CHAPTER 1

“Rev Runner swoops down upon the puck, he shoots toward the goal, but Rev Runner blocks it once again, and shoots again, he shoots, he scores! The crowd goes wild!”

A red and black clothed roadrunner raised his fists up in victory as the puck in an air-hockey game slid into the goal slit. Besides him, a purple and black clothed Tasmanian Devil cheered. Across the room at a billiard table, an orange and black clothed duck stood watching. He sniffed.

“After watching him run back and forth during that game, you would have think he would have gotten sick after ten straight games!”

“It’s his way of competition.” A yellow and black clothed rabbit named Ace muttered, striking a ball with his billiard stick. The duck, also known as Danger Duck, rolled his eyes.

“Anymore competition, he’ll get---”

KABOOM!

A loud explosion echoed throughout the room, sending the Loonatics tumbling to the ground.

“What the heck was that?!” Duck shouted.

“Bldfjle boom!” Slam replied in an unrecognizable language.

“Thank you, Mr. Exposition!” Duck murmured.

A pink and black clothed rabbit named Lexi, helped Ace up to his feet. “It sounded like it was coming from Tech’s room.”

“We better check it out and see what’s going on.” Ace said.

The Loonatics raced over to a green door, which lead into the room of Tech E. Coyote, one of their teammates and super genius.

“Tech?” Ace called out, knocking the door.

“Hold on,” a voice called out weakly.

A few seconds later, the door opened to reveal a black and green clothed coyote, looking a bit stunned.

“Eh…what’s up Tech?” Ace asked, concerned at the stunned look on the coyote’s face.

Tech let out a groan. “Just working on a new invention, except it’s not going along too good.”

“Yeah, we heard.” Duck grumbled. “So what’s the new invention?”

Tech walked back to his desk and picked up a head-gear like device. “It’s a new type of communication for animals. So far---”

“Animals?” Everyone said simultaneously. “Why animals?”

Tech frowned. “Well, I’ve been following up on the news, and was a bit disturbed on what I found today.”

He handed them an electric newspaper. Ace took it and read it out loud.

“Residents in India found dead tiger body in jungle. Claws, teeth, and bones missing from the body. Poachers may be the ones who killed the tiger.”

Duck made a disgusted face. “Who the heck would want tiger body parts?”

“Some people in Asia believe tiger bones can be used as medicine.” Rev blurted out. “They usually powder it up in order to use it. The same can be done to rhino horns and bear-gall bladder. Now there’s no proof that they can heal, but they still believe in the medicine which results in-mmph!”

Rev was silenced by Tech who clamped his hand around Rev’s beak.

“As I was saying,” Tech continued. “I thought if we could communicate with surviving animals, we could somehow ask them who’s doing all this, and they can tell us.”

“A good idea, Tech Coyote,” A voice suddenly said.

Up on Tech’s computer screen, came a blond haired woman.

“What’s up, Zadavia?” Ace greeted the woman.

“Someone requested help from the Loonatics.” Zadavia replied. “A woman named Sacha has her hands full with her work and the animal sanctuary she owns.”

“Well just send her some other help.” Duck said.

Zadavia smiled. “That’s the point. You six are the help.”

Tech’s eyes lit up. “Great! Once I fix up my new invention, I can use it on the animals and ask them questions!”

“Wait a moment!” Duck suddenly spoke up. “You’re expecting us to go and help out someone with a bunch of smelly animals? That’s a job for a zoo owner!”

“No matter what the task is,” Zadavia spoke. “a hero always helps whoever needs help. Will you accept?”

Ace nodded. “We’ll do it!”

“Good luck Loonatics. Zadavia out.”

The image disappeared. Ace looked at his team. “Well guys, lets jet!”

CHAPTER 2

A cool wind blew over the canyons, where a black ship stood near the river’s edge, with the Loonatics waiting for Sacha‘s ship. Duck sighed impatiently.

“How long has it been? Two hours?”

“Perhaps she’s running a little late.” Ace suggested.

At that moment, the rocks on the ground started to quiver a bit. The Loonatics looked down at amazement.

“Umm…Tech, was there supposed to be an earthquake happening that you haven’t told us?” Ace asked.

“No,” Tech answered. “No news of possible earthquakes had been reported. I’m thinking something huge is coming this way.”

Suddenly, a huge zeppelin-like ship came out from dark clouds. Unlike a normal zeppelin, it was about ten times bigger and with solar power windows on top of it. There were some spinning fans at the back of the ship, sending it flying forward. The ship began to descend down in front of the Loonatics. Once it touched the ground, a door opened, revealing a fox-like creature. Unlike regular foxes, it was about two times bigger than the regular fox and her legs were much longer. She went up to the Loonatics and looked at them.

“You must be the Loonatics.”

“Yeah,” Ace replied. “And you are…”

“Kevay,” The fox replied. “I’m Sacha’s assistant. Zadavia must have already told you why we need you.”

“She mentioned that you needed help with your animal sanctuary.”

Kevay nodded. “Yes, come in and follow me to Sacha’s lab. She shall explain.”

The Loonatics followed Kevay into the ship and entered into what looked like a grand hallway. Statues and portraits of famous environmentalists stood near the walls or hung on the walls. George Perkins Marsh, Jane Goodall, Chico Mendes, Rachel Louise Carson and many others. None of the Loonatics noticed a pair of green eyes watching them and following them.

Kevay lead them through many hallways, with the Loonatics following her.

Ace suddenly spoke up. “Um, Kevay, not to be rude or anything, but what are you? I read about canine animals, but---”

“Oh, my species,” Kevay said. “Yes, well…”

“Kevay’s species are a group of fox creatures discovered a few years ago.” Tech replied. “Unlike most foxes, these foxes can speak human language perfectly, but unlike us, they prefer to walk on all fours.”

Kevay nodded. “Yes, precisely. I’m surprised to know someone who actually knows about us.”

“I read a lot.” Tech shrugged. Rev watched the interaction between Tech and Kevay, and he felt something inside him. Jealousy? No, it couldn’t be that. But why does it feel like it? After some walking and turning through hallways, Kevay stopped in front of a huge door.

“Here we are, Sacha is inside, waiting for you.”

Placing her paw on a button on the floor, Kevay made the doors open. She lead the Loonatics in, not noticing a flash of orange and black speed in before the doors closed. The room the Loonatics were in was a bit like Tech’s computer room, but the monitors had pictures of animals in their natural habitats, doing whatever animals do in the wild. A woman in a scientist lab coat was sitting in front of a large computer, typing something up.

“Sacha, the Loonatics are here.” Kevay spoke up.

The woman turned the chair around. She had blond hair which was tied back to a pony tail and glasses sat at the bridge of her nose. She nodded.

“So I see. Welcome Loonatics. I’m so glad you came.”

“Glad to be here.” Ace said. “So, what’s the problem?”

Sacha sighed. “A lot of problems are occurring. So much, I can’t even total all of it up.”

“Well, what is it?” Duck asked impatiently. “Don’t keep us in suspense!”

“I’ll show you.” Sacha said, ignoring Duck’s snappy tone. “But I must warn you, some of the pictures are not pretty…”