12 Labors of Barkis
By: Wilona Riva
Disclaimer: I don't own Corpse Bride.
Epilogue: If you've read this far, you need therapy!
Author's Note: I need therapy for writing this! Although the watermelon was a friend's idea.
Barkis looked uncertainly down at the little green maggot. "Okay, worm, out with it! What are you planning to do to humiliate me with now."
The Maggot just shook his head. "You survived all twelve labors, Barkis, and like Hercules, you've now been acquitted and are free to join our society. There is one thing left you need to do; go back onstage and apologize to Emily."
Barkis' eyes widened. "No tricks?"
The Maggot gazed back at his solemnly. "Cross my heart and hope to be resurrected."
"Alright," Barkis agreed, walking back to the closed curtain.
As soon as he walked back onstage, he was hit by a volley of squishy overripe tomatoes. He spluttered as he tried to get tomato skins out of his mouth.
"What was that for!" he roared in anger.
Only to be met with an even larger volley of acidic produce.
"Will you quit it!" he yelled, wiping tomato juice out of his eyes.
A third wave hit him dead on.
Barkis was creamed. He fell to the stage as more and more rotten tomatoes soaked him through to the bone.
That's when he saw her. Blurry, as his vision was, Barkis would know her anywhere.
Next to her stood the Maggot.
He glared at the Maggot. "You set this up!"
The Maggot shook his head. "I had nothing to do with the tomato bath. She did," he said, nodding his head at Emily.
THAT got his attention. "I didn't know you had it in you, Emily," he said, meekly. "I'm sorry."
She cocked her head. "I didn't hear what you said."
A fourth volley of tomatoes blasted him in the rear. "I SAID I WAS SORRY!" he yelled, glaring at the growing audience.
"I forgive you, Barkie," she said, sweetly, smashing an really rancid, overripe watermelon in his face.
"Juicy ending," the Maggot said, gleefully.
Author's Note: Thank everyone who loved this story! I had fun writing this, but all good things must come to an end.