Categories of Species
Humans: Usually the bosses and voice actors for the Toons created without a voice. Humans are the dominating species of Hollywood, most look down upon Toons and Animations, and others don't mind their presence, while some seek them out as a promising investment. Only humans with 'high levels of creativity' and the 'special artistic touch' can create Toons and Animations. They are immune to the Dip.
Toons: The oldest of cartoon characters, Toons put crazy and extreme to a whole new level. Being the pioneers to the cartoon process, Toons lack the 'down to earth quality' and are always on the unbelievable side of things. Because of this, Toons cannot die normally; dynamite, poison, bullets, and car accidents have no effect on them. The only thing able to kill a Toon is Dip. They mostly act in children's cartoons and are well known for their comedy and jokes. The oldest of Toons are black and whites. Toons that choose not to act or have retired from business reside in Toontown and rarely come to the 'other side'.
Animations: Unlike their Toon ancestors, Animations are more realistic, and life-like. Some Toons evolve into Animations. Animations are almost the cross roads to Toons and Humans. Because they are not human they cannot die under normal circumstances, only extreme cases can kill an Animations, such as explosions, and direct shot to the brain or heart, etc. But because they are more evolved, Animations are immune to the dip. Animations participate in all sorts of cartoons, varying from comedy to romance, to action films. They are considerably more serious than Toons and rarely mingle with them. Animations reside in mainly Hollywood and few live in Toontown.
Cast
Shadow Valiant - A heavy drinker, and an Animation not into the film business. Shadow is a renowned detective from the former pair, Valiant Investigators. Shadow became detached and moody after the death of his close partner, Maria, who was killed in an investigation searching for a robber. He shows a deep resentment for Toons and some Animations, those he remains silent about his reason for why.
Sonic the Hedgehog- A world renowned Animation, Sonic is one of the most ongoing actors in his field. Sonic was one of the few animations who evolved from being a Toon, he is now more life-like and serious, but still likes to have a good time off the camera. Sonic has a friendly personality, and is always trying to make friends. Being an Animation, Sonic can only be killed in extreme cases.
Judge Doom - A cruel and unforgiving human out to get Sonic after the animation is accused of murder. He controls the crime network of Toontown and is the boss of the Weasels Toon Patrol.
Amy the Hedgehog - Sonic's wife who retired from the movies and went into a show business instead, performing at a high class club for humans and Animations. She along with Sonic and Knuckles evolved from Toons.
Rouge Dolores - Shadow's on - off girlfriend. An Animation, Rouge remains Shadow's friend through his mood swings and drinking sprees. As much as the detective pisses her off, Rouge has a soft spot of him, and still deeply cares even after they broke up. Rouge works as a waitress at a rickety diner near the Red Trolley Transportation Station.
Knuckles the Echidna - As rough as he is on camera, Knuckles is a Toon turned Animation with a no nonsense attitude. He has a tendency to smoke off screen, and doesn't socialize much. He acts in the same series as Sonic, and often calls his fellow actor a ' klutz in a blue suit'. Besides the harsh names, Knuckles looks out for Sonic from behind the scenes, and does not believe Sonic capable of murder.
R.K. Maroon - Human and owner of Maroon Cartoons, he has a five year contract with SEGA to use their Animations and Toons, the contract is on its final year. He hires Shadow to look into what he believes is a scandal between Amy and Marvin Acme. He shows little resentment towards Toons and Animations, but has a respect for them; he sees them as mostly an investment towards money.
The Weasels - The members of the Toon Patrol - a group for hire to hunt down criminal Toons, the Weasels are more criminals than officers. They are hired by Judge Doom to hunt down Sonic the Hedgehog for murder. Smarty, the leader of the group. Greasy, the Mexican of the group. Wheezy, the heavy smoker. Psycho, the craziest of the bunch, and Stupid, who is clearly the dumbest.
Marvin Acme - Owner of Acme Corporation, he is famous for his pranks and practical jokes. Unlike most humans, he adores the Toons and Animations and is owner of Toon Town. He is murdered before he can reveal his will, which is hidden.
Vector Santino - An Animation, Vector is the police lieutenant, and friend of Shadow. He takes Shadow to the Acme factory, where Marvin Acme has been murdered and everyone suspects Sonic, and there presented to Judge Doom and explains the ingredients of the Dip. Vector is unsure whether or not Sonic was the actual murderer. He has a clear resentment to Judge Doom, and the Dip, even thought he is immune.
Who Framed Sonic the Hedgehog?
Welcome to Hollywood. It is the launching pad of the stars, where everyone one comes at a chance to be famous. It is the gem of California, with the Crossroads of the World, Paramount Pictures, and Universal Studios. It is the sister of Toontown, the home of Toons. The joking grounds for Marvin Acme, the town joker and owner of Acme Corporation and Toontown.
It is also the birthplace of one of the most notorious murder heists in cartoon production history. A disaster narrowly diverted, thousands nearly destroyed. It would have been the massacre of the decade, had it not been for one.
But to truly understand the story, one must go back to the beginning, to the Detective Shadow Valiant, as he enters Maroon Cartoon Studios, and unknowingly becomes part of the mystery of 'Who Framed Sonic Hedgehog?'
Chapter 1
Meeting Valiant
Hollywood 1947:
"Cut!" the director yelled. He slipped of his chair, "Cut, cut, cut, cut. Cut!" He slammed the script down on the last 'cut'.
"What in blazes was wrong with that take?" Knuckles the Echidna yelled, waving his arms in agitation.
"You were fine," the director said, "If Sonic would quit blowing his lines, we wouldn't be in this mess!"
"If your writers would write in English," Sonic the Hedgehog said with a crossing of his arms, "Yes, we wouldn't be in this mess."
"I can't take this anymore!"The director snapped he stormed away, "Someone call for lunch! Clean up the set, and shut off the damn playback music!"
Knuckles began walking away as well, "Damn it Sonic how many time must we do this take?" He threw his arms in the air again, "You know what? I'll be in my trailer, call me in a week."
Sonic walked of set, grabbing a bottle of water, "Chaos the sooner we get back to SEGA the better. This place is going to be the death of me."
The director whipped around, "Like hell it would, you can't die that easily."
Sonic shrugged, "Only in extreme cases that's true, but I consider this place an extreme case."
The director began to yell again, but Sonic had already set a brisk pace towards the door. Shadow Valiant watched him go by, the actor not even taking a second glance.
Of course Shadow knew who he was, not personally, but from merely reputation. Sonic was world famous, his cartoons translated into over a hundred languages. But Shadow was not here to see famous actors, instead as the actor walked out the door, Shadow turned away in disgust. He rolled his eyes "Pfft, Animations."
Taking a swig of liquor before placing the bottle into his inner coat pocket, he made his way through the busy studios, dodging Toons and snooty secretaries. He approached the front desk, a woman heavy built with curly red hair, writing on endless stacks of paperwork, occasionally stopping to sharpen her pencil. As he stopped in front of the desk the woman barely looked up from her work.
"Mr. Maroon sent for me," Shadow said.
The woman looked up then, she eyed him with distaste, which was not unusual for a human to do to an Animation. "Did he now?"
"Yes, I'm Shadow Valiant,"
It was obvious that his name still had a reputation for the woman became quickly embarrassed. "Oh I see. Come right this way, Mr. Maroon has been expecting you." She quickly got up and led him to two large double doors. They were covered in stained oak, squares designs covering it from top to bottom.
The woman swung the doors open, "Mr. Maroon? Mr. Valiant is here to-"
The man, Shadow presumed was R.K. Maroon, quickly held up his hand, silencing the secretary. He seemed occupied, leaning over an employee as a cartoon music sequence played on a large music projector.
The secretary turned to face Shadow, "He'll be right with you Mr. Valiant." She stepped passed him, closing the doors with a soft thud.
Having a moment to observe the man, Shadow noticed Maroon was dressed as nicely and as well off as he was rich. The man was slightly overweight and his hairline rapidly declining, ruining his rich image. He migrated slowly over to a coffee table, inspecting the bobble head Mickey Mouse, as the cartoon music played in the background.
There was a loud bang in the background and Shadow turned around, "No, no!" Maroon said. "Wait till he gets on his feet, and then hit him in the head." The man explained as he slapped his fist into his open palm for emphasis.
The employee nodded, "Right away sir." The man grabbed a handful of recorded music and ran out of the room, through a panel in the wall.
R.K. Maroon slowly turned around, "What do you know about show business Mr. Valiant?" His dark beady eyes stared him down, in attempt to unnerve him.
Shoving his hands into his jacket, the ebony hedgehog shrugged, " Only that there is no business like it, that's about as much as I know."
Maroon sneered, "Yeah, there is no business more expensive. I'm twenty-five grand over budget, and the contract with SEGA still has a few months to go. The hedgehog is distracted can't keep his mind on his lines, I can tell, you want to know why?"
Shadow snorted, "Too many missiles fired at his head perhaps, maybe badniks?"
Maroon laughed, "He's an Animation, and you can drop anything you want on him-"
"Almost anything," Shadow said coolly, "Toons are invincible, Animations are not."
"Alright alright, almost everything, you drop almost everything on his head and he shakes it off. But-" he pointed at Shadow, "Break his heart, and he crumbles like you and me." He walked towards the wall, inspecting posters of cartoons long gone.
"What are you aiming at?" Shadow asked. "And what does this got to do with me?"
Maroon looked back at Shadow, "You're the private detective you figure it out."
Shadow sighed. "Look," he began walking away, "I don't have time for this."
R.K. Maroon reached out and grabbed his arm, "Look Valiant, he's worried about his wife," the man said, "He doesn't know what she's doing anymore, and it's making him nervous." Maroon looked around, before looking at Shadow, "I want you to follow her, see what she is up to, and find out whether or not she's cheating on him."
"Doesn't she work here at the studio?"
"Haven't you read the papers, she retired from cartoons ages ago."Maroon explained,
Shadow shook his head, "No, I don't do Toons anymore." He pulled away, heading for the door.
"What' wrong with Toons?" Maroon asked, pulling him back, "Every Joe loves Toons and Animations?"
"Then find Joe to do the job," Shadow snapped. Pulling away again, "Cause I ain't going."
Maroon pulled him back once more, "Hold on fella,"
Shadow rolled his eyes, as Maroon turned him around, leading him to the man's desk,"You don't have to go to Toontown if you don't want to. No one ever said you had to go to Toontown." he pushed Shadow into a chair, "Have a seat Valiant."
Maroon walked past and towards his desk , "The hedgehog's wife works at a nightclub, Toon Review. Strictly human and Animations only, Toons are not allowed because they are horrible drunks. They're only allowed to perform or work as waiters." He sat down at his chair, "So what do you think Valiant?"
Shadow didn't answer; he glanced at the bottle of liquor behind Maroon.
Maroon grew impatient and leaned in, "Well?"
Shadow glanced at him, before standing and walking past, "The job is going to cost you and hundred dollars." he said, grabbing a shot glass and the bottle.
Maroon stood, and turned to face him, "And hundred bucks? That's outrageous!" he said angrily.
"So is the job!" Shadow retorted.
Maroon sighed before forcing a smiled, "Alright, alright, a hundred bucks it is." he glanced down at the bottle, "Have a drink Shadow?"
Shadow poured some liquid into the glass, "Don't mind if I do."
As Maroon sat down to write the check, a commotion began to rise from outside. Shadow leaned towards the window, setting down the bottle; he pushed past the blinds to see outside.
A trio of delivery men was struggling to get a crate of Acme products of the truck, the box dropped suddenly and a broke open on the ground. A group of Toon chairs the carried instruments immediately spilled out, and began playing a marching anthem. The workers instantly scrambled to catch them, but the Toons just dodged, running around in circles and continuing to play their music.
Shadow glanced back at Maroon, who seemed unfazed by the racket outside. Christ, how could the man live among the company of Toons? He looked back out the window with a shake of his head, only to be greeted by a large grey head and two blue eyes. The creature let out a trumpeting sound, and Shadow yelled in surprise, pulling away from the blinds. He stumbled back and fell onto the floor.
Maroon quickly stood, wondering what the problem was. He quickly smiled and walked over, "Got the jump on ya did he Valiant?" Shadow, his pride wounded, quickly got up from the floor.
"It's just Dumbo," Maroon said with a smirk, as he handed the check over.
Shadow yanked the check from his hand, "I know who it is," he growled.
Maroon smiled, opening the blinds, "I got him on loan from Disney, along with half the cast from Fantasia. And the best part is," He reached into a jar and slid open the window, "They work for peanuts." He threw the peanuts out the window.
Dumbo let out a happy chirp, and sucked them all through his trunk, before flying away.
Maroon closed the window still smiling. Shadow shook his head, irritated, "Well I don't work for peanuts." He held up the check, "Where is the other fifty?"
Maroon put an arm around his shoulder, "Let's consider the other fifty a chilidog for finishing the job."
Shadow glared at him, "You've been hanging around hedgehogs too long."
Stepping outside, Shadow barely dodged one of the dancing ostriches from Fantasia, he glanced back at the female, where she gave him a haughty 'Humph' and walked inside the building.
He rolled his eyes and quickly made his way down the stairs, eying the busy studio grounds. He paused at the bottom of the steps to hear a familiar tune. Looking to his left, Shadow saw a saxophone player, playing a happy tune as brooms with arms cleaned the floors.
He was knocked forward suddenly and looked back to see a Hippo in a ballerina tutu behind him. "Oh excuse me," she said, before quickly walking past.
It was time to get out of here. Shadow quickly walked towards the exit of the grounds. Dodging animations and cartoons from every major production, Bugs Bunny, Smurfs, you name it. He winced as the hippo from before, sat down on a bench and sent the man on the opposite end flying as the wooden seat collapsed under her weight.
Shadow breathed a sigh of relief as he left the studio. He quickly ran over a red trolley car, just as the conductor was about to close the door.
"Ten cents please," the man said.
Shadow dug through his pockets, but all he pulled out was the check.
The conductor growled at the sight of the piece of paper, "What do I look like to you, a bank?" He slammed the door shut, and with a ring of a bell the trolley began to roll away.
"Jackass," Shadow mumbled, he watched the trolley roll by before casually hoping on the back end of the trolley. One thing about the trolley, there was always a place to sit on the back. Not to mention it was free.
Two kids were already sitting on the extension, one a young human boy, and the other an animation, a little bee. Kids of LA found the Pacific Electric to be their playground. It was not uncommon to see children on the back of trolley cars; the whole thing was a game to them, free rides all day.
The boys were clearly from the rougher part of town, they were dirty, and the human, who was probably the oldest, was smoking a cigarette.
"Hey guys wait for me!" Shadow looked up to see a third boy, chasing after the trolley car. The trolley wasn't going that fast, but kids could only run so fast.
"Come on you can make it," said the boy with the cigarette.
"Run a little faster!" the bee called.
Shadow couldn't help but call as well, "Come on kid hurry up!"
The boy was within arm's reach of the trolley car, sticking his arms out in attempt to grab onto the small platform extending from the trolley.
Shadow reached out and grabbed hold of the kid, hoisting the small human boy on the only empty spot next to him.
The kids seemed surprised to see an adult riding on the back of the trolley with them. "Hey mister don't you have a car," the oldest asked.
Shadow shrugged, "Who needs a car when we have the most amazing transportation system in the world?"
Shadow waved to the kids as he hoped off on his street, "You stay out of trouble you hear!" he paused, "Oh and thanks for the cigarette!" He turned away and walked towards a large building complex, time to pay a visit.
Oh God! I'm so sorry, I had to do this!
Months of nothing this is probably not what you wanted.
This will be the only chapter I'm posting till Jurassic Park is done...Hopefully. I just really hit a bad block with the Lost World, and I wasn't really inspired, and you probably think that's a lame excuse but I had to write this! Tell me what you think. Keeper or Trash?
Sorry! I'll go work on the Lost World now.