Here we go, chapter 10. This is it, a pivotal moment both on the show and in here. Get ready, things won't be the same after this.
The ceiling of the cavern rumbled and cracked as something hit it. Then, another hit, making some parts of it come down. A third hit sent a giant tree straight through, slamming down in the middle of the burrow. People began running away from it, screaming. "Attention burrow residents!" Called the loudspeakers. "We are under attack! This is not a drill! We are under attack!" All over, people were running away as sections of the burrow collapsed near them. "Report to the emergency bunker immediately!" A sudden crash silenced the guy on the loudspeakers as dust and rubble forced him to move. When the dust settled, everyone could see the thing that was attacking, the Mega Monkey. Everything stopped for a few moments, then the Mega Monkey roared, making everybody start running again, racing for the bunker. The Mega Monkey roared again, then used two of its hands to grab at some of the kids. It brought them closer and looked at them, before someone began banging on a trash can to draw its attention.
"Hey!" The Mega Monkey looked over to see Kipo's dad. "No down here! Take me not them!" The Mega Monkey reached down, tossing the kids back on the ground before reaching for Kipo's dad. "Hey!" The Mega Monkey snarled at him as it grabbed him, bringing him up closer. "I know who sent you. This isn't you." The Mega Monkey glared at him, and suddenly focused, before something began beeping. A burst of pheromones rose around it, retaking control of it again. The Mega Monkey roared, then smashed at the ground with another hand. It knocked over support pillars as Kipo's dad slipped out of its grip. He started falling, until he caught on another of its arms with what he wore around his wrist. He looked up at his guitar pick, before pulling himself up slightly and taking it off. He dropped to the ground and landed hard, rolling to a stop. In the distance he could see the bunker slowly closing as everyone else ran to it. He pushed himself up, and started limping towards it, before he fell forward. One of the kids from before ran up to him and helped him up.
"I got you Mr. Oak!" The two began running towards the bunker again as it continued to close. The Mega Monkey roared at them and reached towards them just as they slid under the bunker door. It closed just behind them, saving them. The Mega Monkey pounded at the bunker, but it held strong. The man who was on the loudspeakers walked up.
"Did everyone make it through ok?"
"Not quite." Said Kipo's dad, standing up and turning to him. "I had to get Kipo out through the aqueduct."
"Why would you do that? If the burrow is ever breached, you are to report here to the bunker. We have to evacuate to site B!"
"What is site B?"
"The council kept it a secret so it could never be compromised." The guy gestured to the back of the bunker as doors began to rise. Everyone down below turned to them and gasped. "Out there is a labyrinth of ancient subway tunnels and sewer canals. And at the heart of it is a fully equipped backup burrow." Several people moved to the front of the crowds and began gesturing them into the tunnels. "Our new home."
"I have to go up to the surface to find Kipo!" Argued Kipo's dad. "If I had known there was a backup, I never would have sent her up there!"
"Well, I'm sorry you didn't follow burrow protocol." Said the guy. "But if you ever want to find site B, you will march with us." He walked off, not caring either way what Kipo's dad did. He and the kids looked at each other surprised, before he gestured for them to follow. The three kids started walking as he looked up.
"I'll get you there, Kipo. I promise." He looked forward again, and started walking.
Fear of humans, fear of what they'll do
Fear of others, no matter where you go
Taken from your home, forever lost
One light in the distance,
But oh so far away,
Run towards the light,
Away from your fear
Kipo held out the can of tuna, and Yumyan took it from her hands gently. "You've been making lots of noise since we last saw ya." Said Molly. Yumyan dumped most of the tuna into his mouth. "Word around town is" she was interrupted by Yumyan's noisy chewing.
"Does he always eat like that?" Asked Atom.
"Unfortunately." Said Molly. Yumyan finished chewing, allowing her to continue. "Anyways, word around town is Scarlemagne's put a bounty on your heads. Kipo smiled. "We heard you took out four crews with explosive nectar." Atom and Benson looked at each other. "I'm impressed." Molly jumped down and took the can from Yumyan. "But, not enough to take you through that dog park." She dipped a claw in, snagging a small piece of tuna and eating it.
"It's the one thing we absolutely cannot do." Agreed Yumyan. Atom sighed.
"We probably should've figured that." He said. "Let me guess, some kind of rivalry because cats hate dogs?" Molly tossed the can away.
"Exactly!" Said Yumyan. "We are Timbercats, which means we don't go near dogs." He and Molly looked at each other as Kipo sighed.
"There has to be something you guys can do, right?" Asked Atom. "I mean, and don't hate me for using the idiom, there's more than one way to skin a cat." Molly and Yumyan glared at him. "It means that there's more than one way to do things! I swear!" Pierre leaned into Kipo, who hugged him, then realized something.
"Could we borrow Pierre?" She asked.
"Yeah, that we could do." Said Molly, looking at her. Yumyan glared at her.
"Um, excuse me Molly, I am not loaning them Pierre."
"They opened the tuna can and you ate it." She retorted. "You know the rules." The group looked between the two as they argued.
"He'd get dog slobber on him!" Countered Yumyan. "It would take weeks to get that stench out!" Molly chose to ignore him and walked over to Pierre. "And I just gave Pierre a bath!" She grabbed Pierre's leash and handed the end to Kipo.
"Here. He's really good at jumping." Kipo graciously accepted the leash.
"I'm the one who gets to decide which human can borrow my personal war parasite!" Argued Yumyan. Molly looked at him judgingly. "And I say" he was interrupted by the sight of Pierre nuzzling against Kipo, licking her with his mandibles as she laughed. He smiled at it, then frowned. "Oh, fine! Just, make sure you bring him back to me in one piece?" Molly jabbed him with her elbow.
"We'll do our best." Said Atom as the group turned away. They walked to the edge of the dump, pausing for a moment. Kipo put the glasses on and looked out, seeing the second clover in the distance.
"We're almost there." She said. She turned to Pierre, then jumped up onto him.
"Let's bring this home." Said Atom. Wolf hopped up, followed by him. Benson lifted Dave up and put Mandu in his backpack before getting on himself. Kipo grasped Pierre's leash tightly, then got him walking. The Mega Dogs ran around, shaking the ground with every step, but Pierre managed to keep moving forward just fine. "This all looks pretty treacherous."
"Yeah." Agreed Benson. "Even just being out here makes me feel uncomfortable." A few more moments of silence.
"Hey, Wolf." Whispered Kipo.
"What?" Asked Wolf.
"I'm glad you came back."
"Me too." Dave was looking around, and noticed a dandelion close to his height.
"Hey look! Check it out!" Benson looked at him as Atom glanced at what he was looking at. "Dandelion puffs! There's a superstition about these." Atom gasped. "If you blow on one and every seed comes off, you'll have good luck all day!" Dave climbed up Benson, then took a deep breath.
"Don't do it!" Said Atom.
"No, No, Dave!" Agreed Benson. Dave didn't listen, and blew on the nearest dandelion. Its seeds scattered up, and one of the dogs barked as it noticed them. It bounded over, stepping right in front of Pierre and making him recoil.
"Great job Dave." Said Wolf, condescending. Dave smiled nervously at her.
"What?" He asked, like he didn't know. "We didn't get stepped on! See? Good luck." The dogs continued circling the area.
"I think he just wants to play with us!" Said Kipo.
"Kipo, we are not playing with him!" Denied Benson. "Don't even suggest it!"
"If they were ten feet tall, maybe!" Agreed Atom. "But not when they're this big!" One of the dogs stepped up to them, then leaned down, blocking out the sun. The group looked at it as it began sniffing.
"Everyone, strap in!" Yelled Wolf. Everyone grabbed onto the person in front of them, anchoring themselves, but Dave started to get pulled away. He screamed and Mandu squealed, making Benson turn back. He quickly reached out for Dave, letting go of Atom to grab him. Then he got pulled up.
"Whoa!" He said. Atom kept a grip on Wolf, then grabbed Benson by the foot. He started to rise up as well, and was slowly losing his grip.
"Hang on to Dave!" Yelled Wolf.
"We need to move!" Said Atom, straining. "I can't hold onto both forever!" Benson pulled Dave in closer, getting a very firm grip on him. Atom and Wolf suddenly started rising up as the dog continued to sniff, and Wolf grabbed onto Kipo's hair to stay on.
"Let's see what this flea is made of!" Said Wolf. "Jump him!" She pulled herself back down towards Kipo as Atom strained to hold on.
"Great idea." Said Kipo. "My best friend is so smart!"
"Do it now!" Called Atom. Kipo kicked Pierre's side, and he bent down before suddenly jumping up high. The group was pulled away from the dog, and landed back on Pierre. The speed was intense, and everybody was screaming. Another dog came up and tried to snag Pierre in its mouth.
"Everybody, hold on!" Yelled Wolf. Benson renewed his grip on Dave as Pierre fell back to the ground, narrowly avoiding the dog. He landed, then jumped again, the cycle repeating as the dogs gave chase.
"I'm so glad you came back!" Called Kipo. She reached back and pulled Wolf into a one armed hug. "Can we take a quick moment to appreciate that?" Kipo was no longer focused on escaping the dogs.
"Can that moment be any time but now?!" Countered Wolf. One of the dogs ran up in front of the group as Pierre kept jumping.
"Fine! But promise me we'll hug it out later!" The dog shook its head, smacking Pierre back towards another dog. He kept jumping about, getting close calls with avoiding the dogs as they chased him.
"We already hugged!" Yelled Wolf.
"Only once!" Benson was barely holding onto Dave and Mandu through all the jumping and dodging, and Atom was barely holding onto both him and Wolf.
"Can you two wrap this conversation up so we can get out of here?!" Yelled Atom. Wolf glanced back, then back at Kipo.
"Ok, fine! Yes, we will!" Pierre made another jump, and landed on one of the dogs. He realized where he was, then chomped down, getting a quick meal.
"Hey! Pierre!" Called Dave. "This is no time for a coffee break!" A shadow started to look over everyone, and Kipo tugged on Pierre's leash to try and get him to move. He jumped off as one of the dogs began biting at where he was, trying to find them. Somewhere down below, a manhole cover was removed, and Kipo's dad climbed out. He looked around a bit to see the Mega Dogs chasing something, which is what was causing all the rumbling down below. He didn't see the group high above with Pierre still jumping around. The dogs continued to chase them, then the group started to get splashed with water droplets the size of their heads. Everyone faced forward to see a dog lapping at a lake.
"I knew dogs were messy drinkers, but this is absurd!" Called Atom. He and Benson suddenly got splashed with water as Wolf and Kipo ducked to the sides.
"This is why I'm not a dog person!" Said Benson. The dog looked up from the water, and Kipo glanced to the side.
"That's our escape route!" She decided. The dog in front of them jumped onto its back paws playfully as two dogs chased Pierre, who continued jumping forward. The dog watched them approach with its four eyes.
"What are you doing?!" Asked Wolf. Kipo didn't respond, and Pierre jumped forward.
"Brace yourselves!" Yelled Atom. The dog in front of them attempted to chomp down on them, but barely missed. Pierre landed on its snout then jumped up its head before jumping completely off. The two dogs that were chasing them crashed into the other dog, making a massive pileup of dogs. Pierre landed and skid to a halt, turning to face the dogs. The group looked up at them, and Pierre made some weird noises. He was rubbing his mandibles together, then suddenly bucked everyone off. Wolf was the only one to land on her feet, with everyone else in varying positions.
"Pierre!" Called Kipo as he jumped off, getting to her feet. "Wait!" Pierre was long gone by the time she started moving, already jumping towards the dogs. "Bye Pierre! We'll come back for you!" Kipo started to turn back to the group, then noticed that they were in the area of the second clover. "We're here!" She focused on the group. "Look for the entrance to my burrow!" She started walking, still looking around. "I don't know what it looks like, but it's probably hidden. So look for something you can't find."
"Jee, that's a really helpful description." Said Atom. He turned to the others. "Ok, if we want to do this efficiently, we'll need to create a search pattern." He pulled out his sword, then began scratching a clover into the ground. Kipo continued looking around, completely ignoring him, still looking through the glasses, when suddenly her attention was drawn to something.
"Kipo?" Asked someone. She looked at the source of the voice, and saw someone very familiar. She gasped as she took the glasses off.
"Dad?" Her dad walked forward, pushing blades of grass out of the way as the rest of the group looked over. Kipo took a breath, then tears started forming as she ran towards her dad, wrapping him in a hug. He hugged her back, tears forming in his eyes.
"Forget the search." Said Atom. He smiled at the sight. "We brought her home." The two continued to cry even as they separated to talk.
"It's you!" Said Kipo's dad.
"I followed your clues!" Said Kipo. "They were hard to follow."
"Well I had to make sure no one else could follow them."
"Oh, well, you did a good job of that." Their tears started to dry as they laughed. "I have so much to tell you!"
"We'd better get underground first." Kipo's dad looked at the group. "That goes for everyone! If you're with Kipo, you're with me!"
"Come on guys, my dad's taking us home." Said Kipo.
"Don't have to tell me twice." Said Atom. Mandu squealed. "This'll be way faster than doing a search."
Someone watched on from afar through binoculars, then noticed the group heading underground in the grass. Scarlemagne pulled them away, smiling. "Magnificent work." He said.
"Thank you." Said the Humming Bomber leader, flying next to him.
"I was talking to me." Said Scarlemagne. Mark turned to them, flying on a flamingo.
"What are your orders?" He asked. "How shall we infiltrate the burrow?" Scarlemagne turned to him and smiled, before looking forward again.
"Now, Easy, let's discuss the matter of what you're carrying in those fashionable bandoliers." Easy glanced at him as he started laughing maniacally. An army of flamingos suddenly rose up around them, piloted by all sorts of primates.
The group climbed down the ladder, eventually getting to the bottom. Dave and Benson touched down first after Kipo's dad, followed by Atom. They looked around as Wolf hopped down, then Kipo's dad grabbed onto Kipo and helped her down. He looked at everyone. "I can't thank you all enough. Kipo is everything to me, and you brought her back."
"The pleasure is all ours, Mister," started Benson, before he realized he didn't know Kipo's dad's name. Wolf continued to look around. "I'm not sure what we're supposed to call you. Mr. Kipo?"
"My students call me Mr. Oak. But until you're in my class, you can call me Lio." Wolf poked Stalkie against something hanging on the wall, then continued to look around, slightly paranoid.
"This is so crazy!" Said Kipo. "Atom, Benson, Wolf, Dave, we could all be in dad's class together! Instead of running for our lives every second, we'll all be students! Passing notes to each other, cramming for exams," she was interrupted by Lio hugging her again. She gasped. "Dad! We already hugged!"
"It was only once." Atom shook his head.
"Ah, the bond between parent and child." He said. "It's been quite a while since I've had that." He looked at Kipo. "Though, I'm going to have to decline on being in the class. Already been through school once. Don't need to go back." Lio walked towards a tunnel, then pulled out a wrench. He banged it on a pipe, and lights started coming on.
"Nothing quite like that beautiful" he started.
"Oxidation of luciferin!" He finished with Kipo.
"Kipo is definitely that man's daughter." Said Benson to Dave. Dave scoffed slightly.
"Nerds!" He gave a single laugh. "It is cute though." Wolf looked down the tunnel.
"Everyone follow me." Said Lio. "You all must be hungry and exhausted." He started walking, and the group began to follow. However, Wolf seemed a bit more reluctant. Atom looked at her as she began to walk, trailing behind the group. "Were you kids living alone out there?"
"Objection!" Said Dave. "I think I qualify as an adult. At least until I molt again."
"And I'm right around 20." Said Atom. "Definitely not a child." Benson turned to Lio.
"Me and Dave weren't alone. We've been a team since forever!" The two fist bumped.
"Yeah dad, they're amazing!" Said Kipo. "Benson and Dave know everything about everything on the surface! Atom is strange, but he's amazing at wielding a sword and shield! And he knows a lot about the old world. Wolf was totally solo before we met, but she's like, a superhero! She's definitely the toughest person I've ever met. No way I'd have made it home without her." Wolf smiled slightly before walking up next to everyone else. Lio looked at her.
"You're a survivor aren't you?" He asked. "And the youngest warrior I think I've ever seen." Wolf dipped her head a bit before glancing at him, then he made a sudden turn, stopping the group. He paused for a moment before turning back. "Um, before we go in, no one in our community has seen Mutes, or surface people before. So there may be a period of adjustment."
"Naturally." Said Atom. Lio pulled a walkie talkie from his back pocket, and turned it on.
"This is Ram's Horn." He said into it. "I've found Aries." Kipo smiled at the rest of the group, giving off a small laugh. "Requesting entry at the west access shaft."
"Lio, is that you?" Responded someone. "And, Ram's Horn and Aries? Did you just give yourself and your kid a code name?!"
"Yes I did." Stated Lio.
"Didn't I warn you the council won't authorize any surface trips until the burrow is secure?"
"Hey look man, I had to go up, for Kipo. You have to understand." The wall began shaking, then a door suddenly split open in front of the group. Benson and Kipo gasped, while Atom looked at it in curiosity.
"I wonder how they designed it." He said to himself. Lio opened the door, leading the group inside.
"Welcome to Site B." He said. Everyone looked around to see train cars stacked on top of each other, creating homes for everyone. People were working all over to get everything ready. "Our last burrow went 50 years without a breach." The group started walking. "Site B was kept top secret, even from me. It was only just opened yesterday."
"I always said sunlight was overrated." Said Dave, looking up. Some people around started to look at the group. "Hello burrow life!"
"It's just like the one I grew up in." Said Kipo, excited. "A big, comfy hole in the ground." She looked at Wolf, who glanced back at her. "What do you think Wolf?"
"There's so many people." Said Wolf, looking at each one they passed by.
"Kipo!" Called someone. Two girls ran forward out of the crowd.
"Look! You're here!"
"Asher! Dahlia!" Exclaimed Kipo. The three ran together, embracing in a big hug, all laughs. Wolf smiled at the site, then frowned.
"You're ok!" Said Dahlia. "Wait, are you okay Kipo?" She began feeling Kipo's arms and shoulders to make sure. "You look ok."
"You're alive!" Said Asher. "As in not dead, alive!"
"Can you believe we had to move burrows?" Asked Dahlia. "We were in a dark tunnel for a week!" Atom looked at Lio after he overheard that one. "It was cold, there were smells."
"Oh, you won't believe the things I've seen." Said Kipo.
"I want to hear all about them!" Said Dahlia. They looked past Kipo, and noticed Wolf. They ran up. "Is that what you wear on the surface? It is so cool!" Kipo took a few wary steps further. "It's like a snuggle blankie!"
"It is not a snuggle blankie!" Denied Wolf. "Never call it that!" She drew it in closer.
"If you want the actual term for it, it's called a wolf pelt." Interjected Atom. Dahlia and Wolf looked at him, before Asher drew their attention.
"Dahlia, look! It's a Mute! A real Mute!" She was looking at Mandu and Dave. Mandu slightly hid behind Kipo's legs. "It has four eyes and six legs! Whoa, can I touch them?!" Kipo turned to her.
"Uh, she doesn't like it when" Asher didn't listen and just bent down, reaching for Mandu, who squealed and ran behind Kipo. Asher then put her hands on Dave, stunning him for but a moment. She scratched at his chest in wonder.
Helpful hint." Said Dave. Asher took her hands off him. "If you have any cheese related snacks she'll be your best friend. And so will I." Asher stood up.
"Asher, he talked." Said Dahlia. "That man-bug just talked!"
"Hm, doesn't take much to impress mole people, does it?" Asked Dave. People were starting to surround Benson and Atom.
"Whoa, look!" Said one. "Surface humans!" Benson started backing up, separating himself from Atom and creating two distinct groups.
"What's it like up there?" Asked another. Benson continued to back up, but tripped as he did, falling backwards. His music player fell out of his backpack and started playing. He turned to it as someone picked it up. He got back up and looked at the guy who had grabbed it, and gasped. His heart started beating quickly as he looked at the guy.
"Wait, is that Oz the Originator?" Asked the guy. Benson shook his head a bit to snap himself out of it.
"How do you know about Oz the Originator?" He asked. "He's only, like, my favorite old world MC ever!"
"Our last burrow had a pretty decent music library. But I've only heard this song of his."
"Well, fortunately for you, I may have an album or two of his." The other guy smiled at him, and Benson felt himself falling into the same trance as he did before.
"Hey Benson!" Interrupted Dave. Benson yelped and jumped back from Dave, turning to him.
"You all right?" Asked the guy. Benson turned to him.
"Hi I'm Benson!" Atom was struggling with the group of people surrounding him.
"Did you wear that every day?" Asked one.
"What is that on your back?" Asked another. Atom started to try and push through them, but to no avail.
"Why do I get all of them?" He wondered. One guy reached for his sword, and Atom knocked his hand away. "Please don't touch my property without permission."
"But it's so cool!" Atom looked at Kipo and Wolf, trying to get some help.
"And then we met some snakes, and we almost died." Recounted Kipo to Asher and Dahlia. "And then we met some wolves, and we almost died! And then we went to Ratland and it was really fun!" She looked at Wolf, as did the other two, and her smile faded a little. Kipo realized that she had forgotten something really important. "Guys, this is Wolf. She's my best friend." Kipo ran behind her and gently scooted her forward. "I gave her a barrette, she saved my life." Kipo sighed at the memories. "It's crazy on the surface." Kipo and Wolf glanced at each other, and Wolf smiled. Someone suddenly put a hand on Stalkie, instigating an immediate response from Wolf.
"Hands off my property!" She yelled, swinging Stalkie around to get the hand off of it. The man who put his hand on Stalkie backed off. "This creeper just tried to take Stalkie from me!" Kipo looked at the man, then leaned back away from him.
"Yeah, I'm gonna need you to keep, whatever that is, out of public spaces. We do have rules here." Lio walked up quickly to break it up.
"Uh, Hoag, meet Wolf." He said. "She's one of the heroes who saved Kipo's life. And I'm sure she doesn't mind keeping the stabby end pointed up where it can't hurt anyone." Wolf dropped her stance, then lifted Stalkie up, keeping the pointy end above her head. Lio nodded at her.
"All he had to do was ask." Said Wolf, turning and walking away.
"She's charming." Said Hoag as he went the other way. Lio walked up to Kipo and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Dad, while I was out there," she reached into her pocket, taking out the guitar pick, "I found something of yours." She presented it to her dad, who laughed.
"My lucky guitar pick!" He said. He took it out of her hand and held it close. "This was a gift from your mother!"
"Now I'm gifting it back to you." Said Kipo, smiling and glancing away bashfully, before rubbing her arm.
"Wait, where did you get this?"
"It's a long story." Said Kipo. "But actually, I wanna talk to you about, something else." Atom finally pulled himself free of the crowd surrounding him, stumbling towards Kipo and Lio.
"These people are relentless!" He said. Kipo laughed.
"That they are." She agreed. The ceiling suddenly rumbled as something exploded overhead. Everyone looked up, and Kipo gasped. Almost all of the burrow people began screaming, and Lio brought Kipo in close. Wolf walked up to them, holding Stalkie at the ready.
"Humming Bombers." She said. "It's their explosive nectar." Atom pulled his sword and drew his shield as another explosion rocked the ceiling, and a massive chunk fell down right at the group. Atom instinctively brought his shield up to try and block it, despite the futility of doing so. Kipo screamed, and kinda blacked out for a moment.
Kipo heard some music playing somewhere nearby. She looked around the fog to see her dad on some kind of rope, playing his guitar. "Dad?" She asked, getting up.
"There's a valley of Mage Dogs over our heads," sang Lio, "and we're none the wiser like a wise one says." Kipo ran towards him. "Hiding in the rocks, below the dirt," Kipo stopped at the edge of a massive hole, "life among glow worms where nobody gets hurt." She looked back up again to see the others dancing along more of the ropes. "Always have a meal like cave moss lasagna, 'til late one night there's a boom and it's gone, yeah." Kipo looked around for where the ropes were anchored, and began running towards one end of them. "Shocked from our senses when the earth crashes in, something's going on underneath your skin." Kipo climbed up and looked across the ropes at everyone, seeing them dancing like there was nothing wrong.
"Guys, I feel something." Said Kipo.
"I feel it too!" Called Benson. "I feel the beat!"
"No, that's not what I mean!" Said Kipo.
"I can feel something too." Said Atom, as he continued to dance poorly. "But it's probably not what you're feeling." Kipo took a step onto the center rope.
"I feel" she started, before getting interrupted by Lio continuing his song.
"Oh, purple jaguar eye," he sang, pushing Kipo back to the start of the rope. She looked around, and practically saw DNA circling around her, "open up and be alive! See the world in vivid color, there's no turning back." Kipo looked at Lio again to see the DNA surrounding him now. She looked at Wolf to see her surrounded by images of drawn wolves and Stalkies. "You got all the love you need," a glance at Benson revealed him to be surrounded by cassette tapes, "to run sure footed," looking as Dave showed him surrounded by his cocoons and wings, "newly freed!" Finally, a look at Atom showed him surrounded by atoms and swords. Kipo suddenly turned around as she felt something looming over her, and saw a gargantuan Mandu, dancing as well. "Oh, purple jaguar eye, look at what's ahead," Kipo started to turn back toward her father, "For you and me." Kipo felt something change with her eyes, then shook her head, returning them to normal. She looked around, a bit scared, then noticed something happening above. "Playing a guitar," meteors began to fall all around, "with claws on your fingers, leveling up from scorpion stingers," Kipo backed up a bit as some fell a bit too close for comfort. One of the meteors crashed down next to a rope. "It feels so good, though inconvenient," an empty rope got snapped by a meteor, and Kipo reached out to everyone, scared for them, until she saw a giant meteor coming down, right above her father, "it never goes down the way that we meant." Kipo got back up and made a mad dash for her father, and got to him just as the meteor was about to hit. She held her hand up defensively as fur sprouted up her arm, then it extended further, covering her hand as well. Her arm swelled up several times larger than it usually was, and the entire area seemed to growl and snarl as she caught the meteor, the rope bending under her.
Kipo opened her eyes, panting from what she had just experienced. Everyone was looking at her as people all over screamed. "Whoa, what just happened?" She asked.
"Uh, you might want to look at your arm." Said Atom. Kipo did so, and gasped. She looked up to see that she was holding the giant slab of rock up by herself, having saved everybody from being crushed. "Uh, what is this?" She asked. Everyone quickly scampered out from under it.
"It's happening." Said Lio. "Sooner than I thought it would, but it is definitely happening!" Kipo strained a bit, and flipped the giant slab up and over behind her, before looking at her arm.
"Dad, you, you knew about this?! What am I? You have to tell me!"
"I will, I promise." Said Lio. "As soon as we get everyone to safety." Atom looked around.
"Uh, we might want to get a move on with that!" He called. "Look out!" Up above, flamingos began to converge all over the place, flying into the burrow. People began screaming loudly as they were chased. Atom got moving. "I'll help everyone I can! You guys need to get moving!" He felt a pressure in his legs again, then started running, using his shield to bash at flamingos left and right as they went after people. But as he did, one came right in front of him. Atom skid to a stop and looked up, seeing a guy with a wolf arm. He snarled at Atom.
"You!" Said the guy. "Come to take me back, have you?! No way! I am not going back to that lab!"
"What lab?" Asked Atom. The guy jumped off the flamingo right at Atom, who barely blocked the attack with his shield. The flamingo flew past them.
"Don't play dumb with me!" Mark continued to throw attack after attack at Atom, who just kept on the defensive. Mark drew his sword, then continued to strike, landing harder, if sloppier, blows now. He completely ignored everything else going on around him. Atom took a worried glance back and saw the flamingo fly dangerously close to the rest of the group. Wolf attempted to stab at it, but missed as it went over them. Atom returned his attention to the fight at hand, blocking blow after blow.
"Keep each other safe!" Said Lio, turning to Kipo. He then ran off. "Hey!"
"No!" Said Kipo, reaching out for him. Wolf grabbed her arm to stop her from chasing him.
"Over here!" Called Lio. He continued running as flamingos started to chase him.
"Dad!"
"Kipo no." Said Wolf. "Come on." She began pulling Kipo away, and Dave and Benson tried to follow them, but were blocked by another flamingo.
"Whoa!" Said Benson.
"Watch out!" Agreed Dave. The two booked it in another direction, hiding behind one of the train cars. The two panted from their fast run, and Benson looked to the side to see Asher, Dahlia, and the guy he met being backed into a corner by another flamingo. The guy was holding a pipe, then took a chance glance over to Benson and gasped.
"Dave, we have to help them!" Said Benson.
"Uh, Benson, if we go out there we'll probably die." Countered Dave. "Well I'll come back to life but you, you, you definitely won't. Y-you'll be dead. Like, deady dead dead. Dead." Benson turned to him and stood up.
"This is our purpose now!" He argued, reaching into his backpack. "This is our time! We don't run anymore, Dave." He pulled out his music player and a cassette, and jabbed it in. He pulled out his headphones and put them on before starting the music. Dave watched him go towards the other group as they got fully cornered. The guy swung his pipe at the flamingo, trying to make it think twice. "This, is, Benson!" Benson made a giant leap onto the flamingo torturing the other group, and landed on its beak. It looked at him, then began flailing about, slamming him into a train car repeatedly. Dave watched for a few moments, too stunned to do anything.
"Oh come on!" He said, straining. "I need the muscles, I need the muscles!" He tried to force his next molt, but wasn't having too much luck. "In my 200 stupid years alive," he started slamming his head against the train car, "can you just once come out when I need you?!" He slammed his head one more time, then suddenly molted backwards into his muscled form. "Finally!"
"Ok, that does hurt!" Yelled Benson. The flamingo flailed around again, flinging him off. Dave flew up quickly and grabbed him. "Dave, you"
"Don't." Interrupted Dave. "You'll jinx it!" He flew down again, transferring Benson to one arm, then flew into the hidey hole the other group was in. The two grabbed onto everyone, and the flamingo harassing them gave chase. Dave dove into an open train car and tossed everyone down. He turned to the door and closed it on the flamingo's beak. He kept slamming it over and over, until it eventually retreated enough for him to close it fully. It screeched, and flew off for easier targets.
"Dave, you are officially my hero!" Said Benson. Dave suddenly fell backwards, and Old Dave popped out.
"Told ya." He scolded. "I told ya you'd jinx it!"
Kipo and Wolf looked out from their hiding place to see all the carnage. They ducked back down as a flamingo went past them."Wolf, we can't stay here." Kipo looked down at her arm. "I have a weapon. I have to use it."
"You mean go out there and fight?" Asked Wolf. She glanced out again to see Atom blocking all of Mark's blows, but was being pushed back quickly.
"If it helps my people, yes." Replied Kipo. Wolf looked at her, then smiled.
"You don't have to ask me twice!" Kipo smiled back, and the two walked out of their hiding spot. Mandu jumped over the rock, landing hard on the other side as Wolf spun Stalkie rapidly. Kipo punched her giant, furred hand with her other hand, ready to duke it out. Atom glanced over to them, his focus faltering for just a moment.
"Look out!" He called. Mark took the opportunity to make another big slice at Atom, knocking his shielding arm to the side and putting him off balance.
"Just like the rest of you." Said Mark. "Never fought before, never had to fight tooth and nail for something." He glanced at his arm. "Or, in this case, tooth and claw. I felt so alone for all those years, with all the tests, and the betrayals of trust." His arm started vibrating. "But now, now I can fight back! I won't be betrayed again!" His arm suddenly swelled out, just like Kipo's, his hand growing silver wolf fur as he reared it back. Atom prepared his shield nervously as Mark threw a punch. Atom was flung backwards, and rolled back to his feet, panting.
"He's got a lot of power backing him." He said. He took a deep breath, and focused. "I can't beat him normally. But if I can't, he will end up hurting the others!" Atom glanced over at Wolf and Kipo to see the two fighting back against some flamingos. Kipo was swinging her giant hand at them, trying to scare them off, then accidentally slammed it into one, knocking it away.
"Wolf, did you see that?" She asked. "I scared him! It's working!"
"Lesson 68 of the surface! Never talk during a fight!" A flamingo went after and she jumped back, trying to dodge it.
"Are we really up to 68, or do you just pick random numbers?" Asked Kipo. Atom looked back at Mark, who was walking closer.
"I will not allow you to take them!" He declared. He drew his sword, then ran in, sending his own attacks at Mark, who now found himself on the defensive. With his giant hand, he found it difficult to wield his sword the way he had practiced, and was quickly losing ground. As Atom fought back against Mark, Wolf was running on the sides of the train cars, before she slammed into one of the flamingo riders. She jumped off of him and slammed into another one. The flamingos began to back away from her as she continued to spin and swing Stalkie. A little ways away, Kipo was still flinging her arm around wildly, trying to scare the flamingos away. She fell backwards as she pushed herself off balance, landing on a train car that was tilted to the side. A flamingo squaked at her, and she tried to swing at it, only to keep slipping and sliding down it as she failed to regain her balance. She continued falling back, until she pressed up against something. Her arm landed on a section of the car that was loose, and she pried it up. She began using it as a makeshift shield against the flamingo. Another flamingo landed nearby, and the first grabbed the panel from her. She soon found herself surrounded. Atom looked over to her. "No!" He yelled. He turned back to Mark, then felt something well up in him. Scales grew on his sword arm, and he gave a few more mighty swings, knocking Mark back. Atom started running towards Kipo as one of the flamingos started to reach out for her. Mandu chomped down on its leg, and it squawked in pain, trying to shake her off. It pecked at her a bit, eventually flinging her off and quite a ways away. Wolf suddenly leapt up out of nowhere and caught her, they landed safely, and Kipo clenched her giant hand. She yelled, then focused, swinging her arm a lot more precisely. She knocked two flamingos away, then reared back for the other one. She kicked its head, then swung upwards, sending it into the sky. Another one landed behind her and pecked at her, but Atom jumped up behind her, holding his shield forward protectively. "Leave her alone!" He bashed his shield into the flamingo, sending it away. He glanced at Kipo. "You done being reckless yet?"
"I don't see you doing anything different!" She retorted, before charging towards some more flamingos.
"True enough." Agreed Atom. He took a step forward, but was blocked by Mark, who stared him down.
"You're not getting off the hook that easily!" He took a mighty swing again. "You will not kidnap me again!"
"Kidnap you?" Asked Atom, blocking the blow. His shield was knocked to the side as he struggled to keep up with Mark's raw strength. "You think I'm here to kidnap you?! What do you think all these flamingos are doing?!"
"Scarlemagne assured me that every human would come along willingly, or pay the price." Said Mark. "They're here to bring them more easily."
"Look around you fool!" Said Atom. "I don't see any negotiations going on! All I see is people being taken from their home." Mark scoffed.
"Like I'd fall for such an obvious trick!" The two were interrupted by piano music. Everyone left turned to see another flamingo coming down, adorned with an old car. Kipo looked at where it was landing, and noticed her dad.
"Dad?" She asked. Wolf crashed into her, covering her mouth and getting her to a hiding spot. The flamingo continued to fly down as the person playing the piano was revealed to be Scarlemagne. Lio glared at him. Kipo wiggled out of Wolf's grip and jumped down, ready to continue fighting, but Wolf jumped in front of her as the song concluded. "What are you doing?!"
"No, we cannot go out there!" Said Wolf. "That's Scarlemagne." Kipo looked at the scene again. On the other side, Atom and Mark watched as well, the former in horror, the other in amusement, until he looked around and saw nobody else.
"Now isn't this a surprise?" Asked Scarlemagne, looking at Lio. Mark's attention was brought back to the scene. "My old pal Lio. How are you? I do so miss your visits."
"Hugo," said Lio, "it's been a long time."
"Oh, I go by Scarlemagne now." He adjusted his bow tie. "Has a nice ring to it, don't you think? So never mention that other name again, or I'll have you stuffed!"
"You're dad knows Scarlemagne?!" Whispered Wolf.
"What do you want from us?" Asked Lio.
"I guess?" Replied Kipo.
"I'd like you all to join my army, of course." Said Scarlemagne.
"I told you so." Said Mark, glaring at Atom. "Such an obvious trick."
"But now that we're happily reunited, I wonder," continued Scarlemagne, "where's that bundle of joy of yours? You do have a daughter if I remember. She must be grown up by now."
"You'll never find her!" Retorted Lio.
"Ooh, making it a game? Fine, more fun that way." Scarlemagne snapped his fingers. "To the palace!" He started laughing as his flamingo took off. A flamingo grabbed onto Lio and took off as well. Mark gasped.
"No!" Said Lio, looking at the flamingo.
"No." Said Mark, his pupils shrinking at the scene. "He said they would come willingly!" He growled, then charged forward. "Scarlemagne!" He howled. Scarlemange looked down at him, the flamingos stopping.
"Ah, Mark. Thank you so much for your help. I'm sorry I had to lie to you like that, but I couldn't have my strongest asset turning against me now, could I?" Mark growled again.
"You lied to me about what you were going to do to the people. You said they would either come willingly, or pay the price! You never said anything about kidnapping!"
"Kidnapping?" Asked Wolf. "What's he talking about?" She noticed another flamingo landing down nearby, behind Atom. It suddenly grabbed him, and he dropped his sword from the unexpected attack.
"Whoa!" He called as he was lifted up. He began struggling in its grip, his shield slipping out of his grasp. "No!" Mark turned to look at him, and Scarlemagne laughed.
"But now I have someone new that I can use my pheromones on." The flamingo brought Atom closer to Scarlemagne. "And it looks like he has the same power you do. Ta ta!" The flamingos began rising again.
"You won't get away with this!" Said Atom. Leo pulled himself out of Atom's pocket, and flew in front of Scarlemagne.
"What's this?" He asked.
"You won't take him with you!" Declared Leo. He raced at Scarlemagne's head, who just swatted at him, knocking him away. He fell down quickly, struggling to right himself. Kipo growled, then jumped out of her hiding spot.
"No Kipo!" Yelled Wolf. She raced towards the flamingos as they left, bouncing along the train cars. She jumped at the one that was taking her dad, only to be caught by another one. She struggled against it as another attempted to grab onto her, missing as she swung herself. The rider then slung the harness down at her, wrapping it around her and trapping her. Several more flamingos surrounded her, keeping her close as they flew off. Wolf ran up under them. "Kipo!" She yelled, looking up. All she could do was watch the scene play out before her as Kipo was taken away. Mark curled up into a ball where he stood.
"What have I done?" He asked himself. "What have I done?!" Wolf fell to her knees as Kipo got too far away to see clearly. Mandu ran up to her, and nuzzled against her. Some tears dropped down onto the ground as Benson and Dave ran up to her. Benson kneeled down and put a hand on her back.
"Wolf?" He asked. She opened her eyes, looking more determined than ever. She gripped Stalkie hard, then stood up.
"We're gonna find her, no matter what." Mandu nuzzled against her, until she heard some of the flamingos screeching and squawking. Everyone suddenly heard Kipo yelling as one of the flamingos was knocked away, followed by another one. The group watched nervously as she continued to fight, eventually knocking all but one away, which she swung up onto. She steered it down, and it landed in front of the group. Mark looked up at her, tears streaming down his eyes.
"We're going after them." Said Kipo. A burst of wind flew from the flamingo as Wolf wiped her eyes, smiling up at her. Kipo looked down at them, more determined than ever before on what she was doing.
Atom was taken, leaving Mark in his place. This will be a first for me. For once, in the story Atom takes part in, he won't be referenced in every chapter. In fact, with Mark taking over there, it's time for a full dynamic change. Be prepared for a few surprises down the read.