Starstruck
[The opening shot is accompanied by the background music fitting of a Western showdown, panning over a field of grass as the sun is shown peaking over the horizon, the sky orange as a rattle is heard within the music. Suddenly, a silhouette jumps over a rock before landing on its feet, followed by a shot of the figure running while its body is still shrouded in shadows, traveling at supersonic speed as they head towards a narrow gorge. The figure doesn't slow down, in fact, runs right towards the ravine before leaping off in slow motion. In the sun's light, the figure is revealed as Thunderbolt touching down on the other side seamlessly before continuing to run. The scene then cuts to the bottom of a train racing down the tracks, carrying several carriages and a van at the front as Thunderbolt appears from the top of a cliff face. He proceeds to run towards the train as it rounds a curve, about to go into a tunnel. The German Shepard runs towards the top of the tunnel and jumps down onto the second car on the train, ducking as it whooshes into the tunnel. He proceeds to crawl onto the van and open the hatch centered in the middle, slowly going inside, and hiding behind several crates as several masked figures stand guard in front of a hostage, face covered via mask, and tied up in a chair via rope. Thunderbolt jumps down from his spot and quickly attacks the guards, putting them all to the ground before turning to the hostage…right as the click of a gun is heard from behind, another silhouetted figure being revealed]
?: Ah-ah-ah, this bounty's mine…I always come back when you least expect it, so why don't we end this, here and now…?
Thunderbolt: Funny you say that…when we all know how this goes…
?: In that case…[the figure steps out from the shadows, revealing himself as Fat Cat]...let's make things more interesting…
[Thunderbolt kicks the pistol out of Fat Cat's hand as the two begin to clash in hand to hand combat, before the feline is pinned to the wall]
Thunderbolt: Had enough?
Fat Cat: Fah! Not on your life!
Thunderbolt: Alright then.
[Thunderbolt flings Fat Cat to the other end of the box car, knocking him out before tending to the hostage]
Thunderbolt: Don't worry, I gotcha'.
[Thunderbolt unties the hostage from the chair and lifts up the mask covering their face, Patch to be exact. At that moment, another click sounds, this one akin to a clapperboard]
?: Cut! That's a wrap!
[The shot pans out to reveal an elaborate boxcar setup, a makeshift design with a camera towards Fat Cat's end of the wall, another camera where Thunderbolt had come through the hatch, and the door to the van is open to allow the tracking camera to shift between Thunderbolt and Fat Cat, the shot also revealing Donald as the engine pulling the train and inside the coaches are Pete, Lance, Amethyst, Blaze, Louie, and Vinyl, having donned costumes to fit the environment. Amidst the camera crew featuring recolors of certain characters; a green Jinks, blue Cindy, Pink Pete, a blonde version of Ariel with her hair in a ponytail, an orange Rainbow Dash with magenta hair, and a creme furred Hunter donning a white shirt, jeans, and a red hat, are Hoity Toity and Photo Finish, sitting in the director's chairs, the former holding up a megaphone]
Hoity Toity: I say, I always knew I could be a fashion critic and a film critic at the same time, it definitely came in handy in taking creative control over this little show.
Photo Finish: Vith my cinematography, zis show has captured da' magicks unlike eva' before, lookit him, dere's mein star!
Thunderbolt: Well, it's just another day in the life of Thunderbolt; world renowned hero of television! Nothing's too good for me and my wonderful directors…oh, and of course, my fellow crewmates.
[Patch comes running up to the larger canine]
Patch: Thunderbolt, Thunderbolt! Did you see how I nailed that role as a hostage?!
Thunderbolt: You sure did, come 'ere, ya' lil daredevil!
[Thunderbolt picks up Patch and gives him a noogie on the head]
Patch: Hehehe, h-hey, my head fur!
[The scene cuts back to the set where the masked guards are revealed, Roscoe, DeSoto, Si, and Am taking off their masks while Fat Cat meticulously dusts himself off, grabbing the fake pistol off the floor]
Fat Cat: So long as he doesn't set my tail on fire…again, I'll let him live another day.
Roscoe: Speak for yourself, this mask is fuckin' hard to breathe through.
Fat Cat: Well, I think it suits, being a man from the hood and all.
DeSoto: The hell you implyin', bitch?
Roscoe: Naaaaaaah, sure, you're right.
DeSoto: What?
Roscoe: Maybe next time, we'll fit him in a drag suit, being a man who's been duped by that shit. [winks]
[Fat Cat sweatdrops as DeSoto mimicks Roscoe's smirk]
Fat Cat: I, I have no idea what you mean.
Roscoe: Oh, sure, ya' don't, you'd make for a fiiiiiiine slut.
DeSoto: Then it'd be even between you and them lil rodents.
Roscoe: Then we'd get a piece a' that-
Fat Cat: SSSSSSSShutupshutupshutup!
[Si and Am slide up behind Fat Cat with pure mischief on their faces]
Si: Liar, liar.
Am: Pants on fire.
Si: Or in his case, ass on fire.
Am: Cuz he's bottomless.
Fat Cat: SSSSSSSSSSScrew all of you…
[The scene cuts back to Thunderbolt with the directors]
Thunderbolt: So, I take it the next shoot'll be routine, a daring rescue; I swiftly maneuver past the bad guy, get the kid, and save the day? Got it all down to a tee.
Hoity: Oh, trust me, we've got something very interesting planned for the next installment.
Photo: Indeed, 've're finalizing it as 've speak, but you 'vill be da' first one to know about it, ja?
Thunderbolt: Well, in the meantime, I'll be in the trailer if ya' need me, gotta prim myself to keep this face lookin' sharp…
[As Thunderbolt walks away from the two directors, they glance at each other before putting down their glasses and leaning in so only they can hear]
Photo: You did finalize ze' big reveal, recht?
Hoity: Oh, trust me, when I got in contact, I snagged that token. This'll make excellent television.
Photo: Hmmhmm, quite.
[The scene cuts to the inside of Thunderbolt's trailer, retaining the same appearance as it did from the sequel with not much having changed, apart from the addition of a few new pictures of Patch scattered around. Said pup has accompanied the Shepard as he swishes his legs on the couch before looking over at a picture sitting on the window frame and picking it up before examining it]
Patch: Thunderbolt?
[Thunderbolt's voice comes from the inside of a closet, the sound of clothes rustling or being moved on the racks being heard as well]
Thunderbolt: Yeah?
Patch: I'm curious, who's this dog next to you? He sorta looks like you.
Thunderbolt: Ooooooh, that. He was my protege, starred in a similar show to my own, matter of fact.
Patch: Oh…what was his name?
[Thunderbolt comes out of the closet, having donned a crimson red robe, and sits down opposite Patch]
Thunderbolt: They called him Flash, he was part of a show that was shot in the states, while my show was shot in England. I taught him a few tips and tricks, as well as not to worry about the cameras catching 'certain details'.
[A flashback plays in black and white with an old-timey piano melody to accompany it, detailing Thunderbolt's description before the camera pans down to reality]
Patch: You mean not being able to tell when someone's acting as a stunt double?
[Patch quirks his brow up cheekily as Thunderbolt scratches the back of his head with a sweatdrop]
Thunderbolt: Heheheeeeeeee, funny, kid.
Patch: You know, I think I remember Chip and Dale mentioning someone like this, I never knew he studied under you though, that's impressive.
Thunderbolt: Weeeeeeell, it's a knack, though trust me, hehe, I got a few people saying he was a copy and I didn't know when…heeeeeeeh, I, I knew the whole thing and gave him my blessing, oooooooh, that was a trip.
Patch: Hehe, yeah…
[Patch looks over and sees a picture frame sitting right in the middle of a pair of books on a shelf, Thunderbolt standing with a familiar face; a Welsh Corgi donning a necklace with a lightning bolt on it]
Patch: Um, Thunderbolt?
Thunderbolt: Yeah?
Patch: You remember, before I began working with you…Lil' Lightning?
[Thunderbolt's face drops, his grin becoming a frown and an almost uncomfortable expression appears on his face. Patch notices this and regrets asking the question]
Patch: I, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-
Thunderbolt: Nono, it's fine, kid, ya' didn't mean anything by it. Yeah, I remember, I mean, I worked with the guy, just kinda ironic thinking back on it. At first, it was business as usual, the show thought it would get too generic with just me saving the day, so they scouted sidekicks so I'd have someone to work alongside. We through quite a few picks, some had potential, others not so much, others TOO much.
[Another flashback plays as Thunderbolt stands next to several candidates as they alternate from shot to shot, the Shepard's position staying the same throughout with his face changing at each newbie, from a Terrier, to a Dachshund, to a Great Dane, to a Border Collie, to finally settling on a Corgi]
Out of the picks, he was definitely keen on proving himself, and to his credit, Lightning was pretty flexible. At times, I was sure he was tryna' one me up with all that showin' off. I mean, I can't cry foul, I like to make a spectacle myself. For a while, we played our roles straight, I was the dashing and courageous hero, while he was my energetic and sometimes footloose sidekick.
[Several instances of what would have played on Thunderbolt's show are displayed, the German Shepard leaping over a gorge while Lil' Lightning leaps over a rock, both standing on top of a moving train, and a scene of the Corgi struggling through a creek while Thunderbolt casually walks through it]
Off-set, we had a professional relationship, we'd pose for photo-ops, tour around the country, and got sponsored by big names like Cadbury, Pedigree, Whiskas. As you can imagine, since my face was the star, I was swarmed with press releases and paparazzi, like, it was definitely a challenge to keep those fangirls, and fanboys of course, under control, though when it came to Lightning…he tended to beeeeeee…overshadowed, and…I will admit, I kinda played a role in that…
[The paparazzi scene from the sequel is played, with several cuts to get the core reactions, namely with the fangirls dissing Lightning and Thunder's comment, returning to reality as the Shepard cringes at the memory]
Ehhhhhhhhhh, wrong place and wrong time…I mean, I considered him a friend regardless, and I didn't mistreat him or anything, at least I thought so, but I guess all he got sick of playing second best and being in my shadow, which is why he tricked me into thinking I was being replaced and…well, you know the rest…
Patch: Yeah…I know what he did was wrong, but…I could see why he did it…I know it's been a while, but I haven't seen him much since. I wonder if he got out on bail.
Thunderbolt: You'd be correct and…it's ironic, but I…kinda had a hand in it.
Patch: Wait, really? I never knew that.
Thunderbolt: Well, I'd hardly be able to tell you with a straight face, given what happened, but we reached an agreement after a long bit of discussion, and he was bailed out. We didn't say much, we were still bitter over the incident and now…well, he's been a ghost for the most part. I've not seen him in a good while…guess that's how it'll be…
Patch: …I'm sorry, Thunderbolt.
Thunderbolt: There's no need to apologize, kid, what happened doesn't matter now, and hey, I got you as my new sideman, didn't I?
Patch: Hehe, yeah, and I like it, I know it's all staged, but to work alongside you, I could never imagine anything better.
Thunderbolt: Ayyyyyyye, you're gettin' all sappy on me, pup.
[Thunderbolt pulls Patch into a noogie once more as the Dalmatian giggles under him. The scene cuts to outside of the trailer as the noise continues on inside, the crew are shown getting ready for the shoot the following day, while Hoity and Photo Finish are looking over the script]
Photo: Hoho, yes, zis 'vill be our best show yet.
Hoity: You know audiences, they crave the unexpected, this'll be one to remember.
[As the next day rolls around, the film crew has set up the next scene to take place, Donald having arranged the same train as before as he backs into position. A grey version of Yogi donning a red hat is shown rolling a trolley with boxes on it as Thunderbolt sits in his chair, drinking something pink. He then overhears Hoity and Photo's voices coming from behind one of the trailers and his curiosity gets the better of him as he hears the two laughing]
Thunderbolt: Wonder what's got them all giddy.
[The German Shepard stands up and follows the sound of the directors' voices, propping up behind the trailer to eavesdrop]
Hoity: I told you I knew how to make a scene dramatic.
Photo: 'Ze prodigal son returns, as our special returnee and maybe, something more.
[Thunderbolt quirks a brow at this]
Thunderbolt: What on Earth are they-
[The two ponies suddenly appear in front of the Shepard causing him to jump]
Thunderbolt: GEH!
Photo: Curious, aren't 've?
Thunderbolt: Um, heeeeey, you two, uh, what was that you were talking about?
Hoity: Well, we were in the talks of having a special guest star in today's episode, a blast from the past, you could call it.
Thunderbolt: Really, gonna clue me in on who is it?
Photo: 'Vell', perhaps zis 'vill incite a few memories.
[The light blue mare whistles and from behind the two steps-]
Thunderbolt: [coughs] Lightning?!
Lightning: Hi…
Hoity: Well, what do you think, genius, isn't it?
Thunderbolt: I, I'm sorry, this is the guest reveal?!
Photo: Of course, bringing back an old face hooks audiences on 'zat sweet, sweet nostalgia, especially when he's a former co-star.
Thunderbolt: When were you two going to tell me about this, I thought I was a priority memo.
Photo: And spoil 'ze surprise? Nein, now I'm sure you two have quite a bit of catching up to do, you carry on and be ready on our cue.
[As the two directors walk away, Thunderbolt is left alone with Lightning]
Thunderbolt: Uh…hey, how's it goin'?
Lightning: Well, I'm living, aren't I?
Thunderbolt: Yeah, that's good, good, soooooo…been up to anything lately?
Lightning: Not really, just been in the background a lot, nothing new.
Thunderbolt: Ah…ya' know, we could…well, we could…ya' know…
Lightning: No, I don't, and quite frankly, it doesn't matter.
Thunderbolt: Well…this is awkward, but…I'm not opposed to seeing you back here.
Lightning: Really? I'd think you wouldn't want me anywhere near a set.
Thunderbolt: It's been years since the incident, I'm not gonna hold a grudge for that long. Surely, you're still not bitter.
Lightning: Perhaps, not as much as I was before, though given our barely existent communication, it's not surprising.
Thunderbolt: You're at least looking forward to being back in the spotlight, aren't you? They wouldn't have brought you in otherwise…barring giving me whiplash.
Lightning: I'm just gonna read my lines, and fade into the background once more, just like old times.
Thunderbolt: Is there anything that'll get you out of this mood, I don't know what you want from me.
Lightning: There is one thing…think you can turn back time, undo all the spotlight stealing, and not shafting me as a means of protecting your precious image? That's what I want, oh, wait, that's right, it ain't gonna happen, all I know is this will change nothing between us, absolutely nothing. You'll still be at the top as some great fuckin' star while I make my one-off appearance and then go back to being the washed up has-been, that's just how it goes.
Thunderbolt: Lightning, do you think I want you to suffer? I don't, I never have, even when you backstabbed me and everyone else, I still had the decency to bail you out, I had every reason not to give you mercy, but I did it regardless because I felt bad for you.
Lightning: Oh, did ya' now? Where was that side of "feeling bad" when you'd soak up all the attention from those whores while I got nothing but hazing? You even said it yourself 'sorry, bud, but the fans just aren't interested in the sidekick', I didn't make that up, you literally said that, right to my face! And that wasn't the only instance, oh no, no, see, I had to put up with all that second best crap for ages, and no one cared how I felt, not even you!
[By this point, Lightning and Thunder's voices have risen up to the point where the film crew and actors can hear them and silently listen in, Hoity Toity and Photo Finish in particular listening with their glasses pulled up]
Thunderbolt: I would have done something if only you'd come to me sooner! All you had to do was talk!
Lightning: And what good would that do?! You were still acting like you were some legit hero and didn't have stunt doubles, what does that say?!
Thunderbolt: I…I didn't want you to come here to fight, can we just have a normal conversation, without all this drama?
Lightning: Oh sure, as if that isn't exactly what they want, I knew I'd be dragged into some debacle with you, cuz that's all there is left for me…
[Lightning turns his head away sharply, shutting his eyes tight, as if looking like he were about to cry]
My entire name just means mud now…and nothing's gonna change that…just, I can't…I can't look at you…
[The Corgi storms off to the nearest door, opens it, and shuts it, not realizing he just went into Thunderbolt's trailer as the German Shepard looks on, a stunned expression on his face]
Thunderbolt: Uh, that's my…
[The area goes into an awkward silence for a few seconds…before it cuts to inside of the trailer, Lightning down on his knees as he stares straight ahead, the focus being on the same image from the shelf; him and Thunder posed together for a photo-op…the Corgi clenches his fist and pounds the floor]
Lightning: GAWD!
[Thunderbolt slowly opens the door from behind and sees Lightning in his current position]
Thunderbolt: Lightning…?
[The Corgi slowly turns his head, revealing tears trickling down his face]
Lightning: I was stupid…so stupid…that role was my whole life…and it was all ruined…ya' know the worst part about it…I know it was my fault…I screwed up everything…I just wanted to prove you all wrong…I wanted to be seen as a star, no matter the cost…and look where it got me…I fell from grace like a fucking rock…and in trying to replace you, I got replaced…I was in such a downward spiral afterwards, I couldn't be seen in public without being ridiculed…I was so, so angry at you, the crew, and those goddamn Dalmatians…and…myself…I ruined my own life…I shoulda just held my tongue and pretended everything was alright, maybe then I wouldn't have all this weight on my shoulders…I almost had people killed, Thunderbolt…you know how that feels? Knowing you could have taken away lives just for a fucking camera…hehe…heheheheheheeeeeeeeeh, god, I'm so fucking pitiful…
[As Lightning continues to laugh and cry at the same time, Thunderbolt can only watch with a solemn expression. In that moment, the corgi's facade had been broken; a shattered individual finally letting out all their repression…the Shepard feels a strong pange of guilt in his stomach seeing his former co-star like this…as the Corgi faces away, Thunder slowly comes closer toward him…kneels down…and puts his arms around his body…Lightning looks down in shock]
Lightning: Wha…what are you doing…?
Thunderbolt: I just…wanna hold you…
Lightning: I…let go…I don't deserve this…
Thunderbolt: Shhhhh…it's okay…I'm here…
Lightning: No…no, stop…I don't need your pity, I don't need anyone's pity, I just…
[Lightning trails off as he opts to merely sob as Thunderbolt continues to hold him gently, slowly rubbing the top of the smaller canine's head]
Thunderbolt: Lightning…
Lightning: [sniffs] Yeah…?
Thunderbolt: Please…let's not fight anymore…I'm willing to put the past behind us, if you will…
[Lightning meekly looks up at the taller canine]
Lightning: Ah…I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…I didn't know how to speak my feelings…
Thunderbolt: And I didn't know a thing about empathy…till I learned it the hard way…I should have done more for you, been there when you needed it…we can't change what happened…but maybe…we can at least try now…
[Lightning wipes a tear from his eye]
Lightning: But…what about everyone else…how can I-
Thunderbolt: I'm sure if you showed them this side of you, they'd see the change…all it takes is a little push…
[Lightning and Thunderbolt sit in silence for a few moments…before the Corgi hugs the Shepard tightly, giving a small whine as he does so]
Lightning: Thunderbolt…?
Thunderbolt: Yeah…?
Lightning: …Thank you.
Thunderbolt: Hmm…
[The two canines slowly pick themselves off the floor]
Thunderbolt: You gonna be alright?
Lightning: I think so…guess I'd better read the script and see what my role is…I suppose any screentime is something…
Thunderbolt: Hey, at least you'll give it your all, I'm sure.
Lightning: Yeah…
Thunderbolt: C'mooooooon, gimme a smile, I know ya' can.
Lightning: Hmmmmm…
[Lightning manages to quirk his lips into a small smile. Thunderbolt opens the door for the two to walk out from the trailer, the shot panning out to reveal Hoity and Photo standing right next to the trailer]
Thunderbolt: [sweatdrops] Were you two eavesdropping on us?
[Photo Finish lifts up her glasses to show tears in her eyes]
Photo: Zat 'vas beautiful…
[Hoity Toity lifts his glasses up as well, tears welled in his eyes]
Hoity: [sniffs] Yes, tugs at the heartstrings…
[Lightning quirks a brow]
Lightning: You've got some strange directors…
Thunderbolt: Yep, I know…if you two would excuse us?
[Thunderbolt closes the door, much to Lightning's surprise]
Lightning: What are you-
Thunderbolt: The shoot can wait, right now, I wanna catch up with my old partner, no scripts, no sets, just the two of us.
[Lightning smiles, more confidently this time]
Lightning: I wouldn't mind that…
[The scene transitions to after the shoot has concluded, with Thunderbolt and Lightning watching the footage in the trailer. The screen plays a scene of the Shepard standing in a bar before it cuts to a figure entering the establishment, Thunderbolt turning around and being shocked at Lightning's appearance]
Thunderbolt: How ironic, I had the same reaction before that was shot.
Lightning: I didn't come off as too theatrical there, did I?
Thunderbolt: Nah, you pulled it off like you alway did, that said, I think I'm gonna have a talk with those directors…
Lightning: Meaning…?
Thunderbolt: For your 'guest appearance' to become something more permanent.
Lightning: Oh, OH, you, you don't have to do that, I'm-
Thunderbolt: It's the least I can do to make it up to you, I wanna relive those days, only this time, you're my equal, as opposed to just a sidekick.
[Lightning's face flushes a bright shade of red]
Lightning: You…you're real corny sometimes, ya' know that?
Thunderbolt: I know, but when it concerns you, that's where I wanna make right.
Lightning: Yeah…
[As the two continue to watch the footage, Lightning leans his head on Thunderbolt's shoulder, with the Shepard returning the gesture]
Character Guide:
Lil' Lightning, Thunderbolt, Patch - 101 Dalmatians (1961)/Patch's London Adventure (2003)
Photo Finish, Hoity Toity, Vinyl Scratch - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Fat Cat, Flash - Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers
Roscoe, DeSoto - Oliver and Company (1988)
Si, Am - Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Amethyst - Steven Universe
Blaze - Sonic the Hedgehog
Lance - All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989)/All Dogs Go To Heaven: The Series
Louie - The Jungle Book (1967)
Pete Puma - Looney Tunes
Donald - Thomas and Friends
Chip and Dale - Disney/Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers