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"description": "All right, this one's a bit confusing.\n\nThe top two panels are redrawings of an old story: 'The Fox Sisters'.\nThe bottom two panels are a resolution of 'Skunk Comic' (which may be seen here: https://inkbunny.net/s/1765799\n\nHopefully this isn't too confusing. ^^;\n\n'The Fox Sisters' begins immediately below (it's VERY long!).\nTo skip to the ending of 'Skunk Comic', just search for \"===============\" and read from there. :3\n\nSeveral days have gone by since the vixens’ last encounter with Timmy the Ghost. Ever since, neither the red nor the gray vixen has ceased in her hunt for him.\nSniff the air, sniff the ground; look up then down and all around! Such is the way they go, day after day, padding through the forest together in their tireless search.\nOf course, the vixens had rather go their own ways, but neither of the two would trust the other to share Timmy the Ghost should he be caught unbeknown to the other (and both want him badly).\nAdditionally, neither vixen is sufficiently skilled at hunting (they’re cubs yet), and both are aware of how slippery Timmy can be. Best to work together!\n\nThese vixens are sisters, as the reader may recall, and about the only thing the two have in common is having nothing in common, excepting perhaps for being hungry (and mean—very mean).\nToday, the vixens’ hard work (or dumb luck) has paid off, for there was Timmy, all alone in the glade: dancing and balancing upon an old log—not a care in the world had he!\n\nThe gray vixen was the first to spy Timmy. Hidden well behind a bush,she narrowed her eyes and grinned cruelly to herself in anticipation of revenge. She does, in fact, delight in tormenting her prey (especially when she has a grudge against it), and she thinks herself a most creative tormentor.\n\n“There he is!” blurted the red vixen, upon catching her glimpse of the yet unsuspecting objective.\n“Hush up!” growled the gray. “We don’t want him to know we’re here”\n“Oh! Right!”, replied the sheepish red, making herself low behind the bush.\n“I can’t wait to cuddle him—he’s just so cute!”\nThe gray rolled her eyes.\nUnlike the gray, the red vixen is afflicted with Elmyra-Duff syndrome: the red takes pleasure in ‘making friends’ or ‘pets’ with her captured prey before she eats it (maybe she has a guilt complex?).\n\n“We must catch him first” whispered the gray, eying Timmy’s halo. In previous conversation during one of the pair’s many excursions, the vixens hypothesized the ‘magic ring’ over Timmy’s head must be the source of his powers—powers that enabled his mysterious escape before. The ring was, after all, the only ‘unnatural’ thing about Timmy …aside from his having no face, of course!\nThe gray thought for a moment. “I have a plan. Follow me and do what I say”.\n“Why should I do what you say”, snarled the red.\n“Because I said to!”\n\nUnawares of the foxy mischief heading his way, Timmy continued his balancing act (marvel not—such feats come very easy for one unencumbered by physics).\nNo sooner had Timmy completed a flawless triple cartwheel across the log did he hear a little voice, whimpering behind a near-by tree.\n\n“*sniffle* I’m just a poor witt’l bunny-wabbit who has lost her way *sobsob* Oh, won’t someone help me find my way home *sobsob* Be-before those mean ol’ foxies get me? *sniff*”\n\nCurious, Timmy floated in the direction of the voice. To Timmy’s surprise, the voice was not that of a hapless rabbit, but that of a giggly red vixen!\n“Got it!” exclaimed the gray, hanging upside-down from a branch above Timmy’s head, his halo gripped firmly in her paws!\n“We’ve got you now!” winked the red, as she took hold of Timmy’s wrist.\nThe grey dropped gracefully from the tree, holding fast to the halo.\n“And you won’t be escaping this time!” said she, jiggling the the stolen halo for Timmy’s observation. Timmy tilted his head dumbly at the confident vixen.\n\n“You’re cute, but you’re going to regret getting away from us before” said the red to Timmy. “…whatever you are”.\nThe vixens had had never before or since seen anything quite like Timmy. The vixens figured he must be unique in all the world! At the very least, Timmy must be exceptionally rare, and that could only mean that he was a delicacy (fox logic). The gray licked her chops in thought of this.\n\ndespite their hunger (and desire for revenge), the vixens took a moment to look Timmy over—first in admiration of their success, and then analytically. The red lifted Timmy’s arms, allowing her sister to give him a good sniff-over (most animals trust their sense of smell over that of sight). Timmy squirmed in response to the grey vixen’s very wet, cold and tickley nose sniffing quickly up and down.\nMaintaining her hold on Timmy’s wrists, the red couldn’t help but smile at her sister’s delight of Timmy’s sensitivity.\n\nThe gray leaned close to Timmy, “I’m gonna enjoy this!” she said, in exhale of an excited breath.\n\n“Not yet—you’ve had your turn” said the red. “I get to play with him now”.\n“That wasn’t my turn” sneered the gray. “Now hold him still!”\n“That was so your turn!” the red rebutted. “Either way, I get my go now”.\n“How do you figure? I’m the one with the magic ring!” said the gray.\n“Ah, but I have HIM!” shouted the red, daring to release one of Timmy’s wrists, for to make her point.\nThe gray acquiesced—she couldn’t argue with her sister’s logic, and neither did it seem worthwhile to risk dropping her prize in a sparring match with her sister (not to mention providing Timmy a chance to escape)!\n\nVictorious, the red twirled Timmy ‘round to face her. “You’re every bit as cute as I remember!” she said, giving Timmy a nose kiss.\n“You’ll be the best pet I’ve ever had …and the best supper, too!”\n“She’s only made it worse for you” snorted the frustrated gray.\n\nTimmy didn’t appear the least bit anxious. After all, he thought the foxes amusing (if not a bit rough in manners), and Timmy always has his ghost powers, whether he has his halo or not. Even so, Timmy knew it best not to leave his halo behind, especially with the vixens. An opportunity to reclaim it peacefully would surely come.\n\nThe vixens had given much thought as to what they would do if they caught Timmy. They decided long ago not to bring him to their den, for it would not do to share such a treat with their greedy mom (the halo would be proof of Timmy’s capture—Mamma Fox would be satisfied with that).\nInstead, the vixens planned to take Timmy to one of their abandoned burrows, wherein the vixens could have their fun (and their eventual supper) undisturbed.\nThe two had even taken on the task of filling up all the exits of the chosen burrow, for to ensure their prey would have no hope of escaping (say what you will of the vixens, but don’t call them lazy)!\n\nThe walk to the burrow was uneventful, save a lot of giggling and whispering between the two vixens—each reserving her fun for the seclusion of the burrow.\nOnce the burrow appeared within eyeshot, the gray (still clutching the halo) sprinted towards its opening.\n“Where are you going?” called the red.\n“Where does it look like—I’m going inside”\nThe red wagged her finger, “I want to cuddle my new pet ALONE!”\n“I won’t watch!” snapped the grey.\nThe red stamped her pad, “I don’t care! It’s my turn now and I don’t want to share it!”\n“Fine!” returned the grey. “I won’t share my REAL turn with you, either!”\n“Fine!”\n\nThe red turned her attention to Timmy. “In you go” said she, pointing down at the burrow’s entrance.\nTimmy looked upon the burrow, then to the red vixen—cocking his head at her in an ironic fashion.\nThe red tapped her foot, pointing again at the burrow. Timmy remained steadfast.\n“Your turn’s running out” said the impatient gray.\nThe red swiped her free paw at her sister, “My turn doesn’t start until he’s with me in the burrow! …He must be afraid of the dark. Hold him!”\nThe gray (one paw holding the halo behind her back) took Timmy’s arm.\n\nThe red shimmied inside the burrow, disappearing wholly within its confines. Within half a moment, her head and arms popped from the burrow’s entrance.\n“If you won’t come in, I’ll pull you in! said the red, gripping hold of Timmy’s ankles.\nThe red pulled and pulled, hard as ever she could, yet Timmy wouldn’t budge. In fact, it seemed as if he were rooted to the ground!\nThe red couldn’t understand what was happening: she was well-exercised, and Timmy (scrawny as he was) couldn’t be so heavy!\nUndaunted, the red continued to pull and pull until she was worn out and panting from the exertion.\n\nHaving observed everything, the gray believed Timmy must have some remaining power… or it could be she was standing too close with the halo. Yes, that must be it!\nNoting her sister still had hold on Timmy’s ankles, the gray stepped back a few paces, hoping her sister would try again.\n“You only get one more try! asserted the gray. “Make it count!”\n“It’s… Not …Fair” replied the red between breaths.\n“Then I’m taking my turn now”\n“No!”\nThe red vixen looked pitifully up at Timmy. The red had only one idea, one which she’d never before tried on anyone, but (as she recalled from her mother’s explanation) was supposed to be somehow magical.\n\n“Pleeeeeeeeeeeease?” implored the red. “Please come inside with me? Please!?”\n\nTimmy nodded at the vixen. It seemed to Timmy that this vixen had finally learned some manners, and he didn’t want to discourage her.\nThe gray watched as Timmy slid into the burrow. The gray took her sister’s success to mean the right idea was had about the halo—that it was remiss to allow Timmy to get too close to it.\n“No matter now” thought the gray “He’s now at my sister’s mercy, and soon he’ll be at mine!”\nChortling at this vision, the grey nestled herself in the den’s entrance. This opening, after all, was the only way in or out (and so must be guarded).\n\nThe burrow was cozy: its ceiling just high enough to allow its occupants to stand (not that toony vixens and child ghosts are very tall). Nevertheless, the burrow was dark, especially with its entrances plugged. Even so, the red could see well enough and Timmy’s sight doesn’t require light at all.\nThe red vixen was ecstatic to have Timmy all to herself. She gave him a nose kiss and placed her paws on his waist.\n“You’re so cute” said the vixen, burying her neck into her shoulders, grinning coyly. “Do you think I’m a pretty fox?” asked she, batting her eyes.\nTimmy lifted his hand, giving the red a friendly scratch behind her ear. Having not expected such a response, the red recoiled from the touch.\n“W-what are you doing?” asked she—her tail twitching.\n\nTimmy again scratched gently behind the fox’s ear, then under her chin.\n“Oh! Oh my!” said the red, her fur bristling with pleasure.\nTimmy, using the fingers of both his hands, petted the fox’s cheek ruffs. The fox flexed her toe claws into the ground and wagged her tail, greatly enjoying this treatment.\n“I’m supposed to pet YOU” she said with a titter “…but don’t stop!”\nIndeed, the red was under Timmy’s spell—at least for the moment.\n“My back; scratch my back!” implored the red, enjoying herself immensely. Timmy obliged.\n“Lower! Ah, that’s it! Mmm!”\nThe red leaned her head back and released a long, satisfied sigh.\n\nTimmy knew as long as he kept petting the fox, she would do nothing unpleasant. Regardless, Timmy could poof if ever he needed to, but (again) it wouldn’t do to leave his halo or use subversiveness to retrieve it.\nBesides, petting the fox was fun: she was cute (despite many things), not to mention soft and fluffy (as a fox should be).\nThe vixen melted under Timmy’s pleasureful and continuous attention; lying on her back, she folded her forepaws and wagged her tail in wide sweeps.\n“Tummy rubs? Please?”\nTimmy obliged.\n\nOutside, the grey remained at her post. She discovered Timmy’s halo made an excellent chew toy. “Maybe some of is magic will rub off on me?” she thought.\nAs they grey chewed, she listened to the sounds of her sister chuckling, squeaking and obviously enjoying herself.\n“I wonder what she’s doing to him—it must be really fun ..and mean!”\nAlthough the grey was curious, (and more than ready to have her own go), she thought it best to allow her sister a good, long, undisturbed turn. After all, her sister would only return the favor, and the grey didn’t want to interrupt whatever cruelties were amusing her sister so.\n“If only the prey had a mouth” she thought. “Then I could enjoy listening to him beg my sister for relief! Heheheheh!”\n\nThe grey gave her mind way to wander: she mused through all the ways she had thought best to exact her revenge …but which ways would be the most fitting? The most mean? Th most fun!?\nThe grey thought and thought. As she did so, she rolled the halo back and forth with her finger claw.\nAs if my magic, a fresh idea popped into her head. “Oh! Oh, that’s terrible, even for me!” beamed the grey.\n“I must do it, but I’ll need help. Yes, yes—lots of help! …But not from my sister! No, I won’t share my turn with her, but I know who I can share it with—and gladly!”\n\n“But I’ll need to leave my post” The grey stood up to stretch, allowing the halo to tip to the ground. The grey turned an ear to the burrow for to take a final, affirming eavesdrop. Although the grey could hear no words, she knew Timmy was at the vixen’s mercy—he wouldn’t be escaping!\n“I’ll be away only a moment” thought the grey. “Maybe not even that long! …Then I’ll have my turn!”\nThe grey dashed into the forest, having neglected to take the halo with her.\n\nBy now, the tummy rubs were nearing their end. The red was still on her back, quite at ease. In fact, if it weren’t for the intermittent chuckles between breaths, one would think the fox asleep!\nOn his knees beside the fox, Timmy could see a spot of light on the far wall: the exit was clear.\nTimmy gave a final glance down at the fox. The fox opened her eyes a moment before closing them. Timmy observed the vixen lick her nose and smile.\n“That was fun”, said the vixen softly.\nBefore Timmy could turn away, the vixen sat up, placing a paw ‘round Timmy’s arm. In reference to their first encounter, the red lightly poked Timmy’s face, where his nose would be.\n“You’re next!” winked the red, twitching her tail.\nTimmy goosebumped all over—he knew he wouldn’t be able to poof if the fox were to begin snuggling him!\nTimmy raised his free hand to the fox’s chest and began scritching it with his fingers (her chest was quite floofy!). The fox leaned back from the sensation.\n“All right, I love it! Ha-ha! But you know I’ll pay you back double” said the vixen, as she settled again on her back, closing her eyes.\n\nThe halo remained just where the grey left it: lying adjacent to the burrow’s entrance. As it happened, its shine caught the eye of a wandering packrat.\n“What ever could this be?” thought the rat to himself, examining his new treasure.\nThe rat looked the halo over (almost amouringly) and gave it a whiff.\n“Gah! It smells like a fox!” Disgusted, the rat looked over at the hole in the ground and flung the halo into it, as if to dispose of it.\nDown the tunnel flew the halo, never once touching the walls on either side. The halo came to an abrupt halt, right above Timmy’s head. Restored at last!\nJust in time, too! Outside, the grey had returned (with company!) and the red was all but ready to return Timmy’s affections.\n\nTime to poof!\n\nIt wasn’t before her return trip did the grey remember the halo. She had refused to think the worst on the matter, believing that doing so would bring disaster.\nThe grey looked at where she had left the halo. Gone!\nSlowly, the grey crept inside the burrow, followed close behind by several small companions.\nThe grey had brought with her the young cubs of a friend of her mother (wolves, they, and every bit as mean as the foxes). The cubs amounted to a dozen: six males and six females (six sets of twins—oh, my)!\nAs the grey made her way down the burrow, nothing mattered to her other than to know whether Timmy had escaped. She could hear her sister, murring self-satisfied fox murrs. Timmy must still be there!\n\n“My turn!” shouted the grey, upon sight of her sister. “Out with —“\nThe grey hesitated. “…you?”\nThere before the grey was her sister: lying on her back and rubbing her tummy with her paws. Her eyes were yet closed; her countenance as dreamy as that of a drunkard.\nThe grey padded over to her sister, bearing a look of strong suspicion. Only now coming out of her trance, the red opened her eyes and saw only a very angry grey vixen staring back at her. Yikes!\n\n“You ate him! You ate all of him—even the magic ring! MY ring!” accused the grey. “J-just look at you! Rubbing your tummy, and—OH! That indulgent grin you had!!! Why!!!???”\n“I didn’t!” shrieked the red. “He—-he was just here! I don’t know what —“\nThe red noticed the twelve wolf cubs, standing in a line: arms crossed and tapping their pawpads impatiently on the floor.\n“You said you caught some live prey” spoke one of the cubs.\n“Yeah, and that it needed to be taught a lesson” another followed.\n“And that we could all tickle-torture it!” said yet another.\n\nThe red and the grey exchanged glances. Facing the wolf cubs, the grey said. “Um, well… It would seem the prey is gone”. She swallowed hard, in realization of the fact that she and her sister were outnumbered and had their backs to a wall.\n“It’s nice seeing you all” followed the red, herself cognizant of the situation. “Y-you can all go home now”.\nIn perfect, unrehearsed unison, each of the wolf cubs smiled evilly—wriggling their fingers as each took one step at a time toward the vixens. The red and the grey pressed their backs to the wall—unable even to find words with which to plead.\n\nTimmy sat on a tree branch overlooking the burrow. Although the chamber was fairly deep underground, he could hear the vixens laughing hysterically. Surely the vixens and their friends were having a great time! Timmy gave only a moment or two to think whether he should join them——but the animals were thought to be having a fine time without him (and it would be rude to invite himself in while the foxes had other company).\n\nPerhaps Timmy will see the foxes again? Perhaps he won’t? Either way, it’s time to bid adieu!\n\n~Fin\n\n===============\n\nThe magic balloon carried the skunk far beyond the meadow of Timmy the Ghost.\n\nThe skunk thought long and hard during her voyage, mostly contemplating how best to get revenge on the ghost who forced her aloft to begin with.\n\nAfter what seemed an eternity, the balloon began to lose altitude. The descent was slow enough, but the setting to which the skunk was coming to alight was less agreeable.\n\nThe skunk found herself alone, in the midst of a sea of prairie grass as high as her chin.\n\n\"I don't like it here\", said the skunk to the balloon. \"Return me to the meadow---or anyplace but here!\"\n\nThe balloon bounced and bobbed, as if to imply it could hear the skunk, yet it did not heed her command.\n\nFrustrated, the skunk untied the balloon from the base of her tail, expecting it to return to the skies. The balloon opted instead to float just above the skunk.\nThe skunk rolled her eyes as she began her walk through the grass. The balloon followed her.\n\n\"Go away!\" shouted the skunk, bearing her claws menacingly. As before, the balloon did not obey.\nThe skunk leapt at the balloon, taking swipes at it with her handclaws. The balloon was most adept at dodging the skunk's attacks, twitching its string tail as if in taunt.\n\nThese goings-on did not go unobserved. Stalking through the grass were the fox sisters: Red and Gray.\n\nThe sisters had only recently moved away from their mother's. While yet cubs, the two thought themselves old enough to try life away from home. Even so, the two concluded their chances of survival were greater if they remained together.\n\nThe two foxes had spied the skunk's landing, and had been closing in on her since.\n\nOnce the foxes were within a favorable distance, they split in directions conducive to ambushing the quarrelers.\nAs the skunk continued her hopeless assault, the foxes swam through the grass like sharks on the hunt---the red breached, tackling the skunk frontwards so as to avoid her tail. Simultaneously, the gray sprang forth from her cover, snatching the balloon by its string!\n\n\"Oh, I'm gonna love you all up!\", said the red fox, wrapping the skunk in a powerful bearhug (if the reader recalls, such is what the red does to her prey ...before she eats it!)\n\n\"Let go!\", demanding the skunk, struggling fruitlessly against the fox's cuddles.\n\nThe gray fox, meanwhile, studied the balloon. It seemed almost alive somehow, and (of greater significance) reminded her of someone she thought she'd never know again.\nThe gray turned her attention the the skunk,\n\n\"Where did you get this!?\", barked the gray \"Who did you get this balloon from!?\"\n\nThe skunk could not reply, as she was being smothered with affection.\n\nThe red snarled at her sister's rudeness, \"Don't interrupt my turn!\"\n\n\"Be quiet!\", snapped the gray. \"Allow the skunk a breath to answer me\"\n\n\"All right, but only one---and only if I get to pop the balloon!\"\n\n\"How about I tie its cord 'round your neck!?\"\n\nThe red eased her grip on the skunk, but kept her pinned just the same.\n\n\"I *huff* Got it *puff* From *huff* From *puff*\"\n\n\"Hurry up!\" growled the gray. \"Did you get this from a cub with a magic ring?\"\n\n\"Yes, and with brown headfur\", exhaled the skunk. \"Now let me go!\"\n\n\"I told you I didn't eat him!\", the red exclaimed to her sister. \"I told you, I told you, I told you!\"\n\n\"Whatever; who cares!? ...Now let the skunk go\"\n\n\"What!? No way! She told you what you wanted, now I-m---\"\n\n\"Didn't you hear: she knows that cub with the magic ring!\"\n\n\"So?\"\n\n\"So, she knows where we can find him!\"\n\n\"...Ohhh! Right!\"\n\n\"And you better tell us\", warned the gray \"or there will be no end of suffering for you!\"\n\n\"Same goes if you spray me\", added the red.\n\nOnce freed, the skunk proceeded to dust herself, \"What do you want with that angel boy? He's nothing but trouble!\"\n\n\"We agree\", the gray replied. \"We intend to teach him a good lesson\"\n\n\"And I owe him some big time cuddles!\", followed the red, hugging herself in imitation.\n\n\"I like the sound of that\", the skunk replied. \"But he's ever so tricky, and quite far away besides\"\n\n\"Leave his capture to us\", the gray replied. \"Maybe you know how to use this balloon to take us to him?\"\n\n\"Uh, I would\", gulped the skunk, knowing she had no control over the balloon. \"...But I don't think the balloon can carry all of us. Maybe I should go by myself and---\"\n\n\"Nice try, skunk!\", snapped the gray. \"I know this balloon is magic, and you'll make it work ...or else!\"\n\n\"It was just an innocent suggestion\", said the sheepish skunk, digging her toe claws into the ground.\n\nThe foxes took hold of the skunk, one on each side, as the skunk held the balloon aloft,\n\n\"Please, take us to the angel boy. Please!?\"\n\nSlowly the balloon began to swell. As it did so, the cubs lifted from the ground, tucking their legs as they did so. Higher and higher went their ascent, until the world below began to take the resemblance of a patchwork quilt.\n\n\"Not so tight!\", growled the skunk, at the clinging of the gray fox.\n\n\"I can't help it!\", squeaked the gray, her eyes tightly shut \"Just tell me when we land!\"\n\n\"You're not ticklish, are you, Skunk?\", inquired the red.\n\nThe skunk screamed at the very thought.\n\n\"Don't make her nervous!\", shouted the gray, making a blind kick in the red's direction.\n\n\"Stop squirming!\", shouted the skunk. \"I might lose the balloon!\"\n\n\"Why didn't you tie it!?\", chided the gray.\n\n\"Two hands are better than one!\", said the red, taking brave hold of the balloon string. \"I got it! Hey, maybe we'll get there faster if I drop the skunk?\"\n\n\"Not while I'm holding onto her!\", the gray scorned.\n\nAnd so the voyage went until, at last, the trio alighted at the meadow.\n\nThe gray spread herself upon the ground, as if to embrace it. The skunk and the red needed less time to compose themselves,\n\n\"So where is he?\", asked the red, who now had sole possession of the balloon.\n\nThe cubs looked this way and that, but Timmy was not to be seen.\n\n\"Maybe he's invisible?\", said the skunk.\n\nAnd so the cubs extended their arms, waving them this way and that, along with wagging of their tails, hoping to bump into an invisible Timmy.\nOf course, Timmy wasn't afar off. In fact, Timmy was much amused watching the animals flail about in their strange dance. After a minute or two, Timmy decided to join them.\n\nThe cubs were quick to take notice of Timmy's abrupt appearance.\n\n\"There you are!, chirped the red. \"You remember me?\", asked she, flirtatiously.\n\n\"Forget her\", the gray chimed. \"You're in big trouble with me!\"\n\n\"Come along with us\", said the skunk.\n\nTimmy thought a moment before shaking his head.\n\n\"Play nice\", said the red \"or I'll pop your balloon!\"\n\nTimmy found himself between the skunk and the gray fox. The red kept the balloon hostage, warning Timmy against any trickery.\n\n\"Let's take him to the rushes and have him pick a switch!\", suggested the skunk.\n\n\"No, our secret burrow is better---for cuddling\", replied the red.\n\n\"Who wants to cuddle? Besides, I never want to see that place again\", said the gray.\n\nThe cubs began to argue. Finally, the weary three agreed that it had been a very long day. The foxes decided to take Timmy to their mother's, whereat he could be stored until a concerted decision could be made. The skunk acquiesced, providing she could lodge overnight with the foxes.\n\nA warm welcome was not not awaiting the sisters.\n\n\"What do you cubs think you're doing, bringing a live skunk here!?\", chided Momma Fox. \"Kill it this instant!\"\n\n\"No, no! she's a friend\", replied the red.\n\nThe gray piped, \"We caught something better---look!\"\n\nMomma Fox padded her way to Timmy the Ghost, who seemed not the least bit apprehensive.\n\n\"He's a mean one, Mrs. Fox\", said the skunk, holding tight to Timmy's arm. \"Wily, too! One of the most contemptible cubs I've ever met!\"\n\n\"Is that so?\", Momma Fox uttered rhetorically, as she gave Timmy a sniff.\n\n\"Very!, replied the skunk. \"And I'm sure a seasoned mom like yourself knows how to discipline obnoxious cubs!\"\n\n\"I most certainly do!\", agreed Momma Fox, placing her hands on her hips.\n\nThe skunk and the sisters exchanged winks, chuckling maliciously to themselves.\n\nMomma Fox pointed a sharp finger at her two girls, \"You two are every bit as horrible as the day you left! Even more so, in fact---no doubt this new friend of yours has been a bad influence\", she added, gesturing at the skunk.\n\nThe sisters panic, \"No, Mom, really, this cub he---\"\n\n\"I won't hear of it!\", the great fox declared, before turning her attention to Timmy.\n\n\"Did my girls and their delinquent friend give you a rough time, sweetie?\"\n\nTimmy nodded, pointing at his balloon.\n\nWithout a word, the red handed Timmy back his balloon, never removing her eyes from those of her glaring mother.\n\n\"You girls aren't too old for me to take a paddle to\", said Momma Fox to the sisters. \"But I might let you go if you make nice with this adorable little angel boy!\"\n\nThe gray swallowed, \"But, Mom, he---\"\n\nMomma Fox stamped her pad. \"The next word out your muzzle best be in compliance with my suggestion\"\n\n\"...He's, uh.. So cute!\", said the gray, recovering.\n\n\"As for you!\", said Momma Fox to the skunk. \"I suggest you do the same, lest I develop a taste for skunk in the near future. Catch my drift!?\"\n\nThe skunk nodded (Momma Fox could be quite an inspiration)!\n\nAnd so it was that the skunk and the fox sisters made peace with Timmy the Ghost.Perhaps, over time, the foursome will become real friends? :3\n\n~Fin\n\n",
"description_bbcode_parsed": "All right, this one's a bit confusing.
The top two panels are redrawings of an old story: 'The Fox Sisters'.
The bottom two panels are a resolution of 'Skunk Comic' (which may be seen here: https://inkbunny.net/s/1765799
Hopefully this isn't too confusing. ^^;
'The Fox Sisters' begins immediately below (it's VERY long!).
To skip to the ending of 'Skunk Comic', just search for "===============" and read from there. :3
Several days have gone by since the vixens’ last encounter with Timmy the Ghost. Ever since, neither the red nor the gray vixen has ceased in her hunt for him.
Sniff the air, sniff the ground; look up then down and all around! Such is the way they go, day after day, padding through the forest together in their tireless search.
Of course, the vixens had rather go their own ways, but neither of the two would trust the other to share Timmy the Ghost should he be caught unbeknown to the other (and both want him badly).
Additionally, neither vixen is sufficiently skilled at hunting (they’re cubs yet), and both are aware of how slippery Timmy can be. Best to work together!
These vixens are sisters, as the reader may recall, and about the only thing the two have in common is having nothing in common, excepting perhaps for being hungry (and mean—very mean).
Today, the vixens’ hard work (or dumb luck) has paid off, for there was Timmy, all alone in the glade: dancing and balancing upon an old log—not a care in the world had he!
The gray vixen was the first to spy Timmy. Hidden well behind a bush,she narrowed her eyes and grinned cruelly to herself in anticipation of revenge. She does, in fact, delight in tormenting her prey (especially when she has a grudge against it), and she thinks herself a most creative tormentor.
“There he is!” blurted the red vixen, upon catching her glimpse of the yet unsuspecting objective.
“Hush up!” growled the gray. “We don’t want him to know we’re here”
“Oh! Right!”, replied the sheepish red, making herself low behind the bush.
“I can’t wait to cuddle him—he’s just so cute!”
The gray rolled her eyes.
Unlike the gray, the red vixen is afflicted with Elmyra-Duff syndrome: the red takes pleasure in ‘making friends’ or ‘pets’ with her captured prey before she eats it (maybe she has a guilt complex?).
“We must catch him first” whispered the gray, eying Timmy’s halo. In previous conversation during one of the pair’s many excursions, the vixens hypothesized the ‘magic ring’ over Timmy’s head must be the source of his powers—powers that enabled his mysterious escape before. The ring was, after all, the only ‘unnatural’ thing about Timmy …aside from his having no face, of course!
The gray thought for a moment. “I have a plan. Follow me and do what I say”.
“Why should I do what you say”, snarled the red.
“Because I said to!”
Unawares of the foxy mischief heading his way, Timmy continued his balancing act (marvel not—such feats come very easy for one unencumbered by physics).
No sooner had Timmy completed a flawless triple cartwheel across the log did he hear a little voice, whimpering behind a near-by tree.
“*sniffle* I’m just a poor witt’l bunny-wabbit who has lost her way *sobsob* Oh, won’t someone help me find my way home *sobsob* Be-before those mean ol’ foxies get me? *sniff*”
Curious, Timmy floated in the direction of the voice. To Timmy’s surprise, the voice was not that of a hapless rabbit, but that of a giggly red vixen!
“Got it!” exclaimed the gray, hanging upside-down from a branch above Timmy’s head, his halo gripped firmly in her paws!
“We’ve got you now!” winked the red, as she took hold of Timmy’s wrist.
The grey dropped gracefully from the tree, holding fast to the halo.
“And you won’t be escaping this time!” said she, jiggling the the stolen halo for Timmy’s observation. Timmy tilted his head dumbly at the confident vixen.
“You’re cute, but you’re going to regret getting away from us before” said the red to Timmy. “…whatever you are”.
The vixens had had never before or since seen anything quite like Timmy. The vixens figured he must be unique in all the world! At the very least, Timmy must be exceptionally rare, and that could only mean that he was a delicacy (fox logic). The gray licked her chops in thought of this.
despite their hunger (and desire for revenge), the vixens took a moment to look Timmy over—first in admiration of their success, and then analytically. The red lifted Timmy’s arms, allowing her sister to give him a good sniff-over (most animals trust their sense of smell over that of sight). Timmy squirmed in response to the grey vixen’s very wet, cold and tickley nose sniffing quickly up and down.
Maintaining her hold on Timmy’s wrists, the red couldn’t help but smile at her sister’s delight of Timmy’s sensitivity.
The gray leaned close to Timmy, “I’m gonna enjoy this!” she said, in exhale of an excited breath.
“Not yet—you’ve had your turn” said the red. “I get to play with him now”.
“That wasn’t my turn” sneered the gray. “Now hold him still!”
“That was so your turn!” the red rebutted. “Either way, I get my go now”.
“How do you figure? I’m the one with the magic ring!” said the gray.
“Ah, but I have HIM!” shouted the red, daring to release one of Timmy’s wrists, for to make her point.
The gray acquiesced—she couldn’t argue with her sister’s logic, and neither did it seem worthwhile to risk dropping her prize in a sparring match with her sister (not to mention providing Timmy a chance to escape)!
Victorious, the red twirled Timmy ‘round to face her. “You’re every bit as cute as I remember!” she said, giving Timmy a nose kiss.
“You’ll be the best pet I’ve ever had …and the best supper, too!”
“She’s only made it worse for you” snorted the frustrated gray.
Timmy didn’t appear the least bit anxious. After all, he thought the foxes amusing (if not a bit rough in manners), and Timmy always has his ghost powers, whether he has his halo or not. Even so, Timmy knew it best not to leave his halo behind, especially with the vixens. An opportunity to reclaim it peacefully would surely come.
The vixens had given much thought as to what they would do if they caught Timmy. They decided long ago not to bring him to their den, for it would not do to share such a treat with their greedy mom (the halo would be proof of Timmy’s capture—Mamma Fox would be satisfied with that).
Instead, the vixens planned to take Timmy to one of their abandoned burrows, wherein the vixens could have their fun (and their eventual supper) undisturbed.
The two had even taken on the task of filling up all the exits of the chosen burrow, for to ensure their prey would have no hope of escaping (say what you will of the vixens, but don’t call them lazy)!
The walk to the burrow was uneventful, save a lot of giggling and whispering between the two vixens—each reserving her fun for the seclusion of the burrow.
Once the burrow appeared within eyeshot, the gray (still clutching the halo) sprinted towards its opening.
“Where are you going?” called the red.
“Where does it look like—I’m going inside”
The red wagged her finger, “I want to cuddle my new pet ALONE!”
“I won’t watch!” snapped the grey.
The red stamped her pad, “I don’t care! It’s my turn now and I don’t want to share it!”
“Fine!” returned the grey. “I won’t share my REAL turn with you, either!”
“Fine!”
The red turned her attention to Timmy. “In you go” said she, pointing down at the burrow’s entrance.
Timmy looked upon the burrow, then to the red vixen—cocking his head at her in an ironic fashion.
The red tapped her foot, pointing again at the burrow. Timmy remained steadfast.
“Your turn’s running out” said the impatient gray.
The red swiped her free paw at her sister, “My turn doesn’t start until he’s with me in the burrow! …He must be afraid of the dark. Hold him!”
The gray (one paw holding the halo behind her back) took Timmy’s arm.
The red shimmied inside the burrow, disappearing wholly within its confines. Within half a moment, her head and arms popped from the burrow’s entrance.
“If you won’t come in, I’ll pull you in! said the red, gripping hold of Timmy’s ankles.
The red pulled and pulled, hard as ever she could, yet Timmy wouldn’t budge. In fact, it seemed as if he were rooted to the ground!
The red couldn’t understand what was happening: she was well-exercised, and Timmy (scrawny as he was) couldn’t be so heavy!
Undaunted, the red continued to pull and pull until she was worn out and panting from the exertion.
Having observed everything, the gray believed Timmy must have some remaining power… or it could be she was standing too close with the halo. Yes, that must be it!
Noting her sister still had hold on Timmy’s ankles, the gray stepped back a few paces, hoping her sister would try again.
“You only get one more try! asserted the gray. “Make it count!”
“It’s… Not …Fair” replied the red between breaths.
“Then I’m taking my turn now”
“No!”
The red vixen looked pitifully up at Timmy. The red had only one idea, one which she’d never before tried on anyone, but (as she recalled from her mother’s explanation) was supposed to be somehow magical.
“Pleeeeeeeeeeeease?” implored the red. “Please come inside with me? Please!?”
Timmy nodded at the vixen. It seemed to Timmy that this vixen had finally learned some manners, and he didn’t want to discourage her.
The gray watched as Timmy slid into the burrow. The gray took her sister’s success to mean the right idea was had about the halo—that it was remiss to allow Timmy to get too close to it.
“No matter now” thought the gray “He’s now at my sister’s mercy, and soon he’ll be at mine!”
Chortling at this vision, the grey nestled herself in the den’s entrance. This opening, after all, was the only way in or out (and so must be guarded).
The burrow was cozy: its ceiling just high enough to allow its occupants to stand (not that toony vixens and child ghosts are very tall). Nevertheless, the burrow was dark, especially with its entrances plugged. Even so, the red could see well enough and Timmy’s sight doesn’t require light at all.
The red vixen was ecstatic to have Timmy all to herself. She gave him a nose kiss and placed her paws on his waist.
“You’re so cute” said the vixen, burying her neck into her shoulders, grinning coyly. “Do you think I’m a pretty fox?” asked she, batting her eyes.
Timmy lifted his hand, giving the red a friendly scratch behind her ear. Having not expected such a response, the red recoiled from the touch.
“W-what are you doing?” asked she—her tail twitching.
Timmy again scratched gently behind the fox’s ear, then under her chin.
“Oh! Oh my!” said the red, her fur bristling with pleasure.
Timmy, using the fingers of both his hands, petted the fox’s cheek ruffs. The fox flexed her toe claws into the ground and wagged her tail, greatly enjoying this treatment.
“I’m supposed to pet YOU” she said with a titter “…but don’t stop!”
Indeed, the red was under Timmy’s spell—at least for the moment.
“My back; scratch my back!” implored the red, enjoying herself immensely. Timmy obliged.
“Lower! Ah, that’s it! Mmm!”
The red leaned her head back and released a long, satisfied sigh.
Timmy knew as long as he kept petting the fox, she would do nothing unpleasant. Regardless, Timmy could poof if ever he needed to, but (again) it wouldn’t do to leave his halo or use subversiveness to retrieve it.
Besides, petting the fox was fun: she was cute (despite many things), not to mention soft and fluffy (as a fox should be).
The vixen melted under Timmy’s pleasureful and continuous attention; lying on her back, she folded her forepaws and wagged her tail in wide sweeps.
“Tummy rubs? Please?”
Timmy obliged.
Outside, the grey remained at her post. She discovered Timmy’s halo made an excellent chew toy. “Maybe some of is magic will rub off on me?” she thought.
As they grey chewed, she listened to the sounds of her sister chuckling, squeaking and obviously enjoying herself.
“I wonder what she’s doing to him—it must be really fun ..and mean!”
Although the grey was curious, (and more than ready to have her own go), she thought it best to allow her sister a good, long, undisturbed turn. After all, her sister would only return the favor, and the grey didn’t want to interrupt whatever cruelties were amusing her sister so.
“If only the prey had a mouth” she thought. “Then I could enjoy listening to him beg my sister for relief! Heheheheh!”
The grey gave her mind way to wander: she mused through all the ways she had thought best to exact her revenge …but which ways would be the most fitting? The most mean? Th most fun!?
The grey thought and thought. As she did so, she rolled the halo back and forth with her finger claw.
As if my magic, a fresh idea popped into her head. “Oh! Oh, that’s terrible, even for me!” beamed the grey.
“I must do it, but I’ll need help. Yes, yes—lots of help! …But not from my sister! No, I won’t share my turn with her, but I know who I can share it with—and gladly!”
“But I’ll need to leave my post” The grey stood up to stretch, allowing the halo to tip to the ground. The grey turned an ear to the burrow for to take a final, affirming eavesdrop. Although the grey could hear no words, she knew Timmy was at the vixen’s mercy—he wouldn’t be escaping!
“I’ll be away only a moment” thought the grey. “Maybe not even that long! …Then I’ll have my turn!”
The grey dashed into the forest, having neglected to take the halo with her.
By now, the tummy rubs were nearing their end. The red was still on her back, quite at ease. In fact, if it weren’t for the intermittent chuckles between breaths, one would think the fox asleep!
On his knees beside the fox, Timmy could see a spot of light on the far wall: the exit was clear.
Timmy gave a final glance down at the fox. The fox opened her eyes a moment before closing them. Timmy observed the vixen lick her nose and smile.
“That was fun”, said the vixen softly.
Before Timmy could turn away, the vixen sat up, placing a paw ‘round Timmy’s arm. In reference to their first encounter, the red lightly poked Timmy’s face, where his nose would be.
“You’re next!” winked the red, twitching her tail.
Timmy goosebumped all over—he knew he wouldn’t be able to poof if the fox were to begin snuggling him!
Timmy raised his free hand to the fox’s chest and began scritching it with his fingers (her chest was quite floofy!). The fox leaned back from the sensation.
“All right, I love it! Ha-ha! But you know I’ll pay you back double” said the vixen, as she settled again on her back, closing her eyes.
The halo remained just where the grey left it: lying adjacent to the burrow’s entrance. As it happened, its shine caught the eye of a wandering packrat.
“What ever could this be?” thought the rat to himself, examining his new treasure.
The rat looked the halo over (almost amouringly) and gave it a whiff.
“Gah! It smells like a fox!” Disgusted, the rat looked over at the hole in the ground and flung the halo into it, as if to dispose of it.
Down the tunnel flew the halo, never once touching the walls on either side. The halo came to an abrupt halt, right above Timmy’s head. Restored at last!
Just in time, too! Outside, the grey had returned (with company!) and the red was all but ready to return Timmy’s affections.
Time to poof!
It wasn’t before her return trip did the grey remember the halo. She had refused to think the worst on the matter, believing that doing so would bring disaster.
The grey looked at where she had left the halo. Gone!
Slowly, the grey crept inside the burrow, followed close behind by several small companions.
The grey had brought with her the young cubs of a friend of her mother (wolves, they, and every bit as mean as the foxes). The cubs amounted to a dozen: six males and six females (six sets of twins—oh, my)!
As the grey made her way down the burrow, nothing mattered to her other than to know whether Timmy had escaped. She could hear her sister, murring self-satisfied fox murrs. Timmy must still be there!
“My turn!” shouted the grey, upon sight of her sister. “Out with —“
The grey hesitated. “…you?”
There before the grey was her sister: lying on her back and rubbing her tummy with her paws. Her eyes were yet closed; her countenance as dreamy as that of a drunkard.
The grey padded over to her sister, bearing a look of strong suspicion. Only now coming out of her trance, the red opened her eyes and saw only a very angry grey vixen staring back at her. Yikes!
“You ate him! You ate all of him—even the magic ring! MY ring!” accused the grey. “J-just look at you! Rubbing your tummy, and—OH! That indulgent grin you had!!! Why!!!???”
“I didn’t!” shrieked the red. “He—-he was just here! I don’t know what —“
The red noticed the twelve wolf cubs, standing in a line: arms crossed and tapping their pawpads impatiently on the floor.
“You said you caught some live prey” spoke one of the cubs.
“Yeah, and that it needed to be taught a lesson” another followed.
“And that we could all tickle-torture it!” said yet another.
The red and the grey exchanged glances. Facing the wolf cubs, the grey said. “Um, well… It would seem the prey is gone”. She swallowed hard, in realization of the fact that she and her sister were outnumbered and had their backs to a wall.
“It’s nice seeing you all” followed the red, herself cognizant of the situation. “Y-you can all go home now”.
In perfect, unrehearsed unison, each of the wolf cubs smiled evilly—wriggling their fingers as each took one step at a time toward the vixens. The red and the grey pressed their backs to the wall—unable even to find words with which to plead.
Timmy sat on a tree branch overlooking the burrow. Although the chamber was fairly deep underground, he could hear the vixens laughing hysterically. Surely the vixens and their friends were having a great time! Timmy gave only a moment or two to think whether he should join them——but the animals were thought to be having a fine time without him (and it would be rude to invite himself in while the foxes had other company).
Perhaps Timmy will see the foxes again? Perhaps he won’t? Either way, it’s time to bid adieu!
~Fin
===============
The magic balloon carried the skunk far beyond the meadow of Timmy the Ghost.
The skunk thought long and hard during her voyage, mostly contemplating how best to get revenge on the ghost who forced her aloft to begin with.
After what seemed an eternity, the balloon began to lose altitude. The descent was slow enough, but the setting to which the skunk was coming to alight was less agreeable.
The skunk found herself alone, in the midst of a sea of prairie grass as high as her chin.
"I don't like it here", said the skunk to the balloon. "Return me to the meadow---or anyplace but here!"
The balloon bounced and bobbed, as if to imply it could hear the skunk, yet it did not heed her command.
Frustrated, the skunk untied the balloon from the base of her tail, expecting it to return to the skies. The balloon opted instead to float just above the skunk.
The skunk rolled her eyes as she began her walk through the grass. The balloon followed her.
"Go away!" shouted the skunk, bearing her claws menacingly. As before, the balloon did not obey.
The skunk leapt at the balloon, taking swipes at it with her handclaws. The balloon was most adept at dodging the skunk's attacks, twitching its string tail as if in taunt.
These goings-on did not go unobserved. Stalking through the grass were the fox sisters: Red and Gray.
The sisters had only recently moved away from their mother's. While yet cubs, the two thought themselves old enough to try life away from home. Even so, the two concluded their chances of survival were greater if they remained together.
The two foxes had spied the skunk's landing, and had been closing in on her since.
Once the foxes were within a favorable distance, they split in directions conducive to ambushing the quarrelers.
As the skunk continued her hopeless assault, the foxes swam through the grass like sharks on the hunt---the red breached, tackling the skunk frontwards so as to avoid her tail. Simultaneously, the gray sprang forth from her cover, snatching the balloon by its string!
"Oh, I'm gonna love you all up!", said the red fox, wrapping the skunk in a powerful bearhug (if the reader recalls, such is what the red does to her prey ...before she eats it!)
"Let go!", demanding the skunk, struggling fruitlessly against the fox's cuddles.
The gray fox, meanwhile, studied the balloon. It seemed almost alive somehow, and (of greater significance) reminded her of someone she thought she'd never know again.
The gray turned her attention the the skunk,
"Where did you get this!?", barked the gray "Who did you get this balloon from!?"
The skunk could not reply, as she was being smothered with affection.
The red snarled at her sister's rudeness, "Don't interrupt my turn!"
"Be quiet!", snapped the gray. "Allow the skunk a breath to answer me"
"All right, but only one---and only if I get to pop the balloon!"
"How about I tie its cord 'round your neck!?"
The red eased her grip on the skunk, but kept her pinned just the same.
"I *huff* Got it *puff* From *huff* From *puff*"
"Hurry up!" growled the gray. "Did you get this from a cub with a magic ring?"
"Yes, and with brown headfur", exhaled the skunk. "Now let me go!"
"I told you I didn't eat him!", the red exclaimed to her sister. "I told you, I told you, I told you!"
"Whatever; who cares!? ...Now let the skunk go"
"What!? No way! She told you what you wanted, now I-m---"
"Didn't you hear: she knows that cub with the magic ring!"
"So?"
"So, she knows where we can find him!"
"...Ohhh! Right!"
"And you better tell us", warned the gray "or there will be no end of suffering for you!"
"Same goes if you spray me", added the red.
Once freed, the skunk proceeded to dust herself, "What do you want with that angel boy? He's nothing but trouble!"
"We agree", the gray replied. "We intend to teach him a good lesson"
"And I owe him some big time cuddles!", followed the red, hugging herself in imitation.
"I like the sound of that", the skunk replied. "But he's ever so tricky, and quite far away besides"
"Leave his capture to us", the gray replied. "Maybe you know how to use this balloon to take us to him?"
"Uh, I would", gulped the skunk, knowing she had no control over the balloon. "...But I don't think the balloon can carry all of us. Maybe I should go by myself and---"
"Nice try, skunk!", snapped the gray. "I know this balloon is magic, and you'll make it work ...or else!"
"It was just an innocent suggestion", said the sheepish skunk, digging her toe claws into the ground.
The foxes took hold of the skunk, one on each side, as the skunk held the balloon aloft,
"Please, take us to the angel boy. Please!?"
Slowly the balloon began to swell. As it did so, the cubs lifted from the ground, tucking their legs as they did so. Higher and higher went their ascent, until the world below began to take the resemblance of a patchwork quilt.
"Not so tight!", growled the skunk, at the clinging of the gray fox.
"I can't help it!", squeaked the gray, her eyes tightly shut "Just tell me when we land!"
"You're not ticklish, are you, Skunk?", inquired the red.
The skunk screamed at the very thought.
"Don't make her nervous!", shouted the gray, making a blind kick in the red's direction.
"Stop squirming!", shouted the skunk. "I might lose the balloon!"
"Why didn't you tie it!?", chided the gray.
"Two hands are better than one!", said the red, taking brave hold of the balloon string. "I got it! Hey, maybe we'll get there faster if I drop the skunk?"
"Not while I'm holding onto her!", the gray scorned.
And so the voyage went until, at last, the trio alighted at the meadow.
The gray spread herself upon the ground, as if to embrace it. The skunk and the red needed less time to compose themselves,
"So where is he?", asked the red, who now had sole possession of the balloon.
The cubs looked this way and that, but Timmy was not to be seen.
"Maybe he's invisible?", said the skunk.
And so the cubs extended their arms, waving them this way and that, along with wagging of their tails, hoping to bump into an invisible Timmy.
Of course, Timmy wasn't afar off. In fact, Timmy was much amused watching the animals flail about in their strange dance. After a minute or two, Timmy decided to join them.
The cubs were quick to take notice of Timmy's abrupt appearance.
"There you are!, chirped the red. "You remember me?", asked she, flirtatiously.
"Forget her", the gray chimed. "You're in big trouble with me!"
"Come along with us", said the skunk.
Timmy thought a moment before shaking his head.
"Play nice", said the red "or I'll pop your balloon!"
Timmy found himself between the skunk and the gray fox. The red kept the balloon hostage, warning Timmy against any trickery.
"Let's take him to the rushes and have him pick a switch!", suggested the skunk.
"No, our secret burrow is better---for cuddling", replied the red.
"Who wants to cuddle? Besides, I never want to see that place again", said the gray.
The cubs began to argue. Finally, the weary three agreed that it had been a very long day. The foxes decided to take Timmy to their mother's, whereat he could be stored until a concerted decision could be made. The skunk acquiesced, providing she could lodge overnight with the foxes.
A warm welcome was not not awaiting the sisters.
"What do you cubs think you're doing, bringing a live skunk here!?", chided Momma Fox. "Kill it this instant!"
"No, no! she's a friend", replied the red.
The gray piped, "We caught something better---look!"
Momma Fox padded her way to Timmy the Ghost, who seemed not the least bit apprehensive.
"He's a mean one, Mrs. Fox", said the skunk, holding tight to Timmy's arm. "Wily, too! One of the most contemptible cubs I've ever met!"
"Is that so?", Momma Fox uttered rhetorically, as she gave Timmy a sniff.
"Very!, replied the skunk. "And I'm sure a seasoned mom like yourself knows how to discipline obnoxious cubs!"
"I most certainly do!", agreed Momma Fox, placing her hands on her hips.
The skunk and the sisters exchanged winks, chuckling maliciously to themselves.
Momma Fox pointed a sharp finger at her two girls, "You two are every bit as horrible as the day you left! Even more so, in fact---no doubt this new friend of yours has been a bad influence", she added, gesturing at the skunk.
The sisters panic, "No, Mom, really, this cub he---"
"I won't hear of it!", the great fox declared, before turning her attention to Timmy.
"Did my girls and their delinquent friend give you a rough time, sweetie?"
Timmy nodded, pointing at his balloon.
Without a word, the red handed Timmy back his balloon, never removing her eyes from those of her glaring mother.
"You girls aren't too old for me to take a paddle to", said Momma Fox to the sisters. "But I might let you go if you make nice with this adorable little angel boy!"
The gray swallowed, "But, Mom, he---"
Momma Fox stamped her pad. "The next word out your muzzle best be in compliance with my suggestion"
"...He's, uh.. So cute!", said the gray, recovering.
"As for you!", said Momma Fox to the skunk. "I suggest you do the same, lest I develop a taste for skunk in the near future. Catch my drift!?"
The skunk nodded (Momma Fox could be quite an inspiration)!
And so it was that the skunk and the fox sisters made peace with Timmy the Ghost.Perhaps, over time, the foursome will become real friends? :3
~Fin
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