War Among Worlds 1x03: The Recon Mission
Sprig thinks about the options for a minute and walks around the room and then looks at Ivy and Sprig.
Sprig: So, on one hand we barely know nothing about this monkey problem that the forgotten zone is facing, but on the other hand we know nothing about this dimension that this voice is talking about or this rebellion that is going on.
Ivy: So where does this leave us?
Sprig: These are the times that I wish Anne were here she would be really great in these types of situations.
Ivy: Hey, you are a great leader, and we make a great team.
Sprig: Then why have we not been able to find a way back to Anne?
Suddenly the room goes quiet when Sprig mentions Anne knowing that he is serious.
Polly: You know I tried so many times there could be several reasons why we haven't been able to get in touch with Anne,
Sprig: It's been 10 years!
Ivy sensing the tension in the room gets in-between Sprig and Polly's argument to remind them what is important again.
Ivy: Hey, look we all miss Anne, but fighting like this won't change anything will it? Anyway, I think we can all agree there are bigger problems that we need to talk about right now, right?
Polly: So, I guess we're not going to see Hop Pop's show tonight, are we?
Sprig and Ivy laugh a little and then look at Polly.
Sprig: I guess not.
Ivy: So, what's the plan Sprig
Sprig: Well, the way I see it is that we don't tell Nalani about this voice because I don't trust her at all which I'm sure you guys would agree on.
Ivy and Polly: Agreed.
Sprig: So, since we can't tell Nalani this, I think the best thing for us today is to go on this recon mission together because we need to find more information about these monkeys and why they are such a threat to the people of the forgotten zone.
Ivy: If they even are.
Sprig: Exactly and I think that Nico kid knows more than he is talking about, So I think it would be great if you talked to him a little more about this town while he shows you technology tomorrow.
Polly: Wait so I am not going to go on this recon mission?
Sprig: I think it is important to divide and conquer we don't all need to be at that mission, and we need to know as much as we can about this town and the Monkeys.
Ivy: That's a good point.
Polly: I'm assuming it's safe to tell Hop Pop we won't be making it back to the show tomorrow.
Sprig: Obviously, so let's get some sleep we have a big day planned for tomorrow.
Polly: Alright I will see you guys in the morning.
Ivy starts to get ready to go to bed when she looks at Sprig and walks over to him.
Ivy: Everything okay things did get pretty tense with you and Polly.
Sprig: I know she is trying her hardest just in all of this time I just miss Anne I thought there would be some way to….
Ivy holds Sprig's hand in hers and looks at him sweetly.
Ivy: Look I get it's been rough but think about how happy Anne would be if she could hear about all of the fun we have been on together and all of the different worlds we have explored as well.
Sprig: We have had a lot of fun together.
Ivy: Yeah, like the race against the snow dragons, Or the escape from the tiger bandits.
Sprig: And you can't forget about that fight with the Armadillo king.
Ivy: If it wasn't for Polly and Frobo we would have been captured by Hyenas.
Sprig: And that's not even mentioning the Wolf Vs Hyena war which got messy.
Ivy: We have been through a lot, so let's get some sleep so we can figure out more about this Monkey problem in the morning.
Sprig: I love you
Ivy: I love you too.
Sprig and Ivy kiss and then go to bed hoping for things to go smoothly tomorrow. Chelsea comes crashing through the door waking up Sprig, Ivy, and Polly but excited to start the day.
Chelsea: Good morning, everyone time to get up and start the day we got big plans ahead of us.
Polly: Well, if we weren't awake before we are awake now.
Chelsea: So how did you guys sleep last night?
Sprig: Everything is great can you give us a couple minutes to get ready Chelsea.
Chelsea: Oh, Sure just come out to the living room when you guys are ready.
Sprig: Got it.
Chelsea leaves the room giving Sprig, Ivy, and Polly some time to talk about the day ahead of them first.
Sprig: So, we are all good on the plan, right?
Polly: Yes, I am going to find a way to try to talk to Hop Pop and tell him we can't be at the show tonight and then I will try to learn more about the monkeys from Nico while also learning more about the things he builds for the forgotten zone of course.
Sprig: Of course.
Ivy: And me and Sprig will go on this recon mission and find out more about the monkeys that way and hopefully try to help these people the best we can.
Sprig: So, let's get going then.
Sprig, Ivy, and Polly walk over to the living room and see Chelsea, Nico, and Varnick waiting for them.
Varnick: Alright let's get going we don't want to be late to the compound.
Sprig: About that we talked it over last night and we think it would be smart if me and Ivy went on this recon mission and Polly stays here with Nico
Varnick: Oh, and you didn't think about informing us about this change?
Sprig: To be honest we don't really know any of you and you don't really know us I mean you didn't even ask us our names yesterday.
Varnick: I mean there will be time for that later.
Nico: Why can't we just get to know each other know I mean they already know us?
Varnick: Fine it is important for you guys to trust us after all.
Nico: And why is that?
Chelsea: So, what are your names?
Sprig: My name is Sprig.
Ivy: My name is Ivy.
Polly: And my name is Polly.
Varnick: So, the best we got to help us from the distress signal is a pink, yellow, and purple frog?
Sprig: Why don't you just explain more about this monkey problem to us first?
Varnick: I will now the three of us should get going we don't want to be late for the compound. Are yo usure Polly is safe with you Nico?
Nico: Not that it's any of your concern, but I will take care of Polly.
Varnick: Alright so, Sprig and Ivy you guys are with me.
Sprig: Time for another fun adventure.
Varnick leaves with Sprig and Ivy leaving Polly, Nico, and Chelsea by themselves.
Polly: So, what are we going to be working on today Nico?
Nico: Follow me to my room.
Polly follows Nico to his room leaving Chelsea standing awkwardly alone by herself in the living room.
Chelsea: Go team I guess I will just wait here until you all get back.
On the way to the compound Sprig and Ivy are talking to Varnick when they suddenly arrive at the Compound which is the training facility for the scouts which looks like an old abandoned factory with lots of broken windows in it and they are ambushed by the leader of the scouts a fierce Chinese woman in her 40s named Emma who looks like she has been through hell, but looks like she can be resourceful when times can hard.
Emma: Hold on guys, it's just Varnick with two frogs apparently.
Varnick: And I think it would be important to listen to me considering these frogs our going to help us on this recon mission.
Emma: And what makes you think we need these frogs on this mission?
Varnick: Because they are the ones who heard our distress signal.
Sprig: Look as we told Nalani we just want to help you guys out, but we can't do that if we don't know what we are up against here.
Emma: You may think you can help us, but the monkey's our ruthless I have been the leader of the scouts for the last 16 years there is nothing the monkeys won't do to destroy us.
Ivy: But why do they hate you?
Emma: You want to know the real reason they always thought they were better than us so they just think they could push us around and that we will always do what they say.
Sprig: How long has this been going on?
Emma: For long before Nalani was in charge, I know it seems like she has everything together, but she doesn't know what she is doing, nor does she understand what it takes to be a true leader.
Varnick: Now Emma you don't mean that.
Emma: Oh, I mean that one hundred percent the only reason I stay is because you guys would all be lost without me.
Varnick: You know she has never talked about what has happened between the two of you.
Emma: Well after what she did to Chelsea, I think it's clear that we have nothing else to talk about, but anyway you came all this way I think it's important for these frogs to get to know the rest of the team. So, Varnick you can leave now so I can introduce them to the rest of the team.
Varnick: But what if you need me?
Emma: You got these frogs here to help I'm sure that's all Nalani wanted after all. So, go back and tell her that you have achieved your mission I have my own work to do.
Varnick: Fine I guess there is nothing to talk about then.
Varnick storms off as Sprig and Ivy look at each other trying to figure out why everyone in The Forgotten Zone hates each other so much, but in that moment, Emma motions for Sprig and Ivy to come to her so she can introduce the rest of the scouts to them.
Emma: Alright so by now you guys know that I don't really like Varnick all that much and I'm not that big of a fan of Nalani either, but I do believe the scouts can still do some good so let me introduce the rest of the team to you.
Zakiva a 26-year-old Italian, Nadia a 19 year old Latina women, Dante a 16 year old Chinese man, and Samuels a 35 year old man who looks like he has been through some terrible stuff, but is one great soldier and they all come down to meet Sprig and Ivy.
Zakiva: My name is Zakiva I once lived in Italy, but then got transported to the Hidden Jungle a long time ago
Ivy: Did you end up here by yourself?
Zakiva: I came here with my parents and my mom died shortly after I arrived here. My dad has done his best to provide for me, but those monkeys haven't made life in The Forgotten Zone easy.
Sprig: Did you ever figure out how you got transported to The Hidden Jungle?
Zakiva: No
Sprig: So, what do you bring to the scouts?
Zakiva: I am a Martial arts expert who knows several different ways to break your body,
Sprig: Nice to know.
Nadia: My name is Nadia.
Sprig: So, what is your story and how did you get here?
Nadia: Not much to tell really, I have lived in the Forgotten Zone my entire life although I have heard people talk about how the Hidden Jungle wasn't always like how it is now.
Ivy: What do you mean by that?
Nadia: I don't know that's just what I have heard. Oh, and I forgot to mention I have basic combat experience and when I say basic, I mean hand to hand type of combat.
Emma: But you are working on the rest, right?
Nadia: Yes, tomorrow I start training on knowing how to use the obstacles in the room to my advantage in a fight.
Emma: One of the most important lessons professor Faloneg ever taught me.
Nadia: I never told you I was taking classes with professor Faloneg.
Emma walks around Nadia and examines her for a minute and then looks at her posture and realizes that she is slightly angled and off center which makes Emma smile.
Emma: It's always clear when she teaches someone because she teaches you how to fight, but she doesn't teach you to survive, that's the problem.
Nadia: What are you saying?
Emma: You have real potential, but you are wasting it with Faloneg, but that class on learning to fight with whatever you have in a room is key survival and I think it will come in hand. However, after that I will train you to be a fighter because you have way more potential than you think you do.
Sprig: Wait I'm confused weren't you just telling Varnick how terrible everyone is,
Emma: See the thing the two of you don't understand yet is that Nalani and Varnick only care about themselves, so I put on this whole show that shows like I am hard to work with and that I am a lone wolf, but I have a heart unlike those two and the scouts are like my family.
Dante: You know this is great and all, but can we get to what we have all been waiting for my introduction.
Ivy: And who are you?
Emma: His name…
Dante: (Cutting Emma off) My name is Dante, and I am a legacy here on the scouts.
Sprig: And what exactly does that mean?
Dante: My parents were part of the scouts before they died, so now I am to continue on their great legacy they were once called the general and the queen especially in some of the early battles against the monkey's as I remember it.
Emma: They were the bravest soldiers The Forgotten Zone had have ever seen until the Monkey Battalion surrounded them and killed them.
Dante: Those Damn Monkeys took everything from me, and I still don't know what my part in the Scouts is I mean my parents were the General and the Queen they had great leadership skills and were always the best that everything they did, but me I am still figuring things out.
Emma: That's okay, we can take things one day at a time.
Dante: Thank you.
Samuels: So, I guess that just leaves me my name is Samuels and I am great at making traps to capture the monkeys in.
Nadia: Of which they always find a way to escape from.
Samuels: I didn't say they were perfect I am still working on them.
Emma: Now who are you exactly?
Sprig: My name is Sprig
Ivy: And my name is Ivy, and we are here to help you on this mission in any way we can
Emma: Great so let's get to work.
Meanwhile in Nico and Chelsea's house Nico is telling Polly about everything he has built to avoid attacks from the Monkeys and his history with mechanics and inventions.
Polly: So, I'm going to be honest the stuff you build to defend The Forgotten Zone is pretty strong and your tech seems to be pretty advanced given the environment and world you live in.
Nico: What is wrong with the environment and the world I live in.
Polly: Look I didn't mean anything bad by what I said it's just while there are strong defenses houses are broken there is pollution all over the swamps and you have people homeless all over the street.
Nico: Look I know it doesn't seem like much, but the Hidden Jungle was once a United Kingdom at least that's what I heard from stories.
Polly: What happened?
Nico: I don't know the pages were torn out, so I never figured out what happened.
Polly: Okay so why do you hate Nalani though?
Nico: You see Polly I know that I don't have all the answers with the Monkey's, but that is the exact reason that I can't just blindly hate people like Nalani wants us to without that missing information we could be guilty for why they hate us, but there just simply isn't enough information to be sure of.
Polly: That is a good point, but she must at least appreciate the work you do to help this community going I mean I talked about the defense system, but you also built helper robots to help feed those in need and you are working on a problem for a more productive form of electricity to help power the community of The Forgotten Zone. I mean if I was in charge I would love if somebody did all of that.
Nico: Yeah, except she doesn't she spends so much time in the vine house with Varnick that we barely see her and none of us our supposed to question that some leader right
Polly: Have you tried talking about this with her?
Nico: I don't see what that will chance.
Polly: Well, I mean you don't really know what is going on with her she could be stressed out and just be talking with Varnick about ways to make things better for The Forgotten Zone.
Nico: I feel like you should probably go you are new, so I feel like you have a better chance of not getting something thrown at you.
Polly: What exactly is it that you have against her and what did she do to Chelsea?"
Nico: Well, you already know that she took Chelsea off of the scouts
Polly: But my guess is that it's a little more complicated or something like that right?
Nico looks at Polly and thinks for a second and then smiles at her.
Nico: Yeah, something like that.
Polly looks at Nico for a second and then realizes something that she forgot to ask him when they were in the town square earlier.
Polly: Hey, so I never got a chance to ask you earlier, but what is with all the strange devices around the barrier outside by the time square?
Nico: It was Nalani's ideas as a last attempt measure to help us stay safe against the monkeys.
Polly: But don't you feel like not knowing why you are fighting against the monkeys will cause more conflict with the people of the forgotten zone?
Nico: Of course, there are issues, but what else am I supposed to do? She kicked my sister off the scouts we barely have a say as it is anymore of what goes on in our home.
Polly: Things shouldn't be like that, and I feel like a part of you knows that but is afraid to do anything about it.
Nico: I'm not afraid it's just….
Polly: Complicated yeah, I know you said that, but I think I can help you out?
Nico: How do you think you can help us?
Polly: Well, me, Sprig, and Ivy came here to help you and we have gotten really good at helping people over the years. Plus, we don't have the history you have with Nalani so that might change something get her to open up and actually understand what's going on here and understand how we can this situation with the monkeys get better.
Nico: Alright, but don't say that I didn't warn you.
Polly: Everything will be fine you just have to trust me.
Polly leaves to go talk with Nalani as Nico hopes for the best from what Polly said. Meanwhile Sprig and Ivy are out on the recon mission with the Scouts in the jungle even through they still don't technically know what the purpose of the recon mission is.
Sprig: Okay so I feel like nobody has said this so I will what are we doing out here because we definitely aren't learning more about these monkey's
Samuels: Hey, it took us an hour to make that last trap.
Ivy: Yet nothing has happened it makes me wonder if you know where the monkey's live
Emma: A few of us have gotten close over the years, but they move too damn fast for us to pinpoint an actual location for where they will be at any one moment.
Dante: Yeah, when I come across one of those monkeys though I will make them sorry for what they did to my parents.
Ivy: Sprig can I talk to you for a minute.
Sprig: Sure.
Ivy: We will be right back you guys we can't wait to hear the rest of this incredible recon strategy.
Sprig follows Ivy away from the rest of the Scouts to a different part of the jungle, so they can talk in private.
Sprig: So, what's going on Ivy?
Ivy: What's going on Sprig we are way out of our comfort zone here. I know we came here to help, but these people don't even know why they need help.
Sprig: Then why did they send off the distress signal?
Ivy: I don't know.
Sprig: That is exactly the point if Anne was here right now, she would help these people regardless of what's going on and that's the example we have been following since she has left isn't it.
Ivy: Okay so what has been going on with you lately?
Sprig: What are you talking about?
Ivy: I know you have been missing Anne these last 10 years, and you know that I love you, but the fact that we are out of our depths on this one may be bringing up unresolved issues that you haven't been able to deal with yet Sprig.
Sprig: Yes, it's true I am upset that Polly hasn't been able to find a way for us to get back to Anne after 10 years, but can you really blame me? I mean after everything we have accomplished; I have been thinking about how much fun she would have had if she met the Tiger Bandits, or the Armadillo King, or the Wolves and Hyenas. Now that doesn't mean I haven't enjoyed the adventures we have been on over these last 10 years, Ivy it's just I miss her, and I wish there was a way to see Anne again.
Ivy: And I'm sure we will find a way back to Anne, but as I told you last night, we have to figure out a way to help these people just like we helped the Wolves and Hyenas and I mean if we can settle that conflict, we can settle anything right?
Sprig: No, you're right so what are you thinking?
Ivy: I mean you're more of the one who comes up with the plans and ideas.
Sprig: That is a good point, so I say we just try to learn more about this conflict and these people because that is the best option that I can think of at this moment
Ivy: Alright I love you so much.
Sprig: I love you to.
Emma: (Yelling from across the jungle) Sprig and Ivy we need your help now.
Ivy: You know I don't think it's that much of a surprise why they haven't been able to find the monkey's hideout.
Sprig: Or even catch a monkey they are terrible at being sneaky.
Ivy: Let's go help them out.
Sprig and Ivy walk back over towards the rest of the scouts looking at tracks on the ground.
Samuels: Now I don't want to brag or anything, but I told you all that one of my traps would eventually work.
Sprig: So, what exactly did your trap catch?
Dante: What do you mean isn't it obvious?
Sprig: I wouldn't be asking if it was.
Samuels: Monkey tracks it's so obvious.
Nadia: How can you tell those look like normal drag marks that anybody can make?
Samuels: Just take a closer look.
Everyone takes a closer look at the tracks made from Samuels latest trap and try to understand it.
Sprig: Look I have an idea how about we take a picture and ask an expert tracker back home if this is a monkey or not.
Samuels: Are you saying that I don't know what I am doing?
Sprig: No what I am saying is it's good to have a second opinion plus if Nalani hears that we got closer to finding out more about monkeys or that we are even making progress on finding there hideout isn't that a good thing?
Zakiva: He has got a point there, what do you think Emma?
Emma: I think we have some evidence that could point us in the right direction towards the monkeys, but we need to do some more research first before we tell Nalani
Dante: Why do you say that?
Emma: Because let's be honest Nalani doesn't trust any of us who knows what she has been hiding from the Forgotten zone let alone us.
Nadia: But she is our leader?
Emma: Yet you guys refuse to question inconsistencies she has made over the years look I hate what the monkey's have done to us just as much as you have, but we need to play it smart with the information we have, so until we have some more solid information all Varnick and Nalani need to know if they ask is that this recon mission was a bust and we weren't able to find any more information about the monkey's got it.
Zakiva: Understood.
Emma: Now let's go home.
The Scouts start to head back to The Forgotten Zone with Sprig and Ivy. Meanwhile back in The Forgotten Zone Polly walks towards The Vine House when she overhears a conversation Varnick is having with Nalani.
Varnick: I can't continue to lie to the Scouts like this we keep allowing them to go out on these missions what if they get killed.
Nalani: We can't turn back now you know this we have to see this through to the end.
Varnick: Something is scaring you, isn't it?
Nalani: Well first off you disobeyed a direct order you were supposed to go on the recon mission with the scouts.
Varnick: Emma wouldn't let me, and you know I couldn't stop her.
Nalani: That Damn Bitch has had issues with me for years and when you think about it you are smarter than all of them.
Varnick: But sooner or later people are going to figure out what we are doing you are deflecting and avoiding the main subject.
Nalani: Just give me some more time and we will take care of both the scouts and those frogs and once we are done with them, we will finally be able to take on the monkeys once and for all.
Polly: I must find Sprig and Ivy and get out of here as soon as possible.
Polly runs away from The Vine House and heads back to the Town Square. Meanwhile The Scouts, Sprig and Ivy walk back into town when Polly suddenly walks towards Sprig and Ivy.
Polly: Can I talk to the both of you for a second?
Sprig: Sure, but we are about to go see Nalani with new information about the monkeys.
Polly: No, you can't do that.
Sprig: We will back just give us a minute.
Emma: Okay that's fine.
Polly, Sprig and Ivy walk to a different part of the town square as Sprig and Ivy look at Polly who is clearly concerned about something she has just heard.
Sprig: Okay Polly what's going on.
Polly: Alright so while you guys were gone I was talking to Nico and he actually built a lot of the town's defenses and has helped make this town as strong as it is, but I don't know there is something going on with Nalani and Varnick I tried going over there to get some more answers since apparently Nalani has issues with Nico and Chelsea of which we know some about, but not a lot so I thought going over would help.
Ivy: So, what happened Polly?
Polly: I heard her tell Varnick that they were going to take care of the scouts and us, so that they can finally get rid of the monkey's.
Sprig: What does that even mean?
Polly: I don't know, but I think we need to find these monkeys to understand more of this problem so we can help The Forgotten Zone.
Ivy: Are you sure that's the best idea because from what me and Sprig have heard the monkey's have caused a lot of misery and damage to the members of The Scouts.
Sprig: Oh, and the leader of The Scouts hates both Varnick and Nalani, but mostly Nalani a lot.
Polly: See there is a lot going on here that we don't understand and the best way to understand is to talk to the monkeys.
Ivy: But we don't even know where they are.
Polly: So, what are you thinking about Sprig.
Sprig: This is a really hard choice on one hand we shouldn't leave them because they need our help in stopping the monkeys, but on the other hand this isn't our battle and I don't mean that to say we shouldn't help. But, in order to help we need to understand more about what we are facing, and we can't do that here there is to much conflicting opinions going on for anything to make sense.
Ivy: Whatever you choose we will both be by your side Sprig.
Sprig: So, taking a moment to think about this for a second here the only two options we have here our we either stay and be seen as traitors to the Forgotten Zone for trying to find the Monkey's and learn more about the conflict or learn more about the conflict and try to help them, but even if there is a way to help them they still won't want us to help them because we talked with the Monkey's.
Polly: So, either way we our seen as traitors.
Ivy: But we can't just sit here and have something bad happen to us from Nalani that wont do us any good either.
Sprig: You are absolutely right, so let's do what we did when we tried to escape the Armadillo King.
Ivy: What are you talking about, we barely survived that?
Sprig: Look I didn't say this was a good plan, but you guys trust me right.
Ivy and Polly look at each other and then back at Sprig and then agree to Sprig's plan. Sprig, Ivy, and Polly start to walk back where the Scouts are when they are blocked by Nalani and Varnick.
Sprig: Nalani what are you doing here?
Nalani: I was just coming to see how the Scouts were doing and last time I checked Polly didn't go on the recon mission, so I must ask what are you doing here Polly?
Polly: I'm just so excited to see my brother again.
Sprig: And gosh we have all just had one long day, so if it's okay with you were just going to go home and get some rest.
Nalani: Why I want to hear how the mission went?
Ivy: Oh, I'm sure we can wait to do that tomorrow.
Varnick: And why is that?
Sprig: Look I am going to be honest with you guys we want to help, but for us to help you we need to know more about the Hidden Jungle, The Forgotten Zone and these Monkey's you have been fighting.
Nalani: I can't allow you to do that.
Sprig: I know and I'm sorry I hope next time we see each other it will be in better circumstances, and you will be able to forgive us for what we are about to do.
Varnick: Do you really think the three of you could take us on?
Sprig: Who said anything about hurting you we just need to distract you Emma Nalani wants to hear about how the recon mission went.
Nalani: Think about what you are supposed to do.
Sprig: I just did
As the Scouts starts to run towards Nalani and Varnick amid the chaos Sprig, Ivy, and Polly get away and go search for the monkeys. Then we go back to the present time as Sprig finishes telling the story and Amity, Darius, and Alador look at each other and then at Sprig, Ivy, and Polly.
Alador: So, we are supposed to believe we our in this Hidden Jungle place?
Sprig: I mean that is where you are.
Amity: So, let me get this straight you guy just abandoned those people when they needed help.
Sprig: No, we were trying to find where the monkeys could be until we came across you guys.
Amity: So, basically your as lost as us.
Sprig: No.
Polly: Yes sorry, but it's the truth.
Darius: So where do we go from here?
Amity: And how am I supposed to get back to Luz?
Alador: I Think we should help them Mittens they clearly know information about that cryptic voice, and they clearly need our help plus it's what Luz would do.
Amity: Yeah, your right, so where do you think these monkeys are exactly
Sprig: I mean we don't have….
Suddenly the group is ambushed and while they all try to fight back against this mysterious group they are quickly overpowered and tied up and blindfolded and taken to an unknown location. Once they arrive at an unknown location the group's blindfolds come off and they are revealed to be captured by the Great Monkey Battalion led by Naika.
Amity: I think we found the monkeys you are looking for.
Sprig: You don't say.
To Be Continued
