Just some more various unrelated apocrypha that aren't really tied together by any theme.
I wanted to post more, but the others are so wildly different in tone and pace, I felt it best to leave them their own chapters. For now, I give you these calmer pieces.
[First, a slice of life piece.]
Girl's Night
"So… when you said you wanted a girl's night, I expected something… well, I wasn't expecting this, at least." Sally said as she watched Amy look through the racks of the comic shop.
She shrugged. "Hey, I can't always do fashion and tea. Variety is the spice of life, and all. Hmm… nothing's really catching my eye. Maybe I should see how Spiderman's going." Sally watched her pick up the book and glance through it- "OH, COME ON! They split up Peter and MJ again?!"
"I know, right?" A random customer shouted out, with several murmurs of agreement following after.
"I don't know, Amy… comics were always more Sonic's thing." Sally rubbed her arm.
"They still are. Keeps em all with Tails. He said they rerailed Captain Marvel recently." Amy explained. "Never hurts to try, Sally. See if anything strikes your fancy. I took a pretty big shine to Hulk, surprisingly."
"Miss Amy started reading comics about the big green man after Mister Sonic became a werewolf." Cream said as she walked over with a novel based on some show called Gravity Falls.
"Wait, really?" Tangle popped up from behind a different aisle. "I wonder why." She teased.
Amy looked pointedly at the lemur. "Head out of the gutter, Tangle. I felt like Hulk's plights heavily mirrored Sonic's. I've been a fan ever since."
"Okay, okay, just joking." She looked inquisitively. "The comics any good right now?"
"…Eh." Amy tilted her hand back and forth. "The Starship Hulk stuff was… mediocre. Would've been a perfectly fine series if it hadn't come right after Ewing's run." Her eyes suddenly widened. "Oh, now Immortal Hulk- there's a gem. 50 issues of pure gold. I'm hopeful about the upcoming run, since they're apparently returning to horror again."
Sally tuned it out, certainly feeling… a little lost. But, Amy had a point. It couldn't hurt to give it a shot. She walked over to the racks, peering at the images on display. Nothing really stuck out to her. Until… she saw an image of a group of people, the name "Avengers" written across. Something… struck a chord in her with this group. They looked defiant in the face of danger, ready to fight for others… for their freedom. She plucked the comic off the shelf. "Uh… maybe this one?"
The three glanced over, seeing she had come to a decision. Amy smiled. "Any comic can be anyone's first. I'd say you've made a good choice."
The four girls sat around in their pajama in Amy's living room, embroiled in discussion. None moreso than Sally, to her own surprise. She gushed on through the night about "Iron Man" and his tech, "Captain America" and his sense of right, and so on and so forth. They laughed as they guided Sally into the weird world of comics. And for a moment, the four forgot about their own troubles as heroes.
[You'll probably want to be caught up with the actual Rediscovered Frontiers for these next two.]
In Every Universe
*clink*
*clank*
*shunk* *tik-tik-tak*
Bunnie grumbled as the rock missed the bars and passed through the gap, landing a few feet away. It was her last one, too.
She sighed as she looked up at the ceiling. "We'll get you out of here. I promise." Sally had told her… before her brother's lackeys forced her out. That had been a few days ago.
Bunnie didn't quite get that robo-girl. Back in Studiopolis, she seemed intent on seeing her as that "other Bunnie"- but then she deactivated her bombs and started whistling a new tune. Then, she shows up here and seemingly overjoyed to see her brother again. Only for her to do a 180 and curse him out when he revealed he was gonna turn her into the "other Bunnie".
Honestly, she wasn't sure if she trusted her even a little. But being in a place where the Hooligans couldn't find her, she didn't have much choice.
Her staring contest with the ceiling was interrupted by the prison door opening.
"She's in here."
Two figures walked in. One she'd already gotten overly acquainted with- Elias Acorn, the dirtbag keeping her here. She gave him a good ol' glare, which he promptly huffed at. It'd become their way of greeting each other. But the other… she recognized him. She seen him all too often in these idiots' brainwashing sessions to not know.
Her "husband". Supposedly. What was his name? Anthony? Andy? Arthur?
"She's been unreceptive to the treatments, as of yet. She won't recognize you, Antoine."
Ah, that was it.
"It's fine. Please, just… let me have a few moments."
Elias sighed. "Ok. Take your time. It's been hard for all of us."
The so-called king stepped outside and closed the door behind him.
The coyote seemed to listen towards the door. When he seemed satisfied, he walked towards her. "Are you hurt? Have they been treating you humanely?"
She let out a snort, both amused and annoyed. "Oh yeah. They've been givin' me the five star experience here. Complimentary room service, morning wake up calls, evening entertainment. We're all good here." She sneered a little.
He grimaced. "Apologies. I didn't mean to sound sarcastic. I'm sincerely asking."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah. They aren't starving me. And they haven't hurt me. Yet." She leaned back onto the bars. "Once they see their little brainwashing tricks aren't workin', I imagine they'll try a different approach."
"Brainwashing?" Coyote boy asked, disgust heavy in his voice.
"Ah, it's tamer than it sounds. They plop me in some chair an' start trying to tell me "who I am". "You're not a hooligan", "you were born in the Acorn Kingdom", "you marry some coyote"." She pointedly looked at him at the last one.
"I see. So you're aware of me."
"Aware enough to know that you're about to try to act all gushy in hopes of helping me "remember"." She huffed. "Forget it. I'm me, and you ain't changing that."
"I'm not here for that." He stepped in front of the door. "I'm here to get you out of he-"
Antoine was suddenly clutched by his collar at blinding speed. She kept her voice low. "Listen, lover boy." She raised her other fist. "Don't insult me by coming in here an tryin' ta trick me. I ain't falling for it. Now, I could knock you out an see if ya got keys, but seeing as you might not, I think I'll just get you to lure the guard in here an' bring em to me."
Antoine stayed calm… almost serene. It was a little creepy to her. "You wouldn't get far. Elias has too much security for any one person to handle."
"Won't hurt to try." She gave smile.
"Not unless you want to take advantage of Sally's diversion."
Her eyes widen at the name. "You know that robo-munk?"
"I would hope so. She was the one who rescued me... and has also been my friend since childhood."
She regained her composure. "Really? And I guess you're expecting me to believe you're buddy-buddy with her after you walked in here all chummy with that jackass."
"It's just a ruse. I told Elias what he wanted to hear, and he trusted me because he believes I've lost something on a similar level to him." He argued.
"Yeah. His wife and kid. I heard him arguing about it with his sister. And if those sessions told me anything, it's that you lost me, apparently." She brought him closer to the bars. "I dunno if I believe that hooey about another universe, but if you think I'm just gonna let my guard down so you can try to change me-"
"I swear on my life that I am not." He sighed. "Elias is... not in his right mind. And his agenda against what he feel has wronged him has garnered the loyalty of those who can relate. But I know the flaw in Elias' goals. They would take those who lived their own lives in this world and imprison them. They would try to mold them into what they used to be, whether they wish to be or not. Despite what they have deluded themselves into thinking, they are not doing so for their victim's sake, but merely for the sake of their own comfort. It is a coward's ambition. And I am no coward."
Bunnie looked slightly surprised, unknowingly lowering him a little. "...That still doesn't give me a reason to trust you. Heck, I don't even really trust your badnik friend. Why should I believe you?"
"I'm not asking you to trust us. I'm asking you to trust yourself." She tilted her head. "The Bunnie we knew had a very different life from you. You are right that you aren't her. But... you are still connected. Two branches sprung from the same tree. She would want the world for you, to be free from all who'd try to cage you. And it is that knowledge that has guided me... as well as Sally and Nicole. If nothing else, please... trust that." He gazed into her eyes with sincerity.
Bunnie's head jerked back at that. It reminded her of what Sally said at Studiopolis. Which was right after she'd deactivated her bombs. And now, this young man was saying the same thing. And he was trying to free her.
...She groaned, and released him from her grip. "If I think for even a moment that you're pulling a fast one, I'm punching your overly shiny teeth out."
"I will try to let my actions will speak louder than words." He replied, pulling a set of keys out and opening her cell. "Sally hasn't set off the diversion yet, You should take a moment to prepare."
"I still don't get it." She stared as she began stretching. "You couldn't have immediately come to that "coward" conclusion of yours. What stopped you from going along with it?"
"Well, first was the knowledge of who I'd be letting down, had I followed Elias." He looked down, clenching his fist. "My father would be ashamed of the man I'd have become. My best friend would have felt betrayed. And my wife... if she knew I allowed you to be locked up and tortured just so I could feel better... it would have broken her heart."
Bunnie paused. She... wasn't sure how to respond to that. And she didn't know why. What did it matter to her? She wasn't his wife. "...And the other?"
He looked back at her. "In following him, Elias essentially asks you to see all that has been changed as unnatural. He expects me to see you through a lens of hatred. He... asks too much of me."
"...Why's that?"
"Because I love you in every universe." His smile was warm and his eyes were filled with fondness. There was a tinge of sadness in his voice, but it was overshadowed by endearment.
Bunnie felt her cheeks warm up. Realizing too late how evident her blush was, she turned around suddenly. "I-Is that distraction here yet?"
Antoine's smile never left him, even as a large explosion resounded through the base. "Indeed. Shall we?" He unsheathed his sword, grabbing Bunnie's attention.
"Now, don't go expecting that you can treat me like some damsel. I'm still a Hooligan, and I know how to rumble." She rocketed through the door... just missing the twitch in Antoine's eye. He brought his balled hand up to his mouth and let out a muffled scream into it. "Love you... in every universe. But the company you keep may take some getting used to." He brandished his sword and walked out.
[Finally, a non-canon moment taking place after the Hooligans left Studiopolis, before they meet Fang's mechanic. Sometimes I take a crack at guessing how the story might play out on the Spacebattles thread. I'm always wrong, but it's nice to interpret things in my own way for a moment.]
Call at a Desert Gas Station
"They really shut those nasty things off for ya?"
Bunnie stood at the old pay phone, coiling the cord around her finger. "Yep. Don't know what her deal was, but at this point, I can't really complain."
"That's fantasic! No more sword o' Damocles oer yer head!"
Bunnie snorted. "Sword o' what?"
"Damocles? From the greek myth?" He paused, waiting for a response, only to be met with silence. "Ah, forget it… so, whatcha plannin' next?"
"Eh, we're visitin' Fang's mechanic pal. The bombs may be off, but they're still there. Ah'd rather not have them accidentally going off cuz some rando with a tv remote connects to tha same frequency." She looked as Bean squabbled with Fang in the gas station. Probably about a candy bar… "Just making a quick rest stop, then we'll get goin'."
"And… after that?" Bunnie said nothing. "Maybe… you'll go visit Pa?"
"Why would I-… oh, ya mean Uncle Beau." She sighed. "…Ah don't know if ah'm ready to see him again."
"C'mon, Bunnie. Pa could never hate ya. His heart were broke, but I know he'll understand why ya did what ya did."
"Look, I'll think about that later. Fer now, Ah just wanna focus on pluckin' these bombs out." She paused. "But… Ah wouldn't… mind hearing how he's been."
Silence came from the other side. "Ah… wouldn't know."
"Say what?"
"Ah'm… not on speakin' terms with em."
Bunnie jolted. "What? What in tarnation happened?"
"He didn't tell me what was happening to y'all." He said angrily.
"Ah didn't either."
"That ain't on you, Buns. You were the kid, it weren't on you to make those decisions. Our parents are supposed to be the responsible ones till we leave the nest."
"By that logic, Uncle was just doin' the responsible thing and keeping you out of a dangerous mess." Bunnie argued.
"Ah coulda done something, Buns."
"Like what, go up and smack that living throw pillow in the face?"
He growled in aggravation. "Ah ain't stupid, Bunnie! Ah coulda just helped y'all make more money and paid off tha debt."
"Look, Uncle was just trying to protect you, Jo-"
"Protect me? Bah, that's all he ever did! He treated me like Ah was made o' paper!"
"He cares about you. Sure, he went overboard, but…"
"Bunnie, he never told me how badly you had it. My little cousin was at risk a' blowing up, and he was working himself to death ta try and pay even a fraction of the debt. He didn't trust me ta handle it. He never did! Ah'm sick and tired o' him treating me like fragile goods! Ah didn't ask to be protected!"
"AT LEAST HE CARES ENOUGH TO TRY, JOHNNY!" Bunnie shouted, having lost her patience.
A silence rang out. Bunnie felt as though even the wind stopped outside.
"…I'm sorry."
"You don't-"
"No, that… was uncalled for. Guilt tripping you don't solve anything."
She heard Johnny sigh. "Look, Bunnie, Ah know you don't want to rake him over the coals. He was there when yer Pa weren't. But… things had been like that even before everything happened to you. When you got sick, it just got worse. Pa even gained this irrational fear of me drowning. Wouldn't let me out of his sight when we went to the lake. There's protecting and then there's coddling. An' coddlin's all he ever did. But… truth be told, Ah coulda let all that go if he'd just trusted me to go out on my own. That was the final straw for me."
"Hmm?"
"It wasn't only learning all the stuff about you that split us. A few months ago, Ah told Pa Ah wanted to work with the Restoration. O' course, this was right after all that horrible stuff with the Zombots. And Ah'd only confronted Pa about the bomb business a week before. Pa weren't having it. Ah just… got so fed up with his attitude that… well, we got into a shouting match, and before Ah knew it, Ah was walking out the door. Told him Ah wasn't comin' back till he came to me and said he was wrong. Haven't seen him since." She could practically hear him massage his temple. "Ah regret some of the things Ah said. But Ah don't regret leaving. Ever since Ah joined up, it feels like Ah'm finally makin' a difference."
Bunnie pursed her lips. "Well… Ah'd be a hypocrite if Ah said you couldn't just up an' leave to do yer own thing. Just… think about maybe going back to see em, alright?"
"…I will if you will." Johnny offered.
"…Deal." She saw her teammates getting finishing up. "Them restoration folks treatin' you ok?"
He chuckled. "Ah, I'm fine, cuz. All those times Ah beat Zips the Fox in races paid off. Apparently, Ah'm so quick on mah feet, people've started callin' me "Lightfoot". Ah ain't no "Blue Blur", sure, but…"
"Alright, ya braggart. You gettin' any good work?"
"Well, that's tha other thing. Looks like me and mah buddy Porker have been doing real good." His voice was filled with pride. "They're sendin' us up to the Studiopolis base to make some kinda… special squad. One of our new teammates already works up there, sum canary girl."
"Hmph. More fuel fer yer ego. Great." She laughed as he objected. "Looks like Ah gotta get goin'. Take care, Johnny."
"You too. Stay safe, Buns."
She balked. "C'mon, Johnny. After all the stuff that happened in Stidiopolis, how excitin' can meetin' one mechanic be?"