Story Synopsis v1
From WorkCDN
My first run-through:
Beginning: (the Old Oak Tree where the mice live) the Mouse Queen is kidnapped by the Horde (beetles or rats); the Mouse Warrior is distraught.
1st Journey (the Great Forest); the Mouse Warrior tries to find the Frog Pond
Middle: (the Frog Pond): the Mouse Warrior consults the sophistical frogs, who advise he take the Hamster with him, to schlep items, fix things, and provide information. They also provide “directions” to the Snake Den. The Hamster is optional, I’m just trying to justify his existence here.
2nd Journey (the Great Forest); the Mouse Warrior & the Hamster wander around, trying to find the entrance to the Snake Den. The Frog’s directions are COMPLETELY wrong, as was predicted by the Hamster, who has been lost so many times trying to leave the forest, he knows his way around pretty well.
End: (the Snake Den): the Mouse Warrior (but not the Hamster) descends into the Snake Den. This is where Irish’s “Spelunker” idea would be GREAT!
Alternative to the beetles, Irish suggested rats. On the side of the Beetles is the “Broom Factor.” In “the Sorceror’s Apprentice” segment of Disney’s “Fantasia,” what made the Brooms so scary was their utter robotic silence and featureless faces. Applied to Black Beetles, this could give the story a somber approach. ON THE OTHER HAND, he suggested evil rats. What I like about that is they could be relating to the Snake as some sort of evil god/protector that they have to appease. The Snake even eats them occasionally, and spontaneously. This allows for more Biblical/worldview allegorical elements.
I was thinking that the entire purpose for kidnapping the Queen (since this seems a rather stupid thing) is to lure the Mouse Warrior into the Den. This would help the rats/beetles, as many have been slain by him in the past, and eliminating the Queen AND the Mouse Warrior would leave the mice population “helpless” against predators, namely the Snake, who is speaking on behalf of the others. It just occurred to me the Snake and other predators (mentioned, not seen) could represent the “powers and principalities of darkness.”
I couldn’t think of any use for the Crow, other than kidnapping the Queen while the Mouse Warrior is distracted by his battle with the beetles. The other use for the crow is at the end, which would give the Hamster something to fight while the Mouse Warrior is down in the Den.
A suggestion: as the Warrior & Hamster approach the Den, the Crow attacks. The Hamster decides to distract it so the Warrior can descend into the pit. The Hamster is hopelessly outmatched, and his demise is expected and seemingly inevitable, as well as imminent. After the Warrior rescues the Queen, they go ascend from the pit, wondering how they will get back home quickly, away from their enemies (including the Snake, if it’s still alive). But when the Warrior & Queen exit the Den, the Hamster is not only alive, he’s managed to tie the Crow’s beak shut and harnessed it with some string or yarn. The three escape back to the tree on the Crow’s back, using it as a plane. The Hamster assures them he knows what he’s doing (but of course, he’s never flown either).
The End (The Oak Tree where the Mice live): the Queen honors the Warrior and the Hamster, and gives the latter a special status in their kingdom. The Mice celebrate.
The Last Shot (the Frog Pond): the Frogs are ribbiting on their lily pads, and they comment each in turn about the game, the villains, the player, the outcome, and a possible sequel.
