//------------------------------// // Where are you Buddy? // Story: In The Forest // by Darkness Moon //------------------------------// After their last exploration, Adagio and Sonata did not want to explore again, despite the efforts of Aria and Sunset to convince them, so they decided to go out alone for a few days, since their girlfriends were VERY angry. It was a long trip, tiring and full of problems, but they managed to reach their destination, the snowy area. They built a log cabin made of 82 logs, 2 water stores, 2 meat shops, 1 stick store, 1 fireplace, 1 sofa, 1 small table, plus a few skull lamps to illuminate. That was enough for both of them. Aria had decorated the walls with deer and rabbit skins, that made the place warmer and would protect them better from the cold. She also put up animal heads, like squirrel, rabbit, lizard, seagull, turtle, raccoon, wild boar, duck, deer, crocodile, and shark. And on the outside, she put the heads of an Armsy, Virginia, Cowman, and mutant baby, to scare any enemies. And to protect their shelter, they built traps, like defensive peaks (it was a lot of work, they needed about 63 logs to build it, but they got it), some explosive wire traps with homemade bombs, and other traps, like the fallen death trap, they are designed to hurt the cannibals by trapping them under a trunk that falls with spikes down. The damage inflicted is enough to instantly kill the weakest cannibals, with three sticks and three trunks, it is necessary to create it, they built about three traps like those around their shelter. In addition, there is also the rope swing trap, which is a massive trap that can only be built on a tree, once activated, it will launch a large ball, made of rocks and pointed sticks, oscillating for several seconds. This is the only advanced trap that can damage mutants. It takes ten rocks, a rope, and six logs. They built about four traps in the closest trees in their home. And a rope trap, which is a trap that catches cannibals by the feet and hangs them upside down. This trap is the only one that guarantees to catch a cannibal, 2 sticks, 1 rope, and 5 logs, are necessary to make a structure. They have about 3 of these traps around. Finally, four large effigies, made with sticks, rocks, arms, legs and cannibal heads, so that the natives get scared. Aria had returned from a hunt down the snowy mountain, got a wild boar and a deer, built a log transporter, to carry the heavy animals. She leaves them at the side of the cabin, enters, and saw Sunset sitting at the table, with about eight old photographs, which they had found in the caves they explored. "Are you still with those pictures?" Aria asked. "Yes," Sunset replied. "A few days ago we gathered these photographs, and I want to go to these areas, to know what they hide." "Fine, but later, I'm tired," Aria said, leaning back in the chair. "I thought you liked the action?" said Sunset. "Yes, but I have my limits," said Aria. "Have you talked to Adagio?" "No, the walkie talkie doesn't answer," said Sunset. "And I don't blame her, she's upset." "Yes, Sonata is too," said Aria. "I think we should go back, we were gone for a while," said Sunset. "It was only two weeks, it's not that bad," said Aria. "You don't want to go back to Sonata?" asked Sunset, confused. "Yes, I want that... but, if I go back, I don't know what I would do to get her to forgive me," said Aria. “I feel the same as you, but we can't stay here forever,” said Sunset. "Tomorrow we'll go back, I'll let Adagio know" "Well, whatever you say," Aria said, sitting down. "I'll prepare dinner." She stood back up, walking to the fireplace. Sunset communicated with Adagio, and told her they would return tomorrow, Sunset noticed that Adagio's voice was not normal, it showed that she was still upset. Aria prepared dinner, venison for her, and a tomato soup for Sunset, the last one she had. "Tomorrow we will look for your photos, then we will return home," said Aria. "It seems fair," Sunset said, eating. "Do you know what you will do with Sonata?" "No," said Aria, eating. "And you? With Adagio? ” "I have an idea, but I don't know if it works," said Sunset. "If I fail, I guess my relationship is over." "I don't believe it, Adagio loves you very much," said Aria. But Sunset was still worried. "The truth is Adagio has liked you for a long time." "Really?" Sunset said, surprised. "Yes, you could say she's liked you since the battle of the bands," said Aria. "What?!" almost spitting out her soup. "But that is-" "Impossible? Well, I thought so too,” said Aria. "I remember that after you gave us that school tour, I used to mention you when I had a chance." "W-What did she say?" Sunset said curiously. "Don't get excited," Aria said eating. “I never paid attention to what she said, I think that after learning that you were with the Rainbooms, she lost interest in you.” "Thanks for cheering me up," said Sunset, dejected. "My point is, I don't think Adagio forgot you so easily, she didn't do it before, she won't do it now," said Aria. "I hope so," said Sunset. “Thanks Aria, seriously.” “Yes, well, you helped me at Christmas with Sonata. We are even,”said Aria eating more. "Still, thanks," Sunset laughed. "We have to sleep, it will be a long day tomorrow," she said and they finished eating. They cleaned everything, and prepared to sleep. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next morning, they left their cabin and went to look for the areas marked by the photographs. The crosses marked some earth sites, they used explosives to break the hard rock, when they dug it up, there was a strange piece made of metal. "So much searching, for that?" said Aria. "Well, there is more than one photo, and they all indicate different areas," said Sunset. "Maybe there are other different things." "Well, whatever," said Aria. They continued until they reached an elevation of land, in the distance they saw a very unusual object. "Oh my god... don't tell me that's what I think it is," said Aria. "That's... the-" “The cockpit of the plane…. Yes, it is,” Sunset replied. "What do we do?" Aria asked. "Let's take a look," said Sunset. They went to the cabin with their snow boots, since the cabin was in an area of ​​very icy snow, they reached the object, and indeed it was the cabin, which was missing from the plane during the crash. This part came off the rest of the plane. Inside the old cabin they could see one of the dead pilots lying on the controls, and located near the cabin was the co-pilot sitting in a chair. Aria found a flare gun behind him in a seat. There were also circuit boards and some suitcases were scattered around the accident site as well. "Poor pilots," said Sunset. "Were we the only ones who survived?" Aria asked. "It seems so," said Sunset, looking at the pilots. "At least I found this," said Aria, showing the flare. "That's very useful, but I doubt anyone will see it if we shoot it," said Sunset. "Maybe, but maybe we can use it to enter the caves," said Aria. "Okay, at least what I found is better," said Sunset, showing a magazine. They left the cabin, and checked the bags around, there were many common things, nothing new. But in one, they found several clothes for the winter, they kept it and continued on their way, they used the turtle shells to glide in the snow, until they reached a warm area. "Sonata would like this," said Aria, remembering the mermaid. "It would be better to return with them soon," Sunset said, looking at the map. They continued their search, investigating all the areas of the photos, almost all, in each place, there were the same, metal pieces. They did not understand why anyone would hide something like that, but after analyzing the pieces, they realized that by putting them together, they formed a weapon! "It's a…" "An old gun!" said Sunset. "But it is not yet complete." "The last piece is by Adagio and Sonata," said Aria. “Behind the tree.” "Well, in any case, it will be better to return and fix things with them," said Sunset. And so they did, they returned to the others, but when they entered they saw that things were very changed. Adagio and Sonata built many things, in the tree they built wooden bases to create two floors, with a fence made of sticks, and in the first, there were 10 stores of sticks, rock, and logs. Each full and organized. And on the second floor, there were 25 water stores, 3 blackberry orchards, and 3 white mulberry orchards. But that was not the only thing, they also built a kind of "elevator" made of several logs (depending on the floors), and several ropes. "Wow... they didn't waste time," Aria whispered. "Yes, I think, we worried about nothing," said Sunset. Each one went with her girlfriend, to... fix her situation. Sonata was feeding some birds, in a small bird house that she built, when Aria approached her. "It's a nice house," said Aria. "Thank you," said Sonata, without looking at her. "I guess you're still upset," said Aria. "I'm not upset, I feel a little disappointed," said Sonata. “You said we would always be together, but you went exploring.” "Yes... it was my worst decision," said Aria. "I'm sorry." "Okay, I forgive you," said Sonata. "Please... don't go away." "I will not leave you again, seriously," said Aria, approaching a little. Sonata left what she was doing, and went to hug Aria. Meanwhile, Sunset went to the other side of the courtyard and saw her girlfriend, practicing with the bow, slowly approached. "Can I talk to you?" asked Sunset nervously. "I don't know. Do you have time, or will you go again?" Adagio said, shooting an arrow, right on target. "You're still upset and I don't blame you," said Sunset. "I deserve it." "I know you're so determined to find Onix, but, I just want you to prepare for what might happen," Adagio said, keeping her bow. “You mean give me up? And accept that Onix may be dead?” asked Sunset. "I didn't say that, but I want you to understand that sometimes there are things we can't avoid," Adagio said. "I understand what you mean, but can you still forgive me?" Sunset asked. "Of course, I couldn't be so mad at you for so long," Adagio said, hugging Sunset. "Thank you, for forgiving me, and for supporting my nonsense," Sunset said, hugging her. "Your feelings are not nonsense to me," Adagio said. "But let's forget sad things, are you hungry?" "Yes, a little," said Sunset. "Well, how about trying the new Sonata recipe?" Adagio asked, smiling. Later, the four girls got together at the campfire, to try the delicious food of Sonata, a mushroom stew, special for Sunset, and also, a fish stew for the carnivorous girls. “Wow! This is really delicious!” Sunset said happily. "Yes, it's very good," said Aria, eating another dish. "Thank you, it was nothing," said Sonata, a little bashful. "And what did you find on your trip?" Adagio asked. "Oh! We found some old photographs, all indicated with an‘ X ’in each different zone," said Sunset, showing the photos. "In shorter words, we build a gun," Aria said, eating. "Pistol?" Sonata asked. “Yes, it's like an old gun. It's from former missionaries who explored this island,” said Sunset, taking out the pieces. “We also found some old bullets.” "We only need one piece," said Aria. "Are you going to leave again?" Sonata asked, sadly. "That won't be necessary, the last piece is right here, behind the tree," said Sunset. "Well, just don't destroy what we built," Adagio said, finishing eating. "Not even my birdhouse!" Sonata said. "Okay, settle down, Sonata," Sunset said, calming her friend. "We will not let that happen." "Let's go then," Aria said, finishing her meal, and getting up. After eating, they went to the tree, Aria used a bomb to blow up the rock, fortunately, nothing was destroye.; Finally they found the last piece, the boards, and indeed, it was an old gun. “Well, what are you waiting for? Try it,” said Aria. Sunset loads the gun and shoots. "It works very well," said Sunset. "Now you have a new weapon," said Aria. "Actually, it's not for me," said Sunset, extending the weapon to Adagio. "Really?" said Aria, surprised. “Do you remember what we talked about before? Well, this is what I meant, ”said Sunset. "Please Adagio, accept it, and forgive me" "Sunsy had already forgiven you, but thanks," Adagio said smiling, and accepting the gun. "Wow ... they didn't waste time," Aria whispered. "Yes, I think, we care about nothing," said Sunset. Each one went with her girlfriend, to ... fix her situation, Sonata was feeding some birds, in a small bird house that she built, Aria approached her. "It's a nice house," said Aria. "Thank you," said Sonata, without looking at her. "I guess you're still upset," said Aria. "I'm not upset, I feel a little disappointed," said Sonata. “You said we would always be together, but you went exploring” "Yes ... it was my worst decision," said Aria. "I'm sorry" "Okay, I forgive you," said Sonata. "Please ... don't you go away" "I will not leave you again, seriously," said Aria, approaching a little. Sonata left what he was doing, and went to hug Aria, meanwhile, Sunset went to the other side of the courtyard and saw his girlfriend, practicing with the bow, slowly approached. "Can I talk to you?" Asked Sunset nervously. "I don't know, do you have time, or will you go again?" Adagio said, shooting an arrow, right on target. "You're still upset and I don't blame you," said Sunset. "I deserve it" "I know you're so determined to find Onix, but, I just want you to prepare for what might happen," Adagio said, keeping his bow. “You mean give me up? And accept that Onix may be dead? ”Asked Sunset. "I didn't say that, but I want you to understand that sometimes there are things we can't avoid," Adagio said. "I understand what you mean, but can you still forgive me?" Sunset asked. "Of course, I couldn't be so mad at you for so long," Adagio said, hugging Sunset. "Thank you, for forgiving me, and for supporting my nonsense," Sunset said, hugging her. "Your feelings are not nonsense to me," Adagio said. "But let's forget sad things, are you hungry?" "Yes, a little," said Sunset. "Well, how about trying the new Sonata recipe?" Adagio asked, smiling. Later, the four girls got together at the campfire, to try the delicious food of Sonata, a mushroom stew, special for Sunset, and also, a fish stew for the carnivorous girls. “Wow! This is really delicious! ”Sunset said happily. "Yes, it's very good," said Aria, eating another dish. "Thank you, it was nothing," said Sonata, a little sorry. "And what did you find on your trip?" Adagio asked. "Speaking of which, we found some old photographs, all indicated with an‘ X ’in each different zone," said Sunset, showing the photos. "In shorter words, we build a gun," Aria said, eating. "Pistol?" Sonata asked. “Yes, it's like an old gun. It's from former missionaries who explored this island, ”said Sunset, taking out the pieces. “We also found some old bullets” "We only need one piece," said Aria. "Are you going to leave again?" Sonata asked, sadly. "That won't be necessary, the last piece is right here, behind the tree," said Sunset. "Well, just don't destroy what we build," Adagio said, finishing eating. "Not even my birdhouse!" Sonata said. "Okay, quiet Sonata," Sunset said, calming her friend. "We will not let that happen" "Let's go then," Aria said, finishing her meal, and getting up. After eating, they went to the tree, Aria used a bomb to blow up the rock, fortunately, nothing was destroyed; Finally they found the last piece, the boards, and indeed, it was an old gun. “Well, what are you waiting for? try it, ”said Aria. I load the gun and shoot. "It works very well," said Sunset. "Now you have a new weapon," said Aria. "Actually, it's not for me," said Sunset, extending his weapon, to Adagio. "Really?" Said Aria, surprised. “Do you remember what we talked about before? Well, I want you to know I meant it,” said Sunset. "Please Adagio, accept it, and forgive me." "Sunsy, I had already forgiven you, but thanks," Adagio said smiling, and accepting the weapon. "Interesting..." said Aria. "What do we do now?" "What, is there something missing?" Sunset asked. "Yes, there is almost no food left, we will have to go hunting," Adagio said. "And we almost have no cans," said Sonata. "Then will we go out again?" Aria asked. "Not all, someone can stay," said Sunset. “Adagio is good at hunting with her bow, and Sonata at fishing, they will go. Aria you can go help them, I'll stay to take care of the place”. "That is a good plan. Are you sure you can alone?" Sonata asked. "Yes, go, I'll be fine," said Sunset. Then, the Dazzlings went hunting, while Sunset stayed to take care of the shelter. "It's funny," said Aria. "What is?" Adagio asked. "Sunset wants to go, and we all know she does, to look for Onix," said Aria. "Yes, and I don't blame her," said Sonata. "I know you want to find Onix as much as Sunset, but the truth is, I doubt he survived the crash," Adagio said. "If you thought that all the time, why did you support Sunset?" Aria asked. "I wanted to cheer her up, although Onix could be... you know," Adagio said. They left the subject aside, and entered the forest to explore, moving a little away from the camp, they hunted some animals, not many to avoid much burden. Adagio used her bow to hunt a deer and squirrels, Aria used her ax to kill some lizards, and rabbits, and Sonata used her spear to fish in a nearby lake, and collected mushrooms and other edible plants. They were about to return, but Adagio saw something strange in a lake puddle, looked like a trap, or metal cage. "What's that?" Aria asked. "I don't know, maybe a cannibal trap," said Adagio. "Wait... it's Onix's cage!" Sonata said happily. "Sonata, you are also going to-" "No, it's really his, Aria," said Sonata, removing a paper from the cage, it was a picture of them four. "See, here we are, I put it for Onix." "But... what is this cage doing here?" Aria asked. "This was not where we found the first things." "Onix is ​​alive!" Sonata said happily. "The cage protected him." "Well, the cage must have broken when it fell, if Onix were... you know, he would still be here, or what would be left at least," said Aria. "His things fell on the other side of the island, but he must have fallen near here," Adagio said. "Let's go get find him!" Sonata said. "Wait Sonata, it's almost sunset, and cannibals are more dangerous at night, we'll try tomorrow, ok?" Said Aria. "Do we tell Sunset?" Sonata asked. "Adagio?" Aria called. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sunset was cleaning the shelter, until she heard her friends enter. "Wow, they hunted many animals," Sunset said, helping them. “This will last us all next month.” "Sunset?" Adagio called. "Yes?" She said. The three girls showed Onix's destroyed cage. "Girls... that's..." "There was only this, there was no sign of him," said Aria. "It seems that the cage saved him from the accident," Adagio said. "It means that he is well, lost, but well," said Sonata, optimistic. Sunset remained silent, holding the cage in his hands, staring at the object. "Sunset?" Adagio called, worried. "This is... Thanks, girls, for showing it to me," Sunset said, smiling. "It's late, and it's dangerous to go out at night, so we'll explore another day. It that okay?" "Yes..? That would be fine,” said Aria, a little surprised. "Very good," Sunset said, smiling. "It's almost time for dinner, Sonata, could you prepare that delicious mushroom stew?" "Of course I can!" Sonata said happily. Sunset and Sonata went to the campfire, and Aria and Adagio walked behind them. "It wasn't the reaction I expected," Aria whispered. "Yes, but you better not say anything," Adagio whispered. "Let's not bother her." While they were eating, nobody mentioned anything about Onix, not even Sunset. When they finished, they prepared to sleep, all were ready except Sunset. She was sitting on the second floor of the tree where Adagio and Sonata made all the water collectors. She was just sitting looking at the forest, in her hand she was holding the ball they found in that cannibal camp, with which Onix played with her. Honestly, she had been losing hope of finding him, a little ferret like him could not survive so long, especially alone, but now that her friends found Onix's cage, she didn't know what to think now. "Where are you buddy?" she asked in a nostalgic whisper. Wiped some tears, under the tree, entered the shelter and went to bed.