In A Different Timeline, Far Away From Reality Part 1
By: CD
It was a warm day in Manhattan, and the Rangers had a day off. Monty was busy
on the book he was writing: “My experiences with cheese”. Dale was
reading his comic book collection again. Gadget was working on a device that
none of the Rangers could comprehend, especially not after she explained. Chip
was correcting a badly written detective novel. While Zipper was out to find
something of interest, like a apple that some human had thrown away. There was
a knock on the door and when no one took the trouble of opening the door the
visitor let himself in. It was Mercy along with Philip, the latter carrying
a book and a pencil behind his ear.
“Anybody home?” The girl asked and looked around.
Chip looked up to see her and instinctively covered his face with his book and
held his breath.
“Ay lass. What’s the reason of your visit?” Monty asked, interrupting
his fantasizing about Gouda, Cheddar and Limburger.
“Just stopping by to chat and hope it’s more exciting here than back
at our place. What are you writing by the way?” Mercy inquired as she noticed
the papers and pen at the table.
“It’s me greatest masterpiece. Watch the newspapers closely for my
work’s going to be famous. I’m currently busy with the ninth chapter:
“Me dad and his cheese cravings”. Conclusion is that he’s crazy
over Camembert.”
“You’re writing to? Nice to hear that, that means you can give me
advice on my history scripture.” Philip reasoned and opened his book and
took his pencil.
“Uh, sure. It all started long ago in Gouda, a town in the Low Countries.
There was this water rat who sorta liked the cheese the humans made there so
he decided to start his rodent version of a cheese factory and with the help
of friendly cows he started the first Rodent Gouda Company which booked great
profits.” Monty retold things as he remembered them from his late grandfather
Goat Cheese Gerard.
“Eh, I don’t think the teachers would think that would be relevant.
It’s supposed to be about traditional sports like dwarf throwing and swan
neck pulling.” Philip stated matter-of-factly and prepared for a story
filled to the top with juicy details.
“Well, all I know is that you can’t do such things anymore.”
Monty explained a bit taken aback “Do they also want stories of dismemberment,
witch hunts and heretic boiling?”
“Nah, we already had that in chapter two.” Philip explained and searched
his book until he found the right page and showed Monty a picture.
“Ugh, I just lost my appetite to write.” Monty declared as he looked
away from the book.
Fortunately the elder mouse was saved modern education stories by Gadget who
left her workshop to ask for test subjects.
“Is there anyone here who can help me with my temporal plane traveler?”
She asked.
Chip, who had been trying his best to avoid eye contact with Mercy was quick
to offer himself up for the experiment.
“Sure, I’ll help you Gadget.” He announced and ran into the workshop
in a flash.
“Why don’t you two watch?” Monty suggested “And quit feeding
me mind with stories of medieval Europe.”
“Aren’t you coming?” Mercy asked.
“I’m-eh-too lazy.” He excused and backed away.
“You really should do something about your condition. One step and you’re
already sweating.” Philip noted and approached Monty, who backed away more.
“What does this thing do?” Chip asked as he sat inside a chair and
was strapped down by Gadget to the point that he was completely immobilized.
“It should take you directly to the chair on the other side of the machine.
If that’s successful, we’ll see if we can send you on adventures throughout
different dimensions.” Gadget explained energetically and quickly installed
herself in the chair behind the controls of the device.
Chip gulped twice. Both because of the presence of Mercy and the use of the
word ‘should’. Gadget lowered her goggles and pulled a lever and activated
the contraption.
“Cover your eyes.” She warned too late as a brilliant flash shrouded
the room with light and the sounds of the machine overlapped Chip’s screams.
As the light faded and the noise quieted down Gadget got of her seat, pulled
up her goggles and looked at the results.
“Golly, were are Chip, Mercy and Philip?” The mouse inventor exclaimed
and searched the room for the three chipmunks.
She found nothing.
When Chip was capable of seeing again he noticed he was no longer in Gadget’s
hobby room. He was surrounded by trees that reached for the skies, which made
it clear to him he was not in central park. There wasn’t even a sign of
human activity nearby; no children, benches or trash cans. All he saw was a
deserted dirt road.
“Where are we?” Mercy wondered as she looked around as well.
Philip who didn’t recognize this place was starting to grow very worried
and slowly tears formed in his eyes.
“Waaah, we’re lost in the wilderness!” He cried as he dropped
the book he had been holding.
It fell on the muddy ground, getting covered with dirt and water.
“Hey there, would it be to much to ask for some peace and quiet?”
A man behind them called out.
The group turned around and were astounded at what they saw. There stood, in
the middle of the forest, a huge tree/mushroom like tower which brooded over
the forest like something you’d only find in one of the most Sylvain fairy
tale books. In the doorway stood a man with a white beard, dressed in a blue
robe and wizard’s hat.
“Goodness gracious!” He cried out when he got a better look at the
group “You three look like squirrels the size of goblins!”
“Ehm, we mean no harm sir. We’re simply lost.” Chip assured,
hoping this was all a bad dream and he’d be awakened by Dale who complained
he had been talking in his sleep again.
“Like so many others. I suppose I should help you now, am I right?”
The man asked a bit cautious.
“If you don’t mind it.” Chip continued hopefully.
“Ah why not? Come inside and tell me more about yourselves and your situation.”
The stranger admitted invitingly.
The three ‘munks obeyed and followed the old man inside.
The inside of the wizard tower was simply enchanting. A magic broom was wiping
the place clean while a spoon quickly mixed sugar and milk for the visitors
and three chairs quickly flew up to the trio and swooped them of their feet
before moving them over to the table that stood in the center of the room. The
mage joined the group and commanded the broom to go upstairs, the object in
question obeyed.
“Such a noise these enchanted brooms make. At least they do their job well.
Now tell me your problems.”
“This is miraculous!” Philip let out as a cookies plate humbly offered
it’s contents to him, and the little tyke was quick to take two chocolate
covered cookies from it.
The spoon next to him hit Philip on his head repeatedly and waved in front of
him as if it were a finger. The youngster laid the second one back before the
plate moved on to offer something to Chip and Mercy.
“I think it would be a good idea to start introductions first. You might
have heard of me before. If not, my name is Merlin, wizard of Camelot.”
The old man said.
Chip, who just wanted to take a bite out of his cookie was stunned to hear this.
“You’re Merlin!? But what are you doing here then? This isn’t
Great Britain right? What time is it actually?” He asked bewildered.
“Great Britain?” The magician asked a bit confused.
“Sorry, I mean England.” Chip corrected himself.
“To answer your questions. No, this is not the English continent. This
place has no time, it stand still in this reality. The ground this tower is
built on is named Fairy Tale Forest. It is my home, a realm of magic and adventure.
Although Camelot is were I assisted king Arthur in the creation of a realm of
freedom, it’s not truly were I prefer to reside. In this world I can live
a free life away from violence. Only the occasional attacks of lowly monsters
pose a threat to the population of the forest. Thanks to many mages and wizards,
the forces of good balance out those of evil quite nicely. But if you are really
as new to this place as you look, take heed to my advice: this is a dangerous
world. Knights and priests might be saviors in need, but that does not mean
you are always safe.” The wizard finished and took some of his tea and
turned to the pitcher “Less milk next time, please.”
“Incredible!” Was all Mercy could say, her tea starting to get cold.
Philip’s eyes got watery again and he buried his face in his arms again.
“Hey, what’s up Philip?” Chip asked comfortingly.
“I wanna go home!” He said and started sobbing again.
“Poor kid.” Chip said understandingly as he put a hand on his shoulder.
“It seems the child is homesick. I cannot comprehend why he’d want
to leave a place with so much to offer to the ones young at hearth.” Merlin
noted as he felt hurt to see a child cry.
“To him this place seems like a prison.” Mercy said in Philip’s
defense, somewhat annoyed.
“But you haven’t seen this world yet! It’s such a beautiful place
compared to earth!” Merlin insisted.
“Perhaps, but he feels much more comfortable in the war-ridden reality
we’re from. There are still so much things for him to do back home!”
Mercy continued and Chip nodded in agreement.
“I see what you mean. But I still maintain that this forest is filled with
dreams and happiness for the innocent.”
“What about those monster and evil forces you mentioned?” Chip reminded.
“Sadly enough, there are places full with hate and terror. But the parts
of this world that offer sanctuary to nice people such as yourself offer safety,
joy and prosperity to everyone. But no matter I’m prepared to assist you
in your journey home. Now, could you tell me your names, and from what universe
do creatures like you come?” The wizard asked eagerly, always ready to
hear fascinating stories.