Chapter 9: Sweet Victory
They looked up and saw a huge pile of smoke and fire rising from the Neo-Fairlane Mall. And out of it came Morgana's angry voice.
"CHARLES ROBERTS!" she roared. "I knew you were up to no good! While I was sitting there watching you and Jackson battle it out, your two-timing partner PowerPaws snuck off to free my prisoners! Now you're gonna pay for that dirty trick you played on us!"
"You're out of luck, Morgana," declared Charles. "Jackson just said that he quit and now he's going to be part of our team!"
"Guess again."
As she said that, they heard the door of Jackson's Dark Hover Car slam shut. Inside of it was Jackson, smiling evilly. He said in a mocking tone, "I sure did get you this time, didn't I, brother?"
Charles became infuriated. Jackson had tricked him into letting him join the good guys, and he's still part of Morgana's evil army! Charles yelled, "Jackson! Why would you do this to me?"
"I'm just a born prankster," replied Jackson, grabbing his keys from his pocket. "It just goes to show that you even can't trust a relative who had been with the dark side for many, many years. Next time, Charles, I will get you and PowerPaws. You can count on it." Then he sped off into the streets, until he was almost out of sight.
Morgana said, "Have you learned your lesson? When it comes to the battle for world domination, there's no stopping the Lizzie Borden of Manhattan-which is me, of course! I'm taking my remaining henchmen to another hideout, and next time you won't be able to get away with it easy. And I swear that one day, Charles-just one day-I will destroy you all! When I strike again, I will be bigger, stronger, and much more powerful than you ever imagined. Take note, Dragon Z-I SHALL RETURN!" There was another explosion, and when they looked up again, she was gone, and so were her henchmen.
Charles went over to check on Blaze. As he was rubbing her cheek, he whispered, "Blaze? Are you okay, love?"
Blaze nodded and whispered back, "Yes, Charles. I'm...fine."
Snooper came over and said, "What happened, Charles? Did you defeat Jackson and Morgana?"
"No, Snooper," answered Charles. "But we did rescue Bert and his family."
Snooper looked at Blaze and saw that she was brutally injured. He asked, "And what of your cat?"
"Call the ambulance. And while you're at it contact the police and the fire department, too."
Snooper nodded dutifully and took out his cell phone to dial 911. Soon, the Neo-Detroit Police, the firemen from the Neo-Detroit Fire Department, and the ambulance from the hospital arrived at the scene. Witnesses were interviewed and checked for injuries while Snooper talked with the police officers and told them about the incident.
Blaze was picked up and treated for cuts and burns. While all this was happening, a police officer handed little Charlie to her. The little raccoon toddler was frightened and crying, but Blaze nuzzled him and gently stroked his fur, whispering tenderly, "Don't worry, sweetheart. Mommy's going to be all right."
Charles was surprised. He said, "Is that your kid?"
Blaze replied, "He is, Charles. Since you were asleep for 994 years, I felt lonely and depressed. I eventually ended up having an affair with President Raccoon, and that was before I knew the very embarrassing consequences that would result from it. So, when I found out I was pregnant, I told Bert about it. At first, he felt scared that everybody-even his people-would find out that he was cheating on his wife. However, Lisa did find out and I, too, was scared that she would bash him for it. Luckily, she had no feelings against me and the baby growing inside me, and she forgave Bert, vowing that she would accept any more children I might have by him. Nine months passed, and my little Charlie was born. He was the illegitimate son of President Bert Raccoon-don't forget that he is your son, too. I thought you were going to be mad at me for what I had done."
Charles said, "It's okay, Blaze. It's not your fault, after all." He smiled as he took Charlie from her lap and looked at him. Charlie smiled at Charles, and called him a name he had never heard for 994 years: "Dada!"
"Hello, son," said Charles. "What's your name?"
"Charlie," babbled Charlie.
"How old are you now?"
"Two."
"I guess you haven't seen me for a long time, huh?"
"No-Mama said I have other dada."
"Oh, I get it-your first 'dada' was Bert, right?"
Charlie nodded and hugged Charles. He cooed happily, "Love you, dada."
With his newly accepted son sleeping in his arms, Charles turned to Blaze and said, "I remember how this world works now, love. Bert had fathered our son, and I am fine with that. If you need another kid and decide to make out with him, I am fine with that, too. I love kids, Blaze-don't get me wrong." Blaze smiled and she hugged him. Charles smiled back and hugging her while the others were looking on.
Bentley, frustrated that his attempts to propose to Vanessa were interrupted, shouted, "Can't somebody just shut up and let me get the ball rolling?"
Everybody went silent, startled at his loud request. He went back to Vanessa and held her hand, smiling at her. He continued, "Now, where were we when Morgana interrupted us? Oh, yeah-Vanessa Armington, I've been in love with you for such a long time. And in so saying-" He muttered under his breath, "I hope there are no further interruptions..."
"What are you trying to say to me, Bentley?" asked Vanessa.
Bentley replied shyly, "Well, uh, you see...I was going to say, uh...what was that again?"
Vanessa giggled and said, "You crack me up. What is it?"
After hesitating for a moment, Bentley answered, "...Vanessa Armington, would you do me the honor of becoming my life-I mean, wife?"
Everybody laughed at this. Bentley was so shy, he often messes up a word or two. But Vanessa didn't mind that at all and she said, "Yes, Bentley. Of course, I'll marry you!"
As the couple started to hug and kiss, everybody smiled and applauded. Selena, also witnessing the heartfelt moment, was about to fly back to her hideout when PowerPaws put her hand on her shoulder.
"You can't leave us too soon, Selena," said PowerPaws. "You were there before we arrived, and we were very impressed by the way you tried to defend the president and his family. Would you like to join our team? We'll make it worth your while."
Selena said doubtfully, "But I have to go back, PowerPaws. I don't know if I really want to join the TTC."
PowerPaws looked around and noticed Snooper and Krystal arguing. She went over to them, stopped the fight, and asked, "What's going on?"
"Snooper was such a rat!" snarled Krystal. "He insisted that I should marry him, but I found out from Blab that he was with another girl named Tiffany Turlington!"
"Tiffany?" said PowerPaws. "Wasn't she Brandy's old friend?"
"She was," replied Snooper. "I was wandering around in Texas when we met, and we were going steady for three weeks before we broke up!"
Krystal retorted, "I saw you talking on the phone with her, Snoop! You can't lie to me!"
"Oh, yeah? Then I don't want anything to do with you anymore!"
"Fine with me!"
Snooper walked off, grumbling and muttering to himself, "Some girlfriend she just turned out to be..."
That's when PowerPaws had an idea. She went back to Selena and asked, "Selena, how would you like a boyfriend to keep you company for the rest of your life?"
"A boyfriend?" replied Selena. "PowerPaws, where on earth do you think I'm going to find a-"
"You're looking at him."
Selena looked up and saw Snooper sitting on the curb. She went over to him and said, "Is your girlfriend giving you a hard time?"
"She's my ex-girlfriend now," replied Snooper. "She thinks I'm cheating on her! If only I had a new girlfriend who wouldn't be judging people like that."
Selena smiled and said, "You're talking to her."
Snooper looked up and jumped in surprise. He asked, "Who are you?"
"I'm Selena Roberts," she replied sweetly. "Charles' half-sister. You can call me the Raven if you want to. What's your name?"
"Super Snooper, the world's greatest private-eye."
The two looked at each other for a while and smiled. Then they began to share a kiss. After that, Selena said to PowerPaws, "I've changed my mind-I'd love to join your team, PowerPaws."
PowerPaws smiled-having played Cupid, she had the private-eye cat and the Toon Raven knee-deep in love. And along with the engagement of Bentley Raccoon and Vanessa Armington, it was truly a sweet victory.