Animorphia
Chapter 27: Shooting Star
Meanwhile at a restaurant, Pizza Planet was filled with arcade where kids are playing while most people are enjoying their meal with pepperoni, cheese, or any kind. But some people don't like when it has sausage or pineapple.
Speaking of which, Timon and Pumbaa had already ordered their lunch as they brought the pizza over to the table where Anne, Sasha, and Marcy are sitting with paper plates and napkins. Timon set the trays down gently when it's too hot. Pumbaa brought over their drinks.
"Here you go. Pepperoni Pizza with extra cheese!" said Timon.
"Bon apatite!" Pumbaa added.
"Alright!" said Anne happily.
"Yum!" Marcy chimed.
The teen girls start eating their own slices of pizza. Timon and Pumbaa take their slices as well and start eating.
"MMMM! It's so delicious!" Marcy exclaimed when eyes sparkles.
"So cheesy!" Anne added.
"Yeah, it sure is." replied Timon with his mouthful.
"Timon, manners." Pumbaa reminded him.
Sasha took a sip from her drink after swallowing her pizza.
"Thanks for taking us out for lunch, Mr. Berkowitz." Sasha thanked him.
"No problem, kid and thank you for stepping up and be my partner. Which you take Marcy's place." replied Timon before taking a sip.
"Don't feel bad, dad. Anne was just trying to keep me safe from... you know... clumsy or... injury?" Marcy took another bite out of her slice of pizza.
"I know, I kinda felt bad for you..." Anne's word was cut off by Marcy.
"No! It's fine. There's no reason to apologize. It's all in the past."
You gotta put your behind in your past." Pumbaa added.
"It's "You gotta put your past behind you". You're saying it wrong." Timon reminded him.
"Sorry."
"So, is it alright if we can play games a little bit?" Marcy asked politely.
"Of course you can, but we gotta take your friends back home before dinner." replied Timon.
"And make sure you wash your hands when you're done eating." Pumbaa added before eating another slice of pizza.
"Thanks dad." Marcy took a last slice and she eat it.
"Well, what are we waiting for! It's game time!" Sasha chimed.
"Game on!" Anne added.
As both girls got off from the table, Marcy came last while wiping her napkins before ran after them.
"Hey, wait up girls!"
Timon and Pumbaa looked at their girl running after her friends smiling.
"It's nice to have adopted girl and raise her like family." Pumbaa sighed.
"Yeah. It sure is." replied Timon softly.
He looked at a family sitting at the table where they are enjoying their meal. He was staring not just a man or two boys, but a woman. Pumbaa noticed that look on his friend's face.
"You okay?" Pumbaa asked.
"Hmm? Oh, I was just uh... thinking."
Pumbaa took a glance at the family sitting at the table. He started to wonder where his best friend is staring at.
"Can I say something crazy?" Timon asked.
"Yeah?"
"You know, I was thinking if I could remember what I used to have."
"Like what?"
"I don't know, but..." Timon pause for a moment. "Do you think that I ever get a date?"
Pumbaa blinked his eyes for a second.
"Why do you ask that?"
"Remember when Marcy told me that she never had a mom after we adopted her?"
Pumbaa recalled. He was told that Marcy never has her own mother. Before she was adopted, she told them that she lost her parents. Marcy never mentioned about this for a while. Whenever when Mother's Day comes, she's always sad.
But luckily, Timon called his mother on the phone to cheer her up. After all, she has her adopted grandmother since her first visit to Africa. Now Timon is thinking about having a date.
"Of course, I remember. We did call your mom about Mother's Day."
"Yeah, here's a thing. Do you remember when we talk about our lost episode that was alternative when we first met before our story begins?"
"Hmmm..." Pumbaa started to think what Timon's been asking, but then he realized it. "Oh! I remember our lost episode! It's where we first met, but they decided to reboot our backstory as we talk about our story."
"Yes, but I'm not just talking about our backstory. I'm talking about my life before I met you."
"The sentry duty?"
"No, it's... a girl."
"Oh, do you know her name?"
Timon tried to remember what he used to have, but sadly he couldn't remember everything. Nobody blames him when he gets older, but still young.
"I don't know."
Meanwhile, the girls are enjoying some games they played. Anne and Sasha are doing "Dance, Dance Revolution" while Marcy was wondering around until she found herself a crane game.
She walks over to the crane game where it shows some little green men squeaky toys. Marcy remembers where she used to play when she's little.
"Aw, hello little green men. You miss me?" said Marcy softly.
Anne and Sasha approach to her, but looking through the glass.
"Didn't you already have one?" Sasha asked.
"Yeah, but they're so adorable." replied Marcy.
"Dude, you have like more than one squeaky toy." Anne remarked.
"I donate some to the orphans."
"Well, I donate some of my toys on eBay." Sasha added.
"I usually donate some of my toys, but I'm still holding on to something I like." said Anne when replying to Sasha.
"Says the girl who adores her number one idol."
"Dude!" Anne went blushing.
"C'mon girls. Just for one." Marcy pleaded with her puppy face.
Anne knew that she couldn't resist Marcy's puppy face.
"Okay, just one."
"Thanks Anne!"
Marcy put her quarter inside the slot as the crane game began. Marcy carefully concentrates the crane to pick up the toy. Just then, Anne could hear her phone rang and answered it.
"Hello?"
Then we see screen split into two showing her mom on the phone while cooking her meal in the kitchen.
"Hi, Anne." said Mrs. Boonchuy.
"Hi, mom."
"How's your sleepover?"
"It was great."
"So, what are you been up to?"
"We just had Pizza Planet for lunch."
"Really?"
"Uh-huh. Marcy's dad brought us her. He won his first place along with Sasha from rollerblade race."
"Was it today?"
"Yep, he was planning to use Marcy as his partner, but I told him that it would be easy enough to have Marcy dropped out."
"Are you protecting her from racing?"
"Yeah, I didn't want to hurt their feelings because it's father and daughter time."
"It's quite alright. There's always next time. And speaking of which, I need you to come home because I wanted to discuss between you and your father about the game expo."
"Really? I mean, sure! I'll ask her dad to take me home."
"Thank you. I love you."
"Love you too, mom.
Anne ended the call when the screen went back to normal just in time when Marcy got her prize until the crane drops the toy.
"Yes! Another day for victory!" Marcy cheered.
"That's my girl." said Sasha when impressed.
Marcy took the alien toy out and made a squeaky sound as she giggles.
"Cool, you got your prize. We should get going. My mom called."
"I got text from my mom too." Sasha added.
"Me three!" Marcy chimed.
Her friends were staring at her awkwardly. Marcy realized something.
"Oh, silly me. I don't have a mom yet. Just me, my dad, and my uncle."
"Girls! It's time to go!" Timon hollered.
They can hear Marcy's dad hollering.
"And speaking of dad, let's go!" Marcy ran off while Anne and Sasha follow her.
They exit the restaurant and went inside the vehicle. Pumbaa turned on the engine and drove off. The teen girls are in the back chattering while Pumbaa is driving. Timon looked through the mirror.
"What you got there, kiddo?" Timon asked.
"I won a prize!" Marcy showed her toy to him.
"Didn't you have that one already?"
"What, I love Toy Story!"
"Okay, I see what you mean."
"We'll first stop by and drop your friends off. Then we can all go home." Pumbaa added.
It won't be long than an hour once they arrive at the Boonchuys house. Anne unbuckled herself before taking her backpack and open the door.
"Thanks for taking me home, Mr. Smith."
"Please, call me Pumbaa."
"Okay, Pumbaa. See you later."
"Bye, Anne!" Marcy waved.
"Say hi to your mom for me." Sasha added.
"I will." Anne got out from the vehicle and closed the door.
Pumbaa drove off and went straight to Sasha's house. It only took a few seconds when they arrived. Sasha got out from the car while Timon got out to pick up Marcy's bike as he put it in the back to tied it up.
"Hey, Sasha."
"Yes?" She looked at him.
"Thanks for stepping in and take Marcy's place. I kinda knew if anything goes wrong."
"You're welcome. It's what friends do."
"Yeah, well... take it easy back there."
"Will do."
"Bye Sash!" Marcy waved.
"Later, Mar-Mar."
Sasha went back inside her house. Timon got in until Pumbaa drove off. All that's left was Marcy sitting in the middle of the back seat playing with her phone. She looked through some photos of herself with friends and family.
She smiled when she looks through her memories. Just then when they arrived back home, Pumbaa parked and turned off the engine. The three of them got out and close the door. Timon unhooked Marcy's back and placed it inside the backyard.
Timon noticed when Marcy was looking at her phone while holding her alien toy. The man in disguise walked over and see her phone. He remembers where they used to share a lot of memories.
"Having fun?"
"Hmm mmm." Marcy nodded.
"Okay, let's get inside before it's getting dark."
They walked through the door and close behind them. What's left is when a butterfly land on a flower bed that Pumbaa gardening long ago. It took a sip from the flowers pollen and resting for a while after a long flight.
Meanwhile back in Taipei, where some small planes landed. Just then, when a silver van arrived with some stuff in the back. Eddie got out first then followed by his grandparents. It was almost six in the morning when they woke up early.
He was looking at a small plane that was parked. A small cargo airplane that was once from a military until it retires and became a delivery package for any passengers. He was told by his grandpa that he had an old friend that can take him to L.A.
"Is this where your friend takes an airplane?" Eddie asked.
"Yes, and just in time for before sunrise." His grandfather answered.
And then, there was an old man wearing his flight brown suit and has white beard. His skin is white and looked like he was once an air pilot. He turned around and smiles at them.
"Hey! You made it!" said The pilot.
"Hey Joe! You remember my grandson?"
"Yes! I remember when you were young. How you been?"
"I'm doing good." replied Eddie when shaking hands.
"My goodness, you've grown up."
"Yep, I'm seventeen years old."
"Very nice. Ready for your flight?"
"Yep."
"Good, now let's unload some stuff and load em' in.
"Thank you, sir."
Joe nodded. Eddie opens the trunk and start taking his suitcase to the airplane. He set aside carefully and went to get another package. With his help by his grandparents and Joe as they all load some stuff to an airplane.
Once they're done, Joe covered up by some net to prevent this from sliding or falling. He buckled up when he's done. Eddie put his backpack on his back. He is now wearing a grey jacket, black t-shirt underneath, light blue jeans, white socks, and green tennis shoes.
After he close the door, he turns around at his grandparents that were smiling warmly at him. Eddie smiles back. He knew it was time to move on.
"Well, this is it." said Eddie.
"It sure is." replied His grandfather.
"Call us when you made it to L.A." His grandmother added.
"Okay."
He took a glance at the plane before he turns his head back at them. He looked at his grandparents' face with mixture of smiling and sad. He gave them a big warm hug as his grandparents hug him back. The eldest wife shed a tear a bit.
"For eight years, we raised you well enough. No matter where you go, you will always be there for us." said His grandmother softly.
"I'm gonna miss you two." replied Eddie.
"Me too, Eddie. I am so proud of you." replied His grandfather.
He let go of their hug and looked at them smiling warmly.
"It's gonna be okay. I'll come back and visit you once I found my sister."
"You take care of yourself." said His grandfather.
"And please do be careful." His grandmother added.
"I will. Thank you so much... for everything."
Eddie gives his grandmother a kiss on her forehead. The elder's wife put her left hand on his cheek one last time. They were smiling for a moment. Eddie slowly let go and walk backwards until he heads towards to a plane.
"Eddie!"
He looked back at his grandparents and gave a final look.
"Tell her we say hi when you found her."
"I won't let you down, grandpa. I'll make you proud!" replied Eddie.
He walked inside when Joe closes the door. Eddie took a seat after taking off his backpack and buckled himself while Joe starts the engine.
"You ready, kid?" Joe asked.
"Ready."
"Okay, time to lift off."
While the engine is ready, the turbines were turned on. He navigates the wheel as the plane turns and started to move slowly leaving his grandparents behind by their car. They were watching as the plane started to go faster until it lifts off flying. The eldest couples wave their hands at his grandparents on a plane before flying far away.
Back on the plane, Eddie looked out the window where he sees the city he once lived. And now he's moving away to Los Angeles to reunite with his sister. He took out his wallet and look at the photo.
It shows the photo of himself as 4-year-old along with his parents. His mother is holding Marcy as a baby looking up at her mother smiling. Eddie smiles softly as he remembers what he got from his grandparents.
"Don't worry, Marcy. Hang in there."
Meanwhile back home in L.A. by evening, there was a big burp making an echo throughout the neighbors. Marcy is laying on the roof with Timon as a meerkat and Pumbaa as a warthog.
"Whoa, nice one Pumbaa." Timon impressed.
"Thanks." replied Pumbaa.
"Boy, I'm stuff." replied Marcy.
"Me too. I ate like a pig."
"You are really are a pig."
"Oh, right."
They were stuffed after having their dinner. Both of her father and her uncle already revert themselves back into animals. Now they were staring up in the sky where stars are as the sky clears. It looks beautiful when there isn't any so much clouds or air gas.
They all sighed softly in unison. Marcy doesn't mind relaxing on the roof as long as her dad will be watching her just to make sure. Sometimes, most kids like to hang out on the roof while parents are strict, but not for her adopted dad when he doesn't mind.
"It looks beautiful without some clouds or foggy." said Marcy softly.
"It sure is." replied Timon
"Hey, Timon, ever wonder what those sparkly dots are up there?" Pumbaa asked.
"Pumbaa, I don't wonder, I know."
"Oh. What are they?"
"They're fireflies. Fireflies that, uh... got stuck up on that big bluish-black thing."
"Oh, gee. I always thought they were balls of gas burning billions of miles away."
"Pumbaa, with you, everything's gas."
"(giggles) You guys. The reason why stars are so important is because they have helped humans navigate through Earth. When it was dark, these stars would light up the sky giving people light. In addition, stars are very important because they make life on Earth." Marcy explained.
"Really?" Pumbaa asked.
"You've been studying about astronomy class. Have you?" Timon asked.
"(gasp) Look! A shooting stars! Make a wish!" Marcy exclaimed.
What she saw is a shooting star flew by. They close their eyes quickly to make their wish. It was all quiet, but with a cricket sound and a dog bark from a distance. They could hear a police siren far away. Until then, they open their eyes and looked at each other.
"Did you make a wish?" Pumbaa asked.
"If I told you, there aren't any wishes once I revealed. Unless the two of you are the only ones that I could trust" replied Marcy.
"Aw, thanks pumpkin." said Timon when felt touched.
"C'mon, tell us." said Pumbaa ambitious.
"Okay, but can you keep a secret?" Marcy asked when whispered.
They both nodded.
"Alright, here goes. Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight. I wish to go on a huge adventure with my friends and family to a place where no one has gone before."
Marcy finished her sentence. They were staring at her for a few second before Timon break the silence.
"That's... a good wish..."
"What he meant was that was a great wish. Even though, if you want your dreams to come true, you really got to believe it." Pumbaa added.
"What he said."
"Thanks, guys." Marcy thanked them. "I've always been dreaming of going an adventure, living in fantasy, like roleplay game."
"Uh huh?"
"Now, what do you wish for?"
"Me? I don't know if I made a wish. The last time I carefully made a wish, things go wrong."
"Like the time you told me to make a wish from a whale?" Pumbaa recalled.
"This is better than a whale." replied Timon as he remembers.
"C'mon dad, tell me." Marcy ambitious.
"Okay, okay. Can you keep a secret?"
"Hmm mmm."
Timon got up and walk closer to whisper to her ears until her eyes went wide.
"(gasp) You got a date?!" Marcy whispered.
"Was, until I moved on."
"When did you last see her?"
"I couldn't tell."
"(yawn) It's getting really late. Maybe we should call in a night." Pumbaa suggested when yawned.
"Okay, we'll talk in a morning."
"Now?" Marcy blinked.
"Yes, Marcy. It's bedtime." replied Timon.
"Oh, okay."
Marcy first got inside by going through her window. Then she gently picked up Timon while Pumbaa came in last and then she closes the window.
"You know, you look cute when I'm carrying you like a chihuahua."
"Or a platypus." Timon remark.
Marcy giggles a bit. She gives a kiss on the meerkat's forehead and set him down gently.
"Love you, daddy."
"Love you too, pumpkin."
"Well, goodnight."
"Sleep tight."
"Dream of bed bugs tonight." Pumbaa added.
They exit her room and close the door gently leaving Marcy alone in her room. She looked at her picture frame on her desk where it shows the photo of her with Anne and Sasha doing their own pose along with Darrel, Ivan, and Ethan.
Marcy smiles warmly at the picture. She loves hanging out with her friends. Her only closest friends she has ever met since she was five. She took a glance at the calendar that she set up her schedule where it says "Game Expo 2019" on Friday.
She knew that she got a lot of game to win by practicing and be the best champion there is as long as she doesn't take her game switch to school when her dad told her to as they made an agreement.
Later on, Timon brush his teeth while wearing his pajamas until he spits out by using water. He turns on the sink to wash off the toothbrush and then turn it off. He jumped off the counter as he got out from the bathroom.
The meerkat walked over to his bed, but he stops for a moment when he looked at a window when it's too bright. Timon jumped on a bed and looked at the clock that says 10:00 pm. He sighed sadly and got himself covered inside of his bedsheets.
"If only wishes aren't dangerous. I wish... I could remember where I used to fall in love with before I met Pumbaa. Before my adventure."
He closes his eyes as he drifted to sleep. It took a few seconds to sleep heavily until when a star started go bright through the window. Just then there was a beauty voice from a star.
"Your wish has been granted. For your selfless and caring for your family, I shall guide you to a place where all was forgotten."
Once a star reach on a nightstand, it reveals that it shows a note. A note that has a secret code. The brightness was toned down until it's all too dark and too quiet. Timon didn't woke up when he sleeps too deep. He'll never know when he woke up from a dream.
Where did this letter come from? Could he make his wish come true? Let's find out next. Stay tuned for the next chapter.
Amphibia and The Lion King (c) Disney
