Episode 11: Wrath Ring of Memories
One bright early morning in the Wrath Ring, there is a two floor and rather small home in the middle of the desert western world of the Wrath Ring. In one of the rooms, Blitz is sleeping in a single bed as he lets out snoring sounds. Millie and Moxie are sleeping in bed fit for the both of them. Loona, Amara, and Roy are sleeping in the third room. Eda is also sleeping in her room.
Up on the roof of the house there is a rather large demon looking roster, mostly black, red, a little yellow, and dark green feathers. It also has a yellow beak. Just then, it out a screeching crow.
Hearing the corwing, Blitz wakes up in a panic, "Holy shi…" and falls off the bed with a thud."
"What the fuck was that?!" Blitz exclaims, sitting up and rubbing his head.
The door opens and Amara enters the room. The Owl girl is well dressed in her favorite hat, a lack and red plaid shirt with a collar, a red ascot, dark blue jeans, a brown belt, and a silver buckle.
"Rise and shine, Blitz. It's time to wake up and come down for some chow," Amara says.
Then notices him on the floor, "What happened to you?"
"It's whoever made that awful crowing," Blitz says, irritated.
"That's Ralph, and there he is now," Amara says, pointing her claw to the window still.
Blitz turns to see the Hell Roster on it, and lets out a small crow. Seeing Amara, the Hell Roster flies to Amara and allows her to hold him in her arms.
Blitz glares at it and says, "I got my eye on you, rooster."
"Don't be like that. Ralph is just doing his job. Waking us up and helping make sure everyone's up. Now let's go downstairs and have breakfast," Amara says.
After the little sudden alarm and getting dressed. Blitz and the others are sitting on the table while Amara and Eda are cooking. Of course, Millie still has to wear the crunches and bandages around her arm.
Loona news and says, "I'm so fuckin tired."
"Thank you for letting us stay at your farm, Eda," Millie says.
"It's no problem, y'all. It's the least I can do to thank you for good care of my niece and nephew," Eda says.
"Yeah. These two have been actually very good to have around," Blitz says.
"Except when Blitz sneaks into Amara's home and she actually throws him out," Moxxie says.
Eda laughs and says, "That sounds like Amara alright. She can be sweet and calm and she needs to be, but if you pissed her off, she'll give you the boot."
"Aunt Eda!" Amara says, embarrassed.
Soon, Eda and Amara finished breakfast and placed different plates of different varieties on the table.
Once done, Amara shouts, "Time to dig in, everybody."
"And after we're done, we'll show you around the barn," Eda says.
"Great. We can't wait," Millie happily says.
Roy then asks, "Aunt Eda, can I play with the Blaze and FireCracker in the corral?"
"Sure. Scarlett will keep an eye on you and the little ones while you play," Eda says.
"Who's Scarlett, Blaze and FireCracker?" Moxxie asks.
"You'll see," Amara says with a smile.
The group continues to have their breakfast until they're done. After they're gone eating, the group is outside as Eda and Amara are at the corral next to a small stable. Eda opens it and the first to come out are two small Hell Ponies. The first has is black with flames male, tail, and flames on its hooves. The second is dark blue with sparking blue flames mane and tail.
Roy happily waves, "Blaze! FireCracker! Over here!"
The two ponies run to Roy and allow him to pet them.
"Guys these are the little ponies. The black and red is a filly, Blaze. And the dark blue and blue fire one one is a colt, FireCracker," Amara says.
"Hi Blaze and FireCracker. Aren't you two so cute," Millie happily says.
Just then, Eda walks out with a grown Hell horse, a mare to be specific. She is dark gray with light red, bright red, bright orange, and yellow flames for mane and tail. She also has some on all four on her legs and bright red hooves.
"And this is Scarlet. She's the mother of these two," Eda says.
The little ponies hurry to their mother and the mother licks them both calmly.
"That's actually kind of sweet," Moxxie says.
"Yeah, but FireCracker can be a bit much," Amara says.
Sitting on the fence, Blitz asks, "How much?"
Suddenly FireCracker runs to Blitz and grabs him by his vest. Then pulls him into the corral and on to the ground. Then FireCracker leans to Blitz and licks him in the face.
"He's really mischievous," Amara says.
Blitz sits up and says, "I can tell."
He then picks up Blitz by his vest and places him on his back. Then around in excitement and the ground below its covers crackles at every step. Blitz is surprised.
"Woah! Little guy! You sure are energetic!" Blitz says, surprised.
"You're doing great, Blitz! Make sure to hang on!" Roy calls out.
Blitz hears Roy and grabs him around the neck. Then rides FireCracker like a pro.
"You're doing a great Blitz," Amara says.
"Nice one Blitz," Millie says.
Soon, Blitz on little FireCracker comes and stops where the others are.
"Your little FireCracker got spirit. I like this little pony," Blitz says and pets FireCracker.
Amara giggles and says, "And I think FireCracker likes you too."
Blaze then walks to where Roy is, and Roy climbs on her back.
Roy then says, "Come on Blaze, let's ride."
Soon Roy begins to ride on Blaze and FireCracker follows with Blitz on his back.
"Look at them go," Amara says.
Eda brings Scarlet and says, "Why not join them. Come on, Scarlet likes to get some exercise."
"Okay," Amara happily says.
Amara climbs on Scarlet's back and grabs the rings. Then begins to ride with the others.
"Wow. Amara is really good," Loona says, impressed.
"Yep. She and Roy are great about the barn, especially Amara," Eda says.
"Yeah. They are really good on horseback," Millie happily says.
"This is one of the things they're good at. Of course, Amara has years of practice while Roy still has a lot to learn," Eda says.
"Out of curiosity, what was Amara like living here? I remember her telling us and some photos that she came from a family of Imps and that she was adopted. And, she seems very skillful here," Moxxie asks.
"Right. I'm sure Amara will tell you eventually, but her life seems normal. Everyday craziness that goes on in Wrath. She goes to school with her friends, gets in a few fights with bullies, and workin around the farm, and practicing her skills. Of course, with all that, I'm surprised she hasn't gone out on a date with that Chandra boy," Eda says.
"Chandra? Of Inferno Chandra Corral Ranch? Millie asks, surprised.
"Yep. Believe it or not, but that boy, Aaron, his family name is Chandra. So you guessed it, he's the son of the Chandra family. Own a few good farms and a wine industry around the area," Eda says.
"I must admit, I'm surprised to hear that Amara is friends with the son of the Chandra family," Moxxie says.
"Know them. My brother actually used to be one of the Farm hands for the Chandra family. So needless to say, she and Aaron knew each other for a really long time and got stuck together," Eda says.
"Awww. That is very sweet. And yet, she never went on a date," Millie says.
"Nah. I think she's too busy taking care of Roy. Of course, I told her she didn't have too. But then again, I can't tell who's clingy to who, Amara to Roy or the other way around," Eda says and chuckles in reply.
Moxxie and Millie look at each other, "Clingy?"
The first thing comes to their mind is when Amara is holding Roy in her arms and gives him a hug. Roy also has his head pressed against Amara's chest and has his arms around her neck.
Then the two Imps say, "More like both."
After horseback riding, and trying to get Blitz off of FireCracker, Millie and Loona are sitting on a picnic table in front of a crop field as Eda, Amara, and Roy pick some of the crops and vegetables with the guys.
Blitz pull some of the carrots, "Fuck, you really had to do this every day?"
"Yep. That's what I get from doing hard work. Pick vegetables, clean the corral, barn, and stables, cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner, feed the animals, wrangle some for dinner, skinning them for food too. We also sometimes make deliveries," Amara says.
Confused Blitz says, "Makes me wonder why you decided to move to the city for work when you got work here?"
"Well, Amara is a growing girl and she will have to leave the nest at some point. Plus, it's a good way for her to see more of Hell and now she can see what the human world is like," Eda says.
Them asks, "So what's the world above like anyway?"
"You're not missing much. The humans there can be fuckin stupid or a bunch of nutjobs," Blitz says.
"But we do get to see a lot of places. We went to a beach, the woods, some buildings and businesses different from what Hell has," Amara adds.
Pulling a carrot Moxxie says, "But we're mostly there to work rather than to have fun."
"Well that's no fun. You should schedule yourself to have some fun on earth. As long as you don't get caught. Since you have access to the surface, why not take advantage of it," Eda says.
Amara sighs, "Because we have Prince Stolas' grimoire so I don't think we should take it lightly. Besides, all of us, including Stolas will be in deep shit if anything happens to it."
"Oh," Eda says.
Blitz finishes pulling some of the veggies and asks, "Hey Amara, out of curiosity, how did your parents adopt you anyway?"
"How did they adopt me? Hmm, it's a long time ago, but they told me that they just found me in their barn one day," Amara says.
"Found you?" Blitz asks.
"Yeah. I know because I was there when they found Amara," Eda says, and picks up the basket with the vegetables.
Soon, all five begin to carry the baskets of vegetables to the table.
Eda explains, "It happened around fifteen years ago. A week after they got married and started living on our family farm."
Flashback: 14 Years Ago
One early morning in a brown wooden house that is about two stories. It has a large fence surrounding the area. There is a sign that reads, Rusted Gold Corral Ranch. Coming out of the house are the younger and newly wed Jake and Cassandra. They wear similar clothes as the photo Amara has, but different colors.
Jake sniffs the air and says, "Nothing like the heat of Wrath to get the old blood pumpin."
"Oh dear," Cassandra says with a chuckle and hugs her husband.
Then kisses him on the cheek.
"Hey Cassandra, Jake," A young Eda calls as she walks over.
"Howdy little sis. Great to see you. What brings you here?" Jake says.
"Thought I should give you a hand since you just moved back here and could use some help with the chores," Eda says.
"Much appreciated sis," Jake says.
Soon, the three walk to the barn and Jake opens it. Soon, the three walk inside.
Suddenly, Cassandra hears a sound, "What's that?"
"What's what?" Eda asks.
Then Cassandra hears the sound again, "There it is again."
"What noise?" Jake asks.
"Listen," Cassandra calmly says.
Soon, Jake and Eda hear the noise as well, almost like crying.
Jake chuckles and says, "Oh honey, that's the sound of a baby cryin'"
In the moment of silence, the married couple turns to each other in shock, "Baby?!"
With that, the three Imps look around for the source of the sound. Finally, Cassandra moves a little bit of hay from the pile to reveal the baby white feathered owlet, laying in the pile of hay as part of her body is wrapped in a blue blanket and is wearing a golden base pendant with a blue color in the middle with yellow gold moon with shimmering small stars around it, and has a red Star Ruby gemstone.
"Oh, you poor little thing," Cassandra says, taking the baby in her arms and begins to rock her.
Then asks, "Where did you come from?"
"This is fuckin weird. How did it get here" Jake asks.
"You don't think the baby might have been left here for a reason, or maybe it might have been abandoned," Eda wonders.
"Who knows?" Cassandra says and lets out a calm smile.
She then turns to Jake and asks, "Can we keep it?"
"Honey, this isn't just some dollar you found lay on the sidewalk or a stray animal. Besides, we're not sure where she comes from. Do you know any owls in the area," Jake says.
"I don't care where she came from. She needs us, Jake. Look how she's reaching out to you," Cassandra says.
She hands the baby as the infant owl reaches out to Jake. Jake takes her in his arms as he allows her to hold his finger.
"Got a good grip," Jake says.
Jake then looks at the pendant, "That's a nice piece of jewelry she got." Then turn it to see the back.
"Hmm, there doesn't seem to be a name on it," Jake says.
The baby girl then reaches Jake's face and touches him.
Eda chuckles and says, "That's cute. She sure is a pertty little thing."
Jake sighs with a smile and says, "Okay Cassandra, we'll keep her, but I suspect you've already decided."
"Yes. I really do," Cassandra says.
Then wonders, "What do you think of, Rachel? Or how about Kelly? Or Miley? Or maybe Ashley?"
Then I had an idea, "Oh I know, we can use my mother's name. What do you think of Amara?"
"Amara? That is a mighty fine name. Definitely suits her," Jake says.
Eda smiles and says, "Yeah. And it definitely goes well with that star on that pendant of hers."
The baby girl giggles with glee.
Flashback Ends:
"I never understand why or how it happened, after that day, Jake and Cassandra raise Amara as they're own, and love her like she's their own daughter," Eda says.
"So you never knew where you came from?" Blitz asks, turning to Amara.
"Not at all. But I know that this will always be my home. No matter where I go," Amara says.
Then brings out the pendant, "However, this is the only sign of my birth parents. My mom thinks that maybe someday I might be able to find them."
"Maybe you will. You never know. Maybe Stolas knows a couple of Owls missing a kid," Blitz says.
"The pendant is our only clue. There was nothing else, but a couple of blankets," Eda says.
"So basically Amara's pendant is the only clue to your birth family," Moxxie says.
"Pretty much," Eda says.
Tucking in her necklace, Amara says, "Yes, but I don't plan on giving up. Depending on what life takes me, maybe someday, I'll know who my birth family are, and maybe get some answers."
"It might take a long time sis," Roy says.
"I know, but maybe someday, I'll be able to get some answers," Amara says, picking up Roy.
Roy smiles, "And I'm sure you will. You'll always be my big sister."
"And you'll always be my little brother," Amara says.
Amara and Roy hug each other and let out a laugh. Blitz and the others watch as the siblings give each other a loving embrace. Unknown to them, someone is secretly spying on them from behind the barn, and lets out the hissing and rattling of a rattlesnake.
After working around the barn, Amara, Eda, and Roy decide to take the I.M.P crew to a place they know about. Soon enough, they arrive at an old wooden house that has the Rusted Gold Corral Ranch sign.
"What's this shitty old place?" Blitz asks.
"Come on Blitz, I'm sure they have a good reason to be here," Millie says, walking on crutches.
Amara says with a sad smile, "It's my house. We haven't been here in years."
"This is your house?" Loona asks.
"It looks really rundown?" Moxxie replies.
"Maybe so, but it was home," Amara says.
"I don't fully remember it, but Amara brings me here from time to time," Roy says.
"You were too young to remember. Then again, you barely live here like I have. As of now, Aunt Eda kind of turned it into a storage house," Amara says.
Amara walks to the door and opens it to see the place has a lot of boxes, and some furniture covered in beige sheets.
"Wow. This place looks like it hasn't been used in a long time," Moxxie says.
"Well, we haven't been living here for so many years," Amara says.
"And kept a lot of our old things. Especially Jake and Cassandra's things are kept safely on the upper floor," Eda says.
"I think this place looks rather rustic," Millie says.
"More like a dump," Loona says, typing on her phone.
"You grouch. It's not," Amara says.
Soon, the group enters the house and looks around. Moxxie blows a bit to see a small cloud of dust gather around.
Blitz looks around and places his hand on the wall as he says, "Loona is right though, this place looks like a dump."
Suddenly, a piece of the wall bends back and a door flips open and flats Moxxie.
"Moxxie!" Millie says, surprised.
Amara lifts the door and pulls Moxxie out, "Are you okay?"
"I'm okay," Moxxie says, feeling dizzy.
Eda grins and says, "Congratulations Blitz, you have found the underground tunnel system."
"Underground what?" Blitz asks.
"It's an Underground Tunnel System my dad and Grandfather made a long time ago. We used it to walk around without worrying about the Wrath's Heat."
"Where does it lead?" Loona asks.
"To a large valley with mountain forest far from here. It leads to our family cabin in the mountains. We used to go there all the time," Eda says.
"Sounds neat. Can we go there?" Millie asks with an excited smile.
"Sure. We can grab some supplies and we can have a campfire dinner," Eda says.
"What about Millie? She can't walk all the way there with her crutches," Moxxie asks, concerned.
"Leave that to me," Eda says.
Sometime later, everyone gathered some food and supplies to have a picnic dinner. Eda has also found a wheelchair for Millie and Moxxie volunteers to push her. Now the group are walking down the stairs and helping Millie out, they walk down the underground tunnel to reach their destination. As they walk down the tunnel, they see small lanterns hanging over the ceiling or on the side of the wall. Amara is taking the lead as she holds a flashlight in her claw hand.
"Wow. This tunnel looks like it goes on forever," Millie says.
"Yeah. Are you sure there isn't an end to it?" Blitz asks.
"There is. Aunt Eda used to take me and Amara down here sometimes when it's hot in the Wrath Ring, especially during the summer," Roy says.
"Our parents took us here too, after all, it was our dad and grandpa who built the place," Amara says.
"Still, it must have taken a very long time to construct a tunnel system and have time to put the lanterns around the cave," Moxxie says.
"True, but Jake and dad were able to manage it. Of course, my mom, myself, and some of our buddies from around the neighborhood help out as well," Eda says.
"I must say, this tunnel is very well made. If you could nurture that kind of construction, you can very much make an underground hideaway for the Wrath Ring," Moxxie says.
"Well, it's not anything too big or anything, but we mostly use it to get to our special spot in the mountains," Eda says.
Then taps her finger under her chin, "It's been a long time since we used it, so I'm surprised it hasn't…"
Suddenly, they begin to hear the sound of gun firing and the rumbling sound and it appears to be coming from the tunnel ceiling and dirt and rocks begin to fall from above.
"What the fuck was that?" Blitz asks.
"I think it's a cave in!" Eda panics.
Seeing the cave beginning to cave in, Moxxie cries out, "Watch out."
Everyone quickly moves out of the way in a panic, Moxie hurries as he pushes Millie out of the way. Unaware that something is able to slip past them at top speed. After the cave in, the group is on the ground, except for Millie who is in her wheelchair.
Moxie quickly hurries to his wife, "Millie, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Moxxie. A little shaken up is all," Millie answers.
Eda says, "That is one of the things I was worried about."
Loona looks to notice someone is missing, "Wait, where's Amara?"
Everyone looks to see that Amara isn't with the group.
Meanwhile, Amara is able to sit up as she coughs up the smoke and dust.
"That was rather scary," Amara says to herself.
She then looks around to find herself alone.
Amara looks around and calls out, "Roy! Aunt Eda! Blitz! Millie! Moxxie! Loona!"
Back to I.M.P, the others begin to hear Amara's calling out to them. They turn to hear the sound coming from the cave-in area of the tunnel.
Blitz calls out, "Amara, is that you?!"
"Blitz, are you and the others okay?! What about Aunt Eda and Roy?!" Amara calls out.
Eda walks over and says, "We're fine, but are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?"
"No. I'm fine, but it looks like the tunnel is blocked off," Amara says.
"Don't worry Amara, we can dig through the dirt and get to the other side," Millie says.
But Amara calls out, "No. It might be too risky. The tunnel might be getting unstable. Aunt Eda knows another way to get to the mountains. Take the van to get there and I'll use the tunnel and meet you at the cabin."
"Okay. We'll meet you there and be careful," Eda says.
"Alright!" Amara calls out and begins to walk down the tunnel.
Eda turns to the others, "Come on, we better get going. I got a bad feeling about what I heard before the cave in."
"Oh, so I'm not the only one who heard that gun shot," Blitz says.
"We better get going and fast," Eda says.
The group then hurries down the tunnel to get to the company van to get to the mountains.
Meanwhile, Amara makes her way down the tunnel to reach the cabin on the other side. Luckily, she knows that it won't be much longer before she reaches the door where the cabin is. Amara points the flashlight up knowing she is close to the end of the tunnel. Soon, she finds the staircase and a door.
"There it is," Amara says.
Amara walks up the stairs and opens the door. She soon walks inside to see the inside of a wooden cabin. She walks to the room that is the kitchen with some cabinets, a sink, a table with six tables, and the place is covered in dust.
Amara says to herself, "I haven't been here in years."
Then brings out her cellphone, "I better call the others to let them know I made it and see how they're doing."
"Not gonna happen, cowgirl," A familiar male voice replies.
"Huh?" Amara questions.
Before she can react, a tail swats her phone right out of her claw and it slides to the ground. Amara turns to find a familiar pale red tail tied around her waist, pinning her arms, and coils up to her neck Then she is pulled to the ground. Amara looks up and is shocked to see a familiar cowboy Imp from the Festival.
"Howdy kid, didn't expect to see me again, huh?" The Imp says.
Amara gasps in shock, "Striker?!"
In the I.M.P Van, Blitz drives the van across the desert area of Hell to get to the mountains.
"Just how much longer do we need to drive. It feels like it's going on forever," Blitz says.
"We've only been on the road for twenty minutes," Moxxie says
"Still, we need to get to Amara as soon as possible. I got a bad feeling about this," Eda says.
"Yeah. Call me crazy, but did you get the feeling that we weren't the only ones in the tunnel?" Blitz questions.
Roy says, "I know you're not. I could have sworn I saw someone run past us and reach the other side before the cave is sealed off."
"I think he's right, especially when we heard that gun shot. I'm worried whoever it is, is going to give Amara trouble," Eda says.
"Then let's step on it," Blitz says, and pushes the gas.
Soon, the van begins to drive faster.
Meanwhile, Amara is struggling to break free, but Striker's tail has her pinned down, even her ankles are tied.
Amara struggles to break free, but what actually has her tied up is Striker's tail.
Striker chuckles with an evil smirk, "Struggle all you want kid, but you wouldn't want to tire yourself before we hit the road."
"Let me go, you rattlesnake tailed varmint!" Amara angrily says.
"Looks like you still have some fight in you. You definitely showed it back at the Pain Games," Striker says.
"What are you even doing here?! Last I saw you, you tried to shoot Stolas with an angelic rifle!" Amara demands in rage.
"Yeah. you and your annoying dumb fucks interfered with that job. But there's always the next time around. As of now, you're my target this time around," Striker says.
"What for?" Amara demands.
"Can't give much away, but let's just my client wants you to be brought over alive," Striker says.
Hearing this, Amara is confused, but then narrows her eyes with a suspicious expression on her face.
"And who will that client be?" Amara questions.
"Can't spill anything as of now. Now that your little friends aren't around, bringing you in is going to be a whole lot easier," Striker says.
"Like I'll be going anywhere with a rattling Imp like you," Amara angrily says, and lifts her legs to kick him in the knees.
This causes him to look at his tail grip, and Amara is able to break free. Amara quickly gets up and kicks him in the stomach, sending him back to the wall. She then punches Striker in the face with her black fist. Then grabs him by the arm and throws him out of the doorway and he falls to the ground of the living room. Striker stands up to see Amara glaring at him.
He smirks and says, "You're a lot tougher than I expect. I love a challenge."
Striker then pounces on Amara and tackles her to the ground. He then grabs Amara's by the neck, hoping to strangle her, but Amara quickly raises her claws and scratches him in the face. Then she kicks Striker off of her. Then the two begin to throw punches at one another.
Meanwhile, outside of a brown wooden cabin with a porch that has a small staircase, the I.M.P van arrives and instantly parks.
Blitz looks at the cabin and says, "The place seems pretty quiet."
"Yeah. A little too quiet. Amara should have been outside waiting for us. Or at least let us know if she's here," Eda says.
Suddenly, they hear a loud crashing sound and the sound of gunshots.
"That's the gunshot we heard," Millie says.
"Look!" Roy points out.
They soon see Amara run past the window.
"It's Amara!" Moxxie says.
Suddenly, they all see a familiar Imp chasing after her.
Stunned, Eda asks, "Is that…"
"Striker!" Blitz angrily says and brings out his gun.
Then turns to Loona, "Loona, you stay and keep an eye on Millie and Roy. Eda. Moxxie. You're with me."
Blitz hurries as Moxxie holds a gun and Eda holds her rifle.
In the cabin, Amara is still fighting against Striker, and the Imp is not making this an easy fight. Amara kicks Striker and Striker punches her in the face. He then grabs her ponytail and throws her to the ground. Amara groans as she begins to stand. She also feels a pain left leg.
"Fuck!" Amara mutters.
"Striker wipes the flood off his mouth and says, "Gotta admit, you sure are one tough girl. It kind of makes me wonder why you needed to be brought to her."
"What do you mean? Who wants me and why?" Amara demands.
"Iil' lady, there's a lot you don't know about yourself. Yet, you definitely show a lot of potential," Striker answers.
"Potential?" Amara asks, arching her eyebrow.
"It's simple really," Striker says.
Then begins to walk toward Amara as she begins to step back.
"You know that you're a lot stronger than other demons. From what I heard, you had some unique abilities and powers and you still rely on your physical strength. And you decided to work with a bunch of Imps who work for bitter sinners, who could care less who you are," Striker says and he walks past Amara.
Amara is starting to grow conflicted about Striker's statement.
"With your strength, weaponry, and power, makes me wonder why you would take on that kind of job as an assassin. Same with your little magic, song and dance show in Imp City," Striker says from behind.
Amara turns around and asks, "How do you know about that?"
"Word travels from here and there, especially about a young Owl demon like yourself. Living in the Wrath Ring, raised by Imps and considered them a family, and try to work only to be rejected and decide to work on the street for loose change. Then finally got a job working for those Imps and lived with a little shrimp who she thinks of as a little brother. Unaware of the possibility of what her true origins lie," Striker says.
Amara becomes stunned to hear this. It makes her wonder how Striker knows about her and a bit about her life.
However something else catches her attention, "What do you mean true origin?"
Amara turns and becomes startled to see Striker in front that has her back against the wall and slides down to sit down.
"I can't explain much, but…" Striker says.
Then he has his tail coil around Amara, but not enough to pin her arms to her side. Then he takes off Amara's hat to reveal a bit of fluff on the top of her head. Then gently cuffs Amara's cheeks from uner her beak.
"But what?" Amara asks.
Before Striker can answer, he hears the sound of three gun clicks. Then turns his head to see Blitz, Eda, and Moxxie.
"Hey Striker, sorry we got here late. Now step away from my niece before I blow your brains out," Eda angrily says, and ready to fire.
Striker finds himself cornered, but chuckles with a smirk and uncoils his tail from Amara.
"Hmm, looks like you got here sooner than I thought. Guess I can't carry the full cargo… However," Striker says with a smirk.
Suddenly, brings out a small strange looking knife, "But I can still obtain this."
Before Amara can act, he grabs Amara by her neck. Then stabs her on her right arm with his knife. Making her scream in pain. Suddenly, the knife seeps out some of her blood and puts it in the handle without notice. He then pulls the knife out.
He then stands up and says to Amara, "I'll see you next time around kid. You just keep surprising me."
Striker then runs towards an open window close by and escapes through it. Eda and Moxxie hurry to Amara to see she looks a little worse for wear. She has bruises, scratches, and a stab wound on her arm. Blitz looks out the window to see Striker has already fled the scene.
After the little scuffle, the campfire dinner picnic continued as planned. Eda of course mends to Amara's injuries, but she also feels okay and yet, very bothered.
Blitz eats a hot dog from the stick as Moxxie and Millie happily roast some marshmellows together. Loona lays on the blanket as Roy is sleeping next to her. Amara sighs as she roasts her marshmallow.
Eda asks, "Sweetie, is there something wrong?"
"Yeah. You look upset about something. Just be glad Striker didn't kill you or anything, and it looks like you kind of beat him good," Blitz says.
"Maybe, but it's not what he did, it's what he said. He knows a bit about my life, and knows I was raised in the Wrath Ring. And he said something about my true origins. Does that mean that he might know where I come from? And if so, does he have any connections to Mirage? Or what happened to my parents? Maybe he might know my birth parents and they want to find me?" Amara says.
She groans in frustration, "I don't know."
"You shouldn't worry about it. Maybe Striker is just saying that to mess with your head or something," Blitz says.
"But it's still rather odd that he knows a lot about you and from what you explain, whoever wants you, specifically wants you alive. So then, why did he stabbed you and left?" Moxxie wonders.
"Yeah. That guy is fuckin weird. First he tried to kill Stolas and now tried to kidnap Amara. What does this guy had somethin' against owls?" Millie wonders.
"Not sure," Amara says.
"Well, you shouldn't worry too much. We still got like another day or so in the Wrath Ring before heading back to work. And we'll have to work every hard cause Millie is out of commission for close range," Blitz says.
"I guess you're right. But still, first Mirage who knows about what happened to my adopted parents, and now Striker who might know about my birth parents. I can't just ignore it," Amara says.
"For now, you just relax and have fun with your aunt, brother, and buddies. I'm sure the mystery will have a conclusion someday," Eda says.
Amara calmly smiles and says, "Okay."
And so, the I.M.P continue their night out and have the rest of their little fun and vacation.
Meanwhile, Striker has returned to the Hideaway Motel Vacancy and is talking on the phone.
Striker says, "I wasn't able to capture the girl but I already obtained some of her D.N.A and sent it for you. I gotta admit, the kid is a tougher than I thought she be,"
On the phone, Stella is on the other line, "It will be best not to underestimate her. I may not know her for long, but I can tell she is rather independent. Just remember to keep your distance for now."
"Understood," Striker says.
Then Stella hangs up the phone. She then looks out to see the night sky of her window.
She mutters to herself, "Maribelle."