I don't own The Lion King. Hold onto your seats!
It had been nearly two and a half hours since Woody and Mitsy had become trapped. They'd been tossed to and fro, could feel the vehicle stop sometimes then resume mobility, and could hear muffled voices, but the lid was never opened. "What time do you suppose it is?" Mitsy asked.
"I'm not sure," Woody answered. "Around five-ish, I think."
"Where do you suppose we are? Where could we possibly be?"
"No clue." Woody said casually. Suddenly, there was a loud pounding above their heads, outside their confinement. The cowboy and princess jumped, startled.
"Hey, you in there!" Sneered a loud voice down at them. "How do you like your cave? Hope you're enjoying the ride."
Woody kicked the roof above his head. "Dry up, you!" He growled.
"Yeah, quit bothering us." Mitsy huffed.
"Let us out!" Woody demanded. "Let us out of here now!"
"Aw, you don't like our accommodations?" The voice whined in mockery. "I'm hurt. Well, someone's going to have to teach you a lesson in hospitality appreciation. You've just made my day." Then the voice vanished.
"I...I wonder what that means." Mitsy said nervously, staring at Woody with worried eyes.
"We stay together and we'll be all right," He answered, patting her hand. Then, out of the blue, the case was flipped over several times, Woody and Mitsy hollering as they were tossed back and forth while their crammed prison was turned upside down. Then just as instantly, they were floating in midair 'til they both landed in a heap on solid ground. The two toys groaned, queasy with motion sickness and their eyes hurt from the brightly lit room after being stuck in the dark for a long time.
"Well, if ain't Fancy Pants himself," a sinister voice swooned. "This has turned out even better than you planned, hey, boss?"
"Yeah," sneered an oily voice. Woody and Mitsy both gasped loudly: they'd heard that voice before! It made them cringe and sent an adrenaline rush racing through their cotton bodies. They looked up fearfully.
It can't be...Woody sputtered in thought, sitting up straight and Mitsy shrieked piercingly and grabbed his shoulders, kneeling close behind him. It was the most blood-thirsty toy they'd ever met. It was...Spike the Bulldog!
"So, we meet again, Sheriff," Spike grinned. "I was definitely looking forward to your little friend coming to visit me, but this is a surprise! I didn't expect to see you. Oh, I get it. Fragile little princess shouldn't talk to strangers, right? Can't cross the street on her own, huh?"
"You?!" Woody blurted out, still in shock. "What...how did...what do you want? Why did you bring us here?"
"Relax, Sheriff. I just want to have a little fun, that's all. I'm happy to see you, little missy. You remember me, don't you?"
Instead of shivering with fear, Mitsy's eyes narrowed in anger and her face became hot with boiling resentment. Of course I remember YOU! She thought angrily. "Yeah! I remember you!" The princess snarled, scowling in disgust. "You...you...you cruel, heartless..."
"What's that?" Spike pretended to be flabbergasted. "Did you hear what she called me?"
"...murderer!" Mitsy finished with seething teeth. "You hurt Woody. You were gonna slaughter my family! You killed my best friend! You killed Jack!" It was true: Spike had killed Jack, but she withheld any information about Jack being alive. If Spike knew that Jack had survived, he'd go after her beloved dog who had already been through so much. And she wasn't putting on a sob act either. The firmly etched memory of the big, brave German Shepherd risking his own life to save hers, being crushed nearly to death, then his killer bellowing with cruel, demonic laughter caught itself in her plastic little throat in a painful hold. She glared lividly up the monster who had been a terror to her. He was chuckling now at her distress. At this moment, she felt too outraged at him to be scared.
"Ah, yes." Spike sighed in scorn, shaking his head. "Poor Jack. He was a good egg, one of my best partners. Unfortunately, he was too soft for his own good. I couldn't let that spread. So, I only did what had to be done. He got what he deserved."
"That's not true!" Woody barked as Mitsy angrily dug her fingers into his cloth shoulders. "He was full of integrity. And he'll always be more of a child's love-worthy toy than you'll ever be! Because he was decent, and caring." Spike's face clouded over and his eyes were on the princess.
"It's all little Pipsqueak's fault." He said, pointing down at her. "It's all because of her. She's the reason I lost one of my best boys. If he hadn't cared so much about her, then I wouldn't have had to start all over. I always did admire a toy with spunk," Spike grinned, that all too familiar, sickening grin of his. "I've got something really special planned for you, Your Highness." Mitsy didn't move, she just gulped.
"Hey, you'd better keep your distance!" Woody threatened, pointing his finger. "Don't you dare touch her!"
"Seems like we've been here before. Feeling left out, are you? Aw, don't worry, cowboy. You'll get your turn. But first, allow me to show you who your escort's going to be." Spike glanced to his left. There stood the black figure who'd abducted the princess. He removed his black plastic helmet. Woody and Mitsy gaped. It was Puss in the Boots the pirate cat, who had been one of Spike's favorite hench toys!
Oh no, Mitsy groaned. Not him too! She abhorred that cowardly feline. He was positively evil. Her mind went back to every moment she'd been trapped by his clutches and how he'd been warped with delight in causing her pain. Now, she started shivering.
"What happened?" Woody asked. "We sent him to the flea market. And you! You fell into the..."
"The sewer?" Spike finished. "Disgusting place. What a ghastly experience. I had to swim through all kinds of muck and garbage to get out! But then, things got very interesting. I found tunnels, and passageways and followed them. Finally, I came back up to earth and I was on solid ground in the parking lot. I tried to get back inside the warehouse, but none of my boys would let me in! So, I had walk-walk mind you, all the way into the deep parts of the city. I finally found a trash truck and hitched a ride, 'til I found another good hideout...this school. I decided to just start over."
"But, but we sent him to the flea market!" Woody cried.
"Are you kidding?" Puss groaned. "There was nothing to do there except either stand around or lie around in a container, looking stupid. So I left."
"But you might have been given to a child, then you wouldn't have to be a fugitive." Woody said.
"You really think you know us, don't you?" Spike spat. "You're such a big softie, cowboy. Why would I want a child? I never wanted playtime, even when I had an owner. When I was removed, it was the best thing that ever happened to me! I didn't want to submit to a stupid child who would misuse me. I wanted to be in control! And now I will!"
"Yeah. We had the same kid. And I agree totally." Puss said.
"You don't really believe that," Woody interjected. He couldn't wrap his mind around a toy not craving to be loved by a child. Spike stomped toward him and clutched Woody's vest. Then he held him up in the air where Woody's boots couldn't touch the ground. Mitsy whimpered.
"No! Please don't hurt him! P-lee ea-ssss-e!" She begged, watching in fright.
Spike was nose to nose with the frightened cowboy doll. "You do NOT tell me what to think and what I shouldn't think!" The bulldog bellowed in Woody's face, making his ears ring. "I do believe it!" Then, just like that, he dropped Woody to the floor like a pile of rags. Woody landed with a thud on his back. Mitsy sighed with relief and crawled over to him. He gripped her hand.
"How did you find us?!" Woody demanded, his chest suddenly filling with a higher escalated level of panic. Mitsy clasped his hand even more tightly. Woody glowered up at the vile leader. He need an answer, and he wanted it now! "Tell me!" Woody growled.
"Oh, it's not hard," Puss shrugged, "especially if you work at a place like this."
"Easy as turtle eggs." Slim hissed. "You know, field trips, conventions..."
"Meeting with parents of bad kids at their homes..." Snaps added.
"Park days, you get the picture." Puss said casually.
"There are a lot of poor, lost toys out there." Spike shook his head. "All we do is try to help them."
"Yeah, help them become landfill fodder!" Woody snapped.
"That's their fault." Spike said flatly. "They just don't appreciate our generosity. Now, back to your question. We just keep track of the school's staff itineraries, and hitch a ride. See how simple it is?" He snickered.
"How...did you...find us?" Woody gritted his teeth.
"It was good old Pussy." Spike said. "On a solo assignment, Mr. Smart the math teacher was in your neighborhood. Puss was doing his scouting, and spotted your little damsel in distress sitting daintily on the porch swing. You should've seen the look on my face when he told me! Then all we had to do was arrange for transport on the right date." Woody cringed, gripping Mitsy's wrist. She stared in frightful disbelief. They'd been watching! They'd seen her! Who else had they seen? Had they seen...Jack?!
Puss stepped slyly toward them and they stared at him in fright. If they're going to beat us, I wish they'd just get it over with! Mitsy thought. She was feeling sick inside.
I can't stand their politeness! Woody thought to himself. "You want to play Cat and Mouse, pal? Let's ride! Your evasiveness is killing me! Puss stood in front of the princess, with a creepy smile. Woody raised himself to his knees, stiffened and raised his shoulders, preparing to pounce. He clutched Mitsy's arms and pulled her back to himself. If he had hackles like a dog, they'd be standing on end. Mitsy clung to him and he tightened his grip.
"It's good to see you again." Puss grinned an evil grin. "Yeah, I'd say this is a productive day. Don't you think, boss?"
"I do." Spike nodded. Puss leaned over and ran his hand through Mitsy's curly hair.
"Get your hands off her!" Woody ordered.
"Mmm-hmm." The cat smiled, with his hand rubbing his chin. "This could come in handy. Of course, it'll be no easy fleet to dissect it away from her, but I think we can manage." Mitsy was absolutely appalled and raised her foot, kicking his ankle, then kicked him right in the stomach (just the way Buzz had taught her to) and Woody, livid with fury, stood up and punched the feline.
"Ooo. A bit touchy are we?" Spike taunted. "We'll leave you two alone to consider your options. But be forewarned, you'll never get out of here...in one piece!" He laughed. "Come on, Puss. Let's give them some privacy." Puss rubbed his cotton jaw and his stomach and hobbled along after his vile leader.
After they'd closed the door, Mitsy sadly looked up at the cowboy. "Why doesn't he just attack us, like before?" She cried. "His sly manner is creeping me out."
"I'm sorry about this, Little Bit." Woody sadly returned her gaze and knelt down to her level.
"Oh, Woody. What are we going to do?" Mitsy asked, worried.
"We're leaving, that's what!" Woody answered firmly. "We're not just gonna roll over and play dead. Come on." He grabbed her small hand and pulled her to her feet.
"But how? Where are we anyway?" Mitsy asked.
"You just stick close to me." Woody smiled. And they snuck out the door, through the empty hall, heading for the lobby. In the hallway were some high windows. Woody tried to jump up, but he couldn't quite reach all the way up to the sill. "Okay. Here, Little Bit. Climb on my shoulders, then stand on my hat." He said. Mitsy obeyed.
"All right. Now give me a boost, Big Guy." Mitsy smiled.
"No problem." Woody nodded. Grasping her ankles, he heaved himself up as tall as he could and Mitsy was able to crawl on the sill, then she pulled him up. He opened the window then jumped down. "Come on, Mitsy." He beckoned. She dangled her legs over the edge, then hopped down into his arms, and he set her back on the ground. It was early sunset right now.
"Which way?" Mitsy asked.
"This way. Let's go!" The cowboy and princess ran toward the school parking lot to their right. They'd just turned the corner when they found themselves face to face with a huge Doberman Pinscher! The dog snarled viciously. The dolls screeched and frantically ran as fast as they could in the opposite direction. Mitsy tripped and the dog lifted her up with his jaws.
"Aaahh!" Mitsy screamed. "Woody! Help me!" The cowboy looked back, horrified.
"You brute!" Woody demanded, angrily throwing rocks at the fiend. "Put her down, now!" His aims were turning into misfires, and the large dog was wagging his head back and forth, flailing Mitsy like a chew toy. Woody grabbed a stick and charged forward. He whacked as hard as he could and the beast released the princess, but crunched down hard on the stick. He lifted Woody into the air, who had wrapped himself around the weapon to break the fall. The dog flicked it and the sheriff fell back against the wall, hitting his neck. The Doberman stomped ominously toward the dazed cowboy.
"No!" Mitsy yelled and threw herself onto the dog's front leg. She was trying to stop him. "Down! Bad dog! Bad!"
"You know, the car was actually in front of your owner's house!" Jessie exclaimed to Matthew. He gasped.
"What? You...you mean it all happened right in front of my nose and I didn't do anything to stop it?" He cried.
"You were out with Bobby. You couldn't have known." Jack said, though he felt just as anxiously guilty about what had happened.
"It wasn't your fault." Slinky said. The soldier grew quiet.
I could've done something, He groaned in thought. I could've stopped it!
Potato Head spoke up, trying to change the subject. "Why would a dad without young children steal two toys?" He asked as he and the band marched on the sidewalk.
"From what I remember seeing, it looked as if the driver didn't even know they were in the trunk," Jack answered. "I'm almost sure that I saw the suitcase quickly close before he walked back to his car."
"You sure about that?" Buzz asked.
"Yes."
"That's right!" Jessie blurted.
"If that's true, it means that Mr. Wilson isn't responsible for their abduction." Buzz said gravely. "He didn't intentionally take them away. Someone else had to have put them in first."
"No. Buzz, do you know what you're saying?" Jessie gulped.
"I'm sure, Jessie." Her husband looked back at her sadly.
Matthew froze and just stood where he was, his shoulders sagging. He looked so worried. "Oh, I hope not." He whispered to himself. Bonnie's toys turned when they noticed he wasn't following.
"You comin', gun man?" Potato Head muttered. Matthew shook his head to get back into reality.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry. Yeah, I'm coming." He answered and tried to catch up.
"Who would do such a thing?" Slinky growled angrily. "Any wicked-intended good-for-nothing's lay a paw on my pals, they'll be sorry!" Jack felt the exact same way and tried to look determined, but his face betrayed his emotions.
"We're coming, Mitsy sweet," he said aloud, but more to himself than his friends. "We'll find you, I promise, and bring you safely back to Bonnie." Ever since they'd been reunited, Jack had grown more devoted and protective of his precious charge than when they'd first met, if that was even possible. After the situation at the warehouse, he'd sworn to himself that he'd never let anything so sinister and dangerous harm her again. And today, he...well, he didn't keep his promise.
"You're worried, aren't you?" Jessie asked. The large dog gulped. "Aw, it'll be all right, Jack." She said sweetly, patting his shoulder. "And you can be glad she's not alone." Matthew's ears perked up at this and he stared thoughtfully at the cowgirl, nodding.
Buzz could sense what Jack was feeling, not being able to protect those they cared about. But he had to dissolve the dog's fretting. "Jessie's right," he said calmly. "Don't forget that Woody's with her. He'll take care of Mitsy. He'd never let any harm come to her!"
"That's right," Jack murmured, eyes focused straight ahead. "He is. And he will."
"How are we looking, Buzz?" Jessie asked ten minutes later.
"Pretty good," Buzz answered. "But we've only walked one mile."
"Big deal," Slinky said casually. "Hey, what's four miles? We've traveled farther than that before."
"That'a boy, Slink." Jessie said, tipping her hat to the dog. "We can do this, fellas! We're not stopping 'til we find our friends." She said with her head held high. Buzz smiled with adoration. Jessie was a real trooper, and her spunky determination lifted his spirits. It encouraged Jack too. Yes, Buzz had married the right girl.
Bullseye stopped in his tracks, twitching his ears and sniffing the air cautiously. He snorted loudly. "What's wrong, Bullseye?" Jessie asked, looking at her horse. "Uh, Buzz? Something's up with Bullseye. He's acting strange."
"What is it, boy?" Buzz asked as he walked up close to the horse. Bullseye lowered his ears and stared straight ahead. Something was making him uneasy.
"Hey," Slinky sniffed. "I smell something too!"
"So do I!" Jack cocked his head, raising one of his upright ears. "I hear something too. It's over there! In the bushes!"
"Stand back everyone!" Buzz ordered. He proceeded cautiously, aiming his laser. Matthew covered him, with his plastic rifle pointed straight ahead. The bushes rustled and they heard a low growl. Jessie put her arms protectively around her horse and Slinky raised his coils, standing in front of them.
"Whoever you are, or whatever you are, come out now!" Buzz barked, his eyes narrowing in defensive mode. They heard another growl, then a rapid blur of yellow emerged out of the bushes with a howl and landed on top of Matthew, knocking him off his feet. He dropped his gun and raised his arms to protect himself. He felt hot breathing coming down on his face, and took a chance to peek at his assailant. He was dumb-founded.
"Katan?!" He gasped. Everyone else sighed in relief. Katan was standing on top of him, his teeth bared. "Katan," Matthew sighed as he sat up, "what are you doing here? Answer me!" The cub didn't flinch at the firm tone, he only glowered more.
"I scared you. Didn't I?!" He hissed in his friend's face. "You can't deny it this time. You were afraid of me!"
"You didn't answer my question." Matthew scolded.
"Just admit it, for once! I scared you!" Katan snarled.
"Yes, you sure did." Matthew grunted. "You've been following us, haven't you?"
"Yes." Katan muttered, scowling.
"You disobeyed me. Now you're gonna have to go back home."
"Excuse me, but it's quite aways back, Matt." Slinky said.
"Stay out of this, Slink. Katan, why did you deliberately disobey me?" Katan hung his head sadly.
"It isn't fair, Matt!" He blurted out. "I'll never be big and strong like Mufasa, but I can do more than you think! When are you ever going to let me prove myself?! You keep saying, 'sometime', but you never give me a chance. That's really all I want: a chance. A chance to prove myself and do something big and important and great! I want you to be proud of me. I want to help you. Please...for once, just let me!" Katan pleaded with sad eyes. Matthew stared at his little pal. He sighed and shook his head.
"You're right, Katan. I'm sorry, Bud. I keep pushing you aside and not trying to see your potential. I'm truly sorry. I was wrong to do that. Please forgive me."
"Will you let me come with you, then?" Katan asked.
"Yes." Matthew sighed.
"Really?!" The cub's face lit up and he started happily licking the soldier.
"Really," Matthew smiled. "But when we get home, you're going to have to be punished. I can't tolerate disobedience. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Matt. I understand." Katan replied, but at this moment, he didn't care. Matthew was letting him come along on an important mission!
"We could use a tough cadet like you." Buzz smiled, knuckling Katan's head. The cub grinned proudly with his head held high, and trotted into the group.
"Okay, let's hit the road!" Buzz cheered.
They trudged along and were playing I Spy when they heard a screeching car behind them. It was swerving dangerously from side to side. "Look out!" Jack shouted.
"Hit for cover!" Buzz ordered and the toys tried to run out of harm's way. Then, the car leaned on its side almost on the curb, above their heads! The terrified toys screamed and tripped over each other. The vehicle landed back on the street and kept driving recklessly, the driver laughing and shouting.
"Try it again, pal!" Slinky hollered. "Next time you'll be sorry!"
"Stay on your own side of the road, buddy!" Potato Head yelled after the car.
"You could've gotten someone killed!" Jessie shouted, and Bullseye snorted in agreement. "You get back over here so I can give ya a good thrashing!"
"Okay, okay, everyone," Buzz tried to calm the riled toys. "Just calm down."
"Are you blind, Mr. Fearless?" The spud smarted off.
"Man, that was close." Matthew stated, wiping the dirt off his face.
"That was great!" Katan hopped up excitedly. Everyone glared at him as they stood up and brushed themselves off.
"Anybody hurt?" Buzz asked. The toys shook their heads.
"No? Good." Jack said. "Come on, Let's stay on course."
"Roger," Buzz said.
"Wait just a minute!" Jessie huffed with her fists on her hips. "Where's my hat?"
The Doberman couldn't eat Woody, but snatched him up by the foot and hung him upside down. Mitsy hopped up next to him, wrapping one arm around his and clung to his vest with the other hand. They both dangled in the air as the dog climbed through a doggy door and trotted back inside with them. "Woody, are you okay?" Mitsy asked.
"I'll figure that out later," Woody replied dryly. They were greeted by an unwelcome sight in the Administrator's Office.
"Good work, Slugger." Spike praised the captor. "Thought you'd take a little field trip, did ya?" He taunted. "You skipped out on me once before, and right before the show really started. Well, I'm going to make up for lost time now!" Slugger shook the toys back and forth, up and down. Woody's hat fell off and Spike grabbed it. Mitsy was thrown to the floor and scrunched up timidly back against the wall as Puss in the Boots cornered her. Slugger finally dropped the cowboy but pinned him with a huge paw before Woody could crawl away or make a run for it. Suddenly, he looked around and noticed the other villains standing around besides Spike and Puss. There was Stinger the scorpion from the old gang along with Snaps the crocodile and Pinch the Robot; a long, large stuffed dark brown anaconda called Slim; a very ugly plastic rat named Raganoff; and an actual Scar from The Lion King action figure! They were playing catch with Woody's hat.
"Give it to me!" Woody called, reaching his arm out as far as possible but to no avail. "Leave my hat alone."
"Stop it!" Mitsy growled. Puss chuckled at her. Then Stinger opened the air vent in the floor and Woody heard a fan blade! Slim tauntingly held the hat right above it.
"No! NO!" Woody begged. "Not my hat, please!"
"Don't do that!" Mitsy called.
"Aw. Poor, poor cowboy," Scar smirked, shaking his head in mock sympathy. "Life just isn't fair, is it? Well, if your hat means so much to you, we'll just exchange it for your little friend here." He laughed wickedly and Woody gasped as Scar crouched stealthily toward the trapped princess. She braced herself and her eyes were wide with fear. "Such a sweet little thing, it'd be such a pity to see her torn to shreds now wouldn't it?" Scar asked creepily. "Ohhh. Such a grisly thought. It pangs me to the core." He swished his tail back and forth and pinched her cheek. She angrily slapped his paw and shoved it away in disgust.
"Your choice, cowboy. Doesn't make any difference to us." Spike grinned with smug eyes.
Woody grimaced. That hat meant so much to him! It was his prized possession! It was part of him. He was absolutely torn. But Mitsy, she was irreplaceable. How could he let them kill her-and they surely would too-just to save a lifeless thing?
"So, what's it gonna be, cowboy?" Scar asked smugly. "Your precious hat? Or your adorable little Goldilocks?" Mitsy decided she'd had enough. She'd turned the tables on Puss once before, so maybe she could do it again! She raised her foot and kicked his shin again, socked his middle so that he doubled over whining, then dashed forward, heading for the door. But Snaps the crocodile blocked her path and then Scar pounced on top of her and pinned her to the tile floor. "Where do you think you're going, my little pretty?" He chuckled and the others laughed. Mitsy glowered angrily, squirming underneath his plastic claws.
"Get...off of me!" She snarled.
Squeezing his eyes shut in fear and hurt at what he was about to do, Woody gulped from the lump in his throat and spoke. "Go ahead, take the hat!" He wailed, gagging on the words. "But please, PLEASE don't hurt Mitsy!" The villains groaned.
"Eh, you're no fun." Raganoff whined, and Slim thew the hat toward the cowboy who anxiously reached out to grab it, but the rat pinched it between his claws. Woody gazed longingly at it. The ruffians laughed merrily.
"Take her away." Spike ordered. Puss wasted no time and headed toward Mitsy. Scar raised his paw, but as soon as he did, the princess bucked her legs underneath him and scrambled forward. It was a futile attempt, but she knew how dark these toys were and she wasn't about to let them turn her or Woody into chop kibble! It was indeed uselessly foolish, for Slim rolled the end of his tail out, tripping Mitsy, and before she knew it Puss had grabbed her!
"No! NO!" Woody pleaded.
"Let me go!" Mitsy yelled and struggled as the cat whisked her away out of sight. Scar and the others were laughing hideously.
"Go with him," Spike ordered Stinger who obeyed.
"What are you going to do to her?!" Woody gasped in fear. He'd seen part of these cruel toys before, and his experience with them had been a living nightmare that no toy would want to go through again!
"Don't you worry about her, Sheriff," Spike turned gruff. "Get ready for some fun, boys. Let the show begin!"
Oh no! It is Spike and his crew again! What will happen now? Will Buzz and their friends find them in time? Will they make it back to Bonnie...alive this time?! Please do leave reviews. I can't promise how soon the next chapter will be up, I'm still working on it. So now you know: Spike is back. History is repeating itself! NOT AGAIN!