...Victor groaned the mont Vandora suggested the na, "Tomato? You want us to call her?"
eting Tomato had been by accident. It was during one of Perseus’s mission and the mont he saw the lenny family mark on her body, he had known that she was a family mber.
Perseus back then had hit it off with her. But this devil of a woman had been too much for him. Even when he told Victor about her, controlling her had proven a lot of difficulty.
Perseus almost choked in disbelief. "You can’t be serious. Tomato? She’s... she’s a walking disaster, Vandora. We barely survived the last ti we worked with her."
Vandora’s many eyes blinked slowly, her massive turtle-like form exuding a calm that stood in stark contrast to the brothers’ rising tension. "Precisely why she is the best for this task. The None Zone warps all magic—except with Tomato, it won’t matter. Her ability to nullify magic makes her the only one who can traverse that chaotic place without succumbing to its volatility."
Victor ran a hand through his fiery red hair, shaking his head. "She’s uncontrollable. Last ti, she caused an entire city to lose its magic for a week. No spells, no enchantnts, nothing worked because of her. Do you rember how much chaos that caused? Theybare loteral creatures that cant live without their magic."
Perseus crossed his arms, frowning. "Not to ntion, she doesn’t exactly have the best attitude. She does what she wants, when she wants, and magic ans nothing to her. She’s more dangerous than so of the enemies we face."
"True," Vandora admitted, her voice steady. "But that’s also why she’s perfect. In the None Zone, where magic twists and breaks, having soone whose very presence nullifies magic is exactly what we need."
Victor slumped back in his chair, staring at the ceiling as if asking so higher power for patience. "So, not only do we have to deal with fallen angels and demons, but now we have to babysit Tomato. Great. Just great."
Perseus, still clearly uncomfortable, added, "She might nullify the magic of the None Zone, but what about the rest of us? If she’s anywhere near us, we’re defenseless. No spells, no protection, nothing. Do we really want to put ourselves at that kind of risk?"
Vandora, calm as ever, responded, "You won’t be traveling with her directly. She will enter the None Zone on her own, gather the materials, and return. You won’t need to fight by her side."
Victor raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you plan on controlling her? She doesn’t follow orders. She doesn’t follow anyone’s orders."
"I will speak with her," Vandora said simply. "There are... incentives that even soone like Tomato cannot resist."
Perseus was still uneasy, his brow furrowed as he considered the risks. "She’s not like the rest of us. No magic, no powers—just raw physical strength and that... curse of hers. We barely survived her ’help’ last ti. Are we really sure this is the only way?" He scread yet again.
"Would you rather face the None Zone yourself?" Vandora asked, her tone gentle but firm.
Perseus stiffened at the reminder. mories of his previous journey through the None Zone flashed in his mind—twisted landscapes, the very fabric of reality unraveling around him, his magic becoming erratic and useless. The thought of returning there without a plan was enough to make his skin crawl.
Victor sighed, standing up. "Alright, alright. We call Tomato. But if she causes any more trouble, it’s on you, Vandora."
Vandora nodded, a slow, deliberate motion of her massive head. "I accept that responsibility."
Victor waved his hand dismissively. "Fine. Summon her. But let’s be clear—we’re not looking for a repeat of last ti. I want this mission to be clean and quick. No unnecessary destruction, no chaos."
Perseus muttered under his breath, "Good luck with that."
Victor ignored him and called for his attendants. "Prepare for Tomato’s arrival. We need her ready as soon as possible for the mission to the None Zone."
As the room cleared, Perseus shot Victor a look. "I can’t believe we’re doing this again."
Victor shrugged, a weary grin on his face. "Better her than us in the None Zone. Besides, as much of a headache as Tomato is, she gets results."
Perseus sighed. "Let’s just hope this ti we’re not cleaning up her ss for weeks after."
---------
The sound of trees crashing and birds scattering filled the air long before Tomato arrived. The entire forest at the edge of Victor’s estate was leveled, the destruction clear as a wild, mutant magical beast, the size of a small castle, charged into view. Perched on its back was Tomato, her three glowing eyes hidden behind oversized sunglasses. Her crimson skin glistened like freshly spilled blood, and her long, red reptilian tail swayed lazily behind her. She was laughing—loud and unrestrained—her mouth full of a massive chunk of roasted beast at that she gnawed on like it was an appetizer.
Victor stood at the entrance to his estate, jaw clenched as the last of the ancient trees toppled in her wake. He wanted to scream at her, but he held himself back, his composure barely intact. "That... was an entire forest, Tomato."
She waved him off with a casual flick of her tail, not even bothering to look at the damage she’d caused. "Eh, they’ll grow back." Her voice was as loud and grating as her entrance, filled with laughter and disregard. "Besides, I needed a dramatic entrance. It’s been a while since I’ve stretched my legs."
The mutant beast roared, shaking the ground as it ca to a stop in front of the estate. Tomato slid off its back with an almost lazy grace, tossing the last of the beast at into her mouth. She wiped her bloody hands on her black leather pants and threw her sunglasses aside, revealing her piercing, triple-eyed gaze. Each eye glowed with a faint crimson light, sizing up the group in front of her.
Even the werewolves, known for their fearlessness, bowed low as she passed. After all, she was a mber of the Lenny Tales royal family, a devil unlike others. She smirked at their submission but didn’t acknowledge them further, her focus on the task at hand.
Victor sighed, trying to keep his frustration in check. "Tomato, we need to talk about the mission—"
"Hold up, hold up!" She cut him off, raising a hand. "You want to go to that rotten, stinking place? You gotta be kidding !" She pinched her nose dramatically, scrunching her face. "That place slls like shit. I don’t do shit slls, Victor."
Victor groaned inwardly. He had expected resistance, but the problem was that Tomato’s brand of resistance was loud and destructive. She strolled into his chambers as if she owned the place, plopping down on his favorite couch like it was her own living room. Her tail flicked lazily behind her as she draped one arm over the back of the couch, making herself completely at ho.
Perseus, who had been standing quietly to the side, already looked uncomfortable. He had hoped to avoid any personal interaction with her, but as usual, fate had other plans.
Victor pinched the bridge of his nose. "Tomato, we don’t have ti for this. The situation is delicate, and we need your help in the None Zone. You’re the only one who can handle the magic warping there."
Tomato grinned, her sharp teeth flashing as she took her ti responding. "Oh, I’ll go alright," she said, her voice dripping with mischief. "But I’ve got one condition."
Perseus tensed imdiately, sensing trouble. "What condition?"
"You." Tomato pointed a sharp finger directly at Perseus, a wicked gleam in her eyes. "You’re coming with ."
Perseus’s reaction was instant. "No! Absolutely not!" His voice cracked in a rare mont of panic. "There’s no way I’m going back to that place, and definitely not with you!"
Tomato leaned forward, licking her lips slowly in mock hunger. "Co on, Perseus. It’ll be fun. You, , and the None Zone. I’ll even protect you... well, maybe."
"NO!" Perseus’s voice rose in horror. "You’re insane, Tomato! I’m not going anywhere near you, let alone the None Zone!"
She burst out laughing, the sound booming through the chambers. "I love it when you’re scared. You’re so much fun to ss with." She stood up, walking slowly toward him, her eyes gleaming with delight at his obvious discomfort. "But that’s my condition, Perseus. If you want to go, you’re coming along for the ride."
Perseus took several steps back, practically tripping over himself in his rush to put distance between them. "Victor, say sothing!"
Victor sighed, not thrilled with the situation but seeing no other way forward. "Tomato, why does Perseus need to go? You can handle this mission on your own."
"Of course I can." Tomato grinned, circling Perseus like a predator toying with its prey. "But where’s the fun in that? Besides, he owes for last ti. I saved his life, rember?"
"You nearly killed last ti!" Perseus shot back, his panic rising. "There’s a difference!"
Vandora, who had been silently watching the entire exchange, let out a long, deep sigh. "It seems that we have no choice. If Tomato insists, then Perseus must go."
Perseus stared at her in disbelief. "What? You’re agreeing to this?"
Vandora’s many eyes blinked slowly. "Tomato is the only one who can complete the mission safely. If her condition is that you accompany her, then that is what must happen."
Tomato grinned even wider, clapping her hands together. "Perfect! Pack your bags, Perseus! We leave at dawn." She winked at him, clearly enjoying every second of his tornt.
Perseus groaned in utter defeat. "This is a nightmare."
Victor gave his royal brother a sympathetic look. "Just... try to stay alive. And rember, whatever happens, we need that material from the None Zone."
Tomato cackled as she tossed a casual salute. "Don’t worry, royal brother Victor, I’ll bring him back in one piece... maybe."
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