BTG2/JustCookie-Gah! I'm so sorry for not updating in so long! Things were getting complicated at home and I just could not get myself to write. But as I'm typing this, The Lorax is playing on my Netflix and it got me in the mood haha Anyway, I hope that from now on I can update more regularly. (That is, if life doesn't get in the way) I don't particularly like this chapter, because it's setting everything up, so I found it boring.

Thank you to all you guys reviewing! horsewhisper3, Duchess-Chihime, USUKdreamer, AsianCutie93, whyevenask, kitchen, and Fallenangelqueen. It really helps! And to FANGIRL—I don't know if I will ever finish my DBZ stories, but if I do I might revamp them from the beginning or I might give them a face lift with some editing. I wrote those when I was like 15, so I'm like meeeh on them right now. But ya' never know!

So here is the next chapter!

It's Not What It Is, It's What It Can Become

The Third Chapter

"What a dump…"

"HEY! Aunt Grizelda!"

Oncie's grin grew as he watched his family members exit the RV one by one. He was greeted with a very hard high five from Brett (after throwing a Bar-ba-loot across the field that is), kisses from his Mother and a neck wringing hug from his very short uncle. Aunt Grizelda continued to sneer at her new surroundings.

"We always knew you would make it Oncie! Riiight?"

"Hey! I love this guy!"

"But you always said I wouldn't amount to anything, remember?"

"Oh, hush your mouth; I was just trying to motivate you!"

"I'm glad you clarified that because that actually hurt my feelings for a really long time…ANYWAY, you're all here and you all work for me and that's cool. So, let's get to work!"

With a screeching shrill, Oncie's Mom yells at Brett and Chett to set up the RV—and to stop throwing bears. With a smash of a big, red button, the RV began to unfold like a giant origami flower. Rooms sprouted, lines with linens sprung out, satellites dishes perked up and cheesy lawn decorations graced the grass underneath. Seeing this shameful display against nature only angered the Lorax, who at the time was playing a nice card game with the forest's creatures.

"Back up. Time out. Nobody move an inch. Nobody is moving in here. You gotta go—goodbye!"

Aunt Grizelda shrugged her large shoulders and sneered once more, "So who invited the giant, furry peanut?"

"You callin' me a peanut, huh? I'll go up your nose!" The Lorax cracked his neck as Aunt Grizelda handed over her purse, both ready for a showdown. Oncie intercepted.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa—you wouldn't hit a woman." The Lorax's eye grew large.

"….That's a woman…..?"

After splitting up the two powerful forces, Oncie was able to calm down the situation even though Lorax insulted his family. He then introduced his friend—umm, acquaintance.

Oncie's eyes sparkled as he explained that his rinky-dink operation was about to blow up into an enterprise. The Lorax could only frown and ask, "Which way does a tree fall…?"

"Uhh, down?" Oncie hesitantly answers

"A tree falls the way it leans—be careful which way you lean…" The Lorax turned around and took his leave to rejoin the other creatures.

===3===

A figure stood alone in the small, locked house, peering out the window to watch the events unfold in front of him. He grunted in an annoyed manner as he watched the Lorax leave the area, "No, Mustache—you better watch which way you lean…"

The Other Once-ler continued to huff at his situation. Oncie had locked him in the house, afraid what his family would say or do if they saw two Once-lers. He completely understood Oncie's logic, but he also did not care what Oncie's family thought. He barely cared for them as humans. Technically they are his family too, but he couldn't bring himself to have the same fondness Oncie did for them. He has Oncie's memories—and he knew how the terrible family treated his Oncie as a child.

They were cruel.

They were unsupportive.

They made Oncie cry and feel horrible.

Only a faux affection was ever shared between them in public to keep up appearances.

The two Once-lers may have shared a body, but their minds were different. Oncie could easily forgive his unbearable family, he was sweet and naïve. Whereas the Other Once-ler—he held a grudge.

And just like The Lorax, the family will only get in the way in time.

"Hey…. the family is settling in, in the RV. Brett and Chett are playing bar-ba-loot football and I think Aunt Grizelda is ready for a nap. Hehe."

The Other Once-ler was too enthralled in his own thoughts that he did not hear the door unlock and open; revealing Oncie.

"Oncie."

"You're mad at me, aren't you? Look, I can't let Mom and them see that there are two of us, of me—"

"What are we going to do about Mustache?"

Oncie was surprised that the other him dropped the whole situation of being locked in the house. Oncie let his shoulders fall. He took off his hat and placed it on the table as he took a seat. The Other Once-ler stood across from him, gazing at Oncie with his arms crossed.

"—I don't know. I don't really see a problem."

"That's because you aren't seeing the big picture, Sweetheart. He's a threat to our business. He did THIS,-" Once-ler gestured between the two of them, "—then what else is he capable of?"

"I know he kinda grates on the nerves, but I like Mustache—sorta. I don't wanna hurt him."

"I didn't say I was going to hurt him. But if he keeps poking his little orange nose in places where it doesn't belong, he will become a problem." The Other Once-ler unfolded his arms and softened his gaze towards his twin. He smirked—a facial expressions foreign on the face of the Once-ler (at least Oncie's face) and walked towards the sitting Once-ler.

"What are you-?"

The Other Once-ler took his twin's face into his hand, his fingers cupping the chin identical to his own and looked him dead in the eyes, "you want to make something out of yourself, don't you?"

With a trembling breath, Oncie answered, "we-well yeah, but—"

"Then here is a lesson in the real world. Eliminate the competition first, before they eliminate you…"

"Eliminate?!"

"I don't mean KILL him—but watch him from now on, Oncie." The Other Once-ler removed his fingers from Oncie's face, which was now red partly from being so close to his twin, but mostly from frustration. "Just watch him."

"Why are you so distrustful now? What happened?"

"Nothing happened. And I'm just being cautious. I'm going to help you build your dream—a world filled with thneeds. But you are too nice; you need some cunning to go along with that dream of yours."

Oncie stood up quickly and planted his hands atop the wooden table angrily, "I can handle myself."

The Other Once-ler could only look at his twin smugly.

===3===

Short I know! And kinda boring, but I gotta keep this train moving, lol. And It's 3am and I'm running on orange soda and ramen! 0_0

I'm trying to show Other Once-ler "changing", I'm struggling with HOW to do it, but I'm guessing its gunna be a slow transformation haha If any of you guys have an ideas, I would be happy to read them!

-BTG2/JustCookie