Author's notes: I originally posted this story on a Raccoons web-group last February, but I've since revisited it and I've done a couple of teeny changes (corrected spelling mistakes, changed some dialogue/descriptions etc) but they shouldn't be too noticeable to those who've read this before.
I based this on a story I wrote way back when I was a kid. I've intended this fan-fic to be set around the time of the stuff that happened in the show's second season – I'm trying not to sound like an anorak here! It's simply because I'm more familiar with those episodes, hence appearances from Sophia and the humans, who were written out at different points (Ralph's mentioning of them not seeing each other for a while is actually a reference to Sophia's gradual departure, as she appeared a lot less in season 2 as opposed to season 1 and the specials). I tend to focus more on what characters say while writing something, so there is usually more dialogue than description in my stories.
Anyway, hope you like it. The Raccoons is created by Kevin Gillis and owned by Evergreen Raccoons Marketing Inc.
It was another beautiful summer's day in the Evergreen Forest. The sun travelled steadily above the picturesque mountaintops and there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. Fish and ducks swam peacefully in the huge lake. Birds flew through the trees and called to one another. All seemed calm. However, if you took a closer look, not everything was as calm as things appeared; inside one tree, the Raccoondominium, the residents were gathered with some of their closest friends to prepare themselves for a camping trip.
In the huge downstairs room of the Raccoondominium, Ralph and Melissa Raccoon and Sophia Tutu were sorting through their camping backpacks, putting in sleeping bags, maps and other important equipment. The large tent was packed up and sitting by the bags. Bert Raccoon was running back and forth from his room and his voluminous blue camping bag, packing toys, games and all manners of fun things.
"Is that everything?" asked Sophia as she stood up.
"Yeah, that should be everything," answered Melissa. "Oh, I can't wait to begin on this camping trip."
"Yeah, me too!" Bert added as he made the journey down the stairs with handfuls of games. "This is gonna be the best camping trip ever! Good thinkin', Ralph."
The friends agreed and applauded Ralph, for it was his idea in the first place. Ralph smiled at this appreciation. "Thanks guys. I'm pleased you could all come along for this camping trip. I was hoping we could all do something special like this someday since we haven't all been together for a long time."
"Ages," said Bert as he made his way back upstairs again. He came back down with more games. "This'll be fun – just all of us, exploring the wilderness, camping by the mountains, fishing by the lake, fighting away jungle monsters…" he continued as he began to shove the games into the camping bag.
"Gee, you sure are packing an awful lot of stuff for this trip," Sophia pointed out.
"Nah," Bert disclaimed. "Just a few…uh…pieces of…important…equipment that'll come in…handy…" he spoke as he struggled to close the backpack. He managed to force the top shut and slumped down onto the couch, exhausted. "Phew," he gasped breathlessly, "That's tough work."
His friends laughed. "Yeah Bert," said Ralph, "But you can't take all your possessions!"
Bert got back up and looked in the bag. "Well I suppose I could take a few things out to lighten the load," he pondered. He reached into the bag and took out some comic-books and a few other toys and began to walk upstairs with them.
"Bert, I thought you said you were going to bring along something to entertain us all around the fire," said Melissa. "You did remember, didn't you?"
"Oh, uh…" Bert giggled anxiously, "Yeah, about that, I…uh…thought of something. I'll just go get it…right now. Won't be long." He ran back upstairs. Ralph, Melissa and Sophia could hear clanging and bumping above them.
"Do you think he forgot?" asked Ralph.
A cry of "Ah-ha, this'll do!" came from upstairs and Bert came back down with two guitars in his hands.
"Hey, that's a good idea," the friends commented.
"I'm gonna bring these so Cedric and I can play some music around the campfire. Say, where is Cedric anyway?" Bert wondered as he looked around the room. "And where's Schaeffer and Broo?"
"Well," replied Melissa, "Schaeffer said he and Broo would arrive here later then the rest of us."
"Oh," said Bert unenthusiastically.
"What about Cedric?" asked Ralph.
Melissa looked thoughtful. "I don't know," she said. "He didn't say he would be late."
"I wonder what's keeping him," wondered Ralph.
"Cedric was all ready to go yesterday," said Sophia. "He might still be at the Sneer Mansion. Maybe we should go there and find out?" she suggested.
"Yeah," agreed Ralph and Melissa.
Bert was once again resting on the couch. "Yeah, but you three go on ahead, I'll catch up," he yawned. "All that packing's worn me out."
By now, the rest of the friends had put the camping bags on their backs and were stepping out the door and a note for Schaeffer was now pinned to it. "Come on," called Melissa.
Bert rose from the couch and staggered over to his camping bag, but it was still heavy and he struggled to pick it up. Ralph, Melissa and Sophia helped him put it on his back (that's what friends are for!) and they headed out to Sneer Mansion together.