An: I've sort of based Tyler off of a friend my mom has. On Facebook he's just called Shameless Pitcher so that tells you exactly what I mean when I say he has no filter. The 9-10 hour is strictly for the Core 5, Eddie and their biggest supporter. So for Johnny it's Ryan, for Ash it's Clay as a father figure, etc you get the idea. Oh the Core 5 are Johnny, Ash, Meena, Rosita and Gunter of course and of course they had the closest connection except for Eddie but it's very close.

Oh and as for Alphonso and Ryan and heck even Tyler, please remember they are largely my version of them and Sing 2 didn't give us much. Heck, I named the orangutan.

The implication with Eddie is that while he's 41, because his parents didn't actually attempt to raise a functioning, productive adult but rather a slave to do whatever they commanded, his growth is somewhat stunted.

Dictionary:

Declarations Page: The page of an insurance policy that lists the coverage provided and the beneficiaries of that coverage. Example: You should be reviewing your auto insurance declarations page every renewal! EVERY RENEWAL! And moral of the first half of this chapter is GET LIFE INSURANCE! I really cannot say that enough. Do it. I know it's morbid to think about but please don't do what my dad did and force my aunt to take out a loan to bury him.

To Busk: to entertain by dancing, singing, reciting, juggling, etc., on the street or in a public place.

Part 9

At one o'clock in the afternoon, as promised, everyone started gathering at the theater.

They gathered in the auditorium, waiting for everyone to arrive. Rosita arrived first. Norman wanted to accompany her but their kids couldn't be left alone. Nana was kindly having her butler sit with their kids the following day. Hobbs was not looking forward to it. Gunter soon joined her, holding her hand to comfort her as well as try to receive comfort. She hugged him. Ash and Clay arrived after. They weren't able to get there early as Clay wanted because Ash kept trying to put it off. Meena came in with Alphonso on her arm. Tyler opened up their truck outside the theater. Ryan was practically draped over Johnny's va shoulders when they arrived much to their amusement. Porsha and Nooshy arrived with them, though Porsha selected a seat separate from the others. Despite Johnny's promise that they did not blame her, she didn't feel like she deserved to sit with them. Nooshy looked at Johnny who nodded understandingly. She sat with Porsha.

Lastly, Nana arrived with Eddie. To his credit, the sheep was obviously trying his best, but he held the same expression Rosita realized they all had. Until they arrived, they could all pretend in some way, or hope it all had just been a bad dream. But no, it was all real. The mother in her made her get up and hurry to him.

"Hey, Eddie, how are you doing, sweetheart?" She asked. He just stood there, holding himself in a sad facsimile of what he really wanted. She opened her arms and pulled him into a hug. It still wasn't entirely what he wanted but he couldn't have that. So he let her hug him, leading him to the seat on the other side of her and Gunter.

Nana looked at the grieving bunch. "Now, we are all here. There's one more matter that we must discuss. I didn't want to bring it up in Redshore, it wasn't the right time. Of course, I've told you that Mr. Moon made provisions for all of you. We already talked about the theater and his only real keepsake. However, there is one more thing I made sure he did." She held out an envelope to Rosita.

Rosita opened it to find a stack of legal paperwork. She read through it, the legal jargon going completely over her head. Until she reached what looked like a chart of sorts. She read it aloud. "Declarations Page…. Beneficiaries, wait. This is an insurance policy. On Buster. $1 million split evenly between us, Miss Crawly and the theater itself."

Nana nodded. "$100,000 for each of you and the rest goes to the theater." She explained the details of the policy. "I know it doesn't make any of this better or easier but he was insistent that all of you be taken care of." She offered them each a crisp certified check.

Rosita coughed out a fresh sob. "Buster… you didn't have to do this…" She held the bittersweet gift.

Johnny looked at the check. "I can't accept this. It's like I'm profiting from his death. I can't." He tried to hand it back but Nana wouldn't take it.

"Mr. Moon would not be pleased if you didn't accept it," she assured him. "Let him rest knowing he's taken care of you, Mr. Green."

Johnny sighed and put the check in his pocket. Ryan stroked his hair and he took a deep breath, leaning into the loving touch.

Meena folded hers and put it away. She didn't want it anymore than Johnny did. However, Nana was right. "Mr. Moon always looked out for us." She was grateful for Alphonso's hand squeezing hers.

Rosita nodded. "He always will… And over the next few days, as we say goodbye, we'll have to make sure he knows we'll be okay." She reached out to each of them. "That he did everything he could for us and now it's our turn to do it for him."

Ash reached her hand out to Rosita. One by one until there was one porcupine hand, two pig trotters, a big gorilla hand and an elephant hoof. "There's only way left to go…" Ash began.

"And that's up!" The cast shouted in unison.

Nana smiled at them, glancing at her despondent grandson. Rosita was trying to include him, but it was clear that he wasn't used to the touch of a loving mother and the pain just wasn't something she could reach to soothe. She needed to find some way to reach him. Before he joined Mr. Moon out of sheer heartbreak. "Tomorrow morning, you'll all want to be here by 9. The layout will be here in the auditorium on the stage. You'll have privacy with him for the first hour. Guests will start arriving by 10…" She started describing what to expect.

Ash nodded. "And remember everyone, no black clothing. He hated black clothing." It was true. When she asked for the color black for her song, he'd scoffed saying she'd look like she was going to a funeral. The last thing he'd want for his own funeral was anything black.

—

The next morning, they returned to the theater wearing their finest. In every color except the forbidden black.

In the centerstage was an ornate casket painted in Buster's favorite blue to match his suit. Within the casket, he lay, his soft gray head on the silky white pillow.

The cast gathered around the casket, looking down on their friend.

Rosita could barely believe how good he looked. He looked like he could open his eyes and hop right out of that casket.

"Mr. Moon… Buster, I'm just… I'm sorry. When you needed me most I failed," she whispered. "I'm sorry, please forgive me…"

Norman took her hand and hugged her while taking a turn to pay his respects. "I'm sorry I didn't take your offer before but… thank you for what you've done for us." He gently led her away, patting her back.

Holding Ryan's hand, Johnny felt his lip wobble dangerously. He was so peaceful. "Mr. Moon, please… just… just wake up… We're not ready to be without you yet. I'm not ready. Please… I don't want the money… just wake up…" He pleaded but it was to no avail.

Ryan led Johnny away, finding a seat and just let him cry. The more he heard about the koala, the more he wished he'd known him better. He had not planned to tell Johnny how he felt when he did but seeing the pain weighing on the gorilla's mind, it was all he could think of that might help.

Meena was crying so hard, she couldn't even speak. Yesterday, it was easy to say they could do this but today, looking at the one who finally brought her out of her shell so that she could sing for the world and even met Alphonso because of him. Everything she was now and everything she had, she owed to Mr. Moon. All she could do now was lean over and kiss his forehead, her tears falling on his face and she had to use her handkerchief to dry him off.

The bull elephant stayed by her side the entire time until she was ready to sit down. Tyler had taken the ice cream truck to their space at the farmers market, he and Alphonso agreeing that his wise cracks had no place at such a solemn occasion. He was better off working the truck. Meena's family would be coming with the 10 o'clock crowd.

Clay stood close while Ash leaned over Buster. Her eyes were cloudy with unshed tears. Tears she wanted to cry but it felt like her eyes were all cried out. They were dry and stung with every blink.

The lion was starting to figure out why this bothered him. He could have prevented this. This started and ended with him. Crystal might have stopped his attack if Calloway had dealt with him personally. If he'd just played along. He was the oldest with the exception of the famous Noodleman and he acted childishly. Ruby must be so ashamed of him at this moment. In a rare moment of tenderness, he reached down and stroked the koala's head.

After a few minutes, he put his arms around her shoulders and pulled her away.

When Buster fell, when Rosita tried to catch him, Gunter couldn't help feeling his own level of culpability. The whole idea had been his, including Calloway. They had been dismissed and if they'd just gone home, everything would have been fine. But he just had to keep talking. He just had to pitch his own idea without thinking it through.

A trotter touched his shoulder and he turned to Rosita. "It's not your fault. It's mine. I should have just stopped talking. I don't know what is my problem. I just keep talking and talking and…"

Rosita shook her head. "No, Gunter. It's not. Your idea was a good one. It was a great show, or would have been… if… but it's not your fault. I had a chance to catch him and I couldn't…"

Norman shook his own head. "Now both of you stop that!" He said, as though addressing his kids. "It is not your fault. You didn't do this, you didn't intend for this to happen. The person who did this has been punished so stop punishing yourselves." The boar didn't like being forceful but he couldn't let them keep blaming themselves.

Rosita glanced gratefully at her husband for snapping them out of it. "Come sit with us, sweetie." She told Gunter who nodded sadly.

Eddie took his turn last and the others politely turned to each other to converse, mourning and reminiscing together. He pulled the curtain to give them more privacy. He knelt by the casket. "Buster, I don't know what to say that I haven't already said so many times. It doesn't matter. Nothing I say will bring you back. Why didn't I tell you how I felt when I could?" Tenderly, deeply, he kissed his koala. "I don't know how I'm going to survive this. I need you, Buster. I promise, I won't let my parents get in the way this time. I'll tell you everything and make you the happiest koala in the world . If you just come back." He picked up his little hand and squeezed it as though he could will life back into his best friend. "Please." His grandmother's shadow covered him and he looked up at her. "I can't live without him."

"Yes, yes you can," Nana said. "You must. If you give it time, you will heal. You will move on. There will be other loves."

"Not like this," Eddie said. "I'll never love anyone like I loved him." He caressed Buster's head. "I want to be with him."

She shook her head. "You know he'd be very unhappy if you followed after him so soon. Not when he left you a large troupe to look after for him. They need you." She reminded him of Buster's friends and family. "Go on now, go sit with them. It'll be alright." She remembered when her husband passed. She had felt a similar desire but knew her place was still with her family. She needed to keep Eddie with them.

He forced himself up and back into the gallery. Like the previous day, Rosita took it upon herself to try to comfort him and Nana let her. Eddie might be 41 but it was never too late for him to learn what a real mother was like.

—

Going on ten o'clock, Ash went outside. She didn't know if she was hoping to see Lance or not. He cheated on her and dumped her. She'd written him completely out of her life. Then he called her five years later just to make sure she was alright. Somehow, even though he didn't get to know Moon personally, he still knew that she would be hurt. She couldn't help but be touched by that. Because of that, she needed to at least do him the courtesy of welcoming him when he arrived.

"Daddy, where are we?" A little voice caught her ear. "Wow, pretty squid!" She turned to see a little porcupette and her brother walking with…

"Lance?" Ash asked incredulously. "Is that you?"

Gone was the rebel who had been determined to wow the world with his songs. In his place was a well-dressed porcupine with two children at his side.

He nodded shyly. "Yeah, said I'd come. How are you doing?" He asked.

She shrugged. "About as well as can be expected. What about you? You look so different."

He shrugged back at her. "Well I had to grow up. It was time."

"Daddy, who is this lady?" The little girl asked.

"Raquelle, this lady is a friend of Daddy's," a white lie but she couldn't expect him to say "yeah, this is the girlfriend I cheated on" to her. "Ash, this is Raquelle and my son, Little Lance. Kids, this is Ash."

She forced herself to smile politely. "Hi, kids…"

He scratched his head. "I know maybe I shouldn't have brought them but I couldn't get a sitter." He explained.

"I… I just didn't know you had kids. Are you…" She couldn't finish the question for some reason.

He shook his head. "Married, no. Becky and I… well… but she didn't want to be a mom with her career starting out so she left us after they were born. But… hey, I think I'm doing a good job. I'm trying to. Hey, they're well-fed and dressed and they can read."

She laughed. "Wow, you really have grown up. Would you like to come in?" She asked. It would take some getting used to this more mature Lance.

She led him inside. "So… how are you doing otherwise?"

He shrugged. "Alright. It's just me and them. Of course, I had to get a real job after they came into my life." She nodded and they went up to the casket together. "Hey, Mr. Moon… you were right…" he said simply. "You were right…"

Ash bit her lip as they went to join the cast. "Hey, guys, you remember Lance?"

Gunter's eyebrow went up. "Ah ze superjerk dinkleschplatt. Yes, I remember you. Too well…" He crossed his arms in disapproval of the porcupine who hurt his friend five years ago.

Lance chuckled anxiously. "Umm… hi…"

Rosita cooed when she saw two shy faces peeking out from behind Lance's red suit. "Awww, hello little ones." She proceeded to entertain the children.

Ash smiled lightly before she saw Clay behind him. "Oh, Lance, do you remember when we first started playing? Do you remember our inspiration, our hero?" She asked. "Turn around."

Lance turned and his mouth dropped. "Oh my gosh…" he whispered. "You… you're…"

He leaned over, glaring daggers into the young adult porcupine. "I know who I am. And I know who you are. And I know you are never going to hurt her again. Right?" He growled.

Eyes wide with both awe and a little fear, he nodded. "Never. Not on purpose I mean." He looked down at a tug from his daughter.

"Daddy, why are we here?" She asked. "There's nothing to do."

Lance knelt. "Raquelle, we're here because a friend of mine is going through a hard time. And I wanted to come to support her." He looked up at Ash. "I know this isn't the time or place but I do need to say that I'm sorry. I hurt you and I understand if you hate me. I won't stay, I just wanted you to know I'm here if you need me. For anything." He took his kids by the hand and walked outside.

Footsteps followed him. "Lance, wait! I'm sorry, my friends are kind of protective. Especially Clay recently."

"I'm still trying to process that you are on a first name basis with Clay Calloway! That is sick!" He laughed in a manner she recognized. Maybe he wasn't completely gone. The musician was still in him.

She nodded. "And we're living together. Just for now. Until he decides if he wants to go home or if he wants to move here permanently. It's a big decision."

Lance nodded. "So are you and he…"

She waved her hands. "Oh no. Oh, no, no, no. He's way too old for me, still very much in love with his wife. No. If anything, I think it's… well I don't know. You know my parents were hardly the best examples." She explained.

He did know. They were worse losers than he was. "I know… that's why you said you never wanted… I mean you wanted to stay…"

She nodded. "Yeah… you know it was good seeing ya. I understand if you want to get them out of here, it's tragically boring for a kid. Thank you for coming to support me though. And it was great meeting them." He was right. She was not mother material,

Lance smiled at her. "It was nice seeing you again. Take care of yourself and seriously, if you need anything, just call." He told her before taking his kids by the hand and took them down the road.

Ash watched him leave and went back inside.

—

It was quarter to ten and Porsha still wasn't ready. She didn't particularly seem eager to go. Marcus and the guys would be there soon to take them to the theater. Porsha had been invited with the Core 5 but she had refused citing she didn't want to leave Nooshy alone for an hour.

But now it was almost time to go. Nooshy sighed and knocked on the bathroom door. "Porsha, it's almost time to go." The door didn't open and she didn't respond. "Alright g-g-g-g-girlfriend…" she stumbled over the unfamiliar vernacular. "What is like up like and stuff?" The door opened and Porsha looked at her all confused. "Why are you stalling?"

Porsha shook her head. "I'm not stalling. I just want to look my best. Do you think beauty like this happens overnight?" Nooshy tapped her foot. "Fine, I don't belong there, okay! I'm not one of them even if they treat me like I am. They're just being nice to me because they feel sorry for me." She went and sat down. "It won't be long before they realize it. No matter what they say or how they spin it, I got Mr. Moon killed. It was my tantrum that set my father off. It's my fault. I destroyed my life and theirs! It's my fault! And soon they'll realize and they'll throw me out and I'll be all alone. But that's what I deserve anyway."

Nooshy groaned. "What the heck, Porsha. Fine. It's your fault, is that what you want to hear? You're right. Your tantrum is what made your dad go nuts and kill Mr. Moon." She shook her head. "Except literally has no one said that they believe that! You're 17, Porsha! You're still just a kid! Your dad was what? In his 50s? He was an adult but he threw a 17 year old's tantrum. Stop blaming yourself for your dad. He was an asshole. He didn't deserve such a great kid."

"Stop! My dad loved me!" Porsha fought the lynx's logic. "He loved me. He gave me anything I wanted."

"To shut you up!" Nooshy shouted. "It's time to get a clue. Your dad didn't care about you any more than my folks cared about me!" She knew it sounded cruel but the placating words from Marcus and Johnny weren't reaching her. "Your father gave you what you wanted to get you out of his fur. When was the last time he gave you any attention that didn't involve giving you some new shiny toy?"

"You're lying! My dad loved me! He cared about me! He was just busy all the time. He didn't have time to spend with me," Porsha trembled.

Nooshy nodded. "We make time for the things we care about. Your father never made any real time for you! He went through the motions but he didn't love you. Mr. Green wants to and he doesn't blame you. He wants to be a dad to us. Forget being a Crystal. Be a Green instead."

Porsha looked at her. "But…" She was interrupted by an unexpected and unpracticed hug from the cat. "I miss my dad. All I wanted was to spend time with him. I didn't care about meeting Calloway. I don't even know him. I wanted to be with my dad."

"Maybe on some level, he did love you but not in the way that really matters. Someone to hold when you cry or make sure you have food on your table or a warm bed," Nooshy told her. "That's what a dad does. He doesn't give you what you want all the time."

The arctic wolf nodded sadly. "And I'm not selfish for wanting that? Even now? Why do I deserve all of that?"

"Because you do and Mr. Green is a great dad," she hugged her again. "Neither of us are alone anymore. Come on. Get your dress on and let's go outside to wait for Mr. Green. I want to say goodbye even if I didn't know him long or as well as you guys did."

Porsha nodded and went to finish getting ready. She'd bought a new silvery blue A-line V-Neck Asymmetrical Chiffon Cocktail Dress With Ruffle. She had been unsure but the dress code specifically excluded any color that was not bright or happy and cheery. The color black was explicitly forbidden.

Nooshy wasn't the dressy type and didn't really have anything else. Thankfully no one had noticed yet so she had time to busk for the money to buy new clothes. Now that food and shelter were no longer a concern. She wouldn't let Mr. Green or Johnny buy her clothes. They were being nice enough already. Who knew that agreeing to coach Johnny would get her a real home with a real bed. It never would have happened if Mr. Moon hadn't talked them into going to Redshore against Suki's insistence they stay away. She could just as easily still be waking up in a cold box next to a dead fire bin and going out to busk for her day's meals. She had the koala to thank so she did want to pay her respects. She just wished she'd gotten to know him as well as the others. She wanted to know what she missed. She'd have to content herself with their stories, she supposed.

—

Adorned in their finest black attire, Mr and Mrs Noodleman arrived at ten o'clock precisely as ordered. Eddie was sitting with his new friends, still receiving mothering from Rosita. He let her since it seemed to help distract her from her own pain.

They went over to the ragtag group and Eddie stood up dutifully. "Thanks for coming, Ma, Pa…" He said softly. He quietly fixated on the black finery. Leave it to them to disrespect the dress code.

Mrs. Noodleman smiled an obviously fake smile. "Well, of course we came. I'm sorry if we didn't seem very sympathetic before dearest." She hugged her son but Rosita could see he was uncomfortable. But she didn't interfere. He wasn't her son. She frowned though when she saw they didn't come alone.

Mr. Noodleman nodded. "Eddie, you remember Olivia Oleander? You were in the same year in college." He gestured to a well-endowed ewe with dark wool. "She heard and she remembered Mr. Moon."

Eddie nodded nervously as Olivia stepped forward and offered her hand. "It's a pleasure to see you again after so long, Eddie. I'm so sorry about Buster. He was such a sweetheart even if a little naive."

Eddie cringed but knew she was at least right about that. "I loved that about him," he admitted. And it was true. He loved how excited Buster got about a new idea even if it really wasn't a good idea in retrospect and he tended to trust a little too easily. He saw his Nana glaring at his parents and the girl. "Thanks for coming."

"I'm glad I did. I remember when he organized a flash mob dance right in the middle of the cafeteria," she laughed. "Remember? He had everyone doing the Thriller dance. It was hilarious!"

He nodded, smiling at the memory. "Yeah… he loved organizing shows like that. He was always trying to top himself. Or he'd throw huge parties and try to entertain everyone with magic tricks or comedy acts."

She wiped her eyes. "It's just such a shame. This city didn't understand what a highlight he was."

His parents didn't even approach the stage or acknowledge Buster or why they were there. Instead they pushed their way into sitting with them. "Now, Eddie, you know Olivia's father owns a large automobile empire. She's also your age and I'm sure you have a lot in common." Mrs. Noodleman explained.

"Whoa! Back up! Are you trying to matchmake your son at a funeral? A funeral for someone he loved," Rosita was flabbergasted. "Of all the unmitigated gall."

Eddie held up his trotter. "I can handle it, Rosita." He looked at Olivia. "I'm sorry if they brought you here with some strange idea that we might… No. Ma, Pa, I know what you want but I'm not ready to meet anyone else, let alone marry them."

Mr. Noodleman rolled his eyes. "You have to marry someday, son, and continue the Noodleman line. We just think you should give Olivia a chance."

Clenching his trotters, trying hard to stay calm. "I will not give her a chance. If that's the only reason you came, to convince me to marry a girl that I will never love, then you can leave. No offense, Olivia, I'm sure you're a great girl but I'm not interested."

She nodded. "I had a feeling. I had no idea they had an ulterior motive when they invited me. I really did want to just pay my respects."

Mrs. Noodleman frowned. "Now son, you're acting like you're a Victorian duchess who just lost her husband. He was barely your friend, not a lover." She scolded her son. "It's time for you to grow up."

The theater became dangerously quiet and Ash was sure Eddie's eyes were on fire. "Get out!" He ordered. "Get out! I never want to hear from either of you again!"

The cast surrounded Eddie, acting as a barrier between him and his egg and sperm donors. Nana pointed at the door. "You heard him. I'm sorry, Ms Oleander. Give my regards to your parents."

She nodded. "And if there's anything I can do. I genuinely wanted to come. I'm sorry about them."

Mr. Noodleman looked at his son. "You're acting very immature right now. You know your first priority is your family."

"We're his family now," Meena said. "He said go, so go!"

Johnny cracked his knuckles, ready to get them bruised if he had to. "And we won't let you bully him anymore."

Rosita nodded. "Nana, would you mind taking Eddie upstairs?" She'd heard them malign their friend enough.

Their patron nodded with approval and led Eddie away. "You handled that with aplomb. Now, let your new family deal with these encroachers."

Nana ushered Eddie towards the stairs while they blocked the Noodlemans from following. Rosita waited just long until he was out of earshot. "Now you listen to me. Eddie might be our new leader, but this theater belongs to me. And I will not tolerate one word against Mr. Moon. He is easily worth twenty of you. So get out."

Mrs Noodleman took a sharp breath. "He is our son and he will return home with us. And he will do as he is told."

Mr. Noodleman nodded. "Our son is better off. Now that waste of air, that deluded charlatan is no longer around to corrupt him. You're obviously not a parent if you can't see that."

One might have thought the air conditioner had been set to freezing. Even the rest of the Core 5 and Norman had to step away from Rosita who was visibly seething.

"Uh oh, I think they pressed her self-destruct button," Gunter said to Norman who nodded. He rarely saw his wife this angry.

"I don't know who you think you are! You had no idea what kind of person Buster was! You never made any effort at all to get to know him! I'll have you know, I have 25 piglets, all of whom I love with every fiber of my being! Eddie is a fine sheep, despite your attempts to keep him helpless and reliant on you. Now for the last time, leave my theater!" She ordered.

"Is there a problem?" A large shadow settled over them and the sheep turned to see Marcus who had just arrived with Porsha and Nooshy.

Johnny shook his head. "Not at all, Dad. They were just leaving."

Mr. Noodleman shot a glare at Johnny but there were too many larger animals in this room. All of them were in a position to do them harm if they didn't leave. There was nothing else they could do but go.

Rosita hurried up the stairs. Eddie was safely ensconced in the main office, trying to glare a hole through the wall, Nana hovering. "They're gone now." She hugged him gently.

He shook with anger. "When I got home from the concert, they were furious with me. Saying I could have been arrested and I disgraced the family. That Buster had nearly killed us and I wasn't allowed to have any contact with him anymore… and then a few weeks later, I snuck Buster into the pool house one night and Ma decided to perform a bed check. They said if they found him on their property, they would call the police and charge him with trespassing. I let them take away any chance we might have had. I should have chosen him."

The sow moved her trotter in concentric circles on his back and shoulder. "I should have known there was a reason you stopped coming around as often. It's okay now, they can't hurt you now. You're safe and you will never have to marry someone you don't love with all your heart."

Norman watched from the door. "Ms. Noodleman," he whispered, getting the former prima donna's attention. "Can I talk to you? Privately?"

The black sheep nodded. "Certainly, Mr. Suarez." She went into Miss Crawly's office and shut the two doors. "What can I do for you?"

Norman sighed. "I'm worried. She still blames herself, no matter how I try to reassure her. I don't know what to do." He explained.

Nana considered the situation. "It'll be alright, Mr. Suarez. I will deal with it. Now, I need to ask a favor of you and your wife. I cannot let Eddie be alone. Not for a moment. The way he's been talking has confirmed that. And I'm sure you've figured out his upbringing was greatly neglected."

Norman nodded. "He's welcome to stay with us in our apartment. My kids will make sure he's never alone to do anything foolish." He promised. "I know Rosita won't mind. Some kids just weren't lucky enough to have mothers as wonderful as my Rosita. That might actually be what she needs."

Nana nodded sadly. "Indeed, I appreciate it. I wish I had seen how spoiled and snobbish my son had become. I was hoping that by purchasing the theater to rebuild and give back to Mr. Moon, they might accept him. My approval must not have been enough. I should have done something long ago." She sighed. "I wish he had told me. Either of them!" She folded her trotters together. "I will never regret having worked with Mr. Moon."

Norman shook his head and looked up as Eddie and Rosita came out of Buster's office. "I think we're ready to go back down to everyone." The sow said. "What were you two talking about?"

Her husband chuckled. "Oh, just my favorite topic. My beautiful, loving wife, and mother of my children." He took her and pulled her in for a kiss.

She giggled. "Norman, you're making me blush." He had become more romantic over the last few days and she loved it. It reminded her of when they were dating in high school. It helped with the pain. "I love you too, darling."

Nana smiled at the pair. "Eddie, dear, you'll be going home with Mr. and Mrs. Suarez after the service." Eddie only nodded in agreement. He had no more energy with which to argue.

Downstairs, the snobs finally gone, people who knew Buster in at least a small way were starting to show up. Among them, wearing his purple suit, his wife on his arm, was a little white mouse.

Meena saw him first before anyone else. "Mike, what are you doing here?" She asked.

Mike ran to the elephant. "Hey there, Meena. How's it hangin'?" When she raised her eyebrow, he sighed. "I saw the news okay. He was my friend too, ya know."

Meena nodded. "Alphonso, this is Mike. He was with us our first night."

Alphonso regarded the mouse briefly. "It's good to meet you."

Mike gestured to the lovely mouse with him. "Same here pal. This is Nancy, my wife." He kissed her cheek. "Isn't she beautiful?"

Meena forced a smile. "Well, it's nice to see you're doing well. Thanks for coming."

By the time everyone was there, the theater was filled, not one seat was left empty. Nana approached the podium as the one elected to give the eulogy.

"I first met Mr. Moon when my grandson graduated from college. I'll admit, I wasn't impressed. When I learned he'd bought this theater where I'd done my finest work, I was more than a little skeptical. And I was right. At first. He clearly didn't know what he was doing," she looked at the koala. "I thought he was a liar and a con artist. And I was right. At first. Really, he was just a desperate theater owner trying anything he could to save his dream." She remembered calling Moon a liar to his face. "Then he allowed himself to be inspired by those who shared his dream. I took him under my wing after that and it was a joy to watch him improve by leaps and bounds with every show they did together. He told me often how much he loved his troupe, how proud he was to be part of their successes. None of us could have expected he would be taken from us so soon. Fate has a sadistic sense of humor, I suppose. Now we must say goodbye. Mr. Moon, you will be deeply missed but you can rest. As long as this theater stands, your dream will live on to inspire your troupe and the others who come after. And we can take solace in knowing that as long as these hallowed halls continue to echo with music and light, you will always be here, watching every play and every concert with pride."

Everyone turned their eyes back to Buster. The gray koala in his blue suit with his red bow tie and his brown dress shoes, his expression frozen in his last proud smile.

AN: Wow, a long one. Yes, Eddie's are homophobic assholes. Don't worry, they're not heroes or even allies. Not by a long shot. Please review. Suki's not there because she wasn't invited and she has work to do back in Redshore City. She and Klaus will show up again. Klaus will be back before Suki though. I wanted to explore Lance after Sing. What if life dealt him a harsh dose of karma and boom, single fatherhood abandoned by the mother of his kids. Will he and Ash meet again after this? We'll see. And definitely think this will be it for Mike, I just have no idea what to do with him. Up next will be the memorial concert which will take place a few days later.