General Chirpster sat at his desk slumped in his seat, staring at the door. Why? Ohhhh why? He thought with grief. That battle coulda gone better. Why did it end this way? He felt like running (or flying) away in his sadness. If only…..if only we could have pushed harder……then maybe….maybe……

“Ah. Chirpster! How are you this fine day?” Professor Gills walked in the room holding a box in his fins. Gills was a funny Super Animal. He was a fish. His eyes were dark brown, his skin (or gills) were a light blue. The weird thing was, he walked on two legs. As did all the Super Animals. Gills just looked funnier as he did it. His fins, or legs and arm, were yellow. He wore spectacle’s that bobbled when he walked. He was a funny creature.

“What do you think?!” Chirpster practically shouted making Gills cringe. “We lost that dumb battle! The Rebellion killed half our army! You wanna know what else? We lost our strongest! All I have left is a dumb, grumpy wolf, a Skull Cat, and a bear. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THREE ANIMALS?!?!?!”

Gills was silent.

“I’ll tell you what I can do!” Chirpster cried, jumping up from his seat. “I’ll just kill them! Three animals against how many Rebellion?”

Gills was silent.

“WHAT HERO DO WE HAVE TO STAND UP TO HUNDREDS OF REBELLION!? TELL ME FISH! TELL ME!!”

Gills looked at Chirpster then at the box he held then back at Chirpster. “Chirpster. Oh Chirpster.” Gills sighed. “I’ve known you your whole life and this is the first time you’ve ever despaired. I was there when you were first researched. I pulled the lever on your Super Animal Pod. I was the one who trained you. I’m old now Chirpster. I may not look old, but I am. Oldness comes with wisdom. Sometimes. I have….I don’t know……ten years left here? Maybe more. Maybe less.

I’ll tell you now, Chirpster, despair isn’t what your three animals need. It’s encouragement. And if you can’t give it to them, then no one can.”

Chorpster looked at Gills for a moment. “What’s in the box?” He asked.

“DNA.” Gills replied. “For Foxes. You might have found your hero.”

Chirpster looked at the door that led to the room that led to the Super Animal Pods. “Come’n.” Gills said, standing up. “Let’s wake him up.”

To be continued…..

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