AlteredBeast

NC: Uh oh, I think we need to call a timeout. This lone donkey seems to have wandered into the arena!

D: Actually, Natch... I checked, and this donkey's actually on the fight card.

NC: I'm sorry, wha-

D: Yeah, says right here... his name is just "Donkey."

S: Heh, this party's usually full of wacky cartoon characters like us. A straight-up, honest, real animal like this was not something I expected, man.

H: You know, I did once hear from my cousin's best friend's sister's next door neighbor, who happened to be my cousin, that those Kratt guys had a show before even Zoboomafoo! Think this guy might be repping it?

D: Wait, you mean Kratts' Creatures? That's not a bad theory, Hal, but sadly no. Says here he's from something called "Tots TV."

S: Does it even matter where he's from? I mean he's literally just a donkey, man. The least they could've done was invite a zanier one from someplace else...

D: Yeah, I suppose you're right. Well, then I guess the only advice I can give is to watch out for his bites and kicks. They're the main form of defense for all donkeys. He can probably also hear you coming with those large ears of his, so sneaking up on him will prove difficult.

NC: Uh, I'll keep all that in mind, Daisy. And once this match is over, I will make sure this poor donkey is returned to his natural habitat!

NC: Oh. My. GOSH! Who are these little adorable balls of fluff?!

D: I've heard of these guys! They're the main characters of a much more recent series, "Work It Out Wombats!", a show all about computational thinking.

H: Compu... comptation... uh, hey, what's that they're teaching?

Super: If you folks don't mind me stepping in... "Computational thinking" can simply be described as the process of working out solutions to problems in a step-by-step manner.

D: Hey, thanks! Wait, you're a wombat yourself, right?

Super: You're right on target. I'm Super, the Wombats' grandmother, and the superintendent of the Treeborhood.

NC: Ah... the whaterhood? Is it like a "neighborhood," perchance?

Super: (giggles) Yup! Unlike most neighborhoods though, ours is inside a massive tree!

S: Woah, man. Now this we NEED to see!

Super: We'd be happy to have you after the match! Back to the Wombats, they've faced many a tough challenge in their day-to-day lives, but they always manage to work it out in the end! I'm so proud of how far they've come. I feel like nothing's too big a problem for them to handle.

NC: Ah, and it seems they've "worked out" a way to fight as a team here!

Super: Right you are, and they've gotten so far in this party already. But I wonder, who here will work out a way to victory first?

D: Well, I guess if we want to win, we'll need a step-by-step plan! Step one, we could throw them off guard by copying one of their moves. Natch, got an idea?

Steve: He's already got one! I may not be a wombat, but a vole like me should be good enough. He can throw me just like they throw each other around!

Super: Then may the best contestant win!

D: What the... Natch, is that a clone of you?!

H: And why is he wearing a sweater in the middle of the hot day? Did he read the wrong weather forecast? I did that once... it wasn't pretty.

NC: Hrm... no, it can't be...

D: What? Who is it?

NC: This is the very cat I was afraid I'd become on that certain fateful Christmas season...

S: Wait, you mean that time you were so obsessed with Christmas that you were ruining nature with your decorating?

H: Guys, is that purple glowing guy in the hood me?

S: Wait, I see a green glowing me dressed as an elf too...

NC: NO!!! I WILL NEVER AGAIN COME EVEN CLOSE TO BECOMING YOU, CHRISTMAS CAT!!! I was so close to losing my friends once to greed, and I won't allow myself to be jerks to them again!!!

S: Woah, Natch, what's gotten into you?!

Daisy Spirit: I think I can answer that. I'm the Spirit of Nature Past, and together with the other Spirits of Nature, we helped Nature Cat realize the true spirit of Christmas by taking him to the past, present, and his dark future.

S: Woah, this is freaky, man! You look just like Daisy!!! ...But if I might add, was that really the most original thing you could do for him...?

D: Man oh man, seeing another me here is pretty strange but... this fight must be really personal for Natch, isn't it?

Daisy Spirit: Oh yes. This is Christmas Cat, your friend from a future where Fred became so obsessed with Christmas that he literally renamed himself! And, to make room for more Christmas presents, he destroyed the nature around him and lost all his friends...

S: Wow... you never really know what someone's capable of, huh? Well, for the sake of our greater friendship, we promise to put a stop to this inner demon of his once and for all!

D: Don't worry Fred... you've stopped yourself from letting an obsession ruin you before. With us around, you'll never have to worry about losing yourself ever again...

NC: Woah! That's surely a big bird! Maybe the biggest I've ever seen.

D: Yup, and that's his name alright: Big Bird! One of Sesame Street's most beloved residents, he teaches kids that it's okay to not know everything, because hey, he doesn't know everything himself. But he also encourages a healthy dose of curiosity!

S: He may not know everything, man, but he can still do a lot from what I hear.

D: That's right, Squeeks. This guy can skate, dance, sing, even ride a unicycle! Pretty impressive for a 6-year old.

NC: This big guy's only 6 years old?!

H: Oh yeah, I did a lot when I was 6 too. I dug that big hole, hid some bones, dug even more holes...

S: Uh, anyway, point is this guy's not to be underestimated, he could probably crush all of us like mice if he wanted to... so to speak. Good thing he's not the type to actually want to do that.

D: Yeah, he's one of the most popular Sesame Street residents for a reason. He can make friends fast!

NC: Well that's good. No matter how big a creature may be, I, Nature Cat, will make sure not to seriously harm any of Mother Nature's creations!

H: Maybe he'll show us the way to Sesame Street, too. Always wanted to go there, but I could never find it...

NC: Why, if it isn't the world-famous Elmo of Sesame Street!

D: Good eye, Natch! Of course, who wouldn't recognize him? He's only Sesame Street's cutest, cuddliest little muppet!

S: Eh, I don't know, man. I preferred it when Big Bird was the main character, this guy's voice and the way he talks just... irks me.

D: Well, uh... okay, I do see what you mean, that high-pitched voice of his might get a bit grating after a while. Plus, I know a lot of people aren't the biggest fans of where Elmo's taken the show, but I think it's still alright...

H: Hey, can we get moving on how to win this match? I think this guy's starting to bug me too a tiny bit...

D: Oh, sorry about that. He's a small guy, so he should be easier to launch, and his attacks are playful but simple. I recommend using that crayon I just sent you, Natch, it's an experimental device that can replicate the imaginative properties of "Elmo's World."

NC: Wow, this guy has access to a land of make-believe!? Hrm, why does that sound so familiar...

D: Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, those "Elmo's World" segments became a huge staple of Sesame Street, teaching kids about all kinds of subjects. It all takes place in an adorable crayon world! I especially love the Noodle family, they're so goofy!

S: He has an entire segment... because everyone totally needed to hear even more of that squeaky voice. Let's just get this match over with, huh?

NC: For you, Squeeks, anything. Onward and yonward!

NC: Daisy, what the heck's going on?!

D: Nature Cat, what are you talking about?

NC: That man in the sweater... it... it can't be, can it?

D: Wait... gimme a big WHAAAAAAAAT?!?!

S: No way, man. That's gotta be Tom Hanks or something.

H: What? What's wrong with him? He just looks like a kind old man to me. Hi, neighborly looking man, it's me Hal!

NC: Hal, that's Fred Rogers! THE Mister Rogers!!!

H: Oh yeah, right, Mister Rogers, of course, him, how could I forget! Just one tiny quick question though... who's Mister Rogers?

D: You really don't- (ahem) well, Fred McFeely Rogers was one of the kindest men to ever live. His show, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," inspired and comforted many, young and old, for decades! Heck, without him, the entire PBS network - and therefore, us - would never even exist!

S: Yeah man, you at least need to see that video where he testified before the Communications Subcommittee to get PBS the funding they needed. That was so heartwarming and awesome!!!

D: I'll text you a link later, Hal. But still, how could he be here right now?! He would sadly pass away a couple years after he ended his show... this isn't a mean prank, is it?

NC: I don't think even Ronald is cruel enough to pull a stunt like this. We must get to the bottom of this mystery!

D: Just don't hurt him too bad, okay? If this really is the real Rogers, then I doubt he even wants to be in a fight party like this right now.

NC: Never fear, my friends. For our sake - nay, the whole world's sake - I will go as easy as possible!

D: I think everyone thanks you, Nature Cat. I'll start looking into the party's database in the meantime to figure out just who this guy really is... we might've just stumbled onto something big here.

NC: Well isn't this is quite the honor! Daisy, we're facing off against the world-famous Arthur Read!

D: Hey, you're right! One of the longest running cartoons ever made, his show was all about relatable situations that every kid faces, as well as encouraging good social skills. Its humor and relatability really helped it stand the test of time!

S: And even after the show ended, he's still going strong with podcasts and stuff.

D.W.: I don't see HOW he got so popular. He's gotta be the worst big brother in the whole world!

NC: WHA- where did you come from?!

H: Oh hi random intruder, it's me Hal!

D: Oh yeah... you and Arthur do get into squabbles a lot, don't you?

D.W.: Yeah, I'll say! He's always unfair and mean to me! Like the time he hit me, all because he wasn't able to make that stupid plane work right!

S: (whispering) You know, Arthur was totally in the right in that episode...

D.W.: What was that?!

D: UHHHH, anyhow, it's true that you don't wanna make Arthur angry. It's not a pretty sight... he packs much more of a punch when he's enraged, so be careful, you guys.

D.W.: And send him packing! Make sure he's never invited to this stupid party ever again!

NC: Uh, okay... whatever you say little girl, onward and... yonward.

NC: Daisy, are you there?! I'm fighting MYSELF!!!

D: Nature Cat, what's going on out there??? Could it be...? Is PBS engineering some kind of reboot? Or are they creating a completely new show to replace ours, using you as a template?!

S: Woah woah woah, slow down, man. Maybe it's just a really dedicated cosplay- HOLY COW THERE'S ALSO A CLONE OF ME!!!

H: Hey, I see me there too! Hi, other me, it's me, the original Hal!

NC: They're using our exact same attacks. Hal's digging, Squeeks' karate moves... even the way I study nature and influence the enviornment!!! Even our voices are replicated perfectly... this is really creeping me out.

D: I can't wrap my head around what this could mean... I have so many theories right now, I can't keep them straight... and ALL of them spell bad news for us.

NC: Wait, I've noticed something... they have different fur & outfit colors than us, and their attack patterns are a bit different too...

D: That's an amazing observation... so even if your power is evenly matched, your fashion and fighting styles can determine the outcome of the battle. We've all faced greater odds in the past, gang, let's not let these copycats beat us!!!

NC: That's right! We'll show PBS that we truly are one of a kind!!!

S: And we can only do this together, man! Count the mouse in!

H: Yeah, what she said, and he said, and she said!!!

All: ONWARD AND YONWARD!!!