-AUTHOR'S NOTES-

Wow, this fanfic marked one of my first attempts at being more equal with dialogue and narration, as well as holding a record for the Longest Ending Ever™ at that moment in time.

This marks the second story in the "Schoolhouse Rock" set. This story takes place in July 1989, where the travels of Neo Cortex and his friends bring him over to the city of Miami in Florida. And it's there that he gets brought straight in the middle of a war across the city, between the tyrannical forces of Sergeant Oxtail Soup and a team of rebel anthropomorphic creatures lead by Charles Medulla IV.

I saw this as a big jump in comparison to past fanfics, but I was still set to write it as it was.

Hope you enjoyed seeing this as much as I enjoyed writing it. :D

Peace out,

-Rexy-

The scene opens out in a dark scarlet tent. The room was dimly lit and there were very few details on the wall that we could ever make out. Silver chimes shone from a dimly lit candle in the middle of the room and a wooden skeleton was dangling under a small picture that couldn't be made out.
In the middle of the darkened room, two people were sitting in front of each other on a round table with the silky covering only just be shown. One of the people were moving their hands around a round glass object and glaring into it, while the other was waiting patiently. As the people came towards the light they showed themselves as a black skinned psychic and a turtle without a shell, but wears leather.
"Only two of the gentlemen made it out alive", the Psychic continued speaking to the turtle. "Cruel and selfish, and then they got shipwrecked after a thunderstorm... the third was thrown in prison for helping the evil... and the final one died a terrible death... and was never..."
"That's it", the turtle interrupted. "I'm outta here", she said before leaving the room. "I wanted to see MY future, not theirs!"
There was silence in the room for a while, before the psychic looked on towards the entrance of the tent.
"Next please!"
The curtains opened, and in came what looked like a knight on steroids. He progressed towards her with a jolly smile on his face. Once again the psychic "focused" on the glass ball."
"I see... I see... I see four young gentlemen", she started over.
The knight was left to give off an abrupt cough, before leering on at the psychic. She was left to give off an embarrassed smile back.

The atmosphere outside was more than just friendly – roller coasters can be seen for miles, the kids were screaming and the aroma of candyfloss was everywhere. That's right – this is a fun fair. The turtle came out from a blue and yellow striped tent with an angry look on her face. She came towards three beings standing nearby – a human girl, a female bear and a young cat.
"How did it go, Misty?" the human asked the turtle with a peaceful voice.
"Not too good. She told me the future of an N-tattooed jackass, not mine!"
"Ah, it doesn't matter – not all psychics are perfect", nodded the bear with a deep voice. "No one knows what's in your future. Not even God."
"But Corona!" the turtle started to panic.
"I know you want to see what kids you'll end up with", nodded Corona, "but we need a man first. And don't pull that angry face at me – it's not gonna work. He'll come when you least expect it." She then turned to the human girl. "Right Gadget?"
"Yeah", she sighed. "I've had 19 boyfriends on the trot and yet I never kissed one."
"See – it's not so bad", sympathized the bear.
"Yeah", Misty growled back. "I bet Travis here will have better luck."
"I hope so", smiled the young cat. "Now can we pleeeeeeease go to the shooting thing?"
"Hold your horses", giggled Gadget. "We'll be ready to take you there when-"
It was too late – Travis already ran off towards the other side of the fairground.
"Hey, wait for me!" Misty cried out towards him while she started running.
Gadget soon followed. "Slow down – I can barely run in these shoes!"
And then came Corona. "Oi! Don't leave me behind!"

-A FAN FICTION PRODUCTION-

-A fanfic by RexRock

-SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK: The Lost Chronicle-

-July 4th 1989, 4:29pm-

Travis was the first to make it over to the games area, while the others had problems getting there. They were gasping for air madly as soon as they got there.
"Next time Travis, not so fast", Corona gasped.
"Sorry!"
From behind one of the benches of the gaming area came a lean figure that spoke with the voice of a circus ringmaster. "Get yourself lucky at the shooting gallery! Knock all the cans down with two shots and you win a prize, one shot and you get a more expensive gift."
"How much?" Travis asked him.
"A dollar a turn!"
Travis quickly paid for his turn and grabbed a shotgun with a foam rifle stuck in it. He took aim for a few seconds… and then he pulled the trigger. The cans were knocked down in one shot.
"YAY!!!!!!" he jumped up and down screaming. "I WON! I WON!!!!!!"
"Here's your prize, young man!" smiled the staff employee.
Travis received a Game Boy from the employee. His eyes lit up and as he turned it around...
"WHOA – I'VE GOT DONKEY KONG!!" he shouted, struggling to keep his excitement.
"Hey, I know that you're excited young man", Corona smiled, "but how about you keep it nice and safe from the bad guys." She then took the Game Boy from him and put it in her backpack.
"But why?" Travis frowned.
"Because Sergeant Oxtail Soup may strike this place when we least expect it, and he may steal the prize from you", Gadget nodded.
"What does he want a Game Boy for?" Travis asked curiously.
"The kid's got a point", growled Misty.
"Well you never know what that vicious strongman will do to us", Gadget frowned. "Remember what he did last week to Misty's friend Bubble? He stole over half of his hat collection!"
"Oh yeah", Travis frowned.
"Well you have to keep your precautions", nodded Corona. "Who knows when he could strike..."

The scene changed to outside the mystic tent. Outside, the psychic and the steroid knight emerged from the tent. Then they glanced at each other.
"Are you sure this plan is gonna work?" asked the psychic.
"Of course it will. As soon as Gadget's forces are down there is no one left to stop me", he said, cackling.
"What about the others – Chad, Bubble, Kiwi and Goliath?" the psychic asked.
"They're weak targets, we already know that", the knight snickered. "Once they are ALL out of the way, the US State of Florida will see a day like no other."
But then, from behind the tent came a mysterious yet familiar figure, followed by three others. They were seen in shadow-like forms, with only their eyes glowing in the darkness – the leader had green, while his partners had blue, purple and brown respectively.
"You there!" he started speaking. "If you want to take over the State, let us be of your acquaintance."
The knight and the psychic faced each other in the eyes, and nodded at the same time.

" I'm sorry but it's getting close to 5pm", sighed Gadget as she looked at her watch while walking closer towards the fairground exit. "We have to leave."
"But Gadget, I wanna ride the Terror Coaster!!!" Travis frowned towards her.
"Look here", smiled Corona. "This fun fair is only 10 miles from home, so we can ride on it tomorrow."
"But..." the cat hesitated.
Misty gave out a sigh. "Maybe we should cheer 'im up with a trip to KFC."
"Good idea!" Gadget smiled back.
"You'll be fried chicken in a minute!" said a nearby voice from the distance.
There was an explosion from the dodgems. As it cleared out, the ride was destroyed.
"Darn! That was my favourite!" Misty growled towards the explosion.
And from through the smoke the familiar figures came into view, with the knight and the psychic coming near them.
"Oh no", Corona gasped. "Sergeant Soup!"
"And Mozzarella Cheese!" Gadget exclaimed while jumping up.
"And," Misty pointed towards the other four figures, "who the hell are THEY?"
"Girls", started Soup, "I'd like you to meet the Cortex siblings."
"That's right", said one of the figures. He stepped out into the light to show himself as a figure with blue shoulder-length hair, baggy clothing and a monkey tail from behind him. "I heard about you guys from these generous souls", he said while gesturing towards Soup and Mozzarella.
"HEY!" They both screamed in unison.
"And now I'm happy to help them take you out once and for all!" Tiko finished with a cackle.
Travis instantly gave out a scream. "I WANNA GO HOME!!!!!!!"
"I know, but these freaks will follow us!" Corona started to panic.
"It's gonna take a miracle to get out of this one", frowned Misty. "Wait a minute – the Cortex siblings... that rings a bell!"
"STOP PONDERING AND START FIGHTING!!!!!" Gadget screamed out towards her.
"AYE!" the others saluted towards her.
All four of them charged towards the newfound six, but little did they know they were outnumbered. Misty said that it will take a miracle to break out, and a miracle it could be.

The temperature outside the city was 90ºF in the shade, yet the vision of the area is still perfect. On a desert freeway up ahead, only one car can be seen, travelling in the East direction.
At a closer range we are able to see a cream-coloured jeep, and yet some familiar heroes from a while back were travelling in it. Two of them were at the front, yet a further two were at the back. We finally recognise them as Neo Cortex (in the driver's seat), Snappy Gator, Boron and Nitrus Brio – the original "Take Down Tiko" team.
"How far is it to Washington?" Neo asked the others.
Brio looked on at the road ahead of him. He donned a sombrero and some pastel clothing, with his head being layered in a slim shape. The jeep went past a green sign, telling the answer, leaving him to look on at Neo – he himself had bushy black hair covering his head, with a beard formed around his mouth. And his clothing was no different than Brio's aside from their more green color.
"About 1580km from here", Brio replied back while reading the sign.
"Bummer!" Snappy growled back. He was shown as an anthro alligator in red, white and blue combat clothing.
Boron, a purple wolverine in rag-like clothes, gave out a worried howl. Then there was silence for a few further seconds.
"How far is it to Chicago?" Neo asked again.
Another sign came up and told the answer.
"About 2125km from here", Brio replied back.
"Major bummer!" Snappy sighed.
Boron gave out another worried howl. Then there was an oozing-like sound. Snappy looked down at his belly with a puzzled look.
"Uh-oh... he then leant towards the front. "How about supper?"
Three signs came one by one, with these messages – "Supper?" "You just ate your dinner" "Fat boy".
"But I'm an alligator!" he retaliated back.
Another sign came up with an unnecessary remark - "OK, fat gator then".
"Er guys, the signs are talking to us!" Snappy panicked.
"Ha ha, and I'm David Bowie", sighed Neo with sarcasm.
Suddenly, Brio gave out a gasp before standing up in his seat. "LOOK UP AHEAD – THERE'S CIVILISATION!"
A city skyline came into view, and by the first sight, everyone's eyes started to light up.
"Unbelievable!" Neo smiled over at it. "We're back home!"
"No we're not", sighed Snappy. "This looks nothin' like Panama."
"I know, but I can recognize the state like that skate-park near my old home. Gentlemen, welcome home to Florida!"
Snappy then started to point further at the town. "Lemme guess the town – it's Miami!"
"How can you tell?" asked Brio.
"I can recognise them skyscrapers! I used to live in one of those!"
"OK, if that's the case, maybe you should try and lead us to somewhere to stay for the night", sighed Neo.
"Fine. I will."
"But we're just... er..." Brio remained silent before another sign came up. "...17km away from the suburbs."
"Hey – these signs seem pretty friendly", Snappy grinned.

A series of missiles, rifles and whatnots were being fired every second, and yet, the forces of Tiko and Sgt. Soup have the others on the run. Within the next few seconds, Mozzarella gave Gadget the Stone Cold Stunner to the ground, Hallie – a female with orange-blonde hair, purple eyes, a crimson pointed hat and a green wetsuit with long sleeves - came up to Misty and pinned her down with her whip, Lio – a male with scruffy green hair, a red baseball cap, one brown eye with his other over the empty socket of the other - tossed his ooze over at Corona, who didn't have time to escape, and Deksta – a female with pink hair attached with a small white bow, blue eyes, a blue shirt and green trousers - got out a buzzer and electrocuted Travis at the highest voltage possible.
"TRAVIS!!!!!" Gadget screamed towards him. She got up from her feet and dashed over to him, stopping at his feet. "Are you all right?"
"Urgh..."
"I know you're suffering, but we'll get you out of here – I promise."
Then two thoughts came into her mind – two familiar thoughts from later on in the day.

"What does he want a Game Boy for?" Travis asked curiously.
"The kid's got a point", growled Misty.
"Well you never know what that vicious strongman will do to us", Gadget frowned.

"It's gonna take a miracle to get out of this one", frowned Misty.

After that, she then leered into the crooks' eyes and stood there while focusing her physical energy.

At this stage the cream-coloured jeep stopped in a small outdoor parking lot and soon after, the whole crew stepped out.
"Now are you sure this is a good idea?" Neo asked Snappy.
"It's the only way if you're lost, which we are", the alligator said while pointing over towards a small wooden window.
"What, a tourism office?" Brio growled. "We need a hotel, not one of those!"
"But that way we can get a guide to the city", nodded Snappy.
They stopped outside a box labelled "information", and there is a lever that says, "pull".
"Looks like this is our bundle of tour guides", blinked Brio. "Boron, you know what to do."
Boron went up to the lever and pulled it down. After rushing back with the others, the doors swung open and a set of dummies popped out in a model of Miami Beach and some chimed music was played. The dummies themselves started to sing along to "It's A Long Way To Tipperary", the backing music being provided by the chimes.

"Welcome to the city of Miami
Where your smiles shine there
Welcome to the city of Miami
Where there's fun for all to share
Watch the Dolphins football team
Lie on the beach catching solar beams
Or do whatever you like in Miami
'Cause your smiles shine there!"

As soon as the dummies stop singing they get brought to the sides of the box out of the way and into the darkness and the chimed music stops. Then a temporary flash blinded everyone and the doors quickly closed. Finally a photograph came out from a slot underneath the doors, showing a picture of the gang and a message underneath it saying "I've Been To Miami".
Snappy picked up the photograph, and smiled at it. "That was fun! Let's try it again!" He then attempted to go back to the switch.
Neo resorted to taking a hold of Snappy on the shoulder. "No Snappy – we've got to find somewhere to stay. And besides, when we finally get rid of Tiko, you can visit this place all you want!"
"But it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
"But you said that you once lived here", Brio said while shaking his head.
"Oh yeah", the alligator blushed. "I haven't heard a word from the folk that lived with me here for a while yet, but I hope they're still around."
"Well, in the tabloids we've picked up in the past week, we've heard a lot about your 'friends' you told me about, so they still could be here."
"If that's the case, there's no time to lose!" Neo smiled before turning to Snappy. "You lead us the way to your childhood home."
"Aye skipper!"
As they started dashing down the sidewalk, two black figures could be made out on top of one of the skyscrapers. We finally see them as an old man dressed in young adult clothing and a red bandana, and a green-bodied parrot with a goldenrod mohican hairstyle.
"Kiwi, are you sure it's them?" the man asked the parrot.
"Of course they are, Chad my boy! I spotted them when I was flying around the town, and the black-haired one matches the exact specifications."
"You mean... HE is the Chosen One?"
"Who do you think he is, Brian May from Queen?" Kiwi responded with sarcasm.
"I don't think so", he said while not realizing that the parrot gave out a figure of speech. "He's got curly hair, and the one we've got here has spiked hair. Did you find the birthmark?"
"Oh sure!" the parrot smiled back. "And it's in the same location every time – between the skin and the left eyebrow."
"We've got to find out just to make sure."
Kiwi grabbed onto Chad's jacket and they both flew down towards the gang.
"Howdy... whoa, stop!" he panicked, seeing Kiwi picking up too much speed.
Eventually, the pair ended up zooming above the group, and crashing right into a wall, before falling into a set of trash cans ahead of them.
"What in the world..." Neo responded with a blink.
"That voice sounded so familiar", said Snappy with his jaw dropping.
Boron came up to a knocked-over trash can and started sniffing it. Then he pulled out Chad and Kiwi from under a pile of steel cans, empty crisp packets and fish bones.
"Nice to... see you all here", he said while giving off a set of wheezy coughs.
Neo then went up to him. "You OK sir?"
Chad then brought himself up onto both feet. "Perfectly fine – I've been through worse situations than this. By the way, are you the Chosen One?"
"What do you mean am I the Chosen One?" Neo asked with a confused expression. "I'm Neo Cortex, not the-"
"Just lift up your left eyebrow!" Kiwi shouted loudly.
He did so, and from underneath they saw a red scar.
"So?" Neo shrugged. "That's my birthmark."
"I know, but it's the key for the only way to eliminate the powers of Sergeant Oxtail Soup from the city", smiled Kiwi.
"Oxtail Soup?" Brio asked. "Who's-"
"What's worse, he's teamed up with four other master criminals, the leader of these having blue hair, green eyes and a monkey's tail", frowned Chad.
And it was there that Neo, Snappy and Brio all gasped in union. "TIKO!!!!!!!"
"Who?" Kiwi questioned.
"We'll help you out in this mission!" smiled Neo as he went up close towards Chad and Kiwi. "Where are they?"
"They're at a funfair round this corner!" Chad replied back.
"You don't say!" Snappy deviously smiled back.
"By the way, who are the others?" the elder man asked.
"Oh, they're just some companions of mine - Snappy Gator, Nitrus Brio and Boron, my wolverine", Neo said while pointing at them once he spoke their names.
"You're back!!!" Chad shouted while looking on at all three of the figures.
"Huh?!?" Snappy, Brio and Boron exclaimed together.
"Er, never mind", he replied sheepishly. "By the way I'm Charles Medulla IV, but you can call me Chad, and this is my parrot Kiwi."
"YOUR parrot?" Kiwi growled towards him. "I belong to someone else!"
"Oh yeah", sighed Chad. "Back in business then - This is our chance to eliminate Sgt. Soup for good!"
"And this is our chance to annihilate my siblings", exclaimed Neo. "They've been on the run for years!
Kiwi then flew on top of Neo's shoulders. "You can explain on the way!"
So they all started dashing down the sidewalk once more, ready to see their destiny at the funfair. At that time, the beautiful city landscapes started to darken as the sun began to gradually drop over the horizon. Shadows grew larger and the amount of birds hovering around the area decreased steadily, and the amount of cars in the area grew as many were leaving their destinations for home sweet home.
"So what you're saying is that Sgt. Soup has been up your backside for the past few years?" Snappy asked Chad. "Why?"
"We were the only ones capable of dealing with crime in this town. The Police are even scared!" Kiwi squawked.
"Now I know how Batman feels like", frowned Neo.
"I'm thinkin' the same", sighed Brio. "Seems pretty tough."
"Yeah, but we could still handle it, what with those toned muscles!" Kiwi smiled. "Wish I could show mine, but parrots can't bend their wings like humans can."
"I'm sure that your wars had to have a beginning", Neo said with a straight face. "Can you remember what caused it to start?"
"Gee, my brain cells may not be what they used to be, but…" Chad sighed, and turned towards the others. "Believe it or not, Soup was my earliest creation. I was expecting to follow from my mentor, Dr. Newton Brio."
"You mean..." Brio's eyes widened, "my father used to live here?"
"Sure he did", smiled Chad. "He spent his time here studying animal evolution, but he had only one created anthropomorphic creature.
"And who was that?" Snappy asked quietly.
Chad seemed to totally ignore him before speaking again. "When he left us 30 years ago I spent time constructing an evolution machine that matched the one in his sketchbook. Five years ago I finally finished and I tested it on the corpse of a human and a live ox. I was expecting a humanoid animal, but he ended up with the tail and a whole lotta steroids!"
"I never knew my father was a scientist", said Brio with widened eyes. "Oh wait – I spent the early years of my life in New Mexico", he then sighed.
"What about Ms. Cheese?" questioned Snappy. "Where did she come about?"
"She was just another street rat looking for an opportunity to get rich quick and earning a position of responsibility", Chad shrugged.
"In other words, ruling the world", blinked Snappy.
"Maybe, but we're not sure", said Chad as he lowered his head. "Luckily though I never gave up in my research. Three more animals were tested, each of them being successful. My aim is to keep on going with a dream to have a humanoid army that can help the poor security, placing myself in the history books."
"So you're saying that you're the one who started this mess?" Neo asked with a high pitch.
"He always had regret over it, and always will do", Kiwi frowned.
"Well hopefully that Soup character and that bloomin' gypsy should be no match for us. Snappy then started to laugh. "Make way for Mr. Crocodile Shoes!"
The gates for the funfair came into focus and they soon stepped into it.
And the first thing they saw was fire. All the rides were burnt to bits and there was no sign of life anywhere.
Kiwi then started to panic. "I hope Corona's all right – I haven't done all my music lessons yet!"
There was a vicious laugh in the distance – a deep male laugh.
Chad then gave out a light gulp. "I'm afraid about all this..."
"About what?" Brio blinked back.
"My daughter", sighed Chad. "I'm worried for her safety..."
There was a female scream coming from the entrance to what was the dodgems. There, Gadget was already held to the floor thanks to pink ooze, rope tied around her body, an electric current wearing her down and giant mousetraps surrounding her. She was paralyzed from the chest down and was struggling to breathe. Tiko and Sgt. Soup were on the outskirts of the traps with vicious smirks on the faces, with the others behind them.
"I bet we've outsmarted you this time, Miss Medulla", sneered Soup.
"You won't get away with this, stinky!" Gadget growled while struggling to break free.
"Oh, but we can", he said while looking down at the mousetraps. Once these go off, you'll be going down to see the devil and be tortured for eternity!
He picked up a twig from the ground and was about to use it to set off one of the traps when...
"HOLD IT!!!!!" cried a rusty male voice.
"What the...?" Tiko pondered quietly.
"Oh no – not the elder!" Soup exclaimed while seeing Chad make his way over to the scene.
"Leave my daughter alone!" he shouted back towards Soup.
"Or else what, Grandpa?" Mozzarella brawled with a rude tone in her voice.
"Or else I'll send in some of my friends!"
Sgt. Soup instantly cracked up, while being cautious not to fall onto the floor as he did so. He then turned towards Tiko, with his teeth showing in his smile.
"Fine!" he exclaimed. "Show me your 'friends'!"
And so he did – They came behind him one by one, saving Neo till last. At this sight, Tiko's face started to become pale.
"OH MY GOSH!" he gasped. "HOW DID HE GET HERE????"
"Never mind that – how did YOU get HERE?" Neo asked back.
Tiko had sweat coming down his face, and started shaking.
"What's the matter with a puny little runt like him?" Soup sighed back at him.
"Ah, nothing much except that..." Neo shifted his eyes towards Chad, whom smiled back. "I'm the Chosen One."
Soup then gave out a gasp. "YOU... the ch-ch-ch... CHOSEN ONE?!?!?"
"Bloomin' eck – I wish I told you guys earlier", Mozzarella frowned.
"MOVE EVERYONE – WE'VE GOT SOME SERIOUS PLANNING TO DO!" Soup shouted with his voice shaking across the ruins.
And so they quickly left the area.
"I guess that steroid dude has been…" Snappy paused, "all souped up!"
There were signs of laughter around the area.
Kiwi couldn't help but giggle. "I've never seen him so scared in my life!"
"Yeah but... why?" Brio asked.
"Two years ago we learnt that only the Chosen One would have enough power to eliminate the enemy", nodded Chad. "Now that we have him in front of us, victory will be in our grasp, for your crew and for ours."
As that was going on, Kiwi flew off Chad's shoulder with a potion bottle in her grasp and shared it between Gadget and the others. Then she managed to cut them free with her beak.
Chad then smiled over at Neo, before pointing on at the others from behind him. "I'd like you to meet some comrades of mine – Travis Tortoiseshell, Misty Terrapin, Corona Grizzly and my daughter Gadget."
Gadget finally stood upright, facing Neo, both gazing into each other's eyes. For almost half a minute they didn't lose eye contact, but soon enough they smiled at each other.
"I'd like to thank you for saving my life", she smiled.
Neo didn't respond to her comment, but it wasn't long until they exchanged their hands into a handshake. But they were soon interrupted by the sound of a car horn. Both of them turned into the direction of the beeping noise quickly and rushed back to the entrance, where the whole group were in Neo's jeep, with Misty in the driver's seat!
"Hey come on slowpokes – get in the car!" Misty shouted towards them.
"'Scuse me turtle, but this is MY jeep, not yours!" Neo growled back.
"Well who gives the monkey's nuts about that?"
Corona then came as close to harshly tugging onto one of Misty's pigtails. "Stop it! Can't you do something nice today for once?"
The turtle then sighed. "I guess you're right..." She was left to mumble under her breath.
Misty quickly jumped into the back seat and Neo and Gadget eventually hopped in.
"Oh boy – the Chosen One has arrived!" Travis shouted from his seat.
"Yes, but we still need to play our full potential in case something terrible happens", nodded Chad.
"Yeah – we're not takin' any chances!" Snappy winked back.
Neo then chuckled before stepping on the gas pedal. "Brotherly revenge, here we come!"
Within a few seconds the jeep was out of sight and was heading towards the Southern direction. Who knows what dangers could be on the horizon...
"YOU'RE GOING THE WRONG WAY, FOR GOODNESS SAKE!" shouted Misty's voice from the horizon.

-end of part 1-