Harmony
Part 4
We see the gang carrying Ness into the school at a distance, focus on the time tear. A single panel where the time tear grows a bit, and then shrinks. We see from behind an object that has come out of it, so it's a shadowy figure. The two cops are staring at it. Porky bot
Cop
What the heck's that thing? It's different than the last thing that came out of there.
Captain
No idea, but I'm going to call this in.
Elsewhere, the gang carries Ness in the cafeteria. Most of the students are here, as is Mom, wearing an apron. Most of the students are eating steak, pie, salmon, or pasta. Jeff has a lot of empty plates. Mom is trying to serve him even more food.
Jeff
Please, I can't eat anymore… It's really nice that you've done so much cooking, but I can't eat anymore.
Tracy
Mom!
Everyone turns to them. They put Ness, still out of it, on a table.
Picky
It's Ness… He um, hurt himself.
Mom
Oh dear, my poor baby.
Jeff
He's out cold. What happened?
Lydia
He ran straight into a lamp post.
Kang
It was kind of shameful seeing the great Ness fail to teleport properly…
Tracy
Take it easy on him. He hasn't used PSI in a long time.
Lydia
So this is the one that saved your world… And Kang has the gumption to insult him.
Kang
What? No! I was just saying…
Lydia
You're barely even big enough to hold that sword. How does it feel to be insulted?
Kang
Why are you picking on me all of a sudden? I can't wait to see how bad your hair looks without
the atomic hair gel you must put it on every two minutes.
Lydia
You want to start a fight, Kang? Huh? Well, let's go then.
Picky
Will you two knock it off? Kids…
Mom
I'll look after Ness, sweetie. Why don't you all just take it easy in the school and wait for this whole thing
to blow over?
Tracy
Mom, I um… I think we might be the only ones who can stop it.
Mom
What do you mean?
Tracy
What's happening is similar to what happened when Ness went on his adventure… And I'm starting to
able to use the same powers he could…
Jeff
What? You can use PSI?
Tracy
Yes… and in fact, I'm feeling feverish again… Just like the first time before I used these powers…
Mom
What?
Mom puts her hand on Tracy's forehead.
Mom
Tracy, you're burning up!
Kang
It's okay, Tracy's Mom. That's what it feels like when you're about to learn a new PSI technique. I have
several myself. Actually, I'm trying to learn Starstorm right now, and it's doing a number on my head…
Lydia
What is a starstorm?
Jeff
… It's a very powerful technique, and I doubt you could use it at your age. What's your name, anyway?
Kang
Kang, son of Prince Poo! I wield the sword of kings for good and justice!
Picky
… This team is crazy…
Jeff
If your father is Poo, then you should know about restraint and patience. Starstorm was capable of
shredding apart our toughest enemies in one blow. If you tried using it, you might end up only
hurting yourself. Anyway, I think we should…
There's a whir overhead. The building trembles a bit.
Ice Cream Guy
Oh, man! It's happening again! Run! Everybody panic!
He runs out of the room with his arms in the air. No one follows.
Jeff
That noise… sounds familiar…
Suddenly, there's a loud crash.
Jeff
That came from the direction of my office!
Jeff runs off.
Picky
Great… what now?
Tracy
See you later, Mom.
Mom
Tracy, wait!
The team runs off anyway. They catch up to Jeff and head into his office. The roof has collapsed, and right near Jeff's desk is a beaten up, smoking sky runner.
Jeff
You've gotta be kidding me…
The sky runner door opens up and Dr. Andonuts comes out, adjusting his tie/glasses.
Dr. Andonuts
Jeff, my boy! Sorry about the rather unscrupulous landing…
Jeff
Um, Dad, what are you doing here?
Dr. Andonuts
I detected unusual activity in this area, and decided it was best to come down and observe it.
Everyone just stares at him.
Narration
A few minutes and lots of explaining later...
Everyone has gathered around Dr. Andonuts. It's obvious that they've been talking for a bit. Lydia is on Jeff's desk, the saturn doll next to her.
Dr. Andonuts
I see, I see… But I'd still like to know more about Lydia here. She might be the key to this entire
situation. What is your world like, dear?
Lydia
I told you before… It's a horrible place. And we know it's horrible, because many people in my era
time travel. Just to visit. We shouldn't live in the past, because we could change the future… Which is
very illegal, of course.
Tracy
How do you, um, make yourself not look like visitors?
Lydia (points to belt)
This belt is a device that can change the dynamic fabric technology I wear.
Kang
Cool! So you can change your clothes into whatever you want, huh? Can you make them invisible?
Lydia smacks him angrily.
Jeff
If you can time travel, then why not change the bad future you live in?
Lydia
Because it took a hundred years for it to become like that. There's really no way to fix it.
Tracy
Surely your people must be doing something…
The following dialogue should be placed over a small montage of things coming to life. Time to have fun! Jenny Newsly's shoes come to life, much to her horror, and she runs away. Things come out of the tear. We can also see the cat clock, etc, whatever would be funny…
Lydia
Well, yes, I suppose there is indeed a project of sorts… My dad is actually one of the head researchers
on the project. But it's so secret, that he won't even tell me anything… Other than that we've been
chosen, and to be ready to "go soon." But that's all I know. He's been telling me to get ready to go soon
for months now. But I think he's serious this time…
He told me a few days ago that the project was almost complete, and that it wasn't almost time to
become a part of it. He calls the project "Harmony," and it's supposed to save what's left of humanity.
But there's no going back, he says. So as a gift to me, we were going to take one last time travel trip
together. To 19th century France, actually. My favorite place to visit.
But… something went wrong this time. In the time tunnel, we were attack by some kind of machine. We
were sent off course, and Dad let go of my hand just as we went through the walls of the time tunnel
and entered this era. He must be somewhere close by. I just don't know where.
Back in the office…
Tracy
Project Harmony… hm…
Dr. Andonuts
Although my knowledge of time travel is likely primitive when
compared to your own, I might be able to help you. When I detected the time tear, I also noticed two smaller objects exit it. I believe that both of you have left a faint residue of sorts—a
signature that I should be able to trace. Why, it shouldn't be any problem at all for me to find your
father given enough time.
Lydia
Really? You have the technology to do that? I thought I'd never find him after we lost our ship in the
tunnel… which had all of our gadgets onboard. You're the best, Doctor.
Jeff
My father has been IQ Magazine's Genius for five years running. He can solve anything. And he's also
a great inventor.
Dr. Andonuts
Yes, yes. I'm currently investigating a way to grow fruits without their peels. Think of the time it would
save us!
Jeff
Well… he can be a great inventor. I'll work with him to seek out your father, Lydia. I think you should
probably see what's going on outside again with the time tear. Oh, and Picky…
Picky
Y-yeah?
Jeff
I understand that things have been getting a bit dangerous for you all out there. I want to help you, so…
Jeff goes over to his desk and reaches behind it. Somehow, he manages to pull out the heavy bazooka, a strange device, and several smoke bombs. He hands them all to Picky.
Jeff
This what's left of my old stuff. Maybe you can find some use out of it.
Picky
Wow, um, is this thing a bazooka? You're giving this to me? I accidentally burnt off my eyebrows with
a firecracker once…
Jeff
Don't worry; it's very safe. For a bazooka. You also have some smoke bombs and a shield killer device.
That would… kill shields. If you ever faced an enemy… That uses shields.
Picky stares at him.
Picky
Yeah, thanks.
Picky slings the bazooka around his back.
Picky
Let's get going.
They all leave, with Tracy behind them. Lydia takes her doll with her.
Kang (to Lydia)
Picky is cooler than you now.
Lydia
Oh yeah? Wait until you see what this can do.
Kang
What are you going to do with the doll? Have a tea party with the enemy?
Lydia
Shut up, shrimp…
Jeff
Tracy, could I talk to you for a second?
Tracy stops and turns around. Jeff talks to her quietly.
Jeff
Look, I may of had given Picky that stuff, and I know he's your friend, but… I just have to tell you that
I don't trust him. Not for what's going on.
Tracy
What? What do you mean?
Jeff
I have a bad feeling. The idea of Porky traveling around in this time tunnel keeps going around in my
head, and I can't help but feel that this is his doing… And if, and I hope I'm wrong, if Porky appears…
Well, I don't know what that would do to Picky.
Tracy
…
Jeff
Picky seems like a nice kid. But if his older brother were to show up…
Tracy
He's my friend, Jeff… No matter what happens, he'll remember that.
Jeff
Yeah… You're probably right.
Tracy heads outside.
Jeff
Say, Dad… Did you see where my doorknob went?
Dr. Andonuts
Hm? What's that?
Jeff
Never mind. Let's get to work.
Everyone is waiting on the steps and looking around.
Picky
It's eerily quiet out here… Where'd the news people go?
Tracy
Um, guys, what is that thing near the time tear?
Lydia
Yeah, I see it. It wasn't there last time. Let's check it out.
They go on over. The captain stops them.
Captain
Hold it right there! Don't come any closer, you little punks!
Picky
Hey, what's your problem? We just wanted to see what that is over there.
This next line of dialogue is from the thing's perspective. Everything is red and glowing, because we're looking from the inside of a robot. A word says "Scanning." I will make most of this. Just do shading.
Officer
Yeah, well beat it! The bomb squad is on its way to take care of it! So just beat it, losers!
Kang
Wow, what a couple of jerks.
Tracy notices Picky, who looks petrified.
Tracy
Picky? What is it?
Picky
That… that thing… It looks like…
Lydia
What's he going on about? Let me have a look.
Lydia leans over. For the first time, we see the Porky bot.
Lydia
What an ugly little thing.
Page check: Maybe around 6 or 7. This chapter will probably be about 12 pages long, or even longer. That's okay. (outdated info now)
We see back inside the robot for 2 panels. Its scanning lines have targeted Lydia, who is glowing white on the visor. Words read "TARGET LOCATED!" I can design this part. The characters only need to be toned because the robot sees only in red.
The group watches as the robot beeps and its light on its on head blinks.
Porky Bot
Target located! Target located! Beep beep beep! Beeeeeeeep!
The bot suddenly explodes, leaving nothing behind but smoke.
Lydia
*cough* What the heck?!
Officer
Now look what you've done!
Captain
You little punks! Now you're going to get it!
Picky
These two are crazy!
The officers lunge at Tracy, who reacts by sweeping them across the faces with her broom, knocking them back and removing their sunglasses. Quick reaction shot of the group. Back at the officers, we see that their eyes are glowing blue!
Officer
Those were our best sunglasses!
Captain
Now you're really going to get it! I say we open a can of omega-ultra-mambo-tango-whoopbutt martial arts that I learned from my cousin on these fools!
Officer
Sounds like fun! Make them pay for this!
Picky
They've been possessed!
Lydia
No kidding.
Captain
Little children should not be carrying around rocket launchers! Your daddy will hear about this!
Tracy uses flash on them to stun them. The group runs away, back into the street. The ground rumbles beneath them. They look ahead to see the stampede of animals rushing towards them.
Kang
Oh, great. The animals escaped!
Tracy
Of all the places to go, why are they coming after us?
Picky
Because it's us they want, Trace! We're a threat to whatever evil force is behind all this!
Lydia
Picky's logic is sound, I'm afraid…
Tracy falls to the ground and rubs her head.
Tracy
Wait, look at that… Where did those things even come from?
Show a few panels of some new or major portal creatures.
Picky
Oh, man! This is even more messed up than when the Runaway Five broke up!
Lydia
That does it… We're at war now.
Lydia presses the button on her belt. Over the course of three small panels, energy rings surround Lydia, transforming her clothes into a combat uniform.
Kang
Oh wow, how is that supposed to help?!
Lydia tosses her doll out into the street. It hits the ground on its head, but then automatically rolls so it's upright.
Kang
And they don't want to play with your stupid doll!
Lydia
Shut up and watch! Saturn DU3, initiate battle program.
Saturn
Yes, Mistress Lydia. As you desire. Deploying.
Two turrets open up at the doll's sides.
Picky
What the heck?!
Lydia
This is my defense bot. All the kids have one. Open fire on the approaching enemy.
Saturn
As you command, Mistress Lydia.
Picky
Wait! You can't just shoot up all the animals! They don't deserve that!
Lydia
Fine, but that just means we've got to take care of them ourselves. Saturn DU3, only use lethal force
on the non-organics.
Saturn
Understood. Engaging target.
The doll begins firing. The bizarre possessed objects start taking damage, but the stampede continues.
Saturn
Aye-yayayayayaya…
Picky
We've got to stop those animals without hurting them…
Kang
Pfft, I suppose. PK Freeze!
Kang freezes some animals' legs so they can't move, but more come. He continues, and then Picky throws smoke bombs, while Lydia carefully fires on the "non organics." Tracy scrunches into a ball as her fever hits the high point. We enter her mind for a moment. We catch a faded glimpse of her at a pet shop, playing with puppies. She is only 3 or so.
Narration
That's right… The most powerful PSI technique I could learn… It has to come from the heart…
Tracy stands up. The animals and the cops are drawing near. Everyone looks desperate. Tracy goes into concentration. There's a surge of energy. Everyone looks around to see that the rocks near them are elevating a little bit off the ground.
Narration
If Ness could do this… so could I…
Tracy opens her eyes and holds out both arms.
Tracy
PK… PUPPIES!!!
A psychokinetic blast springs out from Tracy's palms, expands, and hits the horde of animals in swirling lines of blue and pink. Animals are knocked out and dazzled, stop in the tracks, and their eyes grow wide. When it's over, the group looks at Tracy oddly.
Picky
What the heck was that?
Kang
PK… Puppies?
Tracy shrugs.
Tracy
What? I… really like puppies.
Picky
Okay, so if that's your main PSI attack… What did Ness like?
Tracy
I'm not sure. But he did keep me awake at nights playing his loud rock music…
Lydia
Um, guys, that's fascinating, but we've still got a stampede coming after us…
Kang
It was a nice attack, but yeah, we've still got a lot incoming…
Tracy
Hold on, I think there's something else…
Tracy holds out one hand.
Tracy
I think… Hypnosis.
Calming white waves flow through the stampede. The cops and the animals fall asleep instantly. Now there's a mound of animals asleep.
Picky
Great! Now all the animals are taken care of!
Lydia
But it had no affect on the non-organics…
Picky
Um. Crap!
More bizarre objects come from all directions and surround the group. The saturn doll runs out of bullets and tucks in its machine guns.
Saturn
I am very sorry Mistress Lydia. I am out of ammunition. Please forgive me.
Kang
Well, I guess we have some fighting to do…
Here's the big battle montage for the comic. I would devote a whole three pages for these battles. This is also fun time; just lots of craziness can be done here. You can show attacks from enemies and from the group alike, strange situations, team work, PSI, Picky firing the bazooka and being thrown backwards because of it, whatever you want. Don't forget the evil shoes. Toss in some possessed students if you want, too. This is probably one of the longest parts.
Highlights: Tracy gets poisoned as Picky watches, has to use Heal. Lydia saves Kang from the Hydra, only to be Brainshocked by Egg. She acts all weird around Kang, who is forced to try using Heal too. She wakes up and finds her arms around Kang. Picky gets hit by cat clock hypnosis and becomes drowsy, but just smashes the clock to pieces with bazooka. Make the evil shoes appear! Also, Bakin' uses Fire.
End with a couple panels of the cerberus watching the carnage, and then jumping down behind the group. The worn out group turns to face it.
Kang
Uh… guys? I think he wants to fight…