Written by Sara. J

Sara Cicero here again, my sister & I are in the park, I’m reading “National Velvet” while Eilony is up a tree saving a cute, little kitty.

Eilony: Here, kitty-kitty.

Kitty: (Mew)

She gets the kitty, but can’t get down herself.

Eilony: Aw shoot. Sara! Help me!

Sara: Huh? (notices Eilony) El!

Just then, the tree branch lowers Eilony & the kitty down to the ground. I notice a green duck with purple hair, he told the tree to put Eilony & the kitty down. I go to him.

Sara: Hey, thanks for getting my sister down.

Duck: It was nothing, I have this telepathic thing with plants.

Sara: Hey, that’s very cool.

Duck: Oh. You really think it’s cool?

Sara: Sure.

Duck: Well, why don’t you come to my place for dinner? We’d, y’know, get to know each other.

Sara: Sure. By the way, I’m Sara Cicero.

Duck: Reginald Bushroot.

We shake hands before going off.

Bushroot: So, tonight at 7:30?

Sara: You bet. Oh, my calling card.

I hand him an index card with my E-mail address, website URL & phone number, Eilony & I head back for the Pond.

Eilony: What a nice guy.

Sara: Yep.

Eilony: Gosalyn told me a lot about him, she said he’s one of St. Canard’s biggest crooks. But he didn’t sound bad to me.

Sara: No, he sounded…kinda cute.

At 2:01 p.m. I’m getting ready, I first have a shower (don’t worry, folks, the curtain’s really thick). Then brush my teeth & wash my face, then I pick out an outfit: lavender t-shirt with Scooby-Doo, blue jeans & my black sneakers.

Sara: What cha think?

Charmander: Char-char. (give thumbs up, hands Sara perfume)

Sara: Thanks, little buddy.

I spray perfume on my neck & wrist, then put on deodorant. (puck swoops by) 6:06 p.m., I’m on the metro to St. Canard, Charmander’s next to me.

Charmander: Charmander, Char?

Sara: Why’d we catch the evening train? Our dinner is at 7:30 and St. Canard’s one hour away. We’ll get there by 7:22, that’ll give us time to chat.

Charmander: Char.

At 7:22, we get to St. Canard and walk to Bushroot’s place. We find it, big greenhouse.

Sara: This must be the place.

Charmander: Char.

Meanwhile, Bushroot just finishes brushing his teeth and puts on his colon.

(Knock at door)

Bushroot: Oh! There she is. (looks at clock) And right on time, I might add.

He goes to the door and opens it, I’m there with Charmander on my shoulder.

Bushroot: Sara, so glad you came.

Sara: Of course, I’ve been lookin’ forward.

Charmander: Char.

Sara: Oh yeah, he’s Charmander.

A Venus flytrap that acts like a dog appears in-between Bushroot’s legs.

Bushroot: And he’s Spike.

Spike: (Pants)

Charmander jumps off my shoulder and comes to Spike, no sooner do they become fast friends.

Sara: Aw, isn’t that cute?

Bushroot: Yeah. Well, let me show you around.

After he shows me around, we’re sitting together at the dinner table having a chat.

Sara: So, how’ve you been?

Bushroot: O.K., I guess. Would you get mad if I tell you this?

Sara: Tell me what?

Bushroot: Well… I’m a retired criminal.

Sara: Really?

Bushroot: Yeah, I was a member of the Fearsome Five, a quintet of villains: Negaduck, Quackerjack, Megavolt, formerly me & the Liquidator. A few days ago I decided to retire.

Sara: What made you think I’d get mad at you? I know a couple ex-criminals.

Bushroot: You do?

Sara: Yeah, there’s my buddy Josh and a member of the Mighty Ducks, Duke L’Orange turned their lives around after Draguanus took over the Pokeworld & Puckworld.

Bushroot: Well, if they can turn over a new leaf, so can I. Literally.

Sara: I know you can, I believe in ya.

Bushroot: I’m thinking of going back to what I was before my criminal life, a botanist, or I could be an M.D., my psychiatrist said I’d make a pretty good one. Haven’t decided yet.

Sara: You have pretty eyes.

Bushroot: Thank you.

So, we chat about our lives, what we like & such, until the pizza arrives. Later after dinner, I look at my watch and notice the time.

Sara: Uh-oh! It’s 8:56, the Ducks are probably worried. Sorry I can’t stay longer, Reggie.

Bushroot: That’s O.K., I understand.

We go around the greenhouse looking for Spike & Charmander, they’re playing chase.

Sara: Charmander, it’s time to leave.

Charmander: Char?

Just after he stops, Spike crashes into him, they slide into a table leg and knock over a lot of seed packets.

Spike: (Grunts “uh-oh”)

Bushroot: Oh, it’s O.K., accidents happen.

Sara: Yeah.

He & I start picking up the packets, he & I put our hands on a rose packet by accident.

Both: Oh. (look up at each other)

Bushroot: Uh, (clears throat) well, no more dawdling, the Ducks might be worried.

Sara: Yeah, you’re right. If you’re in Anaheim, we should get together again.

Bushroot: I’ll be looking forward to it.

I hand him the packets I collected and take Charmander. (puck shoots by) It’s 9:06 p.m., Charmander & I come into the Ready Room Mallory, Buzz & Nosedive (N.D.) are there.

Buzz: Hey Sara.

Sara: Hey. Sorry if I worried anyone to death.

Mallory: Oh no, you didn’t worry anyone.

Nosedive: Yeah. So, how was dinner?

Sara: It went really good. Now, I’m going to bed.

Charmander: Char-Char.

Buzz: Sure thing, night guys.

Nosedive: Yeah.

We get to my bunk, I lie on my bed as Charmander gets into his basket-like bed. We get to sleep. The next afternoon, I just get an E-mail from Bushroot.

“Sara, I was hoping you & I would take a walk, how’s later this afternoon sound?” Bushroot.

I write back I’d love to & lean back in my chair.

Sara (thinking): Hard to believe Bushroot was ever a crook. He's one of the kindest, most charming, most considerate guys I know. (aloud): Huh? What is this weird feeling?

I’m in the infirmary in a Medicom bed while Zelda & Charmander are at the Medicom monitor.

Zelda: Well, according to this, you’re fine.

Sara: Really? Then what’s this weird pain in my chest that’s making me think about Bushroot?

Charmander: Charmander, Char-Char.

Zelda: He said, “That’s no pain, it’s love.”

Sara: Love? You mean…?

Zelda: Yep. You have a crush on Bushroot.

I get up from the Medicom bed.

Sara: I have a crush on Bushroot? No way. I’ll find out when he & I go on our walk this afternoon.

Zelda: If we’re right, Momentie, we won’t tell anyone. You can trust us, Charmander’s your best friend and I’m a dragon, not a stool pigeon.

Sara: Thanks, guys.

(Poke ball swoops by) Bushroot & I meet up at the Pond’s parking lot.

Sara: Hey Bushroot.

Bushroot: Hey, ready for our walk?

Sara: Yep.

We go off, Gosalyn & Louie arrive at the Pond’s front doors and see us.

Gosalyn: Hey Lou-edge, look.

Louie: It’s Sara & Bushroot. If you’re thinking of spying on them, it’s a bad idea. Are ya?

Gosalyn: Yep.

They get in disguises and follow us. There’s background music: “Can’t Help Falling in Love” from Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch”.

A*Teens: Do, do-do-do. I just can’t help falling in love with you.

We take a walk through the park.

A*Teens: Wise men say only fools rush in, but I can’t help falling in love with you. Shout, I can see, would it be unseen if I can’t help falling in love with you.

While we feed ducks, Gosalyn & Louie are spying on us, she’s taking pictures!

Louie: (Sighs)

A*Teens: Like a river flows to the sea, that’s how it goes. Some things are meant to be. Some things are meant to be.

Soon, we get soft pretzels, while Gosalyn & Louie get ice cream.

Gosalyn: Hmm…

We take another break on a bench, we notice that we’re holding hands.

A*Teens: Take my hand, take my whole life too.

Both: (Stammering)

We both look at each other and suddenly smile.

A*Teens: For I can’t help falling in love with you.

Gosalyn (whispers): I knew it, love. (gags)

A*Teens: Wise men say, only fools rush in, but I can’t, I can’t help falling in love with you.

Me & Bushroot keep strolling through Anaheim.

A*Teens: Like a river flows to the sea, it’s how it goes. Some things are meant to be. Some things are meant to be!

Gosalyn continues taking pictures.

A*Teens: Take my hand, take my whole life too, for I can’t help falling in love with you. Take my hand, take my whole life too, for I can’t help falling in love with you. Oh, I can’t help falling in love, falling in love with you.

Later, it’s 3:23 p.m., Bushroot & I are at the metro station.

A*Teens: Like the way love flows, that’s how it goes, I just can’t help but falling in love with you. (repeats course, singing at once)

Sara: I had a great time.

Bushroot: I did too. Bye.

Sara: You too.

He goes inside as I go back to the Pond, Gosalyn runs out of film.

A*Teens: Like the way love flows, that’s the way it goes, I just can’t help but falling in love with you. (Song ends)

Gosalyn: Louie, this is weird, Sara’s in love with my Dad’s arch-nemesis, Bushroot.

Louie: I said somethin’ like it once, and I’ll say it, this is none of our business.

Gosalyn: C’mon Lou, admit it’s real bizarre.

Louie: O.K., it is. But we can’t tell anyone, or else Sara will be so embarrassed & she’ll kill us.

Gosalyn (teasingly): Well, I don’t know…

Louie (pleading): Please, Gos.

Gosalyn: I’m just kidding, Louie. I won’t tell a soul, especially not my Dad. Pinkie swear.

Both: (Do the pinkie swear)

Louie: Thanks, I knew I could depend on ya.

Gosalyn: Hey, what are best friends for?

Louie: You’re right. Let’s go back to my place for some nachos.

Gosalyn: Sure. At 5:00, I’d better get back here.

They go back to Louie’s house for nachos. (puck swoops by) I’m back at the Pond headquarters in the Ready Room, Zelda & Charmander are in a couple chairs and see me.

Zelda: Hey Sara, how’d it go?

Sara: Great. You guys were right, I do have a crush on Bushroot. (leans against Drake One's councel) Who could blame me? He is a sweet & charming guy.

Zelda: (Chuckles) Sara & Bushroot, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G.

Sara: Zel, I never said I wanted to kiss him, I just want to merry him.

Charmander: Charmander, Char.

Zelda: He said, “Marriage involves kissing”.

Sara: Oh yeah.

I go to my bunk and lie on my bed with Charmander on my stomach, I take out a picture of Bushroot I printed off the net.

Sara: (Dreamy sigh)

Charmander: Char.

(Puck flies by) Eilony & Josh come in the Rec. room and see me plucking the petals off a daisy.

Sara: He loves me. He loves me not. He loves me. He loves me not. He loves me! Oh, he loves me, I knew he loves me.

Eilony: Who loves ya, sis?

Sara: Uh…I don’t know. But he loves me, he really loves me.

Josh: Man, love sure can be hard to find, especially when you ask flowers.

Soon, I go over to the Pokemon Trainers band manager Ryan's apartment, he answers the door.

Ryan: Oh, hey Sara.

Sara: Yo Ryan. Is Amanda here? I'd like to speak with her privately

Ryan: Yeah, she's in the living room.

I go to her, she's in the living room.

Amanda: Oh. Hi Sara.

Sara: Hey Amanda, uh, can I ask you something privately?

Amanda: Sure.

I sit next to her on the couch.

Sara: Um, how can you tell for sure if a guy likes ya?

Amanda: Well, first came the dinner for 2 and then you discover you have so much in common, and then one day, you look at each other, hold hands and smile, then bam! He likes you, it takes a little while for him to admit it.

Sara: Ah, I see.

Amanda: Why do you ask?

Sara: Well, call it curiosity.

Amanda: O.K.

(Puck swoops by) That night, after getting her film developed at Darkwing Tower, Gosalyn is home and about to go to her room, until Darkwing Duck returns from crime-fighting.

Darkwing: Gosalyn, where are you going?

Gosalyn: Oh just to… do homework. Later.

She zips off, but accidentally drops the pictures!

Darkwing: Gosalyn dropped some pictures.

He starts flipping through them, they’re mostly Gosalyn & Louie together, but when he gets to the ones with me & Bushroot, the top of the house flips open when Darkwing yells…

Darkwing: WHAT!??!

Shows him pacing back & forth.

Darkwing: I can’t believe a member of the music group Gosalyn works for just went out with my arch-nemesis, Bushroot.

Launchpad walks in.

Launchpad: Hey D.W., what’s up?

Darkwing: Look at these.

He hands him the pictures of me & Bushroot.

Launchpad: Isn’t that Gosalyn’s friend, Sara?

Darkwing: Yes, and she just went out with Bushroot. This could only mean one thing, she’s in love with him.

Launchpad: Isn’t that romantic, D.W.?

Darkwing: Sure, sure, sure. But Sara could be the next victim in Bushroot’s next scheme.

Launchpad: I thought Bushroot retired, we were at his retirement party.

Darkwing: I still don’t believe that villainous veggie-head can stay retired.

Launchpad: Hey, could be worst, Sara could’ve gone out with Negaduck.

Darkwing: (Shudders)

(Puck swoops by) The next day, the Mighty Ducks are practicing with Zelda as the board-runner. Until Wildwing’s com starts beeping.

Wildwing: Huh? (answers com) Darkwing Duck, what’s up?

Darkwing: By any chance has Sara been acting strange lately?

Zelda (thinking): Uh-oh, someone must've found out & told him.

Mallory: Now that you mention it, I’ve seen Sara pluck the petals off a daisy doing “Loves me, loves me not”.

Duke: Yeah, and I’ve seen her with a dreamy look on her face.

Darkwing: Then it's all clear, Sara's in love... with my arch nemesis, Bushroot.

Duke: Weird, Sara’s 12 and she fell for someone who’s my age.

Grin: One finds love in those they least expect.

Darkwing: Sure, sure, sure. Since tormorrow's my day off, I'll let you guy's handle it.

The com switches off as Zelda jumps off the boards and goes into the headquarters.

Nosedive: I dunno, guys, we tell Sara she can’t see Bushroot anymore she’d, uh…

Grin: Be heartbroken.

Nosedive: Thanks, Grinster.

Duke: And she’d never talk to us again.

Tanya: From what I heard, Bushroot retired.

Mallory: You sure he’d stay retired? No offence, Duke.

Duke: None taken.

Wildwing: I’m with Mallory, this doesn’t feel right. Sara might be walking into a trap. So, one of us has to tell her.

Nosedive: How ‘bout you tell her, bro.?

Wildwing: Why me?

Duke: I agree with Dive, you’re her Spirited Duck.

Mallory: And she’s really loyal to you, and besides, it’s for her own safety.

Wildwing: All right, I’ll tell her after practice.

(Poke ball swoops by) I’m in my room staring dreamily at the ceiling with Charmander sitting against my side.

Charmander: (Purring)

(Knock at door)

Charmander: Char?

Sara: Come in!

Wildwing comes in.

Sara: Hey Wing.

Wildwing: Yeah, hey. Where’s a chair?

I point to my computer chair, he sits in it.

Wildwing: Sara, you’re 12 years old and…

Sara: I thought it’s Josh’s job to blame our ages for something.

Wildwing: It’s not about your age, Josh’s or even him. What I’m trying to say is…you can’t see Bushroot again.

Sara: (Gasps in surprise) How’d you know I went out with him?

Wildwing: Just a certain caped duck from St. Canard. I’m only doing this for your own safety.

Sara: But…

Wildwing: No! He’s a criminal, and you can’t see him, e-mail him or talk to him. Period.

Sara: Ohh…

Charmander: Char!

He barbecues him.

Wildwing: Ow. I’m outta here.

He goes to the door, but stops for a second and turns to me.

Wildwing: But just remember, I know what’s best and you can’t see Bushroot!

After he leaves, I sink my face in my pillow.

Sara: I can’t believe he found out. “For my own safety”, what am I, 5? He’s not my father. Some Spirited Duck he is. Bushroot’s a retired criminal, and I love him.

Charmander: (Pats Sara’s back) Charmander.

Sara: Not your fault, buddy. How can I ever speak to Wildwing again? (sobbing)

Charmander: (Whining)

Later that early morning, when everyone’s sleeping, Charmander & I sneak out into arena.

Sara: (Sighs) What time is it? (looks at wristwatch) 5:42 a.m. Pretty late. Lucky I’m on my night schedule.

Charmander: Char, Char.

Zelda: He said “Ditto”.

We look behind us and see Zelda.

Sara: Zelda, what are you doin’ up at this hour?

Zelda: Couldn’t sleep, I saw the Ducks talking to Gosalyn’s dad today.

Charmander: Charmander, Char?

Zelda: While they were practicing, Gos’ dad called ‘em and he found out somehow.

Sara: Oh. Wanna come along?

Zelda: Sure.

We head down to the 24-hour train station and we're soon on the one to St. Canard.

Sara: (Sighs) Wildwing said I can’t see Bushroot anymore, but I’m unhappy not seein’ him so I’m running away.

Zelda: Well, runnin' away from a problem doesn't always solve it. But I'm going along anyway.

(Puck swoops by) Later, it’s sunrise when we arrive at Bushroot’s place, my friends & I get to the door and knock on it. It opens to reveal Bushroot, he sees me, Charmander & Zelda.

Bushroot: Sara, what a nice surprise.

Sara: Hey, sorry if I woke you.

Bushroot: Oh no, I’m usually up at this time.

Sara: Oh. Well, you know Charmander and this is Zelda.

Zelda: Hey.

Bushroot: Nice to meet you. Well, come on in.

We do that, Spike comes and bowls over Charmander, slurping him.

Spike: (Slurping)

Charmander: (Giggling)

Sara: (Chuckles) Aren’t they so cute together?

Bushroot: They sure are.

Zelda: Spike & Charmander, the next Bosom Buddies.

Later at the Pond, Josh’s alarm clock goes off.

Josh: (Muttering) What time is it?

He looks at his clock and notices it’s 6:30 a.m.

Josh: 6:30, gives me time to do stuff before Digimon.

Bulbasaur: Bulba?

Josh: Like eat breakfast, brush teeth, check E-mail, etc.

He gets up, puts on his bathrobe, knocks on the bathroom door but Duke’s taking his shower.

Josh: Hurry up, I gotta brush my teeth.

Duke: Be out in a minute!

Josh: Heard that before.

He leans against the door & crosses his arms as Mallory come in her bathrobe also.

Mallory: What’s happenin’?

Josh: Duke’s gonna take forever to get out of the shower again.

Mallory: Well Josh, if you’re real impatient, use the bathroom in Sara’s room.

Josh: But you know how she feels about others using her bathroom.

Mallory: Just ask her nicely.

He goes into my room and knocks on the door.

Josh: Hey Sara, can I please use your bathroom?

He goes in and notices I’m not there.

Josh: Sara? Her bathroom door’s open, and she’s not there. She’s not in bed either… huh?

He notices my Poke com & Charmander’s collar on a note I printed on the computer.

Josh (reading): “Dear whoever, I’ve run away, don’t try and stop me, ‘cause I’m still mad at Wildwing. Sincerely Sara. P.S. Charmander is with me.” (gasps)

He runs to the Ducks, Buzz & Eilony.

Josh: Guys, Sara’s gone!

Wildwing: What?!

Josh: She left her Poke com & Charmander’s collar along with a note.

Buzz: Why would she run away?

Nosedive: Ever notice Sara acting funny? Not funny “ha-ha”, ironic funny.

Trainers: Uh-huh.

Nosedive: Well, Sara has a crush on the plant dude from St. Canard.

Josh: Bushroot? (sputters) Unbelievable.

Tanya: Believe it or not, Sara’s in love with him.

Eilony: How romantic.

(Poke ball swoops by) I’m with Bushroot on a bench under some trees.

Bushroot (thinking): Maybe I should tell her how I feel about her.

Sara (thinking): I guess now’s a pretty good time to tell him.

Both (out-loud): Uh, I just wanna tell…

Bushroot: You first.

Sara: O.K. I always wanted to say… I love you.

Bushroot: Huh?

Sara: I know it’s weird, I mean, we’re both completely different: I’m an alien, you’re an Earthling. I’m human, you’re a duck/mutant plant. But I can’t help it.

Bushroot: Ya know, I was going to say the same thing.

Sara: You mean…?

Bushroot: Yep. Since you came over for dinner.

He puts his hand on mine, we look at each other & smile. The tree branches form a heart in front of us. Zelda & Charmander see this.

Zelda: I think we should leave ‘em.

Charmander: Charmander, Char, Char-mander?

Zelda Get breakfast at Dunkin’ Donuts? Okey-dokey. Wanna come, Spike?

Spike: Uh-huh.

They go to Dunkin’ Donuts. Soon, me & Bushroot think about our relationship.

Bushroot: Sara, I thought about it, I love you, but wouldn't people think we're... uh, what's the right word for this? Uh....

Sara: I know exactly what ya mean, that’s what I was thinking. Can we at least still be friends?

Bushroot: Of course.

Meanwhile, Gosalyn wakes up to find her dad sleeping on the couch with something next to him on the coffee table.

Gosalyn: Huh? What are those?

She takes them and realizes they’re her pictures.

Gosalyn (thinking): Oh no, I must’ve dropped accidentally dropped the pictures.

She zips up to her room.

Gosalyn: Oh no, Sara’s so dead.

Seel: Seel?

Gosalyn: Last night, I accidentally dropped the picture and Dad must’ve looked at ‘em. What am I gonna tell Louie? He might think I broke our pinkie swear.

Seel: (Shrugs)

Gosalyn: C’mon.

She sets her hologram projector, it show a hologram of herself doing her homework.

Gosalyn: Gosalyn Mallard, you’re a genius.

She sneaks out the window with Seel & her Poke balls in a duffel bag and to the metro train station.

Guard: Hi Gosalyn.

Gosalyn: Hey there, Murphy.

She catches the train to Anaheim. Back at the greenhouse, I just finished explaining why I ran away.

Bushroot: Sounds pretty rough.

Sara: Yeah.

Moments later, Zelda, Charmander & Spike come back from Dunkin’ Donuts.

Zelda: Huh?

Just then, the Ducks & other Trainers come in, they sees me with Bushroot.

Bushroot: Can’t we do this some other time?

Wildwing: No. Sara, you come back this minute.

Sara: Hmph.

I just turn away from him.

Wildwing: C’mon, Sara. I know what’s best for you, and you can’t see Bushroot anymore.

I still give him the silent treatment.

Bushroot: Pardon me, but Sara & I, we…

Wildwing: You keep outta this. Sara… Hmm?

He notices Charmander tugging on his pants.

Charmander: Char-Char, Charmander, Char, Char-char. Char-mander, Char, Char. Charmander, Char, Char-mander.

Zelda: He’s saying, “You can’t take Sara away from Bushroot, they love each other and there’s nothin’ you can do about it. Love doesn't take orders”.

Bushroot: Tried to tell you, we love each other, but we’re not in love anymore.

Charmander: Char, Charmander, Char-char, Charmander, Char-mander.

Zelda: “Besides Double-W, you’re only being bossy & selfish.”

Wildwing: (Exhales deeply)

He puts his hand on my shoulder, I face him.

Wildwing: Sara, I was being selfish. Will ya ever forgive me?

I smile and throw my arms around him.

All: Aww.

Josh: (Crying)

Mallory: Why are you crying?

Josh: This is all just so beautiful.

Duke hands him a tissue and Josh blows his nose.

Tanya: We’d better get back to Anaheim, we’ll be late for practice.

Mallory: She’s right. We were wrong about you, Bushroot. Especially me. No hard feelings?

Bushroot: None whatsoever.

We head off in the Aerowing.

Sara: Bye Bushroot! Love ya lots!

Bushroot: Bye Sara! Love you too!

We get in the Aerowing and head back to the Pond. (puck flies by) We’re back at the Pond.

Mallory: I’m glad everything worked out.

Gosalyn: Yep.

Sara: Now, (yawns) I’m going to bed.

I go strait to my room and into bed.

The End.