Chapter Ninety Six: An Urgent Call

A panda plush toy aptly named Bamboo-Shoots was alone inside the room of his ward. He was looking outside from the open window; it was a silent night and the carefully positioned lamp posts gives enough illumination to appreciate the view of the street. It acquires him peace to look around when his ward is out, and this time he was left alone in her room to "take care of business" while she was away for a planned vacation.

It was not too long when the serenity of the calm night was interrupted by a sudden call from his portable transmitter located just beside his right ear. Upon sensing the sound of alarm, he let the powerful antenna to automatically rise from its hidden place so that he can get a better reception of the transmission he was picking with the hidden receiver.

"Break. Breaking. This is Sergeant 1219, an officially manufactured toy soldier from the Christmas Corporation and duly certified by the Psychometrician Store, sending this most urgent call. Anybody who can hear the message of this random reception may please answer back immediately."

Bamboo-Shoots was abruptly taken aback when he heard the motivation of the call. He was not expecting to receive an emergency plea, and he cannot place the instant rush of sudden fear that he felt within. Realizing the urgency of the moment, he immediately closed the window down, walked towards the direction of the bed of his ward, sat on top of the sheets, and then opened the attached microphone in order to give a reply.

"This is Bamboo-Shoots, a panda plush toy with the standard verification details. I can hear you loud and clear. What is the cause of the emergency?"

"We are currently in a perilous condition. The Green Snokers have surrounded the perimeter of the house, and they are diligently after the safety of our ward. This is not the first time that they have attempted to extract the Vapor of Death from his soul, but we are thoroughly determined to put up a strong opposition before they can succeed in this evil plan of theirs."

Bamboo-Shoots was already anxious by this time. He could hear a commotion from the background, mostly disturbing noise coming from the alarmed set of toys. It seems to him that whoever is this ward that they are protecting must be a very important target for the Defiance movement.

"What do you need? What can I do to help?"

"Please contact the Christmas Corporation immediately so they can send Little Drummer Boys and Mirrorites to help us defend our innocent ward. He is currently under the doom spell of the Institution, unconscious; we believe that he was attacked outside from school, and we know all too well the symptoms of this dreaded attack. You must hurry, Bamboo-Shoots before it is too late."

Bamboo-Shoots hurriedly sent the distress call to the Psychometrician Store. After a moment of relaying the facts of the urgent case, he was asked to confirm some important questions from the situation on the ground.

"Breaking! They wanted to know if you can see any actual Vampire within the vicinity?"

There was a sound of static, and then the reply came.

"No. Only Green Snokers are here. As far as I can tell from our vantage point."

Bamboo-Shoots repeated the answer to the other end of the line. After a short silence, he was asked to give another question anew.

"But is there a Sinister Agent? They wanted to know. And can you sense any Werebeings within the area?"

"Wait. Hold on. Something is happening. Stop! Do not dare cross the door or we will shoot you! Back off! Back off!"

Bamboo-Shoots could hear some weapons being discharged as the toys are making the sound of what seems to be an evident scuffle. He could sense a real danger already.

"Sergeant 1219, are you still on the line? What is happening? Please respond if you can."

"We are under attack! Tell the Chief Storekeeper to act with haste. Our weapons storage are no match from these Green Snokers. Send help immediately. They came with a plan; they are well-prepared!"

"What's that? Oh, there is a Werebeing over there! I saw him! He just turned into an Enchanted Lioness!" the voice of another toy soldier thundered through the noise.

There are more disturbing shouting and scteaming that followed from the other end, and Bamboo-Shoots was left helpless, listening to the absolute chaos.

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