Tank jumped out of the back of the now parked military truck and stared out at the vast, brown world that was Cog Nation. Feeling dozens of other Toons brushing passed him, he grabbed a hold of his megaphone nervously. He had fight a few cogs back in The Brrrgh but this was a whole new ball-game. From what he had heard, the rules here were different. Cogs were much more aggressive, and there were rumors of a liquid that could literally melt them. Tightly gripping the trigger of his device, he walked behind a small crowd of well defensed Toons. Many had made their own make-shift armor, some out of pie tin containers, or just extra layers of clothes. Nobody had any idea if the rumors were true, but nobody wanted to be the ones to find out. A squad leader called out orders when overhead hundreds of shadows began to slowly zoom in on the idle ground below him. In unison the Toons stood up and watched as hordes of Cog Nation's first waves of defense came flying in. How did they know the Toons would be here? This had been planned so well? His body trembled in absolute fear as he dropped his megaphone. The world went quiet as he saw scrambling bodies reaching for gags and following orders. "Confetti! Wake up and throw some pies!" snapping out of his daze, the short brown mouse reached in and pulled out a fruit pie, his preferred gag as it was light and nimble, like himself. Tossing it up, he watched the gag arm harmlessly to the ground.
"Call in the planes!" a commander Toon screamed out, pointing at a yellow rabbit who ran back to the vehicle and jumped inside. Tank picked up his megaphone and ran over to a friend that he had met in basic gag training, a pretty red cat named Amor. As soon as he reached her though, he watched in horror as they were suddenly surrounded by a group of four Big Wigs. Reaching for his megaphone he stood back to back with the red cat.
"Just like training. Ready, Amor?" he screamed out.
The red cat gulped, and nodded without saying a word. Holding their devices to their lips, the two began to laugh as loudly as they could. Yet nothing was coming out. The two could only hear their own worried chortles. "Tank. Mine isn't working!"
"Me either! What's going on here?" Tank peered between a small gap in the cogs and watched as his platoon mates struggled to get their megaphones working, similarly panicking and attacking with other gags. "Amor, do you have a wedding cake?"
"No! I was told to leave them for the long-distance throwers!" the two felt their bodies go numb in fear, unable to move. They were soon hit with a power trip from opposite sides, ensuring they could not dodge both attacks. Now flat on their stomachs, Tank reached out and grabbed Amor's hand. The two closed their eyes, as a wave of purple metal overwhelmed them. Letting out one last scream, that would not be heard over the sound of the fighting encompassing them.
"Cupcake, I really feel like I need a raise if you really expect me to keep up with all of this." Deputy Skids took off his sunglasses, folded them up, and placed them in his shirt collar. "I mean, I do have a family at home that I'd like to see sometime." sitting in Cupcake's office, Deputy was joined with Cupcake and Nightmare who looked at him pleading.
"Mr. Skids. Please. I don't know what is going on! All I know is I went to visit my dad, they kicked us out and told us nothing! It sounds like he was arrested, but my dad wouldn't hurt a fly. Please, you have to go in and talk to them?" Nightmare, overwhelmed and tired from a night without any sleep was desperate for the older green dog to help her. Similarly, Cupcake joined in. She knew Deputy couldn't say no to a Toon in need. While he could be stubborn, he was a good Ranger.
Scratching the back of his neck, Deputy exhaled and nodded. "Fine, I'll go see what I can do. I can't make any promises!" he was nearly bowled over as the tall black cat hugged him, screaming out thank you after thank you. "Ha, well it's no big deal there. Anyways, I will be in touch." with that, he stood up, slipped his sunglasses back on and quickly made his way out of the office, leaving the two cats on their own.
"Told you, Deputy is the go to guy when you need something fixed. I swear, I've known him for like twenty years, and he's probably saved me at least that many times, possibly more." stopping, she let Nightmare calm down before delivering her next news. "Um, Nightmare. There is something else we need to discuss."
Nightmare was not used to Cupcake speaking so seriously. Feeling her heart sink, she quietly spoke. "Um, yes Cupcake? Did I do something wrong?"
"Actually, the opposite. So.. I've been trying to put this day off, but.. Well.. I think I am going to have to Cog Nation and personally oversee things." Cupcake rubbed her right arm with her left, anxious at the impeding thoughts of her destiny. "Now that we're receiving assistance from Valentoonia, I don't think it's fair to leave that in the hands of Reessess. She's already overwhelmed handling our Toons."
"But Cupcake, you're the Mayor? We need you here!" Nightmare's mouth went dry, and her heart was racing.
Patting her young friend's arm, Cupcake tried to smile. "That's exactly why I need to go, Nightmare. It's not a burden that I want personally. If we're being honest, this whole Mayor thing was never really my idea. But since Mark is not a Toon, he legally can't hold the position of Mayor, and so due to the law, the position went to me as the first surviving family member.." Cupcake sighed, as she remembered being sworn into the position. She knew her dad would never have wanted her to do something that made her unhappy, but for some reason she could not kick the feeling that this is where she was supposed to be. Fortunately for her though, the next election was in a year, so maybe she would drop out? "Anyways. I need to be the one who is there to support Toontown. My father never backed down from a challenge. Not at home.. and not at Cog Nation."
"Wait.. You said Mark can't take over as Mayor in your stead? Than who does it go to?" Nightmare pondered, still a bit confused on the political side of things.
"You, Nightmare.. It would be you.." Cupcake looked at her sternly, aware of the weight that her words had on her young assistant.
Standing up in shock, Nightmare jumped backwards. "M-me? That must be some kind of mistake? I can't run Toontown! I can hardly remember to water my garden every day!" the black cat could feel a full-blown panic attack coming on.
"Listen. Listen!" Cupcake exclaimed, grabbing Nightmare's hands. "Listen. I know it is scary, but really it is just a title. You would still be completely supported by the Toon Council. They have procedures in place. While decisions ultimately fall on you, they are there to make sure you don't have to do it alone. Just listen to them and everything will be okay. We have our first wave of Valentoons landing in Cog Nation today. Reessess put together an amazing coordinated attack from all sides with leftover troops from the Brrrgh and Daisy Gardens. The cogs aren't going to know what hit them. I'll be back before you know it!"
Now crying, Nightmare tried her best to be strong, but it was just too overwhelming. Between her father, and now her best friend? "I don't think I can do it, Cup!" she screamed in fear.
Hugging the black cat, Cupcake warmly embraced Nightmare, assuring her that everything would be okay. "I know you can do it? You know why?"
"Why?" Nightmare managed to breathe out.
"Because you are so strong, Nightmare. You have endured more than almost any Toon I've ever met. If anybody could do it, it's you. I believe in you. Plus Mark will be here, and all of the Toon Council. Just lean on them. Plus, take some time to go see your dad when you get the chance. I promise, Deputy will clear everything up."
"I already told you, those guards attacked ME" Daron sat handcuffed in an interrogation room, flanked by both a detective, as well as Daniel and Peanutbutter who were smirking from behind the investigators, out of sight. "Come on, there has to be some kind of cameras in there!"
"Unfortunately Mr. Decavity, it appears the cameras for that section of hallway and storage room experienced some sort of error and stopped recording about fifteen minutes before the incident. I assure you we are looking into it, but at the moment things aren't looking good." a medium sized pink deer scowled at Daron who rolled his eyes. "I can also assure you that your attitude will not make things any easier, Mr. Decavity."
Daron wanted to throw his arms up in frustration, unfortunately though he was chained to the table. "You guys just seem to ignore the bruises and cuts that I have? I mean, my cog, I have a black eye!" Daron pointed to his face.
Sneering, Peanutbutter sarcastically responded. "Your entire face is black.."
Using everything in him to restrain breaking from his barrier and using the loose chain to strangle the brown dog , Daron took deep breaths. "I'm just saying it doesn't make sense. I mean, my family was visiting. I VOLUNTARILY surrendered to come to this place. Why would I just suddenly decide to try and escape?"
"I understand, Mr. Decavity, but neither Mr. Peanutbutter nor Mr. Daniel have any reason to have attacked you unprovoked. Both have a spotless record here. I'm just not sure we can do anything but press charges.." the pink deer tapped her fingers on the metal table.
As Daron released some choice words for the trio, a loud knock on the door interrupted him, before a familiar green dog walked in. "Deputy Skids, sir!" both guards stood and offered the Toon Salute to the uniformed Ranger.
"Good morning everybody." stopped he looked to the deer. "Morning Deerla. How are things going in here?"
"Almost done, sir. We were just explaining our next steps to Mr. Decavity." Deerla explained, watching Deputy's face remain unchanged under his sunglasses.
Nodding, Deputy looked up, impressed. "Great job. Anyways, I was hoping I could maybe get a few words in with Mr. Decavity?" he watched the pink deer stand up unsure of what to do.
"Um sir, we're almost done here. I can go ahead and finish this up!" she gave Deputy the salute.
"It's appreciated, Deerla. But this is regarding a different matter. Why don't you take the rest of the day off. I'm pretty sure the kids are off early today, right?"
Deerla nodded, amazed at her bosses's knowledge. "Yeah, it's a half-day. Well I guess it would be a nice surprise if I met them at home.."
"Well it sounds like a plan!" shaking Deputy's hand she made her way out of the room, with the other guards in tow.
"Not you two. You two stay." Deputy stated angrily. Neither of the guards had seen the green dog act like this. Usually very calm, or very humorous, this angry side was unsettling. After he was sure that Deerla was gone, he closed the door behind him, ensuring it was locked tightly. "Mr. Decavity, my name is Deputy Skids, it's nice to see you again."
Daron was lost in confusion, trying to figure out what was going on. "Um yes, I remember you Deputy." finally clicking, he smirked, looking at the two guards anxiously fidgeting around.
"Good, good. So I uhh, I heard you got yourself in a bit of a scuffle with these two fine guards here. Is that right, Daron?" he watched Daron nod silently. "Strange that you would do something like that. I mean, why would you do that when your family was coming to visit? I mean, if my wife and daughter came to visit me, I'd surely be on my best behavior!" He was now staring at Peanutbutter and Daniel. "What are your thoughts guys? Seems a little suspicious right?"
"I'm not sure, sir." Daniel responded professionally.
Deputy tilted his head and nodded, amazed. "Interesting. I mean you two were there after all. Surely you must have seen or heard something? now standing just a foot away from the pair of corrupt guards, he glared down from beneath his sunglasses. "I guess it's hard though when the security cameras were broken off. Oh and what is this? It looks like it is a badge entrance record to the security room? How about we take a look, shall we?" Deputy whipped out a piece of paper with a long list of names and times. "Oh that's weird. I see that a Mr. Daniel entered the room at roughly the same time the security cameras went out. That's an amazing coincidence, isn't it Ranger?"
Gulping, Daniel nodded. "Uh, yes sir, crazy!"
"Crazy!" Peanutbutter added in.
"Yeah it is." Deputy looked up at a security camera pointing down at them. "Did you guys know that a senior Ranger does not leave a record of accessing the security room? That's pretty crazy too, right?" Both toons nodded, confused and afraid. "Yeah, actually come to think about it, I believe the camera in this room was out of order. Weird coincidence! Amazing, actually!" Deputy was still emotionless. Daron watched in glee as the green dog ripped into the guards, who were either painfully unaware, or having mini-heart attacks and the suddenly intimidating Ranger. "Okay let's just cut the crap." Deputy calmly stated. "If you guys think I'm an idiot, well then you've made a terrible mistake. I know exactly what happened in that room and why. I don't want to hear any excuses, I don't want to hear anything actually." Sitting down in the chair that was occupied by Deerla, he turned it so that he was sitting in the opposite direction. "Now, I should arrest both of you right now, and trust me I could. I should also let Daron over there out of his restraint and let him have a fair shot against you two cowards. However, I am above such pettiness. Instead, you two are going to retract your statements and tell the truth. You do that, and I'll make sure that you two aren't locked up in here with the same Toons you have probably harassed a thousand times. In fact, I'll even let you guys keep your position as Rangers after you complete a six month suspension, because I am such a nice guy." Standing up he slid the chair across the room. "I strongly recommend you guys make the right choice. Because I will personally make sure that if you two don't, that the security cameras in your cells will conveniently be turned off every night." putting on an innocent smile, Deputy nodded to Daron. "Decavity, as for you. Unfortunately you're still going to have to serve the rest of your time. Nothing I can do about that. I'm going to be giving you extra guard duty with personally chosen guards and these goons should not be bothering you."
In disbelief had what he had just witnessed, Daron nodded. He wasn't sure whether to cheer or fear this dog. But he was thankful. Why he was here, Daron could only guess. However he did have an idea, and that was his only saving grace inside of this hell.