Chapter 1

A/N: 31/12/22 Update - Hello everyone I'm currently revising all of my stories to give them a more polished appearance and to fix any grammatical or narrative inconsistencies. I've had a great time creating these stories. Since I've got some time off work, I've had time to write more. Happy and healthy new year, everyone! - GatorMan21

It's morning recess, and the gang is seated at the table outside. Kimi notices Dil's tiredness and inquires about her friend's well-being. "Dil, you seem quite worn out. Are you okay?"

Dil muttered, gripping his face and revealing his sleepy appearance with the words "I had the freakiest dream man."

"What did you dream of?" Beth asks, as she bites into her apple and hands another to Phil.

"We were all cartoon characters in this animation, and there were some super fans with unhealthy obsessions writing horribly written Fan-fiction stories about us!" Dil answered.

"Dude… That's strange... yet simultaneously... awesome!" exclaimed Phil

"D... You know eating cheese before bed gives you nightmares, so I warned you to stop doing that" Unimpressed, Tommy stated.

"If we were in a cartoon, I could run without sleep. I could skate board all day and night without ever taking a break!" said Allie

Phil remarked, "Or I could fly like Superman to school—boy, that would be awesome!

Alex added, "There are times when I wonder what life would be like if we were in a cartoon."

Kimi responded, "Well, this is the real world."

"Is it? Dil questioned.

Everyone but Allie gives Dil a brief awkward look, but it's long enough to make him feel uneasy.

"How come you're all staring at me like that?" Dil enquired.

"Don't listen to Dil, it's just sleep deprivation talking..." Tommy remarked.

"Here's some of my chocolate milk, the added sugar and E numbers should help you out," Allie said as she handed him the milk carton.

Dil drinks from the straw like a vacuum, squeezing every last drop of milk out until the carton becomes crinkled. "My vitality has returned! Thanks, Allie "Dil spoke as he jolted back to life.

"You're OK, Dil. We can't allow you to wander about with your eyes closed " added Allie

"In relation to fan fiction. I frequently write Reptar fan fiction, so I don't think it's strange. It allows viewers of well-known TV shows to create their own stories or characters" Chuckie stated

Allie revealed, "I've been reading Dummi Bears fan fiction at home."

"What stories did you read, Allie?" Tommy enquired.

"Dummi Bears exact revenge on the taxidermist, excellent writing. I've been waiting for the next chapter for quite some time..." added Allie

"What is the username? It sounds like a good read." Lil enquired with curiosity.

"Username is KFDummiBear4EVA02" said Allie

Kimi shook her head and remarked, "I guess it's some pre-teen writing that, what a nerd!".

"The author, whoever they are, is a really gifted writer, why stop after two chapters?" added Allie

Kimi remarked, "I guess it's not so nerdy after all, there's nothing wrong with watching your favourite shows from your childhood, right?"

Kimi's favourite childhood programme is Dummi Bears, and she likes the guilty pleasure of viewing it when no one is around, a fond remembrance of the show she adored as a baby but would rather remain secret about her work as a Fan Fiction author.

Tommy agreed with Kimi, saying, "You are totally correct, as long as you love it, nobody cares how old you are."

To be completely honest with you, just reading that gives me the creeps," Chuckie commented after taking a cursory look at it.

"Chuckie, have you ever discussed this with a psychologist?" Alex asked.

"Yes, but they never listen..." Chuckie replied.

Alex responded, "Fair reason, sorry I asked"

Under the table, Tommy's backpack is partially open, and Lil notices that it contains a complete script. "Tommy, what do you have in your bag?" enquired Lil.

Tommy questioned, "Oh this?

"Yes. Won't you tell us, right?" Lil enquired.

"If you insist," Tommy says as he pulls it from his bag.

"I see you've written another script," Alex observed.

"That's correct, but this time I've chosen to branch out into animation, and I'm going to submit this idea for a cartoon to the children's TV network," Tommy explained.

"Mikelodian?" Chuckie asked.

"That's right Chuckie boy, Mikelodian" said Tommy

"Home to popular shows like Johnny Atom, Utterly Agents, and Blue's Mysteries," Dil explained.

"Don't forget Sponge Bill Box Slacks!" Phil said

"These shows Dil has mentioned lose their appeal after a few seasons. In any case, tell us about your idea "Beth elaborated

In anticipation, the gang grips the table's edge. "It's about a group of babies who can communicate with each other," Tommy explained.

Alex said, "I don't think anyone's ever thought of that!"

"That idea is fresh and new! I would like to know more about this! "added Kimi

"Don't just remain motionless; elaborate!." Chuckie exclaimed with enthusiasm.

"Not only that, but only the babies can understand each other, thus they can't communicate with the grown ups because they can only hear babble... way you would call it, baby babble "said Tommy

Alex responded, "This is just getting better."

Tommy stated, "The babies get themselves into all kinds of risky situations, yet they always come home safely at the end of each episode."

"WOW, dude So what is the show's name?" Dil enquired.

"I'll call it Rugcritters! "Tommy stated

"Tommy Pickles, what you came up with is brilliant!" Chuckie said

"I agree with Chuck, but did you file a copyright claim for it?" Beth enquired.

Tommy responded, "No, I haven't yet, but now that you bring it up, I should submit a copyright claim."

Alex said, "Don't worry, our Mom can handle that for you. "In a sequel that takes place when they are pre-adolescents, I am also working on a spin-off show," added Tommy.

Allie questioned, "What are you going to call it?"

"Big Kids Now! Finished with an exclamation point" Tommy exclaimed while raising his index finger.

"I hope the television execs won't cancel it without having a series conclusion or it would just leave a lot of questions unresolved" Allie remarked.

"Otherwise", Dil warned, "fans will just create their own Fan Fiction storylines to make up for the show being cancelled."

Lil said, "Or worst, they do a reboot a few decades later that is nowhere near the calibre of the original series."

"Reboots are basically a marketing gimmick by studios to increase ratings because they can't think of anything new or original," according to Kimi.

Everyone in the gang nods in agreement with Kimi.

"Kimi, I think you hit the nail on the head, remarked Beth".

"On another note, has anyone noticed that a row of lockers has been removed?" Tommy enquired.

"My locker got removed, I had to carry a full bag of books all day! Thankfully my locker was empty beforehand" said Chuckie

"Pangborn told me yesterday that I had to shift my belongings to a temporary locker on the opposite side of the school since the row of lockers where mine used to be was being replaced," Alex explained.

"Yesterday, I saw Dave. Never witnessed somebody lift a full locker like an empty cardboard box over their shoulders "added Dil

Allie remarked, "That's our Dad for you, strong as an ox."

"I agree with Allie," replied Lil.

"Anyhow, I unlock my temporary locker, still containing the items from the previous occupant," remarked Alex.

"What sort of things did you discover?" Tommy enquired.

"Even though it was just inside-locker graffiti, there was WONK scribbled on the inside in clumsy handwriting," according to Alex.

"Exactly what is a wonk? I doubt that is even in a dictionary " sought Beth.

"I'm not sure, but that sounds like something you wouldn't say with your parents around," Phil said.

Unsure of what to say, Kimi exclaimed, "Cannot be his locker surly."

He holds up a book and displays the front cover to everyone. Alex replied, "I found this book about humans with extra limbs."

"Sweet! You can let it go to me" Allie, whose face is beaming, replied.

Alex passed the book to Allie and stated, "You can have it; I don't want this book."

"Z probably didn't have time to clean it out before he left town, so that will be his old locker," remarked Kimi.

"Who exactly is Z?" Beth enquired

Tommy remarked, "He was a guy with green hair, definitely a really unique character."

Kimi giggled, "Yeah, he was something else. I even went through a phase where I coloured my hair pink and chopped it short.

"Dad almost experienced a full-blown panic episode after seeing your new hairstyle." Chuckie said.

"You made snap judgements, Chuck, you judged him before getting to know him..." Kimi remarked. "What? I was watching out for you, but I quickly realised that Z was actually a decent person" Chuckie stated.

"When did he leave school?" Alex asked.

"A couple seasons ago," Tommy added.

"Why do you say that? Tommy, how many seasons ago?" Phil enquired.

Once more, everyone was awkwardly staring, but this time, Tommy was the focus.

As she turned to face Tommy, Allie replied, "I see you have broken the fourth wall."

Another round of awkward stares lingers at the table, this time directed at Allie, until they turn their heads, diverting their attention… "Hello, young people. The principal of your school hired me to tear down these four walls because they want to build a new sports equipment shed in their place "Dave replied

"Hey Dave I must add that you're doing a fantastic job!" Phil stated as he gave him the thumbs up.

"Thank you, Phil. Positive reinforcement is what makes this job rewarding "Dave wiped the sweat from his brow.

Tommy reins in the talk to clarify what he meant while Dave knocks down the final few bricks to finish the job.

Tommy explained, "Just that, what I mean is it feels like a long time ago even though he only departed last year."

Alex patted Tommy on the back and remarked, "Ah... an analogy I get you, Tom."

Kimi sighed and remarked, "Last I heard, Z's Dad obtained a new job in another city, didn't even get the chance to say goodbye to him."

"We are your new friends, and we won't be leaving anytime soon," Beth reassured Kim, wrapping her arm around her shoulders.

"I guess that about does it, I'm collecting my tools and leaving," Dave says as he surveys the scene, which is now a massive pile of bricks.

Pangborn swings by to see how the job is progressing, "Dave, you haven't even finished the job yet!, you still have to assemble the new sports equipment shed!"

"We had an agreement that you would pay me today but I don't see any cash in your hands..." Dave yelled fiercely,

"You can't leave this pile of bricks here, it's a health and safety risk!" exclaimed Pangborn.

"Well then, pay me..." Dave responded.

"I've already checked the school maintenance budget, and I'm afraid I miscalculated; there isn't enough to completely pay you, come on, I have two master's degrees in child physiology rather than maths" Pangborn said.

Dave said mockingly, "There is a fantastic thing called a calculator."

"Give me a chance to raise some cash, and I'll pay you," Pangborn begged.

"For the work I did dragging all those lockers out of the building and you still haven't paid me! My wife is an excellent lawyer, and I also serve as the union's chief representative." Dave said

"What's the matter with you contractors and your unions? Just allow me a week to raise the money, and I'll take care of your money "Pangborn replied

"You have one week! Kids, I'll see you at home. Goodbye everyone!" Dave said as he left with his toolbox.

The gang discreetly mocks Pangborn, trying to keep their faces straight but failing miserably. "How about moving this pile... brick by brick to the dumpster after school as part of your detention!?".

Chuckie quickly countered his threat by saying, "You do know child labour is banned in the United States."

"You and your thorough understanding of child labour legislation... In the 1800s, this would have been a much simpler way to discipline you kids! "Pangborn opined.

Tommy confidently remarked, "Well, it's 2002; times have changed since you were a boy".

"Fine detention is revoked... You may have won this round, but the conflict is far from done!" Pangborn said.

"Next time, I'll meet you on the opposing side of the battlefield," Tommy added.

Pangborn turned to Alex, Beth, and Allie and stated, "I must go now, I need to come up with some ideas to raise some cash so I can pay your dad." He departs.

Dave contacts his younger brother Nikolai after loading his tools into the back of his van. "Nikolai, I'm parched. Would you like to meet up for some coffee at the Java Lava?"

Nikolai responds on the other end of the line. "Hey Dave, yeah, it's my day off. let's get some coffee".

"Okay, I'll see you there; it'll be lovely to meet Chas and Betty, who I haven't seen in over a week. being quite busy with my work" said Dave.

End of Chapter 1