption.

This was ridiculous. Tobey shook his head. Hopefully he'd taken the hint. As much as the blonde wanted to, he didn't think about what that scientist possibly could have wanted from him. Instead, he went back to his homework.

And the next day, he continued to not think about it.

He woke up. Got ready for school. Ate breakfast by himself. Left the house without saying goodbye and silently walked down his street.

He felt a pit in his stomach. It was because of Two Brains' call, but he pretended it was about the test he had that day.

The walk was quiet. No birds sung and no cars passed. It was disturbing how peaceful the morning was. But again, Tobey convinced himself he was just hyper-aware because of nervousness.

As he walked through the park and out of the suburb, his heart rate increased. Something was about to happen... Must just be his silly old villain instincts. They all could feel when someone was about to act.

There was nothing to worry about- other than his physics test. He was going to smash Becky Botsford out the ballpark with this one. It was one of his best subjects.

Finally, he started to approach the high school. A giant wave of relief washed over him. All the anxiousness he felt poured out in an instant. He was safe.

A smile spread across his face as he picked up the pace. He was about to cross the road when-

"It's super rude to hang up on a friend like that, McCallister."

No. Nuh uh. Please, fuck no.

The teen slowly panned his head to the left. A large, white haired scientist picked at his own cuticles as he leant up against the side of a brick building. He was wearing a bright, teal hawaiian shirt and lacked his yellow gloves and goggles. More noticeably, however, he lacked his signature lab coat. The man turned his gaze to him, a brow raised. Somehow, he looked a lot more... dirty since the last time Tobey had seen him.

"... Well? Care to apologize?"

"I-," Tobey couldn't even conjure up the words to express how much he didn't want to deal with this right now, "... Why di- w-... Did you follow me to school??"

"What? Nah, I ain't some creep. C'mon, kid! I thought we were buddies!"

"..."

Two Brains scoffed at the baffled look on Tobey's face. He also laughed at it.

But his amusement was cut short when the teen quickly started to cross the road.

"Woah, hang on," the scientist launched himself to follow, "You haven't even heard what I've been trying to ask you!"

"Whatever it is, I don't want to get involved."

"No, no. Kid, you don't understand-"

"I'm not a villain anymore."

"You're not?"

"NO!" He flung his arms in the air, stopping on the other side of the road. He turned to Two Brains, who caught up with him, "Why else do you think I haven't talked to you- or anyone?!"

The man thought about it for a second, "... Ah, that would make sense."

Tobey rolled his eyes before continuing up to the school doors.

"BUT!" Two Brains quickly caught up again, "This isn't a villain thing! I swear!"

"I'm not interested."

"McCallister, please. When you see this, you'll absolutely be interested."

"I don't care."

"Give me a chance, kid!"

"What is it, then?!" he stopped at the top of the stairs and pivoted, "What is it that you're this desperate to get specifically me involved?!"

"You'll have to see."

A loud groan erupt from Tobey, "If it's so important, just tell me now."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't even know what to make of it," The rat man refused to come up the steps of the school, "That's why I need you to come'n'check it out. You're the only person who would understand it. Besides, it's pretty cool."

The blonde teen sighed. Two Brains glanced around.

"Uh- think of it not like a villain helping a villain, but a friend helping a friend."

"You're a forty year old man, doctor," Tobey glared, "and I'm a seventeen year old highschooler."

"Highschooler? What happened to 'boy genius'-?"

"I'll think about it."

"I kinda need a yes or no answer."

School was about to start. This was a complete waste of time.

In a desperate attempt for an answer, the top supervillain scratched at his neck and made an ultimatum.

"Alright. Listen. You come to my lair and just quickly check it out. If you don't want to help, you can just leave and I'll never talk to you again."

Although he knew to never trust Two Brains, he had been one of the only people who had ever given Tobey a chance. He'd always been there to pick the kid back up, motivate him to keep going. Maybe it was time to pay him back for the last time.

With a deep breath, Tobey finally gave his answer, "Fine. But you have to swear you'll leave me alone after."

"Rodent's honor."

The mock salute he was given didn't give him even an ounce of confidence. But it worked.

"Okay," Tobey turned back, "I'll see you after school."

"YES! Okay, okay. See you then, kiddo!"

He skittered off in a random direction.

This was a massive mistake, wasn't it?