"The Council Meeting will be starting today with a proposal from Raspberry. Go ahead, Raspberry." Nightmare stated nervously. This was her first time officially leading a meeting, as usually Cupcake or a different Council member would do so. But as Cupcake's replacement she was technically supposed to do so. She decided it would be best to just leave everything to the professionals.
"Thanks Nightmare. Anyways, today I wanted to just start with a quick moment of silence for Clara who will not be with us today. Earlier this week her son was tragically taken from her by the hands of an In-Sell. While the Toon responsible has been arrested, this will never be able to make up for the terrible tragedy that has occurred." the room went silent as all of the members closed their eyes and thought of their Co-Council. "Thank you everyone. So today I would like to make a proposal. We have been too lenient on these traitors. The average sentencing for Anti-Toon behavior is only two years, and in most cases they don't end up spending most of that time in confinement. Now, when Mayor Flippy, may he rest in peace, introduced his Anti-Toon Rehabilitation Bill it was a good idea at the time. The cogs had been defeated and Anti-Toon behavior was on the decline. However, times have changed. The In-Sells rising has brought a lot more pain and suffering to the residents of Toontown. I propose that the punishment for verifiable Anti-Toon behavior, or conspiracy to commit Anti-Toon behavior is a minimum of ten years, retroactive to all current sentences!"
The proposal was met with audible shock from the Council, including Nightmare whose mind immediately went to her father who was wrapping up a sentence. Adding ten years? There was no way she could allow it. "Um, guys. Don't you think that seems a little extreme? After all, not all behavior is the same."
"Oh, of course the greener's daughter would be against it." Devin, a longtime proponent of harsh sentences on Anti-Toons, spoke up. "I have to agree with Raspberry. We've been dealing with these punks for too long and I'm sick of it. Since my days in Prank City, it's been nothing but trouble. The only thing these Anti-Toons understand is force and we need to show them we are not to be messed with!"
"Now, Devin. I think we should listen to her." Lemon tacked on. "I believe the council is well aware of my history with Anti-Toons. However, she does make a point. A catch-all does not allow for any shades of gray. I mean, theft is considered Anti-Toon behavior in some cases. Does this really need to be such a lengthy sentence? Maybe we should be a bit more.. conscious with our wording. Things such as assault, greening, and the like? Absolutely should have longer prison terms though."
Anxiously listening, Nightmare could not seem to find any words to say as the council mostly stayed in agreement. While Nightmare had the ability to veto any majority vote under seventy-five percent, otherwise any bill would immediately pass. "Do we think this will really limit this kind of behavior rather than just instigate more anger towards Toons? I mean, wasn't the Anti-Toon Rehab Bill pretty reliable in converting Anti-Toons back into productive members of society? There was only an eight percent re-offender rate. Plus not to mention that we do have voted representatives in several Playgrounds that have a history in the Anti-Toons. Would we retroactively arrest them now? What about ones who have proven they are good now? Is it fair to them to continue to punish them?" Nightmare could feel herself becoming fueled by anger at the hypocrisy of politics. "The problem isn't that we aren't harsh enough, it's that we have strayed away from the original goal of rehabilitation. Toontown has become more and more a place of elite vs regular Toons which has caused a rift between classes and causes toons to become Anti. Maybe instead of putting all the blame on them, how about we look at ourselves as well and see how we can stop and change Toons from becoming Anti in the first place!"
The meeting raged on as the council members hotly debated. With several emerging opinions ranging from agreement, to disagreement, to being in the middle, it appeared that there was likely to be no consensus. "Okay everybody. I think we've been arguing long enough. Let's just put this to a vote, and whatever happens we will continue from there!" an elderly blue cat spoke up. "I want the council to remember that we are here to work together, not tear each other apart. So, all for Raspberry's approval, please raise your hands." Excluding Clara, there were twelve members. In the event of a tie, the vote would have to wait to be decided by Clara, and if she was unable to, a sub-committee council in Donald's Dreamland. "One - two - three.." okay so it looks like we have six votes.." the cat muttered. "So I guess it is a tie. We will need Clara to be the deciding vote."
"Do we even need to wait then?" Devin snidely remarked. "After all, her son was just killed by an Anti-Toon. I think we all know how she would vote."
"No. We will wait until Clara gets here!" Nightmare shouted. Suddenly the room was silent and all eyes were on her "Um. excuse me." nightmare tugged her collar. "What I mean is that we must follow the rules set forth, and that means getting Clara's vote. I will respect the council's decision however it goes and not veto. But, this is contingent on getting a full-vote. I will call Clara and we will get her opinion.."
"Benny and Nightmare. I'm really sorry that I wasn't able to say a proper goodbye, but I know that we will be seeing each other soon. As I'm sure you are aware of by now, I will be ending my sentence isolated where I will be kept safe so you guys don't have to worry about me. Anyways, I have never been very good at writing letters. I'm certainly no Evil Twin. Anyways, I want you guys to know I love you both so much, and knowing I will see you both soon will get me through the rest of this terrible time. Then we will finally get that new life that we had both imagined for so long. Hugs and kisses.. Daron." Benny put down the piece of paper he was reading from on the table and rubbed his forehead with his palm. "Wow, I didn't get to see him one last time. Did they really need to do things like this?"
Deputy Skids sat on the couch, crossing his legs. "Unfortunately yes. I don't mean to worry you but between the attack on Daron from the guards, and the recent murder of an In-Sell assassin near Daron's cell, we can't be too cautious. I assure you that he is safe and that no matter what he will be home in time for you guys to move in to your new house. Come on Benny, you know me. I wouldn't let you down."
"Actually, I don't really know you. I think we've met once.." Benny responded.
"Well, whatever. Anyways, I'll keep him updated. I don't really have time to stay, my daughter is coming home from college this weekend and I'd like to get home before she does so I can surprise her." the middle-aged Ranger stood up and put on his hat. "Hang in there buddy, you're going to be okay." nodding, Deputy took his leave, closing the door behind him as he left. Benny was now alone in Nightmare's house. Standing up he walked over to the guest room where he had been staying for the last few months. Most of his belongings had been packed. He had officially bought the house down the road, fortunately for him he wouldn't need to carry things very far. Standing in front of a mirror, he dug into his face. The once youthful, nervous boy had transformed into an aging, gray-tinted middle-aged man. If accentuated the realization how long it had been with Daron. The day Daron and him met in Valentoonia, when Daron proposed to him, the first day they brought Nightmare home. They had gone through so much together. Sighing he laid down on his bed and placed his hand on the opposite pillow and stroked it. Soon his love and he would be re-united. He just had to be strong a little bit longer.
"Okay everybody. We have gotten the okay from Cupcake. Is everybody out?" Ressess spoke into a walkie talkie, hiding behind a large empty TNT crate. She waited for a few moments before a response came through.
"Yes ma'am. Last planter has reported to us safely. Operation exploding factories is a go on your mark!" the walkie confidently responded.
Reessess stood up and pumped her fist. Behind her a large unit of eighty Toons sat patiently, waiting for the next moves. "Okay everyone. First I want to thank everyone for their hard work and bravery. All of you will be remembered in history as heroes who liberated Toontown. Now, in five minutes that factory, and several other ones will be simultaneously blown to smithereens. If everything goes to plan, this should destroy the main cog manufacturing, and their white liquid disposal and create pure chaos. When this happens, expect to see a lot of cogs come storming in. This is where we come into play. I want you to show no quarter. You see a cog? You destroy them. You see something that LOOKS like a cog? Destroy it too. These monsters have taken our friends and families and destroyed our lives for too long. I'm tired of showing leniency. Good luck everyone!" Walking over, Reessess took position in a small ditch and spoke into the walkie. "Blow em' up!"
Throughout Cog Nation, large explosions could be heard. Debris and smoke filled the air, as crashing concrete and metal piled up with cog parts. Just as Reessess had said, cogs from other areas had begun flowing in to address whatever was happening. Propelling in the sky, they were not ready for the hidden toons launching pies and cakes into the sky, knocking them down like flies. Crashing into the ground, minor explosions took the place of the much larger ones that had taken places minutes before. Things were all going to plan. Until the next wave approached from behind. The group had not planned for cogs to have survived the blasts. But somehow an several hundred cogs started to appear from the black smoke, taking out Toon fighters who were now fighting blind in the smog.
"Someone help!" a young pink cat began to sprint away as a Backstabber and a Number Cruncher were in quick pursuit. Reessess turned to her left just in time to watch the cat trip. "Annabelle!" there was no way Reessess was going to be able to make up that distance before the cogs reached her. Feeling herself panic, she looked over and saw two cream pies sitting on the crate next to her.
"Hey Raindrop, what do you think, fifty feet?" Reessess whispered. Closing her left eye and sticking out her tongue, she mimicked the technique that she had learned from the young Ranger. Winding up her arm she stepped into her throw and let the pie fly. The sound of splatted metal was enough to buy Annabelle enough time to re-group and get away. "Alright you cowards. See how you like this!" leaning into another throw, Reessess tossed a pie and was met with another successful explosion. Nodding her head, the black cat grinned. This was for Raindrop, and all of the others who had sacrificed themselves. Running over to the main pile of gags she began to shoot out pies like a machine gun. Nailing cog after cog with the brilliant technique. If these cogs wanted a fight, they were going to get one..