The Country Bears: The Girl Behind the Bears

Kidnapped

It wasn't long until they reached Beary's house. Ted decided to go in and talk to Beary alone. Mari wanted to check on him as well, but Ted insisted that he alone needed to set things right with the cub. Roadie went with him, he needed to use the bathroom.  

While Ted and Roady were inside, everyone else waited patiently. 

"Ya think Ted will convince Beary to come back with us?" Fred asked.

"I sure hope so. I just hope he gives him a good apology. Ted may be good with lyrics, with words no so much." Henry joked, making everyone laugh. Just then, they heard the bus door open. Thinking it was Roady, Mari got up to go see but was met face to face with Reed Thimple and blowdart gun.

"Hello there, little lady." He had a sinister smile. Mari backed away slowly. The bears were about to get up when Reed pointed the gun at her. "Ah ah, not fast. These darts have enough tranquilizer in them to knock out an elephant. I wonder what would happen if one hit her." The bears stopped and sat back down, not wanting to take that risk. "Now, sit back and enjoy the ride. " He said and laughed manically. He got in the driver's seat, closed the doors and floored it. Mari fell to the ground but quickly got and crawled back to Tennessee. He picked her up and held her tight.

Roady saw the bus taking off and ran to get everyone in the house.

They drove for a bit before pulling up to an abandoned warehouse. Thimple had a tight grip on Mari's arm and the dart gun pointed at her back.

"Come on, move along. Move it or she gets a dart in the back!" 

"Keep your suspenders on, Thimple." Henry shot at the man. "I am definitely changing banks."

"Oh, pooh." Reed mocked him. "I hate it when we lose a customer. Once all the bears were in the cage, Thimple shoved Mari in as well.

"Watch it, creep!" She glared at him. Henry pulled her to his side, knowing her temper.

"Why are you doing this?" Fred asked.

"I can't have that show.I can't have you ruin what I've been working on for 30 years." 

"30 years?" Henry exclaimed. What was this nut job going on about. "What's the problem, Bub?"

"You ruined my life!" Thimple yelled.

"Well, it's not our fault you became a banker." Zeb said.

"Not that."

"Then what are you talking about?" Henry asked.

"This!" Thimple said as he set the gun aside, took off the sash of darts and his jacket and tie. He loosened the top few buttons on his shirt. 

"Dude! What are doing?" Mari said in disgust. 

"This!" He said and he started...armpit farting?

He sounded like he was playing a song. Mari didn't recognize it, but something clicked for the bears.

"Oh my word!" Henry exclaimed. "You're Benny Bogswaggle!"

"The armpit farter!" Zeb added.

"Eeewww."They all said.

"That's right. A sweet, innocent kid you jerks beat all those years back." Now the story sounded familiar to Mari. Fred had told her about it when she was five. 

"Sweet and innocent?" She questioned.

"You hit me with a chair!" Zeb pointed at him.

"And since that day, I've been plotting my revenge. Waiting for the day I'd destroy the place that brought me my misery!" Reed said as he moved towards them menacingly. "Well, that day...is tonight!" He laughed like a mad man and slammed the door shut. He walked off, headed for country bear hall.

"Great." Mari groaned and leaned against the door of the cage. "That psychopath is gonna destroy the hall and dad and the other have no clue where we are." Zeb wrapped an arm around her.

"Don't give up just yet kiddo."

Suddenly, they heard a crash. They all looked up to see a boat flying towards them with...Ted in it?

"Back up!" Henry shouted. Zeb grabbed Mari and pulled her out of the way. The boat just barely hit the door and sent it crashing to the ground. Everyone just stared in shock for a moment.

"What just happened?" Mari asked.

"That was pretty nifty." Zeb said. Ted looked up and sighed.

"Thanks."

"What do you say we go show Thimple who's boss, huh?" Henry said.  Everyone agreed.

"Bearrr...Powerrr!" Zeb cheered. Everyone just stared at him. "Sorry."

Yeah, let's go."

They left the warehouse and found the bus where her dad and the Bearingtons were. Mari ran straight for her father. 

"Dad!" She threw her arms around him and he did the same.

"Geez, kid." He said and released her, looking her any injuries. "Gave me a scare there. You alright? That guy didn't hurt you, did he?" 

"No, I'm fine. But we need to hurry. The Hall's future depends on it."

"Then let's go save it!" He said as they all loaded onto the bus and headed for Country Bear Hall.