Mark nearly jumped out of his seat when he had received the call from Cupcake to meet her at Silly World. A few days ago she had wanted him to stay at home, but now she wanted him to meet her in one of the most crowded playgrounds in Toontown, days before a planned attach by both cogs and Anti-Toons. Yet the idea of spending time with her trumped any actual worries he had. They would have their own security detail, and Mark would be given a Toon Resistance Star so Toons who did not know him would know he was safe. Plus he would be with Cupcake, and nothing could prevent him from protecting her at all costs. Packing his suitcase, he had teleported to the Brrrgh and made the short walk down Polar Place where he was promptly met by Cupcake, Nightmare, and a few other Rangers to offer protection.
"Hey sweetie, glad you could make it!" Hopping onto Mark, Cupcake wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss, which Mark gladly returned. After a short embrace, she loosened her grip and turned to face the group accompanying her. "So Mark, I think some introductions are in order. This is Nightmare, my new assistant." Nightmare curtsied, smiling finally getting to meet Mark herself. "These are our guests for the day. Ranger Whirlpool, Officer Silly Rabbit, and Officer Crystal. I insisted that we would be okay but I guess it never hurts to have more Toons - it just means more silliness, right?" She grinned and spun in a circle, her arms outstretched.
Nightmare walked over to Mark and shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you Mr. Doggenbottom. When Mrs. Cupcake told me she was married to a Telemarketer I didn't believe her. It's really cool though, I'm so glad you guys have each other!" blushing she stepped back and let Cupcake take over.
"Anyways, we have a few hours before our next meeting so I was thinking maybe we could take a stroll through the park. I heard they just added a new Pirate Ship Ride to the Donald's Dock World. I think maybe we could start there, then hit some of the Roller Coasters?" Cupcake's eyes widened as she listed all of the exciting possibilities. Mark smiled at his exuberant wife. After twenty years she still had the youthful, excitable energy that he fell in love with so long ago. Grabbing Mark's hand, Cupcake whisked him towards the first stop of the day, with the rest of the group in tow.
It was an exciting few hours. Nightmare had loaded up on churros again and saw her laff spike in a sugar rush. Cupcake had warned her not to get on the teacups with Mark, but Nightmare didn't listen. It only took a few seconds for her to regret that decision. Mark did not have the same stamina limitations that Toons did, so he could spin at full speed without stopping. Nightmare had tried looking up, but the dizzying sight of the world above her only things worse. Clutching her legs to her chest, she laid down and waited for the ride to slow down. After a short period, she was free, where she promptly ran to the bathroom to make room for more churros. "I think I may have overdone it again." Mark laughed, watching the black cat sprinting away.
"Just a bit. But I guess I tried to warn her!" Cupcake giggled. The group went and sat down on a bench near the bathroom. As they waited and made small talk, a pair of Toons in matching black costumes approached the group. The taller one, a lavender dog shook excitably. "It is her" It's really Mayor Cupcake!" Hopping up and down she looked over to her short eggshell colored horse friend.
"Indeed it is! We have been looking everywhere for you! We heard you were here and JUST had to meet you?" The pair tilted their head and grasped their hands together, smiling innocently.
Cupcake smiled. She had always taken a small bit of pride when somebody recognized her, let alone someone who seemed excited to meet her. Holding out her hand she shook the Toons hands. "Nice to meet you two. Hope you're enjoying the day." behind her, Cupcake heard Whirlpool whisper something, but couldn't make it out over the pair excitedly talking.
Silly Rabbit walked cautiously towards the pair, with Crystal approaching from the other side. In the blink of an eye, chaos broke out. "They've got a gun!" Crystal screamed out. Pulling out squirt gun, the Horse shot at Cupcake, just narrowly missing her. Cupcake felt herself freeze. A Toon was attacking her? With a squirt gun? The horse was tackled by Silly and Crystal. The lavender dog took off running, squirt gun in hand. Turning around she shot a pure white liquid. A blood-curdling scream could be heard coming from Whirlpool who was laying on the ground, clenching his side. Cupcake unfroze and she ran over to the wincing Toon. The lavender dog continued running. Nightmare who had just exited the bathroom collided with the escaping attacker. Knocking both to the ground, neither knew what to do. The dog looked over at Nightmare and winked, jumping off and running. Looking over to the crowd gathered around near Whirlpool, she leapt up and ran over. Silly and Cupcake knelt over, tears flowing from their face.
"What's going on?" Nightmare called out, watching as the chaos around her unfolded. Screaming Toons running, crying, and unsure of what to do. Pushing her way through the crowd, her jaw dropped. In front of her was Whirlpool, or most of him that is. Part of his side was missing. Screams of pain filled the air, as the other Officers attempted to do anything. Cupcake stood up and grabbed Nightmare's shirt with both hands.
"Did you see where that dog went?" Cupcake yelled out. Nightmare had never seen Cupcake like this. Her face was full of anger and fear. Taking off running she motioned to Nightmare to follow her. Mark took her place near the ailing duck. Nightmare grabbed Cupcake's hand and they ran in the direction the dog had gone. Pushing their way through other Toons. The Playground was huge, and trying to find a singular Toon here was going to be impossible. It didn't help with the ongoing flummoxed atmosphere around them. Stopping the two caught their breath and scanned the area. "I think we better split up." Cupcake breathed out. "Be careful though, I don't know what that was but it doesn't look good.
"Yes, Mayor!" Nightmare didn't know where this newfound confidence came from, but she nodded and started running. She didn't know where she was going, but she was eager to prove herself to Cupcake. Looking around she looked for any leads. She was now in the Animationville section of the park. All around her, large pencil shaped street lamps, lined the sidewalk. This area was more educational, and had a lot less foot traffic. Kneeling down, she noticed a white splotch on the ground. Dipping her pinky finger into the liquid, she watched as her glove slowly dissolved. Ripping it off she tossed it aside and watched as it slowly dissolved until the entire finger was missing. "What is this?" Stepping over the splotch, she continued running, eventually hitting a cul-de-sac. Looking around, there were several buildings, but none of them looked interrupted. Certain that the dog had come this way, she crept around. Looking behind trash cans and stairs, there was not a sign of life anywhere nearby.
The rest of the Toons watched in shock and horror as rest of Whirlpool had slowly disappeared, leaving behind a Toon Ranger Badge. Weeping Toons gathered around, unsure of what they had just witnessed. Mark looked at the crowd of Toons around him. Crying, angry, confused. Yet all he could think about was Cupcake. She had just run off and he had sat here and did nothing. In complete shock of what he had seen. Even though he wanted to, no, needed to look for Cupcake, all he could do was watch the sobbing Toons. It reminded him of that day. That day a year ago.
A bell rang out, echoing through the silent hall. Ding. Ding. A second, third, fourth time, the bell rung. Streams of Toons wearing orange t-shirts and purple shirts walked into the large conference hall. Lines of light blue flowers lined the walkway. The feint sound of sobbing Toons could hardly be heard over the bell's immense presence. Lines of chairs by the hundreds filled the room to the brim. In the front of the room was a large stage, filled with even more blue flowers, and various candles and framed pictures. From his seat on the stage, Mark watched as the crowd continued to pile in. He had never seen this many Toons in one place. There had to be at least ten - maybe twenty-thousand attendees. Looking over to Cupcake, who was sitting silently and watching, he placed his hand on her thigh. Rubbing her leg, he sighed. He was trying to hold himself together, but it was getting harder by the minute. He had tried to think of positive memories, as Cupcake had informed him, but all he could think of were the last few days.
"Mark, look at everyone. Everybody came here for him." Cupcake's voice shook as she let our her brief comment. Reaching and squeezing Mark's hand, the pair sat silently until the final chair was filled. Several minutes passed before the bell stopped. A group of accordions and triangles began to play and everybody turned to stand. Cupcake and Mark stood up, and took a deep breath as they watched the door. A procession of Toons led by Doctor Surlee, and Lord Lowden carried in the large, colorful casket to the stage. Cupcake hissed. "I can't believe he gets the honor of carrying my dad up here. He should be in jail."
Softening his eyes, Mark whispered back. "I agree, honey. But you have to remember, he knew your father for thirty years. They were political partners for twenty-four years. I don't like him either, but I believe your father forgave him and so can I." watching as the elderly red dog helped place the casket down on it's resting spot. They took their seats behind Cupcake and Mark.
A black cat walked up to the mic and cleared her throat. Taking several deep breaths, she looked over towards the casket, and then to Cupcake who had managed to keep herself together thus far. "Good morning, everybody. It warms my heart to see so many Toons show up today for what is truly a heartbreaking day for all of Toontown. Today we lay to rest the heart of Toontown, our leader, Toontown's greatest citizen. Mayor Flippy Doggenbottom. There is little that I can say that could truly capture the wonder that Mr. Flippy brought to everybody. His ambition, passion, and love for all Toons is an ideal we should all strive for. For the last nineteen years, Mayor Flippy has shown me nothing but kindness, compassion, and friendship. I am, as I am sure the rest of us, greater just for knowing him." stopping to wipe a tear, she continued. "Toontown will never be the same. Thank you, Flippy. Thank you." stepping away from the mic, the crowd applauded respectively.
Throughout the next few hours, numerous Toons close to Flippy stepped up and gave fond memories, humorous anecdotes, and heartwarming stories. There was not a single dry eye in the house. Except for Cupcake. Sitting there, she felt numb. Still unable to fully grasp everything that had occurred the last few days. It was a day she knew had been coming for several years, but not one that she was ready for. She never would have been ready. As she watched Toon after Toon speak about her deceased father, all she could feel was an emptiness in her stomach. The feeling she had felt when she thought Mark was gone. Now her father was gone. But he was not coming back. The sound of light applause broke her stare. "Finally, we would like to leave off with Mr. Flippy's daughter, Cupcake. The apple of his eye, the love of his life, his reason for living." Reessess stepped aside and watched as Cupcake stood up and hugged Mark, who rubbed her back slowly. The crowd broke out into applause as she approached the mic
"Um, good afternoon everybody. Thank you for being here.." pausing for several moments, she looked around the room, everybody intently gazing upon her. Some Toons crying, some entranced, and many more waiting expectantly. "Sorry. I'm not really sure what to say." grabbing the mic she walked over to her father and knelt down. "Dad, from the day that you found me you have been the most loving, caring, supportive father anybody could ask for. You never made me feel bad about being me. You loved me even when nobody else would. When I had nobody else on my side, you were there. You let Mark into your office, and into your heart, when few others would." her voice carrying more emotion, she sighed heavily. "No matter what somebody did or said, you never made them feel bad. You made everyone feel welcome. Whether it was 2 AM or 2 PM, you were there for anybody who needed you. A part of me is missing. A part I will never get back." tears had begun to flow. The moment had hit Cupcake. Her voice broke as she attempted to finish her thoughts, before finally breaking down on top of the casket crying. Mark ran over and grabbed her, as she buried her face into his chest.
Looking around the room, Mark watched sobbing toons. Everybody in the room felt the pain of loss, empathizing with the loss of their fearless leader. Mark felt a tear roll down his cheek. Holding Cupcake, all he could do was watch the sobbing Toons. Nothing he could do would bring back Flippy, and it scared him.
Nightmare was energized when a familiar sounding yell broke out just a short distance away. Burning through any remaining energy she could muster, she used her long legs to make long strides, covering the distance in seconds. Turning an alley, she watched as Cupcake was backed into a corner by the lavender dog. "Sorry about this Mayor. I would have hoped a fellow cog lover would understand, but I guess some Toons cannot be swayed. Pulling out the squirt gun, she stepped towards the trembling cat. Staring blankly at her assistant, Cupcake shook her head. She did not want Nightmare to be caught up in this. She still had many years ahead of her.
"Run, Nightmare! Run and save yourself!"Cupcake screamed out. Turning around, the lavender dog faced the other trembling cat."Ah, have you come to watch? I thought you seemed familiar when I saw you, Miss Decavity. What a brilliant move, getting your way into the Mayor's office? Even the best trained of the In-Sells could never penetrate Cupcake's defenses." walking with outstretched hands towards Nightmare, the dog laughed manically.
Nightmare's fear disappeared, replaced with unrelenting anger. "I am NOT one of you. I will NEVER be one of you." without thought, Nightmare struck. Knocking the squirt gun away from the Toon, she jumped on the dog and began to unleash her frustration. Balled fists connected with flesh. Blinded by rage, Nightmare continued to strike, until Cupcake ran over and pulled her off.
"Nightmare! Nightmare!" screaming out, Cupcake's voice brought the younger cat back to reality. Looking down, Nightmare saw the bloodied and swollen face of a somehow still conscious Toon. Helping Nightmare to her feet, the pair looked down. "Who are you? Why are you doing this? WHAT WAS IN THE SQUIRT GUN!" Cupcake's anger broke out, doing her best to not take her turn assaulting her would-be-assassin.
The dog spit out a bloody tooth and laughed. " We are the Independent Sellbots. We will bring down the Toon Tyranny and rightfully restore power to the Cogs where it truly belongs. You are a joke of a leader. Look at you, being saved by a brat." The Toon closed her eyes and leaned her eyes back. "Finish me off already."
Cupcake leaned over the dog and scowled. "You're not going to be that lucky, traitor. In Toontown we are held to a higher standard. You'll have your day in court. However, between now and then I'm sure those nice Officers will love to have a word with you.." speaking grimly she placed her hand on Nightmare's shoulder. "Go get the Officers. Bring them back here. We will have answers."