C2
Lisa awoke from the smell of fresh cooked meat along with feeling her stomach growling in the process. She got out of her bed before reaching for her boots to put on after checking that no bug or snake had settled in one of them. Getting out of her big tent she sees everyone around the campfire eating their breakfast. Lisa went over to see what they were cooking and saw a nice hunk of meat over the fire with a meschede stuck halfway inside.
"Morning, Lis. Breakfast?." Nelson asked before taking a bite of his meat.
"Morning to you as well, Nelson. And yes, I am looking forward to eating this…what type of meat is this?." Lisa asked when getting a few slices of it from Owen.
"It is zebra meat. Freshly shot." Kintenge infomed Lisa before sticking the meschede back in the meat.
"Mmm, how exotic." Lisa grabbed a seat and slowly pulled apart her meal as it was a little bit hot before blowing on it and eating it. "Mmm, I love the spices on it. What is it?."
"It's a mix of chili powder and some herbs we picked up on the way here," Kintenge said with a proud grin, flipping another piece of zebra meat with his knife. "Owen came up with the recipe. He's got a knack for cooking over a campfire."
Lisa spoke in Swahili to Owen. "Asante, Owen, hii ni ya kweli zaafi ya kweli."
Owen nodded with a smile and responded in Swahili. Nelson finished his breakfast and sat his plate in a plastic bin for washing before pulling out a nice cigar to smoke. Taking a few puffs before speaking to Lisa.
"So, Lisa, do you think that we will find Bart quicker than we thought when we start searching?." asked Nelson.
Lisa swallowed a mouthful of zebra meat before replying. "Well, Nelson, the jungle is vast, but we have a good team and a solid plan. I'm going to give my big brother the biggest hug ever. He has been gone for far too long."
"Indeed he has." Nelson started getting up
before smoking.
(John2851): "After feasting on that nice zebra, Lisa leads her small team into the jungle in search for any human signs of Bart. They searched high and low in the massive woods for him but no luck. The heat was getting to Lisa and Nelson."
"I need water. It is way too damn hot." Nelson fanned himself with his hat.
Lisa wiped sweat from her forehead. "It is indeed hot. It makes me feel like it's global warming."
"That's caused by cutting down trees and burning coal. I thought renewable energy was the future?." Kitenge asked while leading the way back to camp.
"Well, it's complicated, Kitenge," Lisa replied thoughtfully. "Some people still don't believe in climate change, and others just don't want to make the switch because it's hard to change the way we live."
"Yeah, I prefer a gas powered car rather than an electric one." Nelson opened his bottle of water to drink.
"But Nelson, gas powered cars contribute to pollution," Lisa said, trying to keep the conversation going.
"But the carbon dioxide from exhaust pipes helps make plants the needed nutrients." Nelson pointed out.
"It's a bit more nuanced than that," Kitenge interjected. "While CO2 does aid in photosynthesis, the main issue is the amount we're releasing and the other pollutants that come with it, like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter."
They trudged along the dusty trail, the heat making every step feel heavier. Above them, the sun blazed, turning the sky into a canvas of shimmering blues and whites. Sweat beaded on their faces and the smell of pine mixed with the scent of their own exertion. The trees offered little shade, but the occasional breeze brought brief relief. Upon returning to camp they relaxed and took a moment to cool down. Lisa was a bit disappointed about not having any signs of Bart. She was really looking forward to finding him so quickly.
"Maybe we should take a break," Kitenge suggested, glancing at the others. "We've been at this for hours and haven't found anything yet."
"Yeah, we have been at it for hours." Lisa drank a few sips of her cold water.
"Plus, don't you have to do some recording of the jungle to send to Harvard University?. They are the ones who you trick to fund us." said Nelson, pulling out another cigar from his supply box.
Lisa nodded. "You're right. I need to keep them updated on my findings."
She pulled out her notebook and began scribbling down some notes about the jungle sounds. The symphony of the rainforest was vastly different from the sounds of Springfield. The cacophony of birds, insects, and distant animal calls created a vibrant tapestry of noise that was both soothing and eerie. Lisa picked up her personal camera and began filming and narrating.
(John2851): "Anyone in Harvard University is smart enough to know that you didn't travel to Africa to do what you are doing."
Lisa frowned and looked up at the sky on where the Narrator/Writer is. "Narrator, I know you're trying to be funny, but let's stay focused on the story, okay?."
(John2851): "We are. By all means, please continue."
"Thank you." Lisa looked and resumed with her camera and began her filming.
She got up off her chair and started to turn the camera to face her and gave a good positive smile.
"Hello, Den and the people in Harvard that funded my exploration. I'm going to show you the working ecosystem and how they function." Lisa spoke professionally.
She showed a few things here and there before taking the moment to show her crew who were acting casual. Nelson was reading a book and didn't pay attention to the camera. Then she showed the others who waved at the camera. Lisa rotated the camera back to facing her.
"This is a typical scene here on our voyage, everyone is busy with their own task which is vital to the success of the mission." she said.
Lisa went on showing what looked worth convincing before turning the camera back and trying to make the video as interesting as possible before digitally sending it to Harvard University. She to her tent and plugged the camera to her laptop and went to sending the video before working on video chatting her family. She waited for one of them to pick up the call before taking her boots off to get some air flowing through her toes. Suddenly she sees her father.
"Hey, Lisa. How is Africa?." Homer asked while opening his bottle of Duff.
"Oh, it is a bit humid and a lot of mosquitoes and bugs, but this is expected when you are in the jungle. Where is Mom?." asked Lisa.
Marge appeared on the screen. "I'm right here, sweetie. I was making lunch. Have you found Bart yet?."
"Unfortunately, no. There weren't any human signs upon the first day of exploring. We are about to go much deeper into the jungle and reach the other half tomorrow. Is Maggie still upset with me that I refused to let her come with me in finding Bart?." said Lisa, taking the moment to grab her water to drink.
Marge sighed, "Yes, she's a bit disappointed, but she understands that it's for the best. Besides, she's been keeping busy with her hard rock music. It is a pain in the ass but she at least stays out of trouble."
"Is she doing any good in summer school?. Skinner said that she needs to pass in order to go to the next grade." Lisa set her water jug down.
Marge nodded, "Don't worry, she's doing fine. Principal Skinner is being very accommodating. She's actually enjoying the online classes."
"That is hard to believe." Lisa doubted. "Where is she now?."
"She is at the park." Homer spoke before drinking his beer. "No telling what she is doing. Do you have any idea how Bart survived in the jungle?. It has been years since we all last saw him. You were still a kid when our plane crashed. It is funny that you let your own up to no good brother to convince you to play around in the pilots' driving after sleep drugging their coffees."
Lisa rolled her eyes with a blush of embarrassment. "Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Dad. We have to assume he's okay. He's a Simpson after all."
"Milhouse has been asking about you. He was asking if you were done looking for Bart so you can come home and work on your wedding plans." Marge spoke while working on cooking. "I'm shocked that he didn't join you in helping find Bart."
"That is because Milhouse cut ties with the friendship that he had with my brother and kicked him to the curb. That jackass of an asshole." said Lisa, with a frown and bitterness in her voice.
Marge looked at her with a shocked expression. "Lisa, language."
"What?. You and I both know that it is true." said Lisa, with an innocent look.
(John2851): "While Lisa goes on and on with her mother and father, back at the park in Springfield, Maggie was enjoying herself at the picnic bench listening to rock heavy music. Destroying her ears in the process."
Maggie had skipped school and lied to her parents about them having an early release. She wanted to go to Africa to find her big brother with Lisa so badly that she was willing to snitch. Her opportunity had just arrived as soon as she was thinking about snitching. Exiting out of his limousine, Milhouse, who is wearing an expensive suit, walked over to his soon to be sister in law with a smile.
"Hello, Maggie, I figured you would be here playing hooky. You are just like your brother, Bart. He will and still is would never amount to anything." said Milhouse, being an ass about it.
Maggie glared at Milhouse and turned her music up louder. She didn't need his negativity ruining her day. She had her own way of dealing with things. She picked up a rock and threw it at his car. It bounced off the shiny paint without a scratch.
"Maggie, what are you doing? That's not nice!" exclaimed Milhouse, ducking behind the picnic bench.
"What?." Maggie can't hear what he said.
Milhouse paused her phone. "You are going to damage your ears for life. Now, I came here with a purpose."
Maggie took off her headsets, still glaring at Milhouse. She knew he had something to say. Something about Lisa and their search for Bart. "What is it?."
Milhouse took a deep breath and stepped out from behind the bench. "I've heard some things, Maggie. Some rumors are floating around that you're upset about not being included in the search."
Maggie's glare softened slightly. "I am upset. Why wouldn't I be?. He is my brother too. He is out there, all alone and Lisa, being a bookworm that she is, wants me to stay here in America while her ass plays Safari Woman. Why do you ask?."
"Well..." Milhouse looked at the teen. "What if I tell you that I can take you to Africa and help search for Bart?. In exchange for you telling me the precise location of Lisa's campsite so I can take her and bring her back home where she belongs, so we can work on the wedding. Time to make an honest woman out of your big sister."
Maggie made a laugh in her throat. "Honest woman?. Last time I check you didn't fuck her and Lisa is still a virgin."
"Well, you know what I mean. Besides, I have a jet on standby and I'm sure if you tell me where she is, I can convince her to come back." Milhouse's voice was smooth, but the greed in his eyes was unmistakable.
"I knew there was a catch." Maggie frowned. "Let's be honest here. You are not interested in finding Bart at all. You are just hoping he stays lost or gets eaten by wild animals. You really are a douchebag for that."
Milhouse's smile faltered. "That is indeed correct, Maggie. You are not entirely stupid like your idiot brother. I just think it's important for Lisa to come back home. She's going to be my wife, after all."
"And I blame my sister's terrible taste in men." Maggie spoke under her breath.
Milhouse's eyes narrowed. "What was that?."
"Nothing," Maggie said quickly, realizing her slip. "But seriously, I'm not going to tell you anything about Lisa's mission. She's doing something important and she's going to find Bart, no matter how long it takes."
"Okay, I see that I need to bribe you in order for you to sell out your own sister." Milhouse reaches into his inner coat pocket and pulls out a ticket. "Some me where and come with, and you'll get a front roll seat to your favorite rock metal band. I'll even throw in an autographed guitar from Slash himself. You can't beat this offer."
Maggie's eyes lit up at the mention of Slash, but her loyalty to her sister remained steadfast. "No deal, Milhouse. I can't betray Lisa like that."
Milhouse put the ticket back in his coat pocket. "Oh, well, have it your way then."
Maggie watched him walk back to his limousine. The feeling of temptation was boiling within Maggie at the thought of rejecting the opportunity to see her favorite heavy metal band in person on a front roll seat, along with a signed guitar of the greatest guitarist of all time would be stupid to pass up on her part.
"Wait." Maggie got up and stopped Milhouse.
Milhouse slightly turned to face her. "Yes?."
Maggie's eyes were torn between the retreating limousine and the thought of her sister in the jungle. "Fine," she finally said, the words escaping through gritted teeth. "But you better keep your word, Milhouse. You owe me big time."
Milhouse's grin widened as he turned to face her. "You got it, Maggie. Now, where's the campsite?."
(John2851): "After Maggie sold her sister for some heavy rock music concert and an authentic signed guitar, Milhouse along with his trio hired help, got on the jet and flew to Africa and arrived the day of tomorrow. Back with Lisa and the others, who were asleep as it became night, an unknown figure had snuck into their camp with notice. After getting the tip of people in his jungle, the mysterious young adult male was checking around the place."
The figure was going through their stuff before putting it back on where he found it. He searched each of their tent ro found any proof that they were here to do harm in his jungle. So far, he found four guns and assumed it was for their own self protection and just let it be. He went to check Lisa's tent as she was sound asleep. He looked at her and just stared at her beauty with a feeling of remembering oddly.
He knew he had to be careful. If they found out he was here, they might get scared and attack him with no hesitation. He didn't want that. He's been watching them from afar, and they didn't seem to be like the others that came before. Those that destroyed the jungle and took without asking or most of all poach. They were different. They were looking for someone but he didn't know who. He kept looking at Lisa as she was moving in her sleep and snuggling into her pillow. He resumed his roaming and found her heavy duty duffel bag and went to open it.
"Huh, toothpaste. Actually store toothpaste. Forgot how it tastes." He said in a whisper before opening the tube and put some in his mouth.
It was a simple act, but it was filled with the weight of his lack of humanity. The minty paste on his tongue was a reminder of the civilization he had left behind. The figure was none other than Bart Simpson, who had grown into a surprisingly adept survivalist over the years. The campsite was eerily quiet, except for the distant sounds of the jungle's nocturnal orchestra. He went through searching and found a bottle of mouthwash.
"Jackpot!" He whispered with a grin, swishing the minty liquid around in his mouth before spitting it out into the dark. His eyes shone with a hint of mischief in the moonlight, and for a moment, he felt like the old Bart, the one who would have done anything for a good laugh. But now, he had to be more cautious. The jungle had taught him that. "Wait, is that..."
Bart went a bit deeper in the bag and pulled out a tight closed Krusty Burger bag to his surprise and nostalgia. "Krusty Burger!. I haven't had one since...ever!."
He opened it and found a half eaten burger that was still good. He took a bite and savored the taste that he had missed for so long. It was heavenly. The memory of the taste had gone back to him. He chewed and savored every bite until working on eating the fries. They were cold but Bart didn't care. After putting the empty bag back he went over to the electronic section of the tent. He completely forgot how a laptop works.
The screen was off and had a password lock on it. "Crap, I forgot all about passwords." He whispered to himself.
He knew he couldn't stay in the camp much longer without being caught, so he decided to leave and go back home to sleep. He took the moment to look at the young woman that caught his attention. He looked at her with no idea that this is his sister all grown up, until noticing that necklace that looked familiar. Carefully, he pulled off around Lisa's neck and noticed that the clamshell is a locket and opened it to see his 10 year old self in the picture.
"No way." Bart looked back at her with a shocked and surprised look. "Lisa?."
Lisa moans in her sleep. "Mmmm, Bart."
This made Bart shocked that this girl is indeed his little sister that he hasn't seen since the plane crash that they accidentally made together, and has grown up into a beautiful woman. He put the necklace back around her and looked at her some more.
"You've gotten so beautiful." He whispered to her, a mix of regret and affection in his voice. He had missed out on so much of her life. He felt a pang of sadness that he couldn't be there for her, couldn't protect her from the jerks of the world. But he had made a life here, and he had a duty to protect this jungle.
He reached down to have a whiff of her scent and loved how she smells like home and soap. "Lisa, I'm so sorry for what I did that day. At least I know you are still alive."
He knew that he couldn't reveal himself yet. There was too much to explain, too much that had changed since they last saw each other. He has to go and talk with Caesar about what he discovered.
(John2851): "Once leaving the campsite all together, he swung to a shortcut back to his home which happens to be a well all lumber treehouse, along with being a dumbass on not looking on where he is going as he crashed into a tree and was dazed out. He swung to the entrance and walked in to find his best friend. An intelligent talking chimpanzee."
Bart found Caesar doing his nightly thing which is reading his book. The chimp noticed Bart there and closed his book before removing his glasses.
"Welcome back, Bart. Did you find them?." asked Caesar with excitement in his voice.
Bart nodded, still in shock. "Yeah, I found them. They're not far from here. But... I found something else too." He paused, his thoughts racing. "Lisa... she's all grown up. And she's... she's beautiful, Caesar. I didn't know what to do when I saw her."
Caesar put his book aside and looked at Bart with understanding. "You have been apart for a long time. It is natural to feel overwhelmed by the changes. But remember, she is your sister. Your bond is strong, and she has come looking for you. That means she cares."
Bart nodded, still in a daze. "But what do I say to her, Caesar?. I've been living here as king of the jungle for years. What if she wants me to come back home?. I'm not sure I can fit in."
"Bart, you need to trust in the bond of family," Caesar said gently. "Your sister will understand. Besides, you can show her this world that has become your home. Maybe she'll even see why you love it here. From what you told me about her, she will be determined to find you and is planning on taking you back home. And you thought they had given up on finding you after all these years."
Bart sat down on the floor of the treehouse, his mind racing. "But what if they don't get it?. What if they don't understand that I can't just leave this place and go back to the chaos of Springfield?. You made me king here. How will the apes and all the animals feel when I abandon them?."
"You're not abandoning anyone, my friend," Caesar reassured him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You're just... expanding your kingdom. Besides, they'll always be here for you. You're part of the jungle now, but you're also part of your family. It's time to embrace both worlds, if that's what you truly want."
"I don't know." That is all Bart can say as he gets up and goes to rest.