Darla and the Mystery of the Night Monster

chapter 8

Later on, everyone decided to celebrate with a day at the beach, mostly with Cherry sitting in her own chair and held a parasol over head to keep the sun out while everyone else had fun on the beach. Lionel was clad in a pair of orange swim-shorts and a blue marina. Atticus was swimming in the water, though oddly for him, he didn't turn into a merboy, or in this case, a mermouse, but that was probably for the best.

"Wait, if our kids DID get married, would they also get your mer-powers?" Lionel asked.

"Um... What?" Atticus asked, not really understanding the question as Darla floated by on a floaty pool toy.

"Crap, I misphrased that," Lionel replied. "I meant if Cherry and I did get married and have kids, would they also get mer-powers?"

"Well, it would depend actually," Atticus said. "I mean, my mother and Queen Athena were sisters, so it passed down onto me and my family. Cherry became an honorary mermaid because she helped us out and Uncle Triton thought it would be a nice reward. Honestly, I'm not sure, it could be a 50:50 shot either way."

"Hmmm... I guess I can live with those odds," Lionel shrugged.

"Usually though, my family and I can transfer the ability," Atticus said. "A merman or a mermaid would have to kiss you on the forehead, and you'll become a merfolk. That's what I did for Patch and now he becomes a merpuppy."

"Ah..." Lionel nodded.

"Did you wanna become a merboy?" Atticus asked.

"I guess. Could be kinda cool." Lionel replied.

"I'll see what we can do after we go back home." Atticus said.

"Hey, Atticus, you know Saleen?" Cherry smirked.

"Uh... I don't think so..." Atticus said.

"She's an evil mermaid," Cherry told those who didn't understand who she was talking about. "She works with an octopus named Armand."

"Oh..." Lionel replied. "Might as well pencil that in for later."

"I thought maybe you might know her." Cherry said to Atticus.

"Not to my knowledge," Atticus replied. "I'll ask my parents when we get back home."

Mama soon brought out some food which brought everyone out of the water to go and get something to eat.

"Alright, boardwalk food!" Lionel whooped.

"I've got cheese... I got more cheese..." Mama listed as she spread out the food.

"Well, at least it's consistent." Lionel shrugged.

"There's no such thing as too much cheese." Cherry murmured.

"Oh, what's the point... Being here?" Tanya sighed. "Life has no meaning."

"Aw, quit whining, Tanya," Lionel replied. "You're young. You'll find someone else."

"Here, eat a knish." Mama suggested.

"How's the newspaper, Papa?" Cherry asked.

"Oh, I love a story vith a happy ending." Papa smiled as he showed her the Daily Nibbler.

"Same here." Lionel nodded.

"And it's all to our brave little boy and his friends!" Mama beamed.

"That's right!" Papa added. "You all helped Nellie Brie find the monster, and it vas hiding right under our noses, and in return, she helped Fievel find courage that vas hiding right under his nose, in here." he then poked Fievel in his chest to point to his heart.

Fievel chuckled before yawning as he hugged his baby sister. "I wonder what the Dog Council did with Mousey and Tolansky?" he then said.

"Betcha they sent 'em to the pound." Tiger chuckled.

"Well, accordin' to my sources-" Tony began.

"Your sources?" Tanya glared slightly.

"Well, okay, Nellie's sources," Tony replied. "Anyway, the dogs made sure Mousey's gonna pay big for what she'd done."

"So, the pound?" Tiger asked.

"Worse," Tony smirked. "Much worse!"

And ironically enough, at that very moment...

"Come Mousey Wousey~" A woman cooed as she dragged her pet poodle on her leash.

"Oh, Mrs. Abernathy," Another woman said, seeing her. "Is that your lost poodle?"

"Yes," Mrs. Abernathy replied. "Someone must've seen my lost dog posters I put up in the park."

"And what of Tolansky?" asked Lionel.

The others shrugged to that before they chuckled to Mousey's punishment as Mrs. Abernathy took her down the boardwalk.

"Do not worry, Mousey... I will fight for you!" Tolansky glared as he peeked out. "I will make sure you have some vengeance! I will make us both have a happy ending! Even if I have to destroy a forest!" he then sounded insane. "I WILL KILL FOR YOUR HAPPINESS!" After a brief silence, he then said, "Okay, not kill. At best, inconvenience."

"Come along, Charles!" Mrs. Abernathy called to Tolansky as her husband pulled the dog along.

"Ah, well," Tolansky shrugged. "As long as I got Mousey, I'm happy."

"It's better than nothing." Mousey muttered, though she hated being stuck with her owner.

"At least I have you!" Tolansky smiled as he licked her on the cheek.

"What a bittersweet ending." Cherry commented to the others.

"Well, life at best IS bittersweet," Lionel replied. "But hey, we can all give our best to make it worth living."

"Hmm..." Cherry shrugged. "I suppose that's a good enough philosophy."

"Not to mention, Fievel's nightmare problems are kaputsky!" Lionel added.

"Yes, maybe Fievel can finally calm down and get some sleep." Mama added with a smile.

Everyone soon looked over to see that Fievel had fallen asleep and he looked calm this time.

"You vere saying?" Papa smirked to his wife.

"Sveet dreams, my little Fievel." Mama smiled happily.

"I suppose that rounds it out nicely." Lionel remarked, giving Cherry a kiss.

"Mm-hmm..." Cherry replied with a small nod. "Guess we'll go home then."

"Aww..." Darla pouted.

"Hey, don't sweat it!" Lionel replied. "We can visit them anytime!"

"Okay..." Darla said.

"Think you'll have any more nightmares after the great friend you've been, kiddo?" Atticus smiled.

"Hmm... I guess not." Darla smiled back.

"That's the spirit, kiddo!" Lionel beamed.

Darla gave a small smile to that.

"Well, until next time, whichever point the next story takes place, so long, everybody!" Lionel waved.

"Does he always do that?" Darla asked.

"More or less." Cherry replied.

Lionel shrugged. "You get used to it." he replied as the scene faded to black.

The End.