A Note From Ben:
This is a different kind of story, as it is actually several
different stories told by different characters, but is really a
single fanfic with a central plot. I think you may also notice a
reference to a fanfic written by someone else.
This is not an attempt to cash in on someone else's success, but a
way of showing respect. So if this certain writer happens
to read this fic and recognizes slight references to their work, it's
because I respect them. That is all. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own none of this. I don't own South Park, the episode "Marjorine", or any books, stories, movies, songs, or other works that may be mentioned in this chapter or those that will be published later.
What Does The Future Hold?
By Ben Barrett
Chapter One – Animal Friend
A blast the size of an atomic bomb rocks the forest. Small animals scurry for the safety of their dens, frightened by the noise. There is a strong smell of burning wood and lighter fluid accompanied by an intense heat, the likes of which has never been felt in this place. Then, it is gone.
A group of boys stands in the clearing, staring at the black mark on the ground where a tree stump had been only moments before. They linger here for a moment or two, amazed at what they have done. One can almost feel the adrenaline and testosterone in the air as they bask in the feeling that only blowing something up can bring to a boy.
Finally, they turn to leave. One by one, they realize their work is done and drift away toward their own homes until only two remain: a young man in a red and blue poof ball hat and his ever-faithful friend, who wears a green ushanka. The animals who cautiously watch know the real names of these two humans, but do not understand them. They know that the one in the red and blue hat has been a friend to many of their kind; they have given him the name "Animal Friend". The other, they call "Loyal One", for his unwavering loyalty to Animal Friend.
"We did the right thing," Loyal One says, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I know," says Animal Friend, "nobody should know the future. I can't help but wonder, though…"
"Dude, it's over. Come on, let's go home."
So, Animal Friend goes with him, retreating into the trees behind them, unaware that they are being watched and scrutinized by all forms of forest life. The squirrels in the trees, the rabbits in their dens, the deer cowering shyly in the thickets; all of them know Animal Friend, and they all know his secret. He has, on several occasions, sat in this very forest, confessing the deepest and most desperate desires of his heart to those he knew would not and could not ever repeat them.
Tonight, their hearts go out to him, for he has told them several times of his love for Loyal One and his sadness that such a love will never be returned. They see them walking alone and can sense that Animal Friend desperately wishes to take the hand of the other in his own, a sign of great affection for humans. They do not help him, for it is not in their nature to interfere in these matters; to mingle in the affairs of humans is to disrupt the natural order of things.
"Stan," says Loyal One as they near the edge of the forest, "are you okay?"
"Yeah," says Animal Friend with a reassuring smile. "I'm okay, Kyle."
Loyal One smiles back and pats his friend on the back before turning to walk out of the forest. The animals smile with him, for in that moment they sense his love for Animal Friend and realize that the two are what they call "Destined Mates". They are meant to be.
The next day Stan sits with his three friends in his living room, playing Terrance and Phillip: The Game on Gamesphere. Stan and Kyle had called dibs on the two main characters before the other two could get a word in, so Cartman and Kenny were stuck playing as Ugly Bob and Scott.
"I hate being Scott!" Cartman whines. He has just been blown up for the twenty-third time. "Scott is a dick!"
"So are you, fat ass," Kyle says.
"Oh, yeah?" screams the other boy, turning to give him an angry look. "Well I think you're a God damn fucking Jew-rat!"
"Up yours, you fat fuck! I'll…"
Stan hears no more of the fight. He gets up from the couch and goes into the kitchen, where he puts his head down and tries to block everything out. After a minute or two, his friends notice this and abandon their argument to come to his side.
"Dude, what's wrong?" Kyle asks.
"I don't want to talk about it," comes the muffled response.
"Come on, Stan," Cartman says, "what the hell is wrong with you?"
Stan raises his head and looks at his friends. They are all staring at him with looks of concern on their faces.
"I'm just worried about the future," he says finally.
"The future?" Kenny asks. "What about it?"
"Well," Stan replies, "what's gonna happen to all of us? Will we be friends ten years from now or will we all be off doing our own thing? Will we all still live in South Park? Will I ever…?"
"Will you ever what?" Kyle queries.
"Nothing."
"Well, I know what's gonna happen to Kyle," Cartman says with a smirk on his face. "He's gonna be one of those hippie artists who pops Vicodin pills all day long and paints pictures of demons."
"Fuck you, Cartman! You'll be in prison for hate crimes before you learn to drive!"
"Ay! Fuck you! Bet you'll never sell a painting!"
"I don't want to paint for a living, you chunk of ass fat!"
"Guys!" Stan cries, banging his fist on the table and nipping the argument in the bud. "Can we not do this today?"
Kyle and Cartman looked shocked at his outburst, but say nothing more.
"Well, what do you think the future's gonna be like, Stan?' Kenny asks after a minute or two of awkward silence.
Stan's head immediately fill with images of a long life with Kyle. He sees them kissing, dating…getting married…
"I…I don't know," he says too quickly to be convincing. Kyle gives him a look that tells him his best friend knows he's hiding something.
"I've got an idea," he says slyly, "why don't we all go around the table and talk about what we think the future's gonna be like? It could be fun."
Stan shoots him a look that says "you bastard", but does not voice this opinion out of fear of giving too much away. Kyle shoots one back that says "deal with it" and picks Kenny as the first story-teller.
"Well," says Kenny, "first of all, I think in the future I'm gonna be so rich…"
The next chapter will focus around Kenny's ideas of the future and Stan and Kyle's secret desires for each other.