make a sound.  Guido and Francine's eyes are shut, and both are making soft purring sounds.
Jonas quickly rejoins the others.]

Jonas:  (stifling laughter) I don't believe it.

Polly:  What?

Jonas:  [points to Guido and Francine] They're ASLEEP.

GB:  Really?

[Jonas nods]

Speedy:  [chuckles] Well, as much as I hate to do this...[walks toward Guido and Francine]

Jonas:  [grabs Speedy's arm] What are you doing?

Speedy:  (puzzled) I'm waking them up!  SOMEONE has to tell them they're not working today.

Jonas:  (shocked) NOT NOW!

Speedy:  (puzzled) Why not?

Jonas:  [lays a hand on Speedy's shoulder, sighs] Speedy, did you know that every day, there's
always a chance you could die?  It depends on what your situation is, but it's ALWAYS there.
There are millions of ways you could die today, but almost none have any real chance of
happening.  A car accident, a crumbling building, a loose wire.  They're all around you, but very
unlikely.  But, they could still happen.  There's a chance that Guido and Francine won't be able to
be together like this again, so please...let them have this moment.

[Speedy stares blankly, in shock]

Jonas:  [sighs] Call me paranoid, but Francine just got the courage to tell Guido how she felt
about him.  PLEASE, Speedy...just wait a little longer.

Speedy:  (shocked) A...all right...we can wait until they come downstairs.

Jonas:  (relieved) Thank you.  [walks downstairs]

GB:  (shocked) WOW.

Polly:  [puts an arm around Speedy] Are you okay, Speedy?

Speedy:  [gulps, nods] Yeah.  That was WEIRD.  Since when does he care so much for our well
being?

GB:  He says we're the reason he's here, Speedy.  Maybe he needs us for something.

Speedy:  Like WHAT?  This guy is REALLY beginning to creep me out.

Polly:  He was talking with Francine earlier.  Does he need HER?

Speedy:  [shakes his head] I don't know why he could possibly need her.  I think he wants us to be
mentally fit.  He was interested in your nightmares.  He spoke like there wouldn't BE any
tomorrow!  Plus, he went on his own authority and gave us TWO DAYS OFF!  What is he
planning?

GB:  We should just wait and see what happens.  He still has a lot he needs to tell us.

Speedy:  [nods] You're right.  Come on.  We need to get ready for the day.

[The trio walks downstairs, and sits down at the kitchen table.  Jonas is sitting there, arms crossed
and eyes closed, apparently asleep.  A few minutes pass before Guido and Francine walk in, looks
of shock on their faces]

Guido:  (upset) WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?  CUSTOMERS WILL BE HERE ANY MINUTE!

Speedy:  Calm down, Guido.  We're off today.

Francine:  (getting angry) WHO SAYS SO!?

Speedy, Polly, and GB: [pointing to Jonas] (in unison) HE DOES!

Jonas:  [waking up] (drowsily) Hnnh?  What?

Francine:  (shouts, to Jonas) YOU!!!

Jonas:  [falls out of his chair, snaps awake] WHOA!  Now, calm down, Francine.  I can explain...

[Jonas quickly explains his reasons for giving the team two days off]

Francine:  (calmer) Well, we can't make money if we can't make pizza...

Jonas:  Don't worry about it.  We'll get some supplies, and then I'll give you the information you
want.

Guido:  Sounds good to me.  [sees his helmet lying on the table] Hey!  [puts it on] (to Jonas) You
must've finished.  What'd you DO, anyway?

Jonas:  [chuckles] I'll tell you later.  Right now, we should get ready for the day.

Speedy:  (shouts) SHOWER!  [dashes out of the room]

Guido:  Huh?  Hey, wait!  No fair!  I need one more than you do!  [chases after Speedy]

Polly:  You're BOTH wrong!  I'M first!  [chases Speedy and Guido]

Jonas:  (to GB) Well, what about YOU?

GB:  [laughs] I showered before I left the HOUSE!  Still, watching them kill each other should
prove...entertaining.  [Walks out of the room.  Jonas starts to follow when...]

Francine:  Jonas?

Jonas:  [turns around] Yes?  Something wrong?

[Francine walks up to Jonas and hugs him tightly]

Jonas:  (surprised) FRANCINE!?

Francine:  [lets go, smiles] I just wanted to thank you for your advice earlier.

Jonas:  Then it worked?

Francine:  [nods] We just sat there and watched the sunrise.  I must've dozed off.  When I woke
up, Guido asked me if I wanted to go out to dinner tonight.

Jonas:  That's GREAT!  What'd you say?

Francine:  [laughs] YES, of course!  Oh, I'm so happy!  I haven't felt this alive for a LONG time.
How can I ever thank you?

Jonas:  [chuckles] I'll think of something.  [begins to walk out] Oh, by the way:  Don't worry
about dozing off.  When I found you, you were BOTH asleep.  [walks out]

Francine:  [blushes] (to herself) Oh, Guido...[walks out]

[Scene switches to Jonas and GB, leaning on the parlor wall outside, near the door.  The sun is
high in the sky, now, and people are walking the streets.]

GB:  (to Jonas, annoyed) They're taking their sweet time.  [looks at watch:  11:30]  It's almost
NOON!

Jonas:  [shrugs] If they all managed to just get along, they should be out soon.  [silent for a
moment] Can I ask you something?

GB:  Sure.

Jonas:  Why did you change your name to "Good Bird"?

GB:  Simple.  "Bad Bird" didn't fit my personality anymore.  I'm Good Bird now.  It means
exactly what it says.

Jonas:  Well, no offense, but..."Good Bird" sounds kind of...WIMPY.

GB:  [silent for a moment, laughs] It does, doesn't it?  My given name was "Bad Bird", but I
wasn't that kind of person anymore.  Since it was my real name, I couldn't really think of anything
else to change it to.  Nobody else really liked "Good Bird", either, so they all just call me GB,
except for Carla.  [laughs] They call me by that name so much, I think they've forgotten what it
means!

Jonas:  You could have kept "Bad Bird", only used it in a different context.  Like, "Bad" meaning
"Cool".

GB:  [nods] Speedy mentioned that.  But, I just couldn't stand to even remotely have that name
connected to me.  I HATE myself for what I did as Bad Bird.  I had to make a new start, and a
new name to go with it.

Jonas:  Well said.

[The parlor door opens, and Polly walks out, dressed in her helmet, blue jeans, and a T-shirt that
says "I'm a Little Tokyo girl and I can KICK YOUR BUTT!" Following closely behind are
Francine, in her regular clothes, and Speedy and Guido in their work clothes without aprons.]

GB:  Took you long enough.

Speedy:  I couldn't find my SOCKS!

Guido:  We're here NOW, aren't we?

GB:  [sighs] I suppose so...

Polly:  Where to first?

Jonas:  Let's walk for a while.  I haven't had a lot of time to see the sights around here.

[Everyone nods.  The group heads in the general direction of the market area.  Much of the city is
still under repair from the comet's effects.  Citizens can be seen boarding up holes, reattaching
shingles, and hammering nails.  The group eventually comes to a three-way fork in the road, right
in front of the palace.  The palace itself is undergoing MAJOR reconstruction, and a large crane
can be seen lifting girders up to the palace roof]

Francine:  Which way?

Speedy:  [scratches his chin] Hmm...

Voice:  (shouts) LOOK OUT!

[The group looks up toward the direction of the voice.  Horrified, they see that the crane's arm is
hanging loosely, and suddenly breaks off, plunging toward the citizens below.  Chaos erupts in the
street, as people scramble to get out of the way.]

Francine: [puts hands to her mouth] (gasps) MY GOD!

Polly:  [eyes dart from the crane to the crowd] The PEOPLE!

Speedy:  GB, you try and pull that thing from above.  The rest of us will try to brace it from down
here.

Guido:  Speedy, that crane must weigh TONS!  We'll be CRUSHED!

Speedy:  [turns to Guido] (frantic) Well, we've got to do SOME-

Jonas: (interrupting) DOWN!!

[Speedy, Polly, GB, Guido, and Francine all turn to Jonas.  He is crouching on one knee, grasping
his right wrist with his left hand.  A yellowish mass of energy forms around his fist, and flies
toward the falling crane.  The blast hits the crane with incredible force, vaporizing it.  All the Cats
and citizens stare, dumbfounded.]

Guido:  [notices staring citizens] (to crowd) Uh...HE'S WITH US!

[Upon hearing THIS, the citizens resume their actions as if nothing had happened]

Speedy:  (to Jonas, badly shaken) HOW...DID YOU...DO THAT!?

Jonas:  [stands] When we get back from this little venture, I'll tell you.  I'll tell you everything.

Polly:  You better, mister.  You've got a LOT of explaining to do.

Francine: [recovering] Well, which way?

[It is agreed upon that the group should split up, in order to get done faster.  Three pairs are
formed:  Speedy with Polly, Guido with Francine, and Jonas with GB.  As they go their separate
ways, we join Speedy and Polly]

Speedy:  [looking down list] (mumbling) Tomatoes...tomatoes...where's the PRODUCE around
here?

Polly:  [grasping Speedy's hand tightly] (nervously) Speedy, did you SEE that?  He
DISINTIGRATED that crane!  POOF, GONE!  What if he's NOT on our side?  Imagine what
he'll do to US!

Speedy:  [stops walking, turns to Polly] (comfortingly) If he's NOT on our side, then he'll answer
to ME.  You have NOTHING to worry about.

Polly:  Y...you really think so?

Speedy:  I KNOW so.  [kisses Polly gently] Now, come on.  We've got some groceries to-ah, here
they are!  [Speedy grabs a red tomato off of a nearby stand.  The view zooms in on the tomato
until the screen is completely red, then slowly zooms out from the red on Guido's large,
triangle-shaped accessory on his chest.  He and Francine are holding hands, looking at the
buildings as they walk by]

Francine:  [squinting at buildings, shielding her eyes from the sun with one hand] Hard to tell
where everything is with the sun shining like this...

Guido:  (smoothly) The sun is but a spark when compared to your radiant beauty.

Francine:  [blushes] Oh, Guido...oh, here we are!

[Guido and Francine have stopped in front of a small fish-items store]

Francine:  You looking for anything in particular, Guido?  Guido...?

Guido:  [Looking at something across the street, off-camera.  Turns to Francine] Fran, I've got
something REALLY important I have to take care of.  I'll only be a minute.  Will you wait for
me?

Francine:  (a little puzzled) Of course.  I'll just be in here.  [points to store] Would you mind
telling me what you're going to do?

Guido:  (hesitant) Well...it's kind of...PERSONAL...if you don't mind...

Francine:  (softly) Oh.  Well, um, all right, then.  I'll see you...[Walks into store, a confused
expression on her face.  Guido waits until Francine has gone in, and then walks off-camera]

[Scene switches to Francine, holding a half-full shopping cart, browsing the shelves]

Francine:  <What could he be doing?  I know he has a right to privacy, but I care about him.  He's
not seeing someone, is he...?>

[A hand comes down on Francine's shoulder] Voice:  Hey.

Francine:  [whirls around] (surprised) EEK!

[Guido stands there, a little shocked]

Guido:  (quickly) Easy, Fran.  It's just me.

Francine:  [puts a hand on her chest] (relieved) You SCARED me.  (puzzled) That didn't take
long.  What did you do?

Guido:  Something I've been meaning to do for a long time now, that's all.  You finished?

Francine:  [examines cart] I think so...yeah, I've got everything.

Guido:  [same] Hmm...hey, you forgot the anchovies.  [tosses in a can]

Francine:  [smiles] Trust me, that's all I've been thinking about.  <You're just paranoid, Francine.
Thinking about tonight has you on edge...you should just relax.>

Guido:  (puzzled)...?

Francine:  [smiles] Come on, let's go.

[Finally, we join Jonas and GB.  GB walks out of a store door {side-view} carrying one small
bag]

GB:  (to Jonas) Hurry up!  We've gotta meet the others!

[Jonas walks out, carrying several large sacks that almost block his view]

Jonas:  You COULD give me a hand, here...

GB:  [laughs] You're the rookie.  We get to kick you around for at least a DAY.  [both laugh]
What's the matter?  Can't take it?

Jonas:  [chuckles] I could easily carry ALL of these with ONE hand, but I'd have trouble keeping
them BALANCED.  Come on, the others are probably waiting for us.

[Everyone meets up at the pizza parlor a few minutes later]

Francine:  Whew, glad that's done.  Now...

[Everyone turns to Jonas]

Francine:  Spill it.  EVERYTHING.

Jonas:  [takes a seat, sighs] All right.  You deserve an explanation, so here it is:  I finished school
about two or three years ago.  When I got out, I realized that I hadn't planned on getting a job.  I
did a few things here and there, nothing long-term, but I enjoyed it, and made enough to support
myself.  In my spare time, which I have a LOT of, I create machines with any spare parts I can
find.  I have some relatives in high places, so they send me materials they don't require.  The
American government has a surprising amount of surplus.  [points to his suit] Underneath this
molecularly-enhanced fabric, there's more technology than you'll find in some COUNTRIES.  It's
the reason my face appears to you the way it does, and causes the echo in my voice.

GB:  You're American?

Jonas:  [nods] Born and raised.  I eventually got bored with what I built.  I watched a lot of sci-fi
TV, and actually managed to create some of the stuff I saw.  The teleporter, for example, and a
few other things.  Medical aids.  Even WEAPONS.  I stored them, thinking I'd never use them.  I
needed a challenge, something that would keep me occupied, and I would actually USE.  I
thought about time-travel, but decided it was FAR too dangerous.  The prospect of alternate
realities intrigued me, so I decided to build a machine that would allow me to view these other
dimensions before I actually attempted travel.

[Everyone is listening, dumbfounded]

Jonas:  (continues) It took a TON of material, several revisions, and nearly a year to complete,
but I finally finished.  When I got it working, I immediately wished I never did.

Polly:  Why?

Jonas:  I saw great miracles performed in those other universes, but I also saw horrors even I
could never imagine.  Evil beings with power that STAGGERS comprehension, with no
counterparts to stop them.  They would ravage freely, and commit atrocities that are just
too...HIDEOUS to mention.  [chuckles] Odd...I believe I've viewed over two dozen realities...but
the Samurai Pizza Cats only existed in TWO out of all of them.  I viewed for months, until I had
seen enough.  I promised myself that I would NEVER let what I had seen there happen HERE.
Plus, I wanted to go to those places myself.  I had to prepare.  Had to become equal with what I'd
seen.  I trained myself in every technique I could find.  I traveled to other countries and studied
under Grand Masters.  I learned magic and mysticism, concentration and speed, telepathy and
focus, and developed several techniques of my OWN.  My body was now a powerhouse of
energy.  That, combined with this suit I constructed from my best materials, made me RIVAL
what I had seen on those other worlds.  I was READY.  For what, I wasn't sure, but I knew that I
was prepared for almost ANY eventuality.

Guido:  (shocked) That's a lot of time preparing for something that might never HAPPEN.  Even
if you travel there, you might not encounter anything.

Jonas:  [nods] That nagged at me, too.  What if it was all for nothing?  What if all that brutal,
grueling training was WASTED?  I couldn't accept that.  I knew that somewhere, there are those
who could effortlessly decimate all of the Earth's military resources.  If the military was helpless,
then more drastic measures would have to be taken.  IF.  Nothing may EVER happen.  I may
never run into anything even remotely dangerous out there.  That's when I heard about some of
the things that went on around here.  Giant robots attacking frequently, overpowering the
authorities, yet always stopped by a team of heroes.  No clear details were ever given, but I had
renewed hope.  SOMEONE knew about what could happen, and was apparently ready for it.
Those robots were proof that something could happen.  To test myself, I created replicas of some
of the robots.  I was surprised at how easily I CRUSHED them.  Apparently, the training had paid
off.  I wasn't INVINCIBLE, though.  I knew that.  If something happened, I'd need HELP.
Others like me, who train themselves for the unexpected, certainly exist, but I had no idea how to
contact them.  Then, six weeks ago, I heard about YOU.

Speedy:  Us?

Jonas:  [nods] In more detail this time.  Past reports were vague, but saving the planet from that
comet made you BIG news back home.  I was fascinated.  Three cats and a bird with
extraordinary powers were the defenders of an entire city, and ran a pizza parlor on the side.  It
was almost laughable.  I became obsessed, and sought out all the information I could on you.
Newspaper articles, videos, anything I could find.  I wanted to meet you in person, to discuss
expanding your horizons from Little Tokyo to a larger scale, but what could I say?  "Hi, how
would you like to undergo physically demanding and exhausting training in preparation for a
product of my paranoia?"  PLEASE.  I'd be COMMITTED for something like that.  I've also
changed my views since then.  Little Tokyo's not exactly next door, either.  I couldn't come all the
way here without a good excuse.  Then, about a month ago, I got one.  My father is a coal miner
back home, and he found a strange suit of armor while digging in one of the mines.  He didn't
show anyone, and figured I might be able to find out what it was, so he brought it to me.  I did
some research, and found out that it was created by an American apprentice to the Ancient
Shoguns.  After he went back home, he forged an armor suit based on the Shoguns' designs.  It
wasn't endowed with magical powers like your three, but it was sturdy, and was kind of a tribute
to the Shoguns.  How it ended up in that mine, I don't know.  I thought it would be better to bring
it here to be with the rest of the Shoguns' armory than let it sit in an American museum
somewhere.  Plus, it gave me a chance to meet YOU.  That reminds me...

[Jonas closes his eyes in concentration.  An orange suit of armor (resembling Speedy's only
orange in the white places) seems to emerge from him.  It hovers in the air for a moment, then
clatters to the floor.  It is badly damaged, with several large cracks]

Jonas:  Hid that for safe-keeping.

GB:  [examines the armor] This thing's seen better days...

Jonas:  [nods] I couldn't tell how long it had been in that mine.  Time has caused it great damage.

Speedy:  So, you trained to prepare yourself for what COULD happen here and what COULD
happen when you travel to another dimension.

Jonas:  [shakes his head] Not quite, not anymore, but that's a small part of it.  I'm more concerned
with things over here, first.

Speedy:  How bad could it possibly BE?

Jonas:  [thinks] You ever seen a man blow up a planet with two fingers, Cerviche?

Speedy:  Uh...no...

Jonas:  (darkly) Well, I HAVE.  How's THAT for a nightmare?

Speedy:  (shocked, fearful) B...but...why do you need US?

Jonas:  I've analyzed several possible threats that could occur here, and the countermeasures that
could be deployed to stop them.  [shakes his head] Your team is among the strongest of the
countermeasures, but you still PALE in comparison to what lurks out there...and HERE.  I've
come to deliver this armor...and ask you to undergo some training.  To just BE READY.  Not for
an invasion anymore, but...to back me up in case something DOES happen.

Francine:  Why come all the way out here?  Why not ask someone closer to home, like...the New
York Pizza Cats {Seen in "Mission in Manhattan", ironically not aired in the U.S.!}?

Jonas:  [silent for a moment, then bursts into laughter] You...you mean Sundance, DeeDee, and
Cosmo?  [laughs] They're able fighters, but they've never faced any REAL threat.  They just don't
have the intense combat experience that you do.

Speedy:  So, you want us to train, under YOU, for an event that may NEVER occur, so you can
have peace-of-mind?

Jonas:  [shakes his head] YOU'RE MISSING IT, HERE.  I'm not concerned about my paranoia
anymore.  I've been leaving FAR too much to chance.  I just want some backup in case of an
emergency.  No more huge, world-devastating consequences.  If something serious happens, and I
can't handle it alone, I'm asking you to train to HELP ME.  In your current state, against
something that could stop ME, you wouldn't make much of a difference.

Speedy:  [sighs] I'm sorry, but we just CAN'T.  This is the first opportunity we've had in a long
time to just RELAX.  We've settled into normal lives here, and I've been thinking about hanging
up my Ginzu Sword...for good.

[Everyone else nods]

Jonas:  [nods] I understand.  I didn't want to have to bring this up, but...I understand that you
cannot confirm the whereabouts of either Seymour "Big" Cheese, or his associate, Jerry Atrick?

Polly:  That's right.  They were exiled when we stopped the comet.

Jonas:  So, to the best of your knowledge, they are still alive?

Guido:  Yeah, so?

Jonas:  (under his breath, angrily) Damn.  (normally)  Never think anyone dead until you see the
body yourself.  Do you realize that if they ever come back, they are going to be REALLY
PISSED OFF?

Speedy:  LET 'EM!  We trounced them before, we'll do it again!

Polly:  We're sorry, Jonas, but we just can't accept.

Jonas:  [sighs] All right.  If that's your decision, I'll respect it.

Francine:  You're not going to quit now, are you?

Jonas:  [shakes his head] No, no.  I still enjoy being here.  I just wish I could change your minds...

GB:  [thinks for a moment] I'll do it.

Cats:  (surprised) HUH!?

Jonas:  You will?

GB:  Come on, guys.  This is a chance for us to better ourselves.  We might as well take it.

Guido:  Are you SERIOUS?

GB:  Yeah.  I haven't used my skills in a while.  This would be good for me...for ALL of us.

Speedy:  [turns to Polly and Guido] Well...?

Polly:  [shrugs] Your decision, Speedy.

Guido:  Yeah.  Whatever you decide, we'll back you up on.

Speedy:  [thinks] (to Jonas) All right.  We'll do it.

Jonas:  (relieved) Thank you.  All of you.  You don't know WHAT this means to me.

Polly:  But, won't training like yours take MONTHS?

Jonas:  [shakes his head] No.  I've refined the teaching methods.  [Looks at his left gauntlet.  A
display reads:  1:00 PM] I can teach you the basics by 6:00.

Speedy:  Not bad.

Francine:  Can I train too?

Guido:  (concerned) Are you sure, Fran?  You don't see much combat.  I wouldn't want you to
get hurt...

Francine:  (touched but trying to hide it) I'll be fine, Guido.  I've been training a little myself,
remember?  I can handle a little more.

Jonas:  We can begin anytime.

Speedy:  Hold on.  I want a test of your abilities, first.  Fran, put that armor there somewhere
safe, will you?  I'm gonna show Jonas the Training Facility.

Francine:  [nods] Okay.  [picks up the armor, hauls it off somewhere in the back]

Speedy:  The rest of you, follow me.

[Speedy leads everyone else to the stairs leading to the second floor.  He stops in front of them,
stoops down, and opens a hidden trap door with a staircase leading down.  Everyone descends the
stairs, which lead to a large room with steel walls, and some exercising equipment]

Speedy:  This is where we train new recruits.  What do you think?

Jonas:  [looks room over] This will do.  You say you want to test me?

[Francine silently walks down the stairs]

Speedy:  [nods] Let's see how good you really are.  Ten ninja crow cutouts will pop up
throughout the room.  I'll rate you on how many you take out and how quickly you do it.  Your
time limit is thirty seconds.  Ready?

[A sword sheath materializes on Jonas' belt]

Jonas:  [grasps the hilt, pulls it out a little] Ready.

Speedy:  Francine?  The crows, please?

[Francine pushes a small red button on the wall.  Ten ninja crow cutouts flip up around the room.
Everything turns black for a moment, and several yellow slash marks are seen across the screen.
The screen reverts to normal, and Jonas is seen in the exact same position as before, except he
slides the hilt into the sheath.  After a moment, nine crow cutouts fall over, sliced in half.]

GB:  (stunned) WHOA.

Polly:  Satisfied, Speedy?

Speedy:  (in shock) Yeah...

Jonas:  Odd.  I only count nine...

Guido:  Up there!  [Points to the ceiling.  A single crow cutout is hanging upside-down.  Twin
beams of yellow energy shoot from Jonas' eyes, vaporizing the crow]

Jonas:  Where?

Guido:  (stunned) Uh...nothing.

Francine:  How quick was that?

Speedy:  Um...excluding that last crow...TWO SECONDS!?

Jonas:  (puzzled) Two?  Damn, must be getting slow...

[All turn, dumbfounded, to Jonas]

Jonas:  [laughs] I'm KIDDING!  So, now what?

Speedy:  [shrugs] The ball's in your court, now.  You're the trainer.  Train us.

Jonas:  Not quite yet.  I want a test of YOUR abilities, now.

GB:  Us?

Jonas:  Yes.  I have to gauge your abilities before I attempt to enhance them.

Polly:  What do you suggest?

Jonas:  [thinks] Attack me.  All of you.

Speedy:  WHAT?  That's not a fair test!

Jonas:  True.  There aren't enough of you, but we'll deal with what we've got.

Guido:  (whispering to Francine) This guy's one slice short of a pizza.

Jonas:  I heard that.  I want you to give me everything you've got.

Speedy:  You'll be KILLED!

Jonas:  [walks to far side of the room] Try me.  Show no mercy.

GB:  Why?

[Jonas turns around, points his fist toward the ground, and uses energy to cut off a circular piece
of the floor around Speedy, Polly, Guido, and GB.  The piece slowly begins to lift into the air,
with the four still on it.]

Jonas:  (darkly, with echo) Because I WON'T.

[The chunk of floor crashes to the ground.  The four quickly recover from the fall]

Speedy:  HUDDLE!

[Speedy, Polly, Guido, GB, and Francine form a huddle]

Speedy:  Okay...I think we're WAY out of our league, here.

Polly:  How is he doing those things?

Guido:  Everything he said about what he learned must be true.

Speedy:  Fran, you'll have to sit this one out.

Francine:  Fine by me.

GB:  How are we gonna take this guy?  He could fry us at fifty paces!

Speedy:  [shakes his head] He won't.  He wants to see what we're made of.

Polly:  We should take him on all at once, but sending in someone to occupy him first.  There's no
way he can fight ALL of us.

GB:  I'll distract him.

Guido:  Agreed.  Ready...

All:  BREAK!

[The Cats assume attack positions]

Jonas:  One moment.  You're not wearing any armor.

Speedy:  Huh?  [looks down at himself] YIKES!  He's right!

Jonas:  [chuckles] Just a second.  [points a fist at the group]

Speedy:  (alarmed) Hey, WAIT!!

[A yellow energy field envelops the Cats, instantly clothing them in their armor]

Speedy:  (puzzled) Huh?  [looks down at himself] We're still HERE?  [eyes Jonas suspiciously]
You know what?  I don't WANNA know.

Jonas:  [chuckles] Whenever you're ready.

[GB draws his sword, leaps into the air, and flies straight toward Jonas]

GB:  (shouts) YAAAAAH!

[Just before GB can spear him, Jonas sidesteps GB, grabs him near the neck of the armor, and
slams him down HARD on the floor]

Jonas:  [bending over GB] One down...

Guido:  HA!  [Leaps onto Jonas' back and hangs on his neck.  Blue currents of electricity begin
surging off of Jonas and into Guido.  Guido flies off Jonas' back and slams into a nearby wall,
denting it]

Jonas:  Two...

Francine:  (screams) GUIDO!  [runs over to Guido's limp form] (sobbing) Oh, Guido...

Polly:  (shouts) I KNEW YOU WERE NO GOOD!  [leaps high into the air, toward Jonas, sword
drawn]

Jonas:  Eh?  [sees Polly coming, raises a clenched fist]

Polly:  Huh?  Oh, NO!

[A yellow blast of energy erupts from Jonas' fist, and slams into Polly's face.  Her bloodcurdling
scream reverberates throughout the room.  She clutches her face with both hands, as she and her
sword fall to the floor]

Speedy:  (shouts) POLLY!!!  [Sprints over to her.  She is clutching her face, writhing in pain]

Polly:  [clutching her face] (muffled, in EXTREME pain) My face...my face is on fire...

Speedy:  [teary-eyed] (softly) Polly...[grits teeth] (enraged, to Jonas) SHE WAS RIGHT ABOUT
YOU, YOU MONSTER!!!  [draws sword, charges Jonas] AAAARRGH!!!

Jonas:  [Draws his own sword fully.  It's about one and a half times the length of Speedy's, and is
changing colors rapidly.  Chuckles] Excellent, excellent!  Come on, then!  TAKE ME!  That was
three...

[Speedy and Jonas clash swords in an insane flurry of strikes and counterstrikes.  It seems
impossible for either not to be killed]

Jonas:  [dodging Speedy's swings] <The rage radiating from him is IMMENSE!  If he could just
FOCUS it, I might have a problem here!>

Francine:  [checking Guido] <Thank God, he's still breathing!>  [notices Polly, who has stopped
moving] <Oh, no...POLLY!>

Speedy:  [crosses swords with Jonas] (enraged) I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!!!

Jonas:  [chuckles] Now, now, Cerviche.  You can't kill me if you're UNCONSCIOUS!

[Jonas' sword begins to glow a bright yellow, and hums loudly.  A blinding explosion engulfs the
center of the room.  Francine shields her eyes.  As the smoke clears, Jonas can be seen, unscathed,
carrying a limp Speedy and Polly over each shoulder.  He walks over to Francine]

Jonas:  That's four.

Francine:  [looks up, tears streaming down her cheeks] (shouts) GO ON!  I'M NOT AFRAID OF
YOU!  TAKE ME OUT, JUST LIKE YOU DID THEM!

Jonas:  (calmly) No, Francine.

Francine:  (shocked) H...huh?

Jonas:  I'm not out to hurt YOU, or THEM.  I've finished gauging them.  Now, come on.  Help
me get them upstairs.

Francine:  (confused) But-

Jonas:  (interrupting) No "buts".  Their injuries are extensive.  They need medical attention.  Now,
LET'S GO.

[Scene changes to a black screen.  Two slits appear and widen, as if someone is opening their
eyes.  The view is blurred and hazy.]

Speedy:  (groggily) Huh?  What...?

[View switches to Speedy propped up in a chair in the serving area.  He's sitting at a table with
Polly, Guido, and GB, also propped up.  They all appear to be unconscious.  None show any signs
of being in a battle, and Polly's face is undamaged.  Francine is sitting at the counter, hanging her
head.]

Speedy:  [looks around] (confused) What happened?

Francine:  [snaps her head up, turns to Speedy] (surprised) SPEEDY!?  [runs over to Speedy,
hugs him tightly] (joyously) Oh, YOU'RE ALL RIGHT!

Speedy:  [pats Francine on the back] (consoling) Easy, Fran.  I'm all right.  What happened?

Francine:  (puzzled) You don't remember?

Speedy:  I remember...fighting Jonas...then nothing.  What happened?

Francine:  He wiped the floor with you guys.  He blasted Polly in the face, and you lost it.  You
clashed swords, there was an explosion, and he walked out without a scratch.

Speedy:  (angrily) WHERE IS HE?  I'LL-

Francine:  (interrupting) WHOA, WHOA!  Calm down.  He HEALED you guys.

Speedy:  (confused) Huh?

Francine:  [nods] Yeah.  All of you were out cold, and hurt badly, especially Polly.  He and I
carried you all up here, and he healed your wounds.  Polly was burned very badly, but he just
touched her face, and it was as good as new.

Speedy:  (stunned) Wow.  How long have we been out?

Francine:  [thinks] About twenty minutes.

Speedy:  Are the others okay?

Francine:  Well, how do YOU feel?

Speedy:  [rubs his neck] A little stiff, but other than that...

Francine:  The others should feel the same way.  Let's try and wake them.

Speedy:  [nods] Right.  [shakes Polly gently] Polly...come on, honey.  Wake up.

Polly:  (drowsily) Huh?  Where...?  [snaps awake] (alarmed) WHERE'S JONAS!?  [feels her face]
My face...it's okay...

Speedy:  (quickly) Whoa, hold on.  It's all right.

[As Speedy explains the situation to Polly, Francine attempts to wake Guido]

Francine:  Guido...come on, Guido.  I know you're in there.

Guido:  (drowsily) Unnh...[rubs his head] Anybody get the number of that TANK?  What
happened?

GB:  [wakes up] Huh?  Where am I?  Are we trained yet?

[Francine fills in Guido and GB]

GB:  Man, he did all THAT?  Where is he now?

Jonas:  Right here.

[Everyone spins to face the parlor door.  Jonas walks slowly toward the group]

Jonas:  I'm sorry to have done that to you, but unless I put you in a real combat situation, you
would have held back.  I had to rate you in a full-blown fight.

Speedy:  Fight?  That was no fight.  That was a MASSACRE!  WE DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE!

Jonas:  [shakes his head] Not against ME, anyway, but that's to be expected.  You're a formidable
fighting force.  All of you combined could easily LEVEL Little Tokyo.

Polly:  How did you heal us?  That blast hit me head-on, but my face is fine.  It felt like it was
melting off my skull.

Jonas:  It WAS.  I have extensive medical and mystical rejuvenating capabilities.  You'll learn
some later.

Guido:  So, how do we rate?  Do we make the grade?

Jonas:  As a unit, you are a force to be reckoned with.  AS A UNIT.  We need to work on honing
your individual fighting skills.

GB:  Where do we go from here?

Jonas:  Come below.  It's time for me to teach you the basics.

[Everyone proceeds to the training room]

Jonas:  Before we proceed, I want to make something perfectly clear...[punches a wall hard,
making a large dent] I will NOT tolerate disrespect.  You have something to say, you say it to my
FACE.  Understood?

All:  Yes, SIR!

Jonas:  Good.  Now, I want each of you to hit me with your most powerful attacks.  Literally give
me your best shot.  I won't fight back or try to dodge.  I want to see the best you have.

Speedy:  Are you sure about that?  We've never seen anyone quite like you, but I'm not sure if
even YOU could take in all of that power.

Jonas:  Maybe you're not, but I am.  You'll soon learn just how tough I really am.  It'd take a
MIRACLE on your part to actually cause me injury.  Give me the best you've got.

Speedy:  [shrugs] Have it your way.  All right, guys.  You heard the man.  Hit 'em hard!

[Everyone backs away from Jonas, and each go into their respective finishing maneuvers (except
Francine).  GB uses his awesome move from "Bad Bird Uncaged".  All of the moves coalesce into
a ball, which strikes Jonas full on.  After the smoke clears, Jonas is seen still standing, unscathed.]

Jonas:  <Better than I thought, but not NEARLY good enough.>  Not bad!  I'm impressed.

Speedy:  (shocked) That's UNREAL!

Polly: (same) That would have KILLED anyone else!

Jonas:  Not ANYONE, but most people, yes.  What do you call all those?

Speedy:  Mine's the only one we've ever really named.  It's the patented Cerviche Cat's Eye Slash.

Jonas:  What about the rest of you?  Surely you can think of something.

Polly:  [thinks] Hmm...The Heartbreaker.

Guido:  [same] ...Azure Flame.

GB:  [same] ...The Firebird.

Jonas:  [nods] None for you, Francine?

Francine:  [chuckles, shakes her head] 'Fraid not.  I mainly stay on the sidelines rather than fight.

Jonas:  I see...well, we can fix that.  Would all of you line up, please?

[Everyone lines up single-file and faces Jonas]

Jonas:  Each one of you represents a different part of the mind and body based on your
personality.  It is when you all come together that you are strongest.  However, something can be
done to make you stronger individually.  [walks up to Speedy] Speedy Cerviche.  You are a noble
cat of awesome power.  Never backing down from a fight, you battle with unrivaled spirit and an
unbreakable will.  The leader of the Pizza Cats, your mission is the defense of Little Tokyo and all
who reside there.  Lately, however, you've considered just giving it all up, to spend time with your
wife and never bring her into the crossfire again.  You represent energy, honor, and the
determined spirit.

[Speedy nods]

Jonas:  [walks up to Polly] Polly Esther.  Your gentle beauty masks the raw power that dwells
within you.  Possessed of powerful emotions and brute strength, you are a main point of support
for the team.  Driven in battle by your will to win and your love for your husband, you are loved
by those who know you, and feared by those who do not.  You are living proof that "Hell hath no
fury like a woman scorned."  You are love, hate, and power.

[Polly blushes]

Jonas:  [walks up to Guido] Guido Anchovy.  A cat with a suave, macho exterior, that masks the
sensitive, gentle tenderness inside.  Though a powerful fighter, there are times when you feel
neglected by your teammates and others.  Your motivation is the protection of the ones you care
about, as well as defending the honor of the Pizza Cat name.  However, you yourself have been
contemplating retirement, as you stand on the verge of one of the biggest decisions of your life.
Your swordsman abilities are unparalleled.  You are dexterity, accuracy, and skill.

Guido:  (puzzled) How did you...?

Jonas:  [walks up to GB] "Good Bird".  You are a battle-hardened warrior, trying to make
amends for the horrible atrocities you committed during your service to the Big Cheese.  Your
drive in battle is the purification of your conscience.  Your natural ability to fly and lightning
quick reflexes make you a formidable opponent against any force.  You are agility, nobility, and
speed.

[GB nods]

Jonas:  [walks up to Francine] Finally, Francine Manx.  Not accustomed to the combat scene, you
provide moral support from the sidelines.  Only recently, through limited training, have you begun
to realize your potential.  You're fun-loving, and actually a little shy.  More technical than your
comrades, you manage the business itself, while they handle the manual labor.  Currently, you
are...exploring an opportunity at companionship.  Although you try to maintain a positive attitude,