Here's the next chapter
Yeah, yeah, I know it's been months since I updated this story, but as I've explained in my previous updates from my other stories, things have been going on. But I'm pleased to let you all know for the time being, things are alright.
And I'm pleased to say that this thing got a new chapter after a long pause, what's more is that this story is almost done.
Yep, almost done indeed. So please don't rush me or ask when I'll update. Which will be another reason I won't be responding to reviews for this one.
Hope you all enjoy reading this.
Chapter 28
Hidden Treasures
The moon shone brightly over at a location that was miles away from Skyscraper Ridge, and everyone was full on edge. Just the other day, they attempted to raid and cure all the mutes gathered up at the Timber Cat village. But there plan was thwarted, and it failed miserably. The Mega Tiger had attacked them, forcing them to retreat and a few were also captured as a result.
Inside of the destroyed lab, Greta and Zane enter, to see their leader. Who was still not happy over the humiliating loss and defeat they suffered. Both glanced at one another not to sure of who should speak first, reluctantly the strong woman spoke up.
"Hey, Dr. Emila, we got the engines started." They were hoping that the good news would lighten up her mood.
"Hopefully, those two won't find us while were on the move." Zane added hoping that would be true. Inspite of hearing this Emilia didn't listen, instead she kept absorbing what had transpired.
All that time, effort and research was for nothing, the cure did not work on Chris, which meant it wouldn't work on Kipo. Both of them were immune, there ace in the hole was useless. So long as they kept defending the mutes everything was practically useless at this point.
"I've been working my whole life to under the Great Mutant Outbreak and erase the monsters who stole our world..." She finally speaks up.
"And now, its all going to be undone by some little punk and his wide-eyed girl friend!?" She smacked her hand to the side causing some glass filters flying off the desk breaking instantly.
"But that's ok, I'm precuring the same serum that killed one of them years ago...So if you can't cure it...put it to sleep."
"You mean like we did with the kids dad?" Zane questioned hesitantly.
Emila heard him and peered over her shoulder giving him a glare. "What did you say?"
"N-Nothing, I-I just..."
"What?" Emilia turned around and approached him. "Don't tell me your starting to have regret...What happened had to be done. That 'thing' was no longer human and because let his son escape and our failure to locate him, were in this mess right now. We are humanity's last hope. Don't forget what side you're on, Zane." She said in a firm tone while making her exit.
"So, what now?" Greta inquired as she and Zane followed her.
"It's obvious we can't remain here. We have to relocate to a better spot. On top of that we've lost half our forces. We can't make any moves for a while until we come up with another more efficient plan."
"But...what about the people who got captured?" Zane inquired. "Shouldn't we...rescue them?"
"They knew the possibilities of what would happen the moment they joined up with us." Emilia answered in a cold calculated tone. "In spite of our loses, the only upside, even though I hate to admit is us learning those two are immune."
Just as Emilia was going to say something else, the lookout spoke up. The reason was because she spotted the Mega Jaguar in the distance sniffing the air, and not to far away was the Mega Tiger. "There coming for us!" Hearing that alarmed everyone. "Run!" Many of the people on board started to scream running away.
Emilia gritted her teeth as she, Greta and Zane separated. Immediately she spotted the helsman slamming him against a nearby wall. "Get us out of here!"
Quickly she ran over to some the people working under her. "Were not going to be able to out run both of them. We need to get the life boats ready now!"
But that idea was easily thrown in vain, as the waves suddenly kicked up causing the boat to jerk taking many by surprise.
As the suddenly a loud thud was heard was heard the people of Kipo's Burrow looked over, many gasping in shock and screamed because standing before them in all his glory was Chris in his Mega Tiger form staring down at them.
Then much further to their dismay another growl was heard making them look to the right and saw the Mega Jaguar right there next to them, using an old building like a perch. Both Mega Mute Predators were both sides, their was no chance of escaping, they were all boxed in.
Everyone screamed slamming their eyes shut making final last-minute prayers while others went close to their loved ones as each giant feline roared leaping towards them. However, nothing happened instead both Mute hybrids landed before them, reverting back to human form.
At the same time too, the rest of the gang, Wolf, Benson, Dave and Mandu came not to far behind. Upon landing, the bug reverted to his old self.
Many who were there stood in silence and fear, not knowing what would happen next. Among them was Emilia who moved through the crowd, confused by why the cruise ship wasn't sinking. Why the screaming had stopped.
After a moment of silence it was broken. "You all were warned..." Chris spoke up first. "We made it clear, that we did not war and wanted peace...But instead, you all still came to our home and tried to hurt our friends. And those we swore to protect."
"So, we came to do the same to you..." Kipo added making everyone gasp she stepped forward. All attention was on her. "But this fighting, between humans and mutes have been happening for centuries. We could win today's battle, but some other humans would come along to continue the war. That's because you can't end a war by fighting it."
"Why should we believe you?" One of the burrow residents questioned nervously. "You captured some of us, how do we know you're telling the truth?"
"You have the right to believe what you want to believe..." Chris replied back speaking up. "However, rest assured we did not do anything to them...If I did, I wouldn't be saying anything would I? No, I'd make it perfectly clear to send a message...But after much debate we've reached another decision..." He looked over to his girlfriend in a way of telling her to take it away.
"So now I'm asking you, my people, Mr. Filburn, Mrs. Graham, my friends to choose to stop fighting and break the cycle. Which is why, I Kipo Oak and Chris Fang are inviting you...to Prahm."
"Huh?" Hughes was the first to speak up in confusion upon hearing this. "Prom? Like a dance?"
"No, Prahm, like P-R-A-H-M. A Party Reconciling All Humans and Mutes. But also yes. There will be dancing."
They all turned over to Chris, he noticed all eyes were on him. "What? She came up with the name not me."
"Yes!" Doag whispered happily.
"If you could hear the Timbercats shred on a bajo, and if they could taste one of Mrs. Graham's cakes, there's no way you'd hate each other. If you come to Prahm, you'll see that you have more in common than you think."
"This is clearly a trap!" Emilia had finally chimed in speaking up. "Who throws a party during the middle of a war?"
"Kipo." Everyone spoke up.
"So what do you say?"
"Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!" Doag exclaimed as she spun around getting right in between the two mutes and while she was talking Chris slowly took her hand off of him, because this to him was odd. "We're not war people, we're burrow people. We like fun museums and giving each other compliments."
"Your doing great Doag!" One of the blonde's friends called out.
"Thank you." Suddenly Doags posse came walking up over which pretty much showed that they were with them. Something which Kipo was pleased to see.
"Great! Meet us tomorrow at Skyscraper Ridge."
"And for those that are worried about the ones we've captured. I mean it, we've done nothing to them. For those that want to see them, your more then welcome to come along with us." Chris added and this seemed to work as they were murmuring among themselves.
"I'll be going." Surprisingly Zane stepped forward, not just him but other members of Kipo's burrow community. Most likely was because of how he felt on how Emilia easily brushed aside not worrying for the captives.
As for Emilia herself she was furious, she was winning them over. There plans and the effort they were putting in, was going to be vain! No, it couldn't end like this! Not when they were so close, not when she found the cure. Something many in her family for generations strived for trying to succeed, in where others kept failing.
But then a realization hit her. Maybe this could work out in her favor. Perhaps, this was the golden opportunity they needed. Yes, maybe this was it. If this was going to be it, then she might as well go along. So she stepped forward with Greta right by her side surprising many, especially Hoag.
"I accept your invitation." This was something no one, expected would happen at all. Among them was Dave who gasped loudly shedding his old skin reverting back into a baby as a result.
By now, hours go by and it was morning, in a forest, Zane is scouting ahead of the other humans, who have joined Kipo. Rolling and moving from tree to tree, as if he was some sort of ninja? He even gave off a shout doing a few kicks.
"Feel the Zane! All clear."
"Zane, you don't have to that anymore." Kipo said the now former lackey.
"Right, because I'm on the side of the mutes now." Clearly this was something that he was used to doing all the time. That it's become normal by now. "So, who's the enemy?"
"There isn't one." Benson answered.
"Only the ones that try to attack us." Chris added in a blank tone.
"Riight...What if I like doing it?"
Now the silver teen wasn't sure. "Uh...just do you I guess?" He replied shrugging his shoulders.
"Yeah he's right." Dave said to the guy. "Just follow your bliss, buddy."
"Ahh! I'm doing it!" Zane followed the advice and kept doing what he did early throwing kung fu kicks and everything.
"Yeah, baby, do it!" Dave exclaimed liking his vibe and so did Mandu, the small pig rolled around trying to join in on the fun too. In spite of his height and fails Dave tried to imitate Zane even landing on a stack of old tires.
"Something's not right." Wolf spoke up in an honest tone.
"Is it the walking?" Dave asked. "'Cause I hate walking, too. Why don't we skate everywhere? Think about that, hm?"
"It's not that. I-it's Emilia." Wolf clarified. "She agreed to Prahm, then smiled. Something's up. I can feel it."
"Even if you're right, I don't think she can do anything." Kipo pointed out. "She knows her cure won't work on me, or Chris, she already lost half her army and now the rest. It kinda feels like we won."
"We did not yet." Chris said as he continued walking.
"Yeah, we, half won." Benson saw his friends logic. "We only have until tomorrow to make sure that all of the mutes in Las Vistas to come to a party with the people who just attacked them."
"I'll help." Zane volunteered. "I'm charismatic, and people respect my strong jawline."
"Uh...that is true." Kipo admitted still a bit nervous. "But I think you, Doag and everyone else from the boat. Should meet us after its done."
"Don't worry about it, they will come. And people who are with us now can wait at the village." The silver teen spoke up. "It wasn't easy, I had to break up a few fights and make it clear. Some that didn't agree were more then welcome to leave. But because I defended them made sure that none of them were cured. Even if they might not like it. They'll listen to me, they see the benefit of our vision now. At least, the way I described putting in more depth."
"Yeah, what he said." Benson nodded in agreement. "Anyways, come on lets get going to fill them in on what's going on."
Kipo noticed that her boyfriend was lagging behind so she walked over to Chris. "You know...I'm proud of you..."
"I don't care..." Chris shook his head lightly brushing her off. "I still don't trust her."
"...I know." She then wrapped her arms around him from behind, giving him a hug. "I know." Chris put his arms on hers, at least she wasn't ignoring how he was feeling.
Meanwhile, on the ship, Emilia stands alone at the front. Hoag and Greta approach.
Hoag: Are you really gonna just stand by and let this happen?" Hoag questioned and noticed the look Greta was giving him, and he clears his throat. "Doctor, we can't just give up."
"I don't give up." Emilia said in firm tone and from the side she saw a Mega a Mega Walrus surfacing in the distance roaring away.
Greta gasps upon seeing this. "I'll turn on the emitter!" Just as she was about to go Emilia grabbed her by arm stopping her.
"No, Greta. Let it come." In the tone she was speaking, Emilia sounded so sure and confident.
We change locations to see a beach area in Skyscraper Ridge, where buildings were being thrown away and tossed to the side by Chris and Kipo in there Mega Mute forms as everyone else watched from the side.
Composing of Song, Leo, Scarlemagne, Jamack, Troy,Roberto Asher, Dhalia, there parents, Earl & Lily plus the other humans who joined along with them for the work effort.
They all watched as these giant felines were clearing out an area that would provide an excellent spot for PHRAM. After a few more buildings and rubble was taken out of the way both Mega Tiger and Jaguar reverted back to there human forms.
Kipo exhales as she dusted off her hands. "I needed that. OK. Now we decorate."
"Easier said then done, because we only got a bunch of scrap to work with." Chris pointed out. "Do you even know what you got in mind for this? Aside from thinking big?"
"It'll come to us. Plus, things are working out. Already the humans are apologizing to the Mutes And we need to live it. We need to dance it.
"Yes!" Doag was really liking the idea of breaking down and busting some moves obviously.
"Dance it?" Wolf wasn't following.
"We need to Prahm-pose."
Chris blinked a few times raising an eyebrow. "You do know how that sounds a bit right?"
"I have no idea what you guys are talking about." Wolf threw in.
"Right." Kipo went to explaining. "Prahm-posing is an ancient tradition that goes all the way back to the old world. If you want someone to go with you to Prahm, you've got the Prahm-pose to them. Plus, nobody can say no to a float."
"Huh?" Chris was confused exchanging a look with Wolf.
"What's a float?"
"Only the most exciting and visual way to celebrate all of our differences."
"Ok...I'm officially lost myself." The male hybrid said because he's never heard of this sort of thing until just now. They never bothered with much of that, there sole focus was surviving and living another day.
So quickly Kipo grabs a stick and kneels down on the ground, everyone gathered watching as she draws a design for what they were going to make in the sand.
"And this is...what were going to make?"
"Yeah." Chris sighed, already knowing that right now they needed to find supplies to work with and pronto.
Minutes go by and everyone was doing their own things. Many had managed to salvage items they needed, like tires for the float, and then there was the 'globe' they managed to find a concrete ball. Where, Chris, Wolf, and Scarlemagne were adding flowers onto it. Purple made up the continents, while blue was well just the ocean. And it was taking a good while, applying one flower at a time.
At first a lot pitched in, but seeing that they were almost done, the trio were finishing it off. The mandrill had the purple flowers, while the human and male hybrid had the blue.
"After this works and Prahm is a raging success, I'm guessing it'll take nine minutes for Emilia to turn on us and attack." Scarlemagne deduced speaking out his thoughts.
"I would've guessed five." Wolf suggested.
"So, we're in agreement? And Chris...I'm absolutely baffled that your agreeing to this."
Chris grunted in response clearly he did not want to be reminded and continued on with his work. Scarlemagne caught on that he didn't want to talk and reaches over for more flowers, but the bucket is no longer there.
"Um, did you pilfer the pail of flora?" He asked in confusion
Wolf was also confused. "No."
"Then who did?"
The silver teen hummed looking around. "Odd...I'll go get some more." Chris spoke up as went over to where the reserve buckets were at. While doing so, he passed by, Benson, Dave and Jamack who were making dolls of everyone alongside Roberto, Troy, Dahlia and Asher.
As he was doing so, he couldn't help but over hear Benson and Dave chatting. "Watchu thinkin' 'bout?"
"Troy. I wanna ask him to Prahm, but it's gotta be really good. You know, to make up for how we can't just hang out because we're always saving the world."
"Whoa! I was thinking about how french fries are the perfect food."
"Well, Troy is the french fries of boyfriends, and he deserves the perfect Prahm-posal."
"OK, if we're not grabbing some french fries, you need to stop bringing them up." Chris sighed shaking his head as he finished up.
"You brought them up!"
"Just shut up and ask him already." Chris said passing by. "The longer you delay, well that's on you." He said in a blunt tone.
"Uh...thanks?" Benson wasn't sure if it was like a compliment or the other way around.
"Yeesh, someone's moody..." Dave noted.
"I'm back..." Chris called out and then stopped in his place. "Where'd you put the ladder?"
Wolf and Scarlemagne were still adding flowers. Wolf looked over her shoulder. "What? Its right-" She reaches for the ladder, but it isn't there. "Huh? The ladder's missing, too now?"
"T'would appear we have a saboteur in our midst." Scarlemagne noted.
"What?"
"Somes trying to sabotage us." Chris explained.
"Oh, why didn't he just say so?"
"Because I just did." Scarlemagne rolled his eyes, now they were gonna have to be more alert.
Back on the cruise ship the Mega Walrus has approached the ship. They got a full look of its appearance, it had two heads each one bearing four small eyes. Its body was mostly made up of thick, dark green blubber. Each head had a cyan colored mustache, what's more there tusks were different. One had regular tusks, meanwhile the other one had a curved tusk with the other missing.
Many people on the cruise all watched in fear before screaming and ran away. All except for Emilia, Hoag and Greta. Speaking of Greta, she was trying to scare it off.
Making some hissing noises clapping her hands. Almost thinking this big behemoth was like a dog of some sort. "Bad walrus! Get out of here!"
As the people ran for cover Emilia turned around and jabbed a thumb at the mega mute behind her. "Looks like your Prahm date's here."
No doubt this was to be a reminder of the dangers of the Mutes. A perfect way of ensuring fear and regaining back their loyalty.
Back at Skyscraper Ridge, the float has been finished, people were cheering and applause.
The result was that the float was a large podium with stairs and on the top was the makeshift globe and bunch of big dolls on the planet, one being a snake, and a cat with a human in the middle. All in all, it wasn't half bad.
Kipo exhaled happily. "Amazing job, everyone! Now, let's rehearse. Positions!" Everyone enters the float while Benson held open the door. While this happened Kipo was making a picture frame with fingers. "Hmm."
While she did that, Chris, Wolf and Scarlemagne approach her. "Kipo, can we talk to you?" The young survivor got her attention.
"Like, together? All three of you? Oh, my gosh! You bonded!"
"That's not what's happening.
"Not a big deal." Scarlemagne takes Kipo and leads her away while Benson had closed the door allowing them privacy to talk. "For reasons most obvious, we don't trust Emilia."
Wolf explained what has been going on. "We've noticed that a paint bucket and a ladder have gone missing."
"OK." The female hybrid was trying to wrap this around her head. "A-are you saying this is the same thing or two different things?"
"We don't know, but we should mount our defenses immediately."
"Better safe then sorry." Chris nodded in agreement with what Scarlemagne was suggesting.
"OK. Possible that you're bringing out the worst in each other."
"Come on, isn't it obvious?" Wolf questioned. "Emilia doesn't want Prahm to happen, so, she's being a sabater."
Scarlemagne cleared his throat correcting her. "Saboteur."
Inspite of hearing this Kipo still thought otherwise. "OK. Well, I didn't invite Emilia to a battle. Prahm only works if we all believe in it."
"You can't seriously believe Emilia is going to give up her life's work to frolic with mutes." Scarlemagne pointed out that fact waving around his hands.
"I won't know unless I give her the chance."
Chris rolled his eyes at this. "Are you kidding me? She's not gonna change her mind."
While they were talking Wolf looked over at something. "Oh come on Chris, I thought you on board with this." The young survivor realized something was wrong and looked over in the direction again trying to be sure that she wasn't losing it.
"I am on board, but it don't I have to like it either."
"Uh, Kipo?" Wolf spoke up nervously.
"I'm not changing my mind on this."
"Well good were in agreement, because your not changing my mind about this from my side."
"The float's gone." Wolf spoke up and they all looked to see that it had indeed disappeared.
"How did we not hear anything?" Chris was confused and baffled, you'd think something of that size would've made a sound while being moved or something.
We cut to see Chris and Kipo searching for the float in their mega forms, while Wolf and Scarlemagne ride on her back. After a bit of traveling, they stopped, and Kipo's transport jumped off while she and her boyfriend revert back into human form.
"Ugh! No more tracks. And I still can't pick up the sabater's scent."
Scarlemagne sighs. "OK. Now you're just doing it to annoy me."
"They couldn't have too far with it." Chris deduced. "Plus, whoever it was, had to been close by."
"But where the heck could they put then?"
"I don't know, better start look-" He paused and looked over to a tree in front of them seeing something was in there. "Were not alone..." The leaves started to rustle and the figures move up in the tree.
Seeing this, Kipo and Chris ready there paws, while there companions got ready for a fight. Only it wasn't no human, but something furry instead. Heck coming out of the leaves of the tree like two speeding bullets came two squirrel mutes.
One had brown fur with lighter brown highlights and green eyes. She wears a white hat, glasses, and golden, circular earrings. She also wears a red coat with a blue trim and white shoes.
The other had black fur with a white underbelly and highlights. She has orange eyes and wears a pair a of shades and golden earrings. She wears white dress with a gray trim and a yellow fanny pack. She also wears a gray coat with a orange scarf, and white and yellow shoes.
"Who's Emilia?" The black haired squirrel asked in a fast tone.
"Are you looking for her?" The brown squirrel also spoke in the same fast tone. "'Cause you found us. But who are we?"
"That's Kameko." The black one pointed at her bestie.
"And that's Jeanine." Kameoko motioned and they put a hand over each others shoulders giving off silly smiles.
"Ugh, of course. Treasure Squirrels."
"You know them?" Chris questioned glancing over to the mandrill.
"Lets just say I've had a few encounters before..."
Kipo inspite of being surprised at first collected herself answering their question. "Well, our friends mysteriously vanished inside a giant float and–"
This got a reaction out of the two. "What. !"Kameoko exclaimed
"We just found a float at Skyscraper Ridge!" Jeanine also shared the enthusiasm.
"And then we hid it!" Kameko took over speaking before whispering while both squirrels mushed their faces together holding hands. "We hide all our treasures to keep them safe."
Kipo was actually pleased to hear this. "So, Emilia wasn't our saboteur."
Scarlemagne glanced away. "I suppose not."
"This time." Wolf added while Chris cleared his throat allowing his arms to return to normal.
"Are we gonna focus?"
"Right." Kipo had her arms return to normal as well. "That float was filled with people. So, if you could show us where you hid it-"
"Yeah! Let's go save your treasures!" Kameko answered as she and Jeanine did it again as they lean in enthusiastically. Both were focused on Kipo.
"Eh... uh..." She was wierded out by how happy they looked and how much wider could their pupils go?
"What are we waiting for?" Kameko asked.
"For you to tell us where they are." Kipo answered raising an eyebrow.
"Because you took and hid our stuff." Chris added also confused.
"Oh, yeah!" Jeanine laughs. "That's Kameko, by the way.
"And that's Jeanine!" Both mutes intertwined their forearms and started to run around in a circle singing"
"We're going on a treasure hunt! We're going on a treasure hunt! We're going on a treasure hunt!"
"Oh, good. This is gonna be fun." Scarlemagne said with much sarcasm hinted.
"I can already picture Benson starting to freak out by now..." Chris added in his sarcasm.
Meanwhile, everyone waits inside the float, many were confused. One minute they were fine, and then out of nowhere they moved before stopping again.
A few at first didn't understand why, they thought it was all just part of practice. But now, now something was off.
"Uh, Kipo?" Song was the first to call out.
"Hey, Kipo!" Leo joined in. "It's getting hot in here!"
"Yeah, why'd you move us?" Benson added. "Chris!? Hey man this ain't funny!"
Dave was perplexed by this. "Why do you think there not answering us?"
"Are we dead?" Doag asked, a dumb question indeed, but it got Benson freaking out.
He gasps and reachs for the handle. Giving it a few tries to open but the door, won't open nor budge. "Panic setting in." He chuckled nervously before snapping at everyone who was in there with him. "Everyone stay calm!"
Yeah, it was safe bet to say they were going to be there for a while.
"We're going on a treasure hunt! We're going on a treasure hunt! We're going on a treasure hunt!" They kept singing that stupid song of them going on a treasure hunt the whole time. And the group was absolutely annoyed, and on edge.
"I...am...so...close...to...just...eating them..." Chris gritted his teeth growling in anger.
Kipo also felt the same, but not with the idea of eating the energetic chatty rodents. "Where is the float?!" Kipo exploded in anger and frustration putting both hands on both sides of her head. "Tell us! Tell us, now!"
They both stopped in place. "You're looking for a float?"
"What a coincidence. We found one!"
"We know!" Wolf was also on edge but managed to remain calm. "You were going to show us where you hid it."
"We can never remember where we put our treasures." Kameko said as she hoppedonto Scarlemagnes back.
"Shocker."
"No, that's Kameko." Jeanine corrected also on Scarlemagne's back evidently they didn't have that much common sense. Not even detecting sarcasm.
"And that's Treasure Hill." Kameko points over to the direction of a hill with a giant tree on top.
"By chance...do you bury your treasures there?" Scarlemagne hesitantly asked and was hoping for the answer they wanted to hear.
"Oh-ho, ho! I just remembered that yes!" Kipo laughed at this while Chris grunted in annoyance turning into a Mega Tiger running forward and started to dig.
Minutes go by and both mega had dug large holes, Kameko and Jeanine were also digging, but they used there hands since squirrels were used to digging.
Wolf was using a shovel with Scarlemagne right above her also holding one of his own. Most likely they took turns on who digged next.
But inspite of all their efforts, they found nothing, Chris looked over to Kipo giving her a roar while she growled in response. A form of communication telling one anothe they didn't find anything.
They both eventually transform back landing on the ground. "Benson! Dave! Anyone!" Kipo called out to them but no response. "Where the heck are they!?"
"There ain't no way those two could've buried something that big underground so fast!" Chris exclaimed and looked over to the squirrels. "You sure this is where you bury your treasure!?"
Jannine gasped."There's buried treasure here!?"
"Lets dig and see what we find!" Kimeko said over to her friend and they once again started to sing only while they kept digging.
"We're going on a treasure hunt! We're going on a treasure hunt! We're going on a treasure hunt!"
Having enough Chris roared out in anger and tried to lunge at them, but Kipo, Wolf and Scarlemagne were holding him back best as they could.
Inside the float, everyone is playing a game. Roberto tries to slap Troy's hand but is too slow. Roberto laughed at this. But while he was distracted, Jamack successfully slaps Roberto's hand. Troy & Doag laughed how the frog took the opportunity.
Song turned over to her husband. "Good suggestion to play a game, Lio. It calmed everyone down." She turned her head over to someone in particular. "Almost everyone."
It was Benson who was anxious chuckling, trying to think of happy thoughts. But alas, he's been like that since they realized their situation wasn't good. So all the best they could do was keep their minds occupied until their daugther and the others found them.
Song tries to slap Lio's hand. But he retracted it. "Hah! Too fast. I've got the reflexes of a tiger shark."
"Tiger sharks don't have good refl- aah!" Lio slaps Song's hand.
"Hah! Gotcha."
Song laughed at her husbands antics and accidentally slapped the side of Dave's head whose mind was elsewhere. She quickly realized her mistake, at first everyone goes quiet until the bug screams out. "I'm starting to think we're trapped in here!"
Not a good move at all and quickly Lio crawled over to them coming to the rescue. "Hey guys, I'm sensing some freaked-out vibes, but I know Kipo will find us."
"I'm gonna die!" It didn't help Benson one bit. "I didn't even get to ask him to Prahm."
Lio follows Benson's gaze to Troy who was continuing the game with the others. "Chris was right...I am wussing out."
"I get it. Asking someone to Prahm is a lot of pressure." Lio figured this would not only calm him down but also get his mind focused on something more positive and keep him occupied.
"I just want it to be perfect..."
"Don't worry about all of that. You just have to be confident. Check it out." He looked over to Song putting on the moves. "Hey, Song, you wanna go to Prahm with me?"
"No..." Was her response but she was simply playing along. "Duh!"
"Whoo! What a ride." He chuckled. "I was nervous when I heard no, but I felt a lot better when you got to the 'duh'" Lio looked to the young man. "Your turn."
Benson takes a deep exhale and crawls over to his interest. "Hey, Troy. You wanna go to–" Suddenly a loud roar was heard, even though it was muffled, they heard it and felt the float shake. "Huh?"
Right then afterwards another roar was heard having the same effect quickly Lio rushed over to the door. "Kipo! Chris! Over here!" Lio banged the door hard as he could. "Please help us, there's not much air left!
"What!? I need air!" This defiantly didn't help Benson out one bit.
At the same Kipo had her ears on the ready, twitched. "Over here! Kipo!" She gasped happily hearing her father's voice.
"Chris there at the tree!" She informed her boyfriend who stopped the digging and turned into his Mega Tiger and rushed forward, towards it with Kipo as a Mega Jaguar, not lagging to far behind.
Both felines put their noses up against the hole of the tree that was full of giant acorns. "Treasure!" The squirrels exclaimed happily sliding off the mega jaguar.
While on Kipo, Wolf and Scarlemagne peered inside, they saw the bucket of flowers and the missing ladder. "That's our stuff! The float's gotta be in there, too."
Kipo tries to unplug the entrance, with one of her front paws and Chris adds in some effort too. But suddenly, the acorns all started to pour out at a fast rate, literally creating a landside, taking both mega's by surprise.
They struggle to keep themselves steady, but even the two of them were swept away. Heck acorn's were pouring out of this tree like a fire hydrant creating a river. Clearly it hadn't been touched in a long time because there lots of acorns coming out at a fast rate. And among the acorns was the float bouncing around.
From inside, they heard everyone else screaming, both mega's quickly got a footing. Kipo lunged forward and swiped a claw at the float which lands against a building no longer moving.
Although they were safe, now the ones who were searching had themselves to worry about. Like for example, Wolf and Scarlemagne who was holding onto Kipo lost their grips and fell down onto the street right into the flow of the rolling acorns.
Quickly they ran off while both Kipo and Chris were up front trying to block the number of acorns coming in their friends direction of fleeing. It did work, but not so much.
Both were running with everything they head going for a set of buildings that had a narrow opening. They took the chance and went through, while the two mega behind went after them.
"Huh?" Much to their shock, they run into a dead end. The gap too small for either mega mute to fit through as the Mega Jaguar.
They had to think of something, so Kipo growled jumping forward transforming back into human form all while Chris used his own body to stop the acorns from going in.
As for Kipo she was making use of the momentum build up to speed over to where her adoptive siblings were at. As she was landing, Kipo turned her human arms into paws, rolling forward and sprinted over to Wolf and Scarlemagne taking hold of them both and threw them up to safety. While she, got buried in the acorns. And by now, the landslide had finally stopped, Chris grunted as he shook them off of him.
He turned around and saw Wolf and Scarlemagne climb down. The mega tigers eyes widened realizing what happened and jumped leaping over the building going human but turned his arms into paws roaring.
The other two cleared out of the way watching as he ravaged through the acorns clearing them away with little trouble all to find his girlfriend in which he eventually did.
Chris sighed in relief that he found her and saw that she was still in one piece. Wolf and Scarlemagne rushed over to her. "Are you OK?"
In spite of the strain and with effort. "I'm fine." She replied giving them a thumbs up.
"You could have been killed." Scarlemagne pointed out.
Right then Chris cleared his throat. "Hey Chris, don't do anything to stupid and dangerous that won't get you hurt." He said while trying to copy and mimic his girlfriends words.
Kipo chuckles softly hearing him use her own words against herself. Because there was irony.
After making sure Kipo was actually ok, the group went to retrieve the float. Once it was in place, Kipo opened the float door, letting everyone out.
All of whom screaming as they poured out of there before groaning landing on the ground. But at least they weren't trapped in there any longer.
One of them being Benson who shot back up onto his feet gasping for air happily. "Oh, sweet! Sweet air!"
Lio also got up and wiped his brow with Song getting up. "Phew! I knew everything would work out in the end." He gave his daughter a fist bump while his wife gave Chris a high five.
The sound of gagging was heard, not everyone got out. Dave was the last to emerge, he didn't look too good. It was possible that he was even more green then ever. "Tasted my lunch again...I only wanted to eat it once." He falls face flat onto the pavement, emitting a loud thud. "That was double the calories." Dave groaned.
"Meh, he'll be fine." Chris shrugged, if he was immortal then it shouldn't bother him for to long.
Right then Kameko and Jeanine walked up to the hybrids. "Thank you, sweet jaguar girl and tiger boy! We will never lose our treasures again!" Kameoko vowed.
"But what if somebody else finds them and takes them from us?" Jeanine questioned.
"Oh, yeah. We better start hiding them."
Hearing this Kipo was quick to putting herself against the float spreading out her arms. IN an effort to protect it. "Not this one!"
"Seriously...don't...Just don't even think about it." Chris frowned, he didn't want to go looking for it, nor did he want to listen to those two singing again.
Back at the ship, the Mega Walrus was attacking raising up its front legs causing the ship to tilt and many unfortunate passengers to slide towards the mega screaming in fear.
From the upper level Hoag grunted as he kept a grip and Emila emerged equipped with a crossbow, and an ammunition satch across her chest, two syringes and one cure dart.
She didn't waste any time running and sliding down forward towards the mega walrus. Once she was close enough, she took out a syringe trying to draw some blood but needed to puncture the skin. However, its skin is too tough, and the syringe needle snapped.
Clearly that wouldn't work, and that meant that the cure dart wouldn't work as well. She needed to find softer skin. Looking up to the head with the busted tusk, she gained an idea.
Taking the second syringe in her hand, Emilia turned around and ran before jumping and grabbed hold of the curved tusk in which she used to run upwards to get closer. But the walrus saw this and flung her into the air. As she was diving down, Emilia used the momentum to her advantage as she aims to land in its mouth. She managed to grab onto its lip, and stuck the syringe in its gums drawing some blood.
Smirking Emilia had what she needed, before back flipping mid air placing the dart onto the crossbow and aimed firing away, and the dart hit the gums.
For a brief moment the mega walrus groaned for a bit then 'fwoosh' in an instant it reverted back into a regular walrus, that still had its cyan color. Which proceeded to dive back under water swimming away.
Hoag stood next to Emilia and Greta came up next to her as well. "The only way to defeat a mega is with a mega of our own." She said looking at the syringe, what Emilia had in mind could not be good at all.
Back with the others they were rolling the float away. It was going to take a while, but with everyone pitching in, they would be back where they were in a few minutes.
Well, almost everyone, that being Scarlemagne who looks around making sure the coast was clear and runs in the opposite direction. But as he Wolf lassos him with her whip jumping from one roof top to another till she lands on a street lamp.
"Where are you going?" The young survivor questioned.
Scarlemagne glared in response. "To eliminate our Emilia problem."
Wolf gave off a grunt as jumped and she tackles him to the ground. "I can't let you do that."
"We both know Kipo. She's always so focused on others, she doesn't consider her own safety. We just rescued her from one avalanche, but there's another avalanche coming. And someone has to stop it." The mandril spoke the facts. "...Emilia's the second avalanche."
"Yeah, I got that. But I won't go behind her back."
"Ah, she's like a sister to you." He smiled. "Believe it or not, I feel the same. We'd both do anything to protect her. Same with Chris, but right now he and here are at a very delicate crossroad. They both have ideas but neither one is agreeing. And that's why you're going to let me go."
Wolf looks at the float in the distance thoughts processing through her mind. Ever since she met her, Kipo has been putting herself through risks through every second they've been together.
They have had lady luck on their side, but the question was how long was that gonna last? The acorn landslide was a clear example of that, it was reminder that smacked some sense into them.
After dwelling in thought, she looked back down to Scarlemagne. Making her decision.
Eventually, they made it back to Skyscrapper ridge, where the treasure squirrels wheeled the float back into place where they first found it.
"Thanks for helping us." Kipo thanked the two.
"I'm Kameko!"
"OK." She reached into her pocket pulling out a pen. "I'm just gonna write the details for Prahm right here, so you don't forget." Kipo writes the details on Kameko's hand.
Jeanine chuckled liking the sound of that. "Great! We'll be there."
"Whoa! I found a treasure map on my hand!" Kameko said literally just forgetting that Kipo just wrote on her hand and Chris facepalmed at this. How freakin dense were these squirrels?
"Where do you think it leads?" Even Jeanine forgot and they ran off singing together again hand in hand.
"Those two defiantly aren't showing up." Chris chuckled but was super glad too.
Kipo also sighed, because at this point she gave up on the duo. Even though she wouldn't admit it out loud she couldn't help but agree.
Alright, everyone. This is our once chance to make Prahm happen and peace on the surface forever and ever.
Are...You...Ready...To...Prahm...Pose?"
"No thanks." Chris yawned as he walked off making Kipo's eyes bulge out of there sockets in surprise. "You guys can handle it."
"Hey! Where are you going!?" Kipo questioned in disbelief that he wouldn't join them. "Were supposed to put on a show!"
"It's been a long day, and I didn't get any sleep last night. I'm taking a nap!" The silver teen replied back continuing to walk.
"Are you kidding me!?" Kipo threw her arms up into the air. "We've litterally been praticing all day!"
"Nah, not really I just pretended to pay attention." Chris replied back as he gave off another yawn. "Also the nap thing, wasn't a question." Chris replied before turning into a mega tiger and when he did, the large feline yawned finding a good spot and got himself comfortable
Kipo groaned at this and both her parents came up. "His dad wasn't much into this stuff at all. Wasn't he Song?"
"Oh yeah, every single time, when he got asked into doing a group fun thing like singing and dancing he always turned down the offer..." Song chuckled. "I swear, sometimes its like looking at a mirror."
"Yeah."
(Flashback)
As of the moment we see Chris and his father Khan sitting next to a fire. Not to long ago they arrived to where the needed to be. And they spread their deceased families ashes. Now that was done, there next objective was to return home.
Khan took a deep inhale and then exhaled. "The ocean is beautiful isn' it?" He asked his son both watching as the waves gently went back and fourth colliding with the shoreline of the beach. "No matter what time of day, it never loses that."
"Not to mention, its where life first began on this world." Chris added.
"I see your mothers lessons have taught you much." Khan noted.
"Most of it, but yeah." His boy confirmed. "Give or take. I can see why mom made the request. Where life begins, life comes also to where it started for the finale."
"Very true boy."
"Father?" He grunted in response. "Why do people keep fighting each other?"
"Everyone has different ideas, and naturally others disagree with the other. Everything resolves around ideas."
"And also, choices, right?" Chris asked Khan looked over to him. "Mom once said that..."
"She is not wrong." He nodded in agreement. "I always enjoyed hearing her voice...Choices are also important, yes...Just as its important to carry out the hard ones."
"What do you mean?"
"Chris..." The young hybrid looked to his father paying full attention. "There'll come a day in your life when you must make crucial decisions. If you believe they must be carried out then do so. For even actions must be taken, some of which cannot be undone."
"Like...taking a life?" Chris asked hesitantly, his father paused for a moment before answering.
"Yes, death is a natural part of life."
"Doesn't that...make us bad?"
"It all depends...In self-defense, protecting others you care about most. It all comes down your intentions. It is never easy, but in the end, that is also a choice that must be made. What happens next afterwards is also your choice as well. Only as long as you do not let it change who you are. Does this make sense?"
"I guess so..."
"You guess?"
"Yeah...There's one thing that bugs me though...Why'd you choose to do it? Why become what you are right now?"
"I did it to make a change."
"But did you really want do it? I mean...mom told me that even you weren't to fond of mutes."
"That is true." Khan admitted. "But the only reason I do is because I witnessed my father get devoured by a Mega. While I did grieve, in the end what good does it do? It only encouraged me to continue to survive, and when you are surviving you must adapt." He looked into the fire.
"Long ago Chris...Before we touched technology, before we even touched the skies. At one point at time, humanity was once living together with nature, side by side. They were born from the lands and died on the lands. Death was as natural as it came, then as time passed, we forgot our roots. The irony is, that now, we must do the same today. Otherwise, we will perish. Living, breathing and experiencing life is a privilege."
"Just like Intelligence."
"Yes, just like intelligence, which fuels ideals and choices." Khan looked his son in the eye. "Chris...one day I won't be here, but please, do not turn out the same as I did. Open yourself, and be better, do not make the same mistakes that've already been made."
"Ok."
(Flashback End)
The Mega Tiger's eyes fluttered open, and he emitted a sigh reverting back into human form. It has been a long while since he's had one of those dreams. But hearing his fathers voice again, brought him a small bit of comfort. And some needed words and wisdom as well.
He knew that even though it was kind of dumb, he only hoped and prayed that he and his mother would give him strength when it was needed.
As he was in his thoughts, he heard something moving, looking over and saw that it was the float being pushed by Kipo and the group, showing they'd just returned.
He walked over to them and Kipo smiled seeing he was up and at'em. "So...you better?"
"For the time being." Chris confirmed. "How did it go?"
"Oh Chris, it was amazing!"
"But... nobody said yes." Dave spoke up.
"Hmm, technically, nobody said anything." Kipo pointed out. "Silence is just possibility in disguise."
"Be that as it may, whatever the result is, its there choice." Chris stated. "If want to come here, there more then welcome. Even though they'll listen to me, I also can't force them to change their minds. Whatever will be, will be."
"He's right..." Troy agreed. "We did our best. Now, we just have to see what they say.
Benson paused this was now or never. "Hold on. We have one Prahm-posal left." Troy looks at Benson and smiles. He exhaled, taking the moment. "Troy, I've been trying all day to think of the perfect way to ask you to Prahm. Because you're amazing and awesome and that's what you deserve. But what I've realized is... I'm not perfect. Nothing is. Not even French fries."
"He's right." Dave agreed but changed the subject again. "They should be called potato noodles!"
"So, I'm not gonna try to be perfect anymore. I'm just gonna be me. So, will you?"
"Will I... go to Prahm with you?" He corrected.
"Aah! I asked weird! I screwed it up!"
"No, no, that was really cute. It's just, I was literally about to ask you." Roberto appears in the background with a bouquet of flowers, but Troy gestures for him to leave.
"The answer's yes!" The two hug, and kiss earning an applaud from the crowd and nod from Chris.
"I usually don't have these kinds of emotions, but...uh, feels good." Dave admitted and then emerging from the buildings, was Yumyan, Molly, Label and Cotton.
Kipo gasped in surprise to see them. "You put a lot of love and effort into your Prahm-posal. It was an emotional workout!"
"And a slightly...okay show." Yumyan admitted earning an elbow from Molly.
"So, we're in."
Kipo gasp again in anticipation approaching them. "All four of you?"
"No. We're here on behalf of everybody." Molly answered.
"And by everybody, we mean, everybody." Yumyan added in.
"I'm going to Prahm!" The racoon screamed out while Kipo hugged both Timber cats who returned the gesture.
Seeing this and that the invinations were a success the crowd erupted into cheers. All there hard work paid off. "Yes! Now, all we have to do is everything else... by tomorrow! Oh, I need all hands on deck! Doag, sparkly things!"
"On it." The blonde replied.
"Benson, music."
"On it!" Benson saluted more then happy to do so.
Kipo then pointed over to their bug friend. "Dave, follow Benson."
"Hey, I'm the leader." The bug objected.
"Just follow me."
"OK." In spite of what he just said Dave followed Benson anyways.
"Oh, and Scarlemagne, do you think you can get your piano? Ooh!" She looks around in confusion. "Where's Scarlemagne?"
Wolf steps forward knowing full well of what was going to happen. But knew it was best to come clean. "It was the only way to protect you."
Kipo emitted a small gasp realizing what she meant. "Prahm is a great idea, but an idea won't keep you alive. Scarlemagne went after Emilia."
"To do what?" The younger survivor only looked away not giving an answer, confirming her fears. "Wolf, no!" Her 'adoptive' sister placed a hand onto her shoulder. "I thought you believed in Prahm. It might be the most important thing we've ever done."
"We're just trying to help you."
Kipo angrily swatted hand off the young survivor's shoulder. "Well, I don't want that kind of help!"
"Well, I hope one day you understand why you need it." Wolf said in a sold tone mixed with frustration as she runs off.
Kipo looks back one last time and flinched seeing how close Chris was up in her face. "She is right and you know it..."
"Chris not right now..." She tries to walk off but her boyfriend wouldn't have none of it and grabbed her wrist. "Let go!"
"Do you really seek death?"
"What!?" Kipo was shocked by this question. "N-No! Of course not!"
"Then why!?" Chris questioned. "Why? Why is it hard for you to even accept or think of the worse can't happen? Because it can and it will happen when we don't realize it...I've done what you've asked me to do...Even in spite you knowing, my reasons for hating that woman..."
"But this isn't the way to do it Chris...If Wolf and Scarlemagne do this then PHRAM would be for nothing. We'd lose our chance for peace." Kipo got her arm out of his grip.
"Peace can be found in different ways...They aren't always so simple as we think it can be at times..."
"So, what there's never a good reason? You know Chris, its almost like you have no faith in me at all..."
"That is not it!" Chris grasped both sides of her arms he looked on the verge of crying. "Even if there is, still I follow, I am right there beside you...And keeping you safe...That's all that matters."
"But that's not all that matters..." Kipo gently brushed off his arms. "Who's keeping you safe? Who's keeping all of us safe?"
"Your really gonna lecture me about safety?" Chris scoffed. "That's rich coming from you. I saw what you did with Wolf and Scarlemagne, not even regarding your own well-being at all. So who are you to even say that?"
"Look, I know I scared you three, but its fine. I'm alright, shouldn't that matter?"
"Of course it matters, but what's the point if your just gonna keep playing hero?" He asked her an honest question. "There's a difference between being brave and being stupid. What will you do next that your plan is going as you hope it does? Roll out the red carpet? Help them settle in?"
"First I have to stop Wolf and Scarlemagne."
"And then what!?" Chris threw his arms into the air at first Lio was gonna say something but Song put a hand on his shoulder shaking her head no. This was something that needed to be worked out between the two of them only. "You never think things through at all Kipo! We've been lucky yes, but it only takes us so far." He points a finger at her. "This is just like when we turned mega to save everyone from the good of the tree."
"But we had no choice! And you were fine with it! And it worked out!"
"What about not listening to the Chevire Sisters?"
"That's neither here or there" Kipo exclaimed and she was starting to get angry. "We got through that didn't we!? You did it because you were tired of me ignoring having to fight my people!"
"No!" Chris immediately shot that down. "I did it because you wouldn't. I took charge because you were too afraid, and your mind was in a bad place, clouding your judgement. That's why I decided to shoulder the burden, so you'll wouldn't have to carry that guilt. And it's only because of that we earned the Mutes full trust. You think they wanted to be friends with them? Far from it, they wanted them gone, and I don't blame them since there home, friends and family were gonna wiped out because of old paranoia."
Kipo stood there dumbfounded by this information. He did all that for her? That was his full intention? While it was wrong at what happened, even knowing she would possibly resent him or worse hate him. Chris's intentions were good and it all had to do with her. "Chris...I know what I'm doing..."
"Do you really?" He questioned. "Or is it just you trying not to think of the worse that can come?"
"Please...Stop it! This has to be done!"
"Kipo...don't let your distaste of violence steer you for the rest of your life. You have a good heart, and that's the best trait you have. But what good is it, if your gonna keep holding yourself back from answering the big questions life throws your way. Life is never fair, its not a cloudy paradise. If it was would everything be the way it is right now?"
As for the female hybrids boyfriend he sighed closing his eyes and turned around. "You don't understand at all...You think you do. But I think you don't. Which is why I'll be in charge of security." With that said he walked over to the timber cats making off of them, no doubt discussing making precautions for the up coming event.
Kipo wanted to object, she wanted to say something. But she didn't even try, because no matter what everything Chris said was full of truth and facts. And learning now of where his intentions came from, it was really starting to get to her.
Kipo desired peace for mutes and humans, but all of this was only making her silently second guess all of that.
To be continued.
(Note as for which story I'll update next, well I ain't gonna spoil anything, but I'll have you all know, some things are almost done. So in other words a lot of my current upcoming chapters, basically need inspiration and a good mood. Which is the exact same case with this chapter. Thanks a whole bunch for reading this chap, I look forward to updating, and hopefully it won't take as long.)