Mutant is back 3! I have an unhealthy love for him aahah...
Though my eyelids concealed my sight, I could see dancing lights.
They flickered above me in taupe and ivory and I could only assume that I was somewhere outside. I could dimly hear voices and noise all around me, and I instantly feared that I was slipping into madness again. However, there was a difference in these voices.
They were speaking with each other.
For the first time in what seemed like years I could actually hear people communicating with each other, and it made me both incredibly happy and frightened. It was then that I was overcome with an overwhelming desire to open my eyes. I wanted to see again- to view the world as it really was.
My first attempt failed. It was as if all ability to control my eyelids had vanished. I tried again and was this time aware of the struggle. The corners of my eyes seemed to be glued shut by some magical force. It felt like somebody had sewn the bottom and the top of my eyelids together so I could never see again. I tried again, and when I finally realized the sheer absurdity of the situation,
In an instant my eyes were open and I was greeted by the blinding light known as the sun. For the first few seconds all I could see was the harsh whiteness of my surroundings. Then, slowly, things started to become clear.
I was in a pristine, amethyst colored environment. Besides the dark purples that were everywhere- in columns and mystical looking buildings- there were many dark deciduous forests. Even though my vision was slightly blurred, I could tell it was really beautiful.
"Hello!"
I snapped my head around (a decision I immediately regretted) to find a girl with light blonde hair grinning at me. What I found off, and slightly relatable, was her mismatched eyebrow color. They were bright blue and matched her lipstick and eye shadow. I also noticed that she was wearing a bright blue dress, but her lower body was submerged in water which I found slightly odd.
"H-" I try to croak out, but it's impossible to say anything beyond the first letter. Her expression immediately changes from a cheerful one to slightly depressed.
"Oh, I'm so sorry I couldn't properly heal you. I spent a lot of my resources on your friend, I'm afraid…"
My friend? Was it Clark?
It was just then that I noticed something wasn't right about her dress. It ended in a very weird fashion, almost like it was cut into two parts. Actually, it reminded me vaguely of the lessons in folklore that Professor Wiggle would teach me.
When she moved her legs up, and when they remained parallel to each other, I realized that something was definitely not right.
"Your-" I wanted to comment something about her dress, but my sore throat made it very difficult.
When she lifted her legs entirely out of water and splashed them a few times, I thought for sure that she had
some sort of fin instead of two feet.
Great. I was seeing things now.
"Oh!" she suddenly exclaimed, and began swimming excitedly towards something that I was too lazy to see. Before leaving, she turned towards me and said, "your friends that dropped you off are at the Poogle Races. You should probably go find them."
Poogle Races?
"Poogle Races? Where are they?" I manage to say in fear that she would swim away.
Her face towards my comment was one of amusement at first, but once she realized that I was serious she was slightly confused.
"They're up the hill. Just cross the bridge and you should see them. There's a pretty big arena that they compete in."
I nodded at her remark, and she smiled then started to swim away. However, something stopped her in her tracks and made her turn around to face me again.
"You shouldn't worry about your health. Your throat still hurts, but the rest of you is okay."
"Thank you."
"It's my pleasure." With a single flap of her dress-er-fin- she was off.
I glanced down to find myself sitting against a rock at the very edge of a shallow pool. The water was so clean that I could see my reflection, and I had to do a double take.
Something did not seem right.
I couldn't quite place my finger on it, but there was just something off about the way I looked.
I quickly disregarded the thought and instead focused on my clothes. They were incredibly disgusting. They were caked in dirt and blood- the blood from what I don't remember.
Clark, Astro, Professor Wiggle, I reminded myself, and I forced myself into a standing position.
I wobbled a bit at first and remembered the injury from the mining accident. Focusing all of my weight onto my good leg, I limped forwards to a lesser muddy area. I saw a blob of white and black, and, after squinting my eyes, I could tell that it was a small pile of clothes sitting on top of a rock.
Please dear god let those be for me, I thought.
I made my way over to the lump of fabric and found a note that read:
To Mutant. Thought this would do you some good, blech. From Cove.
I took the note and folded it into even fourths then unfolded the articles of clothing.
First was a shirt that had a white face and black sleeves… I believe Prof. Wiggle once told me that they were called raglan shirts? There was also a pair of black jeans that smelled nice… Faintly of lavender, I thought.
After searching for a lock-able room, I quickly gave up and instead just changed behind a column very quickly. That wasn't really necessary though, as I was completely alone.
The clothes were kind of uncomfortable, to say the least. Whoever these people were definitely had a thing for tighter-fitting fabric; my ankles were being suffocated from the jeans.
I wasn't really sure what to do with my old clothes, so I just set them down in the spot where my new clothes had been. I stuck the folded up note into my pocket then continued towards the large purple bridge that I could see in the distance.
The few people that I crossed gave me dirty looks, and I'm pretty sure that I could hear one of them say, "Darigan scum."
I wanted to say something, but I decided against it. I just wanted to find whoever Cove and Mildew were.
Before I reached the bridge, I was stopped in amazement by a large vertically standing wheel.
"It looks like fun, right?!" a golden-haired girl said.
"Yeah, it does. What is it?"
She laughed at my remark, then said, "It's the Wheel of Excitement, silly! Only 500 NP!"
"Oh… Sorry, I don't have any money, or, uh, NP, with me."
Her face turned into what appeared to be mock sadness. "Awh, too bad. I hope I'll see you later, though," she said, and I wasn't sure if she winked at me or not.
"Right."
Nope.
I continued down the leafy path and finally reached the bridge. It consisted of large purple planks that were connected by both nails and twine. Several vines with amethyst colored flowers were also growing on it, although I did not know if they naturally grew that way or not.
I carefully crossed the bridge- a feat that I noted took exactly eleven strides. A dirt-filled arena finally came into sight, and there were several people gathered that were cheering jumbled words.
After walking closer, I examined the crowd. Mildew and Cove must be here, but what did they look like? Was Clark with them?
I watched as one of the tan colored creatures- one with a green colored cape- crossed the checkered mat first. The audience erupted in two sounds: boos and woos.
"Yeah, buddy!"
" I knew it!"
The two people high-fived each other, then turned around and looked directly at me.
"There he is," the taller one whispered.
Before I realized what was happening, the two guys were already in front of me.
"Well, Mutant. It's about time you're up."
The one that spoke first was shorter. He had very light blonde hair and equally light grey eyes.
"The name is Mildew," he said, almost bitterly. "Mister Mildew Rockengrooven."
That name… Sounded so familiar.
The absurdness of it… Reminded me of Toontown.
"I'm Mutant," I started, "but apparently you already know that."
"And I'm Captain Cove!" the orange-haired and bearded guy behind Mildew said.
"Captain? As in captain of a ship?" I asked for clarification.
"That's right. The best ship in the country!"
"That sounds like a very interesting lifestyle," I commented. Captain Cove grinned at my remark and said, "Interesting indeed, Mutant."
"Enough," Mildew suddenly said. "We need to go. Sabre is going to be mad at us if we stay any longer."
"Hey it's your fault. You're the one that wanted to gamble."
"Oh please, it's not like you were so against it. Plus I knew it would be a while before the boy woke up."
I watched the bickering duo with dim curiosity. They seemed like good friends, but they argued pretty well too. I wonder how long they knew each other?
"Do you know where Clark is?" I ask them.
"Red haired boy, right?" Cove asks.
"Yeah, that's probably him," I clarified.
"Well, you see… Even though her healing powers are the strongest in Neopia… Clark's injuries were very bad. And her use is so, so limited each day…"
A sickening feeling started to build up.
"So…?"
"We knew that you would survive with the rest of her power, but we weren't sure if Clark would even survive if he had all of them…"
"Don't tell me that he's-"
"Dead,' Mildew said, finishing the sentence I hoped I wouldn't have to.
I wanted to yell at them. I wanted to call them every bad name I knew and tell them that they got it wrong- Clark was supposed to live. Clark should still be alive and I should be the one that's dead.
They must be confused, that's it.
They got it the other way around. Surely somebody should've told them that Clark is the one that should be saved.
I had figured it out a long time ago that this was just a huge scheme to save us. The gallows, the hanging, Sir Astro and Professor Wiggle- all part of the plan for Clark and I to get out so we can finally start doing something productive. But that didn't matter now. Clark is dead and I'm alive, which means that nothing will get done. I was never the strong one.
"We've dragged this out long enough. Let's go back to Tyrannia," Mildew said, breaking my thoughts.
After he walked away, Cove shot me an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry, Mutant. I know we don't know each other very well, but you have to believe me when I tell you that he hasn't always been like this. There's just been something about him lately… Something off. He's had a bad life, too, you know."
I nodded, then followed Mildew's slowly vanishing figure. Captain Cove was probably right, but I couldn't care less. Whatever problem Mildew has shouldn't affect my emotions. I did feel a touch of sympathy, but all of my sympathy was starting to run out. That scared me. Without sympathy people are machines- cogs. Being un-emotional is a sign of weakness in Toontown. Should I continue living by that code? Or should I give up? Toontown is taken over, anyway, and Jesse is probably dead. So what's the point?
With Cove only a few feet behind me, Mildew led us to his ship. It was an incredibly grand ship, and for the first time in a while I was gladly impressed by something.
"It's just going to be us," Cove noted, and stepped onto the deck. Were there no workers either?
"If we don't waste any time we should get to Meridell tonight. Then from there we can reach Tyrannia by sunset tomorrow," Cove explained a half an hour later while steering the ship.
"I need a map," I commented. "Either that or a geography lesson."
Cove laughed, then said, "Afraid I can't do either. I lost my last map a few days ago at sea. I know this route by heart, luckily."
"Heart? How long have you been doing this?" I asked him.
"For as long as I can remember. I started learning when I was young then before I knew it I got the ship."
"What exactly do you do?"
"I drive Mildew's ass around everywhere. Oh, and I smuggle immigrants." I smiled, assuming that immigrant referred to me.
"Oh, and if you haven't figured it out yet, we're in Neopia."
"That I figured. Why are we going to Tyrannia?"
"Mildew and I have lived there for… A while. Anyway, one of the members of their council is a tough military guy named Sabre-X. He gave Mildew a second chance and told us that he'll give you one too."
"A second chance? How did he you guys know that I was in a bad situation?"
"You can thank Baron for that."
Baron, Baron, Baron… The name sounded familiar, but I couldn't quite remember who it was.
"Who was that again? I've met so many people…"
"Baron," Cove started, putting a single index finger up, "would be your old mining instructor guy. Cool person."
"Baron really told you about my situation? Wait, how did he even know?"
Cove threw a hand up to his hair and ruffled it. "Mutant, I don't really know that much. You shouldn't ask me anything. Wait until we get to Tyrannia. Your questions should be answered there."
I frowned to myself. I was getting sick of everybody hiding important information from me. If I was as important as they claimed, shouldn't I know what was going on? But of course that would never be the case. Mutant can't know anything about anything because he would just screw it up, right?
I made my way to the other side of the deck, careful to avoid any possible encounters with Mildew. Even though I had been deprived of it for so long, I was getting sick of interaction. I was starting to think that everybody was a jerk, and nothing had proven otherwise.
Well, yes, Professor Wiggle had always been nice to me. Sir Astro had been, too, but there was still an air of indecency about him. And Clark… Clark was just screwed up, honestly. Everything that happened just got to him. I saw the change in his attitude, the subtle differences in his behavior.
He turned cynical so quickly. I didn't know him that well before Toontown was taken over, but from what I had seen, he was a very content person that seemed to enjoy his life. He didn't really talk to anybody in particular, but he was always at every meeting that Jesse held, and it seemed that everybody knew his name. After all, Clark did have one of the most important jobs in Toontown Central.
"Is this Meridell?"
"Yep. See the castle?" I looked towards the left and saw a white castle with red roofs and golden accents. The place screamed 'rich.'
"The king is kind of uptight," Cove commented. "But everybody is let into the castle."
"Are we going into the castle?"
"Of course not," Mildew chimed in from behind us. "We're not complete idiots. If we go in there we'd be treated as peasants."
"Which we kind of are," Cove said.
"Whatever. Shifter is going to let us stay at his place like he always does when we're here," Mildew concluded.
As we walked down the dirt paths of Meridell, I found myself eyeing a peculiar sight in the distance. It appeared to be a… Floating castle? Actually, it just looked like a floating land mass, not just a castle. The castle I could see was a grey-blue gothic looking structure.
"Hey Cove? What is that?' I asked, pointing towards the land mass. He suddenly stopped and turned around to see what I was looking at,
"Oh, that's Darigan Citadel. Not a very cheery place at all."
"They're known for their poison," Mildew said, actually inputting something for once. "If you even take a sip then you're destined to die a slow and terrible death. It affects your blood… Somehow. Don't ask me about science. But your veins will turn an unnaturally bright color. I've even heard reports of your hair changing color, but that could probably just be a myth."
"Why… Would anybody want to make that?" I asked. It's not like I was surprised- I wasn't; I know how awful people are- but something like that should have an actual "justification" for existing, right?
"It's all warfare. If they have that poison and the ability to kidnap, then other states should be afraid of them, right?" Mildew paused, apparently lost in thought. "Either that or they use it to make allies. That poison can be a very valuable thing," he finished, and I was surprised to see a slightly more human side of him.
"It's hard to obtain," Cove pitched in, answering my next question. "If they come up at auctions they're going to be expensive."
"And taken down instantly. Darigan poison is illegal in most places."
"Wow… So this is pretty feared in most places, huh?" I asked.
"Rightfully so. Shit's terrifying," Cove answered, and Mildew remained silent.
Back to his old ways.
It wasn't until our third hour out into sea that I felt bored. I was tired of seeing cascades of blue and fish in every passing second, and even worse, I was starting to feel sick.
I had hardly ever traveled by boat, and I had certainly never been on expeditions that spanned over a day. I had occasionally taken the boat at Donald's Dock, but it was only a simple ride; not one around a country.
I had also quickly grown tired of Mildew and Cove's constant bickering. Sure, they had good times, but it seemed like their worse times were much more obvious. I had ignored Mildew at all costs, but it was impossible to ignore their fights.
When I wasn't walking around the ship or watching the sea, I was talking to Captain Cove. He had a lot of interesting stories; apparently he used to live in this place called Krawk Island. He told me about the Warf Wharf, the Smuggler's Cove (which he thinks was one inspiration to his name), and the race to get the buried treasure that was apparently hidden in the beach. I had to admit to myself that it was very interesting, and I added Krawk Island to my mental travel bucket list.
Nevertheless, when he announced that we were at our destination, I was relieved.
Mildew got off of the ship first. After watching him swiftly make his way to the ground, I followed after him and found myself a few feet away from a shoddy wooden dock. I reluctantly jumped off of it and landed hard onto the ground.
"You two go ahead," Cove called to us from the ship. "Oh, and Mutant… Watch your back. Not everybody in Tyrannia is exactly, er, modern. Just be careful," he explained.
After a quick wave I fought to catch up with Mildew.
"We're seeing Sabre- X," he said from a few feet ahead of me. "Don't push his buttons."
We approached a small lake, and I wondered where a bridge was. It wasn't until I noticed the long fallen tree that I understood Cove's warning.
With incredible grace Mildew crossed the bark. I stepped a foot onto the purple-ish wood and stumbled due to the slippery surface. Then I told myself to suck it up, that I've done things ten times worse.
Dodging a few red mushrooms, I made my way to the other side of the lake. Mildew watched me with a tiny smirk and said, "well done." I wasn't sure if I should take that as a sarcastic comment or not, but I said thanks- even if he was making fun of me I didn't want him to think it affected me.
After letting out a sigh he said, "Just up the steps now."
I looked forward to find a long spiral staircase that ascended with a plateau. The staircase was long- incredibly long. It seemed to continue on forever, and when we began to climb them, my opinion was not changed.
When we reached the top of the plateau, two things happened.
The first was that I was very worn out from the ordeal.
The second was that there were very many people, and music erupted from somewhere to the north of us.
"Mildew!"
The harsh shout stunned my thoughts, and I looked up to find a guy with grey-green hair and a rather military-looking outfit.
He was wearing a military-green colored coat and brown pants along with a pair of worn out combat boots. He had an intimidating demeanor, and the scars extending from the corners of his mouth only added on to that.
"I've been waiting," he added, and that time I really heard his croaky voice.
"Sorry Sabre. Shape shifter kept us waiting this morning in Meridell."
Sabre scoffed at that.
"Yeah, that or the poogle races."
Mildew didn't answer that.
"So this is the guy?" Sabre asked, gesticulating towards me.
"Yeah, that's him. The other one didn't survive," Mildew informed him, and I felt a choking feeling in my throat again.
"Well, Mutant, I'm Sabre-X. I'm in charge of the military division here and omelet supervision." Holding out a large and scarred up hand to me, he continued: "welcome to Tyrannia."
So. I finally got around to making this first chapter. This was like... A month in the making I think? Although there were a few days when I only wrote like a sentence, ahaha. Anyway, I think this is the longest chapter I've ever written for anything. I can't wait to see how much my writing style improves with this story!
But I know high school is going to get in the way a little bit. Not that much, though, considering that this year is almost over with. Plus I go on break next week so whooo.
But darn, writing this story always leaves a hole in my heart... I want to write romance sooo bad but I know it wouldn't fit for this haha. Well, except maybe between two characters. But I'm saving that for later winkwinknudgenudge (not between any incredibly main characters, though :/ )
ANYWAY, I rant a lot.
And I need to go draw Mildew and Mutant because I love them.
Two more things before I go:
1- Sabre-X has a Glasgow Smile. Which was a last minute decision. But I think it fits for him! Ever since I got into Neopets two years ago I really wanted to write a fanfiction with him in it.
2- Mister Mildew Rockengrooven is my Toontown Rewritten character. I always have a tendency to try to make the most ridiculous name possible, so that's why it's a little weird hahaha. But I love him.
Anyway! I have every chapter mapped out, and I also have a bunch of themes that I want to use throughout the story. So quality-wise, I think Transmutation will be much, much better than Home. Then again, I did start that story in middle school, so I guess that's expected. Sometimes it scares me how long I've had these characters and this story...
Anyway, I'm getting tired of saying anyway.