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It was a rainy afternoon under the sea. The Octopod was stationed near a rainforest, and they were preparing to explore the forest and the connecting river. Because of the weather, they all had blue raincoats with them. Tweak opened the Octo-Hatch, and off they went.

"I can't wait to see what plants grow here." Shellington beamed. "I've heard that this rainforest is one of the lushest in the world."

"I bet there are lots of cool bugs there, too," said Sarabi.

"Maybe even some rare flowers," cooed Deborah.

The GUPs surfaced at the beginning of the river. Surrounding them were towering trees, tall grass, and lots of mud. Captain Barnacles and Elekai brought the vehicles slowly through the water.

Sarabi scooped up a slug from off the grass and showed it to Deborah. "Look at the size of this one!"

"Eww, it's slimy." Deborah recoiled.

Shellington looked at the slug with his magnifying glass. "Land slugs are distantly related to snails. They're considered land-based molluscs."

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About an hour into the exploration, the Octonauts came across a cottage. They thought it was strange; the rainforest had been completely empty before. They were all curious to see who lived there, so they sent Deborah to knock on the door.

Deborah did what she was sent to do, and an older Rottweiler answered.

"Hello," said the Rottweiler. "What brings you here?"

"I'm here with my crew, ma'am," said Deborah. "We're exploring this rainforest."

At that point, the Rottweiler noticed the logo on Deborah's coat. "You're with the Octonauts? I used to lead them!"

"Really?" Deborah turned to her crew. "Guys, she's one of us!"

The other Octonauts exited the GUPs and came over. Now that he was closer, Captain Barnacles recognized the woman at the door.

"Riviera!"

"Barnacles!" The two hugged. "You're captain now?! So much has changed since I stepped down!"

Captain Barnacles turned to his crew. "This is Riviera; the first captain of the Octonauts. Riviera, this is Kwazii, Peso, Shellington, Elekai, Deborah, and Sarabi."

They all shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.

"It's been a very long time since I was part of your crew," said Riviera. "I don't believe I've met any of you before." She brought Peso, Deborah, and Sarabi inside, while the remaining four Octonauts brought out a raft to continue their exploration.

"The river is a bit choppy because of the weather, sir," said Elekai. "Are you sure it's safe?"

"We'll be alright as long as we avoid the rocks," said Captain Barnacles, and off they went.

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"Before I was an Octonaut, I ran a lighthouse on an island."

Riviera was telling stories about her past. Peso, Deborah, and even Sarabi listened, intrigued.

"It was such a huge opportunity, I couldn't pass it up, so I left the lighthouse to my sister, and before you know it; Captain Riviera Rottweiler."

"What was it like being captain so long ago?"

"It was hard work, but I kept things running smoothly. After ten years, I left. I wanted to focus on my family." Riviera sipped her tea. "What about the rest of you? How did you join up?"

"I was a lifeguard trying to save for college," said Peso. "They were looking for a new medic, since the old one had moved on to work at this really important hospital. I wasn't sure if they would hire me, but, well, they did."

"I applied for the junior field researcher position so I could go straight into work after high school," said Deborah. "I really did wanna learn more about sea creatures…but I guess being a vindictive daughter wanting to spite her father played into it, too."

"Amen to that," said Sarabi. "I just wanted a chance to get away from the waste of oxygen I call a mother. It sure as hell beats working a crappy fast food job for years."

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Down the river, the four Octonauts were coasting along.

"It's been awfully quiet," said Shellington. "Everyone must be hiding below the surface to avoid the weather."

"I don't blame 'em," said Kwazii, shivering, "is' cold an' wet up here."

"We'll try to make it to the other side," said Captain Barnacles, "and then we'll go back to Riviera's cottage." He and Shellington exited the raft to examine some oddly-shaped trees.

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Back at the cottage, Sarabi was watching out the window.

"Hey, there's some dark clouds coming in," she said to the others.

"The others should get back soon," said Riviera. "It looks like it's going to storm."

Sure enough, the others also noticed the clouds. The river was getting wilder, and starting to push them back the way they came.

"Sir, we need to go back," said Elekai. "It's not safe to stay out here."

"Agreed," said Captain Barnacles. He and Shellington began running back to the raft.

"Help me!"

Captain Barnacles turned around and saw a little red-eyed tree frog clinging to a branch, about to fall. He rushed back to rescue him. The little frog jumped down and into his paws.

"Thanks, mister!"

Captain Barnacles set the frog down, and when he looked up, the raft was getting further and further away.

"Hurry, captain!"

Captain Barnacles was struggling to catch up with his crew. He slipped through the mud and wet grass and fell forward, right at the base of a large, shaky tree.

"Captain, are you alright?!" Kwazii shouted back to his captain.

"Sir, the tree!" Elekai shouted. There was a large branch about to give out and fall right over where the captain was.

"I'm fine!" Captain Barnacles called. "I'll be with you in no time-"

Snap.

The branch looming over him collapsed. It came crashing down onto his leg, breaking it instantly. He roared in pain; a distressed, unbearable roar that barely sounded like his normal voice.

"BARNACLES!"

To be continued…

Information about land slugs taken from Just Fun Facts

Information about red-eyed tree frogs taken from National Geographic