Most of Toonstone had shown up to the event of the year. While public discourse debates would usually attract twenty Toons at best, the expected crowd was expected to be over five-hundred. Most shops had closed, and with the exception of one HQ officer who was required to stay behind, somebody coming into town would not believe it was inhabited. Forty Toontown Rangers were brought in to ensure safety and order was prevalent throughout the night. While Glen was now safe from gags, Billy and Wanda did not take chances of something going wrong. The large ballroom had been set up with folding chairs facing the stage where a small stand had been brought out and attacked to a microphone. The chatter among the Toons had died down immediately when Glen was escorted to the stage. Many were aware of his existence due to flyers or word of mouth inviting residents to attend, but seeing it in action was another thing. While discourse was usually something minor, sometimes without one party showing up, tonight was different. On one side of the stage sat Rook. Sitting alone, the white colt lowered his head as the defending party came up on stage and took their seats. Glen had been flanked by Billy and Muffin, as well as four Rangers who were personally assigned bodyguards for the night. The energy was palpable, and everyone was on their edge of seats in anticipation as the lights dimmed and only the stage remained lit up. Taking the spot at the stand, a periwinkle rabbit cleared her throat and scanned the crowded room. "Good evening residents if Toonstone. My name is HQ Officer Wanda and I will be the moderator for tonight's debate. For those of you who are knew to debates in Toonstone, they are quite simple. Both sides will present their arguments, have a chance to respond to each other, and then follow up with any questions from the crowd. Afterwards we will collect a hand vote and with a simple majority we will determine who wins per lack of a better word. Tonight will be completing a citizenship approval for a Mr. Glen, ugh. Glen Cog! Sheriff Billy and Muffin Pan along with Mr. Glen will be in defense of approving citizenship, while Mr. Rook Chess will be arguing against. I ask that everybody - including the debaters - remain respectful and quiet when not speaking." Looking to each party, the rabbit waited for an accepted nod from each side to continue. "Very well. Just know that we have been gifted the presence of Toontown Rangers to ensure everything goes smoothly. We understand the tension that may arise, but we ask everybody to remain calm and respectful. As the defending argument, we will allow Mr. Glen's side to speak on their behalf first." Stepping down, the room was in complete silence. Billy and Rook looked up at each other before quickly averting their eyes away as the two long-time friends were now on complete opposite sides.

Billy began to stand up, before Muffin patted him on the arm. "Would it be okay if I did this, dad?" The normally timid cat spoke confidently, with a fire in her eyes that Billy had never seen before. Nodding and smiling, he sat back down and allowed his daughter to take command.

"Of course, sweetie. You know Glen better than I do. I'm proud of you." Billy tried to keep his composure as his beautiful Muffin strode over to the stand.

"Thank you, Wanda!" Muffin cleared her throat, fully beginning to lose the confidence she had momentarily received once she was in front of the crowd. She hadn't planned to speak originally, but something inside of her was burning. "Good evening everybody. My name is Muffin. I guess most of you know that already." Feeling her armpits getting swamped with sweat. "I know that for many of you, the idea of a cog living in town is likely scary. I completely understand. How does someone forgo years of resentment and animosity towards a group that has caused so much harm? It isn't something I ever thought I could do. Until the day that I was saved by a cog. I was on my way home during the invasion a while ago, when I was caught unprepared in an alley by a group of cogs. They were aggressive and wanted to cause me substantial harm. Even talking about killing me or kidnapping me and bringing me back with them as ransom. I thought I was done for! However, a shining knight in a brown suit came to my aid." The cat's eyes filled with hearts as she looked over to Glen, whose light indicator turned a bright pink. "Glen stood up to three cogs, all of them who took their attention away from me and attacked him, nearly killing him! Without him, I'm not sure what would have happened, but because of him it bought time until my father was able to find and rescue me. For the last few weeks, we have helped Glen through his rehabilitation, and he has become a good friend... Some might even say he's my boyfriend."

The crowd broke into gasps and began speaking, prompting Wanda to step up and try to calm the chaos. "Alright, alright everybody. Please allow Muffin to finish speaking. There will be plenty of time to ask questions and provide comments afterwards. If you find you're unable to hold it in, I just ask you kindly please step outside. Thank you." Wanda stepped back down and motioned for Muffin to continue.

Feeling emboldened after finally getting her and Glen's relationship out in the air, the young Toon spoke easily, putting minds at ease with the brilliance of her words. "Over these last few weeks, I have spent many hours every day with Glen. Since I've met him I have challenged my own notions of good and bad. If somebody is good, should they be punished because of the actions of their peers? I certainly wouldn't say that is fair. Glen is not a bad cog. In fact, he might be the sweetest thing in the Tooniverse! Glen would never harm anybody. In fact, due to amazing engineering on the part of a friend, Glen is not only silly-resistance, he embraces it! Gags can no longer affect him, he loves them! Glen would want nothing more than to be a productive member of our town. I ask, please, if you just give him a chance and you will see that maybe there is room for a cog in this one-horse town!" Muffin was mildly surprised when the crowd broke out into a light applause, before bowing and walking back to her seat. Holding Glen's hand she leaned over and whispered. "How did I do?"

"You were Toontastic, sweetheart. Thank you so much. It sounds like everybody really listened!" Glen flashed a smile and rubbed Muffin's hand with his thumb.

"Hold on guys, things aren't over yet. We are just getting started. Let's see what Rook says. I don't expect him to pull any punches." Billy stood behind the couple and placed his arms on their shoulders. "Whatever happens, try not and take it personally. Let's just listen and respond accordingly."

After being introduced again, Rook stood up and trudged across the stage. Still conflicted by his actions, and emotions, the stallion sighed as he breathed into the microphone. "Good evening friends. It is so nice to be surrounded by familiar faces tonight. It is such an amazing turnout having almost the entire town here for an important night." Looking back over to the trio, Rook shook his head. "What you just heard may all be very well true. I do appreciate Glen's actions in saving Muffin. It was truly a selfless deed. At least on the surface. But not every good deed should be rewarded. How many of us would have done the same? Just because Glen did something that most of us would do doesn't necessarily mean that he is safe for our town. What if other cogs get word? I assure you they will not be happy about this. What if he has a tracker installed or maybe.. a bomb? We don't know! What if he changes his mind? There are just so many possibilities for things go go wrong here." Rubbing his snout, the steed neighed and sputtered. "I don't want to be the bad guy here, even though I will likely be made out as such. I lost my brother to a cog attack. Many here have been attacked by cogs or even suffered cog related casualties. It isn't something that I do because I hold any ill-will against Glen, or my friend Billy and his daughter. I care about the safety of this town. Sometimes we have to make the necessary decisions, no matter how difficult they are." Rook continued his speech and argument, captivating the audience and frustrating Muffin who could only see the ridiculous arguments for what they were; strawmen.


Gary led his army of Glad Handers through the skies leading to Toonstone. He had given a grand speech to reiterate the importance of their mission, and to ensure that what they were doing would be monumental in the success of the cogs. As the cogs began to land inside of the small town, everybody had their assigned places. The entrance tunnels had been carefully blocked, ensuring nobody would be able to leave the town. Cogs were landing every which way, ensuring almost every building had at least a pair ready to complete their task. Gary could not have asked for a better start. Pulling up a radio attachment, the Glad Hander grinned evilly and spoke boldly. "Alright everybody. Remember what we discussed. No mercy. Take no prisoners. These Toons must be wiped out. If they try and rebel, kill them." Gary had landed near the once place that was worth his time. The home of that cat who had caused him all the trouble years before. Cogs never forgave a transgression, and for Gary fueled by pure spite. Sidling against the wall, he peered inside of the window hoping to gather where the Toons, and Glen, would be. Much to his frustration he was unable to find anybody inside.

As he continued his search, he received a nervous message from a shaky voice over the radio. "Sir, this is Jerry, number two-one-six-five-four-four-eight. We have infiltrated the sheriff's office and have confiscated the gags found. Unfortunately we have not found any Toons. We are receiving few reports of Toons being found at all, let alone saddened. I think somebody may have warned the Toons of our incoming mission."

"Damn it! Keep looking! There is no chance that anybody could have reached the Toons! I have had this on lockdown! They have to be somewhere! Keep your position and tell those worthless scrubs to keep looking!" Punching his metal fist through the living room window, Gary tried to find an outlet for his anger. How had his seemingly perfect plan fallen apart so quickly? How could the Toons have gotten away so perfectly? It had to be Glen. When he saw that cog, he was going to rip him to shreds.

"Looks like things aren't going according to plan. Are they, cog?" The chilling, eerie voice caused Gary's gears to churn rapidly. Through his ignorance of the dangers, Gary had forgone his deal with Ninja until the last moment possible. Mindy, who would have the pull to have eight cogs specifically manufactured for Ninja, had shot him down. Telling him that she would not be able to complete such a task and he would have to. The Glad Hander had wished the monkey would forget and quietly move on. However it appeared that would not be the case.

Turning to face his supposed partner, Gary put on his plastic smile and began rubbing his hands together. "Ah, Ninja. It is about time you showed up, I have been expecting you."

Expressionless, the chimp pulled out his long dagger and began licking the edge of the blade, slicing his tongue and spilling blood onto the polished metal. "Enough with the theatrics, cog. I completed my end of the bargain, and have been patient in receiving my payment. Much more patient than I would normally be. Especially with a cog. Where are my servants? I expect them here and now. I will not provide you any more opportunities."

"Of course, sir. I would never turn my back on the work that you have done to bring my mission to life. Unfortunately there has been a snag in our agreement..." Gary gulped as Ninja began to step closer to him. "Er, not that it will be a problem. It is just I had requested cogs custom made for your needs, but I was unable to receive them in time. Just a bit of bureaucratic nonsense, you know? But it will not be a problem. I made sure to prepare a unit of cogs who are ready to serve you. Just let me go ahead and call them. I didn't want to risk them being damaged in the invasion."

"Very well, Gary. I will give you five minutes. Otherwise I'm sure that your head will look good on my mantle at home." Ninja was unphased as Gary laughed nervously and pulled out his radio. "Tick-tock Mr. Glad Hander."

Clearing his throat, the android tried his best to speak confidently and clearing. Unwanting to give away hos desperately afraid he was of his opponent. "Excuse me. Will teams six, seven, nine, and fourteen please report to me immediately. If any of you take longer than five minutes I will ensure your decommission personally."

A response came over the radio, further embarrassing and angering the leader of the Glad Handers. "Sir, they are on their way. We have some more bad news. Only about sixteen Toons have been found, and only twelve of them have been greened so far. Most units are reporting no presence. Should we continue our mission as is, sir?"

"You will follow orders as I commanded. I am your boss. Never ask me if you will continue to listen to orders. Those damn Toons are here somewhere, now find them!" Crushing his radio, Gary could feel a sigh of relief as the eight required Glad Handers began to pile in quickly, surely afraid of their fate if they did not. "It is about time you all showed up."

"Six... Seven... Eight. Well look at that, you actually did it. I guess you don't have to die today, cog." Ninja sheathed his blade and stretched out his arms, cracking his knuckles. "I will be taking my cogs and my leave now."

One of the Glad Handers, seeing a Toon, misunderstood why they were called. Remembering his training he prepared to start schmoozing. As he lifted his arm, he was soon filled with immense pain as the circuitry in his shoulder was cut off by a slicing strike from the monkey. Looking down to see his missing right arm flailing on the ground, the cog let our a scream of agony. "Oh my cog! You cut off his damn arm!" One of the other members shouted in anger.

Gary interjected and immediately stopped the cogs from acting and furthering his damage. "Listen! This is Ninja. From now on, he will be in charge of you! You will do everything he says! I will take no questions and no complaints! If you have anything to say, it better be to him! Anyone who tries to desert will be immediately decommissioned. Is that understood?" None of the cogs responded, unsure if they were supposed to respond to him or not. "Is that understood?" Gary screamed.

"You told them not to respond to you, you fool. I think they understand. Very well, cog. I will now take my leave." Eyeing the now disabled Glad Hander, Ninja chuckled and sneered. "Better pick that up. I'm not slowing down for any of you. Now, we have a busy day ahead of us." As a fan of chaos and disorder, Ninja turned to Gary one last time before taking his exit. "Just so you know, the Toons are grouped in the Town Hall. It's on the fringe edge of town, so your idiot team probably missed it. I don't think they'll be going anywhere for a while, so you better get on it." Winking, Ninja jumped on the back of one of the Glad Handers and rode off into the sky, leaving Gary to breathe a sigh of relief.

Picking up his crumpled radio, he whispered into the device. "Alright everybody. There will be a change of plans. I want you all to go to the Town Hall. Do not go inside and make sure you stay hidden. It sounds like most of the Toons are in some sort of meeting. We will surround them and sneak up on them. They will be forced to surrender. Just remember, anyone who gives away information will suffer severe consequences." As he prepared to take flight, Gary noticed a glimmer from the ground. The long, bloody dagger that had been used to slice through his previous cohort's arm was now laying in the ground. Bending over, he picked up the knife and nodded. "Hmm. I think this could work nicely." Pocketing his new weapon, Gary unleashed his propeller and began to search for the Town Hall.