And now for the next episode! Sorry for the long wait you guys, but this time I have a good reason- this is going to be a musical!
*readers begin to click out*
Get back here, it's not THAT bad! …at least I hope not. I looked up quite a bit of songs for this!
Also credit goes to Mr. Cartoon for helping me write out the plot for it too.
It's going to be a slight parody of Pitch Perfect, but- as usual- a lot of creative liberties will be added. Hope you all like!
*disclaimer: I don't own any of the songs that will be used.
d~b
*Episode 13*
~Note Worthy~
It was a bright Sunday Morning around Paradise Towers. Despite the cold air that was settling in, everyone seemed to be enjoying the day, and many people were getting out and about, much excitement going around the city.
This was because of three things. One: It was almost Christmas. Two: Nothing had exploded yet. And Three…
"There's a music competition in town!" Flip exclaimed the last bit of news, as he ran into the apartment excitedly, kicking off his shoes as he threw his jacket on the couch. Shaggy and Pugsy were in the kitchen area, the duo in the process of enjoying their day-off, after a busy week at the radio-station. "They're going to have celebrity judges, and it's going on at the old amphitheater, and-"
*Warning: Fourth-wall breaking in progress*
"Hold it!" Pugsy shouted, walking across the set. "Hold it one minute! Let me see the script!" he looked over the script, sneering. "No one said anything about this being a musical!"
The rest of the cast and crew groaned. "Here we go," The camera-man sighed.
"C'mon, Pugs, what's the big deal? You've done musicals before!" Shawn K. said from his director's chair.
"Did you forget that the LAST time you had us do a musical, we got panned for being tone-deaf?!" Pugsy questioned.
"Well, yeah, but that's only because you were required to sound that way, for humor-purposes." The co-author, Mr. Cartoon, stated as he held up the script. "Here, you can sing as best as you can- and if people still bash you, it's probably because you didn't show up for rehearsals!"
"I was being chasified by a psychotic nut-job, I think that's a good excuse!"
"Pugsy, PLEASE just go along with it. You can pick whatever song you want- just as long as it's not explicit!" Director Flanigan sighed, rubbing his temples. "…barely halfway through the season and already the actors are throwing fits…"
"There is no way I'm doing this."
"Now, Pugsy, remember what I said earlier?" The author, ATF, stated firmly/coyly. "The more you rant, the more I'm tempted to pair you up with Zippy!"
"What?!" Zippy called from backstage.
ATF flinched. "Nothing, ZIP! Just go back to your trailer!"
Pugsy sneered. "Fine… but I'd better be getting paid extra for this!" he snapped.
"As much as he asks for a raise, this studio's going to be bankrupt before the next episode," Shawn said, then raised his megaphone. "Alright, quiet on the set! Episode 13, Scene One, Take Two- ACTION!"
*this concludes our fourth-wall breaking*
"And we're hosting it on our radio show this Friday." Shaggy threw in, before Flip could say another word. "The studio gave Pugs and I the gig of announcing the event and airing the tunes,"
"In case you're wondering, yes, they ARE getting desperate," Pugsy added, then handed Flip a flier. "You could sign up, Flip. They accept entries for solos, duets, and groups."
"Awesome! Maybe I could see if Holly wants to join," Flip said, looking over the flier.
"Maybe you two could sing a romantic duet," Shaggy joked, bouncing his eyebrows.
Flip only gave him a sneer. "If I had a dollar for every time you cracked that joke…"
"I heard Flim-Flam's signed up with his girlfriend, Dotty. They passed the auditions." Pugsy added.
"Audtions? They're holding auditions already?!"
"Like, yeah. They're closing them at 3 o'clock this afternoon-" Shaggy began to say.
*SLAM!*
Flip was out the door in a heart-beat.
Pugsy shook his head, smirking. "I think it's time we started keeping him updated on things," he said.
"Because he might miss out on so much?" Shaggy guessed.
"That… and he forgot to put his shoes and jacket back on,"
Flip ran back in, shivering. "Need shoes and jacket!" he said quickly, grabbing said items, and racing back out. The two young men only shook their heads.
Flip raced down the block, bumping into Holly as he ran. "Oof! …Oh, hey Flip, what's your hurry?" Holly asked.
"There's this new music competition going on in town, Note Worthy. I'm heading there to try out," Flip answered.
"You too? Cool! …Maybe if we both get in, we could perform together."
Hearts began to bubble over Flip's head as he got a dreamy look in his eyes. "Together?"
"Yeah- Dotty got in, and she and Flim-Flam asked if I wanted to be part of their group. You could join us too!"
The hearts all burst and Flip shook off his dreamy-gaze. "Er, yeah, that sounds great! Eh heh… *ahem* So, uh, who all do you think is signing up?"
"Probably hundreds of people, though I heard the judges only accept the best,"
d~b
The judges sat at their table. They were Johnny Bravo, Wizard 'The Wiz' Kelly, and, of course, Shawn K. "I'm glad ya'll could help judge this year's Note Worthy competition, Shawn." The Wiz told him. "With Chris McClean out of commission after that Beauty Pageant stunt, I was afraid I'd get stuck doing this gig with this dude,"
He thumbed at Johnny Bravo, who happened to be standing by a female secretary of Wizard Kelly's, doing a pose. "Hey, baby. On a scale of 1 to 100, you're definitely 101 on a rating of hotness!" Johnny stated… only to end up getting karate-flipped. "OOF!"
"Heh, happy to help." Shawn K. replied, then looked at his clipboard. "Now then… who's up next?"
"A man who calls himself 'Doctor Robotnik'. You're up, Robo-man!" Wizard Kelly called to backstage.
Robotnik walked up. "Ah, gentlemen, how nice to be auditioning for a competition. A minor stepping-stone for a talented genius like myself in the task of achieving the $100,000 cash-prize…!" Robotnik was stating.
"Yeah, yeah, just sing the song, man. I've got a date to find!" Johnny called.
Robotnik cleared his throat. "Oh-whoa-whoa-oh-oh, caught in a bad—"
d~b
*BOOT!*
Robotnik was kicked out of the building immediately, ending up on the ground with a *splut!*. "And stay out!" Wizard Kelly shouted, before slamming the door.
"Ingrates! How dare they rebuke my melodious talent!" Robotnik growled, storming off. "The shattering of those windows was just the result of a perfect-key! Those fools obviously don't know a star when they see one!" he walked across the street, standing in the middle of it. "But I'll show them… I'll find a way to get that money, and then I, Doctor Eggman Robotnik, shall overthrow-"
*BEEP BEEP!*
*ZOOM!*
"WAUGH!" Robotnik jumped back as a car zipped by, stumbling and falling onto the biking-lane. He shook a fist at the ongoing car. "Watch for pedestrians, you mani-ACK!"
A team of bicyclists rode by, running over the villain as they did! He groaned, slowly trying to sit up…
*Ding ding!*
"OOF!" Robotnik grunted as a kid on a tricycle ran him over next. He sluggishly pulled himself back onto the sidewalk, weakly standing up and brushing himself off. "Ooh, the sooner I destroy this city, the better! I just need a way to get that money, then I can afford the Instant-Demoralizer4000.6 and reduce this desolate wasteland of idiots into a metropolis of horror and infamy, and soon… I shall take over the worrrAAUGH!"
*Slip!*
As the villain was stating his plans out loud (which makes me wonder why everyone else around him doesn't call the police or something), he didn't notice the banana-peel in his path and- because no cartoon is complete without this classic gag- stepped on it and fell backwards and head-first into a garbage-can!
(Almost makes Pugsy's life look like a luxury, don't it?)
"…maybe I should have listened to mother and gone to law school…" he groaned. He climbed out, wiping garbage off himself and started walking back to Paradise Towers.
Suddenly, a large shadow fell over the neighborhood. Cars stopped in the streets to look up; people paused at what they were doing and gazed in astonishment; and the Black Alchemist did a double-take on a rooftop and looked over with a pair of binoculars.
Robotnik noticed as well. "OH, WHAT NOW?!" he snapped, looking up… and gasping.
Flying over the city was a floating ship!
On board that ship happened to be three small kids and a parrot- the Neverland Pirates, riding in their ship, The Buccaneer (or 'Bucky' for short). "Gosh, Jake, it's so cool that Shawn K. invited us to the city for the Note Worthy competition!" Cubby stated, looking over the edge at the city.
"Yeah, and it's been so long since we've seen him, after the Triple Trouble game show." Izzy added.
"I'll say, what could be more exciting?" Scully asked.
Jake smirked. "Well, I do have some news I was saving for the trip…" he said.
"What news?" Izzy asked.
"Oh, nothing… just that I'm going to try out for the competition, too!"
"Really?/No way!/Awesome!" Cubby, Izzy, and Scully exclaimed.
"Yeah. Maybe you guys could sign up with me, we could be a team." Jake handed them a flier that gave details of the competition.
Izzy looked over the flier, but frowned. "Um, one problem Jake- it says that only a group of five can enter, and we're short one matey." She said.
"Aw, coconuts… just when I was getting over my stage-fright, too." Cubby sighed.
"Oh… well, if my friends can't join, I guess I won't-" Jake began to say.
"Yay-hay no way, Jake- Shawn K. would love to see you in the competition! Look, you could do a solo!" Izzy pointed out.
"Yeah, and we'll be in the audience cheering you on!" Scully added. Bucky rang his bell with a joyous *ding ding* in agreement.
"Hey, they do duets too- maybe two of us could go on stage after all!" Cubby pointed out.
"Heh, not me- I'll be too busy visiting the concession stand!" Scully joked, and everyone laughed.
"Maybe you should practice, Jake." Izzy suggested. "That way when you try out, you'll be ready."
Jake rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, there was one song I had stuck in my head for a while, so I guess it's a good idea." He replied, walking to the bough of the ship, remembering the words while music began to play in the background.
Meanwhile down below, everyone heard the music playing as well. "Where's that music coming from?" Robotnik asked… then he and everyone heard the young pirate beginning to sing.
Jake: ~Look into my eyes, you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart, search your soul
And when you find me there
You'll search no more
"That voice…" Robotnik gasped, awestruck along with everyone. As the ship flew overhead, he ran along to keep up with it. "This might be my key to succes- WHOA!"
…He ended up falling down a manhole, though quickly climbed out and hurried on, as Jake continued.
The young pirate was now walking along Bucky's railing, keeping balanced as he sung the chorus- leaping and swinging down on a rope-ladder, hanging on as he soared over the city.
~Don't tell me, it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me, it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do, I do it for you
Bucky then swung the rope-ladder up, having Jake land in the crow's next. Down below, Robotnik hurried along to keep up- running through someone's back-door and through the house, the wife of the household screaming and throwing frying-pans, rolling-pins, and even the pet cat at him until he shot out the front door!
~Look into your heart, you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Robotnik wasn't the only one awestruck by the singing either. Everyone in town was watching as well as listening, as the ship hovered by, hearing the young pirate's song. People stopped talking by a café and glanced up; Teens listening to their ipods shut them off to take a listen; Some guy watering his lawn got distracted as he looked up, not noticing that he aimed the hose through his open car-window.
~Take me as I am, take my life
I would give it all, I would sacrifice
Jake then swung down on a rope, landing on a rooftop and walking along it, continuing to his last verse.
Meanwhile, Robotnik was running to keep up… though stepped on a skateboard left lying out and shot down the street, shooting up a ramp at high-speed! "AUGH!" he screamed as he took on air- passing by Jake, who didn't notice- and fell through someone's clothesline connected across an alley, and was shot back up into the air like a slingshot!
~Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it, there's nothin' I want more
You know it's true
Everything I do, I do it for you, oh yeah~
Jake slid down the rooftop, catching on to a light-post and swirling down, landing on the sidewalk.
*THUD!*
…Robotnik landing right next to him, covered in grime, sweat, bruises, and had someone's bra loosely hanging off his pointy-bald head. He quickly stood up, keeping a composed stance despite his condition. "That was a wonderful ballad, dear boy!" he exclaimed, while clapping his hands. "Encore, I say!"
Jake blushed. "Ah, that was just a warm-up, it was nothing really." He replied, modestly.
"You know, there's a singing competition in town… perhaps you could sign up for it!"
"Hey, I was actually telling my friends about that a minute ago! I'm going to be going to try-outs in a few minutes,"
"Excellent! …I was just there, but sadly, I didn't get in." Robotnik then developed a overly-depressed expression. "Oh, if only I could have! Then I'd have the chance to win that money for my ma- er, marvelous grandmother!" he then took out a picture of his grandmother (who looked just like him *mustache and all* but with glasses and gray curly hair). "Poor granny needs the money for surgery,"
"Ouch, what happened?" Jake asked.
"Oh, just an elderly condition… er, plus an injury after getting trampled by a moose! *sniffle* I was hoping that money could help her reach a speedy recovery…" Robotnik then pretended to sob.
"Well, maybe I could help! If I win that money, I'll share it with you so your grandma can get better!"
Robotnik dropped the grief-charade. "WONDERFUL! …What say you come by Paradise Towers after your audition, and I'll help you practice a little more?"
"Okay, sounds good."
"Hey, Jake! Are you coming?" Cubby called from Bucky, who lowered the rope-ladder.
"Oh, yeah, I'm coming!" Jake grabbed onto the rope ladder. "So long… uh…"
"Doctor Robotnik, my dear boy." Robotnik answered.
"I'm Jake, nice to meet you, Robotnik." Jake shook his hand, then Bucky took off. "See you later!"
Robotnik grinned mischievously, rubbing his palms together as he walked off. "That money's in the bag now!"
*Slip!*
*Thud!*
The villain ended up stepping on ice and falling back. "…ugh… Taxi?" he weakly groaned, signaling for a ride.
d~b
~Later that day…~
"I got in! I got in!" Flip exclaimed as he dashed back into the apartment. "I'm going to be in the Note Worthy competition!"
"Like awesome, Flip! What song did you sing?" Shaggy asked.
"'Counting Stars' by One Republic. I figure I could sing it for the competition too, with Holly, Flim-Flam, and Dotty. We're all picking songs to sing and plan on doing a mash-up,"
"Nice, who else is going to sing with you guys, though?" Pugsy asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, in order to qualify, you have to have at least 5 members in your group." He held up the flier. "Says so here in the fine print."
Flip slapped his forehead. "Oh man, I didn't know that! I'd better go see if the others know anyone who can join," With that, he dashed out the door.
Shaggy shook his head. "Is it just me, or has he been running in-and-out all day?" he asked.
"As long as he's not doing it after dark." Pugsy replied, walking over and putting his laptop in a carrying-case. "Well, c'mon, Shag. We might as well go down and check out the competition. We'll need all the material we can get for our show this weekend."
"I thought all we had to do was broadcast some of the songs in the event!"
"Yeah, but we're going to be needing at least three-minutes of critical opinions for each break, not to mention get to know a little about all the contestants."
"True. But do you think we can squeeze in so much material in every three minutes?"
"Sure! And after this gig, when the event hits the papers, my name may be the highlight of the section."
Shaggy arched an eyebrow. "You mean OUR names?"
Pugsy paused. "Right. My name first… then spacebar, spacebar, spacebar, your name."
Shaggy sneered, as well as hearing a piano begin to play.
Pugsy: ~I'm Number One…
You're Number Two.
We're big radio-stars,
But I'm bigger than you.
I'm number one, you're number two,
I don't mind sharing the spotlight (a spotlight shines on both of them)
As long as you take several steps to the right! (Pugs shoves Shag to the right, out of the light)
The duo then begin to move around the apartment, gathering things they needed for their gig, singing their number… this time not making ears bleed (hey, you knew the joke was coming).
Pugsy (with Shaggy): ~I'm Number One
(You're number one)
You're Number Two…
(I'm number two)
You may think that you are bright,
But I'm more embrightened than you.
I'm Number One, you're number two,
Ooh, you're lucky to be
Working alongside someone like me!
(…yeah right…)
Pugsy then sat down on a stool, Shaggy sitting next to him, both of them still moving a bit to the beat.
Pugsy: ~I can see from the look on your face
That you want to move up another space.
One day you'll get the chance,
But in the meantime…
You have to dance, monkey, dance!
Shaggy gave him a look. "Seriously? You know I'm not good at-" he began to complain.
"DO IT!" Pugsy ordered, fiercely.
Immediately, Shaggy got up and did a soft-shoe bit.
Pugsy: ~Dance monkey, dance! Ha!
Shaggy stumbled a bit, ending up spinning into the hall, though continued the number.
Shaggy: ~I'm Number Two,
He's Number One…
I can't believe he's insulting me
With our only song.
As Shaggy continued on, Pugsy raced by him, beating him to the elevator.
Shaggy (with Pugsy): ~I'm number two, he's number one
(I'm Number One!)
You know all hope is lost
When your room-mate's your boss…
When the elevator doors close on Shaggy, he takes the stairs, continuing his verse in a more upbeat tone.
Shaggy: ~I know it's a matter of time
Before I get the better end of the line, (he wanders down a hall on the other floor)
Someday I'll get my chance,
But in the meantime- (he stops at the elevators as the doors open, as Pugsy sticks his head out, giving him a look)
…I have to 'dance, monkey, dance'…
Shaggy continued his soft-shoe bit, Pugsy walking down and following him.
Pugsy: Darn right!
Dance, monkey, dance!
(Now watch me!)
Pugsy cut in front of Shaggy, doing his own soft-shoe bit on the way to the stairs, before both of them paired up to do the number together, grabbing a couple canes sitting in a bin in the hall and some hats on a rack, twirling the canes while spinning the hats on their fingers, tossing each of the objects back and forth, before tossing them back into their places, then continued to the stairs.
Pugsy (with Shaggy): ~I'm Number One
(He's Number One)
You're Number Two
(I'm Number Two)
We're stars that should be on stage-
Now step aside, beauty before age (pushes Shaggy aside as he makes his way down the stairs)
I'm One
(*mockingly* I'm one) (makes a face behind Pugsy's back)
Yeah, I'm Number One…
(*annoyed* You have a large ego…)
Together: I'm/He's… (dancing down the staircase)
Number…
One…!
Shaggy cut in front of Pugsy, doing one more soft-shoe bit as he made his way down to the bottom of the stairs… though Pugsy grabbed his shoulders and leap-frogged over him, doing one more soft-shoe bit.
Pugsy: That's how it's done!
As the final note played, Pugs took his act down to one knee, Shaggy rolling his eyes…
They both paused, noticing The Black Alchemist standing there, snickering. "Internet, this is going all over you!" he chuckled.
"HEY!" Pugsy shouted, but the Black Alchemist fled.
"Serves you right," Shaggy scoffed.
"Aw, did I miss your guys' duet?" came a voice as Shawn K. stepped in… accompanied by the Neverland Pirates! "'Figured we'd have a new comedy-hit on iTunes."
"Very funny, both of you." Pugsy sneered, then noticed the young Pirates. "And when were you going to tell us you were adoptifying kids?"
Shawn rolled his eyes. "Ha ha. Pugs, you recognize Jake, Izzy, Cubby, and Scully, don't you?"
"Like, yeah! You guys are close friends of Shawn's, and had cameos in Season 1!" Shaggy exclaimed.
"Thank you for the reminder, Lieutenant Background-Check." Pugsy said while rolling his eyes. "So, what brings you kids here?"
"We're going to be in the Note Worthy competition!" Cubby replied. "Izzy and I are going to do a duet, and Jake's going to do a solo."
"They're going to be staying with me until the competition's over," Shawn added. "Well, mates, should we head up to my apartment?"
"You guys go ahead. I'm supposed to be meeting someone here," Jake said.
"Really? Who?" Izzy asked.
Jake scratched his head. "I don't remember his name… I think he's a Professor or something."
"Alright, we'll meet you upstairs then." With that, the rest of the crew and Shawn went over to the elevator, heading upstairs.
"See ya around, kid." Pugs added as he and Shaggy went out the door.
"(Next time, I pick the song…)" Shaggy was griping as they left.
The moment the lobby was clear, Robotnik came up from the basement. "Ah, Jack! How nice to see you again! So glad you could make it!" the villain said, enthusiastically.
"Um, it's 'Jake'… What was your name, again? Professor Robotic?" Jake replied, while shaking his hand.
"Doctor Robotnik. Now then, how did your audition go?"
Jake folded his hands behind his back while kicking at the carpet, sheepishly. "Okay. Wizard Kelly started crying, and Shawn said I totally winged it. Someone was even shouting 'Bravo!', though I don't know whether they were calling to me, or the other judge who was hitting on his girlfriend."
"Excellent! Now that we know you're in, perhaps I could help you practice, and perfect your incredulous talent!"
Jake paused, thinking it over. "Well… I do have to pract-"
"I knew you'd take the offer! It isn't everyday you receive professional help from a genius like myself. Follow me, James!"
Jake followed Robotnik down the stairs. "I-It's 'Jake'…"
Downstairs, the lackeys had put together a karaoke machine… and were testing it out.
Jasper and Scratch (with Horace and Grounder): ~Oh, all night!
(All night!)
All night!
(All night!)
Oohhh All Night!
She said-
Anyway you want it,
That's the way you need it,
Anyway you want-!~
*BZZT!*
Robotnik turned off the machine, stopping the lackey's in the middle of their number. "How many times must I tell you knuckleheads not to break anything?!" he snarled.
"All we were doing was singing!" Horace argued.
"Exactly! …tone-deaf dolts like you would've blown the circuits with THAT performance,"
Jake arched an eyebrow. "Um… Is that any way to talk to your employees, Doctor?" he asked.
Robotnik paused, putting back on his nice-charade. "Oh, pardon my short-temper, Jase! I just expect my staff to be careful around my property."
"YOUR property?! We had to blow half our paychecks to buy this thing, and put it together ourselves-!" Scratch began to argue, until Robotnik hit him over the head with a hammer to shut him up.
"Now then, shall we get practicing?"
Jake shrugged. "Okay, but just one song. I need to get up to Shawn's room." He replied.
"Indeed, lad, indeed. Now, on with it!"
d~b
Flip, Holly, Dotty, and Flim-Flam sat in a malt-shop, all discussing ideas on what they could do. "Maybe we could just do duets," Dotty suggested. "That way, we'd have a 50/50 chance of winning,"
"Yeah, but I don't think I could handle competing against you guys," Holly replied. "Plus, we already have the mash-up written out."
"Maybe we could talk someone else in the competition if they'd like to join," Flip suggested.
"Nah, everyone's either going solo or already signed up with someone." Flim-Flam answered. "Hey, maybe Shag and Pugs could join in, you think?"
Flip shook his head. "They're hosting the event on their radio-show, they can't do it."
"What about Melody? Holly, you said she has a beautiful song-voice!"
Holly held up a flier. "Yes, but it says 'No Professionals', and her band has been in the profession-rank since the 70's!" she answered.
"What about Shawn K.?"
"He's one of the judges, dork." Dotty giggled.
"Right… What about Uncle Ted?"
"He's working the concessions," Holly answered.
"Those lackeys Robotnik works with?"
"They never signed up." Flip answered.
Flim-Flam pondered a moment. "…What about that 'Derek' kid?"
"NO!" Holly and Flip both yelled, making Flim-Flam fall out of his chair.
The stunned teenager pulled himself back up. "Geez, I was just asking!"
"We'll just have to keep looking. We'll find someone!" Dotty assured them.
Flim-Flam was tapping his chin. "…Wonder if we could convince everyone the Invisible Man was singing with us…"
d~b
Shawn and Ted sat in their apartment, watching as Izzy and Cubby practiced their duet.
Cubby: ~Raindrops,
Falling off my brim
Streetlights,
Got the pavement glistening
Izzy: ~Touchdown
I fall into your arms
Right where I belong
Your everlasting arms…
Together: ~And where would I be,
Without you? (without you)
I'd be packing my bags when I need to stay
I'd be chasing every breeze that blows my way
I'd be building my kingdom just to watch it fade
Away (away)
It's true
That's me without you-ou-ou-ou (x3)
Don't know where I'd be
Without you~
Shawn clapped while Uncle Ted whistled. "Gosh, you two sure do make a good duet!" Uncle Ted exclaimed.
Izzy giggled. "Thanks, Uncle Ted." She replied. "But wait until you hear Jake- he's amazing!"
"I wonder what's taking him so long?" Cubby asked, looking at the clock. "It's been almost an hour!"
"I'll go down to the lobby and see if he's still there," Shawn said, heading for the door. "Much less figure out who he's meeting up with,"
"Wait up, I'm coming with!" Scully called, flying out the door with him.
They walked down the hall, seeing Flip passing by, glumly. "Hey, Shawn, do you know if anyone from auditions was looking to join a group?" he asked.
"Nope, sorry Flip." Shawn answered.
"Ah, man…" Flip continued on.
"Boy, does he look down!" Scully commented.
"We'll check up on him after we find Jake, c'mon." Shawn promised, continuing down the hall. "I just wonder where Jake went."
d~b
"Robotnik, can we please stop?" Jake asked, his voice hoarse. "I don't think I can even hum the next verse…"
"Nonsense, you're doing brilliantly! Keep in mind, this is for my sick granny." Robotnik told him. "Just a couple more times, my lad!"
Grounder gasped. "Granny Robotnik's sick? I had no idea!" he said.
"Yeah, something about her needing surgery." Jake replied.
"Crikey, boss! Why didn't ya tell us your dear grand-mum was sick?" Jasper asked.
"Is she the one that sends us cookies every Christmas?" Scratch asked, and the others nodded. "Holy crud, what's wrong with her?"
"(Nothing, you dolts, it's just an act!)" Robotnik hissed, but the lackeys didn't quite hear him.
"Maybe we should get her a present," Grounder suggested.
"I'm making her a card now. How do you spell 'Recovery'?" Horace asked.
"She's FINE!" Robotnik bellowed… then noticed Jake standing right next to him, giving a curious look. "Er, that is, until her bionic-leg wears out! It's the only thing that helps her get around… Now then, Jake, one more time, for my dear, sick granny?"
Jake rubbed his throat. "Sorry, Robotnik, but I really need to rest my voice. If I sing another tune, I might get laryngitis!" he replied.
Robotnik pondered this. "Forgot about that… don't want you having to drop out and lose the cash-prize… Alright, then, go ahead and rest your voice- but keep practicing! I'll be checking up on you now and then…"
Jake only nodded, walking up the stairs.
Robotnik then grinned, rubbing his palms together. "Ha ha, the money's in the bag now! Within a week, I'll be able to purchase the Instant-Demoralizer4000.6 and bring this whole city to ruin!"
"Um, boss, hate to interrupt your moment of spouting your evil plan, but why don't you just STEAL the machine like other villains?" Jasper asked.
Robotnik rolled his eyes. "Because I would need MORE equipment in order to steal the machine, much less anything else! …Or did you forget that we had to sell half of our machines to pay off those infernal hospital bills?!"
"We wouldn't have so much if you just got us all those flame-retardant jumpsuits we asked for last Christmas…"
"Oh, shut up, and go clean something of mine!" Robotnik stormed out.
Horace walked over, holding a card. "Hey, Jasper, do you think we should write in cursive, casual-hand, or cut-out letters like we do in ransom notes?" he asked.
"Eh… better go with the last one, it's the only way she'd recognize it's us."
Back upstairs, Jake was walking towards the stairs, just as Shawn K. was coming out of the elevator. "Jake! Hey, where have you been?" Shawn asked.
"Oh hi, Shawn. Sorry I took so long, I was practicing my… singing…" Jake replied, his voice still a little hoarse.
"Crackers, you sound like you've got a sore-throat! …You weren't trying to hit those high-notes again, were you?" Scully asked.
"No, just over-did it a bit."
"Well, come up to the apartment. I'll make you some tea for your throat. …Maybe you could help me cheer up a friend, too." Shawn said, as they entered the elevator.
d~b
"I'm telling you, Holly, once you see me on stage, you'll be wishing you signed up with me!" Derek was saying to Holly, out back. "The judges said I nearly knocked 'em dead!"
"Are you sure they weren't wishing they were dead?" Holly scoffed. "Besides, I can't sign up with you anyway, Derek. I'm already in a group,"
"Well… do you need one more?"
Holly flinched. "Uh, no, we're good!"
Derek looked around, then leaned in. "Look, Holly, flirting aside, you've gotta cut me a solid here! See, I was kind of desperate since all the solo-slots were filled out, so I ended up signing up with…"
"Derek, there you are!" came a shout, as Brattina came over, grabbing Derek by the back of his shirt-collar. "C'mon, we've got to practice! Our duet isn't going to sing itself!"
Derek began to stammer, trying to pull away, waving his arms frantically as he was yanked off-screen. "HELP ME, HOLLY…!"
Holly only shook her head, walking across the yard, when she saw Vincent. "Oh, hey… Vincent, right?" she asked. "You're Zippy's room-mate, right?"
Vincent gave her a smirk. "That would be correct. So, you're in the Note-Worthy competition, huh?" he asked.
"Yeah, but we're short one member… Did you sign up for it?"
"I thought about it, but I'm too busy with my college exams."
"Oh… what about Zippy?"
Vincent shrugged. "She probably would, if she wasn't banned from entering every music-competition."
Holly's eyes widened. "Banned? How?"
Vincent rolled his eyes, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. "Lets just say the judges on Tooniverse Stars didn't know about her short-temper… But I'm sure you'll find someone for your group,"
Holly sighed. "I hope so… Too bad about Zippy though- you two could probably do a duet!"
Vincent chuckled. "Truth be told, I'm more of a 'cover' artist. I don't really do much choreography, though I do play a great guitar."
"Really? Maybe we could hear you play some-"
Vincent took out a guitar. "I thought you'd never ask!"
Holly blinked. "…time."
Vincent then started to play his guitar softly.
Vincent: ~You're giving me
Too many things
Lately you're all I need
You smiled at me and said,
'Don't get me wrong I love you
But does that mean I have to meet your father?'
When we are older you'll understand
What I meant when I said,
"No, it's not that simple"…
He paused a moment, then began to strum faster in a hard-rock mix.
When you walk away
You don't hear me say
"Please, oh baby,
Don't go."
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go,
Hold me…
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings
The future doesn't scare me at all,
Nothing's like before~
Vincent finished his solo… and a random off-screen crowd cheered, throwing him roses.
Holly only blinked. "O-kay then…" she replied, still surprised about where that number- much less the cheering crowd- came from.
d~b
Later that afternoon, everyone sat around Shaggy, Pugsy, and Flip's apartment. "Okay, Ash, thanks anyway. …Good luck to you too," Flip said, then sighed, hanging up. "Looks like we're going to have to change our routine,"
"Oh c'mon, Flip, you shouldn't give up so easily! You have all week to find someone!" Izzy assured him.
"Yeah, but it's going to take us all week to practice," Flip slumped in his seat.
"Well, go easy on your practice. Jake over-did it today, right after auditions too!" Shawn replied.
"Like, I wonder what drove him to do that, man." Shaggy commented. "I thought Jake knew how to pace himself!"
"You want bad-pacing? Half the competition are college-students… competing in the middle of finals!" Pugsy added. "If they pass one thing, they may flunk the other."
"Yeah, well, unless we find at least ONE person to join our group, we'll have to split!" Flip groaned.
As he was griping about this, Jake was walking in, having been resting for the past couple hours. "You're short a member?" he asked, his voice back to normal.
"Yeah, and it we'd need a miracle to find someone…"
Jake shrugged. "Hey, I'll join."
Flip sat up quick, looking at Jake. "Really?"
"Sure. I was thinking about doing a solo-act, but if you guys need an extra, I'm up for it!"
"~Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hal-le-lu-jah!~" Came a choir of singing…
…from outside. "Hey! Would you guys mind practicing somewhere else?!" Pugsy called out the window.
"Sorry!" one of the singers called back.
Pugsy shook his head, turning to the audience. "You do a musical, and suddenly everybody thinks they can sing everywhere they want,"
"So, when do we start?" Jake asked Flip.
"Tomorrow after school! I gotta find the others and tell them the good news!" Flip exclaimed, running out the door.
"Aaaand there he goes again," Shaggy commented.
d~b
~That Friday…~
Everyone gathered at the old amphitheater, ready to watch/participate in the competition. Shaggy and Pugsy stood with Flip and his group backstage. "So, you ready for the competition, Flip?" Shaggy asked.
"I'm a little nervous, but-" Flip began.
"Ah, there's nothing to be nervous about! The competition's in the bag, Shag!" Flim-Flam exclaimed.
Shaggy flinched, looking around. "Like, keep it down, Flim-Flam. Remember, we're supposed to be addressed by our radio-names, remember?"
"Why? That sounds like you're a pair of 'mysterious heroes' trying to hide your secret identities," Flip commented (as he did, Vincent was passing by, awkwardly inching off-screen).
"Namely so the paparazzi and rabid fan-girls don't huntify us down," Pugsy replied.
"Fan-girls? Pugs, you're lucky if your mom sends you fan-mail!" Flim-Flam laughed.
Pugsy gave him a glare. "Watch it, otherwise you're going to be the only contestant to sing with an iron-lung!"
"Like, we'll meet up with you guys after the competition. We have to get up to our stand and announce the show!" Shaggy said, and he and Pugsy walked off.
Jake was getting a drink of water, when Robotnik came over to him. "Oh, hi Robotnik." He said.
"Where have you been all week, Jamal?! I hope you've been practicing!" Robotnik demanded.
"Oh, I have. My group and I are sure to win!"
"Oh, thank good- YOUR GROUP?!"
"Yeah, Flip and his friends needed a fifth singer, so I joined."
"Hey, Jake, c'mon we're going to go over the mash-up one more time," Dotty called.
"I gotta go. See ya, Robotnik!"
Robotnik's jaw dropped, then face-palmed. "Relax, Robotnik, just relax… the kid will still give you the money!" he tried to assure himself… then noticed Scratch and Grounder walking by. "What are you two doing here?!"
"Oh, well one of the acts dropped out so they needed someone to fill the slot, so we signed up!" Scratch answered.
"Wish us luck, boss!" Grounder replied.
Robotnik only slapped his forehead. "I have GOT to be more assertive with these idiots…" he mumbled, walking off.
d~b
"Well, Case, it's a big turnout tonight as everyone has come to watch the Note Worthy competition!" Pugsy announced into the mike, using his radio-voice. "The whole city has come out this Friday Night to check out the competition, if not participate,"
"You got that right, Leo. Nearly half the city has been auditioning at the beginning of the week, and only a few were chosen to be good enough to try to win that $100,000 cash-prize, and it's only a mystery on who will be the lucky winner!"
"First up, it looks like, is Mung Daal, that popular chef from Marzapan City, doing a solo of 'Catwalk', and…" Pugsy paused. "…why the heck is he dressed like Fabio?"
"I think it would be better if we never knew…"
Mung Daal took to the stage, singing his song, while strutting his stuff and doing poses and winking at the ladies.
Mung Daal: ~Oh I'm…
Too sexy for my shirt,
Too sexy for my shirt,
So sexy it hurts…
*BZZZT!*
"The only thing that hurts is my vision from that performance, man!" Wizard Kelly commented.
"That is MY song, no one can do it better than I can!" Johnny said, then did a few karate poses, ending by flexing his muscles.
"And you do realize there could be kids watching… much less your wife, right?" Shawn asked.
As if on cue, Mung Daal's wife, Truffles, flew onto the stage and grabbed him by his ear, pulling him off! "Ow, ow, ow, but honey-bunch, I was dedicating it to you, I swear!" Mung was whining.
"Good thing those listening to this via radio never have to see that," Pugsy commented.
"I wish I didn't have to…" Shaggy added. "Hopefully the next contestants will be better."
"Much less know not to include fan-service- after all, this is a kid's show. Speaking of kid's shows, our next contestant happens to be Dora Marquez, that famous explorer always going on one adventure after the next."
"Good luck, Dora," Holly said, as she waited backstage with the rest of the contestants.
"Do you guys really think we can win this? I mean, Shawn said that the judges tend to be tough during the actual performance," Flip said.
"Flip, for the last time, there's nothing to worry-" Flim-Flam began.
"Good luck, losers! Not that you'll need it- it would be a waste, since I'LL be winning that cash!" Derek scoffed, walking by.
"You mean when WE win it," Brattina said, linking her arm with Derek's.
Derek yanked his arm back. "Hey, I said no touching, otherwise you can go solo!"
Flip blinked, then turned to the others. "Yeah, you're right. There's nothing to worry about," he commented, and the others chuckled.
d~b
"And we're entering the third hour of our competition," Shaggy said, stifling a yawn. "And, like, man what a competition it's been."
"Too right. A lot of contestants haven't lasted. In order to win, you have to get at least straight 10's from the judges. So far, no one except Dora got higher than a 7," Pugsy added.
"Yeah, I think her rendition of Shakira's 'Whenever, Wherever' was pretty good,"
"But 'pretty good' isn't enough, unless you were aiming to beat Donald Duck… he probably would have got a great score if everyone could understand him."
"At least he was better than Homer Simpson! He could have done good, if he didn't keep botching the lyrics to LMFAO's 'Shots'… much less remembered his pants…"
"Yet another image I'm glad our listeners didn't have to see. …So, who's next in the line-up, Shag?"
"Well, we did have Ash Ketchum, that famous Pokemon brawler… but unfortunately, he got a bad case of camera-shyness and couldn't get on stage… Poor kid, takes me back-"
Pugsy covered his mike. "(If you so much as utter a word of your tragic talent-show mix-up, you're sleeping on the balcony!)" he then went back to his radio-voice. "Alright, so who's next then?"
Shaggy blinked. "Um… that would be… Scratch and Grounder?"
Pugsy arched an eyebrow. "Those two robotical stooges who work for Robotanik? Huh boy…"
Scratch and Grounder went on stage, waving to the audience. "For our song, we're going to sing, Backstreet Boy's 'Everybody'-" Scratch began to announce.
"What?! I thought we agreed on NSync's 'I Want You Back'!" he argued.
"Backstreet Boys!"
"NSync!"
Within seconds, the two started a brawl, until they were ushered offstage.
"…Well, that spared us an ear-ache," Johnny stated.
"Too right." Shawn quietly agreed.
"Looks like the only thing those two can agree on is how they can't go a day without arguing," Pugsy commented.
"Remind you of anyone?" Shaggy joked, and Pugsy rolled his eyes. "Well, with those contestants disqualified, the next ones up are Derek Generic and Brattina Stoneheart… the two most rotten kids I've ever had the displeasure of meeting."
"Lets just hope THEY know their music,"
Derek and Brattina stepped on the stage, as music began to play.
Brattina: ~I wanna hold 'em like they do in Texas plays
Fold 'em let 'em hit me baby stay with me (I love it)
Love Game intuition play the game with spades to start
And after he's been hooked I'll play the one that's on his heart-
Derek (with Brattina): ~She wants to touch me, whoa-oah
She wants to love me, whoa-oh
She'll never let me go, oh no oh oh…
Don't trust a-
(Poker-face, po-o-oker-face)
Never trust a-
(Poker-face, po-o-oker face)
Won't trust a-
(Poker face)
Won't trust me~
"And the judges are raising their cards, showing 3 ratings of 5… no wait, make that two fives and a -2," Shaggy announced.
"No kidding. Their mash-up was off, and it doesn't sound like they rehearsed… and it looked like rather than dancing, Derek was trying to keep away from Brattina- whoa, looks like they're lashing out at the judges."
Shaggy's hair stood up. "Zoinks, thank God the camera-guy knows how to use the bleeper!"
"Thank God the security guards know how to handle wild animals, is more like it."
"JUST WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR!" Brattina was screaming as she and Derek were tossed out the door.
"Well, looks like we're down to the last act…" Shaggy said.
"Lets hope it'll be worthy of the win," Pugsy commented.
"Oh, it will, Leo. For our next contestants are Flip Chan, son of Detective Charlie Chan and student at the Junior Detective Middle School; Holly Trueblood, co-owner of Trueblood Plaza and popular volunteer at pet-shelters; Dotty, the 15-year-old college prodigy; Flim-Flam, the crafty teen and only one I'm worried about; and Jake, leader of the Neverland Pirates!"
Pugsy grinned. "Finally, I thought hope was lost."
Flip, Holly, Flim-Flam, Dotty, and Jake all took the stage next. Flip whispered a countdown from '3', then they began.
Flim-Flam: ~Lately I've been,
I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about things that we could be
But lately I've been, I've been praying hard
Soon no more counting money, we'll be counting stars…
Yeah, we'll be counting stars…
The music kicked up its beat, and they began dancing on the stage, Jake taking the middle of it and doing his part.
Jake: ~I see this life, like a swinging vine
Swing my heart across the line
Hope is like for better worse,
Take that money, watch it burn
(with others)
Old, but I'm not that old,
Young, but I'm not that bold
And I don't think the world is sold,
I'm just doing what we're told…
Flim-Flam: ~I-I-I-I feel something so right,
In doing the wrong thing
Dotty:~And I-I-I-I feel something so wrong,
In doing the right thing
(with others)
I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie…
Jake: ~Everything that drowns me
Makes me wanna fly
Flip: ~Oh it's going down,
(with others)
I'm yelling 'Timber!'
You'd better move, you'd better dance
Lets make a night, you won't remember
I'll be the one, you won't forget…
Holly (with others): ~I've been thinking about you, thinking 'bout me
Thinking 'bout us, what we're going to be
(we'll be, we'll be counting stars)
Opened my eyes, it was only just a dream…
Flip: ~I should've seen the writing on the wall,
That said I'm left to fall,
But the longer I'm away, the more we stay the same
Looking back when I thought I knew it all,
But instead I'm left to fall,
'Til I throw it all away…
Flim-Flam and Flip (with Holly, Jake, and Dotty): ~I can't believe,
(so I travelled back down that road)
That when I breathe,
That there's one thing inside of me
(Will you come back, no one knows)
Just one good thing inside of me…
So close to me, that memory
(I then realized)
That there's one good thing inside of me
(It was only just a dream)
Just one good thing inside of me…
Flim-Flam: ~Everything that kills me…
All: ~It's going down
I'm yelling 'Timber'
You'd better move, you'd better dance
Lets make a night, you won't remember
I'll be the one, you won't forget
By this point, the whole audience was getting into it! The judges were nodding their heads to the beat, Uncle Ted was rocking out in the concession stands, Cubby and Izzy were dancing along on Bucky… Shaggy was standing up in the radio booth jamming out, until Pugs yanked him back down in his seat.
(I was thinking about you, thinking about me)
Lately I've been, I've been losing sleep
(Thinking of us, who we're going to be)
Dreaming about things that we could be
But lately I've been, I've been praying hard
(I can't believe, that when I breathe)
Soon no more counting money, we'll be
We'll be counting stars
(There's one thing inside of me)
Whoa-oa-oa-oa, whoa-oa-oa-oa
(Just one good thing inside of me)
Whoa-oa-oa-oa, whoa-oa-oa-oa
Whoa-oa-oa-oa, we'll be
(So close to me, that memory)
We'll be counting stars
(It was only just a dream…)~
The number ended and they stood in center stage, all of them holding a fist in the air, then slowly taking a bow.
The crowd was in an uproar of cheers, the judges each raising score-cards of '10'. "Well, folks it looks like we have a winner! Great choreography, great mash-up, great singing…" Shaggy was announcing.
"And a great finale to this competition. Lets see if we can get a word with the singers," Pugsy stated, as they walked down to the stage. "So, Flip, how do you feel about being the winners of the competition?"
"It's awesome!" Flim-Flam answered before Flip could. "I mean, I knew it would be no sweat, what with our talent. And this was just a warm-up! Pretty soon we'll be owning the competition on American Idol-!"
"It was pretty fun," Dotty stated, yanking Flim-Flam back. "Though, it took us a while to get the mash-up written, plus all the practice,"
"And we're lucky Jake decided to join us. Without him, we wouldn't have been able to perform!" Holly included, making Jake blushed.
"Aw, I just happy to be a part of it," Jake replied, modestly.
"So, how are you going to split the money?" Shaggy asked them, then covered his mike and whispered to Flip. "(maybe sharing it with a certain pair of room-mates…?) …Gack!" Pugsy yanked him back.
"Honestly, we don't know. We're all going to just divide it up equally," Flip said.
"I know what I'm going to do with my share. I promised Robotnik I'd split my half with him, that way he can help his sick grandmother," Jake replied.
Pugsy and Shaggy exchanged looks. "Sick grandmother?" they questioned.
"Eh-heh, yes, well, you can't help but be surprised at this lad's generosity!" Robotnik said quickly, zipping onto the stage. "Quite an honorable donation for one's ailing relative…"
"A-HA! I KNEW IT!" came a shout, as suddenly Robotnik's grandmother stood up from the audience! She then stormed up to her grandson. "So YOU'RE the one who made up all those rumors!"
Robotnik paled. "G-G-Granny! What are you doing here?!"
"Your henchmen have been sending me 'Get Well Soon' cards and flowers to me for the past week, bringing up how they 'hope my surgery goes well' and 'hope I don't die' and something about a bionic leg! So I came down here to figure out what the heck was going on, having a hunch that it had something to do with one of YOUR get-rich-quick schemes!"
"Er, wait, Grandma-ma, I can explain…!"
"Explain it to back of my walker, boy! I'll teach you what happens when you use my health as an alibi!" With that, Grandma Robotnik grabbed her grandson by the ear and hauled him off.
"Ow, ow, ow, granny that hurts…!"
Everyone just stood there. "Well… I guess I'll have a larger share for my mates, now." Jake said with a shrug.
"There you have it folks- catchy songs, bonds of friendship, and ticked off grandmothers, all in one night!" Shaggy announced.
"Thanks again for tuning in. Kids, congrats on your cash-prize," Pugsy added.
"Thanks Pu- I mean, Leo." Flip said, catching himself before he could use Pugsy's real name instead of his radio-alias.
The crowd applauded once more, before everyone took a bow, once again.
d~b
"And… we're clear!" the camera-man shouted.
Everyone on the set relaxed, walking off. "Nice job, everyone. Another great take!" Mr. Cartoon announced, sitting in a director's chair, Shawn K. sitting down next to him.
"Alright, guys, remember we have to be here bright and early next week to work on the Christmas episode." Shawn announced, then turned to ATF. "Did you get the script written yet, kid?"
Meanwhile, Shaggy, Pugsy, and Flip walked backstage. "Man, am I glad we got THAT over with," Pugsy sighed. "I've got to talk to my agent about excluding musicals in my contract."
"Hey, it's done now, we can chill." Shaggy told him.
Zippy came in just then. "Hey guys." She said, sighing while typing at her laptop.
"Hey, ZIP. What's up?" Flip asked.
"Not much, except that I'm having trouble looking up a song I heard the other night,"
"A song, huh? Where'd you hear it?" Shaggy asked.
"Well…"
Techno music suddenly began to play, and Pugsy's eyes widened. "Oh no…!" he groaned.
Zippy: ~Last night I went raving
All night techno playing
One song that I heard play
In my head it's had stayed…
I have no clue to the track name
It's driving me insane
The tune's in my head
And this is how it went…
It went-
Doo-dee-doo-dee-doo (x4)
It went
Doo-dee-doo-dee-doo (x4)
Zippy (plus the rest of the cast, excluding Pugs): Like this!
Doo-dee-doo-dee-doo (x8)…~
Pugsy covered his ears, groaning loudly as he turned to the reader. "Can we just get to the author's note, already?!" he begged.
d~b
A/N: …There, happy now, Pugs? XD
HOLY SNIKIES, up to 31 pages here, people! I hope it was all worth it!
Songs Used:
-Anything I do, I do it for you (Bryan Adams)
-I'm Number One (Muppets Most Wanted *lyrics revised)
-Anyway You Want It (Journey *chorus only*)
-Me Without You (TobyMac)
-Simple and Clean (Utada Hikaru *rock version*)
-Catwalk (Right Said Fred)
-Pokerface/Don't Trust Me mashup (Lady Gaga and 3Oh!3)
-Counting Stars/Timber/Believe/Just A Dream mashup (One Republic, Pitbul and Kesha, Hollywood Undead, and Sam Tsui and Christina Grimmie)
-It Went (S3RL)
Next episode will be the Christmas episode! :D