When they arrived at their camp, it didn't looked like they we're camping, more like moving in.
They lived in a cabin raised on stilts over water, close to the waterfalls, where there is a watermill that runs by falling water of the waterfalls. The cabin is colored spring green, and decorated with lavender vine flowers, the windows were glistening, the entrance door was carved of flowers, and there are hovering stepping stones for stairs to reach inside. There is also a construction of pipes made of bamboos to convey the water inside the cabin, like a sink. They also did some gardening of flowers, and there are floating bird houses shaped like tulips for some kind of unusual glistening hummingbirds. They even added decorations for the garden.
"Welcome to our camp" Azalea welcomed them, with open arms.
Zircon was skeptical of this camp of theirs, cause it looked more like trespassing than camping temporarily. "This is your temporary camping area?" said Zircon. "It looks more like your "moving in to your new home" area."
"This cabin design wasn't even my idea, it was my friend's idea, she's the one having a hard time stepping out of her comfort zone" Azi explained it to her, as she saw her friend coming out of the cabin to introduce herself to the others. "Speaking of which here she comes right now."
Terra, Red, Sapphire, and Zircon peeled their eyes on that entrance door, waiting for Azi's friend to come out. When she opened the door and stepped out to reveal herself, Sapphire and Red knew who she was right away. Zircon and Terra not really.
"Who are you?" Zircon asked the lady with the pink spectacles.
"Zirc you don't recognize her?" said Sapphire. "That's Dr. Paloma Animalia. Galactica's most brilliant ecologist, the study of nature."
That name didn't ring a bell to Zircon. "Well I don't socialize much in Galactica so no."
Dr. Paloma Animalia is a Galactanian as well. Her skin is light green colored, her eye color is Harlequin green, her glasses are carnation pink, her hair color is Erin green wearing a sweet pink headband to hold back her long hair, and her lips are green (NCS). As for her clothes, she wears a celadon pale greyish shade of green shirt, her lab coat is emerald green, her jeans are olive colored, and her boots are myrtle dark green.
Paloma was flattered by them. "I see my name pursues me, even in secret planets."
"Secret planets that are not meant to be found" said Zircon in an aggressive tone.
Paloma could see Zircon was not pleased. "You must be the legendary Zircon, the missing Galactanian who was raised by animals. I've heard so much about you."
"Really, cause I've never heard anything about you?" Zircon replied in a polite way. "You're some kind of... famous scientist?"
"Well, I wouldn't say famous, more like well known through out the galaxy."
"Right, famous."
"Anyway, why don't you come inside for some tea and crumpets and we'll explain everything to you."
They accepted their kind offer and went inside the cabin. Inside was quite luxurious for camping. There were decorative lamps on the ceiling powered by lightflies, a well designed coffee table with a flower on the center, there were soft couches and chairs which is a living room, a small kitchen with a bamboo sink from the outside, cupboards for storing in dishes and foods, jamb stove, she also has her own bedroom with a study. As for Azalea she mostly sleeps outside, she's more of an outdoor person.
Paloma offered them her finest tea. Lavender. And her most delicious crumpet, she's not sure what kind of food the human eats so she made her a soft, sweet crumpet out of the healthiest, tastiest, chewable grain mixed with the sweetest nectar sauce.
"Have some of my finest lavender tea, with the most delicious crumpet" she said while serving them the tea and crumpets. "So you're the human I've been hearing about. I didn't know what kind of food you eat so I figured you'd prefer the easy ones."
"Thank you" said Terra, while taking a bite of the crumpet. It was soft, chewy, and sweet. "This is really good, so chewy and sticky." Next she took a sip of the tea. "And the lavender tea is so soothing."
"Not only we grow lavender for decorations but it's also good for the mind. It really helps me focus."
Zircon, Red, and Sapphire tried the tea and crumpets, and they find it delightful.
"This really is good" said Sapphire, while sipping her tea.
"I'll say, it tastes fancy" added Zircon, while munching on some crumpets.
"It tastes like your having a picnic in nature" said Red, while stuffing his mouth with tea and crumpets.
"I suppose you wanna know why we're here?" Paloma guessed, while pouring herself more tea.
"Yeah, your friend here says you found my planet by sensing this world's richest soil?" replied Zircon.
"Well yes, Planticals are known for their interaction with other planet's environment."
"Yeah, and I also have a great sense of direction" added Azi. "But that's not the only thing I felt. I felt some kind of strong pulse in this planet's earth, which brings me the reason why we came here."
"Yeah, so what's this faithful expedition about? What made it so important for you to set up camp here, though it looks more like you're staying than camping?"
"Well yes, I kind of did overpack. Anyway the reason for this expedition is to discover the 'Gem of the Jungle'. The Malawild."
Zircon, Sapphire, and Red were surprised at this. "THE MALAWILD!" They said together.
"The Mala-what?" said Terra confused, for this information is unknown to her.
"Oh yeah, she's new here so you better fill her in Zircon" said Red.
Zircon explained to Terra of the Jungle Planet's sacred most powerful jewel, The Malawild. Malachite gem that is the legendary core of this planet. "The Malawild is the source of my planet. It's located on the center of my planet, on the top of Sky Mountain Pyramid, in the Tree Shrine guarded by a pack of the Jungle Planet's most ancient fierce beasts, the Ferociraps."
"I've heard of it" Paloma continued. "Legend has it that the gem flourishes the vegetation of this world, looks after the lands, flows the waters, and watches over the animals making sure they're all fit and healthy, it can even heal the sick and wounded."
"And just how and where did you hear about this legend?" Zircon asked, suspicious, because no one knows the Jungle Planet's secrets cause it's supposed to be hidden from the galaxy.
"Well... let's just say a little birdie told me. Literarily" Azalea answered for Paloma, since she's the one who found the Secret Planet. She pointed at the glistening hummingbirds, that are actually Trochidoptera, a colorful hummingbird like aves with butterfly wings, outside in the floating bird houses drinking nectar from the tree flowers. "One of your flying creatures may have told me this, cause I bribe them with the most delicious flower nectar."
"What!?" Zircon was mad at one of her Trochidopteras for telling a stranger. "Why haven't they told me this? Why haven't you told me this?" She angrily faced towards her birds.
They saw her and they were scared. They respond in a frightful chirp. The others can't understand what they're saying, but since Zircon was raised by animals she understood them perfectly, even when they stuttered a bit. "Of course I'm mad, but I'm even more mad when you haven't told me this sooner."
The birds chirped her an apology for being so weak. They just couldn't resist the smell, the taste of the most delicious flower in the universe.
Zircon just let it go and firmly said, with her arms crossed. "Anyway you're not going on this expedition to find my planet's most sacred, powerful gem, and that's final."
Paloma tried to reason with Zircon. "Zircon I know this is hard to accept, and we are sorry for intruding like this without your permission, but we've come a long way. We mean your world no harm, we just want to discover the gem, we're scientists, well actually I'm a scientist Azi is my assistant, we're here to learn not to pillage or ruin your planet's tranquility. We even thought to publish our discovery through out the Galaxy."
"No way. Then more people will come here and disturb the peace, this world ain't no safari trip, and the Secret Planet wouldn't be much of a secret if someone knows about its whereabouts."
"No one said anything about the revelation of this world's location, just cataloging of the greatest discovery in history. We will give you anything you want in return."
"Like to modify your human friend's unusual power" suggested Azalea.
"What?" Sapphire, Zircon, Red, and Terra were shocked.
"How did you know?" asked Sapphire.
"I saw you back at the oasis desert while I was hiding in the Anthurium plants, spying on your interesting training" answered Azalea.
"That was you!?" said Red, surprised. "I knew there was someone watching us behind those plants."
"Even if we agree, how do you propose to do it?" asked Terra, curious.
"With the Malawild" answered Azalea. "It can help stable your unusual powers."
Terra turned to Zircon for what she thought of the idea. Zircon looked worried and uncertain about this. "Can we speak in private" she said, gathering Sapphire, Red, and Terra for a serious discussion.
They stepped outside the cabin and huddle together in secret.
"I don't think this is such a good idea" said Zircon. "The Malawild is the most sacred source of my planet and all who live in it. It's also my responsibility."
"I understand, but think what it could do to help Terra control her powers" said Sapphire. "She wouldn't cause anymore accidents. No offense Terra" she said while turning to Terra.
"None taken" replied Terra, for it didn't bothered her.
"We don't know these people? How do we know they're trustworthy to study the Malawild, and to keep the secret of this world?"
"The doctor I trust but the plant lady not so much" said Red. "She's kind of a prankster."
"Yes, because mischief making is in my nature" Azalea interrupted them, while hanging upside down the vine eavesdropping on their conversation.
The four of them jumped back in surprised. Zircon was angry. "What part of 'can we speak in private' did you not understand!?"
"Sorry, couldn't help myself, but just hear me out, I came to discuss reason of the situation" explained Azi. "One nature lover to another Zircon, I know how much your home planet means to you and all the animals who live in it. Paloma is fond of animals too, she's an ecologist who is also a zoologist, and biologist who is also an animal doctor. In short she's a great scientist. If you lead us to the gem, for Paloma to document it in her writings, we will leave your planet for good and tell no one about this world's whereabouts. Your secret planet will be safe with us."
Zircon just quietly stared at her, skeptical, with her arms crossed.
"You'll never see our faces again."
Sapphire sided with Azalea in the reasoning, she looked at Zircon with content eyes and said. "All we need is one small power up peace Zirc. We can trust them, just like you trusted me and my brother."
"And a human" added Terra. "Besides didn't you say nature works in miraculous ways, and someday I'll find this useful. Well why not today?"
"Come on this is for Terra, to help absorb in control of her unique powers" Red supported his sister. "Unless you want to deal with more of Terra's training? I wonder if those Bubblebees have enough energy to keep restoring the lands every single day?"
Zircon finally gave in to their needs. "Find. I'll take you to study the Malawild."
"Really? You'll do it?" said Azalea, excited.
Zircon nodded her head in submission.
"Great! I'll go tell Paloma" Azalea sprinted back in the cabin to inform Paloma that Zircon has accepted their offer.
Terra looked at Zircon with gratitude. "Zircon I want you to know I appreciate you doing this for me" she said. "I swear this will not go in vain."
Zircon just smiled in response, as Paloma came out of the cabin to thank her. "Thank you so much for doing this Zircon, we swear you won't regret it."
"Oh, I'm pretty sure I will" she said aloud. "Shall we prepare for the journey, it's gonna be a long dangerous trip from here to the center of the Jungle Planet."
"Everything's already packed" replied Paloma. "And if you want? You can call me Lo for short."