Permafrost: Thunderbird

Chapter 3: Worry Not!

⭐️Chapter 3: Worry Not!

Ryn and the Infernos were standing by the turf entrance area, waiting for someone. They'd put on their signature gear, with their weapons ready just in case. It was the next day, and they'd all arrived on time. Around the group, citizens of their town walked around freely, chatting amongst each other or running errands. The sun was shining down, but the heat wasn't super intense.

About 5 minutes later, the Thistlins were in sight. They were also wearing their usual turfing gear, and spotted the Infernos in no time. Glade and Clara made a mad dash for the group while Sai and Ella simply walked a little faster behind them to catch up. Ryn and the Infernos smiled at the sight of their more friendlier rivals, and the Thistlins seemed to be happy to see them too.

"Hey, Ryn! Glad you organized this little hangout!" Clara said. "I really needed some time with friends after my mom made me spend time doing house chores...

"Well, I'm mostly in it because socialization exists and it's fun to interact with those that may have different perspectives," Sai shrugged.

"How have you guys been doing?" Ella asked.

"We've been...okay..." Cosmo started, though he knew there was more to it than that.

"Just the fact that the Wave Crashers are giving us trouble. Taunts that actually get you riled up aren't good for your head if you ask me," Jack finished. "Though I'm kinda a hypocrite on that one, so don't judge me for it. I've taunted a bit myself, so..."

"Ugh, the Noob Crashers?" Glade groaned. "Can't they ever take a hint? Nobody here wants to fight someone like them."

Ryn snickered a little at the nickname. "Well, we kinda have to. We've kind of gotten into a rivalry with them in an attempt to get them to stop bullying us, but I don't think it's been working. Plus, they've already won like twice in a row and we need to get better to defeat them and then not fall for their taunting tactics."

"Ah, well. I could help you with the second half of your plan, but the first...well, you could always practice against us, but we don't use the same weapons," Sai spoke up.

"Well, I think any help would be appreciated at this point," Silvia replied kindly.

"In that case, we're on it!" Glade smiled.

"We'll fight 'em for you, okay?" Clara said.

"But what if you guys lose?" Ryn asked, worried that her friends might suffer the same fate as her team.

"It won't be that big of a deal. Those guys are more focused on you than anything, haha..." Glade chuckled.

"If...if you say so..."

"Oh look, there they are now," Sai said.

Both friend groups turned towards Sai, who nodded in a direction. Looking over there, the group could see that indeed, the Wave Crashers were standing by the bus stop areas by the lobby. They could even see a smaller team trying to pick a fight with them, though they couldn't hear anything spoken. Ryn winced as she saw the larger squids make a move towards the smaller ones, and the smaller group running away. God, that group...how did their parents let them get away with this?

Actually, yeah, how DID their parents let them get away with this? Were they not notified of their children's behavior? Did they just not care, or did they maybe think these teenagers were independent enough to make their own choices? Ryn was about to ask the whole group that question, but she was unfortunately interrupted by Clara and Glade shouting threats from where they stood. Jack and Silvia were restraining the two from running over, but Ryn got the attention of the four of them and told them to calm down.

Jack and Silvia released the two green Inklings, who were still riled up over what the Wave Crashers had done. Cosmo was a little confused, but Sai told him not to worry about it. Ella remained quiet on the matter, though she was still alert about it.

"Seriously you guys! Fights are too risky!" Ryn scolded. "If anything, you should pretend like their insults and actions don't matter to you!"

"If someone gives you a gift and you do not accept it, who does the gift belong to?" Sai added.

"Yeah, exactly!" Ryn exclaimed. "Make them eat their own words!"

"Now, now, don't YOU get riled up, too," Silvia said calmly.

"I know, I just...really badly want them beaten!!"

"Oh don't you worry, sis. We got ya covered!" Clara smiled.

"If you get a chance to, please punch Thrash in the face for me," Jack said.

"Jack!" Silvia exclaimed.

"What? Those guys are mean."

"I would, but I don't think I'm tall enough," Glade laughed. "I don't think any of us are tall enough. Silvia's the one who's the tallest out of all of us."

"Well, I AM 6ft tall..." Silvia sighed.

"Wait, you are?!" Cosmo exclaimed.

"How tall is Thrash, then?" Ryn asked.

"Hmmm...probably still around 7ft if I had to guess. Did we go over this, or...?" Silvia responded.

"Oh yeah, I think you said something about Thrash being small for a colossal...but anyway, we got off track!" Ryn said. "We-"

"HEY! IS THAT THE GROUP OF LOSERS AND THEIR FRIENDS I SEE IN THE DISTANCE?! OR ARE MY EYES JUST TRICKING ME INTO SEEING SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T EXIST?!" Thorne shouted from where he stood.

That...definitely sounded like a taunt. How the heck did those four even see the group from where they were?? Did they hear the insults from earlier?? Ryn grumbled in annoyance as the Thistlins directed their attention towards the Wave Crashers.

"Oh THAT DOES IT," Clara seethed, and immediately made a sprint for the giant squid.

"YEAH, LET'S LET 'EM HAVE IT!" Glade shouted as he ran after her.

Ryn and the rest of the Infernos watched as the Thistlins ran to get to the Wave Crashers. Personally, Ryn didn't really want to see what happened. She couldn't bear to think about what would happen, though there was something very...off about this feeling.

As much as she wanted her friends to win, a part of her almost wanted them to lose...but she didn't know why.