Here's another Scruff special, coming right at ya! This is gonna be my first full-blown story and I'm still working on the outline so please go easy on me. For those of you who might get confused, this story is about a certain bear who...well had rather "hairy" ending in the film Over the Hedge. (Please pardon the pun. Oh and if you haven't seen the movie, I suggest doing so this instant. Otherwise, this story might not make sense.)

Basically, this story is going to be about what happened to the poor guy after the events of the movie. (And yes, I seriously sympathize with him.)

Anyway, folks, sit back and enjoy!

Disclaimer: The Over the Hedge comics and all elements are property of Michael Fry and T. Lewis. The movie of the same name and its elements (including Vincent) belongs to Dreamworks. All I own are one of the DVDs and my OCs.

Oh, by the way, the title to this story came from the lyrics of "Bella Donna," an old song by Stevie Nicks. I do NOT own that song either. I own a CD that has the song, but the song belongs to Stevie Nicks herself and the Modern Records Company.

Phew! How's that for a disclaimer?


Chapter 1

BOOM!

THUD!

BOOM!

THUD!

Like a makeshift heartbeat, these sounds were the components of the cacophony that ripped through the nocturnal silence of the dark green forest.

Soon enough, the source of these noises—a laser yellow bus—wheeled down an ashen-grey road, the trees walling the vehicle on both sides.

If one could fly along the bus and look closely (while avoiding the windshields of other vehicles), one would see the bus packed full with families—adults, children, people of all sorts of familial relations chatting, playing, laughing, doing at least something to express their happiness on the way home.

The emotions in that bus were bubbling so much, the animals that thrived in the forest found not catching the joviality that spilled from the vehicle in waves impossible.

…Well, all the animals except for one…

As a matter of fact, that exception was a tad busy at the moment.


CRUNCH!

Woody splinters flew everywhere as a towering, black bear drove his fist into the wood of a tree, splinters becoming lodged into the mammal's hand as a result.

Not that the bear cared to begin with…

Actually, as soon as he felt his anger had been taken out on the assailed plant enough, the bear switched to nonchalantly picking the splinters out of his fingers and paw. He didn't even flinch as the slivers of bark left bruises and bloody cuts in the areas they once occupied.

There went his daily relaxation exercise for the day.

'If only that tree were the real thing…'

A dark smirk stretched across the ursine's snout at the thought.

For the last hour or so, the black bear had been pounding away at trees, their tender insides left exposed at the end of each slug fest.

And why was this bear committing such arboreal violence?

Simple... he was mad.

Well, he was madder than usual thanks to memories about a particular raccoon.

'RJ…'

No words could explain the hatred thrown into those initials.

Yes…RJ…the same raccoon that had been the bear's involuntary "business" partner…only to turn traitor on him and humiliate him so grandiosely…

Already foully ticked, the ursine's temper certainly didn't improve when he saw the yellow bus coming down the road, the vehicle's lemon coloring glaring almost offensively against the dark environment.

'Tch, humans…,' bear thought derisivelyas some of the children gawked dim-wittedly at him from the safety of their vehicle. He bared his sharp teeth menacingly, spooking the young spectators as a result.

Humans, humans, and more humans—they had been commonplace in this national park long before the new bear had even arrived last week.

'Don't mean I gotta like 'em.'

Those creatures were not a species the disgruntled mammal took to kindly. In truth, he always got a bit steamed when he saw those hairless apes trespassing in nature where they don't belong. Such resentment had been within the bear since cubhood.

Plus, he had to sneer at the how some of those kids he had intimidated were now snuggling into their parents' arms for comfort.

'Oh joy. Families of humans…'

Family…

This mammal utmost certainly did not want to ponder on that accursed word...

Not when it reminded him of those meddling squirts RJ was so keen on protecting…

Surprisingly, though, the bear didn't go into another rampage.

No, instead he swallowed his pride, gave a derisive snort, and turned his back in the direction the bus had come from—towards the east…and Camelot Ranch Estates.

The black bear muttered dismissively,

"Ehh, them humans ain't any misfortune of my own anyway."

He was right. Why waste time on a bunch of idiotic people passing by?

"Ol' Vincent's got better fish to fry-wimpier fish, but still better."

After all, his targets were waiting for him …whether they wanted to or not.

That same dark smirk embracing his face, Vincent walked away from his spot in the silver moonlight and into the midnight darkness.


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