Defused
[The scene opens with a shot of the narrow gauge railway as Peter Sam is shown puffing along the line with a train of blue and cream coaches, whistling to some sheep grazing beside the tracks]
[Transition to a shot of Luke and Millie passing each other over the bridge as the former is pulling a train of slate, while the latter is pulling some open coaches; the Top Cat gang, Felix, Dorothy, Toto, Aurora, Tiana, the Briars, Lucario, Mewtwo, Incineroar, Waul, and Fat Cat can be seen within the rows. The two give each other a greeting of "peep-peep" as they pass by]
[Transition to Pine Station as Donald and Douglas rattle by with a goods train to the platform on the right, while Nia passes by with a train of tankers in the opposite direction of the Scottish twins. On the left platform, Ryan is sat by the terminus between the standard gauge and narrow gauge platforms with four red coaches in tow. Daisy passes by on the opposite line and gives a "toot-toot" on her horn passing by the tank engine]
[The platform is crowded with passengers; Scooby and Yogi are looking over the timetable, the Eds are talking with the hyena trio over a deal that can't be made out through the background noise, Snow White and Cinderella are sitting peacefully on a bench waiting for their train, Anastasia and Drizella are talking casually amongst each other, laughing about something, the KND are examining the station for any signs of suspicious activity, much to the bemusement and confusion of Mojo Jojo and Him who share a knowing look]
[The main focus is on four members of the original Destructix; Lightning Lynx, or "Lightning the Lynx", Predator Hawk, Flying Frog, and Sergeant Simian, standing at the far right side of the platform as the lynx can be seen tapping his foot impatiently]
Lightning: Ugh, where is that stupid train? Seriously, with an island so reliant on steam power, it's not surprising they take forever!
Predator: It's been ten minutes, will ya' calm yourself before ya' blow a fuse…again.
Lightning: Hey! I don't blow fuses!
Predator: Tck, naaaaaaah, I would say they're pretty frequent.
[Lightning crosses his arms indignantly]
Lightning: Says you.
Flying Frog: I could make a whole chart over how many times you've lost it. "0 days since Lightning blew his top."
Simian: Can you all pipe down for a change? I'd like to have some semblance of a peaceful day, even if it's impossible with this company.
Predator: And yet, you still choose to stay with us, big guy.
Simian: Well, someone needs to keep you psychopaths in order.
Lightning: Nice, real nice…oh my god, FINALLY!
[Duke steams into view and pulls up to the platform with a rake of red coaches as Duncan passes by on the opposite line with a train of coal trucks]
Duke: Ah, just what I like to see; passengers ready and waiting, and not a second too late.
Lightning: [muttering] Took the old geyser long enough.
[The passengers begin to board the train when Rusty comes in the opposite direction with the maintenance train. He stops by the goods platform on the other side]
Rusty: I'd be careful going up the line today, Duke. The rain's caused a bit of the trackbed to be swept away. We're still relaying the ballast on the route to Poplar.
Duke: Much appreciated, Rusty. Not to worry, I always make sure to guarantee my passengers' safety.
Rusty: Well, that's good to hear, I'm just popping back to the sheds to pick another load of ballast. Take care now.
[Duke suddenly looks back at the sound of an irritated voice]
Lightning: C'mon! Are we ever gonna get moving?
Duke: I say! Such behavior would never suit his grace.
[Duke snorts at the sound of a window being shut abruptly]
Duke: In all my years, I've learned that some passengers can be so impatient.
[Sir Handel pulls up next to Duke on the middle line]
Sir Handel: Speaking from experience, I know only too well about that. Always agitated, never satisfied.
Duke: Steady on, Falcon. As stated before, passengers are our coal and water, so we must carry on regardless.
Sir Handel: Yeah, whatever you say, Grandpuff.
[The guard blows the whistle, to which Duke replies with a departing blow of his own whistle]
Duke: Right, time to be off now.
Rusty: Take care then, Duke.
[Sir Handel begins to puff away]
Sir Handel: See you later, ya' old coot.
Duke: Impudent scallywag, be off with you!
[Sir Handel chuckles as he leaves. Duke can't suppress a grin as he too departs with his train]
[Slowly, but surely, the train makes its way out of the station and onto the mainline]
[Cut to the interior of one of the coaches as the four Destructix members are all sat together. Predator notices Lightning leaning against the window]
Predator: Now what's got the sourpuss in a mood today, eh?
Lightning: Very funny…[sighs]...I suppose I'm being a little bit melodramatic.
Flying Frog: A little?
Lightning: Do you want me to throw out the window?
Flying Frog: Not like you could manage it.
Lightning: Why you little sh-!
[At that moment, the coach suddenly buckles as the train runs over a section of bad trackbed]
Duke: Oh-ho! Dear me…
Lightning: Ah! The hell…anyway, you little sh-!
Simian: Two people are gonna be thrown out if they don't zip their lips.
[Lightning and Frog subside at this threat as the former rolls his eyes and goes back to looking out the window]
Lightning: [sighs] Whatever…
[Cut to Duke crossing over a river before transitioning to Poplar Station as Ivo Hugh passes by with another train of passengers]
Duke: Here we are. Please be ready when I come back for you.
[As the passengers disembark from the coaches, the Destructix are some of the last people to leave. Lightning looks around the station and sneers]
Lightning: It's…serviceable, I suppose…
Predator: Coming from you, that's gotta be a compliment.
Lightning: Either way…what are the plans?
Predator: Apparently, it's to "get some fresh air", or whatever Simian was spewing.
Simian: You two definitely need this, we'll split up along the trail and meet back here within a few hours.
Lightning: So who's going with who?
Frog: Ain't it obvious, me with the big guy while you two loverbirds go off on your own…SNRK, get it?
[Lightning splutters almost instantly]
Lightning: I, eh, what, eh, I don't know what you're talking about…
Predator: [mutters to Lightning] I'm gonna fry his legs if he ever makes that pun again.
Lightning: AHEM, alright, I guess we're gonna do that then…
[Transition to the forest trail as several of the passengers at the station go to the left, while others go to the right. Simian and Frog are taking the left path to the waterfall while Lightning and Predator are going right to the caves]
[Predator notices the way Lightning is walking and decides to make his commentary]
Predator: Would you care to explain why your body's all tensed up?
Lightning: I'm walking normally.
Predator: If you say so…any thoughts on what we'll find?
Lightning: Probably just some dirty old mine with dust and rocks. We're not up at the quarry for one thing.
Predator: You're not wrong there…I do have a question.
Lightning: What?
Predator: You're not used to peace, are you?
Lightning: …Excuse me?
Predator: You know what I mean, this trip's meant to be relaxing, yet you still look like you're on the fritz.
Lightning: Well…it's complicated, just leave it at that.
[Predator raises an unimpressed brow, and Lightning internally curses him for it]
Lightning: Don't do that.
Predator: Do what?
Lightning: Give me that look, I know what you're trying to do.
Predator: I have no idea what you mean by that.
Lightning: Stop screwing with me!
Predator: Eaaaasy, kitty-cat, don't blow a fuse on us.
Lightning: Ugh, the crowds I find myself in sometimes…
Predator: Hey, it could be worse, could be stuck with that ninja clan of-
Lightning: Don't you dare finish that sentence!
[Lightning narrows his eyes at the avian in a manner that makes him stop talking]
Predator: Ah…right…that…AHEM, um…let's get a move on, shall we?
[The two Mobians continue down the path in awkward silence till they reach the caves. Cut to the interior as the ambiance of dripping water and the echoing of footsteps can be heard as we pan down to the lynx and the hawk]
Predator: So…interesting place, eh?
Lightning: It's a cave…that's the end of the story, everyone.
Predator: Okay, seriously, what's up with this whole attitude? It's really starting to piss me off.
Lightning: I don't wanna talk about it.
Predator: So I have to listen to you whining the entire time? Absolutely not, it's literally just the two of us here.
Lightning: If I say it, you're gonna look at me like I'm stupid.
Predator: It can't be worse than doing whatever you're doing right now. As if I couldn't relate to it.
Lightning: Because you couldn't!
Predator: How?! Are you still hung up on the Rajius?! Conquering Storm still clouding that thick head of yours?!
Lightning: SHUT THE HELL UP!
[Lightning whirls around and glares fiercely at Predator who gives him a glare back, the two stare at each other intensely as the lynx bares his teeth and the hawk spreads his wings]
Lightning: You have no right to use my trauma against me! You know how much that ordeal scarred me, on top of all the other chaos that happened in my life!
Predator: What's even brought this up anyway?!
Lightning: I-! I…I…
[The lynx clenches his fists and eyes shut, slightly trembling before he punches a wall]
Lightning: GRRRRAH!
[Lightning leans against the wall and plops onto the ground in a huff]
Lightning: What's the point, no one takes me seriously, not even for things like this…
Predator: …Well, you've got my attention, might as well give me some details.
Lightning: Why? It's not as if you're gonna care about it.
Predator: Hey, you weren't the only one who went through a rough time in his life, do I need to bring up the Battle Bird Armada?!
[Lightning scoffs at this, but then looks away uncertainly]
Lightning: It goes deeper than that, you never had to confess your feelings for someone and get banished twice as a result. And that's not even it, I've always had everything taken away from me, I was literally born to fight, regardless of what I desired, I had to toil and slave and suffer for years, to be built as the best of the best, only to have that pride snatched away from me only cuz of losing a fight, and that same person took my heart and stepped it on…that BITCH!
[Lightning hits the wall again]
Lightning: When I say that almost every part of my life has been some kind of suffering, I mean it…even as a child, I had to struggle to survive, I have no living family, my life was purely meant to train, any people I became close to either died or disappeared, and even when I tried to profess my love for someone, they crushed my spirit like it was nothing…by the time I met you all, I literally had no choice but to turn to the dark side…and look what good that's done me, no one giving a damn about what happens to me…
[At this point, tears have begun to well in the lynx's eyes]
Lightning: Every time I feel like my life is finally going well, something always comes to ruin it, as if I'm destined to never be truly happy…even now, it's only a matter of time before something else goes wrong…I still don't have a significant other…I just…want to feel…loved, even if it sounds so sappy…
[By this point, Predator's expression has softened as he looks down at his forlorn teammate. He quietly sits down to the lynx's right]
Predator: Hey…I'm still here…I mean, to be honest…there's no denying that you've suffered a lot, we all have…but…you're not alone, Lightning…
[Lightning looks over at the hawk through his tear-soaked eyes]
Lightning: You're…You're just saying that…
[Predator puts a hand on Lightning's shoulder and draws the lynx closer to himself]
Lightning: Huh…?
Predator: I know I don't say this often of…anyone, but between us, I've seen a little bit of myself in you…two people who aspired for greatness only to have it denied repeatedly, only gifted with meaningless rewards…though, it's clear that you've been put through the wringer…
Lightning: …Why…Why are you…acting this way to me…?
Predator: Because no one deserves to suffer like this, let alone someone who's gone through as much hell as you…
[Predator wipes a tear from Lightning's face…the two stare at each other for a bit before the lynx lunges at the hawk for an embrace]
Lightning: You don't know how long I've been waiting to hear something like that…
Predator: Shhhh, shh, shh, shh…
[Predator pats Lightning on the back]
Predator: I know this is cheesy…but if Drago and Sleuth can show emotion, I don't see why I can't give you this…
Lightning: Thank you, Predator…thank you…
[Pan-out shot of the duo before we transition to them walking back up the path to meet up with Frog and Simian back at the signs. The two notice the hawk and lynx looking unusually content in each other's presence]
Simian: …Well, talk about an unexpected development.
Frog: Hey, hey, heeeeey, looks like I was right about them. You know, lo-
Predator: Excuse me, but I'm trying to admire my partner here.
Frog: Eh-oh…he's serious…
Lightning: I see someone's a little awestruck. Wanna make him a little jealous?
Predator: If you wouldn't mind doing the honors.
[On that note, Lightning leans down on Predator's shoulder in an overly affectionate manner while making a cheeky cat faic]
Frog: Okay, now you're just milking it.
[The four make their way back to the station as Duke is shown waiting at the platform for the return trip. He notices the Destructix approaching in a better mood and absentmindedly smiles]
Duke: Ah, that's better…
[The quartet boards the first coach and they take their seats; Predator and Lightning side together on the viewer's left while Frog and Simian sit together on the viewer's right. Lightning looks over at Predator]
Lightning: Hey, Pred?
Predator: Yeah, Light?
Lightning: I meant what I said back there…thank you for…listening to me ramble about my struggles…
Predator: Hey, who else is gonna listen to it…but, yeah…no problem at all…
[Lightning smiles and leans on Predator's shoulder for support. Frog and Simian glance at each other…then give a collective shrug of satisfaction]
[Cut to a shot of Duke coming back the line in the opposite direction before we transition to Pine Station…we pan out from an angle and see the silhouette of a couple of figures watching the Destructix leave Duke's train…pan away to show them proper; Mammoth Mogul, Naugus, Dr. Finitevus, and a recent addition; Doctor Starline, all watching with half-lidded pensive expressions…before they slowly walk away from the scene]
[Transition to the city as we pan up to the top of a building with Lightning and Predator coming out the door]
Lightning: I take it there's a reason you brought me all the way up here?
Predator: Yup…would ya' get a look at that view?
[Lightning and Predator look down at the busy cityscape below before looking up towards the sky, the orange hue mixed with the oncoming night blue]
Lightning: Man…when you're always on the go, you never notice these things…so seeing this kinda puts me at ease…could definitely use it.
Predator: I'm almost certain we're not the only ones in that department…here, let's sit down for a bit…
[Predator guides Lightning to a spot and the two Mobians sit down to stargaze]
Lightning: To think this is all we needed…
Predator: Ironic, isn't it…?
[The camera pans up from the duo and up towards the sky]
[Cut to black]
Character Guide:
Lightning Lynx, Predator Hawk, Flying Frog, Sergeant Simian, Dr. Finitevus, Doctor Starline, Ixis Naugus, Mammoth Mogul, Drago Wolf, Sleuth Dawg - Sonic the Hedgehog
Sir Handel, Rusty, Duke, Peter Sam, Luke, Millie, Donald, Douglas, Daisy, Ryan, Nia - Thomas and Friends
Aurora - Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Brer Fox, Brer Bear, Brer Rabbit - Song of the South (1946)
Cat R. Waul - An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991)
Cinderella, Anastasia Tremaine, Drizella Tremaine - Cinderella (1950)
Dorothy Gale, Toto - The Wizard of Oz
Ed, Edd, Eddy - Ed, Edd N' Eddy
Fat Cat - Chip N' Dale: Rescue Rangers
Felix the Cat - Felix the Cat
Lucario, Mewtwo, Incineroar - Pokemon
Mojo Jojo, Him - The Powerpuff Girls
Numbuh One (Nigel Uno), Numbuh Two (Hoagie P. Gilligan), Numbuh Three (Kuki Saban), Numbuh Four (Wallabee Beetles), Number Five (Abigail Lincoln) - Codename Kids Next Door
Scooby-Doo - Scooby Doo
Shenzi, Banzai, Ed - The Lion King (1994)
Snow White - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Top Cat, Benny, Choo-Choo, Fancy-Fancy, Spook, Brain - Top Cat
Yogi Bear - The Yogi Bear Show