Short Story: Mishap Fireworks

Down the tunnel we go!

“Could you please hurry up? It’s getting stuffy back here, and I think someone accidently released some body fumes.” Grumps’ big sister, Teacup, called from behind Cheeks in the dark underground tunnel that they were standing in. Drip. Drip. Drip. Sewerage dripped down from the ceiling and landed in soft platting sounds around the medium sized penguin army group that stood huddled together. Grumps was missing from the group because he said he was going to bring one of his three friends with him for the mission of finding some fireworks to bring home. When their mom took them out on errands a few days ago, Grumps and Teacup noticed how swarmed every single firework store was in their area. That same evening they saw an urgent update on their local new station declaring the town was completely out of fireworks. How was that possible? Summer was the season for these bad boys, and Grumps wasn’t going to allow it to go by without a gigantic firework show. His goal was to offer this as an apology to all of his penguin friends which is what led them here today.

“Who are you accusing of releasing fumes, Teacup?” Swede Two piped up to the left of her, his Swedish hat was hanging on by literally a few thin threads swiveling on his head as he jerked his head towards her in confrontation. Teacup felt herself flush at the words and turned away with flippers crossed in front of her defensively and opened her beak to argue when Swede tapped her on the arm frantically.

“What is it?” Teacup snapped, casting a side glance to Swede who looked as if he saw a ghost. Deathly pale and one of his flippers were pointing towards the shadow on the wall that was looming closer and closer from down the tunnel. It looked vaguely familiar, at times it looked like one shape, at other times the two shapes separated and one had two balls on top of their head.

“Who’s there?!” Cried Swede Two, holding a pepper spray bottle in his flipper.

“MY MAANNN — WAIT FOR ME, MY MAAAAANNN!” The sound of Ells’ voice caused everyone in the group to let out a silent sigh or roll their eyes to the back of their small heads in annoyance.

Through the tunnel we go to find the light we seek!

“Would you please lower your voice?” Grumps’ barked with annoyance as he came into sight. He was wearing his latex shirt with proudness, his little cape buttoned on top of it with the collar up as he stomped past everyone to Cheeks. Ells waddled after him eagerly, a red and black plaid patterned hat sat on top of her head with two red pom poms bouncing all over. She was taller than Grumps by half a body and had a curvy form, with eyes filled with love for her man. The latex waist corset that she had on truly did enhance her curvature of her hips made exclusively for her size by Swede. Ells was Grumps’ wife and the one with the most personality of them all.

“Whhhhhhhhhhhy, my man? I need to express my love at all times to you!” Ells squealed as Teacup jumped onto her back and shoved the baguette Swede was munching on into Ells’ beak.

“Darnit- why isn’t this lighting?” Cheeks hissed with his back to everyone completely oblivious to the voices. He wiped his damp flippers on his side again to get a better grip on the lighter Swede had handed him earlier. Grumps leaned over his friend’s shoulder to take a look at the lighter and fumbled around in his crossbody bag until his flipper closed in around a still warm wrapped taco shell. Swede had told Grumps that the only fireworks shop in Rubberland had shipping containers full of backstock, but the catch was they had to get to through a tunnel system according to maps uploaded by other players.

“Take a break, champ and have a Chalupa!” Grumps wagged the package in front of Cheeks. An eager flipper darted up and snatched it from him before Grumps had a chance to say anything else.

“What’s the status?” Grumps looked above them with the help of the dimly lit tunnel and saw the outlining of the sewer cap waiting for them. Cheeks munched away hungrily at the Chalupa and licked his beak, opening his mouth to answer. When all of a sudden, a rock came dropping down and hitting him square on the head. Sputtering angrily, Cheeks and Grumps both looked in the direction where the rock came and were met with a blast of cool late summer air.

Well, looks we have a new story to tell.

A shadow loomed over the opening of the sewer, “Oh, it’s you guys!” The sweet, yet timid feminine voice caused both Grumps and Cheeks to flinch and take a step back. Was there any truth to what he had heard? Grumps reached into his bag and pulled out his lighter flicking it on, reluctantly lifting the flame to the opening to get a better view of who the unwelcomed shadow was. It was indeed their old friend, Sherry, who was cladded in a frizzy latex blouse, with an MSA gas mask on her head, hiding her expression. The metal rings on Sherry’s rubbery wristlets catching the fiery flame of Grump’s lighter.

“Sherry — — ! It’s you!!!” Cheeks sputtered in surprise. Last time they had seen Sherry, she had helped them escape her husband and haven’t heard from her since. Grumps had begun to wonder what had happened and tried to reach out but it never happened. She looked good- grown a little chubbier than he remembered or did she lose weight? Grumps couldn’t really tell from the lighting right then.

“H-hold on for a minute, buds. I am going to dump down some fireworks. Please make sure they don’t land in the water!” Sherry cried. Before any one of the buddies could object, an array of colorful boxes of fireworks came raining down on them in all different shapes and sizes.

“Oh my godddd! Everyone start catching them all!!!” Ells cried as all the penguins leapt forward with flippers outstretched for the nearest firework. Grumps had many questions at the moment for Sherry, for who gave them the tip to enter Rubberland this way. However, for now all the throbbing questions in his brain had to pause to take care of the matter on hand.

“SAVE THOSE FIREWORKS AND ASK QUESTIONS LATER! DON’T LET SHERRY OUT OF YOUR SIGHT!” Grumps thundered as he leapt through the air to catch a bunch of fireworks.

What will happen next?

Chinguin Contemplations

Not my best short story this time, ladies and gents! Let me just say these last few weeks have been a rollercoaster, for instance, house issues that kept arising left and right. I cannot say how many times Gab and I both feel the lack of motivation for keeping this blog going. It is a fun challenge and I am sure we are not alone as there are many of you out there that suffer and deal with the same issue on finding the right approach, or how to keep a stagnant journey to keep going forward. This chapter of the story — is about Grumps trying to make amends with his friends and give them a big surprise. As with any journey, there are always unseen obstacles and surprises from all sides of the playing field.

What matters the most is whatever challenges that lie ahead will be conquerable until we say we give up. In this chapter, Grumps and his friends push on and it brings them a surprise reunion with an old friend. Someone they almost forgot about from long ago. Never forget old acquaintances and always keep pushing forward through the obstacle course thrown in your way. Anyways, hope you enjoy this blog! Have fun and keep being rubbery! As always, thank you for your support. Until next time, stay tuned for the next blog.