[Mafia] Escape from Zombie Park Island 3

[PointMaid]

Thank you all! Very good... I just hope this works. Shoehorn and I have conferred, and we both think the plan with the highest likelihood of success is Hordak's again. Congratulations, Hordak!

...And I know, I know, but I think you all should check yourselves for scratches and bites again. Better safe than sorry.

Waddle Dee will find that he has picked up another scratch.

[PointMaid]

Eventually, they're able to recover the phone enough to make a call. Frankie is able to get through. ...We have no intention of bringing this outside the island, I assure you. We're not a threat. I won't let anyone leave until I have a cure... which I'm very close to... yes...

The call cuts off abruptly. She's not sure whether the airstrike will be called off... or not.

[Oggy123]

Discovering he gets another scratch, Bandana Dee panics.

"Oh no, no, no, no! I'm gonna get infected!" he says while running in circles.

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

After a moment, Shoehorn and Frankie step outside and hear the sound of approaching planes. Shoehorn suddenly fears the worst is about to happen. He looks over to Frankie with a look of regret.

Looks like this is the end, Frankie. Before we die, there's something I need to tell you, been wanting to get off my chest for the past two days.

[PointMaid]

Frankie looks up, and listens. ...If you feel you need to. Whatever happens...

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

You know, over 25 years ago, my wife and I went on a cruise. But we simply chose to go at the worst time. A thunderstorm hit the ship and both her and I barely got out with our lives. That's how we got stranded on the old island. And there, Amelia had taught me how to appreciate nature. All the animals and plant life there. I grew to love everything there. And when she died, it was the worst day in my life. Leaving me all alone to raise my daughter. But when I had to face my own Victoria, I felt like not only I did it for the wildlife there, I also did all this to keep my wife's spirit alive.

He started to have tears going down his eyes.

But all it did was cost innocent lives, cost me my daughter. She pretty much cut me off after all that happened. And now, it led me down that dark road again. First I hurt my daughter and now I hurt you. The one who was the only one I could consider family. And I've wrecked your island all because of a perverted sense of justice. Keeping my wife's memory alive was the one thing I was obsessed with. But all it's done is hurt me and the ones I care about. And it had led me to hurting another person here I love very much. Platonically speaking, of course. If you hate me for all I've done, I understand. But before we die, all I wanted to say to you is.... I'm sorry, for all I put you through.

[PopcornPie]

Hordak casually lifts his arm cannon to the sky, prepared to go down fighting.

[Oggy123]

Bandana Dee just looks up, worried.

[PointMaid]

The hotel, the visitor's center... at least you didn't get anyone killed with what you did to those. And I... understand, even if I don't agree. I'm sorry about what happened to you there on that island. You can't just be expected to put away your trauma. I get that.

This, though... it could kill all of us. Just because of one lapse in judgment. I told you about the poacher I took on as an employee, didn't I? Working for my cousin all along. There must be something wrong with me that I can't tell these people, these Blaines and Pauls, for who they are until it's too late. But what you did, you did out of love. For your wife. For the animals. You, at least, I'm sure we have the same interests at heart. Even if we disagree on the specifics. Keep me honest. Thank you for that.

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

Dr. Frankenstein, even with all our disagreements and dealing with that damn cat back in that mansion, I will say this. You remind me so much of my wife, with your passion for what you do. I hope she's resting in peace. But at the very least, I'm about to see her again. And I'll be sure to introduce you to her in the afterlife. Frankie...

He walks over to Frankie and opens himself up to let him comfort her in what they think will be their last minutes.

It's been a pleasure.

[PopcornPie]

...Actually, Hordak also has his tracker pad out and is saying something into it, very quietly and somber. He is concentrated firmly on whatever he is doing, and when he is finished he simply stashes the pad in his pocket, regaining his aim on the sky above.

[PointMaid]

It has. And quite a ride.

Frankie puts her head against his shoulder and looks up, expecting to see a bomber drop something any minute...

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

Shoehorn pats Frankie on her shoulder, clinching his eyes closed not wanting to see the bomb itself before it devours them all with the intense heat. They all hear the plane passing by them. Shoehorn still expects something to drop and kill them all. But after a while..... nothing happens. The island's still intact. Everyone's still alive. He opens his eyes.

Frankie.... I think.... they got the message...

[PopcornPie]

"I'm sorry, Entrapta. I failed you. Please, survive this world without me."

[PointMaid]

...You're right. It must have gotten through. Not only that, they believed us enough to call it off. Or disbelieved Paul enough, as the case may be.

[PopcornPie]

Hordak's face turns pink. "...And now Etheria thinks I'm dead." Whoops.

[TenOfSwords13]

Honestly... just glad we're all alive. I mean, I'd love to see someone else go down tonight, but at least I have that chance.

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

Either way, that bastard is history and he won't be getting that last laugh. Now all we need to do is find a cure for this virus. And after all is said and done, if you want to open this place up as a park, I will fully support you. We'll have to watch out for people with bad intentions, but if that's what you want to do, I will fully back you up.

[PointMaid]

I... That means a lot. Thank you. I don't want to make you regret that. I have every intention of making this place sustainable as well as a functioning park. And if I'm not living up to that in your opinion - I expect you to tell me so.

[PopcornPie]

"Save the sappiness for when Paul is in our grasp. If those planes weren't there to bomb us then why did they approach?"

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

I know it won't be easy, but we will make it work. Perhaps you're right. It would be nice to see a kid witness long extinct animal in front of their very eyes. So much we can do for people, and I think we will make something truly special.

He quickly turns to Hordak.

Have you not been paying attention here? Paul is dead. And we managed to get the message on time before they bombed us. It's all over.

[PointMaid]

...The phone call, with your help we were able to recover the phone and call Paul's contact at the Pentagon. They must have believed me when I said we weren't a threat.

[PopcornPie]

"I don't want to believe I didn't get to kill him myself."

[PointMaid]

And yes, Shoehorn. She smiles. We'll make it work. If we have to find more funding, and retool things, we'll do it. We don't give up. Either of us.

[TenOfSwords13]

You would've made a fine zombie, Hordak. Your will to kill is... well, outstanding.