The Grauman's Chinese Theater was one of the many places where movies are premiered and it was where the DreamWorks people were having an important meeting. Needless to say, it's been more than a few years since they ever had a meeting like this before in their toon lives. Most of the toons nowadays were created using computers, not just pencils or ink and brought to life on the silver screen. With that being said, many of them come to the theater to get a view of the premiere to a newer animated feature to witness the birth of new toons. The fish characters from Shark Tale were in a large fish tank at the back of the cinema. Sitting at the stage was the mascot of DreamWorks, who was a young fisher boy who sits on a crescent moon and holds out a fishing line. Everyone likes to call him, "Zenith". Although, he was puzzled by the odd nickname given to him firsthand, it stuck nonetheless. Mickey Mouse was at the stage as well along with the representatives of Disney and Pixar, respectively, Wayne Castillo and Ruby Zantou.
While everyone in the audience was conversing and chatting over why they were called here in the first place, Markiplier approached the podium and tapped the microphone to see if it worked. Then he cleared his throat to get everyone's attention, causing the crowd of Dreamies' collective chatting to silence, giving the famous YouTuber a chance to speak.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Markiplier, but some of you already know that by now, right?" He asked, giggling a bit before moving on. "Anyway, moving on here. You're probably all wondering what you're doing here at the Chinese Theater, correct?"
Most out of everyone, nodded their head and exclaimed with confirmation.
"We'll I'm just gonna let old Mickey over here give you the details. Mickey?" He spoke and sat back down to allow the famous mouse to come up to the podium.
"Thank you, Mark." Mickey cleared his throat and announced, "Well, let me just start by saying that I'm glad to have all of you here at the Grauman's Chinese Theater tonight. Now the reason that I've brought you all together here in this very cinema is because that the entire Disney population is in deep turmoil."
Upon hearing this bewildering news, the DreamWorks citizens all exclaimed and spoke over each other with surprise and looked at each other with eyes full of adject shock. Although, there are some of them who wouldn't really care about their problems, it would be rude to at least show some dignity and respect for their fellow toons.
"That's right. We've been getting reports of a Disney or Pixar character being attacked by strange, humanoid creatures made of black ink. Although we have no further indication of what these things are or where they came from, but all we know right now is that they're picking off our folks one by one and anyone attacked by these monsters are left with no memory of the attack prior and they act as if they're…..oh, I can't say it….brainwashed."
The Dreamies all gasped at this, each either scared for them or their lives and also confused by whatever or whoever is behind this matter.
"I'm sad to say that Disney's soldiers have no apparent match against these vile creatures and I fear that any Disney character that will fight them will end up infected like the rest or worse, killed. Which is why I've come to ask you all for your assistance. We believe that they are only after us Disneys and those they aren't after can't affect them easily. I'm ask you good people of DreamWorks Animation to ple-"
"Uh, excuse me? Yeah." RJ from Over the Hedge called from the audience, raising his hand and disrupting Mickey's sentence. "I'm sorry, but why are we doing this for you? What have you guys ever done for us?"
"Yeah. That's right." The rest all murmured voices of agreement to the raccoon's firm statement. In the past, there were times when DreamWorks had offered service and help to the Disneys as well as to co-exist with their environment. But the Disneys thought the Dreamies as inferior and unworthy live and work side-by-side with them, which lead to some tense conflicts between the separate groups.
"Yeah, what's in it for us, mouse?" griped Shrek.
"When was the last time you needed our help with anything or when we needed yours in that order?" shouted Vanessa Bloome from Bee Movie from afar.
The arguing prattle of the audience overlapped like many different online videos playing at once. Mickey was on his last leg and sweating, cringing nervously from their accusations while trying to think of a way to appease them into helping him out.
"Listen! Listen! Listen to me! We'll make it up to you all. I promise. If you all work together to solve this crisis on our hands and figure out who or what is orchestrating this peril, then you and I can come to a solution to this conflict between us." Mickey explained as best he could.
"Oh, really? And what is that?" demanded Janice Templeton from The Boss Baby as she and her husband shared skeptical glances towards the top Disney icon.
"Well, uh…..let's just say it'll make it worth your while as a little apology for the past." Mickey came up with, to which everyone looked at each other trying to think this over.
"Please, I know we all aren't on the best of terms right now and I know I'm asking for a lot, but I'm begging you all. Please help us and we'll help you." Mickey pleaded, growing ever desperation in his words.
"Now hang on just a second there, Mr. Mouse." explained Amos, who was sitting at the back row at the far end of the cinema. He sat up and started to walk towards the stage as he spoke. "Now I know I'm just a simple representative of the DreamWorks community, but I can't help, but acknowledge the fact that what you're asking of my people basically includes risking the lives of basically everyone in this theater and fighting against unexplained supernatural creatures that not even you have idea on what they're capable of. If what you say is true that these monsters are dangerous as they are enigmatic, then that would not only put our lives on the line for the sake of yours, but could lead to serious really unavoidable disasters. I mean, hell. I think we can all agree that toons and humans fighting beings made of ink is a fate worse than death. But don't get me wrong, I hear you out completely. But you knows what casualties might happen?"
"That's a lot of concern coming from you, Amos." remarked Ruby on the stage. "But it really isn't our place to decide whether or not the toons should fight against other toons."
"But we don't even know if these things are toons. As far as I know, they could be a undead cartoon zombies or even the Devil incarnate. Either way, we can only guarantee the safety of those we stand for." Amos replied.
Wayne and Ruby looked at each other for brief moment before coming to a conclusion.
"You have a point there. I won't lie. Anyone else agree to fighting?" Wayne called out to the audience, expecting answers. "Anyone?"
For a few seconds of silence, Tim Templeton raised his hand, but his father placed it down, knowing that he's not old enough to fight. However, a few others followed his example, knowing that they can't just let other toons suffer because of past conflicts and disagreements. Many more raised their hands and pretty soon, everyone had their hands up. So they were going to fight for the Disneys with their problems no matter what. Appreciated to see some cooperation from his friends, Zenith stepped up and applauded their decision.
"Good, good. I'm glad that we're all on the same page." He announced and pulled out a list. "So while me and Mickey were discussing the plans, I've listed down the many of you who will join in on the case."
Everyone all let out pleased statements and applauded afterwards, until Zenith interrupted them.
"Ha, ha, I'm afraid you misunderstand. Only one of each movie or franchise will be participating in the war. So we couldn't have all of you fighting. It would be too crowded." Zenith said and cleared his throat to go over the list. "Now. We shall have the following. Shrek, Z, Rocky, Alex, Gromit, Roddy, Spirit, Chel, Moses, Sinbad, RJ, Vanessa, Po, The Missing Link, Oscar, Guy, Hiccup, Turbo, Jack, Sherman, Oh, Branch, Tim and Harold."
Everyone were either cheering, arguing or protesting over the arrangement. Not a lot of them have any battle experience and some were not okay with having the other being chosen instead of them. Shrek cheered and growled with determination, flexing his muscles and putting his game face on while his wife face-palmed and shook her head at her husband's display in front of everyone, the Shark Tale fishes were as equally confused as everyone as they wondered how they were going to face the monsters if they live underwater, Mr. Peabody was expressing his doubts about having his adoptive son and only family fight dangerous ink creatures as he feared for his life. Same with the Templetons. Ted and Janice were arguing over Zenith's decision about having their son, Tim, going into battle since he was most likely going to be a sitting duck out there and get hurt or killed. Boss Baby, or Theodore Lindsey Templeton, was also worried over his big brother's wellbeing as he had only one sibling and didn't want to lose him. Among the rest, it's only safe to say that the tension was growing rather frisky.
"But I'm a prophet, not a fighter!" argued Moses.
"You can't be sending serious about sending children out to battle monsters!" screamed Mr. Peabody with both anger and fear.
"That's right!" Janice agreed on the genius dog's behalf as she was not going to let her baby boy get involved in a war. "Our babies are gonna get killed out there! Is that what you really want?!"
"Why does Jack get to fight while we can't?" Bunny shouted, feeling like he should be the one to go to battle.
"Me and George have never been apart in years!" Harold shrilled.
"Yeah, we're buddies 'till the end!" George nodded.
"I've never fought or killed anyone or anything in my life! All life has value!" Vanessa expressed.
"We're fishes, man! Alright? Fishes! How are we gonna handle the situation? Explain that to me!" commanded Oscar.
"Everyone, everyone, please! Settle down! Quiet!" shouted Zenith at the top of his lungs, quieting all of the Dreamies in the cinema while he exhaled and took the moment to collect his thoughts. "I know it's a tough arrangement. I get that. I do. But let's be reasonable for a minute here. Let's just try and digest this as best we can. Okay, so we know that Shrek has muscle and determination, RJ has the skills and brains as well as Guy and Hiccup. Let's face it, Wallace. Gromit is more logical and smart than you. No offence."
"I understand." Wallace nodded.
"Oscar is going to look after the sea-based Disney characters from the ocean. Mr. Peabody, I know you want what's best for your son and he needs to be a man for once."
"I…...That's just...you know, barbaric! You asking for me to let Sherman risk his life. He's only 9!" Mr. Peabody refused to go along with this.
"And Tim just turned 8." Ted added.
"But Tim has an unlimited imagination. I know, that's no strategy. But maybe this could mean something, you know? You might be able to open up to the real world. Not that I have a problem with his, ahem, fantasies." Zenith coughed.
"Anyway, I do know that Po has great strength and karate moves and Jack possesses unimaginable ice power. Po, you have the power of Kung Fu, don't you?"
"Only the best." Po crossed his arms with a smirk.
"Exactly. So these things, whatever they are, won't stand a chance against you guys. And plus, Disney is counting on all of you. They need you." Zenith explained to everyone.
Truth was, despite the fact that few of them are going to be put on a dangerous suicide mission to save Disney from whatever was attacking them out of the blue. It was a tough choice. You can imagine. Finally, they all have come to a decision that maybe they have no other alternative and so they all finally voiced their reluctant agreement.
"Great!" Mickey said with glee, coming over to the mike. "You all are doing us a huge favor and we thank you for that."
"So you will all be split into groups. Few of you will go to Disneyland in Orlando, Florida, some will check out the one in Los Angeles and so on. You all just get yourselves prepared and Amos will help assemble the team by tomorrow night. So be ready."
After that meeting was over, the Dreamies all left the theater to head to their homes while contemplating what they have gotten into. What they're loved ones have gotten into. But this matter needed to be dealt with regardless and it was for the sake of the Disneys. They had to be there for them, even though they were never there for them. Sacrifices needed to be made. On his way out, Amos was stopped by Ruby and stopped just outside the entrance to look at her.
"What is it?" He asked with annoyance.
"Are you sure you want to go along with this? I mean, not that I'm worried about you, but I kinda worry." Ruby confirmed.
"The DreamWorks folk are my people and if they fight those monsters out there, I fight them too. It's my job. My responsibility." Amos explained matter-of-factly.
"Good for you. But what if these things aren't what they seem? What if they're something more?" asked Ruby. "You don't know what you're dealing here. It could be dangerous."
"You saying you're going to have me arrested?" queried Amos challengingly.
"No. I'm telling you to watch your back." Ruby said cryptically. "Because I won't be there to watch it for you."
"Who said I need anyone babysitting me?" Amos retorted.
"I don't know. Just be careful, okay?" She demanded before winking at him with a smile before walking away, leaving Amos puzzled.
"She's a hard book to read." He shook his head and left to find a cab to the nearest airport to Iceland.