Mister Gadget's FurryLand

FantasyFan42 Vlog Entry 666 (WattFest)

A copy of the vlog transcript from FantasyFan42's video, June 14, REDACTED

I can't believe it. You probably won't believe it either. I'm still out of breath. But...I just saw something horrible.

I finally got to return to Lucas Lite's Fantasyland. It's my all-time favorite theme park. I must have gone at least 100 times; the rides are the best. Normally, I go like a few times a year, but times have been tough, and I haven't been back in a year. Anyway, as soon as I stepped through the gate...I knew something was off. The music playing over the PA's sounded the same on the surface, but there was something darker to it now. The characters that roam the park...they were creepy. This kid got a hug from Tiny Thunder. And, I swear I heard the kid groan. And I'm sure a person who got a handshake from Wilber Wags had his hand broke. The food also tasted moldy; it looked fine, but tasted bad.

It was strange, but I couldn't prove anything. Not until the haunted hill ride. I was waiting in line when this mother said her son hadn't gotten off the ride. In fact, there were others who said the same. They'd stayed behind while a family member or members went on a ride, but they never came off. The workers would just let more people on to the ride. I decided to investigate. And, whoo, did I get more than I bargained. I found the people from the ride being taken into this room and strapped into some weird machine. It looked like some kind of stasis pod from some sci-fi movie. That's when things got really freaky. Because, when the person playing Matthew Moose took off his mask...I saw...underneath...Matthew Moose. But not the family-friendly anthropomorphic moose who welcomes everyone and sings and dances. This Moose was twisted...mangled. I gasped at the sight of this real life cartoon character (and also from having just seen the flagship character from my favorite childhood theme park twisted into some unholy spawn of the underworld). My gasp alerted the creature to my presence. I ran.

Now here I am. Out of breath. And...and I just don't know what to do. Who do you call when cartoon characters attack? The police? The military? ToonBusters?

"🎵 Oh Danny boy, the pipes are calling you. 🎵"

*gasps* It's Mindy and Matthew Moose (no relation). They're coming for me. How'd they figure out my name.

"Why don't you want to play with us, Dan?" (Mindy) "I thought you loved Fantasyland. You've always been our best guest."

*Dan starts to hyperventilate* They're almost here. I can see...is that? Oh, man, it's a hand.

*The hand of Matthew Moose slowly clutches the wall. His moose nose and antlers start to peek around the corner. Dan's panicked breathing increases ten-fold.* "I know you're here." (Matthew) *Matthew's eye starts to become visible.*

AAAAH!!

*Sounds of thuds and things falling can be heard as the video goes dark.*

What's going on?

*A small light appears.*

"Calm down, Dan. It's all right."

Who? What's going on?

*An elderly gentleman dressed in a white suit, black tie, and black dress shoes steps out of the shadows. He sports a slightly bushy mustache and is carrying a white and black top hat.*

Oh my, gosh. You're...you're...

"Lucas Lite. At your service. Now for your second question. The park has been involved in a hostile takeover."

That's an understatement.

"My competitor, Mr. Darkk, has summoned the mangled versions of my characters from the Darklands. These are beings from a parallel world that didn't survive the destruction of their world. They have fallen to the Dark. They have imprisoned my 'characters' and taken the park from me. Mr. Darkk now controls it. He is gathering people for his twisted agenda."

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Are you telling me that Matthew Moose, Wilber Wags, and the rest are...real?

"Indeed. Like their dark versions, their world began to fall victim to the Void. But I was able to rescue most and give them a home in my amusement park. I built this place as a sanctuary for them and any other character I could help."

Why is he doing all of this?

"To trap the guests in a series of endless virtual simulations."

Why?

"To control stories. If you can control the stories we tell, you can control mankind. These simulations aren't fake. They are real stories from real people. Darkk is altering them so that the stories become as twisted as he is. This will affect mankind at large causing disastrous results. You have to escape, Dan, and upload your video to the Interwebs. I pray the message can get to the one who can help us. Now, please, go before it is too late."

*The video goes blank for a few seconds before returning. Dan is panting heavily. Jerky images are seen as Dan runs. Horrible screeching noises can be heard in the background. Glimpses of mangled monsters flash in and out. Eyes and arms reach out for Dan.*

AAAAAH!!

*The images spin and a brief picture of the sky becomes visible. A clatter follows and Dan can been seen on the ground after he'd tripped. The grinning ghoulish anthropomorphic animals close in on Dan. He stumbles to his feet and scoops up the recording device. The images return to jerky blurs as Dan's breathing picks up. Finally, the gate comes into view.*

Yes.

I'm almost there.

*Dan grabs hold of the gate. Suddenly, a hand grabs Dan's hand. Dan is forced around. A middle-aged man in a black zoot suit, red stripped tie, gold chains near his belt, and black and red top hat appears. He has a pointed goatee.*

"Tsk, tsk. We can't let you leave just yet, Dan. After all, you're the guest of honor." *Mr. Darkk begins laughing evilly.*

*The video goes black.*

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Words: 999
Entry for the WattFest Flash Fiction
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