Their plan was flawless and totally not rushed in any way.
Martin would distract the poachers, which he had apparently already fought with prior? While Chris would use his makeshift lock pick (a splinter) to open whatever was locking their team up.
Chris wiggled over to the cages, taking advantage of his green colour and small size to stay relatively hidden from sight. It was slow and painful, rough rocky ground on skin built for the water. He snaked his body towards his friends, who were trapped in cages. Simple and easy to pick.
He just needed to wait for the signal.
A low and dangerous growl rang out, alerting all ears.
He snaked up the bars of the cage, reaching the lock, he begun to pick it.
“Chris!” Aviva was the first to turn her head away from his brother’s distraction.
“Shhh, don’t want to alert the poachers!” He hissed, a small smile on his face as he observed the others to be fine before continuing to pick the lock.
“We are so glad to see you dude!” Jimmy spoke in a hushed voice.
“Me too guys, glad they didn’t do nothing to you.”
“How did you find us?” Koki stood up, asking him in confusion.
“Had a bit of help.” He gestured to where his brother was dashing around the camp, destroying their weapons and opening any cages with wild animals.
His bother who was dashing and bouncing, flapping his wings every so often to leap over any obstacle. His bother who was dashing and moving with only the flexibility a feline could muster.
“Martin?” Aviva asked for confirmation.
“Yes, my blue brother found me just before another predator did, and is currently distracting those poachers while I free you!” A grumble escaped the man. “If only I could unlock this cage…”
Just as he spoke his splinters broke in half, causing a hiss sound as with what force he could manage, he slammed the lock with his body, causing it to unlock.
“You have got to be kidding me.”
“We can worry about that later!” Aviva slammed the door open, grabbing onto Chris with her antlers, allowing Jimmy onto her back.
“Martin, time to go!” Chris’s voice boomed out, alerting not just Martin, but the poachers as well.
“Go on ahead, I’m right behind you!” Martin called back.
With that Aviva was dashing off, or trying to with an injured leg, Koki flying behind her. They ran for some time, not quite comfortable to risk being anywhere near the camp. They only stopped once they reached a clearing a good distance away.
From the distance they heard the sounds of shooting and what they could only guess to be Martin’s roars.
“Now I understand why you avoided boats man, that was scary!” Jimmy had panted as though he had been the one running, his comment directed to Chris.
“When this is all over, remind me to smack some sense into Zach.” Koki panted, landing right next to Aviva, who had collapsed not long after.
Chris looked in the direction they had just run from, waiting patiently for their last teammate.
“Did Martin see which direction we ran in?” Koki asked, hoping someone saw if he did.
“Didn’t see if he did.” Jimmy stated.
“I think he was too busy with the poachers.” Aviva followed up, still out of breath.
“Does this mean we need to find him again?” Jimmy panicked.
“Take it easy guys, we just need to wait for…” Chris calmed the others before a flare like fire was shot into the air. “There! I would recommend covering your ears”
That was the only warning they got before Chris let out an ear piercing screech sound, how did such a small form made a sound that big?
An echoing roar followed, not quite as loud. Following that was the flapping of wings, growing louder and louder till a shaking form flew over them, and subsequently crashed into the clearing. There was a dust cloud that formed with the impact, and it cleared to reveal Martin, with several tranquilliser darts stabbing past the protective suits and into him.
The group surrounded their friend, who was officially knocked out. Aviva carried him on her back, Koki and Jimmy helped push him up. Koki carried Chris, keeping Martin in his sight. Jimmy waddled next to Aviva.
The group slowly reentered the forest, searching for a safe place to rest up till their friend awoke.
Tada! I animated the man we have seen the least of running! Just for this moment! Apologies it took so long and the animation is a bit janky.
This is the end of the opening to the story. Every character has transformed and reunited with each-other, so I feel this is the perfect place to end the opening.
Not the end of the whole story for obvious reasons! But it will be a bit different from here.
That shall be announced in the next post!
