CHAPTER RE-EDIT MARCH 2017: I can't do maths… am I an eighth done? I don't know. Remember, check my DeviantArt (iHateFridays) for art and self advertising, and yeah… Enjoy! 1. Sorry I had to add that there XD
(1) I had to add that lol XD
(2) By the gods, Fierce Fox... that's racist.
Amelia parked her plane on the sandy beach at the front of Time Tangled island, just under Fierce Fox's blimp. I hopped out, my feet touching the grainy sand, and my hair flowing in the light wind.
"Do you want me to wait for you?" Amelia asked, staring at me with concern, similar to my mother.
"No, I'll be fine. Thank you and bye!" I answered, rushing off the hot sand and onto the hard concrete. I passed the tall building known as 'Party Time Tower', which is made out of bricks and balloons. I kept on walking until I arrived in front of Pendulum's lab. It's shaped like a giant, metal clock, with two long hands and a little shed on the side. I spotted Fierce Fox roaming around, not really doing anything.
"Fierce Fox!" I cried, running up right behind her. She turned around in surprise when she saw me. Soon, it became hostility.
"Oh. It's you." Fierce Fox grumbled, crossing her arms.
"Yeah. It's me…" I replied, grinning nervously. Fierce Fox continued to glare at me, until she was interrupted by a cry nearby us. I knew who it was, unlike Fierce Fox, who was rather surprised.
A lady with frizzy, brown mad-scientist hair and glasses was frantic; almost crying at us. "Help! Something terrible has happened and now the future is in peril!"
"Let's go and see what it is, then," I spoke up (though I knew perfectly well what was wrong), as the crying lady went inside the building. I followed after her; being first for once, Fierce Fox shortly behind me. The lab is built completely out of metal, with metal platforms and forms of electricity in the walls. In front of Fierce Fox and I is a downward, metal slope, which I slid down, while Fierce Fox jumped. We arrived in front of the time machine, which is a cylinder-shaped, metal thing with wires shaped like antennae on the top. The woman was still crying. There was also a man on the right side of the machine, holding documents. He gasped when he saw me.
"You're… You're the one they spoke about in the future. They said you knew many things, and saved Poptropica. The one that villains wanted... And a true hero." The man gasped, in a voice as if he was telling a prophecy. His eyes were wide and he was breathing slowly, as if I was the queen. I bit my lip, feeling Fierce Fox's vicious stare on the back of my head.
"Um... Go to the area beneath us and push the giant plug in." I instructed fearfully to Fierce Fox, pointing beneath my feet. She gave me a suspicious glance, but jumped down regardless. I felt my heart racing and sweat trickle my forehead. And a true hero? What does that mean? The ones that villains wanted? Saved Poptropica? Suddenly I had a feeling that the time-traveling wasn't the only dangerous thing I would be tampering with…
I heard of flash of electricity, and my curiosity made me look up. The antenna was alight, and so was the door of the time machine. The interior was flashing blue, like a light. Fierce Fox appeared by my side, and we both gazed at the time machine.
"Ready to go Back To The Future?" I asked, with a wink (1). Fierce Fox raised an eyebrow, but nodded anyway. I gestured her to the blue. She jumped in, her body disappearing in a flash of light. I gulped, putting my foot in the blue, suddenly feeling all swirly and doubtful. My figure leaped inside regardless, then my vision was overcome with white.
I reopened my eyes again; thanks to nostalgia, I expected to see my bedroom curtains and my mother thumping around outside. However, instead, all around me I saw a murky green haze. In the background are dark green buildings with smoke pouring out. Thick tar floats in the air; it made me cough. I was very thankful that the real world wasn't going to look like that dystopian place... At least I hope...
Fierce Fox was wiping her eyes from all the tar. I could see a familiar figure in the distance, through all the dust. I approached Fierce Fox, and we both stormed ahead, the tar tickling our skin. The figure got closer, and closer still, until we- well, me- recognized it.
"Who are you?" Fierce Fox asked, squinting at the figure. An old lady was standing next to a peeled sign with old words on it.
"She's you, but fifty years older." I explained to Fierce Fox, who stared at me as if I was crazy. Suddenly, old Fierce Fox grinned at me.
"Alice! I haven't seen you for ages!" she cried, waving her walking stick, and giving me an embrace, her frail arms poking my back. She has young Fierce Fox's same hairstyle, except it's a light grey and all bangs from her face are gone. She's wearing the same clothing as well, but her skin and face are covered with wrinkles. Old Fierce Fox looked much happier to see me than young Fierce Fox, as she let me go. "It's so good to see you again! How are you?"
"Um... Good..." I awkwardly replied, lacing my fingers together. Then Old Fierce Fox looked depressed.
"Oh, right. I haven't found out... About you yet..." she muttered, shaking her head. Young Fierce Fox raised an eyebrow, acting more stunned than ever. What does she mean, 'about you yet'? Old Fierce Fox sighed. "Well, Alice, I know you know what to do, correct?" I nodded. "Perfect. Well, you'll be needing this." She handed me, not young Fierce Fox, the compass.
"Okay... So what exactly do we need to do?" young Fierce Fox asked, putting her hands on her hips, with a scowl.
"Good heavens! I guess I was grumpier when I was younger," sighed old Fierce Fox, tutting. "Alice will know what to do," Then she pulled me in for a whisper, "Just... Be prepared Alice. I can't tell you everything, but remember this: put a mental wall over your heart and mind."
"Okay then..." I replied, feeling rather strange. Old Fierce Fox shooed us away, eyeing the compass. I opened up the compass, young Fierce Fox peering over my shoulder. I pressed the white square with a picture of a man with a blue hood, with the writing '1953 AD'. Then the world disappeared in a flash of light.
We reappeared on a snowy mountain. There is layers of slippery ice under our feet, and platforms of rocks with soft, sludgy snow. Metal bridges lead from platform to platform. I wondered how in the world I was not getting cold, regardless of the snow storm. In fact, the falling snow didn't even feel a tiny bit wet. Poptropica! I scolded myself. Come on, you should know this by now!
"Where next, know-it-all?" Fierce Fox scowled, staring all around us. "Do I need to drag you up there again? Ugh... GREAT! WHY CAN'T YOU DO ANYTHING YOURSELF?!"
I bit my lip. "Why do you hate me? Your future self acted as if I were her best friend." I asked, before I could stop myself. Fierce Fox's muscles tensed and she whipped around and faced me.
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT MY STUPID FUTURE SELF!"
I gulped, but my smart mouth got the better of me. "Well, you are your future self. You'll be acting just like that one day." When I saw Fierce Fox's face I wished for the first time that I was at school, doing work. It was better than being there with a furious Poptropican. She was so mad that the snow seemed to be burning underneath her feet.
"Uh... Climb up all these bridges and get to the top, where there'll be a rope! Go up the rope then run over to the people in a tent and talk to the blue one! He'll tell you his goggles are gone! Then keep climbing up the mountain until you get to the top and pick up the Liberty!" I puffed frantically, taking a few snowy steps backwards and bracing against the rock wall. Fierce Fox continued to glare, and I continued to sweat bead, praying for mercy.
Old Fierce Fox's words floated in my head. 'Just... Be prepared Alice. I can't tell you everything, but let me say that put a mental wall over your heart and mind.' I still didn't get what it meant, but I knew if it popped up in my mind, it was trying to tell me something. My job was to figure out what.
Fierce Fox and I climbed up the ledges. Fierce Fox was so angry that she didn't even speak. She just leaped up, her jaw clenched and her teeth gritted. I had to rely on my own strength and tolerance to climb the mountain. I slipped and fell so many times. Luckily I didn't get hurt, but I still had the knowledge that I was going to die. It took me about 15 minutes to get over one slope.
The cowardly human in me made the whole experience much harder. However, the little courage I had was the thing that kept me going. The jumps were the hardest. I had to climb up those. And the whole atmosphere also drained all my mental strength (not so much physical; I was in Poptropica).
When I finally arrived at the top of the mountain, where the Liberty was, I passed out on the snow. Fierce Fox was looking rather bored; she had been waiting ages for me. Luckily, old Fierce Fox had given me the compass. If she hadn't, I would've welcomed the mountain as my new home. The sun shone on my face, and the snow was soft between my fingers.
Fierce Fox groaned when she saw me. I shrugged in a friendly way, looking up from the snow. I reached into my mysteriously-appearing inventory and pulled out my compass. Staring at it through dazed eyes, I hovered my finger over a white button, which showed a man with flat, curvy hair and matching beard. The arrow spun around, landing on his face.
"France 1832, here we come..." I muttered, as white overcame my vision once more.
We arrived in a totally new, snow-less place. There are wooden buildings around us, all identified with French words. There are large piles of wood and bits and pieces everywhere, creating quite a messy construction sight. Right behind Fierce Fox and I was a partly-built, wooden model of Liberty. I stared at it, admiring every wooden detail, along with the wooden frame surrounding it.
"Go right up to the top of the wooden frame and jump to your left. You'll land on a platform. Jump to the one beneath it and grab the brown book. Oh, and... Please... Give me the Liberty model." I instructed this in my politest tone, including a friendly smile. Fierce Fox's eyes narrowed. She shoved the Liberty model into my arms, before jumping onto the wooden frame. I felt a tinge of pain stab my heart, but I shook it off. The Liberty disappeared into my inventory and I began to head over to the place where such item was needed.
I entered a little white building which has a tin roof and wooden walls, called Gadget, Gauthier et Cie. The whole building is covered in a black shadow and is full of artifacts and sculptures, all made of stone. I headed to the end; the guy I saw on the compass was there, standing next to a podium. I gave him the Liberty model; he placed it on the podium, crying for joy.
"Thank you for returning this model. You've saved the project!" he exclaimed, in surprisingly good English. The sun dramatically shone on the model, making it look rather majestic. I smiled. I left the building and found Fierce Fox outside, her arms crossed.
"One done, 10 to go!" I cried cheerfully, getting out the compass. Fierce Fox just scoffed. I turned the arrow onto the man wearing a black, pirate-like hat and a pigtail. The arrow spun around, and we were locked into more light.
The next location was the Graff House. It's a cloudy night time, with old, rotting fences by our sides and hedgehogs crawling on the floor. The Graff House was right ahead of us; it's made out of red brick and many lit up windows, taken straight from the 18th century. I suddenly felt the old Poptropica exuberance whizz through me. I was really doing something... Exciting! It was what I had always been envious of when I was on Earth. There was nothing so great there. All the exciting things had to be so dangerous... And I was so cowardly that I never wanted to face them. Now I had the chance.
Fierce Fox was already at the wooden door of the Graff House. I rather slowly jumped over the hedgehogs, my feet inches away from their spines. I trotted up to Fierce Fox, facing the Graff House. I could hear the faint murmurings of music and people inside. However, we were not going into the Graff House just yet.
"On the chimney," I instructed Fierce Fox, pointing at the roof. "There's a bag of salt. You need to-" But she was already leaping up the window sills. I sighed. Most Poptropicans journey and explore on their own, with the assistance of the voice, of course. But that's just a voice in their head. Fierce Fox's voice wasn't in her head anymore. It was physically with her. However, she did not know this. And her voice wasn't so sure if she would want to know.
Fierce Fox reappeared next to me, with her usual scowl. I was about to comment on how quick she was, but then I remembered that look in her fierce eyes when we were on the mountain. So instead, I reached into my bag and got out the golden compass, spinning to the picture of a dark-skinned woman with a pink turban. I pressed the knob, and the white consumed our vision once more.
This time, we were in a desert land, which is filled with rock-like brown buildings; the floor covered in the brown dirt; the buildings with wooden poles poking out, totally surrounding us. In the distance, I heard the cry of an eagle and the hiss of a snake. The sky is a beautiful pattern of the sunrise, the colour filling the sky. The Mali Empire, 1387.
"This way," I instructed, pointing directly above me. There's a wooden pole, then a flourishing green tree poking out above it, both connected to the rock-like houses. "Climb up to the top and give the white turban guy the salt." I watched Fierce Fox act out my words, jumping like the eagles in the sky.
Meanwhile, I weakly (the mountain climbing was still bothering me) leaped up to the wooden pole, gripping it with my hands and hanging on the underside like a sloth. I dug my feet into the side of the building, bringing myself up the right way. I stood up on the pole, my feet trembling. I reached over, similar to a rope, and gripped the next building, pushing my legs off. I rolled onto the second building, like a total idiot.
Then, I made a leap of faith over to the tree, just gripping it with my fingers. My knees bent as I kneeled on the tree. I rolled myself onto the final platform, which is just above the tree, while I laid on my back. However, I squealed when I saw a vicious brown viper strike at my head. I slipped over to the edge, nearly falling off.
Fierce Fox's shadow appeared above my head, catching the viper's attention. I scrambled to my weak feet, shivering. I have to jump... Come on Alice, you did the mountain, this should be easy! But my old human fear kept coming back and sticking like glue. A little flick of sweat rolled down my cheek. Fierce Fox was growling on the other side, showing no interest in helping me at all. I sighed.
"Fierce Fox! Jump up that brown building, then over the large sausage statue. Go into the Timbuktu Inn and find the white-turban guy with a scroll in his hand. You want the foreign, English document. To get it from him, you'll need to complete a puzzle. Complete that, get the document, and meet me in the place where we got here from." I instructed tiredly. Fierce Fox glanced at me with a scowl, before jumping off. I breathed out a puff of relief and got out the compass. I opened it and pressed the picture of a man with no beard and brown hair. I disappeared in a flash.
The area around me went from sandy to soft. There's dirt under my feet; poshly built fences; trees; a large, pale wood mansion; the sky as blue as blue. I passed by all these, the dirt getting in my toes.
I spotted a rather strange looking bike; it's made out of pale green metal, and a large wheel at the back, and a small wheel at the front. I climbed into the leather seat and pressed a red button on the back. The bike lurched forward, smoke coming out the exhaust. It moved slowly along; probably the most pleasant thing I had been on that day. It parked under a tree. I climbed onto the highest leather seat, staring at the branch above me. I jumped up, grabbing it with my tired fingers.
I pulled myself onto it, like I was riding a horse. My legs dug into the green leaves; I stood up. I leaped over to the house side, my hands now grabbing the window sill, which was more like a fence. My feet scraped along the window; my hands flicked off all the old paint. Using the pole of the 'window fence', I managed to pull myself onto the slope of the roof. I apprehensively trotted across the sloped, triangular roof, using the red brick chimney for support.
Then I slid upwards, like a snake on the ascending part of the roof, before rolling sideways to the second chimney. I easily got to my feet, using the second chimney for support. On top of the second chimney was the Sun Stone Piece. I gripped the chimney with my hands and legs, hauling myself up. When I was finally in reach, I pulled the piece down, landing on my back and the piece going into my inventory. I let out a breath of relief. Laying on my back on the sloped roof, I got out my compass and returned to The Mali Empire.
The sand, dust and cries of eagles hit me all over again. Fierce Fox arrived at exactly the same time, scowling at such fact, as we faced each other.
"Okay, now we need to go back to the Graff House." I spoke, getting out the compass once more. I pressed the man with the pigtail, and again, got the white flash.
We reappeared in the nighttime environment, the hedgehogs just ahead. I eyed the Graff House.
"You've got the Declaration of Independence. Go inside and give it to the man with the black hat and pigtail." I instructed, trying not to be firm. Without looking back, Fierce Fox headed inside the Graff House, leaving me alone once again. I sighed, feeling my skin prickle. Once Fierce Fox handed in the Declaration of Independence, that would be another pin bowled down. Meanwhile, I couldn't stop thinking about Old Fierce Fox.
Are we really going to be friends in the future? It didn't seem true now. Fierce Fox hated me. Maybe Old Fierce Fox just got excited over seeing someone she shared nostalgia with.
Young Fierce Fox returned, tapping her foot impatiently on the ground. I got out the compass once again, flicked off the lid, and pointed the knob at a man with a feather hat. Light consumed our vision.
This time we entered a much... Prettier place. There are beautiful alabaster pyramids, decorated with colourful ancient art. There are crops of corn and other plants with thick, green stems. The Aztec Empire, 1519. I noticed all the residents wear colourful clothing, containing some form of feathers. I set my eye on the largest pyramid, which had a large, colourful plate with a piece missing.
"Fierce Fox, go to the last pyramid with the old warrior on it. He'll give you his mask. Put on the mask, then go to the largest pyramid and talk to the warrior with the grey goggles. He'll give you his goggles." I instructed, eyeing my Poptropican. She snorted at me, before running off and leaving me in the dust. I bolted past the smaller pyramids and many crops, arriving at the foot of the large pyramid. A furious warrior, with his spear equipped, charged for me.
I hopped out of his way, grabbing onto the side of the pyramid's stair rail; I pulled myself on. I rolled myself over the thick, red rail and onto the stairs. Slowly, stretching my thin legs, I climbed up to the top.
The top is amazing. There is a trapezoid block by my side, with circular, stone pictures of colourful, sun-like illustrations on top. A big piece was taken out of it, like a pizza slice.
"I have the sun stone piece!" I cried, to one of the rulers standing on the top. He has blue feathers on his head and various colours wrapped around his body. The Sun Stone piece flew out of my inventory and locked itself into the gap on the stone.
"Thank you! We will remember you forever!" the ruler cried, with a big grin. Done, I thought triumphantly. Then I glanced at the stairs. I groaned.
Fierce Fox and I reunited at the bottom of the pyramid, Fierce Fox still wearing the mask. It made her look like an idiot, but luckily my smart mouth was shut tight.
I took us back to the snowy mountain; haunting, tiring memories creeped into my head. This time, Fierce Fox herself leaped up to deliver the campers on the mountain their goggles, while I waited at the bottom of the mountain. I had done far too much jumping and climbing. I reminded myself again that I was in Poptropica, so there was no way I could get physically hurt. Physically.
Fierce Fox returned, looking as fresh as a baby. If she was human I think she could be a brilliant gymnast or dancer. And I could be the toilet cleaner. Ignoring my harsh thoughts, I opened my compass and flicked the knob onto a man with a grey beard and brown hat.
After the usual flash of light, we found ourselves in a naturalistic place: grass on the floor, and a great waterfall nearby. The waterfall flows from a cube of dirt; rock platforms poke out of such fall of water. A few large, mountainous rocks are near the edge of the waterfall, along with a wooden sign saying 'Leo's Workshop'. I gulped, realizing all the jumping we would have to do...
"Um," I spoke up, pointing at the waterfall. "Jump up there. There'll be some platforms and things you'll need to pull and stuff, but eventually you'll get to Leo's workshop. Go inside, find Leo, and give him that notebook we found in France. He'll give you his glider wings. Put them on and go back outside. You'll see all those wooden platforms, and under one of them will be this silver thing. Use the gilder to get that. After that, meet me back here." I instructed, trying to sound as brave as I possibly could.
The little courage in me wanted to do what Fierce Fox was doing, but the lack of such courage was too much. Fierce Fox briefly glared at me, before she started hopping up the rocks. Meanwhile, I got out the compass and pressed the button with the man with brown hair and a brown hat. White consumed my vision again.
The area around me turned into night time, like the Graff House. However, there's a spooky forest in the background, and a camp right around me. There are small, brown tents and a burning campfire near me. The man from the compass was right in front of me, though I had no interest in talking to him yet.
I headed past the rest of the camp, reaching a pale brown, slightly peeled tree. I leaped up slightly, grabbing the first branch with my hands and pulling myself on. Then, using my legs and my hands, I jumped like a frog across to the second branch.
I repeated the same process for the third branch. I glanced at the hole on the top of the tree, seeing the furry face of a beaver popping out. On top of its head was a silver vase, with Chinese symbols. I bent my knees, feeling the old human fear again. The beaver disappeared, then reappeared. I jumped up like an idiot, banging my head on the tree, but grabbing the vase.
I slipped off the tree branch, plummeting backwards, the world passing me in a horrid blur. I hit the ground- as usual not feeling any pain- but still the shock sensation. I reminded myself of the same words: It. Is. Poptropica! I sighed, getting onto my feet. Now for Fierce Fox. I got out the compass, going back to Leonardo Da Vinci's time. Fierce Fox and I met at the foot of the waterfall once more.
"Let's go." I said, pointing the knob of the compass back on the man with brown hair and a hat. We arrived back in the camp, where Fierce Fox handed them back their peace medal. Then we finally got to go to Ancient China.
Ancient China is incredible. There are little straw huts, containing white glue to build the great wall. Everywhere I looked there are stands holding bricks made of grey stone. The sky is a brilliant blue, and my face automatically split into a smile; old excitement filled me again. Fierce Fox gave me a strange look.
"Go get the gunpowder," I instructed, pointing to my far right, "Then go up left until you see a guy with armor. Give him this," I handed her the Chinese jug. "Then meet me back here." I put on a little grin. Fierce Fox scowled at me before jumping off. Meanwhile, with my feet padding along the grass and dried up concrete, I leaped- well, hauled myself- onto the wooden frame.
Like a giant step, I got onto the next one, now right up against the wall. I frog-jumped across a few more, before getting onto the actual wall. A man stands on it, his feet sticking into the stone, and his back bent. I trotted across and joined him, feeling the cool bricks under my feet.
"Like the amulet I'm wearing? You can win it if you beat me in a simple memory game." he spoke, in a soft, Asian accent. I sighed, my knees slightly bent.
"Thanks, I do want that, but there's something else too," I answered, getting a strange look from him. "Tell me how to make amends." The word came out of my honesty, realizing how desperate I was for Fierce Fox and I to make amends. Or stop being enemies.
"Well," the guy replied. "We'll discuss over playing this," He got out a bunch of white tiles, all with different patterns. "Pay attention to this one," He pointed to one with three sticks: two black, one red. With his swift fingers, the man swapped them around, my eyes glued to the original one. "If you truly want to make amends with one, then you must make peace. You must find what side is black and what side is white. Then you must piece them together," I placed my hand on one of them, which was the wrong one. Instead it was yin yang, swirling in peace. "Just like that. Work together."
"Um... Thanks..." I replied, though it seemed rather useless. How was that going to help me? The man suddenly pushed the piece forward.
"You may keep it. And since you are interested," the guy took off his amulet, placing it in my hand. "You may have this as well."
"Thank you." I replied, both items going into my inventory. I grinned at his generosity, although my head was perplexed. I got to my feet, feeling more unusual than ever. I shook my head, telling myself to relax. Bending my knees, I- slowly as always- climbed down from the spot on the wall, avoiding the falling bricks. I arrived back in the original spot, where an impatient Fierce Fox was waiting. I bit my lip at her, feeling sweat dampen my neck.
You must find what side is black and what side is white. Then you must piece them together. Work together. The voice occurred in my head.
"Fierce Fox," I began, the compass in one hand. "I... We... Need to go to the vikings." I flicked the lid off the compass, turning the knob onto an old man with a long, grey beard.
There was a flash of thunder and splash of rain. I opened my eyes, the wooden floor beneath me shivering with the storm. We were on a viking ship. Everywhere I stared there is rain, thick forests and vikings. Fierce Fox and I climbed out of the viking ship, our feet landing on the soaking grass. I bolted right up to the nearest viking, who was the viking on the compass, with his long, braided beard. I grabbed the amulet out of my inventory, which is shaped like a silver hammer.
"Thank you! The powers of Thor are with us again!" the viking cried, as I handed him the amulet. I grinned at his statement, before turning to Fierce Fox.
"Did you get the gunpowder?" I asked. She gave me a brisk nod. "Okay, this way." I trotted forward, passing the viking, and coming to a collection of rocks, which formed a mountain. They're large, flat rocks piled on the round rocks, creating platforms. A cave is at the top, blocked by a pile of rocks. I felt my skin tingle at the sight of all that jumping. I looked pleadingly at Fierce Fox, but she just scowled at me. There was no way she was going to help me again.
"Use your gunpowder at the top." I instructed, pointing to the top. Fierce Fox, being her usual athletic self, leaped up the platforms. I sighed, using the frog-jumping technique, along with some rock climbing. It was annoying, but better than jumping like a bullet then falling like a rock, like the normal jump. But I wasn't normal. Not really.
I arrived at the front of the cave, peering at the grey boulders. Fierce Fox placed the gunpowder at the front of the pile of rocks, before igniting such thing. My human instinct made me cover my face. However, even with such an explosion, I didn't get hurt. Even when the rocks literally flew right onto me.
"I will never understand Poptropican physics," I muttered, shaking my head. I eyed the cold darkness of the depth of the cave, the faint dripping of water bleaching my ears. I raised my voice. "Anyway, now we need to get through this maze. There'll be a lot of jumping, don't fall in the water, and you'll need to be fast. Once you get to the end, you'll need to get the golden vase. Then leave." I instructed, trying not to stress. Fierce Fox equipped one of the alighted sticks and faced the front of the cave. I picked one up too, trying not to let my fear of the dark get to my head.
"Why are you coming in?" Fierce Fox asked, as we stood under the entrance of the cave, water dripping nearby. I was surprised to hear her raspy voice one more. It was like hearing a cry of life after five years of being in a coma. But it didn't sound happy.
"We need to work together," I answered. You must find what side is black and what side is white. Work together. The words stabbed me like spears. Fierce Fox snorted.
"Then why didn't you help me before? That hang glider was hard to use." she retorted. I hung my head, almost in shame.
"I..." I didn't know how to answer. I didn't know what to answer. I just bit my lip, standing there like an idiot. "The cave." I stormed inside the darkness, treating more it like a welcome rather than a fear. Fierce Fox muttered something under her breath, but followed me in anyway.
The cave is wet and pitch black, the torch only supplying so much light. There are stretched webs on the dark blue cave background; rock platforms under our feet; stalagmites in the corners. I gulped, fear flooding me all over again. I stared down at the pitch black darkness, knowing that's where we'd have to jump. I would've preferred to climb the mountain again then do that.
Fierce Fox leaped down, her feet splashing in the puddle below. I gulped, sitting on the edge, my legs hanging down. I slipped, pushing my butt further to the edge, my face covered in sweat. Then I jumped off, my hair rushing in the cool drop. The mountain memories didn't seem so harsh anymore. I landed on the bottom, taking a few moments to recover. Then I realized that my torch was out, and all around me was more darkness. Every hair on my body stood up, my legs and arms trembling, cold water dampening my skin. I was alone in the dark. The dangerous, freezing, dark.
I forced myself to my feet, my eyes furiously trying to adjust to the darkness, as I took huge steps forwards. Darkness was everywhere. I'd hated darkness since I was young. It was along with my most hated things, along with my bad leg. You just couldn't see anything in it! In this situation, I only had to put up with one of them, but it was in a dark cave, with dripping walls and grunts from another Poptropican. If I did have my faulty leg, it would be at the bottom of my list.
"Fierce Fox! Please wait!" I cried, my voice strained. The strain and realization that I could be with someone else gave me the energy I needed. I skipped across the wet floor, praying I wouldn't bump into anything. I perked up my ears, trying to hear Fierce Fox storming across the floor. But I couldn't. Then I got even more afraid. What if she already got the vase and left? What if she locked me in here? What if I never get out? I was so focused on my fearful predictions that I didn't notice a gap in the path. I slipped and fell from it, my throat almost bursting from the shocked scream. I grabbed onto the side of the path, hanging down.
"HELP!" I cried, out of desperation. "FIERCE FOX! SOMEBODY!" No one answered my calls, and my hand was getting limp. Then I heard footsteps.
"Oh, you're stuck again." Fierce Fox grumbled, her figure just visible in the dark. She was staring at me, but then her eyes directed elsewhere, assumingly the exit. My fingers were getting weaker.
"Help..." I breathed. Fierce Fox's eyes darted back and forth from the exit and I. I let my limbs loosen, knowing that she wouldn't help me again. She hadn't helped me on the mountain. She hadn't helped me up anywhere. She had run out of sympathy. But I hadn't. And I knew what she wanted.
"Do you really want to know who I am?" I asked, my sore hands making the words come out of my mouth. Fierce Fox kept her eyes on me. They didn't seem to want to move back to the exit.
"Know who you are..." she breathed, considering. Then she glared. "Fine. I'll save you. But you have to promise to tell me what's going on."
"Yes! I promise!" I cried, more desperately than ever. Fierce Fox breathed out slowly, but leaped over to my side, her feet in front of my hands. She grabbed my hands and hauled me up, draining my fear of dropping off the edge completely. However, I was still afraid to tell her the truth. Old Fierce Fox's words hit me again: put a mental wall over your heart and mind. It still didn't make sense. When will that come into play? I sighed, shooing my overlapping, tiring thoughts out of my head.
"So... Explain yourself." Fierce Fox snared. I trembled.
"Let's get out of this cave first." I replied.
Fierce Fox actually helped me get out of the cave, which I was extremely thankful for. There was no way I could get out of that dark cave without help. While we were climbing out, I told her how to complete the rest of the island, though my brain was still thinking about old Fierce Fox's words. I sighed, giving up on attempting to clear my mind.
We arrived into the light of the cave's exit, rain pouring all around us. Thankfully for Poptropican physics, it didn't wet us.
"Explain. Now." Fierce Fox spoke, her hands on her hips, and glaring at me. I gulped, unsure of where to start.
"Um..." I began, my brain beyond confused. Even perplexed was an understatement. I searched my frantic, unorganized mind for answers. Then I finally found one. "Well... You know… How you have a voice?"
Fierce Fox raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
I gulped. "Well... The best way to put this is... That I'm... sort of your voice."
Fierce Fox's pupils shrunk. "What do you mean? You can't be my voice. You're standing right here!"
I bowed my head. "Well... Um, voices... Are an entire species on their own. We live in a totally different world, called Earth. On Earth... Poptropica is a..." I paused, not sure how Fierce Fox would take this next line. "A computer game."
"What?!" Fierce Fox cried, looking outraged.
I gulped again. "Yes. It's true! Poptropica is a computer game. And I'm not just your voice, Fierce Fox. I'm your creator."
"THAT'S RIDICULOUS!" Fierce Fox shouted, clenching her fists. "You can't be!"
"It's true! And for the last few nights I've been coming here from my world. You know that voice that tells you to run around? That's me! You know how I always know what to do? Because this whole world is virtual! Nothing changes here. I always know what to do because I've played these islands before!" I cried back, a bead of sweat on my forehead. Fierce Fox growled.
"That isn't true! Poptropica isn't a computer game and you aren't my creator!" she yelled, her tone of voice scaring me. But my smart mouth won again.
"Then... Explain how everything I say is going to happen happens." By the look on Fierce Fox's face, I wished I had sellotape on my mouth. Or I was deaf.
"You know what?" Fierce Fox began, and I braced myself. "I'm done with you. First of all, you show up out of nowhere, then constantly need my help, while you already know what to do, and then you just disappear at the end! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?! I'M FINISHED WITH YOU AND YOUR STUPID LIES!" she paused, taking a step towards me. "WHY DID I EVEN BOTHER TO TALK TO YOU?! WHY DOES ANYONE BOTHER TO TALK TO YOU?!"
I stumbled backwards, nearing the edge of the rock. I wanted to say something. I wanted to speak. But I didn't know how. Fierce Fox stepped closer to me, before we were nose to nose.
"Get out of my sight, or I'll push you off this rock. And I never want to see you again. Go back to wherever you came from and don't come back." she growled, in a pitch no louder than a whisper (2). But it made my skin shiver as if she was screaming. I was so shocked I couldn't even think properly. Words couldn't form in my head. Memories from the past seemed shattered. It was like my brain had shut down.
"Fine. Fine. Fine." I muttered, repeating the word over and over again. I ripped open my inventory and got out the compass. "Fine. Complete the island. Fine. Fine. Fine." I pressed the 'lab' button on the compass, before chucking it at Fierce Fox. White overcame my vision, just as I saw her glare one last time.
I dragged myself out of the time machine, barely having enough in me to breath. I just felt dead. I was too dead to cry. I was too dead to be angry. I was too dead to do anything. All I could do was feel useless. No one wanted me anymore. Not even my own Poptropican. That didn't surprise me. The entire school was against me. Why not everyone in Poptropica, too? I grumbled, storming out into the present Time Tangled island.
Mental walls? Strong hearts? Courage? Usefulness? I had none. I had no one. I closed my eyes, waiting to leave.