The Darkness Inside
Chapter One
Donita never quite recovered from the Wild Kratts team messing up her Flying Draco fashion show. She had parked her jet in the Indonesian rain forest, and spent the majority of her time moping around or drawing in her sketch book.
"Oh Dabio, I just can't stop thinking about him." She growled as she balled up another piece of paper and threw it on the ground. She furiously sketched out another outfit, and sighed. "The way he moved; it was graceful like a cat, and the way the clothes draped his body so perfectly!"
"Your new outfit looks really good on him!" Dabio nodded, looking over her shoulder.
Donita scowled at the drawing in her hand. Martin Kratts stupid face looked back at her, smugly, like he often did when he ruined her plans. She had drawn him in an elegant frock made of white feathers, and a bird perched artistically on his head. No matter what she sketched, the figures always seemed to turn into him. She couldn't decide whether she wanted to scream and pull out her hair, or crawl to him and beg him to model for her again. This was all about fashion she told herself.
This was all Chris Kratts fault. If he hadn't interfered all those times, she could still have Martin here with her now. If she could find some way to separate the brothers, then she could keep him forever. She imagined all the different parties she could drag him to, the outfits she could design and have him model… no more loneliness. She would never have to spend another moment alone again. Sure she had Dabio, but he was more like a pet than anything.
She scowled. Yes, it was all Chris Kratts fault. She wanted to see this dream come true, she decided as she traced the drawing with her finger. Martin would be hers, and she would never let him be taken from her ever again.
It was early summer in India, which meant that it was hot and humid. The temperature was well over 40 degrees and the scorching sun made it impossible to go out in the afternoon. Almost impossible. The two Kratt brothers couldn't pass up the opportunity to go exploring as soon as the Tortuga had landed. They were currently sitting in the shade of a tree observing a herd of almost 50 Blackbuck Antelope grazing a few hundred metres away.
"I just love their twisted horns. Imagine having a pair of those on your head." Martin smiled, putting his fingers up to resemble horns.
Chris laughed and crossed his arms. "You forget, I know exactly what it's like to wear antelope horns on my head. I have a pronghorn creature power disk!" He pulled out his disk container and rifled through it until he found it. "I bet we could talk Aviva into making some upgrades to it?"
"Sorry Bro, we have to be extra selective with our creature powers today. Koki said the Tortuga was running low on power, so we have to conserve energy until we can refuel. Besides, I'm still holding out hope we can run into a Bengal Tiger, or maybe a Cobra!" Martin moved his head side to side and then suddenly jumped on Chris and reared back, about to bite. Chris laughed and shoved his brother off. He then put his fingers up like horns, and pawed at the ground with his foot. "Don't give up on the Blackbuck so soon, they might not be as stereotypically cool as some predators, but I bet they have some really cool creature powers!"
Martin put on a mischievous grin. "Oh yes, I don't doubt that. I'm sure they are super-fast, and I wouldn't want to mess with those horns… but can those creature powers stand up to Bengal Tiger strength?" He sat on his heels and pounced, emitting a low growl. The two brothers wrestled a bit before falling on top each other, panting. It was too hot for horse play today.
"I'm tempted to take my Creature Power Suit off, but then I might miss the opportunity to prove to you how great antelope are." Chris smiled. Martin smiled back and reached for his brother's vest.
Suddenly the great herd was spooked by something and started rampaging. The brothers were safe from where they watched, but scrambled to stand up and see what the excitement was. Chris couldn't help pointing out just how fast they ran, Martin rolled his eyes. It was then they saw what had spooked the herd. A Zachbot. And it looked like it was herding them towards an outcrop where they would be trapped.
"It's too hot for this." Martin mumbled, pulling out his Creature Pod. "Come in Wild Kratts. We've just sighted a Zachbot, and it's herding the antelope into a trap."
"What is Zach up to this time?" Aviva sighed. "We unfortunately can't move the Tortuga at the moment. Koki is running some diagnostics, so we're grounded until they're done. I can still program a creature power though, if you need."
Martin ignored his brother's grin and looked over to the herd. The Zachbot had cornered them in the outcrop and was blocking them in. A shadow passed over them as Zach's jet flew towards the trapped animals.
"We need to get down there and see what's happening. Hang tight and we'll let you know!"
The brothers didn't bother with stealth. They hopped in the Createrra and tore down the hill. Up close, they could see the Zachbots herding the group into the black jet, while Zach stood outside watching. He casually looked over his shoulder and threw the boys a smirk as they pulled up.
"Took you long enough, Wild Rats." He provoked. "I already have the majority of the animals on the jet, undergoing their transformation."
Martin had to hold Chris back when Zach turned around and showed them one of the Blackbuck horns in his hand, freshly cut off. It looked like it had been sawed cleanly off, but it slightly glistened in the sun, as though there might have been blood on it. Zach grinned and brandished the horn as he spoke. "To be honest, I don't really know what I plan to do with these yet, but I'm sure it will come to me in due time."
"Dammit it Zach, the Blackbucks belong free and-" Chris started before being grabbed from behind by a Zachbot. Martin tried to dodge, but was easily grabbed as well. On second thought, perhaps running head first into a poaching incident wasn't the smartest thing to do. They were so used to winning against Zach it made them a little over confident though.
"Yes yes, I've heard your catchphrase before. You would think that after all this time you wouldn't bother lecturing me." Zach handed the horn off to one of his robots and wiped his hands on his pants. Definitely blood. "Really I just needed to get both of your attention. I could care less about these dumb animals. I'll probably just turn them into glue."
Both brothers saw red and pulled at their restraints. Chris managed to slip free and lunged at Zach.
"Zachbots, subdue him!" Chris was immediately swarmed by the robots, blocking Zach from his path. Martin cried out for his brother but there was nothing he could do. One of them twisted Chris's arms painfully behind his back, while another one punched him hard in the gut. A punch to his face finally subdued him, just as Zach had requested. Blood from a deep cut on his face dripped down his cheek and on to his shirt. Chris hung limply in the Zachbots arms, and Martin stared in shock. This wasn't like Zach. He had never threatened to kill the animals he captured, nor was he ever this violent. He needed to help Chris who didn't look so good. The strength of a robotic punch could have easily done some internal damage. He looked pale and it made the blood on his face stand out.
"Ensure they can't use their power suits either." The brothers could do nothing but watch as both of their vests were cracked.
"What do you want Zach? If you didn't even want the animals for some stupid invention of yours, what is your end game?" Martin growled.
"Oh good, let's get to my evil plan and finish this up. I'm sweating like a dog out here." He replied as he wiped the sweat off his brow. "My services have been contracted to kidnap you. Like I said before, these animals were just used to lure you out. I figured I might as well make the most of the situation."
"What? Who contracted you?"
"You'll find out soon enough. Now Zachbots, bring him on board. If you struggle in any way, Green Guy here will pay the consequences. Understood?" Zach turned back towards his jet. Martin locked eyes with his brother. Chris looked determined and gave him a quick nod. The brothers were so close that they could almost communicate without speaking. The nod was his way of saying he was fine and he would come after Martin as soon as he was free. Martin gave him a nod of his own, letting him know that he understood, and that he would work on freeing the animals from inside. Before the Zachbot dragged him away, he gave Chris a sad smile. Today had been going so well before this mess.
Zach waited for him on the ramp and leaned in close. "I'm getting paid very well for your safe delivery. Not that I need the money, but with you both out of the way, I can finally get some of my plans started without worrying that you'll shut them down."
"The others will find me, Zach. You have to know that."
"Oh, I do. But I'll have delivered you long before that and it will no longer be my problem. Let's just make sure they don't find you too soon." He confiscated both of their creature pods and smashed them on the ground. Then finally gave one last order before turning further in to the ship: "Zachbots, make sure Green Guy won't be able to follow us."
"No… No! You said if I came without fight you would let him go!" Martin strained against the Zachbot holding him. He watched as two other Zachbots closed in on Chris. He felt like a caged animal. Panic and anger clawed at his insides, his wrists were being rubbed raw as he pulled at his restraints.
"I never said that." Zach put his hands on his hips and laughed. "Now come, I have a nice cell for you where I once housed your brother!"
"CHRIS!" Martin cried as he was dragged away. The last thing he saw before the door closed was Chris staring at him, wide eyed, as one of the Zachbots pulled its arm back, ready to strike.
