Last time our heroes learned that they have ten days to recover all seven Rainbow crystals before the magic that keeps The God Hand contained fails and unleashes the demons upon all of reality. 'Nuff said, on with the show!
Chapter 10: Red Reunion
Will and the others emerged from the Fold onto a hilly expanse underneath a pale orange sky, a large orange sun was heading up towards noon.
"I've got a feeling," Irma said, "That this world grows a lot of oranges." Everyone groaned at Irma's joke.
"Let's just find that crystal so we can get out of here," Chazz said in his usual irritated tone.
"What's the matter, Chazz?" Cornelia in a teasing voice, "I thought you wanted to explore, to see strange new things."
"I never said anything like that!" snapped Chazz, "It's these morons that want to risk their necks saving the world and stuff." He pointed at Jaden, Syrus, Hassleberry and Addicus, "I'm just here because someone has to be here with all their marbles."
Several of our heroes, including Cornelia, Irma, Hassleberry and Jaden, were about to respond to Chazz's insults, when Will spoke first.
"As much as I hate to admit it, and really I do hate it, Chazz has a point. We need to find the Rainbow Crystals as soon as possible." She held up the Heart of Candracar, the pink crystal pointing a few degrees to the left of the rising sun, "It's this way."
"No offense, Will," Beck said as our heroes headed in the determined direction, "But how do you know which way to go?"
"I don't," said Will, "But the Heart of Candracar does."
"You're telling me that we're following directions from a piece of jewelry!" Chazz asked, "Am I the only one here who thinks that's just plain insane!"
"The Heart of Candracar isn't ordinary jewelry, Chazz," Cornelia said, "And if you haven't figured that out by now, well, you're an even bigger idiot than you look."
"I resemble that!" Chazz snapped.
"You sure do!" Cornelia retorted.
"SHUT UP!" Everyone was surprised that it was Elyon who shouted. "I've had enough from both of you. There is so much at stake, and this feud that you're brewing isn't helping anyone. I don't expect you to be friends, but at least call a truce until the crisis is over. Now shake hands."
"Why should I?" Chazz asked.
"Why should I even touch him," muttered Cornelia.
"Because," Elyon said, her tone of voice darkening, "What was supposed to be a very happy occasion was ruined by that worm Cedric, and as a result, I'm in a very bad mood. Now, either shake hands, or I'll switch your hair."
Almost instantly, everyone's thoughts were filled with the image of Cornelia with Chazz's spiky black hair, while Chazz had Cornelia's golden locks. Nearly everyone found this quite funny, Irma, Martin and Syrus had to stifle a sudden burst of giggles.
The exception was Cornelia and Chazz. The idea of their hair magically switched was far less than appealing to them.
"Truce?" Cornelia said as she held out her hand.
"Truce," Chazz said as he shook her hand, "For now that is."
"At last we agree on something," Cornelia said as she wiped her hand on the ground, as if to scrape off the essence of Chazz. "Elyon, that was really low of you, I mean, threatening my hair, what's wrong with you?"
"I'm just going through some bad karma," Elyon said, "Nothing personal."
"None taken," Cornelia said, "But from now on, leave my hair alone."
"And such beautiful hair it is," Caleb said as he gave Cornelia a small hug.
"Glad you like it," Cornelia said as she ran her fingers through her locks, "I just had it done."
"I think I'm gonna be sick," Chazz muttered.
"What did you say?" Cornelia asked in a threatening tone.
"He said nothing," said Addicus in a neutral tone, "Let's just go." And go they went, following Will, who was following the pull from The Heart of Candracar.
They emerged from the hills, only to find themselves on the edge of a large forest. Actually the edge of the woods was part of an outward curve of trees on their left, with a vast grassy plane to the right. A few miles ahead was a single mountain reaching up to the orange sky.
Taranee was the first to see a large mass of buildings a few hundred yards ahead. They looked to be mostly prefabricated houses and a few larger buildings. Hay Lin saw several people working on the metal framework of a new building. She pointed out the habitation to Will and the others.
Dylan had brought along two telescopes from home, so our heroes shared the spyglasses. "They look human," Caleb said before passing his telescope to Cornelia, "But I'm not sure I'd want to be taking any chances right now."
"I agree," Dylan said, "The last thing we need right now is to offend the locals. Will, you sure that the first Rainbow Crystal is straight ahead?"
"Positive," Will said, "Or so says the Heart of Candracar." Indeed the Heart was pointing towards the single mountain.
"We could try flanking the inhabitants," Hassleberry said, "But if we move to the right, they'd see us for sure. Our best bet is the left, using the trees as cover."
"We have no idea just how large those woods are," Matt said, "Even with The Heart guiding us, there's a good chance some of us could get lost. We'd waste too much time in there."
"We're wasting time just standing here," Eric said as he passed one of the spyglasses to Hay Lin, "I say we take the direct path."
"We'd also waste time explaining ourselves to the locals," said Beck, "For all we know they're all a bunch of cannibals."
"They don't look like cannibals to me," Hay Lin said as she focused the spyglass on the new construction, "They look friendly. In fact, some of them kind of look familiar." She then saw a girl who looked to be about 16 or 17 years old. She hand waist-length brown hair and pale orange eyes. On her right hand was a silver colored glove with a blue jewel set onto the back.
"I don't' believe it!" Hay Lin exclaimed happily, "Ashley!" She then ran towards the buildings. Ashley Cager, High Protector of her people and Keeper of the Heart of Nahani VII, looked to see Hay Lin running towards her.
"Hay Lin!" shouted Ashley. She rushed ahead, meeting Hay Lin about halfway. They embraced like long lost sisters.
"What are you doing here?" Hay Lin asked asked.
"I could the same of you," Ashley said.
It was then that Will and the others caught up with Hay Lin. They saw Ashley, there was much joy at the sight of their friend.
"We thought we'd never see you again, Ashely," Will said, "You and your people left Metamore after The Krawl were defeated."
"And this is where my people and I wound up," Ashley said, "The gods must surely have smiled on us, as to provide us with such a perfect world to start over on. But how did you find us? Something has happened, something terrible."
"You ain't just whistling Dixie," Hassleberry said. Introductions were made for Jaden and his friends, then Will explained the current crisis with the demons and the Rainbow Crystals.
"You're telling me that the whole universe is going to die in less than ten days?" Ashley asked.
"Not just this universe," Elyon said, "All of reality is going to become the playground of The God Hand, unless we find all seven Rainbow Crystals in time."
"And the demons had the balls to ruin your engagement ceremony, Elyon," Ashley said, "That's just plain sucks. What can I do to help?"
"One of the Rainbow crystals is here on this world," Will said, "Just what is this world called anyway?"
"When our ship landed here," said Ashley, "We didn't find any intelligent life, just plenty of open space ripe for settlement. We christened the planet 'New Nahani.'"
"'New Nahani,'" said Will, "I like it. Anyway, one of the missing crystals is somewhere towards that mountain over there," she pointed at the single peak. We need to find it as soon as possible."
"You have my full support," Ashley said, "I owe you guys that much."
A short time later our heroes were enjoying the company of Ashley as they trudged up the slope of the mountain, Will still following the pull of The Heart of Candracar. Ashley had brought with her a longbow and quiver full of arrows, "You never know what could happen," she said.
"So how are things going for you and Hunter, Ashley?" Hay Lin asked.
"They're going great," Ashley said, "Hunter's on an exploration trip farther out on the continent. I miss him, but things aren't so bad, he's always with me. Look…" She pulled out a small, heart-shaped locket. Inside was a picture of Ashley's boyfriend, Hunter Wyld. "Hunter gave me this, and has a locket just like this one, but with my picture in it. That way our hearts will always be together, so to speak."
"That's so sweet," said Irma.
"Now why can't you do anything like that for me?" Taranee asked Nigel.
"You never asked for anything like that," Nigel retorted.
"You're right," Taranee said, "I have simple needs." They kissed.
"Oh get a room," Chazz muttered.
"What is your problem!" Irma demanded, "Not too long ago you were crooning that Alexis is your 'one true love,' but whenever anyone else expresses their affections, you go all downbeat. Are you bipolar or something?"
"That would explain a lot," said Syrus.
Will was about to say something that would prevent the inevitable fight, when she noticed that The Heart was pulling downwards. "I think we've got something," she said optimistically, She dug into the lose soil where the Heart was pointing and brought up something red. Clearing the dirt from the object, Will held up a large red crystal, the same shade as a ruby.
"One down!" Elyon shouted triumphantly.
"We'll be taking that now." There stood further up the mountain slope Findo Trask, The Obliterator, and Cedric, already in his snake form.
"Bastards!" exclaimed Dylan, "How did you find us?"
"I'm a wizard," said Findo Trask nonchalantly, "It's what I do." He aimed his staff at Dylan, "Goodbye, human!" Yet for some unexplained reason the demon wizard hesitated.
Seeing an opening, Ashley raised her gloved hand, the blue jewel of The Heart of Nahani glowing. Without warning Cedric rose into the air and was slammed into The Obliterator. The two fiends rolled uncontrollably down the mountain slope.
Surprised at the sudden turn of events, Findo Trask was even more shocked to find that Ashley had gotten within two yards distance, an arrow knocked and drawn on her bow and aimed between the demon wizard's eyes.
"One chance, demon!" Ashley said coldly, here orange eyes blazing with contempt, "Leave this world and never come back!"
"I seem to be trapped behind the preverbal 8 Ball," said Findo Trask, "Very well, my comrades and I shall take our leave. Guardians, enjoy your victory. But beware; victory often leaves a bittersweet aftertaste." With that he disappeared. Down near the bottom of the mountain Cedric and The Obliterator also vanished.
"That was incredible, Ashley!" Hay Lin said.
"All in a day's work as High Protector," Ashley said, smiling at Hay Lin's compliment. Suddenly her expression darkened, "Wait a second. Will, didn't you tell me earlier that there were four demons?"
"Yeah," Will said, "Four demos and Cedric. Where were the other two?"
"Does anybody smell that?" Eric asked, "Like smoke."
With a look of absolute horror on her face, Ashley looked to see flames and smoke rising from her people's settlement. "Oh sh$t!" With that she ran down the mountain faster than the wind.
By the time Will and the others reached the new city it looked to be too late; most of the buildings were on fire. The survivors of Nahani VII, so full of hope with the discovery of a new home, now running about for their lives as dozens of lesser demons chased after them. And in the middle of the chaos stood Lacerta and Salavine.
"Yes!" Salavine exclaimed in rapturous delight, "Burn! Burn it all to the ground!"
"As much as I enjoy seeing you making a fool of yourself in public," Lacerta said, "And realy, I do. But we've got company." At this time Will and her fellow Guardians had already transformed and were blasting away at the lesser demons. Matt and the boys were helping the distressed settlers avoid the demons that were still standing, while Elyon and Dylan destroyed them with their magic.
"You!" Ashley exclaimed at Salavine, "You did this! Why? Why, damn you? Why!"
"'Why?'" the female demon said in a mocking tone, "Because I can!" She laughed at the misery of Ashley and her people.
"You won't be laughing at the suffering of innocents any more, bitch!" spat Addicus as he activated his Duel Disk, "Hyozanryu! Bite her head off!" His diamond-like dragon erupted forth and charged at Salavine.
"Pathetic," the female demon said. She raised her hand and sent a bolt of dark magic at the charging dragon, destroying it. Addicus gasped in pain at the sudden drain on his life energy.
"Such persistence," Salavien taunted, "I'd say the boy wishes to join his sister in the darkness."
"Suck on this!" Shouted Ashley. She had two black tipped arrows drawn and aimed at the female demon. She let go of the bowstring.
Salavine calmly raised her other hand to cast a protective shield that stopped the arrows two feet from her. Yet the arrows had explosive heads, which detonated upon hitting the shield, sending Salavine and Lacerta flying and crashing to the ground.
"Masked Dragon! Luster Dragon!" shouted Addicus, his two dragons emerging into the real world, "Vivisect her!"
"I think we've had enough fun for today," Lacerta said, "Time to go."
"Oh, all right," pouted Salavien. With that the two demons vanished.
"Damn it!" shouted Addicus, "So close! I was so close to killing her!"
"Dude," said Jaden, while Irma and Cornelia used their powers to put out the flaming buildings, "Calm down, Addicus, take a chill pill or something."
Addicus was about to shout some more, but decided against it. "You're right, Jaden," he said, "Blowing my top won't help Alexis."
"What a mess," Cornelia said. Nearly the whole settlement was a charred ruin.
"It's a terrible loss," Ashley said, "But nobody was hurt. We can rebuild, make things better than before."
"You could do that," Cal said, "Or…" He then whispered something to Dylan, then to Elyon. They both nodded in agreement. The three magic users then cast a large spell that had the entire settlement repaired like new, as if the attack never happened.
"That was incredible!" said Ashley, "How can I ever thank you?"
"By living your lives to the fullest," said Elyon.
"I think we've done everything that can be done for you and your people, Ashley," Dylan said, "So, unless there's something else that we can do, we'll be on our way. There are still six more crystals to find."
"Wish you could stay for a while," Ashley said, "But I understand."
"You're more than invited to the wedding," Elyon said while Will scryed for the next Rainbow Crystal.
"I'll put it on my planner," said Ashley.
"What do you know!" said Will, "The next crystal is on Zamballa."
"Zamballa?" Cornelia asked, "Kadma's world?"
"Do you know of any other world where everything is purple," Irma said, "And where the trees walk?"
"Before I forget," Dylan said, he handed Ashley a small green stone, "If the demons come back here, this'll let me know of any trouble."
"Much appreciated," said Ashley, "Go kick some demon ass!"
"We plan to," said Elyon as Will formed a Fold. With that our heroes stepped through.
Yet things were not as they expected as Syrus, Eric and Hay Lin brought up the rear and the Fold closed. Instead of the lush purple jungles of Zamballa, our heroes found themselves on the edge of a fast green ocean. Two small yellow suns lighted the pale blue sky.
"This is definitely not Zamballa," said Martin as he ran his fingers through the white sand of the beach.
"No sh$t, Sherlock!" spat Chazz.
The end of chapter 10. Next chapter our heroes pass the time Dueling while they try to figure out how they got off course. Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie. See you next time!