Forest Guardians Chronicles: A Matter of Humanity Beth Roose (good books for high schoolers TXT) 📖

this issue and then focus on getting you back to human form. Let's waste no more time. I will ride the light beams from the sun, watching over the park keeping an eye out for the Hornet Queen while the test is underway.” And in a burst of light, she was gone. All stood for a second staring aimlessly, blinded by the bright ray of orange that radiated from the Princess. “We are in good hands with the Princess and Zonga,” said Marsha. Zonga handed his light arrow to Dr. Mottice and Morgan walked them through the application of the formula. Once it was applied to the arrow, everyone got behind the lead shielding so the light arrow could be irradiated. “Garman,” Dr. Mottice said, “I need you to open the door to the side room and so we can try this on the hibernating drone.” Mr. Garman obliged and asked everyone to stand back behind the lead shielding for protection, which they all eagerly complied. Dr. Mottice and Mr. Garman entered and flipped on the light and the drone did not stir. “Well,” Mr. Garman said, “Looks like he is still in hibernation. What do you think, Doc?”  Nodding in agreement, Doctor Mottice replied, “Yes, I believe so. I am the only one able to do this since I am trained in this. Please, Garman, go behind the lead shielding for protection. You will hear if I need help, believe me!” Mr. Garman, hesitant to leave his friend, eventually agreed. “Alright, it is all you, Doc.” Mr. Garman turned on his heels and went into the other room, taking protection behind the shield. It was so quiet in the lab, one could hear a pin drop, if it so happened. It seemed as if an hour passed. Finally, Morgan piped up, “Hey, uh, Doc? How is it going in there?” Everyone tensed and  remained silent, listening for any type of motion from the drone, or cry of help from Doc. Finally, Dr. Mottice emerged from the room. “Doc, did you get everything?” asked Morgan. “Yes, including a beaker full of that green poison from the stinger,” Dr. Mottice replied, shuffling over to the nearest table, gently putting down his newest collection of samples. Everyone moved over to the table, including Morgan, to get a look. “Alright, less bulking and more work,” exclaimed Mr. Garman. No one argued with him. Instead, they put their heads down and went back to work.

There was a flurry of things going on between Mr. Garman, Dr. Mottice, and Morgan. Suddenly, a giant crashing noise came from inside of the side room. Fear overtook the determination that had been on everyone’s face. Before the others could move, Marsha grabbed the light arrow that Dr. Mottice had been working on and flung open the side door and found herself face to face with a very awake and extremely  angry minion drone. Marsha, not backing down from the freaky creature, began to speak confidently, “Your ugly face and the horrific acts you have committed are taking you right to the pit of Hell!” The infuriated and provoked drone lunged forward, and Marsha drove the light arrow right between his eyes, vaporizing him immediately. Mr. Garman ran to Marsha, “Marsha! Are you all right?” Dr. Mottice rushed over to Marsha’s side, “You did not have protection from the radiation on that arrow! We must treat that now. Morgan, do you have the iodine pills?” Dr. Mottice grabbed Marsha and pulled her over to the nearest table and sat her down while Morgan rummaged for the necessary medicine. Mr. Garman was already running the radiation detector over her, which came back with a small residual amount. “No one is to pick up that light arrow without protection,” Dr. Mottice ordered. Zonga stepped forward. “My tribe will have no protection and we do it like this.” Zonga pointed down to the shapeshift body he currently was residing in. “We will be in shapeshift as a flock of Blue Herons. Freda volunteered to lead the charge.” Zonga leaned down slowly to pick up the light arrow. “Let's get these 12 arrows done, NOW!” said Zonga firmly. Marsha brushed off Dr. Mottice and said, “He is right, we have little time to get this done. We know it works, so now let’s work fast.” Dr. Garman walked over to Marsha and gave her a big hug, then lifted her chin, their eyes locked. Mr. Garman’s eyes were pools of water. Marsha reached up and wiped his tears away and said, “I love you, Dad.” They hugged again.

11

The Saving of Humanity

“Alright, we all know our assignments,” said Morgan. “The Hornet Queen will be here anytime now. She has been visiting by herself, and I expect she will again today.” Suddenly, everyone in the lab heard the dreaded buzzing sound. It was so loud that the building began to vibrate, shaking the glass in the new windows. Instantly, everyone’s head started to spin, and the pain that followed was intense. Bev fell to the floor, Doc’s knees buckled beneath him, Marsha and her Dad held onto each other for balance, while Zonga picked up the arrow and placed it in the bow he carried with him. He put himself into an archer stance, waiting for the evil queen to make her entrance. Debris began to fall, hitting Dr. Mottice, knocking him out. As the vibration continued, the group peered up toward the sky, noticing that the roof of the building was torn off. There she was, flying over 60 feet high, the Hornet Queen. Bev let out a scream that everyone in the valley most likely heard. The evil queen spoke, “This Valley and the Park are mine. I told you to stay away, but you did not listen. Now, as punishment, you must all die!” Zonga, standing behind the group, ready to shoot his arrow, finally released it into the air. It arched into the sky like a silver flame and