Domino wasn't difficult to find for the two ace Rangers. The young monkey had been sitting at a table alone, sipping on a glass of apple juice and staring blankly at his whisper device as he waited patiently for something to happen. The detective lady told him that he could leave, but something nagged at him to stay. Waiting for positive news. Anything that could bring him back from the edge of the traumatic abyss he had foolishly wandered. As the anxious chimp trotted through endless scenarios in his mind, he was approached by the pair, who did their best to come off as gently as they could. While Skids was a hardened Ranger, he also had a soft spot for children. After all, he had hoped to become a father someday himself. "Good evening, son. Mind if we come take a seat with you?" Skids spoke in a soft, fatherly tone. The purple Toon leapt up in shock at the lime green dog and his companion. Domino immediately recognized them as Rangers. Had that detective called them to arrest him? He hadn't done anything wrong though. Trying to remain calm, he could feel himself shaking, eyeing around the room, and losing whatever remaining composure he had left.
"Hey, buddy. No need to worry. You're not in trouble. Our buddy Jade said you might be able to help us, and we were just here to ask if she was right?" Brownie rubbed his chin and reached into his pocket, pulling out his jellybean bank. "Shucks, here I am spattering away, and I haven't even offered you a bite to eat. Have you eaten tonight, buddy?"
"Um, no. No, I haven't sir." Domino rubbed his right arm, striding along his trembling limb in a vain attempt to appeal to some sort of calming force that would come and scoop his anxieties away like a carved out Jack-O-Lantern.
Skids chuckled and pushed Brownie off his chair into a standing position. "You heard him, Brownie. Why don't you go get us all some of that apple pie I saw as we walked in? We can't be helping each other on an empty stomach, now can we?" The brown mouse mumbled and grabbed his jellybean bank, sifting through the hardened sugar for a handful of money to purchase the pie. Off in the distance he could be heard placing the order. "Well, while we wait for him. Maybe I should introduce myself. My name is Deputy Skids, although don't get me confused, as I'm actually a Ranger, not a Deputy. I know, it is a bit confusing." The older Toon tried to laugh off some of the tension Domino was feeling. "So, I'm guessing you probably already know why we're here, so I'm not going to waste your time. You were at a party, someone brought out some powdered sugar, and your friend went a little too crazy. Maybe she was inexperienced, I don't know. Regardless, you ended up bringing her here. Am I on the right path?"
The purple monkey could nearly swallow his tongue as his mouth dried up. Could he lie to a Ranger? If he didn't though, him and his brother might be worse off if his mom found out. He was going to have to risk it. "No, sir. I – I was just at the arcade, trying to just have a fun Saturday night. I decided to take a walk home since it was nice out, and I cut through one of the alleys on Pajama Place. As I was going through, I, erm, I saw this girl. I recognized her from one of my classes, but something didn't look right. She was on the ground, shaking. Her mouth was foaming. It looked really bad, so I brought her here. I've never seen anything like it, sir. I was so scared I didn't know what to do. I've already told all of this to that duck detective earlier. She'll vouch for me!"
"Domino, there's no need to lie here, man. I'm not here to come after you, or your friend. I've been doing this for thirteen years, I know how things are. Plus, I was your age once. I've done my fair share of fun and partying. Sixteen-year-old girls don't just hang out in alleys eating powdered sugar. Especially not any like this. She isn't the first one to end up in her position. Fortunately for her though she was brought here in time to avoid anything catastrophic happening." Skids continued in a hushed tone, masterfully steering the conversation in a direction that would help the frightened ape to cooperate.
As they spoke, Brownie returned with three plates of mediocre looking apple pie. "Well, bon Appetit." Sliding the plates across the table he took his seat and began forking into the pastry. "So, did I miss anything?"
"Not really, Domino here was just telling me how he heroically saved that girl's life. Without him, we're probably getting a call from the morgue, not the hospital." Deputy placed his hand on the monkey's shoulder and smiled. "You did the right thing. But we need you to be brave and keep doing the right thing. Because if you don't, there's going to be someone else just like you; just like your friend who isn't going to get so lucky. So, please, where did the powdered sugar come from…"
Using the side of his fork to dig into the middle of the pie, entrenching it into the gooey mixture of baked apples and sauce, Domino stared at his makeshift dinner silently. Brownie continued to apply light pressure. "I don't know, Skids. Maybe he's telling us everything. I think we'd be best calling his parents and asking them to come pick him up. Don't want to make him head home by himself."
This seemed to be the push the Rangers needed to get Domino going. "Wait, please don't call my mom. I don't want Derek to get in trouble!"
"Wait, Derek. Who is Derek?" Brownie inquired.
"Um. I mean. I don't know why I said that. It's just. I mean." Domino stuttered, tripping over any words that were thrown out of mouth.
Skids had the young Toon in sight, and just had to lure him in. "Domino. Is Derek perhaps your brother?"
This broke the levee, like a great flood the full confession came from the once pursed lips of the young Toon. "Yes! But it wasn't his fault! He just wanted to bring me to a party to meet some of his friends! Neither of us knew there was going to be powdered sugar there! Then Stinky pulled it out and everyone started doing it because they didn't want to look bad or whatever! Then, then Ella took some and her boyfriend kept pushing her to do more and she did! Then, then she like! She like fell down and was convulsing and everything! Everyone started ditching! Gummi, and those other two! They were out! Stinky, Derek, and I brought her here but they said they couldn't risk getting in trouble and left me here with her!" Tears flowed from the once unblinking eyes of Domino.
"Ah, okay. It's all making sense now." Deputy knelt down near the young monkey and looked him in the eye. "Domino, I need you to tell me if what I understand is correct. You and your brother went to a party with his friends. One of them brought some powdered sugar, probably to spice things up. Things went badly and Ella overdosed. Everyone panicked and either took off, or helped you bring her here. Assuming that they were worried about being caught, it doesn't sound like they are particularly good friends. Especially considering you mentioned her boyfriend was involved."
"Yes. Yes, that's all right." Domino managed to speak between choked up tears.
The lime green Ranger looked to his comrade who was darting down notes. "Thank you, Domino. Listen, I want you to know everything is alright. Ella is going to be okay. Her parents are going to be alerted if they haven't already. You and your brother never bought any of the powdered sugar, and just wandered on it. You guys brought her here like you should have. However, I do want to know a bit more about this Stinky fellow. If he brought it, he must have gotten it somewhere, and that is what is important. We have reason to believe that there is some really bad stuff being brought into Toontown and we need to put a stop to it. Any information that can eventually track it down is very important."
Brownie nodded and interrupted. "You also don't have to worry about your name coming up. As far as anybody knows, you were never here."
"Yes, what he said. You've done everything right. We greatly appreciate it. Just a few more things and we'll get you on home before anybody knows you were here. Could you do that, Domino?" Deputy had an unmatched ability to speak to and extract information from those he questioned without infringing on his empathic tendencies. "Do you remember Stinky's last name, or his address?"
"Um, I don't remember where he lives, but I do know his last name is Cheeseman. He's only a couple of years older than me, and he dropped out of school last year from what I remember. He's a citrine rabbit, kind of tall and chubby. I've only met him a few times, and I rarely talk to him when I do see him. He's a bit of a loser. Erm, is that okay to say?" Domino covered his mouth, hesitant to continue down the path of insults towards the cowardly Toon who had abandoned him here.
Both Rangers finished their note taking and stood up, nodding to Domino. "Alright, I think that should be a good start. You look pretty exhausted. Why don't we get you home? If your mom asks, you can just tell her that you found a lost doodle and were looking for the owner or something, we'll cover for you." Brownie ruffled Domino's hair and the three started making their way out of the hospital.
"So, should we get Jade and everyone first?" Skids asked to his partner.
"Eh, probably. What about that other Toon you were talking about? Sprout or something?" Brownie responded, pulling out his whisper device. "If you want, I'll take him home and you go get them together. I think they'll be mad if we got started without them, right?"
Skids nodded and clapped his friend on the back. "What would I do without you, Batter? You guys stay safe out there. I'll shoot you a message with an update. Go home after you're done, we'll start on this tomorrow. I think we could all use some rest tonight.
The chills ran up the spines of Toons around the playground as the horrible presence of the short, stubby pig straddled along the thin wall above the ledge in Donald's Dreamland. Although the Toon was an unusual sight, nobody wanted to look. Those who did catch a glimpse usually regretted it. After all, how often did you see a black pig? In tow were six of the largest bears that the pig could find. All filled to the brim with bulging muscles, and all eager to pick a fight with the next Toon who looked at them the wrong way. Leaping off into the contrasting sized group beside him, the swine stood in front of the entrance to Pajama Place. "Ey, this is the deal boys. Nobody better be coming this tunnel. Anyone tries, you break their damn legs. I got important business in here and I don't want anyone interferin' capiche?"
The gargantuan bears all had matching leather jackets, sunglasses, and baseball caps. None showed the slightest bit of emotion. Speaking in unison, they kept a monotone response. "Yes, sir."
"Alright. See, this why I keep you boys around. Ain't no one got a better crew than me. Now, you see that cat come out? Grab him for me and break his legs too. Don't care if I let him walk free. Can't let him think that he can do whatever he wants." Throwing a piece of hum in his mouth, the intimidating hog walked into the tunnel which was quickly blocked off by his small army of bodyguards.
In an alley, halfway down the street, a dark green cat was tucked away in the corner, speaking with a yellow dog. "These idiots keep sending their dealers here to sell. You want to make yourself feel believable, like you're some tweaker. You drop their guard, and they take you here where they will sell you the product. I want you to buy a small dose to make them trust you. Pretend to take it, and then ask for more. Flash some cash to get him to pull out the big bag and that's when you do what you need to do. Although don't think about running off, we know where you live, and I guarantee you it will be the worst decision you've ever made."
"No worries, boss. I've been doing this for a long time. All Toons are scum to me, but there's something in particular about these gangster types. Think they're so tough. They wouldn't last a minute in the Melodyland scene. If I ran into one right now, I'd make him drop his pants and cry like a newborn."
"Yeah, no kidding. What's with those accents? "Durr, I speak with an exaggerated accent that nobody can understand, look how tough I am, durr." The green cat chuckled and began to escort his new lackey out of the tunnel when a shadow appeared in front of them.
Hands dug into his jacket pocket, the pig's one unblinded eye glowed in the everlasting Dreamland moonlight. "Ah, never knew you were the joker type. A real clown, eh? Real funny. Steppin' into my territory and talkin' mad about me and my associates? Takes some serious balls." Slowly approaching the duo, the menacing boar snorted with each successive step, somehow looming taller the closer he made it.
The green cat stepped forward. Always confident in his abilities, the Toon unsheathed a pocket knife and held it out, just inches away from the pig's throat. "You've got a real smart mouth, piglet. Why don't you turn around before I make it a bit more open."
"Foo hoo hoo. You know who yer talkin' to punk? I ain't no weak-handed Melodyland wop. You treat me with such little respect, Hucklefink." In a swift motion, the pig had grabbed the cat's wrist, disarmed him, and knocked him to the ground. Stomping down on the Toon's once armed hand, the sickening crunching sound of fractured fingers and a pierced screech echoed through the empty alley. "When you talk to me? You call me my damn name. Captain Jack, you fool." Looking over to the dog who was trembling in fear as he watched who he thought was the most dangerous Toon in Toontown get taken down in a heartbeat by an undersized porker. "I'll deal with you next, kid." Standing over his unmatched adversary, Jack winked his good eye and grinned a horrifying smile. "Glad I finally found the punk who been steppin on my territory. Had a feeling it was you. Costin' me a lot of money. I've done you a real favor, letting you small fish swim in your tiny pond down the street, I guess I'm gettin' soft in my old age. But, it looks like I'll just have to show you I mean business."
"Wait, no! No, please. I was just here on business! I'm just following orders! It is Stu that you want, he ordered me here!" Chase covered his face with his free hand, moaning in agony and fear. "Tell him, Sardine!"
The yellow dog was unable to speak, still cowering underneath the pig's watchful eye. "Ah, I love me a good snitch!" Captain pondered what he said and shook his head. "Ah, wait. No that ain't right, I hate snitches. Can't let this slide, y'know?" With a flick of the wrist, Jack flung the knife through the air, expertly continuing a flight path which ended dug into Sardine's throat. With a bloody gurgle, the dog grabbed his neck and fell forward, dead. "Listen to me, Chase. Yer gonna go back to old "Stu" and tell him if he steps in my territory again that will be him. I'm Captain Jack, nobody messes with me!" Stomping down on the defenseless cat's other hand, he took solace in the feline's agonizing scream. "Might wanna go see a doctor about that. Think those hands will be pretty useless for throwing others under the bus." Turning around, the black pig crossed his arms and sighed. "Now get outta here before I change my mind. Better watch out for my guards though. They're not gonna go as easy. You really dug into their pay by stealing from us. Don't think they'll take too kindly to that." Without another word, Chase managed to get to his feet, holding his broken hands underneath his armpits to keep them stable, before fleeing off into the empty night. "What a joke." Jack whispered to himself as he strolled back along, it wouldn't be long before he ruled every playground. Those fools were only delaying the inevitable.