Episode 12: Boos and Ahhs!
Well well well. It's not Halloween yet, is it? Too bad, you're still getting a spooky chapter!
1602jaw: Maynard does kinda have that Doffy mindset. The guy grew up spoiled and entitled. And yes, the interns were off that day and went to the wedding. Sounds like the weirdest entourage ever.
kathmanw19: He really is. He's basically Mr. Beast if he was evil.
NondescriptNorbert: Even though Peni and Raven weren't in it for the long run, I at least wanted to give them satisfying sendoffs. It can be hard to write a bunch of characters and give them all satisfying conclusions, so this was a good compromise.
That guy: Thanks so much, man. Really glad you enjoyed it.
ThelastCyberKnight: Maymards's defeat was as satisfying as a 7 page Muda. I wouldn't say Ryu is a Chad, but he's a lovable goof, even if he's a bit flamboyant and eccentric.
TheMasterKat: She ain't kidding, Light. This Kat will bite back…hard. So choose your next moves carefully.
Happiness studios: Sucks to hear that, man. I know I can't please everyone, but I love to improve and get creative with new ideas. Hopefully you'll like this one better than the last.
MonkeyBot54: So much chaos in excitement in the last one. Glad you loved it. This one here won't disappoint you.
Now then, let's get on with the show!
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"Last time onTotal Drama, yours truly was gone for the day to attend a wedding. Unfortunately, the higher ups hired famed influencer Maynard McMonster to act as a temporary host. Needless to say, it was a disaster. Maynard tormented the cast physically, mentally, and emotionally due to his petty jealousness towards Total Drama. Luckily, Peni and Raven took a stand, kicked his butt and sent him flying, at the cost of their standing in the game. What happens now? Find out today on the next episode of Total Drama Infinite: Bon Voyage"
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The forest around them was dark. Darker than the night, with only the full moon to illuminate the sky. The cluster of trees was very thick and dense, adding to the eerie atmosphere. The howling of a wolf could be heard in the distance, with the fluttering of bat wings echoing through the trees.
"You sure this map is leading the right way, man?" The voice of Barry asked.
We see 15 individuals walking up a single stone pathway that goes up a hill.
"I'm following it down to a T." Light answered. He was at the front of the group, holding a map and flashlight.
"How do we know this isn't some trick?!" Yami asked. "A feast in our honor seems a little too good to be true, don't you think? Especially after what those marines did."
"And I really don't want to deal with another Maynard." Panty sighed.
"Don said this guy could be trusted." Tiff points out. "It seems that this guy is a big fan of the show."
"I really can't wait till we get there." Barry groaned. The rumbling in his stomach was rather audible. "I can't wait to sit down and eat. That feast sounds so good right about now."
"What if it turns out to be a trap?!" Bernadetta asked worriedly. "The twist is probably that we'll be on the menu!"
"I honestly doubt it." Percy said. "On top of being a fan of the show, he's also a rather big sponsor for it. It'd make no sense if they planned to eat us."
"Well, that's reassuring." Tiff sighed. "Let's face it, this forest has been giving me the heebie-jeebies."
"I hear ya." Ryu said. "This place is making my skin crawl."
"Give me a break, man." Tokageroh sighs. "You're friends with a ghost. Me. Doesn't get scarier than that."
Suddenly, the paths on both sides of them became clearer, much less adorned with the thick clutter of trees and foliage. Emerging from the forest, they came out onto clearer, more open ground. And there it stood before them.
Up ahead, not far from where they were, there was a large mansion. It stood about three stories tall. It was an old timey gothic style building, with parapets of stone and arched windows. Four large turrets rose ominously to the sky, graced along the roof. From the look of it, the mansion looked dark and deserted.
Lightning struck the ground, followed by cawing crows and more bats flew around. Most of the cast were already uneasy about this, but the building before them didn't make it any better whatsoever.
"That's funny. The weather didn't call for thunderstorms." Percy said.
"Feels like I've seen this in a game before." Futaba muttered.
"Please tell me that isn't the place!" Pete pleads.
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but yeah." Light said. He uses his flashlight to navigate further.
"Is it too late to turn back now?!" Bernadetta asked worriedly.
"I'm with you on that one, Bern." Kronk said, his knees shaking. "I'm scared as well."
"Harbor is about a mile from here, you big babies." Panty informs them. "That's all I'm gonna say."
They all slowly walk towards the entrance. Before they knew it, two gothic doors stood in front of them. Slowly, Light's hand turns the knob, and the door creaks loudly.
"Yeah, like that's not eerily foreboding at all." Draco snarked.
They all step inside, and are in the foyer. It was pretty big and spacious, as well as creepy. Ahead were two more double doors, which resembled the ones at the entrance, only smaller. There were two staircases, one on either side of the room, leading to an upstairs landing where another set of double doors were. The room was dark, with no light, save for Light's flashlight. There was a chandelier above them, and some candles on the walls, though none of them were lit.
"Hello?!" Light called out. "We're here!"
"Where's the grub?!" Ryu called out.
The response was an eerie silence.
"Well, looks like they're not here!" Pete said with quick relief. "Better turn back and head for the ship!"
"That's disappointing. I worked hard on tonight's feast, and you won't even bother to try it? That saddens me."
Everyone's blood ran cold at the unfamiliar voice.
"Am I the only one that heard that?!" Barry exclaimed.
They all shake their heads.
"T-t-then where is it coming from?!" Kronk stuttered.
"Turn around." The voice said.
They slowly turn towards the front door, and come face to face with the man behind the voice. He was an extremely tall and slender skeleton with a cross stitch mouth. He wore a black and white pinstripe formal tuxedo with a bat themed bowtie.
"Hello." He waved. "Such a pleasure to finally meet you all in the flesh. And in your case, meet me in the bone."
"A LIVING SKELETON!" Bernadetta screamed. She gets on her hands and knees in front of the skeleton and grovels. "PLEASE DON'T EAT ME, I BEG OF YOU! I TASTE TERRIBLE! I'LL FORFEIT ALL OF MY MORTAL POSSESSIONS IF YOU SPARE ME!"
The skeleton looks at her curiously. "Eat you? Now why would I go and do that? I invited you all here for dinner, simple as that."
Everyone was in stunned silence, with Bern finally picking herself up.
"You'll have to forgive her." Tiff said. "It's been a long trip here, Mr…..?"
"Skellington. Jack Skellington is the name. The Pumpkin King of Halloween Town. A pleasure to meet you all, truly."
Percy approaches Jack and shakes his hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Skellington. I deeply apologize for any inconveniences we may have caused you."
"My, aren't you formal?" Jack muses. "Again, it's so great to finally meet you all. I'm a big fan, if you didn't know. I even applied for this show, but unfortunately was not chosen."
"I think we dodged a bullet there." Pete whispered to Yami. "Could you imagine competing alongside someone like him?"
They quickly notice Jack right behind them, eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Gah!" Pete backs away, but falls down. "How'd you get over here?!"
"You know, it's not nice to talk rudely about others behind their back." Jack calmly points out.
"Why are you guys so shocked at this." Alucard asked. "Wasn't one of Robin's crew mates also a living skeleton? Correct me if I'm wrong."
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"He's right about that one." Panty said. "While we were partying, the bony weirdo approached me, and asked to see my underwear. So I obliged…and shot him in the head with them. Then he cracked a shitty skeleton pun afterwards."
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"You seem rather…well mannered." Futaba said. "For a monster. No offense."
"None taken, young lady." Jack assures. "Being a scary monster is what I do. All in fun, of course."
"So, about that banquet…" Yami said.
Jack claps his bony hands together. "Of course. I've been busy in the kitchen all day for this. You must all be absolutely famished after that long walk. I will personally lead you all to the dining room."
As they all begin to follow Jack, Bernadetta shakes her head.
"Nuh-uh! No way! I still don't trust any of this! Besides, I can skip a meal."
Her declaration is interrupted as her stomach audibly growls.
"When was the last time you ate, chica?" Panty snidely asked.
Bernadetta averts her gaze. "T-this morning."
"Good. Then you need this more than I do." Panty hands Bernie a small blue piece of gummy candy.
Bernadetta was confused. "Uh…what's this? It's not poison, is it?"
"What?! Pff, no. It'll help ease your nerves a bit. And it'll make the meal all the more enjoyable."
"If you say so. Thanks, I guess." Bern proceeds to pop the gummy in her mouth.
"No prob. And since you haven't eaten since this morning, that shit will kick in pretty quick, so let's catch up with the others."
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"This is gonna be interesting." Panty mused. "But I stand by what I said. She probably needed it more. I don't know all the deets, but that girl obviously wasn't raised right. That's all I came here to say."
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The crew follow Jack down the halls admiring the many paintings on the wall as they walk.
"So….is this your house?" Shermie broke the silence. "It's very…spooky."
"No, actually." Jack answers. "I was just renting this place for tonight. Ah, here we are."
They finally stop before another set of double doors.
"Ladies and gentlemen, behind these doors is all of today's hard work. Feel free to eat and drink to your heart's content."
Once he opens the doors, the contestants are cast in a glowing, golden light. Before them lay a long table, filled to the brim with a banquet that would be fit for the highest of kings. Everyone's favorite foods and drinks and more lay spread out before them.
"Wow…" Ryu gasped. "You made all of this?!"
Jack chuckles. "Indeed I did. I wasn't sure how much to make, and I worried I may have gone a little overboard. Regardless, there is more than plenty for everyone. Everyone, take a seat and dig in."
Everyone grabs a seat and proceeds to start filling their plates. Once that was taken care of, the eerie feeling in the mansion seemed to dissipate. The room was filled with a more jovial atmosphere as everyone ate and chatted with each other.
"Gotta admit, this is probably one of the best meals I've had in a while." Kronk beamed. "You've gotta share some of your recipes with me."
"I don't mind that one bit." Jack responds. "I'll be happy to share as much as I can."
"I gotta try some of this out as well." Ryu said as he bit into a turkey leg. "The inn could greatly benefit from new stuff added to the menu."
The shaman looks next to him, and sees Bernadetta, happily eating cake.
You seem to be enjoying yourself." He told her. "Glad to see you're in a much better mood than earlier.
She turns to look at him. Her eyes look a little glazed, and there's frosting all over her face, though she seemed unfazed by it. Turns out the edible Panty gave her was in full effect.
"Uh-huh." She said with her mouth still full. I feel like all my problems are melting away right now."
As they both look at each other, they quickly turn back to their food, trying to hide their blushing faces from the other.
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Ryu clutches his chest in pain.
"Dear God, she looked so cute there!" He exclaimed. "Oh, how I love that girl!"
"Why don't you tell her that, then?" Tokageroh asked.
"Because I don't want to screw it all up and mess up what we already have. Last thing I'd want is to tell her how I feel and that freaks her out. I don't want her to be scared of me again. You know by now I've never had the best luck with romance, even if I really wish it'd pan out this time."
"You don't know unless you try. Besides, I have a hunch she feels the same."
"We don't know that. As I always told my gang, it's better to air on the side of caution. Still, every time I like at her, my lonely heart turns to mush, and Careless Whisper plays in my head."
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"I wonder if he'd really ever be interested in a bundle of nerves like me." Bernadetta sighed. "He's so kind and patient with me. Sweet and gentle, too. He really gets me, even helping me get over my fear of talking to other people. Hard to believe we started this show on the wrong foot. Now I can't get him out of my head. Maybe he and I…"
She shakes her head.
"That's just wishful thinking, Bernie." She bitterly tells herself. "It'd never work out. You'd scare him away. He could do so much better than you…"
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"Aren't you feeling a bit left out?" Barry asked Alucard, who sat right next to him. "I know you'll get sick if you eat human food."
"It's quite alright." Alucard said, as he sipped an unusual red liquid from his cup. "Mr. Skellington, just where did you acquire blood of this caliber?"
"It's my special blood cider, tailor made for even the pickiest of vampires. The other vampires can't get enough of it back home." Jack explained. "I figured you'd enjoy it, being the only one in this wonderful group. I've actually been rooting for you and the young man with the ghost over there."
"Glad to have some fans appreciate Wooden Sword Ryu
"I see. Still, it's quite delectable. I can see why other vampires would enjoy it."
"Oi, Futaba." Draco said. He taps the hacker, who was currently having her eyes glued to her tablet, with her headphones in.
She looks over at him. "Hmm?"
"You've been looking at that device all evening. Care to explain why?"
"Uh…that's my personal business." She firmly tells him. "I don't have to tell you crap. So leave me be, please."
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"Ever since our last challenge, I've been busy looking through confessionals to find any useful info." Futaba explained. "I'm going person to person, but so far, I've not found anything interesting yet. And I've only looked at our team's so far."
"Maynard may have been a scumbag, but he had a point with people keeping secrets. Even if I haven't seen it yet, I'm sure there's a chance people here are plotting…something. It's just a gut feeling."
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"Hey, can we get another round of drinks over here?!" Bender asked.
"I'm with ya, tin can." Yami said. His face looked a bit flushed from the sake he was drinking. "Got some more booze in the back?!"
"Yes, of course." Jack steps up from his seat. "I'll have to get more from the cellar, so I'll be but a couple of minutes."
As he leaves, everyone resumes the feast. Though Pete gets an idea.
"Hey…you guys dare me to sit in Mr. Bone Man's seat? Looks super fancy by the look of it."
"I wouldn't." Light warns him. "There's no telling how he'll take to that."
"C'mon, his chair looks so much cooler. And bigger, too."
"Makes sense that the fattest guy here wants the biggest chair." Yami snickers.
"Hey, I wear my weight well!" Pete proudly defends. "I'm gonna take the chance while I got it. You know what they say, ""Strike while the iron's hot!""
Pete gets up from his seat and plops down in Jack's seat.
"It's even better than I thought!" Pete marvels. "So comfy."
"I hope he removes his arm and beats the ever loving fuck out of you." Panty jokes.
"Jack seems like such a nice guy, I'd doubt he'd do that." Percy tells her.
"Something still bugs me about that skeleton." Draco said. "I'm still a bit skeptical of all this."
"Never look a gift horse in the mouth, man." Barry said.
"Yeah, because that turned out so well when we were invited to that resort." The pureblood snarks.
"This is different! Are you calling me a liar?!"
"I bloody well ain't calling you honest!"
"You wanna fight?!"
"I'll gladly mop the floor with you!"
"There they go again." Tiff sighed.
Suddenly, the booming sound of thunder echoes through the house. This causes all of the lights in the house to briefly go out, much to everyone's shock.
"I can't see anything!" Tiff cried.
"Holy crap! Have I gone blind?!" Bender exclaimed.
"Hey!" Pete yelled. "Get your grubby hands off of me! I-AHH!"
The lights turn back on, and everyone looks around, only to find out…that Pete was suddenly gone!
They all get up from the table and inspect the room.
"Wait, where'd Pete go?!" Barry asked worriedly.
"He was right there only a second ago!" Kronk said.
Futaba kneels down and looks under the table. "He's not under here, either. He's…gone!"
"He's probably screwing with us." Panty said.
"Alright fatass, very funny." Yami said.
"Those cries did not sound like the ones one would make by pulling a practical joke." Percy said grimly.
"Sounded like he was in trouble." Ryu said.
The group all begin to panic.
Jack bursts back into the room, a bit startled.
"I heard a lot of noise! What's all the commotion about?!"
"One of our teammates appears to have gone missing." Alucard answered.
"Oh dear!" Jack gasped. "What do you suppose could have happened to him?!"
"I don't know…" Draco said sarcastically. "Maybe you could answer that for us?! Hmm?!"
"Don't go pointing fingers already, kid." Yami warns. "You have no proof whatsoever."
"But who else could it be, you ignorant bull?! He was gone when this all happened! It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together! You abducted him, didn't you?!"
"I swear, I haven't kidnapped anybody!" Jack pleads.
"M-Maybe he's telling the truth." Bernadetta points out. "Anyone who makes cake that good can't be evil."
Draco turns to Bernadetta and smirks. "Hmph. Not even an hour ago were you fearing for your life in front of this man, and you're defending him?!"
"She does have a point." Shermie points out. "Seems a little too obvious for it to be him."
Suddenly, a loud crashing sound could be heard in another part of the house, startling everyone.
"What the hell was that?!" Light exclaimed.
"Sounded like it came from the foyer!" Jack guessed.
They all rush out of the dining room, through the hallway, and back to the foyer.
"Alright, what the fuck's going on know?!" Panty demands.
"Up here, you little roaches!" A jovial, yet sinister voice ringed.
They look to the top of the staircase, and meet a new yet terrifying person. He was very rotund, wearing a brownish gray burlap sack, with stumpy legs and fingerless arms.
Jack gasped. "But…it cannot be!" The person in front of him truly worried the skeleton.
"Oh, but is, Jack! It's been far too long!"
"An old friend of yours, I presume?" Light asked.
"Not even close." Jack answers. "That's Oogie Boogie. An old rival of mine. But he's supposed to be dead!"
"You know what they say, Jack!" Oogie says. "The dream that doesn't scare you isn't a dream!"
"I take it you're the one responsible for our friend going missing?!" Ryu asked.
""Friend,"" is putting it a little too lightly." Tiff remarks. "More like, acquaintance."
"If you're talking about that fat cat, yep! That was me!" Oogie responds proudly. "He's in safe hands right now. Oops, I just lied there. Just remember that last sentence I said and make it the opposite!"
"Give him back, you dirty little cum sock!" Panty said, her gun aimed at Oogie.
"You want him back?! Well, then you better catch me first! Unless I catch all of you first!"
With a flash and puff of smoke, Oogie disappears from everyone's sight.
"That sack of crap couldn't have gotten far!" Yami said. "He's probably still in the house!"
"I'm still concerned about that last thing he said!" Tiff said worriedly. "It sounds like he's gonna come after all of us next!"
"Then we'd better split up and search the house." Percy said.
"Excuse me, but have you ever seen a horror movie?!" Barry said. "If we do that, we'll be easy targets to him!"
"How about this, then." Light proposes. "We split into groups rather than individually. We'll still cover more ground, and not be completely alone and defenseless."
"That's probably the safest idea." Percy said. "Judging by numbers, I say we split into three groups."
"Before we do any of that, I think Malfoy has something he'd like to say to Jack." Tiff said.
All eyes were on Draco. With a sigh, he begrudgingly apologizes to Jack.
"I'm…sorry for accusing you, okay?!" He spat. "I was wrong. Now can we focus on catching this creep?!"
"I appreciate and accept your apology, young man." Jack said. "Now that that's out of the way, let's go through with Light's plan. Everyone, let's group up, search the house, and catch this foul cretin."
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Group 1: Yami, Kronk, Ryu, Alucard
The first group here decided to go and search the left side of the house, which consisted of searching a couple of bedrooms. We see them now searching their third bedroom.
They turn the entire room upside down. Removing pillows and sheets, emptying dressers, the whole nine yards.
"We're getting nowhere." Ryu groans. "It's almost like a game to this guy."
"Are you sure about that?" Alucard said. "We've not heard hide nor tail of him yet. He's lurking somewhere. I can feel his presence, just not where."
"That's cool to know." Kronk said as he looked under the bed. "You never fail to surprise me."
Yami keels over, clutching his body in pain.
"Captain Yami, are you alright?!" Ryu cried, rushing to his aid.
"Did you get possessed or something?!" Kronk asked.
"No…" Yami grunts. "I just….really have to take a dump."
They were all left dumbfounded.
"Can't it wait?!" Ryu exclaimed.
"If I don't go, I'm probably gonna die." Yami said. "This is a big one."
"Ever hear of TMI?!"
"If it's that bad, I'm pretty sure I saw a bathroom way down the hallway." Ryu said. "Would one of you go with him and keep watch for Oogie while he…does his business? I don't like the idea of him going by himself."
"Uh…I'll go." Kronk volunteered. "I'll keep an eye outside the bathroom.
"Not that I need the protection, but thanks." Yami said.
Cut to a few minutes later, where we see Kronk standing outside the bathroom while Yami takes care of business. Kronk looks around again. Still no sign of Oogie anywhere.
Finally alone with his thoughts, Kronk sighs. Suddenly, someone appears on his shoulder in a puff of smoke. It was a little devil that looked just like him.
"Got a lot on your mind, eh bub?" Devil Kronk asked.
Kronk sighs. "Do you even have to ask?"
"It's involving Yzma, ain't it?" He guessed.
"Yeah. I'm starting to have second thoughts about all this." Kronk said.
"Eh, don't let that anxiety get to you." Devil Kronk told him. "Look at how far she's helped get you. You kicked butt in the martial arts tournament."
"Yeah, but not because of anything I personally did. That was the potion."
"She helped screw over the other team in the baseball challenge."
"But Pit was just an innocent bystander who didn't deserve that."
"And you guys won the karaoke challenge because of her. So hey, next time your team loses, you're safe."
"Still, something about it doesn't feel right." Kronk said.
Just then, an angel version of him appears on his other shoulder.
"It's because of the people here, right?" The angel Kronk guessed.
"I think so." Kronk said. "They trust me, and view me as a good friend. Especially Ryu."
"I can tell. You two are as thick as thieves. Heck, you're like bros at this point. Even that girl who I can tell really likes him will talk to you. Not perfectly, but she seems friendly to you."
"That's exactly my point." Kronk said. "I've met some of the nicest people here, and going behind their backs like this makes me feel so…dirty."
"It's no different than any other job Yzma has entrusted to you." Devil Kronk tells him. "Like a hundred before it."
"Uh, excuse me, pal." Angel Kronk retorts. "It is different. He's made good friends here. Bonds that can potentially last even when the show ends. You don't wanna ruin that. And besides, what would your father think of all this?"
He was right, after all. All he'd ever wanted was approval from his father. For him to be proud of him. How would he feel about this blatant cheating? Even if he did win it all-
"Would you stop talking to yourself out there?!" Yami snapped. "Don't know and don't care what the hell you're talking about, but it's throwing off my concentration!"
"Sorry!" Kronk realized that right now, he needed to focus on the task at hand. His teammate was abducted, and here he was having a debate with his conscience.
CRASH!
Kronk hears a loud noise in the bathroom, like glass shattering. Yami cries out in pain as he hears a lot of commotion in there.
"Yami?! What's going on?!"
Nothing. There was no more sound coming from the room.
"Alright, I'm gonna kick the door down!" Kronk warms. "I hope he's at least got his pants on."
Kronk knocks the door off its hinges, and finds the room a complete mess…and completely empty.
"He…. he's gone! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Suddenly, a hand emerges from the toilet and grabs him as the screen cuts to black.
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Group 2: Shermie, Futaba, Bernadetta, Panty, Jack
We see the second group looking for Oogie in the laundry room, which was so big it was like its own mini laundromat. It even had a dinky old antique arcade game.
"Anybody got any quarters?" Futaba asked as she eyed the machine.
"We got bigger stuff to worry about, NEET." Panty said. "We can save the games for after we catch this prick."
"Judging from what you've told us, this Oogie Boogie is no joke." Shermie told Jack.
"You'd be right to think that.", Jack told her. "He's a very crafty and dangerous individual. He's tried to overthrow me as Pumpkin King, and even came close to killing Santa himself."
"Oof. Sounds like he's getting coal for the rest of his life and afterlife."
"He's a sadistic monster that treats life like a game of dice. If he's got your friend-"
"Again, we wouldn't call him friend." Shermie interjects.
"Then he's in grave danger." Jack finishes. "So we must find him with the utmost quickness."
Jack looks around, and sees Bernadetta, who looked rather stressed out while she was looking in some of the washers.
"Are you alright, miss?" Jack asked. "I've watched the show, and you're not usually this quiet. Penny for your thoughts?"
Bernadetta looks towards them, and quietly sighs. "Can I ask you guys something? Something kind of important."
"Spill it, sister." Panty said.
"Yeah, let's hear it." Futaba said.
"B-but you guys have to promise not to make fun of me!" Bernadetta told them.
"I'm quite preoccupied looking for that ghoul to bother laughing at anything." Percy comments. "You girls…and skeleton, carry on."
"I promise I won't laugh at what you have to say." Jack swears. "Go on."
"Okay." Bernadetta takes a deep breath, and says what's been on her mind. "How much do you guys know…about love?"
"Why, I'm happily married myself." Jack answers.
"Frankly, not much." Futaba admits. "It's been up until recently that I've started going outside. I do have a boyfriend, and he's been helping me navigate down that path. Still, kinda a bit of a novice."
"Why do you ask, Bern?" Shermie asks.
"Well…there's this guy…w-who I've been spending a lot of time with-"
Shermie claps her hands. "You don't have to say anything else. Sounds like you've been bitten by the love bug!"
"I guess I have." Bernadetta sighs. She feels her face heating up. "But I'm too terrified to tell him. I've never felt like this about another person. He used to scare me to death, but, I feel...warm, in his presence."
"Trust me Bern, I know a lot about guys." Panty assured.
"Yet I keep seeing you always making passes at Yami." Futaba brings up.
"Oh, that. That's not anything romantic or some shit. I just wanna ride the bull, if you catch my drift. He's too smart yet dense at the same time."
"Can we get back to what I was talking about?" Bernadetta said. "I don't know if he feels the same. W-what if I tell him and things get really weird between us?! He'll never want to talk to me again, and I'll never see him again, and-"
"Bern, please listen to me." Shermie takes her face softly between her hands. "I can't say for sure if this guy likes you, but love often starts with trying to find out if they feel the same."
"Indeed." Jack agrees. "It's a risky gamble. But risks like that is how I ended up with Sally."
"So you're saying it's natural to feel scared?" Bernadetta asked in disbelief.
"Of course." Jack said. "Fear and doubt are signs of a strong heart. They push your heart, strike out in new directions! Without them, your zest for life might fade... as would your taste for fear. It's why I scare people."
"You've just got to take the chance." Shermie continues. "Yes, there's a chance you may not get the answer you want. But if you do…you'll find no greater joy."
Their words seemed to give Bernadetta the courage. "Then it's settled!" She declared. "I'm gonna do it! Once we're done with this mystery, I'm gonna tell him how I feel!"
"If I may ask, who is this lucky guy?" Shermie asked.
"Pff, do you even have to ask?!" Panty snorts. "It's Ryu. Who else would it be?! You two spend so much time together, how could it be anyone but him?"
As soon as she heard the name, Shermie's eyes widened in shock, though her bangs completely obscured them.
"From an outsider who watches the show's perspective, you two would be rather cute together." Jack says.
"Alright, enough you guys!" Bernadetta said, her whole face now red as a tomato. "Knock it off before I get second thoughts about it."
Percy looks up from her investigating, and sees Shermie approaching the door.
"Shermie? Where are you going? Did you find something?"
"I uh….have to go take care of something." Shermie said quickly. "I'll be right back!"
She leaves the unnaturally quickly, which had them all suspicious.
"Hmm, that does not bode well." Percy said. "Whatever she's doing, she shouldn't go off by herself."
"I'll go after her." Bernadetta volunteers. "You guys just keep investigating."
With a nod from them, Bernadetta races off to find Shermie, unsure of where she went.
We see Shermie running as fast as she can, aiming to find Ryu.
I'm sorry to do this to you, Bernadetta. But I can't afford to fail the mission. My life depends on it!
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Group 3: Light, Draco, Barry, Bender, Tiff
Our final group took to looking in the basement, which was filled with useless junk that the homeowners couldn't fit anywhere else in the house.
"Aw sweet, there's a foosball table down here!" Bender said. "Think we can take it?!"
"This isn't our house, tin can." Tiff growled, fed up with Bender not taking this seriously. "It's not even Jack's house. This isn't some crack house for you to loot."
"Spoilsport." Bender muttered as he quietly stuffed whatever knickknacks he could grab into his chest compartment.
"Still haven't found a sight of him yet, Light?" Barry asked. "I mean, you're supposed to be some master detective aren't you?"
"Heh heh, if only they knew…" Ryuk chuckles, to which Light shoots the shinigami a glare.
"This is different from solving a murder or theft." Light answers as he moves an empty bookcase to look behind it. "This is a lunatic preying on us, like a spider. And we're the flies."
Barry gulped nervously at the thought. He pictured himself trapped in a spiderweb, with a large Ariados slowly approaching him.
"Thanks for that imagery." Barry groaned. "Remind me to fine you later for that."
"Guys, check this out!"
They all look to see Draco pointing at a large metal wardrobe.
"Think he could be in there?" Tiff asked nervously.
"Don't be a baby." Draco scoffed. "I'll check in there."
As his hands approach the doors to the wardrobe, Malfoy couldn't help but notice how sweaty his hands were. Was he actually scared right now?!
Malfoy blows it off and opens the doors wide.
"See? Nothing in there!"
Suddenly, a chill runs down his spine as he sees a thin hand emerge. And when he saw who it was, he felt like he would pass out.
It was a tall and thin man, bald, with small slits acting as a nose, black robes, and a small wand. It was…
"VOLDEMORT!" Draco screamed.
He falls on his back, dropping his wand in the process.
"Who the heck is that?!" Tiff exclaimed.
Bender and Light leap into action, elbow bashing Voldemort back into the wardrobe and close the doors. The wardrobe shakes, with him still trying to break free.
"We need to seal this thing shut!" Light said.
"I'm on it!" Berry said. "Rapidash, I choose you!"
He throws out Rapidash, who awaits instructions.
"Seal the door with Flamethrower! You guys might wanna move out of the way!"
Bender and Light do as he told them, and move. Rapidash fires a stream of fire from his mouth, welding the doors to the wardrobe shut. The huge object continues to shake until it suddenly stops.
"Okay, I think that's taken care of." Tiff says with relief. She looks over at Draco, who is still shivering on the ground. "He's gone now. You can stop acting like a baby."
"You alright, man?" Barry asks as he helps him up.
"Yeah." Draco said bitterly. "So, uh…thanks, Muggle. I guess."
"No shame in having my help." Barry said proudly. "It wouldn't kill ya to be nicer. Besides, I can tell you looked really scared there, so of course we'd help you."
"So that's that Moldy Butt guy you were talking about?" Bender asked.
"It's Voldemort, tin can." Draco corrects him. "And yes. He's the most powerful dark wizard in my world. So powerful that people even fear uttering his name. And the big reason I can't afford to leave the show now."
"Then what's he doing here?" Light wondered.
"Aww….it seems like my boggart wasn't enough to scare you lot off!" The voice of Oogie could be heard echoing throughout the room. "Looks like I oughta take matters into my own hands!"
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"Of course it was a boggart." Draco said. "Those annoying buggers come from my world. They can take the form of your greatest fear. I still fear going home because I'd have to deal with him for failing my job. But I can't afford to look weak in front of them. They'll send me home if they sense weakness, and I can't leave now. I'm so glad these things are private."
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"Show yourself, you sack of crap!" Bender yelled. He pulls a glock out of his chest compartment. "Or we'll bust a cap in your ass!"
"What he said!" Barry adds, slowly reaching for Empoleon's Poke Ball.
"Where's the fun in that?!" Oogie cackles. "It's my game, after all! So let's shake things up, shall we?!"
The ground beneath them shakes and ripples, and before they can react, it wraps around them like a sack.
"That was too darn easy!" Oogie said. He leaps down and grabs the sack, with everyone trying and failing to break free. "Santa's not the only one who can carry a bag this big! But now it's time to play predator and seek out the others! Roll up your sleeves, roaches! Because it's halftime!"
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We see Ryu in front of the bathroom where Yami and Kronk disappeared. He looks around, puzzled.
"I could have sworn I heard the noise coming from here."
"It seems he already got them." Tokageroh, in his small Spirit Flame form, sighed. "They're probably as good as dead now!"
"Don't say that!" Ryu snaps. "They're my friends! I refuse to believe they're dead! Besides, the captain is made of tough stuff! And Kronk's pretty sturdy too! The guy's built like a brick house. I've gotta tell Al."
Just as he was about to head back to Alucard, his ears twitched. He hears the small patter of footsteps. Not just any footsteps….he recognized these ones. His eyes and ultra pompadour turn into hearts as well, with little hearts fluttering around him. His heartbeat grows incredibly audible.
Tokageroh groans. "I know that face. His Bernie Sense is tingling."
"SHE COULD BE IN DANGER, TOKAGEROH!" Ryu said with the utmost urgency. "I MUST SAVE HER!" He runs insanely fast, his legs moving like a small hurricane. "I'M COMING, BERNIEEEEE!"
"When he gets motivated, he gets really dedicated." Tokageroh sighs as he follows him. "Of course when he's acting like a dirty water imp."
Ryu moves through the hallways like a hurricane, hoping to find Bernadetta. He stops dead in his tracks right before he runs into Shermie.
"Oh…Miss Shermie." Ryu said. "What are you doing here? You lost?"
"I am." Shermie points. "I lost everyone else. Now I'm…all alone."
"I see." Ryu said awkwardly. "Think we should team up to catch Oogie?"
"I've got a much better idea."
She proceeds to gently push Ryu towards the wall, using her large breasts to have him in a kabedon.
"Uh….. what's going on here?!" Ryu said, his face going completely red.
"I can't resist the urge anymore." Shermie said seductively. "I look at you, and my heart races like an engine~"
"I'm…. I'm very flattered, miss, but…" Ryu stutters. "But I'm afraid I'm not into you that way."
"But your nose is bleeding, which tells me otherwise, big boy~"
It was true, as he had a small bit of blood leaking out of his nose.
"No m-matter what my body says, my heart and brain say no!" Ryu resists, but Shermie won't let him go.
"It's pointless to fight the urge. Just…give in to the sin that is me."
"Never!"
"Go for it, man." Tokageroh whispers. "This chick's throwing herself at you, you of all people, and you say no?!"
Before Ryu could say anything, Shermie pulls him towards her and kisses him against his will. He didn't enjoy it one bit. His eyes dart around, looking for a way to escape, until he sees someone standing in front of them.
Bernadetta.
As the two separate, Bernadetta just silently stood there. Her mouth wide open in shock. All she could see was the man she loved, sucking face with someone else.
"B…..Bernie." Ryu began. "This isn't what it looks like! Tell her, Shermie!"
"Actually…it is what it looks like." Shermie lied.
Bernadetta looks down, tears beginning to well up. All of her hopes were smashed, by a woman she thought she could trust.
"W…..what am I to you?!" She sobs. "What do you see in her?!"
"Bernadetta, this is all a big misunderstanding! I'm your friend! Who are you gonna trust?!"
"I….I don't even know who to trust anymore!"
She runs off crying, and Ryu tries to go after her, but Shermie pulls him back so they're both facing each other again.
"Forget about her." Shermie coos. "I'm all the woman you'll need."
Ryu, looking infuriated, pushes her away. "I could never love someone like you! Do you realize what you just did?!"
Shermie was shocked. After all that, he still wasn't into her. "No…it wasn't…supposed to end like this…"
Ryu continues to go off on her. "I don't know what you're getting at, but now everything is ruined! I loved that girl, and now she hates me! It took so long just to get her to open up to me! Do you even know how much she's had to go through in her life?! You wouldn't know, probably! What it's like to want to let people in, but you're so scarred and hurt that the thought of opening your heart to others is terrifying!"
"I-I'm sorry." Shermie said with regret in her voice. "I didn't mean for things to turn out like this."
Ryu drops to his knees in despair, beginning to cry himself. "But I still can't help but feel it's my fault too! I've hurt her, and that's the last thing I ever wanted to do to her! I believed she was the one! I wanted to laugh with her! Cry with her! Dance with her! Hold her hand and tell her everything is gonna be okay! And now…"
Ryu cried harder than he ever has before, trying to find the words.
"I'll never…find my Best Place, if she's not also there by my side."
Shermie was left devastated. All she wanted to do was complete her mission, and all she had done was hurt everyone in the process, on top of failing.
"No matter how much you may try to hurt us…" Ryu somberly tells her. "You're the one who's hurting the most. I hope you realize that."
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"What have I done?!" Shermie exclaimed. "It wasn't supposed to happen like this! Now I've ruined everything! How am I going to complete the job now?! I'm as good as dead!"
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Suddenly, hands come out of the walls, pulling Ryu and Shermie into it. Oogie had claimed two more victims.
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We see Bernadetta, slowly walking down the hall, her head hung low. She still continued to sob, as memories of the moments they shared flash through her brain.
"Say…have you ever heard of a Best Place?"
"Still…you really kicked their asses!"
"I can't say how sorry I am that all of that happened to you."
"You're worth it! We're proud to be your commoner friends."
"I got your note earlier, and I'd love to let you read more."
"Oh Bernie…you idiot." She tells herself. "Look at you, getting your hopes up like that. What made you think you had a chance in the first place?"
She slumps down against the wall, burying her head.
"Why have I been trying so hard to be something I'm not?" She said glumly. "Father was right about me. Nobody would ever want me. Nobody loves me...I'll always just be useless old Bernie Bear."
She suddenly feels a tap on her shoulder. Looking up, she sees Oogie Boogie waving at her.
"Just take me." She surrenders. "I'm not gonna put up a fight."
"Wait….really?!" Oogie exclaimed. "Wow. Never would've expected that from you. But it makes my job a whole lot easier."
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We see the group of Futaba, Panty, Jack, and Percy. They carefully walk down the halls, looking for Bernadetta and Shermie.
"They've been gone for so long." Futaba said worryingly. "I'm worried about them."
"As am I." Percy said. "But we can't rule out the possibility that Oogie may have gotten to them already."
"I suppose that may be the case." A voice said.
The three turn to see Alucard standing.
"Thank God it's you." Panty sighed. "I was about to shoot on sight."
Alucard chuckled. "Even if you did, it wouldn't have done anything to me. But that's besides the point."
"What brings you here?" Jack asked.
"I've lost my partners as well. I can't seem to sense them anywhere. As a matter of fact, I can't sense anyone else besides you guys."
"Then that means…" Futaba gulped. "We're the only ones left! We're next!"
"Not unless we put our heads together to catch him." Alucard said. "I may just have a plan."
Percy crosses her arms. "I'm listening. You're quite smart, so I'm open to your plan."
"Eager, are we? Very well. Do keep in mind, it's risky, but it should work."
He holds up a large net. "He hasn't actively tried going after me yet, so let's see if it plays into my theory. There is one caveat."
"Which is?" Panty asked.
"One of you is gonna need to act as bait…"
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Futaba stands in the dining room, looking bored.
"Say the line." Alucard whispered.
"I give up, Boogeyman!" Futaba exclaimed. "I'm turning myself in! I'm right here if you want me!"
Right on cue, Oogie drops from the ceiling in front of the hacker.
"If I had a nickel for everytime one of you guys gave up, I'd have two nickels." Oogie said. "Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice. Now come here, Missy!"
"Are you sure about that?!" Alucard said, looming behind Oogie. The Boogeyman turns around, shaking in fear, seeing the no No Life King glaring at him. In that moment, Oogie went from predator to prey."
"C-c'mon! I was just just playing around, Mr. Alucard!" Oogie pleads.
"You'd better start running, maggot brain!" Alucard warns.
Boogie runs for the hills, running down the hall while Alucard slowly walks towards him.
"I stand no chance against him!" Oogie cried. "Nobody told me he'd try to kill me!"
As he runs down the hall, Percy shouts "Now!"
Her, Panty, and Jack pull on the net, and just as Oogie was about to enter the foyer, he gets tangled up in the net. A success!
Oogie lays on the ground, birds and stars flying around him, the net wrapped around his body.
"Excellent work, you guys!" Jack congratulated. "We caught him!"
"Only thanks to Alucard's plan." Percy said humbly.
"Now I think it's time you removed the mask." Alucard said. "If my theory is true, then I don't think it's really the Boogeyman."
Panty approaches Oogie, and rips off the sack mask. Everybody gasped, no one expected it to be…
"ZACH XIGMA?!"
Zach looks around nervously. "Heh heh…hey."
"I thought I smelled a mortal." Alucard said. "Though your hiding skills are on par with monsters."
"Wait…I don't get it!" Futaba was confused. "Why did you do all of this?! Why kidnap us?!"
Jack claps for everyone. "Congratulations. You've all passed the challenge!"
"Huh?!"
The lights turn on and the doors open, with Don and the rest of the supposedly captured contestants coming out.
"Wait…this was all just a fucking challenge?!" Panty asked.
"Yes it was." Don said. "Mr. Skellington and Mr. Xigma played their roles perfectly."
"I was also a theater kid back in school." Zach said sheepishly. "Acting is my second love after journalism. Thanks again for letting me be a part of this, you guys. And I would've gotten away with it if it wasn't for you meddling contestants."
"If this was a challenge the whole time, then who won?" Draco asked.
"Seeing as how there are more Bulls than Fairies left, the Black Bulls win immunity!"
Yami, Futaba, and Panty celebrate their victory. Meanwhile, Ryu and Bernadetta still didn't feel like celebrating. Or talking for that matter.
"This is the perfect chance." Ryuk tells Light. "Your alliance has the majority vote, so you can get rid of him now."
"Yes…. finally!" Light thinks triumphantly.
"But since Alucard devised the whole plan to catch Zach, with great cooperation I might add…" Don continues. "He gets a reward of his own."
"What you gonna give him personal immunity for this?!" Light thinks. "Pff. It'll only save him this once!"
"Which is why he's now switching over to the Black Bulls!"
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Light slams the desk in pure anger.
"FUCK! NO NO NO NO! WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE THAT OF ALL THINGS?! GOD FUCKING DAMN IT! SON OF A FUCKING BITCH!"
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"Now who are we gonna vote for?" Draco said. "Alucard is now on the other team. That just leaves Kronk, Barry, and Tiff. As much as Barry annoys me, he's got some skill. And Kronk should still have his immunity from the karaoke challenge. I think ruling out the weakest choice is obvious. That is, if Light's calm enough now to listen."
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With that, the group left the mansion, bidding Jack and Zach farewell. The next evening, the Fairies found themselves at elimination. Light, Shermie, Draco, Pete, and Bender all nod at each other, though Shermie still looked to be upset from the previous night's events.
"I only have seven life preservers here." Don said. "Please listen for your name. The following players are safe…"
"Kronk…"
"Draco…"
"Pete…"
"Barry…"
"And Light…"
With that, only Bender and Tiff remained. Both looked nervous, though Bender did a better job at hiding it.
"Surprised to see you guys in the bottom two." Don remarks. "The final preserver goes to…"
…
…
…
…
…
"...Bender! You live to play another day!"
"Booyah!" Bender brags to Tiff. "Bite my shiny metal ass, kid! I'm safe, baby!"
Tiff, looking sad, sighs with disappointment. "Wow…I honestly didn't expect this. By, you guys. It's been fun, I guess."
As Tiff heads for the raft, The rest of the team proceeds to leave. As Light walks away, Pete catches up to him.
"I know you were dead set on getting that vampire out, but not all hope is lost, kid." Pete comfortingly tells him. "Besides, he's on the same team as Yami. That makes them easier to pick off."
"Where is that blood sucking fiend now?" Light asks.
"Before we came here, I heard him talking about how he wanted to talk with that small brat that also used to be on our team."
"Futaba…" Light muses. "What could they be talking about? I have to go. Don't wait up on me."
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We move over to Futaba's room, where she and Alucard sat. She typed something onto her tablet.
"Poor Bernie…" she said. "She hasn't left her room all day. She won't talk to anyone. Not even me If what Ryu said is true, then Shermie really is bad news. I hope he and Bernie find some way to fix this."
"That lady has the most peculiar smell about her." Alucard remarks. "A bit of human, and…something else."
"Anyway, what did you want to talk about?"
My hearing is quite good." Alucard answers. "I heard you talking out loud to yourself about being able to watch other's confessions?"
Futaba gasps. "Please don't rat me out! As soon as I get the chance, I'm gonna show Bernadetta Ryu's confessionals, and prove to her he still cares!"
"I could care less about that right now." Alucard said. "I wanted to ask if you've watched any of Light's confessions yet."
"Light? No, I've not watched any of his yet. Why do you ask?"
"I want to test another theory. Play his for me, would you."
Futaba complies and clicks on Light's name. We see a small montage of Light bragging about how many competitors have manipulated, their alliance, and his declaration of being a god, and his hatred of Alucard. Futaba watches in utter disbelief, as she finally sees Light for who he really is. Not some kind and quiet guy, but a sociopath with a god complex. Alucard watches with a grin, glad to be right.
"Light's a monster!" Futaba cried. "Why did I never see it before?!"
"He's even better at putting on a mask than Zach was." Alucard jokes. "But we have to tell everyone else. This man is too dangerous to keep around."
Futaba feels a shiver down her spine as there's a knock at her door. Quickly, she sees Light, and tries to play it cool.
"O-oh….what brings you guys here?"
"I heard it all." Light said, dropping the nice guy act. "Give the tablet to me."
"Wait…you heard?!"
"I did. The only room here that's soundproof is Panty's. If you value your family, give the device to me." He holds up the Death Note, further proving his point.
Futaba, scared for her life, complies and hands it to him.
"Thanks."
Light hands the device to Ryuk, who promptly breaks it in half. Futaba herself saw it break, yet couldn't see Ryuk
"We'll still tell everyone what you really are." Alucard threatens.
Light chuckles. "Ah ah ah. I wouldn't do that if I were you. You two are gonna keep this to yourselves."
Futaba gulped. "And if we don't?"
Light shows her the Death Note. "Then your friends and family are as good as gone. What was your father's name again? Sojiro? It'd be a shame if Kira…got rid of him in the of justice."
Light looks towards Alucard. "I wouldn't dare try taking this book from me. Only those chosen by the shinigami can touch it." He lied.
The vampire was a little skeptical of that, and yet...it would not be worth the risk.
Futaba was mortified. "Y-you're Kira?!"
"I am." Light tells her. "If you or bat brain over there says anything, then kiss your father bye bye."
With that, Light slams the door and leaves. Futaba slumps to her knees, her body shaking in fear.
"He's no monster…he's a demon! What am I supposed to do?!"
Alucard kneels down to her level. "Seems like he's got us both in a checkmate here. If it weren't for Integra's rules she put in place before I came here, I'd have that man strung up and left to feast on. For now, we'll have to keep our heads low when it comes to him. But we'll pull through. It wouldn't be the first time some little shit has put me in such a disadvantageous position.
"I hope you mean that." Futaba said glumly. "Because right now, it feels like the whole world is crumbling around me."
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Wow, what a sad ending for this episode. So many unhappy scenarios all around. Things are looking bleak for a lot of people. Not just Futaba and Alucard, but Shermie, Malfoy, Ryu, and Bernadetta.
I hope you liked the episode. I wanted a fun Scooby Doo parody to balance out the more grim and saddening events of today, along with characters from one of my favorite Disney movies.
And now, we say goodbye to Tiff. Nothing against her, but the odds weren't really in her favor this time. At least she left with her dignity.
Here's what we got for next time. We're going to the world of one of the competitor's, Barry. We visit his hometown of Twinleaf Town, where the teams engage in a Pokemon pageant/talent show of sorts. And if things couldn't get any worse, Barry's father Palmer, whom he hopes to defeat in battle one day, is in the audience.
Well, that's all for now. Until next time, please read, review, and have a nice day. Till next time, this is MemeKing, signing off