Looney Tunes & Sailor Moon: Sailor Space Jam – Rise of the Sailor AnimaMates — Chapter 02: Put Your Plan Into Action!
Looney Tunes & Sailor Moon: Sailor Space Jam – Rise of the Sailor AnimaMates — Chp. 2: "Put Your Plan Into Action!"
Looney Tunes & Sailor Moon: Sailor Space Jam — Rise of the Sailor AnimaMates
Chapter 02: "Put Your Plan Into Action!"
A/N: Welcome back to the world of Sailor Space Jam, ladies and gentlemen! As you all have seen in the opening chapter of this sequel, the Sailor AnimaMates have gotten their mission guidelines from Sailor Galaxia, so they are going to travel to Looney Tune Land to make their message clear to Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes, but they probably weren't expecting to encounter the Sailor Guardians while they were done there. However, once the Looney Tunes and Sailor Guardians come to realize their intentions and the major basketball challenge they have in store for them, the Tune Squad comes to realize that these girls mean business and are actually willing to become bigger threats than either the Monstars or the Witches 5 combined!
Chapter Synopsis: After getting the information about the Looney Tunes and Sailor Guardians from the mistress, Sailor Galaxia, the Sailor AnimaMates travel into the Looney Tunes' universe to send a message to the Tune Squad, but they end up running into not only Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes, but also the Sailor Guardians! While Bugs brushes off the AnimaMates and assumes that the girls would ultimately act the same as the Witches 5 and the Nerdlucks, the Looney Tunes and Sailor Guardians all come to realize that these girls actually mean business, compared to their previous basketball opponents. How will the Looney Tunes and Sailor Guardians react to this new threat, and what challenge does Sailor Galaxia and the Sailor AnimaMates have in store for the Tune Squad?
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Looney Tunes or Sailor Moon characters who appear in this story as they appear under the ownership of their respective companies, Warner Bros. Animation and Toei Animation. Also, the events of the original Space Jam and Sailor Space Jam are canon to the events of this story's continuity as the story is set three years after the latter story.
Dedication: A tip of the hat to current NBA superstar and global icon LeBron James; NBA legend and the basketball GOAT Michael Jordan; Bugs Bunny as his classic Jordan Brand alter-ego, Hare Jordan; and the 1996 Warner Bros. sports-comedy classic, Space Jam.
Looney Tunes & Sailor Moon: Sailor Space Jam – Rise of the Sailor AnimaMates — Chapter 02: Put Your Plan Into Action!
Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 — Stage 18 at Warner Bros. Studios / Warner Bros. Studios Lot — Tune World, Dubba City, Animation Multiverse
While the Sailor AnimaMates were trying to find their way to the Looney Tunes' universe, the Looney Tunes themselves were busy hanging around the Warner Bros. lot, filming the latest round of new Looney Tunes shorts while checking out how the Warners were handling the production of their impending revival series. Bugs, in particular, was busy riding around the Warner Bros. lot in one of the studio carts, filming a promo that gave an update on the latest in WB-related news. Upon finishing the promo, Bugs stopped the studio cart he was driving in next to the others, chuckling to himself as he said, "Well, Bugsy Boy, you know what they say: 'another day, another carrot'."
As Bugs proceeded to take a bite from his carrot, he proceeded to take a walk through the studio lot, looking at the various landmarks that have been present for as long as he had been with the studio. While walking through the studio lot, Bugs was basking in how his animated colleagues were settling back into their animated careers after the events of the Ultimate Game that was hosted on the 20th anniversary of the original Space Jam. His Looney Tunes co-stars were able to focus on the upcoming Looney Tunes Cartoons revival and were helping out in the production of Space Jam: A New Legacy, which had yet to commence filming the animated segments for the movie. Meanwhile, the Warners and Pinky and the Brain were preparing for the return of their show while some of the female DC superheroes were basking in the success of their new animated series.
Based on the level of camaraderie among the various WB animated characters, it seemed that the Looney Tunes' universe was finally lifted of that dark cloud that was over them when it came to Swackhammer's return to try and take over their world.
Of course, things were bound to be looking up since Swackhammer had been defeated and is finally out of their hair, seeing as how he had gotten the word that he was arrested last week. However, that last matchup didn't turn out to be too much of a hassle on his and the Tunes' end, seeing as how they gained new friends and allies in the form of the Sailor Guardians, whose expertise on the Witches 5 aided in them coming out victorious over them in the Ultimate Game three years ago.
Well… that, and having a secret weapon in the form of NBA superstar Jimmy Butler helped as well.
Anyway, it seemed as if things had been back to normal since that fateful Ultimate Game as the Tunes and Guardians settled back into their regular lives, with occasional visits to their respective universes occurring every once in a while. In fact, it seemed that everything had calmed down enough to where they could focus on how they were going to celebrate Space Jam's "Jordan Year", as it were. However, it was unbeknownst to Bugs or anyone else that the worlds of Looney Tunes and Sailor Moon would collide once again when they get the word of a new basketball superteam that was taking over the masses, which would lead to Bugs and Sailor Moon teaming up to find some help among the various Warner Bros. cartoons to form an all-star Tune Squad.
However, they would eventually find that they would also need the leadership of a basketball legend, but who will they turn to once this superteam plants its chokehold onto the basketball world?
Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 — The Galactica Palace in the Sagittarius Zero Star — Sagittarius Zero Star, Outer Space
Back at the Galactica Palace, Sailor Galaxia had gathered the Sailor AnimaMates back into her palace to give them some briefing on how they should approach this impending challenge. For the past few days, Sailor Galaxia had looked back at Swackhammer's previous basketball games against the Looney Tunes, both of which inevitably ended with the same result. She noticed that Swackhammer was notably more of a taskmaster with his villainous superteams instead of setting up a game plan like an actual coach would. Plus, a fatal flaw in the Nerdlucks' original game plan was that they missed out on other potential candidates in terms of stealing the talent, one glaring failure was the use of Shawn Bradley instead of any notable big men in the NBA at that time.
Although the Witches 5 had fared better with a star-studded line-up that consisted of LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook among others, the fact that there was an internal disconnect between them as the players and Swackhammer as their alleged coach meant that a common fatal flaw in Swackhammer's planning is that he allowed his greed and egotism to overshadow his better judgement.
Of course, Sailor Galaxia was going to give the Tune Squad a real challenge for once by placing them against a real superteam, a superteam that would take the basketball world by storm and have the universe at large comply with their idea of what real basketball is…
As the new idea came into her mind, Sailor Galaxia turned back to the Sailor AnimaMates and said, "Girls… you remember when I said that I wanted you all to throw down a basketball challenge to the Looney Tunes and Sailor Guardians last week?"
The Sailor AnimaMates exchanged looks of confusion among themselves, then Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon spoke up for them, saying, "Um, yes, Dark Mistress, why do you ask? Is there a change in plans or something?"
"Actually, yes," Sailor Galaxia said with a devious smirk as she walked towards the Sailor AnimaMates and proceeded to hand each of them their new team uniforms. "I was thinking about that Jordan commercial the other day and I saw how the Monstars had brought the world to its knees by turning the game of basketball into their own dystopia. Of course, it was all stopped by the likes of Blake Griffin, but the fact that the Monstars were able to have the game in the palm of their hands without Swackhammer's influence as a tyrant of a boss made it all the more impressive!"
"So, where exactly are you going with this?" Sailor Tin Nyanko asked quizzically, raising an eyebrow for good measure.
Sailor Galaxia just turned on a different screen on her big computer to show how many basketball teams were present throughout the universe. She also included highlight reels of various NBA and WNBA players, as well as the cultural impact each of the players had all over the world. While she was showing this information about basketball on her computer, the Sailor AnimaMates were still left in confusion about this as Sailor Aluminum Seiren spoke up for her fellow AnimaMates, saying, "Um… I was just wondering… what is the point of this wordless presentation?"
Finally, Sailor Galaxia felt the need to let the girls in on what her latest plan entails, explaining to the AnimaMates, "You see, ladies, I was conducting some research on the game of basketball, and I noticed that it is probably one of the most-popular sports around the world, right next to baseball!"
"Don't you mean football?" Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, yes, but I'd assume that it doesn't cross through cultural boundaries as easily as basketball or baseball," Sailor Galaxia said, then she got back to her explanation as she continued, "Anyway, my game plan for our impending victory over the Looney Tunes and Sailor Guardians is to practically bring the basketball world to its knees. I could host an entire winner-takes-all basketball tournament where you girls will play against the best players from the NBA and WNBA, set up in teams of five. If the opposing team loses to you ladies, you girls will be able to take their abilities through the use of your bracelets, making your skills even stronger than before!"
The thought of having superpowered basketball skills and powering their way through the world's greatest basketball players seemed to raise levels of excitement among the Sailor AnimaMates, particularly Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon as the new powers would solidify her status as the true leader of the Sailor AnimaMates.
Sailor Galaxia then continued her explanation, saying to the Sailor AnimaMates, "Soon, once we have the skills of all the world's greatest basketball players, we will be ready to throw down with the Tune Squad, finally giving them the sweet taste of defeat and prove ourselves as not only the queens of the court, but the ultimate basketball champions of the entire universe!"
While the Sailor AnimaMates looked on in excitement at this possibility, Sailor Iron Mouse knew that the one thing that the Looney Tunes and Sailor Guardians would have up their sleeves: a secret weapon in the form of an NBA superstar or even a new all-star cast of players. Feeling the need to voice her concerns, Sailor Iron Mouse said to Sailor Galaxia, "Um, excuse me, Sailor Galaxia? All of this does sound rather enticing, but what if the Looney Tunes and Sailor Guardians manage to find a new secret weapon by the time we challenge them?"
"'A new secret weapon'? What do you mean?" Sailor Galaxia asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
Sailor Iron Mouse walked up to Galaxia's computer as she proceeded to put up pictures of different NBA and WNBA stars, as well as various animated characters in the Warner Bros. library. Upon looking at the various basketball stars and WB cartoon characters, Sailor Galaxia gave a look of interest as she said to herself, "Interesting…"
"You see, Dark Mistress, there's a lot of basketball stars who the Tune Squad could turn to as their new team captain, and there is a possibility that they could call on some of their animated friends to play on their basketball team, so that would easily give them the advantage over us," Sailor Iron Mouse explained.
"Not to mention if they decide to call home court advantage," Sailor Tin Nyanko said under her breath.
"That is, if they could get through us, Tin Nyanko!" Sailor Lead Crow said in a confident tone.
Before Sailor Tin Nyanko could respond to her fellow AnimaMate, Sailor Galaxia cut in as she said, "Well, it seems like the Tune Squad might not be the invincible basketball team we once thought they were, huh? They always relied on the help of a big name basketball star in order to win over their opponents, whether it was Michael Jordan, Jimmy Butler, LeBron James… you know something, girls? I think I have an idea as to how we could be one step ahead of the Tune Squad once we lay down this challenge."
Galaxia's comment seemed to pique interest among the Sailor AnimaMates as Sailor Aluminum Seiren said, "You don't say?"
"What did you have in mind, Dark Mistress?" Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon said, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
Sailor Galaxia gathered the Sailor AnimaMates into a huddle as she whispered her game plan that is sure to throw the Tune Squad into a loop, one that will break the Tune Squad down to their knees and have them beg for mercy.
Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 — The Schlesinger Gym — Tune World, Dubba City, Animation Multiverse
Back at the Warner Bros. Studios lot in Looney Tune Land, Bugs Bunny had gathered some of the Looney Tunes in the Schlesinger Gym to hone up their basketball skills in preparation for an upcoming basketball spectacle of the ages, one that could match that of when they played alongside Michael Jordan in the Ultimate Game 23 years ago. While some of the Tunes were sitting on the bleachers in the practice gymnasium, Bugs addressed the Tunes about the current situation, stating, "Alright, Tunesters, I have to tell you all that we have found ourselves in the biggest challenge yet. Not since that time we had to play a game of basketball to determine our fate, not since the Warners had to race for the wishing star, not since Hogarth Hughes encountered a legendary being we know as 'The Iron Giant', did we have such a big weight on our shoulders…"
The Tunes did look concerned about how Bugs was addressing them, having them think that they were going to encounter a doomsday-type situation within the coming months. One that would leave the masses at a standstill as they would try to figure out a solution to the current dilemma. However, the Tunes never thought to ask about what Bugs was alluding to in this current moment… well, except for Daffy, who cut straight to the chase and said, "Listen, rabbit, could you please cut to the chase and tell us why you called us here in the Schlesinger Gym?"
Bugs gave a quick glare at Daffy, then sighed in response as he said, "My fellow Looney Tunes, let me be the first to tell you that we have a big responsibility on us and the general public, at large—not to mention, the big boys at Warner Bros.—are counting on us. Distinguished friends, honored colleagues, beloved cartoon stars—and Daffy—we are going to…"
As if he was performing a dramatic reveal, Bugs pulled out a Looney Tunes-themed basketball from behind his back as he said, "…lace up our sneakers and train for the upcoming Space Jam sequel."
The other Looney Tunes in the gymnasium were surprised by Bugs' revelation, seeing as how they haven't heard too much about a Space Jam sequel being in production until now. Daffy was especially annoyed about this current situation as he said, "You mean to tell me you had us gathered in here for a meeting, just to tell us that we have to train for the Space Jam sequel?! I thought it was something actually important!"
"Actually, Daffy, this Space Jam thing is something important if you take the animated affairs into consideration," Bugs said as he proceeded to spin the basketball around his finger. "Besides, I've been hearing some interesting things about the opponents we have to face in the second installment…"
"We have to, I say, we have to go up against the Monstars again, Bugs?" Foghorn asked, raising an eyebrow.
Bugs just shook his head, allowing the rest of the Looney Tunes to breathe a sigh of relief, then Bugs said, "However, I've heard that the opponents we'll be facing in the sequel are going to be out of this world, but I just don't know who it will be yet."
While the Tunes were trying to figure out who Bugs could be alluding to with this comment, the rabbit tried to get things back on track as he said, "Anyway, let's not worry about that right now. We need to focus on honing up our skills, so we would already be in basketball-playing shape once it's time to film the animated segments. Starting this month, we are going to engage in special training sessions a couple times a month to hone up our skills."
"You think our skills will be good enough once we enter the new year, Bugs?" Yakko said, pulling out a basketball of his own as he added, "Because the sibs and I have our own arsenal of skills ready, just in case."
"Hey, as long as we all keep a cool head and manage to stay on track, I think things should work out," Bugs said in a reassuring tone. "You just have to make sure that—"
However, just as Bugs was speaking, he noticed that the basketball spinning on his finger was gone, causing the rabbit to look around for the ball in question, then he realized that his girlfriend was playing another of her signature practical jokes on him. Bugs could only shake his head and laugh to himself as he said, "Hello, Lola."
Lola then walked up to Bugs, spinning the basketball on her finger as she said, "Well, Bugs, aren't you the welcoming type? What, you thought I hadn't been keeping up with the news about a Space Jam 2 or anything like that?"
Bugs was about to respond, but then he realized that, seeing as how Lola was so sporty and always kept honing her Space Jam skills since they first met years ago, Lola had been preparing for this opportunity for a while now. Bugs then pulled the basketball off of Lola's finger, saying with a playful smirk, "I knew you would keep up with it, but I didn't think you'd be all the way prepared for it."
Lola cocked an eyebrow, smirking as she said, "What makes you say that?"
"I don't know," Bugs said, giving a playful smile, before adding, "I think that, just like a lot of these maroons, your Space Jam skills have been withering away for some time."
Lola then gave Bugs a knowing smile, saying, "Oh, really? You wanna play a game of one-on-one and see whose skills have withered?"
"You're on!" Bugs said as he and Lola ran out onto the court to engage in a one-on-one session while the other Tunes watched them on the court.
Buster and Babs, in particular, were engaged in seeing their mentors battle it out on the court once again since their fateful meeting in '96. Buster could only snicker to himself as he said to Babs, "Say, Babs, you think that Bugs is just trying to compensate for the fact that his basketball skills might not be up to snuff now?"
Babs could only shrug her shoulders as she said, "Who knows, Buster? Even if that was the case, it wouldn't be the first time that happened. Am I right?"
Just as Bugs and Lola engaged in their one-on-one basketball match, the gym doors opened to reveal a familiar group of girls, one of whom saying, "Looks like Casa-Blunder is going to make a fool of himself on the court once again…"
The Tunes all turned to see that the Sailor Guardians had entered the Schlesinger Gym, much to the excitement of the Warners as they all said, "Usagi!"
The Warners then jumped from the bleachers and rushed up to Usagi, wrapping her in their hug and landing her to the ground with a thud. Usagi was left in a daze for a moment, but she quickly got back to normal as she looked at the Warners and giggled, saying, "Aw, it's nice to see you three again!"
Rei knelt down towards Usagi and said, "Wow, Usagi, you seem to attract cartoon characters like bees to honey."
Usagi just rolled her eyes in response as she said with a smile, "Oh, Rei…"
Makoto, Ami and Minako walked up to Bugs and Lola as Makoto said, "I guess you two are still up to your old tricks when it comes to this basketball thing, huh?"
Lola tucked the basketball under her arm as she said, "Nah, just a friendly little grudge match, that's all."
"Well, that's the first time I've ever heard a grudge match being described as 'friendly'," Minako said. "If it's anything like how you guys are in your own cartoons, I'd hate to see how it plays out on the court."
"What do you mean? Haven't you seen what we did to the Witches 5 last time, Mina?" Bugs said with a smirk.
The two rabbits, Minako, Ami and Makoto all shared a laugh as Bugs then said, "Anyway, it's really great to see you girls back here again. What are you all doing here?"
"Well, we just happened to be here on vacation until Usagi mentioned the idea of visiting you guys and see how you've been doing," Ami explained with a smile. "Well, that, and Haruka and the Starlights wanted to help you guys train for the new Space Jam movie you guys are working on now."
"Really? That should be interesting," Bugs said, exchanging looks with Lola.
"I'll say," Lola said. "I wonder if Haruka is going to try to sneak in some dirty tricks and try to mask that as 'training'."
Suddenly, the girls and Bugs were surprised to see Daffy rush up to Ami's face, saying, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold the phone! You mean to tell me that Haruka is going to help in the training for Space Jam 2?!"
"Well, yes," Ami said. "You're not scared of her or anything, are you, Daffy?"
Daffy then looked at Bugs and Lola, then looked back at Ami, putting up a confident façade as he said coolly, "What? Who, me? Scared? Nah, what do I need to be scared of? Besides, I could handle anything that Haruka could teach us! What? It's just going to be the usual basketball stuff: 2-pointers, 3-pointers, crossovers, defense, blocks, steals, lay-ups, dunks, the works! Besides, if she was here right now, I would say straight to her face that she would have to—to—to—to… to—ooh, hoo-hoo-hoo…"
Much to Daffy's surprise, he looked up to see that Haruka, Michiru and Setsuna had entered the Schlesinger Gym in their own basketball uniforms, with Haruka smiling down at him and said, "Well, it's good to see you again, too, Daffy."
Daffy could only give off a nervous giggle in response as Bugs leaned towards him and said, "What happened to all of dat confident bluster, doc?"
Daffy just glared at Bugs and said under his breath, "You're unspeakably despicable!"
Bugs just snickered to himself as he said to the audience in a sotto aside while taking a bite from a carrot, "Ain't I a stinker?"
Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 — Warner Bros. Boardwalk at Tune Square — Tune World, Dubba City, Animation Multiverse
While the Looney Tunes and Sailor Guardians became re-acquainted with each other, a group of mysterious women dressed in various disguises had made their way into Looney Tune Land, currently walking on the Warner Bros. Boardwalk. Upon making their way through Looney Tune Land, they were amazed by the various locales and landmarks that paid homage to the Warner Bros. Animation legacy, whether it was the statue of the classic animation directors from Termite Terrace to posters consisting of highlights from The Looney Tunes Show.
Of course, they weren't there to go on a sightseeing tour of Looney Tune Land. They wanted to throw down their big basketball challenge to the Looney Tunes and Sailor Guardians, but they had to work their way to the top in order to challenge them for the throne.
One of the women said, "Well, ladies, are you ready for the impending challenge against the Tune Squad?"
"Believe me, I was born ready for this opportunity," another woman said. "It may not be the challenge I had expected, but I will say this much: it will be worth it in the end if we finally manage to defeat those Sailor Guardians once and for all!"
One of the other women was confused by this statement as she said, "Wait, aren't we technically Sailor Guardians?"
Before any one of the women could respond, the leader of the group stopped them as she overheard the voices of the Sailor Guardians coming from the Schlesinger Gym, saying, "Excellent! I should've known that those Guardians would've been here visiting the Looney Tunes characters! Come on, girls, I think it's time we pay those Sailor Guardians a little visit…"
The mysterious women all shared a devious laugh as they proceeded to make their way to the Schlesinger Gym to surprise the Looney Tunes and Sailor Guardians.
Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 — The Schlesinger Gym — Tune World, Dubba City, Animation Multiverse
Back in the Schlesinger Gym, Bugs, Daffy and Lola were engaged in a 3-on-3 basketball game with the Sailor Starlights, who had caught up with the Sailor Guardians a few moments later when they had arrived. While the three Looney Tunes managed to still hold their own and that they had maintained their basketball skills, they were surprised to see that the Sailor Starlights had engaged in some basketball training of their own back home. As the game continued, the Tunes were surprised to see the Starlights nail 3-pointer after 3-pointer, jumpshot after jumpshot and slam dunk after slam dunk, as well as making every block after block, steal after steal and crossover after crossover.
The Tunes and the Guardians were impressed to see the Starlights' virtuoso basketball performance, but the fun was not to last when the doors to the gymnasium opened to reveal the mysterious women from earlier, still wearing their disguises. Although the Tunes were unaware of the identity of these individuals, the Sailor Guardians had a slight suspicion as to who these women were. As the leader walked towards the Tunes and the Sailor Starlights, she got a good look at them as she said, "Well, well, well… I can see that the players of the so-called invincible Tune Squad are getting their butts handed to them by a group of prima donna divas."
The Sailor Starlights exchanged confused glances among themselves as they said, "Prima donna divas?"
This mysterious woman's demeanor seemed to raise Lola's suspicion as she investigated the individual in question, giving a look to see if there were any clues that could hint at the individual's identity. However, she couldn't find anything suspicious in particular, so she decided to cut to the chase and ask, "Alright, enough fooling around. Who are you and who do you think you are, barging into our gym while we're practicing?"
"'Practicing'? Is that what you Looney Tunes are calling that now?" The mysterious woman said, giving an enchanted laugh in response. "Please, I've seen trained circus bears play basketball way better than that!"
Bugs started to share a similar suspicion as Lola as he said, "Oh, great, another jokester… listen, doc, let's just skip the padding and cut straight to the chase like Lola said. Now, are you going to reveal yourselves or do we have to give you ladies the patented Looney Tunes welcome?"
The mysterious woman gave an annoyed sigh upon hearing Bugs' request, but knew that she would at least have some fun with the introduction sequence, so she turned to the other ladies in her group and said, "Well, ladies, I can tell that the rabbits aren't pulling any punches. Might as well go ahead and get this party started!"
At their leader's beck and call, the other ladies nodded their heads as they proceeded to fly out of their costumes and reveal themselves as the one and only Sailor AnimaMates: Sailor Tin Nyanko revealed herself first by flying out of her coat and making some wild, mocking expressions; Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon just flew around with grace and style; Sailor Aluminum Seiren and Sailor Lead Crow both flew out of their coats and flew towards the Looney Tunes and Sailor Guardians, floating with attitude as Sailor Aluminum Seiren gave a warm smile while waving and Sailor Lead Crow said with confidence, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Sailor AnimaMates have arrived!"
Compared to her fellow AnimaMates, Sailor Iron Mouse simply pulled off her coat and performed a series of cheerleader-style dance moves, landing on her feet with grace and taking a bow as she looked up at the Tunes and Guardians, saying in a confident tone, "That's right! We're back and we're even better than ever!"
As the Sailor AnimaMates gathered together and flew up in the air, staring down at the Tunes and Guardians in a threatening manner, Yakko could only describe the situation in the best way he knew how: "Wow, who knew that there were more Sailor Guardians in the universe than one originally realized?"
"Oh, you silly Warner Brother, I thought you Tunes would've known that by now," the mysterious woman said, pulling off her coat to gracefully reveal herself as Sailor Galaxia, the leader of the Sailor AnimaMates. "Besides, if you all were aware of the presence of the Sailor Starlights the first time you met the girls, you should've known a thing or two about us."
Before Yakko could respond, he was interrupted by Daffy walking up to the leader of the Sailor AnimaMates and said, "Alright, I guess I have to be the one to cut you down to size! Where the heck did you all came from and why are you all here in Looney Tune Land?"
"For your information, Duck, we come from the far reaches of Outer Space and Japan," Sailor Galaxia said in a proud, bombastic voice, then she grabbed Daffy by his neck as she added, "Secondly, we're here to lay down a challenge for the Tune Squad!"
Bugs and Usagi just looked at each other for a moment, then Usagi walked up to Sailor Galaxia and asked, "Just what kind of challenge, Sailor Galaxia?"
Sailor Galaxia magically produced a basketball of her own and bounced it around for a bit, then used her magic to perform some tricks before eventually spinning it around on her finger as she said with a smirk, "Well, if you must know, my dear Usagi… a game of basketball, for one."
Bugs could only scoff in response as he said, "Well, how do you like that? Another quirky miniboss squad comes down here to our universe and throws down a challenge of a high-stakes basketball game to determine our fate or the fate of the entire universe at hand… as if we haven't played enough basketball games in our animated careers already!"
"Oh, don't get so cocky, rabbit," Sailor Tin Nyanko said, placing her index finger under Bugs' chin as she added, "Besides, you guys may have had one of the best basketball teams in the entire Multiverse, but that was only because you always had an NBA star as your team captain. The first time, it was Michael Jordan, then it was Jimmy Butler, so who are you guys gonna call now? LeBron James?"
The Tunes were left confused, yet surprised by Sailor Tin Nyanko's assessment of the Tune Squad and their prior basketball-related endeavors with the best of the NBA, leading to Rei walking up to her and asking while raising an eyebrow, "Wait a minute here… just how did you girls know about the history of the Tune Squad anyway?"
"Trust me, Rei, I gave these girls the rundown on what to expect this past Friday," Sailor Galaxia explained, chuckling to herself as she added, "Besides, I had been watching the events of your last encounter with Swackhammer from afar, and I just have to say… what an incompetent, money-grubbing yutz. I mean, that was the guy who actually posed a threat to you all? A Danny DeVito wannabe who only challenged you guys to a basketball game to boost up sales at his fly-by-night amusement park?"
The Sailor AnimaMates all shared a laugh about the idea of Swackhammer being a competent, threatening villain, but Lola just brushed off their cockiness as she said, "Please, that guy was even more threatening, compared to the first time around. Last time, he just wanted entertainment to boost up Moron Mountain, but the last time had him going off the rails to the point that he held us hostage and was even willing to kill us if we didn't heed to any of his ridiculous demands."
Sailor Galaxia could only shrug in response as she said, "Whatever. Anyway, let's get back on track here: I am willing to challenge your little Tune Squad to an ultimate basketball game, the likes of which the whole world has never seen before!"
"What are the stakes?" Bugs asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, for one, I'll be hosting a basketball tournament for all comers, challenging the best of the NBA and WNBA to see who is worthy enough to handle our skills!" Sailor Galaxia said, then looked over at the Sailor AnimaMates, who were starting to ease into playing basketball for the next couple of months by getting in a little bit of practice. "The girls might be under-practiced now, but once the tournament starts, these girls will become the biggest superteam in the history of basketball! Even more than the Golden State Warriors or the Chicago Bulls dynasty throughout the '90s!"
"Well, I'd hate to burst your bubble, Galaxia, but you're setting yourself up for failure there, don't ya think?" Bugs said, taking a bite from a carrot.
Sailor Galaxia looked down at Bugs, raising an eyebrow as she asked in a dumbfounded tone, "Huh? Wha? What exactly do you mean by that, rabbit?"
"Well, just to keep it 100—I can't believe I really just said that, of all things—you really think that your skills could match the best of the Tune Squad?" Bugs said in a confident tone before adding, "I mean, think about it: even without a basketball superstar from the real world on our team, we have the madcap, kinetic energy of the Looney Tunes mixed in with the power and magic of the Sailor Guardians… put it all together and you have a true basketball dynasty in the making!"
Sailor Galaxia could only roll her eyes in response, shaking her head as she laughed and said to Bugs, "Listen, Bugs, I appreciate you waxing nostalgia for the Tune Squad's prime, but you have to come and realize that your skills might not be up to snuff once you all finally go head-to-head with my Sailor AnimaMates."
Bugs could only roll his eyes as he turned to look at the audience with a face that screamed "Get a load of this character", then Lola walked up to Sailor Galaxia and said, "Alright, Sailor Galaxia, if you think your girls are talented enough to battle us on the court, I'll say that we would be willing to take up your basketball challenge."
"Excellent! Now, we can finally lay down the stakes: if you win, the Tune Squad will be crowned the Ultimate Basketball Champions of the World once you manage to go through the many teams we will defeat in the upcoming tournament!" Sailor Galaxia said, raising excitement among the Looney Tunes and Sailor Guardians, then she added, "But, if we win, we will not only take over that title, but we will officially have an iron grip on the basketball world, allowing us to create a new version of the game where the entire world will have to comply by our rules in our game…"
"Sounds like what the Monstars had done for that Jordan Brand campaign years ago, huh?" Seiya whispered to Taiki and Yaten, both of whom nodding their heads in response.
"So, what do you say, Tune Squad? Are you in or are you out?" Sailor Galaxia said, sporting a devious smile as she held her hand out.
Bugs and Lola looked over at their fellow Looney Tunes, looked at the Sailor Guardians, then they looked back at Sailor Galaxia… then, Bugs stepped up and shook her hand as he said with a confident tone, "Alright then, Sailor Galaxia, you've got yourself a game!"
Sailor Galaxia smiled in response as she said, "Perfect, we'll be seeing you on the court in about a few months' time…"
As Sailor Galaxia left the gymnasium with the Sailor AnimaMates in tow, the Looney Tunes and Sailor Guardians could only exchange looks of confusion among themselves as Dot said, "Wonder why we have to wait a few months to play against those girls? You don't think they would pull any underhanded tactics, do ya?"
Yakko could only shrug his shoulders in response as Wakko said, "Maybe she needs some time to set up how this basketball tournament is going to be done?"
"Well, whatever happens for the time being, if this ends up being the most-intense basketball game we have ever played in our animated lives, just know one thing, Tune Squad… we'll be ready for them as long as we stick together and keep our heads high," Bugs said in a confident tone with a reassuring smile to boot, alleviating the fearful thoughts the Tune Squad might've had about the upcoming basketball tournament.
Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 — Warner Bros. Boardwalk at Tune Square — Tune World, Dubba City, Animation Multiverse
As they made their way out of Looney Tune Land, the Sailor AnimaMates were walking through the Warner Bros. Boardwalk as Sailor Iron Mouse looked up at Sailor Galaxia and said, "Sailor Galaxia, pardon me for having a cynical outlook on this situation, but what makes you think that we will be ready to battle the Tune Squad within a few months? You know how much rigorous training we would have to do to make sure we are in tip-top shape?"
However, Sailor Galaxia was able to alleviate her concerns by coolly saying, "Sailor Iron Mouse, my dear, I promise that you girls will have nothing to worry about because we have a certain secret weapon that those Tunes and Guardians could only dream of having."
The Sailor AnimaMates were left confused by Sailor Galaxia's remark as Sailor Tin Nyanko raised an eyebrow while saying, "…and just what, pray tell, is that secret weapon in question?"
Sailor Galaxia gave a knowing smile to the Sailor AnimaMates as she magically produced their original bracelets, saying, "Remember these babies, girls? I had done some updates to these, so they could not only steal Star Seeds, but also the talents and the essence of the NBA and WNBA's finest…"
Upon hearing this declaration from Sailor Galaxia, the Sailor AnimaMates exchanged confident, devious smiles among themselves as they realized that they would have a leg-up above the Tune Squad before their ultimate showdown. Of course, they would eventually be surprised to see that the Tune Squad would have some tricks up their sleeves themselves…
Well, after a year of no updates and the first chapter only being uploaded, the second chapter of Sailor Space Jam: Rise of the Sailor AnimaMates is finally completed! As mentioned in the updated first chapter, the storyline is going to be a different take from what was originally set for the second installment. The influence of the "#MonstarsBack" campaign is still going to be incorporated into the storyline, but the Sailor AnimaMates are going to have more direct interactions with the NBA and WNBA's biggest stars with the basketball tournament.
Anyway, it looks like things are off to a good start with the Tune Squad and their storyline. Not only do they have to prepare for the upcoming Space Jam 2 in their universe, but they also have to deal with the upcoming basketball challenge laid down by Sailor Galaxia and the Sailor AnimaMates! Luckily, they do have some tricks up their sleeves in regards to their plans of rejuvenating the Tune Squad, which involves recruiting some fan-favorite characters from the animated Warner Bros. universe.
Who will be among the Tune Squad's newest players? What do Sailor Galaxia and the Sailor AnimaMates have in store for their invitational basketball tournament? How will Diana Taurasi play into the overarching plot? "Stay Tooned" for the next chapter to find out, folks!