Delta City

High School... Senior Year, 7 years ago...

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Trash Panda," said a tall muscular silver-furred Arctic fox wearing blue jeans, a red leather varsity jacket with white lettering, and black Reebok sneakers. He smiled, showing off his sharp pearly white teeth, as he towered over the short brown raccoon, who was busy reaching in and out of his locker, trying to collect his books. The fox's large muscular arms formed a cage around Rigby, boxing him inside.

"Not now, Ricky, I need to go to class," said Rigby trying his best to ignore his bully.

His bully was none other than Ricky Stewart-Blanco, the living embodiment of everything Rigby was not. He was strong, he was smart, he was popular and he was handsome. For someone like Ricky, success came naturally. While Rigby would not graduate that year, Ricky already got accepted by Harvard. Furthermore, success was not limited to Ricky but infected the entire Blanco-Stewart family like a virus. His younger sister, Sara, a freshman, was a talented actor and singer, and already made a name for herself in the school play. His mother, Katherine Stewart-Blanco, the former county prosecutor, parlayed herself into a successful career in politics. Already the councilwoman for the 6th district, she made plans for the Delta City mayorship. The incumbent, Dan Brown, plans to retire at the end of his term this year. Despite having several challengers, Katherine Stewart-Blanco is the odds-on favorite to win.

Like many other kids, Rigby had dealt with his share of bullying at school. However, Ricky was different than the rest of the bullies. Rigby could take comfort in knowing his other enemies were insecure and weak, needing to pick on someone else as a means to boost their self-esteem. Ricky, however, was different. By any objective measure, Ricky was Rigby's superior. For all Rigby knew, Ricky was within his rights to treat Rigby as his inferior. All Rigby could do was sit back take the abuse as stoically as possible, and that made it hurt so much more.

Strange as it may seem, there was a time when Rigby and Ricky were friends, or at least, tolerated one another. Unfortunately, that ended when Rigby's dad upset with her voting to raise property taxes, decided to campaign against her, and Rigby and Rick have been enemies ever since.

"What's this? Trash Panda's going to class for once? Well, Isn't that sweet? Too bad you'll fail anyway. Ha Ha Ha!"

"Don't call me that, Ricky. Contrary to your stereotypes: My people don't live in dumpsters. We own houses, we drive cars, and we hold normal jobs. So if you'll excuse me, I need to go to class."

Rigby tried to duck under one of the fox's arm, only to get a hard shove into the locker by the other arm.

"Sorry kid, but this here's a toll bridge. Give me 5 bucks... if you wanna pass."

"Ricky, you're not getting 5 bucks... I may not be as tall as you, as strong as you, as popular as you, as smart as you, or as rich as you. My mom's not running for mayor, nor is she on the City Council. But if I got one thing going for me, at least I don't look like the mutant offspring of an Akita and a squirrel. So if you excuse me..."

"What you'd call me, punk?" said Rick, angry at Rigby's sudden audacity. Ordinarily, Rigby wouldn't stick up for himself, but this time appears different.

"Oh, you heard me, Ricky. Leave me alone, I have a class to attend" said Rigby, as he tried to extricate himself from the menace.

As Rigby tried walking away, Ricky stuck out his foot and tripped him. The raccoon and his books fell to the floor. "Ooomph!" said he, as he hit the slick linoleum floor.

"You think you so brave, tough guy? Try this on for size," said Ricky as he reached down the back of Rigby's pants. He grabbed a hold of his underwear, and with one fell swoop, he lifted the back of his white briefs up and over the top of Rigby's head, tearing a hole in the elastic.

Rigby was lying on his stomach, in the hallway, wincing in pain, wearing an "Atomic Wedgie."

"Owwww. My balls! My balls! My nutsack got split into two!" Rigby cried in pain.

As Ricky walked away, chuckling to himself, a crowd of fellow students gathered around Rigby, laughing at him, as he lay helplessly on the floor.

Embarrassed, tears of shame started flowing from his Rigby.

From the back of the crowd came his friend Mordecai.

"Out of the way people!" said Mordecai as he forced his way through.

"Here! Grab on!" He reached an arm out to Rigby. Rigby quickly grabbed hold, and Mordecai lifted him to his feet.

Putting his arm around his friend's shoulder, Mordecai asked "Rigby, are you okay?"

"Me?" said Rigby, drying a tear from his eye, "I'm fine I guess. Just got my ego bruised, and my underwear ruined, but I'll be alright."

Rigby pulled his underwear back from over his head and tried his best to stuff it back into his pants.

"So Mordecai?"

"Yes, Rigs?"

"You're gonna jump Ricky, so I can kick his ass?"

"Ummm, I don't know."

"What? How come? I thought you'd hated the prick as much I do?"

"Didn't you promise?"

"I don't know, it's just that..."

"Just what?"

"I think you look good in a.."

"In a hat?"

"An ATOMIC WEDGIE! Frontal style, Hohhhh!" screamed Mordecai, as he pulled his friend's underwear over his face.

Just then, Rigby woke up sweaty and screaming, his arms thrashing, his claws tearing the comforter covering his face.

"AGH, GET IT OFF ME! GET IT OFF MEEE!"

Successful, Rigby looked around. He was in the bedroom. A trickle of moonlight seeped in through the blinds, casting a dim light across the otherwise pitch-black room. A digital clocked glowed red, displayed the time (4:25) in segmented numbers. Mordecai was in bed, fast asleep snoring. Nobody else was there.

"Whewww!" said Rigby, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Thank God, it was only a dream."

Looking at his comforter bunched up near his feet, he could see the marks where his claw tore at the fabric.

"Drat! Guess, I'm gonna have to buy another blanket."

"I knew I shouldn't've mixed beer, weed, and caffeine before bed. Next time, I'll stick with the chamomile tea!" he scolded himself before falling back to sleep.