Chapter 16: Axl's Redemption

Back in Tazmania, the Hotel Tazmania festival was being held. A large majority had attended. There was live music, bouncy houses, and lots of food vendors. It seemed like a fun time for many, and it was. The fun however, wasn't going to last forever.

In the hotel, Bob and his mom were talking. "I swear mum! That Acme wannabe is up to no good!" said Bob. "Nonsense," his mother replied, "I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding. His boss told me that he is a good guy. Besides product making, they are good providers for events that are held. It's a shame Taz didn't show up, I'm sure he would have loved it." "I wouldn't take such words from a Dingo," Bob thought to himself, "Taz though? He's best to have so I don't have to deal with that madman or work as a whole..."

Dingo and Townly came up from behind. Townly wore his normal clothing but Dingo wore a suit and purple tie for the event going on. "Hey guys," said Dingo, "I wanna apologize if I am interrupting anything." "It's fine Mr. Dingo," Bob's mom replied, "I wanna thank you and your employees for providing for the festival." "Much appreciated," Dingo continued, "This hotel you both own is simply amazing! It deserves to stay here for years to come." Dingo and Townly then walked away. "See Bob? They're not as bad as you portray them to be," Bob's mom said. "Well err...I guess not," Bob replied, pretending to agree. She obviously didn't know that her son was telling the truth about Townly being sketchy.

Back outside, Bull and Townly were having a bite to eat from one of the food stalls. "So what's the plan?" asked Francis. "I've had some time to think and this is what I've come up with," explained Bull, "We go to his house while he's asleep. If he wakes up, I will use one of my clubs to put him back asleep. We then put him in a cage and do some interrogating. If he's good, we'll let him free. If he is indeed awall, then oh boy, off to the zoo-going children of the world it is." Just then, they heard an electric guitar solo which interrupted the ending part of the band's song. Axl slid on his knees with a red and white electric guitar and played crazily. People watching the concert covered their ears as it sounded horrible to them. When Axl stopped, everyone glared at him. "Oh, uhh...I thought I'd improvise in the end," he said awkwardly, "Guess I shouldn't have...sorry." Axl walked off stage. "Or maybe we could do it now," Bull suggested. "In front of everyone?!" exclaimed Francis. "Do I look stupid to you Francis? Of course not where everyone can see!" Bull said, "We'll do it where no one can see..."

Axl went into a porta potty kinda tucked away from the festival and then came out to see Bull and Francis. "Hey Axl," said Bull. "Good to see you Axl," also said Francis. "Gee, hey guys," said Axl, "What are you guys doing here?" "Just here to say hi because we noticed you and I think we need to have a talk with you," replied Francis. Axl didn't see but behind their backs, Bull was holding a club and Francis was holding a net. He thought it was very odd to see them being more nice than usual, let alone them being together despite the beef they've had. "Uhh, okay? What is it about?" asked Axl. "That's not important Axl," said Bull, "What is important is that is it true you have been helping out the Tasmanian Devil family?" Axl gulped and became sweaty, "What? No Bull! I wouldn't dare to do such a thing!" Bull and Francis could tell Axl was bluffing. "I can see your bluff Axl," Bull sternly said, "But that's fine, because I've been observing your behavior all this time. And you my friend, are certainly no partner of mine anymore." He then revealed his club and Francis revealed his net. Bull was about to take a swing, but Axl moved just in time, and ran for it.

Bull and Francis chased him across the bridge and out into the parking area, but soon lost sight of him. "Where did he go?" wondered Francis. The two looked around but didn't see the gator anywhere. While they were looking, Axl was running to the bus stop. He arrived just in time too as the bus was coming down the road. The bus had the number 6 and said: The Port. Axl honestly didn't care where he was going, just as long as he got away from Bull and Francis. He quickly gave the fare and then took a seat. The bus left, leaving Bull and Francis super confused on why they couldn't find Axl. "Does this doofus drive?" asked Francis. "He's failed his test for his drivers license more times than you could imagine Francis," said Bull, "The possibility of him leaving by car is impossible. Just have to keep looking until we find him."

Some time went by and the bus arrived to the port. Axl ran out of the bus and into the wearhouse where Jean was. Thoughts of Bull finding out his true intentions overwhelmed him from the moment he was found out, to the moment he had arrived to the port. "Gee, what have I done?" Axl asked himself, "How did Bull find out by himself? Did I make myself too obvious?" Jean who was sleeping woke up, to the sounds of Axl's crying some feet away from her. Axl turned his head to the right to see Jean awake.

"Ehh, whoops," the gator sighed. "What's wrong?" asked Jean. Axl explained his situation to Jean. She listened to everything the gator had to say. "That must have been an awful experience," said Jean. "Probably not as bad as yours though," said Axl, "I feel like I've made a huge mistake doing this. Now I am likely to be going to the zoo and losing my job in the process..." "You did the right thing though," Jean said with sympathy, "You did whatever you could to help my children get away from danger. You realized all your wrong doings. As far as your job goes, you don't need to listen to your partner. He just abuses you whenever things don't go according to his plans. I know that you know better. You have a better soul than him, I can see it just by looking at you. Follow your true feeling and make a decision you want to make."

Axl who wasn't crying anymore, thought about what Jean had told him. He then began to think of the all the nice things the Tasmanian Devil family had said and did for him when he started helping them. From Jake thanking him to the hug Taz gave him. They truly weren't how Bull portrayed them to be. Axl quickly ran off, much to Jean's surprise. He came back with the cage keys in his hand. "I'm gettin you out of here," the gator said as he unlocked the cage door. "I knew you could do it," Jean said, "But where are we going to be able to hide?" Axl thought for a moment, then knew somewhere Bull wouldn't be able to find. "Let's go to my place!" said Axl. "Bull doesn't know where you live?" asked Jean. "He always believed I lived under a bridge," replied Axl, "I never gave him much detail on where I live anyway. So he is unlikely to find us at all. And I know what to do to make it look like you had gotten picked up by the ship."

Axl and Jean were outside and they pushed the empty cage off into the ocean. "So we are good to head out now?" asked Jean. "Yeah, let's go," replied Axl. As the two of them set off, Axl couldn't help but feel like he did something right for once. He felt truly happy about what he had done. He felt his eyes become a little watery as he smiled. Of course, it wasn't because of sadness, it was obviously because of the joy he felt.

To be continued in the next chapter...

(Chapter 16 published 9/30/22)