Chapter Text
It was October, the most special of all for their years cause this is where they would have the biggest Halloween of all time. In a sage green open hoodie with light tan skin, Carla witnessed decorations all around the neighbourhood she's in and everywhere she went, jumping over gaps of concrete as she had already has her costume planned and her other tasks now ready to be taken on by on the actual day.
However, as Carla was quickly collecting trinkets that had fallen on the ground, she noticed a strange paper butterfly fluttering about before landing on her nose bridge......... now falling off anticlimactically before the child picked it up to inspect the paper butterfly.
Upon eyeing the origami butterfly, Carla carefully unwrapped it upon noticing some words on some of the sides and smoothened it to uncover contrasting golden words against the sapphire foil that are written in a horrendous yet decent and understandable handwriting. It made Carla puzzled by some of the words written here but tried her efforts on understanding what was written and why was there a sentient origami butterfly flying towards her.
Dear Carla,
Apologies for the interruption of your daily activities. I have written this to inform you that I have invited you to Singapore to check out a cool stadium that is also a hotel. It is also a place to relax and that we can have not only delectable goods but also some diverse friends. It also requires your assistance so I very much hope you can be there and that it'll be by after tomorrow!
Sincerely, the messager.
P.S : There's also cool activities and you can create your favourites in here ;)
Strange......., Carla blinked at the note numerous times as she had so many questions: Who is this messager, how come they know her name, and WHY ARE THEY INVITING THEM TO SINGAPORE FOR HALLOWEEN?! Carla took a short deep breath as to calm her inner turmoil as she decides to inspect the note herself.
Carla listed off the people she knows off and crossed out a huge majority, leaving Felix and Ted as her suspects since they use alot of "fancy" words; which even then...... already has sprayed off loose. Felix obviously isn't the type to invite "commoners" in, and Carla had last seen Ted at a fancy bookstore accompanied by a bodyguard so it also couldn't be him.
Carla sighed but noticed that there was a golden arrow that had suddenly formed slowly as it points downwards before extending, flickering a bit as to tell Carla to open it. "Oh, and it has magic too? What is this?" Thought Carla with a grumble as she pulled it open, a ticket slipping out which revealed a special ship that leads from America to Singapore called the SR Sea Lion.
Finally, the last thing Carla has seen is that after she has taken the ticket was the origami now suddenly shifting into a shiny sapphire bracelet which made Carla........ internally infuriated by the amount of crazy things just happening.
Though....... Carla felt that she may get something out of the invite as she now rushes back home but mostly because of Lunch. After an intense venture back to her home, she gently kicked down the door before bursting in as she greets her family members as they all helped and sat in for said-lunch with their own plans on what to do.
While Carla was minding her business and scooping up a few bites, one of her brothers noticed the bracelet she wore and commented about it which then caused the whole family to lay their eyes on it.
Carla's brother :"Where the hell did you get that bracelet?"
Carla :"It's a gift....... from a friend......*sweats profusely*"
Carla's father :"¿Acaso no es una bendición? Judging by the colouration and true materials, that's sapphire. We can sell that for alot."
Carla's Mother :"Oh yesssss...... then we can live normally but really rich. I mean, all we have to do is survive this economy since we live in America."
Carla nods in unison with the rest of her family, only to notice her bracelet suddenly tightened and heavily constricted her arm causing her to tap on it roughly and urgent as it loosened its grip. By the time lunch is over, Carla went to her room to not only to layout her found trinkets but inspect the ticket alongside her own bracelet as to understand what is going on.
The ticket itself only invites Carla in, a minor yet heavily important problem as Carla knows she cannot go without them. That means she would have to sneak out by tomorrow and she knows how heavily problematic it is. Is she going to get her ass whooped for it? Yes. Is she still going to do it? Totally. With that, Carla drew a plan where she can safely sneak past upon having remembering her observations......... Not going to lie for a 5 year old, she's really experienced as I'm writing her.
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Early in the next morning where it's still night-time, Carla had brought her bag she has always carried to school since it's always light and full of empty storage as she carefully descended down the window and landed on a bush which the prickles were gladly shielded against by the cushioned boots she wore.
Carla rummaged through her bag on the small items before pulling out a device that is only used for tracking down certain areas, having stole that from the cabinet. As she tracked down the location of the area, having blown up random aggressive strangers and hitching rides illegally without anyone noticing, Carla saw a sign that reads many other locations but most importantly "SR Sealion Cruise port" which is located at the left.
With a new pathway to follow, Carla headed for the destination and after a few grueling hours, finally made it here. Taking in the salty sea breeze, Carla felt it was too early and decided to head to a nearby cafeteria and sat on the bench outside as to dine on some biscuits as she waits for the appropriate time.
Suddenly, she jumped as she heard one of the workers outside noticing her eating. Instead of a logical "WHERE THE HELL ARE YOUR PARENTS?!" response as Carla thought it be, the worker dragged her inside before wrapping the biscuits before demanding her she eat the cafeteria food inside which is fortunately still tasty.
Carla :"*Sees the worker leave* Estúpido trabajador........"
??? :"I don't know what you just said but I agree, his a pain in the ass......"
Carla :"Thanks that you-......... who the hell are you?"
??? :"First time here? Well obviously we're all first timers and extremely early for the cruise......... Name's Peacock by the way~"
Widening her eyes, Carla stared at what looks like an eyeless human with cyborg prosthetics in an old-timey 30s yet on-themed cruise clothing featuring a peacock-like structures. Peacock, as she called herself, gave a sharp toothy grin as Carla hesitantly shook her hand as the latter tilted herself partially to see other weird toons as well.
With Peacock are, in that order: an Eightball headed being that wears a tropical autumn hoodie, one of the shortest though partially taller than Carla; A beige ammonite fossil headed being that wears a skeletal-fossil themed dress ,chewing on a steak while happily waving at Carla; then finally a humanoid abomination in all black with the three heads of a unicorn in the center, lion on her left, and snake on her right, where numerous eyes and teeth are scattered all over.
Peacock :"So new dude, you also got that invitation that turned into a sapphire bracelet?"
Carla :"Y-yeah? All of you seem to be wearing it."
Peacock :"Yep, anyways- like I said, I'm Peacock. You are?"
Carla :"Carla...... just call me that."
Shelly :"HI CARLA! My name is Shelly and the one beside me is Toodles!"
Toodles :"Hi!"
Shelly :"And the scary looking one is Nightmare! Luckily she actually doesn't bite!"
Nightmare :"Greetings Carla, also the reason why I never bite is because of the law."
Carla whistled with a sweat as she attempted to make a witty joke that the invite really be letting anyone in, everyone else agreeing as Shelly suggests that maybe THEY are the diverse friends mentioned in the invite. Toodles felt that there will be probably more toons that also have the sapphire bracelets before everyone else had ate their secondary breakfast.
Few hours in, the five decided to group together and exit out of the Cafe once it is in the proper timing. Nightmare had her parasol out as to shade away from the sun as she checked for everyone, bustling in a way that's fairly crowded while also still small enough to not be too congested.
The five explored through the crowd until it was properly their turn to board the SR Sealion. Carla listened through the crowd as Peacock comments on how tacky yet awesome Carla's clothes are, the child responding that her mom bought for her long time ago as the recipient asks about Shelly and Nightmare.
Recipient :"So you five are going to Singapore, are you a friend group or a family group?"
Nightmare :"May you explain why that matters?"
Recipient :"I-its because...... families get discounts?"
Shelly :"Well since our group of 5 contains 3 kids and the two, being me and Nightmare, are adults........ I guess we're a family!"
Recipient :"I-interesting, though uh...... the family pass involves at least a parent or two..... preferably two y-yeah..."
Nightmare and Shelly turned to face each other and then back at the recipient,....... then back at each other again. Being the only two sole adults, Shelly shrugged as she and Nightmare............ decided to kiss each other intensively in front of everyone which made the recipient regret his life choices.
Toodles and Carla dropped their jaws, appalled by the witnessing of their adult friends doing the most horrific make-up session as they see Shelly's entire head devoured by sloppy toothy kisses of Nightmare's head which even grossed the other two heads out.
Toodles :"WHY IS SHE IN HER MOUTH?!"
Carla :"I swear these days are getting more weirder and weirder............"
Peacock :"Good thing my eyes were gouged out long time ago before I even got here, the only thing traumatizing me minorly is my hearing."
Carla :"Your eyes were what now?"
Peacock :"Long story."
After that....... unconventional showcasing, the five got in with specialized tickets so that they can enter the cruise and go to Singapore. Toodles had a hysterical yet understandable conversation with Shelly on why did she and Nightmare do that while Carla, Peacock and Nightmare awkwardly continued to bring their stuff along and constantly stare at the nice soft carpet as they slowly entered the cruise and into their designated rooms.
Since their going to be at cruise, Carla didn't expect any wifi that is free to be happening as they finally unpacked some of their stuff and now can discuss to each other on usual stuff but most importantly now that they decided to talk about it........ why are they invited?
The conversation continues normally, Carla listening in on what the others have to say and how weirdly suspicious the invite is despite none of them having signed up for anything. During the conversation however, Toodles suddenly heard the telephone ringing and picked it up; wondering if it's a scam.
Toodles :"H-hello? Who are you?"
?? :"Why I'm your tour guide in Singapore! Sorry for the early call, I just wanted to tell you a few important advice if you were to ever reach Singapore-!"
Carla :"Hold up hold up,...... how the hell are you contacting us through the cruise? I mean yeah it hasn't even take lift yet but the cruise security is probably strong here!"
?? :"Oh its simple, I hacked it. Luckily, I'm only using it to contact you as to give you a few instructions."
The five listened to the tour guide and were all told that they all meet up at Gardens By the Bay, already having booked a taxi for all of them by the time they would arrive. The group felt a lingering discomfort tingling through them as Shelly hesistantly showed her gratitude politely before the call had finally ended.
Hearing that there are 37 toons that are also invited, the 5 are not so sure what to do other than heed to the Tour guide's rules. Carla looked outside the window where it's also the balcony door where Shelly decided to enjoy the afternoon burns while the rest decided to do other activities as to wonder what to do in the cruise.
Carla decided to go over to Toodles, mostly because Toodles is the only kid here whose probably decent and free to talk to. Nightmare seems like the type to prefer peace and quiet while Peacock is already in her own world and is immediately causing a legal ruckus in the room without disturbing anybody, Shelly would possibly trap Carla in an endless conversation so Carla knew her choices well.
Carla :"So...... You're Toodles right? The...... eightball head?"
Toodles :"Yep! And you must be Carla. Cool name, never would've thought we have our first meeting because of an invite."
Carla :"Yeah me neither...... weird how I'm grouped with a bunch of strangers including you."
Toodles :"Eh, that's alright. Plus, sometimes you should take opportunities to being friends with other toons. That's what Shelly taught me alongside a few others."
Carla :"And if the stranger is no good?"
Toodles :"............ Run away then."
Carla snickered at Toodles' response before noticing the notepad that is designed similar to those detective file journals that is contrasted with the childish scribbles and drawings applied on some pages. Not going unnoticed, Toodles explained how she wanted to be a detective like Rodger though also wants to be like journalist that writes down important details which made Carla invested in hearing those interests, suddenly feeling a lingering warmth as she decides to share her interests as well.
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In those days inside of the cruise, the five had finally exited out of the cruise and were slumped yet satisfied. They had eaten nothing but at buffets which felt like an overbloat alongside having traveling around the cruise ship without participating in any activities. Regardless, they bonded over those two days and became close acquaintances as they now started chatting to each other while needing to search for the other toons as well.
Peacock :"So Carla, how did you get here by the port where we first met?"
Carla :"Sneaked off and followed the tracks. I'm a really stealthy person."
Peacock :"Well damn, that's impressive."
Toodles :"And terrifying, don't do that ever again especially without your parents........"
Carla :"No promises."
Peacock :"So uh..... do you think your mom would whoop your ass if she and the others realise that you traveled to Singapore all because of some magical invite where you also met some talking object heads, a semi-cyborg, a one of the literal embodiments of nightmares, and whoever the hell we are going to meet?"
Carla :"........Well-..."
*Meanwhile, back in America and Carla's family is freaking out on her disappearance so they scurried everywhere*
Carla's Mother :"CARLA! CARLA! ¡Oh, Dios mío! ¿Dónde diablos se fue mi bebé?"
Carla's Father :"*Points at a nearby station* A POLICE STATION! Thank the lords, we gotta head there immediately!"
The family :"*Sprints towards the police station, causing the police officer to almost drop his donuts*"
Carla's Father :"Hey put the donuts down!"
Police officer :"What in the-?"
Carla's Brother :"Drop the Krispy Kremes Sergent Ko- We need your help here-"
Carla's Mother :"¿Hasvistoamihija,quesepareceamíperotambiéntienelapielmácurademimarido,llevaunasudaderaverdeconcapuchaylegustacontrabandearcosasyfabricarartefactosexplosivos-?!"
Carla's brother :"Yeah hotdiggityhsjahhshsgsuwowhhwvehwvevwnsisiwudiggity! *gets slapped by the behind on the head* OW!"
*Back with the five*
Carla :"...... Probably yeah."
Peacock :"Well, I guess it's going to suck for you once we head back which is obviously not now."
Carla shrugs again before the five were suddenly scooped up by a taxi who immediately headed straight to Gardens By the Bay before throwing them all ungracefully on the floor. Nightmare obviously didn't take that well before using 1% of her powers to summon some nightmarish tentacles from out of nowhere before having said-tentacles drag the driver to the depths of the nightmares she lived in.......... much to everyone's unknown as they had recently picked themselves up.
Toodles helped Carla get up as they both suddenly witness a yellow pegasus with pastel pink mane and tail carefully pick Peacock up, having a soft reassuring gaze that feels hesistant yet rightfully concerned. From the front hooves on the left, there was a sapphire bracelet as well meaning this is one of the 39 also with them. The pegasus soon introduced herself as Fluttershy though didn't expect to be more species rather than other ponies, something that felt like a relief before she joins the group on their location.
After the rediscovery of having a similar reason why they were here, they headed to golden garden where the other 38 toons are who are both just as confused as well. A buff elegant inphernal with a tree arm was trying to deal with a pure human in a floral autumn kimono, a goose with a green chain necklace, and a papery humanoid whose partially dragon as to prevent them from causing property damage while the rest either fidgety around with their own items or surroundings with others chatting to each other.
Fluttershy went to go help the inphernal out while Shelly went over to speak with everyone over enthusiastically. Peacock and Nightmare decided to roam around amongst the group with Toodles and Carla finally joining in.
While the huge group was waiting, Carla had observed that there are multiple toons of many species here with the most being humans and surprisingly felines. The rest are a special case for they either go from an anthro dalmatian and a plush unicorn to a literal seraphim and a pile of ribbons with a mask for a face.
Amongst the toons was a cubic sheep who casually baa'ed at Carla, amusing the child as she decides to go chat with it for a short while for no reason.
Finally, the tour guide had finally arrived who revealed itself to be a crystal being of some sort. Sapphire as well, the tour guide thanked everyone for all being here before going over to shake everyone's hand/paw/whatever while transforming into the one it's shaking with. Carla saw the tour guide transform into her before roughly in a gentle way, shook her hand before the tour guide transformed into normal.
Tour Guide :"Thank you everyone! Now introductions aside, welcome to Gardens by the Bay. Since I am your tour guide, permanently, I will show you our designated spot where the stadium is since it's actually hidden away from the public."
Anthro Cookie named Mango Cookie :"Thanks Tour guide! I'm glad to hear this kind service, reminds me of my tour guiding days."
White kitten named Marie :"Quick question, why is it invisible?"
Tour Guide :"Well the authorities might get rid of it and the Serpent of Chaos who surprisingly is a friendly toon alongside being the one to invite you, knew that it would waste her efforts so she casted an invisibility spell on it and only I can see it alongside your bracelets."
Carla softly whistled in interest as the group of 42 followed the tour guide and into a thick dense vegetation where they assumed that it is some untouched land. While they were exploring, Carla decided to ride on the cubic sheep's back and bond with it only to learn that it's name is Pink Shep which makes it partially funny.
They then arrived at the place after some leg torture from their walk, seeing the stadium in toon as they realised how humongous it is. A teen Mammoth was impressed by the way it stands out amongst the vegetation while a plush unicorn mildly comments in a hint of vex on the design of it.
Peaches :"Woah, this place is huge! No wonder why it is hidden amongst the vegetation and has to be casted by some invisibility spell!"
Craftycorn :"True....... though it looked dull, looks colourless and everything lifeless."
Tour guide :"True, that's why the Serpent of Chaos needs your assistance. She actually can do it herself but requires your likening. She already had designed the living areas though made it a canvas for you to put in the details. Whether it be a museum, a kibuki-like area, blah blah blah....... whatever you want as long as it looks pretty."
Seeing the sparkling eyes of almost everyone, the Tour guide gently kicked down the door and announced that the group is here; everyone almost fidgety as a large jester Serpent that dresses like a scene kid appears out of nowhere before introducing herself as the Serpent of Chaos.
Some of the toons jumped away at the sight of the Serpent of Chaos, causing the false idol to apologise as she gave her gratitude for their arrival. However the cheetah asked the Serpent of Chaos on why did she chose them rather than "powerful" figures besides Emily the seraphim and Nightmare.
Fuli :"Like why us?"
Serpent of Chaos :"To be honest, I was actually bored and I remembered exploring around your world and thought that I be interested in all if you here. Plus, you're probably more funner than some powerful people. I can imagine the dynamics forming inside of all of you."
Zip :"Yo we're FUN!!!"
Craftycorn :"So uh...... when do we get to terraforming this place to being more awesome?"
Serpent of Chaos :"Why now, I mean I already have some set ups and can craft anything you want in order to decorate this place. In fact, I'll even help some of you out on more humongous stuff. I also can give you lessons and break times so you don't get overly worn out since it's a free labour thing."
Gangle :"Uhhhhh, the tour guide said we can decorate the area as long as it looks pretty. Does it mean we can decorate anything?"
The Serpent of Chaos stayed silent for a while, progressing the information as it stared at the group, causing the toons to shift uncomfortably with Carla squinting at the false idol until she finally replied.
Serpent of Chaos :"Why yes."
Group :"..................."
Craftycorn :"*Inhales* LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
Bouquet, Fluttershy and Vinestaff :"LANGUAGE!"
Craftycorn :"Sorry......."
Serpent of Chaos :"Well then what are you guys waiting for? Let's get decorating!"
The toons all went into a stampede as they now can decorate the place while taking out some of the preset furniture while having the Serpent of Chaos create certain items as wished by some of the toons to decorate. Carla felt she was going to have so much entertainment if it means creating whatever she wants, unaware of that this decoration fiasco will change her life forever, the untouched dusty television showcasing the news of toons desperate for their loved ones amongst the group upon a sudden disappearance..........
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In the HQ of lost toons, there were toons who were heavily worried about their loved ones. Carla's family was amongst them as the brother witnesses an ice age family with the father mammoth hyperventilating while his wife and other members which include two sloths, two sabertooths and a twin possums tried to comfort him; Geronimo was freaking out with the rest of his loved ones and relatives as he sobs about his nephew and his nephew's friend with Petunia; and so many more desperation.
It has been 15 days and there was no sign of them. The authorities had no idea where such a diverse missing group is and that paranoid the mourning toons even more.
Hope was surely to be lost when three figures bursted into the place while panting in desperation. The sharp skinny pink haired human comforted her fellow band member whose a purple hair braided half-human demon on the rush while an anthro magnifying glass spat out the revealing truth.
Rodger :"WE KNOW WHERE THEY ARE!"
Everyone else :"HUH?!"
Rumi :"*GASPS before composing herself.* It's true, they are all in Singapore...... Gardens by the Bay......"
Mira :"We figured this as we being Rumi and I, were on an Californian tour without Zoey whose wearing the sapphire bracelet. We were checking on her social media as we knew she went there but she's in none of the actual hotels."
Rodger :"How we knew that it is Gardens By the Bay because as I was checking on Shelly's social media, she showed me pictures of some local brids found in the area alongside plants you would otherwise see exclusively in Gardens By the Bay."
Rodger showed the pictures to everyone, now giving everyone an opportunity to now go there. One of the toons worried that it'd be too expensive, only for one of the authorities surprisingly lending a hand by helping to pay for all of them to all go there.
Soon, the humongous crowd now rushed out......... unaware that they were too late but not in the way you think.......