A Bigger Picture (7): It's Just a Phase

When Dot, Gary, and Jet Pack Guy made it back to the island, everything seemed normal.  From what they heard while eavesdropping on everyday penguins (they didn't want to draw attention to themselves; the Revolutionists were surely after them), the fireworks had allegedly been part of an announcement; there would be a get-together at the Ski Village at 2:00.  There would be free food and a short presentation.

It was 1:50 at the moment.  The trio ran to the village, hiding behind things along the way.  Because of the hiding, the three barely made it in time.  They hid behind a tree towards the path of the Beach.  The place was overflowing with people.

Source: Club Penguin CP

The Everyday Phoning Facility was covered by the type of plastic that often covers parts of buildings during renovations.  None of the destruction showed.

Dot saw the free food stand, which was serving pretty much everything you could think of.  Dot could imagine Rookie, despite the need for EPF agents to hide, asking to go over to the stand and get some food.  And then she remembered Rookie would never work with them again....

There was a platform with a large TV on it.  There was also a podium.

A speaker arrived on the stage.  He began to speak.

"Hello there!  Yes, settle down, quiet down, please.  Ahem, now then.  I'm sure you are all wondering why we asked you here tonight.  The reason is not the happiest in the World.  The reason is that your government has lied to you , has failed to protect you.  And, that needs to change," he said.

There were confused faces all through the audience.  Everyone looked at one another, searching for answers.

The speaker, after a brief pause, began to go through examples of treachery, showing pictures on the screen along the way.  There was the theft of the Gift Shop.  The earthquakes.  The malfunction of the Clock Tower.  The popcorn bomb.  The two escapes of Herbert.  Operation: Blackout.

With each picture the audience became progressively angrier.  Some people began to shout.

"I smell Persuasion Powder," whispered Gary as he half-listened to the presentation.  "It was a new tool I found accidentally.  Really a fascinating thing....it will make people believe anything you tell them for prolonged periods if consumed.  My guess is that the food was spiked with it."

The presentation continued.  "And then there was an unforgivable treason today that may not be forgiven," ("Tell me about it," thought Jet Pack Guy, thinking of Rookie) said the speaker.  He changed the slide on the screen.

Dot was taken aback as she saw a video, featuring her, Gary, Jet Pack Guy, and Rookie on the Tallest Mountain.  Then she remembered the invisible thing that hit her hand.  It must have been a flying, invisible camera the Revolutionists had planted there.  But, why?

Her question was soon answered as she saw Gary push Rookie off the mountain.  Wait, what?!

The puzzle pieces began coming together in her head.  Gary had recently developed a computer program that easily manipulated real-life video.  It wouldn't have been complicated to edit the video so that G running to look over the ledge as Rookie fell was actually G running into Rookie to push him off.  That program must have been stolen with the Persuasion Powder.

This video was enough to cause chaos in the audience.  People threw things at the screen, having seen one of the most famous penguins on the island, one of the most beloved penguins on the island, perish at the hands of another cherished island personality.

Gary was a traitor!  At least that's what everyone thought....

Source: Kosiucoo

"Will we just stand around, letting these injustices occur?!" yelled the presenter passionately.

"No!!" yelled the audience in near unison, their minds compelled to believe from the powder running through their veins.

"Then, let's change this island!  Let's capture those responsible for these tragedies!  Let's start a revolution!" the speaker yelled.

"Yes!" screamed the penguins.

"And, we'll start it by finding these three..." the speaker said, showing a picture on the screen of the trio, who still hid behind a tree.

"They can't hide from us forever!" he continued.  "We'll find them!"

The audience began to run around, looking for the three EPF agents responsible for the "mess."

When the opportunity arose, the trio ran out from their tree, seeing no threats directly near them to spot them.  They ran towards the Ski Hill runs.

They weren't quick enough.

"There they are!" yelled a green penguin. Everyone turned from where they were focusing their attention and ran after the fleeing three.

The freedom of Club Penguin was beginning to crumble.  Three EPF agents were now up against hundreds.

To Be Continued