Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of Nutjob but I do own the villain, Falcon. I own the plot too.

Before it's too late.


Time went by quickly as noon blossomed into evening faster than a rabbit with extra feet. The skies were now navy blue and twinkling stars had lit up the huge deep blue space like fireworks as Surly and the group were just getting ready to depart on their journey.

Surly, Redline, the Bruisers, Andie, Grayson and Buddy all had card packs strapped upon their shoulders as this symbolised that they were just about ready to go. Mole and the other park residents came to see their heroic team off as they waved and cheered for Grayson going to get help and not Surly despite the fact that he was the one who came up with this plan in the first place.

The pack of rodents had discussed this journey until night fell and they knew exactly what they had to do so they could arrive on time to a small patch of woodland right outside Oakton named "Oakton Groves" and lots of animals had stayed in the wildlife reserve and it was unknowingly a very important piece of the puzzle unlocking their leader's mysterious past.

Mole stood just outside the reeds leading to the safe haven as he was going to be the one to watch the heroes of Liberty park leave for their surely courageous quest. He grasped each of his big claws as he watched Surly and the others begin to walk out of the safe haven amongst the reeds that had managed to shield their presence thus far. The light-sensitive blind rodent was very concerned about Andie, Surly and the others leaving on what should have been their wedding night.

But he had to have faith in the team, they were never beaten before so why should that change at all? He sniffed at the dense air and it felt like that all of the pleasantries the evening should bring had been sucked out and replaced with a tense atmosphere filled with death and utmost fear.

Mole swallowed hard as he handed over what used to be card packs to the small group and watched as Surly wrapped the paw-crafted straps around his shoulders so he could carry it a lot like a school bag and he was soon followed by Andie, Buddy, Grayson and the Bruisers. He gave a worried murmur as his partially blind sight fell to the ground below and his black furry body had a long shadow cast along the ground.

The small group couldn't pretend that they weren't nervous as well but this was the best chance they had of saving the park. Surly felt especially nervous although the lack of emotion on his face basically made his fear very hard to detect and the roughness shining in his caramel pools as he made sure that the straps of the card packs was completely hoisted over his back and he smoothed his cream-yellow underbelly to make himself look a little more decent for his long awaited return to those dreaded woodlands.

The night skies were sort of intimidating since they reminded Surly of being cold and alone, a memory he wished he would forget about already. He would have horrible dreams involving these flashbacks and the memories of his father being snatched up by the talons of long-time enemy; Falcon. Those visions plagued him each and every night but he couldn't let his friends or even his fiance worry over such trivial matters. What mattered right now was rescuing the other creatures of Liberty park and at the very least honoring the first part of the deal.

The purple furred squirrel felt his slick fur grow all bushy from the nervous aura that overwhelmed his entire mind, shoving and pushing to get to the front of his mind to stick there. Surly could not ignore those horrid things nor keep them at bay as they tossed his usually quick-witted brain into darkness, thus drawing his mind to a total blank as he decided to at least try and suppress these memories.

Actually, Surly was brought back from the land of his own mind by a few taps on the shoulder and his head whirled around to see who it was that was tapping his shoulder but was sort of relieved to see Buddy with his usually upbeat furry face twisted in silent worry. The kind-hearted rodent sniffed his nose curiously upon noticing his best friend to be in this state.

Surly quickly decided to get rid of that thoughtful look stretching across his face and readily rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, trying to assure everyone that he was perfectly alright "I-I think we should get goin' if we would like to get there on time."

Andie, Buddy and Jamie exchanged looks of worry. Surly was clearly really nervous but he was also trying to shake the others of his tail even though he was doing a horrible job of convincing them that he was fine. Even though Jimmy, Johnny and Redline were too busy preparing Grayson in the most over-the-top way possible.

Some stones were being shoved into Grayson's mouth just like he was being prepared not too long ago, with what the group had named "The nut job". Redline was the one stuffing the athletic squirrel's cheeks with random pebbles while Jimmy and Johnny were encouraging him with such excitement held behind their voices.

Surly and the girls all rolled their eyes, fighting the uncontrollable urge to put a paw over their heads while letting out heavy sighs of annoyance.

The pack of rodents all stood beneath the sweet caress of moonlight that illuminated the park at night really well even though Mole had hidden himself beneath the trees hideout entrance. Mole still hated the light (like all moles do) but he just needed to be there to see Surly and the others off on their great quest yet there was the need to be sure that the other creatures remain hidden and go by Surly's orders as well. Mole's eyes became misty as he was clearly very worried about running things by himself. He just needed to have faith that Surly and company should return before anyone could even batter an eye.

Andie seemed to have noticed Mole's look of reluctance and approached him with a caring smile and her lime green eyes were filled with compassion, the exact reflection of the amount of compassion that had been cherished in her heart of gold. She laid her paws on Mole's shoulders and looked down at him with the sweetest of smile ever as she gave him a look of reassurance. "You'll do just fine" Her expression read.

After a moments pause, Mole simply nodded his head with bold determination shining in his eyes. He was glad to know such a noble and selfless red squirrel such as her and he couldn't be happier that she was going to marry someone who had deserved her kindness, even though she could sort of do better in others opinions.

The female red squirrel continued to smile sweetly "Take care of everyone, Mole." Surly walked up alongside his mate-to-be and gave the small black rodent his own smile yet his own eyes were betraying his nervousness about finally returning to that accursed place that brought back so many horrid memories "Yeah they need at least somebody to take care of them and keep them in line."

Surly couldn't pretend that he wasn't completely reluctant on leaving the park with Falcon flying about and terrorizing them but he needed to do this for the park's sake and for Andie as well. He couldn't mention that Falcon threatened to kill her to everyone else since that would bring much more discord and Buddy and Surly didn't exactly need that on top of everything else. The purple squirrel felt his heart break upon keeping this from Andie but it was for her own good.

Mole was hesitant but gave them to signal to leave and the group didn't exactly need to be told twice as they instantly bolted off into the distance yet Grayson was spitting out the many pebbles that had just been stuffed in his cheeks to hold them like a chipmunk would to store nuts.

Surly and the group didn't need to take long to start fleeing for their lives. They had all stooped down to the floor to enable them to get down on all fours and they ran as fast as their legs and paws could take them. Surly was in the front of the group while Buddy was hot on his bushy tail, Jamie and her brothers were trailing behind him, Andie was trying to keep up and Grayson and Redline were at the very back while trying to run at full speed even though Grayson was coughing and spluttering as pebbles poured from his mouth.

Surly knew his way around the park, inside and out, so hopefully they shouldn't run into trouble but...what would happen if they did run into trouble?

Whatever the case; this was going to be the last time they see the park again for awhile.


A/N: Sorry about the short chapter, guys, I am just having a bit of trouble with my personal life since I'm trying to get it back on track. I have been in hospital for awhile but I'm home now, I'm going to a new school in September and I'm getting a sweet little puppy soon. I just needed to update this soon so here is the next chapter.

Anyways, what will happen when Surly and company reaches the Oakton grove? What will everyone else uncover about Surly's strange origins and what will happen to Surly when he makes it home? And there will also be a bit of romance with Buddy and Jamie?

I have no idea why I'm shipping them but I just think that they look like a cute couple, not as cute as Surly and Andie though.

Anyways I have a lot to focus on so I may be updating a bit less frequently and I apologize for that but thank you for being patient with me.

-Chloemcg