Richard had gotten his van to the Chrome Trim Car Auction, a very high-class automobile auction site. Michael was looking over the description of the Spectacular. “…‘Hand-crafted by a renowned Vortech Wars Veteran and News Anchor,’” he read aloud incredulously, “‘the van sympathetically marries the class of Chrysler and Dodge’s names to the modernity of the…’ Richard, you ARE joking!”
“Hardly a lie!” protested Richard. Michael read on.
“‘The interior would benefit from some minor alterations.’ What interior?! And those alterations will need to be conducted with a hand grenade! You gotta put that thing down!”
“Coming up to Lot 25,” called the auctioneer. “A beautiful 1956 Citroën DS. Start me, if you will, at 200,000 studs. 200,000. Do I hear 250,000? 250,000? 250,000! Do I hear 300,000?” The final total reached 3,000,000 studs. The buyer handed over the total and gave the auctioneer the delivery information. “Coming up to the last lot, Lot 26, the…Spectacular.”
“That’s me!” Richard whispered to Michael.
“A…fantastic hand-crafted minivan,” the auctioneer couldn’t believe he said it, but he HAD to emphasize the positive, his job depended on it. “A very unusual machine. Beautiful, stylish Dodge Grand Caravan coachwork. Again, a very unusual, unique vehicle on sale this afternoon.”
“Unusual?!” Michael chuckled. “Unusual?! He’s being very generous!”
“Start me, if you will, at…300 studs,” said the auctioneer. Richard goggled in horror.
“WHAT?!” he yelped. Michael laughed.
“Starting at 300 studs,” continued the Auctioneer. “Any advance on 325? 325! Do I hear 350? 350 studs? 350!”
“Somebody’s bid?!” asked Michael. The bids went up.
“400! Do I hear 425? 425?” Richard rolled his eyes and raised his marker. “425! Do I hear 450? 450? 450 studs for this unusual minivan? 425 going once! 425 going twice! 425 sold to Mr. Richard Saunders! Come forward to pay and give us your delivery information and Lot 26 is yours!” Richard grumbled as he went to pay.
Back with the Horsemen, now that Order was in the picture, she also had to put up with Famine’s pasta bowl deliveries. “I’ve been acting like your mother here, you know that?” grumbled Order as she stacked empty bowls into Famine’s hands. “I’ve been talking to you, we ALL have, it’s like we’re talking to a wall! I heard Death say, ‘we don’t wanna see you get another bowl’, and you still go and get one! All right, come on, let’s go.” Order led Famine to the sink. “Watch how you walk. And hurry, will you? We got a lot.” Famine then stumbled and all the bowls came crashing down. “Oh, for the love of-! How many times do I have to tell you? Neatness counts!”
“It was an accident!” protested Famine.
“It’s always an accident with you,” sighed Order. “You’re my sister, and I love you, but I tell you once! I tell you twice! It’s like you don’t listen to me! Why is that?!”
“Why don’t you believe me when I say I can’t say no to a guy like him?!” argued Famine. “Besides, he’s a cutie and he thinks I’m cute!”
“…Cute? He thinks you’re cute? I think you’re cute too! But what’s gonna happen when the bill comes in, huh? You ever think about that?!”
“Don’t worry, I got a plan!” assured Famine.
“Yeah, sure you do.”
“GOTCHA!” called War’s voice.
“HEY! WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?!” yelped a man’s voice.
“That’s him!” said Famine. She dashed off to the main dining hall with Order in tow. All the Horsemen were surrounding the poor delivery boy. He had a stack of pasta bowls as usual. “Ooh! Food!” cheered Famine.
“That’s enough!” snapped Death. “I think it’s time to get some answers here!”
“…Oh, okay,” sighed Famine. She looked to the delivery boy. “Hey, Rupert, I gotta know, why are you giving me all these pasta bowls?”
“…W…Well, Miss Famine,” said the delivery boy, Rupert, “I just…you know the expression that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach? …Well, I…I wondered if that was true…for you. You see, I’ve got a…a crush on you and…” Famine sat next to him and patted his hand.
“Then, perhaps, we should go out to eat on an official date?” she suggested.
“Y-You mean it?!” asked Rupert.
“With all my heart.”
“Ugh, sappiness,” groaned War.
“There’s a question your new girlfriend is avoiding, so I’m gonna ask!” said Lacey. “Rupert, how much are all the pasta bowls gonna run us?”
“Oh, nothing, Ma’am!” replied Rupert. “They’re all free and so are future deliveries.”
“…Free?” asked Death.
“Yeah!” confirmed Rupert. “We recently hired a new chef that’s been making all sorts of new bowls and the boss wanted him to simply throw away the rejects, so I offered to take them and see which ones Famine would like. You know Famine better than I do.”
“And the way to my heart IS through my stomach!” said Famine.
“…Well, if that’s the case,” said Life, “I guess we panicked for no reason. Sorry to delay you like that, Rupert.” The Horsemen released him.
“I’ll see you for our first date when this whole affair is over!” called Famine.
“Just to make sure I got it right, fine dining or casual buffet?” asked Rupert.
“Buffet, please!”
“I know the perfect buffet place! See you then!” Rupert then left the Horsemen’s mansion, jumping and clicking his heels as he went back to his car.
“…I’ve never seen a man click his heels like that outside of Vaudeville,” remarked Death. Famine sat down and began eating her newest acquisitions. Bounty then looked over Famine’s shoulder. Famine sensed it and looked behind her.
“…You wanna try some peppermint and shrimp alfredo?” offered Famine.
“Forget the pasta,” replied Bounty. “Does Rupert have a brother or sister that likes cooking?”
“…I dunno. I’ll have to ask him when he comes back,” mused Famine.
Megumi, Optimus, and Arsha headed to the Gateway with Liam and Palmarta. “So you guys visit the Mushroom Kingdom and someone comes back from a universe with a Source of the Apocalypse?” asked Arsha.
“That’s right,” confirmed Megumi. “It was Alesandro’s idea. Speaking of which, I think it’s his turn to come back.”
“Aye, it is,” confirmed Liam. “Let me just give him a call.” He activated the comms. “Alesandro, it’s Liam. Me and Palmarta are heading to the Mushroom Kingdom. Confirm that you’re ready to head back to Beyond City. …I said confirm.”
“That’s odd,” muttered Megumi. “He’s a punctual guy.” Liam tried someone else.
“Mickey, this is Liam. Have you seen-?”
“Liam?!” yelped a high-pitched feminine voice. “It’s Minnie! Have you seen Alesandro or Mickey or War’s Source?!”
“…Aren’t they in your universe?” asked Palmarta, worry creeping into her voice. Megumi took over the call.
“Miss Mouse, this is Megumi. We’ll find them.”
“Please do,” said Minnie. “I’m really worried right now.” The call ended and Megumi called Vorton.
“Vorton, this is Megumi. Lord Alesandro Ortiz, Lord Mickey Mouse, and the Source of War are missing. Begin a search starting from the-.”
“Trying to find a certain rat?” came a voice. Megumi realized the call was intercepted!
“Khan!” she snarled.