There is a chill in the wind blowing through Acme City. Dead leaves flutter and fall, sprinkling the streets and sidewalks with speckles of brown and orange. Storefronts decorate their window displays with paper ghosts and cotton cobwebs, and cafés advertise and sell their seasonal pumpkin spice lattes. Wile E. samples one of these lattes, curious about its unique, autumn spice-laden taste.

"It tastes… interesting," he says between sips. "I never thought I would taste anything like this in my lifetime."

"Nothing like pumpkin spice latte to kickstart the season," Ralph replies, then takes a sip from his own cup. "That reminds me: when's your birthday? I need to log it into my calendar."

"Three days ago."

The red wolf freezes in shock. "It already passed? Damn! I was going to get you something nice, but I guess there's always Christmas."

"You already gave me something, though," Wile says, showing off his new phone, decked out in a Batman-themed hard case. "Took me some time to get used to this touch screen, but I think I have basic navigation down. Since we're on the subject, when's your birthday?"

"January 3rd."

He logs the number into the digital calendar. "Three days before Pepé's. How convenient."

"Getting back on track, have you checked out the Acme World website? I was thinking we can ride the new roller coaster, play some games, and then we can go down the Tunnel of Love and cap things off by watching the sunset atop the ferris wheel. Pretty romantic, huh?"

"Yeah, romantic," Wile says flatly. "I've heard that this city has a train that travels underground. Why haven't we gone on it yet?"

"Oh, you mean the Acme Underground? I've gone on it before, but I found it easier to just drive myself around. Less crappy, too. Working around messy train schedules, being stuffed in with a bunch of strangers, the fucking smell…" Noting the innocent look on the coyote's face, Ralph cracks a bashful smile. "Actually, we can save ourselves some time by taking a ride into the East Quarter. In fact, we might be able to catch it if we head out now."


Acme Underground is the premiere railway system of the city. While created with convenient travel in mind, its rail cars are designed to accommodate commuters of all sizes, with seats low enough for mice and other small animals to hop on and off easily while still remaining comfortable for most other creatures, canines included. Though enraptured by the novelty of underground transportation, the loud noises and stifling crowds cause a slight sense of overwhelm. Ralph, less phased by sensory overload, grabs him by the hand and helps him navigate the waves of travelers into the train. Once they get into their seats, they find a sense of calm amongst the chaos.

"Morning crowd's a bit more lively than usual," Ralph comments. "I'm guessing we're not the only ones with plans in mind. There's more room to breathe in Acme World, though, so just stick close to me and you'll be fine." From the corner of his eye, he notices Wile E. messing around with his phone and leans over to take a closer look. "Hey, you know how the camera works, right? See that icon with the arrows going in a circle? Click that. Now, raise the phone at just the right angle…"

Wile raises the phone overhead, pointing the camera at an angle which allows both of them to appear on-screen. Finding an odd sense of satisfaction with the visual, he presses the white button to take a snapshot. Immediately afterwards, he texts Ralph, attaching the new photo with it. The text reads, "Here. Don't post it on that social media crap. Keep it between the two of us."

With a giggle, Ralph texts back, "Sure thing, sweetie. I know you're the shy type," punctuated with a winking puppy face.

The coyote avoids making eye contact with his date-for-the-day, trying not to show the bright red blush seeping through his fuzzy cheeks. He wants to snap back, to warn him of the risks of oversharing their daily activities when there are corrupt individuals wanting their heads, but he knows there is no convincing his carefree partner. If he wants to share that picture, he will, no doubt about it. A buzz from Wile's phone, followed by a text from Ralph which simply reads, "That's a promise."


Acme World is an amusement park filled with rides and attractions, with the one theme surrounding them is the legacy and history of the eponymous company and the Sapients who thrive off their efforts. It's a blatant display of consumerist egocentrism, but one which is, for all intents and purposes, fun for the whole family. Walking in, visitors can immediately spot the peak of the park's tallest and fastest roller coaster to the north, the top of a Ferris wheel over in the west, and the canopies of the Tazmania Safari and Zoo to the east. Sprinkled all throughout the acres-long land are tents and buildings with various attractions, ranging from live performances to carnival games and everything in-between.

Ralph rambles, "So where to first? We can warm up with a game or two. There's also the tea cup ride and the safari and…" He gasps and points at the ferris wheel. "We have to go on that! No rush, though; we have the whole day ahead of us."

Wile E. looks down at the directory, then up at the scenery before him. Just as he raises his head, his eyes catch a glimpse of a familiar blue streak zipping down from the top of the coaster track. "You said there's a new roller coaster, correct? Let's check it out."

"Right now? After that train ride? I mean, I won't protest, but isn't it a bit early to—"

Before Ralph can finish his sentence, Wile drags him over to the front of the curious thrill ride. There, atop of the archway marking the start of the line, is a giant logo which reads "Road Runner", along with a silhouette of that damned bird. "It's him."

The red wolf gives a look of bewilderment. "This was the roadrunner you're looking for?" He chuckles. "Well, if you wanted to ride that badly, you should've said so from the start."

"It's not about the ride. That bird up there…" He points at the sign. "…looks exactly like the one I had been chasing for years. Ralph, what do you know about this?"

Realizing the intensity in his partner's face, his smile droops. "The info I could find about this ride wasn't very detailed, but it mentioned something interesting about ACME Corp's history. See, during the earliest days of its development, before it became a manufacturer, it used to be an animal sanctuary. And according to rumors, one of the first creatures brought into the sanctuary… was a roadrunner."

Wile's ears perk up, as gears start to spin into motion. If this bird and the one father and I had been pursuing are related somehow, then that means… "Let's go," he says, storming ahead into the line. Ralph, taken aback, rushes to catch up.


The Road Runner, as boasted in promotional material, is the fastest roller coaster in Acme World, possibly the entire country. Those who rode it claim that, upon reaching the highest peak, they feel a euphoric, heart-stopping sensation, as if they found Heaven. By "those who rode it", they probably mean Ralph Wolf, who's currently throwing up his breakfast in the nearest trash can.

Wile waits nearby, contemplating the experience he just had. There's no way any living creature can go that fast, let alone that bird. Is this how it feels to live…? He stands up and starts walking towards the line. "I'm going again."

Ralph, his facial fur already a shade paler from the shock of the ride, turns almost white. "Are you kidding me? Look at you, you can hardly stand straight!" He runs over and grabs Wile's arm. "Let's take a break for now. We'll go again later." He catches the coyote glimpsing skeptically at him. "Promise."

They take a short break to drink from the water fountains, then go about playing games and watching performances. Ralph would try to lighten the mood with his chatter, but becomes distressed with his partner's detached demeanor. Eventually, he forces himself to ask, "What's your business with that bird, anyway? Any sensible predator would have given up on it ages ago and moved on. So why the obsession?"

Wile, for the first time in hours, appears responsive. "There are a lot of answers for that question, but if I had to name one, it's…" Images of his father flash through his head—of his many failed attempts, his increasing madness, and of his starved corpse that laid before his son's feet. Though not entirely accurate, only one word can describe the anger, sadness, and yearning he feels deep inside: "Revenge."

That one word, spoken in a colder tone than usual, chills Ralph to the bone. Any humor he might have derived from his comrade's plight is suddenly lost. He thinks back to that day, when he and Wile made that deal. Suddenly it hits him. A seemingly straightforward, if close to impossible task has now become more tangible and with greater stakes attached. "I don't entirely get your motive," he whispers. "But that bird, if it really is connected to ACME Corp somehow, then I know what we have to do next." He reaches for the coyote's hand, grasping it gently. "Whatever business you need done, you won't have to do it alone. We'll catch that roadrunner, and we'll do it together."


Back in the Pussycat abode, Sylvester rummages through the files from the flash drive, typing away at password bars on occasion. "Thanks for helping out with this," he says to Egghead Jr., twinges of guilt and relief mixed in his voice. "I wouldn't have been able to get through all this security myself." The chick says nothing, but nods. "You can take a break if you want. Junior's studying upstairs with Pepé."

He watches Egghead ascend the stairs, then refocuses on his task. Blueprints for every floor in every building, passcodes for the on-site security systems, guard shifts… It's hard to believe that one tiny USB drive can hold so much. What catches his eye, however, is the folder titled "Employee Records". Of all the information Penny could have stolen, why take these? Despite his mental griping, his cat-like curiosity takes over. He clicks open the folder, and it opens up to reveal many more folders, some dating back to ACME Corp's early days. As he reads through the years, an idea strikes him.

He selects one dating to thirteen years before the current day. Scrolling, scrolling, scrolling through each employee's files until one stands out. If he was asked about his reasoning, he would shrug and give an uncertain response, simply that it drew him in. He opens the file and starts reading.

Name: Henri La Moufette

Age: 27

Date of Birth: January 6, ■■■■

Sex: Male

Species: Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)

Position: Chemical Research Project Lead - North American Branch

Last Date of Employment: September 24, ■■■■

His heart stops. September twenty-fourth, thirteen years ago. Mere days before he met Pepé. Nervous, his gaze slowly moves upwards, locking eyes with this mysterious former employee's photo.

There, staring back at him, is the spitting image of Pepé Le Pew. No, not quite. His eyes, something about them feels different. This skunk may resemble him, smile like him, but behind those bubblegum pink eyes is a cold and empty feeling, as if he is yearning for something which he can never achieve.

Sylvester shakes his head. I can't go making up stories about strangers! Still, the more he looks at the photo, the more he is reminded of his old friend. He thinks more about his old friend, speculating a possible connection. The idea is far-fetched, and yet so many details line up. If Henri La Moufette is still alive, he and Pepé would be the same age, but the skunk he knows hardly looks a day over twenty. He always was a vain one, but what if there's more to his youth than an elaborate skincare routine? What if the cause of his memory loss is related to his appearance? Surely, the theory isn't that absurd… is it?

"Sylvester," Pepé's voice calls out from the stairway. "I'm thinking of ordering Watanuki's for dinner tonight. Do you want anything?"

The cat swiftly shuts the laptop. "Gimme the sashimi platter. Have you called Miss Prissy about this?"

"Egghead already texted her, so it's no issue." He approaches Sylvester, noticing the flash drive still attached to the laptop. "So, have you found anything about ACME Corp?"

"Quite a bit, actually," Sylvester answers, a slight quiver in his voice. Perhaps a little too much. "I'll let you know if I find anything of interest."

Pepé smiles matter-of-factly. "I'm sure you will. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to make an order."

He watches the skunk exit into the kitchen, sighing in relief. Opening the laptop once more, he takes one last peek at Henri's profile. One line he overlooked, hidden between the other bits of information, now reads clear as day:

Marital Status: Widowed


"Ralph, when you mentioned wanting to go on this ride, I didn't think you actually meant it." Wile E. stares up at the entrance to the Tunnel of Love, its exterior decorated with chubby cupids and red hearts. It is so cutesy that it borders on sickening.

"Aw, c'mon! You're not getting cold feet now, are you?" Ralph shoves a sheep plush in the coyote's face, wiggling it about as if it's speaking. "'Don't forget, Wile E., you're on a date with Ralphie! Don't you love him? I know you do!'"

Wile pushes the plush toy out of the way, grumbling, "I never should have taken that bet."

The wolf's ears droop. "Wiles, I… We can go on another ride if you want. I mean, if that's how you feel, then…" He glances at the line of Sapients in front of them, then asks, "Be honest with me: what do you really think of me? We're work partners, but I like to think we're friends, if nothing else."

Wile, looking at Ralph's sad eyes, sighs. "It's complicated. You've done so much for me, and I'm grateful. But when you get all touchy-feely and stuff, my nerves get… prickly. Physical intimacy isn't something that I'm used to."

Ralph chuckles. "Ain't that an understatement!"

"Yeah… But I don't dislike you. You're my best friend—not that I have many friends in the first place. More importantly, when you're around, things get a bit more interesting, if not perhaps a bit frustrating at times. And when you pull those puppy-dog eyes…" He averts his gaze, hiding his embarrassment as he mutters, "…it's difficult to stay mad at you." The gap between them and the rest of the crowd grows, and he steps forward to catch up. "Let's get this over with."

Inside the Tunnel of Love, the pathway is dark, with the only light sources coming from behind the backlit animatronics. Under the dim lighting, cute, fun-sized cupids become shady monstrosities and the wonderland of love turns into a hellish landscape. What was meant to invoke a sense of intimacy instead creates eeriness on par with the haunted house—and that already put Wile E. on edge, even with Ralph beside him.

Trembling, he instinctively reaches for Ralph's hand, only to feel something soft and fluffy instead. He looks down and sees the sheep plush. He won the thing in a carnival game as a gift for Ralph, as a small token of thanks. Its cushy texture gives him comfort as the boat floats slowly down the river. Thinking back to everything that happened the past couple of months, guilt weighs down on his heart. Ralph offered him shelter, saved him from the brink of death, gave him a new purpose, and what did he give in return? Nothing he can come up with seems like enough, and it is unlikely anything will. That's not right, he corrects himself. I can still offer him one thing…

As they escape the hellish cave of romance, Ralph takes a look at the sky. "Wow, time really flies, huh? C'mon, Wiles, let's go on the Road Runner before the park closes."

"Actually," Wile comments, "there's something else I want to do."

He leads the wolf further west, towards the ferris wheel. To his relief, they manage to nab the last available carriage for the day. As the wheel sets into motion, Wile's gaze shifts from his pal sitting across from him to the window outside, unsure where to rest it.

The carriage soon ascends to the highest point, where, to his surprise, he finds himself at a different perspective than from when he was on the Road Runner. Though the roller coaster is slightly taller at its peak, the ferris wheel puts him in a floaty, airborne state that feels, as his friend might say, closer to Heaven. Unlike the Road Runner, the Ferris wheel is closer to the edge of the park, allowing him a clear view that stretches past Acme City's urban structures. Watching the sky turn orange as the sun slowly sinks into the horizon, he cannot help but be reminded of home.

"It's beautiful," he whispers.

"Sure is, isn't it?" Ralph replies. "I remember sitting on the cliffside with Sam to watch the sunset each day. Since we moved to the city, I could hardly find the time for precious moments like these." He glances at Wile before saying, "Then you came around, and now I have someone else to appreciate them with."

Wile's attention shifts to Ralph, the words resonating in him. Then he says, "I don't think I ever got to say this before, but… I'm glad I met you. If you hadn't found me in that alleyway, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet so many people." His ears droop slightly. "I didn't have any friends growing up. At first, it was just me and Dad. But then… I was completely alone. No, not entirely alone. There was still ACME Corp. If not for them, I would have been dead years ago. But you do something they've never done for me."

Apprehensive, Ralph asks, "And what is that?"

"You keep your promises."

A pause, then a hearty chuckle. "Well, if I didn't keep my promises, I can't call myself a professional, can I?"

"I'm serious. ACME promised Dad he could catch the Road Runner with their assistance, and now he's…" He bites his lip and turns his gaze downward.

Ralph stands and walks over to the coyote. "Hey, Wiles, I don't know what exactly your relationship is with ACME, but I think I'm starting to get what your business with that bird is." He looks down at the buildings from the window. "If it can help settle your grudge and put your pa's soul at peace, I'll take down this whole damn city." He locks eyes with Wile, whose jaundiced eyes are starting to water. "And that is a promise I can keep."


AUTHOR'S NOTES

Hey, hey, hey! Back again with a new chapter, and it didn't even take as long! This past month was a busy one, with me and my sisters going to a convention pretty much every weekend, not to mention other IRL stuff happening in-between. My mood's also been fluctuating a bit, which has had an effect on my motivation. That all said, I still managed to squeeze out another entry, if at the cost of less editing than usual.

When I was conceptualizing this chapter, I initially considered creating a conflict which would redirect the story back to its action roots, if briefly. I eventually decided to scrap the idea, though, as it felt rather contrived, and I wanted to focus more on fluff and drama stuff for this one. The ending was an idea I came up with at the last minute, though it wasn't fabricated straight from thin air (what I mean by this will be explained in the next chapter or so, depending on how things progress).

I'll end things off with a small bit of trivia which actually ties into the writing process. Since I started work on this fanfic, I slowly gained a sort of connection with Wile E.: I related to his clever, if obsessive and at times insufferable personality. The more I wrote, drew, and created ideas for him, the more connected I felt to the headcanon that he was neurodivergent to some degree. Being ND myself, this did result in me slipping some cues to hint at it, though due to not wanting to risk him being too OOC, they might not be very obvious to most. This chapter and a bit of the last is where I tried to make it a bit less subtle, but with his feral upbringing, it can still be easily rationalized as something else, so... Mission failed successfully?

UPDATE 9/1/2021: After a bit of mental stewing about how to transition into the next chapter, I decided that the original ending was creating problems and decided to just rewrite the entire last scene. Not only is it more open and less prone to transition issues, but it's longer and more emotional overall.