A/N: Well, this is the first update of 2009 and what better way to start it with a party.

One is Too Much

It was sunset.

In the castle, the tables were set and food was prepared for the night party. Everyone was invited and for a moment, not many even seemed to care that Hiss had escaped recently. All were just grateful that their king could live to see another day. Criss and Diss were the guest of honor and they sat beside the king. Criss was a bit nervous. Then again, he thought that no one even noticed who he was underneath the mask. At one point earlier, Criss and Diss were just standing outside one of the buildings just minding their own business. Skippy, along with his siblings and friends suddenly approached the snake.

"Hey, it's Hiss." Skippy said.

Criss suddenly shook in horror and leaped behind the column. The kids slowly approach Diss. "Hey, kids. What are you all doing here?"

"We're preparing for the celebration silly?" Sis replied.

"Mister, why is Criss hiding behind the wall?" Tagalong asked.

Diss looked at Criss. "Are they gone?" Criss asked. "Probably afraid of you know who." Diss winked. "Try to avoid saying that name to him."

Skippy then approached the frightened snake. "It's okay Mister Criss. Hiss isn't really here. I was just pointing to that poster where you're hiding now."

Hiss looked in front of him. There was a wanted poster of him. "Oh." He then played along. "I… I thought he was here. He did use to work here you know."

"Mister Criss, are you related to him? I mean you are a snake just like him." Skippy asked.

"Uh… gee. I think Diss and I have to move on now. Now you kids better go or the folks will be worried." They then left hurriedly. Diss was just laughing silently but noticeable. "What's so funny?" Criss asked. "You, afraid of a poster, afraid of children and afraid of yourself."

Back at the celebration, everyone was having a good time. There was a lot of dancing, a lot of eating, a lot of talking and a lot of laughing. Marian suddenly stood, grabbed Robin's right hand and pulled him up effortlessly. She then ran as fast as she could away from the table. "My love, where are you taking me?" She brought them to the dance floor and unexpectedly kissed him. Robin's eyes widened with satisfaction. "I can brighten your mood today." They started dancing. "Whatever you say, dear." Robin smiled. The bunnies looked at the two lovebirds. "Aw… so romantic." Sis said with her arms making a romantic gesture.

Criss looked around at the palace. He then stopped as he looked at a familiar painting of Prince John when he ruled as King. Nostalgia. He remembered those times when he was in here. How he missed those times. How he need not worry of basic necessities. Life in prison was rather harsh for him. Summer was hot, winter was cold, and food was scarce. But he was cold-blooded and he would brave these things. Still, he was afraid to go back there. At one point, he could hear John counting hair as if it were taxes, taxes, taxes. He thought John lost his mind and his was coming soon. He spent his time reflecting on the mistakes, but he kept remembering the good old times and how he missed them. All he could ever want is here and he could never go back. So near, and yet so far.

"I see you've found the portrait of my brother."

The serpent did not budge to look at King Richard. "Sire, is he well?"

"He's being treated fairly. You should not worry about him. He spoiled England's riches and I had no choice but to send him to prison."

"Forgive me to question your judgment. I know he's done great wrongs, but wouldn't you say that was a rather cruel punishment?"

"I actually did him a favor. He should've been hanged for his crimes… but he is my brother." The lion made a curious look. "Do you know something about him?"

Criss just stared at the painting. "None, sire. None that you don't know of." He said as he slowly walked away.

"Uh… Doctor Criss…"

Criss stopped by those words. He had always wanted the title to be called doctor. He slowly looked back at the king. "Yes, sire?"

Richard tried gulped hoping that this would work. "I was impressed with what you did earlier and for that, I am truly grateful. Tell me, where is your next destination?"

Criss thought of where he was getting with this. The question made him think. Where was he going? He was about to go to London until Diss stopped him. Why he did that, he will never know. "Just around I guess."

"A man without a plan I see. Tell me. Would you like to be my doctor here in Nottingham?"

Hiss was surprised with the offer. He almost leapt with joy. He can finally practice medicine and it was coming straight from the king's lips. That moment, he took back everything he said about justice being served to Richard as karma would bring Criss a second chance… a second life. "I… I don't know what to say. I… humbly accept." He bowed his head in excitement. Richard was glad. "Good, now let's get out and have a little fun now, shall we?" Richard said as he walked down to the crowd outside. "Yeah… uhm… hold on a sec."

He ran looking to the party grounds looking for Diss, but he was nowhere to be seen. He then looked around the castle. Then, he saw him about to leave the castle to the drawing bridge. "Diss, where do you think you're going?"

Diss was surprised to see Criss. "Uh… gee… well…"

Criss cut him. "Nevermind. Guess what, I'll finally get to do my practice."

"Good for you, Criss. So when do you get to start?"

"I don't know. Probably as soon as I get a place to work I guess. I was thinking. Would you like to come and stay with me… to show my appreciation for what you've done."

"I don't understand."

"Diss, if you had not freed me, forced me to go to Nottingham, forced me to go to church, forced me to donate money, then all this would never have happened."

Diss felt touch. "Wow, I… don't know what to say. Yeah, why not."

"Great. Well, see you then, Diss. Got a party I'm not missing out on." Criss slithered back to the castle.

Back at the castle, Hiss partied. He suddenly sprung up and literally became a party animal. At one point, Hiss joined an ale drinking competition. The challengers are Robin Hood, Little John, Alan, and Otto. Robin was forced to go when Marian had asked her to. He eventually agreed and told Little John to come in. Friar Tuck played as a referee.

"So the rules are simple. To proceed to the next round, one must consume this entire barrel of ale. Whoever is the last person to survive, wins."

"So may the best man win." Robin shook everyone's hand. He then went to Criss. "Sorry, got no hands."

"Is everyone ready?"

Everyone went to their ready stance.

"Go!"

They all started consuming the alcohol inside the container. Everyone used their hand to gulp the ale to their mouths but Hiss jumped inside and swam. Alan was three-quarters done when he fell to the ground "Ti ta ti ti ti ti ti tow/ Ti ta ti ti tow/ Ti ta ti ta ti to ti to ti to ti ti ti ti ta ti tow". "You're out!" Tuck yelled as two guards pulled him out. Everyone was singing Whistle Stop during the rest of the competition. Soon, Otto fell face-flat to the table. "You're out!" The round finished with Hiss, Robin and Little John consuming all their ale.

Then, the second round started and they all started to consume the ale again. Little John was a good contender when it comes to ale drinking contests, which is why it was a surprise that he broke to the pressure as he fell down drunk. "He must've had too much before the event." Hiss said. "I guess it's you and me now, doctor."

First seventeen seconds of Dimension by Wolfmother plays

Wa…

They both continued as the night went on and on… and… on… and on and… on….

Criss and Little John walked around the town after being totally wasted from the competition. "Sorry you lost, Cr… Criss."

"No need. I… was no… match to Robin." They reach a small corner. "Thanks for… helping me find a… place to stay."

"It was no…" Little John tripped on a crack on a sidewalk.

"John? John? Where are you?"

Little John was swimming on a pile of papers. He tried to get up and noticed a flyer. It was Hiss' wanted poster. Hiss saw Little John on the floor. "What are you doing?"

Little John looked at the poster, then looked at Criss. Look at the poster, then looked at Criss. Look at the poster, then looked at Criss. He did it several times until he noticed something suspicious. "Hey, wait a minute. Criss?"

"Yeah."

"I didn't know you were fa…famous."

"Really, let me look at that." Criss approached the bear and took from him the flyer. "Well what do you know… I am famous."

"And you just got here."

"I know."

They went on and on. Despite being intoxicated, the found a vacant building that was up for rent. It had a lousy bedroom, but he can fix that the next day. Criss then gave Little John a small message before leaving. "Tell… Diss that I'm here."