Bucky O' Hare: The Movie By Andrew Norris CHARACTERS Captain Bucky O' Hare First Mate Jenny Deadeye Duck Bruiser Willy DuWitt . A.F.C. Blinky Commander Sirius Dogstar Lieutenant Wolf Digger McSquint RumbleBee Captain Mimi LaFleur First Mate Jonathon Weissman Larry Callan Dile O' Crock KOMPLEX Toadborg Toad Air Marshal Frix Frax Captain Smata AND INTRODUCING General Tadpole of the Toad Empire SCENE ONE A Toad Mothership, Out In Space Several Cruisers and Double Bubbles hover motionless around the enormous vessel. The Mothership itself is not moving, and appears to be waiting for something. Inside the ship is an enormous control room, lit only by several large television screens depicting planets and spaceships nearby. Only just visible is a large seat sat in front of the screen, with two bulky leather boots visible from the bottom of the chair. The chair stands on a flight of steps, and at the bottom of these steps are four shapes. One is TOAD AIR MARSHAL, and the second is CAPTAIN SMATA. The other two shapes are FRIX and FRAX. The TOAD sat in the chair begins to speak. TOAD: (Deep, sinister voice) Is everything ready? AIR MARSHAL: (Cowering) Yes, sir. Motherships Two and Three are standing by. TOAD: Excellent. Air Marshal, you will be in command of Mothership number Two, and you Captain Smata will be in charge of Mothership Three. SMATA: (Nervous) As you wish, sir. TOAD: I do. Frix and Frax will be in charge of the Invasion Landing Craft, and I hope you all know the consequences of failure. A leather-gloved hand is raised, and it makes a clenching motion. The four toads salute, and move off. The gloved hand flicks a switch, and the Mothership roars to life, slowly and surely moving off into space. SCENE TWO Planet Warren The Righteous Indignation has landed on a small spaceport, as the crew make enquiries to local residents. BUCKY is holding a sheet of papers and is trying to hand them out to several HARES. BUCKY: (To one Hare) Sir, would you like to join the UAC? HARE #1: Sorry, Captain. I'd love to help but I've got work to do right here. BUCKY: (To another Hare) Pardon me Miss, would you care for a job in the UAC? HARE #2: Sorry, handsome, but I'm not a military kind of girl. BUCKY sits down on the pavement, sighing deeply as he flicks through the application forms in his hands. JENNY sits alongside him, herself holding varied pieces of paper. JENNY: Not one of them wants to join the UAC. BUCKY: You'd think after we saved their planet, they would show a bit of gratitude. JENNY: Maybe they want to concentrate on restoring their planet first. BUCKY: All the same, if we are going to get anywhere in this war, then we need as many hands as possible. DEADEYE and BLINKY arrive, looking down at the couple. BUCKY: Any luck? BLINKY: Humble Robot has received only one Application for the United Animals Coalition. JENNY: Well done, Blinky! BUCKY: Who was it? BLINKY: (Holds up Form) Alistair Mendez, Carpenter residing at Burrow Point, aged 32 with diploma for Engineering from Warren University. BUCKY: Well, it's something. DEADEYE: Aye, but I think it be better if we brought back National Service. That'll get more warts fryin'. BUCKY: Yes, but then there would be revolt like the last time; too many strikes, uprisings and vandalism against military craft. People need to have this kind of choice, Deadeye, It seems just wrong to make military service compulsory. DEADEYE: (Grumbling) But at least we'd win this blasted war. A klaxon begins to wail across the planet, with every Hare listening to instructions. VOICE: (On PA) Attention! Attention! Toad Mothership is in geostationary orbit of Warren. Please remain calm and return to your homes immediately. This is not a drill. Repeat: This is not a drill. The Hare population begin to panic and run in several directions. The Righteous crew all pile into the tiny frigate and hurdle off into space. DEADEYE: (Laughs) At last, a good fight! BLINKY: Query: Where is First Mate Jenny? Looking around, JENNY is nowhere to be seen. BUCKY: Jenny? Jenny! Jenny, where are you? Shadows loom over buildings as the Toad Mothership is in plain sight. The Mothership is so close; it could crush the city by just landing, yet nothing appears to be happening. Even as the populous run further afield, no attack is made. DEADEYE: Why don't them fly-chompin' wart-suckers attack? BUCKY: I don't know, but I smell something fishy. He embarks the Righteous, calling out to his crew. BUCKY: (Shouts) Are we going to sit here and let Warren get smashed to pieces? The crew embark and launch the Righteous Indignation. BUCKY flies the vessel around the Mothership in an attempt to distract it, but still nothing happens. BUCKY: (Thinks) < Now this is getting awkward. > He lines up in front of the Mothership. BUCKY: (Yelling) Deadeye, hit 'em with everything you've got! DEADEYE: (Laughs) Ye got it, Cap'n! Eat hot ions, ya slimy cowards! He fires several shots at the Mothership, and starts a fire in the forward section of the craft. BUCKY: Now, if that doesn't start a reaction, nothing will. SCENE THREE The Toad Mothership out in space The TOAD is still within his chair, hidden from view. He is watching the commotion on Warren, and sniggers evilly. TOAD: Captain O' Hare is foolish. Does he really believe that a couple of pot shots will call the Mothership off? CAPTAIN SMATA appears on another screen. SMATA: Mothership Three to Main Assault Craft. We have the fire under control in Area B. Shall we commence the plan sir? TOAD: Yes, Captain. Commence Operation X. SMATA: (Salutes) Yes, sir. The screen goes blank, and the TOAD watches as the Mothership on Warren leaves the planet, with The Righteous Indignation in hot pursuit. TOAD:(Laughs) O' Hare, how I marvel at how your mind works. KOMPLEX appears on a third screen, and the TOAD salutes with a gloved hand. KOMPLEX: Is everything in order? TOAD: Yes, mighty KOMPLEX. Operation X is underway. I will not fail you, mighty KOMPLEX. KOMPLEX smiles menacingly. SCENE FOUR Space The Toad Mothership slowly grinds to a halt, and the Righteous Indignation flies into view, still firing at the Mothership. BUCKY: (Grabs radio) This is Captain Bucky O' Hare to Toad Mothership. We have our masers locked onto your position. Surrender now or prepare to have your engines blown to the other side of the Aniverse! There is no response. BUCKY: (Thinks) < No reply, this is too strange to investigate alone. I just wish I knew where Jenny was and it's too late to turn back now. > He changes the radio frequency. BUCKY: Captain Bucky O' Hare to Commander Dogstar, come in Dogstar. SCENE FIVE The Indefatigable, Out In Space COMMANDER DOGSTAR is on the bridge with LT. WOLF as the Frigate treks at a steady pace through the infinite void of space, when the radio crackles. BUCKY: (On radio) Captain Bucky O' Hare to Commander Dogstar, do you read me? DOGSTAR: (Picks up receiver) Ah, yes! Commander Dogstar here, reading you Strength Five, Captain O' Hare, over. BUCKY: A Toad Mothership is parked in Sector 19 near Toxus 1. It invaded Warren a while ago, but it then came here and stopped after we fired a couple of shots. DOGSTAR: (Scratches neck) Funny you should mention that, Bucky old chap. BUCKY: What's so funny about it? DOGSTAR: Another Toad Mothership tried to get into orbit of Genus a while ago. The Satellite Defence System scared it off though, but Captain LaFleur is investigating now. BUCKY: Roger that, Dogstar. You might want to get over to Sector 19 right away, as I've got a bad feeling about this. SCENE SIX The DuWitt House, San Francisco, Earth. WILLY is sat on his bed, reading a sci-fi comic depicting little green men in flying saucers attacking a city with laser beams and other nasty devices. WILLY lies down on his bed and stares up at the ceiling in boredom. WILLY: (To himself) At least they got the "little green" part right, but if only people had any idea on what is going on out there, then they would take science a little more seriously. His gemstone on the table glows, and the face of JENNY is seen. Though it is not clear what is going on, JENNY is in considerable pain. WILLY picks up the gemstone and tries to stay calm. WILLY: Jenny! Are you all right? JENNY: (Weakly) Willy...The Toads... WILLY: The Toads! What have they done to you? JENNY: Teleport...Toad Mothership...Help me, Willy. Get Bucky! The link is then cut, and WILLY makes haste to activate his photon accelerator, picking up his bag of supplies and throwing his comic to the ground. The comic is open to a picture of a green alien with a hostage. SCENE SEVEN The Toad Mothership Two TOADS are dragging JENNY around by the arms as though she were a flimsy rag-doll. Both her legs and her arms have been tied together with metallic brown chains. The two TOADS exit and the door slams behind them. JENNY looks up at the occupied chair, still facing the monitors. TOAD: You are a foolish one, First Mate Jenny. You must surely realise by now that a Toad Teleporter can be perfected into a useful kidnapping device, and yet you had to investigate the eerie glow from Warren History Museum, didn't you? JENNY: (Snarls) Who are you, and what do you want with me? The chair spins around to reveal a slim TOAD wearing a plum-coloured uniform with golden lining. The TOAD also wears leather boots and gloves, and his two darting brown eyes stare out from underneath a veil of curly, ginger hair. His hair is covered partly by an officer's cap, and on the chest of the uniform are several medals, perhaps more than TOAD AIR MARSHAL has ever earned. TOAD: I am General Tadpole, the Chieftain of all Stormtoads in the Aniverse, and you are my prisoner. JENNY attempts to cast a hypnotizing spell, but somehow, GENERAL TADPOLE counter-attacks and hits JENNY with his own burst of energy. JENNY collapses to the ground, paralysed from the waist up. TADPOLE: (Sneers) I am far more powerful than you think, mammal. I have learnt Toad sorcery from an early age, and I am now invincible. I will ensure that the Toad Empire will win this war, and that KOMPLEX reigns supreme. SCENE EIGHT Space Three Toad Motherships are hovering in free-float, with the Righteous Indignation, the Indefatigable and the Screaming Mimi all-hovering in a straight line in front of them. BUCKY, DOGSTAR and MIMI all wait impatiently for something to happen, with the trio keeping in close contact over the radios. BUCKY: (Annoyed) I don't get it. DOGSTAR: (On radio) What's that, Bucky my lad? BUCKY: They have the advantage of size over us, and could smash all of us into atoms if they wanted. But why don't they attack? DOGSTAR: You've got me there, Bucky. Maybe they want us to attack. BUCKY: Not likely, it could just be an ambush. Mimi, what are you getting on your radar? MIMI: (On radio) Only the three Motherships ahead of us, but I detect other Motherships further on. BUCKY: Whereabouts? MIMI: There are 10 in orbit of Warren, and another 12 in orbit of Genus. DOGSTAR: (Shocked) What? Well, let's go croak them web-footed maniacs! MIMI: We needn't bother; the defence shields are preventing them from attacking. Even with their vast numbers, they can't move an inch. BUCKY: But why are these three remaining stationary? TADPOLE: (Over radio) I'll tell you why, Captain. BUCKY: And who are you exactly? TADPOLE: I am General Tadpole of the Toad Empire, and the supreme commander of all Storm Toads everywhere. DOGSTAR: Well, General, what is this crazy charade all about? TADPOLE: We Toads are prepared to offer an ultimatum to you mammals. We are prepared to accept the total surrender of all mammals in the Aniverse. If not, then we intend to invade both Warren and Genus to convince you. MIMI: And how do we know that you're not lying? TADPOLE: This will tell you why. JENNY: (Over radio) Bucky, it's a trap! Save Genus! Don't worry about me! BUCKY: Jenny! TADPOLE: (Laughs evilly) Yes, brought to me courtesy of our Toad Teleporters. Meet me on my Mothership in Sector 7, General Tadpole out. The link is severed, and BUCKY slams his console in anger. As he does so, WILLY arrives from below deck, panting as though he's been running a fair distance. WILLY: (Soothing) Bucky, are you OK? BUCKY: (To himself) They got her... WILLY: It's all right, Captain. We'll get her back. BUCKY: If only it were as simple as that. WILLY takes control of the ship and tries to steer it. MIMI: Bucky, you go after Jenny. We'll take care of these ruffians. WILLY notices that BUCKY is actually crying, and trying not to let anyone see his tears. WILLY: (Picks up intercom) Roger that, Captain. He steers the ship out into space, trying his best to keep the ship balanced, but the ship swerves and rocks, sending the crew below deck spinning. BRUISER: (Rubs head) Take it easy, Willy! DEADEYE: Ay! Me beak be all to one side! BLINKY: (Climbs up ladder) Humble android will take over control of ship. SCENE NINE General Tadpoles' Mothership JENNY has been strapped to a chair nearby, while GENERAL TADPOLE observes the view on his monitors, before smiling at the sight of a mammalian frigate twisting and turning through space. TADPOLE: (Grins) Ah, now I can place my plan into action. JENNY: General, if you so hurt Bucky, I will not rest until I've torn you wart from wart! TADPOLE: (Suavely) My dear Jenny, I have no intention of executing Captain O' Hare just now. I will give you the opportunity to die in his arms, but I will not kill him now. JENNY: You will not get away with this! The UAC will hunt you down and have you killed! TADPOLE: (Irritated) There is no one in the Aniverse who is powerful to stop me, now shut up and be quiet! He stuns her with a short blast of his powers, and turns back to the desk. He inserts a small floppy disk into his computer and taps a few keys. As he does so, the face of KOMPLEX appears once more, yet the transmission is breaking up. KOMPLEX: (Buzzing) Tadpo...You trai...you ha...inse...virus int...syste... TADPOLE: (Cackles) Yes, mighty KOMPLEX. I have infected you with a computer virus. It will wear off only if I remove this disk. Until then, I think I'll perform what is known as a coup. He severs the communication and pulls a small lever. All the Motherships in orbit of Genus, Warren and the three in free-float show up. TADPOLE: (Triumphantly) Attention all Toad units, General Tadpole is hereby the supreme leader of the Toad Empire and take over all forces from KOMPLEX. Any insubordination shall be eliminated. Long live the Toad Empire! TOADS: (Chanting) Long live the Toad Empire. As the chanting continues, none of them notice the Righteous Indignation outside Tadpoles' Mothership. SCENE TEN The Three Motherships, Space Having heard the transmission, both the crews of the Indefatigable and the Screaming Mimi are shocked. INSIDE THE INDEFATIGABLE... DOGSTAR: (Grimly) This is bad news, Wolf. WOLF: So it would seem, sir. Tadpole only wanted to bite the hand that feeds him. DOGSTAR: Indeed, we need to sort this warty menace out once and for all. On a TV screen in DOGSTARS' console, CAPTAIN SMATA shows up. SMATA: So suddenly the warm-blooded wonder is going to save the day? He laughs hysterically. SMATA: (Chortles) I'm drowning in my tears! DOGSTAR: (Icily) So you think you're hard eh, blabbermouth! We'll see about that! RUMBLEBEE: Targeting fuel tanks, bzz, bzz. He opens fire on the one part of Smata's mothership, and it immediately catches fire, much of the fuel causing the fire to spread rapidly. DIGGER: Let's hope they enjoy this for deserts! He sets up his own cannon and fires some extra shots, spreading the fire further. SMATA: You'll pay for that, mammals! A swarm of Double Bubbles spread out from the three motherships, circling the two frigates. Opening fire, the armada of Toad vessels inflict some serious damage. INSIDE THE SCREAMING MIMI... Alarms are wailing and red beacons are flashing as JONATHON and MIMI are tossed around like a salad. JONATHON: (Fuming) Those damn wart-brains have lowered our shields by 35%! MIMI: There's only one thing to do. She clambers to the ladder and shouts down below. MIMI: (Barks) Larry! Give them all you've got! LARRY opens fire and destroys two of the Double-Bubbles, while several others are destroyed by crossfire from both the Screaming Mimi and the Indefatigable. LARRY: At least it's getting better this end! MIMI: (Thinks) < I just hope Bucky's doing better. > SCENE ELEVEN General Tadpoles' Mothership The Mothership is surrounded by thousands of Double-Bubbles that hover around the titan like flies to a carcass. As the Righteous Indignation draws near, several of the TOADS inside the Double Bubbles get restless. TOAD #1: (Sulks) Great! Our one chance of frying the cottontail jerk for good and we can't touch him! TOAD #2: General Tadpoles' orders, we must grant him safe access to the Mothership. TOAD #1: But my hands are just itching to blow his ears to the other side of the Aniverse! This is just stupid! TOAD #3: True, but as General Tadpole took over from KOMPLEX, what can we do? TOAD #2: Exactly! If we even breathe without permission, we're dead! Menacing eyes watch as BUCKY propels his ship forward, who is getting restless himself. BUCKY: (To himself) If any of these fly-eating scum buckets have harmed Jenny, I'll make sure they don't live another second! DEADEYE: (Irritated) I've had enough o' this, Bucky me lad! He opens fire on all Double Bubbles around him, causing the debris to fly into the surrounding craft and cause severe damage to them. BUCKY, for one, makes no effort to stop DEADEYE'S mutinous act. WILLY: Bucky, are you OK? BUCKY: The more blasts that Deadeye fires, the better Willy. As DEADEYE continues his path of destruction, some of the TOADS become unstable. TOAD #3: They're firing back! TOAD #1: (Shouts) I knew that the furbag would try something! TOAD #4: I reckon Tadpole planned this whole thing to let the mammals win! TOAD #2: No mammals are going to destroy MY empire! A group of Double-Bubbles begin to fight back, which GENERAL TADPOLE is watching on his monitors inside the Mothership. TADPOLE: (Snarls) Those insubordinate fools! I gave them direct orders not to fire! Now they shall pay! His eyes suddenly become a pale blue, and with his dark sorcery, every last Double-Bubble is obliterated, with no trace even of those that DEADEYE had destroyed. DEADEYE: (Exclaims) Shiver me space-timber, Bucky! They've all just disappeared! BRUISER: Yeah, its' as though them toads turned invisible! BLINKY: (Reading scanner) Humble robot suggests total vaporisation of toad fleet by unknown energy source. BUCKY: And I'm determined to find out who caused it. He flies the ship straight into the gaping mouth of the Mothership, which slams immediately behind the Righteous as it slowly touches down. To the crews' amazement, there appears to be no one on board. BUCKY and the crew are cautious as they disembark. BUCKY: (Clasps pistol in his hand) I don't like it team. If they wanted us here, why is there nobody around? DEADEYE: Aye, the whole thing stinks like a sour glass o' swamp grass! BUCKY: (To Bruiser) Bruiser, you and Blinky stay here and guard the ship. Deadeye, Willy and I will spread out and search for Jenny. BRUISER: (Salutes) Yes, sir! BLINKY: I am hastening to obey, Captain O' Hare. As the trio walk off, a glowing aura suddenly envelops the Righteous, gradually making BRUISER and BLINKY incredibly weak. BRUISER: What's...going...on? BLINKY: (Slow-motion voice) Power drain from unknown source. The pair fall onto the floor of the deserted bay, completely drained of all energy. SCENE TWELVE A Corridor, General Tadpoles' Mothership BUCKY, DEADEYE and WILLY all arrive at a junction, heading left, right and straight on. BUCKY: I'll go ahead, you two go either left or right. DEADEYE and WILLY salute, and they all split up. DEADEYE walks for a while until he is confronted by a dead end, with nothing but a wall staring back at him. DEADEYE: (Groans) What a waste of energy, Deadeye lad. He turns to go back, but immediately is swallowed up by some kind of silver tendril from the wall, ensnaring him and carrying him straight through the wall as though it wasn't there. Meanwhile, along WILLY'S route, the corridor comes to another dead end, but another corridor branches off to the right. WILLY: (Pulls out water pistol) Better prepare for trouble... As he turns into the corridor, a glowing orb of energy is awaiting him. WILLY cowers slightly as he aims his pistol at the orb. WILLY: (Panicking) Make that double! He fires, but the water goes straight through the orb. The orb then immediately envelops WILLY and disappears, with no trace of either creature to be seen. Elsewhere, BUCKY is going along his corridor, with nothing to be seen or heard as he zigzags his way through the maze of eerie, silent corridors, until he hears a voice beckoning him down one of the corridors. TADPOLE: (Echoes) Bucky...Bucky... BUCKY follows the voice, wandering through empty hallways, with no Toad anywhere to be seen, nor any sign of weapons. The voice grows stronger as BUCKY draws closer. TADPOLE: Bucky...Bucky... Eventually, the corridors stop in front of a large set of doors, which immediately open as BUCKY leans over to touch the control panel. As the doors open, the echoes stop. BUCKY: (Calls) Jenny! Jenny, are you here? He steps cautiously inside the Control Room, where the enormous chair is facing the monitors, but BUCKY doesn't notice this. As the doors slam shut, BUCKY looks around the room, until he hears another voice. JENNY: (Weakly) Bucky? BUCKY: Jenny! Where are you? He looks over his shoulder and notices JENNY strapped to a chair in a dark corner of the room. Running to free her, an unseen energy shield suddenly stops BUCKY before he can reach JENNY. In his enormous chair, GENERAL TADPOLE begins to laugh sinisterly and swivels his chair around to face Bucky. TADPOLE: (Suavely) Greetings my dear Captain O' Hare. BUCKY: (Hisses icily) What have you done to Jenny? TADPOLE: You needn't worry Captain; Jenny is not hurt. She is merely recovering from drainage of energy. BUCKY: Drainage of energy?! And you say I needn't worry?! What sort of game are you playing, Tadpole? TADPOLE: It is not what game I am playing, Captain. It is more like the game you are playing. Jenny was merely bait for my trap for you, to lure you here so I could feel joy in your destruction before I conquer the Aniverse. BUCKY: (Scoffs) And what about KOMPLEX, doesn't he know about this? TADPOLE: KOMPLEX is no longer in power, nor is Toadborg. I have infected them both with an incurable electronic virus that will keep them inactive until I become the Supreme Overlord of the entire Aniverse! BUCKY: And that's why you didn't invade Genus when you had the chance! TADPOLE: Exactly, Captain. I had to make sure that my superiors didn't mess up my chance to attempt a coup of the Toad forces. They believed this would be merely an attempt to obliterate the UAC, and so it shall once I deal with you along with LaFleur and Dogstar. BUCKY: And this energy drainage, what has that to do with it? TADPOLE: (Smiles) Allow me to demonstrate. He fires a blast of energy at BUCKY, knocking the hare to his feet. GENERAL TADPOLE then immediately hovers off of his chair and lands on his feet in front of BUCKY. TADPOLE: (Slyly) I've practised the Toad Dark Arts my entire lifetime, and Jenny was simply a chance for me to recharge my powers. He picks up BUCKY and throws him to the far side of the room without even moving his arms. TADPOLE: The rest of your crew proved to be useful energy supplies as well. Some lights along the wall flicker on, and BUCKY notices DEADEYE and WILLY both lying unconscious on separate metal tables. BUCKY: (Weakly) Willy... TADPOLE: (Laughs evilly) It's no good, Captain, they can't hear you. And now you shall hear the sound of death itself. BUCKY is hurdled across the room to the foot of the stairway leading to the monitors. Before GENERAL TADPOLE can hurdle another energy beam, BUCKY grabs his pistol and fires it at GENERAL TADPOLE. The shot leaves a mark in the Toads chest, and even though it bleeds, TADPOLE looks as though it were no more than a light tap. TADPOLE: You still haven't figured it out, have you? I am invincible now, and nothing can stop me! BUCKY dodges another energy beam but knocks his arm on a metal pipe. JENNY opens one eye slowly and notices BUCKY fighting the losing battle with TADPOLE. Immediately, the spell-gem on her forehead slowly begins to glow and hum quietly, as a voice whispers inside her head. VOICE: (Queen Katrina's voice) May the power of love and affection be your sword against the fight of darkness and evil. Let your heart rule you head, and shield your loved one from the one with impure soul. Well into the fight, BUCKY has now attained several bruises, as well as a cut lip. As he pants for breath, GENERAL TADPOLE hovers in mid-air above him, levitating a set of breezeblocks above his head. TADPOLE: This will be truly remembered as the day General Tadpole defeated Bucky O' Hare! There is a sudden crack, and GENERAL TADPOLE falls to the ground, with the breezeblocks piling up on top of his torso. Behind him is JENNY, now free of the chair and looking well. A slight trail of smoke pours from her fingertip. She kneels down to help BUCKY onto his feet. BUCKY: (Weak) Jenny, are you all right? JENNY: I think I should've asked you that. We need to stop the Toads before they can receive orders to invade the planets. BUCKY: (Groans) They may have already done just that, and unless we can find a way to turn the toads against Tadpole, then we've lost. WILLY groans as he slowly comes around, yet his movements are slow and groggy. BUCKY: Welcomes back, Willy. Are you hurt? WILLY: Besides feeling really zapped out, I'm fine. JENNY moves up to Tadpole's desk and removes the diskette containing the computer virus. BUCKY becomes puzzled as she waves it in front of him. BUCKY: What is that? JENNY: (Smiles) Tadpole's failed coup of KOMPLEX. TADPOLE: (Shouts) It has not failed yet! GENERAL TADPOLE rises from the breezeblocks without a scratch. TADPOLE: (Roars) I SHALL RULE THE ANIVERSE, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, AND YOU SHALL NOT STOP ME! He fires several energy orbs at the group, but they miss by a few short inches. The orbs it some machinery close to DEADEYE, and the amount of energy brings him to life. He pulls out his guns and starts firing. DEADEYE: (Laughs) Take some o' this you power-suckin' Toadie! TADPOLE counter-attacks by absorbing the energy from the maser-beams and fires them straight back at DEADEYE, burning one of his pistols to a cinder. As the fight continues, JENNY and BUCKY drag WILLY back to the ship, with DEADEYE and GENERAL TADPOLE in hot pursuit. SCENE THIRTEEN The Hangar JENNY and WILLY have entered the ship, and before BUCKY can climb the ladder; GENERAL TADPOLE blasts him off the ladder. As DEADEYE boards, he turns back to fetch BUCKY. BUCKY: Go! DEADEYE: But Cap'n, suppose somethin'... BUCKY: (Shouts) Go! And that's an order! As the frigate flies off, GENERAL TADPOLE and BUCKY begin fighting fist-to-fist. The fight continues until BUCKY is hit by another energy beam, knocking him over to one side of the ship. TADPOLE: (Sneers) You still don't get it do you? Once I get you and KOMPLEX out of the way, I can control the entire Aniverse into doing what I want! And once I do that, I'll wipe out the Toad race like I did on this Mothership, so no one can try to attempt a coup on me! He fires another energy beam, but BUCKY quickly grabs a sheet of metal, which bounces the beam back onto GENERAL TADPOLE and knocks him unconscious. BUCKY then hears a familiar voice. KOMPLEX: (On radio) Attention all Toads. Disregard previous invasion plans and destroy General Tadpole. This order cannot be countermanded. Obey me and destroy Tadpole for the glory of KOMPLEX! SCENE FOURTEEN Outside the Mothership Every single Toad Mothership previously involved in the invasions of Genus and Warren have cornered Tadpoles' Mothership in space. The Righteous Indignation watches nearby, knowing they cannot destroy the entire Toad fleet alone. JENNY: I hope that Bucky has got out OK. BRUISER: Yeah, but I'm really mad at that Tadpole after what he did o me! He growls angrily, when an incoming transmission is heard. TOADBORG: (Over radio) All Toad ships to open fire in exactly fifteen seconds. JENNY: (Frantically) Toadborg, no! TOADBORG: Ten, nine, eight, seven... SCENE FIFTEEN General Tadpole's Mothership BUCKY is nowhere to be seen, but GENERAL TADPOLE slowly rises as the countdown continues. TOADBORG: (Continued) Six, five, four, three, two, one, fire! TADPOLE: (Screams) Noooooooooooooo! Before he can cast any spells, the Mothership is destroyed, and the resulting explosion sending all ships spinning in every direction. Tadpole and his Mothership have been completely obliterated, with nothing left but pieces of space debris. During the explosion, several Motherships crash together like a pair of conkers. They are damaged, but not completely destroyed, unlike several Double Bubbles who have collided in a similar way. TOAD AIR MARSHAL: (On radio) All Toad Ships to withdraw to the Homeworld at once! All of the Toad Ships fall back, leaving the corner of space empty, said for the Righteous Indignation. Inside, JENNY is sobbing. JENNY: (Cries) Bucky is gone! And he'll never come back! BUCKY: Who say so? They all spin around to be greeted by BUCKY, wearing a toad spacesuit. JENNY is overcome with joy, and hugs him. JENNY: (Wipes away tears) How did you escape? BUCKY: I used the cloaking device in an Escape Pod to move away from the Toads without hassle, and here I am! WILLY: (Looks at debris outside) Looks like the Toads will be quiet for a while. BUCKY: Let's just hope so, Willy. SCENE SIXTEEN Orwell Station With all three frigates docked, the crews are all sharing a drink with one another on a large table, celebrating their victory. BUCKY is now wearing a gold medal on his chest. DILE: This is perhaps a great moment for us all! The day we won the battle for all things wonderful in the Aniverse! DIGGER: And if it hadn't been for our brave officers, then we would surely have lost! BLINKY: Humble robot concurs completely. MIMI: Well, it's not really all of us. At the end of the day, it boils down to Jenny and Bucky. They applause, and BUCKY stands up with his glass in hand. BUCKY: (Clears throat) I'd just like to say that it may have been Jenny and I who stopped General Tadpole, but that doesn't mean that you didn't play a part in it as well. If it wasn't for all of you, then the UAC couldn't possibly fight this war. So I wish to claim a toast to us all. They all raise their glasses. ALL: (In unison) To us all! THE END For Jess 1985-2005