Sorry Is The Hardest Word:

By: Taralynn Wakelin

The sun shone brightly through the canopy of trees, as he walked the forest path. He smiled to himself as he enjoyed the peace and quiet of the early evening; a gentle breeze ruffled his short, brown hair as he walked. He kept walking until he came to a small lake; he looked out across it shielding his brown eyes from the suns reflection off the water. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath; he opened his eyes again and suddenly felt like he was being watched. He looked around to once again find nothing! He ran his hands over his face, he sighed frustrated…this feeling had been happening a lot; he didn't tell his friends about it not wanting them to think he was going crazy! As he sat on a rock, he began to wonder if maybe he was just overtired, and overworked; this was his first break from his job in at least four months! His thoughts were interrupted by rustling behind him; he quickly stood as the person ran into the clearing almost tripping as they did, seeing him they stopped trying to catch their breath as they smiled.

"Hey bro!" His best friend and older brother said smiling.

"What's going on?" He asked confused as his brother looked behind him again.

"Going on? Nothing…why do you ask?" His brother answered smiling, turning to look behind him again. "That sun's really hot huh?" He asked shielding his blue eyes as he looked at him nervously. "We should go!"

"Why are you so jumpy? Did you do something?" He asked.

"What? Me? No, I…" His brother began, but a loud roar from the trees behind them cut him off they turned towards the noise.

"What did you do?" He demanded.

"Okay, okay I maybe…sort of came across a lion!" His brother answered running a hand through his short, blond hair.

"You what?"

"We should really go!" His brother said as he began to run.

"Again?" He yelled as he ran too.

They made it back to the safety of their camp outrunning the lion; they went inside and greeted their three friends he sat down exhausted.

"Hey did you two have a nice walk?" Their friend Koki asked smiling.

"It was great!" His brother answered smiling.

"Well now that Double Trouble have returned we can eat dinner!" Their friend Aviva said.

"Did you guys have any adventures?" Their friend Jimmy asked.

"If you call almost getting eaten by a lion an adventure…then yeah we did!" He answered.

"What? Only the Kratt brothers would go for an innocent walk and end up running into a lion!" Aviva said smiling.

"Ah…only Martin would do that! I was just an innocent victim in this story!" He said.

"Aw, come on bro! Chris we're Creature Adventurer's its what we do!"

"No Martin! Its what you do…again and again!" Chris answered.

"Sorry Chris, I…I never meant…"

"Yeah, I know! You never do!" Chris said sighing cutting Martin off. "Just forget about it okay? Let's eat, I'm starving!"

"You sure?" Martin asked.

"I'm sure! Come on its getting cold!" Chris said faking a smile.

Meanwhile:

The tall, muscular man sat at his computer a smile on his face that reached his green eyes; he ran a hand through his short, black hair as he sighed happily. He turned off his computer and went to his mini bar where he made himself a drink, the smile never leaving his face as he looked out the window. He had waited for this moment after months of watching, he had a plan, but to make sure it went exactly as he wanted it to he had to figure out a way around one, annoying, little problem! Unlike the many fools before him, he wouldn't go rushing into his plan unprepared; no, he'd do as much research as he could to make sure those little tree huggers didn't interfere! He was a patient man and he needed all the patience he had for his intense research into the brothers. After learning all he needed through news reports and articles written on them he decided to do field research. So, he tracked them down and waited for them to leave their precious Tortuga unattended long enough to get a remote, mobile spy camera inside. He easily got it aboard and the first place he put it was the control room. From the comfort of his home he watched the five insects whenever he wanted. From watching them he soon realized that no plan; not even one of his own genius ideas would work unless he somehow managed to destroy the bond they all shared! Of course since the brothers were the core of their little family, to destroy the Wild Kratts he had to first destroy the brothers bond! That was easier said, than done, an incredibly hard task, but not an impossible one! He decided to focus his attention on the brothers alone, soon deciding to focus more on the younger Kratt after realizing he wasn't too impressed with his brother's lack of responsibility. The days past and the cracks began to show; the younger Kratt was quick to keep his true feelings unknown to his family, but alone he revealed his true self. Now after months of waiting the time had come…tomorrow he'd make contact with Chris!

The Next Day:

After breakfast the next morning Chris decided to try and go exploring without Martin. It wasn't that he didn't love his brother, or want to be around him…it was just that trouble always found Martin! Chris wasn't perfect, and Martin had to save his butt on more than one occasion, but the fact remained if there was any kind of trouble to be found, Martin would find it! He hated thinking like that about Martin, but it was becoming too much; add on the fact that Chris had been feeling tired and bored with constantly saving an animal everyday with no end in sight all equalled a very unhappy Chris Kratt!

"Hey Chris, you up for another adventure today?" Martin asked coming into the control room. "I thought we…"

"I was on my way out actually!" Chris said cutting him off. "I'm going back to that lake we found yesterday and just relax, maybe go for a swim!"

"Oh? Well, I'll go get changed and…"

"Alone Martin! I was going to go alone!" Chris said cutting him off again.

"Oh…okay. I'll see you later then, have fun!" Martin said sadly as he quickly walked away, Chris sighed feeling like a jerk for what he had said.

"Damnit!" Chris whispered, he walked outside and headed for the lake. The whole way he replayed the scene with Martin over and over. He should have turned around, went back to the Tortuga, found Martin and apologized. He should have, but instead he was now standing in front of the lake angry that Martin made him feel guilty for wanting to be alone! He was tired of always having to be the responsible one; he deserved to have fun too! Martin is the older brother, he should be the responsible one, but instead it was him having to make sure Martin didn't get himself hurt! His thoughts were interrupted by footsteps behind him, instead of turning around he spoke thinking it was Martin.

"Martin I thought I told you I wanted to be alone?"

"You told Martin, but not me!" An unknown man spoke from behind him.

"Who are you?" Chris asked quickly turning around.

"Mr. Kratt allow me to introduce myself! I' am Xavier Brooks."

"How do you know my name?" Chris asked suspiciously.

"Well Chris…may I call you Chris?" Xavier asked, Chris nodded. " As I was saying, I know all about you and your team through the many news reports done about the five of you!" Xavier half lied.

"So, what is it you want exactly?" Chris asked still unsure of the man or his motives.

"Well…you see young Christopher I'm here to help you!" Xavier answered.

"Help me? No offence Mr. Brooks, but…"

"Xavier, please!" Xavier interrupted.

"No offence Xavier, but how can you help me? I'm sorry you came out for nothing, I don't need any help! Thank you though." Chris answered.

"Now lying isn't very nice Chris!" Xavier said as he sat on a rock smiling.

"Look I told you, I don't need any help; especially from you! So you can go now, and leave me alone!" Chris said getting angry.

"I think you do, and you're just afraid to admit it!" Xavier taunted.

"You know nothing about me!" Chris argued.

"I know more than you think!" Xavier said still smiling.

"Who are you? What is this huh? Some sick game?"

"I assure you this is no game! As for who I' am…lets just say I'm a new friend!"

"You…you know nothing about me! I'm done! You stay, I'll leave!" Chris said angrily as he turned to leave Xavier spoke stopping him.

"I know you're tired of being the good guy! I also know you're tired of your brother's constant mess up's and…"

"Shut up! Shut your mouth!" Chris demanded turning to face him.

"I'm right aren't I?" Xavier said as he stood.

"What do you want?" Chris asked tired of playing this game.

"I've come to give you a way out! I'm here to give you the chance you've been waiting for!" Xavier said smiling.

"What?" Chris asked confused.

"The chance to join with me and become a bad guy!"

"I knew it! You're just like all the others Xavier, when are you guys going to give up?"

"You're avoiding my offer Christopher!"

"And you're insane! So we're even!" Chris replied.

"Maybe, but that's not really relevant right now!" Xavier said.

"Let me guess…you want me to join you and help you carry out your pathetic plan to use animals somehow? Am I close?" Chris asked smirking.

"I' am! Interested?"

"Were all villains born stupid? Or do they teach you it in villain school?" Chris asked.

"Let me assure you of one thing Christopher…I'm far from stupid!" Xavier replied.

"Am I supposed to be scared?" Chris asked his smile gone.

"You misunderstand me Christopher, I'm not here to threaten you or any of the usual clichéd villain tactics!" Xavier answered.

"Then why are you here?"

"I'm here as I've clearly said before to offer you the chance to become a villain! Quit pretending, quit lying to yourself and become a bad guy!"

"You're funny you know that?" Chris said smiling.

"We'll see who has the last laugh! Think about what I said, I'll be around if you change your mind!" Xavier said as he walked away, Chris said nothing as he watched him leave.

TBC…