Chapter 3: The Trainride to Toontown


August 1st was finally here, and so was my time to leave the nest, and venture out into other parts of the world. Even now, I still have things to worry about before I get dressed.....

Well, first off, Mom came into my room, sobbing like crazy, and shook me violently awake. It was only 5:00 AM, the sun hadn't come up yet, and the train didn't come until 10:30 AM. I looked at my mother like she was hysterical.

"Mom," I spoke in a yawning voice, "You do realize that it's 5:00, right?"

"I k-k-know! It's j-just that I-I-I.....!"

Of course, it all makes sence: The earlier I woke up, the more time I would spend with my parents before I left. I got up and conforted my mom. She seemed so upset at my leaving in just a few hours. After coming to her sences, Mom left me to my buisness. I managed to brush my teeth, take a shower, eat breakfast, and drag my bags downstairs before 6:00. Dad woked up, and I could tell that he was pretty pissed off right now about having to wake up before the sun did. I soon realized that having a cranky, pissed off dad, a sobbing, hysterical mother, and an 11-year-old duck child about to venture the world under one roof, isn't the brightest idea yet. Soooooo.....I took what money there was, and left to see what other last-minute stuff I could buy.

I never knew that so many ducks would actually be outside before the sun! The Cafes, Marketplace, and most stores were already flooded with the many mobs.

"Yo, DJ!"

I looked over my shoulder, and saw 3 of my fellow classmates: Jeremy Walker, Emily Johnson, and Richie Campbell.

"What's up, guys?"

"You ready for Toontown?" Jeremy asked.

"You know it!" I replied.

"You too? You're escaping your parents?" Emily questioned.

"Why?"

"Because," Richie answered, "Even YOU don't get up before 6:00."

"Dude, my mother is hysterical with the sobbing, and my dad is very angry about waking up before the sun."

"Us too."

They waved and left. It was nice to be out at this time of morning. When my older sister Destiny left, Mom forced us to eat 6 helpings of breakfast. I was surprised we actually got out the front door with Destiny's suitcases and onto the bus! I grabbed a smoothie, a breafast burito, and some peaches, and walked around. I had to find someway to kill some time before I go home, 'cause I didn't want to leave with my stomach LOADED on pancakes. So, to prevent that problem, I made a complete detour to the arcade.

When I got home, it was already 9:45, a tiny bit longer than I wanted; I was aiming more for 8:00. It was a whole different ballgame when I got home: As soon as I reached the doorstep, the female parent opened the door, and it wasn't hysterical, sobbing Mom, but angry, damage-breaking Mother.

"M-m-mom! What a p-pleasure it is to s-see you!"

I shouldn't be sweating right now; I could've sworn I heard Mom breathe out steam from her ears.

"DARREN JAMES DUCKLING!!!!!! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MORNING?!??!?!"


*Rule #1: When it comes to angry mothers, NEVER SWEAT! They prey on the weak ones first.*


"Avoiding the house before you stuff us with pancakes again and make us nearly miss the train!"


*Rule #2: When asked to explain yourself, NEVER give out the point-blank truth! You're just egging the parent(s) on to kill you past dead.*


But out of nowhere, Mom began to sob hysterically on my shoulder, and we spent the remainder of my time left looking at baby pictures and telling stories of when I was younger, much to my embarrassment.

Later on, after my quick cat-nap, Dad came bounding in the room, waking me up.

"The bus is here! Hurry up!"

We grabbed everyone of my bags, and bounded on the crowded bus. It took us 5 minutes to reach the train station, and when we got there, I couldn't believe my eyes; the train was wider and awesomer than I imagined. Even the inside looked luxurious! Many Ducks and Dogs were already on the train. Mom and Dad came on the train to help me put away my bags. I saw Jeremy waving for me, and I went right over to sit with him, Emily, and Richie. And we just talked until the Conductor announced that the train was ready to leave.

When the train started to learch out of the station, Everyone ran to the window and shouted cries of goodbyes. Mom and Dad grabbed my hand all the way until the platform ended. I just continued to wave until the train turned the corner and I couldn't see them anymore. Like everyone else on the train, I settled for a good sleep.

It was now 3:00, and the Conductor announced that we were 5 minutes away from the station. We all woke up, and started to talk again. Soon, the train pulled up, and there were already toons piling up on the platform: Cats, Monkeys, Mice, Rabbits, and Bears. But the station was deserted, and I could see why: In the distance, were two, five-star, double-decker buses headed our way. When they came, one toon came out with a bullhorn.

"What are you toons waiting for? Let's go!"

We all whooped and hollered, and boarded the buses, anticipation across our faces.

After 15 minutes of driving, some people became impatient, like Richie and me.

"How much longer?!"

"I dunno, but they better hurry with the driving!!"

Jeremy and Emily looked at us with the word 'happy' arcoss their faces.

"Look out the window and you'll see!!!"

Everyone looked out the window and gasped. I could even hear music spill from the land! The lights shone brightly across the world, and laughter could be heard.

"Welcome home, Darren." Jeremy said to me.

As we pulled up in the bus terminal, I immediately left the bus, ran out in the road, and smelled the fresh air. When we walked to the gates, I saw others laughing and playing as us new toons walked inside, upon the fresh ground that was called Toontown.