Daily Life Part 2:

The definition of sleep is allowing the body and mind to rest for a maximum of eight hours. The mind will sometimes play images that we call dreams which form based on our imaginations, or bits and piees of our memories. Most of my dreams are daring adventures while earning praise from my sisters and father. Though last night dream troubled me a great deal. Guess a better word to describe it would be nightmare.

In the nightmare, I was in a void of darkness. In the darkness is where I heard yells and screams for help. I looked around to try and find where the voices where coming from, however not even my sharp hearing could locate them. I felt scared and frustrated about my situation. I'm a hero yet trapped in this void of darkness, people pleading their hearts out for help, I being useless to them. Then one voice that broke pass all the others. I fell to my knees. Adorabat....

"Mao Mao!! Where are you?! Please come back to me!! I need you!! Monsters are invading the valley, I can't do this alone....Please....I need you....I don't want to be alone....I need my hero..." She sounded so scared, obviously sobbing.

"Adorabat!! I am right here! Tell me where you are!!" I called out. Looking around desperately to find my dear little deputy.

"You left me alone......" Her voice began to fade away.

"No! Adorabat, I would never leave you! We will find you I swear, my little deputy! Badgerclops and I will escape and find you!" I called out more. What is the use of night vision if I can't see my apprentice?!

Just as I was about to lose hope. I saw a small blue figure standing in the center of the void. Adorabat?! Without giving it a second thought, I ran to her.

"Adorabat!!" Just as I was about to give her a long awaited hug, her nex words forced me to wake up.

"You failed me...some hero"

I woke up in tears. Mono-chan's mind games are really messing with my head. Here I thought nightmares of puppets would terrify me. How much longer can I fight off this pain? What did she mean by "You failed me"?. Is it because me and Badgerclops aren't there with her? Did Mono-chan do something to her? Was this all just another mind game to drive me crazy enough to kill?

Sick....Just sick

Still had an hour before I needed to go to the Morning Annoucement. One I will spend clearing my thoughts as well as calm my nerves to the best of my abilities. I should be okay, for now at least.

Father told me that even the most deadliest of monsters can be slayed. Does that apply to fears or our own inner troubles. Are they not monsters themselves? How could I slay what I do not understand? More importantly, how do we stop a monster that can't be slayed, one with the power to make us play her twisted games like Mono-chan?

However if we are trapped here... How does the outside world fare? Is it the sameas we known or a worse hell then this?

The hour went by faster than I thought it would. I supposed that I have calm down the best that I could. Haven't felt like this in a long time. The intense feeling of fear or being useless in a situation that is in dire need for a hero. Only after witnessing Countess Ruby shows is the moment these terrors began to spoke to me.

I opened the door to the Dinner Hall. Perhaps some food will further assist in calming my nerves. I should tell Badgerclops about this too. I got another hunch about something, something about that park twists your mind.

I got today's breakfast of oatmeal with grapefruit along it was. a tall glass of milk. My eyes caught Night and Snugglemagne happily talking to each other again. Seems like she finally forgave him. Good for you Night.

Badgerclops and Cyber invited me over to their table to sit with them. I accepted without a second thought.

"Heya Dude! Howdid you sleep? Did you have any nightmares of you know what?" He did his best to keep my fear a secret from Cyber. I really appreciate that.

"Not about them. Though I did have one about Adorabat" I explain the details of my dream to him.

"Dude...." He looked just as I did when I woke up from dream. Terrify and all kinds of worried.

"I know. We need to get out of here. Adorabat needs us. Probably scared out of her mind....Alone..." I shivered a bit at the last word I spoke.

Alone.... No one deserves that. Especially a five year old child.

"Anyways I met the other three puppets yesterday. Jade the Performer who runs "Hurricane Swings". Jolt the Ride Operator who seems to run "Logoaster Flutide". Then me and Sorrow ran into a elmwood baby penguin puppet named Flakes. By the looks of him, he seems to be in charge of the plaza" Cyber chimed in. Glad to see that he's becoming less shy around others now.

Three? Shouldn't there be four? Now there are five of these puppets roaming around?! Ugh!!

"That means at least one may know how to leave this place" I thought to myself

"Hello~ Mono-chan could not attend today. Cotton candy stomache. So it is my greatest honor to be temporary Ultimate Headmaster till then~ Ladies and Gentlemen~ Sweetypies of all ages~ Feast your eyes on the coldest yet lovable penguin made of Arctic elmwood, Flakes Penguinette the Ulitmate Puppet Assistant! I'm very pleased to meet you all. Hopefully we'll all have a chilling delightful time together!" We all turned to see our temporary headmaster.

Flakes was practically a mirror image of Mono-chan. On the left side of his body was navy blue elmwood as well as floofy feather hair too. His left eye was fushica pink crystal. The right was all black with a massive crack where his eye should be. More of a claw mark gash. He wore a black top hat with a navy blue ribbon along with a black rose which had strange blue leaves. He wore a navy blue scarf too.

"Does that mean that you have something to give us?" Night broke the silence first

"Yes. Please take these tickets" He handed out several different cards to us.

I got a lime green card with the twin clovers symbol for the "Hurricane Swings". Then I got a light blue water like card with a dragon head symbol on it. The only place in the place related with dragons is the "Logocoaster Flutide". Well Mono-chan did mention it was a ride. Come to think of it, the operator didn't say anything to is. They stayed in the shadows the whole time. Strange....

"That's all for now~ Have a blizzard of fun!" Flakes sang before vanishing.

A morror image as well as copying her tricks. It seems Flakes is the perfect substitute for Mono-chan. Least he seems more friendly.

"Mister Mao Mao....May I accompany you" Sorrow walked up to me. They had a lime green card for "Hurricane Swings" just like me.

"Sure!" This was the best oppurnity to get to know Sorrow better. Might be my one and only chance.

In a flash, we took the log with the twin clovers symbol to the "Hurricane Swings". Let me tell you that this ride was way more bumpier than the others. Sorrow just remained silent the whole time. It was pretty concerning for a kid their age.

We got off and were greeted by yet another one of those accursed wooden puppets. More nightmares! Just why did Mono-chan choose them as assistants anyways?!?!

"Heya! I'm up here!" The voice came from above us.

We saw a green frog puppet swinging around the bars which connected to the chains of the duo colored swing chairs. She was made with palm tree wood dyed a summer green. Her huge crystal eyes were a crimson red. She wore a bright yellow performer's dress covered in emerald green palm leaf designs. She wore white tights too which had a few slight tears on them. Probably from her stunts like swinging fifteen feet in the air on the bars of the ride itself.

The puppet jumped down to greet us. Springs on the soles of her feet gave her a real spring in her step. Mono-chan certainly pays attention to species details.

"Hello...." Sorrow greets the frog.

"Aww why so sad? What you need is a twister of an attitude change! Jade Springuppet the Ultimate Performer will surely make you leap for joy!" She smiled, on her tongue was the twin clovers symbol in dark green ink.

"Sorry.....I no longer feel anything but sadness. No happy or feeling mad....For all I feel is sad" Sorrow sighed

"Huh? You can still have fun right?" Jade asked them.

Kind of glad that Jade did not notice me yet. I'm terrified as it is already.

"I suppose" Sorrow answered Jade's question.

"Welp, I see you two have "Hurricane Swings" cards" She swiped the cards from our hands. "So which ride mode would you like?"

Ride mode?

"R-ride mode? Care to explain?" I struggled to ask. Trying my best to keep a brave front for Sorrow's sake.

"Yup! We have three modes on the swings. One is "Whirlwind", It spins at standard speed. Two is "Twister", it increases the ride speed by three and you get the feel as if you're in a real live twister. Mode three is my personal favorite and the name of the ride itself! Mode three is "Hurricane", the ride goes at level ten speed that if you sit in the special chair....You'll be hurled all the way to another attraction!! HEHEHEROAK~ It nearly happened to that porcupine kid on "Twister" Mode. Ashame that wolf grabbed him before he fell out" Jade was just as sick as Mono-chan! Her smile was just a twisted form of happiness. She then smiled more. "His screams were my personal favorite. The sheer terror errupting from the tippy top from his little lungs! He might be my favorite player so far"

I paled. Who gets this happy about screams?! This place is tthe fuel place of all nightmares!

"So which mode would you like?" Jade asked

"Mode-" I wanted to say mode one but Sorrow beat me to it.

"Mode two" Sorrow answered.

What?! Is this kid insane?!

"Excellent choice! Hop on in" She guided us to our seats

Now is the perfect time to talk to Sorrow! Like ask them why they chose this mode!!

"Sorrow...Why did you pick "Twister" ?!" I accidentally yelled as we put our seatbelts on

"....I like dangerous situations. I don't have a clear memory of my life before becoming Sorrow" They turned to me

Amnesia like Cyber? What was their past life before becoming the Ultimate Sadness? What was their true name? Not Sorrow but a true name....

"I remember his smile..." Sorrow spoke again. "I think I had this friend who got into dangers with me. Though seeing his smile helped me laugh. At least it used to.."

"What happened to this friend?" I asked while the ride began to move. My neon green eyes soley focused on Sorrow.

"He disappeared three years ago" They answered. "After that I became the Ultimate Sadness"

So that's how it happened. Shock caused the poor kid to forget their past slef and become Sorrow. All due to losing a friend... The pain of losing a friend... I knew that feeling all too well....

The ride spun around faster. I screamed as I slowly started to feel my stomach churn. Sorrow said nothing. Kid had nerves of steel. The ride lasted about ten more minutes before it finally stopped. Jade let us out shortly afterwards. I immediately dashed to the nearest trashcan and puked my stomach out till it was empty.

"You're screams were hilarious!!" Jade laughed "Heheheroak!"

Oh shut it Jade!! Let me puke in peace!

"Will you be okay...?" Sorrow asked. Their tone sounded generally concerned

I gave them a thumbs up. May this gift I give them, finally give them happiness again.

"Here" I haned them a sixty four pack of crayons. "I noticed you like to draw and color with Kevin. Thought you might like these" I smiled

Sorrow took the crayons before holding them close. Like a special treasure. Thank you" They whispered before leaving.

I waved goodbye then I realized that I never asked about their gender! Ugh! Stupide Jade and her dumb swings! Bet they aren't up to code! Well at least I learned a bit about them. A piece in the puzzle of questions.

Well, I got one card left and time to spare. Time to ride the "Logocoaster Flutide"! Just pray that the puppet running it stays in it's shadowd. Just stay in it's shadows...

I saw Tanya was there. Waiting for me.

She was standing there, looking up at the ride. Her turquoise eyes staring at it fondly. She closed them while taking in a breathe of warm air. She knew I was there.

"Heya Mittens~" Not even having to turn around to face me. Greets me kindly.

"Tanya, how long have you been waiting for me?" I asked, moving closer to her.

"Not long. Come on. Let's ride this coaster together. Me and you, just like old times" She took my hand and we walked to the ride's entrance.

She seems troubled. I never seen Tanya like this before.

"Hello there" We both jumped as a voice greeted us from the shadows.

Oh come on!!! Not another puppet! Huh... this one seems much more different than the other ones.

A tabby grey and and white kitten puppet made out oakwood approached us. He look damaged , cracks around his right eye. His entire left arm was missing. Sparks came out of the socket where it should be. His right eye was a silverish grey. On his forehead was the dragon head symbol forcefully carved. He wore a torned shirt that appeared to have been blue, now heavily faded and dirty. Even is tail that that he was struggling to drag needed maintenance. It barely moved. When it did, it made a unbearable squeak sound.

I can't believe it. I'm starting to feel sad for this puppet. It begins to outweight my fear. Puppet or not, this is just a kid. It angers me to see him in such a state.

"I'm Perc- Jolt Craddlestrings....The Ultimate Ride Operator. I am the youngest here. I am in charge of running "Logoaster Flutide". I assume you two are here to ride the actual ride.... Heh, been a while since anyone came to ride since they took over" He smiled sadily

"So you all weren't made by Mono-chan, were you?" I asked as I kneeled down to Jolt level.

"Noo..Flakes was made by her. The rest f us were taken from our old home. My friends got reprogrammed.... They nearly got me but Flakes just destroyed parts of me so that I couldn't fight back. Making me defenseless so I can't stop him. That's all I can say" He looked away, Focusing on his missing arm. "Let's get you two on the ride" He tried to smile the best he could.

I remember that Mono-chan said that there were cameras everywhere. Probably the real reason Jolt isn't talking. Judging by his injuries, if he talks then he gets hurt. Here I thought that Flakes wasn't so bad. Guess the saying is true. You never know the person behind the mask they wear on the outside.

We followed Jolt to the special log cart with the dragon head symbol. We got in before Jolt started the ride.

"Have a lovely ride" He smiled as the log began to move down the water.

Tanya softly moved her hand through the cold water, her mind seemed to be elsewhere. Never in all the time that I lnew her had she ever been this quiet.

Wonder what got her so troubled? Time to talk.

The ride began to go up the first flume hill which was about fifteen feet tall. Much taller than an average log flume hill. It was going to take a while before we got to the top, so it is a perfect time to talk.

"So what's on your mind?" Tanya looked at me in surprise

"Hm? Oh I guess what's been happening lately has finally hit me. I've been helping Sorrow and Cyber through their grief that I haven't really been thinking of my own. Mittens, I don't want to lose anyone else. Our secret was revealed today...The real reason why we stopped working together...I ignored the rules the day we went to save that young raccoon kid... he was nearly killed because I broke the rule about using the woods as a shortcut. The villagers warned us about the monster that lived there yet I still ignored them and broke it....Now that boy is missing an earbecause of me" She ran her hands down her face.

I remember that day too. A bear like monster had been plaguing the forest the forest for years before we came to the village. I clearly remember telling Tanya to avoid the forest to get the boy back to the village, while I handled his kidnappers. Once I finished with them and took out their jackal leader who was just crazy. I made my way back to the village. Then I heard screams from the forest. It was the boy. Tanya held him as she was fighting the monster back. The boy was sobbing as he was holding where his right ear was. We managed to get away and get away and get the boy back to his father. The two of us yelled at each other about the rules and risks till we parted ways. To be honest, I haven't thought about that day for a long time. Despite that risk....it was not Tanya's fault exactly.

"Tanya.... That day was not your fault. When we were rushing back to the village, remember we took the long way back? That jackal leader burned down the bridge after we crossed it. They had planned to trap us. You were just trying to get the boy back home fast. He is still alive thanks to the amazing bounty hunter before me. The father even thanked us because all he cared about is that he got his son back home safe. I was mad that day because I thought you broke the rules do to your own ideals. So you're the one who taught me that there are times where the rules must be broken. I promise I'll keep our friends safe, Keys! You are one of my friends after all" I held her hand and gave her a reassuring look.

"Mittens...." She then leaned in close, putting her head against mine. Nuzzling her head softly against mine. "You really have changed. I am glad that we are friends again"

I hugged her and smiled "Me too, Tanya. Me too"

We finally got to the top of the hill before the huge drop down. Then series of hills, sharp turns, a few spirals. Even a bigger hill that must have been thirty feet tall. At the drop, our picture was taken and I got drenched. Not Tanya. Just me.

Why is it that every time I get in a log ride, it's only me who gets soaked?!

Tanya laughed at this. Seems like this cheered her up. Glad about that at least. We got out the log and made our way back to the dorms.

Didn't see Jolt though. Hope he's okay.

Well I have one more surprise for Tanya before we call ot a night.

"Here you go" I handed her a crystal leaf necklace that looks like the ones that Tanya always uses. I actually got it for her during our days being partners together.

"Oh Mittens... It's beautiful" She put on the silver chained necklace, placing her hand on the crystal leaf. "Thank you Mao Mao"

"Thank you for being my friends again, Tanya. Thank you for supporting me through this whole ordeal" I smiled softly before going to my dorm room.

I could feel that me and Tanya friendship got closer today.

I fell asleep in a real good mood. Maybe there won't be another Killing Game! All we have to do is escape from here.

Just as I was having my hopes up, the unthinkablehappened. Something that sicken my stomach to the core.

A loud alert with fog horn echoes while flashing red lights made me wake up with a jolt. Then the Echoes change into creepy carnival music only played at abandoned amusement parks. Laughter soon followed. My Monophone chimec as a video link appeared. This is certainly different from how Mono-chan did things. I did my best to prepare myself for what I was about to see. This scene would forever haunt me more than any nightmare. A horror for those who had pupaphobia like me.

The moment I clicked the video, I paled. In the video was Flakes sitting on Mono-chan's throne. Around him were the destroyed bodies of Ruby, Acro, and Jade. Their bodies were practically scrap or a pile of firewood by now. Howevet their crystal eyes glew as if their souls stayed trapped in their wooden prisons. Thsnk goodness that Jolt wasn't there. He must have gotten away. As I stared more closely, I became more horrorified. Above Flakes were marionettes of us. The ones of Farmer Bun and Muffet on the floor. Discarded like trash. Flakes was in complete darkness other then the light from the video recorder. He smiled in pure happiness as his cracked eye emitted a omnious red glow. Almost demonic like.

"My my, looks like my little friends aren't the only ones who kicked the bucket. Well they can be rebuild but players can not sadly" He hummed before chuckling. "I gotta say that I didn't except my domain becoming a murder scene, yet that's how the wood splinters eh? That being said...hm? How does lady Mono-chan say it? Hmmmmm...Oh right!" Flakes claps before picking up the three puppet heads, twirling around without a care in the world. "Bing Bong Ding Dong~ A body has been discovered~ Players please head over to the "Logoaster Flutide"! Hehehehaha~" He then crushed the head into wood chips. Laughing wildly before the video ended.

"Wha..." All I could manage to say. My legs felt like jelly for the first time. As if it is a feeling crushed by an overwhelming feeling of dread. After about my third try, I finally made my way to Mono-Plaza. My willpower was the only thing that was helping me move. Why? How could I let this happen again? Why is my heart hurting more than before? Was this personal?

If a body has been discovered at "Logoaster Flutide", then Jolt must have seen something. He runs the ride after all.

Before I could enter "Logoaster Flutide", Badgerclops stopped me. What does he think that he's doing?!

"Badgerclops let me in" I demanded

"Mao Mao, you can't see her like this..." His voice trailed off as he looked away from me.

Her?

"Who is it? Night? Penny? Dr.Cuddlestien? .....Tanya?" I could already feel the color drained from my face.

My heart clenched hard as if it already knew. No....No...

"Mao,I'm so sorry...Look you shouldn't see her like this. Flakes already agreed that you can sit this one out. Listen...Don't let this be how you remember her" He knew that I figured it out. He tried to hug me but I pushed him away.

"Let me in" My voice was shaking yet I kept my tone as serious as possible

"Mao-"

"LET ME SEE HER!!" I pointed Geraldine at him. Tears clouded my vision. Why? WHY HER?! I was with her just a few hours ago! Just a few hours ago...

Badgerclops hesitated but he he did not move.

"If you vauble our friendship then move!" I yelled, gripping harder on Geraldine handle. More tears blued my sight.

"Mao.."" Badgerclops sighed in defeat before finally letting me pass.

I threw Geraldine to the floor and rushed inside. There everyone had gather. Cyber was being comforted by Ol' Blue. Penny and Benny were sobbing hard as the two hugged one another. Rufus lean against the wall, he seem troubled and disturb by something. Most likely her body... Snugglemagne and Kevin were sobbing nearby the entrance. Their hearts probably couldn't take what they witnessed. Surprised Night wasn't with them. She and Orangusnake were talking close by the two. Bothappear to be having a private conversation among themselves. Night stopped talking the moment she saw me. Her eyes looked so sorry for me.

"Where? I asked her

Night pointed to the area where we waited to get in the logs to ride "Logoaster Flutide", or use the other log carts for transport.

I mouth the words "Thank you" to her before heading there.

Not ready for what I would witness. Then again I doubt I was ever ready. No one could truly be ready to see something such as this....

The minute I set foot in the boarding area, the eerie carvival music started again. Ir sent intense chills down my spine.

There right beside the log with the dragon heaf symbol were Dr. Cuddlestien and Sorrow. Sorrow seemed to be crying.

Beside me, Sorrow was really close to Tanya too.

With shaky steps, I made my way to the log. Each step is harder to take than the last. Almost as if my legs were covered in concrete.

"Well, Well. Look whose late to the party. Not really heroic if you ask me. I always thought Heroes arrive before danger came" Flakes taunted

I just ignored him as I continued my way to the log.

" Ih boy are you ever stubborn. I am giving you a once-in-a-lifetime pasta sit out a trial. No one gets that you know! Welp, I tried to spare you the pain" Flakes shook his head a bit.

"...." I finally came to the log. I closed my eyes before going to look inside the log. My heart officially broke when I saw her body.

Oh Tanya.... Why you? Part of me refuse to believe it but there was no denying it now.

There in the log was Tanya Keys. Her eyes were closed with blood dripping from her gash on her forehead. Her pinkish-red for was covered in scrapes and dirt. Probably from a fight. Yeah but I didn't realize that at least she fought to the end, huh Keys? Around her wrist and ankles her pup strings so were nearly invisible if not for the lights. A tree made out of a light yet durable material. Seeing how the other end of the strings were wrapped around the log, they must have been used to tie her down to log. On her tail, or what was left of the nub with dried crimson blood covering it. Were signs that someone attempted to paralyze her. Must have failed if they had to tied Tanya down to the ride. Her neck hung low as a something or someone snapped it. So despite seeing the body like this, one thing shattered my heart into pieces. Hanging loosely in her paw was the crystallized leaf necklace that I gave her just a few hours ago.

"Aww, looks like we lost the bounty hunter" Flakes sighed "Isn't it a skilled hunter job not to be hunted? Clearly she wasn't really that great after all"

I glared at Flakes. He is really starting to tick me off more than Mono-chan. That's saying something too, considering that Mono-chan operates this whole game!! I growled at him before looking back at Tanya. I took her hand into my own and kissed it. Farewell my dear friend.

I thought I be able to handle seeing her like this, but I just broke down into a sobbing mess. I can't run the trial in this state. I am far too emotional to think straight. Who would lead this trial if I could not?

Badgerclops watched me sob near Tanya's body. He never saw me this emotionally broken before. My sobs shook my body to it's core. Badgerclops tighten his fists and opened his eye in anger.

"Hey Flakes! This tral, Mao isn't leading" He growled when Flakes smiled

"Oh? Then who will lead it, Snowflake?" He ask in a creepy cheerful tone.

"I WILL" Badgerclops declared boldly.

As Mao Mao's best friend, I will handle this trial and bring Tanya's killer to justice!!

I promise that to you Mao! Time for Badgerclops to step up to the play!