A/N: This is my second Jumanji story set at the beginning of the second movie and primarily gen and friendship.
Warnings: There is the occasional swear word. Also this story is unbeta'd so future apologies for any grammatical mistakes.
Disclaimer: I do not own Jumanji and make no money from writing this.
Some days Alex still had trouble accepting the fact that he was here and not still in the game. In those times it messed with his head a little and he felt older beyond his years like someone who had lived two lifetimes. (He also may have developed a lingering fear/hatred of mosquitoes to where he either carried or had emergency sprays stashed in his car. He let his wife think it was due to the disease carrying ones.)
The other times he was just grateful to be out and that he was blessed with such a wonderful family. He couldn't imagine life without them smiling as he watched Andy chew on his toy keys from his quilted band logos blanket on the floor and Bethany having a tea party with her dolls.
When the doorbell suddenly rang, his daughter sprang up to answer it. "I'll get it!" She always loved seeing who was visiting and if it was her grandparent stopping by because that usually meant a treat of some sort. He stood up to follow her listening to the conversation taking place.
"-My name's Bethany too." Bethany was here?
"Really?" His daughter questioned beaming. "Daddy, her name's Bethany too."
He graced her with a gentle smile putting a hand on her shoulder. Teen Bethany however did not return the smile appearing a tad unsettled. "Sure is sweetie." It wasn't odd for one of the kids to visit him, especially this one, but usually they were pre planned or on the weekend.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?"
The tone this question was asked in let him know pretty quickly that whatever she needed to talk to him about was pretty serious, so he opened the door wider as he stuttered.
"Sure yeah come in."
He whispered to his daughter to let mom know she needed to keep an eye on her and Alex, while he talked to an old friend. He then led her to his office, where she quickly explained how Spencer had gone back to retrieve the game, likely trying to fix it, but since it was pretty busted was pulled in before he could. And when she, Martha, and Fridge found out, Martha merely touched it and then they were pulled in along with Spencer's grandfather and a Mr Walker leaving her behind.
"I'm sorry I just, I just didn't know where else to go." She said apologetically to the floor fingers crossed almost as if praying
"No no no no it's okay." He waved her off. "I'm glad you came." And he was as this wasn't something any kid should be handling alone.
Bethany looked up at him pleadingly. "Do you think you could help me get the machine to start?"
His first gut reaction wanted to answer 'No.' His nightmares were he was back there on his third life before game over and never making it home. If he never saw that game for the rest of his life he'd be happy. But...he owed everything to these kids and to Bethany and it was the type of request he knew he wouldn't be able to turn down. He still didn't like it though and therefore let out a sigh.
"That's so dangerous."
"I know." She admitted. "But...I have to try. They're my team."
Alex sometimes wondered how his life would be different, if he had friends or siblings that were loyal and dedicated to each other growing up. While impossible to know he also wondered if the other three knew how much Bethany would risk for them.
"Alright then we better not waste any time."
Giving goodbye's to everyone and trying not to think that in the worst case scenario this would be the last time that he would ever see them. Alex also pulled his wife aside and explained that the kids were in trouble, and they needed his help. She didn't know everything about the game, but she knew he went through something traumatic. She was also very taken with the kids upon first meeting them and was always offering to invite them over. Hurrying as fast as he could Alex grabbed his tool kit, jumped into his own car and followed Bethany from his house to Spencer's.
"Do you think you can fix it?" She asked as she led him down the stairs, and Alex honestly didn't know.
"I'm not sure. I have some basic computer parts knowledge, and a friend of mine used to take them apart and rebuild them for fun. Though this isn't exactly your average computer."
"Sounds like something Spencer would do." She commented dryly before falling to silence once more.
"Do you know?" He asked, speaking the question on his mind. "Why would he do this? Jumping back into the game?"
She snorted without humor. "We have no idea. We were talking about it before Martha suggested that we needed to go get him, because otherwise he'd never get out on his own and then poof." Miming an explosion with her hands. "Suddenly everyone's gone but me."
"We'll get them back." He reassured, unrolling his smaller tool satchel. "Soon as I can work this out." Peering closely at it and wow this was SEVERELY busted. No need for a Philips screwdriver to pry it open as it was already cracked out for all the world to see. How was it even able to operate at? Whatever magic it took to run in the first place was completely unaffected. Man this was a mess of wires, traces, and circuit boards. He should have brought a soldering gun.
Studying it a bit further he identified the controller port and the power unit about to unscrew and remove those first so he could better get to the main circuit board to clean and begin repair work on it, when a green spark shot off.
"Whoa..." He said immediately leaning back from the device, as Bethany moved closer.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing yet I haven't even touched it."
Almost as if knowing that it was about to be further tampered with, the game shot off more green sparks before a green light filled the room.
The screen flicked to life announcing 'Welcome to Jumanji' even as the static reception affected it. Then slowly his hands began to dematerialize. He could tell the same was happening to Bethany, when he heard.
"It's working! I'm finally going in this time."
He didn't remember this part, and therefore it was a weird experience. The next thing Alex knew he was landing on his feet after falling out of the sky and landing in a familiar jungle.
"Well...I can't say it's good to be back." Glancing down at his outfit he was surprised to find his old pilot's attire meaning he somehow landed his old avatar Jefferson Seaplane McDonough. At least that was something. He finally noticed he was alone.
"Bethany! BETHANY! Where are you?!" He called out in a panic. She had to be here unless the transfer didn't take place. Looking every which way he jolted when a black horse was cantering toward him making a lot of noise.
"Whoa easy boy." Holding up his hands and backing away to show he wasn't a threat. "I'm not going to hurt you. Just trying to find my friend." He cupped his hands together despite knowing it wasn't the smartest move drawing attention to himself. "Bethany!"
The horse pawed a foot at that and he stopped.
"Can you...understand me?"
He actually got a nod. This game was never short on surprises.
"Do you know where Bethany is?"
Another horse nod and a few neighs.
"Okay...um can you take me to her?"
The horse in a friendly manner butted against him.
"I'm not sure how to interpret that if that's a yes or no."
In the most un horse-like behavior he'd ever seen the black horse snorted before lowering to lay on the ground. It wasn't until then that it clicked. He can't believe he forgot about Cyclone. This wasn't a Jumanji horse or else it'd be trying to kill him and it wasn't an NPC since it wasn't seeming to fill a specific role which only left one option.
"I'm sorry Bethany I completely forgot this was a character. He's called Cyclone, though I have no idea why they would create an animal avatar." 'Chalk that up to another thing that doesn't make sense here.'
The horse neighed loudly as if in objection before rising to her feet. She stomped her hoof once before giving a horse equivalent sigh and hanging her head. Alex couldn't help a smile, as he brushed through her mane and petted her head glad he found her.
"I know, not the greatest avatar out there especially when you can't communicate with me but we'll figure it out." Listening to the jungle sounds and the hissing above him Alex indicated with his head. "Come on we should probably get out of here and hope we run either into your friends or Nigel and get some info."
They came across Nigel first.
Alex took as much info in as he could keeping an eye on Bethany galloping and keeping pace next to the jeep. Jurgen the Brutal has returned with an army coming from their Zhatmire fortress and making their way to the Avian province home of the sacred falcon jewel. Jurgen had stolen the jewel and sealed it in darkness away from the sun. They needed to recover the jewel and show it to the sun before calling out the name. Nigel remarked that they were making their way north across the desert now. Leaving a final instruction to find an oasis and follow the flame to the dessert fruit.
Jumping out of the jeep Alex turned to Bethany standing next to him to share his game plan. "Okay, so the Avian province I know where that is. We can hit there first and look around. If we don't make contact, there's a town nearby that we can head to, do some bartering, and get some supplies. Also pick up some winter clothes for your friends. Trust me if we're going to Zhatmire we'll need it because that place is a literal ice fortress. Only been there twice but it tended to make an impression."
Living here for 20 years was finally coming in handy with how much he explored it trying to get a better idea of where he was. "And with any luck we'll run across your friends along the way. It won't do us much good to try to work out the clue, because we don't have the map. However we at least have those two locations from Nigel. Does that sound good?"
Bethany neighed before pawing at the ground. Alex then rubbed his head making a tiny wincing expression. "There's just one problem...I may need a lift from you. If you don't mind."
She snorted but lowered to the ground so he didn't have to jump or struggle to get on. His avatar was shorter than he was in real life.
"Thanks Bethany." Which earned him a whinny.
'Alright' he thought. 'How to do this?' He'd never ridden a horse before, highly doubted it was one of his strengths, and there was no saddle or reins. Carefully swinging one leg over he lightly gripped the mane which tightened as she stood up with him. "Whoa!"
Bethany let out several neighs.
"I'm sorry I wish I knew what you were saying. But it's just very high up, and I need to apologize in advance for any tugging on your mane. But there's no other way for me to stay on, so I'm sorry if this hurts you."
She actually shook her head at that before starting out a slow trot.
"Okay, okay. We'll need to head north so that's going to be to your left. Just stay that direction and I'll tell you when we're getting close and where to go." 'Huh this isn't so bad. I can handle this.' That is until Bethany started picking up the pace. "Whoa whoa! Okay less fine less fine! Ah!" He yelled out trying to hang on for dear life as she changed her pace to a breakneck gallop. By the time they made it to the Avian providence Alex's nerves were strung out, and he actually fell off of Bethany once she stopped.
Making a distressed sound she nudged at Alex even as he patted her head muttering that he was okay just needed a minute. The province was poor made of the Avian tribes. It was small so it didn't take long for them to look to realize none of the gang was here. It would be in their best interests to head to the next town, stock up on supplies, and then make their way to Zhatmire and wait for the others to arrive.
The way currency worked in the game was haggling, as he eventually learned. For example people would take pins off of his jacket in trade for a rope or gloves. He could get away with a lot for some reason the people here loved what his avatar carried on his person. He once traded an old photo for margarita mix.
Unfortunately Bethany had to wait outside which he assumed she wasn't a fan of by her stomping, but it was unavoidable at this point as he gathered the necessary items they needed. Winter clothes for the others and him along with equipment that would better help him not fall off when he traveled with Bethany. Unfortunately he was out of luck that he couldn't find the latter. Damn if he was in the Eluhlaza village they for sure would have had extras as they provided them for the camels that lived there.
"Got the stuff so we should be ready to rock and roll!" He called out as he lifted his bags still mourning he would have to continue to ride saddle-less and trying to remind himself that Bethany had it much worse then he did. Already lowering down so he could climb on Alex smiled gratefully patting her neck.
"We need to continue to head north from here straight for those mountains." Pointing that direction. "And once we get there we wait. Shouldn't be long now. Are you ready?"
Bethany neighed loudly, taking off at an even keel before slowly picking up the pace. He had to grip her mane harder trying to hang on and stay upright with the additional weight. Well at least he had a few hours to practice and get this right.
When they finally reached the forest border, where the rope bridges were located Alex could hear the sounds of familiar people in trouble. It appeared Bethany did as well, as she took off in a fierce gallop before circling the group huddled together trying to bowl over any attacking monkeys and kicking any encroaching ones out of the way. In a final gesture to ward them off that Alex was only barely prepared for she rose up on her hind legs before stomping down her two front ones angrily neighing at the ground.
The monkeys scattered off, and Bethany slowly turned so Alex could get a better look at the others. He grinned in relief realizing that everyone was here. "Hey guys."
He whispered to Bethany to let him dismount on his own without help so the others could assume he was naturally this good. She snorted with a small whinny but didn't move. He inwardly fist pumped, when he nailed it.
"Who the hell is this?" Dr Bravestone's avatar asked him. It definitely wasn't Spencer, because he would have known so that left his grandfather or Mr Walker.
"Alex!" Martha called out just as relieved. "What are you doing here?"
"Well Bethany thought you might need some help."
"Where is Bethany?"
Alex indicated with his hand to the horse. "She's right here."
Martha's face slipped to surprise. "You mean..."
Then Bethany let out a series of neighs, whinnies, and general horse noises. Fridge translated. "Oh my God right? Like I'm a total horse. I can't believe that we found you guys. Hhaaa..."
"Yep, that's Bethany." Dr Oberon's avatar stated? He needed to find out who was who, even as he patted Bethany's mane in good spirits.
"Hheeyyy." Martha said, raising a hand.
"Oh!" Sliding off the backpack. "We brought you some clothes. You must be freezing." Tossing it over to Martha to catch.
Deciding it was best to regroup Alex led them over to a spot next to Ebomvu River. Martha filled him in on who was who before leaving to check out her clothes. He distracted himself talking to Bethany a bit, as the others also layered up before wandering over to where Spencer was wrapping Fridge's ankle.
"So uh this horse," Spencer started off shooting a quick look at him then Bethany before going back to his work. "Is a character in the game?"
"Yep," He confirmed. "Cyclone is his name." before shrugging.
Spencer tied off his bandaged knot on Fridge's foot before asking. "How does that feel?"
Fridge winced, moving his foot closer. "I don't know. I sprained it pretty good."
"Where did you get these clothes anyways?" Martha asked, finally making a reappearance.
"When I realized how far up north we were heading. We stopped to go shopping." He finished with a smile.
"You can shop here?" Spencer questioned, looking puzzled. "How did you know how to do that?"
"I was here for twenty years kiddo." He lightly reminded.
"Least I got rid of that stupid hat. Now I got this stupid hat..."
Spencer eventually rounded up everyone to create a plan which for him seemed pretty straightforward, but Fridge had several objections. Some of which he couldn't really disagree with. Fridge was still making his points even as he sat down, fell back, and dropped off of the mountain. Worried for a second he might have lost a life Alex felt himself relax, as he heard Fridge call back.
"YO! YOU GUYS GOT TO SEE THIS!"
Apparently something new he had not yet come across was magical electric water that let people switch bodies. 'How fly was this?' Alex thought even as he watched in amazement as Bethany, Fridge, Spencer, his grandfather, and Mr Walker all leaped off of the edge of the waterfall to emerge soaking wet in completely new avatars. Bethany couldn't be more thrilled as she hugged her new form.
Knowing it would be best for everyone to get warm as soon as possible Alex led them to a nearby cave gathering some wood before using a zippo lighter from his pocket to start some flames. He was enjoying watching all of them catch up and bantering. Not to mention Bethany genuinely excited to see everyone including Spencer who they were initially here due to. It wasn't until Bethany and Fridge were discussing Fridge's now Bethany's hurt ankle that Alex noticed Mr Gilpin hadn't returned yet, so he left to check up on him.
Outside he quickly dropped low to the ground taking precaution not to be heard or seen by the guards now taking both of the elderly gentlemen in their party. Eddie loudly protested and resisted all the while Milo neighed in distress. Alex ran back inside the cave to let the others know.
So far in the game Alex had been lucky he had all of his lives but it appeared that the four kids had all equally lost two of theirs and were feeling afraid and doubtful. He knew exactly what that was like living with those for over a decade. That's why he needed to motivate them now not wanting them to let the fear cripple them as he had.
"Hey we can do it." He tried to encourage while still being honest since he did believe in them. "This team? Can do anything. Nobody knows that better than me."
Bethany tried a group cheer, but none of the others were feeling it. Though Alex gave her points for trying.
Breaking off into two parties was smart and Alex thought his plan would have worked. He would infiltrate and sneak in keeping Bethany and Fridge safe and out of sight. If he managed to find Milo then he'd work out a way alone to get them both out of there. However he had not planned on Bethany's stubbornness and loyalty, as she decided right away to follow him causing her and Fridge to be stopped by the front guard checking people in. They had to assume the brothers Kababik identity or else be killed or imprisoned.
If he could have, he would have face palmed but had to settle for a helpless 'what are you doing and what did I say?' look. Making an irritated noise Alex watched as miraculously the front guard seemed to accept the two's explanation and allowed them in forcing him to move forward to his role in the plan letting Mr Walker out.
Finding where they were keeping him was easier than he thought and once he came through the doors and saw him at the end of the long cobblestone walkway Alex couldn't help a grin. "Hey Mr Walker." To which Milo let out a neigh in response. "Why the long face." That got him silence. Ah point taken. "Dad joke. Sorry. Can't help it." This would be easy. All he had to do was go over, get him, and unlock the cage he was in. Easy. "Let's get you out of here."
Alex took one step and felt the cobble stone sink slightly before a dart hit him right in the neck. No sooner had he brought a hand up to it before he felt himself disappear and reappear hurtling from the sky to touch down to the ground. 'Damn it. Alright, less easier then he initially planned' moving back inside to better study his surroundings. That had already cost him one life just by assuming. There were dozens of stone snakes that hung from the walls no doubt where the darts had come from.
"Okay it's just an obstacle course." He theorized as he crouched down low. "You were good at those." All he needed to do is find the pattern, apply it, and make his way across. Still doable. He hesitantly picked a different stone and made his first step. When nothing happened Alex repeated again with a similar colored and shaped stone keeping at it when nothing came at him. The next step however caused a dart to fly out at him that he just barely dodged. Maybe that was the pattern.
"I think I got it now." He announced loudly to Milo as he leaped to his next stone. "Just stay on..the raised ones."
That however caused a dart to sink into his arm he didn't dodge in time and once again he was vanishing and reappearing dropping down to the cold chilling familiar ping sound. He quickly unzipped the wrist part of his jacket sleeve in distress, as he stared at the one sole line left. Closing his eyes and letting out a heavy sigh.
This was the part of the game from before where he gave up trying to escape quitting cold turkey, until the others came. Alex realized back then that he never would have made it out on his own and could at least admit to himself right now that he was terrified. But...he wasn't alone anymore. He had people. Kids and adults alike that were counting on him and in the same boat as him with just as few of lives left not letting that stop them. So dusting off any lingering snow Alex made his way back inside a third time.
Using all of the previous steps and knowledge he gained in the two misfires he managed to make his way to one of the stone pillars springboard off of that and jump to the cage all without setting off another dart. Alex shot an excited look to Mr Walker who answered in a whinny.
"Not bad huh?" Sliding through the bars to drop down next to the black horse before glancing around every which way. "Now we just gotta find a way to get you out of here." Turning back to the door Alex pushed it open pleasantly surprised to find it solved the problem as it opened and sliding wooden floors slid out to cover the poison dart trigger stones. He made a pleased face before turning back to pat the horse on the shoulder. "Shall we?"
A strengths and weakness board popped up Alex couldn't help but marvel at. "Now that's cool."
Alex wandered with Mr Walker a bit before catching sight of the others who explained to him where Spencer was and what had happened. A sliver of fear wormed in for both Spencer and the rest of them as this was their last shot to get out of here alive. He heard Fridge translate to everyone that Milo wanted Eddie to get on his back. Watching the blimp in trepidation they all cried out in panic when two figures fell out of it before that cry turned to relief as Spencer caught a hanging rope. Then everyone's attention shifted to Milo about to run off of the ledge.
"Oh my God!" Bethany yelled, while Fridge asked quietly in wonderment. "What's he doing?"
"Wait," He said knowing first hand exactly what Cyclone could do now. And smirking when it happened. "GO!"
And for the second time he and this group of incredible teens called out Jumanji's name to complete their last task to bring them home. As a result when Nigel returned with a dogsled team it was met with overwhelming alleviation and a touch of excitement especially by Fridge.
Though the mood dropped and shifted to serious as Milo made his intentions to stay clear to everyone. Alex didn't know him well but believed Mr Walker must have had his reasons to make such a decision. Maybe this wouldn't be a prison for him but a type of salvation. He watched two old friends say goodbye to each other for the last time, before Milo took the chance to, as he said, spread his wings and fly.
"Hey guys?" Spencer spoke out to the rest of the group. "Thank you. For coming to get me."
Fridge gave it about 3 seconds. "You do it again. Your ass is going to be stuck here Spencer! Because I'm not coming back!" Causing a chuckle to ripple across the group.
Taking turns shaking hands with Nigel Alex found himself back in Spencer's basement thankfully in his own body and the kids in theirs. He shared a lighthearted grin with Bethany, no further words to be said, as Spencer checked on his grandpa who was in stunned disbelief.
After saying goodbyes to the kids Alex drove back home to see the rest of his family. His kids and wife were asleep or at least he thought that until she rolled over and stared sleepily at him asking if everything was okay with Bethany and the others.
"Yeah." He assured softly with a smile. "Nothing we couldn't handle."
Alex moved closer to envelope her just taking in for the moment the fact that all of his important people right now we're safe and at least tonight he could sleep soundly without nightmares.