B - Bizarro - #AtoZChallenge

Gren's hands were shaking as he stepped into the the butterfly pens. There was only three hours until the championship game and he was nervous. He came to the pens early to dust his butterfly's wings one more time and clean her antennae. Coach always said that cleaning the antennae doesn't make any difference, but it was a practice Gren learned early from his father and couldn't give it up. Plus, Spicy seemed to enjoy it.

Spicy was a Giant Spicebush Swallowtail (papilio troilus giganticus) Gren had raised from a caterpillar larva. Gren's grandfather gave him the egg for his seventh birthday and told him this one would be special if it was cared for properly. Gren had always taken that seriously. He even rubbed a family-secret vitamin oil compound on Spicy's chrysalis every morning and night when she was in her pupa stage. Gren was so thankful when Spicy went pupa. Caterpillars are notoriously hungry and can be quite aggressive. She had grown to a little over four feet long and was getting difficult to control. Gren knew half a dozen kids at school who had lost fingers to their ravenous pets.

When Spicy emerged after four months of metamorphic coma, the new butterfly had a wingspan of almost seven feet. The vitamins had done their work. Gren started her training immediately. He had been excited to be the first to use a swallowtail at his school. Swallowtails weren't as colorful as some of the more highly preferred species for this sport, but her size was often intimidating to the other fliers and she was fast.

Gren checked over all the straps on the saddle to ensure everything was in working order. Regulations stated they were not to be fitted until immediately before the match and supervised by those officiating. This being the championship, these extra details were more strongly enforced. Once satisfied with the saddle's condition, he tried to get his head in the game. Gren had earned his spot on the team and had fought hard to make it this far, but the pressure was immense.

Butterflies in some of the other stalls started stirring around as more of his teammates trickled in. Everyone was getting ready and giving their butterflies nectar treats to calm them. Wings were dusted, thoraxes rubbed, and saddles oiled. Everyone seemed ready to go.

Butterflies are easily excitable, so in the confines of the stables talking and fast movements by the riders were forbidden. The quiet time before a match was a treasured time for Gren. As long as they were still in the stables, no one could give him a hard time about Spicy. Everyone else had bought their butterflies from a breeder or trainer. One of his teammates only acquired his a week before the start of the season. Only one of his teammates was even present when his butterfly emerged from its cocoon. It is common practice for people to buy well-bred, pre-trained fliers. However, Gren was very proud of the fact that he had raised Spicy from birth and trained her himself. No one else seemed to be impressed though. And the dull colors of his butterfly did not help to curb the teasing when most of his team rode butterflies with bright orange, yellow, or blue wings.

None of this mattered right now. Gren had proven that he and Spicy were valuable members of this team and had helped in getting the team to the championship. In fact, one of Spicy's maneuvers was instrumental in securing the win to reach the playoffs. He needed to stop being so unsure of himself.

The flower bell was rung to signal it was 30 minutes until game time. Everyone led their butterflies out to the edge of the field to saddle and harness in front of the officials. 

As Gren was waiting to secure the saddle, the official inspecting Spicy for any illegal contraband pointed out that she was in heat. NO! Butterflies in heat are primary targets in the third period when the breeders are released onto the playing field. Gren was going to really have to be on his game tonight. Playing a low-game would have to be his strategy. Stay close to the ground and let the breeders harass the colorful fliers higher in the sky.

After inspections were approved and everyone saddled up, the commissioner stepped out to the field for the ceremonial spinning of the hazard wheel. This was only done for championship games. An extra hazard would be added to the field to further test the skill of the players.

Gren had his fingers crossed for a sonic hazard. He had worked with Spicy for years training her to react to his shadow paddles. She was skilled at ignoring audio stimuli and allowing Gren to steer her.

The commissioner spun the wheel and the players waited to hear the announcement. The wheel slowly came to a stop and the head official declared "FROGS" for all to hear. Six cages each holding 12-foot long bullfrogs were wheeled onto the field.

Gren dropped his head. Staying low to ground to avoid the breeders would no longer be an option. Being swallowed by a bullfrog would be much worse.

The countdown timer began as both teams mounted the saddles. Gren let out a long breath. This would be the game of his life.

 

Spicebush Swallowtail

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All this month, I am participating in the A to Z Challenge. A new post will go up every day (except Sundays) using a letter of the alphabet as the starting off point. My theme for the month is literary genres. I am writing in a different genre of flash fiction each day. Today's letter is B for Bizarro.