Chapter 7

Ronnie and Mr. Patterson follow a trail in Ducktoo and meet Dominic, who helps them find Gabby. Gabby and Samuel continue their journey in Blalock Forest and encounter a horned creature. Gabby discovers her powers and defeats the creature with the help of Samuelot. They find another stone sun. Chapter 7 Closer Than You Think How do we even know where to start looking for Gabby and Danielle, asked Ronnie. He looked at Mr. Patterson as they followed the trail with yellow and red map-like colors blended into the ground, the similar ones that Samuel and Gabby were following before. They crossed the land of Ducktoo and across the similar gigantic flowers that Samuel and Gabby slid down earlier to get into Blaylock Forest. They saw the solid colored red and blue, orange, yellow and pink and purple alien community members with their multicolored antennas. The colony members waved at Ronnie and Mr. Patterson walking by. Even the female alien community members with frog fingers sent wings over to Ronnie and waved hello. Ronnie just blushed and smiled. He seemed to be a heartbreaker in the real world and in Ducktoo. Suddenly Ronnie and Mr. Patterson heard shouting. A zebra-striped alien creature with antelope antlers and a long golden ponytail came running downhill yelling as he chased a four-legged strawberry, Roderick. Roderick ran toward Mr. Patterson and Ronnie. Roderick! Roderick! Get back here! Come here boy! yelled the creature running toward the quirky cook and his wise manager. The four-legged strawberry hopped into Ronnie's arms. He quickly gasped at the adorable strawberry-like creature with his gazing innocent dilated oval-shaped eyes. Your name's Roderick? My name's Ronnie. Cool name. There's no need to be scared, said Ronnie. He comforted the lively red strawberry. He started to rock it like a baby and pet it gently as if it were a rabbit. There you are, the alien creature said trotting up the hill towards Mr. Patterson and Ronnie with a blue rhinestone leash. Oh my gosh, thank you so much, the creature exclaimed. He can be quite the handful. I'm Dominic, said the creature introducing himself to Ronnie and Mr. Patterson. Dominic waved, pulling his hand forward and back. This was their traditional way of waving in the land of Ducktube. Well, I'm Mr. Patterson. This diva here is Ronnie, said Mr. Patterson playfully. Nice to meet you, Diva Ronnie and Mr. Patterson. Your skin is very peach. You must be from the blue green ball, said Dominic, referring to Earth. I saw a human like you. There were black hay strands coming from her head. She definitely was not from our world, explained Dominic. She had five fingers. I think he's talking about Gabby, said Ronnie, leaning toward Mr. Patterson with a slight whisper. Roderick, the happy strawberry, leaped back into Dominic's arms and began playfully licking his face. Can you tell us which way she went, asked Ronnie with concern. I can show you, hang tight, said Dominic, putting his frog-like fingers on his temples and holding Roderick above his head. He raised Roderick in the air. The strawberry spun rapidly as a green beam of light projected from his mouth. The display images of Gabby, Samuel, and their oversized furry friend knew on their way to their next adventure in Blalock Forest. They were searching hard for the other two keys leading to Blalock Cave. So how do we get to this forest, questioned Mr. Patterson. Who's the wise guy in the huge dog, asked Ronnie, staring hard at the projector. That's Prince Samuel, our leader of Duck Two. I can show you where to find them. Are you up for an adventure, Roderick, yelled Dominic. The light evaporated from Roderick's mouth and he fell into Dominic's arms. Mr. Patterson, Ronnie, Dominic, and Roderick headed toward Blalock Forest. The sun would be setting in the next five to seven hours. Luckily, time, hope, and the adventure were on their side. Samuel and Gabby were getting tired and hungry. Listen, do you hear that? It's water. Gabby quickly bolted through the long, multicolored vines and bushes. She ran past the large, cushion-like mushrooms. Gabby, wait, Samuel yelled. He quickly sprinted after her. Gabby ran toward the path leading to the waterfall. She wasn't even thinking straight as she was tired, dehydrated. She tumbled over a thick, orange vine. She quickly picked herself up. Then Gabby started to remember. Samuel was trying to help her rescue Danielle from Lally. Samuel said they were family, but she never met him. Gabby didn't even have any memories of him. Well, not yet, anyway. More of the unexpected was coming in Gabby's direction. It would only make her stronger, though. Gabby began to dust herself off. As Gabby stood up, she heard the growling beyond the hidden field of mushrooms and colorful forest rubbish. Gabby saw two golden crescent eyes and heard hissing. Gabby saw the pink tongue of a dragon-type monster with two long fangs. They glistened from the wooded area. The creature leapt out into the air. It had an enormous, yellow rhino horn with a purple, ugly streak circling it on top of the horn. Its cheetah body glowed a luminous green color with a silver line of fur down the middle of its back, standing straight up. It had razor-sharp saber teeth. The saber-toothed demon approached Gabby. The creature pinned her to the tree with its bladed, saw-sharp claws. The creature dug into her shoulders with force. Gabby kicked the creature in his lower abdomen as hard as she could. Gabby attempted to reach for her gun in her back pocket, but something had struck her. She had had enough. Gabby was hungry, tired, and had lost enough. I am not scared of you or anybody, she screamed at the creature. It was enough to make the ground shake. Gabby stood with her fists balled up. I've lost my mother, now my niece. I've broken emotional walls of steel without breaking my spirit. You think I can't handle you? Gabby screamed at the top of her lungs. Gabby had no fear in her heart. Gabby's eyes grew bigger than seashells. Gabby started to scream louder. Gabby lunged toward the creature. Gabby leaped, spiraling in the air. Her hair faded into a powder blue crisp of ocean waves and then coned upward above her head, forming into an arched whip. Her ocean wave hair whip struck the creature to the jungle floor. The horned creature tumbled and then struggled to get to its grotesque paws. Gabby stared into the creature's eyes, fearlessly. Gabby's sneakers dug deep into the dirt. With ferocity in her heart, she let out a piercing scream that rattled and awakened the entire land of Blalock. Boulders came tumbling down mountains. The whites of Gabby's eyes became lit like white eggshells with lightning bolts. The lightning bolts lit up in her eyes and her mouth opened wider. Gigantic multicolored wrist rings poured over her wrists. The saber-toothed monster swung its claws to strike Gabby once more. Gabby swung back with a mean side hook to the saber-toothed demon, hurtling him up into the air. As he began winding back down, before he had hit the ground, suddenly two slimy long green reptilian wings sprang from his demonic backside. He swooped down, attempting to snatch Gabby with his pterodactyl-like gross claws. The creature then spun its head in a rapid motion from side to side and roared in agony. A red vine sprang from the side of its head, forming into a blackened ball of slime. It was birthing another head similar to its own. The creature fired nets of orange sludge from its tail. It trapped Gabby between the trees. She hung helplessly by her wrists, her powers engulfed by the dark tactics of this monster. With its mouth wide, he scratched her face with his gross, vampiric-like saber-toothed teeth. With all of her might, Gabby finally broke free. The wrestling continued back and forth. Gabby's sweat dripping from her forehead, kicking this creature left, right, and sideways as much as she could. She could feel the intense rumbling. Gabby could hear the tree twigs snapping with heaviness. Gabby turned her head to look behind her at the source of the noise. We're coming, Gabby! yelled Samuelot. Niu let out a howl that boiled the two heads, demons' flesh. Samuelot ignited a path of golden ladder beams across the ground, rapidly breaking down anything in their way. To Gabby and the double-headed horned demon, lightning blazed from every end of Gabby's body. The silver strands of lightning struck up the creature. This is my land I am Prince of Ductu, and I banish you, demon! yelled Samuelot. Gabby then criss-crossed her arms with Samuelot's. As he picked her up, they closed their eyes, levitating in the air. A pearl-white angelic beam of diamond struck the double-headed demon with force. The monster began to shrink smaller and smaller until it was nothing more than a small, ugly cub. As the lightning faded, Gabby breathed heavily. She looked at the small kitten into its eyes, courageously. She kneeled and then stared into the cub's eyes with slight empathy as well. Now beat it, she scooted her foot towards the cub, demanded Gabby. The little green hairball that was once a terrifying saber-toothed beast with crescent-shaped eyes scurried into the forest. The beast dragged its extra-shrunken head behind on its cub-like shoulder, almost like a bag of groceries. Oh my gosh, where did that come from? I was in the air, and the beams, and the fire, and I had these powers, and... Gabby stumbled over her words, trying to make sense of what happened. The monster was quickly intimidated by Gabby's piercing scream and her confidence. Samuelot knew. Stared at Gabby, relieved she was okay. The important thing is, you're okay. Yeah, but what was that thing? How did... Gabby started to say. You can't run off like that next time, Samuelot warned Gabby. Your powers came in when you turned 18, you just never really knew about them because you couldn't use them on Earth, said Samuelot. Well, if I make it out of this alive, I'm going to slide through traffic like butter and use my powers on Earth somehow, and I'll never be late for work again, that's for sure. Said Gabby. Then Niyu's oversized dog tag started to glow with a silver flame. Another stone sun formed, and from inside of the flame, Samuelot flew up towards Niyu's collar. It's the Key of Independence, Samuelot exclaimed. He grabbed the key and placed it in his pocket. Fabulous, can we get some water now? Asked Gabby. Of course, I'm a prince and a tour guide, said Samuelot. After a few more trails and traveling through more undergrowth, they finally made it to the part of the forest where the freshest, purest, sparkly water fell from dozens of waterfalls. White sand rested at the bottom of the clean waterfalls and beach sides. Dang, this is like a whole other island, said Gabby excited. Cannonball! Yelled a voice from up top of the waterfall. Hey kid, why weren't we invited to your pool party, yelled Ronnie. No way, how did they, oh my gosh, Ronnie, Mr. P? Gabby questioned, unsure but happy to see her crew. Gabby was looking up at the small, far away figures blocking the sun. Ronnie peered down from the waterfall. Ronnie jumped off the waterfall in his blue basketball shorts. Mr. Patterson's hairy dad bod was very unappealing. So do all of you humans have blankets of straw like that on your front, asked Samuelot. He was referring to Mr. Patterson's blanket of chest hair. Is he part lion, asked Samuelot. He pointed to Mr. Patterson. Gabby nodded her head back and forth. Mr. Patterson jumped off the waterfall. He made an enormous splash in the waterhole. You could say that, something like that. Mr. Patterson and Ronnie almost immediately swam over. Everyone began to rinse off. Dominic parachuted down the waterfall using Mr. Patterson's big and tall t-shirt. He was holding Roderick, his pet strawberry, with his other hand. And they made a huge splash. How did y'all get here? Who is that, asked Gabby, hugging them both. Hey, nobody messes with my girls. We would do anything for you and Danielle, said Mr. Patterson. I've known you since you were a newborn pup. He was trying not to mention Gabby's mother. Mr. Patterson spoke in a fatherly, protective way. This is Dominic and Roderick. They were nice enough to help us find you guys, he introduced them. They stood in the water. Nice to meet you, Dominic. Oh my goodness, he is adorable, said Gabby, pointing to Roderick. You know, you look just like... Dominic began. Samuel nudged him in the side before he could finish. Dominic quickly kneeled in front of Samuel. Prince Samuel, it is an honor, said Dominic, kneeling in the water. Thank you, colony member, Samuel whispered to Dominic. Some things we just keep to ourselves, okay? His cheeks were starting to turn red as he winked at Dominic. Ne-Yo quickly nudged Gabby with his big, wet nose. Ne-Yo, you know, I love you too, said Gabby. Gabby squeezed Ne-Yo's enormous, hairy cheeks. Hey man, I'm Ronnie, Ronnie said, reaching for Samuel's hand for a handshake. Ronnie approached Samuel with a manly strut in the water. You creatures have such an interesting wave. Ours is forward and back, explained Samuel. Ronnie watched as Dominic and Samuel demonstrated their traditional duck-to wave. Oh well, sorry, your highness, said Ronnie sarcastically. It's fine, just don't let it happen again. I am Samuel, leader and future king of duck-to. And when the time is right, my father's crown will be released to me by my approving ancestors. God rest their souls as well as my father's, said Samuel. He spoke sadly but with honor. Okay, high and mighty, said Ronnie sarcastically. Ronnie, don't be a yut, said Mr. Patterson, frowning at him. No matter, Samuel said. He started rolling his eyes at Ronnie. You are guests in my land. The focus is getting to Tabrinas to the queen's castle to rescue Danielle. In order to do that, we need to find the keys to get to Blaylock Cave. Only then will we be able to open the portal to Tabrinas. We have to work together, explained Samuel. He looked around at everyone. He was a little arrogant, but he was right. I just had a thought. Roderick, can you do the projector beam thing you did earlier to help us find Danielle? Asked Mr. Patterson. He stared down at the strawberries. Roderick sat comfortably in Dominic's arms. Roderick was bundled in Mr. Patterson's gigantic yellow t-shirt. Usually his powers only work once a day because Roderick is so small. His energy level is at a bare minimum, but we will try, said Dominic. He looked down at Roderick in his adorable alien-like seashell-shaped eyes. Dominic raised Roderick high above his head. He passed Mr. Patterson his shirt and chanted a strange chant. A strange beam of fire was released from the top of the strawberry's head. The slideshow once again displayed a young girl levitating in midair. It was none other than Danielle. A hooded figure towered over Danielle. Just as the figure was removing its hood, Roderick could no longer hold a projection. It had completely drained him. The Queen hasn't been able to claim Danielle's immortality yet because of your faith, Dabby. And she won't likely be able to perform the ritual until Danielle's birthday at midnight. Samuel explained. At least you know she is okay. So don't give weak. If she gets Danielle's power, all hell will break loose for my people, for you, and for both of our worlds. Failing or losing faith is not an option. Samuel instructed, nodding at Dabby. She confirmed and then nodded back. Thank you, Roderick, said Mr. Patterson, staring at the exhausted strawberry. Mr. Patterson petted Roderick, feeling guilty for asking him to do that. They had to gain some insight on finding Danielle. To give Dabby the comforting thought that Danielle was still alive and depending on them. Is he going to be okay, asked Mr. Patterson with concern. Oh, he will be fine. He's just not used to using his powers as much in one day, said Dominic. He started walking out of the water onto the dry land. Mr. Patterson gave Dominic and his strawberry Roderick room to breathe and approached Niyu. Good pup, said Mr. Patterson, gathering some water and scratching Niyu's belly. Niyu, as huge as he was, rolled over onto the large ocean floor with his tongue out. The waves crept up to the edge of the sand before splashing everyone. Wait, so your mother must have reopened the portal to Daktu for your friends. She must have followed Lale from the Dark World from this world, said Samuel, somehow getting around the gate that Queen Knox had locked. He looked over at Dabby. I wish she could help us open the portal to Tabrinas. Queen Knox bolted it once more. The only way anyone could open it would be to find that third key. Your mother was able to do it to follow Lale temporarily, but Queen Knox must have bolted it back up. You still have the first key, right? questioned Samuel, splashing water on his face. No, I ate it, said Gabby sarcastically. Oh my goodness, no, Samuel panicked. Relax, take a joke, dude, said Ronnie, washing up by the ocean. What's a joke? You know, words that make you smile, said Gabby. Oh, we call those plum-plum ha-ha's. Okay, I got one, I got one. Plum-plum, Samuel started to tell a joke. Gabby, Mr. Patterson, Dominic, Roderick, Ronnie, and Niu all stood in the water, slightly confused. You're supposed to say who's there, said Samuel. Oh, like knock-knock, right? questioned Gabby, wringing out the water from her long black hair. No, weirdo, plum-plum, said Samuel. Okay, who's there? asked Gabby, along with Dominic. Sugar plum-plum on my bum-bum. Samuel fell back, laughing hysterically. He fell so hard, he made a splash. He wiped his joyful tears. He stood in the water, chuckling at his cheesy joke. Oh, I cracked myself up, Samuel chuckled. Good one, your majesty, said Dominic blandly. Everyone just kind of chuckled and grinned at his, well, laughable but cheesy joke. Even Niu. I think we need to collect as much water as possible and keep looking for the third key, said Gabby. It's getting dark. It's going to be harder to find this key in the dark. I mean, it could be anywhere, said Samuel. Wait a minute, aren't you a prince? asked Ronnie, looking at Samuel. So, if this is your land, how come you don't know where this freaking cave is or this freaking key is? He had a tough guy Brooklyn tone. Looks like it was Alpha on Alpha. I know where the key is. I know where the cave is, you ingrate. We must find the key before we get there to open the portal. I don't have to explain anything to the likes of you. I'm a prince, said Samuel. Samuel began puffing his chest out. Ronnie and Samuel stood nose to nose in the water, ready to fight. Niu began to bark at them, sensing the hostility. Yeah, you're a prince, huh? Where's your crown, meathead? asked Ronnie boldly. Gentlemen, gentlemen, enough. There's no need for all that, Mr. Patterson said, standing between them. Listen, Ronnie, you aren't Brooklyn anymore. And you, Sam, isn't? Mr. Patterson started to parent them with words. It's Prince Samuel, Samuel confirmed. Whatever. Okay. There's a little girl who means the world to all of us. If anything happens to her, I swear some skulls are going to get cracked. You can put your life on that. Ronnie, you know better. Trust me. It wasn't worth it back in Brooklyn, and there's no time for it here. Try to remember what you lost because of your actions. Remember, freedom is precious, yelled Mr. Patterson. He began walking out of the water, pointing it in you. And you, Niu, you sit. Niu's butt splashed the water as he sat. Good boy, said Mr. Patterson. Mr. Patterson checked everybody. Gabby, I'm sorry. Ronnie started to speak as Gabby put her hand up. I just want to find Danielle, okay, she said in a firm tone. They all gathered wood from the forest area for the fire and the leaves to sleep on. Gabby had actually made a bed on Niu's back. It reminded her of a fluffy beanbag. She thought about Danielle. She missed reading to her and doing things on the weekends, going to the beach and going to the fair. She thought about the pie-eating contest and how well she did. You guys will be shopping again soon. Don't worry, said Samuel, reading Gabby's thoughts. Oh, you can fly and read mine, said Gabby annoyed. I have a question, though. What's a shopping? Can you eat it, asked Samuel. No, Gabby began to laugh and yawn. I'm too tired to explain, she said, shooing him away. Ronnie, listen. I'm so sorry for getting heated with you earlier, Mr. Patterson. Apologize. Sometimes he could recognize when he was too hard on Ronnie. It's all right. Hey, nobody's good enough for your little princess, right? Oh, wait, just not Ronnie, said Ronnie sarcastically. You're not even her father. Let her make her own decisions. Mr. Patterson irritated and started walking away from the fire. Yeah, but I'm yours, Mr. Patterson mumbled, pulling a golden watch on a chain from his pocket with a picture of him with his late wife and Ronnie when he was two years old. Dominique overheard Mr. Patterson's secretive mumble. So when are you planning on telling him, Dominique asked. It's complicated. You wouldn't understand. Mr. Patterson dropped his head in guilt. So Ronnie's mother left you because of your childhood friendship with Gabby's mother and the fact that you knew her most of your life and you blame yourself. When Ronnie's mother sent you the letter about her dying, she gave you the information about him getting out of prison. That's why you mailed him the immediate position labeling it as a head chef at your diner with free room and board. You also made it sound more appealing by telling him you were a friend of his cousins. You knew if you were a friend of the family, he would put trust in you. That's why Ronnie flew to California after you paid his ticket and sought you out. But you didn't tell him that you were his father, explained Dominique. So how come you still haven't told him? He slowly began rocking his Roderick to sleep. How the hell did you know that? Mr. Patterson began to get angry. Are you some kind of stalker? Asked Mr. Patterson in anger. He grabbed Dominique by his red collar. No, easy, easy. I can read your thoughts. So can Samuel. Be careful. Everyone in DuckTooth can read human thoughts, explained Dominique. Sorry, sorry. Mr. Patterson calmed down and apologized. Are you fearing his reaction? Asked Dominique. Samuel crouched by the campfire, ease dropping, and going through Mr. Patterson's thoughts. Samuel was plotting to stir up his own way to get rid of Ronnie. After everyone was asleep, Samuel crept over to Mr. Patterson. Samuel carefully removed Mr. Patterson's gold watch with his telekinetic powers and put it in Ronnie's pocket. Sleep tight, in great, whispered Samuel. Niu had one eye open. Niu quickly closed his eye, pretending to sleep. Samuel made his way to the area of the other side of the campfire. Unknowingly eyes would take Samuel by surprise.