With the raiders successfully driven away by Blinky and his glowing minions, the apartment's residents found themselves in the unusual position of not just surviving the apocalypse, but thriving in it. Mallory, of course, wasted no time in reveling in their newfound notoriety.
"Face it," she declared, lounging dramatically on the couch. "We're legends now. They'll write songs about us."
"Songs about you eating chips while your alien blob army does all the work?" Vanessa snorted.
"Hey, delegation is a skill," Mallory said, wagging a finger. "Besides, did you see their faces when the Minions started glowing? Priceless."
Greg chuckled nervously from his corner. "I'm just glad they didn't stick around long enough to realize we're not actually, you know, competent."
"Speak for yourself," Altair muttered, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
But while the group joked about their victory, Blinky and his minions were already hard at work. The little creatures had taken up residence in the crawlspace beneath the pantry, which they seemed to be expanding into a sprawling, gelatinous lair.
---
"I think they're building something," Altair observed one afternoon, crouching by the pantry and peering into the darkness.
"What, like a mini-mall?" Mallory asked, munching on a Pop-Tart.
"More like a nest," Altair replied. "But it's… organized. Almost like they're planning something."
Mallory leaned over his shoulder, squinting into the crawlspace. Sure enough, the Minions were scurrying back and forth, carrying scraps of metal, fabric, and whatever else they could find.
"Well, as long as they're not plotting to overthrow me, I'm cool with it," Mallory said.
"Why would they overthrow you?" Vanessa asked.
"Because I'm the queen," Mallory said, striking a regal pose.
Altair sighed. "Mallory, Blinky is clearly their leader. If anyone's the queen here, it's him."
"Fine," Mallory huffed. "But I'm the vice queen. Or maybe their cool aunt."
Vanessa rolled her eyes. "You're more like their chaotic babysitter."
---
Things took an unexpected turn a few days later when Sprinkles began barking furiously at the balcony door.
"Another zombie?" Zara asked, grabbing her bat.
"No," Altair said, peeking through the curtains. "It's a person."
The group exchanged uneasy glances. Visitors were rare—and often dangerous—in the apocalypse. But when Mallory opened the door, she was met with a sight so bizarre, she wasn't sure whether to laugh or slam it shut.
Standing on the balcony was a woman dressed in what could only be described as post-apocalyptic haute couture. Her tattered leather jacket was studded with spikes, her boots were caked in mud, and her bright red hair was styled into an elaborate mohawk. She held a long staff adorned with feathers and skulls, and her piercing green eyes swept over the group with disdain.
"Well, well," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "If it isn't the legendary Blobfather and his merry band of misfits."
Mallory blinked. "I'm sorry, the what now?"
"The Blobfather," the woman repeated, gesturing toward Blinky, who was quivering on the counter. "Word's spread about your little army of goo gremlins. People are talking."
Mallory glanced at the others. "Okay, first of all, I love that name. Second, who are you?"
The woman smirked. "Name's Raven. And I'm here to make a deal."
---
Raven explained that she was the leader of a nearby survivor group, one that had been struggling to fend off raiders and zombies alike.
"We need protection," she said, leaning casually against the wall. "And from what I've heard, your… Blobfather has plenty to spare."
Mallory crossed her arms. "And what's in it for us?"
"Supplies," Raven replied. "Weapons, food, medicine. Whatever you need."
The group huddled to discuss.
"I don't trust her," Vanessa said immediately.
"Neither do I," Zara agreed. "She looks like the type who'd stab you in the back and then blame you for bleeding on her boots."
"But we could use the supplies," Altair pointed out. "And it's not like we have to trust her completely. We can set clear boundaries."
Mallory turned to Blinky, who was jiggling contentedly on the counter. "What do you think, buddy? Want to be a protector of the people?"
Blinky quivered in what Mallory chose to interpret as agreement.
---
The next day, Raven led the group to her camp, a ramshackle collection of tents and makeshift shelters hidden in a wooded area. The survivors there looked wary but hopeful as they eyed Blinky and his minions.
"This is your army?" one man scoffed.
"Laugh all you want," Mallory said, smirking. "But these little guys took down a group of raiders in less than five minutes."
The man shut up.
Under Blinky's direction, the Minions quickly got to work fortifying the camp. They reinforced barricades, patched up holes in tents, and even set up rudimentary alarms using strings and cans. The survivors watched in awe as the creatures scurried around with efficiency that put most humans to shame.
---
Things came to a head when a group of raiders stumbled upon the camp, drawn by the noise.
"Looks like you've got some new friends," their leader sneered, brandishing a machete.
"Big mistake," Mallory muttered, stepping back as Blinky and his Minions prepared for battle.
The ensuing fight was equal parts terrifying and ridiculous. The Minions launched themselves at the raiders with wild abandon, chirping and glowing as they swarmed their enemies. One raider screamed as a Minion latched onto his face, while another tripped over a slime trail and fell into a makeshift pit trap.
Mallory couldn't help but laugh as she watched the chaos unfold. "This is better than TV."
---
When the dust settled, the raiders had fled, leaving behind their weapons and supplies. The survivors cheered, lifting Blinky into the air like a victorious mascot.
"You weren't kidding," Raven said, her tone grudgingly respectful. "The Blobfather really is something else."
Mallory grinned. "Told you."
As the group returned to the apartment that evening, laden with supplies, Mallory couldn't shake the feeling that their strange little family was destined for even bigger things.
"Who knew an apocalypse could be this much fun?" she mused, plopping onto the couch.
Vanessa groaned. "You're insufferable."
"And yet, you keep me around," Mallory said, tossing a bag of chips to Blinky.
As the glowing blob jiggled happily, Mallory smiled.