-Leaving for mayor's. Ky and Wend – come ASAP.
The moment Kyle read Cartman's text, something in the air snapped. He wasn't really sure what it was, but everything seemed out of place, even though he was just standing in his room.
Suddenly, the panic set in. But there wasn't time to panic. Not now. He grabbed his jacket, running out the door. He started to head toward Wendy's, since she lived only a few houses down. He knew Stan would never forgive him if he let Wendy go out by herself.
Things seemed almost surreal as he ran in the snow toward her place. There was stillness in the air, probably because there was no one out. It was strange to see the neighborhood so empty.
He knocked on the door, and Wendy appeared. "I was just leaving!" she exclaimed, her face pale as she readjusted her hat.
"Come on," Kyle urged, grabbing her hand. "Let's get going."
-.-.-.-.-.
Kenny bit his lip, staying close to Butters. Their group had decided to gather at the school gym, since it was large enough to hold everyone. However, they had all moved outside, since it had gotten warm with all the people crowded in there. Kenny couldn't believe how many people had come. He hoped that they wouldn't find out about the other group marching, since that would buy everyone some much needed time.
"Stan's dad is here," Butters whispered.
"Yeah. That's no surprise." Kenny kept looking around. Everything felt off.
"Guys!" a man suddenly yelled. Kenny's head jerked around, trying to find the source. Butters grabbed his arm and pointed at a man waving his cell phone.
"Shit," Kenny muttered, whipping out his own. He knew where this was going.
"The other group has already started marching!" the man called, and everyone began shouting in outrage.
"This really isn't good," Kenny groaned, the pale hairs on his arm sticking up.
-Group found out. Marching from school.
-.-.-.-.-.
Carman cursed under his breath. He was running out of time.
-.-.-.-.-.
Despite the cold day, Stan's body felt warm. He held his sign tightly as he walked with the others, his throat dry and his stomach doing flips. He swallowed. As the group marched, it seemed like they were shouting their mantra louder and louder. Stan echoed the words as well to blend in, his hands sweaty in his mittens.
A gust of cold wind blew against him, and he shivered. He tried to convince himself that it would be ok, since they were moving quite slowly. He desperately clung to this notion as much as he did the heavy sign.
He wanted to throw up.
-.-.-.-.-.
Cartman practically slid the car into the snow-covered parking spot, opening the door before he had even shut off the car. He ran inside city hall, going the familiar path to the mayor's office. He had been there many times in the past.
He ignored the secretary yelling at him to stop and charged into the mayor's office. Apparently, some sort of meeting was taking place. There were a few men in business suits. Cartman ignored them; there were bigger things to consider.
"Mayor!" he shouted. "They've already started marching. Both groups are heading straight for us!"
It didn't take her long. She quickly stood up, her face grim. "Gentlemen, I'm afraid I have to cut this meeting short."
-.-.-.-.-.
Butters' panic was starting to affect him.
"Calm down, Butters," Kenny hissed. "Freaking out won't help the situation."
"I can't help it," Butters whined quietly.
"I spy something green."
"W-what?"
"I spy something green! Focus on the damn game, Butters."
He knew he was crazy, but he had to do something before one of them snapped from the pressure. They were both in a dangerous position, marching in the middle of a very angry crowd. If anyone suspected that they didn't belong, they'd be goners.
"I-is it Mr. Garrison's shirt?"
"Good. Your turn."
-.-.-.-.-.
Cartman wasted no time. "Tell your people to get that stage up. They're almost done, but they need to hurry. Call the police to tell them to get here now. Tell them both groups are armed, but not everyone is carrying a weapon."
As the mayor started making her phone calls, Cartman checked his phone for the latest texts. Kenny and Stan were being good at updating their locations at regular intervals. He quickly calculated the amount of time it would take for both groups to arrive.
When she got off the phone, he looked at her grimly. "We have about twenty minutes until they're both here. We need to move fast… and we need a plan."
-.-.-.-.-.
Stan decided that instead of just following the crowd and wondering whether his death would be quick or slow, he weaved his way around to find those who were on his side. He had a quiet conversation with one girl who he knew didn't want violence, and who also seemed to be not as enthusiastic and die-hard as the others. She was easily convinced that this was all crazy.
There was no way he could convert everyone. But he decided that he better gather those with him, so that they were at least all together and accounted for.
-.-.-.-.-.
Once Butters had calmed, Kenny thought the same thing.
"Ok, look, go find those on our side. I'll do the same. I want everyone together. Then, if we still have time before we get to city hall, we'll try to convince more people that this is nuts."
Butters nodded, looking fearfully around. "Ok…"
"You'll be fine."
-.-.-.-.-.
By the time they both ran up to the government building, Kyle and Wendy were gasping for breath. Kyle noted that the stage was almost set up. It looked like they were checking the sound system. Just as they were about to run in, Cartman came out with the mayor.
"Cartman!"
"Glad you guys made it," Cartman acknowledged. "Ok, so here's the plan."
-.-.-.-.-.
-At c hall, everything set.
Stan read Wendy's text. He felt a bit more comfortable knowing that she was with the others. Now that he was with the people he converted, he didn't feel as nervous as he did before. He quickly texted the group his current location.
"Ok, look guys," Stan muttered, turning to those around him. "Things might get messy. It's anyone's guess what is going to happen. However, the more people we have on our side…"
-.-.-.-.-.
"… the better it will be," Kenny told them, looking around. "If any of you have parents in the group, talk to them. If you have friends, convince them that this is fucking nuts. If you have girlfriends or boyfriends, make them see your side. Go in pairs rather than alone. Meet back at the back of the group in ten minutes, no later. We'll be there soon, and so I want us all in the same place."
-.-.-.-.-.
"And one more thing – just ask those you think are willing to join us. Pick people who you think don't want violence. Pick people who aren't so gung-ho. I don't want our cover to be blown."
-.-.-.-.-.
Kyle's heart pounded in his chest loudly, but he ignored it. He decided to help the tech team set up the stage, since they seemed to be struggling. Meanwhile, Cartman was informing them of the plan. Kyle listened while he worked. When he finished, he straightened.
"All set."
-.-.-.-.-.
"Ok, so everyone understand?" Cartman asked. They all nodded. "Good." He glanced at his watch. "Mayor, make sure security understands the situation. The first group should be here in just over five minutes."
He texted on his phone quickly.
-Stay near the back of the group in case of fighting.
He looked up, meeting Kyle's eyes. "Now all there is left to do is wait."
-.-.-.-.-.
Stan was pretty proud of what his group came up with. Not everyone got someone, but quite a few people did, which almost doubled their numbers. However, it didn't go unnoticed that compared to the mob, it was nothing.
-.-.-.-.-.
"Butters! How'd it go?" Kenny asked, grabbing his arm.
"Ok, I guess." He gestured to Bebe. "I found Bebe, and she convinced her friends."
"Great." Kenny studied the sizable group that was forming in the back of the line. He was pretty proud of the turnout.
-.-.-.-.-.
Stan knew that Kyle and the rest would see his group soon, but he felt the need to update everyone, including Kenny.
-Turning the corner, almost in view of stage.
-.-.-.-.-.
Kyle's palms felt sweaty as he waited nervously. He stayed near Wendy, since he had taken it as his responsibility to look after her since Stan couldn't at the moment. He stared grimly up the street, where Stan's group would be seen first. Everyone gathered at the stage were silent.
When the first few people of Stan's group could be seen, Wendy grabbed a hold of his arm and squeezed tightly. And Kyle, for the first time since all of this started, realized the real reason why he had been so nervous all along.
-.-.-.-.-.
Cartman's eyes narrowed as he watched the first group come into view. They looked angrier than he had seen them in the past. They waved their signs and yelled, walking briskly down the main street. Even from the distance, Cartman could tell that they were ready for a fight, and wouldn't be satisfied until they felt victorious.
But Cartman wasn't nervous. He was Cartman, and Kyle, Stan, and Kenny were his friends. They had gotten out of various dangerous encounters in the past. He was confident that they could get out of this situation alive. Well, he was confident most of them would get out of it alive. He wasn't so sure about Kenny.
So he watched in silence, his hands clasped behind his back as he remained calm and collected.
-.-.-.-.-.
Stan glanced around. He knew the front of the group must be in view of the stage now. The others around him seemed grim and nervous. He couldn't blame them; it was how he felt as well. He also felt a sickening desire to throw up, but he promised silently in his head that he wouldn't. He had gotten good at controlling his urge to vomit.
Besides, if he started to fear for his life, he had brought his stun gun just in case.
-.-.-.-.-.
South Park had gotten itself into millions of these types of situations in the past. Hell, Kyle could come up with tons of examples of situations just like this one, where the town was divided and out looking for blood. But what made it different this time around was that nothing was predictable. Those who were marching with Kenny weren't acting like themselves, and in fact had changed their very definition of who and what they were. But even further, due to the changes that had been made, changes had happened in the group that opposed the changes as well.
Kyle had seen it first hand with his friends. He almost stopped breathing as he realized the full consequences of his actions. Kenny had been the most obviously influenced by Kyle, and Kyle had helped him do the same transformation. However, Cartman had been changed as well. Something about Kyle's change had made their relationship change into something more than just friends. It also made Cartman a heck of a lot nicer, which in term changed his relationship with everyone else around him. The situation with Stan, though, represented what was happening just now. Stan had opposed Kyle's change, and fought desperately to protect himself from said changes. However, Stan had changed without him realizing it. It had almost cost them their friendship.
As Kyle studied Stan's group as they marched closer, he realized for the first time that not one person in either group was predictable. Everyone was different than they were a few weeks ago, for better or for worse. And for the first time since coming back from his French language camp, he wanted things to be predictable again.
-.-.-.-.-.
Kenny silently counted the people who were on their side. It was hard to tell who was with them and who wasn't at this point, since he had told them to continue pretending that they were a part of the group. So even though they had gathered at the end of the line, they were all chanting along with the others, demanding for their rights to be whoever they wanted to be.
"The front of the group is almost to Main Street," Butters muttered to him. He looked insanely nervous.
Kenny quickly texted a warning to the others. He sighed, glancing around. Why did everyone in South Park have to be so fucking stupid?
-.-.-.-.-.
-Front at Main soon.
Cartman glanced over at Kyle and Wendy. Wendy looked a bit scared, clinging onto Kyle's arm still. However, Cartman had a feeling she was more scared for Stan's safety than her own.
He silently studied Kyle's face. The expression on his face was one he had seen a million times in the past. Cartman could tell that he was nervous, and that he was probably blaming the situation on himself. But Kyle's eyes were bright and determined. He wasn't going to go down without a fight.
Cartman smiled slightly, looking toward where Kenny's group was about to emerge. Kyle hadn't changed at all. Not where it counted.
-.-.-.-.-.
He couldn't see it, but he knew when Kenny's group must have come into view. Stan's group got louder, starting to scream angry insults, demanding for blood to be shed. He saw his uncle, who was closer to the front, wave his rifle in the air.
Stan felt himself get angrier at the situation they were in. After all, he had felt the same betrayal as the others in this group felt, but he wasn't stupid enough to go this far. What could they possibly be thinking?
-.-.-.-.-.
Kyle glared as the two groups started a mad march toward the stage and ultimately, each other. He was pissed. He hadn't gotten this mad in a while, but it felt familiar, so it gave him some comfort. Kyle was always a boy quick to anger, especially when he felt like people were being stupid.
This wasn't how South Park was going to end. They would stop this, or die trying.
-.-.-.-.-.
Kenny felt grim as his group picked up the pace, obviously wanting to get to the stage as quickly as possible. He knew how this would play out. They would meet in the center, most likely throw insults at each other, and then all of a sudden, they'd launch themselves at each other.
"Kenny."
He glanced over at Bebe, who was waving her phone at him. He blinked.
"I was just thinking about who we used to be good friends with in elementary school," she explained. "And that got me thinking. I sent a text to all of them, and it sounds like all of them think this is nuts. Most of them aren't here at the march today, and didn't even realize that they had started marching. They are all coming down to help!"
"That's good," Kenny replied, his spirits lifting a bit. "You should ask them to send word to their neighbors. If people aren't marching, then they most likely aren't as crazy as these people are." He spoke quietly so others wouldn't hear them. "They could come and support us as well."
Bebe nodded, her fingers immediately flying in order to send the message out. Kenny was glad that Bebe was such a social butterfly, and had kept in contact with their old classmates.
-.-.-.-.-.
"Ok, Mayor. Things are probably going to start getting crazy in a few minutes, so have your men ready to do some damage control," Cartman said quietly but firmly. She left his side to talk to security.
Cartman moved over closer to where Kyle and Wendy were waiting. "Ok, guys. Just keep in mind that our primary goal is to keep these idiots from killing each other off. The mayor is going to try to talk them down, but I doubt it's going to do anything. They all look like they are out for murder. We're just going to have to trust that Kenny and Stan find us soon, and hope to god that we have enough people supporting us that we can end this quickly. Under no circumstances, however, are either of you entering those mobs. None of us are in with either group, so they'll attack us like we're the enemy."
"So what the hell are we supposed to do, Cartman?" Wendy demanded. "I can't just sit by and let Stan get hurt!"
Cartman felt his patience being tested. Kyle pursed his lips and replied for him, "Wendy, I'm just as concerned as you are, but Cartman's right. The moment we step into either side, there will be a target on our backs. Besides, we have a plan, and we have to stick to it."
Wendy didn't look happy, but she stopped complaining. Cartman was glad. Even though he was generally being nicer to everyone, Wendy still had a way of pissing him off.
-.-.-.-.-.
Stan felt his nervousness rise even further as his group closed in on the stage. He could see it ahead of them, right where they always put it. He could see Kyle's green hat, and Wendy's long, black hair. He could see the police force, which was probably not big enough to really help with anything.
-.-.-.-.-.
Kenny licked his lips. They weren't as close to the stage as the other group was, but at the pace they were going, they'd probably meet in the middle at the same time.
-.-.-.-.-.
Kyle clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. God he was mad.
-.-.-.-.-.
Stan's group was slowing, most likely in an unconscious effort to meet at the stage at the same time as the others. He hoped Wendy would be alright.
-.-.-.-.-.
Kenny's heart was pounding. He didn't like being in such dangerous situations, because he knew how they almost always ended for him.
They were almost there.
-.-.-.-.-.
Cartman watched for only a second longer, and then turned toward the mayor, nodding. This was it.