Chapter 36: Clowns in Suits

I regained consciousness a few days later. My dry tongue stuck to the top of my mouth. I drank the cold water prepared for me on the table next to me. I was in a hospital room at the Union. An UV hydrated my tired body. I was feeling a lot better and the bruise on my cheek disappeared.

I was incredibly embarrassed by my actions before I passed out. Rhythmi and all them must have been horrified.

I had missed my birthday due to my slumber. My family and friends left gifts while I slept. Violet and my parents got me a brand new Rangers from Vientown got me a cloak for trips to the Valley. Ricky and Molly fixed and upgraded my styler. Kate got me a pass to a famous Pueltown spa. Lucario got me various berries for my health. Rhythmi got me a picture of us when we graduated Ranger School.

I actually hadn't seen Rhythmi since I had woken up. I asked some of the nurses if they had seen a pretty blonde girl come by, and they said that Rhythmi had come by a few times. She only sat there, though.

I dressed up and headed to Chairperson Erma. The Operations Room was bustling. One of Rhythmi's other Rangers must be on a mission because she was glued to her desk. I tried to get her attention, but she didn't turn around. She only sat there, stiff.

"Kellyn, are you feeling better?" asked Erma.

"I feel one hundred times better," I responded.

"A little after you collapsed, Keith called in and said there were legends of a Yellow Prince. He believed that the Gem was in Hippowdon Temple. For the time being, let's put the Red Gem in the machine," ordered Erma as we walked to the rooftop.

Molly had made two more of the daises. Hastings placed the Red Gem on the dais and red orbs of light came from the tree and floated away.

"So, tell us about your experiences so far," asked Hastings.

"In Almia Castle, I met one of the members of the so-called 'Sinis Trio'. He called himself Ice. Ice isn't his real name. I recognized his as Bryce McCoy," I told them.

Erma gasped, "Bryce? The son of Edgar and Betsy McCoy? Oh, please tell me you told Betsy."

"I did. I also told his sister, Liza."

"That Bryce. You know, he wanted to be a Ranger," said Hastings.

"How do you know him?" I asked.

"Betsy was one of the best Top Operators. The only one I can compare her too would be Rhythmi. Like Rhythmi, she saved several Rangers in her time," responded Erma.

Thinking of Rhythmi caused my heart to throb. Lucario noticed the change in my aura and patted my leg.

"In Boyle Volcano, I met another member. Her name was Lavana," I continued.

"Lavana? What did she look like?" asked Jasmine.

"Um, pink hair, scarlet eyes…"

"No! Was she 'so pretty that you could hate her'?" asked Jasmine.

"Jasmine! What kind of question is that?" I grumbled.

"Just answer it!" said an annoyed Jasmine.

"Um, yeah, she was dangerously gorgeous."

Jasmine paused and her lips curved into a smile. "I remember that name, Lavana. It will sound crazy, but I think Lanie knows someone named Lavana. She mentioned Lavana once in a conversation I overheard. She described her as 'so pretty that you could hate her'. We should request her to come to Almia and tell us."

"Are you kidding me? Lanie would never help us," I shouted in protest. Lanie only causes problems for people.

"No, I think that is a good idea. Lanie is a skilled Operator. She is highly praised in Oblivia. Plus, we are at a shortage of Operators at the Union," said Erma.

"I don't think Lanie would be helpful at all," said Kate.

"I have hope. I'll request Lanie at once," said Erma to our surprise.

"No!" shouted Kate.

"Kate, what is this? Why do you dislike the girl?" said Erma.

"Lanie is a snake. She is probably only praised because she seduced her way to the top," Kate seethed. Her eyes were full of fire.

Erma frowned. "My word is final."

"Well… What should I do now?" I asked.

"All we can do is wait for Keith to return," said Hastings.

"He sure is taking his sweet time," I grumbled.

Linda ran up to us and shouted, "Excuse me! I haven't heard from Keith in a while and his styler is turned off."

"What? What does that mean?" asked Kate. "We need to go find him!"

"I agree with Miss Kate. That is suspicious," said Hastings.

"We can't just send someone randomly," said Jasmine. "Sven is ideal because he knows Haruba Desert like the back of his hand."

"Sven is out right now. We need someone else to go," said Erma.

"I'll go!" shouted Kate desperately.

Erma sadly smiled and shook her head. Before Erma could shoot her down, I gained her attention and said, "Let me go! I'll go check on Keith!"

Kate looked hurt but understood why I intervened. Her emotions were too strong for this, plus Union Rangers shouldn't stray too far from the Union. She had never dealt with such dangerous conditions.

"Kellyn, you just got cleared. I suppose you should if the other Top Rangers are out," said Erma. "I want you to go to Altru Park because I hear Blake Hall is giving a speech."

"Yes, I'll head there first. Let's go, Lucario."

Somehow, Lucario and I were able to push through the crowd. The Go-Rock Quads were on the stage first. People quieted down and waited for Billy to speak.

"Hey, everyone! Thank's for the turnout! This was only practice, so make sure to buy tickets for the concert!" he screamed into the microphone. His devious smile flashed and he pointed to a new white-headed member. "I bring good news! Clyde has returned!"

The crowd went wild as Clyde drummed with gusto. "Yo, music fans! How are you today?!" Clyde shouted. "I'm back and better than ever!"

I smiled to myself. Billy took my advice and Clyde came back. I knew that all they needed to do was talk. It was only a fight after all.

"Now, please welcome, the president of Altru Inc., Blake Hall!" shouted Tiffany.

The crowd bonkers and started to shift. I bumped into a frail body and almost knocked it over.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Chantal. The crowd is getting restless, am I right?"

Chantal smiled weakly and laughed, "It's great to see you. The crowd is cheering for a tyrant, and they don't even know it."

Blake Hall took the stage and Wheeler, his assistant, stood next to him. Blake was running his hands over money while Wheeler yawned and rubbed his grimy hands together. They both wore fancy, tailored suits.

"I don't like them. They aren't good people," Chantal said. She broke into a coughing fit and almost fell.

She looked terrible. Her eyes were half-open and her skin was pale, almost graying. Her lips were cracked and chapped. Her hair was dull. Chantal's voice was raspy and her frame was emaciated.

I pulled out my styler and started to voicemail the Union. They would be able to hear the speech from my voicemail.

"Mr. Blake Hall, the magnificent president of the glorious Altru Inc. now requires your attention. This will be a historic speech. You don't know how lucky you common people are," said Wheeler.

Blake opened his arms out wide and begged for cheering. The crowd shouting his name and then quieted down.

"Greetings, ladies and gentlemen… Wait… Wheeler get out of the way," Blake ordered. Wheeler scurried away. "Erm… Our history is the history of Almia. Altru has grown alongside you. Our partnership with you will soon reach seventy years. It is true: our seventieth anniversary since founding is soon upon us. On that day, I will reveal a secret to you. A new dream energy that will do away with our thirst for oil once and for all!"

People around us screamed for more and Blake absorbed the glory. He smiled to the sky and clenched his fists.

I dislike this clown. That idiot speaks of nonsense.

"It is clean, efficient, and effectively limitless in supply. Truly, it is the energy of dreams! I assure you it will be exciting! I, Blake Hall, hereby promise you a bright future for the Almia region! Join us in Altru Park on our anniversary and watch the unveiling of a new era!" Blake finished.

I turned off the voicemail and helped Chantal get out of the crowd. Her knee buckled as she held herself up with her cane.

"Well, I must be going… Tell Rhythmi I say hello…" she said as she walked away. She turned to me and smiled. "I want you to take care of Rhythmi, okay?"

"Yes, of course," I told her.

Chantal looked sad and walked towards me to give me a hug. "Goodbye, Kellyn," she whispered.

She turned and walked away. Chantal's body shook violently as she coughed and her thin figure faded away into the distance.

"Voicemail! Voicemail! Kellyn speaking!" I said into my styler.

"Kellyn… What's up?" said Rhythmi.

Rhythmi's sweet voice sounded sad, empty. I felt weird talking like this. It was painful to hear her so down.

"I just wanted to let you know that I saw Chantal. She said hello," I told her. I hope that would make her happy.

"What! No… Oh no… I-I have to go… Bye Kellyn!"

I stepped into the musty house and looked for the famous Captain Haruba. He was known as the best captain in the Almia region.

"Captain Haruba?" I asked.

"Aye? You want to go to Haruba Desert?" asked the burly captain.

"Yes, sir."

"Okay! Follow me to my pride and joy."

Lucario and I hopped on a fancy, new boat. The motor started and we were off. It was time to go check on Keith.

Ricky

"What are you working on?" I asked my favorite Mechanic.

She didn't even turn to look at me. Her pretty face was buried in her work. It looked like a styler. Her crazy brown hair was frizzed. I poked her in the cheek and she whipped around.

"What do ya want!?" Molly shouted at me. She pulled her goggles down to her neck and glared.

I couldn't help but laugh. Her face was smoggy and her eyes were the only part of her body that was clean. Even her bandana was darkened. Her frown grew bigger as I continued to laugh.

"I wanted to say hello," I told her.

"Hello and goodbye, Ricky," she snarled while returning to her work.

I grabbed her bare shoulder and turned her around. Molly dropped her wrench in surprise. Her body stiffened. It let go of her smooth shoulder and backed off. Her green eyes stared into mine and I forgot the words.

"Um, I actually had more to say," I told her while scratching my head.

"Well… Out with it, Ricky," Molly responded.

Say it. Say it. Say it. I've done it before. Six times actually.

"Wanna get dinner? I know you're busy and you have quite the demand from other suitors, but would you take a chance on me?"

She blinked, unfazed. It was true. She became very popular girl among the Pueltown men. True Islander girls never left Boyle Island. It was a rarity to see such tan skin on the mainland of Almia. Haruba girls are pretty, but they aren't as exotic as Boyle Island girls.

"That was too sappy. Now leave me alone, would ya?"

Seven failures. She turned to her work and left me shocked.

"What was that for?!" I shouted at her.

Her lazy eyes turned to me. Molly looked pissed, well, more pissed than usual. She started to move her arms, and I knew what that meant. I grabbed her arms and pulled them to the wooden table behind her. I towered over her. We glared at each other for some time.

"Do ya have a death wish? I'm not goin' on a date with ya. Why don't ya understand that? Just forget about any possibility," Molly shouted into my face.

I was so close I could see her soft freckles. I could see the small flecks of brown in her green eyes. I could see the blush color of her lips, and I could see the passion in her eyes. I used to think nothing of this hotheaded broad. I didn't feel anything until I saw her in her workshop. In Ranger School, everything I did was to tease her, even the kiss.

"What can I do to change your mind? I'll do anything! I'll get on my knees. I'll beg and beg. I won't even look at another girl! Please… I want one date. If you are still unimpressed, I'll stop pursuing you."

Molly was blushing like crazy. Her big eyes were wide and her mouth hung open. She forced her eyes to the other side of the room. When she spared a glance at me, she won't snap them right away.

"W-Well… I suppose one date wouldn't hurt."

Hey!

The return of Lanie, am I right? Spooky. Just kidding.

I'm telling y'all ahead of time that there will be around two weeks where I won't be able to update. Spring break I'll be in Alabama and the week after is SAT week. I'll try to update as much as I can until Saturday.

Don't forget to review!

Peace ᘳ ε ᘰ