The Cat Queen 15

Chapter 15

Back in the forest, the raccoons are asleep in the Raccoondiminium, with Bert snoring very loudly. Just then, they wake up to someone knocking on the door and they open it to see Colin standing on the front porch.

Bert: (sleepily) Oh, Colin, it's you...what are you doing here?

Colin: Have you guys seen Angel anywhere?

Melissa: Angel? We thought she was with you.

Colin: She was, but now I can't find her.

Suddenly, they hear somebody laughing and they turned to see Mama Odie.

Mama Odie: You won't find her here. The queen...has returned.

Colin: (smiles) I can't believe it...she's gone back!

Bert: Gone back? What are you talking about? (Notices that Mama Odie had disappeared) Hey! What's goin' on here? Who is she?

Colin: Angel has gone back to challenge Butch.

Bert: Who?

Colin: Butch?

Ralph: Butch? As in...King Snooper's half-brother?

Colin: Yes, and Angel's uncle.

Bert: Whoa, that old cat is her uncle? Why didn't that old lady say that when she introduced Hakuna Matata to us the first time?

Colin: No! I mean, Angel has gone back to the Cartoon Kingdom to challenge her uncle Butch, to take his place as queen!

The three look at each other, then look back.

Bert, Ralph, & Melissa: Ohhhhhh...

Bert: So...does that mean...we have to go after her?

Colin: If it's for the sake of teamwork, then we shall. Come on, let's go.

Later on, Angel arrives at the lip of a cliff and comes upon what used to be her former home. She looks on in shock. The Cartoon Kingdom isn't what it used to be as it seemed to be as terrible as the Pokemon Graveyard. Seeing the kingdom in its state puts a combined look of determination and fury on the cat's face.

Colin: (running up to her) Angel, wait up! (Looks around) It is awful, isn't it?

Angel: I didn't want to believe you but...now I do.

Colin: What made you come back? What made you change your mind?

Angel: I finally got some sense knocked into me. And I've got the bump to prove it. Besides, this is my kingdom. If I don't fight for it, who will?

Colin: I will.

Angel: It will be dangerous, you know?

Colin: Danger? Ha! I laugh in the face of danger. Ha ha ha ha!

Bert: I see nothing funny about this.

Angel: (surprised) Bert, Ralph, Melissa! What are you doing here?

Ralph: (bowing with Melissa) At your service.

Bert: So...we're going to fight your uncle...for this?

Angel: I know it's bad now, but yes, Uncle Bert...this is my home.

Bert: Well, it's gonna need some tune-ups and work, let me tell you. But...you, Ralph, and Melissa are the only three in the entire world who have NEVER double-crossed me. Plus, it's good for the self-esteem to be on the winning team ever so often. If THIS deal IS that important to you... well, we're with you to the end.

Angel smiles. She and her allies look over the ledge once more. They knew they got some work to do.

The heroes sneak around the Cartoon Kingdom and arrive at the edge of the castle. Looking from behind a rock, they see the Greasers and the other villains sleeping lazily.

Bert: Humph, villains. I hate those freaks, even badder than Cyril Sneer himself. They're the worst.

Angel: I presume you have had run-ins with those guys before?

Bert: Yeah, back when we were living here. So, what's your plan for gettin' past those guys?

Angel: Live bait.

Bert: Good idea. That isn't... (Realizes) Hey...

Angel: Come on--you guys have to create a diversion.

Bert: What do you want me to do? Dress in drag and do the hula?

Melissa: That means--(Realizes and facepalms) Oh, no...

Ralph: (shakes his head) That's way out of character for us to play along.

Bert: But we have to, anyway.

Suddenly, the villains hear some drums playing and turn around. Surprisingly, there's Bert dressed like a hula dancer, with both Ralph and Melissa set up like two stuffed hogs, apples in their mouths. Bert is singing and playing the guitar.

BERT: (singing)
Luau!
If you're hungry for a hunk of fat and juicy meat
Eat my buddies here because they are a treat
Come on down and dine
On these tasty 'coons
All you have to do is get in line

Drooling hungrily, the villains, some with forks and knives, come over, planning on eating not just Ralph and Melissa, but Bert as well. Both raccoons sing along as they put the apples in front of them. Melissa winks, signaling for Angel and Colin to walk behind the villains, sneaking to the castle as the bad guys surround the raccoons.

BERT: (singing)
Aaaare you achin'
Foooor some raccoon, ay?
Heeee's some raccoons
You could be a big one too
Oy!

By now, the villains have surrounded the three. Their distraction had worked, and the raccoons scream as they run off with the hungry bad guys in pursuit.

Angel: Colin, go find my mom and rally all those you know who don't follow Butch. I'll look for Butch.

Colin nods and leaves. Angel begins to make her way up the cryptic castle. She looks around for Butch, but she doesn't have to search for long...

Butch: JENNY!

Jenny, not afraid, ascends the steps of the castle to where Butch is. The remaining villains growl as they snap at her from a few inches back, trying to bite her. She glares disdainfully at them as she ascends. She arrives and stands next to her late husband's half-brother.

Jenny: (frowning angrily) What do you want now, Butch?

Butch: Where is your hunting party, my wife? They're not doing their job. (Puts his paw around her waist and pulls her foward)

Jenny: (pulls away from him) Okay, first off, you are not my husband, so stop calling me your wife, while you have one already. And secondly, we can't hunt anymore because there's no food. The herds have moved on.

Butch: No! You're just not looking hard enough!

Jenny: It's over. There's nothing left. (Sighs) We've only got one choice. We have to leave the castle.

Butch: We will do no such thing!

Jenny: Then you have sentenced us to death!

Butch: Then so be it. (Turns around to leave)

Jenny: You...you can't do that!

Butch: I'm the king. I can do whatever I want!

Jenny: If you were half the king Snooper was, you would nev...

Enraged, Butch turns around and slashes Jenny hard, with his paw knocking her to the ground.

Butch: I'm ten times the king Snooper ever was!

Suddenly, he hears an angry meow, which makes him, Jenny, and the others look up in shock.

Angel: BUTCH!

Butch gasps in shock and fear as he sees a familiar figure on the edge. There, on the ledge...was Angel!