Juan wound up like a baseball pitcher and hurled the charged fruit toward the largest of the carnivorous plants. His aim was true – the fruit sailed through the air and landed directly between the serrated jaws.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then the plant began to tremble. Its massive jaws slammed shut, crushing the fruit. A horrible hissing sound filled the air as smoke poured from between the creature's teeth. The plant thrashed wildly, its stalk bending and twisting as if in terrible pain.
The other two guardians immediately turned toward their dying companion, their own jaws opening wide in what looked disturbingly like alarm.
"It's working!" Juan exclaimed. "Give me another one!"
