Well everyone the moment you've all been waiting for the first chapter of 'Guardians of the Hyrax Island' is finally here! Just sit back and enjoy!
Everyone tells me that war is not an answer; some say war is the death of a best friend; most say its hell under our feet; to me…war is something we don't expect to happen. I was too young to understand those words as a baby, but as I grew older I started to realize what it really meant. As a teenager you have grow up to understand these things and learn the possibilities of the world and how it works. But even if we were at war that doesn't mean I have to be a part of what's out there waiting for me. Out there, there's a whole world we want to dig into to explore and study and wonders of our universe. That's what I wanted really, it was my dream. Most tell me that I'm too young to understand the world and think I'm too caught up in my dream, but I didn't care what they say; cause I told them that I'm gonna live it someday when I'm older. At least that's what my dreams told me after I was rescued a long time ago by say a certain mammoth, sloth, and saber. If you think I couldn't understand them…you're wrong.
This is my story…
It was a glorious sunny day on the open waters. Dozens of ice ships were high sailing through the ocean carrying as many humans and hunters as they were celebrating the arrival of their next destination. Drinks were tossed into the air as cheers and laughter were heard and dogs howled into the light of day. My father happened to be celebrating too as he raised his drink up into the air and made a toast.
"MEN" Runar announced. "Today we sail to conquer the new world. For mankind; for glory; FOR A NEW HOPE"
(CHEERING)
Just as Runar lowered his drink, his younger brother Ragnar appeared next to him. "Yes, we know, we know, we're all dying to see what's next for our new future. Like our great founding fathers once said when they explored the wonders of the new world, 'now world's too small, if it only had a bigger one instead'"
(CHEERING)
"Here's a toast to everyone" Runar announced as he, Ragnar, and the rest of their men raised their drinks up. "Let there be peace and harmony to us all, to us"
"TO US" The hunters cheered
(CHEERING)
Drinks clanked their drinks together before swallowing them whole as they continued to celebrate and have a good time. Runar and Ragnar took a big sip out of their drinks before they turned away so that they could take in private.
"Well brother in a couple of hours we'll be sailing right to our new home" Ragnar told his brother with joy. "Just look at all those smiling faces"
"Yes indeed brother, but there's one smiling face I don't see" said Runar when he noticed someone he didn't see celebrating. "Where is my son?"
Ragnar gave him reassuring pat on the back. "Calm yourself Runar, that Roshan of yours knows how to take care of himself. He has his mother's spirit but he still has your good looks"
Runar still didn't feel satisfied. "Maybe I should look for him…"
Runar turned to go but Ragnar stopped him. "No, no, no, give him some space for a while. You know how teens are when they need to be alone. I mean he's 16-years old for heaven's sake, what are you gonna do?"
Runar sighed before looking out in the back of the ship. "I don't know brother? Ever since my wife was killed by sabers my son has been living in his own fantasy world of speaking with animals. It's just not like of him to do that"
Ragnar placed his arm his brother's neck. "Runar sometimes a kid wants fantasy to become reality. It's a possibility but to a teen well…it's just not fitting"
"Maybe you're right" said Runar believing Ragnar was right
The next scene changes showing a teenage boy who was sitting all alone in the back of the ship. He laid down on the edge of the ship throwing stones into the ocean while humming to himself. He stroked his long medium hair back as he hummed to the wind. Just as he hummed peacefully to himself a young human girl came walking up behind him.
"Roshy are you throwing stones again" said the young girl.
Roshan turned around before chuckling with delight. "Yeah, what's in it to you, Lolo?" he said sarcastically
Lolo gleefully stepped forward. "I don't know maybe you should give me one so I can tell you why" she said sarcastically
(LAUGHING)
The two laughed joyously as Lolo made her way to sit next to Roshan as she sat herself down next to the ledge with him.
"You always need an answer from me do you?" Roshan asked he girl
"Hey a girl has curiosity you know" Lolo affirmed him. "Just like you when you want to talk to animals"
Roshan turned away for a moment before ignoring that last remark. He was indeed a boy with a lot of curiosity in himself and his imagination always ran amuck allowing it to control his body. Usually most of the time when he tells everyone that he can speak to animals they would just ignore or tease him every time and make him look like joke; especially to his father. His father never truly understood him while growing up whenever he got a complaint or a disregard but he never actually learned why his son acted so estranged over everyone else in the tribe.
"You don't have to keep bringing that stuff up to me, you know. I don't want to end up ruining someone else's imagination" Roshan told the girl
"Aw c'mon Roshy, you'd never ruin mine; I'm already full of imagination" Lolo reassured him. "You know I wouldn't blame you for that"
"Yeah maybe you wouldn't…but my father…he definitely would" said Roshan
"Roshy don't let your dad get you down, your better than this" Lolo told him reassuringly
"Yeah well you're the first person to say that" Roshan sarcastically told her. "You'd always believe what I say"
"That's why they call it 'what are friends for?' you know?" Lolo pointed out
"Yeah but that doesn't mean overdo it, you know" Roshan confirmed her
Lolo crossed her arms before Roshan sighed. "Look Lolo, I appreciate what you're trying to do for me but it's still not going to change who I' am still. My father barely listens to what I say and the people here think I'm nothing but a joke"
Lolo stands up before tugging Roshan's arm pulling him off of the ledge. "I don't care what the people say about you and your father's just embarrassed of himself! I like you just the way you are!"
Lolo then gives him a hug around the waist giving him comfort. Roshan hugs her back seeing how she hated being upset like this about her friend doubting on himself. Roshan also knew Lolo always being there for him whenever needed and even if she was small she could still knock some sense of anyone who would try and confront him.
Roshan placed his hands under Lolo's legs as she picked her up.
"Look Lolo, I'm glad that you're trying to defend me but it isn't your responsibility" Roshan told her
"Why?" Lolo asked curiously.
"Because it's my responsibility to face my own demons whether it's my choice or not; we all have our decisions and it's all due whether we have to make a choice" Roshan explained to her
"How" Lolo asked curiously
"Like for instance, when I had to make a choice to put my mother's death aside and move forward. And now you, you always make the choice to defend me when I'm in a situation whether its harassment or bullying; we all have decisions Lolo and it happens all day in the world" Roshan explained to her
"But why can't it be my decision to protect you?" Lolo asked once more
"Because it isn't your fight" Roshan told her. "It's mine"
Lolo's face lowered with sadness before she hugged her friend one last time. Roshan hugged her back as the two shared a moment.
"I just don't want anything happening to you, that's all" Lolo truthfully reminded him
"You're my little fighter; I'll always be with you" Roshan reassured her
The two shared this moment hugging it out, before two other boys came out from front of the ship who appeared to be Roshan's age. One was tall and scrawny and had short-medium brown hair; the other one was slim-built and had a long-medium on the top, but short on the sides and back. They were two that Roshan recognized as they came walking towards their friend. Roshan noticed them coming as he gently set Lolo back on the ground.
"Ro, there you are, you lot" said Newt who revealed to have a British accent
"Yeah why aren't you enjoying the party, shuck face?" said Minho. "You can't spend it being back here by yourself again"
"Yeah have some milk" said Newt. "It'll fill you right up"
Newt kindly handed him a coconut full of cold milk into his hand. Roshan grasped the coconut and took a mighty sip out of it. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve as he kindly handed it back to Newt.
"Roshan, c'mon, you got to be a little happy about this" Minho told him. "We're sailing to a new home. A new life"
"More like the old life to me" Roshan affirmed him remembering his old past
"Oh c'mon Ro don't give us that guardian story again" Newt told him to not mention his past. "It's behind us remember"
"Maybe for you…" Roshan confirmed his friends. "…but not to me"
Roshan turned away and walked towards the end of the ship and looked out into the horizon. His thoughts started streaming through inside of his head like there a flashback was coming back and he didn't want to control it. Soon enough, that memory of his finally came into place as the boy started to remember the three mammals he once knew as his 'guardians'. He remembered one of them being a sloth who was also his care taker; he was very clumsy and dimwitted but he always had a friendly personality. The other one was a saber who was very strict and so focused; he used to have a devious side of vengeance in his soul, but in the end he just saw him as a big kitty with a good side. Lastly, the one he couldn't get out of his head was a mammoth with a stubborn side of sarcasm; he was cranky all the time but always showed a big heart towards his allies. He'll never forget them as long as they still won't forget about him.
Newt and Minho soon walked over as they stood on a different side between Roshan's shoulders.
"Don't get your head in a twist, bud, you'll find a new start" Newt reassured him
"It may not be new, but it'll be a fresh one. You'll see" Minho told him
Roshan managed to make a small smile as he wrapped his arms around his two friend's shoulders.
"I'm glad to have you guys as friends" Roshan told them
Minho chuckled. "Of course, shuck face. We'll always be there for you"
"That's right Ro, we're comrades remember? And comrades stick together till the end" Newt happily told him
(CLEARING THROAT)
"Excuse me…" Lolo called out before wrapped her arms around Roshan's waist hugging him tight
Roshan chuckled. "…and a little girl"
Lolo smiled and squeezed his waist tight. "That's better"
Suddenly their hug was cut off by a rough voice calling out from behind. The four turned when they saw a much older boy walking towards them. He was only a year older than the three and his expression stayed a strict. He crossed his arms before insulting them.
"Well looky what we have here, I didn't know you two were this loser's sweet-mates?" Kodak insulted Newt and Minho
Minho and Newt disgustedly glared at him as well as Lolo did as they stood in defense of Roshan as Kodak stopped right in front of the two.
"I have to say I'm still impressed to see you shuck's still protecting this damn coward, here" said Kodak referring to Roshan in the back. "Why don't you tell that shuck face to stop hiding and come out and fight like a man"
"Leave him alone Kodak" Newt angrily told him
"We don't want to start anything like the last time" Minho reminded him
"Oh yeah?" said Kodak with sarcasm. "The last time you and the lizard picked a fight with me that Roshan never even participated in"
"Don't call me a lizard, you bloody creep" Newt angrily told him
"Oh I'm sorry 'Mr.' lizard, is that better for you? Or is this…" said Kodak before slapping Newt in the face
(SLAP)
Minho took offense for Newt as he pushed him away before Kodak walked back and pushed him away starting a conflict between them.
"You better stay the hell out of my way punk or your dead meat!" Kodak warned him
"How about you mind your business for once in your life; that case you wouldn't have to be a part of what you start" Minho told him back defensively
"Well how about you go suck a god damn horn till it come's clean strait through that thick skull of yours!" Kodak told him back. "You know what I think? I think he doesn't even have it in him. I mean all he does is stay quiet and wastes his time tending to the animals…"
Lolo stepped forward. "Leave him alone, you meanie"
Kodak chuckled with more sarcasm. "Hey squirt, do me a favor go back to playing dolls like the brat you are!"
Kodak then pushed Lolo and the young girl fell on her back on the ice with harsh contact. Kodak laughed sadistically, when Roshan saw what he did to Lolo and that soon made him feel a lot offended and he knew he had to stand up for himself one way or the other. He kindly pushed Newt and Minho to the side as he got up to Kodak's face.
"Dude, what is your problem?" Roshan asked demandingly
"Oh now that loser finally decides to speak up!" Kodak yelled out
"You don't ever push a girl, do you hear me!" Roshan warned him
Kodak grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him to his face. "Oh yeah and what the hell are you going to do about it?"
"Kodak" called a female
Everyone looked over from behind Kodak and saw a young female walking up. He halted and crossed her arms at the older boy who was picking on Roshan.
"Haven't you got anything better to do than pick on someone less your size?" the female told him
Kodak frowned and face-to-face back at Roshan, "You're lucky your girlfriend was here to save you. But the next time we see each other I won't go easy on you"
Kodak then released his grips on Roshan's shirts and turned to walk away before he stopped on by the female for the moment.
"You never keep your hands to yourself, do you?" the female asked him
"Why should I?" said Kodak before narrowing his eyes back at Roshan. "He's worthless and you know it"
Kodak turned away and started to walk off leaving the four with relief. The female then walked over and helped Lolo get back on her feet. She asked if she was okay and Lolo replied with a nod. She turned back to the boys as she showed her appearance with a smile.
"Gee, you're a life-saver" Newt thanked her. "I was almost ready to knock that bastard right through the ice"
The female chuckled. "Anytime, Newt, anytime; are you all okay?"
"Yeah we sure are thanks to you" said Minho
Suddenly the female glanced towards Roshan. Roshan studied her as he saw the true beauty on the female's face. Her long dark hair hanged from the back of her shoulders as her eyes glowed with a bright brown color; then he saw her face. It was like something he never saw before in his life. But one thing for sure was that her smile made his heart go pounding like it was going to have a heart attack. Roshan wanted to say something first but the girl was already walking up to him.
"You must be Roshan" the female guessed on him before raising a hand out. "My name is Rowan"
Roshan grasped Rowan's hand gently as they shook with greetings. When she smiled again Roshan stifled a laugh before narrowing his eyes at his two friends who were making kissy-faces at him.
"Hi" Roshan managed to say
"Hi, I've heard so much about you" Rowan told him. "You know your mom and my mom grew up together"
"Oh really, I-I-I mean that's great, well I mean for your mom and my mom that is" Roshan happily replied
Rowan chuckled with delight. "You're funny did you know that?"
Roshan smirked. "Yeah, well did anyone ever tell you that you're made for saving lives?"
The two including his friends bursted into laughter before more cheering was heard from back in the front of the ship. Newt and Minho knew that the celebration was still going on and they thought it would be best to give Roshan and Rowan some alone time.
"I think we'll give you and the her some alone time" Newt suggested to them
Lolo soon stopped them for a second. "Hey! I'm a lady too why can't I stay?"
Newt smiled and pinched the girl's cheek. "Cause you've only got a hundred years to go, don't rush it"
Lolo frowned. "Oh yeah…"
Lolo raised her foot up and kicked Newt in the shin causing him to yelp in pain.
(KICK)
"OW" cried Newt as he hopped on one foot before he tried to grab the girl but she ducked down and started running away.
(LOLO SCREAMING)
"C'mon back here you little…" Newt angrily shouted chasing after her
Minho annoyingly shook his head and turned back to Roshan and Rowan. "We'll catch up with you later at the party. Please come, Roshan"
Roshan sighed and nodded. "Okay I will"
Minho happily nodded as he started to go back to the celebration leaving Roshan and Rowan alone finally. The two made themselves comfortable by sitting down on the ledge.
"Hey thanks again for saving my butt back there" Roshan thanked Rowan again. "Kodak would have kicked my butt till the end of time"
Rowan giggled. "Yeah Kodak can be a jerk sometimes but in real life he's a real sweetheart"
"Yeah well he's still an asshole" Roshan replied back
Rowan couldn't help but giggle some more. Roshan sensed the look on her face that she was having a good time and not to mention he hasn't even scared her off…yet.
"So tell me chief's loyal son, why are you back here alone?" Rowan asked him
Roshan narrowed his eyes away and turned away from her face and looked back down into the ocean. He knew that this moment was going to be his last be he might as well get it over with already.
Roshan sighed and turned back to her. "Well you should have already figured that out by now from Kodak. I've probably had enough people making fun of me for the things I try that are different from any others; not to mention my own father doesn't even speak to me because…"
"…they don't please your guardians are real?" Rowan asked him
Roshan blinked in surprise. "What-How'd you know about…how do you…how?"
"Maybe it's because I believe it's true" Rowan told him
Roshan's eyes popped as big as they could and his heart felt like it was about to attack him. He dint know how or what? But he did knew that she was really telling the truth.
"You…You do?" Roshan asked her
Rowan nodded in reply. Roshan slapped his hand over his forehead before falling down on his back as he started to shake all the feelings out of him like it was some sort of bad dream forming in his head right now. Rowan lay back doing the same as she watched Roshan banging his head back against the ice.
"No one has ever told me that they think my story was true or not" Roshan admitted to her.
"Well maybe it's because no one bothers to listen to you" Rowan pointed out to him
Roshan scoffed. "Well that's obvious. Why do you think I'm all the way back here?"
The two giggled in agreement as they lifted themselves off the ice to face each other.
"Okay so you're different from all of us, big deal. I mean just because no one believes what you're capable doesn't really mean you have to hide from it; you just have to make the best of it" Rowan told him
"Well Rowan if you haven't noticed, but I've tried everything to get out of the ghost and back into a human and the only response I got was the silent treatment. I appreciate what your telling me, it's just it's giving me a hard time to think and I'm trying my best to make things right again" Roshan told her
"Like telling your father about it" Rowan asked him with a smirk
Roshan shook his head before lowering it down at the ocean below him. "Who are you kidding my dad wouldn't listen to me not for even a whole year. He would just show a blank and turn around and walk away before I could say anything"
Rowan sensed his sorrow and she placed a comforting hand on his back as she rubbed it cooling Roshan's muscles as they started to relax from the stress that was crumbling up inside of him.
"Don't let yourself down Roshan. I'm sure at the right time you're father will come to understand your feelings towards animals" Rowan told him that things will change over time
Rowan then stood up from off the ice and turned to walk away before stopping as she glimpsed at him and asked. "By the way what were these animal's names?" she asked curiously
Roshan turned to her before he hesitated for a moment. "I…I…I can't remember. But I heard of three names in my dreams that reminded me of them. They were Manny…S-Sid…and-and Diego"
Rowan smiled. "They were your closest friends, were they?" she asked
"They were more than just my friends…" said Roshan before looking away and then looking back. "…they were my guardians"
Rowan exchanged a small smile on her face before walking back to join the celebration again. Roshan smiled and turned around back as he sat on the end of the ship looking out into the ocean. While no one was looking he reached his hand into his shirt collar and pulled out three charms that were attached to the necklace he was wearing around his neck. It revealed three carved-shaped figures of a saber-tooth tiger, a ground sloth, and even a wooly mammoth. He stared down before closing his eyes as flashbacks started fast-forwarding through his head remembering the dangerous trials that took place. When he opened them he sighed; then he clenched his charms into his hand holding them tight.
"Wherever you guys are, I really miss you" Roshan thought to himself
"LAND HO!" called out one of the tribesman
(CHEERING)
Everyone cheered much louder this time as the celebration started to grow even more grateful; well everyone except Roshan. Roshan lowered his head in boredom before finally standing up and looked out into the ocean once last time.
"Like I said…I really miss you and I hope you're still out there" Roshan told to himself before closing his eyes.
Just as the scene changes it shows a bull wooly mammoth opening his eyes as he just woken up from his deep slumber; he blinked a few times before stuttering in panic motion.
(PANTING)
"Huh? What, what was that?" said the wooly mammoth who appeared to be named Manny
Well everyone that's my first chapter! Please review and stay tuned because will start coming your way!
