Papa Jojo

by: Aloe Vera

***********

The figure loomed even bigger before the defenseless little Moko. Tears rolled down from her
eyes, but her crying was no more. She was scared speechless and whimpered pathetically. But
before she could do anything, the shadow shrank in an instant, becoming nothing but the
silhouette of something she'd once seen. Moko was still frightened, unsure of who lurked in the
shadows. By now the room stood in near pitch black darkness, but because her eyes were
adjusting to the dark, she could still see the thing before her. She gripped her doll tightly
as if it would carry her away to a safe place.

---------------------

Buttercup's side of the bed appeared occupied, but of course, pillows stuffed under a cover had
a way of doing that. She really wasn't there, but here sisters didn't seem to notice that fact.
Buttercup had left as soon as it was dark enough, and she knew the consequences of such acts.
But right now that didn't matter. Mojo was probably doing something horrible to that poor baby,
and as much as she was 'hardcore', Buttercup would never let such acts befall an innocent
child.

She was now lurking in the shadows of Mojo Jojo's lair, a large hole in the wall, evidently her
point of entrance, giving off black smoke into the night air. Buttercup continued to creep
about until something came out and bit her arm. She almost shrieked, mainly from surprise,
because the bite was nearly toothless. Reaching down, Buttercup picked up Moko with both arms.
She examined the child for a moment, "Don't worry. I won't let Mojerk hurt you." Her voice was
soothing, but her rough fighting tone still lingered. She was definitely glad she had found the
baby. With Moko held safely in her arms, Buttercup took off through the hole she'd made,
leaving a bright green streak behind her, as well as a small tattered dolly.

---------------------

The next morning, Mojo awoke, eager to start the day. He walked up a staircase and into Moko's
room, a bottle of warm milk in hand. It was time for Moko's 9 am feeding, which had since
become routine for Mojo. He walked over to her crib, happily cooing baby-talk as he went. "It's
time for Moky-Woky's morning milky-wilky." He peered into the crib smiling, when he noticed it
was empty. "Moko?" he asked as the smile immediately vanished. "Moko?" he called as he
searched the room. Mojo wandered about his lair, calling out Moko's name and looking under
everything, behind some things and inside others. His cheerful mood was quickly fading as he
searched the whole of his lair for her.

He soon came to the room where his machine resided. "You'd better not be monkeying around in
HERE, Moko!" he growled as he began to search the room. He soon found the tattered dolly he had
given her a while ago to shut her up, after which he had never seen her without. He glanced
around, knowing she couldn't be very far from her precious doll, when he spotted the large hole
in his wall, through which poured bright, morning sunlight. Mojo growled in frustration. Today
was supposed to be perfect. HIS day. But, no. Someone always had to ruin it for him. He would
find the kidnapper and teach them that NOBODY stole from Mojo Jojo.

---------------------

Buttercup arrived back home just as the sun was rising and slipped into their room. She
searched around for somewhere to put Moko until morning. She finally settled on putting her in
Bubbles' doll crib and surrounding her with dolls and stuffed animals. Moko was soon asleep and
Buttercup slipped back into bed unnoticed.