Alph's POV
The next morning in the Drake, our map had detected yet another signal. This time it was coming from the Tropical wilds where I first landed.
"What's that signal coming from over there?" Brittany wondered.
Charlie contemplated, "Could it be Olimar? That person from Hocotate?"
"It's not coming from one of us, or the Drake…" I added.
Charlie declared, "Then it must be Captain Olimar! Let's track the signal to its source!"
Down we went to explore the Tropical Wilds further, when we landed and stepped out into the humid weather, Charlie stated, "It seems the signal originated from this area."
"This is where I crash landed." I pointed out, "Is it possible that Olimar was here with our cosmic-drive key the entire time?"
"We'll have plenty of time for nostalgia later. Let's track down that signal! And not pass up any fruit we see on the way!" Brittany urged.
We took out a team of 100 Pikmin and followed the signal, the sand making crunching noises beneath our feet when we walked.
"Olimar I don't feel too good about this…"
The brave Captain was not deterred, "Come on Louie! I bet there are riches up there beyond our imagination! Why, when we first landed I saw something glistening gold up there! I bet if we can get it we'll be rich!"
"I'm sorry but I really think we should stay down here. I have a really bad feeling about this and I REALLY don't think we should go."
Olimar started to get mad, "Louie, I agreed to let you come with me so you could help me out. You're getting so paranoid about everything we come across!"
"Because this planet has gotten more dangerous since our last visit!" Louie asserted, "Did you not see that monster that wrecked our ship back there!?"
"How could I not!?"
"Well how about we focus on escaping before we focus on the treasure!"
"I told you Louie! I'll take care of it later!"
Their squad of Pikmin felt the building tension and made nervous noises.
"That's it, I'm sorry but you are getting out of control over this!"
"If you were in my shoes you'd understand! I am the one that had crashed landed on this planet! I am the one whose S.S. Dolphin was busted to pieces on impact! I had 30 days to repair it and escape before my life support failed!"
"I do understand but there are boundaries that you have to-"
Olimar interrupted him, "AAAND when I got back! The first news I get is the company is in debt and they take the Dolphin away! The same one I fought so hard to fix! Danger has never stopped us before and I won't let it happen this time! I'll do what I have to do to get my ship back!"
"I get what you're saying, but I'm really tired of this! If you're so determined to get whatever is up there! Then go ahead but count me out!" Louie began walking away.
"You should've stayed back at Hocotate like I said! If I needed someone to criticize everything I did I would've brought the President instead!" Olimar shouted to his back.
Louie looked over his shoulder, "Yeah I should've, but I wanted to help you! Funny on how you mention that! I never would've come along if I knew you were start acting like him!"
Louie really hit a nerve.
"GO BACK TO THE SHIP!"
"I'M ALREADY DOING THAT!"
Louie stormed off into the woods, the Pikmin watched him disappear into the brush with worried looks on their faces.
Olimar turned around and tried to shove his hands in his face but his helmet prevented that. No matter, he hid his face and let out a very frustrated and angry groan.
In a desert field in the distance, Louie was doing the same thing.
We managed to follow the signal to a narrow pathway of sand, with tropical plants growing above us.
"We're getting close to the source of the signal. Let's keep going!" Charlie encouraged.
Eventually we found ourselves into a big open area of sand, and what we found was not Olimar, but a strange mechanical object buried halfway in the sand!
"So this is what was emitting that signal." Brittany affirmed.
"I bet if I we got it back to the Drake for analysis, I could expand the communicator range!" I informed.
Charlie nodded, "In that case, let's take this back!" He commanded the Pikmin to dig it up.
So we waited for the Pikmin to dig up the mechanical goliath, but then without warning. The ground sank and took the machine completely underground with it!
Charlie let out a, "Whoa!"
We whistled for the Pikmin. Then this ginormous slug shot up out the ground scattering all of us, it had no eyes but it had sharp teeth! As we ran for safe ground it roared at our retreating backs, then burrowed its way underground.
"Another monster!" Charlie exclaimed.
We watched the bulges of sand move around where the creature was, after a few seconds it stopped. Then the sand poked high in the air and the slug came out on top.
"Now's our chance! Attack!" Charlie commanded.
We ran for the monster, ready to give it everything we got. Then it abruptly shot rocks out of its mouth!
"Oh no watch out!" I yelled.
We sprinted side to side avoiding the launching rocks, when a rock managed to land on part of our Pikmin crew, they weren't crushed. But they got replanted into the ground! All of us were so fixtated on getting the Pikmin uprooted that we didn't notice that the worm had buried itself again and was headed right toward us. Until the ground fell and began to sink like a whirlpool.
"Hurry get out of here the ground is sinking!" Charlie shouted. We fought our way out of the sinking hole. Despite the fact we didn't have all the Pikmin plucked.
Just as I reached the top, I heard Brittany scream behind me, "Alphie!" I turned around and gasped, Brittany was losing the struggle and sinking fast toward the creature's open mouth. She let out a panicked squeal. Behind her were the rooted Pikmin falling down the creature's throat.
I quickly but cautiously ran back into the pit and grabbed her hand, helping her out of the pit. The ground eventually returned to normal and the creature did its runaround again.
"Brittany are you all right?" Charlie asked.
"I'm okay." She answered, "But we lost some of the Pikmin…"
He took a determined stance, "Let's show this creature whose boss!" Right at that time the creature showed itself again.
"When all else fails charge!" He commanded. Luckily it was much closer than it was before and we managed to get a few hits onto it. It launched itself out of the ground, causing us to fly in different directions. We rounded up quickly and pounced in it again, getting some more hits before shaking us off and burrowing again.
About that time, I looked up in the sky. I don't know how we didn't notice this before but the sun was setting!
Charlie was ready to assault again, "All right crew! Let's-!"
"Captain!"
He looked at me, "What is it Alph?"
"Shouldn't we get going? The sun's about to set."
Brittany then, looked up at the sky, "Oh wow! Where does the time go?"
Charlie didn't look too worried, "So?"
"Captain if we don't get off the surface come nightfall, no doubt the nocturnal predators of the night will come for us."
Brittany added, "So many predators become active at night…" She shivered, "Believe me I know…"
Charlie's eyes widened, "Well why didn't you say so before!? Come on let's get out of here!"
We ditched the battle site and raced through the wilderness, it was literally a race against the clock. I prayed for the sun to shine for us just a little bit longer. I could already hear the predators roaring and growling.
I encouraged the Pikmin behind us, "Hurry guys!"
We finally made it back when the sun only had a very tiny bit part left, rushed by the roars from the creatures of the night we got the Pikmin into their Onion and blasted off quickly before the night prowlers could catch up. It was when we got to low orbit when we finally relaxed.
Louie's POV
I had walked pretty far, I could tell because I was in a different environment and I was really hungry and tired... and all alone...
The leaves were a mixture of red, orange, and yellow. Figures the most appetizing colors on the color wheel... Nonetheless I kept on walking, I didn't know where I was at or where would I go next after today, and at that point I didn't care... It crossed my mind to call Olimar just to check on him... but he's probably still mad at me.
I reached a giant tree that I had noticed earlier in the distance. I headed up the spiral branch hoping to escape the nocturnal predators that would be showing up soon. I didn't think that there was anything up there to be afraid of, except my growing hunger...
Olimar does have a right to be this insane about treasure now that I think about it... I said I do understand but... I guess no one can really understand without actually being in that kind of situation... I shouldn't have said the things I said...
I do wonder though... are there others here? Throughout our exploration we have noticed signs of other explorers here. I hope they're friendly... whoever they are... The top of the giant tree was just a big hallowed out opening, perfect or so I thought. As I crept toward the center I heard a brief buzzing noise behind me. I turned around quickly and saw nothing.
My eyes glanced around quickly, then it buzzed behind me again. I turned around again and this time it didn't try to run. I couldn't see what it was because it was so dark. But it did not seem happy with my presence. All of a sudden a million different tiny insects surrounded it! The larger figure reared back and made a charge for me.
I tried to run but I didn't stand a chance, "NOOOO-!"
Everything went black...
Alph's POV
Captain Charlie sighed, "Thanks to that colossal slug, our mission to retrieve the object ended in failure..."
"We'll have to show that thing whose boss!" I tried to encourage him.
Brittany nodded, "We'll have to be sure to get it tomorrow."
He got his enthusiasm back, "You're right crew! Let's kill us some giant slug!"
Something I had wondered about for some time suddenly came to mind, "Um... Quick question..." Everyone's attention turned to me.
"That rubber ducky that's been floating around... Is that yours Brittany?"
She replied, "What? No! Are you joking?"
"That's mine thank you very much." Charlie answered, "My rubber ducky goes everywhere with me! I can't sleep a wink without this little guy!"
I never knew the Captain had such a soft side, "So, it's a security ducky, Captain?"
Brittany giggled, "I guess under that tough exterior, the captain's just a big softie!"
"Heh... not all the time naturally." Charlie added, "But lemme tell you Brittany, if for whatever reason you need big strong arms to warm you up just-"
"OKAY WE SHOULD GET TO SLEEP NOW!" I yelled out without thinking, only to feel embarrassed when they stared at me, "Um... we have a big day tomorrow we should get some rest."
"You're right Alphie!" Brittany agreed, "I'll go to bed now. Good night you two!" She skipped off to her room. Meanwhile I hurried into my room and locked the door. I was afraid the Captain was going to be mad for interrupting him.
This is going to be a long adventure...
Author's Note: Haha! So what do you guys and girls think? Isn't it hilarious when Alph gets jealous? XD So this chapter was a tad different, but please, Fav, review, follow. Whichever or all :p
Stay Flying!