*A/N: I don't do author's notes often, especially ridiculously long ones like this, but I have to admit, I was NOT expecting so many reviews all at once. Not at all. I usually write in the Ghostbusters universe and you're lucky to get maybe one every few chapters or so over there. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks! I usually try to PM a response to each individual review, but there were, like…a kazillion so I hope you all get to read this and know that I really appreciate the reviews! Woohoo!
My Ghostbusters muse is a bit burned out so I've decided to take a break and go in a different, less complicated direction for a while. That being said, after watching a few episodes of Wild Kratts, this story kind of popped into my brain. And I'm not one to pass up a plotline when it so willingly lands at my feet. I've always enjoyed reading/writing kid's stories, so this presents a wonderful opportunity to do just that.
If you want to know more about me and/or other things I've written, feel free to look up my profile, check out my blog, or drop me a PM. Ok, shutting up now. ;)
-DF
Chapter 2
Kratt-Napped
For a few seconds, Chris and Dabio stood staring each other down in complete shock, neither one quite knowing what to do. Donita's henchman looked a little ruffled around the edges. His long blonde hair was tangled and full of sticks and leaves and he was covered in dirt. By the looks of it, he'd been tramping through the woods for a while and Chris had to wonder how he'd gone all day without noticing him. Dabio wasn't exactly the most graceful or sneaky guy that ever lived. That probably explained why there weren't many animals around, too.
Finally, Chris broke the awkward silence. "Uh…what're you doing out here?"
Dabio shrugged. "Donita told me to catch a Kratt so that's what I'm gonna do."
Chris choked back a laugh. "'Catch a Kratt'? She actually said that?"
Dabio nodded, grinning eagerly.
"Well, that doesn't sound too good, so…I think I'll be going now. See ya!"
Before Dabio could comprehend what was happening, Chris bolted past him and headed up the slope as fast as he could.
"Hey!" Dabio shouted.
Naturally, Chris didn't bother to look back since he was a little busy scrabbling up the steep side of the ravine. The going was pretty rough, but unless he wanted to get caught and dragged off to the dreaded pink jet, he had no choice but to keep going.
Once he was at the top where the incline leveled off somewhat, he took a second to get his bearings, catch his breath, and come up with a quick plan. Judging by the clump of pine trees and brush right in front of him, he guessed he was in the very spot where Martin had tackled him that morning. And it wouldn't be long before Dabio would clear the edge of the ravine and find him standing there.
Sure enough, Chris heard him crashing through the underbrush below. And by the sound of it, he still only had one thing on his mind. Chris wasn't at all surprised.
"Catch a Kratt, catch a Kratt, catch a Kratt…" he chanted to himself.
"Not today," Chris muttered. At this point, there was really only one thing to do. He ran for the nearest tree and swung himself into the safety of its branches. Quickly, he climbed higher and higher until he found a place to perch and watch the show.
Just as he got settled, Dabio scrambled out of the ravine and stopped in his tracks right under Chris's tree, looking around and scratching his head. Baffled, he glanced in every direction—every direction, that is, except straight up. After what seemed like ages, he came to some sort of decision and trotted away.
Chris sucked in a sharp breath, a wave of relief washing over him as he leaned against the trunk of the tree and closed his eyes.
"Whew!" he huffed, wiping a drop of sweat from his forehead. "That was easier than I thought."
Maybe a little too easy? His eyes snapped open.
Martin!
Dabio was heading up the mountainside toward his brother! Chris reached for his creature pod and his stomach did a nasty flip. It wasn't there. He'd left it and his backpack down in the ravine, but he didn't have time to go find them and make it back up the mountain to get to Martin before Dabio did. Even though he didn't have a clue as to what Donita was up to, Chris was pretty sure she wouldn't care which Kratt her sidekick managed to snag for her latest scheme.
xxxx
Martin lay flat on his stomach, all his attention focused on the scene in front of him. He was just about to start down the mountain and go back to the Tortuga when he'd stumbled across a couple rock chucks. After that, everything else took the backseat, including getting his rear to HQ for the night. He'd already had a successful day so he figured stopping to watch the little animals for a few minutes couldn't hurt.
But, as usual in Martin's case, those few minutes turned into ten. Then ten minutes turned into fifteen. Half an hour later, he came back to his senses and realized that he couldn't see anything anymore because the sun had set.
"Uh oh!" He jumped up, pulling out his headlamp. Once he had it on, he pivoted around on one foot, ready to split, but stopped short. He could've sworn he'd just heard…
"Naaah." Martin shrugged and put a hand on his chin to think. Chris was probably already at the Tortuga. After all, he was the one who insisted they be back before dark. If anything, Martin figured he was in for an earful from both Chris and Aviva once he strolled in late. That was no way to finish off such a great day, so with that in mind, he took off for home.
xxxx
Chris raced up the mountainside as fast as he could. Despite the fact he had to keep jumping over rocks and roots and dodging low-hanging tree branches, he'd never run uphill so fast. Without his creature pod, he couldn't pinpoint Martin's exact location or call for backup. All he knew was that Dabio was going in the same direction his brother had gone that morning.
Finally, he couldn't run anymore. He wobbled to a stop feeling like his lungs were about to catch fire. Martin was nowhere in sight and neither was Dabio, for that matter. Heart pounding as he gasped for breath, Chris leaned forward with his hands on his knees while he planned his next move. He was probably too late and that meant Martin might already be in serious trouble—
Wait a second! Was that a light up ahead? Chris squinted through the dim forest to get a better look, unaware of the large shape looming up right behind him. It was a light. Not just any light—that was a headlamp! His brother was standing about fifty feet away. Feeling ecstatic, Chris took a step forward.
"Martin! Mart—hlgck!" His voice was choked off as somebody got a handful of the collar of his jacket and yanked him backwards into the bushes.
