Y/N - your name
E/C - eye color
H/C - hair color
H/L - hair length
S/C - skin color
F/C - favorite color

(Y/n's POV)

There we were, locked in a secluded room, with a crying infant, unable to go anywhere else. The four of us braces ourselves for a fight until we heard the front door open again and hear somebody calling out a name.

(**Cue Music**)

The mod frogs turned their attention to the person that walked in, us peeking out to see it was another human boy. A boy that would, too join our journey across Las Vistas...

We watched the scene play out as the boy continued talking with the mod frogs, something about being exposed in explosion...berries?? "Hmm, I guess that could be a thing." I shook my head lowly at Jamack.

You poor, poor frog..

Obviously, they were all getting played at, but it's just sad when you're too naive to not even question it

One thing lead to another and the boy had purple fluid coming out of his chest, screaming in agonizing pain he fell to his knees getting the juice all over the mod frogs as they screamed in terror and ran out of the house. The boy reached out to them dramatically, "Wait! Wait! Don't leave me..." he sobbed as he suddenly dropped dead on the ground, or at least faked it. Kipo, who was carrying the mute baby, ran down the stairs to him, making sure he was ok. He chuckled as turned on his back, soda in hand, "yeah, I'm fine." He took a sip of his soda. "Explosion berry, anyone?" I shook my head as Wolf stayed silent. Kipo crouched in front of him, "I fully believed explosion berries were a thing!" Wolf walked up to us, "I know those mod frogs. We need to keep moving if we don't wanna die." I nodded my head at her, "I agree, we should probably head out now." The boy chuckled at our wild edginess and looked at Kipo, "well, they seem like a lot of fun." He said, finishing his soda.

We all had been walking on the street now, silence was always good for these kind of walks. Wolf with her deathstalker, Kipo holding the bike and me and Mandu walking side by side. The boy then speaks up turning his head around at us. "Hey, thanks for watching my buddy. He just needed his formula." We all watched as he shook soda after soda feeding them to the baby. Kipo then asked him, "so, he's your..grub..baby?" Looking puzzled at them. "Dave? Oh, no. We go way back." He then tossed me the baby like it was nothing before he went back to searching his backpack. Kipo looked almost panicked as she nearly dropped the bike. Making sure the baby and I were ok she then firmly held onto the handle once more.

"Wow! Is that a deathstalker tail? I have never actually seen one in person. Can I touch it?" Wolf spun her stick and placed the stinger just above his nose, "Be my guest." He then decided to back off, honestly if it weren't for the memory loss I'd take that sting anyday if it'd knock me into a good night's rest. Just then the baby started making a noise and got into a cocoon. Kipo and Wolf were beside watching to see what happens next. The cocoon cracked and out came a little toddler grub. He opened his adorable eyes, babbling at us as he dropped himself to the ground and tried to walk, but it was more of a wobble. Kipo gasped, holding both sides of her head. "I did not see that coming." I scoffed at her, "I did." The boy grabbed the toddler and moved him so that he'd have room. Only for him to fall flat on the ground and make himself into another cocoon, but this time he had longer legs and little pink stubs on his face. He stared at all of us for a moment before Kipo blurted out "What is THAT?"

The boy easily answered, "His body's going through some changes. It's completely natural." The bug kicked his cocoon away and started complaining at him. "HEY! Quit talking about me in front of strangers!" The boy whispered to us "Raging hormones.." The angsty bug continued his hormonal behavior, "Why are you embarrassing me, man!? GUHH!" He groaned as he again broke out of his now skin cocoon and transformed him to what I think is his adult phase. He cheered as he stepped out of his remains, "Whoo-hoo! I'm out of my awkward stage. Doesn't do me any favors." Wolf had to nudge Kipo to make her snap out of her surprised shock plastered on her face. I, on the other hand, was so fascinated by this one-of-a-kind mute. Clapping my hands together I said aloud, "How extraordinary!" The bug then shouted, getting everyone's attention, "My arm grew short. Did someone here mess with my cocoon?! Was it you?!" He stared at Wolf looking angry and upset about his deformed arms. "You give off a vibe..." "I can make the other arms match the stub.." She pointed the tip of her staff at him, "If you want..." The boy interrupted, seeing as how there was a little bit of tension between them.

"Hey! We're all fellow travelers here, all right? I'm Benson. You've already met Dave." Dave looked at us as he pulled a piece of his cocoon from his head, "Charmed," as he threw it away. "Travelers?" Kipo asked, "So, you're from the surface, too?" She looked at me and Wolf before finishing her sentence. "Third human I've met on top. Mind blown!" I quickly saw the look Benson and Dave gave to each other after hearing that. I already knew that they know where she's from. Wolf stopped Kipo before she could say anything else. "Kipo, don't say anything more. He's a mute. And he's a friend of a mute."

*sigh*

Wolf just doesn't understand yet..

The last part she said really bugs me for some reason..

"Are you from one of those hole cities? Dave, what are they called?" He turned his eyes to Benson, "Burrows. You a burrow girl?" He pointed at Kipo. Oh, Kipo, don- "I am from a burrow!" She said proudly.

Oh, great

Me and Wolf both faced palmed at Kipo's extroverted personality as she continued to talk about our plans on getting her home. And now they're wanting to assist us in getting over Skyscraper Ridge in return for Wolf's deathstalker tail. Which I think is bogus, but it's not up to just me. Wolf pulled into a huddle, clearing not falling for their act. "They're trying to hustle us." Kipo looked back at the two and then looked at Mandu with concern. "Oh, what do you think, Mandu?" She groaned, deciding on whether or not to agree. Mandu snorted as walked next to Wolf's feet and sat there. Good, she doesn't agree with it either "What about you, (y/n)?" I simply walked my boots next to Wolf, crossing my arms. "Wolf has a point, Kipo. Having two strangers we just met take us across the Skyscraper Ridge in which we can easily do ourselves, will not only be foolish, but also a pain if we're making a bigger party. It's best for it to be just us four." Wolf acknowledged my answer with a kind gratitude, "Thank you, (y/n)." She turned back at Kipo, "Glad to know I'm not the only one with some sense." Kipo looked at the ground in defeat. I came up to her and gave her a good pat on the back. "It's for the best, ya know? We'll see them again someday." She smiled at my encouraging words and nodded her head.

Wolf told Benson and Dave that they weren't needed and both left us. I could sense Kipo was still bummed out about it, but what's done is done. We then headed back to find a place to sleep for the night, hoping tomorrow will be better.

(The Next Morning)

Sleeping in a store called "Boa Beds", it was actually quite comfy. I was still knocked out in my sleep sleeping next to Kipo that I couldn't hear Wolf waking up and then suddenly shouting out of nowhere. I heard faint words coming from a still drowsy Kipo saying things like "You....Shouting.....Bad....Dinner.." And then more talky talk from Wolf followed by a lot of grunting, but then I fell back asleep hearing the snores from Kipo.

"They seemed nice. And they were so helpful!" Kipo groaned as she sat in front of a little bicycle with training wheels, Mandu sitting in the basket, Wolf behind Kipo and me behind her. "I can't believe I fell for it!" I sighed as I spoke to her, "Well, Kipo, that's just how people are sometimes. You think you know the person for how they seem on the outside that you completely miss what they are on the inside because that's where they hide their most inner dark secrets that only they'll know, thus making a fool out of you and takes pleasure anyways into making you a imbecilic PERSON!" I breathed heavily as I felt my fangs start to pop out along with noticing my e/c eyes had changed too. It's a good thing I was behind them both.

Calm down, (y/n)...

Deep breaths..

They cannot see you like this..

Once I composed myself everyone asked if I was ok, "Yeah, I am-" "Good, because I found them." Wolf said as she spotted Benson and Dave riding our bike across the street, but we were up on a large hill so me and Kipo were able to see them too. We both became startled by the sudden force of the bike moving downhill as Wolf started peddling towards them, wanting her stuff back. Running into a few things we manage to hit right beside them, following on their trail behind them. Wolf looked so furious and determined as she peddled faster. Benson yelled at us, "Look, it was nothing personal, it's a deathstalker." "You shoulda guarded it better!" Dave yelled back at us. "Really? THAT'S your defense, guys?!" I yelled from the back as we continued to chas them. "Here, have it back." Just as Benson was about to hand us back the deathstalker, Wolf immediately grabbed it as she stood in front while Kipo kept peddling and I was behind her. One thing lead to another as Wolf struggled to get Dave off her deathstalker, and Kipo being Kipo was too busy congratulating herself on learning how to ride a bike.

My spidey sense ticked in as I dodged an incoming tongue that wrapped around Kipo and I look to see it was the mod frogs again, with Jamack in front. He took Kipo from the bike and I told Wolf to keep peddling. I shouted at Jamack, "You just can't stay away from your old buddy, eh, Jamack?!" Irritated at me he yelled loudly, "For the last time, (y/n), IM NO- you know what? Forget it!" He brought Kipo closer to them and Benson made a maneuver, calling out to Kipo. "Hang on! I got you!" He let the bike fall back to where Kipo was and tried untangling Jamack's tongue but couldn't. "I can't...get it..!" He then bit down and caused Jamack to scream in pain as he let Kipo go and instead hold Benson. Dave managed to hold on to his legs while he held on the back of the bike. "Benson!" Kipo yelled worriedly, I then get ready to pounce as I called out to Jamack. "Sorry to do this to ya, Jamack! But a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do..!" I lifted off into the air as I went past Benson and directed my two powerful legs and dropped kicked him right in the face! Making me bounce off and do a backflip back onto our bike. Wolf then seized the moment to stab the dragonfly and make it crash, now holding both Benson and Dave captive we fled the scene, almost victorious. Kipo didn't like the idea of us leaving them behind, but Wolf made it clear for us that she wasn't changing her mind. We then hopped onto a mega tortoise and watched as it swam away from land.

During our ride I had went to gather food for us while I left the two of them to talk out their feelings. I'm kinda on both sides at the moment, like, I do believe we shouldn't go back to them considering what they did, but on the other hand they did sorta redeemed themselves by trying to help us out and therefore taking the fall. I just hope they settle out their differences and try to communicate more. I gathered as much apples as I could and stuffed them in my bag as I gently dropped it on the ground. I laid out in a tree brushing my (h/l) tangled (h/c) hair with my fingers as I begin to think about the many things that had happened these past few days.

Is there really a point in doing all of this...?

So why is it that I want to help Kipo out so much..?

And why is it that every time I look at her she reminds me of.....someone else

Carrying an apple in my hand I began to bite down on it until a couple of dubstep bees came up to me, seeing as I how I could speak and understand their language they asked if I could spare the apple I had. I happily handed it over.

"Bwoosh chk chk."
(Here you go.)

Three of them carried the apple back to their nest as I waved by to them.

"Pew wuh-wuh doo pssh boosh!"
(Y'all enjoy the apple and take care!)

I was suddenly called down by Kipo and Wolf and hopped off the tree grabbing and putting on my backpack. "Did you guys come to a conclusion?" They both looked at each and nodded, turning their heads at me. "We decided that up here we should stick together. So that's why we're going back to save those dimwits. You in?" Wolf asked me, as I didn't take another second to think and answered "yes". We all gave a group high five as we then started coming up with an escape plan.

(One escape plan later)

The plan was that Wolf and Kipo would get caught on purpose, leading them to the mod frogs base, but also carry a piece of a mega baby's fur and have the mother come. Me and and Mandu will be the backup and hide in the water until they give the signal. We watched as she and Kipo stood in front of the incoming car, readying to fight but fail deliberately and get taken away. I grabbed Mandu and the deathstalker as I follow swiftly behind them. Running on all fours I was able to keep up with them. We followed them under a bridge that had been covered with giant lily pads, Mandu and I then swam underneath the water right under where they were being held. Holding our breaths for a few minutes we then hear giant footsteps. Meaning it was almost time for us to come up. Once the Mega Bunny came into view we could here Kipo shout at us. "(Y/n, Mandu! You're up!" Mandu and I came jumping out of the water, spinning the staff I knocked back two mod frogs and gave it to Mandu who impressively threw it at Wolf who untied the rest while we all hopped on a moving lily pad and started peddling away from the disaster. As we were trying to get away we all looked at our right to see Jamack come at us with his dragonfly swinging a nailed bat at us. "You played me! Actually I'm impressed, but this doesn't change a THING for us, (y/n)!" He turned back around as he charged at us again, but didn't notice I took his bat and hit the dragonfly in the groan which made Jamack fall off screaming and I yelled to him, "No, no, no. Giving compliments is a sign of our friendship progressing and YOU'RE GONNA TAKE IT LIKE A FROG!" He fell in the water and the somehow the Mega Bunny made a tidal wave pushing us out further. Dave talked to a fellow dragonfly and got us all a ride, but then the Mega Bunny started chasing us down along with Jamack who was back again, driving with flies attached to the wheels. We headed towards Skyscraper Ridge as we try to avoid Jamack and the Bunny, zipping through holes cutting corners. "How is he on our tail?!" Benson shouted as Jamack was relentless and kept catching up to us. He then kicked the windshield off and grabbed Kipo with his extended tongue, holding her hostage. I looked back at them as I could see him talking to her. I pointed at Jamack and began yelling at him, "Jamack, you let her go right now or else I'll tell everyone that I gave you singing lessons on your 11th birthday, WHICH YOU REQUESTED YOURSELF!" Everyone looked confused and surprised at the same time and Jamack looked at me with a shocking expression on his face. "Wha- YOU SAID YOU'D KEEP IT BETWEEN US! And to think I was going to show you sympathy.." I stuck my tongue out at him and yelled back, "And I thought you'd might change your ways by now, SO IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE DISAPPOINTED IN OURSELVES!" Kipo then placed a piece of fur on Jamack's back without him noticing and said, "Yeah! You need to do some soul searching, Jamack!" The Mega Bunny then took him away and we caught Kipo and headed over to the clover sign.

We all got off and said goodbye to the dragonfly. While walking Dave suddenly transformed a fourth time turning into a much buffer Dave that was purple. "Anyone need a jar opened? I got you covered." We all stared at him, obviously not surprised about his appearance anymore. Kipo then chipped in, "just so you know, no one in my burrow has ever seen a mute before, besides a giant worm."  She picks up Mandu, "But they'll get used to you pretty quick." Benson chuckled as he just realized what Kipo was saying. "Wait a minute. You're inviting ALL of us down there?" Hearing her talk about the good it will come to living down there, it...it just didn't feel right to me. Me and Wolf watch as the three of them start heading to her burrow. I nudged at Wolf, telling her we should go which she agreed, even though we both looked a bit sad. But we got interrupted by Kipo calling out to us, asking where we're going. "We promised to get you home. We never said we'd be your roommate." Wolf said walking away, Kipo looked taken aback by it, "So, you're...just gonna leave?" "I'm a lone Wolf!" She yelled as I stopped where I'm at.

"What about you, (y/n)? You're leaving, too!?" I turned around to face her and gave her a sad smile, "I'm sorry, Kipo, but....I don't know if I ever told you this but I had lived in a burrow before......if I go back to living in one...I feel it'd bring me nothing but painful memories...I hope you understand. Good luck." With that I left and caught up to Wolf, maybe being with her it wouldn't be so bad. I looked back one last time to see Kipo and them had gone. I walked next to Wolf in silence for a few seconds before I had to say something that was bothering my mind. "I think we should go back, Wolf. I feel...like something might've happened." She stopped and turned to me. "Like what?" I shook my head with worry, "Something terrible." So we both decided to only go check on them just to make sure they're safe. Who would've realized I was right on the dot. Kipo's burrow got torn to the ground and she needs help finding her people. She was thrilled we came back but only to help her find her second burrow. We all volunteered to help Kipo, bringing a smile to all our faces as she could see us getting along together and messin around. We all had somewhat of a laugh but it got interrupted by a pickaxe clanging on the ground and we looked up to see not one, but multiple cats with axes.

Oh no...

.................TimberCats

(That's it for chapter 12! Hope y'all enjoy the book so far! We are now getting into meeting the other mutes YAY! See ya next update~💜