5 – A Day to Remember
I know I should've uploaded this yesterday, but I had THE worst hangover from Saturday's party.
Can't believe that nobody figured out who that was in the last chapter, looks like I'm getting better at this, enjoy!
Morning, around half past nine, on a plane heading to Rochester, but unbeknownst to the pilots, they were flying stowaways in the landing gear. ˝And they call us flightless, well we showed them,˝ gloated the captain. ˝Um, who is Skippah talking to?˝ Rico shrugged. ˝ETA is noon, what do we do until then?˝ asked Kowalski and got his answer from his mohawk wielding team mate, who regurgitated a 54-card tarot deck.
Meanwhile at the zoo, or rather in the water monitor exhibit, its owner was waking up. His eyelids slowly opened and he was showered with light, ˝Well, looks like the power's back on,… no, it's just the sun,˝ he shook his back, ˝and my dark mistress is gone.˝ Alexander stood up and stretched, with his body temperature back to normal, he felt great.
He spotted a black feather on the ground and picked it up, he watched it just lie there in his palm, ˝A wrong can never be undone, let this be the token of my shame.˝ The reptile pulled his duffel bag out of the pond in his habitat, it was water proof of course, and put the feather in it. He sighed and pulled the zipper back.
˝Oh well, might as well find out why the penguins put me on ice,˝ the monitor turned around towards the glass and was about to press the button that drops it, when he noticed that it was already open, but not just his exhibit, every habitat in the reptile house was open and empty, except for the chameleons.
˝This is not good,˝ he walked out of the terrarium and looked around. The lizard spotted another black feather and went over to pick it up as well. He bent over and then heard a rattling, his eyes widened and he jumped to the side, right next to a water filled habitat. Alexander looked back to see who his attacker was, ˝Sharp as always, I see.˝ Jewell (Crotalus ruber), the diamondback rattlesnake, ˝What were you trying to do? And where are the other prisoners?˝
The serpent snickered, ˝What so funny?˝ the monitor was about to find out, when he heard water splashing behind him. He turned around and his left elbow was introduced to the beak of Valter the snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii). Alexander bit his lip as he felt his bones cracking. The turtle was trying to pull him back into his habitat, but the monitor didn't give, he grabbed the turtle's neck.
He began dragging it out of the habitat, back into the hall. It was no easy feat dragging the 200 pound chelonian out of the water, but he did it. The rattlesnake slid closer, ˝We both know that Valter won't let go, so the only thing you can do, is to cut your losses… and your limb.˝ The monitor was breathing hard and he looked the serpent directly into the eyes.
˝Or I could snatch you with my free arm and force you into killing the snapper,˝ Jewell turned his head to the side and laughed, ˝You're bluffing.˝ Alexander formed his evil smile, ˝You're right,˝ he swung his tail and wrapped it around the snake's body. He pulled the serpent closer and grabbed his head, ˝I used my tail to snatch you.˝ The monitor squeezed his head, forcing the rattlesnake's mouth open and revealing the fangs.
Alexander thrust the fangs into the turtle's neck, injecting him with the lethal cocktail. He held it for a few second, before jerking the snake to the side and breaking off the needle like teeth. The dose of the poison was clearly enough to kill the turtle, but his grip stayed firm. ˝Crap, now what,˝ Alexander looked at his free hand and the thought of losing the arm came to his mind, but a lot of energy is lost in the regeneration and it's all about the efficiency these days.
So instead, he grabbed the turtle's head and began squeezing it. The monitor felt it giving way and just like that, the skull was reduced to nothing more than mere bone fragments and brain goo. The bottom jaw was now free and he could pull out his arm. There was a nasty wound there, but it soon healed, leaving only dried blood behind.
The lizard scanned the hall for signs of the rattlesnake and he spotted him coiled in a corner. He began walking towards the serpent. Jewell's natural instincts kicked in and he began shaking the tip of his tail, trying to warn off the approaching reptile. But it was just a bluff, with his fangs gone, there was no way to deliver his venom into the bloodstream.
˝Nice try, but I'm still gonna kill you,˝ the rattlesnake sighed, ˝Hey, it comes to the best of us.˝ Alexander aimed his claws at the serpent, ˝By the way, mind telling me who let you out?˝ he received a grin, ˝Come now, how many animals are there in this place who have it out for you. I suggest you hurry up, he's got your girl and the penguins' girls˝ The monitor's eyes widened and then he jabbed his claws through the snake's head.
˝So it's about me, didn't think he'd actually be stupid enough to challenge me again,˝ he looked at the two dead reptiles, ˝Hmm, it would be a waste to leave two perfectly good meals outside to rot.˝ Alexander grabbed the snake and began swallowing it whole, head first, and biting off the rattle, to keep as a souvenir. But the snapping turtle was another story, not exactly bite-sized, he decided to carry it back to his place. It was a struggle, but at least this time he was able to get a better grip at the snapper.
Meanwhile, on a plane to Rochester, ˝Did you feel that?˝ Skipper raised an eyebrow, ˝Feel what Private?˝ The small penguin wasn't sure either, ˝I don't know, but it felt like something really bad is happening back at the zoo.˝ Kowalski pulled out his abacus and moved some beads, ˝No worries, according to my calculations, even the worst case scenario, which would be a full-scale space squid invasion, could not take place before we return.˝
Skipper cleared his throat, ˝Are you two going to keep on stalling or are we going to play?˝ The two birds picked up their respective cards, ˝Good, now then, this is the first time since we started that I've gotten some good cards and I can safely say – Beggar,˝ the captain's eye twitched and he looked at the Private, ˝Very well… proceed.˝
Back with Alexander, after storing away the turtle, he returned back to the hall of the reptile house. He took another look around and spotted the black feather from before. The lizard picked it up and used his forked tongue to pick up its scent. His Jacobson's organ did the rest and he was soon tracking down the raven, ˝If you really took the girl, then I'll find you.˝
It led him out of the building, where another welcoming committee was waiting for him. ˝Isaac (Taricha torosa) and Cooper (Agkistrodon contortrix), what an unpleasant surprise.˝ The two stood there, visibly nervous, ˝You know you can't take me, so why would you even try?˝
The newt raised himself on his hind legs and the copperhead lifted its body. ˝Why are you always so full of yourself. Jewell was to keep you in the reptile house,˝ Isaac clenched his fingers into fists which he raised to a defensive position, they were shinning in the light, covered with the deadly tetrodotoxin.
˝He obviously failed, and that's where we come in,˝ the snake cracked its neck. ˝The boss man told us we can do anything we want with you.˝ The two were grinning confidently, and the monitor glared, but it got him thinking, 'Why are these guy still listening to him, they know what I can do, and there's no way he's scarier than me.'
Alexander dropped his bag and charged towards his opponents. The snake was the first to strike and the lizard caught it with his right arm. The copperhead's fangs sank deep into the medics flesh and injected the venom. ˝Four years ago, during my time in Texas, I was bitten by a death adder,˝ the monitor grabbed the snake behind the head and pulled him off, ˝been immune ever since.˝
He held Cooper in the air, slowly strangling him, when he felt something on his shoulder, and turned his head. Isaac was standing there, waving and smirking. He jumped and aimed directly at the monitor's eye. Tetrodotoxin is a neurotoxin, which is hundreds of times more toxic than cyanide and I'm pretty sure you wouldn't like that in your eyes. Alexander bent backwards, avoiding the amphibian.
There was no way for the monitor to form an immunity to the toxin before it kills him, so eating the new wasn't an option. Isaac landed on the ground and turned around. He jumped again, but was caught by the monitor's free hand. He tightened his grip around the snake's body and the adder began gasping for air. Alexander impaled the amphibian on the copperhead's fangs and then dropped both of them to the ground. He looked at the two and shook his head, ˝Tsk, tsk, I warned them, but hey, what can you do?˝
Back on a plane, ˝… and that's the last trick. Looks like we got all the cards Rico, I can't believe how easy this game is,˝ Skipper growled and broke the pencil he was holding. ˝Are you Ok, the game seems to be getting to you,˝ asked the lieutenant. ˝No Kowalski, I am not Ok. These cards are jinxed or something, because I'm not getting any playable hands. Rico! Maneuver: Bravo, Uniform, Romeo, November, GO!˝ The maniac hacked up his flamethrower and reduced the playing cards to nothing more than a smoking pile of ashes.
˝Um, Skippah, was that really necessary?˝ The captain shot a glare a the chubby penguin, ˝No Private, but it just makes me fell so warm inside.˝ Rico swallowed the weapon, ˝Hey, how's about we try the Bavarian variety this time. ˝The mohawk wielding penguin regurgitated the requested deck and began shuffling.
Back at the zoo, in front of the reptile house, Alexander just finished eating the dead body of Cooper, the copperhead. He looked at the dead newt, and wondered what to do with him, ˝It would be a waste to leave you like that, not to mention dangerous,˝ he picked up the amphibian and put him in a small glass jar before storing him in his bag.
˝Now, back to work,˝ he stuck out his tongue and probed the air again to find the black bird. The lizard knew he was getting closer and he continued walking east, towards the zoo gates. He went past the bench, in front of the reptile house, and past the lemur habitat, and noticed a substantial lack of animals and humans. ˝Where is everybody, and where are all the visitors?˝ laying on the ground between the otter and penguin habitat, was another black feather, which he also picked up.
Half kneeling, he observed it in his claws for a moment, when he heard something. The monitor quickly stood up and was soon surrounded by four Gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum). ˝Oh come on, you guys to, and I thought we were friends,˝ he was kidding of course, but I can't really write in sarcasm. The four venomous lizards glared and each made a step closer.
˝Boss man told us to escort you back to him – He wants to make you an offer – One that you better not refuse – Or else you'll see what true torture really is.˝ Surrounded, outnumbered, but not outmatched, Alexander stood still confidently while the four Gilas began circling him. There was a light breeze and he looked up at the sky, there were no clouds, the smell of fresh air, which fills one's lungs… it just gives you so much energy.
The monitor let go of his duffel bag, forget the offer, four enemies to do with as he wishes… no one mourns for the wicked. He swept their legs with his tail and then jumped out of the circle. He cracked his knuckles and neck and to top it all off, he formed the evil grin. The four lizards helped each other get up, ˝Wrong choice,˝ said one of them and charged at the medic, he threw a punch, which was caught.
Not having learned his lesson the first time, he tried again with his other hand, but it was also caught. Alexander was holding the fists of his opponent, a last smirk, and the squeezing began. The lizard dropped into a half kneeling position as his bones slowly gave way to the pressure. He began screaming, but it just got on the monitor's nerves.
Alexander headbutted him and let him fall to the ground. He watched the, supposed, monster lie there and finished him off with a stomp to the back of the neck. ˝One down, three to go,˝ he raised his head and looked at the remaining lizards. They were shaking in fear. The monitor began walking towards them and two of the Gila monsters decided to take him on together.
Punches wouldn't cut it, literally, they went with claws, the first, of the two lizards, swung at the medic's chest and left four bloody lines behind, he smirked, but it soon fainted as he watched the wound close. He looked up at the monitor's face and saw his look, a bloodthirsty, psychotic, soul piercing look. The lizard gulped.
Alexander used his own claws and thrust them into the colorful reptile's ribcage. The second lizard, came to help, but the monitor didn't even look, he just wrapped his tail around the Gila's neck and held tightly until his last breath was used up.
Now back to the first one, four monitor claws in his chest, the medic put his other hand and the opposite foot on him, bracing himself for what he was about to do next. It just took one powerful jerk, for the sternum to be ripped clean out of the lizard, maybe not that clean.
Alexander dropped the bone and took another look at his latest victims. ˝Broken neck, suffocation and a sternumectomy, you got any special requests?˝ the remaining colorful lizard didn't answer he just stood there in shock. ˝Where's your boss?˝
˝Th- th- th,˝ the monitor walked over to him and grabbed him by the neck, ˝WHERE?˝ The lizard gulped and whispered, ˝clock tower.˝ Alexander let go and the Gila gasped for air, holding his neck, ˝Thank you, thank you for sparing me, tha…˝ sadly he couldn't finish the sentence due to the hole in his lungs, ˝What was that? You've got to speak up man or else I won't hear ya.˝
The lizard dropped to the ground, desperately trying to breath, but he couldn't. The medic didn't waste a second. He picked up his bag and continued to the destination. All the big animals were coming into view, Burt, Roy, Bada, Bing, Joey; they were all looking at the ground. When Alexander walked into the area, right behind the entrance, he gained their attention, but only for a moment. They were obviously forced into being here.
The monitor looked to the tower and was shocked to see, Marlene, Sienna and Iris; all unconscious and hanging from the arch above the gates,. ˝I see you finally came, took you long enough,˝ he didn't see the animal speaking but he knew who it was and where it was coming from, ˝Well, the trail of breadcrumbs you left me, fought back, but you've seen me in action.˝
˝Indeed I have. You took out one of my most loyal subjects,˝ the monitor smirked, ˝not to mention, the most delicious. But I think his loyalty was more or less questionable. Now why don't you come down and be eaten like an amphibian, Barry.˝ A hysterical laugh was heard, ˝What's so funny, I've just killed your entire army and I'm immune to your "touch", what exactly are you going to do?˝
The laughing stopped and a shadow jumped several meters into the air from behind the clock. The figure began falling and landed right in front of the medic. It really was Barry, but there was something different about him, ˝Looks like someone has been eating their vegetables,˝ the frog, standing on his hind legs, was now a head taller than the monitor and had the muscles to match his new height, ˝Really funny, but I bet you're wondering how I got these,˝ he asked flexing his arm, ˝and how I caused the prison break.˝
Alexander sighed in annoyance, ˝You obviously used Kowalski's super-ray to increase your size and you knew that, when set on a high enough level, it blows the fuses in the entire zoo, creating an opening for the remaining reptile house inhabitants to escape.˝
The frog's smile dropped, ˝Geez, thanks for ruining my moment,˝ Barry squatteed and then jumped back, did a backflip in mid-air, and landed on top of the clock tower, ˝Show off,˝ grumbled the reptile. ˝I'm sure my late associates mentioned a deal,˝ the monitor gave a single nod, ˝Good, at least they did one thing right, well here it is. You become my right hand reptile. When the birds return, we take them out together and the zoo will be ours.˝
What to do, what to do… Alexander looked at all the big animals, standing there in fear, he looked at the unconscious girls, suspended in the air, and then his look finally landed back on the red and blue amphibian on top of the tower, ˝So, what do you say, partner?˝
The monitor formed an evil smile…
Oh no, what will his decision be… Ok, this one, I'm sure you already know.
BTW, is there anyone out there who knows how to play 54-card tarot, I know how to play, but I don't know the correct English expressions for the individual plays.
R&R