Wumpa Fuel (Preview) (Patreon)

Wumpa Fuel.

That was what the label on the can said it was. Vinny turned it over a few times but saw nothing else beside that, Crash himself, and the basic ingredient/warning list.

That's weird… I thought they said… maybe I just heard it wrong? Vinny scratched his chin. No, pretty sure it was-

A long, exhausting yawn came out. All the excitement and joy from finding the can was wearing off. He could feel his sore muscles again, his eyes starting to droop. Heh, an energy drink is still an energy drink. Less thinkin’ about names and more drinkin’!

He chuckled to himself as he shut the cooler door and headed for the front. Maybe he just heard them wrong.

Vinny got in line in the only open register lane. While he waited, he pulled out his phone and made a group text with the friends that told him about the drink. He quickly texted, Hey! Found the Crash drink!

A few seconds later, a response followed. Really? Sweet!

Vinny made it through the line and put his can down for the lady clerk when another text followed. What’s the taste?

After handing the lady the money for the drink, Vinny cracked the can open. A strong, fruity scent poured out of it, like a very strong fruit punch. He took a sip of it. It had definitely tasted like it smelled, along with a lot of sugar on top of it.

So, this is what Wumpa Fruit tastes like, huh? He smiled. It was very pleasant and, though try as he might, he couldn't figure it out. It wasn't fruit punch exactly, and he couldn't figure out what fruit it was either other than it being multiple.

Well, not bad, I- Vinny shivered. Body trembles broke out, skin pulsing and digits twitching. The sensation only lasted a few seconds, but he had to let out a small pant. Whoa, that was one hell of a kick!

He blinked his eyes a few times. He didn't feel tired anymore at least. That was good.

“Excuse me, sir.” The attendant caught his attention, holding out her hand. “Your change is $1.03 tonight, sir.”

Vinny blushed. How long was he awkwardly standing there? Better move on before anything else silly happens. He took the change and spoke breezily, “Thank you, hun.”

The lady did a double take, giving him a strange look.

Vinny noticed her confusion just as he was about to leave. What's her problem? He cleared his throat and asked, a bit nicer than what was in his head, “Is something wrong?”

As those words came out, there was a twitch in his nose. It was darkening fast, turning brownish black. It stretched forward, nostrils pulling with it like they were being vacuumed. Its shape turned bean-like, forming a more cartoony animal nose.

Then his face twitched and swelled. Slightly though, his jaws puffing out on the sides and mouth, the latter of which pushed forward. Tannish fur sprouted across his cheeks and maw as it formed a pointed muzzle, his nose stretching further out. It was almost similar to Crash's own mug but rounder and cuter.

The lady's expression continued to grow stranger. “Ummm… are you okay?”

“Of course I am!” Vinny pouted, a splash of deep, ruby red lipstick appearing on his muzzle. Now she's just being weird. He rolled his eyes and shook his head, a streak of golden blond going through his hair. Maybe she's been working too long too. I know that feeling.