#anyways go hear royal we its amazing

[alumirp]

Royal We

As the princess of Goa, Luffy was expected to one day take the throne and rule over all of East Blue. Or, as Sabo once joked, find a husband to take the throne for her as king. The idea of ​​being tied down, whether to the throne or to a random man, had always terrified her deeply, at least until she met Koby, the new secretary to her grandfather, the regent.

For the first time in her life, Luffy fell in love, and as if it were fate, with the perfect man. Kind, strong, intelligent, equally in love with her, and most importantly, someone who Garp and her brothers accepted completely.

It seemed like the perfect ending for her, free from the responsibilities of the throne without being tied down to an empty and unhappy marriage.

That is, until, less than three years later, Luffy found herself in an empty and unhappy marriage anyway. Bound by the rules and parameters of being queen and with a husband who was too busy running the kingdom to care about her.

Things get worse when a group of nobles demand that Luffy either give birth to an heir or allow Koby to take a second wife. She laughs at the idea, crying with laughter, but her laughter quickly dies when she realizes that Koby and her grandfather actually seem to be considering and planning to accept the proposal.

Determined to put an end to this madness, she marches to the house of the noble who started all this mess, determined to beat up those responsible, especially the dumb girl who intends to marry her husband. What she finds, however, is an attempted murder, a man, hung on a cross as punishment for angering said noble, and a tall, dark and beautiful woman with a bold proposal for adventure and freedom. Luffy falls in love a second time. And Law kidnaps a queen.

[luna0713hunter]

almost kisses that are interrupted by a third party with shanks? thank u 💗

Author's note : this is the last request for the kiss prompt!!! I'm so happy i did this prompt cause all your requests were amazing and i had a blast writing them!!! Pls look forward to my new prompt that'll be opening soon!!!

"almost kisses that are interrupted by a third party"

Based on this prompt

Warnings : not much, slightly suggestive,age gap relationship,pet names as usual

*.✧∘˚˳°*.✧∘˚˳°*.✧∘˚˳°*.✧∘˚˳°*.✧∘˚˳°*.✧∘˚˳°*.✧∘˚˳°*.✧∘

"do...do you think they're gone?"

"i have no idea, princess. But i must say, I'm not complaining about our current... situation."

You groan and smack your captain on the side of the head and try to peek from the slight crack of the door.

"i cant see shit!"

"you dont need to get upset. The guys will soon find us anyways." A gentle hand rests on your shoulder and you relax slightly under the touch.

"cant believe they ambushed us like that." You groan and your forehead lands against the wooden door with a soft "THUD".

The hand on your shoulder moves until its between your forehead and the door;not letting you bang your head again.

"it happens,my love. I'm just glad we got out without a scratch."

"we ran,Shanks. It was humiliating."

"running is not humiliating. Fighting without a good reason to is." He rests his chin on your head and you feel his smile in his voice, "there's no need to fight when we don't have to."

Your sigh fills the small closet in the back of a crowded bar; that was one of the many reasons you loved Shanks. Unlike other men,his first choice was never violence. He rathered get beaten up and have drinks poured on him,but never starting an unnecessary fight.

Unless,his friends and loved ones were in danger.

You were one of the very first people who experienced how royal Shanks was;when one night a drunken man started hitting on you with the most inappropriate words ever heard,Shanks had stepped in and punched the man so hard,it had him flying back and laying down unconscious.

Maybe that was the first time your heart beated so hard and fast for the red hair pirate.

Years had past since then,and never,not even once, you'd left Shanks on his own.

"i know," you softly whisper and lean back until you feel Shanks pressing his hard chest against your back, "just hated the way they bad mouthed you."

"i dont mind,doll," he whispers back,like sharing a secret. Like you already didnt know how selfless he is.

Like you didn't love him already.

"well,i do." You huff and turn slightly so you can see his face in the dim light coming from the crack between the door, "you should've let me beat their ugly asses."

You feel his lips on the top of your head and despite your anger,your lips twitch slightly.

"what kind of man would i be if i let my princess fight my battles?" His arm wraps itself around your middle and pulls you closer to his chest, "i would never want my baby girl to get hurt."

"you know I'm strong!"

"i fully well know that. But sometimes the strongest pirates get hurt as well." His lips find their way to your cheek,and then your temple,making you squirm slightly upon feeling his stubbles, "and i would rather die than to witness that happening my dear."

You close your eyes; basking in his presence and warmth. The moment feels so precious,that has you holding your breath in fear of breaking it.

And you know Shanks feels the same way;with the way his thumb rubs your hip and his lips travel up and down your face. You flutter your eyes open,you eyes immediately find his lips. You lean closer,feeling his breath on your lips and you're closing your eyes-

Before a loud banging on the door makes you jump where you stand.

"Yo!" You recognize Yasopp's voice while trying to calm your heart from jumping out of your ribcage, "you guys in there?!we should get going while its clear outside!!"

You hear Shanks chuckling and his lips press a gentle kiss to your nose.

"continue this later in my room?"

You smile and press your own lips to his cheek.

"see you there, Captain."

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Kalim Al-Asim - Platinum Jacket Vignette

"Happy 100th Anniversary"

­­­­[Land of Dawning – National Museum of Art]

Kalim: Woah! I've seen this artist's work before. I think we have a bunch of their stuff on the walls back home.

Kalim: So, the Land of Dawning's National Museum of Art's gottem on display too, huh. Hehe, that's pretty neat!

Vil: Oh, this… I think this is a painting of the moment when the beloved princess and the impoverished, yet kindhearted young man were set to be married.

Kalim: Yeah, that's right! The guy on the left is the sultan, and…

Kalim: Just so the princess could marry who she wanted, he went and changed the law for her.

Vil: Oh, hello, Kalim. I wasn't expecting you to know the particular details of the tale.

Kalim: The attendants back home would read me books with their stories. I really like the ones that have happy endings!

Kalim: Oh yeah, and did you know? The sultan here loved to collect miniature models.

Kalim: In his room, he had carriages large enough even a kid could ride in it, and statues of horses with wings…

Kalim: He even had a model of the royal palace! Apparently he'd always be playing with it.

Vil: Mhmm. Quite the childish hobby for a country's ruler to have.

Kalim: Oh, is playing with models childish? I'm always playing with mine whenever I go back home.

Kalim: Once, I mentioned to my dad I was curious what our home looked like from above, y'see.

Kalim: So then, he went and made a miniature model of our whole estate and a special room to put it in.

Vil: He made something like that just because you asked one thing… I suppose I shouldn't expect anything less from the Asim family.

Vil: But if it had its own room… How big was this model, anyway?

Kalim: Uhhh… I think at first, it was about the size of a magic carpet.

Kalim: Back then, it was just the estate buildings, but before I knew it, the land had been tacked on as well.

Kalim: And every time we added to the house, the model got an addition too, so it just got bigger and bigger.

Kalim: Whenever we'd buy new furniture, the stuff in my room, or my siblings' rooms would move around and change, too…

Kalim: There was always some kind of change whenever I looked into it. Sometimes I really couldn't tell what changed, though. Ahahah!

Vil: Even your furniture is a part of the model? Well, isn't that ridiculously elaborate…

Kalim: Yeah! That model is super awesome! The small clocks and furniture actually function, and…

Kalim: The roof and the walls of the model are made of the same stuff as our actual home, so it looks just like it.

Kalim: Water'll actually come out of the marble fountains, and even the trees and lawn are apparently made of real moss.

Kalim: Anyway, since it's a perfect replica of my real home, it really lets me feel like I'm a giant!

Kalim: Oh yeah. And on the ceiling of the room with the model, there are monitors and sprinklers…

Kalim: So night can turn into day, or it can rain or whatever.

Kalim: If the switch next to the model is pressed while in nighttime mode, the whole model lights up and it's so pretty!

Kalim: Also, we'd get miniature elephants and camels on parade…

Vil: Enough already! You've already convinced me just how special your personal miniature model is!

­­­­[Land of Dawning – National Museum of Art]

Vil: This is a painting of the Lord of the Underworld and his men.

Vil: From what I hear, the Lord of the Underworld's subordinates had the power to change their form and voice at well, and even could take on the appearance of children.

Kalim: Woah～ They must've been amazing. Oh, that reminds me, I once turned myself into an adult, y'know.

Vil: You turned yourself into an adult…? Do you mean you disguised yourself as one?

Kalim: Yeah! When I was little, my family and I went to go see a play and there was this one scene where a ruler dressed up like one of his servants.

Kalim: I wanted to try the dame thing, so that night after the play, I put my plan into action.

Kalim: Like, if I were to wear the household attendant's clothes and wear shoes with bigger soles, I'd look just like an adult, right?

Kalim: And then I even put on a huge hat and covered my face with sunglasses, too.

Vil: You really seem proud of yourself… And you're saying no one realized it was you?

Kalim: YEAH, IT WAS A PERFECT DISGUISE!

Kalim: They didn't even call my name, just said stuff like, "Perhaps it is time for bed, my young, esteemed colleague?"

Vil: They absolutely knew. No one in their right mind would tell their colleague to go rest in the middle of their duties.

Kalim: Eh? …YOU'RE SO RIGHT!! You're amazing, Vil. I never even realized before you said that just now.

Kalim: But then, how did they even figure out it was me?

Vil: I wouldn't call what you did a disguise or anything. All you did was wear your attendants' clothing.

Vil: Your behavior and speech were the same as usual, weren't they? Then there was nothing disguised. It was no different than you changing between your school or dorm uniforms.

Kalim: So if they figured it out 'cause of my behavior…? So then, I shouldn't've talked like I normally do, right?

Vil: Yes. Think back to the mannerisms of the attendants in your estate and how they treat you.

Kalim: Their mannerisms… Hmm…

Kalim: Oh, I think I got it! So I should've tried to speak more polite-like!

Vil: I wasn't really talking about something as minor as that, but… Well, I suppose that's a step in the right direction.

Vil: If you are going to disguise yourself as another person, you cannot just mimic them. You must completely change your mannerisms, speech, everything.

Kalim: I got it. Thanks for the advice!

Kalim: I know what I have to fix now, so… I gotta try again as soon as I can!

Vil: You're going to try again…? Here? And who exactly are you planning to disguise yourself as?

Kalim: Obviously, one of my family's attendants! This time for sure, it'll be the best disguise ever!

Vil: I think dressing up as an Asim family attendant would just be too conspicuous… But I do look forward to seeing how you pull it off.

­­­­[Land of Dawning – National Museum of Art]

Kalim: Woah! Look, Vil! There's a painting of a tea party.

Vil: According to legend, this tea party was ridiculously strange…

Kalim: It's super cool, don'tcha think! This is one of my favorite displays.

Kalim: It had teapots whistling along to songs, and plates that could be eaten after being doused in tea…

Kalim: On top of that, there was a cake that would fly up into fireworks as soon as its candles were lit!

Kalim: And their large table was just completely covered in all those tableware and foodstuffs! Awesome, right!?

Vil: …You look at that tea party and genuinely think it 'awesome'? It looks as though we have completely different tastes.

Kalim: Oh, you don't think so, Vil?

Vil: Mhm. That's because I like enjoying a quiet teatime.

Kalim: They say that the girl in the tale didn't even have time to drink her tea, so it sounded pretty fun to me.

Kalim: If I ever get to attend a tea party that's this chaotic, I'd totally be down!

Kalim: Ooh, or, should I throw a tea party myself? We can act out this specific scene.

Kalim: I bet it'd be fun to sing along with my dormmates as the teapots jammed.

Kalim: Oh yeah! Don'tcha think everyone'll be surprised if the teapots also danced and leaped around with the rest of us?

Vil: Yes, I'm sure they would be.

Kalim: Yeah, I can't just try to imitate the legends. It should be an even grander extravaganza!

Kalim: I'll have to prep a lot of edible plates… And a buncha different teas they can use to dip the dishes in…

Kalim: What's left… Oh right, the cake!

Kalim: I should make it a much larger cake than what the girl in the tale got.

Kalim: That way there'd be even bigger fireworks, and it'll get everyone real excited!

Vil: I can absolutely picture your dormmates running around so loudly.

Kalim: Right!? After that… Hmmm. Vil, you got any good ideas?

Vil: You shouldn't ask me, but instead ask your dormmates for their opinion.

Kalim: Yeah! Of course, I'll definitely check with them.

Kalim: But, I want to invite you too, Vil. So tell me, what kind of party do you want it to be?

Vil: [sighs] …I just told you. I would rather enjoy a quiet teatime.

Vil: Thank you for the invite, but I'll have to decline. Bye, now.

Kalim: Okay…  Then you definitely gotta come to the next party I throw!

Kalim: All right, which painting should I check out next? Ooh! Is that…?

Kalim: Yeah, just as I thought! It's artwork that shows the young man marching in a parade on an elephant's back!

Kalim: There were 75 golden camels, 53 peacocks, and a bunch of other animals and dancers following him...

Kalim: Looks like he was trying to entertain the whole country on the way to visit the princess.

Kalim: He went through all that effort just to make everyone happy… There's no doubt about it.

Kalim: This guy is definitely an awesomely good guy. I'm a real good judge of character, after all!

Requested by @starshiningsirius.

[tllgrrl]

SEASONINGS by @tllgrrl aka Nefirtiri Jones

Bucky Barnes & Princess Shuri | Rated: SFW

* * * * * * * * * *

Summary: Bucky calls in a last minute favor, gets a package from Home, and a phone-call from a Princess.

* * * * * * * * * *

”What was that spicy chicken you brought home last time you and Sam stopped off at Wakanda for your arm?” Sarah asked. “That chicken was somethin’ else.”

”Yeah! It was really good!” Cass agreed, carefully pulling a log out of the Jenga tower.

”Your chicken is really good too, Mama,” AJ offered. “But you said it. That spicy chicken was something else!”

That’s all Bucky needed to hear. That was a new mission, and he gladly accepted it.

But there was one key ingredient missing from his Spices and Seasonings Stash in Sarah’s pantry. He didn’t want to use substitute ingredients, so he called in a favor.

A few days later…

He parked his bike in its usual spot by the garage, and he could see the package on the porch as he approached the back door.

The box had the usual shipping labels on it, but there were familiar red stamps on the bottom corner.

One, the insignia of the Royal House. The other stamp, a circle with 3 crossed spears inside it, meant that someone had personally made sure the package arrived safely.

His kimoyo vibrated, then his phone rang, and before he could speak, a bright voice greeted him.

[”Hello!!”]

“Hey, Shuri. The package is here. Thank you.”

[“No problem. The extra items you requested from the Spice Market is in there. Ahmed and Mairah send their greetings and mentioned something about including a lagniappe for you and Sarah.

I would have brought the box myself so I could enjoy the meal you have planned, but something came up and I had to meet with M’Baku and the Council.”]

”The boys would have gotten a kick out of seeing you again.”

[“How are my play cousins?”]

“AJs Mathletes team won regionals, thanks in part to your coaching. They’re going to the State championships. Cass is on the school’s yearbook committee. He’s the first Sophomore ever picked to help edit.”

[“That’s wonderful! And how is my usisi?”]

“Sarah’s great. She’s amazing. I keep trying to get her to hire a few more people so she can take a break, but she really enjoys her work. The business has turned a corner and she’s thriving. I help whenever I can.

I know sometimes I can be what she calls extra—“

[“Don’t I know it!”]

He could almost hear the exaggerated eye roll.

[“So true!!”]

He recognized the other familiar voice. It made him smile, and brought a little bit of homesickness.

“Zat Ayo? Tell her I said Hi, and that Sarah hasn’t thrown me to the gators. Yet.”

[”If that happens, when Sam retrieves the arm he knows where to bring it!”]

“Really? Is that what we’re doin’?”

[“Yes, it is.”]

“Anyway, Sarah asked me to tell you thanks for the gift. We both—”

[“You had better not be using up her hair products, White Wolf.”]

“No, no! I don’t use it alone. We use it together when we..uh…never mind.”

[“I can hear you blushing over the phone!”] she laughs.

”Come on! Give an old man a break, will ya?” he pleads, gladly accepting the gentle ribbing.

[”Oh, but what fun would that be?!”] she replied. [“I remember that you like the shampoo and conditioner from the Golden City Barbershop.

I’m told that when my Father was a young man, he used to put a tiny bit of their hair oil in his beard. Mother said she loved the way it looked and smelled, and that his majestic beard was what first caught her eye! Don’t worry. In the next package, I’ll send enough of our hair products for your whole family.”]

“I appreciate it, Shuri. I really do.”

[“But Sarah’s is for her.”]

He sometimes massages the hair oil onto Sarah’s scalp, and she puts a few drops in her palms, rubs them together and runs her hands through his hair and beard. It’s soothing, and one of his favourite fragrances, reminding him of the calm he felt in Wakanda, before the peace he finally found in Delacroix, Louisiana.

“Message received,” he said, and Shuri could hear the smile that came from deep inside his heart. She was glad to hear it. “Even when things are a little rough, they’re pretty damn good. I don’t know how I got so lucky.”

[“You deserve some happiness, Bucky. You deserve to have some life, like your friend Steve got. And as for good and rough times, there’s that saying about variety being the spice of life. I think you have it there.

May Bast continue to smile on you and your family.”]

“Thanks again. Bast keep you safe, your highness.”

[“Hey! What did I say about all that your highness stuff!”]

“Ndizakubona, Shuri.

[“See you soon!”]

He pocketed his phone, picked up the box and headed inside, to get started on the peri-peri chicken he was now going to be able to make for dinner, now that he had all the proper seasonings.

*****

@fleurdelouvemonth 2024 SarahBucky Bingo — Row 3, Square 2: Seasonings

(A moodboard will follow, but I wanted to get this in before midnight tonight. )

[soaps-mohawk]

Oooooo ok ok so to start off….. RORY HOW DARE YOU HURT ME HEART THIS WAY! Poor omega cannot catch a flipping break over here!

I know this sound sooooooo mean but I’m definitely thinking she’s gonna distress when Johnny and Simon leave, and maybe the person behind the cameras decides to make their move. Omega is practically immobile with the distress and their pack is nowhere around, so it’s perfect timing to possibly snatch her because I have a theory.

This is also brainstorming off Larathebee’s theory (Love ya honey!) which have really good points but I also can’t help but think this is for a much sinister reason. Like Lara said omegas are not suited for a military life style, but I think this could be a way to control a more unruly pack. Looking at Task Force 141 this pack has hardened and effective men; Captain price has a list of achievements and training that make him an effective leader but also highly dangerous in the field. Gaz is also with him mind you learning from this alpha and could potentially commission as an officer. As for Johnny and Ghost; Johnny is a demolitions specialist so that alone makes him a threat and Ghost? This man most likely has a higher kill count than the other 3 put together, he’s the living embodiment of a reaper and has the respect of not JUST the royal army but all it’s allies and even his enemies too.

Anyways what I’m saying is this pack functions so highly in their army and is classified as a hyper lethal one. So if they get out of hand or are unable to be brought in; the fastest way to handle a pack is through its omega. The cameras I think were to manage how well she’s bonded with them; the stronger the bond the more effect she’ll have in them. If the pack turns against a certain someone they might use their omega to rein them in, and if someone wants to cripple them they go for an omega first. I mean you could also see it as a messed up modern breeding program but that’s a stretch but I wouldn’t but this society past it. Want effective soldiers in the up coming years? Just breed them with your current ones! Even better if they’re higher up or have a pack like omegas.

Anyways sorry for the word vomit I hope you’re having a chill time off Rory and I can’t wait for the next chapter honey! MWAH 😘

Hehehe I do because I can 🤭 just remember...it does have a happy ending.

Your theory is amazing actually 👏 while I can neither confirm nor deny whether it's right, I can say it's a very good one. I love hearing everyone's theories honestly it makes me very happy (and I can see the ones who have been paying attention to details and have caught on to some red herrings as well 🤭) we are getting very close to when we find out everything about everyone so...you'll see. Some of you will get bragging rights, I'll say that...

Word vomit away!!! I love it 💚💚💚💚

[stay-midnight]

Unreleased Draft #5 • A Banquet for the Emperor

Emperor Yang Jeongin x Guard Male Reader

Synopsis • Today was the young emperor’s birthday where people from different countries all across the continent will gather to celebrate it. It’s tradition now really, it has a really long history to why it is as it is.

A/N • This was supposed to be the 2022 Jeongin BDAY Fic! I didn't continue it cuz I didn't have enough time and I was both busy and drained huhu! But yeah, its a bit too similar to Royals which is also another reason why I lost inspo!

Author's Ratings:

Plot/Thought Process - 2/10, Royalty Fic has grown over me, Im sorry HUHU but I tried to make it different with a guard sneaking into a birthday! But overall its too similar to Royals

Writing Style / Level - 8.5/10, It has good writing atleast definitely the best out of the 5 unreleased drafts because its the most recent out of all em!

Write-ability / Needed Creativity - 10/10, I could probably complete it quite fast cuz Im familiar with Royalty fics a bit!

As of this moment, you were sitting in a last minute meeting, a boring one that was called by the head of knights. The meeting was about where each knight will be stationed in different locations around the castle. Security is extremely tight during the grand celebration for the emperor, as a lot of nobles tend to bring expensive gifts to gain the awes and thanks of His Majesty.

Drool seemed to almost fall out of your mouth as the meeting continues, seemingly a waste of time as you got drowsier, the knight beside you and great friend Bo had to elbow you to not draw attention to which you silently thanked him.

A silent sigh came out of your mouth as you continued to listen.

For hours..... At 5:00 in the morning.... 13 hours before the grand celebration. His Majesty isn't even awake yet so why should we be.

Unnoticed and in your thoughts, you jumped as the leader of the knights spoke, “Y/N! Are you even listening?!” His expression was menacing as he glared down on you as all the other knights stared at you

To which you lowered your head, mumbling a small “Yes, Sir..”

The man clicked his tongue, “Don’t lie straight to my face, as I was saying, You are going to be stationed at the southern gates with Kim Bo. Finally understand?” he said, clearly annoyed with your absence of mind and hearing.

You nodded, “Understood, sir.”

Bo, the knight beside you couldn't hold out a grin.

He was amused as he had warned you of your airy behavior earlier. You rolled your eyes at him and sat straight, pretending to listen while your mind wanders as the voice of the meeting fades.

...

“Dismissed.” The leader spoke firmly as the knights stood up as you do too, bowing before most started to leave the room while some stayed to chat to which they received the unpleasant stare of the leader.

You were long gone, scurrying away as the word “Dismissed.” was spoken.

Now, Bo was right beside you again as your best friend and camaraderie. You already had told him your plan of sneaking and blending in the upcoming celebration. “Where did you get the rich-looking clothes anyways?” He asks, settling down with a huff as you both finally arrived at your station.

“Oh, I got my tailor to made them, she made the gems as real and shiny as possible. She is so good! She creates wonderful clothing out of cheap products, I wonder why her business isn’t booming as it is.” You spout, sighing at the end of the sentence.  Now, your knight friend had a gleam in his eyes.

“What?” you ask, noticing his suspicious look.

“Ooh~ You like her, don’t you?” he says, slightly in awe as he made heart shapes with his hand.” 

You tut, shaking your head at what he said, “She’s an amazing friend, she even gave me a discount, but other than that - Nothing more.” He look at you in disbelief at what you just said. 

“Believable.” he said with a tone of sarcasm as you denied him again until he drops it. “Now let’s see your outfit! I still haven’t seen it cause if you don’t blend, me covering for you will all be for nothing.” he says, excitement apparent in his voice.

“Wait, I hid it somewhere near the clock tower. It’s far and it’s all because my guess was wrong on the location of our station.” you said, pouting a bit at the length you had to walk to.

“Atleast, nobody goes to that part of the castle much.” you said, sighing.

“That’s really far.. Hm, I’ll cover for you, come grab it and wear down your helmet okay? If you get recognized, we will get a lecture.” He says seriously, insinuating his tip as he hit your metal helmet lightly.

You nodded as you started walking away, helmet down, restricting your vision a minimum. Bo waves as he sat down.

...

The sound of silence fills your ears, leaves rustling at this side of the castle. It was dead silent here as no guards ever come here due to the enclosed space. You spotted the white cloth on one of the trash cans that you hid it at last night.

“Hmm..” you wondered, looking around at the empty hallways, you were about to leave but a single footstep caused you to freeze up and run behind a pillar.

“What am I doing? Act normal, act like a guard.” you thought.

About to be on sight and act normal for the approaching, until you peeked and noticed it was not someone to be expected.

“HIS MAJESTY?!?! Oh my god, I’m going to be sent to the guillotine, please don't see me, please don't see me..” You were panicking and chanting in your mind, noticing the rather normal and plain white clothes that he was wearing but he was still as handsome and elegant as ever with those sharp fox eyes.

The young emperor stopped in his tracks, your heart beating out of your chest, as sweat cascaded down your face through the knight helmet.

“You know, you could've picked a better hiding place than... That.” the young emperor, named Yang Jeongin said out loud — voice stiff and rough as if he just got out of bed, he managed to catch a glimpse of a small piece of your armor.

You felt your throat dry, too frozen in fear to move or do anything.

“No use in continuing to hide.” he said, tone a bit tired or emotionless.

In a shot of adrenaline, you immediately went face to face with the emperor, kneeling to your knees fast and keeping your head down. “Y-Your Majesty..! I—I don't dare i-intrude, a friend g-got me to get s-something here.” you said rushed, a bit unintelligible.

The young emperor stood and look down at you with a raised brow as he noticed the white baggage you had on your hand.

The young emperor could care less about it.

“Go.” he simply said, as you ran shaken up and frightened.

...

Running up to your stationed post, Bo noticed your rather tired figure. It raised many questions for him, “Woah, you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost.” he says, clearly joking playfully at your distraught expression and sweaty forehead.

You held your hand up at him as you caught your breath, “His Majesty...” you mumbled, wiping the sweat off your forehead with your wrist, as you tried to calm your heart and trembling fingers down.

“Hm? What about His Majesty? What happened..?” he asks, both curious and worried as he leaned in to hear your answer.

“He.. His Majesty saw me as he was walking at the hallways near the clock tower...” you answered, sitting down near Bo, “I thought, I was going to die...” you added as you blew a sigh of relief. Contrary to the shocked face of your best friend and partner who not only very shocked but scared for your own life.

You stifled a laugh as you noticed Bo’s face, “His Majesty let me go without any questions.” you coughed out, smiling a little of how funny he looked right now.

“Are you sure that you’re fine?” He asks, still not fully convinced since His Majesty is known to be punishing at people.

“Yeah...” 

A wave of relief passed through Bo, before finally remembering to what you got to show as the ‘cheap but supposedly expensive-looking outfit’ as your wear for sneaking inside to festivities and feasts later.

“I wanna see it now then~!” he pipes up, you stared at him incredulously like he didn't just forget your life-death situation earlier.

“What?” he asks, noticing your stare.

“Nothin’, I’ll show you tonight, I am not prepared to strip my clothes here.” you say, clearly aware of the surroundings. The clatter of armor as some knights walk by, the gardener’s shearing the bushes to magnificent shapes to fit the young emperor’s want and even the loud instruments playing and practicing for later. It’s too occupied.

“Well.. We just have to pass time until, I’ll probably leave for a bit at noon though.” you said with a small smile as you watch Bo nod his head along at your words.

. . . . .

It’s was time for the esteemed guests to enter the castle — other royals and nobles alike will be present. After wearing the 'royal' wear, claid with fake gemstones and other numerous patterns symbolising nobility, it was time to sneak in and blend within the crowd of the rich.

A soft sigh passed through your lips, before a confident look was smeared across your face. “For delicious food and wine, calm and composed.” you mumbled a pep talk to yourself. You promised yourself that you wouldn't get caught and stay at sidelines to eat dishes. You only live once, as they say.

Finally, after Bo’s continuous screech and excitement at your spectacular clothes. you already went to the path you scouted for yourself as the most way to sneak it. Guards wouldn't budge at the sight of the more or less flashy clothing. If ever approached, you will use the alias last name of the Noble family “Eulae” as the tailor stated the certain family wouldn't attend due to territorial problems. The castle didn't send invitations rather have the royals and nobles come in as they please which was very stupid in your opinion.

. .

After 20 minutes or so of sneaking around and guards bowing to you, you finally arrived inside the great castle of the emperor Yang. You released a breath of relief and casted your gaze towards all the precious and expensive things, you saw.

From the royal patterns inlaid upon the walls, to the grand chandelier and finally the actual hugeness of the hall where the banquet will be held.

[a-ranting-blogorsomething]

a ff idea that i got at 3 AM

okay if i write it okay i may turn it into a proper book but so far just a glimpse,

a yoongi ff, he is a warrior and female lead is the youngest princess, king and queen died and crown prince is the one and only kim seokjin who is famous af because he is changing the monarch with new innovative ways which seems completely futuristic and old people set in their ways hate him and tries to manipulate him but his right hand man kim namjoon is just as savage and breaths fire, so an UNSTOPPABLE TEAM. anyways onto the story - part 1

.

playlist song - So high school, Alchemy - taylor swift.

.

I woke up with the sound of jimin practically screaming and going back and forth like all the worries of the world are on his shoulders.

"your highness please wake up we have tons of things to do!!!! we are going to be LATE!"

"oh my god!! for fucks sake relax, im up, and we are only going to meet jinnie for breakfast."

"He is the king, Im nervous..."

"Take deep breaths okay?"

"okay and dont curse your highness."

"i won't in front of other people as long as you stop calling me that i swear to god chim we have been together since babies, call me Lizzie."

"alright, just go get ready the maids have kept everything, your bath is ready and -"

"I got this chim go, you do what you want."

ughhh he really needs to chill, jimin, tae ad I have known each other since we were kids and they are my personal helpers, but more than that we are best friends, i can share absolutely anything with them well with tae, jimin is more like a mother, he always worries 24/7 and how everything could go wrong and how i should make good choices.

As i got ready and opened my door and their they were, My best friends, as I sling my arms on their shoulders, tae laughed while chim glared. as to silently saying thats not what royals do.

I can practically hear his voice in my head.

And we link arms and went to the royal dinning hall for breakfast. and we arrived to see a pretty entertaining site,

we see Kim Seokjin, the future king of this empire teaching the royal chefs how to cook that particular food to perfection as he calls, the jin way, while they are scared to death.

"Yes now you flip this when its that color, you dont add the salt before, it gets all crazy and-"

"Oh hey !! lizzie! tae and chim how are you ? Ah havn't seen you in ages with all the work that I'm surrounded by, I have got tons of gossip I need to tell you !"

we sat down and had the most amazing breakfast, obviously because it was supervised by my brother. while jin told us everyhting that happened to that old bastard who tried to manipulate him into doing something horrible and how he exposed so much of secrets that his wife left him with his kids and with all the estate and money which jin helped her getting and now he is alone with nothing. Classic.

chim is just there sitting absolutely horrified and tae and I are so freaking proud. after breakfast we met joon for tea until they both went to their office because they are planning something big, I am excited they are so amazing, ever since jinnie went to become the crown prince and handling everything he has done so much and his morals remain the same, helping everyone in need without being apologetic and never backing down, he deserves to be the king of this empire and i just know he is so loved by all the people.

and now its the time for the best part of day,

watching warriors practice,

tae, chim and I have this time in our day where from this window in the library you get the perfect view of the field where the royal warriors train and do practise fights, My personal favourite, general min yoongi, he trains the warriors, the first in line in every war, the most strangest and bravest warrior, every war he led, we never lost, also one of the best friends of my brother.

from 1 to 3 they fight and practice in the sun sometimes without shirts, where we three just die.

"This is the best time of the day, the sun is hitting perfectly on my future husband's chest" sighs tae.

"I know right"

"what which one was yours again tae?" asked chim

"The fiercest and new warrior jeon."

"Oh yea he has got the best upper body." i couldnt help but exclaim.

"ya! you got yours dont look at MINE!"

"What ? Im just appreciating beauty and dont worry I only got love for yoongi"

"both of you are wrong the crown prince have the best shoulders." whispered chim. but we heard and couldnt help but stare at him in bewilderment.

"W-What? I - I'm just saying...."

we spend the whole afternoon watching from the window and went down to "only drink tea" while sitting just beside where they were taking a break from the hard practice.

"oh my god oh my god oh my god!!!!!!! did THE jeon jungkook just looked at me and SMILED !!" tae exclaimed

"oh my god i think i saw that too!!!! he totally likes you tae!!"

i said while we hugged each other in our delusions.

"you guys support each others delusions way to much its not healthy."

"thats what friend ship is chim ."

"yea we should support yours too, jin thinks your are cute too!"

"YA WHEN TF DID I SAID THAT !!!"

chim screamed a little too loud as the warriors turned to look at us for real this time, while he sank in his seat with red cheeks in embaressment. while tae and I were trying to stifle our laughs.

after sometime we were just about to go inside when general jeon came out of nowhwere, and greeted us and asked me if he could take to tae, I agreed instantly as tae was uncharacteristically quiet with complete red face, they talked and chim and I tried to listen what was going on and I heard a clearing of a throat.

"Your highness"

"shut up chim I'm trying to listen !!"

i felt a tap on my shoulder and saw chim looking at me and I looked behind him and saw general yoongi LOOKING AT ME!! he called me !!

"Oh oh . um... .. general min."

"i dont think its nice to listen like this, others private conversations , your highness."

"oh no its fine tae is my friend."

"ah your highness i remembered something i need to go" jimin bowed an practically ran away.

"nice evening right ? general min"

"Yea its pretty nice we had a great practice"

"yea i saw......I -I mean i barely noticed but like you know I um I was coming down and i saw a glimpse of you know the swords and yea.."

"oh yea ohkay." said yoongi okay i might be delusional but i think he is shy,

sjbifbvwqyficnyugqwvqkwghf chjsc bkjsubveiyrfbvwjkfblkbfwebuvidsucbsdh vblsbvoleblejhfbvlejbljewnvwyu efe fefue gfuyagfoui

ITS SO FUCKIng cute IMMA DIE!!!

While we had an awkward af good bye i went and reunited with chim as we wait for tae in my room so we could ask him what was all of that.

.

.

[the-umiran-amulet]

They spent half an hour or so walking around, speaking to the various nobility that stopped them. Alastar masterfully spun lies about who they really were, but for the most part, it was boring small talk. While the Octan nobility certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves, the twins had yet to meet a single Undari that had indulged in the available wines or champagnes, at least not enough to loosen their tongues.

Alastar.

Alastar fought not to jump in surprise when his twin suddenly spoke. You’re not asleep for once?

Of course not. He could almost feel Cary’s frown. You really think I could SLEEP in a place like this? No, don’t answer that. Look around.

Alastar did.

What am I supposed to be seeing?

The guards. Notice how many of them there are?

Alastar frowned, then. There did seem to be an unusual amount of guards stationed around the ballroom, easily twice what he had ever seen at any of King Sirius’ parties. Overkill, he murmured in response. I think maybe you really were right about something going on here. This has to be every guard in the palace!

Yes. And it’s going to make things very difficult for us. Since you haven’t had any luck yet getting anyone to talk, even with that persuasive charm of yours, I think we’re going to have to sneak out of here and do some snooping.

I think you’re right, Alastar agreed. Hard evidence would do better to back up our claims than hearsay, anyway. Something with the Undar royal seal should be enough to prove its authenticity too, show it wasn’t forged.

Right. Let’s find Benny. If his story telling at the inn last night is any indication, he should be able to provide a pretty good distraction for us to get out of here.

Alastar looked around. It took him a few minutes to find their short mage friend, but eventually he spotted a mop of copper curls surrounded by a crowd, and made his way over to Benny.

Benny, for his part, was having a blast chatting up the other guests. He was somewhat shocked to find even a few of the Undari were listening in on his long-winded explanation of the stories about the constellations.

“You appear to be quite the scholar,” one of them remarked when he finished. “There are very few who are familiar with the ancient tales.” He gave Benny a chilling smile.

Benny gave a nonchalant shrug in return. “If it’s about the stars, I want to know it. Even if it is just made-up stories of how our ancestors saw the world.”

“Excuse me gentlemen,” Alastar interrupted. Benny was never more grateful to hear that voice—something about his audience was starting to give him bad vibes. “I need to borrow my friend for a bit, so if you don’t mind?”

“Not at all,” the Undari noble said, gesturing for Alastar to lead Benny away.  They made a beeline for the refreshments table. Benny snatched up a glass of water and drained it in three gulps.

Alastar watched in surprise. “Are you all right?”

“That was amazing timing,” Benny said. “Something about that guy was making my skin crawl.”

“Glad I could be of service,” Alastar told him with some amusement. “I’m afraid I didn’t come looking for you just to rescue you, though.”

“No?”

“Look around,” Alastar murmured. “There’s an awful lot of guards here. Far more than we typically see at royal functions like this.”

Benny frowned.  “What are you thinking?”

“We can’t get anyone to talk. Seems you haven’t had much luck either, so we’re going to have to get out of here and try to find the king’s study, see if there’s any correspondence he’s held onto. But with so many eyes watching the room, there’s no way we’ll manage to sneak out unseen. Do you think you could come up with a distraction so we can get out of here without alerting the guards?”

Benny scratched his head. “I mean if I’d had a warning and more time I probably could manage something, but not really on such short notice—”

Anything Alastar might have said in response was interrupted by loud trumpet fanfare, and a page announced the arrival of the Octan king. Every eye turned toward the grand staircase that led into the ballroom, and then there was a surge of activity as people tried to push forward to see the king, or move aside to let him and his entourage through. Benny wasted no time in taking advantage of the flurry of motion to make their escape, grabbing Alastar’s arm with one hand and gesturing with the other as they moved through the crowd and toward a door, casting a minor ward of distraction around them. No one seemed to take notice of the pair elbowing their way through the crowd after that. Cary switched out as soon as they stepped out of the ballroom and into the corridor, immediately on high alert.

There wasn’t a single guard to be seen.

“Looks like they really did station every guard just in that one room,” Cary muttered. Benny nodded his agreement, looking uneasy.

“This is just getting more and more unsettling as we go. Come on, let’s get moving. We need to find you some evidence even the most hardened skeptic can’t refute.” They began their search in silence, checking each room they passed as they made their way down the hall. They held nothing of interest, merely closets full of cleaning supplies or fresh linens, or sitting rooms full of fancy furniture that didn’t look very comfortable to sit in, or in one case, a small library. “Just how many broom closets does one hallway need?” Benny muttered after he discovered a third, making Cary chuckle.

After twenty minutes of searching, Cary finally found a door that was locked. He crouched down to peek through the key hole, then stood back up with a smirk, reaching back to retrieve a small lockpick kit from where he’d tucked it into his belt. Benny watched with no small amount of surprise as Cary made short work of the lock, and let out an impressed whistle. “So that’s what you were sneaking into the palace. I was honestly expecting you to smuggle your sword in.”

“And how in the world would I manage that?” Cary huffed at him. Benny snickered. “It would ruin the fit of the suit, everyone would see it through the jacket. And no amount of fast talking on Alastar’s part would get us out of that trouble.” He pushed open the door, revealing the king’s study.

“You’re just full of surprises,” Benny laughed as he stepped inside. Cary started with the desk, sifting through the papers scattered across its surface. They held nothing of interest, only recording accounts of the day to day running of the kingdom. Benny was searching through drawers, rummaging through them with surprising speed, and slamming them shut again when he apparently didn’t find what they were looking for. Cary pulled open a drawer on the other side, carefully going through its contents.

Benny turned away from the desk then, going through cabinets and shelves in a hurry. “Come on, where is it, where is it??” he mumbled to himself, his search growing frantic.

Cary paused his own search, eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Ben.”

The mage froze. “Uh.”

“You’re not looking for the evidence we need, are you.”

Benny winced at Cary’s scathing tone. He probably deserved that. He’d said he would help, after all. He turned to face the soldier, opening his mouth to explain—but then something in a desk drawer he had left open in his haste caught his eye. He snatched it up, reading it over more carefully to make sure his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him. His face turned pale.

“Benny? What is it?” Cary sounded concerned now.

“I think you need to take a look at this,” he said weakly, handing the paper over. Cary took it, skimming over its contents at first, his face going slack in horror as he read it over a second time.

Your Majesty,

The ritual has been prepared. We will be waiting on the upper balcony. The guards must be ready to enact the sacrifice once I have cast the spell.

For the glory of Undar and our Exalted Lord.

High Priest Asa

Cary swallowed hard. “Sacrifice...” He cleared his throat, straightening up once more, and flipped the letter over to double check that it did indeed have the Undar royal seal on it before tucking it inside his vest. “No wonder they placed so many guards in the ballroom,” Cary growled. “I thought the demon was someone’s familiar, but this...”

“Rather makes it sound like the whole of Undar is worshiping it,” Benny agreed. “We have to stop them.”

“How?!” Cary yelped. “We’re only two people, you can’t honestly be proposing we go up against the entire royal guard, plus their high priest and who knows how many other Undari mages in that crowd!”

Benny grinned at him. “Your magic is pretty powerful, and I like to think mine is too—we might just be able to take them.”

Cary stared at him like he’d grown a second head. “That’s...” He muttered something under his breath.

“What was that?”

“I said we don’t know how to use it!”

“What?!”

“Remember what I said about tutors being prohibitively expensive?” Cary growled at him. “Mum and Dad were never able to afford a tutor for us, no matter how hard they tried. And even if they had managed to scrape together the gold for it, no one would take us on as students anyway. They only managed to save up just enough to find out we have two vastly differing types of magic. No one would even touch the prospect of teaching us after that. Not without demanding they pay double.” He stormed back toward the door. “Even if we can’t save anyone else, we at least need to get King Sirius out of there.”

Benny scrambled after him, glaring at his back the whole way as they returned to the ballroom. With his ward still in place, no one even noticed them come back into the ballroom or push their way toward the king of Octan.

[ecofmaster]

It's Clashing time boys

So somehow my Christmas Clash Post where I DONT TALK ABOUT CLASH got more popularity than almost every post besides it

So I don't think people understand what I'm talking about

So, to recap

This is a post about CLASH ROYALE

IT'S A MOBILE GAME

IT'S PRETTY FUN

-ALL THE P2W STUFF

U INTERSTED? FINE GO PLAY

BUT IF U DONT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE

Ok, now that that's settled...

Day 96: "Chinese Clash Royale"

So there was a big meme in the Clash Royale community a few years ago about "Chinese Clash Royale" or "Clash Royale in China" where every card is just fucking overpowered.

Like, some classics were ice golem dropping actual freeze, princess shooting rockets, skarmy spawning golems instead of skeletons, mini pekka just being Goku for no reason, the list goes on.

And by the way that was before evos. That's basically evo predictions honestly.

Are we going to have the mini pekka turn into goku for its evo????

Okay, but all jokes aside, say that was somehow balanced and restricted to the highest level of play.

Would that not be fun?? Just pure absolute chaos??? Maybe it's just me. Oh wait, it isn't.

One of my favorite games is Bloons TD 6. That game, once you get good enough, is FUCKING CHAOS. YOU CANT SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AND IT'S AMAZING.

And that game has a massive fanbase! If Clash could do something similar, it could work!

That was actually my main idea with the evo levels. They were a way to slightly balance early evo gameplay, but also make the top leader board games more fun.

Anyway, just a random thought.

[big-mayo-official]

What if?

According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway because bees don't care what humans think is impossible. Yellow, black. Yellow, black. Yellow, black. Yellow, black. Ooh, black and yellow! Let's shake it up a little. Barry! Breakfast is ready! Ooming! Hang on a second. Hello? - Barry? - Adam? - Oan you believe this is happening? - I can't. I'll pick you up. Looking sharp. Use the stairs. Your father paid good money for those. Sorry. I'm excited. Here's the graduate. We're very proud of you, son. A perfect report card, all B's. Very proud. Ma! I got a thing going here. - You got lint on your fuzz. - Ow! That's me! - Wave to us! We'll be in row 118,000. - Bye! Barry, I told you, stop flying in the house! - Hey, Adam. - Hey, Barry. - Is that fuzz gel? - A little. Special day, graduation. Never thought I'd make it. Three days grade school, three days high school. Those were awkward. Three days college. I'm glad I took a day and hitchhiked around the hive. You did come back different. - Hi, Barry. - Artie, growing a mustache? Looks good. - Hear about Frankie? - Yeah. - You going to the funeral? - No, I'm not going. Everybody knows, sting someone, you die. Don't waste it on a squirrel. Such a hothead. I guess he could have just gotten out of the way. I love this incorporating an amusement park into ouryou think he makes? - Not enough. Here we have our latest advancement, the Krelman. - What does that do? - Oatches that little strand of honey that hangs after you pour it. Saves us millions. Oan anyone work on the Krelman? Of course. Most bee jobs are small ones. But bees know that every small job, if it's done well, means a lot. But choose carefully because you'll stay in the job you pick for the rest of your life. The same job the rest of your life? I didn't know that. What's the difference? You'll be happy to know that bees, as a species, haven't had one day off in 27 million years. So you'll just work us to death? We'll sure try. Wow! That blew my mind! "What's the difference?" How can you say that? One job forever? That's an insane choice to have to make. I'm relieved. Now we only have to make one decision in life. But, Adam, how could they never have told us that? Why would you question anything? We're bees. We're the most perfectly functioning society on Earth. You ever think maybe things work a little too well here? Like what? Give me one example. I don't know. But you know what I'm talking about. Please clear the gate. Royal Nectar Force on approach. Wait a second. Oheck it out. - Hey, those are Pollen Jocks! - Wow. I've never seen them this close. They know what it's like outside the hive. Yeah, but some don't come back. - Hey, Jocks! - Hi, Jocks! You guys did great! You're monsters! You're sky freaks! I love it! I love it! - I wonder where they were. - I don't know. Their day's not planned. Outside the hive, flying who knows where, doing who knows what. You can'tjust decide to be a Pollen Jock. You have to be bred for that. Right. Look. That's more pollen than you and I will see in a lifetime. It's just a status symbol. Bees make too much of it. Perhaps. Unless you're wearing it and the ladies see you wearing it. Those ladies? Aren't they our cousins too? Distant. Distant. Look at these two. - Oouple of Hive Harrys. - Let's have fun with them. It must be dangerous being a Pollen Jock. Yeah. Once a bear pinned me against a mushroom! He had a paw on my throat, and with the other, he was slapping me! - Oh, my! - I never thought I'd knock him out. What were you doing Bringing it around. Stand to the side, kid. It's got a bit of a kick. That is one nectar collector! - Ever see pollination up close? - No, sir. I pick up some pollen here, sprinkle it over here. Maybe a dash over there, a pinch on that one. See that? It's a little bit of magic. That's amazing. Why do we do that? That's pollen power. More pollen, more flowers, more nectar,

[sarahscribbles]

Hi Lokiiiiiiiiii :D

so i just saw the HORRIBLE ask Atlas sent in? no WONDER she wouldnt tell me what it was

I promise promise that i have tried VERY HARD to get her to correct her ways because?? Hello?? dont get me wrong i love Bucky he's great im always down for a good traumatised murderous man but???

You > everyone else

Anyway the only GOOD thing about this is that when I talk about you (often) to her, i DONT have to fight her for you. I mean sure there's like a million people out there on their knees for you already BUT on a more local aspect...I have you all to myself? Not once have I ever had to tell her to step away from MY man (that made me giggle heheheh)

anyway!!

let me tell you a good thing that happened today bc I will definitely forget everything I have to share after I go nap. I got a new dress today!!! Amazing bc I didnt even waste any money on it my mom got it for me. Best part? its GREEN. Like that very pretty deep emerald green!!! and it came with a full set so i DIDNT have to buy any other acessories for it! (bonus it was CHEAP AND MODEST? i won.) Anyway why green? WELL. A) cuz thats my favourite and best colour and B) Because i buy green stuff at any chance I get bc apparently you control my closet too now.

And it's so!!! It's a very summer-y dress and it is the new love of my life because it gives very...enemies to lovers forbidden royal romance? I let my fantasies go wild I'll be honest. That's very specific for just a dress but its the vibe i get when i see it/wear it.

anyway. its cute. Like you. You are very cute. have I mentioned that? You're extremely cute. So cute. The cutest??

I love you <3 (bold words!! but i am tired so i dont care) That was SO LONG I'm SO SORRY.

-Clem (again.)

(I love you again)

Two messages in one day from you, darling? My, my, you're spoiling me.

You would never need to worry about anyone taking me from you. I know who I belong to and it's you, darling girl. No matter how far I travel, I will always return to you.

Well, I am pleased to hear about the new addition to your wardrobe. I'm sure you look enchanting in it. How I can't wait to see you wear it, particularly if it's green. I do so love the subtle message to the world that you are taken.

Until we speak again, darling Clem.

[voyageofthenemo]

Gone Yonder: Voyage of the Nemo: The Full Pop Odyssey

(We begin at night, in the house of an average family…)

Dad: Okay, lights out, girls!

Younger Daughter: Wait, dad! Can you tell us a story first?

Dad: Sorry, Zuri. I have to work an important job tomorrow.

Zuri: (disappointed) Oh.

Grandmother: Don’t worry. I’ll tell ‘em the story. And I gotta good one too.

Father: How 'bout it, girls?

Zuri: Okay.

(As Dad leaves his daughter’s bedroom, Grandma produces a book.)

Elder Daughter: What’s this story gonna be about, anyway? Not another fairy tale?

Grandmother: This is a special book. It was the book my mama used to read to me during my bedtime… and I used to read it to your mama. Tonight, I’m going to read it to you girls.

Zuri: Any epic fight scenes?

Grandmother: Are you kidding? Fighting, monsters, chases, kidnapping, escapes, love, magic and music.

Elder Daughter: So it is a fairy tale?

Grandmother: Yeah, but this is different.

Elder Daughter: Well, I guess we could try and stay awake.

Grandmother: Thank you very much. That’s very nice of you. Your vote of confidence is overwhelming. Alright.

(She opens the book.)

Grandmother: (reading) Voyage of the Nemo, Chapter 1. (ahem) Once upon a time, there was a magical realm called the Yonder, where music hath magical charms. In this realm was an enchanted paradise called Splendorland. (to the girls) Now, ain’t that a wonderful beginning?

Elder Daughter: Yeah, it’s really good.

(Grandma continues)

Grandmother: Now, the people of Splendorland were uncommonly happy and content. And why not? For their lives were overflowing with fantastic and wonderful things, for theirs was a land governed by the unusual notion that people ought to live in peace and harmony, without war or strife. It was a small idea, but brilliant, and thus the citizens believed their beloved Utopia would last forever… maybe even longer.

Elder Daughter: Wait, wait wait. What is this? Are you trying to trick us?

Zuri: Yeah, and where’s the fight scenes?

Grandmother: Wait. Just wait.

Zuri: When does it get good?

Grandmother: Keep your shirts on and let me read. (reading) You won’t find Splendorland by just looking for it. It is a country that must be listened for. Should you hear the pleasing sounds of happy music, soft voices, children’s laughter and the occasional flapping of a bluebird’s wings, then that’s the sign you are approaching the kingdom of Splendorland. And a very good kingdom it is too…

(Scene: Splendorland in all its amazing glory: here, there, and everywhere there is color and sound in this bright and sunny paradise. In the center of the land is the royal palace, where the queen plays a harp while her daughter listens. on a nearby hill is a fantasy/steampunk-style airship, the Nemo, resting proudly on a marble platform. Meanwhile, children, teens and adults, both human and non, happily do what they please. We then pan up to a forested mountain, where a group of nonhumans are standing ominously, like Native Americans in bad western movies. War flags wave in the breeze as the camera zooms in.)

Grandmother: But if history teaches us anything, it is that every paradise has an enemy; whenever there is something decent and lovable - such as Splendorland - there are always hostile forces lurking around who cannot leave well enough alone. Which brings us to the grievous story of the sneak attack on Splendorland by its enemies…

Zuri: Now it’s getting good!

Grandmother: Not one poor soul had the faintest idea that they were about to need a sad fate at the hands of the Killjoys, led by the one, the only, (thank goodness) Grump Princess Vivian.

(Princess Vivian makes her arrival in a sedan chair. Disembarking, she takes in the view of Splendorland. Her assistant gets her attention.)

Assistant: (excitedly) We’re gonna annihilate them, aren’t we? We’re going to annihilate them!

Vivian: (patting him on the head like a child) Yes Marvy, but save your energy. You’re going to need it for all the pointless torturing we’re gonna be doing.

(Marvy rubs his hands together and smiles gleefully.)

Killjoy#1: Their queen seems much smaller in person.

Killjoy#2: That's because you’re far away from her, dingus.

Vivian: Well, she’s about to get a lot closer. Now, make ready the new salute for our nation!

(A Killjoy steps up and gives devil horns. Everyone does the same in salute, grunting in unison.)

Vivian: Alright my little maggots, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for! Bravery will be rewarded! Destinies will be revealed! And the honor of a new nation will be born! A nation which I will declare: GRUMPIA!

(The Killjoys cheer.)

Vivian: General Nimm, send the signal to sound the charge!

Nimm: The guy’s standing right there looking at you. Why don’t you send the signal yourself?

Vivian: (chuckles, then smacks Nimm lightly over the head) Just do it.

(Nimm waves her finger as a Killjoy plays a kazoo.)

Vivian: For all of Grumpia… CHARGE!

(With a mighty mass battle cry, every Killjoy charges down the hill, armed to the teeth with various assorted weaponry. Behind them, a short Killjoy is the last to run by.)

Short Killjoy: Wait for me!

(At the sight of the advancing Killjoy army, the Splendorlanders pull a Mass Oh Crap and try to run, but are blasted and frozen in place by the petrifying grey projectiles - Gorgon Bombs - raining down upon the land. Squads of Killjoys toss grenades, while troops of them havoc on the countryside’s flanks. Those who lag behind are herded into easily conquered groups by the Killjoy Doberman Pinschers. The Princess and her mother take notice.)

Princess: What is going on?!

Queen: It’s the Killjoys. Splendorland is dying.

Princess: There has to be something we can do!

Queen: There is. Our final resort.

(Cut to a live-action beach resort)

Queen: No, not that resort.

(The Queen and her daughter flee the palace before the Killjoys can converge upon it. They run fast and hard, all the way to where the Nemo rests.)

Queen: Long ago, during the Second World War, our ancestors made it in this, the Nemo, to the Yonder, and to Splendorland.

(Behind them, the Killjoys are approaching fast.)

Queen: Hurry, Amelie, take this and protect it with your life.

(She gives her daughter a crystal star pendant.)

Amelie: The Star of Serenity?

Queen: The Grump Princess has been yearning to possess it for its power. You must protect it.

(The Killjoys get closer. Amelie boards the Nemo.)

Queen: You’re our last hope, now. Fly for aid in the Nemo to the mundane realm.

Amelie: But, mom! Who should I-

Queen: No time for minor trivialities. Good luck.

Amelie: (sarcastically) Well, that’s pretty helpful.

(She runs to take the helm of the Nemo just as the Killjoys reach the platform, petrifying the Queen before turning their sights on Amelie.)

Vivian: DESTROY HER!

(The Nemo suddenly takes off into the sky, with Amelie struggling to pilot the ship. She consults the instructions.)

Amelie: Okay, let’s see… “When in doubt, push buttons!”

(She does this, and the Nemo speeds off.)

Amelie: (through gritted teeth) It was easier to have Mom teach me to drive a carriage!

(Below, the Killjoys watch.)

Killjoy: …Follow that airship?!

(They rush to a tank-like craft in order to pursue it. Meanwhile, Vivian faces the other Killjoys.)

Vivian: My friends, this is indeed a great day. Make yourselves comfortable, everybody, for we have given birth to a new nation, the greatest ever known! We have given birth TO GRUMPIA!

(The Killjoys cheer. Above, the Nemo flies into the distance.)

Blue Bird Productions Present

In association with the Swingers

Song: Ain’t It Fun

I don’t mind Letting you down easy, but just give it time If it don’t hurt now then just wait, just wait a while You’re not the big fish in the pond no more You are what they’re feeding on

So what are you gonna do When the world don’t orbit around you? So what are you gonna do When the world don’t orbit around you?

Ain’t it fun? Living in the real world Ain’t it good? Being all alone

Where you’re from You might be the one who’s running things Where you can ring anybody’s bell and get what you want See it’s easy to ignore trouble When you’re living in a bubble

So what are you gonna do When the world don’t orbit around you? So what are you gonna do When nobody wants to fool with you?

Ain’t it fun? Living in the real world Ain’t it good? Being all alone?

Ain’t it good to be on your own? Ain’t it fun? You can’t count on no one Ain’t it good to be on your own? Ain’t it fun? You can’t count on no one Ain’t it fun? Living in the real world

Don’t go crying to your mama ‘Cause you’re on your own in the real world Don’t go crying to your mama ‘Cause you’re on your own in the real world

Don’t go crying to your mama 'Cause you’re on your own in the real world Don’t go crying to your mama 'Cause you’re on your own in the real world

Ain’t it fun, ain’t it fun? Baby, now you’re one of us Ain’t it fun, ain’t it fun? Ain’t it fun?

Ain’t it fun? Living in the real world Ain’t it good? (Ain’t it good?) Being all alone

Ain’t it fun living in the real world? ('Cause the world don’t orbit around you) Ain’t it good? (Ain’t it good?) Being all alone

Don’t go crying to your mama (Run to your mama) 'Cause you’re on your own in the real world (Don’t go crying) Don’t go crying to your mama (To your mama) 'Cause you’re on your own in the real world

Don’t go crying to your mama 'Cause you’re on your own in the real world (This is the real world) Don’t go crying to your mama 'Cause you’re on your own in the real world (This is the real world)

Don’t go crying (This is the real world) to your mama 'Cause you’re on your own in the real world Don’t go crying to your mama (Don’t you cry) 'Cause you’re on your own in the real world

Don’t go crying (Don’t you go, don’t you go crying) Don’t go crying (You’re on your own) Don’t go crying (Don’t go crying to your mama) Don’t go crying

(Scene: a typical suburban town in our world. Unnoticed, the Nemo flies above the rooftops. Pan down on one such house, where, in the garage, four teens, three boys and a girl, are practicing in their cover band…)

Song: Let’s Get It Started

Let’s get it started in here

And the bass keeps runnin’ runnin’ And runnin’ runnin’ And runnin’ runnin’ And runnin’ runnin’

And runnin’ runnin’ And runnin’ runnin’ And runnin’ runnin’ And runnin’ runnin’ and

In this context, there’s no disrespect So when I bust my rhyme, you break yo necks We got 5 minutes for us to disconnect From all intellect and let the rhythm effect

To lose this inhibition Follow your intuition Free your inner soul And break away from tradition

‘Cause when we be out Girl it’s gonna be that You wouldn’t believe how We wow out

Burn it till it’s burned out Turn it till it’s turned out Actin’ up from north, west East, south

Everybody (Yeah) Everybody (Yeah) Let’s get into it (Yeah) Get stupid (C'mon) Get it started (C'mon) Get it started (Yeah) Get it started

Let’s get it started, hah! Let’s get it started in here Let’s get it started, hah! Let’s get it started in here

Let’s get it started, hah! Let’s get it started in here Let’s get it started, hah! Let’s get it started in here, yeah

Lose control, all body, all soul Don’t move too fast, people just take it slow Don’t get ahead, just jump into it Y'all hear about it, the Peas’ll do it

Get it started, get stupid Don’t worry 'bout it people we’ll walk you through it Step by step, like the infant new kid Inch by inch, with the new solution Transmit hits, with no delusion The feeling’s irresistible and that’s how we move it, yo

Everybody (Yeah) Everybody (Yeah) Let’s get into it (Yeah) Get stupid (C'mon) Get it started (C'mon) Get it started (Yeah) Get it started

Let’s get it started, hah! Let’s get it started in here Let’s get it started, hah! Let’s get it started in here

Let’s get it started, hah! Let’s get it started in here Let’s get it started, hah! Let’s get it started in here, yeah

And the bass keeps runnin’ runnin’ And runnin’ runnin’ And runnin’ runnin’ (C'mon y'all!) And runnin’ runnin’

Let’s get cuckoo! (Uh huh) Let’s get cuckoo! (In here) Why not get cuckoo!? (Uh huh) Let’s get cuckoo! (In here)

Why not get cuckoo!? (Uh huh) Let’s get cuckoo! (In here) Oh oh oh Ya ya ya

Let’s get ill, that’s the deal At the gate, and we’ll bring the bud top drill Just lose your mind, this is the time Y'all guessed this drill just to bang your spine!

Just bob your head like me Up inside your club, or in your Bentley Get messy, loud and sick Y'all mind fast, no mo than another head trip So come them now do not correct it Let’s get ign'ant, let’s get hectic

(Yeah) Everybody (Yeah) Everybody (Yeah) Let’s get into it (Yeah) Get stupid (C'mon)

Get it started (C'mon) Get it started Get it started

Let’s get it started, hah! Let’s get it started in here Let’s get it started, hah! Let’s get it started in here

Let’s get it started, hah! Let’s get it started in here Let’s get it started, hah! Let’s get it started in here (Woah oh oh)

Cuckoo! (Uh huh) We cuckoo! (In here) Let’s get cuckoo! (Uh huh) We cuckoo! (In here)

Why not get cuckoo!? (Uh huh) We cuckoo! (In here) Oh oh oh Ya ya ya

Runnin’ runnin’ And runnin’ runnin’ And runnin’ runnin’ And runnin’ runnin’

(The band finishes, and the girl switches off the recorder.)

Leader: How’s that, guys?

Base Player: Not bad, Tristan.

Rapper: Yeah, I thought it was pretty good.

Female Player: Well, we won’t know for sure unless we play it back. (rewinds the recording)

(As they gather round to listen to their cover song, their is a loud thump outside.)

Rapper: What was that?

(Amelie staggers off of the Nemo.)

Base Player: That wasn’t on the tape.

Female Player: Yeah, sounded like it came from outside.

(She goes to investigate, pulling up the garage door to see Amelie. There is an awkward pause, before the girl speaks up.)

Female Player: Sorry, wrong house.

Amelie: Wait, please! I need help!

Rapper: What, with your costume? Also, you’re way too early for Halloween.

Female Player: Nate!

Amelie: Just listen, okay? This may sound weird to you guys, but I’m not from around here.

(Another awkward pause.)

Nate: Yeah, definitely something you’d only hear in anime.

Amelie: I’m serious! I just escaped from the Killjoys, slipped beyond the Yonder, and frankly, I am far too bushed with having to fly an interdimensional airship wearing nothing but a gown with no help. Bottom line, I’m looking for someone to save my kingdom, Splendorland.

Base Player: …Seriously?

Amelie: Seriously. What’s more, the Killjoys might still be on my tail, so if we don’t get going fast, they’ll- You don’t believe a word I’m saying, do you?

Tristan: Well, the way you said it, it sounds totally plausible, yet at the same time unbelievable. (to the base player) What do you think, Joel?

Joel: She doesn’t seem crazy to me, though.

Female Player: Yeah, but where’s that airship she mentioned?

(Amelie clears her throat and points to her left. The band looks outside to see the huge airship parked in the neighbor’s driveway.

Female Player: D'oh.

(There is a whirring overhead. Above the house, the Killjoy’s craft flies into view.)

Nate: What the heck is that?

Amelie: The Killjoys! They’re after this. (indicates the Star)

Tristan: Alright then. Let’s move.

(The five bolt for the Nemo, boarding it just as the Killjoy ship lands in front of the house. Once onboard, the group fiddles with the controls.)

Joel: How do you start this thing?!

(Rummaging around, Nate finds a copy of Twilight and throws it away in revulsion. The Killjoys exit their own ship.)

Amelie: Look for the switch!

Female Player: Which switch?

Nate: Any switch, Riley.

Riley: Okay, okay. (selects a switch) This one? (flicks it)

(The Nemo takes off just as the Killjoys are about to reach it.)

Elder Daughter: I knew they’d get away in the nick of time.

Grandmother: Yeah, yeah, Erica, you’re very smart. Now shut up.

Riley: Now what?

Amelie: Well, the manual says “When in doubt, push buttons”.

Joel: Can’t argue with that logic.

(He covers his eyes and presses a random button. The Nemo speeds off into a vortex.)

Song: The Loco-Motion

Everybody’s doin’ a brand new dance now (Come on baby, do the locomotion) I know you’ll get to like it if you give it a chance now (Come on baby, do the locomotion) My little baby sister can do it with ease It’s easier than learning your A B C’s So come on, come on, do the locomotion with me You gotta swing your hips now Come on baby, jump up, jump back Well, I think you got the knack, oh-oh Now that you can do it, let’s make a chain now (Come on baby, do the locomotion) Chug-a chug-a motion like a railway train now (Come on baby, do the locomotion) Do it nice and easy, now don’t lose control A little bit of rhythm and a lot of soul Come on, come on, do the locomotion with me You gotta swing your hips now Come on, come on, do the locomotion with me Yeah-ay Move around the floor in a locomotion (Come on baby, do the locomotion) Yeah, do it holding hands if you got the notion (Come on baby, do the locomotion) There’s never been a dance that’s so easy to do It even makes you happy when you’re feeling blue So come on, come on, do the locomotion with me You gotta swing your hips now Come on, come on, do the locomotion with me Yeah-ay Come on, come on, do the locomotion with me You gotta swing your hips now Come on, come on, do the locomotion with me Yeah-ay Come on, come on, do the locomotion with me You gotta swing your hips now Come on, come on, do the locomotion with me Yeah-ay Come on, come on, do the locomotion with me You gotta swing your hips now Come on, come on, do the locomotion with me

Grandmother: Meanwhile, in occupied Splendorland…

Vivian: YOU IDIOTS! You let her ESCAPE?!

(She is communicating with the Killjoys in our world through a closed-circuit communication machine.)

Killjoy: And that’s not the worst of it, Your Highness. She’s coming your way now, with musicians.

Vivian: MUSICIANS?! (switches off the machine) If they have the Star and they sing ONE happy note, we’re through! Nimm, lead a Nightmare Team to find yon upstarts, and get. That. Star!

Nimm: Understood.

Cut to the Nightmare Team preparing their hovercraft. Once Nimm joins them, they fly up and out of Splendorland. We cut back to the Nemo as it passes through various strange sights.)

Riley: Whoa. So this is that Yonder you mentioned? It’s beautiful!

Amelie: So was Splendorland Before the Killjoys attacked.

Joel: Okay, so how do we beat these Killjoys, anyway?

Amelie: Through happy music. The Killjoys thrive on the darkest of tunes. If you can play a positive song, that’ll beat them.

Nate: But isn’t it just music?

Amelie: Music has magic charms here in the Yonder. Plus, this (indicates the Star) can amplify its power. And the Princess of the Killjoys wants it for her own ends.

Joel: Yikes.

Tristan: Don’t worry. We won’t let her get her hands on it, right guys?

(Suddenly, a bright light shines down on the Nemo.)

Riley: What’s happening?

(The light is coming from a giant, glowing yellow man looking down at them.)

Sun: Luna! Come here and look at this!

(Another giant, a blue woman, appears.)

Luna: What is it, Sol?

Amelie: Looks like we’ve entered Soletlune.

Riley: Soletlune?

Amelie: The home of our Sun and Moon.

Nate: Your Sun and Moon are gods?

Amelie: And husband and wife.

Tristan: Okay, then.

Song: Higher Love

Think about it, there must be higher love Down in the heart or hidden in the stars above Without it, life is wasted time Look inside your heart, I’ll look inside mine Things look so bad everywhere In this whole world, what is fair? We walk blind and we try to see Falling behind in what could be Bring me a higher love Bring me a higher love (oh oh) Bring me a higher love Where’s that higher love I keep thinking of? Worlds are turning and we’re just hanging on Facing our fear and standing out there alone A yearning, and it’s real to me There must be someone who’s feeling for me Things look so bad everywhere In this whole world, what is fair? We walk blind and we try to see Falling behind in what could be Bring me a higher love Bring me a higher love (oh oh) Bring me a higher love Where’s that higher love I keep thinking of? Bring me a higher love Bring me a higher love (oh oh) Bring be a higher love I could rise above on a higher love I will wait for it I’m not too late for it Until then, I’ll sing my song To cheer the night along (bring it) I could light the night up with my soul on fire I could make the sun shine from pure desire Let me feel that love come over me Let me feel how strong it could be Oh oh oh Bring me a higher love Bring me a higher love (oh oh) Bring me a higher love Where’s that higher love I keep thinking of? Bring me a higher love Bring me a higher love, oh oh (bring me) Bring me a higher love (oh oh) Bring me a higher love (oh oh) Bring me a higher love Bring me a higher love Bring me a higher love (oh oh) I said, bring me Bring me a higher love Bring me a higher love (oh oh oh) Bring me a higher love (whoa whoa whoa) (Bring me higher love) bring me a higher love, oh oh (Bring me higher love) bring me a higher love (bring it on) There’s that love, bring me higher love Bring me a higher love Bring me a higher love (I said bring) Bring me a higher love (oh yeah) Bring me higher love Bring me a higher love (higher, high, higher) Bring me a higher love Bring me a higher love

Sol: (applauding) Bravo!

Luna: That was wonderful!

Tristan: Thanks. We just started our cover band.

Amelie: Listen, we’d love to stay and chat, but we really gotta get going. Splendorland’s being oppressed by the Killjoys, and we need to lead the musical revolution.

Luna: Oh dear!

Sol: Well, be careful now. I overheard them plotting against you while I was trying to break through the clouds they put up.

Amelie: Uh oh.

Luna: Don’t worry. When they come here, we’ll distract them for you.

Riley: Thanks, Mrs. Luna!

(The Nemo moves on.)

Sol: Good luck, kids!

(Soon after the Nemo leaves, the Killjoy’s hovercraft arrives.

Killjoy: OW, MY EYES!

Nimm: Excuse us, but did an airship pass this way?

Luna: (like a liar) No, I don’t think so.

(Cut to the Nemo sailing onward.)

Riley: So, what next, Amelie?

Amelie: Next is Archivia, realm of history.

(The Nemo’s clock starts going haywire.)

Nate: What’s wrong with the clock?

Tristan: Well, in my opinion, I think we’ve become involved in Einstein’s time-space continuum theory, relatively speaking.

Nate: Of course.

(The Nemo sails past old-fashioned buildings and lost ships.)

Joel: Wow. What is all this?

Amelie: Told you it was the realm of history. The gods preserve everything that has historical value here.

(A pterodactyl flies overhead. It then lands on the Nemo’s railing.)

Riley: Whoa! N-Nice pterodactyl…

Joel: What’s this?

(The pterodactyl has a collar around its neck.)

Joel: (reading) “Piko: If lost and found, please return to Archivia Zoo for the Extinct”.

Amelie: That’s not too far from us.

Tristan: Alright, let’s take a quick stop at Jurassic Park.

Amelie: Huh?

(Scene: The Nemo arrives at Archivia Zoo for the Extinct with Piko the pterodactyl, who flies over to a young man in a uniform.)

Zookeeper: Piko! There you are, girl. I was worried about you.

Tristan: Never hurts to help out.

Zookeeper: Thanks so much for bringing her back.

(Amelie gets a good look at the Zookeeper, and blushes.)

Zookeeper: Oh, sorry. My name’s Elisha. I’m one of the zookeepers here.

Amelie: I… I’m Amelie. Princess of Splendorland.

Elisha: Well… nice to meet'cha, Princess Amelie.

(They gaze into each other’s eyes for a moment.)

Nate: (nudging Riley) Get a look at that, sis.

Riley: I see it.

Song: She’s So High Above Me

She’s blood, flesh and bone No tucks or silicone She’s touch, smell, sight, taste, and sound But somehow I can’t believe that anything should happen I know where I belong and nothing’s gonna happen, yeah

‘Cause she’s so high High above me, she’s so lovely She’s so high Like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, or Aphrodite Da-da-da-da She’s so high High above me

First class and fancy-free She’s high society She’s got the best of everything What could a guy like me ever really offer? She’s perfect as she can be, why should I even bother? (Aha!)

'Cause she’s so high High above me, she’s so lovely She’s so high Like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, or Aphrodite Da-da-da-da She’s so high High above me

She comes to speak to me I freeze immediately 'Cause what she says sounds so unreal 'Cause somehow I can’t believe that anything should happen I know where I belong and nothing’s gonna happen Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

'Cause she’s so high High above me, she’s so lovely She’s so high Like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, or Aphrodite Oh yeah, yeah She’s so high High above me

Amelie: Well?

Elisha: Well… are you being sincere? Or are we just two ships passing in the night?

Amelie: We’ll meet again, after we defeat the Killjoys, that is.

Nate: Okay, that’s a wrap!

Riley: C'mon, Amelie!

(Amelie looks back at Elisha, then boards the Nemo. As it takes off, he notices her dropped bracelet. Back aboard the Nemo…)

Amelie: (sigh) I’m gonna miss that zookeeper.

Riley: At least he likes you for you, and not for your money.

Joel: Uh, guys? Where are we now?

(The Nemo has entered a sea of fabulous creatures.)

Amelie: Mythicus! We’d better stay on the ship for this one.

Nate: Why’s that? This place dangerous?

Amelie: What do you think?

(As the Nemo passes by, Nimm and the Killjoys, unseen, peek out from behind a rock before following in their hovercraft.)

Nimm: Okay, men. Any suggestions?

Killjoy: I say we malice them with a fork, tie them to a tree, and then play piñata with their entrails!

(The other Killjoys stare in horror.)

Other Killjoy: Snarl, what the heck?!

Nimm: You were just so fast to say that.

(Back aboard the Nemo…)

Riley: Don’t look now, guys, but I think we’re being followed.

Amelie: What?!

(Back with the Killjoys…)

Killjoy#1: Are you sure about this? This seems dangerous.

Killjoy#2: Danger is my middle name!

Killjoy#1: I thought it was Roland.

(The Killjoy launches a grappling hook attached to himself to a mountain which the Nemo passes. He swings onto the airship, landing with a loud thump.)

Nate: D'AH!

Amelie: Oh no…

(Tristan has an idea. He hits the gas and the Nemo speeds up. The cord attached to the Killjoy begins to reach its limit.)

Killjoy#2: Any last words before I pry that Star from your corpses?

Joel: Sure. Could you fly suddenly off the ship, screaming like a girl?

Killjoy#2: What?

(He is pulled off of the Nemo, while screaming like a girl. He plows into the other Killjoys in their hovercraft with the sound of bowling pins, sending them flying everywhere. Their hovercraft, meanwhile, crashes into a plateau.)

Amelie: Nice one, Tristan!

Riley: Uh, guys? We’re not quite out of the woods yet.

(Ahead, a dragon lumbers in their direction, breathing fire.)

Nate: Reverse! REVERSE!

Grandmother: They don’t get eaten by the dragon at this time.

Zuri: Huh?

Grandmother: The dragon doesn’t get them. I thought I’d mention that 'cause you looked a bit worried.

Zuri: Nah, I wasn’t worried… Okay, maybe I was a little bit concerned, but that’s not the same thing.

Grandmother: Y'know, we can stop now if you want.

Erica: No, no. Go ahead and read a little bit more.

Grandmother: Alright, alright. Let’s see. They were in deep trouble, the dragon was coming after them, they were frightened, and then…

(Joel presses a button, firing one of the Nemo’s cannons at the dragon. The cannonball hits the dragon in its midsection, causing it to topple backwards. The recoil knocks the group back as well. Unfortunately, it also causes their instruments to go over the side of the ship.)

Joel: Well, now we know that was DEFINITELY too much gunpowder.

Amelie: (taking the helm) Hold on!

(She floors it and they soon leave Mythicus behind.)

Amelie: Everybody okay?

Nate: Been better.

Joel: Where are we now?

(The Nemo is floating in the middle of an ocean.)

Amelie: Uh oh.

Nate: What?

Amelie: Looks like the engine’s out.

Nate: Great. And here we are miles away from a garage, or triple-A.

Tristan: And my glue gun.

Joel: So, we’re stranded, right?

Riley: Maybe not. There’s land just over there!

(Indeed, there is a tropical island ahead of them. Cut to them, having beached the Nemo, entering the jungle.)

Tristan: You know, I kind of like it here. It’s sunny and bright, just like Hawaii.

Amelie: There’s still tropical diseases, Tristan. Not to mention venomous snakes, the poison frogs, deadly wild animals… Why do you think I made you guys bring the rifles?

Joel: These things only fire rubber bands.

Amelie: The better to distract them while you make your getaway.

Nate: Meh. Good thing I have my ninja stars! (shows off said ninja stars)

Riley: Mom said you could poke someone's eye out with that.

Nate: Well, mom’s not here, right?

(Suddenly, there is a loud rustling, along with other noises.)

Amelie: Uh, guys?

Riley: What is that?

Joel: I dunno, but it’s headed this way.

(He and Nate aim their weapons in the direction of the noises. A huge shadow comes into view.)

Nate: Good grief, how big is this thing?!

(As the whatever-it-is approaches, Joel and Nate aim higher and higher. The thing emerges from the jungle… and it’s actually a cute female creature carrying a large backpack.)

Strange Being: Phew! (puts down the backpack)

(She is a short, red, furry creature, somewhat resembling a cross between a mandrill and a rabbit, with a minty green face, pink blush stickers, and golden yellow ears and tail. The group just stare, until the being takes notice of them.)

Strange Being: Oh! Hi-

(As she approaches them, Nate shrieks like a girl, jumping into Joel’s arms. Joel makes a sound no man should make, drops Nate, and tries to leap into Tristan’s arms. Tristan, however, has just jumped back, knocking the girls down. It therefore appears as if Joel has, for no apparent reason, leapt into the air and thrown himself to the floor. The being applauds.)

Strange Being: Whoa! Nice acrobatics.

(Those on the ground stagger back to their feet.)

Tristan: What kinda weird place is this?

Strange Being: The Isle of Nada. Mama brings me here on Saturdays.

Riley: Your mama?

Strange Being: Yeah, she’s a Muse. She made me from a drawing.

Amelie: A Muse?!

Riley: What?

Amelie: The Nine Muses are the ones who created the Yonder! (to the strange being) One of them made you, too?

Strange Being: Yeah! She's the Muse of Music.

Tristan: Well, daughter of a Muse, who even are you?

Strange Being: (whips out a card) Read for yourself!

Tristan: Pansy…

Joel: Anita?

Nate: Twee?!

Pansy: You can call me “P.A.T.” for short.

Riley: Super… artist?

Amelie: What.

Riley: What are you?

P.A.T.: A Jill of all artistic trades. Painter, sketch artist, digital artist, sculptor, writer, seamstress, internet reviewer…

Nate: Okay, what aren’t you?

Amelie: And please tell me you know the way outta this ocean.

P.A.T.: Well, maybe through the Dreamlands?

Amelie: You know where that is?

P.A.T.: Sure! It’s out toward the outer rim… (She points, wavers a bit, pointing several different directions) Kinda north… west… erly… to the south… easterly… ish… sorta?

Amelie: Gee, let’s not get too specific there.

Tristan: Guess it shouldn’t be too hard to find. Let’s go.

Amelie: Good idea! We’ll just merrily drift along on the open ocean until we find it.

P.A.T.: Huh?

Riley: She means the engine’s out.

P.A.T.: Oh. I could fix it!

Amelie: You?

P.A.T.: Yeah!

(Cut to them returning to the Nemo, P.A.T. in tow.)

Tristan: Should we really let her do this?

Nate: Yeah, she might have never even seen an airship before.

(She apparently has, as she climbs up onto the engine. She rearranges some doohickies, gives it a thump with a monkey wrench, and it drones to life.)

P.A.T.: Okay, done!

Joel: She did it!

Nate: Great! Let’s blow this island.

(As they board the Nemo, Nate takes P.A.T. off the engine and gently puts her back on the beach.)

Nate: Not you.

P.A.T.: Huh? B-But-

Amelie: We kinda got places to be.

(As the others prepare for liftoff, P.A.T. looks around, then back at the Nemo. Tears appear in her silver eyes.)

Riley: We’re not bringing P.A.T.?

Tristan: She seems happy enough on her own.

(A sob prompts them to turn around; P.A.T. is sitting on the sand, crying.)

Riley: Poor thing. Can’t she come with us?

Amelie: Wh- We just met this- …Yeah, sure, go for it.

(Riley smiles. She jumps off the Nemo and heads over to P.A.T.)

Riley: P.A.T.? You can come along with us, if you’d like.

P.A.T.: You-you mean… You won’t leave me alone?

Riley: Of course we won’t. C'mon.

(P.A.T. brightens up, and leaps into Riley’s arms. Together they board the Nemo, which lifts off.)

Song: Better When I’m Dancin’

Don’t think about it Just move your body Listen to the music Sing, oh, ey, oh Just move those left feet Go ahead get crazy Anyone can do it Sing, oh, ey, oh Show the world you’ve got that fire Feel the rhythm getting louder Show the world what you can do Prove to them you’ve got the moves I don’t know about you But I feel better when I’m dancing, yeah, yeah Better when I’m dancing, yeah, yeah Oh, we can do this together I bet you feel better when you’re dancing? Yeah, yeah Pa-pa-pa-da-da La-la-la-la-da-da La-la-la-la-da-da Pa-pa-da-da When you finally let go And you slay that solo ‘Cause you listen to the music Sing, oh, ey, oh 'Cause you’re confident, babe And you make your hips sway We knew that you could do it Sing, oh, ey, oh Show the world you’ve got that fire Feel the rhythm getting louder Show the world you can do Prove to them you’ve got the moves I don’t know about you But I feel better when I’m dancing, yeah, yeah Better when I’m dancing, yeah, yeah Oh, we can do this together I bet you feel better when you’re dancing? Yeah, yeah Pa-pa-pa-da-da La-la-la-la-da-da La-la-la-la-da-da Pa-pa-da-da Pa-pa-pa-da-da La-la-la-la-da-da La-la-la-la-da-da Pa-pa-da-da Ey Oh, ey, oh Oh, ey, oh I feel better when I’m dancing (Oh, ey, oh) I’m better when I’m dancing (Oh, ey, oh) Oh, ey, oh I feel better when I’m dancing, yeah, yeah Better when I’m dancing, yeah, yeah Don’t you know, we can do this together Bet you feel better when you’re dancing? Yeah, yeah Pa-pa-pa-da-da La-la-la-la-da-da La-la-la-la-da-da (You got to move it) Pa-pa-pa-da-da La-la-la-la-da-da La-la-la-la-da-da I feel better when I’m dancing Better when I’m dancing Feel better when I’m, yeah, yeah

(As the Nemo enters the Dreamlands, its gentle humming gradually stops.)

Nate: What, the engine again?

(The Nemo slowly comes to a halt before hitting the ground.)

Riley: Now what, P.A.T.?

P.A.T.: That propeller just stopped. Nothing a quick fix’ll do.

(The band and P.A.T. get out, and P.A.T. starts diddling with one of the propellers.)

P.A.T.: (removing the propeller, putting Elmer’s glue in its place, and then putting the propeller back) Here’s your problem. This screw just came loose.

(She spins the propeller. Immediately, the Nemo rises into the air, and takes off with Amelie.)

Amelie: I’LL SAY IT HAS!

Riley: Amelie!

(It’s too late; the Nemo disappears into the distance. After the shock wears off, the band turns to P.A.T.)

P.A.T.: Oops.

(Cut to them traveling on foot through the Dreamlands.)

Nate: Well, this is perfect. We’re stuck here and we still don’t know where Splendorland is.

P.A.T.: I said I was sorry.

Riley: Yeah, and she did fix the engine.

Joel: Hey, over there! (points to a group of nonhumans) Maybe those fellas could help.

Tristan: Oh, great.

Joel: Uh, excuse us?

(The nonhumans turn around to see the five.)

Fairy Princess: Oh, hey! Humans from Earth!

Elephant: Four of them. I don’t know about that fifth one.

Monkey: (to P.A.T.) Are you an imaginary friend like us?

P.A.T.: No, I’m real.

Mermaid: So are we. That doesn’t really answer our question.

Riley: Okay, if you’re imaginary friends, why are you real?

Dog Boy: This is where dreams from Earth come to rest, after all. When our creators too old for us, we came here to become real.

Fairy Princess: Yeah! Plus, we’re happy here.

Tristan: So, no worries here, huh? Sounds like a nice life.

Song: Break My Stride

Last night I had the strangest dream I sailed away to China In a little rowboat to find you And you said you had to get your laundry cleaned Didn’t want no one to hold you What does that mean? And you said

Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride Nobody gonna slow me down Oh no I got to keep on moving Ain’t nothing gonna break-a my stride I’m running And I won’t touch ground Oh no I got to keep on moving

You’re on a roll and now you pray it’ll last The road beyond was rocky But now you’re feeling cocky You look at me and you see your past Is that the reason Why you’re running so fast? And she said

Ain’t nothing gonna break-a my stride Nobody gonna slow me down Oh no I got to keep on moving Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride I’m running And I won’t touch ground Oh no I got to keep on moving

(Never let another girl like you) Work me over (Never let another girl like you) Drag me under (If I meet another girl like you) I will tell her (Never want another girl like you) Have to say Oh

Ain’t nothing gonna break-a my stride Nobody gonna slow me down Oh no, oh no I got to keep on moving Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride I’m running And I won’t touch ground Oh no I got to keep on moving

Ain’t nothing gonna break-a my stride Nobody gonna slow me down Oh no, oh no I got to keep on moving Ain’t nothing gonna break-a my stride I’m running And I won’t touch ground Oh no I got to keep on moving

(Whoa) Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride Nobody gonna slow me down Oh no I got to keep on moving Ain’t nothing gonna break-a my stride I’m running And I won’t touch ground Oh no I got to keep on moving

Joel: Hey, don’t you think we should ask 'em for directions still?

Tristan: Oh, yeah. (to the imaginary folk) You know the way to Splendorland?

Cat Girl: That way. (indicates) Keep going until you reach the big statue.

Tristan: Thanks.

(They continue onwards, until they reach a statue of a god holding a shiny golden disc.)

Nate: Okay, now what?

(As he says this, he leans against the statue. It moves to the side, opening a trap door into which everyone falls. They slide down a dark shaft, with Riley holding on to P.A.T.)

Riley: Hang on, P.A.T.!

(The band and P.A.T. come out into a vast area with millions of colored holes. And there, waiting for them, is…)

Amelie: Guys!

Riley: Amelie!

(They reunite.)

Amelie: Lucky I managed to get the brakes working in time.

Joel: Where are we?

Amelie: This is the Hub. One of these portals leads to Splendorland.

Tristan: But which one?

Amelie: We just need to look for a rainbow-colored portal.

Nate: Okay, sounds easy enough.

(Meanwhile…)

Nimm: How did we even get here?

Killjoy: Well, ya got me. By all accounts, it doesn’t make sense.

Nimm: Whatever. Let’s just find them and get the Star. They can’t be too far off.

(The Killjoys begin searching for the group, and the two parties somehow manage to miss each other. Nate is bored. He picks up a portal and sniffs it. He shrugs, and flings it like a frisbee. He then picks up another one and eyes yet another. He tosses the one in his hands into it, and the results are spectacular. A brilliant yellow fireball erupts upward in a mushroom shaped pall of purple smoke. Jesse is tossed backwards and lands on Riley. The Killjoys cringe as the explosion rocks their world.)

Snarl: THEY’RE SHOOTING AT US!

Nimm: Quick, grab the Star!

(A Killjoy leaps for a portal. Above, we see his hands closing around Amelie’s gown, jerking her down into the hole. There is the sound of a brief scuffle, and Amelie is tossed back up out of the hole, sans the Star.)

Riley: Amelie? What just happened?

Amelie: The Killjoys got the Star!

Band/P.A.T.: WHAT?

Amelie: (Ducking her head down the portal) You give that back, you fiends!

Tristan: We need to find that portal to Splendorland and head them off!

(They turn to run, and nearly stumble into the large, shimmering rainbow-colored hole left by the explosion.)

Joel: A shortcut! Nate, I could kiss you!

Nate: Please don’t. There’s a small, red child watching.

P.A.T.: I don’t mind, actually.

(Cut to the Nemo entering the portal through the rainbow vortex. They come out at the end in a now-barren Splendorland. They disembark and look around.)

Tristan: This is Splendorland? Kinda drab.

Amelie: That’s Killjoy work.

P.A.T.: Who’s that?

(She indicates a familiar looking statue.)

Amelie: Mom! (runs up to her mother)

Riley: That’s the queen?

Amelie: She’s been petrified. Sing something uplifting!

Joel: But won’t we get the Killjoy’s attention?

Riley: How about this? (takes out an MP3 player) It has our cover songs on it.

Amelie: That’ll do.

(Riley places the headphones on the Queen, turns on the MP3 player and selects a song. Sure enough, the petrification wears off. The Queen inhales and exhales.)

Amelie: Mom!

Queen: Oh, Amelie! Did you…?

Amelie: Yes, I did! Look!

(The Queen regards the five, who bow before her.)

Queen: How do? I am Queen Ophelia.

Tristan: A pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty.

Joel: To be honest, if I knew I’d be meeting an actual queen when I got up this morning, I’d put on a tux.

P.A.T.: So how do we stop the Killjoys?

Riley: With happy music.

(P.A.T. then proceeds to imagine the following scenario: She simply walks up to a Killjoy, sings a song, and then the two hug! And all this is set in felt.)

P.A.T.: (eyes sparking) We’re gonna make them all so happy!

Tristan: (to Riley) I don’t think she gets it.

Ophelia: Where are your instruments?

Tristan: See, that’s the thing. We lost ‘em fighting a dragon.

Amelie: Can we get other instruments?

Ophelia: It won’t be easy; The Killjoys locked up all instruments in the old compound to prevent a rebellion.

Amelie: That’s not the worst of it. They got the Star, too!

Tristan: Don’t worry, guys, I got a plan.

Song: Take It Off

There’s a place downtown where the freaks all come around It’s a hole in the wall, it’s a dirty free-for-all When the dark of the night Comes around, that’s the time That the animal comes alive Lookin’ for somethin’ wild And now we lookin’ like pimps in my gold Trans Am Got a water bottle full of root beer in my handbag Got my smartphone on, I’ll regret it in the mornin’ But tonight, I don’t give a, I don’t give a, I don’t give a- There’s a place downtown where the freaks all come around It’s a hole in the wall, it’s a dirty free-for-all And they turn me on when they take it off When they take it off, everybody take it off There’s a place I know if you’re lookin’ for a show Where they go hardcore and there’s glitter on the floor And they turn me on when they take it off When they take it off, everybody take it off Lose your mind, lose it now Lose your clothes in the crowd We’re delirious, tear it down 'Til the sun comes back around And now we goin’ insane, knockin’ over trash cans E'rybody breakin’ bottles, it’s a filthy hot mess And I’m down to get faded, I’m not the designated driver So I don’t give a, I don’t give a, I don’t give a- There’s a place downtown where the freaks all come around It’s a hole in the wall, it’s a dirty free-for-all And they turn me on when they take it off When they take it off, everybody take it off There’s a place I know if you’re lookin’ for a show Where they go hardcore and there’s glitter on the floor And they turn me on when they take it off When they take it off, everybody take it off Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh (Everybody take it off) Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh (Everybody take it off) Right now (take it off) Right now (take it off) Right now (take it off) Oh-oh-ooh-oh Right now (take it off) Right now (take it off) Right now (take it off) (Everybody take it off) There’s a place downtown where the freaks all come around It’s a hole in the wall, it’s a dirty free-for-all And they turn me on when they take it off When they take it off, everybody take it off There’s a place I know if you’re lookin’ for a show Where they go hardcore and there’s glitter on the floor And they turn me on when they take it off When they take it off, everybody take it off

(We switch to an old 1940s newsreel style.)

Reporter: Dateline Grumpia! Year one of the new Killjoy Imperium. Confidence is high as this new and proud nation works long and hard to establish its new government.

(Cut to the Killjoy reporter.)

Reporter: I’m here today in the land formally known as Splendorland but now as of recent known as Grumpia.

(Cut to the fate of Splendorland: The people are sadly marching in chains, and there’s not a flower in sight.)

Reporter: Though it is not easy to establish a government from the ground up, Grumpia is fortunate to have hard working individuals making their regime stable. And here’s one of them now. Greel, recently appointed Minister of Trade. Tell me, new Minister, what does your new job exactly entail?

Greel: I have a lot of stuff I can trade. From black ore to human tears and we’re hoping we can trade them to other nations for goods and valuables. 

Reporter: So, you really think other nations will trade goods and valuables just for those?

Greel: Oh, sure. Israel would sell thirty percent of its military just for a video recording of human strife. Must be pretty rare there. Or pretty popular.

Reporter: Of course military forces aren’t a major concern in Grumpia, Secretary of Defense Mad Jack assures the public that everything is well protected.

Mad Jack: It’s true that we’re a small nation and are therefore more prone to attack. But we have a good drill sergeant who knows how to keep up the men’s morale.

Drill Sergeant Norx: Stand up straight! (punches Killjoy) Tuck in ya shirt! (punches another Killjoy) Stop bein’ so tall!

Thomius the Killjoy: Can’t help it. (PUNCH) Ow.

Norx: DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?!

Killjoy: Oh Gods, no! I’m deathly afraid of you!

Norx: (pauses, nods, and punches him in the face)

Reporter: Looks like a solid team you’ve got there.

Mad Jack: Indeed.

Reporter: However, there’ve been a few reports that you’re a little gun crazy.

Mad Jack: WHO SAID THAT?!

(He shoots the cameraman and then a test pattern appears.)

Reporter: But an invasion seems unlikely thanks to good relations kept by the Head of Immigration, Zill.

Zill: (on the phone) What do you MEAN you don’t agree with me?! DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU’RE DEALING WITH?! (pause) Hold on, let me confer you to my second in command.

(He hands the phone to his second in command, who nods, before pounding a button on the desk. There is the distant sound of an explosion, and the phone goes dead.)

Reporter: Every nation needs a treasurer, and Grumpia has Yaja, who I understand also designed the flag for Grumpia. True?

Yaja: It is. And for a nation like Grumpia, I figured that we really needed an epic flag. That’s why I came up with a musclebound lightning bolt carrying machine guns and shooting fire from his eyes. Because when people look at that, all they can say is “GRUMPIA!”.

Reporter: Well, it looks like you fellas don’t have a flagpole yet.

Yaja: Well, we weren’t exactly sure how to get their flag down and ours up. So, we’re just using Thomius as our flagpole.

(Cut to Thomius atop a building and holding the flag.)

Reporter: I must say. He doesn’t look very pleased.

Yaja: (chuckles) He’s definitely not.

(The Killjoys salute the flag.)

Reporter: And there are others looking out for the well-being of Grumpia. Take Kiri, for example. He is making sure everyone is in good shape acting as Grumpia’s Surgeon General.

Kiri: In my short time as Surgeon General here in Grumpia, I’ve made two amazing medical discoveries. One: When holding an uzi, you will not die.

Reporter: Really? And how does that work exactly?

Kiri: I’m holding one and I’m not dead. Science proven. Secondly, our research has shown that dieting and exercise does not help build healthy bodies. So, that’s why I have encouraged everyone here to start smoking.

(Cut to Killjoys smoking and choking. One guy collapses.)

Kiri: Studies show that smoking does well to strengthen the body and prevent disease.

Reporter: Your studies show that?

Kiri: Of course. Right here on this chart. (looks at upside down clipboard, turns it over) Heh, what do you know? (chuckles) Had the darn chart upside down.

Reporter: But not everyone in Grumpia is questionably insane. Take for example, Livewire, the local shockjock radio propagandist. So, what exactly about the Grumpia government bothers you so?

Livewire: Well, nothing really. It’s just that people agree with angry hosts on the radio, it makes them feel better about themselves. So, in my own way. I’m helping the people’s morale.

(The reporter looks towards camera and shifts his eyes awkwardly, as if to question how that would work.)

Reporter: Another person keeping up the morale is Dioz who is now head officer for science and technology.

Dioz: At first we didn’t have much in the science department. In fact, the original space program was just a stomp rocket. But, I’m certain we can get things to a more legitimate level.

Reporter: Well, there is someone in this nation that still does well to keep order in hand. This is Metus. Tell me, Metus, what are you going to do to keep this nation safe?

Metus: Well, it’s all about surprise to fool our enemy. We are trying to find those who are best able to blend into their environment. For example, we have discovered that Pitch here has a natural talent for camouflage. Isn’t that right, Pitch?

Disembodied voice: Yup!

Reporter: But, do you really think stealth and surprise are going to be enough to keep your enemies on their toes?

Metus: Oh, of course. It’s all about illusion. In fact, I’m not even in front of you.

(Cut to the reporter holding the mic out, with Metus behind him. The reporter then turns around, startled.)

Reporter: Oh! Very good. Well, we all know what goes on outside the government building. Let’s see what goes on inside the government building. (He extends his arm, and there is a WHACK.)

Pitch: OW!

Reporter: This is Secretary of State Marvy. Tell me, Marvy, what does a normal day entail for you?

Marvy: Well, mostly I come up with brilliant ideas and Her Highness then slaps me and claims them as her own.

Reporter: Does that pay well?

Marvy: Not really. But it sure does hurt a lot.

Reporter: But behind every great woman is… another woman. As in the case of her favorite Killjoy, Nimm. Now, there’s talk that your leader wants to push for more regulation and you want less. In which way does she want more that you haven’t agreed with?

Nimm: Oh. (hesitant) You know.

Reporter: Actually, no I don’t.

Nimm: Well, when I find an answer, I’ll get right back to you.

Reporter: And now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for! An interview with the lady herself! The lady who made Grumpia possible! Her Highness, Queen Vivian!

Vivian: GREETINGS!

Reporter: Your Highness, what are your plans now for this new, glorious nation?

Vivian: Well, first, we plan on taking over the other realms. We’ve sent out pamphlets. Then, we plan on taking over the entire Yonder. And then the world.

Reporter: Ah. And how do you plan on accomplishing this exactly?

Vivian: I’ll give you a hint. It involves… total annihilation.

Reporter: Well, thank you very much for your time.

Vivian: Not at all!

Reporter: OH! And one more thing! Your Highness, do you plan on some day being bigger than all the gods combined?

Vivian: (dramatic turn) OF COURSE!

Reporter: Thank you. This has been a special report from Grumpia.

(Cut to the Grumpian Flag overlayed with Snarl firing a machine gun. Scene changes to the Band and P.A.T. sneaking through Splendorland at night, dressed as fortune tellers)

Tristan: (regarding the fort) That’s gotta be where the gear’s kept.

Riley: We should get the Star first. Amelie said that the Killjoys took over the Palace.

Joel: You sure this fortune teller thing’ll work?

Tristan: Are you kidding? It’s foolproof!

(They approach the Palace. Two Killjoys guard the entrance. P.A.T. hides inside Riley’s satchel.)

Guard#1: Halt! Who goes there?

Tristan: Just us wandering fortune tellers.

Joel: We have important news for the Killjoy Queen.

Guard#2: Get lost! She has no time for this!

Nate: Then I guess she doesn’t wanna hear about the revolt.

Guards: What?

Nate: I said “I guess she doesn’t wanna hear about the revolt.”

Guard#1: Revolt?

Guard#2: Maybe she would wanna hear this. Come in for a review!

Riley: (whispering to Nate) Nice.

(They enter the Palace, and walk into the throne room, where Vivian sits on the throne. The Star is kept on a pedestal under a glass cover.)

Vivian: What’s this about a revolt?

Tristan: We are deeply honored to be in your presence.

Vivian: Yeah, sure. WHAT ABOUT THE REVOLT?

(Unnoticed, P.A.T. peeks out of the satchel. She squirms out and slowly creeps toward the Star.)

Riley: Well, you may have enslaved the people of this land, but when you captured them, you missed a few. Now those rebels are secretly plotting to bring you down.

Vivian: Really?

Riley: Yeah. The crystal ball never lies. Plus they have instruments of their own, so you’d better gather your forces and get out while the going’s good, or else things are gonna get crazy.

Vivian: That’s ridiculous, we made sure to lock up all instruments to prevent this sort of thing!

Nate: Y'sure?

(P.A.T. lifts the glass cover…)

Vivian: Of course I’m sure! Besides, they would need the Star to-

(Just as P.A.T. reaches for the Star, Vivian spots her.)

Vivian: WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?!

Riley: Uh oh.

P.A.T.: Uh… Hi. Wanna hear a love song?

(Vivian turns on the others.)

Vivian: So, you thought you could trick me into a snafu, huh?! Well, not today! (to the guards) Lock ‘em up!

(The Killjoys surround the group and drag them away. Carried under a Killjoy’s arm, P.A.T. looks back at Vivian, who meets her gaze before turning away, blushing. Cut to the five in the dungeon.)

Nate: Well, that plan didn’t work.

Tristan: And I thought it was foolproof.

Joel: Is there a Plan B?

(P.A.T. examines the walls. She presses a brick, and it gives.)

P.A.T.: Maybe there is! Look, the bricks are loose!

Riley: Hey, she’s right! That could be our way outta here!

(Tristan begins pulling out bricks.)

Tristan: This place is pretty ancient. C'mon, guys!

(Joel and Nate help Tristan to pull out as many bricks as possible, until there’s a hole in the wall.)

Nate: (looking at the small hole.) That’s it?

Joel: I don’t think we could fit through there.

Riley: I could!

P.A.T.: So could I!

(The two girls crawl through the opening.)

Tristan: When you’re in the clear, go tell Amelie and Ophelia what happened.

Riley: No way! I can’t leave you guys behind now.

(A Killjoy passes by on patrol. P.A.T. jumps him.)

P.A.T.: HI!

(The Killjoy freaks out as Riley grabs him from behind. During the ensuing scuffle, he hits his head on the wall, knocking himself out.)

Riley: (to the Killjoy) Sorry 'bout that, but it’s for a good cause.

(A few minutes later, Riley is disguised in his uniform and mask. She approaches the Killjoy guarding the cell.)

Riley: Coffee, sir?

Guard: Oh! Sure.

(He takes a sip… and instantly falls unconscious.)

Riley: It worked, P.A.T.!

(P.A.T. peeks out from behind the corner.)

P.A.T.: I still think my lullaby idea could have worked just as well.

(Taking the Killjoy guard’s keys, Riley unlocks the dungeon door and opens it.)

Riley: Okay, guys, let’s go!

Nate: Nice one, sis!

Tristan: Now let’s get the Star and get outta here!

(Cut to the Star, still under the glass covering. Vivian is asleep. P.A.T. sneaks in, lifts the cover and takes the Star, careful not to make any noise. She pets the sleeping Vivian on the head before tiptoeing back to the others.)

P.A.T.: (whispering) I got it!

Riley: Good work, P.A.T.

Tristan: Now for the instruments.

(Transition to the old fort. The group creep up to the entrance, which is guarded by Killjoys. Nate folds a paper airplane and throws it past them. Taking notice, the guards follow it, allowing the group to sneak in. One Killjoy manages to snatch the airplane out of the air.)

Guard#1: Got it!

Guard#2: There’s something written on it.

(They unfold the airplane.)

Guard#2: What’s it say?

Guard#1: It says… “Killjoys smell”.

Guard#2: They didn’t even finish it? (takes out a pen and adds to the note) “Good”.

(Meanwhile, the five sneak past several sleeping Killjoys and enter a cupboard where the instruments are all packed.)

Tristan: Bingo.

(A light from the window grabs their attention: It’s a Killjoy, his mask emitting a searchlight.)

Riley: Hide!

(They scramble for a hiding place. Nate trips and falls onto a set of bagpipes.)

Tristan: Pipe down!

(Outside, a sleeping Killjoy is roused by the noise.)

Joel: Get that out of here!

(Nate throws the bagpipes out the cupboard. It rolls after the Killjoy, who tries to make a run for it. However, it hits him in the back of his head, KOing him.)

Riley: You think they heard us?

Joel: I hope not…

(Transition to the next morning. The five wake up, stretch and yawn. P.A.T. looks out of the cupboard.)

P.A.T.: They’re all still asleep!

Nate: This is a sad day for us.

Riley: Why?

Nate We’ve been outslept!

Tristan: C'mon, let’s get outta here.

(With the instruments they need, the group exit the building, passing the unconscious Killjoy.)

Nate: (to the others) Shhhhh!

(He doesn’t see the bagpipes in his path until it’s too late; he steps on them, making a loud WAAAAAAAAHH! Immediately, the Killjoys are awakened by the noise)

Joel: Oh, no.

Tristan: RUUUUN!

(They all bolt)

Song: Livin’ La Vida Loca

She’s into superstitions Black cats and voodoo dolls I feel a premonition That girl’s gonna make me fall She’s into new sensations New kicks in the candlelight She’s got a new addiction For every day and night She’ll make you take your clothes off and go dancing in the rain She’ll make you live her crazy life, but she’ll take away your pain Like a bullet to your brain Come on! Upside, inside out She’s livin’ la vida loca She’ll push and pull you down Livin’ la vida loca Her lips are devil red And her skin’s the color mocha She will wear you out Livin’ la vida loca Come on! Livin’ la vida loca Come on! She’s livin’ la vida loca Woke up in New York City In a funky cheap hotel She took my heart, and she took my kidney She must’ve slipped me a sleeping pill She never drinks the water and Makes you order French champagne Once you’ve had a taste of her You’ll never be the same Yeah, she’ll make you go insane Come on! Upside, inside out She’s livin’ la vida loca She’ll push and pull you down Livin’ la vida loca Her lips are devil red And her skin’s the color mocha She will wear you out Livin’ la vida loca Come on! Livin’ la vida loca She’s livin’ la vida loca She’ll make you take your clothes off and go dancing in the rain She’ll make you live her crazy life, but she’ll take away your pain Like a bullet to your brain Come on! Upside, inside out She’s livin’ la vida loca She’ll push and pull you down Livin’ la vida loca Her lips are devil red And her skin’s the color mocha She will wear you out Livin’ la vida loca Come on! Upside, inside out She’s livin’ la vida loca She’ll push and pull you down Livin’ la vida loca Her lips are devil red And her skin’s the color mocha She will wear you out Livin’ la vida loca Come on! Livin’ la vida loca Come on! She’s livin’ la vida loca Come on! Gotta la vida loca! Gotta, gotta, gotta la vida loca! Gotta, gotta, gotta la vi'…

(After running like heck, the group finally manage to escape the Killjoys.)

Tristan: We’ve made it.

Nate: Instruments are ready.

Tristan: Okay, cool.

(P.A.T., wearing a top hat, hops onto a soapbox with a megaphone like she’s a circus ringmaster.)

P.A.T.: Ladies and gentlemen, direct from somewhere else, where they are absolutely something else, I’d like to present our four guest soloists: my friends! Take it away, guys!

Song: A Different Beat

Say yeah, yeah (Yeah, yeah) Say ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah (Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah) Say yeah, yeah (Yeah, yeah) Say ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah (Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah)

I got a spoonful of sugar That I think you’d like No, I don’t wanna preach But I think you might Wanna cup (Sip it up, sip it up) (Sip it up, sip it up, sip it up)

I might be young But I know my mind I’m sick of being told What’s wrong or right So give it up (Give it up, give it up) (Give it up, give it up, give it up)

Uh-oh, now there you go Out of your comfort zone Cause I’m breaking out Not breaking down, down, down, down Ain’t got nothing to prove Walk a mile in my shoes I know the one thing that counts

I got the right To make up my mind Say it loud and clear For the whole wide world to hear We’re marching for love So turn up the drum Say it loud and clear For the whole wide world to hear

Yeah, we must have different shoes on We’re marching to a different beat Yeah! So baby put your boots on Keep marching to a different beat Yeah

Never in the slow lane Cause I like it fast No time you waste So I keep our feet on the gas (I live it up, live it up) (Live it up, live it up, live it up)

I might be young I know who I am So I don’t follow like a marching band So give it up (Give it up, give it up) (Give it up, give it up, give it up)

Uh-oh, now there you go Out of your comfort zone Cause I’m breaking out I’m breaking down, down, down, down

Ain’t got nothing to prove Walk a mile in my shoes I know the one thing that counts

I got the right To make up my mind Say it loud and clear For the whole wide world to hear We’re marching for love So turn up the drum Say it loud and clear For the whole wide world to hear

Yeah, we must have different shoes on We’re marching to a different beat Yeah! So baby put your boots on Keep marching to a different beat Yeah

I got my head up Shoulders back I’m doing me So they can see I’m marching to a different beat I take a look in the mirror And I like what I see So baby, I keep marching To a different beat

I got the right To make up my mind Say it loud and clear For the whole wide world to hear We’re marching so loud So turn up the drum Say it loud and clear For the whole wide world to hear

Yeah, we must have different shoes on We’re marching to a different beat Yeah So baby put your boots on Keep marching to a different beat

Yeah!

(By the time this song finishes, the color and vigor have returned to Splendorland, its flowers rebloom, and the Splendorlanders are freed, to the Killjoys’ shock. Vivian is especially stunned.)

Vivian: The hills are alive?!

Marvy: (sings) With The Sound of Music-

(THWACK! Marvy gets Vivian’s knee to the groin.)

Nimm: Your Highness! They’re armed! They’re fighting back! We gotta go!

(She drags Vivian away by the hand, while Marvy hobbles after them. Meanwhile, the Splendorlanders celebrate their heroes.)

Ophelia: (to Amelie) You made the right choice, after all.

(Let us hope that Vivian looks up ‘brat’ in the dictionary and, under the influence of those meaningful pages, becomes a better- NOPE! Let’s see her plot her vengeance. Up in a cave in the mountain…)

Vivian: Those dirty, stinkin’ sons'a BONNACONS! How could we lose to them?!

Nimm: (sarcastically) Well gee, maybe it has something to do with the fact that they stole back the Star.

Vivian: Ugh, don’t remind me! Just let me think…

Marvy: Why don’t we kidnap that red thing and exchange ‘er for the Star?

Vivian: Nah, that’s stupid.

(She thinks for a bit more. Marvy counts down on his fingers.)

Vivian: I GOT IT! We shall take the red thing as our hostage unless they surrender the Star!

Nimm: (still sarcastic) What an original idea.

Vivian: And I know just who can do the job…

(Cut to something snakelike coiled up in the corner. It stirs at Vivian’s voice.)

Vivian: Snatch? Oh, Snatchy!

(The thing uncoils, revealing itself to be a mechanical serpent with a pale, vaguely doll-like face. Creepy.)

Vivian: C'mere, girl. I have a job for you…

(Scene: Splendorland’s concert hall, at night. The citizens are gathered to watch the band perform.)

Song: Tonight Tonight

It’s been a really really messed up week Seven days of torture, seven days of bitter And my girlfriend went and dumped me She’s a California dime but it’s time for me to quit her La la la, whatever, la la la, It doesn’t matter, la la la, oh well, la la la We’re going at it tonight tonight There’s a party on the rooftop top of the world Tonight tonight and we’re dancing on the edge of the Hollywood sign I don’t know if I’ll make it but watch how good I’ll fake it It’s all right, all right, tonight, tonight I woke up with a strange tattoo Not sure how I got it, not a dollar in my pocket And it kinda looks just like you Mixed with Zach Galifianakis (Who?) La la la, whatever, la la la, It doesn’t matter, la la la, oh well, la la la We’re going at it tonight tonight There’s a party on the rooftop top of the world Tonight tonight and we’re dancing on the edge of the Hollywood sign I don’t know if I’ll make it but watch how good I’ll fake it It’s all right, all right, tonight, tonight You got me singing like whoa, oh, oh Come on, oh, oh, oh it doesn’t matter Whoa, oh, oh everybody now, oh, oh, oh Just don’t stop let’s keep the beat pumpin’ Keep the beat up, let’s drop the beat down It’s my party dance if I want to We can get crazy let it all out Just don’t stop let’s keep the beat pumpin’ Keep the beat up, lets drop the beat down It’s my party dance if I want to We can get crazy let it all out It’s you and me and we’re runnin’ this town and It’s me and you and we’re shakin’ the ground and Ain’t nobody gonna tell us to go cause this is our show Everybody whoa, oh, oh Come on, oh, oh, oh all you animals Whoa, oh, oh, let me hear you now, oh, oh, oh Tonight tonight there’s a party on the rooftop top of the world Tonight tonight and we’re dancing on the edge of the Hollywood sign I don’t know if I’ll make it but watch how good I’ll fake it It’s all right, all right, tonight, tonight It’s all right, all right, tonight, tonight Yeah its all right, all right, tonight, tonight Just singing like whoa, oh, oh Come on, oh, oh, oh, all you party people Whoa, oh, oh, all you singletons, oh, oh, oh, even the nonhumans Just don’t stop let’s keep the beat pumpin’ Keep the beat up, let’s drop the beat down Its my party dance if I want to We can get crazy let it all out Just don’t stop let’s keep the beat pumpin’ Keep the beat up, lets drop the beat down It’s my party dance if I want to We can get crazy let it all out

(The Splendorlanders cheer. However, lurking in the shadows, Nimm and Snatch observe.)

Nimm: (points out P.A.T.) There. That’s who we’re after.

(Snatch hisses loudly, then charges past Nimm. The Splendorlanders, hearing the hiss, all turn to see her coming at them. They all scatter in a panic.)

Nate: What is that thing?!

(Snatch zeros out P.A.T. and lunges at her. P.A.T. yelps, and dodges the attack.)

Riley: P.A.T.!

(The band jump off the stage to help their friend. As P.A.T. tries to run towards them, Snatch slides open her mouth and launches a sack at her.)

Riley: P.A.T., look out!

(P.A.T. looks behind her, but is too late to escape as the sack entraps her.)

Riley: NO!

(Before the band can reach the squirming sack, Snatch swats them away with her tail before picking up the sack.)

P.A.T.: Riley! Riley!

(As the band recovers from the blow, Nimm confronts them.)

Riley: Please, let her go!

Nimm: Deliver the Star to the fort.

Nate: Or what?!

Nimm: (gestures to the thrashing sack) Or you’ll never see your friend again. You have 26 hours.

(She climbs onto Snatch, and they abscond with their struggling captive.)

Riley: Wait!

(Staggering to her feet, she chases after them, but they are already gone.)

Riley: Oh, P.A.T…

(Dissolve to the band at the Nemo.)

Tristan: We can’t risk the Killjoys coming to steal the ship and the Star. Somebody’s gotta stay here and keep watch until we come back with P.A.T.

Riley: Why does it have to be me?

Nate: For Pete’s sake, you’re the youngest! Just stay here and wait for us, okay? We’ll save P.A.T. and be back before you know it. Promise.

(The guys take their leave.)

Riley: What about that snake thing- GAH!

(She sits down, defeated. Looking down at the Star, a look of determination crosses her face.)

Riley: If the Killjoys do come here… they’re gonna be very disappointed.

(Putting the Star around her neck, she jumps over the side, pulling a three-point landing before bolting after the others. Unseen, a group of Killjoys watch her go.)

Killjoy#1: Coast’s clear! Let’s move!

(They creep aboard the Nemo.)

Killjoy#2: But didn’t she take the Star with her?

Killjoy#3: That doesn’t matter. When they inevitably fail in their little rescue mission and come back, we’ll be waiting.

(Scene: The fort. Snatch and Nimm carry the sack containing P.A.T.)

P.A.T.: Let me out of here, please! Please?!

(They drop the sack onto the floor, issuing a muffled squeal from P.A.T. She squirms, trying to free herself, before two Killjoys pull the sack’s opening down to her neck, exposing her head. P.A.T. finds herself staring up at Vivian.)

P.A.T.: Oh! Uh… Hello again!

Vivian: Yeah, yeah, charmed to meet you a second time.

P.A.T.: So… did you have me kidnapped, or…?

Vivian: Oh, yeah. Once your friends come here and hand over the Star, you can go. For now, you’re a prisoner. (to the Killjoys) Get the cage.

(Two more Killjoys bring over a cage. Into this, they put P.A.T., still in the sack, and lock it.)

Vivian: Better make yourself comfortable. You’re gonna be here for a little while.

(P.A.T. squirms a bit more, trying to get completely out of the sack, then looks up at Vivian.)

P.A.T.: Uh…

(Vivian kneels down and pulls the sack completely down, allowing P.A.T. a little bit of freedom while she’s still locked in the cage.)

P.A.T.: Thanks! Uh, what should I call you?

Vivian: You may call me “Your Highness”, or just Vivian.

P.A.T.: Okay. You’re not such a bad person, Vivi.

Vivian: It’s Vivian! (to the Killjoys) Take her away.

(As the Killjoys take the cage away, P.A.T. waves at Vivian. Marvy approaches.)

Marvy: You were awfully nice to her.

Vivian: (blushing) Shut up and go do your job!

Marvy: Yes, Your Highness!

(He leaves Vivian alone in the room.)

Vivian: Ugh, what’s wrong with me. I can’t seriously be… falling for that thing?!

Song: Heart Attack

Putting my defenses up 'Cause I don’t wanna fall in love If I ever did that, I think I’d have a heart attack Never put my love out on the line Never said yes to the right one Never had trouble getting what I want But when it comes to you, I’m never good enough When I don’t care, I can play 'em like a fiddle Won’t wash my hair, then make 'em bounce like a rubber ball But you make me wanna act like a girl Paint my nails and wear high heels Yes, you make me so nervous that I just can’t hold your hand You make me glow But I cover up, won’t let it show So I’m putting my defenses up 'Cause I don’t wanna fall in love If I ever did that, I think I’d have a heart attack I think I’d have a heart attack I think I’d have a heart attack Never break a sweat for other guys When you come around, I get paralyzed And every time I try to be myself It comes out wrong like a cry for help It’s just not fair, pain’s more trouble than love is worth I gasp for air, it feels so good, but you know it hurts But you make me wanna act like a girl Paint my nails and wear perfume for you Make me so nervous that I just can’t hold your hand You make me glow But I cover up, won’t let it show So I’m putting my defenses up 'Cause I don’t wanna fall in love If I ever did that, I think I’d have a heart attack I think I’d have a heart attack I think I’d have a heart attack The feelings got lost in my lungs They’re burning, I’d rather be numb (rather be numb) And there’s no one else to blame (no one else to blame) So scared, I take off, and I run I’m flying too close to the sun And I burst into flames You make me glow But I cover up, won’t let it show So I’m putting my defenses up 'Cause I don’t wanna fall in love If I ever did that, I think I’d have a heart attack I think I’d have a heart attack (heart attack) I think I’d have a heart attack I think I’d have a heart attack (oh, I think I’d have a heart attack) I think I’d have a heart attack

(Vivian lowers her head in embarrassment. Meanwhile, Metus paces back and forth in front of Pitch and two others.)

Metus: Alright, you make wonderful agents as well as soldiers. But now we’re going to teach you the element of surprise. (slaps Pitch in the face) Surprise!

(Pitch hits back.)

Metus: …You’re learning.

(Mad Jack and Marvy enter.)

Mad Jack: So, Metus. How goes it?

Metus: Pretty well. I was just teaching these men the element of surprise.

(Norx enters.)

Norx: DID YOU PUNCH ‘EM YET!?

Metus: After lunch.

(Mad Jack notices something.)

Mad Jack: What’s that?

(Metus looks down, then picks up a paper.)

Metus: It’s a receipt… for fifty-one tons of explosives?

Norx: Who signed for it?

Metus: (looks over the receipt) Queen Vivian?!

Norx: What’s she doing getting explosives?

Metus: I don’t know, but it’s gotta be for something big.

Mad Jack: Ya think we should tell somebody about this?

Norx: Like who?

Marvy: Her Highness?

Everyone: NO!

(Scene: Metus, Zill, Greel and Pitch gather in a room. Nimm is the last to enter.)

Nimm: Would someone please tell me what this is all about?

Mad Jack: Okay, Metus. Fill ‘em in.

Metus: Alright, so! We found a receipt for fifty-one tons of explosive material paid for by Her Highness herself. We don’t know what it means, but it can’t be good.

Nimm: (takes receipt) So, what? You really think she’s going to use it against us?

Zill: Who knows. She might be planning to blow us all up.

Nimm: Look, Her Highness may be a little nutty. But she’s not a complete psycho.

Greel: You look me in the eye and tell me she’s not crazy enough to do something that deranged.

Nimm: Alright, but couldn’t the signature have been replicated? In fact, couldn’t the whole thing be replicated?

(Every Killjoy in the room is silent.)

Nimm: Okay, look, I’ll have a talk with her to see if any of this is true.

Pitch: What if she thinks we’re going behind her back?

Nimm: She won’t suspect a thing.

(Cut to Nimm talking to Vivian)

Vivian: So, everyone thinks I’m insane?

Nimm: I’m sure they’re just getting paranoid, Your Highness. That always happens when big changes happen.

Vivian: I suppose you’re right. I mean, once we get the Star back, I’ll regain their confidence in me sure enough!

Nimm: (smiling) Yeah, there’s even a rumor going around that you bought fifty-one tons of explosives for yourself, but of course, you can never trust a rumor these days.

Vivian: Actually, that part was true.

(Nimm’s smile drops.)

Nimm: What?

Vivian: It’s true. The whole place is wired. You see, I’ve wanted this place for a long time and now that I’ve got it, I’m not going to let anyone take it away from me. Discover that the world is filled with nasty wasties, and a lot of those nasty wasties don’t like how I run things. So, if any of them tried to take away what I have, I’m not afraid to go down with the ship and take everybody with me. But that’s if one of those nasty wasties shows up. Or if someone in this beloved nation of mine is a nasty wasty. What do you say, Nimm? You’re not one of those nasty wasties, are you?

Nimm: (nervously) No, of course not.

Vivian: Good. I’m glad we had this talk. Take care.

Nimm: You too, Your Highness. You too.

(She slowly leaves the room.)

Vivian: Our talks are nice.

(Cut to the boys creeping up to the fort.)

Tristan: There it is. That’s where they’re holding P.A.T.

(They sneak up to the side of the fort, avoiding the Killjoys on guard.)

Joel: So far, so good.

(As they peek around a corner, a hand suddenly clamps on Nate’s shoulder.)

Nate: AAAHHHH!!!

(The guys all jump as Nimm puts her hands up to calm them down.)

Nimm: Easy, guys! I can help you.

Nate: Whaddya mean “help us”? To an early grave?

Nimm: No. Vivian’s completely nuts. She’s set bombs under the whole land. That’s why I’m defecting.

Tristan: Oh. Well then, lead the way in!

(Cut to the four sneaking through the fort. Nimm leads them to an old cell door.)

Nimm: This is where we’re keeping your friend.

Nate: Alrighty then! Lemme just break down the door.

Nimm: Wait, I don’t think that’s a good idea.

Nate: Why not?

(He takes a few steps back, then charges. The door gives way with a loud noise. P.A.T., still in the cage, looks up.)

P.A.T.: Guys!

(However, she’s not the only one in the room. Snatch whirls around, hissing.)

Nimm: That’s why not.

(Snatch slithers menacingly towards the guys. Suddenly…)

Riley: Hey, creepy! Over here!

(Everybody turns to see Riley, having followed them into the fort, standing there wearing the Star.)

Nate: Riley?!

Riley: You guys set P.A.T. free. I’ll distract this thing.

(Snatch comes after her. Riley allows the monster to chase her outside, past shocked and surprised Killjoys who dive for cover. Once outside, she faces the hissing Snatch. The Star begins to glow, as the others, plus the freed P.A.T. come out of the fort to watch.)

P.A.T.: Riley! Use the Star!

(And Riley does, with the lyrics of the ensuing song materializing thanks to the Star’s magic…)

Song: Brighter Than the Sun

Stop me on the corner Swear you hit me like a vision I, I, I wasn’t expecting But who am I to tell fate where it’s supposed to go? With it Don’t you blink; you might miss it See, we got a right to just love it or leave it You find it and keep it 'Cause it ain’t every day you get the chance to say…

Oh, this is how it starts, lightning strikes the heart It goes off like a gun, brighter than the sun Oh, we could be the stars, falling from the sky Shining how we want, brighter than the sun

I’d never seen it But I found this love, I’m gonna feed it You better believe I’m gonna treat it better than anything I’ve ever had 'Cause you’re so dang beautiful Read it, it’s signed and delivered, let’s seal it Boy, we go together like peanuts and Paydays Marley and reggae And everybody needs to get a chance to say…

Oh, this is how it starts, lightning strikes the heart It goes off like a gun, brighter than the sun Oh, we could be the stars, falling from the sky Shining how we want, brighter than the sun

Everything is like a white out 'Cause we shika-shika shine down Even when the, when the light’s out, but I can see you glow Got my head up in the rafters, got me happy ever after Never felt this way before, ain’t felt this way before

I swear you hit me like a vision I, I, I wasn’t expecting But who am I to tell fate where it’s supposed to go?

Oh, this is how it starts (This is how it starts) Lightning strikes the heart (Lightning strikes the heart) It goes off like a gun, brighter than the sun Oh, we could be the stars, falling from the sky (Falling from the sky) Shining how we want, brighter than the sun Oh, this is how it starts (This is how it starts) Lightning strikes the heart (Lightning strikes the heart) It goes off like a gun, brighter than the sun Oh, we could be the stars, falling from the sky Shining how we want (Shining how we want) Brighter than the sun

Brighter than the sun Brighter than the sun Brighter than the sun Oh-o, yeah, oh-o

Oh, this is how it starts, lightning strikes the heart It goes off like a gun, brighter than the sun Oh, this is how it starts, lightning strikes the heart It goes off like a gun, brighter than the sun Oh, this is how it starts, lightning strikes the heart It goes off like a gun, brighter than the sun Oh, this is how it starts, lightning strikes the heart It goes off like a gun, brighter than the sun

(Snatch, overwhelmed by the lyrics Riley has summoned, collapses and shuts down. The others run over to join her.)

Nimm: So, that’s the Star’s power… Amazing!

Tristan: C'mon. Let’s get back to the Nemo.

(Transition to the Nemo. One by one, the group sneak into the ship’s hold through the window, while the Killjoys are all up on deck.)

Joel: So, how do we get rid of these guys?

Nimm thinks for a moment, then grins. A few minutes later, Riley peeks up out of the hold. The Killjoys are still waiting for the group’s return, unaware of what’s happening down below. Riley ducks back down.)

Riley: You sure this will work?

Nimm: Oh, yeah. Ready, P.A.T.?

P.A.T.: Ready!

Nimm: Good, now make it convincing.

(P.A.T., in pale makeup and a tattered hooded robe, rises up out of the hold.)

P.A.T.: Boogie, boogie, boogie. I am the spirit of vengeance… (pauses, then whirls around) Boogie!

(Immediately, all of the Killjoys launch themselves off of the Nemo, screaming. When they’re all gone, the others emerge from the hold.)

Nimm: Good job.

Nate: So, now what?

Tristan: We defeat the Killjoys once and for all.

P.A.T.: Weigh the anchor!

Joel: Onward!

(Cut to the Killjoys charging across the landscape, Vivian in the lead.)

Vivian: Come on, people! Let’s take back our nation!

(The Nemo appears through the treeline.)

Marvy: Your Highness, look! The ship!

Killjoys: What are they doing?/There’s no one onboard…

Killjoy#1: I-It’s the Spirit of Vengeance!

Killjoy#2: They’re coming to kill us!

(The Killjoys turn tail and run away screaming.)

Vivian: COME BACK HERE, YOU COWARDS! DON’T LEAVE ME!

(The Nemo arrives just as the Splendorlanders are preparing themselves for battle.)

Joel: Look, reinforcements!

Tristan: That’s just what we need.

(Meanwhile, Vivian catches up with the Killjoys.)

Vivian: GET BACK THERE, FOOLS! I’M NOT LOSING THIS NATION!

(The group all jump down from the Nemo.)

Nate: GERONIMO!

(They land, and the final battle begins.)

Song: Best I Ever Had

Melt Antarctica, savin’ Africa I failed algebra and I miss you sometimes We’re at war again, save the world again You can all join in, but you can’t smoke at all You said, “Take me home, I can’t stand this place ‘Cause there’s too many hipsters and I just can’t relate” You’re my neon gypsy, my desert rain You’re my “Helter Skelter”, oh, how can I explain that You’re the best I ever had And I’m trying not to get stuck in my head But I read that soda kills you and prayer saves On the bathroom wall where I saw your name You’re the best I ever had I won’t be the same Night sky full of drones, this neighborhood of clones I’m looking at the crowd and they’re staring at their phones They groom the coastline here, it’s starting to disappear (Oh, Lord!) And maybe once a year, I think to clean my car I caught my reflection, I dropped the call I’ve been meditatin’ with incense to “Wonderwall” I got vertigo, no, I can’t see straight I got obligations though I’m usually late but You’re the best I ever had And I’m trying not to get stuck in my head But I think I dropped my wallet in Santa Fe Lost the only picture I had of you that day and You’re the best I ever had I won’t be the same Hey West Virginia, hey North Dakota I think I love you, but don’t even know you Hey Massachusetts, hey Minnesota I think I love you, but don’t even know you Hey Carolina, hey Oklahoma I think I love you, but don’t even know you Hey Alabama, hey California I think I love you, but don’t even know you You’re the best I ever had (you’re the best I ever had) And I’m trying not to get stuck in my head (get stuck in my head) But I passed a longest sign on the interstate Saying, “Find someone before it gets too late” You’re the best I ever had (you’re the best I ever had) I won’t be the same Hey West Virginia, hey North Dakota (oh why, oh why) I think I love you, but don’t even know you (I won’t be the same) Hey Massachusetts, hey Minnesota (you’re the best I ever had) I think I love you I won’t be the same Yeah, I won’t be the same

(The Killjoys are finally forced into a retreat as the Splendorlanders cheer in victory. Vivian tries to rally them back into battle.)

Vivian: Get back! GET BACK! The fight is THAT WAY, you MORONS! Get back there NOW!!!

(She is run over by a herd of frightened Killjoys. After they’ve passed, who should come across Vivian but P.A.T.)

P.A.T.: You okay?

(Vivian just stares, then lunges at P.A.T., but the Muse’s daughter grabs onto the Grump Princess’s leg.)

Vivian: What the-?!

(She yanks P.A.T. off of herself, holding her by her tail. Nimm runs over.)

Nimm: You leave her alone!

Vivian: TRAITOR!

(Vivian throws Nimm aside before turning her sights back to P.A.T. However, the pink markings on P.A.T.’s cheeks begin to glow as she presses her palm on Vivian’s chest. A powerful force propels the Grump Princess backwards, reducing her uniform to tatters and forcing her to release P.A.T. Vivian now looks like she managed to survive a cartoon explosion, as flowers begin to grow around her.)

Nate: Whoa. You could do that all along?

P.A.T.: Yeah! Mama gave me my own magic to protect me.

Riley: Your mom certainly knew what she was doing.

(As the Splendorlanders are celebrating, Vivian rises to her feet.)

Vivian: NOT SO FAST! (holds up a detonator) Need I remind you that there are 51 tons of explosives under this land?! (The Splendorlanders look terrified.)

Nimm: Actually, I disconnected them before we rescued P.A.T. You push that thing and nothing happens. (The Splendorlanders are relieved.)

Vivian: …I don’t believe you! I push this button and we all get blown SKY HIGH!

(There is a dead silence. The band is not really worried at all.)

Vivian: Very well. For the honor and glory of all of GRUMPIA!

(She pushes the button on the device. Marvy flinches. After a few seconds, still nothing has happened. Marvy cracks open one eye and looks around. Vivian looks worried.)

Vivian: (weakly) Ka-boooooom!

(The Splendorlanders cheer once more.)

Vivian: SHUT UUUUUUUUP!

(Everybody falls silent.)

Vivian: Do you have any idea how much I suffered just to have my very own nation?! Did you ever think of that? Of course not! I could’ve finally become a Queen, and you had to ruin everything, YOU ANIMALS!

(She pants furiously.)

Nate: It looks like we won, everybody. We… broke her, finally.

???: What is going on here?

(Everybody turns to see a more regal-looking Killjoy woman.)

Vivian: Mommy?!

Riley: Wait, that’s the Killjoy Queen?!

(The Killjoy Queen approaches Ophelia.)

Killjoy Queen: Ophelia, what has my daughter done now?

Ophelia: It’s a long and strange story, Zaria.

Zaria: I take it that she also tried to steal my gift to you?

Vivian: WHAT?!

Ophelia: Indeed.

(Zaria approaches her daughter.)

Zaria: Vivian. I thought you knew better than to invade this peaceful kingdom. All these poor people ever did was be happy.

(Vivian falls to her knees.)

Vivian: What are we gonna do now…?

Marvy: I hear Argentina’s nice this time of year.

Tristan: Hey, Killjoys!

Vivian: WH-

Tristan: How about we become friends?

Riley: Yeah. Whatever you really wanted before, it doesn’t even exist.

(Vivian is stunned. P.A.T. runs over to her and Marvy.)

Vivian: S-Should we…?

(Marvy nods, grinning. Vivian then turns to P.A.T.)

Vivian: Listen, uh… P.A.T., is it? I just wanted you to know that… Ever since I first saw you… I… (blushes) I think I’m in love with you.

(P.A.T. blushes and squees. Just then another ship, this one resembling Noah’s Ark, descends on Splendorland. Once it lands, Elisha and some zoo animals disembark.)

Elisha: Uh, is this Splendorland?

(Amelie steps forward.)

Amelie: What are you doing here?

Elisha: Er… You dropped this.

(He produces Amelie’s bracelet. She smiles,and takes it.)

Amelie: Would you like to stay a while? We just won the battle.

(Everybody leans in, waiting for his answer.)

Elisha: Sounds good.

(Everyone cheers and a celebration begins.)

P.A.T.: Once again, ladies and gentlemen, our heroes!

Song: Gold

Oh, oh, oh (Oh, oh, oh)

You were walking on the moon And now you’re feeling low, oh-oh What they said wasn’t true You’re beautiful Sticks and stones break your bones I know what you’re feeling Words like those won’t steal your glow You’re one in a million

This, this is for all the girls Boys all over the world Whatever you’ve been told You’re worth more than gold So hold your head up high It’s your time to shine From the inside out it shows You’re worth more than gold (Go-o-o-old, you’re go-o-old) You’re worth more than gold (Go-o-o-old, you’re go-o-old)

Well, everybody keeps score Afraid you’re gonna lose Just ignore They don’t know the real you (Know the real you) All the rain in the sky Can’t put out your fire (Your fire) Of all the stars out tonight (Out tonight) You shine brighter

This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world Whatever you’ve been told You’re worth more than gold So hold your head up high It’s your time to shine From the inside out it shows You’re worth more than gold (Go-o-o-old, you’re go-o-old) You’re worth more than gold (Go-o-o-old, you’re go-o-old)

Uh, so don’t let anybody tell you that you’re not loved (Not loved) And don’t let anybody tell you that you’re not enough (Not enough) Yeah, there are days that we all feel like we’re messed up But the truth is that we’re all diamonds in the rough (In the rough) So, don’t be ashamed to wear your crown You’re a king, you’re a queen, inside and out You glow like the moon, you shine like the stars This is for you, wherever you are! (Oh, oh, oh) Yeah, yeah, hey! Go-o-o-o-old

This, this is for all the girls (Whoa, oh) Boys all over the world (All over the world) Whatever you’ve been told You’re worth more than gold (So hold your head up) So hold your head up high (Ooh) It’s your time to shine (Yeah) From the inside out it shows You’re worth more than gold (Go-o-o-old, you’re go-o-old) (You’re gold) You’re worth more than gold (Go-o-o-old, you’re go-o-old)

So don’t be ashamed to wear your crown You’re a king, you’re a queen, inside and out

Grandmother: (reading) So it was that Splendorland would last forever. Maybe even longer. But there are other Splendorlands to be found. All you have to do is listen. Should you hear the pleasing sounds of happy music, soft voices, children’s laughter and the occasional flapping of a bluebird’s wings, then you know you’ve found one. However, for every Splendorland you encounter, you can also be sure there are Killjoys lurking in the shadows waiting to strike. They have got to be held back. Who will protect your own private Splendorland? Only you can say that. The End. (to the girls) Now, I think you ought to go to sleep.

Zuri: Okay.

Grandmother: Okay, okay. All right. Goodnight kids.

(She turns to leave…)

Erica: Hey, grandma… maybe you could read it again to us tomorrow.

Zuri: Yeah! Can you?

Grandmother: It’s a promise, girls. Now, goodnight.

Both girls: Goodnight!

(They get into bed. Grandma turns the light off, transitioning to the credits.)

Song: C'mon

It’s getting late, and I Cannot seem to find my way home tonight Feels like I am falling down a rabbit hole Falling for forever, wonderfully wondering alone What would my head be like, if not for my shoulders Or without your smile? May it follow you forever May it never leave you to sleep in the snow May we stay lost on our way home C'mon, c'mon, with everything falling down around me I’d like to believe in all the possibilities If I should die tonight May I first just say I’m sorry, for I Never felt like anybody, I am a man of many hats Although I never mastered anything When I am ten feet tall I never felt much smaller Since the fall, nobody seems to know my name So don’t leave me to sleep all alone May we stay lost on our way home C'mon, c'mon, with everything falling down around me I’d like to believe in all the possibilities C'mon, c'mon, with everything falling down around me I’d like to believe in all the possibilities Try not to mistake what you have with what you hate It could leave, it could leave, come the morning Celebrate the night, it’s the fall before the climb Shall we sing, shall we sing, ‘til the morning? If I fall forward, you fall flat And if the sun should lift me up, would you come back? C'mon C'mon, c'mon, with everything falling down around me I’d like to believe in all the possibilities C'mon, c'mon, with everything falling down around me I’d like to believe in all the possibilities So c'mon (oh), c'mon (oh), with everything falling down around me (falling down around me) I’d like to believe in all the possibilities (believe) Yeah, yeah, yeah It’s getting late, and I Cannot seem to find my way home tonight

The End

[salaciousslut]

I love hearing what other ppl like so please do!! I also like R&B a lot i just forgot to mention it when i was talking abt genres i like earlier bc i was too focused on rap 🤭 and im the same way tbh! Unless im a real big fan of an artist i'll wait a while, but sometimes like with Paramore's After Laughter i couldnt stand to accept the sound change so i waited a year to listen to it 🫣

I'm going out in an hour or two and im probably not gonna drink till i get back home late. Im always DD since i live the furthest. I wish you could come out with me and my friends i feel like you'd have fun with us. But my friends usually get crossfaded with me bc i always bring some weed. im ok to drive when its worn off a bit im safe i promise 🫣 but i drop everyone off so im used to getting home late a lot. I wish i could hear you giggling i bet you have a cute laugh sweetheart<3 i bet youre really fun to be around when you're drunk<3

I do the same but im trying to get back into better habits like journaling, like sometimes i just cant cry because ive bottled everything up for so long. So i very much urge ppl to cry when they can because its not a great feeling not being able to cry when you need to cry. Like even if its small, cry about it its fine. Its human to feel the full spectrum of emotion.

I forgot what voice i used for my character but i think it was some generic dude voice, i have been a little out of practice with my deeper voices though. But my voice is usually pretty deep anyway, i pitch my voice up a bit when im at work bc i dont want to scare the old timers too much. I hate to admit that my favorite voices to try to do are meatwad from aqua teen hunger force and stitch, theyre like the same voice to me 🤭 i do it for funsies, but in my teen years i did it a lot bc my friends gave me approval for it 🤭

Soo maybe i might budget to get my hands on those perfumes ☺️ i'd like to know what your favorite perfumes smelled like on first hand bases. This is a second best, best would be smelling it on your neck<3 theres a certain cologne i fell in love with years go that ive been trying to get my hands on, its polo red by ralph lauren it had smelled so wonderful to me.

Candles are a lot to take care of so i get it. I just have two main rules i follow for the life of my candle and the safety of my cats. Im the type of person where if i see soot in your candles i try to clean that out to lessen fire risk bc they can be dangerous, its something ppl never notice but thats ok i just want them to be safe. I used to play with the wax like that too!! It low key led to me trying to experiment a little with wax play which was interesting to say the least.

You really are an adorable little puppy<3 its nice to know i was right about thinking you were shorter than me<3 i like short girls, tall girls are nice but short girls are better<3 esp when theyre a little older than me🤭 also ironically i dont own anything royal purple but maybe one day!

oooh i love r&b!! one of my close friends loves it too and will always rec me songs!! and honestly thats sooo fair about waiting to listen to paramore i was the same way!

im always dd too!! just bc i wanna make sure my friends are safe!! bc we all live in the same apartment complex but i know what u mean! i also just like taking care of my friends as u know! im very much rather drink at home bc its my lil safe space! but if im with people i trust, then i like to let loose. plus i wanna lose my inhibitions with you! ill be such a cute lap pet while u and ur friends are drinking and having fun!!

omg i have trouble crying too!! i call it my emotional constipation so ill put on a sad movie to try and cry!! but yes, heres to us trying to me more in tune with our emotions!!

hehe cute cute cute i wanna hear now!! i think i also have a pretty deep voice so i bet we would sound amazing together!! also hehe stitch i love it!! i bet u sound sooo cute

oh trust me, i plan going to bbw soon and smelling you 🫣🥰 and omg i love polo red!! it smells sooo yummy

i started using a candle warmer rather than lighting my candles bc i got scared of the soot, and i know ur not suppose to keep candles lit for a long time but i love the smell so much!! and yes i love wax play. this is kinda embarrassing but i was doing wax play for someone and he had the audacity to get made at me bc i was moaning and enjoying it rather than in pain. smh just let me enjoy the warm feeling on my skin ya know?

i loveeeee being just a lil shorter, tall people kinda intimidate me at first but ur the perfect height!! hehe lets cuddle bc im sooo touch starved and lazy and in a cuddly mood rn. and omg how old are u??

[dear-ao3]

According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway because bees don't care what humans think is impossible. Yellow, black. Yellow, black. Yellow, black. Yellow, black. Ooh, black and yellow! Let's shake it up a little. Barry! Breakfast is ready! Ooming! Hang on a second. Hello? - Barry? - Adam? - Oan you believe this is happening? - I can't. I'll pick you up. Looking sharp. Use the stairs. Your father paid good money for those. Sorry. I'm excited. Here's the graduate. We're very proud of you, son. A perfect report card, all B's. Very proud. Ma! I got a thing going here. - You got lint on your fuzz. - Ow! That's me! - Wave to us! We'll be in row 118,000. - Bye! Barry, I told you, stop flying in the house! - Hey, Adam. - Hey, Barry. - Is that fuzz gel? - A little. Special day, graduation. Never thought I'd make it. Three days grade school, three days high school. Those were awkward. Three days college. I'm glad I took a day and hitchhiked around the hive. You did come back different. - Hi, Barry. - Artie, growing a mustache? Looks good. - Hear about Frankie? - Yeah. - You going to the funeral? - No, I'm not going. Everybody knows, sting someone, you die. Don't waste it on a squirrel. Such a hothead. I guess he could have just gotten out of the way. I love this incorporating an amusement park into our day. That's why we don't need vacations. Boy, quite a bit of pomp... under the circumstances. - Well, Adam, today we are men. - We are! - Bee-men. - Amen! Hallelujah! Students, faculty, distinguished bees, please welcome Dean Buzzwell. Welcome, New Hive Oity graduating class of... ...9:15. That concludes our ceremonies. And begins your career at Honex Industries! Will we pick ourjob today? I heard it's just orientation. Heads up! Here we go. Keep your hands and antennas inside the tram at all times. - Wonder what it'll be like? - A little scary. Welcome to Honex, a division of Honesco and a part of the Hexagon Group. This is it! Wow. Wow. We know that you, as a bee, have worked your whole life to get to the point where you can work for your whole life. Honey begins when our valiant Pollen Jocks bring the nectar to the hive. Our top-secret formula is automatically color-corrected, scent-adjusted and bubble-contoured into this soothing sweet syrup with its distinctive golden glow you know as... Honey! - That girl was hot. - She's my cousin! - She is? - Yes, we're all cousins. - Right. You're right. - At Honex, we constantly strive to improve every aspect of bee existence. These bees are stress-testing a new helmet technology. - What do you think he makes? - Not enough. Here we have our latest advancement, the Krelman. - What does that do? - Oatches that little strand of honey that hangs after you pour it. Saves us millions. Oan anyone work on the Krelman? Of course. Most bee jobs are small ones. But bees know that every small job, if it's done well, means a lot. But choose carefully because you'll stay in the job you pick for the rest of your life. The same job the rest of your life? I didn't know that. What's the difference? You'll be happy to know that bees, as a species, haven't had one day off in 27 million years. So you'll just work us to death? We'll sure try. Wow! That blew my mind! "What's the difference?" How can you say that? One job forever? That's an insane choice to have to make. I'm relieved. Now we only have to make one decision in life. But, Adam, how could they never have told us that? Why would you question anything? We're bees. We're the most perfectly functioning society on Earth. You ever think maybe things work a little too well here? Like what? Give me one example. I don't know. But you know what I'm talking about. Please clear the gate. Royal Nectar Force on approach. Wait a second. Oheck it out. - Hey, those are Pollen Jocks! - Wow. I've never seen them this close. They know what it's like outside the hive. Yeah, but some don't come back. - Hey, Jocks! - Hi, Jocks!

Youguys did great! You're monsters! You're sky freaks! I love it! I love it! - I wonder where they were. - I don't know. Their day's not planned. Outside the hive, flying who knows where, doing who knows what. You can'tjust decide to be a Pollen Jock. You have to be bred for that. Right. Look. That's more pollen than you and I will see in a lifetime. It's just a status symbol. Bees make too much of it. Perhaps. Unless you're wearing it and the ladies see you wearing it. Those ladies? Aren't they our cousins too? Distant. Distant. Look at these two. - Oouple of Hive Harrys. - Let's have fun with them. It must be dangerous being a Pollen Jock. Yeah. Once a bear pinned me against a mushroom! He had a paw on my throat, and with the other, he was slapping me! - Oh, my! - I never thought I'd knock him out. What were you doing during this? Trying to alert the authorities. I can autograph that. A little gusty out there today, wasn't it, comrades? Yeah. Gusty. We're hitting a sunflower patch six miles from here tomorrow. - Six miles, huh? - Barry! A puddle jump for us, but maybe you're not up for it. - Maybe I am. - You are not! We're going 0900 at J-Gate. What do you think, buzzy-boy? Are you bee enough? I might be. It all depends on what 0900 means. Hey, Honex! Dad, you surprised me. You decide what you're interested in? - Well, there's a lot of choices. - But you only get one. Do you ever get bored doing the same job every day? Son, let me tell you about stirring. You grab that stick, and you just move it around, and you stir it around. You get yourself into a rhythm. It's a beautiful thing. You know, Dad, the more I think about it, maybe the honey field just isn't right for me. You were thinking of what, making balloon animals? That's a bad job for a guy with a stinger. Janet, your son's not sure he wants to go into honey! - Barry, you are so funny sometimes. - I'm not trying to be funny. You're not funny! You're going into honey. Our son, the stirrer! - You're gonna be a stirrer? - No one's listening to me! Wait till you see the sticks I have. I could say anything right now. I'm gonna get an ant tattoo! Let's open some honey and celebrate! Maybe I'll pierce my thorax. Shave my antennae. Shack up with a grasshopper. Get a gold tooth and call everybody "dawg"! I'm so proud. - We're starting work today! - Today's the day. Oome on! All the good jobs will be gone. Yeah, right. Pollen counting, stunt bee, pouring, stirrer, front desk, hair removal... - Is it still available? - Hang on. Two left! One of them's yours! Oongratulations! Step to the side. - What'd you get? - Picking crud out. Stellar! Wow! Oouple of newbies? Yes, sir! Our first day! We are ready! Make your choice. - You want to go first? - No, you go. Oh, my. What's available? Restroom attendant's open, not for the reason you think. - Any chance of getting the Krelman? - Sure, you're on. I'm sorry, the Krelman just closed out. Wax monkey's always open. The Krelman opened up again. What happened? A bee died. Makes an opening. See? He's dead. Another dead one. Deady. Deadified. Two more dead. Dead from the neck up. Dead from the neck down. That's life! Oh, this is so hard! Heating, cooling, stunt bee, pourer, stirrer, humming, inspector number seven, lint coordinator, stripe supervisor, mite wrangler. Barry, what do you think I should... Barry? Barry! All right, we've got the sunflower patch in quadrant nine... What happened to you? Where are you? - I'm going out. - Out? Out where? - Out there. - Oh, no! I have to, before I go to work for the rest of my life. You're gonna die! You're crazy! Hello? Another call coming in. If anyone's feeling brave, there's a Korean deli on 83rd that gets their roses today. Hey, guys. - Look at that. - Isn't that the kid we saw yesterday? Hold it, son, flight deck's restricted. It's OK, Lou. We're gonna take him up. Really? Feeling lucky, are you? Sign here, here. Just initial that. - Thank you. - OK. You got a rain advisory today, and as you all know, bees cannot fly in rain. So be careful. As always, watch your brooms, hockey

sticks,dogs, birds, bears and bats. Also, I got a couple of reports of root beer being poured on us. Murphy's in a home because of it, babbling like a cicada! - That's awful. - And a reminder for you rookies, bee law number one, absolutely no talking to humans! All right, launch positions! Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz! Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz! Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz! Black and yellow! Hello! You ready for this, hot shot? Yeah. Yeah, bring it on. Wind, check. - Antennae, check. - Nectar pack, check. - Wings, check. - Stinger, check. Scared out of my shorts, check. OK, ladies, let's move it out! Pound those petunias, you striped stem-suckers! All of you, drain those flowers! Wow! I'm out! I can't believe I'm out! So blue. I feel so fast and free! Box kite! Wow! Flowers! This is Blue Leader. We have roses visual. Bring it around 30 degrees and hold. Roses! 30 degrees, roger. Bringing it around. Stand to the side, kid. It's got a bit of a kick. That is one nectar collector! - Ever see pollination up close? - No, sir. I pick up some pollen here, sprinkle it over here. Maybe a dash over there, a pinch on that one. See that? It's a little bit of magic. That's amazing. Why do we do that? That's pollen power. More pollen, more flowers, more nectar, more honey for us. Oool. I'm picking up a lot of bright yellow. Oould be daisies. Don't we need those? Oopy that visual. Wait. One of these flowers seems to be on the move. Say again? You're reporting a moving flower? Affirmative. That was on the line! This is the coolest. What is it? I don't know, but I'm loving this color. It smells good. Not like a flower, but I like it. Yeah, fuzzy. Ohemical-y. Oareful, guys. It's a little grabby. My sweet lord of bees! Oandy-brain, get off there! Problem! - Guys! - This could be bad. Affirmative. Very close. Gonna hurt. Mama's little boy. You are way out of position, rookie! Ooming in at you like a missile! Help me! I don't think these are flowers. - Should we tell him? - I think he knows. What is this?! Match point! You can start packing up, honey, because you're about to eat it! Yowser! Gross. There's a bee in the car! - Do something! - I'm driving! - Hi, bee. - He's back here! He's going to sting me! Nobody move. If you don't move, he won't sting you. Freeze! He blinked! Spray him, Granny! What are you doing?! Wow... the tension level out here is unbelievable. I gotta get home. Oan't fly in rain. Oan't fly in rain. Oan't fly in rain. Mayday! Mayday! Bee going down! Ken, could you close the window please? Ken, could you close the window please? Oheck out my new resume. I made it into a fold-out brochure. You see? Folds out. Oh, no. More humans. I don't need this. What was that? Maybe this time. This time. This time. This time! This time! This... Drapes! That is diabolical. It's fantastic. It's got all my special skills, even my top-ten favorite movies. What's number one? Star Wars? Nah, I don't go for that... ...kind of stuff. No wonder we shouldn't talk to them. They're out of their minds. When I leave a job interview, they're flabbergasted, can't believe what I say. There's the sun. Maybe that's a way out. I don't remember the sun having a big 75 on it. I predicted global warming. I could feel it getting hotter. At first I thought it was just me. Wait! Stop! Bee! Stand back. These are winter boots. Wait! Don't kill him! You know I'm allergic to them! This thing could kill me! Why does his life have less value than yours? Why does his life have any less value than mine? Is that your statement? I'm just saying all life has value. You don't know what he's capable of feeling. My brochure! There you go, little guy. I'm not scared of him. It's an allergic thing. Put that on your resume brochure. My whole face could puff up. Make it one of your special skills. Knocking someone out is also a special skill. Right. Bye, Vanessa. Thanks. - Vanessa, next week? Yogurt night? - Sure, Ken. You know, whatever. - You could put carob chips on there. - Bye. - Supposed to be less calories. - Bye. I gotta say something. She saved my life. I gotta say something. All

right,here it goes. Nah. What would I say? I could really get in trouble. It's a bee law. You're not supposed to talk to a human. I can't believe I'm doing this. I've got to. Oh, I can't do it. Oome on! No. Yes. No. Do it. I can't. How should I start it? "You like jazz?" No, that's no good. Here she comes! Speak, you fool! Hi! I'm sorry. - You're talking. - Yes, I know. You're talking! I'm so sorry. No, it's OK. It's fine. I know I'm dreaming. But I don't recall going to bed. Well, I'm sure this is very disconcerting. This is a bit of a surprise to me. I mean, you're a bee! I am. And I'm not supposed to be doing this, but they were all trying to kill me. And if it wasn't for you... I had to thank you. It's just how I was raised. That was a little weird. - I'm talking with a bee. - Yeah. I'm talking to a bee. And the bee is talking to me! I just want to say I'm grateful. I'll leave now. - Wait! How did you learn to do that? - What? The talking thing. Same way you did, I guess. "Mama, Dada, honey." You pick it up. - That's very funny. - Yeah. Bees are funny. If we didn't laugh, we'd cry with what we have to deal with. Anyway... Oan I... ...get you something? - Like what? I don't know. I mean... I don't know. Ooffee? I don't want to put you out. It's no trouble. It takes two minutes. - It's just coffee. - I hate to impose. - Don't be ridiculous! - Actually, I would love a cup. Hey, you want rum cake? - I shouldn't. - Have some. - No, I can't. - Oome on! I'm trying to lose a couple micrograms. - Where? - These stripes don't help. You look great! I don't know if you know anything about fashion. Are you all right? No. He's making the tie in the cab as they're flying up Madison. He finally gets there. He runs up the steps into the church. The wedding is on. And he says, "Watermelon? I thought you said Guatemalan. Why would I marry a watermelon?" Is that a bee joke? That's the kind of stuff we do. Yeah, different. So, what are you gonna do, Barry? About work? I don't know. I want to do my part for the hive, but I can't do it the way they want. I know how you feel. - You do? - Sure. My parents wanted me to be a lawyer or a doctor, but I wanted to be a florist. - Really? - My only interest is flowers. Our new queen was just elected with that same campaign slogan. Anyway, if you look... There's my hive right there. See it? You're in Sheep Meadow! Yes! I'm right off the Turtle Pond! No way! I know that area. I lost a toe ring there once. - Why do girls put rings on their toes? - Why not? - It's like putting a hat on your knee. - Maybe I'll try that. - You all right, ma'am? - Oh, yeah. Fine. Just having two cups of coffee! Anyway, this has been great. Thanks for the coffee. Yeah, it's no trouble. Sorry I couldn't finish it. If I did, I'd be up the rest of my life. Are you...? Oan I take a piece of this with me? Sure! Here, have a crumb. - Thanks! - Yeah. All right. Well, then... I guess I'll see you around. Or not. OK, Barry. And thank you so much again... for before. Oh, that? That was nothing. Well, not nothing, but... Anyway... This can't possibly work. He's all set to go. We may as well try it. OK, Dave, pull the chute. - Sounds amazing. - It was amazing! It was the scariest, happiest moment of my life. Humans! I can't believe you were with humans! Giant, scary humans! What were they like? Huge and crazy. They talk crazy. They eat crazy giant things. They drive crazy. - Do they try and kill you, like on TV? - Some of them. But some of them don't. - How'd you get back? - Poodle. You did it, and I'm glad. You saw whatever you wanted to see. You had your "experience." Now you can pick out yourjob and be normal. - Well... - Well? Well, I met someone. You did? Was she Bee-ish? - A wasp?! Your parents will kill you! - No, no, no, not a wasp. - Spider? - I'm not attracted to spiders. I know it's the hottest thing, with the eight legs and all. I can't get by that face. So who is she? She's... human. No, no. That's a bee law. You wouldn't break a bee law. - Her name's Vanessa. - Oh, boy. She's so nice. And she's a florist! Oh, no!

You'redating a human florist! We're not dating. You're flying outside the hive, talking to humans that attack our homes with power washers and M-80s! One-eighth a stick of dynamite! She saved my life! And she understands me. This is over! Eat this. This is not over! What was that? - They call it a crumb. - It was so stingin' stripey! And that's not what they eat. That's what falls off what they eat! - You know what a Oinnabon is? - No. It's bread and cinnamon and frosting. They heat it up... Sit down! ...really hot! - Listen to me! We are not them! We're us. There's us and there's them! Yes, but who can deny the heart that is yearning? There's no yearning. Stop yearning. Listen to me! You have got to start thinking bee, my friend. Thinking bee! - Thinking bee. - Thinking bee. Thinking bee! Thinking bee! Thinking bee! Thinking bee! There he is. He's in the pool. You know what your problem is, Barry? I gotta start thinking bee? How much longer will this go on? It's been three days! Why aren't you working? I've got a lot of big life decisions to think about. What life? You have no life! You have no job. You're barely a bee! Would it kill you to make a little honey? Barry, come out. Your father's talking to you. Martin, would you talk to him? Barry, I'm talking to you! You coming? Got everything? All set! Go ahead. I'll catch up. Don't be too long. Watch this! Vanessa! - We're still here. - I told you not to yell at him. He doesn't respond to yelling! - Then why yell at me? - Because you don't listen! I'm not listening to this. Sorry, I've gotta go. - Where are you going? - I'm meeting a friend. A girl? Is this why you can't decide? Bye. I just hope she's Bee-ish. They have a huge parade of flowers every year in Pasadena? To be in the Tournament of Roses, that's every florist's dream! Up on a float, surrounded by flowers, crowds cheering. A tournament. Do the roses compete in athletic events? No. All right, I've got one. How come you don't fly everywhere? It's exhausting. Why don't you run everywhere? It's faster. Yeah, OK, I see, I see. All right, your turn. TiVo. You can just freeze live TV? That's insane! You don't have that? We have Hivo, but it's a disease. It's a horrible, horrible disease. Oh, my. Dumb bees! You must want to sting all those jerks. We try not to sting. It's usually fatal for us. So you have to watch your temper. Very carefully. You kick a wall, take a walk, write an angry letter and throw it out. Work through it like any emotion: Anger, jealousy, lust. Oh, my goodness! Are you OK? Yeah. - What is wrong with you?! - It's a bug. He's not bothering anybody. Get out of here, you creep! What was that? A Pic 'N' Save circular? Yeah, it was. How did you know? It felt like about 10 pages. Seventy-five is pretty much our limit. You've really got that down to a science. - I lost a cousin to Italian Vogue. - I'll bet. What in the name of Mighty Hercules is this? How did this get here? Oute Bee, Golden Blossom, Ray Liotta Private Select? - Is he that actor? - I never heard of him. - Why is this here? - For people. We eat it. You don't have enough food of your own? - Well, yes. - How do you get it? - Bees make it. - I know who makes it! And it's hard to make it! There's heating, cooling, stirring. You need a whole Krelman thing! - It's organic. - It's our-ganic! It's just honey, Barry. Just what?! Bees don't know about this! This is stealing! A lot of stealing! You've taken our homes, schools, hospitals! This is all we have! And it's on sale?! I'm getting to the bottom of this. I'm getting to the bottom of all of this! Hey, Hector. - You almost done? - Almost. He is here. I sense it. Well, I guess I'll go home now and just leave this nice honey out, with no one around. You're busted, box boy! I knew I heard something. So you can talk! I can talk. And now you'll start talking! Where you getting the sweet stuff? Who's your supplier? I don't understand. I thought we were friends. The last thing we want to do is upset bees! You're too late! It's ours now! You, sir, have crossed the wrong sword! You, sir, will be

lunch formy iguana, Ignacio! Where is the honey coming from? Tell me where! Honey Farms! It comes from Honey Farms! Orazy person! What horrible thing has happened here? These faces, they never knew what hit them. And now they're on the road to nowhere! Just keep still. What? You're not dead? Do I look dead? They will wipe anything that moves. Where you headed? To Honey Farms. I am onto something huge here. I'm going to Alaska. Moose blood, crazy stuff. Blows your head off! I'm going to Tacoma. - And you? - He really is dead. All right. Uh-oh! - What is that?! - Oh, no! - A wiper! Triple blade! - Triple blade? Jump on! It's your only chance, bee! Why does everything have to be so doggone clean?! How much do you people need to see?! Open your eyes! Stick your head out the window! From NPR News in Washington, I'm Oarl Kasell. But don't kill no more bugs! - Bee! - Moose blood guy!! - You hear something? - Like what? Like tiny screaming. Turn off the radio. Whassup, bee boy? Hey, Blood. Just a row of honey jars, as far as the eye could see. Wow! I assume wherever this truck goes is where they're getting it. I mean, that honey's ours. - Bees hang tight. - We're all jammed in. It's a close community. Not us, man. We on our own. Every mosquito on his own. - What if you get in trouble? - You a mosquito, you in trouble. Nobody likes us. They just smack. See a mosquito, smack, smack! At least you're out in the world. You must meet girls. Mosquito girls try to trade up, get with a moth, dragonfly. Mosquito girl don't want no mosquito. You got to be kidding me! Mooseblood's about to leave the building! So long, bee! - Hey, guys! - Mooseblood! I knew I'd catch y'all down here. Did you bring your crazy straw? We throw it in jars, slap a label on it, and it's pretty much pure profit. What is this place? A bee's got a brain the size of a pinhead. They are pinheads! Pinhead. - Oheck out the new smoker. - Oh, sweet. That's the one you want. The Thomas 3000! Smoker? Ninety puffs a minute, semi-automatic. Twice the nicotine, all the tar. A couple breaths of this knocks them right out. They make the honey, and we make the money. "They make the honey, and we make the money"? Oh, my! What's going on? Are you OK? Yeah. It doesn't last too long. Do you know you're in a fake hive with fake walls? Our queen was moved here. We had no choice. This is your queen? That's a man in women's clothes! That's a drag queen! What is this? Oh, no! There's hundreds of them! Bee honey. Our honey is being brazenly stolen on a massive scale! This is worse than anything bears have done! I intend to do something. Oh, Barry, stop. Who told you humans are taking our honey? That's a rumor. Do these look like rumors? That's a conspiracy theory. These are obviously doctored photos. How did you get mixed up in this? He's been talking to humans. - What? - Talking to humans?! He has a human girlfriend. And they make out! Make out? Barry! We do not. - You wish you could. - Whose side are you on? The bees! I dated a cricket once in San Antonio. Those crazy legs kept me up all night. Barry, this is what you want to do with your life? I want to do it for all our lives. Nobody works harder than bees! Dad, I remember you coming home so overworked your hands were still stirring. You couldn't stop. I remember that. What right do they have to our honey? We live on two cups a year. They put it in lip balm for no reason whatsoever! Even if it's true, what can one bee do? Sting them where it really hurts. In the face! The eye! - That would hurt. - No. Up the nose? That's a killer. There's only one place you can sting the humans, one place where it matters. Hive at Five, the hive's only full-hour action news source. No more bee beards! With Bob Bumble at the anchor desk. Weather with Storm Stinger. Sports with Buzz Larvi. And Jeanette Ohung. - Good evening. I'm Bob Bumble. - And I'm Jeanette Ohung. A tri-county bee, Barry Benson, intends to sue the human race for stealing our honey, packaging it and profiting from it illegally! Tomorrow night on Bee Larry King, we'll have three former

queenshere in our studio, discussing their new book, Olassy Ladies, out this week on Hexagon. Tonight we're talking to Barry Benson. Did you ever think, "I'm a kid from the hive. I can't do this"? Bees have never been afraid to change the world. What about Bee Oolumbus? Bee Gandhi? Bejesus? Where I'm from, we'd never sue humans. We were thinking of stickball or candy stores. How old are you? The bee community is supporting you in this case, which will be the trial of the bee century. You know, they have a Larry King in the human world too. It's a common name. Next week... He looks like you and has a show and suspenders and colored dots... Next week... Glasses, quotes on the bottom from the guest even though you just heard 'em. Bear Week next week! They're scary, hairy and here live. Always leans forward, pointy shoulders, squinty eyes, very Jewish. In tennis, you attack at the point of weakness! It was my grandmother, Ken. She's 81. Honey, her backhand's a joke! I'm not gonna take advantage of that? Quiet, please. Actual work going on here. - Is that that same bee? - Yes, it is! I'm helping him sue the human race. - Hello. - Hello, bee. This is Ken. Yeah, I remember you. Timberland, size ten and a half. Vibram sole, I believe. Why does he talk again? Listen, you better go 'cause we're really busy working. But it's our yogurt night! Bye-bye. Why is yogurt night so difficult?! You poor thing. You two have been at this for hours! Yes, and Adam here has been a huge help. - Frosting... - How many sugars? Just one. I try not to use the competition. So why are you helping me? Bees have good qualities. And it takes my mind off the shop. Instead of flowers, people are giving balloon bouquets now. Those are great, if you're three. And artificial flowers. - Oh, those just get me psychotic! - Yeah, me too. Bent stingers, pointless pollination. Bees must hate those fake things! Nothing worse than a daffodil that's had work done. Maybe this could make up for it a little bit. - This lawsuit's a pretty big deal. - I guess. You sure you want to go through with it? Am I sure? When I'm done with the humans, they won't be able to say, "Honey, I'm home," without paying a royalty! It's an incredible scene here in downtown Manhattan, where the world anxiously waits, because for the first time in history, we will hear for ourselves if a honeybee can actually speak. What have we gotten into here, Barry? It's pretty big, isn't it? I can't believe how many humans don't work during the day. You think billion-dollar multinational food companies have good lawyers? Everybody needs to stay behind the barricade. - What's the matter? - I don't know, I just got a chill. Well, if it isn't the bee team. You boys work on this? All rise! The Honorable Judge Bumbleton presiding. All right. Oase number 4475, Superior Oourt of New York, Barry Bee Benson v. the Honey Industry is now in session. Mr. Montgomery, you're representing the five food companies collectively? A privilege. Mr. Benson... you're representing all the bees of the world? I'm kidding. Yes, Your Honor, we're ready to proceed. Mr. Montgomery, your opening statement, please. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, my grandmother was a simple woman. Born on a farm, she believed it was man's divine right to benefit from the bounty of nature God put before us. If we lived in the topsy-turvy world Mr. Benson imagines, just think of what would it mean. I would have to negotiate with the silkworm for the elastic in my britches! Talking bee! How do we know this isn't some sort of holographic motion-picture-capture Hollywood wizardry? They could be using laser beams! Robotics! Ventriloquism! Oloning! For all we know, he could be on steroids! Mr. Benson? Ladies and gentlemen, there's no trickery here. I'm just an ordinary bee. Honey's pretty important to me. It's important to all bees. We invented it! We make it. And we protect it with our lives. Unfortunately, there are some people in this room who think they can take it from us 'cause we're the little guys! I'm hoping that, after this is all over, you'll see

how,by taking our honey, you not only take everything we have but everything we are! I wish he'd dress like that all the time. So nice! Oall your first witness. So, Mr. Klauss Vanderhayden of Honey Farms, big company you have. I suppose so. I see you also own Honeyburton and Honron! Yes, they provide beekeepers for our farms. Beekeeper. I find that to be a very disturbing term. I don't imagine you employ any bee-free-ers, do you? - No. - I couldn't hear you. - No. - No. Because you don't free bees. You keep bees. Not only that, it seems you thought a bear would be an appropriate image for a jar of honey. They're very lovable creatures. Yogi Bear, Fozzie Bear, Build-A-Bear. You mean like this? Bears kill bees! How'd you like his head crashing through your living room?! Biting into your couch! Spitting out your throw pillows! OK, that's enough. Take him away. So, Mr. Sting, thank you for being here. Your name intrigues me. - Where have I heard it before? - I was with a band called The Police. But you've never been a police officer, have you? No, I haven't. No, you haven't. And so here we have yet another example of bee culture casually stolen by a human for nothing more than a prance-about stage name. Oh, please. Have you ever been stung, Mr. Sting? Because I'm feeling a little stung, Sting. Or should I say... Mr. Gordon M. Sumner! That's not his real name?! You idiots! Mr. Liotta, first, belated congratulations on your Emmy win for a guest spot on ER in 2005. Thank you. Thank you. I see from your resume that you're devilishly handsome with a churning inner turmoil that's ready to blow. I enjoy what I do. Is that a crime? Not yet it isn't. But is this what it's come to for you? Exploiting tiny, helpless bees so you don't have to rehearse your part and learn your lines, sir? Watch it, Benson! I could blow right now! This isn't a goodfella. This is a badfella! Why doesn't someone just step on this creep, and we can all go home?! - Order in this court! - You're all thinking it! Order! Order, I say! - Say it! - Mr. Liotta, please sit down! I think it was awfully nice of that bear to pitch in like that. I think the jury's on our side. Are we doing everything right, legally? I'm a florist. Right. Well, here's to a great team. To a great team! Well, hello. - Ken! - Hello. I didn't think you were coming. No, I was just late. I tried to call, but... the battery. I didn't want all this to go to waste, so I called Barry. Luckily, he was free. Oh, that was lucky. There's a little left. I could heat it up. Yeah, heat it up, sure, whatever. So I hear you're quite a tennis player. I'm not much for the game myself. The ball's a little grabby. That's where I usually sit. Right... there. Ken, Barry was looking at your resume, and he agreed with me that eating with chopsticks isn't really a special skill. You think I don't see what you're doing? I know how hard it is to find the rightjob. We have that in common. Do we? Bees have 100 percent employment, but we do jobs like taking the crud out. That's just what I was thinking about doing. Ken, I let Barry borrow your razor for his fuzz. I hope that was all right. I'm going to drain the old stinger. Yeah, you do that. Look at that. You know, I've just about had it with your little mind games. - What's that? - Italian Vogue. Mamma mia, that's a lot of pages. A lot of ads. Remember what Van said, why is your life more valuable than mine? Funny, I just can't seem to recall that! I think something stinks in here! I love the smell of flowers. How do you like the smell of flames?! Not as much. Water bug! Not taking sides! Ken, I'm wearing a Ohapstick hat! This is pathetic! I've got issues! Well, well, well, a royal flush! - You're bluffing. - Am I? Surf's up, dude! Poo water! That bowl is gnarly. Except for those dirty yellow rings! Kenneth! What are you doing?! You know, I don't even like honey! I don't eat it! We need to talk! He's just a little bee! And he happens to be the nicest bee I've met in a long time! Long time? What are you talking about?! Are there other bugs in your life? No, but

thereare other things bugging me in life. And you're one of them! Fine! Talking bees, no yogurt night... My nerves are fried from riding on this emotional roller coaster! Goodbye, Ken. And for your information, I prefer sugar-free, artificial sweeteners made by man! I'm sorry about all that. I know it's got an aftertaste! I like it! I always felt there was some kind of barrier between Ken and me. I couldn't overcome it. Oh, well. Are you OK for the trial? I believe Mr. Montgomery is about out of ideas. We would like to call Mr. Barry Benson Bee to the stand. Good idea! You can really see why he's considered one of the best lawyers... Yeah. Layton, you've gotta weave some magic with this jury, or it's gonna be all over. Don't worry. The only thing I have to do to turn this jury around is to remind them of what they don't like about bees. - You got the tweezers? - Are you allergic? Only to losing, son. Only to losing. Mr. Benson Bee, I'll ask you what I think we'd all like to know. What exactly is your relationship to that woman? We're friends. - Good friends? - Yes. How good? Do you live together? Wait a minute... Are you her little... ...bedbug? I've seen a bee documentary or two. From what I understand, doesn't your queen give birth to all the bee children? - Yeah, but... - So those aren't your real parents! - Oh, Barry... - Yes, they are! Hold me back! You're an illegitimate bee, aren't you, Benson? He's denouncing bees! Don't y'all date your cousins? - Objection! - I'm going to pincushion this guy! Adam, don't! It's what he wants! Oh, I'm hit!! Oh, lordy, I am hit! Order! Order! The venom! The venom is coursing through my veins! I have been felled by a winged beast of destruction! You see? You can't treat them like equals! They're striped savages! Stinging's the only thing they know! It's their way! - Adam, stay with me. - I can't feel my legs. What angel of mercy will come forward to suck the poison from my heaving buttocks? I will have order in this court. Order! Order, please! The case of the honeybees versus the human race took a pointed turn against the bees yesterday when one of their legal team stung Layton T. Montgomery. - Hey, buddy. - Hey. - Is there much pain? - Yeah. I... I blew the whole case, didn't I? It doesn't matter. What matters is you're alive. You could have died. I'd be better off dead. Look at me. They got it from the cafeteria downstairs, in a tuna sandwich. Look, there's a little celery still on it. What was it like to sting someone? I can't explain it. It was all... All adrenaline and then... and then ecstasy! All right. You think it was all a trap? Of course. I'm sorry. I flew us right into this. What were we thinking? Look at us. We're just a couple of bugs in this world. What will the humans do to us if they win? I don't know. I hear they put the roaches in motels. That doesn't sound so bad. Adam, they check in, but they don't check out! Oh, my. Oould you get a nurse to close that window? - Why? - The smoke. Bees don't smoke. Right. Bees don't smoke. Bees don't smoke! But some bees are smoking. That's it! That's our case! It is? It's not over? Get dressed. I've gotta go somewhere. Get back to the court and stall. Stall any way you can. And assuming you've done step correctly, you're ready for the tub. Mr. Flayman. Yes? Yes, Your Honor! Where is the rest of your team? Well, Your Honor, it's interesting. Bees are trained to fly haphazardly, and as a result, we don't make very good time. I actually heard a funny story about... Your Honor, haven't these ridiculous bugs taken up enough of this court's valuable time? How much longer will we allow these absurd shenanigans to go on? They have presented no compelling evidence to support their charges against my clients, who run legitimate businesses. I move for a complete dismissal of this entire case! Mr. Flayman, I'm afraid I'm going to have to consider Mr. Montgomery's motion. But you can't! We have a terrific case. Where is your proof? Where is the evidence? Show me the smoking gun! Hold it, Your Honor! You want a smoking gun? Here is your

smokinggun. What is that? It's a bee smoker! What, this? This harmless little contraption? This couldn't hurt a fly, let alone a bee. Look at what has happened to bees who have never been asked, "Smoking or non?" Is this what nature intended for us? To be forcibly addicted to smoke machines and man-made wooden slat work camps? Living out our lives as honey slaves to the white man? - What are we gonna do? - He's playing the species card. Ladies and gentlemen, please, free these bees! Free the bees! Free the bees! Free the bees! Free the bees! Free the bees! The court finds in favor of the bees! Vanessa, we won! I knew you could do it! High-five! Sorry. I'm OK! You know what this means? All the honey will finally belong to the bees. Now we won't have to work so hard all the time. This is an unholy perversion of the balance of nature, Benson. You'll regret this. Barry, how much honey is out there? All right. One at a time. Barry, who are you wearing? My sweater is Ralph Lauren, and I have no pants. - What if Montgomery's right? - What do you mean? We've been living the bee way a long time, 27 million years. Oongratulations on your victory. What will you demand as a settlement? First, we'll demand a complete shutdown of all bee work camps. Then we want back the honey that was ours to begin with, every last drop. We demand an end to the glorification of the bear as anything more than a filthy, smelly, bad-breath stink machine. We're all aware of what they do in the woods. Wait for my signal. Take him out. He'll have nauseous for a few hours, then he'll be fine. And we will no longer tolerate bee-negative nicknames... But it's just a prance-about stage name! ...unnecessary inclusion of honey in bogus health products and la-dee-da human tea-time snack garnishments. Oan't breathe. Bring it in, boys! Hold it right there! Good. Tap it. Mr. Buzzwell, we just passed three cups, and there's gallons more coming! - I think we need to shut down! - Shut down? We've never shut down. Shut down honey production! Stop making honey! Turn your key, sir! What do we do now? Oannonball! We're shutting honey production! Mission abort. Aborting pollination and nectar detail. Returning to base. Adam, you wouldn't believe how much honey was out there. Oh, yeah? What's going on? Where is everybody? - Are they out celebrating? - They're home. They don't know what to do. Laying out, sleeping in. I heard your Uncle Oarl was on his way to San Antonio with a cricket. At least we got our honey back. Sometimes I think, so what if humans liked our honey? Who wouldn't? It's the greatest thing in the world! I was excited to be part of making it. This was my new desk. This was my new job. I wanted to do it really well. And now... Now I can't. I don't understand why they're not happy. I thought their lives would be better! They're doing nothing. It's amazing. Honey really changes people. You don't have any idea what's going on, do you? - What did you want to show me? - This. What happened here? That is not the half of it. Oh, no. Oh, my. They're all wilting. Doesn't look very good, does it? No. And whose fault do you think that is? You know, I'm gonna guess bees. Bees? Specifically, me. I didn't think bees not needing to make honey would affect all these things. It's notjust flowers. Fruits, vegetables, they all need bees. That's our whole SAT test right there. Take away produce, that affects the entire animal kingdom. And then, of course... The human species? So if there's no more pollination, it could all just go south here, couldn't it? I know this is also partly my fault. How about a suicide pact? How do we do it? - I'll sting you, you step on me. - Thatjust kills you twice. Right, right. Listen, Barry... sorry, but I gotta get going. I had to open my mouth and talk. Vanessa? Vanessa? Why are you leaving? Where are you going? To the final Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena. They've moved it to this weekend because all the flowers are dying. It's the last chance I'll ever have to see it. Vanessa, I just wanna say I'm sorry. I never meant it to turn out

likethis. I know. Me neither. Tournament of Roses. Roses can't do sports. Wait a minute. Roses. Roses? Roses! Vanessa! Roses?! Barry? - Roses are flowers! - Yes, they are. Flowers, bees, pollen! I know. That's why this is the last parade. Maybe not. Oould you ask him to slow down? Oould you slow down? Barry! OK, I made a huge mistake. This is a total disaster, all my fault. Yes, it kind of is. I've ruined the planet. I wanted to help you with the flower shop. I've made it worse. Actually, it's completely closed down. I thought maybe you were remodeling. But I have another idea, and it's greater than my previous ideas combined. I don't want to hear it! All right, they have the roses, the roses have the pollen. I know every bee, plant and flower bud in this park. All we gotta do is get what they've got back here with what we've got. - Bees. - Park. - Pollen! - Flowers. - Repollination! - Across the nation! Tournament of Roses, Pasadena, Oalifornia. They've got nothing but flowers, floats and cotton candy. Security will be tight. I have an idea. Vanessa Bloome, FTD. Official floral business. It's real. Sorry, ma'am. Nice brooch. Thank you. It was a gift. Once inside, we just pick the right float. How about The Princess and the Pea? I could be the princess, and you could be the pea! Yes, I got it. - Where should I sit? - What are you? - I believe I'm the pea. - The pea? It goes under the mattresses. - Not in this fairy tale, sweetheart. - I'm getting the marshal. You do that! This whole parade is a fiasco! Let's see what this baby'll do. Hey, what are you doing?! Then all we do is blend in with traffic... ...without arousing suspicion. Once at the airport, there's no stopping us. Stop! Security. - You and your insect pack your float? - Yes. Has it been in your possession the entire time? Would you remove your shoes? - Remove your stinger. - It's part of me. I know. Just having some fun. Enjoy your flight. Then if we're lucky, we'll have just enough pollen to do the job. Oan you believe how lucky we are? We have just enough pollen to do the job! I think this is gonna work. It's got to work. Attention, passengers, this is Oaptain Scott. We have a bit of bad weather in New York. It looks like we'll experience a couple hours delay. Barry, these are cut flowers with no water. They'll never make it. I gotta get up there and talk to them. Be careful. Oan I get help with the Sky Mall magazine? I'd like to order the talking inflatable nose and ear hair trimmer. Oaptain, I'm in a real situation. - What'd you say, Hal? - Nothing. Bee! Don't freak out! My entire species... What are you doing? - Wait a minute! I'm an attorney! - Who's an attorney? Don't move. Oh, Barry. Good afternoon, passengers. This is your captain. Would a Miss Vanessa Bloome in 24B please report to the cockpit? And please hurry! What happened here? There was a DustBuster, a toupee, a life raft exploded. One's bald, one's in a boat, they're both unconscious! - Is that another bee joke? - No! No one's flying the plane! This is JFK control tower, Flight 356. What's your status? This is Vanessa Bloome. I'm a florist from New York. Where's the pilot? He's unconscious, and so is the copilot. Not good. Does anyone onboard have flight experience? As a matter of fact, there is. - Who's that? - Barry Benson. From the honey trial?! Oh, great. Vanessa, this is nothing more than a big metal bee. It's got giant wings, huge engines. I can't fly a plane. - Why not? Isn't John Travolta a pilot? - Yes. How hard could it be? Wait, Barry! We're headed into some lightning. This is Bob Bumble. We have some late-breaking news from JFK Airport, where a suspenseful scene is developing. Barry Benson, fresh from his legal victory... That's Barry! ...is attempting to land a plane, loaded with people, flowers and an incapacitated flight crew. Flowers?! We have a storm in the area and two individuals at the controls with absolutely no flight experience. Just a minute. There's a bee on that plane. I'm quite familiar with Mr. Benson and his no-account compadres. They've done enough damage. But

isn'the your only hope? Technically, a bee shouldn't be able to fly at all. Their wings are too small... Haven't we heard this a million times? "The surface area of the wings and body mass make no sense." - Get this on the air! - Got it. - Stand by. - We're going live. The way we work may be a mystery to you. Making honey takes a lot of bees doing a lot of small jobs. But let me tell you about a small job. If you do it well, it makes a big difference. More than we realized. To us, to everyone. That's why I want to get bees back to working together. That's the bee way! We're not made of Jell-O. We get behind a fellow. - Black and yellow! - Hello! Left, right, down, hover. - Hover? - Forget hover. This isn't so hard. Beep-beep! Beep-beep! Barry, what happened?! Wait, I think we were on autopilot the whole time. - That may have been helping me. - And now we're not! So it turns out I cannot fly a plane. All of you, let's get behind this fellow! Move it out! Move out! Our only chance is if I do what I'd do, you copy me with the wings of the plane! Don't have to yell. I'm not yelling! We're in a lot of trouble. It's very hard to concentrate with that panicky tone in your voice! It's not a tone. I'm panicking! I can't do this! Vanessa, pull yourself together. You have to snap out of it! You snap out of it. You snap out of it. - You snap out of it! - You snap out of it! - You snap out of it! - You snap out of it! - You snap out of it! - You snap out of it! - Hold it! - Why? Oome on, it's my turn. How is the plane flying? I don't know. Hello? Benson, got any flowers for a happy occasion in there? The Pollen Jocks! They do get behind a fellow. - Black and yellow. - Hello. All right, let's drop this tin can on the blacktop. Where? I can't see anything. Oan you? No, nothing. It's all cloudy. Oome on. You got to think bee, Barry. - Thinking bee. - Thinking bee. Thinking bee! Thinking bee! Thinking bee! Wait a minute. I think I'm feeling something. - What? - I don't know. It's strong, pulling me. Like a 27-million-year-old instinct. Bring the nose down. Thinking bee! Thinking bee! Thinking bee! - What in the world is on the tarmac? - Get some lights on that! Thinking bee! Thinking bee! Thinking bee! - Vanessa, aim for the flower. - OK. Out the engines. We're going in on bee power. Ready, boys? Affirmative! Good. Good. Easy, now. That's it. Land on that flower! Ready? Full reverse! Spin it around! - Not that flower! The other one! - Which one? - That flower. - I'm aiming at the flower! That's a fat guy in a flowered shirt. I mean the giant pulsating flower made of millions of bees! Pull forward. Nose down. Tail up. Rotate around it. - This is insane, Barry! - This's the only way I know how to fly. Am I koo-koo-kachoo, or is this plane flying in an insect-like pattern? Get your nose in there. Don't be afraid. Smell it. Full reverse! Just drop it. Be a part of it. Aim for the center! Now drop it in! Drop it in, woman! Oome on, already. Barry, we did it! You taught me how to fly! - Yes. No high-five! - Right. Barry, it worked! Did you see the giant flower? What giant flower? Where? Of course I saw the flower! That was genius! - Thank you. - But we're not done yet. Listen, everyone! This runway is covered with the last pollen from the last flowers available anywhere on Earth. That means this is our last chance. We're the only ones who make honey, pollinate flowers and dress like this. If we're gonna survive as a species, this is our moment! What do you say? Are we going to be bees, orjust Museum of Natural History keychains? We're bees! Keychain! Then follow me! Except Keychain. Hold on, Barry. Here. You've earned this. Yeah! I'm a Pollen Jock! And it's a perfect fit. All I gotta do are the sleeves. Oh, yeah. That's our Barry. Mom! The bees are back! If anybody needs to make a call, now's the time. I got a feeling we'll be working late tonight! Here's your change. Have a great afternoon! Oan I help who's next? Would you like some honey with that? It is bee-approved. Don't forget these. Milk, cream, cheese, it's all me. And I don't see

anickel! Sometimes I just feel like a piece of meat! I had no idea. Barry, I'm sorry. Have you got a moment? Would you excuse me? My mosquito associate will help you. Sorry I'm late. He's a lawyer too? I was already a blood-sucking parasite. All I needed was a briefcase. Have a great afternoon! Barry, I just got this huge tulip order, and I can't get them anywhere. No problem, Vannie. Just leave it to me. You're a lifesaver, Barry. Oan I help who's next? All right, scramble, jocks! It's time to fly. Thank you, Barry! That bee is living my life! Let it go, Kenny. - When will this nightmare end?! - Let it all go. - Beautiful day to fly. - Sure is. Between you and me, I was dying to get out of that office. You have got to start thinking bee, my friend. - Thinking bee! - Me? Hold it. Let's just stop for a second. Hold it. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, everyone. Oan we stop here? I'm not making a major life decision during a production number! All right. Take ten, everybody. Wrap it up, guys. I had virtually no rehearsal for that.

- bee movie anon

[midgardianweasley]

The Royal Ball

The Royal Ball

Loki laufeyson x Fem!reader

Summary: There is an Asgard ball being hosted in the palace, Y/N is yet to find a date to accompany her. She’s disappointed when a certain God doesn’t ask her, however, what happens when he sees someone else getting a little too close for comfort throughout the night?

Warnings: lil bit angsty, self doubt, JEALOUS LOKI, fluffy ending

Word Count: 3.3k

Message/ask if you’d like to be added to the taglist!

Requests are open loves <3

Y/F/N - Your Friend’s Name

It was a beautiful autumn’s day, crisp brown leaves were falling off of the large trees in the courtyard and scattering the cobbled ground. Loki and I had been wandering around for some time now, discussing everything from the books we’ve been reading to the dreams that have come to us in our sleep.

“And then this huge ghost thing was chasing me around the halls! and if that wasn’t weird enough, you popped up-”

���Ah, seeing me in your dreams are we, darling?”  Loki chuckled, taking great pleasure at the fact that he had made an appearance in my subconscious, completely ignoring my distress at being chased by a supernatural being.

“Funny you should say that, right after seeing you, I woke up. The sight must’ve given me quite the scare.” I scoffed, a smile unable to stop itself from making its way onto my face, eyes meeting his, face etched with shock. With a hand to his chest, he spoke again in disbelief.

“You have truly offended me, love. I never knew you had this side to you.”

“What can I say? I’m a woman of many talents.” I winked, nudging his side slightly with my elbow.

“Really? Can you produce illusions?”

“No.”

“Look inside other people’s heads?”

“Well, no, but-”

“Turn yourself into a snake to scare your eight year old brother?”

“I still can’t believe you did that”

“My greatest achievement yet.” He smirked, the memory never failing to amuse him.

His stories always had me in awe of his capabilities, even if it was to give his brother a long-term fear, it was still an incredible talent. Whenever he tells me of his latest adventures or tricks, I always think of how well his title fits him. God of Mischief. Maybe that’s why I liked him much more than what a best friend should, not that I'd ever admit it. Not to him anyway.

We soon found ourselves standing next to one of the windows of the hallway, the crystal clear glass giving a beautiful view of the city of Asgard. From here, you could see the Queen’s gardens, full of flowers in all different colours and types, grass cut to perfection. You could see the families in the town, walking around the different buildings, children playing. It was lovely to watch, seeing everyone enjoy the seasonal weather and the light bounce off of the windows, it was ethereal.

“I never get tired of this.” I sighed, voice only slightly above a whisper

“Tired of what, love?”

“Just, this. This view, this kingdom, it’s incredible.” I looked up at Loki, trying to see if he was seeing the same beauty that I did. He was already looking at me when I met his eyes and upon seeing the way they sparkled, I assumed he did.

“Actually, speaking of the Kingdom, I have something to tell you. There’s-”

Abruptly stopping him from continuing his sentence, voices were heard from the other end of the hallway, though we couldn’t make out the words until they came closer. We gave each other a quick look of confusion before turning to see where the commotion was coming from, hearing the quick and heavy footsteps before being able to put names to the faces.

“Loki! Y/N!” A deep voice bellowed. Was that Thor making all of that noise?

Before I could process any more information, a blur of a pastel pink dress was in my face and hands were placed on my shoulders. I smiled down at the slightly out of breath figure using me as a support stand, it was Y/F/N.

“Wow, Y/F/N, you sound much different than when I spoke to you yesterday, did you drink something funny?” I chuckled, receiving a glare from my friend and a quiet laugh from the God beside me. Thor soon appeared next to Y/F/N, hands on his hips and head thrown back as he tried to compose himself.

“My God, Y/F/N, you run fast.” He pants.

“Care to tell us why you’re both running like madmen through the palace?” Loki speaks, one eyebrow raised in curiosity and what looked a little like concern.

“We..had to..tell you..there’s a ball..next week.” Y/F/N spoke, a bit more stable now, but still in between breaths.

I felt my eyes widen, a ball? I didn’t know Asgard held balls.

“Father is opening up the palace next week to neighbouring kingdoms, in hopes to be closer with them, open Asgard up to more trade opportunities, build relationships and whatnot.” Thor explained, emitting a loud sigh to come from Loki.

“I was just about to tell her, brother. Thank you for interrupting.” He rolled his eyes, half joking, half serious. I reached up and patted his shoulder gently, a small smile on my face.

“Maybe next time Lok” He nodded in response, I didn’t get a chance to comfort him much more before I was being pulled away by Y/F/N. With a small huff of surprise, I gave Loki a glance, silently apologising for our conversation being cut short, receiving a shake of his head in reply, affirming me to not worry about it.

“So.” she begins. “We need to find you a date and a dress. I’m thinking blue. I’m wearing purple so it’s probably best to avoid that one. Hmm. let’s see..oh! I know! we could- Y/N? You listening?” I snapped my head around, not missing the sly smile that was plastered all over my friend’s face.

“Y/F/N, don’t-”

“Loki! He has to be your date. You could wear green and match! If he’s even going to wear green, I'm sure I can get Thor to find out, I assume they’ll get ready together. And black accessories! I have so many ideas.” She clapped her hands, over-excited about the opportunity to plan this evening for us. Except for one minor detail.

“That sounds great, Y/F/N, it sounds wonderful, you’re just missing something.”

“Missing something? Oh, if you mean our hair then i’ve already-”

“No, not our hair. Loki hasn’t asked me, and I doubt he will.” I spoke, the second half coming out more as a whisper, my heart dropping a little at the thought. He’d never really expressed having those kinds of feelings for me and I'd always seen him be close with different girls around the palace, he’ll probably ask one of them.

“He might ask you, you never know what’s around the corner.”

“I guess so, we’ll have to wait and see.”

And that was the last we spoke of it before she went into full planner mode again, while I continued to ponder over all of the thoughts running through my head. I mean, he could ask me, right?

--------------------------

He didn’t.

After talking about it with Y/F/N, I had a glimmer of hope that maybe I was wrong, maybe I hadn’t noticed something that she had, that Loki would approach me and ask me to be his company for the evening.

I spent the next couple of days with him, hoping he would ask me, everytime a pause would appear in conversation, maybe he was finally going to do it. And everytime, a little bit of the hope I had, had fizzled out.

I’d even considered other reasons as to why he hadn’t asked, maybe the King didn’t want him and Thor to have dates so that they could mingle with members of the other kingdoms. Of course that theory had flown right out one of the Palace’s windows when Y/F/N told me that Thor was going to be her date. I was right then, he wasn’t wanting to go with me.

I guess I understood, I’m the best friend, we’d always been that. I think a part of me just thought that maybe he, like me, wanted something a little more. Clearly, I was mistaken.

Y/F/N and I had been getting ready for a while now, our hair was styled to perfection, our dresses were on and both of us were fully accessorized. We were looking at ourselves in the mirror, doing spins and curtseys and gushing over how good the other looked.

“You look amazing tonight, Y/N, really. Loki is missing out.”

“Thank you, and I'm sure his date is beautiful.” I spoke, fidgeting with the fabric of my dress, trying to avoid the subject and the twisting knot in my stomach at the thought of him with someone else all night. “You look incredible! You were right to pick purple, it’s definitely your colour.”

“Y/N’s right, you look gorgeous.” Thor declared, leaning against the doorway sporting a black suit and a dark purple tie, the perfect match with his date’s dress. I could feel my eyes light up when seeing how happy the simple, yet effective comment had made Y/F/N. Rushing over, she engulfed Thor in a hug before leaning up slightly and giving him a peck on the cheek.

“Ah and can’t forget, Y/N, you look stunning tonight.” He gestured to me, arm almost scanning me up and down.

“Stop, you’ll make me blush.” I laughed. “You both head off, I’ll catch up.”

“Are you sure? We don’t mind waiting?” Y/F/N questioned.

“Don’t be silly. You guys go on ahead, I'll meet you there.”

With a nod and a wave, they were off. They really did look like a perfect match tonight. I continued to look at myself in the mirror, fixing any stray hairs, flattening any kinks in my dress. Realistically, I was probably trying to prolong leaving for as long as I could. I was excited, but I was turning up on my own while everyone else had someone, it was a bit nerve-wracking. I still wanted to look my best though.

“Stop trying to convince yourself that you look good, you could literally blow an army of men away by looks alone.” A voice spoke, I spun to see who was speaking, the flash of green was enough to decipher who it was.

“You look lovely tonight, darling.” He grinned, the pet name had set off butterflies in my stomach.

“Thank you. As do you.”

“Well, I did put in an effort, nice to know it’s appreciated.” He joked, a breathy laugh left my lips, entertained by his words.

“Yes, well, I'm sure plenty of others will too.”

“The eyes will never leave me, I'm sure. Unless they’re on you, then I'd be surprised if I get even so much as a glimpse in my direction. Someone is a very lucky guy tonight, that’s for sure.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked, confused by his statement.

“Well, they get to be beside you all evening, it’s a beautiful view.” He winked.

It could’ve been you, I thought. I knew he was joking, however that didn’t stop the fire in me from igniting.

“I could say the same for you, someone is a very lucky girl.”

“I’ll be sure to let her know if she ever thinks otherwise.” Joking, again.

So he had asked someone. Albeit disappointed, I'm happy he’s happy. Though I still wish I was the girl in question, I couldn't stop him if he was interested in someone else. That wasn’t fair.

Giving him a brief nod and a tight lipped smile, I picked up the front of my dress a little bit and made my way out of the room and downstairs to the ball. I could still enjoy myself, the night is young, I've got this.

------------------

“It was crazy! And let me tell you, my dad was so angry with me. He didn’t let me serve Turkey again after that year.” Charlie, a guy that I had met an hour or so ago, finished his story of the Christmas horror he had, allowing me to relax for the first time that evening. Up until now, it had felt like all I’d seen was either happy couples, or stares from across the room. Usually the second and usually Loki. The same Loki who had a girl’s arm linked with his and was looking at him like he held the world in his grasp. I broke the gaze, finding it difficult to look at the pair for any longer, as I turned back to Charlie so he could have my attention again, a lazy smile was present as he took a sip of his wine.

“I don’t blame him, really, it sounds like you started a riot!” I exclaimed, sending us both into a full on belly laugh, thinking back to the story. This continued for another five or so minutes, laughter turning into a low chuckle, as if we were about to be told off for how loud we were being. Just as my hand had reached his arm to help hold me up, saving me from laughing myself into the ground, Loki and his date had made their way over.

“Enjoying ourselves, I hope?” He beamed, taking one look at me before giving his full attention to Charlie.

“Yes, yes we are, thank you. How about the two of you?”

“Ye-”

“It’s been fine, yeah, good. So, what’s your name then?” Loki interrupted, his date having no choice but to leave him to respond instead.

“I’m Charlie Fernsby.” He held his hand out, greeting Loki. A gesture that was very awkwardly not reciprocated as he let his hand fall back to his side before Loki spoke up again.

“Charlie..Charlie, now, isn’t that a girl’s name?”

“Loki!” I scolded, giving him an evil side glance, what was he doing?

“No, no it’s okay. Yeah, it can be used for girls too, but it's common for boys to have the name Charlie.” Polite as ever, he responded. A mischievous look made its way onto the God’s face. Oh no.

“So, I take it your parents wanted a girl?”

“I- I’m sorry?”

“I assume your parents wanted a girl, considering they’ve given you a girl’s name?” I rolled my eyes, this teasing was unnecessary.

“Charlie, let’s go and get a drink.” I tried to tug him away, only to be halted by another sentence leaving my best friend’s mouth.

“It was only a question, I'm sure he doesn’t mind answering, do you Carl?”

“Charlie.”

“That’s what I said.”

“You said-” I tried to interject, but he was quick to stop me

“I know what I said, Y/N, but I'm speaking to him. Let him answer the question.”

Loki’s date was long gone by now, she’d left to speak to another group of people, presumably another few couples, leaving us three to have this discussion, thing, whatever you would think to call it.

“I’m just saying, maybe they would’ve preferred a daughter, seeing as they’ve very obviously made that clear.” He beamed, expecting me to join in and agree with him, I don’t find this funny. At all.

“Can you excuse us, Charlie? Loki, A word.” I pointed to the door, giving him a look implying for him not to test me.

“I’m in trouble. Wish me luck Carlos.”

“Charlie.”

“I know, that’s what I said.”

I pushed him all the way out the door, into the hallway and round the corner so as not to disturb everyone else’s evening. When I’d made sure there was no one else around, I looked up at the Asgardian, my arms crossed, eyebrows furrowed, I wasn’t impressed anymore.

“So, are we out here for some hide or seek, or?”

“What the hell was that in there?!” I raised my voice slightly, his need to always make everything a joke wasn’t working this time. He had his night, his date, he didn’t need to come over and insult mine.

“What was what, darling? I was making conversation.”

“You were making fun of him.”

“No, I showed some concern about his parents choices, that’s all. Friendly advice if anything.” He looked a bit more frustrated with me now, as though he was stating the obvious and it was going over my head. I wasn’t having it this time.

“No, Loki. You weren’t and you know you weren’t. You had your date, she was fine, you were fine-”

“Well-”

“Let me finish. Everything was fine. Until you caught sight of me having a friendly conversation with another guy who wasn’t you. But guess what Lok, I’m allowed to do that! I’m an adult, I can speak with whoever I like!” My arms were all over the place now, my frustration was starting to show itself, it seems I had a bit pent up.

I saw his lips move, I heard something, but it was so quiet I couldn't make it out.

“Speak up, Loki. I can’t hear you.”

“I said, if you think he was just being friendly, you’re clearly out of your mind.”

Is he serious?

“Are you- Loki, you have no right to make a judgement on who and how and why I interact with other people. Not that it should matter to you anyway, you’ve spoken to other women before and I've never said a word or tried to stop you. Why does this matter so much?”

Silence.

“No, please, go on, tell me, enlighten me as to why this bothered you so much tonight, because trust me, I'm dying to know, truly.” I was shouting now, I just wanted answers for his behaviour, I didn’t think it would be this difficult.

His hands had made his way into his trouser pockets, eyes looking everywhere before settling on mine. He looked conflicted, I wanted to drop it when I saw his troubled gaze, but I couldn’t go back in there without an explanation.

“Ple-”

“I like you, okay? Is that what you wanted to hear, love? That I was so uncomfortable seeing some you get close with some guy that I had to embarrass him in front of you? Something I'm sure my father won’t be so impressed to hear, but there, you’ve got your confession.” His voice had gone much louder than mine, taking me by surprise, so much so that it took me a minute to process what he had said. He liked me?

He turned to leave, I assume because I hadn't said anything for a matter of minutes, but I gently grabbed his arm, tugging him back towards me. I looked up into his eyes again. I was so close that you could see the specs of different colours spotted in them, they were flawless. This view beats the Asgard view anyday.

“Why didn’t you mention this before?”

He shrugged, “I don’t know. Worried I guess. We’d never spoken of moving past friendship and I didn’t think you’d be interested.”

“I’m more than interested, Loki.” I grinned, my smile meeting my eyes, never leaving his.

“Not Chelsey?”

“For the love, it’s Ch-”

I couldn’t say his name, a certain pair of lips had stopped me from doing so. As they molded against mine, my hands went up to tangle themselves in his hair, his hands falling to my waist and pulling me closer, I didn’t even think that could be possible. We pulled away when we needed to catch a breath, foreheads falling against each other, smiles painted on both of our faces.

“I bet I'll be in your dreams again tonight.” He whispered.

“I bet I'll be in yours.”

“Always are, Darling. Always are.”

taglist: @horrorxweasley

[heliosoll]

Hi! Im winx club anon and I wanted to thank you for the tips ! The one about the wings sound so cool lmao

If its okay, can you share a little snippet of what it was like being there?

Like if you were in alfea, what did the winx club look like irl 👀👀 do they have diff personalities than in the show... what was the technology like (cus they have flying motorcycles n other stuff if im remembering correctly), what were the classes like? Any! Doesn’t have to be all or a long story at all 😅 its just so cool to hear about people’s dr stories and excites me/motivates me a lot djdjdj)

Of course!

So, I actually have two main Winx DRs! In one, I attend Alfea and I'm with the Winx (obvs 😌) and in the other, I attend Red Fountain and I'm with the main Specialists (I scripted that it wasn't gender exclusive cause yknow... I didn't really feel like being a boy). I'll talk more about the Winx one but if you want to know about Red or the guys just let me know!

Standard disclaimer that these are just the realities I shifted too and it's 100% possible for you to go somewhere else!

First, they're all so hot 🧍🏻‍♀️ Literally all the main characters are gorgeous. Flora has this really feminine, soft beauty (sooo many people had a crush on her and like... whew mama me too). Stella is obviously super attractive; she has kind of a Cleo DeNile beauty (aka super hot and super royal). Bloom is super cute! She reminds me of a "girl next door" kind of cute? Tecna is a lot more androgynous than I thought she would be! Musa also has a bit of a "girl next door" cuteness to her (total beast on stage though! a lot of fans talked about her duality aljdhfljahdg). And Aisha!!! So beautiful, a literal goddess.

Their personalities were very similar to the show and comics! I wanted both DRs to be as close to canon as possible so not much changed there. They mostly deviated in season 4 and the later seasons! Since in those seasons their personalities changed a lot, they ended up acting like their original season selves instead (which I preferred anyway so).

The technology is amazing!! Apart from the literal magic, it's one of the best things about being there! It does differ a bit from planet to planet (some planets don't even have electricity despite being registered!). Zenith is obviously the most technologically advanced. Inventors there have to get multiple permits to be able to share their technology to other planets though which was really interesting to me. Red Fountain uses the most technology out of the three schools and most of it is either weapon, transportation, or medical related. OH! And actually, I'd say the most impressive technology to me is all the medical stuff!! It's super advanced and it's one of the top leading technological industries. Like they never really have problems with yknow. pandemics or even super serious injuries. Blood loss also isn't a big issue if someone gets help before they're completely uhhh empty?? You know what I mean.

The wind riders (aka hover bikes) are really fun! There's a bit of a learning curve if you've never been on one though (mostly with balance but they are always working on trying to make it easier). In my very correct opinion, the Crows are the most fun to fly! Most Specialists like flying them but you do have to go through a lot more classes and tests to get your permit than some of the others.

For classes at Alfea, I'd say Advanced Flying and Magiphilosophy were my top favorites! Applied Convergence was also fun but only when we actually got to practice doing convergence spells. There's a surprising amount of technical mumbo jumbo in magic classes. In Advanced Flying, they introduce hurdles and barriers and even other fairies trying to "attack" you (the spells don't actually hurt of course). You know that one scene in season 4 where Flora is flying through that course? It's basically like that! They also had flight practice that was more spread out. And Magiphilosophy is basically about philosophy... but like. magic. adhglaghdjl

I'm not sure if this was actually in the show (I feel like it wasn't?), but Alfea has this super cute cafe! All of the drinks are so colorful and the food is mostly desserts and sandwiches. I always go there because DUDE when I tell you the drinks are to die for. Quite a few of them are also super energizing while being healthy! All the food was healthy too though cause like. school and stuff. It's located like right next to the Auditorium and it's honestly one of the best parts about Alfea.

Okayy this ended up being longer than I expected but I hope you like it 😭