The rabbit in red opens the door to the apartment and looks around. “Zach? Are you in here?” Upon inspection of the flat, he makes his way to the bedroom, spotting the fox on his bed, lying in a fetal position and facing the wall. Ralph inches his way toward him. “Zachy… Are you okay…?” There is no answer from the fox. “Zachy, talk to me…” The rabbit takes a seat at the end of the fox’s mattress. “Listen, Josh told me what had happened… I understand how you feel right now.” There is still no response from the orange creature. “Zach…” The rabbit reaches his paw to him, but stops halfway when knocking interrupts him. “I’ll be right back…” This prompts Ralph to get up and answer the door. When he does, he sees the girls stand in front of him. “Hey, you two.”
“We got your text,” Winnie tells him. “How is he?”
“Pretty upset,” responds the rabbit. “He’s curled up on the bed in total darkness right now.”
“Oh jeez,” comments Emma. “What happened?”
“You two should come inside,” Ralph orders. “I’ll tell you both.” Following his advice, both the chicken and warthog enter before he closes the door behind them. The three then take up occupancy in the living room/dining area, where both girls sit on the couch and the rabbit on the loveseat beside it. “So, Zach went over to the auditions with Josh, and everything was going okay at first. However, Willy was there, as expected, and learned Zach was trying out for the role…”
“So what?” Winnie asks. “Zach wasn’t the only one trying out! Didn’t he see the line of the many other animals trying out for a spot on that show?”
Ralph nods. “Yes, but Josh told me Willy was more focused on Zach. He said Willy found some set controls and tried to sabotage Zach’s chances of being chosen. He tried to stop the sheep, but ended up making it worse.”
“What did Willy do/say?”
“Willy tried to play the whole thing like it was Zach’s idea as a means to try and impress the judges further. To make matters worse, they were flushed out by a tidal wave from the malfunctioned controls, along with many of the other animals trying out. The judges decided to turn Zach down and give the role to Willy. Josh then told me Zach rushed off the set with his head down and tears in his eyes…”
“How could Willy do that?” asks Emma.
“Willy was jealous; thinking Zach was trying to steal the spotlight from him and for Zach ‘being a predator’ and try to ‘take advantage’ of him.”
“Poor Zach… Having his dream ruined like that…”
“I still can’t believe that lamb,” Winnie utters, standing up. “If I ever cross paths with him, I’ll murder him!” Emma grabs her side with her hoof and eases her back to calm. The chicken takes a deep breath. “Is there anything we can do? Besides going after Lamby Chops, of course?”
“Perhaps it’s best if we talked to him,” Ralph suggests. “Remind him he is supported and cherished no matter what.” The girls both agree. Ralph stands. “Come…” The rabbit leads them down the hallway and opens the door into the bedroom again. The three of them enter, quietly. “Zachy,” Ralph starts. “I’m back… I came to check on you again… Along with some company…” The fox remains unresponsive, still keeping his gaze to the wall beside his bed.
“Ralph told us the story,” Emma tells him. “We’re sorry about what happened.”
“It’s not your fault,” mutters Zach, remaining in his position. “Don’t apologize…”
“Listen, Zach,” Winnie begins. “You may not WANT to hear this, but you NEED to hear this; Willy is a lowlife piece of shit and you shouldn’t think about anything he says or does! So what if you didn’t get the role? There will be other chances for you, and you can’t give up.”
“Willy will only snub me and take it away… If not Willy, someone else will… No matter where I go, I can never live my dreams… It’s all the same… just like Heroto…”
“This is not Heroto, Zach!” Emma exclaims. “You cannot keep thinking it’s going to be the same wherever you go. If you get pushed down, you get back up, dust yourself off, and press on. Real heroes don’t let little things like this deter and define them!”
“Yeah,” agrees Ralph. “Don’t let animals like Willy ruin your confidence.” The rabbit rests a paw on his shoulder. “Listen, we know this is a repeat of the past, but you shouldn’t let this get to you.”
Emma does the same with her hoof, but places it on his side. “Everything will be all right… You just have to hold on.”
“Hey, know what’ll make you feel better?” Winnie states. “A little concoction from ‘Dr. Cream.’ Know what I mean?”
“That’s definitely something we all need,” Emma adds. “Let’s go, shall we?”
“I don’t feel like getting up,” Zach tells them. “Just go without me…”
Winnie sighs. “Come on, Zach… Okay, how about this? We go, come back, and have it here. Sound good?” Zach keeps silent. “Zach…”
“Can I have chocolate…?”
“Of course,” Emma tells him. “Usual plain?”
“Please…?”
“Will do, Zach.” She leads the friends out into the living area before the front door. The warthog grabs the doorknob, twists it, and swings the door open. “I hope Zach will feel better after-” She freezes before two other figures in front of her, as does the rest of the gang. They are revealed to be the pink, samurai bunny and her sidekick, the maroon kobold. “Uh… Hello… Can I help you two?”
“Hi there,” starts the kobold. “We were just-”
The bunny extends her paw to him, stopping him from talking more. She tilts her head up, revealing her burgundy eyes from underneath the conical hat toward the warthog. “You have something of interest for us.”
“Uh, I beg your pardon? Oh wait… You’re that bunny from the park… Did you follow me here…?” The rabbit keeps silent. “Look, if it’s about what happened, I’m very sorry. It was an honest accident, and I-”
“Save it, Warthog,” orders the pink bunny. “We know what you’re hiding!”
Ralph walks up beside the warthog. “What’s going on, Emma? Wha- Oh, hello there. Can we help you?”
“You can start by telling us what you know.”
“About…?”
“What’s going on?” utters the chicken. “What’s- Uh… Who are you people…? You here to ask us about the good word? Sorry, we’re not interested. Just turn around and-”
“Don’t test my patience!” utters the bunny. She unsheathes her katana and wields in before the three animals.
“Whoa!” Winnie and her other two friends hold their arms up and slowly back up into the apartment as the rabbit inches her way forward with her kobold sidekick beside her.
“Easy now,” Ralph says. “Whatever you want, we’ll give you…”
“You will answer every question we ask,” commands the samurai rabbit. “Now, tell me, where are you hiding him?”
“Hiding who?”
“I’m asking the questions here! Now, talk! Where is he?!”
“We have no idea what you’re talking about,” Winnie says. “Can you be more specific?” She gasps and yelps when the katana is swung and cuts off some of her feathers. “Yipe!”
“Enough stalling! Do not waste my patience! I know he is with you! You are going to tell me where he is!”
“Uh, Haya,” the kobold begins. “Maybe we should elaborate on who we mean.”
“Maybe YOU should silence and let me ask the questions, Berc!” She exclaims.
Igor appears before the group and faces the three. “Hey, Warts,” he begins to Emma. “I came to tell you we’re out of beer and need more.” He notices the wide-eyed, shocked faces of the three. “What’s with that look for?”
“You!” shouts the rabbit, wielding her katana toward him. Berc raises a dagger fearfully, but at the ready. “We’ve got you now! And when we’re done with you, you will tell us where they are!”
Igor smiles at her. “Ooh, I like the way you talk, Sweet Cheeks. Acting tough, cute, and with a nice blade. How’s about I show you a ‘real sword?’”
“Enough! Prepare to meet your end!” She swings the katana around, but Igor flies around to dodge her attacks. The others clear away to avoid her weapon. Igor’s flight causes her to chase him around and hit various objects before he’s knocked onto the ground. The point of the rabbit’s katana finds itself under the demon’s chin as his back is against the floor. “Now I’ve got you!” The other three watch in shock; frozen in fear and unsure what to do.
“Whoa, hey, easy, Sister!” Igor utters. “I don’t know who you are, but I’m on your side!”
“My side?!” spurts the rabbit, keeping her katana pointed at him. “In your dreams! Now, you will start talking, Imp!”
“What’s going on…?” The fox emerges from the room and approaches the scene. "What’s with all the-” He freezes and takes notice. His eyes open wider. “Oh…” Everyone faces him. “Um… Do I even want to know what’s going on here…?”
“By Divine!” The kobold keeps his gaze on Zach. “Is that what I think it is?”
“Yeah… I sense he is…” The pink bunny relaxes her stance as she faces Zach and takes a bow toward the fox, while the kobold kneels with a grasper on his chest. “Honorable fox spirit, we are humble in your presence.”
Zach narrows one eye. “Uh, I’m sorry, what? Who are you two…? And what are you doing in my and friend’s apartment…? What’s even going on here…?”
The rabbit straightens herself. “Fox Spirit, I am Haya; legendary warrior. I am here to serve and protect the honorable, and rid the world of evil in the names of the divine.” The kobold coughs in the background. “Oh, and that’s Berc. He’s the sidekick.”
“Great Fox Spirit,” Berc utters. “It is an honor to be in your presence! We live to serve you.”
Zach keeps staring at the two animals. “Um, right… Can you tell me what you two are doing here…?”
“We have come to put down demons all over this plane and hunt down the master of evil.” Haya points her katana toward Igor. “We just noticed this one snooping around here and we will make sure he causes no harm anymore.”
The fox turns to the imp. “What did you this time…? How did you manage to piss these people off?”
“I did nothing!” claims Igor, still pinned to the floor. “This crazy bunny lady and her lizard boy just barged in here! I don’t even know them!”
Zach lets out a sigh. “Uh, listen, Miss Haya, whatever Igor has done, I’m sure it can be rectified… We apologize for whatever he did. Right, Igor…?”
Haya turns to the fox quickly. “What?! How can a divine fox, like you, stand by a demon? You let this thing roam around and slay innocents?”
“Igor hasn’t killed anyone,” utters Emma. “Not that we know of, at least. However, he tends to cause trouble here and there…”
The pink rabbit then faces Emma. “And you know this how?”
“He’s our little ‘pet.’ He’s our responsibility, considering we summoned him.”
Haya then shifts her full body toward her. “You what?!” She raises her sword to her. “What were you thinking?!”
“Hey, take it easy! As long as he’s under our control, he’s no danger to anyone…”
“Stand down, Rabbit,” orders Zach.
Haya looks at him again. “What?!”
“I am your ‘divine fox spirit,’ and you must do as I say, right? I am ordering you to lower your weapon and trust me and my friends.” Haya keeps her position. “Please…”
“If what you are saying is true…”
“Igor is no danger to anyone, so long as he obeys our rules. You have my word.”
Haya lets out a sigh. “Very well… We must comply…” She sheathes her weapon and looks toward the demon. “You are lucky to be spared.” She looks back at the fox, who joins alongside his friends. “Many apologies for the trouble, Fox Spirit and friends…”
“Zach,” says the fox. “My name is Zach… These are my friends: Ralph, Emma, and Winnie.”
Berc walks over to stand beside his companion. “Haya, does this mean our job is done?”
Haya faces him. “No, Berc, it’s not. We have not found the master of evil here, and yet, I sense many more fiends in this realm through my aura. We shall remain on this plane and cleanse the land of those who continue to hurt innocents while hunting for our target.” She then looks back at Zach. “We shall continue to roam your plane and destroy evil. However, we are both at your service for when you, or your friends, shall require aid in any way.” She presents a small bell to him. “Should you have need of us, ring this, and we shall come.”
Zach accepts it and holds the small iron piece in his paw. “Uh… Thanks, Haya and Berc…”
“We shall meet again, Zach the Fox Spirit and friends. Come, Berc. We have work to do.”
“Yes, Haya…” Berc turns back to the five and waves at them with a smile. “See you guys around!” He then tails his bunny companion out of the door. Everyone stares through the open door as they disappear.
“What the fuck was that all about?!” exclaims Winnie. She turns to the fox, who looks at her. He gives her a shrug.
“I’m just as clueless as you,” answers Emma. “But hey, we got two new friends, right?” She then looks to Zach. “Feeling any better now?”
“I mean, I’m not as depressed as I was before,” Zach states.
Ralph looks about the apartment and sighs. “This is going to take some time to clean up…”
“Yeah, yuck,” says Igor, getting to his feet and dusts himself off. “Very messy this place is… You really should consider a cleaning service, Bunny Boy.”
“Already have one,” Ralph tells him as he stares at the imp.
“Why are yo-” Igor points at him. “Oh, no! If you think I’m cleaning this shit up, you have another thing coming!”
Ralph turns to the fox. “Oh ‘Fox Spirit,’ care to test out that bell and call your new friends over?”
“No fucking way!” Igor flies up. He then grunts. “Fine… Have it your way… Where’s the broom…?” Igor searches about for the cleaning tool.
“Does this mean we’re not getting ice cream at all?” asks Zach.
“You kidding?!” Winnie spurts. “After what just happened, I need a scoop of ‘Dr. Cream’ right now… That crazy rabbit lady cut some feathers off me…” She shows off the spot where she was cut. “Look at this!”
“At least she didn’t cut your head off and cause you run all over the place,” jokes Emma.
Winnie forms a pout on her face. “Not cool, Dude…" Zach manages a small smile and a slight giggle. “Well, what are we waiting for?! Ice cream, people!” The four then head out and close the door behind them, leaving Igor to the debris. The demon continues to grunt as he struggles to sweep.
