WoOoOoOoOoOo... this story is back, from the graaaaave...
Nah, I was just on a hiatus. I won't be taking another one until a good amount of this story is written!
Amp had scurried into the hut at the end of the village. She had entered into a dark room with lots of various glowing things, leaves with writing on them, and etchings of various plants and creatures. Sensing her presence, an Anode Beetle, who was behind a curtain in the adjacent room, walked out to see who was in his hut.
“Amp?” he said, surprised.
“Daddy!” joyfully squealed Amp. “Daddy, Daddy!” I need help!”
“Help with what?” asked Amp’s father.
“The two big guys!” she began. “I’m it and I have to find them! There’s one who’s orange and the other is blue, and they’re bigger than me, and I need to find them! Do you know where they are, Daddy?”
“Amp, I'd love to play with you, but I don’t have time right now,” said Amp’s father. “I’m very busy with this research.”
Just then, Lockjaw, who was panting heavily, fumbled into the dark hut.
“Amp!” he said. “There you are!”
“No, no, no, no, NO!” Amp yelled in protest. “I’M supposed to find YOU!”
“Amp, come on... I’m tired... let’s just go back to the hut,” he sighed.
“Ahem,” Amp’s father spoke up. “Can I help you?”
“Who are you?” Lockjaw asked, confused.
“I’m this girl’s father,” he said sternly. “And who might you be?”
“Oh-ho, sorry about that...” said Lockjaw. “I just had lost track of -- wait, you don’t know who I am?!” he said, surprised.
“I’m not supposed to, am I?” replied Amp’s father. “I mean, you don’t look famous...”
“My friend Gallon and I were forced to stay here to work off damage we did to your village’s garden,” began Lockjaw. “They assigned us to tend to your wife’s every need! There was a big meeting and everything! How could you not know who I am?!”
“Uh... sorry... I don’t get out much...” said Amp’s father. “I get swamped in my research.”
“Research?” questioned Lockjaw.
“Yeah. I’m a scientist,” Amp’s father replied. “I specialize in the research of spores and fungi, and sometimes I leave the village for small periods at a time to find fungi specimens. During those times, Volt looks after Amp.”
“Oh,” said Lockjaw. “That sounds like an interesting job, Mr. uhh...”
“Oh right, I’ve been so caught up in my work I forgot to introduce myself,” said the beetle. “I’m Ion.”
“My name’s Lockjaw,” Lockjaw stated. “I’ve already told you about my friend, Gallon. Speaking of which... where is he?” Lockjaw then stepped outside, only to see Gallon crawling toward him as fast as a Dumple can crawl.
“Lockjaw,” he said, exhausted. “She’s nowhere to be found! I have a plan though, so hear me out: we take an empty Anode Beetle shell and stick some twigs under it, then all we gotta do is -- hold on. What were you doing in there?”
“Why don’t you come inside?” said Lockjaw. Gallon then followed Lockjaw back into Ion’s hut. Gallon looked around and let out a sigh of relief when he saw Amp.
“This is my buddy, Gallon,” introduced Lockjaw. “The one I mentioned earlier.”
“Glad to make your acquaintance,” said Ion. “I’m Ion and this is my lab. I specialize in the study of fungi. Right now, I was looking through my notes to try to find a location where a rare Glowcap grows.”
“Oh,” said Gallon. “Lockjaw and I were looking --”
“Uh, Gallon,” Lockjaw interrupted. “I already told him about that.”
“Well, no offense to you and the other Anode Beetles,” started Gallon, “but, the sooner we can get out of here, the better!”
“Hey... I have an idea...” said Ion. “You guys need to work off your punishment, and I need a rare Glowcap...” Lockjaw and Gallon just gave confused stares.
“How would you two like to fetch this rare Glowcap for me as part of my research?” proposed Ion. “I could tell the council that it counts as your punishment. It would also take up half the time you guys are supposed to be here. What do you say?”
“Hmm...” Lockjaw thought it over. “Okay!”