Arc 2 (Animal Awakening?)

Where did all the humans go? Jeff and his group of animal friends go searching for their human friends that have gone missing. Pun-filled hijinks ensue!

Cast of Characters: Jeff, Kit-Tay, Bruce, Vteven, Steve the Shrew, Sergio, Ned, Aheem

Plot Synopsis: Jeff is awoken by Kit-Tay, early one morning, while staying at the town inn. Her human, Phee, has disappeared. As the crew investigates and picks up several animal friends, they discover that all humans, save Jeff, have mysteriously left town in a sleep-like trance. The group convenes at the local pub, "Swaggy ~~Steve's~~ Carmelo's Bar**K** and Grill", where Carmelo, a small fluffy dog with an underbite, has taken over as Bark Eep. He introduces the group to Aheem, a necrohamster, who is keen to assist the adventurers. The set out toward the east gate, over the eastern bridge, and to the woods.

At the East Gate, they meet the two very grumpy hedgehog guards: Stabby, and Mr. Spaghetti. They have a strange box that they insist must be opened. The group figures out the spinning puzzle box, to the delight of the guards. A key is inside. They meet up with the keeper of the bridge, Eliot, a playful husky. He insists on being given a squeaky toy before they can cross the bridge. Steve uses his bagpipe to play with Eliot, while the others make it to the other side.

Human footprints lead from the trail and into the woods. They encounter a boulder, with letters etched into the side. Steve the Shrew plays the letters, and finds it is the song, "Jolene". A group of butterflies swarm the group, and spell out the words "SLEEP". Jeff instantly falls under the spell, and begins sleep-walking through the forest, following the butterflies. They encounter a very effusive and flattering parrot, who gives them some lemonade. All enjoy the lemonade, except for Ned, for whom it tasted awful and gave him Ick Mouth.

The group makes their way to a clearing, where there is a mysterious hedgehog figure. Her name is Quaymuh, and she wants to play, "Five of Quaymuhs", a card game similar to BlackJack. When your cards total five, Quaymuh answers a question for you. She tells the group of a far off tower, with a "bad person" who owns it. She also mysteriously tells Steve the Shrew that he holds the key to solving the curse.

Further into the woods, they meet a squirrel gang, including Squirrellanna, a squirrel in a pink tutu, who has taken quite a liking to Steve the Shrew. They go off into a part of the woods that appears to be an open restaurant and bar, with a stage for the band of squirrels to perform. The squirrels decide to call themselves "Everything But The Squirrel", though "Indigo Squirrels", "Squirrel Nut Zipper", and "Squirrel Jam" are considered. To receive a special disc that Squirrellanna has, Steve must take her out on a date, and give her a kiss. The group sits back and enjoys the show (with the exception of Jeff, who is tied by his shoelaces to a tree) while Steve awkwardly romances Squirrellanna, and gives her a kiss. He receives a metal disc with a hole in the middle. Vteven purchases Everything But The Squirrel's Greatest Hits album. Sergio had been enjoying a drink at the bar, but it burned his throat, and he was unable to speak for a bit.

The group departs from the squirrels, and soon finds a Bro-rannosaurus Rex named Brometheus, a laid-back former schoolmate of Ned's. He comments that they have the "Bro-ken", a token that allows them to see the magical tower he is guarding. They wait til dark, and get into the tower, to a portal that takes them to an intimidating land of black and red, the Upside Down.

A bridge spans a chasm, and they cross the bridge, As they are crossing the bridge, the way they came from drops away, and the way forward is blocked. A voice tells them, "The toll must be paid, with the blood of betrayal. Two souls shall be offered, cast into the chasms maw. Once sated, you shall pass." Sergio and Vteven play dead, and the way across is cleared. Bruce flies ahead and spots a large bear trap that Jeff is walking towards. Steve runs ahead and triggers the trap, so the jaws clamp above his head, and do not harm him. However, a large brown bear falls from the sky, covering the trap, and almost smothering Steve. Kit-Tay is able to shove the disoriented bear off of Steve, saving Steve from being squished to death. The bear, Jean Luc the Bard, recognizes Kit-Tay from their days in the Circus of Wayward Wonders together. He would ride his beloved tricycle, Lucille, and recite Shakespeare. He fell out of Bear Force One with Lucille, and needs their assistance to find her again. A mile or two down the way, Bruce and Steve locate the tricycle, which has been damaged by the fall. The group holds a funeral for the tricycle, with a touching rendition of "Amazing Grace" played by Steve, on the bagpipes. As thanks for their kindness, Jean Luc gives Bruce a pair of rainbow sunglasses, which allow him to see a magic rainbow, ending at a point in the distance.

At the end of the rainbow is another tower, with a talking door. Ned bashes at the door with his thagomizer, but the door has poor password security and lets them in with the password, which is "SLEEP". Inside the tower, the rainbow continues. Vteven manages to taste the rainbow. Another puzzle is encountered, with potions and rainbow walls. The group makes it through, encountering a golden door.

Inside the golden door, they find a warm golden glow, with the smell of petrichor. A giant room, it holds all of the sleepwalking humans inside, with a space for Jeff. At the back of the room is Jolene, the witch, who has stolen all of the humans, so that animals and pets may flourish without the cruelty of humanity. Aheem has been assisting her this whole time. Kit-Tay goes and grapples Jolene, imploring for her friend Phee back. Steve makes a heart-felt speech that touches Jolene, and she agrees to release the humans. She disappears as the humans awaken. Back at Swaggy Carmelo's, humans are back to normal, and the adventurers are given gifts by Carmelo as thanks for their exploits.

Notable Places:

Swaggy Carmelo's

East Gate

Squirrel Hang Out

Brometheus's Tower

Jolene's Rainbow Tower