Chapter Text
The two piñatas raced through the corridors, covered in paint, moss, plants, and rocks. It was a mix between the wilderness and civilization. It felt like the walls were divided against themselves. Nathen kept stumbling over his legs, he didn’t have a tail to keep him balanced. Well, he did, but a tail made out of bandages could only balance so much. Posha was there to keep him steady, but even she stumbled from time to time. There were doors everywhere, each with different name plates above them. He couldn’t get a good look at them but he assumed they were labeled with what is in them. In the distance, Nathen could hear the various chattering of other piñatas. He grew worried, unsure if they were friend or foe. He turned to Posha for answers.
“Hey, Posha? Why do I hear so many voices?” The Newtgat asked, trying to catch his breath. The Pretztail looked at him.
“Those are the other members of our revolt. Did you think it was just Les and me?” She clarified. Nathen looked away. He hoped that these other piñatas were friendly. Remembering Posha’s mask, he wondered if these other paper creatures were Sour. He shuddered at the thought.
Finally, the two stopped. Nathen was catching his breath while Posha walked towards the door. The Newtgat was relieved to not have a big gaping hole in him, but he was never really the athletic one. The Pretztail turned to the control panel on the right of the door. There were various buttons and colors, mesmerizing for the sheltered Newtgat. She looked around and quickly typed in a pattern. There was a beep and the sound of machines working. The door opened to reveal a whole crowd of piñatas, every single one of them had a bracelet on their right hand. The room went silent as they all stared at Nathen. He cowered back until Posha grabbed his arm and led him forward.
Nathen heard various murmurs and whispers among the crowd. All were illegible but he could have sworn he heard ‘Newtgat’ once or twice. He shrank, he had never been surrounded by so many different types of piñatas before, especially ones who could kill and eat his life candy. Posha was tall and proud though, as piñatas moved out of the way to make a path for the two. It made Nathen wonder if Posha was Les, but that would not make any sense. The room they were in was big and spacious, the roof was high but there were little signs of color. The room was platted with metal, giving it a cold mechanical feel. Tapestries hung here and there and plants were growing through the cracks of the walls. The two walked closer to the end of the room, where sat a throne it was faced to the back of the room. Was this the king they were talking about? Why would he be here?
Suddenly, the chair turned around to reveal a fruit bowl and the room went silent. Nathen stood there dumbfounded while Posha bowed her head and pushed the Newtgat in front of her. Nathen was confused on what to do until he looked around, everyone else was bowing their heads. He quickly caught on and bowed too, even if it felt quite silly.
“Who are the ones before me?” The voice boomed, it seemed to be coming from the bowl. Nathen jumped at the sudden voice, while Posha kept her head down.
“It is I, the humble spy, Posha Pretztail. I have brought the Newtgat you requested.” She announced, gesturing to the Newtgat. Nathen looked around and was hit on the side. “Introduce yourself.” Posha whispered.
“Oh!” Nathen stood up, “I am Nathanial Newtgat, from uh, the Newtgat Forest. The one that uh, you must’ve heard of it.” He chuckled awkwardly, the room stayed silent. “Um, why and how is a fruit bowl leading a rebellion? Are you all ok?” Nathen realized he spoke too loudly and the room burst into laughter. Nathen looked at Posha who was holding in her giggles.
“I fooled you good!” A voice came from the chair, but not the bowl. The room settled down as two pink ears appeared from the throne. Nathen blinked as a piñata hopped out. It was a Galagoogoo. He wore black face paint to contrast his pink confetti and seemed to have a collar around his throat. He wore a bracelet on both his hands and wore boots. “Nathaniel, I am called Les Galagoogoo. Posha must have told you about me.” His voice was rather high pitched then what the fruit bowl sounded like. Maybe the collar had something to do with it. A detail Nathen noticed is that Les’ mouth wasn’t matching up to what he was saying. Like it was a voiceover. He decided to ask about the collar first.
“Les, sir. What’s that collar for?” He asked, wondering if he isn’t what he seems or if it was for the aesthetic.
“Have you ever been aware of the language, Galagooian?” He responded as he hopped in front of the Newtgat. Nathen nodded and Les pointed at the collar. “This translates the language into something more universal. Removes the language boundary. Can’t lead a rebellion if you can not communicate with your peers.” He shrugged.
“So, is this a rebellion or ‘fudgebellion’?”
Posha perked her head up, Les gave her a nod of approval. “Well, it’s technically a rebel, but it’s more against one piñata than a whole system. So we decided to name it ‘Fudgebellion’” She explained
“And, who is the piñata in question?” Nathen asked, worried about what species he’s up against.
“Fergison Fudgehog.” Les replied, his brows furrowed. “I was one of his best friends, or so I thought. He became power hungry and sent Piñata Central and Piñata Island into a downward spiral. I broke away from him after that." Nathen gulped. “He even brainwashed Paulie and Franklin into working for him and threatened Hudson to keep in line.”
Despite all this information, Nathen still had one question, “If you were one of his best friends, why would he just let you leave? You seem pretty memorable.” Les bursted out laughing.
“Me? Memorable? To Fergison? Do not make me laugh! I was the last piñata that Fudgehog could care about. I could leave without him batting an eye. Back then I had an inability to communicate so I could not say anything.” He explained, then laughed again. “Luckily I have jumped that hurdle and Fergison does not even know.” He looked back down at the piñata, “Any other concerns, Newtgat?”
Nathen twiddled his thumbs. This was his time to get answers, but he was drawing a blank on what to ask. Posha then nudged him.
“Hey, buddy. Remember how you were asking me how you could help? This is your chance to get a clearer idea.” Posha suggested, making Nathen’s frills perk up.
“Oh yeah. So, Les. Why exactly do you want me to help you? I’m nothing special.” Nathen asked
“You may have been ‘nothing special’ back at your home. But in Fudgetown, you have an ability very few of us have.” Les’ words made Nathen tilt his head. “The ability to leave. The skill to start a blank slate and work your way up. The capability to move fast and slip through small spaces. The power to overthrow the king from the inside out.”
“Oh geez. That’s a lot of things I can do here. Makes me wanna be nothing special again.” Nathen whispered the last part and Posha looked towards him.
“It’s not as bad as you think. I’ll show you the ropes of being a spy. Maybe we can finally contact Salami and she can help you too.” Posha planned, “But first, we have to get you a new look.”
Nathen looked worried, “What’s wrong with my look?” he asked as he examined his body.
“There’s nothing wrong with your look.” Posha explained, “We just need to get you some things so fellow rebellion piñatas don’t try to attack you.” She smiled while Nathen grinned awkwardly.
“Posha.” Les said, “Take Nathen to the Professor, feel free to tell him all about his past too. But try not to frighten him, okay?”
Posha nodded and took Nathen’s hand as she guided him towards the repair station. Nathen was still unsure about this ‘Professor’. As the two traversed, Posha decided to fill Nathen up on the lore.
“So, try not to be scared about Pester’s looks. He reformed, I swear.” Posha comforted, “He may look like a super villain in a kid’s show but he’s a cool dude once you know him. Also, don’t mind his Ruffians.”
“Super villain? Pester? Reformed? Ruffians?” Nathen questioned as he tried to imagine the professor in his mind. The two traveled along the long corridors, Nathen eyeing some Watercresses growing from the puddles of water. Finally the Newtgat and Pretztail made it to the repair room. The door was almost as big as a Chippopotamus. Nathen gulped but Posha reassured him.
“Listen, don’t be afraid of Pester. He may look like he wants to bash you to pieces but he doesn’t. Any other questions, comments, and concerns confront Rivet and Raine about it.” Posha explained as she typed in a passcode on the door. The door opened and smoke came out. Nathen coughed before looking right in the room and freezing up. This ‘Professor’ was nothing like he imagined.