In loving memory of Bud Luckey, David Ogden Stiers, Will Vinton, Stan Lee, Stephen Hillenburg and Don Lusk

March in Animation Acres. That’s the time of year when we bid farewell to this season of winter, and welcome springtime in a bright, gorgeous embrace...at least it would be if not for the recent snowstorm. Unexpectedly, when it seemed like winter came to an end, the town of Animation Acres was greeted with ice and snow. Everyone around was upset by this event, but most eventually knew that anger and/or insane would get them nowhere. But not everyone went by that logic. If they did, there would be no story.

In the top bunk on the bed, Eric Cartman just laid there, irritated by the recent snowstorm. He was so ready to finally bid a farewell to the bitter cold. A harsh, mocking farewell he would deliver. But no, he had to get through a little bit more of it. Though to him, a little bit more time felt like an eternity. What didn’t help more was SpongeBob, sleeping on the bottom bunk, kept unintentionally making so much noise while sleeping. He was tossing and turning, and making different sounds in between snores. Finally, Cartman couldn’t take it.

“ENOUGH!!!”

SpongeBob shot out of his bed. “Wha-? Wha...Eric, what’s wrong?”

“Do you have to make so much noise when you sleep?!” Cartman snapped. “I can hardly hear myself think!...Or go to sleep!...Or think of going to sleep, everyone just stop!”

“Who’s everyone?” SpongeBob asked, rubbing his eyes.

“YouknowwhatImean!!!” Cartman threw himself back on the bed.

“Eric, I know you’re still ticked by that surprising snowstorm we had.” SpongeBob said, looking at his April calendar. “But maybe we can try to shovel it after school?”

“Sure, that’s what I need after school, more labor.” Cartman grumbled. “Besides, Pinkie borrowed our shovel!”

“Don’t worry, Eric!” SpongeBob looked up. “Pinkie said she’d return it, today!”

Suddenly, Cartman and SpongeBob heard their garbage cans rustle outside, like someone ran into them!

“What was that?!” SpongeBob covered himself in his blanket.

Cartman leaped out of his bed to get a better look as SpongeBob continued. “You don’t think it’s Floorboard Harry, do you?”

“Oh, for the love of-” Cartman slapped his forehead.

“Don’t you remember?” SpongeBob asked. “My uncle told us that Floorboard Harry sneaks around and gets little kids who keep secrets!”

“Don’t tell me you still believe in that stuff!” Cartman snapped.”That story is just a myth!”

Suddenly, a shadowed figure jumped at the window, causing Cartman and SpongeBob to both scream.

The figure then it’s head out in the light revealing Pinkie. “Hi, guys! Guess who’s got shovels!” She spoke in a sing-song voice.

“Oh!” SpongeBob spoke as he took the shovels. “Thanks! Uh, why at this time of night?”

“You mean this time of day!” Pinkie grinned. She then looked down sheepishly. “But I noticed it was 5:00 AM. I wasn’t too late, was I?”

Cartman said nothing. All he did was purposely fall back on his bed in annoyance.

It was now morning in Animation Acres, and the gang were all waiting by the bus stop. The only one that wasn’t there was Spot.

“Hey, Timmy.” Spike asked. “Where’s Spot?”

Timmy looked up. “Oh, uh...he’s getting his shot today.”

“His shot?” Pinkie asked. “You mean the sharp-needle-pointy-thing-to-your-body-that-stops-hurting-once-you-get-candy shot?”

Timmy slowly nodded, trying to put together what Pinkie said and meant. “Yyyyyyeah…?”

“I thought Spot hated shots!” Spike spoke.

“Oh, he does...he just doesn’t know he’s getting one.” Timmy spoke.

Suddenly, Cartman and SpongeBob both walked up to the bus stop with the rest of the gang.

“Hi, guys!” SpongeBob waved.

“Mmph…” A bitter and tired Cartman grumbled.

“Still grouchy about the weather, aren’t ya?” Pinkie asked, hopping up and down in front of them. “Well, don’t worry! So the groundhog made a little oopsie and we still gotta put up with the freezing chills of winter! But no worries! Springy-dingy will be here soon!”

Cartman turned to Pinkie with a face that felt like a monster snarling.

Pinkie’s eyes widened as her ears dropped. “Oh…” She chuckled and cleared her throat. “That...that’s nice…” Pinkie had no idea how to respond to that. Cartman had been a bit rude before, but never quite this malicious. Something was up. Pinkie leaned in to him.

“Well, don’t worry, Eric! The snow will go away soon!” Pinkie said. “It’ll feel like springtime before we know it!”

“Merry Early Christmas!”

The kids looked over to a humanoid cow named Heffer jumping through the neighborhood with a net full of Christmas trees. “Merry 9 months until Christmas!”

SpongeBob turned to Pinkie. “It is March 25th, he’s not far off.”

“...NOOOO!!!” Cartman lunged for Heffer, but Pinkie and SpongeBob held him back.

After a couple seconds, the bus arrived to take them all to Sterling Holloway School. Once the bus got rolling, Spike turned to Timmy. “Man, I remember the last time Spot was taken to get a shot,” Spike reminded Timmy.

“Tell me about it,” Timmy said as he and Spike looked out the window. “It took us five minutes to find him from hiding and ten to get in the car!”

“Hmm,” Spike put his head on his claw. “I wonder if Spot’s gonna find out or not.”

Meanwhile, Barbara was driving Spot to the vet, but in the dog’s eyes, he thought he was going someplace else. Barbara tried a bit of reverse psychology, convincing Spot they were going to the dog park to play catch. She hoped it would distract him long enough to get the visit over with.

Spot was running and frolicking, eager to get out of the car and play. It was like he was already there, and he acted out his fantasies in the back seat. “Oh, I love the park! Love it, love it, love it, love it! The blue sky, the huge trees, the snow I can roll around in, Oh! Ican’twaitIcan’twaitIcan’twait!” Spot bounced around in the car.

Barbara however, was feeling nervous. She didn’t know when was the right moment to do what she had to. Especially on how she could talk to Spot, now. But she struggled a smile. “Yeah...sounds fun!” But she didn’t sound like it. She kept driving, trying to ignore the dog for his own sake.

“Although I wonder why you have to take me since you lost at rock-paper-scissors.” Spot spoke. “Doesn’t the winner go?”

Barbara muttered to herself. “Scissors, I always pick scissors! Next time, it will be paper!”

“Huh?” Spot asked.

“Oh, nothing!” Barbara said, as she stopped the car.

“Why did we stop?” Spot asked. “Are we taking a shortcut?”

As Spot looked around in the car, Barbara quickly took out a special drink. “Hey, Spot!”

Spot happily hopped over to Barbara, wagging his tail. “E-e-e-ye-e-e-e-e-e-s?”

“Uh...before we go...I think you should take this drink so...so you’re not out of breath!” Barbara held the drink in front of Spot.

Spot eyed the drink, suspiciously...but then shrugged. “Alright!” Spot took the drink and gulped it down. Once he finished, he licked his chops. “Ah...tastes like…” His eyelids drooped as his voice began to slow. “Tastes like...unconscious!” Within less than a second, Spot fell over, out like a light.

Knockout drops. Clean and simple. Barbara had learned the recipe for them years ago, but had not used them since Timmy was younger. Barbara put her hand to her head as she continued driving. “I hated to do it. But it was the only way I could have taken him in one piece.”

Later, the bus arrived at Sterling Holloway School, and as the children walked off the bus, they noticed both Mr. Coyote and Mr. Road Runner standing at the doors.

“Hello, children!” Mr. Coyote spoke. “Now I understand that the weather has hit a bit of a snowy bump in...April. I can imagine you’re all waiting to go inside the warm school to get away from it all.”

The class all began going “Yeah!” and “Uh-huh!”

“Well, not right now.” Mr. Coyote looked down, sheepishly.

The class began going “Awww!” and "Oh, man!”

“Apparently, the recent weather has affected the heat in our school. So, to keep the heat up, we all need to go and get some wood from The Brisby Forest to keep things all warmed up inside.” Mr. Coyote instructed.

“I should’ve laid in bed to die,” Cartman grumbled.

“Now, now,” Mr. Coyote assured. “I will light the fire myself. I’m a trained professional. The rest of you are going to help me pick it.”

Later, Mr. Coyote, Mr. Road Runner and the class were now in the Brisby Forest carrying shovels.

“Now, children. We’re all going to split into two groups.” Mr. Coyote spoke with a grumble. “Half of you will go with...Mr. Road Runner…”

“Beep-Beep!” Mr. Road Runner looked up.

“And the rest of you will go with my genius self.” Mr. Coyote finished with a boastful laugh. “But be sure to not just pick the big ones, but the driest ones. They burn the best.” Cartman groaned as he marched off, not really listening to what Mr. Coyote was saying.

Cartman walked off with Road Runner, disheveled and alone. He followed the lead of a few others, tying some twine on sticks and branches for firewood.

It was then that Pinkie Pie came along. “Mr. Road Runner wants us to form straight rows of five and help others if they need it. So what do you say? Should we tag up in five minutes?”

Pinkie kept talking faster. Her trademark million words a minute caught him off-guard. “And so when we dig, we want to do it with our legs so we don’t strain ourselves. And even though it’s winter we should still do water breaks, and... “ Cartman was a bit distracted, trying to listen to Pinkie and shovel. Suddenly, Cartman had a thought that made him smirk.

"Hey, Pinkie!" Cartman spoke, making Pinkie stop. "Totally love the boring instructions, but how about you give instructions and do my work at the same time?"

Pinkie gasped. "Eric, that's a great idea! I'll get right to it!"

As Pinkie started doing it, falling for Cartman's trick, Cartman himself began sneaking away.

He walked further and further, and started to feel the snap of the cold front swooping in. As his teeth chattered, he realized he may have gone too far. Then, Cartman detected a presence. Something, or someone, else wa following him.

“A bit chilling, isn’t it?” A familiar voice cried out.

“What?” Cartman gasped, slightly panicked. He heard a rustling in the bushes. His heart began to race as shapes swirled around him. A pink blur passed before his eyes.

“Oh, don’t be so cold with me,” the same voice echoed as though it were a chorus of thousands. And from out of the bushes jumped a smiling and mischievous Cheshire Cat, completely unfazed by the cold.

“You again!” Cartman sneered. “I thought you could only turn invisible!”

“That’s at least one thing to know about me.” The cat grinned. “Surprised it took you so short to find out.”

Cartman growled. “Why I oughta go and…”

The cat extended a finger and shushed Cartman. “Now, now,” he giggled. “Let us not hasten ourselves. You’ll get worn out in the cold the more energy you use.”

“What’s the point?” Cartman snapped. “The winter is full of crud! If I put up with any more I’m gonna be so ticked OFF!”

“There is a word and a phrase the wise often use,” The Cheshire Cat began to balance himself. “It’s called ‘Patience’...but not a lot of people take that advice, so I’ll show you something else.”

“What the heck are you-?” Cartman then heard something below him. There were pawprints in the snow, appearing out of nowhere and walking away.

“Gah!” Cartman jumped up in surprise, but noticed that the Cheshire Cat was no longer visible.

“Follow me, Mr. Stubborn.”

Cartman heard the Cheshire Cat’s voice in the distance of the pawprints. Seeing as how Cartman had nothing better to do, he followed the Cheshire Cat’s path. But he noticed the pawprints started appearing faster.

Timmy was gathering his own sticks, until he noticed Pinkie building something with the snow. “Pinkie?” Timmy asked. “What are you doing?”

“Oh, hi!” Pinkie grinned. “Since I was done gathering my own sticks, I decided to build a snowman to pass the time!” She looked up to her work and giggled sheepishly. “The only thing is I lost the head.” Pinkie then turned in the other direction. “But hey, have you seen Eric?”

“Hey! Hey, wait!” Cartman struggled to keep up with The Cheshire Cat. “Can’t ya see...Oof! Can’t ya see I’m trying to-Whoa!” Cartman then slid down a slippery section until he fell through a tree.

Cartman landed in the darkness of the bottom of the tree. Once he got up, he grunted. “For the love of stupid!”

He looked up and saw something strange in front of him. It was tall, and surrounded by a bright light, and he could swear that it was...a bit...green?

Cartman rubbed his eyes to get a better view, but once his vision came through, he couldn’t believe his eyes. He was surrounded in an area with bright, diamond-like rocks on the walls, and in the center, was a large tree with branches that didn’t grow leaves...nor apples...but green, crisp, dollar bills!

Cartman immediately ran towards the tree and picked off two dollar bills from it. “What is-?” Cartman saw that he had two $10 bills. He looked up and saw the tree was covered in $10 bills.

“I…I’M RICH!!! YAHOO!!!!” Cartman laughed madly. He climbed up the tree and quickly pulled ten 10s. He then quickly shook a branch causing more money to fall on the ground. He happily landed in the money. “And I didn’t have to do a thing to earn it!”
A couple minutes later, Cartman climbed back up to where he was as his book-bag was filled with money.

“Seem pretty satisfied, huh?” The Cheshire Cat asked from a nearby tree branch.

“Ha! You don’t know the half of it!” Cartman laughed. “I found all that money in that tree all by myself, and I didn’t need your ways to get there!”

“Oh, but I would know the half of that,” the cat split himself down the middle. “You just need to see beyond it, which is no small feat given how your eyes have overlooked me this whole time.”

Cartman grew annoyed by that comment, as well as the Cheshire Cat’s smug talking overall. “Oh, yeah?” Cartman quickly made a snowball. “How about this?!”

He threw it towards the Cheshire Cat but he disappeared before he could hit him. He reappeared on a nearby boulder, keeping his grin on. “I know it’s childish but...you missed me!”

“You stupid-!” Cartman threw another snowball in his direction, but the Cheshire Cat jumped backwards like he was diving in the water. Cartman looked over the boulder, but saw his shadow on it. He looked up and saw the Cheshire Cat waving.

“I’ll get you!” Cartman threw another snowball, but the Cheshire Cat waved his tail over his body, causing him to fully disappear again.

Cartman grumbled to himself. He suddenly noticed an even bigger snowball right next to him. He snickered as he began to pick it up.

“You’d get me if you didn’t throw like Eric Cartman.” Cartman heard the Cheshire Cat, who was sitting on a tree stump.

“Shut up, shut up, shut up!” Cartman, with all his might, threw the huge snowball as he heard it hit someone, followed by a yelp of alarm.

“Yes! I got him!” Cartman said in victory as he began to chant. “Got him with a snowball! Na-na-na-na-na-na! Na-na-na-na...naaa-naaaa?!”

Cartman noticed he didn’t hit the Cheshire Cat with his snowball, but instead hit Mr. Coyote with it. He noticed the teacher get up in annoyance and stare at him.

“Good news, Eric!” Pinkie chuckled nervously as she and SpongeBob appeared behind the teacher. “...I think you found my snowman head.”

“I...I...but it was that stupid cat!” Cartman tried to explain.

“I sincerely hope you didn’t have any after-school activities.” Mr. Coyote spoke, irritatingly.

In the Animation Acres Pet Hospital, Barbara was in the waiting room, while the knocked out Spot was getting his shot. While there, Barbara felt bad on how she had to lie to and trick Spot into going here, but she had no choice. Suddenly, the doors burst open, revealing Daffy who had all of his feathers gone.

“Nurse? Oh, Nurse! Wrap me in your arms!” The duck madly laughed. “Treat me with ca-ca-ca-ca-ca-care!!!”

Bugs quickly ran inside and grabbed a hold of Daffy. “He-he,” Bugs nervously chuckled to Barbara. “Sorry, miss. Wrong hospital.”

“Don’t be jealous, Bugsy!” Daffy looked at Bugs as he carried him out. “You’ll be on next week’s plate! Hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo-hoo! Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!!!”

After the two were gone, Barbara needed a moment to let whatever just happened sink in, before getting her mind straight.

Another door then opened, revealing the nurse Daisy, carrying a dazed Spot. “Um...Miss Gordon?”

Barbara immediately leapt out of her seat to look at Spot, who had a dazed look in his eyes.

“Your dog is alright, Miss Gordon.” Daisy spoke. “The shot was a success!”

Barbara sighed. “Well, that’s the best thing I needed to hear.”

“However, it may take a couple of days until your dog is back to normal.” Daisy continued.

“What do you mean?” Barbara asked as she carried Spot.

“This is a special dose. Spot may suffer a couple...side effects due to the shot, so I would keep an eye on him.” Daisy said.

Barbara was concerned, but she looked at Spot. “Okay, thanks a bunch!”

Barbara was driving Spot home, now that the shot was over. “What did she mean by side effects?” Barbara said to herself as she parked at the house. “Oh...oh, it’s probably not a big deal. Spot’s gonna be-” Barbara was caught off-guard as Spot was now fully awake, with a big grin, and panting as if he ran to Paris and back.

“Spot!...You’re awake!” Barbara spoke, nervously as Spot remained silent. “...How do-”

“YeahI’mawake! Howareyou?” Spot asked at a very fast pace.

“...I’m okay…” Barbara said. “...You wanna go-”

“That’sgreatohear! Wannagoinside? Youwannaeateggs? Icouldeateggs! I’venevermetasoulwhoneverlikedeggs! Iseriouslyhaveacravingforeggs!” Spot barked.

“Oh!...” Barbara pretended not to be nervous. “So...you’re hungry!”

“Eggs! Eggs, eggs! Eggs, eggs, eggs, EGGS! Eggs-eggs-eggs-eggs, eggs. Eggs!” Spot kept blabbing as Barbara slowly got out of the car.

“You need help getting out, Spotty?” Barbara asked the yapping dog as she opened the door. But Spot tumbled into the snow. But Spot suddenly began stuffing it into his mouth. “I’meatingfrozenyogurt!” Spot began to stuff more in. “...My first time trying it!” He stuffed one more pawful in. “...Needs more flavor. Oh!” Spot hopped over to the doorstep and eyed it.

“...What’s that food you’re looking at?” Barbara asked, trying to play along.

“Ohthat’snotfoodDOORSTEP! Iiiiiiiiiit’s a doorstep!” Spot looked firmly at the doorstep as his tail began thumping.
Barbara sighed in relief, maybe Spot hasn’t totally lost it.

“Looksdelicious!” Spot opened his mouth very wide but Barbara yelped and quickly pulled him back before his jaws clamped.

The next morning, SpongeBob raced out the door with his school supplies to join the bus stop with his friends. But before he could go further from his house, he glanced up to the window of his bedroom.

“Eric!” SpongeBob called. “Hurry up or you’ll be late!”

“I’m taking my time, SpongeBob!” Cartman called back from the window. “No need to rush!” He closed it and walked over to his pillow.

A devilish grin stretched across his face. “The perfect hiding place.” He unzipped his pillow and shoved his hand in. He pulled out all sorts of the dollar bills he took from the tree the day before. “And no one knows the wiser.” Cartman chuckled.

Poof!
Cartman turned around and saw what appeared to be a tiny version of himself, except in a white robe, angel wings and a halo.

“Feeling pretty good about yourself, are we, my real-life doppelganger?” The figure asked softly, with his hands together.

Cartman groaned and rolled his eyes. “Yes, Angel Me.”

Cartman’s conscience nodded as Cartman put his book-bag on. “I’m sure you are. But what’s important is that you must resist the powers of greed, for they can-”

“Buzz off, conscience! I’m busy!” Cartman interrupted as he flicked his tiny angel form away and began to head out the door.

The kids were once again at the bus stop, all except for Cartman.

“Hey, SpongeBob, where’s Cartman?” Spike asked.

“Oh, he was getting other things ready! Though, he wouldn’t show me what it was.” SpongeBob answered. “But for some reason, he’s been acting...happy.”

“How happy?” Timmy asked raising an eyebrow.

“Just acting peachy and smug ever since school, yesterday?”

Spike was surprised. “Even after getting detention?”

“Yeah!” SpongeBob spoke. “Which is weird because of how angry he was the past few days.”

Suddenly, Cartman walked up to the gang with his book-bag being noticeably stuffed. “Greetings, my fellow friends at the bus-stop!” Cartman greeted with a smug grin.

“Hiya, Eric!” Pinkie hopped in front of her friend. “Good to see ya not in the grouchy dumps anymore!”

“Not at all,” Cartman spoke. “I have a feeling things will work out splendidly...at least for me. Oh, by the way, Timothy, where’s our canine companion?”

Timmy was weirded out by Cartman’s weird way of talking as was everyone else, but shook it off. “Spot can’t come to school for the next couple days. He’s still acting weird after his shot.”

Spot was sitting on the couch, his tail thumping as loud as it can as his head kept turning around. “Nowwwwwwwwletmesee! What can I do when I’m ALONE on this day?” Spot began rubbing his face on the couch before rolling around on the floor until he hit small table, causing himself to groan. Suddenly, his whole face brightened.

“I know!” Spot grinned. “I’ll draw the entire state of California! I just need the supplies!” Spot spoke the last part in a sing-song tone as he ran to get supplies. He ran back to the living room in 10 seconds. “Ah-ha! I have paper, paint, forks, knives, a pair of socks and gluuuuuuuue…” Spot gazed upon the glue bottle in his paws and mouthed the word “...Yes…”

Later that day, Timmy and his friends all sat to lunch. They were having fun talking amongst themselves, when all of a sudden Eric walked in, a smug, self-satisfied grin on his face. With him, he had a double lunch instead of one. “How’s it going...lovelies!” He shouted to them as he sat down.

“Uh...Eric,” Timmy winced. “You’re acting stranger than usual. Is something wrong?”

“Ah, no. Nothing’s wrong.” Cartman leaned back and kicked his knees up.

Pinkie squirmed in confusion. “Uh...Eric. You really shouldn’t be doing that.”

“Why not?” Cartman called back at her. “My kicks are as clean as ever and my mood matches in tone. So I say it’s a-okay!”

Timmy just shook his head. “Alright, there’s got to be something going on here.”

“No, nothing,” Cartman insisted. “I’m just fine.”

Suddenly, Cartman’s conscience appeared, but only to Cartman of course. “Beware of your attitude, Eric. Remember,” the angelic figure tried to tell him, “More money; More problems!”

Cartman waved his hands in front of his face, batting at the small projection of himself. Of course, Cartman was the only one who could see his own conscience, making the scene awkward for everyone else involved.

Cartman stood up from the table, still swatting the invisible threat. “Just a second guys,” Cartman assured. “I need a bit of time with a special someone. Catch you all later.” He turned around and stormed off, not looking back at his friends once.

As the four watched Cartman walk away, they all stared at each other.

“Is it me, or is Eric even more strange than usual?” SpongeBob asked.

“Well, he did call us ‘lovelies’!” Pinkie spoke, trying to lighten the mood.

“Hmph,” Jiminy harrumphed. “I always hated that little jerk.”

The four all stared at Jiminy upon that comment. Jiminy looked up. “Hey, I’m only kidding!”

It was now nearing the end of school, and Timmy and his friends with the exception of Cartman were getting ready to leave. Timmy paused, feeling a bit worried for Spot. It was a bit empty through the day without him there. Suddenly, he noticed Pinkie skipping next to him, while panting.

“Pinkie?” Timmy asked. “You okay?”

“You seem a bit down without Spot here,” Pinkie said. “So, I’m pretending to be a dog to make things better! Woof-woof!”

“Uh...thanks, Pinkie.” Timmy spoke. “But I’m doing alright on my own.”

“You mean you’re being a dog on your own?” Pinkie asked.

“No, I-” Timmy was about to say, until he noticed someone in front of him. He looked up and saw it was Anna and Elsa.

“Hey, guys!” Anna grinned. “How’s it going?”

Timmy surprised to see Anna at that instant, didn’t know what to say. “...Woof.”

“Ooh, not bad!” Pinkie playfully nudged Timmy. “Little low, but not bad!”

“Hi, guys!” Spike happily greeted his babysitters. “What’s up?”

“Well, we noticed it’s pretty packed where the buses are.” Elsa spoke. “So, we were wondering if you wanted to ride home with us.”

All of the kids’ faces brightened up. “Yeah, that sounds awesome!” Spike answered.

“Woo-hoo!” Pinkie hopped in the air. “I call shotgun!”

They all then noticed Cartman walking on his own, looking more stubborn than he was before.

“Hey, Eric!” SpongeBob waved. “Wanna ride with us?”

“Uh...no! No, I’m fine! I’ll catch a cab!” Cartman quickly said.

“A cab?” Timmy raised an eyebrow. “But you can’t-”

“I’ll be fine, thanks! See ya, babe.” Cartman said quickly to Elsa as he ran off.

Elsa looked annoyed by Cartman’s flirting and blew her bangs.

Cartman was walking away from the school and he was quickly looking around for a cab. “Come on, come on!...Ah-Ha!” Cartman quickly spotted a nearby cab that was driving his way. “Hey! Hey, hey, taxi!”

The taxi quickly made an unexpected stop and screeched. The cab opened up revealing a humanoid turtle with a taxi hat on.

“Hello, I’m Filburt, how can I-” Filburt spoke in his usual dry and nasal voice. He noticed that it was Cartman who made him stop. “Well, this is unexpected.” He spoke with his voice not changing.

“Hi, there!” Cartman slyly greeted. “I’ll take a ride home, and a quick stop to Vinton’s Candy Store on the way.”

“Oh, it’s happening again.” Filburt groaned to himself. “Kids asking for rides like they rule over us. I’d rather be ruled over by pets.”

“Did I mention I got...cash for it?” Cartman pulled out a couple $10 bills.

Filburt was surprised again, but freaked out. "You weird out mankind! And I should know; I’m a turtle! Leave me be!” Filburt then drove away frantically, leaving Cartman behind.

“Hey! Hey, I got cash! Get back here!!!!” Cartman yelled. “If I ran the government, I’d deal with you first!!!”

Meanwhile, Timmy and his friends followed Anna and Elsa into Anna’s car. As Anna got ready to drive, Elsa got in the front seat as they kids got in back. Elsa then noticed Pinkie staring at her.

“Wait, didn’t I call shotgun?” Pinkie asked.

“Well, this is where I usually sit.” Elsa explained.

Pinkie shrugged. “Oh, well.” She then hopped onto Elsa’s lap, surprising her. “Wouldn’t mind a buddy to sit with, would ya?”

Elsa rolled her eyes and smirked as Anna then began driving. Pinkie looked up to Elsa. “I should tell you this fun game we like to play! Whenever we see a yellow car, we gotta tap somebody from behind!” Pinkie then gasped as she spotted a yellow car out the window. “Yellow car!” Shen then turned and tapped Timmy’s hat as it spun like a propellor. Timmy looked annoyed, but Pinkie didn’t notice.

Elsa cleared her throat. “Everything okay at school, Spike?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine!” Spike nodded.

“Well, I noticed your friend was acting strange.” Elsa then muttered to herself. “More than usual.”

“Oh, don’t worry!” SpongeBob spoke. “Eric’s just stressed about the weather. Likes to keep to himself and curse the world like he always does.”

Elsa didn’t make eye contact, but raised an eyebrow at that statement and shook her head. She then leaned over to Anna. “Why do Spike and his friends hang out with that kid again?” She whispered.

Anna shrugged.

“It can’t be just because he’s SpongeBob’s step-brother.” Elsa whispered.

“Yellow car!” Pinkie then tapped Timmy’s hat again, making it spin. She then looked at Anna and Elsa. “Whatcha two talkin’ about?”

Anna and Elsa both grinned nervously. “Nothing!”

Timmy was dropped off back at his house as he turned and waved to his friends. “Thanks for the ride!”

“No problem! Catch you later, Timmy!” Anna called as she drove out of sight with the others.

Timmy continued waving until the car was out of sight. Timmy sighed lovingly, thinking of Anna, but noticed Jiminy in his pocket, looking at him with a bored expression.

“What?” Timmy asked. “I know she’s older than me! Alright? I...whatever!”

Jiminy rolled his eyes. “Good grief.” He said quietly.

Timmy opened the door inside and saw the most strangest sight. On the wall was a large stack of white paper with hot glue, forks, knives and socks taking up a large portion of the wall.

“What is that thing?” Timmy asked.

“Spot calls it California.” Barbara spoke, walking next to Timmy. “He’s proud of it, I didn’t wanna upset him.”

“Is Spot okay?” Timmy asked his cousin.

“I guess he’s still going through side effects of that shot, little cuz. But he’ll get better soon.” Barbara stroked Timmy’s hair. “Why don’t you go check on him?”

“Okay,” Timmy nodded as he and Jiminy headed to find Spot.

“Spot?” Timmy called. “Spot, come on out, boy!”

“Timmy!” Spot then jumped out of nowhere and hugged his master.

“Oof! Hey, Spot!” Timmy said in Spot’s hug. “How’s it going!”

“I made California all on my own!” Spot spoke, drooling. “Yep! All on my own!...All on my own. YEP!”

Timmy was getting a little creeped out by Spot, right now and slowly backed away. “Yeah...that’s cool!...well, I’m gonna-”

“Okay, I confess!” Spot began to sob. “It wasn’t all on my own! I...I…”

“You what?” Timmy asked.

“I used this marker that wasn’t mine!!!...IIIIII’M baaad!!!” Spot began to sob hysterically.

“Whose pen is it?” Timmy asked.

“I don’t know!” Spot continued to sob as Timmy and Jiminy were both weirded out and slowly walked away.

“Man,” Timmy looked out a window, watching cars drive by. “I hope he gets better so he won’t be freaking out all-”

“Yellow car!” Pinkie popped her head out of a nearby vase and tapped Timmy’s hat, making it spin again.

Pinkie disappeared inside the vase as Timmy looked speechless. “I...But...How?!”

Later that night, Cartman snuck in his bedroom. SpongeBob was sleeping in his bed. But Cartman, who just returned from sneaking more money from the money tree, had snuck back into his bed, too. Cartman was about to fall asleep, until a familiar figure appeared next to Cartman, making him open his eyes. “A lovely evening. Isn’t it, Eric?”

“Not listening…” Cartman grumbled, as he turned on the other side to ignore his conscience..

“What’s that?” His conscience all of a sudden poofed on a sergeant outfit. “I CAN’T HEAR YOU!!!”

Cartman jumped in the air, as he was more than startled. “Wha-Huh-I-Wha-What?!”

“You are an absolute disgrace!” The angel marched back and forth in mid-air. “What in the name of the devil’s food cake has crawled into the couch potato that is your brain?!”

Cartman didn’t know what to say. “I-I-”

“Do you want Floorboard Harry to waste his time snacking on a chump with half a mind?!” The angel asked. "Oh, but what am I sayin'? I can't say half a mind, BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE HALF TO BEGIN WITH!"

“Floorboard Harry isn’t real!” Cartman snapped.

The angel paused. “...That is a mighty fine statement...except you DON’T TALK UNLESS ALLOWED TO!”

Cartman grew more angry by how his conscience was acting. “MAKE ME!”

“Eric…” SpongeBob groaned, drowsily. “...What are you doing…?”

Cartman got back to reality and noticed his conscience had vanished. “Nothing, it’s all cool!” He quickly said.

The next day in Sterling Holloway School, the school therapist was looking over her papers. Her name was Ms. Mi Amore Cadenza, or Ms. ‘Cadance’ for short. She was an alicorn, the only one in town. Most alicorns were known to be in rather big places, but Ms. Cadance was different. With her, a tiny red dragon was doing the same. It was her assistant, Mushu.

“So, we got any scheduled appointments for today?” Mushu asked.

“No, Mushu, I didn’t hear anything today.” Ms. Cadance answered.

“Well, that’s too bad.” Mushu said. “I just we don’t get anyone barging in like they own the school if you catch my drift.”

“Now, let’s be fair.” Ms. Cadance explained. “Some may need help very urgently and they’ll need our attention to open doors within themselves.”

SWISH!

Their door suddenly swung open, and Ms. Cadance and Mushu got a good look who was at the door. It was Cartman, who had bloodshot eyes and bags under them. And on top of that, he was twitching a little. Both Ms. Cadance and Mushu looked at each other in shock.

Ms. Cadance rushed over to Cartman. “Little boy, are you alright? What’s wrong?”

There was no response.

“Little boy?” Ms. Cadance asked again.

“Y’all want me to crawl in his shirt?” Mushu asked.

“Shhh!” Ms. Cadance shushed Mushu.

Suddenly, Cartman’s angel appeared, still in his sergeant outfit. “GET TO ANSWERING, DIRTBAG!”

Suddenly, Cartman squawked. “I heard this is where to get help! I need it!” Cartman spoke at the top of his lungs and like a robot.

“I...see…” Ms. Cadance spoke. “Well, why don’t you just sit right here and we’ll see what’s wrong.”

Cartman looked over and saw a chair Ms. Cadance was referring to. Suddenly, his angel appeared again and fired a rifle in the air, making him immediately jump in the chair.

“Now, can I have your name, please?” Ms. Cadance asked.

“Eric!” Cartman shouted like a robot again.

“...Okay, Eric. Now, what is on your mind?” Ms. Cadance asked.

“...I feel there’s...guilt.” Cartman spoke, slowly.

“Guilt?” Ms. Cadance asked. “Was there something you did recently? Something you regret?”

“Well,” Cartman forced a laugh. “Funny thing is, I heard from my uncle that a monster would get me if I did guilty things.”

“What was it?” The therapist asked again.

“It was-” Cartman was about to continue until his angel appeared again.

“Hold it, junior dimwit!” His angel barked out. “Don’t be trying to change the subject! Tell the truth like the lazy singing canary you were put on this Earth to be!!!”

Cartman finally couldn’t take listening to his conscience anymore as he jumped in the air. “SHUT UP ABOUT FLOORBOARD HARRY!!!! RAAAAAAAAAAUGH!!!!”

He then ran through the door leaving a hole shaped like him.

“Well now,” Mushu scoffed. “How's that opening new doors within yourselves?”

That night, Timmy was at the door of his bedroom. He was told that Spot was inside. He hadn’t left the room all day, and Timmy was nervous on what Spot was going to do next. But he mustered up, and creaked open the door. He saw Spot on the bed, looking down. But he was shaking. Timmy slowly walked over to his dog.

“Uh, hey, Spot!” Timmy greeted. “...I, uh...haven’t seen you-”

“I’m feeling wonderful, Timmy!” Spot turned around with the brightest grin he wore. “And you want to know why?”

“Why?” Timmy asked.

Spot leapt from the bed. “You don’t know why?”

“Why?” Timmy asked again.

“Well, I’ll tell you why!” Spot spoke. “I found out...that we can all FLYYY!”

Timmy didn’t know how to respond. “...Fly?”

“You’re correct!” Spot then leaned towards Timmy. “Technically, birds fly with their arms, right? Birds do THIS?” Spot began flapping his arms, slowly. “And if they can fly...So. Can. WE!”

“Spot, I don’t think-” Timmy tried to say.

“Join me, Timmy!” Spot jumped up to the window. “And we shall soar the skies!”

“Spot, what are you doing?!” Timmy yelped.

“EXCELSIOR!!!” Spot leapt out the window and landed in a bush.

“Spot, wait! Come back!” Timmy tried to call out to his dog, but Spot was already flapping his arms on the ground, running around. It looked like he was heading to the Brisby Forest!

Barbara quickly ran inside Timmy’s room. “Timmy, what happened?” She asked. “What’s going on?”

Timmy pointed outside. “Spot thought everyone can fly, so he jumped out of the window and he ran off!”

Barbara put her hands to her cheeks. “Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! Who knows what will happen to him out there!”

“I gotta do something! He’s only been listening to me when acting like this!” Timmy spoke.

“I don’t know,” Barbara said, putting on her Batgirl mask. “I think you might need a little bit of super assistance.” Suddenly, her eyes widened as a grin formed on her face.

Timmy realized what Barbara was thinking. “Oh no. No, no, no, no, no! I’m not putting it on!”

Timmy then noticed Barbara with big eyes and an almost pleading expression. Timmy let out a sigh. “Only for you, Babs.”

Timmy found himself in a little batsuit and his own bat mask. Barbara happily scooped up Timmy in a huge hug. “Ooooh! You! Look! So! Cute!!!” She smothered him hard. “I had that made for you when you were little. I always wanted to see you in it!”

Timmy let out a silent groan.

Meanwhile, SpongeBob was fast asleep in his bed, while Cartman was pacing back and forth. His hair was ruffled, and his eyes were still bloodshot.

“Why does this happen to me? Why is it that when I get something I want, I get some sort of consequences out of nowhere following me! Why is karma such a pain to deal with?!” Cartman cursed to himself. “All this started when I kept going back to that stupid money tree! If only there was never one to begin with, I-” Cartman’s eyes widened upon that thought. “Wait...I could just not go back there, but that’s not simple enough! I’ll do the more mature approach...I’LL BURN IT!” A devilish grin spread across his face. “Yeah, that will work.”

Cartman then snuck out of the bedroom. SpongeBob suddenly stood up from his bed, rubbing his eyes. “What was that?” SpongeBob yawned. “Wait!...Something’s not right...the window’s open.” SpongeBob walked over and closed his window, before falling back to sleep in his bed.

In the Brisby Forest, Timmy and Batgirl were looking for Spot.

“You see anything, yet?” Timmy asked.

“Not yet, Batboy.” Batgirl spoke.

Timmy rolled his eyes. “I don’t know why I wear this anyway. You really think people won’t recognize me through this?”

“Trust me, I know they won’t.” Batgirl grinned. “Sometimes, the simplest things can disguise your entire identity. Superman hides his identity with glasses!”

“Yeah, I know that, but-” Timmy was about to continue, until they heard a sound. “What was that?”

Batgirl stood in front of Timmy. “Stay close behind me.”

As they continued searching, Cartman was trying to light fire with two sticks, but no luck. “Darn it!” Cartman then had a faster idea to make fire. He took the bigger stick and spotted a tree next to him. He swiped the stick against the tree, but nothing. He tried again, not even a spark.

THUD!

Cartman jumped in the air by the sound of something landing behind him, as his stick went up against the tree, finally lighting. “Ha!” Cartman laughed. “It’s about time! Though I could’ve used you not SCARING ME!” Cartman snapped. He turned around, and saw Spot with a huge hunk of tree bark stuck on the front part of his body. One of his eyes was sticking out through a hole.
Cartman couldn’t recognize who it was, but fear started rising in him, thinking he was the very creature his uncle told him about. “No!...NO!!! You get little kids who keep secrets!” Cartman started stepping back. “It’s YOU!!! IT’S YOU! YAAA-HA-HA-HA-HA! AAAAH-HA-HAAA!”

As Cartman ran away yelling, Spot just stood there. “....Mmff…”

Timmy and Batgirl were both alarmed by the crazy yelling, as Timmy hid behind his older cousin. Suddenly, Cartman jumped up on a high rock. “ALRIGHT!!! ALRIGHT, I CONFESS! I CONFESS! I’M GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY!!!”

Batgirl didn’t recognize Cartman as he was incredibly high up as she prepared to fight. “Who are you and what did you do to the dog?”

“SHUTUPI’MCONFESSING!!!!” Cartman flailed his arms.

Timmy recognized that voice. “Cartman!”

“Yes! All the money! I didn’t earn at all! It’s all here! Here in this miserable forest! But it won’t be here long, because I will burn it! Burn it to the grou-AAAAAUGH!!!!” Cartman fell backwards from the rock, much to Timmy and Batgirl’s shock and at the same time, confusion.

Once Cartman stopped tumbling, he picked himself off the ground. But something else got his attention. What he saw was a small area in the distance. It wasn’t covered by winter. Rather, it looked more like the setting of spring, and it looked like it was getting a little bigger. Could this have been the actual thing the Cheshire Cat wanted to show him a couple days ago? Right now, he didn’t care. He wasn’t happy, but still mesmerized by this gorgeous looking sight.

“Eeugh!” Spot suddenly appeared as he tried pulling the tree bark off of him. “Oh creator, above! How did I get here, I-” Spot was about to continue, until he saw the sight Cartman was looking. “Oh!...That’s...that’s something!”

“Spot? Cartman?” Timmy called as he and Batgirl also appeared. “What are you-” Timmy and Batgirl now too both saw the sight before them. They did nothing, but sit down and just continue staring. “What is that?” Timmy asked.

Barbara smiled and put an arm around Timmy. “I say it’s a sign that our stress will be over soon for all of us. That spring is just around the corner.”

Spot rushed up to Timmy, still a bit jumpy, but lucid in his speech. “I think it was just cabin fever, Timmy.” He nuzzled up to Timmy. “I’m better now. That shot really helped me get active.”

“I’m glad,” Timmy nodded. Together, they all stared at the scene, happy their troubles were soon ending.

Cartman suddenly glanced over to Timmy next to him. “Who the heck are you?”

Timmy was surprised by this. “...You don’t recognize me?”

Cartman shook his head. “Uh-uh.”

“...Nothing about me looks familiar with this mask on?” Timmy asked.

“...Nope, I don’t know you.” Cartman answered.

“But the teeth,” Timmy insisted, pointing to his enormous buck teeth.

“They don’t ring a bell,” Cartman affirmed.

Batgirl looked smug at this. “...Told you so.”

THE END

Author's Note

Special thanks to SuperPinkBrony12 and The-Doctor-W for helping me out on this one!