It was now mid-morning in the confines of this underground facility. Sandra gathered her band of anthropomorphic animals into a large control room. At the same time, Jean-Luc and his group of rabbits waddled behind. Both groups gathered in front of a large computer screen and were told to take a seat once they could. There were only enough chairs for one group, though. To fix that, Jean-Luc and Joey ran out of the room, much to their host's patience. After a few floor scrapes and bashing metal, Jean-Luc and Joey made enough chairs for both themselves and their friends to sit on.
"Are y'all quite done?" asked the rabbit with the robot legs. To which Joey nodded with a blushing smile. Once that stupidity was over, Sandra cleared her throat and began the conference. The room light began to dim while a spotlight brought all attention to the leading lady.
"Warriors," Sandra opened, "Our recent rescue mission has had some staggering results, as you are aware. We have rescued another group of helpless animals despite some... unorthodox results. Before we continue, what is the status of our previous rescue?" One of the Warriors raised a hand and stated, "The little critters are back in Rosewood where they belong, miss Sandra."
"Yeah! Ha, ha. They woke up in a jiffy," Ruckus reported.
"Yeah, Ruckus. Your body odor was good for once," Spike noted, erupting a laugh from some of the other members. Sanda hushed her audience and directed them to a giant supercomputer.
"N.E.X.A.? Activate," said Sandra. The supercomputer powered up on command. The screen is illuminated with a green hue. Stints of clicking came from the terminal. A short chime is then played to signal the computer has completed its startup process.
"Greetings, Ms. Sandra. N.E.X.A. is now active." the computer stated in a sultry, feminine voice.
"Thank you, Nexa. Could you please show us the surveillance footage we have recorded?"
"Yes, Ms. Sandra," the computer obeyed.
The supercomputer loaded a folder from its databanks. The folder opened to display a series of uncompressed video files. Each video selected then opened to reveal the different aspects of Megasynthoidopolis, from its chrome-plated streets to its high-end traffic. The city's allure and its unique design structure made the Warriors' colorful guests lost in awe. There were parts of the city that the gang's never seen. The areas caught on camera had the young travelers wanting more, with wishes to head back to the city already being proposed.
The group was scolded for being enamored at a place like Megasynthoidopolis. François turned to the group and said in an assertive tone, "I say. Ze enamored lust you have for his city is quite displaced. The Megasynth is not what most of us call a... how you say, 'classy environment.'"
The video continued to scroll through collected clips before landing on a significant highlight. The video in question was presented in a low resolution. However, on a closer inspection, a familiar object could be seen in the distance.
"Hey," Joey blurted as he pointed at the screen, "That's our car!" Jean-Luc and the others squinted their eyes until their visions matched the screen's low resolution. An irked Jean-Luc made a disheveled grunt and said, "Say, that is... and there are those weird policemen that stopped us earlier."
"I see you are familiar with the Synthoids," Sandra explained.
"Synthoids?" asked the open fox.
"Yes. Synthoids. Megasynthoidopolis' brand of security. A mass-produced synthetic army with no semblance of a heart. They are dangerous cyborgs programmed to serve their master. And they don't take kindly to outsiders," Sandra forewarned, "But... this is an interesting matter."
"Soooo... how is being attacked by giant freakin' robots interesting?" questioned a skeptical Danny.
"As you can see, young traveler, our surveillance cameras have followed your actions ever since the hotel encounter. Simultaneously, you all happened to have come during an important mission of ours," Sandra inferred.
The chipmunk paused the video to present the Warriors and Whackos with the hotel skylines - most importantly, the building that both Jean-Luc and Danny entered before trouble struck. She continued her evidence by having Nexa cut the scene into various photographs. The photos were snapshots of Jean-Luc and Danny during their hotel misadventure. From the abstract disguise to the ensuing brawl. The photos presented the pair in a not-so-stellar light. Jean-Luc slumped in his chair slightly as the reminder came rushing back. However, he did raise an eye to an odd sight.
The three photos each had a similar pattern. As Jean-Luc observed them, his embarrassment began to shed, and his inquisitory behavior took hold. Jean-Luc pointed at the large figures found in a specific photo - A fuzzy yet familiar shot of Danny about to be stuffed in a sack.
"You mind asking me who're the guys in those weird hazmat suits?" Jean-Luc asked inquisitively.
"Those 'weird hazmat suits' were our Woodland Warriors," Sandra argued with a harsh tone, "Both of which we're lucky to escape with their lives. You and your friend nearly got them killed."
"Look, we had no idea of what was going on," Jean-Luc counterargued, "All I know is that your hazmat guys stole my pal. I only did what was right of me and got him back. Besides, it's not like he was going to do any harm to you, right Danny?" Danny carefully turned the other cheek when he was thrown on the spot. The greaser focused on the tuft of fur on his knuckles while attempting to hold back a smirk. François shuddered and placed his hand placed firmly on his cheekbone.
"Because of your disruptive actions, the city is now on high-alert!" Sandra exclaimed, "Our incorporeal threat must already be aware of us... and its thanks to you and your unkempt actions!" She conferred her evidence with a pair of videos that detailed the high-speed chase created by the Whackos.
"Why I's say, Sandy. T'weren't nothin' for savin' them little critters. But what's this reason you brought them here in the first place?" questioned the bionic bunny.
"Easy, Barbara," Sandra stated as a hand rested firmly on her hip, "Because they are going to help us."
"WHAT?!" half of the audience decried.
"Sandra?! Are you crazy?! What's these fools got to think they can help us?!" Spike protested, "Need I remind you of a... CERTAIN INCIDENT from their FILE?"
"As much as I'd agree with you, Spike... we are low on options," Sandra admitted. All of this "file talk" made the Whacko crew feel a little unnerved. Sandra admitted that she gathered the files from Nexa through remote channels and privacy breaches. Sandra said that their files show promise, showing an interest in their problem-solving abilities. She looked up at Jean-Luc and the gang and said they might be useful allies in the war against Megasynthoidopolis.
The proposal of teamwork felt somewhat contested. The Warriors protested the idea, accounting for their strange behavior and diminutive size. Don't think that the Whackos were in agreement either, and none were more opposed to the concept than 100% Julie.
"Now hold up, lady!" Julie protested, "First you stick us in some kind of jail, you don't tell us who you are... and NOW all of a sudden you want us to help you destroy an entire city?! You must be outta your mind!"
"Yeaaahhhh," Ryan added, "And what about our car? You mind tellin' us if it's around anywhere so we can, ya' know, leave?" Sandra answered him with a challenging statement. She stated that their car was most likely in the scrap heap when they would ever retrieve it, much to the gang's detriment.
"Ms. Sandra," Nicole stated, "My systems recently acquired evidence that ties to the demands of your guests." The supercomputer then displayed a brand new video that had spent some time encoding. The footage showed the underbelly of a tall fortress. The fortress's views changed with every camera sweep and landed at a specific spot. There, the coveted treasure was revealed.
A shining red vehicle carried towards the fortress grounds. The convertible shape was enough to make the Whackos bug out in shock. The Groovemobile! - It was still alive! But as glad as they were to know that the vehicle was okay, the main worry was how to get it back. The existence of said vehicle was enough to make Sandra take back her words, concede.
"It appears your vehicle is still in one piece," Sandra admitted with a sigh, "Judging its location... it is exactly where we need to be. Hm..." Sandra stepped down from the podium and walked towards the enamored Whackos. By now, she assumed they weren't convinced to help her, but the weight of guilt stood over the chipmunk's shoulders. Sandra had to live up to her status. She grabbed Jean-Luc's attention with a light touch to her shoulder and opened to the fox in a more gentle tone.
"Jean-Luc?" Sandra spoke softly, "My teammates and I are a band known as the Woodland Warriors. We dedicate our lives to protect our home, The Rosewood Forest. We've spent years rebelling against Megasynthoidopolis, ensuring the safety of our home, and fight back against a mechanical hellscape. It may not seem as important as your current endeavors, but it's important to us." Sandra knelt to Jean-Luc's level. She looked at him with an honest face.
"One mission. That's all I ask. And I promise to help you retrieve your vehicle. Will you do that for us?" Sandra asked earnestly.
Jean-Luc and the bunnies took a long look at one another. Do they dare to take up the offer of this unknown mission? Will it be worth it just to get their car back? Some were a bit skeptical, while others were a little less convinced.
Everyone was on the fence about working with the warriors. They weren't one to turn down a helping hand, but this proposal seemed a bit over their heads. But if the Groovemobile was where the Warriors were heading, the bunnies didn't have a choice.
The decision ultimately was left to Jean-Luc. After all, he's their leader, so the decision was left in his hands. The fox poked the head of his snout and began to think. His pupils circulated the corners of the briefing room as all eyes were on him. Jean-Luc thought to himself, "If it was for the car... then sure. Plus, maybe I could see what's buggin' this girl and give her a helping hand. I hope Joey's friends don't mind..." Jean-Luc shook his head and made his ultimate decision.
"Well... alright," Jean-Luc answered albeit hesitantly, "You've got yourself a deal. Sandra gave a bow and thanked him. Jean-Luc's smile widened when he felt her gratitude. It was there when Danny lightly grabbed Jean-Luc by the shoulder and lured the fox down to the bunny's makeshift huddle.
"Boss, are you sure about this?" Danny asked in a hush, "I hate to be that guy, but I don't wanna feel like we jumped in the middle of someone else's major story arc."
"Yeah," Ryan added, "Bad sidekicks are enough. But crossing someone's arc? Hoo-hoo, you're askin' for trouble."
"T-this might be dangerous," Melody quietly warned, "I-I don't want to be a wanted criminal."
"You do have their trust, right, dad?" Joey asked with concern.
"Relax, guys, trust me," Jean-Luc promised, "The sooner we get our car back, the sooner we can leave without getting into anyone's hair or storyline, 'kay? Besides, a little helping hand ain't gon’ hurt nobody." While it's true that these "Warrior" folks created a light bout of tension, they seemed to do it only out of necessity.
The utterance of what may be turmoil between this "Rosewood" place and the neon city they escaped from was... worrisome, to say the least. So far, the gang was unconvinced of this neon city's dangers. What felt like a dystopia to the warriors was a paradise for our loyal Whackos. They heard the warnings, but they came off as mere rumors. If anything, the mission was an excuse to get back in the city to see more of the sights. Today was a new day, after all, so now all that's left is to get back inside, get their car back, and hopefully be able to get out of here.
"Warriors! Today we make our way to the Megasynth Fortress. Today, I feel, will be a day of victory!"
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