Chapter 12: The Decision
As the workday went on, Donna and Iris were assembling the jetpacks that Sketch designed earlier. Full of excitement and confusion, the girls decided to talk about what they were thinking.
"It's amazing, Donna," said Iris. "Our bosses are legendary creatures. And now we know it's possible that anyone could become a legend. It's just crazy…"
"Yeah," said Donna. "I wonder if Jamal's thinking about making us Ko Tengus?"
"I don't know…" Iris sighed. "It sure would be cool, though."
Donna nodded. "What power would you have, Iris?"
"Ice, most likely," she replied.
"Ice?! I would've thought that you had enough of ice back in Alaska!"
Iris shook her head. "Not really. In fact, I think it's a shame that we don't get snow in Zaibatsu. I think snow is beautiful. If I had ice abilities, it would actually feel like winter here. Don't you agree that snow is wonderful?"
Donna sighed. "It's hard to say. I was born in Texas. The only thing I've seen besides the dry prairie was the occasional tornado."
"Oh, I see."
Iris finished a jetpack and put it on a rack.
"So what power would you want, Donna?"
"Fire," Donna said.
"Why? I think fire is a terrible thing!"
Donna shrugged. "To each his own. In my opinion I think fire is useful. It keeps a person warm in the cold, and its glow can help a person see in the night. You really can't find your way home in the dark using an ice cube."
Iris scratched her head. "Well, I guess I understand what you mean. But I'm sticking with ice."
"Okay."
Donna grabbed a wrench to put the pieces of the jetpack together.
"Y'know, I've been getting a strange feeling about Sketch ever since I met him yesterday."
"Me too, Donna. Could it be…?"
"I don't know! I've never felt this way about someone before!"
"Me neither!" Iris began to smile. "Then maybe…"
Donna smiled. "We must be!"
They hugged each other and giggled.
"What's going on here?"
The girls turned to find Sketch and Jamal standing outside of the office.
Donna and Iris blushed. They looked at themselves hugging each other and immediately let go.
"You guys are weird," said Jamal.
"Sorry," said the girls.
"I've been thinking about this decision for a long time," said Jamal. "It wasn't easy to decide, but after a while of thought I have finally chosen what to do." He approached the girls.
"You two," he said, "are worthy of becoming Ko Tengus."
They looked at each other in silent surprise. Suddenly the squealed and jumped up in the air with excitement.
Jamal ran behind Sketch in fright. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No, Jamal," said Sketch. "They're just a little excited."
Jamal stared at the girls with wide eyes. "A little?!"
Donna and Iris took deep breaths. "Sorry," said Donna.
Jamal cleared his throat. "Ahem. Donna, I remember you saying that you wanted the powers of fire."
Donna was stunned. She began to blush. "Oh dear…you heard that?!"
Jamal nodded. "I also remember hearing that you, Iris, wanted ice powers."
Iris swallowed hard. "I, uh, guess you heard what we said a little earlier, huh?"
"Oh, yeah." Sketch nodded. "What kind of feeling are you girls talking about?"
Donna and Iris smiled. They ran to Sketch and gave him a big squeeze. "We love you, Sketch!"
Sketch was nervous. "Whoa, hey! Stop it, girls! Let go! Girls! Cut it out!"
But Donna and Iris continued to hold Sketch tight.
"Jamal!" Sketch shouted. "Help!"
Jamal managed to pry the girls away from Sketch. "Are you okay?"
Sketch was overwhelmed after the girls had squeezed him. "Possibly a few broken bones, but I think I'm fine…"
Jamal turned to the girls. "I don't think Sketch wanted you to do that."
"We're sorry," said Donna. "But we couldn't help it!"
"Love is a very powerful force!"
"Indeed," Sketch whelped nervously. "You nearly killed me with it! Please don't do that again!"
Donna and Iris looked at each other and smiled. "We're not making any promises!" They ran to Sketch and once again squeezed him with great affection.
"GAAAH! JAMAL!"
Jamal, stunned and frightened, began to back away. "Sorry, Sketch, but you're on your own." He started to run away.
"JAMAALLLL!!"