Chapter 1: Adoption

It was a warm, sunny day in the lush green rainforest. A young blue-green platypus with chocolate brown eyes and tangerine bill chased a butterfly with a giggle and a skip in his step. He ran along and played, eagerly trying to catch the delicate winged insect. He seemed oblivious to the world around him in his joyful play.

Honey, get back here! his mother chattered from the bushes.

The small platypus ignored her, scampering farther and farther away on the forest floor. The little platypus was bold and daring and slightly defiant of his mother. His siblings, who watched from the safety of their mother's flank, chattered too.

What are you doing? Where are you going? they asked.

The little platypus kept going without answering, pushing through the plants and flowers to catch the butterfly. That was his only objective: catch the butterfly. Suddenly, his little webbed foot hit a sharp, hard rock and sent him tumbling downhill, landing on his back. He looked up at the forest canopy with his large wandering eyes. The butterfly came back, floating gently onto his nose, causing him to sneeze. He giggled in delight. Butterflies were so fun!

Once he stopped giggling, the platypus looked around. It was dark. Really dark. There was deep brush and foliage all around him. It seemed gloomy and scary, making him want to go home. The little platypus turned to go back, but had a sharp pain in his leg that made him stop. He was frozen, trying to figure out what was going on with his right hind leg. He shook his limb furiously, trying to make that terrible feeling go away. No use. In fact, it only seemed to make it worse. It felt like fire ants! (He should know: his mom threw him in the pond because he'd disturbed the ants' nest.) The little monotreme was stuck to the spot, calling out to where he almost cried.

It began to thunder and rain, making the spot even more dreary and unsettling. The platypus's fur was soaked and wet, making him cry even more. Now he really wanted to go home.

I should have listened to mom… he thought with regret.

A rustle from behind made him turn with a jolt. He thought it was his mother, here to rescue him from this scary nightmare of a place. His smile quickly turned into a frown as a pair of yellow glowing eyes appeared from the shadows. A low rumble of a growl sounded and the little platy-pup almost had a heart attack. Out of the darkness a hedgehog like animal appeared. It looked flat and had had spines all over its back. The animal had a long snout and a long tongue that caused a lisp when he spoke.

Oi! Who are you thupposed to be? the animal asked.

It took a lot of strength for the little platypus not to laugh in spite of his current situation.

Well, sir, I was chasing a butterfly, you see, and… a clawed paw interrupted the small fellow in mid-explanation.

I don't want to hear your life thory! What's your name, thon? the animal said grumpily.

…My name…?

Yeah, I want to know your name.

Um…I...don't have one… the platypus replied.

Don't have a name? That's bad parenting on your mum's part, now ithn't it? he said, putting on a brown hat and walking away on his hind paws.

W-wait! the platy-pup called with his paw in the air.

The animal stopped but didn't look at the little one.

Where are you going?

The animal didn't reply for a minute, and then said, Thomewhere.

I-I want to go too, the platypus said, holding his aching leg in his spare paw.

Thorry, but you can't.

Why not?

… the animal had no answer, and just started to walk again.

No! Please, take me with you! I can't move! the platypus yelled, making the animal stop and walk back in his direction.

Why can't you move? the animal asked with a paw on his hip and his hind paw on a rock. He eyed the platy-pup with his amber eyes.

M-my leg…It burns like crazy. I-I don't know what happened! Every time I move, red stuff comes out, and every time red stuff comes out it hurts! the little guy explained sadly.

Hm… Well, the red is blood… You're going to need that… Yep, I'd thay it's broken, or at least thprained. the spiny animal said. I could take you to get it fixed, if you want. Or you may just lay here alone…

N-no! Please, I-I want to go! the platy-pup pleaded.

Alright then, the animal said and hoisted the platypus on his back, which was softer than a person would expect. Hold on tight!

There they went, they weren't very fast, but at least they were getting somewhere. The platypus and other animal were quiet most of the way, until curiosity got the best of the younger monotreme.

What are you? Are you a hedgehog? the little guy asked.

No! I'm an echidna, obviouthly. the echidna responded angrily. He thought the child was annoying, attacking him with dumb questions.

Oh…what's that?

What I Am. the echidna grumbled.

The platypus was quiet once more, just chilling on the echidna's back. Soon, they had arrived at their destination. It was a huge rocky cave carved in the side of a cliff. The two monotremes entered the darkness slowly. The tiny platypus was bewildered. It was like the burrows his mother dug in the ground for shelter from storms, only bigger and a little drier.

Wow, what is this place? the platy pup asked.

This is my home. the echidna answered.

Really?

I thaid it, didn't I? the echidna said.

They walked towards the back of the cavern and there were lights everywhere. Technology hung from the ceilings and there was a chair in front of a computer. The echidna set the platypus down on the dusty floor and sat down in the chair. He pressed a red button and the monitor hummed to life. A man appeared on the screen, his hair was dark with a broom like mustache. In his hair was a small grey streak, most likely because he was starting to age. He had both his eyes on the same side of his head, which seemed creep the little platypus out.

"Good morning, Agent E." the man greeted.

Agent E saluted and smiled in greeting back.

"What can I do for you?" The man asked.

Agent E pointed to the little platypus curled up on the floor.

"What' wrong with him?"

The echidna walked over and touched the platypus's leg, and the platy-pup cried out in pain.

"Oh…ouch…yeah…bring him over to home base, we'll fix him up."

Agent E nodded and turned off the monitor.

Why didn't you just tell that guy what happened? the platypus asked.

Humanth don't underthtand our language. Can't listen, or thpeak It. the echidna answered.

He grabbed his little friend and hoisted him back onto his back. They entered a tube with suction like a vacuum and were pulled in. The little platypus was petrified, holding on tight to the echidna's quills. Finally, they landed on a hard, cold linoleum floor.