INTRODUCTION

Apparently it's against the rules to post introductions as single chapters (I looked it up!), so I'll just post mine here. I found a list online of 110 one-shot prompts, and had an urge to try it. So for the next few weeks (or months… or, most accurately, years) I'm going to be working on completing this monster list. The trickiest part is that I am going to write them in order; so the first prompt on the list is my first story, the second prompt will be next, etc.

Now I know what you're thinking: "Why are you working on this and not We're Off to See America!?" or, "Hey, whatever happened to that Pop Princess story you said you were going to write?" Well… they're coming. Trust me; I'll be working on them (as well as a few other projects). But lately I've just been in the mood to write little one-shots. It's almost like an exercise for my brain.

And as I said in the summary, themes, ages, time periods, characters, points of view, and couples will change. As of right now, the highest rating will be T, but even that could change, I suppose. The only thing that will remain the same will be that all one-shots will be based on the cartoon version of the Chipmunks and Chipettes.

So if you're ever in the mood for a short story, check some of these out. Follow the story so you know when new ones are made. Enjoy!

#1: Shelter from a Storm

BOOM!

Theodore yelped from underneath his blanket. His body shook with fear as the rain pitter-pattered against the window. Why did it have to storm? And at night of all times! As if nighttime wasn't scary enough already.

"Theodore?"

The scared chipmunk recognized his brother's sleepy voice. He slowly poked his head out from underneath his blanket and saw Simon sitting up in his bed, looking at him with concern.

"Theodore," he said, "are you all right?"

"N-not really," Theodore admitted. Then there was flash of lightning followed by more thunder. This time, Theodore swore he felt the house shake.

"Ahhh!" Back under the blankets he went.

Above the strong, whistling wind outside, Theodore heard movement from his other brother's bed followed by a groan.

"Stupid storm," Alvin muttered. "I was having a good dream, too."

Theodore wondered how Alvin managed to sleep through most of the horrible storm. Theodore had woken up when he heard a raindrop.

He felt someone sitting on the edge of his bed. A gentle hand slowly pulled down the blankets.

"It's all right, Theodore," Simon said matter-of-factly, as if he was casually discussing his latest science project. "Thunderstorms are really nothing to be afraid of. This storm in particular should do minimal damage, according to the forecast earlier. Besides, we've had a bit of a drought lately, so the rain will be—"

"Oh, knock it off!" Alvin snapped, getting out of his bed and walking over toward his brothers. "You do this every time, Simon! He doesn't need a science lesson!" Alvin sighed and looked at his smallest brother firmly. "Theodore, you're nine years old. Don't you think that's too old to be scared of a little thunderstorm?"

"Well," Simon said patiently, "I wouldn't call it little. Like I said before, it shouldn't do much damage. However, the volume of the thunder paired with the brightness and frequency of the lightning may suggest—"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Alvin yawned. He waved a careless hand. "Whatever. Anyway, there's nothing to worry about, Theodore. It's just rain. So what if there's a little thunder and lightning? It's not a big deal."

Theodore gulped when he saw another flash of lightning through the window. "But what about that spooky sounding wind?"

"It makes the spooky sound because the speed—"

"Stop it with the lame science talk!" Alvin yelled.

Simon frowned. "Excuse me for trying to use this opportunity to educate Theodore about Mother Nature!"

Alvin snorted. "Educate? More like bore him out of his mind."

"Well," Simon scoffed, "at least I'm trying to be sensitive about this. He's scared, and all you've done is yell at him!"

"How else is he going to get through this stupid fear?" Alvin asked with a glare. "We've tried everything else. Maybe he needs some tough love!"

Simon shook his head. "A lot of good that's doing."

"Hey, at least I'm—"

Thunder cut Alvin off, causing Theodore to whimper. There was only one thing left to do; one person left to see.

"Um, thanks for your help, guys," Theodore said, grabbing his teddy bear. Before he could think about how dark and scary it was in the hallway, he rushed towards Dave's room and opened the door.

He was surprised to see Dave sitting up in bed reading a book, his bedside lamp turned on. He smiled when he saw Theodore clutching his stuffed bear in the doorway.

"Hi there little fella," Dave said kindly. "I was wondering when you'd come in."

Theodore grinned when his father scooted over. Theodore hurried toward the vacant spot and settled into the soft warm bed. He clutched his teddy and sighed. He was so grateful that Dave understood him; sure, they'd went through the typical, "At thunderstorm is nothing to worry about" speech, but Dave didn't question Theodore or try to correct his behavior when he came running to his bedroom during a nighttime storm. There was no "you're too old to be afraid" or scientific explanations; Dave would just let him lay there until he fell asleep.

But something else usually happened before Theodore fell asleep…

"So," Dave said without looking up from his book. "When do you think your brothers will show up?"

At that moment, there was another boom of thunder followed by a flickering of the lights. Then the lamp next to Dave turned off completely and they were surrounded by darkness. Theodore gasped, but then heard voices and shuffling from his bedroom down the hall.

"I think they'll be showing up any minute," Theodore answered with a small grin.

A few seconds later, Simon appeared in the doorway.

"Hello Simon." Dave was grinning.

"Um, hello," Simon said a bit nervously. He cleared his throat. "I, um, was wondering if I could perhaps join you two? The storm is so loud, and I think your window blocks the sound out a little better—"

"Come on in, Simon," Dave said with a chuckle. He and Theodore made room as the tallest chipmunk climbed in the large bed.

Less than a minute went by before a chipmunk wearing red pajamas marched into the room.

"Okay, here's the deal," he said loudly, "I'm not scared. The stupid flashes of lightning keep waking me up. It's like there's a million camera flashes going off in my face! And since Dave has thicker curtains on his windows—"

"Climb in," Dave said, and the others made room.

"Like I said, I'm not scared or anything," Alvin said, pulling the covers on. "I just can't sleep because of the—"

"Lights," Dave and his brothers finished for him. "We know, Alvin." No one pointed out that Alvin was a very heavy sleeper, and that lights probably wouldn't have affected him.

"Hopefully the power comes on tomorrow," Dave yawned. "It's late; I'm not going to worry about it tonight."

"Are you sure, Dave?" Alvin asked. He sounded a bit alarmed.

"Maybe you should take care of it now to get it over with," Simon said quickly.

"Don't worry fellas," Theodore said, nestling into the mattress. "We're safe in here."

He didn't see his brothers exchange confused glances. He closed his eyes and drifted off into a peaceful, happy sleep.

Thanks for reading! Reviews are always appreciated. :)