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**Terryville - Q.C. Planet

QCP: BG-03 Out After Curfew By Darrel James Vanwinkle (Writing as Ratseye) 06/09/2006

Chapter 01**

Needless to say, when Gerard came home wearing clothes that were not his, his parents were evidently not as naive as Gerard had hoped. In fact, he now sat in his room contemplating the words that were used about him when he did return home.

"I'm grounded. How could they ground me? It's not like I got married to Daisy Duck or Petunia Pig. I think they're being unfair. But what can I do about this?"

Yes, some things didn't matter if you were on Q.C. Planet or not. Being grounded was one of those things. At least he was beginning to understand now why Cris, Brent and Alex preferred staying on Pleasure Island. You couldn't be grounded there.

"Grounded for 2 weeks, though. I had plans next Friday. What would Fenmire do?"

As Gerard pondered this, he suddenly recalled a lesson that Alex had given him prior to his leaving the carnival. He still had the toon hole. It was a painted hole of black that was removable if you knew how to do it. And Alex had taught him how to use the toon hole properly. At least now he knew how he could get away from home whenever he wanted. Let them keep their grounding. He aimed to get out and have some fun as often as he wanted. And no one was going to tell him otherwise.

And so, he started plotting where all he planned on checking out during the days of his grounding.

The Kennelmount Breeding Barn on Monday night, Oslo Otter's Pad on Tuesday night, Alex's Quarters on Wednesday night, Scott Rat's Room on Thursday night, Jaded Shadow in Meta-Star City on Friday night, Montropolis in Japanopolis on Saturday night, and to finish things off, Comita-Gotham in Meta-Star City on Sunday night. He'd heard rumors about the last few places but wanted to see for himself what those places were like.

He would like to have seen Wonderland but he had precautions about visiting that realm. Wonderland was where his sister Lupa-Vega and her jackal friend, Spike, were going to college, so he would have to be careful if he visited there so as to not run into her while there. His sister, Lupa-Vega, would snitch on him in a heartbeat.

But for now, it was Sunday and he really wanted to talk to someone without screwing up his curfew. He was starting to hate being grounded.

Fortunately, Oslo came by to see him and that perked up his day profusely.

Oslo said, "I heard you got grounded for wearing someone else's clothes home from your Saturday outing. Care to fill me in on what happened to you? I promise to keep it confidential."

Gerard gladly told Oslo what happened to him, then said, "...but they're acting like I got drunk or high on dope or something. Being grounded from now until next Sunday is going to be torture, but I do have a plan for getting around it. But you can't tell anyone what I tell you about this."

Oslo nodded his head as Gerard told him the plans for each night of the coming week. Then Oslo replied, hugging Gerard, "Just don't forget that you'll be receiving homework starting tomorrow."

End of Chapter 01

Chapter 02

Oslo was nice enough to spend the night with Gerard for support, though come Monday morning, Oslo was already gone even before his parents checked on him. Gerard got ready for school, speaking not a word to his parents. He was still miffed at them for grounding him.

Then, the bus came and Gerard headed out, getting on the bus and sitting in the very back of the bus with Huck Hound and Tom Dane, who he explained his grounding to. When the bus didn't stop at Fenmire's stop, Gerard became concerned for his new friend, but Huck explained that Fenmire had already gone to school that morning to speak to Principal Dum about something.

At the school at that very moment, Fenmire sat in Principal Dum's office. "Thank you for agreeing to see me this early in the morning, because what I have to explain cannot wait for later."

Principal Dum remarked, "It's a rare day when you come to school before anyone else. So what do you have to tell me that is so important?"

Fenmire took a deep breath, then started his explanation. "As you may know, Gerard got grounded over the weekend. But what you probably don't know is why it happened or how it came about. I care about Gerard a lot and it's not fair that he's being grounded over something that isn't his fault. Anyway, here's what happened... Gerard joined us for a day of doing some volunteer public service work on some private property. Yes, I was working... I could tell you were about to interrupt me. Now, we got the work done early and Gerard got this idea for all of us to head over to the island on the lake to look for the minerals that Professor Stromboli assigned us to find on Thursday and I went along because I know how to pilot the boat. On the island, Gerard got into a patch of Tangleripper weeds and well... everyone knows what happens when you press cloth against Tangleripper weeds... and Gerard's clothing got torn to pieces before we could get him out of that mess. We couldn't let him go home naked, so... a friend of ours lent Gerard some used clothes and afterwards, we brought Gerard home before nightfall."

Principal Dum nodded his head. "Tangleripper weeds do rip clothing if someone isn't careful around them. So his parents didn't believe the truth and they grounded him because he came home clothed in someone else's clothes?"

Fenmire nodded his head. "That's the whole truth, Principal Dum. Gerard's been unfairly grounded by his parents. I just wanted you to know the truth behind what happened over the weekend. And... see if you can figure out a way to convince his parents to lift his grounding. It's really not fair to him at all. I mean, I care about him, sir."

Principal Dum smiled. "It's a welcome change to see you concerned for someone other than yourself, Fenmire. Because you were honest with me, I'll see what I can do about the situation. No promises, though... human families have weird ideas, you know."

Fenmire smiled and hugged Principal Dum. "Thank you very much, sir. I appreciate this a lot and I am sure Gerard will appreciate this, too."

Principal Dum nodded his head again. "I am sure he will be happy to know that his friend cares so much."

End of Chapter 02

Chapter 03

Gerard's first Monday at school went gruelingly slow. Perhaps the worst part of this was that he had to call his mom in between every class. "They're treating me like a criminal. It's just not fair." And soon, it was the last class of the day. And in a way, he was glad. The last class gave him that extra excuse for being away from home for a good 3 hours after school normally let out.

Today, he was assigned to Ben Weasel, who fortunately didn't say much. It was probably because Ben's parents hated humans and Ben half way believed their reasons.

When the day thankfully ended, Gerard went home and did his homework in under 3 hours. Only then did he have dinner. His parents tried to have a conversation with him, but he was still mad at them, refusing to talk to them. Finally, his father said, "Just because you're grounded is no reason to give us the cold shoulder treatment, Gerard."

Gerard replied, "I suppose you've never lost your clothes before, have you?"

And the conversation ended on that note, as Gerard left the dinner table and went upstairs into his bedroom and slammed the door closed behind him. Then he quietly locked the door and prepared for his first Toon Hole outing. And how he was looking forward to these outings, too.

The first trip was to the Kennelmount Breeding Barn, where Buckeye the Stallion told him not to enter unless he liked being caught with his pants down. So if he went wearing shorts, then he couldn't be caught with his pants down because he wouldn't have any pants.

And so, after stripping down to his shorts, he turned the light in his room off and utilized the Toon Hole, transporting him from his room to just inside the entrance to the Breeding Barn. Gerard was very curious to see what was going on in there. Buckeye had made it sound bad, but he wanted to simply see for himself. And he headed on inside...

Just as he cleared the inner doorway, Gerard was grabbed by some sort of automated machine and he found himself with his shorts removed from him and then... he found himself hooked up to the milking machine! Gerard moaned and tried to yell for help, but the Breeding Barn must've been sound proofed for just such a reason. And Gerard wasn't alone in the barn, either. There were horses, bulls, and goats all getting the same treatment as he was getting.

One young horse next to him reached over and put a bridle bit into Gerard's mouth to stop his hollering. Then he said, "It caught you too, looks like. It'll let you go in a few hours. You can call me Fernandez. What's your name?"

Gerard couldn't yell anymore, so he turned his head to Fernandez and said, "I'm Gerard Prince. Nice to meet you."

Fernandez grinned. "I'm glad you're here, Gerard. Sorry you visited on milking night, but I'll make it up to you another time. Promise."

Gerard was stuck until the machine was finished, then he returned home achy and sore, and he passed out in his bed and slept for the rest of the night.

End of Chapter 03

Chapter 04

Tuesday night found Gerard over at Oslo Otter's swinging bachelor's pad. Oslo was kind enough to give Gerard a full body massage while talking to him. "So you got stuck in a milking machine. No wonder you're in so much pain. Don't worry a bit. When I am finished with you, you'll feel like a new human being. Of course, you wouldn't be in so much pain if you were a toon like the rest of us here on the Q.C. Planet."

Gerard moaned softly. "I met a nice horse named Fernandez. He said he'd make it up to me."

Oslo chuckled. "I know Fernandez. You met a nice one."

Gerard then asked, "How is it that you know Coach Winslow?"

Oslo grinned as he rubbed Gerard all over. "Did you ask him about me?"

Gerard nodded his head. "Yeah, and he got all shy and wouldn't say anything. A kangaroo named Jack told me a story about you two but I don't know if it's true or not."

Oslo smiled. "I know Jack, too. Kangaroos are fun to play with. Coach Winslow and I went on a date late one night and things got a little close and... we awoke the next morning in questionable positions. He was all embarrassed about it but it was an ordinary date for me. I love getting close on the first date."

Gerard irked. "I think I get the drift of what you mean. You said you were bisexual, right?"

Oslo replied, "That's right. I swing both ways. I prefer to stay single, though. It allows me to fish the market for the best stock, so to speak. You did know that Bugs Bunny is bisexual, didn't you?"

Gerard hummed. "I thought I did. He kisses guys on the mouth a lot in his cartoons. Have you dated him, too?"

Oslo grinned. "Not yet. I think he and Daffy Duck have something going." He winked then laughed.

Gerard had to laugh at that, as he murred softly from Oslo's expert massaging paws working the body oil into his tense skin. "How'd you get so good at this massage stuff?"

Oslo smiled. "I own and run the Terryville City Gym. If you want to see some hunks, drop on in some Saturday after your grounding is lifted and you'll get to meet some real studs."

Gerard grinned. "They really pump some iron, do they?"

Oslo grinned back. "Among other things..." He winked again and finished up Gerard's massage session. "You better get your clothes back on. Don't want your parents to catch you gone, do we?"

Gerard gathered his clothes, putting them on, then he hugged and kissed Oslo before heading home.

End of Chapter 04

Chapter 05

Wednesday night landed Gerard back at Pleasure Island in Alex's quarters, to keep his word to a good friend. And he didn't come with just himself, this time. He brought Alex a hot meal and a cool drink from Terryville, as well as, a load of Alex's old belongings from Alex's old house.

Alex smiled as he ate. "I never thought I'd see any of this stuff again, Gerard! You're the best friend I've ever had! Thank you very much!"

Gerard smiled back, while he watched Alex eat. "It was the least I could do. Besides, you taught me how to get away from home whenever I liked. My parents grounded me for wearing someone else's clothes home. Can you believe it?"

Alex arched his eye and replied, "They grounded you for that?! That's crazy! You should've just stayed naked then... sounds like you'd have been better off that way."

Gerard grinned. "For that matter, I could have just stayed here with you if I knew they were just going to ground me."

Alex chuckled. "Cris was asking about you Monday night. I think he'd rather you'd stayed, too. Oh, and Brent told me that he was glad his clothes were getting some use by someone who needed them. It's a shame your parents are so cement about the whole thing. How long you here for?"

Gerard replied, "Until 1 AM at the latest. Then I need to get back home and get some sleep before going to school again."

Alex then asked, "What is the rest of your schedule like?"

Gerard replied, "Scott Rat's Room tomorrow night, Jaded Shadow on Friday night, Japanopolis on Saturday night, and to finish things off, Meta-Star City on Sunday night. And then, I'll be ungrounded on Monday morning."

Alex hummed. "You might wanna be careful when you go to Jaded Shadow. I grew up there. It's not a nice place. You'll likely meet cartoons and anime who are related to famous TV stars, but never got chosen to be on the shows. You'll know what I mean when you meet them. You can find most of them at the Outcast Bar, and don't worry about age limits there. They don't have any age limits. They allow anyone that wasn't given a fair shake to come in. Just tell them that you were grounded unfairly, and you'll be in like Flynn."

Gerard arched an eye. "Really?"

Alex nodded his head. "Oh sure. Like I said, you'll understand when you meet them."

Gerard spent a few hours with Alex chatting about various things, then Gerard's watch beeped, and it was time to head home again. Gerard again promised that he'd be back another time, then he stepped through the Toon Hole and was back inside his bedroom. He got undressed and went to bed. As he lay there, he pondered moving in with Alex, with a sly grin on his face.

End of Chapter 05

Chapter 06

Thursday night brought Gerard to Scott Rat's room. Apparently, much to Gerard's surprise, Fenmire wasn't home. And that, for some weird reason, worried Gerard. But he didn't let it bother him, because he had come to see Scott. "Hi Scott."

Scott had been about to get some sleep and was surprised to see Gerard sticking halfway through a Toon Hole into his room. "You little stinker." He chuckled. "Well come on through, Gerard. Where in the name of Yosemite Sam did you get a Toon Hole?"

Gerard replied, "Alex Donkey not only gave it to me, but he taught me how to use it, as well. And I had preplanned to come see you tonight so you could teach me something, like we agreed to the other day."

Scott smiled. "I thought you'd forgotten about that. Well, I am glad you're here, then. You know the rules... you gotta sit with me while I teach you."

Gerard nodded his head, as he got into the mud with Scott. "By the way, where is Fenmire tonight?"

Scott replied, "He spent the night with Ben Weasel, so you and I won't have any interruptions. And because you already know how to use the Toon Hole, I'll teach you about Infinite Item Sacks."

Gerard oohed, and was excited to learn about those things.

Scott said, "Any good toon will tell you that his infinite item sack is his life preserver. From this sack, a toon can pull forth any item or animal that he needs from the unlimited depths of the sack's insides. You never have to look inside the sack; you just reach in quickly with what you need in mind and when you pull your hand out, you'll have the item in your grasp. I don't have one to give you, Gerard, so you'll have to earn one by passing Pepe Le Pew's Toon Physics class."

Gerard hummed. "Is it even possible for a human like me to use an infinite item sack?"

Scott replied, "Anything is possible on the Q.C. Planet. You were partially donkeyed once already, weren't you? So maybe other toon tricks are possible as well."

Gerard hummed again. "Like what?"

Scott smiled. "All manner of things. You see, the reason humans get hurt by things is because they have bought into the Capitalistic belief that physics and gravity can hurt you. And toons are trained to get used to such toonery so they can be successful in their shows."

Gerard smiled too. "What would be the best way for me to learn to be a toon in my spare time?"

Scott hummed. "I'd suggest you talk to the Pink Panther. He lives in a mansion and owns and runs the Ink and Paint Club. If you really want to know more about being a toon, go to the pink."

Gerard thanked Scott, who helped him get cleaned up, before sending him back home via Toon Hole.

End of Chapter 06

Chapter 07

Friday night took Gerard via Toon Hole to Jaded Shadow, to a spot across the street from the Outcast Bar, a place that Alex Donkey had told him about. As Alex had told him, Jaded Shadow was not a nice place. In fact, it reminded him of a mix between black and white cartoons and full color Gothic. The overall theme just seemed to be nocturnal black and midnight blue.

Gerard carefully made his way across the street to the entrance of the Outcast Bar, where a hefty rhino bouncer with a patch over one eye was on doorman duty. The bouncer snorted as he looked Gerard over, then said, "This isn't the place for the likes of you, kid. Go home before you get hurt."

Gerard looked the rhino in his eye and replied, "I was grounded unfairly recently for something that wasn't my fault."

The rhino hummed, then said, "I hate it when that happens. I guess I misjudged you, kid. Come on in. The name is Rollsteady, Rocksteady's brother-in-law. He gets the fame of being with the mutant turtles and I get stuck with being a bouncer here at the bar."

Gerard stepped past the rhino and into the Outcast Bar.

The atmosphere of the bar was what one might expect to see in a nightclub from one of those old black and white cartoons from the 1930s. And like Alex Donkey had told him, the patrons looked similar to some of the most famous cartoon and anime stars of stage and screen, except these people were obviously not the originals. Most, if not all, seemed as if they were at the bottom of the auditioning bucket, and a majority looked drunk, or nearly so.

Gerard walked over to the bar and sat down on one of the stools. "Let me have something with lime in it, please." he said to the bartender who looked like a Smokey the Bear reject. And no sooner had he placed his order, Gerard noted how quiet it got in the bar.

The bartender served up a frothy drink with lime in it to Gerard and said, "Wait a minute... you're not a toon like these other bums... you're real." He walked out from behind the bar and examined Gerard from different angles. "Yeah, you're a real boy." He turned to the crowd and shouted, "HEY! WE GOT'S US A REAL BOY TONIGHT!!"

Gerard blushed somewhat. The attention isn't what he was expecting. "Um, is that a problem around here? Alex Donkey said this was a nice place to come to on a Friday night."

The bartender then shook Gerard's hand! "I'm Snookie the Bear, Smokey's cousin. That's Malfred Dog at the piano, you met Rollsteady at the door, and that's Kal-Em in the kitchen preparing the meals. What brings a real boy to Jaded Shadow?"

Gerard explained what had happened to him on Pleasure Island and with his clothes and how his parents reacted to his coming home in a toon's clothes.

Malfred stopped playing the piano and exclaimed, "Now that's just wrong... They should've been glad to have you back human."

End of Chapter 07

Chapter 08

Gerard nodded his head. "Yeah, but they're treating me like I robbed a bank or married the worst toon on the planet."

Kal-Em chuckled, as he looked out of the kitchen. "Well, I think I speak for all of us when I say that you're welcome here at the Outcast Bar whenever you like, Gerard."

Gerard smiled. "Thanks guys. So what goes on around here on a Friday night?"

Snookie grinned and winked. "I'm not sure if you're old enough to be into this sort of thing, but we have some live stage entertainment. And it's not often that we get Lola Bosom Bunnie to perform for our joint. But she had a free night and needed the extra dough, so she agreed to perform for us tonight on our stage. In fact, her little number should be starting in any moment..."

And at that moment, the lights were turned down low, as a single shaft of moonlight projected down on the curtains of the stage, and slowly, the curtains opened as Malfred Dog played a number on his piano... and that's when Gerard saw the hourglass shaped body of the nearly unclad Lola Bosom Bunnie, as she slinked and sexily strutted across the stage to the awaiting microphone.

Then, with a nod of her head at Malfred, the piano music changed to something more melodramatic, as Lola began to sing... "Moon...light... lonely moonlight... I stand in the rain without shelter... Moon...light... lonely moonlight... stood up by my belter... all alone... awaiting my bus... Oh moonlight... a time when we found our trust... and now...." She smiled at Gerard and winked at him as she continued to sing. "...a new man I crave... one who is daring and brave... to meet me in the moonlight... lonely moonlight... the rain has passed... my belter has cast... his body in stone... Oh lonely moonlight..." Lola sauntered slowly down off the stage, walking as she sang, until she stood before Gerard... placing her bunny paws on each of his shoulders. "Bring forth my new man... he is calling my name... together we'll run... showing no shame..."

And Gerard found himself being kissed on the mouth by Lola!!!

When she let up, she was still singing, though now, was walking slowly toward the piano. "...Lonely moonlight... oh lonely moon...light... I stood in the rain... now I feel no pain... lonely moonlight... oh lonely moonlight... I am alone no more... 'til tomorrow night..." She stopped singing and smiled, winking at the audience in the nightclub. "Thank you all for having me here tonight. This is one of my most favorite places to perform and I got to see a real boy, too."

Gerard smiled. "Lola... what a nice name."

No sooner had Gerard said this, when a hulk sized bunny paw rested on his shoulder. "Ms. Bunnie is my boss. You can look but don't touch." the musclebound rabbit dude in leather gruffly said.

Gerard gulped. "But... she touched me already... anyway... I'm probably too young for her..." He pulled out a ten-spot and handed it to the big rabbit. "I enjoyed her show. Please give her this for me. I need to get going before someone notices that I'm not where I'm supposed to be." And so saying that, Gerard left the Outcast Bar and hopped home through his Toon Hole.

End of Chapter 08

Chapter 09

Saturday night provided Gerard with an escort to Montropolis. Oslo Otter apparently knew the Q.C. well and suggested a restaurant where they could make arrangements at for having a nice dinner. And a quick toon hole jump later brought the two to a place just outside of a place called the Animanmega, a restaurant that catered to both human and non-human anime.

While Oslo headed inside to procure reservations for two at a nearly private table, Gerard waited outside on the sidewalk. Oslo had asked Gerard to wait on him outside of the restaurant.

Suddenly from down the street, Gerard saw a strange looking digimon running directly at him, while a boy with green eyes, foxy brown hair, and fair skin was giving chase not far behind him. The strange looking digimon was about the size of a leopard but maned softly, his large wings were tight to his back, and his long legs ended in four hoofed/clawed paws. When he stood up, he was about three feet tall. He was wearing a beast like 'lionish robe' and the tail was leonine but had much more hair too - like a horse's tail. His muzzle was very wide and equinish; in fact it's blunt in front but, like a lion's, it opened to show huge nasty ivory teeth. His large nose was like a horse, quite soft, and his eyes were arrow shaped and very expressive, yet he could see quite sharply and clearly. The digimon running in biped mode and had strange crystals floating around his head. And that was when the digimon accidentally slammed into Gerard, knocking them both to the ground, as the crystals fell all around them both.

The anime boy finally arrived and helped Gerard and the digimon up. "We're really sorry. I'm Vance Slystalker and this is Kahidomon, my digimon partner. We are on our way to an audition here in Montropolis, the home to Digimon, Monster Rancher, and Pokemon. If you're ever in our area, stop on by Shinjuku, the local town there, and see us. Come on Kahidomon... grab your crystals and let's go."

Kahidomon found all but one of the crystals and nodded his head. "Got 'em! Let's go, partner!"

While Gerard watched Vance and Kahidomon depart, Oslo emerged from the restaurant and took hold of Gerard's arm.

"I got us a nice two seater table facing the stage. I hope you like my choice. Just order anything and I'll cover the bill. Come on inside." And Oslo led Gerard into the restaurant and across the dimly lit chamber to the private table.

Once they were seated and had placed their orders for their drinks, Gerard smiled at Oslo and asked, "Do you know a Vance Slystalker?"

Oslo smiled back, replying, "I've heard of him. I think he's been waiting for ages to star in an Anime of his very own. Nice kid, though a little foxy... and he has soft and silky brown hair."

End of Chapter 09

Chapter 10

After the restaurant dinner and weird stage entertainment ended, Oslo and Gerard were walking down the street in Japanopolis, where they both walked into a tattoo parlor. Oslo grinned as he said, "Special treat, Gerard. Choose a picture and I'll pay for your getting it tattooed on your body."

Gerard irked. "Um, I don't know... my parents would kill me if I suddenly got a tattoo out of nowhere. They'd want to know where and when I got it."

Oslo was still grinning. "We'll keep them from finding out for a week. Trust me. Besides, it's not like they can keep you in your room, you know. It'll be fun. Choose something."

And so, Gerard began looking over the available picture designs in the parlor. It was while he was looking that a large muscle bound rabbit walked into the parlor. And it was a rabbit Gerard knew. It was Lola Bosom Bunnie's bodyguard from the previous night. "Um, hi again. Where's Lola?"

The hulk of a rabbit glanced at Gerard and acknowledged him with nod of his head. "She's getting her car washed. She told me to come in here and wait on her. What are you doing here, Gerard?"

Gerard replied, "Oslo Otter is treating me to my first tattoo."

The rabbit hulk then noticed Oslo in the parlor, then glanced back to Gerard with a very concerned look on his muzzle. He leaned forward to Gerard and whispered, "Oslo hasn't... you know... mounted you... yet, has he?"

Gerard's facial expression was enough to let the big rabbit know that Oslo hadn't done anything.

He whispered further, "Good. Oslo sometimes gets carried away on his dates. Lola said that you didn't have to give her money last night. But a bunny has to eat, you know... um..." He was blushing at this point. "Richard... Richard King... my brother Robert is a super hero called Thunder Ra. We're all from Comita-Gotham."

Gerard shook Richard's big paw. "Nice to know you. I wonder what kind of tattoo I should get?"

Richard hummed. "How about a small tattoo of Lola? You shouldn't go for anything big the first time. A small one would get you used to the needle."

Gerard smiled dreamily. Yes, he certainly was impressed by Lola, but instead he requested a small tattoo of Richard on the side of his left shoulder. Richard then struck a pose and the tattoo artist got to work on the realistic, full color tattoo of the hulking rabbit. It took a few hours, but soon, the process was finished, and Gerard was admiring his first tattoo of his new friend.

Oslo grinned. "That looks like a good one. It's sure to impress Fenmire. He'll probably get jealous when he sees it." Oslo then paid for the tattoo, then he, Gerard and Richard walked outside of the tattoo parlor. "I'm afraid, though, we better get you back home now. Curfew and all."

Gerard sighed, but he had enjoyed this outing. After bidding Richard goodbye, he and Oslo headed home via the toon hole.

End of Chapter 10

Chapter 11

On Sunday evening, Gerard was fortunate that his parents decided to go to bed early, for that gave him an early start on his Toon Hole trip to Meta-Star City. It would be the first evening he'd have out where it wasn't after 10 PM to start with. And it was Meta-Star City, the home of the comic book and cartoon superheroes. Gerard was really looking forward toward meeting some legends.

Gerard hadn't been there long, when he literally bumped into a bald gentleman wearing a business suit. The man was reading a newspaper with the logo 'Daily Planet' written across it's front page.

The man turned to look at Gerard.

Gerard recognized the man immediately. "You're Lex Luthor. Why are you just standing around reading a newspaper and not out doing some evil scheme?"

Lex grinned. "Actually, I don't work on Sunday. Plus my union would dock my pay if I robbed a bank or tried to destroy Superman with Kryptonite on a Sunday. I don't recall seeing you around here before. Are you the offspring of some super power, or are you from one of the other animated regions?"

Gerard said, "My dad is the new councilman in Terryville. I still don't know why they needed a human on a council full of loony cartoon greats."

Lex did something unexpected at that moment. He placed his hand to his chin and hummed softly. "Your father isn't a toon, like the others?"

Gerard replied, "No. Originally, we were living in the real world. When they hired my dad, we had to move to Terryville here on Q.C. Planet."

Lex hummed again, then he looked at Gerard again. "I can almost bet that there is an ulterior motive to their wanting your dad on council. And I don't like seeing other people getting used...unless I am the one using them. What is your full name? I'll do some checking using my connections and I'll find out what's really going on in Terryville."

Gerard said, "I'm Gerard Klayton Prince. My sister, Lupa-Vega, is attending college in Wonderland. Not a super college, just a normal one. I think. She has a friend named Spike. He's a jackal."

Lex nodded his head, as black limo pulled up. "My ride is here now. Don't you worry, Gerard. I'll find out what they're up to. You try to do as your parents tell you and by all means stay out of trouble. And if you're in Terryville, the worst trouble you can avoid is that rat named Fenmire."

Then, Lex got into the limo and it drove down the street and turned the corner.

Gerard hummed. "An ulterior motive? Dad would never believe me if I told him... but maybe he'd believe Lex Luthor. I hope Lex can get some proof for dad. I'm a little worried now."

Gerard headed off down the street wondering who else he was going to see there in Meta-Star City. So far, it seemed like a nice place.

End of Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Gerard soon came across a park where some student heroes were practicing their abilities after hours. Perhaps what really caught his eye was the cartoon cat with muscles wearing a purple costume and a cape who was holding up a park bench with a boy who was wearing a white uniform with the Ace of Spades imprinted on it, front and back, with black gloves, black boots, and a simple eye mask. He was studying a floating text book while juggling a deck of cards.

Gerard walked up to the two of them and said, "That looks like some power you have there."

The muscular cat grinned and replied, "Thanks. The name is Overcat, real name of Abyssios Feliston, and this is my buddy, Captain Ace, real name of Richard Spade. He's the son of Super Spade and Queen Neuter."

Captain Ace glanced down at Gerard. "And who are you? You don't look animated like the other locals. In fact, you look like a real person."

Overcat smirked. "Captain Obvious always seems to hit the nail on the head. But you do look real."

Gerard replied, "I'm Gerard Prince, the son of the Terryville's newest councilman. Been living on Q.C. Planet for about two or three weeks now."

Overcat glanced up at Captain Ace, as the two exchanged an odd look. Then Overcat set the park bench down on the ground said, "Terryville hired a real person for their council? That's unheard of. Why would they do that for?"

Captain Ace had to agree with his friend. "Overcat's right. I'm not dissing your father's abilities, Gerard, but... I always heard that only cartoon residents of longer than a year could be on the council."

Gerard said, "Lex Luthor thought it was strange when I mentioned it to him, too. I don't know why everyone thinks it's so strange, though. It was sorta sudden, though."

Overcat said, "Mr. Luthor would be the one to know about such things. He teaches a class at Hero Academy on Plans and Schemes, and he's always thinking about such things. The Terryville city council must be up to something. But I'll be damned if I know what it is."

Gerard smiled, then checked his watch. "I need to get going, I guess. Summer vacation starts next week in Terryville, and I need to get some sleep for the last week of school. I hope I get a good enough grade to earn an infinite item sack from Mr. Le Pew."

Captain Ace grinned. "You took a class in Toon Physics? If you pass his class in the top ten, it'll be the first time a real boy was able to do that. I wish you luck, Gerard. I'll expect to hear how you did in Le Pew's class."

Gerard smiled. "I'll be sure to let you know if or when I see you again."

Overcat said, "See you later, Gerard. Maybe we'll meet again someday."

Gerard then pulled out his Toon Hole and after bidding the two goodbye, he stepped through the opening, returning to his own bedroom. He grinned as he arrived home and removed his clothes and got into his pajamas. He then unlocked his bedroom door and got into bed. The following day would return everything to normal and he'd not be grounded anymore.

**End of Chapter 12 End of Episode Three: Out After Curfew

Stay tuned for Episode Four: Part Time Pink**