Summer Vacation Pt. 4
"Wow!" Mars exclaimed, looking around the crowded park entrance. "This is awesome!"
"Yeah!" Nod agreed.
"Sure is crowded," Venus said, holding onto Mandrake's arm.
"Yep," Mandrake agreed, keeping her close.
"What should we do first?" Nod asked.
"Let's go on the monorail!" M.K. piped up, pointing to it. "Me and Dad always went on that first!"
"Okay!" Venus said excitedly. "Looks fun! Doesn't it look fun, Dray?" The Boggan leader looked at the monorail as it sped past.
"Yeah, it does," He agreed.
"Want to go on it, guys?" M.K. asked.
"Sure," Mandrake shrugged.
"I do!" Venus raised her hand up high.
"Me too!" Mars piped up.
"Sure, why not?" Ronin shrugged.
"I do," Nod said, raising his hand.
"Well, let's go then!" M.K. said excitedly as she and Bomba headed for the line, followed by the others.
*Epic-The-Series*
After a while, the group got to the front of the line for the monorail.
"Here we go, guys!" M.K. piped up as the group got on board. "This is going to be great!" They sat in a few seats near the entrance. Venus sat next to Mandrake at his left side, while Mars sat on his right, of course, on a single seat. Nod sat at Venus' other side. The others sat across from them, with Bomba in front of Mars, M.K, in front of Mandrake, and Ronin in front of Venus,
"Déjà vu," Venus giggled as she leaned on his shoulder.
"Yep," Mandrake wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Then it was announced that the train was going to start moving.
"Ooh, here we go!" M.K. said excitedly. A couple seconds later, the train started moving, making Venus flinch out of surprise.
Mandrake chuckled and tightened his embrace on her. She giggled sheepishly, and turned around in her seat, looking out the window behind her.
"Ooh!" She put her hands on the window, as she gazed out. "Lookie!" She said to Mandrake. The Boggan leader looked out the window behind him. They could see the park scenery speeding past them, followed by more and more of it.
The two kept watching until the train suddenly turned without warning, making Venus fall face-up onto Mandrake's lap, who quickly turned around to face her.
"Sorry," Venus smiled sheepishly at him as she sat up in her seat.
"It's OK, Venus," Mandrake said, smiling. "You alright?"
"I'm fine," The pale girl shrugged. "You broke my fall," She giggled.
"Well, I'll always be your fall-breaker," He chuckled as he kissed her temple.
"Why, thank you Sir," She giggled as she kissed his cheek and leaned on his shoulder, watching the window behind the others.
"This is already fun, and we're not even at the park yet!" Mars piped up.
"Yep," Venus agreed.
"You haven't seen nothing yet, guys!" M.K. piped up excitedly.
"Nothing?" Venus asked.
*Epic-The-Series*
"Wow!" Venus exclaimed, looking around the park. The group had just entered Buena Vista Street, and they were already amazed.
"Are there any rides in this section?" Mars asked, looking around, but not seeing any.
"I don't think so," M.K. said, looking around as well.
"Hey, what's that they're selling over there?" Venus asked, pointing to a small restaurant.
"Oh, they're selling ice cream," M.K. said. "You want some, anybody?"
"I do!" Venus said, raising her hand, while everyone else kindly rejected the offer.
"Okay, be right back!" The green-eyed redhead went in the ice cream parlor, and came back out a few minutes later holding a small waffle cone with vanilla ice cream on top. She carefully handed it to the pale girl. "Here you go, Venus."
"Thank you!" Venus said cheerfully. She stuck her tongue out and licked the ice cream. "Mmm! This is good!" She gushed after swallowing the frozen dessert on her tongue. "You want to try it?" She held the cone up in front of Mandrake's face.
"Sure," He shrugged. He stuck his tongue out, and licked the ice cream like his girlfriend had done. He raised his eyebrows. "Hmm, that is good. But cold," He chuckled, while shivering a bit.
"Well, they call it ice cream for a reason," M.K. giggled.
"Touché," Mandrake shrugged sheepishly.
"You want to have any more?" Venus offered sweetly. "I really don't mind."
"Oh, no thanks sweetheart. I'm saving my appetite for later," Mandrake kindly declined her offer. "But thanks anyway," He kissed her forehead. Venus giggled and finished her ice cream by biting off the rest. She shivered after swallowing it, and started cringing and laid her hand on her head. "You okay, Venus?" Mandrake asked her, but she didn't answer.
"I think she's having brain freeze," M.K. piped up. Venus nodded before sighing in relief.
"Okay, I'm better now," She announced before she started eating the cone.
"You guys want to go on the trolleys to Paradise Pier?" M.K. asked her friends. "There are a few rides there."
"Sure," Venus said as she finished her cone.
"That sounds fun," Mars said.
"Oh, one's stopping!" M.K. piped up excitedly. "Come on!" They ran towards the red train, and boarded it along with a bunch of other people, including a certain girl.
*Epic-The-Series*
"Okay guys, how about we go eat somewhere before going on any rides?" M.K. offered. They had just stopped at the Twilight of Terror, and walked all the way to Paradise Pier.
"Sure," Nod shrugged. "I am getting kind of hungry."
"Me too," Ronin said. Venus' stomach suddenly growled.
"Guess that means I am too," She giggled.
"You're hungry?" Mandrake asked in shock. "After eating that ice cream?" Venus shrugged.
"Yeah," She said sheepishly.
"You're a little bottomless pit, aren't ya?" Mandrake chuckled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Well then, let's just fill up that empty little tummy, huh?" He tickled her stomach, and she squeaked.
"Hehehehe!" She giggled, trying to push his hand away. He stopped after a few seconds. "All that walking made me hungry again!" She said in a fake whiny voice with a cute pout.
"I know," The Boggan leader chuckled. "I was just messin' with ya, babe."
"Okay, let's go guys," M.K. piped up. "I know a great place to eat here!" The group headed for the Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta.
"What's pizza?" Mandrake asked with a funny expression.
"And what's pasta?" Venus asked curiously.
"You'll see," M.K. said as they walked in.
*Epic-The-Series*
"So, this is what pizza is?" Venus asked, pointing to the one in front of her, Mars, and Mandrake, who was between them.
"Yep," M.K. said. "Go ahead, try a slice.
"Okay," Venus shrugged. She took a slice with sausages and pepperonis off the tray, and took a bite out of the bottom. She widened her eyes, then took a long sip of her drink, which happened to be Coke.
She then took a lot smaller bite, but had a different reaction: She smiled and raised her eyebrows. "Wow, that's good!" She said happily. After seeing his girlfriend enjoy it, Mandrake decided to try it too. He took a slice with the same toppings off the tray, then took a small bite out of the bottom.
"Wow!" He raised his eyebrows, and widened his eyes.
"It's good, huh?" M.K. said as she took a slice off the tray, and took a bite out of it.
"Oh yeah!" Mandrake exclaimed as he took a bigger bite. "Why don't we have food like this back at Wrathwood?!"
"You want to try a slice, Mars?" Venus asked her sister.
"No thanks, Ven." The pale redhead kindly declined. "I'm having spaghetti. It's great!" She slurped up a long noodle, then ate up one of the meatballs.
"You're eating that whole plate by yourself?!" Venus exclaimed in shock after seeing how big it was. The plate was almost as wide as the table!
"No, silly," Mars giggled. "I'm splitting it with Bomba." She scooped up more noodles with her fork, and slurped them up, then sipped her drink. She had chosen Sprite for herself.
"Yep," Bomba slurped up a noodle, then ate up one of the meatballs.
"Okay then," Venus shrugged. "But you guys are missing out on great pizza!" She took a big bite out of hers, then started to eat the crust.
"Yep, you guys are," Mandrake said as he finished his slice, and reached for another.
"And you say I'm a bottomless pit," Venus giggled as the Boggan leader took a big bite out of his 2nd slice. Mandrake shrugged as he took another bite after swallowing his first one.
"Well, I'm hungry!" He said, smiling widely. Venus giggled as she took another slice after finishing her 1st one.
"I know," She sipped her drink. "I was just messin' with ya." The pale girl took a bite out of her pizza slice. After swallowing, she suddenly let out a big burp. "Excuse me," She said meekly as she took another bite.
"You're excused," Mandrake joked as he bit into his pizza again.
"Don't mind if I do!" Nod piped up as he took a slice off the tray, and took a bite out of it. "Ooh! That's good!" Ronin took one too.
"Isn't it?" Venus said to the brunette as she finished her 2nd slice. "Okay, I'm full." She leaned back in her seat, and laid her hands on her stomach.
"You are?" Mandrake asked in surprise. "After only two slices?"
"I had ice cream too!" She said in a fake whiny voice.
"I know," The Boggan leader chuckled, "I was messing with you, kid," He patted her head. The pale girl giggled and sipped the last of her drink as the Boggan leader took another bite.
*Epic-The-Series*
"That was great!" M.K. said as the group walked out of the restaurant. "Wasn't it, guys?"
"Totally!" Venus agreed as she dropped her cup in the trash. "I wish there was food like that at Wrathwood!"
"And Moonhaven," Nod piped up.
"I wish Dagda was able to taste them," Mars said as she dropped her empty cup in the trash. "He would've loved them."
"I'm going to call him to check on him and Ozzy," M.K. piped up as she took her cell phone out of her purse. She dialed her home number, and held her phone up to her ear.
*Epic-The-Series*
Back at home, Dagda had just came in the house after walking Ozzy in the park. He had received a lot of stares from people, but he just ignored them. Just as he hung up the leash, the phone rang, so he ran over to it.
"Eyello?" He answered it.
"Hi, Dagda. How's it going over there?" M.K. asked.
"Everything's fine. I just took him on his walk," The young Boggan said as Ozzy stared at the TV.
"So the walk went fine?"
"Yep. So you guys in the park place yet?"
"Yeah, we just ate at a great restaurant. Everyone loved it."
"Cool. Oh hey, I've gotta jump." Dagda said as he looked at the list, seeing that it was time to feed him.
"Okay, bye," M.K. said before they both hung up.
*Epic-The-Series*
"So, how's my son and the mutt?" Mandrake asked, smirking.
"They're fine, and Ozzy's not a mutt!" She said irritably. Mandrake smiled widely at her irritation, while Venus giggled.
"I was just kidding," The Boggan leader said, still smiling.
"Well, what do you guys want to do now?" M.K. asked, ignoring Mandrake.
"Hmmm… Hey, what's that over there?" Venus asked, pointing to a booth featuring skill-testing games, such as a fishing game, beanbag throwing game, a water gun game, and race.
"Oh, those are the Games of the Boardwalk," M.K. explained. "Want to try one?"
"Sure!" Venus said enthusiastically. "They look fun!"
"Come on, guys," M.K. said as they walked towards the booth. When they went under the roller coaster, Mandrake jumped back when one of the cars went speeding loudly above them.
"What was that?!" He exclaimed in shock.
"That was the roller coaster," M.K. explained, stifling her giggles. "California Screamin'."
"Looks awesome!" Nod piped up. "Want to go on it with me, Mandrake? Anyone?"
"I will, but later," Mandrake said. "I'd rather wait until my stomach acids digest the pizza. Otherwise, I'll throw up."
"Good point," Nod agreed.
*A few minutes later*
The gang arrived at the Games of the Boardwalk, much to the excitement of the elated Venus. Bomba purchased a player's card for her.
"Which one do you want to play, Venus?" M.K. asked the pale girl.
"Hmmm," She looked at all the games carefully before deciding on one: The water gun game.
"How about that one?"
"Go for it," M.K. shrugged. Venus nodded and walked towards it, the others following. She set her player's card on the desk, then another girl set hers down too. A certain dark-blonde haired girl wearing all blue. Venus, along with the others, widened their eyes in shock. Then the pale girl snapped herself out of the trance, and turned on her serious side.
"Hello," She greeted bluntly.
"S'up, shorty?" Mildred said back.
"You playin' this game?" Venus asked, nodding her head towards it.
"Sure am," Mildred said, "And I'm going to win it too."
"Care to put your money where your mouth is?" Venus challenged.
"Bring it," Mildred challenged back bluntly.
"You ladies want to play?" The guy running the game asked the rivaling girls.
"Yeah, we do!" Mildred said rudely.
"Mmhmm," Venus said more politely.
*Epic-The-Series*
Venus was seated all the way to the right, while Mildred sat right next to her.
"You ready for this, shorty?" The dark-blonde girl asked the shorter girl.
"May the best girl win," Venus nodded as she got ready to start.
"Aaaand… go!" The guy yelled out. On his cue, the guns started to spray water at the targets. The girls focused on aiming at the middle of the targets, so their clowns could go to the top. Mildred started to get worried. Venus was winning.
Just as the pale girl was going to win, in a desperate move, Mildred suddenly kicked her harshly, so she fell, head-first, to the concrete! Because of that, Mildred managed to "win" the prize: A plush Timothy Mouse. The others' jaws nearly touched the ground in shock. Especially Mandrake's.
"Yes!" She cheered. "I won! In your face!" She yelled to Venus, who was still on the ground.
"Boo!" Mars started yelling. After a couple seconds, the others joined her.
"Hey!" Mildred yelled incredulously. "I won fair and square!"
"You kicked my sister to the ground when she was winning!" Mars yelled back louder.
"So?" Mildred said snottily. "I still won!"
"But you cheated!" Mars yelled. "Now give Venus that prize! Right now!"
"Why should I?" Mildred asked/yelled.
"Because if you hadn't cheated, she would've won it fair and square!" The pale redhead yelled back. "Now give it to her!" When Mildred didn't move, Mars screamed "NOW!" The blue-clad girl jumped in surprise, and quickly gave it to Venus, who was sitting up on the ground.
"You're lucky," She hissed at the pale girl. "But next time will be different!" She stomped away angrily.
"Ow!" Venus groaned in pain, her hand rubbing her sore head as she stood up. Mandrake went to his girlfriend's aid immediately.
"You okay?" He asked her, his hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah," She groaned, "Oh, my head."
"You want me to get you a soda, Venus?" M.K. offered.
"Sure, thanks," Venus said, smiling weakly.
"I'll be back in a minute," M.K. said as she ran off to the pizza place they went to before.
"You sure you're okay?" Mandrake asked Venus again.
"I'm fine, don't worry," She giggled weakly, her hand still on her sore scalp.
"Just making sure," Mandrake pulled her hand down and kissed the top of her head. "That better?"
"Yeah, I guess so," Venus said, smiling weakly.
A minute later, M.K. came rushing back with a bottle of Coke in her hand.
"Here Venus," She gave it to the green-eyed girl, "I got your favorite."
"Thank you," Venus said, smiling weakly as she took it gratefully, and drank a few gulps.
"Hey, M.K.?" Nod asked, "Is that the Ferris Wheel in the brochure?" He pointed to the giant Ferris Wheel behind them. The green-eyed redhead looked behind them, and saw it rotating.
The Ferris Wheel was red with grey spokes, and colorful gondolas for passengers to ride in. The smaller ones stayed stationary while the bigger ones rocked back and forth on the interior rails. Mickey Mouse's face was right in the middle of the front on top of a yellow, spiky sun.
"Yep, that's it," M.K. said.
"Sure is tall in person," Venus remarked, looking up as far as her neck let her.
"Eeyup," Mandrake agreed, gazing up at it as well.
"You guys want to go on it?" M.K. asked.
"Hmm?" Venus snapped out of her gaze. "Oh, sure."
"Sure, why not?" Mandrake shrugged.
"Me too!" (Nod)
"Okay." (Ronin)
Bomba just nodded.
"Um, I think I'll stay down here." Mars said. "I don't think there'll be enough room for all of us. I'll just window-shop while I wait. Have fun, guys!"
"Okay, Mars. You have fun too. Come on guys! Let's go!" M.K. said excitedly as the group sans Mars went to the line. The pale redhead just walked into one of the stores.
*Epic-The-Series*
After a long wait, the group were finally at the front of the line.
"This is going to be great!" M.K. piped up excitedly.
"Yeah, really great," Venus said quietly.
"What's wrong, Venus?" Mandrake asked the pale girl.
"Oh, it's just that, um," The green-eyed girl started shyly, "It's just that I'm kind of afraid of heights. It's what I wanted to tell you last night." Mandrake smiled warmly, and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"Aw, you'll be okay," He soothed her as he rubbed her arm. "I'll comfort you if you get scared."
"Thanks," Venus smiled shyly.
"I told you he would," M.K. said to her quietly. Both girls giggled as they and the others boarded one of the red smaller gondolas. The stationary ones.
Venus sat on the right side next to the opposite window, while Mandrake made sure to sit right next to her, with M.K. at his left side. Bomba, Ronin, and Nod sat across from them.
A few minutes later, the Ferris Wheel started to move. Venus flinched out of surprise when they started going upward. Mandrake chuckled and squeezed her shoulder in comfort, as she grinned sheepishly at him.
"Wow, we're sure going up high," She remarked awkwardly as she glanced out the window to her right. The wheel stopped rotating when the gondola the gang were in was at the right side.
*Epic-The-Series*
Meanwhile, Mars was walking around, looking at everything at the store she was currently inside of.
"Whoa," She said quietly, looking at some headbands with Minnie Mouse ears on them. But there was one in particular that really caught her eye:
The headband was black, with pinkish red ears with white stripes on top. It was adorned with a black bow that had a pink brooch with a Minnie Mouse head and crossbones in the center, two pink roses, and three long black feathers.
"Ooh!" Mars admired it as she took it off the rack with her red eyes shining. She decided to ask M.K. and Bomba if she can get it, so she stood in an area where she could see the entrance clearly.
*Epic-The-Series*
M.K. looked out her window, and raised her eyebrows at how high they were.
"Whoa, we're high up now!" She piped up. "Look, guys!" Venus reluctantly looked out hers, and widened her eyes at how high they were.
"Whoa," She said quietly. "Look, Mandrake! We're really high up!" The Boggan leader leaned forward in his seat, and looked above Venus' head, when she ducked down. He widened his eyes like his girlfriend did. He could see almost all of the left side of Paradise Pier! Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nod drawing his hands towards Venus, about to scare her.
"Don't, think about it," Mandrake warned, pointing his index finger at him. The brunette quickly drew his hands back, and laid them on his lap, as he looked out the window.
A minute later, the Ferris Wheel started to move again. It went on like this for 8 more minutes until the gang's gondola was at the bottom. Once the door opened, they stepped out, and walked to the front of one of the stores.
"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Mandrake asked Venus, as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and gently pulled her closer.
"No, it wasn't so bad," She giggled as she leaned on his shoulder, "It was fun, actually."
"I told you it'd be fun," M.K. said to the pale girl.
"Yeah, you were right," Venus said, "You told me so," She giggled. "Hey, there's Mars!" She piped up, pointing to the entrance of the store the pale redhead was standing in.
"Oh yeah!" M.K. said, "She said she was going to window-shop. Come on!" The group headed for the store.
"Hey, Mars!" Venus called out. The red-eyed girl looked up, and saw the others.
"Oh, hey guys!" She said back.
"What you got there?" M.K. asked, gesturing to the ears headband.
"Oh! I found these when you guys were on the Ferris Wheel," Mars said, "Can I get them, please?"
"Sure," M.K. shrugged, "You want to pick out a pair, anyone?"
"Oh, no thanks," Mandrake kindly rejected the offer, "I prefer to wear these ears," He grabbed one of the ears on his bat cloak, and pulled it down for emphasis. Venus giggled.
"I do!" She piped up, raising her hand.
"Me too," Nod raised his hand too. "
No thanks," Ronin said.
"Okay then," M.K. said. "Venus, Nod, you guys pick out the ones you want, then come back here."
"Okay!" They said simultaneously as they went for the ear hats and headbands.
*Epic-The-Series*
A couple minutes later, Venus and Nod came back with their choices.
Nod's was a hat with Mickey ears and the front of a tuxedo and a small top hat between the ears.
Venus' was a really light pink headband with Minnie ears of the same color, with a bridal veil between the ears behind a white bow with a pink center.
"Nice choices," M.K. said, smiling. Mandrake looked closely at their choices.
"Should I be worried?" He joked, chuckling and pointing their bridal headband and groom hat. Venus and Nod glanced at each other before they started to laugh.
"No, you shouldn't," Venus giggled, "You're the one for me," She stood on her toes, and kissed his cheek.
"That's good," Mandrake chuckled as he kissed her forehead, "I was afraid of losing you."
"You couldn't lose me to the richest, hottest man in the world," Venus promised.
*Epic-The-Series*
"So, what do you guys want to do now?" M.K. asked as they walked out of the store.
M.K. had picked out a red and white polka-dotted hat with black Minnie Mouse ears with a tail between them that had a small red bow. Bomba just chose on plain Mickey Mouse ears.
"How about that roller coaster you mentioned earlier?" Nod asked. "Want to go on it, Mandrake?"
"Sure," The Boggan leader shrugged.
"Anyone else?"
"Nah." (M.K.)
"No thanks." (Bomba)
"No thank you." (Mars)
"Nah." (Ronin)
"Well um," Venus said hesitatingly as she saw one of the coaster cars roaring by, "I don't know."
"Aw, you don't have to if you don't want to, sweetheart," Mandrake wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and kissed the side of her head.
"Well, maybe I'll just pass," She said hesitatingly, "But if you don't want me to-"
"Venus," Mandrake interrupted her, smiling warmly, "It's your choice."
"Well, maybe I'll just stay here," Venus said shyly.
"That's cool," He said, still smiling, "But you'll miss out."
"On what?" The pale girl asked, smirking.
"On Nod screaming like a baby," Mandrake chuckled, and Venus started giggling.
"Ha ha, hilarious," Nod muttered, rolling his eyes while smiling. He held his Mickey tuxedo hat to the pale girl, "Can you hold my hat, Venus? So I don't lose it?"
"Sure thing," Venus said as she took it, and looked at it. "Nice."
"Thanks."
*Epic-The-Series*
"Whoo!" Nod yelled out as he and Mandrake stepped out of the coaster car they rode in. "That was awesome!"
"Yeah, great," Mandrake mumbled weakly, his hand on his stomach. He wasn't feeling so good.
"Come on! Let's go back to the others!" Nod said excitedly as he grabbed the Boggan leader's hand, and practically dragged him over to the others.
"Hey, boys!" M.K. greeted them.
"What's wrong, Mandrake?" Venus asked, her eyebrows furrowed in concern, "Are you okay?"
"Oh, I'm fine, sweetheart," He said, smiling weakly. Then it quickly faded away. "Wait, no I'm not," He put his hand over his mouth as his cheeks puffed up. M.K. saw him, and widened his eyes.
"Come on," She guided him over to a nearby trash can, which he threw up in. Everyone, especially Venus, cringed. Mandrake looked up from the trash can, and a smile grew on his face.
"I gotta do that again," He said, still smiling. M.K. scoffed in shock.
"Are you serious?" She asked incredulously, "You just puked from that ride, and you want to go on it again?"
"Relax, I'm just kidding," Mandrake chuckled. "I'm not going on that again."
"Wimp," Nod said loudly on purpose. The Boggan leader sneered at him.
"Here," Venus said, holding out his hat. "Oh, thanks!" The brunette said gratefully as he put it back on his head. "You guys want to go back to Buena Vista Street?" M.K. asked them.
"Sure." (Venus)
"Sure, why not?" (Mandrake)
"Okay." (Ronin) "Alright." (Nod) "Let's go back to the trolley," Bomba suggested as they headed for just that.
*Epic-The-Series*
The gang just got off the trolley back to Buena Vista Street. But unknown to them, while they were stepping off, a bunch of people crowded out, and Venus got lost in the crowd. She was stuck in the crowd until she was at the Condor Flats.
"Guys?" Venus said meekly, looking around for her friends, but she didn't see them anywhere. "Uh oh!" She ran around, looking for them. She ran all the way back to Paradise Pier, but was out of breath when she arrived.
"Guys?" She called out again, her voice a bit raspy from running and being out of breath.
"M.K.?" She looked around in Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta, but had no luck.
"Nod? Bomba? Ronin? Mars?" She looked around outside, but still no luck.
"Ma-Mandrake?" She said more quietly, sounding like she was on the verge of breaking down in frustration.
*Meanwhile*
The rest of them were gathered at the fountain, thinking of where to go next.
"Hmm," M.K. looked at the map, "How about here?" She suggested, pointing at Hollywoodland.
"Sure," Mandrake shrugged. "Do you want to go there, Venus?" But there was no answer. "Venus?" He asked again, but there was still no answer. "Venus? Sweetheart?"
He looked around, but to his horror, didn't see her anywhere. His eyes widened as far as they can go.
"WHERE'S VENUS?!" He suddenly screamed, making everyone jump, and a few bystanders turn towards them. The others started to look around frantically for their green-eyed friend, but had no luck.
"I don't see her anywhere!" (Bomba)
"Me neither!" (M.K.)
"Aww, man!" (Mars)
"Where could she be?" (Nod)
"I don't know." (Ronin)
"Oh, jeez!" Mandrake slapped his hands over his face. "How could she have-" He stopped talking, then slowly uncovered his face and turned to Ronin, a death glare on his face.
"What?" The Leafman general furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Mandrake walked towards him slowly, still glaring, and grabbed the collar of his shirt.
"HOW COULD YOU LET HER OUT OF YOUR SIGHT LIKE THAT?!" He screamed, making everyone jump again.
"Hey! It's not my fault!" Ronin yelled back.
"YES IT IS!" Mandrake screamed again in his face.
"Stop it!" M.K. yelled as she and Mars pulled Ronin and Mandrake apart, respectively. "The less you two fight, the more time we'll have to find her!"
"Y-yeah, you're right," Mandrake said more calmly, but was still stressed. "I'll look for her."
"I will too," Mars piped up.
"Here's the map," M.K. gave her map to Mandrake. "We'll stay here so no one else gets separated."
"Good idea," Mars said, smiling sadly.
"I'll go too," Ronin said, standing up.
"No!" Mandrake yelled. "Haven't you done enough?" He and Mars walked away, tears coming in his eyes. "Come on, Mars. We have a lost girl who needs to be found."
*Epic-The-Series*
"Mandrake?" Venus called out louder, but no answer.
"Hey, have you seen a guy about this tall, with blue skin and a bat cloak?" She asked a passing bystander.
"No, I haven't," The girl said apologetically, shaking her head, "Sorry."
"It's OK," Venus sighed sadly. "Mandrake!" She yelled, getting tears of frustration in her eyes. She ran around some more, almost crashing into other people in the process. While running, she bumped harshly into a bench and fell on the ground, injuring her leg.
"Ow!" She groaned, but continued running, ignoring the pain in her leg.
"Guys! Mandrake!" She yelled out, before groaning in frustration, as more tears came in her eyes. She ran into the store, and sat on the floor. She buried her face in her knees, and just let her sobs come out.
*Epic-The-Series*
"Maybe she went to that Hollywoodland place? And we didn't see her?" Mars suggested, smiling sheepishly.
They had already looked there, and in A Bug's Land, Cars Land, Grizzly Peak, and the Pacific Wharf, but had no luck. They were currently in the Condor flats, but didn't see Venus anywhere there. Plus it was getting a lot darker outside, making it harder and harder to find her.
"No, she couldn't have," Mandrake said in a stressful tone, "She doesn't know where it is."
"Oh," Mars said sadly. "Hey! There's a security guard!" The pale redhead pointed to the security guard standing in front of some surveillance TVs.
"Oh, good. We can report Venus missing," Mandrake sighed in relief, as he and Mars walked towards him. "Hey, sir?" The guard turned around, and tried not to widen his eyes.
"What?"
"Can we report someone missing? She's about this tall, and looks like her," Mandrake referred to Mars,
"Except the red parts are green," He took a deep breath, then continued,
"She's wearing a pink headband with a white veil from one of the stores here, a black dress, black shoes, and is carrying a plush brown mouse in red clothes. Am I going too fast for you?" He finished, breathing heavily. The guard didn't respond until a couple seconds later.
"What's wrong with your skin?" He asked dumbly. Mandrake sighed irritably.
"Can we report somebody missing or not?" Mandrake yelled out. He didn't mean to yell, but he was really getting frustrated with this guy.
"What's up with the bat skin?" The guard asked dumbly again.
"Gaah, forget it!" Mandrake yelled out as he stomped away, with Mars walking behind him. "Stupid idiot…" He grumbled.
"Hey!" Mars piped up. Mandrake looked down at her, hope filling his eyes. "Maybe she's at Paradise Pier! The place with the Ferris Wheel!"
"Well, I don't know," The Boggan leader said stressfully, "But it wouldn't hurt to check. It's the only place we haven't checked."
"Come on! Let's go!" Mars grabbed his hand, and ran ahead, practically dragging him behind her.
*Epic-The-Series*
Mandrake and Mars stopped running in front of the Ferris Wheel.
"Okay, how about I look in the store, while you look out here?" Mars suggested.
"Okay, sure, let's do that," Mandrake said, flopping down on a chair at a table with a blue umbrella.
"Good luck," Mars said as she walked towards the store.
"You better not window shop while you're in there!" The Boggan leader yelled after her.
"I won't! I promise!" She yelled back as she ran quickly into the store. Mandrake looked around the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of a pale white girl with black and green hair wearing a black ribcage dress. But he didn't see such a person. He leaned back on the table, and groaned in frustration, the tears coming back in his eyes.
"Oh, Venus," He whispered to himself as he drifted off to sleep due to exhaustion. "Where are you?"
*Epic-The-Series*
Meanwhile back in the store, Mars was looking around for Venus, starting at the very left side of it.
"Venus?" She called out quietly, looking around. "Sis?" She walked quickly to the middle, and when she looked towards the long dresses, she saw someone behind one on a rack.
Someone with white skin wearing black jelly flats. Her body filling with hope, Mars ran over, and pushed the dress aside, and there was Venus! "Venus!" She said excitedly. The pale girl looked up, and a big, relieved smile grew on her face as she quickly stood up, ignoring the pain that was still in her leg.
"Mars!" She hugged her sister tightly, elated to finally find someone she knew. "I'm so glad you found me!"
"Ditto!" Mars said in response. "Come on!" She grabbed her hand, and ran out of the store, practically dragging Venus behind.
*Epic-The-Series*
Mandrake was still asleep at the table when the girls saw him.
"I'll wake him up," Mars whispered to Venus. She then leaned in close to his face. "Yo! Sleeping Beauty!" She yelled, "Your princess is here!"
"Huh? What?" Mandrake shot up in his seat. His eyes widened when he saw his princess was there! "VENUS!" He jumped out of his seat, and scooped her up in a huge, extra-tight hug. "Oh, thank God Mars found you!"
"Ma-Mandrake! I c-can't breathe!" Venus squeaked out.
"Sorry!" Mandrake quickly apologized, as he loosened his grip, but kept his arms around her, while she kept her legs around his waist. "You had me worried sick!"
"Me too! We spent all day looking for you!" Mars piped up, still smiling.
"Sorry," Venus said guiltily as she leaned her head on his shoulder, happy to be in her boyfriend's strong arms again. "When we got off that trolley at Buena Vista Street, a huge crowd of people unintentionally shoved me away from you guys."
"It's, it's okay, sweetheart," Mandrake rubbed her back, and kissed her forehead. "Come on," He set her down on the ground on her feet, "Let's go back to Buena Vista Street, the others are waiting for us."
The trio had started to head for their destination, when Venus stopped walking, and hissed from the shooting pain in her leg.
"What's wrong, Venus?" Mandrake asked her.
"My-my leg hurts," She moaned in pain, rubbing her throbbing leg, "I hit it on a bench when I was looking for you guys." Mandrake looked down, and saw a big bruise starting to form on her shin where she hit it.
"Aye, you shouldn't walk on that leg for that long a distance," He said as he picked her up again, with one hand on her back, and the other under her knees. "Here, I'll carry you there."
"Thanks," Venus said drowsily as she leaned on his shoulder, and laid her hand on his chest.
"Anytime, sweetheart," Mandrake whispered lovingly as the pale girl drifted off to sleep, due to exhaustion. "Come on Mars, let's go back to the others," He told her after pressing a gentle kiss to Venus' forehead.
"Okay. How about we take the trolley? It'll be faster," The pale redhead suggested.
"Sure, that's a good idea. Come on," Mandrake and Mars started running to the nearest trolley station. While they were running, Venus started to wake up.
"Mmph, where are we running to?" She asked drowsily, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"We're taking the trolley to Buena Vista Street, Venus," Mandrake said, out of breath due to him and Mars still running. "It's much faster."
"Oh, okay," Venus yawned as she closed her eyes again, but was still awake. The duo rushed into the trolley the moment the door was open, and everyone else was out.
*Epic-The-Series*
After a while, the trolley finally stopped at Buena Vista Street, where the others were waiting. The duo boarded off the moment the door was open, and rushed towards the fountain where the others were.
"Guys!" Mars called out, "We found her!" They all looked up, and stood up when the duo came running up, with Venus sleeping in Mandrake's arms.
"Thank goodness!" (Bomba)
"That's great!" (M.K.)
"Thank God!" (Nod)
"That's good." (Ronin)
"Venus?" Mandrake whispered, gently shaking her by her shoulder, "We're with the others, wake up."
"Mmm?" Venus moaned tiredly, her eyes barely opening. "Oh, OK." She yawned, and managed to open her eyes more. "Hey guys," She said drowsily.
"Venus?" M.K. asked, "Do you want to do anything else here?"
"Hmm, no thanks. I'm too tired to ride anything else," The pale girl said quietly, rubbing her tired eyes.
"Okay," M.K. started, "There's this huge store at the Disney Parks entrances called The World of Disney. Want to stop there real quick?" Venus shrugged, her eyes half closed.
"Sure," She said, smiling tiredly, "We can do that."
"Okay, let's go," M.K. said as they headed for the entrance.
"How's your leg?" Mandrake asked Venus. "It's fine," She said quietly, "It still hurts, though."
"What happened to your leg?" Nod asked.
"I hit it on a bench," Venus explained quietly. The brunette cringed.
"Ouch, I bet you hit it hard," He said, "It's starting to bruise."
"It is?"
"Yep."
"Oh."
A while later, they arrived to their destination.
"Well, this is it!" M.K. said, gesturing to the mall of a store that stood before them. "The World of Disney!"
"Wow, it's huge!" Mars exclaimed, staring into the entrance.
"You want to go in, Venus?" M.K. asked the sleepy girl.
"Sure," She said quietly. "Can I?" She asked Mandrake, who shrugged.
"Sure you can," He let go of her, so she carefully stood up on the concrete.
"Come on! Let's go!" The pale redhead ran in the store excitedly.
"You boys want to wait out here?" M.K. asked the guys.
"Sure." (Bomba)
"Yep." (Nod)
"I do." (Ronin)
"Yeah, sure," Mandrake said. But after a couple seconds of thinking, he quickly stood up. "I changed my mind! I'm going with you!"
"Okay," Venus giggled. "Come on! This is going to be great!" She ran excitedly into the store.
"Wa-wait, Venus! Stop! Wait up! B-be careful!" Mandrake stammered as he ran after her. He lifted her up again, making her squeal in surprise. "Stinker," He chuckled as he poked her stomach, making her squeak. He put her back down, and let her browse, staying close to her the whole time. He couldn't lose her again.
*Epic-The-Series*
"Hey, Drakey!" Venus called out excitedly, "Come look at this I picked out!" The Boggan leader came rushing up to her.
"What is it?" He asked. Venus held up a 7" Baby Jack Skellington plushie in her hands.
"Lookie! Isn't it the cutest thing ever?" She said excitedly.
"It's a close 2nd," Mandrake smiled. Venus furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
"Why's it a close 2nd?" She asked curiously. Mandrake leaned down so he can look at her face easier.
"'Cause you're in here," He said as he kissed her cheek. He ruffled her hair, and she giggled.
"I'm choosing this," She said, looking at her Jack plushie, "It's just too cute. You want me to help you pick something?"
"Sure," Mandrake shrugged. Venus nodded, and turned towards the men's shirts.
"Hmm… Oh!" She took a T-shirt off the rack, and held it up for him. It was grey with Jack's Skellington's facial features. "How about this?" Mandrake studied it before answering.
"Looks good to me," He decided. He held it over his shoulder when Venus handed it to him. "Thanks, babe," He laid his hand on her shoulder, and kissed the side of her head.
"Anytime," Venus giggled as her cheeks turned pink. "Do you see anything else you want?" Mandrake looked around, but nothing else caught his eye.
"Nah, I don't see anything else," He said, and Venus nodded.
"Okay, let's find the others," They turned around, and saw Mars pick up something furry and white from the same shelf where Venus got her plush Jack.
"Oh, hey Sis!" She greeted as she held up her souvenir. It was a Baby Zero the Ghost Dog Plushie. "Look! Isn't he adorable?"
"Yep! So is he!" Venus held up her plush Jack.
"Aaww!" Mars gushed, "Cute!" Just then, M.K. came walking up.
"Hey, guys!" She called out, getting their attention. "You pick out anything?" The twins held up their plushes, while Mandrake pointed to the shirt on his shoulder. "Okay, let's go pay for them! I'm buying!" M.K. said as the foursome headed for the register.
*Epic-The-Series*
"Okay, let's go! The others are waiting," M.K. said as they went for the entrance. But on the way, Venus bumped her sore leg on a shelf, making it hurt again.
"Ow!" She groaned in pain as she rubbed her now throbbing shin.
"Uh oh. What happened, Venus?" Mars asked.
"You okay, sweetheart?" Mandrake asked frantically.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine," Venus stammered from the pain, "I hit my leg again."
"Aww. Come here," The Boggan leader lifted her up again with one hand on her back, and the other under her knees. "I'll carry you until we're at the hotel."
"Thanks," Venus said, smiling through the pain. The foursome continued back to the entrance.
"We're back!" M.K. announced to the guys as they exited the store.
"What did you guys get?" Nod asked, standing up from sitting on a ledge.
"I got a new baby!" Venus piped up excitedly.
"Huh?" He asked, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"Lookie!" Venus held out her plush Jack for Nod to see. "Isn't it cute?"
"Yeah, it is," The brunette nodded.
"I got one too!" Mars piped up, holding out her plush Zero.
"I just got a shirt," Mandrake said, smirking.
"Cool," Nod said. Venus shivered when a chilly breeze flew in on them.
"You cold?" Mandrake asked her. She nodded with a shy smile. He held her with one hand, and draped his shirt over her chest, ribs, and stomach with the other, then supported her with both hands again. "That better, sweetheart?" Venus nodded again.
"Mmhmm, thanks," She said gratefully.
"You're welcome," He smiled.
"Oh, you're so cute! Yes you are!" She started cooing at her plush Jack like it was a kitten. "Yes you are!" Mars giggled at her sister.
"I must say, I'm a bit jealous!" Mandrake joked, smiling down at her.
"Oh, please," Venus giggled, "No one will ever replace you!" She leaned up, and kissed his cheek. She then leaned on his shoulder, hugging his shirt and her plush Jack close to her.
"Good," Mandrake said, slightly blushing. "I don't want to lose you to a toy." Venus burst into giggles at that. Then they spread to Mars, and M.K.
"Don't worry, Drakey," She started once she calmed down from her giggles. "You couldn't lose me to anyone," She kissed his cheek again.
"You guys want to go back to the hotel?" M.K. asked when she stopped giggling.
"Sure," Mandrake said, "I'm getting tired."
"Me too," Venus yawned as she rubbed her eyes.
"I do." (Nod)
"Me too." (Ronin)
"Let's do that." (Bomba)
Mars just nodded.
"Okay then, let's go." The group headed for their hotel, all exhausted from the busy, busy day.
*Epic-The-Series*
The gang walked into the lobby of the hotel.
"Venus, you think you can walk from here?" Mandrake asked.
"Are your arms getting tired?" She asked in concern.
"Kind of," The Boggan leader said sheepishly.
"Yeah, I can walk from here," Venus said kindly as Mandrake put her down on the floor on her feet. He wrapped his arm around her, and held onto her shoulder.
"But I'm still helping you," He said, "You need to let that leg rest."
"Thanks," She said, smiling shyly.
"What's our room number again?" Nod asked, his eyebrows furrowed with confusion.
"It's 513," Mars reminded him.
"Ohhh, okay!" The brunette said, drawing out the 'O' and raising his eyebrows. The group entered the elevator, and stepped off once it stopped on the 5th floor. They went down the hall, and stopped at 513. Bomba entered in the room key, and they entered their suite.
*Epic-The-Series*
"You guys want to pick up some dinner?" M.K. asked after a couple minutes.
"Sure," Mars said from her seat on the chair in the living room, "I'm getting hungry."
"Me too," Mandrake said from his seat on the couch. He had his hands behind his head, with Venus leaning on his shoulder.
"I could go for some food," She agreed. Suddenly, her stomach growled, "See?" She giggled.
"Any of you guys want to come with us?" M.K. asked, referring to Bomba and herself.
"I do." (Venus)
"I do too." (Mandrake)
"I'll go too." (Mars)
"No thanks. I'm wiped out." (Nod)
"Me too. I'll stay here." (Ronin)
"Okay then, let's go," M.K. said as the group sans Nod and Ronin walked out the door. They went down the elevator, and outside the lobby, where Bomba called their limo service again.
(A/N: At first, this part was going to show them having dinner, but I decided to have that in the next part.)
