Shiny, Happy, Mandy Part 5

V. The Tomorrow Person

"I'm doing this for your own good Mandy. Ya need to see the troubles your about to cause.", Grim said as he pointed the tip fo his scythe at her.  

The blade shine with a eerie light of supernatural energies. A bolt of raw power shot from it, incasing Mandy in a globe of raw, underworld power. Grim stepped into the glowing sphere and within seconds the ball of greenish light vanished from sight. Leaving the place very still as if time itself had suddenly stopped.

In mere moments the globe reemerged, the ground burning with the last rays of it's unearthly energy. Where they were she had no clue. Wherever it was it didn't look friendly. The ground was littered with chunks of concrete and asphalt. Sharp rods of metal shot from the earth like iron fangs. The place smelled of decay and melted tar. Steam rose from the cracks in the surface All about laid large, gaping holes of ripped open ground. Smoke bellowed forth from them as if they were breathing. The sky was dark with malice, gray, blackened ash fell scorching the ground were it landed. This place they were in was a tormented shell, overflowing with decadence and despair.

"Alright Grim. Were the heck are we? And if you say August 29, 2029 I'll smack you so hard you'll think your watching Wheel of Fortune "

"Actually were further back, but you should know that."

"And why should I know? You're the dipstick that send me here in the first place  Now were the heck are we  ?"

"Well, if you really want too know, were in Endsville. One day too be exact."

Was she hearing him correctly? Was this truly her hometown one day in the future? It had too be a mistake, because there was no way it could've gotten this bad. Not in just one day. According too Grim it could and did. Apparently the loose of humor goes pretty fast, which is what had happened. For without it the earth grew tired and unwilling too live. Most everything seemed too stop. People just stopped caring and became miserable, piles of nothing. The buildings went into ruin and everything turned too dust. The sun refused too shine and the whole planet was soon covered in burning ash. Not a good future for anyone too live in. Those that survived just wandered aimlessly, searching for the one thing couldn't find, happiness.  t

Mandy stared out at the vast fields of nothing. She still couldn't believe that she had caused all this. This wasn't the future she envisioned ruling over. She still would've ruled with an iron fist but the place would've never been in such a state. She saw her future as a world full with life for her too command. Their would be no poverty or hunger in her rule as queen. People would have jobs too benefit her own but jobs at least. Moral order would be enforced and their would peace, her way of course. Not this lowly, decrepit, shattered existence she saw before her. She dropped too her knees asking herself why. She had too be dreaming, for how was she too rule over this?

"Grim?", she asked with wondering eyes. "Is this all that is left? Is their nothing or nobody here?"

"Oh there's still people living, if you call this living."

"Then take me too them, now  "

"Alright, but your not going too like it." With that he waved his scythe and they were gone.

Grim and Mandy reappeared in a very familiar place. It was an old, broken-down house but a house she remembered. It was Billys' house. The front hung by one, loose hinge. It creaked loudly as the wind blow it too and throe. Mandy stepped up and peered inside. The place was a dark tomb covered in dust and neglect. A single ray of light shown through a broken window. Their sitting on the floor was a withered, young boy about her age. The colors of his cloths had faded and the little, red cap he wore was gnarled and torn. He sat their with a pile of pies made out of mud and weeds. He kept smacking himself in the face with them while singing, 'The Gray Old Man.'

"Is..is that...?"

"Yes Mandy, that's Billy."

"He doesn't look like he's changed that much. His cloths could use a good wash though."

"Not changed  ?", the clocked skeleton shrieked. "Can't you tell he's a bitter, wasted soul of his former self ?"

"Grim, he's hitting himself with mud pies. I'd say he hasn't changed. He's just as stupid when I last saw him."

Grim protested. Telling her that he may be stupid but he wasn't enjoying it. The smile had been permanently washed from his face. Mandy just saw it as an improvement. Good thing was he wasn't going to be bothering her much anymore. Grim couldn't believe how unresponsive she was toward the poor lad. He was after all her best friend. She could at least feel a bit sorry for him but that may have been asking too much of her. So he decided too show her another person she knew. In a flash of mystical light they were off too another part of Endsville..

They now faced a house that looked more like command post. The place was completely fenced in with barbed wire. A rusted mailbox lay slated with the words, 'Go AwayYo ' carved into it. The house looked more secure then Billys' and once again Mandy thought she recognized it. With the steel, bolted door and barred windows it was hard too tell. Suddenly the heavy door swung open and out came a strange but memorable, African-American boy.

He was a mean looking one he was. Upone his head he wore a black bandana. The metal studs in his glasses gleamed of the dim lights from the bug zapper. Her wore a camo vest and matching pants. His thick, leather boots looked like they weighed a ton. His entire body was built like a tank. His belt loaded with ammunition and each pant leg had three knife holsters, all of which were filled. Two grenade belts were strapped too either side of his chest. His eyes flaming with malicious intent. He roared at them too leave his property. This violent boy just happened too be Irwin, Mandy's lovesick puppy. What had happened too him was beyond her, but she was wasn't going to leave until she got some answers.

"Irwin, it's me, Mandy. Don't you remember?"

"Mandy  ?", he snarled. "You mean the Queen of the World Mandy  ? Ha   I don't need you  I can take care of myself   Now get before I make you get   " Then he drew out a two barreled shotgun from his back holster. He pointed the weapon at the two and told them to scram.

"But Irwin, you do still love me right?"

"LOVE   ", he screamed in fury. "I don't need no stinking love   That's for losers, are you calling me a loser  ?" With that he fired off several shots at them. Both ran away as Irwin kept firing away.

After they were safely out of range they rested. Mandy wanted too know what was going on. Why was Irwin acting so crazy. Grim explained that both happiness and love went together. So when Loonilana fell all happiness in the world was lost. When this happened Irwin lost his will not only too be happy but too love as well. Thus he was transformed into the brute he now was.

Too his surprise she really didn't seem too mind it. Of course, getting shot at does have it's disadvantages but she could handle that. In her mind Irwin was better then he use too be.

"Are you out of your mind child  ? You just saw two of your friends that aren't your friends anymore. All because you don't know how too have fun "

Mandy stared at Grim with her black, lifeless eyes. She asked him if when the last time he could remember her having fun, laughing or even smiling. He was going to recall the pageant she entered but felt it was safer not too. "See Grim. I don't need too smile, laugh or act stupid too have fun. I have my own methods for that so...Waitaminute, did Irwin say I was Queen here?"

"Oh your queen alright. I mean let's face it, with everyone the way they are who was too stop you?"

"I see. Well then take me too myself "

"Oh child..I don't tink you want to be doin that."

"Listen Grim ", she said pulling him closer. "You're the lamebrain that sent me here. So, for the good of our relationship and your face, I suggest you take me too see me. Got that   ?"

He nodded but knew she wasn't going too like what she saw. This almost made Grim laugh, if the world hadn't been sucked of it's humor that is.

Grim and Mandy were now inside a mighty fortress, the home of,  Mandy, queen of the world. Everything seemed quiet, too quiet for Mandy's taste. Something was wrong and she could feel it. Before her stood a closed doorway with an imprint of Mandys' face upon the surface. She wanted too know what lay on the other side. Grim told her it was her thrown room but warned her not too go in. Mandy just shook her head and walked up too it. The shutter slid open too reveal a wondrous sight. Before her eyes lay her dream. Her thrown room, her place of worship were all bowed before her powerful graces. Yet, something still didn't feel right. For one thing the room appeared empty except for the thrown. She wondered were all the servants were. Why their were no guards or groveling peons too control. Most importantly, were was she?

As Mandy moved forward she soon discovered the terrible truth. The reason Grim didn't want her too see herself. She most defiantly found herself, for she was perched on her thrown wearing the grabs of a dignified ruler. However, upon her head wasn't a Queens' crown but a pair of M&M boxers. In her hand was not a specter but a plastic mallet in which she used too bing the top of her head with. Her other hands was busy drumming her bottom lip. Her eyes stared out into nothing, for she too had become a shell of her former self. Mandy screamed in horror and looked away. How could this have happened? She had everything she ever wanted, yet know she was acting even more idiotical then Billy.

"I told you how important happiness is too the world child. Even you were happy once, in your own special way that is. Now your just like all the rest. So you see Mandy, you did become the ruler of the world but over time you became a victim of your own actions. Without happiness even you were destined to fall."

Mandy dropped too the floor, clinging too Grims' robe. She tried saying 'please' but she could get the word too come out. Instead she did something she never thought she would do, she begged. Pleading with Grim too fix this dreadful future. She had no desire too be in the same class as Billy. She never meant for any of this too happen. She would give anything, except Grim renouncing his 'Best Friend for Life' bet, too change all of this.

Grim thought about this. He could send her back and fix this from happening, or he could just let the future run it's course. Seeing Mandy the way she was too become did make him feel good. However, being that he was her best friend for life he had too do what she said. "Very weel Mandy. We shall go back too time just before we left."

"Can't we just go back before I insulted Nazz."

"Ahhh? No, you have too make that up by yourself."

"You mean I have too be...Nice ?"

"Not nice, just more compassionate."

"That's the same thing and you know it Grim  :, she said shaking her fist at him.

"In a matter of speaking. That is unless you want too let the future too stay as it is."

Mandy shuttered too think of herself like the being she had just encountered. With deep reluctance she agreed, but before them took their leave Grim told her she had only one chance at fixing this. If she failed this time there was no going back and the future she had witnessed would most assuredly come too pass. Mandy nodded and prepared herself. For what was too come next would take all her strength too accomplish. Being nice too someone wasn't the easiest thing for her. It wasn't that she didn't want too, it just never was a part of her repertoire. Now she realizes that it is this act of kindness that will be her main weapon. She found herself wondering if she was even able too pull it off. However, just the thought of becoming that hideously dumb creature was all she needed. As the powers of the scythe inclosed them in it's mystic power, Mandy prepared herself too face her one true demon, Kindness.

Back at the castle things weren't going so well. Nazz was still crying and the king was still shrinking. His servants were trying anything too get him too laugh. Unfortunately, with all the negative energies Mandy had created, it was becoming a rather difficult task. Sir Leon was at a loss, for even he could do nothing too slow the kings' shrinking. Billy was ready and willing too do anything possible too cheer the king up. He even went so far as too use his creative talents of booger sculpting. However, the boy grew somewhat hungry and started eating his array of snot molded,  animal statues. The room was becoming dark and cracks began too form along the walls and ceiling. The great King Klazy was growing smaller and smaller. Loonilana was lowly decaying into nothingness and with it all of humor hanged in the balance.

Yet, as all hope seemed lost, a ray of hope began too shine in the form of a glowing sphere. From this orb of blinding, bright ora stood two figures. Grim and Mandy had arrived just in time. The massive hall was starting too crumble, if nothing were done in a matter of minutes the whole place could cave in. Grim alerted her that now was the time too fix what was broken.

Mandy didn't like this idea one bit, but as she saw what was happening around her; she knew now the terrible atrocity she had helped create and for once she wasn't very pleased. Perhaps it was something buried beneath all the anger and hatred. Whatever it was came drifting from the depths of her conscious. A part of herself she kept locked deep inside. It shown glimmering out from those cold, black eyes. She walked up too Nazz, who was still laying on the floor weeping. She placed her hand on her shoulder and spoke, "Nazz, I'm...I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this too happen. Sometimes my anger gets away from me and even though I may have said some things that may or may not have been true. I am sorry....for making you...cry....", Mandy breathed a sigh of relief. Letting that much out was quite exhausting for her.

Nazz looked up at the little girl. Did she truly mean what she had said or was she just trying too make herself feel better. This was answered when the cracks began too miraculously heal themselves. This proved that Mandy was indeed ashamed of her actions, though she might not admit it. Not that she cared if she did or not. Such an unselfish act deserved a reward. She leapt too her feet and embraced the young girl in a warm hug. Mandy just stood their with wide, surprised eyes. It was s surprise too both Grim and Billy when she didn't retaliate like she always did. Instead, her arms began too tremble and started to raise, forming a half circle. Could it be? Were they about too witness yet another miracle? Indeed they were, for at that moment Mandy returned her act of kindness with one of her own and she clung to Nazz as if she had found a new friend. A reddish light began too bloom and suddenly the empty darkness that once plagued them was dispersing. Yet as soon as the interior healed itself Mandy let go. She told Nazz not too expect that anytime soon from her. It was a one time deal, never too be repeated. Nazz didn't care for she had found a new friend.

Grim was pleased too see this side of Mandy, for it didn't come out very often, none at all too be exact. Billy didn't feel too reassuring, for he started too panic. Running about screaming his head off, exclaiming that Nazz was still crying and that they were all doomed.

Grim let out a hearty laugh, "No child. Those aren't tears of sadness Billy, they're tears of joy."

Upon hearing this he began too jump about and cheer. "Hooray    Mandy saved the day   Mandy saved the day    Even though she broke it in the first place, and I'm the one that usual breaks things ", he giggled.

In that moment the king, who was the size of an apple began too grow. Sir Leon, noticing the king growing back pulled out his noise marker and blew as hard and long as he could. Making an announced for all too hear, that the king was getting bigger. Yet, their was something that was missing and he knew what that was. Even though there was much rejoicing, there needed too be more of it. More cheering, laughing and all out lunacy. There was only one thing that would work. With a loud, clear voice he called for the Ticklowns.

From behind two, small doors in the wall came several bright colored, miniature cars. From them popped out an assortment of colorfully dressed, happy clowns. Each one of them carried a long, soft feather and they began tickling everyone with them. Even though Billy liked being tickle, he still was afraid of clowns. Seeing so many made him break out in a panic, running away from them as they chased him around the room. Having no clue that he was scared of them but that he was playing a game.

Soon the whole castle was filled with the warm sounds of pure laughter. Nazz was on the floor holding her tummy as she laughed out loud. She loved being tickled, especially when it was so playful. In an instant she felt her shoes being untied and her socks being pulled off. Two, fuzzy feathers began stroking the soft, naked soles of her feet. She rolled about the floor giggling and laugh too no end.

Grim himself was receiving the same treatment. Even the dark lord of life and death could not succumb to the tickling and howled with uncontrollable laughter. As for Billy, well he finally was caught in a corner and as the feathers brushed around his neck and belly he let out a series of laughs and screams. For he poor, pitiful brain couldn't decide wether too be happy or frightened. All the castle was with contented merriment, all except one which need no explanation. Yes, it was Mandy.

Despite everything going around her she still wore that unmistakable frown. It was as if her face never was taught how too smile or laugh for that matter. Even though the Ticklowns tried too get her too giggle, it was all futile. Though the feathers wiggled and brushed about her it did nothing for her. She didn't like tickling that much, never really did. More of a nuisance then anything. Touching someone too make them laugh sounded so stupid. Even when she was younger she didn't like it. So she just stood their and allowed them too try, she sort of took it as a challenge. She knew she wasn't going too break. She was tough, rock solid and nothing could move her if she didn't want too.

The Ticklowns had finished on Nazz for the moment, She got up offf the floor, her feet still tingling from the feathers' touch. She saw Mandy standing their, not really enjoying herself at all. She looked more like a mope then anything and she couldn't let this be, not after what she did for her. So she snuck up on her and started wiggling her fingers on each side. "Coochie coochie coo  ", she said with a giggle.

What happened next shocked both Billy and Grim as well as the entire room. For from her mouth came a very unmistakable sound. One that none had heard Mandy utter, ever. A loud, sweet and very happy, laugh. Mandy backed away, clamping both hands too her mouth, as if she had just said the most atrocious curse word. With that laugh, however, came another voice, one that wanted too know who had done it. That one person being King Klazy himself. For it was this laugh that had touched his heart and made him grow even more.

Mandy knew and also hated the fact that it was her. She had actually laughed and wasn't prod of it either. In fact, she was utterly embarrassed by it and not because she had lost the bet with Grim. That was a whole other situation entirely. It was for along the lines her being happy. You see, Mandy never took into consideration that she ever would be happy. She nearly went about her life as if it didn't existed, even when other around her were full of happiness. She always thought such emotion was worthless, a waste of ones time. When Nazz tickled her she was caught unaware and pretty much able too control her emotions. Thus she did what any other would do. However, too her it wasn't an accomplishment but a disgrace. For it made her feel weak, out of control.

She heard the king ask once more whose laughter he had heard. She knew what had too be done and so she walked up too him, her head hanging low. She confessed it was her. The king was overjoyed with this news. Never had a laugh met his ears that caused him such joy. He asked her to do it again, which she replied she could not. Telling him that it was her first time, one that would never be repeated again.

"Oh come now. Surely you must have more of the same in you."

"Perhaps, bottled away and hopefully for good.", she replied.

The king was puzzled by this. How could one with such a magnificent laugh be afraid too bare it.

"I believe I can answer that your majesty.", Grim said. "You see, Mandy here is what one might call a mope. That is someone that doesn't share their emotions or chooses too keep them too theirself."

"But Grim, Mandy shows me her emotions all the time.", and Billy began listed them off:

- Slapping him in the face
- Telling him too stop acting stupid
- Kicking him in the butt
- Throwing him around
- Punching him in the face
- Yelling at him and then punching him in the face
- Locking him in the closet
- Shoving him in a trash can and then rolling it down a steep hill...etc.

"Yes Billy! That's what I'm trying too explain. Mandy certainly doesn't hide her anger, but that is the only emotion she shows. So unless Mandy finds away too release her happy side.", he didn't want too finish it.

"I told you before bonehead! It's not that I don't want too it's..."

"Oh come on child! Enough with the excuses! I know the real reason you don't laugh, smile or act like a normal little girl. Your scared too let that part of yourself out."

"What did you say?", Mandy gazed at him with a sharp, piercing stare.

"You heard me, your scared."

Mandy protested that she wasn't and Grim kept saying she was. Billy interrupted both of them too ask if any of them wanted any boogers on their toast. Mandy just told him too shut up.

Too both Nazz and the king this was all interesting, but still a question remained. Why was Mandy afraid too be happy. Perhaps no one, not even Mandy would really know the answer. What really mattered was getting her too laugh again. The king asked Nazz if she might try tickling her again. She gave it her best shot. She gave Mandy tickles around her neck, sides and underarms but nothing worked. Thankfully she wasn't getting angry, but she still wasn't laughing. Then Nazz remembered that she had surprised her before. Sadly, she wasn't going too be able too do that now, for Mandy kept watching her. Probably a defense mechanism she had developed incase such a thing were too happen. Now they were really stumped. How could one get one too laugh who didn't seem too want too. It was Sir Leon that approached the King Klazy with an idea.

"Why not use your pet sire."

Nazz overheard what the knight had said and agreed. He was the best and possibly only solution they had left. If anyone could make Mandy laugh old Bubble Boo was the one too do it.

"Agreed!", cried the king. "We shall take Mandy too see him.", then he called for Sir Leon, Billy, Grim and Nazz too accompany him too Loonilanas' underground. The dwelling place of the one called, Bubble Boo.

The party began their journey through the basement of the castle, which consisted of several chambers containing books on jokes and humor. Even more were filled with party supplies  and several working pie factories. They walked threw the treasury which was loaded not with gold or riches, but with different kinds of candy and other sweets. Grim had keep holding Billy back. Several times he had too go after him as he ran into on of the pie factories and dived into one of the filling vats. They started going deeper into the subterranean tunnels that made up the castles' foundation. The place smelled of candy and soda as this was not only used as a drainage system but also held large deposits of peppermint. It was true, the entire underground of Loonilana was one massive, peppermint mine. The king told them that Mr. Claus had been getting his peppermint from Loonilana for many centuries.

Finally they came too a winding set of stairs that went down several more levels. The sound of rushing water could be heard from below. Once at the bottom they stared at a huge opening that led into a cave. Who knows how big it was or what dwelled inside. All Mandy knew was that she would have too enter within, alone.