Wild Kingdom: Chapter Four

Disclaimer: I don’t own Hammer Space, Aldy, Dreamguiders, Shapeshifters, and Stowfield.

“So where should we go now?” Matt asked.

“Let’s check the map,” Amy said as she opened it up.

“It looks like the Rapid Jungle Rollercoaster is close,” Lisa mentioned.

“That ride sounds fun,” Aldy cheered.

“I’m fine with that,” Ryona added.

“It looks like it’s just past the wild cat exhibit,” Amy stated.

“Yeah, I’d like to see those myself,” Aldy said.

The group walked off to the wild cat exhibit. The first animals there were some tigers, followed by jaguars, cheetahs, and finally a pride of lions.

“These guys sure are amazing,” Matt stated.

“I hope Minnie sees them too,” Aldy said.

“So how come you didn’t want to go with her?” Matt asked.

“I thought she might want to spend more time with Christine,” Aldy replied, “and I figured it would be easier if I wasn’t there.”

“I understand when Amy hangs out with her friends,” Matt told him, “but she always finds time for me. I’m sure Minnie’s the same way.”

“She and Christine have been hanging out a lot,” Aldy mentioned.

“How long have they been friends?” Matt asked.

“Just recently,” Aldy said.

“I guess Minnie’s just excited to have made a new friend,” Matt explained, “I’m sure she hasn’t forgotten about you.”

“You’re probably right,” Aldy stated.

Then the group walked to the rollercoaster and noticed that there was a thirty-minute wait for the ride.

“I’m sure we can all wait,” Amy said.

“We should have expected it,” Ryona stated, “it is one of the more popular rides.”

They all got in the long line which seemed to stretch for a mile.

“Nothing’s going to stop me from going on this ride!” Lisa bragged.

“Same with me,” Matt added.

“You two seem excited,” Ryona said.

“This ride was one of the main reasons I wanted to go to Wild Kingdom,” Lisa replied.

“I heard it’s one of the fastest rollercoasters around,” Matt mentioned.

“I’ve been on some fast ones before,” Lisa stated, “let’s see if that one will pass the test.”

“Her enthusiasm could rival Tyler and Grace’s,” Ryona thought.

“Are you enjoying this trip Aldy,” Amy asked.

“It’s been nice,” Aldy replied, “you’re Matt’s big sister, right?”

“Yes,” Amy told him.

“Matt’s told me quite a bit about you,” Aldy said, “he says you’re always helping him out.”

“I do my best for him and all kids,” Amy replied, “I’m also the town babysitter.”

“That’s an interesting job,” Aldy told her.

“It may not seem like much, but I find it rewarding,” Amy said.

After a while, the line cam to an end and everyone climbed into the rollercoaster cars. The ride quickly zoomed off as everyone on it felt the wind in their faces. There were numerous hills and even a few loops along the way. Lisa, Matt, and Aldy couldn’t stop screaming from excitement. After a few minutes, the ride ended, and everyone got off.

“What should we do next?” Aldy asked.

“Squirrly’s Twisty Acorn ride is close,” Lisa said, “why don’t we go there?”

“That sounds fun,” Matt stated.

The group walked over to the next ride, where they saw that there was a ten-minute waiting period. They got in line and anxiously waited for their turn on the ride.

“Are you boys ready for this one?” Lisa asked Matt and Aldy.

“I am,” Matt replied.

“Me too,” Aldy added.

“Good, because I’m going to spin my acorn as fast as I can,” Lisa said.

“Let’s spin it so fast that it goes flying off the stand and through the park,” Matt suggested.

“Can that actually happen?” Lisa asked.

“Diana says it can,” Aldy replied, “along with various other disasters.”

“Should we be careful,” Matt said.

“Diana’s just the nervous type,” Aldy explained, “it probably won’t happen.”

It didn’t take long for the line to move and the group to get on. Lisa, Aldy, and Matt entered one spinning acorn while Amy and Grace entered another one. Lisa and the boys spun their acorn as fast as they could. While their acorn didn’t end up coming lose; it seemed like they did the most spinning. The ride ended after a few minutes and the three of them were incredibly dizzy. Ryona just stared at the trio while Amy figured out what ride to go on next.

“Is there anything you would be interested in Ryona?” Amy asked.

“The nocturnal cave looks fun,” Ryona replied.

“That’s fine with me,” Matt and Aldy stated.

“It looks like fun,” Lisa added.

“And it’s just before the large mammal exhibit,” Amy said, “why don’t we check out that too?”

Everyone agreed and walked over to the next stop. It didn’t take long to find the large mammal exhibit, where the five friends saw giraffes, hippopotamuses, African buffalos, rhinoceroses, and finally elephants. The group stared in amazement as the animals walked around their pens and showed off their strength. Once they were finished, the group made their way to the Nocturnal cave ride. The line had a fifteen-minute waiting period, which didn’t bother any of them as they entered said line.

“How are you enjoying Wild Kingdom?” Amy asked Ryona.

“It’s kind of fun,” Ryona said, “I enjoyed the rollercoaster.”

“I enjoyed the rides too,” Amy replied, “I also want to make sure everybody’s having a good time.”

“I don’t usually do theme parks or carnivals,” Ryona stated, “I’m usually practicing my martial arts when Tyler and Grace don’t drag me off on their childish adventures.”

“That sounds interesting,” Amy said.

“I guess it is,” Ryona replied, “but I wish Tyler and Grace would tone their games down. They should know by now that dragons and monsters don’t exist.”

“Well, kids do have active imaginations,” Amy mentioned, “that’s what makes them so sweet.”

“If you say so,” Ryona quietly remarked.

Then it was time for them to go on the ride. The group boarded a small cart which drove off into the dark cave. Everything was pitch black until the group saw a plastic bat’s eyes glow red. As the ride went on, there were many bats, rats, and various cave insects with eerily glowing lights around them. Ryona didn’t seem phased by anything, Aldy felt the creatures weren’t as scary as the monster living in Minnie’s closet, Amy kept a close eye on her brother to make sure he wasn’t scared, and Lisa and Matt enjoyed the haunted atmosphere.

“I think we have time for one more ride,” Amy said as the others got off the ride, “and then we’ll have dinner and meet up at the Ferris wheel.”

“Let’s go on the flying panda ride,” Matt suggested.

Everyone else agreed and walked over to their final ride before the Ferris Wheel. It wasn’t a long walk and they soon found Super Panda’s Non-Trademarked Ride. The group noticed the fifteen-minute waiting period as they got in line.

“How are you enjoying this place Lisa?” Matt asked his friend.

“It’s great,” Lisa said as she ruffled Matt’s hair, “this is the perfect way to spend my day off.”

“It must be tough walking around with your mailbag,” Matt stated.

“It’s easy when you get used to it,” Lisa told him.

“I appreciate you coming here,” Amy added, “it’s nice to spend time with friends.”

“Yeah, I like hanging out with the two of you as well,” Lisa stated.

“Thanks,” Matt replied, “you always make things more fun.”

“You’re so sweet,” Lisa said to Matt.

After a while, it was time for the friends to go on the ride. Amy and Matt entered one panda while Lisa, Ryona and Aldy entered the last one. Everyone enjoyed the relaxing pace as they made their pandas go up and down. The Anana siblings enjoyed riding in their panda while Lisa and Aldy enjoyed playing with the flight lever and Ryona just watched them. The ride continued for a few minutes before it finally ended.

“You’re a good flyer,” Lisa said to Aldy as she ruffled his hair, “I can see why Matt likes you.”

“Thanks,” Aldy replied, “you’re just as fun as Matt says you are.”

The friends got supper from a nearby food stand and then headed to the Ferris Wheel where they met up with the other group.