Fzzt.

The purple bear clicked through the television laying on the couch with a fixed, bored expression on his face he played around with glasses. Nothing's on. Nerd thought as he shifted through the channels he stopped on an ad.

Two little blue puppets appeared on the screen, one of them in a dress with a pink bow the other wearing a blue baseball cap holding a banjo.

Nerd narrowed his brow.

"Don't you put it in your mouth." He sung to the tune he played on his banjo.

"Don't you put in your mouth!" She repeated.

"Don't you stuff it your face."

"Don't you stuff it your face."

Too annoying. He switched the channel.

The sounds of chatter and merriment were present in the scene, it took place in a small living room with adults and children sitting around the room. Balloons were scattered around them; the most prominent colour being pink and purple.

The camera showed many of the party goers in the room, pink streamers, a table filled with cupcakes, multiple banners placed around the room celebrating the occasion: A bridal shower.

A little girl walked up to her an elderly woman gave her a sweater, she smiled warmly at her.

Aww! He thought as he held the remote in his hands.

And finally to top off the scene, a mother was given a small box with a lovely wrapped gift.

She had a radiant smile across her face as she opened the gift...and pulled out a string attached to it was a whistle.

She gave a brief odd look still smiling.

"What is it that?" One of the party goers said.

"It's a rape whistle." The grandmother said.

Then room want quiet as the service message cam on the screen.

Nerd's eyes widened as he gave a woeful stare at the television and dropped the remote on the couch.

"What!?" He said bewildered at the sudden whiplash of emotions.

"Humans are weird. I suggest staying far away from their adverts...Unless it's showing the new line for the fall". Gay said to Nerd. He was busy hemming a costume he was working on on a table. It resembled the bear's fur coats eerily well as he diligently continued to mend the costume..

"Sort of, since everyone's gone, I can finally got some time to myself". Nerd smiled happily as he flicked through the channels quickly.

An ad popped on as he looked intrigued for a moment.

The ad itself had a yellow background to it with a picture of a tent and a Ferris wheel behind it.

"Come one, come all! Today your lucky day! To the traveling carnival!"

"Turn it off. I've seen this before. Sooo not worth the admission". Gay waved his hands over the fabric carefully.

"I've haven't seen it, better than the others". Nerd stated as as he looked over to Gay he noticed the costume and paused. "What is-"

"Ahhh!" He was interrupted as they both heard yawning from the hallway, it was Mike raising his little paws in the air looking tired. As he was accompanied by Jimmy the raccoon, his Grey fur was disheveled as he rubbed his eyes.

"I don't know how he sleeps on that trampoline." Jimmy said as he shook his head.

"He can sleep anywhere I don't question it." Mike's stretched his neck for a moment.

"Morning." Nerd said.

"Good morning! How are you?" Jimmy gave a warm smile.

"If I were to rate today…' Gay's stomach gurgled he held it annoyed. '5 out 10. We need more food." he held his head with his paw. Wonder if there are any leftover fish? He thought.

"Right...It's today. Mike said knowingly.

"Life is a like a carnival ride," He turned his head to the TV. screen as the ad continued.

'It has it's ups, its downs be we all know that in the end it was fun and worth the wild ride." He then noticed something that made his skin crawl, the image on the screen to him only brought him disgust as his jaw clenched.

"Hey Jim?" Mike looked at Jimmy he looked a bit distraught.

"Could you help me go outside I need to walk…" Jimmy nodded.

Mike quickly ran up his leg and unto his back then grabbed his ears instinctively. That earned him an odd look from his friend. "Oops, old habit." He smiled as he let go.

They both left the room as the TV continued to play only this time the announcers voice was speed up, the pitch was rose to the point he sounded like a chipmunk:

"Note: We are not aren't responsible for any dismembering, sickness, or newly gained anxiety."

They both rose the brows for a moment then shrugged.

"AAAAHHHH! I can't my favourite stuffed animal!" Crack screamed frantically from his room.

Gay looked at Nerd frustrated. "Your turn."

...

The air was cold, it felt brisk to male lion as he walked forward. His umber mane fluttered with wind for a moment as he glanced over to his guests. A leopard and a Monkey respectively. Behind him was a dark cavern that housed him and his mate.

He only had a few moments before he needed to go, he was pleased to see the two so early.

At least I can get this out of the way. He thought.

The leopard laid it's head down on the ground with it's eyes closed, opening it's mouth with a large yawn under the trees. The monkey was tense he was shivering, whether it be from the cold or fear the answer would be lost to anyone but him.

He could smell the uneasiness from a distance but he had a stern expression as he looked at the lion slowly approaching him.

As soon as the golden haired monkey saw him walking to them, he quickly tried to gain his composure. The shiver disappeared as he kept his glance.

"Greetings Spice. Have the preparations been made?" The lion spoke.

The small monkey folded his arms and leaned on the tree beside him. The lion gave him a stern look, his brown iris narrowed at his lazy subordinates, he shifted upward as he gave him a serious look.

"Everything is in order...What about his debt?" Spice said in a somber manner.

He looked over the lion to see another exiting their den.

"Your father still owes me." Spice's eyes bulged out in shock.

"What? Why? I did-" The lion growled to silence his prattling.

"Considering what I've done for him. Your efforts are so small in comparison, but if you actually let him pay his debt instead of trying to work it off..." He mused.

"Not gonna happen. He's not doing your dirty work." He stood up firmly from the tree. The lion admired his courage for the moment.

"And do you think that's going to put you in his good graces? Hm hm. That's funny." The Lion chuckled softly at Spice. He looked away discouragingly.

"You won't be participating. A direct quote from your father." He said firmly.

"Your joking? I wanted to see them this time...I WANTED to fig-" His anger was quelled by the lion's mate.

"There won't be any fighting this year.' The lioness spoke up from behind her mate. He was startled for a moment. Her tail stood up from behind and waggled fervently, the tip of it was scarlet.

She looked at the Lion with a firm glare and a frown and she received an unserious, soft smile. He knew that look.

"Serena..." He responded as he grasped the cusp of her chin with his paw. She didn't budge, not in fear, she was resolute in her choice. He sighed in return. "Your father won't allow you to fight. And neither does my mate."

'I'd rather not have another crazy run in with the those animals." Serena shivered.

"For once I agree with you." Leonard shared his mate shuddersome posture.

"I thought those guys from the other branch were nice. Clingy, oddly cheery, but nice." The leopard smiled."

"Too nice." Leonard said gloomily.

Spice looked down at the ground annoyed, his body felt sore. Leonard notice this and continued to ease him. Attempt to anyways.

"Unfortunately your hard work was in vain. Serena has coaxed me into not having a brawl." He waved his paws dismissively. She nodded sternly as she gave a satisfied smile.

The male Lion glanced at the still sleeping cheetah, he slammed his paw down as the cat stirred. He gave a soft smile before stretching his body out on the grass now awake.

"Besides," The lion continued. "Your father wants you to help your sister with something."

Spice reluctantly nodded he muttered something under his breath, "Ungrateful-'

"Hey man," The Cheetah replied to his grumbling. "Look on the bright side you won't be embarrassed this time."

"...I'd rather be shot." He said as he gave him a heated glare of disapproval. And in turn the Cheetah bestowed him with an inquisitive eye brow raise.

"Regardless, your both dismissed." The Lion said. They both gave mock salutes.

The Cheetah spoke first. "Time to suit up. Ha ha." He chuckled.

"Can it, you lazy feline."

They both walked to the tallest tree in the den and climbed it out, leaving the two alone.

"Leonard..." Serena the lioness spoke she seemed pensive

"No fighting. You worry for nothing sometimes."

"I'm not...' She shook head. "Leon, can we please talk?" She narrowed her brow.

"Dear, I have to go soon." Leonard gave a deep breath as he continued to walk away from her.

"Are you sure that's him? The cub that-"

"Without a doubt.' He growled interrupting her.

"The method was too similar to be coincidence. I gathered enough information...He's THE one." He wouldn't make such a careless mistake. He saw what he needed.

"We've come so far. Made a new life…Don't ruin it."

He looked at her with indigence. Not bothering to answer her with words.

His desire for judgment would not wane, his desire only grew more...

"Can we at least…" She wavered for a moment.

He felt uneasy, his fangs gnashed together. "We've been over this. It's not happening."

"Your not replacing him just…"

He gave a gloomy glare at his mate. "I WILL NOT have another. It would sully my son's memory. He's...Still precious to me- to us. You should remember that, you gave him away to her." He said bitterly.

….

The Cage seemed more confining and harsh that day compared to their luxurious trailers they once resided in, but now the Lion just laid there on the cold, metal floor.

The bars acting as his reminder that today was going to be their last day. And yet he couldn't keep his mind of the ex-jailers.

How fickle are the humans, we're nothing more than property.

"Are you listening?" Serena spoke over him, her voice sounded annoyed.

"Yes, dear." He gave a grin, but it was strained it looked more disgruntled than anything.

She sighed knowingly the cage around her constricted her movement. "Can we at least talk about this?"

She waited for his response, it was quiet then he stood up abruptly. His auburn mane rustled about as he turned his head to her. She saw a small amount of bitterness in his eyes.

"There is nothing we have to talk about".

She glared at him not giving him an inch. She had resolute stance, "It's done. Get-" she said.

"I'm not-' He hesitated trying to collect his thoughts.

'Why did you let her take him?" He heard shuffling outside the cage as a couple of clowns walked past. The answer to his question was lost to him for that moment as he glared at two outside.

The two clowns were carrying a crate, one carrying it in front with little effort and wearing a red wig while the second behind him was sweating with a blue nose. The grass below them had burnt tinge.

"Ah...ah. H-hold on." The sweating one said heaving he looked like he was about to drop, either him or the create they were holding.

His partner saw this slowly let the create fall for them to take a breather.

"We don't have all day, hurry up." He scratched his head.

The Lion laid back down on the ground his wife's continued to speak to him. 'It's because I trust Varuna.' Her pleas fell on deaf ears.

"J-just let me have- ah, this." The clown panted.

"Please don't smoke here. We can't let him catch us." The other clown said rolling his eyes.

"I haven't had one in a while...I don't even have my lighter." He wiped the sweat from his brow.

"Good job, man." The other replied as he looked surprised.

"Not my choice. I-I'm not being blamed for the tent." Despite the blue nosed clown's claim he could still smell something from the create. It made him remember the acrid burnt smell that was forced to grace his nostrils that day.

The red haired clown rolled his eyes again.

"What caused the fire to begin with anyways?" He fixed his blue rubber nose.

"The fire fighters pulled a charred container from the tent.' The wigged one replied.

"Greaat, some idiot set it on fire. A pyro is on the loose" He surmised.

The blue nosed one shivered in fear. "Aw, Shit!"

"We're not gonna be suspects. Chill." The red wigged one sighed.

"But it came from our smoking spot at the back of the trailer,'

The Lion's ears perked. 'We smoked there on break! We're screwed. No- Damn it I'm screwed!" he held his head worried.

The red wigged one shrugged, nonchalantly. "I'm fine with being fired from this place. It's been awhile since anyone's been here."

"They'll arrest us first, you dick!"

"Dude, as long as you don't have a record your good." He narrowed his brow as he went to pick up the create. He saw his friends distraught look. "What?" He asked.

"I'm a clown...did you think I choose this life for kicks?" he narrowed his brow dourly.

The wigged clown gave him a bewildered look. "What did you?"

"Don't ask- God I need a cigarette." He picked up the crate and started walking with his friend.

"Leonard!? Answer me!" Serena shouted.

Leonard's brow had narrowed.

"I'm fine."

"I'm worried about you. We need to be strong together." She caressed his cheek.

The feeling was almost hollow to him. Leonard turned his head to hers and to gave her the most sincere look he could muster. "You're right." He smiled but he still felt bitter.

"I'm here, remember that."

….

He turned his head to his mate.

"You have more visitors." Serena said as she narrowed her brow at the large white bear sliding his way down the exhibit walls, at bit of snow fell of the trees as he landed.

Serena growled at first but saw her husband gave a her a dismissive wave, she reluctantly walked back into the den, she was never fond of those larger bears.

He watched her enter their home, then glared at the polar bear in front of him.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"I want to make a deal." The polar bear smiled wily.

"No." The Lion said flatly.

"Aw come on you old fart! Let-" Hulk stopped as he saw the anger in the Lion's eyes.

"Insult me again," he narrowed his brow and had his claws dig into the ground. "I'll give you nice red coat..." He snarled the malicious intent was there.

Hulk laughed awkwardly to try ease the tension. "Heh, heh. My posse would like to help with the 'games'."

"And why should I bother with a failure like you?" his insult was shrewd as the weather before.

"We both know you hate Evil, why not have extra help?" He proposed.

Leonard gave him a stern look. Three was not the magic number for him.

"Why not have some extra muscle on your side?" He smirked proudly. Leonard still kept his glare, he wasn't budging. Hulk gave a petty scowl. "Fine. I'm out sourpuss." He turned around and started to climb the wall.

"One condition…." He heard him say as he turned his head struggling a moment on the wall. The lion walked toward and told him. Hulk grinned in response.

….

I hate these Wolves. Clyde said as he laid on a rock next to their den.

The grass had patches of wet snow, and yellow leafs on the grounds aimlessly discarded from the trees. He noticed the lupines being oddly more active, each of them squatting about or sparing with one another, their heads colliding and claws swiping at each other.

He rolled his eyes. He didn't understand their behaviour at all. At least that's what he told himself.

Tap. Tap.

He flinched for a moment but remembered where he was briefly and sighed as he saw the leader of the wolves emerge from the den. His short tail was held high and curved as he looked over his pack, then to back to him.

He gave him a vacant stare looking at him up and down, it brought him and uneasy feeling as shook his head.

Again.

This was a common occurrence ever since the dogs ditched him. Ungrateful mutts. Clyde thought. History repeats itself.

The wolves exercising halted their routine as they saw the their leader marching toward them. They all scrambled into a line frantically with smiles on their faces. Heh. Bunch of idiots.

The leader inspected them as each of them did something odd. One wolf bowed his head, another lowered his tail as he passed him. And the other…

"Remove your butt from my face." Luckily a leaf had graciously stuck to the wolf posterior.

"But..."

"Not necessary."

It never was. He thought. The leader looked at the jackal laying on the rock. Clyde noticed the unwanted gaze and hopped off his rock. The leader gave annoyed glance and scowled. "Of course they left us the weak one."

"Hey!' He shouted agitated, "I didn't get left behind." He retorted and glared at the ground.

"Right, they decided to go back to their own exhibit without you." He pointed out.

The others howled with laughter.

Clyde narrowed his brow. "Assholes."

"Can we ignore the fodder and get back to what's important?" The second wolf spoke.

"Yes, Let's keep kissing up to the boss, I'm sure he'll notice you." Clyde smiled cockily.

"Shut your worthless mouth, Scarface."

Clyde narrowed his brow for a moment then smiled sharply.

"I think I've literally seen you licking his lips before? Anymore and I swear you'd be kissing his-"

"Enough." The leader growled. "We need every paw we can get for today, we need to work as a team."

"For what?" Clyde asked curiously.

"Oh god, this mutt is useless no wonder they left-" He noticed him trembling.

Clyde grew more agitated by the moment while the second wolf gave a sly grin.

"Can we leave this cub squabble for later? Food is on the line." The leader growled again to the second wolf. He stood down.

"Again, what?" Clyde asked. The leader gave him an inquisitive glance, he noticed his genuine confusion and elaborated.

"So your telling me if we don't win this thing, we can't eat?"

"Nothing good anyways." They shivered at the thought of the 'food' given to them by the keepers.

"Today I need your help. Everyone here needs food and we half our food supply left."

"Can't we just ration them out?" Clyde asked honestly, 'it should be easy to share."

"Tell that to the cubs and the females."

That information brought a Clyde familiar feeling as he looked at the Leader's glare. It wasn't an option, No one needs to starve

Three cubs ran out of the cave they ran after each other playfully in a line.

The leader kept looking back at the others with happy grin as they frolicked.

"Ha! can't catch me-"

Thunk!

He ran into a tree trunk as snow fell on top of him covering him completely.

He stuck his head out shook his head out quickly and smiled. The others laughed at him without a care…

"Like I said, we need that food." The leader continued. "Whether you want to help or not doesn't matter."

Clyde continued to look at the cubs playing with each other intently.

"Hey!" The second wolf shouted. He didn't respond.

"Hey! Idiot!" Nothing again.

"Wake up!" Second verse same as the first.

"Oi, Scar-"

"Say Scarface. Again. I Dare you,' He voice was calm, but there was malice behind it.

"I don't need to be reminded of cowardice." The second wolf scoffed in turn.

He turned his head to their leader. "Fine I'll help." Clyde said reluctantly.

"Pfft. Like we need-"

"Good! It's time to prepare the flag." The second wolf frowned at the Leader's decision.

"Wait, flag?" Clyde said as he squinted curiously.

….

As the zoo closed early on the warm Monday afternoon the animals began to escape their droll environments. Some wandered aimlessly around the grounds but others moved with purpose, vigor, pride, and a select view with determination.

A group of animals ventured to a grassy knoll, just before a large hill. As they arrived a lion greeted them with a cheetah beside him.

There were wolves, monkeys, polar bears, even mongoose or two but most of the animals were there as the lion began to address his audience. He saw each of them holding up flags for their respective species.

Something was odd to him, he looked over the crowd and smiled softly at the absence.

The Lion stood firmly to the group of animals before him. It was loud for the moment but he knew how grab the crowds attention. The roar was thunderous, it had power behind it, grabbing the attention of the few that were there.

"It's time to-" He stopped for the moment as something caught his eye: a flag slowly approaching in the distance. He didn't want to repeat himself.

He growled annoyed, Of course they were late.

The flag was red had a blue star on the cloth with a claw mark across it. The Cyan coloured one held it above their heads.

The small group had a few bears with them; a violet and pink coloured one. A more darker coloured blue one, a brown masked one, he wouldn't judge, a red one carrying a rectangular object with a small one accompanying it.

The flag bearer and- the accursed albino one… And a black furred one with a brown muzzle...odd. Why did he feel off?

In the crowd the bickering continued again as if they didn't care about the Lion and Cheetah in front of them. The panda bear spoke up.

"Why can't I be the mascot?" he asked

"Because you aren't adorable or cuddly." Sara remarked coldly.

"I'm a panda! I embody those things." Vanity scowled.

"Besides,' Prozac interrupted. 'Tanked can be cute without having to try."

The red bear smiled jovially as his blue eyes lit up, it was sweet sight to behold.

The dark furred one chimed in, "Careful, scowling brings wrinkles." Fighter smiled knowingly.

Vanity growled irritated. He needed something to pump him up.

Lion continued to gawk at the group then whispered to his feline cohort.

"Why have they not starved?" He furrowed his brow at the feline.

"You told us to get their food." He whispered.

"And?"

"You wanted all of it?" He looked confused.

Leonard placed his paw on his head annoyed at the incompetence he had to deal with.

"It was Implied you indolent ninny."

"What the heck's a ninny?" He glared at the Cheetah with a tired look.

"It has spots, lounges about under shade and is a complete bellend." The Cheetah snickered.

"What? You know what that means but not ninny?"

Heard a clicking sound from the crowd then the sounds of drums...Damn it, not again.

Everybody in the world are you with me?
It's too late to try to run, we run the city
It's my time, it's your time
Held me down, now it's don't give a f- time

Prozac ears twitched.

It's go time, it's show time
Sing it with me everybody let's go…

The group of animals turned their heads abruptly as they heard the blaring guitar, the drumming beat and the voice of singing the lyrics...Vanity grinned and Fighter nodded his head to the beat.

'Cause it's one, it's one, one for the money
Two, it's two gots too much for the show
Three, it's three, three get ready
Are you ready mother-

He heard an audible click from behind him. Then felt a slap at the back of his head. Prozac shook his head annoyed. The albino one, Evil, snickered in response. And the blue one, Lech smiled smugly.

"Should have been country..." The pink one, Sara said.

"RRROARR!" Again the sound caught their attention.

They all waited patiently.

"Now unto the rules of the game..." he noticed a single tail raised above the crowd.

'Yes?"

"Why are participating in this?" A yellow furred mongoose, Tali said. She was surrounded by small mongooses around her running in circles.

"Isn't obvious? To prove who is the best? Also food but that's a side note." He replied.

She narrowed her brow suspiciously as he continued.

"No direct violence, if I or the birds surveying the area catch you, the members of the team will be excluded from participating in further exceptions. For each game each group can come in 1st, 2nd or 3rd And the groups earn points for the corresponding place their team has gotten. 1st is ten points, 2nd is 5 and last place is 3.5 points…"

They all gave him a curious look. He smirked knowing the confusion, his wife was on odd one.

"Why the decimal? We want you to feel, encouraged to win and not feel completely hopeless if they come in last… Also if your team performs admirably in my eyes. I will award you, Other than that there are no rules."

He paused as he remembered something as he looked to his right and saw two monkeys away from the crowd next to a couple of coolers and water jugs.

"Oh and this event is sponsored by the Rainforest Cafe. Get you drinks from them if your parched or watching the groups compete."

The groups looked over to their far left, chuckles were heard from various animals as they saw both monkeys: the first sitting behind a table was female, she wore a yellow bow.

And to her right a golden haired monkey wearing an oversized beer can, he had a scowl on his face as he folded his arms.

"I hate you." Spice said vehemently.

"I love you too. Now do a little dance so we can get more customers." She waved him dismissively with a coy smile.

He looked up at the sky, if he could scream he would but he had no one to blame but himself for allowing this. He shifted from side to side with a small jig garnering more laughter as animals congregate to her.

"Get your beer here! Free beer! Line up and we'll get you messed up!" She smiled innocently. As some of the animals walked over to the stand, the even small little red bear lined up as well. Spice glared at his sister, she grinned.

"You're Evil." he said.

She grabbed a beer from her cooler and gave it to an animal.

"No, that douche is over their with c-listers. And I have no idea what the you're talking about? I'm providing refreshments to these thirsty patrons."

He narrowed his brow knowingly about her scam. He looked at the gallons of water she had on the ground. And a jar next to them. She noticed and gave a sincere smile.

"This chicanery is dank I hope you know that." Spice said.

She gave the red bear two beers. He smiled happily and chugged both of them down.

Back to the group.

Both Jimmy and Mike looked at Tanked oddly. "At least I know where the drinks are." Mike said

Prozac looked down at the ground near the boom box. "When did you get here?" He looked surprised.

"Followed the conga line of animals, not missing a chance to see something interesting around here." He crawled up Fighter leg and ran his way up to his head and sat. Vanity looked at this curiously, he seemed intrigued.

"You realize that rat could have diseases right?" Sara said.

"I'm cleaner then you, dusty." he replied

Fighter snickered softly as Sara looked at them suspiciously.

Leonard looked over to group of bears, his eyes caught the Grey mouse on the bear's head. He continued with his speech. "It's time for the qualifier. Everyone who wants to participate go up the hill, spectators go around to watch the...fun."

He prowled up the hill with the cheetah. "Bring me that bear. I need to speak to him later." He whispered.

"Ha ha, look what we have here!" The bear group turned to see the polar bear counterparts the three of them smiling smugly. "A bunch of morons trying fight a losing battle. The epitome of dense." Hulk said as Butch nodded in agreement as Steven looked up the hill.

"Go sit on pine cone, you meat heads." Sara glared at them while Cara did the same. Prozac was about to intervene but Hulk interrupted.

"Save it, you blue freak. We'll beat your sorry asses".

"Yeah!" Butch said as he folded his arms.

"We're going to be late." Steven said as held their flag, it had one of their faces on it. They chuckled mockingly as they walked away from the group.

"Wow. Those guys are the biggest ass hats." Mike said as he narrowed his brow.

"Figli di puttana." Fighter said annoyed, garnering some odd looks.

Smack!

Mike hit Fighter with his tail.

Prozac looked at them dubiously. "What did he just say?"

"I know what the p word stands for." Lech said.

Mike growled annoyed, "Just because you can swear in another language doesn't mean you can hide it from me." He said as he chastised him.

Evil smirked at Fighter smugly. "Aww Fighter isn't allowed to say bi-"

Smack!

Prozac swatted Evil with the flag, the rest of this group brayed in laughter as Evil scowled annoyed.

"Technically there are multiple meanings for that phrase…" Fighter said coyly

"And none of them are good, stop that." Mike replied.

"Come on guys, I want show off a little. let's kick some ass!" Lech flexed, no one was impressed.

"Please you plebs won't be able keep with my stellar performance." Vanity exclaimed.

"We don't even know what the qualifier is or the events?" Prozac sighed.

Lech rubbed his chin, "Last time I watched it they had weight lifting." He said.

"Perfect, an event for the polar douches to win." Sara frowned.

"I'm sure we'll be able win other games if we work together." Cara beamed as she smiled.

"Exactly. Thank you, Cara." Prozac clapped his hands happily. "Let's go, guys."

Moments later.

"No, no, no. I will not participate in this!" Vanity screamed as Lech and Evil held him by his arms in front of a trash can.

"It's insane, inane and a waste of my talents."

Prozac looked at him desperately. They needed him for this...

The lion stood proudly in front of the many animals willing to participate on the hill as birds flew overhead in the sky watching from above. The only oddity with this moment was that the hill itself had many trash cans on top accompanying them.

Leonard looked down to see many of the spectators, They were like ants to him.

He noticed the various sharp rocks, patches of grass and dirt mounds that littered the large hill. "The qualifier is an act of courage, you must barrel down the hill using these trash cans to survive." He pointed to them with his paw.

"This seems a bit..." Tali was trying to find the right words. Fighter spoke up, "Over dramatic? Overblown?" They heard a snicker from someone, he continued. "Or just plan stupid?"

Tali frowned, "Underwhelming comes to mind." As they all looked down the hill they noticed a goose wandering the hill it pecked at one of the mounds.

Honk! Honk!

It tapped the mound...

Boom!

Tali's eyes went wide in shock as well as many of the participants.

The bird was no where to be seen when the dust cleared.

"Huh, I been meaning to ask where they went." Fighter said flatly about the mines.

"Anyone who doesn't wish to participate can leave. The rest... may the odds be in your favour." He smiled as he lept down the hill landing on each of the rocks with precision to avoid the deadly traps. He joined the audience below.

Evil smelled the burnt scent that filled the air. It made him hungry.

"Mmmm, fried chicken." Evil licked his lips.

"Ok. WHY are there mines here?!" Clyde spoke hysterically said as he held out his paws pleadingly.

"Doesn't matter. Get in the can." The leader wolf said.

"The hell I am!" He felt a chill down his spine as the group huddled behind him-

Clank!

They threw him the trash can and shut the lid by having one of them stand on top of it.

"The hell I am." He said surprised inside the can.

The little mongoose cubs grinned. "I want to-"

"No." Tali said flatly refusing to give an inch.

"But it looks fun!" They said in unison as they frowned.

"Fun is a subjective, this is dangerous. You will not go down death mountain. That's final."

They groaned as she made them walk down the safe side of the hill. And as this happened a giraffe walked into the can. His friend looked down at him discouragingly "You are not going down the hill in that."

"We have to, ugh-" The giraffe grunted as tried to squat in the can. The sound clanking of the can was only a constant reminder to them both that this was a stupid idea from the start and gave the other giraffe more reason to argue.

"Do you want to your break legs going down there or your neck?" He scowled at his friend. The other one gave a pleading look, it didn't work. "We need food!" he said.

"And we can eat the grass on the grounds, now get out of that thing!" They both locked eyes. The unflinching versus the pleading... The battle was short lived.

The other one sighed. "Fine."

He tried to lift himself out of the can, it shook haphazardly for a moment then the animal stopped it's struggle. There was only silence as the two realized the his folly.

"You're stuck aren't you?" he said as mater of fact.

"Yes." the other replied as he looked down ashamed at it's mistake.

The stern one rolled his eyes and walked behind him.

"What are you- Gahhhh!" He kicked down the giraffe in the opposite direction down the hill. The trapped one rolled violently down the hill screaming all the way down. He craned his neck to listen for his friend impact.

"Annnd..." he said.

Crash!

"Ow, My leg!" he cried.

"There we go." He walked down the hill.

As the giraffe left Vanity bit Lech's arm, "Ack!" He cried out as Vanity swiped at Evil with his free hand.

Evil dropped him to avoid this scratch. He ran to Prozac, "Ha! You'll never get me in that infernal thing!"

"Heh, hey morons! Better get someone or else you'll be disqualified!" Hulk said.

They turned their heads to see Steven stuffed into a trash can with a small grin of joy on his face. Each of the bears scowled.

Prozac sighed he couldn't let them shove him the can and hurl him into danger. "Who's gonna go? We don't have time". He looked down the hill to see the Lion watching them intently. It was silent, he wished they were this quiet at home.

Evil broke the silence.

"Fighter, get in the can." Evil pointed to it.

"Not happening." Fighter glared at him.

"Coward." He replied

"I'm not getting blown up again!" he gave Evil a bitter scowl.

Evil smirked innocently causing Prozac to raise his brow in suspicion.

"Stuff the runt in the can." Evil said.

"No!" Vanity replied.

"Just bite the bullet, runt." Lech growled.

Prozac stood between the blue bear, he had a sour look on his face. "We can't risk him getting hurt."

Vanity stuck his tongue out mockingly as he heard those words.

"Then who's going?" Sara questioned she looks positively pissed as she scowled. She pointed at Lech angrily

"Why don't you go?"

Lech looked scared for a moment, "Gotta save the best for last right?"

"Heh, cute." She smirked mockingly causing him to stare annoyed at her disbelief.

Gimp looked around the disgruntled group he knew they weren't going to get anywhere like this. He was used to the bickering of the bears, it was natural occurrence for him see them at each other's throats, so without a word he shut his eyes and sighed as he walked to the trash can silently.

He rested in the can and lined up with the other participants, the wolves, polar bears, and monkeys were the only ones left on the hill.

Leonard saw every one in line and nodded as he roared to signal them to go.

They each rolled down the dangerous hill respectively. The polar's noticed the single bear in the can and made their way over to Gimp.

They noticed the bears still bickering unaware the event started. Gimp had a disappointed look on his face.

"I guess that's it for you." Hulk said.

Gimp looked at the bear pensively and in that moment gave a sly smile. He picked the lid slapped the polar bear with it, Clank! And slipped into the can and closing it with the lid.

Hulk held his cheek in pain from the abrupt strike.

Butch looked at his friend then to the bear in the can. He picked up the trash can and threw it down the hill, "Take that, you little turd!" He shouted.

This caused the bears to look over to the two polar bears worried at the friend's departure. Hulk glared at his friend. "Butch. You just helped them by doing that."

Gimp's trash can rolled down the hill quickly as it followed the rest closely, he was lucky to be thrown further down the hill. The clanking of the metal can was the only thing he could hear as he tumbled in the can. He was fortunate they had eaten light that day.

Clank! Boooom! AAAAAAAHHH!

The sound of a screeching monkey was heard followed by small thud. It landed on the bottom of the hill, It's fur burnt to a darker tinge. It spat out a puff of smoke.

"Pass." Leonard said flatly.

Clank.

He felt the can hit something he noticed the sound of aluminum clanking stopped for a moment, he felt weightless as he felt himself rise out of the can his head peeking out of the trash can the lid still on his head.

His eyes went wide as noticed he was in the air, he saw Steven at the bottom of the hill. He assumed the last one was behind him, but that wasn't what worried him he saw the dirt mound his trash can was careening toward it...

"Gimp!" He heard Prozac shout.

He jumped out of his can and rolled forward grabbing the lid and landing on it, the impact of the fall crushing it flat as he slid down the bottom of the hill the animals cheering at his feat- Boom!

"Gack!"

And Clyde slowly rolling down the hill, he fell straight on his back, surprisingly on unharmed...or it could be just his fur colour blending with the smoke. He rose up from his fall, crash!

Only to go wide eyed as he saw his vehicle's blown out from the bottom.

"Huh, I guess I should be mindful of my surroundings."

"Heh heh."

His ears perked up as he looked up the hill. "Fighter, if that was you laughing-"

He then heard whistling at the top of the mountain. "Figures."

"The Qualifiers are now officially over!" Leonard shouted as the animals cheered behind him, "Bring your flags to the bottom of hill and line them up." The groups on the hill looked at him dubiously. He sighed. "Go down the opposite side..."

He wondered about the intelligence of the animals but to be fair they were zoo animals.

"Woo! That was so cool!"

He heard a small voice say as he looked over to the small group of animals.

"Good because I'll never let you go." He saw a female mongoose talking to a cub. A group of them huddled around her. If wasn't for her voice he would mistaken her for the opposite sex.

"Aww come on Sis!" The cub pleaded.

She gave a somber smile, he could see a bit of joy hidden behind that smile, her eyes even lit up for a moment.

"It's final, kid. Just like everyone else". She needed to find a way to get more food.

He narrowed his brow for a moment saddened, he missed that feeling for a moment he felt... Tkk. Tkk. His ears perked up at the sound of the something digging into the dirt. He sighed as turned back to the teams, he glanced briefly to see the smaller bears looking after their comrade.

It was time for the first event.