Eco-Challenge FS (4)

Mischief, Trouble, and even Fidget all lay plopped by the dirt lane. Tired was an understatement. Fidget was even snoring...okay purring in her sleep, one paw stretched out and twitching in the air.

Thor had collapsed in a heap of his own and even faithful Elvis was down on his belly panting hard. Kitten stood atop him surveying her crew. Gee riding on his head had been much bouncier than usuall but she didn't feel all that tired.

Kitten pursed her lips. A part of her knew they needed to rest but she wanted so bad to win for once. Sure they patted her on the head and told her how cute she was or more often scolded her about something that was absolutely NOT her fault, but she never really got to win. It was almost enough to make her feel left out. Being left behind, taken for granted, even ignored. Even Artickat hadn't had much time to play with her of late.

*That's right* Came a weaker version of Thors thoughts. This trek through the jungle was making him more and more his old self. *Don't give up. 6thy wouldn't and neither can we!*

Kitten looked up, eyes widening. She looked down the path ,then at the Kittens, back down the path and then at the kittens again.

Not sure what else to do a suddeny brave and valliant Kitten dove off Elvis's head and onto the road way. As fast as she could she grabbed the first Kitten she came to and with a mighty heave uncerimoniously tossed Fidget aside. Trouble was quick to follow and Mischief landed atop them both causing a stir of flailing paws and tails.

She stooped down. *That was close* They's almost left her bag of Captain Crunch out in the road way to get hit by anything that came along. She's deffinately need a crew with better priorities.

Aww the sweet smell of crunch in the afternoon. She was just reaching for that stray morsel ,that insisted on falling out of the sack, when the biggest monster truck she'd ever seen came barreling around the corner.

The driver saw her at just about the same time. Mud flew, tireds spun and twisted as Kitten dropped down just in time to have the raised bumper of the truck zip over her head. It came to a screeching halt a few feet away.

Momentarially dazed Kitten raised herself up. She patted the bag, yep it was still with her. Elvis and Thor were doggidly rushing over. A massive door swung open on the truck and tiny form stepped onto the first wrung of the ladder and hurried down.

Where exactly Mr. Lee had produced a rickshaw from remained a mystery. The fact that Ragnar was having second thoughts about having hired him in the first place wasn't. Something was deffinately backwards.

"What am I... Hey! Is that Rae's pet Viking pulling the vet in a rickshaw?" Crais takes a deep breath. "This trip just got scary."

"No way." Jila says, shaking her head. "Hand me the occulars." She slides them on and pulls a line straight from Rae's book. "Frell me dead..."

The angel reached up, dug in the fingers of his left hand, and gave a small grunt as he pulled himself up and onto the top of the cliff. He sat down for a moment, and surveyed the immediate area. A short distance away, he could see the next checkpoint. He was happy, as he was sure that the ladies, as well as himself, could use the rest. He then scooted to the cliff edge, and looked down. Not too far down, both Kara and Mouse were making their way up.

"Almost there ladies," the angel called down. "And there's a hot meal and a bed waiting not too far away," he added as inspiration.

A small fluttering sound made the angel turn then, and he watched as Twig unsteadily flew towards him, holding an oversized ice cream cone.

"Well, looks like you did a pretty fair job of that," Spyral said, taking a lick as well from the proffered cone. "Not bad....." he said turning back as the ladies were nearing the cliff top.

Obligingly, Spyral stuck out his wing and Mouse started tossing stuff in there. Then she reached in to rearrange the equipment in side.

"Are you his keeper now?" Mouse asked her as she finished securing the gear. She pulled her hands out of the wing and went to join Kara at the checkpoint.

Mouse thought, then smiled. It was too easy to get Twig riled. Enough, though. It was time to get checked in and Kara, Spyral and Twig joined Mouse at the checkpoint.

"Yeah." Sweetiepie said. "I flew up to the top and checked in with Jila although, of course, we can't OFFICIALLY check in until you guys get up to the top. The Holy Rollers just made it to the top and Rainbow Monkey took off on the hang gliders half an hour ago. Team Deviants are resting on the cliff and you are rapidly closing on them. STILL no sign of Slewfoot and Jila's getting worried about them. They left checkpoint 2 at the same time Rainbow Monkey did."

"The IQs can take care of themselves." Sunny said. "They're probably buileing a hot air balloon out of leaves and branches or something."

"Bringing a hot air balloon with them would be." Sunny explained. "But making something out of available materials is within the rules."

Team Deviants was panting. Hard. That last leg up the mountain was really difficult. They all collapsed in front of Jila. Jila was staring at them. Crais ran to get water and started pouring it all over the team. The 2 girls and Wiz let it run into their mouths and swallowed the water.

"Actually, it won't be as good as before. We couldn't get everything up here." said Jila. "Hey Chryse, those are just sonic showers!" she yelled.

By the time Chryse came back from her shower, the others had finished eating. Grack and Wiz went to take their own separate showers as Chryse ate.

...two chipmunks watched the Scooby misfits drive off in the Monster Truck. The pair began to discuss what they had just witnessed below paying no heed to the group of monkeys on the branches above them.

"Oh yes indeed. I think we should pay particular attention to this little feline as she does seem to be making great progress in a short period of time."

"Well...I estimate that if she continues on at the rate she is going, the feline has a good chance of winning this competition."

"Wonderful! Oh...simply wonderful!" Clapping his hands in excitement Simon noticed a banana peel fly passed his head barely missing him. Looking up he noticed a very angry looking monkey was the culprit.

"I have also noticed that the feline's sob story seems to get bigger and better every time she tells it. This will undoubtedly work in her favor..."

"If you will pardon the slang...I do believe the 'Natives' are getting restless." Pointing above his head at the angry monkey.

"Why thank you! How considerate you are." Semore replied and with that they headed out in search of Kitten's next adventure.

Turning a perplexed look towards her mate the female monkey asked "Why did you through your banana peels at those little creatures Dear?"

Pealing another banana and taking a large bite he answered "I hate eddicated squirrels!" he grumbled around the mound of banana in his mouth.

*Sigh* "Maybe I should have married an educated monkey like my mother wanted me too." Rolling her eyes she climbed up to a higher branch.

<<We'd like to interupt your regularly scheduled Eco-Challenge for a word from our Sponsors: Buzz Light-Speed: Fellip Nectar and new Fellip Light>>

(The scene) JilaCosa and the Crais Mandroid are sitting on a cliff poking out from the middle of a vast Jungle watching the sunset and knocking back a few bottles of Felip Nectar as they wait for the next team to arrive.

Crais: Jila, I've been trying to break your neck for, what, a year and a half now? And... I don't think I've ever really told you this before, but, I LOVE YOU MAN!"

Crais catches Jila in a bear-hug. She spends a few minutes struggling before she manages to break free. She returns to her contemplation of the sunset.

below her, Kara grinned. Hang gliding was something she had ALWAYS wanted to do. It was supprising how little the height bothered her. Climbing up the cliff face had been torture but making like a bird with the hang gliders was a different sensation alltogether.

Spyral, Twig riding in his hair, was having a blast. With whoops and yells of excitement he was, literally, gliding circles around Kara and Mouse. Kara met Mouse's eyes and grinned. Mouse grinned back. Spyral was having such a GOOD time.

Kara looked down. A heard of mixed wildebeest and zebras was grazing on the grassy plain and seemed to stretch for miles.

"Anywhere we want to." Mouse said. "As long as we don't overshoot the next checkpoint. But that's way in the distance."

Kay continues climbing with Sunny behind her and Rae ahead of her. Sweetie continues to fly between Rae and Kay offering encouragement, and then to Sunny for updates on their progress. Rae finally reached the top and fell into the arms of Crais, who danced a little jig with the limp and exhausted Rae, dragging her along with him like a rag doll. "Stop it Crais, she is half dead." Jila yelled.

"Ok, ok," Rae said rising. "Help the others." Crais went and helped JIla pull Kay over the top and then Sunny, who in spite of the climb, was able to stand. Bent over, hands resting on her knees, she looked down at Kay and grinned as she panted. "Great, wasn't it?" Kay moaned and sat up.

Yes, that is great." She got up and said the one word on her mind the entire climb. "Water". Jila chuckled and making sure they were okay, gave them all water, and then headed them off to the showers while Crais wrinkles his nose at them. As they walked past the hang gliders Kay couldn't help but grin. This next part was going to be easy.

Grandma Po laughed and giggled as the massive truck bounded up the embankment and crashed thru the underbrush. She hadn't had this month fun since her daughter let the grandkids stay for a month!

Kitten obediently began tugging the steering wheeel. (eat your heart out Artickat. Kitten obeyed on the first command. :) )

<<Uh...uh KITTEN !!>> Elvis moaned from his and Thor's spot in the passenger seat. Kitten could barely drive a go-cart strait! This old lady was mad!

Trouble clinging to the dash from his spot atop the steering column thought it fun. Grandma had sat Fidget and Mischief into the cup holders firmly mounted onto the upper dash so all could see. Kitten was standing in her lap, front paws stretched upward to grip the wheel, and looking like a happy maniac.

Back down the embankment, splashing through the mud, barely missing a fellow traveler, the monster truck skewed into a hardright and bounded down the track.

He was covered from head to tow in the stinky jungle mud thrown up by the massive truck's tires. Behind him, still seated, Mr. Lee was spotless ,having somehow exercised that knack of his to be in the perfect spot of Ragnars shadow and thus protected from the splashing.

"You know, you should really take a shower." Crais points out. He wraps his arms around Rae's waist. "Get all... wet and slippery."

He stares up at her and nods. "You could use one, you know... Just because Sebacians don't smell as bad as humans doesn't mean you're not getting pretty ripe."

Rae shruggs. "Napping. You should really take better care of him, you know. He seems to have eaten something that disagrees with him." She picks up the hang-glider and wraps her hands around the handles.

Rae looks around ot make sure no one's around other than Crais who is arguing with Fluffy about which Captain of hte Enterprise is better. "You know I'm afraid of heights?" she whispers.

and walks away from the jump area. She can't Wait to see how Rae is going to handle this one. And kay! This was going to Really get them both. Perhaps worse than crossing the chasm. She was thinking of making one last passing comment to Rae but decides against it. She doesn't think Rae would think it was too funny to hear Jila say "You know it's not the fall that will kill you Rae, it's the landing." Nope, she'll keep That one to herself.

Grabbing her datapad again, Jila goes over to where Geradan is lying in the sun again and uses one of his massive forelegs as a sun chair. Ahhh, he was as good as the warm cliff stones that he always found for himself. Comfy, Jila types in her notes for this checkpoint.

That's when she starts to worry. Where could Team Slewfoot have gotten to? Jila scratches her forehead and begins tapping her fingers on the datapad. Could they have found a way around this cliff? Jila hardly thought so considering the width of it. Suddenly, Jila sees Rae trying to kick at and stomp on Crais, but even as addled as he was lately he was pretty quick. Jila had to chuckle. She couldn't imagine What Crais was saying to Rae but it sure was having its affect. Soon, Crais is on his feet running and laughing hysterically. Too Weird. Anyway... Team Slewfoot. What to do?

"Raegun!" Jila calls from her perch. "See if you can raise Team Slewfoot on the comms and on Scan. There's no Way they could have gotten lost. The IQ's are too smart and efficient for that."

"Will do." Raegun says, his scanners silently humming. "Hmmm, they're not answering the comm. Just a minute.... oh, well, that explains it." Raegun pauses.

"This." Raegun brightens his scanners for Jila to see. "They're right there." A Large star shows itself on the screen. "They aren't here yet because........."

seems to swallow their food whole, as they are in a huge hurry to gain the lead. Lining up to grab their hang gliders, Kay and Sunny watch as Rae gives Crais one more shove and he turns,laughing at her. They can't help but chuckle at that. Crais would not have continued to laugh at Rae if he were in his right mind. Then, Kay notices Sweetie positioning himself on Rae's glider.

"No, he is fine right where he is. I don't mind, and he is tired." said Rae, very quickly. "I am not ti..." began Sweetie. "HUsh, you know you are." Rae interupted with a harsh look at the bird.

Kay and Sunny looked at each other as a hint of dawning came to their minds. "Just be careful" was all that Sunny said. "Come on girls, Let's fly!" she continued with a new joy in her voice.

Taking off she yahoo's as she starts to glide. Kay saw that Rae was not budging till she took off. With a gulp, she took her run and screaming as her feet hit air, she remembered her harness controlls and was soon gliding along. Daring to look, finally, she realized with joy, that she felt so free. She even grinned. Then, she realized that one way or another she would have to land. Her face once more took on the scared to death look.

Rae took off running with her eyes closed. When her feet hit the air, she felt for her controls and kept afloat. She was terrified to open her eyes, but, the feeling of floating in black space was one of the worst she could imagine. She couldn't even find the words to ask Sweetie where they were.

"Go left a little, Rae" Sweetie instructed. "Otherwise you will run right into Kay. "No, that's too much. Go right a little. Sheesh, Rae, you trying to kill us both?" he yelped as she turned sharply.

Sunny looked back to check on Kay and Rae. She grinned at Kay's efforts and gave a thumbs up. Then, she saw Rae and Sweetie. "Don't be an idiot Rae!" she yelled. "You have to open your eyes to land. Or you will die. It isn't as scary if you open your eyes. You can do it. Come on!"

...that I listen to one of you're hairbrained ideas #9." said #1 as he pulled himself over the top of the cliff. The IQs in team slewfoot are in bad shape physically. They are covered in cuts and scratches.

"So stretch yourself. Open your eyes. Look at the glory below you. You can do it. You're a PK AND a scorceress for crying out loud! You can do anything!"

Rae screeches as she stares down at the landscape beneath. The part of her mind that says that it's actually a lovely view is beaten into submission by the rest of her mind.

"His singing isn't that bad." Sweetie says gently. He uses one of his wings to wipe tears from her eyes. "We can tell the others you want to set down."

Raegun's voice filter's over Rae's comm, and Sweetie is surprised to hear Crais and Jila singing as well. Even Fluffy is providing bass. Laughing to himself, he joins in:

Sounds of vulgarity floated up to them from below. Looking closer at the victim of Kitten's drive to win Semore's eyes widened and he chuckled at the spectacle below. "Oh dear he does seem excited doesn't he?"

Pulling out his score book Semore put another check under Ragnar's name "He does appear to be one of her favorite victims!" he commented as Ragnar's page accordions down three feet.

Semore checked his pocket watch before announcing "I do believe if we are to witness the felines victory we must press on now; lest we fall to far in her wake."

Ragnar grumbled a few more choice words about inconsiderate drivers as he wiped clumps of mud from his face "Tell me again why I'm here?!"

Mr Lee just smiled in his all knowing way "Ah Missa Ragnaa, exfoliate later, now you chop, chop!" With a wave of his hand Mr Lee indicated Ragnar was to continue on but at a faster pace.

Growling and grumbling to himself Ragnar upped his pace *Someone was going to pay...and I am beginning to think I knew who it would be...MY FEET and MY BACK!*

With one last defiant roar and a cloud of gravel the massive truck slid to a halt in the lot at the base of the mountain. Kitten pumped her right arm, fist clenched, in a time honored gesture with a mental *YES!!! She looked back over her shoulder at Grandma Po who was beaming back equall enthusiasm. The kindly old woman ruffled Kitten's hair.

Kitten's smile broadened. The Three stooges squirmed and wagged their tails for some affection and attention as well. That had been fun. In the passenger seat Elvis cautiously opened his eyes and Thor looked like he wasn't sure if he'd survived. He hoped the old lady wouldn’t notice his toes stuck thru the seat. Kitten drove worse than 6thy!

Grandma Po chuckled and scratched them both as well. "Ah it wasn't that bad boys...come on I've got someone I want you to meet." She winked. :)

Scooping up the black kittens Grandma popped open the door and let Kitten slid down the ladder first before following herself. Turning the cats loose she reached back for the others.

Grandma Po had barely made it back up the first rung when a strikingly beautiful woman in her early twenties sailed into her with a massive hug. "You made it! You made it. I knew you would! I'm so happy!"

"Whoa there child..." Grandma staggered but lovingly returned the gesture. "Let a poor old woman have some air will ya!"

In the cab of the truck Thor was mesmerized again. The resemblance, it was so striking. Almost more so than the Mermaid. The red hair, the height, the complexion, the build...*My queen how I miss you...

"Well I thought you'd never ask." She winked at Kitten. "This one here is called Kitten. She's an Artic..." she paused..."What was that you said you were again Kitten?"

"Ah! one of those. Very special I hear. "The young woman winked at her grandmother. Kitten positively beamed. Her posture straightened and her little chest seemed to puff up a bit. Finally! Someone who knew how important Artickats were! Especiall artickittens! Leaning foreward the young woman extended a hand. "Pleased to meet you Kitten…." Looking lower, " And who might these three be?"

"That's Fidget, She wiggles a lot. That one's Mischief, you have to watch her, she's sneaky, and He's Trouble. That's his name to!" Who said Kitten didn't know when to be helpful?

"That's Elvis. "Granny supplied, "And the other ones Thor." The little Dino almost cooed when the redhead picked him up and cradled him a moment.

Kitten pursed her lips. "Yeah, they do but they're not for us apparently. First they left us and now they take everything with them before we can get there. The kittens haven't had milk in days!"

The kittens on cue rolled over and all began mewing and sounding sad, moaning in hunger they didn't have to fake. One winked at Kitten. They were catching on. See rehersal had it's uses.

Charley copied the stern look and reached for a kitten. "I think me and the girls can spare something. We weren't planning on.........."

A short while later Elvis was eating away. Charley's roommate, a brunette, was hand feeding Thor, who seemed to becoming friendlier and friendlier by the nibble, and Kitten was sitting at a picnic table. She had a bowl of milk. Across from her the three kittens had each their own.

"Now..." she instructed..." You pick up the Crunch like this and you dip it like so. Remember not to soak it. It's better if you just dip it....."

"So if I understand this they're in an Eco challenge of sorts and they're way behind. " Granny nodded. "And they have to climb up the mountain?"

Grandma Po raised her eyes. It sure looked steep to her. "Yes dear. That's why I brought them here. I thought you could help."

Charley smiled. She unzipped her top to just about there and made a couple of adjustments. "Oooo I think they might...."

Nine replies irritably. "So don't give Me all the blame." Team Slewfoot drops their backpacks, and grabs some liquids to rehydrate themselves with.

"Jila, get another medkit." Velorek says, closing the distance between himself and the IQ's. Just by their exposed skin Jila knows that Velorek is right, they need medical attention. She runs to the supply tent and grabs one of the other kits.

"We've got no time!" Four says as he puts his empty drink container into a bin and heads for the supply tent. Five finishes his drink and heads into the tent with Four, leaving Nine with IQ the original.

"Okay," IQ #1 says to Nine, dumping two of the backpacks onto the ground. "It did sound like a good idea at the time."

"Look guys," Velorek drops down beside Original. "We're going to patch you two up while you clean out these packs, then we'll take care of Five and Four after they've brought out your supplies."

"Fine." IQ1 says. "Just try to stay out of our way. We're way behind now as it is." Jila can see that One is tired but she Knows he won't stop until Team Slewfoot has either caught up or they reach the next Mandatory Stop zone.

Velorek and Jila open the medkits, and clean and dress the more severe cuts and scrapes on these two IQ's. Shortly, Four and Five come back to the group with a few things they feel are necessary, and get their cuts and scrapes cleaned too.

Then Team Slewfoot sees a sight that they Never thought they'd see. Crais sits by Geradan's rather large forefoot making a daisy chain.

"She loves me. She loves me not. She loves me. She loves me not." Crais says as he takes one daisy and plucks off each petal in turn. Suddenly his happy smile melts, his mood changes, and tears trickle down his cheeks. He gets up and walks over to where Jila, Velorek, and Team Slewfoot are gathered.

"I know it just fine." Jila says, placing the last bandaid on Five, and standing up. I just didn't think you'd want me to."

Jila closes her eyes and breathes deep. He'd finally done it. He'd finally gotten to her. Damn! Did Rae program that into him? There he was, sitting there with the most Forlorn PUPPYDOG Look on his face. She had to get out of here.

"Larraq, Velorek, I'll be back." Jila says walking over to Geradan. "Would you mind cooking up dinner for me, and then getting the packing started? I have to get some air."

"A Lot more, my friend." Jila calls from her perch on Geradan's back. "A Lot More!" Geradan leaps off the cliff, and glides, the wind whipping Jila's hair around.

Rae turns her head in the general direction of Sunny, trying to look intimidating, but failing. Her eyes are closed.

"Look, you hang glide your way..and I'll..." Rae starts...but suddenly she, Sweetie and Sunny are caught in an up draft...

Sunny looked around for Kay, she too, had been caught in the up draft. It was causing them to fly fast...she could see the other teams, well below them.

"HEY RAE, quit yelling and open your eyes. WE are passing the other teams. We just might be able to retake first." Sunny yells at Rae, who is still yelling "Frell".

When Rae heard "retake first" she stopped yelling and cracked open one eye and looked down. Sunny was right...they were passing the other teams.

"Are you out of it?" Rae demands, staring straight at Sunny. (Which is much better than staring any direction resembling down.) She feels a little better thanks to those two magic words 'retake first'. "I'm not a pilot! I'm a spy!"

"You weren't ALWAYS a spy!" Sunny snickers. "I know how these things work. First you have to distinguish yourself in combat."

"I was in psychiatric special ops..." Rae looks guilty. "I mean, sure I grunted around with Mobile Infantry for a while, but only long enough to know that those drops are killers and that I prefer being a Tech of ANY kind to being the best kind of soldier..."

"Okay, just one more question." Sunny says, smiling. "What the FRELL were you thinking designing a course like this?"