Chapter Text
CHAPTER 5
Mepad was interrogating his brother, Mephone4, and the others, when he heard Taco’s voice in his mind.
“Mepad, I'm finished with X-2. I’m on my way back to you.”
“Copy.” Replied Mepad.
“Mepad, you broke off mid-sentence. What is going on with you?!” He heard Mephone4 say, causing him to snap out of his thoughts.
“None of your business, Mephone.” Mepad responded, far too quickly.
Mephone just scoffed and rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, right. You expect me to believe that?” He challenged.
“Mephone, you aren’t exactly in a favorable position right now, so i suggest you mind your own business, not fiddle in mine.” Said Mepad formally, his voice betraying nothing of his silent worry.
“Now, let’s continue, shall we?”
He said, and, as if on cue, Taco walked back into the room.
“Ah, Taco. Perfect timing!” He said.
He and Taco exchanged a knowing look, both thinking the same thing: Mephone is going to figure us out if we’re not careful.
Taco sat down next to Mepad, her expression betraying nothing.
“Let’s continue wherever Mepad left off, shall we?” Said Taco, a hint of a smirk on her face.
"Right.” Started Mepad, before clearing his throat and composing himself.
“So, Mephone. You said you were here to retrieve Microphone and Pickle?”
Mephone nodded.
“Yes, that is what i said.”
“Well, I'm sorry to tell you, they aren’t here. You are looking at the wrong place.”
Said Mepad.
“Don’t lie, Mepad. I know they are here, and so do you.”
Taco stood up, defending Mepad.
“Why are you here if you’re not going to let him tell the truth either way?” She challenged Mephone.
“Because he’s clearly lying!” Mephone retorted.
“Listen here. Mic and Pickle aren’t here, and if you don’t believe that, we will be forced to ban you from coming here ever again, Mephone.” Taco said, her voice dangerously low.
“We know you’re both lying though.” Said Mephone.
Taco sighed deeply, before telling the X units to get Mephone4, Lightbulb, Paintbrush, Knife and Suitcase out.
”X units, get the visitors, but not the guests, out, and warn them to never come back.”
She told them through the intercom in her mind, hoping she had made her instructions clear.
Within a few minutes, multiple X units could be heard approaching the room.
Before they had a chance to knock on the door, Taco opened the door, briefly gesturing towards the contestants and Mephone4.
The X units quickly obeyed the silent command, approaching the visitors, each grabbing a different one, before basically carrying them out.
When the room was empty, except for her and Mepad, Taco let out a half-exhausted sigh, sitting down on her chair again.
“That was...” She started, stopping for a moment to look for the right word.
“Slightly stressful?” Mepad suggested, and Taco nodded.
“Yeah, that.” She said, letting out a quiet chuckle.
There was a moment of slightly awkward silence, which was quickly broken by the sound of a chair squeaking, catching both of them off guard.
Taco just stared at the chair for a moment, before bursting out in laughter. Why did that chair just randomly squeak?
When she calmed down again, she looked at Mepad, who had an amused smile on his face, amusement glistening in his eyes.
“You have to admit, that was funny.”
Taco said bluntly, a hint of a chuckle in her voice.
“It was funny, honestly.” Mepad admitted, his holographic hand (which still kind of scared Taco, but she wasn’t going to admit that) moving to Taco’s knee.