Union

Everything was peaceful in the Albian desert. Butterflies sat on the flowers of the rosemary that the Hand had planted, the Cactus Critter kicked cheese around and munched on cactus as usual, and Gretten the Grettin chased bees around. But just below, things weren't as nice.
    A scared-looking, rather fat Kai Norn sat in front of a crowd of angry Norns. “Please, listen to me!” she pleaded. “Norns and Grendels could be allies if we just tried!” “Yeah right! Grendels can only think of slapping us around!” yelled a mint green Spring Norn from the back row. “That's because they don't know we're nice and all… that, and it's in their genetics. But the Hand can fix that, can't it?” the Kai replied. “Well, they still carry disease! And their skin excretes poison! Face it, Kaia, you can't win!” said a lime-green Butterfly Norn. “Lyme, really. Sure as zanderfish swim, the Hand would know what to do if we did catch something from the Grendels. And even you should know that their skin being poisonous is a myth!” Kaia said, beginning to cry. “Um, Lyme, she's right on that count. Zule's fallen into the volcano before and all he came out with was a few bruises and Heavy Metals poisoning from the radiation,” said a crimson Hebe Norn. “Well, Lyme's right- you can't win, Kaia. So, what should we do with you? Kick you out and leave you for your precious Grendels, perhaps?” said an older Golden Desert Norn. “Yeah, Gaia! Kick her out!” yelled the Spring Norn that had mentioned slapping. “Yes! Exile her! We've had enough of her stupid ideas!” yelled another Norn. “Go on! Get her outta here!” Lyme shouted. “OK. All in favor of exiling Kaia Bibble raise your paw,” said Gaia. Just about the whole crowd raised their paws. “Well, Kaia, it's unanimous. Get out of here. Go to the lowest levels- no higher than the Gene Splicer huts- and don't come back,” Gaia said coldly. Defeated, Kaia ran out of the incubator room and took the elevator down, the light filtering down through the shaft glinting off her single earring.
    Meanwhile, down in the Volcano, a Grendel stood in front of another, angry-looking older Grendel. “Grah! Fig, you can't turn on us like this! Grendels and Norns have been enemies since they were created! You have to join the attack- we haven't gotten an opportunity like this since the Shee left!” the older Grendel yelled. “But, Arg, what's the point? What's with all the fighting anyway? Why not call a truce?” Fig said. “A truce? A TRUCE? Fig, are you crazy? Norns and Grendels can never call a truce!” Arg yelled. As a bunch more Grendels moved in behind her, she slapped Fig. Hard. Fig winced and backed away. “Oh, don't give us your 'I'm so scared' act. Arg is right! Why don't we just… kick you out?” said another Grendel. “Yeah! Kick him out!” yelled another. “Go on! Exile him!” shouted another. “We don't need him and his craziness!” said another. “In that case, everyone in favor of kicking Fig Grah out, raise your claws,” said Arg. The whole crowd raised their claws. “It's unanimous. You're outta here. And if we catch you here again, we may have to kill you. Oh, and one more thing- if you go to your precious Norns, we'll attack you too,” said Arg. Fig hurried out of the volcano, wondering where he would go.
    Kaia wandered through the lower levels of Albia, trying to find somewhere to stay at least until she had laid her egg. Why'd they have to give me the boot while I'm pregnant? she wondered, looking at the ground. She looked up. The old huts near the Gene Splicer were close by. No higher than the Gene Splicer huts… She hurried to the closest one and entered. There was a bed, a table, some shelves, and assorted gadgets. Everything was coated in ages-old dust. She had heard that the Shee had used these huts- heck, they built these huts- when they were working on creating the Norns and Ettins- and, yes, Grendels. And those gadgets were pretty much proof. She picked up one of the gadgets, a small one with a screen and a couple buttons, brushed off the dust, and pressed a button…
    Fig ran through the lower levels of Albia. Not to any particular place, just running with no idea where to go. He couldn't go back. And if we catch you here again, we may have to kill you. Arg's threat resounded through his mind. Grendels always went through on their threats. It was in their genes- they were naturally violent. Usually. And I'm one of those few freaks who don't hate Norns, Fig thought. He had heard about other Grendels who didn't hate Norns- they were cast out like him, or even killed. He was lucky to be alive, but if he couldn't find a place to stay and some food, he wouldn't be much longer. And he couldn't go to the Norns either. If you go to your precious Norns, we'll attack you too…
    A picture flickered onto the screen. It was of a tall, thin creature with a pointy headdress… a Shee? “Hello? This is Ruby Mithril of New Albia Colony 1. Who is speaking?” said the Shee on the screen. “Kaia. Kaia Bibble. Are- are you a Shee?” Kaia said. “A Norn?! It's been so long since we saw any Norns… the Grendels stowed away on the ship and attacked us, stealing the few Norn eggs we had… of course, I wasn't born yet, but I've heard enough about it. I've only seen pictures of Norns. And yes, I am a Shee,” said Ruby. “I was kicked out because I thought… I thought that if we just tried the Grendels could be our allies…” Kaia said. “I too have a soft spot for them, Kaia. They may have been a mistake, but they struggle to survive just as you Norns do. But no one seems to understand…” said Ruby. “I do. I understand perfectly. But obviously the other Norns don't… why, why couldn't they wait at least until I'd laid my egg?” Kaia said. “You're pregnant? Good luck. I wish I could take care of a baby Norn like a few Shee did before leaving for a round planet- this one,” said Ruby. “Hey, I just realized something. Are any of these gadgets in here able to get rid of dust? Everything's covered in, like, an inch of dust,” said Kaia. “Yes. Find a can with a sprayer nozzle labeled “Grenspray”. It works for dusting too, although it's meant for scaring Grendels,” said Ruby. “OK. Can I call you again sometime?” said Kaia. “Go ahead. Well, goodbye for now. May the great disk keep spinning,” said Ruby. “Bye,” Kaia said. She pressed the other button and the screen went blank.
    Fig stopped and looked up. The Gene Splicer huts! Norns usually didn't come lower than them, so he'd be safe when the other Grendels went to attack the Norns. Perfect! But, it was probably best to see if anyone was there first- you never knew until you tried to find out, right? “Anyone there?” he yelled up. “Who is it?” someone yelled from one of the huts. It sounded like… a Norn! But, any shelter was better than none. Besides, Norns didn't attack Grendels- it was usually the other way around. Kaia walked over to the door, hearing someone yell from below the hut. “Who is it?” she yelled down. Whoever was down there paused. “Fig Grah. Can I come up?” they yelled. “Well, I don't know anyone named Fig, but go ahead,” Kaia shouted down, stepping out of the hut. The elevator started up, and she gasped as she saw who was in it- a Grendel…
    Sure enough, it was a Norn. Fig wasn't sure if he should go up, but the Norn sounded nice enough. As the elevator stopped, the Norn remained relatively calm, except for a small gasp with the realization of what Fig was. “You're- you're a Grendel!” the Norn said. “Yes, I am. But the other Grendels have less sense than a bug if you ask me- they kicked me out because I think Norns are OK- that Norns and Grendels could be allies,” Fig said. “Same here. I can't believe they'd exile me while I'm pregnant just because I think Norns and Grendels could be allies- don't you think that's a bit stupid of them?” Kaia replied. “Yes, it is. I could use some shelter- are these huts still fit for habitation?” Fig asked. “They are, but they're VERY dusty. I just finished dusting in here- you can stay in this hut, they're bigger than they look,” Kaia answered, walking back into the hut.
    Kaia was thrilled, really. She wasn't alone in her beliefs after all! As Fig looked around, she arranged the gadgets and the small amount of food she had gathered on the shelves, except for one with a row of bottles full of plants and plant extracts on it. After glancing at the faded labels, realizing that they must be Old Albian plants, she sat down on the bed. It was comfortable and soft, a nice change from the hard ground that Norns usually sat and slept on. It was big enough for one Norn, although rather long- the Shee were very tall, after all. She laid back against the pillow- so soft! She noticed a light, sweet floral scent coming from it- it must have come from a plant, but what one? Breathing it in made her sleepy. She racked her brain, trying to remember the Elder's and the Hand's teachings, but she was too exhausted to figure it out. Overwhelmed by the comfort, scent, and fatigue, she fell asleep.
    Fig watched as Kaia laid down on the bed and almost immediately fell asleep. And she hadn't even seemed tired before! He walked over and touched the sheet. It was soft. Very soft, actually. A sweet scent drifted from it- nightshade? He had heard that the Shee rubbed nightshade oil into their sheets and pillowcases to help them get to sleep. Nightshade was a plant of Old Albia- a Norn or Grendel eating it fell asleep almost instantly, and just the scent could make them tired. No wonder Kaia fell asleep so fast. He looked over at one of the shelves Kaia hadn't put anything on- it was lined with bottles of different plants and oils. He walked over and opened one. A sweet peppery scent somewhat like nightshade drifted out. What had the Old Grendel said it was? Oh, yes, morning glory. Another plant of Old Albia, the opposite of nightshade. The Shee made coffee with it. He put the lid back on the bottle and turned it around. There was a label, yellowed and rotting away with age, with the words “MORNING GLORY EXTRACT” on it in faded, elegant writing. He looked at the next bottle. It's label read “OIL OF NIGHTSHADE”. The next one after that was “DRIED FEVERFEW”. These were all plants from Old Albia! Perhaps there were seeds hidden in one of the huts as well?
    Kaia was running through a field of clouds. Even though lightning danced in some clouds, she wasn't worried and didn't fall. Butterflies and birds flew through the sky, weaving their own little dance. And nothing could harm her. She liked it, but she couldn't stop and enjoy it. She had to run or something bad would happen. She looked behind her. A monster made of black and purple storm clouds was chasing her. She tried to run faster but the harder she tried, the slower she got. The monster was gaining on her. She tripped over something, and ropes of cloud twined themselves around her. She couldn't move! The monster got to her and turned into a crowd of angry Norns. They were laughing and shouting things like “Exile!” “Serves her right!” “She's crazy!” And she couldn't run away. The cloud under her and the ropes disappeared, and she fell. Down and down and down… and the Norns were laughing at her all the way… Kaia awoke with a gasp. She was still safe in the bed, the sweet scent drifting all around her. Fig was curled up in a corner, snoring. “It was all a dream,” she said out loud, trying to calm down. It was only a dream, it was only a dream, it was only a dream…
    Fig woke up to Kaia's quick pacing across the room. “Kaia? What's wrong?” he asked. “I had the strangest dream. I was running through the clouds and it was all peaceful. Then I looked back and there was a monster made of clouds running after me, but I couldn't go faster. Then I tripped and these ropes twirled around me and I couldn't move, then the monster caught up and turned into a crowd of Norns. They were laughing and yelling at me, and then I was falling… falling…” Kaia answered, her voice trailing off as she burst into tears. Fig rested a rough hand on her shoulder. “It'll be OK. It was only a dream,” he reassured her. He realized he rather liked the feel of her soft fur under his hand, but quickly waved away that thought. He had an idea. “Why don't you talk to the Shee? You said you could with one of those gadgets. Maybe they'll be able to help,” he said. “Good idea. I think I will,” Kaia replied. She went over to the shelves and took the communicator off of one. She pressed the button and watched Ruby's thin face flicker onto the screen.
    “Hello? This is Ruby- oh. It's you. How are you, Kaia?” Ruby said. “OK. But I had the scariest dream,” Kaia said. She explained the dream to Ruby. “Hmmm… just remember, it's only a dream. It can't really happen. Hey, who's that Grendel with you?” Ruby replied. “Fig Grah. He believes Norns and Grendels could be allies… just like I do,” Kaia said. “Well, that's good. Remember, put your minds to it and you can make them believe. I have to leave- goodbye for now,” Ruby said. “Bye,” Kaia replied, turning off the communicator. She turned to Fig. “Well, that wasn't very good advice- 'it was just a dream' is what I've been telling myself anyway!” she said. “What about the other part? What'd she mean by 'put your minds to it and you can make them believe'?” Fig asked. “I'm not sure. Maybe she meant working together we can make the other Norns and Grendels realize that Norns and Grendels shouldn't keep fighting like this,” Kaia replied. “Sounds good. Do you think we can?” Fig said. “Sure! I mean, if a Shee believes we can, then we probably darn well can!” Kaia said.
    Fig smiled at his friend. It was just like a Norn to believe they could do anything they wanted to. And of course they would believe the Shee- Norns were created by the Shee, so of course they'd have a good idea of what they could do! Coming to a decision, Fig smiled and said, “Well, then come on!” He and Kaia started making a plan- they'd go up to the Incubator room themselves. The Norns gathered there at least once a day to talk and stuff. Fig knew when the Grendels would attack- tomorrow- and Kaia knew that Norns usually hid in the Incubator room when there was danger, so they incorporated that into the plan. They'd bring the nightshade oil to calm the Grendels down before trying to talk to everyone, and feverfew to help any Norns who got hurt by the Grendels before they got there- feverfew worked rather well as a painkiller. By now night was falling, so Kaia laid down on the bed and Fig curled up in his corner and they both fell asleep.
    Late that night, Kaia had the same dream. She woke with a gasp, got up, and grabbed the nightshade oil off the shelf. Breathing in its sweet scent, she reminded herself, it's only a dream, it's only a dream, it's only a dream… She stumbled back into bed, barely realizing that you only needed to breathe a little nightshade oil… hadn't the Elder said it could be addicting? No, wait, that was morning glory. She was asleep before hitting the bed, and soon drifted back into the dream. This time it was a bit more vague, and for some reason the scent of nightshade filled the air.
    The next morning, Fig woke up before Kaia. He decided that she could use the sleep, gathered the stuff they were going to take with them together, and headed outside. The sharp, fresh morning air outside the hut was a lot nicer than the dusty, musty inside. He went down the elevator to look for food- he wasn't used to the cheese, herbs, and fruit the Norns enjoyed, just the radar plants, gloranges, and bilberries that grew in the volcano. He had been the one who found the glorange and bilberry plants, just to the right of the steamy-hot interior of the volcano where the radar plants whirled. Gloranges were his favorite food- the tangy-sweet taste was just wonderful, and in radiation they were rich in the antidote to Heavy Metals poisoning. Most of the Grendels were weak from the radiation-induced poisoning- and since Heavy Metals attacked the immune system, if a Grendel caught a disease from outside they would probably die. He briefly considered sneaking through the volcano- Grendels normally slept late- to gather some gloranges but decided it was too dangerous. So he went the other way and found more of the peppery, juicy bilberries. He picked a bunch and went back to the hut.
    Kaia woke up to find Fig munching blue teardrop-shaped berries she had never seen before. “What're dose?” she asked, her brain still fogged with sleep and nightshade. “Bilberries. They only grow around the swamp and volcano,” Fig answered. “Can I have one?” Kaia asked, opening the bottle of morning glory and pouring some onto dried rosemary leaves in a small bowl. “Go ahead. Help yourself,” Fig replied. Kaia took one of the berries and popped it into her mouth. It was sweet and juicy, with a peppery zing to it. She liked it. She picked a rosemary leaf out of the bowl and ate it- rosemary was okay dried, and the morning glory oil she poured on it woke her up and added some extra zing. She ate a few more leaves and offered Fig the bowl. He helped himself while she got another bilberry. Yum… she would have to remember to go down to the swamp and pick some herself. “If you like those so much, you're gonna love gloranges- they're a fruit that grows in the volcano. With the radiation around here coming from the volcano, you're gonna need some- the radiation eventually poisons you and gloranges contain the antidote,” Fig remarked. “Sounds good. But c'mon- we've got work, sorta, to do!” Kaia laughed.
    Fig smiled, realizing that Kaia had a nice laugh. He liked her- okay, really liked her. Even though she was a Norn. But she was right- if they were to get there before the other Grendels, they'd need to get going! Fig found a bag under the bed and put the nightshade oil, feverfew, and a few bilberries in it, and he and Kaia headed out. They hurried up to the incubator room following the route Kaia had taken the day before when she ran to the huts. And found that they were too late…
    Grendels stormed through the desert, doing all they could to hurt the Norns. One of them, a female that looked about Fig's age, sat in the low treehouse with a bag of supplies and a zap gun. A few Grendels carried freeze, water, or bubble guns- it looked like they had taken the risk of coming up to get into the toys. A few Norns shivered, soaked by the bubble or water guns, and one or two were trapped in giant ice cubes. Every now and then the Grendel in the treehouse would blast a Norn with the zap gun or throw a deathcap or a sourgum berry to one of the other Grendels, who would then force a Norn to eat it. Kaia was scared- this was worse than she thought. She got the nightshade oil out of the bag and uncorked the bottle, causing the sweet scent to drift out. The Grendels staggered and fell asleep.
    Fig and Kaia helped Norns into the incubator room- poisoned ones first, glycotoxin and cyanide were both fast-acting and dangerous- and made them comfortable. Fig decided to stay and do his best to help the Norns while Kaia ran off to find some arnica and ashgum berries. Fig soaked dried feverfew in water and gave it to the Norns to help ease the pain of wounds and glycotoxin (pain was a side effect). He made sure that the poisoned Norns ate lots of cheese and, of course, bilberries to keep their energy up. One of the Norns who had been forced to eat sourgum berry was near death- a female Nova Subterra/Malay Norn named Novai. Come on, Kaia, we need that antidote now…
    Kaia knew where to find arnica and ashgum berries. And even better, there was a shortcut: the Spriglysium Nebula treehouse. She ran as fast as she could, knowing that the poisons contained in deathcaps and sourgum berries were deadly as well as fast acting. She got to the garden where the arnica berries grew and picked almost all of them. Then she hurried down to the bush where sourgum and ashgum grew and picked as many ashgum berries as she could carry. Finally, on the way back she picked a few bryonia berries. Bryonia berries contained prostaglandin, which would aid healing. Being careful not to drop any berries, she hurried back to the incubator room.
    Novai had fallen unconscious. She probably wouldn't survive more than a couple minutes longer. Luckily, Kaia arrived back just then. She handed Fig the ashgum berries. Fig started trying to get the Norns with cyanide poisoning to eat the ashgum berries. They did- except for Novai. Fig couldn't wake her up. “She's going to die, isn't she?” Kaia said softly, sitting down next to Fig. “Most likely. She won't wake up,” Fig replied. Kaia brushed away a tear and handed out arnica and bryonia berries. The other Norns gratefully accepted them. Novai shivered and let out a weak moan… and died.
    It was everything Kaia could do not to cry. One of her own had died right in front of her, and there was nothing she could do. But she couldn't give up now- she and Fig had a mission. She looked at Fig, who nodded as if to say “Let's go.” They led the Norns outside, where the Grendels were just waking up. The female Grendel in the treehouse growled. “What do you want?” she said. “Arg…” Fig started. “Gaia…” Kaia interrupted. “We have something to say,” they said together, climbing up into the treehouse. “What's with all the fighting? All that comes out of it is pain,” Fig said. “Yes. Pain… just pain. How do you like seeing one of your own kind suffer, or even die? Nothing good will come out of this!” Kaia shouted. “We're stronger together! Why keep being enemies when we can live in peace?” Fig continued. A low murmur of realization ran through the crowd. “They're right!” someone yelled. “Yes! Why keep this up?” Lyme shouted with a flap of his bright wings. Everyone else agreed- everyone except Arg. “No! You're wrong! Norns and Grendels can never unite!” she yelled. “We think it's you that is wrong. Fighting never wins,” Kaia said coldly, turning to face Arg. “She's right, Arg. We can't go on like this,” Fig agreed, stepping up. “Yes! They're right! Unite!” someone shouted from the crowd. “Unite! Unite! Unite!” the crowd began to chant.
    Fig picked up the zap gun and blasted Arg. “You said that if I came back you'd kill me. Well, maybe it's you who should die,” he said. Kaia grabbed his arm. “No! Just because she doesn't believe doesn't mean you should kill her!” she said. Fig lowered the gun. “You're right. But what should we do?” he asked. “Give her a taste of her own medicine- exile,” Kaia replied. Gaia climbed up into the treehouse. “By all the Norns and Grendels of Albia, we exile Arg Grah to the airlock. Without food. It may be cruel but it'll give you time to think before you die,” she said. And Arg ran off, never to be seen again.
    Just then, Kaia stumbled and winced. “Kaia!” Fig said. “Ow… I think it's time,” She kneeled down. “C'mon, Kaia, you can do it!” Gaia said reassuringly. Kaia yelped as she laid her egg. It was the dark teal of the hatchery egg she herself came from, with thin white stripes. Fig smiled. “Let's get it to the incubator!” he said. Kaia picked up the egg and ran down to the incubator room. She carefully put it in the incubator, which then closed. Lights began to flash, the egg growing at an accelerated rate. The Hand appeared, seemingly watching, holding a small magnifying glass with a button on the handle- the BoBTweak applet. The egg cracked- the incubator opened- and a baby Kai Norn fought its way out of the egg. It was a girl. “I think I'll name her… Kay,” Kaia said, smiling so wide you'd think her face would split. The Hand pressed the button on the applet, and instantly Kay grew to child stage- instant vocab. “Mama? Me hungry, get food,” Kay said. Kaia grabbed a piece of cheese and gave it to Kay. Kay took a bite and smiled. “Yummy!” she said.
    Fig, Kaia, and Kay headed back outside to the treehouse. “We did it! We stopped all this fighting!” Fig said, picking Kaia up and spinning her around. “Whee! That looks fun!” Kay said, jumping up and down. Fig pulled Kaia close- their noses were practically touching- and smiled. And then- the loud sound of a kisspop filled the air…
    “Did- did you kisspop me?” Kaia asked. “Um, I guess so. Sorry,” Fig laughed. “You don't need to apologize, although you should have waited,” Kaia said. Kay turned away (“Ew! Mushy stuff!”). The Spring Norn who had mentioned Grendels slapping Norns around laughed. “Come on, Shorts,” said a chocolate brown Spring/Hebe Norn, pulling him away. “Do I have to, Candy?” Shorts giggled. A few other Norns and Grendels laughed. Lyme and a bright blue Butterfly Norn flew off holding hands. It's amazing what a romantic scene can do.
    A couple days later, Kaia, Fig, and Kay had settled back into the Norn colony, which now had some Grendels mixed in. They had taken the bottles of oils and plants, the communicator, the bag, and some packets of seeds with them from the hut. Now they were planting the seeds. Kay happily poked holes in the dirt, wearing a red cap backwards with her short ponytail sticking out. Fig dropped seeds into the holes, occasionally stopping to straighten his “Grendels Rock” cap. Kaia covered the holes back up and watered them, her flowered straw hat flopping over one ear. The Hand had provided hats to shade their eyes from the sun, and everyone agreed they looked good in them. Kaia looked up and laughed- Fig's hat fell off as he leaned over to poke some feverfew seeds into the dirt. Everything was fun and happy again, Norns and Grendels were united, she was going to have another baby, and they were bringing back plants that had been extinct ever since the eruption. Things couldn't be better.

The End… Or Is It?