"Where do we go from here, Buzz?" Jack asked.
"We've got to cross the road here." Buzz answered. It was dark now, and they were in a small suburban neighborhood.
"I remember going through this park when we went to rescue Woody from Al's apartment." Slinky chuckled.
"Really?" Jessie asked. She smiled to think that now she was getting to join Buzz on this memory lane, the very path he traveled when he was unknowingly at the time on his way to meet her!
In the next half hour, Buzz and his band were chased by a neighbor's dog, hindered by a company's water sprinklers, nearly spotted by a group of drunken partiers when the toys tried to cross the lawn, and just now splattered with mud after a flock of geese in the park had chased them into a puddle when they'd picked at Potato Head thinking he was food and smacked them, yelling. They were all trying to get their bearings, standing on the lawn of a small house. "Yuck." Jessie moaned. "Well, that was a whole lot of fun...'til we hit the puddle."
"Fun?" Potato Head muttered. "This trip better be worth it after all I've been through!"
"I didn't think it was so bad," Katan wagged his tail. "I wanna do it again."
"I think not," Matthew disagreed, chuckling.
"Well, I'm all in." Potato Head said. "That was crazy."
"Hey!" A strong, deep, clearly authoritative voice rose above the commotion. "Quiet now, soldiers! You rookies are raising one heck of childish racket. You'd better snap out of it...now! What are you trying to do, wake up Billy?" The toys all froze. That voice was distinctly familiar to a few of them. They stared at each other.
"C-Carl?" Jessie piped up. "Is that you?" A tall, muscular, but dark figure dropped from the window and ran towards them. "Carl! It is you!" Jessie cheered.
"Who's Carl?" Slinky and Matthew asked together, while Bullseye cocked his head. Katan crouched down in a defensive position.
"Good to see you again." Buzz smiled.
"You've got to be kidding." Potato Head scratched his head.
"Well, if it isn't brave cowgirl Jessie and the whole Bonnie platoon!" Combat Carl smiled widely with his arms crossed over his chest. "Eh, Junior?"
"Yeah, she's the one who saved us all from being shipped away." Junior smiled. "It sure is good to see you again, Ma'am."
"Aw, shucks. Same goes here, lil' partner." Jessie grinned with head held high.
"We owe you one, ma'am." Junior said.
"Uh, fellas? Who is this?" Slinky sputtered.
"Oh, that's right. Slinky wasn't with us that time at the Sleep Well Motel." Buzz said. "Slinky, Matthew, Jack, Bullseye, Katan? This is Combat Carl and his third-scale counterpart, Combat Carl Jr. Carl, these are our good friends, Slinky, Sgt. Matthew, Katan, Jack, and Bullseye."
"Combat Carl is honored to meet other members of the Bonnie platoon." Carl smiled.
"Oh. I'm not part of Bonnie's brigade," Matthew corrected him. "I have a different owner."
"Yeah, we've got the same kid." Katan agreed, then he playfully pounced onto Junior and pinned him to the grass. "Gotcha!"
"Hey, get off of me, Tiger!" Junior scolded. Katan looked back at Matthew.
"Did you hear that, Matt? He called me Tiger!" Katan cheered, grinning widely.
"Let me up!" Junior growled and the cub released him. The other toys all chuckled.
"Nice to meet ya." Slinky wagged his tail and offered his paw. Bullseye licked Carl's face, making the toys laugh again.
"Ahem." Carl stood big and strong, appearing gruff. "Combat Carl prefers to keep physical greetings strictly formal." Bullseye cocked his head then just shrugged.
"You look well prepared for battle, Fido." Junior commented on Jack's attire.
"Oh, that. It's just so I can stay on the job." Jack shrugged. Then another figure appeared in the dark behind Carl. Jessie hissed and suddenly sprang forward and pounced onto him, tackling him to the ground. She had him pinned down, squatting on his back.
"Jessie?! Jessie!" Buzz sputtered, flabbergasted.
"What do you think you're doing, Wrangler Jane?" Potato Head muttered.
"Take that! And this!" Jessie hollered, wringing the toy's shoulders and then yanked him up like a potato sack and forcefully tossed him back to the ground.
"Jessie! What are you doing?" Buzz called.
"You low down sneaking bandit!" Jessie hissed down at her victim.
"What are you doing to Combat Carl's partner?" Carl asked in shock. Jessie whipped her head quickly around and gaped at him.
"Partner?!" She spat, her usually bright green dark with venom.
"Yeah, he's our partner." Junior said.
"Do you two fellas not understand who this no good kidnappin' critter is?" Jessie growled. Buzz came to her side and peered over her shoulder. He gasped.
"What's the matter, Buzz?" Slinky asked.
"I...it's the Sniper!" Buzz blurted out. Potato Head and Slinky rushed over to them, while the horse, the soldier, and the lion cub were left in the dark on the matter.
"You?!" Slinky growled. "We don't play nice with the filthy likes of you."
"So don't even think of trying to make a getaway." Potato Head warned.
Jack glared through his tinted glasses at his former coworker. He pressed his nose firmly into Sniper's face. Sniper's chest heaved up and down. He panted frantically as he recognized the dog. "So, it's you!" Jack growled.
"All right. That's enough." Carl said firmly and managed to pry Jessie loose from the toy she'd attacked. He helped him up. It was indeed the Sniper, from the Spikes Toy Gang. He hung his head.
"You all right, Sniper?" Junior asked.
"Who cares?" The spud spat.
"Combat Carl is a bit confused." Carl said. "What was meant by that wild display you put on, Jessie?"
"We've met with him before." Jessie glared, clenching her fists. "Haven't we, fella?" Her eyes narrowed. Sniper nodded, still hanging his head.
"He's dangerous, and a real crook!" Slinky added.
"A real crook?" Katan repeated then snarled at the Sniper. "I'll take care of him." But Matthew picked up the little lion.
"This is between them, Buddy." Matthew shook his head. Katan groaned and crossed his front legs in protest.
"This Sniper was a member of the ruthless and brutal Spikes Toy Gang, Carl." Buzz explained, calmly but with an angry face. "He worked for them. He was a dangerous toy. He nearly hurt one of our friends, and he did hurt Woody!" Sniper nodded.
"We were kidnapped by them only 2 and a half months ago!" Slinky added. "It wasn't pretty and we all almost didn't even make it back home to Bonnie! We all nearly got killed."
"Yeah, and this pin cushion trigger happy rookie was up to no good either." Potato Head said.
"And this big, brave fella over here is the one who narrowly saved us." Jessie pointed to Jack. "He was a real hero, but he'd paid for it with his life!"
Carl stared, wide-eyed. "Combat Carl is very sorry for your horrible ordeal." He said. "Combat Carl was completely unaware of Sniper's past occupation. But he has been an upright toy here with Billy. He's never harmed anyone or caused any trouble."
"They're a sneaky bunch." Potato head rolled his eyes.
"Well, you can just thank our good and decent Sheriff Woody that we sent you to the flea market instead of the dump!" Buzz growled at the Sniper, who squared his shoulders and stood tall and straight. He raised his hands up then dropped them. He knelt in front of Buzz, Jessie, and the others with his head bowed. He would've removed his helmet too, if it wasn't made as part of his plastic head. He smacked his chest a couple times, then raised an open palm. "What is he saying?" Buzz asked suspiciously.
"He's saying that he's deeply sorry for being part of the wrong crowd, and for everything he helped put you through." Junior answered.
"Huh. Yeah right." The spud rolled his eyes again. The Sniper glanced up at them sadly and held his hands out to them in a pleading stance. Jack cautiously walked around the toy, cutting off any route to run away.
What would Woody do in this case? Buzz thought to himself. Then he remembered another toy years ago who had mistreated Andy's toys, especially Bo Peep and how Woody had found the courage to forgive the wolf who'd badly harassed his girl. Buzz was still angry when he thought back on how Sniper had belonged to the nasty cut-throat toys who'd almost destroyed his family. His countenance darkened. Then he also remembered Ken, how he'd been an accomplice of Lotso but then appeared to want out, and how Barbie had openly forgiven and accepted him back. "Well," Buzz cleared his throat but kept his voice and face stern, "if you're sincere, fellow, and you promise never to ever hurt anyone needlessly ever again, we'll...I suppose we can give you a second chance." The other toys stared at Buzz in disbelief. Sniper smiled and stood up, bowed at the waist, then saluted the Space Ranger.
"Have you forgotten what he did to us, space boy?" Potato Head growled.
"Buzz, do you know what you're doing?" Jessie asked. Buzz faced them and sighed.
"Have you troops forgotten Nero the Great? And Ken, Barbie's boyfriend?" Buzz asked. The others all looked at each other thoughtfully. They sighed heavily. Jack stood erect and stared down Sniper.
"You were quick and hostile, Gun boy." Jack muttered. "You were expert from your training. You hurt our friend Woody, and on top of all the other trouble you brought on, you attacked my little princess!" Sniper bit his lip and nodded, nervously meeting Jack's eyes. "I don't appreciate anyone who would harm my precious charge, or any other innocent victim for that matter. I'm warning you, Sniper: don't you ever let me hear of you hurting anyone out of cowardice ever again! If I do, I'll find you. And I'll make you pay!"
"If I ever catch you trying to hurt one of my friends again, I swear I'll..." Jessie threatened.
"Fix you for good measure." The spud finished. Sniper got back on his knees and clutched his fist to his chest.
"All right then." Buzz smiled.
"That's mighty big of you, folks." Junior grinned.
"Yeah. Isn't it?" Jessie muttered.
"So, what brings the Bonnie brigade to Combat Carl's neck of the woods?" Carl asked, happy to change the subject.
"We're trying to find our friends!" Slinky blurted frantically. "Woody and Mitsy. They've both been kidnapped!" Matthew grimaced. The more he thought about it, the more worried he felt inside.
Carl raised his eyebrows. "Kidnapped?" He repeated. "No good. Do you suspect foul play?"
"We're not sure." Buzz shook his head. "All we know is we need to find them, and make sure they're all right. We need to get them back home before Bonnie returns in a couple days."
"Mmm." Carl grunted. "Need some extra help?"
"Uh...sure." Buzz smiled. "We appreciate it."
"Combat Carl reporting for duty!" Carl saluted. "Let's go, Sniper." He said as Junior hopped onto his shoulder. Sniper shook his head and glanced back toward the window. "You want to stay here? All right."
"You hold down the fort and keep Billy happy while we're gone." Junior said. Sniper saluted to them and walked back toward the window.
"Okay, troops. Let's move!" Buzz ordered. They all started for the sidewalk when Jack raised an ear.
"Shh!" Jack whispered loudly. "Listen, across the street." They looked and saw a middle-aged man set a duffel bag down on the gravel before closing the bed of his truck.
"I need to bring John back his mower," the man said. "Which means I'll have to park right by Dogwood Middle School. By the way, have you seen the construct..." Bonnie's toys gasped.
"Did you hear that?!" Slinky barked excitedly, bobbing up and down. Bullseye panted happily.
"I don't get it." Katan said.
"Yeehaw! I say, let's ride!" Jessie slapped her knees.
"Wait 'til he goes back inside for the truck keys." Buzz said. Right on cue, the man followed the plot. Okay, quick. Let's move!" Buzz ordered.
"You heard the Space Ranger. Let's go!" Carl bellowed. The toys scurried forward and huddled inside the duffel bag after Buzz zipped it shut. His green glow gave light so everyone could see.
"Maybe it is a good thing those geese chased us." Potato Head smiled.
"Heh, yeah," Jack remarked skeptically, cut off by the spud's unnatural optimism.
"I'm so glad Woody's with her," Jessie said sadly. "I hate to think if she'd been trapped all alone in that case, being taken away, not knowing where she is." Buzz looked at her sympathetically and Bullseye gently nudged her arm and she hugged his head. Everybody except Matthew and Katan knew that Jessie had severe claustrophobia, from spending several years boxed up in the darkness of storage. The thought alone of being boxed up would send her hyperventilating and tugging anxiously on her braid. Buzz felt bad imagining what would've happened if Jessie had been in Mitsy's place. He didn't want to be unkind, but he was secretly relieved that it had been the princess who'd been kidnapped and not his wife, for the cowgirl wouldn't have been able to cope.
"Me too." Buzz said, rubbing her back.
"So, what brought this whole trouble about?" Carl asked curiously.
"We're not really sure." Buzz replied, rubbing his chin.
"All I know is that she was missing, and we went to look for her, then Woody called us and the next thing we knew..." Jessie said.
"He jumped into a car trunk to get her out and then it sped off!" Jack finished. "I...I tried to catch them, but...but I wasn't fast enough." He hung his head glumly. Slinky patted his leg with his paw.
"It wasn't your fault, Jack. You did your best." Slinky said kindly.
"I can't imagine who would want to take her away." Potato Head added. Personally, he felt that it was really just a matter of carelessness on the abductor's part, but he truly hoped that Woody and the princess would be all right. Since the night at the warehouse, he'd felt a little softer toward Mitsy after Jack had proved him wrong when he risked his life.
"I sure hope they're all right." Slinky said. "Woody's my best pal, and Mitsy's my good friend."
"The sheriff seems pretty smart." Junior spoke up. "He won't let them get in trouble."
"That's what I keep telling myself." Jessie sighed.
Combat Carl noticed Matthew sitting by himself in a hollow corner of the bag. He came over and knelt down next to him. Matthew was staring straight ahead, and he looked sad. Carl touched his shoulder. "Hey. You all right, soldier?" He asked. "What are you so down in the mouth about?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm okay. I...I'm fine. I just...I just hope everything turns out all right." He said shyly, hanging his head. Jessie cocked her head and smiled at the soldier. She could bet she knew what he was so sad about!
"I know what it is!" Katan announced proudly. Matthew stared at him with panic on his face. Then he glowered.
"Katan! Zip it!" Matthew growled, but the little lion just smirked.
"What's that?" Junior asked curiously.
"It's a girl," Katan rolled his eyes chuckling, then clasped his paws together. "He's in love." Katan teased. Matthew cringed and hid his face in his knees. He pressed his hat down hard on top of his head, hoping against hope that it would hide him from all the eyes staring at him. He'd taken his teasing from his friends at times, but this...this was too much!
"You are?" Slinky asked. Jack nudged the smaller dog.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of, Matt." Buzz said lightly. "I've been there. It's all right."
"Yeah. That's not so bad," Carl added. "Listen good, Sergeant, and take a bit of advice from Combat Carl who's seen a lot. If having someone who believes in you keeps you going when you're out in the heat of battle, then go for it!" Matthew slowly raised his head a little.
"Yeah, Matt. I think that's wonderful. Iris is a very nice, attractive girl." Buzz said. Matthew's face fell again. Jessie had noticed it, and she smacked Buzz. "Hey, what was that for?" Buzz sputtered. "It's true. She is."
Jessie scowled. "Looks aren't the only things that count, ya know. Character is more important."
"I didn't say it wasn't." Buzz said defensively.
"You didn't say it was either." Jessie huffed. "Are you saying you married me only for my looks?"
"Of course not!" Buzz raised his voice. Combat Carl stared in disbelief at Junior.
"Do you mean to tell Combat Carl that you two are married?!" He gasped. Buzz put his arm around Jessie's waist and pulled her close.
"Yes, we are." Buzz smiled proudly.
"What's wrong with that?" Jessie asked.
"N-nothing." Carl answered.
"Please," Katan smacked his head with his paw. "Can't we talk about something else? All this mushy talk is making me gag." He stuck out his tongue as if he'd been fed rotten fish. "Bleh!"
"You started it, Short Stuff." Potato Head remarked.
I don't think I'll ever stop wishing that Slinky had been in Toy Story of Terror.
