The Clan of the Scorpion Read online

  “Fair enough. Let’s go!” cried Jet.

  “Before the Clan, each enemy cowers, for now we fight till victory is ours,” said Chuck.

  The ninja meerkats bowed gracefully, then set about kicking, punching, slicing, whacking, thwacking, and just about every other word you can think of for fighting. Jet grabbed Doris by the tail and swung her around, sending her flying into the two clowns. Meanwhile, Chuck, Donnie, and Bruce took on the evil trapeze artists. Chuck leaped into the air and cut through their swings with his sword, sending them tumbling to the ground where Donnie and Bruce were waiting.

  Soon all seven Von Trapezes were in a tangled mess on the ground, along with the clowns and Doris the Dancing Dog.

  “And now for the Ringmaster,” said Chuck.

  But in the chaos of the fight, the Ringmaster had already vanished.

  “How does he always do that?” snarled Jet.

  “Well, in spite of a slight technical hitch with the speaker system that caused it to cut out on the stroke of midnight, it’s been a spectacular night of celebrations here in Hong Kong, to bring in the Year of the Tiger,” said a news reporter on a huge TV screen.

  The meerkats were on the other side of Hong Kong harbor, walking along the Avenue of Stars, which was lined with the names of famous actors and actresses, including the greatest kung fu film stars.

  “Look, Jackie Chan,” said Bruce excitedly. “Take a photo of me with this one.”

  Behind them the TV screen continued showing the news report. “And the good news is that Ming, the speckled-white tigress who went missing from Hong Kong Zoo, has returned, although the reason for her disappearance and the circumstances surrounding her return remain a mystery.”

  “Can’t we take the credit just this once?” asked Jet.

  “No,” replied Chuck. “True ninjas do not seek glory or thanks. The satisfaction of a job well done should be enough for you. Besides, it’s best we do not draw attention to Ming. No one else must discover her true power.”

  Donnie nodded in agreement. “She’s no mere cat,” he said.

  “That’s right. We are meerkats,” said Bruce.

  The others groaned.

  “What?” asked Bruce. “I don’t get it.”

  “Come on,” said Chuck. “I’ll explain it on the way home.”

  The streets of Old Delhi can be a confusing place for newcomers. They are noisy, dusty, and jam-packed with cars, vans, rickshaws, bicycles, street sellers, tourists, and cows, which are allowed to wander anywhere they wish, getting in everyone’s way. This can also be said of the tourists, although the cows tend to take fewer photos.

  On this particular morning, there were also four meerkats who were enjoying the hustle and bustle because it allowed them to walk unnoticed through the streets.

  “I still don’t understand where we’re going,” said Bruce.

  “We’ve been through this,” said Donnie, who was wearing a hefty backpack full of gadgets, disguises, and inventions. “We have come to see Smo Ka, the Delhi Llama.”

  “Smo who the what?” said Bruce.

  “Smo Ka, the Delhi Llama. He’s a kung fu legend,” said Jet. “He invented the Lightning Spin Kick, a kick so fast if you blink, you’ll miss it. I’ve never managed it, but I’m hoping he’ll give me some tips. He also wrote The Four Elements of Kung Fu. I’ve brought along my copy to have it signed.” Jet held up a well-thumbed book from his collection of martial arts manuals.

  “Many years ago, Smo Ka trained with our own Grandmaster One-Eye,” said Chuck. “That is how he came to hear of us and why he requested our help.”

  “But what does he need our help with?” asked Bruce.

  “That we do not know,” Chuck replied. “All we’ve been given is his address. He will explain when we see him.”

  The Clan passed a street vendor with a large stack of samosas.

  Bruce’s stomach rumbled. “Can we stop for a quick bite?” he asked.

  “No, Smo is expecting us,” replied Chuck.

  “But what about breakfast? All I’ve eaten since we left the Red Desert were those sugar-coated ants’ antennae,” moaned Bruce. “And doesn’t my mom always says it’s important to try the local food?”

  “Your mom has never left her burrow in her whole life,” said Jet.

  “Exactly. She always eats locally,” replied Bruce.

  Donnie rolled his eyes. “All right, I’ll get you one of those samosas.” From his backpack, he pulled out a device made from a fishing rod and a pair of tweezers. He cast the line, sending the tweezers flying into the air. They latched onto a samosa on top of the pile.

  “Nice one, Donnie,” Bruce cheered.

  But the flying snack did not go unnoticed by the street vendor. “My samosa has sprouted wings,” he cried.

  “Donnie, like the elephant who puts on a bikini and enters a beauty contest, you are drawing too much attention to yourself,” said Chuck sternly. “Release the samosa.”

  “Sorry,” said Donnie. He reeled in the line and dropped Bruce’s snack on the ground.

  Bruce reached for the samosa, but Chuck grabbed his arm. “No, Bruce. Quickly, everyone. Down this alley.” As the meerkats hurried down the quiet side street, Chuck turned to Donnie. “We are all grateful for your gadgets, but please remember—a ninja meerkat moves like a shadow through the streets. He does not steal samosas with a fishing rod.”

  Suddenly, Chuck stopped outside a ramshackle shed that looked like it was two gusts of wind away from being a pile of firewood. “We’re here,” he said.

  “This can’t be right,” said Jet. “A legend like the Delhi Llama should live in a palace, not a shed. We must have the wrong address.”

  “A legend like the Delhi Llama would not care for things such as palaces,” Chuck replied.

  “Why’s he called the Delhi Llama anyway?” asked Bruce.

  “I’ll give you a clue,” said Donnie. “He lives here in Delhi and…” He paused and looked at his friend.

  “And what?” asked Bruce.

  “Honestly, Bruce,” said Donnie. “You are a brave, strong, and skillful ninja, but sometimes I wonder how you even manage to get dressed in the morning.”

  Chuck banged on the door three times.

  “Please enter,” spoke a voice from within.

  Bruce pushed open the door and they stepped inside. The interior of the shed was even more rundown than the outside, with little more for comfort than a bed of straw and a bowl of water. A battered notebook and a pot of ink lay next to the bed, but there was no sign of the kung fu legend himself.

  “Hello? Smo Ka, sir?” said Jet.

  “You may call me Smo.” The voice made all four meerkats jump. It seemed to come from right in front of them.

  “He’s invisible,” gasped Bruce.

  GOFISH

  QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR

  Gareth P. Jones

  What did you want to be when you grew up?

  At various points, a writer, a musician, an intergalactic bounty hunter and, for a limited period, a graphic designer. (I didn’t know what that meant, but I liked the way it sounded.)

  When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

  I don’t remember realizing it. I have always loved stories. From a very young age, I enjoyed making them up. As I’m not very good at making things up on the spot, this invariably involved having to write them down.

  What’s your most embarrassing childhood memory?

  Seriously? There are too many. I have spent my entire life saying and doing embarrassing things. Just thinking about some of them is making me cringe. Luckily, I have a terrible memory, so I can’t remember them all, but no, I’m not going to write any down for you. If I did that, I’d never be able to forget them.

  What’s your favorite childhood memory?

  To be honest with you, I don’t remember my childhood very well at all (I told you I had a bad memory), but I do recall how my dad used to tell me stories. He would make them up as he went a
long, most likely borrowing all sorts of elements from the books he was reading without me knowing.

  As a young person, who did you look up to most?

  My mom and dad, Prince, Michael Jackson, all of Monty Python, and Stephen Fry.

  What was your favorite thing about school?

  Laughing with my friends.

  What was your least favorite thing about school?

  I had a bit of a hard time when I moved from the Midlands to London at the age of twelve because I had a funny accent. But don’t worry, it was all right in the end.

  What were your hobbies as a kid? What are your hobbies now?

  I love listening to and making music. My hobbies haven’t really changed over the years, except that there’s a longer list of instruments now. When I get a chance, I like idling away the day playing trumpet, guitar, banjo, ukulele, mandolin (and piano if there’s one in the vicinity). I also like playing out with my friends.

  What was your first job, and what was your “worst” job?

  My first job was working as a waiter. That’s probably my worst job, too. As my dad says, I was a remarkably grumpy waiter. I’m not big on all that serving-people malarkey.

  What book is on your nightstand now?

  I have a pile of books from my new publisher. I’m trying to get through them before I meet the authors. I’m halfway through Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner, which is written in the amazing voice of a dyslexic boy.

  How did you celebrate publishing your first book?

  The first time I saw one of my books in a shop, I was so excited that I caused something of a commotion. I managed to persuade an unsuspecting customer to buy it so I could sign it for her son.

  Where do you write your books?

  Anywhere and everywhere. Here are some of the locations I have written the Ninja Meerkats series: On the 185 and the 176 buses in London, various airplanes, Hong Kong, Melbourne, all over New Zealand, a number of cafes and bars between San Diego and San Francisco, New Quay in South Wales, and my kitchen.

  What sparked your imagination for the Ninja Meerkats?

  The idea came from the publishing house, but from the moment I heard it, I really wanted to write it. It reminded me of lots of action-packed cartoons I used to watch when I was young. I love the fact that I get to cram in lots of jokes and puns, fast action, and crazy outlandish plots.

  The Ninja Meerkats are awesome fighters; have you ever studied martial arts? If so, what types?

  Ha, no. If I was to get into a fight, my tactic would be to fall over and hope that whoever was attacking me lost interest.

  If you were a Ninja Meerkat, what would your name be?

  Hmm, how about Gareth POW! Jones?

  What’s your favorite exhibit or animal at the zoo?

  Funnily enough, I like the meerkats. I was at a zoo watching them the other day when it started to rain. They suddenly ran for cover, looking exactly like their human visitors.

  In The Clan of the Scorpion the Meerkats travel to China, have you ever been to China?

  I set the first book in Hong Kong because I was there for a couple of days when I was working on the story. I spent a few days working out where they could go.

  In The Clan of the Scorpion the Chinese New Year is welcoming the Year of the Tiger, what Chinese year/sign were you born under?

  I just looked this up. The Year of the Ox. Great, I’m an ox. Not a dragon or a tiger … an ox.

  What’s Bruce’s favorite food?

  Anything with the words ALL YOU CAN EAT written above it.

  If you had a catchphrase like Bruce Force! or Ninja-Boom! what would it be?

  That’s a tricky one. How about PEN POWER!

  If you were a Ninja Meerkat, what would your special ninja skill be?

  I like to think I’d be like Jet, and always working on a new one. When I got into school, I took the Random Move Generator! We used it to come up with new moves, like the Floating Butterfly Punch and the Ultimate Lemon Punch.

  What is your favorite thing about real-life meerkats? Have you ever met a meerkat?

  I was lucky enough to go into a meerkat enclosure recently. They were crawling all over me, trying to get a good view. It was brilliant.

  In The Eye of the Monkey the Meerkats travel to India, have you ever been to India?

  I went to India for three months when I finished college. It was an amazing experience. I traveled all over, met lots of interesting people, and got so ill that I came back as thin as a rake.

  What challenges do you face in the writing process, and how do you overcome them?

  The challenge with writing the Ninja Meerkats books is mostly about the plotting. It’s trying to get all the twists and turns to work, and to avoid them feeling predictable. When I hit problems, I write down as many options as I can think of from the completely ordinary to utterly ridiculous. Once they’re all down on paper, the right answer normally jumps out at you.

  Which of your characters is most like you?

  I’d like to say that I’m wise and noble like Chuck, but I’m probably more like the Ringmaster as we’re both always coming up with new ways to take over the world.

  What makes you laugh out loud?

  My friends.

  What do you do on a rainy day?

  Play guitar, write, watch TV, or go out with my sword-handled umbrella.

  What’s your idea of fun?

  Answering questionnaires about myself. Actually, tomorrow, I’m going to a music festival with my wife where we will dance and cavort. That should be fun.

  What’s your favorite song?

  There are far too many to mention, but today I think I’ll go for “Feel Good Inc.” by Gorillaz.

  Who is your favorite fictional character?

  Another tricky one, but today I’ll say Ged from the Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula K. Le Guin.

  What was your favorite book when you were a kid? Do you have a favorite book now?

  As a child, I especially loved The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.

  What’s your favorite TV show or movie?

  Raiders of the Lost Ark.

  If you were stranded on a desert island, who would you want for company?

  My wife and son, then probably my friend Pete, as he’s really handy and would be able to make and build things.

  If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do?

  I’d like to go to Canada next. Ideally, I’d like to go and live there for a bit. I’ve never been to South America. There are also lots of parts of America I haven’t visited yet.

  If you could travel in time, where would you go and what would you do?

  I think I’d travel to the future and see what’s changed and whether anyone’s invented a new kind of umbrella.

  What’s the best advice you have ever received about writing?

  Don’t tell the story, show the story.

  What advice do you wish someone had given you when you were younger?

  Everything’s probably going to be fine, so it’s best to enjoy yourself.

  Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do to get back on track?

  It feels like tempting fate, but I don’t really believe in writer’s block. I think if you can’t write, you’re doing the wrong thing. You may need to plan or jot down options or go for a walk.

  What do you want readers to remember about your books?

  I’d settle for a general feeling of having enjoyed them.

  What would you do if you ever stopped writing?

  I’d do a full stop. If this is for an American audience, I guess that would be a period.

  What should people know about you?

  I’m a very silly man.

  What do you like best about yourself?

  I’m a very silly man.

  Do you have any strange or funny habits? Did you when you were a kid?

  I talk to myself a lot, which is probably pretty common, but the difference is that I don’t lis
ten to what I’m saying.

  Read all the Ninja Meerkats Adventures!

  The Clan of the Scorpion

  The Eye of the Monkey

  Escape from Ice Mountain

  available Spring 2013

  Hollywood Showdown

  available Spring 2013

  The Tomb of Doom

  available Fall 2013

  Big City Bust-Up

  available Fall 2013

  An Imprint of Macmillan

  NINJA MEERKATS: THE CLAN OF THE SCORPION.

  Text copyright © 2011 by Gareth P. Jones.

  Illustrations copyright © 2011 by Luke Finlayson.

  Cover illustration copyright © 2011 by Domingos de Aquino.

  All rights reserved. For information, address Square Fish, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

  The right of Gareth P. Jones and Luke Finlayson to be identified as the author and illustrator of this work respectively has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.

  ISBN 978-1-250-01664-5

  Originally published in Great Britain by Stripes Publishing

  First Square Fish Edition: January 2013

  Square Fish logo designed by Filomena Tuosto

  mackids.com

  eISBN 9781466843950