this is a really short chapter, sorry guys :'(

Anyway, this story will probably end next chapter. Thanks to the handful of you that read and reviewed! Really appreciate it! :D

I was wandering around town aimlessly one day when I saw it.

The new mall.

It was a pristine white building, several stories high. Paris Mall was written across the top in red neon cursive. Shiny glass windows showcased designer clothes and stylish furniture. Despite the sign in the window proclaiming everything was 50% off, it seemed pretty empty.

I grimaced. The building certainly hadn't been there yesterday. I decided to go in and see what it was like for myself.

Once past the revolving glass doors, the interior was just as grand as the exterior. White tile floors reflected my slightly annoyed face back at me. The ceiling, a pattern of glass and mirrors, cast crystals of light all around. I ventured on, peering in shops along the way.

I have to say, it made me slightly nauseous.

Passing a shoe store, I glimpsed Bones inside, talking to a customer. I didn't recognize the animal; they must have been a tourist.

I walked into the store, pretending to admire the ladies flats. They were finer than anything Kicks could have offered me. I inched closer to them, eavesdropping.

"Honestly, I don't know what all these Parisians are complaining about." The animal said. She was a green frog. Her big eyes blinked innocently and her lipsticked lips grinned. "More shops mean more shopping!"

It also means more people like you. I thought.

I waited for her to leave the shop before rolling my eyes. Bones approached me.

"Sorry about... That." He sighed. "What's your opinion of this place?"

I hesitated before answering. "Honestly, it makes me want to throw up."

We shared a rueful chuckle.

"Seeing all this invade Paris is too much." I continued. "This is my town- our town- and I can't bear seeing it get like this." I took another breath, then stopped. I let my words hang in the air like a dense cloud of fog. "Please don't quote me on that."

I gave a short laugh, and Bones joined in. Rather reluctantly, though.

-oooo-

However, the mall wasn't the end of it. Over the next weeks, changes were introduced to Paris that left more and more of us Parisians annoyed and confused. Our small bus route was replaced with a large-scale train station that could take us as far as Budapest. Kapp'n lost his job as a consequence, but quickly went into self-employment driving a boat back and forth from a small island he'd kept a secret for years. But the last straw was Tortimer's retirement.

He called a big town meeting one day, so we all assembled in front of the town hall at the appointed hour. Tortimer was out front, Pelly beside him. The group of animals around me seemed nervous, and I could sense the uneasiness ripple through the crowd.

"What's going on?" I whispered to Willow.

"I don't know, but I don't think it's good news, bo peep." She whispered back.

"Can I have your attention please?" Pelly cried shrilly. The animals slowly stopping muttering among themselves and turned towards her. "Thank you. Our mayor would like to make an announcement."

Tortimer stepped up to a small podium and adjusted a microphone. Then, he began to speak, his once rich voice cracked with age.

"Citizens of Paris. I have been mayor of this town for many years, and I've seen many changes. More, if you can believe it, than we're seeing now. And, in hindsight of these changes, I believe it is time for one more. It is now that I announce my intention to retire from my position as mayor."

At this incredible statement, cries of dismay, outrage, and confusion came from the crowd.

"However," He continued, "I'm sure you'll find an excellent replacement for me, eh? Someone much more qualified and responsible? Heh heh HORF!" Tortimer chuckled good-naturedly before sobering again. "Thank you, Paris. For everything." With that, he stepped back from the podium, and slowly walked back into the town hall. We stared long after the heavy doors had swung shut.

The townsfolk just stood there in numb shock. Nobody had ever known a time when Tortimer was not mayor. How could this be happening?

"This is insane, mew." I heard Olivia fume. "He dumps all these changes on us, profits from them, then escapes at the first chance he can get? Pathetic!"

"I'm disappointed, ya know." Cyrano lamented. "We might have been able to handle all the new stuff with him still here, but now that he's gone, Paris will never be the same."

"I just don't understand!" Cookie wailed into a tissue. Kody put an arm around her.

I looked around, actually tearing up a little myself. The town was falling apart, and it was all my fault.