A MiniTold Adventure

[mygigvault]

I wrote this for class recently and decided to share it here. Hope you like it. Obviously I wrote under pressure of a 6 day time limit and actually wrote it in about a 4 hour period the day it was due. Haha, a bit of procrastination there.

Anyway, the story is about MiniTold, once a planet, now a bit of rock floating around in one of the two known universes. Apparently, space itself had changed a bit and there were now two major universes with far too many galaxies, lots of room for epic adventures, and the first starts right there on MiniTold.

Minitold Adventures
Written By Me
University of Phoenix
Creative Writing

Prologue - Minitold
A planet is usually inhabited by countries with thousands of cities. In those cities are usually thousands of people, with thousands of things to do. The cities themselves are like duplicates of the now deceased New York city (along with a deceased earth entirely, for that matter.) Of course, at the same time, a planet is also pretty huge, and so was Minitold at one time, until it blew up.
The Minitold war had only lasted one week on account of someone accidentally pushing the button. Unfortunately, a delegate who was angered at the Wolferines for trying to take over democracy (which was a simple enough misunderstanding, they only wanted to abolish the current system to put a new one in its place that would also allow Wolferines to vote), thought that pushing the button would launch all of Minitold's defense systems at the Wolferine army.
The defense system was not exactly built to fire on others as it was thought, but was hundreds of missiles pointed inward at the core of the planet. Pushing the button made that man very famous. In fact, he became so famous that his wife and children immediately changed their names as ninety percent of the planet crumbled in flames and broke off into space.
Today Minitold lives up to its name with only one city (Minitold), population 2,000, and the entire planet (oddly, it is still classified as a planet, must be because of laziness in the galaxy records office) is about the size of the late United States of America. The city has a mainstream elementary school, a mainstream high school, and a mainstream college. Here there are students from all over the planet of Minitold. The mainstream college is also the major recruitment point for any job in Minitold.
There is one other school on Minitold. A school named Hopper Elementary, though it is actually a huge complex that enables the school to teach from preschool to college courses. This is the only school that still allows mixed races, from the poor of Minitold to extraterrestrial races not allowed in mainstream schools. This is also the only school that still allows Wolferines as well, since the rest of Minitold blames them for the planet exploding.
Chapter 1-Donation Domination
"Welcome back to class students. Take out your books and do the assignment on the board." Ms. Chunks stated.
Ms. Chunks is a lumpy figure resembling a large shrimp, though some would say a queen prawn suited her better. The shrimp descendants looked human in form, but with the rippled pink skin, antennae, and large black eyes of their shrimp ancestors. Some say that they also have small tails as well, that no one can see, but Shrimpy attested that was a false rumor, or at least he did not have one.
Ms. Chunks was not only very large, but also quite lazy in her teaching duties as well. As long as thirty five percent of her class passed their tests with a sixty percent or higher, it was not her problem if anyone knew enough to pass the next class or not. Most of the time students in her class spent their time gossiping, drawing, or anything else besides learning.
This year her own son, Shrimpy was in her class and the favorite taunt of the month regards Shrimpy being able to ace the class because mommy takes care of the baby.
"Move baby," Stammy teased as he shouldered by. "Yer in my way!"
Of course, Shrimpy was already in his seat. Shrimpy was also of the shrimp descendants and his father, Mr. Sheffy, who was a Minitoldian, named him to let everyone know that he was not against other races. Shrimpy believes that he named him that because he was against other races and as a boon to his mother, who did not like not being a Minitoldian. His father and mother broke off their relationship immediately when Mr. Sheffy found out that she was pregnant. His mother gave Shrimpy his father's last name as a boon to him as well. This way, both of them felt as though they exacted revenge on each other. This only affected Shrimpy in the end.
"Don't call me a baby," Shrimpy muttered. "She doesn't pay any attention to me either."
"Another day at the ballpark", Jackie told him. "If you worry about it, then you give them the upperhand."
Jackie was one of Shrimpy's only two friends. She was a human from the real earth that had died out years ago when there was a huge war against machines. Somehow, as the story goes, man's desire not to have to do anything at all led them to create the ultimate in artificial intelligence. The intelligent computer decided that humans themselves were inferior, should be terminated for various ecological reasons, and the world began anew. The humans decided that they did not want to be extinguished, and so the war ensued. In the midst of this war, some decided it would be best to leave the planet altogether. And so they did, hence the reason Jackie is here at all.
"Easy for you to say, no one picks on you," he retorted.
"You're right, but they don't pick on you when I am around either."
"Or me!" Gonjon chimed in. Gonjon was feared by all, but at the same time sneered at and made fun of whenever possible. Meaning whenever Gonjon could not prove who it was doing the joking because Gonjon was a Wolferine, he could probably win a fight with anyone in school, including the teachers. Gonjon and his race were blamed for the explosion, regardless if the planet actually exploded because of some Minitoldian and the itchy button finger.
"Well, everyone runs from you anyway because you are so ugly," remarked Greyson, a rather spoiled and unscrupulous Minitoldian. As the one and only heir to the Super Internet Highway, an advanced internet that allows two galaxies to share information, Greyson believes he should own Minitold itself.
"Attention students. This is Mr. Plumpkin. School will be letting out early today 'cause we have to start a donation drive on the playground. I'm particularly sorry to report that Hopper is in a financial bind and if anyone would like to help out, feel free to sign up and attend the drive. You can sign up at the front of the school. Let's save this school," called Mr. Plumpkin through the school intercom. Mr. Plumpkin is an oddity in the school, which is saying something as, except for a few Minitoldians, most people are students of alien origin. He is a walking stick, the only one on the planet, that is believed to originate from earth as well. No one knows how the species came to be intelligent, however, they do know that nowhere in any part of the known galaxies besides earth had any trace of walking sticks habitation.
"Do you think we should join?" asked Jackie.
"I think that is a great idea, I love it here," Gonjon said excitedly.
"That's only 'cause your mom isn't your teacher," said Shrimpy rather glumly.
Gonjon motioned his head toward the door, "Come on, you can't hold that against the school. So what, your mom's your teacher, and she doesn't show favoritism, which makes everyone else feel better, even though they don't want to admit it. Let's go!"

[mygigvault]

The three children left the room together heading for the front of the school. As they walked down the corridor, they could hear Stammy and Greyson bragging loudly how Greysons connections alone could save the entire school. Shrimpy and his friends disliked how Greyson thought he was better than them and everyone else. Sometimes he thought that Greyson needed a smooth kick in the place that would show him he is just like any other kid.
Walking up to the donation table the three looked around. Almost every student was outside trying to help. There were fliers being handed out, hoverburner vehicle washes, and large banner holders. Shrimpy wondered what they would agree to do. Of course all three would do the same thing because that is how they did everything.
As he pondered this Stammy and Greyson pushed past the trio, "Hey losers, are you looking to get beat in seeing who gains the most donations to save the school?" Greyson yelled.
"This isn't a competition, and if it were you would be the one to get beat," Jackie yelled back.
The three signed up for passing out flyers and were handed their materials. They turned away from the table and walked off school grounds.
"So, where are we going to hand these out?" asked Gonjon.
"We can go to the rich side of Minitold, they would probably help us out," Jackie said as she stuffed the flyers in her pack.
"Yeah, we could...Oh wait, you are the only one who is accepted over there," Shrimpy said with a glare.
"Right, I forgot," Jackie said realizing the mistake she had made. Humans were actually desired on Minitold as they are nearly extinct and the most fun species around.
"That's okay, we can just stand in front of Basemart and hand them out. I am sure that anyone will help, even if only just a little bit," Gonjon said trying to cheer the two up. Wolferines were allowed anywhere they wanted, no matter what age, but that did not mean they were wanted or that they wanted to anyway.
Chapter 2-Stammy Needs Help
The three headed to the Basemart superstore in the middle of the city. Shrimpy knew that Jackie would be the one handing out the flyers and speaking, while Gonjon would be the enforcer for anything that would happen had someone wanted to take the donation money, and he would be behind them both, holding out the donation box and not showing too much of himself. Most Minitoldians do not like races from other parts of the two galaxies and so the less they see of him, the more donations will actually be made.
About 3 hours after they had started they took a break and counted the donations they had made.
"Whoa, almost 4,000 gabondos. I wish I were that rich. We will win no matter what now," Gojon said looking at the donation collection with envy.
"There is no stupid competition, Greyson just said that because he wanted to make Shrimpy feel bad," Jackie looked at Shrimpy who looked away.
"That didn't make me feel anything, he was just talking, like he always does," Shrimpy said looking at the ground.
"Well, at least it was just talking this time. Okay kids, lets go ask for more donations, we wont save our school just standing here," Gonjon said standing up.
The other two followed suit and were heading around the corner when Stammy runs right into Gonjon and both fall to the ground.
"What the heck?" Greyson yelled jumping to his feet. "I am going to tear you a new hole in your forehead so you can watch where you're going."
"Wait, stop, please," Stammy pleaded. "I was looking for you. You gotta help!"
"What? Help you?" Shrimpy said almost hysterically. "Why would we even remotely think about helping you?"
"No, not me," he panted. "Greyson, he is in trouble. Some people he thought were business partners of his dad,, they have him now. I didn't know, I was outside and then he never came out."
"Then how do you know he is in trouble then?" asked Jackie suspiciously.
"I was bored, I went around the side of the place and the first time I looked in the window I saw Greyson sitting down and speaking with these other Minitoldians, and then when I came back he was gone." He stood up. "But that didn't even register as something wrong at all. And then later I was sneaking around back and heard someone talking about some moon frog ready to have babies or something, and a sacrifice."
Stammy started to look more frightened as he recounted the events.
"I found a window that looked down a hallway and then I saw Greyson being dragged to a room down the hall. He was fighting them. I knew there was nothing I could do. I left to get help."
"Then why were you looking for us?" asked Gonjon.
"Because no one will listen to me," he said bleakly. "I went to the MSF, and they said they checked out, the Zips said he already left, but I know he wouldn't leave without telling me, or at least zing me on the Cphone."
The MSF (Minitold Security Force) are just like any other security force, they call, they check a bit, and then they stop for the day and go eat Tonut Toms Tonuts. Shrimpy thought Stammy was telling the truth since those two hardly ever miss a chance to talk on their Cphone (kind of like a watch with a phone in it, accept the headsets implanted in their ears).
"So what do you want us to do about it?" asked Shrimpy.
"Help me go back and find him. They're doing something bad to him, I just know it," he said.
"Fine, we will check it out with you, but this definitely better not be a trick, or you guys won't ever be able to play one again," grumbled Gonjon.
"Oh, thanks guys, it isn't a trick I promise, just help him out of there," he said turning toward the road.
Chapter 3-Rescue An Enemy
The four students walked to the Zips compound in the rich side of Minitold. From the outside, it looked peaceful enough, a large home, vast gardens and trees, a huge lawn with a center fountain. The Zips had money before the war, they kept it off the planet in a secure bank, and so they were able to stay rich even when others went bankrupt. They looked for a way in.
"Alright, let's just create a ladder with our bodies and when you guys are over I'll just jump it," suggested Gonjon.
"Sounds great, let's do it," Jackie said enthusiastically.
Two of them created the ladder while the others climbed over. When Jackie had gone over, Gonjon jumped it as he said he could. They headed towards the window of the hallway that Stammy had mentioned before.
At the window, they looked in and saw that the door was open but two garbed adults stood by it. They could see the back door from their vantage point but all knew that they couldn't possibly enter without being seen.
"Stammy, you create a diversion in the back yard. When these two go to see the commotion, we'll sneak in the window and head for that door. If they see you run as fast as you can and go out the front gate, but let them chase you to give us more time to get in that door," Gonjon strategized.
"What? Let them chase me, what if they catch me?" he exclaimed. "What will you guys do?"
"If they catch you just tell them you were lost and you were looking for fruit to eat on your way home. And we will be trying to save your dumb friend," Gonjon spat angrily.
"Fine, just make sure you pull him out," he said as he headed to the backyard.
The three remaining friends sat and waited until they heard the commotion caused by Stammy. The two figures quickly moved toward the back door to investigate. Gonjon pulled out a few tools and slowly opened the window. When it was all the way open they heard the backdoor shut and looked to see that the two figures had left the room.

[mygigvault]

They went in the window and moved to the door as swiftly as they could without making much noise. As they went through the door they saw that they were on a balcony overlooking a Mowling alley (like earth bowling accept with remote controlled lawn mowers on steroids, the object is to build the best one and tear down the trees at the end of the lane with invented weapons attached to the mowers) that was converted to some kind of religious séance room.
There were candles on the walls serving as the only light in the room. Down below was Greyson, tied to a structure that looked like a standing X. Around him were six figures in garb, chanting some kind of words over what looked like a grill over a fire with several boiling pots on it.
"What the heck are we doing here?" asked Shrimpy, obviously shaken by the scene.
"We have to make a plan," said Jackie.
"Yeah, I already have one. Shrimpy, you run down there screaming madly and run around, that will confuse them immediately," Gonjon started. "Jackie, run behind him and kick over the grill, watch out for the fire. And I am going to jump down and start laying into them with this," he said showing them a short club.
Wolferines have one advantage over anyone else; they can fight like there is no tomorrow from the time they can walk. Moreover, no one can match them in a battle, hence the use of the button back in the war.
Shrimpy sprang into frenzy, running wildly down the stairs with Jackie about five seconds behind him so that while they had their eyes on him, she could run by and kick over the grill. As Shrimpy reached the bottom step and ran toward the garbed figures Jackie ran over and kicked the grill over.
Gonjon had only waited until Shrimpy was on the third step and jumped to the floor of the Mowling alley. The moment Jackie had kicked over the grill, Gonjon had knocked out one of the figures and kicked another into the fire causing the figure to seek out water as fast as possible while stripping the garb.
Jackie punched another in the area where a face was supposed to be and grabbed a nearby metal pole. Gonjon quickly seized it out of her hands and commenced to fight the remaining four figures successfully.
All the while Shrimpy, who was afraid but thinking clearly, untied Greyson and they both ran to the stairs.
"Run!" yelled Jackie to Greyson and the others.
All four ran up the stairs as fast as they could with Gonjon in the rear to fend off anyone coming up the stairs. Greyson took the lead, more afraid than anyone else after what he had barely been freed from.
Bursting through the doorway the two figures were waiting. Without thinking Shrimpy barreled into one, knocking the figure to the floor. Gonjon pounced on the other using the metal pole still in hand.
The four ran to the window and flew out one by one as rapidly as possible. On the outside they ran without looking back, ran to the entrance and pushed the button to unlock the gates.
Outside the gates Stammy ran up to Greyson to see if he was okay. Finally turning back, Gonjon saw the figures that failed to catch them retreat back into the huge house because they knew that they could not publicly try to capture the students.
Conclusion - Man That Was Nuts!
On the way back to school everyone was quite for a long period. Finally Greyson looked at the others.
"I want to thank you guys and I apologize for being so hurtful to you at school. I would never have thought it would be you to save me from anything. If I were in your shoes, I would have left me there," Greyson said sadly.
"Well, we aren't you, and there was no way we would have let you stay in there," said Shrimpy surprised at his own words.
"Yeah, I still don't like you, but I knew Shrimpy wanted to help you and he's my friend, so I go along with him through everything," Gonjon said looking at Shrimpy.
"Besides, if it weren't for Stammy, we wouldn't have known anyway," said Jackie nodding toward Stammy.
"Well, thank you all then, and thanks Stammy, for being there for me too," he said punching Stammy's arm. "Where were you anyway?"
"I was the reason they were able to get in. I had to make those other two guys leave the door, and they almost caught me by the way," Stammy said with a shudder.
Back at school they walked up to the donation table. Shrimpy handed the donation box to Mr. Plumpkin and they all walked away. Mr. Plumpkin looked at them all walking together with a puzzled expression on his face.
"Well, looks like you're the losers today, we made more donations than you. Hopefully our school stays open for us," Jackie said to nobody in particular.
"It will, I will have my dad write a check for the remaining amount tonight, I just wanted to try and help on my own before I turned to him. Look where that put us," Greyson said as they entered the school.
"Well, see you guys later," Greyson said as he and Stammy walked away.
"You think he really likes us?" asked Shrimpy.
"Yeah, he does, he appreciates what we did for him," Gonjon said watching them walk away.
"Yep, and now they really know not to mess with Gonjon, or you either for that matter Shrimpy. We couldn't have eaten you back on earth with that attitude," Jackie said playfully.
Shrimpy turned a darker shade of pink as they went up the stairs to their dorm area.