Animorphia
Chapter 26: Race to the Finish
Few hours later, Timon is making his own breakfast by batter up some pancake with mixture of eggs, flour, and milk. Once he's done mixing, he turns on the stove to put some butter on the frying pan and pour some out. While he's waiting to cook, he sets out two plates, two cups, and some silverwares.
Just then, Pumbaa enters the kitchen as a warthog when he smells something that is good. He looked Timon as a human flipping over pancakes repeatedly until it's ready. He looked at his best friend smiling.
"Good morning, Pumbaa." Timon greeted.
"Timon? What are you doing up early?" Pumbaa asked.
"Just wanted to make you some breakfast." replied Timon while pouring orange juice.
"Don't mind if I do."
Pumbaa polish his red necklace as he started to glow around him when shifted into human until the brightness lowers down, but he's wearing his red shirt and black pajama pants. He sits at the table waiting for Timon to set the plate down with six pancakes.
He poured some maple syrup on top of the pancake. Pumbaa began to eat his pancake. Timon has emptied the mixture bowl as continue to flip pancakes over on the frying pan. Once he's done, he set the pancakes on his plate and sat down at the table to eat his meal.
"Mmm mmm! Delicious!" said Pumbaa after swallowed his meal.
"You like it? Well, me too." replied Timon.
"You know, you cook better than me."
"You cook better than me as well."
"You know it's not a competition, Timon."
"I know that and speaking of competition. The game expo is coming up next week and I'll be prepared for the next challenge."
"So who are you going to play against?" Pumbaa asked.
"Me and Marcy vs Anne and her dad." replied Timon before eating his pancake.
"Wait, are you two challenging them again?"
"Yep, like father, like daughter."
"Are you doing two against two again?"
"What? Of course, there's two against two. How bad can it be?"
Suddenly, they heard a doorbell.
"Was it Marcy?" Pumbaa asked.
"It could be her. I better go check." replied Timon.
The human in disguise got off from the table as he walked out from the kitchen and went to the door answer it. What he didn't expect to see Sandie holding her clipboard along with two girls that are both Thai-Americans. They look resembles to Anne, but different.
The tallest one is 10 years old wearing her pink shirt with white short sleeves, sky blue jeans, and grey sneakers. She's wearing pink wristbands on her wrists. The little one is only five years old wearing yellow shirt, blue overall pants, white socks, and red shoes. The girls are holding boxes of cookies for donations.
"Good morning, Mr. Berkowitz." Sandie greeted.
"Why, if it isn't Sasha's little sister. I haven't seen you while." said Timon as he looked at the Thai girls. "Is that Cassandra and Zoe?"
"Hi mister." Cassandra greeted.
"Hi." Zoe greeted shyly.
"What brings you here?" Timon asked kindly.
"We're selling cookies for fund raisers at the orphanage." Sandie answered.
"That's very sweet of you kids. You reminded of me something when your sister and her friend were your age. How's Anne?"
"Anne's doing great. She's looking after us since then." Cassandra answered. "I hope we get adopted someday. Just like Marcy."
"Yeah, it sure is."
The girls reminded him when he used to adopt Marcy back when she was five. He was told by Marcy that both Cassandra and Zoe were orphans when they were little. They have lost their parents when they're missing or even worse.
Marcy also told him that Anne's mother is looking after them for quite a while. When Mrs. Boonchuy is at work, Anne volunteer to look after the girls and grew closely like sisters. Their dream is to be adopted to being part of the family again.
"So, you got any chocolate?"
"Chocolate chip cookies? You got it." said Cassandra.
"Did somebody say chocolate?" Pumbaa asked as he peaked out from the kitchen.
"Make that two." Timon added.
"Okay, that'll be 10 dollars." said Sandie.
Timon pulled out his wallet as he was about hand over some cash to Sandie, but suddenly, there was a strictly voice.
"Stop right there, Berkowitz!"
The girls turned their heads around while Timon looks up at someone who is an tall, elderly man who has light-brown scruffy hair and visible wrinkles around his eyes.
He wears a yellow visor, a black helmet with a green Mark of some kind on it and knee pads on his arms and knees. He wears a white blouse with a brown vest and light black jeans with a belt and green rollerblades. He also wears a green bag with a long shoulder strap that he uses as a money belt.
The eldest man was staring at him smirking. Timon gives him a cold glare.
"Otto."
"It's been a while, Berkowitz."
"You two know each other?" Cassandra asked.
"Hardly, we've been rivals for years." Timon answered.
"That's right. Robert Otto, neighborhood safety supervisor!" said Robert.
"More like 'Neighborhood Butt Cheek'." Timon muttered.
The girls giggle quietly. Robert gives him a dead pan.
"Real funny." muttered Robert.
"So what do you want?"
"Just rolling by to see things doing. Wait, are those cookies?"
"Yes sir, we're doing fund raising for the orphanage." Cassandra answered.
"Really?"
"Alright, cut to the chase. Are you here to rub my face like the last time?" Timon asked harshly.
"What's the big rush? I was just asking nicely." said Robert as he rolling closer to the porch.
"Yeah, well I can't trust you going around giving tickets to bikers or shutting down lemonade stand."
"Oh, if you're smart. How come there aren't any reports about graffiti art says on the brick wall? Or having reports when three girls ditching school again?"
"You keep her out of this! I work my butt off to keep her and her friends out of trouble!"
"Is that a challenge?" Robert cockily raises his eyebrows.
"You bet your boot there is. Marcy and I sign ourselves up for game expo and we're gonna win!" Timon answered.
"Well, good luck with that one. Do me a favor and try not to play too much otherwise your eyes gets fried up without resting."
"Oh yeah?! Well, I'll tell ya what I know! I bet 10 bucks that I can beat you to prove that I'm a good player!"
"You challenge me?"
"That's right! You! Me! At the park! One on one!"
"Deal!"
Timon shake hands with Robert. They've been up against each other ever since he and his roommate live in the house. Pumbaa was standing there all this time. He knew that it's not going to end well. As for the girls, they were all just confused.
"Uh oh." Pumbaa muttered.
"Oh, and another thing." Robert paused as he let go of his arm. "The rollerblade event starts today."
Timon shrink his pupil eyes when shocked.
"T-t-t-t-to-to-to-today?" Timon stammered.
"Yep, it's two against two now. Good luck while you can."
Robert roll blades away backwards and then he rolls off leaving Timon completely shocked. Sandie gently took the money and while Pumbaa gently take two boxes of cookies from Cassandra.
"Is your sister available?" Timon calmly asked.
"Yeah, why?" Sandie replied.
"I have to call Marcy."
Meanwhile at Sasha's house, inside of the garage where Sasha is doing a garage band along with Anne and Marcy as they call themselves "The Sash". They started the band when they grow up as the girls put up their concert for school or any events.
Right now, they are wearing their casual clothes since today is Saturday. Anne is wearing her pink and white t-shirt with flame in the center on it, blue shorts, white socks, and purple shoes. Sasha is wearing her red buttoned up shirt, pink tank top, white short pants, and her white shoes. Marcy is wearing her green jacket, black short pants, white socks, and her brown shoes.
Sasha starts the music with her pink guitar while Anne plays her blue guitar and Marcy does the drumming on her green drums. Sasha takes the lead as the leader of the band to play her own music.
"Don't mess this up for me guys." said Sasha. "Here we go."
(Heartstomper - Sasha Waybright)
I'm a heart stomper
Stompin' on hearts
If you want to get away
You're gonna need a head start
I can keep this up forever
If you're trying to feel better
Take it up with someone else
You can call it too cutthroat
I'll stomp a heart like a roach
I'm just lookin' out for myself
I'm a heartbreaker
(giggles) Breaking those hearts
You can tell me that's not me
But I'm perfect for the part
I can keep this up forever
If you're trying to feel better
Take it up with someone else
You can call it too cutthroat
I'll stomp a heart like a roach
I'm just lookin' out for myself
Wooo!
"Come on, Anne!" Sasha hollers when Anne was playing her guitar hard.
"On the beat, please Marcy!" She hollers to Marcy when trying to catch up.
I can keep this up forever
If you're trying to feel better
Take it up with someone else
You can call it too cutthroat
I'll stomp a heart like a roach
I'm just lookin' out for myself
I'm a heart stomper!
(Music ends)
Sasha took a breath for a second until she spoke.
"Woo! Man, that was wicked!" said Sasha.
"How do I do?" Anne asked.
"Not bad, Anne." replied Sasha.
"What about me? Am I doing great?" Marcy asked.
"Not bad yourself, but we gotta keep playing until we make them all begging for crying their hearts out."
"No offense Sash, but don't you think we should pick a different song that's not a little harsh?" Anne asked politely.
"As much as I want to, but you know that our fans love our music and you don't want to break their hearts, do you?" said Sasha manipulate Anne.
"Of course not!"
"Good. Now let's play it again. You girls ready?"
Before they play the music, they heard a ding sound. Marcy took out her phone and looked at the text from her dad when it says "Marcy, can you open the garage door please?". Marcy raised her left eyebrow when asking why.
She looked at the buttons that opens the door. Marcy just pushes the button as the garage door opens. Anne and Sasha were staring at Marcy for a moment.
"Marcy? What are you doing?" Anne asked.
"Why'd you open the door?" Sasha asked.
Once the garage door was open, both girls turn around and staring at Timon and Pumbaa fully dressed inside their car. All girls were surprised.
"Dad? Uncle Pumbaa? What you doing here?" Marcy asked.
"Hi, sweetie. Sorry to barge in, but we should get going." said Timon.
"Why?"
"I'll explain on the way."
Marcy looked at her friends.
"Sorry girls, I have to go." Marcy apologizes.
"It's okay. Family comes first. Right Sasha?" said Anne.
"Yeah, family comes first." replied Sasha when muttered.
"Wait, maybe you girls can come with us." Marcy suggested.
"Sounds like a good idea."
"Great! Let me go get my stuff."
Marcy zipped through the door. They were staring at the door oddly when Marcy ran back inside.
"I'll go get my stuff ready." said Anne breaking the silence.
Meanwhile at the park in Los Angeles, they park the car and got out from the vehicle. Timon is wearing on his black helmet and his knee pads on his arms and knees. As he started to put on his rollerblades, the girls were staring at him.
"So let me get this straight. You were challenge by your rival for a race?" Anne asked.
"Yep, and it's gonna be two against two." Timon answered.
"Is it you and Pumbaa?" Sasha asked.
"Actually, I'm too big to roller blade." Pumbaa answered.
"Then who's your partner?"
"Alright, let see. Eenie meenie miney... you." Timon point his finger at Marcy.
"Wait, what?" Marcy confused.
"Whoa! Hang on! Why her?" Anne exclaimed.
"She's the only one that she could count on." replied Timon.
"With all due respect, sir, but I don't know if it's a good idea. What if she could get hurt?"
"Anne, it's okay. My dad taught me to do roller blading once." said Marcy.
"Yeah, but don't you remember the last time?"
(Flashback starts)
It shows Marcy is playing a game reminiscent of Flappy Bird on her game console while pulling down a frozen yogurt lever, but smiling that she's getting the new records.
"Oh my gosh, Anne. I'm about to beat my all-time record!" Marcy exclaimed.
The camera pans to show the ice cream overflowing while Anne tries frantically to clean it up.
"I'm so happy for you!" said Anne frantic.
Another part of flashback where it shows Marcy and her friends are doing a school play. Anne is playing as Peter Pan swinging from a rope while Marcy is playing with her game console backstage. Sasha is playing as Captain Hook, Darrel as Mr. Smee, Ivan as John, and Ethan as Michael lookin at Anne swinging.
Everyone on the auditorium including her adopted dad, her uncle, and Anne's parents are looking at Anne swinging when things didn't turn out so well. Marcy wasn't paying attention when Anne tries to yell for help.
"Marcy! Let me down! Marcy! Help!"
The rope breaks causing Anne to fall into Timon by accident while the audience were shocked.
"MY LEGS!" Timon shouted.
Final part of the flashback where Anne's room, where she is laying on her bed eating marshmallows while listening to the news.
"Breaking news, 500 snakes have escaped from- Wait, is that a middle school student?"
Anne quickly bolted up and went completely shocked that Marcy was heading straight for the zoo while playing her game switch that she didn't know.
"MARCY! NO!"
(Flashback ends)
"That was the worst Saturday of my life." Anne shuddered.
"That's called being in the zone, Anne. It's pretty much my superpower." replied Marcy.
"Alright fine, if she's not gonna be with me, then who will?" Timon asked.
"I'm game." Sasha steps up.
"You?"
"What? Didn't I tell you that I was an athlete and captain of the cheerleader?"
"Perfect! You're hired!"
"Thanks."
Marcy is handing over her yellow helmet and knee pads to Sasha for borrowing. Anne kinda felt bad for leaving Marcy out of rollerblade double dash when it's father and daughter. She couldn't blame anyone for all this.
"Sorry Marcy." Anne softly apologize.
"It's okay, I know that you're trying to protect me." replied Marcy.
"I'll make it up with you once this is over."
"You don't have to. I mean, why else would I make it up to you?"
"You do have a point."
Once Sasha is all set wearing helmet and knee pads on her arms and legs, she is putting on rollerblades that she's borrowing from Marcy.
"Ready to rock and roll?" Sasha asked when smirked.
"Ready is my middle name." replied Timon as he smirked back at her.
"I thought your middle name is Leslie?" Pumbaa confused.
"Ha ha, very funny." Timon sarcastically a bit.
Timon rolled up to the registrations desk to sign his and Sasha's name and turn it in. Just then, the event was about to start. They heard an announcer from the speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Rollerblade Race Double! Today's contestants for everyone whose competing against each other. Right now, we have two challengers going on. Father and son or mother and daughter. Father and daughter or mother and son. Young and old, all the same. Today's contestant is Timon Berkowitz and Sasha Waybright against Robert Otto and Molly Jo!"
Anne, Marcy, and Pumbaa were with crowds cheering as Robert shows along with his 10 year old granddaughter, Molly Jo. She has blonde hair that she dyes pink on the left side and light green on the bottom, white polo t-shirt with a brown sweater vest and a plaid green skirt. She also wears pink helmet on her head, knee pads on her arms and legs, a spiked bracelet on her right wrist, black leggings and dark blue-grey rollerblades.
As they approach where both Timon and Sasha were waiting at the start line, but Timon gives him a stern look while Robert gives him a cocky look.
"Well, well, you finally made it." said Robert. "You ready to loose?"
"As if." replied Timon sternly.
"You remember my granddaughter, Molly Jo?"
"Hi Sasha!" Molly Jo cheerfully greeted.
"What up, girl." Sasha greeted back smiling.
"Say, where's your daughter?" Robert asked.
"You remember Sasha? Captain of the cheerleader and leader of the band?" replied Timon. "She's taking my daughter's place while she's with her best friend."
"What happened to "father and daughter" quality time?"
"Well, plans has change and pray I won't alter it further."
Sasha drops her smile recalls for a moment. She remembers when she used to hang out with her father long ago before her parents were divorced. Sasha felt bad for taking Marcy's place, but deep down, both she and Anne were doing their best to protect Marcy from any kind.
Just then, Sasha could hear her friends supporting her. She at looked at Anne and Marcy standing with the crowds while Pumbaa was eating popcorn.
"Go Sasha!" Marcy cheers.
"You go, girl!" Anne cheers.
Sasha smiles warmly. Molly Jo rolls close next to her.
"Hey, may the best player wins." said Molly Jo.
"Thanks, and you too." Sasha shake hands with her.
"Alright, racers! You all set? Then let's get started!"
The crowd cheers while Timon rolls next to Sasha and Robert rolls next to his granddaughter.
"On your mark..."
Timon and Sasha took a glance at each other when nodded.
"Get set..."
Robert and Molly Jo nodded at each other. As the checkers raise a pistol to shoot up in the sky when start.
"GO!"
The race is on! All four of them sped off as they roll blades throughout the park when entered. Everyone cheers whoever wins. For Anne, Marcy, and Pumbaa as they cheer for both Timon and Sasha.
"WHOO! GO DADDY!" Marcy cheers out loud.
"GO GET 'EM, SASH!" Anne yells.
Timon and Sasha are taking the lead passing by the playground where children were cheering, but Robert and Molly Jo are catching up to them as they skate too close to them.
"Yo, Berkowitz! Try not to fall!" Robert taunted.
"Oh yeah! Eat my dust!" Timon taunted back.
The man in disguise slides off as he turn left while others follow behind. As Molly Jo skate close to Sasha, they smirked each other. Just then, Sasha slides over showing off her skills as she reaches to the pole to grab on and turn right on the sidewalk. Molly Jo was impressed for skills.
"Show off!" Molly Jo teased.
Robert was getting too close to Timon as they up tailed at each other, but then Robert purposely bumped him off course.
"OOPS!"
Timon falls off and lands on the fountain with a splash.
"My mistake!" Robert hollers.
Molly Jo pass by him, but she knew that her grandfather is doing his old trick as the girl shook her head. Sasha came to halt to help the man in disguise out from the fountain. Timon was really wet at that moment, but looked ticked off.
"This means war!" Timon gritted his teeth.
"Don't let him get to you. C'mon, we gotta win to finish." said Sasha.
They sped off to catch up. Molly Jo roll skates close to her grandfather so that she can talk to him.
"Grandpa, do you really have to shoved him off?" Molly Jo scolded her grandfather.
"What? I did no such things." replied Robert Otto.
"What if we get disqualified?"
"We won't. Trust me."
Molly Jo rolled her eyes. It won't be long until Timon and Sasha are almost catching up with their competitors. They're getting closer to the finish line where everyone is waiting for them.
"Any suggestions?" Timon asked.
"Throw me!"
"What?"
"I can pass them when we get the chance."
"Is that even illegal?"
"Probably not, but you have to trust me."
Timon looked at the girls eyes. He doesn't know if it's a good idea, but what choice does he make if he either win or lose against his rival.
"Alright, hope you're right about this."
They came to a halt, but Timon grabbed her arms and begin to spin around as he spins faster until he let go of Sasha, flew straight ahead towards them zipped pass by them. Both Robert and Molly Jo were shocked as Sasha flew pass them.
"What the-"
"Keep up, old man!" Timon taunted as he skate pass them fast.
They completely went stunned. Sasha lands by her rollerblade as she rolls to the finish line sped pass them followed by Timon. The audience cheers that they won.
"Unbelievable! That guy toss the kid around to across the finish line! What a genius!"
"WHOO HOO!" Anne cheers.
"WAY TO GO, SASHA!" Marcy happily cheers.
Sasha came to a halt doing her pose. Everyone was taking their pictures from their camera or their phones. Timon stop right by her panted.
"Woo! Not bad, kid!" Timon impressed.
"I told you it could work!" Sasha gave him a high five.
Robert and Molly Jo came last as the old man went stunned.
"How did you two pass me?" Robert stunned.
"It was all my idea." Sasha answered.
"10 bucks, cough it up." said Timon.
Robert couldn't believe that he lost against his rival and a middle age girl. He pulled out his wallet from his back pocket and took out ten bucks to give it to him.
"Here's your ten bucks, but next time we race, it's your turn to give me fifty bucks!" said Robert sternly.
"Try me."
"Wow! That was amazing!" Molly Jo surprised. "Good race."
"Thanks, kiddo." Sasha shake her hands with her.
"Congratulations to Timon Berkowitz and Sasha Waybright! Here's your first place medal!"
The checkers hands over two golden medals to them as they put on around their neck. Everyone cheers for them. Even Anne, Marcy, and Pumbaa are cheering for them.
"And now, Robert Otto and Molly Jo will earn their 2nd place!"
The checkers hand over the silver medal to them. Molly Jo puts on her silver medal. She doesn't mind being second place, but for Robert, however was grumbled as he put it away in his pocket.
"It's alright, grandpa. Being a second place wasn't so bad." said Molly Jo.
"It's not that, sweetie, but he just won that bet against me." replied Robert.
"That's what happens when you don't play fair."
"(sigh) I guess you're right. I got a little carried away. Let's go get some ice cream."
"I thought you never asked."
Both Molly Jo and her grandfather rolled away from the crowd. Anne, Marcy, and Pumbaa walk towards them.
"Timon, I am so proud of you!" Pumbaa smiles.
"Thanks, Pumbaa. I couldn't have done it without her." replied Timon.
"Aw, I'm flattered." said Sasha blushing.
"Now, who wants pizza for lunch?"
"WE DO!" said The girls simultaneously.
"Let's move out!"
"YEAH!"
Timon, Pumbaa, and the girls are heading out to have pizzas for lunch. What they didn't notice when they were being watch by two of students that goes to school with the girls trying to take pictures to make gossips. But then, they were spotted by security as they ran off.
"HEY! NO CAMERAS! GET OUT OF HERE!"
Looks like some paparazzi's are in big trouble! Before I continue this story, I'll think of something how Timon got a date, enounter with some old friends and foe. Stay tuned for the next chapter!
Amphibia and The Lion King (c) Disney
Darrel Loyalty (c) admiralDT8
Ivan MonRoad (c) Artrodder
Ethan Day (c) aggiefrogger
Sandie Waybright, Cassandra, and Zoe (c) SfCabana15
