Reanimate The Future

Prologue: Welcome To The Studio

It's the year 1929. The year when animation was at its finest. Studios were poping up left, right, and centre. Creating rivalries which would last much long than they expected. The biggest and the most heard about was the one between Joey Drew Studio's and The Walt Disney Company. Both the best of the best in their respective lights. One taking the bright and joyful side... the other a much more darker and sinister world...

Within the walls of the Joey Drew Studios, a lively family worked within. The man behind the Studio, Joey Drew... a name which was known through out the world. Bringing joy and something much darker to the world. Next in line is his Daughter, Cherry Drew. Bringing creations to life...

Then we have the rest of the Studio Family. Ben and his son Henry, one of the top animators of the Studio and the other an aspiring animator. Taking tips and tricks from his father to learn the true art of animation. Being the best friend of Joey often had it's perks, but it made the four of them very close during their time together.

Now with the rest of the Studio there is a bunch of characters hidden in the walls. Talents like no others and only the best would do for this studio. Sammy Lawrence, writing and bringing the music to life within the studio. Norman Polk, the man behind the film and lead projectionist. Susie Campbell, the voice of sweet Alice Angel. Bertrum Piedmont, the one behind the idea of creating a theme park for the studio. Many other talents thrived at the studio, but many soon would never be heard from again...

One day in the studio, all of the family was at their respective places. Joey was walking around the studio, hanging about and chatting to anyone that he felt like. Cherry was mainly hanging about with Henry at his Father's desk. Watching Ben work while he created some new sketches. Susie was recording a new song along with Sammy making sure everything was in order. So on with everyone else in the studio. The same as what the days have usually been like in the studio.

On his round Joey made his usual stop at Ben's desk. Seeing his daughter and Henry lightly sketching on scrap bits of paper. Specifically he was looking for Cherry to have a tiny chat with her about work.

"Ah I thought I'd find you here" Said Joey as he knelt down on the floor, being on the same level as his daughter holding his arms out wide for a hug.

"Father" Squealed Cherry as she dropped her pen and rushed over to her father, running into his arms as he picked her up and spun her slightly.

"I thought you were supposed to be recording some lines" Questioned Joey as he looked down at his daughter, giving her a slight smile to make sure she knew she wasn't in any kind of trouble.

"Sammy said Susie was doing her's first and I was doing mine after... he said he'd come and get me when Susie was done" Replied Cherry as she gave her Father a wide cheeky smile, looking back towards Ben and Henry who were looking at the pair of them.

"Okay now you two kids go and play somewhere... I would like to have a word with Ben" Stated Joey as he put Cherry back down on the floor, both her and Henry giggling as they went off into the halls of the studio.

"Alight Pal, what's troubling you now?" Questioned Ben as he put down his pen and ink, taking his glasses off as he turned to look up at Joey.

"How has Cherry been acting to you recently... does she seem any different?" Asked Joey as he lent against the wall beside Ben's desk, crossing his arms over his chest as he let out a sigh.

"She did seem a bit off a couple of days ago... but that's about it really... why? Has something happened at home again?" Questioned Ben as he rested an elbow on his desk, placing his glasses in his shirt pocket looking up at his boss.

"Yeah... me and Celeste got into another argument... and it's resulted in us departing ways" Trailed off Joey as he put a hand over his eyes, trying to cover the fact tears were falling from his eyes.

"Come on... everything's going to be okay" Replied Ben as he stood up from his desk, patting his old friends shoulder trying to give him a little bit of comfort.

"Clementine's is going with Celeste... and Cherry... she wants to stay here with me but obviously her mother is trying to force her to go with them" Stated Joey as he turned his gaze to look at his oldest daughter, even though she was young she was smarter than she looked.

"Trust me... Cherry's more like you than Celeste... if her mother really cares than she'll let her stay here with you" Replied Ben as he followed Joey's gaze to their children playing about, laughing, giggling, and just being young kids.

Suddenly Norman came running around the corner. Out of breath by the time he even reached Joey and Ben. Making both of them look at him in shock.

"Norman, What is the matter?" Questioned Joey as he stood up properly, looking at his co-worker still in a slight dazed state.

"It's your Wife... she seems extremely crazy" Replied Norman as all of them heard shouting from a different part of the studio, clearly identifying that it was Celeste.

"Oh no" Muttered Joey under his breath as the three of them looked around the corner from where the drawing desk were, seeing Celeste arguing with Cherry about something.

"Celeste... leave her alone" Piped up Joey as he took a few steps forwards towards the three of them, he wasn't going to stand by while she was yelling at Cherry for something that wasn't her fault.

"Trust me Joey... you're unfit to be a father... the kids are coming with me and that's final" Snapped Celeste as she grabbed Cherry's wrist, dragging her towards the exit which was closet to them.

By this time some of the other studio staff had come by. Unsure of what was actually happening with everyone previously here. Gathering in the hallway as they watched unannounced.

"Celeste Wait!" Cried Joey as reached out a hand to try and stop her, knowing how unstable the development of the new section of the studio was.

"Father" Cherry cried back as she reached back to try and grab Joey's hand, seeing the tears start to cloud her vision.

Within a matter of moments Celeste and Cherry had reached the exit door. Faintly Cherry heard the creaking of the floor boards. Knowing it was unwise to be standing here.

"Mother please... it's not safe to be standing here" Begged Cherry as she tried to make little movement as possible, praying the the boards weren't about to give out under her.

"Exactly, this place isn't safe for you to be in" Snapped Celeste as she glared down at her daughter, making Cherry take a few quick steps back.

Suddenly they all heard boards cracking and snapping. Cherry glanced over her shoulder at her Father. Her chest heaving and eyes shaking with horror. Before anything could happen the boards collapsed from underneath her.

"Cherry!" Shouted Celeste and Joey as they both leaped forward to try and catch her, just missing as they saw their daughter fall through the studio with a piercing scream.

Closing their eyes as they both heard a thump and the screaming stopped. Seeing her lying on the floor with a pool forming underneath her. Slightly panicked Celeste backed away and ran out of the exit, tears streaming from her eyes and her mind consumed with guilt. Joey was kneeling on the floor, feeling his heart break inside.

"Joey..." Whispered Ben as he edged his way closer, not even beginning to think what was going through his mind.

"Everyone just leave... I want some time alone" Snapped Joey as he trailed off at the end, letting tears pour from his eyes.

Without hesitation Ben backed away and picked up Henry. Carrying him in his arms as him and the rest of the Studio walked away. Now mourning their beloved colleague and family friend. For a key part has just died in the studio. This place will never be the same again...