Exploration Day 8
Alph's POV

The next morning on the Drake we first briefed about Olimar.

"So that mysterious Hocotation that's been leaving all of those data files contacted us directly." Charlie recapped.

"Somehow he got through on the emergency channel." I added.

"He said he was on top of a big tree." Brittany brought up, "I suggest we hurry."

"All right let's go!" Charlie dismissed.

Wasting no time we summoned our Pikmin and followed the signal. When we reached a river, Charlie looked at his Koppad.

"The signal is coming from upstream!" He mentioned.

We followed the path up the river as far as we could, but then we came to a dead in the footpath.

"It's a dead-end, what are we going to do now?" Brittany asked.

Charlie stated, "All we need to do is find another path!"

"Where?" Brittany looked all around, "I don't see another option!"

I looked to the river, and saw these enormous lily pads floating carelessly on the water. They appeared to be close enough for us to hop on and catch a ride.

"Come on!" I ran to the river's edge. Everyone followed hastily.

Charlie questioned, "Alph what are you doing?"

"I think we can catch a ride on one of these lily pads! It can carry us up the river!"

Brittany clapped her hands together, "Oh great idea Alphie!"

Captain Charlie was impressed too, but he wasn't so enthusiastic, "Yeah, great idea." I heard him mumble.

Dismissing the Captains distaste we waited for the next lily pad to float by, when one came along we readied ourselves.

Oh, I hope this works!

All of us jumped onto the lily pad at the same time, and to my amazement it didn't sink! It didn't even buckle to all of us hopping on it at once!

Brittany's POV

As we sailed down the river like a carefree summer day. I took this opportunity to study the winged Pikmin closer. From what I've seen so far, they appear to be weaker in combat that all the other types of Pikmin. They're also small and fast, allowing them to keep up with us at a steady pace.

I just so happened to look up at that time, and Alph crossed my line of sight. I can't really explain anything right now, but I'm feeling a bit different.

What is going on? My heart is starting to pound… Wait a minute… is this…? Could this be?

"Brittany!"

I snapped out of it, "Yes!?"

It was Alph, "We're almost here."

We had reached the same spot of land as the giant tree that Olimar said he was at. From there on I figured this would be a snap. I mean, all we had to do was climb that spiraling branch path up to the top and we'd have Olimar right?

We'll soon find out...

Charlie's POV

At last we had made it to the towering tree, now all we had to do was climb! Which wasn't too complicated because it was just a branched out path leading up the tree in spirals.

"Let's hurry to the top team!"

"All right!" Alph and Brittany simultaneously replied.

Speaking of my team, I've noticed that Brittany has been acting very odd recently. She's usually so perky, lately she's been exhibiting spacey and aloof behavior from time to time. One minute I'd see her, she looks like she normally does. Next minute her face would be flushed. The only time I've heard of a female acting this way if she's...

Wait a minute... Has Brittany become enamored? Ah yes, all the evidence points to that. She's become enchanted by the heart. I tried my best to keep the growing grin on my face to myself. Luckily I was in the front of the group being the Captain so no one could notice.

In my mind I patted myself on the back.

Well Charlie you've done it. I knew if I cajoled her enough she would fall for me.

I felt my heart began to bubble with excitement,

This is splendid! Truly splendid! Okay here's the deal, I continue with the subtle flirts for a little while longer. Then by the time we get back, she'll be completely smitten! At that time I'll ask her out! Perfect plan!

By the time I was done formulating my plan we were almost there. Time to focus on the task at hand!

"We're nearly at the top team! Let's keep going!" I encouraged.

When we reached the end of the path and rounded the corner, we had located Captain Olimar! He was down, next objective we had to get him back to the Drake!

"Quick team! To his aid!" I commanded. Just as I said that these little bugs buzzed right past us, they circled around Olimar before whisking him away. The situation quickly escalated when more little buzzers showed up.

From out of the sky, a giant yellow bug! A bigger version of the little ones! It summoned its underlings and gave a insect roar.

"Yikes!" Brittany cried out.

Alph was also freaked out, "We have to rescue Olimar!"

I kept my composure, "Quick team! Commence Operation: Rescue Olimar!"

This was definitely going to be much trickier than what we've previously battled. For one, this creature was airborne. This was a job for the winged Pikmin!

"All right!" I gathered the wing Pikmin, "Go team go!" I commanded them to attack.

No good, they were blown back in an instant. Those little buzzers are protecting their queen! Suddenly the ugly queen had strummed the strings in her pincers and her minions had taken a tornado-like form.

At the monster's signal, the little buggers started firing at us like shooters.

"Watch out!" I shouted out.

We ran like crazy avoiding the charging bugs. Just when all the bugs had been shot out they circled around us creating a cyclone! We all were lifted into the air and tossed around recklessly. Alph, Brittany, Me, our Pikmin all flying around like a tornado.

"Holy geez!"

I heard Alph yell out, "Aaaaaaah!"

Suddenly we had stopped, no longer in that whirlwind. When my head stopped spinning, I looked down and realized I was floating! I saw all of our Pikmin scattered around the ground. I turned my head behind my and saw I was being held hostage by one of the underlings. Searching around for my crew I saw Brittany and Alph in the same situation, they were fighting to break free.

"Get off!" Brittany screamed, "Let go!"

I felt more strength brewing. I threw my arms backwards over my head and threw my captor down to the ground, then I landed on it when I fell.

I quickly gathered the Winged Pikmin and commanded them to attack the colony, they proved to be quite strong in aerial attack! Alph and Brittany were both freed within seconds. Eventually the queen had no bodyguards left!

"Now's our chance! Go winged Pikmin attack!" I commanded an attack, the winged Pikmin swarmed the boss and brought her down fast. That prompted the entire Pikmin team to swarm the monster and attack her full power!

The insect monster shot up into the air like a champagne cork, she flew around clumsily, her mouth strings snapped in half and she fell to the ground lifeless. Strangely, all of her workers fell dead too. Quite odd, but convenient.

I ran over to my teammates, "Brittany! Are you all right?"

She stood slowly, "Yeah, I'm fine. Where's Alph?"

He was a few feet away, she ran to him, "Alphie? Are you okay?"

"Ugh... I'm okay." He got up, "How's everyone doing? Wait a minute! Where's Olimar?"

As if on cue, Olimar dropped from the sky. As well as a piece of fruit! But we were more concerned about Olimar, He was just laying there, not moving at all. The Pikmin too, were just as worried as we were. If not more so.

"He doesn't look too good!" I pointed out, "We have to get him back to the Drake ASAP!"

We commanded the Pikmin to carry him, which they were more than eager too. We had to hurry back because it was getting dark.

Alph's POV

Somehow we got back to the Drake without being eaten. It had gotten dark before we had reached the Drake, since we had someone else in tow we were lucky nothing spotted us.

With the Pikmin safe in their Onions we quickly boarded the Drake.

Analyzing recovered life form! The Drake referred to Olimar, Life support system has been activated. Life form is in stasis.

I shook my head, "I hope he wakes up soon..."

Later that night...

Brittany was concerned, "Hey guys, Olimar doesn't seem to be waking up."

"I guess we shouldn't be surprised." I shrugged, "Who knows what that terrible creature did to him."

"Nevertheless, we need to get him to tell us where our cosmic-drive key is." Charlie mentioned, "Wait a minute! I recognize that space suit! This is the type that puts you into a deep sleep if you experience any big surprises." He shook his head, "I missed an entire surprise birthday party once because of those suits."

I replied, "We'll need our cosmic-drive key to get home! What are we suppose to do now?"

Olimar interrupted by snoring very loudly.

I groaned, "Ugh... he just had to be the type that snores..."

"Unfortunately Alph." Charlie explained, "There's nothing we can do until he wakes up on his own."

Brittany stepped forward, "Here, let me try slapping him."

Charlie caught her hand, "No, no! Trust me Britt, we can't do anything once that suit kicks in. We just need to keep an eye on him. For now, let's just call it a night."

We finally managed to rescue Captain Olimar, but he wasn't moving at all. It seems his suit has put him in a state of deep sleep, and all we can do is wait for him to wake up. I have a bad feeling about this... there's no sign of our cosmic-drive key...

- Alph

Author's Note: And with that! I would like to wish all of you the best of days these upcoming Holidays! :D I might not be writing as often because of these special times, but please anticipate what's in store nonetheless!

Of course as always, Stay Flying!

:D