Chapter 23: One last thing

A random news station was explaining the events of what unfolded in Tazmania. "Breaking news here on Channel 475!" said the reporter, "Tazmania was nearly taken over by a disgruntled Acme Tazmania Branch chairman?" "Yep, that's right!" said a second reporter, "Turns out, former chairman Dingeri Dingo had spies of his own to bribe government officials into selling their jobs to them and other employees of his. But that's not even the craziest part. The craziest part is this had been going on for at least 5 to 6 years, started by Andy Marcelo, who came before Dingeri Dingo!"

Pictures of the events began to show up. One picture was of spies and special units getting arrested by several Australian Federation Guards, another was of Bull in a body cast being wheeled away in a wheelchair by the same folks, and one was of Francis with a furious look on his face while in handcuffs and being put into a police like van by the same folks. "Australian Federation Guards took control of the situation after a spy went to go get help for his injured friends during a revolt by the population last night, unknowingly just making matters worse for themselves," continued the second reporter, "It's unclear where Dingeri Dingo went after, but reports say a Pterodactyl swooped in and took him away." The first reporter looked at the second reporter like she was crazy or something. "Right," he said, "Well, the investigation is still ongoing as there is much more to discover. The chairman who forsees all Acmes has no comment at this time. I'm Chris Davis with Channel 475, we'll be right back after these commercials..."

It had been 7 days since Dingo's defeat, and Taz and his family were staying at Drew's place which he got back. Drew had no problem with them staying until their house was rebuilt. Taz and his family had gotten Dog back after finding him in one of the Tazmania Animal Shelters. You could only imagine how happy he was to see them after all those days. Needless to say, everything was going back to normal...almost.

A knock at Drew's door could be heard, it was Mr. Wellington. "Hey Mr. Wellington!" said Drew. "Hey Drew," Mr. Wellington replied, "Good to see you again, especially after what happened a week ago. You know, I woke up in the middle of the woods wondering if you guys were alright and if we won. I go over a hill to see Acme about to start tearing down places and then all of the population attacking them! I thought I was hallucinating until I-" I get it," said Drew, "What brings you by here?" "Would you mind if I came in? I think it's best I talk with everyone about this," Mr. Wellington said. Drew let him come in.

After being greeted, Mr. Wellington explained himself, "I got some news for you guys. Since your house was the only one destroyed during that chairman's rampage, it's the only one that needs to be rebuilt. But don't worry, you guys will be only staying here for at least 4 to 6 months." "It's good to know that it's only a matter of time till we head back home!" replied Hugh. "Indeed," said Mr. Wellington, "However, I found out that you guys will be going to court in the next 48 hours." "Oh boy," sighed Molly. "Oh, I forgot about that," said Jake. "Taz unprepared," shivered Taz. "Alright, how much do we owe you?" asked Jean. "That's the catch," explained Mr. Wellington, "You see, Drew called me for a reason. He knew you guys were in trouble and when we chatted, just by the sound of his voice, I knew it was something serious. Therefore, I will help you guys out for free." The 5 Tasmanian Devils were surprised but happy at the same time. Then Drew came into view, "And he's serious too. But don't y'all worry now, he'll do whatever it takes to help you guys out."

2 days later, the Tasmanian Devil family and Mr. Wellington went into court. It was pretty packed in there as just about everyone from Tazmania was participating in this to give their personal thoughts. They could feel the tension within the massive courtroom. While many were happy to have the Tasmanian Devils back, others certainly weren't. There was likely gonna be a lot of debate in the courtroom today.

The trial had begun and just as expected, there was a lot of debate going on. Many who sided with Taz and his family believed that they shouldn't be sued as they had been through enough after dealing with Dingo and Acme. However, those who didn't side with Taz and his family argued that if they were left off the hook, it'd just be a repeating problem and nothing would get done. The tension continued to rise but the judge made sure that it didn't get too heated. Hugh, Jean, and Drew gave their thoughts on the situation, while Taz, Molly, and Jake just watched. After they finished, Mr. Wellington came up and he had one big speech to give to everyone about this and to explain why his clients should not be charged.

"I don't believe my clients should be sued by any means," he explained, "And no, it's not solely because of what happened nearly 3 weeks ago, but because accidents happen. We all make mistakes every now and then. What they did was not out of spite but rather just because they didn't know and all in all just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. They're not evil, they're just...well...mistaken. How many mistakes do you guys make? How many do you think I make? Nobody is perfect, none of us are perfect, and that's why the Tasmanian Devil of 5 should not be sued. But of course, it's up to the judge and the jury to make that decision, not me."

Some time went by and after some deciding from the jury, they made their ultimate decision. "We as the jury find the Tasmanian Devil family not guilty," one of them said. "Very well then, case dismissed!" replied the judge. Everyone supporting Taz and his family cheered unlike they ever had before! Axl whistled, "Woohoo!" The Tasmanian Devils shook the hand of Mr. Wellington, thanking him for the help. "I think it's safe to say you guys are all good," he said. "I can't believe we won!" said Jake. While everyone cheered, including the family, Taz just smiled.

Over the next few months, Taz' home was being rebuilt. Slowly but surely, the devils began to put stuff in their new and improved house. It even featured a backyard which their house didn't have until now. Some old stuff they had they put in the house, the stuff that wasn't broken that is. While there wasn't any major changes besides the backyard, it was still new and improved regardless. Before long, they had officially moved into there, after 4 to 5 months of rebuilding.

Everything began to go back to normal and even some changes occurred. Taz barely chased animals anymore, Jake (mostly) backed off of Heather, the population (those who were against the family) were no longer quite as mad as they were, and it seemed like Taz and his family got a rather better reputation than what they used to have. To add to this, Taz got back to working at Hotel Tazmania and Bob even gave him an apology (most likely because his mom forced him to after finding out what had happened).

One evening as the sun was setting, Drew and Axl were hanging out with Taz and his family (Axl had become a very close friend to them). They chatted about what they had been doing since Taz and his family moved back into the house. Besides the changes mentioned earlier, nothing had changed a whole lot for the devils, besides their reputation. However, Drew did get a new butler after his old one was arrested. As for Axl, after he was fired from his old job, he got a new job taking care of critters at a zoo near the northeastern coast of Tazmania which was sorta ironic considering his old job.

"We are gonna be having a fire out back if you boys care to join," said Jean. "Gee, I'd have no problem with that," said Axl. A horn could be heard outside. "There's my ride," said Drew, "I should probably get going now." "You don't wanna stay back and have some smores in the back?" asked Hugh. "Naw, I'm good," Drew responded. He went outside but suddenly began to have feelings of guilt, especially since he felt like he had a stronger relationship with his family more than ever now. Drew suddenly stopped and looked back at the house before looking back at the car that his butler was driving. Taz, Molly, and Jake looked out the window to see what was going on. "Why is he just standing there?" asked Molly. "Maybe he's having a hard time choosing?" assumed Jake. Taz spoke in his usual gibberish in a way of saying that it's a possibility. "Is everything alright sir?" asked the butler. Drew sighed, "Sorry for wasting your time but looks like I might stay here for a little bit longer. I'll give you a call when I decide I wanna go." "Yes sir," said the butler.

Drew came back inside. "Didn't wanna miss the fire huh?" asked Hugh. "I honestly didn't want to," replied Drew. "Well, at least you get to stay for a little longer little brother," Hugh said. Drew rolled his eyes at Hugh calling him little brother.

Hugh, Jean, Taz, Molly, Jake, Dog, Drew, and Axl all hung out in the backyard having smores as the fire kept them warm. Some sat in chairs while others were in sleeping bags. "Do you think we'd be here right now if it wasn't for the kids coming back home?" asked Jean. "If Taz, Molly, and Jake didn't come back, I'd say it'd be the worst ending ever," replied Hugh, "But we were lucky enough to get the happiest ending we could ever ask for." "Happiest ending indeed," said Drew. "Don't forget Axl helping mom escape," said Molly. "He was a big help in helping us get away from the bad guys when we were in California too," added Jake. This made Axl blush, "Gee, you don't need to give me all the credit."

Suddenly, Jean began to feel sleepy and yawned, "Wow, this night time atmosphere is making me tired." "Me too my sweet lady," replied Hugh who was also tired, "Maybe I autta-" Before Hugh could finish his sentence, he and Jean both fell asleep in a 2 person chair they had been sharing, with Jean holding onto Hugh as they drifted off into a deep sleep. Jake who was playing his video game on his little Gameboy like device soon shut it off after yawning and then slowly feel asleep in the sleeping bag he was in. Molly was listening to her music through her headphones on the cassette player she had and slowly fell asleep in her sleeping bag too. "Gee," Axl yawned, "Wake me up when it's time for us to leave." The gator soon fell asleep in the chair he was in. Dog then jumped onto the chair Taz sat on and fell asleep on Taz' lap. Drew yawned, "I may be feeling sleepy like everyone else but before I possibly drift off into a deep sleep, I wanna let you know that I am so happy that you, Molly, and Jake returned. Tazmania wouldn't be the same if you guys didn't come back to stage a revolt against Acme. Dingo would have gotten his way for sure. Not to mention, your mother and Axl would have been forced to leave and who knows what would've happened to me or your father. But the alternative endings don't matter because in the end, we beat Dingo. We showed him never to mess with us or our home. He and Acme I bet are probably paying for it bigtime." Drew then fell asleep beside Taz' chair as he was on the ground.

Taz tried not to fall asleep but it became too much for him and he began to yawn and feel his eyelids become heavy. He looked up at the stars having many good thoughts in his head. He smiled, feeling incredibly thankful for being able to be with his family again and have things go back to normal. His family was back, his reputation was fixed, and most saw him as hero for being the reason why they fought against Acme from doing any more damage than they already had done. Taz falls asleep feeling happy to be home again...

To be continued in the next chapter...

(Chapter 23 published 11/1/22)