Staring out the window in Feel Good Inc., 2-D watches as the floating island flies by with Noodle sitting on the edge playing her guitar. His vision was blurry, but he could see her as clear as day. He places his hands on the window, longing to be there with her. How he longed to feel the comfort of her arms. He felt safe every time she hugged him, which isn’t something he felt often. She helped him get through all the hard times and abuse he suffered with Murdoc. But now, Murdoc is in jail. Gorillaz had recruited Ace to take Murdoc’s place, but he’s not much better. At least Murdoc had a reason for his cruelty.
Sighing, 2-D turns to head to his chair. Ace didn’t like Murdoc, and wanted to remake the Feel Good Inc. video, claiming he could do better. 2-D would rather leave it the way it is, but he’s learned to just go along with it. As he was walking back, red lights started flashing and sirens started wailing.
“Wha’s goin on?” he asked. Ace and Russel just shrugged. 2-D turned back and looked out the window just in time to see a group of fighter planes open fire on the building. He dodged out of the way just as bullets riddled the floor where he stood. Russel jumped off of his stand and grabbed Ace.
“Let’s get out of here!” he shouted to 2-D, then ran towards and out the door.
***
A loud explosion sounded in the near distance, causing Noodle to almost drop her guitar. She fumbled with it, but managed to grasp it tightly, preventing it from falling down to the earth below. She then looked in the direction the explosion came from. All she could see was a fire spewing out of the window at Feel Good Inc.
“Toochi!” she cried as she stood up and ran to the side of the island that was closest to the tower. When she reached the edge, she tried to look through the blazing flames. The attempt was pointless, all she was able to see was the fire. Noodle thought for a moment, then turned and ran into the windmill. She placed her guitar by the door, then grabbed a crossbow that had a long rope attached to the loaded bolt. Running back to the ledge, she aimed and fired the bolt towards the ground near the tower, the rope flowing through the air following it. After a few moments, Noodle checked the rope to make sure it made impact. Once she knew it was sturdy, she took a D-ring with another, smaller rope tied to it, and ziplined down to the ground.
***
Russel dropped Ace, who was now unconscious.
“Sorry Ace. But you shouldn’t have kept struggling.” Russel stated, breathing heavily. Running down the stairs of Feel Good Inc. isn’t easy for a big guy, especially when they’re carrying someone who’s squirming a lot.
“Hey!” shouted a familiar voice. He looked up to see Noodle running towards him, a look of concern on her face.
“Is everyone alright?” she asked once she reached him. “Where’s 2-D?” Russel looks around at all the people who had run out of the tower with him. Amongst all of the terrified survivors, he couldn’t see 2-D. Not his spiky blue hair. Not his solid black eyes. Not even his signature red shirt for the Feel Good Inc. video. Russel sighs, lowers and shakes his head in a defeated manner, saddened by the fact that his fellow band member hadn’t made it. Seeing this, Noodle’s eyes fill with tears. She falls to her knees and starts crying, heartbroken that her good friend and band mate is gone. It was a sad day for Gorillaz.
***
Cars drive by, one by one as Noodle stares off into space, remembering that horrible day. It’s been three years since the incident. Murdoc was let out of jail, Ace was let go and Gorillaz broke up. Murdoc went out to explore the world on his private yacht, Russel opened up his own music store in London and Noodle stayed at the Gorillaz old house. She missed the good old days when they’d all play music together. She tried not to think about those days too much though. It would cause her to think about him, and she just wasn’t ready to yet. His memory was too painful.
“Get a hold of yourself” she said as she shook the thoughts out of her head. Then she started walking down the street, holding her groceries a little more tightly. She was almost home. The roads were pretty busy, many cars going by. There were a lot of people on walking with her too. Dodging oncoming pedestrians left and right, she manages to get back to her house. Barely dodging an oncoming bicyclist, she climbed up the stairs and opened the door.
***
Feeling tired after having put her groceries away, Noodle walked up the stairs and towards her room. She grabbed her door nob then stopped and hesitated. Looking back, she saw the flight of stair that led up to his room. Sighing, she turned and walked up those stairs.
‘Maybe it’s time.’ she thought to herself. Noodle came to the door and opened it. His room was still a mess, just as he left it. Clothes lying about on the floor, his sheets all up in a shamble, a chair lying knocked over in the middle of the room. Noodle stepped in and looked around, remember the man who used to sleep within it’s boundaries. As she walked around the room, she came across his old tv and cassette player. She suddenly stopped when something caught her eye. On top of the cassette player, was a tape. The tape looked like any other, but instead of a movie title it just had Noodle written on it in his handwriting. Allowing curiosity to get the better of her, Noodle took the tape, lightly pushed it into the player, turned on the tv and hit play.
The screen came to life with 2-D staring into the camera.
“Is this thing working?” he asked himself. “Ah, right. Anyway. ‘Ello Noodle. I know I’ve never been one for talkin much. Mostly cause I’ve been too scared to.” Noodle giggled along with the recording. She really missed his sense of humor. She missed him. Tears started to form in her eyes, and she quickly wiped them away before they can trail down her face.
“Ya know. Every time I sing On Melancholy Hill, I think of you.” the recording of 2-D continued. “And, I know I may not be the smartest member of the band, but I do know that you’re the best thing that’s ever happened in my life. I still remember the day that you… You asked me to show you what it was like to kiss someone. That was nice. I fell in love with you right then and there.” Noodle’s heart started racing. It was something that she couldn’t recognize, but it felt right yet lonely at the same time.
“I know I dated a girl or two other than you despite my feelings for you.” said the recording of 2-D. “Even had my heart broken by one of ’em. Can you imagine? Ah well. You helped me through.” 2-D stopped and sighed heavily. Noodle could tell that he was nervous, but couldn’t tell why.
“I guess I should get to the point before I lose track.” 2-D said. “The reason I’m making this video, is because I’m too scared to ask you in person. And the question I want to ask you is… Will you marry me?” Noodle quickly pressed pause and the image of 2-D froze in place. Tears started to swell in her eyes again, but this time she couldn’t wipe them away. She was frozen in place. They started to flow down her face and she just let them. Finally, her body gave way and she fell to her knees, crying.
“Yes… Yes I will….” she said through sobs.
“Really?” asks a voice from behind her. Noodle gasps and turns to look. Standing in the door way, she saw 2-D looking a little hopeful yet just as nervous as his recording.
“Toochi!” she cried and she lunged for him, pulling him into her arms hugging him tightly. “What happened? We though you were dead.”
“Ah well. I managed to get out of a fire escape, but I got knocked out by a piece of rubble.” 2-D stated. “When I came to, I couldn’t find anyone. For a while, I tried to get back in touch with everyone, but I never managed to. Then I learned that the band broke up, so I found work at a diner. I’d been working there for the past 2 or 3 years now. I quit after I bought you this ring.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a golden diamond ring. Noodle, still happily crying, smiles and takes the ring and puts in on her finger.
“I was going to show you the video when I got here, but I guess you already watched it.” stated 2-D.
“Yes, yes, yes!” cried Noodle, pulling 2-D closer to her…
***
Noodle and 2-D pull away from each other after a wonderful kiss. They smile, then turn to face the cheering crowd. They both wave, happily at all the familiar faces. Everyone one they’ve done collaborations with, Russel, even Murdoc was happily tearing up and clapping.
“My little nob is all grown up.” Murdoc stated.
“Yeah.” Russel responded.
2-D folds his arm to make a triangle sticking out from his side, as looks at his wife. Noodle wraps her arm around his and lifts up her wedding dress and the two walk down the aisle. The crowd applauding and crying as the happy couple pass. The two reach the door and walk through, off to start their happy lives together.
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