Chapter 8: Now what?

Back at the Tasmanian Devil's home, Hugh and Jean were put into good quality steel cages by the spies. Bull who had some bandages on himself was scolding Axl for what had happened. Of course, not knowing Axl's true intentions. Francis who was nearby also had bandages. "What you did was not professional in the slightest Axl!" said Bull, "If you don't know how to use those things, then don't use it! You got me and Francis hurt, as well as those other guys!" "Gee Bull, sorry Bull," replied Axl. "Still not the sharpest tool in the shed I see," Francis said to Axl.

Townly came up to the 3. "Forget about it, just be lucky you got at least 2 devils," he said, "One can go for each of you. The other 3 might be missing in action but my supervisor will make sure they are found. Until then, you guys got what you wanted, so enjoy." Townly then walked away, leaving Bull, Axl, and Francis to decide on who they wanted. "They're both at least moderately calmer than Taz, but at the same time we don't know them as well as Taz," said Bull, "But then again, we got steel cages for them. So who are we gonna pick Axl?" Axl seemed very hesitant, especially since he didn't want to pick one. "Uhhh...well, er- you did say they were both calmer Bull," Axl said. Axl's answer made Bull frown. "I think I'll pick for you since you seem like you got your head stuck in the clouds," Francis snorted, "I personally believe that the male one should go to me, while the female one should go to you and your partner. After all, she seems like the type to not give you too much trouble." "In that case, it's a done deal Francis," replied Bull. Some of the spies helped carry out the devil's with Bull, Axl, and Francis.

Meanwhile, Townly and Dingo were talking. "Now that those hunters and tribe kid got what they wanted, we can continue Operation: Dissolve!" Dingo explained with glee, "The Tazmania government is barely functional at this point, especially after all the bribing we've done to those gullible government officials. Thank goodness my father figure started doing it long before I started working here, because it probably would've taken a lot longer to do if it had been started by this time. Soon enough, I will rule this island and will turn this place into a tourist destination! Just what the former Mr. Chairman wanted!" "Well said current chairman, well said," Agent Townly responded, "I got some questions though. What did you do with the Turtle? And what shall we do with this place now?" "That Turtle of Taz' is going to an animal shelter nearby," said Dingo, "As for the house, maybe those Platypus Brothers can do something to it later. But for now, we got business to do!"

Francis made his entrance into the tribe of the Mudpeople. "I did it! I captured the Tasmanian Devil!" he announced. Many of the tribe members looked out their windows to see Francis pushing the cage with Hugh in it. This caused several of them to come out and cheer! The crowd got bigger and bigger by the minute! Francis felt like a superstar for finally getting what he wanted after some years of trial and error!

Hugh slowly woke up. "Oh my coffee with cream!" he said quietly, "I had a terrible dream that you, I, and our kids were-" Hugh stopped mid sentence when he made out his surroundings. He saw multiple tribe members surrounding him while they cheered for Francis. It was no dream after all. All Hugh could do was let realization of his situation sink in.

As for Jean, Bull and Axl unloaded her and the cage from an Acme cargo truck. They were at a busy port, but soon went into a wearhouse adjacent to it. "I'll call our boss Axl," Bull said as he walked into a separate room. Axl felt like a tremendous idiot for attempting to help the Tasmanian Devil family escape. Even though Taz, Molly, and Jake escaped, Hugh and Jean alongside Dog didn't make their escape in time. All in all, it was something that didn't go fully according to plan.

Jean slowly woke up. She looked around and saw the wearhouse she was in, which had other types of cargo within it too. "I'm sorry Taz' mom," said Axl, "I really goofed up big time." Jean looked at Axl, wondering why of all times that now he wanted to help them. "Why were you helping us now?" she asked. "I saw what I was doing was wrong," Axl explained, "I guess Bull isn't happy about what I did, even though he doesn't know the truth. Oh well, at least I tried." "You don't have to do this," Jean said, "Your better than this and I can see it in your eyes. How about you get those keys and free-"

"I got some good news and I got some bad news Axl," Bull interrupted as he came back, "The good news is this Devil will be transported to the zoo for the zoo-going children of the world! The bad news is there are no rides available at this time. We might be looking at a 3 to 4 day delay till they can find transport." "Thank goodne-, I mean...that sure is a bummer Bull," said Axl. Bull's eyed became narrow and the frown was back on his face once more. "You are acting very differently Axl," he said with suspicious tone, "I've never seen you act this strange before. There something that your keeping a secret from me?" "Me? Secrets? I'd never keep a secret from you Bull," Axl replied, trying not to be nervous, "Just uhh, wanting to be as brave as you and Francis." He then made a nervous laugh. There was a moment of silence until Bull said, "Right...sure you do Axl...Anyway, we better get going. We have some celebrating to do!"

Bull walked off with Axl not far behind, although Axl stopped to look at Jean. "Don't forget, you have a choice," said Jean. Axl had a worried but sad look on his face, as he didn't want to leave Jean. "Come on Axl!" Bull called. "Coming Bull!" Axl called back as he walked again. Many thoughts were in the gator's head, unsure with how he should make his decisions and what would be right or wrong. Nevertheless, he followed Bull out of the warehouse, leaving Jean by herself.

Meanwhile, all the Mudpeople were gathered around. On stage was Francis, his father, and Hugh who was still in the cage. "Quiet please, quiet," Francis' father said, "I think we all know why we are here. Because my son has earned his manhood!" Everyone clapped and cheered. "He went through a few years of trial and error but in the end, all the effort payed off!" he continued, "How did you did capture him son?" "Well, just had to use a cage that was more strong was all," Francis replied. "If you don't mind me asking, now that you have the Tasmanian Devil, what are you gonna do now?" asked a tribe member. Francis gave a confused look and asked, "What?" "I mean what are you going to do with the Tasmanian Devil now that you captured him?" asked the member again.

There was an extremely awkwardly moment of silence. "Uhh, what was it that I wanted to do again?" Francis asked himself, before he spoke out loud again, "Well er-, I never really planned for what I was gonna do with him...uhh, I'll be back." Francis ran off to the nearest pay phone, looked at the phone book, then called Acme. "Acme Tazmania Branch, how can we assist," asked the receptionist. "Hi, you might remember me from earlier in the day," Francis explained, "This is Francis X Bushlad speaking, is there I chance I could talk with Townly or Dingo?" "Oh yeah, I remember you kid! It's Kathy!" she said, "I'll send you to one of them, please hold." Hold music was on for a about a minute, until someone picked up.

"Why you calling Bushlad?" asked Dingo who had picked up, "Me and Townly are about to do some serious work." "Well, I can't decide on what to do with this Tasmanian Devil," said Francis, "Any ideas on what I can do with him?" "What do I look like, an advice giver?" Dingo snorted, "I'll hand you over to Townly." More hold music was heard until Townly picked up. "Francis? Why you calling?" asked Townly. "I don't know what to do with this Tasmanian Devil, any ideas on what I can do with him?" asked Francis. Agent Townly thought for a moment and this was his response, "Anything if it's your prize. It ain't my business on what you can and can't do. Think of something that you wanted to do for a long time but couldn't do it." This didn't entirely help out Francis, but it was better than nothing. "I gotta go kid, business as usual," said Townly before hanging up. Francis sighed, "So much for wanting help."

He came back to the Tribe of the Mudpeople where everyone still was. "So?" asked Francis' father. "Umm, how about we put him on display for everyone to see?" Francis suggested, "Kind of like what Zoo's do. Except it's to show off my prize! If that's fine with everyone here..." Everyone sorta just looked at each other, until one member said, "Yeah! Let's do it!" Everyone cheered as Francis pretended to smile. "I have no idea what I am doing by this point," he said to himself.

Hugh sighed, "Where ever you kids or the love of my life are, I hope you can find a way escape..." Unknown to him however, they did escape. Or at least his kids did.

To be continued in the next chapter...

(Chapter 8 published 7/31/22)