Chapter VII: Departure to a Fight to the Death
In which Dusk and his companions set out again, and Chomper's group must die.
A little Rainbow Face was prancing through a field on the way home from school. The area and weather were simply beautiful in every way. She picked a few flowers to bring to her parents and continued merrily along. The young girl was overcome by how magnificent her surroundings were and eventually burst into song, a little tune her mother taught her recently that she made up about the very area the child was going through.
The sun is shining brightly.
It's such a beautiful day!
It's the best time that one can find,
To run and laugh and play!
The flowers are simply beautiful.
Their fragrance is the best around.
To roll about in a field of these-
No greater joy can be found.
La la la la la.
Na na na na na.
The air is crisp and the sky is clear.
The perfect kind of day is here!
The ground is oh so soft.
It's a delight to the toes.
As I skip along the dirt gaily,
My melody so clearly flows.
The trees are rustling in the wind.
The breeze is paradise to the face.
If I could journey every day,
I'd be sure to pass through this place.
La la la la la.
Na na na na na.
The air is crisp and the sky is clear.
The perfect kind of day is here!
The clouds are a gorgeous white.
Up above is a radiant blue.
Just admiring the beautiful sights,
Gives me more than enough to do.
I can hear the cheerful sound,
Of a luscious, bubbling brook.
I can't resist a work of nature.
I can't wait to have a look.
La la la la la.
Na na na na na.
The air is-
Several hours would pass by before any other Rainbow Faces would come this way. When they do, they'll be greeted by the sight of a child in three pieces.
"There's no better way to end a dreadful song than by a set of sharp claws," Littlefoot commented, licking the blood from them as he walked by his most recent kill.
xxxxx
"Okay, that does it! We have more than paid off our debt. I am going to march right over to that Rainbow Face and give her a piece of my mind," Dusk declared.
"Please, ma lord, think of your sister. I think it best that you remain patient," Ceit suggested.
Dusk snorted. "Yes, you're right. I'm just irritable from working my rear off under the blazing bright circle."
"We are tired too, we are, we are," Ducky chimed in. "And if we can work without complaining, I'm sure you'll be able to as well."
Dusk had to tense his face to keep from laughing. She was trying to cheer him up, but had naively insulted him. Having appreciated the thought, he said nothing but instead continued working. It wasn't long before the village leader stopped by to inspect their work.
"Very nice. Pity you don't live here. Your help would be most useful."
Dusk scowled at the thought of living with her.
"Really, living with me isn't so bad," she said with a twinkle in her eyes.
"How did you-" Dusk began, but then it dawned on him. "YOU'RE the psychic of this village you've mentioned? But that means-"
"Yes, I saw in your mind that you did pick those vegetables on purpose. I just wasn't ready to reveal my power yet." Dusk turned red.
"Wait a minute!" Cera demanded. "If you can read minds, why give us that truth drink?"
"Cera's good question is a very good question," Ruby added. "Tell us."
"Reading minds is a tiring process, and it's hard to get to sleep right after exercising."
"I bet you really did read our minds and just gave us that serum to make us work for you," Dusk assumed.
"Well, I can't prove my story and you can't prove your theory, so let's just forget about it and you all get back to work. I'll have someone bring some water over-"
"NO!" Dusk shouted so loudly that there was a gust of wind. "We want nothing more from you. All your 'gifts' just result in us having more work to do."
"But you can't risk dying of thirst. I'll just have a little bit brought-" But this time, Dusk dashed over to her, grabbed her throat in one hand, and pulled her head down to his eye level.
"You're an abomination to hospitality. You give is one drop of water, one morsel of food, and I'll do much more to your neck than just pulling it down," Dusk said in a frighteningly cold voice. Having made his point, he let her go. The Rainbow Face straightened up and walked back to the houses without so much as a word.
"You tell her!" Cera cheered.
"Yeah, way to go, my lord!" Ali chimed. "That was awesome."
Dusk relaxed and sighed. "Thanks. I just hope she won't keep us here longer because of that."
They worked in silence for a while, very thirsty and hungry, but not daring to bring either of those facts up. As the bright circle started to set, a Rainbow Face snuck over to them with a bag in his hands. Standing behind a tree, he revealed the contents: some more raw vegetables and a large skin of water.
"I said, we don't want any more of your-"
"Wait," the Rainbow Face interrupted Dusk. "Our leader is unaware of my actions. Your work load won't be increased for this."
"Why are you helping us?" Dusk asked suspiciously.
"I was saved twice by you guys. That horned creature saved me from the Silence Stalker and the all of you saved me and my brethren from those thieves. Though our leader won't acknowledge it, we are in your debt, me especially, not the other way around.
Dusk's group looked away for a moment. With help like this, they dared not mention that it was Petrie's fault he was attacked in the first place.
"Besides these supplies, there isn't too much more I can do for you."
"Oh? You're going to do more for us than just this?" Dusk asked between bites.
"Yes. I am the illusionist that is altering the memories of your companion. When the moon is up, I will let her go and you all can make your escape while darkness acts as your cover."
"But sir," Ducky began, "won't the leader learn what you did?"
"Most assuredly," he replied, "but I am doing what is right, and no punishment can deprive me of the peace of mind I am going to have for doing it."
Dusk came over and patted him on the back, then resumed working as did the others.
Late that night…
"What am I doing out here?" Menta asked Dusk as she regained her memories of before she was affected.
"It's a long story," Dusk replied. "But I'll tell you later. We have to move, now!"
As all of them snuck out of the guest house and into the night, they tried to make their escape. They walked quietly over the dusty terrain but still kicked up a small cloud. Ducky started to sneeze, but Petrie quickly covered her mouth.
When he let go, she started to again and this time Menta said, "Stop." Ducky froze in time, and Menta stood right in front of her. As soon as she released her power, she grabbed Ducky and buried her face in her chest, entirely muffling the sound of the sneeze. They were all nearly out of the area, and they so relaxed. That is why the next thing they heard made them all jump.
"What have we here?" a familiar voice asked calmly nearby. Dusk clenched his fists and barred his teeth in anger. It was the village leader!
"We are leaving now," Dusk told her flatly. "If you try and stop us, we will defend ourselves."
"Relax," she told them. "I just came to give you this." And with that, she held out a large basket.
"Huh?" Dusk replied, taking it and looking inside. It was loaded with bread, vegetables, and two skins of water. "Thank you, but, how did you know we were going to escape?"
"That illusionist is a clever one, but no thoughts escape a psychic as experienced as me."
"I hope he doesn't get into trouble," Dusk thought to himself.
The village leader looked at Dusk and smiled. "Don't worry. He will not be punished."
"That is a relief. But, what made you change your mind about our debt?" Dusk asked her.
"I'm not too old to admit when I've been unreasonable. I've given things some thought, and well, I'm sorry. Now, safe travels to you all."
"Wait," Ceit called to her, and she stopped. "I want to know, why are you immune to illusions?" She grinned, realizing what they must have tried to do.
"I am a very experienced psychic, and as such, I've developed a strong mental defense to influence." And with that, she returned to her home.
"I actually like her, I do, I do," Ducky announced.
"Yes," Dusk agreed. "She isn't so bad after all."
Petrie was then grown by Cera, and they all piled on to continue their search for Littlefoot. As the village leader returned, she was greeted by the illusionist.
"I-"
"Don't," she told him. "You did well." Looking in the direction they went, she added, "I only wish I could see what happens with them after their next meal."
"Hm?"
"Oh, I gave their provisions a little something extra…"
"You mean you put THAT in-"
"Yep."
"Oh, you are just evil…"
xxxxx
"It's really dark now. We should find a place to rest for the night," Chomper told the others.
"Scared of the dark?" Agu teased.
"Where did you get- Look, it's just safer traveling when the bright circle is out."
"Agu, YOU'RE the one who's scared of the dark," Coaley whispered.
"Quiet!" he called, covering her mouth.
As they all stopped by a group of trees to settle down for the night, a black creature glided over to the top of one of them and looked down at the kids. He had two arms but no legs, just a ghostly body beneath his head. None of them noticed.
"I am going to get a little drink from that puddle we just passed a bit ago. Be right back," Coaley told them.
"M-kay," Chomper replied sleepily.
When Coaley had finished, she came back to cuddle beside Chomper and frowned. Niah and Fiirawen had already done so, each on a side of him, and Aeri was nestled on top of Niah. Agu saw the whole thing.
"You're welcome to sleep with-"
"Forget it," Coaley replied, voice ripe with jealousy as she took a spot by herself.
As the night dragged on, Chomper awoke from a noise. Looking over, he saw Coaley shivering and moaning from the cold. He got up at once and lay beside her. Though her trembling soon stopped, she didn't wake up, and they all fell into a deep sleep. The creature above, noticing that they were all unconscious, swooped down and looked at them closely. He created a small, black pole of energy then placed it on one corner of their sleeping area. He did this until there were four of them, creating a square around them. He stood back a ways and raised one of his hands. A cube of dark energy enveloped the kids, and he sat back and waited.
Chomper and the others suddenly looked around and saw that they were on a tall mountain.
"H-how did we get here?" Agu asked.
"I have no idea," Chomper replied. "Someone carried us here while we slept, maybe?"
Then a loud roar echoed loudly across the area. A huge Black Dragon entered the scene. Fiirawen started shaking violently.
"What is it, Fiirawen?" Chomper asked. "Do you know him?"
"I know his kind," she whispered fearfully. "Black Dragons are at odds with the red ones. My kind kills for food and occasionally for vengeance, and it finishes the job as quickly as possible. Black ones also kill for pleasure and are known for torturing their prey."
"He looks angry," Agu said.
"No," Niah replied. "He looks hungry. Aeri, stay back."
The Aerial Screecher huddled down obediently.
"We'll have to fight it," Chomper announced.
"Beware, master," Chomper's heart whispered.
"Hm?"
"Something's not right. I sense no heart in him."
"Odd…"
"How can we fight something that big!" Agu asked in disbelief.
"Stay back, friends. I will fight him," Fiirawen declared.
"But-"
"Relax, Chomper. You protected me, now let me return the favor." Fiirawen turned to the giant Black Dragon. She took a deep breath- then grew to an enormous size herself.
"If you could become huge, why didn't you with that Vortex Berserker?" Agu wanted to know.
"Dragons rarely grow like this if we can avoid doing so. It shortens our life spans a bit. But for you all, it's worth it."
She roared and attacked the Black Dragon, biting into his neck. He didn't seem hurt at all and whipped his tail forward, knocking her off.
"Oomph!"
"Come on, we have to help her!" Chomper called out.
Agu focused for a moment then looked up frantically.
"He's immune to my pain illusions!"
"Niah, I need your help," Chomper told her. "One of my abilities is super strength. You said earlier that you can Levitate things, right? Please get me up to that thing's face."
Niah didn't hesitate.
"On it."
The Black Dragon took a deep breath and fired black flames at Fiirawen.
"Ha! Dragons are immune to fire!" Coaley exclaimed.
However, to her surprise, Fiirawen screamed in pain and her flesh looked charred. She quickly recovered though and swung her tail along the ground, knocking him off his feet. He got up and roared, but Fiirawen blasted flames of her own, and they entered his mouth, searing his tongue. Much to her surprise though, he didn't act hurt at all. He lunged forward to bite her but suddenly was knocked back a good distance, and he slid across the ground. Fiirawen looked over to see Chomper and Niah floating nearby.
"Your face will remember my super punch for a long time!" Chomper called out. "What?" he looked incredulously as the Black Dragon got up as if he hadn't been hit at all. Then he took a deep breath and black flames came right for them. Fiirawen quickly jumped in the way and took the attack head on.
"Fiirawen!" Chomper and Niah cried in unison.
"I- I'm alright. It will take more than that to get me down," she said but groaned as she got back to her feet.
"I don't understand!" Chomper shouted. "Why are your guys' flames hurting each other?"
"Red Dragons are immune to regular fire. Black Dragons shoots flames of blazing darkness which are different, so they hurt us. However, Black Dragons are, as a result, injured by regular flames. You guys should run while you still ca-" but she was cut off when the Black Dragon head butted her hard, and she flew through the air and landed with a loud thud. He then took another deep breath. Coaley was watching from below, in a trance from terror at the giant creature.
"Coaley, snap out of it!" Agu yelled. "Stop his next attack!"
"Huh? Oh, right! Negate!"
As the Black Dragon exhaled, to his surprise, nothing came out. Fiirawen charged him, knocking him into the air. Niah Levitated Chomper above him, and Chomper punched him down hard onto the ground.
"He's done for! Nice job!" Agu cheered. Then his mouth dropped open as the Black Dragon got up like he hadn't been touched.
"Wait a minute," Niah started to say. "It all makes sense now."
"What does?" Chomper asked.
"Just watch," Niah told him, returning both him and herself to the ground. She then ran right up the Black Dragon and called out, "If you're really trying to kill us, then kill me right now. Step on me, eat me, anything!"
The beast hesitated.
"I was right!" she called to the others.
"Explain already!" Agu told her.
"In order to beat this guy, we have to kill ourselves."
Character Bio Number Seven
Name: Ruby
Species: Fast Runner
Gender: Female
Personality: Smart, perceptive, and caring
Power given in part one: Mimic- The skill to use any ability one has just seen used.
Power given in part two: Metamorphosis- The ability to change one's body makeup to a material that is being touched.
