Jaune and Courage the Cowardly Dog
Chap 45: Courage under the Volcano
"This is so exciting." Saphron said as she and Adrian looked out the window of the plane, we were in.
"Are you sure this is safe?" Tera asked worried. Her worry was warranted though as the plane looked like an arts and craft project as the exterior was made entirely out of banana leaves.
"Thank you for bringing us along Muriel." Saphron said excitedly with Adrian having a wide-eyed look at the island below.
"Of course, dear. This is a family vacation and we wanted to bring everyone along." Muriel told her before looking out the window. "Oh, look. This is going to be a gorgeous holiday."
"Yeah. Cause it's free." Eustace grumbled from the back of the plane. He was angry because he could not bring his chair along.
We were on a way to a holiday trip we were offered a few days ago. It was rather out of nowhere the offer but looked true. The next day, Muriel had contacted Saphron and terra and asked them if they wanted to come with us which they answered that they would love to come. After a long day of packing, we were on our way to our destination. Which was a nice tropical island with a dormant volcano. And just the view itself promised a fun time.
"AAHHHHH!" We all screamed when we felt the plane did a sharp dive to the island. Soon the plane landed but the landing gear quickly broke which made us slide across the ground with the plane breaking apart with each passing second. After a few more seconds, there was nothing left except us and the luggage which miraculously survived.
"Any landing you can walk away from. Right Courage." I said getting up as I remembered when we crashed a plane when Muriel got turned into a baby.
'Right. Better than our landings at least.' He said after shaking himself off.
"So, this is hip-hip island." Muriel said as she began to look around.
"I hate islands." Eustace complained.
"Well, we love islands. Don't we Jaune and Courage?" Muriel asked. We nodded as we began to collect our luggage.
"Hey look. That must be one of the tour guides." Terra said pointing to two large blue people walking towards us.
'Huh?' Courage asked confused.
"Welcome to Hip-Hip Island. I am Chief Wiki-Wiki." The chief introduced and welcomed us.
"Oh, my. The chief himself." Muriel asked amazed.
"Does the buffet got chop meat?" Eustace asked impatiently.
"Who is this lady?" Saphron asked pointing to the lady next to the chief.
"Ah. This is my daughter. Wiki-Wiki-Woo." The Chief answered.
"So pleased to meet you. Your majesty." Muriel said smiling at her. Instead of answering, the Chief's daughter giggled and placed a flower necklace on all of us. Though, we did get a laugh when we saw the flowers fall to Courage's waist.
"Looks like someone has a crush." Saphron whispered when we saw the daughter kiss Eustace on the cheek before blushing and moving away.
"Eustace. You're a natural native." Muriel told him before turning to the chief and daughter. "Thank you for inviting us to your island. Why'd you pick us?"
"Look in phone book. You live in middle of Nowhere. Figure no one miss when you gone. Ahem- I mean on vacation." The chief answered but quickly corrected himself. At this, Courage and I looked at each other.
"Knew it." We both said as the same time. As soon as we received the invitation, we knew it was too good to be true and that there has to be a catch.
"What did you mean by gone?" Terra asked glaring at the chief who began to sweat under her stare at being caught. Unfortunately, Muriel gave him a way out.
"But how do you make money if you give away free vacations?" Muriel asked curious.
"SHUT UP! Where's the grub?" Eustace demanded.
"Hold Adrian dear." Saphron said to Terra who took him. Smiling, she turned to Eustace before knocking him out with a single punch in anger. "Not in front of my child!"
'If there is something you have to give Eustace, is his stubbornness to change. Even after everything that happened to him and all the beatings everyone gave him.' Courage said scratching his head.
"You have hot time. That payment enough for us." The Chief answered Muriel. He then clapped a few times.
"Dress ladies for hot time." The Chief ordered. Then another man and monkey came carrying some coconuts and other things.
"Oh, my." Saphron, Muriel and Terra said when the monkey and guy started to go around them.
"I got you Adrian." I said as I grabbed Adrian from Terra just in time as some smoke started to from around them.
'Huh?' Courage asked confused when we saw the occasional pop out of the monkey and guy with seeing brief glancing's of what they are doing. After a few moments, the smoke cleared and revealed Muriel, Terra and Saphron in wearing coconut bra's, make up, flowers on their heads and skirts made out of leaves. They were also seated on seats that were used to carry kings and queens.
"Heh, heh, heh. Yes. Ladies look ready to dive into bubbling good time." The Chief answered laughing.
"Oh, my." Muriel said blushing.
"Wow. You should definitely wear that outfit more often Terra." Saphron said flirtatiously.
"Saphron." Terra shouted embarrassed. "But do look hot as well."
"Now to bubbling good time." The chief said clapping his hands. The monkey and man grabbed the bars on the sides of the chairs and lifted the ladies before following the chief to the volcano.
"What? What's happening?" Eustace asked waking up. Only to get more confused when the chiefs daughter grabbed him by the hand and dragged him to where the others are going.
'Huh?' Courage asked confused. He was about to leave when I stopped him.
"Courage. I'm going to need some help." I told him.
'With what?' He asked.
"With the luggage. I can only carry two as I have to also carry this little rascal here." I told him while bouncing a bit to cause Adrian to laugh a bit.
'Fine. let's just hurry before we lose them.' He said as he grabbed four luggage's while I grabbed the other two.
Making our way to the others, we quickly rejoined them. Only to fall behind when we reached the volcano. Mainly because of the steep incline. And the fact that Adrian fell asleep in my arms and I didn't want to wake him. Looking up, we nearly fell on our backs when we realized we are only a quarter of the way there. Groaning, we continued forward.
"And then mongoose said to python..." The chief told Muriel before making sounds of an animal and then laughing. Muriel laughed as well but then grew confused.
"I don't get it." Muriel said totally lost.
'Do you jaune?' Courage asked.
"Nope." I answered softly as to not wake up Adiran. Looking back ahead to check on how my sister and her wife were doing. Only to smile, shake my head and thank Oum Adrian was asleep when I saw that they were making out passionately.
'Hey. Look at Eustace.' Courage said pointing over to him. Looking over to him, we saw that he was walking next to the chief's daughter who was smiling at him.
"And then I lifted my truck with one hand and saved the cute little bunny." He lied to her. Clearly trying to impress her with his usual nonsense. The chief's daughter seemed to believe this and grabbed his arm and nearly crushed it. "OW! What are you trying to do? Bust me arm?"
"Finally." I said when we reached the top of the volcano. Dropping the luggage, Courage and I sat down to catch our breaths. It may not seem like much, but the luggage was heavier than it seems.
"It is time for ceremony." The chief announced with the monkey next to him cheering as it and the other man set the ladies down.
"Oh, we're here already." Saphron said as she stopped kissing Terra.
"Oh, I love ceremonies." Muriel said excitedly.
"Where's the grub? Eustace demanded. The chief's daughter laughed before placing a coconut with a face on Eustace causing him to not see anything. "Hey! What's going on? Where'd everything go? UNH!"
"What is with the coconut Chief?" I asked him. He turned to me and laughed.
"Oh, Wiki-Wiki-Woo. She have wedding coconut ready. Means she found one to marry." The chief explained.
'Should we tell her?' Courage asked pointing to the chief's daughter.
"Nah." I answered after a moment.
"Will there be shuffleboard afterwards?" Muriel asked getting our attention.
"Afterwords, you all will enjoy long rest." The chief answered. "Very long rest."
"Speaking of which, what is this ceremony?" Saphron asked.
"He, he. You'll see." He answered before clapping his hands. "Let human offering begin."
"WHAT!" We all shouted except for Muriel.
"Oh, goody, goody." She said happily as their chairs started to raise.
"Hey. What's going on?" Terra asked. Looking to the back, we saw the monkey and other man using a jack to lift one end of the chairs to essentially dump Muriel, Saphron and Terra into the volcano. Courage ran to Muriel to try and warn her but she, like usual, misunderstood him.
"What fun Courage. Nothing like a good sauna for the complexion." She said excitedly.
"Um, Muriel. This isn't a sauna." Saphron told her as she and Terra hang on for dear life to their chairs.
"Nonsense. This feels so good against me skin." Muriel told them unaware of what's happening.
'No!'Courage screamed in terror. Looking back at the two who are operating the jack, we moved to stop them. But not before I placed Adrian on the ground gently.
"STOP IT!" I shouted as I grabbed the handle with Courage doing the same. In response, they started to lift the bar up and down as quickly as they could to get us off. It worked and sent Courage flying into the chief. Seeing that, I pushed the monkey and the guy to the ground to stop them. At least, for the moment.
"You both anger volcano God. If volcano God does not get human offering, Volcano God blow whole volcano. Destroy everything on island." The chief warned.
'Oh, no.' Courage gasped.
"No, worry dog and child. Ladies going into volcano so volcano God turn off mountain of smoke before it blow." The chief told us. He then went into a chant. "Oh, great groovy god of volcano with flames so hot and smoke-"
"EXCUSE US! We'd like not to be human offerings today." Saphron shouted cutting off the Chief's chanting. Turning to them, we saw they were standing up know and trying their best to not slip into the volcano. But before either of us could say anything, Muriel shouted out to us.
"AAHHH! COURAGE! JAUNE! HELP!" She shouted. Courage gasped before heading to the edge. He then took out a case of extra strength antacid pills and dumped them into the volcano. What followed was a loud belch from the volcano and everything going quiet.
"Um, I don't think that worked Courage." Terra said bewildered that Courage even attempted that. To which Courage just cackled manically before face palming.
"Ha, ha, ha. Dog funny." The chief laughed walking up behind us. "Before we send ladies to volcano God, we bring out ceremonial wild boar to eat ceremonial pies."
"Chief. Is there anything we can do? Anything at all for you not to sacrifice them?" I asked him with Courage begging as well.
"You both barking up wrong tree. You want to talk to volcano God, and volcano God way down inside volcano." He told us. "Both better go now before boar finish pie."
"HURRY YOU TWO!" Muriel shouted as the chair she and the others started to slide forward a bit.
"Alright. Let's go Courage." I told him. He nodded and we were about to descend into a volcano but froze when Saphron called out to us.
"WAIT!" She shouted.
"Yes Saphron." I said turning to her.
"Jaune, if don't make it. Please take care of Adrian." She told us worried. Turning to the sleeping Adrian I nodded.
"Don't worry. You both will make it. And if not, I will take good care of him." I told them. This seemed to calm them down a bit.
"You good kid. Cut you some slack. Seeing as volcano is really crispy and not good for young one, me and daughter will look after the kid while you talk with Volcano God." The chief told us.
"Okay. Thanks." I said surprised that he offered to do so.
"Now hurry. Pig almost finished." He urged.
Looking behind him, we saw that the boar was already a quarter of the way down. Sighing, we began our descent into the volcano. With each step down, we felt the temperature getting hotter and hotter. The smoke from the volcano also made it harder to breathe. After another few moments in, our hands started to burn. Taking one off to blow it, we then felt our other hand burn as well. We took it off to blow on it, only to realize our mistake a second later.
"AAHHH!" Courage and I screamed as we fell from the wall and into the volcano. We thought this was the end as we saw the lava getting closer and closer. But fate spared us as we landed on a platform that was not boiling hot.
'Whew!' Courage said in relief.
"Someone is definitely watching out for us." I said as we got up and dusted ourselves off.
'Huh?' Courage asked confused. Following his gaze, we saw a door and a sign above it.
"Otto's real estate. Ski condos a specialty." I read astounded. "This taking the term wherever this is business to new levels."
'Right. But either way, let's head inside.' Courage said as we moved towards the door. But before we could try and open it, we heard something that confused us.
"Jau-" We heard behind us. Turning around, we saw Adrian giggling and smiling at us.
"ADRIAN! How did you get here?" I asked as I rushed over to him and picked him up. Looking him over, I was relieved to see that he was okay.
'How did he get here?' Courage asked confused while looking around before looking up.
"I have no idea. But we can figure that out later. Come on." I answered. He nodded and we moved towards the door to open it.
'AAHHHH!' Courage screamed when he touched the knob and instantly burned his hand.
"Right. Volcano. Metal doorknob. Good conductor of heat." I said with a sigh as Adrian laughed at Courage. Sometimes, it amazes the both of us at what can escape our minds or seem obvious and don't realize it until too late.
'Here we go.' Courage said as he took out a giant mitten to protect his hand from the heat. Opening the door, we looked inside and were surprised to see a man behind a desk with eight A.C.s behind him.
"Close the door. You both are letting out all the A.C." He told us. Closing the door, we headed over to him.
"Um, who are you and what are you doing here?" I asked him confused.
"Name's Otto. And I'm a real estate guy. Interested in a ski condo? We start to build next week. Tropical ski resort." He answered before offering.
'Huh?' Courage asked confused.
"Who needs to freeze just cause they want to ski?" He asked before walking over to a control panel. "Soon as we scare the last of them pesky natives off the island."
"How are you going to do that?" I asked.
"Ha, ha. More smoke and more rumble. That ought to get them swimming of the island." He answered.
"And to make this place suitable for a ski resort?" I asked.
"Simple. I'll can cover the place with snow using this bad boy." He said pressing a button. To the side, a garage door opened to reveal a car with a large horn thing on the back.
"What is that?" I asked.
"Mileage stinks. But that baby can blow snow like nobody's business." He answered proudly.
"That's great but listen." I told him. Courage then proceeded to show everything that is happening with the natives and how they are going sacrifice Muriel, Saphron and Terra.
"What do they think? That there is a volcano God looking for a human offering or something" He asked sounding surprised.
"That just about sums it about." I answered.
"Sheesh! Well, guess I am just going to have to cook them." He said before pulling a lever that had a sign next to it that read the works. "Eh, I'll name the lodge after the, Oh, and by the way, here. For the adorable baby."
"Oh, say thanks Adiran." I said as I took the candy cane from Otto and gave it to Adrian who just smiled and waved at Otto.
"Better get out of here before it's soup time." Otto said as he ran to his car. He started it up before driving away.
"Best listen to him Courage." I said seeing that rocks were starting to fall.
'Definitely.' He said as we went to the door. But as we opened it, we heard the unmistakable screaming of Saphron, Terra and Muriel.
"AAHHH!" They all screamed with them hitting the floor we hit earlier soon after.
"Are you three, okay?" I asked as I helped them up.
"The big pig finished the pies." Muriel told us.
"Jaune. Where's Adrian? One moment he was with the chief and the next he was gone." She said panicking.
"Mom." Adrian said getting her and Terra's attention.
"Oh, baby. Thank Oum you're okay." Terra said as she and Saphron hugged him.
"He won't be and neither will we if we stay here much longer." I told them as lava started to come through the door of otto's office.
"But, how will we escape?" Muriel asked. Courage and I looked at each other before sighing.
'This will be a workout.' Courage whined. I nodded in agreement.
Five Minutes Later
"I thought vacations were supposed to be relaxing." I said as we finally reached the top of the volcano. Courage and I had carried Terra, Saphron and Muriel up the volcano. Adrian was in Terra's arms enjoying the candy cane.
'Same.' Courage said coughing up some smoke. Reason being that we had to climb through the heavy smoke of the volcano.
"Oh, thanks you two." Saphron said as she dusted herself off before doing so to Adrian. Hearing the chief growl, we turned to see him angry with everyone else that was here worried.
"You all anger volcano god." He told us. At that moment, the volcano exploded.
"MOVE!" I shouted getting up. We all raced down the volcano as fast as we could. But as fast we ran, the lava was still close behind us. That also brought the question on how we are going to get out of here.
"It's your fault kid and dog! Volcano God angry. If we live, I tattoo both of your faces." The chief threatened. Scared, we moved faster to get away from him. But as we did so, we heard the cackling of Otto. Looking ahead, we could see the dust trail that was caused by his car.
"I have an idea. But we need his car." I told Courage.
'But we need to catch him in order to us it.' He said already figuring out my plan. Luckly, fate decided to give us a break as Otto wasn't paying attention and crashed into a low hanging branch which caused him to get caught on it while his car continued forward a bit more before stopping.
"Convenient." I said as we all reached the car.
"Whatever you two are planning, hurry." Saphron said worried at seeing the lava getting closer.
Hopping into the car, we began to mess around with the buttons. Though, we failed at first as some snow came out of the A.C. vent of the car hitting us. Shaking it off, we tried again. Only to have snow hit us from the rear. Pushing us uncomfortably close to the wheel. Seeing a red button, we pressed it. And to our luck, it was the right one as the car started to shoot out an insane amount of snow. The lava soon met the snow and to our surprise, it whimpered at the cold before retreating into the volcano.
"YAY!" Everyone cheered once the lava was gone and we were safe.
"You did it you two. You both scared the lava right back into the volcano." Muriel said cheering.
'Ha, ha, ha.' Courage laughed with a lot of snow coming out of his mouth.
Sunset on the beach
"Please take this big fat wild boar as apology." The chief said walking up to us.
We were on the beach waiting for the monkey and the guy to finish building a boat to take us back home. After narrowly escaping the volcano, we had a small feast to celebrate not dying. Now that it was getting late, we had decided it was time to go home.
"Well, he does like pie. And I make a wicked pie. But I have these two." Muriel replied while bringing me and courage into a hug. She then turned to Eustace who was still wearing the coconut. "Come on Eustace. Time to go. Say goodbye to your friend."
"Friend.? What friend? Ain't got no friend." He said when the coconut was pulled off his head. This caused the chief's daughter to cry.
"I guess you both prove that there is no volcano God after all. We not stupid." The chief told us.
"NOT SO FAST!" A deep menacing voice demanded.
"Who said that?" Saphron asked looking around.
"UP HERE!" The voice answered. Looking to the volcano, we saw a giant fire creature come out of the volcano. It then reared its arm back before throwing something to us. Which turned out to be Otto from earlier.
'He must have gotten sucked into the volcano from the retreating lava.' I thought remembering how I saw him hanging on the branch but was no longer there when we caused the lava to go back.
"I'll tell you. That ride turned me around. Hey, chiefie. Can I build you a nice split-level hut? Anything you want." Otto asked. Instead of saying anything, the chief allowed his daughter to put the coconut on Otto.
"Well. This was a nice vacation." Terra said as she lightly bounced to out the sleepy Adrian to sleep.
"We should do this again sometime." Saphron added.
"We should. Come along Courage and Jaune. Time to go." Muriel said as they all got in the waiting boat. Turning to Courage, I saw him slowly making his way to the boat while dancing as the flower necklace hung from his waist. We all chuckled as we saw that.
Note:
(1) The last of the star makers with Winter and Iris. (2) Night of the Scarecrow with Qrow, Ruby and Yang. (3) Thousand years of Courage with Sun and Neptune. (4) Wrath of the librarian with Blake. (5) Squatting Tiger, Hidden Dog with Nora and Ren. (6) Cabaret Courage with Wiess. (7) Family Business with Winter. (8) Curse of Shirley with Qrow, Yang and Ruby. (9) Goat Pain with Blake. (10) Journey to the center of Nowhere with Peach. (11) Forbidden hat of Gold with Port and Oobleck. (12) McPhearsome Phantom with Blake and her parents. (13) Heads of Beef with Sun and Neptune.
Last of the star makers has Winter and Iris appearing. Should anyone else appear as well?