S2fE06

KEMONO FRIENDS

Season 2f

By ProjectS2f

Episode 6 - Dry Lakes

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The Japari Bus rides down a road surrounded by dry, ochre land with sparse vegetation. But while the terrain is mostly those large patches of dried land, they are framed with hills of scrubland and small forests. As the Friends travel, they start driving parallel to one of those - a strip of forest, mostly composed of grassy soil, bushes, and small, fruit-bearing trees. Margay is leaning out of the window, letting out an excited cry.

MARGAY - Uwaaah ! Look at this !

Serval and Kaban join her. PPP's manager points in the distance. In the middle of the dry plain, plumes of Sandstar come flying from the ground. The eruption is silent, like air currents blowing soap bubbles into the sky. The sandstar particles float gently through the air, and the ones that have already landed emit colorful vapors themselves, giving the area a dreamlike quality.

SERVAL - It's so different from our eruptions ! There's no rumble or anything.
KABAN - I almost want to stop the bus and look at it for a while...
MARGAY - Yeah, it's really pretty, isn't it ? It would be great if we could do something like this on set for our concerts...Maybe the Professor knows a way.
SERVAL - Hmm ?

Serval's ears perk up and she goes to the other side of the bus, looking at the strip of sparse forest. She can spot a Friend behind a tree.

SERVAL - Look, there's a Friend there !

The others join her as the Bus stops. The camera zooms on the unknown Friend. She has bobbed blue hair with a mullet, with a darker blue fringe with a bang between her eyes, which are severe-looking. Above her eyes is an imposing brown casque made of hair. She wears both a large blue scarf and a thin bowtie which goes down into two red ribbons. Her black tiered skirt gets quite wide and ends with a black plumage reaching her knees. Below that line are high, light grey boots with high heels. The Friend stays silent, staring from behind her tree.

LUCKY BEAST - This is a Cassowary.

Order : Casuariiformes
Family : Casuariidae
Genus : Casuarius
Southern Cassowary

LUCKY BEAST - They are solitary birds that cannot fly but are able to run very fast. They can be intimidating, but they are normally shy and avoid trouble.
KABAN - I see...Well, she doesn't seem to want to greet us, so let's be on our way, Lucky-san !
LUCKY BEAST - Understood.

The Bus restarts and goes back on the road, but as soon as it makes a little headway, Cassowary darts away from the tree, runs to the Japari Bus at full speed, and delivers a flying kick to the side of the hull. The Bus then slows down to a crawl, and stops dead.

Lucky Beast looks down, wondering what happened and trying to restart the engine. When this is unsuccessful, he turns to the right, and sees sparks flying out.  A deep hole has been punched into the hull.

LUCKY - Uwa-uwawa-

Cassowary shuts her eyes and throws her head back. A moment of silence passes. She opens her eyes again and lets out a sigh of satisfaction. She nods, and walks away.

Cut to Margay, Kaban and Serval leaning out of the Bus, stunned.

Cut to opening.

-----

The group is standing in front of the hole in the Japari Bus' hull. Lucky Beast is in the front row, scanning. Serval is looking into the distance, fists held down and tail bristled.

SERVAL - Geez ! Why did she do that ?! That was so mean !
KABAN - Yes...And right after you told us she was a Friend that avoids trouble, Lucky-san.
LUCKY - While it is true Cassowaries normally seek to avoid conflict, they can be very aggressive when threatened. In this state, they can be very dangerous, since they have powerful legs and massive, sharp claws. This Cassowary Friend must have felt threatened by the noise made by the Bus' engine.
KABAN - Do you think so ? I guess there aren't that many buses riding around, are there ?

Serval crosses her arms and tilts her head to one side.

SERVAL - I didn't feel she was afraid, though...
MARGAY - I didn't get this sort of feeling either.
KABAN - Maybe she wanted to protect her territory, then ?
MARGAY - Maybe she thought the Bus was a Cerulean ?
KABAN - She didn't give us much to go on before disappearing, but, you're right. Maybe the local Friends are on edge because of a Cerulean.
SERVAL - (Smiling) That explains it ! She's not mean, we just met her at a bad time !

Kaban turns to the Bus.

KABAN - We have to fix the Japari Bus first, though...If it's even possible.

Lucky Beast finishes scanning.

LUCKY - Do not worry.The engine itself wasn't actually damaged. Cassowary just cut a few cables. I should be able to repair this. However, this is going to take a while.
KABAN - Then we'll try and stop whatever problem has Cassowary-san on edge. We'll come back later, alright, Lucky-san ?
LUCKY - Understood. Leave it to me and have a nice trip.

----

Kaban, Serval and Margay walk through the sparse forest, looking around. The trees bear odd slash marks on their bark. They are walking down a light slope, following a small river undulating through the forest.

SERVAL - I didn't know rivers could be this small !
MARGAY - Yes, this is nothing like the jungle...In fact, I don't think I saw an area quite like this before. Dryer than the jungle, but not as much as the savannah...
KABAN - There's lot of ups and downs in the landscape, too.

She looks to her right. Beyond the edge of the forest, a vast expanse of dry soil can be seen, but ridges covered with scrubs prevent from seeing the entire area.

SERVAL - There ! I see her !

Kaban turns her head back, and sees Serval pointing. Following her finger, she can see the flightless Friend, strolling through the wood, her back turned to the group.

KABAN - Alright, let's greet her. And...we'll try not to be spooky this time.

The group thus walks casually to Cassowary. Serval takes the lead, a bright smile on her face.

SERVAL - Cassowary-chan, hello !

Cut back to Cassowary, who has already left, leaving a small cloud of dust on the ground. Pan to the right, where the bird can be seen hiding behind a tree, staring at the group. Kaban steps forward.
,
KABAN - Please, don't worry ! We just wanted to know if there was something dangerous in the area. Maybe we can h...

Suddenly, a sharp sound is heard close by. It isn't a Friend's voice, nor is it a Cerulean's cry. It sounds like the shutter of a camera, a sound none of the Friends have ever heard before. Cassowary turns to the source of the sound in an instant, and darts off running towards it. She jumpkicks a tree, leaving a large gash on the bark. She then stands ready, her head swiveling left and right. As the felines and Kaban stand there, confused, a ball comes from behind a large bush and bops Cassowary on the head.

DRY LAKE FRIEND N°1 - You baka ! Are you trying to mow the whole forest down ?!

Cassowary turns to the direction the ball came from and hangs her head apologetically. A new Friend comes out of the woodwork. She wears a simple white shirt, a pink skirt, and long black gloves. She has short light brown hair and wears a black tennis visor. She also has a flat, spatula-shaped brown tail. She carries a tennis racket.

DRY LAKE FRIEND N°1 - I'm concerned by those noises too, but attacking trees isn't going to help, you know.

The Friend notices the group, and turns towards them.

DRY LAKE FRIEND N°1 - Huh ? Who might you be ?

-----

Cut to later. Cassowary and her friend are sitting on one side, Kaban, Serval and Margay on the other. The unknown Friend bows her head, hands on her thighs.

Order : Monotremata
Family : Ornithorhynchidae
Genus : Ornithorhynchus
Platypus

PLATYPUS - Sorry for the trouble. My name is Platypus, and this is my friend Cassowary. I know she isn't the most approachable, but she is a peaceful Friend. It's just that something has us a bit spooked these days.
SERVAL - It's fine, it's fine ! Boss said he could repair the Bus. But what is the trouble ? We'll help ! We may just be passing by, but we won't just ignore Friends in trouble !
PLATYPUS - Woah ! I can sense your fighting spirit...Your words are true, I can sense it ! Still, the situation isn't that troublesome...What do you think, Cassowary ?

Platypus turns to Cassowary. The latter nods.

PLATYPUS - Alright. It might sound silly, but did you hear anything strange on your way there ?
KABAN - I don't think so ?
SERVAL - Well, there was this sharp sort of noise just before Cassowary attacked the tree.

Cassowary nods energetically.

PLATYPUS - Right, exactly ! As expected from your big ears !
KABAN - What did it sound like, Serval-chan ?
SERVAL - I have no idea ! I never heard anything like it before.
PLATYPUS - Yes, yes, that's the entire problem. For a while now, these sounds have been coming out left and right. At first it was no big deal, but it kept happening. It was always a different sound, and never anything we ever heard before. We tried to catch whoever or whatever's been making these, but we could never see anything.

The monotreme leans backwards and sighs.

PLATYPUS - I mean, it's just sounds, sounds can't eat you. But Cassowary-chan really can't handle strange things, so I wish I could find the culprit and tell them to cut it out.
SERVAL - Don't worry, we'll help ! Right, Kaban-chan ?
KABAN - Yes, of course ! Let's investigate, everyone !
MARGAY - Right !

Just as the Friends throw their hands up the air in enthusiasm, a new sound comes from behind a bush. It is, unmistakeably, the Japari Bus' engine. The group is startled, and Cassowary almost stands up and dashes, but manages to stay calm.

SERVAL - Heeh ? Has Boss already repaired the bus ?
KABAN - No way, the bush isn't tall enough to hide the entire bus...
PLATYPUS - This must be that mystery caller ! Let's surround it !

The group agrees, and slowly form a circle around the bush. They pounce together...But seemingly uncover nothing.  They back away, disappointed, and Cassowary strikes the ground with her foot.

PLATYPUS - It escaped again ! If there was more water, I could have sensed it with my electricity, but...
SERVAL - Maybe it ran as soon as it called ?
KABAN - Still...That was unmistakably the Japari Bus' engine noise...

The human Friend appears deep in thought. Serval turns to her and smiles.

SERVAL - Oh ! Are you thinking of something, Kaban-chan ?
KABAN - I wonder...Margay-san ? Do you think you could imitate the bus' engine ?
MARGAY - Heeh ? Me ? Hmm, let's see...*In a different, deeper voice* Gorogorogo ? *In her voice* No, it's no good...
PLATYPUS - Uwah ! Margay-san changed voices for a second !
KABAN - Yes, she has the power to imitate any Friend, and even Ceruleans.
MARGAY - I've never been able to do objects or Boss, though...

Kaban nods.

KABAN - Yes. But there might be a Friend who's even better than you, Margay-san. Someone who can imitate anything, even man-made objects.
PLATYPUS - If someone like that could exist...It might be the culprit behind all those noises !
KABAN - Yes. I have no idea would a Friend want to do all this to you and Cassowary-san, though...

Silence as the group is thinking about the situation. Serval raises her hand.

SERVAL - Well, if it's a Friend, then she can't mean any harm with her pranks ! Maybe she's shy and scared to meet you directly, but still wants to be friendly ? Maybe she's even leaving gifts behind !
PLATYPUS - Gifts...? Like a Japari Bun ? Hmm...I guess we never looked for anything that small, right Cassowary ?

The black-feathered Friend nods. The entire group kneels and starts searching the bush. A few moments later, Kaban raises her hand, holding a small object between her fingers. It's a small round glass marble, with the Japari Park symbol in its center. The faces of the Friends are seen distorted through it in center frame.

SERVAL - Waah ! What is it, what is it ?
PLATYPUS - A ball ? Can I check it ? I'm an expert !

She tosses her tennis ball up and juggles it with her racket with a confident smile.

KABAN - Sure, tell us if you see anything strange about it.
PLATYPUS - No problem ! I'll be sure to find its secrets !

Platypus tries to repeat the process, but the marble goes right through the racket.

PLATYPUS - Hmm...It seems I found a tricky one ! It was able to dodge my racket. Interesting. Very interesting..
MARGAY - Hey, there's something else on the ground, check it out !

She points at a drawing in the soil. Its upper part depicts a strange looking tree, which trunk separates into two main branches that curve and rejoin at the top, forming a circle. The tree seems to stand in the middle of a completely flat surface. Below it is the symbol of an eye, then a cross.

PLATYPUS - So, what, is this what the noise-making Friend wants us to see ? And what does it have to do with this ball ?
MARGAY - Hmm...I don't think it's a ball. I've seen this before !
SERVAL - Is that right ? Where was it ?
MARGAY - In the amusement park, while everyone was preparing the big party. Iwabi came out of a building, holding it in her hand. Tsuchinoko was passing by, and she said it was once used by humans as toys or collectibles.
SERVAL - Eh ? Really ? How do you play with something this small ?
PLATYPUS - I bet these humans had really small rackets ! From President's stories, I imagined them to be taller, though...
KABAN - A collectible, is it ?

The Friends ponder a while, looking at the strange drawing in the soil.

KABAN - Maybe this is a treasure hunt.
SERVAL - A treasure hunt ?! What is that ?
KABAN - It's a game where you give clues that help others find hidden treasures. And this drawing is the clue. If we solve it, I think we'll find a treasure, or maybe the Friend behind this herself.
SERVAL - That sounds really fun ! Let's play ! Let's play !
PLATYPUS - So if you're right, it was a Friend trying to play this whole time ?

She hangs her head, sighing.

PLATYPUS - I'm usually so good at sensing a Friend's drive...

 Cassowary also lowers her gaze. Kaban scratches her head.

KABAN -  Well, she could have been more clear. But now we'll all play, right ?
PLATYPUS - Absolutely ! This Area is big enough for three, and we do get lonely with Cassowary. So, we have to find that strange tree in the drawing ?
KABAN - Yes, I think the eye and the cross means the next clue is where we can see the tree.
PLATYPUS - Hmm...That tree looks like my racket...Have you seen anything like it, Cassowary ?

Platypus raises her racket. The bird shakes her head.

PLATYPUS - Yeah, we know this forest like the back of our hand. There is no way we could have missed a strange tree like that.
KABAN - Really ? I don't think it would be very far, though. I doubt she'd want to make the treasure hunt too difficult.
PLATYPUS - Well, there are trees outside the forest. Maybe we should check the dry lake ?
KABAN - Sounds like a plan, Platypus-san. Lead the way !

------

Cut to later. The group is arriving at the edge of the forest, perched on an outlook from where a large dry plain can be seen. It is framed by scrubland hills, and in the distance, a reddish rock formation can be seen.

SERVAL - Uwaaah ! What an amazing view !
PLATYPUS - Yep, it's the forest's signature lookout point ! It's especially beautiful when the sun sets over that large mountain over there.
MARGAY - Ooh, what an odd mountain !
KABAN - You're right, Margay-san, the color is pretty striking...Have you been there, Platypus-san ?
PLATYPUS - No, we usually stay in the forest. It gets really hot in the lake during the day. There's a nice breeze today, though...Getting down there should be okay if we find that tree quickly.
SERVAL - We'll do our best ! Here we go !

She throws her hand up in the air. Cassowary does the same.

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Cut to the zookeeper interviews. Platypus is seen in a small enclosure in a dome shape surrounded by a moat.

ZOOKEEPER N°1 - The platypus is the most famously strange animal on Earth. When it was first discovered, the scientific community thought they were being pranked. The actual animal lives up to that reputation, being one of the only mammals laying eggs, having a poisonous spike below their arms, and also being able to sense their prey through electricity thanks to their bill. Despite all that, they live pretty simple lives, foraging for insects and shrimp in rivers.

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Several still images show the Friends walking around the dry lake. They look at various trees, and take a break under the shade of one.

SERVAL - I found something ! Is this it ? Is this it ?

Animation resumes. The group gathers around Serval pointing at a tree. It does have a strange shape, but isn't quite what they are looking for, as the trunk only forms a half circle arcing to the left. Platypus holds her tennis racket up to it for comparison.

PLATYPUS - It does look like my racket ! It doesn't have all the parts though.
KABAN - Yes, it's not the full circle that was in the drawing.
MARGAY - It has to be related to the treasure hunt, though, doesn't it ? No other tree even comes close...
KABAN - Hmm...Maybe it's only part of the answer somehow...Keep looking around, everyone !

The Friends go over the area one more time. Platypus is the first to raise her voice.

PLATYPUS - Everyone ! There's another one of those strange trees !

They gather around Platypus, who is, again, holding her racket against a tree for comparison. This time, however, she is kneeling, for this tree is really small.

SERVAL - Eeh ? It's so small ! Is this a baby tree ?
PLATYPUS - Like the big one, it looks like my racket but with something missing...
MARGAY - What does it mean ?
KABAN - This time, the trunk arcs to the right...

She turns back to the big one, then again to the small one.

KABAN - Maybe you have to put them together to make the complete shape ?
SERVAL - Put them together ? Should we pull the little one off the ground ?
KABAN - No, even if we did the sizes wouldn't match. The puzzle is asking us to make them both have the same size somehow...
PLATYPUS - Whoa, did we discover a game made for magical Friends ?! This got serious all of a sudden.

Cassowary's eyes glitter and she lets out an excited sigh. Serval cocks her head to the side, confused.

KABAN - No, I doubt they're asking us to change a tree's size...This is just a clue to find the next step in the treasure hunt. Did I miss something ? Hmm...

She stops to think for a little while. Serval orbits around the smaller tree, on all fours, smelling it.

KABAN - Wait, there was an eye in the drawing. Could this have something to do with vision ?

She turns and notices Serval. As the feline's ears drop in disappointment, Kaban realizes something.

KABAN - That's it ! Serval-chan ! Do you see the biggest tree from there ?
SERVAL - Eh ? Huh, yes !
KABAN - Does it look like it's more the size of the smaller one now ?
SERVAL - Umya ? It-it does ! What happened ? What did I do ?

Kaban smiles. The other Friends gather around her and Serval.

KABAN - You didn't do anything. You know how trees appear to grow bigger when we get closer and smaller when we walk away ? The puzzle is about that ! It's just asking us to find the spot where, looking at both trees, they look like they combine into one !
PLATYPUS - Oooh ! What a fancy puzzle ! I can tell that unknown Friend poured lots of energy into coming up with it !
MARGAY - Amazing, this is like the tricks Professor used to show us !
KABAN - All that's left is to find that spot  Serval ?
SERVAL - Umya ! Leave it to me !

Serval hops around on all fours, and moves her head around, trying to find the perfect angle. After a few tries, her tail perks up.

SERVAL - Here ! It's right here !

Cut to her point of view. Perspective blends both round trees into one. Just in front of Serval, on the ground, are five small rocks in a cross shape.

SERVAL - And there's something on the ground right here !
KABAN - The next clue must be right under there !
SERVAL - I'll dig it right up ! Umyamyamyaaa !

She does so, slashing wildly at the ground. Cut to all the friends gathering in a circle around what she dug up, which is revealed to be a key. A metallic keychain in a shape reminiscent of a hill is attached to it.

SERVAL - Umya ?
PLATYPUS - What is this now ?
MARGAY - It has to be another of those human-made objects.
SERVAL - Another toy ? Hmm...

To test her theory, Serval picks up the key and shakes it around, making the keychain spin and clink. She lets out an impressed cry, then laughs.

SERVAL - Hahahaha ! Tanoshii !
PLATYPUS - Whoah ! It is a toy !
SERVAL - We found the treasure ! Kaban-chan, we won ! Hahahaha !
KABAN - I wonder...Can I have it ?
SERVAL - Sure !

She hands her the key. Kaban inspects it a bit, then turns to the reddish mountain in the distance. She holds the keychain alongside it - their shapes match perfectly.

KABAN - It's not the treasure, it's another clue ! It's telling us to go to that mountain !

The Friends all turn towards the rock.

PLATYPUS - So there was treasure there all this time ? And here we were, just staying in our tiny little forest...
SERVAL - Well, going beyond your territory is scary, but don't worry ! It's never too late to explore the world. Let's go to that mountain !
MARGAY - To the treasure !

Cassowary throws her fist in the air.

------

The Friends, walking as a group, arrive to the mountain. As they get closer, it's obvious it doesn't form one solid piece - rather, it's split down the middle by a canyon. They agree to check it out, then hurry to reach the shadow under the rock, then follow along the mountain. They proceed down the canyon, and eventually reach a man-made construct - a large agglomeration of boulders, with a comparatively small concrete door at the bottom.

MARGAY - Look ! There's a door !
PLATYPUS - What's a door ?
KABAN - Something humans make to go through walls. Usually you can just push them and go through, but sometimes they're locked.
PLATYPUS - I don't get it. Anybody would want to go anywhere, right ?
KABAN - I think my species think it's important to protect some things.

They walk to the door. Serval tries to push it, but it doesn't budge.

SERVAL - This one is locked...But how do we open it ? There's no puzzle like in the lighthouse...I only see a small hole.

Margay joins her and peeps down the hole.

MARGAY - What a strange hole. It's long. Did a Cerulean attack this door ?

Kaban looks at the hole herself and thinks, making measurements with her fingers. The other Friends look at her curiously. Eventually, she inspects the key again, finding the tip matches the size of the hole.

KABAN - That must be it !

She inserts the key into the keyhole, trying different sorts of motions until she turns it, and the door unlocks with an audible click. She then pushes it slowly, and the concrete slab swings outwards, revealing a cave going under the mountain. Cut to behind the door, as the Friends cautiously peer through it.

SERVAL - Uwah...It's so dark !
MARGAY - Is there really treasure ahead ? It feels more like a trap...
PLATYPUS - Don't worry, I don't sense Ceruleans ahead. In fact...I think there are Friends ? Either two or three.
SERVAL - Really ? Hellooo ! Are there any Friends nearby ?

The group forges ahead through the darkness, until, suddenly, spotlights go off, all focusing on a single point. A Friend walks into it, and throws her hands in the air.

DRY LAKE FRIEND N°2 - Helloooo and weeeeeellllcome !

More spotlights switch on, revealing the Friend in full.  Her hair is bobbed, with a gradient ranging from dark grey on top of the head to light grey in the hair framing her face. She has very small, brown head wings.  She wears a very standard uniform with a creamy white top and a grey frayed skirt. Her most distinctive feature, however, is her tail that splits into two large, brown and white parts curving upwards, and nine black feathers between them.

Order : Passeriformes
Family : Menuridae
Genus : Menura
Superb Lyrebird

DRY LAKE FRIEND N°2 - I am your host, Supeeerb LYREBIIIIIIRD !

She stays in her pose for a few seconds. The Friends are at a loss for what to do. Kaban raises the key.

KABAN - You were the one who hid that object so we could find this place, yes ?

Lyrebird runs to the group and drifts in style, finger pointed at Kaban.

LYREBIRD - That's coooorrect !
SERVAL - So you must be the Friend who was able to do all these strange sounds !
LYREBIRD - Ding ding DING ! Our participants are on a rooooll ! My Friend Skill is to imitate anything Humans made !

Cassowary frowns and looks agitated, but Platypus stops her.

LYREBIRD - (Imitates a bunch of devices, from the shutter snap to the fog horn) - I don't have any idea of what those sounds are, but I sure can repeat them !

Serval applauds, laughing. Kaban  Looks around.

KABAN - And so you used this skill to send the Friends in this area on a treasure hunt leading to this place...But why ?
LYREBIRD - Why indeed ! As your answer, I would like to present your graaaaand priiize ! Your exclusive access to today's premiere of a first-ever collaboration duo ! Friends, please welcooome...

All the spotlights go off, revealing an entire stage, not unlike the one in Japari Park's coastal area, only entirely under a cavern. Two Friends are standing on it, holding microphones...None other than Scarlet Ibis and Royal Penguin !

PRINCESS - I am the Royal Penguin, Princess !
TOKI - And I'm Toki.
PRINCESS - Together we aaare...

They strike a pose together.

PRINCESS & TOKI - The Japari Wings !

Margay lets out an excited shriek. Kaban and Serval smile. Lyrebird hurries backstage and starts the music. The birds start dancing and singing. The act is a little rough compared to Aozora Dreamer, but Toki's face beams with happiness.

PRINCESS & TOKI - Even separated, Friends are never alone
Someday, some place, we'll meet again
We'll laugh together, we'll find a new Friend
And we'll forge ahead, with dreams of our own

Toki matches Princess' voice and doesn't go out of tone. The audience cheers along, Cassowary jumping up and down, glitter in her eyes. Margay claps.

TOKI - This is going well. It's time for a solo song.
PRINCESS - Huh ? Wait, this wasn't...

Toki takes a deep breath...

TOKI - I AAAAAM-

And instantly goes into ear-splitting mode. The camera pans up.

PLATYPUS - C-Cassowary, calm down ! No ! Aaargh !
KABAN - Toki ! Watch ouuut !
SERVAL - Umyaaa !

--------------

The Friends all stand together on the well-lit underground stage. Cassowary is down, many bumps on the head. Toki is rubbing her own head.

TOKI - I apologize. I decided to fly on my own too early.
PRINCESS - Don't be too down on yourself. For a first performance, you did great ! You're like Iwabi...You can be a great singer, you just have to learn to go with the others.
SERVAL - Anyway, Princess, how did you two end up singing together in such a place ? If we didn't end up going after the treasure, we would have missed you !

A short moment of silence. Princess turns toward Margay, Serval and Kaban. Lyrebird seems to avert their gaze.

PRINCESS - You're right, we should explain. So, we landed pretty close together, and Lyrebird was the first Friend we met. We explained the situation, saying we needed to find the others, but she said it was the perfect opportunity to finally used this stage.
LYREBIRD - Well ! We could have just run around waiting for your companions to show up, but look at you two ! You glow with the desire to sing ! If you were to reunite, it just had to be with a performance !
PRINCESS - Still, we should have helped you look for the others...What if you missed them while we were busy rehearsing ?
LYREBIRD - Nonsense ! I'm very fast, and it's very hard to get through the Dry Lakes without being seen from very far away. Besides, the moment you told me about Kaban, I knew my little game was as good as solved !
KABAN - I understand, but still, it's really thanks to Platypus and Cassowary we ended up playing your game.
LYREBIRD - I-is that so ? Hehe...
PRINCESS - So I really had my doubts about this plan, but...

She turns to Crested Ibis, who says, calmly...

TOKI - To sing with PePaPu's leader...In front of the others...I really wanted it. And I'm glad I could...Even for one verse.

Another short moment of silence.

PRINCESS - All that matter is, everything worked out in the end. Nice to meet you again, Kaban, Serval, Manager !

Margay can't contain herself anymore. She throws herself in Princess' arms, crying.

MARGAY - Princeeeeessss ! I missed you sooo much !
PRINCESS - Me too...Are the others alright ?
MARGAY - Yes ! You were the only one missing !
PRINCESS - I see...That's great. We'll be a band again soon, and maybe Toki can join in too.

The Friends celebrate this happy moment together. Kaban approaches Lyrebird.

KABAN - Can I ask you a question, Lyrebird-san ?
LYREBIRD - Of course, of course !
KABAN - It's pretty surprising for a Friend to come up with this elaborate treasure hunt...How did you discover this cavern in the first place ?

The bird laughs, then reflects. A flashback shows her stumbling upon the key somewhere in the dry lakes one day.

LYREBIRD - I had no idea what this was, so I took it to President. She told me it opened something man-made. I spent weeks before finally finding this place. I was so happy, I wanted to share it with everyone, but...

She puts her index fingers together, red as a beet.

LYREBIRD - It's sooo embarassing when I'm not performing.

With a sigh, she hangs her head low.

LYREBIRD - It just had to be elaborate, you know...Princess is right, my plan was unnecessarily complicated. I totally could have missed you...I put your reunion in danger because I just can't do things the simple way. I..I'm sorry.

Tears well up in her eyes. Kaban's gently takes her hand. Lyrebird looks up, to see the human Friend smile.

KABAN - It's alright. We had lots of fun !

----

The whole group is back outside, at the red mountain's base. The Japari Bus is there, helmed by Lucky Beast. Kaban is aboard it, while Platypus, Cassowary and Lyrebird see them off. The latter is pointing in a direction.

LYREBIRD - The Japari Bun farm isn't too far. Just go around the mountain and find the valley, behind it, a little to the right. It's easy to spot because the vegetation is much greener in the area.
KABAN - Thanks. I hope you'll get along with Cassowary-san and Platypus-san.
PLATYPUS - We will !

Serval hangs to the very back of the Bus, talking to Toki and Princess.

SERVAL - Safe trip to the lighthouse ! If you see other Friends along the way, tell them we said hi !
TOKI - Yes. We will tell them in song.
SERVAL - By the way, where's Margay ?
PRINCESS - She just said she'd stock some water for the trip. She saw a small stream in the caverns.
SERVAL - Heeh, really ? There was water down there ? I should have explored m...

Suddenly, a terrified shriek sounds in the distance. Serval falls dead silent, as all the Friends. Anxious, they look towards the source of the scream - the cavern under the mountain.

KABAN - M...Margay-san ?

They slowly gather near the entrance, claws at the ready. Seconds pass in tense silence. Then, footsteps can be heard. They are slow and steady.

PRINCESS - Manager, are you all right ?
SERVAL - Geez, say something !

The source of the footsteps emerges from the shadows. It's not Margay. It looks like Serval, only with a vivid green hue, and rainbow wings instead of ears. She stops and looks at the Friends, expressionless, with wide open, unblinking eyes. After a moment, she cocks her head to the side, and speaks.

CERVAL - Hello ?

...In Margay's voice.

Cut to credits.

-------

Raccoon, Fennec and Iriomote Cat find themselves in a cabbage field. A large number of Lucky Beasts go around, tending to the crops.

RACCOON - Uwah ! So many Bosses !
IRIOMOTE CAT - Is this really where Japari Buns are made ? This weird grass doesn't look tasty at all.
FENNEC - I'm sure Boss knows many cooking secrets.

Suddenly, Raccoon shrieks. Her companions quickly turn around, She has fallen into a fairly large hole in the ground.

RACCOON - Aaaah ! Who put this there, nanoda ?!
FENNEC - Arai-san~ , watch where you're going.
IRIOMOTE CAT - She has the Shiisaa's good luck charm...How does she keep getting herself into trouble ?

-----

Cut to the second zookeeper interview. Superb Lyrebird stands in an enclosure with sparse underbrush.

ZOOKEEPER N°2 - The Superb Lyrebird is a beautiful songbird able to mimick an incredible range of sounds when in captivity, but we don't know to what extent they're able to do the same in the wild. Their wings are short so they're only able to fly a little bit. People were so afraid it could become extinct they introduced it from Australia to Tasmania, but it turned out the species was never in any danger at all, and thrives in both environments !

-----

PEPAPU YOKOKU !

KOUTEI - Next time, we're going to learn about animals who live pretty close to humans.
HULULU - Does that mean we're going to meet humans ?
GEN - I don't think it'll be that simple.
IWABI - I bet it'll be really interesting anyway !
GEN - They know how to make Japari buns, right ?
HULULU - That's way more interesting than human stuff...
KOUTEI - Hululu, I think you should do more rehearsing.
IWABI - Uwah ! Leader has spoken !
PPP TOGETHER - Papapipupepepepapapapapepapu !
GEN - Next time - Japari Bun Farm !

Current episode list :
https://pastebin.com/VZMenHAm : Episode 1 - Ocean
https://pastebin.com/9qd6cTYW : Episode 2 - Windy Cliffs
https://pastebin.com/rE2TLgWN : Episode 3 - Outpost Seven
https://pastebin.com/QS4GhUZw : Episode 4 - Savannah Trouble !
https://pastebin.com/As1VaaD9 : Episode 5 - Jungle Treetops
https://pastebin.com/x1AXHDvu : Episode 6 - Dry Lakes