Previously on Wanna Bet? Ratigaurus had challenged the Toon Squad to a series of challenges. Daffy lost the first chalenge to Gaston but Bugs won the second challenge against Marvin the Martian. Ratigaurus had one final challenge. Now who will play this challenge? Find out now.

"Who would like to go next?" Ratigaurus asked.

"I will," said Mario. "Finally something I'll be good at! It looks like one of my games."

Ratigaurus didn't look happy, but he just said, "Your opponent will be the Joker."

"Oh yes," said the Joker, rubbing his hands together. "This'll be fun, a piece of cake. I'll win this challenge with a smile."

"Whoever makes it back first wins the challenge."

"Oh," said the Joker, "I'm gonna have so much fun with this one."

Ratigaurus held up his hand, and both competitors got into position. "On your mark, get set, go!"

Mario and the Joker sprinted into the obstacle course. It was a nightmare; they had to wade through swamps filled with alligators and dodge bear traps, ducking and weaving as fast as they could. The Joker leapt through a ring of fire without getting damaged, but when Mario tried to follow his hat brushed the flames and caught fire. "Ah ah, ah ah!" he cried, just like he was in one of his classic Nintendo games, struggling to put it out before it could burn him.

With Mario distracted, Joker made it to the end of the obstacle course first, Mario unable to keep up despite running as fast as he could. "I enjoyed this challenge," the Joker said with his creepy smile. It reminded him of the traps he'd set for Batman.

"Yes!" Ratigaurus shouted, leaping into the air. "I won! I finally won! Now that Animation Resort is mine!"

The others watch his celebration with horror. "Oh, no," said Bugs. "This is bad."

"Yes," Ratigaurus agreed. "And since I won the bet, I'm gonna be making some changes around here."

And he did: once the documents had been put in his possession, he changed the Animation Resort to the Evil Rat Resort and only cartoon villains were allowed at the hotel. The Toon Squad was kicked out and forced to stay at a cheap motel.

"This is horrible," said Mint.

"Yeah," agreed Daffy. "And now we're stuck at this dump."

"Things have been going wrong for all of us," said Fred. "And since this Motel is so small, some Toons don't have a place to stay at all."

"Yeah," said Mario. "We're lucky in a way, and all we gotta do is hope that things will be better."

"Things aren't getting better, though!" Mint exclaimed, rising to her feet. "Just face it: Ratigaurus owns our precious hotel, he only lets bad guys stay at it, and we're stuck staying at cheap motels like this. It's awful!"

"Hey," said the Quik Bunny. "Do you know where Bugs is?"

"Well," said Daffy, thinking it over. "If I were to guess Bugs is probably in his room. He said he had some things to do."

"What kind of things?" asked Eleanor.

Daffy shrugged. "I don't know. He was saying something about . . . well, I don't know."

"Maybe he —" Jeannette was cut off as Bugs entered the room.

"Nyeh, what's up doc?"

"Bugs!" Daffy exclaimed, leaping up and hugging him. "You're here! And I'll bet you have a plan!"

"So what were you doing?" asked Mint.

Bugs Bunny gently shoved Daffy away. "I think I've got an idea to get our hotel back."

"Told ya!" Daffy crowed.

"But how?" asked Mint.

"Well," said Bugs, "Ratigaurus is probably in Las Vegas at the Golden Rat right now. All we need to do is sneak into his Casino and make a bet with him."

"What?!" everyone cried in unison.

"But that's too risky!" said Fred.

"You could lose everything in a bet," Mint added, shaking her head. "Look what happened to Craig."

"Are you out of your mind?" asked the Quik Bunny. "If we lose, we'll probably lose everything."

"We have to try," said Bugs. "This is the only way we can get our hotel back. But first we need to gather all the toons that we know. We'll want a lot of skilled cartoons on our team so we can handle whatever Ratigaurus decides to throw at us."

"Yeah," said Mario. "Good plan."

"We'll need Rio and Walker, too," said Jeanette.

"Don't worry," said Bugs. "We'll get everyone. Now let's go get our hotel back."

Bolstered by their leader's confidence, everyone cheered and prepared to leave.

Bugs and the Toon Squad went to Disney World first to get Mickey Mouse. "Hey Mickey," said Bugs. "What's up, doc?"

"Oh hi Bugs," Mickey replied. "I heard about the Animation Resort, and it's a real shame. Sorry, guys."

"Yeah, about that," Bugs said, stepping closer and lowering his voice. "I have an idea to get our hotel back, but I need your help."

"All right," said Mickey. "I'll do whatever I can. What's your plan?"

"We'll challenge Ratigaurus to a bet. It's the only way."

Mickey looked a little unsure, but saw how determined his friends were. With a one-shouldered shrug he held out his hand for Bugs to shake. "Then I'm in. I'll get Donald and Goofy too. They can probably help us."

" Good," said Bugs. "The more the merrier."

Mickey left them, finding Donald and Goofy in the Magic Kingdom. "What?" Donald demanded once his friend had explained the situation. "A challenge?"

"Yes," said Mickey. "Bugs needs our help."

Donald shook his head vehemently. "No. No way. I'm not gonna be involved in this bet."

"But Donald," said Mickey, "this Hotel is counting on us."

"It's just too risky."

"C'mon. We've got to try. Goofy. are you with us?"

"I certainly am!" said Goofy.

"Cmon Donald," Mickey wheedled. "We gotta at least try."

The duck looked from one friend to the other, then let out a sigh of defeat. "Oh all right," he grumbled. "I can't make you guys do this alone."

"Thanks," said Mickey, patting him on the shoulder. "You're a real pal."

"I know, I know . . ." Donald grumbled as they returned to the squad.

"Thank you for your help, guys, but we'll need more if we're gonna win this bet. Let's find Scooby. To Universal Studios!"

"This is a great day, Scoob," Shaggy said as they walked through the park. "You and me at Universal, eating good food. Nothing gets better than this!"

"You bet," said Scooby Doo. "No scary mysteries to solve either. Just relaxing."

Then Bugs and the Toon Squad showed up. "Nyeh, what's up, doc?" said Bugs.

"Oh, hi Bugs," said Scooby Doo. "How's it going?"

"Not great," said Bugs. "The Animation Resort needs to be won back in a bet. Will you help us?"

"What?" said Scooby. "No!"

"Why not?"

"Because it's too risky and too scary. Scooby will not do it."

"But we need your help!"

"Sorry, I won't do it. No, no."

Then Bugs got out a box of Scooby snacks. "Will you do it for a Scooby snack?"

"Oh yes," said Scooby, as his tail began wagging. "I love Scooby snacks."

"So will you help us?" asked Bugs, shaking the box.

"Why yes!" said Scooby. "Don't worry Shaggy, Scooby is helping Bugs on an adventure. But I'll be back."

"Wait," said Shaggy. "I'll come too. If Scooby's going then so am I."

"Great," said Bugs. "By the way, Shaggy, have you seen Tommy or Chuckie from Rugrats around here?"

"Yeah," said Shaggy. "Those guys are usually at the Nickelodeon Studios."

"Good, thanks," said Bugs. "We'll head there next."

"Well, Chuckie," said Tommy. "This is great: the two of us playing ball. Nothing gets better than this."

"You're right Tommy," said Chuckie. "I'm having so much fun."

Tommy started to reply, but was interrupted by Bugs' arrival. "Nyeh, what's up, doc?"

"Oh hi Bugs!" said Chuckie.

"Listen, me and these guys are going to Las Vegas to get the Animation Resort back from Ratigaurus, but we'll need your help."

"Oooh," said Tommy. " That sounds fun. I would love to go to Slots Vegas. This sounds like an adventure."

"I don't know, Tommy," said Chuckie. "I don't think we should. That Joker Clown is pretty scary."

"Don't worry, Chuckie. We'll make it. Just don't be scared of the Joker clown. I'll be right by your side."

"Oh, alright," said Chuckie. "But you owe me for this."

Across town, Rio was in the middle of a seedy bar, surrounded by angry-looking customers. "Oh man," she muttered to herself. "Once Ratigaurus took over the resort, I lost my job. Now I'm stuck being a bartender."

"Hey lady!" a customer shouted. "Where's my drink? I wanted it an hour ago! Give it to me!"

"I'm coming," Rio said with a sigh. Once she'd taken care of the crowd, she ducked into the alley behind the bar for a break. That was where Bugs and the gang found her.

"Nyeh, what's up Doc?" Bugs asked.

"Bugs! I'm so glad to see you. Things have been rough since Ratigaurus took over the hotel."

"Yeah, I know," said Bugs, and he explained the situation. Like the others, Rio was a little scared, but she knew there was nothing else they could do.

"I'm with you," said Rio as they all returned to the bar to get her things. "When do we leave?"

"Right now," said Bugs. "Now we need Walker."

"I'm in," said Walker, who was sitting at the bar next to them.

"Walker?" asked Bugs. "How did you get here?"

"I was here all the time. It's been horrible since I lost that bet, but I'm ready to help."

"Good," said Bugs. "Now all we need is Batman and Sailor Moon."

"I called them already," said Brittany. "They said they want to come and they want us to meet them in Vegas."

"Alright," said Bugs. "Next stop, Vegas."

"Yeah!" everyone shouted.

Meanwhile, at the Golden Rat, Ratigaurus was planning the new bet. "This is great, Joker," he said. "I have finally taken over the Animation Resort! This is the best day ever."

"That's right," said the Joker. "Now that you own the hotel, I can finally stay there and not worry about Batman."

"My favorite Toons were always the villains. And now I have no competition! Nothing gets better than this." Then Ratigaurus and Joker held up their beer steins and made a toast. "To our success." said Ratigaurus.

"Yes," said Joker. "To us villains. Now that the hotel is ours we can have fun."

"Well, here we are," said Bugs. "Las Vegas."

"That's right," said Mint. "Now we need to find Ratigaurus. Where is his hotel?"

"It's at the Golden Rat," said Rio. "It isn't that far from here. We'll just have to take a bus."

"By the way," said Mint. "Where are Batman and Sailor Moon?"

"Oh they'll be here soon," Bugs replied calmly. "They told us to wait at here at the airport."

"I hope they get here soon," said the Quik Bunny, looking around nervously. "What if Ratigaurus sends his goons after us?"

Luckily the two cartoons arrived before anything could happen. "Hey guys," said Sailor Moon. "We heard that you guys needed help getting the Animation Resort back so I came here as soon as I could."

"Yeah," said Batman. "I heard that the Joker was helping out Ratigaurus. I'm just glad I could make it. So where are we heading?"

"To the Golden Rat," said Bugs. "Since we can't reveal ourselves, I made some disguises to get in the casino."

"Good idea," said Fred. "So when do we head out?"

"Immediately," said Bugs. "This may be risky but if we want our hotel back we have to do this."

"Hey, Bugs," said Daffy. "Our bus is here."

"Good," said Bugs. "Now let's go get our hotel back."

"Right," said Rio. So they rode through Las Vegas.

"Hey look," said the Quik Bunny. "I can see the city!"

"Wow," said Mint. "It's beautiful."

"It is, isn't it?" Bugs said fondly; he'd spent a lot of time there over the course of his career.

"Chuckie," said Tommy, "we're here in Slots Vegas again."

"Yeah! Slots Vegas is amazing."

They passed by many famous Casinos in Vegas: Riviera, Stardust even Sahara. Then they finally made it to the Golden Rat.

Bugs Bunny and Rio went in the hotel in disguise and went for their reservation. "Nyeh, what's up do — I mean what's up?

"Hello," said the woman at the desk. "How my I help you?"

"Oh, yes," said Bugs, a little flustered. "I made reservations."

"Okay," said the woman. "Name, sir?"

"Bunny," said Bugs. "Buffington Bunny."

"Here's your key."

Later after they got situated in their room, Bugs and Rio in disguise went into the Casino. "So what's the plan?" asked Rio.

"We'll gamble at this casino, then the Chipettes will go and sing. That'll cause Ratigaurus to come down and we'll take off our disguises and confront the big rat and make the bet."

"Okay," said Rio. They went to a table where Joker and Harley Quinn were gambling.

"Hello there," said Bugs.

"Oh hello," said Joker. "So you wanna play a game of Blackjack?"

"Yes," said Bugs.

The dealer went to get the cards ready. The rest of the Toon squad were hidden in the crowd at the casino.

"Alright Fred," whispered the Quik Bunny. "Bugs said he wants us here at the slot machines, right?"

"Yes, Quik Bunny," said Fred.

"So what happens? When you play these slot machines does Nestle Quik come out?"

"No," said Fred. "Money comes out of it. How can you think of chocolate milk at a time like this?"

Mint was with Sailor Moon at the roulette wheel with Daffy and Batman. "I'm glad we made it here."

"Yeah," said Sailor Moon. "I can't believe they let us in here even though we're underage. How did you get in?"

"I told them that I was a midget," said Mint.

"Wow," said Sailor Moon. "You sure fooled them!"

"Yeah," said Batman. "And I bet the Joker is here somewhere."

"I think Bugs and Rio are with the Joker." said Mint, pointing.

"I think they're gambling," Daffy agreed. "Most likely the Joker is cheating to win."

"Knowing the Joker, he does usually cheat at everything."

Meanwhile Mario was, with Shaggy and Scooby at the poker table.

"So, Mario," said Shaggy. "Do you know what the plan is?"

"Yes," said Mario. " Bugs said for us to stay in this spot until the Chipettes sing and then when Ratigaurus comes we reveal ourselves and make the bet."

"So what traps do we use?" asked Scooby.

"We won't be using traps," said Mario. "We just need to confront Ratigaurus."

"But in our show we usually use traps to get the villain," Shaggy said, confused.

"Well, this isn't your show," Mario snapped. "This is real danger."

"Yipes," said Scooby, shaking and cowering in a ball. "I'm scared. I don't want to do this."

"Here's a Scooby snack," said Mario, pulling out the bag Bugs had given him.

"Oh boy," said Scooby. "I'll definitely help!"

Bugs and Rio were still gambling with the Joker. "Your turn," the dealer said to the Joker.

"Hit me."

"You have eighteen, sir," said the dealer, giving the Joker a concerned look. "Are you sure?"

"I like to live dangerously."

"As you wish," said the dealer. And the card the Joker got was a three. "You got a three," said the dealer. "Twenty one. And you, sir?" he said to Bugs.

"I'll stay." He had only five, but he couldn't resist acting out a scene in one of his favorite movies.

"I suggest you hit sir," said the dealer.

"I also like to live dangerously," said Bugs, giving the Joker a sly look, but the villain didn't know Austin Powers.

"As you wish," said the dealer. "Twenty beats your five. I'm sorry."

"Well," said Bugs to the Joker, "To be honest, cards aren't really my thing. Let me introduce myself: my name is Buffington Bunny and this is my wife, Claudette."

"Nice to meet you. I'm the Joker from Batman, and this is Harley Quinn."

"Nice to meet you, Buffington," said Harley, both of them being surprisingly polite because they were so happy they won. "What show are you from?"

"Looney Tunes," said Bugs. "I'm Bugs Bunny's evil twin."

Bugs Bunny lied about that to cover his identity. Will Bugs be able to bring Ratigaurus down to make the bet or will Ratigaurus have the Animation Resort forever? Find out next time on Hotel Toon.

Author's note: The quote used in the Blackjack scene of this chapter is from Austin Powers. The credit from that scene goes to New Line Cinemas