CHAPTER 2: PLANS

It had been an hour and three-quarters since Grub had "fallen" in and there was not much moon time left. Soon it would be daylight and someone would come and unlock the toilet block. After that, they would pretty much be doomed to be seen. Chix, Joanna and Holly were all sitting cross-legged on the damp floor.

"Maybe we should get Foaly or something." Chix suggested.

"Then he would tell Root and they would either yell at us, laugh at us or boot us off LEP entirely." Holly said. "Or do all of that."

"We could ask him not to tell Root and just give us suggestions." Joanna said hopefully.

Holly shook her head. "You don't know Foaly like I do. Pony-boy never passes up a chance to laugh at someone."

The other two said nothing. They knew it was true. The three sat there for a while, not saying anything.

"We might as well keep pulling. There's nothing else we can do." Chix reasoned.

The sprite stood up and seized Grub's legs. Grub, not expecting it, started kicking wildly. One kick caught Chix full on the face and made him stumble backwards. He hit his head on the sink basin and fell to the ground, unconscious. A small fragment of his tooth came out and bounced away into the dank gloom. A few blue sparks healed the chipped tooth immediately.

"That's Chix gone…" The elves said in unison.

"We're going to have to do it. I'll call Root." Holly sighed, picking up her helmet. "Foaly? You there?"

"What do you think? Do I sound like I'm here?" The usual obnoxious tones came through the speaker.

"Umm, Foaly, you have to promise me something. Well, two things. One, don't laugh at what I am about to tell you. And, two, please don't tell the Commander."

Foaly began to snigger already. If Holly didn't want Julius to find out about something, and she also didn't want Foaly to laugh, it must be big. It would most likely be hilarious too. "Holly," The centaur said. "I won't tell anyone but to ask me not to laugh is unbearable. There are only a certain amount of accidents that can happen in a Mud Man toilet block. And all of the possibilities seem pretty funny. Anyhow, begin."

Holly explained what had happened to Chix and Grub. As she expected, Foaly began to laugh. He laughed so much that his tin foil hat fell off his hairy head.

"Foaly! You said you wouldn't laugh!" Holly snapped.

"No I didn't. I said it would be unbearable not to!"

Holly sighed; it was true. "So, any suggestions?"

Foaly paused for a moment, thinking. "Have you tried pulling him out?"

"Yes."

"I'm out of ideas then."

"I thought you were smart." Holly smiled. "Obviously not… I didn't think you could help anyway."

Foaly closed the connection angrily.

"Well, I have an idea," Private Hill sighed. "Though it probably wouldn't work."

"What is it, Joanna? Anything will work better than standing around doing nothing."

"Umm, maybe we could wake up Chix, then we all shield… Grub too. And hold on the toilet."

"What will that do?" Holly obviously didn't understand.

"If we hold on for long enough, it should chip away at the toilet and eventually split it in half. If I am correct."

"Lets hope you are then. Hill, wake up Chix. Grub, can you hear me? If you can, make a sound that sounds like… err… 'Butler'." Holly had picked that particular word because of Grub's favourite war story, the infamous tale of Butler defeating all but Grub of Retrieval One during the "Fowl Siege".

First Holly and Joanna thought that Grub wasn't listening. Then came a sound similar to "boolah"; whatever that was. It was close enough.

"Ok, Grub. We need you to shield. Do nothing but shield. Don't talk. Got it?"

Grub made a sound. Holly assumed that he had got it.

Joanna moved over to Chix and shook him gently. The sprite stirred groggily. "Hey Jo-Jo. When we get outta here, wanna go to Spud's Spud Emporium with me?"

Joanna stared at him in disgust. "My name is not Jo-Jo, I do not want to go out with you, and by the looks of it we are not going to get out of here."

"What's with the negativity, babe?"

Joanna ignored him. "Just shield. That's it."

"I'll only shield if you go out with me."

Joanna narrowed her eyes. "That's blackmail, but OK. I'll go out with you. Now shield!"

Chix did as he was told. Joanna shielded at the same time as Holly and all three approached Grub…

Author's note: CLIFFHANGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, I couldn't help it. I took a while to update because I'm a bit drained of ideas. Can someone please say what they think should happen next. If it's a good enough idea, I may use it and acknowledge you in the next chapter. I may even make you a character if I feel crazy enough. Please review.