Chapter 7... man, this year has been a wild ride. Well, I know it has been for a lot of people, considering how 2020 has been I hope something like this can bring a smile or help distract someone in some way.

So this final leg of Dante's Inferno falls on Chip, how will he manage. How will he survive? Will he make it out of Raccoon City? XD I don't know, I'm a huge Resident Evil fan so that I throw a little silly reference in here.

Enjoy!


"Oh gosh, first one of us nearly drowns, someone turns into a freak of nature, and then nearly being incinerated alive. What's next? Getting squished to death? I swear Veruca gets these ideas from a comic book. I mean, SERIOUSLY?!" Chip was just confused and disgusted at the same time; he could only pinch the bridge of his nose to all of it. "Look," as he adjusted his glasses, "It's clear that whatever comes next, I'm the one who has to volunteer. I just pray to God or SOMETHING that nothing goes horribly wrong."

The others had the same look on their faces: worry and concern. What if Veruca truly meant her words about the gum and how it can be used on others? How far would she be willing to go to hurt people as a means to get something?

"Look, we can ponder all the what ifs of what Veruca plans to do, but if we don't stop her, more people will get hurt." Smells of burnt synthetic clothing and garbage still permeated off of Coco, but she and the others continued to walk down the hallway. No lights illuminated the hallway, the only thing they could see was a faint glow that the end of the tunnel was nearby.

More sounds of the Oompa Loompas kept them on edge. From aweing in delight that they made it so far to snickering what Veruca plans to do with them.

"Come on you FREAKS!" Madeleine hollered out. "Your mistress Veruca is running out of luck. She thinks she can knock us down; that couldn't be any further from the truth!" Her body was still aching, no matter how much acetaminophen she took, the pain was still lingering. "Man, I think we all want a massage or something after this. I have never felt this sore in my lifetime. No amount of martial arts has ever drained me like that."

The others looked at Madeleine. Rocky's chocolate, splotchy stained pants still showed what he went through. "Look, none of us ever anticipated any of this. No normal human would ever think of the horrors in a factory that's meant to bring happiness to others. Madeleine, I don't want to lose you, Chip, or Coco. We're the only the ones who witnessed and experienced the true self that Veruca wanted us to see. She shows herself off like she's valuable, but underneath it, it stinks."

Another ring from the PA system went off. "How adorable," her voice slightly cooed, almost as if they can feel the corners of her mouth turn into a smile. "If you want to think these trials are random or just out of the blue, you're wrong. Each of us endured those things at the factory. That should've never happened to me, but to the others, they deserve it. Augustus, the fat pig who should've kept his mouth away from the river and nearly drowned. Violet, the arrogant know-it-all who think she knew better. However, the gum decided to take a dessert-turned fate. And Michael, well I wasn't there to experience it myself. I was stupidly sent down the chute for no reason. However, I think with a last name like Teavee I bet something was involved with a television. I think something involved shrinking him, but I can't be sure. Maybe I'll be able to confirm it from the man himself."

Fear ran down Madeleine's spine. "What do you mean? Don't tell me you've got an idea about forcing him over here? What on earth could he have to offer?" However, her mind continued to race and then realized that Violet could be in danger too. "NO! Don't you dare do what I think you will do."

Silence filled the hallway. Rocky was ready to prep himself and jump for anything to come. "Veruca, whatever you got in your pathetic, delusional mind, I will knock you so senseless that the cops will have it easy dragging your body to a cell."

"Believe what you want to, but anyone who dares to try and cross my path will face the consequences for their actions. Maybe I can publicly humiliate them or ask for a ransom, not sure, I think I've got enough money to silence people."

"NO AMOUNT OF MONEY WILL EVER MAKE UP FOR THE PEOPLE YOU INTEND TO HARM!" Chip screamed at the top of his lungs. Internally, his body quivered with anger and revolt, that something had to be said.

/

Oh gosh, I hope Madeleine and the others are okay. Violet was very concerned for them. She felt useless where she was standing, leaves ruffled across her window. The more she kept on stressing about the situation, she began to see the blue veins become more prominent on her arms. Remember, nothing can hurt you. I just need to remain calm. Besides, I know Mike is coming over today for a dinner with my folks.

During the hours that Madeleine and the others were putting themselves on the line, Violet had prepped her EPI pens and other things in her room. A few suitcases lined the back of her room. Once things had settled down, she, her parents, Mike, and his parents were planning a family getaway. Something to get their minds off of the current situation.

We'll be going to Chicago for about a week or so, and I am genuinely looking forward to it. See some sights, nosh on some food, and maybe just have a nice night to myself and Mike. He does so much for me, but I've always got this nagging feeling I'm just not good enough. Off to her right was one of her favorite brushes, she sat right down in front of her light-up vanity. Long, brown hair covered her beautiful eyes and lovely facial features, soft baby-like cheeks and not a single blemish to be seen. Maybe I should get my hair cut at some point, maybe change it up a bit. Except, no bobs. I've had enough of them.

Fingers carefully stroked through her hair and suddenly there was a knock at the door. "Come in!" she gleefully responded.

"Vi, honey, your mom and I need to run a quick errand to grab some stuff for dinner. Also, I think Mr. Teavee is outside waiting for you. Looks like he's got something for a lovely lady like yourself. You two can go on a walk and by the time you get back, dinner should be ready."

"DAD! OH MY GOD… don't try to embarrass me that much." Despite her cheeks looking red like a tomato, a smile was seen underneath it.

"I think a father like me is allowed to make some jokes." Sam leaned in gave a grin to his daughter. "Why don't you doll yourself a little bit. Plus, I think your mother wants you to try some new products she got recently. Don't bug her, she's trying to doll her hair up."

Violet relented. "Sure dad, I think mom got me some mascara or a new palette. I'll check my drawer."

Just as Violet was reaching for a drawer, the phone went off. "I'm not gonna be able to get it and mom won't either."

A slight groan came from the car salesman. "Alright, alright. Maybe I can get another sale. KIDDING!"

He quickly ran to the living room where an older styled-looking phone was ringing. "Sam Beauregarde of Sam Square Deal how can I help you?"

"Oh, you're the Mr. Sam Beauregarde?" a younger woman's voice implied.

"Yes, indeed. Normally one of my assistants would answer the phone since technically we are closed for the day, but you have the pleasure of talking to me. What kind of car are you looking for?"

"Well, I'm a little tired of this blue car that I have. It's shown some wear and tear over the years, but I think I want to upgrade it to a nicer one. There's something about the color blue that I like so much. Too many cars are brown and black, it's hard to tell them apart you know?"

For a moment Sam was a little confused but wanted to live up to the title of car salesman. "Blue you say? I don't normally get a lot of blue ones in, but if you would like me to, I can definitely work up a deal for you. What's your name miss?"

"Oh! How silly of me to not introduce my name to you. The name is Salt, Veruca Salt."

Suddenly there were a barrage of knocks at the door.

Instinctively, Sam dropped the phone and rushed towards his wife. "Scarlett, you go to Violet right now!"

"What's going on?" Scarlett asked confused, her hair still had curlers in it and just put on some primer.

"You stay with her, I think Veruca wants to make a visit and I'm not gonna let some snob-nosed brat harm my daughter."

"Oh SAM! I think it would be wise to pick up the phone. Isn't it rude to leave someone on hold and not tell them?" her tone filled with that arrogance as ever, a laugh was almost heard.

"Listen, whatever money you want from me, forget about it! You've got enough of everything in this world, your father's legacy which you probably stole, you silenced your mother, and now you want to take on a small family business for what gain?" Sam tried to find some sort of blunt heavy item nearby the phone if Veruca dared to do something.

All of a sudden, a door was busted down, and Mike was thrown through the newly opened hole.

"SON OF A BITCH, THOSE ASSHOLES! I know why you're here!" Mike tried to fight against the pain, a few scratches were on his arms.

A few burly men who looked like private security guards forced their way into the Beauregarde household. "We have a mission from Ms. Salt herself and we've heard your daughter may be the key to what she truly needs."

Both Sam and Mike felt a horrible feeling in their stomachs, a knot that couldn't untie itself. Sam was frozen and didn't want to do the wrong thing.

No, if they try to do something to Vi, I swear I will break them in two before they have a chance to touch her. Without a moment of hesitation, Mike got himself up and prepped his right arm. Just as he pulled his hand into a fist, one of the other men counteracted with a direct punch to the gut.

No words could escape the young man, all he could do was stare at them until the pain made him temporarily pass out.

"Make sure the kid doesn't squirm too much, he might want to witness what could happen to his girlfriend. In fact, wouldn't it be better to have her family and friends witness it all. Grab the wife and daughter, and keep Mr. Beauregarde in his place."

However, Violet decided to run to see where she heard Mike. "OH GOD MIKE ARE YOU OKAY?"

She felt stiff and frozen, to see Mike on the ground battered and bruised. "What do you want with me?! If it's money, Veruca has enough money in the world to satisfy her needs!" her voice trembled, eyes pulsating in absolute fear. Occasionally glancing over at her dad, in the same fearful position. Come on, do not lose it. These men wouldn't dare lay a hand on a lady like me, heck, I'll take them down when they least expect it. I think I can finally use these lessons for something.

She hurriedly tucked her hair behind her ears and went for one of the private guards, grabbed the weapon in her dad's hand. A low sweeping kick threw one of them off balance followed by distinctly placed punches near the solar plexus and bashed the guard's thigh pretty hard.

A small smile could be seen from Mike, he tried to get himself up to help Violet with the fight. However, the weight of an ugly brown-black boot compressed heavily on his spine. "VIOLET, what on earth are you doing?"

"I'm doing something; I'm tired of acting like a hopeless victim. If even if it causes my thing to flare up, I'll know I'm doing it for the right reasons… because it's what Madeleine and the others would do."

However, the first man she took down got back up and grabbed her wrists. Violet thrashed with all of her might and couldn't hold onto the weapon anymore; she stomped on his feet to get him to react, however her wailing came to a holt as soon as she saw a glimmer of silver.

A needle was held close to her, possessing some sort of dark, bluish liquid.

"I don't think it would be wise to act up against us, we've got control now. Unless you want to turn into that thing again, you will do as Veruca wishes. Understood?"

She heavily swallowed, took a few breaths to analyze the situation. Shit, I've gotta do something now. There's an opening at the door and if I can get out and scream loud enough, maybe someone will help me.

"Sure, could you please let go of my wrists. I will do exactly as you say. My wrists bruise pretty easily."

Without a moment of hesitation, the befuddled guard let go of Violet and she quickly elbowed him in the groin area. Legs scurried like a gazelle as she made it to the open-door frame and was punched incredibly hard in the stomach grinding her to a halt.

"SHIT!" as she hunched over, arms crossed over ready to accept whatever fate was coming to her.

Another guard ran on in and slammed her to the ground, her hair fanning out beneath her. She laid right next to Mike, who looked at her worriedly. As she took another breath, her irises sharply expanded as she felt a needle right into her delicate skin. Immediately she shrieked, but the pain and shock of it all made her pass out. One of the other guards made sure their precious cargo was okay and gave her a shot of an EPI pen.

"VIOLET! VIOLET! WAKE UP! What do you plan to do with her?" Mike yelled out in anger.

The older man leaned down and yanked him by his hair. "Oh, I think what'll happen to her will be just desserts."

/

As Madeleine and the others made their way down to the end of the tunnel they were greeted by a rather large, car-like machine.

"What on earth is this? Something for a parade that was left over?" Coco questioned as she let her hand feel over each railing and engravement on it.

The familiar buzzer went off in the distance and static tried to break through. "Well, just one more leg of your pitiful journey and it'll all be done. I think everyone here has learned their lesson for today; don't bite off more than you can chew."

"THE PERSON WHO HASN'T LEARNED THEIR LESSON IS YOU VERUCA SALT! You have tortured so many people, made them feel like toys, and now you want to gloat that these are all 'lessons?' I swear to GOD you will be punished both morally and legally!" Anger coursed through Chip's veins; all of the words she spoke just infuriated him. However, Chip had to remain calm. He was the last one to endure the proverbial Dante's Inferno, more so the final layer before reaching the final goal.

A soapy-like foam escaped from one of the pipes and as soon as the others sat down, the machine magically managed to turn on and brought them through the tunnel. Madeleine looked down at her wrists, the effects of the gum still slightly lingered, they looked a bit darker blue than usual. I have to be careful now. If Veruca does want to do something torturous, let me be the one to take it all. No one needs to feel like they're being used or played with, I'll turn the tables and show her who has the better hand of cards.

Pops and clinks, what almost sounded like something from a kitchen mixed with a bathroom, managed to propel the machine at a snail's pace. Suddenly, a glimpse of orange skin crawled on top of the machine where the wheel was. The Oompa Loompa sat there all docile-like, occasionally looking over to the back where Madeleine and Rocky sat. Chip and Coco were in the front getting a good glimpse of the other wonders of the factory. More pipes of various confectionaries, pastries, and other oddities were filled of it; yet so many people were able to find the wonder in those oddities, but would that be tarnished into something ugly?

Soft, brown hair tussled against Chip's vest; she rested her head for a sense of her own relief. Delicate hands embraced one another; Chip gave Coco a small kiss on the forehead. "I promise you, after this craziness, you and I will go somewhere where we don't have to worry about anything."

The odd parade-like float came to a halt and were greeted to a large, white, blank wall filled with white, orange-striped bodysuits adorned with goggles.

"Gosh, whose fashion sense is odder? Wonka or Veruca?" Rocky inquired as he looked closer at the bizarre outfits. Well, this is better than wearing these pants that look like they were shit-stained." He and the others relented as white, vinyl-like material covered their clothes and quickly put the goggles on.

The door magically opened for them, they were greeted by a large-scale movie camera with a rotatable chair and a small television monitor with an array of switchboards.

Chip walked closer to the camera and noticed a large circular pad, what almost looked like something for a stand-up comedy show. Off to the side he noticed a remote connected to the stage and a candy-like red button on top of it.

"Careful, I wouldn't hit that button or anything in this room and don't step up on that stage. Anything in here can be a trick," Coco carefully warned as she got closer to the switchboard. Knobs and switches, labels and power grids were like jargon to Coco and she didn't want to press the wrong thing that could send them God knows where. "Okay, I take it something is transported in here and something of a rather large size. You guys have any inclination to what it could be?"

Madeleine shrugged her shoulders and took a closer look at the chair, noticed something was scribbled on and haphazardly taped on there.

The note read: To whoever found this note, welcome to the WonkaVision room. This is where mostly anything can be transported into a television. Imagine if a candy bar was presented on the screen, you reach in, and take it for you to consume right there. However, a few kinks are needed to be worked out. I'm sorry for what Mr. Teavee went through and to whoever found this note, do not be surprised that you are here because of what Veruca Salt may have done to me or Charlie Bucket.

"Oh God, guys, look. Even Wonka knew something would happen. I can only imagine, no, cannot begin to imagine why on earth Veruca was so intent on getting back at Wonka and Charlie." Madeleine just couldn't believe the oddity of it all, the fact that Veruca was so hellbent on claiming something that was never hers to begin with.

However, there was only so much investigating they could do, and time was of the essence.

"Hey bitch, aren't you gonna tell us what the final puzzle of this stupid game is? Come on, why are you waiting?" Rocky demanded; his gaze locked right onto one of the security cameras.

A couple of beeps and sounds of buttons being pressed were heard on the PA system, until a young-ish sounding voice came through. "Madeleine, please hurry."

Terror shot through Madeleine's spine like a bullet, all of her fears were actualized. "God Veruca, what the everliving fuck is wrong with you?"

However, just as Madeleine wanted to hear Violet's voice again, the brat's peculiar voice came through. "Oh, I'm sorry, you weren't supposed to hear that. Oops." A small laugh, almost that of a villainess was heard loud and clear. "Well, I suppose making you wait any much longer could result in some awful consequences. The last thing you must endure to find is Violet's cure. Well, part of it. I have the other half and in order to make sure it works, both parts must be combined. I guess, it must have fallen down into a spot even my tiny, dainty, lady hands could never reach. Hell, not even an Oompa Loompa could do my bidding to reach it. Someone of a microscopic scale might have better luck and Chip Hauer this is your moment to shine. Don't screw up."

"FOR REAL?!" he exclaimed in confusion, taking his glasses off for an enraged moment. However, Chip wanted to keep his composure. Come on, not the time to freak out. Besides, what would shrinking my body really do to me?

"Guys, one of you needs to man the machine. It's about time I put my part in it, especially for you Madeleine. What you endured is something I don't want anyone else to physically experience. If turning me into a doll or action figure will stop this, I'll do it."

He carefully made his way up onto the circular pad, he gave one more glance to Coco. In her response she said, "Good luck."

"Thanks." Just as he closed his eyes and put the goggles over, Rocky hit the switch and lights as bright as a solar eclipse filled the room. Electrical waves could be felt by everybody and Chip kept as still as a mannequin till he arrived at his destination.

All he could see was pitch black and the lack of vision took a dip on his depth perception. Jeez, where on earth am I? He walked until he felt a wall and felt around until some sort of ladder was within grasp. "Alright, where do you lead me?"

One foot after the other, one hand after the other, he continued to climb. However, what would be in store for him?

Out of patience, Madeleine couldn't wait anymore and ran by the smaller monitor in case for Chip's safety. "Come on buddy, you had to make it through."

Coco began to fiddle with the knobs and switches on the switchboard until a small white blob appeared on the screen. No clear lines could be seen, but the silhouette looked like that of a human. "CHIP! If you can hear me, wave back. I hope there's no alternate version of you or who knows what."

To Chip, the voice sounded muddled, but with instinct he waved to the others. Coco almost collapsed to the ground, but she didn't want to make the wrong movement which could've sent the newly made action figure somewhere else.

A few more clicks and button pressing, Chip finally came into clear focus. "So, guys, where do I go now that I am the smallest one here? Rocky do not make any short jokes, I swear I will break off your legs one day. I'm kidding."

Rocky but couldn't help but laugh a little bit at Chip's diminutive stature, but wanted to help his good friend out during these times. "I'm not sure buddy but let me see if I can find a properly sized hole."

Quickly, Rocky and the others gazed for a spot until Madeleine accidentally walked to wear the rotating seat was. Right by her right foot was that hole. "Hey guys, this might be the spot. It's big enough for a rat to go through-" just as she said that Chip froze up. "SORRY, SORRY. I didn't mean to say it like that, it just came out."

After the brief mention of Chip's phobia, he maintained self-control and walked closer to where the glass of the television was. "Don't worry about it Madeleine, you can apologize to me with a meal or whatever, but let's find that component of the cure." Tiny hands met up with glass, something about it was quite peculiar. As if it wasn't meant to belong there, a bizarre feeling was there. To Chip's surprise he just stuck his hand through like a knife through butter. "This is really weird so I can just pop out of here?"

Very carefully Coco reached her hand through the screen, to her own shock that she could do it, and cusped Chip in her hand. "Wow, you weigh like a feather. How do you feel?"

Some dust was on his suit and had to clean his goggles a bit. "Beyond dusty, I feel completely fine. Nonetheless, I don't think it would be wise for me to stay tiny forever. Who knows what effects it will have."

Coco gently placed Chip at the opening of the mouse-sized hole.

Chip stared up at the others, just seeing how massive they were. Almost titan-like size to his eyes, but his eyes on the prize was the cure. "Well, I guess no weapons, no backpacks, no nothing. Just my wits and charm. Here goes nothing."

With a sprinter's start, legs scurried like nothing as he made his trek down the tunnel. With only a teeny, tiny flashlight on him, it barely managed to pierce through the black veil. Gosh, where do I even start? Okay, it has to be at the end of the hallway here, or rat-sized tunnel or something.

As he carefully crept across, the occasional sounds above and around him freaked him out. Just as Rocky would teach him, Chip kept a fighter's stance just in case.

The scurrying sound intensified as it sounded like it was coming closer and closer. Animal squeaks to be precise as Chip somehow found himself into an oversized warehouse-like room. However, this warehouse was full of squirrels. "You have got to be shitting me? My horrible bad pun came to bite me in the ass?" he loudly said, unfortunately gathered the attention of a few woodland creatures. At first, they looked almost docile. Their little paws held onto whatever nut was in the process of being deshelled. "Awe, you guys are pretty cute, but don't worry I will not harm you."

Chip extended his hand out as an almost comforting gesture to the squirrels as the familiar buzzer went off. To the squirrels, it was either too much as a small handful ran into a corner or the other handful went back to their little seats.

"Oh, Chip Hauer, you are so cute and adorable. Maybe Coco should help find you some doll-sized clothing for you." Veruca spoke condescendingly.

Another set of shutters opened to the woman leering down at him.

"What the hell do you want from me? I shrank down so that I can find part of the cure for Violet. Where did you hide it?" His voice filled with anger, the ire to take down the rotten brat.

"Oh?" she cooed in response, slightly twirling her hair like a schoolgirl. "That's right, little Violet Beuregarde. The bitch who should've known better and decided to let her pride get in the way of everything. That's why she lives such a pitiful life."

"YOU LEAVE VIOLET ALONE! Your focus should be on me, Madeleine, Rocky, and Coco. SHE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS."

However, right behind Chip he felt some sort of presence, something much clearly larger than him. The hairs on his neck stood right up and he slightly tensed up. He slowly turned around to see a very altered squirrel. A blueish liquid dripped down its face and a small vial on a necklace thread around its neck. Except, it was no cute animal that would be seen in a park.

"Hey, no need to act all twitchy here. I mean no harm, whatsoever." Chip slowly extended his hand out as a comforting gesture, in some way to calm down the furry beast. A couple of squeaks escaped its mouth and its head jerked at any sound. Suddenly, the monster's eyes widened as large as dinner plates.

Chip had to stop, he stood there completely still. Shit, this was not I was expecting. Don't make any sudden movements.

"Hey buddy, just remain calm, alright?" he said while his voice slightly trembled, shivering in the thought of being mangled alive by a squirrel of all animals.

As he extended his arm out inch by inch and got his tiny hands wrapped around the rope-like cord, the monster let out a horrible scream and brought the attention of the other squirrels. Their heads perked up and chirped, but with their eyes locked onto Chip.

Quickly, he managed to yank on the cord and the bottle whacked the deranged squirrel in its face and temporarily knocked it out. "GOT IT!" Thankfully, the bottle did not hit the ground at all and as Chip wanted to quickly admonish the engraving on its glass structure, the monster sprang back and started to hunt him down.

"SHIT! I gotta get out of here!"

Like a mouse himself, Chip scurried as fast as his legs would permit him. With quick thinking, he slid down near by one of the stairs to evade the demented squirrels. The number of them grew more and more, soon a bull-like run was after the small human. Would Chip manage to come out unscathed or be trampled to death by squirrels?

"No way in hell am I gonna die by being squished by squirrels! The only thing I need to squish is Veruca's sick dream! Time for a reality check!"

Just as he was about to make the turn into the tunnel to lead him down back to Madeleine and the others, he was quickly cut off by the monster who hunted him down to begin with.

It raised its gelatinous covered hands from the poison concocted by Veruca and swiped right down at Chip's torso. Using the bottle as some sort of defense weapon, the vial managed to take most of the blow, but didn't crack in the process. More growls and demented squeaks came out of the freak's mouth, cheeks curling as if it wanted more than just the vial in Chip's tiny arms.

Once again, it went on another ferocious attack and tried to pounce right on top of Chip. It lurched and tried its darndest to get the smartest member of the team into a corner he couldn't escape.

As fate worked in its odd and wonderous ways, a shadow came over Chip's head. "OH GOD WHAT NOW? Another one of those fucks?"

To his delight, it was a decently sized walnut that somehow managed to roll its way down from one of the bins the squirrels used to determine a bad nut.

With one hard kick, Chip managed to dislodge the nut and came right into the path of the monster.

Paws and nose twitched in curiosity; somehow the squirrel's natural tendencies wanted to come back.

He took the opportunity to run away into the tunnel. However, the vision in his eyes was starting to blur. He wasn't sure if there was any light at the end of that tunnel or if his mind was playing tricks on him. God, why do I feel like this? I feel like I just got walloped in the head or maybe I had too much to drink. How the hell can I feel drunk without having any alcohol?

Cold blood trickled from his wrist and hearing it puddle around him somewhat snapped him back into reality? The hell, how on earth did I get cut? WAIT… I guess when that freak of nature tried to swing at me, I used the bottle to guard me, but the nail must've been just long enough to still get a nick on me.

The familiar dark blue shade he saw on Madeleine appeared right on his wrist. "No… I gotta make it no matter what!"

Coco heard that scream loud and clear. "OH GOD, Chip are you okay? What's wrong?" She pressed her face right up by the mouse-sized hole to see some glimpse of Chip.

Suddenly his entire being felt overcome by guilt and anxiety, and his body started to shake. "NO! WHY DOES SHIT LIKE THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN?" He fought everything in his body to not turn into the stuff of nightmares, but the reality he saw was fake. Buildings in his mind were collapsing, bridges shrank in size, and people were being crammed in like sardines. Everything started to warp in his mind, as if the matrix came out of order or a pinball machine reading "TILT" after being hit one too many times.

"CHIP! You have to fight whatever it is; if it's not real, it won't hurt you. The shrinking could've messed up how your mind operates, and we need to reverse it before the damage is done."

Something about that phrase hit him in the pit of his stomach. Things that might almost seem real, cannot actually hurt me. This is only another stupid mind trick Veruca came up with on the fly to maybe scare me a little. I'm only scared because my adrenaline is pumping, and I normally don't like to think of the fly here.

He turned his body and saw the beauty in Coco's eyes as his means to get out of the mouse full force, he ran as hard as he ever could. Faster than any track team he was a part of, sweat pouring from his forehead and making sure his glasses didn't fly off at any moment. However, the familiar screeching came through as his favorite friend continued to hunt him down. "Oh for heaven's sake, why don't you take the fucking hint?!"

Just as the beast tried to get one more lash at Chip, he managed to leap out of the hole and completely tumbled into the side of the WonkaVision pad.

As Coco would want to give him a congratulatory hi-five so to speak, the squirrel managed to finagled its way through and stared right at her.

Bluish fluid dripped from its mouth and Rocky swiftly kicked the squirrel across the room. "Piss off!"

It shook his head and raised its arms up and down but was too confused on what to do next. Rocky was ready to squish on the beast's head to put it out of its misery, but Madeleine intervened. "Don't do that! It's just scared and confused, bet ya Veruca altered this squirrel on purpose. She wants to make everyone her puppet, act on instant command."

Very carefully Madeleine hunched over and ever so delicately held the squirrel with her hands. For some odd reason, the squirrel somehow managed to calm down and felt the warmth. "I think because I had that nasty blueberry shit in my system and it's probably still circulating around, it doesn't want to outright attack me. Coco, grab Chip so that it doesn't see him. I think our little buddy is just upset."

"UPSET MY ASS!" a squeak almost cape from the miniature Chip, "It nearly wanted to claw me to death!"

She shook her head and tried to laugh off his tantrum. "Chip, you'll thank us later. You can settle your differences with the squirrels later, let's get you back to normal."

While Madeleine tended to the squirrel and Rocky stood back just in case, Coco picked up Chip and the bottle he held in his hands. "Man, I won't ever make short jokes to you in a long time. Are you feeling okay?"

Feeling completely winded, he about almost passed out on Coco's palms. "I think it's not good for any human to be this small for so long. Although, I bet Mike had a better head on his shoulders and didn't freak like I did. I swore, I thought I was going to turn into what Madeleine did, but it was just a giant mind trick."

He sighed and wanted to lay down for a miniscule nap but felt the top of Coco's nails giving him a good scratch on the head. He closed his eyes in absolute delight but wanted another look at the beauty in Coco's eyes. "You know, did anyone ever tell you just how pretty your eyes really are?"

A slight blush was seen on her pale cheeks. "Look, you can make all the cute compliments you want as soon as we get you back to normal size. Now, on how earth do we get you back to normal and not look like a doll anymore?"

While the two lovebirds admired each other's beauty, Madeleine looked around for anything else that could be a major clue. Nothing seemed to click together until she looked at the note again Wonka wrote. Something on one of the corners felt heavy, as if something were sandwiched between. "Hey Rocky, I think we know where Charlie got his trick with keys." She carefully pried the papers apart and found a key with a unique engraving it that read "CBWW." The metal shined and gleamed, maybe the last key to end the adventure they were on. Would the final dungeon door lead to ultimate victory or some proverbial dragon behind that door?

The familiar buzzer went off again and a few of the Oompa Loompas came out with a couple of trays full of unfortunately familiar needles.

One of the men tried to usher Madeleine and the others over, however she quickly hid the key in her pocket so they wouldn't try to alert Veruca like a guard dog. She allowed them to take the squirrel and one of them went down what looked like a medical wing.

Chip wanted to hide behind Coco's palm and not even be seen by them. "Hey, you don't think they're gonna try to do something too radical? Right?" his voice filled with concern, the last thing he wanted on his mind was giant needle plunged into his being.

One of the Oompa Loompas guided them to another secret door that led to a large sized room filled with an odd assortment of contraptions and food-themed appliances.

"Great, what now? Is someone else gonna turn into another fruit?" Rocky sarcastically asked, draping his arm over Madeleine. The last thing he wanted to see was her in pain again.

"Right here is the Taffy Pulling Room. I guess it wouldn't be that fair to have one of your lackies handicapped." Veruca stated so arrogantly, it was almost as if she still could win the game. "I think for Chip the best treatment for him is the same that Mike got. It's almost like I know firsthand what he experienced."

That same pitted feeling came full-throttle into Madeleine's stomach; it churned with anxiety and fear. "What the hell is wrong with you? Do you plan to drag everyone who was involved with the factory as a circle jerk for yourself?"

For a couple of moments there was silence, so quiet a pin could be dropped.

"You know, I was one of the lucky few to go to Wonka's factory. To see what made this man tick and I knew he was simply crazy. No one would ever believe the things he could do, but over time that craziness lead him to a downfall. He made a fatal mistake with me, but not so much my father. When we both fell, the drop managed to hurt his spine, but I managed to walk away from it unscathed, for the most part. Over the years, I managed to not only learn how my father's business worked, and, of course, learned after he kicked the bucket, but how I can get Wonka's factory for my own uses. Absolute control."

"How can you talk about your own father like that?" Coco hollered out; she couldn't even begin to imagine to wish injury on a loved one. "You wrote your mom out of the picture by paying her mouth shut and you're still a brat who never learned a lesson called humility."

"Whatever, none of it matters anyways and you almost reached your final destination." Another shuttered window opened and there Veruca loomed, her perfectly done hair matched her French manicure; the mask she wore to show to others was starting to wear thin and chips of it cracked off.

Any of the concerns that Madeleine and the others had were washed away with deafening sounds of the various apparatuses that ran at full blast.

"Jeez, I'm not sure what's worse, a death metal concert or these machines giving me a splitting headache?" Rocky held his hand up against his temple, trying to numb out the annoying pain of it all.

Chip continued to stay behind Coco's hand, not wanting to be another toy to be messed with. "So, what now?"

Just as Chip was wanting to think what could happen to him, he was rudely grabbed by an Oompa Loompa, completely throwing Coco and even Madeleine off guard.

"WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING TO HIM?" Madeleine yelled out of anger, she wanted to clobber the Oompa Loompas. She was ready to leap into danger, but saw a blue vial held in their hands.

Chip tried to physically maneuver and wrangle his way out. "PUT ME DOWN! I swear, I'll bite your thumbs if I have to!"

However, as he wanted to map his potential, he felt tweezers separate his lips and a cold dark liquid fell from the tip of a dropper; a small bit of it splashed on his pale skin, an ominous dark blue tint to it.

The taste was unlike he ever had before, fruits that should've felt familiar, but the odd combination had a warming sensation to it. His eyes felt like they started to blur, as if nothing would remain in focus like a proverbial camera. A couple of orange-tinted hands carefully moved his body into a small container attached to a machine with multiple robotic arms.

Fear and anxiety through Coco's mind. "CHIP! Just don't lose your focus." It was almost nail biting to her to see him go through this ordeal.

Chip's mind continued to rattle and roller coaster all over the place, thoughts of people being pulled apart as if some cruel, unusual forces were behind it. The fact that Veruca could destroy people who stood in her way, so she would remain the queen of the throne.

Metallic hands grabbed his feet and hands; he wriggled like a worm, but to no avail. Skin stretched like gum, but he closed his eyes, the last thing he wanted to see was his world literally spinning out of control. Arms and legs folded like no other, it would make a contortionist blush. His mind was stretched like taffy and the images of his friends in his mind started to warp. Rocky drowned in his mind, Madeleine exploded, and Coco burned alive.

As his arm was put back it its place like it normally should be, another dirty hand removed him from the machine they dowsed him in another bottle's worth of liquid. "You better have a towel for me…" his words slurred as he saw his hands coming back to size, something that he was happy to see again.

Fingers flexed normally and he was able to look sternly at Veruca; the look in eyes was pure wrath and anger. "Veruca, you will need to pay for your crimes. If you think you can hurt anyone else, you are so dead wrong."

Before his anger took a hold, Coco grabbed his hand and kissed him on the cheek. "Don't worry dear, you, Madeleine, Rocky, and I will take her down."


BOY! There is a lot to unpack here, so buckle up.

Chip's comment of, "she gets these ideas from a comic book." That was an intentional Resident Evil 5 Easter egg for when Chris and Sheva are fighting against Wesker. Oh god, imagine Madeleine and the others in a RE universe, which would be interesting.

The whole scene with Violet and her parents was a fun one to write, maybe for a moment they can have a little bit of respite and I will call myself guilty for putting in Chicago as a travelling destination. I live about a half hour away from the Windy City and plus, Chicago's got some good tasty food.

Violet's hair comment is also directly towards her characterization in the 2005 version with the bob haircut. Also, I used to have a bob for YEARS and I finally decided to grow out of that in 2020. I guess Violet and I have something in common there.

Plus, it was just fun to finally see Violet do something. This is also in regards to her karate lessons that she did for years, but probably after her experience at the factory, she always wanted to keep her emotions and physical demeanor under control. The last thing she needed to was to agitate her condition. PLUS, I couldn't help but hear Violet and Mike as Ann and Ryuji from Persona 5. Mike having that sort of fiery attitude and Violet can be a bit sassy.

I know for Chip it might seem it was more focused on the squirrel room, but it was more so how can he figure out to get out a situation with how small he is? Plus, not too long ago I watched the 2020 version of The Witches, which to my surprise I mildly enjoyed it. Does that movie have problems? Sure, to me it'll never top the 1990 version with Anjelica Huston, but there were some elements of horror that I liked with the remake. A lot of the mouse imagery in this was a direct homage to it including the scene with the droplets from the vial being dropped into his mouth.

I've seen a lot of people on various fanfics with Mike focus on how not only being shrunk and sent into the internet affected his mind, while clearly in this fanfic I didn't have Chip issekai himself into a virtual world, the thought of one's mind being warped because of something out of his hands was something I wanted to play with. How can you do something when literally everything else is spiraling out of control?

On a cute note, even when Chip was being picked up and Rocky made his sarcastic little remark, I couldn't help but think of a short tantrum Edward Elric from FMA would. Plus, in my head I see Chip having Edward Elric's voice.

How much more twisted will things get? Will Veruca finally crack?

Please let me know what you think and R&R! ^W^