With an early start, the heroes traveled north. Simple monsters such as Cumulus and Rock Moths mostly resided there. Sometimes in battle, Melody would lend a hand to Eric and vice versa. Along their path, they have also found treasure chests. Most of it was filled with gold while a couple others were filled with...bananas and candy? Odd, but they have soon learned that they are helpful in battle. The candy helped with their energy while the bananas helped with health.

Then, they came across a large golden chest. After opening it, Eric found a sort of Bee Sword. It looked like a sort of sword a musketeer would use, only the handle was fuzzy and black and yellow. Eric decided to use it for himself. They continued onward, facing Goblins and Cumuluses and growing stronger with each battle. Scratch even learned how to magically cook food out of thin air to help with healing.

Then, a small flash of light was seen not too far from them. Going towards it, they found Pedro's face. A faceless boulder was close by and Pedro's face attached to it. The boulder looked to the four and made a rumbling growl. Two more Cumulus clouds came and joined the fight.

Eric stood his ground and shouted, "Let's do this!" The team nodded and got into battle positions. Eric went first, starting strong with a Jump Slash on Rocky Pedro. The Cumulus clouds went next. One used healing rain and gave Rocky Pedro some health second Cumulus did the same and fully healed him. Eric's sword lowered at that. "Aw come on."

Melody then spoke up, looking to the team. "I've got a strat. We take out the healers, we take out Rocky Pedro." The rest nodded and continued battling. Melody casted Fire on the Cumulus on her right. Lilo did a Jump Slash on the same enemy. Scratch ran right up to the Cumulus and smacked it with his frying pan. With all that damage, the right Cumulus disappeared and the face flew off. So far, so good.

Now it was Rocky Pedro's turn. Mainly, it rolled right at Lilo and knocked her back. Given its large size, it hit Eric and Scratch as well. A bit of damage done, but they got back up. Then, Rocky Pedro went again, this time hitting Eric along with Lilo and Melody. Their health was down a bit, but not hazardly low.

Eric attacked the left Cumulus, which then attacked back. Melody used Fire, this time on Rocky Pedro. Lilo attacked the Cumulus and defeated it, releasing the face. With both Cumuluses down, Scratch aimed for Rocky Pedro and smacked him with the frying pan once more. Rocky Pedro then rolled right at them again twice. Lilo was down to 3 HP.

After Eric and Melody attacked once more, Lilo was about to eat one of her rationed bananas. The team agreed that each of them would get 2 bananas and 1 candy. But Scratch quickly spoke up. "Wait, Lilo. Attack and I'll help heal!" Lilo looked at Scratch, questioning if it's a good idea. But she pocketed the banana and said while holding her sword, "I hope you know what you're doing!" She jump slashed Rocky Pedro. Very close to being defeated.

Scratch looked at his frying pan. He spoke softly to himself as he stated, "Hope so too…" Concentrating, he used his gained knowledge and had food appear on his frying pan, immediately having it cook. The rest of the team was a bit surprised yet impressed. Scratch smiled and showed the cooked food to Lilo. "Dig in!"

She ate the dish. Not the greatest meal, but still pretty good. Good enough to get her health back up. Smiling, she looked up at Scratch. "Thanks, Scratch." Her trust in him was not diminished.

Rocky Pedro attacked once more. Now, besides Lilo, the team was on low health. However, Eric was determined to finish this fight. With one good slash of his sword, Rocky Pedro was knocked down. "Yes!"

The monster disappeared and Pedro's face was released. It then quickly flew back to Greenhorne. The rest of the team high-fived each other, proud of pulling through. Now to head back to the village...and heal there.

Pedro's face was soon reattached to him and in surprise, he pats his cheeks to make sure. "Ah. Got my face back! Man, I got mixed up with a bad'un." Eric and the team arrived to check on Pedro, while sampling more of Scratch's cooking for their health.

"Huh. You guys must've helped. Guess you're not a bad sort, I suppose. Fine. You at least deserve something." With a small smirk, he tosses Eric a tiny bag of gold. Only 10 G was inside.

Out of the whole team, Scratch seemed the most displeased. "THIS is what we get for saving those people? They should be making us rich as King Tyler! I make more just from Grounder doing his thief work."

The rest were not enthusiastic, but they could not dismiss it. Gold is gold; besides, their main goal was to help the villagers, reward or no reward.

Eric looked at Pedro with a tiny smile of appreciation and stated, "Thanks," as he pocketed the gold.

Lilo looked up at Eric. "So, where to next?"

Eric then looked to Melody. "Well, Melody. You got the map. Shall you lead us to the Strange Grove since we explored the north?"

Melody nodded with a small smile and pulled out the map. "Onwards, then." She headed east with the rest of the team following her. The day was still young. What's a few more monsters now that they were refreshed in the village?


"Wow…" Lilo looked around the Strange Grove setting. Lush green grass and canopies of trees. It seemed beautiful here for a "strange" setting.

"So, remind me, Melody. Why do they call it 'Strange Grove' here again?" Eric looked around, keeping his sword in hand in case a monster pops out from behind a tree.

"Well, this area isn't really explored often. I think we just call it 'Strange Grove' cause it's one of the most outlandish places in Greenhorne. Easin Hills is calm and tranquil, Riverdeep Cavern is just a riverbend cavern with crystal blue waters as I said earlier, and then there's the King's Castle. That's all of Greenhorne for ya." Melody calmly walked beside Eric, taking in the scenery.

Then, within nearby bushes, rustling was heard. Scratch stopped and looked over. "Uh...guys?" The rest of the team stopped and looked to him. "I don't think we're alone…" He carefully stepped close to the bush to investigate. Carefully parting the leaves with his frying pan, Scratch peeked in.

A large mushroom monster and a goblin soon popped out and ambushed Scratch, causing him to scream in fright. Lilo and Melody called out to him, "Scratch!" Eric was the first to attack, slashing the Smileshroom monster back. Melody attacked the Goblin with fire, knocking it back as well.

Scratch was shook. He could have almost died! Melody, noticing his shaking, quickly guided Scratch to a sort of safe spot behind them. "Stay here. We'll protect you." With a determined smile, she ran back to Lilo and Eric's sides. The goblin was easy to take out, but the Smileshroom was a tiny bit stronger.

On the Smileshroom's turn, it looked at Lilo. She braced herself for an attack, but instead, it made a funny face and did a silly dance. Eric and Melody looked at each other questionable. What was it doing?

Lilo, however, then started laughing. The face and dancing? It's so silly! She was so caught up on laughing, she didn't even bother attacking. Melody's eyes widened. "I've seen this before, but I didn't think laughter counted!"

Eric tried to stay focused. He jump slashed the Smileshroom, finishing it off and releasing the face. After that, Lilo's laughter died down and she wiped the tears from her eyes.

Eric looked at Lilo and stated, "You know, his dance and face wasn't that funny." Lilo looked up at Eric surprised. "I...don't know what happened. He just made the face, and all of the sudden, I started laughing really hard."

"That, my friends, is what they call an ailment." Scratch, finally calm and relieved the monsters are gone, went to Eric and Lilo's sides. He's never been that shook up before. Not even against Robotnik sometimes.

"Ailments?" Eric looked at Melody questionably. Melody explained, "I've heard about these things shortly after Dark Lord Bill's monsters came in. They say that some monsters will do certain actions that will cause the fighter to react a certain way. Some have the strong willpower to resist it. Others? Not as much. So when the Smileshroom did its silly face and dance, it must've put Lilo under a sort of Laughter ailment. ...Didn't think laughter would be an ailment, but now we know."

"You think that me being shook up was also an ailment," Scratch asked. Melody looked at him. "Depends. How spooked do you normally get?" Scratch scoffed and turned his head up while crossing his arms. "Rarely EVER. I've faced an abusive master and hardships of surviving on my own. Nothing scares me." But he looked off to the side. "Except the dark."

"If that's true, then yes. That should be another ailment. ...I forgot what it's called though."

Eric then said, "How about we keep it simple? Just scared."

"That works." Melody shrugged.

Scratch added, "But I wasn't that scared for that long. After Melody put me to the side, I eventually just...stopped shaking."

"Huh...by putting you to a safe spot, the ailment faded. We could use that to our advantage." Melody smiled. "Alright then, team. We're not going to continue facing more hardships just standing around here." They all nodded and continued forward.

The sun was starting to set as the team continued walking around the Strange Grove. More Goblins and Smileshrooms attacked along the way, but with the help of the Safe Spot, a few show-offs, and lend a hands, they did not have much issue. Melody even learned a new spell.

Past a couple trees, Eric then spotted a flash of light. "Hey guys, over here!" He brushed past the bushes and spotted Irina's face floating in a clearing. The rest of the team followed and saw a large mouse monster go up to the face. Sniffing it, it then squeaked in fright as it flew right at its face. Its squeaks then turned to growls as it turned to Eric. The rest of the team ran to his side, getting into battle stance just as two Smileshrooms joined Irina Mouse's side.

Eric quickly attacked first, aiming for Irina Mouse. Right before he attacked, he looked to the team. "You guys take care of the Smileshrooms. I got the mouse." The rest of the team nodded and Gabe slashed Irina Mouse with his sword. Lilo attacked the Smileshroom on the left while Scratch went for the one on the right.

"Let's see what this new spell can do." Melody looked down at her wand. She then closed her eyes and concentrated. An electric ring formed around her. She soon jumped up and shouted, "Lightning!" She swung her wand down and struck Irina Mouse, along with the Smileshrooms on the side, dealing good damage.

Irina Mouse then attacked first, tail slapping Eric. In doing so, it also hit Melody and Lilo on the sides. It did the same to Lilo, which also hit Eric and Scratch. Not too high of damage, but still beaten pretty hard.

Eric jump slashed Irina Mouse first. But the Smileshrooms then attacked. One looked at Scratch and did the silly face and dance. Scratch, however, managed to resist as he showed he was not amused. The other went up to Melody and hit her with its head. Seeing how weak she was starting to get, Scratch quickly cooked up some food and handed it to Melody. "Thanks, Scratch." She quickly ate it and smiled, feeling her health go back up.

Melody did another lightning spell, taking out both Smileshrooms. Now that they were out of the way, Lilo proceeded to jump slashing Irina Mouse. Eric gave the final blow with a good hit of his sword. Irina Mouse was knocked out and the mouse monster disappeared. Irina's face floated up and away to Greenhorne.

Lilo and Scratch high-fived and Melody patted Eric on the back. "Not bad for a group of rookies such as us, huh?" Eric smirked a bit at Melody's statement.

Scratch then glowed, gaining more knowledge. "Flambé…" He looked down at his frying pan and concentrated. It then glowed fire red hot. "Bwah-ha-ha-ha! This is cool!" He swung it in the air as it cooled down.

Eric looked back up at the sky. "C'mon guys. Let's check on Irina back at the village. Then, we'll find an inn and rest for the night." With a nod, the team headed west out through the rest of Strange Grove.

Sho was still hugging his love, tearing up a bit as he kept his gaze away from her head. "I-it...It'll be alright, Irina. ..W-we can work this out. I may not be able to see into your...beautiful eyes or...feel your soft lips on my cheeks…" Somehow, he could not finish the statement as a few tears flowed down his cheeks. He didn't even notice a flash of light above his head.

A gentle hand ran through his hair as a familiar female voice spoke. "Ngh...that was bright. -...Sho? What is wrong, my dear?" Sho's eyes widened as he looked up. Irina's face was there. Her expression showed concern. "I-Irina...your face."

Her eyes widened next as she let out a small gasp. "Oh! Yes! My face! It's back!" As she smiled brightly, Sho hugged her close. "Oh, my love. I was so worried!"

Irina looked up at Eric's team as they approached and said, "I remember you. You were the ones that helped me." Sho looked at them as well. "Thank you so much. Here. It's not much, but you'll find good use in it." He handed them...3 game tickets?

Scratch spoked up first. "What are these good for?" Sho explained, "There's an arcade in every Inn you visit. You can go there and earn some gold or items whether you're playing Rock, Paper, Scissors or Roulette."

Melody looked at the tickets. "Huh. I think we can find some good use in them. Thanks, Sho." Eric nodded and pocketed the tickets.

Sho turned to Irina and said, "Oh Irina. I never thought I'd be happier than I normally am to see your beautiful smile and luminous eyes."

"Same here, my darling."

Melody smirked a bit and whispered to Eric, "Let's leave these lovebirds to their reunion." Eric nodded and the team headed to a close-by Inn.


While Eric visited the Shop to get the team a couple more pieces of equipment, Melody checked out the arcade. A red velvet area with two rooms. One with a Roulette and another with Rock, Paper, Scissors. She decided to try the Roulette room since "Everyone's a winner." When she came out after spending her tickets, she had 2 MP Candies and a Pro Chef Uniform. "Scratch is gonna love this."

"Melody and Lilo are gonna love this." Eric exited the shop, with a Linen Mage Robe and a Bronze sword. Eric and Melody managed to run into each other as they were about to enter Scratch and Lilo's room.

"O-oh. Hey, Eric."

"Melody. You're just the person I needed to see." He then showed her the Linen Robe. Her eyes widened a bit with surprise. "Figured you needed a new robe since you're not really an apprentice anymore. Especially with that lightning spell you did."

Melody's smile widened as she then hugged Eric. "Thanks, Eric. Means a lot." She folded it over her left arm. "I take it the sword is for Lilo as well?" Eric nodded. "Cool. I won Scratch something with the game tickets we had."

"Well then, let's surprise them together." With a nod, Melody entered with Eric and they both showed off their gifts. Lilo smiled brightly and said her thanks to Eric. Scratch seemed surprised.

"So...what's the catch?" Melody was surprised by his statement.

"Catch? It's a gift. I won it for you. ...You do know what gifts are, right?"

"W-well uh...of course I do! I was just making sure." He took the cooking uniform out of her hands and looked it over. "This is...pretty nice." "Robotnik never gave me or Grounder anything except beatings for being so useless…"

"Consider it a thank-you gift for being part of our team and all your help." Melody warmly smiled to him.

Scratch looked to the side. "O-oh...no need to thank me...really…"

Eric then spoke up. "Well. We should leave you two to rest. Got a big day tomorrow."

Melody added, "Right. We only have one more face left to find. We'll check the Riverdeep Caverns first thing tomorrow."

"G'night, you guys." Melody and Eric exited, Eric turning the lights off for them. Lilo laid down in her bed and said, "Goodnight, guys. And goodnight, Scratch." It did not take long for her to fall asleep.

As Eric and Melody went to their rooms, they quickly settled and fell asleep as well. The only one that didn't fall asleep immediately was Scratch. He was laying back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. Sometimes, he would glance over at the neatly folded Pro Chef Uniform sitting on the end table.

"...Why do I feel like this? I plan to leave them all soon as I find Grounder. I shouldn't feel hesitant."

"...Right?"

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And once again, my procrastination and school resulted in this taking long to upload. Hope you guys weren't waiting too long. Sorry in advance. But don't worry, not abandoning this story. Though, it seems like Scratch is rethinking his plans as his thoughts argue against his emotions. We'll just have to see how it works out.