Hayden's army is nearing the Gryphon borders where the Thunderbringer was. The ZDF Euphoria is being accompanied by thousands of ZDF ships ready to defend it and carve a safe pathway to Odynhood Empire.
- Aboard the ZDF Euphoria -
Hayden enters the bridge of the ship in shiny black and gold armor. He approaches Norm and sits next to him...
Norm: Would you look at that praiseworthy armor! What a shame it will soon be covered in Gryphonian blood.
Hayden: Norm, I have entrusted you with Euphoria and its crew. You have satisfied my expectations. Keep it that way.
Norm: I will make sure we successfully arrive at our destination to get rid of those who threaten your grandness, master. Never in the world I imagined I would be flying this thing. This experience produces so much felicity for me.
Hayden: Even a leader and a future emperor like me who is endowed with power and great wisdom needs a right hand man. You are just the right candidate for that position. I see we are drawing near our enemy's territory. It's about time we entered the stratosphere....
Norm: Entered the...what?
Hayden: Our fleet will serve just as a little distraction. We must get through unnoticed. The cloaking functionality of the ship will be put to a test!
Norm: Oh, you are planning a surprise for them. I like that idea. Well, there's no time to waste. Let's increase the altitude then.
Norm makes an announcement and orders the command to take the Euphoria to the stratosphere for the best approach. The ship then starts rising up above before it disappears in the clouds, leaving the fleet behind far beneath it.
Hayden: The Gryphonians are going to think our fleet down there is all we got, but the real army lies within this flying fortress.
Norm: I can almost see that cold void we call space from up here!
Hayden: Our home was there far among the stars. We are going to rebuild everything that we lost that calamitous day...
Norm: I am sorry about the death toll it caused to your race...
Hayden: The inhabitants of this planet will never understand the suffering we've been through and our desperation to survive.
He stands up and gives an order to the command himself...
Hayden: Activate cloaking sequence and maintain the course.
The command activates the cloaking ability of the ship and it becomes completely invisible in the sky, making it impossible to detect.
Norm: Now this is the next level tech I knew we were going to need on our travels when I was in charge of the reconstruction of this ship. Then there are its weapons systems that will bring out the best in it.
Hayden: You have greatly contributed to the reconstruction and major improvement of this ship that only served for transporting purposes once. I trust nobody except you here so now it is yours to command while I fight with my forces on the ground. Once we will enter their metropolis, we will initiate a full-scale attack, primarily on their military sites. I gotta go make sure my army is combat-ready. You will defend this ship with your own life, Norm. If it goes down, you will go down with it.
Norm: I will not fail you. That's not the way I work. Terror and abject failure awaits those who will stand in our way.
Hayden walks out of the command room leaving Norm in charge of the fortress which is safely flying towards its destination while the ZDF fleet confronts the Gryphon forces far beneath it just above the ocean.
The Gryphon fleet is approaching the ZDF forces with Nero leading it in his personal heavily armored and well-equipped cruiser.
- Aboard Nero's cruiser -
Gryphon Captain: Commander, enemies on sight!
Nero: Prepare for the attack, we are going to send their inferior jets and dropships down on the ocean floor with everything we've got!
The two kingdoms then collide and the battle above the ocean begins with Gryphonian and Zootopian ships shooting down each other....
Meanwhile....
- Near Ember Island -
The Gryphon dropship transporting Regina and the Rylergate siblings is going to make a landing very soon. Ashley just managed to partly recover from her injuries, but she still isn't capable of doing anything that requires a lot of physical effort. She is sitting right next to her brother, with Regina sitting close in front of them.
Ash: Ashley, are you sure you are going to be okay?
Ashley: It's not like they are going to give me any medical treatment here or anything but hey, worrying about me isn't good for your health, Ash. My body still hurts like the devil, but it's just a minor setback. We are going to escape. We have to...
Ash: I thought I lost you back there, seriously. You're a real tough girl, you know? I just wish our mission didn't go totally sideways. I can't begin to imagine what wicked trials await us all on that island where they are taking us. You are injured and I can't protect you like this with these handcuffs on my hands. There's nothing I can do which is really alarming...
Ashley: Our actions today aren't bearing fruit unless we don't count the Thunderbringer's destruction. What matters the most is that we are still together, because we are inseparable and that's how it will stay. I don't even care about our mission anymore. Hayden and the ZDF are unimportant right now. Our only focus should be escape and survival.
Ash: That is true but we lost Zack back there and if we won't do something who is going to come to our rescue? Nobody. We are an embattled trio of unfortunate rebels at this point.
Regina: You may want to quieten down and speak silently. Those freaks are listening closely you know?
Ash: Look who decided to finally stop being all tight-lipped. Got any escaping ideas?
One of the Gryphon soldiers responds in a not so friendly way....
Gryphon Soldier: Your only escape is death my boy!
Ash: I am not talking to you. Wanna talk? Take these handcuffs off and I will smash your face in!
Gryphon Soldier: How I wish I could simply just do the same to yours. Such a shame I can't hurt that pretty face of yours myself because that's someone else's job in Ember Island's arena!
Ash: You just made me even more stoked for being the underdog in whatever arena show you got going there because I will fight my way out of there.
Ashley: Undeniably.
Another Gryphon soldier joins in...
Gryphon Soldier 2: Good luck with that. Like my comrade said, death is your only escape. Now get your asses up, we are about to land.
The dropship arrives on Ember Island's landing pad.
Ash: Regina, aren't you perturbed at all?
Regina: I got conflicted feelings in me. I don't know if I should be worried or relieved....
Ash: Relieved about WHAT?!
Regina: About seeing my love again...
Ash: What makes you think he's here?
Regina: Having learned about Neyla's tendencies, this is the only place she would send any war criminals, rebels or any unwanted people in her empire. He's here on this island, somewhere. She even said it.
Ash: That increases the chances of escape, an escape which will preclude death to be precise...
Gryphon Soldier: Funny, now get the hell out of our ship. You are in Lazarus Crocodus' possession now!
Regina stands up, ready to walk out...
Ash: Ashley, can you walk?
Ashley tries to stand up but she is way too weak to do that on her own as she groans in pain, struggling to stand on her feet so Ash grabs her with his tied hands and pulls her up slowly...
Ashley: My legs are numb...
Ash: But you can still walk right? I can't carry you, you have to walk on your own Ashley...
Ashley: I didn't ask you to carry me. I am strong enough to walk on my own...
Ashley starts walking with difficulties towards the ramp of the dropship but stops in one place near Regina to relax for a short while. She is deprived of energy and is in quite a lot of pain after the battle she barely survived. Her brother is right behind her, watching her back.
Gryphon Soldier: OUT! NOW!
Ash: Could you shut up? Can't you see she just walked through hell and suffered a great deal of injuries?
Ashley: Don't listen to these heartless idiots brother...
One of the Gryphon soldiers loses his patience...
Gryphon Soldier: You are taking way too long....
The Gryphon soldier pushes Ashley hard and she falls down the ramp until she hits the ground.
Regina: What the frick? That is beyond the pale!
Regina and Ash are absolutely shocked. This act really upsets Ash who takes action and headbutts the Gryphon soldier and breaks his nose.
Regina: Wowsers, Ash! You really gave it to him! You got a robust skull!
Ash: And if I didn't have these handcuffs, I would send him down in the deepest recesses of hell!
Gryphon Soldier: I hope your death will be slow and painful for this!!! You broke my darn nose! Ouch...this hurts!
Ash: Learn to treat the weak and injured with proper respect and solicitude, will you? Asswipe!
The other Gryphon soldiers then force him and Regina out of the dropship. Ash quickly approaches his sister, who is struggling to get back on her feet...
Ash: Are you okay? Just take your time Ashley!
Ashley: Such a jerk...why would he do this to me? Haven't I suffered enough?
Regina: It's because they know nothing about love and compassion. This is not Zootopia, you know? These are the dark lands filled with hate and terror, just look around you...
Ashley manages to get back on her shaky feet. She still appears to be greatly weakened and hurt which is not a good sign at all...
Gryphon Soldier: Good, we finally got rid of them.
Gryphon Soldier 2: Lazarus is going to make lunch out of them....
Ash: Not before I clobber you one!
A group of prison guards walk up the landing pad with a strange looking reptile...
Regina: Ew, what is that thing?
Ash: Quiet!
The reptile approaches them with the prison guards...
Lazarus: So, these are the miscreants the empress sent us? The ones who turned one of our islands into a battleground?
Gryphon Soldier: They are a gift from her, sir.
Gryphon Soldier 2: Yup, and they can continue fighting in your arena to make it truly shine!
Lazarus inspects the prisoners, starting with Regina....
Lazarus: Another female? Interesting. A bolt from the blue for sure. It's incongruous to have another female prisoner on my island. It's mostly misbehaved boys who are sent here. But if she could fight in such a bloody battle back on Trinity Island, then she will put up a brave fight in the fiercest battles in my arena!
Regina: Excuse me, what even are you? I haven't seen your species before...
Lazarus is filled with annoyance as he sighs and gives one of his men a sign with his hand to punish Regina in return. One of the guards carrying an electric rod electrocutes her. She hits the ground and the guard keeps electrocuting her as she screams loud painfully...
Ash: Hey, that's ENOUGH! You're gonna kill her!
Lazarus: You don't speak during my prisoner evaluation!
Lazarus orders another guard to electrocute Ash as well. The guard electrocutes him, making him fall on his knees. His sister has no choice other than remain silent at this stage. She turns her head away to avoid looking at her tortured brother and friend, shaking in the process...
Lazarus: How do you like that? Okay, that's enough. Get those sticks away from them.
The guards stop electrocuting them and then step away from them. Ash and Regina take their time to recover from the shocks. The Gryphon soldiers from the dropship mock and laugh at Ash....
Gryphon Soldier: Not so tough now eh?
Gryphon Soldier 2: Do I smell a fried coyote?
Gryphon Soldier 3: That's karma my guy.
Gryphon Soldier 4: I could take on anyone like that coyote!
Lazarus: What are you still doing here? Get off my island or join my arena full of bloodthirsty gladiators you delicate jellybeans! I'd love to see you crushed and mutilated one by one!
The crew aboard the Gryphon dropship gets to their seats and prepares to take off without saying a single word....
Lazarus: What's wrong? Did I just sap their confidence?
The dropship takes off and leaves the island in a hurry leaving Lazarus and his men in laughter...
Lazarus: And that my friends, are what I like to call pusillanimous basic nincompoops, the cannon fodder of the Odynhood Empire! I hope you three are better than them. So, you received your shocking sentence for letting your mouths speak loudly in front of my face.
He gets back to Regina...
Lazarus: This sheila is way too dainty for my eyes and could use some savagery. Let's hope she bears that hidden characteristic my audience loves seeing in the gladiators.
Ash: What did you expect her to be like? She is not flexing her muscles in front of you.
Lazarus: One more needless word and you will receive a shedload of punishment again, a deadly one to be precise. You speak only when I grant you the right to speak!
He gives his attention to Regina one more time...
Lazarus: What's your name?
Regina: It's Regina...
Lazarus: Regina, good. Make that name legendary!
Regina: Okay?
Lazarus walks over to Ash...
Ash: Great, my turn to be deprecated...
Lazarus grunts as he walks over to Ash...
Lazarus: What am I going to do with this irritant? I know! Toss him in my arena to see that loud mouth of his be sealed shut for all eternity! You are a capable fighter, but I despise your bold frame of mind. That's why I think you'll make a name for yourself in my arena. You are not afraid at all and I see no edginess in your pretty face, a face that I hope someone will soon disfigure.
Ash tries his best to remain silent and keep his anger under control. Lazarus then walks over to Ashley, who unlike Ash, is in terrible condition, barely standing on her feet, shaking.
Lazarus: What's this? A dead meat! Walk over there...
She makes a few small steps forward and drops down on her knees...
Ash: Ashley!
Ashley: I am fine...I just need more time to regain my strength...
Lazarus: The hell is this? We do not accept the wounded as they will not deliver a great show to the audience. This coyote would simply ruin all the thrill with her physical incompetence. I don't want to see her draggin' her feet on my island! Just put her down!
One of the prison guards prepares to shoot Ashley with a lethal shot when Ash quickly gets in his way...
Ash: NO! DON'T! She is my sister! If she dies, I will die too! Give her a chance, please! I will fight for her! Just spare her life! I am not asking for too much!
Lazarus: As a prisoner of Ember Island, you are required to conform to my rules and one of the primary rules is that I have the final word here. Now double back and let my man save her from the agonizing ordeal she is going to be exploited to in my arena if I let her live!
Regina can't keep looking at them anymore like this and stands in Lazarus' way as well, stepping up for the Rylergate siblings...
Regina: If you want to kill her, you can do that but only through my dead corpse. Shoot her and you will never see your audience dazzled by my fighting skills and striking victories! The same goes for these two guys. If you are looking for an unforgettable night, you need us all...
Ash: Regina?...
Ash is surprised by Regina's defensive and caring behavior while Lazarus gets mad, but not mad enough to ignore Regina's words...
Lazarus: GODDAMMIT! FINE! Your demands are very steep to my standards but I guess making one exception in a lifetime is doable. Alright freaks, you all passed my assessment. Now, onto introductions! As you may have probably already heard, my name is Lazarus Crocodus, I run this place where violence and slaughter is the only form of entertainment, provided by criminals for criminals, just like you! You'll spend the rest of your miserable lives here, fighting for your survival in my marvelous arena while making a sensational show for my people who hunger for bloody entertainment! So, make yourselves at home and build your reputation. Now, escort these newbies to their cell. Zootopian trash needs to be thrown in the same shithole! Get going!
The prison guards get behind Regina, Ash and Ashley....
Ash: Hey, Ashley. You got this. I am with you!
Lazarus: That female coyote will not last long. Just sayin'.
Ash: She ain't dying on this island. I will defend her at any price!
Lazarus: Sure, be the hero of her story...a tragic story.
Lazarus laughs and walks away...
Prison Guard: Move!
The trio starts walking with Ashley being right in front of her brother's eyes and Regina close behind them...
Regina then whispers something to Ash...
Regina: I was getting so tired of listening to that croc. The only thing I learned from his one-sided introduction is that he excels at tearing captives to shreds...
Ash: He isn't a man of discernment. I learned that as well. Ashley, you good?
Ashley: Getting just a bit better. Don't worry.
Ash: Hey, Regina...
Regina: Yes?
Ash: Thank you for standing up for my sister...
Ashley: I appreciate it Regina. That was way too risky you know? He could've killed you for your intervention...
Regina: This is what friends are for. Sometimes, it's worth taking a risk you think may end your life.
They are brought to the gates of the prison complex. The gates open and they enter the courtyard. The security here is high and there really doesn't seem to be any way of escape. There are watchtowers all over the place with security drones patrolling the area. The arena is located just beyond the huge courtyard. The guards escort the three to underground cells filled with the biggest criminals, thieves and traitors from all over Gryphonia.
Ashley: I am getting goosebumps already from this place. It's simply appalling...
Regina: That putrid smell too...
Ash: Stay close to me sis!
The prison guards are escorting them to their cell, but their arrival raises a lot of attention and the captives become interested in them...
Prison Captive: Newcomers!
Prison Captive 2: We've got competition! Holy dead rat! Are those two gals?
Prison Captive 3: One of them looks quite injured. I want her inside my cell! I would love to heal her wounds with my love!
Prison Captive 4: Yo! Lock her in here with ME! I wanna have fun first before I get slaughtered out there!
Prison Captive 5: Here kitty kitty!
Ash: Ignore them Ashley, these unprincipled idiots are not worth a damn.
The prison guards lead them to their cell. They proceed to remove their handcuffs and open the prison cell with a bunny and a fox in it...
Prison Guard: Your new home, get in there you filthy animals!
Ash and Ashley are pushed into the cell with Regina. The bunny and the fox glance at their new inmates with high curiosity. Unlike the Rylergate siblings, Regina gets extremely lucky as she finally finds the treasure on the island her heart was looking for. Her eyes fill up with tears as the fox jumps up from his bed and runs up to her to hug her...
Blake: You came after me...
Regina: I did. And I would do it all over again to see you! I missed you so much!
They both stare deeply into each other's eyes enjoying their reunion while Ash helps his sister to sit down on one of the beds...
Blake: You are crazy, you know?
Regina: Sorry, I couldn't help but set out with the sole aim of finding you and getting you back home....somehow.
Blake: How did you do this?
Regina: With the help of your bestie is how I reached my destination..
Blake: Zack? But where is he?
Regina: He lost the battle against their empress. He could still be alive. However, I am completely clueless about his fate.
Lyra starts listening to the conversation with more interest upon hearing about Zack...
Blake: And how about our kids? How are they? Is Rud alright? If you are out here, who's taking care of them? I hope you didn't leave them home alone, unsupervised!
Regina: Okay, I am not that crazy to let them both little donuts all alone even when they are pretty precocious and can take care of themselves. Claire is playing the role of a babysitter right now. But I just can't imagine how they must feel without us.
Blake: That's why we are going to need a lot of brainstorming to get us all out of here. We need an escape plan to be back home in a flash.
Blake is so engrossed in his love, that he completely forgot that Ash and Ashley are in the same cell...
Ash: Sorry to interrupt your lovely reunion, but you might want to acknowledge your other two inmates who brought you to justice many years ago...
Blake turns around and he takes a few seconds to fully recognize the Rylergate siblings....
Blake: It's you...what do you want? A rematch? You are not worth my attention.
Regina: Blake, if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here with you right now.
Blake: Oh yeah? What about Zack? I am sure he's the one you should mainly thank for helping you on your quest.
Regina: With all honesty, that's true but they did me a good turn as well.
Blake: They are still Hayden's main sidekicks, for fox's sake!
Ash: I am not here to kick your ass once again. We don't need to be hostile towards each other anymore. It's about time we let bygones be bygones. We must work together to save us all from impending death. My sister is in a really bad shape...I don't want this day to be the last one I will ever see her with me....
Ashley: How much more do I need to reassure you that I am not that easy to break.
Ash: I just never saw you this hurt before. I am going to get you out of here!
Lyra sitting on top of the bed joins the conversation...
Lyra: Blake, Regina, the connection between you two clearly shows that love knows no bounds...
Regina: You know my name? I guess someone has been doing some storytelling here...
Lyra: Your partner talked about you proudly ever since we both got banged up in this dirty place.
Regina: Awww, really Blake?
Blake: Yeah...I mean you are my love, my world, my everything. I could tell and write endless stories about you.
Regina: You are going to get a lot of smooching from me once we return back home...
Ash: That's what my sister is to me too! She is my only family left...
Ashley: Me and Hayden...
Ash: No...it's just the two of us.
Regina: Wait up, you and Hayden are related in some way? How?
Ashley: We are his adopted children....
Ash: Ashley, c'mon. Not now. It's inappropriate to talk about this now and in case you forgot we were told to keep this under wraps!
Ashley: It doesn't matter anymore. The secret is now revealed and it's nothing jaw-dropping, or is it?
Lyra: I knew it...
Blake: If that adoptive father truly cares about you, he should come to your rescue and get us all out of here.
Ash: If we aren't going to devise an effective escape plan now then our lives will be dependent on him and his forces. I mean we went MIA, they must be looking for us already. We are the squad leaders, his second in command units.
Lyra starts laughing while clapping her hands sarcastically...
Lyra: You misguided poor souls of an alien creature, Ash and Ashley, we finally meet! If I were you, I would quickly reconsider my trust in him and be more doubtful about him and his goals. As his adoptive children, I thought you'd be way more shrewd and warier given you spent your whole lives living behind his back, blindfolded and kept away from his true character. Turns out you are just as gullible as I thought. We can't vacillate between making our own escape and hoping he will set us all free himself because as a matter of fact, he ain't coming. He knows nothing about love!
Blake: Damn Lyra, don't get all too sharp. We barely know these two...
Lyra: What? It's true! My disparaging remarks are explicitly reasonable!
Ash: Who are you to slander our father like that while being so abrasive to us? What did we do to deserve your prejudicial treatment, rabbit? Look at my sister, she is hurt and dejected and she hasn't been the same since that battle we fought on Trinity Island. We don't have time for any of this shit. You are just like everyone else on this island. Worthless, pathetic and with no admirable history or commendable achievements to take pride from.
Lyra: You want to know who you are talking to?
Ash: Talking to you serves no purpose, Ms. Nobody! You are not like us, so shut the hell up!
She jumps off her bed and gets in a determined standing pose...
Lyra: I am a successful scientist with years of experience and wide knowledge about everything happening between Gryphonia and Zootopia. As a former Zootopian, a was captured and forced to work for the Odynhood Empire in my early adulthood. I worked diligently and presented Odynhood Empire with the best weaponry and technology I could invent, all against my own will. My work has gone mostly unrecognized and I never really felt proud of anything I made until my best creation to date, Subject Alpha...
Blake: Zack.... It was you who made him? We didn't really talk about your past that much. Tell me more about his origins please...
Lyra: Subject Alpha is an artificial genetically modified living being made in the labs in the most unnatural way. He was the true scientific and biological breakthrough of my career roaring with success. Neyla saw my aptitude for science so she demanded something that would help her dominate Zootopia without suffering heavy losses. That's when I started working laboriously day and night while getting almost no sleep at all to bring him into existence and if I failed to comply with her demands she would always threaten to kill my family in Bunnyburrow. He....Zack....was going to be used as Neyla's right hand man, a biological weapon with killer instincts with one purpose, to conquer Zootopia. That was until the day I pulled off a deceitful act against her by sending him to Zootopia without her consent. I wanted to give him a beautiful life and not the life of a slave following the orders of a vengeful and anguished empress but I still failed. So, now you know who I am and you even got to know more about Zack who you befriended, especially Blake. I am sure you are the light of his life...
Blake: I...I am Lyra. I am the only person he trusts and cares about the most. I understand how much you wanted to give him the life he deserves. You may have failed, but without you and your hard decision to depart him from Gryphonia fraudulently behind Neyla's back, he would have never met me and we would have never had any good memories from our childhood. We made each other's lives better. I've made a friend I thought I would never have. The best kind of friend I needed the most. It is thanks to you why Zootopia still stands strong and Zack knows the truth about himself. You helped him see all the lies that were controlling him his whole life.
Regina: Yeah, your acts were very impactful. They changed my life too because Zack was the one who led me to Blake and that's how the best stage of my life began.
Ash: You know, this could have been such a touching little story, but since it's coming from her who plays fast and loose with me and my sister, I am not willing to have any friendly relations with this rabbit. Wake up everyone! She is even Gryphonian!
Lyra: I don't desire your friendship. Needless to say, since you appear to be so bonded with your sister and I presume you can't even live without her, you will never make it out alive due to her wounds that limit her performance. Enjoy your last moments on this island because your days are numbered.
Ash is slowly starting to lose his patience with Lyra...
Ashley: Ash, don't listen to her. Keep your emotions subdued. We WILL make it out alive! She is trying to provoke you! That's what she is best at anyway...
Regina: Ash? Just calm down okay? And Lyra, what are you trying to prove here?
Lyra: Our enemy is Hayden, that's what. I cannot submit any proof of it but time will eventually deliver you the answer.
Ash stands up pissed off...
Ash: Are you done? Because you are really starting to get on my nerves. Don't make me punch a hole in your pretty face!
Ashley: Ash what the hell, stop! Behave like my brother! Please!
Lyra: Punch a hole in my face? That would be very caddish of you but if you really want that, be my guest. You will lose all the dignity you have left and I don't think your sister would like that...
Blake: It's getting hot in here! You should all chill out because we are raising a lot of ruckus here goddammit!
Regina: Can we all remain conflict-free? As if we weren't in deep trouble already.
Ash: Tell that to her! Her unverified opinions about me and my sister or Hayden are a bone of contention here. That gives me the right to be fed up!
Ashley: Lyra, we are not the bad guys here. Why do you think we are? You don't need to assert yourself like that, can't you see my brother is hitting the roof?
Lyra: I know I am being very annoying from your perspective but let's just say, I know things. The truth is out there. You just have to open your eyes. Hayden is the main problem here.
Ash: How do you know? What are you? Some kind of insider?
Lyra: A little rodent once told me...
Regina: You two are...allies?
Lyra: You're a smart one. Correct. We've been working together secretly for years without anyone knowing.
Blake: True partners in crime. This means Gyzmoo is plotting a deceitful act against Hayden too, just like you did against Neyla.
Regina: He did not touch upon this fact at all when I was there in his labs with Zack, getting ready to begin our journey to Gryphonia.
Lyra: We had a little non-disclosure agreement between us. Anyways, Gyzmoo is involved in this indirectly and will do his best to thwart Hayden's plans to take over the world.
Ash: You are such an oddball, you know?
Blake: I always knew something wasn't right about him. His mysterious nature, him being so unique and extraordinary. Your claims are veracious, Lyra. If I had no idea who he was, I would just laugh it all off. You are really serious about this matter.
Ashley: I know he always said he is the last living sergal in the universe but without any clear elucidation. He never really talked that much about this in front of us, this is all me and Ash know...which is why I think Lyra might be right. I hate to say this Ash, but she could be....right.
Ash: Ashley? You can't be serious. She hasn't got any proof that Hayden is plotting world domination....his only target is the Odynhood Empire. Why would he need the rest of the world? For what? He can't be that power-hungry!
Lyra: I don't need proof, because you will soon see it yourself. Me and Gyzmoo have predicted this long ago based on our thorough observations. He is not from the Solar System....
Ash: But Gyzmoo just supplied our armies with his tech and thousands of Reinvigorators. Why would he do that if he truly knows Hayden's true intentions? What drivelling nonsense!
Lyra: The little genius has a plan, a plan to strike Hayden and his forces when they will be the most vulnerable.
Regina: I don't understand how you two screwed up the courage to pull off something so dangerous like this right behind your leaders' backs.
Lyra: Heh, and all it took was creating an extensively encrypted communications network where we would send each other crucial information about all things happening in our kingdoms. Hayden must be stopped. That's the only way we can reach a peacemaking between both kingdoms.
Ash: Yeah, don't give me that. Only a five-star fool would fall for that.
Lyra: I understand your disbelief in my words. You grew up in his shadow, you are not going to make him your enemy just because of me. You will discover the painful truth yourself in the very end and then realize what a fool you were when you ignored my statements about him.
Ash sits back down next to Ashley...
Ash: Look, nothing matters more to me than my sister's health and safety right now. If you can help us all stage an escape plan and successfully reunite us with our forces, you will earn my trust and who knows...I will take it for granted that Hayden is the only source of threat and all evil in the world.... probably.
Blake: He was always giving off some sinister vibes. It will come as no surprise for me to learn that he is indeed the main problem here. He legit read my mind fifteen years ago to discover my past in a heartbeat, who the fox does that?
Regina: He did? Oh my, that sounds disturbing. He is one helluva ominous being. I am sorry to say this but I don't think I can trust the ZDF anymore, a military organization currently led by an extraterrestrial thing that miraculously rose to power and became not only a general of the army but also the mayor of Zootopia. Something smells really murky here...
Lyra: See? We all speak with one voice.
Ash: Nice work driving a wedge between us. Let's just leave this for another time, we need to figure out a way to get us all out of here first. I bet this all knowing rabbit knows how, RIGHT?
Lyra: That impels me to ask Regina over here a question about my beloved creation...
Regina: What could you possibly need to know from me Lyra?
Lyra: When you saw Zack be defeated by Neyla, have you seen his dead body or any signs that he would never be coming back?
Regina: It seemed like Neyla overwhelmed him with a bunch of hefty rocks using some kind of supernatural staff thingamajig. I know how powerful he is...but there's no way he could have survived that I am afraid. I didn't even get to say goodbye. He was just so determined to help me rescue Blake. He was a pillar of strength for me on this journey. He didn't deserve this...
Lyra: Do you really think a bunch of rocks would simply stop that powerhouse? If he had truly discovered his abilities before that event, then he is still alive and if he truly cares about you or Blake, then we should be expecting a visit real soon. So, to answer your question Ash, we don't need to do anything.
Ash: What do you mean we don't need to do anything?
Lyra: Sit idly and watch the skies turn bright blue...
Ash: And the meaning is?
Blake: Guys, we've got company....
Regina: Bad company...
Lazarus and his men enter the place and approach their cell.
Lazarus: So, now that you are all acquainted, we can start with the selection process for the upcoming battle. I've been informed that the war between Gryphonia and Zootopia has started but don't let that discourage you because the show is not going to be called off! We are going to have an unorthodox match this time around. All the female contestants in this cell will join the battle against the other three chosen warriors of the opposite gender. This shall make this event riveting, just the way I like it!
Ash: What?! You said I can fight for her instead! You liar! Can't you see she is wounded?
Blake: Oh no, you aren't taking my babe away from me! We just reunited you reptilian piece of green abhorrence!
Lyra: How I wish I had someone who would defend me as well. At least I am not going solo...
Lazarus: I don't care! You are on my island where the only law is me! Don't be such a spoilsport and let the girls enjoy themselves, forcibly! Now get over here! We need to make sure those arms of yours won't do anything stupid first. Handcuff them!
Ashley stands up from the bed but before she walks out of the cell she reassures her brother...
Ashley: It's okay Ash, I'll show them that even a wounded girl like me can be a tough challenge for others.
Ash: But Ashley! How are you going to pull through without me? This asshole knows what he is doing! He wants slaughter, and you are the first who is going to fall victim to this bloody entertainment due to your current condition!
Ashley: Just root for me okay? I'm sorry it has to be like this.
Ash: No, it doesn't!
Ash attempts to stop this madness by assaulting the prison guards in front of Lazarus with his enhanced speed. The guards receive heavy blows to their faces as Ash tries to save everyone all by himself until Lazarus gets in his way and stops him. His sturdy body is too much for Ash to overcome even with his enhanced agility and strength. Lazarus seizes him with his hands while the prison guards make sure nobody escapes from the cell...
Lazarus: Slick moves, coyote! Save those for later! Are you done proving your mettle? Because you've reached a dead end, ME! BACK IN YOUR CAGE YOU GO, YOU NAUGHTY BOY!
Lazarus throws Ash towards the back wall of the cell so hard that he is knocked senseless upon hitting it with his body.
Ashley: Ash NO!
The guards come into the cell and handcuff Ashley and Regina. Blake is not sure what to do. He realizes he can't do anything to escape after seeing Ash get single-handedly knocked out like that by Lazarus. The guards appear to have forgotten about Lyra...
Lazarus: Don't forget the qualified master of deception!
Lyra: That must be me...
One of the guards picks her up by her ears...
Lyra: NO! Not the ears! Have you guys got any idea how sensitive bunny ears are?!
Ashley is slowly escorted out of the cell. She just can't stop looking back at her unconscious brother...
Prison Guard: Eyes on the road!
He hits her in the back with his shock gun and almost makes her stumble and fall.
Lazarus: Treat her gently you vile creature! She needs all the strength and energy she has left in order to make it to my arena, to die in front of the hungry eyes of the audience yearning for a diverting and helluva bloody show! You may as well replace her if you feel like using that much violence...
Prison Guard: I got carried away boss. It won't happen again...unless you say so.
Regina: Blake?....
She looks at Blake with her beautiful sparkling emerald green eyes full of fear while holding his paw tightly and anxiously...
Blake: Stay strong and remember what I taught you okay? You can do this! We will climb out of this pit of hell together! Show them that behind every beauty lives a fiendish monster ready to tear anyone apart! I love you honey!
Another guard comes in, grabs her from behind and pulls her out of the cell, leaving Blake in complete despair and worry with Ash still knocked out behind him. They lock the cell door and the guards lead the female "warriors" out of the underground cell. Lazarus stays behind to say a few more words to Blake...
Lazarus: Don't you worry foxy, she will be the highlight of the show! Dead or alive. Hopefully dead and cut to pieces. That's what the audience wants to see! There will be no disappointments, only bloodshed, the true form of entertainment!
Blake: You're a monster, an unsympathetic nobody taking pleasure from the misfortune of others. Remember, if something nasty happens to the love of my life, your head will be severed off.
Lazarus: I am being gallant to them girls and please, wake up from that ludicrous dream of yours, furball! You...and my head severed off? Don't try to be such a tough guy. You'll soon join the battle too and then we'll see who's head is going to be rolling on the ground. I am telling ya, you are going to turn into chickenshit the moment you step outside this jail!
Blake: I'll have the last laugh you hideous asshole! You don't know who I am and what I am capable of! If you only knew about my past...
Lazarus: I really couldn't care less about your past, you crimson red furball! Excuse me, I have to go to see those ladies become either the winners of the match or minced fleabags!
He walks away leaving Blake infuriated and worried about his love. He shakes the cell door aggressively, wanting to escape more than ever now.
Blake: Just wait till I get my hands on you out there! I'll KILL YOU!!!!
Ash gets back his consciousness and stands up, bewildered...
Ash: What happened....
Blake: You bit off more than you could chew, that's what. They took them all...
Ash: NO! WE MUST BREAK OUT IMMEDIATELY!
Blake: How? Unless your hands are made of iron, we aren't breaking these bars. Trust me, I am as pained as you are...
Ash: She is going to die out there without my protection. My biggest fear has come upon me...
Blake: The feeling is mutual. I can't afford losing my princess either. SHIT!
Blake hits the door with his fist in complete anger...
Ash: She's my only real family I have. It cannot end like this!
Ash charges into the door several times desperately while Blake watches him until he stops him by holding him firmly...
Blake: Hey, stop. You're only going to hurt yourself. That door was built to be highly resistant and bashing on it and charging into it is not going to get us anywhere!
Ash pushes Blake away from him...
Ash: Don't touch me okay? I'll walk through the utmost trials of hell and suffering only to see her and save her from cruel demise, whatever it takes!
Blake: Remember how strong she is and the basic rule of survival. Only the strongest survive. Those girls will persist. They will protect each other out there.
Ash: Yeah, I know! Teamwork makes the dream work. Gosh darn it I am so mad that my head is reaching its boiling point!
Blake: I noticed you've been foaming at the mouth. Just don't explode okay? Best we can do is pray for their lives...
Blake and Ash are left alone in their cell feeling terrible and hopeless. Are Regina, Ashley and Lyra strong enough to survive whatever deadly challenges await them in the arena? Only good teamwork will keep them alive...but for how long?