Butch peered down at the phone with an uninterested expression at the monsters on the screen. A scowl grew from his lips at yellow one holding it's head with a pained look. He couldn't understand the appeal of it. He gave an annoyed sigh as he felt a sharp sensation on his forearm, it was safe to say he'd become numb to it. However he wished he could ignore the sound of the raccoon's incessant screaming as they walked into the zoo. He glared down at the bear gnawing his arm."Can you stop that? We've been walking for a half hour and your still trying to to this?!" Butch gave a blank expression as Fighter continued to chew on his arm to get free from his grasp, his captor was holding him between his arm pit. Naturally, he ignored the command causing Butch to groan as he tried to shake the bear off his hand, unfortunately the bear was too stubborn for his own good. He stopped trying to get him of and glared back at his partner holding the raccoon. The group had just reached the zoo grounds as Jimmy continued to yell out for help.
"Help! Help! Stranger danger! AHHH!" He yelled out. None of the animals around them bothered to help instead covering their ears.
"Why haven't you knocked that idiot out yet?" Butch asked glaring at Steven.
"He gave me a muffin." Steven smiled innocently as Butch groaned at his partner's stupidity.
Jimmy coughed suddenly as his interminable screaming stopped and he held his throat. "Ah...ah...ah…. owww...I need a lozenge." Butch sighed relieved, one of his problems had been taken care of.
"Finally. Say, when we get home wanna chop off his arm?" He pointed to the black bear.
"Too predictable..." Steven replied looking away.
"Gouge his eyes?" He asked.
"Too cruel." Steven shook his head and shuddered.
"How about letting us go and returning to civility?" Jimmy suggested.
Fighter, Butch and Steven all glanced at Jimmy with blank, dubious expressions. Fighter tilted his head coyly with a deadpan expression "I think civility died the moment this situation turned into a kidnapping." He stated before biting the polar bear's arm again. The polar bear exhaled frustrated.
"You can't do this!" Jimmy exclaimed. Butch stared down at the raccoon in Steven's arm. "Can you do anything to stop us?" The raccoon frowned while he looked around. "No, but-" Butch placed his finger on his mouth."Then for lack of a better word, you're screwed." He turned around and continued to walk past the various exhibits passing a few wondering animals along the way.
Jimmy watched them intently."OK, beside your heart-made-of-douche, I'm sure the INHABITANTS will do something." He stated loudly causing Butch to laugh inwardly.
"You think these assholes will help you? That's...Hilarious, do you realize who we are?" Jimmy was about to retort. "Don't answer that—look at us, the largest predators in here and you think these snots will save you?" He leered down at raccoon wanting answer.
Jimmy watched various animals walking around them cautiously. "Yes." He narrowed his brow determined. Butch preceded to laugh in his face, Steven remained silent. Fighter glanced at the crowd of animals passing by them and shook his head.
"I wish my optimism was as vast as yours." Fighter stated dryly to him.
Butch looked around, one animal in particular caught his eye: A small jackal with a camera around it's neck. It had been following them for a while. "Hey! You dog! or whatever. Are you gonna help these morons or are you gonna cower like everyone else?" The animal glanced at them with a blank expression before running in the opposite direction. Jimmy watching this sighed defeated as Fighter glared at the polar bear. "See. No backbone." Butch held the bear tighter as he looked at the phone.
Fighter struggled in his captor's tighten grip. "Yeah. It's almost like no one here wants to wrestle with a predator." He stated with a sour tone as he scowled at Butch. The polar rolled eyes and continued to walk. "Fear. Cowardice, there's no difference around here." Butch stated.
"That's not cowardice. That's self preservation." Fighter frowned dourly. Although, I'd wish someone would actually grow a set do something… He peered at the ground absently and noticed a stick on the ground. His expression changed to an inquisitive look and then a small playful grin. He squirmed around trying too wriggle out of his grip. Maybe I could grab and shove it- He then realized how pointless it was to due to the bear's size and his captor's height...Screw it, got nothing better to do. If I grab it, it's going up his-
"Butch...That actually has me thinking." Steven stared pensively. "That's a first." Butch smirked smugly.
Fighter glanced at Butch. "And you say I'm the Asshole." The phone rang suddenly, Butch fiddled with the phone, he scowled at it as he saw a creature appear and run immediately away. They stopped in near an exhibit. "Continue."
"If we hurt these two...Wouldn't that leave evidence?" Steven tilted his head inquisitively.
"N-Yes, actually." Butch blinked surprised. "Meh, Hulk's smart, I bet when we bring them over he could come up with something."
Steven scratched his head absently, while waving the raccoon over his head. "Then the lion would have reason to beat us up..." He pointing at the group of animals following around Leonard with a few more in tow behind him. Butch frowned while narrowing his brow.
"Ugh, your right…Well, do you have any idea on what we should do then?" He started to look away from the phone and observe the area carefully. The last set of the animals were following the group away from them. He glanced back at Steven with an inquisitive look, but the bear looked away embarrassed as his ears flattened. "I-I haven't thought that far ahead." He stated.
"Tch, figures." Butch replied. "You could let us go peacefully." Jimmy suggested again as Butch glared at the raccoon, but as he glanced over his partner's shoulder he smiled wickedly. A devious idea sparked in his head.
"No. I think...I have a better idea." He walked over to the exhibit and glanced down."Why get our hands dirty when we can someone do it for us?" He proposed. The black bear rose his brow curiously. "It's the perfect crime. Establish an alibi, threaten witnesses...Bribes-" Fighter listed off as Butch nodded in agreement.
Jimmy had a dumbfounded look on his face. "Fighter, what the hell?" He exclaimed.
Fighter looked at the Raccoon innocently. "I'm not encouraging them, he's marred over-" Butch chucked the bear into the exhibit, a small thud was heard as Jimmy winced at the impact. He glanced up at Steven to see an amused smile.
Uh oh.
"Ooooh, that looked fun! Let me try!" Steven smirked as he rose his arm up ready to throw jimmy into the pit. His eyes widened as he saw his friend with his head in the ground near a tree in the middle of the exhibit.
"Oh, oh! Twenty bucks says you can't do a spiral!" Butch said.
"Waait, Wait!" The bear threw him up in the air as high as he could, twirling threw the air, all while Jimmy rose his paws in the air. "Wheeeee!" He landed on something soft that broke his fall. He rubbed his butt and pulled is himself up. "That wasn't so bad."
"Fssy the gye who didn't and fac-fist" (Says the guy who didn't land face first.) Fighter stated muffled as he pulled his head out of the ground. Jimmy snickered. "At least we're-"
Whack!
A cellphone hit him in the back of his head and landed into the bear's paws. He looked up walls curiously at the polar bears as Butch leaned over the rails. "And take that too!" He turned around and seemingly exited the area.
Fighter narrowed his brow darkly before he sighed. "You alright, and do you possibly have brain damage?" He asked dusting him off as Jimmy held his head with his eyes closed."You don't ask someone if they've got brain damage... Ugh, that hurt."
"Oh I don't know, it seems like the right thing to do. Make sure they aren't completely useless." A croaky voice stated.
"Wow, again with the harsh comments. Can you ever watch what you say?" Jimmy asked Fighter as looked around the area. "That wasn't me..." Fighter glanced around wondering where the voice came from, it sounded close. He noticed a large cave with a large oak tree on top of it. His brow narrowed curiously. Where are we, and who lives here? He sniffed the air briefly, only to clutch it after a rancid scent graced it. Jimmy turned around and looked at the bear with a dour expression.
"And another thing, what the heck was that was up that stuff you said back at the park? They would of left us alone if you hadn't insulted them." He stated disappointed.
iFighter glanced away for a brief moment scratching his ears sheepishly. "I-I...I'm sorry about that. I don't know what came over me."
"Still. Wanting them shot? Too far."
A voice spoke above them."Meh, they look like a bunch of degenerates. I should know." He stated. Both of them stared at each other dubiously. Fighter scowled up at source of the sound, a tree. He spoke again. "Observant. Although, it did take you a moment to realize you aren't alone sooo...I retract my compliment." It stated.
Jimmy looked up at tree and smiled warmly."Um hello, thanks for welcoming us into your home?" He stated. A small chuckle was heard from the tree; a mocking, wheezy chortle. It felt off-putting, Fighter glared at the direction the laugh was coming from. It spoke again.
"No need to be hostile. I just found what he said...Amusing is all." in an understanding tone
Jimmy squinted curiously. "Riiight. What's your name?"
"Right off the bat? Aren't you rude." Jimmy looked away embarrassed.
"That's a perfectly reasonable question." Fighter responded as cracked his knuckles and glanced at tree. The voice heard this and quickly responded.
"Whoa there buddy, no need to be hostile. I'm just messing with you. I'll come down, we'll have a nice chat." The voice said.
The leaves rustled above as Fighter glanced at the tree cautiously. He saw a green blur drop unto the raccoon's back suddenly. Jimmy's eyes began to water from an unfamiliar scent. It was at that moment they both knew where the foul odor had come from. He glanced over his shoulder at the new animal curled up the raccoon's shoulder. A small green lizard with a bright orange frill around it's neck with a small notch in the frill below it's chin.
"Ugh, god that smells is putrid." Fighter pinched his nose and growled.
Jimmy pinched his nose. "Yea, that's the second worst thing I've smelt. Dude, you smell horrid."
"Heh, This one doesn't smell like roses either. Actually, you smell tasty." He stared at Fighter knowingly with wry grin.
Fighter glanced at the Raccoon oddly ignoring it's gaze. "How...You know what, never mind. I can guess." The lizard hopped onto the Fighter shoulder and stared at him blankly, he glared down at it. He sat there in silence not breaking eye contact as it flicked it's tongue.. "Can you stop that?"
"Aw, am I bugging you? Because you have a captivating pair of eyes." He smirked. Fighter pouted and narrowed his brow. "Is that because they're the same colour as yours?"
"Noooo, Maybe. Who's to say?" He replied.
"Um, Sir?" The lizard glanced at the raccoon pensively.
"I think I like you, but considering where we are you're probably gonna die soon." He said casually. Jimmy ignored the comment as the lizard peered over Fighter's shoulder at the cave.
"Where are we?" Jimmy asked, The lizard gave him wry smile. "A zoo." He said flatly.
"I mean what exhibit is this?" Jimmy grinned warmly, albeit a bit strained.
"Oh, you wanna know who lives HERE?" The lizard tilted his head, he looked like he was pondering something. Then quickly spoke again. "You know what, I'll tell you. It'll be a learning experience...This is the hyena's den."
The duo both gave each other a worried glance before observing the area. There were no hyena in sight. The place was too quiet. Hmm, it seems a lot bigger than our exhibit. Fighter thought as he glanced up at the walls. It had same amount of foliage, trees, bushes, an empty pool. Jimmy broke the silence."Let's just hope the leader's reasonable. He might be our only chance out of here."
The frilled lizard chuckled darkly. "Ho. Ho, Oh amigo, buddy, compadere, dumbass. Normally, you'd be right. But here it's different, the females rule the pack. They wear the pants in the relationship and have more bravado than their male counterparts, figuratively annnd..." He grinned at the raccoon as Jimmy squinted curiously.
"What do you mean by that?" Fighter asked narrowing his brow. The lizard flicked it's tongue and chortled. "They're special…They've got d-" Fighter rolled his shoulder violently as the lizard barely hung on.
"He doesn't need to hear that." He stated firmly. The lizard scoffed as he hopped off the bear's shoulder and onto the raccoon's. He whispered into his ear and gave a sinister sounding cackle. Jimmy's eyes widened in horror. "Oh. God." He sounded horrified.
"Oh yeah, it's pretty messed up. Don't get me started on their rituals. Their the regular freaks of the animal kingdom." Fighter pulled the lizard off Jimmy's shoulder and dropped him on the grass.
"That's enough corruption for one day. Little deviant." Fighter suspiciously at the reptile. He smirked coyly at the two as the raccoon shuddered uncomfortably.
"Meh, he'll be fine. I reached sexual maturity at age two, learned a whole bunch of things and I'm fiiine." He flicked his yellow tongue out and gave a smile.
Fighter felt the fur on his back rise."That's...Concerning. Annnd explains a lot. Did I forget to mention I'm glad I'm a bear? I think that's best thing to take from this."
"That or your a sensitive, puuussy...But there's nothing wrong with that." He glanced at the bear's paw and saw a device in his hand. He jumped back up onto the bear's shoulder and glared down at the device curiously seeing a creature with a skull. "Sooo, what that in your hand, frieeend?" He asked.
"A cellphone, you can use to communicate with people and play games, apparently." Jimmy explained.
"Oh.' He sounded disinterested. 'You both are...New. Who are you pronks?" The lizard asked.
"What?" Fighter narrowed his brow dubiously at his choice of words. The raccoon pointed to the both of them respectively. "He's Fighter and I'm Jimmy… And what's a pronk?" Jimmy asked.
"It means smart fellows." The lizard said with a smirk. Fighter narrowed his brow suspiciously "I highly doubt that..."
"Must you be so hostile? I'm helping you..." He hopped off his shoulder and walked to the tree with his head hanging he looked sad. Jimmy glanced annoyed at the bear. "He's right, can you be amiable to our new friend?"
He He…
Fighter's ears perked at the sound as he looked around. He couldn't find the source of the noise. The sound of leaves rustling in the breeze was the only thing he could hear clearly. "You can trust me, I'm no clatterfart." He stated as he grinned. One of his eyes swiveled around gazing in another direction.
"I'm pretty sure you made that word up." Fighter stated bluntly. "Be that as it may, you should really take advantage of the situation, makes this a winooze scenario instead losing one." He said as he started to climb back up tree.
He He.
Fighter continued to search for the sound but he still couldn't see the source. A thought came to his mind at that moment. "Hey, buddy. Where can we go to escape this pit?"
"Nowhere." He replied calmly.
Fighter blinked worried before furrowing his brow. "Excuse me?"
"The walls as you've noticed are larger than the average exhibit. Therefore the tree's wont help you escape this hole. The only feasible way you can leave is a ladder, maybe make a little bridge from a tree to the wall but...No clear escape. Hu hu." He chuckled dryly. Fighter glared at the lizard contemptuously. "Aw, don't look at me like that. A Toximble guy like you should be able to find a way out...Maybe." He looked away disinterested.
Fighter growled irritably. "Stop making up words or so help me, I will find a way to defenestrate you."
"I highly doubt that, you'd make too much noise...But that won't matter considering she should be up right now."
Fighter furrowed his brow. "W-Who?"
"Keep up, punchy, the hyena's. We're in their domain now. My advice, if you see her—Don't show you neck, you'll be eating out her palms." The lizard smirked wily as Jimmy glanced behind the two and squinted.
"Uhh, Fighter. We've got a problem." Fighter glanced over to the cave and noticed a small horde of hyena, at least six were approaching their location. Each with an unsettling look in their eye as their tongues hung out. The bear glared up at the tree. "Uh huh, and where do you think you'll be-" The lizard was gone..
"What?" Jimmy stared at the tree dumbfounded.
Fighter held his head confused. "D-Did we just get Cheshire'd? Where did he?"
"Helllo there! He he." A male hyena said as the group started to surround them. They were mostly male, and a bit scrawny. "Welcome-"
"Out of the way dimwit." The male was pushed aside by a more stout hyena with brown spots all over it's body. A small wavy, black mane went along her head, to the nape of it's neck. She grinned menacingly at the two as the bear pulled the raccoon behind him. "Hello meat..." She licked her lips hungrily.
Jimmy waved to the hyena rigidly "Um, hi there...We were thrown in here—I won't bother you with the details but…"
"You smell delicious~" She glanced at Fighter with a wry smile.
Fighter grinned unsure as the mob closed in on them. "Considering we smell like...garbage, that only makes me wonder what you consider edible..."
"Heh, funny. 'cause you smell like delicious, like someone seasoned you up real good..." She stated tilting her nose toward them.
"Um..." Fighter scratched his head as Jimmy cowered behind him. "How about we talk, maybe introduce ourselves…" The hyena got closer, "Maybe I can tell a few jokes...You seem...reasonable. How about a trade?"
She scowled at the bear suspiciously. "You have nothing I want."
"Fair enough...How about this- Dinner and a show…"
"Fighter what the f-" Fighter clamped his mouth shout and continued.
"You don't look like you don't go out much."
"That's understatement." She stated bitterly as the rest of them glared at the walls scornfully.
"How about we entertain you in our last moments...And maybe if you like it...Let us go..." He offered. The female hyena grinned maliciously as she leered at the two cornered against the wall...
"Ahhh." Evil smirked as he hauled a sack over his back, the bag itself was filled to the brim with his recent 'tribute' from the Otter population. But something still didn't feel right. It was too easy, I didn't even need my... He scowled remembering that he needed to find something back home. As he trekked back to the cave to with the spoils of his tyranny, a crowd of animals past by him. Shoving into him with little regard to for his personal space, bumping and rushing in the opposite direction. The last one, a porcupine had it's quills bristle against his knee. He felt a sudden prick causing him to drop the bag in front of him. He yelped in pain.
Assholes. What's the rush? He glanced back at the horde disappearing in the distance. He rolled his eyes discouraged as he realized they were heading in the direction of the cave.
"The King is so amazing!" a female voice said.
"Finally, I can get my stuff back." Another voice stated hurriedly.
Evil scowled and started to walk in the opposite direction. Closing his eyes and waving his paws. "Ohhh, look at me, I've got a big ego and bunch blind sheep that- Ack!" He bumped into something hard as he fell on his back. He shook his head and opened his eyes. Only to furrow his brow bitterly as he glared up.
"Heya, Evil. What's in the bag?" Butch asked licking his lips the scent of the fish ever present in the air. Evil glared sternly at the bear, staying silent as he grinned. "Do you mind if we take a look?" He watched the bear wave his paw open-handed. Evil observed the area, both bears blocked the way forward, there were only three ways to escape. The two paths on the right and left, or further back.
I could lose them in the crowd back there...but I doubt I could be inconspicuous with this thing with me. He narrowed his brow as he patted his fanny pack. He could think lose them, with a little planning and ingenuity. "Try and catch me first, Losers!" Evil replied with a mischievous grin as he bolted to the left and while Steven ran after him. Butch cracked his knuckles.
"Fine, we do it the hard way." He smirked coyly as he ran back the way the came.
Evil had a steady lead. Steven could barely keep up with him, If he's following me alone, I'm gonna need a distraction. He reached into the sack and pulled out a fish. He regretted having to use it, he glanced back ready to drop the fish as he noticed the yellow scarf draped around his neck. He narrowed his brow suspiciously. He heard a large thud in front of him. "Got y-"
Evil whipped the fish at the voice. Butch reeled as he clutched his nether-regions as Evil ran past him. He could he hear his laughter echo in his head as he slipped past him. He growled in frustration. Steven stopped as he saw him kneeling in pain. "Are you OK?" He tilted his head worried and glanced down at the fish.
"I'll be fine once we ring that bastard's neck and steal his food…" He glanced over to an exhibit and watched Evil wave mockingly before slipping away in the opposite direction. Butch growled and sprinted on all fours, Steven following his mad dash on his two feet.
Butch was closing on him, the smell of fish entered his nostrils. Evil glanced back at animal slowly gaining on him. He glanced ahead and noticed a trash can next to a picture of a jackal. As he past it he swung his bag and knocked over the trashcan still keeping his pace as he continued to run away. But it didn't stop Butch's stride, he hopped over it with ease. Even Steven jumped over it too with little effort.
It earned him a scowl as Evil continued to run as he reached into his fanny back.
Butch took notice of the bear reaching into the bag as he kept a decent pace with bear. He watched him turn at an intersection and bolt ahead quickly. His ears perked as he heard clattering on the ground. As he turned the corner he saw, small nails on the ground and hopped over it. He wouldn't let those stop him as he bolted toward him. He was just at arms length about to grab the-
"OWWWW!"
Butch turned around suddenly as he saw Steven on the ground curled up in a ball as he held his foot. The tacks had sunk into the bear's feet as he teared up and held it in pain. Butch growled as he whipped his head around to notice the bear running ahead again with a mocking glance before disappearing again. He recognized where the bear was running too: The Hyena pit. It would make things difficult, but he didn't care as he continued to run ahead. Leaving his partner behind.
However, he'd lost track of the bear.…No. He thought.
Butch focused and closed his eyes, lifting his nose in the air. He could smell him, he didn't need his eyes to smell a rat. His keen senses would guide him to his prey. He finally caught a familiar scent before running in the direction of it. It was here, it had to be...He felt something brush against his leg. He opened his eyes and saw a rope tied between two trash cans.
Crap.
Butch tumbled into the exhibit with a loud and heavy thud as Steven had just caught up. Butch rose up in pain, groaning as he shook his head. Then observed the area, there was no sign of Evil anywhere. The only animals present were some kangaroo staring at him oddly. It upset him as he glared back at the two threateningly. "What?!" He exclaimed.
The kangaroo leered at the Butch intently as the female held her chest pensively. "Get over yourselves, ya hopping rats." He turned around and walked to his friend with annoyed growl. He narrowed his brow as he saw the same fish he was hit with earlier in Steven's mouth he gave him a blank look..
"What?" He asked.
Butch was about to comment, rising his finger apprehensively, but he scowled defeated. "Uh...Screw it. Let's get the hell out of here." Butch shook his head dismissively. The kangaroo watching the bear till he reached far enough to speak.
"He gone yet?" A voice stated.
The Kangaroo rolled his eyes. "Get out, troublemaker." He spoke into his wives pouch.
Evil poked out his head and gave the marsupial an annoyed glare. "Oh come on, I'm probably the only clean thing that's been in your wife." He pulled out a piece of lint and threw it out as the male's eyes widened angrily glaring him. He was about to pull him out when his mate stopped him. Evil used this time to crawled out of her pouch and dust himself off.
"Honey, it's fine. I've got this." She smiled sincerely at the bear….
"Wait, wha-" The female kangaroo whipped her tail at Evil knocking him into a nearby bush near the exhibit. He held his head in pain as the couple hopped off. He stood up and spat at the ground, then went back into the bush and grabbed his sack. His ears perked at the sound of maniacal laughter from the exhibit. He peered over the rail.
"...One of my old friends told me how to breathe in the ocean. I told him: "Last time I checked, that's called drowning." Fighter stated with a small smile. The group of hyena cackled with an uproar of laughter as they crowded the two animals. He could see a single hyena waiting in the back. She had a bored expression.
Fighter glanced back at Jimmy. "Question: What's brown and sticky?" Jimmy squinted curiously before whispering something in his ear as Fighter grinned coyly. The group chanted out their answers rowdily as he looked back to the crowd. "A stick, you dirty bastard…" The hyena cackled louder as the one in the back remained silent with an inquisitive look.
Evil peered down at them. "I see you've found your audience! A bunch of chuckle-heads." He yelled from above.
Jimmy quickly glanced back while Fighter kept his eyes on them. "Evil!" He said desperately. Evil waved causally at them. "Throw down something, we can't get out!" He shouted.
"You look like your doing fine!" Evil rose his brow inquisitively while resting his head on his paw and yawned. Jimmy gave a worried expression. "We're being held hostage!"
"What else is new." Fighter replied sardonically.
Jimmy pouted annoyed. "Stop that."
"You two look like you're having the time of your lives down there." He looked down with a grin.
Jimmy looked back at the crowd and shuddered. "Please, help. She's been giving me weird looks…" he asked as the lone hyena narrowed her brow, leering at the raccoon as he looked back grinning innocently.
A scent in the air peaked her interest as she glanced up at the Evil. He glanced down with a stern look clutching his sack.
"Alright, you two it's been,fun." Her voice sounded uninterested. "But I know what I want. Actually, entertain me and I might let you go. If it's terrible, you'll both be dinner."
Jimmy squinted. "You mean for dinner." He corrected. She grinned maliciously in response. Jimmy frowned at the Hyena's grin. "Nope." He said cowering behind the bear.
She glanced up at the wall. "Alternately, you're friend-"
"We're not friends." Fighter and Evil stated with deadpan expressions.
She narrowed her brow at the sudden interruption. "Don't care. As I was saying, if you drop that bag of food down here. I'd be willing to let them go. You have my word..."
A hyena prodded her with his paw. "V, are you." She glared at the male sternly. "Shut it." She whispered.
Fighter gazed up at Evil with a serious expression. Evil gave a playful expression as he yawned while covering his mouth. Fighter scowled as he scanned the mob of animals again, there was a small gap forming on the left side. He narrowed his brow curiously as he went back to a neutral expression keeping his smile. Jimmy hopped on his shoulder. "Don't tell me you ran out of jokes?" He whispered in his ear.
"No...J-just hold on." He looked pensively at the phone, then placed it in the raccoon's paws. "When I give the signal tap the bat." He said with gritted teeth.
"Clock's tickin' boys!" The female hyena shouted as she licked her lips. The sound of tapping could be her from her as dragged them across the ground. Fighter scratched his head pensively.
"You gotta anything good wracked in that brain?" Evil asked as he loomed over them from above. Fighter chuckled dryly at the comment before addressing the audience.
"OK, so…A man walks into a library and checks out a book on suicide. He walks out and the librarian then turns to her work associate and says, "He's not bringing that book back." He looked at the hyena with a raised brow.
She scoffed and gave a snide chuckle. "Decent, another one." She asked glanced to over to the left of the mob. Fighter rubbed his chin briefly before speaking out again.
"OK... A woman goes into labor with her child. The doctor says they've invented a new device to transfer the pain of child birth to anyone. The father asks to use the new device on himself. The doctor asks the couple and they both agree-"
"Get on with it!" One of the hyena moan.
Fighter rolled his eyes. "So, the pain is put up to 10% and the father feels nothing.…' He glanced at her sternly as his eyes shifted to the hyena around them. The opening was still there but it needed to be wider. He continued. "...Then they bump it up to 20%. He still feels nothing. They keep doing this until they have the machine up to 100%. Despite everything the man still felt nothing, so they go home happy…" Evil stuck out his tongue annoyed.
It was more a story than a joke.
Jimmy smiled happily. "Aw, that's.." Fighter watched the raccoon closely and spoke again. "...Until they find the milkman dead on the porch." He smirked dry with a flat expression. Jimmy's mouth went agape immediately as heard the last word, Evil was surprisingly silent. However, the was hyena...
"Keke, heh, haha ha!" She brayed with laughter, a little too hard for Evil's liking. He started to notice a bit of spittle from the females maw, as well as a bit of water from her eyes as she wiped her mouth with a paw before regaining her composure.
"The look on his stupid little face! That was good. Thank you for the show...Now, it's time to dig in."
Fighter snarled as he glanced at the opening in the mob."Merda!"
"What?" Jimmy said as Fighter stepped forward preemptively.
She chortled mockingly, "I did say 'might' didn't I? He he."
Jimmy pointed at her with a disheartened scowl. "You gave your word!" he accused.
She grinned coyly. "If the Grey coward gave the food. And now it's time to…"
"Hold it, drama queen." Evil sighed reluctantly. "Prozac'll throw a fit if brownie dies."
Fighter narrowed his brow inquisitively. "B-brownie?"
Evil was about to throw down the sack. However, the hyena glared at the bear knowingly. "Hold it...Drop one of the fish down here."
Evil groaned annoyed glaring down at her. "You're already getting the whole thing?!"
"Drop. One of them..Before I skin the bear before your eyes." She stated with no hesitation.
Evil rolled his eyes as he reached into the bag, and threw the fish down at one of the hyena. The female glanced at it pensively before gesturing one of them toward it. A male ate a portion of it and chewed it slowly. "Must you be so antsy, it's just Salmon." Evil berated, but she didn't bother to listen. Only to the sounds of the hyena chewing mattered. A slow mundane rhythm of his gums slapping again, and again till she heard him swallow. She waited in silence as the bear continued to prattle.
A few minutes past and she marched over to him staring directly at him. His eyes were steady, no sign of illness or foul play. She slowly began to observe her group before moving back to her prior location. Evil continued to rant. "...Are you done? Seriously though, your making a-" A loud, hacking sound interrupted his raving. The same hyena was on the ground with gritted teeth, unmoving as his chest rose up and down slowly. He was stiff as a board as he laid on the ground. Evil narrowed his brow as the female smiled coyly. "Those sneaky sons of-"
"Kill them." She stated coldly.
Fighter grabbed the raccoon and presented him to the hyena threateningly. "Back off, he's got rabies!" He glared at the group firmly eying their exit. Jimmy looked around blankly at the group before he started to hiss menacingly with barred fangs, trying to make it look like he was foaming from the mouth. But spit was the only fluid he could muster as he held the phone tightly. The female laughed haughty as the group mimicked her mocking laughter.
"I like my meat gamey." She stated.
"Believe me, it's not that appealing." Evil stated.
Fighter held Jimmy to his chest and stared at the blind spot, she blocked it immediately wearing a haunting grin. He furrowed his brow annoyed. "Screw it, plan B. Hit it!" Jimmy tapped the phone immediately as the monster's cry played through the device:
Scree eii eii, Scee eii eii!
The hyena paused as their ears stood up. "What is that? W-what even is that?! Gahhh!" She exclaimed with a painful growl. It sounded like blood curdling screech was coming from the device. The group cowered in pain as they walked over the whining hyena.
Sceeeee he he uh.
The group started to get back up, Fighter glared at Jimmy worried. "What happened to the cry?" He asked. He flipped the phone around and showed him the small the pale blue bat had grown into a larger one.
"It changed..." He stated with a desperate tone.
"Merda! Bolt!" Fighter glanced back at the hyena rising up, Evil was nowhere to be seen, the sack was dropped forlorn into the exhibit.
Fine...He thought as he dodged a bite from the female hyena, he swiped his paw down on her snout. She reeled back as a blood dripped from her nose. The group stopped briefly as she looked at him surprised...She licked the blood off and grinned maliciously. Fighter glanced at her wide-eyed. He wanted no part of this. "Nooope."
"Oi!"
Fighter heard a voice say as he glared up at the other end of the exhibit. a rope dangled down as Evil waved them over. As Fighter ran to the rope the hyena started to chase them, cackling like mad as they tailed them to the end of the exhibit. Fighter jumped up and climbed the rope slowly as the hyena hopped up in hopes of bringing down the bear, but they both barely avoided the animal's assault as they shifted to the side. It caused the raccoon to sweat profusely.
"Go!" Fighter stated hurriedly. Jimmy climbed up the rope quickly from atop of the bear head, he pulled himself on the ledge. He something felt something slide out of his paw as he got on the ledge.
"Uh oh."
Fighter watched the Grey device fall slowly in front of him, he instinctively slid down briefly to grasp the device mid drop. He sighed in relief as he caught it. But the female hopped over one the hyena and lunged up at the bear grabbing the phone. Evil quickly pulled the rope up as he curled up back unto the rope causing her to slam right into the wall and slide down.
As the bear climbed up Evil gave Fighter a displeased expression as he saw him holding the phone in his maw. He hopped over the ledge and landed on the paved ground. "You risked your life, for that?" He pulled the phone out of his mouth and glanced bitterly.
"I spent half a day on this, I'll be damned if I lose it now..."
Evil narrowed his brow. "You're an idiot."
"And you're an asshole, but I don't go telling everybody...But I don't doubt everybody already knows." They both glared at each other menacingly.
"Thanks. For saving us." Jimmy stated dusting himself off. Evil smirked smugly as he heard those words. Fighter narrowed his brow knowingly. "Right, let's just go home."
"Can't. A bunch of animal's are blocking the way home." Evil rolled his eyes. Fighter gave him a deadpan expression.
"So?" He asked.
"I don't like shoving through crowds." He replied.
"So?"
"It'll be noisy and annoying."
"So?" Fighter smirked smugly.
Evil furrowed his brow. "Because that Lion is going to be there handing out people stolen belongings like candy. You cheeky bastard." Fighter's smirk was wiped off his face, much to Evil amusement.
Jimmy folded his arms annoyed. "Let's just tread through crow-" Evil shoved his paw into the raccoon's face.
. "We could wait it out in the forest. I brought something to pass the time." Fighter tilted his curiously as Evil retracted his paw."You want to play a game?" He asked.
Evil gritted his teeth threateningly. "I know my precious didn't disappear…." He glared at Fighter as he stared at him blankly. "I have no-"
"Who knows maybe I have something of yours? A special something you've lost..." He smirked as he walked forward not bothering to listen for an answer. Fighter silently watched Evil walk away before stopping and glancing back. "Your making me look stupid, follow me minion." He ordered.
Fighter sighed. "Come on, Jimmy." He started to follow Evil closely as the raccoon trailed behind them...
After a long trek Evil brought them into a small forest area, he walked over to a large tree stump and two flat rocks. The two adjacent rocks were smooth enough to be sat on without much discomfort. While the stump in the acted as a table. "Found this place a while back. Not too shabby." Evil walked to the stump on the far end and sat down. He placed his fanny pack on his lap and pulled out a deck of cards, shuffling it causally.
Fighter walked over to the free stump and sat down as glanced at Evil. "What are we playing?"
"Poker." Evil stated throwing him two cards. Jimmy glanced around the area, he could hear the sounds of forest creatures all around him. It would've been calming to him but something in his mind kept telling him something was off. He blamed it on his near death experience...Among other things.
Fighter frowned annoyed."I hate this game."
Evil chuckled briefly. "Hehe, Too bad."
"Can we at least play twenty-one?" He folded his arms."That's easier."
Evil placed the deck of cards in the middle then glared up at him. "We could, but I already dealt the cards." He gave the bear blasé expression. "Then reshuffle it." Fighter argued as he grabbed his hand and placed pushed it toward Evil.
He narrowed his brow annoyed. "You agreed we'd play a game, is that any way to treat your savior?" He smirked smugly. Fighter sighed and rolled his eyes. He wouldn't hear the end this for a while. The bear grabbed his hand back and narrowed his brow.
Jimmy looked around cautiously, unsure about the current location. "We couldn't have done this closer to the Zoo?" He asked. Evil glared at him callously before reaching for his hand. "It's fine, you big baby. We're safe." He didn't even bother to look away from his cards. Jimmy held his ears desperately.
"How do you know that? We could've been followed by the polar's or what if the hyena managed to leave and-"
"Calm down. No one followed us here.' Fighter placed his cards down and handed him his phone. Jimmy glanced at it blankly 'You're worried, I get that...Play this for a bit OK, just be careful you don't hit a tree or something." He glanced back sternly at Evil and picked up his hand "And don't go too far..."
Jimmy sighed, it was clear he was focused on this. "I'll...Be right be back." He noticed the map had an icon appear close-by. He walked away from them deeper into the forest as Evil looked at the bear dubiously for a moment, his hand blocking his mouth.
"Did you do that just to get him away?" He smirked.
Fighter's brow narrowed as he glared back sharply. "Just play so you can tell me what I need to know." Evil scoffed as he reached for the deck...
Meanwhile
Jimmy rested on a tree, leaning his back on the trunk. The ground was damp and cold as he glanced down at the cellphone screen only to see five monsters with a small portion free for a sixth. He flicked through the menu and checked the area again. The nearest creature was close, along with an odd red-cube icon. It was close so he decided to walk toward it. He made a small mark in the tree behind him as followed the map.
As he trekked further into the forest his eyes wondered from tree-to-tree. He ignored most of them, glancing down at the phone as he stepped on a mud puddle. Until a pale-blue tree caught the raccoon's eye. Bits of snow were left the top of it's branches. He ran to it feverishly put stopped inches away from it. It's...So...He dropped the phone as he gazed up at the large tree in awe. It was narrow but so very tall. A rarity amongst the brown tree's surrounding him. He tapped the base of the tree and placed his ear to it, a hollow echo was came from it as he instinctively started to use his claws to pull away some of the bark from the tree.
This was it, he could live here, on his own…He paused unsure.
Could I even do it? I...I...No. It's not for me...I'm…
Bring! Bring!
The phone chirped, bringing him out of his thoughts. Jimmy glanced down at the seeing a purple creature with a sinister smirk. He narrowed his brow tiredly and picked the phone of the ground. It had an orange text hovering over it.
He flicked a ball at it…It broke out immediately.
He quickly flicked another one at it, it broke out immediately.
He angrily threw another one, again. It shook, once twi- it broke out again.
Jimmy glared at the device annoyed as he continued throw more at it, but the result was the same.
"Oh come-" Before he could he even say another word the creature smirked before disappearing. Another blue cube appeared a few more steps ahead as the same red cube was right above it. The raccoon followed the map again further into the forest.
Again, he was surrounded by trees and small rocks as he gazed at the phone to find out what other creatures he could find. The phone rang again and he saw the same purple devil from before...He tapped the screen as it appeared again. Taunting him.
He flicked the ball straight at the creatures face. The ball sat flat on the ground as it shook once before popping out again. With the same grin as before. He placed his paw on the screen and it immediately fled. Showing the screen again to him as he watched the blue cube nearly merge with the red one.
One more and I'm heading back. He continued to walk toward the direction of the cube. His surroundings grew more familiar, each of the trees started to blend in and look more and more alike as he trekked further.
Finally he heard the cellphone ring again, and he tapped the device again…He glared at the monster with disdain. It was the same one, again. He tapped the screen and pulled up the inventory screen. Two yellow balls were there. He threw the first one at it, no luck, it broke out. He could swear the grin of the beast was getting wider. As his paws started to sweat, he flicked the last ball at curving it to hit the beast in it's head. The ball laid there on the ground…
One…
Two…
Three….Click!
A small little jingle started to play as the purple specter was shown along with a small text box informing him of it's nature. He skipped it and noticed the red cube on his phone was still there. Odd. He thought. It was there all this time, no movement or change in location. The spot was right ahead. He glanced up from his phone and noticed a small bush in front of him. He shrugged and wondered what the fuss was about as he parted the bushes and walked through it….
Moments before
Evil and Fighter silently glared at one another from across their make-shift table. Four cards were laid out in front of them; A three of hearts, an ace of clubs, a seven of hearts, and a jack of spades. They each had a pair of cards. Evil pulled out a card from the deck and placed it down. He glanced down to see a two, then glanced at his own hand. Fighter's brow narrowed with a dead look. "Raise." He stated.
Evil gave a playful grin as he glared at him blankly. They both dropped their hands. Evil had a five of hearts and a nine of diamonds. While Fighter had a Three of clubs and a nine of hearts. Evil rolled his eyes at his luck. Fighter bit his tongue annoyed at the result, a tie. No one was happy. Evil shrugged nonchalantly. "Up for another round? Double or nothing."
Fighter glared back annoyed. "No." He folded his arms stubbornly.
Evil waved his finger mockingly. "Testy." He sighed before placing his claws on the stump. Fighter watched this and silently cursed."Just give me back what you stole." He demanded.
Evil glared coldly at him. "You first rooster-boy."
"Firstly, you..." He pointed to him across the table. "Can go straight to hell. Second, I don't have anything." He passed his cards down the table to Evil.
Evil sighed, "As I searched our room frantically for my possession. You, purposely or stupidly said this: "No, I don't know where your stuff is, quit drilling me..." He brought his fingers up for air quotes then sternly glared at him. Fighter stayed silent, much to his added annoyance. Evil scowled contemptuously at him. "If you don't tell me where it is, I will make your life a living h-"
"GAHHHH!" A blood curdling scream came from the forest, they each shared an odd look as they stared back in the direction the scream came from.
"Should we help him?" Fighter suggested while avoiding eye contact. Evil rose from his seat, "Yeah, we-" but stopped as he slowly turned his gaze toward him suspiciously. "No." Evil said firmly. "If you want your stuff back, then you tell me where my stuff is. A FAIR trade..."
His opponent sighed. "Let's go another round..." Fighter said calmly. Evil silently nodded as he started to pick up the cards, but before he could shuffle Fighter edged closer to him placing his paw on the deck while Evil glared at him. "Can I hold you to that?"
All that could be heard was the sound of the trees rustling in the wind as the two stared down one another. Evil gave a coy smile. "Trust me." He said as Fighter pulled back and walked to his seat.
"If I win, you fess up..." Evil stated as Fighter spat on the ground.
He narrowed his brow and spoke. "I doubt tha-"
Jimmy jumped out of a bush near them, he was sweating bullets as he dropped onto a pile of pine needles. "Hah...hah...Ah..." His eyes bulged as he felt one of the jab into his chest. Fighter turned to Jimmy wheezing on the ground, he walked over to him, knelt down and pulled out a pine needle. "We need….ah...to get out of here." Jimmy stated hurriedly.
"What's got you spooked?" Fighter asked.
"How'd you even get here so quickly?" Evil added behind Fighter holding his deck. He glared at the bear knowingly.
Jimmy wiped away a bit of sweat. "I scratched the tree's on my way back. Look, that's not important we need to-"
"Was it wolves?" Evil asked him mid sentence.
"No." He said, silently losing temper.
"A bear?" Fighter narrowed his brow and chuckled ironically.
"No." Jimmy stated louder.
"Did you walk into a blood ritual?" Evil stated with sarcastic tone.
"No!" Jimmy exclaimed loudly in shock.
"Then what was it?" Fighter asked looking behind him cautiously.
"Y-You wouldn't...believe me…" Jimmy had a scared look in his eyes.
"Try me…" Fighter said worried. The raccoon whispered something into the bear's ears, as Evil leaned in his eyes widened briefly. Evil glanced at the two with a curious expression.
"No way, you're lying." Fighter said quickly.
"Why would I lie about THAT?" Jimmy stated frantically with his paws out in desperation.
"You're right...Let's-" Evil rushed past the two into the forest. Fighter shook his head and sighed. "C'mon we need to follow him…" Jimmy gave him reluctant look, then hopped unto the bear's head. Fighter shrugged and stared in the direction Evil went. "Lead the way..." He said calmly, although it sounded strained. He walked further into the forest, he felt something scrape his foot, peeling off the playing card right off.
….
The duo managed to catch up with Evil quickly, they could see him enter the bush into the small clearing. Despite the protest of the raccoon, Fighter followed Evil immediately, but stopped as he stood beside him silently.
"Holy…" Evil blinked blankly at the sight in front of him. Fighter covered his nose and grimaced looking away. The group stared in silence at the dead body laying under a small black, open fridge, with a few parts scattered in the ground. It had a strong, pungent scent of decay wavering in the air.
"On the bright side…" Fighter scratched behind his ear.
"Don't. Don't you dare make this a joke..." Jimmy stated hopping off his head and leaning near a tree.
"I was going to say that we could use the fridge..." Fighter suggested.
"...Really?" Jimmy stated in a dry tone.
Evil rubbed his chin pensively. "I've always wanted a fridge in my room. For convenience sake." He stepped forward, then looked down on the ground. He picked up a cellphone off the ground.
"Really?!" Jimmy stated louder shifting his gaze to the both of them over his shoulders.
"To be fair, we don't know this person... despite how..." He paused blankly.
"Morbid." Evil added tapping the phone.
"Morbid, this is. So, let's make the best out of this situation..." He shrugged uneasy.
Jimmy glared at them both. "You can't be serious, there is a straight up murder here and the first thing you go to is looting?" He watched Evil walk past him toward the body.
"I find the concept of ownership void when the owner deceased. I blame debt." He replied cheekily earning a disappointed look from Jimmy. "Fair point." He replied.
"It also reeks, Annnd...There's no blood. At all." Evil stated. He glanced down. Nothing immediately jumped out other than his hand, and his... "He has no head..." Fighter stated bluntly.
"Subtle." Evil stated dryly. He notice a similar device in the man's hand. The screen had been cracked."Do you think we salvage this?" Evil asked.
"You gonna help carry this? Better yet, isn't something else we need to talk about?" Fighter glanced over to Evil with a tired expression.
The raccoon sighed at his current company. "Don't bother. The thing won't work without a capacitor, it's fried." Jimmy explained. The bear's looked at him with confused expressions, it was clear they had no clue what it was. "It provides power to appliance. Without it, it's useless."
Fighter narrowed his brow back at Jimmy oddly. He would've had to inspect the device.
Jimmy grinned awkwardly. "It..It was like that when I got here..." He replied sheepishly with an embarrassed expression, his ears twitched nervously.
"Annnd he dropped the phone apparently." Evil added. Fighter swiped the phone from the bear's paw while Evil kept a mischievous grin.
"Can we leave? I don't feel safe here..." Jimmy shuddered while he leaned on a tree beside the bush. He watched Evil glance over the body intently before walking toward the bush behind them.
"Yea, robbing the dead has that effect.' Evil stated, Jimmy glared at the bear annoyed, but said nothing. "What time is it?" Evil asked. Fighter looked at the phone. "Half past Five." Fighter replied.
"I'm leaving. I'd rather not find out who did this." Evil said.
Fighter glared down at the body intently. A small latch was on top of the safe that resembled a hook. Something wasn't right. He couldn't immediately say what it was but it bothered him…"Heh, This one doesn't smell like roses either." He shook his head dismissively. No. That doesn't make sense.
He heard the device ring and looked at it briefly: Lost connection to server.
"Oh look, my roommates disappeared in the woods! Looks I won't have to share my room anymore!" Evil yelled. Fighter chuckled softly before turning away and grabbing Jimmy, placing him on his head again as he walked toward the bush…His ears perked up as he turned his head around quickly. He saw...Nothing. He swore he heard something a moment ago. A chill went down his spine, he ignored it. But, as they left, a large tree branch fell, along with an annoyed animal growl.