I do not own OTH (Dreamworks) nor do I own any characters owned by starwars4life. I only own my OC's.
Chapter 5: A New Threat, Preservations, and Organizations
Kale was slowly recovering from his bout with Frenzy. He couldn't believe what he had seen: A coyote with electric powers? That's some comic book nonsense!
Just as things seem to look up for the Hedgies, a coyote shows up…A coyote Kale never wanted to see…Ricardo.
Kale: YOU! You were working for that sleazy coyote! Though, I shoulda known you would!
Ricardo: Please, listen to me-
Kale: I don't think so, traitor!
Clara: Normally, I would have us hear you out, but we are all in a heartbroken state…Our kids are in two different locations in the world and it's because of you and your BUSINESS PARTNER!
Ricardo: That's exactly what I came to tell you…Frenzy found out I helped them escape and demanded to know where I told Percie to go…And I told him…
Kale: You what?!
Ricardo: He threatened mi mama! I can't let anything happen to her.
RJ: What do you mean he threatened your mom?
Ricardo looks at the curious group of animals and sighed.
Ricardo: Ok…I don't really talk about it much but…here it goes…When I was a pup, I lived with mi mama. She was beautiful, and she taught me to be a peaceful predator, like you guys…But then Frenzy came along. He hurt mi mama, threatening her to give me up…I saw the pain in her eyes as I realized I would never see my mother ever again. Whatever family I had…was no more. All I knew was him…
Ricardo looks to see if the animals were listening. He then sighs.
Ricardo: As of right now, Frenzy is on a train to Maine. If he gets there, he will stop at nothing to get to Percie…Nothing.
Kale: Then it's settled…we're going to Maine.
Clara: WE are going to Maine…YOU are staying to rest.
Kale: Babe-
Spike: She's right, Kale…You need your rest.
Ricardo: I'll accompany you, Clara…I wanna stick it to him.
Kale: Yeah right! You work for him for how long, and you just now wanna turn on him.
Ricardo: I never had the opportunity to do so! Now, I do…
Clara: i accept your offer. Imma need all the strength I can.
Kale: Clara, he's after you! You'll be giving him EXACTLY what he wants!
Clara: I know…This is an old flame that I need to put out. And that's exactly what I plan on doing.
And such, Clara and Ricardo made their way to the train tracks, knowing it was a long and tough journey to Maine.
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Ike was getting some water from the nearby lake from where he and Percie were sleeping in Private Wilds. He was practically dying of thirst, and couldn't get enough.
Suddenly, Ike hears some kind of a flute melody. He perks up, wondering where it came from. He cant seem to pin it, so he goes back to drinking, when a dart whizzes past his face. He wonders for a second, until another dart whizzes past his hip. Ike makes a run for it, hoping to outrun whoever's attacking him.
Just as one dart is about to perfectly hit him, he feels another figure drag him away, perfectly out of danger. Once the coast is clear, Ike goes to thank whoever this figure was.
Ike: Hey thanks for the…help?
But no one was there.
Just then, a paw comes out of the shadows, swiftly injecting Ike in the neck with some liquid, rendering him unconscious.
Out of the shadows, a young porcupine, Zaida who couldn't be more than 18, looks at Ike, who is now breathing shallowly and is unconscious. Zaida raises an eyebrow, noticing how undeniably cute he is.
Zaida: Why were you in Void territory, stranger?
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Roaster slowly awoke. His senses were telling him he was in some sort of cave. He jolts awake looking around. He immediately panics, involuntarily whimpering. He knows he's not home, and he has no idea where he is.
Suddenly, a soothing feminine voice comes from behind him. He startles, seeing there's two adult wolves, one male and one female, and a wolf pup that looked around his age.
Female Wolf: No need to fret little pup. You're safe here.
Roaster: Where am I? Why am I here?
The male wolf, who's been lounging lazily this whole time, scoffs a chuckle.
Male Wolf: Listen to him, crying like a baby. What's the matter little pup? Scared?
Female Wolf: Rupert, that's enough! Can't you see he's frightened?
Rupert rolls his eyes.
Rupert: I forgot, Marissa, you treat every pup like they're your own…except Juniper.
Marissa shoots a warning glare, before turning back to Roaster, grooming and nuzzling him to make him feel better. While she does so, she decides to explain to Roaster where he is.
Marissa: You're in Flashall Park, little one. The rangers picked you up.
The mention of this event sparked Roaster's memory. He remembers a crucial part of this story.
Roaster: My brother. Where's Boxer?!
Marissa seems confused. She looks to Rupert, who shrugs nonchalantly.
Marissa: You were the only one brought to our cave.
Roaster doesn't believe Marissa, but Rupert interrupts his thoughts.
Rupert: Well kid, since you're ultimately stuck with us, I got three rules here.
Marissa: (Rolling her eyes) Not Rupert's Law, babe.
Rupert: Oh yeah. Rupert's Law. Rule #1: Curfew for pups, you and Juniper, is 09:30pm sharp. And don't think I don't know when that is. Juniper hear has tried pulling plenty of fast ones on me.
The teenaged pup who Roaster assumed was Juniper, has been asleep this whole time, mumbles "Shut up, Uncle Rupert".
Rupert: Rule #2: Don't go past the park lines. And Rule #3: MY MOST IMPORTANT RULE. Absolutely NO funny business with my niece here.
Roaster nods, deciding that maybe Flashall Park could serve as a good coverup against Frenzy.
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Zaida had watched Ike sleep for about 10 minutes. This was the first time her whole life she's ever met a boy her age. She just kinda studied him. She took in EVERYTHING about him. And eventually, whenever he woke up, she'd ask him all kinds of questions. Where is he from? Does he live around these parts?-
"ZAIDA!"
Zaida sighed. The voice of her overbearing older brother Zeke had broken her from her trance.
Zeke: WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING IN VOID TERRITORY, YOU KNOW WHAT DAD SAYS ABOUT VOID TERRITORY AND YOU-
He gasps dramatically upon seeing the unconscious Ike.
Zeke: WHAT DID YOU DO?!
Zaida: This boy was in void territory. They almost got him.
Zeke: Did they see you?
Zaida: (Annoyed) No, Zeke. I was quick as a whip. I got dads agility, remember?
Zeke: Don't rub it in, you're still my little sister and you have to listen to me.
Zaida (Grumbling): 10-4, Captain freakazoid.
Zeke: What did you say?
Zaida: I don't see how being 2 years older than me makes you any smarter! All you do is freak out if we don't go about our routine.
Zeke: Those routines have kept me, you and our village safe. And you just answered your own question! I'm 2 years older so I'm wiser!
Zara: And I'm 4 years older than you, Zeke. so don't get cocky.
Zeke rolled his eyes, and both of them turned to see their oldest sister Zara, who definitely seemed like a no nonsense all business type porcupine. Zara sees Ike, and keeps her spear trained on him.
Zara: Zaida, did this boy pose any threat to our village?
Zaida: No, he was in void territory. He would've been taken if I wasn't there.
Zara nods. She looks at the unconscious Ike with skepticism.
Zara: Keep him bound. We don't want him doing anything irrational when he wakes up.
Zeke: Wait…WERE TAKING AN OUTSIDER INTO THE VILLAGE?!
Zara: Yes. If the void come looking for him, he won't be able to protect himself. We will let father know that his stay is purely temporary.
The younger siblings nod. Zaida binds Ike's paws, both sets, and Zeke helps drag him unconsciously along.
Little did Ike know, this was the next chapter of his crazy story…
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The other porcupine BC's grew impatient. This was now a total of 36 HOURS since they last saw Boxer or Roaster…something must've happened…but what?
Annie: I'm not gonna stand around and wait for them to come back. I'm going out to find them!
Ron: Annie, we're completely powerless out there!
Annie: Well what's YOUR big idea, Ron?! What if they've been hurt, or worse! Captured by hunters?!
Drake: Unrealistic. It's spring.
Bea: Well, let's go find them!
Ron: But first…
Ron slings his makeshift bag he's had over his shoulder to face his front. He shows the variety of snacks he brought from home.
Drake: Phew. You're a lifesaver, Ron!
But before he can distribute the snacks, a shadow jumps out of nowhere and steals the bag from Ron's paws!
Ron: HEY! COME BACK HERE!
The cousins chase after this thief, brushing through low hanging branches and tripping over rocks.
They eventually chase him down some kind of log slide that leads underground.
Drake: Nope. That's death.
Ron: Drake, that's all the food we have! If we don't get him, we're never getting my bag back!
Drake: Have you WATCHED Indiana Switchblade Massacre 4?! This LITERALLY is the opening scene!
Annie: No that was Massacre 3, 4 opened up with the guy laying in the road during the storm, his car just crashed and he needed to find shelter.
Drake: Wait, I thought that was 5, that was the one with that terrible actor with the Austrian accent?
Ron: Hey! That man's a national treasure!
Annie: I think we're getting things confused with the Night at the Supermarket movies-
Bea: SCREW IT!
Bea hops down the log slide, and chases after the thief. The cousins stand in silence. But Bea's courage clearly boosts the others, who one by one slide down the slide after her…
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Percie: IKE?! IKE!
Percie had searched high and low for Ike! He had obviously looked for water, but he's been gone for hours now!
Suddenly, Percie steps on a small stick that snaps under her paw. She leans down to see…is that…a spear?!
Percie: Wait Percie…what was that movie with the guy from Star Wars in a cheesy fedora who swaps the little artifact out and gets chased by that boulder…
Percie thinks hard…
Percie: *Gasp* The Mummy! Wait, that wasn't the guy from Star Wars…but still! That spear must belong to the people who tried to kill Brendan Frasier, IKES IN TROUBLE!
She follows the trail, hoping Ike is ok!
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Ike wakes up, realizes he's knelt down. As he comes to, but upon trying to move his paws, he realizes they are bound to some kind of wooden bedframe, the perfect size for…a porcupine.
Ike freaks out, wondering where he is.
Just then, Zaida comes in, attempting to be gentle to assure Ike he's not in any danger.
Zaida: Hey there…are you ok?
Ike: What happened…where am I? Why am I here?!
Zaida: My father will explain all in due time. Here, let me get those off of you.
Zaida uses a small but sharp wooden blade to cut Ike's bindings.
Zaida: My name is Zaida, the youngest of Chief Zoronio's children. And your name?
Ike: Uh…Ike.
Zaida: Well Ike, I think you'll find our village to be quite homely. Especially with it being so protected. My father made sure of that.
Ike gets up, dusts himself off, and follows Zaida out of the hut.
When Zaida leads him out, his jaw drops…this village…it's massive! And incredibly impressive considering everyone's…a porcupine?
Ike: Wait…you said this village…was just made of porcupines?
Zaida: Yes. My grandfather was amongst the founders. They hid from something…something that wanted you, Ike.
Ike's quills bristle.
Ike: Why would this…this "something" want me?
Zaida: I'm unsure. But the important thing, is that you are now safe. They won't find you here.
Just then, a young male voice calls from behind them. The voice makes Zaida cringe.
Zeke: So! The intruders finally awake I see!
Zaida: Get ready for the worst 5 minutes of your life…
Zeke comes up, scanning Ike.
Zeke: So, you're the boy my sister is so Gaga over.
Zaida: (Blushing) ZEKE!
Zeke: Well, I'm Zeke, her older brother.
Zaida: Only by birth…
Zeke: She never likes the idea that I have authority over her.
Zara: And I have authority over both of you.
Zara strides up, a confidence to her walk. She ignores her siblings, and addresses Ike.
Zara: I am Zara, the oldest of the Chief's kin. Zoronio will see you shortly.
Zeke: Wait…dad was SERIOUS about talking with the stranger?!
Ike: Uh, my names Ike.
Zeke: I'll ask for your name when I ask for your name, outsider…
There's an awkward silence.
Zeke: So your name?
Ike: Ike.
Zeke: Very well.
Zeke and Zara leave. Zaida rolls her eyes, shakes her head, then turns to Ike.
Zaida: I apologize if my sister seems uptight. Shes taken a lot of responsibility while our father plans for the festival.
Ike: The festival?
Zaida: Yes! The Festum Novae Aurorae, Festival of New Dawn! We celebrate the anniversary of the founding of our village! This will be 75 years! My mother always loved it…
Ike sense the trail off Zaida does when she mentions her mother, knowing there's probably a tough story behind that, so he chooses to ignore it.
Zara: Outsider. Chief Zoronio will see you now.
Ike steels himself, ready to meet this esteemed Chief, and hopefully, prove himself.
Perhaps this will provide decent cover for now…or maybe it could introduce a new threat. Remains to be seen.
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Roaster was at the lake, getting a drink of water. He had so much on his mind and has had so little time to process it…he hates it.
Where was his brother? He was captured alongside him. So where could he be?
Just as he was too deep in thought, a shewolf comes up next to him, getting a drink. Juniper, the strange niece of that jerk, Rupert.
Roaster: So…is your…uncle always that protective?
Juniper: I'm the only member of his family he cares about.
She continues to drink.
Roaster: Well, I'm Roaster!
Juniper: Keep your paws to yourself, fleabag.
Roaster was not only impressed, but hurt by the sudden insult to his paw-shaking gesture of kindness.
Juniper: Sorry…my past has made me…well, hard to trust.
Roaster: Your…past?
Juniper: I'm not telling you everything. It involves my mother, and…well it's the whole reason I live with Uncle Rupert, and Marissa.
Roaster: Rupert mentioned Marissa doesn't treat you like her own.
Juniper shrugs.
Juniper: She has no right to. I'm not her pup. It doesn't bug me as much as Uncle Rupert says it should.
Roaster: Is she, like, mean to you?
Juniper: Not necessarily. She just kinda ignores me unless I talk to her directly.
Roaster nods, processing the information.
Juniper looks to the sun.
Juniper: It's almost curfew. Uncle Rupert will want us home soon.
Roaster nods, and follows Juniper.
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We see a train, steaming by. It's from the same train company Ike and Percie were on. And within the boxcar, we see Frenzy, crackling with excitement. Literally.
Frenzy: Next stop…Maine…
Sorry it's taken so long for me to get a chapter out. I've been incredibly busy with life but I'm so glad to release this chapter as an end of year gift! Happy holidays!