Chapter 7: The Flight to San Lorenzo

"(Almost there and done.)" Itzam stepped away from the table. "(Now, do you see it now?)"

On the table sat the same kind of masked creature Helga read about in Arnold's essay. A head with a triangular-shaped mask facing down. Curved edges and colored light-khaki. Large eyes with small green pupils, black messy hair growing all over behind the mask, raptor claws and birds feet.

It stared forward, looking at something non-existence. "(I … I think I still see it sir …. Don't stare at it!)"

"(I knew I should have taken a break after the fifty first one.)" Itzam sighed as he wipes the sweat with a rag.

A knock was heard from the temple's door and in came Mascasa, now almost twice as big with a large enough wingspan to fly and growing a tail, but was still a little kid. "(I've brought you food for your good work, Itzam.)" Mascasa said joyfully. "(It was hard work harvesting these fruits, but I know you favor them.)"

"(Thank you, Mascasa.)" Itzam took a bite.

"(Greetings, Mascasa.)" The creature hopped off the table.

"(Greetings, Scouter # ….. which one are you again?)" Mascasa tiled his head, mimicking a confused child.

"(Fifty Two.)" Itzam said. "(Scouter model #52, and the first proto-type for an offensive mode. But still capable of exploration and services.)"

"(Which made me weaker than the other Scouters when I'm normal.)" #52 said under his breath.

Itzam told #52 to help Mascasa out in hunting. He agreed and followed Mascasa through the happily populated city. "(Look around, #52. Can you imagine that nearly a full year passed and already our new kind has been advancing this great Empire?)"

They looked around to see all kind of masked creatures helping the city in everyday tasks. Tribal men like mask creatures brought in meat. Floating witch-like ones casted logs on fire. Large fat tribal ones carried stone around. And black birds with cone shape masks flying around the sky.

"(Yes, it is wonderful.)" #52 said a Mascasa helped an elderly woman pick up a dropped item. "(And to think, we'll all be under your command someday. Including the other Masters.)"

"(When I'm fully grown.)" Mascasa said proudly, narrowly dodging someone in a hurry. "(But I will still follow the ways of Itzam and Chief Nuuk.)"

"(Even when Ixch talk behind Nuuk's back about him.)" #52 snickered.

"(Meh, at least what she teaches me is more fun than …. Labor.)" Mascasa sighed with boredom.

"(Ha, yes it is hard work. But just wait and you can just order us around to do it for you.)"

Mascasa gave #52 a curious look. "(Don't you hate it?)"

"(Negative. I enjoy serving. It is what I'm built for.)"

Mascasa and #52 passed a stone bridge where some women washed clothes and gather water. "(Well I can't be built for just labor. I don't like it. I rather play games, talk to people, hear stories, and figure out my destiny!)"

#52 nodded. "(It's probably just for experience. You'll understand one day.)"

Mascasa folded his arms and smiled. "(I know of a few epic stuff I'll do later, but I can't wait to see my true purpose!)" The young creature flapped his wings and lifted himself into the air.

"(Settle down, Mascasa. You know the faster we gather our prey the faster you can arrive to Toma's birthday celebration.)" #52 called Mascasa back to the ground.

"(I almost forgot.) Mascasa spoke as the two walked into the jungle, passing the majestic vegetation and wildlife. "(He'll love the new flying toy I made for him.)" Mascasa cheerfully smiled to himself.

"(Of course he will, Mascasa. He always enjoys watching birds and you fly around.") #52 hooped into a boulder and scared some rodents away. "(He'll be happy with anything you give him. You are like an older brother to him.)"

Mascasa's smiled slowly disappeared. "(I am no brother to Toma. Nor am I a blood-son to Itzam and Ixch. I am his creation, an invention with an important purpose. That is all … look at that snake!" Mascasa mood quickly changed back to joyful when he saw an anaconda with green diamond design on its scales. It hissed at them along with the babies with it.

"(Emerald Anacondas. Perhaps our target prey is close by.)" #52 observes its surrounding as Mascasa curiously looked around.

"(You remember what we need to find, right #52?)"

"(Of course.)" #52 held out a tablet with a well carved image of a spider. "(Fire Pit Spider. The most toxic animal in the world. To a living being it will kill them, but to us we will have no problem.)"

Mascasa strolled along with #52 and occasionally lift himself into the air from boredom. "(I don't know why Itzam want these spiders in the first place. He only just milks them and eats their meat. Why can't he just make them his life stock?)"

"(That is because the Fire Pit Spider will not breed in captivity, nor any place known to the Green Eyes.)" Mascasa carried #52 across a river. "(They lay their eggs in a certain spot, but we may be close to finding it.)"

Mascasa nodded, but felt something unusual. He turned his head toward to the city, staring silently.

"(Future Grand Master Mascasa?)" #52 noticed the masked creature looking away. "(Do you see the Fire Pit Spider?)"

Mascasa stood there a few moments before responding. "(No, it's just …. Never mind.)"

#52 looked at Mascasa oddly. "(Well then, we should collect the spiders soon. Toma's party is in a few hours.)"

Mascasa and #52 continued their hunt, but the masked boy would glance back at the city every once in a while, feeling something will come. Something foreign.


"Hey Arnold! Hey Arnold! Hey-"

Arnold awoke from his latest dream and set his alarm clock off. Greeting the morning with a yawn, Arnold gazed at the calendar. The day he's been waiting for have arrived. The plane ride to San Lorenzo.

Arnold grinned widely as his racing heart rose him off from bed and go straight to his well-prepared luggage. "I'm finally going, today!" Arnold re-checked his bags five times before pacing around his room. "I get to see where mom and dad met! Their old friends! The jungles they explored!"

Arnold raced in pace a he breath heavily. "I can't remember the last time I was like this." It has been a while since Arnold acted like a true kid, and he had no shame to hide for it.

With some luggage in hand, Arnold walked downstairs as the Boarders greeted him and wished him a safe trip.

As Arnold feast on a wonderful special breakfast prepared by his grandma, Abner ran around with a green collar around his neck and a nametag. "Abner, I almost forgot." Arnold dashed to the kitchen table and picked up some important looking papers. "I can't believe someone wants Abner to come along."

"Me neither." Phil walked in and checked out the list. "For some reason Eduardo suggests to some of his smart friends to study Abner."

"Squee?!" Abner ran under the table and shivered.

"Don't worry, Abner." Arnold patted his beloved pig on the head. "They promise they won't hurt you."

"Or else face a lawsuit." Phil laughed.

After breakfast, Arnold and his grandparents placed Arnold's belongings into the Packard with the boarders help.

"And that's the last of it." Ernie patted his hands as Arnold gently placed Abner in his cart at the back seat. "That is all of it, right?"

"Double checked everything quadruple." Arnold saluted, making Ernie chuckle from the boy's enthusiasm.

"Well Arnold, time to get in!" Phil spoke as the two climbed into the Packard.

"Bye everyone! I'll see you in about a week!" Arnold climbed into the back with Abner and waved the boarders goodbye.

"Have fun!" said Mr. Hyunh.

"Don't get too crazy in the wild!" shouted Ernie.

"Be careful out there!" Susie spoke softly.

"Find Gold!" shouted Oskar with joy.

"Oskar…."

When they drove away from the Boarding House, the Borders looked at one another with a hint of worry.

"He'll be alright. Right?" Oskar asked.

"Arnold is a smart kid. I'm sure he'll be safe." Ernie rubbed his chin. "Then again that boy's head is stuck in the clouds."

"He'll get lost and eaten by wild beasts!" Mr. Hyunh shouted.

"I'm sure he'll be fine." Spoke Lana Vail …..

"Didn't you got thrown in jail last year?" asked Ernie

.

.

On the drive to the airport, Arnold was frantically talking to his grandparents about what he'll do in the wilderness of San Lorenzo. "We're going to see some amazing cities, explore the jungles, and even visit the same village my parents and I lived and we get to see the excavation site Eduardo is working at."

Phil chuckled to himself. "It's like you've eaten a whole bag of sugar."

"Nope, that was just me." Grandma Pookie smiled.

"That explains 10% of it." Phil calm smile slowly faded. "Now Arnold, I want you to keep your promise."

Arnold slowly calmed down and looked at his grandfather. "I know. Be careful out there."

Phil took a deep breath. "Also remember that this is a fun field trip with our classmates. Nothing more." He moved his back view mirror to look at the worried boy. "I know you still have some hope that maybe your folks are still out there ….." Phil tried to find the right words for this moment.

"But this world has both good and bad." Pookie suddenly spoke. "It's how things are." He turned to give her grandson a soft smile. "There will be times when your heart will not be in the place you want it, but remember to hold onto what you have and live in the present. O.K.?"

Both Arnold and Phil were a bit surprised by Pookie, but she was right.

Arnold slowly smiled as Abner licked his hand. "Thanks Grandma, but still …. I promise I'll stay safe."

"That's our boy."

They finally reached the airport and unloaded Arnold's belongings onto a cart. "Time to set sail!" Pookie said as a Hummer drove in belonging to the Patakis.

"Oh thank you for the ride. Mommy and Daddy." Olga said whimsically as Helga got out normally.

"Thanks, see you in a week-ish." Helga opened the back door to unload her belongings by herself.

"Let me help you with that, Sister." Olga took a bag from her and loaded it to a cart.

"At least she stopped calling me 'Baby Sister'."

Bob and Miriam got out and noticed the two elderly couple. "Look, there's the oldest living American." Bob spoke in his usual grumpy tone.

The hair on Helga's back rose as she turned to see Phil and Pookie, along with the star in her eyes. "Arnold." She calmed herself down. "Hey, Football head. How's it-"

"Phil, Pookie!" Olga gleefully greeted the elders, confusing her parents.

"Oh no, not the fangirl again." Phil said to himself as Pookie smiled.

As Olga spoke, Arnold walked up to Helga. "Olga knows my grandparents?"

"Trust me, long story." Helga said with an annoyed tone.

"You ready for San Lorenzo?"

Helga noticed the unusual energy from Arnold, but found it fascinating. "Sure am, those wild animals won't know what hit them if they try messing with me." She then eyed Abner in his crate. "I still can't believe you're bringing your pig and everyone seems O.K. with it."

Arnold rubbed the back of his neck. "Well it's a long story. It's about where I first got Abner."

Helga looked at the boy. "In the middle of jungle?"

Feeling that he'd said too much, Arnold told her that it was a long story.

The small group walked into the airport and found the rest of the class. Rhonda was being the center of attention, Nadine was looking through a book of insects, Eugene was trying his best to carry a heavy bag of medicine, Harold and his gang were goofing around as Mr. Wartz scolded them, Mr. Simmons was counting the students, and Curly was playing with the X-ray. "I am of the Dead!"

"Arnold, Helga!" Gerald called them. He along with Phoebe and Lila met them. "Got your ticket right here!" Gerald handed Arnold his ticket as Phoebe handed Helga hers.

"Oh this will ever so be wonderful." Lila spoke. "I can't wait to see the vast rainforest with all the amazing plants and animals."

Arnold noticed his grandparents and Helga's parents speaking with Mr. Simmons. "Looks like my grandparents will leave soon. I'm going to say goodbye."

Arnold walked to his grandparents right before Mr. Simmons nodded and walked away. "So are you guys going now?"

"Looks like it." Phil kneeled down to him. "Your plane's leaving soon. So we'll see you after a week or so …. Be safe."

Arnold smiled and nodded. "I will."

As the two said their farewells, Olga hugged her parents as Helga only waved. "See you in a week!" When Miriam and Bob left, Helga walked back to Phoebe.

"So did Tall Hair Boy tell you more about you-know-what?"

Phoebe shook her head no. "Sorry, I've told you everything so far, which wasn't a lot comparing with what your sister told you. Not even about his parents' lives in the jungle. Arnold must have kept a lot secret."

Helga sighed. "Well since everyone knows Eduardo knows Arnold's parents, I probably won't say too much."

Phoebe glanced back at Arnold and Gerald who were listening to Mr. Simmons. "You know, you haven't told Arnold that Olga knows your parents. Maybe you should bring it up first."

"Woah woah!" Helga shook her hands in protest. "No way am I bringing that up."

"Why not?" Helga turned to see Olga and Lila standing there. With the three people who hold her most guarded secret standing around her, she has a gut feeling they know what they want.

"You think I'm going to confess, do you?"

The three girls sheepishly looked at one another. "Well …. We … uhhh."

"It will help you be normal." Olga quietly yelped. Which she received two odd looks and one scold. "A normal ….burden free life. You know, you'll have that off your chest."

Helga sighed. "Look, it's not gonna happen anytime soon. Trust me."

Lila smiled. "Well maybe this lovely trip will change your mind. You may never know."

Helga rolled her eyes as she walks to the nearest candy machine. "Please, my heart's one lump of steel." "They may be on to something." Helga hid next to the machine and took out her Arnold Locket. "Yes, the majestic jungles of San Lorenzo. The beautiful sights will bring out the strongest of emotions, and that could be love." She held the locket tighter. "And perhaps I can learn more about your parents. I can listen to all your stories and I'll guide you through the darkness you walk." She stood up. "Your life without the people you brought you into this world has tortured your heart for too long. I will help heal those scars and you will see the true me, the one worth loving."

A familiar wheezing breathed onto her neck and one punch was enough to fix that.

Everyone boarded the plane as calmly as Mr. Simmons, Olga, and Mr. Wartz can do without letting Curly causing more trouble.

Arnold and Gerald sat together in front of Phoebe and Helga with Olga and Lila behind them, to Helga's annoyance. Mr. Simmons and Mr. Wartz sat across from them, keeping count of everyone on board. "Torvald, Arnold, Gerald, Stinky, Lila, Lorenzo."

"Ha."

"Yep, everyone's here."

After the pilot announced everyone to fasten their seatbelts, the plane flew up into the sky. Some of the kids (and Principal Wartz) played astronauts before the plane fully reached into the sky.

"FREEDOM!" Curly shouted as he unhooks his belt.

Gerald relaxed in his comfortable chair and played some tones. "Looks like we got some good hours before landing. Time to relax and enjoy the peace and what am I saying."

Gerald and Arnold pierced at Curly running around. "Give daddy some sugar."

"UH!" shouted Rhonda. "I don't know what's worse. The fact that I'm going to a bug-infested jungle or Curly. … It's Curly."

Nadine smiled as she showed Rhonda her book. "It won't be that bad. San Lorenzo has over 20,000 species of spiders." Before Rhonda sighed with disgust, Nadine turned to a page more alluring for her. "And look at the patterns of these butterflies."

Rhonda glanced and became entranced by some the designs. "Astonishing! The best designers in the world must see these beauties!"

"And one and two and three and swirl!" Eugene and Sheena danced through the aisle, before Eugene fell onto a cart that rolled him all the way into the back full of food and equipment. "I'm O.K."

"Haaaarolllld. When we land you'll be eaten by a giant spider!" Sid spoke frightfully at Harold.

"Stop it or else I'll pound you!"

"Relax, Harold. There're no such darn things as giant spiders." Stinky calmly said. "Just rabid monkeys."

"Mommy!"

Arnold and Gerald could hear Olga and Lila talking about sister stuff as Helga held two pillows up to her ears.

"Still not O.K. with Olga and Lila being sisters?" Arnold asked the blonde girl.

"Not even after following your advice." Helga scuffled. "There are just some things in this big world you just can't live with."

Arnold gave her a half-smile with made her sigh mentally. "They'll probably calm down once we reach San Lorenzo." Arnold sighed a bit when he spoke the country's name.

"While you fanboy over that place, I'll try to not go crazy."

"What's the deal with airline food?" Curly asked Helga and silently stand there for a good few seconds before shouting about an Imp on the plane's wing.

"WHERE!?" shouted Harold.

Seeing the chaos in the class, Arnold looked downwards, wondering how Abner is doing.

.

.

Abner was in his crate, meditating with some lite fragrant candles.

.

.

"Probably bored." Arnold looked around and thought he would look at his father's journal to pass time. After a few hours of reading, Arnold found himself feeling tired and gently went to sleep with the journal in hand.


"I'll be back tomorrow!" Eduardo shouted to his crew mates as he packed his jeep for the ride back to the village. "Wonder if anything new happened since last week? Haven't been home in a while." As Eduardo packed up his belongings, he noticed the crazy lady Kisiin siting on a boulder near the site, looking ahead into the jungle. Eduardo curiously walked over to her. "Is something that matter?"

Kisiin alerted herself to Eduardo. "Nothing's wrong. It's just that ….. I'm only looking at the jungle." Kisiin lightly smiled as she jumped off the rock. "Need a favor or something."

Eduardo shook his head no. "No, just checking up on you." He glanced at over to here she was looking. "My village is a few good miles down that way, you might want to come visit sometime. You can learn more about Miles and Stella."

"Your village …" Kisiin recalled that Eduardo's village was that direction. "Naw, I'm fine. I have to prepare myself for old guy sitting for you know, him."

"Who's him?" Eduardo asked.

"Him …. That short guy ….. really old."

"You forgot his name, didn't you?"

Kisiin's eyes widen and gasped in protest. "No, I remember his name! I just can't remember his title."

Eduardo sighed. "He's the Ordain Minister. The one that married Miles and Stella."

"Riiiight." Kisiin smiled sheepishly. "I have to watch over him. He's interested in the artifacts we dug up."

"Oh really? Never took him to be interested in ancient history."

"Like they say, don't judge a book by its cover." Kisiin smiled.

Eduardo chuckled. "You know, Arnold will be to the village in a few days and his class will come to this excavation sight."

"Great!" Kisiin grinned widely. "Just make sure those kids don't break anything. I'll have their heads if they do."

Eduardo felt tensed and slowly walked away. "Well, see you around Kisiin." Eduardo jumped into his jeep and drove off.

After Kisiin waved, she turned towards the village, looking very curious and concern.

Eduardo parked his jeep near the village and everyone waved hello to him.

"I'm back, my amigos."

Some of the villagers walked with Eduardo around the village. "So when is Arnold coming?" one man asked.

"He should be here in about two days or so." They'll be staying in the city for the day and head right here." Eduardo almost ran into some children playing. "I'll take on the role of their tour guide as they experience what they can never have up there in their urban environment."

"And they'll be here just in time for the Mask Festival." A woman pointed at some decorations being set up in a clear area of the village. "They'll have so much fun."

"Yes, this will be." Eduardo then noticed an unfamiliar tent with a young man carving different kind of masks. "I don't recall him being here."

"He's new." One villager said. "Just some traveler looking for work. He's great with farming and livestock."

Eduardo walked up to the young man, probably between 18 and 21. He wore a brown t-shirt and worn out jeans. He looked like a true native with tan skin and black hair. However his most striking feature was his green eyes.

"Hello." The man quickly sat up and greeted Eduardo. "I don't think we've met yet."

"No, we haven't." Eduardo shook his hand. "I am Eduardo, an Anthropologist. I'm also working in an excavation sight up west from here."

"Interesting." The man tightened his grip and shook harder. "I am Jozen. I came here last week to settle down for a while. I'm just a traveler finding his path."

"Jozen?" Eduardo asked. "Is that a real name? Sounds similar to Joven or Jose."

"I'm sure it is. My parents were no fools." Jozen smiled. "I'm creating masks for the festival." Jozen held up a mask resembling a skull. "So what's the story behind it?"

"It was an idea we came up with to celebrate our great findings." Eduardo smiled with pride. "We've uncovered some unusual masks. Some larger than human faces."

"Interesting." Jozen tilted his head. "Are there any here."

"Sorry, they're all at the excavation, and no uninvited guests are permitted."

"I understand." Jozen smiled. "So I heard that there's more than just the Mask Festival."

"Oh there is! In two days, on the Mask Festival, we will be visited by a special American Fifth Grade class."

"American?" Jozen smile faded. "As in the U.S.A.?"

"Correct."

"Oh." Jozen hid a distasteful smiled. "Say no more." He looked over his pile of masks. "I should get back on those masks. I'll talk to you later." Jozen turned around as Eduardo could have sworn he heard him mumbling to himself.

"Hm, nice guy. But what was that about?" Eduardo scratched his head curiously.


I should really clean this place up. Maybe extend that. Or clear out some leaves here. Build a fire pit." A small figure looked over at the crashed plane. "Heck, maybe I can figure out how to fix that."

The small figure hopped into the cockpit and looked around.

"I have no idea what I'm doing …. So I'll learn then! … Without a manual or any source of information."

.

.

"I hate being by myself."

End of Chapter