Chapter 4: The Day Before The Show
The last few days have been a blur for the Wild Kratts. With only time to spare for meals with each other before bustling off again. Everyone was doing fine-except for Chris. Having been on edge the whole time ever since discovering Martin's "university tormentors" for lack of a better term, were working with them. His senses on high alert as he kept an eye out for any dastardly schemes the devious duo might cook up. Eventually, Martin did run into trouble. Surprisingly, the Divaz themselves were not the culprits.
The day before the beginning of the Frozen Crusades was somewhere between the lines of chaos and order. The air blanketed with shouts as volunteers scrambled like ants to beat the deadline. Fortunately, Central Park was already showing the fruits of the volunteers' effort and labor. Streamers with blue and white snowflakes hung from the trees or between lamp posts. White tents stood proudly everywhere with inflatable animals occupying all the bald spots not covered by flags, streamers, or tents. There was supposed to be snow provided by snow machines to bring on the wintry feel early. Alas, it turned out the last few available ones were crushed when the deliveryman in charge of them crashed into a cab.
Prayers and tokens of sympathy were sent to the poor soul in the hospital; while the cabbie was jailed for drunk driving. Chris had even trekked all his way to the hospital to present a big blue panda bear that Martin hand-stitched himself. The deliveryman had no idea what he would do with something bigger than his own head. Nevertheless, it seemed he loved the gift as the second best. (With the coverage for his medical bills from his co-workers being first.) Speaking of the blue Kratt brother, he was currently at his station getting the finishing touches ready for opening day.
As he smoothed down the last rough edge of one of his ice narwhals. He caught someone approaching from the corner of his eye. Without skipping a beat he greeted, "Morning Aviva! Come to see my artwork?" He stepped back from his final piece. A pair of narwhals on either side of a crystal like gateway all made out of ice. The inventor did not even have a chance to answer as she was instantly struck by the sheer beauty of the zoologist's sculptures. "Increible! Martin, the art world lost an astounding artist when you officially joined the field of zoology." The ravenette mused as she carefully laid a hand on a gleaming narwhal head.
Martin smiled proudly as he gently took her left arm to escort her through his gateway. "Want to see the rest of it?" He offered while sporting his signature goofy grin. His co-leader smiled fondly at him as she said, "Lead the way MK!" "With pleasure!" The blonde winked as he lead her in. Aviva could not help but gush at all the marvelous decorations Martin has made. Glittering ice statues of orcas, polar bears, penguins, snowy owls, and other snow-theme creatures were scattered about the area.
There were large sideway banners signifying the different activity zones that divided up the "Youth Area". Each banner's design related to the activity it was stationed at. Like the dark blue banner with sparkling constellations by the "Make-A-Starry-Lantern" area. Or the light blue banner dotted with white penguins at the "Grooving-With-Penguins" dance floor. Strings of fairy lights mimicking the Aurora Borealis were hung about to add light and a magical atmosphere. The final piece to Martin's masterpiece was the center stage painted in white with a backdrop of Alaska during winter. All the seats being bean bags in various winter theme colors.
"Fantastico! Martin, you have really outdone yourself!" Aviva declared as the artist pulled her up to the stage. He grinned widely from the compliment as he said, "Gracias senorita, I'm glad you like it! I just have to finish the rest of the backdrop and then I'll be done!" He gestured to the large panel which obviously lacked the last bit of flair it needed. Aviva stepped closer to the backdrop, confirming with her own eyes it was done in paint.
She turned to the elder Kratt offering, "Want me to grab some paint for you MK?" The taller male shook his head saying, "No need, Mikaya just left a little while ago to grab some more paint for me!" "Did someone ask for more paint?" Both co-leaders instantly froze at the voice, which was not Mikaya. With only seconds to spare Martin grabbed Aviva, held onto her tight, and slammed to the wooden floor. Just narrowly missing a missile of fiery red which exploded into a huge paint stain on one of his ice caribou.
The two glanced up to see five guys decked out in black suits, helmets, and masks approach them. The guy in the middle stepped out as he held up his paint gun. A jeering gleam in his eyes as he crackled, "Well, well, well, Looks like the Wild Whatevers needs a little hand in decorating. Why don't we help out bluebell and lil miss sunflower boys?" His mates responded by raising their guns to fire. "DUCK!" The duo rolled off the stage as globs of paint were fired at them.
Mad laughter was heard as the gang charged in guns blazing. Martin and Aviva were forced to evade multiple barrages of wet paint as they tried to think of a comeback. SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! Aviva could only stare in horror as Martin's gorgeous artwork was swiftly defaced by the bright ugly colors of the vandals. The fiery spirited inventor clenched her fists in absolute fury. She was about to march into the raze to teach those little punks a buena leccion. When suddenly two strong arms pulled her behind a sculpture of a moose.
She turned around to see Martin look her in the eyes as he whispered, "Aviva, go get help! I'll distract these gatecrashers until then. I really wished I brought my creature power suit this morning..." He added sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck. (Having left it behind because he did not want to ruin it with paint. Like he had done the last two times...) Aviva blinked before her eyes went ablaze as she yanked the zoologist by the collar. "Eres un idota o lo que?!" The hot blooded Latina hissed at him.
The blonde gently tugged her hands off him as he whispered assurance in Spanish. "Promento tener cuidado." He told her before running off before she could protest or yank him back. Aviva stood there for a moment, wondering if she should follow his advice or run to help him. Then she ran off in the opposite direction as she decided that getting help was the more logical choice. At least this is not a actual shooting. Still, this should not have happened! She thought bitterly.
Meanwhile, a certain creature adventurer gazed thoughtfully at the pack of painter punks from behind a sculpture. His mind whirring as it speedily brewed up a plan to keep the gang distracted until security arrived. Speaking of which, how did the gang get inside in the first place? A lot of hardcore security has been assigned to the events. It should not have been this easy to saunter in and ruin all his hard work in mere minutes. However, those questions were to be placed on the back burner until the hooligans were taken care of.
Luckily, he spotted a coil of rope nearby that he had yet to use. Quickly snatching it he fastened it into a lasso to spring his plan into action. With lasso in hand he stepped forward, aimed, and let the coil loose into the air! Zzzziiiip! It roped one of the gangster's guns. With a strong yank Martin pulled it free and whipped the paint gun towards him. "Got it!" He smirked as he grasped onto the color splattering rifle.
The vandals of course were not too happy. "Get him!" Their leader growled as they fired a fresh barrage of paint at him! Martin swiftly dodged the shots before repaying them with his own. KAPOW! KAPOW! KAPOW! He managed to hit three of them before rushing into hiding once more. The rascals' fury ignited, they immediately chased after him. They may be more in numbers but Martin obviously outclassed them with his physical prowess painstakingly cultivated from living for years in the wilderness.
He would lead the gang on a wild goose chase around his area. Then unleash a barrage of liquid bullets the moment they paused to recollect themselves. As soon as the first gun ran out of paint, he snapped it in half. Tossing away the pieces before whipping his lasso again to swipe another one. "Hey!" One of the hooligans snarled as his gun was stolen from him. Martin grinned real wide before firing at his mask. SPLAT! "HOW DARE YOU! WERE GONNA PUMMEL YOU FOR GOOD YOU SPOIL SPORT!" The vandals cried out in outrage as they desperately try to nab him.
"Spoil sport? Ha! Looks like you guys are the ones who are pretty sore with losing!" He taunted smugly as he evaded their blows with a teasing smile. Suddenly, one of the ruffians, a hulking menace. Had enough of the games and decided it was time to end them. He grabbed hold of a wolverine sculpture which he hurled towards the blonde with one mighty shove! "Woah, woah, woah! Have some respect for art!" The zoologist cried out as he began backing away as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, the liberal decorating of paint has covered most of the ground with a rainbow of puddles. Thus, before he looked at where he was going, the blue Kratt slipped onto a puddle of bright red. "Auuuuggghhh!" He cried out before landing to the ground with a painful OOF! The gang wasted no time in surrounding him before he could regain his footing. The blue-eyed blonde looked up to find himself surrounded with scowling gang members that looked like they ate kittens for breakfast. Almost no different from that time they encountered Little Howler's pack in wolf powers.
The towering menace responsible for taking him down stepped forward. He yanked up the Kratt by the collar as he glared at him with vengeance in his eyes. With his free hand he withdrew a gleaming blade that could only be a sharpened knife. "Heh, heh, I don't need a haircut buddy..." Martin joked lamely as the knife inched closer to his throat- "GGGGRRRRRROOOOOOOWWWWWLLLL!"
A blade that never met his flesh because suddenly a even larger figure knocked the big vandal off his feet!
His partners-in-crime watched wide-eyed in horror as their strongman rolled over to the side like a rag doll. In sheer terror they glanced up to see a green polar bear towering above them! "RRRRRUUUUUUUUNNNN!" They did not get very far as another massive paw grabbed one of the gangsters before smashing them against one of their own comrades. The two crumpled to the floor letting out moans before unconsciousness took over. The remaining vandals scampered away as fast as they could. The bear let out another spine-chilling roar as it pursued them.
The fleeing ruffians sprinted out of the Youth Area, running wildly passed baffled volunteers. Who quickly moved out of the way as the enraged bear pursued them! Alas, much of their stamina has been spent in sneaking in and trying to pin down the guy who foiled all their fun. They soon found themselves unable to go further as they slowed towards one of the park's fountains. The bear, who had not tired in the least. Marched up to them like the great, wrathful Hulk himself. A light brown fire blazing in his eyes as he lifted his gigantic paws with dagger sharp claws.
The twosome huddled together pitifully as they prayed for mercy or cried for their mothers. Their doom inched closer and closer and closer. The beast not hesitating in the slightest to make them pay for their misdeeds. The infuriated creature lifted both young men by their collars. Their fates apparently sealed as the monster prepared to- "Chris! STOP!" The younger Kratt turned around to see his brother had caught up with him.
Martin placed a soothing hand on his brother's back as he gave him a stern gaze. "Bro, I'm okay! They failed to hurt me! Let them go and let security handle them. Please let go!" Chris paused as he gazed back at his sibling. He looked towards the whimpering vandals, he turned back to his brother. He glanced back to his hostages, then back to his brother again. A ferocious debate was racking his brain. Making him unable to choose until Martin requested again, "Please. Let. Go."
The transformed biologist let the two trembling hooligans drop to the ground. They were so traumatized they basically ran to the security guards to take them away from their fearsome captor. When they were lead away Martin asked, "Uh bro, you should probably deactivate now." No response. Nor any move to comply. "Chris..." Martin ordered gently but firmly. To his surprise, his brother let out a sort of strangled reply as he deactivated his suit.
Once he was back to normal he looked up towards the blonde with a set of haunted eyes he had not seen in ages. Yet before he could inquire further, his little brother was already walking away. "I got to work on my speeches. Just stay out of trouble..." Martin was about to go after him when he got confronted by security. Wanting to borrow him for questioning. He tried to break away but they insisted that he assist them or risk letting such an incident happen again. So with great reluctance, he obliged them.
Later that evening...
A lone figure stood on the rooftop of the hotel most of Team Kratt was staying at. A green clad brunette stared blankly over the city. The atmosphere so clogged with light pollution that he could barely see any stars. The relentless clamor of the streets below did nothing to lighten his mood either. Chris looked out into the chaotic abyss, sighing deeply as events from both past and present replayed in his head. His heart began skipping beats as the intensity of his memories slowly increased.
He gritted his teeth, the fists in his jacket pockets began to clench, and he felt like ripping someone's head off. Guiltily, he was grateful that Martin was busy salvaging his Youth Area at the moment. At the same time however, he wanted the comfort of his big brother. Snap out of it Chris! You can't always rely on Martin to comfort you. Its not even that big a deal, really... He tried to convince himself. Placing a gloved hand on the side of his head as he felt the voices return.
"Hey, furry boy! Take some of this!"
"That bluebell monkey belongs in the zoo with all those dorky animals he loves so much!"
"Aaaawww, don't cry Chris. Its not your fault your big brother is such a-"
"Chris! Are you ok?"
The biologist snapped out of his trance at the sound of Koki's voice. He whirled around to see the mechanic dressed in a maroon jacket with a butter cream colored scarf that complimented her nicely. Nervously rubbing the back of his neck he answered, "Not really, just a lot on my mind. About tomorrow of course." He softly lied. Koki raised an eyebrow as she placed a hand on her left hip. "Are you should it had nothing to do with those gremlins that almost hurt Martin today?" She prodded.
A streak of fear flashed in Chris' wood brown eyes before vanishing without a trace. Koki heaved heavily, wondering why it was more difficult for Chris to be open unlike his brother. The mechanic took a step forward to place both hands on the biologist's shoulder. Locking her dark brown gaze with his light brown one she said, "Chris. Don't pretend today did not bother you. I know why you almost went berserk on those hooligans. Its okay to be upset."
The troubled young man took a few stuttering breaths. He slowly removed her hands from his shoulders but held onto them with his own. Not breaking eye contact he confessed, "It happened before. Something just like this." Koki was not expecting that at all. "So this is not the first time Martin had to fend off paint vandals?" She inquired further. Chris ducked his head before slowly bringing it back up. Although he stopped at the point where she could barely catch his eyes.
Sensing the next story was going to be a doozy, she lead him to a bench someone had placed on the roof. They sat down so that Chris could tell her his tale, "A lot of people deal with bullies in childhood right? Like I guess its all part of growing up. You think that it was only Zach we had to worry about but...He was actually the least of our worries when it came to bullies." He cringed as memories of those bullies started poking at his mind like little thorns.
He went on, "Of course I had my share of people tormenting me for kicks. But Martin, he took the brunt of it. Sure, he was definitely a social butterfly with a undeniable charm. It just that people only took him at face value and that created a target on his back." His teeth clenched and Koki felt his grip tighten from those ugly reminders. Chris inhaled deeply before pushing on. "My brother used to have a friend. Or at least we thought he was a friend.
One day, he and Martin went out with some friends to play paintball. I wanted to go but mom thought I was too young to join. They chose a field not too far away from where we lived. Me and my bro used to go stargazing there a lot. Or chase as many fireflies as we wanted." A small smile graced his face from mentioning those sweet moments.
Which quickly dissipated as he continued, "Mom was used to him being late. So she would send either me or dad to remind him to come home. It was my turn. I came to the field where they were playing and-" He suddenly let go of Koki's hands as he covered his eyes. He eventually removed them to reveal the eyes of a hurt little boy who could not believe what he had seen. For a long while he remained wordless before he finally found his voice again.
"I found him laying down on the field. Covered in paint, bruises, and some blood was even leaking from his cuts. The backpack he had taken earlier was nowhere in sight, along with his so-called friends." Snarling the last part as ferociously as if he were still in Tasmanian Devil form. "When I asked him what happened. He told me that during the game they found a blue jay's nest. They were taking potshots at it and he tried to stop them.
Apparently he tried to pull away one of the guys' paint guns and accidentally broke it. They were so mad that they, that they-" Fortunately, the grasp of Koki's touch saved him in just in time before the treacherous whirlpool of his mind could pull him in again. Koki pulled him into a hug he tried to squirm away from. However, he realized it would be better not to underestimate her strength again. (Like he had a couple of times.) So he accepted her embrace as he attempted to slow down his aching heart.
The next day...
"I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!" A frazzled biologist exclaimed as he sprinted through the fully decorated Central Park. His lab coat flowing behind him like a cape that Koki manage to snatch to halt the panicking brunette. "Woah there Chris! You're not going to be late. You woke up with fifteen minutes to spare before opening time!" The mechanic soothed him as she passed him a cup of (straight black) coffee, and the gloves to his creature power suit. Having forgotten them in his haste to arrive at his post on time due to waking up much later than normal. Last night had taken quite a lot out of him, so Koki took a gamble that he would need a little help this morning.
The younger Kratt sheepishly tucked on his gloves he-had-so-shamelessly-forgotten despite being "Mr. Prepared". Then he accepted the coffee his friend offered him as they started walking at a much calmer pace. "Sorry about that Koki. Uh, would you mind checking to see if I have everything?" He requested nervously. His stomach twisting from the mere apprehension of lecturing to hordes of absolute strangers without making a fool out of himself. His lady friend gave a smirk as she complied, "Laser pointer?"
"Check."
"Creature power vest?"
"Check."
"Appropriate creature power discs?"
"Check."
"The gloves?"
"Hey, that's definitely accounted for!"
"Creature pod?"
"Check."
"Extra socks? Hhhhmmm?"
Chris laughed as he answered, "Now your just messing with me!" "Hey, you were the one who insisted we bring them that one time we had that disastrous bet!" Koki giggled. As they neared the stage where Chris would be presiding, the creature adventurer caught sight of the Youth Area. He started to slow down until he paused entirely only twelve feet away from it. The gateway guarded by narwhals had been spared from the awful vandalism of yesterday.
The younger Kratt recalled how he had brushed off the elder Kratt yesterday. Something he did not mean to do. He stood still in thought as Koki waited patiently beside him. After deliberating he decided that being a little late would be worth assuring his brother that he held nothing against him. "Could you wait for me Koki? I gotta apologize to my bro about yesterday." His friend gave a encouraging nod. He gave her a grateful smile before walking through the archway to check on his big brother.
Yet as soon as he stepped inside his jaw nearly dropped to the ground in utter stupefaction. Some of the original decorations were still in place. However, it became apparent that the entire place had been renovated. Many of the ice sculptures have been replaced by gleaming new carvings that ranged in the metallic colors of violet, light pink, sky blue, sea green, and silver. The fairy lights now replaced by paper lanterns with origami wintry animals hanging from them. The banners were replaced by wooden penguins holding flags to divide up the different activities.
Last but not least, the backdrop of the stage has been taken down in favor of something...more Avivaish. The now holographic background of the stage being projected by a drone that had been dressed up as a puffin with a Santa hat. A gimmick that screamed the usual Martiness Chris dealt with on a daily basis. He was snapped out of his reverie by a strong pair of arms that grabbed him from behind. "Heya Chris! How you like the brand new Youth Area!?" Martin gushed as he gave his little brother a gorilla hug.
"Gah! Martin! Let go!" The latter hacked as he tried but failed to shove his much bulkier brother off him. "Your crushing me! And how the heck you managed to replace everything before opening day?!" He demanded. The blonde loosened his hold on his sibling before answering, "Weeeeeeellll, with the right resources and plenty of helping hands. I was able to recreate this place in a snap!" He snapped his fingers on cue. "Aviva sure did a good job making that drone on time!" Martin beamed as he gestured to it proudly.
"I'm betting your the reason why the poor thing is stuck in that puffin suit." Chris rolled his eyes in amusement. Martin then gave a wicked grin as he poked his sassy sibling in the chest, "Why? Do you want to wear a puffin suit? I remember how cute and happy you were in that puffin jacket you had when you were wittle!" He cooed as he pinched his baby brother's cheek. Chris instantly blushed crimson and shoved him away protesting, "No, no, NO! I am not four anymore dude. I rather have it as my creature power and not designed in an anatomically incorrect and cutesy way!" He crossed his arms while shooting a glare.
He paused for a moment to register something that struck him as soon as he passed through the archway. "Martin, why do I smell peppermint?" He inquired. The blonde shrugged as he casually replied, "Oh, that's from the spray I used to cover up the scent of my chocolate sculptures!" Chris Kratt's eyes dilated to the size of peas before expanding again in bafflement. "CHOCOLATE WHAT?!" He yelled as he tried to process what his crazy sibling just told him.
The outlandish artist explained, "Weeeeeeelllll, a lot of my statues were beyond return after the whole paint fiasco. So I went searching for anything I could find and hit the jackpot! It was quite a discount getting those large blocks of expired chocolate to carve new sculptures with!" He grinned to the further bamboozlement of his brother. "Who...on earth...sells large blocks of expired, chocolate?!" Chris barely got out as he looked around at all the colorful tinfoil covered statues surrounding him.
He shook his head to regain his bamboozled senses. Rubbing the bridge of his nose he sighed, "Martin. Any understanding of how your brain works will forever be one of the great mysteries left unsolved by science." He deadpanned. The elder crossed his arms as he raised an eyebrow stating, "That compliment sounds severely underhanded bro." Chris took in another deep breath before walking off with a wave, "Whatever dude! I'll see you during lunch break. I have a speech to not be late to."
"Okay little bro, good luck! :D "