Diversion To Urasha

James ran through the forest, weaving his body between the trees and skipping over anything which tried to obstruct his pathway. The truth was, James had no idea where he was headed, he had no plan as such. In fact, he hadn’t even thought this through at all. James just knew that he had to get away from Phil.

As James continued to battle his way through the trees and the prickly foliage, he noticed that the trees ahead of him were thinning drastically. Light seeped through them, illuminating them like a beacon. James ran towards the beacon of light, desperate to free himself from the smothering grip of the forest, desperate to get as far away from Phil as he possibly could.

The final line of trees was so close now. James could feel the warmth of the sunlight dancing across his face. He breathed a sigh of relief when he finally made it past the trees. James was out in the open now. He stopped walking, and he allowed himself to take in the beautiful view in front of him. There was grass everywhere. Neat, short purple grass which swayed gently against the breeze. There was just the one tree. It was laid in the centre of the grass, as if it were something important. As James tried to get a better look at the distant tree, he noticed how different it looked compared to the trees in the forest. It was much thicker, with much puffier leaves. The tree didn’t even look purple. It appeared to gleam at the sunlight’s touch.

Feeling guilty, James turned back towards the forest. He listened as the tree leaves rustled against the breeze. He watched as the forest’s trees just appeared to be standing there, as if they were feeling rejected by James’ desperation to leave them. James eyed the furleaves hanging off the trees. They were appropriately placed, providing a nice place to sit and admire the view of the open space. James took advantage of the nearest furleave to him, sitting on it, and holding onto the vine which held it in place.

As James took a moment to appreciate the forest, and the view in front of him, his thoughts began to return to the situation he had just fled from. Phil. The man riled James up in a way that no one else could. James tightened his grip on the vine. Phil had even tried to insult his mother. Phil was supposed to love Kimberly, so why had he attacked her? James shook his head. He didn’t understand that man, and he didn’t ever want to understand him either.

James’ breath hitched as he heard the crackling of the leaves behind him. Someone was coming, someone had followed him. James gritted his teeth. He could feel his body tensing up, getting itself ready for round two with Phil.

Baby blue dashed across James’ peripheral vision, and then he felt something gently nudging his leg. James let out a huge sigh of relief, his body relaxing. It was only Chugga-Chugga. Bless the little guy, he had come all this way!

“Hey, you,” James grinned at the soppy little creature as its big black eyes stared lovingly at him. The chugga rubbed its head on James’ knee in the same way a cat would. James stroked the warm, rubbery head of Chugga-Chugga, watching as his little friend purred in delight.

Just as James thought that he could finally relax, he heard the leaves crunching behind him once again. Who was it this time? James felt himself getting angry, expecting to feel Phil’s hand on his shoulder. Instead, all James felt was the gentle sway of the furleave, as someone fairly light sat down next to him. Nerves replaced his anger. It was Crystaline.

Thankfully for James, Chugga-Chugga was now demanding Crystaline’s attention, insisting that she stroked his head, just as James had. Crystaline seemed only too happy to grant her little blue friend his wish. She stroked Chugga-Chugga’s head gently, smiling affectionately at the cute creature.

“Are you okay?” Crystaline’s voice eventually sounded, surprising James a little.

“Er yeah, yeah I’m fine. I’m sorry, I er, I don’t usually lose my temper like that. It’s just...”

“Phil?”

“Yeah! He and I don’t get along. We never have done. I’m sorry.”

Crystaline raised her eyebrows, confused. “Sorry?”

“Yeah, I er, I know that when you work in a team you’re supposed to get along with your teammates, or try to at least. I mean I’ve tried, but I can’t, and I know it makes things difficult for everyone else.”

“Difficult? In case you hadn’t noticed, there are other difficult relationships within our group. I loathe Morcees, and Borcees. Plus, I can’t say I blame you for having a problem with Phil. I think he’s literally the most irritating man I have ever met.”

James couldn’t stop the huge grin that was taking over his mouth. “I er, I had got that impression, you know, seen that you don’t seem particularly keen on my captain?”

Crystaline sighed. “To be honest, I’m not particularly keen on people full stop.”

James gulped, the smile from his mouth fading. He felt nervous. “Do you dislike me?” he practically whispered.

Crystaline’s mouth fell open, as if James’ question had startled her and now she was figuring out her answer. “No,” she eventually managed, turning to look James in the eye. “I don’t dislike you.” Crystaline paused, trying to summon her words. “I know how I come across sometimes. I know I lose my temper. I know I’m always moody but try not to take it too personally. I don’t…I don’t think you’re a bad person at all.”

James gulped again. “I don’t think you’re a bad person either.” His voice was soft, tender. “Plus, you’re not always in a mood,” he jested. “Just most of the time.”

Crystaline’s lips formed a into a huge grin. Her eyes looked towards the lone tree as she stroked Chugga-Chugga.

“That tree?” James questioned. “It looks different to the others? Plus, it’s lonely,” he mock whimpered. “I feel kinda sorry for it actually.”

Crystaline sighed, still grinning. “I wouldn’t feel sorry for that tree. It likes being alone, for one thing. It doesn’t need all those other trees taking up its precious air. Plus, you’re right, it is very different, and very special.”

“Special? How?”

“Take a closer look at it. See how it glistens in the sunlight? That’s because it is made of pure gold.”

“Pure gold?” James gasped incredulously.

“Yes. Not only that, it produces gold fruit too.”

James shook his head, trying to comprehend what Crystaline was telling him. “Wait, so let me get this straight. The gold fruit is fruit? It’s actually edible?”

“Oh yes!” Crystaline grinned. “It’s actually the most nutritious food on this planet. Plus…let’s just say it has pretty good side effects too.”

“Oh yeah? Like what?”

Crystaline got off the furleave, stretching her body as if she were preparing to participate in a sporting activity. “Why don’t we see for ourselves?” She said it like a challenge.

James freed his buttocks from the furleave too. “Okay, fine. But last one to the tree is the loser.”

Crystaline scoffed. “Oh please! You’re suggesting we race? Even though you know that you can’t possibly win?”

“We’re a bit too confident, aren’t we, Princess.”

Crystaline’s mouth gaped open. Thankfully, she was still smiling. “Oh, I see what you’re insinuating, Joyce. It’s as if you think us princesses are weak and feeble? I can’t speak for the princesses on your planet, James, but where I’m from, we women can outrun a mere human any day. Not to mention Chugga-Chugga. He’s going to outrun you too.”

“Is that so?” James beamed, realising now that no force in the entire Universe could wipe that massive smile away from his face. He was loving this rare moment of banter with Crystaline.

“Look, James, I am going to make this as fair as I possibly can. You can have your little race, but you can also have a ten second head start over me and Chugga-Chugga.”

James scoffed. “Are you being serious? No offence, but I’d have won the race by the time you and Chugga-Chugga even start. Ten seconds is way too much.”

“Five then. That’s my final offer. You get a five second head start, or the race is off.”

James pouted petulantly. “Fine then. I’ll have the head start. Just don’t try and murder me when you lose. I get the impression that you’re a sore loser.”

Crystaline grinned smugly. “Oh, you need not worry, Joyce, for I will not lose. You need not fear my wrath.”

James shook his head, still grinning at Crystaline as he found his starting position. “So, when do I start?” he called back to her.

“Whenever you’re ready. Chugga-Chugga and I will soon overtake you, so don’t you worry.”

James shook his head, grinning still as he eyed his target, the golden tree. In his mind he envisioned the number five, then four, then three, then two, then one! That was it, James was off!

As he ran through the flat landscape, James felt his legs relishing in their newfound freedom. He was no longer crankily trudging his way through the dense uneven forest. Now he was running on flat open land. The release was euphoric!

As the tree drew nearer, James felt the cool breeze rushing past his flushed cheeks. The air was soothing, just like a relaxing balm.

Noticing that the tree was only moments away, James began to feel a sense of achievement. Where were Crystaline and Chugga-Chugga? Had they even started yet? James had not been counting down the seconds in that brain of his. Could it be? Could it really be that the over achieving princess might just have to suffer her first bout of defeat this morning? Feeling suddenly spurred on by these thoughts, James pushed on harder, willing those legs of his to reach that golden tree. There it was, it was so close now, less than ten metres away. But hang on a minute? What was that, that blue? Then, then that black figure rushing straight past him? No! James thought to himself. Surely Crystaline and Chugga-Chugga had not just overtaken him? Had they?

James finally reached the tree, panting as he clutched his knees in exhaustion. Annoyingly, Crystaline had already reached the tree, appearing as out of breath as an athlete who had just walked ten metres. How? How had Crystaline outrun him like that? Then Chugga-Chugga, the animal had either won the race or finished as runner up.

“Man,” James wheezed, still clutching onto his spent knees. “How did you guys do that? Who won?”

Crystaline grinned, placing her hands on her hips, proud with her victory over James. “Well, the important thing to note is that you came last, Joyce.”

“Who won?” James repeated, still unable free his face from that wretched little grin. He hoped that Chugga-Chugga had won.

“I am a proud runner up to a very deserving winner.” Crystaline beamed down at the chugga. The creature jumped up and down, delighted with its victory.

James freed his hands from his knees, standing up straight to mock Crystaline. “So, you didn’t win either? We both lost.”

“No, James, you lost. I neither won, nor lost. The fact still remains, I defeated you.”

James shook his head, still beaming as he rolled his eyes at Crystaline. When his eyes shifted to the regal golden tree in front of him, James’ expression changed. His mouth gaped open in wonder, awestruck by the sight of the scintillating gold fruit tree, as it shimmered and twinkled against the warm little flecks of sunlight. “Wow,” he whispered, slowly inching his hands towards the tree, until they eventually met with the golden being. Quite surprisingly, the tree didn’t feel as cold as one might expect. In fact, the golden trunk was quite the opposite, warm, rubbery, resembling the other Urashan trees and not the cold metal which James was expecting.

As he felt the inner throbbing of the tree, James watched as Crystaline placed her very own hands against the regal tree. For a moment, both pairs of eyes met with one another, each cherishing the moment, the feel of the tree.

James’ lips opened into a gentle little whisper. “It feels really warm. It’s not cold like I was expecting.” As James watched Crystaline’s unreadable expression, he couldn’t help but notice the double meaning of what he’d just said. On the surface, he had been referring to the tree. However, on some deeper hidden level, James had applied those words to Crystaline’s thawing personality too. She could be so mercurial, so quick to change her moods. One minute, she could be so cold, so aloof, so depressed. Then the next, the beautiful young woman could be so kind, so compassionate, so playful. James loved this happier side to Crystaline. His feelings of anger, of hurt, of pain after his argument with Phil had completely evaporated away. Why? Because of Crystaline. Because of the little chugga. Today had taken a sharp turn. The road had started off bumpy, so bumpy that James had veered off track, crashing into the sidelines until he found himself on a new road, a smooth scenic road with his favourite tunes blaring out all around him, bringing him joy, happiness, elation.

James lent his full weight on the tree, bowing his head in respect for this regal creature. Slowly, his eyes ascended the tree, spotting the huge golden leaves which carried lots of sparkling pouches. “Is that where the fruit is?” he asked.

Crystaline followed James’ gaze. “Wait here,” she said. “You too, Chugga-Chugga.”

Without properly answering James’ question, Crystaline hoisted herself up onto the tree, climbing it with ease. James watched as the little remnants of leaves fell and billowed all around him, surrounding him like confetti on a wedding day. Crystaline’s movements were smooth as she gently freed one of the golden pouches from its leaf. Once she had a firm grasp on the pouch, Crystaline descended her way down the tree quicker than she had climbed it. With one final jump, she freed herself from the tree, landing almost toe to toe with James.

Carefully, Crystaline prised the pouch open, unveiling the dozens of golden balls. The fruit balls rested in their pouch just like peas resting in a pod. Only the gold fruit was bigger, prettier and sparkling under the gorgeous sunlight.

“Who’s first?” Crystaline whispered, grinning at both James and the little chugga who sat beside her waistline.

“You promise it won’t break my teeth?” James joked.

Crystaline grinned. “Well there is only one way to find out isn’t there, Joyce?”

James eyed the little chugga, the thing’s eyes were fixed upon the pouch of fruit in Crystaline’s hands. He could even see the strings of white frothy drool hanging from the creature’s mouth. “I think Chugga-Chugga would be upset if I went first.”

Crystaline’s grin grew. “You mean to say that you’d rather Chugga-Chugga tested the fruit first? So that you don’t risk breaking your teeth?”

James’ mouth gaped open, surprised by Crystaline’s ability to read him. “That’s not entirely true...look at him, he’s gagging for that fruit.”

Crystaline shook her head, still unconvinced by James’ words as she offered a ball of fruit to the chugga. Within a second, the fruit was gone, gobbled up in an instant. The animal licked its lips, greedy for more fruit.

“Easy there, Chugga-Chugga. We do want to return to the others in one piece. One is enough for now.” Slowly, Crystaline turned to James, proffering the fruit to him.

Tentatively, James rested his fingers over a golden piece, still eyeing the fruit with caution. The little chugga had eaten a piece, so surely, the fruit was fruit? Fine to eat? Grinning again, James took the fruit, feeling its smoothness between his fingers. Gently, not wanting to squash the fruit, James gave it a little squeeze, testing to see how soft this fruit was. It felt like an apple.

Keen to understand the effects of the fruit, James held the piece to his teeth. He easily managed to sink his teeth into the fruit, enjoying the sensation of the sweet juicy flavour bursting through to his taste buds. This fruit tasted exquisite! Then there was the rush, the rush of elation, excitement and adrenaline coursing its way through each and every vein in his body. James felt giddy all of a sudden, completely and utterly carefree as he watched Crystaline take a piece of fruit for herself. Once she had consumed the fruit, her eyes lit up, incinerating away that dark shell of hers until it was nothing but dusty ash, fallen and broken away around her ankles. Crystaline stepped away from the ash, her eyes wild with excitement.

“Shall we grab some more pouches?” James asked, feeling his body yearning to laugh.

“No,” Crystaline beamed back at him, trying desperately to restrain her own laughter. “This pouch is plenty. We must save some for the other creatures. Crystos is going to flip when he sees this!”

“The others!” James laughed. “They must have been sat waiting for ages, wondering where we are.”

Crystaline chuckled. “Do I look like I care?”

James and Crystaline both giggled, with Chugga-Chugga joining in with his own version of laughter.

“So where to now?” James grinned, challenging Crystaline.

“The forest is beautiful. With gold fruit eyes, it’s a dream!” Without saying a further word, Crystaline sprang for the forest, with James and Chugga-Chugga bounding on after her.

As James re-entered the trees, he held his hands up to his face, protecting his body from the bristly trees and plants which stood in his way.

As he and Chugga-Chugga continued to follow Crystaline through the forest, James couldn’t help but notice how surreal this whole experience was. He could see what Crystaline had meant. The forest reminded James of a dream. A magical, spellbinding awe-inspiring dream. He watched as his surroundings just blurred together, the bright colours of the plants merging together to form new shapes, new colours. To top it all off, James could feel that his senses weren’t quite all there. His brain was unable to process thoughts and feelings like he usually would. James couldn’t feel sadness or anger even if he tried. He just felt cheery, elated, the happiest he’d ever felt. His body was on hyper power, churning wildly, and forcing his heart to beat rapid little flecks of pleasure into his whole bloodstream. This feeling, this fruit, it was amazing!

Crystaline dug her heels into the ground, abruptly breaking her run in front of the long flowing river. James and Chugga-Chugga halted, too. James had not seen this section of the river before. James didn’t know if it was because of the effects of the gold fruit, but this section of river seemed slightly wider, dotted with a series of purple glowing stepping stones. James listened to the sound of the river flowing. It reminded him of the feeling inside his body: so relaxed, so serene, yet with a rush, a rush of energy.

“Why are we stopping here?” James panted, still beaming.

“Why do you think? It’s beautiful.”

James studied the shimmering stepping stones. He did not disagree with Crystline at all. The sight was stunning, breathtaking. James threw his head back, groaning out a playful rasp. “Can those things take our weight?”

“The purple stones?”

“Yeah!”

“Of course, why?”

James’ grin grew wider, his eyes studying the varying sizes of the luminous stones. “Because I have another challenge. We should see who can hold their balance on these stones the longest.”

Crystaline laughed, her expression oozing self confidence. “James, do you enjoy defeat? Because I’m really starting to wonder if winning is like losing to you. You’ll be the first one off the stones.”

James waved his forefinger in front of his giddy and drunken face. “Ah, ah, ah! My balance is excellent, Crystaline. And besides, you’re holding the pouch, which will make balancing all the more difficult for you.”

Crystaline bit her lip. “Mmm,” she agreed. “So, you’re basically admitting that I’ll have another disadvantage over you, yet you’re seeming to forget the one important factor in all this.”

“And what is that?” James challenged, swaying slightly.

“I beat you with a disadvantage in the race, as did Chugga-Chugga. The same will only happen again.”

James shook his head, his eyes and his mouth smiling out their biggest smiles. “In your words, Crystaline: there is only one way to find out, isn’t there?”

Crystaline shook her head, her lips pursed together to form a grin. “Fine then,” she acquiesced. “Chugga-Chugga’s four limbs put him at a big disadvantage though, so, Chugga-Chugga, you can judge this one, okay?”

The little blue fella jumped up and down, delighted with his newly appointed role of authority.

James gave Crystaline a boyish grin, hopping onto his first stone. He felt her jumping on behind him, realising that Crystaline would only be able to use one arm to help her keep her balance. James was determined to win this time.

With another leap, James was on the next stone, and then the one after that. He could feel Crystaline keeping up his pace, and he could see the chugga following his movements on the bank of the river, like a camera lined up to track the super fast athletes in a sprinting event.

The next few stones looked small, forcing James to use his two-arm advantage as he skipped his way onto the next stone. As he landed, he felt himself swaying uneasily, his singular foot beginning to struggle against the weight of his body.

With as much care and precision as he could muster, James took a daring jump onto the next stone, landing on one foot once again. He could feel his foot trembling, desperate to cling onto the stone beneath it. James saw a flicker of baby blue enter his vision, just as he felt the gentle little nudge at his side. That was it, his balance was gone. James flailed his arms in one last desperate attempt to hold his balance, but his efforts were futile, unable to prevent his body from splashing into that river.

As James felt the cool water caressing his abdomen, he watched as the little chugga somersaulted with glee. Crystaline’s triumphant chuckles were short lived, for the little blue creature soon gave her a little nudge, sending her straight into the water behind James.

James turned around to face Crystaline, to relish her shocked expression as she hit the water, just about managing to balance the gold fruit pouch on the stone she had just fallen off of.

Before James’ and Crystaline’s vocal chords could even summon the strength to laugh, the chugga dived in after them, creating a great big splash which swept across the faces of both James and Crystaline.

James watched as Crystaline took a deep breath, her body reacting to the cold water which had just hit her. Feeling suddenly mischievous, James swashed his hands through the water. Once he felt he had enough water and power, James flicked the water right into Crystaline’s shocked, gaped open face. Crystaline’s eyes blazed at James. Not with anger, not with hate, but with amusement, competitiveness. Crystaline splashed at James, wetting his face even more.

James laughed, that was it, the game was on!

He inched closer towards her, giving her splash after splash. She fought back, cascading James with unrelenting water. Chugga-Chugga joined in, taking Crystaline’s side as he hurtled gushes of water at James.

“Damn it!” James groaned, his grin still etched onto his face. “This isn’t fair. I’m being ganged up on by two aliens.”

Crystaline’s swashes halted, her mouth gaped into a smile. “Chugga-Chugga, and I? We’re the aliens? We’re the aliens? Do I need to remind you whose planet you’re on, Joyce?”

James grinned, placing his hand on his nose to help him blow out some of the water which was caught up in his nostrils. “To me you’re both aliens.”

Crystaline’s eyebrows crinkled, though her expression remained amused. “That’s disgusting.”

“What’s disgusting? I’m just speaking the truth.”

“Not that. What you just did. Blowing your nose like that.”

James’ expression flared, his eyes grew even more boyish, naughtily boyish.

“No!” Crystaline edged backwards, holding her hands up to defend herself. “Don’t come anywhere near me!”

James swiped his arms through the water, following Crystaline. With one quick flick, he flung another load of water into her already watersoaked face. The three beings gave another cathartic laugh, sending tremors of joy into the whole Urashan forest.

After a little more fooling around in the river, the threesome eventually clambered their way back up onto the river bank. Crystaline had managed to salvage the gold fruit, and she was keen to share it with her brother and the others.

Reluctantly, and not bothering to dry themselves off, the three of them made their way back to the rest of the group.

When James first caught the other five in his gaze, he couldn’t help but notice how drained each of them looked. Even though they had literally just been sat down doing absolutely nothing for the past few hours. Still high on the effects of the gold fruit, James gave a bewildered Phil a hug.

As Crystos caught his sister’s eye, his eyes dropped straight down to the golden pouch safely nestled underneath her arms. Crystos shook his head, both perplexed and exasperated.