In which the Potato Crew actually does testing.
“Shankshalot.” Said Noodle, crossed. “Shawashouronlyball,youidiot.”
“You think I did it on purpose?” Said Feathers, jogging on a treadmill. “I loved that ball too!”
“Shenwhydidyouclawit!?” Said Noodle, slithering on his own treadmill. “We’vebeenplayingforyearsh!Howcomeyoumesshitupnow?”
“Accidents happen! Come on, man!”
“Bah!”
The two glared at each other, paying little attention to the xeno interns (a pair of Karnakians and a pair of Jornissians) taking data from their run so they could compare it with their physical standards.
“Stop being a jerk!” Said Feathers. “You think we would be angry at you if you had done the deed instead?”
“Ibetyouwould!Shinsheyouareajerk!”
“Oh, that’s it!” Feathers begun to pick up speed. “You wanna go, noodleman? Then let’s go!”
In a silent yet passionate agreement, the two decided to vent their frustration by competing for the fastest record, pushing their artificially grown xeno bodies to the limit. Clack clack clack swish swish swish Went the room as the friction in the treadmills ascended in power and haste, the two beginning to pant and huff as their bodies overheated.
For a few seconds they were equals, but, soon it was obvious that Noodle was struggling to keep up, as his serpentine physiology created more friction against the treadmill and couldn’t cover the same distance without using more energy.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Hah!” Feathers puffed in triumph, trying to up the pace as a “who’s-your-daddy” gesture to the now slowing Noodle, the ruby-red Jornissian even redder out of anger and embarrassment.
“Oh*pant*yeah?” Said Noodle, crossed, moving even slower. “Atleash*pant*Icanshleep*huff*knowingIdidn’t*pant*deshtroyourball!”
“Oh, come on!” Said Feathers, now slowing down too. “How many times *pant* do I have to apolo*wheeeeeze* …Ugh.”
There was a pause, both now moving at frisk pace and exchanging looks, still huffing like steam engines.
Then, they both erupted in dry laughter.
“Haha,you*pant*shoundedlikeadeflated*huff*teapot!” Said Noodle.
“Haha,ye*wheeze* …I shink my *pant* shroat ish dry.” Said Feathers.
“[Let’s take a break, Mr. [Potato Feathers].]” Said a Karnakian intern, handing him a bottle of water while the other Karnakian shut down the treadmill.
“Thanksh.” Said Feathers, downing the drink.
“Shanksh.” Said Noodle, downing his own drink after his own caretakers shut down his treadmill.
It had been a good exercise…
And that’s when they noticed Kibbles.
“[Mr. [Potato Kibbles], that’s enough!]” Said a Dorarizin intern, clutching her tablet anxiously as she stared at Kibbles running on all fours huffing like a mad wolf. “[Stop picking up speed, you are going to hurt yourself!]”
But, Kibbles didn’t care. His favorite ball was no more, and in his grief, he decided to runaway from the pain until his body gave up.
The Dorarizin interns didn’t know what to do. Simply slowing (or stopping) the treadmill would make Kibbles lunge forward and crash against the consoles head-first, so they were left with convincing him to stop. “[Stop, Mr. [Potato Kibbles]. The test is already over for you.]”
“BRO, STOP(SHTOP)!” Said his Potato buddies upon witnessing the treadmill start to smoke, gears screeching in protest.
“No pain, only run.” Thought Kibbles, vision blurred by tears since the beginning.
Then, his arms finally gave up, and he was flung back with a twirl by the vengeful treadmill. Clunk
The test was over.