Newbark's Cure
An Animal Crossing: City Folk FanFiction
Chapter 9
Secrets and Surprises
Dalon and Tally waited anxiously to hear Nook's appraisal of the Mega-Tuna laying before them.
"Hm,...I'd offer you...25,000 Bells for it," said Nook.
Dalon grinned and said, "That'll cover how more much I need for Max's operation!"
Tally shrieked in joy and gave Dalon a quick hug. Dalon shook Nook's hand excitedly. "That'd be perfect! You got a deal!" Maple and Derwin rustled their pompoms with cheer.
"Great! Here are your Bells," said Nook, handing Dalon 25,000 Bells.
Dalon's eyes widened and said, "Wow. Do you always care this much money with you?"
Nook replied, "Hm? No, much more than that. Anyway, good doing business with you. Congratulations on winning the tournament. And congratulations on finding your Dad." Nook suddenly looked sadly into Dalon's eyes. "...Dalon, you are very lucky...Well, enjoy the rest of your day." Nook walked over to the Mega-Tuna and effortlessly put it in his pocket. Dalon stared at Nook oddly until he disappeared through the trees on his way back to Nookingtons.
"Dalon, we need to tell your Mom about this! I'm sure she'll be so happy!," said Tally, grinning.
Dalon snapped out of his stare. "Yeah!"
"We'll meet you there in a bit! We have to stop at Derwin's house first," said Maple.
"We made a special surprise cake for you!," cried Derwin. Dalon and Tally grinned with delight.
"Derwin! You just told them the surprise!," cried Maple.
"...Oops...," said Derwin.
Maple let out a small chuckle and said, "Come on, bird brain." They waved and Maple pulled Derwin's arm as they began walking toward his house.
When they were out of sight, past the trees, Dalon grabbed Tally's hand and they walked towards Dalon's house. When they entered, they suddenly were hit with a strong smell of fish. Then, they heard Mom and Dad from inside the bathroom across the floor.
"Oh, hi, honey!," cried Mom from behind the bathroom wall. "I'm just helping Dad get rid of the fish stench. It's harder to remove then we thought!," cried Mom, ending with a short chuckle.
"I can smell that," chuckled Dalon. "I'll check later to see if Nookingtons has anything for sale that might help, but I gotta tell you something now, Mom!"
"What is i-," Mom began to ask, when suddenly there came a bang from somewhere upstairs, followed by horrid choking sounds. Dalon and Tally looked at each other wide-eyed. Mom ran out of the bathroom and stared at them both with similar eyes.
"Max!...Go check upstairs!," cried Mom.
Dalon and Tally ran up the stairs to see Max, laying on the floor next to Dalon's bed, choking up blood, eyes rolled back, skin pale as snow.
Tally gasped and covered her mouth in horror.
"MAX!," cried Dalon. He bent down next to him and lifted up his head.
Mom ran up the stairs, Dad following her in a towel.
"My baby!," she cried, as tears formed in her eyes.
"Max!," cried Dad.
Mom knelt down next to Max and helped lift up his head with Dalon. She looked at the phone nearby and was relieved to see Tally already reporting a medical emergency. Mom looked back at Max and said, "This is too soon!"
"I'll go check out for the officers!," cried Tally, and she hurried downstairs.
"I heard him coughing earlier when you were running the kitchen sink! I should of said something!," said Dad.
"No, I heard him coughing during the tournament! I also should have payed more attention," said Mom sadly, wiping her tears.
"Mom, the thing I had to tell you was-," Dalon said.
"Not now, Dalon!," said Mom.
"It's about Max! I finally have enough Bells now for the...for the cure. Dad's fish helped me get the rest!," Dalon said.
Mom looked at Dalon with relief. "Oh, Dalon-"
Suddenly, two Newbark guard dogs entered the room upstairs and swiftly greeted the family. They then quickly inspected Max.
"He'll need to be taken to the medical center in the city immediately," said one of the guard dogs. They quickly but carefully lifted up Max on a gurney. "Follow!," they said to the others in the room.
They all boarded an ambulance parked outside of Dalon's house, and sped to the city.
Maple and Derwin watched them from afar, holding a big cake in their arms, speechless. All they could do was look at each other with fear and worried eyes. They didn't even notice the cake slipping off the dish until it hit the ground in front of them.
