CHAPTER RE-EDIT MARCH 2017:

Okay everyone, a little pointer you should know before reading the story: I'm doing tutorial island (Monkey Wrench) first because it's the tutorial island before I do Early Poptropica. That's next chapter. I suppose I could've left it out, but it's technically an island so I wanted to include it because it's the default spot anyway so..

Good God, I hope I can fix the grammar properly. Anyway… Enjoy reading!

I stood up and looked around at this new world. The sky is a brilliant blue and little puffy clouds are here and there. I was standing on a stone bridge, which was connected with metal rods and hanging high above the ocean. On my right there's a small, dirty, light ocean coloured plane, that looks like it has been taken from the 1900s. It also has a bit of wear and tear, with little scratches on its surface. A girl was standing near it. I gasped; I recognized her. She was Amelia.. Amelia from Poptropica. But not only that. I was actually in Poptropica.

I breathed out very quickly and stumbled back, my head spinning. How on Earth can I be in Poptropica? I was there, on my computer, about to sign in... Then there was a flash... What happened? I clutched my forehead with my thumb-less hand. I squealed and looked at my body, my nausea kicking into high gear. I was about to fall over again, when an arm grabbed me. Amelia smiled at me. She wears a leather cap with a yellow eagle print; flight goggles on her neck; a brown zip-up jacket and leather pants.

"You alright?" she asked, helping me stand still. My nausea started to clear- although I had to blink a few times to get myself back into the now. I nodded, miming as words couldn't even come to my lips. "What's your name, sweet pea?" she asked with kindness. I sighed.

"Alice... My name's Alice..." I answered quietly, putting my hands by my side. I hoped for dear God that she heard me; I could be very quiet. She smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Alice! My name's-"

"Amelia?" I interrupted, the words leaving before I could stop them. I clasped a hand over my mouth, mentally slapping myself.

"Yeah... that's right... How did you know?" Amelia asked, staring at me suspiciously.

I shrugged, my forehead sweating, "Uh... lucky guess? You look like... A famous person." I blurted out, mentally kicking myself. She beamed at that.

"Thank you, Alice! I assume you know about this?" Amelia asked, tapping the side of her plane. I gulped.

"Yeah... You're going to enter a race with it." I mentally beat myself up. SHUT UP! I screamed at myself. Amelia was shocked again.

"You have a lot of lucky guesses, Alice. I'm definitely entering a race, but I'm just waiting for a friend," she said, tapping her chin. "You haven't seen anyone called Fierce Fox, have you?" My whole body froze when she said that name. I felt my heart beat furiously and my head pound. I didn't know what to say as every time I tried to find words, my mouth became dry. I swallowed and used my miming skills that I'd used to teachers and pretty much everyone else I had ever known. That was by shaking my head.

Amelia shrugged. "Oh well, I'm sure she'll be here soon. Would you like to learn how to change your appearance?"

"Um... no thank you..." I answered, feeling a bit awkward. Well, it was a game after all; of course she would ask questions like that. Then it hit me: my appearance! I looked at my hands again, minus the thumbs. After being a human for my whole life, seeing my hands without thumbs was quite an experience. I looked at my body, realizing that it was... Different. I was shaped like a potato, and my legs were skinny. "I need a mirror," I mummered.

Then I remembered: there was a clothes store- New You- on HUB island! I ran past Amelia, my legs speeding like motorcycles. Wait... I stopped, staring at my legs. Since when can I run like that? Since when can I run so... So well? Then I realized: my leg wasn't limp. It didn't sting, calling for me to fall over. In fact, I felt as strong as soldier. I grinned and entered the New You building, which gave me a flash of nostalgia.

In front of me was a lady with brown hair, tied up into a bun. Little strands of her hair come out from the side. She carries a pair of scissors and wears a purple cardigan; beige buttoned-up t-shirt and a brown skirt. On her left, there are fashion drawings of poptropicans and sewing guides. There's also a sewing machine, and a box of fabrics. Above her is a platform, with three costumes on three mannequins. A blue striped curtain with a yellow, frilly lining is above them and trails down the sides of the wall.

"Hello dear! Can I help you?" the woman asked sweetly, her eyes scanning my clothing.

"I... just need a mirror." I breathed, my head still dizzy from how on Earth I was in Poptropica.

"If you say so! We all need a mirror, don't we?" the woman chuckled, going over to a little desk. She opened up a draw attached to the desk and pulled out a little mirror. She handed it to me.

I looked at myself in the mirror and gasped. I have skinny arms and legs, and my body is the shape of an oval. My clothing's the same as what I wear when I'm in my world: my white v-neckline with long sleeves; grey scarf; black boots and leggings. I also still have my blonde, wavy hair that reaches to my shoulders. However, my brown eyes turned into black pupils.

"Your outfit is very chic. I don't see outfits like yours often; you're quite a star." The lady said, after I had handed her back the mirror. I nodded in thanks then left the store. My head started swimming again with questions: Why am I here? How did I get here? What's going to happen? Where's Fierce Fox? I slowly walked past New You and stood between it and the bridge.

Suddenly, somebody ran past me, knocking me onto the ground and causing stars to fly around my head.

"There goes my not-falling over." I grumbled, as I opened my eyes to adjust to what happened. I winced, expecting to feel pain, but I didn't. Well, I did, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It felt like just a little sting. Then, a hand appeared before me, helping me to my feet.

"Sorry." its owner said, standing in front of me. I gasped when I saw who it was.

"Fierce Fox?" I blurted out, my head swaying all over again. She stared at me, tapping her chin.

"How do you know my name?" Fierce Fox asked, staring at me with a mix of intimidation and suspicion.

"Uh... I've seen your face before..." I answered shakily, mentally harassing myself. I saw her left eye twitch, but she shook it off with her long, red hair.

"But I've never seen you. What's your name?" she asked, her foot tapping on the ground. I gulped, using everything in my power to keep my cool.

"Alice." I replied, my fingers laced together.

"Hm... Nice to see you then, Alice. Now if you excuse me-"

"You're off on a race with Amelia?" I spluttered. My brain went into a mental rage out at myself. Oh, you idiot!

"How did you know that?" Fierce Fox asked, more suspiciously. I could already see that she didn't trust me.

"Um… Amelia told me." I answered, with a breath of relief. Fierce Fox snorted and turned around, facing the bridge. Oddly, she stood there, not doing anything. I stood next to her, feeling more awkward than ever.

"Uh.. what are you doing?" I asked shyly, biting my lip.

"Waiting." she answered, tapping her foot and performing the famous waiting motion.

"For what?"

"The voice, duh."

"The what?!" I asked, my voice suddenly loud. I mentally kicked myself. She turned to me, more confused than ever.

"You don't know about the voice? Every Poptropican has a voice. It's like an arrow in your head, almost, that tells you where to go and what to do," she answered, staring at me. "Don't you have the voice?"

"Oh... Um... Of course I do." I lied, shaking my head, realizing. The voice is like an arrow that's in your head.. It tells you where to go and what to do..Then the voice must be the players! I silently gasped. I'm Fierce Fox's voice! I control her and let her jump... It makes sense!

"So... did the voice tell you to come here?" I asked, trying to sound as brave as possible. Fierce Fox stared at me like I was an idiot.

"Were you created yesterday? The voice calls me when it needs me. It said around here somewhere, so now I wait for it." she answered, giving me a weird look. I gasped again. Well, since I'm in Poptropica and not my world... I'm Fierce Fox's voice... Of course she would come to me! I was like a mother to a duckling. Inhaling deeply, I stared at Amelia. I trotted up the bridge, briefly glancing at Fierce Fox. Placing myself in front of the pilot; she turned to me and smiled.

"Hello Alice! Have you seen Fierce Fox?" she asked brightly. Just like that, Fierce Fox stood in front of me and faced Amelia. The pilot beamed at her. "Hello Fierce Fox! Are you ready to start the race?" Fierce Fox tapped her chin, thinking away.

"Say 'yes, let's go'." I said into her ear, like the voice. She stared at me.

"Um... Yes, let's go." she said to Amelia. The pilot clapped her hands together and climbed into her plane's backseat. Her finger pressed a button, turning on the rusty but well-working engine.

"Climb in, Fierce Fox!" Amelia said, gripping the steering wheel. Fierce Fox jumped (literally) from her spot and into the front seat. It confused me why Fierce Fox was in the front; wasn't Amelia the pilot? Then said pilot turned to me. I knew she was going to leave me here, all on my own. That wouldn't surprise me. Who would want to fly with Crashice? Who would want to talk to Crashice? Who would want to do anything with Crashice?

Amelia looked at me, sympathy in her eyes. "Wanna come with us, Alice?" Fierce Fox and I were both shocked by this. I mean, they barely knew me! Maybe that was a good thing…

"But.. how will she fit in?" Fierce Fox asked, with a scowl. I don't think she was fond of me. That didn't surprise me.

"Well..." Amelia said, tapping her chin. She squished over to the side, leaving a space next to her. She patted down on the leather seat. "You can sit next to me." I gulped, feeling overwhelmed with niceness. No one had ever invited me to do something with them. Maybe it was because she just didn't know I was Crashice, the girl was now a criminal at school.

"Are you sure? I mean... It's nice and all... But..." You don't know what will happen with me, I mentally finished. Amelia just nodded, welcoming me aboard. I sighed and slowly climbed into the plane, with a bit of help from Amelia (I wasn't the best at getting into things). The plane took off into the sky and I tried not to scream. I don't really like planes either.

We flew high up into the sky, where we were surrounded by other aircrafts. I recognized a helicopter from Reality TV Island, a balloon chair from Cryptids, a robot phoenix from Astro Knights and a flying ship from Skullduggery. The ocean is full of little green islands with trees. A referee, standing on a floating platform and holding a race flag, beamed at us.

"The prize is this medallion," The referee said, holding a shiny, golden circle-shaped necklace attached to a red leash. Everyone stared at it hungrily (in a competitive way). The referee turned to Fierce Fox, "Are you ready to go?" I leaned towards her.

"Say 'yes'." I whispered. I saw her body stiffen at the sound of my voice.

"Yes." Fierce Fox said, staring at the referee. He waved his flag, and our plane zoomed off.

"Woohoo!" cried Amelia. At least she was having a good time; I was downright terrified. I looked out of the plane and saw that we were second place. I avoided making eye contact with the ground, as I didn't want to have a panic attack. Suddenly, up ahead, I spotted a red plane similar to ours. However, it was much newer and it had a target under the wing and on the tail.

"The Red Baroness!" I cried, as we neared her plane. She turned to us with a wicked smile.

"Your little friend is correct!" she cackled. Her hands were behind her back, and I knew she was going to throw a wrench at us. "Sorry to throw a wrench in your plans!"

"MOVE!" I screamed, my voice aching from the cry. But it was too late. The wrench smashed onto the plane, damaging the engine. It went up in a puff of smoke, and we started falling down. There was a lot of smoke and dust, blinding me. I didn't know which way was up anymore. I think we were going down. I found my arms and legs, forcing myself into a little ball, hoping we'd survive.

"Alice," a voice said near me. "We're okay." I curled up from my ball and looked around. I was still in the backseat, somehow alive. In fact, I did not have one scratch. Boy, I was thankful I was in Poptropica and not in my world. If I was, I'd be very dead. Then I looked around, instantly recognizing that we were on Monkey Wrench Island. There are green trees everywhere, along with green grass and leaves on the floor. Every now and again I spotted a piece of disregarded stone.

Amelia was next to me, thinking. "Do you know where Fierce Fox is?" she asked, looking at her plane. "Oh dear. We're a bit stuck." We both looked at the plane. Its wheels had been caught in some foliage, and we were dangling above the ground.

"Yeah. Fierce Fox is back that way." I said, pointing behind us. I bet she was happy she didn't end up with me. The pilot gave me a curious look.

"How do you know that?" Amelia asked, briefly gazing at the engine. Her view turned back to me, then she smiled. "Another lucky guess?"

"Yep. I suppose so." I answered, with a nervous chuckle. Amelia patted my shoulder.

"You are interesting, Alice," she replied, tugging at the foliage. "I'd like to get to know you better if weren't stuck in a tree." That sentence warmed my heart. It felt strange, too. No one apart from my family had ever said something so nice to me before. I suddenly felt like the weak bridge that was my soul was starting to get a little stronger, like someone had put tape over it to try to get it to stand tall.

"Thanks," I replied, looking behind me. I heard a squeal of monkey from far away. I raised my voice as loud as I could. "Follow it!" I cried, hoping that Fierce Fox would hear it.

"Hm... I think the propeller is broken..." Amelia mused, staring at the propeller.

"It's more than the propeller," I said to her, although my voice was distracted. I kept looking over the edge, hoping that Fierce Fox and the monkey would come running. Eventually she did come, following a little monkey. I waved to them, "Fierce Fox! Jump up here using those platforms," I pointed to a bunch of stone pillars, "Then jump on the plane twice!"

She stared at me, on the path of becoming a glare. The monkey was somehow already on the plane (thanks, Poptropica logic) and jumping on it. Fierce Fox leaped up the platforms like an acrobat and joined the monkey on the plane. She reluctantly followed my instructions and jumped on the plane, causing the foliage to snap and us to fall to the ground.

"Whoa! Right again, Alice!" Amelia said, as we climbed out of the plane. I saw Fierce Fox wince from that compliment. Amelia patted my shoulder. "Now we just need a wrench." I was already heading off to the beach, where I knew the wrench was being held by a crab. Whenever I was replaying Poptropica islands and I knew all the dialogue, I usually did that with Fierce Fox. Running straight to the action.

The monkey followed me and we ended up on said sandy beach. There are two piles of rocks facing each other, with a large, see-saw-like rock sticking out from each of them. The crab was hiding under the right one, clutching a wrench in its claws. The monkey, knowing what to do jumped on the see-saw rock, forcing the crab out. It waddled across the sand and hopped under the left rock.

"Oh no you don't." I said, walking over to the rock. I climbed up onto the rock (I didn't want to jump as I had feeling something would go wrong) and my weight forced it down, shoving the crab out into the open. It looked around, stressing out like I did when I had a speech in front of my class. Its pupils narrowed and it burrowed into the sand, leaving behind the wrench. I walked over and picked it up in my hand. For some odd reason, it glowed, then floated into a leather backpack on my back. I immediately recognised the backpack as the item bag.

"How did that get there?" I asked, reaching out to touch it. But as I did, the backpack turned invisible. "Okay..." I assumed that's what Poptropicans saw when they collected items. The monkey squeaked, bouncing in front of me. I smiled, "Chill out, little guy. Come on, let's go back to the others."

The monkey ran off, showing his energy as he bounded back up the rocks. I slowly followed after him, my legs feeling rather light. They haven't felt this good since... I don't even know how long ago. The monkey and I returned to Fierce Fox, whose face had a stormy look, and Amelia, who on the other hand, looked happy to see us.

"Did you find the wrench?" Amelia asked me. I nodded, and just as I did, the bag appeared on my back. I tried not to look alarmed at the fact that a backpack had just poofed onto my back. I wondered if they could even see it. Anyway, I grabbed out the wrench and handed it to Amelia.

She plopped it on the ground and stared at me. "Do you know how to use it?" My eyes went wide and I shook my head. I had no experience of craftsmanship, so I was going to be useless. But I knew someone who did.

"Fierce Fox knows how to use it." I said quietly, staring at said grumpy girl, who was watching us with envy. She heard her name come from my mouth and turned to me, obviously trying her best not to lash out at me. She put on a sweet smile.

"I do know how to use it." she said, walking over to us and picking up the wrench. Her eyes settled on the plane and she jumped on it with ease. She twisted the propeller back on with a few turns of the wrench. When she was done, the wrench vanished from her hand. I assumed that it went into her inventory.

"Looks good! Come on, let's fly." Amelia said. She saw me shaking my head and raised an eyebrow.

"It's not going to work," I said. "The plane is more broken than just the propeller."

"How do you know?" Fierce Fox and Amelia asked at the same time. However, Fierce Fox was much more aggressive. Amelia, on the other hand, chuckled.

"Another lucky guess?" Amelia asked, with a shrug. "Or you know a thing or two about planes."

"Yeah, but how can you even prove that it's broken?" questioned Fierce Fox, staring at me with more suspicion than ever. I ignored my heavy breathing.

"It... it just won't work... Look." I said, going over to the front of the plane. I tapped the front of the plane; the engine coughed out a lot of smoke.

"So what do we need to do then, know-it-all?" asked Fierce Fox, her stare now a glare. Amelia shrugged. I suppose 'know-it-all' was better than Crashice.

"We need to go this way." I said, pointing to a raised platform of dirt, that is spread out for the rest of the island. I knew if we went that way it would take us to Crusoe and his hotel. The monkey caught my eye and jumped up to the top.

I looked back at the other two, "Follow him." Amelia jumped over my head, landing gracefully on top of the platform. Fierce Fox followed, giving me a glance before she disappeared after Amelia. I stared at the platform, my legs trembling and my lip quivering.

"Come on Alice, stop being a coward and jump." I scolded myself, as well as a mental slap. I bent my legs and sweat covered my face. Then memories came back from the time my school went to the gym. We were jumping off platforms and everyone was doing so well. Everyone but me. I tried to jump off, but I just twisted my leg and squealed like a baby. Tears had filled my eyes and everyone was watching, laughing at me.

"CRASHICE! CRASHICE!" they had called, their voices burning my brain. "CRASHICE CAN'T JUMP!"

I zapped back to the now and looked around. I stared at the platform and sighed. I walked over to it and dug my feet and hands in the dirt, like a climbing wall. Hauling myself up, I eventually made it to the top and ran after the other two. I tried to ignore the sweat all over my body.

I walked into a zone where there is a large frame work construction made out of bamboo, attached to a large tree stump. There's a stone statue of a monkey, with a water stream coming out of its mouth, near Amelia. Monkeys are everywhere, pulling and pushing things.

There is a little bamboo desk at the front, supported by a part of a statue. I saw there is a bamboo umbrella with large green leaves and a little bell.

"Hello Alice! Where have you been?" Amelia asked me, as I stood next to her. I gulped.

"Um," I started, searching my brain for excuses. I could see that Fierce Fox was staring at me, darkness leaking out of her eyes. "Let's see who's home." I said, running over to the bell on the desk. I tapped it with the tip of my finger; it sent a ring through the air.

A man ran over to the desk, sitting on the statue. He has slick brown hair with grey streaks, roughly combed back. He has a brown, fluffy beard covering his face, and a bubble pipe in his mouth. His clothing consists of a white t-shirt; a grass skirt and a brown, wooden-like jacket.

"Ah... fellow adventures!" he chorused, his eyes drifting on us. Then he glared at the monkey, who was watching us from the side. "Mongo? No uniform in front of our guests?! Scat!" he barked. Mongo squeaked and ran away, only to be replaced by a brown monkey with a monocle and a uniform.

"We can't stay, we have to win the Flying Ace Race!" Amelia said, her voice frantic. Crusoe smiled and nodded.

He recited, "A race, you say? Reminds me when I was a young adventurer. I was a young man preparing to live my dreams-"

"Excuse me," I piped up, but he didn't seem to hear me.

"Everyone wants to follow their dreams, but mine were different-"

"Excuse me," I tried again, a bit louder. But he still didn't hear me.

"My father was always supportive, but even he couldn't keep up-"

"Crusoe!" I said, my voice cracking. He turned to me and stared.

"Well hello young lady! Might I ask, how do you know my name? Or, perhaps you have heard it?" he asked, proudly grinning. I nodded, hopefully not looking panic-struck. He looked quite pleased, so I don't think I did. I looked back at the others; Amelia winked at me while Fierce Fox scowled. He turned to Amelia. "But I digress. You want to re-enter the race?"

"Yes. Can you help us?" Fierce Fox asked, her gaze on the tropical man. I watched her stand a little closer to Amelia, so it looked like I wasn't part of the group. I sighed; I was used to that.

"Of course! Just bring me some rope, a cloth and a refreshing fruit drink." Crusoe answered.

"A rope, a cloth and a drink? We can find those." Amelia said. She did a flip in mid air and jumped over to the large stump, in front of the bamboo frame. It's made completely out of bamboo, with lots of mechanical parts embedded in it. I saw sharp blades, covered with dried up fruit juice. There is a little wooden spout at the front, along with a red lever. The words 'Crusoe's castaway retreat' are written on the stump.

Fierce Fox joined Amelia and they both stared at the machine. I stood in front of them from my ground position. I knew that Crusoe was actually going to use the things we were finding to make a hammock. I debated with myself whether I should tell them or not.

"Guys, I know where we can find those items," They both looked at me. "Fierce Fox, you'll need to help that monkey," I pointed to the highest, bamboo platform where a tired monkey was trying to pull a lever, "Once you help that monkey, the bag of fruit will explode, putting the fruit everywhere. You'll fall down that slide," I pointed a long, curly slide, "Get back up and push the fruit into a little rectangle-shaped box-"

"Yeah, I think I got it. Thanks, know-it-all." Fierce Fox turned around to start jumping, but she suddenly stopped and turned back to me. "Wait... if you know all this, then why don't you do it?"

"Um..." I mumbled, my lips going dry. "I have a leg injury." Fierce Fox scoffed and started doing what I told her. I felt strange saying that. Whenever we did P.E, I couldn't participate because of my leg. I always had to tell the teachers why, and eventually, they gave up asking because they already knew. That was the first time I had ever used that excuse while knowing in my heart it wasn't true. That sucked, because it was probably the only time in my life where I actually needed my leg to be bad.

"Day dreaming, are you?" Amelia asked, watching me from the edge of the platform. "I'm always day dreaming. Well, the voice always tells me to let Fierce Fox do all the work. It tells me to stay here and watch. I've always wondered why."

"Yeah, me too." I said, glancing up at Fierce Fox, who was pulling the lever with the monkey. Just like I said, the fruit bag exploded and she flew down the slide. She popped out into the little river near the slide and rubbed her head. A rope banged against her body, and added itself into her inventory. She scowled and wiped off the water. But I don't think she was scowling because of the water. I think she was scowling because everything I said was right, again. Amelia noticed too.

"I have a question, Alice. Don't take me for being rude, but how do always seem to know what to do and what's going to occur? One person can't have that many lucky guesses," she said, staring at me. I felt the hairs on my arms stand up. Then she said something that really shattered my plates. "You remind me of the voice."

"Um..." I started, lacing my fingers together. Then we both heard a noise near us. The juice machine was working, letting sweet pink juice flow into a little coconut cup. Fierce Fox hopped back down, panting.

"That was a lot of work for one little drink," she muttered, staring at me. "I suppose your 'leg injury' wouldn't be able to take it." I watched her pick up the drink and I forced back tears. Maybe I was in my world after all... My leg always pulling me back.

"Take everything to Crusoe." I said, my voice strained. I felt my head pound at me for being so stupid and so cowardly... I should've helped... I should've jumped... But I didn't. All I did was lay back like a slacker. I didn't have my leg injury anymore; why can't I take advantage of it?

Oh, that's right. Because I am Crashice, the worthless, little crap.

I watched Fierce Fox give everything to Crusoe. He gleamed.

"No one is to disturb me. I must have complete concentration." he said, running off. So you can have complete concentration to sleep, I thought with a scowl. We waited a few minutes before I decided to speak again.

"He's gone off to make a hammock with the stuff we found," I explained to the girls, "He's probably snoozing now." They both stared at me.

"How do you know that?" Fierce Fox asked, with a perpetual scowl, "In fact, how do you even know if you're right?"

"I've been right every other time, haven't I?" I said, immediately regretting my words. Fierce Fox clenched her fists in frustration of the truth. My heart filled with sorrow. "Sorry." I said.

"Whatever," she huffed, but then her face went confused, "Where is he?" I pointed to the upper right, past a few bamboo platforms. A glimpse of Crusoe's hut caught my eye, with its green banana tree leaves. I watched Fierce Fox hop up the path I had pointed, and Amelia followed.

I gulped and realized I was going to have to jump if I wanted to follow them. The both of them stood there, staring at the snoozing Crusoe, without me. But that didn't surprise me; I was always the one who was left out. Then I heard Amelia's voice.

"Alice! What are you doing down there?" she called, from the high platform, "Aren't you coming up?"

"I don't know if I can." I replied, tears almost coming to my eyes. They wanted me to be with them.

Up there. All three of us. "I've got a leg injury." I was coming very close to physically harming myself with my own lies.

"You do?" Amelia said, sounding surprised, "Um... Stay down there then. Well, it turns out you were right anyway; Crusoe did use those supplies to make a hammock!" she said this with a laugh. "Oh, and you should see his design!" I knew she was talking about that scrappy drawing that Crusoe made.

"The monkey has a better one." I called back, staring up at the top, feeling insanely stupid. I wouldn't be surprised if they took off and left me here. Who would want someone like me hanging around?

Amelia and Fierce Fox were staring at the much more impressive diagram that the monkeys had given them. Then, the monkeys skidded past me, carrying the Poptropica blimp. They placed it onto the stump, right in front of the juice machine. Amelia and Fierce Fox gaped at it for a few moments. The monkeys surrounded the blimp, squealing and squeaking. They looked at me, eye gesturing to climb in. I just bit my lip. I saw Amelia jump down from the top and into the blimp, followed by Fierce Fox.

"Come on, Alice!" Amelia said, looking at me, "Hop on in!" Fierce Fox just scowled and turned her back. Amelia ignored her and held out her arm. I sighed, went to the side of the stump, and stepped on the roots. I stepped up onto the stump and took Amelia's hand. She hauled me into the blimp, and it started to rise into the sky.

"Where's Crusoe? Oh wait, I bet psychic girl knows." said Fierce Fox, as we brushed past leaves of the tree. I could hear the squeals of the monkeys and possibly the snores of Crusoe.

"Um... I don't think you'll want to know..." I said quietly, staring at the bright blue sky. Fierce Fox gave me a weird look as we rised higher into the sky. Soon, the forest was behind us, and I could see the other aircrafts. The Red Baroness was also up ahead, making me shiver.

"We're back!" cried Amelia. She turned to Fierce Fox and I. "Let's drop these bags to catch up." Fierce Fox (somehow) cut off one of the bags, and it fell down to the ground. We thrusted forward a bit, nearing the front.

Amelia clapped, "It's working, drop more!" Fierce Fox dropped another one, and we flew forward again. I dropped the bag on the furthest right, just by touching it, and we ascended further. We were directly behind the Red Baroness.

"You again?" she hissed. Her plane descended and smashed into our basket, making it wobble. I fell out of the side, but I just managed to grab onto the edge of the large bag with Crusoe. My legs dangled down, facing the long, long drop.

"Good save, Alice!" Amelia said, reaching out to grab me. However, she was too high up to reach me, and my hands were getting loose. The cloth was slipping between my fingers, and I was holding on at the very bottom of the cloth.

"It won't be so good when you fall!" cried the Red Baroness, chucking a crowbar at me. It hit me in the side, making my head dizzy. However, I was perfectly fine after that.

"I don't get Poptropican physics." I mumbled. My hands were getting tired, delaying my time hanging from that monstrosity. Suddenly, I saw Amelia facing me, her legs being carried by a grumpy Fierce Fox. Amelia held out her arms, which were close to the top of the bag.

"Grab on, Alice!" she urged, reaching out for my hands.

"Come on Alice." I muttered to myself, preparing to let go with my left arm to grab Amelia's. But I couldn't. Something was stopping me. Something was stopping me from facing the truth. "I can't." I breathed, looking away. Something was stopping me... Is it because the last time I tried to grab onto something I lost the only nice person? Fierce Fox was grunting and Amelia sighed.

I bit my lip. "Sorry." For you having to put up with such a cowardly, clumsy idiot, I finished in my head. Amelia sighed and signaled Fierce Fox to haul her lower. The pilot grabbed my hands and pulled me back up. She swung me back into the basket, where I slumped down to the side, the back of the basket digging into my skin. No wonder they call you worthless. You can't do anything yourself.

"Drop the last bag!" Amelia ordered Fierce Fox. My Poptropican reached out to clip the big bag off, when Crusoe burst up from the bag. "Crusoe?"

"My airship worked? I mean, of course it worked!" laughed Crusoe, sipping his drink.

"Get rid of the wrench." I said, halfheartedly to Fierce Fox. She got it out of her inventory and chucked it, the item almost landing on the Red Baroness' plane.

"Hey! You almost hit me!" she growled. But I could see she was sweating. We were catching up.

"It's still not enough!" Amelia cried, our blimp still behind the Red Baroness.

"Ask Crusoe to get a refill of his drink, then throw it over into the Red Baroness' plane." I ordered, staring at my hands. I watched my said actions happen, along with the Red Baroness' beloved plane break down and crash down to the ground. Our blimp was lighter, but I knew that since I was never originally here, it was still heavier. However, on the flip side, we were in front.

"Come on, we're nearly there!" Amelia said, as we passed the finish line. There was a flash of confetti as the referee waved his flag.

"Congratulations! You are the winners!" he cried, as Fierce Fox and Amelia had a little dance. I was too sad to join in.

We returned to HUB island, where the referee put a medallion around Fierce Fox's neck. Confetti was sprayed everywhere and there were flashing lights.

"Thank you everyone!" Fierce Fox cried, tapping her medallion. I knew when she said 'everyone' she didn't include me. Who would?

"Good job, Alice," Amelia said, patting my shoulder. "You were quite helpful." Suddenly, as I was about to verbally protest, my vision was overcome with white. "Alice?" The world was blurry and the sound was gone.

"Alice?" That voice was familiar. My eyes fluttered open and I stared around. It was my bedroom. My bed. My house. I was clutching my laptop and my Dr. Hare plush was near my face. My leg was back to normal as well. I had never been so relieved in my entire life that my leg was back to its crappy state. But that relief didn't last long. I had never entered Poptropica.

"It was just a dream." I sighed, laying back on my pillow.

"Alice?" The voice said again. My bedroom door opened and I saw my mom, standing there with a pale face. Oh no. I've been suspended. I could tell just by looking at her.

"Alice, they said yesterday that you apparently squeezed mustard on someone at school," she breathed in, her face turning bright again, "However, security cameras caught you slipping and grabbing onto it to keep yourself standing. So you're not suspended or in trouble." I breathed out in relief. "But they've been so kind to give you this..." My mom brought out a crutch. I gulped. "The school gave it to you."

"Great. Hell, here I come..." I mumbled, shoving my face into my pillow.