Prozac glanced over to the couch in the living room to see Lech and Fighter watching the television.
On the screen were two humans wearing blue uniforms chasing down a man, he was handcuffed and running with his hands behind his back. The uniformed men were in hot pursuit but the criminal had a small lead. He cocked his head back to see them struggling to keep up as the gap widened between of the couch occupants, Lech, grinned in anticipation as he watched the hapless criminal taunt the police force brazenly while running away on the sidewalk. His bold move ended prematurely, he failed to notice the stop sign in front of him—He collided into it with a loud crack as the sign contorted around violently as he landed straight on his back. And just like that the police swarmed him immediately as he writhed on the floor a familiar tune played from the television:
Bad boys! Bad boys!
"Ah, Ha Ha! What an Idiot!" Lech cackled as he bit into a Sloppy-Joe, the contents of the sandwich messily spilling into his plate on the table in front of them. Fighter yawned in response, but kept a small smile.
"Uh huh." He replied while laying back in the recliner's arms as he closed his eyes.
Lech rolled his eyes then bit into his sandwich, this time the meat landed straight on the cave floor. He looked down and glared disdainfully at it. "Damn it." He scowled.
Prozac sighed knowingly, looking over to the kitchen and saw the dirty pot in the sink.
Fantastic…
"Both of you clean up that mess, then wash the dishes." He ordered.
Fighter rubbed his eyes and hopped off the couch, Lech stopped him and placed his dirty paw unto his shoulder. He gave him an annoyed glance as sauce dripped down his shoulder.
"There's like five more minutes left." Lech argued.
"Why bother? We're just gonna see another idiot get dropped."
"Yea, but it's better than cleaning duty. Besides, It's hilarious!"
"I can see most of them coming."
"Then why were you smiling, asshole?" He smirked.
"Because they deserved it, grande cazzo." He said under his breath.
Lech folded his arms proudly. "Damn right I am." He replied and gave a surprised look, but realized it was for the best if he didn't ask why he knew. The television then switched to an anchor woman holding a bundle of paper. She was a brunette wearing thin black rimmed glasses and wore a loose-fitting purple blouse. She pulled out a piece of paper from the bundle then looked to the camera with an alluring gaze and spoke with a calm tone.
"Breaking news! A new development in a cold case left years ago…"
"God, why do they always interrupt?" Lech's eyes wondered to the reporter's chest. The fabric was thin, revealing the woman's black bra. The sultry appearance of the reporter didn't pass this bear's lustful eye. "Someone's losing their job, not that I mind."
Fighter gave him a brief aloof glance. "It wasn't all that good to begin with either." He stated.
"Eh, your half right... It's no discovery Channel." He grinned lewdly.
Prozac gave them a hard, stern glare. Fighter yawned again loudly as held his head unphased by the attention.
"Aww, is baby sleepy from the movie-marathon?" Lech pinched his cheek.
"No thanks to you..." He stated bluntly with a snarl.
"Oh shut up, I didn't force you to watch those horror flicks. Unless..." Lech rose his brow dubiously.
"You couldn't sleep because your a...Scared. Little. Bitch." He leaned forward and jabbed his finger into his chest, then laid back on the couch.
Fighter narrowed his brow undeterred. "Not even close, I can't find my sleep-aid is all." He scratched his head.
Lech scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Uh huh."
"Oh can it, you malodorous maroon." He said with a friendly smile as he reached over and flicked his nose.
"Grinning doofus." Lech smiled coyly he jostled his tuft of hair earning a glare as the bear boldly grinned.
Fighter pouted annoyed he turned around and combed through his hair it was stiff in front like a cockatoo. He combed the four strands and lined them back up in a small tuft.
Seeing he was distracted, Lech quickly placed his finger in his mouth slathering it up with saliva before jamming it into the bear's ear. Fighter cringed inwardly, his eye twitched at the unwanted wet sensation. He stared blankly at Lech grinning victoriously as he retracted his finger.
There was brief moment of silence. As they both stared at each other.
"You violated my ear...Prepare for repercussions." He narrowed his brow and cracked his knuckles, a small smile formed from his lips.
As their buffoonery continued Prozac's stern glare changed to a flinty stare: He had enough of being ignored. He walked to the couch for the remote but he as inspected the furniture he noticed it was missing. "Yea, good luck with finding it, it's gone missing." Lech added knowingly getting a noogie from the bear. Prozac walked in front of the television and reaching for the power button as the television continued:
"They've arrested two suspects in the drug case, Daniela Bagnato and Clement..."
Fighter ears twitched, the voice was cut off as Prozac shut the television off. He leered at two on the couch as Nerd walked into the room holding a phone with Mike on his head.
"Clean it up." Prozac ordered bluntly.
A crashing sound suddenly came from the kitchen, "Hey, watch it!" Mike shouted. The others turned to the source. Nerd was holding his head as his glasses fell off his face and unto his lap, groaning as he picked them up off the ground, luckily without any cracks. The mouse was on top off the cellphone left on the ground. "Y'know I hate to say it but..." He shrugged at the bear.
"Don't. It was my own fault." Nerd replied.
Prozac walked to the kitchen and dusted off Nerd. He didn't see any major damage. He glanced at the Mike standing on the phone with map layout under him. He picked up the mouse and placed him on the counter-top, then inspected the phone.
"Where did you-"
"One of the humans dropped it into our exhibit." Nerd explained. He reached for the device and Prozac looked at him concerned.
"I wasn't looking where is was going, it's my fault...Please don't confiscate the phone." He begged as he looked up at Prozac with pleading eyes. He narrowed his brow at the bear.
"You need to be more careful…What was so important on this anyways?" He asked concerned.
Lech lurched over the couch and glanced at the two, he glanced at Nerd trying to play off the question, then he remember something. "Wait...Does that thing have that dumb game on it?"
Nerd looked at the bear with inquisitive glare. He knew immediately what it was.
"It is, Ugh, the one with the lame ass cock-fighting." Lech sounded disinterested.
Prozac looked back at Nerd suspiciously.
Nerd leered back at Lech then pointed his finger at him. "I'll have you know it's about exploration and catching monsters...The cock-fights are a small portion of it." He whispered.
Prozac wasn't having any of it. "Well, whatever this is..." He tapped the screen as a green monster appeared. "I've seen humans do something stupid things with it, last week someone fell into the rhino exhibit." Lech snorted mockingly on the couch.
Fighter glanced back at the two in the kitchen. "You don't think that's a little much? It's just a game, no harm it...Aside from head injury or potential mauling or goring..."
Nerd leered back at the bear. "Not helping." He shrugged and got up from the couch to turn on television, he could feel Prozac glaring at his back. He glanced over his shoulder but still reached for the power button.
Mike rubbed his chin and looked at Nerd with a meaningful look. "Y'know what, how 'bout you let Fighter play with the thing?"
Prozac turned and gave the mouse a dubious glance.
"If he comes back safely, let the kid keep the phone, and if not, you take the thing. No harm no foul." Mike folded his arms.
Prozac's brow narrowed worried. "I don't..."
Nerd stared at him like a pleading puppy, his eyes bulged out and pouted while quivering his lips.
"Fine." Prozac relented as he walked to the bear.
"And the award to the biggest man-baby goes toooo..." Lech was abruptly cut of by an apple thrown at him, it flew over Prozac's head as Lech ducked it and collided with the television.
"We now return to rock of the love bus." The television announced.
"Ohhh! Don't change it!" Gay shouted from the entrance to the living room.
Prozac glanced at the Nerd from the living room as he whistled while looking away innocently, he looked towards Fighter standing in front of the tv. The bear held his paws up innocently. He walked up to him gave the phone with a deadpan expression, "Be back before dinner." He gave him a stern glare.
Fighter nodded as he walked over to Nerd as another animal entered the room, a raccoon. Jimmy glanced at the kitchen and walked over to grab an apple from the table. He sat on the table to eat it as he listen to the two conversing.
"...And that should be it. There's a stop near by that you can use to refill your resources." Nerd handed him the phone. "I also reset it, so you should get a tutorial anyways." He added.
Fighter looked down at the phone and saw three creatures: A red bipedal lizard, a blue tortoise and a green creature with a bulb on its back. "I like the blue one." He sounded genuine interested for the moment.
"Most people pick the lizard." Nerd commented as he watched him tap the blue one.
"Because he's cool, the other two suck in comparison to a freakin' DRAGON!" Lech added from the couch causing Nerd to roll his eyes.
Jimmy bit into the apple and glanced at the cellphone the bear had in its paw inquisitively as his eyes lit up and reached out to it, Fighter noticed and tilted the device away. He gave the raccoon a firm glare.
"One little peak, please?" He pleaded as climbed into the bear's shoulder.
Fighter continued to keep the phone away. "Nope, not happening. I remember what you did to the toaster when you got your hands on it. The thing scared the crap out of Crack as he dodged Flaming Toaster Strudels...You gave him nightmares. Heh heh." A small, dry chortle came from his throat.
"That...Was accident." He looked down with a guilty expression. "Besides that was one time."
There was a loud boom as the raccoon finished his sentence. They all turned to the direction of the sound, a young shrill cry was heard from the cavern. "Nooooo!" Vanity gave an agonized scream.
Nerd gave a blank look as the raccoon reluctantly avoided eye contact. "That...That was the iron." He chuckled awkwardly.
Prozac sighed inwardly.
"And sorry for computer." Jimmy added.
"It's better now, no worries. But your still not getting near it." He replied cautiously.
"Can I at least come with?"
Fighter rose his brow dubiously and looked at the raccoon 's brown coat of fur, he reached out and prodded it gently. "It's cold out, unless you grow more fur you'll catch a cold." He stated.
Jimmy cupped his chin pensively then snapped his fingers. "Oh that's simple, I'll ride your head." He replied jovially earning a snicker from the couch and an odd look from Fighter.
"We are gutter-trash..." He shook his head ashamed.
Mike gave a hearty chuckle and scratched behind his ear. "There ain't nothing wrong with that, but seriously phrasing kiddo." He stated.
"I'll just wrap around your head like those explorers." He argued unphased.
"Traders." He corrected. "And I don't think I want you near my neck region." He glanced at Jimmy but he continued to persist.
"Pleaseeee! I'll be an extra set of eyes for you." He hopped on his shoulder earning an annoyed look from Fighter. "I'll show you the best spot for free food."
Fighter knew that wouldn't be good.
"He's not gonna stop. Just let him go with you." Prozac glanced at the giddy mammal, he was still bouncing on the bear's shoulder clearly excited to go with him. He was a child at heart.
Fighter sighed and nodded the raccoon immediately started climbing onto his head covering up his ears and letting his tail dangle from his down to his shoulders. It felt weird at first, the extra set of fur on his head and the constant grip around his forehead but he'd adapt. At least he could still see clearly, he walked into the den looking down at the phone to see an alert from the device.
The others watched him oddly.
"Your going the wrong way!" Prozac shouted to him from the living room.
"I'm grabbing my scarf." He exclaimed from the cavern the others shrugged.
"Ohhh a bat! It looks adorable!" Fighter exclaimed.
Nerd narrowed his brow. "Don't bother they're not worth it!" He said.
"Catching it and you can't stop me!" He exclaimed from the cavern.
Prozac glanced back at Lech, only to see that he disappeared from the couch. The bear's eye twitched and he placed his paw on his face. Why do I bother sometimes? He glanced over to Nerd trying to follow his predecessor out the cave exit, he didn't make it far enough as Prozac pulled him back to the kitchen. He pointed to the sink then scowled as he held his head.
I feel a migraine coming on.
He could hear someone breaking into a manic panic.
"Gahh! Get away you vermin!" Crack stated hysterically.
"I'm so sorry!" Jimmy exclaimed from the cavern.
Prozac gave a dead expression.
"I'm going to take a nap." He walked into the cavern. The television continued as he walked away.
"Roland, I love..." An apple hit the TV and immediately turned off the appliance. Prozac continued to leave the living room. The mouse watched him go as he glanced at the purple bear.
"Well, you wanted him out." He stated as he watched him turned the tap in the sink.
"Just get the blue-bum to pick up it up." Nerd started to wash the pots in the sink.
Mike nodded as he hopped off the counter and walked to the exit….
Meanwhile in Lion Exhibit
Serena the lioness laid in the shade underneath a tree as the brisk air blew around her scattering leaves across the exhibit. She glanced at her mate laying on the grass with a piece steak in his maw, he held down a piece of paper with his paw surveying pensively as he glared down at it.
"Have you found anything yet?" She asked curiously.
Leonard tore into a raw steak and glanced up at her with a doleful expression. She knew immediately from his countenance what the answer was as he placed his food down unto a plate. "No. I've only just found out why the Otter's food supply has been short recently." He stated with a grim smile. "They're not very bright."
"I've heard stories about their...simple-minded behaviour, but they're still your subjects."
"I know. It makes my job much easier though."
She looked away chuckled softly. "Your incorrigible."
"I've been told that's an attractive quality to have." He glanced over to her and gave a haughty smile before grabbing the plate below him in his maw. He strolled over to her with it and dropped it in front of her. Serena shook her head, not wanting it yet.
The Lion nodded before whispering something into her ear, she tilted her head and gave bemused expression before she playfully swatted him on his nose. "It's too early." She stated with demure expression. He laughed softly in response.
A group of birds flew overhead; a small yellow bird parted from the flock and landed in the tree above her. These birds acted as a source of communication for the inhabitants of the Zoo that hadn't adapted to the human forms of technology. The sounds of rustling were heard above as she tapped the tree three times, a routine that she created, as her husband walked into the cave with the plate saving the food for her.
The sounds of movement ceased as two small animals met her: The yellow bird and a small brown squirrel. She gave them a knowing look before the bird tweeted to her in a pleasant tone, she nodded as it spoke to her then looked to the other creature. It squealed in a high tone as it conversed. Her eyes lit up from the it's words.
"Thank you." She stated.
The animals parted ways after reporting in; the bird flew away while the squirrel ran up the tree, climbed the wall and ran on the rails above. As they left she saw Leonard with white patches peaking out of his mane as he made his way to her from the cave, he looked lost in thought.
"I think your focusing too much on this, it could be bad for your health—Maybe, relax today?" She asked worried.
He shook his head. "No, it's been too long for my liking. I'm thankful for the quiet, but this isn't the only event causing a stir." He shivered.
"Well, I've heard off the grapevine where the last theft took place, if that helps." She cupped her chin pensively. Leonard gave her a pleased expression as he smiled.
"Have I told you how much I love you?" He leaned and kissed her on her cheek.
"Three times today." She replied cheekily.
Of course you counted. Leonard shook his head.
"Anything different this time?" He asked.
"Aside from the usual gripes this one happened near the polar exhibit, the only possible witnesses you have would be the bears and the wolves in that area." She stated.
"I can deal with this one at least."
She noticed a bitter expression was etched on his face as he furrowed his brow.
"Honey, I'm curious. What else happened?"
He chuckled deeply in response, not in a mocking way but she rose her brow dubious at this.
"Sorry, I thought you were in the loop. Gossip and all."
"I couldn't go to the meeting with my mate pulling his mane out now can I?" She replied.
"That was nice of you. Besides, your lucky, I heard things went dreadful that week." He said sincerely as he gave her a playful nuzzle across his cheek. He continued to enlighten her.
"None of my sources had any concrete information: A flare of light and a few injuries here and there from the struggles. The smaller thefts seemed to be home invasions."
She trailed her paws through his umber mane combing it while she caressed his head with her free paw, he purred lowly in response. "And what of those?" She asked.
"The only notable detail is a weird artificial scent. It's potent but man-made. It's quite—repulsive. A musky, overbearing scent, it lingers in your snout and causes my nose stiffen." He stuck his tongue out in disgust at the memory. She narrowed her brow perplexed at the information.
"And on top of that... Animals have gone missing—Two to be exact—With no informationat all." He gave sour expression as his tone grew solemn. She placed her paw on his back.
"Don't place this burden on yourself." She rustled through his mane, only to feel something odd in it. She rummaged through it and pulled out an envelope. She narrowed her brow suspiciously at the thing as she pulled out the dust and cotton from his mane.
"This is my home... I should know what's happening in my dominion." He glared at her and saw her soft expression.
She worries for good reason. Brooding will not accomplish anything. He thought then sighed openly.
"Which is why I've given..." He noticed the item, a small envelope, in her paw and quickly grabbed it. She gave an inquisitive glance, looking unsettled for a moment at his sudden move but returned to a neutral expression. He noticed. "It's...Nothing—A report from my ward." He shoved it back into his mane.
She glanced at him intrigued. "Really, you need one of those?"
"More like a...police officer. She's good, I can rely on her. I know she's has a good heart, but I'm being pedantic at this point." He reasoned gazing back at her, then gave an eager glance. He wanted to return the favour for his mate grooming him.
"It's not always bad... Your focus could be—elsewhere though~" She shivered as she felt his tongue on her ears. He stopped for a moment before grooming her chest fur.
"I just want more intimacy."
"Then what you call this?" He grinned. She closed her eyes and sighed.
"Sorry, I just feel like I'm not..." She paused. He knew what was troubling her and brought her closer in to his embrace nuzzling her cheek, her whiskers tickled his face.
"No...It's...Hard is all. Don't trivialize your own worth..." He sounded lost for the moment.
I've done that...Too much.
"You aren't a problem to me. But it'd help if you wouldn't throw me out, dear." He stated dryly with a smirk as he continued to clean his partner.
"That's for not telling me the truth right away, love. Crime and punishment, it's simple." She gave a tart reply with a satisfied smile as she swatted his nose with the end of her tail.
"Fair." He replied with a satisfied smirk of his own.
Serena eyes bulged in surprise as she remembered something. "I almost forgot the keepers finally found the rhino."
He gave an annoyed look of disdain as she mention the humans. "Incompetent fools. How have they gone this long without finding an animal the size of a car?"
"Apparently, they've found it out at a beach a good distance away. It should be a week before they grab a hold of it."
"Good, it got a vacation." He he gave a dark look, glancing back at his mate he expected a sour look...Instead, she gave him an alluring expression. His brow rose cautiously.
"Leonard. Sit." Her tone was firm, assertive. He blinked absently and smiled haughtily before he sat down and craned his head to her looking up at face.
"Have I told your pale-blue eyes are your third most attractive trait?"
"Uh huh. Haven't heard that...Wait—Third." She stated amused looking down at him.
"Yes, second would be your lovely voice. Booming when you want it to be, But when we're alone like this it's a husky, sensual sounding voice that just..." He chuckled softly, then closed his eyes. He purred deeply again at his mate's caress of his chin with the tip of her paw.
She rose her brow dubious at her mate's praise. "And?"
"The tiny little black spot on your spine." He stated calmly in her embrace.
She blinked and gave him a blank expression.
"It is the one beautiful imperfection on your lovely tan coat that makes me remember your beauty—Fleeting, but worth every glance." He elaborated.
Serena gave him inquisitive expression as she narrowed her brow. "Hm, aren't you poetic today." She started to comb through his mane, then began to message his temples. "If your going out today. You need to look presentable, proud, strong...My King." She stated in a soft tone.
He arched his back up with blissful look on his face.
"Is it still too early, dear? He asked playfully with a satisfied expression as he tilted his head towards her, his brown eyes staring into her own lovingly.
"There's always an exception." She brought his maw to hers, brushed her paws through his mane and held his head contently. He felt blithe briefly for a moment as his stress melted away.
"Ahem~" A female voice called out from above the railings.
"Why does this happen when we're about to start?" He asked.
Serena chuckled softly before turning to their guests, she nuzzled her mate's cheek. Leonard glanced over to see a Grey-furred Koala and a Gold-furred Monkey climb down the walls. He pulled away from his mate reluctantly.
"We can come back if your...Busy." Athena rubbed her head pulling down her ponytail, trying to come off as reserved but she looked more bashful instead due to her red cheeks.
Spice glanced at her and snorted mockingly. "Keep watching. He's proud and in charge, I'm sure she wouldn't mind a voyeur." He whispered into her ear.
Her modest expression quickly changed to a hostile glare, reaching for her holster, but she restrained herself from grabbing the night stick. Athena relaxed by exhaling and placing her arms back to her sides. Again, he noticed where they were before and spoke. "Where'd you even get the stick?" He asked.
She didn't respond opting to stay silent.
"Never mind, it's obvious where you pulled that from." He smirked smugly at his crude comment.
She looked at him blankly and smirked knowingly. That thing you use for a spine?
"You don't want me answer that." She stated coolly.
"Whatever, police girl." He stated cheekily without a second thought wearing an absent-minded smile.
Leonard glanced at Serena pensively, she nodded in understanding.
"You've have your duties to attend to." She turned and walked to the cave resting by a near by stump near the entrance. He glanced at his mates maw as she held something...
"Sir, I assume we're heading to the polar exhibit first?" Athena stated as mater-of-fact.
He shook his head dismissively. "First, we give the Otter's food, Second, head to the Wolf preserve and finally question...them." He stated vehemently with a bitter tone.
She gave a proud smile. "Excellent, let's roll." She saluted at the Lion as he gave a proud smirk at her enthusiasm.
"Oh and one more thing...If you can..." He whispered the last words, Serena could barely hear them as she placed the something behind the stump.
"It's gonna be hard, but I'll try." Athena replied. Leonard looked at her fanny-pack curiously.
"Did you get those..."
She reached into her fanny-pack before he could complete his sentence and pulled item with a glossy white border: A photograph.
"Yup. She almost stole 'em." Athena gave him the picture as he grabbed it and inspected it, Serena watched him as he stared at the photo from afar. It brought a smile to his face. He placed the photo in his mane.
"Let's go." He walked forward to the wall, he crouched lower to the ground and leapt up onto it, he aimed for ledge at the top of the wall with his paws and grasped them tightly before he pulled himself up and over the railings. His two associates followed suit climbing a nearby tree to follow their leader out.
Serena looked up at her husband over the rails as he turned around and mouthed the words: 'Thank you.' to her.
She nodded and watched them head out. It only took a few moments for her to listen for their feet to tread further away before taking a deep breath and leering down at the paper on the ground.
The document was a summary of the one of the odd occurrences her husband told her about. The paper was titled: The White Phantom Caper. She skimmed through the notes but something caught her eye in the top corner of the paper: A picture of the culprit. She could still see a Grey figure holding a sack on the zoo grounds.
Unfortunately for her, the identity of the suspect was clawed out...She narrowed her brow, then whistled a familiar tune as the sound of flapping wings could be heard and a tiny bird rested on the stump in front of her...
….
"Left." Jimmy ordered.
Fighter stepped left to avoid a jagged rock. He continued to glance down at the phone as the map showed his current position, he had ten more meters to go and he had already caught two creatures. As they continued to walk Jimmy saw three little animals run toward them in a group.
"Right." He stated as Fighter moved to the right to avoid the group of cubs; a monkey, prairie dog, and a small wolf. They ran frantically in a line past the duo. The prairie pup was leading them. He noticed that the pup had a panicky expression while others had jeering grins.
"Can we stop for a bit, see where this thing will take us next?" Jimmy stated he could see his breathe due to the cold.
Fighter nodded and looked around, they past the Otter exhibit. He glanced over at a map of the discount zoo. It showed the crossroad and three different directions each directing them to another exhibit. The closest area to the next creature was the wolf exhibit to the north.
He noticed the raccoon's tail swinging around erratically tapping his back. "What's troubling you-" He looked up to see the group before stopping in front of the railings near the Otter's exhibit. The Prairie pup was out of breath and was being pestered by the wolf and monkey cub, shoving it around as they watched.
Odd, I thought the Wolf's here had brown fur, he's gray...He shook his head and buried the thought.
Fighter noticed how quiet Jimmy was as he watched them. "You okay?" He asked.
"Yea…Should we.." Jimmy stammered as he watched the group. "Should you..."
"No, It's better we don't get involved." He explained with a lukewarm tone. "Either one of two things happen; I stand up for the kid, which could lead him to still get attacked if I'm not around. Or hope some one sees this and isn't a coward..." He stated sourly.
"Still…" Jimmy held on to the bear's head tightly as his brow narrowed. He saw the monkey stare at them with a worried look as if he had been caught as the wolf held the pup. Fighter glared over at the group before turning around.
Besides, you have to stand up to your aggressor sometime.
"Is it okay if I take a break from guiding you for a bit?" He sounded tired from his tone.
"Sure, rest your eyes, I'll take us there." He patted the raccoon head and walked toward the wolf exhibit leaving the group behind them.
"Hey, uh, do you ever get the feeling someone's watching you?" Jimmy asked.
"Occasionally. Don't get paranoid, that's Crack's job." Fighter stated trying to lighten the mood.
Jimmy tapped the bear's head.
"Fine, I'll Crack...Down on the jokes." He smirked.
Jimmy sighed as they continued to walk, as they got further away a blue bear glanced down at the duo from a far near the sign.
He looked at the map from below and sighed knowingly. Lech picked him up and held him up to see the map. He glanced back at the Otter exhibit to his left, then glanced to his right to see the reptile exhibit. It was the closest to their destination. "Okay, we've got a package to pick up." Mike said.
Lech nodded as he ran to the west end, Mike looked back cautiously at the group coming from the African Pavilion and scowled as they headed out.
Leonard's group had just arrived from the south.
The lion had a brown sack on his back with his entourage on either side of him. As they trekked over to their first stop they encountered some cubs laughing loudly as they passed. Athena glanced back at group she noticed something as the two cub's were walking away. A small bit of movement from a bush across from the Otter exhibit.
Leonard and Spice walked toward the exhibit and peered down the rails. There were Otters laying on their backs, treading water and a couple of them rolling around in mud below. They glanced above the wall seeing the group. Some of them swam toward the wall as the bag was being lowered into the exhibit by rope.
"Go down their and divide up their food accordingly." Leonard told Spice.
He complied, climbing over the rails to slide down the wall. He opened the bag to reveal fresh bundles of salmon, the Otters' mouths began to water. Spice pulled it out a second bag and showed it's contents to the inhabitants earning some odd looks. "Oooh, is that a marinade?" One of them exclaimed cheerily.
The monkey shook his head then gave them firm, serious glance as he continued his explanation. "I'm only going to tell you this once: Spread this stuff on the fish you don't want to eat. Give it to your phantom or whatever." He gave them a bottle.
Leonard watched closely as Spice began to share out their meal.
"Athena, do you still have his camera on you?" He turned to see she wasn't with them. His ears perked up as he heard the sound of leaves rustling looking back to see her just standing there in front of a bush.
Athena watched the bush intently as she heard a faint wail, she parted the leaves and peered inside to see a young prairie cub with a small bruise on his cheek, his eyes were red. It was clear he was crying before.
"Are you okay?" She asked. He sniffed before nodding but he didn't bother to reply verbally. She noticed and remembered the two cubs.
"Did they throw you in here?" She asked. He shook his head pulling a leaf from the bush. He began to stare at intently picking it piece by piece with his paw. Athena glanced at the leaf curiously.
"Your lucky..." He didn't bother to look up. She didn't mind the silence and continued. "If they'd picked that bush over there..." She pointed across to a tree with a small bush below it. "You'd be itchy for a week." She chuckled softly.
The dog looked up to her and stared at her quietly then started to laugh. She stared at his forehead with a concerned look, then licked her thumb and wiped the dirt off his forehead.
Leonard watched as she cleaned the cub's face he could hear the young one giggling from afar. The sight gave him a warm feeling as he smiled wryly. He saw Athena step back from the bush as the cub emerged from it hopping around, she knelt down and whispered something in the cubs ear.
"Yo, iron sides. The deed's done." Spice stated.
Leonard turned to see Spice hopping over the rails and onto the pavement. He was about to ask something when the same cub from before ran by them with a happy look on his face, he glanced at it for a briefly as it waved to him and continued to sprint ahead of them. It something around it's neck-
"Hey! That's my sister's camera, what the hell?!" Spice exclaimed angrily as he was about to run after him, the Lion stopped him as Athena joined them.
"Relax, he's going to bring it back after he's done with it." Athena explained.
"How do I know he won't pawn the thing off?" He asked.
"The kid was thrown into a bush, I doubt selling an old camera will be on his mind." She replied sharply. "Besides, he wanted to help me."
The group started to walk back to the map. All the while Spice was leering at her, she glared back at him unaffected by his glance.
"What? Are you going to beat up a child?" She asked.
"Depends, if they started it..." Spice said jokingly.
"Typical monkey." She stated bitterly.
He gritted his teeth. "What's that supposed to-"
"That's enough." Leonard interrupted. "We have to go to the Wolf exhibit, we're wasting time." He wanted to get as much information as he could.
Athena stood firmly in front of the Lion. "Sir, if I could interject?" Leonard glanced at the Koala pensively. "Can we make a pit stop? I need to find those two or least tell the this to the cup's parents..." She gave a stern look, it was clear she wouldn't allow this indigence go.
Spice walked ahead of her. "Look, we've got a schedule to keep..."
"That's acceptable." Leonard stated. She bowed before thanking the Lion, however the monkey had a dumbfounded look on his face.
"What." Spice said annoyed, his brow narrowed.
"I believe I know who the prairie dogs parents are, follow me." Leonard began to turn south back to the African Pavilion the two followed the Lion.
"Ugh, you just had to add more didn't you?" Spice complained while folding his arms.
She rolled her eyes and didn't bother with his whining. "By the way, what was in the other bag?" She asked. He gave a surprised look.
"Nothing that concerns you." Leonard quickly replied as they continued to walk.
….
"Here's a good spot to stop." Fighter leaned back on the exhibit wall as he heard the phone alert and stared down at it. He saw a creature with long claws, a spiked back, and beady eyes. He sent out his blue turtle at it to fight.
"How's the game? Looks fun." Jimmy asked as he hopped off his head and onto the rail. He saw the turtle shoot water at it from its mouth.
"It's fun, repetitive, but relatively amusing." He replied as he flicked the screen. Jimmy leaned in over his shoulder and continued to watch.
As the two were staring at the phone a group of monkeys walked by them, only to stop and briefly look in their general direction. A group of birds flew overhead catching the attention of the Raccoon. As they flew away his attention was drawn to the group across the exhibit, one of them leering at the two. Jimmy tapped the bear's shoulder to grab his attention. He glanced at Jimmy before he pointed to the group. Fighter peered over at them. Something felt familiar to him he couldn't place his paw on it.
On the far left he noticed that one of them had a shorter tail, it's tip was a paler then his brown fur; the one beside him had hair that looked like the top of an onion. The other monkey was the most familiar to him he had a brutish look, there was a scar below his cheek and he had a contempt expression on his face, while the last one looked disheveled in appearance. His fur was unkempt, bits of it left out like he had just woken up. He had a large clump of hair on his head that resembled pompadour. He looked distant as he signaled them to go with a gesture of his head.
He started to walk away as the rest followed him.
"What was that about?" Jimmy asked.
"No clue. Let's not waste time worrying over nothing." Fighter said.
Jimmy peered at them one last time as they left. "That last guy seemed...Off."
He couldn't place it.
"He seemed grim." Fighter flicked the screen again as a red ball hit the creature. Where have I seen that one before? He snapped his finger, "One of those Stronzos were apart of Spice's click." He remembered punching the brutish one.
And I got 50 bucks in a game of twenty one from one of them. He chuckled inwardly.
"Who?" Jimmy asked aware of whom he was referring to.
"Sugar's brother." He replied as another creature appeared on the phone.
"Who?" He asked again.
"Forget it." He went back to them game.
"Psst."
Fighter's ears perked at the sound but he didn't acknowledge it as Jimmy gave a confused look as he looked around.
"Psst, over here."
The sound was close but Jimmy was still trying to find it.
"On the ledge." The voice said.
Jimmy peered over the bear to see a brown wolf leaning on the ledge of the exhibit staring at them. He ushered them over with his head. Jimmy tapped Fighter's arm and pointed to it. He glanced at the wolf.
"What do you want?" Fighter asked narrowing his brow. He started to realize how small this place was as he kept seeing familiar faces.
"Hey, bud could you do me a favour?" He asked.
"No." He stated disinterested looking back down at the cellphone.
The wolf glared at him.
"Can't you at least hear me out before you shut me down?"
Fighter rose his finger up to the Wolf's snout not looking up from the device. The phone started to play a time as the tortoise started to glow white on the screen:
Da da da, da da da da da!
The blue tortoise transformed into a large tortoise with two barrels coming out of its shell. Fighter nodded approvingly, then glanced at the wolf. "Again, no." He replied with deadpan expression.
"Asshole." The wolf growled.
"Haven't heard that one before, got anything else? His sarcasm was in full swing today as he replied dryly.
"Wow, can't even help a friend?" He asked. The bear glanced over at the wolf with a cold look.
"You aren't my friend, far from it...And I'm pretty sure you bit me once."
Jimmy leaned onto the bear's head lazily. "You could just help, out of the goodness of your heart."
Fighter rose his brow dubiously. "Jim, you remind me myself when I was younger."
The raccoon gave an intrigued look, he seemed proud.
Young and stupid. He thought.
"I guess Scarface..."
"Who—Oh." He interrupted quickly, he realized just then he was talking about Clyde. "What happened?" He asked.
"We stuck 'em with cub-sitting and he...Sucks. Literally, we could replace him with a rock and the rock would probably provide them with a better source of entertainment." The wolf looked disappointed.
"And you want me to take over?" He surmised. The wolf nodded.
Fighter gave a hesitant look as he narrowed his brow. He glanced over at Jimmy, he gave him a pleading look as his lip quivered. "No, not gonna work twice." He looked away from the raccoon and immediately was greeted with the puppy-dog look from the wolf beside him. Both of them were giving him the look as he sighed and looked down at the phone.
He heard the dog whine.
"Have you no dignity, sir?" Fighter glared at the wolf.
"Do you have heart?"
He glared back at the wolf. He shrunk back a bit.
"Come on, F. He did give you back your stuff." Jimmy tried to prompt his sense of decency, which he assumed he had. Fighter inhaled deeply, he wasn't sure about this.
"I know, but that's-"
"And he gave us some food." Jimmy smirked as he licked his lips.
Fighter remained hesitant. "I know but-"
"He did steal it from us." The wolf added bitterly.
Fighter glared back at the wolf.
"Your not helping." The wolf shifted back on the ledge.
"It just...I don't trust this..." He said.
"Let it go man, he'd help you in your time of need." Jimmy stated as matter of fact with pleasant smile. He couldn't say no to that face.
"...Fine. Hold the phone." He gave the raccoon the device and started to climb the rails, turning his body around and hanging onto the edge, he looked up at Jimmy. He smiled warmly at him before he dropped down. The wolf started to talk to the cubs behind him.
"Alright pups, your entertainment is here."
Fighter clasped his paws together and turned around. "Okay guys let's have some-" His eyes bulged as he saw the herd of cubs barreling toward him with excitement in their eyes. He glanced over at wolf that brought him in, he was smiling wily while standing beside Clyde sleeping on a rock...He immediately cursed silently.
"Stugots..." He was immediately swarmed by the six cub's pulling down into a mini mosh-pit.
Clyde opened his eyes and yawned loudly. He gave a surprised look at the cubs playing with their new guest. He glared at the wolf beside him. "Bosco, you couldn't handle those kids yourself?"
Bosco gave him a frightened expression. "Please, I wouldn't survive a minute. Don't have time for that"
Clyde rolled his eyes as he tried to go back to sleep. Unfortunately, the sounds of cubs yipping, and a bear crying out in pain halted that. He looked around the area for a moment then a voice yelled out to him from above:
"Hey bud, how's it going?!" The jackal looked up and saw the brown raccoon waving at him from a far.
"How's the pack life!" He continued to shout over the cubs.
"Who's yelling!" An old female voice called out from the cave.
Clyde narrowed his brow. There's no way in hell we're doing this.
He stood up from his spot and started to walk to a nearby tree. He past Fighter not bothering to help him from the group of cub's jumping him. Most of them were keeping him down on the grass as he tried to crawl away, one of them was chew on his right ear as he tried to get it off.
"Sup Fighter." He said causally not bother to help.
"Sorry-can't-talk! Trying not to have a matching set of ears, thank you!"
The cubs' attention was drawn to Clyde as they hopped off their chew toy and ran to the black-backed Jackal. After they left him, Fighter patted his body to make sure everything was still there. He sighed then immediately glared at the wolf. Bosco grinned innocently as the bear started to march over to him, he stretched a bit and cracked his neck menacingly with a sardonic grin as the wolf gulped.
The cub's ran around Clyde hopping and jumping on the animal's back. He looked disinterested at them as he had a small chuckle. "C'mon guys, go play with Bosco." He climbed up the tree near the exhibit wall the cubs turned around saw Bosco being held in a headlock by Fighter.
"We need to run..." Bosco exclaimed with fear in his eyes.
Click
"Now we can chat without having to strain our voices." Clyde stated.
Jimmy craned his neck towards him as if he wanted something. It took him a second to realize he hadn't answered his question. "Right. My pack life—it's shitty."
Jimmy narrowed his brow. "Stop being negative, I'm sure it's not all bad."
"No, it's pretty crappy. I'm at the bottom of the totem pole."
"You'll work your way up. In your own way." He patted his head.
Clyde chuckled bitterly, but smiled. "I doubt it, but thanks." A loud shrill shriek was heard from the exhibit, and after a moment Fighter climbed up from the exhibit.
Clyde looked at him curiously. "What the hell was that?"
Fighter chuckled softly and gave a Cheshire grin. "We were running in circles for a bit and I tripped the rat."
Clyde smirked wolfishly. "Nice."
Jimmy peered over the rail to see the cub's playing with their new victim, biting his ears. "Is he gonna be okay?"
Clyde glanced over causally. "He'll live, serves him right for shirking his duty."
Fighter turned to the raccoon with a leer as he narrowed his brow.
"Oh, thanks for taking pictures of us running for our lives there." He gave him dubious glance.
"What?" Jimmy asked.
"I heard a camera go off and saw some lights flicker." He explained. They both gave him dubious look.
Huh, just my imagination? Better change the subject.
"Didn't you tell me before you wanted to show your favourite spot for food?"
"Oh right, it's in the park, I'm guaranteed to find at least one hot-dog." Jimmy ran ahead in the direction of the park.
"Hey wait up, I need the phone!" He followed the raccoon quickly as they left the Jackal alone.
"Could of said goodbye, whatever." He turned around to climb the rail when a voice called out from behind him.
"You there, we've come to ask some questions." Athena said. He turned to see the trio behind him. He flinched at the large umber-manned lion behind him, he was three times his size. It spoke first.
"It's better if we talk to the elder she should know what happened." He surmised.
Clyde regained his composure. "Unfortunately she's trying to sleep. The weather is terrible for her bones." He explained.
"Great, we came here for info about the thefts and we're coming up dry from our first lead." Spice folded his arms.
"Thefts?" Clyde couldn't help feeling anxious about the group. His little habitat may cost him If they're looking for him.
"A couple of thefts have surfaced, the most recent was around here." Athena's gaze shifted to the Jackal, he saw her brown eyes focus on his intently. "Do you know anything that would be of use?" She asked sternly. He paused looking the group over, he had nothing to lose. He had to play it smart.
"Yea, I do."
"Well then out with it." She hastened.
"Yea, spit it out." Spice stated impatiently.
"I didn't see everything, it was dark okay!" He snarled back at the monkey. The group looked at him apprehensively.
Great start, genius. They all were staring at him, he was getting uncomfortable. He started again.
"There were popping noises, the lights got knocked out...And that's about it." He turned around to climb back into the exhibit.
Athena narrowed her brow. "That's it?"
He nodded. "Ask the polar bears, heck the victims would be even better." He dropped down and left the group alone.
"Fantastic, back to square one." Athena sounded disappointed.
"Don't get discouraged, we've ignored the most logical route so far. Athena, go question the bears. Spice..." He glared down at him pensively. "Your relieved for now."
"Cool." He glared back at the Koala and furrowed his brow. "You get back my sister's camera." He demanded.
"I'll take care of it." She said causally.
"Wait." Leonard stated as he whispered something in her ear. She gave a confused expression before nodding reluctantly. She bowed to Leonard and started to walk to the bear exhibit.
Leonard started to walk away from Spice, he needed to relax before heading off to the polar bears. That was going to be a headache.
The park would be the best place. He thought as he walked to his destination.
Spice watched the Lion pensively and carefully followed him.