Burnout: Summer Rush
By RichieD.
(A/N and Disclamer: Yosh once more, back in the saddle for a bit of this particular fanfic (and hey a new review too, glad you liked, ) and an about time on my end as now we enter the "Tree Arc" of the story. This is where things start hopping and…ah well you'll see :P. Characters of Shorty is mine. Rocker-ella is Beast Boy Fans', Lone Wolf and Binks/Stealth is MHZs', Kirby is Nintendo and Hal Laboratories and everyone else belongs to Cartoon Network and/or their respected creators.)
"The City of Townsville…" Announces our usual narrator "…Isn't really doing much at the moment when we last left it three days ago. But those rockers at Fosters known as Foster's Rockers are finally getting their act together. With the guidance of a music empowered teen know as Rocker-ella, these imaginary misfits, oh and humans, and just might have a chance to win their challenge issued to the rock goddess' known as Puffy AmiYumi. Though before that went down Betty finally corralled the miniature black hole a.k.a. Kirby and is now currently on her way to Townsille for the aforementioned concert. But she suddenly had an idea to deal with the pink puffball without compromising her secret identity as a Galactic Guardian. What is it and how will it work? Can the Foster's Rocker really be good enough to take on Ami and Yumi? And will a day PLEASED be saved. That said, let's get with it!"
-Intro here-
"Where that coming from?" Frankie asked with an eyebrow raised "For as I long as I've worked here I never once heard it before."
"Maybe it just shows how old you getting." Bloo commented only to get a trumpet forced over his head courtesy of Frankie.
"Uh…you don't t-t-t-think it's a ghost, do you?" Eduardo stuttered
"Cococococococo"
"Nah Bloo right here, plus he not white like last time." Wilt commented
"Cococococococo."
"Hey what's that suppose to mean you wanted to stuff me in the vacuum again!" Bloo yelled echoing from inside the trumpet.
Chapter 7: Grand Lake TussleMac shook his head "Uh guys, focus here namely finding out where that's coming from."
"Hold on." Rocker-rella said as she lifted her head up as if waiting for something. "I know where its coming from, follow me."
The group obliged and trailed after her though Bloo was having some difficulty as he kept bumping into everything due to his vision being obscured, running into friends, objects and even falling down a set of stairs when Rocker-ella had made a wrong turn.
Eventually the group came upon a door where the guitar sound was blaring out most of all. After a quick look at one another, Frankie began to reach for the doorknob.
"WHOOOA, GANGWAY!"
Least until Bloo, still with the trumpet on his head, stumbled past the group, busted into the room and pretty much into everything else in there. Tables, lamps, a window that wasn't destroyed by their earlier " music" and other personal stuff in the room all the while the Fosters and Rocker-rella watched and winched with every hit, eventually Bloo ran out of things to run into and collapsed on the floor finally getting the trumpet off of him. And yet surprisingly all the while, the one that was playing the guitar hadn't stopped even with the extra noise in the room.
After a few minutes of more guitar playing, the being eventually stopped and turned toward the others who just stood their blinking every second or soon.
"Dude, that was so awesome!" Bloo exclaimed suddenly jumping up, startling the others in the process. "I mean you were like brrrrr and then like dumdurrr and then buummm and wow….just wow man!"
"Thanks" the figure said in a rather slow and calm tone to the blob while adjusting his guitar though silence suddenly took place afterward causing more blinking all around.
"Umm, excuse me?" Frankie spoke "Not to be rude or anything, but I don't believe I've ever seen you around here before. Granted am a busy worker here and all but I think I would recognize your face…which speaking of I can't quite make out from here. Think you can step into the light a little, err…please?"
The figure didn't seem to register at first, keeping his attention on adjusting his instrument which caused some uneasiness among the group but after he had felt it was wound enough he got to his feet…or rather paws and stepped out from the shadows revealing that he was an gray fur colored antromorphic wolf who stood on his legs and, of course, had opposable digit-like paws. He stood as tall as Frankie and wore a black, leather jacket with chains attached to the pockets. Under the jacket was a blue shirt with a cartoonish skull, somewhat like Yumi's, along with blue jeans and black boots. Dark sunglasses and a red headband around his head completed the ensemble.
"Dos meos." Eduardo said with a fearful tone after viewing the rather intimidating figure and indeed the rest of the group seemed to be just as taken aback.
"O-o-o-oh…my." Franky stuttered but eventually regained her composure " Umm well pleased to meet you um…um…name?"
"Wolf." He said in the same tone as before but smile and pulled down his glasses a little "Lone Wolf, and yes sorry if I do seem a tad unfamiliar. I recently arrived just yesterday last night. I was planning on camping out till morning but the door to the house was open and I let myself in. You people should really watch that you know."
"The door was open? But I always lock it at…BLOO!" Frankie growled
"What? I was up getting a late night snack and one of the imaginary puppies had to really go out and tinkle and you always complain about what a mess they were making, so I let him out." Bloo shrugged "Excuse me for doing you a favor."
"Wait puppies?" Eduardo gasped "Come to think of it I haven't really seen Chewy all day." His eyes suddenly widen and he bolted out the door in a cloud of dust. "CHEWY, MI FAMILIA AM COMING!"
Everyone sweat dropped at this display before most of the eyes glared toward Bloo.
"Ah am sure he fine, especially with that big over bite of his but on to more important matters." He said as he turned back toward Lone Wolf "Listen, my friends and I are forming this band and we're gonna compete in a rock-off against this other band that we really REALLY wanna crush, and we need a second banana guitarist."
-WHAP- The front end of Rocker-rella's guitar had somehow found its way into the blob's head.
"Oh sorry, silly me. My hand slipped." Rocker-rella said with a chuckle " But just to correct you Bloo dear, it bass guitarist. B.A.S.S"
As she spelled it out, she kept thumping Bloo on the head.
"Y-y-yes thank you" Bloo said dizzily before rubbing his head and glaring at Rocker before continuing. "You interested? We could really use your MAD SKILLZ!"
LW raised an eyebrow before looking the group over with a look of uncertainty "Hmm…I don't know. I mean I just met you guys and all."
"Oh yeah your right. Well am Mac" He said. "This is Frankie, one of the caretakers of the house." To which she waved on cue.
"Rocker-rella" She said introducing herself with a peace sign and a wink. "A fellow musician."
"Am Wilt, nice to meet ya, oh and if you need anything just ask. Really its okay."
"Coco"
"No thanks" Lone Wolf said.
"Coco"
"No am alright."
"Coco"
"Why does she keep asking my that?" LW asked toward Mac.
"Oh no that's her name, "Coco". She kinda…out there. So all she can say is her name."
"Coco."
"Ah I see, nice to meet you, Coco."
"Oh, no that time she asked if you wanted any juice?"
(-Rimshot-)
Eduardo suddenly came back into the room, stroking a small puppy dog in his arm.
"Oh Chewy, don't scare me like that again. You almost made Eduardo lose his fur."
"And of course this is Eduardo." Mac mentioned after he came into the room.
Chewy whined a little at the sight of Lone Wolf.
"Si, that's what I thought too. He is a really scary looking." Ed said, "I hope he doesn't eat us."
LW couldn't help but chuckle at that. "No I assure you, am not that kinda wolf. Only eat pre-packed meat."
"Oh Gracias, you hear that Chewy, he a good wolf. Not the kind that dresses in Grandma's clothing."
This comment couldn't help be get strange looks directed toward him.
"It's true. There are wolves out there like that, I read it in a book."
"Riiiigght." Bloo says then suddenly pounds his stub into his chest "And as for me I am an imaginary friend who needs no introduction, the great, the grand, the one the only, the magnificent Blooregard Q. Kazoo! You may appluad now."
Silent once again filled the room after this little fanfare.
"Never heard of ya." Lone Wolf said.
Bloo's bravo instantly deflated "WHAT! Oh c'mon everyone heard of me. Am very loveable and adorned in this house. Isn't that right guys."
The others turned their head and just whistled or looked at another section of the room.
"S-see, they're so amazed by my awesomeness that their speechless."
"Cocococo"
"Coco that's mean." Frankie says but couldn't help but mutter, "Though you do have a point, amazed more like from his stupidity."
"Heh, well its nice to meet all of you guys." Lone Wolf told then "And once again sorry for my rude entrance without asking. If theres anyway I can make up for it…"
Frankie started to say something but Bloo quickly butted in. "YOU CAN JOIN OUR BAND! PLEASE WHAT DO YA SAY?"
Lone Wolf winched back a bit from being shouted at point blank but then rubbed his ears.
"You don't have to shout and…as nice an offer that is. I'll have to pass, doesn't sound like something I'd be interested in."
A clunk sound was heard in the room, the others noticing that it came from Bloo's jaw hitting the floor.
"Ah oh well." Rocker-rella shrugged "We asked and got answered, its no biggie am sure there are other bass guitarists in this city. Maybe I can get my friend Juniper to…"
"NO!" Bloo shouted cutting her off "This guy is too awesome to pass up, so we have to get him to join our band. We gotta, we gotta, we gotta!" The blob jumped up and down in a childish fit. "C'mon man, whats will it take for to join us? Money? We can give you money! Am sure Mac can sell one of his toys or two."
"THE HECK I WILL!" Mac almost shouted, "That school movie was one thing but am not going through that again!"
Lone Wolf shook his head however "No that's alright, beside I don't rock for money man, I do it because I like it."
"Umm...we'll let you have one of Madame Foster's famous triple chocolate chip cookies!" Bloo suggested
"I don't like all that chocolate on my pearly whites." LW said as he started messing with guitar, once again causing Bloo to grunt loudly in discontent.
"Please!" Bloo begged to Lone Wolf. "I know we just meet and all but we really need you in our band. We don't know where else to find a bass guitarist anywhere else and you sound sooo awesome. You're like an instant answer for our problem."
"Hmm...I'm sorry to hear about your problem," Lone Wolf said. "But I can't help you. I usually rock alone. It's just the way I was created."
"But…but…Grr! How are we suppose to beat Puffy AmiYumi now!" Bloo yelled in extreme frustration.
"Bloo, just forget it." Mac said. "Trying to beat Puffy isn't all that important and this guy's obviously not interested. So let's just..."
"Wait, hold on a sec." LW said, his expression for once revealing surprise "Did you say…Puffy AmiYumi?"
"Uh yeah." Bloo answered.
"The Puffy AmiYumi, the J-Pop band?'
"Yes, who else is there that has the name as our band's sworn enemy?" Bloo commented
"He doesn't speak for all of us." Mac chimed in " In fact Bloo the reason why were challenging them."
"Hey someone had too or we'd all…."
"You fool!" LW suddenly burst surprising everyone in the room before LW began stalking to Bloo "How can anyone as inexperienced as you hope to beat queens of rock such as themselves! Are you asking to publicly humiliated!"
Around this point Bloo was lying on the floor with the wolf"s face up to his "Um…uh…well…" He spurted but could only let out a nervous grin.
"Let me tell you one thing, there is no way, NO WAY you will able to beat Puffy AmiYumi head on in a music competition. NO WAY…without my help."
"W-What!" Bloo gasped his eyes widening along with the others.
"Wait." Mac started "You mean…."
"-Sigh- Yeah after hearing that and some consideration, I've decided to join this little band of yours temporarily especially if your gonna take on the likes of Puffy. Then you're gonna need all the help you can get."
-ZOOM-
"OH THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!" Bloo say as he hugged LW's face after jumping on it who by the way was trying to pull the blob off of him.
"YOSHA! THIS IS AWESOME! Now that we have a bass player, its time to get down to brass techs! LETS GET PRACTICING PEOPLES, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET BETTER STANDING HERE LIKE BUMPS ON A LOG! TO THE INTURMENTS" Rocker-rella says as she points the way out of the room. The others shrug and follow after her with Mac and LW the last to leave.
"Umm, thanks and all for the help and sorry for Bloo's….quirks about this." Mac said "But tell me, why'd you change your mind? You seemed pretty riled when Puffy was mentioned. You got a grudge against them or something?"
LW didn't respond right away and just walked further ahead of Mac in silence, but then stopped and without turning his head said "No, not a grudge…but let's just say me and one of them have unfinished business."
With that, he continued down the hall leaving a very stunned Mac in his wake.
(Eyecatch: Cut back to LW's room where we see his guitar leaning up against the window still he was playing at, however there is a black spot on the still. The camera fades in on it to reveal it's a locket and the picture inside show LW being hugged by a young purple haired girl while there something etching marked on he casing of the locket reading "Friends Forever".)
A day had went by as the Foster continued to practice under the guidance of Rocker-rella and little from Lone Wolf who obviously had more music experience then any of them and coached them in pointers on what they were lacking in and how to improved. With both the imaginary friend and the musical gifted girl, Foster's Rockers were actully….kinda….beginning to sound like an experienced band…kinda.
Obviously though they were still nowhere close to Puffy's level so more practice was a must though the Foster didn't have much choice in this matter, Rocker-rella was pushing them like a drill sergeant which meant every waking moment trying to improve their musical skill much to their fatigue and sores. Still though the desire to not be humiliated (or to crush Puffy into a mushy paste in Bloo's case) was enough to keep them going.
As their upcoming music rattled the Foster's household, Puffy meanwhile was also practicing as usual and just as hard though this was natural for them while the upcoming concert recipients continued growing little by little to which the goal for saving the lake was getting ever closer. However as good a news this was, Shorty was feeling worried, Stealth had yet to find anything out of the ordinary at the construction site other then the usual demolition ho-ha within the three days, and going off of what Puffy had told them about Blair and his usual tactics, this was very unlike him.
Especially with an effort to save the lake so close by and noticeable, Shorty was sure Blair would kick the production into overdrive as soon as possible yet they were going at a snail's pace. Something didn't add up, so on the fourth day after a quick discussion with Stealth, it was agreed it was time to take a closer look and see what's what.
-One day later-
"UgggUUUgggh. What...Where?..."
The view came in blurry and distorted but eventually started to give way to color and eventually vision as the viewer found himself laying on a cot in a room that's seemed to be made of wood with a few tree branches sticking out here and there. On his right side he could see what looked like a crudely built IV system made from a cereal box, some string, and an old telephone. However the viewer got the feeling he wasn't alone in the room either as he spotted a figure messing around with a TV made from shoeboxes.
"Geez, the best 2X4 technology they can come up with and still nothing to watch on this stuff. C'mon I need my action fix."
"S...Shorty?"
"Huh?" She said as she turned toward the voice "Oh hey, finally awake Binks?"
Indeed the viewer now identified as Binks sat up in his cot albeit sorely "W-what?"
"Been out for a day and a half." She answered coming to sit by his side of the bed "Heh even in recovery your energy challenged. Though I gotta admit you're pretty cute when you're resting like that."
Bink couldn't help but blush from the comment before asking, "What happened? How did we end up...Wait, what is this place."
"Ah that, well this is Sector V's K.N.D H.Q.. As for what happened…. Well first tell me what you remember."
"Ugh, its kinda a blur and my aching body ain't helping much" He began "But the best I can recall…
-One day earlier-
"Ally Oop" Stealth said as he swung from tree branch and landed nimbly on the next one just in time to see the next construction worker go by.
" Too easy." Stealth sighs then smiles. "Just my speed."
It was then he noticed the sky and the clouds beginning to hide the sun.
"Perfect." Stealth muttered then concentrated as the shadows come over the area. Soon he became one with the darkness and, just like his namesake, swiftly moved through the site undetected as long as there was shadows on the ground.
All the while he observed around the woods of the lake to find any strange activity going on. At first, nothing he hadn't seen in the days before. Workers going about their business, either planning to dig up a certain spot or just milling around or talking. Though Stealth had to admit this was indeed odd before he glided into a nearby tree, reforming himself and looking over the area.
"Why didn't I notice this sooner." He said to himself as he looked over the area. "They've barely even done any type of work to the land outside of digging holes here and there. I know demolition not the fastest process. But this wins a new record of sheer slowness. What the heck is going on here?"
It was then he found some tents near a few of the bulldozers and other demolition equipment. But also could see that, Blair's two giant cronies, Iggy and Axel, were guarding the site. Of course Stealth just shrugged it off since after all he had shadow powers, and easily disappeared into the shadows of nearby trees and instantly into inside the tent.
"Ah am liking this mission with each minute. It's like doing all the hard work while sleepwalking." He chuckled as he dusted himself off. "Okay though, time to dig up some dirt."
Stealth looked through some papers on Blair's table. Most of these were plans from other buyers who wanted to buy the lake as well as blueprints of the area not to mention a picture of Puffy Ami Yumi with darts, obviously thrown at it, stuck on the foreheads of both singers.
Stealth quirked an eyebrow "Ah now this is this more like the Blair I've been hearing so much about." He continues his search checking through cabinets and desk drawers. But so far nothing, his eyes then spotted a safe in the corner of the tent sitting all by its lonesome.
"Heh, how obvious can you get." Stealth scoffed then pointed his arm and shot a well-placed darkness beam on the lock, opened it, look inside…then widen his eyes.
"THE HECK…?"
For sitting inside the safe…was a messed up and dirty teddy bear that was missing a button eye and wearing the same plaid shirt that Blair wore. Stealth looked at this for a couple of minutes before slowing closing the safe.
"Ooooookay, no comment there."
As he got up, he bumped into a desk and scattered a few of the paper to the ground. Knowing Blair would realize this, he quickly gathered them up and set them back on the desk albeit messily. But as he was about to take his hands off it, his eyes suddenly came upon a strange, unopened envelope that was designed to look like an ordinary business paper. On closer inspection of it, Stealth could see some tiny bold print that one could only read with a magnifying glass.
"To: Mr. Blair, From: Sir X, PLEASE HIDE FOR SAFE KEEPING.
"Hello, what's this?" Stealth said.
Turning it over and searching the back, he opened the envelope and read the papers inside. Then quirked an eyebrow and turned it over a few times. As on the paper weren't words or plans but odd symbols, drawings, and such.
"Huh weird, I can't make heads or tails of this but it definitely the closest thing that spells suspicious." He put the papers back into the file then tucked it into his clothing "Alright mission accomplished."
"More like "Mission Over"!" A voice said behind him and Stealth realized it belonged to one of the giant goons. A quick bend of his head backwards confirmed his suspicions as he was looking into the faces of Iggy and Axel.
"Oh heheh, hi guys. Umm, would you believe am here to apply for a job?"
Iggy cracking his knuckles gave him his answer
"Yeah I thought so. –Sigh- And things were going so smoothly. Am gonna have to work now."
Iggy quickly brought down a hammer fist toward Stealth. But Stealth was too quick for him and phased out of the way. Seeing that the tent was covered in shadows also aided him and Stealth appeared at the far end of the tent.
"GRRR you little punk of an intruder!" Axel exclaimed. "Don't expect to leave this place in one piece!"
"Oh cool these guy are weaklings." Stealth told himself " Then this should be no problem. Gentlemen bring it!"
Iggy rushed over to Stealth, but the shadow powerpuff quickly blocked it and pushed him back just in time for his partner, Axel, to jump over and try for a jump kick. But Stealth quickly punched at the heels of his shoe, causing them to explode from the impact and send Axel flying through the ceiling of the tent and into the air to crash down roughly on his head.
"Tsk only 40 feet? Am getting sloppy." Stealth told himself as he watched the goon fly off. Giving Iggy time to grab onto Stealth and try to crush him in a bear hug. It's seemed to be working at first but Iggy noticed hi grip was suddenly beginning to loosen as his captive was overpowering him.
And indeed, Stealth broke free from his muscle restraints then elbowed Iggy hard in the chest. Iggy stumbled back a little coughing a wheezing but seeing his target standing in from of him. Tried to take a few swings at him. But Stealth once again used the shadows to his advantage and was warping all over the place as Iggy continued to strike. Eventually the blow from Stealth's first attack took its toll and Iggy fell over unconscious from lack of breath.
"And that is why you'd regain your breath first before going back into a fight." Stealth told him happily. "Thanks for the workout guys, ist been fun."
With that Stealth made his way outside and prepared to shift back into the shadows when he was met with a surprising and unwelcome sight.
All of the area's construction workers now surrounding the tent with none too happy looks on their faces either.
Stealth blinked a few time then waved "Umm, hi?"
"INTRUDER!" One of the men in the back suddenly called out and the area became a chorus of growls as they closed in on Stealth. However one of the men suddenly stopped the others.
"Hey hey, before we rip this guy a new one. Can we please get out of these outfits? This stupid stuff giving me a rash and my underwear riding up!"
A chorus of others in the crowd agreed with this person and soon one by one they took off their construction clothes…and Stealth's eyes widen. "Oh crud"
"Hehe, your a long way from home aren't ya fellas?" Stealth said nervously as they tossed their clothes in a pile and were now dressed in outfits that were of chicken employees and Ice Cream severs. Outfits that Stealth was all too familiar with. Angry grunts soon answered back to his earlier question as they quickly close the gap and raised their weapons to strike…only to hit empty air as Stealth nimbly dodged out of the way and retaliated with fast punches and kicks while trying to use the shadows to dodge their attacks and the environment to his advantage to gain higher ground and use his darkness beam.
But soon Stealth realize the numbers were getting much to bigger for his liking as more and more of the "construction" workers were coming out of the woodwork fresh to fight while he would get progressively weaker and eventually be overwhelmed.
"Its no good I can't take all of them." Stealth huffed in between blasts. "I gotta…escape." Stealth then charged up shadow energy in both of his hands then spun around as quickly as he could and spread it outward. Hitting a good number of the workers and giving him some space. With the precious free time he had, Stealth quickly located a shadow and phased into it and past the confused henchmen as fast as he could.
But all of that mass fighting had taken a toll on his body and it wouldn't be long until his powers went kaput from lack of energy. Realizing this, Stealth shadowed to a piece of the construction equipment and phased to normal underneath it. All the while noticing that the "construction" workers from earlier were now running around the area in a frantic search for him. Shouting out which way he may have gone or what Mr. X would do if they let an outsider get away and so on and so. Though thankfully for Stealth they were nowhere near close to his location.
"Huff huff, this is bad. They'll be on alert now, so getting out of here just got a lot trickier." Stealth told himself before gulping down a huge breath of air then hitting himself on the head. "Ugh how could I be spotted like that? Am named Stealth for crying out loud i.e. am not suppose to be seen. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!"
He then calmed himself a bit and got his thoughts together "Okay, simple slip up, no biggie and am not caught yet. Besides there are bigger concerns such as why these dime store excuses for henchmen are here and what this envelope all about, there more that meets the end here. Something big about to go down and I have a feeling…the lake not going to be the only one destor…. "
-CLICK- -CLICK- -CLICK-
Bright lights suddenly lit up the area, canceling his powers and revealing Stealth out in the open to the world around him.
"GAH! WHAT THE…!" Stealth cried out before a big shadow suddenly came over him…and not at all helpful in any way.
T.B.C. spells To Be Continued that is what flashes onscreen.
"Wow." The narrator states obviously awed. "Just wow, a day wasn't saved in this one. But man did you see the way that shadow powerpuff got crazy when he was surrounded by those guys. Boom, Pow, Biff! Aw man talk about against all odds…even thought the odds were still against him and made have won. But still WOW MAN! NOW THAT WHAT AM TALKING ABOUT! WHOO HOO HOO HOO! –ahem- I mean…and now for some credits. Till next time folks!"
-Outro here-
Next Chapter
Shorty: Whoa you're kidding! They actually cornered you? You Stealth?
Stealth: Hey don't remind me, it was embarrassing enough. But yeah that's what happened.
Shorty: Well then what?
Stealth: Am not sure, still a bit of a blur. Something about bigger plans with the lake, and a higher employer and…something with a catgirl if I remember correctly.
Shorty: Ah right my part of the story hehehe. Oh you'll laugh…or not. Plus while you were out, Fosters seem to have picked up a new addition to their ever-increasing band. Though with the way this member sings, I don't think he'll become famous anytime soon.
Next Chapter: RESONATE!
Stealth: Why do I have a feeling things are about to get more complicated?