Chapter 5: Blast From The Past

"We were both students at Obama High School when we first met," Bert Jr. began. "She sat in her desk right in front of me in Mr. Marcus' class, and her first words to me really caught my attention-'Psst! Can I borrow your pencil?' We encountered each other again at lunchtime, and we began talking. We started out as friends, but as time went on, it was obvious that we were falling in love."

"Awwwww, that's so cute!" said Babs. "You two were truly made for each other."

"Oh, yes, we certainly were. I thought our romance would last much longer, but unfortunately it didn't. After graduating from high school, I was on my way to Boston to attend Charles Roberts University. Maggie, of course, wanted to go with me, but she was to attend another college. So, we had to go our separate ways...I never saw her again...until now."

Maggie hugged him. She smiled and said tearfully, "Bert Jr.! I'm so happy to see you again. I missed you SO much!"

"Me, too," replied Bert Jr. "After all these years, I've finally got you back."

They hugged each other again, as everybody looked on. Estelle broke them up and said, "Enough of the happy reunion, mes amis. Now, it's on to the next challenge."

Ralph straightened himself up. After dusting himself off, he looked up at a sign caved in stone. It said: "Beware-Lernaean Hydra ahead!" With a bold look on his face he said, "I can do this..." And so he walked on, his friends following him. But they failed to notice that not very far away, someone was following them-a person ready to spoil their plans.

Back at San Fran, an explosion hit the building, as Demon Ralph, Mitzy, Scribbles, Von Rabie and Angus blasted the buildings and cars. Demon Charlie, Itchy, Sasha, Bess, Greata, and Sannabella, and Flo were coming along, as she defended the orphan dogs.

"Charlie!" shouted Flo. "Snap out of it!"

"No," replied Charlie. "But my master wants you." Charlie then slashed Flo with his left paw, as she went into the ground. Then Demon Itchy and Bess grabbed her. Richard said, "Now's the time to turn you and your orphan pups into demons." Then he chanted as Flo and the Pups became demons and bowed to him and Belladonna.

"We will serve you, Master," Flo said.

"NOT SO FAST!"

The Time Toon Cops had showed up. Richard grinned evilly and said, "Well, if it isn't the Time Toon Jerks...welcome to your doom!" Then he looked at Cooler, and also Sonic and Tails. "You three will do." He chanted his spell as Cooler, Sonic and Tails' eyes turned red as they turn into a Demon Dog, Hedgehog and Fox while looking at the other Time Toon Cops evilly.

"We will serve you, Master," Cooler, Sonic and Tails intoned.

"Great," Charles muttered. "He got Sonic, Cooler and Tails."

"Now...ATTACK THEM!"

And so the fight between the Time Toon Cops and Richard's evil servants began. Hours passed, and it seemed that the Time Toon Cops were being outnumbered. While at that was happening, Ralph and his team had made it through all twelve labors...and they were REALLY exhausted. Just then, Melissa gasped and shouted, "Look!"

Ahead of them was a large golden stone, with a sword embedded in it. The sword was a bright emerald green, and it shined and twinkled in the light. Rufus whispered in awe, "The Morning Star of the Angels..." They ran over to it. Ralph looked it over, until he spotted something carved into the front of the stone. He said, "Guys...guys! Come look at this. It looks like there's a little poem inscribed on here."

Behold the sword of the Morning Star
Sustainer of all life near and far

Those with defiled morals must depart
For the sword belongs to the pure of heart

Take this sword into thy hand
And all its powers you shall command

"See, Monsieur Raccoon?" said Estelle happily. "You are the pure in heart! Go ahead and take it!"

Ralph muttered nervously, "Oh, I don't know..."

"Make that choice right now. Would you choose the sword or would you rather face the world populated entirely by demon dogs?"

He thought it over, before nodding. "Okay...I'll try." He proceeded to lift the sword out of the stone, which he did with no difficulty at all. He looked at the sword-yet another inscription. Maggie looked at it, too. She said, "There's an inscription on the sword written in Latin. It means 'Let there be light'."

Ralph was puzzled. Reading the inscription, he murmured, "Um...Permissum illic...exsisto lux...lucis...?"

And just like that, a flash of bright green light filled the entire area, blinding Ralph and his team. It soon radiated to other parts of the cave, and surprisingly it had a positive effect on the battlefield-all of the people started turning back to normal. Richard growled angrily, "WHAT'S THE MEANING OF THIS?"

"He's done it," said Alex II. "Ralph's got the Morning Star of the Angels."

Richard roared. Upon leaving the scene, he declared, "THIS ISN'T OVER YET, FOOLS! I'LL BE BACK!" And he and his family disappeared.

At that moment, Ralph and his team reunited with the rest of the crew. Ralph shouted excitedly, "I got it! I got the sword!"

Charles replied, "So, you did. And thanks to you, everyone's back to normal."

"And so will be our empire," added Bert Jr. "We'd better get back before-oh, no..." He had looked up to see Nose Marie lying unconscious, bruised, and severely wounded on the floor. He ran over to her, as did everybody else. Rufus bent down to take her pulse, but it wasn't there. He shook his head sadly and said, "She's gone. The impact of the injuries had completely taken her life away."

Bert Jr. paled. "You mean, she's...she's...that really can't be-"

"Yes."

The toons felt sad. This was the first time since the founding of the group that one member was killed in the line of duty. And it was an overwhelming loss for Bert Jr.-the loss of his beloved wife.