For most of the 2000's, one particular company dominated the programming of the block formerly known as Fox Kids--4Kids Entertainment. All the shows they aired, be it on their own 4Kids TV block or on Kids WB (later CW 4Kids and eventually Vortexx), shared a few common factors, mainly voice talent. Their most high-profile shows during their 'reign'? Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and their version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (until the license was bought by Nickelodeon). The aforementioned connecting tissue between those three shows came to mind when, one day, I found myself watching this very funny moment from the classic Freakazoid episode 'The Freakazoid':
So sit back and relax as I do my own spin on this scene, but with the inclusion of four martial arts-using reptiles, a boy and his electric mouse, and a spiky-haired master card player. Get ready to laugh! (Or at least giggle.) NovaCorpsFan, I hope I make you proud.
*For chronological accuracy, this takes place around 2009.*
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We open to a New York City alleyway at night, where a group of Foot ninjas are prowling about. All of a sudden, they turn and see the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles up on a roof. All four leap down from the roof to engage the Foot ninjas, yelling "It's ninja time!!" as they do. Fighting then erupts and goes on for a minute.
Leonardo: Remember our training, guys--strike first, and fast, as a thunderbolt!
Unknown voice [as if on cue]: Pikachu, THUNDERBOLT!!
2nd unknown voice: Pikaaaa-chuuuu!!!!!
A massive lightning bolt then strikes all the other Foot ninjas, knocking them down for the count. The Turtles are astonished to see Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu running into the action.
Ash (striking his signature victory pose): All right, we did it buddy!!
Pikachu (doing same): Pi-Pikachu!!
Leonardo: Heyheyhey hold it! Ash, Pikachu, what are you two DOING here?
Michaelangelo: Yeah dudes, we WERE kinda in the middle of somethin'.
Ash: Oh it's okay guys--the folks at 4Kids thought that if this kind of thing worked for Steven Spielberg, it'd be fun for us! Besides, Pokemon IS their favorite show.
Pikachu (nodding in agreement): Pika pi.
Raphael (annoyed look on his face): Oh, izzat so???
Donatello (sarcastically): Well, sorry to rain on your parade fellas, and do correct me if I'm wrong, but Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is the 4Kids group's favorite. [Pulls out a poster for the 2009 'Turtles Forever' special.] WE are long-established.
3rd unknown voice: *AHEM* I believe you both are incorrect.
All turn to see Yami Yugi step in.
Yugi: It is the visually dramatic and often high-stakes storytelling of Yu-Gi-Oh! that has truly earned the praise of 4Kids--not to mention making our trading card game one of the biggest-sellers the world over...
Raphael (irritated): Well then, why don't we all just go find out what the suits at 4Kids REALLY think?!?
The scene shifts to one of the upper-floor meeting rooms at 4Kids! Entertainment HQ on 6th Avenue in New York City, where the sound of arguing is heard. We go into that meeting room to see the Turtles arguing on one side with Ash and Pikachu arguing on the other and Yugi arguing in the middle.
Senior 4Kids executive (let's just say he's Lloyd Goldfine): All right, settle down! Settle down!
Female 4Kids executive: Now, what's this all about?
Donatello: First of all, ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedules to meet with all of us. We all know you have a lot on your plates right now, so...
Raphael: ASK 'EM, ALREADY!!!
Michaelangelo: We were just wondering--who's your favorite????
The Turtles, Ash and Pikachu, and Yugi smile eagerly and expectantly as they await an answer. The 4Kids executives look a bit confused.
Young male 4Kids exec:.......Yeeeeah, who are you guys again?
The Turtles, Ash and Pikachu, and Yugi get surprised looks on their faces at that response.
We cut back to the NYC alleyway where the Turtles and Foot ninjas were fighting earlier. The Foot are back on their feet, standing as if they were waiting while the events were proceeding, while the Turtles are now back.
Leonardo: Where were we?
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I hope you all enjoyed this. If one were creative enough, you could use this scene with any number of (loosely or otherwise) connected franchises. (Two other versions I've come up with involve one with DIC properties Street Sharks, Extreme Dinosaurs, and Mummies Alive; and another with all three Seth MacFarlane animated sitcoms.)
Oh, and Doopie, here's hoping you see this--only one of your trademarked doodles could do this scenario visual justice.