Scenario:Arthur and Mordred - Operation Chickadee

Operation Chickadee

Arthur and Mordred save a young boy from a pair of hooligans, but the boy proclaims that he hates knights and runs away. The next day the same boy approaches Arthur, Mordred, Cruz, and Tornelio, asking for their help, but when the young knights follow the boy to the hooligans' hideout, they find themselves surrounded.

---

Arthur and Mordred stroll through the city on one of their days off.

Arthur: Man, I'm stuffed! Couldn't eat another bite.

Mordred: That was one heck of a meal.

Arthur: My stomach's all happy now, so I think I'll go back to my room and crash...

Mordred: Not so fast, Arthur. We didn't head out just to eat, remember?

Arthur stares at Mordred for a moment in thought before gasping.

Arthur: Oh, right! We were supposed to go shopping! I totally forgot... That was almost bad.

Mordred: Geez, get it together.

Arthur: I just get so sleepy when I'm full...

Mordred: Well, stop being sleepy. You're not a little kid.

Arthur: Age hasn't got anything to do with it! Everybody feels content with a full belly!

Mordred: Well, I guess that's true...

Mordred: Huh?

Arthur: What's up, Mordred?

Mordred: ...

Arthur turns to peer down an alleyway, following Mordred's gaze.

Arthur: Oh...

Hooligan 1: Hey! You better watch yer mouth, kid! You hear me?

Boy: ...

Hooligan 2: It's too late. Shuttin' up now's not gonna do you any good!

Arthur: Is that what it looks like?

Mordred: Yeah. Just a couple of your run-of-the-mill good-for-nothings up to no good.

Arthur: Let's get in there and put a stop to this, Mordred. There may be two of them, but there are two of us too.

Mordred: I'd like to agree, but I don't think it'll be that easy.

Arthur: Huh? Why not?

Mordred: It'd be all well and good if they just packed up and left, but they might be in the mood for a fight.

Arthur: We can handle them either way.

Mordred: We were instructed not to cause any trouble. I'm pretty sure starting a fight counts as causing trouble.

Arthur: Oh...

Arthur: Yeah, I guess you're right. Things are different now.

Mordred: Right. We're still members of the Order of the White Dragons even when we're not in uniform.

Arthur: Yeah!

Arthur: So what's the plan then? Who's on patrol right now anyway? Think we'd make it back in time if we ran and got them?

Mordred: I know an easier way.

Arthur: An easier way?

Mordred: Just watch.

Mordred: Sir Knight! Over heeere! Come quick!

Hooligan 1: What! A knight?

Arthur: Oh! I get it!

Arthur: Heeey! Hurry, Sir Knight! This way!

Hooligan 2: Tch! Let's get outta here!

Hooligan 1: Dammit!

Boy: ...

Arthur: Sweet! It worked!

Mordred: That was too easy.

Arthur: Hey, kid! You okay?

Boy: ...

Mordred: Did they hurt you? Actually, how'd you even get tangled up with thugs like that in the first place?

Boy: Hey...

Arthur: Huh? What's up?

Boy: Where's the knight?

Mordred: Oh! That was just a bluff.

Boy: A bluff? So there aren't any knights coming?

Arthur: Right. Those goons fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

Arthur: We're actually members of the Order of the White Knights though, so I guess there are a couple of knights here.

Boy: You two are knights?

Mordred: Yeah. Technically we're still in training, but we're official members either way.

Boy: ...

Arthur: Hm? What's wrong?

Mordred: Why were those guys messing with you? Were they just after your money?

Boy: Get your hands off me!

Mordred: What the! What was that for!

Mordred's eyes fly open in surprise as the boy slaps his hand away.

Boy: Don't touch me! I hate knights!

Arthur: Huh? What are you talking about?

Boy: Those guys earlier were my business partners!

Boy: But you just had to butt in, didn't you!

Mordred: What?

Boy: Knights always mess everything up!

Arthur: Hey...

Arthur and Mordred watch in a daze as the boy dashes off.

Mordred: Geez, after we saved him and everything.

Arthur: Yeah...

Mordred: Hey, Arthur.

Arthur: ...

Mordred: Sigh.

Mordred: What are you getting all depressed for!

Arthur: Ow!

Arthur: Sniffle... That hurt, Mordred...

Mordred: There are all sorts of people out there. It's only natural that some would hate knights.

Arthur: Yeah, I guess you're right.

Mordred: Anyway that kid said something about business partners, didn't he?

Arthur: Yeah... He must've been talking about those jerks who ran away.

Mordred: I wonder what he meant by that... I hope he was just putting on a tough-guy act.

Arthur: Same... We should probably talk to Vice-Captain Vane about it though.

Mordred: Yeah, that's a good idea.

Tornelio: Um, so what did Vice-Captain Vane say?

Arthur: He said he'd keep an eye out.

Mordred: He doesn't know of any large criminal organizations operating in the city or anything.

Mordred: But apparently he's caught wind of groups of thugs popping up here and there.

Arthur: And one of them might be using kids to carry out their dirty deeds.

Tornelio: So the vice-captain's going to keep an eye on the situation?

Mordred: He doesn't exactly have a lot of time to spare though.

Cruz: Yeah. He's been running around getting ready for the inspection tour tomorrow.

Mordred: Exactly. That's why it's up to us to—

Veteran Knight 1: Hey, Chickadees! Enough chit-chat! Let's get moving!

Arthur: Yes, sir! Sorry about that!

The young knights scramble after their superior.

Mordred: Aw, man. If only there was something to liven up this boring patrol.

Tornelio: H-hey! Don't say things like that...

Mordred: That's not what I meant. I was just saying we've got bigger things to worry about.

Cruz: Do you think we might find some sort of lead while we're on patrol?

Mordred: Bingo.

Arthur: All right! Let's get fired up for some patrolling!

Veteran Knight 2: Hey, Arthur... I'm glad you're all fired up, but couldn't you put some of that energy into getting up earlier?

Veteran Knight 1: Mordred, can't you wake him up and drag him out of bed for us?

Mordred: Why me?

Arthur: I don't need help waking up!

With a chorus of playful laughter, the knights head out into the city.

Arthur: Ah!

Mordred: What's up, Arthur?

Arthur: I just saw that kid!

Tornelio: Where?

Arthur: He ran down the alleyway.

Mordred: Was he alone?

Arthur: Yep. And he seemed to be doing okay.

Mordred: Maybe he was running away from us.

Tornelio: W-why would he do that?

Cruz: Well... We're in uniform after all.

Arthur: And he did say he hates knights...

Tornelio: Oh, right. Then I guess that means we won't be able to talk to him looking like this.

Arthur: But where else are we gonna find a lead?

Mordred: Good question. That's exactly why we need to keep our eyes peeled and take this patrol seriously.

The young knights nod and focus on their mission.

Mordred: I can't believe they treated us like kids again.

Tornelio: Well, you can't really blame them. We are kids...

After returning from their patrol, the young knights part with their superiors to grab something to eat.

Cruz: They went out for drinks. It's not like they can bring us along.

Mordred: Well, yeah... But they didn't have to tell us to be good little boys and go home.

Arthur: Don't worry! We'll grow up to be awesome knights before they know it!

Arthur: Anyway this is delicious!

Mordred: Look at you changing the subject... But I'll admit the food is great!

The growing boys stuff their faces as they continue their lively conversation.

Arthur: You know, Henry was totally peeved.

Mordred: That guy never learns.

Tornelio: You fight with Henry as much as you do with Arthur.

Mordred: Those aren't fights. He just likes to throw little tantrums all on his own.

Arthur: Henry's been getting a lot better with a sword recently though.

Mordred: Yeah, I can't deny that.

Arthur: He's probably gearing up to take me down. I can't let him get ahead of me!

Cruz: Arthur. Mordred.

Arthur: Hm?

Cruz: Look over there.

Cruz points at the doorway.

Boy: ...

Mordred: It's him.

Tornelio: Is that the kid you were talking about?

Arthur: Yeah. Wonder what he's doing here?

They catch the boy's eye, and he grudgingly trudges over to them.

Boy: ...

Arthur: Uh... Can we help you?

Boy: S...

Mordred: Come again? Couldn't hear you.

Boy: Save me!

Arthur: Huh? Save you? What happened?

Mordred: I'm pretty sure you said you hated knights.

Boy: ...!

Tornelio: Come on, Mordred. You didn't have to be so blunt...

Boy: I do hate them! But I can't do this by myself...

Arthur: What's going on? If it's something serious, we can ask our superiors to take care of it.

Boy: No!

Arthur: Huh?

Boy: No adults. They can't be trusted!

Mordred: Oh yeah? Well... I kinda get where you're coming from.

Tornelio: There you go again...

Arthur: So... What's up?

Mordred: Does this have to do with those guys from earlier?

Boy: Yeah.

Mordred: Those goons were nothing special.

Cruz: Think we could handle them ourselves?

Arthur: Probably. But should we really be doing this without permission?

Mordred: Things are different this time. This kid is asking for our help. And he won't talk to adults.

Cruz: Are you saying it's our duty as knights to handle this?

Mordred: I don't see why it'd be a problem.

Tornelio: A-are you sure about this?

Arthur: Hmm... I have my reservations, but it sounds like we don't have a choice!

Mordred: Then let's get moving. Tell us what's going on.

Boy: Okay.

The boy leads the knights-in-training to an area outside of the city.

Mordred: So this is their hideout?

Boy: Uh-huh.

Tornelio: It looks like a warehouse though.

Arthur: I see light... There must be people inside.

Mordred: We could probably break in right now without anybody noticing.

Arthur: It'd be awesome if we could catch them in the act.

Tornelio: In that case, we ought to sneak inside and see what they're up to.

Cruz: Wait!

Hooligan 1: Heheh! Well if it ain't our little knight friends!

Hooligan 2: Well, well, well! Yer the cutest knights I've ever seen!

Mordred: Tch... We're surrounded.

Arthur: Guess we gotta fight our way out.

Mordred: What else? Cruz, Tornelio. We'll let you handle the warehouse.

Cruz: Right.

Tornelio: O-okay!

Arthur: All right! Let's do this!

Operation Chickadee: Scene 2

The young knights stand to fight the hooligans, but when the boy is taken hostage they are forced to surrender, winding up locked inside a warehouse. While trying to come up with a plan, Arthur and Mordred suddenly get into a heated argument, ending with Mordred turning traitor and taking Tornelio with him. Meanwhile a group of hooligans attack Arthur and Cruz on their leader's orders.

---

Mordred: Hyah! That all you got?

Arthur: Nothing to it!

Arthur: Tornelio! Cruz! How are you holding up?

Tornelio: We're fine—

Tornelio: Aah!

Hooligan 1: Listen up! Don't anybody move a muscle!

Boy: Urgh!

Hooligan 1: Yer knights, ain't ya? Don't you care what happens to this kid?

Cruz: They pulled a fast one on us.

Mordred: Seriously? A hostage? This guy is scum, through and through.

Hooligan 1: Hahaha! So? What's it gonna be? Still feel like resistin'?

Boy: Ngh...

Arthur: Dang it!

Arthur: Fine, we won't resist! Just let him go!

Hooligan 1: Then behave yerselves and get inside.

The four knights enter the narrow warehouse with the boy, and the hooligans lock them inside.

Mordred: They got us good.

Boy: ...

Arthur: Those jerks! They even got a kid involved!

Tornelio: Is everybody okay? I have some medicine if anyone needs it.

Cruz: You all right, kid?

Boy: Huh? Me? I'm fine.

Cruz: Okay then.

Boy: ...

Cruz: ...

Tornelio: Cruz?

Tornelio notices Cruz scrutinizing the boy and calls out to him.

Tornelio: What's wrong?

Cruz: Nothing.

Arthur: Looks like there are guards posted at the front and back exits.

Mordred: Guess they don't plan on letting us just up and leave.

Arthur: ...

Mordred: Arthur?

Arthur: This is why I said we shouldn't act on our own.

Mordred: You little...

Mordred: But you ended up agreeing and coming along, didn't you!

Tornelio: Huh? What's going on, you two?

Arthur: Only 'cause you were being so pushy! You're always like that!

Mordred: What! Why are you wasting time whining to me when you could be thinking of a way to get us out of here!

Arthur: What about you! You're just gonna end up pressuring us into going along with you again!

Tornelio: S-stop it, you guys! Now's not the time!

Boy: Now you're fighting among yourselves? Knights really are all talk.

Tornelio: No... Cruz! Cruz, make them stop!

Cruz: Just leave them.

Tornelio: W-why!

Arthur: We should have handled this more carefully. Vice-Captain Vane already knew about the situation anyway...

Mordred: Knock off the goody two-shoes act, Arthur! You're creeping me out!

Mordred: I've had enough of this!

Mordred raps on one of the doors.

Mordred: Hey! I know you can hear me!

Hooligan 1: What's all the racket? Pipe down in there!

Mordred: I've had it with these jerks! I'll do whatever you want, so just let me out of here.

Tornelio: Mordred!

Mordred: Tornelio! You're coming with me!

Tornelio: Huh?

Tornelio: H-hang on, Mordred! Wait!

Ringleader: So you're the kid who wanted to negotiate.

Having been released from the warehouse, Mordred and Tornelio stand before the ringleader of the hooligans.

Mordred: Negotiate? Nothing that lame.

Mordred: I wouldn't have gone to all the trouble of getting caught just to exchange courtesies.

Tornelio: ...

Mordred: Depending on what you say, I might be willing to cooperate.

Ringleader: Oh?

Mordred: But first I'd like to know what you're trying to accomplish. What's your goal?

Ringleader: ...

After taking a moment to appraise Mordred, the ringleader's mouth twists into a grin.

Ringleader: Heh! Well, I s'pose there's no harm in tellin' ya.

Ringleader: It's not like we have a big goal in mind or anythin'.

Ringleader: Heh. The mighty Order of the White Knights gave us a great opportunity by hirin' a bunch of kids.

Ringleader: Hahaha! So we just thought we'd use it to our advantage.

Mordred: Oh? I see.

Mordred: In that case, I think it'd be in your best interest to strike a deal with me.

Mordred: As long as you make it worth my while, I might agree to provide you with information or whatever else you need.

Ringleader: Hahahahaha! You must've had some upbringin'.

Mordred: You're one to talk.

Ringleader: All right, I get where you stand. But what about yer little friends in the warehouse?

Mordred: Haha! I'm sure they'll decide to cooperate if you just rough 'em up a bit more.

Arthur: Sigh...

Cruz: You okay?

Arthur: Mm... Yeah. Anyway...

Arthur: Hey, you.

Boy: What?

Arthur: Why do you—

Hooligan 1: Hahaha! Break's over, little knights!

Arthur: Huh?

Hooligan 2: Heh heh... Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but we're here to give you a good ol'-fashioned beatdown!

Arthur: Cruz. Watch the kid.

Cruz: Got it.

Hooligan 2: Daw. You poor little things. If you wanna blame somebody, blame that heartless buddy o' yers!

Operation Chickadee: Scene 3

Mordred reuinites with Arthur to help him take down the hooligans, revealing that their fight was all just an elaborate plan to get the hooligans to drop their guard. When the young knights confront the boy about being in cahoots with the hooligans all along, he dashes away. Arthur and Mordred have managed to save the day, but that doesn't stop them from getting into yet another argument.

---

Mordred: Arthur!

Arthur: Right!

Hooligan 1: Ngh!

Arthur and Mordred join forces to take down the remaining hooligans.

Mordred: All right! You're up, Cruz!

Cruz: On it.

Hooligan 1: H-how'd we lose to a bunch of brats!

The knights-in-training deliver the finishing blow by locking the men in their own warehouse.

Arthur: Huh? Where's Tornelio?

Mordred: I sent him on ahead.

Arthur: Oh, to call the other knights?

Mordred: Yep. He's got some serious speed, so he should be back any moment now.

Mordred: Now then...

Mordred: Shall we throw you in the warehouse with your friends before they get here?

Boy: ...!

Arthur: Cut it out, Mordred. You're gonna freak him out.

Boy: Did you know I was working with them the whole time?

Mordred: We didn't know for sure. It was just a hunch.

Boy: But what about that fight? Were you just faking it?

Arthur: Sure were! Man, it'd been forever since we used that strategy.

Mordred: We throw the enemy forces into disarray by pretending to have a falling out and making them drop their guard.

Mordred: It only works when we're up against a bunch of measly thugs though.

Arthur: I'm glad the plan was a success!

Mordred: That just shows those guys were no more than a pack of lousy hoodlums.

Boy: Dang it! What a jerk move! You tricked me! You knights are all the same!

Arthur: ...

Arthur: Say...

Boy: What?

Arthur: It's true we haven't exactly had a spotless past...

Arthur: But that doesn't mean all knights are the same. I can't stand when people generalize like that.

Mordred: There are lots of different people in the order, just like in the city.

Mordred: A few of them we really look up to. And someday we even want to surpass them.

Arthur: Yeah... That's why we decided to become knights and keep pushing forward.

Arthur: So we can hold our heads up proudly.

Mordred: What about you? Do you really wanna keep living this way?

Boy: I...

Arthur: You still haven't told us why you hate knights so much...

Arthur: But you might wanna stop and take a good look at the knights of this kingdom.

Mordred: It's simple.

Mordred: Anybody can join the Order of the White Knights as long as they have the skill and resolve. Their past doesn't matter.

Boy: I wouldn't be... caught dead...

Boy: Screw you!

Arthur: Hey!

Arthur: There he goes... Think he's gonna be okay?

Mordred: There's nothing else we can say to change his mind.

Mordred: But Arthur...

Arthur: Huh?

Mordred: What was with that swordplay of yours earlier?

Arthur: Hey! That's my line!

Mordred: Huh? What was that?

Arthur: You took too long to show up!

Mordred: Says who!

Mordred: What about you? Did you even realize you were fighting in a building? Your moves were all over the place!

Arthur: I'm just not good at that kind of stuff! You were supposed to follow my lead!

Mordred: There you go shifting blame again.

Cruz: You two are hopeless.

The quarrel continues until Tornelio returns with the veteran knights in tow.