DeltaForce Prologue - The Case of Roger Rabbit

2023 Cover

The Case of Roger Rabbit is an Episode Zero story created by DeltaForce Conceptualizer Unknown Tale. The adventure takes place before Episode 1 of the YTS Series and kicks off the driving force that the series is based upon. The episode also pays homage to the original film, and attempts to make use of masking effects and voice acting to make it look like the other characters are actually there.

Basic Plot

Tod receives a message in 1981 from an unknown caller, later revealed to be Figment the Dragon pulling a Charlie's Angels on him. He is told to head for 1947 Los Angeles to fix the past over there, otherwise the world as he knows it will be over. From there, he arrives at a film lot between the human world and Toontown. Eager to find his roots knowing he's part toon himself, Tod teams up with Eddie Valiant for a night on the town. Of course, with Eddie's low tolerance of toons (besides a few exceptions), Tod's loyalty is put to the test as he gets to know him a bit more. The next day, Tod meets Angel roaming the streets on her own, and the two become acquaintances, but upon learning Marvin Acme, the owner of Toontown, was killed, and Roger was to blame, Tod, Angel, and Eddie now have to work together to solve this topsy-turvy case, while also being weary of Judge Doom and his gang.

Tod and Angel acquire their first Ancient Sources in this episode. Tod acquires a Blazefire Saber while in the bar's backroom (getting an odd feeling something important was left behind there) and Angel gets a Wizard's Staff while escaping the weasels the first time in the back of the car holding Benny the taxicab.

Notes

• Modern Day Los Angeles is referred to as "Angel City," the main location of the DeltaForce series.
• Although the original film was rated PG, some scenes undergo light editing.
• This episode opens up the theory of multiple timelines potentially existing, for Tod and Angel are now their own "Team of two."
  • On top of that, Simba briefly cameos at the end, foreshadowing a younger variant of himself being their team member instead of leading a different adventure team entirely.
• This episode marks the introduction of the Time Skeletons, a team originally from Time Bokan, though certain scenes containing them are redrawn or edited out as a form of censorship (NOTE: This is considered a Kids Show in its country of origin).
• Tod acquires a Magic Band from Figment before travelling to the past, indicating that his original The Fox and the Hound adventure was secretly a test watched over by him.
• During the end of Chapter 2, Tod sings the Speedwagon hit "One Lonely Night" after learning about Eddie's brother and his potential fate, mainly telling himself it was a bad idea to go and do this without Vixey. Various Warner and Disney characters from the film sing alongside him during the Bridge. The cover is shortened as Tod ends the song at the start of Chapter 3 the next morning in order to meet Angel properly.
• Tod saying "Say Hi to Chekhov" in Chapter 7 is a nod to the trope Chekhov's Gun, in which an object may not seem important at first glance, but turns out to be rather important later on in the story.

Extras

• Multiple Final Fantasy and Persona gags are used, mainly during the fights. Before Tod could actually naturally cast magic, he was forced to using a deck of cards until the Final Battle.
• Panama by The Avener is used for the Opening Theme to match DeltaForce Season 1's Opening, as it starts with Tod watching the Roger Rabbit cartoon from the film with Vixey at Widow Tweed's house.
  • Other songs this alternate version of the film include Velocity Shift by Overseer during the bar fight and the Fergie cover of Barracuda by Heart during the final confrontation with the Time Skeletons.
• The Mickey that Tod was referring to when asked if he works for Mickey is not Mickey Mouse, but Mickey Rooney, his adult voice actor in his original film.
• Even after Judge Doom was defeated, the Time Skeletons choose to continue the fight since they're wearing Dip-Resistant armor.
• Upon being asked to return to his own time at the end of the story, Tod asks for him, his partner, his wife, and his best friend to be sent forward in time, after hearing Angel was brought to the past herself. Angel states she made a new home in Angel City (no relation) and needs a close friend to talk to.

Versions

The initial release of The Case of Roger Rabbit came out on FANDOM from October 12, 2023 to Christmas Eve, 2023 as a serial release. An Archive Of Our Own release of the chapters is planned for February 2025.

Tropes Utilized

Make sure to read the chapters before progressing further. A spoiler warning is in effect. Ready? Here we go!

• Alternate Timeline: To kick off the events of the DeltaForce series, and to differentiate from the Pooh's Adventures chronology, everything that happens from the start of the adventure takes place in an alternate timeline.
• Compressed Adaptation: Some scenes are cut or trimmed down due to Tod and Angel being able to keep Eddie rational.
  • Whole Plot Reference: Basically the entirety of the adventure being a truncated version of the original film, which in itself is an adaptation of the book.
  • Adaptation Expansion: Due to Tod and Angel being the central characters, extra scenes were used to replace others, including Tod learning his parents' names and the duo walking through a museum in Toontown.
• Can't Take Anything With You: Subverted. Tod and Angel were able to take their Ancient Sources with them to modern Angel City.
• Peggy Sue: Essentially Tod and Angel in this story, going back in time to set up the events that'd follow for the rest of the series.
• Terminator Twosome: The heroes and the Time Skeletons, with the latter wanting Roger killed off for good as they were hired by Judge Doom.
• Tell Me About My Father: Inverted as Tod is asking about his mother in Chapter 2. Tod receives info on his parents Daisuke and Sakura, how they were actors at one point before their off-screen deaths in his story.
• Melancholy Music Number: Tod's cover of REO Speedwagon's "One Lonely Night" can count as this in Chapter 2 and the start of Chapter 3.
• Deuteragonist: Angel is met in Chapter 3 and becomes a hero character with Tod for the rest of the adventure.
• Chekhov's Gun: Chapters 3 and 7, much like in the original movie. (See Notes)
• Alertness Blink: Tod's Accel/Newtype awakening and realizations throughout the story can feel like this. Made more apparent in Chapter 6.
  • Evolutionary Levels: Tod's awakening to an Accel happens in Chapter 4 and constantly builds with his five senses after it's awakened, culminating in finally being able to cast natural magic.
  • Glowing Eyes: Chapter 6.
• Why Don't You Just Shoot Him?: Justified. Tod is still a novice at magic and isn't able to perform it naturally until the Final Final Battle in Chapter 8. A reference to Die Hard is also made, at a more family friendly variant to fit with the PA Theme.
• Stock Scream: The Goofy Holler in Chapter 7 which was NOT present in the original film being referenced.
• Mass "Oh, Crap!": Chapter 7 from Tod, Angel, and Eddie. "HOLY SMOKE! HE'S A TOON!!"
• Epiphany Comeback: In Chapter 8, Tod realizes he's a Xerographic toon from the 80's, which means The Dip doesn't work on him and therefore is even HARDER to get rid of.
• Happily Adopted: Due to Tod being 20 and Angel being 13, as well as the two heading to Angel City at the end of the story, it's possible Tod now has to take guardianship, as he's the leader of the team in Episode 1. Angel doesn't seem to mind it.