Polly:  [smiles] Yes.

Speedy:  [for a moment, uncomprehending] Yes?  [smiles, tears run down his cheeks] YES!

[Speedy picks Polly up by the waist and spins around and around with her]

Speedy:  (yells, joyously) SHE SAID YES!!!  [hugs Polly tightly, cries joyously]
 
[Downstairs...]

Francine:  [looking up at the ceiling] Do you hear yelling, Guido?

Guido:  [same] Yeah.  Speedy and Polly went up there a few minutes ago.  You don't think she
hurt him, do you?

[Minutes later, Speedy and Polly come downstairs]

Speedy:  [holding Polly's hand, clears his throat] Excuse me, everyone.  We have an
announcement to make.

Guido:  There you two are.  Are you okay, Speedy?

Speedy:  [smiles] Guido, I've never felt better in my entire life.

Guido:  (puzzled)...?

Francine:  What's the big announcement?

Polly:  [smiles] Speedy and I are getting married!

[For a moment, everyone is silent]

Guido:  <Married?  Those two?  That's...great!> Um...ALL RIGHT!

Francine:  Uh...YEAH!

[Everyone begins clapping]

Speedy:  [smiles] (whispers, to Polly) Guess that took a second to sink in, huh?

Polly:  [laughs]

[Scene ripples back to present day]

Guido:  After that, you were married about three days later.

Speedy:  That's right.  Okay, your turn.

Polly:  [grabs Speedy's arm] You two go ahead.  We'll be right there.

[Guido and Jonas exchange glances, then continue on]

Speedy:  [turns to Polly] (puzzled) What is it, Polly?

Polly:  [tears stream down her cheeks] (voice breaking) Oh, Speedy, I'm so sorry!  [hugs Speedy
tightly, sobbing loudly]

Speedy:  [pats Polly on the back] (consoling, feeling guilty) Oh, God, Polly.  I'm sorry.  I didn't
mean to make you feel guilty.  It's not your fault.  It's mine, for not trying hard enough.

Polly:  [sobbing] No.  If I had just taken the time to listen to what you had to say instead of being
so mean to you...why didn't I see it sooner?  [sobs]

Speedy:  [wipes a tear from Polly's cheek] It all worked out for the best, didn't it?  We're here
now, aren't we?  Together?

Polly:  [sniffles] Yes, but...

 Speedy:  No "buts".  I married you for who you are.  A gentle, loving, compassionate person.  I
don't have to worry about keeping an eye on you because I know you can take care of yourself.
You're tougher than most MEN I know.  You know that.  It's part of what makes you so special.
Without you, there would be no Samurai Pizza Cats.

Polly:  [sniffles, laughs] I guess so...[Opens her locket.  Inside is a picture of herself and Speedy
standing in front of their wedding cake.  She smiles]

Speedy:  (softly) Whatever happens, I'll always love you, with all my heart and soul.  [kisses Polly
passionately] Now, what do you say we catch up...partner?

Polly:  [grasps Speedy's hand tightly] I'm with you...partner.

[Up ahead...]

Guido:  Are they walking slower, or did they stop?

Jonas:  [stops, turns around] Here they come.

[Polly comes running up, with Speedy behind]

Polly:  [laughing, gasping for breath] I...I beat ya!  [gasp]

Speedy:  [same] No fair!  [gasp] You...took a head start!  [gasp]

Guido:  You two okay?

Speedy:  [recovering] Yeah...just a little...family fun...

[Polly laughs]

Guido:  [chuckles] Okay...so, it's my turn now?

Speedy:  Yeah.  Your turn to empty your life onto the street.  What's with all this zoning out
lately?

Guido:  Well...the reason is...I've been thinking about asking Francine to marry me.

Polly:  (shocked) You?  Marry Francine?

Speedy:  [laughs] Is the great kitty Casanova ready to settle down?

Jonas:  I KNEW IT!  I could sense it was something very personal, but without directly invading
your mind, I couldn't put my finger on it.

Guido:  (seriously) C'mon, guys.  I'm dead serious here.

Polly:  We know, it's just that this is unexpected.

Speedy:  [begins chuckling quietly]

Guido:  (curious) What's so funny?

Speedy:  [smiles] Don't you remember, Guido?

Guido:  Remember what?

Speedy:  When Polly and I were married.  Francine caught the bouquet, after it bounced off your
head.  [laughs] I still remember how Polly wrestled it away from her at GB and Carla's wedding!

Polly:  [nervous laugh]

Jonas:  Isn't this a little SUDDEN?  You only went on your first date last night!

Guido:  I know, but...I've been meaning to ask her for a while now...I've just been afraid of what
she might say...when she asked me to watch the sunrise with her the other day, it made me feel
better.  Dinner last night helped, too.

Polly:  [lays a hand on Guido's shoulder] Guido, I probably shouldn't be telling you this,
but...Francine really wants to see you again.

Guido:  [smiles] She does?

Jonas:  Yes.  She cares about you a great deal, but she's been just as afraid as you have, for the
same reason.  She's very concerned for your well-being.

Guido:  I...I didn't know...[Reaches into his pocket, pulls out a small green box, and removes the
lid.  Inside is a diamond ring]

Speedy:  That's not a bad ring, Guido.  When did you get it?

Guido:  While we were out yesterday.  While Francine went into a store, I went into the jeweler's
for a second.  I plan to ask her when we get back from checking this out.  [hangs his head]
(softly) I...I love her, you guys.

Speedy:  You asked me how I proposed to Polly because you needed some reference, right?

Guido:  [nods] I wanted to hear how you fought your nervousness.

Speedy:  [laughs] You should talk to Meowzma or GB!  They have more marriage experience
than we do.

Polly:  Well, you know that whatever you do, we're behind you 100%, right?

Guido:  You mean it?

Speedy:  Of course.  You two mean the world to us.  We need you.

[Jonas nods in agreement]

Guido:  [smiles] Thanks, guys.  You don't know how much that means to me.

Polly:  [gives Guido a hug] No sweat, Guido.

[The group walks along for several minutes]

Jonas:  Are we THERE yet?

Speedy:  [points ahead to a group of buildings about 100 yards away] Just beyond there.

[Suddenly, a blinding explosion engulfs the area Speedy was pointing to.  There is a sound like a
massive train slamming into a chemical factory.  The sky fills with smoke]

Jonas:  [shields his eyes] (yelling over sound) What the hell was that!?

Guido:  [same] (same) Some kind of BOMB!

Polly:  [same] (same) We've got to get over there, NOW!

Speedy:  [same] (same) Jonas, can you teleport us there?

Jonas:  [hits a few buttons on one gauntlet] No good!  We're too close to the source of that
interference!  We'll have to run!

[The group sprints toward the flames.  When they are about 50 yards away, a chain of explosions
knocks them off their feet]

Speedy:  [falls down] OOMPH!

Guido:  [struggling to his feet, coughing] I can't see!

Polly:  [same] It's hard to breathe...[cough]

Jonas:  Hunter!  Engage their oxygen filtration measures, NOW!

[On all the Cats' helmets, masks similar to the ones on their Catatonic suits slide down.  Switch to
Speedy's view.  It's an infrared-type view, and all the smoke has been filtered out]

 Speedy:  [breathing heavily] Thanks, Jonas.  What's going on!?

Jonas:  Could be anything.  Maybe a gas line ruptured or something.  Let's GO!

[The group finally arrives on the street where the explosions originated.  There is rubble
everywhere.  Several buildings are collapsed or badly damaged, and many are on fire.  Several
large, circular indentations have been made in the ground.  The smoke from the fires is lifting high
into the sky]

Guido:  (shocked) Good Lord...

Polly:  (same) What HAPPENED here...?

Speedy:  We'll find out later.  Right now, we've got to worry about these people!  It's broad
daylight.  The streets were packed.  There's no telling how many people are buried alive here!

Jonas:  You handle the people, I'll handle the fires.  Hunter!  I need a carbon dioxide dispenser!

Hunter:  A fire extinguisher, sir?

Jonas:  YES!

[A small nozzle forms on one of Jonas' gauntlets.  He levitates around, dousing fires]

Guido:  [Hacking away at some rubble with his sword.  A hand reaches out and grabs his
forearm] You'll be all right.

Injured Construction Worker:  (relieved) Thank you, man.

Polly:  [Lifts a large slab of concrete of the street.  A family is huddled closely together
underneath.  Polly tosses the slab aside] Quickly!  Get to safety!

Speedy:  [helping an elderly man covered with ash out of some rubble] There you are.

[A baby can be heard crying]

Speedy:  [turns in the direction of the crying] Eh? [Sees a woman clutching her baby, crouching in
the structure of a collapsing building.  A large chunk of granite crumbles off and plummets
straight for them] NO!  [Unsheathes his sword, leaps high into the air, and slices the chunk into
small pieces.  Grabs the woman's hand] Come on, we've gotta move!  [leads her out just as the
building collapses behind them]

Woman:  [hugs Speedy tightly] (crying) Oh, how can I ever thank you?

Speedy:  (embarrassed) Um...well...uh...

Polly:  (slightly annoyed) He's MARRIED.  [yanks Speedy away]

Guido:  (shocked) Oh, NO!  GUYS!!  LUCILLE!!!

[Speedy and Polly turn to face Lucille's house.  It has completely collapsed, and a hand is sticking
out of the rubble]

Speedy:  [Tosses aside some rubble, grabs the hand, and pulls out Lucille's brother Wally {"If you
Knew Sushi Like I Know Sushi", actually shown in the U.S.!  Yay!  ;)}] (shocked) WALLY!?

Wally:  (weakly) Speedy?  Is that YOU?

Speedy:  [facemask slides up] We've had a little makeover, Wally.  What happened here?

Wally:  I'm not sure.  It all happened so fast...where's my sister?

Guido:  [hacking away at rubble] We're trying to get her out!

Jonas:  Wait.  [Stares at the ruin of Lucille's house, narrows his eyes, and hangs his head] I'm
sorry.  There's no one left alive in there.

Wally:  LUCILLE!  [falls to his knees, sobbing]

Polly:  [hugs Wally, through tears] (consoling) There, there, Wally.  I'm sorry.  It'll be okay.

Guido:  (softly) Lucille...[tears run down his cheeks]

Speedy:  [grits his teeth, clenches his fists] Lucille...[white energy forms around his hands]

Jonas:  [lays a hand on Speedy's shoulder] Easy, Speedy.  Save it for whoever did this.  Right
now, we've got to find out what happened.

Wally:  (distraught, softly) Lucille...

Polly:  I know this hurts, Wally.  I've been there.  When I thought I lost Speedy, I wanted to die.
He came back, but even if he didn't, I know I would have moved on.  I'd never forget him, just
like you'll never forget Lucille.  No one should have to go through this, but they do.  Please...we
need your help to find out who did this.

Wally:  [recovering] You...you're right...I'll tell you everything I know...it's what she would have
wanted...[glances at Jonas] Who's he?

Polly:  His name's Jonas.  He's our newest member.

Guido:  Is there anyone else left, Jonas?

Jonas:  [looks around] No one we can help, Guido.  I'm sorry.

Speedy:  (trying to be calm) Wally...what happened?

Wally:  (sniffles) We...we were just drinking tea when...the whole place shook a little.  I looked
out the window...[points to a circular indentation] and with each shake, those holes began
appearing out of nowhere.  I didn't see anything around to make them.  Then, buildings just
started caving in.  Again, I saw nothing causing it.  We got up to run, when I heard this
sound...like out of one of those science fiction movies.

Jonas:  Like this?  [points a glowing fist to the sky, and unleashes a blast of energy]

Wally:  [eyes widen] Yeah, like that, only higher-pitched.  The whole place went white, and the
next thing I knew, I was buried in here.

Jonas:  Hunter, scan for unfamiliar energy signatures.

Hunter:  Working...[beeps] Unrecorded energy signature detected.  Most likely cause:  Weapons
discharge.

Polly:  Wally, do you have anywhere to go?

Wally:  [sniffles] Yeah, I know some people...

Polly:  Go there.  Now.  Please.

Wally:  All right.  [turns to go, stops] Polly...promise me you'll get whoever did this.

Polly:  [nods] I promise.

[Everyone nods.  Wally leaves]

Jonas:  Check out these holes, guys.

[All gather around a large indentation]

Jonas:  Hunter, analyze:  Four pairs of large, circular indentations, about four feet in diameter, and
three inches deep.

Hunter:  Working...traces of titanium and an unknown alloy found.

Jonas:  Unknown alloy?  Collect samples.

Polly:  What could have done this?  Those explosions didn't cause these.  Wally said they came
out of nowhere.

Jonas:  An explosion wouldn't make a crater in a perfect circle anyway.  This slope drops straight
down, too.  An explosion's crater is more likely to have a curved slope.  Size is WAY too small
for what we saw.  [crouches down] Judging from the depth...I'd say something dropped down
from directly above.  Something BIG, and HEAVY.  At least a few tons.  [gets up] Guys, I think
these are TRACKS.

Guido:  What would make tracks like these?

Jonas:  Let's review the facts.  1:  Traces of titanium and an unknown alloy found.  2:  Track
depth indicates a weight of several tons.  3:  These are BIG tracks.  4:  Explosions set off,
possibly caused by energy weapons.  5:  Mass destruction.  So, what's big, metal, and likes to
break stuff?

Speedy:  [clenches fists, begins to glow] (quietly) ROBOTS.

Polly:  But HOW?  It can't be Seymour!  He was exiled and left penniless!

Jonas:  Who else do you know that likes to use gigantic robots for mindless destruction?

Guido:  Whatever it was, it's not here now.  [thinks] If it's not here now, where IS it?

Jonas:  I wonder...could all this have been...[looks toward the pizza parlor] a diversion?  [eyes
narrow] We have to get back!  NOW!

Speedy:  Why?  What-

[A loud explosion from the direction of the parlor cuts Speedy off]

Guido:  (yells) FRANCINE!

Jonas:  Hunter!  Teleport us to the parlor, NOW!

Hunter:  Interference detected, sir.  There is a danger of pattern dispers-

Jonas:  (interrupting) I DON'T CARE!  DO IT NOW!

[View switches to the front of GB's house.  Several walls have collapsed.  The outlines of Speedy,
Polly, Guido, and Jonas appear in faint yellow, flicker, and then fully materialize]

Speedy:  Did we make it?

Jonas:  That was risky, but we got through.

Polly:  [turns to parlor] Oh, no...

[The parlor looks...bad.  The dining area has been exposed, the balcony destroyed, and the front
of the cannon is missing, although the rooms remain intact]

Speedy:  [begins slashing away at the rubble] Come on!  Looks like it didn't hit it that hard!

Jonas:   [tosses away debris] I think we surprised it!  It didn't expect us here so soon!

Polly:  I found GB!

[GB has sustained several cuts and bruises, but is otherwise okay]

Speedy:  GB!  You okay, man?

GB:  (dazed) Francine...she's still in there...

Guido:  I FOUND HER!

[Francine is buried from the waist down, has sustained multiple cuts, and has a trickle of blood
running down the side of her head]

Francine:  [smiles] (weakly) Were you careful, like I asked?

Guido:  [teary-eyed] Yeah.  Looks like you've seen better days, though.

[Francine smiles, and slips into unconsciousness]

Guido:  (frantic) FRANCINE!

[Scene changes to a hospital hallway.  Speedy and Polly sit in two chairs next to each other,
holding hands tightly.  Both have worried looks on their faces.  GB walks slowly down the
hallway, with his ribs bandaged and a Band-Aid on his forehead]

Speedy:  [gets up to help GB] Easy, friend.  You all right?

 GB:  [nods] Doctors say I'll be fine.  Just some cuts and bruises, nothing broken.  Is Francine
okay?

Polly:  We don't know.  Guido's been with her since we got here.  There hasn't been any word.

GB:  Have you seen Carla?  Is she here?

Speedy:  (sadly) GB...your house collapsed.  We don't know where Carla is.  She might be...

GB:  NO!  (crying softly) Carla...

Carla:  BIRDIE!

GB:  Huh?

[Speedy, Polly, and GB turn to look down the hall.  Carla is running toward them, with Jonas
walking close behind]

GB:  Carla...?

Carla:  [hugs GB tightly] (sobbing) Oh, Birdie...

GB:  [winces] (in pain) Watch the ribs, hon.

Carla:  [lets go, teary-eyed] I was out shopping while you were at work.  I saw some explosion
across town, and decided to head home.  When I got there, our house had just...fallen in.  The
parlor looked just as bad.  But that man...[points to Jonas] said he was a friend of yours, and
knew where you were.  He was looking around the place.

GB:  [smiles] That's Jonas, Carla.  Remember me telling you about him?

Carla:  THAT'S him?  Somehow, I thought he'd be...taller.

Jonas:  [laughs] There's something I don't get often!  (seriously) Your house and the parlor were
lucky.  Whatever was attacking wasn't expecting us, and took off when we got there.  Almost
everything is intact, and what isn't can be replaced.  I'm going back to look for clues.  Any word
on Francine?

Speedy:  [shakes his head] None.  We just have to hope that no news is good news.

Polly:  Speaking of news...[gets up, turns on small television in the corner]

TV Newscaster:  Once again, our top story of the hour:  The mysterious explosions that ripped
through Little Tokyo at around noon today.  Although many are unsure about what may have
caused these explosions, Little Tokyo's most prominent scientific mind, the Professor, believes he
has an explanation.  Professor?

Professor:  We have a very mysterious situation here!  Based on a limited gathering of evidence,
we have a theory that these explosions were caused when a very localized earthquake struck this
area of Little Tokyo, similar to those felt yesterday, and ruptured a gas main.  This set off a series
of explosions, which only worsened the situation.

TV Newscaster:  Eyewitnesses place the Samurai Pizza Cats on the scene, helping the wounded
and investigating damage.  Here is some amateur video, shot by a bystander.

[Grainy video pops up of Speedy saving the woman in the building]

TV Newscaster:  The Cats left abruptly, however, when an explosion occurred at their
headquarters across town.  The Professor's explanation for the damage caused there is the same as
for the rest of the city.  He believes that somehow, ANOTHER earthquake localized itself on that
area, focusing on the parlor, and damaging surrounding buildings.  City-wide damage results have
come in:  103 dead, more than twice as many wounded, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in
structural damages.

[Jonas mutters something inaudible]

Speedy:  [switches off TV, sits down]

Polly:  103 people...just, killed...

Carla:  That's horrible...

GB:  What happened down there, guys?

Speedy:  [shakes his head] We're not sure.  There were holes, BIG ones.  We think they may be
tracks.  There were metallic traces in them, so they may have been made by...a robot.

GB:  (shocked) A WHAT!?

Speedy:  That's not all.  Lucille...Lucille didn't make it.

Carla:  [teary-eyed] Lucille...no...[buries her head in GB's shoulder]

GB:  [hugs Carla tightly] (consoling) There, there.  It'll be all right.

Jonas:  What happened on your end?

GB:  [shakes his head] I don't know.  I was kind of making fun of Francine about her and Guido,
just playing around.  Suddenly, the roof just fell in.  Next thing I knew, Polly was pulling me out.

Jonas:  Just a second.  [places a hand on GB's shoulder, and a yellow glow surrounds him] How
do you feel?

GB:  (surprised) I feel GREAT!  [rips off Band-Aid and rib bandages] Thanks!

Carla:  What happened to Francine?

[Guido trudges down the hall, looking at the floor]

Jonas:  <He's not a happy camper.> How is she, Guido?

Guido:  [walks up to Jonas] (quietly, but obviously angry) Who did this?

Jonas:  <Uh-oh.> Calm down, Guido.

Guido:  [picks Jonas up by the neck of his cloak, slams him against the wall] (enraged) WHO DID
THIS!?

Jonas:  <Man, he is PISSED.> Now, Guido.  I know how you feel right now, and-

Guido:  [tears streaming down his cheeks] (interrupting, ballistic) THE HELL YOU DO!!  ONE
OF MY BEST FRIENDS IS DEAD, AND THE WOMAN I LOVE IS DYING DOWN THE
HALL!!!  HOW IN THE HELL COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW HOW I FEEL!?!? [begins to
glow a bright blue]

Jonas:  <He's channeling all his rage into energy.  That would be a GOOD thing, but if he doesn't
release it, he'll overload!  I've got to calm him down!> Put me down, Guido.

Guido:  WHY!?!?

Jonas:  [eyes narrow] (darkly) Because I don't know of many ways to make you let go of me that
won't take your ARM OFF.

Guido:  [Eyes widen as he comes to his senses.  Slowly, he lowers Jonas down] (stammering)
I...I'm sorry, I...(voice breaking) I just love her so much!  [hugs Jonas out of emotion, sobs into
his shoulder]

Jonas:  [pats Guido on the back] (a little surprised) Um...easy, Guido...(PSI to Speedy and Polly,
pleading) HELP ME!

Speedy:  [lays a hand on Guido's shoulder] Come on, my friend.  It'll be all right.

Polly:  [supporting Guido with her shoulder] He's right.  Come over here, and talk to us.

Guido:  [leans on Polly, having a total breakdown] I lost Lucille, I can't lose Francine too!

Jonas:  <That poor man.  His whole world has just-WAIT  A  MINUTE!> Guido, did you say
DYING, as in "not dead yet"?

Guido:  [sniffles] Yes.  The doctors are taking her into surgery now.  They...they don't expect her
to make it...

Jonas:  [grabs Guido, shakes him] (frantic) WHERE?  QUICKLY!

Guido:  [points] (surprised) Down the hall, third door on the right.  What-

[Before Guido can say another word, Jonas sprints down the hall.  Scene switches to the
operating room.  Francine lies prone on a table, wearing a blanket and oxygen mask.  Several
doctors and nurses are gathered around her, wearing blue garb, goggles, and masks]

Doctor:  All right, we're going to start by removing some of this damaged skin from the head
area.  Nurse, scalpel.

[One of the nurses hands the doctor a scalpel.  As he gets ready to make the first incision, Jonas
walks in]

Doctor:  Who are you?  Where's your mask?

Jonas:  I'm the Cats' resident physician.  I'm germ-free, I assure you.  Please, put that scalpel
down.

Doctor:  Nurse, call security.  Tell them to get down here immediately.

[A nurse reaches for a yellow phone on the wall, but her hand stops inches from it]

Nurse:  I...I can't move!

[Several doctors and nurses try to move, but find they can't]

Jonas:  [sighs, shakes his head] Some people, eh, Hunter?  [walks up to Francine] Well, at least
they didn't open you up yet, Francine.  One less injury for me to take care of.  Analysis, Hunter?

Hunter:  Working...multiple lacerations, broken ribs, collapsed lung, internal-

Jonas:  (interrupting) That's enough, Hunter.  I'd rather not know.  [lays a hand on Francine's
head] (softly) Heal.

[Several cuts on Francine's face disappear, but a few still remain]

Jonas:  (puzzled) WHAT?  What's this?  That should have given her a complete recovery!

Hunter:  Analyzing...no permanent damage remains, although several minor wounds are still
present.  There appears to be some sort of counteragent in effect.

Jonas:  Scan for any anomalies.

Hunter:  Unidentified energy signature detected.

Jonas:  The same one from earlier?

Hunter:  Yes, sir.

Jonas:  (muttering) How could that counteract my powers...?  [shrugs] We'll worry about that
later.  Looks like we'll have to do this the slow way.  [reaches into one of the pouches on his belt,
pulls out a small metal gauntlet, and clasps it to Francine's right arm] That should speed things up
a little.  (softly) Wake up, Francine.

Francine:  [slowly opens her eyes] (weakly, puzzled) Wh...where am I...?

Jonas:  The hospital.  How do you feel?

Francine:  [rubs her head] (groans, sarcastically) Oh, never better.  What happened?

Jonas:  Something attacked the parlor.  You and GB were inside.

Francine:  Is he all right?

Jonas:  He's fine.

Francine:  Where's everyone else?

Jonas:  In the hall, worried sick about you.  Guido's a nervous wreck.

Francine:  (softly) Guido...can I see him?

Jonas:  Of course.  Wait just a minute.  [starts to walk out, then stops] Oh, yes.  Almost forgot.
[an odd electrical sound is heard] You are free to proceed, doctors.

[The medical staff can only stare blankly as Jonas walks out.  Speedy spots him as he's coming
down the hall and walks over]

Speedy:  How is she?

Jonas:  She'll be fine.  Her healing will take about a day, though.  I found traces of that energy
signature we found downtown on her.  I don't know how, but it's actually DAMPENING my
powers.  Most unusual.  [spots Polly with an arm around Guido, who is hanging his head] How's
Guido?

Speedy:  [looks over at Polly and Guido, sighs] We've been having a little confessional for the last
few minutes.  He's convinced Fran isn't going to make it, and has been spilling his guts about how
much he cares for her.  He's very vulnerable right now.

Jonas:  Better let me through, then.  [Walks over to Guido, lays a hand on his shoulder.  Guido
looks up at him with tear-filled eyes] (softly) Talk to her, Guido.  She's waiting for you.

[Guido, without saying a word, gets up and bolts down the hall]

Jonas:  I'm heading back to the parlor to search for clues.  I shouldn't be long.

Polly:  Expect to find GB and Carla there.  They already left.

[Jonas nods, and exits.  Enter the operating room.  Guido is conversing with one of the doctors]

Doctor:  Please, try and keep it to a minimum.  We're not sure what your friend did, but this
woman still needs to get some rest.  She hasn't completely healed yet.

Guido:  [nods] I will.  [walks over to Francine's bed] (softly) How you doing?

Francine:  [smiles] Better, now that you're here.

Guido:  [same] Glad to hear it.  Since you're not critical anymore, the doctors are going to move
you to an actual room soon.

Francine:  Good.  I'm getting sick of being in here.  [silent for a moment] Guido, did you really
have a breakdown in the hall?

Guido:  (surprised) Well, er...um...who told you?

Francine:  Who do you think?

Guido:  [mutters something under his breath]

Francine:  (seriously) Hey, now.  I DID ask him what was going on.  Besides...[smiles] It's
comforting to know you care so much.  [touches Guido's hand]

Guido:  [squeezes Francine's hand, blushes a little]

Francine:  [sighs, laughs softly] Well, it looks like Lucille and I might have to postpone our little
shopping trip this weekend.

Guido:  <Oh, God.  She doesn't know.> (sadly) Francine...we have to talk.

[Scene switches to the hallway again.  Guido walks down the hall with a saddened look on his
face]

Polly:  How is she?

Guido:  I told her about Lucille.  She needs some time alone after that.

Speedy:  You sure that was wise in her current condition?

Guido:  Better she hear it from me than from some stranger, Speedy.  [looks around] Where's
Jonas?

Speedy:  Went back to the parlor to check things out.  Haven't heard from him.

[There is a loud slam as a door is kicked open.  Jonas stalks down the hall, clutching something in
his right hand.  He walks up to the counter by Speedy and Polly and slams whatever it is down so
hard, it cracks the counter surface.  GB and Carla walk up, and Jonas leaves again]

Speedy:  [Examines the item.  It appears to be a crumpled piece of paper] Hmm...[Unfolds it.  It is
a photograph of one of the parlor's exterior walls, with some kind of design burnt into it.  The
design is a birdlike skull with wings and gnashing fangs, with crossed talons underneath] This
is...the emblem of the Flying Skull!

GB:  Not quite, but a close variation.  I can't believe the Flying Skull would do something like
this.

Polly:  Why not?  We've fought them dozens of times, you included!

Carla:  Although Ninja Crows study the ways of combat, they also have a strict honor code.  The
slaughter we heard about downtown wasn't honorable, it was a mass killing of innocents.

Guido:  Jonas looked angry.  You know what was wrong?

Speedy:  Guido...I think that's his way of saying..."I told you so".  He warned us this could
happen, remember?  Now that it has, I think he's almost blaming us for rejecting his training at
first.

Guido:  Maybe he set this whole thing up.  We don't know what he can really do, and his story
sounds phony to ME.

Polly:  If he was against us, why go to all the trouble?  Why not simply kill us and be done with it?

GB:  LISTEN TO YOURSELVES!  I don't know if you've forgotten, but one of the main reasons
Francine is still alive is because of him.  He told us what he did for her.  This whole thing has him
pretty spooked.  He can't figure out how whatever this is can weaken his powers.

Guido:  [sighs] I guess you're right...he DID help Francine...

[A doctor walks up]

Doctor:  Are you friends of Miss Manx?

Speedy:  Yes.  Will she be all right?

Doctor:  Her progress, due to the intervention of your cloaked friend, has been astounding.
Although her remaining injuries are minor, we want to keep her overnight for observation, just to
be on the safe side.

Speedy:  [turns to group] What do you think?

Voice:  Yes.

[Everyone turns to see Jonas walk in the door]

Jonas:  The parlor has been completely thrashed.  You have nowhere else to go.

Doctor:  I'll take that as a yes.  I'll have materials ready for all of you soon.  [leaves]

Speedy:  Find anything?

Jonas:  Two more holes, and...something else.  I came to tell you that I'm heading back, and you
can return to the parlor in the morning.

Polly:  Don't tell me you're going to try and rebuild it!

Jonas:  No trying.  Only doing.  Later.  [leaves]

GB:  (as Yoda) "Do, or do not.  There is no try."

Guido:  [chuckles] That's a fact.

[The hours pass quickly as everyone settles into makeshift accommodations in the hospital.  Late
that night...]

Speedy:  [staring at the Flying Skull emblem] <How is this possible?  If Carla's right, then the
Ninja Crows shouldn't be responsible for this.  Maybe someone is trying to place the blame on
them...>

Voice:  Hey.

[Speedy looks up to see the assembled Rescue Team]

Speedy:  [gets up, shakes General Catton's hand] It's good to see you.  What took you so long?

Spritz:  You won't believe this, but we just heard about it!

Catton:  [nods] Our businesses were packed all day from the customers you usually get.  I flipped
on the TV to see most of the city in ruins.

Meowzma:  The General called the rest of us and told us to turn on the news.  We could hardly
believe it!

Bat Cat:  Are you guys okay?

Speedy:  [nods] I was there, and I barely believe it myself.  We're okay, but Francine got busted
up pretty badly.  She's in there with Guido.  [Points to Francine's room.  Polly enters that room
with some coffee] Also, Lucille...she didn't make it, guys...

Spritz:  That's terrible!

Bat Cat:  [lays a hand on Speedy's shoulder] I'm sorry, Speedy.

Speedy:  (softly) I know...[sigh] Things just keep getting weirder and weirder.

Meowzma:  The news showed some guy in a cloak sneaking around your restaurant.  Who was
it?

Speedy:  That would be our newest member, Jonas Miles.  Guys, he's unreal.  Uses powers like
nothing we've ever seen before.  He put us through some kind of training course yesterday, taught
us some of what he knows.  [slowly levitates out of his seat] I mean, LOOK at this!

[The Rescue Team stares in awe]

Speedy:  [slowly floats back down] I'll be sure to tell you all about that later.  NOT a pleasant
experience.

Catton:  Any idea who did this yet?

Speedy:  Evidence points to a robot...and that's not all.  [hands Catton the photo] That was
BURNED into the parlor wall.

Catton:  The Ninja Crows?  But, they've never been this VICIOUS!

Speedy:  I know.  Carla doesn't believe they did it.  Neither does GB.

[As if on cue, GB and Carla walk in]

GB:  Well, well.  Look who's here.

Rescue Team:  (in unison) CARLA!  [entire team gives Carla a monstrous hug]

Carla:  (surprised) ACK!  Birdie, help!  [laughs]

GB:  [laughs] You're on your own!

Spritz:  [hugs Carla] Good to see you, Carla.

Carla:  Good to see you guys, too.

Meowzma:  [shakes GB's hand] How you been?

GB:  As well as can be expected.  I'm glad someone familiar finally showed up.

Polly:  [walks out of Francine's room] (curious) What's going on?

Rescue Team:  (in unison) POLLY!  [massive hug]

Polly:  (surprised) WHA?  [laughs, hugs all team members] I missed you boys, too!

Bat Cat:  Glad to see you're okay, Polly.

Catton:  Yeah.

Polly:  [touched but trying to hide it] Thanks, boys.  Why don't you see Fran and Guido?  They're
right in there.  [points]