A/N: Well it certainly has been awhile. I didn't honestly mean for this update to take such an absurdly long time. It was really a mix between work, college, and not really knowing how to wrap up the story that kept me from working on this for a while. For anyone that was really looking forward to seeing how the rest of the story unfolds, I truly am sorry. Now here is one of the final chapters that is, admittedly, way overdue.
Tension hung heavily in the air. Nobody made a sound; everyone seemed to hold their breath in anticipation of what would happen next. Nothing but silence was shared between the group.
Mr. Maellard continued to glare at his former friend.
Stan looked back nervously, sweating profusely.
After what seemed like an eternity, the silence was broken.
"You have a lot of nerve showing your face around here, Stanford." Maellard hissed venomously at his old business partner.
Stan looked back, seemingly unable to say anything. After taking a few seconds to collect himself, Stan answered.
"Look, Ogden... I, uh... I came here to straighten out everything that's happened from the previous day." Stan mumbled a bit rushedly.
Maellard raised his eyebrow condescendingly. Almost as if he were amused by Stan's words.
"And why would any of this be of your concern? What explanation could you possibly offer about–"
"Ogden, it involves the book." Stan interrupted.
Maellard froze at those words. His mouth stood slightly agape. His eyes widened at this revelation. Maellard quickly snapped out of his momentary shock.
"Follow me to my office." Maellard spoke, gravely serious. "Now."
Stan nodded then followed the short, large-headed man into the park house. Making their way through the spacious house, they finally came upon Maellard's office. Maellard rushed Stan into the room and offered him a seat on the oposite side of his desk. Maellard then sat in his large, cushioned chair behind the desk.
"What does that book have to do with this, Stanford?" Maellard asked, getting right to the point.
"Well, uh..." Stan bumbled, trying to figure out a good explanation for everything.
"I thought I told you the day that we found that thing not to mess with it. It wasn't normal. Almost as if it were supernatural." Maellard spoke. Still trying to coax the explanation out of the elder Pines.
"Well, you were right about that, Ogden. It does have supernatural properties." Stan began. "In fact, those powers are what causes all of the monsters and demons to attack your park."
"Just as I expected." Maellard retorted bluntly. "And just why has it conjured up all these things to attack? It's not like the book itself has a vendetta against me..."
Stan was cornered now. He had to tell the truth.
"Ogden, I used the book to gain an advantage in the Prank War. I summoned a demon to assist in the War. After countless failures by its own minions, it took it upon itself to end the war on its own." Stan explained. "And the way it wanted to end the war was by murdering all of your employees."
Maellard once again started to seethe. His face started to turn a deep shade of red as his anger built up.
"But honestly, Ogden. I didn't instruct it to–"
"WHAT DID I TELL YOU, STANFORD? MESSING WITH PARANORMAL OBJECTS NEVER WORKS OUT!" Maellard raged. "AND YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT A MURDEROUS DEMON WAS AFTER US THE WHOLE TIME OVER A STUPID PRANK WAR?!"
"Uh... Well when you put it that way–" Stan began.
"I don't want to hear anymore, I'm calling the cops." Maellard said as he reached for the telephone next to him. His bony, old fingers reached out to dial the numbers.
"Ogden, do you realize how ridiculous this would sound to the police? They'd think you're crazy..." Stan spoke, hoping to calm Maellard down.
Maellard thought this over for a second before dialing the final 1, then slammed the receiver down.
"You're right about that..." Maellard admitted begrudgingly.
"Look, I know how pissed you must be right now, but take a look at the big picture here: You and your employees made it just fine, but as for me and the kids, well… There's nothing left for us." Stan muttered to his old friend.
Stan hoped that these words would pierce through that big head of his and find the little compassion that Maellerd actually had. But Maellerd's expression didn't change one bit.
"That demon literally took the park with him as he was sucked back into his dimension; everything I've ever owned after all these years is gone." Stan continued, hoping that Maellerd would relent.
"And for what it's worth, I truly am sorry for everything. I took it way too far, but didn't realize it until it was too late. I can't offer you any money since that's all gone too, but…" Stan trailed off.
"But what, Stanford?" Maellerd questioned rather impatiently, his scowl as nasty as ever.
"This is gonna sound crazy, but if me and the kids can stay here and work off our debts to you, we can help you rebuild." Offered Stan hesitantly.
"You really expect me to let you off that easy?" Maellerd growled, "I wouldn't dare take a chance on you again after how you burnt me."
"Please, Ogden. You can't find it in your heart to take another chance on an old business partner, or better yet, an old friend?" Stan tried, a little more desperately now.
"Absolutely not."
Stan dejectedly, shifted in his seat. What else could he possibly say to change Maellerd's mind? After a couple agonizing minutes which seemed to stretch on for hours, Stan came up with one more saving throw.
"Ogden, please think of Celia. Think of her dying wish."
Maellerd looked up, completely and utterly stunned.
"Celia? She…" Maellerd stumbled over his words.
"She was so sad to see us drift apart and to see the animosity develop between us. One of her last wishes was to see us reconcile. And well… you know unfortunately what happened next…"
Maellerd continued looking shell shocked, and spoke very quaveringly.
"My wife… she loved to see us working together… She always used to say we were two stubborn peas in a rough and tough pod… And she died knowing we hated each other…" Maellerd spoke, his eyes welling up.
"The way I acted, I don't deserve any favors from you… But please, find it in your heart to do it at least for Celia." Stan offered, hoping dearly for Maellerd to reconcile.
"Well, Stanford… I suppose we could work something out to fix this whole mess." Maellerd tried to regain his composure, still fighting back tears. "I'll do it for Celia."
"Thank you, Ogden. You won't regret it." Stan spoke, then breathed a sigh of relief.
Maellerd stuck out his arm, initiating a handshake. Stan, seeing this gesture, motioned for Maellerd to put his hand down. He then got up and made his way over to Maellerd. Stan wrapped Maellerd in a brotherly embrace.
"Everything will work out fine, my old friend." Stan said reassuringly as the two pulled back from each other.
Everything will be just fine.