Everything happened faster than Walter could process. From saving Lily, to being put into a dirty sac. After Kermit had poured his words out trying to convince Vitaly to not let Walter fall into the water, Walter realized in that split few minutes how good of a family he really had.
But, it didn't resolve the panic that he felt at that very moment. He pushed and pushed from the inside of the bag, hoping he could somehow loosen the knot on the bag from the inside. But, it was a tight tie. And the water that filled up the space around him didn't make it any easier. Walter pressed his lips together firmly, trying his best to hold is breath for as long as possible. The cold feeling of the water flowing against his skin, only made him worry. He sank deeper and deeper, feeling his head hurt from the pressure. The boy's heart pounded in his chest, his mouth trembling from the impact. He couldn't hold it any longer.
Walter opened his mouth, no longer able to hold his breath. But, he knew it wouldn't help. The boy's natural instinct was to gasp for air, but it only allowed him to inhale a big mouthful of the dirty water. He coughed, trying to get it out of his system. However, it was still no use. The water quickly filled his chest, and he felt himself go extremely light headed. He felt the feeling in his hands go loose, and he couldn't put up a fight any longer.
Walter let himself sink deeper and deeper, while still trapped inside the brown heavy sac. The sunlight that reflected against the water peered into the hole stitches of the burlap sac. The boy closed his eyes, letting his body go loose.
I'm sorry, dad. He thought to himself. I'll see you in another world.
Walter felt the dark space disappear around him. The boy was sure this would be the end of him. If he still had the same mindset before he got hit by the car a week and a bit ago, he probably would have been more accepting of his faith. That was a dark peak in which being with his dad would've been the better alternative. But, he knew now that the Muppets really needed him.
And he needed the Muppets.
Walter couldn't let this happen. He tried to gain the feeling in his arms and legs, so he could keep fighting. The boy couldn't stop here. He tried to feel for the walls of the bag around him, but couldn't. Did he somehow wriggle his way out of the bag? He couldn't, the knot wouldn't budge from the inside.
He tried to look around and see where he was, but it was pitch black. Except for a little tunnel of light that was pulling him towards it.
No! Walter's thoughts boomed against the inside of his head. No, I change my mind! I need to go back, they need me! I need them! Walter continued to bat around, trying to desperately look for something to grab onto. But, he was in an oblivion. There was no going back.
Dad, help! Walter tried to cry out with his thoughts. The light became to overbearing, and Walter felt himself practically break.
Everything was swept away, and Walter felt his lungs fill with air. His chest arched, as he took in a giant breath. His body gained feeling again, and he felt himself lying down on a hard rock surface. A breeze past over him, and he kept his eyes shut closed. He was worried that if he opened them, he would be dead.
"Walter?" Someone spoke. The voice sounded muffled in his ears. His hearing was blocked. Who knows who that could be.
The boy refused to open his eyes, and stayed close to the ground he lied down on.
"Walter, come on." The voice spoke, again. The young Muppet couldn't resist it. That voice was too familiar to ignore, and became more and more clear. The ringing in his ear stopped, and he tried listening for the voice again.
"...dad..." Walter tried calling out, his eyes still closed. It was silent for a moment.
"Uh, not really." They said.
Walter took another breath, and felt cold. He opened his eyes a little too quickly, the sunlight hitting his eyes like a punching bag. He tried to get them in focus until he saw two familiar figures take form. Kermit and Lily looked down at him, with some others in the back.
"You're okay..." Lily said, relief in her voice. Walter didn't respond, and instead gave them a confused look. He felt really cold, and realized that his clothes were soaking wet.
"Geez...you think getting thrown in a lake while in a bag means the end for you." Walter couldn't help but say. The few that surrounded him couldn't help but crack some smiles. The boy was still himself.
"Well, guess you thought wrong." Kermit responded. Walter sat up, looking at his wet clothes.
"How...?" Walter asked. The frog shrugged his shoulders.
"Frogs can go from four to seven hours under water without breathing." Kermit said, smartly. Instead of smiling at Kermit's comment, Walter looked at him with shock.
"You...jumped in?" Walter asked. Kermit nodded. "Are you crazy?"
Kermit shrugged his shoulders. "Have you met any of us? I think we're all pretty crazy."
"Okay, okay." The chief officer said, breaking up the moment. "Let's get this boy a towel, or something."
Walter got to his feet, with Lily's assitance. She didn't let go of his hand, as an officer lead the two of them to the back of an ambulance. Though they both felt fine, they still needed medical attention in case. When they reached the ambulance, they both sat in the back with the door opening, their feet dangling off the edge. Lily reached for a towel, and put it around her boyfriend.
"Thanks, Lil." Walter said, squeezing her hand. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"
Lily shook her head. "No." She assured him. "Whatever they told you, they didn't do anything. They were just trying to tease you by using me."
Walter tightened his grip on her hand. Lily noticed his tension.
"Walter." She said. "Trust me, I'm fine. They lost, its all over."
Walter looked from their intertwined hands to across the peer. A bunch of officers crowded around the two fugitives goons and forcefully pushed them into a police car. Many of the Muppets watched nearby, and Kermit talked with the chief officer. Lily was right, it was over.
"Walter?" She asked. Her boyfriend looked back at her. "There's something I need to tell you."
The young Muppet nodded, encouraging her to continue. She sighed, holding his hand with both of her's.
"Well, I got a gig." She simply said. "A movie, with Steven Spielberg."
Walter's mouth dropped open, and he couldn't help but smile.
"Oh my gosh, Lily." Walter said. "That's...that's amazing! This is gonna be your big break, I know it is!"
Instead of smiling and being excited with Walter like she usually would, Lily stayed silent. Walter noticed her behaviour, and his smile faded. She avoided her gaze with him, and he tried to catch it again.
"Lily?" He asked. "What is it? This is huge for you."
"I know it is." She said. "But, I'm not gonna do it."
Walter did a double take, hearing her say that. Lily had been none stop working on her career since she graduated from high school. This wasn't the same girl he grew up with.
"Not gonna do it?" Walter said. "Lily, are you crazy? Why not?"
Lily sighed. "Well, the movie is being filmed in New Zealand." She explained. Walter swallowed, listening to her carefully.
The girl brushed the bangs out of her face, feeling urged to continue. "If I take the job, I'd be gone for seven months."
Walter shivered a bit, as a cold breeze past over them. He adjusted the towel that was around him, not really sure how to respond.
"Well, I know that's a long way. And I know that's a long time, but come on Lily. This is your chance."
"No, Walter. I can't do it." Lily protested.
"Why not?" Walter asked.
The girl once again flicked her bangs out of her face, as the wind kept bothering her. "Because." Lily said. "I want to stay with you."
A few yards away, Kermit watched the two sit in the back of the ambulance. Scooter and Dr. Teeth came and stood by the frog, checking in on him.
"Everything okay, Kermit?" Scooter asked, looking at the couple he watched closely.
"Yeah." Kermit assured his friends. "Just hope those two are okay."
"You saved our boy, frog." Dr. Teeth said. "And those thugs were stopped, they'll be fine."
Kermit nodded. "You're right, but I've got some news." The frog said, looking at Scooter and Dr. Teeth. "I was gonna tell this earlier, until all this happened."
"What is it, is it bad?" Scooter asked.
"No, it's great." Kermit responded. "The tour is back on. For real, now."
Scooter and Dr. Teeth exchanged a look, surprised.
"For real, frog?" Dr. Teeth asked. Kermit nodded.
"Yes. And this time, we're the ones who are running it. No rigged tour this time around."
"Well, that's great!" Scooter said. "Where're we going first?"
Kermit looked back at Walter and Lily who sat in the back of the ambulance.
"Smalltown, Idaho." Kermit said. "But not for the tour, for Gary and Mary's wedding."
It took approximately three days for the Muppets to get everything prepared for their world tour. Their real world tour. Nothing rigged, or planned by an evil worker for Constantine. This time, Kermit would be running it himself. Well, with his apprentice Walter's assistance of course.
But before they could pack up the train and get a head start, they still had a wedding to attend. Gary and Mary had planned this wedding in such little time, but managed to really pull it off. They said yes to Electric Mayhem playing, of course. As long as Animal was kept under control for the sake of the wedding. But after everything they'd been through, it was pretty safe to say that Animal would be at peace for the day.
Walter adjusted his black tie, as he sat at the head table. It was late into the reception, and everyone had spread amongst the party at this point. Walter decided to take a break from celebrating his brother's new marriage, and watch everyone from a far. The bride and groom had been together all night, but took a while to split up and talk to the others. Walter spotted Mary across the room, talking to Lily and Miss Piggy. On the other end, Gary was talking to a couple of him and Walter's old friends. Including Zach and Parker. Many of the Muppets were spread around like the other guests, Electric Mayhem still rocking out.
Walter sighed, leaning back in his chair. As soon as Vitaly and Arkady were defeated, he thought that would be it. But, it wasn't. He was struggling with the fact that Lily was choosing to give up a big job to stay with him. He loved her, but couldn't help but feel guilty. A job like she was offered is a once in a lifetime opportunity, how could one say no to that? Not to forget that this is the same girl he grew up with. She's been working on her career since day one when they graduated high school. She was a natural born star.
The options were a tight fit. Keeping her here would be preventing her from taking on a huge stepping stone to her career, but they wouldn't be separated. It's not like she could go with her, Walter was a Muppet star now.
But, what would it mean letting her go?
The thoughts swirled in Walter's mind. He didn't want to let Lily go. But, he didn't what to keep her back from following her dreams. He was so distracted with the issue, he didn't even noticed Kermit come and sit near him.
"Hey, best man." Kermit said. Walter barely noticed him and looked up with a blank expression.
"Huh?" Walter said. Kermit gave him a funny look.
"I said hi?" Kermit said. Walter relaxed, and looked away. He tried getting his thoughts back, but couldn't with Kermit right there.
"Something bothering you?" Kermit asked, sensing his worry. Walter ran his hand through his hair, and sighed. Maybe it was a time for some classic Kermit advice.
"Okay." Walter started, looking at him. "Let's say, I really like something. But, I can't keep it with me all the time. This thing, she...I mean, it belongs to the world. It needs to go pursue things. But at the same time, I don't wanna lose it..."
Kermit took a second to process Walter's reason. Clearly, Walter didn't really know how to address these situations properly.
"Well for starters, I don't think you're the best at metaphors." Kermit said. Instead of laughing, Walter just continued to ponder, looking distressed. Kermit swallowed, urging to continue.
"But," the frog tried catching his gaze. "I'm guessing you're talking about Lily?"
Bingo. Walter thought in his head. Kermit always seemed to know.
"Why would you need to let her go? Did you fight?" Kermit asked.
"Not, it's not like that." Walter said. "She got a movie gig."
Kermit stayed quiet, he knew he wasn't finish.
"A big one with Stephen Spielberg. But, it's in New Zealand. If she took the job, she'd be gone for seven months."
Walter didn't look directly at his leader, but could see the frog pondering to himself.
"What do you mean 'if'?" Kermit asked.
"She wants to give it up, so she can stay with me." Walter explained. "But, I just don't know if I'm okay with that."
Kermit looked from Walter to across the room. Lily still talked with Piggy and Mary. From everything Walter had said, she was really ambitious. A big star that belonged to the world. That was part of the frog's domain, so he knew things like that couldn't be held back from the world of audiences.
"Look, Walter." Kermit said, inching forward in his chair. "I'm not gonna tell you what to do for this."
Walter felt his throat become dry, and his chest drop with his hopes. "No offence Kermit, but that's kind of what I need."
"Here me out." Kermit continued. "I'll give you some advice, instead."
The boy looked back at him.
"If you really love someone, you consider what's the best situation for them and you. Even if it means things might have to end separately."
Walter pushed his gaze to Lily. She smiled and laughed with the girls she talked with. She looked beautiful tonight, in her bride's mate dress. A satin light pink, with her hair pinned back in a french twist. Walter sighed.
"Okay." The boy said, getting up. "I know what I have to do."
Walter began to unwillingly walk to the other end of the room, before being stopped.
"Walter?" Kermit said. The younger Muppet looked back at him.
"She really loves you." The frog said. Walter paused, but then nodded as reassurance. He continued to walk towards Lily at the other end. When he got there, Piggy and Mary were the first to notice. They didn't say anything though when they saw the nervous look on the boy's face. Walter tapped Lily on her shoulder, and she turned around. Her eyes lit up when she saw her boyfriend.
"Hey!" She said. "Where have you been?"
Walter shrugged his shoulders. "Just...catching up with the others. Do you wanna get some air?"
Lily nodded, and began to walk with Walter outside.