Ash slowed her brisk jog to a walk, breathing heavily, unused to the
altitude. Less than a minute later, she arrived at the hatchery, listening
to Max bugle his welcome. She opened the glass doors and stepped inside,
spotting Zachary, who was talking to the manager. He apparently saw her
from the corner of his eye, for he waved goodbye to the manager and walked
smoothly to where she waited.
He smiled happily, "Hey, Ash! How are you doing this lovely morning?"
His happiness was contagious, "I'm doing wonderfully, and yourself?" He shrugged, "Oh, can't complain, so what brings you here? Max right?"
Ash nodded, "Yeah, I was hoping we could begin his training today."
Zachary beckoned her down a hallway, "Right this way. Your trainer, who was supposed to help with Max, just quit the day before you came. So, I'll have to take over if you don't mind."
She shook her head, "Not at all. What do we start with today?"
He whistled shrilly, calling a great griflet down from the sky, "Flying. First we train Max, then we train you."
His wording amused Ash, "Train me? To fly?"
He laughed, "No, we teach you to ride on Max. You'll start on Veldt, then, when Max gets the hang of things, you fly on him."
"Oh! I see." He helped her mount Veldt, then had her call Max to them.
He mounted behind her and said, "We'll train you both at the same time. You will learn to ride, while Veldt instructs Max. Got it?" She nodded, and a split second later, Veldt took off, muscles rippling under the saddle.
She gripped the reins tight until Zachary told her to loosen her hold, "You shouldn't be tense when riding your griflet. They pick up on your every emotion and act out on it. Sometimes, the way they act out could be dangerous to yourself and others."
Ash complied with his instructions, feeling the griflet relax as well. Soon she began to enjoy the sheer thrill of flying, and watching Max shed his awkwardness like a coat. The griflet was graceful and flawless in his takeoff and landing, earning an extra large meal after the lessons. Zachary finally told Veldt to land. When they touched down, Zachary helped her down and instructed Veldt to continue working with Max.
Ash was full of joy at this new experience, "That was amazing! Do you do that every day?"
He held up his hands against her onslaught of questions, smiling all the while, "Yes, almost every day. Come on, since you've completed your lessons for the day, let me show you around town. Maybe you'll get to know the locals."
Ash considered it, "Okay, but just for a little bit. I have to meet Shannon later on."
Ash allowed herself to be led down the path towards the village. Zachary led her in this manner for about half an hour, until they stepped into a clearing where tourists and natives mingled together, filtering in and out of shops. All seemed ordinary except for one extraordinarily pale boy with the seven foot tall man accompanying him.
She sighed heavily and Zachary eyed her with concern, "Are you feeling okay? You seem very tense all of a sudden. What's up?"
"Oh, it's just-never mind. Let's move on into the stores, eh?"
Zachary gave her a strange look, but conceded and led her into the nearest souvenir shop, pointing out various items, "If I were you, I'd pick up an umbrella, considering it rains frequently." She took his recommendation to heart and bought a large, jungle green umbrella.
It began to rain heavily, so many passerby either went home or came inside, as Artemis and Butler did. Ash groaned and tried to stay out of sight in the back of the store, not wanting to deal with them again. If only Shannon was here, she could deal with the vampiric boy and his giant sidekick.
Zachary caught her sidelong look at Artemis, "Friends of yours?" he asked dryly.
She shook her head miserably, "They're annoying. They turn up everywhere my friends and I go."
He cracked his knuckles carelessly, "You want me to deal with them for you?" She took a long, careful look at Zachary and was seriously considering it, until she remembered Butler's mammoth size.
She shook her head again, "No, I'll just try harder to avoid them."
He nodded once and maneuvered her farther back into the store, towards the back door. They breezed through, being instantly drenched the moment they set foot outside, but relieved to have avoided a scene.
Zachary opened her umbrella and held it over both of them, "I don't know about you, but I'm worn out. Wanna sit down somewhere for awhile?"
She nodded, watching droplets of water fly off her head at the sudden movement, "Suits me just fine."
A loud shriek echoed through the air, and Ash saw a huge golden griflet soar through the air. It let out another shrill scream and landed, roaring all the while. Zachary began pulling her away from it quickly, "It's gone mad! We have to get out of here before it demolishes the whole town and everything in it!"
"But what about the people?" she yelled after him, running away from the town.
He replied over his shoulder, "There will be a team here any minute now. All we have to worry about is getting away!" She didn't understand his worry, until she saw the griflet swipe at a restaurant and cave in the roof, trapping dozens of people inside.
Her feet slowed, "Zachary, we can't let those people die!"
He grabbed hold of her wrist firmly, "Better them than us."
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was this really the same guy from this morning?
He was pulling her inexorably away from the village, "Let me go! We have to go help them!"
He glared at her, then composed himself again and repeated, "I said, a team will be here any minute now."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
He managed to get her into the forest, then stopped, "We're safe now. Just watch." She bit back her scalding reply, and watched as several people ran into the village, firing large darts at the griflet until one met its target.
It rumbled softly before crashing to the ground. The people set to work loading the griflet onto a large platform, while the rest began digging through the rubble, looking for survivors.
She turned to Zachary, thoroughly confused, "Aren't we supposed to keep the griflets a secret? How will you deal with all these people who have seen it?"
He smiled sadly, "We won't. This has only happened twice before while I had Veldt. All we can do is hope they will be dismissed as lunatics."
Ash gestured over her shoulder, "What will happen to the griflet?"
He grimaced at that question, "Unfortunately, the only thing we can do, is put it out of its misery. We have to keep it from infecting the others."
She stared at him in undisguised horror, "You're going to kill it?" Deep down, she knew the logic of it, but didn't want to kill such a majestic creature.
He didn't reply for the longest time, "I think you should go back to your motel now. I have some business back at Headquarters. There's going to be a lot of trouble, I can tell."
He spun on his heel and walked away without another word, leaving Ash to her troubled thoughts. She stumbled out of the forest, spotting Shannon right away, "Shannon! Did you see what happened?"
Shannon nodded, "I was in the diner when it happened. What was wrong with the griflet?"
Ash was near hysteria, "It went insane, according to Zach. They're going to kill it, Shannon!"
Shannon frowned, the deepness creasing her forehead, "I guess that's the only right thing to do. After all, they have to protect the others, don't they?"
Ash looked ill, "Maybe, but still, if that ever happened to Max, I don't know what I'd do."
Shannon shuddered at the thought of losing Lily, "Me either. Let's go back to our hotel now, okay?"
Ash agreed easily, "Good idea. Let's not stick around here any longer." They turned to leave, and Shannon nearly fell over Artemis, who had apparently been listening to their entire conversation.
She recovered herself quickly, "Have you been eavesdropping, twerp?"
He smiled a cold confident smile, "Perhaps. It would be to your advantage to listen to what I have to say. Otherwise, I'll take my roll of film to the nearest newspaper and make a fortune on the discovery of a new species."
Ash froze, "You wouldn't."
He cocked an eyebrow, "Oh, wouldn't I? Try me."
The determined glint in his eyes made Ash hesitate, "We're listening."
"I thought you'd see it my way. Now, I want to know everything about this species. Everything, do you understand? Don't leave a thing out. Next, I want to see these creatures up close. Then, I want one to autopsy."
Shannon exploded at him furiously, "Who the heck do you think you are? You think you can just waltz in here like you own the place and demand a 'specimen' to autopsy?"
She took another breath and was about to continue her tirade, when Artemis held up one pale, manicured hand, "You seem to forget how much worse this could get for you. Instead of giving me one, you will end up sacrificing the entire species because of your stubbornness."
By now, Shannon was seething, "Threats, Fowl? I will make your life so miserable, you will wish you had never been born!"
He yawned, deliberately annoying, "How cliché, but you'll forgive me if I say your threats are extraordinarily empty. I hold that species future in the palm of my hands. I have only to lose my temper once, and down the drain it goes."
Ash put a calming hand on Shannon's tense shoulder, murmuring softly, "Don't antagonize him, Shan. He's trying to get under your skin."
"Yeah? Well, it's working!" she hissed angrily.
What really bugged her, was the confident smirk that seemed permanently engraved on his features, "Don't decide right away by any means. Take your time. You know where to find me when you figure out what you're going to do."
He smiled happily, "Hey, Ash! How are you doing this lovely morning?"
His happiness was contagious, "I'm doing wonderfully, and yourself?" He shrugged, "Oh, can't complain, so what brings you here? Max right?"
Ash nodded, "Yeah, I was hoping we could begin his training today."
Zachary beckoned her down a hallway, "Right this way. Your trainer, who was supposed to help with Max, just quit the day before you came. So, I'll have to take over if you don't mind."
She shook her head, "Not at all. What do we start with today?"
He whistled shrilly, calling a great griflet down from the sky, "Flying. First we train Max, then we train you."
His wording amused Ash, "Train me? To fly?"
He laughed, "No, we teach you to ride on Max. You'll start on Veldt, then, when Max gets the hang of things, you fly on him."
"Oh! I see." He helped her mount Veldt, then had her call Max to them.
He mounted behind her and said, "We'll train you both at the same time. You will learn to ride, while Veldt instructs Max. Got it?" She nodded, and a split second later, Veldt took off, muscles rippling under the saddle.
She gripped the reins tight until Zachary told her to loosen her hold, "You shouldn't be tense when riding your griflet. They pick up on your every emotion and act out on it. Sometimes, the way they act out could be dangerous to yourself and others."
Ash complied with his instructions, feeling the griflet relax as well. Soon she began to enjoy the sheer thrill of flying, and watching Max shed his awkwardness like a coat. The griflet was graceful and flawless in his takeoff and landing, earning an extra large meal after the lessons. Zachary finally told Veldt to land. When they touched down, Zachary helped her down and instructed Veldt to continue working with Max.
Ash was full of joy at this new experience, "That was amazing! Do you do that every day?"
He held up his hands against her onslaught of questions, smiling all the while, "Yes, almost every day. Come on, since you've completed your lessons for the day, let me show you around town. Maybe you'll get to know the locals."
Ash considered it, "Okay, but just for a little bit. I have to meet Shannon later on."
Ash allowed herself to be led down the path towards the village. Zachary led her in this manner for about half an hour, until they stepped into a clearing where tourists and natives mingled together, filtering in and out of shops. All seemed ordinary except for one extraordinarily pale boy with the seven foot tall man accompanying him.
She sighed heavily and Zachary eyed her with concern, "Are you feeling okay? You seem very tense all of a sudden. What's up?"
"Oh, it's just-never mind. Let's move on into the stores, eh?"
Zachary gave her a strange look, but conceded and led her into the nearest souvenir shop, pointing out various items, "If I were you, I'd pick up an umbrella, considering it rains frequently." She took his recommendation to heart and bought a large, jungle green umbrella.
It began to rain heavily, so many passerby either went home or came inside, as Artemis and Butler did. Ash groaned and tried to stay out of sight in the back of the store, not wanting to deal with them again. If only Shannon was here, she could deal with the vampiric boy and his giant sidekick.
Zachary caught her sidelong look at Artemis, "Friends of yours?" he asked dryly.
She shook her head miserably, "They're annoying. They turn up everywhere my friends and I go."
He cracked his knuckles carelessly, "You want me to deal with them for you?" She took a long, careful look at Zachary and was seriously considering it, until she remembered Butler's mammoth size.
She shook her head again, "No, I'll just try harder to avoid them."
He nodded once and maneuvered her farther back into the store, towards the back door. They breezed through, being instantly drenched the moment they set foot outside, but relieved to have avoided a scene.
Zachary opened her umbrella and held it over both of them, "I don't know about you, but I'm worn out. Wanna sit down somewhere for awhile?"
She nodded, watching droplets of water fly off her head at the sudden movement, "Suits me just fine."
A loud shriek echoed through the air, and Ash saw a huge golden griflet soar through the air. It let out another shrill scream and landed, roaring all the while. Zachary began pulling her away from it quickly, "It's gone mad! We have to get out of here before it demolishes the whole town and everything in it!"
"But what about the people?" she yelled after him, running away from the town.
He replied over his shoulder, "There will be a team here any minute now. All we have to worry about is getting away!" She didn't understand his worry, until she saw the griflet swipe at a restaurant and cave in the roof, trapping dozens of people inside.
Her feet slowed, "Zachary, we can't let those people die!"
He grabbed hold of her wrist firmly, "Better them than us."
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was this really the same guy from this morning?
He was pulling her inexorably away from the village, "Let me go! We have to go help them!"
He glared at her, then composed himself again and repeated, "I said, a team will be here any minute now."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
He managed to get her into the forest, then stopped, "We're safe now. Just watch." She bit back her scalding reply, and watched as several people ran into the village, firing large darts at the griflet until one met its target.
It rumbled softly before crashing to the ground. The people set to work loading the griflet onto a large platform, while the rest began digging through the rubble, looking for survivors.
She turned to Zachary, thoroughly confused, "Aren't we supposed to keep the griflets a secret? How will you deal with all these people who have seen it?"
He smiled sadly, "We won't. This has only happened twice before while I had Veldt. All we can do is hope they will be dismissed as lunatics."
Ash gestured over her shoulder, "What will happen to the griflet?"
He grimaced at that question, "Unfortunately, the only thing we can do, is put it out of its misery. We have to keep it from infecting the others."
She stared at him in undisguised horror, "You're going to kill it?" Deep down, she knew the logic of it, but didn't want to kill such a majestic creature.
He didn't reply for the longest time, "I think you should go back to your motel now. I have some business back at Headquarters. There's going to be a lot of trouble, I can tell."
He spun on his heel and walked away without another word, leaving Ash to her troubled thoughts. She stumbled out of the forest, spotting Shannon right away, "Shannon! Did you see what happened?"
Shannon nodded, "I was in the diner when it happened. What was wrong with the griflet?"
Ash was near hysteria, "It went insane, according to Zach. They're going to kill it, Shannon!"
Shannon frowned, the deepness creasing her forehead, "I guess that's the only right thing to do. After all, they have to protect the others, don't they?"
Ash looked ill, "Maybe, but still, if that ever happened to Max, I don't know what I'd do."
Shannon shuddered at the thought of losing Lily, "Me either. Let's go back to our hotel now, okay?"
Ash agreed easily, "Good idea. Let's not stick around here any longer." They turned to leave, and Shannon nearly fell over Artemis, who had apparently been listening to their entire conversation.
She recovered herself quickly, "Have you been eavesdropping, twerp?"
He smiled a cold confident smile, "Perhaps. It would be to your advantage to listen to what I have to say. Otherwise, I'll take my roll of film to the nearest newspaper and make a fortune on the discovery of a new species."
Ash froze, "You wouldn't."
He cocked an eyebrow, "Oh, wouldn't I? Try me."
The determined glint in his eyes made Ash hesitate, "We're listening."
"I thought you'd see it my way. Now, I want to know everything about this species. Everything, do you understand? Don't leave a thing out. Next, I want to see these creatures up close. Then, I want one to autopsy."
Shannon exploded at him furiously, "Who the heck do you think you are? You think you can just waltz in here like you own the place and demand a 'specimen' to autopsy?"
She took another breath and was about to continue her tirade, when Artemis held up one pale, manicured hand, "You seem to forget how much worse this could get for you. Instead of giving me one, you will end up sacrificing the entire species because of your stubbornness."
By now, Shannon was seething, "Threats, Fowl? I will make your life so miserable, you will wish you had never been born!"
He yawned, deliberately annoying, "How cliché, but you'll forgive me if I say your threats are extraordinarily empty. I hold that species future in the palm of my hands. I have only to lose my temper once, and down the drain it goes."
Ash put a calming hand on Shannon's tense shoulder, murmuring softly, "Don't antagonize him, Shan. He's trying to get under your skin."
"Yeah? Well, it's working!" she hissed angrily.
What really bugged her, was the confident smirk that seemed permanently engraved on his features, "Don't decide right away by any means. Take your time. You know where to find me when you figure out what you're going to do."
