Old Faces

[The scene opens with a shot of the river, panning up to show that the sky has a purplish tint, indicating the early hours of the morning. It is presumably somewhere around five o'clock around this time, and the forest is mostly quiet, apart from the sounds of the rivers, a small rustle of wind in the trees, and perhaps an occasional cricket in the grass]

[It cuts to the cabin, initially on the outside before cutting to inside from the perspective of the window. The shot pans out to reveal the sleeping residence; Sleuth laying down on the straw pile on his right side, giving an incoherent murmur in his sleep, Drago breathing loudly as he lays on his stomach, occasionally giving a blep. Guntiver is below him, shifting from left to right and breathes softly. It cuts to Geoffrey sleeping on the bed, breathing steadily as he faces the viewer…he furrows his brows and slowly opens his eyes]

Geoffrey: Aaaaaah…

[Geoffrey looks across the room, the rest of the cabin is still asleep. After making sure he's safe, Geoffrey, albeit quite wearily, crawls out of bed. He then quietly walks past the others and towards the front door…the skunk looks back once more to see if anyone has been disturbed…upon affirmation, Geoffrey slowly pulls on the knob and silently exits the cabin…he shivers, feeling the morning chill in the air]

Geoffrey: Vrrrrrrr…don't fancy gettin' up this early…but no rest for the weary…

[Geoffrey proceeds to walk down the steps and across the clearing. He disappears into the trees, walking a short distance away before coming to a stop underneath a tall pine]

Geoffrey: [sighs] You can come out now…

[With a flash of his eyes and a magical flare, Geoffrey reels back as he holds himself up on the tree]

Naugus: Soooooooo, that took less persuasion than usual…I'm impressed.

Geoffrey: I wasn't gonna get out of an early rise with you, since you specifically wanted to meet at this time…at the crack of bloody dawn…

Naugus: Would you rather do it where the others can see you? That would give us away, and you know we can't have that…don't we?

[Naugus points his scepter at Geoffrey in a threatening manner]

Geoffrey: I…understand that…sir.

Naugus: Good…now, I wanted to tell you this now because it's about time we took action…we leave at noon…

Geoffrey: We…as in?

Naugus: You know; you will be going "by yourself" downriver towards the city…if you get the…stooges involved, you'll need to be discreet about your intentions…thus far, you made a whole spiel about seeking redemption…sounds believable enough.

Geoffrey: Yeah…you're right there…

Naugus: Well, so long as you keep up the illusion, you should have no trouble slipping into town…perfect for the element of surprise

Geoffrey: …I need to ask you something.

Naugus: Very well…what is it?

Geoffrey: Like…what is the end goal of your whole plan? I worked as a spy before, the monarchy is mostly irrelevant, you must have seen it too…what's the point?

Naugus: The point is that there are still a few…loose ends that need to be taken care of. I never got to reach the full potential of my power when I usurped the Acorn Monarchy, due to…circumstances outside of my control…but now that time has passed, and our adversaries wouldn't be expecting us, so is the time to strike and reclaim what we both deserve.

Geoffrey: You mean what you deserve.

Naugus: Hmmhmm, smart one, aren't you? Plus, I might be able to use past tension to my advantage.

Geoffrey: How do you mean?

Naugus: Oooooh, you know the whole drama with the Acorn family…King Max was a sick old bastard by the time I took over, he was struggling to maintain his image while choosing to ignore his family's plights. How poor was he to keep Princess Sally and Prince Elias under his thumb…Queen Alicia just barely keeping him from having a stroke….hmmhmmhmm, the sight of the king's deteriorating condition, watching as that regal mask slowly slipped off to reveal his true nature. Really, I was doing Mobius a favor by getting rid of that old bag of bones.

Geoffrey: Well, you try telling that to the general public.

Naugus: Do you really think I cared about what they thought? Most of them were weak-minded peasants, unable to grasp the potent power that lay within my grasp…the Acorn council was full of inept minds, all pomp and no circumstance, it was inevitable that they would fall apart…now, I can relive that moment all over again…so shall the Mobian Royalty never be safe while I stand, nor any of their supporters, and if I manage to…off a few in the process, hmmhmmhmm, that's a bonus…[sighs]...the sound of King Max gasping for those final breathing moments as the light escapes his eyes…his wife succumbing to a broken heart, and the pressures of leadership eating his son and daughter inside out…none of them will know solace so long as they stand in my way…I shall regain the throne that was rightfully mine, and the remnants of a bygone era will be nothing more than one with the dirt…

[At one point during Naugus' monologue, the camera zooms in on his eye as he narrates over his description. King Max's ailing condition is particularly emphasized as he sits alone in a wheelchair with a grim look on his face. Queen Alicia is shown lamenting in the shadows in another part of the castle, while Sally and Elias are shown looking at the royal crown with anxious eyes, dipping their heads solemnly as the sound of someone falling to the floor is heard. This is accompanied by the pinging of a heart monitor, panning down to reveal a brown furred hand on one side of a hospital bed, followed by a shot of Elias gripping either side of the throne with uneasiness in his eyes. It zooms in on one of his eyes before it comes out of Geoffrey's, looking on edge at his master's description]

Geoffrey: You're…you're really dedicated to this, aren't you?

Naugus: Well, in all fairness, we're simply finishing what we started…and in a way, we both win.

Geoffrey: How do you mean?

Naugus: It's rather simple, really; you get to win over the attention of your former peers, bask in the illusion of a return to form, and then you get to see the innocence ripped from their eyes as I take command over this land, hmmhmmhmm…it will be such a beautiful sight when that blessed day comes…

Geoffrey: Uh…yeah, right, it will…

Naugus: Excellent. Now, you'd best scamper back to your little gang, no need to raise suspicion this early in the morning…remember; keep it dark…

[As Naugus sparkles out of sight, Geoffrey gasps as he feels something entering his body before letting out a breath]

Geoffrey: Cripes…[sighs]...what have I gotten myself into…a whole lot of trouble, no surprise there…best head back before the sun's up…

[Without another word, Geoffrey walks back towards the cabin, slipping in through the door. He quietly walks across the room till he reaches the bed, and as softly as he can, Geoffrey pulls the sheets over him and nuzzles into them…he slowly drifts off to sleep once more]

[It cuts to several hours later, presumably around nine o'clock. Geoffrey stirs at the sound of a stove crackling]

Geoffrey: Wha…[slowly opens his eyes and yawns]...aaaaah, mornings are a pain sometimes…

Drago: Hmph, rise and shine, Aussie. Breakfast is served.

Geoffrey: Alright, alright, I'm comin', just lemme…get up…

[Geoffrey pulls himself from the bed and makes his way over to the sink to brush his teeth. Upon completing the task, he takes his seat next to Sleuth at the table. Guntiver arrives with the food; roasted acorns served with maple syrup with an assortment of berries next to them]

Sleuth: Nuts again, what a surprise…

Drago: Pack it in, Doggy, I've heard this schtick before.

Guntiver: I'm sorry if I don't have many options, I'm more of a naturalist when it comes to food.

Sleuth: Meaning?

Guntiver: Well, I don't believe in hunting, my friends were the same way, we used to be an anti-violence group back in the day.

Sleuth: Sooooooo, you were a group of hippies.

Geoffrey: Smooth, mate.

Guntiver: I mean, if you wanna call us that, you're not too far off. See, while my memory's a bit scattered, I do recall us wanting to be separated from this rebellion going on at the time…you know what I mean?

Drago: Yeeeeeeeeah, we do…actually, I don't think you've told us much about yourself.

Geoffrey: Huh…ya' know, I don't think we asked him.

Guntiver: Oh, well, if you want, I can share a bit about myself.

Sleuth: [under his breath] Here comes another life story…

Guntiver: Okay, so, if you've seen the picture, you'll know that I was part of a group back in the day. They called us the Arctic Freedom Fighters as we came from the colder climate up North.

Sleuth: Um, the penguin?

Guntiver: Oh, Flip? Yeah, he was originally from the South, but he moved up North when we found him.

Sleuth: Aaaaah…

Guntiver: So, it was me; leader, Flip, Augustus, Erma, and Sealia, and we all shared a home together. Like I said, we weren't always fighters because we didn't believe in it. We had decided to stay out of the rebellion as activists because we wanted to restore stability in the Northern Tundra.

[The scene transitions to…another flashback (I know, I'll stop doing this, maybe)...in which Guntiver and Co. are shown on the sidelines as several Mobians are shown holding arms over their heads in protest against the Oppression]

Geoffrey: Heh, wouldn't it be ironic if ya' held up picket signs to show ya' meant it?

Guntiver: Well, we did.

Geoffrey: …What?

[The scene shows the group holding up picket signs depicting anti-violence messages; Guntiver holding one that reads "War is not the answer", Augustus holding one that has a peace sign in rainbow colors, Flip's sign reads "Protect the Tundra", Sealia's sign has a heart that reads "Peace" while Erma's sign reads "Violence means death", while the back reads "So just do a little bit", unbeknownst to her comrades]

Guntiver: Anyway, originally, we traveled down south to visit friends and family, but when the war started, we couldn't go back home, thus we had to take shelter underground…

[The group is seen fleeing from the spectacle of blasts and explosions in the background, diving into the caves before they can be captured]

…if it wasn't for the technology we stole from Robotnik, we'd have not been able to adjust the climate down there, that's how we made it our new home.

Sleuth: Huh, how ironic, we've lived in a cave, he's lived in a cave, you've lived in a cave, what's next, the King lived in a cave?

Drago: Weird how things turn out…how long were you down there?

Guntiver: Several months, we opted to stay hidden as opposed to fighting head-on since I thought it would retain our survival for longer. We stayed out of the conflict until the weather got screwed up thanks to the Weather Annihilator.

Drago: I'm sorry, the "what"?

Guntiver: Apparently, it was a weather-controlling device Robotnik made to freeze Mobius, something about using heat scanners to track living creatures I believe.

Geoffrey: Wait, wait, wait, it's freezing over the land, how is that annihilating the weather…?

Drago: I dunno, eliminate the warm weather or something, it's stupid anyway.

Guntiver: Right…as I was saying, the Knothole Freedom Fighters ended up in our neck of the woods after they tried to evade the Swatbots. Luckily, Flip found them first and led them into the caves for safety.

Drago: [muttering] Depends on your definition of lucky.

Guntiver: After we explained ourselves to them, we thought they'd join us in hiding, but they insisted on fighting back. I was apprehensive, so as a compromise, we offered to train the Knothole lot and get them adjusted to our conditions, even if we weren't skilled fighters ourselves…and then they got captured as soon as they launched an attack.

Drago: SNNNNNNRRRRK!

[You guessed it, another flashback occurs as Guntiver narrates over the events of the twenty-sixth edition, depicted through animated panels much like the previous instances]

Guntiver: Breaking away from our motto, we joined in the fight and managed to free them, and they stopped Robotnik's plan dead in its tracks. You could say their bravery instilled us to start fighting back against our oppressors.

[The Arctic Freedom Fighters are shown assisting in the battle, and as a creative choice, Guntiver's attack on Snively is shown with a bit more graphic detail than the panel implies, not necessarily bloodthirsty, but more outwardly aggressive. After which, they're shown making their way back home, waving to their new comrades as they go in a rather "ending of an episode of Pokemon" sort of way]

Sleuth: [sarcastically] Well, isn't that just the sweetest thing?

Guntiver: Well, it gave us the initiative to fight for our land, didn't it? We had a few encounters later on, although during that time, we had a bit of…tension in the group…

Geoffrey: Eh?

Guntiver: See…while me and Sealia wanted to keep the motto of peaceful engagement, Erma wanted the team to take a more aggressive approach. You could say she was the feisty one of us.

[Unseen by the official comic, Guntiver and Erma are shown having a dispute over their differences for the team, though we can't hear what they're saying as music plays over them]

Of course, it never got to the point of us splitting up, and we still had each other's backs through it all…[sighs]...I remember when we used to sit by the fire on nights when it was particularly cold…we'd share stories of our adventures and have a good laugh about it…

[A new scene is shown with the Arctic lot gathered around a bonfire, sharing tales and telling jokes, laughing merrily with each other]

…and then, during the fight against the Dark Egg Legion, everything went dark…

[The events of the Genesis Wave are shown, particularly as Guntiver leads the group down an underwater tunnel. The Earth begins to crumble around them and as the scene distorts and statics, everything goes to black]

Guntiver: It felt like the world had just come to an end…I was sure we had died, because the next thing I remember is being surrounded by the stars…

[Guntiver, now in a more natural appearance, is shown floating about the galaxy, with only the stars for company, no music is heard as the sole sound is the emptiness of space]

…it was very lonely, I wondered if this was it for me, was this the afterlife I was destined to wander for all eternity…? Then…there was water, all around me…

[Guntiver is shown floating in the middle of the ocean, laid down on a sailboat as it's carried by the current. The red wolf slowly stands up to adjust himself, looking over his new surroundings…above him, he can hear the call of seagulls in the air, indicating he must be somewhere close to land…Guntiver squints his eyes as the faint image of an island can be seen in the distance…it transitions to the latter of "Trainwreck" where he is shown dropping anchor before stepping onto Mahogany Beach…he looks up to the station just above the beach and walks towards it. He pauses when he looks over the empty platforms…the lupine gives a sigh]

…I was all on my own, and had a feeling no one in town would recognize me, let alone offer me a place to stay, especially since I had no means to pay them back…so I took to the forest and made this cabin, away from civilization…

[Guntiver is shown retreating into Evergreen Forest before the construction of his cabin is displayed, using makeshift tools and his own claws to turn the wood into planks and stack them on top of each other. Additionally, he uses stones for the chimney and makes bowls and pots by using clay from a sticky roadbed in the area. Upon completion, he digs into the pocket of his jacket, pulling out the necklace containing the photo of himself, Augustus, Flip, Erma, and Sealia. He casts a mournful look down at the necklace, a droplet falls on the frame]

Guntiver: I don't know what happened to my teammates, nor do I know if they came back when I did…they were my friends through thick and thin, and I miss them from the bottom of my heart…

[Cut back to reality, Guntiver is shown holding onto the locket, gently brushing it with his paw. The others sit in silence as they wait for the red wolf to finish. Guntiver looks up at them and tries to compose himself]

Guntiver: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound ungrateful for your company…

Geoffrey: No, no, you're fine, mate, just…I never knew about this…I'll give it to ya', at least you're dedicated to those closest to you…

[Guntiver sighs as he looks back down at the photo. Drago looks at the fellow lupine in silence…before raising his paw up to put it on Guntiver's shoulder. The other wolf looks up in surprise, glances at Drago…and then gives an appreciative gesture at the feeling]

Drago: Well, that was…quite a story…

Guntiver: I didn't bore you lot, did I?

Sleuth: Um…no, not at all…

Geoffrey: Yeah…I'm…sure they'll turn up. Ya' never know, I mean, look at us…

Guntiver: Perhaps you're right. Just gotta keep the faith up, am I right?

Drago: Yeah, and I'm sure you'd be welcomed back in open arms.

Guntiver: I…I suppose I would…are you guys ready?

Sleuth: Hmm?

Guntiver: You know, to go back to the city?

Drago: Oh, so we're going now then?

Guntiver: Well, you guys have been talking about unfinished business, and perhaps, it might help me as well.

Geoffrey: I mean…sure, why not, better now than not at all. So, uh, are we going by foot or by water?

Drago: Well, I don't wanna hurt these legs walking all those miles.

Sleuth: Awwwww, poor hapless you.

Geoffrey: Enough of that, let's get a move-on. The sooner we find we get results, the better.

[Geoffrey stands up from the table and begins to gather his things for the trip. The canines do the same thing as they head to their parts of the house. The scene cuts to the group exiting the cabin and beginning their long journey to Toon City. They trek through the forest before arriving at the river where the raft is. The four board in order; Drago, Sleuth, Guntiver, and Geoffrey, the latter of whom kicks them off from the shore as they set down the river. As they pass through the forest, the time of day is shown changing from noon to afternoon, as they alternate spots on the wooden vessel. For background music, imagine something akin to "Heroic Age" by Kevin MacLeod as a placeholder]

[The journey is mostly uneventful, but soon the group arrives at a blockage in the river. A tree has fallen over the clearing, causing the path further down to be cut off. Geoffrey guides the raft to shore for the group to assess the situation]

Drago: Well, isn't this just our luck? How's a tree this size fall right over where we need to pass?

Geoffrey: That's strange, all the trees on this side are perfectly upright, and there's been no storms as of late.

Sleuth: Hold on, look at the roots, or lack thereof.

[Everyone turns to the base of the tree, instead of being uprooted, the tree's base is jagged, like it was cut or sawed through in a rough manner]

Guntiver: That is unusual. But who'd be out here besides u-!

[At that moment, Guntiver feels something sharp poking him from behind. He hesitantly looks back to see a hulking lynx standing over him, donning a dark blue jacket with gray shoulder pads, golden clips on either side of his jacket and donning red shorts. Behind him is a muscular black panther, donning a red vest with a belt while the yellow shorts spotted with brown paws compliment his lower half. The lynx's claws are poised at a threatening angle to Guntiver's back, growling lowly while the panther gives a lofty expression of amusement at the group. Guntiver feels particularly disturbed by the lynx's apparent lack of pupils. A look of shock spreads across their faces before Drago blinks]

Drago: Wait a minute…Razorklaw, is that you?

Razorklaw: [growls] So you've not gone stupider since we last met…

Geoffrey: Uh, I'm sorry, who are you again?

Razorklaw: Razorklaw; former champion of the Felidae Clan before sent into exile, former Grandmaster of the Soumerca Dark Egg Legion…that answer your question, skunk?

Geoffrey: Veryyyyyy…professional, yeah?

Razorklaw: [grunts] Better shape than I expected…seems you and I got the same contact.

[Drago quirks a brow at this. Razorklaw sighs in exasperation]

Razorklaw: Dr. Fintevus, idiot. It's how I got my old form back…was a bit of a painful process, but it was worth it in the end.

Drago: Riiiiiight…when did this happen?

Razorklaw: To save you a life story, I was found in the remnants of an old quarry and he took me in. After restoring me to my original form, I was told that I would work for him as a mercenary…except I follow no one's leadership but my own…so when the opportunity presented itself, I took off and never looked back.

Sleuth: [under his breath] That's not gonna bite him in the ass…

Guntiver: Um…if you wouldn't mind, could you please remove your claws from my back?

[An indignant HUFF is heard from behind Razorklaw]

Razorklaw: [sighs] And this is my partner…Sleek…

Sleek: Excuse me! I have a backstory too, you know!

[Razorklaw pinches the space between his eyes]

Razorklaw: Lord, give me strength…very well, take the floor if you-

[Sleek steps in front of the lynx in a haughty manner to introduce himself]

Sleek: But of course!

Guntiver: Um, I-

Sleek: Gentlemen, I am Sleek, your most humble fighter around these parts. In all my time, I've faced off just about anyone willing to challenge me, and have won my fair share of awards.

Geoffrey: [muttering] Humble, my arse…

[Sleek doesn't appear to have heard him and carries on]

Sleek: But alas, I was swept up in that awful time warp, and was left to fend for myself in this environment of hardships and suffering. Of course, being the mind of brilliance, I fought for my survival and have continued to be a shining example of mankind.

Drago: Jesus, he sounds like me…

[Drago looks over the feline as he continues to praise himself]

Drago: But…not bad…both of them…oh, is he still talking?

Sleek: When Razorklaw asked if I would take him in, I was more than willing to assist a fellow feline in distress and-

Razorklaw: Yeah, no, that's not how it happened.

Sleek: I beg your pardon, it's rude to interrupt!

Razorklaw: Well, your story is completely bunk so let me explain what really happened.

Sleuth: Oh, this'll be good.

Razorklaw: When I found Sleek in the woods, he challenged me to a fight so that I could stay in his cave.

Drago: Sooooo what happened there?

Razorklaw: I beat his ass.

Sleek: No, you didn't!

Razorklaw: Noooooo, I clearly got you with that headlock.

Sleek: You did not! In fact, I had my knee right up in your stomach.

Sleuth: Awww, they're like an old married couple, isn't that sweet?

Sleek: And you shut up too!

Guntiver: …AHEM!

Razorklaw: Ah…

[Razorklaw backs off Guntiver, giving him room to breathe]

Guntiver: Ah, that's better. Okay, now then, so what's the situation with you two then? Need a lift?

Geoffrey: Excuse me?

Razorklaw: For what?

Guntiver: Well…you know, my comrades and I are heading into the city by water, and…I was wondering if you'd be…interested?

[Razorklaw narrows his eyes at Guntiver. The red wolf winces at the look in his eyes]

Razorklaw: Why should I go with you?

Sleek: You mean us.

Razorklaw: Whatever.

Guntiver: I mean, we're going because they've got unfinished business and I'm going because it might give me some leads…soooooo, what about you two?

Sleek: Hmmmmmmm…well, if I can charm my way into a motel or something like that, anything's better than staying in that dusty old cave.

Razorklaw: Yeah, and just how did you plan on paying for that, perchance?

Sleek: I-

[Sleek freezes and tries to come up with an answer…or at least one that doesn't sound entirely irrational coming from him]

Sleek: …Well, I'm sure once they see a poor, innocent traveler like myself in need of a place to stay, I'm sure they'll open their doors and let thou rest his tired body.

Razorklaw: Aaaand just when you were building yourself up a few minutes ago.

Sleek: Oh, be quiet, white eyes.

Razorklaw: Watch it.

[The lynx unsheathes his claws in the panther's direction]

Drago: Well, they might let you in since you actually look normal now.

Razorklaw: Oh yes, I'm sure they'll let you in after all that happened before, is your memory stupidly short term?

Drago: Thank you for pointing out the obvious. Look, I don't care what goes on, whatever happens, I'll deal with it. You gonna do the same?

Razorklaw: [sighs] Very well…I'll join this little band of misfits…can't be any worse than the last one I had.

Guntiver: Right then…oh yeah, we need to get this tree out of the way…mind giving us a hand?

Razorklaw: You're asking me for assistance?

Geoffrey: [sighs] Could you please help?

Sleek: Hmmmmmmmmmm…maybe…if you beg a little more.

Sleuth: Ugh, enough with the games already…fine, can you please, honest to God, some kind of God up there, help us move this tree out of the way?

Sleek: Much better. Come along, RK, let's assist these fine men, shall we?

Razorklaw: Don't call me that.

[Reluctantly, Razorklaw goes over to the base of the tree to assist Sleek in moving it. The quartet lends a hand as well, Drago and Guntiver take one side of the tree while Geoffrey and Sleuth take the other side. With all their strength, they move the tree out of the way]

Guntiver: Right, that should do it. So, you two, fancy a stroll along the river?

Sleek: Make some room, won't you?

[Sleek makes his point clear by stepping onto the raft first. Sleuth is next, followed by Geoffrey, then Guntiver, and then Drago before he looks back to his former partner in crime]

Drago: Well? You coming or just gonna stand there looking sulky?

Razorklaw: This is a terrible idea…but, suppose I've got nothing left to lose, so…[sighs]...might as well.

[Razorklaw boards the raft, and after kicking off, the six passengers continue to make their way down the river. Sleek proceeds to lie on his back, giving a sigh]

Sleek: That's better…beats walking all the way…

[Drago looks over to Razorklaw standing on the Northeast side of the raft and edges closer to him]

Drago: So…you been doin' alright?

Razorklaw: Well, I'm no longer living in exile, nor is my body hideously deformed…so that's gotta mean something.

Drago: Yeah…tell me, did the Felidae Clan really exile people for losing in combat? Or was it just a scare tactic?

Razorklaw: …You're kidding, right? They'd feed us their own children for misbehaving.

Drago: I-...I'm sorry, what?

Razorklaw: Yep, if you want an example of a primitive society, there you have it…fuck that old whore Queen Hathor and her whole dipshit royal bloodline.

Drago: Hmph, royals suck ass.

[The rest of the journey continues without much hassle as it shows the sky turning from late afternoon to evening, the music playing over the previous session returning to an encore]

[The scene transitions to the raft entering the canal leading into the city. Luckily for the six, the environment isn't crowded at present. As they are about to pass under a bridge, their attention is directed at the sound of a train crossing the bridge. Percy is shown pulling three red coaches over the bridge. The camera follows him through the overpass as we cut to Evergreen Station where Gordon and James are waiting at Platforms #1 and #3 respectively with the former having Express coaches and the latter having orange coaches, passengers scurrying around the platforms including the Heeler Family, Ariel, Fox, Wolf, Cinderella, Simba, Maleficent, Daphne, Shaggy, Ed, Twilight, Wendy, Sly, Bentley, Murray, and Carmen being amongst them. Hershey is shown sitting on a bench, watching the activity with her paws on her thighs. The sound of a train entering the station catches her attention, and in comes Thomas with Annie and Clarabel in tow, arriving at Platform #2. Hershey watches as Lupe exits from the first coach and smiles as she walks towards the feline]

Lupe: Ah, I see you made it after all.

Hershey: Well, you did say it would be fun.

Lupe: Indeed…come, let's take a walk there.

Hershey: Oh, okay then…guess I could use the fresh air.

[Hershey stands up from her seat and Lupe escorts her out of the station. The scene cuts to the group on the raft as they come across the harbor entrance. They pause to survey their surroundings, to their right is Cedar Station as the railway weaves around the buildings. In an extended shot, Big the Cat can be seen fishing on one of the piers while Cream the Rabbit accompanies him. The Freedom Fighters can be seen eating outside of Mary's Lighthouse while Pingu and Pinga are shown passing by the restaurant in one direction while Huck and Prince John pass in the opposite direction. Hershey and Lupe walk into the scene as they stop by the railing separating the land from the sea]

Hershey: [inhales and then exhales] Good to get a bit of sea breeze, you know…

Lupe: I know it's a favorite spot of yours…

[Lupe notices that Hershey appears to be lost in thought about something]

Lupe: Are you alright?

Hershey: What? Oh, sorry, I was just…thinking about stuff, is all.

Lupe: About what?

Hershey: It's…just past stuff, you know…crazy how so much has changed. Kinda makes you think…

Lupe: I…don't mean to intrude, but…would this happen to relate to…?

Hershey: Hmm, you figured me out.

Lupe: Well, I do consider myself to be rather perceptive.
Hershey: I guess…I am thinking about that, I know it's been ages, but I can't help but wonder…

Lupe: …Whatever happened wasn't your fault, you had no idea what was going on behind the scenes.

Hershey: I know, but I just can't help but feel responsible. I feel like I let my guard down too much…would explain my taste in partners.

Lupe: Oh, come on, don't beat yourself over it. Sure, things didn't work out as intended, but at least you've come out alright enough. Besides, you're not alone…

[Lupe extends a paw to Hershey's shoulder. The feline gives a small purr in appreciation]

Hershey: …Thank you…I wonder…if I ever see him again…what will I say?

Lupe: I think…we'll sort out that bridge if we ever get to it…for now, let's just relax…

Hershey: Okay…

[Hershey leans on the Chief's shoulder for support. In the background, Queen Hathor passes by. The Turkish Angora, decked in a regal black gown with a blue robe sported with red lining and a silver crown with technicolor threads on top, walks along the path in a dignified manner. Suddenly, she pauses as her whiskers twitch at a sound coming from between two buildings…the Felidae Queen narrows her eyes in a suspicious scowl as the music takes a low bass tone…Hathor silently continues on her way with a hiss…within the alley, the group has found an underground room similar to the one in "Trust", potentially the same location]

Sleek: Hmph, it's rather dusty in here.

Drago: Unless you can cough up money for a hotel, this is the best I can do.

Sleek: Hrrrrrrrr…

Guntiver: At least being a storage unit, they've got a few mattresses in here…

Geoffrey: Right, we'll make this our base for the time being. Right now, I'm gonna get some shuteye, I'm exhausted.

[Geoffrey plops down on a rather ratty mattress, dust spreading around it]

Guntiver: Since there's six of us, and only three mattresses, we'll have to sleep in twos…pick your partners and your mattresses.

[Drago's choice is obvious, he chooses to bunk with Guntiver. Razorklaw and Sleek opt to sleep on another mattress, leaving Sleuth to share one with Geoffrey]

Sleuth: Aaaaaaaaah, whatever, better than sleepin' on a clump of hay…

Razorklaw: Hmmmmm…better than nothing I suppose…

[The six members take to their mattresses and begin to settle in for the night. The scene cuts to nighttime as shown by the outside of the small window, panning down to the sleeping residents…it pans over Sleek and Razorklaw, then Drago and Guntiver, and finally Sleuth and Geoffrey]

[The focus holds on the skunk in particular as the scene suddenly flashes in between reality and dream, one showing a relay of Geoffrey's previous dream before showing one that can be made out as Geoffrey and Hershey facing each other directly, and finally one showing Naugus as a silhouetted figure with his eyes glowing against a fiery background…the scene ends with Geoffrey breathing in his sleep, a final pan out of the group still fast asleep…cut to black]

Character Guide:

Drago Wolf, Geoffrey St. John, Guntiver the Arctic Wolf, Sleuth Dawg, Ixis Naugus, Razorklaw, Sleek the Panther, Hershey the Cat, Lupe the Wolf, Sally Acorn, Elias Acorn, King Maximilian, Queen Alicia, Dr. Robotnik, Augustus the Polar Bear, Erma Ermine, Flip Penguin, Sealia Seal, Queen Hathor, Antoine D'Coolette, Bunnie Rabbot, Sonic the Hedgehog, Rotor Walrus, Tails the Fox, Big the Cat, Cream the Rabbit, Snively, Dr. Finitevus - Sonic the Hedgehog

Ariel - The Little Mermaid (1989)

Bluey Heeler, Bingo Heeler, Bandit Heeler, Chilli Heeler - Bluey

Carmen Sandiego - Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?

Cinderella - Cinderella (1950)

Daphne Blake, Shaggy Rogers - Scooby-Doo

Ed - Ed, Edd N' Eddy

Fox McCloud, Wolf O'Donnell - Star Fox

Huckleberry Hound - The Huckleberry Hound Show

Maleficent - Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Pingu, Pinga - Pingu

Prince John - Robin Hood (1973)

Sly Cooper, Bentley Turtle, Murray Hippo - Sly Cooper

Simba - The Lion King (1994)

Twilight Sparkle - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Wendy Darling - Peter Pan (1953)

Thomas, Gordon, James, Percy, Annie, and Clarabel - Thomas and Friends