I WANT REVIEWS! GIVE ME REVIEWS! IT'S ALL I EVER THINK ABOUT! IT'S ALL I WANT IN LIFE. AKDIGJAPKDH (begins foaming at the mouth)
A/N: From one extreme to another, huh? Under 5,000 words to nearly 8,000. I'm never a good judge for how long things are going to be. Some have pointed out my manic begging for reviews at the beginning and end of every chapter seems a little strange and desperate. In truth, it's only half serious. It's over the top and ridiculous so it sticks in your mind. That way you actually remember to review. Seriously though, if you read and haven't reviewed yet, what is wrong with you? REVIEW. Yes, I know the ranting is over the top and ridiculous, but I made it that way on purpose. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter. While there isn't any shipping flashbacks in this chapter, there will be A LOT in the next. Please be a little patient.
Chapter 5
Ben was calmly walking around the perimeter of the Simon Tribe's village. The chipmunks of the village were building a palisade wall, but were rather morose about it. They were fortunate that there was only one real path through the village to The Bastion. The palisade wall would look intimidating, but would likely not stop the likes of David. They were chipmunks. Climbing up trees was what they were born for. A wall made of wood would simply be an easy jump, skip, and hop into the village. That wasn't it's real purpose however.
As Ben inspected the final section of the wall the going into place, Captain Jayden approached. He was out of his usual armor, and was sweating profusely.
"We finished the fourth device." he said, wiping his forehead.
"You're still behind schedule." Ben replied without looking at him. "I wanted six of them. We're only two days away."
"I'm sorry sir, we've never built them before." Jayden stated. "The first few didn't work."
Ben growled and rubbed the area between his eyes.
"Tell the guards to hurry up." he said. "If there aren't five of them I'm going to fire them before we all die, got it?"
"Yes sir." Jayden said. The guard lingered for a few moments, fidgeting. "Sir, what about my family? My wife is starting to get sick from all of the worry…"
"I cannot allow them to leave." Ben said firmly. "Apart from the fact that it isn't fair, I told the whole village that no one was running. I'm not going back on my word. I can't an exception for one without an exception for everyone. If this works out, we won't have to worry."
There was a loud crashing sound not too far away. Ben and Jayden jerked their heads around. A female chipmunk, who looked as if she had just reached breeding age, had been carrying a bucket full of tree tar. The tribe was using it to bind the palisade logs together. She had tripped, fallen on the ground, and the tar had poured all over her. Once she realized what had happened she shouted in frustration. She pitched a brief fit, kicking the bucket away, and beating on the ground. She finally sat down on the ground, hugging her knees to her chest, and sobbed quietly. Ben glanced around and saw that everyone was staring, some of them with very sympathetic eyes. The albino growled slightly. The girl made a scene in front of him. He had to deal with it, or risk coming across as callous to the whole village. He walked over to the girl, who continued to cry quietly.
"What is your name?" Ben asked. She glanced up from her knees and was surprised to see her albino chief. She briefly jumped and wiped her tears away. She had smeared some of the tar on her face.
"Oh! Um, Chief Benjamin...I was just…" she tried to say.
"Your name." Ben ordered. The girl gulped nervously.
"Stephanie." she said quietly.
"Well Stephanie, there's no reason to cry over a bucket of tar." Ben replied. She gave him an incredulous look.
"It has nothing to do with tar." she said. "I...I hate this! I hate waiting for our deaths! I hate working with my stomach in knots! I just want it to be over! I'm terrified and I don't want to work like this!"
Ben abruptly knelt down, so he was at the same level as Stephanie. The girl flinched backwards, unsure of what he was doing. His pink eyes stared into her green ones.
"It's fine to be afraid." Ben said.
"It...is?" Stephanie asked.
"Being afraid is natural, and it's a good thing. It keeps us alive and safe. Fear is as natural as breathing." Ben then held up his finger. "What is not natural and good, is letting your fear control you. Everyone in this village is doing their best to survive this fear. You should not, and cannot let your fear consume you when everyone is counting on you." Ben held his hand out to her. Stephanie glanced at it and then back to his face. She gulped and took his hand. He then lifted her up onto her feet. "I'm counting on you Stephanie. Let's work through our fears together."
The young woman appeared completely stunned. Her eyes were wide and sparkling slightly. She gulped nervously and turned a little red.
"O-Okay…" She said quietly.
"Good. Now go get cleaned up and get back to work, and this time, watch where you're walking." Ben said the last few words with a slight smile. Stephanie chuckled a little nervously.
"Okay…" she repeated. She then turned and dashed away to go clean herself up. Ben sighed and wiped his forehead.
"From one disaster to the next…" he muttered. He turned and walked back to Jayden. He then looked around, confused. Everyone else was looking at him, but they weren't scared or resentful. Many of them looked on with approval, and some were even smiling. Ben appeared bewildered as he motioned for Jayden to follow him. The moment they were gone all of the people went back to work, this time with much more gusto.
"What was up with them?" Ben asked. Jayden laughed slightly.
"You don't know too much about people do you sir?" he asked. "They were touched. Some of them were muttering that this was the first time you seemed like a real chipmunk, a real person."
Ben furrowed his brow. There was a conflicting emotion inside his head. He wasn't sure how to describe it or how he really felt about it. He finally snorted and looked ahead.
"Well, let's try and fix that, shall we?"
The Theodore tribe had spent many days gathering supplies that they might have needed. They gathered herbs for injuries, flax for bandages, and finally rocks for protection. Even Jacob was impressed by how much they could gather when they put their minds to it. He could, unfortunately, only watch as all the work took place. Everyone ran to and fro, seemingly chaotically but all with purpose. He watched the mountains of supplies rise and rise until they were the largest piles he had ever seen. Even if they didn't come out of this alright, he was impressed and proud the way everything came together.
When he told his tribe of what occurred, they were understandably panicked. Jacob managed to calm them, described the plan, and gave families work orders. Above all, they were to keep their activities a secret from the Alvin Tribe. Fortunately, that didn't prove very difficult. Once a hunt was over they would spend days, if not more than a week, resting. There had also been very little trading with them since David came into power.
Jacob then sighed nervously. All he could do was hope for the best. He also hoped that morale stayed high and people didn't start to despair. Such thoughts could doom them when the attack began. To that end, he made sure Ian was far away from the village proper. The chief gave his family the hardest job, gathering the rocks. This was to show they weren't getting any special treatment. He just hoped that Ian wasn't dragging their morale down either...vainly hoped that was.
At the infamous cliffs of the island, pudgy chipmunks were climbing up the rock faces. They were chipping away with tools, getting rocks to fall below. Other chipmunks ran forward and took the rocks, putting them in bags. They would then drag the bags to carts, which would haul them to the village. It was an efficient system that had worked for days. The giant pile back at their home attested to that. The three picks for the next village chief, Joshua, Gabriel, and Lillian, were hauling their large sacks towards the cart. Lillian's was smaller, but they were all pulling their weight. Each of them was huffing and puffing, with sweat pouring down their faces. When they finally reached the wagon, they gratefully dumped the stones into it. Each of them leaned onto the side of the vehicle, catching their breath. Just then, Ian approached. He was carrying a single stone, no bigger than the rest. He was acting as if it were the heaviest thing he ever carried. His three sibling glared at him as he waddled over to the cart. With a grunt and a massive heave, he dropped the rock into the pile. He let out a sigh and wiped his forehead, even though it was completely dry.
"Whew!" he cried. "I don't know about you guys, but...I...am...beat!" Ian then motioned with his hand. "What do you say we go take a dip in the river and call it a day?" All of his siblings stared at him in disbelief.
"What is wrong with you?" Lillian asked flatly.
"You know," Ian began. "I've thought about that for a long time, and I've come to the conclusion that it's "everything.""
"Our lives are at stake!" Gabriel shouted. "I intend for everyone in this village to live! I just had grandchildren!"
"And? You want a cookie?" Ian asked.
"Okay, you know what?" Joshua began. He put his hands on his waist. "I have put up with your attitude every day of my life, but I've finally had enough. We could all die in a few days and you are still a jerk! Why can't you put aside your selfish ego for just a few days?"
Ian didn't answer for a few moments. He blinked a few times, dumbly. Just as the other siblings thought they had gotten the better of him, Ian opened his mouth again.
"I just really like being consistent?" he said. He phrased it like a question, but his sarcasm was palpable. Lillian gave him a glare that could whither a flower.
"Why are you so selfish and mean?" she shouted. "We were all raised the same!"
At that, Ian laughed that cackling guffaw that drove people insane. He only seemed to do that when someone was insulted...or he thought someone was saying something stupid.
"I sincerely doubt that, dear adopted sister!" Ian replied. Lillian's eye began to twitch. She hated it when someone brought that up. It was well known, as she was a lighter color than the rest of the family, but she didn't consider herself that different. "You, grandpa, and the other one here did NOT have the same parents I did."
"What in the blazes are you talking about?" Joshua demanded.
"Gabe over here..." Ian began.
"Don't call me that." Gabriel demanded.
"Okay, Gabby over here..." Ian began again. His brother's eye began to twitch. "Has grandchildren and gray hairs are starting to appear on his head." Ian then put his own hand on his waist. "How old were mother and father when they had you?"
"What? I don't...what does that have to do with anything?" Gabriel asked.
"I'll tell you, they were as old as me, just at breeding age. I guarantee you that they fawned over the first boy of their first litter." Ian then turned to Joshua. "And you, with that playboy attitude when you were younger! How many times did father catch you with women you weren't supposed to be with? How many married women? How hard did father punish you? Did he whip you as the law demands for sleeping with another man's wife?"
Joshua's eyes widened and he went completely pale.
"How do you...? You weren't even born yet!" he cried.
"Women, even old women, talk." Ian bitterly replied. "Especially those that assume I'm just napping or can't hear them. That includes those who have adult children who conspicuously have that same flat nose you do."
Joshua went even more pale,. He gulped nervously and appeared to be sweating again.,
"I have a wife and eighteen children..." he began. He looked as if he were going to start begging Ian to keep crying, but the surly chipmunk ignored him.
"And you, dear, sweet, pretty, and adorable Lillian," Ian began. "The girl who lost her parents and was adopted by the chief and his wife. Do you honestly think they ever did a mean thing to you? Did they ever yell at you? Did they ever bark orders at you? They pampered you from the day they adopted you, When was the last time father ever told you "no?" You're only a few years older than me, but I guarantee you that you can't name a single instance when they punished you. Go ahead, come up with one. I'll wait." Ian shifted his stance and began thumping his foot on the ground. Lillian paused for a few moments, then shuffled her feet and let her brown eyes glance around nervously.
"I was well-behaved!" she finally shouted. Ian grunted and rolled his eyes.
"What did I get?" Ian asked. "A sick father who spent all his time sitting in a chair and a mother who died before I could remember her. The only memories I have of my father is him barking orders at me. Did he show you how to gather? Did he teach you how to dig your own burrow? Did he teach you how to sing and dance? Because he didn't to me! He just sat around and told me what to do! Name one time where that wasn't what happened!" All of his siblings began to shuffle nervously. Not a single one of them spoke,.
"That's what I thought." Ian finally said. He crossed his arms and gazed up at the sky. After a few moments he grunted and turned his back. "Shouldn't have said all that. You guys go about your lives, and gather those rocks if that makes you feel better." The fat chipmunk began walking away. "We had enough rocks after the first day anyway, father is just keeping us busy." He then entered the jungle and disappeared into the foliage.
Joshua, Gabriel, and Lillian were silent for a few moments. Gabriel was the first to make a noise, snorting through his snout.
"What a jerk." he said. He then turned to Lillian. Much to his surprise, she was staring at the ground, a sad expression on her face. "Oh, don't tell me you feel bad for him!"
"Well..." Lillian began weakly. "It's just..."
"Just what?" Gabriel demanded.
"That's the first time he's ever opened up to us." she said. Another silence enveloped them. Gabriel shifted uncomfortably as he pondered Lillian's words. The female chipmunk then moved some of her sweaty hair back behinder her ear and out of her face.
"Um...you don't think...?" Joshua asked. He still looked quite pale.
"He's been sitting on that information for a while." Lillian said. "I doubt he's going to suddenly give it out now."
Joshua seemed to take a lot of comfort in that and began to relax. Lillian gazed back at the pile of rocks they had in the cart.
"You know, he's probably right. We have enough rocks." she said. She then turned back to her brothers. "We should go spend time with our families instead."
A few minutes later, Lillian emerged from the jungle to find the river. As she suspected, Ian was there. He had his feet in the water, and was lazily kicking the water. The young woman smiled slightly and walked over. The noise caught Ian's attention. He turned his head and their eyes met. Neither of them spoke for a moments. He appeared confused as to why she was there.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"I just want to put my feet in the water." she said. She then sat down beside him, putting her feet into the river. "Is that a problem?"
Ian gave her a glance up and down, as if he were unsure about what to do with her.
"You do whatever you want to do." he finally said.
"I will." she replied. They then sat in complete silence until the sun set on the horizon.
The sun rose on the seventh day after Alvin's announcement. The ancient elder sat in his usual chair, feeling the warm sun beginning to shine on him. Richard was nervously making him breakfast. The young chipmunk had helped the elder get out of bed, bathe, and dress without a word. He hadn't said a word all morning. This was something Alvin didn't think was possible. Richard usually talked his ear off. The elder sat in complete silence, his mind busy humming. In the moments leading up to a massive decision, everyone has second thoughts. Was it right for him to just turn them loose into bloodshed? Should he have been more involved in the tribe? Was this his fault for being so reclusive for so long? Was there about to be more blood on his hands?
As Alvin turned this over in his head again and again, a bowl was placed in his lap. He gazed down at it though his blurry eyes. He knew that if he tried to eat any of it, he wouldn't be able to taste anything.
"Richard?" he asked. His caretaker briefly jumped before answering.
"Yes grandpa?" he asked. Alvin lifted his old, green eyes met Richard's young, dark ones.
"Do you believe in anything spiritual?" the elder asked.
"Huh? You mean...about the eternal jungle after this one? The one where all of your friends and family are waiting to join you in a jungle that never suffers?"
"Yeah, that one." Alvin said.
"I don't know." Richard replied. "I never really thought about it. Sounds a little too rosy to me."
Alvin chuckled a little.
"That's what I thought." Alvin said. "It's actually a native belief."
"Really?" Richard actually sounded surprised.
"Before we came to this island, I never really thought about it either. The humans, you see, they had so many, countless ideas of things like that. A lot of people never really thought about it. The natives had, and might still have, a belief about what happens when you die. If you were good in this life you go to that eternal jungle, a place where all the people you ever loved are waiting for you, the food never runs out, there are no predators, and the weather is always good. If you were bad, you wander around in darkness forever lost, never to see the people you love again."
"That's pretty dark." Richard commented.
"Humans had all sorts of stories like that." Alvin replied. "The thing is, the longer I stayed on this island, the more the native idea sounded appealing. I now hope that it's the truth."
"So you can see everyone you love again?" Richard asked with a smile. Alvin shook his head.
"So that I don't, and I won't have to explain myself." Alvin said. Richard's face fell into shock and horror. Words caught in his throat. He didn't know what to say. While he stood stupefied, Alvin dug something out of his memory.
It was his brother Simon, knocking on the door of that eternal jungle. Simon was lying in his bed, his body thin and old, ravaged by a plague that had swept over the island. Alvin held his hand tightly, tears streaming down his own old face that would get so, so much older still. Simon's eyes were fading, threatening to close. Alvin begged his brother to hold on, but his body had no more fight in it. Simon's eyes closed forever, the breath draining out of him. He only had enough to say one last thing. They were two words that burned into Alvin's mind.
"Keep going." Alvin said.
"Wh-what?" Richard asked. The elder lifted his head. He took a deep breath, before setting the bowl aside.
"I'm sure the food you made is excellent Richard." Alvin said. "But I'm really not hungry." The old chipmunk stood on his own, albeit with quite a bit of effort. Richard watched with wide eyes as the ancient chipmunk grabbed the chieftain's staff from the wall and began walking outside.
"If I'm knee-deep in blood, I might as well not complain if it goes up to my waist." The elder said. "Richard, gather the tribe. It's time to put things into motion. I'm only a step away from the darkness, a little more blood won't make it worse."
A few minutes later the entire tribe, decked out in red warpaint and bone piercings, were milling about the common area under The Treetops. Many of them were yawning, stretching, and rubbing their eyes. Almost all of them were young, around David's age. At the end of the unsettled mob stood David and Georgia. They were both whispering to each other, trying to figure out what was happening. A distinct silence fell over the entire tribe as they spotted Alvin. With the assistance of Richard, the old chipmunk was hobbling over to a large stump at the center of the mob. Everyone parted for him as he came by. The only thing the old chipmunk had in his hand was the chieftain's staff. Eventually they reached the stump and Richard helped Alvin onto it. The ancient chieftain turned towards the mob. He briefly scanned their red faces before he began speaking.
"Ever since the second great plague of this island took away most of your parents," he began. "I have felt that I am a father figure to all of you. Most of you have taken to calling me "grandpa" as a result of that, and I count myself fortunate to have that title. However, I recently had a health scare." This sent the crowd muttering and made David fidget a little, along with Georgia. Richard cocked his eyebrow and gave his elder a confused look. That was a lie, and Richard would know. He was around the old chipmunk constantly.
"It has come to my attention," Alvin continued. "That not since my first son Tom died, have I ever made my successor known. Six generations have lived on this island, the seventh on its way, and I have never chosen someone to become chieftain. My failing health has caused me to rethink that decision. This tribe could gain nothing from my continuing leadership. I am far too old to lead you, and with my health as a concern, I feel that it is time to pass the duty on." The entire mob began chattering loudly. Both David and Georgia went rigid. They were clearly worried.
Alvin extended his hand and swept it over the tribe, calling for quiet. Their voices slowly faded into silence.
"Now, I know this is a big change," Alvin continued. "However, it is necessary. After watching you for so long, it is clear to me who the tribe values as a leader. Someone who has the loyalty of the hearts and souls of this tribe. The one who is the true heir to my title." Alvin held his hand out.
"David, would you please come forward?" the elder asked. Relief come over both David and Georgia. With a swollen chest, David walked forward. He happily jumped onto the stump. "It is clear to me that you are the natural leader of this tribe. The loyalty you inspire in your fellow tribesmen and women cannot be denied. Therefore, I will confer upon you the title of chieftain. I only ask one caveat. You leave me the services of Richard for my care and needs, and not recruit him to any other purpose."
David flinched a little. Georgia constantly told him to be wary of the native boy. They weren't to be trusted, but Alvin wanted him close by at all times. David turned to Georgia to gauge her reaction, but she was only smiling and nodding furiously. She clearly didn't have a problem with it. David took a deep breath and turned back to his forefather.
"Certainly grandpa." David said. "I wouldn't dream of depriving you of what you need."
"Very well." Alvin said. Since the title of Chief of the Alvin tribe had never passed to anyone, the elder had to invent some kind of ceremony. "Please kneel David." The much younger chipmunk did so. "Do you pledge to care for the well-being of this tribe, to protect it from danger, to guide it in wisdom, and to prevent it from coming to harm?" Alvin had crafted his words very carefully.
"I do." David said.
"Then rise up." the elder ordered. David stood on his feet. Alvin held out the chieftain's staff, with the bright stoned hanging off of it, to his descendant. With a great smile, David took it. "I proclaim you as chieftain of the Alvin Tribe. Congratulations."
Excitedly, David held up the staff. The entire tribe erupted into riotous celebration. David looked as if he completely forgot where he was. His eyes were fixed on the staff. Richard was shuffling nervously, looking at the rioting tribe. Alvin grabbed his arm, bringing him out of his slight panic.
"Take me to the pool." the elder ordered. Richard nodded and began leading Alvin away. Fortunately, the tribe had begun rushing David on the stump, leaving an open path for them to escape from. They quietly shuffled away, out of sight.
After several moments of the tribe jostling around David, who was still completely transfixed by the staff, Georgia began screaming for them to back off. It took several moments before her voice was heard and people obeyed. Once they had given their new chief some room, Georgia approached him. She grabbed his hand around the staff, finally getting his attention. Georgia and David stared into each other's eyes, smiling brightly.
"What are your orders, chief?" Georgia asked. David licked his lips. His eyes darted back and forth. He appeared to be getting his thoughts together.
"I need to meet with my brothers, Cayden and Braxton...and you." David said. He then turned to the mob around him. "The rest of you go about your chores. We will have a meeting at noon! All of you...prepare for a hunt."
The entire crowd hooped and hollered excitedly. They scattered, going to prepare for what they thought was a celebration. Two chipmunks climbed the stump instead of leaving. They were unusually large, being a head taller than even David. They were also unusually muscular, to the point where they had visible muscle definition even under their fur. These were David's twin brothers, Braxton and Cayden. They were called twins as they had emerged from their mother at the exact same time. The elder Alvin had told them that only happened when they were split from the same egg and were contained within the same sack inside their mother. This was further evidenced by the fact that they looked exactly alike. Only a scar on Braxton's left cheek was the way to tell them apart. David continued to collect himself. He took a deep breath and turned towards his brothers.
"Braxton, Cayden," he began. "Georgia and I have been speaking about this for a long time, so I feel it's time I brought you in on it."
"Whatever you say chief." Braxton said proudly. David smirked, but continued.
"You are two of the best warriors we have." David said. "So I'm going to entrust you with leadership positions in the days to come."
"Whatever you want us to do chief." Cayden echoed.
"Georgia and I have been discussing bringing this island together under one banner, my banner."
Both Braxton and Cayden glanced at each other before turning back to their new chief.
"How are we supposed to do that?" Braxton asked.
"By doing what we do best." David replied.
"We're not getting ready for a hunt, are we?" Cayden asked.
"In a sense we are." David replied. "We all know that our tribe is one of warriors. What are warriors without battles to fight? The other tribes are filled with gatherers and nature-lovers. They trample over our traditions and seek to keep us within a cage on this island. By rights, this entire island should be under our control. We are the strongest, fastest and by far the most powerful. We could easily bring the other tribes under our control, wipe out the natives once and for all, and usher in an age of strength and power on this island. You know I'm right."
Braxton and Cayden glanced a each other again. Something unspoken went between them. They then turned back to their brother.
"You are our chief and our brother." Braxton said. "We will follow you anywhere and through anything. What about Richard though? He's a native."
At that comment, it was Georgia who scoffed.
"You heard the elder." she said. "His health is failing. We'll deal with him once the old chipmunk is gone. It won't be that long. Besides, our new chieftain has the power."
"She's right." David said proudly. "I'm going to appoint you two as commanders. I want you to get ready."
Both Braxton and Cayden nodded. They then ran off to get ready.
"Well, that was easier than I thought it would be." Georgia stated. "I never expected the old man to give it away so..." She was interrupted. David grabbed her around the waist, pulled her against him, and mashed their lips together. Although momentarily surprised, Georgia quickly melted against him. They enveloped each other in their arms. They quickly became passionate, with each of them moaning against their mouths. David finally pulled away, a brief bridge of saliva following him.
"You are now my chieftess." he said, his hand running down her face. "And soon, you will be my queen."
Georgia sighed happily and gave him a sultry look.
"What's gotten into you, my chieftain?" she asked.
"Power excites me." David replied, grinning. "We have until noon, and I intend to smear that paint on you as much as I can."
"Oooh, alright then, as long as you call me "queen" while we do it."
"I wouldn't dream of anything else, my queen."
Richard led his elder to the pool, as instructed. Neither of them spoke a word the whole way there. Alvin could tell, however, that Richard was chomping at the bit to say something. Once the elder was seated by the water's edge, Alvin took a deep breath. He calmly stretched his old bones for a few moments before turning to Richard.
"Is something on your mind Richard?" the elder asked.
"You lied to them." Richard replied.
"I think you'll find I've lied a lot." Alvin stated. "Even to you."
"But why would you tell them you were close to dying?" Richard asked.
"Because I am." Alvin said. "Or, at least I have been for decades. David has to believe that I won't try to take the title back, otherwise he won't act on his own. Now he thinks that I'm not healthy enough to take it back. He'll go charging off, and get a rude response."
Richard noticeably squirmed. He was beginning to fidget nervously.
"What is the matter Richard?" Alvin asked.
"Why does there have to be blood?" he demanded. "Why can't you just tell David to knock it off? Why are you letting them march to war?"
"Because David is like me." Alvin said. He gazed down at the ground. "And I didn't change without blood..." An image crossed Alvin's mind. A blood-soaked rock, his hand caked in the red liquid, tears filling his eyes as he saw the smashed head of the one he loved...
"I don't believe that!" Richard shouted abruptly. He was loud enough to cause Alvin to jump. "There has to be a way to stop him without doing this! You just can't get over your past! You think this is your fault when it isn't!"
Alvin eyed his caretaker silently for several moments. The elder's expression didn't change, betraying no emotion. Alvin sighed.
"If only that were true." he finally said. "Richard there is so much you don't know..."
"Then tell me!" Richard shouted. "Explain it to me! Tell me why you couldn't have just explained it to them! Tell me why you couldn't have explained what war was! You fought in a war! You led the fight in the Native War! Tell me! Tell them!"
"Richard." Alvin said firmly. The young chipmunk finally stopped yelling. "I could explain it to you, but not to them. They wouldn't understand like you could."
"Why!" Richard shouted.
"Because you have seen death." Alvin said. "You saw your parents and siblings ripped from your life. They haven't." That caused Richard to go rigid. In his entire life with the elder, never once had he brought up his family. "You know what it feels like, you see their faces in your head every night before you go to sleep. I see...many more faces than you. They don't know pain like that." Alvin closed his eyes. "But they will soon."
Richard was silent for a few moments before he scoffed and turned away. He didn't fully buy that explanation. He gazed off into the jungle, fuming. There was so much about Alvin he didn't know, and the elder wouldn't tell him. It was a source of mystery usually, but today it was a huge frustration.
That was when they heard it. Loud music began to echo through the forest. Chipmunks were chanting and singing. Richard turned his head, a worrying expression on his face. They usually did that when they were preparing for a hunt...but this time it wasn't for boars.
"I have to stop this." Richard finally said.
"You can't." Alvin replied.
"I'll try anyway!" the black chipmunk shouted.
"Richard, if you think that David..."
"He's my cousin!"
That statement made Alvin jerk his head. He turned to Richard. The chipmunk looked more determined than the elder had ever seen.
"He's my cousin and your great-however many greats there are-grandson! We can't let him march to his death! I won't let it happen! I don't care what he thinks of me! I don't care what he thinks of you! I don't care what kind of person he is! Dad..." Richard stopped. He gazed at the ground for a moment before regaining his composure. "No one deserves to die, not like that!"
Alvin continued to stare at Richard. He had finally stood up for what he wanted. It wasn't about serving the elder. It was about how Richard felt, what he believed, and now...he was even willing to defy his elder to do it.
"I'm not going to stop you Richard." Alvin said. "You are a grown chipmunk, and you have the right to do what you wish." The ancient chipmunk turned back to the pool. The sparkling sunlight from the water glittering off his old eyes. "I'll be here if you need me."
Richard seemed torn for a few moments. He flinched back and forth, before finally coming to a decision.
"I'll be back." he said.
"I know you will." Alvin replied. Then the younger chipmunk turned and ran into the jungle. The moment he was gone Alvin chuckled and shook his head. "What a hard-headed, idealistic boy. Too much of me and Theodore in him, I suppose."
Georgia was putting the final touches on David's warpaint in his house. The new chief was preparing to address the celebrating mob, who expected to go on a hunt. It wasn't the hunt they were expecting.
"Done." Georgia said with a smile.
"How do I look?" David asked.
"Like a conquering hero." his mate replied.
"Excellent." the chief said. He grabbed the chieftain's staff. "Ready to start our glorious campaign?"
"Always." Georgia replied. As they leaned in for a kiss they were rudely interrupted. A chipmunk leapt through their window. Both of them shrieked and whirled around, hands on their weapons. Once they saw it was Richard their faces soured.
"What are you doing here?" David shouted.
"You have to stop this!" Richard replied.
"We're just going on a hunt." the chief replied in a mocking tone. "We do it all the time. Now buzz off."
"I know you're going to attack the other tribes!" Richard cried. "You can't do it! They're our cousins! Chipmunks on both sides will die! How will their families feel?"
"They will die." Georgia replied, her voice full of vitriol. "We will conquer, it's that simple. That's how war works little native boy. Now get lost and leave us to our glory."
"We all have native blood in..." Richard started to say. Georgia darted over to him. She had drawn her stone knife. Before Richard could react she had his back to the wall and the blade to his throat.
"Don't finish that sentence." Georgia hissed. Her sharp blue eyes were filled with fury. "Don't you dare compare us with your filth. This island is ours, and no native boy is going to..."
David grabbed her hand and lowered the blade. He gave Georgia a somewhat serious look.
"Enough." he said. "I promised the old man in front of the whole tribe that I wouldn't mess with his little pet and I won't."
Georgia growled and sheathed her knife.
"Go outside." David ordered. She obeyed, walking out of the house. David then turned his green eyes to Richard. "If I ever see you without that old codger again I'll make you regret it." The chief then began walking out of the house.
"David, don't do this!" Richard shouted. "Elder Alvin wouldn't want this...!"
David only let out a shrill laugh.
"Elder Alvin!" he shouted. He turned back to Richard. "Let me tell you about your beloved elder. You just think he's so pure and perfect. Everyone else on the island knows otherwise. He was just as blood-thirsty as the rest of us. I bet he didn't tell you all the gory parts of his life did he?"
"What are you talking about?" Richard asked. "I know about the Native War…"
"Do you? What about where this tribe started? The "Great Lady" Brittany? I bet he refused to talk about it, and everyone knows the reason why. He just prefers to keep his little pet in the dark." David leaned forward, an evil smile on his face. "He killed her." All the color drained from Richard's face and he felt his stomach tie in a knot.
"That's not true!" Richard shouted.
"Oh really?" David asked. "Why do you think he won't talk about her? Why do you think he's led this tribe in seclusion for generations? Why do you think he just let me take over? He only came out of his seclusion to start the Native War, where he killed countless of your kind and sentenced them to live on the sliver of the island past The Gorge. If a murderer like him can take glory, so can I."
"Y...You're wrong!" Richard said with faltering conviction.
"You've spent more time with a decrepit old fossil then me, did he ever tell you any different?"
Richard didn't respond, his words catching in his throat.
"That's what I thought." David then turned towards the door. "Get lost native boy, before I have to break my word." The chief then walked out of the house, leaving Richard in a stupor.
As David climbed onto the stump, the dancing tribe finally stopped their movements. They all milled about excitedly as David held up his hands, getting their attention. They finally fell silent. David briefly glanced and grinned at Georgia and his brothers. They all nodded in agreement.
"Fellow members of the Alvin Tribe!" David cried. "I have called you here for a hunt, but not a traditional one." This caused some muttering, but everyone quieted down quickly. "For too long we have chafed under the borders set up generations ago. These other tribes, made up of animal-lovers and weaklings, have tried to keep us caged for years. Still, we survived and thrived. Now is the time to throw off these bonds."
"Yeah!" Braxton shouted. Because of his shouting, many members of the tribes began to mutter in agreement.
"We are by far the strongest, proudest, and best warriors on this island, yet these other tribes seek to keep us in weakness! In order to reach our ultimate power, we must expand! Expand into the lands owned by those who do not need it, and only waste it by not hunting with it!"
"Hunting lands for us!" Cayden cried. More of the tribe muttered in agreement.
"Generations ago, we fought in the Native War. To this day, chipmunks talk about the glory in those days, when we were crushed under the borders the natives try to press upon us. Now it is time to repeat the past! This is our time! It is time to expand our borders against those that want to keep us caged!"
"It's our right!" Georgia cried. The tribe began to shout in agreement.
"The other tribes will know that I'm chief shortly! They know how powerful I will make us! We cannot wait if we hope to strike! The two weak tribes will band together and will become stronger. We can take them out if we attack now! We have our spears, our clubs, our knives, we should not wait!" By now, the entire tribe was yelling in agreement. "My kin, this is our chance! Let us take the fight to them now! Let them feel our power and bow before us! Today, we will conquer, and tomorrow, we will celebrate! It is time for our war! It is time for our glory!" The entire tribe shouted in excitement, raising their weapons. "We march to the Theodore Tribe! We will win this day and rule this island as it is meant to be!" There were riotous cheers. David grinned widely, jumped from his stump, and charged into the jungle. The mob followed after him. They charged to kill, a mass of chipmunks already stained red, looking for more.
In The Thicket, there was a lot of groaning in one particular tree. Gabriel, Joshua, Lillian, and Ian (because he was ordered) were pulling on a rope. Each of them was huffing and puffing, apparently hauling something incredibly heavy up the tree. They were surrounded by baskets full of rocks, and were already sweating profusely. Finally, what they were pulling up came into view. It was their massive father. He finally managed to grab onto the giant branch they were on and pulled himself up. When he was finally on the tree, his children groaned and began panting. Ian fell over, lying on his back. His large stomach was heaving up and down.
"For the love of..." Ian panted. "Either lose weight...or get...more kids..." His siblings glared at him, but said nothing. Jacob caught his breath a moment before looking down.
"Quite a ways." he said. "Will they be able to climb up?"
"There's plenty of space between us and the ground." Gabriel stated. "We can easily throw rocks at them as they try to climb."
"I hope so." Jacob stated. "Is everyone in place?"
"Yes father." Joshua said.
"Alright," Jacob continued. "I want all three of you together for this trying time." He then nodded to his three children he picked to be his successors. "I don't want there to be any fighting between you, but this will be an excellent chance to test how you handle this situation."
"Oh joy..." Ian croaked. He hadn't moved from his lying position on his back. This earned him glared from his siblings.
"We won't fail you, father." Lillian stated.
"I know you won't." Jacob replied. That was when they heard shouting from all around them.
"They're coming!" a voice shouted.
"They're crossing the clearing!" another said.
"We should throw now!" said another. It was a chorus of voices, going across then entire forest of the thicket.
"We should throw now father." Joshua said nervously. "Before they cross the clearing. That way they won't even enter The Thicket!"
"I agree." Gabriel replied. "We're surrounded by fields, we can easily see them coming from every direction."
"Terribe idea." Ian said flatly. Everyone on the tree branch turned to him. He still hadn't budged, and didn't seem to notice all the eyes on him. His three siblings were glaring at him, but his father had his eyebrow raised.
"Why?" Jacob asked.
"A lot reasons," Ian began. "First, they will know what our strategy is then and we will lose the element of surprise. Second, they could just surround The Thicket, which is covered in all sides by fields, and besiege us. Since we're all very large, I'm sure we'll last quite a while, but I'm not looking forward to starving. Third, they need to be taught a lesson. By just throwing stuff at them from a afar, and not hitting a single one, they won't learn anything. If we get them in the thick trees, they'll be sitting ducks, and we're guaranteed to hit them."
Jacob paused for a moment, as he mulled over his son's words. The shouting around them was getting louder.
"Father!" Gabriel cried.
"No." Jacob said. He lifted his head. "Hold your fire! No one throw yet!" The chief's order echoed all around them, going all throughout The Thicket. Ian lifted his head and eyed his father. His father returned the gaze. Neither of them spoke.
"Everyone should be quiet." Ian said off-handedly.
"Everyone quiet!" Jacob bellowed. All the chatter ceased as the message flew around them. Ian finally rolled into a sitting position. He then stood up, grunting as he did so.
"Wait until they are under us." Ian stated.
Jacob nodded at him. His other children gazed between the two of them, horribly confused.
The mass of chipmunks being led by David charged past the clearing surrounding The Thicket. David hooped and hollered. The rest of the tribe echoed. David could only imagine what level of terror that would instill in the weak Theodore Tribe before he came crashing down on them. He entered The Thicket and began weaving through the trees. He could hear Georgia and his brothers behind him. He couldn't wait to finally begin a true battle with them at his side. For what seemed like forever, he weaved through the trees. Finally, he emerged into a large empty space. After a quick look around, he saw that he was at the center of The Thicket. The place was lined with burrows at the base of the trees. He ground to a halt. A huge portion of the tribe piled into the clearing, with many more of them still shuffling around in the jungle. David gazed around, confused.
"Where are they?" he asked. Everyone else was looking about as well. Some of them even looked in the burrows. Georgia was the first to turn her gaze upwards. The first chipmunk she laid her eyes on was Ian. Her cold, icy blue eyes met his brown ones. Ian then grinned from ear to ear as he held up a rock in his hand. Georgia felt a chill go down her spine.
"Now." Ian said.
"NOW!" Jacob bellowed as loud as he could. Then, so many rocks rained down from the trees that it blocked out the sun.
End Chapter 5
(Now in a straitjacket) I HAVE LOST MY SANITY! THE ONLY CURE IS A REVIEW! LEAVE ONE YOU HEARTLESS MONSTER!
