In the conference room, the small group of Silly World representatives, along with Officer Crystal gathered around a table. Standing off to the side, Mark and Nightmare waited with bated breath as Cupcake and Officer Silly were in a separate room interrogating the lavender dog and the eggshell horse. Both had been apprehended and brought back. Everybody was still trying to comprehend what had occurred. The attack was not supposed to happen for a few days. Were these rogue Anti-Toons who saw an opportunity? How did they know Cupcake would be there? What did they do to Ranger Whirlpool? None of them had seen anything like it. The sight of him slowly dissolving, begging for help that wouldn't come, had a devastating effect on on the those that had witnessed his death. If all it took was a small amount of this white liquid to completely erase someone, they were in much further danger than they had thought. While usually Anti-Toons could make Toons go sad, it was usually something that could be fixed with some pixie-dust or a good joke. But not this. They had even tried a ladder jump and it didn't do a thing for him.
"I'm not going to keep my patience. Who do you work for?" Cupcake stomped her foot, as she watched the handcuffed pair snicker with delight at her anger.
The lavender dog, the apparent leader of the two looked up innocently. "What do you mean? Work for? Who could we be working for?"
"Yeah! We're just partners in crime!" the horse added in. Laughing uproariously.
Cupcake sighed. They had been at this for twenty minutes with no results. Nightmare had informed her of the In-Sells comment, however they were already presumed to be part of the group. They needed answers. They needed names. Somewhere they could start with. They only had a short time to try before the planned attack. Cupcake was so energized by adrenaline she had not not thought about the fact that she had almost died. Crouching with Silly, she whispered. "I'm not sure where else we can go with these. These two aren't going to talk."
"I have an idea. It's a bit.. controversial. But we are dealing with the potential loss of life here. So just hear me out." Each one whispered back and forth.
The two tied up Anti-Toons watched blankly. They were not going to give in or sell out, because they knew whatever punishment that Toons would dish out would pale in comparison to what the Independent Sellbots had in store for traitors. Both of them looked at each other and nodded. Watching as Cupcake and Silly walked back over, they began to laugh again. "Please, can you just hurry up and do whatever you guys are going to do. We have a meeting tonight." the lavender dog yawned out.
Cupcake smiled, and batted her eyelashes. "Of course, we'll be glad to. Officer Silly, why don't you take the horse into the other room and I'll go ahead and handle our other friend here." Uncuffing the horse, Officer Silly dragged the captive into a second interrogation room, leaving Cupcake and the dog alone. "So. Me and Officer Silly over there had a great talk. We've decided it would be a fair agreement to let you guys go, but only if you give us a little information. Sound good?"
"I'll never speak to you or anybody else. Just put me in jail or whatever you weaklings plan on doing." The dog sneered at Cupcake. Her tone changing from of sarcasm to one of anger.
"Oh yes. Sorry, I forgot to mention one thing. You see, Officer Silly had this great addition. It turns out that you are also a Toon, yes? Well I assume you must be susceptible to this?" Walking over to a table, Cupcake picked up a squirt gun. Placing it against the dog's head, her face lost all emotion. "Nobody would know or care, dog. So how about you start giving us some names, and maybe we'll have more mercy on you than your disgusting kind has on the innocent Toons you have killed?"
The dog kicked out, barely missing Cupcake's leg. "Yeah, right. Like you would do that. You Toons are weak. besides, I know that it is illegal to kill a Toon under any circumstance. You would be put in jail and I'm sure poor Mark would be all alone with nobody to protect him."
The dog's words inflamed Cupcake into a rage. "Dog you are really testing my patience! You leave Mark alone! If anything happens to him, I assure you I will personally make sure that you are would not be recognizable to your own parents!" Cupcake stood back and took a deep breath, aware of what she had just said. A pounding on the door got Cupcake's attention. Smiling she looked at the dog. "But I guess if you aren't willing to talk, that's okay. Because it sounds like your friend has given us what we wanted."
"That's ridiculous! Eggwhite would never talk to a pathetic Toon like that!" The dog was shaking visibly. Her voice cracking with anger. "You wouldn't dare do anything!"
The door opened and Officer Silly walked in, grinning. "Well we didn't get a name, but we did get something better. Turns out that the Silly World attack was a diversion, and only a few cogs are planning to attack. The real attack is actually on The Brrrgh. They want to disrupt the supply lines while we are distracted." Behind her, the sobbing of the horse had given Cupcake all the validation she needed.
"Thank you Officer. I will be in contact with the Brrrgh. I trust you can finish up in here?" Cupcake shook her subordinate's hand and walked over to the dog. "Guess your friend isn't quite as strong as you are. I wouldn't worry about your comrades finding out though. They won't be hearing from you again." patting the dog on the head, Cupcake walked towards the door while the dog finally erupted into a full-blown tantrum.
"You're a coward. You are going to regret the day you were born. No jail cell in Toontown can hold me!" shaking in her chair, the dog yanked her arms forward restrained by her handcuffs.
Cupcake turned around and chuckled. "You're right. Guess it's a good thing we got this." Holding up the squirt gun, she tossed it over to Officer Silly.
"You would never do that. I know just as well as you that you never would. You coward!" The dog unleashed a long array of insults, which fell on deaf ears. Cupcake opened the door, where Officer Crystal walked in.
"You're right. I would never do such a thing. But they would." Nodding to the pair of Officers, Cupcake closed the door behind her. Listening to the ear-piercing scream, she shuttered. This was war, and after all all was fair in war, right?
Nightmare stood watching the rest of the room deep in conversation as Cupcake had left the room. Yet all she could think about was her fathers. Surely if they were not in danger before, they would be once the news got out. She was fortunate enough to have the protection and position of being the Mayor's assistant, but they had nothing. Mark had noticed the change in her posture and facial expressions and came over to console her. "Is everything okay, Miss Decavity?" Slowly reaching his hand out, he gently patted her on the back.
"Yes, sorry Mark. I'm okay. It's just, with everything going on.."
"Oh yes. Cupcake has told me. I understand that this must be a very difficult situation for you to be in right now."
Nightmare looked at him and shook her head. "It's okay. Sorry, I was just thinking about something.."
Nightmare walked into the run down kitchen and sat down at a small wooden table. The kitchen was always cold this time of year. The large holes in the wall, and shattered window could hardly be corrected with a few nailed up boards. Looking down at her plate, it was empty. As usual. Standing up she walked over to the fridge, and pulled it open. "Nothing to eat." she muttered to herself. Walking around to the various cupboards she opened and closed each small door, shaking her head at each empty attempt. "Guess I'm not eating breakfast today." shivering as a frigid blast of air rolled down her shirt. Walking into the living room, she walked up to a red cat who had fallen asleep on the couch. "Dad. Dad. I'm going to see if I can find something to eat. I'll be back later." The cat rolled over, and continued snoring. Walking over to the other side of the room, she pulled open a trapdoor and climbed down a ladder. The front door had been boarded closed, so this was the only way out of the house. Dropping down the last few rungs, she made her way over to a small tunnel when she felt a hand grab her.
"Honey, where do you think you're going this early in the morning?" turning around Nightmare grabbed her chest.
"Gosh dad. You could be a little sneakier next time. I didn't think I'd have a heart attack at seventeen."
The shorter black cat looked at her sternly. "Nightmare, you know it's dangerous outside. Why are you going out right now?" crossing his arms, the cat tapped his feet.
"We don't have anything to eat. I'm just running out to see if I can find something." walking back towards the tunnel, she felt the other cat keeping pace with her.
"I'm not letting you go out. Not by yourself. It's too dangerous out there, what happens if someone recognizes you?" The cat's face had gone to a more nurturing one. "I know it's hard, but it's just how it is."
Nightmare scowled. "But why does it have to be this way? I'm tired of having to sneak out at night. I'm tired of not being able to have friends. I want to go out and see other playgrounds. I want to be normal!"
The black cat hugged his daughter and sighed. "I know sweetie. I know. But you remember when we tried letting you go to school. We can't risk something like that happening again." his voice trembled as he spoke. "It's not your fault and you shouldn't have this terrible burden placed on you because of my horrible mistakes. Dad, too. Everyday I think back on what I did and realize what terrible sacrifices you both have had to make and I just wish that I could change things. But it doesn't matter to them who I am now, I will always be a greener in the eyes of most Toons."
"I know, dad. But do you just expect us to live here forever? I mean, just look at you. When is the last time you've eaten? I can see your bones sticking out." Reaching over, she rubbed the cat's ribcage. "I think if we could just get somebody to listen to us, maybe we could get them to change their minds. If they see how much we have suffered, they would forgive you and we could live a normal life!" pleading, Nightmare's eyes dropped.
Sighing heavily, the black cat held his daughter to him. "Someday, honey. Someday." she could feel her father's breathing. Seeing him this way broke Nightmare's heart. She knew her father was a good Toon. Why couldn't anybody else? "Anyways, you are right. We should go get some food. I think Sandman's on Pajama Place is closed for another hour, we could probably get in before then. I've actually been craving a nice BLT anyways." The two made their way down the tunnel. Reaching a second ladder, Nightmare followed her father up. Pushing aside a manhole, he peeked out into the street. Nobody was around. Clambering out, he helped Nightmare out of the hole and onto the street.
Looking around, it was still dark outside. A chilly wind blew, and Nightmare could feet it in her bones. The two put their head downs and slowly strolled the sidewalk. Keeping to side-alleys and dropping behind garbage cans and postboxes, the two finally made their way to their destination. "Sandman's Sandwiches." Looking around, Nightmare looked for other Toons as the other cat slowly picked the lock. A clicking sound let her know that her father was successful. Backing up slowly, she made one last scan of the surroundings, and entered the building. The delicious smells of freshly baked bread filled the air. Nightmare had not eaten here in months, but it was always a special treat when they did. Sandy knew what she was doing. Pulling a large bag out of his pocket, the older cat began shoving different things in. Loaves of bread, vegetables, and several other small things. "Olives dad? None of us like olives." Nightmare laughed.
"Exactly. We have to throw them off the trail somehow." the cat laughed as he piled things in. "Okay, honey, we're full. Let's get out of here" Throwing the sack over his shoulder, the pair made their way to the front. The still of the dark, quiet building was peaceful. Nightmare wasn't used to such a warm inviting atmosphere. If only they could just live here. Smiling sadly she followed her father out through the front door.
"Hey! You! Stop what you're doing!" a peach colored cat came running towards the two. "Daron, I know that's you!"
Handing Nightmare the pack, Daron nodded to her. Grabbing it, Nightmare broke into a sprint. Only looking behind her to see her father being confronted by the shop-owner. The sound of yelling became distant. Nightmare's heart was screaming at her to stop, sucking in air she ditched into an alley and hid behind a garbage can. This wasn't the first time they had been caught, but it always worried her. These Toons didn't understand them. They would not be so light if they were able to capture her father. Picking herself up, she continued the job back home.
Several hours passed, as Nightmare and the red cat sat at the table, wrapped in a blanket and scarfing down pieces of bread. The silent squeaking of the trapdoor opening alerted them that Daron had returned. The red cat and Nightmare ran over and watched as a messy Toon stepped in. "Babe, you're okay. Thank Cog. We were worried, what happened?" The red cat grabbed him and held him tightly.
"Benny, I'm fine. You know that I always land on my feet." Daron kissed his husband and walked over to the table "Yummy, smells good. I see you guys got started without me." sitting down, he grabbed a loaf of sourdough bread and started slicing a piece off to make a sandwich.
Nightmare walked over and placed her hands on the table. Dad, how did you get out of there. Sandy had you dead to rights in her sight?" She was joined by Benny, who had an inquisitive look on his face.
"I did what I had to do, guys. I think it's best that we don't talk about it. I'd rather just forget about it anyways." Daron, started to slice a tomato ignoring the faces of his family.
"Daron, did you." pausing Benny composed himself. "Did you green that Toon?"
Placing his knife down, Daron stood up and walked over to the pair and sighed. "I did what I had to do. It was me or her."
"Dad! You greened her? Oh my cog! How are we ever going to get out of here if you're out greening! No wonder nobody likes us!"
Benny rubbed his face. "Daron you haven't greened anybody in over eighteen years. You were doing so well. Why would you do it now?" A tear rolled down his face as he sat down, facing away from his husband.
"You know what. This is what people want from me, right? I'm the greener. I'll always be a greener in their eyes. What's the point in changing? Nobody cares."
Nightmare was ripped back to reality by the sound of a loud scream. Looking around, she watched as Cupcake entered the room, shaking her head. "Everybody we're going to The Brrrgh.