It was a warm morning; the sky was clear and blue with the bright sun shining behind bronze-colored clouds. The air smelled crisp and fresh, followed by the scent of spring flowers. Looks like it was going to be another sunny day. The three of us stood in our regular spots like usual while waiting for the school bus to arrive. Upon seeing each other again, Cartman and I exchanged smiles indicating that we've come to an understanding. Then I turned to my best friend Stan whom I've been concerned about lately.

"Everything okay, Stan?" I asked him kindly. "Did you sleep alright last night?"

Stan had this strange smile when he turned to answer me. "Yep… I guess you could say that I've slept like a baby."

I didn't get Stan's sudden positive attitude until five minutes later. Cartman and I were in for a big surprise when we saw none other than our good friend Kenny McCormick coming to join our group like he did every morning of his life. In a fit of excitement, I was already engulfing Kenny into a hug while becoming overjoyed that he finally returned to us. Grinning ear-to-ear, Kenny glanced over at Stan and seemed to give a knowing wink. I had this funny feeling that my best friend already knew about this surprise. But it's so great that it was the four of us again.

"Good to have you back with us, Kenny. You've been gone for two days," I explained while linking an arm around him. "We were really starting to miss you."

I looked over at Cartman who didn't move nor did he face Kenny. I remembered him saying that Kenny had died because he risked his own life trying to get him to safety. I'll bet Cartman felt responsible deep down inside. I was about to go over to console him when Kenny held me back and went over to Cartman instead. Now Stan and I watched curiously as Cartman finally made himself look up as Kenny joined his side. They may not act like it much, but there was a strong friendship between those two.

"Listen to me, Cartman," Kenny began. "Whatever it is you're feeling right now, I just want you to know that I understand. You didn't mean for it to happen. I know you were sorry to see me go too. So don't sweat it, okay?"

Cartman only nodded his head, but still said nothing. Kenny held out his hand where Cartman willingly took it and shook with a small smile. Sometimes I thought Kenny had a better understanding of Cartman's way of thinking than I did. I could tell that Cartman was glad to see his good friend back. And then Cartman looked over at me as if hoping I would praise him or encourage this good behavior. I smiled proudly at him and that was all he needed to know.

He really didn't want to make things anymore hard for himself. Eric Cartman hadn't mentioned to his friends of his secret meetings with Scott Tenorman. In the end, he managed to convince himself that it was for the best. He couldn't tell them anything because it might get them killed. His biggest concern of all was for Kyle… Scott was already up his ass about it. His red-headed Jew was intelligent, resourceful and most of all inquisitive. If anyone would notice the strange going-ons in South Park, it would be Kyle. Cartman had promised Kyle that he would protect him at all cost.

"Hello? Cartman? Didn't you hear me?" Kyle's voice broke into his thoughts.

"Yes…uh-huh…of course," Cartman wasn't thinking straight. All he could keep thinking about was of the sinister task that had been handed down to him. He couldn't let anyone find out… Now Cartman had no choice. He had to do Scott's bidding.

It was a cool evening with silver-clouds scattered in the blue-grey sky. However a bright sun was seen hanging high. Cartman hardly paid any attention to the lovely changing colors of the clouds, because he had an important meeting to attend to. As he followed the mayor's aide down the decorated halls of City Hall, Cartman sneered to himself as he couldn't resist this powerful feeling coursing through his mind right now. Talking his way in here was as easy as breathing. Cartman still had a manipulative way with words… He was able to secretly signal for his cohorts that he was in.

Entering the office, sitting at her desk waiting patiently for his arrival was Mayor McDaniels. The phones have been ringing off the hooks all day with many important meetings and events to arrange, but she was able to fit in spare time to talk with Cartman. Waving his appreciation to the aide for escorting him in, Cartman now sat himself down on the cozy cushioned chair that were reserved for guests. Once he was settled, Cartman gazed with confidence and self-assurance at the lady mayor before him.

"Thanks for by dropping by, Eric. I haven't got much time because I've already got two other meetings in half-an-hour. Did you have something you needed to discuss?" Mayor McDaniels asked.

"I just wanted to thank you for seeing me on such short notice, mayor," Cartman said politely. "I'm here to discuss the running of your office. It is with great regret that someone would like to step in as the new mayor of South Park…but you'll have to move out of the way in order to make room for em."

Without any warning, the windows shatter from all around as Crab People, Ginger Kids, and shadow demons alike broke through and began to wreck havoc from all around. From outside the office, the aide came running down the halls, screaming as countless little demon imps naw endlessly all over his body with their fangs before falling out the broken window. Damien Thorn walked down the aisle in a composed manner as he commanded the legions of hell to serve him, the Man of Sin.

In the bathroom, Trent Boyett was enjoying himself as he continuously dunked the mayor's assistant's head in the toilet over and over. "Say uncle! Say uncle!" His victim could barely talk with a mouth full of toilet water. "Sorry, I can't understand you. Say it right this time!"

The entire building of City Hall had been taken over. At its center, Mayor McDaniels literally had to duck under her desk for cover as everyone was getting overrun by ginger-kids, demons, Crab people, among other evil forces running amok. Crawling slowly out from under the table did she try to reach up and grab the phone to call the police department. The phone was kicked out of her reach and then destroyed altogether as she looked up in time to see both Eric Cartman and Scott Tenorman pointing their respective guns down at her.

"What the hell is the meaning of this, Eric?" She hollered in fright over the commotion.

Cartman almost felt sorry for the mayor but he had to do what he was told. "Sorry mayor… We'll be the ones running the show from here on end." His voice was cold and his mouth thin.