Dimensional Dismay

- Chapter 12 -

Two blocks away, at the topmost tower on Baddie Boulevard, the Jolly Rodger was anchored. It swayed gently in the wind, anchored next to the ventilation shaft on the roof. The deck was vacant except for Tessa, who sat in the shadows several feet from the stairs that led below deck to the galley. She sat with her head in her arms, rested on her knees. She looked up to the sky, taking a deep breath of cool air as she tried to relax her worried mind.

Moments later, the galley door opened and a stream of light that came from the lantern inside illuminated up the steps and a little across the main deck.

Tessa's whole body tensed up, but once she heard the drumming of claws along the wooden steps, she let out a sigh of relief. Scroop stepped out of the stairwell, his tired yellow eyes staring drowsily ahead. He saw Tessa from the corner of his eye, and looked over.

"Your father's been asking about you."

"O-m-g." she said slowly, in fake surprise, "You mean he actually cares? Somebody pinch me." She said sarcastically, folding her arms tight against her stomach and laying her legs out across the deck, a bratty look on her face. Scroop shook his head in annoyance- she really didn't change much since he met her, back when she was only seven years old.

"You understand I don't like Hook much, but he has been busy lately." He reminded, "us being villains, you know how hard it's becoming to keep the pirates from being falsely accused."

"That's no excuse," she snarled, getting up, "The pirates should be able to take care of themselves. He's only their captain- once they're off this ship without permission it's their own faults what happens to them."

"But according to the Disney compa--"

"I don't care about rules or regulations. Didn't that also state every toon for themselves?"

"Aye, but not when it comes to Villains and their minions." He snarled.

"So …" she said, turning to him, eying him suspiciously, "If you act out of line, does Silver get the penalty?"

"No, but-"

"Then it should be the same for all. We know the pirates have caused several riots without Dad's consent- that should've been enough to change the rule!"

"There was no proof that Hook didn't tell them to break into that ATM!" Scroop growled, getting increasingly angrier.

"Rensie knew, and everyone else said that Dad was present at the Villain's convention- Rensie is just looking for any excuse nowadays to get us in trouble!"

The sound of metal scraping on wood caused Scroop to stiffen. Captain James Hook had stepped out of the galley unseen, his dark eyes glaring at the two as he pulled his hook off the handrail, "Tess," he addressed, motioning for her to follow as he headed up the steps towards his quarters. Tessa sighed angrily and stormed off after her father, tossing her short hair out of her face.

-----

Knock Knock Knock!

Sandra's fist rapped on the front door of what she was sure to be Randall's apartment building. The door opened almost a minute later, and a large red macaw flew into her face, "Don't ya know what time it is?"

"12 o'clock." She responded simply. Iago, the obnoxious parrot from the Disney movie 'Aladdin', fluttered in midair for a moment in realization, and then squawked again, "EXXACTLY!" he shouted, causing Sandra to almost drop Randall's script, "On a Saturday! Haven't you ever heard of a itsy bitsy thing called 'COMMON SENSE'?"

"Look, birdbrain, I just need to speak with Randall." She explained, as a small albino vampire bat flew out from the open door and onto the railing, "Hey, who's the girl?" he asked. This bat was the henchman to Rasputin in the 20th Century Fox movie 'Anastasia'.

Iago reeled on him, "Butt out, bat boy! I'm dealin' with her!"

As soon as he finished, a white-gloved hand emerged from the hall and grabbed the bird around the neck. It was Honest John, and he was looking rather ticked off.

"How many times must I remind you to keep your trap shut whilst in this building?" he asked, releasing the bird. He retorted, "Ha! Hey Einstein! If ya haven't noticed … I'm outside the building!" he pointed out slowly and slyly. Honest John glared darkly at the parrot, going to snatch at him again. Iago caught on quick and flew off into the main hall, muttering angrily under his breath. Bartok sat quietly and calmly on the handrail, unnoticed by the fox.

Honest John gave his usual mischievous grin when he regained himself. Sandra rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"What brings you to our humble home, dear Sandra?" he asked.

"Don't give me that 'dear' garbage," she snapped, "And not that it's any of your business, but I'm here to speak with Randall."

At the mention of the reptilian monster's name, John's eyes went dark and his grin suddenly faded, "Mr. Boggs?" he asked, and she nodded.

He snorted indignantly, "I thought of you to know better than to socialize with a common criminal."

She let out a dry laugh, "I've 'socialized' with you and Wesley for years, and you two are much more than common criminals."

He shook his head, "No, the riots we cause have never resulted in the near death of another toon."

Sandra's eyes widened slowly, and she looked curiously at the fox, "What do you mean?" she asked slowly.

"I mean your new friend here has committed a more serious crime than anyone on this street."

She narrowed her eyes, "Yeah, and I'm so sure you're not exaggerating on that last bit," she replied sarcastically.

He stared at her sincerely, "I have never been more truthful in my life."

"Okay- I know you well enough to understand that for a guy with the word 'Honest' in his name, you really are quite the opposite." She snarled, but she was beginning to wonder if he was really telling the truth, for once. She hardly knew Randall as it was … but she sure as hell wasn't going to take the word of a chronic liar.

"Can you just … be a 'dear'," she hissed, "and get Randall for me? I'm not in the mood to be a victim of your silly little mind games."

He sneered at her, teeth bearing slightly, but he didn't budge.

"Mr. Boggs, eh?" Bartok piped up, and John jumped slightly in surprise, and turned his glare onto the little bat, "Don't worry there, ma'am, I'll go an' fetch 'im for ya … uh heh heh." He laughed nervously at the fox's mean look, and took flight, flapping rapidly as all bats do as he disappeared up the steps.

John sighed angrily, "Look, Sandra, I know I haven't been much of a friend, but listen to me for once- I'm dead serious."

She groaned, feeling as if she probably should believe him but she refused to show it, "Alright, I believe you if it's the only thing to make you get off my case." She snapped. He cut her a glare and turned, his cloak whipping as he strode off down the hall. Randall emerged minutes later, and Sandra felt herself looking at him in a new light. Perhaps the scars weren't from an alligator as stated in his script; maybe it was caused by someone attempting to save their own life from his … bone-crushing jaws.

No. It couldn't be possible. Could it? Well, she once heard that the worst criminals were best at hiding their true nature.

"Is there something wrong?" Randall asked, and Sandra shot out of her thoughts. She rubbed her forehead sub-consciously, "No, no … I'm fine." She said vaguely, and handed him his script, "Here, she said, "You know, something like this could really broaden the minds of most toons. A lot of them don't know half of how we're being treated nowadays."

Randall nodded slowly, without a word. He glanced over his shoulder briefly, "Look … I'd rather not talk about this here …" he explained, stepping through the doorway and closing the door with his tail on the knob, "I've got quite a reputation here. D'you like coffee?"

(A/N)- So … tired. :-P Thanks so much to my reviewers, as always. You really strive me to keep writing … no matter how tired I am, lol :-D Reviews please :-D